Amazon has almost every smart home device, sound bar, thin TV, and replacement charger available on the market. And a significant portion of that offering is on deep discount for Prime Day 2, the second day of the annual shopping bonanza that moves more AirPods than a Taylor Swift album drop. That said, a word of caution to smart shoppers: Not all discounts are created equal.

Historical price trackers show that some brands – not Amazon, but some big ones – mark up their goods prior to the Prime Day madness so that deals look more enticing than they truly are. As such, SPY‘s editors and experts have combed through thousands of enticing-looking deals to find the standout opportunities.

The choices below, recommended by our editors and readers, stand out even among the thousands of deals on offer.

Fire TV Stick

Buy Now $16.99

Buy Now

If you have a TV, and access to more than one streaming service, Roku or a Fire streaming TV device is basically essential at this point – it’s like a concierge for your streaming experience. The verdict for superior device is a toss up, but Fire TV makes a good case for itself this Prime Day at a nearly 60% discount. Cheap, easy to navigate, and includes voice assistant access with Amazon’s Alexa.

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Apple Watch (Series 8)

Buy Now On Amazon

$325 $399.00

Buy Now

It knows when you’re sleeping, it knows when you’re awake — and now it’s on sale. The cream of the smartwatch crop, and the newest one from Apple, is nearly 20% off for Prime Day. It does more than a Rolex ever could, even if it’s less flashy: it can track your sleep cycle, fitness, and even monitor your heartbeat. It’s a good deal for devotees to the House of Apple. 

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Samsung The Frame TV

Buy Now On Amazon

$987.99 $1,497.99

Buy Now

Do you want to pretend that you’re too good to have a TV in your home? Want to give the impression that you spend Sundays at the museum and haven’t seen The Idol? Samsung’s squarely named “The Frame” is a good bet. It’s a television that doubles as a painting. It displays any image of your choice – some Dutch Master’s contemplation of a rotting orange – when you’re not using it. Images pop on the matte screen.

Much cheaper (and more expensive) frame TV options have emerged as the products have become more popular (TikTok decorators have even demonstrated how to manually install frames on regular TVs), but Samsung’s is still the standard-bearer. 

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Apple AirPods (2nd Generation)

Buy Now On Amazon

$89.00 $129.00

Buy Now

If you don’t have wireless headphones yet, you’ve got it tangled. Wireless is convenient and, for the moment anyway, affordable. These 2nd generation AirPods (not to be confused with the Pros) are a good sub-$100 choice. The sound quality is excellent, there’s hands-free Siri access, and the mic is solid. AirPods Pro models may offer nifty features like background noise reduction, but for the discounted price, this older pair is a good bet.  

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Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbud Headphones with Alexa Built-in

Buy Now On Amazon

$128.00 $199.99

Buy Now

Sony’s LinkBuds are the brand’s answer to AirPods – down to its competing price point. Linkbuds cost only slightly more than the second generation AirPods, but may be more of a peer to the AirPods Pro. Like the Pro, LinkBuds have silicone tips to fit in your ears better and have a noise-canceling mode. The Sony model also offers EQ adjustments through the Sony app, meaning you can customize your sound – something Apple doesn’t have.

If you want something that’s on par with the newer AirPods Pro models, LinkBuds are a solid option – especially if you’re dead-set against the Apple Industrial Complex.

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Google Pixel Buds A-Series – Wireless Earbuds – Headphones with Bluetooth

Buy Now On Amazon

$59.00 $99.00

Buy Now

The Google Pixel Buds are a fantastic budget option for those looking to cut the cord(s), and they’re nearly half off for Prime Day. They’re comfortable, connect to phones pretty seamlessly, and have solid sound quality – although as reviewers note, it’s a lot better for making calls than listening to music, although still serviceable for the latter. 

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Google Nest Cam

Buy Now On Amazon

$239.99 $329.99

Buy Now

Having home surveillance access from a tap or two of your smartphone has emerged as a priority for many in recent years. Ring’s video doorbells are popular, but a two pack of Google’s Nest Cam is nearly $100 off on Prime Day, and a better bargain than the former’s twin pack. Nest Cams also come with night vision, floodlights, and compatibility with multiple streaming outputs (tablets, smart TVs, etc). 

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SAMSUNG Galaxy Tab A8 Android Tablet, 10.5" LCD Screen

Buy Now On Amazon

$149.99 $229.99

Buy Now

If you’re looking to spend under $150 on a tablet, this Samsung Galaxy one is a solid deal for those priced out of the iPad class. It’s a pristine budget option – the display is the Galaxy Tab’s standout feature, making it a great option for someone mostly looking to stream videos and play games. The battery life and camera aren’t anything to write home about, but that’s an acceptable compromise given the price. 

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Belkin SoundForm Elite Hi-Fi Smart Speaker

Buy Now On Amazon

$95 $199.99

Buy Now

If you want something a little more music-forward, the Belkin SoundForm Elite is a great option that offers phone-charging capabilities and the ability to connect to Amazon’s Alexa (another version lets you connect to Google Assistant). As with the Amazon devices, you can use Alexa to manage tasks, control other smart devices, and browse the internet for you.  

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Lenovo IdeaPad 3 Gaming Laptop

Buy Now On Amazon

$599.99 $899.99

Buy Now

Lenovo has the best Prime Day deal for gaming laptops, slashing the price of its IdeaPad 3 by a full third. For less than $600, you get a lot of bang for your buck; it’s well built, has a decently long battery life, and you can upgrade its RAM, as gamers occasionally do. The Prime Day deal for the Minecraft set. 

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Belkin Boost↑Charge Wireless Power Bank 5K w/ MagSafe Compatible 7.5W Charging

Buy Now On Amazon

$35.88 $49.99

Buy Now

For those with older iPhone models (and accompanying battery life that leaves much to be desired), a battery pack is essential – especially for commuters. Even if you’ve got one of the snazzier models, a battery pack is a life saver at one point or another, i.e. a long hike, air travel, or entertaining a child with Cocomelon videos. Belkin’s magnetic charger attaches easily to the back of your phone, simply extending your case, and even comes with a magnetic kickstand (for the Cocomelon binges). Belkin claims to offer 19 hours of extended video playback for the iPhone 14 on a full charge. 

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Belkin MagSafe Wireless Charger Pad

Buy Now On Amazon

$19.99 $49.99

Buy Now

Belkin’s a giant in the charging business. This wireless pad is beloved by many, including a few members of the SPY staff. The cord length is ideal, the clip adjusts easily,, and casing feels durable. 

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LG Sound Bar

Buy Now On Amazon

$156.58 $399.99

Buy Now

“Soundbars” have become a hot item on many home entertainment center wishlists (between speakers and televisions that hide in plain sight, we’re approaching the day living rooms will contain nothing at all). This LG model runs much cheaper than other brands’ – Samsung has a $1,000+ soundbar that uses Dolby Atmos – and has speakers on the sides and in the middle, providing a more immersive soundscape. 

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Unless you’re at a barbecue, lifting a boom box at the end of Say Anything, or absolutely sure that it’s showtime on the Brooklyn-bound Q train, there’s no good reason to play music out loud. Well, there might be one: Not having a great pair of headphones. Prime Day is the right time to remedy that problem – or to simply upgrade the pair you’ve been rocking for the last three years. 

Apple, Google, and Sony are among those jockeying for supremacy in the wireless space and offering deals to push their agenda, but a number of smaller outfits are worth listening to. Many make headphones for sports or great over-the-ear options, which are very much in the mix this year. 

Apple AirPods (2nd Generation) Wireless Earbuds

Buy Now On Amazon

$89.00 $129.00

Buy Now

The best AirPods deal this Prime Day might be the best headphone deal overall. The newest generation of AirPods Pro typically cost around $250 and offer improved battery life as well as features like background noise reduction, but the older, non-Pro version still has a great microphone and sound quality. There’s also hands-free Siri access and decent battery life. If a pricier pair is out of your budget, or you don’t trust yourself with headphones not shackled to a wire, then this is a great deal. 

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Sony LinkBuds S Truly Wireless Noise Cancelling Earbud Headphones

Buy Now On Amazon

$128.00 $199.99

Buy Now

Sony’s LinkBuds are the brand’s foil to AirPods Pro – although on Prime Day, it’s priced way better. It’s also only slightly more expensive than the second generation AirPods, but with features closer to the Pro. 

Like the Pro, LinkBuds have silicone tips that make them an easier wear, and a background noise reduction feature. The LinkBuds also offer EQ adjustments through the Sony app, which AirPods don’t. It features comparable battery life to Pro, and even access to Amazon Alexa as its Siri stand-in. 

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Bose QuietComfort Bluetooth Wireless Noise Cancelling Headphones

Buy Now On Amazon

$199.00 $329.00

Buy Now

Bose’s QuietComfort is the understated workhorse among flashier products in its (top) tier, such as the AirPods Max. But these stand out in terms of comfort, they sound great, and they have a massive advantage over its competitors at $199. 

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Sony WH-XB910N EXTRA BASS Noise Cancelling Headphones

Buy Now On Amazon $118.00

Buy Now

Sony also produces a number of excellent over-the-ear headphones. This pair, which retails at $250, is more than 50% off for Prime Day. Reviewers are fans of the ability to adjust EQ through the Sony app, meaning you can customize your sound. They’re even cheaper than Bose’s pair, if you’re looking for something closer to $100.

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SHOKZ OpenRun Pro Bluetooth Bone Conduction Sport Headphones

Buy Now On Amazon

$124.95 $179.95

Buy Now

SHOKZ OpenRun Pros are a great option for people who are serious about a) music and b) physical activity. They wrap around the head and use “bone conduction” to send sounds through your cheekbone, as opposed to traditional headphones, which send them through the air and up your ear canal. The benefit is that your ears are clear to pick up ambient noise – such as oncoming traffic when you’re jogging or someone on a bike shouting “on your left!” 

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JBL Tune 230NC TWS True Wireless in-Ear Noise Cancelling Headphones

Buy Now On Amazon

$39.95 $99.95

Buy Now

JBL provides another solid sub-$100 option for wireless earbuds, but to make things even sweeter, their Tune 230NC is only $40 for Prime Day. You’d be hard pressed to find noise cancellation, 7 hours of battery life (28 with the case), and adjustable EQ for that price elsewhere. 

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Jabra Elite 4 Active in-Ear Bluetooth Earbuds

Buy Now On Amazon

$66.49 $119.99

Buy Now

Jabra has been pumping out quality budget headphones for years, and their steeply discounted earbuds for Prime Day make a great sub-$100 deal. They’ve got solid sound and battery life, and if it’s a toss up for you on this one versus the JBL pair, well, this one comes in mint.

