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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TVs have gotten bigger and cheaper in recent years, but they still can’t quite match the theater-like experience that comes with a solid projector. Right now, XGIMI projectors are deeply discounted at Amazon. Models include everything from portable 1080p units for impromptu outdoor movie nights to high-end 4K projectors ready to help you see Shrek like you’ve never seen him before. These deals run through 5/12, so maybe splurge and get Mom something really amazing this year for Mother’s Day.

XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro 1080P Portable Projector $399 (with coupon, was $599)

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This compact projector weighs less than 2.5 pounds, but it includes a ton of advanced features that make it a stand-alone portable theater. A pair of surprisingly powerful speakers augment the 400-lumen light output, which is plenty bright for an interior space or an outdoor nighttime feature. The Android TV operating system includes built-in Chromecast functionality, so you can easily stream content from your phone to the projector. If you want to connect your playback device with a cable, this pint-sized projector offers several USB ports (including USB-C and USB-A), as well as an HDMI, and Wi-Fi for streaming. It doesn’t have a built-in battery, but you can power it off a 65w portable charger if you want to project on the go—like when you take the one you bought yourself over to your mother’s house. She misses you. You should call.

More XGIMI projector deals:

• XGIMI MoGo 2 Portable Projector, Mini Projector with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth $299 (was $399)
• XGIMI Halo+ 1080P Portable Projector, 700 ISO Lumens with Harman Kardon Speakers $649 (was $849)
• XGIMI HORIZON 1080p FHD Projector 4K Supported Movie Projector, 1500 ISO Lumens $699 (was $999)
• XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K Projector, 1500 ISO Lumens, Android TV 10.0 Movie Projector with Integrated Harman Kardon Speakers $999 (was $1,699)
• XGIMI HORIZON Ultra 4K Projector – 100″ + Dolby Vision, Dual Light, ISA 3.0, 2300 ISO Lumens $1,599 (was $1,699)

The post Upgrade Mom’s movie experience with these deep discounts on XGIMI projectors appeared first on Popular Science.

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Last year, I wrote about Citizen’s surprisingly classy, decidedly awesome Death Star watch. It sold out in two days, and supply has been spotty ever since. Apparently, the Force has blessed us, however, because Amazon has the Death Star model, as well as a ton of other awesome Star Wars collection watches, in stock and even cheaper than they usually are.

Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Star Wars Death Star Black IP Stainless Steel Watch, 3-Hand, Luminous,41mm $318 (was $425)

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Most fan merch won’t work in a formal or even a work setting, but this Citizen Eco-Drive watch is different. It has a slick black design with a murdered-out bracelet. The 41mm face is substantial without feeling chunky, and it’s emblazoned with a subtle-but-obvious nod to our favorite planet-destroying space station. It’s an Eco-Drive, so it never needs a battery or winding; it just needs a little bit of sunlight to keep the kyber crystals inside excited.

More Citizen x Star Wars watches:

• Citizen Eco-Drive Star Wars Men’s Watch, Stainless Steel with Orange Leather strap, Rebel Pilot, Silver-Tone, 44mm $273 (was $425)
• Citizen Men’s Star Wars Vintage Ana-Digi Quartz Stainless Steel Watch $199 (was $450)
• Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Star Wars Luke Skywalker Chronograph Stainless Steel Watch with Brown Leather Strap, Blue Bezel, 44mm $316 (was $395)
• Citizen Men’s Star Wars Eco-Drive with Stainless Steel Bracelet, Silver-Tone $200 (was $350)
• Citizen Eco-Drive Men’s Star Wars Darth Vader Chronograph Watch with Black Ion Plated Case, Red Accents and Black Leather Strap, Luminous, Date, 44mm $280 (was $395)
• Citizen Star Wars ANI-Digi Quartz Watch $318 (was $425)
• Citizen Eco-Drive Men’s Star Wars Chewbacca Black IP Stainless Steel on Brown Leather Strap, 3-Hand Date, Luminous, 43mm $229 (was $325)
• Citizen Quartz Star Wars Men’s Watch, Stainless Steel $184 (was $375)
• Citizen Eco-Drive Men’s Star Wars Millennium Falcon Stainless Steel Chronograph Watch, Blue Leather Strap, Luminous, 44mm $281 (was $375)
• Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Star Wars Darth Vader Black Ion Plated Case Watch with Gray Leather Strap, Black Dial $263 (was $350)
• Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Star Wars Imperial Storm Trooper Black Ion Plated Stainless Steel Case Watch, Perforated Black Silicone Strap, Black Dial, 3 Hand $297 (was $350)
• Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Star Wars R2-D2 Chronograph Stainless Steel Watch with Cordura Strap, Silver Dial $340 (was $425)

The post The Citizen x Star Wars Death Star watch is finally back in stock and on sale for May the 4th 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.

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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		Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0		SEE IT	It’s simple to light, easy to store, and eradicates smoke.
Best large		Tiki Fire Pit		SEE IT	Gather up to 10 people around this ample fire pit for superior s’mores.
Best for patios		BioLite Fire Pit+		SEE IT	The mesh sides offer a unique view of the flames inside and nice radiant heat.

Smokeless fire pits solve an age-old problem: No matter where you sit around the camp fire, smoke always seems to blow in your face. The solution? Get rid of the smoke completely. These metal containers are built to control the flame and make it easy to start and finish. Not only do they make firing up easier, but they can also add a touch of class or a bit of flash to your patio, camp area, or backyard. A solid fire pit can turn a boring patio or backyard into a great place to spend an evening. Consider this your burn book, a list of the best smokeless fire pits.

• Best overall: Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0
• Best for patios: BioLite Fire Pit+
• Best large: Tiki Fire Pit
• Best stainless steel: Breeo X Series 24
• Best portable: Solo Stove Ranger 2.0
• Best budget: Inno Stage Smokeless Fire Pit
• Best under $100: Blue Sky Outdoor Living Ridge

How we chose the best smokeless fire pits

We started with a list of more than 30 models from hands-on testing and critical consensus before narrowing our options to the best we could find. The four main factors we considered were ease and effectiveness of use, aesthetics, value for price, and unique features. Our list represents our top choices, a couple for those who aren’t looking to spend as much money, and some situation-specific choices. During our tests, we burned a variety of different woods and burned under various weather conditions.

After all, everyone’s needs when it comes to a fire pit are different, and it’s important to consider how and where you plan to use your fire pit before you buy it. The “best” is not always the “best for you.” Our list should help you avoid getting more fire pit than you really need, as every one of our picks is recommended.

The best smokeless fire pits: Reviews & Recommendations

Smokeless fire pits contain and elevate fires. Their design allows air to flow in such a way that it minimizes (and in some cases fully eliminates) smoke. There are different looks and focuses among our choices, so line up your desires as best you can with our recommendations.

Best overall: Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0

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Specs

• Weight: 28.25 lbs
• Height: 18.5 in
• Material: Stainless steel
• Structure: Single-piece construction
• Price: $249

Pros

• Excellent single-piece construction
• Well-controlled fires with efficient burn
• Light for the size and quality
• Attractive, simple silhouette
• Excellent smoke reduction

Cons

• The aesthetic doesn’t necessarily fit with some more casual backyards
• Outside gets very hot

It’s no secret that we think the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 is excellent. In fact, we think it’s the best choice on the market for a smokeless fire pit. The first point for the Solo Stove Bonfire is performance. It heats up quickly and burns efficiently with a stunningly small amount of smoke. The aesthetic is particular: It’s not quite industrial, but it does have a shiny, smooth finish that doesn’t scream “tiki bar” or “family gathering” like some other models, and it’s not uniquely edgy in its stylings. It may not help bring certain patio looks together, but it also doesn’t stand out or bring attention to itself. The look is very “elevated comfort food outdoor cafe.”

Among the mid-sized models we recommend, the Bonfire 2.0 is one of the more portable (though look further down for the real portable star). Twenty-eight pounds is quite light for this category, and while the Bonfire 2.0 doesn’t collapse or disassemble to make it easier to transport, you can use a cloth carrying card to make things a bit easier for a beach trip or some light camping. Wood pellets are best in the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0—that’s true of most circular-basin fire pits—but small firewood also works extremely well. The interior volume of the pit isn’t particularly large, but the burn is so efficient and controlled that the fires tend to outperform the amount of fuel.

The Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 comes at a semi-premium price, but its durable construction guarantees its long-term value. Unless your fire pit needs are particularly portable or particularly large, this is the one to get, the best overall smokeless fire pit.

Best for patios: BioLite Fire Pit+

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Specs

• Weight: 19.8 lbs
• Height: 15.8 in
• Material: Stainless steel
• Structure: Two-piece self-assembly with foldable legs
• Price: $249

Pros

• Bluetooth-enabled, battery-powered fan keeps fires going
• Cool, see-through design
• Foldable legs make storage easier
• Battery is USB rechargeable
• App allows control of the flame size
• Sized for commercial firewood logs

Cons

• Foldable legs aren’t particularly durable
• The aesthetic is specific enough to not be everyone’s cup of tea
• Rectangular design requires a more specific space arrangement than circular models

The BioLite Fire Pit+ is one of the most unique-looking fire pits on the market, with some interesting tech features. It’s an excellent overall fire pit and a contender for best overall, but it landed in best-for-patio because of its big, open flame, cool look, and innovations. The smoke elimination is not quite as good as a few other models, but it makes up for that.

Let’s look at those innovations first. One of its chief innovations is mesh side panels that allow more heat to radiate out and make the fire easy to observe. This does require a bit more work maintaining the Fire Pit+, but it is worth it for the cool view and unique shadows that are interesting and calming when sitting around the fire pit. Another great feature that really contributes to the comfort at a backyard gathering, and is absent on any other model, is the Bluetooth-enabled, app-controlled, battery-powered fan which controls airflow and can make the flames in the Fire Pit+ larger or small at will. This is simply something that isn’t seen elsewhere and really sets the Fire Pit+ apart. The battery pack, which is removable and charged via USB, gives the Fire Pit+ a retro-futuristic look, but it can be easily hidden on the least-seen side in a patio set-up if needed.

The biggest mark against the Fire Pit+ is the double-edged sword that is its legs. The foldable legs make moving and storing the Fire Pit+ much easier than some other models, but they’re also a bit less strong and stable than the circular or thicker-legged bases that competitors have. This means you can’t overfill the Fire Pit+ with firewood (it can fit standard commercial logs). That’s good advice in general with a fire pit, but particularly vital advice for the Fire Pit+.

The Fire Pit+ offers a unique look, unique control, and an overall very good performance, making it the best patio smokeless fire pit among our recommended ones, and a great complement to patio heaters.

Best large: Tiki Fire Pit

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Specs

• Weight: 45 lbs
• Height: 18.75 in
• Material: Stainless steel
• Structure: Single-piece construction
• Price: $295

Pros

• Extremely durable
• Nice, classic design
• Lots of space for fuel inside
• Perfect size for a larger patio

Cons

• Heavy
• Works better with wood pellets which can be more expensive than firewood
• Not intended to be portable; you can’t easily take it to the beach or camping

Most fire pits on this list are great for four-to-six people. The Tiki Fire Pit is much larger and is a better choice if your patio seating is couches and lounges for 8-10 rather than chairs. Additionally, the Tiki Fire Pit has a classic Tiki design, which may be just what you’re looking for in your backyard paradise.

The benefits of the Tiki Fire Pit’s size are the amount of fuel it can use and the length of burn your fire is going to get. Stronger, longer fires mean less time spent tending the flames during your evening get-togethers. Smoke elimination is very good thanks to the airflow design, and the small, strong legs lift the pit enough for performance while not detracting from the pleasing, rounded throwback style. 

The drawback is this fire pit is really not meant for moving around. Forty-five pounds is a lot, and it is large, meaning you will most likely need two people and plenty of space in a truck or van if you want to take this party starter to the beach. Honestly, the Tiki Fire Pit is much better served finding a permanent home on your patio. However, with that heft comes a lot of durability, so the included weather-resistant cover is probably enough to protect your fire pit outside of an extreme situation. 

If your lifestyle means bigger is better, the Tike Fire Pit is probably the better choice among our recommendations, making it the best large smokeless fire pit as far as we’re concerned.

Best stainless steel: Breeo X Series 24

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Specs

• Weight: 62 lbs
• Height: 14.75 in
• Material: Corten steel (also available in stainless steel)
• Structure: Single-piece construction
• Price: $599

Pros

• Extremely strong and durable
• Sleek look that blends in well with a lot of decor
• Excellent fire control and smoke elimination

Cons

• Expensive
• Extremely heavy

If construction and materials really matter to you, and you want a fire pit that might become an heirloom to pass down to your children, break out the wallet for the Breeo X Series 24. This beautiful, sturdy, heavy, and durable fire pit is not one to travel; the 62 pounds of metal means it doesn’t want to go to the beach or a campground. However, at home you’re not going to get a longer-lasting, better-put-together fire pit.

The “24” in Breeo X Series 24 refers to the diameter of the fire pit’s interior—a considerable amount of space, larger even than the interior of the Tiki Fire Pit. There are 19-inch and even larger models as well. The legs of the Breeo X Series 24 are built-in and incredibly stable. The interior wall sucks up air and creates a wonderful, even secondary flame that shoots out the small holes just below the top of the rim. Visually, the Breeo X Series makes one of the nicest flames on the market.

The price tag is almost as heavy as the pit itself. The Breeo X Series is a premium product at a premium price—two or three times more than a lot of our other recommended models. If you have the means to splurge and believe in buying a product that will last a lifetime, the value is there, even if the initial cost is high.

Big, bold, and built to last, the Breeo X Series 24 is a beast and a beauty in one. For that reason, it’s the best corten steel smokeless fire pit we can recommend.

Best portable: Solo Stove Ranger 2.0

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Specs

• Weight: 15 lbs
• Height: 15 in
• Material: stainless steel
• Structure: single-piece construction
• Price: $199

Pros

• Lightweight and compact
• Good flame control and smoke elimination
• Includes a carrying case
• Sleek and strong design

Cons

• Portable but not collapsible; still need a vehicle to transport longer distances
• Grilling requires additional accessories for best results

If you want a multi-purpose fire pit, portability is really important. We know it ourselves, so we have a guide if this category is the one you are exclusively considering. For those looking at a wider range of options, the Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 is the little sibling of our best overall smokeless fire pit and the best portable smokeless fire pit on the market. Smaller, lighter, and more portable—but no less efficient—the Ranger is a much easier carry than the Bonfire without sacrificing any of the quality.

The Ranger really sings when you add in grilling accessories. The Solo Stove product line’s design gives you a simple, flat top that placing any flat wire grill means producing nice results (though you’ll want to very carefully clean the inside of your fire pit later, as food can create some sticky burnt messes). Some official grilling accessories are available, as well as skewers for s’mores or hot dogs if you look at Solo Stove’s offerings. (However, we recommend a dedicated grill if you’re into cookouts more than casual entertaining.)

For a portable model, the Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 isn’t particularly light. It’s not meant for trekking but more drive-to-the-national-park-or-beach style portable use. The included carrying case is probably enough for inside storage, but outside storage will need a thicker, more protective case (which is also available to purchase).

If you’re planning to head out with your fire pit a lot, we can heartily recommend the Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 as the best portable smokeless fire pit on the market.

Best budget: Inno Stage Smokeless Fire Pit

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Specs

• Weight: 33 pounds
• Height: 18 in
• Material: Stainless steel
• Structure: Two-piece construction
• Price: $152

Pros

• Two-piece design lets it travel smaller
• Easy to set up
• Good airflow for smoke elimination
• Matte black coloration makes it blend in easily

Cons

• The silhouette is a bit industrial
• Clean-up is tougher than with some other brands

You’ll need firewood once you’ve purchased your pit, so buying something that leaves you with some cash left over isn’t a bad plan. For those a bit more thrifty, Inno Stage offers a line of fire pits that don’t quite match the higher-cost models for performance or style but more than do the job for a very reasonable cost.

Inno Stage’s design involves two pieces. When assembled, the larger piece sits on the smaller piece, which acts as the ash pan. For travel or storage, the smaller piece is turned upside down and slots into the larger piece’s basin, taking up less space and becoming easier to carry. This is the most convenient feature of the Inno Stage Smokeless Fire Pit, but it also results in less efficient burn.

In terms of looks, the Inno Stage is not the most beautiful fire pit. It has a bit of a utilitarian and industrial look, which doesn’t make it a star of the backyard. There’s a trio of options for the finish: chrome, matte black, and faux terracotta. The last is our suggestion; it softens the look a bit. There are also multiple sizes (four in all) depending on your needs.

If you need a highly functional, well-priced fire pit or just want to dip your toe into the world of fire pits without committing too many funds, the Inno Stage Smokeless Fire Pit is your best entry point. It’s inexpensive enough to upgrade later without feeling regretful and functional enough to use it for a long time, squeezing every ounce of use out of what we consider the best-value smokeless fire pit.

Best under $100: Blue Sky Outdoor Living Ridge

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Specs

• Weight: 23.4 lbs
• Height: 12.49 in
• Material: Steel
• Structure: Two-piece construction
• Price: $79

Pros

• One piece tucks into the other for portability
• Assembly is quick
• Low price

Cons

• Not quite as efficient burn as other models
• Non-stainless steel means it’s a bit less durable and a bit harder to clean

Sometimes, price is the most important factor. If you want to get into the smokeless fire pit game for less than $100, choose the Blue Sky Outdoor Living Ridge. This two-piece smokeless fire pit has a similar tuck-in-and-carry construction as our best value option, the Inno Stage Smokeless Fire Pit, but an even lower base price. 

The design of the Ridge doesn’t allow air to flow as efficiently as higher-end models, meaning the smoke elimination is less impressive. However, it’s still an incredible improvement over typical fire pits. The matte black finish to the Ridge means it’s unobtrusive, but it’s also not a particularly attractive fire pit. Weight and size make the Ridge easy to move, and you’ll probably want to store it inside and bring it out to use it rather than leave it as patio furniture.

What to consider when choosing a smokeless fire pit

Smokeless fire pits offer a focal point for your patio set-up, allowing you to enjoy cooler days and nights in a comfortable and stylish way. To that end, picking the perfect smokeless fire pit means considering smoke elimination effectiveness, style, size, and durability.

Smoke elimination

When it comes to smoke elimination, all of these models will do an excellent job of minimizing the amount of smoke produced but the fire. This is due to airflow design, which allows for more complete combustion. Smokeless fire pits will have secondary fires popping out of the interior wall of the fire pit’s basin, using up more oxygen and producing very little smoke. The best models do this most efficiently, but even our recommended value and budget models do a great job.

Most of the design elements of smokeless fire pits are utilitarian due to wanting to offer the best possible airflow efficiency. The nicer models are sleep and round, while the budget models tend to have more edges or corners. A few of our models took their look more into consideration: the Tiki Fire Pit and the BioLite Fire Pit+ chief among them. Make sure you like the look of your fire pit if you’re planning to use it when entertaining guests. No matter how great the fire is, if the pit feels out of place and clashes with the motif you’re trying to achieve, you’ll be disappointed with your purchase.

Size

Most of the smokeless fire pits we recommend are medium-sized, built to be used with a smaller circle of people, maybe no more than 6. Portable models are best with 2 or 4. Larger models exist that can accommodate 8-10 people around them, but you’re looking at completely non-portable models at that point. In terms of warmth radius, most of these fire pits will be nice and toasty within 8 feet, but some of the smaller models will need a tighter formation.

Materials and durability

Lastly, durability is important as you want to be using your smokeless fire pit long term. Stainless steel is the material of choice. It holds up well to use and elements and is the easiest to clean. Some steel composite low-end models exist but should probably be avoided.

Fuel

While this list is entirely dedicated to wood-burning fire pits, you can also get propane-powered models that are much easier to get started. Check out our list of the best propane fire pits for options.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best smokeless fire pits

• Best overall: Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0
• Best for patios: BioLite Fire Pit+
• Best large: Tiki Fire Pit
• Best stainless steel: Breeo X Series 24
• Best portable: Solo Stove Ranger 2.0
• Best budget: Inno Stage Smokeless Fire Pit
• Best under $100: Blue Sky Outdoor Living Ridge

If you’re looking for a fire pit, smokeless is the way to go. There’s enough variety in the marketplace, with quality throughout, that choosing a model based on your particular needs is more involved than simply choosing the “best” model. From portable to large-scale patio-only models, our recommendations should make sure that your nights are toasty, your shadows flicker, and you enjoy fire whenever you wish.

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 smokeless fire pits for 2024 tested and reviewed appeared first on Popular Science.

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My living room isn’t well-suited for testing OLED TVs. There’s a pair of large windows off to the side of the viewing area, and when they’re not busy leaking, they’re letting in enough ambient light to wash out a typical OLED. This type of TV excels in contrast and color reproduction but can only pump out comparatively paltry max brightness levels. That makes even a moderately bright room a no-go. And let’s be honest, that’s what most of us have. So, instead of appealing just to people with perfectly treated home theaters, Samsung aimed to fix that issue with its new S95D QD-OLED TV. And after a few weeks spent watching content and gaming to the best of my very pathetic abilities, I can confirm it as a huge success. The S95D’s defining feature may have caused some controversy in the hardcore AV world (more on that later), but it’s easily one of the best TVs I’ve ever seen.

SEE IT

Specs

• Resolution: 4K
• Refresh rate: 144Hz
• Sizes: 55”, 65”, and 77”
• OS: Tizen
• HDMI ports: Four HDMI 2.1 ports
• Wireless: Wi-Fi 5
• Bluetooth: BT5.2
• Processor: NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor

Pros

• Excellent color accuracy and contrast, as you’d expect from OLED
• Exceptional brightness thanks to Quantum Dot tech
• Anti-glare coating works phenomenally
• Ports and connectors live on a box connected to the display by a single wire for flexible installation
• Built-in speakers provide clear, crisp audio that makes dialog easy to hear (credit to Samsung processing)
• Low input lag
• Responsive operating system

Cons

• Anti-glare tech comes with very slight compromises in terms of pure picture quality
• While the speakers provide excellent clarity, they’re not overly powerful

Verdict: Just about every OLED TV looks phenomenal in the dark, but the S95D’s ability to shine (literally) in a room full of ambient light makes it one of the most impressive pieces of TV technology to come around in years. 

How I tested the Samsung S95D QD-OLED TV

I have been writing about and reviewing TVs for roughly two decades for outlets including this one, Men’s Journal, Sound & Vision, AOL, and others. For this test, I placed the Samsung S95D QD-OLED TV directly in front of my typical TV to get a true real-world experience. I played regular Blu-rays, 4K Blu-rays, and games through a PlayStation 5. I also connected the TV to my Wi-Fi router and compared content through the native Samsung apps with the most recent Apple TV 4K (my preferred hardware for streaming media). 

We do some scientific testing on equipment like this, but we don’t publicly post the results because we don’t control the environment in a way to capture publishable results. I use a Datacolor Spyder X Pro device to measure brightness and color accuracy as a reference for our internal testing. Other sites provide excellent test results from labs, but that information doesn’t always reflect the real-world experience that comes from watching a TV.

The Samsung S95D’s picture quality

There’s a lot about the ultra-slim S95D that’s impressive and we’ll get into the build below, but we’re here first and foremost for the panel’s picture quality. If you’re spending the extra money for an OLED, it’s for the on-screen image. 

Brightness

Brighter isn’t always better. Even casual TV snobs know this fact. But, the S95D changes the math on that old rule. The first time I turned on our review unit, I couldn’t believe how much light it put out. I was standing in my sunny living room at two in the afternoon, and this OLED display was blasting over the ambient light without hesitation. The S95D is noticeably brighter than its predecessor or really any OLED TV I’ve ever seen. It’s brighter than the middle-of-the-road LG TV I bought on Black Friday a few years ago to use between TV reviews. The S95D is just plain bright and truly improves its overall performance. 

In addition to the increased light output, the S95D is the first TV non-Frame-series TV to get the full anti-glare treatment, which was a standout feature in our first impressions and remains one now that we’ve gotten to try the TV outside of an impromptu showroom setting. As a result, the screen has a more matte appearance than its glossy ancestors and competition—in the high-end printing world, I’d call this a pearl finish. Even with the TV off, it’s apparent just how well the surface resists reflections. Even bright objects, which would typically render as a sharp reflection on a glossy screen, wash out to a dull, nebulous blob. The turtle tank with a UV light that typically occupies a full quarter of my TV screen when it’s turned on? Pretty much gone. I’m impressed. 

Even when a light shines directly onto the surface, the anti-glare surface renders it nearly invisible. This does come at a slight cost. As some other reviewers have noted, the anti-glare makes the perceived black level seem a bit brighter than a glossy screen would. Thus, the controversy mentioned in the intro. But, the benefits will drastically outweigh that tiny complaint for the majority of the TV-watching public. The anti-glare tech seriously changes the OLED game.

Bring on the content

For the early tests, I left the TV in standard mode, which doesn’t quite max out the TV’s light output, but it’s decidedly more luminous than the more subdued movie mode or Filmmaker Mode. All the typical OLED benefits shine through immediately. I popped in a Blu-ray of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, which isn’t a great film, but it’s a meat grind of a test for just about any TV. Its extremely high contrast, fast motion, and vivid colors quickly expose a TV’s shortcomings. The S95D handled it all with aplomb. 

I like Filmmaker Mode, which is designed to depict the movie as the creators intended. But it’s typically only usable in very dark situations. I still preferred standard, or maybe movie mode for viewing content while the sun was up, but Filmmaker Mode was still totally viable. You can be a snob at any time of day.

I put on the first Timothée Chalamet Dune movie out of pure curiosity. In a dark room with standard mode turned on, the jarring dark-to-bright transitions from dingy interiors to blazing desert scenery were enough to make me wince, literally. That’s the kind of impact I like to see. 

Those transitions are also a great test for a TV like this. Going from bright to dark doesn’t leave any lingering brightness. Bright don’t bleed into dark areas next to them (a phenomenon called blooming) to ruin the overall clarity of the image. 

A little help from AI

You can’t get away from AI in the gadget world and this TV is no exception. The S95D comes toting Samsung’s latest image processing chip, which puts a heavy emphasis on AI. Multiple neural networks analyze every single image and frame to emphasize subjects, upscale the picture, and improve audio performance.

Even as a TV reviewer, I still watch streamed content more than pristine 4K Blu-rays. I imagine you’re the same way. Luckily, my review unit arrived just as the new Fallout series premiered on Amazon Prime. Like Dune, the post-apocalyptic series jumps freely between dingy underground silos and sun-blasted desert landscapes. The S95D, once again, excelled. The deep blacks retain tons of detail, though just slightly less than a high-end Mini-LED (like Samsung’s own QN900/D). But the inkiest blacks are why you go OLED. You want that contrast, and the S95D dishes it out in spades. The streamed image looked excellent. I again found myself defaulting to standard picture mode because it feels like it uses more of the panel’s dynamic range without losing anything. 

When it comes to 4K upscaling, the S95D does a great job across the board. The final result will vary depending on the bitrate and quality of the original content (don’t even try to watch Buffy the Vampire Slayer on Amazon Prime because no amount of AI can save that mess) but don’t expect extra artifacts or other upscaling nastiness to become apparent very often if at all. 

Gaming performance

Several features apply specifically to gaming performance, including the maximum 144Hz effective refresh rate. For this test, I jumped into Helldivers 2 on the PS5. While it’s not the pinnacle of graphical achievements in terms of gaming, it is a challenging title thanks to tons of fast-moving on-screen objects and shadowy environments. 

Input lag is nearly non-existent, essential if you want a good gaming TV. Response times are also miniscule, which fares well for fast on-screen action. I died—a lot—during the test session, but I looked great doing it. The TV will automatically enable game mode when you start gaming, and you’re best served to leave it be once it makes the switch. That’s how it unlocks game-specific features like the maximum refresh rate and the lowest possible input lag.

The Samsung S95D’s sound

While OLEDs often excel in terms of picture quality, their super-thin panels don’t leave much room for audio firepower. Samsung made hay with the space it had in the S95D, packing a total of eight circular speakers onto the back of the display. They won’t blow you away with power, especially on the low end, but Samsung has emphasized its strengths, which are clarity and understandability. The AI-powered chip enables Dolby Atmos compatibility and localized audio, which creates a discernible directional audio effect depending on which on-screen object is making noise. You can hear a spaceship zoom across the screen. It’s not nearly as pronounced as with a true surround sound system, but it’s noticeable and appreciated. 

Even cranked to max volume, the speakers don’t offer much in terms of crackle or distortion. The voice clarification tech really does make a difference, though, which is handy for people like me who have trouble hearing words through ambient noise. 

Overall, the sound performance is solid, but with a TV this nice, you’re doing yourself a disservice by not adding a more powerful stand-alone system to the mix. [Related: Look for our review of Samsung’s new flagship wireless soundbar system, the HW-Q990D, coming very soon.]

The Samsung S95D’s design and setup

Another impressive aspect of the S95D is that this deep feature set fits in a strikingly shallow enclosure thanks to thoughtful design decisions. As a high-end TV, Samsung didn’t skimp on the S95D’s build quality. The panel connects via a single wire to a compact interface containing all the necessary ports and connections. The “One Connect Box” is about the size of a stand-alone DVD player and can sit horizontally or wall mount vertically. I chose to use the included stand instead of putting the display on a mount, though I could have easily mounted it thanks to VESA compatibility. The bezel is skinny. The panel is flat. The external I/O box is a nice touch. The setup and build quality really didn’t give me anything to complain about. 

I can’t say quite the same thing about the remote. I love that the Samsung remote charges via the onboard solar panel, but I still find the layout annoying. The flat rocker buttons for channel and volume changes aren’t designed for my clumsy hands. The remote is also tiny and somewhat non-descript, so it’s easy to lose it in a pile of other remotes (though that may only be a problem if you’re also a reviewer with too many remote-controlled devices).

So, who should buy the Samsung S95D?

If you’ve been craving the contrast and color accuracy that comes with OLED but are worried your space is too bright, then your worries are over. The extra brightness and the very impressive anti-reflective coating have truly changed the game. With help from Samsung’s new AI-powered image processor, the S95D QD-OLED creates one of the best viewing experiences of any TV I’ve tested.

The post Samsung S95D QD-OLED TV review: Stunning in any setting appeared first on Popular Science.

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Lots of stuff we throw away could easily go into compost. But getting started with composting can be tricky. Do it wrong, and you’ll stink up your whole kitchen. Vitamix’s Food Cycler makes it easy, and right now, it’s down to $299, which is $100 off of its regular price at Amazon.

Vitamix FC-50-SP Food Cycler FoodCycler FC-50, 2 L $299 (was $399)

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Chuck food waste and other compostable items into the Food Cycler’s two-liter canister and then close the carbon lid. When you run the device, it circulates air through the chamber and pulls moisture from the material without creating a smell in your house. Once it’s done, your waste will be considerably smaller and easy to mix into your garden soil, where it will work as a natural fertilizer. This is a great way to reduce the amount of food byproducts you send to the landfill and improve your garden simultaneously. Plus, it runs almost silently, so you don’t have to worry about making too much noise in your kitchen—one of the many reasons Vitamix tops our best compost bins.

More composting deals

Maybe you’re not ready for a $300 composter on your counter. That’s cool! Luckily, Amazon has some other composting gear on sale for Earth Day.

• 18.5 Gal Tumbling Compost Bin from BPA Free Material – Outdoor Single Rotating Chamber Composters $47 (was $59)
• EPICA Countertop Compost Bin Kitchen | 1.3 Gallon $27 (was $39)
• Joseph Joseph Compo 4 Easy-Fill Compost Bin Food Waste Caddy with Adjustable Air Vent, 1 gallon $16 (was $20)
• Hourleey Compost Bin Outdoor, 43 Gallon Dual Chamber Tumbling Composting Bin with Sliding Doors $79 (was $89)
• Compost Tumbler, Easy Assemble & Efficient Outdoor Compost Bin, 45 Gallon/170 Liter Large Dual Chamber Rotating Composter $109 (with coupon, was $139)
• F2C 18.5 Gallon Compost Tumbler Compost Bin All-Season Outdoor BPA Free Single Rotating Chamber Composters $35 (with coupon, was $41)
• 18.5 Gal Tumbling Compost Bin from BPA Free Material – Outdoor Single Rotating Chamber Composters $47 (was $59)
• Miracle-Gro Potting Mix, Potting Soil for Indoor and Outdoor Container Plants, Enriched with Plant Food, 2 cu. ft. (2-Pack) $27 (was $35)

The post Save $100 on the Vitamix countertop composter at Amazon for Earth Day appeared first on Popular Science.

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Groceries are expensive right now, which means a bad case of the munchies can really set you back. That’s bad timing for this 4/20 holiday, which typically involves copious snack consumption. Amazon, however, has decided to be a chill bro and put a bunch of bulk snacks on discount. Even if you’re not doing any 4/20 celebrating, you can appreciate saving a couple bucks on a case of Red Bull, a doomsday-worthy cache of Fig Newtons, and enough Goldfish Crackers to satisfy an entire Kindergarten class for an entire day (those little ones really hammer down the Goldfish). These aren’t wimpy deals, either. Most of these prices are the lowest we’ve seen all year.

