The iPad Pro has historically been a playground for Apple to try out some of its newest and most interesting tech and features. Today, the company revealed the iPad Pro’s latest generation with a totally new M4 chip inside and an OLED display on the front. The step-down iPad Air also got a refresh, which includes a new size option, improved Apple Pencil compatibility, and more. You can dig into the specs on Apple’s site, but here are some key takeaways from the new product announcements:

Apple’s M4 chip debuts in the new iPad Pro

The original M-series silicon debuted way back in 2020, and now Apple has introduced the fourth-generation M4 chip in the iPad Pro (shown above) before it makes its way into a full-on Mac. It’s a big jump from the M2 chip found in the previous tablet. Apple claims a 1.5x improvement in CPU performance over the already beastly M2 iPad Pro. 

The M4 really flexes when it comes to AI. It’s capable of 38 trillion calculations per second, up from 15.8 trillion in the M2 iPad Pro. Numbers like that are so enormous that they’re hard to visualize, but Apple claims they directly translate into drastically improved performance during AI-intensive tasks. Rendering 3D objects happens four times faster. Apps like Procreate can generate visual effects without long stints of staring at a progress bar. 

In short, the new iPad Pro should be silly fast.

iPad Pro has a fancy new OLED display—the Ultra Retina XDR

While the M4 chip is big news under the hood, the hood itself is pretty fancy. The new OLED display relies on a unique stacked dual-panel setup to provide the kind of brightness and color accuracy the company desired. As with OLED TVs, this type of display offers unprecedented levels of contrast but often suffers when it comes to overall light output. However, The new Pro models offer 1,000 nits of full-screen brightness or 1,600 nits with HDR, so they match their Mini-LED predecessor’s output while increasing the contrast ratio to 2,000,000. 

For an extra $100, Apple will apply a nano-texture to the display surface to combat glare. This tech was already available on the Studio Display, but this is its first iPad appearance. It could be a worthy upgrade if you typically work in environments with lots of ambient light, like planes or trains. 

iPad Air now offers an M2 chip and a 13-inch screen option

While the iPad Pro is the star of the lineup, the Air is a more practical option for most people. The new Air (shown above) comes with the M2 chip inside, which matches the computing power of the previous-gen. Pro. You can now choose a familiar 11-inch model (which starts at $599) or the new 13-inch model (which starts at $799). Both come in four colors and start with 128GB storage in the base model. The updated Air models also work with the new Apple Pencil Pro.

Apple Pencil Pro offers new squeeze and rotation features

An Apple Pencil is fairly essential for getting the most out of any iPad, and there’s now a top-end model with features exclusive to the latest generation of Pro and Air. The $129 Apple Pencil Pro still attaches magnetically to the side of the iPads for storage and charging. In addition to typical Pencil features, the Pencil Pro offers a squeeze control. Squeezing the barrel of the Pencil brings up brush menus and other functions without the need to actually touch the screen. 

The other big upgrade comes in the form of a built-in gyroscope. That extra sensor allows the Pencil to detect its own orientation as you roll it over in your hand. So, if you choose a chisel-shaped marker brush, you can actually rotate the Pencil to make the line thinner or thicker. 

The iPad Pro has a new Magic Keyboard case

With all the power from the M4 chip inside, the new iPad Pro draws natural comparisons to full-on laptops. Of course, that requires a keyboard, and the new Pro arrives with an optional Magic Keyboard. The $349 case (pricy, but that’s not surprising) includes a full row of function keys and a large multi-touch touchpad, making the whole package look an awful lot like a typical MacBook. 

An iPod Nano is thicker than the new iPad Pro

The grand vision for the iPad has always been to make it like a “magic pane of glass.” The new Pro 13-inch iPad Pro is just 5.1mm thick, which is thinner than the 6.2mm thick iPod Nano of days past. The 13-inch model weighs just 1.28 pounds, while the 11-inch sneaks in at 0.98 pounds. That makes the 13-inch model roughly a quarter pound lighter than its predecessor. That’s a noticeable difference in devices like this. 

Final Cut Pro and Logic both got big upgrades for the new iPads

Apple wants pros working on these iPad Pros, so the company redesigned two of its high-end apps to take advantage of the new devices. Final Cut Pro for iPad 2 and Logic Pro for iPad 2 have both gotten considerable updates with touch-first capabilities in mind. Final Cut also now has its own dedicated camera app, allowing real-time multi-cam setups running across several iPhones. The new Logic music editing app adds even more AI-powered musicians to jam along with your compositions. We’re looking forward to trying out both new apps when they’re live. 

The post 7 things you should know about the new M4 iPad Pro and M2 iPad Air appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB‑C)		SEE IT	The top-of-the-line AirPods Pro 2 are Apple’s best portable personal audio item yet.
Best over-ear		AirPods Max		SEE IT	Apple’s over-ear headphones have the longest battery and most distinctive look.
Best value		AirPods (3rd generation)		SEE IT	Many of the features you can get from AirPods Pro, but for a lot less money.

AirPods have come a long way since the first generation of Apple’s true wireless earbuds were released in 2016. Industry research firm Canalys found that TWS sales may have decreased in 2023, but Apple’s AirPods Pro remain dominant. The company’s success has contributed greatly to popularizing TWS earbuds and features like active noise cancellation, which was previously only available in over- and on-ear headphones but is now mainstream on earbuds. It’s also raised the bar for connectivity, ease of use, battery life, and, of course, sound quality. While the term “AirPods” was synonymous with in-ears, the company launched the AirPods Max, its first pair of over-ear headphones, in 2020. The company has continually updated its lineup to introduce models with additional features or design changes. The best AirPods will allow you to enjoy your favorite music on-the-go while ditching wires completely.

• Best overall: AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB‑C)
• Best value: AirPods (3rd generation) with Lightning Charging Case
• Best over-ear: AirPods Max
• Best budget: AirPods (2nd generation)

How we chose the best AirPods for you

Our AirPods recommendations come from a mix of research and hands-on testing. When possible, we compared AirPods to different current-generation headphones in their respective categories. We also considered the style of headphones listeners preferred, the performance of features like active noise cancellation, battery life, and price. The good news is there’s no bad choice in the bunch; it’s just a matter of finding a set that best fits your needs.

The best AirPods: Reviews & Recommendations

The best AirPods will allow you to appreciate your music more than a typical budget pair of headphones because of their audio quality, while still fitting comfortably in a pocket or bag. They should fit your budget, and work just as well with your Android and Windows devices as your Apple gear.

Best overall: AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB‑C)

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Specs

• Headphone style: Earbuds
• Battery Life: Up to 6 hours listening time per charge
• ANC: Yes
• Connector: USB-C
• Price: $249.99

Pros

• Adaptive Audio (EQ) support
• Personalized Spatial Audio support w/ dynamic head tracking
• Comfortable to wear

Cons

• Less software customization than come competing brands
• Some features require the latest and greatest Apple hardware and an Apple Music subscription
• Not the most secure option for activity

The 2nd-generation AirPods with MagSafe Charging Case add small but consequential updates to what was already a fantastic flagship. As we declared in our full review of the AirPods Pro 2, these earbuds are “a highly noticeable improvement over their predecessors” thanks to a new low-distortion, high-excursion 11mm driver plus a custom amplifier. The augmented dynamics are richer, rounder, with textures splashier, crashier, crispier. And that’s before you add in any of the bells and whistles, like Dolby Atmos Spatial Audio, Adaptive EQ, active noise cancellation, and transparency, which combine to narrow the gap between you and your music while widening the soundstage you experience it in. (And, if you happen to have the Apple Vision Pro headset, the H2 chip with Bluetooth 5.3 in the AirPods Pro 2allows you to get 20-bit/48 kHz lossless audio streaming with your spatial computing.)

In terms of build improvements, the latest AirPods Pro earbuds are IP54 for better sweat and dust resistance, with multiple sizes of silicone eartips that anchor in your ear canals and create a tight seal for optimized bass performance. Simultaneously, a vent system improves pressure equalization for comfort. Skin-detect sensors tell the earbuds when to pause and play music if you take the earbuds out and put them back in. Touch controls are more responsive. The beamforming microphones do a great job isolating your voice on calls. Perhaps the greatest quality-of-living change is that the case supports both wireless and USB-C charging, so you can put that last Lightning cable away.

All these factors contribute to our naming the AirPods Pro 2 the best overall earbuds for most people. If you have a newer-generation iPhone, iPad, MacBook, etc., an insatiable love of music, and the budget (these are often on sale for $179-$199), the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) earbuds are a splurge that justifies itself immediately.

Best value: AirPods (3rd generation) with Lightning Charging Case

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Specs

• Headphone style: Earbuds
• Battery Life: Up to 6 hours listening time per charge
• ANC: Yes
• Connector: Lightning
• Price: $169.99

Pros

• Adaptive Audio support
• Spatial audio support
• Comfortable to wear

Cons

• Uses a proprietary connector

While the AirPods Pro (2nd generation) earbuds are our default suggestion for anyone looking for AirPods, we understand that some folks don’t want to spend that much or still have an older iPhone and would prefer not to replace their Lightning cable(s) until they must. In that case, the AirPods (3rd generation) with Lightning Charging Case is your choice, and it’s not a bad choice by any means. It has a lot of the same audio features as the AirPods Pro 2, including the custom high-excursion driver and high dynamic range amplifier, Adaptive EQ, and Personalized Spatial Audio with dynamic head tracking. So, if you liked the sound of the sound in the AirPods Pro 2 description above, you’ll like how it sounds here. What you don’t get, however, does come into play when you hit play. The AirPods (3rd generation) have a hardshell design, no interchangeable tips, so it can be harder to get a tight seal (and therefore harder to get lower bass). Also, there’s no noise cancellation, so the world might intrude more on your tunes (and you might be tempted to turn up the volume more but please do not or you’ll need to buy these). The chipset is an H1 with Bluetooth 5.0, so these will become obsolete faster than the Pro 2. And you must click, not swipe, for certain controls. Still, these AirPods have the same battery life and IP durability rating as the AirPods Pro, plus a case with a Lightning jack for charging (or one that charges wirelessly if you’re inclined to spend a little more). You get the AirPods experience in a pair of earbuds that’s routinely discounted to $140-$150, and you may not miss active noise cancellation if you work from home or in quiet environments.

Best over-ear: AirPods Max

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Specs

• Headphone style: Over-ear
• Battery Life: Up to 20 hours listening time per charge
• ANC: Yes
• Connector: Lightning
• Price: $549

Pros

• Better ANC than earbuds
• Solid battery life
• Comfortable to wear

Cons

• Cost

The AirPods Max are the only pair of over-ear headphones made by Apple, so they’re your sole option in this category. Apple brought over many of the same features that helped make its earbuds popular: instant pairing with Apple devices, support for Spatial Audio and quick access to Siri, active noise cancelation, a well-balanced sound profile, and a design that’s focused on comfort. They’re also available in four colors, while Apple’s earbuds are only available in white.

At $549 (though often on sale as low as $479), the AirPods Max are a lot more expensive than comparable flagship models from Sony and Bose, and those headphones have better battery life and noise cancellation performance. Headphones from those companies also feature a USB-C port rather than Lightning for charging. A big part of the AirPods Max’s appeal is the signature aesthetics and integration with the Apple ecosystem. Anodized aluminum and mesh textile aren’t materials we’re used to seeing in the headphone world, and they’re undeniably luxe. Aluminum is heavier than the plastic used by other headphone companies, so the AirPods Max will weigh more heavily on your head if you’re jumping from another over-ear pair (though that breathable headband distributes weight well).

On a technical level, the AirPods Max were cutting-edge when they were released, but have started to cede some ground to the competition in the past couple of years. They support Spatial Audio with head tracking, which makes music and movies with a Dolby Atmos mix sound more immersive and more like listening to audio on a pair of high-end speakers, but it’s not lossless audio. Their 20-hour battery life is way higher than what you’d get from a pair of AirPods Pro, but that’s to be expected when comparing over-ear headphones to earbuds. However, the AirPods Max’s battery life is so-so compared to other over-ear headphones.

Still, if you care about aesthetics and comfort and want the AirPods experience from a bigger set of cans, the AirPods Max headphones are your only choice.

Best budget: AirPods (2nd generation)

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Specs

• Headphone style: Earbuds
• Battery Life: Up to 5 hours listening time per charge
• ANC: No
• Connector: Lightning
• Price: $129.99

Pros

• They pair easily with an iPhone
• They play music
• Compact design
• Price

Cons

• No special audio-processing/convenience features

If you want the classic Apple aesthetic without the expense, these are the AirPods for you. These are the long-stemmed earbuds that established the ubiquity of AirPods. They play nice with iOS, macOS, tvOS, and watchOS devices, as well as Siri—no picky pairing or fussy settings, unlike competitors’ earbuds. They play music and can let you take calls. However, you’re not getting any of the advanced features that come with even the AirPods 3. There’s no custom, Adaptive, Personalized, active anything. But if you want the most affordable entry to portable personal Apple audio, this is it.

What to consider when shopping for the best AirPods for you

Picking a pair of AirPods is pretty simple because Apple doesn’t offer many models, and all of them are pretty good. The company has done an admirable job trickling certain features between its earbuds, including battery life, durability, and technical features. Unless you opt for the budget pick, your decision will come down to how much you’re willing to spend, whether you prefer earbuds or over-ear headphones, and if you care about USB-C charging.

Headphone style

While AirPods are synonymous with earbuds, Apple has branched out into offering an over-ear pair of headphones called the AirPods Max. Earbuds will always be more convenient to use because they can fit in your pocket comfortably with their charging case, whereas over-ear headphones need to be kept on your head, around your neck, or in a larger bag. The tradeoff is that over-ear headphones have larger drivers for better, louder sound, and a longer-lasting battery.

Connector

Once upon a time, all AirPods had a Lightning charging port. Apple developed the proprietary connector and featured it on the iPhone from 2012 until 2023, when it was replaced with a USB-C port. Now, most of Apple’s audio has a Lightning port, but the latest AirPods Pro (2nd generation) now comes with a USB-C charging port, and we expect this will become standard on all AirPods models in the next couple of years.

Battery life

All of Apple’s earbuds have the same six hour battery life, which is solid for this style of headphone. The amount you actually get will depend on whether you leave active noise cancellation enabled and your preferred listening volume. AirPods Max get up to 20 hours of usage per charge, which is more than enough to get you through a transatlantic flight with plenty of power to spare.

Active noise cancellation

Apple’s top AirPods—both earphones and headphones—have active noise cancellation, a feature wherein microphones analyze and algorithms neutralize outsound sounds before they reach your ears. Apple was one of the first companies to add credible active noise cancellation to the earbud world, and it’s only improved its performance in the second-generation AirPods Pro.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best AirPods

• Best overall: AirPods Pro (2nd generation) with MagSafe Charging Case (USB‑C)
• Best value: AirPods (3rd generation) with Lightning Charging Case
• Best over-ear: AirPods Max
• Best budget: AirPods (2nd generation)

AirPods have forever changed the world of earphones and made headway into headphones. And Apple’s continued pursuit of bringing technical improvements to a mass audience is laudable. It’s safe to say true wireless earbuds wouldn’t be as popular, and active noise cancellation would have been a lower priority for other headphone makers, if Apple hadn’t stepped up its game. With its latest generation of AirPods, Apple has shown there’s no better time to invest in easily pocketable portable audio accessories than now.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best AirPods in 2024: How to pick which ones are right for you appeared first on Popular Science.

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I’m in between review mice right now, and my son stole my gaming mouse, so I’m stuck using a $7 Amazon Basics mouse. I forgot just how terrible life can be with a sub-par mouse. That makes Amazon’s current deal on the Logitech G502 extra-appealing. It’s usually $80, but it’s just $35 right now. That’s a 56-percent discount. Even if you already have a pretty good mouse, this is likely an upgrade for you.

Logitech G502 HERO High-Performance Wired Gaming Mouse $35 (was $79)

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Before we dig into the specs, it’s important that you know this is a wired mouse. That means you’ll never need to replace batteries, worry about lag, or lose the tiny transmitter that it needs to work. The 25K sensor promises up to 25,600 max dpi, which makes it incredibly sensitive to small movements and fast twitches. It has 11 customizable buttons and five rearrangeable weights to tweak it exactly to your taste. Even if you’re not gaming, this kind of control is great for tasks like photo retouching, video editing, or zooming in extra far on your ex’s recent social media posts.

More Logitech PC accessory deals:

• Logitech G915 Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, Low Profile GL Linear Key Switch $162 (was $249)
• Logitech G Litra Beam Premium LED Gaming Key Light with TrueSoft, Adjustable Desktop Mount $89 (was $99)
• Logitech G915 TKL Tenkeyless Lightspeed Wireless RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard $156 (was $229)
• Logitech G FITS True Wireless Gaming Earbuds, Custom Molded Fit, Lightspeed + Bluetooth $159 (was $229)
• Logitech G815 LIGHTSYNC RGB Mechanical Gaming Keyboard with Low Profile GL Linear key switch $139 (was $199)
• Logitech G Litra Beam LX Premium Dual-Sided RGB LED Streaming Key Light With TrueSoft $129 (was $149)

The post One of Logitech’s best gaming mice is just $35 at Amazon appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus		SEE IT	The Flexi 5i has enough processing power, memory, and storage for any classroom assignemtn.
Best for elementary school kids		HP Chromebook 11a		SEE IT	An ideal choice for younger students who need a small, well-specced machine for resource-light computing.
Best value		ASUS 14-inch 2-in-1 Chromebook Plus		SEE IT	ASUS’ Chromebook has welcome features, including a 1080P webcam, which we wouldn’t expect in such an inexpensive computer.

Buying kids a computer for any reason can be stressful, but parents become even more acutely aware of how much gadgets cost when kids become students—and that’s where a Chromebook comes in. When it comes to a student’s laptop, you must consider whether it has all the capability and compatibility a kid needs now and whether it could get them through graduation in a few years. Plus, you have to consider how much you want to spend on something that might, OK, that will experience wear and tear. A Chromebook laptop offers an affordable way to give kids enough computing power to tackle their online assignments in form factors they tend to understand intuitively. They can be an excellent school tool for younger users who don’t need top-of-the-line laptop specs and their parents who don’t want to pay those prices. Here’s our guide for choosing Chromebooks for students, as well as help navigating processing and storage specs and how they translate versus traditional laptops.

• Best overall: Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
• Best for elementary school kids: HP Chromebook 11a Laptop
• Best for high school students: Acer Chromebook Spin 714
• Best eco-friendly: Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition
• Best value: ASUS 14-inch 2-in-1 Chromebook Plus

How we selected the best Chromebooks for students

We pulled together this list based on hands-on testing performed by the PopSci staff and extensive research of consumer feedback. We then reviewed that through our skeptical spectacles, formed by our collective parenting experience of buying, replacing, repairing, recycling, and swearing about a graveyard of gadgets and computers that went through our kids’ hands. They may have tried valiantly to care for them, but this skill requires practice and failure like any other.

The best Chromebooks for students: Reviews & Recommendations

First things first: What is a Chromebook? Chromebooks look like laptops and feel like laptops, but think of them as a unique category of computing devices. Chromebooks are internet-viewing devices with full-sized keyboards and decent-sized screens. They are defined by their operating system, ChromeOS, which will feel familiar to anyone who uses Google’s Chrome web browser. The platform relies on a good internet connection to power web-based applications from the Chrome and Android app stores and cloud-based file storage. 

Chromebooks excel at everyday computer tasks: web browsing, using a word processor, making simple spreadsheets, and streaming videos. Does the kid’s school use Google Suite? The move will be seamless. Used to Mac or Windows operating systems? Chromebooks may feel underpowered, but they aren’t designed for resource-intensive applications like making music or editing videos. Still, plenty of students—and adults—use their laptops almost exclusively to go online. People who live and learn within a browser can avoid paying for high-priced computing power that exceeds their needs by opting for one of the Chromebook laptops below. 

Best overall: Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus

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Specs

• Dimensions: 12.4 inches by 9 inches by 0.78 inches
• Weight: 3.52 pounds
• Screen size: 14-inch WUXGA
• Memory: 8GB
• Processor: Intel Core i3 (13th generation)
• Storage: 128GB
• Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics
• Camera: 1080p
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Battery life: Up to 10 hours

Pros

• Backlit keyboard
• 2-in-1 design
• Headphone jack
• microSD slot
• 1-year manufacturer warranty

Cons

• Stylus pen ready but not included
• Body looks metal but is and feels plasticky
• OK battery life

We selected the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus as our best overall option for students because of its Goldilocks components and $500 recommended price tag. It’s small but not too small, and at three-and-a-half pounds, it is light but not the lightest. There’s 128GB of storage (a good amount for a Chromebook) and the Intel Core i3 processor and 8GB of memory make the whole thing feel fast, regardless of whether the student is watching YouTube videos or working on a spreadsheet. This model’s software enhances online chatting or sitting in a virtual classroom by canceling out noise, adjusting lighting, and blurring backgrounds for privacy. 

The flip-and-fold design lets kids use it as a tablet, laptop, or set up as a tent, and the full high-definition 14-inch matte screen supports multitouch interactions. It has a decent array of ports—headphone jack, USB-A, USB-C, and a microSD—to connect to other accessories as needed. The Chromebook tablet can be used with a stylus, but that’s an additional purchase. 

The “Chromebook Plus” moniker is an official Google designation that means the device meets more powerful minimum specs than other models and comes loaded with productivity and creativity apps. 

Best for elementary school kids: HP Chromebook 11a Laptop

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Specs

• Dimensions: 11.22 inches by 7.6 inches by 0.66 inches
• Weight: 2.36 pounds
• Screen size: 11-inch high-definition anti-glare
• Memory: 4GB
• Processor: MediaTek MT8183
• Storage: 64GB
• Camera: 720p 
• Touchscreen: No
• Battery life: Up to 15 hours

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Very lightweight
• Small form factor for little hands
• Long battery life

Cons

• Dialing down specs means potentially outgrowing sooner
• No touchscreen

We picked the HP Chromebook 11a Laptop for early elementary school kids because when you are little, scale matters. In the early elementary school years, kids have two distinct looks: the tiny kid with a proportional backpack and arms full of regular-sized folders and papers that didn’t fit inside or the tiny kid with a regular-sized backpack that looks like it might pull the wearer down to trap them on their back forever like a turtle.

Little backpacks and little hands are better served with a small Chromebook. The HP Chromebook 11a has a smaller 11.6-inch screen; at 2.36 pounds, it’s the lightest Chromebook on our list. We’ve also lowered our expectations for specs, as kids are likely watching some YouTube videos or doing resource-light computing. For these young kids, we’ll trade a MediaTek processor (a major player in the mobile processor market), 4GB of memory, and lower, 64GB storage for a roughly $200 price tag. It makes it more palatable should something very normal, like being dropped, crushed, or spilled on—happen. This option is suited for parents who predict a short life—or perhaps a rough one—for their kid’s Chromebook. 

Best for high school students: Acer Chromebook Spin 714

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Specs

• Dimensions: 12.3 inches by 8.8 inches by 0.71 inches
• Weight: 3.02 pounds
• Screen size: 14-inch WUXGA, 16:10 aspect ratio
• Memory: 8GB
• Processor: Intel Core i5 (13th generation)
• Storage: 256GB
• Graphics: Intel Iris Xe
• Camera: QHD MIPI 2K 
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Battery life: Up to 10 hours

Pros

• 2-in-1 design
• Backlit keyboard
• Privacy shutter on webcam
• Antibacterial Gorilla Glass screen
• MIL-STD 810H 
• Two colors: Steel gray, iron
• 1-year manufacturer’s warranty

Cons

• OK speakers
• A touch on the heavy side

Not to be old, but I remember when high school students had to lug things called “books” in backpacks so heavy they could knock shoulders and spines out of alignment for entire academic years. High school hasn’t been like that for a long time. To set up your student for success now, give them a boost in processing power and upgraded voice conferencing tools because their online lives are just as demanding as your work meetings. The Acer Chromebook Spin 714 boasts a 13-generation Intel Core i5 processor, which makes it smooth to switch between apps or leave dozens of Chrome tabs open. However, students may struggle with resource-intensive projects like serious media editing or design projects or if they’re a big gamer. Those activities need a laptop with higher-end processors and more memory. 

For a Chromebook, the Spin features a webcam that is better than average at 2K pixels with a privacy shutter and noise reduction tech to cut out background blabber. It also has a more premium feel than other Chromebooks, with sturdy hinges to handle all the folding and tenting 2-in-1 devices go through and an antimicrobial Gorilla Glass screen for additional durability. The Spin meets military specs for durability, but don’t confuse that for a rugged device; I know more than one teenager who can break MIL-SPEC devices due to carelessness.

The Spin 714’s suggested retail is $700, higher than many other options, but we’ve found this touchscreen Chromebook for as low as $550. However, the whole Spin line offers good Chromebooks for education. The smaller Acer Spin Chromebook 311 made our list of Chromebooks for under $300, though the tradeoff is a smaller screen, a slower MediaTek Kompanio 500 series processor, and a 720-pixel webcam. 

Best eco-friendly: Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition

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Specs

• Dimensions: 11.6 inches by 9 inches by 0.63 inches
• Weight: 2.8 pounds
• Screen size: 13.5 inches, 3:2 aspect ratio
• Memory: 8GB
• Processor: Intel Core i5 (12th generation)
• Graphics: Iris Xe Graphics
• Storage: 256GB
• Camera: 1080p 
• Touchscreen: No
• Battery life: Up to 8 hours

Pros

• Repairable
• Four customizable expansion ports
• Backlit keyboard
• Headphone jack
• Comes with power adapter, expansion cards, and Framework screwdriver
• 1-year warranty

Cons

• More expensive
• No touchscreen
• Lower battery life

The Framework Laptop Chrome Edition bucks plenty of industry practices. At a time when most electronics are treated as disposable objects, Framework builds laptops that allow owners to repair and replace components as they see fit (read our review of a Framework Laptop here). It may seem like common sense, but it took many legislative pushes to get “right to repair” bills to counter many companies’ approach to voiding warranties, making batteries irreplaceable, and other tactics that lock down the devices you buy from them. 

At about $1,000, the Framebook Chromebook costs more than our other options and is a splurge by Chromebook standards. Still, its aluminum body houses a 12-generation Intel Core processor, 8GB memory, and an initial storage capacity of 256GB. Ports are customizable: Each Chromebook has four expansion slots, so users can mix and match microSD, USB-C, USB-A, HDMI, DisplayPort, and Ethernet options. They also can be changed later. Other Framework laptops offer ways to up the processor, storage, graphics, and keyboard components, but the Chromebook version currently lacks those options.

Still, we like this for students because it’s for long-term ownership. Unless your kids double as a wrecking crew, a Framebook Chromebook can offer a lesson in taking care of things and evaluating whether a problem can be solved through a bit of sweat equity before opting to replace it. Gentle users may be able to pass this from older siblings to younger ones. They also can build the curiosity and confidence of tinkers-to-be. Changing port expansion cards is more like popping out LEGOs than building a PC from scratch. 

Best value: ASUS 14-inch 2-in-1 Chromebook Plus

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Specs

• Dimensions: 12.6 inches by 9.3 inches by 0.81 inches
• Weight: 4.08 pounds
• Screen size: 14 inches WUXGA
• Memory: 8GB
• Processor: AMD R-Series SOC
• Graphics: AMD Radeon
• Storage: 128GB
• Camera: 1080p 
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Battery life: Up to 13 hours

Pros

• Backlit keyboard
• Headphone jack
• 1-year warranty

Cons

• Heavier than other options on this list
• Screen brightness is about 300 nits, a bit dim

The ASUS 14-inch 2-in-1 Chromebook Plus is another model with Google-approved productivity and creativity apps with more powerful stats. Initially, the model retailed for $499 but we’ve been seeing it for as low as $349—a great value at that price point.

It’s another 2-in-1 design with a touchscreen, a 1080p front-facing camera, and a built-in mic for easy virtual meetings. Where this Chromebook differs is the color—it’s blue!—and an AMD R-Series SOC processor. AMD is the Pepsi to Intel’s Coke. Which processor you prefer is a matter of taste, but it is ample for most school-age kids’ work. 

At just over 4 pounds, this is the heaviest option on this list despite having the same screen size as most other choices.

What to consider when buying the best Chromebook

Choosing Chromebooks for school is a balance of understanding your kid’s age group, their assignments, and how well (or not) they take care of devices. Students don’t necessarily need the power of a full-fledged, top-of-the-line laptop, especially at elementary school ages. They need a stable and reliable internet connection, the ability to do online exercises and quizzes, write up some papers, and work up presentations with clip art from who knows where. A good middle ground is 8GB RAM, 128GB of storage, and recent generations of Intel or Ryzen processors, but dial-up or down according to age. Younger kids can get away with less processing and storage power, but older age groups or more advanced coursework merit sliding up. 

Prices range wildly, but the spread is not as crazy as shopping for traditional laptops. You can find cheap Chromebooks and premium models hovering around a grand. Once a novelty, many Chromebooks feature touch screens and 2-in-1 designs so they can be used as tablets, too. Regardless of age, we recommend giving hinges a good look to see if they will handle being opened and closed repeatedly, possibly for no other reason than your kid is curious how sturdy they are. Expect plastic bodies, but some may feature metal hinges. Beyond that, consider the following specs:

Processor

Premium Chromebook models rock the latest and greatest processor chips from Intel Core or AMD Ryzen, but the bulk of options will be a few generations behind. If performance is the key consideration, opt for the latest and greatest within your budget for the snappiest multitasking possible. However, students, particularly younger ones, often only need a little muscle to take online quizzes or write papers. Consider workload and work type, and we recommend more powerful processors for older students. 

