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Budget

Pricier Than a MacBook at Launch, Microsoft’s 512GB Surface Laptop Is Now Selling Like a Budget Laptop

by admin October 5, 2025

Finding a laptop that will keep up with your hectic schedule without constantly hunting for an electric outlet is more difficult than it should be: You want one that is built for serious multitasking, video conferencing that won’t make you look like you’re calling from a basement and sufficient battery life to make it through an entire workday plus your nightly Netflix binge.

Microsoft’s latest Surface Laptop meets all these requirements and right now it’s going through an unprecedent price reduction for Prime Big Deal Day on Amazon. The manufacturer just debuted a whopping $400 off its highest-end laptop configuration, cutting the cost from $1,399 to just $972. This is the configuration with high-end specs such as 512GB SSD storage and the Snapdragon X Elite processor.

See at Amazon

Copilot+ PC Revolution Now Here

This is not another Surface Laptop refresh: Microsoft is entering its second computing epoch with Copilot+ PCs and this 2024 laptop is its most ambitious yet to date when it comes to integrating AI capabilities. The Snapdragon X Elite processor is 12-core and incorporates a dedicated NPU (neural processing unit) that does AI tasks on your device, locally.

The 13.8-inch touchscreen display employs vibrant HDR technology concentrated in an ultra-thin form that ensures screen real estate is maximized and doesn’t increase the laptop’s footprint size. With the touch aspect of the display, it changes your dynamics with your work, and it feels second nature to annotate pages of your document with your hand, navigate through web pages, or zoom in on pictures with fluid gestures. With razor-thin bezels, it gives you more viewing real estate in a small form factor, and it makes a difference if you’re looking at trying to display two documents side by side or if you’re editing a detailed spreadsheet.

Battery life has always been a pain point for Windows laptops, but the Surface Laptop flips that narrative: You’re getting up to 20 hours of usage on a single charge, which means you can work through an entire day and still have juice left for streaming or gaming in the evening. This extended battery life comes from the efficiency of the Snapdragon X Elite’s ARM-based architecture, which sips power rather than guzzling it like traditional x86 processors.

The Copilot+ features genuinely change how you work: Windows Studio Effects enhances your video calls by improving lighting conditions, canceling background noise and blurring distracting elements in your environment. If you’ve ever taken a call from a poorly lit room or worried about the mess behind you, these features solve those problems in real time. The Recall feature creates an explorable timeline of everything you’ve done on your PC which makes it easy to retrieve that document you worked on last week or find that website you can’t quite remember. Real-time subtitle translation supports 44 languages during video calls or streaming.

At $972, this Microsoft Surface laptop features high-end specs and up-to-the-minute AI capabilities in a package that is affordable for more consumers. With this Prime Big Deal Day offer, it is a unique chance to own Microsoft’s flagship laptop at close to average PC prices.

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October 5, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

The best monitors for every budget in 2025

by admin September 26, 2025

Monitors are more than screens to plug into your PC — they shape how you work, play and create. Whether you need the best monitor for gaming, video editing or everyday tasks, there are plenty of options that balance price, performance and design.

In 2025, you’ll find everything from compact displays for light work to massive widescreen panels that make multitasking a breeze. A new monitor might also mean sharper images with high resolution panels, or better comfort with IPS displays that offer accurate colors and wide viewing angles.

Of course, not every job calls for 4K or higher. Sometimes a lower resolution option makes more sense, especially if you want to save money or don’t have a powerful GPU. With so many types of monitors on the market, the right choice comes down to your setup and the kind of work (or play) you plan to do.

Quick Overview

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Best monitors for 2025

SAMSUNG

The best budget monitor with a balance of size, refresh rate and color accuracy is Samsung’s 27-inch 1080p T35F. It’s good for business or light PC gaming and content work, thanks to the IPS panel and 75Hz refresh rate. Plus, it’s fairly attractive and modern looking. There are some things you don’t get at that price, of course – it can only tilt and has just an HDMI 1.4 connection.

$153 at Amazon

BenQ

If you’re good with a 24-inch 1080p display, BenQ’s EX240 offers a fantastic mix of image quality, brightness and speed. The key selling point is the 165Hz refresh rate and 1ms response time, both excellent for a monitor in this price range. At the same time it puts out a very respectable 350 nits of brightness and offers punchy colors and good viewing angles. It also looks like it costs a lot more, making it a very good value overall.

$105 at Amazon

The 28-inch HP V28 4K HDR monitor is a great all around choice, especially for entertainment or content creation. The 60Hz IPS panel and factory calibration delivers excellent color accuracy and it’s a nice size for creative or business work. It comes with DisplayPort, HDMI and three USB 3.0 ports, along with a USB-C port with 65W of charging for a laptop or tablet. And it’s easy to set just right, thanks to its height, swivel and pivot adjustments.

$219 at Amazon

ASUS

The ASUS ProArt PA279C is a great content creation monitor for the price due to the 4K resolution and remarkable color accuracy straight from the factory. At the same time, it offers decent brightness at 350 nits, a wide 180 degree viewing angle and excellent ergonomics. It even has an HDR setting, though the monitor isn’t really bright enough for true HDR editing, and color accuracy falls off a bit at that setting.

$400 at Amazon

Dell

The Dell UltraSharp U2723QE is a perfect monitor for content creators thanks to the IPS Black panel that allows a true 2000:1 contrast ratio. It also offers 98 percent coverage of the DCI-P3 HDR color space with 1.07 billion colors (via 8-bit + FRC) — excellent numbers for a monitor under $500. It also has a wide array of ports, including USB-C, HDMI and DisplayPort, along with a Gigabit Ethernet port, five USB-A ports, two USB-C ports (one with 90W charging) and a KVM switch for use with multiple computers at once.

$529 at Amazon

If you want bang for the buck in terms of size, look no farther than the 32-inch LG 32UN650-W. It comes with a 31.5-inch 60Hz IPS 10-bit panel (8-bit + FRC to be exact) that covers an excellent 95 percent of the DCI-P3 gamut and displays up to 1.07 billion colors. At the same time, it supports HDR, albeit with just 350 nits maximum brightness, along with AMD FreeSync to improve smoothness when gaming. It’s great ergonomically as well thanks to the tilt and height adjustments, and it even comes with built-in speakers.

$390 at Amazon

Dell

Alienware’s 27-inch 280Hz QD-OLED Monitor (AW2725D) is in the upper end of this category, but the price point may be a new low for a QD-OLED monitor. It combines QHD resolution with a high-speed 280Hz refresh rate and true 10-bit display with 99.3 percent DCI-P3 coverage, allowing sharp high-quality visuals along with a smooth gaming experience. Oh, and there is one other catch — you’ll need to wait until this summer to buy one.