• OREO Mini Cookies, CHIPS AHOY! Mini Cookies, SOUR PATCH KIDS Candy & Nutter Butter Bites Cookies & Candy Variety Pack, 32 Snack Packs $17 (was $22)
• belVita Breakfast Sandwich Dark Chocolate Creme Breakfast Biscuits, Value Pack, 12 Packs (2 Sandwiches Per Pack) $10 (was $12)
• Red Bull Energy Drink, 16 Fl Oz Cans, 12 Pack $32 (was $38)
• Red Bull Sugar Free, 8.4-Ounce Cans 2 pack of 12 (total count 24) $34 (was $39)
• StarKist Premium White Chicken – 2.6 oz Pouch (Pack of 12) $14 (was $22)
• Newtons Soft & Fruit Chewy Fig Cookies, 48 Snack Packs (2 Cookies Per Pack, 4 Boxes) $20 (was $25)
• Jack Link’s Beef Sticks, Zero Sugar, Original – Protein Snack, Meat Stick with 6g of Protein, Made with 100% Beef, No Added MSG – 0.92 Oz (Pack of 20) $18 (was $23)
• Lindt LINDOR White Chocolate Candy Truffles, Mother’s Day Chocolate, 25.4 oz., 60 Count $16 (was $19)
• Barnum’s Original Animal Crackers, 12 Snack Packs $5 (was $7)
• Barilla Ready Pasta, Rotini, 7 oz. Pouch (pack of 7) $10 (was $14)
• Nabisco Sweet Treats Cookie Variety Pack OREO, OREO Golden & CHIPS AHOY!, 30 Snack Packs (2 Cookies Per Pack) $10 (was $12)
• Four Sigmatic Mushroom Coffee K-Cups with Probiotic, Organic and Fair Trade Coffee, Organic and Fair Trade with Turkey Tail, Chaga, Prebiotics, CFU shelf-stable, Heat Resistant, 24 Count $25 (was $29)
• Nabisco Team Favorites Variety Pack, OREO Mini, CHIPS AHOY! Mini, Teddy Grahams Honey & Barnum’s Animal Crackers, 30 Snack Packs $10 (was $12)
• Perfect Bar, Dark Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Protein Bar, High Protein, Organic, Gluten Free, Soy Free, Non GMO, No Sugar Alcohols, 2.3 Ounce Bar, 10 Count $19 (was $22)
• Kodiak Cakes Protein Pancake Power Cakes, Flapjack and Waffle Baking Mix, Buttermilk, 20 Oz, (Pack of 6) $26 (was $32)

The post Amazon has a bulk snack sale going on just in time for 4/20 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Smartphone cameras have gotten exceptionally great in recent years, but hardcore content creators still rely on a dedicated camera to crank up their production value. Right now, Amazon and Best Buy have Sony’s excellent little ZV-E10 mirrorless camera setup for just $699, which is $100 cheaper than the lowest price I’ve ever seen on it. If you’re looking to become a YouTube sensation, this camera is your first step (and also maybe some talent).

Sony – Alpha ZV-E10 Kit Mirrorless Vlog Camera with 16-50mm Lens $699 (was $799)

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This is a full-fledged system camera, which means you can detach the included lens and swap it for higher-end glass as you up your influencer game. It has a 24.2-megapixel sensor inside that’s much bigger than the chip you’ll find in a smartphone. That translates into better low-light performance and the ability to create a shallow depth-of-field effect in which your subject (probably your face) is sharp and the background is blurry. It captures 4K footage with image stabilization and has a powerful built-in microphone for capturing impressive audio. Plus, the screen flips all the way around so you can see what you’re shooting as you’re shooting it. Phones require you to use the lousy front camera if you want that feature. This is a very capable little camera that leaves you room to grow along with your skill and follower count.

It’s also available for the same price at Best Buy.

More camera and creator deals:

• Fujifilm Instax 12 Mini Camera Pink $69 (was $79)
• Sunpak – Premium Series 18 Inch Bi-Color Ring Light Kit with BOYA Wireless Microphone and Bluetooth Remote $94 (was $179)

The post Save $100 on the Sony ZV-E10 camera kit (its cheapest price ever) and start your career as an influencer appeared first on Popular Science.

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April showers have been fairly relentless lately, at least here at PopSci HQ. That means we’ll soon be neck-deep in yard work. Luckily, Amazon has Greenworks battery-powered tools for some of the lowest prices we’ve seen right now before the season starts. The sales include common yard tools like lawnmowers, string trimmers, and leaf blowers, but it also extends to more traditional tools like saws and heat guns. There are a ton of options and they’re all part of the integrated Greenworks system, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility.

Greenworks 2 x 24V 21″ Brushless Cordless (Self-Propelled) Lawn Mower + Blower (320 CFM) + 12″ String Trimmer, (2) 5.0Ah Batteries and Charger Included $486 (was $609)

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This package is a great way to revamp your entire yard tool arsenal in one handy package. It includes a self-propelled lawnmower, a blower, a string trimmer, two batteries, and a charger. It’s great to have a second backup battery and you don’t really need much else to handle your basic yard maintenance. Plus the batteries work across the Greenworks ecosystem, so you can add tools a la carte as you go.

Greenworks lawnmower deals

• Greenworks 80V 21” Brushless (Self-Propelled) Cordless Electric Lawn Mower + (580 CFM) Axial Leaf Blower (75+ Compatible Tools), 4.0Ah Battery and 60 Minute Rapid Charger $552 (was $833)
• Greenworks 40V 16″ Brushless Cordless (Push) Lawn Mower (75+ Compatible Tools), 4.0Ah Battery and Charger Included $224 (was $299)
• Greenworks 40V 16″ Cordless Electric Lawn Mower + 40V Sweeper (150 MPH), 4.0Ah Battery and Charger Included $287 (was $358)
• Greenworks 80V 25″ Brushless Cordless (Self-Propelled) Dual Blade Lawn Mower (LED Headlight + Aluminum Handles), 4.0Ah Battery and Rapid Charger Included $679 (was $799)
• Greenworks 80V 21″ Brushless Cordless (Push) Lawn Mower (75+ Compatible Tools), (2) 2.0Ah Batteries and 30 Minute Rapid Charger Included $384 (was $499)
• Greenworks 40V 21″ Brushless Cordless (Self-Propelled) Lawn Mower (75+ Compatible Tools), 5.0Ah Battery and Charger Included $382 (was $449)
• Greenworks 40V 20″ Twin Blade Mower, 4.0Ah + 2.0Ah Battery $322 (was $435)

Greenworks pressure washer deals

• Greenworks 2000 PSI (13 Amp) Electric Pressure Washer $161 (was $189)
• Greenworks 1600 PSI (1.2 GPM) Electric Pressure Washer $93 (was $109)
• Greenworks 3000 PSI Pressure Washer (2.0 GPM Max) with Foam Cannon $424 (was $499)
• Greenworks 24V (600 PSI) Portable Power Cleaner, 4.0Ah USB Battery and Charger Included $149 (was $189)
• Greenworks 24V (600 PSI) Portable Power Cleaner, 4.0Ah USB Battery and Charger Included $149 (was $189)

Greenworks chainsaw and cutting tool deals

• Greenworks 80V 18″ Brushless Cordless Chainsaw (Great For Tree Felling, Limbing, Pruning, and Firewood) / 75+ Compatible Tools), 2.0Ah Battery and Rapid Charger Included $274 (was $349)
• Greenworks 24V 6″ Brushless Mini Chainsaw, Small Cordless Handheld Saw (Great For Tree Branches, Pruning, and Camping), 2.0Ah Battery and Charger Included $139 (was $159)
• Greenworks 40V 8″ Polesaw + Pole Hedge, 2.0Ah Battery (Gen 1) $175 (was $219)
• Greenworks 80V 16″ Brushless Cordless Chainsaw (Great For Tree Felling, Limbing, Pruning, and Firewood), 75+ Compatible Tools, 2.5Ah Battery and Charger Included $280 (was $329)
• Greenworks 24V 10″ Cordless Compact Chainsaw (Great For Storm Clean-Up, Pruning, and Firewood / 125+ Compatible Tools), 2.0Ah Battery and Charger Included $104 (was $139)
• Greenworks 40V 8″ Pole Saw, 2.0Ah Battery (Gen 1) $168 (was $229)
• Greenworks 24V Brushless 4-1/2″ Compact Circular Saw (6,500 RPM). Tool Only $84 (was $99)
• Greenworks Pro 80V 20″ Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer, 2.0Ah Battery and Charger Included $254 (was $299)
• Greenworks 40V 20″ Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer, 2.0Ah Battery and Charger Included $159 (was $199)
• Greenworks 24V Brushless 1″ Compact Reciprocating Saw (3,000 SPM), 2.0Ah Battery and Compact Charger Included $101 (was $119)
• Greenworks Pro 80V 20″ Cordless Pole Hedge Trimmer, 2.0Ah Battery and Charger Included $254 (was $299)

More Greenworks tool deals

• Greenworks 40V 8″ Brushless Edger, 4.0Ah USB Battery and Charger Included $223 (was $279)
• Greenworks 40V 12″ Cordless String Trimmer, 2.0Ah Battery and Charger Included $113 (was $138)
• Greenworks Pro 80V Cordless Brushless String Trimmer + Leaf Blower Combo, 2Ah Battery and Charger Included $299 (was $399)
• Greenworks 40V (165 MPH / 660 CFM / 75+ Compatible Tools) Cordless Brushless Backpack Leaf Blower, 8.0Ah Battery and Charger Included $297 (was $349)
• Greenworks 40V (160 MPH / 700 CFM / 75+ Compatible Tools) Cordless Brushless Axial Leaf Blower, 8.0Ah Battery and Charger Included $223 (was $279)
• Greenworks 40V (3 Gallon) Cordless Wet / Dry Shop Vacuum + Accessories, 2.0Ah Battery and Charger Included $159 (was $199)
• Greenworks 40V Cordless Tire Inflator, 160 PSI Portable Air Compressor, 2 Power Sources, Auto Shut Off, for Car, Bicycle, Motorcycle, Air Boat, Inflatables, Tool Only $89 (was $109)
• Greenworks 24V Cordless Heat Gun, Deflector Nozzle、Concentrator Nozzle And Flat Nozzle High Temperature Of 1000℉, Bare Tool $67 (was $79)
• Greenworks 24V LED Spot Light Kit with 2Ah Battery and Charger $79 (was $99)
• Greenworks 24V MAX Cordless Brushless Drill + Impact Combo Kit, (2) 2.0Ah Batteries, (1) Charger, and Bag Included $101 (was $149)

The post Get Greenworks battery-powered lawnmowers and tools for their cheapest prices ever at Amazon appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		Rollo Wireless Label Printer		SEE IT	The easiest way to print shipping labels.
Best for small business		Dymo 4XL		SEE IT	A super-compact printer with a wide range of features
Best value		Leoity Thermal Label Printer		SEE IT	This affordable option prints as fast as many competitors.

You don’t have to be a true type-A person for a label printer to change the way you work. Whether you’re running a high-volume online store or just trying to keep track of where all your stuff is, a great label machine can make the process much simpler. The best label printers are typically much more efficient than trying to wrestle with an unreliable all-in-one inkjet printer that tries to do everything and succeeds at almost nothing. These purpose-built printers can make the shipping process a lot easier and a whole lot cheaper. Just be sure you know what you’re looking for before taking the plunge and picking up one of the best label printers. 

• Best overall: Rollo Label Printer
• Best with wireless: Brother P-Touch PT-D460BT Business Expert Connected Label Maker
• Best color label printer: Brother VC-500W Versatile Compact Color Label and Photo Printer 
• Best for small businesses: Dymo 4XL
• Best for organizing: Brother P-Touch

How we chose the best label printers

Here at PopSci HQ, we have gadgets and other products coming in and out all the time. I’m also a frequent online seller with an established vintage clothing business, so this is essential equipment for me. I can look at a shipping box and tell you the correct dimensions at this point. Our regular delivery service workers gave us a holiday gift last year. We do a lot of shipping. At the same time, we also do a lot of organizing. Keeping track of everything can be a grind if we’re constantly sorting through identical boxes. Label makers can make a huge difference. 

The best label printers: Reviews & Recommendations

For this guide, we surveyed dozens of models but focused on the most reliable and revered brands with the best reputation. We considered ease of use and even design, which is important when you have to stare at these things all day.

Best overall: Rollo Wireless Label Printer

SEE IT

Specs

• Thermal printing
• Up to 4-inch x 6-inch prints
• Works with all the major shipping companies
• Prints one label per second

Pros

• Fast
• No toner or ink to buy
• Works with all major shippiers
• Automatically recognizes labels
• Connects wirelessly

Cons

• Pricey unless you’re doing high-volume
• No color 

Put a stack or roll of labels behind the Rollo label printer, and it can start pumping out ready-to-roll labels at a rate of one per second. It uses thermal-printing tech, which means it prints with heat onto thermal-compatible labels, which means there’s no ink or toner to buy as there would be with your inkjet. 

The Rollo has built-in sensors that can automatically detect what type of label it’s printing on to keep everything in the correct spot without a user having to dig into its settings. 

In many cases, you can get the Thermal Direct labels from the shippers for free, which means the cost of the printer and the small amount of electricity it takes to run it is all you’re spending on labels. 

As the best label printer overall, it works with USPS, UPS, and FedEx, and the whole thing is rugged and portable, so you can take it with you if you want to get some work done at a separate location. 

If you don’t need wireless capabilities, you can get the USB-only version for $199, though the wireless connectivity is extremely handy. Rollo also sells a scale specifically for online sellers in case you want the matching kit.

Best with wireless: Brother P-Touch PT-D460BT Business Expert Connected Label Maker

SEE IT

Specs

• Memory holds up to 70 labels
• 30mm per second print speed
• Bluetooth or wired connectivity
• Five lines per label
• Manual tape cutter

Pros

• Easily stores frequently used labels for quick printing
• Crisp, clear print quality
• Keyboard is easy to type on
• Quick
• Screen is roomy and easy to red
• Wireless connectivity is handy

Cons

• Requires proprietary materials

This Bluetooth-enabled printer can churn out prints at up to 30mm per second on 0.75-inch wide tape. You’ll have to use the proprietary Brother tape, but that’s common for models like this. The P-Touch 460BT can store up to 70 different label templates in its memory, making them easy to quickly print if you use them frequently. Brother’s print quality and clarity are excellent. Even small print is simple to make out, thanks to the sharp, clear letters. You can connect this printer to a computer via Bluetooth or a cord, which makes it one of the most versatile models we’ve tried. It’s a great way to label things in storage or add QR codes to inventory that you’re trying to keep track of in automated systems. Plus, if you’re using it at home, you have many formatting options that are easily accessible through the keyboard. With 16 different fonts, 800 symbols, and 140 frame styles, you can personalize the look of the labels. If you’re looking for a traditional model, go check out our list of the best Bluetooth printers.

Best color label printer: Brother VC-500W Versatile Compact Color Label and Photo Printer

SEE IT

Specs

• ZINK thermal printing technology
• Prints in color and black-and-white
• WiFi connectivity

Pros

• Full-color printing without ink to buy
• Can make prints up to 17 inches long
• Small
• Wireless connectivity
• Lots of printing substrate options, including stickers

Cons

• Width maxes out at two inches
• Pricey paper refills

This printer can churn out full-color print jobs but doesn’t require ink. Instead, it relies on Zero Ink technology (sometimes called ZINK). The required colors exist inside the special paper or sticker refills before entering the printer. Heat activates them to create images.

These labels aren’t as big as typical shipping labels—they max out at two inches wide. It can print images up to 17 inches long, however. 

Built-in wireless connectivity makes connecting via WiFi or even a smartphone’s wireless connection easy. While this isn’t ideal for people in most business settings, it can be the best color label printer for a teacher or other professional that can benefit from the occasional splash of color. 

Best for small businesses: Dymo 4XL

SEE IT

Specs

• Prints up to 4 inches by 6 inches
• 60 custom templates to choose from
• Prints up to 129 labels per minute
• Works with major selling and shipping platforms

Pros

• Super-fast printing
• Very small footprint
• Super crisp, high-res text
• Woks with shipping labels from major companies

Cons

• Expensive
• Works best with on-brand labels

Small business label printing goes beyond shipping. This 300-dpi printer can churn out super-crisp barcodes, QR codes, and other business-specific labels easily read with a machine or your eyeballs. If you’re mostly shipping, this printer works with labels from major shippers like FedEx, USPS, and UPS. With 60 built-in printing templates, the Dymo can automatically print labels from popular services like eBay and Etsy to streamline shipping. 

Like other label printers, it maxes out at four inches by six inches, which should be plenty big for the most common tasks. Dymo offers a litany of different first-party papers and substrates to match your exact printing requirements. 

Like other thermal printers, it doesn’t require ink or toner cartridge replacements, which keeps costs way down over inkjets making this the best label printer for small businesses. If you’re looking for the best printer for small businesses over all, go check out our buying guide.

Best for organizing: Brother P-Touch

SEE IT

Specs

• Full QWERTY keyboard
• Battery powered
• Prints to half-inch tape
• Three font choices

Pros

• Cheap
• Built-in keyboard
• Portable
• Prints quickly

Cons

• Very small print material

If you don’t need to print barcodes or shipping labels and just need the best label printer for organizing, this portable unit can come in very handy. Load a roll of half-inch tape inside and choose one of three fonts. Then type into the onboard QWERTY keyboard, and the machine spits out your label in just a few seconds. It allows for borders and special characters like fire if you want to point out that something is flammable. 

This model can save 15 labels to its built-in memory, so if you’re constantly making the same one, you don’t have to create it every time you turn the machine on. Brother sells a whole line of compatible tape for printing, including various colors and types. The printing process is quick and quiet so that you can make fast work of an entire room or space. The best small printers can make a big difference in your workflow.

Things to consider when buying the best label printers

Paper size

The major shipping companies have standardized their label sizes, so it’s fairly easy to know whether the labels you need to use will fit. Anything capable of pumping out 4-inch by 6-inch labels is enough to cover USP, USPS, FedEx, and any other big names. 

Smaller label makers and quirky label printers often use much smaller material, which won’t work for shipping purposes.

Printing technology

Most shipping label printers use True Thermal technology. There’s no ink involved. Instead, the printer uses heat to reveal black substrate from behind a top white layer. This process requires special paper or labels to work, but it doesn’t require ink cartridges or toner, which is typically much more expensive. 

If you want color, you’re better off with inkjet or Zero Ink (ZINK), which uses the same thermal printing tech but includes color in the paper.

Print speed

You’ll sometimes see this expressed differently depending on the model. Some thermal printers will describe their speed by the number of mm per second it can churn out. For instance, you might see 150mm/s listed in a product description. Higher numbers mean faster printing. Other printers will tell you exactly how many labels you can print out per second or per minute. Expect 0.5 to 2 labels per second, depending on the content and the printer.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best label printers

• Best overall: Rollo Label Printer
• Best with wireless: Brother P-Touch PT-D460BT Business Expert Connected Label Maker
• Best color label printer: Brother VC-500W Versatile Compact Color Label and Photo Printer 
• Best for small businesses: Dymo 4XL
• Best for organizing: Brother P-Touch

Shipping is a huge part of starting many small businesses; the best label printers can make short work of it. Of course, they also have utility beyond shipping. They can print barcodes, stickers, and other things to make your life easier and more organized. Just make sure you get the right model for you.

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 label printers for home offices and small businesses 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 portable		WaterLily Turbine		SEE IT	This model is small enough to carry with you into the wild.
Best overall		Scott Hydro 1500W Water Turbine		SEE IT	This reliable model can power a small home all on its own.
Best budget		Yosoo DC Water Turbine Generator		SEE IT	Install it on your pipes and get up to 10W of power.

Hydroelectric generators produce electricity by harnessing the force of running water. This may seem like a novelty or impractical for home use, but you’d be surprised. While hydropower—or the use of the kinetic energy of running water to generate power—has been in use since ancient times, it is most associated these days with massive industrial damming projects, like the Oahe Dam and the Hoover Dam in the United States. But, hydropower can exist on an extremely small scale.

The benefits are obvious: you can generate power from an available resource—running water (with some models, even the water in your home’s pipes). In addition to possibly lowering your energy bills, allowing you to run additional electrical equipment, and potentially providing other benefits, utilizing hydro can take the pressure off the electricity grid, provide electricity if living off-the-grid, and offer backup power in the event of a blackout. Regarding sustainability, generating your own hydropower can reduce your use of fossil fuels and, consequently, your carbon footprint. According to the Department of Energy, about 7 percent of the nation’s electricity (and 37 percent of its renewable electricity) comes from hydropower—but with your own generator, you may be able to help those numbers grow, even slightly. Better yet, unlike large-scale hydroelectric projects, which can be extremely damaging to river ecology, small-scale hydro has relatively minimal effects on the immediate environment. Here are our picks for the best hydroelectric generators.

• Best overall: Scott Hydro 1500W Water Turbine
• Best value: Energy Systems and Design Watter Buddy
• Best portable: WaterLily Turbine
• Best budget: ​​Yosoo DC Water Turbine Generator
• Best lightweight: Beduan Micro Water Turbine Generator 
• Best off-grid: PowerSpout TRG
• Best small: Suneco 500W Hydro Turbine

How we chose the best hydroelectric generators

We looked through about a dozen models to find the top hydroelectric generators. Admittedly, there aren’t a ton of options in the middle. There are a few larger-scale, ultimately stationary models that require a good amount of flow but can usually power a home, as well as tiny models that are best for producing small amounts of power. But we did find a couple of relevant models that—while maybe not meeting all your power needs—can provide extra energy and are particularly useful in a camping or off-grid setting. 

When purchasing a hydroelectric generator, sustainability is primarily in the concept: if you have running water near you, you can access a freely available resource to produce, potentially, a lot of electricity. Again, unlike with massive industrial hydro projects, effects near you should be minimal, and you can take pressure off the grid or other less sustainable energy sources. If you want to get deeply technical about it, you can calculate hydropower that you produce, and compare it to grid power, estimating both the relative cost and carbon impact of the energy you use.

The best hydroelectric generators: Recommendations & Reviews

If you’re on this page, then you likely know exactly what you’re looking for because these are somewhat complex machines that require lots of infrastructure to go with them. We’ve selected the best to fit specific uses, but products always overlap.

Best overall: Scott Hydro 1500W Water Turbine

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Why it made the cut: This is an extremely well-built machine that—even with low head—can reliably power a small home with steady water flow.

Specs

• Rated at 1500W output (but can reach 2000W)
• Largely self-cleaning
• Made in USA

Pros

• Provides ample power
• Very sturdy

Cons

• Expensive
• Additional components required

If you live near a decent, steady source of running water, this high-quality machine can, once installed, probably provide consistent power for your home year-round. Your electricity bills will be negligible, you will not have to worry about the weather (as you do for solar or wind power), and you can sustainably produce consistent electricity with limited environmental impact.

ABS Alaskan, the maker of this machine, has been making high-quality alternative energy devices for over 30 years, geared toward the conditions in Alaska—a state with over 12,000 rivers—but applicable all over. The Scott Hydro Turbine, with a 1500-watt output, can almost certainly provide the energy you need for your home. While it requires a steady flow of water, it only needs a 20-foot drop in “head” (a term explained in our “Things to consider …” section near the bottom)—relatively small given the power provided. Once installed, it’s very easy to maintain—it is effectively self-cleaning, using the water flow, with only three rotating components.

On the con side, these units are pricey, and installation does take some work, requiring a relatively simple water diversion and a small shelter to protect the unit. You’ll also need an electric connection kit, not to mention batteries (if intending to store power). But once it’s up and running, it can provide lasting, sustainable power for years.

Best value: Energy Systems and Design Watter Buddy

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Why it made the cut: For a modest price and small size, the Watter Buddy can provide a non-insubstantial 200W of power.

Specs

• Type: Generates DC power via rectifier
• Weight: 8 lbs

Pros

• Lightweight
• Multiple nozzle sizes provided to match flow

Cons

• Likely cannot provide all your power needs

The Watter Buddy is an innovative machine from Energy Systems and Design, a Canadian company providing off-grid hydro solutions for four decades. While the company produces a couple of larger (and more expensive models), the Watter Buddy meets you in the middle. For a modest price, it can provide a considerable amount—though probably not all—of your power needs. But don’t discount 200W. Whether you need supplementary off-grid power, are looking for electricity for a small workshop, or have other relevant needs, with steady water flow, this machine can do a lot—potentially lessening your reliance on a traditional electric generator. And you don’t have to be off-grid—this can even be effectively used with traditional household pipes.

This product is convenient in a few other ways. Multiple nozzle sizes allow you to match the flow you use to generate power easily. A built-in rectifier converts from AC to DC power, allowing electricity produced to be easily sent to batteries or compatible devices. Finally, its very small size allows you to move it around conveniently as needed.

Best portable: WaterLily Turbine

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: The WaterLily Turbine is easy to set up and use anywhere you can access running water, providing charge capabilities for both 12V and USB devices.

Specs

• Produces up to 2A (on 12V output); or up to 3A (via USB output)
• 10 ft. charge cord
• 1 km/h minimum water flow required

Pros

• Can charge cellphones, battery banks, lights, and more
• Under 3 lbs.

Cons

• Likely can’t provide for all power needs

For something easily transportable but extremely reliable, check out the WaterLily Turbine. This innovative little device can be set up virtually anywhere you have running water, producing (at highest power) up to 15 W. With good flow, a small device (cellphone, camera, etc.) should charge at roughly the same rate as it would if plugged into a traditional wall outlet. The WaterLily also offers unique accessories, including its WindLily attachment, which allows you to convert the device to harvest wind energy, and its SolarLily panels, which allows for a solar harvesting component like the best solar generators.

In terms of sustainability, again, a small hydroelectric generator has the virtue of harnessing natural flow with minimal ecological impacts. According to the company, using a WaterLily can provide the equivalent power of 50 AA batteries in a day. The company also looks to promote its values by collaborating with organizations that help deploy WaterLily turbines in the developing world.

Best budget: Yosoo DC Water Turbine Generator

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Why it made the cut: For a very affordable price, this small Yosoo generator reliably generates up to 10 W of power and can be used on your household pipes.

Specs

• 12V, 10W output
• 3.2 oz
• Made in China

Pros

• Very affordable
• Reliable, steady

Cons

• Provides very limited power

The Yosoo DC Water Turbine Generator is a small, handy device that neatly hooks up to the pipes in your home. For an extremely affordable price, you can use water that, in most cases, should flow through your pipes anyway to generate a little extra electricity. It’s not useful for big devices, but it can provide additional capacity for lightning, charging for phones or other devices, or similar uses that require comparable power.

While this generator may not make a huge difference if you’re tied into the grid, it can be very handy if you live off-grid, where every little bit of power matters. Keep some lights on, charge up your phone or radio, or fulfill other needs based on existing water flow. 

Best lightweight: Beduan Micro Water Turbine Generator

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Why it made the cut: This is another small, inexpensive, and simple option that can provide some extra power in your home.

Specs

• 3.17 oz
• 12 V, 10 W
• 0.5” G thread

Pros

• Very light
• Affordable
• Easy to install

Cons

• Provides limited power
• Can be noisy

This small device from Beduan provides another handy way to generate a little extra power from water running through a pipe, like a shower or through a hose. Its recommended water flow for full power is about 26 L/min, and with 10 W, you can provide a little extra power to charge a small device or power a light. While that certainly won’t be enough to run your washing machine or fridge, it can still be helpful—again, especially in off-grid situations, where power may be limited.

In practice, this little device from Beduan can make a handy addendum to your stock of energy-efficient tech. It makes up for its limitations by being both extremely affordable, as well as lightweight and easy to install.

Best off-grid: PowerSpout TRG

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This is a high-caliber model that comes in high-head, medium-head, and low-head options, with the capacity to provide substantial off-grid power.

Specs

• Head range is 6.6 to 100 feet
• Maximum flow 254 gpm
• 16.9×16.1×13.8”

Pros

• Customizable to different types of flows
• Relatively affordable given power provided

Cons

• Can be challenging to set up

PowerSpout is a New Zealand-based company that offers an assortment of hydroelectric generators. We’ve linked to their medium-head option here, but they also make a high-head and low-head model. This variety is great, allowing you to carefully select the right model for your given conditions. Bear in mind, though, that setup can be tricky, and it is best to buy from a dealer.

The PowerSpout TRG is a high-quality machine that—for a pretty modest price—can generate 1.6 kW daily with adequate flow. The company even notes that “stacking” units is an option for generating additional power. The turbine will come with pretty much everything you need for setup, and by ordering from a dealer, you can go over your system specs to be sure you are prepared to easily get it up and running. While these are ideal for off-grid setups, they can be ordered such that the system voltage can easily be tied into the grid. In short, a great model for all situations.

Best small: Suneco 500W Hydro Turbine

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Why it made the cut: If your water flow has decent head, this fairly small turbine can produce a decent amount of power that can cut down your electricity budget or provide extra off-grid power.

Specs

• Rated for 12-18 m. head
• Output: 500 W
• Weight: 27 kgs.

Pros

• Consistent, fairly substantial power
• Good safety protection

Cons

• Requires considerable head to generate power

Suneco Hydro has been developing micro hydro turbines since 1991—and they have several options. The 500W hydro turbine is a modest size that slots in right in the middle; it’s not too large or expensive but is substantial enough to make a difference in terms of power provided.

This particular model, weighing in at 27 kgs., is small enough that you can most likely set it up yourself. While it requires a somewhat considerable 12 m. of head to generate power, if you have the setting for it, it can make a great option for an on or off-grid property. However, it should be noted that Suneco Hydro is based in China, which can mean longer shipping times, and may potentially involve more challenges when working with customer service.

What to consider when shopping for a hydroelectric generator

Many factors go into choosing the ideal hydroelectric generator. How bulky is the generator? Is it portable? How much water does it require to run? How much power does it generate? Where can it be run? Can you set it up yourself? Depending on your needs—whether you want it for the home, a workshop, or for use when out in the backcountry—you will probably hone in on particular products.

Size

Hydropower comes in many sizes. According to the Bureau of Reclamation, for instance, the Hoover Dam generates 4 billion kilowatt-hours annually. On the far opposite end of the spectrum is pico hydro, which can generate up to 5 kW of electricity. The next most substantial type of hydro is micro hydropower, which generates up to 100 kW of electricity. (Hydropower continues up in size after that—encompassing mini hydro, which produces 100 kW to 1 MW of electricity, small hydro, and so on—but virtually any system for use on an individual scale will fall into the micro or pico category.) 

Keep your needs in mind. If you’re looking for something to use while camping, you’ll want to focus on the smallest and lightest end of the spectrum; if you want to power your house from the creek that runs through your property, you may need a sizable generator. 

Water source

While hydropower is conventionally associated with large rivers, any flow of water can potentially produce hydropower. The output could possibly offer more power than you think. Two terms are useful to know to understand how to calculate hydropower’s potential output. “Head” denotes the height gradient over which water moves from input to output; “flow” is the amount of water going through the system. These two numbers can be used to calculate the rough power output of a system.

How does the water source come in? Naturally, heavier running water over steeper terrain generates more power. If you have a substantial stream on your property, it’s very possible that you can generate a considerable amount of electricity from it. But hydropower can work even on a tiny scale. For instance, some systems are built to run off the water in your pipes. When looking for a personal hydro system, give consideration to the source of the water—and also consider seasonal factors, like whether a stream tends to dry up in the summer.

Generator type

According to the Department of Energy, “reaction” and “impulse” turbines are the two main classes of hydro turbines. Hydropower is not terribly complicated, but for the purposes of home use, you mainly need to determine what fits your particular setting.

The main difference between the two is that reaction turbines generate energy based on water pressure, while impulse turbines generate energy based on water velocity. Impulse turbines are best with high head and low flow (while reaction turbines are the inverse). Impulse turbines are more common in microhydro settings, although propeller turbines are a type of reaction turbine that can be used for microhydro.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best hydroelectric generators

• Best overall: Scott Hydro 1500W Water Turbine
• Best value: Energy Systems and Design Watter Buddy
• Best portable: WaterLily Turbine
• Best budget: ​​Yosoo DC Water Turbine Generator
• Best lightweight: Beduan Micro Water Turbine Generator 
• Best off-grid: PowerSpout TRG
• Best small: Suneco 500W Hydro Turbine

If you’re looking for a serious way to generate consistent hydropower from a decent amount of flowing water on your property, check out the Scott Hydro 1500 W Water Turbine. If you’re looking for a smaller and more portable option, the WaterLily Turbine is a great choice.

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 hydroelectric generators for 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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

Getting new appliances represents one of the few home upgrade projects that’s actually fun. Spend $7,000 on a furnace or some new pipes and everything feels the same (except for your bank account). New appliances, however, can make a home feel like a totally new place. That’s especially true with Samsung’s fancy new Bespoke AI appliances. Right now, Samsung is offering up to $1,200 off its new home gadgets if you pre-order. Plus, you can also get free installation, free haul away, and extra credits if you jump on this deal before it ends April 11.

