Lots of watch “deals” you see online aren’t really deals at all. They look like bargains because stores sell models well below their original (and unrealistic) suggested retail prices. Right now, however, Amazon has some genuinely good deals on some really handsome Citizen watches. And, if you’re a Prime subscriber, you can still get most of them with plenty of time to spare, making them one of the more perfect Father’s Day gifts. We’ve picked out some of our favorites that have really solid discounts going right now:

Citizen Men’s Sport Luxury Eco-Drive Chronograph Watch $211 (Was $356)

Citizen

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Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Weekender Garrison Field Watch $114 (Was $225)

Citizen

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Citizen Men’s Classic Corso Eco-Drive Watch, Chronograph $178 (Was $395)

Citizen

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Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Diver Mens Watch $247 (Was $425)

Citizen

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Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Sport Casual Brycen Weekender Chronograph Watch $175 (Was $375)

Citizen

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Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Corso Classic Watch in Stainless Steel with Brown Leather strap $189 (Was $325)

Citizen

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Citizen Men’s Sport Casual Brycen Eco-Drive Chronograph Watch, Super Titanium $287 (Was $575)

Citizen

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Citizen Watches Men’s CA0621-05L Eco-Drive $133 (Was $190)

Citizen

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Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Sport Casual Brycen Weekender Chronograph Watch $197 (Was $375)

Citizen

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Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Weekender Garrison Field Watch in Black IP Stainless Steel with Brown Leather strap $130 (Was $295)

Citizen

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Citizen Men’s Sport Casual Garrison 3-Hand Day/Date Eco-Drive Nylon Strap $144 (Was $206)

Citizen

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Citizen Men’s Classic Eco-Drive Leather Strap Watch $136 (Was $195)

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Citizen Eco-Drive Weekender Mens Watch, Stainless Steel with Polyurethane Strap $143 (Was $275)

Citizen

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Citizen Men’s Promaster Sea Automatic Polyurethane Strap Watch $305 (Was $575)

Citizen

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Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Weekender Garrison Field Watch in Stainless Steel, Black Dial $167 (Was $250)

Citizen

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Citizen Men’s Promaster Sailhawk Eco-Drive Watch $297 (Was $550)

Citizen

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Citizen Men’s Sport Casual Garrison 3-Hand Eco-Drive Cordura Strap $203 (Was $295)

Citizen

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Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Classic Watch in Super Titanium with Atomic Timekeeping $417 (Was $596)

Citizen

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Citizen Men’s Sport Casual Avion Eco-Drive Chronograph Watch $252 (Was $395)

Citizen

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Citizen Corso Eco-Drive Men’s Watch $256 (Was $395)

Citizen

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Citizen Men’s Sport Casual Avion Eco-Drive Chronograph Watch $210 (Was $300)

Citizen

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Citizen Men’s Promaster Dive Eco-Drive Watch $275 (Was $550)

Citizen

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The post Just about every type of Citizen watch is on-sale 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.

If you’re in North America right now, there’s a decent chance wildfire smoke is affecting you. Here in New York, the air quality is rather awful, so many people are rushing to buy air purifiers. While we have recommended some of the best air purifiers, we know price is a consideration. And while many retailers rush to apply misleading “discounts” to air purifier models, there are some deals out there to be had if you know where to look.

We haven’t personally tested every model on this list, but the selections presented here represent discounts below the products’ usual prices. And we’ve stuck to reputable brands with solid reputations because you definitely want your air purifier to actually purify the air if you’re going to shell out your cash to get it.

LEVOIT Air Purifier for Home Bedroom $39 w/ coupon (Was $49)

Levoit

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This very simple air purifier relies on a dual-filter HEPA system to pull particulates out of the air. It can handle a roughly 130-square-foot space and operates extremely quietly. With the coupon applied, this is the cheapest it has been in some time. So, if you’re looking for a simple, quiet solution to clean up the air in your office or bedroom, this is a solid deal.

BISSELL® air280 Max WiFi Connected Smart Air Purifier with HEPA & Carbon Filter Large Room $189 (Was $299)

Bissell

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If you want a larger model that will handle a much bigger space, Bissell’s whole-home solution is considerably cheaper now than a month ago. It can handle spaces up to 1,350 square feet with one air change per hour. Put it in a smaller room, and it’ll refresh the air even more often.

More air purifier deals

We expect a lot of people are buying a lot of air purifiers right now, so these deals might not hang around as long as the smoke in the air. iI you see something you want in stock, we say snag it.

• Dyson – Pure Cool Purifying Fan TP01 $329 (was $429)
• Shark HP102PET Clean Sense Air Purifier for Home $149 (was $239)
• LEVOIT Air Purifiers for Home Large Room Up to 1900 Ft $154 (was $189)
• LEVOIT Air Purifiers for Home Large Room, Smart WiFi $399 (with coupon, was $499)
• hOmeLabs 4-in-1 Compact Air Purifier $26.99 (was $69.99)
• LEVOIT Air Purifiers for Home Large Room, Covers Up to 3175 Sq. Ft $269 (was $299)
• Filtrete Air Purifier, Large Room with True HEPA Filter $108 (was $179)
• Nuwave Oxypure Air Purifier Pro for Extra Large Room $549 (was $599)
• Shark HE402 Air Purifier 4 True HEPA Cleans up to 1000 Sq. Ft $219 (was $349)
• Honeywell HHT270 Air Purifier, Small Rooms $40 (was $65)
• LEVOIT Air Purifiers for Bedroom Home $42 (was $49)
• LEVOIT Air Purifiers for Home Large Room $269 (with coupon, was $299)
• LEVOIT Air Purifiers for Home Large Room Bedroom Up to 1110 Ft $118 (was $139)
• LG – PuriCare 818 Sq. Ft. Smart HEPA AeroTower Air Purifying Fan $299 (was $549)
• Blueair – Blue Pure 211i Max 635 Sq. Ft HEPASilent Smart Extra-Large Room Air Purifier $279 (was $349)
• Insignia™ – 497 Sq. Ft. HEPA Air Purifier $169 (was $249)
• Levoit – PlasmaPro 400s Smart 403 Sq. Ft True HEPA Air Purifier $249 (was $289)
• Filtrete – 310 Sq. Ft. Smart Air Purifier for Large Rooms $199 (was $349)
• Filtrete – 150 Sq. Ft. Smart Air Purifier for Medium Rooms $149 (was $284)

The post These air purifiers are actually on sale right now at Amazon and Best Buy appeared first on Popular Science.

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

Best overall		Samsung S95C		SEE IT	Samsung’s latest OLED offering makes a strong statement.
Best for gaming		LG C2 OLED		SEE IT	Excellent connectivity and a bright picture make this a gaming superstar.
Best budget		LG B2 OLED		SEE IT	A balanced suite of features goes nicely with excellent image quality.

Step in front of the giant wall of TVs at your local big box store, and the OLED TVs will likely stand out. Their popping color and abundant contrast give these high-end panels an edge over much of their competition. And while technologies like Mini LED and Micro LED may eventually challenge OLED’s image quality crown, it hasn’t happened yet. At the same time, you know that the showroom has all the settings pushed to their peak to overwhelm you with vivid images. So, to help you separate the best from the rest, we’ve collected this list of top-tier OLED TVs across various brands and price points. While you shouldn’t expect to find a truly budget OLED TV, we have reached a point where there are strong options at relatively affordable (for high-end) prices. Sony debuted the first OLED TV back in 2007. It had an 11-inch screen with a 960 x 540 resolution for a tidy sum of $2,500. Spend that much now, and you can get a massive OLED display with some of the best picture quality and color reproduction around. The following are our selections for the best OLED TVs currently available.

• Best overall: Samsung S95C OLED
• Best for gaming: LG C2
• Best for PS5: Sony BRAVIA XR A80K Series 4K
• Best 8K: LG Z2 OLED evo
• Best budget: LG B2
• Still worth buying: LG C1

How we chose the best OLED TVs

I have been writing about consumer electronics and home theater technology for nearly two decades, including a stint as the digital editor for the venerable A/V publication Sound & Vision. This list results from a combination of research and real-world impressions, plus data sourced from user and editorial reviews across the web.

We focused on emphasizing a solid mix of performance and price to choose our picks. All but one of the entries here include HDMI 2.1 ports, which we think will be important for some users now (particularly gamers) and others down the road. Obviously, LG is well-represented on the list as it’s the only company that physically manufactures OLED panels, which gives it an inherent edge that we can’t deny.

The best OLED TVs: Reviews & Recommendations

Because OLEDs sit near the top of the TV heap, pretty much any model you choose will perform at least reasonably well. The differences, then, lie in the details. We’ve dug into those specs to find the displays that best fit your needs.

Best overall: Samsung S95C OLED

Stan Horaczek

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Specs 

• Sizes: 55”, 65”, and 77”
• Resolution: 4K
• Refresh rate: 120Hz (Up to 144Hz in some modes)
• Ports: 4 HDMI 2.1, 3 USB-A, RF, Optical out
• HDR: HDR 10+

Pros

• Ports live on a box connected by a wire for versatile installation
• Extremely bright for an OLED
• Exceptional picture quality
• Robust smart TV offerings
• Solid sound
• Pantone-certified color reproduction

Cons

• Pricey
• Bloated menu system

Samsung’s flagship OLED TV has, at least for the moment, knocked LG off the OLED throne. The S95C TV relies on Samsung’s latest generation of OLED panels, which integrate Quantum Dots into the equation to add extra brightness. OLED displays typically excel in contrast ratio, but that’s because they can achieve such deep black levels. That can kneecap their overall brightness. However, I spent time with Samsung’s S95C in a brightly lit room and found myself very impressed with its performance. 

As a flagship-level display, this TV offers almost all the bells and whistles you want. All its ports live on an external box connected by a single wire to the display. That makes it very easy to install the super-flat panel wherever you want while keeping all the ports accessible. The S95C comes toting four HDMI 2.1 ports, which is essential if you plan on doing high-framerate or high-res gaming on a current-generation console. 

During the review period, I played the PS5-exclusive Returnal and found the visuals extremely crisp and the refresh rate very smooth. This panel natively runs at 120Hz but can bump up to an even-smoother 144Hz in some situations. 

I also watched portions of a few movies, including the latest Venom movie, which taxes a TV by showing lots of fine details moving quickly across the screen with lots of contrast. The S95C managed to keep everything we like about OLEDs while adding the extra brightness that makes it viable in any space, even those with lots of ambient light. 

We haven’t had a chance to test the LG C3 yet, which will likely find itself in close competition with the S95C, but we’ll update this article once review units of the LG become available.

Best for gaming: LG C2

LG

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Specs 

• Sizes: 42”, 48”, 55”, 65”, 77”, and 83”
• Resolution: 4K
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Ports: 4 HDMI 2.1, 3 USB-A, Ethernet, RF, Headphones
• HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10

Pros

• Lots of sizes to choose from
• All HDMI ports are 2.1 for max compatibility
• Brighter than previous models
• Dynamic tone mapping for localized image improvements
• G Sync and Freesynch compatibility for variable refresh rates

Cons

• Middling smart TV features

The LG C1 was a blockbuster of a TV that took top honors in just about every TV buying guide back in 2021. The only real downside was its relative lack of brightness (typical of OLEDs). By adding Quantum Dot tech to an OLED panel, LG gave the C2 considerably more brightness than its already excellent predecessor. 

The C2 is technically a 2022 model, but the C3 is only just starting to roll out. While the C2 isn’t the newest, it does offer the vast majority of what you’ll find in the C3 for a fraction of the price. With the C2, you get four side-mounted HDMI 2.1 ports, all of which can handle 4K action at 120 fps. 

As for gaming chops, this TV offers native support for the GeForce Now game streaming platform, so you can game even if you don’t have access to a PC or console. The C2 also supports several popular flavors of variable refresh rate technology, which prevents problems like screen tearing and game-ruining lag from spoiling your time behind the controller. 

Even if you’re not a huge gamer, the C2 is still a phenomenal all-around option, especially considering the lower price now that a new model has come around with updates. 

Best for PS5: Sony BRAVIA XR A80K Series 4K

Sony

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Specs 

• Sizes: 55”, 65”, and 77”
• Resolution: 4K
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Ports: 4 HDMI (2 of which are HDMI 2.1), 2 USB-A ports, RF, Ethernet
• HDR: HDR10 Dolby Vision

Pros

• PlayStation 5 users get specific benefits due to Sony Synergy
• Excellent picture
• Price has come down since release
• Among the best upscaling you’ll find
• Ample contrast

Cons

• Not as bright as some newer flagships
• No headphone jack

It may come as no surprise that Sony wants to add a little extra incentive for people to buy both its latest TVs and its gaming console. For the most part, this is a typical high-end OLED display. It offers the deep blacks and excellent contrast ratios you expect from an OLED. You also get some of the best ai-powered image upscaling you’ll find in a TV thanks to Sony’s XR processor, which analyzes the on-screen image and tweaks it for maximum performance. So, if you’re not always watching native 4K content (and most of us aren’t), it will still look good. 

Plug a PlayStation 5 into one of the two HDMI 2.1 ports (out of a total of four) and this setup is capable of 4K gaming at 120 fps, even if consoles haven’t quite caught up to those lofty specs just yet. The TV does, however, get special tone-mapping abilities for more robust HDR performance exclusively with the PS5. Plus, those two HDMI 2.1 ports support Variable Refresh Rate tech with the PS5 to avoid screen tearing and other unwanted effects. In many ways, this TV was designed to work ideally with the PS5, so if you consume most of your content through that console, this is a great choice.

Best 8K: LG Z2 OLED evo

LG

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Specs 

• Sizes: 77” and 88”
• Resolution: 8K
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Ports: 4 HDMI 2.1, 3 USB-A, RF, Ethernet
• HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10

Pros

• The only 8K OLED around
• Enormous sizes match the flashy design
• Excellent picture quality
• Robust smart features

Cons

• Could be brighter
• Very expensive

LG’s flagship Z2 TV pushes its maximum resolution all the way up to 8K. That means you get roughly 32 megapixels of image information every time the screen refreshes. That’s a serious amount of pixels. Of course, there really isn’t much native 8K content out there at the moment. LG remedies that issue by equipping its TV with its most powerful a9 image processing hardware. It relies on AI to upscale the on-screen image to fit the massive 8K screen. If you’re still regularly watching DVDs, this probably isn’t the TV for you. But if you’re watching native 4K and even streaming content, it should look very solid. 

In addition to all those pixels, this TV also has a classier design than most of its competition. At 77” and 88”, there’s no small option to sneak into a guest bedroom. This is a centerpiece TV made to occupy the main spot in the living room. It comes mounted on its own stand, allowing it to reside wherever you have the space. Whatever you do, however, please don’t put it too high above the fireplace. It deserves better than that. 

Is this TV practical? No, 8K is still in its infancy, and you’re definitely paying a premium for the fancy design. But why not get something fancy if you’re not worried about a measly $13,000 (or $25,000 for the 88″)? 

Best budget: LG B2

LG

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Specs 

• Sizes: 55”, 65”, and 77”
• Resolution: 4K
• Refresh rate: 120 Hz
• Ports: 4 HDMI ports (two of which are HDMI 2.1), 2 USB-A ports, Ethernet, RF, Headphones, Optical audio
• HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10

Pros

• Lots of features considering the price
• OLED image quality makes for great contrast
• Filmmaker Mode for easy tuning
• Available up to 77 inches
• Variable Refresh Rate

Cons

• Only two HDMI 2.1 ports
• Not as bright as some high-end models

The LG B2 offers a lot of performance for its price. While this is technically a 2022 model, and the B3 is already on the market, the B2 offers all the features most users will ever need. It has a pair of the latest HDMI 2.1 ports (two of the four total HDMIs), both supporting 4K at 120 fps. So, if the current-generation gaming consoles ever live up to their full potential, this TV can handle it. 

Like every OLED, the B2 offers sky-high contrast ratios with deep blacks and excellent color reproduction. As this isn’t a flagship model, it doesn’t offer the same kind of brightness you’d expect from displays that also integrated Quantum Dots. That’s really only an issue if you’re trying to put this TV in a room with a ton of ambient light. This will look fantastic if you have a space to pull the shades and turn off the overheads. 

Because this is a somewhat down-market option and has been out for more than a year, you can often find deep discounts on all three sizes. If you don’t absolutely need the very best and the brightest, then you can get this display and leave lots of cash to pay for that ever-growing list of streaming services.

Still worth buying: LG C1

LG

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Specs 

• Sizes: 48”, 55”, 65”, 77”, 88”
• Resolution: 4K
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Ports: 4 HDMI 2.1, RF, 2 USB 2.0, ethernet, optical audio, headphone out
• HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10

Pros

• Impeccable picture
• Solid mix of features and price
• Lots of size options
• Excellent upscaling

Cons

• Just OK brightness

This was our best overall pick for some time, and it’s still absolutely worth checking out if you don’t need the most advanced features or the brightest display. You can often find it at a very solid discount.

Across all of your content consumption, the C1 provides an excellent contrast ratio thanks to its super-deep black levels. For movie watching, LG offers filmmaker mode, which turns off motion smoothing and tones down the vibrance and brightness to make the picture look more like what you’d expect at the theater. 

The C1 supports all the most popular flavors of HDR, as well as the two dominant Variable Refresh Rate technologies, G-Sync and FreeSync, which gamers will appreciate. In fact, the C1 has a lot to offer gamers. All four HDMI ports support HDMI 2.1, giving you enough to hook up a PS5 and Xbox Series X for 4K/120fps gameplay. Plus, it boasts a 1ms response time in gaming mode, which cuts down potentially game-ruining lag. 

It’s not the brightest TV around, but that’s also one of the few drawbacks of OLED TVs across the board. Aside from that quibble, the C1 has just about anything anyone could ask for, and it won’t require ill-gotten crypto funds to afford it.

What is OLED, and how does it work?

Want to dig deeper into how these displays actually work and what makes them different from the rest of the TVs on the wall at the store?

Well, in an organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display, each pixel is an LED that emits its own light. When content requires dark or black areas on the screen, the display can simply turn those pixels off to create a “true” black that most other backlight technologies can’t match. The difference often becomes especially apparent in areas where bright objects butt up against darkness, which can cause light to spill where it shouldn’t go.

Typical LED backlit TVs rely on an array of LEDs sitting behind an LCD panel that controls how much light to let through. This is the same basic idea that has powered almost every flat-screen TV since the technology’s inception, and it comes with a few drawbacks. The primary issue arises when the LCD panel can’t block all of the light coming from behind it: The excess light distorts black and even darker colors, making them look gray or washed out. Depending on the arrangement of the LEDs in the backlight, it can also result in a picture with unnatural banding or patchiness, especially around the edges. If you’ve ever noticed light leaking from the top, bottom, or sides of your TV screen during a dark scene, OLED fixes that problem. 

While OLEDs are fantastic, they aren’t perfect. They’re still often pricier than their QLED competition at the same size. They also aren’t as bright and instead rely on their super-dark black levels to create a punchy, vibrant image. If you’re planning to watch TV in a super sunny room all day, then OLED probably isn’t your best bet. Otherwise, it’s hard to beat. 

What to know even more about backlighting tech? Check out our QLED vs. OLED vs. Mini-LED primer.

Things to consider when buying an OLED TV

Size

Dig into the OLED offerings, and you’ll find that most manufacturers hover around the 55- to 65-inch sweet spots for their most popular models, with an increasing amount of options in the 70s. If you’re in the market for a small TV, OLED probably isn’t the right choice for you. As with all big-screen TV, expect a noticeable price jump when you go above 65 inches. Manufacturers commonly offer 77-inch and even 88-inch displays, but they command a huge premium for all that real estate. 

Connectivity

Since you’re spending considerable cash on a new TV, you want it to last a while, which makes paying attention to the ports important for futureproofing. This is especially true if you plan to use your new panel with a fancy next-gen gaming console. 

Ideally, you’ll want a set with multiple HDMI 2.1 ports to prepare you for anything you may one day hook up. HDMI 2.1 represents the most recent iteration of the familiar connector. The extra bandwidth HDMI 2.1 provides allows compatible cables and devices to display high resolutions and fast frame rates, both of which will be increasingly important as streaming and gaming tech advance in the next few years. Right now, it’s only really relevant if you’re using a PS5 or Xbox Series X, but more devices will be able to take advantage down the road.

You’ll often find that TVs have a mixture of HDMI 2.1 and HDMI 2.0 ports, so just ensure you have enough high-performance connectivity to connect the devices you plan to use. 

Frame rate

High TV frame rates earned themselves a bad reputation early on when “motion smoothing” technology made our favorite movies look like cheesy soap operas. Many TVs still offer 60Hz refresh rates, which means the TV redraws the on-screen image 60 times each second. Higher-end TVs, however, support 120Hz refresh rates, which doubles the redraw frequency and creates smoother on-screen motion. While it won’t drastically improve movies and TV shows, it can make sports and video games look noticeably better. 

Some TV manufacturers have also started to support Variable Refresh Rate technologies like Nvidia’s G-Sync and AMD FreeSync. These gaming-focused features can reduce stuttering and other weirdness that can ruin your experience. Check out our round-up of the best TVs for gaming for a more in-depth take on these features.

Resolution

If you’re buying a current-generation OLED TV, it will almost certainly offer 4K resolution. This has been the standard for several years, and it’s where you want to be. Technically, 8K is an option, but it’s wildly impractical for most people. Right now, there’s a nearly complete dearth of 8K content to watch on those fancy TVs. Even newer game consoles like the Xbox Series X and PS5, which technically support 8K gaming, lack any native 8K games or content. Upgrade to 8K if you want the bragging rights. Otherwise, 4K is plenty for now. 

Smart TV features

While a TV’s software won’t impact your viewing experience as much as its technical specifications, it may affect your interaction with your new OLED display if you don’t use an external streaming device or game console. Most TV manufacturers have a single platform on which all their TVs run. Since we’re talking about OLEDs, you’re very likely to end up using LG’s own WebOS platform since that brand shows up more than others. Sony often relies on Google TV software. While these services aren’t all created equal, none is so much better or worse than the others that they should affect your purchasing decision.

HDR

High-Dynamic Range is basically the whole sales pitch for OLED TVs. By making the dark areas and blacks basically devoid of illumination, it makes the brights seem even more brilliant. There are two HDR standards: the near-universal HDR10 and the less common Dolby Vision. Some critics suggest that Dolby Vision works better, but fewer places support the standard. Luckily there are very few TVs, if any, that support Dolby Vision but not HDR10. Realistically, the important thing to know is that any OLED worth buying says “HDR” on the box.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best OLED TVs

• Best overall: Samsung S95C OLED
• Best for gaming: LG C2
• Best for PS5: Sony BRAVIA XR A80K Series 4K
• Best 8K: LG Z2 OLED evo
• Best budget: LG B2
• Still worth buying: LG C1

If you’re in the market for the best possible picture quality in a TV, OLED is still the champ for the moment. With prices on the best OLED TVs coming down in recent years, this is actually a great time to take the leap into the OLED arena while competing technologies like Mini LED and Micro LED are still relatively early in their cycles. 

While you’re generally safe picking pretty much any LG OLED, make sure that you get the features that you need to support the style of content consumption you typically do. After all, that fancy new console isn’t all that fancy if you don’t have an HDMI 2.1 port to plug it into. 

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 OLED TVs in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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

Best budget OLED		LG C2		SEE IT	It’s technically a 2022 model, but it’s phenomenal and you can find it for a great price.
Best overall		Samsung S95C OLED		SEE IT	Samsung’s flagship OLED TV adds brightness, but keeps the image quality and features.
Best budget		TCL 6-Series		SEE IT	Mini LED backlighting helps this affordable TV punch well above its price tag in terms of quality.

If you’re buying a new TV in 2023, it really should be a 4K TV. Those 1080p models can still keep up at smaller sizes, but the centerpiece of your living room really deserves the full 2160p experience. At the same time, 8K is still crawling along when it comes to affordable TVs and available native content. 4K really is the sweet spot, and it will be for some time. But choosing a specific model can be complicated. What backlight technology do you want? Do you need a 120Hz refresh rate? What the heck is VRR? Luckily, we’re here to break down these variables and provide expert insight into which TV should handle most of your binge-watching and video gaming needs. Let us help you pick the best 4K TV for your space, budget, and viewing habits.

• Best overall: Samsung S95C OLED
• Best budget: TCL 6-Series Google TV
• Best budget OLED: LG C2
• Best QLED: Samsung QN90C
• Best for gaming on a budget: Sony Bravia XR A90J

How we chose the best 4K TVs

The editors and writers at Popular Science have decades of collective experience when it comes to covering, reviewing, and generally nerding out over TVs. The authors of this story have written for countless publications, from general to enthusiast, including Maxim, Men’s Journal, Engadget, and Sound & Vision.

We’ve tapped into our collective experience to parse the specific differences between models for these selections. These selections are based on a foundation of personal hands-on experience, spec comparisons, user feedback, and opinions from other trusted names in the industry. We nerd out about TVs in our free time, too.

The best 4K TVs: Reviews & Recommendations

Now that you know what to look for when picking out the best 4K TV for you, you can go out and take your pick. Of course, if you need help getting started, our list features the cream of the crop. For most people, one of these five models will be the best 4K TV.

Best overall: Samsung S95C OLED

Stan Horaczek

SEE IT

Specs

• Size: 55”, 65”, 75”
• Display: OLED
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• HDR: HDR10, Dolby Vision
• Ports: 4 HDMI 2.1, RF, Ethernet

Pros

• Exceptional OLED picture quality
• Bright enough for rooms with moderate light
• 4K/120Hz
• Ports live on a separate box connected with a cable for easy installs
• Solar-powered remote

Cons

• Expensive
• UI can feel bloated

You’ll see this TV pop up in many “best of” TV articles this year. The reason is simple: Samsung did a wonderful job with its most recent OLED display. This is a flagship TV, so it isn’t cheap, but it offers almost anything you could want from a current-generation TV. It offers four HDMI 2.1 ports to support current (and future) gaming consoles. Plus, all its ports live on a separate box connecting to the ultra-thin panel with a single wire. That makes this TV super versatile when it comes to installation.

When it comes to picture quality, I was very impressed during my viewing time with it. I hooked up a PS5, then played several games and watched a few high-res Blu-ray titles, including the latest Venom movie, which is particularly challenging in terms of color and contrast. Samsung’s OLED looked fantastic throughout all of it.

The built-in speakers aren’t phenomenal, but that’s easy to forgive on a wildly skinny TV. You’re best off adding a soundbar or other external audio. The UI can also get a bit clunky, but that’s more of a general Samsung thing than it is specific to this TV.

Quibbles aside, the real star here is the picture quality. It maintains the super-deep blacks that make OLED so appealing. But, due to Samsung’s new display tech, it’s considerably brighter than many OLEDs that came before it. I had no trouble watching content in a fully lit room with strong overhead lights on full-blast. If you have an absurdly bright room, you may still be better off with something like a QLED, but most viewers should be stoked on this TV if they can stomach the relatively high cost.