Display  

Chromebook screens don’t vary as widely as regular laptops. They tend to prioritize lightweight screens over bells and whistles. Displays are usually between 12 and 14 inches, though some 16 inches are out there. A 1920 x 1080 resolution full high-definition screen should be plenty for web browsing, streaming, and sitting through online sessions. Avoid sub-1080p screens, though. Online classroom meetings deserve better. 

Touchscreens are common in the Chromebook category, as many devices come in 2-in-1 display varieties.

Memory and storage

Memory and storage specs are far lower than those of traditional laptops. This is partly because ChromeOS has only modest requirements, and apps take up a small space. The other reason is that Chromebook users are expected to store things in the cloud. Most Chromebooks demand a minimalist approach to local storage but aim for at least 128GB for photos, videos, and other files you’ll want to access offline. 

We prefer at least 8GB of RAM, which offers a noticeable boost in performance, especially for games, Android creativity apps, and keeping many browser tabs open simultaneously.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best Chromebooks for students

• Best overall: Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus
• Best for elementary school kids: HP Chromebook 11a Laptop
• Best for high school students: Acer Chromebook Spin 714
• Best eco-friendly: Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition
• Best value: ASUS 14-inch 2-in-1 Chromebook Plus

For students who need an affordable yet capable laptop for web-based assignments and content consumption, Chromebooks can be wallet-friendly options for parents, whether they’re shopping for little kids or soon-to-be high schoolers. The trick to locating the right Chromebook is matching the processing and storage power with the durability needed to survive being carried to and from school. 

The Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 5i Chromebook Plus strikes a nice balance between performance, portability, and price, as does our budget pick, the similarly outfitted ASUS 14-inch 2-in-1 Chromebook Plus. For young elementary school students, consider the compact HP Chromebook 11a Laptop that is perfectly sized for little hands, while high schoolers will appreciate the Acer Chromebook Spin 714’s processing power and premium features like an enhanced webcam. For those looking to reduce electronic waste, the Framework Laptop Chromebook Edition is a smart eco-friendly choice with its repairable, modular design. 

And regardless of which one you pick, get a case. 

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best Chromebooks for students in 2024 appeared first on Popular Science.

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You probably spend a lot of time staring at a monitor, so you might as well make it a good one. Right now, Amazon has a ton of Samsung monitors on deep discount, some of which have hit their lowest prices ever. The standout deals come in the form of ultrawide gaming monitors, but there’s something for everyone, even if you’re just looking for a cheap second display so you can watch old episodes of Seinfeld while you make spreadsheets. Oh God, why does my life sound so tragic when I type it out like that? Anyway, time to save on a new monitor!

SAMSUNG 49-Inch Odyssey G9 Series DQHD 1000R Curved Gaming Monitor, 1ms(GtG), VESA DisplayHDR 1000, 240Hz $799 (was $1,299)

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If you’ve never seen a 49-inch curved monitor in person, it can be hard to convey just how much it feels like you’re sitting in the cockpit of a spaceship. The steep curve and super-wide setup fill up so much of your field-of-view that you feel totally immersed. That makes it awesome for gaming (along with the 1-millisecond response time and 240Hz refresh rate), but it’s also basically a one-stop multi-monitor solution for everyday productivity. Just think of all the room you’ll have for activities with 5,120 x 1,440 pixels spread across 49 inches of screen. You’ll never need to close a window again.

More Samsung monitor deals

OK, so maybe you don’t need an absurdly wide monitor. That’s alright. Here are plenty of other excellent models deeply discounted right now, including one of our favorite OLED monitors first and foremost:

• SAMSUNG 34″ Odyssey G85SB Series QD-OLED Ultra WQHD Curved Gaming Monitor, 175Hz, 0.03ms, DisplayHDR True Black 400 $999 (was $1,199)
• SAMSUNG 34″ ViewFinity S50GC Series Ultra-WQHD Monitor, 100Hz, 5ms, HDR10, AMD FreeSync $249 (was $379)
• SAMSUNG 55″ Odyssey Ark 2nd Gen 4K UHD 1000R Curved Gaming Monitor, 165Hz, 1ms, 4 Input Multi View, Quantum Mini-LED $1,999 (was $2,999)
• SAMSUNG FT45 Series 27-Inch FHD 1080p Computer Monitor, 75Hz, IPS Panel $159 (was $189)
• SAMSUNG UJ59 Series 32-Inch 4K UHD (3840×2160) Computer Monitor $255 (was $339)
• SAMSUNG 34″ Odyssey G5 Ultra-Wide Gaming Monitor with 1000R Curved Screen $356 (was $549)
• SAMSUNG Odyssey G3 FHD Gaming Monitor, 144hz, HDMI $149 (was $199)
• SAMSUNG 28” Odyssey G70B Series 4K UHD Gaming Monitor, IPS Panel, 144Hz, 1ms, HDR 400, G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro Compatible, Ultrawide Game View $499 (was $699)
• SAMSUNG Odyssey G50A Series 27-Inch WQHD (2560×1440) Gaming Monitor, 165Hz, 1ms, IPS Panel, G-Sync, HDR10 $199 (was $399)
• SAMSUNG 32-Inch M50C Series FHD Smart Computer Monitor with Streaming TV $249 (was $299)
• SAMSUNG 22″ T350 Series FHD 1080p Computer Monitor, 75Hz $99 (was $119)
• SAMSUNG ViewFinity S60A Series 32-Inch WQHD (2560×1440) Computer Monitor, 75Hz, HDMI, DisplayPort, HDR10 $253 (was $359)
• SAMSUNG 25″ Odyssey G4 Series FHD Gaming Monitor, IPS, 240Hz, 1ms, G-Sync Compatible, AMD FreeSync Premium, HDR10, Ultrawide Game View, DisplayPort, HDMI $212 (was $349)
• SAMSUNG 27″ CF39 Series FHD 1080p Curved Computer Monitor, Ultra Slim Design, AMD FreeSync, 4ms response $149 (was $169)
• SAMSUNG ViewFinity S60A Series 24-Inch WQHD (2560×1440) Computer Monitor $239 (was $279)
• SAMSUNG 27″ M80C UHD HDR Smart Computer Monitor Screen with Streaming-TV $449 (was $649)

The post Amazon’s sale on Samsung monitors includes a 49-inch G9 ultrawide for just $799 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		Dell S2722QC		SEE IT	Everything a creative professional or student needs in a single, well-constructed package.
Best for gaming		Samsung Odyssey Neo G8		SEE IT	A no-compromise display for serious PC or console gamers.
Best budget		Philips 288E2E		SEE IT	All the performance most people need—for a lot less money.

A solid 4K monitor provides all the screen real estate you need to get things done, whether working from home, gaming, or creating content. A high-resolution display will allow you to see text, photos, and video in great detail—especially recently created media. External monitors have been a common tech accessory for decades, but the marketplace for 4K displays specifically has expanded greatly over the past few years. The combination of 4K PC and console games, accessible 4K video, and the necessity of a home office or learning space has accelerated this change. If you’re assembling a new computer setup, these are the best 4K monitors available right now.

• Best overall: Dell S2722QC
• Best for gaming: Samsung Odyssey Neo G8
• Best curved: Gigabyte M32UC
• Best ultrawide: LG 38WN95C-W
• Best for video editing: BenQ PhotoVue SW272U
• Best portable: SideTrak Solo 4K
• Best budget: Philips 288E2E

How we chose the best 4K monitors

The monitor market has recently introduced several new 4K models, but these high-res options aren’t the standard—if you want 4K resolution, that narrows the field right off the bat. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. Choosing the best one for your needs is easier by eliminating hundreds—if not thousands—of options. From that pool of possibilities, our recommendations are based on meticulous research and careful consideration of the most common uses of a 4K monitor. We’ve also considered the computer platform (Mac or PC) you’re using and whether you’d like to use your monitor with several devices or to replace a TV.

A monitor is the type of tech accessory most people will rely on daily for a decade or more, so our recommendations must stand the test of time and be ready to work with every computer you get. Longevity, multi-functionality, and value were the core virtues we considered when searching for and ultimately selecting the best 4K monitors.

The best 4K monitors: Reviews & Recommendations

Our selection of 4K monitors is designed to match any budget and lifestyle. Some are “all-rounders,” which means they’ll be pretty good for many tasks, while others are designed for a specific purpose—gaming, for example—or have a differentiating tech spec, like a curved panel. Our 4K monitor recommendations will serve you well while browsing the web or streaming video.

Best overall: Dell S2722QC

SEE IT

Specs

• Size: 27 inches
• Ports: 1 x USB-C PD, 2 x HDMI, 2 x USB-A, 1 x headphone jack
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• VESA compatibility: 100 x 100 mm
• Speakers: Yes

Pros

• Can quickly charge laptops while they’re connected
• Multiple USB-A ports
• Built-in speakers

Cons

• Low refresh rate for serious gaming

Dell’s S2722QC is an all-in-one package that offers the right mix of excellent performance for most uses and value. Its most convenient feature for MacBook and modern PC laptop users is a USB-C port, which allows you to connect your computer to it without an adapter. Yes, the S2722QC has multiple HDMI ports, but hooking your laptop up to it with a USB-C cable will charge the computer and allow you to connect other accessories to the monitor’s USB-A ports. This configuration turns the 4K monitor into a USB hub. This single-cable solution will make your home office setup look neater, and ensure your laptop is charged when you want to take it out of your home.

We’ve used Dell’s S2722QC hooked up to a 13-inch MacBook Pro via USB-C for several months and have never had an issue with the monitor recognizing the computer or flaking out mid-use. We’ve been especially pleased with the monitor’s color reproduction and overall sharpness when reading text and viewing photos. MacOS automatically puts the monitor in a scaled resolution mode, which admittedly makes text larger and easier to read, but you can switch it to 4K in the “Displays” section of the System Settings app. The monitor performs just as well whether we’ve used it at a scaled or default resolution.

One of this monitor’s most surprising features is integrated 3W speakers. They’re helpful in a pinch, but we still recommend picking up a dedicated set of speakers for your computer if you listen to music frequently. Still, if you’re on a video call and your Bluetooth headphones have run out of juice, it’s helpful to have speakers immediately at the ready. Ergonomically speaking, the S2722QC gets high marks for being height adjustable. The ability to raise and lower the monitor whenever we pleased made working more comfortable as we moved throughout the day.

The S2722QC’s only downside—depending on how you plan on using your 4K display—is its relatively slow 8ms (millisecond) response time and 60Hz panel. This won’t make a difference when you’re watching videos, browsing the web, or editing photos, and we never noticed any perceptible lag in day-to-day use. You’ll only notice this feature when you’re playing fast-paced games like first-person shooters. Casual or slower-paced games don’t require a fast refresh rate display, but cutting-edge titles will suffer slightly, so opt for a dedicated gaming monitor instead.

If you’re not a PC or console gamer looking for a high-resolution display primarily for gaming, the S2722QC will serve you very well.

Best for gaming: Samsung Odyssey Neo G8

SEE IT

Specs

• Size: 32 inches
• Ports: 2 x HDMI, 2 x USB-A, headphone jack
• Refresh rate: 240Hz
• VESA compatibility: 100 x 100 mm
• Speakers: No

Pros

• Extremely high refresh rate
• Support for Adaptive Sync with AMD and NVidia graphics cards
• Matte display won’t show glare from lights

Cons

• Price
• Curved display may not be for everyone.

If gaming is your primary use case for a 4K monitor, Samsung’s Odyssey Neo G8 is a no-compromise display. Its 240Hz panel is incredibly fast, allowing you to play the latest games at their fastest-possible speed—so long as your gaming computer‘s graphics card and processor are fast enough to handle them. The monitor’s display panel is complemented by built-in software support for Adaptive Sync, which will offer better performance when it’s hooked up to a computer with an AMD or NVidia graphics card.

Adaptive sync will further reduce latency (lag) and the frequency of image artifacts like screen tearing, which can occur when the screen is updated with new images quickly. This technology, which works with settings like low input lag mode and a refresh rate optimizer, increases the probability of smooth, consistent gameplay.

Many modern games support HDR (high dynamic range), which improves contrast and color accuracy when a PC or console is hooked up to a display that supports them. Samsung outfitted the Odyssey Neo G8 with Quantum HDR 2000, so newer games, TV shows, and movies will really pop. Games that don’t support HDR will also look nice, so don’t worry if you spend a lot of time playing the classics.

While Samsung focused primarily on optimizing the Neo G8 for gaming, it made design choices that make it a solid pick for general use. The 4K monitor can be tilted and height adjusted and rotated a full 90 degrees. This is a huge deal ergonomically, as it allows you to position the monitor exactly where you want it without having to get a third-party stand or mount.

The most controversial choice is that the Odyssey Neo G8 has a curved display, a love-it-or-hate-it situation. Curved displays have the advantage of taking up more of your peripheral vision, which, combined with the Odyssey Neo G8’s 21:1 aspect ratio, will create an immersive gaming experience. On the other hand, curved displays can reflect light from multiple angles, which can get frustrating if you’re playing in a well-lit room.

If you have a dedicated PC or console gaming setup, Samsung’s Odyssey Neo G8 can be an excellent 4K desk-friendly display. That said, its cutting-edge hardware does come at an extremely high price. Don’t get us wrong, the Odyssey Neo G8 is an excellent 4K gaming monitor and priced appropriately given its tech specs, but it’s a significant investment.

Game in a darker environment and willing to sacrifice a few pixels for a more immersive viewing experience? Our favorite ultrawide OLED monitor is also in the Samsung Odyssey G8 family.

Best curved: Gigabyte M32UC

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Specs

• Size: 31.5 inches
• Ports: 2 x HDMI 2.1, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x USB-C, 4 x USB 3.2 headphone jack
• Refresh rate: 160Hz
• VESA compatibility: 100 x 100 mm
• Speakers: No

Pros

• Large viewing angle
• Fast refresh rate
• Ergonomic design

Cons

• Curved display may not work in rooms with a lot of light

Curved monitors aren’t for everyone, but Gigabyte’s M32UC is our preferred 4K model due to its gamer-forward features and ergonomics. The big reason to get a 4K curved monitor is to have a display that covers more of your peripheral vision, which can be helpful if you get distracted while working. However, curved displays will catch and reflect light from more angles, so you should seriously consider the light source in your room before picking one up, as a constant bright blotch on your screen can also be distracting. If you already know the risks associated with curved monitors and want a high-resolution model, there’s a lot to like about the M32UC.

Serious video and photo editors will appreciate that the M32UC covers 93% of the DCI-P3 color gamut, 123% of the sRGB color gamut, and supports DisplayHDR 400. It’s paramount that the display you’re using is as accurate as possible, and this monitor will deliver for prosumers. Similarly, gamers who want a truly immersive high-resolution PC gaming experience will take advantage of the M32UC’s HDR (High Dynamic Range) support along with its 160Hz refresh rate. Modern games will move fluidly on this display—provided your PC has enough graphical hardware to run the latest titles at such a high resolution and frame rate simultaneously.

Every type of user will benefit from the M32UC’s height-adjustable stand—especially helpful if you’re using the monitor in a room where the sun is at risk of reflecting off its display throughout the day. You’ll also appreciate the monitor’s port selection, which includes multiple USB-A and HDMI ports in addition to a USB-C and DisplayPort. It’s easy to connect several peripherals, computers, and game consoles to the M32UC at the same time without using a single adapter.

If you’re comfortable using a curved monitor and want a 4K display as your digital canvas, GIGABYTE’s M32UC is our top pick.

Best ultrawide: LG 38WN95C-W

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Specs

• Size: 38 inches
• Ports: 1 x Thunderbolt (USB-C), 2 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort, 2 x USB-A, 1 x Headphone jack
• Refresh rate: 144Hz
• VESA compatibility: 100 x 100 mm
• Speakers: No

Pros

• Massive display that’s still VESA-compatible
• Solid refresh rate for gaming
• Wide port selection

Cons

• Price
• May be too big for many desks

Ultrawide monitors have become popular recently because they allow you to have two full-sized windows open on a single display rather than requiring a dual-monitor setup. At 38 inches wide, the 38WN95C-W requires a huge space commitment, but you’re rewarded with a curved display guaranteed to take up all of your peripheral vision. Technically, this is a QHD+ (3840 x 1600) display, which isn’t quite a “true 4K,” but it’s the closest you’ll get with a display like this. The monitor would have to be comically tall to accommodate the extra 500 pixels, and you won’t miss them with this type of display.

The 38WN95C-W is stacked on the tech side, especially in its port selection. You can connect four devices to it simultaneously using its mix of HDMI, DisplayPort, and Thunderbolt ports. The monitor’s Thunderbolt 4 input—the same shape as a USB-C port—has the same benefits as the one in our best overall pick for this guide. You can charge your laptop and connect it to accessories through the 38WN95C-W’s pair of USB-A ports with a single cable.

Gamers will appreciate the 38WN95C-W’s 1ms response time, 144Hz refresh rate, and support for AMD FreeSync and NVidia G-Sync, all of which make this monitor a solid pick for 4K gaming. The difference between a 4K 120Hz monitor and one that runs at 144Hz is noticeable when playing games that require precise movement. Its height, swivel, and tilt-adjustable stand also score points in the ergonomics arena. Frankly, it’s hard to find a task the 38WN95C-W isn’t well suited for.

The limiting factor for this display is space—if you have enough and are committed to living the ultrawide monitor lifestyle, the 38WN95C-W can handle anything you throw at it with aplomb.

Best for video editing: BenQ PhotoVue SW272U

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Specs

• Size: 27 inches
• Ports: 1 x USB-C, 2 x HDMI 2.0, 1 x DisplayPort 1.4, 1 x USB-B, 2 x USB-B, 1 x SD Card slot, 1 x Headphone Jack
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• VESA compatibility: 100 x 100 mm
• Speakers: No

Pros

• Support for 100% sRGB, 99% Adobe RGB, 99% DCI-P3 color spectrums
• Video and photo-centric built-in features
• Height-adjustable stand

Cons

• Cost

BenQ’s PhotoVue SW272U is the best monitor we’ve ever tested for video editing, and professionals in this field should take notice. The 4K display is calibrated and tested for color accuracy before leaving its factory for Delta E ≤1.5 accuracy. BenQ includes a certification report with the display so you can be sure it passed the inspection. The display covers 99 percent of DCI-P3 color gamut, is Calman-verified and Pantone-validated, and offers 10-bit support for 1.07 billion colors. This level of performance allows you to use the SW272U for professional video editing work right out of the box.

Additional video and photo editing-centric settings include a P3 color preview to ensure accurate colors before you deliver a video to clients and Paper Color Sync, which allows you to fine-tune color settings without burning through precious photo paper and ink. These features aren’t necessary for folks who need a 4K monitor for common uses but are essential for creative professionals whose work needs to be as polished as possible. The included Hotkey Puck G3 makes it easy to change settings with shortcuts, saving you time throughout the day.

If you’re working in an environment with a lot of natural light, the SW272U has you covered. We tested this monitor in a room with south and west-facing windows and have no issues seeing the screen, thanks to the 400 nits of brightness. In terms of ergonomics and build, this IPS monitor features an anti-glare coating, essentially eliminating reflections, making it more comfortable to look at for multiple hours in a row. It has a sturdy stand with plenty of adjustment options and a leatherette base. The SW272U doesn’t have built-in speakers, but its headphone jack allows you to plug headphones in if you’re mixing audio for a key scene.

It’s expensive, but BenQ’s PhotoVue S272U offers truly outstanding quality, a robust feature set for creatives, and excellent ergonomics for long editing sessions. 

Best portable: SideTrak Solo 4K

SEE IT

Specs

• Size: 15.6 inches
• Ports: 2 x USB-C, 1 x USB-A, 1 x Mini HDMI
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• VESA compatibility: N/A
• Speakers: Yes

Pros

• Can be powered by a single cable
• Thin enough to pack in a backpack
• Improves the ability to multitask out of the house.

Cons

• Cost

SideTrak’s Solo 4K is far and away the most technically impressive portable monitor we’ve tested and a must-have for creatives who need as many pixels as possible when working from outside their home. The 15.6-inch 4K display weighs under three pounds and is under half an inch thick, which allowed us to take it around in a backpack during our tests without feeling over-encumbered.

We used the Solo 4K with a 13-inch MacBook Pro and connected the two using a single USB-C cable (included), which provided power and transferred data. Our computer immediately recognized the 4K display, configured it appropriately, and never lost its connection. MacOS put the Solo 4K into a scaled resolution mode by default, and it worked well whether we used this stock setting or adjusted it to its native 4K monitor resolution. SideTrak also configured the Solo 4K’s picture preset appropriately, so we didn’t have to touch that to get colors that looked accurate instead of washed out or overexposed.

If you’re used to working on two high-resolution displays at home, it’s incredible how much more efficient you can be when taking a similar setup on the road. We found ourselves using the Solo 4K as a separate pane dedicated to tasks like photo editing and keeping our e-mail and work chat apps open while using our laptop’s built-in display for writing posts. Having additional information available at a glance rather than having to break focus by switching to a different piece of software was immediately beneficial.

Multitasking became possible when working at a coffee shop—be sure to snag a table with enough space for both a laptop and monitor side-by-side—in ways that wouldn’t have been practical otherwise. Frequent travelers who find themselves at a disadvantage while working in transit or at their temporary destination will find their roadblocks eliminated. The only technical fault we could find with the SideTrak Solo 4K was its fairly weak speakers, which is understandable when you consider the thinness of this display. If you need a 4K display that can be reasonably taken anywhere, SideTrak’s Solo 4K is the solution.

Best budget: Philips 288E2E

SEE IT

Specs

• Size: 28 inches
• Ports: 2 x HDMI, 1 x DisplayPort, 1 x Headphone jack
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• VESA compatibility: 100 x 100 mm
• Speakers: Yes

Pros

• Support for 120 percent of the sRGB spectrum
• Height and tilt adjustment
• Price

Cons

• Refresh too slow for gaming

Philips’ 288E2E proves how far the affordability of 4K monitor technology has come in a relatively short time. For $270 (at the time of this reporting), you’re getting a 28-inch 4K display with AMD FreeSync support, the ability to display 120 percent of the sRGB color spectrum, built-in speakers, and an ultra-slim design. Philips had to make very few feature cuts when designing this display, and they mostly come down to nice-to-have-but-unnecessary extras, namely a USB-A port and ultra-fast refresh rate.

These commissions aren’t glaring—though gaming on a 60Hz panel isn’t ideal—and make the 288E2E feel like a slightly more barebones version of our best overall pick, Dell’s excellent S2722QC. Part of this 4K monitor’s appeal is its averageness. Hear us out: There’s no curved panel or ultrawide design, just a straight-ahead high-resolution display. While this may be relatively boring, it’s exactly what most people are looking for in a 4K monitor for general tasks. This display even has built-in speakers, a relative niche feature not found in many of its competitors in this price range.

If your needs are relatively modest, the difference between Philips’ 288E2E and other picks is insignificant. You can use the money you save by picking up this display to upgrade additional parts of your home office setup.

What to consider when buying the best 4K monitors

Several factors should be considered when deciding which 4K monitor fits your needs. These are the five we’ve deemed most important when conducting our research to help you make your selection:

Screen size

4K monitors come in a variety of sizes, but bigger doesn’t always necessarily mean better. A large monitor will take up more room on your desk and may not be necessary if your needs are modest. Photo and video editors can take full advantage of the space available on a 38-inch 4K monitor more easily than a writer or typical student. Ironically, it’s easier to see individual pixels on a monitor as its screen size grows, which may annoy you if you’ve got very sharp sight. The 4K monitors we recommend run the gamut from 27-38 inches.

Ports

A monitor’s ports (also called inputs) determine which cable is required to connect it to a computer or other tech accessory. All 4K monitors above are equipped with multiple HDMI ports, the most common input found on external displays and TVs. Many also feature a DisplayPort or USB-C port, which are more niche but serve the same purpose. Some of our 4K monitor picks have USB-A ports, which allow you to use them as a hub to connect your computer to additional accessories.

Refresh rate

A monitor’s refresh rate—measured in hertz, shortened to Hz—determines how quickly it can be updated with new information. Refresh rates are measured in milliseconds, which means this tech spec isn’t important for common tasks but will make a difference if you choose to use your external display for gaming. A typical monitor offers a 60Hz refresh rate but can go much higher. Some gaming monitors go as high as 500Hz, but that’s extreme for the category.

VESA compatibility

All 4K monitors above come with a built-in stand, but you can replace it with a different one—whether it’s a wall mount or a monitor arm—if preferred, as long as they are VESA compatible. Switching to a different monitor stand may improve the ergonomics of your computing setup or save you desk space based on the one you choose.

Speakers

If you’d like to use your computer as a TV replacement, it’s smart to get one with built-in speakers. A monitor’s speakers will never match the quality of a true stereo pair but will work well in a pinch.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best 4K monitors

• Best overall: Dell S2722QC
• Best for gaming: Samsung Odyssey Neo G8
• Best curved: Gigabyte M32UC
• Best ultrawide: LG 38WN95C-W
• Best for video editing: BenQ PhotoVue SW272U
• Best portable: SideTrak Solo 4K
• Best budget: Philips 288E2E

A 4K monitor will quickly become the most important tech accessory in your computing setup, right next to the external hard drive you use for regular backups and the Wi-Fi router you rely on for a steady Internet connection. It used to be difficult to find monitors with this resolution without spending thousands of dollars or settling for sub-par specs, but thankfully, that’s no longer the case. Advancements in display technology have made 4K monitors more accessible and affordable than ever, and once you get one, there’s no going back.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio, to video games, to cameras, and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best 4K monitors for 2024 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Apple’s MacBook Air line set the standard for thin, powerful laptops from its release in 2008. The company’s proprietary silicon—a chip switch made in 2020—ushered in a speedy, powerful age of laptops eating gigantic .MOV files for breakfast. Unsurprisingly, the combination of the two is great. You, too, can get in on this form-meets-fast fun with $100 off select MacBook Air models, most of which include Apple’s M3 chip.

Apple 2024 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M3 chip $999 (Was $1,099)

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You could say the latest MacBook Air is a “skinny legend.” It’s flat like the MacBook Pro line but clocks in at 2.7 pounds and .44 inches tall. (OK, short king!) First introduced in March 2024, the MacBook Air M3 upgrades are specific but useful. It now has Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, better external monitor support, and better performance compared to the previous iteration. You could call that a slay. From college students to Apple stans, the MacBook Air M3 is one of the best laptops to purchase at this moment.

If you’re more of a “buy a previous generation to save more money” person, you’re in luck: the 2022 MacBook Air M2 is on sale for $849, down from its OG $999 pricing.

More 🔥 Apple deals at Amazon:

• Apple 2023 MacBook Pro Laptop with M3 Pro chip, 11-core CPU, 14-core GPU $1,799 (Was $1,999)
• Apple 2023 MacBook Pro Laptop M3 Pro chip with 12‑core CPU, 18‑core GPU $2,349 (Was $2,499)
• Apple 2024 MacBook Air 13-inch Laptop with M3 chip, 8GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD $1,199 (Was $1,299)
• Apple 2024 MacBook Air 15-inch Laptop with M3 chip, 8GB Unified Memory, 512GB SSD $1,389 (was $1,499)
• Apple Watch Ultra 2 [GPS + Cellular 49mm] $759 (Was $799)
• Apple Watch Series 9 [GPS 41mm] $299 (Was $399)
• Apple Watch Series 9 [GPS 45mm] $329 (Was $429)
• Apple Watch Series 9 [GPS + Cellular 41mm] Smartwatch with Gold Stainless Steel Case with Gold Milanese Loop $649.99 (Was $749)
• Apple Watch SE (2nd Gen) [GPS 40mm] $189 (Was $249)

The post Get Apple’s latest, fastest MacBook Air for $100 off at Amazon—but not for long appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Warmer weather means frolicking in the great outdoors and soaking up all the sun-derived serotonin. However, all-day high jinks can leave your phone juiceless, between using your favorite GPS apps to find the perfect picnic spot and streaming your favorite hangout album on your portable Bluetooth speaker. Don’t even get us started on warmer temperatures draining your phone battery! Thankfully, Anker’s charging accessories are on sale at Amazon, meaning you can have enough power to get home after your adventure.

Anker Prime Power Bank $109.99 with coupon (Was $129.99)

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Charge your laptop, phone, portable speaker, and more with this powerful portable charger that packs 20,000mAh of extra juice. That equates to charging a 16-inch MacBook Pro to 50 percent in 40 minutes. A smart digital display helps you keep tabs on your remaining charge, input, and output. It comes with a USB-C to USB-C charging cable, so you’ll have to find a USB-C to Lightning cable if you still live that previous-gen iPhone life.

