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The best PS4 headset
By Dennis Burger 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 PS4 headset guide here. If you're looking for a gaming headset for PlayStation 4 that delivers the best balance of performance, comfort, and bang for your buck, we think the Kingston HyperX Cloud Alpha is the one to get. It's beautifully built, based on a proven design, and features a punchy, bass-forward sound that works great with the low-powered output of the DualShock 4 controller.
The best Bluetooth headset
By Marianne Schultz and Daniel Varghese 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 bluetooth headset guide here. After 80-plus hours of researching headsets and testing more than 18 models over the past few years, including testing three new models over 20 hours for the latest update, we've determined that the Plantronics Voyager 5200 is the best mono Bluetooth headset for making and taking calls, whether you're in a quiet office or a noisy coffee shop. The Voyager 5200 offers the most comfortable and secure fit and the best dedicated call-management controls of the headsets we tested. It also has better mic quality than stock earbuds or most Bluetooth earbuds, plus battery life that can last most of a workday. In our tests, the Plantronics Voyager 5200 provided the most consistently clear incoming and outgoing audio in a variety of settings. Its earhook design sometimes requires two hands to put on, but it's easily adjustable and comfortable enough to wear all day; its earpiece also provides a secure seal for optimal sound quality, and its battery gives you about 5 hours, 40 minutes of talk time. It's the complete package, unlike any other model we tested. The Voyager 5200 also has all of the software features that have made Plantronics headsets some of our favorites throughout the years, such as the capability to accept and reject calls with your voice. We recommend the Plantronics Voyager 3200 only if the Voyager 5200 is not available, or if the idea of possibly having to use two hands to put the 5200 on is a dealbreaker for you. The Voyager 3200 has a more conventional in-ear design that doesn't fit as securely as our top pick. Its audio—both incoming and outgoing—isn't as consistently good as that of our top pick, but the sound is clear enough in quieter environments. And although this model has longer battery life, it's only by 20 minutes or so. The Jabra Talk 2 isn't nearly as comfortable as our top picks, and its incoming audio quality isn't as good, but it's acceptable on both counts if you're on a budget. It also gives you much better mic quality for calls than you'd get from stereo Bluetooth earbuds that cost roughly $100. In our battery test, it offered almost 7 hours of talk time, lasting over an hour longer than our top pick.
The best website builder for small businesses
By Kevin Purdy 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 website builder guide here. After researching 17 of the top website-building services and hosts, building 20 websites with seven of the most promising ones, and changing hundreds of little things on each page, we believe Wix is the best way for a small business to put up a professional-looking website. Its templates, setup interview, and editing tools create modern, clean-looking sites that you can easily customize, and adding crucial tools like contact forms or restaurant menus is easier than with other website-building tools. Wix's customer support is reliable, its free trial is generous, and its pricing is clear and fair for small businesses. Beyond the basics of site editing, Wix offers a wealth of plug-ins for adding Google Maps, OpenTable, appointment booking, and other tools to your website. Its search engine optimization tools are easy to understand and use, and thanks to Wix's size and scale, your site should remain reliable and available even under heavy traffic. Weebly lacks the variety of templates that Wix provides, and it can't automatically build you a site by asking you about your business. But Weebly's editing interface is simpler and provides less room for error with its drag-and-drop boxes. Weebly also (paradoxically) offers deeper access to the code behind your site, but has fewer useful plug-ins and forms from the start. You should try Weebly if you can't find a template or generated site you like on Wix, if you want to make some specific changes to your site using code (or a code-savvy helper), or if price is the most important factor for you, as the Starter package for Weebly costs one-third less than Wix's comparable Combo package. Every designer we spoke with specifically recommended Shopify for any business that's looking to sell goods online. Although our top picks have built-in ecommerce tools, it makes more sense for most businesses to use Shopify, or at least its Lite version, and embed Shopify's tools into their websites—Shopify works with both of our top picks, and you won't be locked in if you decide to change your site later.