Best budget: TCL 6-Series Google TV

TCL

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Specs

• Size: 55”, 65”, 75”
• Display: QLED
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• HDR: HDR10, Dolby Vision
• Ports: HDMI 2.1 x 3, USB 2.0 x 2, Ethernet, Bluetooth

Pros

• Mini-LED QLED 4K display
• Three HDMI 2.1 ports
• 4K/120Hz
• Affordable

Cons

• TCL makes three “6-Series” TVs, which can get confusing

If you are shopping on a budget, the TCL 6-Series with Google TV makes it very easy to cut some small technical corners and get a great 4K TV at a lower price than our other picks. It features a vibrant, color-accurate QLED 4K display and excellent brightness that can easily combat the sunniest living rooms. TCL also supports HDR10 and Dolby Vision, so you can enjoy the latest season of Stranger Things on Netflix the way it was meant to be seen. The R646 also features two HDMI 2.1 ports, so you can play games in 4K at 120Hz, with features like variable refresh rate available. At this price point, the TCL R646 is unbeatable, offering an impressive 4K picture and a brightness that provides the kind of “wow factor” that matches more expensive alternatives.

Because this TV relies on Mini LED tech, it can provide more localized dimming for content. That means light won’t seep into the dark areas and ruin the contrast ratio. That can seriously detract from the overall visual appeal. If you don’t want the Google TV version, TCL also offers a Roku version if you prefer that platform.

Best budget OLED: LG C2

LG

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Specs

• Sizes: 42, 48”, 55”, 65”, 77”, 83”
• Display: OLED evo
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• HDR: HDR10, Dolby Vision
• Ports: HDMI 2.1 x 4, USB 2.0 x 3, Ethernet, Bluetooth

Pros

• Sharp, vibrant picture
• 4K/120Hz support
• Four HDMI 2.1 ports
• Up to 20 percent brighter than previous models

Cons

• OLED panel could be brighter

The LG C2 has just about everything you could want out of a TV even though it’s technically last generation’s model. As the OLED designation suggests, it provides spectacular color and contrast. But, thanks to the latest generation OLED evo panel, it’s also 20 percent brighter than its predecessor. It maintains the deep blacks for which OLED TVs are renowned while pumping up the maximum brightness and overcoming one of OLED’s only inherent weaknesses. As a result, the C2 is a phenomenal all-around TV that will fit in just about any space or use case. It offers a full suite of HDMI 2.1 ports for connecting to game consoles and streaming devices. It offers an array of variable refresh rate modes to prevent artifacts and jaggies during gaming sessions. Plus, it supports just about every form of HDR you could want. If you’re not ready to jump to the C2, you can still find pretty great deals on the C1 out there. If you’re not putting it in a super-bright room, then the C1 should perform excellently while saving you some money.

Best QLED: Samsung QN90C

Stan Horaczek

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Specs

• Sizes:
• Display:
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• HDR: HDR10, Dolby Vision
• Ports: HDMI 2.1 x 4, USB 2.0 x 3, Ethernet, Bluetooth

Pros

• Very bright
• 4K/120Hz support
• Four HDMI 2.1 ports
• Excellent overall picture quality

Cons

• Ports live on the TV instead of on an auxiliary box

If you want a bright display, QLED still reigns over almost everything else on the market. It’s not just about brute force brightness, however. Samsung has been refining its QLED TVs for years, and the company has managed to squeeze exceptional picture quality out of its QLEDs at every level. This is the high-end stuff, though, and it’s worth the extra investment. Samsung employs some of its most powerful image processing in this display, which allows it to excellently upscale content of just about every kind.

Despite its relatively skinny stature, this TV offers excellent built-in sound. I was genuinely impressed with the stock sound performance during my review period with the TV. I fired up Godzilla vs. Kong on Blu-ray, and the visuals were predictably meticulous, but the sound was also impressively boomy and clear despite the lack of extra help.

I still find Samsung’s TV UI clunky. I typically just remember the buttons that get me where I want to go rather than trying to navigate the on-screen menus. And I would have loved for Samsung to put the ports on an external box like it has with the OLEDs and other high-end models. But that’s not a deal breaker.

At the end of the day, this is a killer TV that will perform in literally any room. While it’s capable of impressive brightness, it doesn’t rely on it as a selling point. With Film Maker Mode turned on, it can reproduce all the color and contrast accurately and elegantly.

Best for gaming: Sony Bravia XR A90J

Sony

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Specs

• Size: 55”, 65”, 83”
• Display: OLED
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• HDR: HDR10, Dolby Vision
• Ports: HDMI 2.1 x 2, HDMI 2.0 x 2, USB 2.0 x 3, Ethernet, Bluetooth

Pros

• Gorgeous picture
• Ample ports and features for gaming
• Built-in Chromecast and AirPlay

Cons

• Expensive

The Sony Bravia XR A90J features a fantastic 4K picture that produces perfect blacks and a relatively bright HDR experience for an OLED. It also supports a wide color gamut, high contrast ratio, and a fast response time, ensuring every game, movie, and TV show looks flawless. It also features Variable Refresh Rate support, a gaming staple, and special PS5-exclusive features, like automatically switching in and out of HDR mode when you start playing a game or other HDR-compatible content on the console. If we’re being honest, the A90J is pretty close to fitting in our “overall” and “best OLED” categories, but we feel it’s best suited for gaming, especially if you’re playing on a PS5.

Because this model is technically a generation old, you can typically find it at a very affordable price, compared to other TVs with similar overall picture quality and specifications. Don’t be afraid to save yourself some cash to buy video games.

Things to consider when choosing the best 4K TVs

When searching for the best 4K TVs, we focused on finding models that balance display quality, color accuracy, port selection, gaming features, and price. Together, these elements help us distinguish between a good TV and a great one.

QLED vs. OLED

Two luxury display technologies are central in lighting up the best 4K TVs. On a technical level, OLED and QLED take different approaches, but both enhance the brightness and contrast of your TV, improving its picture quality over older models.

Organic Light-Emitting Diode displays, or OLED for short, are currently considered the cream of the crop among high-end 4K TVs. Though it shares three letters with “LED” TVs you’re more familiar with, OLED is actually an entirely new display technology. In OLED TVs, each pixel generates its own light, allowing these sets to turn individual pixels on and off. This gives viewers more life-like blacks, rather than the darkest possible gray. You also won’t see any light bleeding out into on-screen shadows, as they do on older LCD TVs.

Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diode displays, commonly known as QLED, are a next-generation upgrade of the conventional LED TV. QLED TVs feature a transmissive layer of “quantum dots” in the screen panel, enhancing a TV’s color, brightness, and contrast. High-end QLED TVs pair that with a backlighting feature called “local dimming,” which allows your TV to enhance or reduce its brightness in specific areas to improve contrast, not unlike OLED displays.

OLED displays offer sharper contrast and “true” blacks that QLED can’t replicate, so they are the premier choice if money is no object. On the other hand, OLED TVs feature comparatively low brightness, which may be a liability in a living room with a lot of natural light. However, manufacturers have begun to remedy that problem by introducing new materials into the OLED formula.

Since QLED panels are based on LED technology, you can find them in a wider variety of price points than OLED. That said, there’s a big difference between an affordable QLED TV with moderately enhanced colors and a top-of-the-line QLED model with local dimming and other enhancements.

As always, the best way to find your preference is to go to a showroom and see the difference for yourself. Short of that, we recommend letting price and logistical considerations guide you to one type of TV or the other.

High dynamic range (HDR)

High Dynamic Range, or HDR, is a display technology that allows your TV automatically its brightness to create more contrast between well-lit and darkened on-screen elements. In situations with challenging lighting, it enhances the overall image with greater detail and color depth. Let’s say you’re looking into a dark room from the outside: HDR can simultaneously display detail in the bright space outside and inside the dimly lit room. TVs with HDR are also capable of displaying more vibrant, varied colors. In addition to enabling more precise contrast, bright colors will look more full and vibrant.

There are a few different standards of HDR, including HDR10, HDR10+, and Dolby Vision. HDR10 is the most widely adopted and is an open, free standard supported by everything from 4K TVs to Blu-ray players. Dolby Vision offers a few advantages over HDR, including “dynamic” metadata, which allows your TV to adjust its brightness on a scene-by-scene or frame-by-frame basis. HDR10 uses “static” metadata, which means it sets brightness levels once for the content you consume. HDR10+ also uses dynamic metadata similar to Dolby Vision.

Generally, today’s top TVs feature support for a few different HDR standards, but for the best possible HDR experience, you’ll want Dolby Vision or HDR+.

Refresh rate

Refresh rate, measured in Hz (Hertz), refers to the frequency your TV refreshes what’s on the screen every second. Refresh rate has been a core feature on computer monitors for some time but has only become a serious consideration for TVs in the last two years. If you’re buying a high-end TV for gaming and own either a PlayStation 5 or Xbox Series X, you should hold out for one that supports a higher refresh rate.

Prior to 2020, all TVs supported the same 60Hz refresh rate. Most TVs still do, and that’s perfectly fine for watching streaming services, cable, movies, and playing most consoles. With the PS5 and Xbox Series X, though, you have the ability to play some games at up to 120 frames per second, unlocking smoother animations. Likewise, some live sports broadcasts will benefit from a higher refresh rate.

HDMI 2.1

To enable 4K at 120fps, your TV must support HDMI 2.1, the newest version of the standard TV connection for plugging everything from cable boxes to game consoles to streaming devices.

HDMI 2.1 can transfer data at up to 48Gbps, theoretically allowing you to watch 10K video at 120Hz on the right TV. For now, you only need it to watch or play in 4K at 120Hz on the small number of games that support those specs on PS5 and Xbox Series X. 

There are other reasons you’ll want it, though. HDMI 2.1 supports many other features that can enhance your viewing and gaming experiences, including Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), a feature that enables Game Mode on your TV (if that feature is available) and typically reduces input lag. It also opens the door for Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) over HDMI, which can stabilize volatile frame rates in games.

Unfortunately, TVs equipped with HDMI 2.1 don’t always support every feature introduced by the latest standard. Making matters worse, manufacturers aren’t always transparent about the HDMI 2.1 features supported by their TV. You’ll have to pay close attention to what the manufacturer says when purchasing … and then get coordinating HDMI cables.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best 4K TVs

• Best overall: Samsung S95C OLED
• Best budget: TCL 6-Series Google TV
• Best budget OLED: LG C2
• Best QLED: Samsung QN90C
• Best outdoor: Furrion Aurora Outdoor TV
• Best for gaming on a budget: Sony Bravia XR A90J

You can’t go wrong with our recommendations if you want to upgrade to a 4K TV. You’ll get top-notch picture quality, ample port selection, and support for next-generation technology, including HDMI 2.1 and the latest HDR standards. The good news is there has never been a better time to jump on the bandwagon with more ways to enjoy 4K content, thanks to streaming services and next-generation consoles. The LG C1 is, pound-for-pound, the best 4K TV available, hitting all the essential benchmarks while offering an incredible OLED image. Once you see the higher resolution yourself, you’ll wonder what took you so long to upgrade. 

Why trust us

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

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

The post The best 4K TVs for 2023, as chosen by experts appeared first on Popular Science.

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

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 run toys are classic games that not only provide fun and excitement for your child, but they 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 be sure not to 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 wooden: Hape Quadrilla Wooden Marble Run Construction
• Best plastic: Ravensburger GraviTrax
• Best magnetic: PicassoTiles Marble Run Magnetic Tiles
• Best budget: ELONGDI Marble Run Set

How we chose the best marble runs

Unlike consumer electronics, marble runs don’t have a ton of complex electronics or hard specs to compare. We started by taking a wide survey of the available models, 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 of the options for best marble runs before making a purchase.

Best overall: National Geographic Glowing Marble Run

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

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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

• Black light isn’t impressive
• Glow could be brighter

This glowing run comes with 250 pieces including glowing marbles that look like “galaxies in the dark.” It also comes with 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 it shine even brighter. 

Best wooden: Hape Quadrilla Wooden Marble Run Construction

Hape

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Why it made the cut: Made from high-quality and durable birch wood, this marble run comes with 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 plastic: Ravensburger GraviTrax

Ravensburger

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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 you get 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 magnetic: PicassoTiles Marble Run Magnetic Tiles

PicassoTiles

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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

ELONGDI

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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 wooden: Hape Quadrilla Wooden Marble Run Construction
• Best plastic: Ravensburger GraviTrax
• 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.

The post The best marble runs of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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

Best overall		Samsung QN90C		SEE IT	This high-end 4K QLED has every feature you could want and a fantastic picture to go with it.
Best for gaming		TCL QM8 QLED TV		SEE IT	This bright TV allows gamers to crank up the frame rate for ultra-smooth gameplay.
Best budget		Hisense U8H QLED TV		SEE IT	Despite its excellent performance, this TV retails well below its major competition.

If you’re looking to buy a big, expensive new TV, there are really two types to choose from right now, including QLED TVs. You’ve probably heard of OLED TVs, with their pure blacks, but what about QLED TVs? In a sense, QLED is the more conservative display technology, as it’s an evolution of existing LED tech. While it doesn’t always reach the qualitative heights of an OLED, the best QLED TVs deliver an incredibly bright and vibrant picture for movies, TV, gaming, and more, often at a more affordable price. While these high-end sets get better yearly, these are the best QLED TVs to buy right now.

• Best overall: Samsung QN90C Neo QLED TV
• Best budget: Hisense 65U8H QLED U8H Series Quantum 4K
• Best 8K: Samsung QN900C Neo QLED 8K
• Best for gaming: TCL 65-Inch QM8 QLED 4K Smart Mini-LED TV
• Best slightly older model: Samsung QN90A NEO QLED
• Best “budget” 8K: Samsung QN900A QLED 8K

How we chose the best QLED TVs

The writers and editors at Popular Science have decades of combined experience writing about, reviewing, and generally nerding out about high-end TVs. This collection of recommendations comes from a mixture of hands-on review experience (including our best overall), brand reputation, spec comparisons, editorial reviews, and user feedback. We prioritized models that best represent QLEDs strengths. QLEDs often offer exceptional brightness and solid value for their picture performance. You’ll notice several newer QLED technologies here, including Samsung’s Neo QLED and Mini-LED. These represent a very notable improvement over some already excellent TVs.

The best QLED TVs: Reviews & Recommendations

The best QLED TVs offer a great all-around picture as bright and vibrant as anything you can find on the market right now. Since QLED is Samsung tech, you will notice that the list features a larger-than-average number of Samsung TVs. Despite that, there’s a good amount of variety among the manufacturers in the mix–as much variety as one can expect in a list of TVs with the same display type, anyways.

Best overall: Samsung QN90C Neo QLED TV

Stan Horaczek

SEE IT

Specs

• Sizes: 43”, 50”, 55”, 65”, 75”, and 85”
• Backlight: Neo QLED
• Ports: 4 HDMI 2.1, 2 USB-A, Ethernet, Optical audio, RF
• Operating system: Tizen

Pros

• Exceptional picture quality
• Full-featured operating system
• Elegant design
• Snappy performance
• Solid upscaling
• Bright

Cons

• Ports are on the back of the TV rather than on a remote box like some other Samsung models

Samsung is the heavy when it comes to QLED TV—the company has been at the forefront of the technology since it debuted. The new QN90C relies on the company’s Neo QLED technology, which mixes the bright, poppy colors that typically come with Quantum Dots with the excellent contrast ratio and black levels offered by Mini-LED backlighting. This allows you to crank the brightness if you’re in a well-lit room, but you can still tame its performance and maintain the subtlety you want from movies and other high-production value content once the lights go down. 

Samsung’s desire to do everything with their TVs is both a strength and a weakness. There are tons of features here, including four HDMI 2.1 ports for maximum connectivity, as well as a pair of USB ports, and a very robust operating system that’s compatible with just about every popular streaming app you could ask for. That operating system can sometimes feel a little too robust to the point that it’s bloated and requires a learning curve to navigate quickly. 

In my time testing the QN90C, I played several AAA PS5 games, including Returnal, and found the motion smooth, the graphics crisp, and the colors extremely poppy. While watching Alien on 4K Blu-ray, the TV did a very solid job creating well-defined details, even in the shadowy areas that can get muddy on some TVs. This is a great all-around TV worth considering, especially if your room is often too bright for an OLED to really shine.

Best budget: Hisense 65U8H QLED U8H Series Quantum 4K

Hisense

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• Sizes: 55”, 65”, and 75”
• Backlight: QLED
• Ports: 4 HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, Optical audio, 
• Operating system: Google TV

Pros

• Very affordable
• Full HDMI 2.1 compatibility
• Variable refresh rate for better gaming
• Mini-LED backlight for excellent contrast

Cons

• Not as bright as some other models
• Better mounted on the wall since the stand is just OK

Even when it’s not on sale, this Mini-LED-driven QLED TV offers a ton of features considering its price tag. The 65-inch model retails for just $949, roughly half what some of its competitors cost. 

The most surprising feature at this price point has to be the Mini-LED backlight. By shrinking the light sources, Hisense has refined its illumination tech to crank up the contrast and improve black levels. Smaller light sources lead to less picture-ruining light bleed. 

This TV also offers variable refresh rate tech in the form of AMD Freesync. And a quartet of HDMI 2.1 ports offers solid connectivity that will work with high-bandwidth devices like next-gen consoles and beyond. 

While the picture is excellent, it can’t quite directly compete with other higher-end models. And you’ll notice the savings in some of the fit and finish. The stand, for example, is fairly lackluster, so we definitely recommend hanging it on the wall if that’s an option. You’re also relatively limited in sizes with just 55-inch, 65-inch, and 75-inch options. So, while it’s not a half-priced flagship killer, it’s absolutely a TV that punches well above its weight.

Best 8K: Samsung QN900C Neo QLED 8K

Stan Horaczek

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• Sizes: 65”, 75”, 85”
• Backlight: Neo QLED
• Ports: 4 HDMI 2.1, 3 USB-A, Ethernet, Optical audio, RF
• Operating system: Tizen

Pros

• Excellent upscaling to 8K
• Every bell and whistle
• Ports live on a remote box rather than on the back of the TV
• Mini-LED tech translates into exceptional contrast
• Vivid HDR picture
• High-end finishes

Cons

• Expensive

Samsung’s flagship TV leaves you wanting for absolutely nothing. Yes, it’s an 8K display, which means it has a total resolution above 32 megapixels. That’s a ton of image8K data. And while there’s almost no native 8K content to consume at the moment, this TV offers Samsung’s most powerful image processor designed to seamlessly upscale content to fill that massive resolution. During our testing period, I watched content from several streaming services, including Netflix and Hulu, and found the upscaled 8K image to look excellent. Plus, you’ll be ready to go as 8K support slowly grows for devices like the PS5 or Xbox Series X. 

Beyond all those pixels, this TV offers a heap of high-end features. Samsung’s NeoQLED tech integrates Mini-LED tech with Quantum Dots for a bright, contrasty picture with super-accurate color. For gaming features, you get Samsung’s dedicated gaming mode and other more advanced features like variable frame rate to combat unwanted artifacts or screen tearing. 

While this is a great all-around TV, the high price tag definitely reflects its flagship nature. There are only three sizes in this current lineup and they start north of $5,000. That would be slightly easier to justify if there were more native 8K content out there, but it will be a while before that’s a reality. If you’re buying this TV, it’s because you want the absolute best and you won’t have to think about buying a new TV for a while. Or, you just want to flex on your 4K-watching pals.

Best for gaming: TCL 65-Inch QM8 QLED 4K Smart Mini-LED TV

TCL

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• Sizes: 65”, 75”, 85”
• Backlight: QLED (Mini-LED)
• Ports: 4 HDMI 2.1, Ethernet, Optical audio, RF
• Operating system: Google TV

Pros

• Bright
• Capable of 240Hz refresh rate at 1440p
• Full HDMI 2.1 compatibility
• Solid contrast from the Mini-LED backlight

Cons

• 240Hz mode isn’t full 4K

For many gamers, smooth, fast gameplay overshadows pure resolution or even image quality in terms of importance. It makes sense. Would you rather lose a game that looks immaculate or win one that looks pretty great? The QM8’s big differentiator comes in the form of the Game Accelerator mode, which doubles the refresh rate up to 240fps at the cost of some resolution. It runs at 1440p when the framerate is cranked instead of its native 4K. Luckily, 1440p is still plenty of pixels to look great, and that smooth performance can be a real advantage in gaming situations. 

As for the rest of the TV, this is Hisense’s flagship, and its specs suggest as much. It mashes Mini-LED tech together with QLED to get a bright, contrasty picture (2,000 nits max is pretty bright) that does justice to prestige TV and AAA video games. It has all the modern connectivity and HDMI support you could also need. And, because Hisense is a value-oriented brand, it all comes at a price that starts lower than most of its competition. 

It’s not without compromises, of course. The remote is somewhat lackluster, and the Google TV platform can sometimes be awkward. But this is a truly great value, especially if you’re playing a lot of games on your TV.

Still great: Samsung QN90A NEO QLED

Samsung

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Specs

• Sizes: 50, 55, 65, 75, and 85 inches
• Backlight: Mini LED
• HDR: HDR10
• Wide Color Gamut: Yes
• Ports: HDMI 2.0 x 3, HDMI 2.1 x 1, USB 2.0 x 2, Ethernet, RF (cable) Input, Optical, 3.5mm headphone jack
• Gaming Features: 120 Hz frame rate, FreeSync/G-Sync support

Pros

• Incredible picture
• Mini-LED
• Lots of sizes
• 120Hz and FreeSync support

Cons

• Only one HDMI 2.1 port

While this is technically last year’s model, it’s still more than capable of competing with the highest-end TVs on the market. Plus, since it’s a little older, you can probably get a really solid deal on it. The Samsung Q90A is, in every sense of the word, a top-of-the-line TV. The Mini-LED-lit panel produces an ultra-bright vibrant picture with strong color reproduction and has all the features you should hope for in a high-end TV, including Wide Color Gamut and a high refresh rate for gaming. 

In typical Samsung fashion, it also features a wide variety of special features, including Q-Symphony, a surround-sound feature that reduces audio lag with compatible soundbars, and Ultra Viewing Angle mode, which adjusts processing to reduce the impact of sitting off to the side. Whether or not you buy into the hype behind the buzzwords, the Q90A is a well-rounded TV with a killer look.

Best “budget” 8K: Samsung QN900A NEO QLED 8K

Samsung

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Specs

• Sizes: 65, 75, and 85 inches
• Backlight: Mini-LED
• HDR: HDR10, Dolby Vision
• Wide Color Gamut: Yes
• Ports: HDMI 2.1 x 2, HDMI 2.0 x 2, USB 3.0 x 1, USB 2.0 x 1, Ethernet, composite video, composite audio output, RF (cable) Input, Optical
• Gaming Features: 120 Hz refresh rate, FreeSync and G-Sync compatibility

Pros

• 8K resolution
• Very bright
• Four HDMI 2.1 ports

Cons

• You don’t need an 8K TV
• Extremely expensive

That said, if you want an 8K QLED TV and don’t want to spend absolutely absurd money, the Samsung QN900A is the way to go. It delivers a bright picture thanks to its Mini-LED backlighting and has many great gaming features. (If you can use this TV to play 8K content in the foreseeable future, there’s a good chance you’ll get it through a PS5 or Xbox Series X.)

What is a QLED TV?

QLED stands for “Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes.” (Please do not ask me why the Q stands for two words.) Invented by Samsung, QLED is a display backlight technology that augments a conventionally backlit Liquid Crystal Display with a “transmissive” layer of tiny dots that enhance the screen’s color, brightness, and contrast. (Transmissive displays, like LCD, have multiple layers of different materials in front of the backlight to control how much and what kind of illumination gets transmitted through it.) Samsung’s QLED TVs also feature a Quantum processor that adjusts and maintains brightness and color accuracy moment-to-moment.

As a hybrid of LCD display and LED backlighting technology, QLED manages to overcome common issues with color accuracy, including a faded “blooming” effect around bright spots on your picture. In less technical terms, QLED TVs offer a sharper, brighter picture than conventional LCD or LED sets.

Importantly, new display technologies are frequently associated with QLED because it’s a new, high-end TV display design, but they are not part of the QLED screen stack. Most notably, many high-end QLED TVs feature Mini-LED backlighting. This separate display technology enables “local dimming,” or the ability for your TV to enhance or reduce its brightness in specific areas to enhance its contrast. We’ve described Mini-LED as an alternative to QLED and OLED TVs in the past, and technically it is, but companies frequently combine the two and market the tag-team as a high-end QLED TV. As we’ve seen with Samsung’s Neo QLED and LG’s QNED TV lines, QLED displays with Mini-LED backlighting tend to be the best of the best, at least for now.

Who makes QLED TVs?

As I mentioned before, the QLED design, integrating the Quantum Dot layer into an LCD screen, is a Samsung invention. Whenever you see a QLED TV, the actual display panel was made by Samsung. Because Samsung makes the displays, it is the biggest proponent of the technology and makes more QLED TVs than any other company. But Samsung is not the only company that offers QLED TVs. TCL, Hisense, LG, and Vizio all produce QLED models.

QLED vs. OLED

If you’re shopping for a TV right now, chances are there are three options in front of you: LED, QLED, and OLED. If you’re looking at a high-end TV, you’re really just choosing between QLED and OLED. OLED stands for “Organic Light-Emitting Diode.” Contrary to the name, however, it is not a variation of LED TV technology like QLED. OLED TVs can independently control the brightness of every point on the screen, allowing it to make colors more vibrant and achieve a “perfect” black tone by turning lights off completely. For this reason, you’ll never see the light bleeding through dark areas and washing them out. 

While OLED has become the preferred choice among critics for high-end TVs, QLED conveys several distinct advantages, while generating an incredibly high-quality picture when done right. First, QLEDs tend to get much brighter than OLED panels, making them better for rooms with lots of windows and outside light. Second, because QLED is a riff on LCD and LED technology, not a brand new thing, it tends to be less expensive. There are mid-range QLED TVs, but OLEDs only come in varying shades of expensive. (You may not notice that looking at our picks, though.) 

What to look for when picking the best QLED TVs

It’s important to keep in mind that there’s a wider range of picture quality and price among QLED TVs than there are among the best OLED TVs or the best TVs for gaming. The Quantum Dot has some benefits but isn’t a magic bullet. Ultimately, you judge the best QLED TVs the same way you would any other: by their picture quality. Is it bright enough? Are the colors vibrant, sharp, and accurate? Does it have the features you want for gaming or support for high-end audio gear? The best QLED TVs fit your specific space and viewing habits.

Size

Most people assume that a bigger TV is always better because they’re more expensive. Technically, that isn’t correct. The size of your TV should correspond to the size of the room when you plan to place it and how far away you will sit from your TV when you use it. If you sit too close to your TV, it may hurt your eyes over time. If you sit too far away, you may have trouble seeing the image’s fine details. There are a number of sites that offer screen size calculators to help you figure out how your TV will fit your space. Here are a few common sizes and distances:

• 42 inches – 5.9 feet
• 50 inches – 7 feet
• 55 inches – 7.7 feet
• 65 inches – 9.1 feet
• 75 inches – 10.5 feet

Does it have Mini-LED backlighting?

Frequently, the big difference between the very high-end QLED TVs and their budget-to-mid-range versions is the addition of Mini-LED backlighting, which greatly enhances the TV’s brightness and enables local dimming, or the ability to change the brightness of different parts of the screen, similar to an OLED TV. Its presence doesn’t automatically guarantee a stunning picture: Some TVs have more precise backlight control than others and a wider range of brightness. Still, even on its worst day, local dimming makes colors pop, making dark colors look darker and bright colors look brighter. 