Bespoke 2.1 cu. ft. Over-the-Range Microwave with Auto Dimming Glass Touch Controls in Fingerprint Resistant Stainless Steel $429 (was $733)

SEE IT

Find a classier way to cook a Hot Pocket. You can’t. This microwave lives above your stove and employs an internal vent system to pull smoke and cooking smells out of the kitchen. It has 2.1 cubic feet of space inside, which is more than enough space for even the most robust cooking jobs. The promotional site shows a whole turkey in there. I’m not sure you’d want to put a whole turkey in the microwave, but you could. Plus, the automatic humidity sensor helps cook things the perfect amount.

Bespoke Jet Bot Combo™ Robot Vacuum and Mop with All-in-One Clean Station® with Auto Steam $1,099 (was $1,399)

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This advanced robotic cleaner looks like it would belong to a Star Wars stormtrooper. The vacuum, however, has much better aim, at least when it comes to hunting down and eliminating dirt and grime. It’s both a vacuum and a mop, so it can tidy up just about any kind of floor you may have in your home. Plus, it automatically docks and empties itself between cleanings, so you can concentrate on making up an elaborate lie about how you watched the eclipse (when you were actually looking at TikTok the whole time and forgot it was happening).

More Samsung AI Bespoke appliance pre-order deals

• Samsung Family Hub Refrigerators up to $1,200 off
• Samsung stoves, ovens, and cooking ranges up to $700 off
• Samsung Bespoke Microwaves up to $150 off
• Samsung Bespoke robotic vacuums up to $300 off

The post Save up to $1,200 when you pre-order Samsung’s Bespoke AI appliances appeared first on Popular Science.

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

You can never have too many protein shakes, and right now is a great time to stock up because Amazon has Premier Protein pre-mixed shakes and powders on sale cheaper than I have ever seen them. At $20.99 for 12, you’re paying just under $1.75 per shake. That’s about seven cents more per shake than they cost at Sam’s Club, but Amazon has a ton of different flavors instead of Sam’s basic chocolate and vanilla. Dymatize protein is also on sale if you’re not into the Premier offerings. Whichever you choose, this is a great time to stock up.

Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed Protein Powder, 100% Whey Isolate, Dunkin’ Glazed Donut Flavor $23.42 (was $34)

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If you’re sick of normal flavors, Dymatize teamed up with Dunkin’ Donuts to make some wonderful (and a little wacky) flavors. I like to imagine this is what Ben Affleck used to get buff to play Batman because it integrated his love of Dunkin’ into his fitness routine. This a great, clean protein powder with a unique taste that pleasantly surprised me when I tried it. Yes, it sounds weird, but the macros are solid, with just two grams of carbs to go with 25 grams of protein.

Premier Protein Shake, Chocolate Peanut Butter, 30g Protein $20.99 (was $29)

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You won’t find this flavor at the big box price club stores, but it’s my personal favorite. I bought a couple of cases last time there was a solid sale (more than a year ago, now), and really liked these. Each shake offers 30 grams of protein as well as calcium, vitamin C, vitamin D, and zinc. It’s not quite as clean as the super-designer stuff out there, but the macros are solid, and they taste good, which is important for something you’re going to consume daily.

Premier Protein Powder Plant Protein, Chocolate $16.79 (was $23.99)

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If you don’t mind mixing your own shakes or you want to add protein to recipes (in a Ninja Creami, perhaps), then the powder is the way to go. This plant-based option offers 15 servings for $16.79, so you’re just over a dollar for each scoop. That gets you an assortment of vitamins and 22g protein. Plus, it’s plant-based, which is great if you’re specifically looking for a vegan protein powder or if your stomach struggles with whey-based supplements. It also comes in Vanilla.

More Dymatize Protein deals

• Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed Protein Powder, 100% Whey Isolate Protein Cookies and Cream $66 (was $94)
• Dymatize ISO 100 Whey Protein Powder with 25g of Hydrolyzed 100% Whey Isolate $59 (was $94)
• Dymatize Elite Casein Protein Powder, Slow Absorbing with Muscle Building Amino Acids, 100% Micellar Casein, 25g Protein $48 (was $64)
• Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed Protein Powder, 100% Whey Isolate, 25g of Protein Fruity Pebbles $64 (was $94)
• Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed Protein Powder, 100% Whey Isolate Protein, 25g of Protein $33 (was $75)
• Dymatize ISO100 Hydrolyzed Protein Powder in Dunkin’ Mocha Latte Flavor $16 (was $39)
• Dymatize Vegan Plant Protein, Creamy Chocolate, 25g Protein, 4.8g BCAAs, Complete Amino Acid Profile $11.99 (was $35)
• Dymatize Elite 100% Whey Protein Powder, 25g Protein, 5.5g BCAAs & 2.7g L-Leucine $24 (was $39)
• Dymatize Vegan Plant Protein, Smooth Vanilla, 25g Protein, 4.8g BCAAs, Complete Amino Acid Profile $11.99 (was $23.99)

More Premier Protein deals

• Premier Protein Shake, Chocolate $20.99 (was $29)
• Premier Protein Shake Limited Edition Salted Caramel Popcorn $20.99 (was $29)
• Premier Protein Shake MINIs, Caramel, 22g Protein $18 (was $27)
• Premier Protein Shake, Chocolate Peanut Butter, 30g Protein $20.99 (was $29)
• Premier Protein Shake Cinnamon Roll, 30g Protein, 1g Sugar $20.99 (was $29)
• Premier Protein Shake MINIs, Vanilla, 22g Protein $18 (was $27)
• Premier Protein Liquid Protein Shake Banana Strawberry $20.99 (was $29)
• Premier Protein Shake Limited Edition 30g Pumpkin Spice $20.99 (was $29)
• Premier Protein Shake, Vanilla $20.99 (was $29)
• Premier Protein Liquid Protein Shake, Caramel $20.99 (was $29)

The post Stock up on protein shakes and powders from Dymatize and Premier for 30% off at Amazon right now appeared first on Popular Science.

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Lots of companies will give you something free with a purchase, but it’s not often you get a full-on 65-inch 4K TV as a little treat. That’s the deal right now, however, if you pre-order one of Samsung’s new 2024 TV offerings. Pre-order any of the new 2024 Samsung TVs (which we recently got to preview) from 43 inches all the way up to 98 inches and you’ll get a 65-inch UHD Samsung TV for free. This isn’t limited to super-expensive models, either. The 55-inch QN85D is just $1,399 and qualifies for the deal.

Click here to see all the models included in the free 65-inch TV promotion

The free TV in question is a 65-inch Crystal UHD TV that retails for just under $500. While this line doesn’t have any of the fancy Quantum Dot tech that Samsung uses in its higher-end models, it does offer full 4K resolution, the Tizen OS for full smart TV functionality, and oh yeah, it’s free.

Samsung – 43” Class LS03D The Frame Series QLED 4K Smart Tizen TV $999 (Includes free 65-inch TV)

SEE IT

If you want the cheapest way into the free TV deal, then this is it. You get a 43-inch version of Samsung’s Frame TV, which displays high-res works of art when you’re not streaming content. You can switch out the physical frame around the TV to match your room’s design. Plus, it has one of the most impressive anti-glare coatings we’ve ever seen.

Samsung – 55” Class QN85D Series Neo QLED 4K Smart Tizen TV $1,399 (Includes free 65-inch TV)

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If you don’t want a Frame TV and you’d rather get something with a bigger focus on image quality, then this is your option. It employs Samsung’s high-end Neo QLED backlight tech, which improves both contrast and brightness compared to normal LED-lit displays or even QLED models. It’s a great-looking TV overall and worthy of the main spot in an entertainment system.

Samsung – 55” Class S95D Series OLED 4K Smart Tizen TV $2,599 (includes a free 65-inch TV)

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If you want to go with something high-end, I can recommend the new S95D OLED. It’s brighter than many past OLEDs thanks to Samsung’s backlight tech. Plus, it employs that ridiculously effective anti-glare coating, which helps your content shine through, even when there’s lots of ambient light in the room. It’s a fantastic-looking display and one of the best TVs we’ve seen this year.

The post If you buy a 2024 Samsung TV, you get another 65-inch 4K TV completely free while they last appeared first on Popular Science.

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I absolutely love Patagonia’s outdoor gear. The company offers some of the best outdoor gear around, including jackets, sweatshirts, fleeces, parkas, base layers, and just about anything else you could want to wear outside your house. Unfortunately, Patty gear doesn’t come cheap. Right now, however, the annual sale has cut prices by half or sometimes even more. And it’s not just a small selection of ugly stuff like some other brands. There are a ton of styles and sizes available across both men’s, women’s, and accessories. Writing this post is dangerous because I’m so tempted to go revamp my wardrobe. Please buy things and let me live vicariously through you and your impeccable outdoor style.

Men’s Lightweight Synchilla® Snap-T® Fleece Pullover $68 (was $139)

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This is the classic Patagonia look as far as I’m concerned. I have a full-zip Synchilla that I absolutely love. It has taken all kinds of abuse on photoshoots, yardwork sessions, and trips to the playground with my kids. This pullover has a snap pocket on the front and snaps to close the collar as well. It comes in a variety of colors and they still have a surprising number of sizes in stock. It’s one of the most versatile garments around.

Women’s Re-Tool Hybrid Jacket $149 (was $299)

SEE IT

Yes, $149 still isn’t cheap, but this is a truly useful piece of outerwear. The top portion is Patagonia’s Re-Tool fleece, while the bottom is polyester rip-stop with fancy Prima Loft insulation. It’s easy to pack since it folds up relatively small and it’s comfortable to throw on whether it’s a chilly summer night or a full-on winter outing. At the time of writing, there are also a ton of colors and sizes still in stock during the sale.

Patagonia packs and accessory deals

• See all deals on gear
• Fieldsmith Roll-Top Pack 30L $64 (was $129)
• Stealth Pack Vest $99 (was $199)
• Dirt Roamer Bike Pack 20L $79 (was $159)
• Ascensionist Pack 55L $119 (was $239)
• Fieldsmith Linked Pack 25L $44 (was $89)

More Patagonia men’s clothing deals

• See all the men’s clothing deals
• Men’s Silent Down Parka $213 (was $429)
• Synchilla® Fleece Anorak Pullover $73.99 (was $149)
• Men’s Reversible Shearling Fleece Crew $63.99 (was $139)
• Men’s Baggies™ Longs – 7″ $31.99 (was $65)
• Men’s Down Sweater™ Hoody $163 (was $329)
• Take a Stand Trucker Hat $19 (was $39)
• Line Logo Ridge LoPro Trucker Hat $19 (was $39)
• Men’s Reversible Bivy Down Vest $113 (was $229)
• Fisherman’s Rolled Beanie $19 (was $39)
• Men’s Pack In Pullover Hoody $99 (was $199)
• Natural Blend Retro Cardigan $173 (was $349)

More Patagonia women’s clothing deals

• See all the women’s clothing deals
• Women’s Recycled Cashmere Cardigan $139 (was $269)
• Women’s Iron Forge Hemp® Canvas Barn Coat $109 (was $219)
• Women’s Off Slope Jacket $184 (was $369)
• Women’s Lightweight Synchilla® Snap-T® Fleece Pullover $69 (was $139)
• Women’s Shearling Fleece Hoody $79 (was $159)
• Women’s Bivy Hooded Vest $94 (was $189)
• Women’s Heavyweight Fjord Flannel Overshirt $93 (was $189)
• Women’s Nano Puff® Jacket $119 (was $239)
• Women’s Seabrook Jumpsuit $64 (was $129)

The post Save 50% or more off of just about everything during Patagonia’s wild annual sale appeared first on Popular Science.

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

We recently had the opportunity to spend a day with Samsung’s 2024 TV offerings, as well as its updated HW-990D soundbar and new Music Frame speakers. Overall, the 2024 lineup isn’t a revolution from the 2023 offerings, but the company has placed a clear influence on AI capabilities for features like upscaling and analyzing audio in order to emphasize dialog so it’s easier to hear through ambient noise. 

To test the TVs to the best of our ability, we spent some time streaming content with the built-in Tizen OS smart TV apps, including Netflix and other popular streaming services. We also used 4K Blu-ray copies of Alien and Blade Runner 2049 to test Ultra HD playback. 

Here are some first impressions about the new gear, with more in-depth reviews to come down the line:

S95D OLED 4K TV

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LG has historically dominated the OLED segment of the TV market, but Samsung took a big swing with last year’s S90C. It offered all the poppy contrast and deep black levels you’d expect from an OLED, adding amplified brightness to make it more watchable in a bright room. Now, Samsung has introduced its successor, and it is making even more strides to battle back against bright environments.

The S95D employs an impressive glare-resistant matte coating to reduce reflections that can ruin your watching experience. Glare can be especially problematic for OLEDs since they typically can’t achieve the same brightness levels QLEDs or even typical LEDs provide. During our time with the S95D, we were very impressed with the brightness, color gamut, and anti-reflective properties. Shining a lamp directly at the screen from just a few feet away created a dull blob of illumination rather than a clear image of the lamp or a well-defined specular highlight (a bright light source reflecting directly back at the viewer from within the frame). 

The demo room where we watched the TV had ample ambient light, but we could still clearly make out details in dark scenes from most angles. The Pantone-validated screen predictably excels with the lights off, but the daylight performance was truly impressive. That doesn’t come as too much of a surprise as Samsung has been honing its anti-glare screen tech for years with its design-oriented Frame-series TVs. 

We spent most of the demo watching 4K Blu-ray content in Cinema mode. And while that’s our preferred mode for most content, the overall picture does benefit from a little bit of added brightness. If you’re blacking out your room completely, Cinema mode may be fine, but those dark OLED blacks everyone loves so much can still get a little too black without a little tweaking. 

Overall, we were very impressed with the S95C, and the S95D seems like a very worthy successor. It maintains the gaming-friendly “Motion Xcelerator” 144Hz maximum refresh rate with 2.0ms lag (only available in specific modes); Samsung’s smart TV features; support for HDR10, HDR10+ (adaptive and gaming), and hybrid log gamma (HLG) HDR profiles (but still no Dolby Vision on any Samsung sets); and very fast upscaling thanks to the new NQ4 AI Gen2 Processor. 

It’s available in 55-, 65-, and 77-inch models and is currently up for pre-order.

QN900D Neo QLED 8K TV

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While the OLED TV is flashy, the QN900D 8K TV is Samsung’s true flagship and offers the top-end bells and whistles you’d expect. Samsung is touting its new AI-based upscaling powered by the NQ8 AI Gen3 Processor. Upscaling acumen is crucial in this case since you don’t really have any native options for 8K source material at the moment. You’ll always be upscaling no matter what you watch. 

We got the chance to check out the 65-inch mode, and the 4K Blu-ray content looks spectacular, as you might expect. From an appropriate couch distance (roughly 6 to 8 feet), I don’t think the average person will notice an appreciable difference from a typical 4K display, thanks to the algorithm-based upscaling, motion-tracking (particularly useful for sports), “Motion Xcelerator” 240Hz refresh rate, and Auto HDR (with the same profiles as the S95D). The image is bright, the colors are simultaneously vivid and accurate, and it provides an overall excellent picture. Is it overkill for most people? Sure. But that’s always been part of a flagship experience. 

The panel itself is one of the most impressive parts of the whole experience. All of the HDMI 2.1 ports, etc., reside on a remote box connected by a single wire, which is something Samsung has been doing with many of its high-end TVs for a while now. (The S95D above also has a “One Connect” box.) Thanks to its flexibility, installation is relatively simple. The panel itself is wildly thin with a barely noticeable bezel (Samsung calls it the “Infinity Air Design”). In a darkened room, the image looks like it’s floating. 

Despite its diminutive thickness, this flagship TV provides fairly impressive sound. You’re still going to want a soundbar or some other home audio setup to do justice to the image, but the onboard 6.2.4-channel speaker system does an admirable job right out of the box. The TV supports Dolby Atmos with its built-in sound system. The directional audio is subtle compared to a dedicated system, but it is noticeable if you’re paying attention. The TV tracks objects as they move across the screen and tweaks the sound output to mimic the movement. 

It comes in 65-, 75-, and 85-inch configurations and is currently available for pre-order.

QN90D Neo QLED 4K TV

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This is Samsung’s bread-and-butter QLED 4K TV. It eschews 8K but comes in a wider variety of sizes, including 43, 50, 55, 65, 75, 85, and a massive 98 inches.

The backlight includes Quantum Matrix Mini-LED technology, which allows for hyper-local dimming. It can’t quite reach OLED levels of contrast, but it does offer considerably more brightness, which is crucial if you’re battling lots of ambient light. I did notice that specular highlights sometimes cause a curious red, green, and blue halo effect on the screen. It’s not a problem in most settings, but it’s noticeable if you have a light directly near the TV, especially if you’re off the center axis.

Generally, though, the TV performs excellently. The extra brightness from the Mini-LEDs makes the Filmmaker Mode usable in just about any lighting situation. I still prefer a little bit of added brightness, but if you’re in a pitch-dark room with eyes adjusted to the dark, you can really appreciate the subtlety. 

The QN90D’s processing hardware isn’t as robust as the flagship’s chip, but it doesn’t need to be since it’s not on constant upscaling duties. You do, however, still get the AI-powered features. The voice enhancement tech really does make it easier to understand people when they’re speaking on-screen. And once again, the Dolby Atmos performance provides noticeable directionality without any extra hardware. 

We’re looking forward to spending more time with a review unit, during which we can test it in a wider variety of settings. If you want to try one before we do, every size except the 98-inch is currently available for pre-order.

HW-990D Soundbar

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While Samsung’s TVs have received noticeable upgrades and improvements, the company’s flagship soundbar for 2024 is similar in many ways to the 2023 edition. But that’s not a bad thing. This celebrated Dolby Atmos soundbar’s hefty hexagonal hardware (say that five times fast) still delivers 7.1.2 channels when paired with its wireless subwoofer. And that channel count continues to expand to 11.1.4 when you add in the optional wireless rear satellites with their additional upfiring drivers (the configuration we wholeheartedly recommend).

The soundbar remains 48 inches long (fitting between the width of 55- and 65-inch TVs), 2.7 inches tall, and 5.4 inches deep, so measure your credenza/media stand pre-purchase. Within that 17-pound enclosure are 15 front-facing, side-firing, and top-mounted drivers in total. The sub is relatively slim for its 26 pounds, housing an 8-inch driver with a rear port and a distinctive acoustic lens. The two 7-pound satellites, which each require a power output, share design language with the soundbar’s metal grille. It’s still a Wi-Fi-enabled setup, with AirPlay 2/Chromecast/TIDAL Connect/Spotify Connect for network music streaming, as well as support for Bluetooth 5.2 for less advanced-resolution content. As for the system’s differences, the 990D’s ports are now HDMI 2.1 with 4K 120Hz passthrough and VRR, which is great for gamers. 

Just because the 990D looks the same doesn’t mean it sounds the same, however. Thanks to AI (the buzzword at CES 2024 in January), the 990D has “SpaceFit Sound Pro,” an auto-calibration system that analyzes room surroundings for optimal response based on the layout of soundbar, satellites, and sub. In addition, a new Game Pro mode promises to adapt playback to different game profiles (FPS, racing, RPG, etc.). Oh, and a pro tip: Make sure the TV is set to properly passthrough bitstream audio so that the soundbar can properly decode it (a setting we had to tweak on the demo unit after an initially confusing, underwhelming minute).

We didn’t get any gaming in, but we did cycle through several Dolby Atmos albums (Rage Against the Machine’s self-titled debut was a pummeling highlight), as well as select scenes from Blade Runner 2049. There’s a sequence in the film where cars, flying through a violent storm, crash land at a seawall. Parts of the action take place above and below water, featuring immersive, operatic sound design alternating between claustrophobic and crescendo. Our general takeaway was that the 990D extracted even more intent and impact than the already impressive 990C. Even when the ambiance was meant to be crushing, there was clarity—precise imaging and clear dialogue aided by the Q-Symphony synchronization of sound and on-screen action. The subwoofer, given a thorough workout, never felt overwhelmed. The overall experience was never just a case of everything being louder; it was an ability to make everything feel larger. From flyovers to drum fills, the 990D deftly rendered a sense of spaciousness and dynamic tension.

Sound like something you’d like to hear? The HW-990D is available to purchase now.

The post Samsung 2024 TV and soundbar lineup: First impressions appeared first on Popular Science.

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

The weather is getting warmer, which means it’s time to throw open the windows, put on your favorite Spotify playlist, and dive headfirst into spring cleaning. Nothing helps get the cleaning juices flowing like some new storage bins. Right now, Amazon has the folding storage bins you may have seen on TikTok for half their normal price. And that’s not a fake discount like so many other products. Keepa’s Amazon price tracker says it hasn’t been below $50 all year. We could barely … contain ourselves when we saw this price, and we think you’ll feel the same way.

4 Tier Stackable Storage Bins with Wheels and Lid $31 (was $59)

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This clever little storage station folds up nearly flat when you don’t need it. Expanded, you get four little storage chambers that measure 14.76 x 11 x 8.27 inches（23QT capacity) each. The 4-layer stacked unit measures 15.35 x 11 x 32.68in. It can keep shoes, clothes, rare action figures, a collection of little porcelain dogs you bought at an estate sale because they were adorable, but now you don’t know what to do with them. It’s very versatile. The whole stack sits on wheels, so you can move it around easily, even when all the bins are stacked together.

More organizational deals to help with spring cleaning

• Utopia Home – Fridge Organizer Bins – Set of 8 Refrigerator Organizing Bins $18 (was $31)
• DECOMOMO Cube Storage Bins, 11 Inch Cube Storage Bin with Clear Window $16.99 (was $22.99)
• EAST OAK Outdoor Storage Box, 31 Gallon Deck Box Indoor and Outdoor Use $47.99 (was $54.99)
• Lifewit Plastic Stackable Storage Baskets, 4 Tier Stacking Bins $22.99 (was $29.99)
• LileZbox Clear Stackable Cosmetic Organizer Drawers $14.99 (was $28.99)
• Vtopmart 8 Pack Clear Stackable Storage Bins with Lids $32.99 (was $45.98)
• HOMIDEC 6-Cube Storage Organizer, Closet Organizer Storage Cabinet Shelf Bookcase $23 (was $34)

The post Take half off this TikTok-famous collapsible storage bin at Amazon and kickstart your spring cleaning appeared first on Popular Science.

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

If you use social media of any kind, you’ve seen tons of articles about how to take a photo of the April 8 total solar eclipse. Some of them were created by true experts, while others were cobbled together from bits of information found hastily on Google. But photographing a solar eclipse is actually rather complicated–if you want to maximize your chances to get a good image and minimize the possibility of frying your eyes into scorched Ikea meatballs. Here, I’ll help cut through some of the noise to what’s really important for a good eclipse photograph.

Don’t: Put your eyes in jeopardy

By now you’re probably sick of hearing about how the eclipse can hurt your vision, but damaged sight is serious business. Here’s a solid safety guide to review before you even think about creating a photographic masterpiece. Make sure your eclipse glasses are legit, too. (We have some recommendations on eclipse glasses to try, too.)

Do: Plan to be in a good spot for the eclipse

Planning is important for a shot like this, but luckily it’s easy to scout a location before go-time. Use a resource like these NASA eclipse maps to find out where you can see the most coverage. The super popular spots will be crowded with other photography enthusiasts, so aim for something more unique than that scenic overlook where everyone you know had their engagement photos taken.

Do: Try and work a foreground element into your eclipse shot to give it context

Without any foreground, eclipse pictures just look like partial orange discs. If that’s what you want, have at it; but it likely won’t stand out when you share it. Using a wide-angle lens will help you fit other elements into the shot, to give it scope and context. Try a cityscape or some trees. Anything with a strong shape will read better in the image. A telephoto lens can get you some stunning images, but be careful: That kind of glass magnifies light, and, eclipse or no, you’re still photographing the sun. The viewfinder is not your friend.

If you have access to a really long telephoto lens, you can do some truly cool stuff by positioning a subject between you and the sun. The shot below, for example, took an 800mm telephoto lens (that’s even bigger than most of the big, white lenses you see on the sidelines of an NFL game) to make this scene look as it does. The result is a lot more striking than a circle floating in space. (Again, beware the viewfinder!)

Don’t: Rent expensive gear or buy expensive filters for a single eclipse

Solar filters are specialized pieces of photographic equipment meant to do two things: considerably reduce the total amount of visible light coming in and filter out invisible (at least to the naked eye) IR and UV rays that could damage your camera. For most people, buying one is total overkill. The good ones are expensive and don’t really have much utility outside of an eclipse. The cheap, bad ones will just distort your photos. If you’re dead set on pointing your camera at the sun, you need a filter to protect your gear, but make sure it’s worth the investment for you.

NASA says you can use welding glass to protect your eyes and camera, but it needs to be at least 12 shade, which is much darker than the stuff you’ll typically find at the hardware store. So, if you have a typical welding helmet laying around, don’t use it for viewing unless you check the shade of the glass.

You can also reportedly use a standard neutral density filter, but it needs to be rated to reduce light intake by 16 stops for safety. That means it takes exponentially more light to make the same exposure with the filter as it would without. That’s seriously dark and it still may not be sufficient for blocking the IR and UV rays.

If you already bought the filter, then have a blast with it. If not, see if another friend will let you share. You don’t actually need a solar filter on your camera (or your eyes) when the sun is fully covered by the moon (called totality), so you can shoot during that time without damage. Just err on the side of caution with your timing to make sure you don’t catch some straggling or emerging rays. The rule of thumb is that if you see the little marbles of light starting to form at the edge of the eclipse, you should already have your filter back on.

Don’t: Use an optical viewfinder when you’re using a solar filter

That photographic solar filter on the front of your camera can protect the sensor inside from getting fried and help correct your exposure, but it won’t necessarily protect your eyeballs. That’s not its job nor its promise. Amazon actually ran into a serious problem with this fact regarding some filters from a very reputable company called Lee. If you’re using a DSLR or a rangefinder camera, then stay away from that viewfinder and use your camera’s live view mode.

Don’t: Look through a telephoto lens with your eclipse glasses on

Solar filters are meant to go on the front of lenses you look through. Putting a lens behind a lens, only subjects it to rays that have been magnified and the intensity can do serious damage. This goes for photo lenses, telescopes, and even binoculars. This is true even when there’s no eclipse happening.

Do: Be careful about exposure (and shoot raw if you know what that is)

Exposure can be tricky when shooting the eclipse. The B&H guide has a handy exposure settings chart you can refer to before you go shooting. Chances are, when you point your camera in auto mode toward the eclipse, the resulting photo will be washed out because it’s compensating for the dark scene. You can fix this by using a camera feature called exposure compensation. This is typically achieved by turning a dial on your camera, but you can also do it on your smartphone. Tap and hold over the eclipsed sun to lock the focus and exposure. Then drag your thumb down and watch the image get darker.

If you’re using a camera that has raw mode—some smartphones even have this option now—you will get extra image data you can use when you’re editing your photo.

If you have no idea what “shooting in raw” means, then skip this step because a big important event is the worst time to try something new. Give raw a try down the road, though. Here’s a tutorial now how to get started.

Do: Shoot a lot of photos

While I’m not advocating the “spray and pray” method enabled by holding down the camera’s shutter button and letting it hammer out pictures as fast as it can, you should plan to shoot a lot of photos. If you get a sufficient number of good photos, you can make a cool sequence like the one below.

There are certain important moments during the eclipse that you’ll want to capture, especially if you’re making a sequence. Each phase has a technical name, as well as a more colloquial name like the “diamond ring” which happens just before and after totality.

Don’t: miss out on the actual event because you’re trying to snap a perfect pic

While getting the photo you want is great, also consider that you’re witnessing a very rare event, and take some time to admire it rather than obsessing over your camera.

Don’t: Be afraid to shoot a picture with your iPhone

According to Apple, the iPhone’s camera doesn’t need a solar filter for shooting a picture of the eclipse because of its wide angle lens and overall construction. We haven’t tested that fact, and Samsung and LG didn’t comment when contacted about the subject, but Apple seems very confident that it’s not a problem. Do consider this a disclaimer, however: It’s still totally possible that the eclipse will damage your iPhone camera, so proceed at your own risk.

One caveat is that your smartphone will probably try to overexpose the scene and wash out the wonderful eclipse part. You can fix this by pressing your thumb over the sun to lock the focus and exposure, then dragging your thumb downward to reduce the overall exposure. Exposure compensation, remember? It’s a pretty handy thing to use in a variety of other situations, too, not just epic events like this one.

Do: use a tripod

Setting up your shot and following the action will be a lot easier if you have a stable base, especially if you’re planning on using a long telephoto lens. Just be sure to check if you need a permit to put down a tripod where you’re planning to shoot. Often, parks let you operate without a permit if you’re going handheld, but require a permit when you start putting down stands or tripods.

Do: Use that fancy solar filter you bought after the eclipse is over

OK, so you didn’t get the advice about not buying a filter in time and now you’ve got an overly-expensive and extremely specific piece of gear. Luckily, that solar filter can also act as a pretty capable neutral density filter, which photographers use all the time.

By limiting light as it comes into the camera, it allows you to use longer shutter speeds to blur moving objects in the photo or shoot at wider apertures in bright conditions, which is good if you want to get that oh-so-popular shallow depth of field look with a nice blurry background.

This story was originally published in 2017 and updated in 2024.

The post How to photograph solar eclipse: The only guide you need appeared first on Popular Science.

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Going out to eat has gotten ridiculously expensive. Have you seen the price of a fast food hash brown lately? Jump scare. That’s why it makes so much sense to invest in a good air fryer. Live out your chicken finger fantasies on a chicken nugget budget. The Breville Smart Ovens are our favorite air fryers and right now Amazon has a variety of them for 20 percent off. The sale also includes an indoor pizza oven if you want to kick that late-night delivery app habit.

Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer $279 (was $349)

SEE IT

Sure, you can slap a basket full of curly fries into this sucker and air fry them to perfection, but Breville’s Smart Oven can do a lot more. You can broil, bake, toast, slow cook, or warm. It even has a dedicated cookies mode if you’re craving a snickerdoodle. It’s a large countertop oven, so you could cook an entire chicken inside if you wanted. Or, just buy a rotisserie chicken from Costco and then invite some people over for a dinner party. When you take the chicken out, everyone will totally believe that you made it.

Breville Smart Oven Pizzaiolo $799 (was $999)

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Yes, it’s still an up-front cost, but this dedicated pizza oven is a truly unique addition to your kitchen. It can quickly reach up to 750 degrees, meaning you can cook a typical pizza in less than two minutes. Plus, the oven allows you to tweak your cooking settings, so you can make thin crust, Detroit-style, Sicilian, or even Cincinnati-style (which is regular pizza, but it has a bunch of spaghetti and chili on top of it).

More Breville smart oven and pizza oven deals:

• Breville Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro $319 (was $399)
• Breville Joule Smart Oven Air Fryer Pro BOV950BST, Black Stainless Steel $439 (was $599)
• Breville Smart Oven Pro BOV845BSS, Brushed Stainless Steel $223 (was $299)

The post Breville makes our favorite smart ovens and they’re all 20% off at Amazon right now appeared first on Popular Science.

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

Best overall		Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus		SEE IT	This is a solid all-around mix of features and affordability.
Best for camping		Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core		SEE IT	This powerful pack is easy to transport to a site.
Best for homes		EcoFlow Delta Pro		SEE IT	This is the pick if you need lots of scalable capacity.

You don’t want to wait until you need a solar generator to buy one. Whether you’re trying to live the van life, prepare for emergencies, or just bring some creature comforts with you when you go camping. Whatever the case, few things are as useful in today’s tech-driven world as a source of reliable, renewable power. The best solar generators can reliably and sustainably meet various energy needs, and we have tested and compared the best models to find which one fits your needs.

• Best overall: Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus
• Still great: Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro
• Best high-capacity: Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro
• Best for frequent use: Anker 767 Portable Power Station Solar Generator
• Best for camping: Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core
• Best for off-grid living: Bluetti AC200 Max
• Fastest charging: EcoFlow Delta 2 Max
• Best for homes: EcoFlow Delta Pro
• Best budget: Jackery Explorer 300

How we chose the best solar generators

As an avid outdoorsman, I’ve had the opportunity to test an extremely wide range of outdoor gear, including mobile and off-grid electrification equipment like solar-powered generators, as well as inverter and dual-fuel generators. These became particularly essential when the pandemic forced my travels to become domestic rather than international, which prompted me to outfit a van for long-term road-tripping. 

To bring my work along for the ride, I needed a constant power source to charge my laptop, a portable fridge, lighting, and a myriad of devices and tools … even the best electric bikes. As a result, I’ve tried all the leading portable power stations (and plenty that aren’t leading, too), so I know precisely what separates the best from the blah. I’ve written all about it (and other outdoor tech) for publications, including the Daily Beast, Thrillist, the Manual, and more. There were cases when my own opinion resulted in a tie, and I, therefore, looked to reviews from actual customers to determine which solar generators delivered the most satisfaction to the most users.