Here are more Anker deals to keep you charged all day long:

• Anker Prime 27,650mAh Power Bank (250W) with 100W Charging Base $164.49 (Was $234.99)
• Anker 552 [USB]-[C] [Hub] (9-in-1) with 100W Power Delivery $29.99 (Was $69.99)
• Anker 7-in-1 65W USB-C Power Strip and Charging Station $45.99 (Was $65.99)
• Anker 727 Charging Station (GaNPrime 100W) $65.95 (Was $99.99)
• MacBook Pro Charger, Anker 100W Fast Charger $29.99 (Was $45.99)
• Anker Power Bank USB C Charger Block $29.99 (Was $39.99)
• Anker Nano Portable Charger for iPhone $17.99 (Was $25.99)

The post Stay powered on your adventures with up to 57% off Anker charging accessories appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		ASUS TUF Gaming F15		SEE IT	With an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4050, 16GB of RAM, and an Intel Core i5 under the hood, you’ll be all set for smooth HD PC gaming on the go.
Best Mac		MacBook Air M3		SEE IT	Apple’s latest ultra-light laptop is a competent gaming machine—if you want to play titles that have been ported for MacOS.
Best budget		MSI GF63 Thin		SEE IT	MSI’s ultra budget-friendly gaming laptop is equipped with an ultra high refresh rate display and surprisingly good specs.

In an ideal world, we’d all have enough money to buy the most expensive, top-of-the-line gaming laptops. These machines boast the most powerful processors and graphics cards, churning out silky smooth frame rates and breathtaking visuals for games like Baldur’s Gate 3, Helldivers 2, and Call of Duty: Warzone. Who wouldn’t want one? Unfortunately, the reality is many of us are on a budget. That’s where sub-$1,000 gaming laptops come in. They may not be able to crank the settings to the max on every title, but these budget gaming laptops can still play the latest games at decent settings and are affordable. The good news is that there are many options. These are the best gaming laptops under $1,000 and what to consider before purchasing.

• Best overall: ASUS TUF Gaming F15
• Best design: Lenovo Legion Slim 5
• Best battery life: Gigabyte Aorus 15
• Best Mac: MacBook Air M3
• Best budget: MSI GF63 Thin

How we chose the best gaming laptops under $1,000

I’ve been gaming on PC since I was a kid (when DOS titles were still a thing) and have written about laptops for gaming and productivity for over a decade on sites like Popular Science, Best Products, and Esquire. During that time, I’ve tested everything from desktops and peripherals to monitors, USB microphones, and gaming mice. To find the best gaming laptops under $1,000, I tapped into previous Popular Science coverage and researched models across the major retail sites. I then analyzed user and expert reviews before finalizing the best picks in each product category.

The best gaming laptops under $1,000: Reviews & Recommendations

Gaming laptops under $1,000 generally prioritize affordability over cutting-edge performance, but you can still play most titles with settings that will provide a smooth, stutter-free experience. These good gaming laptops are great for casual gamers or those looking to get into PC gaming without breaking the bank. And that extra money you saved? You can put it toward other essentials, like a comfortable chair, an external monitor, or new gaming headphones.

There are so many different configurations out there that some of the options may be just above the $1,000 threshold. It may also be worthwhile to look at older flagship models, allowing you to save while still benefiting from great (albeit slightly outdated) specs. As you look through our picks, weigh the features we highlight, like CPU, GPU, RAM, display, storage, and battery life.

Best overall: ASUS TUF Gaming F15

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Specs

• Processor: Intel Core i5-13500H 
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 512GB SSD
• Display: 15.6-inch FHD, 144Hz
• Dimensions: 13.94 x 9.88 x 0.98 inches (WDH)
• Weight: 4.85 pounds
• Connectivity: HDMI 2.1, 2x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A, USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, Ethernet, Thunderbolt 4, 3.5mm headphone jack

Pros

• Excellent battery life
• Powerful performance
• Strong, durable design

Cons

• Heavy

The ASUS TUF Gaming F15 ticks all the right boxes, offering a great balance of performance, battery life, and more. It features a 15.6-inch 1080p display with a refresh rate of 144Hz. Under the hood, it offers an Intel Core i5 processor with four performance cores and eight efficiency cores. The max turbo boost clock speed is 4.7GHz, giving you plenty of power for everyday tasks and gaming. 

Meanwhile, the laptop has an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 graphics card, making it capable of running even the latest games in 1080p at moderate settings. You also get 16GB of RAM for fast multitasking and a 512GB SSD to keep load times to a minimum. The 15.6-inch display offers a 144Hz refresh rate with 100% sRGB color for exceptional visuals. It also supports adaptive sync technology for smooth and tear-free gameplay.

Everything is packed into a design that meets the military-grade MIL-STD-810H standards for durability. To sweeten the deal, the ASUS TUF Gaming F15 comes with a free 3-month Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, so you can start streaming your favorite games right away. All in all, the laptop is a solid pick that gives you a lot at an affordable price.

Best design: Lenovo Legion Slim 5

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Specs

• Processor: Ryzen 7 7840HS
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 1TB
• Display: 14.5 OLED, 120Hz
• Dimensions: 12.89 x 9.87 x 0.84 (WDH)
• Weight: 3.85 pounds
• Connectivity: HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort, 2x USB-C 3.2, 2x USB-A 3.2, 4-in-1 SD card reader, 3.5mm headphone jack

Pros

• Beautiful OLED display
• Sleek, portable design
• Ample ports

Cons

• So-so battery life

A good design can elevate a product and enhance the overall user experience. Case in point: The Lenovo Legion Slim 5 features a sleek flat-edge design that looks incredibly modern and worthy as our best splurge. The good news is it’s still relatively affordable (although just outside the $1,000 threshold). And it still offers decent specs that will provide you with an excellent gaming experience.

It features a 14.5-inch 120Hz OLED display, perfect for experiencing games with vibrant colors and smooth visuals. Under the hood, a Ryzen 7 7840HS processor and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4060 GPU deliver a high-end gaming experience. The laptop also utilizes a cutting-edge cooling system that combines phase-change thermal compounds, hybrid copper heat pipes, and a 12V dual liquid crystal polymer fan. The combination works together to dissipate heat and minimize fan noise, so your laptop stays quiet when things get intense.

It’s worth noting that this particular Lenovo model may not fit under our $1,000 criteria at all times throughout the year. That said, if you see it on sale (and we have seen it discounted regularly), we suggest picking it up if you want a premium design.

Best for battery life: Gigabyte Aorus 15

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Specs

• Processor: Intel Core i5-13500H
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 512GB
• Display: 15.6 144Hz FHD
• Dimensions: 14.2 x 10.7 x 0.82 (WDH)
• Weight: 5 pounds
• Connectivity: HDMI 2.1, Thunderbolt 4, 3x USB-A 3.1, USB-C 3.2

Pros

• Excellent battery life
• Upgradeable
• Great performance

Cons

• 8GB of RAM standard

It’s no secret that gaming laptops prioritize performance over extended battery life. Even high-end models struggle to last a full workday while running demanding games. The Gigabyte Auros 15 stands out by offering a good balance between performance and battery life. You can expect to enjoy several hours of gameplay at medium or high settings without needing to be tethered to an outlet. The laptop also features a well-designed cooling system that keeps thermals in check without overly loud fan noise, ensuring a comfortable gaming experience.

This configuration packs a punch with a 15.6-inch 144Hz FHD display for smooth visuals, an Intel i5-13500H processor, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4050 GPU. You also get 512GB of storage to house your favorite games. While it comes with only 8GB of RAM—enough to run today’s games—it might not be ideal for future-proofing or heavy multitasking. The good news is that you can easily upgrade the RAM to 16GB for a relatively small cost, making this laptop a great long-term investment.

Best Mac: MacBook Air M3

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Specs

• Processor: M3
• RAM: 8GB
• Storage: 256GB
• Display: 13-inch (2560×1664), 60Hz
• Dimensions: 11.97 x 8.46 x 0.44 (WDH)
• Weight: 2.7 pounds
• Connectivity: MagSafe 3, 2x Thunderbolt 4, 3.5mm headphone jack

Pros

• Excellent battery life
• Slim, lightweight design
• Excellent performance

Cons

• 8GB of RAM standard

While Apple computers haven’t traditionally been known for gaming, the latest MacBook Air with the M3 chip is surprisingly adept at handling casual gaming. The M3 chip offers a significant performance boost, making it suitable for playing older titles like Shadow of the Tomb Raider and Death Stranding. It’s important to note that achieving the smoothest gameplay will likely require adjusting graphics settings to medium or lower. That being said, for users who enjoy occasional gaming sessions and prioritize tasks like photo and video editing, the new MacBook Air presents a compelling option.

The base model MacBook Air comes equipped with an M3 chip, 256GB of storage, and 8GB of RAM. While 8GB is sufficient for many tasks, it might not be ideal for long-term use, especially if you plan on multitasking heavily or running demanding apps. Unlike some other laptops, Apple doesn’t allow component upgrades after purchase, so you’re stuck with your choice. However, the MacBook Air with M3 chip is still a great choice for casual gamers who don’t want to step up to Apple’s Pro-level MacBooks. You’ll just need to be aware that the selection of compatible games may be somewhat limited, and you might need to adjust settings to achieve optimal performance.

Best budget: MSI GF63 Thin

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Specs

• Processor: Intel Core i5-11400H
• GPU: Nvidia GeForce RTX 3050
• RAM: 16GB
• Storage: 512GB
• Display: 15.6-inch Full HD, 144Hz
• Dimensions: 14.13 x 9.99 x 0.85 inches (WDH)
• Weight: 4.1 pounds
• Connectivity: HDMI, USB-C 3.2, 2x USB-A 3.2, 3.5mm headphone jack, Ethernet

Pros

• Thin, lightweight design
• 1TB of storage
• Great battery life

Cons

• Underpowered GPU

If you’re looking for a balance between affordability and performance, the MSI GF63 Thin is the perfect solution for gamers on a budget. It costs a few hundred dollars under $1,000 but still offers an excellent gaming experience, thanks to its Intel Core i5-12450H processor, GeForce RTX 2050, and 1TB of storage. Sure, it’s not quite enough to play the latest AAA titles at max settings, but it will still perform well and definitely beats out an ultra-budget choice under $500.

Of course, there are trade-offs to consider at this price point. This particular configuration of the MSI GF63 Thin hit the scene in 2022, so it features some older specs. That said, it can still play the latest titles, but you will have to play them at lower settings. This means it may not offer the same future-proofing as newer laptops with the latest hardware, but it remains a compelling option for budget-minded gamers who prioritize affordability over cutting-edge performance.

What to consider when buying a gaming laptop under $1,000

Like we said, the market for affordable gaming laptops is vast, with some options well under the $1,000 threshold. It’s worth noting that there are also many excellent gaming laptops for just a few hundred dollars over $1,000 if your budget can stretch a bit further. These might offer more powerful components or higher-quality displays. Whether you’re a casual gamer who plays occasionally or someone who craves the latest titles with the highest settings, here’s what to look for in the best gaming laptops under $1,000.

Processor

The Central Processing Unit (CPU) is the brain of your gaming laptop, handling everything from running the operating system to complex in-game calculations. When searching for a gaming laptop under $1,000, the two main CPU contenders are Intel and AMD. Look for processors like the Intel Core i5 or i7 or AMD Ryzen 5. These processors typically have at least four cores and eight threads, offering a good balance for performance in this price range.

Graphics

The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) is an essential component and directly affects how well your laptop runs games. At this price point, it’s important to set your expectations. Luckily, top-of-the-line options aren’t necessary for decent performance. These laptops prioritize smooth gameplay with features like high refresh rate displays, so expect to play most current games at 1080p resolution with medium to high settings. For example, the GTX 1650 is a budget-friendly option that handles 1080p gaming well. However, expect slightly lower frame rates on newer games. The key is finding a balance between visuals and frame rates for the most enjoyable gameplay experience.

Memory

Even for sub-$1,000, we recommend 16GB of RAM whenever possible. Think of RAM like your laptop’s short-term memory—it temporarily stores data and accesses it again if necessary. While you can save money upfront with 8GB of RAM, you might run into performance limitations down the line, especially with newer games. Upgrading RAM after the fact is possible in some laptops, but others use soldered RAM, meaning it’s permanently attached to the motherboard and cannot be replaced. For a smoother gaming experience and future-proofing, investing in 16GB of RAM is a wise choice.

Display

Ideally, you want a display that strikes a balance between size, resolution, and refresh rate. The sweet spot for size and resolution is 15 inches and Full HD (1080p), respectively. Full HD is widely supported by games, offers good pixel density for 15-inch screens, and helps maintain strong frame rates. While higher resolutions like 1440p are tempting, they can strain the GPU and lead to sluggish gameplay. Meanwhile, a higher refresh rate like 144Hz is especially important in fast-paced games, providing smoother visuals while reducing motion blur. Of course, if you plan on spending more time gaming at a desk, you can always connect an external gaming monitor.

Storage

Today’s games are larger than ever, making storage space a critical part of your setup. You should aim for at least 512GB of storage. This will provide enough space to store three to five AAA titles, along with your operating system and other applications. Meanwhile, solid-state drives (SDD) are a must-have for a smooth gaming experience. Compared to traditional hard drives (HDDs), SSDs significantly reduce game load times and make your entire system feel faster and more responsive. Some laptops will offer a combination of storage options. They might have a smaller, faster SSD for the OS and key games, and a larger, slower HDD for additional storage. You can also add external storage later with the best portable SSDs.

Battery life

Gaming laptops offer the freedom to play anywhere, but battery life can limit that freedom. The reality is, gaming laptops prioritize performance over battery efficiency. Even the most expensive models won’t last a full day of intense use. In general, you want to ensure you’re near an outlet for serious gaming sessions, as you’ll likely only get 4-6 hours of battery life depending on the game and settings.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best gaming laptops under $1,000

• Best overall: ASUS TUF Gaming F15
• Best design: Lenovo Legion Slim 5
• Best battery life: Gigabyte Aorus 15
• Best Mac: MacBook Air M3
• Best budget: MSI GF63 Thin

Finding good laptops for gaming under $1,000 is a balancing act, and even some of our recommendations here push that limit slightly. This highlights the challenge of getting a future-proof machine while staying in the realm of affordability. However, compromises are unavoidable at this budget, from an underpowered processor to an older GPU or limited RAM. On your search, prioritize what matters most to you. Consider factors like battery life for everyday use and performance for gaming. Ultimately, for most budget-minded gamers, focusing on the processor and graphics card will deliver the smoothest and most visually impressive gaming experience.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best gaming laptops under $1,000 in 2024 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		OREI UHD-PRO102 HDMI Splitter		SEE IT	The OREI UHD-PRO102 HDMI Splitter is the perfect choice when you need to show one image on two screens.
Best USB-C-to-HDMI splitter		Targus USB-C Dual HDMI 4K Docking Station		SEE IT	Power two displays and a whole bunch of ports from a single USB-C port with this portable hub from Targus.
Best budget		Avedio Links HDMI Splitter		SEE IT	The Avedio LInks HDMI Splitter is extremely affordable solution for those with modest needs.

Unifying video and audio connections in a single HDMI cable may have simplified home theater setups for the majority of people, but some of us home theater enthusiasts and PC power users still find ways to complicate things, and require an HDMI splitter for dual monitors. For example, suppose you want to send a single video source to multiple TVs or monitors. In that case, you’ll need to use an HDMI splitter, which duplicates or “mirrors” from a single HDMI “in” connection, and provides multiple HDMI “out” ports so you can plug in many displays.

Of course, HDMI splitters can cost as little as a few dollars or run into the hundreds. They can offer a wide range of different capabilities depending on your needs. A quick search on your favorite shopping site will also reveal that there are a lot of them to choose from, which can make it tricky and frustrating to find a good one. We’ve collected some of the best HDMI splitters for dual monitors and more currently available, so you don’t need to guess which one will work well.

• Best overall: OREI UHD-PRO102 HDMI Splitter
• Best 4-out: OREI UHDPRO-104 4K 1×4 HDMI Splitter
• Best 8-out: Tripp Lite 8-Port HDMI Splitter
• Best 16-out: OREI 1×16 HDMI Splitter
• Best USB-C-to-HDMI splitter: Targus USB-C Dual HDMI 4K Docking Station
• Best Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI splitter: C2G Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Monitor Splitter
• Best budget: Avedio Links HDMI Splitter

How we selected the best HDMI splitters for dual monitors

Unlike 4K TVs or gaming monitors, there isn’t a library of in-depth professional reviews on HDMI splitters for dual monitors that you can quickly turn to for trusted recommendations. Luckily, I’ve covered A/V gear for publications like Engadget, Popular Mechanics, and Reviewed, so I can step in and make some recommendations based on personal experience and hands-on time using them. In addition to my own testing, I turned to user impressions from comment sections and feedback in enthusiast forums so I could learn more about the quirks of each individual product.

The best HDMI splitters for dual monitors: Reviews & Recommendations

Our recommendations for the best HDMI splitters range from basic and inexpensive options to pricier, more capable devices for advanced home theaters or commercial setups. Whether you’re looking to feed video to two displays or eight, you’re sure to find a solution here to meet your needs and make sure the equipment mounted (perhaps on the best dual-monitor stands) on your sturdy workstation works its best.

Best overall: OREI UHD-PRO102 HDMI Splitter

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: OREI’s UHD-PRO102 does almost everything we want in an HDMI splitter, supporting high resolutions and scaling automatically in a compact, affordable package. 

Specs

• Number of outputs: 2
• Max resolution/refresh rate: 4K at 60Hz
• Power: Micro USB (wall adapter included)

Pros 

• Support for 4K at 60Hz
• Built-in scaler will match the TV’s resolution
• Affordable

Cons

• May cause issues with Dolby Atmos

It costs a little more than a basic HDMI splitter, but the OREI UHD-PRO102 HDMI Splitter is still fairly inexpensive and offers just about all of the capabilities you’ll need if you’re simply looking for a splitter with two HDMI outs. It supports resolutions up to 4K at 60Hz and automatically scales your video source to match the resolution of each screen. It requires independent power via Micro USB, and OREI does include a wall adapter, which isn’t a given with some of the cheapest splitters. 

One small caveat: Some customer reviews report that video quality takes a hit when you try to pass Dolby Atmos through the splitter. It doesn’t officially support Atmos, though, so that’s to be expected. On the bright side, it does offer full support for Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD.

Best 4-out: OREI UHDPRO-104 4K 1×4 HDMI Splitter

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Why it made the cut: An upgraded version of our top overall pick, the OREI UHDPRO-104 matches does all the same things right, while adding support for two more displays.

Specs

• Number of outputs: 4
• Max resolution/refresh rate: 4K at 60Hz
• Power: Micro USB (wall adapter included)

Pros

• Support for 4K at 60Hz
• Automatic video scaling 
• Compact design

Cons

• Doesn’t fully support Atmos

If you need to mirror more than two displays, OREI also makes an equally effective 4-output version of our top overall pick. The OREI UHDPRO-104 offers all of the same key specs as the dual HDMI-out version, including support for 4K at 60Hz along with automatic scaling to match your TV’s resolution and, just like the OREI UHD-PRO102, it’s powered via Micro USB with a wall adapter included in the package. As you’d expect, this one is larger than the two-out model, but it is about as compact as a 4-output splitter can be, and you shouldn’t have any trouble tucking it away out of sight. It’s also substantially more expensive, but, again, you’ll be able to mirror twice as many displays.

Best 8-out: Tripp Lite 8-Port HDMI Splitter

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Why it made the cut: Tripp Lite’s 8-port HDMI Splitter may be pricey, but it will easily handle the most demanding multi-display setups thrown at it.

Specs

• Number of outputs: 8
• Max resolution/refresh rate: 4K at 60Hz
• Power: AC power supply

Pros

• Support for 4K at 60Hz
• Solid, all-metal construction
• Three-year warranty

Cons

• Expensive

If you need to split your image among eight displays, Tripp Lite makes the splitter for the job. It’s considerably more expensive than the others but it’s also capable of outputting a video source to eight screens in 4K at up to 60Hz. It’s a suitably heavy-duty unit with all-metal construction, and it even comes with mounting hardware if you want to attach it to a wall or a desktop. 

One small issue, considering the expense: Tripp Lite recommends you keep the HDMI cables to no longer than 15 feet to ensure the best performance. Even with that issue, though, it’s a small compromise to make if you want to get your image on eight screens at once.

Best 16-out: OREI 1×16 HDMI Splitter

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Why it made the cut: This plug-and-play splitter can send a single HDMI source to 16 different monitors, making it a cost-effective option for personal and commercial applications alike.

Specs

• Number of outputs: 16
• Max resolution/refresh rate: 1080p at 60Hz
• Power: 12 DC adapter (included)

Pros

• Durable metal chassis
• Sends 1080p and 3D video channels to 16 HDMI outputs
• Supports Dolby True HD audio

Cons

• No 4K support

In cases where eight outputs just won’t cut it, the OREI 1×16 HDMI Splitter is a fantastic option for sending a single HDMI signal to 16 output devices simultaneously. It’s built into a durable metal chassis that’d be welcome in any media center or mobile A/V rig and comes with its own 12-volt DC wall wart for power. While this splitter only supports a maximum output resolution of 1080p, it can do so at a refresh rate of 60 Hz, making it a solid option for enjoying games and other high-frame rate content on multiple monitors or TVs. This splitter also supports 3D video as well as DSD, DTS-HD, and Dolby TrueHD audio. If you’re looking for a 1-to-16 HDMI splitter that supports higher resolutions, OREI also offers a 4K 1×16 HDMI splitter that costs a bit more.

Best USB-C-to-HDMI splitter: Targus USB-C Dual HDMI 4K Docking Station

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Why it made the cut: While there are plenty of simple USB-C-to-HDMI adapters out there, Targus’ USB-C delivers the best possible HDMI splitter performance and throws in plenty of ports to match.

Specs

• Number of outputs: 2
• Max resolution/refresh rate: 4K at 60Hz
• Power: USB-C powered

Pros

• Supports 4K at 60Hz
• Mac and Windows compatible
• Functions as a full-fledged docking station

Cons

• Only one of the USB ports supports fast charging

While it may feel like overkill, Targus’ USB-C Dual 4K HDMI adapter is a stellar, relatively affordable USB hub that can both mirror your laptop display or “extend” it across multiple monitors. There are plenty of dedicated USB-C-to-HDMI adapters out there, but many of them come with caveats: Some either limit 4K playback to 30Hz. Others only support Windows. Meanwhile, Targus’ portable hub turns a single video-enabled USB-C port into two HDMI ports that support 4K at 60Hz, plus two standard USB 3.1 ports, an Ethernet port, and both SD and Micro SD card readers. Only one of the USB ports supports fast-charging, which is annoying because you’ll need to remember which one, but you’re adding a ton of functionality to your laptop, and it only costs a little bit more than a simple USB-C-to-HDMI adapter.

Best Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI splitter: C2G Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Monitor Splitter

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Why it made the cut: While it has a few drawbacks, this adapter from C2G is a better option than standard USB adapters for Mini DisplayPort-enabled devices.

Specs

• Number of outputs: 2
• Max resolution/refresh rate: 4K at 30Hz
• Power: Micro USB (required in some instances)

Pros

• Portable solution for Mini DisplayPort-enabled devices
• Mirrors or extends displays with Windows
• Three-year warranty

Cons

• Will only mirror, not extend display on Mac
• May require power from USB port in some instances

Have a laptop with a Mini DisplayPort but no video-capable USB-C port? This adapter from C2G will let you easily mirror or extend your display and should give you better performance than an adapter that simply relies on standard USB. Unfortunately, while it supports mirroring across all laptops, it can only output extended displays on Windows systems. The company also notes that the adapter may require external power by plugging it into a spare USB port on your computer “in some instances.”

Best budget: Avedio Links HDMI Splitter

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Why it made the cut: The Avedio Links HDMI Splitter gets high marks from customers and will be more than adequate for most setups, especially if you’re only concerned with 1080p video. 

Specs

• Number of outputs: 2
• Max resolution/refresh rate: 4K at 30Hz
• Power: Micro USB (wall adapter not included)

Pros 

• Very affordable
• Compact 
• USB-powered

Cons 

• 4K limited to 30Hz
• USB wall adapter not included

The Avedio Links HDMI Splitter might be inexpensive, but it will easily get the job done for anyone that doesn’t have especially demanding needs. It’s small enough to easily be tucked away, and it’s USB-powered, which means you can use either a wall adapter (which isn’t included) or a spare USB port if you have one. The two HDMI outs will handle video up to 4K, although the splitter only supports 30Hz at that resolution—you’ll need to drop down to 1080p for 60Hz.

Also worth a look: Plugable 4K DisplayPort and HDMI Dual Monitor Adapter

SEE IT

Plugable’s HDMI splitter is just as compact as some of the other models we’ve recommended, but has two DisplayPort outputs too, which makes it a great choice in a mixed-monitor or TV setup. All four ports can send a 4K video signal at 60Hz, which is perfect for every application except for playing video games. The adapter terminates into a USB-C connector, which is built into the splitter so it can never get lost, but Plugable also includes a USB-C to USB-A adapter in the box. Both the adapter and cable can be tucked away neatly beneath the underside of the adapter for easier storage. Plugable says its adapter is compatible with computers running Windows or MacOS, but not ChromeOS. If you’re running HDMI-equipped monitors now, but want an adapter that’ll remain useful even if you switch over to one with DisplayPort inputs, this is the one to get.

What to consider before buying the best HDMI splitters for dual monitors

Before you buy an HDMI splitter for dual monitors, you should have a plan. This is a specific little accessory that does a very specific thing. If you don’t have a device, like a game console, cable box, or PC, that you want to show on multiple monitors simultaneously, you should hold off on buying this until such a need arises.

If you are looking for a device that allows you to plug multiple devices into a single HDMI port, you’re actually looking for an HDMI switcher, rather than a splitter. There’s also a wide range of HDMI adapters that convert signals to different kinds of ports. We totally understand if you got mixed up: Terms like splitter, switch, or adapter are sometimes used interchangeably, but they refer to completely different things. It certainly doesn’t help that HDMI switchers often come up in search results for HDMI splitters, and vice versa.

Considering how complicated it gets just talking about whether or not you need an HDMI splitter, we’re going to walk through some basic information we think everyone should know before buying one.

HDMI adapters and HDMI splitters

Like we said, a lot of people, including manufacturers and retailers, play it fast and loose with A/V terms like “HDMI splitters.” Technically, HDMI splitters turn one HDMI signal into many identical HDMI signals. It’s HDMI end-to-end, and all they can do is mirror the screen.

That said, there is also a category of HDMI adapters that can plug into a laptop via USB Type-A, USB-C, or Mini DisplayPort, and output to two monitors. These adapters will give you a more robust set of display options, including an extended desktop across multiple displays. (They can also mirror your laptop across multiple displays.) Usually, these accessories will be called adapters, because they take one connection type and convert it into another. In some cases, they will also be called HDMI splitters, either because that’s what people expect them to be called, or because they want to make our lives harder.

We realize that there is a very real possibility that you’re actually looking for an HDMI adapter that can serve as a splitter so you can plug your laptop into a dual-monitor setup. Rest assured: We have recommendations for both conventional HDMI splitters and various adapters that output video to two HDMI ports.

Picking the right splitter

HDMI splitters are fairly simple devices, but they don’t all have the same capabilities. First and foremost, figure out how many video-out ports you need. Personally, I’d suggest mapping out your exact setup, including the positions of each monitor or TV and the video source, as well as a cable management plan for your HDMI cables.

You’ll also want to pay attention to the maximum resolution and refresh rates that the HDMI splitter supports. Many splitters, particularly affordable ones, will only support 1080p at 60Hz. If you’re using 4K monitors with high refresh rates, make sure their specs are supported. Increasing a splitter’s bandwidth can be just as expensive as buying a larger splitter with extra ports. 

Lastly, you’ll find that some HDMI splitters require an independent power source, while others feature internal power. The latter can be more convenient and may be sufficient in some cases, but we recommend using a splitter with a dedicated power source, as they generally work more reliably.

All of this also applies to HDMI adapters that can output dual-HDMI signals. Most adapters will not be able to handle the same bandwidth as a direct HDMI 2.1 or DisplayPort 1.4 connection. Refresh rates, in particular, will likely take a pretty serious hit going through an adapter. On the plus side, most HDMI adapters we’re aware of will take power from your laptop, so there’s no need to plug them in independently.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best HDMI splitters for dual monitors

• Best overall: OREI UHD-PRO102 HDMI Splitter
• Best 4-out: OREI UHDPRO-104 4K 1×4 HDMI Splitter
• Best 8-out: Tripp Lite 8-Port HDMI Splitter
• Best 16-out: OREI 1×16 HDMI Splitter
• Best USB-C-to-HDMI splitter: Targus USB-C Dual HDMI 4K Docking Station
• Best Mini DisplayPort-to-HDMI splitter: C2G Mini DisplayPort to HDMI Monitor Splitter
• Best budget: Avedio Links HDMI Splitter

Clearly, HDMI splitters can be a very confusing topic, but sometimes you just need one. Whether you’re actually looking for a proper HDMI splitter or an adapter to create a dual-monitor setup with a compatible laptop, make sure you figure out exactly what you want before you buy anything. It is especially easy to buy the wrong thing and get discouraged or frustrated, so we hope our guide to HDMI splitters for dual monitors has helped clear the confusion.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best HDMI splitters for managing multiple monitors appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Mount-It! (MI-1772) Dual Monitor Arm		SEE IT	Full articulation and ease of use are what make this dual monitor arm stand out—especially if you don’t have a lot of desk space.
Best wall-mounted		Mountup Dual Monitor Wall Mount		SEE IT	The Mountup Dual Monitor Wall Mount conveys is a more affordable choice if you’re okay installing a more permanent dual monitor setup.
Best budget		VIVO Dual Monitor Desk Mount		SEE IT	VIVO’s Dual Monitor Desk Mount has more features than its modest price suggests.

