Articles by Ted Kritsonis

Great headphones don’t always come with a premium price tag, and cheaper headphones shouldn’t automatically go back in the box. Thankfully, there’s a middle ground to work with, where the Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 stand out as a fine example of the best headphones under $200 because of their superb sound quality, long battery life, and comfortable fit over longer periods.

Best Overall: Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2

The Plantronics BackBeat Pro 2 have been on the market for a few years now, but maintain pole position for the great value on hand. The onboard media controls are highly reliable, and battery life is still long by today’s standards at up to 30 hours on a single charge. Plus, it doesn’t hurt they’re comfortable to wear for longer periods. One thing Plantronics accomplished with the BackBeat Pro 2 is a significant size reduction compared to the previous model, ensuring they’re comfortable on more heads. One caveat is that bigger heads may find the fit to be a bit too snug …

If your budget for a pair of headphones allows, then one among the best wireless headphones under $100 is within reach. They range from over-ear headphones to true wireless earbuds, giving you some variety to select from. For the best of the bunch, you’d have to start with the Sennheiser HD 4.40 BT because of their excellent sound quality, comfort and consistency.

Best Overall: Sennheiser HD 4.40 BT

Sennheiser doesn’t often compete on aesthetics, but the company is very consistent in its audio prowess. Even at a price range like this, the HD 4.40 BT are the best wireless headphones under $100, proving that you get real bang for your buck. It might be somewhat surprising, given they came out in 2017, but they’re still available and sound just as good as today’s headphones.

Granted, the sound signature here isn’t on Sennheiser’s regular audiophile level, opting to go with a more crowd-pleasing soundstage that slightly boosts the bass. Despite that, it works really well for multipl…

The best wireless earbuds are comfortable, sound great, and have long-lasting battery life. These tiny headphones from companies like Jabra, Samsung, Sennheiser, Sony and others are almost as important as the phones we have in our pockets, and the market has become crowded over the years with options. We’ve reviewed a sizeable number of models available, and rated the absolute leaders of the pack, helping you find the best fit and value for your ears and budget. Our buyer’s guide will help you navigate this space and find the pair that suits your needs and tastes the best, no matter what you like listening to.

The best wireless earbuds, at a glance

Jabra Elite 75t — A sleek, comfortable fit with complementing solid sound, long battery life, and a decent set of features anyone can appreciate.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus — A major improvement in battery life, comfortable fit, and app support make these an excellent choice.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 — These earbuds will se…

If you’re a commuter or work in a busy environment, you’re likely in the market for some for some of the best noise-canceling headphones. Drowning out all that background noise comes in the form of active noise-canceling (ANC) technology, and it’s become a highly sought-after feature now that it’s no longer exclusive to expensive headphones. The Sony WH-1000XM4’s ANC head up a group of class-leading headphones through their excellent performance and battery life.

Best Overall: Sony WH-1000XM4

Sony has been in the top spot before with its WH-1000XM3, which were the best ANC headphones on the market before they were replaced by the WH-1000XM4. Sony’s flagship cans have become the benchmark for the industry as a whole, forcing others to catch up. What makes them so good is the unique QN1 processor and a dual noise sensor that work together to block out ambient sound. For a daily commute on a bus or train, walking on a busy street, or sitting on a flight, the WH-10000XM4 are up to th…

The best wireless earbuds are comfortable, sound great, and have long-lasting battery life. These tiny headphones from companies like Jabra, Samsung, Sennheiser, Sony and others are almost as important as the phones we have in our pockets, and the market has become crowded over the years with options. We’ve reviewed a sizeable number of models available, and rated the absolute leaders of the pack, helping you find the best fit and value for your ears and budget. Our buyer’s guide will help you navigate this space and find the pair that suits your needs and tastes the best, no matter what you like listening to.

The best wireless earbuds, at a glance

Jabra Elite 75t — Best Wireless Earbuds Overall: A sleek, comfortable fit with complementing solid sound, long battery life, and a decent set of features anyone can appreciate.
Samsung Galaxy Buds Plus — Best Value: A major improvement in battery life, comfortable fit, and app support make these an excellent choice.
Sennheiser Momentu…

Enjoy the in-car apps you need without the hassle.