The best solar generators: Reviews & Recommendations

The solar generators on this list span a wide range of budgets, from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand. They span several use cases, from camping to a backup for your home. Only you know all the factors that make one of these the best solar generator for you, but we think that one of these will get the job done.

Best overall: Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus

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Why it made the cut: It offers just about everything from our previous best overall pick with the added benefits of LiFePO4 battery power.

Specs

• Storage capacity: 2,042.8Wh (expandable up to 24,000Wh)
• Output capacity: 6,000w
• Dimensions: 18.6 x 14.7 x 14.1 inches
• Weight: 61 pounds
• Price: $2,199

Pros

• Charges quickly
• Very high output that can run power-hungry devices
• Built-in wheels and handle
• Clear display
• Four AC outlets
• Expandable with extra batteries
• Long life batteries

Cons

• Heavy
• Slightly less capacity than our previous pick

As new solar generators hit the market, many come toting new lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries instead of the familiar lithium-ion batteries that came before. LiFePO4 offers a few advantages, including a much longer lifespan as you charge and discharge them. They’re also safer and often faster to charge. They do typically add some weight, however. Just about all of those modifiers apply here in the form of the Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus.

The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus can power current-hungry devices at up to 6000w, so even if you want to power a welder, you can. The battery will only last you about a half hour doing this (we tried it), but it does work, and that’s more than many other models can say. I also got to test the Explorer 2000 Plus during a real power outage. It kept our router running for several hours to maintain connectivity.

This model has 2kWh of storage built-in, but you can expand that capacity with extra external daisy-chained batteries. It gives a total max storage of up to 24kWh—enough for a serious off-grid job. The optional solar panels charge the battery quickly and efficiently. Jackery claims roughly two hours of charging time via the optional solar panels, and I found it took more like 2.5 hours, but that includes battling some passing clouds. With two straight hours of direct sun, it could likely get the job done.

At 61 pounds, this is considerably heavier than the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro, which weighs nearly 20 pounds less. But, the integrated wheels, handle, and chunky grips to either side of the box make it very easy to lug around. Everyone in my family could easily set it in the back of my wife’s Honda Civic.

The switch to LiFePo4 also means that this unit will last a long time before the battery degrades beyond its usable range. The company claims it will take 4,000 cycles before the battery life degrades to 70 percent. We obviously haven’t had time to test that yet, but that is the nature of LiFePo4, so it will almost certainly last longer than a lithium-ion model at least.

Still great: Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: This Jackery solar generator delivers the best blend of capacity, input/output capability, portability, and durability.

Specs

• Storage capacity: 2,160Wh
• Input capacity: 1,200W
• Output capacity: 2,200W (4,400W surge)
• Dimensions: 15.1 x 10.5 x 12.1 inches
• Weight: 43 lbs
• Price: $2,498

Pros

• Fast charging and outstanding capacity
• Durable and easy to use
• Plenty of ports
• Can connect to six 200W solar panels

Cons

• Heavy for its size

The biggest portable power station from Jackery, a leading solar generator manufacturer, the Explorer 2000 Pro offers a tremendous 2,160 watt-hours of power, making it capable of charging a full camping setup for a few days. When plugged into six 200W solar panels, an upgrade over the four-panel setup available on the Jackery Explorer 1500, you can fully charge this portable power station in just 2-2.5 hours. That’s less than half the time of the smaller model.

On top of all that, it’s extremely user-friendly. Numerous output ports ensure that you can plug in a wide range of devices and electrical equipment. Its functions are highly intuitive, and the digital display is easy to understand. Like other Jackery generators, it’s incredibly durable, too. The one potential downside is its weight: At 43 pounds, it’s a bit heavy for its size. Even so, for all the power you can store, and the rapid-charging time, the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro will keep the lights on wherever you need power.

For more on the Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro, check out our full review.

Best high-capacity: Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro

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Specs

• Storage capacity: 3,024Wh
• Output capacity: 3,000W
• Dimensions: 18.6 x 14.1 x 14.7 inches
• Weight: 63.9 pounds
• Price: $2,799

Pros

• Ample power storage for long trips or outages
• Sturdy handles and wheels make it easy to move
• Smooth design makes it easy to load and unload
• High peak output for power-intensive tasks
• Lots of ports for connectivity

Cons

• 200W solar panels can be klunky
• Relatively pricey

This is the big sibling to our best overall pick. Inside the Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro, you’ll find 3,024Wh of power storage, which is enough to power even large devices for extended periods of time. It can charge a high-end smartphone more than 100 times on a single charge. It can also power full-on appliances in an RV or emergency situation.

Despite its large capacity, we learned firsthand that the Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro is relatively easy to move around. Sturdy handles molded into its case make it easy to pick up, while an extending handle and wheels make it easy to roll around at the campsite or any other location.

It can charge in less than three hours from a standard outlet or, under optimal conditions with the 200W solar panels, it can fill up as quickly as eight hours. That full solar array can get large and unwieldy, but a smaller setup can still provide ample charging if you don’t need to max out the capacity daily.

This portable power station offers the best of everything we loved about the Explorer 2000 Pro, there’s just more of it. When you’re living the van life, powering an RV, or trying to ride out a power outage, more is definitely better if you can justify the extra cost.

Best for frequent use: Anker 767 Portable Power Station Solar Generator

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Why it made the cut: High capacity and fast charging make this long-lasting battery a solid everyday driver.

Specs

• Storage capacity: 2,048Wh
• Output capacity: 2,400W
• Dimensions: 20.67 x 9.84 x 15.55 inches
• Weight: 67.3 pounds
• Price: $1,999

Pros

• Charges up to 80% in less than two hours
• Solid output and storage capacity
• Optional battery pack doubles capacity
• LiFePO4 batteries survive more charge cycles than traditional models
• Plenty of ports
• Built-in handle and wheels for transport

Cons

• Heavy for its capacity
• No USB-C in for charging

Anker has equipped its massive portable power station with LiFePO4 batteries, which stand up much better to repeat charging and discharging over the long term than common lithium-ion cells. Anker claims it can charge and discharge up to 3,000 times before it reaches 80% battery health compared to 500 in a similar lithium-ion setup. While I haven’t had the chance to run it through 3,000 cycles, LiFePO4 batteries have a well-earned reputation for longevity. 

Regarding overall performance, the Anker 767 does everything you’d want a unit with these specs to do. The bad weather has given me [Executive Gear Editor Stan Horaczek] ample chances, unfortunately, to test it in real-world situations. 

The built-in battery offers a 2048Wh capacity and pumps out up to 2,400W. It does so through four standard AC outlets, an RV outlet, two 120W car outlets, two 12W USB-A ports, and three 100W USB-C ports. 

I used it during a blackout to keep our Wi-Fi running while charging my family’s devices. Filling a phone from zero barely makes a dent in the power station’s capacity, and it ran the router for several hours with plenty of juice left. 

In another instance, it powered our small meat freezer for four hours before the power came back on with some juice still left in the tank. It does what it promises. 

There are a few nice extra touches as well. Built-in wheels and an extendable handle allow it to roll like carry-on luggage. Unfortunately, those are necessary inclusions because it weighs a hefty 67.3 pounds. It’s manageable but definitely heavy compared to its competition. 

The Anker 767 is compatible with the company’s 200W solar panels, which fold up for easy transportation. I mostly charged the unit through my home’s AC power, a surprisingly quick process. The 767 Portable Power Station can go from flat to more than 80% charge in less than a half hour with sufficient power. It takes about two hours to get it fully juiced. 

Anker also offers a mobile app that connects to the power station via Bluetooth if you want to control it without actually going over and touching it.

Best for camping: Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: Thanks to its outstanding portability, high storage capacity, and Yeti’s famous durability, the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core is great for packing along for camping or van-living. 

Specs

• Storage capacity: 983Wh
• Input capacity: 600W
• Output capacity: 1,200W (2,400W surge)
• Dimensions: 9.86 x 15.25 x 10.23 inches
• Weight: 31.68 lbs
• Price: $1,198.95

Pros

• Highly portable
• Incredible durability
• Rapid recharge rate
• Plenty of plugs

Cons

• Expensive for its size/capacity

Yeti is long-renowned for making some of the best outdoor gear money can buy, so when the company launched its Goal Zero line of solar generators, it was no surprise that they turned out to be awesome. While the whole line is great, the 1000 Core model’s balance between capacity and portability makes it perfect for taking on the road and going camping.

While the 1000 Core has a third less capacity than our top pick, it charges up faster, making it a great option for rapid solar replenishment. That said, its capacity is no slouch, offering 82 phone charges, 20 for a laptop, or upwards of 15 hours for a portable fridge (depending on wattage). Suffice to say, it’s more than capable of powering your basic camping gear.

Beyond its charging capabilities, the Goal Zero 1000 Core excels at camping thanks to its hearty build quality. Built super tough—like pretty much everything Yeti makes—its exterior shell provides solid protection.

The biggest issue it presents is the cost. Like pretty much everything Yeti produces, its price tag isn’t small. While there are other 1000-level solar generators for less, this one offers a great balance of power storage and portability.

For more on the Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core, check out our full review.

Best for off-grid living: Bluetti AC200 Max

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: Thanks to its high solo capacity and ability to daisy-chain with additional batteries, the Bluetti AC200 Max is perfect for bringing power off the grid.

Specs

• Storage capacity: 2,048Wh standalone, expandable up to 8,192Wh
• Input capacity: 1,400W
• Output capacity: 2,200W (4,800W surge)
• Dimensions: 16.5 x 11 x 15.2 inches
• Weight: 61.9 lbs
• Price: $1,999

Pros

• Massive capacity
• Daisy-chain capability
• Lightning-fast input capacity
• 30A RV plug and two wireless charging pads
• Surprisingly affordable for what it offers

Cons

• Pretty heavy
• Fan can get loud, especially in hot weather

You’ll be hard-pressed to find a solar generator better suited for living off the grid for an extended period than the Bluetti AC200 Max. It boasts a substantial 2,048Wh capacity, allowing you to power your whole life off it longer than most portable generators. Even better, you can daisy-chain multiple Bluetti batteries, expanding its capacity to a massive 8.192Wh. That’s flat-out enormous and translates into the ability to power a full-sized fridge for over a day or several hours of air conditioning. For the more modest needs of people who are used to living off a generator, it will last for a very long time.

At the same time, the AC200 Max has an outstanding input capacity of 1,400W. That means you can plug in a pretty hefty array of solar panels to replenish its stores quickly. This allows you to keep your off-grid setup going with little to no interruption. It also features some specialty charging options, including a 30A plug, which lets you plug it directly into an RV, and multiple wireless charging pads for smaller devices.

Fastest charging: EcoFlow Delta 2 Max

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Why it made the cut: Whether it’s solar or AC power, you can get 80% of a charge in an hour or less.

Specs

• Storage capacity: 2048Wh (expandable to 6,000Wh)
• Output capacity: 3,400W
• Dimensions: 19.8 x 9.5 x 12.01
• Weight: 50.71 lbs
• Price: $2,000

Pros

• Very fast charging over solar or mains
• Relatively compact
• Not as heavy as we might have expected
• Long-lasting batteries
• Scalable by connecting two extra batteries
• Advanced temperature management for safety

Cons

• Solar panels are pricy
• Still heavier than non-LiFePo4 models

Plug this 2048Wh battery pack into up to 1,000 watts of solar panels, and you can get an 80 percent charge in just 43 minutes. That’s blisteringly fast compared to other models. Plug the unit into the wall and you’ll go from zero to 80 percent in just 1.1 hours, which is still fairly speedy when it comes to soaking up electricity. That extra time can make a huge difference if you only have limited opportunities to top off your solar generator. We managed to get above 80 percent in just under an hour without perfect sun conditions here in Upstate New York.

In addition to its quick charging skills, the EcoFlow Delta 2 Max offers an impressive array of connectivity, including six AC outlets, which is more than many larger models offer. That’s good if you want to run many devices or chargers simultaneously. If you need more capacity, you can add two extra external batteries to give it a total storage of 6Wh.

At 51 pounds, this isn’t the lightest solar generator in its category, but like the other EcoFlow generators, it has chunky handles on top that make it easy to lug around. Everyone in my family could easily get it in and out of the back of our Honda CR-V without issue. Though, it doesn’t have wheels, so you will have to actually carry it around or put it on a cart.

Ultimately, this feels like a very high-end device. The fast charging is wonderful. The display is clear and relatively bright (though it could be brighter). And it offers a wide array of connectivity.

Best for homes: EcoFlow Delta Pro

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: The EcoFlow Delta Pro delivers the standalone and expandable power capacity necessary to power your entire home.

Specs

• Storage capacity: 3,600Wh standalone, expandable up to 25,000Wh
• Input capacity: 6,500W
• Output capacity: 3,600W (7,200W surge)
• Dimensions: 25 x 11.2 x 16.4 inches
• Weight: 99 lbs
• Price: $3,699

Pros

• Enormous capacity
• Daisy-chain capability
• 30A RV plug
• Lightning-fast input capacity
• Wi-Fi and Smartphone connectivity

Cons

• Very heavy
• Expensive

If you’re looking for the best solar generator for home backup in the event of a power outage, the EcoFlow Delta Pro stands apart from the pack, thanks to an unrivaled power and output capacity. The Delta Pro alone packs a 3,600Wh wallop, and you can expand that to 25,000Wh by chaining it to extra EcoFlow batteries and generators. That’s a ton of power and it has the substantial output capacity necessary to power an entire house worth of electronics when you need it to.

The Delta Pro also offers a companion app for iOS and Android that allows you to monitor energy usage, customize its operation, and monitor and manage a number of other elements.

While it’s not overly large for what it does, the Delta Pro is a heavy piece of equipment. It has wheels, so it is technically portable, but this is meant to be put down in a home or other semi-permanent site. Given its size and power, it’s also a much more expensive device, especially if you’re springing for the add-ons. As the best solar power generator to provide backup power for your entire home, however, it’s worth every penny. 

Best budget: Jackery Explorer 300

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Buy it used or refurbished: Amazon

Why it made the cut: With its reasonable capacity, compact size, and solid build quality at a low price, the Jackery Explorer 300 is a great budget pick.

Specs

• Storage capacity: 293Wh
• Input capacity: 90W
• Output capacity: 300W (500W surge)
• Dimensions: 9.1 x 5.2 x 7.8 in
• Weight: 7.1 lbs
• Price: $250

Pros

• Affordable
• Durable
• Portable
• Reasonable capacity

Cons

• No flashlight
• Slower input capacity

Though it isn’t quite as impressive as our top picks for best overall and best high-capacity, Jackery’s smaller Explorer 300 solar generator is super compact and lightweight with a decent power capacity for its price. Less a mobile power station than an upscale power bank, the 7-pound Jackery Explorer 300 provides plenty of portable recharges for your devices when you’re camping, on a job site, driving, or just need some power and don’t have convenient access to an outlet. Its modest 293Wh capacity isn’t huge, but it’s enough to provide 31 phone charges, 15 for a camera, 6 for the average drone, 2.5 for a laptop, or a few hours of operation for a minifridge or TV. A built-in flashlight would have upped its camping game somewhat, but at $300 (and often considerably less if you catch it discounted), this highly portable little power station does a lot for a little.

We tested this portable power station for several months, and it came in handy numerous times, especially during the winter when power outages abound. At one point, we had it powering two phones, a MacBook, and a small light.

The built-in handle makes it very easy to lug around. It feels like carrying a lunch box. The screen is easy to read, and the whole package seems fairly durable. Our review unit hasn’t taken any dramatic tumbles yet, but it has gotten banged around in car trunks, duffle bags, and other less-than-luxurious accommodations with no issues. If you catch one of these on sale, get it and stick it in a cabinet. You’ll be extremely glad to have it around when the need arises.

What to consider before buying the best solar generators

Over the past few years, solar generators have exploded onto the market. There are now dozens of different brands that largely look more or less the same at a glance. The fact is there are only a few standouts amidst a sea of knockoffs. Here’s what to look for to ensure you’re getting a great one:

How much power can it store?

A portable solar generator comes in an extremely wide range of sizes, but a generator’s size doesn’t automatically make it capable of storing a lot of power. In fact, most are disappointingly limited and unable to store much more juice than a portable charger.

To properly check a generator’s storage, you must look at its capacity, measured in watt-hours (Wh). One watt-hour is the equivalent of 1 watt flowing over the course of an hour. The best solar generators offer capacities of several hundred and sometimes several thousand watt-hours. That doesn’t mean, however, that it will provide power for several hundred or several thousand hours. Any generator will ultimately last a different amount of time, depending on what’s plugged into it.

It’s easy to predict how long a generator will last when you use it to power one thing. For example, if you were to power a 100-watt bulb using a power station with a capacity of 500 watt-hours, it would stay lit for five continuous hours. Add a portable fridge that requires 50 watts per hour, your phone which uses 18, a mini-fan that uses three … you get the picture. The more capacity, the better.

Charging capability

No solar generator will hold a charge forever, so you want one capable of charging as quickly and easily as possible. This is where we put the “renewable” into “renewable energy.”

All of the power stations included in this roundup can be charged by connecting them to solar panels (hence the designation “solar generators”). Still, you also want to look for the ability to charge via other sources like wall outlets and your vehicle’s 12-volt plug. This ensures that you can charge up whether you’re off-grid in the sun, plugged in while preparing at home, or using your dash socket on the go.

You must also monitor a model’s charging input capacity, measured in watts (W). For example, a solar-powered generator with a max input of 100W can take in a continuous flow of up to 100 watts, which is about the minimum that you’ll reasonably want to look for. Most of the generators below have input capacities of at least a few hundred watts when charging via solar, so a few 50- to 200-watt solar panels will max them out.

Output capability

Solar generators need to keep the power coming in and going out. The best solar generators can simultaneously charge all your intended devices via whatever plugs are necessary.

Any portable power station worth your money will have a high output capacity so you can charge many devices, even if they require a lot of juice. A generator’s maximum output should be much higher than its max input. While a particular model might only be capable of taking in a few hundred watts at any given moment, it will usually put out exponentially more. At a minimum, you’ll want a generator that can put out 300 watts at a time, though you’ll want at least 500 for larger tasks.

The best solar generators should also offer a variety of output plugs, including AC outlets, USB-A, USB-C, and even 12-volt DC outlets like the one in your vehicle dash. This ensures you can charge several devices simultaneously regardless of their plug. The number of ports you’ll need will vary depending on how many devices you need to power, but it should have at least a couple of AC outlets and a few USB-A ports.

Portability

While portable battery sources have been around for a while now, over the past several decades, they’ve been pretty heavy, unwieldy things. One of the most exciting aspects of the latest generation of solar generators is that they’ve become much more physically compact. 

Suppose you plan on taking a generator camping or working it into a van conversion where every square inch matters; well, size and weight become major considerations. All of the products we’ve recommended are about the size of one or two shoeboxes—three at the most. The lightest is about the weight of a 24-pack of soda, while the heaviest is 100 pounds. Most fall somewhere between 30-60 pounds.

If you’re using your generator as a more or less stationary source of backup power at home, portability isn’t a huge issue. Still, we generally recommend keeping weight and size in mind; You never know when you’ll need it for something other than a backup. (Plus, who wants to lug around something heavy and awkward if they don’t have to?) 

Another consideration regarding portability involves the necessity for accessories, which can impact how easy it is to move and use your generator. Some generators, for example, require a lot of removable battery packs, which can be a hassle when you’re on the go or packing a vehicle. All of the inclusions on our list require some accessories—you can’t get solar power without connecting cables and solar panels—but they work well with minimal add-ons.

Durability

As with any product you expect to last, durability and all-around quality craftsmanship are essential. This is especially true if you plan on lugging your generator around on camping and road trips. Many subpar power stations are made from cheap components and flimsy plastic that doesn’t feel like it will hold up under the rigors of the road.

Durability isn’t something you can determine by reading a spec sheet off the internet. You’ve actually got to take the generator out, use it a bunch, and see how it holds up. I’ve verified the durability of these recommendations via a combination of my own actual field tests and reviews culled from countless real product owners.

Related: Best electric generators

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best solar generators

• Best overall: Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus
• Still great: Jackery Explorer 2000 Pro
• Best high-capacity: Jackery Explorer 3000 Pro
• Best for frequent use: Anker 767 Portable Power Station Solar Generator
• Best for camping: Goal Zero Yeti 1000 Core
• Best for off-grid living: Bluetti AC200 Max
• Fastest charging: EcoFlow Delta 2 Max
• Best for homes: EcoFlow Delta Pro
• Best budget: Jackery Explorer 300

We’re living in a “golden age” for portable solar generators. When I was a kid, and my family was playing around with solar gear while camping in the ‘90s, the technology couldn’t charge many devices, so it wasn’t all that practical. 

By contrast, the solar generators we’ve recommended here are incredibly useful. I’ve relied on them to power my work and day-to-day needs while road-tripping nationwide. They’re also great when the power goes out. When a windstorm cut the power at my house for a couple of days, I was still working, watching my stories, and keeping the lights on. 

We haven’t even scratched the surface in terms of the potential offered by portable, reliable, renewable, relatively affordable power. What we can do now is already incredible. The potential for what may come next, though, is truly mind-blowing.

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 solar generators 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.

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Solo Stove makes our pick for the best smokeless fire pit and it’s currently on sale for the lowest price we have seen. It’s all part of Amazon’s Big Spring Sale, which also has the excellent Solo Stove Pi Prime pizza oven for its cheapest price this year—and maybe ever. You can also pick up some accessories, but whatever you buy, do it fast. The Amazon Big Spring Sale goes through Sunday, but deals only last until stock runs out. Otherwise, you’ll be stuck sitting around an old garbage can full of burning newspapers this summer.

Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 with Stand, Smokeless Fire Pit $241 (was $339)

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This is the classic Solo Stove fire pit. It’s made of high-grade stainless steel and relies on a very clever design to funnel air throughout the burn chamber. That makes it extremely easy to start and ensures that it won’t pump smoke into your face the entire time you’re trying to chill by the fire. It’s easy to store, simple to clean, and very nice to look at. This is how you deserve to roast marshmallows.

Solo Stove Pi Prime Gas Pizza Oven Outdoor $279 (was $349)

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This compact pizza oven is a great way to get wood-fired texture and flavor without having to build and tend to a fire. Simply connect it to a propane tank (like the one required for a gas grill) and light it up. Like the Solo Stove fire pits, the Pi Prime is compact and easy to wash. It has a split stone that’s easily removable for deep cleaning. Plus, it gets up over 800 degrees so it’ll fully cook a perfect pizza in under two minutes.

More Solo Stove accessories on sale

• Solo Stove Bonfire Lid 304 Stainless Steel Bonfire Fire Pit $63 (was $79)
• Solo Stove Stainless Pizza Peel | Stainless Serving Board, Pizza Paddle $31 (was $39)
• Solo Stove Bonfire Shield Stainless Steel Fire Pit Spark Protector Screen Mesh Protective Spark Screen $127 (was $157)
• Solo Stove Pizza Oven Cart for Outdoor Pi Pizza Ovens $143 (was $179)
• Solo Stove Bonfire Pi Fire | Pizza Oven Accessory for Bonfire Fire Pit, Incl. Carry Case & Cordierite Pizza Stone $207 (was $259)
• Solo Stove Bonfire Griddle + Hub, Cast Iron Cookware with Stainless Steel Hub $179 (was $224)
• Solo Stove Station 4.4ft with UV Coated Cover Aluminum Firewood Rack for Fire Pits, Patio Logs, and Outdoor Tools Accessories $299 (was $559)

The post Score a Solo Stove fire pit or pizza oven for a historic low price during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale appeared first on Popular Science.

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Maybe you want to be prepared for the next power outage. Or perhaps you’re going on an outdoor adventure and you want to bring some power with you for those indoor comforts. Either way, Amazon’s Big Spring Sale is an ideal time to invest in a solar generator. Some of the top brands that make the best solar generators are offering deep discounts right now, so jump in and grab a big battery backup before you need one.

Jackery solar generator deals

• Jackery Explorer 100 Plus Portable Power Station, 31,000mAh Portable Charger 99Wh LiFePO4 Battery Pack $99 (was $149)
• Jackery Solar Generator 300 Plus Portable Power Station $299 ($399)
• Jackery Explorer 300 Plus Portable Power Station $239 (was $299)
• Jackery Portable Power Station Explorer 500 $349 (was $529)
• Jackery Explorer 1000 Plus Portable Power Station,1264Wh Solar Generator $899 (was $1,199)

Ecoflow solar generator deals

• EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station RIVER 2, 256Wh LiFePO4 Battery $178 (was $299)
• EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station DELTA 2, 1024Wh LiFePO4 (LFP) Battery $629 (was $999)
• EF ECOFLOW RIVER 288Wh Portable Power Station,3 x 600W(Peak 1200W) AC Outlets $208 (was $349)
• EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station RIVER 2 Pro, 768Wh LiFePO4 Battery $429 ($599)
• EF ECOFLOW Solar Generator DELTA2 with 220W Solar Panel $899 (was $1,649)
• EF ECOFLOW Solar Generator DELTA 2 Max 2048Wh with 220W Solar Panel $1,698 ($2,499)
• EF ECOFLOW Solar Generator RIVER 2 256Wh LiFePO4 Battery with 110W Solar Panel $359 (was $449)
• EF ECOFLOW Solar Generator DELTA Max (2000) 2016Wh with 220W Solar Panel $1,499 (was $2,399)
• EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station DELTA2 with Smart Extra Battery $999 (was $1,798)
• EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station RIVER 2 with 60W Solar Panel $238 (Was $338)
• EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station DELTA 2 Max, 2400W LFP Solar Generator $1,399 (was $1,899)
• EF ECOFLOW 7.2kWh Portable Power Station: DELTA Pro with Extra Battery $3,899 (was $5,699)
• EF ECOFLOW RIVER 288Wh Portable Power Station $208 ($349)

Anker solar generator deals

• Anker SOLIX F2000 Portable Power Station, PowerHouse 767 $1,399 (was $1,999)
• Anker SOLIX F2000 Portable Power Station, PowerHouse 767 and 760 Expansion Battery $2,398 (was $2,999)

The post Save hundreds on solar generators during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale appeared first on Popular Science.

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We’re in the big cup era. Go out in the world right now and there’s a good chance you’ll see someone toting around an oversized, insulated drink container that they bring everywhere. Some of those water bottles can cost north of $50—that’s if you get them at retail and not from scalpers on the secondary market. If you’re just looking for a good way to stay hydrated and you don’t care about the hype, skip the trendy brands and grab one of these Simple Modern models for way less. Right now, Amazon’s Big Spring Sale has tumblers, shaker bottles, and even filtered water bottles for the cheapest prices we have seen.

Simple Modern 40 oz Tumbler with Handle and Straw Lid $23.99 (was $29.99)

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No, it’s not a Stanley, but it’s double-wall insulated, leak-proof, and comes in both 32- and 40-ounce models. The burly handle makes it easy to drink from and lug around. Plus, the tapered bottom fits in a car cupholder. Hype or not, this is a great way to drink your morning coffee or any other liquid you may be craving.

More Simple Modern water bottle deals:

• Simple Modern Stainless Steel Shaker Bottle with Ball 24oz $15.99 (was $19.99)
• Simple Modern Filtered Water Bottle | Insulated Stainless-Steel Carbon Filter Travel Water Bottles $23.10 (was $32.99)
• Simple Modern Insulated Tumbler with Lid and Straw $20.79 (was $25.99)
• Simple Modern Insulated Thermos Travel Coffee Mug with Snap Flip Lid $16.14 (Was $18.99)
• Simple Modern Stainless Steel Shaker Bottle with Ball 24oz $18.39 (Was $22.99)

The post Snag Simple Modern’s insulated tumblers and drinkware for their lowest prices ever at Amazon appeared first on Popular Science.

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Anker makes some of the most underrated headphones on the market. Right now, they’re up to 50 percent off during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale. This includes over-the-ear and earbud models, so you can jam out however you want with enough cash left over to buy bootleg band shirts in the parking lot at your next show. The sale goes until March 25, but the prices only last until they sell out, so don’t dilly-dally.

Soundcore by Anker Space A40 Auto-Adjustable Active Noise Canceling Wireless Earbuds $49 (was $99)

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Find another pair of decent wireless earbuds for $50. Even if you can, they probably don’t have the active noise-cancelling functionality you’ll get from Anker’s Soundcore A40s. The buds hold up to 10 hours of charge, and the case brings that total playtime up to 50 hours before they need a sip of electricity from the charger. They also sound surprisingly excellent. Even if you’re just getting a backup pair for when you lose your AirPods, this is a great deal.

In addition to the black model listed above, they’re also available in blue and white to match your vibe.

Soundcore by Anker Life Q30 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Headphones $55.99 (was $79.99)

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These over-the-ear headphones also have active noise-cancelling that’s augmented by the sound-isolating ear cups. $50 is a low price to pay to drown out a crying baby or a person playing a phone game with the volume turned up on a plane/train/automobile. Large drivers provide an impressively big sound, and the battery provides up to 40 hours of playback with noise-cancelling turned on and 60 hours with it turned off. You can basically charge them once a week if you want. We ranked these the best cheap noise-cancelling headphones for commuting in our buying guide just for that reason.

More Anker Soundcore headphone and earbud deals:

• Space One Active Noise Cancelling Headphones by Anker $79 (was $99)
• Soundcore by Anker, Space One, Active Noise Cancelling Headphones Light Blue $79 (was $99)
• Soundcore by Anker, Space One, Active Noise Cancelling Headphones White $79 (was $99)
• Soundcore by Anker Life Q30 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones Pink $55 (was $85)
• Soundcore Anker Life Q30 Hybrid Active Noise Cancelling Bluetooth Headphones, Blue $55 (was $85)
• Soundcore Anker Space Q45 Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling Headphones, Black $99 (was $149)
• Soundcore Q45 Noise Cancelling Headphones – 50H Playtime, LDAC Hi-Res Audio Blue $99 (was $149)
• Soundcore by Anker Space Q45 Adaptive Active Noise Cancelling Headphones $99 (was $149)
• Soundcore Anker Life P2 Mini True Wireless Bluetooth 5.2 Earbuds Headphones, Black $23 (was $39)
• Soundcore by Anker AeroFit Pro Open-Ear Headphones $129 (was $169)

The post Amazon’s Big Spring Sale drops Anker Soundcare headphones and earbuds below Black Friday prices appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		Yeti Hopper Flip 18		SEE IT	The coldcell insulation on this pick means your food and drink will stay chilled for hours, even on a hot summer day.
Best collapsable		Igloo 36-can snapdown		SEE IT	Designed with a waterproof shell and a puncture-resistant liner, this cooler will endure all your beach days to keep your food and drinks at a perfect temperature.
Best value		Coleman Soft Cooler Bag		SEE IT	A high can capacity and low price make this an excellent budget-friendly soft cooler bag.

You’ll be shocked how frequently a cooler bag comes in handy. They can keep drinks frosty on a hot day at the beach, keep lunch fresh during a long work day, or prevent your frozen groceries from thawing on the way home from the store. You’ll find every type of soft cooler out there, from heavy-duty waterproof versions to simple insulated vessels meant to take minimal abuse. We’ve researched dozens of the most popular models to develop this list of the best cooler bags for every person and type of outing.

• Best overall: Yeti Hopper Flip 18
• Best small: Carhartt Deluxe Dual-Compartment Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag
• Best collapsible: Igloo 36-Can Snapdown
• Best backpack: Brümate MagPack 24-Can Backpack Soft Cooler
• Best soft-sided: Iron Flask Soft Cooler Bag
• Best value: Coleman Soft Cooler Bag

How we chose the best cooler bags

Cooler bags are a hot commodity because they don’t require the amount of space (or expense) as a full-sized cooler. There are dozens of popular models on the market vying to keep your cans and lunch containers cool. We started with a wide survey of the product space and narrowed it down based on personal experience, user feedback, editorial reviews, and general reputation. We put several models through typical activities, including trips to the beach and toting lunches. For the best results, it’s still important to know how to pack a cooler and nail the ice-to-drinks ratio properly.

The best cooler bags: Reviews & Recommendations

From the boat and the beach to the jobsite or campsite, insulated bags keep your food and drinks at your desired temperature. Here are the best cooler bags for no matter where you plan to be this summer, whether it’s landscaping or playing backyard games.  

Best overall: Yeti Hopper Flip 18

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Why it made the cut: With burly construction, superior insulation, and lots of carrying options, this is the champion of cooler bags.

Specs

• Capacity: 30 cans
• Handle type: Hand and shoulder
• Waterproof: Yes
• Price: $300

Pros

• Waterproof construction includes the zipper
• Exceptional insulation
• Designed to withstand UV rays and mildew buildup

Cons

• Very expensive

Yeti has made a name for itself, making some of the best full-sized and roller coolers, and it’s brought that same engineering to its Hopper Flip 18 soft cooler. Its 30-can capacity (without ice) is more than sufficient for a day-long beach trip or hike. Adding ice will lower the number of cans you can bring but increase the amount of time your beverages will stay cold. Yeti says the cooler bag can keep beverages cold for several hours (if not days), though the exact timeframe will depend on your environment and beverage-to-ice ratio. This longevity is possible because of Yeti’s DryHide double-TPU Shell and Coldcell Insulation, which put a dense barrier between the contents of your soft cooler and the outside world.