$800 at Dell

ViewSonic

ViewSonic’s ColorPro VP2786 27-inch 4K HDR monitor offers a great balance of resolution, color accuracy or brightness for content creators. The true 10-bit IPS panel covers 98 percent of the DCI-P3 color palette with an excellent Delta <2 accuracy figure, and is certified for soft-proofing by the demanding Fogra print industry. At the same time, it offers HDR10 support, albeit with a limited 350 nits of output. It even includes a “ColorPro” wheel control compatible with Adobe or Capture One apps.

$1,000 at Amazon

ASUS

The OLED benefits of the ASUS Rog Swift OLED PG32UCDM are crystal clear as it offers nearly everything creators or gamers would want: 1,000 nits of brightness in HDR mode, true 10-bit with 99 percent DCI-P3 coverage for maximum color accuracy and a 240Hz refresh rate with an incredible 0.03 ms response time. Contrast is also top-notch thanks to the QD-OLED display’s ability to flip individual pixels completely off. It’s also on point in terms of connections with a 90W USB-C charging point, plus both HDMI 2.1 and DisplayPort 1.4 available. Note that it lists for over $1,000 but it can often be found on sale at or below that price.

$1,000 at Amazon

Dell

Dell’s P3223QE 4K USB-C Hub monitor is productivity-oriented, thanks to its wired Ethernet connectivity and USB-C ports that offer up to 90W of power delivery for laptops. It’s a 4K IPS panel with a 178-degree viewing angle and 350 nits of brightness and support for a billion colors (8-bit + FRC). It offers height, pivot, swivel and tilt adjustment, a VESA mounting interface and DisplayPort/HDMI inputs.

$393 at Amazon

AOC

For more on this subject it’s best to check out Engadget’s gaming monitor guide, but here, we highlight two top picks from that story.

The Q27G3XMN offers a nearly unbeatable mix of features, performance and affordability. It’s a mini-LED monitor with HDR performance that’s not as good as the OLEDs on this list (though far brighter overall), but better than anything you’ll find on an edge-lit LCD. With a 180Hz refresh rate, it’s also speedy enough for all but the most fast-paced competitive esports games. Best of all, it’s priced affordably at under $300. For those reasons, unless you have a bigger budget or more specific needs, the Q27G3XMN is going to be the best bet for most people.

$270 at Amazon

Alienware

If you want a gaming monitor that basically does it all, the Alienware AW2725DF has a lot going for it. This QD-OLED features a 360Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response. It also carries a Vesa DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification, so expect near-flawless HDR performance. It even has a HDMI 2.1 port if you want to use it with an Xbox Series X or PlayStation 5. From a performance standpoint, the only downside is that it won’t produce true blacks in rooms with too much ambient light. However, this is true of every QD-OLED monitor on the market right now.

At close to $1,000, it’s also expensive. But for what it’s worth, the OLED market is incredibly competitive at the moment. I’ve seen the AW2725DF go on sale a few times over the past couple of months, dropping to as low as $700.

$730 at Amazon

Apple

In general, monitor compatibility issues with MacBooks and Macs are a thing of the past, though you can still experience issues with things like refresh rates, particularly on M1 Macs. If you’d prefer to stay within the Apple family, the most cost-effective option is still the 27-inch Apple Studio Display. It supports 5K resolution (5,120 x 2,880) with up to 600 nits of brightness, so it can handle creative chores with ease. It even includes a 12-megapixel UltraWide camera that keeps you in frame via Center Stage, along with a three-mic array, so you won’t have to spend extra on a webcam

$1,679 at Amazon

Lenovo

This category also has its own guide, but we’re including the best travel monitor as this category applies to a lot of buyers.

If you’re always on the go, Lenovo’s M14t Gen2 mobile monitor makes it easy to bring a nice second display anywhere you want. Its 14-inch panel features a 2,240 x 1,400 resolution with a 100 percent sRGB color gamut and a 16:10 aspect ratio for a little extra vertical screen space. It also supports USB-C power pass-through (up to 65 watts) so it can conveniently share juice with a connected device like a phone or laptop. You even get sketching support thanks to Lenovo’s included stylus. Best of all, the stand tilts from zero to 90 degrees so it can fit even in tight spaces and it’s portable enough to cross the globe at just 1.5 pounds.

$281 at Amazon

ASUS

ASUS has lowered the price for its high-end ProArt PA32UCXR reference monitor to just $3,000 , making it a true bargain for a no-compromise display. It delivers up to 1,600 nits of peak brightness and is DisplayHDR 1400 certified thanks to the mini LED display tech with 2,304 local dimming zones. The true 10-bit panel also offers 98 percent DCI-P3 and Rec.2020 coverage and supports Dolby Vision, HDR10 and HLG HDR modes, and color accuracy is calibrated to Delta E < 1, less than nearly any monitor on the market.

If that’s not enough, it supports up to a 120Hz refresh rate and has a 5-millisecond response time, while supporting AMD FreeSync — making it perfect for gaming creation artists.

On top of this model, ASUS now makes several slightly less bright and much less expensive variants, including the $1,300 PA32UCRK, offering 1,000 nits of brightness and a 60Hz (not 120Hz) refresh rate. Specs are nearly identical otherwise.

$2,800 at Amazon

Factors to consider before buying a monitor

Panel type

The cheapest monitors are still TN (twisted nematic), which are strictly for gamers or office use. VA (vertical alignment) monitors are also relatively cheap, while offering good brightness and a high contrast ratio. However, content creators will find that LCD, IPS displays (in-plane switching) deliver better color accuracy, pixel density, picture quality and wide viewing angles — making them a strong option for general computer monitor use.

If maximum brightness is important, a quantum dot LCD display is the way to go — those are typically found in larger displays. OLED panels are now available and offer the best blacks and color reproduction, but they lack the brightness of LED or quantum dot displays. Plus, they’re expensive. The latest type of OLED monitor, called QD-OLED from Samsung, is now common among gaming monitors. The most notable advantage is that it can get a lot brighter, with recent models hitting up to 1,000 nits+ of peak brightness.

MiniLEDs are now widely used in high-end displays. They’re similar to quantum dot tech, but as the name suggests, it uses smaller LED diodes that are just 0.2mm in diameter. As such, manufacturers can pack in up to three times more LEDs with more local dimming zones, delivering deeper blacks and better contrast. MiniLED displays also tend to offer excellent backlight control, making them a great choice for HDR content and video editing.

Screen size, resolution and display format

Where 24-inch displays used to be more or less standard (and can still be useful for basic computing), 27-, 32-, 34- and even 42-inch displays have become popular for entertainment, content creation and even gaming these days.

Nearly every monitor used to be 16:9, but it’s now possible to find 16:10 and other more exotic display shapes. On the gaming and entertainment side, we’re also seeing curved monitors and widescreen ultrawide monitors with aspect ratios like 21:9. If you do decide to buy an ultrawide display, however, keep in mind that a 30-inch 21:9 model is the same height as a 24-inch monitor, so you might end up with a smaller display than you expected.

