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Logitech’s improved G203 gaming mouse offers RGB on a budget
Logitech's latest gaming mouse balances decent specs with an affordable price.
The best universal remote control
By Adrienne Maxwell This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full guide to universal remote controls. If your home entertainment system is more complex than the typical media player/TV/soundbar combo and you need a universal remote to control all your gear—including a few smart-home devices—we recommend the Logitech Harmony Companion. While no single DIY universal remote is perfect for everyone, the Companion combines a good physical design with the flexibility to control a variety of devices. The two-piece Logitech Harmony Companion system, which consists of a hub and a handheld remote, can control up to eight AV components, and it works with IR, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth devices, which gives it more flexibility than is available with most budget remotes. You can also use a smartphone/tablet app to control your system. The Harmony Companion integrates with Alexa, Google Assistant, and several do-it-yourself home-automation hubs and smart devices, such as lights, locks, thermostats, and motorized shades. The remote lacks backlighting, and Logitech's app-based setup can sometimes be frustrating, but this system still delivers the best combination of features, flexibility, and control that we've found for the price. If all of your devices can be controlled by standard infrared technology (as opposed to Bluetooth or Wi-Fi) and you don't need smart-home control, the Logitech Harmony 665 is a great choice. It's capable of controlling up to 10 AV devices, it features an easy-to-read, backlit color display, and the built-in Remote Assistant function is great for troubleshooting. If the remote fails to perform a task you expect it to (such as turning up the TV's volume), you can use the remote's Help button to resolve the problem quickly. However, because the Harmony 665 only works with IR-based equipment, it doesn't support smart-home devices and some streaming media players and game consoles, and it needs line of sight with your gear. Like our top pick, the Logitech Harmony Elite is a two-piece system that uses the Harmony Hub, so you get all the same advantages. The Elite model controls up to 15 devices and adds a customizable touchscreen for even more flexibility. The remote is fully backlit and more responsive, with a nicer design that makes it feel more like the remote for a professionally installed control system—but all of that comes with a big jump in price. This is the model to get if you have a large and expanding home theater system and you want the best handheld remote.
Logitech's latest iPad keyboard cases add trackpads to non-Pro tablets
If you turned pale at the thought of paying close to $1,000 to get the new iPad Pro and its trackpad-equipped keyboard cover, don't worry -- there will be a much more affordable alternative. Logitech has introduced a $150 Combo Touch keyboard case for the 2019 iPad, 2019 iPad Air and 2017 iPad Pro that includes a trackpad to take advantage of iPadOS 13.4's imminent mouse support. They all attach using Apple's Smart Connector and offer many perks similar to Apple's Magic Keyboard, including backlit keys and trackpad gestures.
Logitech's 3-in-1 dock charges your iPhone, Apple Watch and AirPods
Now that wireless charging is becoming an increasingly popular method of juicing our devices, brands are looking at ways to simplify the experience even further -- why have several charging pads and docks when you could just sling all your Apple stuff onto one surface? After Apple canned AirPower, the likes of Kanex, Mophie and Zens have all rolled out multi-device charging stations -- now Logitech has entered the fray.
Logitech and Herman Miller team up to design ergonomic gaming furniture
Plenty of gaming chairs look cool, but whether or not they're actually good for your back is another question. Furniture company Herman Miller and Logitech's gaming hardware brand Logitech G want to change that. They're teaming up to create a line of ergonomic furniture for gamers, starting with a gaming chair that could arrive as soon as this spring.
Ultimate Ears' Hyperboom speaker is a portable party powerhouse
You call that puny wireless thing sitting in your backpack a speaker? This is a Bluetooth speaker: Meet Ultimate Ears' Hyperboom, a $400 13-pound beast that'll let you jam out to serious sound just about anywhere. Unlike the Megaboom 3, the previous top-of-the-line option from Logitech's Ultimate Ears brand, the Hyperboom is powerful enough to pump out music for a decently sized party. And based on my testing, it's a decent option for anyone looking for a sonic step up from smaller Bluetooth speakers.
Logitech's $170 StreamCam is aimed at first-time streamers
Logitech has released a new mid-range webcam for streamers who aren't quite ready to shell out big bucks for top-of-the-line cameras. The new device called the StreamCam is capable of capturing 60 fps videos with a 1080p resolution. Logitech's free Capture software also gives it the capability to take HD vertical videos for platforms like Snapchat and Facebook Stories, as well as access to features like image stabilization, facial smart focus and AI-enabled smart framing that ensures you always stay in view.
