When the original AirPods were released, the tech community criticized them for looking stupid and being easy to lose. At the time, I wrote on Power Moves “AirPods are the best Apple product since the original iPhone.” Now, this is a mainstream opinion as Apple has sold more than 60

After weeks of testing, I determined Blink XT2 is a great buy for casual security monitoring because it provides accurate motion recording and stores the recordings in the cloud for free. No subscription service needed. It shouldn’t be used for serious surveillance, but as long as you’re aware

However, Chromecast (3rd Gen) is a great choice if you have Google Home and don’t mind using your phone as the remote. Interface: F * There’s no interface on the TV. You "cast" content from your phone to your TV. You use the Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and other content

I determined Netgear Orbi RBK33 (3-Set) is the better mesh system because you’ll get faster speeds and brilliant range. Setup: B * Installation is straightforward through the phone app, but syncing the routers isn’t always as simple. Installation would go more smoothly if they asked you to get the

After a year of testing, I determined that Fire TV Stick 4K is best for most people because it uses a remote rather than relying on your phone. Content: B * For HD content apps, there is Hulu, Netflix, Showtime, HBO, Sling TV, AT&T TV, YouTube, Disney+, YouTube TV, and

After over a year of testing, I determined Roku Streaming Stick+ is the better streaming stick because it has more content options and fewer advertisements. Content: A * You can play 4K HDR content, but Roku doesn’t support Dolby Vision, only HDR10. * There’s Dolby Atmos audio support. * There are

After months of testing, I found Tile Mate and Tile Pro to be the best Bluetooth trackers on the market by a wide margin because of the superior range and a huge community of users. Range (A+): * Tile Pro gets over 300ft of range if in clear sight, according to

After months of testing, TrackR Pixel to have poor range and the batteries only last two months, but the upside is that it’s only $15. Range (C-): * TrackR Pixel advertises a 100ft range from your phone, but other reviewers say it’s about 50ft. In my tests (in the

After a month of testing, I determined Bose Noise Cancelling Headphones 700 are the best because they have superior build quality, crisp sound, an amazing calling experience, and support simultaneous connections. Sound Quality Summary: The Bose 700 sound profile is similar to other Bose products. The sound is clear and

Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones WH1000XM3 have a longer runtime with a more colorful sound profile, but the design needs work to be modernized. Sound Quality Summary: The XM3’s have a warmer and more fun sound profile compared to Bose. While the high-end sound isn’t as clear as Bose,

After weeks of testing, I determined Google Nest Hub is the best personal assistant because it has a more intuitive interface and better content options. Services (B+): * It doesn’t have as many compatible products as Alexa, but most of Alexa’s skills are niche and people don’t use

After weeks of testing, I determined Echo Show 5 is an upgrade over Echo Dot (3rd Gen), but the overall experience is not on Nest Hub’s level. Services (B): * Alexa is way more compatible than Google. There’s an Alexa app store where Alexa can learn over 15,000

After months of testing, I determined Neato Botvac D7 is the better bet for people with mostly hard floors because of its efficiency. However, Roomba i7 goes slightly deeper on carpets, and the optional Automatic Dirt Disposal Base and easier to clean brush will improve the lives of pet owners.

Speed (A+): * iPad Pro uses Apple’s custom-built processing chips, and the 2018 version uses an A12X Bionic chip. My iPad Pro (11 inches, 4 GB RAM) has a single-core score of 5026 and a multi-core score of 18121 using Geekbench’s metrics. That’s close to triple the compute

After a month of testing, I determined Dyson V11 Torque Drive is the best cordless stick vacuum for all floor types because it’s quieter, has a better runtime, and an LCD screen. However, Dyson V10 Absolute is the better bet for those with mostly hard floors because it’s

After two weeks of testing, I found the Ring Alarm 5 Piece Kit to be the best DIY security system because it has free self-monitoring or professional monitoring for $10/month. Setup & Support (A+): * You install your system with the Ring phone app. You scan the QR codes located on

The SimpliSafe 5 Piece Security System has a better build quality than other systems on the market, but it’s almost useless without the $25/month plan. Setup & Support (B-): * Most smart home products have an interactive, step-by-step walkthrough in the app for installation. I love phone app installations because

After a month of testing, I determined Skybell HD could have been an excellent budget option because of its free cloud recordings, but it’s not reliable enough to recommend. Setup (C): * You’ll need wired power from your previous doorbell. * It only runs on the 2.4GHz WiFi band,

After two weeks with the Polariod Zip, I determinded that it’s solid as long as you’re not expecting premium prints. Software (C+): * The app wasn’t built by a software-first company. My advice: don’t worry about editing, filtering or cropping your photos in the printer app. Edit

After a couple weeks of testing, I determined that the HP Sprocket is as good as any portable printer on the market and worth a buy if you understand that the prints won’t be perfect. Software (C): * You need to print from your phone (iOS or Android). You can’

Powerbeats Pro provide a more secure fit and better playback controls compared to AirPods and AirPods Pro, which is great for those who want to exercise with them. Sound: B+ * The sound quality is an upgrade from the original AirPods because of the extra clarity and sound separation with more

if you’re an Android user, want premium sound, or need a guaranteed fit, Bose SoundSport Free are the way to go. Sound: A * Bose SoundSport Free earbuds’ sound is unparalleled. * You get an incredible level of depth, bass, and clarity that I’ve never experienced in true wireless earbuds.

I determined Apple AirPods 2 are the best true wireless headphones because of the lightweight, comfortable fit, seamless pairing and switching, and unique software features. Sound: C+ * I’m not an audiophile, but it’s clear AirPods don’t deliver anything close to premium sound. However, it’s good enough

I recommend Linksys Velop (2-Set) for people who value better phone software over pure performance. Setup: B- * Velop’s phone setup is reliable, and the instructions are thorough, but sometimes you’ll experience slow loading times. A wheel spins for minutes without providing an update or confirmation that your settings

After years of testing, I determined Spotify is the best music streaming service overall because it makes discovering new music easy and it’s compatible with all speaker systems. Music Discovery (A+): * Spotify shines in its ability to find new music. When you visit an artist’s page, Spotify recommends