Android Auto went through a makeover in 2019, and the new-look platform has been a big improvement ever since. Starting with the app launcher that lays out apps in a grid, plus a new font that’s easier to read at a glance — especially if you’re using Android Auto on a non-touchscreen head unit. Here’s how to find your way around every time you look at it.

Getting around the Android Auto interface

The most important visual point of the interface is the app drawer because it holds several functional implications. The top four apps on the first line are anchored there like a “dock” specifically designated for maps, music and phone. You can select which music apps you prefer to use, in case YouTube Music and Podcasts aren’t your preferred choices, but it will usually pin the ones you use most on its own.

Below that are all the other apps you have that are compatible with the platform. Some of those listed below, like Calendar…

When choosing between the best USB microphones for Chromebooks — or really for any laptop — you want something that will plug and play, no drivers required. Chromebooks are more capable and have better support than in the past, but the path of least resistance is to find a mic that handles audio processing on its own, without relying on ChromeOS or your CPU. Thankfully there are several USB mics that let you record on the most lightweight of laptops.

Like a pro

Blue Microphones Yeti

Staff pick

The Yeti is the most popular model in the Blue Microphones lineup, and works smoothly with a Chromebook, courtesy of its plug-and-play functionality that won’t require installing drivers. With four different pattern settings and a built-in headphone jack, plus the ability to connect to a broadcast boom mic, this is a solid place to start.

$130 at Best Buy
$172 at Walmart
$130 at B&H

The slimmer type

Blue Microphones Yeti Nano

The Yeti Nano sheds a fair bit of size to m…

The best wireless earbuds are comfortable, sound great, and have long-lasting battery life. That’s because these tiny headphones from companies like Jabra, Samsung, Sennheiser, Sony and others are almost as important as the phones we have in our pockets. We’ve reviewed a sizeable number of models available, and rated the absolute leaders of the pack, helping you find the best fit and value for your ears and budget. Our buyer’s guide will help you navigate this increasingly crowded space and find the pair that suits your needs and tastes the best, no matter what you like listening to.

The Best Wireless Earbuds in 2020

Jabra Elite 75t — Best Wireless Earbuds Overall: A sleeker, more comfortable fit complementing solid sound, long battery life, and a decent set of features anyone can appreciate.
Samsung Galaxy Buds+ — Best Value: A major improvement in battery life, comfortable fit, and app support make these an excellent choice.
Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 2 — Best Sound Q…

Smart assistants like Amazon Alexa are becoming more popular than ever, and headphone makers are jumping on board to offer it as a built-in signature feature. They’re growing in number and variance, but the Sony WH-1000XM4 stand out because of the combination of comfort, sound quality, and versatility in bringing Alexa into the fold. We have plenty of options for all ranges, so here are our picks for the best headphones with Alexa.

Best Headphones with Alexa Overall: Sony WH-1000XM4

It’s a challenge for any company to follow up on a great product with something better, but in this case, Sony has fixed some key pieces to make the WH-1000XM4 one of the best pairs of headphones available. There was no need to reinvent the wheel when so much of the previous model worked so well, though good changes are always welcome.

Whether the WH-1000XM4 sound any better is highly subjective. There is aptX HD and LDAC codec support, plus 360 Reality Audio for the ones who can actually hear it on …

Samsung has taken more than a few cracks at different product categories, and smartwatches have been no exception. With several attempts at getting it right already in the books through new smartwatches and fitness trackers every year. We take a look at some of the best available, including the newest of the bunch with the Galaxy Watch 3 and its stylish take on telling more than just time.

Best Overall: Samsung Galaxy Watch 3

After focusing on its more fitness-focused smartwatches in 2019, Samsung pivots back to its more refined design philosophy with the Galaxy Watch 3. The watch isn’t radical in sporting any sort of redesign, and it will look familiar to anyone who knows Samsung’s smartwatches. But it is smaller, lighter and thinner, which could make it more appealing to a greater subset of wearers. The genuine leather band is casual and elegant all at once, and the standard lugs mean you can always strap on another one.

It’s also feature-laden, though a couple of key ones wil…