A 4K monitor is nearly a must for content creators, and some folks are even going for 5K or all the way up to 8K. Keep in mind, though, that you’ll need a pretty powerful computer with a decent graphics card to drive all those sharp pixels. And 4K higher resolution should be paired with a screen size of 27 inches and up, or you won’t notice much difference between 1440p. At the same time, I wouldn’t get a model larger than 27 inches unless it’s 4K, as you’ll start to see pixelation if you’re working up close to the display. That’s when a lower resolution monitor shows its limits.

One new monitor category to consider is portable monitors designed to be carried and used with laptops. Those typically come in 1080p resolutions and sizes from 13-15 inches. They usually have a lightweight kickstand-type support that folds up to keep things compact and maximize portability and functionality.

HDR

HDR adds vibrancy to entertainment and gaming – but be careful before jumping in. Some monitors that claim HDR on their marketing materials don’t even conform to a base standard. To be sure that a display at least meets minimum HDR specs, you’ll want to choose one with a DisplayHDR rating with each tier representing maximum brightness in nits.

However, the lowest DisplayHDR 400 and 500 tiers may disappoint you with a lack of brightness, washed out blacks and mediocre color reproduction. If you can afford it, the best monitor to choose is a model with DisplayHDR 600, 1000 or True Black 400, True Black 500 and True Black 600.

Where televisions typically offer HDR10 and Dolby Vision or HDR10+, most PC monitors only support the HDR10 standard, other than a few (very expensive) models. That doesn’t matter much for content creation or gaming, but HDR streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video and other services won’t look quite as punchy. In addition, the best gaming monitors are usually the ones supporting HDR600 (and up), rather than content creation monitors – with a few exceptions.

Refresh rate

High refresh rate is a key feature, particularly on gaming monitors. A bare minimum nowadays is 60Hz, and 80Hz and higher refresh rates are much easier on the eyes. However, most 4K displays top out at 60Hz with some rare exceptions and the HDMI 2.0 spec only supports 4K at 60Hz, so you’d need at least DisplayPort 1.4 (4K at 120Hz) or HDMI 2.1. The latter is now available on a number of monitors, particularly gaming displays. However, it’s only supported by the latest NVIDIA RTX 3000- and 4000-series, AMD RX 6000-series GPUs. Support for G-Sync and AMD FreeSync is also something to look for if you want to eliminate screen tearing and stuttering during fast-paced gameplay — especially when paired with a high refresh rate.

Inputs

There are essentially three types of modern display inputs: Thunderbolt, DisplayPort and HDMI. Most monitors built for PCs come with the latter two, while a select few (typically built for Macs) will use Thunderbolt. To add to the confusion, USB-C ports may be Thunderbolt 3, and by extension, DisplayPort compatible, so you may need a USB-C to Thunderbolt or DisplayPort cable adapter depending on your display.

Color bit depth

Serious content creators should consider a more costly 10-bit monitor that can display billions of colors. If budget is an issue, you can go for an 8-bit panel that can fake billions of colors via dithering (often spec’d as “8-bit + FRC”). For entertainment or business purposes, a regular 8-bit monitor that can display millions of colors will be fine.

Color gamut

The other aspect of color is the gamut. That expresses the range of colors that can be reproduced and not just the number of colors. Most good monitors these days can cover the sRGB and Rec.709 gamuts (designed for photos and video respectively). For more demanding work, though, you’ll want one that can reproduce more demanding modern gamuts like AdobeRGB, DCI-P3 and Rec.2020 gamuts, which encompass a wider range of colors. The latter two are often used for film projection and HDR, respectively.

Monitor FAQs

Is OLED better than mini-LED for monitors?

OLED is better than mini-LED in many areas but not all. Here are the advantages of OLED panels:

OLED monitors don’t have any “blooming” or halos around bright parts of the image.
OLEDs have blacks with zero brightness, which is not achievable on mini-LED. That means they also have higher contrast ratios.
OLEDs consume less energy.
OLEDs have faster response times for gaming.

And here are the advantages of mini-LED monitors:

They are brighter (often much brighter), so it can be better for HDR content.
They don’t suffer from burn-in like OLED can.

What size monitor is best for a home office?

This depends on the individual. For normal use, 27-32 inches is the sweet spot. If you’re one who likes many windows open at a time (like a stock broker), then you might want to go up to 37 or even 42 inches.

Are curved monitors worth it for gaming?

If you need as much speed as possible, a curved monitor lets you rapidly look around the screen without changing focus or moving your head as much compared to a flat screen. It also provides more immersion. The drawback is that curved displays tend to be wider so they take up more desk space. They’re also generally more expensive.

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September 26, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

Save $50 on Our Favorite Budget Graphics Card

by admin September 25, 2025

If you’re building a new gaming PC, I’ve got a sweet deal for you on a graphics card. The PNY Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Ti OC (7/10, WIRED Review) is currently marked down to just $379 at Walmart. While prices have been in flux since launch, this is anywhere from $50 to $100 off the usual price, a discount that makes it a much more appealing purchase for gaming at 1080p.

Photograph: Brad Bourque

PNY

GeForce RTX 5060 Ti OC

This is the most modest entry from Nvidia’s 50 Series that I think is worth your time, but that doesn’t mean that you’ll be disappointed. The 16-GB card can chug right along in most modern games at 1080p, beating 60 fps in every game in our test suite with the settings cranked up and the ray tracing turned on. It struggled to keep up at 1440p, at least with everything set to ultra, but a little tinkering, or Nvidia’s latest tech, can help with that. Common games like Minecraft, Helldivers 2, and Marvel Rivals all ran over 90 fps, which is great news for weeknight Squirrel Girl enjoyers like myself.

As an RTX 50 Series card, the 5060 TI supports the latest version of DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) which includes Multi-Frame Generation. For every traditionally rendered frame of gameplay, the GPU can use machine learning to generate up to three extra frames with low overhead. The result is a much smoother experience, with big fps jumps each time you turn up the setting. The tradeoffs are a slight increase in input lag, as well as the occasional tiny artifact, which I feel makes this a great option for slower, cinematic games, but less optimal for twitchy shooters.

This PNY example isn’t the flashiest, with a plastic housing and only two fans, but I think a lot of gamers will be satisfied with it. It does feature the classic 8-pin PCIe power plug, so it could be an upgrade for an older system too, but I don’t think the performance jump would be that noticeable from the higher-end 30 or even 20 Series cards. If you want to check out your other options, I’ve got a full GPU buying guide that covers the latest from both AMD and Nvidia, from this card all the way up to the $2,000 RTX 5090.

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September 25, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

The best robot vacuums on a budget for 2025

by admin September 24, 2025

If vacuuming is your least favorite chore, employing a robot vacuum can save you time and stress while also making sure your home stays clean. While once most robo-vacs landed on the higher end of the price spectrum, that’s not the case anymore. Sure, you could pick up a $1,000 cleaning behemoth with mopping features, but it would be incorrect to assume that you need to spend that much money to get a good machine.