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Beats Powerbeats Pro

Buy Now On Amazon

$139.99 $249.95

Buy Now

Apple bought Beats nearly ten years ago, but the brand is still making quality, differentiated products. They’re bulkier than AirPods, but reviewers say they boast better sound and battery life, with a squatter build that might fit many ears better. It’s a toss up for sure, but $100 off their retail price (and the AirPods Pro’s) help make a case for Beats. Beats Studio Buds are also getting a discount for Prime Day. 

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Google Pixel Buds A-Series

Buy Now On Amazon

$59.00 $99.00

Buy Now

The Google Pixel Buds are superior to most – if not all – other budget wireless earbud options, and they’re nearly half off for Prime Day. Reviewers say that they’re comfortable, connect to phones pretty seamlessly, and have solid sound quality – even if it’s better for those who spend more time making calls than listening to music. Easy setup and integration with Google apps is an added bonus for Android users. 

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Maybe you’ve never owned a pair of Apple AirPods and you’ve been eyeing them for a minute. Maybe you’ve been waiting to replace an old pair after losing one earbud to a subway grate. (Tragic if true.) This Amazon Prime Day, from July 11 to 12, the brand’s 2nd Generation Wireless Earbuds are on sale — they’re 30% off, to be exact — so now is the time to snag them.

Apple AirPods (2nd Generation) Wireless Earbuds

Buy Now On Amazon $89.00

Buy Now

These AirPods feature more than 24 hours of battery life with the included case, and up to five hours of listening per charge. SPY’s assistant managing editor, Emma Wenninger, is a big fan. “These Airpods fit really well in my ear,” she says. “I feel like other wireless headphones fall out, but these stay in.” She also lauded their sound quality, as well as how easy they were to use. “When you take calls with them, they’re really good at muting wind and other background noise,” she says. “If you have an iPhone or another Apple product, the connection between the two is flawless.” 

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If you’re in the market for other Apple products, the brand is discounting more of its range this Prime Day, from Apple Watches to iPads to more headphones and earbuds. Below are the best Apple deals on offer right now.

Other Apple Deals We Love

Smart TVs have come a long way from being the kind of boutique investment that only the wealthiest could afford for their living rooms. Nowadays, pretty much any TV you purchase will include some kind of web-connected features, and whether that’s Netflix streaming or photo and video-casting from your mobile device to the TV, the “smart” moniker isn’t just reserved for larger sets either.

When it comes to smaller TVs for bedrooms, dorms and offices, 32-inches tends to be the sweet spot for total size. And while you won’t necessarily see 32-inch TVs being hailed for things like 8K resolution, lightning-fast motion clarity, and optimized gaming modes, that doesn’t mean you still can’t get an amazing 32-inch TV for an equally amazing price!

At SPY, we’re constantly writing about and testing all different kinds of TVs, so we thought we’d put together this roundup of the best 32-inch TVs for under $350 to help you make a well-informed purchase.

What the Experts Say

In the world of video editing, one of the most crucial aspects of a successful workflow is a powerful reference monitor. At times though, traditional desktop screens can treat editors to a world that’s too colorful and coordinated; which is why it always pays to watch what you’ve assembled on a different display. 

Michael Higginbotham, a freelance video editor with more than 10 years of experience, has worked on short and feature-length films, TV shows, music videos, commercials, and other types of projects. For almost as long as he’s been editing content, Mike has been using a dual-monitor setup, complemented by a wall-mounted 32-inch Samsung that hangs above the main editing rig.

“I have my two monitors for the main edit and the 32-inch mounted above and behind them. I like my station pretty compact, where everything that I need is there, so the lighter weight of the television is always convenient.”

Discussing his experience with reference monitors and TVs, Higginbotham went on to explain how crucial a 32-inch set has always been for his editing workflow. “Usually with editing, I always have a reference monitor and reference television ready. I like to watch earlier cuts on each to see how the resolution holds up on all the displays. The 32-inch is always the last since it does an amazing job bringing out the resolution and showing mistakes that I might have missed on the other screens.”

This goes to show that 32-inch TVs can be utilized for far more than just everyday TV-watching, with many of the best models being put to good use as part of an everyday workstation, from basic home office applications to advanced video editing setups. 

BEST OVERALL

Samsung 32-inch M70B

Buy Now On Amazon

$399.99

Buy Now

Buy Now at B&H

$399.99

Buy Now

Best For: Those looking for the absolute best picture quality for a smaller TV.
Why We Chose iI: Far more than a typical TV/monitor, the Samsung M70B is an all-hands-on-deck computer and Internet of Things controller.
Key Specs: 
– 16:9 aspect ratio
– (2x) HDMI inputs, (1x) USB-C, (2x) USB-A
– 4K/60Hz

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Okay, okay. The Samsung 32-inch M70B is technically not a true TV, but when it comes to arresting 4K HDR, incredible smart features, and PC performance without a separate desktop, it’s hard to beat this model. Thus, it not only lives in our roundup, but it gets the grand-daddy of the gold trophies for being the “best overall” 32-inch TV.

So perhaps our favorite thing about the M70B is that it’s one of Samsung’s Smart Monitors, which essentially gives you the best of both worlds when it comes to watching TV, using apps, and browsing the web. And when it comes time to stream something from Netflix or Amazon Prime Video, the M70B delivers up to 4K resolution with included HDR support, allowing for one of the brightest and most colorful small TV pictures we’ve ever seen. 

Michael Higginbotham, a freelance video editor we consulted with for this article, had the following to say about Samsung’s 32-inch sets:

“Samsung usually does a good job showcasing resolution and color-grading. Since some of my work is displayed in either a theater or a darker room, my Samsung is fantastic at showing how something will look in both darker and brighter atmospheres.”

BEST ROKU TV

TCXL 32-inch Class 3-Series

Buy Now On Amazon

$159.99 $168.00

Buy Now

Buy Now at walmart

$168.00 $249.99

Buy Now

Best For: Streaming movies and TV shows using the Roku TV interface.
Why We Chose It: The TCL 32-inch 3-Series tops out at 1080p (where most 32-inch sets are 720p) and is compatible with all the major TV voice assistants.
Key Specs:
– 16:9 aspect ratio
– (3x) HDMI inputs, (1x) USB-A
– 1080p/60Hz

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Roku’s incredible user interface has been powering everything from streaming devices to smart TVs for over 15 years now, and when it comes to our favorite partnerships, nothing rings truer than a TCL with a Roku TV backbone. Such is the case with the former’s 32-inch Class 3-Series, a 1080p web-connected TV with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Siri support. 

And whenever you’re using a Roku TV, you can also use the Roku Mobile App to cast content from your phone or tablet to your TV, as well as engage in private-listening by connecting a wired or wireless set of headphones to your go-to mobile gear. 

BEST PICTURE QUALITY

Sony 32-inch W830K

Buy Now On Amazon

$348.00 $369.99

Buy Now

Buy Now at walmart

$348.00

Buy Now

Best For: Overall picture quality and motion clarity.
Why We Chose It: Sony always takes the time to deliver TVs that offer amazing colors and contrast, and the 32-inch W830K is no exception.
Key Specs:
– Google TV user interface
– (3x) HDMI inputs, (1x) USB-A
– 720p/60Hz

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When it comes to Sony TVs, you can rest assured you’re going to get jaw-dropping picture quality, regardless of the size of the set you’re purchasing. And this feat is perfectly exemplified by the amazing Sony 32-inch W830K. Yes, on paper, you’re only getting 720p resolution; so what makes the actual picture quality so good on this model? Two things actually: One is Sony’s proprietary X-Reality Pro post-picture processing, which automatically calibrates your TV picture frame-by-frame, ensuring each image that we see is packed with detail and filtered for digital noise and other blocky artifacts. 

The other feature is something called MotionFlow XR, which Sony has been using and optimizing for years now. While the W830K’s native refresh rate is only 60Hz, MotionFlow works behind the scenes to digitally enhance the TV’s motion clarity, giving you the smoothest picture possible for things like sports and high-octane action movies.

BEST FOR BRIGHTNESS

Vizio 32-inch D-Series

Buy Now On Amazon

$168.00 $189.99

Buy Now

Buy Now at best buy

$169.99 $179.99

Buy Now

Best For: Rooms that feature a ton of ambient lighting throughout the day.
Why We Chose It: It’s not often that a 32-inch TV will feature a fully-backlit LED display, but such is the case with Vizio’s 32-inch D-Series, and it’s the biggest reason we decided to include the set in our roundup
Key Specs:
– Uses Vizio SmartCast 
– Works with Alexa, Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit
– 1080p/60Hz

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We usually reserve “best brightness” laurels for much larger TVs, but we couldn’t help calling attention to Vizio’s 32-inch D-Series for its illumination-strengths. Typically, small TVs are lit by edge-of-the-display LEDs that run up and down both sides of the set. Not Vizio though: Determined to be better than the rest, the formidable 32-inch D-Series includes full-array LED backlighting, on top of Active Pixel Tuning to give you the kind of vibrant, eye-grabbing colors, contrast, and overall brightness you’d find on much higher-priced TVs.

Vizio is also one of the only TV brands (sans Samsung and LG) that uses its own in-house smart TV platform. Known as SmartCast, Vizio’s UI gives you access to all kinds of streaming apps, movies, and TV shows, on top of quick-search voice commands when you use the built-in mic on the remote control.

And did you know that bright and colorful 32-inch TVs can fill the role of an on-set script supervisor? Continuity is critical when producing movies and TV shows, and when you’re working with a bunch of cooks in one kitchen, keeping your creative vision visually in-check is more important than ever. Here’s what Michael Higginbotham had to say:

“The monitor I use is typically for color grading, so the advanced settings sometimes misguide how a project will look on a normal display. My 32-inch Samsung displays the color corrections and grading beautifully and always provides a realistic interpretation of how most people will see the final product.”

BEST ON A BUDGE

Insignia 32-inch F20

Buy Now On Amazon

$129.99 $199.99

Buy Now

Buy Now at best buy

$99.99 $149.99

Buy Now

Best For: Those of us shopping with limited funds.
Why We Chose It: Insignia has been a reliable TV brand for a long time, and the 32-inch Fire TV-loaded F20 is one of the best sets to grab if you’re shopping for cheaper sets.
Key Specs:
– Fire TV user interface
– (3x) HDMI inputs
– 720p/60Hz

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A long-championed Best Buy house-brand, Insignia produces everything from cables and adapters to 65-inch TVs, and we’re totally digging the company’s take on the 32-inch set. Like many of its bite-sized brethren, the super-cool F20 uses Fire TV for its user interface and all things streaming. The TV even comes with an Alexa remote, letting you use voice commands to control certain parts of your TV-watching experience. 

