Reviews
After a month-long trial, I determined Bose SoundLink Color II sounds good but it doesn’t have adequate volume and isn’t worth its price. Sound: C+ * SoundLink Color II sounds good relative to other portable speakers on the market, but most people will want more bass than it provides.
Reviews
JBL Flip 4 sounds amazing, and it’s more affordable compared to similar sounding speakers, like UE Boom 3. Sound: C+ * It delivers stereo sound with dual passive radiators. The radiators bounce as music plays. * The sound is always clean, but some will want more bass. UE Boom 3 and
Reviews
Bose SoundLink Micro sounds fantastic for its size, has a surprising amount of bass, and comes in a cool form factor, but it’s substantially quieter and more expensive than competitors. Sound: C- * The sound is amazing for its size. The bass has some thump, and it’s not something
Reviews
After testing LIFX lights for a couple of months, I determined LIFX is a great option if you only want a couple of smart lights because it saves you from buying a $60 hub. Setup (A): * LIFX bulbs don’t need a hub. Each bulb needs to be connected to
Reviews
After testing Philips Hue lights for three years, I determined Hue are the best smart lights because they work better with other smart platforms and have a trustworthy brand name. Setup (A): * You can add wall switches, dimmers, and motion sensors. * You’ll need a Philips Hue Hub (sometimes referred
Reviews
While at least half the price of Eero, Luma shouldn’t be considered under any circumstances because it doesn’t work consistently and the software is a mess. Here’s why! Setup (F): * You can only install through the phone app. * I’ve installed five different mesh systems over 10
Reviews
After two weeks of testing, I determined that the Schlage Connect is a decent budget smart lock with a few hardware and software issues. Setup (C+): * There wasn’t a walkthrough tutorial in the app, but the paper instructions were fine. * For installation, you need to remove the existing deadbolt.
Reviews
After two weeks of testing, I determined that the Kwikset Kevo isn’t worth buying because it doesn’t work reliably. Setup (B-): * An interactive guide in the app walks you through installation. It gets the job done, but the directions weren’t perfect. The app implies you sync Kevo
Reviews
Kwikset Premis has a sleek design, but the keypad doesn’t work well in many circumstances. Setup (C+): * There are interactive hardware instructions, similar to the Premis app and much better than Schlage’s. * For installation, you need to remove your existing deadbolt. Then, drill a bigger hole if your
Reviews
Before we talk about Google Home Max, I want to talk about the smart speaker market as a whole. Speakers with smart assistants have been out for two years, but sound quality hasn’t been a priority until recently. Google released their premium version of Google Home, Google Home Max,
Reviews
Jaybird Run earbuds are great if you’re willing to sacrifice sound quality for a tight fit. They sit inside your ear and don’t look as goofy as Bose SoundSport Free, but there are no equalizer settings to make them sound good, and they cut out regularly. Sound (F)
Reviews
Sony WF-1000X earbuds have excellent noise-cancellation and audio, but the sound will cut out with minimal movement. Consider them if you want more noise cancellation than Bose or AirPods offer and plan on using them while seated. While they won’t cancel noise like a pair of over-ear headphones, they’