A leakproof zipper will prevent liquid from getting in and out of the Hopper Flip 18 unnecessarily. Yeti says the materials it uses on the inside and outside of its soft cooler were designed to reduce mildew, and the outside can prevent damage from exposure to UV rays. All of these performance characteristics are common in full-sized coolers, but it’s impressive Yeti was able to keep cramming them into a much lighter, more portable cooler design. There are still some features—like the ability to use dry ice for cooling—that are exclusive to Yeti’s full-sized coolers, but all of the essentials are here.

Best small: Carhartt Deluxe Dual Compartment Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag

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Why it made the cut: This basic lunch bag is built super-tough and keeps food cold long enough for really late lunches.

Specs

• Capacity: Six cans
• Handle type: Shoulder strap and carry handle
• Waterproof: Yes
• Price: $29.50

Pros

• Extremely durable outer
• Shoulder and hand straps
• Extra front pocket for more storage
• Holds a 6-pack for when you’re off the clock

Cons

• Shoulder strap is sewn on so it’s not removable
• Capacity may be small for some large lunches if you’re also adding an ice pack

Don’t let this small cooler’s size fool you; its ultra portability doesn’t mean it’s less performant than our other recommendations. It’s made of 1,200-denier polyester, designed to resist water and protect your food. The soft cooler’s thermal insulation will keep hot foods hot or keep up to six canned beverages cold for several hours. At just 10 inches wide and nine inches tall, this soft cooler was designed to be taken on quick trips to the beach or onto a job site. A front zippered pocket can be used to hold utensils, small sauce bottles, or other paraphernalia, while a top compartment can hold more cans or be used to keep food and beverages separated. A carry handle and shoulder strap make this Carhartt lunch cooler bag easy to cart to any jobsite.

Best backpack: Brümate MagPack 24-Can Backpack Soft Cooler

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Why it made the cut: This big but portable soft cooler is easy to carry around and can keep drinks cold for days.

Specs

• Capacity: 24 cans
• Handle type: Shoulder straps
• Waterproof: Yes
• Price: $274.99

Pros

• Kept beverages cool for over 24 hours
• Shoulder straps were comfortable
• Magnetic lock was easy to open but stayed firmly shut

Cons

• Price

The most premium model in Brümate’s newly launched MagPack line of soft coolers is this 24-can backpack, and it’s worth every cent of its comparatively high price. The inner layers of the backpack are constructed using a proprietary technology called “IceShield” to insulate your beverages and a waterproof shell around the outside to keep any unwanted pests from getting inside. Both of these elements made the soft cooler feel solid both inside and out. We never felt like we’d damage it by moving it in and out of a car or casually dropping ice and cans into its inner chamber, then shaking them around to ensure even distribution. Our favorite design element was this cooler’s magnetic latch, which was powerful enough to prevent drinks and ice from spilling out when the backpack was turned upside down but easy enough to open one-handed.

Brümate says you can fill this cooler with up to 24 cans plus ice, 21 pounds of only ice, or seven bottles of wine with ice. We filled it with 18 cans and roughly 10 pounds of ice and left them to sit overnight. After 12 hours, it looked as if virtually no ice had melted, and the cans felt colder to the touch than when we put them in. We continued to check on our beverages at 12-hour intervals, and it was well into the second day before the ice almost completely melted. At that point, the soft cooler kept the water from the melted ice cool enough that we could grab chilled cans for several additional hours. (The cooler was left in an environment of roughly 68 degrees.)

Carrying the MagPack around was comfortable, as there was enough padding in the back and slack in the straps to make the proper adjustments. Its straps were removable, though, so we could carry it around single-handed or double-handed using its side straps. It’s nice to have this versatility, just in case. If you need a backpack cooler to keep your beverages chilled this summer, we highly recommend checking out Brümate’s MagPack 24-Can Backpack Soft Cooler.

Best collapsable: Igloo 36-Can Snapdown

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Why it made the cut: With lots of room for beverages and a very secure fold-down design, it’s an ideal way to pack for the coast.

Specs

• Capacity: 36 cans
• Handle type: Hand and shoulder straps
• Waterproof: Yes
• Price: $58.75

Pros

• Very spacious
• Front pocket provides extra storage for sunscreen or other essentials
• Sturdy handles
• Solid insulation
• Fold-down opening makes for easy loading

Cons

• Heavy when fully loaded
• No dividers if you want to carry other items besides cans

This rectangular bag unfolds at the top to create a large opening for easy loading. It weighs just 1.7 pounds when it’s empty. That’s crucial because it holds up to 36 cans and ice, which makes it hefty when loaded to capacity. The sturdy hand straps feel very secure, and the included shoulder strap is removable, so it won’t flop around when you’re not using it. This insulated cooler bag’s large, flat front pocket is roomy enough to hold silverware, sunscreen, a Kindle, or whatever other beach essentials you might want to lug along. I brought it along to an all-day fitness competition, and it kept my lunch, some protein shakes, and a few cans of energy drinks chilled nicely, even without adding ice. The fold-down opening does a good job of keeping out sand and other debris from the environment, but the lining can wrinkle, making it tricky to clean. This is ultimately a very solid replacement for those wasteful foam coolers they sell at the supermarket. It’s a lot sturdier, too.

Best soft-sided: Iron Flask Soft Cooler Bag

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Why it made the cut: Iron Flask’s soft-sided cooler is a well-constructed day-trip-friendly choice for campers and beachgoers.

Specs

• Capacity: 24 cans
• Handle type: Straps and handles
• Waterproof: Yes
• Price: $170.95

Pros

• Exceptional insulation
• Solid capacity
• Drink holders on top

Cons

• Price

Iron Flask’s Soft Cooler Bag impressed by living up to the company’s claims that beverages would stay cold for two whole days—though that does mean sacrificing some can space in the name of ice. Our tests used the suggested 12 cans and about 10 pounds of ice in a 68-degree environment, and we could continue to grab cold drinks from it for a couple of days. What impressed us the most about this soft-sided cooler was its design. The cooler’s handles and strap felt solid, making it easy for us to carry it around. A pair of circular cutouts on top of the cooler provided convenient spots to hold drinks, while a built-in bottle opener ensured we’d always have one on us at a moment’s notice. The cooler bag’s design makes it the perfect choice for carting around on a commuter/cargo bike, too.

Iron Flask said its soft cooler was rip-resistant and leakproof, and we put the latter statement to the test by leaving ice water inside, shaking it around, and keeping the cooler upside down. Water didn’t get through, so you shouldn’t have any leaking issues while transporting beverages or keeping water in this soft cooler bag in a car or on the beach overnight. By using the right insulation, Iron Flask was able to coax the maximum amount of performance from a lighter weight soft cooler bag. While it’s a little more expensive than the competition, you’re certainly getting what you paid for.

Best budget: Coleman Soft Cooler Bag

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Why it made the cut: This roomy bag provides solid insulation and lots of space to cover various uses.

Specs

• Capacity: 30 cans
• Handle type: Shoulder strap
• Waterproof: No
• Price: $33

Pros

• High capacity
• Flip-open top makes for easy access
• Folds down when empty for easy transport

Cons

• Not waterproof or leak-proof, so best for packaged products
• No handle for hand-carrying

This may not be the least expensive soft cooler we recommend, but its 30-can capacity is impressive given its sub-$50 price tag. Even on 90-degree Fahrenheit days, this Coleman soft cooler bag can keep 30 cans cold for 24 hours because it has heat-welded leakproof seams and robust insulation. While hardly bulletproof, the nylon exterior has an antimicrobial lining designed to keep out odor, mold, mildew, and fungus. Plus, the ripstop fabric is made to prevent tears. That’s plenty of protection for a budget buy. The soft cooler bag also features side handles and an adjustable shoulder strap for easy transport, plus a front pocket to store your keys or bottle opener. 

What to consider when shopping for the best cooler bags

Whether you need them for play or work, the best cooler bags have one main job: maintaining your food’s temperature. Bags accomplish this through insulation, leakproof seams, and other features. Just in time for you to pack that picnic, we’ve unpacked what you need to look for in a cooler bag.

Insulation

Insulation is the primary way the best cooler bags keep food cold—or hot, for that matter. Most bags feature thermal insulation, which keeps food or drinks at the desired temperature by stopping heat transfer. Think about it: If you place a hot mug of coffee on the counter, the beverage will slowly cool to room temperature. But suppose you put it in a concealed environment. In that case, it’ll transfer its heat energy to the inside of that space while simultaneously pulling heat energy from the air around it until the temperature of both the coffee and that concealed space settles somewhere in between.

A cooler bag’s insulation helps win the heat-transfer battle, and the best cooler bags use foam insulation. The gas bubbles in the foam, as well as the porous spaces between those bubbles, help slow heat transfer. But not all foam is the same. Open-cell foam is lighter and more flexible—making it an easier fit for soft-sided coolers. However, it doesn’t stop the transfer of heat as well as closed-cell foam, which does a better job of limiting the interaction between the gas bubbles. Brands such as Yeti have created foam insulation that’s light and soft enough for bags, bringing the best of thermal to soft-sided coolers. Of course, expect to pay higher prices for technology that so effectively keeps the temperature up (or down).  

Seams

Seams are critical in a soft cooler bag because they prevent leaks of all kinds. One type of leak is apparent—if the seams aren’t tight and your bag of marinating chicken spills, you’ll be cleaning your trunk, as well as your cooler. (Also, if you’re planning to dump ice into your insulated bag, weak seams could lead to a wet picnic blanket.)

While not as messy, the other kind of leak could be just as problematic. Remember, they work by creating a perfectly concealed environment to prevent heat transfer. Leaky seams compromise that environment by allowing air to flow in and out.

So what should you look for in a cooler’s seams? Rather than being stitched or glued together, the best cooler bags—the most airtight, that is—are welded together with heat and pressure. The seal on top of the bag also factors in. While zippers are most common—and perfectly suitable—Yeti has developed a magnetic seal that’s nearly as tight as a drybag. 

Durability

The outside of your cooler bag is important since that material determines waterproofing and other protections. A fabric’s deniability refers to the thickness of each thread, and anything above “1,000 denier” should provide ample resistance to water, mildew, and the sun. Many bags also feature breathable, elements-resistant linings—à la Gore-Tex.  

Size

Soft bags can have as much capacity as blocky hard coolers. But if you plan to use it as a lunch box rather than a camping refrigerator, you’d be foolish to opt for the 30-can model. Still, a bigger bag can accommodate more ice, giving you the option of keeping food chilled for longer. Plus, the advantage of the best soft cooler bags over hard coolers is that they are packable, often folding down or rolling up in a way that lets them take up just a fraction of the space when they’re empty.

Extras

When your cooler bag is loaded with a case of beer and a bag of ice, you may need an extra set of hands. Models with handles, as well as shoulder straps, offer more ways—and more places—to grab and lift. Extra pockets are useful, too. Some bags have two insulated pockets, allowing you to keep your leftovers warm on top and your beer cold down below. Front and side pockets provide the perfect places to stash your dry goods or your keys. 

FAQs

Final thoughts on shopping for the best cooler bags

• Best overall: Yeti Hopper Flip 18
• Best small: Carhartt Deluxe Dual-Compartment Insulated Lunch Cooler Bag
• Best collapsible: Igloo 36-Can Snapdown
• Best backpack: Brümate MagPack 24-Can Backpack Soft Cooler
• Best soft-sided: Iron Flask Soft Cooler Bag
• Best value: Coleman Soft Cooler Bag

Whether you’re looking for frosty beers or fresher produce, an insulated bag is like a portable refrigerator that packs up easily when it’s emptied. With thermal bags’ foam insulation systems and airtight seals, the best cooler bags can keep your hot food warm and your cold cuts cool. The size and style you need depend on what you want to eat and drink and where you want to consume it—maybe at a pier or a picnic table. But no matter if you’re looking to tip back a few cold ones on a boat deck or eat a hot sandwich while constructing a client’s back deck, there is an option that’s right for you.  

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 cooler bags for 2024 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Yes, Apple just released the new M3-powered MacBook Air laptop and it’s great. But, it’s also full-price. If you don’t need the latest and greatest machine, the fantastic M1-powered MacBook Air is just $650 right now at Amazon while they last. That’s $100 cheaper than the cheapest price I have seen. It’s also cheaper than the refurbished models.

Apple MacBook Air M1 $650 (Was $999, previous low of $750)

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This is the 13-inch version of the MacBook Air with the wedge-shaped body design. It’s very skinny at the front and slightly thicker at the hinge. You still get a Retina display, Apple’s very capable M1-series chip (which includes the processor, GPU, and system memory in one tidy package), and a pair of Thunderbolt USB-C ports. This is a perfect laptop for school or college, but it may sell out when it’s this cheap. Don’t sleep on it.

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I took the MacBook Air M3 off the charger at around 3 p.m. on Friday. At 2.7 pounds, it’s light and compact enough to finish off the week’s work from the couch. Throughout the weekend, I dumped a bunch of raw files from a Canon R6 mirrorless camera to the MBA’s 512GB SSD. I watched a bunch of streamed episodes of Seinfeld on Netflix while I cleaned up around the house. I even used it to troubleshoot my parents’ Wi-Fi connection when they couldn’t get online. Before I knew it, Monday morning had arrived, and I still hadn’t plugged the MacBook Air back in. The battery indicator still said I had 21 percent of my juice left. This is how I want life with a laptop to go and I’m frankly not surprised that Apple’s latest ultra-portable delivers it. The 13-inch MacBook Air M3 is the predictable choice as the best laptop for most people, but it’s also the right choice, at least according to my experience so far.

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What’s new in the 13-inch MacBook Air M3?

Apple switched up its MacBook Air design with the M2 generation, which debuted last year. It ditched the iconic (if a little dated) wedge-shaped design for a flatter form factor similar to the MacBook Pro computers. The M3 MacBook Air sticks to that new design, weighing in at 2.7 pounds and standing just 0.44 inches tall. In that slim strip, you get two USB-C (Thunderbolt 3) ports and a MagSafe 3 charging port on one side, and a 3.5mm headphone jack with high-impedance headphone support on the other. It’s 11.97 inches wide and 8.46 inches long and is available in Silver, Starlight, Space Gray, or Midnight (shown here). Ultimately, it feels like a MacBook Air, so no real surprises there.

Welcome Wi-Fi 6E

The upgrades are somewhat specific but useful for some people. The M3 now offers Wi-Fi 6E connectivity, an upgrade from the M2’s Wi-Fi 6. Of course, you’ll need a Wi-Fi 6E router in order to take any real advantage of any performance boost.

Better external monitor support

Close the MacBook Air’s lid, and it can fully support a pair of high-res monitors. The M2 model can only support a single external display. If you spend a lot of time sitting at a desk, which I unfortunately do, this might excite you. It’s slightly odd that the lid has to be closed, but it’s undeniably nicer to have two big matching external displays rather than one huge screen and the MBA’s tiny screen next to each other on the desk.

Performance upgrades

The real meat-and-potatoes upgrades come in the form of the computing hardware. This machine employs the Apple M3 chip, which promises a tangible speed upgrade compared to previous versions. Apple promises relatively modest overall performance upgrades for the CPU and GPU compared to the M2. Quick benchmarking tests suggest as much. We’re not publishing the benchmarks here; they’re simply meant to give us a reference. Plenty of great sites out there create controlled benchmark tests to help you ensure that you get the laptop that makes the biggest numbers on the testing graphs.

The new GPU architecture represents one of the bigger changes in overall performance. This is slightly conflicting for me because I’ll obviously always take the extra performance bump. Still, if you regularly play intensive games or do heavy creative work like video editing or music production, you’re almost certainly better off spending some extra money and upgrading to the MacBook Pro to get the extra performance enabled by the more robust cooling.

Which MacBook should you buy?

Since there are no real surprises here in terms of everyday usage, here are some common comparisons you’re likely to make if you’re shopping for a MacBook:

MacBook Air M2 vs. MacBook Air M3

If you’re already using an M2 MacBook Air, then you don’t really have much incentive to move up to the newest model. The Wi-Fi 6E is nice, and the performance upgrades aren’t totally intangible, but it’s rarely necessary to upgrade MacBooks with every generation. Run the M2 until it doesn’t do what you need, then move on to the next version. If your M2 is seriously lagging on you because you’re doing resource-intensive work, then you’re probably best served moving up to a MacBook Pro and skipping the Air series in general.

MacBook Air M1 vs. MacBook Air M3

This is a different story. The M1 MacBook Air is still a great little machine for most people, but it’s getting long in the tooth. Really think about whether you need the extra performance. We’ve seen the M1 machines go for $749 in recent months, which is a full $350 cheaper than the new M3 (when comparing base models). If your daily activities don’t get much more intense than email and web surfing, the M1 still may have plenty of power. That said, I like the M3 form factor much more, and that M3 chip will stay relevant for years longer than the M1 at this point.

MacBook Air M3 vs. MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch

It’s nice to think of yourself as a “pro,” but not everyone needs to spend the money jumping up to the MBP laptops series. The cheapest 14-inch MacBook Pro comes with a standard M3 chip and adds a full $500 to the base price. That’s a considerable jump, but it’s worth the extra cost if you’re regularly editing video, churning through huge photo files, or doing other greedy tasks. That extra cost also comes with a bigger, heavier machine, so be realistic about your needs. Editing the occasional Reel in Final Cut isn’t reason enough to splurge unless you really want it.

What MacBook Air M3 configuration should you buy?

While I’m a big fan of Apple silicon, I think it’s a slight miss for the company to set 8GB as the floor for shared memory. The move up to 16GB also comes with an extra 256GB of built-in storage (for a total of 512GB) and two extra GPU cores for a total price of $1,499. That’s $400 more than the base model, but it will keep your machine relevant and capable for longer (and save you from buying an external hard drive, at least for a bit). A well-treated MacBook Air can last five years or more. Those upgrades now will have a big impact on how well it ages. Remember, the M-series chips are basically fully enclosed so you can’t upgrade much later.

All of that said, the base M3 MacBook Air is likely just fine for most people right now. If you’re not planning on running this machine into the 2030s and primarily using your computer for school or business, you can save the upgrade money without feeling like you’re missing out on much.

So, who should buy the MacBook Air M3?

Like I said above, I really do believe the MacBook Air M3 is the best laptop for most people at the moment. It’s beautifully designed, very portable, and extremely quick at every task we tried. The base model does feel a smidge underpowered for the price, but we’re used to paying a little extra when it comes to Apple. Overall, this is one of the best laptops I’ve ever used. I assume I’ll be saying the same thing again this time next year when the M4 version comes out. That’s OK with me. I don’t really like surprises anyway.

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It was dark when I woke up this morning. That’s not some metaphor for how crummy Daylight Savings Time makes me feel. It was still night when my alarm went off. Luckily, good lighting can make the transition into daytime a lot more comfortable. Right now, Amazon has GE CYNC lighting for up to half-off. That includes bulbs, strips, and even dimmer switches if you want to upgrade your entire system. We’re big fans of the GE smart light bulbs and smart light switches, so we’re glad to see them on sale.

GE CYNC Smart LED Light Bulbs, Soft White, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 2 Pack $16.30 (was $24.99)

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Some smart lights require an extra hardware hub in order to work at all, but these CYNC bulbs connect directly and take orders from an app or a voice assistant like Alexa. In fact, Amazon can link the bulbs to your Alexa before shipping them so they’ll arrive ready to take your commands. That’s pretty handy. They’re soft white, so they provide a nice glow instead of a blinding glare. This is as cheap as we have seen this year.

More GE CYNC lighting deals

• GE CYNC Dynamic Effects Smart LED Light Strip Extension $23.99 (was $35.99)
• GE CYNC Dynamic Effects BR30 Color Changing Light Bulb with Music Sync $15.99 (was $26.99)
• GE CYNC Reveal HD+ Wafer Smart LED Downlight Fixture, Full Color Changing Lights $95 (was $119)
• GE CYNC Reveal HD+ Wafer Smart LED Downlight Fixture, Full Color Changing Lights $79 (was $98)
• GE CYNC Smart LED Light Bulb, ST19 Edison Style, Works with Amazon Alexa and Google Home $23 (was $27)
• GE CYNC Smart Dimmer Light Switch, No Neutral Wire Required $23 (was $59)
• GE CYNC Smart Dimmer Light Switch, Neutral Wire Required $22 (was $29)
• GE CYNC Smart Light Switch On/Off Button Style, No Neutral Wire Required Smart Switch $25.99 (was $39)

The post Grab these deep discounts on GE CYNC lighting: Bulbs, strips, dimmers, and more appeared first on Popular Science.

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Samsung is seriously blowing out a lot of its most popular TVs right now, and that includes some impressive combos that include a television with a 3.1 surround soundbar for under $1,000. There are plenty of stand-alone TVs as well, but we love when we can upgrade an entire setup in one fell swoop. Nate Bargatze would approve. Keep scrolling for all the direct-from-Samsung TV deals. Then invite us over to watch the Curb Your Enthusiasm finale. We’ll bring the buffalo chicken dip.

75″ Class Crystal UHD CU7000 with B-Series 3.1 ch. Soundbar $839 (was $1,129)

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This is a 75-inch model of Samsung’s Crystal UHD TV. It’s big, bright enough for almost any room, and comes with all the smart TV features Samsung’s Tizen OS offers. Even if you buy this model at a big box store like Sam’s Club, you can typically expect to pay more than this and that’s without the free 3.1-channel soundbar. That includes a subwoofer to really annoy your neighbors. This is a great deal and a quick way to upgrade your entire viewing experience in one shot.

More TV and TV/Soundbar deals

• 70″ Class QLED 4K QE1C with Q-Series 3.1.2 ch. Soundbar $1,249 (was $2,399)
• 85″ Class Crystal UHD CU7000 with B-Series 3.1 ch. Soundbar $1,339(was $1,499)
• 55″ Class QN85C Samsung Neo QLED 4K Smart TV (2023) $999 (was $1,499)
• 65″ Class QN800C Samsung Neo QLED 8K Smart TV (2023) $2,599 (was $3,499)
• 85” Class QE1C QLED 4K $1,499 (was $2,799)
• 50″ Class QLED 4K Q80C $899 (was $999)
• 75″ Class QLED 4K Q70C $1,199 (was $1,799)
• 85″ Class QLED 4K Q80C $2,199 (was $3,299)
• 85″ Class QLED 4K Q60C $1,599 (was $2,299)
• 55″ Class OLED S95C $1,799 (was $2,400)
• 55″ Class OLED S90C $1,399 (was $1,899)

The post Get a 75-inch Samsung TV and 3.1 surround soundbar for just $839 during this massive TV sale appeared first on Popular Science.

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Most iconic		Herman Miller Aeron Chair		SEE IT	Set your recline range at one of three postures with the specially designed tilt limiter.
Most eco-friendly		Steelcase Karman		SEE IT	This sleek chair is made from recycled materials and a breathable proprietary mesh.
Best for big and tall		Steelcase Gesture		SEE IT	This highly adjustable chair can support up to 400 pounds.

The first office chairs originated around the middle of the 19th century when workers began spending long hours sitting at desks, which required special features not found on other chairs at the time. Today, office chairs have become a staple of modern life in corporate settings and at home. Unfortunately, this is not a sustainable way to work for many people. Ergonomics has been an essential consideration in furniture since the 1970s, and modern-day office chairs are designed with safety and health in mind, which often results in increased productivity. If you’ve been aching for a comfortable chair, literally, it’s time to shop for a designated workstation. We’ve hand-selected some of the best office chairs to get you started.

• Best overall: Anthros
• Best breathability: Herman Miller Aeron Chair
• Best value ergonomic: Flexispot Premium Ergonomic Chair (C7)
• Best eco-friendly: Steelcase Karman Chair
• Best for big and tall: Steelcase Gesture
• Best for back pain: Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair
• Best for long hours: Branch Ergonomic Chair
• Best upholstered: Art Leon Mid-Century Modern Accent Chair
• Best modern design: Laura Davidson SOHO Chair
• Best budget: BestOffice Home Office Chair

How we chose the best office chairs

When evaluating the best chairs for the office, the most obvious thing to remember is that there is no “one size fits all” approach, as anyone with a passing knowledge of the story Goldilocks and the Three Bears can probably tell you. One person’s lumbar support could be another person’s backache waiting to happen, so we assessed a wide variety of office desk chairs to meet a range of needs. All in all, we researched no less than five or six dozen chairs before deciding on the list that made the final cut.

Some of the features we homed in on for these computer chairs were basic comfort, ease of use, versatility, cost, easy assembly, style, and overall design. While some of the best chairs for office may come with all the bells and whistles, they may not always be the most cost-efficient or aesthetically pleasing options. However, those who are serious about their home office setup or who work long hours may want the very best executive office chair that fits their budget.

The best office chairs: Reviews & Recommendations

The best home office chairs today have features such as adjustable seats and heights, armrests, and back supports. These features help to prevent repetitive stress injuries, back pain, and other aches and discomforts associated with long periods of sitting, and our selections reflect those benefits.

Best overall: Anthros

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Specs

• Materials: Various fabrics and leather alternatives, as well as real wood accent options
• Furniture base: Swivel or non-swivel options, with casters for carpet or wood

Pros

• Built with reliable science
• 12-year warranty
• Puts basic ergonomics to shame
• Fully adjustable

Cons

• Expensive
• No headrest

The Anthros chair is made for those who sit, which is a lot of people. Most people. At some point, all people. But this chair, in particular, was created for those who sit a lot and are looking to fix what we’ve been breaking all these years behind the dull gray of cubicle walls, made worse by the advent of smartphones: our posture. Whether hunching over a device or curling forward, staring into a monitor, our spines and musculature have taken a beating. Anthros chair might just be the solution to our everlasting pain.

Here’s the thing, though: The Anthros chair is expensive, which puts it in the class of chairs with other marquee brands we feature, like Herman Miller and Steelcase. However, when you break down the science and construction of this chair, it’s a worthy splurge and one that stands alone. It’s the first office chair FDA-registered as a product that can improve posture. And the team at Anthros is composed of designers, physical and occupational therapists, pain and posture specialists, inventors, and biomechanics experts. But how’s the butt-feel?

It’s great, and here’s a tidbit you might not have considered when purchasing an office chair: It has the lowest sheer rating (sliding off the chair, causing pain over time) of all its closest competitors and the highest pressure distribution/contact area rating. These ratings were achieved through vigorous scientific testing, with data to back it up. The science proves the butt-feel is fantastic. 

A lot of times when we’re purchasing chairs, we stop at the butt pad. We don’t think enough about the back support, and we get tempted (and misled) with words like “lumbar” and “ergonomics.” The truth is that those things are gimmicks, and true ergonomics come from proper full-body alignment and pelvic support. This is much more important to your structural integrity than an added lumbar pillow that pushes your lower spine forward.

To offer the best level of support, Anthros is built with separate pelvic support and upper back support. This helps push your pelvic bone forward and keep your shoulders straight and not slouching. This design was cultivated over four years of testing and development and met along the way with resistance from manufacturing partners and the costs of building the chair within the United States. 

“Every step of the way, we faced suggestions from our manufacturing partner that tempted us to take the easier route, the one well-trodden by existing office chair manufacturers,” Ambassador Community Director Ashley Williams, PT, DPT, ATP/SM, CASp, tells PopSci via email. “‘Why not use mesh?’ they’d suggest, or a synchro-tilt, or even a recline feature—options that seemed to be the industry standard. But our response was always guided by a deeper understanding of what truly benefits the human body during long periods of sitting.”

Fighting against common practices and focusing on the benefits to our backs and posture has resulted in a chair that certainly does what it sets out to do. After just a week of using the Anthros chair (shown in “Quartz/Ivory” colorway above), this reviewer can attest that while it initially seems to force good posture, it began to feel more natural than any other chair. Instead of curving into a gaming chair with an uncomfortable pillow in your back, it sets your hips straight and keeps your spine aligned. 

Plus, it doesn’t stop there. With a tension tilt, adjustable (up, down, side to side) armrests, and depth positioning on the pelvic and upper back support, you will find your perfect sit in this chair. The fully adjustable nature means you’ll not even want to slouch, regardless of your shape or current posture state, because the support is there. There’s no reason to slouch. 

Sure, there’s no headrest, but what do you need that for if the back support properly supports your neck? And if you already struggle with back pain, then you’ll want ultimate support. And that’s why we sit anyway. 

“Research indicates a strong correlation between poor posture and a range of adverse health outcomes, including chronic pain, fatigue, injury, depression, impaired vision, digestive issues, poor circulation, dysfunctional breathing, and even a shortened lifespan,” continues Williams. “Remarkably, up to 80 percent of individuals will encounter at least one episode of back pain in their lifetime.”

With that in mind, it all boils down to Anthros’ claim that after years of experiments, collecting data, and existing research, the team found that it created three things with this chair: a back support that increases disc space and reduces disc pressure, dramatically improves posture, and provides the world’s most comfortable, lowest-pressure cushion. And none of that is marketing nonsense. There’s a reason the FDA took notice. My back can attest to the support, and my butt can attest to the cushion. 

This is a human-centric chair, designed not just to be a thing you occupy while sitting but to fix your form while doing so. And the way it does that, with separate supports for your pelvis and back without relying on jutting lumbar supports or an exhaustingly loose tilt, is about as good as you’ll get in an office chair. 

If you spend more time sitting than anything else and find yourself struggling to maintain posture, along with the aches and pains of failing to do so, the Anthros chair will definitely fix that.

The manufacturer provided a review unit. The Anthros chair starts at $1,849 (pre-customization), but PopSci readers can save more than $100 now using this link.

Best breathability: Herman Miller Aeron Chair

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Why it made the cut: Since its introduction in 1994, this classic Herman Miller office chair has evolved and been updated to enhance the modern workplace experience.

Specs

• Materials: Recycled materials
• Furniture base: Swivel
• Weight: 41 pounds

Pros

• Adjustable recline for three postures
• Fully adjustable arms
• Comes in three different sizes

Cons

• Headrest not included and sold separately

For over 25 years, the Herman Miller Aeron Chair has been a gold standard for office furniture with its classic, ergonomic design. The latest version of the Aeron has been fully remastered with many premium design features to better support modern office workers with an adjustable range of motion for leaning forward or reclining back.

The tilt limiter function, for instance, allows you to set the recline range at one of three postures, while tension control lets you adjust the amount of effort needed to recline comfortably. In addition, the chair’s armrests adjust from a height of 6.8 to 10.8 inches above the seat, slide back and forth over a range of 2.5 inches, and pivot between 15 degrees outward and 17.5 degrees inward for a fully customizable fit. Yet, the chair is still available in three sizes to accommodate even people six feet or taller.

For lumbar support, two individual pads flex independently and adjust to fit the spine curve, though some customers feel that it could use even more support. Another minor gripe is that the headrest is sold separately even with the hefty price tag, which might be a dealbreaker for those who are already concerned about making the pricey investment. But it fits the bill if you’re on the hunt for black office chairs.

Best value ergonomic: Flexispot Exclusive Ergonomic Chair (C7)

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Why it made the cut: This comfortable chair is designed for maximum adjustability and comes with self-adaptive back support and a headrest to support you throughout the day.

Specs

• Materials: PU soft plastic; aluminum alloy base
• Furniture base: Swivel
• Weight: 45.2 pounds

Pros

• Easy to assemble
• Mesh back (and optional seat) allows for lots of airflow
• Adjustable height, headrest, armrests, and lumbar/back
• Smooth caster (wheel) motion

Cons

• Armrests feel cheap compared to the rest of the chair
• Bottom/space between armrests may be slightly narrow for users with wide hips

Flexispot’s premium office chair is the Ergonomic Chair Pro (C7). This offering comes in two colors, features a sturdy aluminum base, and boasts adjustable height, headrest, and armrests. The C7 is simple to assemble (about 30 minutes).

Cool air easily flows through this chair’s material, which Flexispot calls “high elasticity filament,” making it comfortable to sit in for long periods of time when combined with the ergonomic design. You can opt for the same material for the seat (for a fee) or stick with the stock foam cushion (the 20-inch seat provides ample space for cross-legged sitting). The chair itself can recline from 90 to 128 degrees to get comfortable sitting back with a foot hammock or practicing perfect posture. The headrest, which is made of the same material as the rest of the chair, is quite comfortable and slightly contorts to support the head and neck. And the lumbar support cushion detects posture changes and automatically adjusts itself to ensure constant support.

One of the most surprisingly loved features of C7 owners is the wheels. They’re larger than many stock options that come with other chairs and are particularly quiet, especially on a short carpet or rug. Flexispot has also designed the FlexiSpot Comhar Pro Standing Desk Q8, which goes well with this chair. You can find it in our guide to the best standing desks.