This being one of the cheapest entries of our roundup, the F20’s low price doesn’t mean you’re getting a stinker of a set by any means. In fact, when it comes to connecting older components like O.G. DVD players and VCRs, we’d point anyone toward the F20 for its inclusion of composite A/V inputs; an analog line-in that’s becoming harder and harder to find these days.

BEST ANDROID TV

Hisense 32-inch A4 Series

Buy Now On Amazon

$129.99 $152.48

Buy Now

Buy Now at best buy

$129.99 $149.99

Buy Now

Best For: Fans of the Android operating system and Android-adjacent user interfaces.
Why We Chose It: Android TV and Hisense have been working together for years now, creating great-looking TVs with great web-connected capabilities.
Key Specs:
– Android TV user interface
– (3x) HDMI inputs, (1x) USB-A
– 1080p/60Hz

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Hisense doesn’t always use Android TV for its user interface, but we’re definitely not complaining about the platform’s inclusion on the awesome 32-inch A4 Series. Not only will you be able to use the smooth UI to access hundreds of movies and TV shows, but there’s Chromecast built-in, too. This means you’ll be able to fire up an app on your phone or tablet and beam it over to your Hisense TV in seconds flat.

We’re also big fans of the fact that this TV is a 1080p model. While there’s not a world of difference between 720p and 1080p picture quality, every little pixel counts; especially when it comes to Blu-rays and next-gen video games.

BEST FOR SOUND

Toshiba 32-inch V35

Buy Now On Amazon

$119.99 $159.99

Buy Now

Buy Now at best buy

$119.99 $159.99

Buy Now

Best For:  Folks looking for a TV that delivers the kind of audio you’d expect from a soundbar.
Why We Chose It: No 32-inch TV is going to give you amazing sound, but the Toshiba V35 goes a few steps further in the audio department than the rest of the competition.
Key Specs:
– Fire TV user interface
– (3x) HDMI inputs
– 720p/60Hz

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TVs have small speakers: that’s just a fact. And small speakers means little in the way of wattage, especially when you’re dealing with a smaller set. But this was something that Toshiba thought earnestly about when designing the 32-inch V35 TV. Not only does this bad boy come loaded with Amazon’s Fire TV platform and an Alexa voice remote, but there’s also DTS Virtual:X. 

What does this mean? Simulated height channels. Thanks to its incredible post-processing capabilities, Virtual:X is able to make it sound like you have audio enveloping you from floor to ceiling, using just two stereo speakers. Is it going to sound like a true Dolby Atmos system? Not a chance, but the fact that Toshiba thought to optimize the sound of a smaller TV is enough to grab our attention.

A BORDERLESS BARGAIN

Phillips 32-inch PFL 6452

Buy Now

$118.00 $133.00

Buy Now

Best For: Those of us that want our small TVs to look as razor-thin as our larger, more expensive sets.
Why We Chose It: With its bezel-less approach, the Philips 32-inch PFL6452 looks more like a flagship TV than most smaller displays.
Key Specs:
– Roku TV user interface
– (2x) HDMI inputs, (1x) Composite A/V, (1x) USB-A
– 720p/60Hz

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While Philips doesn’t receive the same level of fanfare that titan brands like Samsung and LG command, that doesn’t mean that the brand isn’t producing some solid TVs. In fact, one area where Philips tends to dominate is in the small TV-sector, which leads us to the awesome 32-inch PFL6452. What really grabs our attention about this model is front-and-center: zero on-screen border. With perimeter framing that’s about the thickness of a credit card, the black trim on this Philips set is tucked under the LCD display, giving you a sleek and seamless look. 

We’re also big fans of Roku TV, and when it comes time to stream, the O.G. smart platform is there to connect you with all your favorite apps, content, and casting features. 

ALSO CONSIDER

Amazon Fire TV 2-Series

Buy Now On Amazon

$149.99 $199.99

Buy Now

Best For: Fans of the Fire TV OS who don’t want to spend a ton on a second, smaller TV.
Why We Chose It: Amazon has been making some solid TVs for a while now, and we’re big fans of the picture and features of the Fire TV 2-Series.
Key Specs:
– Fire TV user interface
– (2x) HDMI inputs
– 720p/60Hz

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When it comes to small TVs, support for HDR can get pretty spotty. But in the case of Amazon’s 32-inch Fire TV 2-Series, this 720p set includes support for HDR10 and HLG formats. Is this going to make a world of difference for a tinier screen? Not really, but if you plan on sitting super-close when watching Netflix streams or playing next-gen video games, you’ll get a slight boost in the brightness and color departments. 

And of course we can’t forget to mention the Fire TV user interface. For those unfamiliar, Amazon’s first-party UI is pretty smooth-sailing when it comes to accessing thousands of movies and TV shows, and thanks to the remote control’s inclusion of an Alexa button, you’ll be able to do things like search for your favorite content and control elements of your smart home from the comfort of your couch. 

BEST FOR VOICE ASSISTANTS

Westinghouse 32-inch Smart Roku TV

Buy Now On Amazon

$129.99 $167.99

Buy Now

Buy Now AT WALMART

$129.99

Buy Now

Best For: Those of us who want our smaller TVs to work with as many different voice assistants as possible.
Why We Chose It: Westinghouse may not collect the same amount of acclaim as its TV competition, but its 32-inch Smart Roku TV is an awesome model. 
Key Specs:
– Roku TV user interface
– (3x) HDMI inputs
– 720p/60Hz

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As mentioned, 32-inch TVs don’t typically tread in 4K waters, and when it comes to Westinghouse’s WR32HX2210, you’ll be dealing with 720p for your resolution. But no fretting: Westinghouse has a long history in the TV business, and this 32-inch model still delivers a pretty amazing picture, along with some impressive smart TV capabilities. Not only are you working with the Roku TV interface for all things streaming, but you’ll also be able to cast apps and certain media using the Roku Mobile App and Apple AirPlay 2.  When asked about his own experience with AirPlay 2 functionality, and how he chooses to connect A/V components to his editing rig, Mike Higginbotham said the following: 

“I haven’t tried AirPlay yet, but wouldn’t be opposed to it as long as there is no lag! My editing set-up is pretty stationary and simple where I connect using a high-speed HDMI for the higher resolutions.”

Now why does this model get a trophy for voice assistants? Because it supports both Alexa and Google Assistant, and Apple HomeKit voice commands. That’s right: Once connected to Wi-Fi, you’ll be able to search for movies, TV shows, adjust the volume, and more with one of three digital butlers. 

The state of physical media is strange. Big box stores are shrinking their Blu-Ray and DVD shelves while making more room for vinyl, a format first surpassed by CDs during the Reagan administration. But despite dwindling sales, there’s still a thriving community of disc collectors.

The subreddit r/dvdcollection includes memes and earnest enthusiasts showing off their DVD and Blu-Ray shelves, and the community is in the top 1% of the largest subreddits on the site. The market isn’t just powered by nostalgia for the rental store days, either.

Newer Blu-Ray titles like Spider-Man: No Way Home managed to move 1.3 million copies in 2022, Yellowstone season 4 took the top spot for DVDs with nearly half a million units sold, and film enthusiasts will pay good money for a new or restored release from the Criterion Collection. While these numbers are a far cry from the nearly 14.5 million copies of Pirates of the Caribbean – Dead Man’s Chest sold in 2006, for example, it’s clear that people still buy movies on discs.
We’ve written about the advantages of physical media over streaming, and the dominance of streaming has made the case for getting back into Blu-Ray and DVD collecting stronger, not weaker.

Why Do People Still Buy DVDs?

Even though new discs are increasingly hard to find, collectors cite a number of advantages of Blu-Ray and DVD. Tarl Patton is a collector with nearly 6,000 titles that he shows off on his Instagram and TikTok, @moviecollector16. He makes the case for physical media by pointing out that “more and more streaming services are removing content. Whether they don’t want to pay residuals, or they don’t want them taking up room on their service, content keeps disappearing.” Even once-massively popular shows like Westworld can get not only canceled but pulled entirely, treated as if they never existed. 

Buying movies and music in a physical format means that, for all intents and purposes, the content is yours. Regional restrictions and copyright law still apply, of course, (remember those “you wouldn’t steal a car” PSAs?), but a company pulling a title or an artist removing their music won’t affect physical copies. Even buying digital copies isn’t a true alternative to physical media, as purchased titles are basically only licensed, not owned. Plus, most physical releases come with a digital download code. 

Blu-Ray also delivers when it comes to quality. As Patton points out, compared to streaming, “physical media is simply better quality and more reliable. The picture quality, and I’ve found especially the sound, are immensely better.” Using a disc also means never having to worry about buffering; even those with the fastest internet speeds suffer outages from time to time.

As for DVDs, while the standard picture quality can’t reach HD and 4K quality, collecting them can be a way to add hard-to-find, niche, and older titles to the collection. DVDs and DVD players are much cheaper, too. Most of Patton’s collection is in Blu-Ray, but he has “800 or so DVDs,” which he buys if “the title is not available on Blu-ray, or is out of print on Blu-Ray and is very expensive.”  

There are also less-practical-but-no-less-legitimate reasons to buy physical media, and they include the tactile enjoyment of admiring the collection, grabbing a title off the shelf, and popping open the case. Plus, Blu-Rays and DVDs almost always include more bonus content than what can be found on streamers. 

But where should you buy DVDs and Blu-Rays? As Patton points out, the bad news is that “brick-and-mortar stores are dwindling down their physical media sections more and more each year.” The good news is that, with so many people offloading their collections, secondhand gems can be pretty easily found on the cheap. 

Patton regularly shops eBay, garage sales, and pawn shops, as well as big box stores like Best Buy and Walmart for new discs. Other options include thrift stores, and many record stores have DVDs and Blu-Ray discs, too. For those who’d like to get them for free, many public libraries still stock DVDs and Blu Ray

How To Choose A DVD or Blu Ray Player

The big question, then, is what kind of player to buy. The answer depends on the disc. Patton recommends using a game console like the Playstation or XBOX, because these can be used for Blu-Ray discs and DVDs, streaming, and of course, gaming. 

That said, there are limitations. While the PS5 and XBOX Series X plays 4K Blu-rays, the PS4 doesn’t, though it can play regular Blu-Ray discs and DVDs. Many gaming consoles are expensive and large, so they’re unlikely to be worth it for non-gamers. 

Non-gamers who want to play 4K content will want an Ultra HD Blu-Ray player. Higher definition units are backward compatible, meaning an Ultra HD Blu-Ray player that plays 4K Blu-Rays can also play regular Blu-Ray discs and DVDs, just like a Blu-Ray player can play DVDs. 