Now, you can get an autonomous dirt-sucker with serious cleaning chops for $500 — sometimes even $300 or less. But you get what you pay for in this space; don’t expect affordable robot vacuum cleaners to have all of the bells and whistles that premium machines do, like self-emptying capabilities or advanced dirt detection. After testing dozens of robot vacuums at various price points, I’ve narrowed down our top picks for the best budget robot vacuums you can buy right now.

Best budget robot vacuums for 2025

iRobot

Our previous top pick was the Roomba 694, which you can still find (sparingly) at retailers like Amazon. This model has essentially been replaced with a newer, more “essential” version: the $250 Roomba Vac robot vacuum. Not much has changed here, aside from slight design tweaks that make for a more polished silhouette and a larger battery. Otherwise, this new model does everything our previous top pick did and will be the best cheap robot vacuum cleaner for most people thanks to its good cleaning performance and easy-to-use mobile app.

Setting up this powerful robot vacuum is straightforward: Open the companion app and follow the instructions. Once it’s connected to your home Wi-Fi network, you’re able to use the app to control the vacuum whenever you don’t feel like using the physical buttons. iRobot’s app is one of the biggest selling points for any Roomba. It’s so easy to use that even someone with no prior experience will be able to quickly master the robot’s basic functions. iRobot’s app puts most pertinent controls on the homepage, so you rarely (if ever) need to navigate through its menu to do things like set a cleaning schedule.

We recommend setting cleaning schedules to really get the most out of the device. After all, these are semi-autonomous bots, so why not make it so you rarely have to interact with them? Doing so will ensure the Roomba runs through your home on a regular basis, so you’re always left with clean floors. The only thing I try to do before a cleaning job is get charging cables off of the floor – the Roomba will stop if it sucks something like that up and it’s relatively easy to extract a cable from the machine’s side brushes, but I’d rather not have to do so if I can avoid it. When it comes to battery life, the Roomba Vac will run for up to 120 minutes before it will automatically return to its charging base to power up again.

It’s worth noting that the essential family of Roombas includes a combo vac-and-mop machine that you can get for an extra $25. It’s a bit more manual of a machine because you have to refill its water reservoir and attach its washable mopping pad when you want to clean hard floors — but it’ll do so for you, just like it’ll autonomously vacuum all kinds of floors. Just keep in mind that neither of these machines, the standard or the combo, come with a self-emptying base. You’ll have to spend $400 on the Vacuum 2 Essential to get that.

iRobot has made a name for itself in the autonomous vacuum market for good reason. Its machines are polished, dead simple to use and the accompanying app is excellent. That ease of use (and the reputation of the iRobot name) comes with a slightly higher asking price, which many will be willing to pay. But there are plenty of solid, more affordable options now that didn’t exist even just five years ago.

Pros

Simple yet attractive design
Good suction power for its size
Easy to use mobile app

Cons

Cannot fit under low furniture

$67 at Amazon

Shark

The Shark RV765 is the updated version of the RV761 that we previously recommended. Like the Roomba 694, the Shark RV765 has a slightly different design and a longer run time than the RV761, but otherwise they’re the same vacuum. You can still find the RV761, but it’s a little difficult to do so now that the latest model is available. Although we haven’t tested the RV765, we feel comfortable recommending it since we found the previous version to be a great affordable robot vacuum.

One thing that the RV765 fixes about the previous version is the latter’s ugly bowling-shirt design. The new model nixes that and opts for a sleeker, all-black look with three buttons for docking, cleaning and max mode. You could rely just on the buttons, but it also connects to Wi-Fi so you can use the Shark Clean app. As for the longer run time, that’s just a bonus. The RV761 ran for about 90 minutes before needing to recharge, which was plenty of time for it to clean my two-bedroom apartment. The additional 30 minutes of battery life on the RV765 should allow it to clean larger spaces more efficiently, improving its cleaning performance and dirt detection capabilities.

Some other things we liked about the RV761 include its spot-clean feature; adjustable wheels, which raise and lower automatically depending on the “terrain” and the obstacles in its path; and its intuitive companion app that allows you to start and stop cleaning jobs, schedule cleaning sessions, assign no-go zones and more.

Pros

Sleek design
Improved battery life
Handy “spot clean” feature
Easy to use mobile app

Cons

Can be difficult to find across many retailers

$260 at Target

eufy

Anker’s $250 Eufy RoboVac 11S was one of the cheapest vacuums I tested but it also proved to be one of the most versatile. First thing to note: This robot vacuum doesn’t have Wi-Fi, but it does come with a remote that gives you most of the functions and smart features you’d find in an app (including a schedule cleaning feature). Eufy also includes additional brushes and filters in the box.

The “S” in this robot’s name stands for slim, and it’s roughly half an inch thinner than all of the other vacuums I tested. Not only does this make the 11S Max lighter, but it was the only one that could clean under my entryway table. This model has a physical on-off toggle on its underside plus one button on its top that you can press to start a cleaning. It always begins in auto mode, which optimizes the cleaning process as it putters around your home, but you can use the remote to select a specific cleaning mode like spot and edge clean.

The 11S Max has three power modes — Standard, BoostIQ and Max — and I kept mine on BoostIQ most of the time. It provided enough suction to adequately clean my carpeted floors, missing only a few crumbs or pieces of debris in corners or tight spaces around furniture. The cleaning session lasted for roughly one hour and 15 minutes when in BoostIQ mode and it has remarkable obstacle avoidance. Sure, it bumped into walls and some large pieces of furniture, but it was the only budget vac I tried that consistently avoided my cat’s play tunnel that lives in the middle of our living room floor.

As far as noise levels go, you can definitely hear the difference between BoostIQ and Max, but none of the three settings is offensively loud. In fact, I could barely hear the 11S Max when it was on the opposite end of my apartment running in BoostIQ mode. Thankfully, error alert beeps were loud enough to let me know when something went awry, like the machine accidentally getting tripped up by a rogue charging cable (which only happened a couple of times and neither robot nor cable were harmed in the process).

Overall, the Eufy RoboVac 11S Max impressed me with its smarts, despite its lack of Wi-Fi. The lack of wireless connectivity is arguably the worst thing about the robot and that’s saying a lot. At this point, though, the 11S Max is a few years old, so you could grab the RoboVac G20 if you want something comparable but a bit newer. We recommend getting the $280 G20 Hybrid if you’re just looking for a Eufy machine with some of the latest technology, but don’t want to spend a ton. It has 2500Pa of suction power, dynamic navigation and Wi-Fi connectivity with support for Alexa and Google Assistant voice commands.