Using a dual-monitor stand, whether it’s something you put on your desk, a mounted monitor arm, or a bracket you mount on your wall, gives you the freedom to place your screens as you please for both maximum comfort and efficiency. There are many ways to optimize your two-monitor setup: The best dual-monitor stands ensure maximum flexibility, regardless of your approach.

• Best overall: Mount-It! (MI-1772) Dual Monitor Arm
• Best desk-mounted: Ergotron LX Dual Monitor Arm
• Best wall-mounted: Mountup Dual Monitor Wall Mount
• Best freestanding: ErGear Freestanding Dual Monitor Stand
• Best vertical: Hemudu HT05B-002 Dual Monitor Stand
• Best premium: Ergotron HX Desk Dual Monitor Arm
• Best budget: VIVO Dual Monitor Desk Mount

How we chose the best dual-monitor stands

To make our selections, I paired my own personal testing and experience with professional reviews and consumer feedback on Amazon. Our favorite monitor arms and monitor stands for dual-display setups provide a wide range of use cases, installation types, and prices. We also kept brand credibility in mind: Among monitor arm manufacturers, there are a handful of respected companies and many lesser-known brands that often offer cheap prices but without the reputation or warranty to back them up.

Best dual-monitor stands: Reviews & Recommendations

So you have two monitors, and you want to put them up on a single adjustable stand. Now that you know the basics of what to look for, we have a few recommendations for the best dual-monitor stands, including desk-mounted, the best TV wall mounts, and freestanding options. No matter your home office or PC gaming setup, there should be a decent option for you among these picks.

Best overall: Mount-It! (MI-1772) Dual Monitor Arm

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: Mount-It’s monitor arm makes it very easy to maneuver two big displays without any friction.

Specs

• Mount type: Desk
• Compatible VESA mount sizes: 75mm x 75mm, 100mm x 100mm
• Adjustment mechanism: Gas-spring mount/free moving
• Weight range: 20lb per arm
• Display size range: 19-32 inches
• Available colors: Black, Silver
• Price: $121

Pros

• Requires very little desk space
• Offers fine-grain control over the monitors
• Easy-to-move displays

Cons

• Price

We’ve had great success in our tests of Mount-It!’s single monitor arms, and feel very comfortable recommending this dual-display version to anyone who needs a lot of extra digital real estate to work. The arms can hold large, heavy displays, and each one can be twisted, tilted, and turned in several directions. This level of control can accommodate many work styles: video editors who want to see how their color grading tweaks are affecting the look of footage in real time, office workers who want to dedicate a vertically oriented monitor to their e-mail or messaging client, or gamers who want to monitor their Twitch chat.

Two features that impressed us with Mount-It!’s other monitor stands apply to this one: The ease at which they allow you to control your monitor and how well their clamping mechanism keeps it firmly attached to your desk. We’ve had no issues moving a 27-inch monitor with one hand, and the ability to move your displays closer and further from your face comes in handy more frequently than you’d expect. If you don’t have a lot of physical desk space, this monitor’s clamp will be incredibly helpful. A monitor stand’s feet can take up a lot more room than you think, and having more area back for your go-to tech accessories is very useful.

Best desk-mounted: Ergotron LX Dual Monitor Arm

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Why it made the cut: The Ergotron LX Dual Monitor Arm is a slick desk mount that balances great build quality and the price that comes with it.

Specs

• Mount type: Desk
• Compatible VESA mount sizes: 75mm x 75mm, 100mm x 100mm
• Adjustment mechanism: Gas-spring mount/free moving
• Weight range: 7-20 lbs
• Display size range: 27 inches
• Available colors: Black/white/silver
• Price: $297

Pros

• Superior build quality
• Plenty of ergonomic options
• Easy to install
• Lots of color options

Cons

• Expensive

When you think of monitor mounts, free-moving gas-spring arms typically come to mind. They offer smooth action that allows you to move your screens with precision easily. Though it costs more than many other brands, Ergotron’s LX Dual Monitor Arm dual-monitor arm has a higher quality that justifies the price. Plus, it comes with a 10-year warranty, so you know the company stands behind its product. The Ergotron LX Dual Monitor Arm doesn’t do anything flashy. It just does the basics very well.

Best wall-mounted: Mountup Dual Monitor Wall Mount

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Mountup Dual Monitor Wall Mount looks sharp, and strikes a balance between price and features.

Specs

• Mount type: Wall mount
• Compatible VESA mount sizes: 75mm x 75mm, 100mm x 100mm
• Adjustment mechanism: Gas-spring arms/free moving
• Weight range: 3.3 – 17.6 lbs
• Display size range: Up to 32-inch
• Available colors: Chrome/Black
• Price: $49

Pros

• Great price
• Very adjustable
• Detachable VESA plates

Cons

• Requires tools to install
• Requires brick, concrete, or wood anchor

If you’re ready to commit to a specific home, spot, and desk setup, you can save a lot of money on a really great dual-monitor arm with the Mountup Dual Monitor Wall Mount. It looks sharp, carries a lot of weight, and costs less than half as much as our desk-mounted pick. That said, this is a heavy dual-monitor arm. Not only do you need to attach it to the wall, the manufacturer specifically calls for you to anchor it on a brick, concrete, or wooden stud. Drywall alone may not hold it up. That’s a huge limitation, but if you have the right setup, this is arguably the most stable way to mount your monitors.

Best freestanding: ErGear Freestanding Dual Monitor Stand

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: If you don’t want to mount your monitors on arms, ErGear makes a more conventional dual-monitor stand that’s sturdy and offers strong adjustability.

Specs

• Mount type: Desktop stand
• Compatible VESA mount sizes: 75mm x 75mm, 100mm x 100mm
• Adjustment mechanism: Pole-adjusted height/static arm
• Weight range: Up to 22 lbs
• Display size range: 17-32 inches
• Available colors: Black
• Price: $55

Pros

• Glass base
• High weight tolerance
• No “install” time
• Price

Cons

• Fewer placement/ergonomic options
• Base takes up space on your desk

We often recommend desk-clamping or wall-mounted monitor arms for their great adjustability and their ability to free up desk space. However, not all of us can use those options: We can’t all drill holes in our walls, and some desks aren’t clamp-friendly. Whether your options are limited, or you simply don’t want to install anything, a desktop or “freestanding” monitor stand is the way to go.

ErGear’s Dual Monitor Stand features a static base column with adjustable spokes for both monitors. It is as adjustable as a dual-monitor arm, but you can still adjust height, tilt, swivel, and rotation to get very good, ergonomically mind positioning. It’s all held down by a large, sturdy black glass base that has enough room under it to route some cables. While it doesn’t free up as much space as a desk-mounted stand, putting both of your monitors on a single stand still opens up your workstation quite a bit.

Best vertical: Hemudu HT05B-002 Dual Monitor Stand

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Hemudu HT05B-002 allows you to set up a vertical stacking configuration without sacrificing stability.

Specs

• Mount type: Desktop stand
• Compatible VESA mount sizes: 50mm x 50mm, 75mm x 75mm, 100mm x 100mm
• Adjustment mechanism: Static mount
• Weight range: 44 lbs per arm
• Display size range: 13-34 inches
• Available colors: Black
• Price: $42

Pros

• Can handle very large and heavy displays
• Has plenty of ergonomic options
• Easy to move

Cons

• Fewer adjustment options compared to free-moving arms
• Still takes up desk space

Ergonomics are, ultimately, the core advantage of using a dual-monitor arm. Putting your displays on a single, adjustable mount allows you to position your displays to reduce the number of neck movements you have to do in your daily work. No matter what you do, though, putting two widescreen displays right next to each other ensures that you will need to turn your head to focus on one screen or the other. Suppose you are the kind of person who uses one display most of the time and only occasionally glances at screen number two. In that case, a stacking monitor stand, which mounts the two monitors in a single column, might be useful. Craning your neck to look up isn’t great, ergonomically speaking, but if you only look at that second monitor every once in a while, it may lead to a net reduction in strain.

If you want to set up a vertical stack, we recommend a desktop mount like the Hemudu HT05B-002, rather than a desk-mounted one. With a vertical setup, you’re putting a lot more stress on the stand arm, and a flat stand handles that extra weight better. The HT05B-002 can handle two 34-inch, 44-lb. screens. It features removable VESA plates for easy installation as well. A wide base limits your desk real estate gains, but you can rest easy knowing that the stand will support your monitors’ weight(s). It’s a small consolation, but the feet under the base raise up enough to fit some of your other cabling underneath.

Best splurge: Ergotron HX Desk Dual Monitor Arm

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: If you’re willing to pay a premium for a reliable brand, the Ergotron HX is as sturdy as they come.

Specs

• Mount type: Desk-mounted
• Compatible VESA mount sizes: 75mm x 75mm, 100mm x 100mm (More available with optional bracket adapter kit)
• Adjustment mechanism: Gas-spring arms/free moving
• Weight range: 35 lbs per arm
• Display size range: Up to 32-inch
• Available colors: White, Silver, Black
• Price: $585

Pros

• Killer looks
• 15-year warranty
• A trusted name in ergonomics

Cons

• Very expensive

It’s easy to find a monitor arm for under $100, but they’re almost always a gamble. You’re buying a relatively untested design from a brand with little to no reputation, which can be a risky proposition with a dual-monitor stand that holds and protects two pieces of equipment that cost hundreds or even thousands of dollars. If you have a pair of very expensive displays, you may want to consider spending a similarly luxurious amount on your stand. 

Ergotron is one of the oldest and most reliable names in the monitor stand game, and its HX dual-monitor arm is a deluxe desk-mounted stand. It has some of the flourishes from our other top picks, including a 15-year warranty and detachable VESA mounts for easy mounting. It also features a unique handlebar beneath the screens that allows you to adjust both displays at once. Those things are all just gravy, though. In this case, you’re spending a lot of extra money on the peace of mind that comes with buying a trusted luxury brand.

Best budget: VIVO Dual Monitor Desk Mount

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: VIVO managed to make its dual-monitor stand comparable to more expensive models without many compromises.

Specs

• Mount type: Desk
• Compatible VESA mount sizes: Gas-spring arms/free-moving
• Adjustment mechanism: 75mm x 75mm, 100mm x 100mm
• Weight range: up to 22lb per arm
• Display size range: 13-30 inches
• Available colors: Black, White
• Price: $28

Pros

• Gives you a fair amount of control over your monitors
• Won’t take up a lot of room on your desk
• Price

Cons

• No automatic height adjustment

If you’ve invested most of your home office improvement budget on your new displays, it makes sense to save a little bit on a dual-monitor stand. This model from VIVO has most of the features found in our best overall pick, but at a quarter of the price. Each monitor can be tilted and twisted individually, but you can only adjust their height by loosening and tightening a screw on the back. Both monitors have to be set at the same height, which may matter depending on the type of work you do. This stand works with monitors up to 30-inches wide, but VIVO offers a model that can handle displays up to 32 inches if necessary.

We like monitor arms that can be clamped onto a desk rather than sit on top of it because of the space savings, which is why VIVO’s is especially appealing to us. We’re also impressed that it can control monitors up to 22 pounds, which means the arms on this stand are stronger than the ones on our best overall pick. If the lack of height adjustability isn’t a dealbreaker, there’s no reason to spend more money on a dual-monitor stand.

Things to consider before buying one of the best dual-monitor stands

Even if you know exactly which dual-monitor stand or arm to buy, it helps to know a bit about the basic mechanics involved. Different stands require varying amounts of installation at setup, and not every monitor can be mounted on a third-party stand. Understanding these basics will help you pick the right stand for your displays, and ensure you’re ready to install your stand (or call someone who can.)

Why should I use a dual-monitor stand?

There are many reasons to mount your monitors, ranging from purely cosmetic to enabling better ergonomics. The stands with PC monitors vary widely in construction quality, appearance, and features. Some stands take up tons of desk space without offering any additional utility. Others may not allow you to adjust them properly, forcing you to twist or crane your neck to look at them, which could lead to long-term strain. And some of them may just look ugly. When you buy a monitor for its great specs, which you should, it potentially opens the door for you to end up with a huge, ugly stand that gives you a sore neck. Luckily, most monitors allow you to remove the actual display from its stand and mount them on a third-party stand. 

A monitor stand, whether it sits on your desk, clamps on at edge of it, or bolts onto the wall behind it, can solve all of these issues at once, giving you the ability to place your monitor exactly where you want it, reclaiming your desk space for more useful tools, and swapping out what may be garish design for something more subtle and clean.

Stand, clamp, or wall mount?

When moving to a dual-monitor stand, you must choose between a conventional desktop form factor, a clamping desk-mounted design, or a wall-mounted one. Often, picking one versus another comes down to what kind of desk you have, how important it is to reclaim desk space, and the likelihood that you’ll need to move your setup.

If you have a flat desk with an edge or lip, we like clamping monitor stands that clamp to the rear edge of your desk. They’re sturdy, highly adjustable, and easy to install or remove without damaging the desk. (Some offer an option to drill a hole into your desk as an anchor, but it isn’t necessarily mandatory.)

That said, if you have a glass desk, an executive-style desk, or something with lots of cable guides built into the back, a clamp might not be a good fit. In most cases, there’s just no spot to install the clamp. With glass, it could literally shatter the desk. In those cases, a desktop stand makes more sense. Though you won’t get as much space back, a desktop with a dual-monitor stand still consolidates two screens onto a single stand, reclaiming some desk real estate. Also, desktop stands are very sturdy, so it makes sense to use them for larger, heavier screens.

Finally, there’s the wall mount. Whether you use a set of monitor arms or a bracket similar to what you’d use when mounting a TV, the wall mount is an extremely sturdy choice but requires serious installation. To install it, you’ll need to find a stud, drill some holes, and bolt your monitor stand to your wall. Once you install it, your monitor stand isn’t going anywhere, which means your desk setup isn’t going anywhere, either. That lack of flexibility makes it a very niche choice. You don’t want to have to spackle and repaint your walls every time you think your desk would look better over by the window.

Before you buy: Make sure all your monitors have VESA mounts

If you peek around the back of most computer monitors, you’ll notice that the stand for your display probably attaches via four screws in a square configuration. This is a standard configuration maintained by the Video Electronics Standards Association, commonly known as VESA, meant to make stands as close to universal as possible so users can buy new stands easily. 

VESA mounts can come in many sizes, but most PC monitors fall into one of two options, 75mm x 75mm or 100mm x 100 mm. That makes everyone’s life easier: All of our picks support both sizes, as should most third-party monitor stands of any shape and size. That said, you should still double-check your monitors’ specs to see VESA mount sizes you’ll need before buying a dual-monitor stand, if only to ensure your monitor can be mounted. Some very cheap monitors (and a few very expensive ones) build their monitors permanently attached to their stands.

Double-check the weight of both of your displays

Monitors are heavy and expensive. Before mounting them, you should ensure your stand can support their weight. Make sure that your monitors are within the stands’ specified weight limit—don’t risk going above or below whatever limits the manufacturer sets. Most monitor manufacturers include the weight of the displays both with and without stands on their product pages. You have a little wiggle room on the size of the monitor, but consider the weight tolerances to be inviolable laws of nature in this case, or risk breaking hundreds or even thousands of dollars worth of monitors.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best dual-monitor stands

• Best overall: Mount-It! (MI-1772) Dual Monitor Arm
• Best desk-mounted: Ergotron LX Dual Monitor Arm
• Best wall-mounted: Mountup Dual Monitor Wall Mount
• Best freestanding: ErGear Freestanding Dual Monitor Stand
• Best vertical: Hemudu HT05B-002 Dual Monitor Stand
• Best premium: Ergotron HX Desk Dual Monitor Arm
• Best budget: VIVO Dual Monitor Desk Mount

With so many options for mounting your monitors and such a wide range of prices, the best dual-monitor stands are a very affordable and useful upgrade for anyone using two monitors. Whether you’re rocking one display in landscape mode and one in portrait mode, pairing an ultrawide monitor with a standard one, mounting to a desk or a wall, there are dynamic stands for every type of home setup.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best dual-monitor stands for home and office in 2024 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Netgear Nighthawk Cable Modem Wi-Fi Router Combo		SEE IT	This modem-router combination takes the guesswork out of Spectrum compatibilty.
Best cyber secure		Gryphon AC3000		SEE IT	Hackers are no match for this protective router.
Best budget		TP-Link AC1750		SEE IT	Lots of expensive features are packed into this budget-friendly router.

If you work from home—and you’re a Charter Communications customer—you know there’s a huge difference between a bad router and a router that’s compatible with Spectrum internet. A bad router means long wait times talking to customer service, annoyingly slow load speeds, and a pixelated presence on work video calls. Choosing the best router for work, play, and just surfing the web makes life easier—and reduces the amount of low to no bandwidth-induced headaches you might get. 

• Best overall: Netgear Nighthawk Cable Modem Wi-Fi Router Combo
• Best for gaming: ASUS AX5700 Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router
• Best for streaming: Linksys – Dual-Band AX5400 Wi-Fi 6 Router
• Best mesh: NETGEAR Orbi Whole Home Tri-band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System
• Best cyber secure: Gryphon AC3000
• Best budget: TP-Link AC1750

How we chose the best routers for Spectrum

We know how important a strong Wi-Fi connection is to effortless, lag-free performance on the best gaming laptops and streaming high-quality lossless audio. I personally have made the mistake of not doing my research before buying a router—would not recommend spending a few days Wi-Fi-less and with my own thoughts. To prevent you from facing a similar situation, we looked to personal testing, peer recommendations, critical reviews, and user impressions to find the best Spectrum routers.

The best routers for Spectrum: Reviews & Recommendations

The best routers for Spectrum can handle everything, whether it’s a day full of video meetings, nights scrolling TikTok, intense gaming sessions, or streaming lengthy explainer videos on YouTube. These are our top picks.

Best overall: Netgear Nighthawk Cable Modem Wi-Fi Router Combo

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Why it made the cut: You don’t have to worry about purchasing a separate modem with this trusted combination device.

Specs

• Data transfer rate: 1,900 Mbps
• Coverage: 1,800 square feet
• Plan speed compatibility: Up to 400 Mbps
• Parental controls: Yes
• Ports: Four 1-gigabit Ethernet ports; one USB 2.0 port

Pros

• Easy installation
• Independent channels for 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz
• Warrants fast, reliable internet. 

Cons 

• Slow return on investment
• No support for Wi-Fi 6

The Netgear Nighthawk proves that two is better than one: This router also features a built-in modem, meaning you don’t have to shop for a Spectrum-compatible modem. This router covers 1,800 square feet for up to 30 devices and is compatible with Spectrum speed plans up to 400 Mbps. It includes separate networks for 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz bands, meaning you can organize your devices based on band level. You can plug in gaming consoles and computers to Ethernet thanks to four one-gigabit Ethernet ports, and can share storage with a connected device using the USB port. The router supports Wi-Fi 4 and 5 but does not support Wi-Fi 6. It features a WPA2-PSK security protocol, which is secure enough to protect your home without an enterprise authentication server—simply provide an 8- to 62-character-long passphrase to encrypt your network. However, it will take some time to see a return on your investment with the Nighthawk. Multiple reviews note that owners’ internet speed and performance were improved after setup, making the purchase worth it. Find more options for the best Netgear routers here.

Best for gaming: ASUS AX5700 Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Reduced lag and latency are a tap away thanks to the router’s game mode and support for Wi-Fi 6. 

Specs

• Data transfer rate: 5700 Mbps
• Coverage: 2,500 square feet
• Plan speed compatibility: 1 Gbps
• Parental controls: Yes
• Ports: two 3.2 USB ports; one 2.5 G WAN/LAN port; one WAN port; four Ethernet ports

Pros

• Fiber internet compatible
• Easy installation
• Plenty of LAN ports for devices if need be

Cons 

• Upright design can hinder placement 

We are no strangers to the ASUS AX5700—we’ve previously named it the best all-purpose gaming router. And it is compatible with Spectrum’s Internet Gig plan, which can handle up to 1 Gpbs, making it a perfect addition to this list. It’s Wi-Fi 6 compatible and includes MU-MIMO functionality for increased speed and security. Download the ASUS Router app to turn on the mobile game mode, which reduces lag and latency for back-to-back Victory Royales. AiMesh support allows you to bring seamless, interruption-free coverage to your home—and, considering the price of mesh routers, that makes this one a steal. Hackers will be KO’d thanks to free lifetime access to ASUS AiProtection Pro, which includes WPA3 protection—the latest Wi-Fi security protocol—powered by Trend Micro, a cyber security software company. However, you can only set the router vertically, which could pose a problem if you need a horizontal router. 

Best for streaming: Linksys – Dual-Band AX5400 Wi-Fi 6 Router

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Between the wide coverage range, support for more than 30-plus devices, and splittable price, this router means the only thing your roommates will lag on is doing their dishes. 

Specs

• Data transfer rate: 5.4 Gbps
• Coverage: 2,800 square feet
• Plan speed compatibility: 1 Gbps
• Parental controls: Yes
• Ports: 4 Ethernet ports; 1 internet port; 1 USB port

Pros

• Easy setup
• Separate guest access
• Easy device connection thanks to a WPS button

Cons 

• Reviews note trouble connecting the router to the Linksys app

We’ve all had the problem of the internet slowing because it’s slogged down by everyone’s respective phone, laptop, and gaming system streaming at once. This problem is exacerbated if your roommates like Internet-of-Things smart devices that connect to the network. Expect the slog to stop with this dual-band router, which can connect to more than 30 devices. Additionally, this router is Wi-Fi 6 compatible, meaning it’s fast and futureproof. This router includes four Ethernet ports, one internet port to connect the router to the modem, and one USB port. Also, the router can create a guest access network so your roommates’ siblings or frequent callers don’t cause security problems or snag too much bandwidth when they add their binge-watching to what’s pulling down all the data. A WPS button makes device connection easy, and you can use your smartphone, tablet, or computer browser for quick set-up. The second biggest problem with this router is deciding who will take it at the end of the lease. The largest problem is connecting it to the Linksys app.

Best mesh: NETGEAR Orbi Whole Home Tri-band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System

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Why it made the cut: Up to 5,000 square feet of coverage and an included satellite extender means you can take meetings almost everywhere in your home without lag.

Specs

• Data transfer rate: 4.2 Gbps
• Coverage: 5,000 square feet
• Plan speed compatibility: 1 Gbps
• Parental controls: Yes
• Ports: 1 Ethernet WAN port; 3 Ethernet ports; 2 Ethernet ports on satellite extender

Pros

• No dead zones
• Wide coverage area
• Tri-band Wi-Fi

Cons 

• Must pay Netgear to service software issues
• Expensive
• App capabilities are only free for 30 days

We’ve all experienced the pain of being laggy and pixelated on a video call, either from weak signals or dead spots in the home. Say goodbye to all that with the Netgear Orbi, which covers 5,000 square feet and includes a satellite extender for more reach. This router, our pick for working from home, can support up to 40 devices and has a crazy-fast data transfer rate of 4.2 Gbps, plus support for Wi-Fi 6 for futureproofing. Unlike other routers, this one supports a tri-band frequency: 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz band for connecting your devices, and a separate 5 GHz band so the router and included satellite can communicate with each other. Netgear Armor Antivirus and data theft protection powered by Bitdefender means business secrets will stay secret. However, there is a catch: this capability, along with others in the Orbi app like parental controls, are only free for 30 days. Afterward, you’ll need a subscription. And you’ll have to pay Netgear for software troubleshooting—that can be a lot of money to spend after purchasing an already-expensive router.

Best cyber secure: Gryphon AC3000

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This router does not use a web browser for configuration, making it less likely that a hacker will jack your info. 

Specs

• Data transfer rate: 3 Gbps 
• Coverage: 3,000 square feet
• Plan speed compatibility: 1 Gbps
• Parental controls: Yes
• Ports: 1 WAN port; 3 Ethernet ports with backhaul capabilities

Pros

• Easy installation with Gryphon app
• Free intrusion detection in the first year
• Responsive support team

Cons 

• No advanced customization options

You won’t need to worry about hackers and internet thieves with the Gryphon AC3000, which offers advanced security thanks to its Wi-Fi 6 functionality, vulnerability scans, and app configuration that prevents hackers from accessing your network via the web. It also secures connected devices and sends alerts when it detects vulnerabilities, weak passwords, or infected devices. The router has fantastic basic security and you also get one year of intrusion detection for free with purchase. Afterward, it’s $89 per year. It covers 3,000 square feet—an average 2-3 bedroom home—at lightning-fast speeds thanks to its 3 Gbps data transfer rate. If you purchase multiple Gryphon routers, you can create a mesh network for even stronger, wider coverage. The Gryphon Connect app includes robust parental controls, including content filtering, screen time, and usage monitoring. Its user interface is incredibly streamlined and simple. However, reviews note that there could be more advanced customization options, like more device categories and fields for categories that should be blocked.

Best budget: TP-Link AC1750

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: The TP-Link AC1750 features high-end capabilities at a fraction of the cost. 

Specs

• Data transfer rate: 1750 Mbps
• Coverage: 2,500 square feet
• Plan speed compatibility: 400 Mbps
• Parental controls: Yes
• Ports: 1 USB port; 1 WAN port; 4 Ethernet ports

Pros

• VPN Server
• Alexa compatibility
• Bandwidth prioritization (QoS)

Cons 

• Not compatible with Wi-Fi 6

The TP-Link AC1750 tops Amazon’s list of computer routers for a reason: it includes a VPN server, bandwidth prioritization, parental controls, Alexa compatibility, and can connect up to 50 devices—all for under $100. A 2,500-square-foot range means you can take video calls outside and bandwidth prioritization allows you to assign devices to either of the dual bands to prevent congestion and slow internet speeds. Connect it to Alexa to turn the guest Wi-Fi on or off using your voice, or use the TP-Link Tether app to set up and manage your network. WPA/WPA2 wireless encryption keeps the entire family protected from hackers, and parental controls protect your kids from looking up mature content on the internet. The only downside of this router? It’s not Wi-Fi 6 compatible, which means it could become obsolete as new Wi-Fi protocols come out.

What to consider when buying the best routers for Spectrum

Routers are not one-size-fits-all. Here is what you need to know when shopping for the best routers for Spectrum:

Modem vs. router

A modem connects you to a wide area network, or WAN—the internet that Spectrum provides. A router connects your devices to a local area network, or LAN—your own little piece of the internet that Spectrum provides. You can’t connect to a router without a modem. Spectrum customers are required to use an authorized modem, and the company provides a preconfigured Wi-Fi router for a monthly fee. However, that adds up, and purchasing your own can save money in the long run. If you buy your own router, you don’t have to give it back if you cancel your service—you can use it with your new internet provider.

Compatibility with Spectrum

Make sure that the router your purchase is compatible with Spectrum. Otherwise, you’ll have to return it. You can find a list of Spectrum-compliant routers on the company’s site. Although buying the correct modem is more important, it never hurts to double-check. Also, the router can only run as fast as your internet plan provides. For example, if you have a router that can only reach speeds of 300 Mbps and have an internet plan for 200 Mbps, you’ll only max out at 200 Mbps.

Wireless protocol

The wireless protocol, or Wi-Fi standard, determines your router’s throughput and range. You can determine the protocol by finding the number 802.11 and a certain letter combination:

• 11ax (Wi-Fi 6): Wi-Fi 6 is the newest standard and delivers speeds up to 10 Gbps. However, not all devices and internet connections support Wi-Fi 6. You may not need to upgrade just yet, but switching to Wi-Fi 6 will help futureproof your internet connection. This standard is the fastest.  
• 11ac (Wi-Fi 5): This standard appears on most routers, and supports speeds up to 3.5 Gbps. 
• 11n (Wi-Fi 4): This standard supports speeds up to 600 Mbps and was the first to allow both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequencies. This standard, compared to Wi-Fi 5 and 6, is the slowest. 

Range and signal strength

Wi-Fi range is determined by the kind of router you’re using, the wireless protocol the router follows, and the space you’re in. Wi-Fi signals have a harder time permeating through concrete, compared to wood, stucco, and other building materials. For example, 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi routers can reach up to 150 feet indoors and 300 feet outdoors and should be used if you’re looking for long-distance Wi-Fi. Routers running on 5 GHz bands can reach around one-third of these distances since it uses narrower wavelengths—because of this, you should choose a 5 GHz router for speed but only if your devices can be located nearer to your internet access point. Newer routers operate on both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands to reach greater distances and achieve maximum throughput for devices in closer proximity.

Budget

The best routers range from $50 up to $500. The best Wi-Fi extenders can help with spotty internet, but Consumer Reports recommends using a mesh router system that relies on multiple systems to spread strong Wi-Fi signals. However, a mesh router system can be pricey. On the flip side, Wi-Fi extenders are cheaper and can be a perfect solution if you’re looking for more reliable coverage in certain areas of your home. However, poor placement of your extender won’t help your Wi-Fi woes and can cause more connectivity problems if your Wi-Fi extender creates a separate network that your device has to switch between.