The exception is HD DVD, an optical disc format that lost the format war with Blu-Ray but can still occasionally be found secondhand. Patton uses his XBOX 360 to play these, although the average DVD and Blu-Ray shopper is unlikely to come across them. “I do still come across HD DVDs, [but] every year I see fewer and fewer.”

A DVD player can only play DVDs and CDs, but they are considerably less expensive than Blu-Ray players. Those who only have DVDs and have no intention to get into Blu-Ray will be happy with a basic, budget DVD player.

Panasonic – 4K Ultra HD Blu-Ray Player

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$199.99

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Panasonic’s Blu-Ray player is a good option for anyone with a collection of 4K Blu-Ray discs, and it also upscales Blu-Ray and DVD discs. For the best audio experience, the player also has Dolby Atmos with surround sound capabilities. It has no smart capabilities, although most are likely to have a streaming stick or smart TV already.

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Sony Blu-Ray Disc Player

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$69.99 $74.99

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$65.00

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A non-4K Blu-Ray player is pricier than a DVD player, but it’s not wildly expensive, either. Sony makes one for $75, and it also has access to over 100 streaming services. Anyone with an extensive DVD collection can take advantage of the upscaling capabilities of this player.

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Sony – DVD Player – Black

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$34.99

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Sony makes a great no-frills DVD player, which has a simple three-button onboard controls and an intuitive, although somewhat oversized, remote control. The player is thin, compact and lightweight, making it easy to slot into even the most crowded media cabinet.

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PlayStation 5 Console

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$499.99

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Sony makes two versions of the PlayStation 5, one with and one without a disc drive. Obviously, the disc drive version is required in order to play Ultra HD Blu-Ray discs, as well as Blu-Ray and DVDs. Thankfully, the PS5 is no longer as hard to find as it once was, though it’s still by far the most expensive on this list, so it’s best suited for movie buffs who also game.

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Remember when flat screen TVs took the world by storm? Billed as the thinnest TVs money could buy, state-of-the-art features included things like 720p HD, the ability to wall mount your set, and the introduction of this wonderful thing called HDMI. Decades later, the above laurels seem rather primitive, but as TV companies continue to develop new and exciting displays, the world still wants its TVs to be as thin as possible.

With the rise of OLED technology, the need for a backlighting panel has virtually disappeared, mostly due to the fact that OLED displays contain self-emissive pixels that require no additional lighting source. And with the self-emitting diodes built right inside of the display, TV manufacturers gain a lot more flexibility (literally, but we’ll get to that in a moment) with what they can achieve with a TV display.

So just how thin can a TV get? We’re beyond inches — the thinnest TVs can now be measured in millimeters. And this razor-thin display technology creates a plethora of interesting avenues for the future of this technology. For instance, Samsung is already producing thin TVs that can double as digital art frames or display panels that literally roll up and disappear when turned off.

Sci-fi movies like Back to the Future Part II painted a reality where window blinds were TVs. That idea seemed so far-fetched back then, but it’s not too far away at this point. Trade shows like CES (Consumer Electronics Show) have been showcases for these emerging display technologies. 

That being said, there are only a handful of super-thin TVs available for consumers right now, and a few more on the way, but the future of thin TVs is looking pretty unreal at the moment.

What the Expert’s Say

When designing an ultra-thin TV, manufacturers have plenty to worry, especially when it comes to fitting all the core components (main board, power supply, speakers) into a space-starved chassis. But in the words of Lydia Cho, Head of TV Product Marketing for Samsung: “With less room for speakers, there’s more room for innovation.”

We had the opportunity to chat with Lydia about the current state of Samsung TVs; and more specifically, how a brand renowned for producing such phenomenally thin displays is able to achieve such impressive performance with less and less room to house internal peripherals. 

“Premium TVs are available in a range of screen sizes, and the thinness of the TV does not correspond to less screen space. With that said, to keep TVs like the Samsung S95C so thin, Samsung leveraged new technology to miniaturize key components in the design. The result provides customers with an ultra-large, ultra-bright, ultra-thin TV that offers an unmatched viewing experience.”

As it stands, the Samsung S95C is the thinnest TV the company has ever made, and going into the second generation of the famous QD-OLED formula, there’s plenty to love about one of Samsung’s new, razor-thin flagship sets. “The new Samsung S95C OLED is 11mm… the company’s slimmest offering to date. [And] with the Samsung Infinity One Design with Slim One Connect, it has a beautifully sleek profile that shines in any room of your home – whether it’s your home theater or family room.”

TVs are just going to keep getting thinner and thinner, and thanks to the innovations of renowned brands like Samsung, we won’t have to worry about picture and sound quality being sacrificed as chassis-space continues to shrink.

BEST OVERALL

LG 55-inch G2 Series

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$1,496.99 $1,596.99

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$1,496.99 $1,896.99

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Best For: Fans of the phenomenal OLED picture that LG has become renowned for, who also want to showcase wall art and family photos in style.
Why We Chose It: The LG G2 and C2 Series are fairly close in picture quality and overall performance, but if you’re looking for a TV that is guaranteed to sit flush with your wall, the G2 is the way to go.

Read More: 8 Best OLED TVs for Sale in 2023

Key Specs:
Key specs:
– 1.1 inches thick (without stand), 7.4 inches thick (w/ stand)
– OLED technology
– 4K/120Hz with four HDMI 2.1 inputs
– webOS user interface

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Even though the LG WX 65-inch Wallpaper 4K Smart OLED TV is technically the thinnest TV you can buy (measuring only 0.15 inches thick), it’s not widely in stock anymore. That’s why the LG OLED Evo G2 Series is our top pick. It’s available in a wide variety of sizes, while still maintaining a relatively sleek profile of just 1 inch.

Unlike other TVs that tend to widen around the base area, the LG OLED Evo G2 Series manages to maintain its slim chassis all the way through. This helps to eliminate the gap you tend to see whenever TVs are wall-mounted. This happens because most flat-screens start off razor-thin at the top and proceed to thicken as you get to the base. With the LG OLED Evo Gallery Edition, you’ll be treated to a gorgeous display powered by a rich and vibrant OLED panel. When it comes to colors, this TV has incredible depth and range. Powered by the smart webOS interface, users also have access to all of their favorite streaming services.

BEST FOR SAMSUNG FANS

Samsung 65-inch The Frame

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$2,497.95

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Best For: Those looking for the brilliance and vibrant colors of a Samsung QLED, and who want to showcase some of the most visually stunning artwork the world has ever seen.
Why We Chose It: Samsung’s The Frame is a breathtaking QLED in the traditional sense, but what we really love is the fact that you can have the TV powered off and still display artwork.

Read More: 12 Best Samsung TVs of 2023

Key Specs:
– 1 inch thick (without stand), 10.3 inches thick (w/ stand)
– QLED technology
– 4K/120Hz with four HDMI 2.1 inputs
– Tizen OS user interface

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The 2022 edition of The Frame from Samsung makes a major improvement over its 2020 predecessor in terms of thinness. Originally, The Frame measured in at 1.8-inches without its stand, which was on the thicker side compared to its competitors in this category. However, Samsung slimmed down The Frame, which is now just 1-inch thick. The newest models of The Frame also retain the unique art function that makes this such a unique product. Why just have a TV on your wall when it could double as a dynamic art frame?\

We can agree that TVs have a purpose when they’re on, but most of the time they’re just occupying space on a wall doing nothing when they’re off.  The Frame eliminates that problem by displaying your favorite artwork when the TV is off, essentially turning the display into a digital canvas worthy of making your art friends jealous. And thanks to the thin frame, it will look exactly like any other piece of artwork hanging in your home. The visual effect is stunning, and this is without a doubt one of the most beautiful televisions ever created. (We recently named this one of the best TVs of 2023.)

Customers need to purchase individual works of art to display, with more than 1,400 selections from museums around the world, as well as new artwork from contemporary artists. Alternatively, you can sign up for a subscription to the Samsung Art Store or display your own photos. There are also motion sensors built into The Frame, so when nobody is around, the display will turn completely off so it’s not wasting energy.

BEST BUDGET OPTION

Hisense 55-inch A6H

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$288.00 $349.99

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$288.00

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Best For: Budget shoppers that want the thinnest TV they can get.
Why We Chose It: The Hisense A6H has enough picture and smart features to look and feel more like a top-shelf option than a bargain buy.

Full Review: Hisense A6H

Key Specs: 
– LED-LCD
– 4K/60Hz with three HDMI inputs
– Google TV interface

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If you’re in the market for a thin TV that costs less than the rest, consider the Hisense 55-inch A6H. Sure, it’s not a flagship set by any means, especially when it comes to contrast (the A6H picture can look a bit washed out from time to time), but that doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be on your radar. You’re still getting up to 4K resolution, HDR support, and Hisense’s Game Mode Plus, which adjusts picture settings to bring out all the details for your next-gen games.

The A6H also runs on Google TV for all things user interface and smart TV, giving you access to a ton of movies, TV shows and other Google TV exclusives. Sometimes the grand champ doesn’t dunk and dribble the ball as cool as the rest (it’s the best sports analogy we could come up with), but when you need a thinner set (just about 3 inches from front to back, sans TV feet) that still rocks your living room, the 55-inch A6H is the one we’d choose.

BEST PRICE FOR A BIG SCREEN

TCL 75-inch 6-Series Mini LED

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$1,499.99

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$1,499.99

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Best For: Getting as much screen in your viewing space as possible.
Why We Chose It: TCL is one of our favorite budget TV brands, and the incredible 75-inch 6-Series gets you one of the company’s biggest and thinnest sets for a phenomenal price.

Read More: What’s Worth Losing on a Budget TV?

Key Specs:
– 2.7 inches thick (without stand)
– Mini-LED lighting
– Up to 4K/144Hz with four HDMI inputs
– Roku TV interface

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TCL is renowned for its extensive lineup of budget-friendly TVs that pack a ton of excellent picture and smart features into sets that cost far less than the competition. Now at first, we weren’t sure we would be able to include a TCL set in this roundup; not because we don’t think they’re great, but we didn’t think the current lineup included anything that was thin enough. But upon closer inspection, we feel that the awesome 75-inch 6-Series Roku TV deserves a mention.

We’re very hesitant when recommending large screens with low refresh rates (especially if you plan on using the set for gaming), so the fact that this 6-Series set delivers up 4K at up to 144Hz for two HDMI inputs, and 4K/60Hz for the second pair, along with gaming must-haves like AMD FreeSync Premium Pro and VRR support, really put us at ease. And that’s on top of HDR support and Mini-LED lighting, making for a final picture that looks bright and colorful, on top of having excellent contrast.