Pros

Slim design lets it get under low furniture
Good suction power for its size
Long battery life
Super affordable

$150 at Amazon

roborock

Roborock has made many improvements to its fleet of robot vacuums in recent years and the Roborock Q5 is a good, basic option that you can often find it on sale for between $200 and $300. There aren’t a ton of bells and whistles on this particular model, but it gets the basics right. It supports 2700Pa suction power, precision robot mapping with LiDAR and app and voice control, plus its dustbin is fairly large at 470ml.

During my testing, I found the Roborock Q5 to be a capable cleaning machine, even on carpet that’s excellent at hiding a ton of cat and pet hair. Its self-emptying robot vacuum and mapping capabilities are solid as well, and after each cleaning job, the Roborock mobile app shows you exactly where the machine went with small squiggly lines that follow its path. That’s handy because, if for some reason the vacuum doesn’t hit every single spot in a room that you want it to, you can send it back out to target using the “pin and go” feature.

Roborock’s app experience has improved as well: it’s no longer as confusing and nonsensical as it was in previous years. It’s still not the most polished app, but it’s much easier to find the controls for basic actions like starting a cleaning, choosing specific rooms or zones to clean and the like. I only wish the scheduling tool was more front-and-center — it’s buried in a menu, but also tucked away in that menu is a personal favorite feature that isn’t super common on robot vacuums: remote control. Roborock’s gives you the choice of on-screen buttons or a joystick to manually control the machine’s movements. While totally unnecessary, it’s a convenient feature to have if you’re very particular about where you want your robot vacuum to clean — or if you just miss the experience of driving an RC car.

Pros

Good suction power
Good home mapping capabilities
Decently large dustbin
Improved companion app experience

Cons

Not a ton of extra features

$140 at Amazon

Are robot vacuums worth it?

Since I’ve tested dozens of robot vacuums, I’m often asked if these gadgets are “worth it” and I’d say the answer is yes. The biggest thing they offer is convenience: just turn on a robot vacuum and walk away. The machine will take care of the rest. If vacuuming is one of your least favorite chores, or you just want to spend less time keeping your home tidy, semi-autonomous robotic vacuum is a great investment. Many models, albeit more expensive ones, even come with features like a self-empty station to further reduce maintenance.

There are plenty of other good things about them, but before we dive in let’s consider the biggest trade-offs: less power, less capacity and less flexibility. Those first two go hand in hand; robot vacuum cleaners are much smaller than upright vacuums, which leads to less powerful suction. They also hold less dirt because their built-in bins are a fraction of the size of a standard vacuum canister or bag. Fortunately, some models include features like an auto-empty station, which helps with dirt capacity, especially in homes with pet hair.

When it comes to flexibility, robot vacuums do things differently than standard ones. You can control some with your smartphone, set cleaning schedules and more, but robo-vacs are primarily tasked with cleaning floors. On the flip side, their upright counterparts can come with various attachments that let you clean couches, stairs, light fixtures and other hard-to-reach places.

What to look for in a budget robot vacuum

When looking for the best cheap robot vacuum, one of the first things you should consider is the types of floors you have in your home. Do you have mostly carpet, tile, laminate, hardwood? Carpets demand vacuums with strong suction power that can pick up debris pushed down into nooks and crannies. Unfortunately, there isn’t a universal metric by which suction is measured. Some companies provide Pascal (Pa) levels and generally the higher the Pa, the stronger. But other companies don’t rely on Pa levels and simply say their bots have X-times more suction power than other robot vacuums.

So how can you ensure you’re getting the best cheap robot vacuum to clean your floor type? Read the product description. Look for details about its ability to clean hard floors and carpets, and see if it has a “max” mode you can use to increase suction. If you are given a Pa measurement, look for around 2000Pa if you have mostly carpeted floors. Pay attention to the brush roll mechanism as well, especially if you’re dealing with dog hair or other stubborn debris that can cause tangles. Many budget models use bristle brushes, while others offer tangle-free designs to minimize maintenance.

You may find some budget robot vacuums also offer vacuum/mop combo capabilities. These bots feature a water tank, which means they can offer mopping functionality, enhancing debris pickup, and resulting in shiny floors. However, these are less common when you’re shopping in the lower price range.

Size is also important for two reasons: clearance and dirt storage. Check the specs for the robot’s height to see if it can get underneath the furniture you have in your home. Most robo-vacs won’t be able to clean under a couch (unless it’s a very tall, very strange couch), but some can get under entryway tables, nightstands and the like. As for dirt storage, look out for the milliliter capacity of the robot’s dustbin — the bigger the capacity, the more dirt the vacuum cleaner can collect before you have to empty it.

You should also double check the Wi-Fi capabilities of the robo-vac you’re eyeing. While you may think that’s a given on all smart home devices, it’s not. Some of the most affordable models don’t have the option to connect to your home Wi-Fi network. If you choose a robot vac like this, you won’t be able to direct it with a smartphone app or with voice controls. Another feature that’s typically reserved for Wi-Fi-connected robots is scheduling because most of them use a mobile app to set cleaning schedules.

But Wi-Fi-incapable vacuums usually come with remote controls that have all the basic functions that companion mobile apps do, including start, stop and return to dock. And if you’re concerned about the possibility of hacking, a robot vac with no access to your Wi-Fi network is the best option.

Obstacle detection and cliff sensors are other key features to look out for. The former helps the robot vacuum navigate around furniture while it cleans, rather than mindlessly pushing its way into it. Many also offer no-go zones, letting you block off areas you don’t want the robot to enter. Meanwhile, cliff sensors prevent robot vacuums from tumbling down the stairs, making them the best vacuum for multi-level homes.

How we test robot vacuums

When we consider which robot vacuums to test, we look at each machine’s specs and feature list, as well as online reviews to get a general idea of its capabilities. With each robot vacuum we review, we set it up as per the instructions and use it for as long as possible — at minimum, we’ll use each for one week, running cleaning cycles daily. We make sure to try out any physical buttons the machine has on it, and any app-power features like scheduling, robot mapping and more.

Since we test robot vacuums in our own homes, there are obstacles already in the machine’s way like tables, chairs and other furniture — this helps us understand how capable the machine is at avoiding obstacles, and we’ll intentionally throw smaller items in their way like shoes, pet toys and more. With robot vacuums that include self-emptying bases, we assess how loud the machine is while emptying contents into the base and roughly how long it takes for us to fill up the bag (or bagless) base with debris.

Robot vacuum maintenance tips

First and foremost, always empty your robot vacuum’s dustbin after every cleaning job, or use a self-empty station if the model supports it. Simply detach and empty the dustbin as soon as the robot is done cleaning, and then reattach it so it’s ready to go for the next time. It’s also a good idea to take a dry cloth to the inside of the dustbin every once in a while to remove any small dust and dirt particles clinging to its insides.