Logitech's K860 split ergonomic keyboard is heaven for your wrists
Logitech is squarely targeting Microsoft's wrist-friendly Surface Ergonomic Keyboard with the Ergo K860 ($130). It's the company's first keyboard in years to feature a split design, wherein the entire layout is cut in half and the keys are angled to align with your wrists. While it may look a bit odd, there are significant health benefits to this design. There's less strain on your wrists and forearms, and consequently it makes your hands, neck and shoulders more relaxed. It's the ideal companion to the company's ergonomic MX Vertical mouse. The Ergo K860 is so comfortable to use, it makes me wonder why more companies haven't pushed back against the standard QWERTY keyboard design.
Logitech made a $200 webcam for Apple's $5,000 pro display
Apple's newly available Pro Display XDR promises exceptional image quality, but there's one glaring omission for some users: there's no webcam. You can edit video in grand style with your $5,000 monitor, but you can't use it to hold a video chat with the production team. Logitech has a remedy, though. It just released a 4K Pro Magnetic Webcam built with the Pro Display XDR in mind. As the name implies, it sticks to your display without clips or other mounts, even when you rotate the monitor into portrait mode.
Logitech unveils an affordable button kit for the Xbox Adaptive Controller
Technology companies have been making more of an effort to include gamers with disabilities in their design recently, especially with the popularity of Microsoft's Adaptive Controller for Xbox One and PC. Now, Logitech is pushing the adaptive design one step further by producing an add-on for the controller to meet more accessibility requirements.
PC and mobile accessories that'll make great gifts
We get it: Not everyone is going around gifting phones and PCs like they're candy. But there are plenty of ways to make the devices we own better, whether it's improving how you interact with them, or just making them last longer. Engadget's staff got together to pick out some gift idea for every budget, from mouse surfaces to powerbanks. There's even a truly weird (but equally brilliant) pressure-sensitive, customizable trackpad.
The best trackballs
By Thorin Klosowski This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full guide to trackballs. After spending more than 120 hours testing eight trackballs during weeks of work, we found that the best trackballs are the finger-operated Kensington Expert Mouse Wireless Trackball and the thumb-operated Logitech MX Ergo Wireless Trackball. We also have budget picks—the Kensington Orbit Trackball with Scroll Ring and the Logitech M570 Wireless Trackball—if you don't mind sacrificing build quality and a couple of features for a more affordable trackball. Finger-operated trackballs with center-mounted balls work for both right- and left-handed people and encourage better wrist posture, while thumb-operated trackballs are more similar to traditional mice and therefore easier to get the hang of using. (For more information, see Should you switch to a trackball? below.)
The best outdoor security camera
By Rachel Cericola This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full guide to outdoor security cameras. An outdoor security camera is a powerful deterrent to mischief makers and a convenient way to determine whether that thing going bump in the night is a friend, foe, or furry creature. We recommend the Google Nest Cam Outdoor for the job. It's fully weatherproof, and although you need a subscription to get person alerts, set Activity Zones, and store recordings, the Nest Cam Outdoor captures video 24/7, has person detection, and sends motion-activated smartphone alerts. The Nest Cam Outdoor's Wi-Fi camera includes everything a DIY surveillance camera should: crisp, 1080p video; a wide field of view; and two-way audio. The optional Nest Aware subscription (starting at $5 a month) gives you 24/7 recording, customizable Activity Zones, and person detection, which helps cut down on nuisance alerts. The Nest Cam has a weatherproof cord and plug, as well as a convenient mounting system that allows you to aim the device in any direction (however, the power cord limits placement options to areas within reach of an outlet or an electrical cable). Because Nest Aware records everything nonstop, if someone has Internet service with a data cap, it may be an issue. The corded version of the Logitech Circle 2 offers similar features to the Nest Cam. Along with Alexa and Google Assistant, it includes HomeKit support, which the Nest doesn't; it also includes 24 hours of free cloud storage, with an option to purchase more. But even if you get a subscription, the Circle 2 doesn't record 24/7 as the Nest Cam does. Also, the Circle 2's 10-foot power cord may be too short for some outdoor uses, so you may have to invest in a weatherproof extension cord. If you're more interested in checking on your kids or spotting packages than in keeping an eye out for prowlers, the Arlo Pro 2 is also a great pick. Although it can't record continuous motion (without a subscription) and often leaves gaps of a few seconds in between video clips—making it less desirable as a security camera—it is otherwise the best battery-powered unit we tested. It delivers an excellent image, clear two-way audio, practical smart-home integration, seven days of free cloud storage, and the option to add a USB drive for local video storage. For a fee, you can add person, animal, and vehicle detection and more cloud-based video storage. The Google Nest Cam IQ Outdoor is the most technologically advanced outdoor camera we've tested. It has a close-up tracking feature, which automatically zooms in on motion and then follows it around the field of view. To make those images clear, it has an 8-megapixel 4K sensor, HDR (high dynamic range), and 12 x digital zoom. It can distinguish between general motion and people, so it cuts down on false alarms, and it can even identify people you've labeled (after a learning period). But like all Nest cameras, this one requires the Nest Aware service to do anything beyond live viewing.