In terms of overall profile, the 75-inch 6-Series features TCL’s super-cool FullView edge-to-edge display (the picture blends right into the perimeter trimming), and if you’re wall-mounting this bad boy, the TV only measures 2.7 inches from front to back. Using the included stand bumps this number up to 12.6 inches, but even with its pedestal, the 75-inch 6-Series still looks great on an entertainment center.

BEST FOR SONY FANS

Sony 65-inch 4K Ultra HD TV X95K

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$3,896.00

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$1,898.00

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Best For: Sony fans that want to experience all-new dimensions of both picture and sound, as well as Mini LED lighting.
Why We Chose It: Sony’s X95K is built from the ground-up to make all your TV sources look and sound better than ever before, and while it may be a bit pricey, it’s surely not going to disappoint.

Read More: The Best 65-inch TVs for Every Budget

Key Specs:
– 2.4 inches (without stand),13.63 inches (with stand)
– Mini LED technology
– 4K/120Hz with four HDMI 2.1 inputs
– Android TV user interface

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The X95K represents a few unique distinctions for Sony. For starters, it’s the company’s first full-on Mini LED sets, shrinking the size of traditional LEDs to deliver one of the brightest Bravia pictures we’ve ever seen. And when you factor in 4K upscaling and the incredible Google TV smart platform, the fact that the X95K also happens to be one of the thinnest TVs you can buy almost becomes a mere afterthought. 

We also can’t forget to mention the Cognitive Processor XR tech, a frame-by-frame analyzer that Sony uses to automatically enhance colors and contrast based on what you’re watching, delivering a final picture that is way more vibrant and detailed than the competition.

Sony 65-inch A80K

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$3,696.00

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$1,798.00

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Best For: OLED fans looking for an excellent alternative to an LG set.
Why We Chose It: From its Triluminos-enhanced colors to its PS5 optimizations, the A80K is one of the best Sony TVs you can buy in 2023.

Read More: The 15 Best 75-inch TVs of 2023

Key Specs:
– 2.8 inches thick (without stand), 13.3 inches (with stand)
– OLED technology
– 4K/120Hz 
– Google TV user interface

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The Sony A80K is one of our favorite LG OLED alternatives on the market. When it comes to 4K picture quality and overall color volume, nothing beats the processing power of a Triluminos display. Sony’s Cognitive Processor XR and XR OLED Contrast Pro both included in this set, and we’re big fans of what the picture tech does to our favorite movies and TV shows. The former acts as an automatic optimizer for whatever content you’re watching, giving you a final picture that’s much more vibrant and colorful, while the latter acts as a contrast-enhancer, giving the A80K the capability of delivering detailed imagery with both high and low levels of lighting.

AN ULTRA-BRIGHT QLED

Samsung 65-inch QN90C

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$2,597.99 $2,797.99

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$2,478.00 $2,797.99

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Best For: Those of us looking for an ultra-thin TV with ample brightness and incredible color accuracy. 
Why We Chose It: A solid upgrade from the 2022 QN90B, Samsung’s latest iteration of its chart-topping 4K Neo QLED gets a solid boost in the brightness department. 

Read More: The Best LED Light Strips

Key Specs: 
– 1.1 inches thick (without stand), 11.2 inches thick (with stand)
– QLED technology
– 4K/120Hz

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Samsung’s amazing QN90B was our favorite QLED of 2022, but a new year means a whole new lineup of TVs. Introducing the Samsung QN90C, a stellar revamp of all the great things that worked with last year’s top-gun. For starters, Samsung returns to the fold with its almighty Quantum Matrix with Mini LED lighting, a grid of tiny diodes that illuminates the QN90C’s 30 million pixels, delivering brightness, rich colors, and well-balanced contrast in all new ways. 

And when it comes to HDR, there’s a new kid in town! The QN90C is outfitted with Samsung’s Neural Quantum HDR+, a must-have for cinema enthusiasts. This processing tech ensures that when you fire up your favorite movie streams or 4K Blu-rays, you’re getting the exact picture the filmmakers intended for you to see. That’s on top of the triumphant return of Motion Xcelerator Turbo+, which keeps the TV’s 120Hz refresh rate looking as smooth as can be.

We’re also big fans of the NeoSlim architecture, which is to thank for the TV’s razor-thin silhouette and design. Not to mention the top-notch sound features you’ll be getting with this Samsung TV. In discussing a few features of the aforementioned Samsung S95C, Lydia Cho, Head of TV Product Marketing for Samsung called out some tech that’s included with the QN90C (and a few other Samsung models), too!

“The [QN90C] is outfitted with Dolby Atmos® that’s built directly into the TV, and Object Tracking Sound+ so you can enjoy cinema-mastered audio. You can pair the TV with a Samsung S800B Ultra-Slim soundbar or a Q900C soundbar, which utilize Q-symphony to seamlessly create an immersive soundscape. Whether it’s the world of Pandora or the arena feel of the NBA Playoffs, Samsung TVs and soundbars help bring these scenes to life right in your home.”

BEST OLED

LG 55-inch C3

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$1,896.99

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$1,896.99

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Best For: Fans of LG’s year-to-year OLED excellence that want the latest and greatest from the brand.
Why We Chose It: The LG C3 takes TV-watching one step closer to reality with the incredible a9 Gen 6 AI Processor, delivering lifelike visuals that rivals what we see in the real world.

Read More: LG OLED TV M3 Ditches Messy Wires

Key Specs:
– 1.8 inches thick (without stand), 9.1 inches thick (with stand)
– OLED technology
– 4K/120Hz
– webOS 23 user interface

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The LG C2 was one of our favorite OLED TVs in 2022, but LG isn’t one to rest on its laurels. Now we have the amazing LG C3 joining the company’s lineup of fantastic OLED sets, and we couldn’t be happier. But what sets this model apart from last year’s? Well for one, we’re dealing with a completely revamped processor. The all-new a9 AI Processor Gen6 takes the C3 one step closer toward picture perfection by analyzing and optimizing every frame, ensuring you’re getting the best brightness, colors, and contrast for whatever you’re watching.

The C3 also rocks LG’s Ultra Slim Design, giving you an incredibly-thin bezel, along with the capability of displaying artwork and photos when you’re not actively watching TV. And did we mention the C3 is built for next-gen gaming, too? Thanks to NVIDIA G-Sync, AMD FreeSync Premium,VRR support, and a native 120Hz refresh rate, all of your Xbox Series X and PS5 titles will look and perform better than ever!

ANOTHER GREAT LG

LG 55-inch C2

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$1,196.99 $1,499.99

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Key Specs:
– 1.8 inches thick (without stand), 9.1 inches thick (with stand)
– OLED technology
– 4K/120Hz
– webOS 22 user interface

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The LG C2 may be one of last year’s models, but don’t let that fool you: It was one of the best OLEDs we got to demo last year, and we highly recommend grabbing one while supplies last. But what makes the C2 lesser than the all-new C3. As far as it stands, it’s mostly a matter of processors. The C2 uses the a9 Gen 5 AI Processor while the C3 operates on the upgraded version of the same core chipset (the a9 Gen 6). But as far as picture features go, there’s plenty to dig about the C2’s performance. 

Thanks to LG’s evo panel and onboard Brightness Booster, the C2 is still one of the brightest OLEDs on the market, and all the must-have gaming features built into the C3 are alive and well on the C2. We also appreciate the inclusion of Filmmaker Mode, which automatically calibrates picture quality settings and frame-rate to give you the final image that the creatives behind your favorite movies and shows want you to see.

Samsung 65-inch QN900C

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$4,997.99

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$4,997.00

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Key Specs:
– 0.6 inches thick (without stand), 10.5 inches thick (with stand)
– QLED technology
– 8K/120Hz 
– Tizen TV interface

Read More: The Best QLEDs

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When it’s an ultra-thin display and brilliant 8K upscaling you’re after, the Samsung QN900C is the QLED you’ll want. Where do we begin with this titan of a TV? Well, one thing that grabs our attention from the get-go is the QN900C’s Quantum Matrix Pro with Mini LED lighting. Sure, the 8K format isn’t readily available, but this Samsung TV is capable of breaking down and rebuilding whatever 4K source you’re feeding it, for an unmatched upscaling experience that is like no other. It may not be true 8K, but with the jaw-dropping imagery this bad boy can produce, we doubt you’ll be thinking about pixels. 

The QN900C is also a juggernaut when it comes to gaming. Not only does the set feature Samsung’s built-in Game Hub, but thanks to the addition of Motion Xcelerator Turbo Pro, all of your next-gen games will be essentially robbed of any frame-stutter whatsoever. Oh, and let’s not forget to mention that if you plug in a gaming PC, you’ll be able to experience some content at up to 144Hz!

On the Horizon: Here Are Two of the Thinnest TVs Arriving in 2023

We all know that consumer tech never rests, and thin TVs are certainly no exception. Every year, TV titans like Samsung, LG and Sony can always be expected to drop somewhere between eight to often up to 20 different “new” models that push the boundaries of picture performance, web-connected capabilities, and yes, the overall thinness of the set. And as it stands, there are two upcoming TVs that we’d like to call attention to:

One of these sets is the all-new LG G3 Series. Powered by LG’s a9 Gen5 AI Processor, this 4K OLED is the company’s brightest self-emissive display to date, rivaling the kind of vibrancy you’d find on some of the best QLED screens. On top of HDMI 2.1 support across all four inputs, each connection is optimized to deliver the best picture and motion performance based on the component you’re plugging in, making the G3 an ideal TV for next-gen gamers. 

Oh, and did we mention that the 65-inch model is only 1-inch thick? And that the 55-inch version is only 1.1 inches? The LG G3 is built to impress, and if you’re all about a razor-thin TV mounted to your wall, this 2023 OLED is one of the best ways to go.

Another model we’d like to draw attention to is the Samsung S95C OLED. Available in sizes as small as 55-inches and as large as 77-inches, the S95C is the second generation of Samsung’s amazing QD-OLED display: a screen that combines powerful quantum dots for heightened brightness and colors, and self-emissive pixels for doubling down on those inky black levels.

And as one of Samsung’s thinnest TVs to hit shelves in 2023, from front to back, all sizes of the S95C are only 0.4 inches thick!

There’s no beating the kind of cinematic experience that a movie theater projector can deliver. But even if you’re dropping thousands of dollars on a class-leading 4K stalwart from the likes of Sony, JVC or Epson, the fact remains that most of us aren’t working with viewing environments that are built from the ground-up to accommodate projectors. 