Wirecutter deals: The best Prime Day deals so far
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 commissions. that support its work. Read Wirecutter's continuously updated list of Prime Day deals here.
The best VPN service
By Mark Smirniotis 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 VPN guide here. We spent more than 130 hours over four months researching 32 VPN services, testing 12, interviewing the leadership of five, and consulting information security and legal experts about our results. We found that most people should prioritize other security tools and privacy practices first, but in the cases where a VPN makes sense—such as when you're connecting to public Wi-Fi—IVPN is the most trustworthy provider that offers fast, secure connections with an easy setup process on both computers and mobile devices.
The best AV receiver
By Chris Heinonen This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. After over 50 hours testing eight new receivers hands-on, we're confident the best receiver for most people is the Denon AVR-S730H. In its price range, every receiver sounds indistinguishable until you turn on its room-correction software; the software makes a big difference in sound quality, and Denon's is the best affordable version we tested.
What's the best blender for smoothies?
By Lesley Stockton This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. A thick and velvety smoothie is one of the most difficult things you can demand from a blender. You're expecting four tiny blades powered by a motor no bigger than a coffee mug to make frozen fruit, ice, fibrous greens, and gloppy peanut butter into soft serve in a minute. So rather than asking about the best blender for smoothies, the better question to ask is: What's the best blender? And that's because if a blender can turn out juice-bar-quality smoothies day after day, it will most likely liquefy almost anything else you'd want to with ease.
The best alarm clock
By Rachel Cericola This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. After spending more than 60 hours setting alarms, swatting snooze buttons, tuning radio stations, and talking to potential shoppers, we've decided that the RCA RCD30 is the best alarm clock for most people. This is the textbook definition of an alarm clock, delivering a reliable, hassle-free wake-up for people who don't want to rely on a smartphone.
The best drip coffee maker
By Cale Guthrie Weissman and Liz Clayton This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. Since 2014, we've spent 71 hours brewing in 19 coffee makers to find our top home brewer. After tasting hundreds of pots of coffee, we think the OXO On 9-Cup Coffee Maker is the best automatic drip coffee maker for most people. It's fast and convenient, with a programmable start time and a well-insulated carafe, and it makes a good pot of coffee. We love the features of the OXO On 9-Cup Coffee Maker, like its timer function and automatic pre-infusion cycle (which briefly wets the coffee before brewing for better extraction). The machine has a handsome design, with a well-made thermal carafe that pours easily and keeps coffee hot for hours. We found the coffee from the OXO a little less reliably nuanced than brews from our runner-up, the Bonavita Connoisseur. But it still makes coffee far better than the average machine, and unlike the Connoisseur, allows you to wake up to a fresh pot in the morning or pour yourself a cup while the machine is still brewing. The Bonavita BV1901TS Connoisseur brewed the best-tasting coffee of any machine we tried, with minimal (read: zero) bells and whistles and an uber-simple interface. Like the OXO, it has a pre-infusion cycle (though it's not automatic) and can still brew fast, making a six-cup pot in less than 5 minutes. It also has an improved design over older Bonavitas, with a brew basket that slides right into the machine instead of resting awkwardly on top of the carafe. As a bonus, it sits on the low end of the price spectrum for the high-end coffee makers, costing about $160. We love the simplicity of the Bonavita and think it's a great choice if flavor is your number one priority. But unlike our top pick, it has only an on/off switch, so you can't program it to brew at a set time. And the carafe is clunky: You have to brew into it with the lid off, but can pour only with the lid on. It also didn't keep coffee hot for as long as the OXO did.
The best webcams
By Andrew Cunningham and Kimber Streams This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. After researching 19 top webcams and testing six, we think that if you need a webcam for video calls, streaming, or recording, you should get the Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920. It takes better pictures and video than any of the other models we tested, beating even newer and more expensive models. It has sharp, 1080p video at 30 frames per second with fast autofocus and quick, accurate auto white balance; it's simple to install and use; and at around $60 it doesn't cost much more than lesser budget webcams.
