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Best Amazon Echo devices in 2024
There's no shortage of Echo devices on the market, so we're highlighting the best ones you can buy right now.
It’s been a couple of months since Amazon’s latest event, where the company announced new and exciting products that deserve to be part of our selection of the best Amazon Echo devices in 2023. These new products arrive with some necessary upgrades and cool features that make us love our Echo devices a bit more. The best part is that the company aims to please and provide an excellent experience with each of its devices. There are tons of options to choose from, so getting the best Echo for you might seem like a complicated task if it’s your first time, but once you get a feel for the products and services, you will feel the need to add more devices to your collection to create a better smart home experience. So, which is the best Echo device for you or the best addition to your smart home? Stick around to find out.
In a world where we can pay for our groceries by tapping our phone or smartwatch at a kiosk at the store, or unlocking and starting your car without ever taking the key out of your pocket, still opening your front door with a physical key seems archaic. The best smart locks bring your once dumb deadbolt into the 21st century with great features to manage your deadbolt via apps, keypads, and even biometric unlocking capabilities. No keys, no problem. Smart locks are especially helpful when managing rental properties. No need to meet any new tenants. You can manage your guests' access remotely with a smart lock. And if your smart lock is compatible with Amazon Echo devices, or Google Assistant speakers, you can simply ask Google or Alexa to open or lock your doors for you.
Best Amazon Alexa speakers in 2024
The best Amazon Alexa speakers offer high-quality sound, intuitive voice control, and more, but it’s tough to know which model is right for you; that’
The smart home revolution is in full swing, with hundreds of voice-assistant products on the market ranging from light bulbs to amazing smart speakers. Some of the best speakers are from the Alexa line, which all work to deliver the most when it comes to voice-assistant control. They're intuitive, user-friendly, and can take complex commands as well as direct interactions, including playing games with the sometimes-sassy voice assistant. Before buying, consider what features are most important to you in an Alexa speaker. Do you prioritize sound quality above all else? Would you prefer a wireless option for on-the-go listening? Are you shopping on a budget? We’re here to help you determine what’s right for your home.
For the most part, a gaming router is just a powerful router with enough speed and capacity to handle all the devices in your home without big latency spikes. Even so, gaming-specific routers add more value for gamers with customized quality of service (QoS) features and specialized hardware. For a competitive gamer, the overall goal is getting the lowest pings possible to the game server, but these days, gamers may also want the capacity to stream 1080p 60fps video to Twitch.
Best VPN for Amazon Fire TV stick in 2024
Use a VPN to turn your Amazon streaming device into an international streaming superstar
Virtual private networks (VPNs) and Amazon’s Fire TV Sticks have revolutionized how we watch TV. While the best VPN providers have opened up a whole world of shows, movies, and live sports to watch from around the globe, the Fire TV Stick has helped transform old TV sets into smart ones. And when you put the two together, you get something truly special.
Best Google Assistant speakers in 2024
If you like Google Assistant and you're looking for the best speakers to use it with in your home, then you've come to the right place.
When it comes to the best smart speakers on the market, there is really only a choice between two voice assistants. In one corner, you have Amazon Alexa, and in the other, Google Assistant. While very similar in many regards, Google Assistant has one key advantage when it comes to implanting itself into your daily routine: If you use an Android phone, you've probably already been using Google Assistant, perhaps without giving it much thought. But it's there on your phone as a voice assistant, and it's a great tool to add some smart features to your everyday life. A compatible smart speaker will take that very assistant from your phone and insert it into every room in your home.
Best 4K 120Hz TVs for Xbox Series X and PS5 gaming in 2024
Immerse yourself in the best big-screen gaming experience with these 4K 120Hz TVs.
If you're planning to elevate your console gaming experience with a PlayStation 5 or an Xbox Series X, then you should also consider getting a good TV for gaming that can handle all the high-end gaming features. Yes, that ideally means buying the best TVs out there, but some features and qualities often go missing and unnoticed in even the best options. It would help if you considered things like input lag, variable refresh rate (VRR), and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM), among other things, for the best gaming experience. Don't worry, though, because you've come to the right place if you're in the market to buy the best 4K 120Hz TV to pair with your gaming consoles.
Android TVs are a great alternative to the usual smart TVs. They're more reliable and often have better features and app support. They come with almost all the video and music streaming applications you can think of, and you can always install more from the Play Store. Notably, Android TVs also come with built-in Chromecast support, which can help you stream from your phone or PC easily. Many manufacturers have also started making Android TVs, so you're bound to find some solid options from the likes of Sony, TCL, Hisense, and more while shopping for the best TVs. These manufacturers also ship their TVs with the updated Google TV interface out of the box, which uses Google's A.I. to offer a more personalized TV viewing experience.
Best TVs in 2024
Finding the best TV for yourself can seem daunting but we're here to help. Here's a list of the best TVs you buy can right now in 2023.