Extra features

Many newer routers are compatible with voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, have parental controls, and provide separate networks for guests. Built-in VPNs and routers with multi-user, multiple-input, and multiple-output technology—also known as MU-MIMO—can help with security and network speed, respectively. However, if you would not benefit from the bells and whistles—and the added costs associated with them—then there’s no shame in going for a basic router.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best routers for Spectrum

• Best overall: Netgear Nighthawk Cable Modem Wi-Fi Router Combo
• Best for gaming: ASUS AX5700 Wi-Fi 6 Gaming Router
• Best for streaming: Linksys – Dual-Band AX5400 Wi-Fi 6 Router
• Best mesh: NETGEAR Orbi Whole Home Tri-band Mesh Wi-Fi 6 System
• Best cyber secure: Gryphon AC3000
• Best budget: TP-Link AC1750

Whether you decide on a router that helps you jumpstart your streaming career, keeps your new battlestation in sync with the rest of the squad, or feeds your OLED TV buttery-smooth 4K video, the best routers for Spectrum will be suited to your lifestyle and internet needs. It doesn’t matter if you go ham-handed on the features or keep it simple—the best routers will get you streaming, web surfing, online gaming, and working with ease.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best routers for Spectrum of 2024 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Logitech Wave Keys		SEE IT	Elevated keys and a wristrest make typing on the Logitech Wave Keys a smooth-feeling experience.
Best compact		Satechi SM1		SEE IT	Satechi’s keyboard features backlit keys and a slim design suited for any sized desk.
Best budget		Nulea RT05B		SEE IT	Considerably improve the ergonomics of your home office for under $50.

If you’ve been spending an increasing amount of time at your desk, you may have noticed added discomfort from all that typing, a situation that could be remedied by switching to a more ergonomic keyboard. When you spend a lot of time sitting down, working at a computer, it’s easy to forget about posture or what angle your wrists should be at. The best ergonomic keyboards will help reduce your odds of suffering from conditions like RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury) while making typing a little more fun.

• Best overall: Logitech Wave Keys
• Best splurge: Keychron Q1 Pro
• Best compact: Satechi SM1
• Best bundle: Kensington Pro Ergonomic Keyboard and Mouse
• Best budget: Nulea RT05B

How we chose the best ergonomic keyboards

If you’re looking for the best ergonomic keyboard, first consider your space and how you plan on using it. If you typically use a laptop, how will a keyboard change your flow? Do you want to reduce the look of burdensome wires? Are you typing, accounting, or gaming? Our top picks are based on these and other considerations (more of which you’ll find below the recommendations). Combined with ergonomic desks, ergonomic chairs, and an ergonomic mouse, they can make sitting at a desk all day a lot more comfortable.

The best ergonomic keyboards: Reviews & Recommendations

Whether you’re typing for work or gaming with friends, the best ergonomic keyboards can help you focus on the task at hand—instead of what the task is doing to your hands. However, with so many options, it might be difficult to figure out exactly which product is ideal for your situation. This is especially true since many of the best ergonomic options look entirely different—or exactly the same. We’ve done the research and testing for you, so if you’re ready to make your workspace more comfortable, check out the best ergonomic keyboards below.

Best overall: Logitech Wave Keys

SEE IT

Specs

• Connectivity: USB receiver, Bluetooth
• Dimensions: 9.17 x 17.95 x 1.89 inches
• Weight: 2.15 pounds

Pros

• Compatible with Windows and macOS
• Can connect via a USB receiver or Bluetooth
• Built-in wrist rest

Cons

• Wrist support can’t be removed
• No backlit keys

The ergonomically sound Logitech Wave Keys keyboard was made to keep your hands in a natural typing posture. Its namesake feature is a gentle slope that begins raising at the D key and declining to the L key. You’d think a topographically diverse keyboard would be more difficult to type on, but our tests proved it was very comfortable to use. We experienced no wrist pain after several weeks of switching from a flatter keyboard. The Wave Key’s wristrest is a big reason for this comfort, as it ensures your wrists are kept on a padded surface at the proper elevation. However, the wristrest is physically attached to the keyboard and non-removable, so you’ll need a deep desk to contain it.

We prefer this ergonomic keyboard design to those with two separate sets of keys and a large gap between them because the Wave Keys had no learning curve. We instinctively knew where the keys would be and could focus on what we were typing. This Logitech wireless ergonomic keyboard is fully compatible with macOS and Windows and allows you to connect it to your machine using a USB receiver or Bluetooth. We conducted our tests on a MacBook Pro using both the receiver and Bluetooth and never had an issue with connectivity or lag while typing. We wish the Wave Keys featured a couple more premium features—the biggest being backlit keys—but that disappointment is far outweighed by the feeling of comfortably typing away without the risk of wrist strain. And you can pair the keyboard with an equally recommendable Logitech mouse that matches it in form and function.

Best splurge: Keychron Q1 Pro 

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Specs

• Connectivity: Bluetooth, wired 
• Dimensions: 12.89 x 5.71 x 1.41 inches
• Weight: 3.83 pounds

Pros

• Premium feeling aluminum case
• Smooth durable switches with colorful keycaps
• Highly programmable on both macOS and Windows

Cons

• Tall keycaps come with a learning curve
• Not travel friendly

We named the Keychron Q1 Pro the best mechanical keyboard in large part because of the ergonomic qualities possessed by mechanical keyboards. This is the professional version of Keychron’s already excellent Q1, and it bests the previous model in every way. It carries through all the features we loved about the original, including its heavy-duty and exceptionally premium-feeling aluminum case, but critically adds support for Bluetooth wireless connectivity. Aluminum cases tend to block wireless signals, but the Q1 offers a reliable and fast Bluetooth connection, which allows us to cut the cord without sacrificing typing performance. We don’t recommend traveling with it, however: This keyboard is hefty at just under four pounds.

The addition of Bluetooth isn’t the only improvement that comes with the Q1 Pro. Keychron reworked its internals so the keyboard can deliver both the softest typing experience yet and satisfyingly supple acoustics. The switches are pre-lubed for extra smoothness, and a brand new set of doubleshot PBT keycaps add a splash of color and heightened durability. The only downside is that these keys are slightly taller than average keycaps and it may take an hour or so to adapt to them. The Q1 Pro isn’t cheap, but it still feels like a steal once you’ve put your fingers to it.

Best compact: Satechi SM1

SEE IT

Specs

• Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB adapter
• Size: 12.2 x 4.69 x 0.83 inches
• Weight: 1.04 pounds

Pros

• Fits easily on any desktop
• Backlit keys
• MacOS function keys

Cons

• Slightly lower profile frame

If you’re interested in improving the ergonomics of your computer setup but don’t have a large enough desk to accommodate the Logitech Wave or similarly sized models, we highly recommend Satechi’s SM1. In our tests, which included writing dozens of articles, e-mails, and notes, the SM1 dropped no keystrokes. its switches were immediately responsive and compressed with a satisfying click. Those sensitive to noise may want a quieter keyboard, but the SM1 is far from deafening. You’ll know what to expect if you remember typing on computer keys in the 1990s. Satechi allows you to wirelessly connect this keyboard to your computer via Bluetooth or a USB dongle—we generally chose the latter—or to plug it into your machine using a USB-C cable. The SM1 has a built-in rechargeable battery, so you don’t have to worry about reaching for a set of AAAs when the keyboard runs out of juice.

Each individual key on the SM1 is backlit and you can raise and lower their brightness by pressing the F5 and F6 keys, respectively. There are three brightness levels so that you can make adjustments as the lighting in your environment changes. This is especially helpful if you work in a room with a variable amount of sunshine or a single dim light source. Speaking of function keys, macOS users will appreciate that the SM1 has an identical function row to the one found on Apple’s MacBook Pro and Magic Keyboard. This means you can control your computer’s volume and screen brightness with a single keystroke. Key macOS features, including Spotlight and Control Center, are also accessible by pressing dedicated keys.

Our only ergonomic complaint with the SM1 is that it has a relatively low profile even when its feet are extended. It’s not that the keyboard is uncomfortable to use, but we recommend using a wrist rest. If you’re looking for an ergonomic keyboard for travel or use on a slimmer desk, look no further.

Best bundle: Kensington Pro Ergonomic Keyboard and Mouse

SEE IT

Specs

• Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB receiver
• Dimensions: 18.98 x 9.92 x 1.5 inches
• Weight: 2.2 pounds

Pros

• A sloped design keeps your hands positioned inward
• Designed to work with Chrome OS in addition to macOS and Windows
• A helpful bundle that can save you money

Cons

• Runs on disposable batteries

You can pick up an ergonomic keyboard and mouse on their own, but Kensington’s bundle allows you to nab both accessories for under $100. The keyboard features a sloped design, with spill-proof keys that won’t get damaged when exposed to water. Kensington says the keys are designed to be quiet, too, so you’ll give up the clickiness of a mechanical keyboard for less noise. You can connect both of these accessories to your computer using a USB receiver or Bluetooth.

Kensington says both wireless connectivity options include “government-grade encryption” to keep your keystrokes secure. Additionally, Kensington is explicit that this keyboard supports macOS, Windows, and Chrome OS. While we’re recommending this bundle primarily for the included keyboard, it’s worth noting that the included mouse has five programmable buttons, allowing you to customize your computing experience when connected. Switching over your tech accessories to more ergonomic models can be a pain, but Kensington’s bundle will help you check off two of the most important ones in a single click.

Best budget: Nulea RT05B

SEE IT

Specs

• Connectivity: USB receiver, Bluetooth
• Dimensions: 17.52 x 10.87 x 1.73 inches
• Weight: 3.85 pounds

Pros

• Quiet keys
• Connects via USB receiver or Bluetooth
• Built-in wrist rest with memory foam

Cons

• Wrist support cannot be removed
• Keys not backlit

Nulea’s RT05B shares many of the same features as our top pick, from a built-in wristrest to multiple connectivity options, but it’s available for just $50. The ergonomic split keyboard has a wave-like design with an elevated space between both banks of keys. The keyboard is attached to a polyurethane leather-wrapped wristrest featuring a layer of memory foam. The rest elevates your wrists at a 4.07-degree angle when the keyboard’s legs are extended to keep them slightly above the keyboard itself. You can’t remove the wrist rest, so you can only use the RT05B on a deeper desk.

This isn’t a mechanical keyboard, which means you’ll give up some key travel but be rewarded with a quieter typing experience. You can connect it to your computer (either running macOS or Windows) using Bluetooth or a 2.4GHz USB receiver and top up its internal battery by plugging it into your PC. The RT05B doesn’t have backlit keys or any other special features, but that’s to be expected from a keyboard in its price range. Instead, Nulea has managed to make ergonomics more accessible to significantly more people, which is a big deal if you’re looking to improve your computing setup on a budget.

What to consider when shopping for the best ergonomic keyboards

There are many factors to consider when deciding which ergonomic keyboard is right for you. The following are the factors we considered most important when writing this guide:

Price

With elevated design, in-depth research, and smart innovation, many keyboards can get pretty expensive, with costs averaging a few hundred dollars. If your goal is simply working more comfortably, that price may not feel justifiable. Fortunately, some cheap keyboards will do the job without breaking the bank. Choosing a product from a reliable manufacturer will likely give you a better, more comfortable experience than ones that may look ergonomic but simply don’t maximize your comfort on a functional level.

Quietness

If you’re looking for the best keyboard for typing, you’ll want to consider the shape of the keyboard and the environment where you’ll use it. Since ergonomic products support your body as you use them, keyboards designed particularly for typing will be shaped to fit your natural hand posture as you type. But as you’re clacking away on the keys, you might be sensitive to how loud you’re typing (especially if you don’t work alone). A quiet ergonomic model is the best of both worlds: You won’t disturb your officemates, but you’ll still get the wrist and hand support you need for a pain-free typing session.

Connectivity

The best ergonomic keyboard for you might be one that reduces visual clutter. Many keyboards—ergonomic or not—connect to your computer through extra wires, and it only takes a few devices to turn a completely bare desk into a jungle of tangled wire vines. An ergonomic wireless model allows you to get the comfort you need without any extra cords, thanks to Bluetooth connectivity.

Additional features

If you’re looking for the best ergonomic gaming option, look for all the typical things you’d want in any gaming keyboard. You’ll want it to be a comfortable size, to be able to move between your mouse and your keys quickly. It’s also likely that you’ll want something mechanical to maximize the feedback you feel every time you click. RGB lights, in addition to adding a cool look, can also add some functionality if the keyboard has per-key color options that allow you to quickly glance at what keys you’d like to select without a second thought. When it comes to ergonomics, you’ll want your keyboard to meet your hands where they’ll naturally want to lay. Take into consideration the other devices in your gaming setup. If the keyboard is awkward, it may interfere with the ideal placement of your mic and other consoles.

Bundles

If this is your first keyboard purchase or if you’re building up your workspace from scratch, you may need more than just an ergonomic keyboard—your desktop space likely also needs a mouse to go with it. Finding an ergonomic keyboard and mouse combo not only looks cleaner on your desk but will also likely feel better to work with, as the designers of the products created them to go together and provide you with equal ergonomic support whether you’re typing or clicking.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best ergonomic keyboards

• Best overall: Logitech Wave Keys
• Best splurge: Keychron Q1 Pro
• Best compact: Satechi SM1
• Best bundle: Kensington Pro Ergonomic Keyboard and Mouse
• Best budget: Nulea RT05B

There are plenty of good keyboards out there, whether you’ll be gaming, working from home, or typing away in a shared office space. While you may not need all the bells and whistles, you need one that truly supports good posture and hand placement. No matter which product you choose, the best ergonomic keyboard for you will be one that’s built for your needs. Once you’re all set up, then you can really get down to business.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best ergonomic keyboards of 2024, tested and reviewed appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		ASUS ROG Strix		SEE IT	With the best refresh rate of any portable monitor, the Asus ROG Strix is great for gamers and non-gamers alike.
Best for laptops		Arzopa Portable Monitor 2K		SEE IT	The Arzopa’s 2K portable monitor shows that good things come in small packages.
Best budget		Arzopa A1 Gamut		SEE IT	The Arzopa A1 Gamut proves you don’t have to break the bank to get a quality portable monitor.

When you’re using a laptop or traveling and need more screen real estate, portable monitors provide new versatility and solid picture quality in an easily portable form factor. Plus, laptops, tablets, and smartphones provide convenience and mobility, but those small screens can cause headaches, blurry eyes, and fatigue. Trying to crowd a lot of information on such a small screen only exacerbates the problem—especially if you’re using computer devices for several hours a day. However, a portable monitor can provide a much better working and viewing experience. Picking the right one for you will depend on several factors, but we’ve done the legwork to select and highlight the best portable monitors currently on the market.

• Best overall: ASUS ROG Strix (XG16AHPE)   
• Best for laptops: Arzopa Portable Monitor 2K
• Best 4K: Innocn 15.6-inch OLED Portable Monitor (PU15 PRE) 
• Best portable touchscreen: ASUS ZenScreen Touch MB16AMT
• Best for vertical use: Arzopa A1C
• Best for drawing: Espresso Display
• Best for gaming: Nexigo 17.3” 300Hz
• Best multi-screen: LIMINK LK14
• Best unattached multiscreen: The Portable Monitor Slide
• Best budget: Arzopa A1 Gamut

How we chose the best portable monitors

As a freelance journalist for over 10 years, I’ve reviewed home and tech products for publications including PopSci, CNN Underscored, NBC News Select, Popular Mechanics, Architectural Digest, Tom’s Guide, The Daily Beast, USA Today’s Reviewed, Apartment Therapy, The Spruce, and Bob Vila. Our personal monitor selections are based on personal testing, extensive research, recommendations from fellow critics, and user impressions.

The best portable monitors: Reviews & Recommendations

A portable monitor can give you a dual-monitor experience even when you’re away from your desk setup. Even with the limitations of their size and form factor, the best portable monitors come in different sizes and have different features that can help you be more efficient with less digital eye strain. Whether you need it for work, school, or play, at least one of these displays should be a perfect fit.

Best overall: ASUS ROG Strix (XG16AHPE) 

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished here: eBay

Why it made the cut: The ASUS ROG Strix has a high refresh rate and lots of great features, making it the best choice for most people.

Specs

• Screen size: 15.6 inches
• Weight: 1.98 lbs
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Display type: LED
• Refresh rate: 144Hz
• Inputs: HDMI, USB, Audio jack
• Battery life: 7,800 mAh

Pros 

• 144Hz refresh rate
• Landscape and portrait modes, plus a universal tripod
• Nvidia G-Sync compatible
• Battery-powered option

Cons

• Expensive

Perhaps unsurprisingly from a company that makes excellent, and at times affordable, battlestation accessories, the best portable monitor is made for gaming. The ASUS ROG Strix 15.6-inch portable monitor is one of only a handful of models with a 144Hz refresh rate, which provides smooth animation in and out of games. 

Even if you don’t play much, it has some incredibly useful bells and whistles. Its kickstand rotates, so you can easily switch between traditional landscape or vertically-minded portrait mode. It also has stereo speakers in case you forget your headset at home.

In addition to a micro-HDMI to HDMI cable, a USB Type-C cable and a USB Type-C to A adapter are also included. One usual feature is the universal tripod socket—a hole with a ¼” thread—which makes it convenient to use the portable monitor with a tripod stand. However, a sleeve, which can be used as a stand, is also included.

If you really want to max out your portable gaming setup, ASUS also makes an even bigger 17.3-inch version of the Strix portable monitor with a 240Hz refresh rate. Most people, even gamers, don’t really need a 240Hz display, which is why we recommend the less expensive model. It may be worth the extra cash if you want to carry around a zero-compromises esports display, however.

Best for laptops: Arzopa Portable Monitor 2K

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished here: eBay

Why it made the cut: Arzopa’s monitor has a higher resolution than we expected to see at its price.

Specs

• Screen Size: 13.3 inches
• Weight: 1.41 pounds
• Resolution: 2560 x 1600
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Inputs: 2 USB-C, 1 Mini HDMI, 1 headphone jack
• Battery life: N/A

Pros

• Compact size
• High-resolution screen
• Three inputs

Cons

• USB-C ports on one side

If you want something to pair with a smaller laptop, the 13.3-inch is the ideal second screen. The portable monitor has the same resolution as Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Pro (pictured above), which makes them a particularly good pair. Text, images, and videos look sharp on Arzopa’s screen, although I recommend immediately enabling its HDR mode, which wasn’t on by default. This setting will make colors look a lot more accurate, which is necessary if you’d like to use the portable monitor for image or video editing. In our tests, this portable monitor with a MacBook Pro benefited our productivity.

We were used to working on a display of its size and resolution, which made adapting our workflows a lot easier. Arzopa’s monitor has two USB-C ports and one Mini HDMI port to connect multiple devices simultaneously. The company bundles the portable monitor with both a USB-C cable and mini-HDMI cord so that you can use it with all of your devices right out of the box. Our only complaint is that both USB-C ports are located on one side, requiring us to snake the cord around the back of our MacBook to its Thunderbolt 4 ports. It’d be perfect if Arzopa could update this portable monitor’s design with one USB-C port on both sides.

Overall, we were happy with how easy the monitor was to set up and use. Our MacBook Pro recognized the monitor immediately, and we could adjust its resolution and color profile settings in the Display Preferences section of MacOS. It was also easy to adjust the monitor’s brightness, contrast, and HDR settings through a little switch on the right-hand side of the display. It only took about five minutes to fully set up Arzopa’s monitor, and it would’ve taken less time if we weren’t messing around with different settings.

Most 13.3-inch portable monitors are only 1080P, and the extra resolution on Arzopa’s 2K display makes a big difference. The ability to see even more information on the screen is reason enough to upgrade if you have a lower-resolution second screen. This is an excellent place to start if you’re new to portable monitors.

Best 4K: Innocn 15.6-inch OLED Portable Monitor (PU15 PRE) 

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: The Innocn PU15 PRE is expensive, but its 4K OLED display is incomparable among portable displays. 

Specs

• Screen size: 15.6 inches
• Weight: 2.07 lbs
• Resolution: 3840 x 2160
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Inputs: USB and HDMI
• Battery life: 5,000 mAh

Pros

• 4K resolution
• OLED panel
• Touch screen
• Portrait and landscape modes

Cons

• Very expensive

Innocn’s top OLED portable monitor is the most expensive pick on our list, and for good reason. Among desktop monitors and laptops, 4K OLED touchscreens don’t come cheap (and we won’t even talk about the best OLED TVs prices). Among portable monitors, they are virtually unheard of. Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) displays feature self-emitting backlit pixels that can independently turn on and off when an image calls for it, producing incredible contrast and a more vivid picture. Combine that with 4K resolution, and, well, it’s very pretty.

Meanwhile, the touchscreen feature allows you to use the portable monitor like a drawing tablet. It has stereo speakers, in case you need them, and it can be used in both portrait and landscape mode. At $799.99, it is considerably more expensive than the rest of our picks, but it also delivers a higher class of picture.

Best portable touchscreen: ASUS ZenScreen Touch MB16AMT

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Buy it used or refurbished here: Amazon

Why it made the cut: The ASUS Zenscreen Touch’s portable touchscreen is responsive and easy to use. You can even draw on it.

Specs

• Screen size: 15.6 inches
• Weight: 1.98 pounds
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Display type: LCD
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Inputs: 2 Micro USB
• Battery life: 7,800 mAh

Pros

• Touchscreen
• Built-in speakers
• Compatible with Thunderbolt 3

Cons

• Have to download driver for USB Type-A connection

The ASUS ZenScreen Touch’s 10-point 1080p touchscreen won us over with its intuitive fingertip control, which makes it incredibly easy to make changes to documents, play games, and draw on slides. It comes with many of the basic features we look for, including stereo speakers and a smart case kickstand. Having a portable monitor with a touchscreen is especially helpful for traveling workers getting things done on a phone. You can use the ZenScreen Touch app to control your Android phone, making it a perfect pairing for a powerful smartphone like the Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra. There’s even a smartpen holder for your stylus to ensure you don’t lose it when not in use.

Best for vertical use: Arzopa A1C

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Why it made the cut: Arzopa’s A1C is a 15.6-inch portable monitor that can be used for email and Slack.

Specs

• Screen size: 15.6 inches
• Weight: 1.69 lbs
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Display type: LED
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Inputs: HDMI, USB, Audio jack
• Battery life: N/A

Pros 

• Price
• Multiple connectivity options
• Low blue light protection

Cons

• Hinge system is finicky

Arzopa’s A1C portable monitor shares many of the same features as the company’s 2K model, which we recommended earlier, but at a significantly lower cost. The build quality of the display is solid, save for its folding stand, which required a fair amount of time to fully understand.

You need to fold it in a particular way, which was unclear due to the vague instructions—that said, setting up the monitor was smooth sailing once we got the hang of it. You can connect this portable monitor to your device using the included USB-C to USB-C or micro-HDMI to HDMI cable. We exclusively used the former. Our computer quickly recognized the monitor, and we could immediately begin using it.

This display’s 1080P resolution is a step down from Arzopa’s 2K model, but it still displayed colors very well, and text looked pretty clear. HD videos looked perfectly fine on this monitor, and the display is the perfect place to keep spare windows you need to use or reference while working on your computer’s main screen. While the A1C can be used horizontally, using it vertically will make it more comfortable to view certain applications. Email and chat apps (think Slack or Google Teams) work particularly well this way, as do long-form articles.

Basically, turning the monitor on its side gives you a more smartphone or tablet-like experience. The only downside is you have to deal with a cable sticking up over the monitor to your computer. When the A1C is used in this capacity, it can improve your productivity. If you’re trying to mitigate the negative effects of staring at a screen all day, you’ll appreciate this monitor’s built-in blue light protection, which may reduce eye strain during extended use.

If you’ve been holding out on getting a portable monitor by waiting for a good deal, it’s hard to argue with the Arzopa A1C’s value.

Best for drawing: Espresso Display

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Why it made the cut: The Espresso Display has a stylus pen that can be used to draw, sketch, retouch photos, and edit videos on the portable monitor.

Specs 

• Screen size: 15.6 inches
• Weight: 2 pounds
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Display type: LCD
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Inputs: USB-C (2)
• Battery life: N/A

Pros

• Touchscreen with stylus function
• Automatically rotates
• Ultra-thin design
• Available in 2 display sizes
• Compatible with various artistic apps
• Built-in speakers

Cons

• Stylus (plus stand and case) are extra

Creatives looking for a portable monitor to complement their main display will appreciate the level of functionality and convenience available on the Espresso Display. It has both touchscreen and pen capabilities, which makes it easier to be productive anywhere. The portable monitor, made of aeronautical grade aluminum, offers two USB ports and is compatible with Mac. It can also support numerous apps, including Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketchbook, Microsoft Whiteboard, Mural, FigJam, Miro, and ZBrush.

The monitor can be used for document markups as well as whiteboarding. The 15.6-inch version is the largest of the espresso Display models (the other two are 13-inch and 13-inch touch versions), but it’s incredibly slim: 0.2 inches thin and weighing only 2 pounds.

The only problem we found with the espresso Display is that everything is considered extra. The company ships the espresso Display Monitor, USB-C to USB-C cable, and a cleaning cloth. However, the pen, stand, and case are extra.  These items can be purchased separately or in a bundle.

Best for gaming: Nexigo 17.3” 300Hz

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Why it made the cut: The generous screen provides plenty of viewing space, and the 300Hz refresh rate is ideal for gaming.

Specs

• Screen size: 17.3 inches
• Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Display type: IPS
• Refresh rate: 300Hz
• Inputs: USB-C, HDMI, 3.5mm headphone jack
• Battery life:  N/A

Pros

• 300Hz refresh rate
• Adjustable kickstand
• Dual Hi-Fi Speakers
• FreeSync, G-SYNC
• Delta-E <2 color accuracy
• Built-in kickstand

Cons

• Doesn’t come in a 13-inch version

If you need an extra monitor for gaming but would prefer something portable that’s easy to break down, store, and transport, the Nexigo 17.3” 300Hz portable monitor certainly fits the bill. The generous 17.3-inch screen eliminates the need to squint and ensures that you can see more of the game. It’s compatible with Playstation, Switch, and Xbox. Or you can use it with any game console with an HDMI or USB Type-C output.

The monitor features a 300Hz refresh rate and is compatible with FreeSync and G-SYNC to provide a seamless gaming experience and lag-free response time.  Gamers will find this particularly important as tearing and stuttering are greatly minimized. And the Delta-E <2 provides accurate colors for a more realistic experience.

The dual Hi-Fi speakers make it easier to hear and be immersed while gaming, though you’ll likely still want to invest in a gaming headset. The built-in kickstand keeps the portable monitor securely in place and can be adjustable from 50 degrees to 80 degrees. There’s also a magnetic protective cover to keep the monitor safe from dust, a foldable stand, and an IR remote.

In addition to the 17.3-inch model, Nexigo also makes a 16-inch version along with models with different refresh rates.

Best multi-screen: LIMINK LK14

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Why it made the cut: Dual monitors attach to either side of your laptop to provide a 3-screen setup.

Specs

• Screen size: 14 inches on each side
• Weight: 3.3 pounds
• Resolution: 1920 x 1200
• Display type: IPS
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Inputs: USB-C, HDMI, Displayport, VGA
• Battery life:  N/A

Pros

• Leather Smart Case
• Kickstand on back and top center 
• Delta-E <2 color accuracy
• Fits 13-inch to 16-inch laptops

Cons

• Not compatible with M1 and M2 chip MacBooks (but does support M1 Pro and M1 Max chip).

Perhaps the only thing better than an extra monitor is two extra monitors. The LIMINK LK14 Portable Triple Monitor attaches to your laptop and provides one monitor on the left side and another one on the right side. (Note: dual monitor setups are referred to as “triple” monitors because when set up correctly, they provide three monitors – including the laptop’s monitor).

We like this dual monitor setup because it doesn’t put undue pressure on the laptop. The LIMINK LK14 uses metal clips and a pull ring to attach the device. The 8-level kickstand on the back ensures that the installation is secure and allows the laptop screen to be tilted from 0 to 45 degrees. Since there are two monitors, it requires two cables to connect (one for each monitor). It’s worth noting that each monitor has three ports.

The aluminum alloy body is strong and corrosion-resistant, but the monitors are still lightweight. When the monitors are not in use, they collapse in the middle and can be stored in the leather smart case for easy transportation.

Best unattached multi-screen: The Portable Monitor Slide

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Why it made the cut: You don’t have to attach your laptop to these dual portable monitors physically, and it can fold into a triangle for sharing your screen with others.

Specs

• Screen size: 13.3 inches x 2  
• Weight: 4.4 pounds
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Display type: IPS
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Inputs: USB
• Battery life: N/A

Pros

• Both monitors are rotatable
• 14-level kickstand
• Connects via single cable
• Available in 2 finishes

Cons

• Costs a pretty penny
• Heavier than some dual monitors

Like most snobbish MacBook owners, I like to keep my laptops smooth and clean—so I don’t really like the idea of attaching anything to the exterior. Fortunately, the Slide not only fits on laptops of any size, but the dual monitors are also standalone, so I can just slide my laptop monitor right up against the area where the laptop attaches. This means that I can also use the dual monitors with a smartphone or tablet instead of a laptop. 