The best wireless mouse
By Justin Krajeski This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full guide to wireless mice. After researching 42 wireless mice and testing 14, we found that the Logitech M720 Triathlon Multi-Device Wireless Mouse is the best wireless mouse for most people because it is more comfortable to use than nearly every other mouse we tested, connects easily via a USB dongle or Bluetooth, and tracks well on most surfaces. Because of its tall, arched back, the Logitech Triathlon fit into our testers' hands nicely. It was more comfortable than similarly priced options. We never experienced any issues connecting it to both Mac and Windows laptops via USB dongle or Bluetooth, and it can pair with—and quickly switch between—three Bluetooth-compatible devices. Logitech claims that the Triathlon's battery can last for two years; we've been using the same mouse for about 15 months, and it has yet to die. It also has six programmable buttons you can customize using Logitech's Options software and a scroll wheel that toggles between ratcheted and freewheel scrolling. If the Logitech M720 Triathlon is unavailable, we recommend the Logitech M585 Multi-Device Wireless Mouse or the Logitech M590 Silent Wireless Mouse. Both mice have tall 1.6-inch-high backs, and our testers generally found they fit their hands as comfortably as the Triathlon even though they're a little smaller. They can connect through a USB dongle or pair with up to two devices via Bluetooth, unlike the Triathlon's three. Logitech claims that the battery will last for two years. The M585 and M590 have one fewer button than our top pick, and you can customize any of their five buttons with Options. While our panel preferred the Logitech M590's silent buttons, which still provide feedback without a loud, physical click, the mouse is not as widely available or as affordable as the M585. If you spend all day using a mouse, we recommend the Logitech MX Master 2S Wireless Mouse for its comfortable design, its buttons, and its secondary thumb scroll wheel. Since it's nearly a half-inch wider and longer than the Triathlon, our panel found it comfortable for all grips and hand sizes, especially those with bigger hands. It's more than twice as expensive, but it did track even more precisely than the Triathlon in our testing. Like the Triathlon, it can connect to and switch between up to three devices via Bluetooth or dongle. The MX Master 2S has a rechargeable battery that can last for about two months on a single charge. It has six programmable buttons—as many as the Triathlon—that can be customized with Logitech Options software, and it offers a second scroll wheel for your thumb. The Logitech MX Master 3S Wireless Mouse has improved button placement below the thumb scroll wheel, and it's a tad more comfortable to use, but at the time of this writing it's too expensive to recommend over the 2S. If the price drops below $85, it's the best mouse for people who spend all day using one. Our portable pick is the Logitech Anywhere 2S Wireless Mouse. The Anywhere 2S is smaller than most mice we tested—and its back arch was about a half-inch shorter than the Triathlon's—but we found that it was still really comfortable to use over long periods of time. Like all of our picks, it can connect via USB dongle or Bluetooth; it can wirelessly connect with up to three devices. Like the MX Master 2S, the Anywhere 2S has a rechargeable battery that can last for around two months before you'll need to recharge it. It has five programmable buttons (one is hiding behind its scroll wheel), and it offers Options software for you to customize each button to your liking.
Logitech's new mechanical keyboard lets you swap switches with ease
Programmers, power users and gamers can be picky about their keyboards. Not only do some prefer old school microswitch keys, but they also want to get specific about what types of microswitches are under their keycaps. Logitech G's latest device, the PRO X Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, will let you swap between three varieties of switches, providing assorted types of feedback and key travel, from "linear" to "clicky." The keyboard is aimed at pro gamers, but amateurs may also be drawn to the high-end compact design, precision and obligatory RGB lighting.