Best eco-friendly: Steelcase Karman Chair

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Why it made the cut: Made by one of the top names in office chairs, Steelcase’s new Karman chair is inspired by the cosmos and is made from recycled materials and a proprietary textile that responds the shape of users’ bodies.

Specs

• Materials: Intermix mesh, aluminum
• Furniture base: Swivel
• Weight: 29 pounds

Pros

• Made from recycled materials 
• Sleek design
• Lightweight
• Comfort adjustment dial added

Cons

• Lumbar support is a separate purchase
• Supports less weight capacity than other ergonomic chairs

Steelcase’s Karman Chair is inspired by the weightlessness of the Kármán Line, where the Earth’s atmosphere meets space. The chair is designed with sustainability in mind. At 29 pounds, this chair is lighter than many options on the market. It is made from 25 percent recycled and 75 percent recyclable material. And the proprietary mesh material in this offering combines yarn and filaments together to create a weave that responds to your body. 

The Karman features a mechanism that automatically senses your weight to provide the right support for your back when you recline. It also boasts a new comfort dial that adjusts the tension by up to 20 percent. Users can also customize the chair when ordering, choosing between height adjustability, 4-way adjustable arms, or an armless model. You can also purchase a cushion for extra lumbar support for an extra $57. Design enthusiasts will also appreciate the ability to choose between 13 colorways and several frame finishes.

Best for big and tall: Steelcase Gesture

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Specs

• Materials: Polyester with foam padding
• Furniture base: Swivel
• Weight: 70 pounds

Pros

• Accommodates a range of body shapes and sizes
• Supports up to 400 pounds
• Highly adjustable
• Versatile arms that won’t cut into legs

Cons

• Expensive

If you spend most of your life sitting at a desk (like so many people do), it’s worth investing in a chair that will treat your body correctly. The Steelcase Gesture comfortably supports up to 400 pounds and has a maximum seat height of 21 inches. It can support bodies of any size. What’s more, this high-back chair features highly adjustable arms, which aren’t attached at the front of the seat, so they won’t dig into your thighs if your legs sit far apart (a problem with many other big-and-tall chairs). 

The seat cushion on this tall office chair has air pockets inside for ideal support and squishiness. Plus, the cushions are softer around the edges, so they flex under your legs, put less pressure on the muscles, and encourage blood flow. The back of the chair has a patented flexible panel that mimics the ideal shape of the spine to encourage sturdy posture. The headrest also encourages a more upright position to prevent slouching. Yes, the Steelcase Gesture is expensive, but it will treat your body how it deserves to be treated. Find more options in the best big and tall office chairs.

Best for back pain: Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair

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Why it made the cut: For all-around comfort, you can’t beat this budget ergonomic office chair. This mesh construction office chair provides four supporting points at the head, back, hips, and hands.

Specs

• Materials: Mesh
• Furniture base: Swivel
• Weight: 41 pounds  

Pros

• High-quality breathable mesh construction
• Adjustable flip-up armrests
• Smooth and quiet rolling caster wheels

Cons

• Doesn’t suit tall people as well

You’ll sit comfortably and work efficiently for hours in the Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair, which provides four supporting points at the head, back, hips, and hands, along with proper lumbar support. For added relief, the headrest, back, and seat are all constructed of breathable, high-quality mesh that won’t overheat and will keep you cool even in the middle of summer.

But perhaps the most popular feature of this back supportive chair is the fully adjustable, foldable armrests that can change height at the press of a button or flip to slide easily under any desk or table. The tilt function is also adjustable from 90 to 120 degrees, which is perfect for anyone from gamers to those who regularly spend long hours behind a desk. As a bonus, the smooth caster wheels are quiet and won’t cause damage to wooden floors.

The manufacturer’s description states that the chair is suitable for people from 5’5″ to 6’2″ in height. However, some taller users have found that the alignment of the headrest is awkward or that it doesn’t fold back far enough, so you don’t bump the back of your head. That’s an easy fix, though, as the headrest can be removed if it doesn’t work to your liking. And once you’re done, you can sink into one of the best massage chairs.

Best for long hours: Branch Ergonomic Chair

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Why it made the cut: Those looking for an office chair that provides plenty of ergonomic support while also looking good will appreciate the versatility of this chair.

Specs

• Materials: Aluminum base, nylon mesh
• Furniture base: Swivel
• Weight: 35 pounds

Pros

• Provides backrest for lumbar support
• Elegant design
• Comes in customizable color combinations

Cons

• Headrest is an added-on cost

Lumbar support may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of sleek Italian design. But Branch’s Ergonomic Chair incorporates both comfort and elegance, which is important when you’re spending most of your day in the home office. You can adjust the armrests, height, tilt, and seat depth to get the perfect fit. It also comes with a lumbar cushion for extra support that you can remove. 

The swivel chair is designed with an aluminum base that can support people from 5’2″ to 6’2″ and can accommodate up to 275 pounds. The backrest is made of nylon, which is flexible and breathable and makes it a great option if you’re searching for mesh office chairs. The Branch Ergonomic Chair also comes in three colors—black, gray, and light blue—and your choice of a black or white frame. To find out more, read a full Branch Ergonomic Chair review.

Best upholstered: Art Leon Mid-Century Modern Accent Chair

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Why it made the cut: This mid-century modern swivel chair works perfectly as either an office chair for working behind a desk or an accent chair for curling up with a good book.

Specs

• Materials: Faux leather
• Furniture base: Swivel
• Weight: 33.5 pounds

Pros

• Caster-free design won’t scratch your floor
• Comfortable handrail-style armrests
• Wooden swivel legs rotate 360 degrees

Cons

• Too small for some

Those who prioritize style and comfort equally will appreciate this Art Leon Mid Century Modern Accent Chair, which pairs an eye-catching, mod design with firm, well-cushioned, and ample seating. This comfy chair is also the perfect option for small offices and tight spaces. The sleek, handrail-style armrests curve down to fit under most desks yet are sturdy enough for pushing yourself up out of the seat.

Four sturdy oak legs extend outward from the swivel base that spins a full 360 degrees. Unlike most modern office chairs, this small office chair doesn’t have caster wheels. It’s a safer option for people with small kids and pets since there’s no worry about tiny hands, feet, paws, and tails accidentally getting rolled over.

Some customers love that this accent chair is roomy enough to curl up in or sit cross-legged, while others on the larger side find it a bit dainty or cramped for their tastes. Another slight downside is that a handful of users have complained about the faux leather having a chemical odor. However, the scent seems to dissipate on its own after a few days or faster if sprayed with a linen freshener such as Febreze.

Best modern design: Laura Davidson SOHO Chair

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Why it made the cut: This sleek chair comes in 20 colors and supports good posture.

Specs

• Materials: Vinyl
• Furniture base: Swivel
• Weight: 30 pounds

Pros

• Aluminum base supports 400 pounds
• Durable, heat-embossed ribbing
• Comes in 20 bright, fun colors

Cons

• Vinyl faux leather not very breathable

The sleek Laura Davidson SOHO Office Chair almost does too good of a job at maintaining your posture because try as you might, it makes slouching nearly impossible. The supportive chrome steel frame and leatherette seat help support your back, with heat-embossed ribbing at least three times more durable than competitor products that use cheaper stitching.

Unlike some office chairs that have a low weight threshold, the extra-strength aluminum base not only looks great but supports over 400 pounds. Plus, the polyurethane rolling casters work great on various surfaces, including hardwood floors and low pile carpet, but without the risk of scratching or damage. With 20 bright, eye-catching colors, these cute office chairs look great in a home office or study.

This chair may not be the best for warmer climates as the faux vinyl leather is not very breathable and may become uncomfortable at higher temperatures. In addition, a few customers have noted that the arms can be difficult to screw on and need frequent tightening, but they can also be removed entirely if that becomes a recurring and bothersome issue. Another modern option that can work is one of the best kneeling chairs.

Best budget: BestOffice Home Office Chair

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Why it made the cut: If you don’t mind a narrow seat, this budget office chair boasts an attractively affordable price tag with standard features and basic lumbar support.

Specs

• Materials: Mesh, metal base
• Furniture base: Swivel
• Weight: 19 pounds

Pros

• Affordable for a range of budgets
• Easy to install and assemble
• Ergonomic nylon mesh lumbar support

Cons

• Seat is too narrow for wider hips

If you’re looking for cheap office chairs, you could do worse than the BestOffice Home Office Chair, which has a price tag that can get nearly anyone on board. Constructed from a high-density sponge cushion, this chair provides comfortable seating and ergonomic nylon mesh for optimal lumbar support and 360-degree rolling wheels.

Though the chair arrives unassembled, it comes with all the hardware and necessary tools to put it together and can be set up easily in about 15 minutes. All parts and accessories have passed tests with the Business and Institutional Furniture Manufacturers Association for quality materials.

Even though the mesh chair can support up to 250 pounds, it may be a better option for smaller adults, kids, and teens, as some customers have found it to be a tight fit. Some people also find that the armrests are too low, and combined with the narrow seat, the arms may bump uncomfortably on your legs and hips. But for the price, it’s hard to beat. For other options, here are our roundups of the best office chairs under $200 and the best affordable gaming chairs.

What to consider before buying an office chair

When looking for a good office chair to add to your home workstation, there are a few basic things to consider:

Space

First, do you have a dedicated home office, or will you be working in another room in your home? If you have to set up your workspace in a dining room, living room, or bedroom, you may want to consider an office chair that’s comfortable but fits seamlessly into your home decor or has multi-functional use.

Ergonomic design

But if you do happen to have a dedicated office space, you might decide to invest in a high-performing or ergonomic office chair. This also holds true for gamers who spend long hours in front of their computer screen and need an office chair that won’t give them neck or back pain. Posture is another consideration. If you tend to slouch, you won’t be doing your back any favors by choosing an office chair that reinforces negative habits.

Size

Unfortunately, big and tall people may find that shopping for a comfortable office chair can be challenging. It’s a good rule of thumb to check a chair’s weight and size limits before committing. Otherwise, you may find that your new chair is uncomfortable or impractical for everyday use. 

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best office chairs

• Best overall: Anthros
• Best breathability: Herman Miller Aeron Chair
• Best value ergonomic: Flexispot Premium Ergonomic Chair (C7)
• Best eco-friendly: Steelcase Karman Chair
• Best for big and tall: Steelcase Gesture
• Best for back pain: Gabrylly Ergonomic Mesh Office Chair
• Best for long hours: Branch Ergonomic Chair
• Best upholstered: Art Leon Mid-Century Modern Accent Chair
• Best modern design: Laura Davidson SOHO Chair
• Best budget: BestOffice Home Office Chair

Our top pick for the all-around best office chair is the Anthros. Though not as well-known a high-end name as some on this list—such as the Herman Miller Aeron Chair, which is still an excellent option—we love the posture-positive feel of the Anthros paired with its sleek, versatile design. For those looking for a stylish, comfortable design, we’ll give a shoutout to the Art Leon Mid-Century Modern Accent Chair. It’s an outstanding value for those living and working in small spaces or apartments, as it can be used not just as an office chair but as an accent chair, dining chair, reading chair, and more. And if you’re specifically looking to address back pain without putting a hurting on your wallet, the FlexiSpot and Gabrylly stand out.

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 office chairs for 2024 appeared first on Popular Science.

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You want to look at the upcoming solar eclipse on April 8, but you don’t want to fry your eyeballs and you don’t want to spend a ton of money on special filters or pieces of welding glass that you’ll never need again. Luckily, there’s a simple solution and it comes from our pals over at Celestron.

Celestron – EclipSmart Safe Solar Eclipse Glasses Family 4-Pack $12

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For just around $12, this kit gets you four pairs of paper glasses with advanced solar filter lenses that meet the ISO 12312-2:2015(E) Standards. That means you can use them to directly observe the sun, even during an eclipse. While it’s not good to look at the sun for too long under normal conditions, eclipses make the practice particularly harmful. Even brief exposure to the unprotected eye can cause irreversible damage.

This $12 kit also comes with a 32-page book with information about the eclipse as well as best practices for observing it in the safest possible way.

Celestron – 2-Pack EclipSmart Safe Solar Power Viewers – 2X Magnification $13

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If you want to get an even closer look at the sun during its game of hide-and-seek, these viewers offer 2x magnification for observing more details. You only get two viewers, but the lenses are plastic instead of film so they’re more durable than the most basic models. You also get a double-sided eclipse map to see the path of total coverage.

Celestron – 3-Pc EclipSmart Safe Solar Observing & Imaging Kit $24

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This option gets you the best pair of eclipse glasses around. They have solid plastic frames, which are a big upgrade from the paper version. They also have hard plastic lenses that are more durable and provide a clearer image than the film-based models. This kit also comes with a dedicated solar filter designed to go over a camera lens so you can capture images of the eclipse without frying your camera’s sensor in the process. This is the most deluxe way to view the eclipse affordably.

The post Get these Celestron Eclipse glasses now before it’s too late appeared first on Popular Science.

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Chromebooks have come a long way from their underpowered origins. Right now, Best Buy has a popular 14-inch model from HP on sale for just $159 down from its regular $299 price tag. Even if you’re not specifically in the market for a new laptop, a cheap Chromebook like this can really come in handy. It’s a great family computer for homework and streaming. You can keep it as a travel computer so you don’t have to worry about losing an expensive laptop on the road. Or, you can use it to replace your kid’s school Chromebook that’s held together with tape and best intentions. However you use it, this is a very solid price.

HP – 14″ Chromebook Laptop – Intel Celeron – 4GB Memory – 64GB eMMC $159 (was $299)

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This three-pound machine offers all the basics you’ll need for getting work done or screwing around on the internet. You get a 14-inch HD screen, 64GB built-in storage, 4GB RAM, and a battery that lasts up to 14 hours depending on usage. A built-in webcam and decent speakers round out the features, while two USB-As, a USB-C, and an HDMI handle connectivity. This is a great basic machine that does what most people need it to.

More Chromebook deals:

• ASUS 14″ 2-in-1 Chromebook Plus Laptop – AMD Ryzen 3 7320C – 8GB Memory – 128GB SSD $399 (Was $499)
• ASUS – 17.3″ Chromebook Laptop – Intel Celeron N4500 with 4GB Memory – 64GB eMMC $179 (Was $299)
• Acer – Chromebook Spin 714 Intel Evo Laptop – 14″ 16:10 WUXGA 1920 x 1200 Touch – Intel Core i5-1335U – 8GB RAM – 256GB SSD $519 (Was $699)
• ASUS – 16″ 2-in-1 Touchscreen Chromebook – Intel Core i3 – 8GB Memory – 128GB SSD $499 (Was $599)
• Lenovo – Flex 3i 12.2″ WUXGA Touch-Screen Chromebook Laptop – Intel N100 with 4GB Memory $269 (Was $349)
• Lenovo – Slim 3 Chromebook 14″ FHD Touch-Screen Laptop – MediaTek Kompanio 520 – 4GB Memory – 64GB eMMC $219 (Was $319)
• ASUS 14″ 2-in-1 Chromebook Plus Laptop – AMD Ryzen 3 7320C – 8GB Memory – 128GB SSD $399 (Was $499)
• Samsung – Galaxy Chromebook 2 – 13.3″ QLED Touch Screen – Intel Core i3 – 8GB Memory – 128GB eMMC $349 (Was $699)

The post Get this 14-inch HP Chromebook for just $159 (regularly $299) during this limited Best Buy deal appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		MPIX		SEE IT	A fast turnaround and high print quality puts this photo blanket at the top.
Best water-resistant		Walgreens Stadium Blanket		SEE IT	Simply pick up this blanket in-store and take it to the next game.
Best budget		Costco		SEE IT	All you need is a Costco membership and access to your cherished pictures.

Photo blankets may not be the best way to show off your work when compared to a gallery-grade print on high-end photo paper. They can, however, be extremely fun. Imagine giving someone a gift of a 50- by 60-inch blanket with a huge picture of your face on it. Of course, you could also go the more authentic route and put a photo of your family or a cherished pet on there. Regardless of the content, the best photo blankets can help keep you warm while showing off your favorite photos all at the same time. 

• Best overall: MPIX
• Best custom: Shutterfly
• Best water-resistant: Walgreens Stadium Blanket
• Best budget: Costco

How we chose the best photo blankets

I have printed my photos in just about every possible medium over the past 20 years, including several photo blankets with huge pictures of my face on them as gag gifts. For this list, we relied on personal experience, editorial reviews, user feedback, and feature comparisons to choose the best options. 

There aren’t a ton of places that make custom photo blankets out there, but these are your best options. We have chosen options that offer high-quality products for a reasonable price with a decent turn-around time.

The best photo blankets: Reviews & Recommendations

Unless you have very specific needs, all of these companies offer solid options that would make for great gifts. We’ve broken them down with some specific recommendations, but definitely check out all of the picks to see if one fits your particular need.

Best overall: MPIX

SEE IT

Specs

• Sizes (in inches): 30×40, 50×60, 60×80
• Materials: Plush fleece
• Turn-around time: 2-3 days for production plus shipping

Pros

• Fast turn around
• High print quality
• Tons of template options
• Easy ordering process

Cons

• No material choices
• Sizes can be limited based on design

When it comes to custom blankets, you’d be hard-pressed to find a company with more options than MPIX. The company offers dozens of different templates with single and multiple photo designs. Some of the designs even eschew the photos overall and allow you to put a name or other text within decorative patterns. 

All the blankets are printed on the same plush fleece material, so there’s no push to upgrade or worry that you got the wrong thing. MPIX offers the common blanket sizes mentioned above, but not every design is available in every option, which is one of the few less-than-optimal things about this company’s offerings. 

MPIX is a well-regarded printing house, so the overall quality of the images tends to be higher than it would be with a drug store or value-oriented brand. Despite the high quality, pricing isn’t outrageous and lands near the middle of the pack. 

Best custom: Shutterfly

SEE IT

Specs

• Sizes (in inches): 30×40, 50×60, 60×80
• Materials: Fleece, Plush fleece, and Sherpa
• Turn-around time: About a week

Pros

• Lots of templates available
• All size and material options fit every template
• High-quality prints
• The company offers other matching products if you want pillows to go with your blanket

Cons

• Can get expensive

Shutterfly’s custom blanket offerings also include a very wide range of templates, some of which are part of special collections. For each design, you can order any of the three common sizes. You can also choose the material. It offers fleece, plush fleece, and sherpa options. 

When you start picking large sizes and premium materials, the prices can get fairly high. But, Shutterfly offers high print quality and solid construction, so these blankets should last for quite some time before breaking down. 

These blankets are machine washable, so they’re easy to clean in case you drop a piece of chicken from your chicken parm sub on it. That’s the primary reason we typically have to wash blankets in my house.

Best water-resistant: Walgreens Stadium Blanket

SEE IT

Specs

• Sizes (in inches): 50×60
• Materials: Soft mink with a water-resistant underlayer
• Turn-around time: 5-10 business days

Pros

• Water-resistant
• You can also order the standard materials and sizes if you don’t need the weatherproof features
• Quick turn around
• Pick up in-store

Cons

• Expensive

Peruse the Walgreens photo blanket offerings, and you’ll find a lot of the common sizes and material options. Here, however, we’re emphasizing the stadium blanket. It’s a soft mink blanket with a layer of water-resistant material on the underside to keep moisture out. So, if you’re out at a game and it starts lightly raining, it could keep you dryer than the rest of the fans around you. That barrier layer also makes this a great option for picnics if you want to sit on your own face and eat a bucket of macaroni salad. 

The blanket rolls up into a convenient shape and includes clipped straps and a carry handle, making it easy to tote around. It’s machine washable, and you can tumble dry it, so it’s easy to clean if you have any tragic accidents with the aforementioned macaroni salad.

Best budget: Costco

SEE IT

Specs

• Sizes (in inches): 50×60, 60×80
• Materials: Plush fleece
• Turn-around time: 7 days

Pros

• Affordable
• Quick turn around
• Large sizes available

Cons

• Limited templates
• Membership required

If you live near a Costco, you can order a photo blanket directly from your local store. Costco only offers two sizes in two designs. You can choose from a 50” x 60” throw or a 60” x 80” throw. In terms of designs, they accept one single large image or a collage of smaller images. If you want a more elaborate design, then you’re better off going somewhere else. 

Costco makes up for those limited offerings with simplicity and speed. The company says getting your blanket typically takes less than seven days. And even the bigger 60- by 80-inch blanket will only set you back $50 (as long as you’ve already paid for your membership). Plus, you can pick up a couple of bags of Korean barbecue beef jerky while you’re there. That stuff is absurdly good. 

What to consider when buying the best photo blankets

Delivery time

These are custom products and many places that sell them often outsource their production. As a result, you can expect to wait a week or more for your blanket to arrive. That’s not that long of a time in the grand scheme of things, but if you’re buying a photo blanket as a gift, make sure you get your order in early and allow for both production and shipping. 

Some options with physical locations like Costco or Walgreens can sometimes deliver their products faster because they can ship directly to the store with other photo product orders. That’s not always the case, though. 

Image quality

Blankets aren’t exactly gallery-grade, so it’s important to manage expectations when it comes to photo quality. Companies typically offer fleece blankets, which have a generally fuzzy appearance. So, if you want your image to appear detailed in blanket form, it probably wouldn’t hurt to apply a bit of extra sharpening to the image to combat the fuzz.

Blankets don’t offer a huge dynamic range so don’t expect to be able to make out a lot of shadow detail or retain delicate highlights. Unless you have a specific creative vision, print something with a solid, even exposure that doesn’t skew too far to the light or dark. 

Also, if it shows up and doesn’t look spectacular, try and keep in mind that it’s a blanket. 

Material

Most photo blankets are made of some kind of fleece. Some fleece is heavier than others, so you may see terms like “plush fleece” to indicate upgraded material. Some manufacturers also offer sherpa material, which is relatively flat on the picture side and lined with fluffy material on the other side. 

Some companies offer woven options, which simulate a hand-stitched look. Those blankets typically make the image look even lower-resolution and reduce the color palette so they work best with simpler images. 

Walgreens offers a water-resistant stadium blanket, which is a cool and unique offering. 

Size

Most commonly, you’ll find blankets that come in baby (30” x 40”), throw (50” x 60”) and XL throw (60” x 80”) sizes. The smaller sizes are usually cheaper. I think getting a giant photo blanket is hilarious, so I recommend that, even if it’s wildly impractical. You may want to get a blanket that fits your usage pattern, however.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best photo blankets

• Best overall: MPIX
• Best custom: Shutterfly
• Best water-resistant: Walgreens Stadium Blanket
• Best budget: Costco

MPIX’s glut of designs, high-quality prints, and fast turnaround times give it the best award in our list of photo blankets. While the sizing can be a little wonky at times, it’s the best mix of price and quality. When you order, just make sure you upload a large enough image with a little extra image sharpening applied. Even the best photo blanket option won’t look very good if you don’t start with a good source image.

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 photo blankets to show off your memories in 2024 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Spring is coming, which means allergies are on their way. Right now, Amazon has Shark’s compact-but-powerful air purifier on sale for $149, which is 38 percent off its regular price and even cheaper than last year during Black Friday. It’s a powerhouse of a purifier, and Shark stuff tends to go quickly when it’s on deep discount like this, so grab one while they’re still in stock.

Shark HP102PETBL Clean Sense Air Purifier for Home $149 (was $239)

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This purifier stands 14.5 inches tall and combats air pollutants with three filter layers. It has an outer pre-filter to catch big particles, a charcoal filter to capture smelly stuff in the air, and a HEPA filter to scrape out the truly nasty allergy-inducing stuff that leads to itchy eyes and endless sneezing. Thanks to the powerful fan system inside, this unit covers up to 500 square feet of space. But, despite all that air-moving oomph, it’s still quieter than you’d expect. This is a crucial piece of home gear, especially if you have pets.

More air purifier deals at Amazon:

• PuroAir HEPA 14 Air Purifier for Home $154 (was $229)
• AROEVE Air Purifiers for Home MK01 White $39 (with coupon, was $69)
• Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool™ Gen1 HP10 $498 (was $599)
• LEVOIT Air Purifiers for Home Large Room Bedroom Up to 1110 Ft $109 (was $139)
• AROEVE Air Purifiers for Large Room Up to 1095 Sq Ft $69 (with coupon, was $159)

The post This pet-friendly air purifier from Shark is 38% off at Amazon right now appeared first on Popular Science.

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Unfortunately, society continues to demand that we wear pants. And even though jeans have a very rough history of negative environmental impact, they’re still one of the most practical, comfortable, and fashionable options we have. I personally wear Levi’s 502s and only replace them when I need to. As a matter of fact, I’m wearing a heavily repaired pair right now. If it’s time for you to get some new pants (or maybe even a denim jacket for the upcoming year), then go check out Amazon’s sale on Levi’s products. These are the cheapest prices I’ve seen on most of these since the back-to-school season last year.

This sale also includes bigger sizes, which can cost more when it comes to Levi’s. Also, note that the prices vary widely between sizes and colors so check each style for your preferred fit.

Levi’s 501 starting at $27 (40-50 percent off)

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If you’re looking for a classic look, you can’t get much better than the Levi’s 501. It started in the late 1800s and hasn’t changed all that much since when it comes to styling. These don’t have elastane in them like some stretchy jeans, so they won’t stretch, but the 100 percent cotton construction will break in to perfectly fit your body. They go with just about every look and will never go out of style. Buy them. Wear them. Destroy them. Repair them. Wear them some more.

Women’s jeans deals

• Levi’s Women’s Premium 501 Skinny Jeans (Up to 20 percent off)
• Levi’s Women’s 721 High Rise Skinny Jeans (Up to 70 percent off)
• Levi’s Women’s Classic Straight Jeans (Up to 50 percent off)
• Levi’s Women’s New Boyfriend Jeans (Up to 60 percent off)
• Levi’s Women’s 710 Super Skinny Jeans (Up to 45 percent off)

Men’s jeans deals

• Levi’s Men’s 527 Slim Bootcut Jean (up to 30 percent off)
• Levi’s Men’s Trucker Jacket (up to 51 percent off)
• Levi’s Men’s 569 Loose Straight Fit Jeans (Up to 30 percent off)
• Levi’s Men’s 511 Slim Fit Jeans (Up to 65 percent off)
• Levi’s Men’s 501 Original Fit Jeans (up to 60 percent off)
• Levi’s Men’s 502 Taper Fit Jeans (Up to 60 percent off)
• Levi’s Men’s 550 Relaxed Fit Jeans (up to 65 percent off)
• Levi’s Men’s 514 Straight Fit Cut Jeans (Up to 50 percent off)

The post Save on classic Levi’s jeans and denim jackets at Amazon during this rare sale appeared first on Popular Science.

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If you clicked into this gift guide expecting a spicy selection of salacious items, you’re about to be disappointed. This is a guide for people who want to spend their Valentine’s Day in bed scrolling, snacking, or just plain rotting. While the big Valentine’s Day agenda tries to push lacey undergarments and overly suggestive sweets, we’re offering up the best way to scroll TikTok while lying totally still. So, if you plan to spend this V-day making the most of the best spot in your home, these are the gifts worth giving or getting. Or, go check out our list of the best sex toys and find what you expected in the first place.

Lamicall Phone Holder Bed Gooseneck Mount

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Your phone makes a phenomenal partner in bed, but finding a comfortable position to doomscroll can be tricky. If you’re like me, you’ve dropped your phone on your face more than once because you dozed off while looking at Reels. This adjustable mount offers an adjustable gooseneck that will hold steady in just about any position. The integrated clamp can hold any modern smartphone, even if you have a monstrous model like the iPhone 15 Pro Max. Plus, it simply clamps to a desk, nightstand, or bedframe, so it’s easy to install or move around without damaging your walls or furniture. — Stan Horaczek

SOFAMIRI Auto Clicker for iPhone TIK Tok Remote Control

SEE IT

Once your phone is mounted in the perfect spot, you don’t want to have to keep poking it to go to the next video or turn the page on your Kindle. This ring-style device connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth and allows you to swipe through TikToks and Reels or move through the pages of a book at the simple click of a button. It also offers media controls, so you can start a stop romantic music should you choose to celebrate Valentine’s the old-fashioned way (by listening to Jimmy Buffett and eating a cheeseburger in your bedroom paradise). — Stan Horaczek

Philips SmartSleep Connected Sleep and Wake-Up Light

SEE IT

You could add LED strips around your room to bathe the place in sensuous red light. Or you could get this advanced sleep system to achieve good vibes all year round. This oddly suggestive-looking alarm clock provides color-changing light that can simulate sunrise or sunset depending on whether you’re trying to wake up or get to bed. It has a number of programmable modes and alarm settings to ensure you’re not jolted out of a pleasant dream in which Miley Cyrus or Harry Styles (or whatever celebrity you prefer) agrees to be your Valentine. — Stan Horaczek

Parachute Brushed Cotton Sheet Set

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Frustratingly, scientists haven’t figured out hover beds just yet, so we have to make the most of our boring old mattresses. These brushed cotton sheets took top honors in our list of the best sheets for their phenomenal feel and easy care. They’re slightly warmer than typical cotton sheets, ideal for cold February days. Maybe get a couple of pairs since you’ll probably need to change them on the 15th (because of all the Oreo crumbs). — Stan Horaczek

Quility Weighted Blanket for Adults – 20 LB

SEE IT

The science isn’t totally settled on weighted blankets, but experts still regularly suggest them in order to trigger the brain-based benefits of deep pressure. This model won best overall in our buying guide of the best weighted blankets. It’s relatively affordable, easy to clean, and offers a solid 20 pounds of weight. There’s something very comforting about a heavy blanket smushing you back into bed, and this is a great way to achieve that. — Stan Horaczek

JMLHMXC Bamboo Laptop Desk Bed Tray Table

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Sure, you could spend $200 at a crowded restaurant full of arguing couples in uncomfortable clothing. Or, you could fire up a batch of Trader Joe’s Orange Chicken and eat it in bed with no fear of spilling, thanks to this sturdy tray. The 27.95” x 13.78” surface is split into three areas. The middle section offers five different angles, so it works with a book, a laptop, or a big plate of spaghetti. Flatten the whole thing out and use it to paint your 3-D printed miniatures with your partner in bed. What could be more romantic than applying a skimcoat to a space marine? Nothing, that’s what. — Stan Horaczek

Yogasleep Dohm

SEE IT

Everyone knows that “Careless Whisper” has one of the most romantic arrangements of all time (it’s pure sax-ual tension), but once it sinks in that the time for romance is over, you want white noise to lull you to sleep. This mechanical white noise machine is the standard for its simple design, relatively affordable price, and its fan-based mechanism. Digital white noise machines can struggle with making truly random sounds, which can trick your brain into hearing weird things, including voices. Nothing kills a romantic evening like your brain hallucinating demon voices because you cheaped out on your sound machine. — Stan Horaczek

Loop Quiet Earplugs

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Maybe you don’t want to hear white noise while you sleep. Maybe you don’t want to hear anything. That’s where the Loop Quiet Earplugs come in. These suggestive-looking plugs come with four different tip sizes to perfectly match your ear holes. Once firmly inserted, they reduced incoming noise by up to 26 decibels. They come in nine different colors and are easy to clean once you’re done wearing them in bed. Now, let’s all take a moment to be proud of my ability to resist making even a single filthy pun during this write-up. — Stan Horaczek

BrüMate Uncork’d XL MÜV – 100% Leak-Proof 14oz Insulated Wine Tumbler

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Whether you’re sharing an expensive bottle of bubbly or downing a few glasses of box wine by yourself, you don’t want to spill in your bed. This 14-ounce insulated tumbler comes with a tight-fitting lid that promises 100-percent leak protection. That means if you doze off during your Sleepless in Seattle/You’ve Got Mail doubleheader, you won’t wake up in a puddle of anything that isn’t tears. — Stan Horaczek

Welfut Memory Foam Pillow-Couple Pillow Breathable Arm Rest

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The 1995 movie Mallrats hasn’t exactly aged well, but the uncomfortable metaphor about spooning delivered by Jason Lee still applies. Sure, cuddling is great, but if you’re the big spoon, you have to figure out where to shove that bottom arm. This pillow creates a solid tunnel that supports your partner’s head without putting pressure on your shoulder or bicep. Grab one, cuddle up with your partner, and watch a movie while you snuggle. You probably shouldn’t choose Mallrats. — Stan Horaczek

Hatch Restore 2 Sunrise Alarm Clock

SEE IT

Nothing says “Romance!” like waking up with your partner’s iPhone alarm … and then consequently hearing them hit “snooze” at least seven times. Choose peace—and waking up with a sunrise—with the Hatch Restore 2. It comes with plenty of light options, soundscapes, alarm tones that aren’t annoying, and even bedtime stories to make waking up and winding down a team effort. The TikTok girls are right about this one. — Amanda Reed

XGIMI HORIZON Ultra 4K Laser Projector

SEE IT

If you’re going to veg out in bed all day, a projector is the ultimate way to bring the movie date experience to your home. This model from XGIMI is luxe, but it’ll provide entertainment long after the Valentine’s Day season is over. Its resolution is 4K, guaranteeing excellent picture quality from streaming services. It has built-in speakers that sound surprisingly good. And it runs Google TV, so you can run all your favorite apps and watch videos right from the projector. — Brandt Ranj

Homesick Candles

SEE IT

Homesick’s candles are an easy way to add some pleasant ambiance to your room, and they come in an assortment of fun names and scents. We’re recommending The Hunny Tree, a candle inspired by the literary classic Winnie the Pooh, which features notes of honeysuckle, cotton, oakwood, and more. Homesick says the candle has a burn time of between 60 and 80 hours, so it can reasonably last a month or more, depending on how long you keep it lit. — Brandt Ranj

Nintendo Switch

SEE IT

Want to put your relationship to the test? Try playing a few rounds of Mario Kart with your partner and see if you’re still talking by the end of it. The Nintendo Switch (or even more visually stimulating Switch OLED) is the ultimate multiplayer gaming machine because it comes with a pair of Joy-Con controllers, so two players can hop into a game from the moment it’s booted up. It doesn’t hurt that the system can be used portable in addition to being plugged into a TV, so you can play a few rounds in bed if you don’t have a screen (or the projector recommended above) in the bedroom. — Brandt Ranj

The post 14 Valentine’s Day gifts that you’ll want to use in bed appeared first on Popular Science.