Most dual portable monitors need two cables (one for each monitor). However, the Slide only needs one cable for power and video transfer from both monitors. This results in a cleaner, less-cluttered workspace.

The dual monitors can rotate to form a triangle (the left monitor rotates 180 degrees, and the left monitor rotates 60 degrees), making this an excellent choice for presentations or group collaborations. This configuration allows you to provide three viewing angles instead of having people crowd around you. Even when you’re not presenting, having two extra screens significantly increases your viewing real estate. The Slide is available in either a Premium Aluminum or a Carbon finish.

Best budget: Arzopa A1 Gamut

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Why it made the cut: The Arzopa A1 Gamut offers an ideal balance of features, quality, and price.

Specs

• Screen size: 15.6 inches
• Weight: 1.44 lbs
• Resolution: 1920 x 1080
• Display type: LCD
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Inputs: Mini HDMI, dual USB-C, Audio jack
• Battery life: N/A

Pros

• Compatible with most devices
• IPS display offers large viewing angles
• Bright, large display
• Plug-and-play design

Cons

• New stand design is a separate piece that could get lost
• Built-in speakers are lacking in quality

Too often, you have to choose between quality and price. The Arzopa A1 Gamut offers a compromise with excellent quality despite the reasonable $149 price. And it frequently goes on sale, so you can usually get it much cheaper. The large 15.6-inch display with slim bezels provides a large viewing area. It made our transition from a large desktop monitor to a portable monitor much easier when on the go.

Arzopa designed the A1 Gamut with an FHD (1920 x 1080) resolution, which results in sharp, clear images and text. You can easily adjust the brightness on the side of the monitor. We found it plenty bright, even when working in rooms with lots of windows and light. And the IPS display makes it easier to see at a range of angles, even if there are windows directly behind you. The 1200:1 contrast ratio is higher than many portable monitors, resulting in a rich, attractive display. While it won’t provide perfectly accurate colors, it works for editing photos in a pinch—just be prepared to make adjustments if you plan on printing the images later.

The A1 Gamut is incredibly easy to set up and use. It comes with all of the cords you may need to connect to your favorite devices and features two USB-C ports along with a mini HDMI port. All you need to do is plug in the monitor, which automatically turns on. You won’t need to fuss with downloading drivers or anything of the sort, as it’s a true plug-and-play device. The main downside is that the ports are all on the left side, which happens to be the same side as our MacBook Pro, making the connection a little less than ideal.

Arzopa redesigned the stand since our version, and it is now a separate metal piece. That separate piece could be easy to lose. But it offers an adjustable height, which is not typical for portable monitors, and makes the display more ergonomic. Unfortunately, the new stand means there is no longer a built-in cover for the A1 Gamut, so you will want to take care when packing it up for travel. 

What to consider when buying the best portable monitors

There are several factors to consider when choosing between portable monitors. Budget, resolution, and ease of connectivity are usually top of mind. However, other factors may depend on your personal preferences. These are some of the features you should keep in mind to ensure the portable monitor meets your needs:

Screen size

Portable monitors tend to mirror the sizes of laptop displays, coming in sizes from 14 inches to 15.6 inches to 17 inches. Since you’re always moving portable displays around, picking a screen size comes down to personal preference. A larger screen looks great and makes things easier to see, but remember that a larger screen will take up more space on your desk or table and in your laptop bag or suitcase.

Connectivity

Most portable monitors connect to devices via USB-C and/or mini-HDMI cables (such as this inexpensive AmazonBasics option). While an increasingly wide array of phones, tablets, PCs, and other devices support USB-C, you may need a USB-C hub, adapters, or a USB-A to USB-C cable. Likewise, if you already have a standard HDMI cable, you may need to purchase an HDMI to mini-HDMI adapter for mini-HDMI-based screens. Make sure that the monitor you select has the ports you need to pair it wherever you plan to use it, including your laptop, smartphone, tablet, camera, and game consoles.

Resolution

Your portable monitor’s resolution will determine the sharpness and clarity of its picture. As you can see, based on our selections, most portable monitors support 1080p resolution (often referred to as Full HD). That puts it on par with most basic and mid-range desktop monitors. There are high-resolution models, including some portable 4K monitors. And, just like when shopping, say, for desktop monitors for Macs, they cost quite a bit more.

Refresh rate

Refresh rate, measured in hertz (Hz), refers to how many times your monitor can redraw an image each second. A higher refresh rate opens the door for a higher frame rate in games and smoother movement in menus and other software. All monitors on this list feature a 60Hz refresh rate, meaning the screen updates 60 times a second. That’s lower than we’d recommend for a standard monitor, but it is standard among portable monitors. That said, there is a 144Hz display, which stands out as an especially good choice for gaming and drawing.

All IPS, all the time

While desktop monitor panels come in a few flavors, all of the portable monitors on our list are In-Plane Switching (IPS) displays. This technology ensures color accuracy and better views from wider angles (for example, even if someone is standing on the far-left side of the monitor, the view should be good. However, it’s debatable if an IPS display panel makes that much of a difference in a portable monitor. 

Audio

Some portable monitors include built-in speakers (and headphone jacks), which may or may not be important in certain situations. If you’re connecting your monitor to a computer or phone, you may already have the audio covered through the device. In general, the speakers on these monitors aren’t especially impressive, so powered desktop speakers or over-ear headphones are usually the way to go. That said, if you think that monitor audio will be useful, be sure to check for that feature.

FAQs 

Final thoughts on the best portable monitors

• Best overall: ASUS ROG Strix (XG16AHPE)   
• Best for laptops: Arzopa Portable Monitor 2K
• Best 4K: Innocn 15.6-inch OLED Portable Monitor (PU15 PRE) 
• Best portable touchscreen: ASUS ZenScreen Touch MB16AMT
• Best for vertical use: Arzopa A1C
• Best for drawing: Espresso Display
• Best for gaming: Nexigo 17.3” 300Hz
• Best multi-screen: LIMINK LK14
• Best unattached multiscreen: The Portable Monitor Slide
• Best budget: Arzopa A1 Gamut

A portable monitor helps make it easier to do serious work away from your primary work setup. Having more screen space to spread out all your windows can help you keep track of things. Looking at a larger display, especially compared to a phone’s screen, will help reduce eye strain. Plus, you have a way to mirror your screen and show other people. If money is no object, the Innocn OLED provides the best resolution possible. However, you can spend a lot less and get something very useful, from the gaming-focused ASUS ROG Strix to the very affordable Arzopa A1 Gamut. No matter what you go with, simply having one of these displays should hopefully make your life a little easier.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best portable monitors of 2024, tested and reviewed appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best for broadcast		Shure SM7B		SEE IT	Pro-level from the inside out, with a built-in thread mount, XLR connector, and extensive electrical shielding.
Best for versatility		AKG C414 XLII		SEE IT	A studio staple that sounds as good on acoustic guitar, piano, and drums as it does on voice.
Best overall		Neumann TLM 102		SEE IT	Hi-fi vocal sound in a small package.

Few sounds, musical or otherwise, are as deeply familiar to the human ear as the human voice itself—and it takes a good microphone for vocals to make sure they stay that way. When recording vocals for any purpose, capturing a lifelike and high-quality sound is the key to translating this familiarity. Doing so requires a microphone that effectively replicates vocal frequencies and dynamic range. There’s a broad variety of vocal microphones on the market today, with some designs ideal for streaming and podcast use and others designed for versatility in musical applications. In this article, we’ll break down what to look for when shopping for the best microphones for vocals in every creative situation.

• Best overall: Neumann TLM 102
• Best single mic for versatility: AKG C414 XLII
• Best for live performance: Telefunken M80
• Best all-in-one system: UA Sphere DLX Modeling Microphone
• Best for portability: Blue Yeti X
• Best for broadcast: Shure SM7B
• Best budget: Audio-Technica M8000

How we chose the best microphones for vocals 

Apart from considering their specs on paper and basic designs, we evaluated a range of vocal recording microphones primarily based on their durability, sensitivity, and frequency smoothness (that is, if there’s variation in volume between highs and lows). Differing feature sets make each suitable for specific tasks. For example, high durability is desirable for long-term podcasting and streaming use, but sensitivity and smoothness are more important for candid vocal reproduction and usually require more delicate designs (we recommend always testing microphones before recording to find the right one for the application at hand). We’ve had many of these mics in the studio, and the ones we haven’t we selected based on a combination of peer recommendations and real-world user impressions.

The best microphones for vocals: Reviews & Recommendations

The microphone market comprises an enormous range of designs, each suitable for different tasks, but we focused on two for vocals: condensers and dynamics. Condenser microphones use thin membranes of mylar and other materials to capture sound, which gives them unparalleled sensitivity and helps them excel at reproducing a high level of detail—and makes them ideal for acoustically optimized spaces like studios. Dynamic microphones use moving coils, which makes them great for recording in loud public spaces or untreated rooms.

Best overall: Neumann TLM 102

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Why it made the cut: The portable Neumann TLM 102 packs a robust and detailed sound rivaling that of much larger condenser microphones.

Specs

• Pickup pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Sound pressure level limit: 144 dB
• Impedance: 50 ohms
• Weight: 0.57 pounds

Pros

• Large-diaphragm sound in a compact package
• Integrated pop screen
• Low-noise circuitry

Cons

• Lacks any switchable EQ or pads
• No shock mount included
• Limited to single, cardioid pickup pattern

The Neumann TLM 102 is one of the best microphones for vocals overall. A large-diaphragm condenser microphone that shares a lineage with the Neumann U87 and some of the most legendary microphones in music history, the TLM 102’s design offers detailed audio reproduction and smooth high-end response in a relatively small package.

While the TLM 102 has a frequency response and sound pressure level limit that makes it suitable for capturing even louder musical sources like a drum kit or electric guitar, it boasts a high-frequency boost beginning around 6 kHz that’s ideal for capturing the natural presence of the human voice. Its cardioid, or heart-shaped, pickup pattern limits the microphone’s sound sensitivity to the front and sides, and the design has an integrated pop screen for quick setup and pristine vocal recording.

The TLM 102 is arguably one of the best vocal microphones for the money, but it doesn’t come with switchable pickup patterns, equalization, or volume pads, so the sound it gives you is the sound you get. If you’re looking exclusively for a vocal mic, this shouldn’t be a problem. Still, your space should be able to accommodate flexible microphone placement or have some level of acoustic treatment if you want to use the TLM 102 on other musical sources successfully.

Best single mic for versatility: AKG Pro Audio C414 XLII

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Why it made the cut: A high sensitivity combined with a wide array of adjustable settings make the AKG C414 XLII one of the most versatile microphones on the market today.

Specs

• Pickup pattern: Figure-8, hypercardioid, cardioid, wide cardioid, omnidirectional
• Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Sound pressure level limit: 158 dB
• Impedance: 200 ohms
• Weight: 0.66 pounds

Pros

• Classic, versatile sound
• Nine switchable pickup patterns
• Onboard pad and bass cut
• Includes shock mount, case, and pop filter

Cons

• Many options mean a steeper learning curve
• Pricey

If you have more to spend and want to get the most bang for your buck, a more versatile condenser microphone like the AKG C414 XLII is a foolproof option that will perform well in almost every situation. The C414 XLII has an SPL limit of 158 dB and an extended frequency range of 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz, making it a great all-rounder microphone for vocals, guitars, drums, and just about anything else you can throw at it. 

The sound of the C414 XLII is modeled after AKG’s legendary C12, one of the most-used studio condensers in music history, and it has a relatively neutral frequency response with a smooth top end that shines not only on vocals but on drum overheads, orchestral instruments, acoustic guitars, and more. Built for modern studio usage, the C414 XLII is set apart from more niche options by its wide range of onboard switches that include a three-position low-cut filter, a volume pad for louder sources, and a whopping nine switchable pickup patterns. This flexibility offers users an endlessly customizable array of creative options, which makes the C414 XLII a good investment for pro studio use.

Like all condensers, the C414 XLII is relatively sensitive and may not perform well in noisy environments or untreated rooms. Still, some of this can be mitigated by engaging its more narrow hypercardioid polar pattern. Its large array of options makes it one of the most flexible mics on the market, but this may also present a steep learning curve for some users, so there’s a bit of a trade-off there.

Best for live performance: Telefunken M80

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Why it made the cut: The Telefunken M80 packs condenser-style vocal tone in a design that’s tailored for use on the road and on stage.

Specs

• Pickup pattern: Supercardioid
• Frequency range: 50 Hz to 18 kHz
• Sound pressure level limit: 135 dB
• Impedance: 325 ohms
• Weight: 0.85 pounds

Pros

• Tailored vocal sound resembling a condenser mic
• Very good feedback rejection in stage applications
• Impedance-matching transformer delivers consistent sound across systems

Cons

• Thin membrane is more sensitive to plosives than traditional dynamic mics
• May sound too bright on thin or high voices

The Telefunken M80 is a unique dynamic microphone in that it’s designed to offer condenser-like sound and performance in a stage-friendly form factor, making it one of our favorite microphones for live vocals. Thanks to its relatively thin internal membrane and a vocal-friendly EQ profile that skews slightly bright, the Telefunken M80 captures more nuance and detail than traditional dynamic mics, allowing vocals to sound full and natural while soaring over dense instrumentation without the need for much post-processing. The microphone also features a very narrow supercardioid pickup pattern that allows for excellent feedback rejection, giving it an edge over other stage mics and allowing vocals to be pushed louder. A custom-wound internal transformer also gives the Telefunken M80 the ability to automatically match impedance across a variety of systems, giving it reliable and consistent sound no matter where you perform.

Best all-in-one system: UA Sphere DLX Modeling Microphone

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Why it made the cut: This condenser microphone-software combo mimics some of the most famous vintage mics at a fraction of the cost.

Specs

• Pickup pattern: Cardioid, Omni, Figure-8
• Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Sound pressure level limit: 140 dB
• Impedance: 200 ohms
• Weight: 1.7 pounds

Pros

• Models over 30 professional ribbon, condenser, and dynamic microphones in excruciating detail
• Great standalone performance as a cost-effective stereo condenser mic
• Rugged design and build quality with low self-noise and high max SPL
• Customize polar patterns, proximity, and other parameters before, during, or after recording

Cons

• Pricey initial investment
• Additional mic bundles are UAD-exclusive; cost extra
• Requires up-to-date computer for access to full features

[Editor’s note: On Jan. 11, 2023, Townsend Labs parent company Universal Audio released the UA Sphere DLX Modeling Microphone as a replacement for the Townsend Labs Sphere L22 modeling mic system. The UA Sphere is a functionally identical hardware-software system (except for a fixed -20 dB pad in place of the L22’s selectable -10 and -20 dB pads). In addition, a new, more compact kit, the UA Sphere LX, offers 20 mic emulations (no 180 stereo miking options) for $999. However, we’ve maintained our original writeup of the Sphere L22 system below (as well as our full review), as the description is still applicable.]

A beefy cylinder, the Townsend Labs Sphere L22 modeling mic system houses two internal capsules that allow it to capture both mono and stereo signals, fed to compatible recording interfaces with 48V phantom power through its included dual-output XLR cable. This dual-capsule design allows the Sphere L22, which has been around since 2016 but recently welcomed into the Universal Audio product family, to capture more acoustic information than a single-capsule microphone, a detail that’s key to the system’s distinctive ability to model the physical traits of other microphones, including polar patterns (Cardioid, Omni, Figure-8), proximity effect, and off-axis response.

This customizability takes place in software, however. Once you dig into the software side of things—available in AAX, VST, and AU formats—you get to the granular controls, which allow you to take the pleasingly lush baseline sound in any direction imaginable. As a standalone mic, the Townsend Labs Sphere L22 is hi-fi and modern-leaning yet well-rounded, which is the perfect foundation for overlaying the recognizable sonic character of mics that cover a wide range of recorded music history. The effect is uncanny and the stereo instance of the Sphere DSP plugin allows users to model two different microphones for the left and right channels. And that only scratches the surface of the mic’s capabilities.

Retailing at $1,499, this flagship Townsend mic isn’t a casual purchase, but its rugged build, stereo performance, and dry sound quality alone would make it a fantastic value for studios of every size. Then you add in all the other features, and it’s a “bargain” no-brainer, considering it’s way easier and cheaper than assembling a vintage mic locker from scratch. The only other drawback to the Sphere L22 system is that you’ll need a powerful computer/digital audio workstation setup and to further buy into the Universal Audio ecosystem if you want to get the most out of the L22, like latency-free monitoring and live emulation features.

Best for portability: Blue Yeti X

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Why it made the cut: The all-in-one design of the Blue Yeti X makes it extremely appealing for streaming use, portable use, and other minimalist recording setups.

Specs

• Pickup pattern: Cardioid, omnidirectional, figure-8, stereo
• Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Sound pressure level limit: 122 dB
• Impedance: 16 ohms
• Weight: 2.8 pounds

Pros

• One-cable design for easy setup
• Visual LED metering
• Four polar pickup patterns
• Built-in stand

Cons

• Requires software for full functionality
• All-in-one control knob has a learning curve
• Vocal-specific frequency response limits versatility

Blue is one of the best-known manufacturers of studio mics, and the company’s Yeti X—like its older brother, the original Blue Yeti microphone (click to learn more about the differences)—is arguably one of the most well-known USB condenser microphones on the market. Like most USB microphones, the Yeti X acts as its own computer audio interface and preamp, functioning with a single USB cable and requiring no extra gear beyond a laptop and a pair of headphones.

The Yeti X is a condenser microphone that uses an array of four capsules to capture sound and can change the pattern of sound it captures via a knob on the rear. A multifunction knob on the front allows for adjustment of input gain, headphone volume, and signal blend, and it’s surrounded by 11 LEDs that offer a visual indication of audio level and overloads. The microphone’s frequency response stretches from 20 Hz to 20 kHz and has a slightly pronounced presence bump that’s great for a natural vocal sound.

While it’s compact and built for versatility, the Blue does require a bit of software setup to get the most out of the mic. It’s compatible with two downloadable control interfaces that grant users access to broadcast effects and other microphone controls. The body of the Yeti X can stand alone thanks to its integrated desk stand. Still, the microphone doesn’t include a carrying case or a windscreen, so users will want to grab these accessories to achieve optimal sound quality and safe handling.

Best for broadcast: Shure SM7B

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Why it made the cut: Found in recording studios and broadcast environments worldwide, the Shure SM7B is a durable mic that captures smooth, natural vocal sound.

Specs

• Pickup pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency range: 50 Hz – 20 kHz
• Sound pressure level limit: >180 dB
• Impedance: 150 ohms
• Weight: 1.69 pounds

Pros

• Very durable
• Switchable EQ
• Close-talk windscreen
• Reliable, industry-standard sound

Cons

• Requires a high-gain preamp
• Requires a robust mic stand

The Shure SM7B is a storied dynamic microphone that features a yoke mount, a rugged housing, and an internal shock mount that keep mechanical noise from handling and adjusting to a minimum. An extra-thick removable windscreen also helps keep vocals pure and unhindered by noise in close-talk applications.

Built by Shure engineers as a souped-up version of their popular SM58 vocal mic, the SM7B features extended low-end response and two rear switches for bass cut and mid boost EQ adjustments. The included onboard EQ is a great way to tailor the microphone sound on the fly and work with various voices, as well as musical instruments like electric guitars and bass drums. Thanks to its ability to deliver highly consistent vocal sounds in even the most undesirable acoustic spaces, the SM7B is one of the best vocal microphones for podcasters, streamers, and other content creators who want a reliable and predictable microphone to rely upon.

To get the most out of the SM7B and record a usable signal, users will need a microphone preamp with above-average gain or a booster like the Cloudlifter CL-1. It’s also fairly heavy and designed only for use on a stand or boom arm, so users will need equipment that’s at least as robust as the mic itself. It’s not the only microphone Shure makes that can work for podcasters, and there are challengers to the throne, but the SM7B remains an icon justifiably.

Best budget: Audio-Technica M8000

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Why it made the cut: A counterpoint to the more expensive and sensitive studio condenser designs available, the Audio-Technica M8000 is a durable, affordable vocal microphone optimized for handheld use. 

Specs

• Pickup pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency range: 50 Hz – 14 kHz
• Sound pressure level limit: 145 dB
• Impedance: 600 ohms
• Weight: 0.68 pounds

Pros

• Tightly focused for live use
• Durable construction
• Handheld design
• Good option for loud sources

Cons

• No shock mount or storage bag
• No switchable sound options
• Limited frequency response

Similar in design and frequency response to the Shure SM58, the Audio-Technica M8000 is a lightweight dynamic microphone that uses a moving coil to capture sound and has a relatively high SPL of 145 dB. It has a hypercardioid pickup pattern for incredibly focused sensitivity and good rejection of outside sound. Its full frequency response range is 50 Hz to 14 kHz, with small bumps around 2.5 kHz and 10 kHz that aid in enhancing vocal presence.

A no-frills design and durable construction make the M8000 great for live and rehearsal sessions, as well as all-around studio use, especially when you’re on a budget. Apart from being a vocal go-to, it’s also suitable for some high-volume applications like close-miking of drums and guitar amps. And, thanks to its low price point, the M8000 can be put through the rigors of active recording studios and mobile applications, and you won’t feel too bad if it’s damaged.

Being a budget microphone, the M8000 includes a single mic clip but doesn’t come with any sound-adjustment options, a shock mount or zippered storage bag. Its focused and somewhat “sterile” sound make it great for capturing basic speech, rock vocals, and electric guitars, but there are better, more sensitive options on the market for critical applications like intimate voiceover or acoustic guitars.

Things to consider when buying the best microphones for vocals

The best broadcast microphones for vocal use are typically built differently than live sound microphones. They emphasize eliminating ambient noise, handling noise, and other disruptive environmental factors that might otherwise interfere with the recorded sound. For the best podcasting and streaming vocal sound possible, go with a mic like the Shure SM7B that has heavy-duty housing, swappable windscreens for close-talk applications, and an internal shock mount. If you want USB functionality in your broadcast mic, you might also consider the Shure MV7 or the Samson Q9U (reviewed here).

But do you want to use your vocal microphone on musical instruments?

If versatility is important, you’ll probably want to use a condenser mic. While dynamic microphones are great for guitar amps, drums, and other loud sources, condensers provide a level of detail and sensitivity that makes them much better suited to all-around duties. If you’re looking for the main studio microphone for recording vocals, acoustic guitar, piano, and other instruments, investing in a condenser mic, such as the AKG Pro Audio C414 XLII, eliminates the potential need to buy more microphones as more needs arise.

Do you want portability?

Not all vocal microphones are portable, and most require some form of external preamp and recording interface to function on the go. Vocal microphones with USB connectivity hold all the necessary tech you need to record on the go, which makes them a great choice over traditional designs when you’re packing light and looking to optimize your workflow. For maximum convenience, choose one like the Blue Yeti X USB microphone that comes with its own built-in desk stand.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best microphones for vocals

• Best overall: Neumann TLM 102
• Best single mic for versatility: AKG C414 XLII
• Best for live performance: Telefunken M80
• Best all-in-one system: UA Sphere DLX Modeling Microphone
• Best for portability: Blue Yeti X
• Best for broadcast: Shure SM7B
• Best budget: Audio-Technica M8000

Whether you’re leaning toward a dynamic microphone or a condenser microphone for vocal recording, it’s undeniable that the quality of a vocal recording has an enormous impact on how content is perceived. Choosing the best microphone for vocal accuracy and reproduction is the key to capturing a lifelike recording that’s easy on the ears and clear enough to understand. A dynamic microphone is the best choice if you’re working in an untreated acoustic space due to its relatively low sensitivity, smooth transient response, and good ambient noise rejection. If you’re looking for the absolute best microphone for vocals, however, condenser microphones deliver superior detail and are the ideal design for critical vocal applications. Whether you’ll be using a dedicated audio interface for your microphone or leaning toward the convenient all-in-one design of a USB microphone for vocals, we hope this list has helped thin the herd.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best microphones for vocals in 2024 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Logitech MX Master 3S		SEE IT	Logitech’s MX Master 3S sets a high bar for what a mouse can do.
Best gaming		SteelSeries Prime Wireless		SEE IT	Gaming on your Mac is fast and fun with the SteelSeries Prime Wireless.
Best budget		Logitech M100		SEE IT	Logitech’s M100 offers a simple, straightforward experience at an affordable price.

MacBook trackpads are some of the best around, but it’s hard to beat the precision and comfort of a mouse. Mice provide greater control, improving productivity, and much more comfort over long sessions. Though Mac users often run to Apple’s products first—in this case, the Magic Mouse—we think it is important for you to know there are lots of other options out there. And many of them offer more functionality. Do you want something with multiple buttons that you can program? A gaming mouse with superior customization options? The best mouse for Mac comes in all shapes and sizes, and we want to help you find yours.

• Best overall: Logitech MX Master 3S
• Best Apple mouse: Apple Magic Mouse
• Best wired: Logitech G403
• Best portable: Logitech MX Anywhere 3S
• Best ergonomic: Logitech Lift
• Best gaming: SteelSeries Prime Wireless
• Best budget: Logitech M100

How we chose the best mouse for Mac

I’ve used a MacBook Pro for over 10 years and tested a lot of mice in that time. I know how important a mouse is for a steady workflow, and how frustrating it can be to feel stuck with something you don’t like. Over the years, I’ve tested and reviewed all kinds of mice, from gaming mice to pocket-sized travel mice, for publications like Gear Patrol, CNN Underscored, and Popular Science. I combined that experience with fellow Apple enthusiasts’ suggestions, general user impressions, and research into features and specs to come up with my picks for the best mouse for Mac users of every type.

The best mouse for Mac: Reviews & Recommendations

Laptop or desktop, with Macs for students or for business, you should use a mouse whenever you can. It’s more comfortable, more precise, and can improve your daily workflow. We’ve pulled together a list of the best mice for Mac users, whether you need something to make you more productive, compete in multiplayer games, or just want something comfortable. There’s a little something for everyone.

Best overall: Logitech MX Master 3S

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The MX Master 3S features deep customization, a terrific scroll wheel, and a comfortable design.

Specs

• Dimensions: 4.92 x 3.32 x 2.01 inches (HWD)
• Weight: 0.31 pounds
• Style: Wireless
• DPI: 200-8,000 (can be set in increments of 50)
• Battery life: Up to 70 days on a full charge

Pros

• Comfortable design
• Extensive customization
• Fantastic battery life

Cons

• No left-handed model

We’re typically fans of Logitech accessories in general, and the Logitech MX Master 3S was the best ergonomic mouse we’ve tried, earning it a spot here. It features a comfortable hybrid design, flexibility, multitude of productivity-enhancing features, and it lasts up to 70 hours per charge. When it does run low, one minute of charging will get you three hours of use. Our favorite physical design features were the MX Master 3S’ dedicated thumbwheel and controls above the thumb rest, which offer superior flexibility while demanding little hand movement.

This mouse may look intimidating at first, but it felt immediately natural in the hand during our tests. As a bonus, its buttons were extremely quiet—so much so that we can recommend this mouse for office use. Its scroll wheel moves along with satisfying, incremental clicks. Initially, we didn’t know what to make of the thumb wheel but found it helpful while working in image editing applications, which is when horizontal scrolling was most helpful. Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign users will find this feature indispensable.

One of the most convenient features of the MX Master 3S is the ability to pair it with up to three Bluetooth devices. A recessed button on the bottom of the mouse allows you to easily switch between connections, but it will never get pressed accidentally during regular use. We used the mouse with both our personal and work laptops and switched between them without seamlessly. The biggest surprise we found while testing this mouse was the usefulness of Logitech’s Logi Options+ software, which let us designate a specific function to the mouse’s scroll wheel click and side buttons. Accessing core system features without taking our hand off the mouse was a huge time saver.

Logitech’s MX Master 3S is an ergonomic triumph and a powerful, precise instrument we could recommend to anyone looking for a wireless mouse for creative work. Plus, it pairs beautifully with a top pick in the best keyboards for Macs.

Best Apple mouse: Apple Magic Mouse

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Why it made the cut: Apple’s Magic Mouse is a simple-looking but technically advanced option for those who’re used to multitouch gestures on other Apple hardware.

Specs

• Dimensions: .85 x 2.25 x 4.47 inches (HWD)
• Weight: 0.22 pounds
• Style: Wireless
• DPI: 1300 (can be set in increments of 50)
• Battery life: Up to 90 days on a full charge

Pros

• Touch-sensitive top
• Curved design
• Also works with iPad

Cons

• Cannot be used while charging

Apple’s own Magic Mouse has advantages over third-party mice, especially if you also spend time working on an iPad. The low-profile mouse has a curved top, which contours to the hand, and a pair of buttons whose functionality can be customized in macOS. More importantly, the entire top section of the mouse is a touch screen, which allows you to use gestures to accomplish certain tasks. Swiping up and down will scroll your screen, double-tapping will zoom into a section of your screen, double-tapping with two fingers will bring up mission control, swiping with two fingers will allow you to swipe between full-screen apps, and swiping with one finger will swipe between pages. These gestures can be disabled in MacOS, but leaving them can be handy as it makes getting around the operating system easier. Speaking of operating systems, the Magic Mouse was designed to work with both iPadOS and macOS, which is helpful if you use both recreationally or to get work done. Our chief complaint with the Magic Mouse is that its Lightning charging port isn’t USB-C and is located on the bottom of the mouse, so you can’t use it while it’s being charged.