Logitech just bought the software of choice for many top streamers
Logitech is expanding its repertoire by snapping up Streamlabs, the company that created the popular livestreaming app Streamlabs OBS. The peripheral-maker has agreed to acquire the company for $89 million in cash and an additional $29 million in stock, though the latter depends on whether it hits significant revenue growth targets.
The best Alexa-compatible smart-home devices for Amazon Echo
By Rachel Cericola This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, Wirecutter and Engadget may earn affiliate commission. Read the full guide to Alexa-compatible smart-home devices for Amazon Echo. Imagine walking into your home at night, arms overflowing with groceries. Even if you've installed smart lights, you'd need to put the bags down, pull out your phone, unlock it, open the app, find the control for the lights you want, and then tap the icon—might as well just stick with a plain old wired switch. But with an Alexa, you simply say, "Alexa, turn on the kitchen lights." And it's not just lights; Alexa is capable of controlling everything from basic smart plugs to garage doors. All three smart-speaker platforms (Alexa, Google Assistant, and to a lesser degree, Siri) can control a variety of smart-home devices and add an extra level of convenience to your smart-home system. We think Amazon's Alexa has a slight edge over the others because it works with more devices, and the wider family of Amazon Echo products makes it easier to fit them everyplace in your home. However, if you already have a Google Home speaker, the differences aren't large enough for you to need to switch platforms. We have guides for the best devices to use with Google Assistant and Siri/HomeKit. The Amazon Echo (or Echo Dot) offers a convenient interface for your smart home and provides functionality that an app on your phone can't. If you already have some Alexa-compatible devices or one of the three major smart-home hubs (SmartThings, Wink, or Insteon), adding an Echo can make accessing those devices more interesting and convenient. Taking advantage of its near-instantaneous response time and reliable voice-recognition processing is significantly faster than pulling out your phone and opening an app just to turn the lights on or off. Some products, such as Philips Hue lights and Nest thermostats, have native Alexa support, while others require you to enable a third-party skill. We tested plenty of both varieties to come up with the best-performing and most reliable recommendations, which we're continually testing to ensure that each new firmware and app update meets our high standards. Over the past several years, Wirecutter's editors and writers have tested just about every smart-home device of consequence. As more people end up buying smart speakers and platform support gets more and more important, we wanted to provide one place where you could access all of our picks that are compatible with the devices you already own, across all of our smart-home recommendations. Because these devices receive regular updates with additional compatibility and new features, we are continually testing and reevaluating our picks in our own homes to confirm that they still meet our recommendation standards. We'll update this guide as we learn new information, but be sure to read the full reviews if you'd like more details and test notes. If you don't yet have an Alexa-enabled device, or you want to learn more about what Alexa is and what you can do with these things, check out our full guide to Alexa and Amazon's Echo line of smart speakers.
One of the best mice on the market is on sale for $67
The Logitech MX Master 2S is on sale at Amazon for $67 -- that's a $33 drop from its typical list price of $100. The mouse is one of our longtime favorites, and it was listed in our 2017 gift guide. While it's not the newest model, it's still a great mouse and an excellent deal at $67.
The best headsets for the Switch Lite
The new Switch Lite is finally here. It's smaller than the original, so it'll be easier to take on the go, whether it's your daily commute, a long flight or a week-long road trip. However, such close quarters mean you're going to want to invest in a pair of headphones for your new handheld, something that can do justice to the audio on games like Breath of the Wild, Fire Emblem: Three Houses and Splatoon 2. The bad news is, any wireless headsets you might already be using with your Switch won't work with the Lite. The good news is, you don't need anything fancy and won't have to spend a lot to find a new pair of cans. Just something with excellent audio and a 3.5mm jack will do.
Logitech's newest lag-free gaming mouse is loaded with thumb buttons
If you thought Logitech's G603 Lightspeed was light on thumb controls compared to its G602 predecessor, you can relax -- you'll be drowning in them this time around. The company has introduced a G604 Lightspeed mouse that packs six thumb buttons like the years-old G602 while offering modern creature comforts like a 16,000DPI HERO sensor, Bluetooth support and, of course, no-lag Lightspeed wireless. It's pitched as ideal for playing World of Warcraft Classic and other titles where you might have an abundance of commands that beg for faster access.