Finding the best TV for yourself means selecting one that satisfies your needs by offering great visuals and user experience. Your budget obviously also plays a big role, but thanks to advancements in TV technology, even affordable TVs can provide a pretty good experience. It's up to you to decide whether you want the absolute best visual experience or settle for almost the best.
Best smart speakers in 2024
One of the easiest ways to get your smart home started is with a smart speaker.
Smart speakers have become ubiquitous in daily life, enabling voice assistant control of our smart devices and dispensing facts without picking up our phones. While all the smart speakers on the market have differing levels of sound quality, I’ll let you in on a big secret. They all perform great voice assistant duties.
Should you buy an Apple TV on Prime Day?
Apple TV is a great way to enjoy a seamless experience with streaming TV and movies, and access other Apple services like Fitness+, Music, and more.
With Amazon Prime Day almost here, scheduled to take place July 11 and 12, you're probably gearing up to buy lots of tech gear at hefty discounts. We've already begun to highlight some of the best Prime Day deals, including deals on wireless earbuds and displays. But discovering the hidden gem deals and major discounts is an exciting but sometimes daunting task. What's more, some products you want to buy aren’t actually being reduced, which can lead to disappointment on the big day. One item you might be wondering about is the Apple TV. Is Amazon Prime Day the right time to purchase an Apple TV? The short answer is no.
Apart from the excellent iPhones, versatile iPads, and unrivaled Macs, the Cupertino firm sells Apple TVs. This TV box communicates with your existing TV or display through an HDMI cable, bring your favorite Apple apps to the big screen. And while the Apple TV includes a Siri Remote in its box, some users may be looking for spare or alternative units. To help you with the hunt, we've compiled a list of the best Apple TV remotes currently available.
Amazon Echo Dot vs. Apple HomePod Mini: The battle of the affordable smart speaker
Which format should you opt for? We compare Apple’s and Amazon’s smallest, cheapest smart speakers that also control your connected home.
Apple and Amazon took very different approaches to smart home speakers. Amazon went for cost-effectiveness with the Echo in 2014, pricing it competitively and releasing its entry-level stablemate, the Echo Dot, in 2016 at an even lower price. On the other hand, Apple favored a high-end luxury product and was late to the party when releasing it. The HomePod arrived four years after the Echo, and it wasn’t until 2020 that we got a small-form-factor, lower-priced version of the HomePod Mini.
New parent? Here’s why you should buy a Google Nest Hub this Black Friday
If you've got kids, the Google Nest Hub might be the perfect present for your family. Here's why.
It's Black Friday, and all day at XDA, we've been combing through all of the best deals. There's one deal that I've been investing the most in though, and that's the Google Nest Hub on Best Buy, which is 50% off of its normal price (it's even cheaper if you buy a two-pack). The reason is simple: I had a baby this year.
Grab a great deal and save on the WEMAX Nova 4K UST projector this Black Friday
This post is sponsored by WEMAX.
Black Friday is notoriously a great time to invest in tech, especially if you already have something in mind. Brands across the globe are slashing prices, and projector professional WEMAX is joining in the Black Friday festivities with its Nova 4K UST projector at 30% off.
Roborock is offering up to $340 off select vacuum cleaners for Cyber Monday
This post is sponsored by Roborock.
Looking for a robotic vacuum to help with your cleaning this Black Friday? Look no further than Roborock! It's one of the leading robotic vacuum manufacturers, and it's offering amazing discounts on many of its products.
There was a time when installing a security camera system in your house was quite an expensive and tedious task. In addition to setting up wires all around the house, it involved setting up the DVR and providing internet — all of which were fairly costly and time-consuming.
Best smart plugs for Google Assistant and Google Home in 2023
Grabbing one of the best smart plugs is an easy, affordable way to introduce a little smartness into your home with your existing appliances.
There are a number of reasons to invest in smart plugs. Not only are they an easy way to connect 'dumb' appliances to your smart home setup, but they can also help you save money on your energy bills. The ability to set routines to turn things off and on as you require is extremely helpful. Because, let's face it, we all leave things on that we should turn off.
What is Matter, and why the new smart home standard should matter to you
Matter is supposed to save the smart home from a mess of ecosystems and differing standards. It's one of those game changing moments.
Ecosystem lock-ins aren't always bad, but when it comes to smart homes, the landscape is messy. Currently, there are different standards, countless brands, and even platform plays like Alexa, Google Home, and HomeKit. It seems everyone wants a piece of your home, but rarely does all this tech play nicely together.
Best smart lights for Google Home and Google Assistant in 2023
If you power your smart home with Google and you're looking for the best smart lights to deck it out with, these are the ones to get.
If you have your smart home programmed through Google Home and you use a Google Assistant smart speaker, then you'll want some compatible lights. Smart lights are one of the most popular, easy-to-use pieces of smart home tech that anyone and everyone can set up. Smart lights are really accessible and a lot of fun to use. Who doesn't like the idea of using a simple voice command to turn on and off all the lights?