Best wired: Logitech G403

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Logitech G403 provides users with robust customization, long-lasting comfort, and the ability to adjust the mouse’s weight.

Specs

• Dimensions: 4.88 x 2.68 x 1.69 inches (HWD)
• Weight: 0.19 pounds
• Style: Wired
• DPI: 200-12,000
• Battery life: N/A

Pros

• Six programmable buttons
• Onboard memory means you can take settings with you
• RGB lighting
• Adjustable weight

Cons

• Some might find it too flashy as an everyday mouse

The Logitech G403 is a simple, six-button gaming mouse that’s perfect for any kind of computing. Its understated design, deep customization, and ergonomics work just as well for work as they do for play. With rubberized grips for improved grip and control, Mac-compatible configuration software, and an adjustable weight system, the G403 gives you lots of room to customize how your mouse feels so that you have precise control. Whether gaming or working in spreadsheets, Logitech G403 provides users with a robust, highly customizable experience.

Best portable: Logitech MX Anywhere 3S

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The MX Anywhere 3’s compact design and powerful features make it the perfect portable option.

Specs

• Dimensions: 3.96 x 2.56 x 1.35 inches (HWD)
• Weight: 0.21 pounds
• Style: Wireless
• DPI: 200-4,000
• Battery life: Up to 70 days

Pros

• Compact, comfortable design
• Extensive customization
• Excellent scroll wheel

Cons

• Side buttons aren’t suited for left-handed use
• Not as comfortable as a full-size mouse, especially for people with large hands

Logitech’s MX Anywhere 3 features a compact design that doesn’t feel like a compromise. The conventional six-button mouse is small enough to fit in a shirt pocket but large enough to provide some support for your hand. Like the MX Master 3S, it offers many Logitech “MX”-level features, including the ability to connect with up to three devices over Bluetooth and a USB dongle, plus a sensor that can track on glass. If you’re hitting the road this summer, the MX Anywhere 3 is the mouse you want for your Mac.

Best ergonomic: Logitech Lift

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The Logitech Lift vertical mouse prioritizes comfort and ergonomics without sacrificing features.

Specs

• Dimensions: 2.8 x 2.7 x 4.25 inches (HWD)
• Weight: 0.27 pounds
• Style: Wireless
• DPI: 400-4,000
• Battery life: Up to two years (single AA battery)

Pros

• Vertical design puts your hand in a more natural posture
• Customizable buttons
• Excellent battery life

Cons

• No rechargeable battery

The Logitech Lift is a vertical ergonomic mouse that allows you to control your cursor without twisting your wrist to lay your hand over it. This reduces wrist strain by having your hand posture in a more natural position, reducing pain induced by repetitive strain injuries. It isn’t quite as feature-rich as the MX Vertical, but the Lift is a good starting point and offers up to two years of battery life off a single AA battery (or consider a rechargeable one). The Lift is also one of the few mice available in not only a right-handed form but also a left-handed orientation, making it accessible to everyone.

Best gaming: SteelSeries Prime Wireless

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Buy it used or refurbished: Amazon, eBay

Why it made the cut: Featuring a durable design, great battery life, and support for multiple grip styles, the SteelSeries Prime Wireless is a great gaming mouse for Mac.

Specs

• Dimensions: 4.93 x 2.67 x 1.66 (HWD)
• Weight: 0.17 pounds
• Style: Wireless
• DPI: 100-18,000
• Battery life: Up to 100 hours

Pros

• Sleek, simple design
• Supports multiple grip styles
• Durable

Cons

• Expensive

If you plan to play competitive games on your iMac or MacBook Pro, the SteelSeries Prime Wireless will provide you with the precision and accuracy necessary to defeat your opponents. This gaming mouse was designed in collaboration with 100 esports pros, featuring 18,000 DPI and a lag-free experience that promises up to 100 hours of battery life on a full charge. The SteelSeries Prime Wireless has also been designed to accommodate both standard “palm” grips and gaming-focused “claw” and “tip” grip styles and features mouse switches rated to work for up to 100 million clicks. And when you’re not gaming with the Prime, you can customize the device’s buttons to fit with your workflow.

Best budget: Logitech M100

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: Logitech’s M100 offers a simple, straightforward experience at an affordable price.

Specs

• Dimensions: 4.45 x 2.44 x 1.5 inches (HWD)
• Weight: 0.19 pounds
• Style: Wired
• DPI: 1,000
• Battery life: N/A

Pros

• Simple design
• Ambidextrous
• Doesn’t need batteries or charging

Cons

• Very basic

For a simple plug-and-go experience, the Logitech M100 offers a great design at an affordable price. It doesn’t feature the extra buttons of our other picks and can’t be customized, but it provides users with a familiar experience that’s precise, fast, and accurate. It’s also ambidextrous, so it will feel comfortable whether you’re a left-handed or right-handed user. The only problem you might run into is that the M100 connects via USB-A port, which many newer MacBook Pro and MacBook Air laptops don’t have (and check out our thoughts on the latest MacBook Air, the M3). In that case, you might want to consider purchasing a USB hub to get connected.

What to consider when picking the best mouse for Mac

A good mouse should feel comfortable and accurate. You should be able to hold the mouse for a long time, moving the mouse quickly and smoothly across most surfaces without losing track of your cursor. You can plug in or connect almost any mouse to a Mac and start using it right away, but many high-end mice require configuration software to take full advantage of their features, so make sure your mouse plays nice with Mac.

Most Mac users should prioritize wireless mice since most Macbooks made in the last few years have very few ports. In that case, it should offer good battery life and provide a consistent connection.

Wired or wireless?

Before you choose a wired or wireless mouse, you must understand the pros and cons of each setup. Wireless mice are generally more versatile and convenient because they allow users to move quickly from home office to coffee and can pair with multiple devices simultaneously. Wired mice, on the other hand, are typically tethered to a single work or home desktop and may not always be convenient to unplug, so they’re not suited for travel.

However, wired models provide guaranteed stability and less input lag, particularly compared to cheap wireless mice. You also don’t need to wonder about charging or replacing batteries when using a wired mouse, although the battery life of most wireless mice is excellent and shouldn’t be an issue if you charge it weekly.

The best wireless mice generally connect to your computer via a 2.4GHz wireless dongle, which requires a USB connection. In a few cases, you can find a mouse with a USB-C dongle, which is perfect for a MacBook, but users looking for the best possible performance may still find themselves reaching for a USB hub.

We recommend most Mac users get a wireless mouse. Aside from the 2021 MacBook Pro, most recent Mac models only offer a handful of USB-C ports, so connecting a wireless mouse over Bluetooth is the easiest connectivity option. At this point, wireless mice provide close to equal performance to wired mice, particularly outside of gaming.

Comfort

The mouse you buy should feel comfortable all day long. Mice designed with ergonomics in mind support your hand, so you don’t need to grab it or extend your fingers to reach their various inputs. They also allow you to hold your arm in a more natural posture. A poorly designed mouse will feel flat and feature hard-to-reach buttons that force you to shift your hand on the mouse to reach them.

If you can, test out a mouse before you commit to a specific model. Your preferred size, weight, and mouse shape may vary. A few minutes of testing is no replacement for hours of use, but it can still give you an idea of how a mouse’s shape fits in your hand.

Buttons and software

Mice come in all kinds of configurations. Most center around the standard “five-button” format: Left- and right-click panels, two side buttons, and a central button (often in the form of a clickable scroll wheel). That said, some high-end mice offer as many as 10 to 12 buttons, giving you the option to program frequently used keyboard inputs onto your mouse. These more feature-rich mice are often coveted for gaming, but also appear on productivity mice designed for creative workflows and “power users” who want to optimize their PC workflow.

Regardless of how many inputs they have, gaming mice and high-end productivity models usually support a configuration app designed by the manufacturer, which allows you to customize what each button does. These features boost productivity and allow users to create an experience tailored to their workflow. If you buy a mouse that relies on one of these apps, you should check to ensure its configuration software runs on macOS. Many popular mouse brands, particularly those focused on gaming, do not offer macOS versions of their apps.

Mouse sensor

Virtually all modern mice feature an optical sensor on the bottom, which tracks the mouse’s movement so your on-screen cursor can match it. Optical sensors use a small LED light and a photo sensor to look for even the smallest changes in the surface underneath your mouse. Your mouse updates cursor placement on-screen based on your movements.

Not all mouse sensors are created equal, though almost any mouse made by a major manufacturer should be well-equipped for everyday work and web browsing. Broadly speaking, a better mouse sensor offers a more responsive experience and the ability to fine-tune your control. Some cheaper sensors may have a hard time on certain surfaces, such as glass. You may also find that better sensors are less likely to lose track of your mouse when you pick it up to move it.

On a more granular level, mice with “powerful” sensors will offer better, more customizable tracking. You will see that primarily through the mouse’s maximum cursor speed or “sensitivity,” which allows you to adjust how far your cursor moves when you move your mouse. Sensitivity is measured in “dots per inch” (DPI), which tells you how many pixels your cursor will span when you move your mouse 1 inch. The vast majority of mice offer a high-enough max DPI for any standard-size monitor, but it can be helpful to look at as an indication of general sensor quality. There’s a wider range of mouse sensor specs that measure its ability to track your mouse’s movement, but they’ll only help the most discerning competitive gamers.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best mouse for Mac

• Best overall: Logitech MX Master 3S
• Best wired: Logitech G403
• Best portable: Logitech MX Anywhere 3
• Best ergonomic: Logitech Lift
• Best gaming: SteelSeries Prime Wireless
• Best budget: Logitech M100

Mac users have dozens of quality mice options that range in size, features, and price. The hard part is wading through the multitude of choices and finding the one that works best for you. Our picks above provide a good jumping-off point for every type of user, whether you want something ergonomic or portable. Whatever you choose, make sure it offers the features that fit into your workflow and, most importantly, is comfortable to use over an extended period.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best mouse for Mac in 2024 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88		SEE IT	Lovely keys and DAW integration combine.
Best for beginners		Akai Pro MPK mini mk3		SEE IT	What more could a beginner want with the included keys, pads, knobs, and free DAW.
Best weighted keyboard		M-Audio Hammer 88		SEE IT	Puts the focus where players need it: on the keys.

It’s never been easier (or cheaper!) to make music, thanks to computers and affordable MIDI keyboards. Until recently, even the most basic of home studios seemingly required an advanced degree in electronics to understand how to hook everything up—to say nothing of the cost. Nowadays, you have access to incredibly powerful, surprisingly intuitive music-making software and hardware. And at the center of it all should be one of the best MIDI keyboards.

The right keyboard lets you input all those notes and chords that will set the world on fire. Don’t start popping corks yet, though, as you still need to choose the kind of MIDI keyboard that’s best for you. It’s a little more complicated than just getting any old thing with piano keys and plugging it into your computer. The world of MIDI controller keyboards is broad, with more variables than a badly planned high school science fair project. How many keys do you need? What kind of connectivity is best for you? How much money do you have to spend? You’ll need to consider all of these (and more) before you can start collecting royalty checks from all your future hits. Here are our picks.

• Best overall: Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88
• Best for beginners: Akai Pro MPK mini mk3
• Best weighted keyboard: M-Audio Hammer 88
• Best small keyboard: Arturia KeyStep Pro
• Best for Ableton: Novation Launchkey MK III 61
• Best budget: Nektar SE25

How we chose the best MIDI keyboards

There is a bewildering number of MIDI keyboards on the market, with options that range in key number, size, and weight to ones offering more esoteric extras, like CV/gate connectivity for interfacing with modular synthesizers. Some are for general use, while others have been designed to work best with specific digital audio workstations (DAWs) and music production software. What all of them offer, however, is compatibility with MIDI, or Musical Instrument Digital Interface—an industry-standard connection/communications protocol that converts interactions with the keyboard into instructions for compatible interfaces, computers, musical instruments, and other outboard processors/sound modules.

We looked at all of these options when hammering out our list of the best MIDI keyboards. To narrow down our top controllers for each category, we made use of our own experience as experts in the field—specifically, I’ve spent three decades as both a professional musician and writer for top music technology publications, including Attack Magazine, Computer Music, MusicTech, Reverb.com, IGN.com, and more. In addition, we drew on the opinions of our peers and factored in critical consensus, user impressions, as well as the use cases of famous music producers and composers.

The best MIDI keyboards: Reviews & Recommendations

Because MIDI keyboards don’t make any sound themselves, it can be tempting to scrimp on one and put that money toward something else in the studio (maybe you’re eyeing a new laptop or a fine new monitor to make your session look as sweet as it sounds). But when you consider that your MIDI keyboard will likely sit at the center of your studio monitors or live rig and that you’re going to be putting your hands on it more than any other piece of gear you own, you start to see why investment is worth it. So, as the price often will determine not only quality but the number of options, it can be helpful to start with a budget and then work from there, with any additional necessities like knobs and sliders following suit. No matter your budget, though, you can be confident that all of the keyboards on this list are worthy of your hard-earned cash.

Best overall: Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88

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Why it made the cut: A full keybed plus smart DAW and computer integration means you’ll finally take your eyes away from the computer and focus on the music.

Specs

• Keys: 88 full-size weighted keys
• Connectivity: USB 2.0, MIDI in/out, 2 pedal controller inputs
• Compatibility: Mac/PC

Pros

• Fully weighted hammer-action keys
• Two high-res color displays
• DAW integration

Cons

• No sliders or drum pads
• Best with Native Instruments Komplete software

Modern music production is all about the DAW, or the digital audio workstation. Because of this, we tend to keep our eyes trained on the computer monitor, for better or for worse. German company Native Instruments thinks this is for the worse and so has designed a series of MIDI keyboards that encourage you to look away from the computer and interact more with the keyboard itself. Called Komplete Kontrol, they range from the small to the large, with our pick for best overall MIDI keyboard, the S88, at the top of the line.

As the name suggests, the S88 has 88 keys, with a fully weighted Fatar keybed with hammer action—something that piano players looking for an acoustic piano feel and level of control will surely appreciate. It also has two control pedal inputs to ensure that your playing can be as realistic as it needs to be. To this keybed it adds a row of eight rotary encoders and a slick four-directional push encoder for navigating the two high-res color displays. The latter features are how NI gets your eyeballs off the monitor. With deep DAW integration, this full-size MIDI keyboard can replicate portions of your DAW on the twin screens, allowing you to do tasks like mixing from within the keyboard. It also integrates with software via the included Komplete Kontrol application, which can run standalone or as a DAW plugin. This maps Native Instruments and participating third-party software instantly to the knobs, saving you the trouble of having to create MIDI maps to control things like filter cutoff.

Komplete Kontrol S88 is not cheap, but as a fully featured MIDI controller with a piano-like keyboard, it’s just begging to be the centerpiece of your home studio. For musicians who like the functionality but don’t need all the keys, look to the Komplete Kontrol S49 or Kontrol S61 for the same extras without the extra octaves.

Best for beginners: Akai Pro MPK mini mk3

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Why it made the cut: Keys, pads, knobs, and even a free bundled DAW—what more could a beginner want?

Specs

• Keys: 25 mini keys
• Connectivity: USB 2.0, sustain pedal input
• Compatibility: Mac/PC

Pros

• 8 pads straight from the MPC line
• Lightweight and portable
• Includes free MPC Beats DAW

Cons

• Mini keys could be better

Want to make beats but don’t know where to begin? As long as you have a computer, Akai Pro’s MPK mini mk3 can provide a solid and affordable entry point into the world of music production.

For those not in the know, Akai Pro is the company behind the MPC line of hardware samplers, a series of grooveboxes that laid down the blueprint for hip-hop and other genres of music. What does this have to do with a MIDI keyboard? The MPK mini mk3 (the best-selling MIDI keyboard in the world, according to Akai Pro) borrows some of that MPC hardware magic and pairs it with MPC Beats, the DAW version of the music-making operating system inside the machines. For around $100, you’re making music with the best of them.

Think of the MPK mini mk3 as an all-in-one MIDI controller. It’s got 25 mini keys, eight drum pads taken straight from the MPC with both channel and polyphonic aftertouch for complete timbre control (unheard of at this price point), eight endless encoders for controlling software instrument parameters, a mappable X-Y joystick, an arpeggiator, and even an OLED screen for visual feedback. It’s light enough to take on the go and solid enough to not slip around your studio when you bang out drum beats.

While the action on the keys could be better, for this price you’re getting a lot of controller for not much money. It’s hard to not recommend it more strongly for many, not just as the best beginner MIDI keyboard.

Best weighted keyboard: M-Audio Hammer 88

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Why it made the cut: Grand piano action for around $500.

Specs

• Keys: 88 full-size weighted keys
• Connectivity: USB 2.0, MIDI out, 3 pedal ports
• Compatibility: Mac/PC

Pros

• Gorgeous weighted piano feel
• Affordable price
• Music rest

Cons

• Lacks additional controls

There are music producers, and then there are musicians. While those in the former category want all manner of control with their MIDI keyboard, the latter really care about just one thing: the keys. If you’re primarily a keyboardist and your means of expression is your instrument, you want a MIDI keyboard that will provide a piano-like experience. You want M-Audio’s Hammer 88.

A well-made keyboard with a minimal aesthetic, Hammer 88 offers seven octaves of velocity-sensitive and weighted keys. They have a substantial, almost acoustic feel to them and piano players will take to them instantly. Part of the piano experience is using the pedals, so Hammer 88 provides three pedal ports: one each for sustain, soft, and expression. There’s even a music rest included.

While M-Audio’s keyboard doesn’t offer a lot in terms of hands-on control—no arrays of encoders or sliders here—it does make concessions to modern synth players, with pitch and modulation wheels, as well as two basic selection buttons. A bundled application allows users to set up splits and other configurations.

At only around $500, M-Audio’s Hammer 88 is a striking bargain. And, if you really find yourself needing drum pads, M-Audio makes one with additional controls. Players, do seek this one out.

Best small keyboard: Arturia KeyStep Pro

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Why it made the cut: A plethora of control options elevate this Swiss army knife of a MIDI keyboard.

Specs

• Keys: 37 slim keys
• Connectivity: 4 x CV/gate/modulation output sets, 8 drum gate outputs, 1 MIDI in, 2 MIDI outs, USB, clock synchronization in/out, metronome line out, sustain port
• Compatibility: Mac/PC

Pros

• 4 sequencer lanes
• Analog and digital drum triggering
• DAW control mode

Cons

• White color may turn some off

Most of the MIDI keyboards on this list are designed to work in tandem with computers. Yet there’s a growing movement of musicians breaking away from the screen and going DAWless. This includes modular synthesizer users, for whom experimentation, free from the rigid structure of a computer-based sequencer, is key. If this sounds like you, you need Arturia’s Keystep Pro.

A 37-key controller, the Keystep Pro combines sequencing and MIDI note triggering into one device. It has four sequencer lanes with one doubling as a drum programmer. Sequencing here goes beyond just note on/off, but also includes gate length, note offset, velocity, and more. Think of it as a box of tools to experiment with notes and patterns. The Keysetp Pro can transmit control information via MIDI over USB or five-pin DIN MIDI cable, or through control voltages—the language of modular and vintage synths. Of course, Arturia’s MIDI keyboard can also work with a DAW, with a customizable controller mode for mapping to soft synths and other applications.

Because it does so much, the Keystep Pro is a little pricey for a MIDI keyboard with mini keys. Should you want something similarly unconventional but with a friendlier price tag, Roli’s Lumi Keys and Keith McMillen’s QuNexus Red are inspiring alternatives.

Best for Ableton: Novation Launchkey MK III 61

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Why it made the cut: It’s the most, well, able-bodied controller for everything the Ableton power user needs.

Specs

• Keys: 61 full-size keys
• Connectivity: USB, MIDI out, sustain pedal port
• Compatibility: Mac/PC

Pros

• Effortless Ableton integration
• Plenty of knobs, sliders, and buttons
• Excellent price

Cons

• Non-Ableton users may feel left out

Despite what some may argue, all DAWs are not the same. Sure, they’ll all get you to the same place—a (hopefully) finished song—but the way they transport you there can often be very different. A case in point is Ableton Live. With its two views and focus on clips and live performance, it does things very differently than, say, ProTools. Wouldn’t it make sense to have a MIDI keyboard that was made just for Ableton?

Novation has been making Ableton-focused MIDI keyboards and controllers for almost a decade now and the Launchkey MK III series is the culmination of this experience, with 25-, 37-, 49-, and 61-key models available. The flagship model, the MK III 61, is our pick for the best MIDI keyboard for Ableton.

As you’d expect, the Launchkey MK III 61 integrates fluidly with Live, so much so that using the controller becomes second nature. Clip launching, view changing, recording, even mixing can all be handled right from the keyboard, with the plethora of knobs and sliders making this easy to do. It has a host of additional, non-DAW functionality as well, with scale and chord modes and a deep arpeggiator to aid in your creativity. The full-size keys feel nice as well, particularly for the price point, which is shockingly low for a device like this.

While it does work with other DAWs like Logic Pro X, it’s not as slickly integrated. But if you’re an Ableton power user, Novation’s Launchkey MK III 61 is practically a requirement. (FL Studio producers, check out Novation’s FLkey 37, the world’s only dedicated FL Studio MIDI keyboard.)

Best budget: Nektar SE25

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Why it made the cut: It’s lightweight, eminently usable, and so cheap it’s practically an impulse purchase.

Specs

• Keys: 25 mini keys
• Connectivity: Mini USB
• Compatibility: Mac/PC/iOS

Pros

• Very cheap
• Extremely lightweight
• Useful functionality

Cons

• No knobs or sliders

Not everyone needs an all-singing, all-dancing MIDI keyboard. Sometimes, a small budget keyboard fits the bill perfectly. Whether that’s because you’re working with limited studio space or you want to take your music production on the road, tiny is sometimes just fine. Tiny and cheap is even better, and tiny, cheap, and quality is the budget musician’s trifecta.

MIDI controller company Nektar offers a range of controllers. Still, we’re particularly smitten with the SE25, a two-octave MIDI keyboard that manages to be just about everything you need in not a lot of space—and for an attractive price. At only 33.5cm x 10cm x 2.1cm, it’s not much bigger than the 25-key MIDI controller itself. This makes it perfect for plopping down on a desk with a laptop and getting to work. It’s also astonishingly lightweight, with its 400 grams and bus power making it a no-brainer for on-the-go production.

While it doesn’t have any knobs or sliders (there’s no room!), it does have six buttons that, when pressed in certain combinations, give you access to a surprisingly large amount of control, from MIDI channel changes and note harmonizations to basic DAW integration.

This all adds up to a budget MIDI keyboard that is worth a look—and a play.

What to consider when buying the best MIDI keyboards

Because of the wide variety of models on the market, all with different feature sets, it’s best to first decide how you plan to use your MIDI keyboard. This will largely depend on your playing style, as well as possibly genre. A lo-fi hip-hop producer will have very different needs than a concert pianist, for example. 

First, consider the keys. How many do you need? A full piano keyboard has 88 keys (key count can also be expressed in the number of octaves). Keys come in different sizes too, from full-size down to mini. There’s also key weight. Weighted keys will give you more of a piano feel—necessary for a jazz pianist, not so much for an EDM producer. 

Next, decide how many knobs and sliders you need. Many MIDI keyboards can double as studio control centers, with knobs mapped to your DAW or soft synths. You may want trigger pads, either for finger drumming or launching clips in a DAW like Ableton Live. Connectivity should also be on your list. Basic MIDI keyboards will have a single USB connector, while more complex ones could have DIN MIDI ports, CV/gate, or jacks for expression pedals. Most will be PC or Mac-ready, but some may also work with an iOS device.

Is portability important? A MIDI keyboard that can function on the go will have a different feature set than one meant to hold down the studio fort. Finally, your budget will determine how far from basic you can get. An 88-key keyboard with knobs, sliders, and plenty of connectivity could cost as much as a new synthesizer—or more!

What is a MIDI keyboard?

It can be helpful to define just what a MIDI keyboard is. Think of a MIDI keyboard as a silent synthesizer. It has piano-type keys and possibly other controls, but it doesn’t produce sound on its own. It interfaces with a computer, device, or another electronic instrument via MIDI and allows the user to play the destination instrument’s sounds remotely. Additional controls like knobs or sliders send control information to the instrument at the other end. This is useful for changing the timbre of a sound, such as opening and closing a low-pass filter, or for adjusting the volume on a virtual mixer. Additional controls can include transport buttons for starting and stopping playback on a DAW, sequencers for generating musical passages independent of a DAW, and buttons for triggering drums or other samples. MIDI keyboards can be as complex and full-featured as you need them to be, or, conversely, as simple.

Do I really need a MIDI keyboard?

While a MIDI keyboard can certainly aid in music composition, it isn’t strictly necessary. Most DAWs will allow you to trigger notes via a QWERTY keyboard. You can also draw them directly into the MIDI sequencer section of your DAW, which might even be the preferred method of note input for some producers. But for many—and especially for pianists playing classical or jazz music—this is nothing but cumbersome and frustrating. The piano keyboard hasn’t changed much in function in hundreds of years, and there’s a reason for that. It’s an effective way to get musical ideas from your head, through your fingers, and out into the world. You might be able to get by without a MIDI keyboard but it’s certainly a whole lot more fun with one.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best MIDI keyboards

• Best overall: Native Instruments Komplete Kontrol S88
• Best for beginners: Akai Pro MPK mini mk3
• Best weighted keyboard: M-Audio Hammer 88
• Best small keyboard: Arturia KeyStep Pro
• Best for Ableton: Novation Launchkey MK III 61
• Best budget: Nektar SE25

While we’ve focused on things like budget, performance, and options in this list, any instrument or device in your studio should contribute to the ultimate goal of making music. So, beyond everything else, you should go with the MIDI keyboard that is most creatively inspiring to you. Whether that means flashy colors, a minimal aesthetic, or one that has every bell and whistle imaginable depends entirely on your circumstances. Your MIDI keyboard will be the musical conduit that connects your imagination to reality. Make sure that it fulfills that function, too.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best MIDI keyboards in 2024 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best Mechanical		Das Keyboard 4 Professional for Mac		SEE IT	The Das Keyboard 4 Professional offers a high-quality typing experience and keeps convenient features within arm’s reach.
Best Overall		Logitech MX Keys for Mac		SEE IT	The Logitech MX Keys for Mac feels like an Apple keyboard, but has more features for power-users.
Best compact		Keychron K12		SEE IT	The Keychron K12 is a 60% wireless mechanical keyboard that makes it easy to carry your best typing experience with you.

Whatever type of Mac you have, there’s a good chance you could see some real benefits from a keyboard upgrade. For laptop users, adding a full-size keyboard can boost your productivity and make your workspace more efficient and more comfortable. And, boy, will your wrists thank you. Even Apple’s iconic Magic Keyboard, while sleek and familiar, lacks the features and creature comforts of the best keyboards for Macs, especially if you prefer the tactile feel of mechanical keys.

Finding the best keyboard for you, however, isn’t always easy. Maybe even more so than any other computer hardware, there is no best keyboard for everyone. For Mac users—whether a MacBook Air or a Mac Studio—the options are a bit more limited compared to an average PC user, especially if you want a keyboard with a Mac-style layout rather than the usable but less-than-exact Windows “default.” Thankfully, plenty of great options are designed with Mac users in mind. While there’s no one-size-fits-all solution, the half-dozen choices below should meet the needs of most average Mac users who want to pick from more than the Magic Keyboard.

• Best overall: Logitech MX Keys for Mac
• Best Apple keyboard: Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad
• Best mechanical: Das Keyboard 4 Professional for Mac
• Best budget mechanical: Satechi SM1
• Best ergonomic: Kinesis ​​Freestyle Edge RGB
• Best compact: Keychron K12
• Best budget: Logitech K380 for Mac

How we chose the best keyboards for Macs

As people who type for a living, we’ve put a lot of thought into keyboards over the years and have tried plenty of different options, from mechanical to ergonomic keyboards and most things in between. To pick the keyboards for this list, we drew on experience as writers who have covered technology for sites like Engadget, Popular Mechanics, Rolling Stone, and Reviewed. We further relied on a range of other sources—from professional reviews to enthusiast forums and user impressions—to determine the best options currently available for Macs.

The best keyboards for Macs: Reviews & Recommendations

Our picks for the best keyboards for Mac attempt to cater to as many use cases as possible in just a handful of selections. They range from portable and affordable to high-end productivity gear to feel-driven choices for enthusiasts. Since all these keyboards feature a Mac layout, you may find a couple of conspicuous omissions—even Mac-compatible gaming keyboards, for example, rarely come in a Mac layout. However, these are all excellent keyboards, so you will not go wrong with any of these picks.

Best overall: Logitech MX Keys for Mac

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Why it made the cut: The Logitech MX Keys is maybe the most Mac-like keyboard made by someone other than Apple and offers a premium feel plus features that are particularly useful in multi-computer setups.