In addition, you’ll want to regularly examine the machine’s brushes to see if any human or pet hair has wrapped around them, or if any large debris is preventing them from working properly. Some brushes are better than others at not succumbing to tangled hair, but it’s a good idea to check your robot’s brushes regardless — both their main brush and any smaller, side brushes or corner brushes they have. These parts are often easy to pop off of the machine (because they do require replacements eventually) so we recommend removing each brush entirely, getting rid of any tangles or other debris attached to them and reinstalling them afterwards. If you have a robot vacuum with mopping capabilities, you’ll need to wash the bots’ mop pads too, to avoid any unpleasant smells or tracking mess around your home. Similarly, if your robot vacuum has a water tank, it’s worth washing this out regularly to keep it clean.

Robot vacuums also have filters that need replacing every couple of months. Check your machine’s user manual or the manufacturer’s website to see how long they recommend going in between filter replacements. Most of the time, these filters cannot be washed, so you will need to buy new ones either directly from the manufacturer or from other retailers like Amazon or Walmart.

Budget robot vacuum FAQs

Are budget robot vacuums good for pet hair?

Yes, budget robot vacuums can be good for pet hair. Just keep in mind they generally tend to have lower suction power and smaller dustbins than more expensive (and larger) robot vacuums. If pet hair is your biggest concern, we recommend getting as expensive of a robot vacuum as your budget allows, or consider investing in a cordless vacuum since those tend to be more powerful overall.

How long do budget robot vacuums last per charge?

Budget robot vacuums typically last 40-60 minutes per charge, and the best ones will automatically return to their charging dock when they need more power.

Do budget robot vacuums work on carpets and hardwood floors?

Yes, budget robot vacuums work on both carpets and hardwood floors.

Which budget robot vacuums have mapping features?

Home mapping features are typically exclusive to more expensive robot vacuums. Check the product description of any robot vacuum you’re thinking of buying and look for “smart mapping” or “smart home mapping” in the feature list if you want a device that supports it.

Check out more from our spring cleaning guide.

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September 24, 2025 0 comments

Game Updates

This iPhone Gimbal Costs Peanuts, Amazon Is Clearing Out DJI’s Budget Model

by admin September 21, 2025

Smartphones are incredible cameras in our pockets with the capability of capturing crisp snaps and 4K video, but there’s a further issue: shaky footage. If you’ve ever tried to film a birthday moment, a journey moment or a TikTok dance, then you’ll know how frustrating shaky video is. So, that’s why gimbals exist.

The DJI Osmo Mobile SE gets rid of that problem and you’re able to turn ordinary recordings into professional-quality videos that look as if they’re shot by pros. And since Amazon has dropped the price to just $58 (down from a previous low of $69) — its lowest price ever — this is the perfect time to pick one up.

See at Amazon

Why This Gimbal Is Worth It

The Osmo Mobile SE is DJI’s lowest-priced stabilizer but cheap doesn’t have to mean bare bones. In real life, it’s the category leader simply because it distills pro-level video stabilization into an accessible package. Its folding design means you can shove it neatly into a backpack but when you unfold it and clip your phone onto the magnetic clamp, you’re getting that liquid-smooth footage artists adore right away. It’s compatible with both iPhones and Androids, so compatibility issues are out of the question.

One of the real game changers in this regard is ActiveTrack 6.0: In essence, this permits the gimbal to automatically follow your subject. If you’re filming your children playing in the park or your dog running around on the beach, the Osmo Mobile SE holds them in frame without you scrambling for controls. It even works well for solo creators: just set the phone up, get in frame and let the gimbal take center stage in your own video. The DJI Mimo app also adds to those capabilities and offers Smart templates and shot ideas that help you get more cinematic with less effort.

Another intelligent aspect is that it allows pairing with an Apple Watch and gives you a remote in your wrist. Tilt, pan, or begin recording without needing to rush back to your phone. For vloggers, that is a real boost for how you record hands‑free. Throw in quick editing using the LightCut app which contains easy-to-use templates and your raw shots start looking like mini-movies to share in minutes.

And then the real magic: 3-axis stabilization. DJI’s algorithm reacts in real time to eliminate jitters and bumps that ruin handheld video. Walking down urban streets, backpacking a path or merely shooting a travel blog at an airport, the video is stable and watchable. You can even switch between landscape shooting for cinematic use or portrait mode for social media updates with a single click of a button. And if you wish to get creative, the gimbal comes with various modes including Follow, Tilt Lock, FPV and Spin Shot which each unlock various artistic possibilities.

For a paltry $58, this deal is hard to hype. Most gimbals with this much stabilization and tracking tech run more, but DJI somehow crammed it all into a lightweight, tiny device for creators. Over 10,000 people bought it last month alone, and over 10,000 reviewers left it an average 4.5‑star rating. That should tell you everything you need to know about how dependable and adaptable it is.

See at Amazon

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September 21, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

Our favorite budget wireless earbuds are back on sale for $45

by admin September 13, 2025

The Anker Soundcore Space A40 wireless earbuds are back on sale for a record-low price of $45 a 44 percent discount. These earbuds remain our top pick for best budget wireless earbuds.

The most significant feature on the A40 earbuds is the inclusion of active noise cancellation (ANC), which is almost unheard of at this price point. It’s not the most sophisticated ANC, but it does sufficiently reduce constant rumbling background noise like on a plane. The built-in mic that’s used for transparency mode and phone calls is a bit subpar, especially when used in noisy areas.

Soundcore

Our top budget for the best wireless earbuds is back to a record low price.

$45 at Amazon

These are budget-friendly, so while they can’t be expected to compete on audio quality with flagship headphones that cost hundreds of dollars, the sound is still impressive given their low cost. The sound profile is warm, with a strong upper-bass, while some of the higher frequencies lose finer details. For those wanting to fine-tune the sound on the A40s, the earbuds can be paired with the Soundcore app, which includes an EQ.

The small, round earpieces help make the A40s comfortable to wear for extended periods, and the charging case extends the already solid 10-hour battery life by another 50 or so hours. The Anker Soundcore Space A40 wireless earbuds are already one of the best value options on the market, and this sale makes them even more appealing.

Follow @EngadgetDeals on X for the latest tech deals and buying advice.

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September 13, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

Lexar NM1090 Pro 4TB SSD Review: A ‘Budget’ High-End Drive

by admin September 12, 2025

Why you can trust Tom’s Hardware

Our expert reviewers spend hours testing and comparing products and services so you can choose the best for you. Find out more about how we test.

Lexar needs no introduction. The previous-gen NM790 changed the landscape for capacious, budget SSDs when it came out at 4TB with an affordable price. The company also has other great memory products, but arguably the NM790 put them on the map in the PC storage space. We didn’t like the NM800 Pro quite as much, as it really wasn’t a budget drive, and the controller had issues in the long run. Now it has a successor: the NM1090 Pro, also available at that tasty 4TB point. Is this another winner, or will this drive end up forgotten?