It also maximizes High-Dynamic Range, a complimentary feature that adjusts brightness to make especially dark and/or bright light conditions look more realistic. A brighter TV is one of the main advantages of a QLED TV, especially at the top of the line, so looking for the highest possible NIT count, a unit of measuring brightness, and local dimming are important factors for telling the difference between QLED TVs at similar price points.

Resolution

There isn’t a whole lot to say about TV resolution in 2023. Almost all new TVs support 4K resolution or 3840 x 2160 pixels. And, frankly, you wouldn’t want to buy anything else at this juncture. There’s no reason to buy one of the few remaining 1080p TVs when even budget models from major manufacturers support 4K. While 8K TV exists, there’s little to no native 8K content yet. Though there will be some difference in picture quality thanks to digital upscaling, an 8K TV is more of a statement piece than anything else. (That said, there are still enough of them out there that I will recommend an 8K QLED, just in case.)

Color accuracy and Wide Color Gamut

Okay, we’ve gotten to the nerdy part. When you look at a wall of TVs in a store, and you can just tell that some look better than others but can’t really figure out why, it’s often a combination of better brightness, which we’ve discussed at length, and color accuracy. Color accuracy, in short, is your TV’s ability to accurately produce colors more representative of real life (or how they would look if that lightsaber was real instead of digitally generated). Measuring color accuracy requires special equipment, which is why it’s primarily discussed on forums and in reviews, but you can tell very clearly that it’s especially good when you look at an image of a flower and think, “That’s the reddest red I’ve ever seen.” You can also tell when it’s incredibly bad because you won’t be able to tell if the same flower is red or pink, orange, or purple. This is the No. 1 reason to go to a store and see a TV in person before you buy it. The specs related to color accuracy require a lot of technical know-how to use effectively, but your eyeballs won’t lie to you.

That said, there is one color-related feature worth looking for as you peruse different TVs, QLED or otherwise. Wide Color Gamut is often described as a complement to High-Dynamic Range, and it does exactly what it sounds like it would: It allows your TV to show a wider array of colors, allowing for more accurate reproductions of specific shades. It may allow you, as an example, to see the difference between seafoam green and teal rather than just a generic pastel blue-green. It also allows for more “bit depth,” which affects color saturation: Sometimes, a color should look supernaturally deep, and other times it should look faded. With Wide Color Gamut, the TV can get closer to both of those things.

Viewing angles

Another general TV feature that’s surprisingly important, but can feel hard to quantify or convey by description, it’s important to judge how a TV looks when you don’t sit directly in front of it. All TVs are designed for that perfect front-and-center viewing experience, but what happens when you have friends over, and someone’s sitting way off to the side? All TVs have some spots where the picture looks distorted, but some are better than others. Some companies, including Sony and Samsung, tout “wide viewing angle” TV modes that can improve things somewhat, but bad viewing angles cannot really be undone. 

Gaming features

The newest and rarest features on the premium TV are related to refresh rate, or the number of times your TV can redraw its picture every second. In video games, there’s a direct correlation between your TV’s maximum refresh rate and your game’s top frame rate. Most games on consoles run between 30 and 60 frames per second, and most TVs top out at 60Hz, so frame rate hasn’t been a technical concern for TV manufacturers until recently. The PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X can run some games at 120fps, so players who want the best of the best will look for TVs capable of a 120Hz frame rate. You’ll also need HDMI 2.1 ports (and the appropriate HDMI cables) that have the bandwidth to support that level of fidelity to achieve that high bar. 

Lastly, some TVs also support variable refresh rate technology, which syncs the target frame rate of your game or computer with the screen’s frame rate for more efficient processing and fewer display-related glitches. There are two variable refresh rate standards, AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync: The Xbox consoles support FreeSync, and PC players may want one or the other based on their hardware. The PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch don’t currently support variable refresh rates.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best QLED TVs

• Best overall: Samsung QN90C Neo QLED TV
• Best budget: Hisense 65U8H QLED U8H Series Quantum 4K
• Best 8K: Samsung QN900C Neo QLED 8K
• Best for gaming: TCL 65-Inch QM8 QLED 4K Smart Mini-LED TV
• Best slightly older model: Samsung QN90A NEO QLED
• Best “budget” 8K: Samsung QN900A QLED 8K

Looking forward, at least in the short term, I expect that QLED, rather than OLED, will be the technology that disseminates to more budget-friendly TV models. Since OLED is an entirely different type of screen technology, rather than an evolution of LED-backed LCD TVs, it stands to reason that it will scale down to cheaper TVs faster. In that sense, QLED is the TV of the moment, whereas OLEDs are the TV of the future. 

That’s all really just semantics and speculation, though. Don’t sweat it too much: There’s a whole world of technical screen quality analysis out there if you really want to dive in and figure out what TV has the best picture. It’s a serious investment of time and effort, though, so I think you’re better off taking what we’ve talked about, going to the store, and—armed with a little know-how—picking the TV that looks right to you. Because, if you’re like me, all the specs fall away as soon as the opening credits start rolling.

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.

More TV roundups to help you find the perfect set:

• Best 8K TVs
• Best TVs for gaming
• Best TVs for PS5
• Best OLED TVs
• Best Roku TVs
• Best TVs under $300
• Best TVs under $1,000
• Best 40-inch TVs
• Best 55-inch TVs
• Best 65-inch TVs
• Best 70-inch TVs
• Best 75-inch TVs
• Best outdoor TVs

The post The best QLED TVs for 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Sonos speakers are excellent in almost every way, from design to sound quality. Our only real complaint is that they’re pretty pricy and don’t go on sale very often. Right now, however, the brand is throwing a Father’s Day sale that cuts up to 20-25 percent off the normal price for some of the company’s most popular connected audio products. That includes portable options like the Roam and Move, soundbars, and other home audio offerings (such as a pair of spatial audio-focused Era 300 speakers that impressed us with their immersive presentation as surround channels). The sale goes until June 16, but some of the more popular products will likely sell out before then, so don’t sleep on grabbing the speaker(s) you’ve been thinking about.

Sonos Roam portable speaker $134 (Was $179)

Stan Horaczek

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The Sonos Roam has been one of my favorite summer speakers since I reviewed it at launch. It’s about the size of a White Claw can (or in my case, a Liquid Death can), but it’s fully ruggedized. That means it can survive a drop or up to 30 minutes fully submerged underwater. It gets 10 hours of battery life on a single charge, and it works with both WiFi and Bluetooth, depending on what you have available. I’m using mine to blast the new Incendiary record right now, and it’s doing a great job.

Sonos soundbars and home audio

• Sonos Ray soundbar $223 (Was $279)
• Sonos Beam soundbar $399 (Was $499)
• Sonos Beam with Sub Mini $829 (Was $929)
• Sonos Arc soundbar $719 (Was $899)
• Sonos Sub (Gen 3) $639 (Was $799)
• Sonos One SL $159 (Was $199)
• Sonos Arc soundbar and Sub $1,358 (Was $1,698)
• Sonos Arc soundbar, Sub, and two Era 300 speakers $2,211 (Was $2,596)
• Two Sonos Era 300 speakers $853 (Was $898)

Sonos portable speakers

• Sonos Move portable speaker $299 (Was $399)
• Sonos Roam SL $119 (Was $159)

The post Save up to 25% with this rare sale on Sonos speakers and soundbars appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best kitchen upgrade		Yummly Smart Meat Thermometer with Wireless Bluetooth Connectivity		SEE IT	Let this Bluetooth monitor do a lot of the work while cooking at the grill.
For the aspiring drone enthusiast		DJI Mini 2 SE		SEE IT	Get sky pics without breaking FAA rules.
Best watch		Citizen Men's Star Wars Eco-Drive with Stainless Steel Bracelet		SEE IT	Encourage your dad’s nerdy tendencies (just the good ones) with this Star Wars-themed timepiece.

There are plenty of reasons to celebrate dads, or granddads, this Father’s Day: Where would the field of meteorology stand without dads looking out the window, putting their hands on their hips, and exclaiming, “Sure is coming down hard” whenever it rains or snows? Who else pours hours into creating a pristine, luxurious lawn or beefing with the neighbors over tree limbs and property lines? Without dads, society would not have an encyclopedias-worth of corny jokes and a reason to go to therapy. Truly tasteless jokes and trauma aside, here are our recommendations for gifts to make his life easier, light up his face with a smile, or both. 

• Best for the outdoorsy dad: Rux Waterproof Bag
• Best for the device dad: Austere Surge Protector
• Best for the dad that loves to cook: Yummly Smart Meat Thermometer
• Best for the coffee-loving dad: Bruvi Bundle
• Best for the coffee-loving dad in a hurry: Cometeer
• Best for the wine-loving dad: Ullo Wine Purifier with Hand-Blown Decanter
• Best for the stressed-out dad: Onyx + Rose Feelin’ Good Gummies
• Best for beardy dads: Bevel Beard Trimmer for Men
• Best for the WFH dad: Lillipad 42 Standing Desk
• Best for working from the back room to the backyard: Netgear Orbi 960 Black Edition
• Best for movie-loving dads: Dangbei Mars Pro 4K Projector
• Best for vinyl-loving dads: Victrola Stream Onyx Turntable
• Best for pizza-loving dads: Ooni Koda 12
• Best for dads with good taste: Terra Delyssa Organic Virgin Olive Oil Gift Set
• Best for stylish dads: Highland Duds Weekender Short
• Best to help dad’s foot arches during his short game: AllBirds Men’s Golf Dashers
• Best to help dad’s short game: Callaway Golf Chrome Soft Golf Balls
• Best for dads who want to clean up their act: Tineco Pure ONE S11
• Best for gamer dads: Nintendo Switch OLED Model
• Best for handy dads: DeWalt Atomic 20V Max Hammer Drill
• Best for dads who need an everyday carry: Gerber Gear Armbar Slim Drive
• Best for dads with a green thumb: Gardyn 2.0
• Best for dads who crave the perfect picture: Samsung QN77S95CAFXZA
• Best for dads who crave perfect sound: KEF LS50 Wireless II
• Best for dads who grill: Konnected Joe
• Best for dads who love breakfast: Cuisinart WAF-F40 Double Flip Belgian Waffle Maker
• Best for dads who tailgate: RTIC 52 Quart Ultra-Light Wheeled Hard Cooler
• Best for dads who love the beach: Sunflow Beach Bundle
• Best for the dad who is tired of mowing the yard: Husqvarna Automower 415X Robotic Lawn Mower
• Best for dad relaxing in the backyard: Solo Stove Mesa
• Best for the aspiring drone enthusiast: DJI Mini 2 SE
• Best for the fanboy dad: Citizen Men’s Star Wars Eco-Drive with Stainless Steel Bracelet

How to shop for the best Father’s Day gifts

Mark your calendars: Father’s Day 2023 is Sunday, June 18. And before the big day comes, you’ll want to ensure you’ve secured a great Father’s Day present. But never fear; there’s something for everyone. You can help fuel your dad’s current interests or get him a gift that sparks a new one. Here are our picks for some of the best Father’s Day gifts:

For the outdoorsy dad: Rux Waterproof Bag

Rux

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From hitting the waves to hitting the slopes, outdoorsy dads need something that will carry all of their (for lack of a better term) crap. Other bags and backpacks crumble when stuffed with hiking shoes, an insulated water bottle, and a few beers—not the Rux Waterproof Bag. This packable, durable bag is waterproof (as the name suggests) and built to last, and comes with a lifetime warranty if it falters before that. It’s seamless, radio frequency-welded (read: made with magnets), and has 360-degree lash points that make it attachable to almost everything. It also rocks as a grocery bag—score! 

For serious power: Austere Surge Protector

AUSTERE

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If your pops is a Device Dad (he has a tablet, a laptop, a cellphone, a smartwatch, and a charger, and that’s just the beginning), they’ll need a surge protector that can handle all those plugs and power. Enter the Austere Surge Protector, which has fire and power spike safety—you never know! The flexible cable helps the surge protector fit nicely into tight spaces. It also has two USB-A and three USB-C ports for even more flexibility. Plus, it has a lifetime guarantee and a five-year component guarantee: If the power strip is responsible for any damage to a plugged-in device, Austere will replace it regardless of value. 

Best kitchen upgrade: Yummly Smart Meat Thermometer

Yummly

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Regardless of whether your dad is getting into Keto or is a strict pescatarian, a meat thermometer is a must-have kitchen device. No one wants to develop a case of food nasties from an undercooked cut of meat in their own home! The Yummly Smart Meat Thermometer requires no wires, thanks to a Bluetooth connection. Dad won’t even need to stand like a hawk over the grill or oven—the thermometer, with a coordinating app for iPhone and Android, sends notifications when it’s time to flip the food, reduce the heat, when it’s done cooking, and how long to let it rest. There are even presets to completely take the guesswork out of getting the perfect medium rare doneness—no “Dirty Work” here. 

For the coffee lover: Bruvi Bundle

Bruvi

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So your dad got a “Don’t talk to me until I’ve had my coffee” mug in Father’s Day past? Give Pops a better coffee system this year with the Bruvi Bundle. The bundle comes with a Bruvi BV-01 coffee brewer, a variety pack of biodegradable 20 B-Pods, a water filter, and a reusable Japanese Knot Bag. The optional mobile app will let Daddio brew a cup of Joe remotely, schedule brews in advance, re-order B-Pods, and access a personal consumption dashboard if they’re super specific about their morning cuppa. It can even fit a 6.5-inch travel mug—we recommend the Hydro Flask Stainless Steel Reusable Mug on that front. 

Best instant coffee: Cometeer

Cometeer

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Take the hassle out of your dad’s morning routine, whether he’s gearing up to deal with blistering heat or numbing cold. We’ve wanted to try Cometeer since it popped up on the ole Instagram feed, and we’re glad we finally did. The flash-frozen, recyclable brew capsules produced a more balanced and complex cup than most bland instant coffees and are insanely easy to make. Toss a pod or two in a glass of liquid (hot or cold) and you’re ready to go. We threw two pods into a to-go container with about 14 ounces of water and ice, shook, and it was ready to drink. Cometeer grinds the beans at their freshest, brews the coffee into a 10x concentrate, and then uses a nitrogen shower to capture its peak flavor before shipping it to your door. And you can customize the roast and delivery preferences. If you’re looking to gift an elevated quick fix in the morning, a Cometeer subscription is the way to go. It became one of our favorite coffee gifts instantly (appropriately).

For the wine lover: Ullo Wine Purifier with Hand-Blown Decanter

Ullo

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Enjoying a bottle of wine is all fun and games until a few glasses warrant a hangover the next day. Help prevent them with the Ullo Wine Purifier, which uses a selective filtration system to remove sulfites and reduce the histamines that can cause headaches and hangovers—all while preserving the wine’s flavors and aromas. A built-in aeration dial lets you choose the amount of air to incorporate, from off for light whites to full air for rich red varietals—perfect for those big, bold, leathery wines that go so well with the perfectly marbled steaks a grill-loving dad obsesses over. And the decanter offers the opportunity for a slow ox and a nice controlled pour.

For the stressed-out dad: Onyx + Rose Feelin’ Good Gummies

Onyx + Rose

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Does your dad need something a bit stronger than CBD? Have you recently learned they were a grass enthusiast back in the day? The Onyx + Rose Feelin’ Good Gummies use HHC, an isomer (minor chemical variant) of Delta-9 THC (the illegal stuff). This provides a similar head and body high to the federally regulated stuff, all while following federal regulations. According to the 2018 Farm Bill, THCs (tetrahydrocannabinols) in hemp are legal provided they have a THC concentration less than .3%—these gummies meet those requirements. Pass if dad is subject to random drug screening. If they’re not, we’re partial to the peach flavor.  We also love CBD prerolls from aptly named company Dad Grass.

Best for beardy dads: Bevel Beard Trimmer for Men

Bevel

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An electric razor is a gift your dad will actually use every day, and this one from Bevel may actually help encourage him to dedicate a little more time to his morning routine. The razor offers pinpoint precision, so he can get the exact shave he wants, and a grippy handle that makes it easy to hold with wet hands. Its battery lasts up to eight hours, so he can use it for several weeks (or one if he’s very particular about his facial hair) without charging it. This is the type of gift your dad doesn’t know he needs, but will really appreciate.

For the WFH dad: Lillipad 42 Standing Desk

Jen McCaffrey

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Home offices can easily become a mess of monitors, coffee cups, keyboards, and tangled cords. But if the dad in your life would appreciate an organized workspace that also empowers them to get out of their office chair, the Lillipad Work Station fits the bill. This electric desk is available in two versions that rise from 6 inches to either a 42- or 48-inch standing height (recommended for people 5’9” and taller). At 67 pounds and 72 pounds each, and with metal legs, these desks are more substantial than many other options on the market but are designed with wheels for portability. 

Advanced functionality doesn’t equal advanced set-up in this case: The Lillipad comes fully assembled out of the box. Dad can plug it in, unlock the safety lock, and use the buttons on the right corner of the desk to raise and lower it to the ideal height for a chair or standing. The 46-inch-wide workspace provides plenty of room for desktops and keyboards, and you can purchase either a single monitor or dual-monitor stand separately. The workstation also features three outlets, three USB ports, and one USB-C port, so dad can plug everything in and charge their devices. And when he’s done for the day, they can easily lower it back down and use the wheels to slide it away for storage. Add a Grovemade Wool Felt Desk Pad to add some soft style to their workstation.

Work from the backyard: Netgear Orbi 960 Black Edition

NetGear

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Give your dad a chance to brag about their router. Netgear’s Orbi 960 Mesh Wi-Fi kit can cover up to 9,000 square feet with super-fast connectivity up to 10.8Gbps. That means anyone and everyone can take meetings or stream content in the backyard, front yard, basement, or just about anywhere else he can think of. Wi-Fi 6E technology and Netgear’s quad-band design allow for an absurd number of devices to connect to your local network without bogging everything down. The Black Edition is only available directly through Netgear’s own online shop, which also gets you a free year of the Netgear Armor security tech. It’s advanced enough to do anything a dad needs and reliable enough that you won’t have to play tech support whenever you go to their house.

Best for movie-loving dads: Dangbei Mars Pro 4K Projector

Dangbei

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Movies and TV shows can look great on a TV, but nothing beats watching them on a projector, which offers a true movie theater-like experience. Dangbei’s Mars Pro 4K is among the best we’ve tested, offering exceptional visual clarity, color, and surprisingly good sound. It runs Android, which means dad can stream their favorite media without any additional accessories. That said, the Mars Pro 4K has multiple HDMI ports, making it easy to easily connect game consoles and other peripherals. It’s luxe, but Dangbei’s Mars Pro 4K will ensure they have the best home theater system on the block.

Best for dads who love vinyl: Victrola Stream Onyx Turntable

Victrola

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Does Dad go on and on about how much he wishes he could play his Steely Dan albums while explaining that Pretzel Logic is superior to Can’t Buy A Thrill? If so, let him relive his glory days with Victrola’s Stream Onyx Turntable. The sleek-looking, belt-driven deck has RCA outputs so that it can be connected to a traditional home audio system, but its luxe allure is support for wireless audio streaming to Sonos speakers. The record player even offers the option to play music through multiple sources at the same time. Best of all, the Stream Onyx is easy to assemble and operate, as we found out firsthand, and comes with an Audio Technica AT-VM95E cartridge so he can enjoy his collection immediately.

Best for dads who love pizza: Ooni Koda 12

Ooni

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If your dad complains that pies and slices aren’t how they used to be, Ooni’s Koda 12 will allow him to make them to his exact specifications. This portable pizza oven can get up to 950 degrees Fahrenheit and cook personal-sized pizzas in roughly 60 seconds. Ooni has a wide range of pizza ovens, but we like the Koda 12 because of its size and the fact that its fuel source is gas, which is easier to manage and more reliable than wood or pellets for first time pizzaiolos. Ooni’s oven can also be used to roast meat and vegetables on non-pizza nights. Just remember to get dad a pizza peel and Toque to complete the experience.

Best for dads with good taste: Terra Delyssa Organic Virgin Olive Oil Gift Set

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Has your dad continued to tell food stories from his trip around the Mediterranean right out of college? If so, Terra Delyssa’s flavor-infused olive oil can help take him back to those days. The olives are all harvested from Tunisian orchards rather than mixed with ones from different regions, which can impart a different taste. We like this gift set because each oil is infused with a different strong taste—rosemary, chili pepper, lemon, and garlic—which are all good for different applications. He’ll immediately be able to taste the difference, which means you may also be signing up for even more culinary stories from his past.

Best for stylish dads: Highland Duds Weekender Short

Highland Duds

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Add a little pop of color to your dad’s wardrobe with Highland Duds’ Weekender Shorts. The ultra-comfy summer-friendly short pants are mostly made of cotton and very comfortable to wear. Their slim pockets are surprisingly roomy, too. Highland Duds offers the shorts in khaki and grey if he’s less flashy. Help him complete an outfit with the Maverick Long Sleeve Shirt, made from the same materials.

Best to help dad’s foot arches during his short game: AllBirds Men’s Golf Dashers

AllBirds

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If your dad complains about walking from one hole to another, they’ll appreciate the cushioned midfoot and heel lockdown that stops foot cramps and blisters. This pair from AllBirds has no flashy logos or synthetic materials and is comfortable and stylish. Dad will also love the company’s variety of running shoes and sneakers for everyday life. The company itself is dedicated to sustainability, so you can feel good gifting them.  

To help your dad’s short game: Callaway Golf Chrome Soft Golf Balls

Callaway

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Golf balls make a great gift because it’s hard to splurge on something you might whack way into the woods or chunk straight into a water hazard. Callaway’s Chrome Soft golf balls are versions of the balls pros play on tour—they won’t have to be a pro to play them. These balls promise a high launch angle, low spin off the driver, and high ball speed off the club face. In case you’re not big on golf ball specifics, those are all very helpful things for improving overall scores. The Triple Track design sports three parallel lines on the ball to help Pops lineup shots just right. Dad will think of you and your great gift as they reach into their bag and grab another ball after slicing one across the highway next to the first fairway. 

Best for dads who want to clean up their act: Tineco Pure ONE S11

Tineco

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If you have a dad who wants to take a more active role in household chores—or has been using the same vacuum since the mid-’90s—Tineco’s Pure One S11 is the upgrade he needs. The cordless stick vacuum can run up to 40 minutes per charge, and comes with various attachments for different scenarios. At 12 pounds, it’ll be easy for your dad to pick up and move around, and all of its controls are conveniently located within reach of his thumb. If dad enjoys his gadgets, he’ll enjoy the fact that the Pure One S11 can be connected to your home’s Wi-Fi connection, allowing him to see how much battery is left on the vacuum and the state of its filter through an iOS or Android app.

Best for gamer dads: Nintendo Switch OLED Model

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The Nintendo Switch is the least-powerful current-generation console, but it’s still the one we recommend for Father’s Day because of its hybrid design. The Switch can be played portably, and the 7-inch OLED HD screen really makes games pop. When dad’s home, they can connect it to a TV or projector to play on a larger screen. The Switch’s extreme popularity is matched only by its deep catalog of games, which can satisfy players regardless of their preferred genre. Whether Pops is playing games as a distraction on a long work trip or taking time to clear his backlog at home, there’s no way this gift will go unappreciated.

Best for handy dads: DeWalt Atomic 20V Max Hammer Drill

Dewalt

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A drill is the type of gift a handy person will appreciate but never expect. This battery-powered model from DeWalt has a compact design but plenty of power for any indoor or outdoor housework. At only 2.5 pounds, a home improvement-minded dad can carry it around easily, and the drill’s LED will make it easy for them to see what he’s doing in dark environments. Despite its size, the drill can rotate up to 1,650 times per minute. A good drill will last a dad a lifetime, and if they’re still making do with a screwdriver—or a drill that needs to be plugged into an outlet for power—this upgrade will make him smile.

Best for dads who need an everyday carry: Gerber Gear Armbar Slim Drive

Gerber

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Power tools are great, but every dad won’t be able to use them everywhere, which is why you should equip him with Gerber’s Armbar Slim. The pocket-friendly multi-tool consists of a bottle opener, plain-edge blade, and a screwdriver. It even has a belt clip, so he can keep it securely fastened to the inside of his pants pocket like a boss. If your dad is the practical type, he’ll immediately see the utility of each of this tool’s functions and keep it on him at all times. The screwdriver alone (with a reversible bit, we might add) will likely save him a couple of trips to the garage each month.

Best for dads with a green thumb: Gardyn 2.0

Gardyn

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Does dear old dad wait all year for the weather to be fair enough to grow a garden? With the Gardyn 2.0, they can enjoy growing fresh herbs and vegetables all year long. The indoor garden comes with an assortment of pods containing plant seeds. A water tank on the bottom keeps the plants hydrated, while LED strips provide them with enough light to flourish regardless of the weather conditions. The lights and water pump work automatically so that the plants will be cared for on a continuous basis without any need for much intervention. Dad will have to prune dead leaves and harvest their crops after they’re fully grown, but that’s part of the fun.

Best for dads who grill: Konnected Joe

Kamado Joe

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The Konnected Joe is the ultimate tool for grilling, an incredibly thoughtful gift for a dad who loves cooking meat and vegetables outdoors. The charcoal grill and smoker offer rich taste that a gas grill can’t replicate, with useful smart features. Its front display allows you to monitor the grill’s temperature and the temperature of up to three pieces of meat. An electric fire starter at the bottom of the grill will ignite charcoal briquettes at the push of a button, and they’ll be able to dial in the temperature between 250-700 degrees right from the grill. All of the information displayed on the Konnected Joe’s screen can also be monitored via an app (iOS and Android) on your dad’s phone, which is especially helpful if they’re smoking a large hunk of meat for several hours. The Konnected Joe manages to bring the best aspects of charcoal cooking with the conveniences of the digital world, and we guarantee they’ll be raving to friends and family about it at each cookout.

Best for dads who crave a perfect picture: Samsung QN77S95CAFXZA

Samsung

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Sometimes a dad just wants a new TV to watch his favorite movies, shows, and sports. But if you want to blow his mind (and your own if he invites you over to watch the big game), spoil him rotten with Samsung’s QN77S95CAFXZA, a 77-inch OLED set. This is a no-compromise cream-of-the-crop 4K TV with built-in Dolby Atmos speakers, native 120Hz refresh rate, and a custom-designed processor that continually calibrates the TV to make it run as smoothly as possible. It’ll even upscale 1080P video to look crisp on a 4K TV, so his collection of Blu-rays and older TV shows will still look good. Because the QN77S95CAFXZA is an OLED TV, it offers incredible contrast and color reproduction, so videos and games will look as realistic as possible. One quirk about this TV is that it’s actually so thin that it can basically sit flush on the wall. The set gets connected to a separate box (called the One Connect Box), which has an assortment of HDMI ports and other inputs. There’s no performance hit for this system, but something to keep in mind if you’re setting the TV up for him. Whether he wants to play Xbox, PS5, stream blockbusters, or even listen to music in the background, the QN77S95CAFXZA is the best choice.