Specs

• Form factor: Full-Size
• Dimensions: 17” x 5.2” x 0.8”
• Connection types: 2.4GHz wireless, Bluetooth (USB-C for charging only)
• Key type: Scissor-switch 
• Backlight: Yes (white)
• Battery life: 10 days (5 months with backlight off)
• Other features: Proximity, ambient light sensors, Multi-device support

Pros

• Easy switching between multiple devices
• Fast USB-C charging
• Appearance matches Macs
• Smart backlighting

Cons

• Laptop-style keys not for everyone

If you’re generally happy with laptop-style keyboards but would like a few more features and a bit more comfort, the Logitech MX Keys for Mac will likely tick all the right boxes for you. The Mac-centric version of Logitech’s elite “Master” keyboard enhances the conventional “magic keyboard” experience with sculpted, concave keys designed to fit your fingers and make typing more comfortable. Flexibility is another big selling point here, as you can easily connect to as many as three devices (or a Mac and an iPad) via 2.4GHz wireless (USB dongle required) and Bluetooth, then switch among them with the push of a button. The MX Keys is the rare third-party Mac gear that feels at home paired with a MacBook or iMac aesthetically (both in color and features like smart illumination) but offers very clear efficiency upgrades over the first-party Apple alternative. Plus, it’s the personal pick of our managing editor, who has carried it around the country and currently has it on a desk at home, as shown above. And Logitech makes a matching, equally recommendable ergonomic match.

Best Apple keyboard: Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad

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Why it made the cut: Apple’s Magic Keyboard delivers the best version of the Apple keyboard experience Mac fans are used to, but with extra keys and Touch ID.

Specs

• Form factor: Full-size
• Size: 16.5” x 4.5” x 0.8”
• Connection type: Bluetooth (Lightning charging)
• Key type: Scissor-switch 
• Backlight: No
• Battery life: “About a month”
• Other features: Touch ID, Multimedia keys

Pros

• Built-in Touch ID
• USB-C charging
• Great build quality

Cons

• Flat, low-profile keys not the most tactile experience
• Touch ID support for M1/M2/M3 silicon Macs only

Apple’s newest signature Magic Keyboard, updated in 2021, has a feature no other keyboard has: a Touch ID key in the top-right corner that lets you log in quickly and make secure purchases with the push of a button. In practice, this makes using Apple Pay a lot easier for retailers who support the feature. Additionally, you can use Touch ID in place of entering a password when changing system settings or installing software. The full-size version, which features a complete suite of keys and a number pad, offers the biggest change from a standard laptop keyboard. It still has the top row of function keys, though, which makes it easy to adjust the screen brightness of your machine, change its volume, or play and pause media.

Specific Mac-only function keys to access system features like Spotlight are also present, putting them at your fingertips (literally). There’s also the standard compact model if desk space is more of a concern and you don’t use the number pad often. Both have a built-in battery with Lighting charging, which should give you a month of use or so on a charge. 

The Magic Keyboard worked consistently in our tests, and its wireless connectivity was always rock solid. Our computer would immediately recognize the keyboard upon being woken up, which isn’t always the case with Bluetooth keyboards. Typing on such low-profile keys was less comfortable than using a mechanical keyboard, but that comes down to personal preference. This won’t be an issue if you’re coming from another thin chiclet-style keyboard.

One downside: The new magic keyboards only work with newer Macs with Apple’s M-series chipsets. If you have a Mac released after 2020, you’ll be fine. If you’re using an older model, Apple still sells the old Magic Keyboard without Touch ID.

Best mechanical: Das Keyboard 4 Professional for Mac

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Why it made the cut: The Das Keyboard 4 takes some guesswork out of mechanical keyboards with a high-end, off-the-shelf solution that offers plenty of perks.

Specs

• Form factor: Full-size
• Size: 13” x 5.7” x 1.4”
• Connectivity: USB-C
• Key type: Mechanical (Cherry MX Blue or Brown)
• Backlight: No
• Battery life: N/A
• Other features: Volume knob, media controls, 2-Port USB 3.0 hub

Pros

• Choice of Cherry MX Brown or Blue switches
• Built-in volume knob, media controls, and USB hub
• Thin by mechanical keyboard standards

Cons

• No backlighting

You can go the custom route and build a mechanical keyboard completely tailored to your needs, but the Das Keyboard 4 Professional is hard to beat if you just want a great solution right out of the box. You do get to choose between clicky Cherry MX Blue or softer MX Brown switches, but the features remain standard across the board otherwise. That includes a handy oversized volume knob, built-in media controls, a two-port USB hub, and even a removable “footbar” that raises the keyboard and doubles as a ruler. The Das Keyboard 4 also has a surprisingly thin profile for a mechanical keyboard, although it does lack backlighting, which is a bit disappointing in a wired keyboard in this price range.

Best budget mechanical: Satechi SM1

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Why it made the cut: A great entry into the world of mechanical keyboards without breaking the bank.

Specs 

• Form factor: 80% (84 keys)
• Size: 12.2 x 4.69 x 0.83 inches
• Connection types: USB-C, 2.4GHz, Bluetooth
• Key type: Mechanical (multiple options)
• Backlight: White LEDs
• Battery life: Weeks
• Other features: Adjustable brightness

Pros

• Comfortable to type on
• Backlit keys
• Mac function keys

Cons

• Slightly lower profile

Satechi’s SM1 is nearly half the price of the other mechanical keyboard we’re recommending, but it holds its own, and is the better choice if you’re short on desk space. In our tests, which included writing stories and general use, the SM1 dropped no keystrokes. Its switches were always responsive, and compressed with a satisfying click. You have the option to connect the keyboard to your Mac wirelessly via Bluetooth or by connecting a USB-A dongle into your machine. We primarily chose the latter. You can also plug it into your Mac using a USB-C cable. The SM1 has a built-in rechargeable battery, which will last weeks on a charge, so you don’t have to worry about reaching for a set when the keyboard runs out of juice.

Each key on the SM1 has its own backlight, and you can cycle between three levels of luminosity by pressing the F5 and F6 keys. This is especially helpful if you work in a room that gets a variable amount of sunshine—or none at all. Speaking of function keys, Mac owners will appreciate that the SM1 has an identical function row to the one found on Apple’s MacBook Pro and Magic keyboards. This means you’ll be able to control your computer’s brightness and volume level in a single keystroke. Key Mac features, including Spotlight and Control Center are also accessible with a single key press.

Our only complaint with the SM1 is that it has a relatively low profile even when its feet are extended. It’s not that the keyboard is uncomfortable to use, but for the best experience we recommend using the SM1 in tandem with a wrist rest.

Best ergonomic: Kinesis ​​Freestyle Edge RGB

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Why it made the cut: A split mechanical keyboard built with customization in mind, the Kinesis Freestyle Edge RGB is a no-compromise option for those equally concerned about comfort and typing quality.  

Specs

• Form factor: TKL, Split
• Size: 15.5” x 10.25” x 1.25”
• Connection types: USB
• Key type: Mechanical (multiple options)
• Backlight: Yes (RGB)
• Battery life: N/A
• Other features: Dedicated programmable keys, customizable lighting, detachable palm rest

Pros

• Fully split, ergonomic design
• Multiple mechanical key switch options
• Loaded with features

Cons

• Expensive
• Mac key set costs extra

First and foremost, the Freestyle Edge RGB is a gaming keyboard. Still, Kinesis’s combination of a mechanical keyboard with an ergonomic layout will please anyone simply looking for the most comfortable long-term typing experience possible (one of the reasons we picked one of the brand’s keyboards as the best ergonomic keyboard for programming). The RGB in its name refers to the keyboard’s colorful backlighting, which can be customized with a vibrant pattern or turned off if you don’t want too much of a light show. Like other top-of-the-line gaming keyboards, it features a slew of extra features, including dedicated macro keys that you can customize for any game or app.

The Freestyle Edge comes in four different mechanical switch options to suit your typing preference, but you’ll, unfortunately, have to shell out a bit extra for a set of Mac keycaps you can swap in.

Best compact: Keychron K12

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Why it made the cut: Small and versatile, the Keychron K12 offers wireless capabilities and plenty of customization options, all without breaking the bank.

Specs

• Form factor: 60 percent
• Size: 11.7” x 4.2” x 1.5”
• Connectivity: Bluetooth (USB-C charging)
• Key type: Mechanical (multiple options)
• Backlight: Optional (White or RGB)
• Battery life: Two months (non-backlit version), 68-72 hours (White, RGB backlight on)
• Other features: Multi-device support, fully customizable

Pros

• Plenty of customization options
• Can be used wired or wirelessly
• Compact, streamlined design

Cons

• Design may be too compact and streamlined for some

Whether desk space is a concern or you’re looking for something easy to move around and take with you, there are plenty of reasons to consider a compact keyboard rather than a full-size board with a number pad. The Keychron K12 60% keyboard pares down its layout to the bare essentials—no number pad, arrow keys, or function keys, compressed into the smallest space possible.

Though the layout is barebones, the keyboard design is not: The Keychron K12 is wireless and will let you connect to three devices and switch between them. Like Keychron’s other keyboards, there are also plenty of hardware customization options, including backlighting, adding an aluminum frame, and your choice of mechanical and optical switches.

Best budget: Logitech K380 for Mac

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Why it made the cut: The Logitech K380’s slim size and versatile features make it ideal for a range of uses, and it won’t break the bank. 

Specs

• Form factor: Compact
• Size: 11” x 4.9” x 0.6”
• Connectivity: Bluetooth (2 x AAA batteries)
• Key type: Scissor-switch
• Backlight: No
• Battery life: Two years
• Other features: Multi-device support, White or Rose color options

Pros

• Small and light
• Multi-device support
• Affordable

Cons

• Small, round keys won’t be for everyone
• Uses AAA batteries

As inexpensive, take-anywhere, do-anything keyboards go, Logitech’s K380 is tough to beat. It’ll easily suffice as a daily keyboard in a desktop setup, but it’s light enough that you can pick it up and toss it in a bag alongside your iPad when you need to get some work done on the go. Like Logitech’s MX Keys, the K380 will let you switch between three different devices at the press of a button.

Nothing comes without caveats at this price, of course. Like many cheap wireless peripherals, the K380 relies on disposable batteries for power, which generates e-waste over time. That said, one pair of AAAs should last up to two years, so it isn’t as if you’re throwing batteries in the trash regularly (and we know you’re actually properly disposing of any old power cells). It also features round keycaps, which some people love, but isn’t for everybody.

What to consider when buying the best keyboard for Macs

The keyboards we selected for this list are all either designed with Mac users in mind or at least have Mac-specific keys that you can swap in. Beyond that, they vary considerably. They range in price, size, and features. That means it’s worth putting some serious thought into just what you want from a keyboard.

Some of our picks, including the mechanical and ergonomic options, represent a big shift from the thin, laptop-style keyboard Mac fans may be used to. You’ll also want to consider where and how you use your keyboard. If you regularly pair it with multiple devices or move it around a lot, wireless connectivity should be a high priority. If you leave your Mac and keyboard at a desk-bound setup with an external monitor, going for a wired option may make more sense.

Keyboard size

Even if desk space isn’t a top concern, it’s worth considering what size keyboard will best fit your needs. If you spend a lot of time in spreadsheets, you’ll likely want to look for a full-size keyboard with a dedicated number pad, but you can save space by choosing a keyboard without one (also known as a tenkeyless keyboard) if you aren’t crunching numbers regularly. 

Some keyboards simply make keys smaller to save space, but “compact” designs keep the full-size keys in place but pare down the number of keys. The most common sizes, 60% or 65% keyboards, will definitely save space but may rely too heavily on shortcuts and key combos for some folks.

Wired vs. wireless keyboards

There are far fewer technical trade-offs that come with picking a wireless keyboard than there were even five years ago, but there are some nuances to what makes wireless worth it. There are also still good reasons to stick with a wired option.

Wireless keyboards are more convenient and reduce clutter, but Bluetooth keyboards may still suffer from interference when there are many wireless signals present. Gamers and others demanding an imperceivable amount of lag should look for wireless keyboards that can connect using a 2.4GHz RF connection via USB dongle. While it requires an open USB-A port—which can be an imposition on some Macs—the signal is usually snappier and more reliable.

There’s also always the issue of battery life. Some wireless keyboards use standard AA or AAA batteries, which will give you months of use but generate e-waste when they eventually die—so make sure to get some rechargeable batteries if you go that route—while others feature an internal battery that you can recharge via USB.

Of course, wired keyboards never suffer from wireless connection issues. They also never need to be recharged. That still makes a wired keyboard the most reliable and dependable choice. They are also frequently more affordable. Having a wired cable seems like a pain, but it only adds a minimal amount of clutter in most permanent or semi-permanent computer setups.

Key type

Every keyboard is a workhorse. Whatever you buy, you should plan to type on it, day in and day out, for many years. Given that the most important consideration about any keyboard is how the keys feel when you press them. The biggest decision you’ll have to make around “typing feel” is whether or not you want a mechanical keyboard, named for the physical mechanisms under each key that “actuate” or trigger each input. That mechanism not only allows for more precise typing but results in a more tactile feel—and a distinctive clickety-clack sound—as you go.

Mechanical keyboards fell out of favor for a while but have seen a resurgence in popularity over the last ten years among gamers and tech enthusiasts. Mechanical keyboards are usually more expensive than others, as they have more working parts, but many people will tell you they deliver a more satisfying tactile experience.

Going the mechanical keyboard route can seem like going down a rabbit hole. Still, it’s a rewarding one, and a bit of research can help you find a keyboard that perfectly matches your preference, whether that’s a traditional clickety-clack sound with firmer, tactile feedback or a quieter option that’s smoother to type on.

Non-mechanical keyboards encompass a range of options, from laptop-style “scissor-switch” keys, designed to be as thin as possible, to rubber dome or “membrane” keyboards, which simplify the mechanical key switch to cut costs. The most basic and inexpensive of these keyboards can be downright mushy and unresponsive, but they are generally quieter. Even “low profile” mechanical keys that don’t press as deep do not replicate the short press of a laptop keyboard, so you may prefer to stick with what you know.

Additional features

Keyboards range from a barebones box of keys to extravagant hubs with RGB lighting, media controls, and USB passthrough ports. Depending on how you use your Mac, you’ll want to figure out if any of those luxury bells and whistles are things you want and if any might just get in the way. 

Regarding features and customization options, gaming keyboards tend to have the edge, although they can be less ideal for Mac users as they generally use Windows layouts. For this list, we generally prioritize typing feel over extra features, but there are still a number of them to consider. Some have additional functions and macro keys, or extra controls like a volume knob and media keys, which may be handier for some than others. And in the case of wireless keyboards, some have the ability to pair with and switch between multiple devices, which could be a must-have depending on your setup, but go unused by others. 

Comfort

Suppose you find your current keyboard uncomfortable to type on or want to prevent any future discomfort. In that case, you may consider an ergonomic keyboard designed to avoid exacerbating repetitive strain injuries. Ergonomic keyboards feature a “split” design, with the keys separated into two sections so you can use them without twisting or overextending your arms, shoulders, or back. Sometimes that split is spread across one large keyboard; others have two connected sides that you can adjust to fit your body. They can take a little getting used to, but they can make a big difference for people who experience pain while typing daily.

It’s worth noting that there isn’t conclusive evidence that ergonomic keyboards actively prevent repetitive strain injuries. Anecdotally, though, many users who normally feel pain when typing claim to feel that they minimize it. In our experience, it’s enough to make a split keyboard worth considering.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best keyboards for Mac

Mac users may not have the multitude of keyboard options that Windows users do, but they’re not exactly lacking for quality choices. Especially for those simply looking to get some serious work done on a keyboard that’s a pleasure to type on, there are many more solid choices than we were able to include on this list. You can expand your options even further by considering Windows keyboards—which may better suit gamers, in particular—but the familiarity of a Mac keyboard layout will likely outweigh any other benefits for most longtime Mac users. 

A new keyboard may not be one of the most expensive upgrades you can make to your computer, but it can make for one of the biggest and lasting changes, which makes finding the right one all the more important.

• Best overall: Logitech MX Keys for Mac
• Best Apple keyboard: Apple Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad
• Best mechanical: Das Keyboard 4 Professional for Mac
• Best budget mechanical: Satechi SM1
• Best ergonomic: Kinesis ​​Freestyle Edge RGB
• Best compact: Keychron K12
• Best budget: Logitech K380 for Mac

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best keyboards for Macs for 2024, tested and reviewed appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

We’d all like to drop $3,500 on Apple’s lux Vision Pro VR headset, but we all have bills to pay and ill-advised midnight GrubHub orders to place. Luckily, you can still escape into VR for just $199 if you grab one of these Meta Quest 2 VR headsets during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale.

Quest 2 — Advanced All-In-One Virtual Reality Headset — 128 GB $199 (was $249)

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This is Meta’s previous version mixed-reality headset. It has high-res displays, front-facing cameras, and advanced handheld remotes for precision movement in the VR world. At $200, it’s less than half the price of the $500 Meta Quest 3. It plays the most popular VR games and offers some productivity features in case you want to spend your workday with a headset strapped to your head.

Meta Quest 2 Bundles on-sale

• Quest 2 — Advanced All-in-One Virtual Reality Headset — 128 GB with Elite Strap for Enhanced Support and Comfort in VR $223 (was $299)
• Quest 2 — Advanced All-In-One Virtual Reality Headset — 128 GB with Carrying Case and Elite Strap $243 ($344)
• Quest 2 — Advanced All-In-One Virtual Reality Headset — 128 GB with Carrying Case $218 (was $294)

The post Get a Meta Quest 2 VR headset for just $199 during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale—but act fast appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Mount Pro Triple-Monitor Desk Mount		SEE IT	The Mount Pro triple-monitor desk mount supports a wide range of screens and doesn’t break the bank.
Best side-by-side		Echogear Adjustable Triple-Monitor Desk Mount		SEE IT	The Echogear triple-monitor desk mount will surround you with screens.
Best pyramid-style		Stand Steady Freestanding Three-Monitor Mount Desk Stand		SEE IT	If using a desk-mounted monitor stand is a problem, Stand Steady makes a very solid freestanding triple-monitor stand.

Few office accessories provide the kind of tech flex you get from a triple monitor stand. These adjustable arms can fill your entire field of vision with sweet screen real estate. Making the jump to three monitors is a serious move, but having one of the best triple-monitor stands to hold them up will make you feel like a Hollywood-style computer whiz (and there are actual real-world benefits, too).

• Best overall: Mount Pro Triple-Monitor Desk Mount
• Best side-by-side: Echogear Adjustable Triple-Monitor Desk Mount (ECHO-GM3C) 
• Best pyramid-style: Stand Steady Freestanding Triple-Monitor Mount Desk Stand 
• Best with USB Hub: Mount-It Triple-Monitor Mount with USB/Audio Ports

How we chose the best triple-monitor stands

To pick the best triple-monitor stands, I paired my own testing and experience with professional reviews and consumer feedback. We specifically looked at a wide range of triple-monitor stands that arrange your monitors in different orientations and prioritized those that gave users as much adjustability as possible. Unlike the best monitor arms and dual-monitor stands, there are no major tech peripheral manufacturers making triple-monitor arms right now. As such, we also prioritized popular arms with lots of positive reviews and recommendations from consumers.

The best triple-monitor arms: Reviews & Recommendations

So you have three monitors and you want to put them up on a single stand. Now that you know the basics of what to look for, we have a few recommendations, including arms that clamp to your desk and stands that stand free without any installation. You can set up your monitors side-by-side or stack them in a pyramid formation. Whether you’re looking to put a finishing touch on your office or enhance your gaming battle station, there should be a decent option for you among these picks.

Best overall: Mount Pro Triple-Monitor Desk Mount

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: A fair price point and good feature set put the Mount Pro Triple at the front of the pack.

Specs

• Mount type: Desk-mounted
• Adjustment mechanism: Gas-spring and static height
• Weight range: 17.6 lbs per arm
• Display size range: Up to 27-inch
• Available colors: Black
• Price: $119

Pros

• Separate VESA plates for easy mounting
• Gas-spring movement means effortless adjustment
• Two mounting options: Desk clamp or grommet

Cons

• No depth adjustment for middle screen

The Mount Pro Triple-Monitor Desk Mount is an unassuming top pick: It’s simply solid in every way. Like many other mounts, it offers gas-spring movement for your left and right screens and adjustable height and rotation for your central screen. It supports a pretty high 17.6-pound upper weight limit, so it should be able to handle almost any 24- or 27-inch monitor. While it may annoy some that it doesn’t support larger displays, most users with multi-display setups normally stick to those sizes, anyway. 

The only major flaw we found was universal across nearly every triple monitor mount we researched: the middle display offers monitor rotation, adjustable height, tilting, and swiveling, but not the ability to adjust its depth. If you have a particularly deep desk, you may want to go with our freestanding pick.

Best side-by-side: Echogear Adjustable triple-monitor desk mount (ECHO-GM3C)

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: Echogear’s triple-monitor stand stands out because of its unique form factor.

Specs

• Mount type: Desk-mounted
• Adjustment mechanism: Static height
• Weight range: 20 lbs per screen
• Display size range: Up to 27-inch
• Available colors: Black
• Price: $132

Pros

• Great for immersion
• Natural ergonomic curve
• US-based customer service

Cons

• Less adjustment than other options
• No grommet installation

Minnesota-based Echogear is known primarily for making wall mounts, but they make a very nice desk-mounted triple-monitor stand. It lines up the monitors, but arranges them in an ergonomic and immersive curve, turning your three monitors into a single, gigantic curved display array. It’s an appealing option for anyone who wants to set it and forget it, and could be great for hardcore racing or flight-sim players.

The curve also presents some limitations, though: For example, the mount isn’t really made to pair well with individual curved displays, even if they fit the size and weight limits. They also note that an older 27-inch monitor with a large bezel (the outer plastic frame), may cause some issues with fitting the screens.

Luckily, Echogear has excellent customer service. The company has chat and phone-based support options that typically answer quickly and accurately. If you aren’t sure if your monitors will fit in the display, customer service will help you figure things out before you buy.

Best pyramid-style: Stand Steady Freestanding Three-Monitor Mount Desk Stand

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: Stand Steady makes a really solid pyramid-style desktop triple-monitor stand.

Specs

• Mount type: Freestanding
• Adjustment mechanism: Static height
• Weight range: Up to 17.6 lbs
• Display size range: Up to 32-inch
• Available colors: Black
• Price: $99

Pros

• Freestanding mount can sit on any desk
• Supports 32-inch displays
• Pyramid configuration means less twisting your neck
• Separate VESA plates for easy mounting

Cons

• No depth adjustment for middle screen

Having three screens lined up side-by-side in landscape mode sounds like a great idea … right until you have a project where you’re constantly turning your from the left display to the right one. Without depth adjustment functionality or a natural curve, you’ll wind up twisting your neck a lot, which isn’t great for your body. A pyramid configuration—two monitors side by side at eye level, and a third dead center above the other two—is great if you use two displays often, and only glance at the third on occasion.

Stand Steady makes both freestanding and desk-mounted pyramid-style triple-monitor stands, but we went with the desktop option because it’s a little cheaper, and because it’s better suited to support three 32-inch displays.

Best with USB hub: Mount-It Triple-Monitor Mount with USB/Audio Ports

SEE IT

Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: Honestly, we’re surprised more manufacturers haven’t built USB hubs into their monitor stands.

Specs

• Mount type: Desk-mounted
• Adjustment mechanism: Gas-spring and static height
• Weight range: Up to 15.4 lbs
• Display size range: 32″
• Available colors: Black
• Price: $147

Pros

• Separate VESA plates for easy mounting
• Gas-spring movement means effortless adjustment
• Two mount options: Desk clamp or grommet
• USB 3.0 and Audio jacks are a great bonus

Cons

• USB and audio jacks are pass-through, not hub
• Middle screen has no depth adjustment
• Low weight limit

The Mount-It Triple-Monitor Stand doesn’t do much that our other monitor stands can’t, but it has one surprisingly compelling ace up its sleeve: USB 3.0 and 3.5mm audio passthrough ports built into the base of the display. Unlike monitor USB ports, these are passthrough ports that need to be plugged into your PC using cables that come out the back of the stand. For most people, though, having those ports front and center is a big improvement on constantly reaching behind things or having external USB hubs taking up valuable desk real estate.

It also doesn’t feature a grommet-based mounting option, so you won’t be able to screw it into the back of your desk.

Things to consider before buying a triple-monitor stand

If you have three displays and are ready to upgrade to a triple-monitor stand or arm, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Monitor stands come in a few different form factors, which handle monitors differently and require varying amounts of installation. It’s important to know what you’re getting into before you start adjusting your workspace.

Desk clamps vs. stands: Triple-monitor stands can be mounted one of two ways: A freestanding monitor stand, similar to what comes with most monitors, or a desk-mounted stand that clamps to the back of a flat desk. Manufacturers also make dual- and single-monitor stands that bolt into the wall behind your desk, but there currently aren’t any wall-mounted triple-monitor options that we’re aware of at this time.

If you have a strong desk with a uniformly thick desktop, we prefer the desk-mounted route. It saves you a ton of desk space without sacrificing any sturdiness or durability. Not all desks can handle a desk mount, though. If you have a glass desk or one without a lip for a clamp to grip, stick to a freestanding mount. Seriously, a clamp could shatter a glass desk or fall right off an unsteady mount–taking all of your screens with it—so only consider this if you’ve invested in a sturdy option.

Weight limits: There are also two important specs to check on all your monitors before picking out a monitor stand. First, make sure all of your displays can be removed from their stands and come with mounting brackets. Look for a large square grouping of screws on the back of each monitor. It may be hidden by the existing stand. The VESA mounting bracket is a universal standard across all mountable screens—monitors and TVs—created and maintained by the Video Electronics Standards Association. It makes buying stands and mounting displays as easy as possible.

Most VESA mounts for PC monitors usually come in one of two sizes: 75mm x 75mm or 100mm x 100 mm. Nearly every stand we’ve seen supports both of them, so most monitors that can be removed from their default stands should work on any third-party stand. Things may get a little tricky if any of your displays are especially large (32 inches or more) or you have an ultrawide monitor. There are just enough potential variations that it pays to check before buying a stand.

You should also check each monitor’s weight. Monitor stands are made to handle specific weights for each display, and you do not want to use one that can’t handle your screens. If your monitors exceed the stand’s weight, the setup will fall, and your screens will likely break.

Both of these specs should appear both in any support manuals for your displays or on their product pages on the manufacturers’ websites.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best triple-monitor stands

• Best overall: Mount Pro Triple-Monitor Desk Mount
• Best side-by-side: Echogear Adjustable Triple-Monitor Desk Mount (ECHO-GM3C) 
• Best pyramid-style: Stand Steady Freestanding Triple-Monitor Mount Desk Stand 
• Best with USB Hub: Mount-It Triple-Monitor Mount with USB/Audio Ports

While the options for triple-monitor stands are far fewer than one or two displays, you still have plenty of decent choices. Keep in mind that you can also combine multiple monitor stands to create a custom setup if you’re struggling to find a perfect fit with these picks. That said, we expect most people should be able to find the right triple-monitor stand for them on this list.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best triple-monitor stands of 2024 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best single		Ergotron LX Single Monitor Arm		SEE IT	The Ergotron LX Single Monitor Arm does everything you could ask from a basic monitor arm.
Best dual		Workstream by Monoprice Dual Monitor Adjustable Gas-Spring Desk Mount		SEE IT	Monoprice makes a little bit of everything, and monitor mounts are no exception.
Best triple		Mount Pro Triple Monitor Desk Mount		SEE IT	The Mount Pro Triple Monitor Desk Mount’s design balances stability and flexibility.

An ergonomic, efficient home office setup comes from many changes and tweaks, but there’s one accessory that makes an especially large difference: a monitor arm. Most monitors these days let you separate your display from its included stand and replace it with a flexible, movable arm that allows you to place the monitor at exactly the right height and angle for you. That said, a monitor arm is just a big hunk of plastic and metal, which means there are well-made ones and crappy ones. The best monitor arms feel durable, sturdy, and will make your home office so much better.

• Best single: Ergotron LX Single Monitor Arm
• Best dual: Workstream by Monoprice Dual Monitor Adjustable Gas-Spring Desk Mount
• Best triple: Mount Pro Triple Monitor Desk Mount
• Best stacking dual monitor arm: Ergotron LX Dual Stacking Arm
• Best ultrawide: Ergotron HX Desk Monitor Arm with HD Pivot
• Best budget: Monoprice 3-way Adjustable Tilting Monitor Desk Bracket

How we picked the best monitor arms

I’ve been working as a tech critic for almost 10 years and have tested monitor arms for The Tech Report, in addition to tinkering with them on my own time. In that time, I’ve used some of the best and worst options from different brands out there.

To make these selections, I drew upon my personal testing experience, spoke to both gamers and office workers, and aggregated professional reviews and online user impressions to find the best arms. Once you start digging, you’ll see that there’s an arm for virtually every use case you might need. We can’t cover every single scenario, however, so these picks focus on the most common needs, especially for people picking out an arm for the first time.

The best monitor arms: Reviews & Recommendations

There are a huge number of monitor arms and mounts out there, from replacement monitor stands to free-floating arms. They can hold anywhere from one to four displays, ranging in price points from $25 to well over $700. We can’t cover every use case here, so we’ve focused primarily on gas-spring mounts that you can position as you like, including options for single, dual, and triple-screen setups.

Best single: Ergotron LX Single Monitor Arm

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: The Ergotron LX Single Monitor Arm looks good, works well, and comes at a fair price.

Specs

• Mount type: Desk clamp or grommet hole
• Adjustment mechanism: Gas spring/Free moving
• Weight range: Up to 25 lbs
• Display size range: 13-32 inches
• Available colors: Black, Silver, White
• Price: $209