We’re happy Lexar went for 4TB out of the gate on this one, and that’s the capacity we’re reviewing today. However, the drive is pretty well-priced at 2TB, too, and we can recommend either capacity. This drive has DRAM, unlike the NM790, following in the footsteps of the NM800 Pro. However, given the other high-end drives released recently, the NM1090 Pro has one foot on the budget side of the line. It uses older flash and is priced competitively, which works in its favor. This is not the only drive in this category – the Acer Predator GM9000 has the same hardware – and more competition is due from performance DRAM-less drives like the Biwin Black Opal X570, too.

This means you have to shop around. The NM1090 Pro, in our opinion, makes the most sense as a secondary drive at higher capacities. It’s not really the best option for laptops, and there are certainly faster drives out there. If your system has two or more PCIe 5.0 M.2 slots, though, this could be a roaring games drive that saves you some money without any real deficiencies for that type of usage. It also drops the drawbacks of high power consumption, including at idle, and poor power efficiency that early PCIe 5.0 drives had.

Lexar NM1090 Pro 4TB SSD at Amazon for $359.79

Lexar NM1090 Pro Specifications

Swipe to scroll horizontally

Product

1TB

2TB

4TB

Pricing

$139.99

$199.99

$379.99

Form Factor

M.2 2280 (Double-sided)

Interface / Protocol

PCIe 5.0 x4 NVMe 2.0

Controller

SMI SM2508

DRAM

LPDDR4x

Flash Memory

Micron 232-Layer TLC

Sequential Read

14,000 MB/s

Sequential Write

10,000 MB/s

13,000 MB/s

Random Read

1,650K IOPS

2,100K IOPS

Random Write

1,800K IOPS

1,700K IOPS

Security

N/A

Endurance (TBW)

700TB

1,400TB

2,800TB

Part Number

LNM109P001T-RNNNU

LNM109P002T-RNNNU

LNM109P004T-RNNNU

Warranty

5-Year

Today’s best Lexar NM1090 Pro 4TB SSD deals

The Lexar NM1090 Pro is available at 1TB, 2TB, and 4TB with current prices at $139.99, $199.99, and $379.99. This makes the 4TB the best deal and that is what we’re reviewing today. Peak performance can be hit at 2TB, though, with sequential reads and writes up to 14,000 / 13,000 MB/s and IOPS up to 2,100K / 1,800K for random reads and writes. Lexar offers a standard 5-year warranty with 700TB of writes per TB of capacity, which is more than the typical 600TB, but not a significant enough difference to be meaningful.

If the NM1090 Pro is to succeed, it needs to be priced right, and at the time of review, it mostly is. It offers a discount over the most common new high-end Gen 5 drives, such as the Crucial T710 and the WD_Black SN8100 from SanDisk, and the only drive that really comes close to it is the Samsung 9100 Pro. It’s bound to outperform the slower Phison E26-based drives, like the Crucial T700, and it’s also more efficient than the faster ones like the Crucial T705. This makes it an interesting “budget” high-end drive at 2TB and 4TB, possibly offering a second-drive solution for enthusiasts

Lexar NM1090 Pro Software and Accessories

Lexar has two downloads available for the NM1090 Pro: Lexar DiskMaster and Lexar DataShield. DiskMaster is your standard SSD toolbox application with S.M.A.R.T. disk health information, performance testing, diagnostics, firmware upgrades, a secure erase function, and data transfer functionality. This is pretty standard stuff but it’s nice to have convenient downloads. For alternatives we recommend CrystalDiskInfo for health tracking and MultiDrive for Windows-based cloning or imaging, or Clonezilla for a bootable imaging solution.

Lexar NM1090 Pro: A Closer Look

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

We regret to inform you that the Lexar NM1090 Pro is not single-sided, although that’s not as big a deal these days. Especially for high-end drives like this. Using more NAND flash packages means fewer dies stacked per package, which can be easier to manufacture. Signal integrity and timing can become issues with large die stacks, which are often alleviated by using specialized chips within the packages. Typically, the maximum is 16 dies per package (16DP), although 8 dies (8DP/ODP) is much more common. The possibility of stacking up to 32 (32DP) does exist, but is not something we’ve seen yet in consumer drives. The NM1090 Pro is using 1Tb TLC flash drives so, at 4TB, requires 8 dies per package.

Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)(Image credit: Tom’s Hardware)

The NM1090 Pro uses the excellent SMI SM2508 controller. For more technical details, please refer to our original preview. It’s an eight-channel controller with 4 chip enable signals per channel, which means it should handle up to 8TB of flash without a problem and up to 16TB with 2Tb dies. It does have DRAM, which in this case is Foresee LPDDR4x. Using this type of DRAM can reduce power consumption.

The flash appears to be 232-Layer TLC from Micron, which is a generation behind at this point. This flash was used to good effect on the popular Crucial T705 and Crucial T500. Micron has since gone up to 276 layers with an iterative improvement, which, with this same SM2508 controller, has proven to be very power-efficient on the Crucial T710. We’ve seen this controller with older flash on the Acer Predator GM9000 as well, and the result was a drive that falls somewhere between the original Phison E26 and newer, higher-end controllers and flash, including the Phison E28 with BiCS8 TLC. The NM1090 Pro should perform similarly to the Acer, but the capacity change mixes things up a bit and is worth careful consideration if you’re looking for the largest drive possible.

MORE: Best SSDs

MORE: Best External SSDs

MORE: Best SSD for the Steam Deck

Lexar NM1090 Pro 4TB SSD: Price Comparison

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September 12, 2025 0 comments

GameFi Guides

Philippine Senator Suggests Putting National Budget On-chain

by admin August 28, 2025

In brief

Senator Bam Aquino called for budget transactions to be recorded on-chain.
A formal bill proposing the measure is yet to be filed.
Blockchain solutions aren’t “a silver bullet against corruption,” a local blockchain infrastructure firm told Decrypt.

Philippine Senator Bam Aquino wants the country’s national budget placed on a blockchain platform, a move he said would make every peso spent traceable by citizens.

“No one is crazy enough to put their transactions on blockchain, where every single step of the way will be logged and transparent to every single citizen. But we want to start,” Aquino said in a statement at the Manila Tech Summit held on Wednesday.

“If we’re able to do this, I think we’ll be the first country to have our budget on the blockchain,” Aquino said, adding he’s unsure what kind of support he’d receive.

At the time of writing, no formal proposal on a blockchain-powered budget management system scaled for the country’s entire national budget has been filed. Representatives for Senator Aquino did not immediately return Decrypt’s request for comment.

But once formalized, Senator Aquino’s plan would build upon the Department of Budget and Management’s existing blockchain platform, which already records select financial documents and is the first live on-chain budget platform in Asia.

BayaniChain, the local blockchain infrastructure firm behind the DBM’s on-chain platform, welcomed Aquino’s remarks but clarified it is not directly involved with the senator.