The best cordless stick vacuum
By Liam McCabe and Michelle Ma This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. Power cords got you wound up? If you want a cordless vacuum that can clean your entire home, the Dyson V7 Motorhead is probably your best bet. It's as powerful as cordless vacuums get, with the best handling, quietest operation, and easiest to empty dustbin for the price. We've done more than 125 hours of research and testing on cordless vacuums over the past three years, and this was an easy choice to make. We found in our testing that the V7 Motorhead is particularly good at getting dust and hair out of carpets, compared with most other cordless models. It works well on bare floors, too. The battery can last 28 minutes with the cleaning head attached, which is plenty for most apartments or townhouses, and even a lot of single-family houses if you work fast. It can also convert into a handheld vacuum, and comes with two snap-on tools. On the downside, the V7 is a very expensive vacuum. But if you want a cordless vacuum that can clean your whole home as thoroughly as a good plug-in model, this is how much it costs. Our runner-up is the only model that comes close to matching the cleaning performance, but we think paying the extra amount for the V7 is worth doing because this model is easier to use. The Shark IonFlex DuoClean Cordless Ultra-Light isn't our main pick because it's noticeably heavier and louder than the Dyson V7 Motorhead. It's not quite as strong of a carpet cleaner, either, and the battery lasts for only 20 minutes. But it's better at cleaning upholstery and picking up big crumbs off bare floors, and has a longer warranty. The battery pack is also removable and charges in a separate dock, which could help the IonFlex DuoClean have a longer life span than the V7. If those upsides seem more important to you, grab this Shark instead of the Dyson. The Dirt Devil Reach Max Multi Cordless Stick (BD22522) is a more affordable vacuum that works fine for tidying a small space. Like other cordless vacuums at this price, it's not powerful enough to suck all the dust out of your carpets, and it's not great with stuck-on pet hair. But for surface-level crumbs, our tests showed it does the job better than other budget-friendly models. It also has a respectable 20-minute battery life and several useful accessories, and it's lighter than our other picks. The Dyson V8 Absolute is the best cordless vacuum overall. It's essentially the same vacuum as the V7, with a little more suction, six minutes of extra battery life, and some tools that help it clean upholstery and bare floors better—useful but mostly marginal advantages over our main pick, for a whole lot more money. It is a great machine, though the price is way steep.
The best extension cords
By Mark Smirniotis This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here.
The best smart LED light bulbs
By Grant Clauser This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. We considered more than 20 smart-light-bulb systems and then spent eight weeks testing 10 contenders, confounding a family of four by constantly changing how their lights worked. After all that, we determined that the Philips Hue White and Color Ambiance A19 is the best all-around smart LED bulb. Hue lets you change your lighting color easily and does everything other smart light bulbs do, and it's also part of a larger product and app ecosystem, allowing for more flexibility and creativity than any other smart bulb we tested. Plus, it's compatible with the widest variety of smart-home systems, including Apple's HomeKit, Samsung's SmartThings hub, Amazon's Alexa, and Google Home. It's not the cheapest bulb we tested, but its reliable performance and wide compatibility make it a solid choice for any smart-home enthusiast or newbie.