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The Super Bowl is ground zero for irresponsible snack consumption. But, cooking up all those mozzarella sticks, chicken wings, and Jalapeño & Cream Cheese Crispy Wontons from Trader Joe’s (trust me on this one) can be a pain. That’s where the air fryer comes in. Right now, Amazon has an excellent model on sale for nearly 60 percent off of its retail price and $50 off of its typical price. Maybe your old one is greasy beyond hope. Or maybe you just need room for more finger foods. Either way, this is a great deal.

Instant Vortex Plus 6QT Air Fryer $71.99 (was $129)

SEE IT

The press images for this six-quart air fryer show it cooking healthy salmon with broccoli. That’s both inspiring and adorable. The rest of us can load this sucker up with delicious treats to air fry, broil, bake, or reheat. It even has a dehydrate mode, so you can make your own Fruit Roll-Ups if you want. Robust air filters along the sides of the cooking chamber pull particulates out of the air to reduce food smells from wafting around your house. That’s crucial if you’re actually planning on cooking some salmon like the person in the pictures. It tops out at 400 degrees and requires almost no preheating time, so you can slam it full of pizza rolls during a commercial break and forget about them until the next time out. You won’t forget about the pizza rolls after eating them, though. That molten goo inside will burn your mouth enough that eating will sting all week. That’s just the way we like it.

More kitchen deals from Amazon:

• Ninja FD401 Foodi 12-in-1 Deluxe XL 8 qt. Pressure Cooker & Air Fryer $169 (was $249)
• Instant Omni Pro 19QT/18L Toaster Oven Air Fryer $299 (was $349)
• Ninja AF161 Max XL Air Fryer $119 (was $169)
• DASH Tasti-Crisp Electric Air Fryer Oven $44 (was $59)
• Instant Omni 19QT/18L Toaster Oven Air Fryer, 7-in-1 Functions $129 (was $199)
• Air Fryer, 10 Quart Family Size Large Airfryer $108 (was $139)
• GLUCK Air Fryer Oven, 10-in-1 20 QT Airfryer Oven $127 (was $199)

The post Save nearly 60 percent on the Instant Vortex Air Fryer in time for the Super Bowl appeared first on Popular Science.

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Some PC accessories are fun to buy. A new mouse or keyboard can change the way your whole setup feels. A fancy monitor upgrade can drastically improve your entire rig. Other accessories can’t provide that kind of dopamine flood, but they’re just as important. A good surge protector keeps your delicate electronics from frying during a power surge. And a USB-C hub makes the most of laptops’ ever-shrinking arsenal of ports. Right now, Amazon has some popular Anker devices on sale up to 40 percent off. You might as well save some money while making the responsible buying decisions.

Anker Surge Protector Power Strip (2100J) $21 (was $36)

SEE IT

This massive surge protector offers 12 AC outlets, two USB-A sockets, and a 20W USB-C port to charge a whole army of gadgets all at once. It comes with an 18-month warranty (which is a nice bump up from the typical year-long policy), and covers up to $200,000 in connected equipment should something go wrong. This model has hit this price a few times in the past year, but it’s regularly around $30 or up around its retail price of $36. If your power strip is getting old, it’s probably time to swap it out.

Anker USB-C hubs on-sale

If your computer needs more inputs to make up for its paltry array of USB-C connections, you can easily expand your options with USB-C hub. Anker makes some of our favorite models, some of which are on sale at their lowest prices in six months.

• Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1) with 4K HDMI Display $18.85 (was $24.99)
• Anker 553 USB-C Hub, 8-in-1 USB C Dock, Dual 4K HDMI USB C to USB Adapter $59 (was usually $69)
• Anker 575 USB-C Hub (12-in-1, Dual HDMI, DP) $75 (was $99 after dropping from $119)

The post Save 40% on Anker surge protectors, USB-C docks, and other boring-but-essential PC accessories appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		Sennheiser AMBEO Plus		SEE IT	It offers a striking soundstage for a single unit.
Best 5.1		JBL Bar 700		SEE IT	Detachable rear channels make this bar stand out without forcing you to pack more speakers in your room.
Best budget		Roku Streambar Pro		SEE IT	Roku’s Streambar Pro is one of the best values in the entire world of home theater audio.

It’s more affordable than ever before to take your home media viewing experience to new heights thanks to streaming services, smart TVs, and soundbars. With this increased content availability enriched by new surround sound audio formats, a whole new world of entertainment possibilities comes to light. One of the easiest, most space-efficient ways to drastically improve the quality of your home theater’s audio is by upgrading to a soundbar to give you sound as vivid as the 4K video you’re probably enjoying.

The top soundbars are compact, quick to install, and an unbeatable way to present your movies, music, and video games with elevated volume, clarity, and immersion. Unlike a traditional speaker system with an AV receiver, a soundbar usually requires only a single connection to your television to switch between sources. These systems are often Bluetooth-compatible from the get-go, so you can also sync your tablet, phone, and other streaming devices. If you’re looking for a quick and cost-effective way to upgrade your home theater system, we’ll help you find the best soundbars to do the job.

• Best overall: Sennheiser AMBEO Plus
• Best compact: Bose TV Speaker
• Best 2.1: Samsung BW-H550/ZA Soundbar
• Best 5.1: JBL Bar 700
• Best for music: Sonos Arc
• Best budget: Roku Streambar Pro

How we chose the best soundbars

We’re nerds about everything here at PopSci, but audio is especially special to us. The PopSci writers and editors even include a few certified audiophiles, so we know a solid speaker when we see it. We used a mixture of online research and hands-on experience to survey dozens of models on the market. We were looking for the right mix of fidelity, features, and price.

Most of the items on this list are relatively affordable, and that’s by design. There are some ultra-high-end multi-speaker Dolby Atmos and wireless surround options, but a components system is specific to very demanding users. If you’re looking to get into the soundbar world, these are great models to get you started and upgrade your TV’s puny audio performance.

The best soundbars: Reviews & Recommendations

Every living room, bedroom, and home theater is different, making finding the right soundbar frustrating. Our recommendations—both standalone units and soundbar + subwoofer combos—span various sizes and prices, so you can find the one that suits your space and budget. We also focused on finding soundbars designed to work with additional speakers, allowing you to upgrade your home theater system over time as your budget and space change.

Best overall: Sennheiser AMBEO Plus

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Why it made the cut: If you prize dynamic tonality, this is the premier soundbar … with a premium price tag.

Specs

• Dimensions: 41.38 x 4.76 x 3.03 inches
• Surround sound: Simulated 7.1.4 Dolby Atmos
• Subwoofer: Built-in, with an additional wireless subwoofer sold separately

Pros

• Carries on a tradition of No. 1 all-in-one Dolby Atmos soundbars
• Proprietary Dolby Atmos virtualization is convincing and captivating
• Small than its predecessor without too many sacrifices
• Can be augmented with a subwoofer

Cons

• No option for physical surround speakers
• Pricey
• Subwoofer is an additional $599
• HDMI ports are 2.0a, so they don’t support all next-gen gaming console protocols passthrough

Descended from the Sennheiser AMBEO Max, a 40-pound behemoth of a soundbar, the AMBEO Plus is a $1,499 indulgence that’s not quite as extravagant as its predecessor yet remains nearly as affecting. Featuring seven full-range speakers and dual 4-inch subwoofers in its rounded-off chassis, the 14-pound Plus can virtualize a 7.1.4-channel Dolby Atmos system with striking clarity and precise imaging thanks to proprietary processing (an AMBEO batch physically lights up on the soundbar whenever engaged).

Coming from a venerable brand renowned for audiophile headphones imbued with rich midrange and spacious staging, the AMBEO Plus is every bit a Sennheiser. It’s sonically expressive without even a tinge of artificiality and technically adept enough to conjure every directional cue, even height effects—helped by an automated calibration system. A well-appointed Smart Control app (iOS and Android) lets you tweak soundfield effects, voice enhancement, voice assistants, night mode, EQ, and more, plus view information on your connections/audio streams. Whether watching movies or listening to music, the 400W AMBEO Plus is adept at scale and strength, preserving detail without sacrificing impact—bass reaches nearly 40Hz. The original 13-driver AMBEO—aka the rebranded Max—is still superior in terms of gripping slam and dazzling reflections (and $1,000 more expensive), as the AMBEO Plus folds channels in more like a 5.1.2. Still, the rumble gap narrows noticeably if you pair the AMBEO Plus with the wireless 8-inch 350W Sennheiser AMBEO Subwoofer.

In terms of connectivity, there any multiple HDMI ports with 4K Dolby Vision passthrough, though not 120Hz for gaming. Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, and Sony 360 Reality Audio are all decoded, and Bluetooth 5.0, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, and Chromecast give you access to content from basically any and every source. Yes, the AMBEO Plus is the most expensive soundbar in our selection, but it’s undeniably the best all-in-one soundbar to transform a room with limited room. If you’re investing in an OLED TV, you deserve audio that’s equally vibrant.

Best compact: Bose TV Speaker

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Why it made the cut: The TV speaker will provide great sound without taking up much space.

Specs

• Dimensions: 4.02 x 23.38 x 2.21 inches
• Surround sound: No
• Subwoofer: None

Pros

• Compact size
• Selectable sound modes
• Voice enhancement

Cons

• No smart features

At 23.4-inches wide the Bose TV Speaker is almost half the size of other soundbars we’re recommending in this guide, but it stands tall when it comes to dialogue enhancement. The teeny, tiny shell houses a three-driver audio system featuring a pair of full-range drivers angled outward and a single tweeter pointed forward. This configuration is designed to offer the best audio quality from a 2.0 soundbar while presenting the widest-possible soundstage. The TV Speaker won’t be able to stand toe-to-toe with longer soundbars when it comes to stereo separation—this is physics, not Bose’s lack of engineering chops—but it’s good to see the company use the space it had as efficently as possible.

You can fill out the TV Speaker’s sound by connecting a Bose wired subwoofer to the system—though the price of adding low-end is $500. Thankfully, this augmentation won’t be necessary, as the TV Speaker’s sound should be sufficiently better than the audio system built into your set. Despite the TV Soundbar’s small size, Bose allows you to connect this soundbar to your TV using an HDMI or optical audio cable. It also features an AUX input, so you can plug an audio device into it directly, and Bluetooth support if you’d like to stream music to the soundbar from your phone, tablet, or computer.

Bose managed to fit most of the features found in its higher-end soundbars into the TV Speaker, but it had to cut support for Amazon’s Alexa. This isn’t a huge deal, but something to consider if you’re looking for a soundbar that doubles as a smart-home controller in your room. If that’s not a concern, and you want a compact audio system for your room, this is the soundbar to get.

Best 2.1: Samsung BW-H550/ZA Soundbar

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Why it made the cut: This straight-ahead system doesn’t get bogged down with tons of features you won’t use and, instead, focuses on performance.

Specs

• Dimensions: 33.9 x 3 x 2.3 inches
• Surround Sound: Dolby Audio and DTS: Virtual X
• Subwoofer: Wireless included

Pros

• Great sound
• Included subwoofer
• AI-driven sound adjustments

Cons

• Lacks Dolby Atmos

This Samsung soundbar sports three-channel audio and includes a dedicated center speaker and a satellite subwoofer for powerful, enhanced bass and 3D surround sound effects. It offers superior multi-connectivity via Bluetooth, allowing two smart devices to remain paired at once, and the HDMI ARC interface allows for single-cable audio connections to and from a TV with a compatible port.

Regarding surround, this bar supports DTS: Virtual X to simulate a system with many more speakers installed around the room. Samsung’s Smart Sound technology analyzes the content you’re watching and automatically adjusts its performance to match it best. That also helps keep subtle sounds like ambient horror sounds or important dialog from getting lost. But, if needed, you can manually trigger a Voice Enhancement mode. Want more rumble? A bass boost is available at the push of a button. Need less bass? There’s also a Night Mode.

The relatively basic black design is refreshing compared to more complex devices. It melts into the room, and you hear it but don’t necessarily see it. This is undoubtedly the best Samsung soundbar on a budget (though if you want a truly immersive experience, the $1,699 HW-Q990B is the best Samsung package, full stop).

Best 5.1: JBL Bar 700

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Why it made the cut: This soundbar’s detachable, battery-powered speakers offer a truly authentic 5.1 surround experience.

Specs

• Dimensions: 4.7 x 46.2 x 2.2 inches
• Surround sound: 5.1 Dolby Atmos
• Subwoofer: Wireless included

Pros

• Detachable speakers make it very flexible
• Powerful wireless subwoofer
• True surround sound

Cons

• Long when fully attached

There are a lot of soundbars that list support for surround sound as one of their features, but that’s not really the case. Designers can create a more 3D sound experience by supporting the right audio formats and positioning drivers in different positions to mimic a traditional 5.1 surround sound system, but it’s not the same as having a true multi-speaker system. JBL’s Bar 700 is different.

The 46.2-inch soundbar has a pair of battery-powered detachable speakers, which can be placed behind you to create a true 5.1, Dolby Atmos-compatible system, with the bar handling the front right, front left, and center channels. All of these speakers are synced up to a wireless 10-inch subwoofer, which adds enough bass to round out the sound without being unnecessarily boomy. I was skeptical about whether this system would work, but its 620W of convenient cinematic sound passed every test with flying colors.

It’s worth noting that the Bar 700 is pretty long when the rear speakers are attached, so you’ll need to ensure your media center/credenza has enough space. It’s a soundbar best paired with a TV that’s 55 inches in size minimum, and it’s easily connected via HDMI eARC (plus there’s an HDMI input with 4K and Dolby Vision passthrough). Beyond that, this soundbar is an excellent addition to your living room or home theater. The center channel has enough separation from the right and left that I could always hear dialogue clearly, even in movie or TV scenes with a lot of action. The center driver was good enough that I could also differentiate between different voices even if characters spoke in the same register.

My biggest concern about the Bar 700’s modular speaker system was that attaching and detaching the rear speakers would be a pain, but that was never the case. The magnetic attachment mechanism JBL developed makes these processes easy while also ensuring these additional speakers never accidentally pop out. The only other problem I foresaw with the Bar 700 was desynced audio. JBL mitigates this by running you through a setup procedure using its app (iOS and Android), which takes about five minutes to complete. The soundbar and rear speakers fire off audio to get a sense of the size and shape of your room. Once the setup was complete, I never had an issue with desyncing audio.

Bluetooth 5.0 and WiFi-equipped, the Bar 700 Wi-Fi comes with AirPlay, Alexa Multi-Room Music, and Chromecast built-in, so you can cast music/content from your phone if you don’t want to fire up your streaming device. And you can customize modes, voice assistant, and EQ with the JBL app. If you’ve longed for a surround sound system with discrete rear speakers but don’t have enough space (or outlets) to set up separates, JBL’s Bar 700 is a great solution. Just pop off the soundbar’s endcaps, fire up the rears on the couch corners, then reassemble at the night’s end or when it’s time to recharge the batteries (rated for 10 hours).

Like this concept, but want to kick it up several notches? The JBL 1300X is a 11.1.4-channel soundbar with detachable surround speakers and wireless subwoofer, though all those extra channels take the price from $899 to $1,699.

Best for music: Sonos Arc

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Why it made the cut: The Sonos Arc is a futureproofed soundbar perfect for music lovers and cinephiles alike.

Specs

• Dimensions: 3.4 x 45 x 4.5 inches
• Surround sound: Yes, Simulated Standalone or True Dolby Atmos with additional components
• Subwoofer: Wireless sold separately

Pros

• Great sound for music
• Support for Dolby Atmos
• Can be augmented by additional speakers

Cons

• Cost

If you want to buy a piece of home theater equipment and not consider upgrading it for a decade, the Sonos Arc is worth its admittedly high price. The Santa Barbara-based company—pioneers in the whole-home audio sector—designs everything in-house, maintaining every stage of design and tuning. And Sonos develops each purpose-built component with compatibility and longevity in mind. The uber-long soundbar has forward, side, and upward-firing drivers (11 total), which we found deliver surprisingly good Dolby Atmos surround sound whether listening to music or watching TV shows or movies.

Your experience will depend on the size and shape of your room, since the effect requires sound to bounce off your walls and ceilings. To offer the best possible experience, we recommend tuning the Arc using the TruePlay setting in Sonos’ app (iOS and Android). Within a few minutes, the soundbar will run a series of tones to get a sense of how your room is set up and optimize its performance accordingly. We’re still partial to multi-speaker surround sound systems, but the $899 Arc is all you really need for cinematic surround sound.

On top of its ability to handle cinema soundtracks and other streaming content, the Sonos Arc delivers crystal-clear sound when listening to music, whether via HDMI, AirPlay 2, or streaming services over WiFi through the Sonos app. Bass is present but restrained, instruments and vocals in the midrange sound smooth, and we never heard sibilance or harsh treble. Again, your experience will vary based on the music you listen to and how well it was mastered. If you’re having trouble with how your music sounds through the Sonos Arc, we’re almost positive it’s not a hardware issue. In our tests, stereo and Dolby Atmos tracks had a very wide soundstage, which made it easy to pick out each instrument in a song individually.

We’re comfortable recommending the Sonos Arc to any music lover on its own. Still, to get the full Dolby Atmos experience, we recommend augmenting it with a pair of WiFi-connected Sonos Era 300 multidirectional speakers and a wireless Sonos Sub. These components will expand the Sonos Arc into a 7.1.4 system, taking over as rear surround/upfiring speakers (along with handling the low end) and leaving the soundbar as the front right, front left, and center channels of a traditional surround sound system. With that setup, you’ll get better sound overall—plus the flexibility to use the six positional drivers of the immersive made-for-Dolby-Atmos Era 300 speakers standalone in other rooms if you want—though it’ll cost you quite a bit to make those upgrades ($449 per Era 300 and $799 for the Sub Gen. 3). Sonos supports its speakers for roughly a decade, so it’s undoubtedly worth building out their ecosystem piece by piece.

If music is as important to you as TV shows and movies, especially if you want to integrate a multi-room audio system, the Sonos Arc is the only home theater purchase you should make in 2023.

Best budget: Roku Streambar Pro

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Why it made the cut: Roku’s Streambar Pro has features you can’t find in soundbars several times its price.

Specs

• Dimensions: 32.2 x 3.9 x 2.8 inches
• Surround sound: None
• Subwoofer: Wireless sold separately

Pros

• Built-in 4K media streamer
• Can be augmented with additional speakers
• Sharp look

Cons

• No surround sound
• No built-in soundbar

We’re typically wary of two-in-one gadgets, but Roku’s Streambar Pro is a very notable exception to our rule. The soundbar actually has an entire 4K Roku media streamer built into it, which you can use to turn an old TV smart. This is especially nice if you’ve recently cut the cord and want an easy way to stream TV shows and movies from online services. You don’t need to use the Streambar Pro’s built-in Roku, but the value of this feature is part of what makes this soundbar such a great deal.

The Streambar Pro’s other strong suit is its surprisingly good sound. We say surprisingly because we didn’t expect quite as much vocal clarity or stereo separation from a soundbar at its price point. If you’ve struggled to hear what people are saying in movies or find the sound of explosions lacking in action-packed sequences, this is your answer. Roku was smart not to pack any surround sound features into the soundbar itself, instead redirecting those engineering resources into developing its Wireless Bass Pro subwoofer and Roku Wireless Speakers. Adding those components will allow you to enjoy your media in true surround sound without connecting them with cables.

It’s telling that Roku bundles the Streambar Pro plus the aforementioned additional speakers in a multi-piece bundle that costs just over $500 (hence its prominence in our best soundbars under $500 roundup, also home to additional options from JBL, Samsung, and Sonos, appropriately). Bose charges roughly the same price for just a subwoofer. There are very few true values in home theater audio, so we couldn’t be happier for Roku’s Streambar Pro to stand out for its audio quality and cost.

Things to consider when buying the best soundbars

How big or small should your soundbar be?

One of the most convenient features of most soundbar systems is the understated form that helps them blend in with your existing entertainment center. It’s generally recommended that you choose a soundbar that doesn’t exceed the length of your television for aesthetic reasons. The length and size of the soundbar don’t always translate to volume and power, so you won’t be making too many compromises by going with a smaller soundbar.

The most important consideration when choosing a soundbar for its size is that it retains flexibility and versatility despite its understated appearance. Many miniature soundbars pack Bluetooth connectivity, subwoofers, and other special features into their cases without a hitch. You don’t have to worry about sacrificing essential features to ensure that your smaller rooms don’t get cluttered. After all, you’re buying a soundbar for its major improvements over your television’s speaker system.

What kind of surround sound are you looking for?

Some basic soundbars offer typical stereo sound, but many have adopted surround sound technology that can add an entirely new dimension to the content you watch. The most relevant thing to notice in modern soundbars is Dolby Atmos. This object-based surround sound standard works with the most popular streaming services and provides an overall excellent experience with some consistency, assuming the sound designer has done something compelling with the 100+ sonic placements available to them.

Balance tuning versus power

An oft-overlooked factor while shopping for a soundbar is its ability to adequately translate cinematic audio and dialogue in the best way for your room. For example, a soundbar with a high wattage rating and high maximum sound pressure level might appear loud on paper. Still, if this sound is muddy or if the device’s design renders dialogue muffled and unintelligible, it completely defeats the purpose of adding a soundbar to your system in the first place. In this way, volume and power capabilities don’t always translate to better sound for your space. Suppose you’re looking to max out your entertainment system’s volume with a soundbar. In that case, it’s important to consider a model combining high wattage and maximum volume with manufacturer-designed tuning.

The system used to tune a soundbar—or any sound system, for that matter—involves using equalization to boost certain frequencies and cut others, which can enhance the audio in home environments. Unless you’re investing in a high degree of sound treatment for your theater room, chances are that there are some undesirable resonances in your space that can exacerbate poorly tuned audio. This effect becomes even more pronounced at higher volumes, so it’s important to pick out a tuned or tunable system if you’re going to listen loud or if you’re in a smaller room. With a properly tuned soundbar, dialogue becomes clear, action sequences retain impact without being ear-piercing, and most importantly, it drastically cuts the need for constant turning up and down of your television volume. If any of these issues apply to your situation, a tuned soundbar is the only way to go.

Is your home a smart one?

Smart home systems run via Alexa and Google Home transform how we live and work around the house and beyond. Activities that were once interrupted by the need to pick up the phone, sit down at the computer, or fumble with a device have been made quicker and easier thanks to voice control integration across a whole gamut of home appliances. And since your entertainment center is a focal point of your time spent at home, it only makes sense to consider a soundbar system that offers voice control compatibility, whether you’re planning on expanding your current smart home system or starting from scratch.

One of the biggest perks of choosing a soundbar with smart home compatibility is its elevated ability to play high-volume music and media while still being able to hear your voice over the noise and execute your commands without turning the volume down or pressing pause. Think of a voice control-enabled soundbar as a more souped-up version of a traditional smart home speaker: you can turn the music up and down, resume and pause programming, check the status of your smart cooker, air quality, temperature, and so much more from the comfort of your seat. A system with this capability also eliminates the need for a separate smart speaker for your TV area or living room altogether, which is a plus if you’re trying to save space or retain a minimalist sense of decor.

Do you want to connect to Bluetooth?

Bluetooth is one of the most prevalent and useful interfaces for wirelessly streaming audio from your devices to your speaker systems, and most soundbars on the market do offer some form of Bluetooth connectivity. Options like this allow the soundbar to work for you and help you get more out of your system whenever you’re listening to music or podcasts around the house. Most televisions don’t come standard with a Bluetooth audio receiver, so not only does this technology open up your entertainment center as a location for streaming audio, but it’s also an incredible improvement over a traditional portable Bluetooth speaker.

Do you need to connect multiple devices?

HDMI is the most commonly used wired interface for soundbars to receive audio from and send it to your TV. Some soundbar systems also use this connection to receive volume information directly from your TV remote. Suppose you’ll deal with sound from numerous sources like Blu-ray players, video game consoles, and streaming services. In that case, it’s important to consider whether your soundbar has enough connectivity to support your needs and how efficiently it can interface with various devices (and that you have appropriately rated HDMI cables). Generally speaking, more connectivity is always better due to the flexibility that it affords, as devices that play well with others make your life easier and require less tinkering. Increased connectivity options come at a price of both cost and size, so it’s important to weigh your needs for flexibility against these factors.

FAQs

Final thoughts on shopping for the best soundbars

• Best overall: Sennheiser AMBEO Plus
• Best compact: Bose TV Speaker
• Best 2.1: Samsung BW-H550/ZA Soundbar
• Best 5.1: JBL Bar 700
• Best for music: Sonos Arc
• Best budget: Roku Streambar Pro

A soundbar is an easy choice for drastically improving the quality of your home theater, thanks to the easy setup and maintenance that these systems provide. The wide range of choices in this product category ensures that there’s an option out there for every budget and need, from compact single-bar systems to fully-fledged surround sound setups. In looking for a soundbar system, consider the size of your space and the connectivity your home theater needs to ensure that your add-on provides the best cinematic experience for you.

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 soundbars for any room and budget appeared first on Popular Science.

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OK, so you made a New Year’s resolution to save money and then you screwed it up immediately. That’s OK. We get it. You can try again in February. For right now, though, you can save $200 on one of De’Longhi’s fanciest espresso makers over at Amazon. Of course, you can get other deals on coffee gear if you scroll down, but you deserve the best. And even if you don’t deserve it, buy it anyway. YOLO, right? Do people still say that?

De’Longhi La Specialista Espresso Machine with Grinder, Milk Frother $499 (was $699)

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When it comes to coffee, this machine does everything. The built-in grinder has eight settings, it includes a set of barista-grade tools including a tamper, and the milk frother even enables latte art. This is the kind of machine that would make your friend who is always wearing a fedora and vest jealous. (He’ll never admit it, of course, because he’s a jerk, but you’ll know deep down that he’s jealous of your setup and that’s worth the price of admission alone). Also, it makes great coffee.

More coffee and espresso machine deals going on right now:

• Gevi Espresso Machines 20 Bar Fast Heating Automatic Cappuccino Coffee Maker with Foaming Milk Frother Wand for Espresso $99 (With coupon, was $199)
• QUQIYSO Coffee Maker 304 Stainless Steel French Press with 4 Filter $16 (With coupon, was $26)
• Mueller 12-Cup Drip Coffee Maker $23 (Was $35)
• Starbucks Dark Roast Ground Coffee—Variety Pack—3 bags $20 (With subscribe and save, was $31)
• Famiworths Upgraded Hot and Iced Coffee Maker for K Cups and Ground Coffee, 4-5 Cups Coffee Maker $59 (Was $89)
• CASABREWS Espresso Machine with Grinder, Barista Espresso Maker with Milk Frother Steam Wand $489 (Was $599)
• Lavazza Expert Coffee Bundle Classy Plus All-In-One Machine LB 400 + 1 Welcome Kit Pack of 36 Mixed Capsules $268 (Was $359)
• De’Longhi ECAM35075SI Dinamica with LatteCrema System and LCD Display $1,119 (Was $1,398)
• Hydro Flask All Around Travel Tumbler with Handle Stainless Steel Double-Wall Vacuum Insulated $34 (Was $39)

The post Splurge and save $200 on this high-end De’Longhi espresso machine with grinder and milk frother appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best Overall		National Geographic Glowing Marble Run		SEE IT	Lots of pieces make this set very flexible.
Best budget		ELONGDI Marble Run Set		SEE IT	Save money or buy several sets to expand the builds.
Best wooden		Hape Quadrilla Wooden Marble Run Construction		SEE IT	Wood materials will last longer than plastic.

Marble runs are undeniably fun, but also help build STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and other skills like visual tracking, dexterity, and hand-eye coordination. From wooden constructions to magnetic pieces to glow-in-the-dark marbles, marble runs vary in design and style. You can find marble runs for toddlers 3+ or more challenging options suitable for older kids. Please be mindful that these games can be a choking hazard, so don’t leave this game around babies or unattended toddlers. Here are the five best marble runs of 2023 that you can convince your kids are just real-life Minecraft.

• Best overall: National Geographic Glowing Marble Run
• Best plastic: Ravensburger GraviTrax
• Best wooden: Hape Quadrilla Wooden Marble Run Construction
• Best magnetic: PicassoTiles Marble Run Magnetic Tiles
• Best budget: ELONGDI Marble Run Set

How we chose the best marble runs

Unlike consumer electronics for kids, marble runs don’t have a ton of hard specs or setup requirements to compare. We started by taking a wide survey of the available models and then narrowing it down to specific options that promise durability and flexibility. Kids can get bored easily when toys only offer one play pattern, so flexibility is critical in keeping little ones interested. 

We also focused on sets made from durable materials because they last longer than their cheaper, flimsy counterparts. We used a combination of personal experience, editorial reviews, user feedback, and feature comparisons to choose the best possible models. 

The best marble runs: Reviews & Recommendations 

While comparing features can be useful, we have some specific recommendations for different people. While we’ve broken the picks down into categories, there’s always overlap, so peruse all options for best marble runs before purchasing.

Best overall: National Geographic Glowing Marble Run

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Why it made the cut: This marble run comes with 50 glow-in-the-dark marbles, 1 UV keychain light, and sturdy construction for fun gaming.

Specs

• Ages: 8+
• Dimensions: 17.5 x 7.5 x 13.5 inches
• Batteries: 1 CR2 battery required (included)

Pros

• Excellent brand reputation
• 12,000 positive reviews
• High quality
• Sturdy
• Glow in the dark

Cons

• Blacklight isn’t impressive
• Glow could be brighter

This glowing run comes with 250 pieces, including glowing marbles resembling “galaxies in the dark.” It also has a storage pouch and a UV keychain light to make the marbles glow brighter and last longer.

This kit is super high-quality with ample reviews to back it up. You can get great height with stackable towers, and it’s easy to assemble. 

One of the only cons is that some say the black light isn’t very bright, but you can keep the marbles under a flashlight or lamp to make them shine even brighter. 

Best plastic: Ravensburger GraviTrax

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Why it made the cut: Kids 8 and up can enjoy the Speed Set, the deluxe version of the Starter Set, plus extra features and accessories like flips, loops, spirals, and cannons. 

Specs

• Ages: 8+
• Dimensions: 13.5 Inches (H) x 4 Inches (W) x 20.5 Inches (D)
• Batteries: None required

Pros

• 6 million sold worldwide
• Excellent brand reputation
• High quality
• 185 pieces

Cons

• Pricey
• Could have more base pieces

For kids ages 8 and up, this marble run set features everything from the GraviTrax Starter Set, plus some components from the Bridges and Tunnels expansions and four additional accessories. These accessories include the Magnetic Cannon, Flip, Loop, and Spiral. In total, it offers 185 pieces and 10 different track layouts to play with. 

The GraviTrax encourages kids to start simple and build, allowing this set to grow with your kid developmentally with more challenging elements. It doesn’t require batteries.

Reviewers love the variety in the set and how positively their kids responded to the game. However, some customers wished there would have been more base pieces for building more towers. Buying more sets will provide more options.

Best wooden: Hape Quadrilla Wooden Marble Run Construction

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Why it made the cut: Made from high-quality and durable birch wood, this marble run has tons of fun features like seesaws, straightaway rails, and three spiral funnels to keep your kids engaged.

Specs

• Ages: 4+
• Dimensions: 21.34 x 13.39 x 5.43 inches
• Material: Wood

Pros

• High-quality wood, durable
• Non-toxic, FSC-accredited
• Lots of features 
• Lots of positive reviews

Cons

• Can be wobbly
• Colors could be more distinguishable 
• Pricey

This wooden marble run is a high-quality, multifunction construction set that encourages spatial awareness and problem-solving. It offers seven different color blocks made from non-toxic, FSC-accredited birch and rubber wood.

The Quadrilla Vertigo features a mix of spins, drops, seesaws, straightaway rails, and three spiral funnels to keep kids (and curious parents) entertained. Some of the pieces have toggles, which keep the marbles going in unpredictable directions.