“His vision aligns with ours: creating more transparent and accountable systems for the Philippines,” Paul Soliman, co-founder and CEO of BayaniChain, told Decrypt. “While blockchain is not a silver bullet against corruption, it creates immutable records that ensure accountability from government officials.”

Soliman said BayaniChain’s role is to provide the technology that links the Department of Budget and Management’s internal system to a public blockchain.

This setup allows key budget documents, such as Special Allotment Release Orders (SAROs) and Notices of Cash Allocation (NCAs), to be published and verified online, with the records secured on-chain.

Prismo, an orchestration layer, manages data handling, encryption, and validation. The DBM’s budget platform uses Polygon’s Proof-of-Stake network, an Ethereum scaling solution fully compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine, as its consensus and transparency layer.

Daily Debrief Newsletter

Start every day with the top news stories right now, plus original features, a podcast, videos and more.

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August 28, 2025 0 comments

Gaming Gear

The first premium handheld from Ayaneo’s budget brand arrives in September

by admin August 24, 2025

Known for its premium handhelds that often go for more than $1,000, Ayaneo announced a higher-end version of the first handheld to release under its more affordable sub-brand called KONKR. Ayaneo revealed the new Android gaming handheld, called the Pocket Fit Elite, in a YouTube video that detailed most of its specs.

The Pocket Fit Elite will be built with a six-inch 1080p display that has a 144Hz refresh rate, an 8,000 mAh battery, and Hall effect joysticks and triggers. However, Ayaneo didn’t confirm what processor it will use for the Pocket Fit Elite, whose name could be a nod towards the inclusion of the Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. We’re expecting a more powerful chip than the Snapdragon G3 Gen 3, which Ayaneo said will be used for the Pocket Fit base model that was announced in July. Looking at the two models, the unrevealed processor for the Pocket Fit Elite will be the main difference.

Unlike the Ayaneo 3 and its $1,399 starting price, the Pocket Fit Elite will start at less than $399, while the Pocket Fit will be even cheaper with a sub-$329 starting price. Ayaneo said in its latest YouTube video that it’s in the final preparation stage for the Pocket Fit launch, which will be sometime in September.

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August 24, 2025 0 comments

Product Reviews

Best GoPro Camera (2025): Compact, Budget, Accessories

by admin August 23, 2025

The Top 3 GoPro Hero Cameras Compared

GoPros to Avoid

GoPro doesn’t sell anything older than the Hero 12, but there are plenty of Hero 11s and even Hero 10s out there for sale on the internet. We suggest avoiding them. They may work fine, but modern accessories designed for later models won’t work, and these cameras have likely been through the wringer. (They are action cameras, after all.)

GoPro

Hero 11 Black

GoPro no longer sells the Hero 11, but it’s still commonly available on Amazon and other retailers. Unfortunately it’s usually the same price as the Hero 12 (around $300) and therefore not worth buying.

GoPro

Hero 10 Black

The Hero 10 is really showing its age at this point, but it can sometimes be found on sale for $200, but the video quality and stabilization aren’t nearly as good as the Hero 13, which also sells for about $220 and is better in every way.

What About the GoPro Max?

Photograph: GoPro

What most people call a “GoPro” is in fact the Hero Black camera. GoPro makes a few other cameras as well, most notably the Max. The Max is GoPro’s attempt at three cameras in one. It can shoot 360 footage and Hero-style video and photos, and it works as a vlogging camera. While the 360-degree time lapse feature is awesome, and the sound is pretty good, it’s been a while since GoPro updated it, and there are better 360 cameras. Our top pick is Insta360’s X5. The GoPro Max might be more durable, but in nearly every other way the X5 bests it. Hopefully, GoPro will update the Max in 2025.

The Best GoPro Accessories

Photograph: GoPro

Should you buy a bundle? Generally, I say no. Get the camera, figure it out, and see how you end up using it. When you find yourself trying to solve a problem, start looking for an accessory. Here are some of my favorite things that I’ve tested and used, but if you have favorites you think I should try, drop a comment below.

A good MicroSD card for $60: According to GoPro’s recommendations, you want a microSD card with a V30 or UHS-3 rating. That said, GoPros can be finicky about SD cards. I’ve had good luck with, and recommend, the Samsung linked here. Another card I’ve used extensively is the Sandisk Extreme Pro.

GoPro Media Mod for $80: By far my most used accessory, the media mod does add some bulk, but in most cases this is more than made up for by the fact that you can plug in a real microphone (I use mine with a Rode Wireless). Sound quality is radically improved with this one. This may be less necessary if you get the Hero 12 or later, since those models do have support for Bluetooth mics.

GoPro Handlebar Mount for $40: I’ve been doing a lot more riding lately and this mount pretty much lives on my bike these days. It’s been rock solid in my testing, and beats any of the third-party mounts I’ve tested.

GoPro Tripod Mount Adapters for $30: Unless you have the Hero 12 or 13, which have a tripod mount built-in, you’ll need a few of these to mount your GoPro to a tripod like the GorillaPod above.

GoPro Floaty for $35: If you’re getting anywhere near the water, grab one of these. Trust me, you will drop your GoPro and when you do, you will glad you have this (unless the water is clear and you’re a good free diver.) GoPro also makes a Floating Hand Grip ($23), which not only floats but has a leash for diving or surfing.

GoPro Selfie Stick for $80: This 48-inch extension pole collapses up surprisingly small and isn’t very heavy. It’s the best selfie stick I’ve used. I rarely use it for selfies, but it makes a great monopod on soft ground, like a sandy beach.

DaVinci Resolve Studio for $300: This is my video editing software of choice. There is a free version, but I got tired of converting media to fit the restrictions of the free version. Best money I ever spent when it comes to making better videos.

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August 23, 2025 0 comments

Budget

Copilot+ PC Revolution Now Here

Table of Contents

Best monitors for 2025

Factors to consider before buying a monitor

Panel type

Screen size, resolution and display format

HDR

Refresh rate

Inputs

Color bit depth

Color gamut

Monitor FAQs

Is OLED better than mini-LED for monitors?

What size monitor is best for a home office?

Are curved monitors worth it for gaming?

GeForce RTX 5060 Ti OC

Table of contents

Best budget robot vacuums for 2025

Are robot vacuums worth it?

What to look for in a budget robot vacuum

How we test robot vacuums

Robot vacuum maintenance tips

Budget robot vacuum FAQs

Are budget robot vacuums good for pet hair?

How long do budget robot vacuums last per charge?

Do budget robot vacuums work on carpets and hardwood floors?

Which budget robot vacuums have mapping features?

Why This Gimbal Is Worth It

Lexar NM1090 Pro Specifications

Lexar NM1090 Pro Software and Accessories

Lexar NM1090 Pro: A Closer Look

In brief

Daily Debrief Newsletter

The Top 3 GoPro Hero Cameras Compared

GoPros to Avoid

Hero 11 Black

Hero 10 Black

What About the GoPro Max?

The Best GoPro Accessories