Thanks to things like windows and light bulbs, the rooms in most modern homes are prone to all kinds of distractions from an abundance of ambient light sources. Now here’s a hard truth: ambient lighting and projectors don’t mix. But fortunately, many projector and TV brands take a “fight fire with fire” approach to ambient illumination. 

What is Ambient Lighting?

Generally speaking, ambient lighting is any kind of interior or external source of illumination (such as sunlight) that fills a room. Certain fixtures like fan lights, chandeliers, and lamps are typical sources of interior ambience, and for the most part, these are lights we simply cannot live without. That being said, there’s been a long-standing war between ambient lighting and different types of home theater displays for decades now, and the battle shows no signs of stopping. 

You see, TV and projector screens will always look the best in darker spaces, but besides investing in blackout curtains and thousand-dollar-plus anti-ambience screens, the only true way to fight a room bathed in ambient hues is with a TV or projector that can get really bright. Unfortunately, top-notch brightness tends to go hand-in-hand with rather lackluster colors and contrast. That’s not a hard rule though.

As you’ll see from the six projectors we chose for today’s roundup, there is a world where bold brightness, amazing colors and contrast, and fair prices all sing campfire tunes in near-perfect harmony. 

BEST OVERALL

Optoma CinemaX D2

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$2,699.00

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$1,999 at B&H Photo

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Best for: Rooms brimming with all kinds of ambient lighting, to the point where it’s hard to even look at your phone in these spaces.
Why we chose it: The Optoma CinemaX D2 is not only one of the best projectors for bright rooms, but it delivers some of the best colors and contrast of any model on the market.

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Read More: The Best Projectors

Key specs: 

The Optoma CinemaX D2 is a melting pot of all the best projector features we could possibly ask for, and it throws an image like a champ in a room filled with ambient lighting. This is thanks in part to the D2’s mighty 3,000 lumen output, but bright-light capabilities is just the tip of the iceberg with this model. 

There’s also HDR10 support, a 30,000 hour lifespan for the lamp, an unbeatable 1,800,000:1 contrast ratio, and the much-lauded ability to create a 120-inch picture from a relatively short throw distance. “Ultra short-throw” has become a staple of projection tech over the last few years, and while we feel that the Epson EpiqVision LS800 is the best UST model for bright spaces, we feel that the Optoma CinemaX D2 is the best projector overall when it comes to sun-drenched environments and other sources of illumination.

RUNNER-UP

ViewSonic PX748-4K

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$1,042.00 $1,109.99

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$1,099 at office max

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Best for: Dialing in the kind of colors and contrast that you’d see in a movie theater.
Why we chose it: With its 4,000 lumen max and SuperColor picture tech, it’s hard to beat the kind of picture the amazing ViewSonic PX748 delivers.

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Read More: The Best Projectors for iPhones 

Key specs: 

When it comes to breathtaking picture quality, the ambient lighting in your theater-space stands zero chance against the almighty ViewSonic PX748, a powerful 4K projector that is built to handle pretty much any source you want to connect to it.

Thanks to its chart-topping 4,000 lumen output, combined with UHD resolution, the PX748 delivers bright and stunning visuals, which are further buttressed by ViewSonic’s SuperColor feature. The latter will adapt the many onscreen hues of the projector to be optimized for whatever types of window and fixture lighting are present in your home. That’s on top of HDR capabilities, high refresh rate (240Hz), and low input lag, making the PX748 one of the best projectors for 2023. 

BEST ULTRA SHORT-THROW

Epson EpiqVision LS800

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$2,999.99 $3,499.99

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$2,999 at B&H Photo

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Best for: Bright rooms that also don’t have a lot of spots for a projector to physically live.
Why we chose it: On top of its ultra-bright image output, the Epson EpiqVision LS800 can also throw a 150-inch picture, and only requires a few inches for throw distance. 

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Read More: The Best Short-Throw Projectors

Key specs:

Ultra short-throw projectors may be more expensive than the other bright-room projectors, especially when you start factoring in features like HDR and 4K resolution. But when it comes to amazing UHD hardware that only requires a few feet for optimal throw-distance, it’s easy to see why projectors like the Epson EpiqVision LS800 are so incredible.

One of our favorite features of this projector has to be the super-cool combination of 3 chip-coloring and HDR. The former truly dials in the brightness (delivering a whopping 4,000 lumens), while both the 3-chip tech and HDR work in unison to accentuate colors in ways that only an OLED TV can rival. And the best part: To get a full 100-inch picture (although the LS800 of throwing a 120-inch display), you only need 3.9 inches of space between the projector and whatever screen or wall you’ll be using.

BEST FOR THE WORKPLACE

BenQ MW560 Business Projector

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$479.00 $579.00

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$479 at B&H PHoto

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Best for: Presentations, bar graphs, and all the other projected essentials of a water-cooler wonderland. 
Why we chose it: The BenQ MW560 has every input and output you could ever want on a projector.

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Read More: The Best Home Theater Projectors

Key specs: 

At home, we usually only need to worry about HDMI (and sometimes USB) when hooking up components to our projectors. But when it comes to connecting computers, tablets and phones at the office, you’ll want a projector that includes as many inputs and outputs as possible. Enter the BenQ MW560.

Not only is the MW560 a great value, but it’s also engineered to look fantastic in bright rooms (thanks to its 4,000 lumen output), features a myriad of connections (including HDMI, USB, VGA, composite and S-Video), and will project a full 150-inch picture. The only downside with this last laurel is that you’ll need about 10.5 feet of throw distance.

And for those workplaces that are constantly giving presentations, there’s even three built-in picture presets (Data Review, Presentation and Infographic) you can switch between for getting the best picture for all those PowerPoint slides. 

BEST SPLURGE

Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K

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$1,999.99

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$2,348 at walmart

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Best for: Impressing your friends (and yourself) with one of the best feature-loaded projectors that money can buy.
Why we chose it: The Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K delivers a stunning UHD picture, and who can deny the lunchbox-adorableness of that little carrying handle? 

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Full Review: Anker Nebula Cosmos 4K

Key specs: 

Anker’s lineup of awesome 4K projectors are built for both everyday users and videophiles that expect nothing but the best. And for the latter crowd, the Nebula Cosmos 4K is the model we’re going to highlight today. 

Where to even begin with this titan. Well for starters, it’s built not only for simple portability, but with its bevy of available inputs (including HDMI, USB, Bluetooth, and Aux) and amazing picture specs, including 4K resolution, HDR, and intuitive suite of Intelligent Environment Adaptation (IEA) customizations, the Cosmos is designed to be the one and only projector you’ll need for years to come. 

We also love the included Android TV dongle that gets you access to over 7,000 apps, and the ability to project a 150-inch picture, with only a few feet of throw distance to worry about. Sure, it may not be the brightest model on our list (throws up to 1,840 lumens), but the picture quality and list of other accolades is hard to beat.

BEST PORTABLE

XGIMI Elfin Mini Projector

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$649.00

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$499 at XGIMI

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Best for: Throwing it in a backpack and taking it to and from work, school, and the smokey VFW post your grandfather hangs out at.
Why we chose it: The XGIMI Elfin may be small, but its HDR strengths and prolific sound system make the Elfin one of the best portable projectors you can buy.

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Read More: The Best Portable Projectors 

Key specs: 

While it’s not exactly ergonomic to carry a home theater component around, there is a rather impressive subset of projection tech designed for quick and simple portability. And as part of this niche, our favorite model for bright rooms has to be the XGIMI Elfin. 

Now on paper, you’ll notice that you’re only getting up to 800 lumens, which doesn’t even come close to the 4,000 maximum that many of the models on our list are capable of; but when you’re dealing with a bite-sized projector, these lower readings are common. There’s plenty more to love here though, including 1080p HD with a 4K HDMI input, HDR10, an onboard Harman Kardon speaker system and an Android 10.0 platform for all things smart TV. 

How We Chose the Best Projectors for Bright Rooms

Picking a projector is no easy feat, and when you’re looking for models that are equipped to tackle bright spaces, there’s even more criteria to consider. Here are a few of the most vital product features we weighed when selecting the six projectors of this roundup:

Lumens

If you’re dealing with a super-bright viewing environment, one of the most important considerations to make when investing in a projector is its ANSI lumens. In a nutshell, this is a measurement of how bright a projector can get. 

With values typically hovering anywhere from the low hundreds up to 4,000 lumens and more, the simple science behind the metric is the bigger the number, the brighter the image output. And when it comes to viewing spaces that must contend with a fair amount of ambient lighting, we did our best to highlight projectors that soared in the lumens department. 

In fact, save for one or two entries, most of the projectors on our list can deliver at least 3,000 lumens or greater.

Picture tech

Projectors that are tailor-made for bright rooms are not all created equally, and like any TV you would buy today, it’s just as important to invest in a projector that’s loaded with class-leading features that accentuate and improve upon the natively-impressive image that your Optoma or Epson is capable of displaying. 

Scanning our roundup, you’ll see plenty of 4K, HDR, and impressive contrast ratio call-outs, in addition to display features like auto key-stoning and other automated image correction tech. A good projector may be engineered to get nice and bright, but a great model will look and feel like the kind of projector you’d find at your local cinema. 

Throw distance

A projector’s throw distance is how far away from a wall or screen your projector needs to be in order to project its maximum image size without any kind of degradation. With most models only requiring a few feet of throw to get the biggest picture possible, there are a few entries in our roundup that require a bit more distance. 

Now this doesn’t mean that these projectors are bad choices. In fact, there are plenty of award-winning projectors on the market with required throw distances of 10 feet or more. But when creating this list, we tried to throw our own spotlight on models that achieve excellent bright-room picture with as little spacial limitations as possible.

This is also why we called out two UST (ultra-short-throw) models. Yes, in terms of investment, this type of projector is going to cost more than most, but this is because a majority of UST projectors only need to be positioned several inches from the wall or screen, while still being able to throw a picture as large as 300 inches in some cases.

What does weekend yard work, intercontinental flights, and running ultra-marathons have in common? They all take a long time to complete. When you’re in the middle of a long task, you want the best wireless earbuds with long battery life. Full stop.

Now, if the batteries go kaput in your earbuds during yard work, you can always go inside and grab a portable speaker, or charge your earbuds for a few minutes; no harm, no foul. Another example is being on an  international flight, you can plug into the screen in the headrest in front of you and watch a movie, or read a book.

But when it comes to running, you can’t just stop and recharge your earbuds, or do something else to entertain yourself. Your wireless earbuds may be the singular thing that pushes you towards the finish line and without them, you may lose the motivation to train, or finish the race.