The best air conditioner
By Liam McCabe This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. After six summers of researching, testing, and recommending window air conditioners, we've learned that quiet and affordable ACs make most people the happiest—and we think the LG LW8016ER will fit the bill in most rooms. This 8,000 Btu unit cools as efficiently and effectively as any model with an equal Btu rating, and runs at a lower volume and deeper pitch than others at this price. Little extra features like a fresh-air vent, two-axis fan blades, and a removable drain plug help set it apart, too. The LG LW8016ERis a top choice for an office or den, and some people will find it quiet enough for a bedroom, too. If our main pick is sold out, grab the Frigidaire FFRE0833S1. It's a little bit louder and higher-pitched than our new pick, but it's an equally capable performer that's usually around the same price. The Frigidaire is also a little bit easier to install because it's smaller and lighter. If you're buying an air conditioner for your bedroom and don't mind paying a little extra, treat yourself to the Frigidaire Gallery FGRQ08L3T1. It's the quietest window AC we've tested over the past few years. It's also easy to install, and it comes with plenty of extra foam for insulation. In cooling performance, it's on a par with our pick and runner-up; in price, it's usually higher than our pick by as much as $100. By June 2017, this model had sold out for the season, so you may need to act fast if you're interested in it this year. We're also recommending the Frigidaire FGRQ0833U1 as a backup in case the L3T1 goes out of stock. The 33U1 is more expensive, and we haven't tested it ourselves, but Frigidaire confirmed to us that the two models are essentially the same. Both are 8,000 Btu rated, have Energy Efficiency Ratios of 12, and are designed to cool rooms up to 350 square feet. We think this model's a decent option if our other picks are unavailable—it beats sweating through the summer with a subpar model. The Haier Serenity Series ESAQ406T, our former upgrade pick for the latter part of summer 2017, is a pretty good option if our other picks go out of stock. It's a 6,000 Btu model, so it's meant for small rooms, and it's a lot pricier than our other picks—but it's so quiet that you should be able to sleep easier all summer. This guide also includes our current thoughts on "smart," Wi-Fi–controllable air conditioners (and a smart AC accessory), plus recommendations for other kinds of air conditioners, including portable ACs (in a separate guide), through-the-wall units, and casement-window models.
The best stand mixer
By Lesley Stockton This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here.
Tesla Autopilot was engaged during 60 MPH crash, driver tells police
By Mary Papenfuss The Tesla Autopilot system was engaged when a Tesla Model S sedan was crushed as it rammed into a stopped truck at 60 MPH in Utah last week, the driver has told police. The driver luckily escaped with only a broken foot, though the car suffered extensive damage.
The best portable carpet and upholstery cleaner
By Tyler Wells Lynch This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. After 25 hours of research and six hours spent cleaning wine, chocolate sauce, and coffee off a grimy couch and a white shag rug, we think the Bissell SpotClean Pro is the best cleaner for spot treating carpet and upholstery. It removed stains better than four of the top-selling portable cleaners we tried. It's affordable and easy to use, and runs little risk of damaging your fabrics or carpets.
The best basic smoke alarm
By Doug Mahoney This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. After more than 65 hours researching fire safety, interviewing five experts, and reading well over a hundred pages of smoke-alarm data, we recommend the First Alert SA511CN2-3ST Smoke Alarm with Voice Location as the primary alarm in a comprehensive whole-home fire-protection system.
Ben Heck's mini pinball game: Analysis and programming
Ben is moving walls around, but don't expect him to quit his day job to become an architect just yet. After a few tests on the pieces for the modular miniature pinball kit, it has been decided that the angles need to change for the pinball run. That means a redesign is in store. Meanwhile, Felix has received the final design of the printed circuit board from OSHPark, and based on some initial tests it appears to be a-okay! What do you think of the build so far? Let the team know over on the element14 Community.
The best EV charging stations
By Eric C. Evarts This post was done in partnership with Wirecutter. When readers choose to buy Wirecutter's independently chosen editorial picks, it may earn affiliate commissions that support its work. Read the full article here. After more than 50 hours researching over 70 charging stations for electric cars and testing five of the most promising models, we've concluded that the best for most owners of current electric vehicles (EVs) is the Siemens VersiCharge VC30GRYU, though Tesla owners should just buy Tesla's own charging station. The Siemens isn't the most powerful unit and doesn't have the most features, but it's the most convenient to use and the least expensive, and it's powerful enough to quickly charge most EVs, proving that you don't need to spend a fortune to get a great home-charging station for your electric car.