The only knock on this was it doesn’t include organizational materials to keep the wooden pieces safe from scratches and dings. The colors could also be more distinguishable from each other. It’s pricey, but given the high quality and natural wood material—a bonus if you’re cutting down on household plastic—it’s worth the premium.

Best magnetic: PicassoTiles Marble Run Magnetic Tiles

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Why it made the cut: This colorful magnetic tile marble run and 3-D race track comes with 10 different geometric shapes, including columns, slopes, slides, funnels, and U-turns.

Specs

• Ages: 3+
• Dimensions: 16.51 x 13.24 x 5.32 inches
• Material: Steel, Plastic

Pros 

• Fairly priced
• Good for toddlers
• Can be used with other PicassoTiles sets
• BPA-Free, Lead-Free, Non-Toxic

Cons

• Could be sturdier
• Some say need to purchase more than one

Choose from a 40-, 70-, or 150-piece set that comes chock-full of 10 different geometric shapes like columns, slopes, slides, funnels, and U-turns. The steel-weighted marbles and a 3-D race track are perfect for building on imagination and STEM skills. 

Some reviewers recommend getting at least two sets to really make this product shine. Add marble run tubes to your tiles to help them snap into place for added sturdiness. 

It’s fairly priced—depending on the number of pieces, it ranges from under $30 to under $70—and is made from non-toxic, BPA-free, lead-free, and child-safe materials. Note: it can be used with other PicassoTiles products, excluding the mini tiles with the PTG set. 

Best budget: ELONGDI Marble Run Set

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Why it made the cut: This inexpensive and colorful marble run game for kids ages 3 and up comes with 105 pieces made from non-toxic and BPA-free plastic, all under $40.

Specs

• Ages: 3+
• Dimensions: 12.4 x 9 x 3.4 inches
• Material: Plastic

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Simple and straightforward
• Colorful
• Non-toxic, BPA-free plastic
• Great for toddlers

Cons

• Not the highest quality

This budget-friendly set comes with 105 marble run pieces to create elaborate, continuous setups. The bright, colorful nature of the pieces will likely do well to keep a little one’s attention.

This is a simple marble run without a ton of frills and features. It can stack 2 feet high and is great for toddlers and little ones (but be sure to keep an eye on them—these pieces can be a choking hazard). 

Note that the plastic is BPA-free and non-toxic, but because of the price point, the material isn’t the highest quality. Hot tip: some users recommend constructing your run on a rubber mat—the dining table can make it less sturdy and tip over. 

What to consider when buying the best marble runs

These brainy toys are a great way to get creative juices flowing and reduce tablet time. Here is what you should know when shopping for the best marble runs.

Age

Marble toys will list their age restrictions or recommendations. Be sure to look for an age-appropriate toy when shopping for your little one. Marbles are, by their very nature, choking hazards, so these are probably best to avoid for very little ones. And make sure they’re stored in a safe place, like a toy organizer, when not in use.

Materials

Some marbles are made of glass, while others are made of plastic. You can find magnetic sets, wooden options, and more. Some sets can expand if you buy more pieces to go with them, so if you think it may be a big hit, opt for something you can build on later.

Durability

Depending on price point and material, the toy’s durability can vary. Some will be sturdier and some more flimsy—so always read the reviews! For toddlers, you might afford to get something a bit more flimsy, but a wobbly marble run could definitely frustrate older kids. Maybe they can take out that irritation in the backyard on their ATV.

FAQs

Final thoughts about the best marble runs

• Best overall: National Geographic Glowing Marble Run
• Best plastic: Ravensburger GraviTrax
• Best wooden: Hape Quadrilla Wooden Marble Run Construction
• Best magnetic: PicassoTiles Marble Run Magnetic Tiles
• Best budget: ELONGDI Marble Run Set

Marble runs are the perfect educational toy that not only entertains and excites your little ones but also helps build valuable skills! Get off the screen and into twists, turns, slides, flips, loops, and spirals with the fun of the best marble runs. 

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.

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When it comes to action cameras, GoPro is the famous thousand-pound gorilla beloved by all patrons at the zoo. DJI’s Osmo Action 4 is like the precocious and just-as-cute chimpanzee a few enclosures down: It offers a ton of really excellent and advanced features in a similar form factor.

Right now, the Osmo Action 4 is down to $299 from its regular price of $399. Savings like that are important when you’re buying a camera you may one day accidentally drop off a cliff. This is one of our choices for the best action camera, so go check out that list if you’re curious as to why.

DJI Osmo Action 4 action camera $299 (was $399)

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At just 5.1 ounces and small enough to fit in a pocket, the DJI Osmo Action 4 fits a truly impressive amount of imaging tech into a tough little body. The 1/1.3-inch sensor is larger than what you’ll find in some other action cameras or your smartphone, which makes for better light capture and depth-of-field effects. It shoots 4K video at 120fps and offers high-end cinematic video formats.

This is an action camera, so it’s fully waterproof down to 59 feet. Plus, it’s freeze-proof, crush-resistant, and reinforced to withstand drops. It has a touchscreen on both the front and back, as well as a super-advanced image stabilization system inside, which comes in handy for everyone from extreme athletes and aspiring vloggers to primate portrait photographers.

The post Save $100 and get the DJI Osmo Action 4 camera for its cheapest price ever at Amazon appeared first on Popular Science.

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As I write this, I’m wearing a flannel, a sweatshirt, slippers, extra pants, and a hat. The cold that’s currently gripping the U.S. is insidious, but there’s a simple—and relatively affordable—solution. Right now, Amazon is offering up to half-off some of its most popular space heaters. They come in just about every size, so you can add a few precious degrees to any room, from your tiny bathroom to your roomy garage. Here are some of the models currently on sale:

• Renfred Space Heater 2023 Newest, Portable Electric Space Heater, 3 Modes & Thermostat $49 (was $99)
• Sunkos Portable Electric Space Heater $194 (was $299)
• Grelife Space Heater for Indoor use, 18″ 1500W Ceramic Space Heater $35 (with coupon, was $49)
• PELONIS Oil Filled Radiator Heater Luxurious Champagne Portable Space Heater with Programmable Thermostat $78 (was $95)
• PELONIS Portable Electric Desk Heater for indoor use with Thermostat $51 (was $65)
• PELONIS Oscillating Ceramic Tower Indoor Space Heater for Home with Oscillation, Programmable Thermostat & ECO Mode $58 (was $69)
• PELONIS PHO15A2AGW, Basic Electric Oil Filled Radiator, 1500W Portable Full Room Radiant Space Heater $64 (was $73)
• PELONIS PHO15A2AGB, Basic Electric Oil Filled Radiator,black space heater $64 (was $74)
• PELONIS PHTA1ABB Portable, 1500W/900W, Quiet Cooling & Heating Mode Space Heater $24 (was $32)
• Dreo Space Heater, Portable Electric Heaters for Indoor Use $67 (was $75)
• Dreo Space Heater Indoor, 1500W Portable Heaters with Remote, PTC Ceramic Electric Heater $44 (was $49)
• Dreo Space Heaters for Indoor Use, 15 Inch Portable Heater with 70°Oscillation $59 (was $69)
• Dreo Space Heater Indoor, 25″ 11.5ft/s Fast Portable Room Heater with Remote and Thermostat $79 (was $89)
• Dreo Space Heaters for Indoor Use, Portable Heater with Thermostat $34 (was $39)
• Dreo Electric Space Heater for Bathroom and Indoor, Portable Heater, 1500W $53 (was $59)
• Dreo 1500W Space Heater, 70° Oscillating Portable Heater for Indoor Use $42 (was $49)

The post These already-affordable space heaters are even cheaper than usual at Amazon right now appeared first on Popular Science.

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Every year, the tech world briefly gives up on its New Year’s resolutions and descends upon Las Vegas for a week of new gadgets, tech demos, 15,000 steps-on-average days, and multiple happy hours at night. It’s the Consumer Electronics Show, acres of tech demos spread out across the Convention Center and throughout the Strip. This year, we had PopSci staffers on the floor and watching from afar to single out the best, most innovative, and coolest products making their debut. Here’s our best of what’s next, some of which are favorites just hitting the market and some that won’t get to store shelves for months or even years.

A single device that offers multiple wellness insights: Withings BeamO

For some of us, Kylie’s song-of-the-summer “Padam Padam” has been in our ears for months, so heartbeats have been on our minds. Withings’ newest BeamO multiscope combines a thermometer, electrocardiogram, oximeter, and stethoscope into one device to provide more info for yourself and your telehealth visit. BeamO takes its readings using different sensors. Photoplethysmography (PPG) and electrodes along its side give you blood oxygenation, heart rate, and ECG readings simultaneously, while a thermo sensor combined with an infrared beam allows for contactless temperature readings. A Piezoelectric disc captures chest or back acoustic sound waves for precise heart and lung measurements. Best of all, you get a check-up of your body temperature, heart, and lung health at the same time in under a minute. You can also track your temperature and heart rate over time by syncing the device with the Withings app. The BeamO will be available for $249.95 in June 2024 following FDA clearance for its ECG capability.

A fitness tracker, emphasis on the fit: Garmin HRM-Fit

Garmin has made a heart rate monitor for women. Before you go “gendered thing is dumb,” hear us out: This device’s placement helps capture more accurate heart rate and training data and is made for comfort. It attaches to the bottom band of medium- and high-support sports bras and can be used while running, cycling, strength training, and in HIIT classes. Instead of rooting around under your shirt to adjust your heart-rate monitor, simply clip on and go, sending real-time data to compatible devices and running dynamics on a compatible Garmin smartwatch. It comes with one year of battery life and retails for $149.99.

Proof that it takes two to make a thing go right: ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid

I’m on the laptop, I’m on the tablet, I’m on the combination laptop and tablet. It’s Lenovo’s new AI-powered, two-piece computer. Yes, you can physically separate the keyboard (which houses its own discrete Intel processor, graphics card, and ports) from its display and run them independently. Even more interesting is that in this configuration, the base runs Windows 11 while connected to your favorite monitor, while the slim 1.7-pound screen runs Android off a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Plus Gen 1 chip. When the two are connected, they’re a single Windows-based laptop with a 14-inch 2.8K OLED display, Intel Core Ultra processor, and more. This truly two-in-one device managed to stand out even debuted alongside such fun proof-of-concept ThinkBooks as one featuring an external e-ink display.

A secure door for the pets you adore: Pawport

Pets are some of our most-loved family members. And we want to make them as happy all the time as they make us. That doesn’t man we can always be there to open the door for them, however, and they still haven’t grown thumbs. The other option to help them access the yard as they please/need is pet doors, but they’re impossible to keep secure—until now. Pawport announced its motorized pet door and app, with the former being ready to preorder. The door itself looks sleek and stylish and attaches to existing pet door frames. It also comes with a lightweight tag for your pet. The tag connects to the door and only opens when your pet is nearby. Pet parents can track their precious pooches, remotely manage doors, and set up access schedules for multiple pets through the Pawport app.

A projector with a wide range of theater-level specs: XGIMI HORIZON Max 4K projector

Immersive experience enthusiasts XGIMI debuted what the brand calls its brightest display to date—3,100 lumens of brightness, to be exact. The HORIZON Max is practically a movie projector in your own home. It’s IMAX Enhanced certified, making it the first long-throw smart projector to meet IMAX quality standards. You get a 1.90:1 aspect ratio and DTS:X immersive sound at home. It also includes XGIMI’s new ISA (Intelligent Screen Adaption) 5.0 tech, which combines software and hardware to make utilizing your walls easier. A fully automated motorized gimbal locates the best projection position on the wall and remembers specific settings on certain walls, giving you more control and flexibility on what you want to project (T-800esque stand pictured above not included). The HORIZON Max also incorporates Dual Light 2.0, a new XGIMI system that integrates a Triple laser for a larger color range and a phosphor light to negate perfections created by the Triple laser. Movie nights have never looked better.

For when slow and low is the tempo: GE Profile Smart Indoor Smoker

GE has seemingly done the impossible by making food smoking an indoor activity. Its Profile Smart Indoor Smoker allows you to get the same results as an outdoor smoker without tripping a smoke alarm. In fact, running it for three hours in a one-bedroom apartment felt akin to lighting a stick of incense. Our testing proved that this appliance wasn’t just smoke and mirrors, and what’s more, you can actually order the indoor smoker right now with delivery later this month. While this Smart Indoor Smoker runs on wood pellets, the smoke is turned into hot air, which circulates in the smoker’s chamber to impart a smokey flavor. The spent pellets are automatically dropped into a water bath, which prevents them from producing even more smoke. Plenty of products at CES are proof-of-concepts that go up in smoke before they get to market, but this is a unique cooking tool you can start using very soon.

Proof that it takes two to make it outta sight: ASUS Zenbook Duo (UX8406)

The Zenbook Duo UX8406 is the latest laptop in ASUS’ double-screen laptop, and this generation has taken performance to a whole new level. Both displays are now OLED, support Dolby Vision HDR, and 120Hz refresh rate. A Bluetooth keyboard can be attached magnetically to the laptop but is not required as the bottom display can function as a touch-sensitive keypad. Independent spaces across both screens can be configured (place it as a tent to let the kids watch something on one side while you work on the other), and the laptop senses when you configure it vertically or horizontally and adjusts accordingly. ASUS says it’s using AI functionality built into Intel’s Core Ultra line of processors. You can spec the laptop with up to 32GB of RAM, a 2TB SSD, 3K resolution displays, and the Intel Ultra 9 Processor 185H. Unlike most laptop makers, ASUS opted to pack as many ports as possible into its portable machine, including a USB-A port. While OLED screens are making their way into many of ASUS’ 2024 laptops all the way to portable, foldable displays, this dual-screen design of the Zenbook Duo UX8406 makes it one of the most innovative laptops from any manufacturer.

A connected lock offering more than face value (but it values that too): Lockly Visage

Smart locks are nothing new, but Lockly’s Visage is an improvement in many ways over earlier generations of this technology. First, it’s significantly smaller (35% more compact internally, in fact) than Lockly’s other locks, and it supports both Matter—the interoperable smart home standard—and Apple’s HomeKit. In fact, iPhone and Apple Watch owners can unlock the Visage with their devices rather than a key, fingerprint, or passcode. In addition, the built-in WiFi connectivity will allow you to lock and unlock your door from anywhere in the world using Lockly’s app on iOS and Android. Thankfully, no additional hub is required to connect the Visage to your home network. The big addition you’re, well, looking at is facial recognition on approach for seamless entry (hence the product’s name). Lockly says the Visage will launch this summer.

A television you can see through: LG Signature OLED T Transparent 4K TV

Designers often go to ridiculous lengths to try and hide TVs—anything to avoid the dreaded big, black rectangle in the middle of a carefully curated space. We assume those people are huge fans of LG’s new Signature OLED T 4K TV, which all but disappears when it’s turned off. The 77-inch TV offers high-end features you’d expect from an LG Signature series, including the fully wireless connectivity to which we awarded a Best of What’s New badge in 2023. The tech relies on MicroLEDs in order to work as a normal TV when it needs to, then go translucent at the press of a button. The panel has an always-on mode that can show art or other images without the bright backlight. Samsung showed off a similar technology based on its own MicroLED tech, so if you like clear TVs, this was a banner year for you. 

A smartphone camera stand that follows you as you move: Belkin Auto Tracking Stand Pro

Maybe you’re an aspiring creator who spends tons of time begging your friends to hold a camera while you film. Or maybe you just like to walk around your bedroom during FaceTime sessions. Belkin’s rotating phone mount syncs up with an iPhone (version 12 or later) and rotates up to 360 degrees to automatically keep you in view of the camera. It can even tilt up and down up to 90 degrees. It moves silently, so you won’t hear the motors whirring in your audio, and it syncs with Apple’s DockKit system for deep integration with iOS. The mount attaches via MagSafe, so it’s simple to snap your phone into the cradle and film for up to five hours, thanks to the device’s built-in rechargeable battery.

An AI-powered way to get up close and personal with the night sky: Celestron Origin Intelligent Home Observatory

Don’t call it a telescope. Celestron calls the Origin “the first intelligent home observatory.” Like a typical telescope, you’ll find traditional glass optics occupying the Origin’s tube. Specifically, Celestron has equipped it with a high-end Rowe-Ackermann Schmidt Astrograph (RASA) f/2.2 optical system, which provides a super-bright and wide field of view that’s excellent for astrophotography. Rather than a typical eye-piece, this system relies on a Sony CMOS imaging sensor backed by ample AI computing power to provide clear images of objects in space with very little learning curve. The Origin takes remote commands from a connected mobile app and automatically locates objects. You can set it up and schedule it to take images of an object at a specific time so you can look at celestial wonders from the comfort of your living room or wake up to a whole batch of NASA-worthy images it captured while you were asleep. That’s our kind of stargazing.

Binoculars that can identify wildlife using AI: Swarovski Optik AX Visio

Was that a yellow-crested warbler or a San Jose duckling? Well, it was probably neither because we made up both species. If you want actual help identifying birds and other wildlife, Swarovski’s new $4,800 AI-powered binoculars can help. They feel almost like a regular pair of binos with 10x magnification and a 32mm objective lens diameter. A third set of optics running up the middle, however, contains a digital sensor that can capture images and videos of wildlife as you observe it. Connect the AX Visio to Swarovski’s app to share images or get more information about the animals in the frame. It’s like having a little birding expert in your pocket. 

Proof that it’s hip to be square: Samsung Music Frame

Samsung has taken its Frame smart TV concept and applied it to speakers with its new Music Frame, a customizable Bluetooth speaker disguised as a 12.9 x 12.9 picture frame. It features two built-in woofers, two tweeters, two mid-range drivers, intelligent audio processing, and can operate as a standalone stereo wireless speaker. The frame can also pair with Q-Symphony-compatible Samsung TVs and soundbars to expand virtual surround when placed to the left/right of the screen or provide true rear channels from the side/back. You can hang it on the wall or use its built-in stand to place it on a table. We have the company’s transducer development for thin flatscreens (much like the latest 8K flagships) to thank for the frame’s surprising bass whether mounted free or flush. Unlike other smart frames, however, it doesn’t include a display; you’ll have to provide your own printed photos.

A whole-home battery backup system: EcoFlow DELTA Pro Ultra

We’re big fans of EcoFlow’s portable power stations and solar generators. Now, the company has created a backup battery that’s burly enough to bolster a whole house during a blackout. The numbers are impressive. It offers a 6kWh capacity with a 7200W output, which is enough to run a small home on its own. The stackable battery packs easily chain together in order to expand capacity to your specific needs. It can expand all the way up to 90kWh of storage, which will power a house for a month on a full charge. It connects to a home via EcoFlow’s new Smart Home Panel 2, which can seamlessly and automatically switch from mains to battery power during an outage or during peak hours when energy costs jump. The DELTA Pro Ultra offers 5.6kW of solar input to draw and store juice quickly, even when the grid isn’t available.

Earbuds to help get you in the zone and tell you which zone that is: Sennheiser MOMENTUM Sport

Sennheiser plus Polar have their finger, no ear canal, on the pulse of fitness wearables. Sennheiser announced its MOMENTUM Sports earbuds, which use integrated biometric in-ear sensors to measure heartbeat and body temperature. The body is particularly concerned with keeping brain temperature regulated, so the ear is the best non-invasive place for measurements, and the sensors block light so readings are more accurate. As for the IP55 earbuds’ ergonomic shape, it comes from research by Sennheiser’s parent company, Sonova, which specializes in hearing aids, cochlear implants, and other medical audio products. But make no mistake: these earbuds still offer hi-fi Sennheiser sound (as do the simultaneously announced MOMENTUM True Wireless 4 audiophile earbuds), with an all-new 10mm transducer and an acoustic relief channel that minimizes noise, breathing, and other body-made noises. Finally, your huffing and puffing won’t wreck your gym jams. The MOMENTUM Sport’s photoplethysmography (PPG) data connects and integrates with many popular sports devices and apps, such as Apple Watch/Health, Garmin Watch/Connect, Strava, Peloton, and more. The earbuds will be available in April 2024 for $329.95.

Simple cooking through advanced features: Summit FS38X Smart Grill

Some purists may scoff at the idea of a large, full-color touchscreen on a grill. Those people are killjoys who have never had the pleasure of perfectly cooked burgers they didn’t have to babysit. Weber’s new Summit-series smart grill relies on the company’s SmartControl platform, which simplifies the grilling process. It allows the grill to take commands via the mobile app for pre-heating and scheduled cooking. It alerts you when the grill hits temperature, guides you through the cooking process with both direct and indirect heat, and lets you know when the food is done cooking. A clever gas management system carefully controls how much fuel goes to each burner during a cook so it can keep meticulous temperatures throughout the chamber, even if you’re the kind of nosey person who can’t keep the lid closed for more than five minutes.

A place to recharge your body and devices: Jackery Solar Generator for Rooftop Tent

One of the themes of CES 2024 was the presence of smart robotic gadgets that can tackle tasks as disparate as window washing, lawn mowing, snow plowing, and even harvesting solar energy. So, while Jackery’s roving Mars Bot with its retractable solar wings caught our eye as we walked the floor, it was a more traditional overlanding accessory that really caught our attention: The Jackery Solar Generator for Rooftop Tent—a truck-mounted tent has its own 1000W solar array, which is connected to an included 1264Wh portable power station. A single button unpacks the tent, which is angled to catch as many of the sun’s rays as possible. Jackery says this system can power your gear and keep you off the grid for up to two weeks. The company says its power supply is made from an aluminum-magnesium alloy and carbon fiber, so it can survive in low temperatures (up to -43 degrees Fahrenheit) and be used in elevations up to 5,000 meters of altitude. The solar array can then be easily folded down to travel safely.

A remote cam with an absurd range: Adobe Edge Security Camera

Most wireless security camera signals only reach maybe 100 feet, typical of a WiFi connection. This camera from Adobe Systems (not the company that makes Photoshop) has a range of roughly 1.5 miles. That means it can go basically anywhere on a property and still capture and transmit a clean, high-quality signal. The shell offers an IP67 toughness rating so that it can survive outdoors. Plus, the 6,000 mAh battery inside is good for almost an entire year before it needs recharging (depending on circumstances, of course). Even with all that toughness, it still offers smart features like object and face recognition in an effort to send you notifications with as much info as possible. That also means fewer false alarms every time a raccoon and his buddies go strutting by.

A TV that’s a bright purchase for those with sun-soaked rooms: Hisense 110UX 

Hisense continues to push the boundaries of what’s possible with the mini-LED 110UX, its latest 110-inch 4K screen. Its main attraction is 10,000 nits and 40,000 backlight zones, which allow it to control the brightness of sections of its QLED-Quantum Dot screen and minimize backlight bleed to the point that black levels will be nearly indistinguishable compared to an OLED. Similarly, the 110UX covers 95% of the BT.2020 color palette, resulting in vivid but accurate color representation, especially when viewing HDR content. The company touts this ULED X TV’s processor, which it says uses AI to automatically calibrate its contrast and color depth on a per-scene basis. Hisense also focused on the TV’s audio system by offering a native 4.2.2 speaker arrangement inside the TV itself, along with Dolby Atmos Flex Connect support. If nothing else, Hisense’s 110UX continues to push the LED TV market forward and proves OLED isn’t the only screen technology worth paying attention to.

A personal assistant to use your smartphone for you: Rabbit R1

This isn’t a phone. It’s a $199 AI-powered device that’s basically designed to use your phone for you. The idea behind the Rabbit R1 isn’t easy to grasp. It’s a piece of hardware with machine-learning capabilities that acts as a conduit between you and your phone. It doesn’t run apps, but rather, it works with apps that live on your phone itself. You ask the Rabbit R1 to perform a task, and then it navigates the necessary apps on your phone to do so without requiring you to actually futz with your smart device. It learns your most common tasks and streamlines your everyday processes in an effort to make you more efficient and keep your phone out of your hand. The device is already a runaway hit–the company says it sold more than 10,000 of the devices via pre-order on the very first day, then another run of 10,000 on top of that. We’re not fully sold yet—lots of the functionality seems like it could ironically exist within a smartphone app. But it’s a very compelling piece of hardware, and we’re looking forward to seeing where it lands in the gadget landscape.

The first thing we’d buy if we won the lottery: Sonus faber Suprema + McIntosh MC2.1KW Monoblock Power Amplifier

Sure, CES is full of flying taxis and cars that drive sideways and robots, robots, AI, robots … but we’re still years and years off from the Jetsons (and should be worried we’re closer and closer to SkyNet). Sometimes, instead of concentrating just on what’s next, we like to concentrate on leaning back and just being present. So, if we wanted to make a statement purchase right now, it would be Sonus faber’s Suprema loudspeaker system powered by McIntosh’s MC2.1KW Monoblock Power Amplifiers—$1 million and hundreds of pounds of rapture you can see above. Both multi-component suites celebrate each company’s respective anniversary: McIntosh’s 75th and Sonus Faber’s 40th. And, together, they created a wild audiophile EDM festival to showcase the four 15-inch woofers’ ability to push air down to 16Hz. (Inside the room, the 2.2 system hit 96 dB of pristinely clean, U4IA-inducing extension, per an Apple Watch Ultra). They’re packed with more tech than we can run down here, but all you need to know is that, based on just one listening session drawing only 200 of the available 2,000 watts of power, you could put on Wagner to Metallica to “Who Let the Dogs Out,” and we’d be so into it we wouldn’t even care when the Terminators kicked in the door.

It’s not a DJ controller, but it will let you dial in a hot mix: Impulse Induction Cooktop

Impulse has gone all out with its $5,499 induction cooktop, which it says delivers “premium performance” to match its cost. The four-burner 30-inch cooktop fits in most standard countertops and works on a 120V outlet or a low-current 240V circuit, so it doesn’t require electrical upgrades. It features four temperature adjustment knobs, while a gigantic screen in the middle of the cooktop shows each burner’s current temperature and energy usage. Each burner tops out at 10kW, which Impulse says is enough power to boil a liter of water in 40 seconds. Most notably, this cooktop works by charging an internal battery while it’s plugged into your wall and running the burners on that to reduce the strain on the grid during peak energy usage times. So you can cook healthy meals while being healthier for the planet. Reservations are available now and require a $249 deposit, and Impulse says the cooktop may qualify for federal rebates and credits by the time it ships in Q4 of this year.

Earbuds with less weight and more clarity: xMEMS silicon-based microspeakers

If there’s one thing CES is about, it’s 180,000 people (+/- 10,000) giving or getting an earful about what’s supposedly the latest and greatest technology, whether they like it or not. But getting an actual earful of “micro-electrical mechanical systems” was far more pleasant than it sounds. These solid-state drivers flex minutely but rapidly to create sound pressure, allowing earbuds to shed the weight and space requirements of voice coil-driven mechanisms. However, the xMEMS setups currently on the market (by Creative Labs and Noble Audio, among others) currently use a hybrid setup with a dynamic driver for low end output purposes. A prototype showcased in the developers’ suite, though, showed the potential of the next ultrasonic generation of MEMS drivers, with the current design’s lighting-fast transients and midrange clarity but fleshier (30x-40x) bass that’s impactful yet controlled. This full-range “Cypress” speaker is a development that could greatly benefit ANC wireless earbuds in the future.

A hairdryer that saves energy and your hair: L’Oreal Airlight Pro

L’Oreal has come for Dyson and Shark with its new AirLight Pro. Conventional hair dryers rely on air flowing over thermal coils to turn damp tresses into smooth locks. This creates a hairy situation: That heat can damage your hair over time unless you’re using a really good heat protectant. L’Oreal’s AirLight Pro takes a page from Dyson and uses a high-speed motor for faster hair drying while adding infrared tech to the mix. This dries water on the hair surface and prevents internal moisture loss in the strand. All this tech combined dries hair faster and uses 31% less energy. We plan to untangle the experience in a future feature.

An audio all-in-one offering one for all: FiiO R9

And now we come to the most CES of all the products on this list: a gadget made of gadgets. The FiiO R9 is the perfect desktop centerpiece for the modern “music-first” audiophile, the voracious consumer of high-resolution digital sounds. A Snapdragon 660 chip running a 6-inch HD screen on a custom build of Android 10 (soon to be upgraded to 12), it’s a smartphone without the phone but one that bypasses Android SRC restrictions to allow all streaming services—and you can load any/all apps—to avoid downsampling. Got files? Need streamlined access to your sources? Play them off MicroSD, through USB-C, via HDMI ARC, with OPTICAL/COAX, or broadcast over WiFi (Roon Ready) or Bluetooth 5.0 (AAC/SBC/aptX/aptX HD/LDAC/LHDC). No matter what, the balanced ES9038PRO DAC*2 can handle it and then feed it to the THX AAA 788+ amp to draw on 7300mW per channel at 32 ohms, with five levels of gain—enough adjustable output to drive basically any headphone/IEM. And, on top of all that, it’s shiny. And it’s available soon for $1,499. Just for fun, use the R9’s outputs to record an actual mixtape from all these converging channels and pick up the upcoming FiiO CP13 cassette player for that extra dose of retro cool.

The post The best new gadgets and tech from CES 2024 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		Samsung T7 Shield		SEE IT	This excellent drive is a staple with PopSci staffers.
Best for speed		Samsung T9 SSD		SEE IT	It’s not rugged, but it’s twice as fast as some competitors.
Best budget		Crucial X8 Portable SSD		SEE IT	The 1TB version starts at just $59. That’s a steal.

Portable SSDs (short for solid state drives) hold onto large portions of your digital data to keep your computer’s internal drive clean and tidy. These pint-sized SSDs typically offer faster transfers, longer lifespans, and smaller form factors than their traditional hard drive counterparts. As price-per-gigabyte has dropped in recent years, these devices have become more accessible to casual users. That’s great news for photographers, video shooters, and anyone else who wants to carry a lot of digital stuff with them at all times. We’ve rounded up the best portable SSDs for every type of user.

• Best overall: SAMSUNG T7 Shield
• Best splurge: LaCie Rugged SSD Pro Solid State Drive
• Best budget: Crucial X8 Portable SSD 
• Best for speed: SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD
• Best for gamers: Western Digital P50 Game Drive SSD

How we chose the best portable SSDs

As a part-time professional photographer and increasingly less crappy video maker, I regularly rely on portable SSDs to hold the high-res photos and video on which I’m working. I’ve used models from just about every brand and generation. While I have my personal favorites, I realize everyone has different needs. This list emphasizes models that fit specific user needs, such as gamers, high-end pros, and typical users. Most of the options on this list offer some kind of ruggedization because device failure sometimes means data loss, and that’s very bad. It’s worth spending extra upfront to get something burly. Ultimately, this list results from personal experience, editorial reviews, user feedback, spec comparisons, and brand reputation. 

You’ll notice that SanDisk’s portable SSDs aren’t on this list at the moment. The company had some data loss issues with its popular models, and we haven’t had time to test the new ones thoroughly yet. The company claims the problems have been solved, and it seems as though that’s the case, but we’re reserving judgment for a while to make sure.

The best portable SSDs: Reviews & Recommendations

While it’s tempting to just go grab the fastest device with the most capacity, that’s probably not the best bet for most people. Here are some specific suggestions for different types of users. We recommend checking out all of the options before purchasing because features and uses often overlap.

Best overall: SAMSUNG T7 Shield

SEE IT

Specs

• Capacity: 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB
• Sequential read/write speeds: 1,000/1,050 MB/s
• Size: 3.39 x 2.24 x 0.49 inches
• Weight: 3.5 ounces

Pros

• Suitably fast transfer speeds
• IP65 ruggedization for solid protection
• Easy to fit in a small pocket
• Comes with both USB-C and USB-A cables in the box
• Color options are attractive without looking flashy

Cons

• Cable is a little short
• USB-C connection can come loose if jostled

This is the storage device that I use in my everyday work life. I’ve had several of these over the past year or so and I find that they offer the best mix of ruggedness, performance, price, and portability. 

Each little device is IP65 certified, which means it can withstand serious moisture, dust, and impacts. It’s also crush-proof, which can be important if you ever lug a drive around in a heavy bag or even your pocket. The USB 3.2 Gen 2 connection offers sequential read and write speeds up to 1,000 MB/s and 1,050 MB/s, respectively. That’s plenty fast for editing high-res video footage directly off the device, as long as your computer has the correct connectivity. I currently use the MacBook Pro M3 Max (and we definitely recommend these as external drives for Mac), but most current-gen computers above $500 should be compatible. 

The drive doesn’t have an integrated connector. Instead, it has a USB-C port on the edge. The box includes both a USB-C and USB-A cable, so it’s ready to attach to basically any computer immediately. The USB on the device itself can come loose if you move the drive around a lot, but I never had it become an issue during real-world usage. 

It’s not the cheapest option per-gigabyte when it comes to storage, but it’s also not as expensive as some of the other rugged options available at the moment. These also often go on pretty steep discounts when shopping holidays such as Black Friday roll around, so keep an eye on the price as you go.

Best splurge: LaCie Rugged SSD Pro Solid State Drive