What the Experts Say

That’s exactly what two marathon runners and one ultra-marathon runner explained to us when we discussed the most important aspects of the earbuds they use during training and race day. 

“There’s nothing worse than needing that extra push to get you through to the finish line and your music cuts out. That happened to me during the Chicago Marathon and the finish to that race was a struggle,” said Tess Sucher, a nurse and marathon runner. “I only consider headphones with at least six hours of battery life,” said Sucher. 

When it comes to longer races, Jordan Stuart, Senior Marketing Manager at Freeus and ultra marathon runner said, “I prefer headphones that last up to 10 hours, since I run longer races.” Stuart continued, “My gear is the last thing I want to worry about. If something is getting in the way of me having a good, enjoyable workout, then I will replace it immediately.” 

Beyond battery life, runners also hold comfort to a high standard. Brian Sucher, VP of Regional Sales for US Foods and marathon runner said, “I want a snug fit. I look for earbuds that stay in place throughout the bumps of running. I don’t want to have to stop and look for my earbud on the ground.”

BEST OVERALL

Powerbeats Pro

Buy Now On Amazon

$182.99 $199.95

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Buy Now at best buy

$189.99 $199.99

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Key Specs: 
Battery Life: 9 Hours
ANC and Transparency Mode: No 
Waterproof Rating: IPX 4

Why We Chose It: We think these are great for gym rats and those who enjoy long running or training sessions thanks to the earhook design and long battery life.

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Read more: There’s No Fiddling Around When You Get Hooked on With the Best Hook Earbuds for Running 

SPY contributor Alex Bracetti said this is the best earhook design earbud available. Full stop. And for good reason – the design is pliable, yet sturdy and keeps the buds from moving around in your ears, which is ideal for runners where the impact of running and jostle earbuds out of place.

Aside from the comfortable fit, the nine hours of listening time is among the best battery life you’ll find in a premium earbud.

BEST FOR IPHONE USERS

Airpods Pro (Second Generation)

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$199.99 $249.00

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$249.99

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Key Specs: 
Battery Life: 6 Hours 
ANC and Transparency Mode: Yes 
Waterproof Rating: IPX 4

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Why We Chose It: We like the synergy between your iPhone and headphones including hands free operation thanks to Siri.

Improving upon already impressive noise cancellation, and upping the battery life from four to six hours from the previous generation, the Second Generation Airpods Pros made many necessary changes from its predecessor.

SPY contributor Jonathan Knoder has complained often about the short battery life from the previous generation, especially considering the price point. Now with two additional hours, as well as all of the synergistic goodness between your pods and iPhone, like on-call Siri and having it read your texts and reminders, make these even more ideal for iPhone users.

BEST SOUND QUALITY

Sony WF-1000XM4 Noise Canceling Earbuds

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$278.00

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Buy Now at best buy

$279.99

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Key Specs: 
Battery Life: Eight Hours
ANC and Transparency Mode: Yes 
Waterproof Rating: IPX 4

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Read More: After 30 Days of Testing, Do Sony’s New Earbuds Live Up to the Hype?

Why We Chose It: If you hold sound quality and features like ANC above all else, these are the earbuds for you.

SPY contributor William Goldman wore the Sony Wf-1000XM4 earbuds on a cross country flight and said the ANC was superior level and reduced the noise from a plane greatly. Aside from the ANC, which is often touted as Sony bud’s bread and butter, the battery life is equally impressive with eight hours of listening time.

You can essentially get through the entire nine-to-five without a recharge. These buds are a bit on the bulky side, but if you want great sound quality, ANC and battery life, these are definitely the go-to if you’re looking for wireless earbuds with long battery life.

BEST BONE CONDUCTION

Shokz OpenRun

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$129.95

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Buy Now at best buy

$129.95

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Key Specs:
Battery Life: 8 hours
ANC and Transparency Mode: No 
Waterproof Rating: IP67

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Read More: Bone Conduction Headphones Keep You Safe While Running or Biking Through The City

Why We Chose It: We feel the bone conduction form factor has a lot of advantages, especially for runners.

Ultra marathon runner Jordan Stuart touted safety as one of the most important factors when looking for headphones or earbuds. With the bone conduction design, you can still hear the outside world, meaning you can still hear traffic, or bikers on the trail, which is critical for the safety of you and others.

Aside from safety, the battery life is great at eight hours, and the IP67 waterproof rating makes these one of the most waterproof sets available, so you don’t have to worry about sweat or if the weather turns on you when you’re out and about on a training session.

In our own testing of the Shokz OpenRun, SPY contributor Michael Bizzaco confirmed the manufacturer’s rating for battery life. “On average, we got about seven-plus hours from a full charge at varying volume levels, and the Quick Charge function worked great — netting a little over an hour of extra playtime after our OpenRun died,” explained Bizzaco.

GREAT MIDRANGE

Jabra Elite 3

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$63.29 $79.99

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Buy Now at best buy

$77.99 $79.99

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Key Specs: 
Battery Life: 7 hours
ANC and Transparency Mode: No/Yes
Waterproof Rating: IP57

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Read More: The Best Sports Earbuds for Active People

Why We Chose It: These deliver good sound quality at an affordable price.

These are proof that you don’t have to take out a small loan to get great sounding earbuds at an affordable price. SPY Reviewer Jonathan Knoder liked the addition of the Jabra+ app where you can adjust the sound profile to your liking. The app also tells you how much battery life remains in each earbud, so you can say goodbye to that frustrating guessing game.

The fit is comfortable and stays in your ears, even during long runs with the small bud design that tucks nicely in your ear. If you’re looking to save a little money, but still get premium sound quality, these are a good buy.

GREAT ANC

Bose QuietComfort Earbuds II

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$299.00

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Buy Now at best buy

$299.00

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Key Specs: 
Battery Life: 6 hours 
ANC and Transparency Mode: Yes
Waterproof Rating: N/A

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Read More: The Bose QuietComfort Earbuds I Are Some of the Lightest Earbuds You’ve Ever Used

Why We Chose It: Bose is an OG in the active noise cancellation world, and these certainly don’t disappoint. 

SPY Reviewer Jonathan Zavaleta said when these are in your ears, loud noises go from a roar to a hum. That’s no surprise considering Bose was the first brand to create noise canceling headphones. Bose redesigned the case and the audio tuning features compared to the previous gen to provide an even better transporting and listening experience.

One of the only knocks is the lack of wireless charging with the battery case, which was available on the previous version, but if you can go without that and afford them (the price tag is a bit hefty), these are some of the best sounding and best ANC performing earbuds around.

BUDGET PICK

Soundcore X10 Sport

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$69.99 $79.99

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Buy Now at target

$69.99

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Key Specs: 
Battery Life: 8 hours
ANC and Transparency Mode: Yes
Waterproof Rating: IPX7

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Read More: The 10 Best Cheap Earbuds With Pricelessly Quality Sound

Why We Chose It: We like that you get premium features at a budget price tag.

Noise cancellation, check, transparency mode, check, IPX7 waterproof, check. You’d think these were priced above $100, but you can score these for around $50 on Amazon. We like the extra waterproof resistance of IPX7 compared to the likes of Apple or Sony that only offer IPX4, ensuring that bad weather or even dropping these earbuds in the sink won’t cause any harm. And features like transparency mode help you hear your surroundings and keep you safe when you’re training in the trails or in the city.

GREAT FOR ACTIVE PEOPLE

Treblab X3 Pro 

Buy Now On Amazon

$59.97 $99.97

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Buy Now at target

$73.98

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Key Specs: 
Battery Life: 9 Hours
ANC and Transparency Mode: No
Waterproof Rating: IPX 7

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Read More: There’s No Fiddling Around When You Get Hooked on With the Best Hook Earbuds for Running

Why We Chose It: We love the fit and the long battery life. 

Out running on the trail, SPY contributor Jonathan Knoder loved how these earbuds stayed put. And even if you’re a marathon runner, the long nine hour battery life helps keep you in the zone with uninterrupted music or podcasts.

The only real knock is that these don’t get as loud as other earbuds, but if you don’t need your music cranked to 11 at all times, you get really comfortable earbuds as well as good sound quality at a great price.

BEST FEATURES

LG Tone Fit 

Buy Now On Amazon

$169.99 $199.99

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Buy Now at best buy

$199.99

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Key Specs: 
Battery Life: 10 hours
ANC and Transparency Mode: Yes / No
Waterproof Rating: IP67

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Why We Chose It: We like the amazing battery life and unique features.

These long battery life earbuds with 10 hours of battery are nothing short of impressive. Equally as impressive is the UVano+ case that uses UV-C light to kill 99.9% of bacteria that may be growing on your earbuds. We also like the fanned wing design that helps keep the bud inside of your ear without being intrusive.

Another unique aspect is the “plug & wireless” feature that allows you to plug a wired-requiring device, like the screen on an airplane, to the earbud case which serves as a Bluetooth converter allowing you to then use your Bluetooth earbuds with a non-Bluetooth device.

VALUE PICK

JLab Go Air Sports

JLab Go Air Sports

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$29.88

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Buy Now AT BEST BUY

$29.99

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Key Specs: 
Battery Life: 8 hours
ANC and Transparency Mode: No
Waterproof Rating: IP55

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Why We Chose It: We like the sound quality and fit for the price.

Ask a marathon runner, and they’ll tell you comfort is more important than sound quality. But what if you could get both. In his detailed review, SPY Reviewer William Goodman felt that the JLab Go Air Sports were hard to beat when it came to sound quality and fit for the price.

The JLab Go Air Sports provide big bass and good passive noise canceling (no ANC available) that make everything from rap to The Beatles sound good. The fit feels great and with eight hours of battery life, you can get plenty of runs in or gym sessions before they need a recharge.

How We Chose the Best Wireless Earbuds with Long Battery Life

While the long battery life wireless earbuds conversation has been geared mostly towards runners, just about everybody can appreciate the sentiment that earbuds should last a long time, be comfortable, and sound good. Combining our outside experts’,  as well as our SPY teams’ input on the topic of earbuds, here is everything we looked for when considering the best wireless earbuds with long battery life: 

Moms can do it all. That’s a sentiment we feel all year long, but especially around Mother’s Day, when all the little things moms do to make the world spin come into purview. Given that the holiday is right around the corner, hard-working mothers deserve a treat.

Raycon, the audio brand that boldly claims “no-BS products,” will be offering its Mother’s Day sale for that special mom in your life that’s deserving of a proper gift. For the upcoming holiday, its entire collection of true wireless earbuds and speakers will be discounted by 20% with the code “LOVING” — so now’s the time to take advantage of this limited-time offer.