Best for dads who crave perfect sound: KEF LS50 Wireless II

KEF

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CDs promised perfect sound forever in the 1980s, but we’ve since moved on to a world of streaming. However, that doesn’t mean your dad has to sacrifice a single detail of a favorite Yes, Dire Straits, or Eagles track. The KEF LS50 Wireless II network speakers not only achieve what CDs are capable of, but they go above and beyond to the pinnacle of digital audio enjoyment. These powered speakers sport a variety of connectors, including an AUX in, Ethernet port, coaxial input, optical audio input, and HDMI port, so you can still set up any ole physical source. Those ports are complemented by Bluetooth and WiFi/AirPlay 2/Roon/Spotify Connect support for direct wireless streaming. KEF says that the DAC in the LS50 Wireless II speakers can natively play 24-bit/384kHz audio files with no compression. Each speaker is driven by a 280-watt low-frequency amplifier and 100-watt high-frequency amplifier. If those numbers don’t mean much to you, here’s the upshot: music can sound really, really good and very, very loud through these speakers (especially if you pair them with the pint-sized but extremely potent KC62 subwoofer). If your father loves music more than most people (family excluded, of course), these speakers will rock (or jazz, R&B, hip-hop, classicial, reggae, and pop) his world. And if that college education dad invested tens of thousands into is paying off, you can truly get him back and blow his mind with the KEF LS60 floorstanding wireless system.

Best for dads who love breakfast: Cuisinart WAF-F40 Double Flip Belgian Waffle Maker

Cuisinart

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Breakfast is considered by many to be the most important meal of the day, and Cuisinart’s WAF-F40 will turn waffles from an occasional brunch food at restaurants into an at-home staple. This model can cook two-inch-thick Belgian waffles simultaneously at one of five pre-set doneness levels. If the cook gets distracted, a loud beep will get his attention, so waffles will never get overdone. Getting two waffles onto a plate at once will allow dad (and you!) to start eating more quickly.

Best robot mower: Husqvarna Automower 415X Robotic Lawn Mower

Husqvarna

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Robotic lawnmowers seem like a perfect gift for a lazy pop. But, there are more practical reasons you might want to consider an automower as a gift this Father’s Day. Husqvarna’s surprisingly powerful little mower is great for people who have issues with mobility and can’t get out there to mow on their own. It’s also great for tricky yards as it can cut up to 40 degrees on a slope. If you’ve ever mowed on a steep hill like that, you know it’s not fun. It requires the installation of a guide wire to keep it contained within its own yard, but following setup, mowing is simple. A trio of extremely sharp blades can cut grass as short as 0.8 inches or as long as two inches if you want something more lush. Plus, an onboard object avoidance system means your dad (or grandad) won’t run over a rock and cause collateral damage.

Best for dads who tailgate: RTIC 52 Quart Ultra-Light Wheeled Hard Cooler

RTIC

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A wheeled hard cooler will help your old man get beverages to and from the parking lot, backyard, or beach without straining his arms or back. We like this cooler from RTIC because of its large capacity, thick wheels, lite weight, and overall performance. RTIC says it can retain ice for up to six days if its latches remain closed, which means he can use it for a backyard cookout on Sunday and keep drinks cold for a concert he’s attending the following Saturday. Another benefit to getting a cooler is that it’ll likely last a lifetime, so get ready for many compliments. We like the classic look of RTIC’s white cooler, but it also offers a red, white, and blue variant if he wants to stand out.

For dads who love the beach: Sunflow Beach Bundle

Sunflow

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Whether your dad actually likes the beach or only goes because the rest of the family insists he’ll have a good time out of the house, this bundle from Sunflow will sort him out. It includes the company’s beach chair, which has a flip-over top to keep him in the shade, and a beverage cooler on the side to help keep his thirst quenched. The chair’s angle can be adjusted, so he can find the most comfortable spot, and a dry bag on the right side will keep his belongings from getting sandy. When heading back to the car or beach house, a pair of straps will allow dad to carry this beach chair like a backpack for easy transport.

Best outdoor accessory: Solo Stove Mesa

Solo Stove

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We’re huge fans of the full-sized Solo Stove fire pits, but this mini version fits nicely on a patio table or by the pool. Despite its tiny size, the Mesa relies on Solo Stove’s signature airflow system to create a clean fire with almost no smoke. It starts quickly and cleans up easily, so you can fire it up and make s’mores whenever you want without having to wait for a full-sized fire to die down at the end of the night. Solo even sells miniature firewood specifically meant for use in the Mesa. It’s adorable, but not too adorable. The company has also launched a set of limited-edition Father’s Day cards, which are free with any purchase over $99.

For the aspiring drone enthusiasts: DJI Mini 2 SE

DJI

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Getting started with drones can be tricky. Not only are they hard to fly, but most drones require registering with the FAA before taking to the skies. The DJI Mini 2 SE is different. It weighs just 249 grams, which fits conveniently under the FAA’s 250-gram limit for registration. Despite its being lightweight and a small size, the Mini 2 SE captures 2.7K video and employs an object avoidance system to keep it away from power lines or other hazardous obstacles. We love travel drones and think an adventurous dad will as well.

Best watch: Citizen Men’s Star Wars Eco-Drive with Stainless Steel Bracelet

Citizen

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Your dad’s a nerd, and that’s OK. In fact, we recommend you encourage their nerdy tendencies as much as possible. This Citizen watch is a full-on Eco-Drive model, so it doesn’t require winding. It draws enough energy from light in its environment to keep on ticking. The handsome stainless steel bracelet makes it totally appropriate for work or classy events. But, your pop can always look down and think about Star Wars while they’re wearing it. Find a more versatile piece of nerd merch than that. We dare you. 

Final thoughts on the best Father’s Day gifts

You don’t need to sweat over finding a cool gift for your dad this year. If you get him a Father’s Day gift that he’ll be able to use long-term—or, even better, something he can use with the whole family—it’ll be something he treasures. Consider it a success if you find fun presents that complement one of his hobbies or unique gifts that spark interest in a new pastime. And using this gift guide should help narrow down the best options for cool gifts for any and every dad.

The post The best Father’s Day gifts that say, “Thanks, Dad!” appeared first on Popular Science.

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

Hopefully, you spent some time relaxing over the long Memorial Day weekend. But imagine how much more relaxing it would have been if you were chilling in an inflatable hot tub. Currently, Amazon has some popular inflatable hot tubs on sale for the lowest prices we have seen in a while. You’ll also find some cold plunges with discounts, so whether you want to sit in warm or cool water, these deals have you covered. Personally, I prefer warm every time because I don’t have the same warrior spirit all my CrossFit friends seem to have when it comes to dipping themselves in a big bucket of ice. I’m OK with that. You might feel differently, and there’s no better time to find out than during a sale.

Bestway SaluSpa Miami Inflatable Hot Tub, 4-Person AirJet Spa $371 (Was $529)

Saluspa

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This 177-gallon tub can accommodate up to four people depending on how comfortable you are with your pals. It heats water to 104 degrees and blasts your battered body with 120 jets in an effort to turn you into a relaxed jelly. Setup doesn’t require any tools, and it’s easy to store when the cold weather comes around because you can deflate it. These aren’t going to get any cheaper as we get further into summer, so now’s the time if you want to spend your evenings soaking.

Explore Fitness Large Ice Bath $100 (Was $140)

Explore Ice

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If you prefer ice cubes over massage jets, this inflatable ice bath fits one person and a heap of ice cubes for at-home cold plunges. It sets up without tools and comes with a cover so it won’t get filled with bugs and debris when not in use. It even comes with an inflatable headrest if you want to pretend to be relaxed while cold water assaults your muscles. Honestly, the science is mixed about how effective ice baths really are in terms of muscle recovery, but some people swear by them. And if you’re looking for a solid way to wake yourself up, a dip in frigid water hits harder than any coffee I’ve ever had. Plus, if you get sick of it, you can fill it with margaritas for your upcoming Fourth of July block party. (Don’t really do that; it’s not food safe).

More inflatable hot tub deals

• Coleman SaluSpa 2 to 4 Person Inflatable Round Outdoor Hot Tub Spa $352 with coupon (was $440)
• EVAJOY Inflatable Hot Tub, Portable Inflatable Hot Tub with Built-in LED $411 (was $529)
• RELXTIME Inflatable Portable Hot Tub 2 Person Outdoor Air Jet Spa $379 (was $479)
• Coleman SaluSpa Inflatable Hot Tub Spa $514 (was $649)

More ice bath deals

• Geezow Ice Bath Tub for Athletes $59 (was $129)
• Ice Bath Tub for Adults Cold Plunge Tub $70 (was $139)
• Foldable Ice Bath Tub Cold Plunge Tub for Adults $75 (was $89)
• Portable Bathtub Foldable $76 (was $99)
• Foldable Portable Standing Bathtub $60 (was $76)

The post Upgrade your summer with a deeply discounted outdoor hot tub or ice bath appeared first on Popular Science.

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

Memorial Day Weekend is the official kickoff to summer grilling season, which means it’s time to invest in shiny new equipment to ensure your burgers, dogs, and vegetables come out perfectly every single time. The tools you use can impact not only the flavor of your food but how easy it is to flip, season, and even transfer to and from a plate. The good news is that getting the good stuff means you won’t have to replace any of it for a long time.

Weber Genesis E-325s Gas Grill $899 (was $1,049)

Weber

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if you’re looking for a rock-solid, propane-powered grill with tons of useful features, you’ll have difficulty finding a better option than the Weber Genesis E-325s, especially now that it’s now at the lowest price it’s been in months. It relies on Weber’s patented burner tech, which provides consistent, clean flame to char your grub. Plus, a Sear Station part of the grill gets exceptionally hot for searing steaks or other cuts of meat that thrive under high temps. Plus, it offers several features that facilitate easier cleaning, like easily accessible grease management. That means you can spend more time eating burgers and a lot less time scrubbing old sludge out of your grill.

If you’d prefer the natural gas version, that’s also on sale for $1,219 (down from $1,319).

Everdure CUBE Portable Charcoal Grill $156.99 (Was $199)

Everdure

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The Everdure Cube is the portable charcoal grill every camper, apartment dweller, tail gator, or beach bum could use to cook up a storm on the go. The steel grill comes with a food storage tray and cutting board, which latch onto the top of it to make carrying and prepping your food easier. Similarly, metal handles make the grill simple to carry to and from a car, or indoors to outdoors. Despite its compact size, the Everdure Cube offers 115 square inches of grilling space. Everdure says this is enough room for three medium steaks or six small burgers at once.

Once your grilling is done, you can remove the Cube’s grates, empty out its chamber, wash the storage tray and board, and store. The Everdure offers the cube in five colors, and while the Khaki colorway is marked down to $150 we prefer the pop of the orange option seen above. If you’ve given up grilling due to the lack of space or high cost, don’t skip this deal.

Pellet grill deals

• Traeger Grills Pro Series 22 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker $499 (was $599)
• Cuisinart CPG-465 Portable Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker $289 (was $499)

The best gas grill deals

• Weber Spirit II E-210 2-Burner Liquid Propane Grill $449 (was $550)
• Cuisinart CGG-750 Portable Venture Gas Grill, $155.99 (Was $199.99)
• Cuisinart CGG-306, $169 (Was $219.99)
• Weber Spirit II E-310, $569 (Was $639)
• Weber Genesis E-435, $1549 (Was $1,649)
• Kenmore PG-A40409S0LB-2 4 Burner Gas BBQ Grill, $449.99 (Was $499.99)

The best charcoal grill deals

• Kamado Joe KJ13RH Joe Jr. 13.5 inch Portable Charcoal Grill, $299 (Was $499)
• Char-Broil TRU-Infrared Kettleman Charcoal Grill, $185.16 (Was $239.99)
• Everdure Fusion Charcoal Grill, $623 (Was $849)

The best grilling accessory deals

• Cuisinart CGS-5020 BBQ Tool Aluminum Carrying Case, $49 (Was $59.99)
• OXO Good Grips Grilling Prep and Carry System, $31.99 (Was $39.99)
• HydroFlask Cut and Serve Platter, $37.46 (Was $49.95)
• MEATER Block, $299.95 (Was $349.95)
• Lodge LDP3 Reversible Grill/Griddle, $34.90 (Was $59.50)

The best Solo Stove fire pit deals (for marshmallow grilling, roasting … whatever)

• Bonfire 2.0, $249.99 (Was $399.99)
• Yukon 2.0, $449.99 (Was $749.99)
• Mesa, $79.99 (Was $119.99)
• Ranger 2.0, $229.99 (Was $299.99)
• Fire Pit Surround, $339.99 (Was $449.99)
• Bonfire Pi Fire, $259.99 (Was $359.99)

The post The best Memorial Day grill deals are sizzling appeared first on Popular Science.

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

Memorial Day TV sales don’t get the credit they deserve. Sure, Black Friday is the grand champ for big cheap TVs, but there are some great deals to be had here on the unofficial start to Summer, too. The new models we first saw at CES are now on the shelves, and slightly older models are getting very solid discounts. You can find especially good deals on the high end of things. So, if you still happen to have some tax return cash kicking around, you can get yourself a great deal. So, grab a hot dog in one hand, your phone in the other, and shop the best Memorial Day TV deals in our big list below.

SAMSUNG 65-Inch Class Neo QLED 8K QN800B Series Mini LED $1,597 (Was $3,299)

Samsung

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Do you need an 8K TV right now? Probably not. But, this TV offers everything you need for it to last years. And, thanks to HDMI 2.1 connectivity, excellent upscaling, and all those pixels, you’ll get a fantastic picture whether you’re gaming or streaming.

Nakamichi Shockwafe Elite 7.2.4 Channel Dolby Atmos/DTS:X Soundbar with Dual 8” Subwoofers (Wireless), 2 Rear Surround Speakers $999 (Was $1,299)

Makamichi

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Nakamichi makes some of the best wireless surround sound systems you can buy, and they’re at the cheapest prices we’ve ever seen for Memorial Day. This kit comes with a powerful soundbar, a pair of eight-inch subwoofers, and a pair of wireless surround speakers. This is a killer setup if you can justify the expense.

More Nakamichi deals

• Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2.4 Channel 1000W Dolby Atmos/DTS:X Soundbar with Dual 10″ Subwoofers (Wireless) & 4 Rear Surround Speakers $1,099 (was $1,499)
• Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2.4 Channel Dolby Atmos/DTS:X Soundbar with Dual 10″ Subwoofers (Wireless), 4 Rear Surround Effects Speakers, eARC and SSE Max Technology $1,477 (was $1,899)

LG TV deals

• LG C2 Series 42-Inch Class OLED $896 (was $1,199)
• LG C2 Series 55-Inch Class OLED $1,196 (was $1,399)
• LG C2 Series 83-Inch Class OLED evo $3,996 (was $4,499)
• LG – 77″ Class B2 Series OLED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV $1,999 (was $2,499)
• LG – 65″ Class 80 Series QNED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV $1,199 (was $1,299)
• LG – 65″ Class C2 Series OLED evo 4K UHD Smart webOS TV $1,599 (was $1,699)
• LG – 77″ Class G2 Series OLED evo 4K UHD Smart webOS TV with Gallery Design $3,399 (was $3,799)
• LG – 65″ Class G2 Series OLED evo 4K UHD Smart webOS TV with Gallery Design $1,999 (was $2,199)
• LG – 65″ Class B2 Series OLED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV $1,299 (was $1,599)
• LG – 55″ Class C2 Series OLED evo 4K UHD Smart webOS TV $1,199 (was $1,299)

Samsung TV deals

• SAMSUNG 65-Inch Class Neo QLED 4K QN90B Series Mini LED $1,597 (was $2,297)
• SAMSUNG 65-Inch Class QLED Q60A Series $897 (was $1,099)
• SAMSUNG 65-Inch Class QLED Q80A Series $1,033 (was $1,597)
• SAMSUNG 65-Inch Class QLED Q80B Series $727 (was $999)
• SAMSUNG 50-Inch Class Neo QLED 4K QN90C Series Neo $1,297 (was $1,597)
• Samsung – 65″ Class QN800 Neo QLED 8K UHD Smart Tizen TV $1,599 (was $2,699)
• Samsung – 65″ Class TU690T Series LED 4K UHD Smart Tizen TV $449 (was $669)
• Samsung – 65″ Class Q60C QLED 4K Smart Tizen TV $899 (was $999)
• Samsung – 75” Class QN90B Neo QLED 4K Smart Tizen TV $1,799 (was $2,399)

Sony TV deals

• Sony 65 Inch 4K Ultra HD TV X90K Series $1,098 (was $1,499)
• Sony OLED 77 inch BRAVIA XR A80K Series 4K Ultra HD TV $2,798 (was $3,199)
• Sony Z9J 75 Inch TV: BRAVIA XR Full Array LED 8K Ultra HD Smart Google TV $2,799 (was $3,999)
• Sony – 65″ Class BRAVIA XR X90K 4K HDR Full Array LED Google TV $1,099 (was $1,299)
• Sony – 55″ Class BRAVIA XR A80K 4K HDR OLED Google TV $1,299 (was $1,499)

Other TV deals

• Insignia™ – 55″ Class F30 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV $259 (was $399)
• Insignia™ – 65″ Class F30 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV $349 (was $549)
• Insignia™ – 75″ Class F30 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV $529 (was $749)

Home audio deals

• VIZIO V-Series 5.1 Home Theater Sound Bar with Dolby Audio, Bluetooth, Wireless Subwoofer $179 (was $219)
• SAMSUNG HW-B57 B-Series 4.1ch Soundbar w/Dolby Audio/DTS Virtual X, Game Mode, Wireless Bluetooth TV Connection, Rear Speaker Kit & Subwoofer Included $197 (was $249)
• Klipsch Cinema 400 Sound Bar + 8Inch Wireless Subwoofer with HDMIARC $269 (was $329)
• VIZIO M-Series Elevate 5.1.2 Immersive Sound Bar with 13 High-Performance Speakers, Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, Wireless Subwoofer $599 (was $798)
• JBL Bar 300: 5.0-Channel Compact All-in-one soundbar with MultiBeam™ and Dolby Atmos $349 (was $399)

The post The best Memorial Day TV and home theater deals are a sweet sight appeared first on Popular Science.

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Once you buy into a power tool system, you can never have too many backups to power the tools. That’s especially true with a company like Ryobi. Its One+ 18V batteries are compatible with nearly 300 different cordless tools and devices. Right now at Home Depot, you can get two 18V 4Ah, a charger, and a power tool of your choice for $99. That’s an impressive deal and a great way to ensure no unexpected pause in your latest project.

Note: You have to make sure you add the free item to your cart at the same time as the battery bundle. There’s a box right under the price on the product pages that says “Free gift with purchase,” and that’s where you pick your free power tool. Also note that this is an online-only deal and you’ll have to buy through the site rather than shopping in-store. You can, however, checkout online and then pick up your order in the store if you don’t want to wait for shipping. You’ll just need to make sure everything is in-stock at your local branch.

ONE+ 18V Lithium-Ion 4.0 Ah Battery (2-Pack) and Charger Kit (Includes a free power tool of your choice)

Ryobi

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This deal typically only rolls around once yearly or so, and just the batteries alone for $99 is a pretty solid value. However, when you buy this package, you can choose from a long list of tools and get one completely free. Here’s the list currently available, as well as their normal prices:

• ONE+ 18V Cordless 1/2 in. x 18 in. Belt Sander $189
• ONE+ 18V Cordless 1/4 in. Impact Driver $59
• ONE+ 18V Cordless 10 in. Variable Speed Random Orbit Buffer $59
• ONE+ 18V Cordless 3-1/4 in. Planer $119
• ONE+ 18V Cordless 3-3/8 in. Multi-Material Plunge Saw $99
• ONE+ 18V Cordless 3/8 in. 4-Position Ratchet $99
• ONE+ 18V Cordless 3/8 in. Impact Wrench $99
• ONE+ 18V Cordless 4-1/2 in. Angle Grinder $59
• ONE+ 18V Cordless 5 1/2 in. Circular Saw $69
• ONE+ 18V Cordless 5 in. Random Orbit Sander $59
• ONE+ 18V Cordless Compact Fixed Base Router $99
• ONE+ 18V Cordless Flexible LED Clamp Light $39
• ONE+ 18V Cordless Hybrid WHISPER SERIES 7-1/2 in. Fan $59
• ONE+ 18V Cordless Jig Saw $69
• ONE+ 18V Cordless Multi-Tool $79
• ONE+ 18V Cordless Power Scrubber $69
• ONE+ 18V Cordless Precision Rotary Tool $49
• ONE+ 18V Cordless Reciprocating Saw $79
• ONE+ 18V Cordless VERSE Clamp Speaker 2-Pack $99
• ONE+ 18V Hybrid 20-Watt LED Work Light $89
• ONE+ 18V Lithium-Ion 4.0 Ah Battery (2 pack) $99

This is a great chance to get a tool you need, replace a tool that’s getting old, or get something you’ve never tried using before. Never used a planer? Now’s your chance.

More Home Depot power tool deals

Once you’ve taken advantage of the free Ryobi tool, here are some other power tool deals to peruse:

• ONE+ HP 18V Brushless Cordless 3-Tool Combo Kit with (2) 1.5 Ah Batteries, Charger, and Bag $149 (was $417)
• ONE+ 18V 12-Tool Combo Kit with (1) 1.5 Ah Battery and (2) 4.0 Ah Batteries and Charger $599 (was $808)
• ONE+ 18V Cordless 1/2 in. Impact Wrench Kit with 4.0 Ah Battery and Charger $99 (was $189)
• 20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion Cordless 7-Tool Combo Kit with 2.0 Ah Battery, 5.0 Ah Battery and Charger $499 (was $799)
• ATOMIC 20-Volt MAX Lithium-Ion Cordless Combo Kit (2-Tool) with (2) 2.0Ah Batteries, Charger and Bag $169 (was $229)
• M18 18V Lithium-Ion Cordless Combo Tool Kit (7-Tool) with Two 3.0 Ah Batteries, Charger and Tool Bag $499 (was $999)
• 18V LXT Lithium-Ion 8-Piece Kit Drill/ Impact Drvr/ Circ Saw/ Recip Saw/ Sander/ Impact Wrench/ Blower/ Light 3.0Ah $379 (was $579)
• 20V XR Cordless 3 in. Angle Grinder and 20V MAX POWERSTACK Compact Battery Starter Kit $179 (was $338)
• ATOMIC 20V Max Lithium-Ion Brushless Cordless Compact 1/4 in. Impact Driver Kit with 2.0Ah Battery, Charger and Bag $99 (was $159)
• 18V Cordless 8-Tool Combo Kit with (3) Batteries, Charger, and Bag with 18V 18-Gauge Brad Nailer $499 (was $789)

The post Get two Ryobi batteries and a free power tool for $99 right now at Home Depot appeared first on Popular Science.

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Whether you’re riding out a power outage or trying to keep yourself (and your tripmates) entertained off the grid, a reliable portable power station can be a lifesaver. Right now, Amazon has the excellent Bluetti EB3A portable power station for just $209, which is $140 off its regular price and the cheapest price we’ve ever seen. It’s just one of several Bluetti solar generators at unbeatable prices right now, and one belongs in your emergency kit.

Bluetti EB3A portable power station $209 (Was $349)

Bluetti

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This isn’t a massive power station, but it does hold considerably more juice than a typical battery pack. The EB3A offers a 268Wh capacity, which can fully charge a smartphone up to 20 times or run bigger appliances for several hours. It’ll keep a WiFi router on for up to 10 hours or power a CPAP machine for up to five hours.

The battery inside is a LiFePo system, which promises excellent durability and longevity. It won’t degrade as quickly as some of its competition. The front of the device offers a pair of 120v standard outlets, two 120V CD sockets, a pair of USB-A connectors, and a USB-C for faster charging. You’ll also find an LCD display to keep track of the device’s performance and a handy flashlight so you can actually find your phone to charge it. It will even accept up to 200W solar panels if you want to turn it into a makeshift solar generator.

Even with all that juice inside, this box only measures 10″ x 7.1″ x 7.2″ and weighs just 10 pounds. The integrated handle makes it very easy to chuck in and drag out of a car or grab on your way out the door. You may not need this right now, but you’ll absolutely be glad you have it when the need arises.

More portable power stations that are great in a pinch but won’t put the pinch on your budget:

If the Bluetti doesn’t fit your specific needs or budget, you might find something interesting in these other portable power station deals going on right now. Note: Some listings may require you to apply a coupon to get the price listed; check the box underneath the price on the Amazon item page to add the coupon.

• Jackery Explorer 1000 Portable Power Station $899 (Was $1,099)
• Anker 521 Portable Power Station $219 (Was $249)
• EF ECOFLOW Portable Power Station RIVER 2 $199 with coupon (Was $289)
• EF ECOFLOW RIVER Pro Portable Power Station 720Wh $479 (Was $649)
• GROWATT Portable Power Station Generators $439 (Was $489)

The post This Bluetti portable power station is the cheapest it’s ever been on Amazon appeared first on Popular Science.

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It’s DIY season, so it’s time to fill out your tool kit or replace those old hand-me-downs you’ve used since Seinfeld was airing new episodes. Right now, Amazon has a heap of DeWalt power tools on deep discount, including some truly essential bits of kit like extra batteries, reciprocating saws, and drivers.

DEWALT 20V Max Cordless Drill / Driver Kit, Compact $99 (Was $179)

DeWalt

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Just about every project can benefit from a strong, reliable drill/driver, and this DeWalt one is only $99 at the moment. It relies on DeWalt’s flexible 20V Max battery system and comes with both a charger and a carry bag. The compact batteries are $40 by themselves, and this package includes two of them, so it’s like you’re paying $20 for the actual tool and bag. Plus, buying it at Amazon means you won’t get suckered into buying a $3 sports drink at the checkout of the big-box hardware store like you would if you went in person.

More Dewalt deals

Maybe you don’t need a drill. That’s OK. There are plenty of other Dewalt tools on sale at Amazon right now. Here are some of the standouts:

• DEWALT 20V MAX XR Battery, 5 Ah, 2-Pack $149 (was $249)
• DEWALT 20V MAX Jobsite Fan $88 (was $169)
• DEWALT 20V MAX Cordless Drill and Impact Driver, Power Tool Combo Kit with 2 Batteries and Charger  $159 (was $239)
• DEWALT 20V MAX Orbital Sander $95 (was $179)
• DEWALT Right Angle Attachment $19 (was $46)
• DEWALT 20V Max XR Oscillating Multi-Tool $118 (was $179)
• DEWALT 20V MAX Blower $108 (was $169)
• DEWALT 20V MAX* XR Reciprocating Saw, Compact $159 (was $219)
• DEWALT 20V MAX Reciprocating Saw $109 (was $159)
• DEWALT 20V MAX Circular Saw $117 (was $159)
• DEWALT 20V MAX Bluetooth Speaker $91 (was $139)

The post Save more than 45% on DeWalt power tools at Amazon right now appeared first on Popular Science.

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Memorial Day mattress sales aside, we don’t typically associate Spring with big shopping holidays. This year, however, the Discover Samsung event runs from May 15th through May 21st and it will offer solid discounts on just about everything the company offers. That includes everything from its excellent TVs and monitors to its smartphones like the Galaxy S23.

The sale doesn’t start until the 15th, but you can check out the event page for details about the upcoming deals. Some of the better deals are also posted below along with the day they’ll be active. These prices come with relatively short shelf lives and could even sell out, so if you see something you want, don’t hesitate.

Discover Samsung deals

We’ll break these up by day since they’ll change throughout the week.

Monday

• 1.7 cu ft. Smart Over-the-Range Microwave with Convection & Slim Fry™ in Black Stainless Steel $479 (was $656)
• 34″ ViewFinity S65UA Ultra-WQHD 100Hz AMD FreeSync HDR10 with USB-C Curved Monitor $499 (was $699)
• 24″ SR35 IPS Panel Borderless LED Flat Monitor $124 (was $179)

Tuesday

• 18 cu. ft. Top Freezer Refrigerator with FlexZone™ in Stainless Steel $699 (was $799)
• 55” Odyssey Ark 4K UHD 165Hz 1ms Quantum Mini-LED Curved Gaming Screen $1,999 (was $2,999)
• 85″ Class QN85C Samsung Neo QLED 4K Smart TV (2023) $3,599 (was $3,799)

Wednesday

• 27.3 cu. ft. Smart Side-by-Side Refrigerator with Family Hub™ in Stainless Steel $1,599 (was $1,699)
• 1.1 cu. ft Countertop Microwave with Grilling Element in Stainless Steel $149 (was $229)
• Q-series 11.1.4 ch. Wireless Dolby ATMOS Soundbar + Rear Speakers w/ Q-Symphony / HW-Q990C (2023) $1,599 (was $1,899)
• QN900C Neo QLED 8K TV $4,799 (was $4,999)

The post The week-long Discover Samsung sale offers deep discounts on just about everything appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		Samsung Neo QLED QN90C		SEE IT	It produces a bright, vibrant image that’s suitable for all spaces and types of content.
Best budget		Hisense ULED U7H		SEE IT	This TV’s features and image quality perform well above its price.
Best OLED		LG C2		SEE IT	It’s only an 83-inch TV, but its image quality and performance make up for it.

The typical 85-inch TV offers screen real estate bigger than a typical twin mattress. That kind of massive display was strictly for the rich until just a few years ago. Now, massive TVs have gotten a lot more accessible. And while the floor on an 85-inch TV still hovers around $1,600, just imagine how impressive that gigantic screen would look in your living room. The Stranger Things monster would look life-sized. The movie Dune will put out enough light to give you a sun tan (not quite, but it will be really bright). While these TVs are inherently awesome thanks to their big screens, there are some differences between models. You likely don’t need a flagship model to make the most of your viewing experience, so you can probably save thousands of dollars by choosing the right model. These are the best 85-inch TVs we recommend right now.

• Best overall: Samsung Neo QLED 4K QN90C
• Best budget: Hisense ULED U7H QLED
• Best for gaming: Sony Bravia X90K
• Best OLED: LG C2
• Best LED: ​​SAMSUNG Crystal UHD CU8000 
• Best 8K: Samsung Neo QLED QN900C

How we chose the best 85-inch TVs

I have been writing about TVs and home theater equipment for the better part of two decades. Much of that work has appeared here on PopSci, but I have also covered it for Engadget, Sound & Vision, Men’s Journal, and numerous other publications. 

The selections on this list come from a mix of hands-on testing, spec sheet comparisons, editorial reviews, and user feedback. While we could have simply picked the flagship displays to represent the “best” overall picks, we looked for the optimal mix of image quality, features, and price. Our hands-on testing typically involves testing streaming content (as that’s the most common way to consume content right now), as well as Blu-ray playback and gaming performance tests done with a PlayStation 5. 

The best 85-inch TVs: Reviews & Recommendations

Whether you’re carefully choosing the correct panel for your home theater system or you’re just trying to get a quick reassurance that you’re about to make a solid Black Friday purchase, these picks for the best 85-inch TV have you covered. Be sure to read through them, as there is definitely some overlap between the awards.

Best overall: Samsung Neo QLED 4K QN90C

Stan Horaczek

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Specs

• Resolution: 4K
• Refresh rate: 120Hz (up to 144Hz in some cases with a PC)
• Other sizes available: 43”, 50”, 55”, 65”, and 75”
• Ports: 4 HDMI 2.1, 2 USB, Ethernet, headphone, optical audio out, RF
• Price: $4,499

Pros

• Excellent picture
• Bright enough for any space
• Robust smart TV offerings
• Neo QLED makes for high contrast ratios

Cons

• Ports on the back of the TV instead of Samsung’s remote box
• Pricey

Samsung’s typical QLED displays produce exceptional brightness and excellent color on their own. For its latest generation of Neo QLEDs, however, the company has integrated MiniLED backlighting in order to goose the contrast ratios and allow the TV to take finer control over how objects are rendered on-screen. In short, it’s just a beautiful picture. I spent some time watching Blu-rays and playing PS5 games during my review period and was impressed with the punchy picture that could still handle more subtle imagery without overpowering my eyeballs. Ghostbusters: Afterlife isn’t a great movie, but it does have some fast action scenes with lots of on-screen objects and the QN90C rendered them beautifully. It’s still not quite as precise as OLED, but it’s gettin’ closer.

This display also does an impressive job with sound. We typically always recommend augmenting any TV’s built-in sound with at least a soundbar (if not a full wireless surround sound system). This TV supports Dolby Atmos, and its built-in speakers allow it to localize sound without external equipment. So, if a helicopter is coming in from above, it actually sounds like it’s above everything else on the screen. This effect is cool at any size, but it’s particularly effective with a big 85-inch screen.

While the picture itself is what makes this TV stand out, it’s also flush with features. It offers four HDMI 2.1 ports, and it has a built-in gaming mode for cloud gaming. Perhaps the most impressive extra feature is the anti-glare coating on the screen. Even with an annoying amount of front light hitting the display, the Samsung does an effective job when it comes to combatting glare. If your TV room gets a lot of light, that can make a huge difference. Contrast ratio doesn’t mean much if all you can see is a reflection of your own body sitting on the couch with a bucket of popcorn propped on your gut (which is the official PopSci TV testing position).  

Best budget: Hisense ULED U7H QLED

Hisense

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Specs

• Resolution: 4K
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Other sizes available: 55”, 65”, and 75”
• Ports: 4 HDMI (2 of which are 2.1), Ethernet, RF
• Price: $1,699

Pros

• Very affordable
• Excellent picture for the price
• Bright
• Full-array local dimming for better contrast

Cons

• Picture lags behind more expensive sets

You can sometimes find this 85-inch monster of a TV on sale for $1,500. That’s a wild price for a full-featured QLED like this one. The U7H relies on an array of small LEDs for its backlight, which provide precise control over which areas get illumination and which ones don’t. That leads to better overall contrast ratios and more pleasing images. Quantum Dots help pump up the overall brightness. 

It runs on the Google TV platform, which makes it more agnostic than some of the other first-party platforms. It also offers a more intuitive navigation that I find easier to get around than some competitors. 

Dig into the menus and you’ll find the Filmmaker and IMAX Enhanced modes, both of which attempt to make content look as close to the creator’s original intention as possible. The 120Hz refresh rate allows smooth action during sports or video games. But, it’s easy to tone down when you want to watch a movie without it looking like a soap opera. 

This TV really is an excellent mix of performance and features. It was a deal at its original $2,499 price point, but now that it’s often on sale, it’s practically a steal. Hisense technically offers an even more upscale version of this TV in the U8H series, but it has been nearly impossible to find the 85-inch version in-stock anywhere for any price.

Best for gaming: Sony Bravia X90K

Sony

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Specs

• Resolution: 4K
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Other sizes available: 55”, 65”, and 75”
• Ports: 4 HDMI 2.1, 2 USB, Ethernet, RF
• Price: $1,999

Pros

• Exclusive features for PS5 players
• Short response time
• Excellent upscaling
• Google TV platform
• Modes specially calibrated for Netflix and other applications

Cons

• Not as bright as some other sets

It makes sense that Sony would make solid gaming TVs. After all, the company is responsible for one of the most popular gaming console lines of all time. This LED TV doesn’t rely on Quantum Dots. Instead, it relies on full-array local dimming to use its available brightness to the best of its ability. It can carefully control which areas of the screen get light and which ones don’t. I often find Sony’s picture quality a bit oversharpened and a little harsh for my specific taste, but I was easily able to tone it down during my demo to my specific taste. If you don’t want to do any tweaking, this TV offers specific modes, including various flavors of HDR, IMAX Enhanced mode, and a setting specifically calibrated toward streaming Netflix content. 

Hook up a PS5 to this TV and you unlock a few exclusive features. Those include Auto HDR tone mapping, which increases the overall picture quality and color reproduction that you’ll get from PlayStation 5 games. Auto Genre Switching also keeps tabs on what you’re watching and adjusts its performance to match appropriately. 

Beyond the gaming-specific features, you also get high-end specs that you’d expect from a TV that costs this much. You get HDMI 2.1 ports, Dolby Atmos support, and some of the best upscaling you’ll find, thanks to the powerful built-in processor.

Best OLED: LG C2

LG

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Specs

• Resolution: 4K
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Other sizes available: 42”, 48”, 55”, 65”, 77”, and 83” (they don’t technically offer a strict 85-inch TV).
• Ports: 4 HDMI 2.1, 2 USB, Ethernet, RF
• Price: $4,296

Pros

• Exceptional contrast ratio
• Great color reproduction
• Extremely slim display and attractive design
• Powerful processor for upscaling

Cons

• Not technically 85 inches
• Big OLEDs are still very pricey

OK, so this is technically an 83-inch TV, but you’ll hardly notice those two missing inches thanks to the truly exemplary image quality. The LG C2 is one of the best TVs you can buy at just about any size. It offers the deep black and shadow levels you expect from an OLED, but LG’s OLED Evo tech cranks up the maximum brightness. So, if you’re in a relatively bright room, you can still get an OLED and see what you’re watching before the sun goes down. 

The LG C3 technically debuted in January at CES 2023, but it isn’t a huge leap up from the C2, which you can currently get at a discounted price. You’re really buying an OLED for the contrast ratio, and it’s really hard to improve that much beyond what the C2 offers. 

Of course, you get the full suite of features to go with all that picture quality. LG’s fifth-gen processor offers excellent upscaling, so content looks good even if it’s not native 4K or HDR. You get four HDMI 2.1 ports for connecting data-hungry devices. And the panel itself is absurdly thin, so it’s easy to mount just about anywhere, even when you have a giant size like this.

The LG G3 also deserves a mention here, as it’s a truly excellent TV, but it’s considerably more expensive and won’t necessarily provide a huge noticeable upgrade for most people. It’s likely the best overall OLED, but it’s not the best mix of features for the price as far as this list is concerned. If money is no object, however, ball out with the G3.

Best LED: ​​SAMSUNG Crystal UHD CU8000

Samsung

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Specs

• Resolution: 4K
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Other sizes available: 43”, 50”, 55”, 65”, and 75”
• Ports: 3 HDMI, 2 USB, Ethernet, RF
• Price: $1,695

Pros

• Very affordable even when it’s not on-sale
• Decent specs for the price
• Very good color reproduction
• Easy to mount
• Robust smart TV features

Cons

• Picture is mid compared to higher-end models
• Only 3 HDMI ports

If you’re worried more about size and price than other factors, this relatively barebones 85-inch TV should fit the bill nicely. Its retail price sits well under $2,000, and you can often find it discounted as low as $1,500. 

This is the big-box variant of Samsung’s TVs like the one you’ll see at department stores or price clubs. It relies on the company’s Crystal processor, which does a surprisingly solid job of upscaling lower-resolution content to fit the 4K display. It also does a lovely job with color replication, though its contrast ratio can’t match levels offered by its OLED or QLED competition. There are some other compromises as well. You only get three HDMI ports, and the included feet aren’t very sophisticated in terms of a TV stand. 

But, even with the caveats, this is still a great-looking TV. The panel is slim, the colors are poppy, it’s relatively bright, and there’s a whole lot of screen for not a lot of money. If you’re looking for a big TV on which you can watch movies in a relatively dark room, this will more than meet your needs and leave you with enough cash leftover to get some grub hub. I recommend pairing some Buffalo Wild Wings with the new sci-fi epic Silo on Apple TV+.

Best 8K: Samsung Neo QLED QN900C

Stan Horaczek

SEE IT

Specs

• Resolution: 8K
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Other sizes available: 65” and 75”
• Ports: 4 HDMI 2.1, 2 USB, Optical audio, RF, Ethernet
• Price: $7,999

Pros

• 8K detail is really impressive
• Future proof to an extent
• Powerful image processing
• Great color reproduction
• Ports sit on a remote box for easy installation
• Very skinny bezel

Cons

• Expensive
• No 8K content to really watch

You don’t need an 8K TV, but that may make you want one even more than you already do. An 8K picture contains more than 33 megapixels of information. Right now, very few sources can pump out that much image data at once. Advanced gaming consoles are slowly working their way up to 8K, but it’s going to be a while before streaming content starts making the leap. 

All of that said, Samsung’s 8K TV does look spectacular. It offers the company’s highest-end features. Everything from its connectivity to its image processor represents Samsung’s state-of-the-art tech. That image processor is necessary, too, as it can upscale 4K or even 1080p content all the way up to 8K with impressive accuracy. I spent a few hours streaming and playing PS5 games with it during my review period and was surprised by how effectively the TV took less-than-8K stuff and made it look great on such a high-res display. Horizon: Zero Dawn looked bright, poppy, and sharp with tons of detail. It also didn’t look wildly oversharpened like some TVs do when they’re working hard to upscale an image. 

This is truly a flagship TV, and while it’s definitely expensive and ahead of its time, it will last for years, when 8K may be much more reasonable. So, this is a solid option for anyone looking to really futureproof their purchase. It’s also great for people with money who just want to flex their cool 8K screen, even though it’s somewhat impractical. 

Things to consider when shopping for the best 85-inch TV

Backlight

At this point, just about every TV relies on LEDs for their backlight, but manufacturers use different varieties and configurations to achieve their desired effects. Typical LCD TVs employ LED arrays around the outside edge or across the entire face of the screen. Some manufacturers augment those LEDs with a Quantum Dots layer, amplifying the light output. As a result, these QLEDs typically offer a brighter, punchier picture. 

As Quantum Dot technology has evolved, manufacturers have mixed with me with backlight enhancements like MiniLED and MicroLED. By making the LEDs in the array smaller, the TV can take greater control over contrast on a very localized level while still maintaining excellent brightness, thanks to the Dots. When you see a qualifier like Neo QLED, you can expect this. 

All those TV technologies are considered transmissive as they involve a backlight shining through an LCD panel. OLED, on the other hand, is emissive, which means each pixel creates its own illumination. Organic Light-Emitting Diodes sit behind colored filters and push out the exact amount of light they need. Sometimes they even turn all the way off to create deep blacks in shadowy areas. As a result, OLEDs often produce phenomenal color and exceptional contrast ratios at the cost of overall brightness. OLEDs really are fantastic, but you’ll only find one on this list, as OLEDs don’t typically make it all the way up to 85 inches. They’re also still relatively expensive at normal sizes, so bigger panels can get a bit out of hand financially. 

Refresh rate

Most of the time, you’re going to be choosing between 60Hz and 120Hz when it comes to refresh rate. Higher-end models typically offer the faster 120Hz rate, while more affordable models stick to 60Hz. This stat simply refers to the number of times the on-screen image refreshes. 

The 120Hz displays can create smoother motion, which is great if you’re playing video games or watching sports. If you’re only watching movies and want a typical look for your content, those faster refresh rates may not matter that much at all. 

Some displays can reach all the way up to 144Hz in some specific modes, but that’s really only useful in some gaming situations.

Connectivity

What are you going to plug into your TV? If you’re going to plug in a 4K Blu-ray player, Xbox Series X/S, or PlayStation 5, you’re going to want to max out on HDMI 2.1 ports (and compatible cables) that can handle all the bandwidth they require for high-res playback. At this point, most major TV manufacturers offer a pretty standard selection of ports, but you’ll want to make sure that you have those HDMI 2.1 ports to maximum and future compatibility. 

Platform

Every modern TV is a “smart TV” at this point, but they’re not all equally intelligent or pleasant to use. Both LG and Samsung use their own proprietary smart TV platforms called webOS and Tizen, respectively. Sony often defaults to Google TV, while some manufacturers like TCL rely on the Roku platform. If you’re looking for a TV that doesn’t require an extra box for streaming, make sure you get one with an interface you don’t loathe using.

Resolution

If you’re going all the way up to 85 inches, you’re not going to find any 1080p TVs in current lineups. Just about all the best 85-inch TVs out there are 4K, which makes sense since it’s the current state of the technology. You will find some 8K displays out there, but you won’t find very much native 8K content to watch at all. If you want to futureproof your TV, you can splurge on an 8K set now, but we typically consider it overkill for most people. Though, we are talking about baller TVs here, so if you want to go all out and get an 8K display, then go for it. Just don’t expect to see a glaring difference between its performance and a 4K model on the vast majority of things you watch or play.

FAQs

Final thoughts about the best 85-inch TVs

• Best overall: Samsung Neo QLED 4K QN90C
• Best for gaming: Sony Bravia X90K
• Best budget: Hisense ULED U7H QLED
• Best OLED: LG C2
• Best LED: ​​SAMSUNG Crystal UHD CU8000 
• Best 8K: Samsung Neo QLED QN900C

It truly is wild how accessible 85-inch TVs have become in recent years. Earlier in my career, a popular electronics manufacturer had me take a car service out to New Jersey to see their 70-inch plasma TV, which cost $22,000 and couldn’t stay on for more than a couple of hours because it would raise the temperature of the room and overheat. Now, you can get an 85-inch TV for less than a tenth of that price, and it comes with free shipping. 

The best 85-inch TVs offer all of the features you want out of a flagship display with enough screen real estate to really show off your favorite content. If you have the room and the cash to make it happen, an 85-inch TV is about as hard as you can ball out on a TV, and we wholeheartedly recommend it.

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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Summer is full of sore muscles. Whether from endless hours of yard work, rigorous outdoor activities, or too many hours spent curled up with an OLED Nintendo Switch playing the new Zelda game, your body could use some help with recovery. Right now, Amazon has personal massagers of just about every type on sale for the lowest prices we have seen in a while. The products range from serious therapeutic equipment to casual devices designed to give you a pleasant foot rub, so there’s something for everybody (and every body).

TheraGun Pro percussion massager $260 (Was $599)

TheraBody

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This is the previous generation of TheraGun’s pro-grade percussion massagers, and it’s roughly half the price of the current version while offering almost all of the same features. My gym has had one of these in the mobility area for quite some time now, and it still works flawlessly despite hard use. The unique triangular shape provides options for holding it so you can dig into your traps without giving yourself a tricep cramp. A full battery charge provides up to five hours of operation, which is more than enough. In fact, it’s too much. Five hours with this thing and your body would be goo. It offers five speeds, six included attachments to pinpoint the percussion, and an onboard display to keep tabs on battery life and intensity.

This is a serious piece of equipment, and you’ll become hopelessly addicted to it if you frequently get sore muscles.

FIT KING Leg Compression Boots Massager for Foot and Calf Recovery $199 (Was $289)

Fit King

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I know, these look a little ridiculous, but compression boots are phenomenal for recovery. These boots have three independent air bladders inside that inflate and deflate to strategically apply pressure to your feet and various parts of your calves. They offer three pressure settings and three timed treatment routines to match your specific tolerance and level of soreness. If you’ve never used these before, I highly recommend them as a person with impossibly tight and often very sore lower legs. It almost feels good enough to wash away the trauma of running for any amount of time or distance. Almost.

More massager and recovery deals:

• Therabody RecoveryAir JetBoots $699 (Was $899 Note: Only the small and medium sizes appear to be on sale.)
• Deep Tissue Kneading Electric Back Massage for Neck $39 (Was $69)
• Back Massager Neck Massager with Heat $29 (Was $49)
• Boriwat Back Massager with Heat $39 (Was $169, but regularly $60)
• FIT KING Leg and Foot Massager with Heat $78 (Was $110)
• FIT KING Hand Massager with Heat for Hand Massage $69 (Was $110)
• FIT KING Massage Gun $39 (Was $80)

The post These discounted massagers can help you loosen up after your Zelda marathon appeared first on Popular Science.

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A quality caffeinated beverage can really change the tone of the morning, whether it’s yours or that of a special lady in your life, and Amazon is currently offering 20% discounts on Breville’s high-end Barista-series espresso machines. The entire line offers stainless steel construction and everything you need to make an espresso better than the one that costs $6 at the local coffee shop. They grind, brew, and even steam milk, so there’s no need for extra devices to fuel a morning routine. None of these devices are cheap, but with the price of commercial coffee shops climbing constantly, one could pay for itself in just a couple of months. It all depends on how dependent someone is on those morning shots (we can’t keep the hopper even half full of beans, so no judgment).

Breville Barista Touch Espresso Machine $879 (Was $1,099)

Breville

SEE IT

This is the big dog in the Breville Barista pack, and it’s being offered at its lowest price in months. If espresso machines were the Muppets, this would be Kermit. The Breville Barista Touch replaces some analog controls with a handy full-color touchscreen display you can use to choose your favorite drinks. It makes flat whites, lattes, Americanos, and a host of other delicious drinks with names that sound like paint colors you might choose for your understated dining room. It heats up in just four seconds and handles every step of the coffee creation process. Plus, it looks extremely classy.

• Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine $679 (Was $849)
• Breville Barista Express® Impress Espresso Machine $719 (Was $899)
• Breville Barista Pro Espresso Machine $679 (Was $849)

More deals on coffee and espresso machines

Maybe you’re not ready to spend that much on an espresso machine. We totally get it. Here are some more coffee and espresso machine deals that will leave money in your budget for beans, a fancy insulated mug, and more:

• Mr. Coffee Espresso and Cappuccino Machine, Programmable Coffee Maker with Automatic Milk Frother and 15-Bar Pump $199 (Was $249)
• Keurig K-Mini Coffee Maker, Single-Serve K-Cup Pod Coffee Brewer $69 (Was $99)
• Keurig K-Duo Coffee Maker, Single Serve and 12-Cup Carafe Drip Coffee Brewer $151 (Was $189)
• Ninja CFP301 DualBrew Pro System 12-Cup Coffee Maker $179 (Was $229)
• De’Longhi Stilosa Manual Espresso Machine $119 (Was $155)
• Ninja CM401 Specialty 10-Cup Coffee Maker $129 (Was $169)
• Gevi Espresso Machine 15 Bar Pump Pressure, Cappuccino Coffee Maker with Milk Foaming Steam Wand $119 w/ $20 clickable coupon (Was $199)
• Espresso Machine 20 Bar, Professional Espresso Maker with Milk Frother Steam Wand $123 w/ $8 clickable coupon (Was $165)
• Geek Chef Espresso Coffee Machine $144 (Was $249)

The post Save up to $200 on pro-grade espresso machines for Mother’s Day at Amazon appeared first on Popular Science.

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The gym is full of sounds that we’d all rather not hear. There are power lifters grunting, teens talking loudly about things they saw on TikTok, and overly aggressive dudes trying to offer unsolicited advice about your squat form. A solid set of earbuds can blast over all of that gym-related din, and some of our absolute favorite gym earbuds are on sale for up to 36% off right now from Amazon. You may know Beats more for their oversized, over-the-ear style headphones, but the company makes some of the best wireless earbuds for working out around.

Beats Fit Pro $159 (Was $199)

Stan Horaczek

SEE IT

My personal favorite workout buds perform a lot like AirPods Pro, which makes sense since they employ Apple’s H1 chip inside. So, if you have an iPhone, they connect quickly and seamlessly while granting quick access to Siri. The Beats Fit Pro earbuds offer active noise cancellation and even Spatial Audio. That means watching a movie on the treadmill may actually sound better than it would at home if you’re still using your TV’s built-in speakers. The buds themselves hold enough juice for six hours of audio playback, but you can get 24 total hours of operation if you include the battery in the charging case.

Amazon’s deal includes all four colors, including black, white, gray, and pink. If you want to upgrade to the Kim Kardashian collab version, which mimics skin tones, take off $20 for a total of $179.

Powerbeats Pro $159 (Was $249)

Beats

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These are a little older than the Beats Fit Pro, but they still include the H1 chip for quick and easy pairing to the iPhone. Rather than jamming into your ear canal, these clever beats have a hook that hangs over your ear to keep the bud firmly in place. While I prefer the Fit Pro for its superior sound, the Powerbeats Pro fits even more securely. So, if you’re doing particularly gnarly workouts that involve explosive (and often evil) movements like burpees or Olympic lifting, these may better fit your needs. These also go longer than the Fit Pro between charges. The Powerbeats can play for up to nine hours before they need to go back into the charging case.

Beats Studio Buds $99 (Was $150)

Beats

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The cheapest deal in the bunch includes still gets you most of the features you’ll find on the more expensive options above. The Studio Buds offer the H1 chip for quick connectivity. Plus, you get Spatial Audio and ANC. In my experience, they don’t sound quite as full as the Beats Fit Pro, but they do provide up to 8 hours of battery life on a single charge, and they stay surprisingly secure in the ear even without the rubbery wing that the Fit Pro uses to stay in place. You can choose from various colors, but make sure the model you choose is on sale. Some are a little more expensive.

The post Our favorite earbuds for the gym are up to $90 off right now at Amazon appeared first on Popular Science.

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Imagine it’s summer, and you’re sitting outside drinking your warm-weather drink of choice (mine is the Liquid Death iced tea lemonade that it calls Armless Palmer). Your cup is filled with perfectly soft little pillows of ice that you can chew on without assaulting your teeth and gums. You’ve essentially made yourself a sophisticated slushy because you hit up these Amazon deals on nugget ice makers. Whether you call it nugget ice, pebble ice, or just “the good ice,” it’s like having access to the awesome ice from Sonic in your own home.

Kndko Nugget Ice Maker Countertop $279 (Was $339)

Kndko

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Nugget ice makers don’t simply freeze water into little chunks. Instead, an auger rotates ice, which gets reduced to shavings before it’s compressed into small pellets that are softer and much easier to chew than typical cubes. This countertop ice maker can churn out up to 45 pounds of ice daily, so it’s great for parties. It’s also self-cleaning, which is very handy because cleaning these machines can be a real pain.

EUHOMY Nugget Ice Maker Countertop $299 (Was $399)

Euhomy

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This machine only churns out 30 pounds of ice per day (which is likely still way more than you need), but it measures 17.64″ D x 9.69″ W x 17″ H so that it won’t take up scads of counters space. It takes about 15 minutes to get the first batch of ice once you turn it on, or you can hook it up directly to your home’s water system and have a constant supply of delicious little ice pellets at all times.

GE Profile Opal $629 (Was $679)

GE

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If you’re flush with tax refund cash and want the gold standard of nugget ice makers, you can save yourself $50 on the GE Opal right now. It comes with a one-gallon side tank, WiFi connectivity, and a clever recirculation system that prevents the ice from clumping up (which is an issue with some cheaper and older models).

More ice maker deals

It’s getting warmer out, and Amazon wants to sell you some ice machines. As a result, you can find some very solid deals right now. Here are some more ice machines you may want to check out. Note: Some of these deals require applying a coupon, which involves clicking a checkbox below the price on the product page, so keep a lookout for those.

• Gevi Household V2.0 Countertop Nugget Ice Maker With Viewing Window $369 (Was $549)
• AGLUCKY Nugget Ice Maker Countertop $199 (Was $299)
• KBICE 2.0 Self Dispensing Countertop Nugget Ice Maker $339 (Was $459)
• Nugget Ice Maker Countertop – Silonn Pebble Ice Maker Machine with Self-Cleaning Function $224 (Was $279)
• Mueller Nugget Ice Maker Machine $319 (was $399)
• FRIGIDAIRE Gallery EFIC255 Countertop Crunchy Chewable Nugget Ice Maker $349 (Was $379. This isn’t a huge discount, but this one doesn’t go on sale at all very often.)
• Nugget Ice Maker, Zstar Countertop Ice Maker $269 (Was $359)
• ZAFRO Nugget Ice Maker Countertop $219 (Was $289)

The post Treat yourself to a discounted nugget ice machine at Amazon right now appeared first on Popular Science.

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It has gotten absurdly expensive to buy a cup of coffee from just about anywhere. The iced coffee I like from a well-known chain now costs $5.58. It’s like paying airport prices repeatedly without leaving the neighborhood. If you or someone you know—for instance, your mom—also feels the squeeze of the coffee price hikes, these deep discounts on Nespresso machines at Amazon should be very appealing. Sure, it’s an upfront investment, but it will save money in the long run, and you won’t have to hear any Enya music playing over the coffee shop PA.

Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee and Espresso Machine by Breville with Milk Frother $171 (Was $229)

Breville

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For those who are unfamiliar, Nespresso is a pod-based coffee system that makes brewing incredibly simple. Unlike some other pod coffee systems, however, Nespresso creates more gourmet brews and more complex drinks. This machine offers a 37-ounce water reservoir and can brew traditional coffee, pour-over coffee, and both single and double espressos. Each pod will run you roughly $1 to $1.50, depending on what kind you get and how many you buy at one time. They often go on sale, though, so you can sometimes snag a large supply of them at a discounted rate. This model also includes a milk frother in case regular milk doesn’t have enough air in it for you.

More Nespresso deals at Amazon

There are a ton of different Nespresso models on sale at up to 25% off right now, and most of them will still arrive by Mother’s Day if you order soon. Pick the one that fits your budget and your crippling dependency on caffeine.

Breville Nespresso Creatista Plus $487 (Was $649)

SEE IT

If you really want to go for a classy coffee maker, this is the machine you want. It’s a Barista-grade machine that makes both coffee and espresso with a simple, elegant process. It offers durable stainless steel components that are easy to clean and will last for years. Plus, it has a great name that you’ll sound really classy saying. “Would you like some coffee? Let me just make you some here on the Creatista.” How continental.

• Nespresso Lattissima One Coffee and Espresso Maker by De’Longhi $298 (was $399)
• Breville Nespresso Vertuo Creatista Single Serve Coffee Maker, Espresso Machine $562 (was $749)
• Breville Nespresso The Creatista® Pro, Brushed Stainless Steel $636 (was $849)
• Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Machine by De’Longhi $149 (was $199)
• Nespresso Lattissima Pro Espresso Machine by De’Longhi with Milk Frother $486 (was $649)
• Nespresso Essenza Mini Espresso Machine by Breville $134 (was $179)
• Nespresso VertuoPlus Coffee and Espresso Machine by Breville $127 (was $169)
• Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee and Espresso Machine by Breville with Milk Frother $171 (was $229)
• Nespresso Vertuo Next Coffee and Espresso Machine by Breville $134 (was $179)
• Nespresso Vertuo Coffee and Espresso Machine by De’Longhi $164 (was $219)

The post Save up to $200 on Nespresso machines and give the gift of caffeine this Mother’s Day appeared first on Popular Science.

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As many of you know, May the 4th represents a special holiday for Star Wars fans. It’s an opportunity to get dressed up in your favorite fan gear and head out to work or other real-life events without judgment from the normies. However, these super-classy Citizen x Star Wars watches will let you rep your fandom all year without having to worry about going over the top. These are selling quickly today, so if you see a design you like, jump on it before some other super fan beats you to it.

Citizen Star Wars ANI-Digi Quartz Watch $276 (Was $395)

Citizen

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This hybrid watch offers two analog dials and two digital screens, so you can track two time zones, get the digital time, and get the temperature. It has a built-in alarm and light. Plus, the whole thing comes packed in a slick stainless steel case that elevates this way above plastic novelty watches other fans might be rocking.

Citizen Eco-Drive Star Wars Men’s Watch, Chewbacca Brown $238(Was $325)

Citizen

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You won’t find a ton of Star Wars merch you could wear to a formal gathering, but Citizen’s Death Star watch fits just fine with a tuxedo or whatever people wear to Comic Con. Plus, it’s just $238, compared to its $350 regular price. It’s a full-fledged Citizen Eco-Drive watch, which means it offers 100 meters of water resistance, and it never needs a battery change or winding as long as you give it some sunshine every once in a while. It’s the classiest piece of Star Wars merch you’ll find this side of those lightsaber cuff links your mom wouldn’t let you wear to your grandma’s 90th birthday party.

• Citizen Star Wars ANI-Digi Quartz Watch $276 (was $395)
• Citizen Eco-Drive Star Wars Men’s Watch, Stainless Steel with Orange Leather strap, Rebel Pilot $276(was $395)
• Citizen Eco-Drive Star Wars Quartz Men’s Watch, Stainless Steel with Leather strap, Millenium Falcon $281 (was $295) — I know this isn’t a huge deal, but it’s a very cool design
• Citizen Eco-Drive Star Wars Men’s Watch, Stainless Steel Mandalorian $256 (was $375)
• Citizen Eco-Drive Star Wars Quartz Men’s Watch, Stainless Steel with CORDURA® strap, Boba Fett $281 (was $375) — 32% off, a top deal
• Citizen Eco-Drive Star Wars Men’s Watch, Stainless Steel, Bespin $249 (was $375) — 34% off, a top deal
• Citizen Eco-Drive Star Wars Men’s Watch, Stainless Steel with Leather Strap, Han Solo $216 (was $325) — 34% off, a top deal

More Citizen watch deals

Maybe you don’t want to rock a Star Wars watch constantly. What if the person doing your next job interview is a Trekkie? That would be super awkward. Luckily, plenty of other Citizen watches are on sale at Amazon right now.

• Citizen CZ Smart Gold Ion Plated Stainless Steel Smartwatch $249 (was $395)
• Citizen CZ Smart Gen 1 Hybrid smartwatch 44mm $175 (was $350)
• Citizen CZ Smart Gen 1 Hybrid smartwatch 44mm $210 (was $350)
• Citizen Corso Eco-Drive Men’s Watch $187 (was $375)
• Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Promaster Land Chronograph Watch $487(was $650)
• Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Promaster Diver Watch $226 (was $325)
• Citizen Analog Black Dial Men’s Watch $89 (was $119)
• Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Promaster Air Nighthawk Pilot Watch in Stainless Steel $247 (was $395)
• Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Classic Chronograph Watch $274 (was $525)
• Citizen Men’s Quartz Dress Watch with Stainless $69 (was $179)

The post Amazon has Citizen x Star Wars watches on deep discount for May the 4th appeared first on Popular Science.

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

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

Tony Ware

SEE IT

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

Bose

SEE IT

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

Amazon

SEE IT

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

Brandt Ranj

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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

Tony Ware

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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 2023, tested and reviewed appeared first on Popular Science.

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A few years ago, I bought an Amazon Fire TV stick on Prime Day because it was really cheap. I chucked it in my travel bag, and I have used it countless times since then to stream my favorite content on random hotel TVs, at friends’ houses, and even one time at the office, just because I could. It saves me the trouble (and security risk) that comes with logging into public devices. Right now, you can also save money alongside your personal identifiable information because Amazon has all of its Fire TV Stick streaming devices for nearly 40% off, so there has never been a better time to get a streaming stick specifically for use on the road.

Fire TV Stick, $19 (Was $29)

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This is the most basic Fire TV Stick Amazon offers, but that’s perfect if you plan to chuck it in your bag and forget about it. This package includes a tiny Amazon Fire TV Stick with 8GB built-in storage and a basic remote for navigating the menus. I typically just use the app to navigate, however, so I don’t have to bother with the remote.

This Fire TV Stick’s Bluetooth connection also allows you to connect Bluetooth noise-canceling earbuds in case you’re traveling with someone else from work and you want to block out their incessant snoring with episodes of Super Store you’ve already seen a million times.

Fire TV Stick 4K Max, $34 (Was $54)

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If you don’t mind shelling out a few extra bucks, you can get the Fire TV Stick Max, which can output 4K content, navigates menus up to 40 percent faster, and comes with a more robust remote. It also has WiFi 6 compatibility, so if you have access to a faster network, you’ll actually be able to take advantage of it.

More Amazon Fire TV Stick deals

• Fire TV Cube $124 (Was $139)
• Fire TV Stick $24 (Was $39)
• Fire TV Stick 4K $31 (Was $49)

The post This $20 Amazon Fire TV Stick deserves a spot in your summer travel kit appeared first on Popular Science.

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Chances are, you learned to walk when you were just a toddler and you haven’t really thought about it much since. It’s easy to nerd out on other fitness activities, like running or weight lifting. But, walking is something we often take for granted.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, however, walking leveled up as an essential part of maintaining our mental and physical health. A simple stroll can go a long way to clear the mental cobwebs and stop your fitness tracker from screaming at you due to your Jabba the Hutt lifestyle.

Before you start putting in the miles, it’s worth taking a look at how you walk. After all, it’s a repetitive motion and thousands of steps per day can put a lot of stress on your entire body—not just your legs and feet. Here are some tips from orthopedic experts on how to go for a walk without abusing your body.

Understand the mechanics

Having a clear idea of what a step actually involves can help you visualize how to walk correctly. Every step happens in two phases: stance and swing. Jessica Rose, a professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Stanford University and director of the Motion & Gait Analysis Laboratory at the Lucille Packard Children’s Hospital provides the following description: “Typically, the stance phase starts with the leading foot making heel contact with the ground, followed by a heel-toe progression of the weight-bearing foot. The Swing phase starts with rapid hip, knee, and ankle flexion to clear the foot from the ground, the knee then rapidly extends to prepare for the next step. To assist with balance and forward momentum the arms swing in a reciprocal manner, the opposite arm swings forward with the leading foot. A single gait cycle of stance and swing typically lasts about 1-second.” Your brain does all of that instinctually, but understanding the parts can be valuable in assessing where you might have weaknesses and can help doctors assess any pain you’re having.

Pick the right shoes

Choosing the wrong pair of shoes can wreak havoc on your feet, obviously, but those ill-effects can travel all the way up your body. “There’s no perfect shoe for everyone,” says Lew Schon, Director of Orthopedic Innovation Institute of Foot and Ankle Reconstruction at Mercy Medical Center, “but stability is crucial. You don’t want to wear flip-flops or anything that isn’t tight to your foot. They can cause weird stresses and injure your skin.” Blisters from a shoe rubbing against your foot will end your walking initiative in a hurry.

When it comes to padding, though, more isn’t always better. If the sole is too soft, your foot can sink deeply into it and create awkward stresses on your bones and joints and make it difficult to balance. Dr. Schon recommends starting with a standard amount of padding and increasing its thickness if you have a higher body weight. Too much padding, however, can reduce the positive effect the repetitive impacts will have on bone density, which is especially important for older people.

Many shoe makers offer options with corrective structures to try and provide support in needed areas or even correct problems. “You can look at the sole of your shoes and see how your shoes are wearing,” says Wendi Weimar, Director, Sports Biomechanics Laboratory Lab at Auburn. “If they’re wearing too much on the inside, then you might need something that gives you a little more arch support. If they’re wearing more quickly at the heel and causing pain, then you might need a little more cushioning.” She’s careful, however, to explain that it’s not an exact science, especially when you’re doing it on your own. Adding arch support when you have a low arch isn’t necessarily going to fix the issue. A trained orthopedist will use testing and specialized tools.

If you’re unsure about the shape of your step, sticking with a neutral shoe is a good place to start unless you’re having specific pain or are getting a personal assessment.

Tie your shoes correctly

No matter what shoe you buy, tying it correctly will make a big difference in the way it performs. “For a typical eight-eyelet shoe, there are more than 200 ways to tie them based on your feet, walking pattern, and body composition,” says Weimar. “We have tied shoes of people with peripheral neuropathy and it has actually improved the condition. I wouldn’t have believed it if I didn’t see it.”

Weimar suggests starting with a tying pattern known as the runner’s loop, which helps to pull your foot back into the heel of the shoe to reduce its ability to move around. That will drastically cut down on blisters and reduce the chances of an awkward impact on the wrong part of the sole.

Pay attention to whether you’re favoring one side of your body

It’s possible for your body to have an injury that you won’t even notice and that can negatively affect your body with every step. “If you find that you lean to one side, this may indicate weakness, pain or injury on that side,” says Rose. “We lean over to the weak or painful side, shifting our center of mass to alleviate forces on that limb.” That imbalance can cause problems throughout the body.

If you start to recognize an imbalance, professionals don’t recommend trying to fix it by forcing yourself into the right position because that could make it worse. Rather, finding the underlying cause with a doctor can help eliminate the source of the problem rather than simply addressing the symptom.

Stand up straight

Slouching is almost universally bad, but that’s especially true during a walk. “You want to pull your shoulders back, keep your bum tucked underneath you, and your head parallel to the ground,” says Weimar. “When you lift your chin up and stop slouching, it will automatically help bring your head in line with your pelvis.” If you’re used to slouching at a desk all day (like I am) you may actually find that your back, neck, and shoulder muscles feel sore after a long walk since they’re not used to that kind of engagement.

In order to keep your body upright, muscles throughout your body have to activate. “It involves your abdominal muscles as well as your glutei,” says Rose.”They tend to get neglected, but they keep your trunk and pelvis in a good position.” That’s not to say that you have to squeeze your abs and butt as hard as possible as you walk, but they should be engaged, not relaxed.

Keeping your eyes up and parallel to the horizon will also help you keep your balance, which may suffer if you’re staring at a downward angle.

Don’t try to force your feet straight

Your feet likely have a natural angle that prevents them from facing perfectly straight ahead. “Your feet point where your legs tell them to,” says Rose. “It’s not something someone should try to correct on their own, but it is something they should try to understand where it’s coming from.” Forcing your feet forward against their natural rotation can put undue torque on the ankles, hips, and feet.

It can become an issue if you’re pushing off with the wrong part of your foot. ”We want the foot to become the best lever it can be. ” says Weimar. “When you roll off the front of your foot, you want the center of pressure to come off between your big toe and your second toe.” Pushing off too far to one side can cause common issues such as bunions.ei

Choose the right surface and location for walking

A walk around the neighborhood is great if you have the opportunity because it’s quick and doesn’t require driving. But streets aren’t perfectly flat—they’re sloped to improve drainage—and that uneven surface can be an issue in the long term. “Your outside leg strikes the ground lower than your inside leg. That leg close to the curb strikes lower which is going to cause a mismatched pelvic girdle position and get everything out of whack,” says Weimar. “If you walk out on the right side of the road, walk back on the other to try and even those things out.” She also recommends walking on the flatter part of the street instead of directly in the gutter if you can safely avoid it with traffic.

Walking on slightly irregular surfaces like trails can help build strength in the muscles and joints as your legs adapt to the irregular orientations of each strike. Dirt also provides a softer surface that won’t tax your feet and joints as much.

Hit the hills

Going up and down hills during your walk can crank up the cardiovascular benefits of a walk, but the technique changes slightly. “When you walk up a hill, you want to lean into the hill,” says Weimar. “You want your center of gravity to get a little bit in front of your feet so when you step, the propulsion part of your step is pushing your body up the hill.”

Coming down the hill requires a different kind of effort from your muscles. “That uses eccentric muscle action, which tends to be a lot tougher on the muscle than concentric,” says Weimar. “A lot of people will get sore from walking downhill because of that new loading pattern.” She recommends going slow and trying not to stomp your feet too hard into the ground.

Don’t over-stride

Once you’re a more experienced walker, it’s tempting to try and up your pace and distance. But doing too much can cause problems with your stride and limit your workout capabilities. Taking too big of a stride will require your pelvis to rotate too far to step out in front of you. Plus, as Weimar explains, “it puts stress on your lower back and puts a lot of stress on your heel as it impacts the ground. It also takes more energy to get your body up over that lead foot.” Increasing the overall speed of your steps can help you increase your pace without compromising your technique.

The post Walking correctly takes work—here’s how to improve every step appeared first on Popular Science.

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The Apple Watch is still far and away the most popular line of wearable devices in the world. According to analyst Counterpoint Research, it accounted for more than 30 percent of all smartwatches sold in 2021. The wider range of Apple Watches also contains the best overall smartwatches you can get right now if you’re looking for a “lifestyle” watch that blends fitness tracking, health features, and a secondary interface for notifications, texts, and calls from your phone. In 2022, however, Apple completely overhauled the Apple Watch line with a wave of three new models: the standard Apple Watch Series 8, the budget-friendly second-generation Apple Watch SE, and a new high-end sports watch, the Apple Watch Ultra. Between those three and all of the past models, which you can still find at Amazon and other retailers, you have many options if you’re considering your first Apple Watch or upgrading from an older design. Before you commit to putting a new computer on your wrist, we’ve put together this Apple Watch comparison to help you figure out how to pick the right one for you.

Apple Watch SE 2 vs. Series 8 vs. Ultra

For the most part, we think it’s prudent to focus on Apple’s current set of Watches. They have the latest and greatest tech inside—perfect to pair with that new iPhone 14 Pro Max. All three 2022 watches—even the relatively affordable SE—feature the same processor and motion sensors that enable car crash detection. The 2022 models will also get more watchOS software updates down the road, which means you can hold onto one (or more) longer before your Watch needs replacing. From cheapest to most expensive, here are the three current options and why you may or may not want them:

Apple Watch SE 2

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The newly remodeled Apple Watch SE is the budget-conscious choice. Starting at $249 for GPS or $299 for a cellular model, it offers much of the core functionality of the standard Apple Watch line, but it’s slightly smaller than the other recent Apple Watches. Its 40mm and 44mm face options match the Apple Watch 6. It also lacks some of the line’s more advanced sensors and features, including a blood oxygen sensor, temperature sensors, or an “always-on” display that keeps the screen partially lit even when it isn’t in use. It also cuts corners in other small ways compared to the standard Apple Watch, like ditching fast-charging.

At the same time, the second-generation SE comes closer to parity with the standard Apple Watch than the last generation. It features the same chipset inside and offers the same battery life. It offers the power and features to work effectively as a fitness tracker, sleep tracker, and iPhone companion device for most people. And it costs substantially less. If you just want an Apple Watch that works, and you don’t necessarily care about getting every kind of data, the SE 2 is probably the move.

Apple Watch Series 8

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In my mind, the Apple Watch Series 8 is the best smartwatch for most people. It offers a wide array of features, including nuanced tracking features for fitness and your overall health. Its upgraded sensor array allows it to track ECG-based heart rate readings, blood oxygen levels, and skin temperature as a means to monitor ovulation and provide enhanced menstrual cycle tracking. It also features a constellation of quality-of-life advantages over the SE 2, like a bigger case size—41mm and 45mm—with a larger, always-on display, which makes it easier to type on and check at a glance.

Starting at $399 for GPS or $499 for Cellular, the Apple Watch Series 8 is the definitive Apple Watch experience. If you plan to use the Apple Watch to monitor your health, the advanced sensors will make a notable difference in what you can track. Even on its most basic level, though, the improved screen, fast-charging, and other small improvements over the SE makes the Watch Series 8 more effective as a half-step for monitoring activity on your phone without actually stopping to pull it out.

Apple Watch Ultra

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The Apple Watch Ultra is the most powerful Apple Watch and, frankly, will be overkill for most people. The $799 Apple Watch Ultra is an outdoor-focused “sport” watch, similar to many of Garmin’s high-end wearables. Unlike the other Apple Watches, it’s only in one size—a huge 49mm case—with cellular support and dual-frequency GPS built in. It features a thicker, more durable build with a redesigned digital crown and an extra “Action” button to quickly start workouts and toggle other functions. 

The Ultra gets double the battery life of the other 2022 Apple Watches—36 hours versus 18 hours on the Series 8 and SE—which is great for everyone, but many of its features are designed for athletes and outdoorsy folk dealing with harsh conditions. Its powerful built-in speakers enable a loud SOS siren if you get lost in the woods. Improved waterproofing, certifications, and a dedicated app qualify it as a diving computer. The three-microphone array is burlier than normal to improve call clarity in situations with power interference from blizzards and powerful winds. It even has specialty bands for specific activities like diving and endurance training.

Given the difference in price and specificity of its feature set, you should only consider getting the Apple Watch Ultra if you are either a serious athlete or a fan of outdoor activities that require specialized equipment like climbing, off-trail hiking, and diving. If that sounds like your speed, you’re better off comparing the Apple Watch Ultra to the best Garmin smartwatches, as well as top picks from other brands like Suunto.

What about the older Apple Watches?

Though Apple’s lineup is limited to those three watches, there are still plenty of ways to get your hands on an older-model Apple Watch. If you aren’t concerned with getting a handful of new features in the Series 8, such as low-power mode, Car Crash Detection, and temperature sensors for ovulation tracking, the Apple Watch Series 7 is still a very appealing, very viable option. Likewise, the Apple Watch Series 6 gives you most of the same functionality as the Series 7 and Series 8, though you’ll be stuck with a smaller display, which makes a bigger difference than you think.

I would not recommend going further back than the Series 6 at this point. Independent of the features you’ll lose access to model by model, the older Apple Watches inevitably offer shorter lifespans. With every new version of watchOS, the Apple Watch’s operating system, the company will inevitably shut off support for each older watch, leaving you without access to new software-enabled features and security updates. It may be cheaper, but we can’t recommend you buy an Apple Watch Series 4, knowing that it will likely become obsolete in less than 12 months. And suppose you’re using an Apple Watch Series 3, which Apple sold until earlier this year but stopped supporting with watchOS 9. In that case, you should consider upgrading soon to ensure your watch remains secure, especially if you use it for Apple Pay.

What size watch face should you get?

The new Apple Watch SE offers two case sizes, 40mm and 44mm. Series 8 features a larger size range at 41mm and 45mm. The Apple Watch Ultra comes in a single, extra-large 49mm size. Though it sounds small, even a 1mm difference can feel quite striking on your wrist and looks substantially larger.

If you’re unsure what size would feel right, we recommend going to an Apple store or other retailer and trying all sizes on to see what feels right. If one Watch feels noticeably better than the others, go with it. A bigger screen is an upgrade, but it won’t matter if the Watch feels bulky or uncomfortable on your wrist. 

Which Apple smartwatch is the best fitness tracker?

The Apple Watch Ultra has special features that make it the best fitness tracker for certain kinds of athletes and workouts. The action button on the side of the watch makes it easier to switch between legs of a race or training if you’re in the middle of a multi-phase workout, for example. It also offers superior GPS for more accurate tracking while using the Apple Watch’s “Race Route” feature to create and follow a work routine.

That said, in terms of heart tracking and data collection, the Apple Watch Series 8 and Apple Watch Ultra feature the same sensors for tracking your heart rate and movement. If you’re looking for a watch to bring to the gym or track your outdoor runs, the Series 8 is probably the right call.

Is the stainless steel Apple Watch upgrade worth it?

In addition to the standard recycled aluminum body, you can pay extra for an Apple Watch Series 8 made from stainless steel. The Apple Watch Ultra features a highly durable titanium body. Both metals are tougher than aluminum and won’t scratch or dent as easily. Perhaps more importantly, the stainless steel Series 8 and the Ultra come with an extra-hard sapphire crystal over the display. Having worn both models extensively, I can say that the sapphire crystal upgrade clearly resists scratches and damage better than the Ion-X glass used in the standard Series 8 and SE 2 displays. We haven’t had any problems with scratches or breakage with the Ion-X glass, though, so it isn’t a huge concern if you’re not putting it in harm’s way regularly. 

Of course, that extra durability—and the additional colorways—will cost you. The stainless steel case models start at $699, and the Apple Watch Ultra costs $799. If you plan to keep one watch for a long time, the additional durability may be worth it. That said, you shouldn’t worry about your watch being highly fragile if you don’t.

Do you need cellular data on the Apple Watch?

When making your own Apple Watch comparison, whether or not you need cellular data is a major feature difference between models. The Watch itself costs more with cellular built-in: it’s a $50 premium for the SE and an extra $100 on the Series 8. Then you’ll have to factor in the cost of the data itself. Most carriers will charge you about $10 per month extra to add basic data to your Watch. Check with your carrier for compatibility before making a purchase. 

That extra expense may be worth it for some people because it allows them to use many Apple Watch features without lugging around an iPhone. So, if you run without a phone, you can still make calls and listen to music from streaming services. 

So, which Apple Watch should you buy?

I can think of many specific reasons to pick each of the newer Apple Watches. The Apple Watch SE 2 is cost-effective and does most of the things you really need. The Apple Watch Series 8 is the best complement to everyday life and offers all kinds of sensors for advanced health and fitness tracking. For the right kind of hiker/athlete/diver/outdoorsman who wants the very best Apple Watch, the Apple Watch Ultra delivers incredible utility and best-in-class versions of core functions like GPS and battery life.

Without any information about you, dear reader, we think the Apple Watch Series 8 offers the best balance between price and functionality. If that doesn’t ring true, if there are things you really want (or don’t want) that steer you to another watch, we totally get it. That’s why we made this Apple Watch comparison. The important thing is finding the Apple Watch that fits your life.

The post Apple Watch comparison: Which one is right for you? appeared first on Popular Science.

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If you’ve spent time on TikTok lately, you’ve probably seen influencers using the Ninja CREAMi 7-in-1 ice cream maker. It’s a seemingly magical machine that turns a frozen protein shake, fruit, milk (or nut/oat “milk”), and anything else you can cram into a pint-sized container into perfectly smooth ice cream. It’s one of the few viral kitchen gadgets that truly delivers on its lofty promise, and Amazon has it for $159 right now, a huge discount from its typical $229 price.

Ninja CREAMi, $159 (Was $239)

Ninja

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If you’ve ever used an at-home ice cream machine, you know how frustrating the process can be. You typically need salt and tons of time for it to churn. Then it freezes too hard, and you don’t want to eat it, so the whole process was a waste. The CREAMi is different. You freeze your sweet concoction in the included pint-sized container for 24 hours. Then, you lock the container into the machine, and a precisely shaped spinning blade mashes its way through the solid block, turning it into a smooth ice cream, smoothie bowl, or sorbet.

It can take a little tweaking to get your recipe and your process just right, but I’m absolutely infatuated with it at the moment. I typically add a single Fair Life protein shake and a few tablespoons of dry peanut butter, or some regular Fair Life milk and some Oreo-flavored Ghost protein. The whole process takes roughly two minutes and, while it’s absurdly loud, it truly delivers on its promise. If you regularly eat Halo Top or other lower-calorie ice creams at $6 a pop, this thing is a total game changer.

More kitchen deals from Amazon

Maybe you don’t need an ice cream maker, or you’re already part of the CREAMi Crew (an online group I just made up for people who like to eat mashed-up frozen protein shakes). That’s cool. Amazon has several other kitchen deals ready to clutter up your countertop in the best way possible:

• NutriBullet ZNBF30500Z Blender Combo 1200 Watt $103 (Was $149)
• Vitamix E310 Explorian Blender, Professional-Grade, 48 oz. Container, Slate $289 (Was $349)
• Vitamix 5200 Blender Professional-Grade, Self-Cleaning 64 oz Container $379 (Was $549)
• De’Longhi EC885M Dedica Arte Espresso Machine,35 Fluid Ounces $249 (Was $399)
• De’Longhi La Specialista Arte EC9155MB, Espresso Machine with Grinder $494 (Was $699)
• De’Longhi Magnifica Evo, Fully Automatic Machine Bean to Cup Espresso Cappuccino and Iced Coffee Maker $599 (Was $758)
• De’Longhi EC9355M La Specialista Prestigio Espresso Machine $699 (Was $899)
• Get up to 50 percent off kitchen tools and utensils from KitchenAid

The post Save $70 on the Ninja CREAMi at Amazon and become an ice cream influencer appeared first on Popular Science.

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

If you’re in the market for an iPad, then the iPad Air (2022) is probably your best option if you can afford the upgrade from the base model. Right now, Amazon has the 64GB 2022 iPad Air for $499, which is $100 cheaper than its usual $599 price. The upgraded 256GB version is down to $649 from $749. Think of it like you’re basically getting a free Apple Pencil (which is also on sale right now for $112, down from $129). Several other iPad models are also on sale right now, so keep scrolling if you’re looking for a new device for watching TikToks slightly bigger than they would be on your phone.

iPad Air (2022), $499 (Was $599)

Mike Epstein

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When it comes to iPads, the Air represents a very solid middle ground that should appeal to most users. It sports the M1 chip inside, making it more powerful than the standard $329 iPad. That’s crucial if you plan to do any creative work like photo or video editing. It’s also convenient if you plan to play games. The cheaper iPad also doesn’t work with the latest Apple Pencil, so charging it (and storing it since it doesn’t magnetically attach to the device) is a pain. The iPad Air also offers Touch ID on the power button, a nice upgrade from the original.

The same-size iPad Pro does offer a few advantages, like Thunderbolt compatibility in the USB-C port for connecting external drives and a more advanced camera array. But, unless you’re doing heavy-duty creative work or trying to replace a laptop fully, you may not need those features anyway.

The iPad Air isn’t the cheapest model or the most powerful, but that’s what makes it such a great option for the vast majority of people who want to watch content, browse the web, and occasionally rest a sandwich on it as you walk from the kitchen back to your desk during lunch.

More iPad and Apple device deals

• Apple 2023 Mac Mini Desktop Computer M2 chip with 8‑core CPU and 10‑core GPU $499 (Was $599)
• Apple 2021 10.2-inch iPad (Wi-Fi, 64GB) – Silver (9th Generation) $269 (Was $329)
• 2021 Apple iPad 9th Gen (10.2 inch, Wi-Fi + Cellular, 64GB) Space Gray (Renewed) $293 (Was $399)
• 2021 Apple 11-inch iPad Pro (Wi‑Fi, 128GB) – Silver (Renewed) $639 (Was $1,199)
• Apple 2021 12.9-inch iPad Pro (Wi‑Fi, 128GB) $899 (Was $1,099)
• Apple 2021 11-inch iPad Pro (Wi-Fi, 256GB) $779 (Was $899)
• Apple 2022 MacBook Air Laptop with M2 chip $1,049 (Was $1,199)
• 2022 Apple MacBook Pro Laptop with M2 chip (13-inch, 8GB RAM, 256GB SSD) Space Gray (Renewed) $999 (Was $1,199)
• Late 2021 Apple MacBookPro with Apple M1 Pro chip (16 inch, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) Silver (Renewed) $1,689 (Was $2,399)
• Apple 2021 MacBook Pro (14-inch, M1 Pro chip with 10‑core CPU and 16‑core GPU, 16GB RAM, 1TB SSD) $1,999 (Was $2,499). [According to Amazon, this is a “new price,” so we would expect to see this price stick around for a while.]

The post The best iPad for most people is back down to its lowest price ever at Amazon appeared first on Popular Science.

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When they debuted a few years ago, the LG C-series OLED TVs quickly established an impeccable reputation for their vibrant color reproduction, exceptional contrast ratio, and minimalist design. The C2 carries on that tradition, and Amazon currently has several sizes of this killer TV for their lowest prices in … well, forever. That includes the 65-inch model for just $1,396 and the 55-inch display for $1,066. The 48-inch is the real standout, however.

LG C2 55-inch OLED TV, $826 (Was $1,299)

LG

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Just a few years ago, a thousand dollars wouldn’t get you an OLED TV in any size. Now, Amazon has one of the best around for just $826. The C-series TVs offer a ton of desirable bells and whistles that lower-end models miss out on. This TV has four HDMI 2.1 ports, which means any socket will let you get the most out of high-res, high-frame-rate devices like the PS5 or the Xbox Series X. Want to play games at 4K 120 fps? This TV can handle it, no problem. It also supports NVIDIA G-SYNC, FreeSync Premium, and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR), which helps fast-action games run without on-screen weirdness or lag.

This TV offers LG’s a9 Gen 5 processor, which excels at upscaling content to fill the entire 4K resolution. Plus, you get access to Filmmaker Mode, which dials in the TV’s color and brightness settings to make movies look as close to the creator’s original vision as possible. This isn’t just an OLED TV. It uses LG’s OLED evo tech, which makes the picture even brighter than a typical OLED.

This is one of the best TVs on the market full-stop, and this is definitely one of the best prices we’ve seen for most of these sizes. These will likely sell out at this price, so don’t sleep on it.

More OLED TV deals

While we’re big fans of the LG C2 OLED, there are some other OLED TVs currently on sale. Here are the ones worth your consideration:

• LG B2 55-inch OLED TV $996 (Was $1,096)
• SAMSUNG 55-Inch Class OLED 4K S95B Series $1,299 (Was $2,197)
• Sony OLED 77-inch BRAVIA XR A80K Series 4K Ultra HD TV $2,898 (Was $3,199)
• Sony OLED 65-inch BRAVIA XR A80K Series 4K Ultra HD TV $1,798 (Was $2,299)
• LG 77-Inch Class OLED B2 Series TV $1,899 (Was $2,296)
• LG 65-Inch Class OLED B2 Series TV $1,099 (Was $1,496)
• Sony 55 Inch 4K Ultra HD TV A95K Series $2,498 (Was $2,999)
• LG Signature 88-inch Class OLED Z2 Series 8K Smart TV $25,493 (Was $25,899. I know this one isn’t a huge discount, but it would be pretty crazy if you bought a $25,000 TV because you saw this post. Also, thanks for reading this far.)

The post Get one of the best OLED TVs for less than $1,000 right now at Amazon appeared first on Popular Science.

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Nothing levels up a home’s outdoor space as effectively as a fire pit. Right now, PopSci readers can save 33% off of BioLite’s FirePit+ by entering the code POPSCI33 at checkout. This deal runs from April 17 – 24, so don’t sleep on it.

BioLite FirePit+ $199 (Was $299)

BioLite

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Most fire pits offer little more than a metal bucket in which you can burn sticks. BioLite’s FirePit+, however, offers tons of extra features to earn that plus in its name. A built-in 12,800 mAh battery powers a series of 51 air jets that pump a precise amount of oxygen into your fire. That makes starting it simpler and allows for a more consistent burn without billowing smoke. The dedicated app allows a smartphone to control the size of the flame via built-in Bluetooth connectivity. The battery can last up to 30 hours before you’ll need to pop it off and attach it to a USB cable to charge.

All that technology is nice, but the fire is the real star—and the FirePit+ provides an excellent view of it. The long side of the pit employs an enamel-coated mesh material that lets you see the whole fire, not just the flames that creep out over the top edge. This design also helps heat radiate outward to provide extra warmth on crisp nights.

In addition to its fire pit duties, the BioLite can quickly and easily convert into a charcoal cooker. Chuck some charcoal into the burn chamber and add the included cooking grate to turn it into a full-fledged wood-and-charcoal grill. No more dangling your hot dogs over the open flame on an old stick.

It’s a perfect blend of simplicity and sophistication that allows you and your friends to gather around the fire and tell stories or quietly watch TikTok on your respective phones in the great outdoors. And don’t forget to enter the code POPSCI33 at checkout to get it for its cheapest price ever.

The post PopSci readers can get 33% off the BioLite FirePit+ with this exclusive deal appeared first on Popular Science.

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When it comes to surprisingly sophisticated nerd merch, Citizen watches have really raised the bar. A few weeks ago, we shared Amazon’s sale on the company’s Star Wars-themed watches. Now, Amazon is offering solid discounts on Marvel-themed timepieces. They still come with plenty of nerd credibility, but many of them are subtle enough that you could easily wear them to a formal occasion. So, next time you go hulk smash a dance floor when the wedding band plays “Brick House,” you can actually rep the Incredible Hulk at the same time.

Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Marvel Spider Man Watch in Stainless Steel $256 (was $395)

Citizen

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This is my personal favorite watch in the Citizen Marvel offerings and this is the cheapest it has been in months. The blue-and-red face has a subtle web design and a small Spider Man logo in one of the complications. It comes on a very mature stainless steel bracelet with a solid fold-over clasp and should age really nicely. The 44mm face is chunky enough to make it stand out, but not so huge that it looks ridiculous.

This is a full-on Eco-Drive watch, so it doesn’t require battery changes or winding. It draws power from light. Plus, this watch offers a 60-minute chronograph and the date. It’s an adult timepiece with a fun theme.

At a super quick glance, it evokes the red-and-blue Rolex Pepsi models, which will run you tens of thousands of dollars. For $256, we’re OK with the Citizen not actually shooting webs. For $40,000, though, the Rolex should absolutely provide some kind of super power.

More Marvel x Citizen watch deals at Amazon

If you’re not a big Spider Man fan (because you’re J. Jonah Jameson or otherwise), Citizen also has watches dedicated to other heroes. Here are some that are on sale at Amazon right now.

• Citizen Eco-Drive Marvel Men’s Dress Watch $191 (was $295)
• Citizen Men’s Marvel Thor Eco-Drive Watch $227 (was $350)
• Citizen Eco-Drive Marvel Quartz Men’s Watch $243 (was $375)
• Citizen Watches Men’s Black Panther $373 (was $550)
• Citizen Men’s Eco-Drive Marvel Black Panther Watch in Super Titanium $359 (was $595)
• Citizen Eco-Drive Marvel Men’s Watch, Stainless Steel with Polyurethane Strap $129 (was $350)
• Citizen Eco-Drive Marvel Quartz Men’s Watch $382 (was $595)
• Citizen Eco-Drive Marvel Quartz Men’s Watch $243 (was $350)
• Citizen Eco-Drive Marvel Quartz Mens Watch $191 (was $295)

The post Amazon has Citizen’s surprisingly classy Marvel-themed watches on sale right now appeared first on Popular Science.

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3D printing can be intimidating. The learning curve seems relatively steep, and every failed print costs you money in the form of wasted filament and holes punched in your walls out of frustration. Once you get the hang of it, though, creating objects out of data is addicting. Before you know it, you’ll be churning out fun, useful, and really weird objects with ease. Today, Amazon has the Creality Ender 3 3D printer on sale for just $179, the lowest price we’ve seen since Black Friday.

Creality Ender 3 3D Printer $179 (Was $269)

Creality

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The Creality Ender 3 is a filament-based 3D printer, which means it pulls plastic (of various varieties) off spools and extrudes it through a print head in precise patterns. This printer is large enough to print objects that measure 8.66″ x 8.66″ x 9.84″. That’s plenty of room for gaming miniatures or whatever other nerdy things you can think of.

We particularly like this model because it’s relatively simple to operate but runs on open-source software. So, you can quickly get up and running with your prints or dig into the code and make things as complex as you want. It even includes some very handy features, like a resume print option that allows it to pick up where it left off in case of a power outage or some other interruption.

Perhaps the best part is that the whole thing assembles with roughly 20 nuts in a process that takes less than two hours. Assembling 3D printers can feel like an engineering project all its own, but this one makes it as simple as possible.

More 3D printer deals

• Creality Official HALOT-ONE (CL-60) Resin 3D Printer $159 (Was $199)
• Official Creality Ender 3 V2 Upgraded 3D Printer with Silent Motherboard $279 (Was $319)
• Official Creality Ender 3 V2 Neo 3D Printer with CR Touch Auto Leveling Kit $319 (Was $399)
• Snapmaker 2.0 Modular 3-in-1 3D Printer A350T/A250T with One Black PLA Filament $1,199 (With coupon, was $1,499)
• ANYCUBIC Photon M3 Max Resin 3D Printer $959 (Was $1,299)
• Geeetech Mizar M 3D Printer, Dual Extruder printer $479 (Was $599)
• Creality Resin 3D Printer Halot-Lite 8.9″ Monochrome $194 (Was $229)

The post Save $90 on Creality’s open-source 3D printer today at Amazon appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		Kindle Oasis		SEE IT	If you’re looking for a feature-rich eReader, read no further.
Best for PDF		Kindle Paperwhite		SEE IT	This eReader offers one of the easiest-to-read screens you’ll find.
Best for library books		Kobo Clara 2E		SEE IT	Borrowing books could not be simpler than with this device.

An eReader is more than a convenient way to carry an entire collection of James Paterson novels onto an airplane. Today’s eReaders are sophisticated tablets capable of displaying text and images in a wide variety of eye-friendly ways. The screens are stunning, with sharp text that looks just like real ink and paper. These displays separate the best eReaders from tablets, making them the best way to read digital books.

Today’s eReaders are friendly and inviting. They encourage reading and provide services and apps you won’t find on traditional smartphones and tablets. With the best eReader, you’ll access books, audiobooks, magazines, and more in a format dedicated to useability and your eyes.

• Best overall: Kindle Oasis
• Best for kids: Fire 7 Kids Tablet, 7″ Display, 16 GB, Blue Kid-Proof Case
• Best for seniors: Amazon Kindle
• Best for PDFs: Kindle Paperwhite
• Best for manga: Kobo Sage
• Best for library books: Kobo Clara 2E
• Best for students: Kindle Scribe
• Best color eReader: BOOX Nova3 Color 7.8 ePaper Color Digital Paper Tablet
• Best Kobo eReader: Kobo Libra 2
• Best budget: Kobo Nia

How we chose the best eReaders

The writers and editors working on this article have spent thousands of hours reading on paper books and electronic devices. We’ve felt the sting of tired eyes and are glad to leave the world of papercuts behind. 

Taking a critical look at eReaders starts with display clarity. These devices are designed for easy reading, and the best of the bunch must have an impressive, crisp look as close to analog ink and paper text as possible. 

Most eReaders on the market offer similar stats for battery life and storage space, so we focused on the factors that separate the readers—namely screen lights, screen size, and file options. An eReader must be as easy to see as it is to navigate, and generic budget-priced eReaders are notoriously clunky with interfaces that look more like a calculator screen than a soothing, inviting digital library. We ran through the eReader menus, checking for speed and intuitiveness. If we hit a roadblock and had to click the “help” function to figure out what to do, it was a big red flag for casual readers. 

Lastly, we considered price. Devices over $250 must have something special to offer (like a color display), or why spend the money? And devices less than $70 seem sketchy from the start and will likely crash regularly. 

The best eReaders: Reviews & Recommendations

But with so many eReaders on the market, it can be difficult to find the device that suits your needs and your reading habits. Do you want an eReader with a clean, simple interface? Do you want an eReader with a lot of file options? Do you want an eReader for teens or younger children? One of the below eReaders should check all your boxes so you can spend more time reading and less time searching the internet for the best eReaders.

Best overall: Kindle Oasis

Amazon

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Why it made the cut: Amazon’s newest Kindle Oasis eReader is the best eReader overall because it adds even more lighting options for a variety of color temperatures and displays crisp text on a big screen ideal for tired and weary eyes. 

Specs

• Screen size: 7-inch screen 
• Waterproof: Yes
• Resolution: 300 ppi
• Front light: 25 LED lights
• Storage: 8 or 32 GB

Pros

• Big, beautiful screen
• More LED lights than any other eReader
• Controls feel great

Cons

• No speaker or headphone jack (Bluetooth headphones only)
• Price is steep
• Not a huge upgrade from the previous Oasis eReader

The latest Kindle Oasis might be the best eReader overall. The screen is bigger than the standard 6-inch display of most Readers, with a resolution of 300 ppi (pixels per inch)—the sweet spot for crisp text. And the new LED lights can be automatically adjusted to suit your eyes and environment. The result is a stunning display that looks just as good in a dark room as on a sunny beach. 

The Oasis is not cheap, costing twice as much as a Kindle Paperwhite. The bigger, brighter screen is worth the money if you spend a lot of looking at screens, and the physical controls make it the best Kindle if you prefer a more tactile experience. Page-turning is instant; even switching from book to menu screen is done with surprising speed and smoothness. Highlighting passages is also fast and simple. 

Audiobook fans will need to provide their own Bluetooth speakers or headphones, as there is no speaker or headphone jack on the device. But if you want a device to listen to audiobooks, your smartphone is probably better equipped for the job. At just under $250 for the 8 GB version, this luxury Kindle is for serious readers who want a professional, high-quality text-based experience. 

Best for kids: Fire 7 Kids Tablet, 7″ Display, 16 GB, Blue Kid-Proof Case

Amazon

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Why it made the cut: The Amazon Fire 7 Kids tablet has a colorful rubber case and reinforced body that makes this an easy pick as the best eReader for kids. 

Specs

• Screen size: 7-inch screen 
• Waterproof: No
• Resolution: 171 ppi
• Front light: Yes; LEDs unknown
• Storage: 16 or 32 GB

Pros

• User-friendly parental controls
• Sturdy case
• Lots of apps and options
• Long-lasting battery

Cons

• Expensive for a kid-themed gadget
• Included apps can be too childish
• Used less as an eReader and more as a regular tablet

Finding an eReader that’s kid-proof can be tough. Amazon Fire 7, the eReader for kids is more of a multi-function tablet than a simple eReader, but you’re getting a lot of computing power in a child-friendly case. Amazon does offer a child-themed Kindle Reader called the Kindle Kids, but for $10 less, you can get a full-blown Fire tablet. It can be used to read books if you only want to use the bare minimum of the Fire’s potential. 

For parents, setting up the tablet is easy and keeps things safe and secure. You can limit social media and web access or ban it altogether. It comes with a year of Amazon Kids+, a subscription service that gives you (and your kids) access to thousands of books, games, and more. The 7-inch screen is bright and colorful—perfect for engaging young readers getting the hang of words. And the battery lasts about 7 hours on a full charge, so it’ll be a useful tool for all-day use. 

The case is thick and can withstand typical bumps and spills. The built-in stand is great for setting up on a table or desk. 

Best for seniors: Amazon Kindle

Amazon

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Why it made the cut: The iconic Amazon Kindle is still one of the best eReaders for any age, but seniors will especially love the reading light, the user-friendly text options, and the low price. 

Specs

• Screen size: 6-inch screen
• Waterproof: No
• Resolution: 300 ppi
• Front light: 4 LEDs
• Storage: 16 GB

Pros

• 4-week battery life when used for 30 minutes a day
• Affordable
• Simple design with no screen clutter
• Robust text size, spacing, and style options

Cons

• Front lights not as bright or bigger than others on this list
• No video features

The Amazon Kindle has come a long way since the first generation of eReaders. The most recent model added front lights for easy reading in the dark. The e-ink screen looks great even in sunlight, and the fonts can be adjusted to suit the reader’s needs, making it the best eReader for seniors. 

Seniors will love the simplicity of the basic Kindle. The menu screens are barebones, and browsing the library is straightforward. Buying books is also a breeze, but make sure the readers understand how it works before they unknowingly rack up thousands of dollars in John Grisham debt.  

The Amazon Kindle can also be used as an audiobook player, and a subscription to Audible makes listening to books cost-effective. But there is no internal speaker, so you need some noise-cancelling Bluetooth earbuds (or a wireless speaker if you’re in a quiet place). We wish the screen were a bit bigger, as some seniors will still have trouble seeing the 6-inch display even when the size of the text is blown up. The next biggest Kindle size would be the Oasis, an upscale device that costs more than double the price of the standard Kindle. Save your money and stick with the affordable option. 

Best for PDFs: Kindle Paperwhite

Stan Horaczek

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Why it made the cut: The Amazon Paperwhite is not only thin, it has enough storage to load up thousands of PDFs, and the little eReader has no problem displaying PDFs on its gorgeous e-ink screen. 

Specs

• Screen size: 6.8-inch screen
• Waterproof: Yes
• Resolution: 300 ppi
• Front light: 17 LEDs
• Storage: 8 or 16 GB

Pros

• Easy to add and read PDFs without lag
• Lightweight and thin enough for pockets
• Screen looks good even in sunlight

Cons

• Can’t read every file format, such as EPUB
• Easy to lose
• Must connect to a computer for file transfer

The Kindle Paperwhite represents a sweet spot for readers with a bit more cash to spend on an Amazon eReader for a few noticeable creature comforts. The 6.8-inch, 300 ppi screen may not seem like a huge improvement over the base model’s 6-inch display, but that extra fraction of an inch actually translates into more words on screen and fewer page turns during each reading session. That translates into thousands or even millions fewer turns over the device’s lifespan. The screen is still exceptionally sharp and clear—there’s just more of it (as I go into in detail in my full review).

The Paperwhite relies on 17 LEDs for its illumination, compared to just four in the standard Kindle. You can also adjust the color temperature of the Paperwhites LEDs to give either warm or cool tones.

For readers who want to consume their literature (or pulp) in the bath or at the beach, the Paperwhite’s IPX8 rating allows it to survive full submersion in freshwater (up to an hour) or seawater (up to three minutes). The standard Kindle doesn’t offer any real weatherproofing.

The Paperwhite generally offers a fairly great reading experience. The pages turn quickly, the navigation has been streamlined from previous versions, and it finally offers USB-C charging. Hence, you’re one step closer to finally recycling all those old MicroUSB cables.

I personally opted for the ad-supported version, which shows advertisements on the lock screen in exchange for a $20 discount on the device itself. That may not be worth it for you if your brain hasn’t become as hopelessly desensitized to ads as mine has.

Best for manga: Kobo Sage

Kobo

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Why it made the cut: The Kobo Sage can handle just about every file format you want, a huge plus for Manga readers whose taste goes beyond Amazon’s limited offerings. And the big display makes art and text look great.

Specs

• Screen size: 8-inch screen
• Waterproof: Yes
• Resolution: 300 ppi
• Front light: Yes; LEDs unknown
• Storage: 32 GB

Pros

• Big 8-inch screen
• Looks good in wide landscape mode
• Supports multiple file formats
• Nice, tactile buttons for easy page turning

Cons

• Buttons can feel a little slow
• Black and white only
• Expensive

Japanese graphic novels (manga) come in every genre imaginable from a wide variety of sources, so you’ll want an eReader that can handle every type of file format to read it all. The Kobo Sage’s large e-ink screen makes black-and-white manga look great, almost as good as physical paper. And holding the Kobo Sage sideways in landscape mode adds to the feeling of reading a real graphic novel. 

The Kobo Sage is the best eReader for manga because it can read comic book files CBZ and CBR, plus ebook files EPUB, EPUB3, MOBI, FilePub, and PDFs. Navigating through a comic is easy, thanks to the side buttons. And the front lights allow for nighttime reading. It’s also waterproof for those who love to read at the beach or pool.

The biggest drawbacks are the price and the lack of color. For reading colorful American comics, you’ll be better off with a standard tablet like an iPad. However, this eReader does look better in sunlight than the glossy screen of an iPad. And manga fans will love the Koba Sage, even with the limitations. 

Best for library books: Kobo Clara 2E

Kobo

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Why it made the cut: For accessing and reading library books, the Kobo Clara 2E has a seamless interface with the library app Overdrive. If you love the library, this ebook reader gives you access to near-limitless free books. 

Specs

• Screen size: 6-inch screen
• Waterproof: Yes
• Resolution: 300 ppi
• Front light: Yes; LEDs unknown
• Storage: 16 GB

Pros

• Comes ready for Overdrive library app
• Great screen looks like a real book
• A lot of text and display options

Cons

• Title offerings may be limited based on what your local library has available
• No cloud storage or syncing to other devices

OverDrive and its Libby app make it easier than ever to borrow books from your local library, and the Kobo Clara 2E eReader is the best eReader for library books. Sure, the Kindle can also link up to OverDrive and Libby, but if the library has a book incompatible with the Kindle, you’re out of luck. Kobo eReaders are better suited for displaying a variety of file formats. 

Simply search for your library in the app or the OverDrive website, plug in your library card info, and you’ll be set. The Kobo Clara 2E is ready to borrow books from your library of choice … assuming your library participates in the OverDrive program. (Most libraries do, and more are added every month.) 

Besides the library functionality, the Kobo Clara 2E is a big improvement over older Kobo products. The display is crisper, and the touchscreen is responsive. Kobo may lack the streamlined UX design of the sleek and simple Kindle, but you’re getting more options and greater freedom to buy, borrow and read the books of your choice. 

Best for students: Kindle Scribe

Brandt Ranj

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Why it made the cut: An easy-to-use interface and note-taking abilities mean you can use this eReader in and out of class.

Specs

• Screen size: 10.2-inch screen
• Waterproof: No
• Resolution: 300 ppi
• Front light: 35 LEDs
• Storage: 16, 32, or 64 GB

• 10.2-inch screen
• 35 LEDs
• 300 ppi resolution

Pros

• Big, beautiful display
• High refresh rate
• Easy-to-use interface

Cons

• Expensive
• Only available with a stylus

The Scribe is Amazon’s first big-screen Kindle in over a decade, and this return to form should be welcomed by digital readers everywhere. The Scribe’s 10.2-inch display has the same 300 ppi screen density as its smaller siblings, making text look as crisp as ever. The screen also refreshes at the same rate, which means you can turn pages quickly without seeing long-lasting artifacts from the previous one on your screen. 

Similarly, the Scribe has the same intuitive, gesture-based user interface as other Kindles, so you’ll be right at home if you’re familiar with any of Amazon’s eReaders. If you already have a collection of Kindle books, they’ll be available on the Scribe from the moment you first activate it, which is very helpful. 

If all you want is a big-screen Kindle, you’re in luck: the Scribe gets full marks in this regard. Unfortunately, Amazon designed this eReader with a secondary purpose: note-taking. The Kindle Scribe is bundled with a basic or premium stylus, depending on how much you pay. Tapping the screen with your stylus allows you to create digital, handwritten notes, which you can refer back to later. You can annotate e-books and PDFs synced to your Kindle Scribe or create original notes on a blank canvas that can be accessed through the cloud. 

Annotation on the Kindle Scribe works well enough, but it feels like this feature should be optional rather than mandatory. A Kindle Scribe with 16GB of storage and the Basic Pen runs costs $340. That’s tough to swallow if you don’t see yourself using the Scribe to write very often, if at all. A $300 basic Scribe with no pen would be easier to recommend. Still, if you have a library of Kindle books and want a large-screen eReader, you can’t go wrong with this one.

Best color eReader: BOOX Nova Air C Color Version 7.8 E Ink Tablet

BOOX

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Why it made the cut: While color e-ink technology is still in its infancy, the Boox Nova Air C eReader is leading the pack with a good color display and responsive touchscreen, making it the best of this limited marketplace. 

Specs

• Screen size: 7.8-inch screen
• Waterproof: No
• Resolution: 118 ppi
• Front light: Yes; LEDs unknown
• Storage: 32 GB

Pros

• Blue and green colors pop
• Handles all standard file types
• Stylus is good for taking notes

Cons

• Costs as much as an iPad but does less
• Yellows and reds look dim
• Needs constant adjustments to fine-tune colors

Color e-ink displays are almost ready for the average consumer … almost. The Boox Nova Air C is a step in the right direction, and while it doesn’t do everything perfectly, it’s the best color eReader for those who want more than gray-on-gray text.

The Kaleido Plus color screen of the Boox Air C uses light filtering to create colors, not actual color microcapsules. You’re looking at monochrome microcapsules through a layer of filters to create color. The result is a muted color, but it looks more like paper than a glossy iPad screen. If you like that newsprint aesthetic, this is a perfect eReader. But if you’re expecting the vividness of an Android or Apple tablet, you will be disappointed. 

As a regular, black-and-white eReader, the Boox does a good enough job, but you’re paying extra for the color functionality. And if you’re not interested in the color, there’s not much else this eReader offers that you can’t find in cheaper devices like the Kindle or the Kobo products. The only other benefit of this device is the stylus; it’s responsive and a good eReader for annotations and jotting notes. The color ink Kaledio Plus technology was brand new for 2021, and it’s still cream of the crop in terms of color variety and speed. We don’t know when or if color e-ink will ever be perfected, so this is the best color eReader of the bunch as of now. 

Best Kobo eReader: Kobo Libra 2

Kobo

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Why it made the cut: The Kobo Libra 2 is the best Kobo eReader and the biggest Kindle competitor on the market, with a stunning display and responsive controls worthy of any digital bookworm.

Specs

• Screen size: 7-inch screen
• Waterproof: Yes
• Resolution: 300 ppi
• Front light: Yes; LEDs unknown
• Storage: 32 GB

Pros

• Physical page-turning buttons
• Bright screen in the dark
• Text looks fantastic

Cons

• Not as user-friendly as Kindle
• Feels a bit slow

The Kobo Libra 2 is the company’s flagship device, the best Kobo eReader for casual reading or intense studying. It feels good in your hand, not like a cheap, knock-off product you buy at a drugstore. Page-turning feels great, and while the touch screen is nice, the buttons are nicer. We wish more eReaders offered the tactile feel of real, physical controls.

The 32 GB internal storage is massive and has enough room for about 24,000 books. The adjustable screen light is a great addition to the Kobo eReaders, and can be used to pick the perfect amount of illumination for night readers. 

Browsing the Kobo library is simple, though not as intuitive as the Kindle store. But the Kobo does support more file types than the Kindle, which is a plus for those who love EPUB books. And the Kobo Libra 2 easily connects to your local library through OverDrive. 

Best budget: Kobo Nia

Amanda Reed

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Why it made the cut: Access to ad-free reading and flexible file access is only a little over $100.

Specs

• Screen size: 6-inch screen
• Waterproof: No
• Resolution: 212 ppi
• Front light: Yes; LEDs unknown
• Storage: 8 GB

Pros

• Thin and lightweight
• Glare-free screen
• Connects to OverDrive

Cons

• Syncing issues
• Not waterproof

Technically, this eReader costs around $10 more than the base model of the Amazon Kindle. However, on-screen ads are a different price to pay if you want that sweet $99.99 Kindle. You’ll have to fork over $119.99 to enjoy your books sans lock screen advertising. Enter the Kobo Nia, a little less expensive than the adless Kindle with more flexibility. You can download EPUB and PDF files or connect this eReader to OverDrive to easily access books from your local library. And, with the Kobo Desktop App, syncing your library has never been easier. You may not be able to read it in the bathtub or at the beach (it’s not waterproof), but you can enjoy it in your own backyard thanks to the glare-free screen.

Another downer? Unlike the Sage, Libra 2, and Clara 2E—which come with ComfortLight PRO to adjust brightness and color temperature—the Nia has plain ol’ ComfortLight, which allows you only to change the brightness.

My Kobo Nia can be stubborn: it occasionally forgets my WiFi network, and I’ve had problems syncing my device with the Kobo Desktop App. Both problems have easy fixes: I re-enter my WiFi password or turn the device on and off; I use Adobe Digital Editions to get the EPUB files and put them on the eReader locally. As someone who refuses to see ads on a device I already paid money for, it’s a minor problem I’m willing to deal with.

What to consider when buying the best eReaders

With advances in e-ink tech and touch screens, the problems of first-generation eReaders are all but gone. There are no more weird visual artifacts and lag when turning a page. You won’t need to struggle with dark screens that are impossible to see at night. And unlike the early 2000s, you have more than one or two eReaders to choose from.  Here’s what to know when starting a new chapter with your eReader adventure:

Why and when is an eReader better than a tablet?

Tablets have become affordable options for casual computing. So why would you need a separate eReader when your tablet (or phone) can access all the popular ebook apps? In a word: Readability. As colorful and bright as LCD tablet screens have become, grayscale e-ink displays are gentler on the eyes. The gray contrast lets the eye relax and focus on the text. And because eReaders are made for books, the page-turning controls are more responsive and text options are more varied than tablets and smartphone apps. Plus, eReaders are generally smaller and more travel-friendly than tablets.  

The beauty of gray: Why color eReaders haven’t taken off … yet?

Most eReaders only display text and images in simple monochromatic grays. While there are a few color eReaders available, the technology of color e-ink has yet to be perfected. In the past few years, Kaledio has led the way for color eReaders like the Boox Nova3, and the results are pretty good—but not great. The color of these eReaders is dull, like a photo viewed through sunglasses. And when you look at the screen from certain angles, the color all but vanishes. This is fine for reading some books and PDFs, but those looking for slap-you-in-the-eye colors are better off with a full-color iPad or Microsoft Surface tablet.

What types of files can an eReader display?

Amazon’s line of Kindles loves the proprietary AZW file type, but they can also handle PDFs, MOBI, standard doc files, and more. However, Kobo eReaders are versatile and can digest more types of saved files. If you want to access a wide variety of books and comics, Kobo has more options. The downside: Not all file types will work as smoothly as the standard PDF and EPUB files. When moving files over to the eReader, some formatting may shift. This isn’t a deal-breaker but can impact the reading experience. 

Do you need cellular data to use eReader?

Nearly all eReaders today offer simple WiFi connectivity.  And most books will download to your device in seconds. WiFi-only models should give you enough internet juice for the average reader to load up on books at home before a long vacation or trip into a world without internet (perish the thought). If you want a 4G cellular connection to download books anywhere, you’ll need to spend more for a 4G-ready eReader. And you’ll need a data plan. Those extra expenses are only worth it if you absolutely, positively need internet access wherever you travel. Because no matter where you are, sometimes you need a quick dose of Jack Reacher’s unique brand of justice.   

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best eReaders

• Best overall: Kindle Oasis
• Best for kids: Fire 7 Kids Tablet, 7″ Display, 16 GB, Blue Kid-Proof Case
• Best for seniors: Amazon Kindle
• Best for PDFs: Kindle Paperwhite
• Best for manga: Kobo Sage
• Best for library books: Kobo Clara 2E
• Best for students: Kindle Scribe
• Best color eReader: BOOX Nova3 Color 7.8 ePaper Color Digital Paper Tablet
• Best Kobo eReader: Kobo Libra 2
• Best budget: Kobo Nia

Digital books are more than a fad. And an eReader with a gorgeous e-ink display helps you get the most out of your reading experience. They have come a long way since the days of built-in keyboards and glitchy page-turning lag. These are sleek, simple readers that are gentle on the eyes and fast on the fingers. With the best eReaders, staying up to date on reading is as easy as tapping a screen. 

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 eReaders for 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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I love sitting by the fire, but I’m woefully untalented when it comes to getting one going. That’s a big part of what made me love the Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 when I reviewed it last year. Even my lackluster incendiary skills had no issue turning tinder into a warming blaze. Know what else warms my heart? The fact that you can experience this same joy for less because Solo Stove is offering up to $350 off its fire pits across the entire line.

Solo Stove Bonfire 2.0 $259 (Was $399)

Stan Horaczek

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At 19.5 inches wide, this stainless steel pit will fit on just about any patio, even one on the skimpy side. But, despite its relatively compact nature, I had no problem loading it up with stock firewood I picked up from the gas station on the way home.

Like all the Solo Stove fire pits, the Bonfire 2.0 relies on a set of meticulously cut holes that pull air through the burn chamber in such a way that it creates an almost totally smoke-free burn. That means no more having to get up and switch spots every time the wind changes, and you get a face full of smoke.

It’s easy to start, weighs just 23.5 pounds, and even comes with a free carrying case. Perhaps the best feature, though, comes in the form of the removable ash pan. Let your fire burn down, then simply pull out the pan and ditch what’s left over once it’s cool. Just make sure you don’t drop a s’more in there and get marshmallow all over the shiny stainless surface.

Burn through wood, not money with these Solo Stove fire pit deals

While the Bonfire 2.0 represents an excellent middle ground that will suit most people, other sizes exist. Here’s a list of other on-sale Solo Stove fire pits in ascending size order. If you have the room, get the big one. Bigger is better. Everybody knows that.

• Solo Stove Mesa $79 (Was $119): This table-top fire pit is just 5.1 inches across and works great as a centerpiece.
• Solo Stove Ranger 2.0 $199 (Was $299): At 15 inches in diameter, this is the smallest full-sized Solo Stove fire pit.
• Solo Stove Yukon 2.0 $459 (Was $749): Gather all your pals around this 27-inch pit and roast a whole pack of weenies at once.
• Solo Stove Yukon 1.0 $399 (Was $749): This pit also measures 27 inches across, but it lacks the easy cleaning features of the 2.0. Still, it’s big and offers a huge discount if you don’t mind doing a little extra maintenance.

The post Solo Stove makes our favorite fire pits and you can save up to $350 on one right now appeared first on Popular Science.

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I had been trying to finish The Way of Kings, Brandon Sanderson’s 1,250+ page fantasy epic, for roughly two years before I started my review for Amazon’s latest Kindle Paperwhite. However, just a week and a half into my review period, I polished off that first book in the “Stormlight Archive” series, at least partly because of how much I like the Paperwhite as a device. It’s surely better than the chunky paperback I had been toting around but also better than the vast majority of other e-readers I’ve used. It’s not perfect—I do miss the dedicated page-turning buttons of older and more expensive models—but the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite provides a near-perfect blend of performance, size, and price. Plus, it finally ditches MicroUSB for USB-C. Praise be. 

Stan Horaczek

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The Amazon Kindle Paperwhite at a glance

The $139 Paperwhite represents the middle ground in Amazon’s Kindle lineup, between the $99 base model and the $279 Oasis. The Paperwhite offers the following:

• 6.8-inch e-ink display
• 300 dpi screen
• IPX8 ruggedness rating
• USB-C charging
• Built-in light with adjustable power and color temperature
• WiFi connectivity (no cellular option)
• 8GB and 16GB storage options
• Green, Black, and Denim color options
• $20 price reduction for allowing ads on the lock screen
• 7.23-ounce weight

The Kindle Paperwhite design

If you’re used to previous, entry-level Kindle models, you might expect the screen to sit recessed from the front of the device—a small edge trapping everything from Cheez-It crumbs to dog hair. The 11th-generation Paperwhite avoids that with a screen that’s flush across the front of the device. I didn’t expect that to make a huge difference in usability, but the flat front does feel like a drastic design improvement once you’re in the real world. 

The Paperwhite lacks physical page-turning buttons—you’ll have to do all your navigation using the touchscreen. If you’re dead set on a Kindle with physical page-turning buttons, you’ll have to upgrade all the way to the $279 Oasis. 

In terms of size, the Paperwhite is nearly perfect. Despite only having grown a fraction of an inch larger than its predecessor, the new Paperwhite screen can accommodate several more lines of text on each page (depending on how large you keep the font). Anything that results in fewer page turns is a plus in my (electronic) book. 

The Paperwhite weighs less than half a pound, so it doesn’t tax your hand or wrist but doesn’t feel flimsy or cheap. I opted for the fabric cover, and the whole package weighs in at 11.15 ounces, more than eight full ounces lighter than my chubby little trade paperback copy of The Way of Kings.

The Kindle Paperwhite reading experience

Once the Kindle is charged up, connected to WiFi to download your books, and ready to read, the new Paperwhite feels snappier than previous versions. Amazon claims page turns happen roughly 20% faster than before. It’s a noticeable improvement, though it’s important to remember that e-ink is inherently slower than the super-quick speeds we’re used to on smartphone or tablet touchscreens. To go forward, simply tap the page on the right side of the screen. To go back a page, touch the left side. It’s simple and intuitive and surprisingly resistant to accidental page turns. 

Navigating your library and other settings takes a little getting used to, but it’s simple once you’ve done it. Touch near the top of the screen to bring up the menu and navigation. Tap the bottom left corner to cycle between page numbers, time left in the chapter, and other metrics. 

Tapping on the text allows you to share passages or leave notes on them, just as you could with previous models. Again, it took me a few tries to get a feel for the timing and placement required to highlight specific passages, but it quickly becomes second nature. 

The built-in light

The Paperwhite offers a total of 13 LEDs to provide its illumination. That’s considerably more than the four found in the base model Kindle, which results in a more even light across the entire page. The new Paperwhite light shines 10% brighter than the previous model, though I typically didn’t need to go past 75% in most situations. 

I do really appreciate the Paperwhite’s ability to change color temperatures. It allows for hues between cool blue and warm orange, depending on your setting or preference. I typically leave it somewhere in the middle but skew more toward the warm end of the spectrum. 

If you step up to the more expensive Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition or higher, the backlight automatically adjusts to match your surroundings. 

Kindle Paperwhite buying options

Right out of the box, I’m thrilled that the latest Paperwhite charges via USB-C instead of the woefully outdated MicroUSB. The device comes with a cable but doesn’t include a charging brick. You can, however, upgrade to the $189 Essentials Bundle, which comes with the fabric cover and charging brick. 

I bought this Kindle Paperwhite rather than requesting a review unit, so I opted for the model with ads on the lock screen. I find them extremely unintrusive because I never even notice the lock screen, so I was happy to save the $20 and have it to spend on books. If you really hate ads, however, you can pay not to see them. I personally don’t think it affects the experience at all, but you may feel differently. 

Kindle Paperwhite vs. Kindle

If you plan to take your e-reader out into the world on a frequent basis, then I absolutely recommend upgrading to the Paperwhite. The base Kindle lacks the Paperwhite’s IPX8 ruggedness rating, which makes a standard Kindle more susceptible to damage, especially if you read in the tub or at the beach. The base Kindle also lacks the flush-front design, so you can expect all kinds of crud to get jammed between the bezel and the screen. 

Kindle Paperwhite vs. Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition

The Signature Edition upgrade adds an automatically adjusting backlight and wireless charging. And that’s about it. At $189, the Signature edition is already considerably more expensive, and you’ll have to shell out even more for a Qi wireless charger if you don’t already have one. The Signature Edition does, however, offer 32GB storage, so if you’re planning on carrying an absolute ton of books around at all times, the extra space may be worth the splurge.

Kindle Paperwhite vs. Kindle Oasis

The Oasis represents the top-of-the-line model when it comes to standard Kindle e-readers. (You can step up to the Scribe, but we consider that its own device category.) The Oasis boasts a 7-inch screen, physical page-turning buttons, and cellular connectivity so you can download books even when there’s no WiFi available. If you’re a true book nerd who reads for hours every day in various locations, then this might be worth the cost. The same goes for those who want the best of the best without regard for the cost. But the Oasis is overkill for me, and the same is likely true for most average readers out there. 

The Kindle Paperwhite verdict

The latest Kindle Paperwhite represents the sweet spot in Amazon’s e-reader lineup. It’s a fantastic size, doesn’t tax your wrist during long reading sessions, offers thoughtfully upgraded illumination, and doesn’t allow gunk to get jammed between the bezel and the screen. While some other e-reader brands offer their own distinct advantages, the latest Paperwhite is the easy recommendation for those bought into the Amazon e-book ecosystem. I might not get through the fourth Stormlight book this month—maybe not even the second—but with the Paperwhite, I’ll enjoy working my way there.

The post Amazon Kindle Paperwhite (2021) review: Can’t put it down appeared first on Popular Science.

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When it comes to e-readers, the Kindle Paperwhite strikes an ideal balance of features and price. Today, Amazon has dropped the price from $139 all the way down to $99, which is almost 30% off and what it sold for last year on Black Friday. I actually bought one last Black Friday, and I’ve been extremely happy with it. If you’re looking for something else in the Kindle lineup, Amazon offers very solid discounts on several other models, so keep scrolling to see the rest of the deals.

Kindle Paperwhite 8GB $99 (Was $139)

Amazon

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With its 6.8-inch screen, 10 weeks of battery life, and relatively speedy page turns, this is the Kindle I recommend to most people. It feels like a skinny paperback in both dimensions and weight. The latest version is waterproof, so it’s great for bringing to the beach. And the built-in light offers adjustable intensities and color temperatures to match the situation you’re reading.

Most importantly, the 300ppi screen fights glare and presents super-crisp text that’s very easy on the eyes. The front of the device is also now flat with no edge along the screen’s bezel for hair and other gunk to get stuck.

More Amazon tablet deals

While the Paperwhite is my favorite Kindle model and a steal at this price (plus you can save even more with trade-in), others are on sale today, including some of Amazon’s full-color Fire tablets. Here are some other deals to consider:

• Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition Essentials Bundle including Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition $170 (Was $249)
• All-new Amazon Fire HD 8 tablet $59 (Was $99)
• Amazon Fire HD 10 tablet $99 (Was $189)
• Kindle Paperwhite (16 GB) $129 (Was $169)
• Kindle Paperwhite Signature Edition (32 GB) $139 (Was $189)
• Kindle (2022 release) $79 (Was $99)
• Kindle Paperwhite Kids (8 GB) $109 (Was $159)
• Kindle Kids (2022 release) $84 (Was $119)

The post Our favorite Kindle e-reader is down to its cheapest price today at Amazon appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best Value		Newman's Own Organics		SEE IT	Organic beans and recyclable cups make this an overall winner.
Extra-Caffeinated		Death Wish Coffee		SEE IT	Twice the caffeine accompanies bold taste.
Best Decaf		Community Cafe Special Decaf		SEE IT	Find lots of flavor without the stimulant.

When it comes to making coffee, it doesn’t get easier than slamming a K cup into a Keurig machine and letting that little pod work its instant-brewing magic. That convenience is key when you’re trying to resist the allure of pricy cafe brew or nasty-but-easy gas station swill. But just because K cups are easier than traditional coffee makers doesn’t mean they can’t be delicious. The best K cup coffee matches your particular tastes and habits without costing more than your monthly Hulu subscription for each mug.

• Best value: Newman’s Own Organics
• Best extra-caffeinated: Death Wish Coffee
• Best decaf: Community Cafe Special Decaf
• Best for flavored coffee: Crazy Cups Decaf
• Best compostable: Cameron’s Coffee Single Serve

How we selected the best K cup coffee

For this test, we scoured the options while considering the most crucial variables, including price-per-cup, roast, flavor, and even how sustainable those little pods are. We consulted with a small crew of die-hard coffee drinkers who, after they were done lecturing us about the superiority of drips and pour-overs, helped shed some light on what to look for. We also consulted with a few long-time office workers who have tried every K cup their corporate overlords agreed to order them. The resulting list includes a variety of flavors and roasts to meet just about any preference.

The best K cup coffees: reviews & recommendations

Best value: Newman’s Own Organics

Newman’s Own

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Why it made the cut: Truly cheap coffee tastes like an ashtray. This affordable option provides much fuller flavor for not much more cash. 

Specs:

• Four available flavors
• Recyclable cup
• Quantities up to 96

Pros:

• Cheap unit price
• Good taste
• Recyclable cup

Cons:

• No flavored options

Like we said above, K Cups should only be part of your balanced coffee consumption. If you’re only looking to supplement your fancy java, you don’t want something that strikes a balance between taste and cost. 

Newman’s Own offers four different flavors, including the middle-of-the-road special blend (which also comes in decaf), a darker French roast with a richer flavor, and a lighter Sunrise blend. Even if you have two at a time in order to get your day started off, it will still be cheaper than even gas station coffee. 

Plus, the cups are made from number 5 polypropylene so they’re relatively simple to recycle if you have curbside pickup. Just be sure to empty the coffee (preferably into a compost pile), then peel off the lid, and recycle the cup.

Best extra-caffeinated: Death Wish Coffee

Death Wish Coffee

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Why it made the cut: With double the caffeine in each cup, this strong brew doesn’t take much to get you going in the morning or before that 3 p.m. meeting.

Specs: 

• Available in two flavors
• Roughly 200 mg caffeine
• Available in 10, 20, and 50 packs

Pros:

• Double caffeine
• Attractive cup design
• Bold taste

Cons:

• Pricey
• Only two roasts are available

A regular cup of coffee will get you roughly 100 mg of caffeine, but each Death Wish K Cup Coffee has around 200 mg for a two-times increase. That’s roughly the same amount of caffeine as two 12-ounce red bulls. It’s no joke. 

Despite its scary name and intense stimulant content, Death Wish coffee comes in both dark and medium roast depending on your personal taste. The medium roast is a newer release brought on by customer requests. 

Both blends have a strong flavor profile that stands up nicely to cream or creamer, but you can keep it black for maximum wake-up effects. Recently, the company worked with NASA in order to create a freeze-dried version of this peppy beverage to send to the international space station. 

Best decaf: Community Cafe Special Decaf

Community Coffee

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Why it made the cut: Even without the caffeine, this medium-dark blend has a smooth, powerful flavor to help satisfy the routine. 

Specs: 

• Zero caffeine
• Packs of 36
• Medium-dark roast

Pros:

• Delicious
• Caffeine and decaf options
• Affordable

Cons:

• No additional flavors are available

Coffee isn’t always about caffeine. Sometimes it’s about the morning ritual or maybe you just like the taste. These totally decaffeinated pods provide a medium to dark taste that has very noticeable hints of chocolate in it. The company also says it has notes of caramel, but in our tests, the chocolatey flavor overshadowed that. 

If you like the taste of this specific brew, the company also sells a caffeinated version, so you can keep both on-hand and even mix them together for a half-caf when you want just a little boost. 

Best for flavored coffee: Crazy Cups Decaf

Custom Variety Pack

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Why it made the cut: With more than a dozen flavors, you get a ton of choice for your cup. 

Specs: 

• More than a dozen flavors
• All decaf
• 20 count variety pack

Pros:

• Tons of flavor options
• Extra coffee inside for stronger flavors

Cons:

• Decaf only

Die-hard coffee snobs turn up their noses at flavored coffees. That’s especially true for flavors like Death By Chocolate or Bananas Foster Flambe. Luckily, we’re not all coffee snobs and sometimes a fun flavor is just what you want. All of the flavors are zero-calorie and caffeine-free. Each pod comes with roughly 30 percent more coffee than a typical K Cup coffee to make the flavor extra bold. That means it will stand up to ice if you want to have it cold instead of hot. 

Not all the flavors are winners, but that’s why we’re recommending the variety pack first. Give the flavors a go, then pick the one you like best to order more. You’ll likely want to stick to the familiar flavors. The Vanilla Pumpkin Spice is a safe bet. White Chocolate Strawberry may sit in the cabinet for a while. 

Best compostable: Cameron’s Coffee Single Serve

Cameron’s Coffee

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Why it made the cut: There’s no plastic cup component to go with these coffee pods, which makes nearly the whole package compostable.

Specs: 

• Packs from 12 to 72
• Compost-friendly cups
• Dozens of flavors

Pros:

• Easily compostable pods
• Excellent flavor
• Small pods take up less space

Cons:

• Limited flavors
• Needs airtight storage

While recyclable plastic is fine, these compostable cups cut down on overall waste considerably. Compost loves coffee because of its nitrogen content, which helps the pile thrive. Each one of these pods includes a paper lid (as opposed to foil), a compostable structural ring to keep it all together, and a filter that will quickly deteriorate into your pile. It’s a very strict upgrade over the plastic stuff. 

That’s all moot if the coffee isn’t good though. Luckily, that’s not the case here. The company offers a wide range of flavors from light to dark roasts and into the flavored coffee territory. The breakfast blend is solid if you’re looking for an easy flavor to start with. 

Note that you will have to keep these pods in an airtight container since there’s no plastic cup to keep it sealed in. That gives you the added bonus of wafting coffee air every time you open the receptacle. 

Things to consider before buying the best K cup coffees

Before you grab a random pod, there are a few things to consider. After all, these little buckets of ground-up beans will set the tone for the whole day. It’s worth doing a little research before committing. 

Caffeine

For some people, morning coffee is more about the taste and the ritual than it is the shot of caffeine to the dome. A typical cup of coffee will net you just shy of 100 grams of caffeine, but that obviously varies between brands and flavors. Some offer to double that, while others nix the stimulants completely. Be sure you know what you’re getting in terms of caffeine content before you let that hot water flow. 

Compatibility

When someone says the phrase “K cups,” it evokes the iconic Keurig machines, which really kickstarted the pod coffee enthusiasm. There are other machines out there, though, so be sure to check and make sure the cups you buy work with the machine you own. If you don’t see the information directly on the box, check the company’s official site. Sometimes it will list the compatible machines. 

Price

While opting for a K Cup will almost always be cheaper than opting for takeout coffee, the prices do vary. Buying in large quantities typically saves you some cash on each one. Be sure to check that unit price before you buy. Even a little saving can add up after a long period of time and lots of cups. 

Sustainability

We recommend you keep K Cups as a part of your coffee consumption since they’re not the most environmentally friendly way to enjoy a cup of brew. Most K Cups are recyclable, but you can up the ante by opting for those that are compostable. Compost actually loves coffee because it’s high in nitrogen and it will help your pile thrive just like you after your third dose of caffeine before your 11 a.m. meeting. 

FAQs

A final thought on the best K cup coffees

K Cup Coffee can’t replace a carefully crafted cup of coffee made by a hip barista at a cool cafe. They can, however, provide a quick, easy cup of coffee that provides a shot of flavor and caffeine into your morning with little hassle. 

The post The best K cup coffees in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		Rollo 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.

Until some wonderful scientist invents a machine to instantly teleport packages around the world, we’re stuck in the era of shipping labels. Whether you’re running a high-volume online store or just trying to keep track of where all your stuff is, a great label printer 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 printer plunge. 

• Best overall: Rollo Label Printer
• 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 picked the best label printers

Here at PopSci HQ, we have gadgets and other products coming in and out all the time. Combined with some years of online selling experience, it has made some of the writers and editors on-staff into certified shipping label experts. 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. Labels can make a huge difference. 

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.

The best label printers reviews and recommendations

Best overall: Rollo Label Printer

Rollo

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This versatile printer automatically recognizes the type of label inserted and pumps out completed jobs at a rate of one per second. 

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

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 like there would be with your inkjet. 

The Rollo has built-in sensors that can automatically detect what type of label it’s printing on so it can 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. 

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

Brother

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Why it made the cut: This capable label printer can handle the normal organization and labeling jobs, but its full-color tech also allows it to handle stickers and photos.

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 they go into the printer. Heat activates them to create the 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 it easy to connect to via WiFi or even a smartphone’s wireless connection. 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

Dymo

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This super-efficient printer can print all kinds of barcodes and labels for various professional jobs. 

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