You may be asking, why earbuds for mom? There are plenty of other traditionally pampering gifts out there that’ll get the job done — candles, bath salts, massage gift certificates — but earbuds are something most people use everyday. Whether it’s her pumped up playlist at the gym or an audiobook on her commute, high-quality earbuds are something mom can use all year round, and for Raycon’s sound these prices are hard to beat.

You’ll want to take advantage of the deals well before the big day arrives to avoid coming up empty handed. Raycon’s Mother’s Day Sale runs from April 12 to May 2, 2023, use the code “LOVING” at checkout to enjoy 20% off their top-rated products for mom below.

Raycon Everyday Earbuds

$63.99 at raycon

$63.99 $79.99

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Raycon’s Everyday Earbuds have a versatile design that moms of all kinds will love. Awareness Mode blends whatever she’s listening to with external noise, so she can dial into her audiobook while staying alert enough to hear the dog barking outside because of the FedEx guy at the front door.

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Raycon Fitness Earbuds

$95.99 at Raycon

$95.99 $119.99

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Time is a precious resource in a mom’s world, so when her workout time comes it needs to be spent efficiently. Raycon’s Fitness Earbuds have an impressive waterproof ranking for sweating in the gym or hiking with the dog. With an IPX7 rating, they’re tough enough to withstand the elements while delivering high-fidelity audio to motivate them.

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Raycon Gaming Earbuds

$95.99 at Raycon

$95.99 $119.99

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Yes, there are moms out there that are big into gaming. According to a recent survey from AviaGames, roughly 33 percent of moms who participated in the survey classify themselves as serious or hardcore mobile gamers.

Knowing that, the Raycon Gaming Earbuds are a great gift for moms who want to stay immersed in the action. The biggest annoyance among true wireless earbuds is how latency can cause audio to not sync up with the action they’re seeing. That’s why mom will appreciate the hypersync low latency of the Raycon Gaming Earbuds, which effectively deliver lag-free audio with gaming.

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Raycon Work Earbuds Classic

$95.99 at raycon

$95.99 $119.99

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Moms are there for everyone else constantly, but sometimes they need to block out the world and just focus on the task at hand — whether it’s self-care, organizing, cooking or tackling work’s to-do list. These noise-canceling earbuds from Raycon are perfect for that.

With its noise-cancellation, working moms can tune out all of the unwanted background noise. Pair that with a good song to help pass by the time, they’ll be efficient and super productive at work. And with upwards of 7 hours of battery life (26 additional hours with the battery case), it’s plenty enough to get them to the start of happy hour.

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Watery environments and Bluetooth headphones traditionally don’t mix well. Most modern wireless earbuds and headphones do offer some level of water and sweat resistance, but what if you want to get more than just a little wet? Listening to music while swimming requires both a device that’s fully waterproof, and capable of playing your music underwater. Water disrupts Bluetooth signals, so even the best wireless earbuds won’t be very useful in the pool — no matter how waterproof they are.

To solve the Bluetooth problem, the best waterproof earbuds for swimming come in two main types:

Swimmers aren’t the only athletes looking for the best waterproof headphones. Even terrestrial athletes may encounter water while they work out. For example, getting drenched in an unforeseen downpour while out for a run, or being covered in three hours worth of sweat on a long-distance bike ride can also ruin unprotected electronics. An easy fix to this problem is to ensure your devices are fully capable of handling water-filled environments.

Thankfully, there are plenty of waterproof headphones and earbuds, designed specifically for athletes, that will suit your aquatic needs. Keep scrolling to explore our selection of the best waterproof earbuds for swimming.

The Best Underwater Earbuds for Swimming

Below, you’ll find our recommendations for not only swimmers, but for all athletes who push their workouts to the next level. Trust us, these headphones can handle more than just sweat. If you get caught in a rainstorm while you’re on your morning run, or if you prefer to work out in the pool, these waterproof headphones won’t mind getting wet with you.

In our experience, the best waterproof earbuds for swimming cost between $60-$300. You can find cheaper options for sale, but they’re not always worth your time or money. You can find lots of cheap wireless earbuds that work perfectly well on dry land, but if you’re headed into the pool, then expect to pay a premium for the features described above.

BEST OVERALL

Zygo Solo Waterproof Headphones

$300 at zygo

Buy Now

Why We Chose It: We like that it can stream music and audio from your phone, has a live coaching feature, and premium sound.
Review: Putting the Zygo Solo Underwater Headphones to the test

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Key Specs:

Rather than using an onboard MP3 player or an unreliable Bluetooth connection, Zygo took a totally different approach with its waterproof headphones. After testing them out in the pool, we can verify that they’re the best underwater headphones, full stop. These headphones utilize bone-conduction technology and a wireless radio transmitter for clear sound underwater. You can wear the headphones comfortably over swim caps without loss of audio quality. Best of all, you can stream music, podcasts and workout routines from your device to the headphones while you get your laps in.

We also love Zygo Solo’s unique walkie-talkie feature that allows coaches to give instructions to swimmers in real-time. For anyone who’s keen on bringing some music to their workouts while also improving their overall technique, we think you’ll love Zygo’s underwater headphones. We found they offered great sound, were easy to set up, and had reliable connectivity underwater.

Why They’re the Best: As we said in our review, we’ve never tested anything Zygo Solo, which offer clear sound, best-in-class waterproofing, and a unique radio transmitter for a fully wireless setup. You’ll pay a premium for these features, but for serious athletes, these are the best waterproof earbuds for swimmers without question.

RUNNNER-UP

Swimbuds Sport Premium Waterproof Headphones

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$60.00 $70.00

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$60.00

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Why We Chose It: We think these are a great wired option for swimmers.

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Key Specs:

Swimbuds is the most well-known brand in the underwater audio category, and the Swimbuds Sport wired earbuds are the follow-up to the brand’s popular classic headphones. These new Swimbuds were designed to offer less drag in the water, and that’s because Swimbuds’ products are designed specifically for swimmers.

The downside to Swimbuds? You aren’t buying a complete audio package, and you’ll need a separate underwater MP3 player. Swimbuds does offer some bundles if you’re looking for a one-and-done solution. But if you’re looking for a truly wireless solution, then we recommend investing in the more expensive Zygo headset.

ALSO GREAT

Shokz OpenSwim

Buy Now On Amazon

$149.95

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$150 at best buy

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Why We Chose It: We like that you can ditch your phone thanks to on-board music storage.

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Key Specs:

We like that you can fit 4GB, or about 1,000 songs of music on-board. You’ll certainly prune up before you run out of tunes to listen to while in the water. You can expect about eight hours of battery life which is upper echelon for waterproof earbuds. We do recommend that you wear these under your swim cap though, as these are only IP68 rated, where most other waterproof earbuds are IPX8. 

BEST ALL-IN-ONE

Finis Duo Underwater Bone Conduction MP3 Player

Buy Now On Amazon

$109.18 $160.00

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$120 at Swimoutlet

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Why We Chose It: We like that it clips onto your Google straps and it’s everything you need to dive into the water and start listening to music.

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Key Specs: 

The problem with water and earbuds is when water seeps into your ear canal, it can make music sound garbled and muffled. Eliminate that problem with the Finis Duo Bone Conduction MP3 Player. These headphones clip onto your goggles and actually rest on your cheekbones, instead of going over your ears.

Through bone conduction, the music travels through your cheekbone to your eardrum, so you’ll still be able to hear your music clearly. Ah, the wonders of science! Plus, you’ll be able to store around 1,000 songs on the device, so you can keep rocking out in the water. You won’t win any style points, but these might be the underwater music solution you’ve been searching for.

AMAZON CHOICE

SYRYN Flip Bundle

Buy Now On Amazon

$79.99

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$110 at sears

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Why We Chose It: It’s a convenient all-in-one bundle of headphones with great battery life.

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Key Specs: 

While we’ve only featured headphones with integrated MP3 players so far, there are also standalone wired earbuds that are designed to be used with a waterproof MP3 player that clips to your headgear. This bundle from Underwater Audio pairs the Swimbuds with the SYRYN Waterproof MP3 Player, providing everything you need to listen to music while getting some laps in. The SYRYN has large, tactile buttons so you can easily shuffle, play and pause songs while you’re in the pool.

And since this MP3 player is rated to handle water up to 10 feet deep, you won’t have to worry about diving headfirst into the pool and damaging the player. When it comes to battery life, you’ll sure to prune up before you outlast the 10-hours it’s rated for, and you won’t even begin to scratch the surface of the 2,000 songs it can store.

SMART PICK

H2O Audio Sonar

Buy Now On Amazon

$99.99 $129.99

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$100 at H2O Audio

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Why We Chose It: These have a swimmer-friendly short cord and flexible ear fit.

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Key Specs:

The most comfortable earbuds come with a variety of ear tips to ensure you find your perfect fit. These wired headphones use special tips to produce a tight seal inside of your ears, so you can still get premium audio quality under the water. And deep underwater you can go, as the IPX8 rating means these headphones can handle being submerged up to 12 feet.

The headphones come with five unique tips for ear canals ranging from small to large, making them great for your entire workout regimen. Although these aren’t self-contained, they’re still a solid pair of waterproof headphones, specially made with swimmers in mind.

WRAP-AROUND DESIGN

HydroActive Premium Short-Cord Waterproof Headphones

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$90.00 $110.00

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$90 at walmart

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Why We Chose It: These feature a unique, yet secure wrap-around design.

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Key Specs: 

If you prefer a more fitted wired option, the HydroActive earbuds are a performance-focused model made by Underwater Audio. These swimming headphones feature a wrap-around design that’s guaranteed to keep your buds in place as you let those butterfly strokes fly.

However, these still feature a 3.5mm jack and no integrated MP3 player. For some, this is a good thing; You can use these with any MP3 player you like for years to come without having to worry about compatibility with file formats or computers, or whether the battery will go kaput.

WORTH CONSIDERATION

NAENKA Bone Conduction Headphones

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$144.49

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Why We Chose It: We like the 8GB of storage, which equals out to about 2,000 songs. 

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Key Specs:

If you’re looking for waterproof earbuds with an abundance of on-board storage, look no further. The 16GB of storage is 4x the amount of the Shokz waterproof earbuds, and they hold an even-more impressive 10 hours of battery life. Like the Shokz, we can only recommend wearing them under your swim cap since these are IPX68 rather than full IPX8 waterproof.

Thing You Should Know About Waterproof Earbuds for Swimming

Before you take a dip, there are a few things you should know about waterproof earbuds for swimming. For example, the IP (Ingress Protection) waterproof rating is a scale that helps you determine the water resistance rating of your devices, and which design style fits your needs best is important. Here’s what else you should consider: