If you’ve recently picked a big, new 4K TV, you’ll want to get a soundbar to go with it. These compact speaker systems can pump out louder, higher-quality sound than the audio equipment built into ultra-thin TVs without taking up a tremendous amount of space. Some soundbars come with additional speakers—a subwoofer for more bass or wireless rear speakers for surround sound—while others stand on their own. You can save hundreds of dollars on a wide range of soundbars thanks to an abundance of Cyber Monday deals.

Sonos Ray $223 (Was $279)

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The Sonos Ray is the best Cyber Monday soundbar deal due to its impressive audio fidelity for something of such a diminutive size. At just 22 inches wide, you can easily fit this soundbar beneath any TV or inside an entertainment center. Sonos packed the Ray with a multi-driver audio system, including a pair of woofers and outward-facing tweeters connected to a custom-designed amplifier that guarantees well-balanced sound. This Cyber Monday deal on the Sonos Ray solves both issues if you’ve put off getting a soundbar due to its high price and large size.

Bose soundbar deals

• Bose TV Speaker, $199 (Was $279)
• Bose Smart Soundbar 600, $399 (Was $499)
• Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar, $799 (Was $899)

LG soundbar deals

• LG S40Q, $126.99 (Was $196.99)
• LG S95QR, $996.98 (Was $1,799.99)
• LG GX, $349.95 (Was $999.99)

Vizio soundbar deals

• VIZIO M213ad-K8, $144.97 (Was $179.99)
• VIZIO V20-J8, $79.99 (was $119.99)
• VIZIO M512E-K6, $498 (Was $799.99)

JBL soundbar deals

• JBL MK2, $199.95 (Was $299.95)
• JBL Bar 300, $249.95 (Was $399.95)
• JBL Bar 500, $379.95 (Was $599.95)

Samsung soundbar deals

• SAMSUNG HW-S60B, $197.99 (Was $347.99)
• SAMSUNG HW-B550, $177.99 (Was $277.99)

Sony soundbar deals

• Sony HT-S400, $178 (Was $299.99)
• Sony HT-S2000, $298 (Was $499.99)
• Sony HT-A7000, $998 (Was $1,399)

Polk soundbar deals

• Polk Audio React Sound Bar, $169 (Was $269)

Denon soundbar deals

• Denon DHT-S217, $149 (Was $249)
• Denon DHT-S316, $229 (Was $299)

Bang & Olufsen soundbar deals

• Bang & Olufsen Beosound Stage, $1,649 (Was $2,199)

Need a top-quality source and/or screen to pair with that soundbar? Pick up a Panasonic 4K Blu-ray player on sale and shop these amazing deals on Samsung TVs.

The post Save big on soundbars from Sonos, JBL, Sony, Bose, Samsung, and more during Cyber Monday appeared first on Popular Science.

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Cyber Monday is one of the best days of the year to score a great deal on any gadget, from soundbars and WiFi routers to a brand-new pizza oven (all of which you’ll eventually find on our site today). Streaming company Roku is offering up some of the best deals we’ve seen on TVs and media streamers, which are all a solid value at their typical price. For a limited time, you can get a new 75-inch Roku TV for under $500, while Roku’s entry-level media streamer clocks in at just under $25. These deals won’t last long, though, so make sure to take advantage of them while you can.

Roku 75-Inch Class Select Series 4K $449.99 (Was $699.99)

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A 75-Inch TV would be the perfect centerpiece in any home theater system, and getting one for $450 is unheard of. But for right now it’s possible thanks to a Cyber Monday deal at Best Buy. Roku’s Select Series 4K Smart TV has a 4K resolution, supports HDR10+, automatic brightness, and other video settings that optimize its image quality. The set runs on Roku’s easy-to-operate software, which allows you to get quick access to Netflix, Hulu, and hundreds of other streaming apps with no additional hardware. The TV’s simple remote makes the interface easy to navigate and even has dedicated buttons that take you directly to the most popular streaming apps. If you want the Cyber Monday TV deal that offers the biggest screen at the lowest price, this is it.

Roku TV deals

• Roku 24-Inch Class Select Series HD Smart RokuTV, $99.99 (Was $119.99)
• Roku 32-Inch Class Select Series HD Smart RokuTV, $129.99 (Was $169.99)
• Roku 55-Inch Class Select Series 4K, $299.99 (Was $349.99)
• Roku 65-Inch Class Select Series 4K, $399.99 (Was $449.99)
• Roku 75-Inch Class Plus Series 4K, $799.99 (Was $999.99)

Roku Streamer deals

• Roku Express 4K+ $24.97 (Was $39.99)
• Roku Streaming Stick 4K, $29.99 (Was $49.99)
• Roku Ultra, $69 (Was $99.99)

Fire TV deals

• Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite, $15.99 (Was $29.99)
• Amazon Fire TV Stick, $19.99 (Was $39.99)
• All-new Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, $24.99 (Was $49.99)
• All-new Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, $39.99 (Was $59.99)
• Amazon Fire TV Cube, $109.99 (Was $139.99)

Chromecast deals

• Chromecast with Google TV (HD), $19.95 (Was $29.99)
• Google Chromecast with Google TV (4K), $37.98 (Was $49.99)

Want to ditch streaming for discs? Check out this deal on a 4K Blu-ray player. Need somewhere to showcase all that quality content? Shop these amazing deals on Samsung screens. Want a sound system to match your new set? Don’t miss these great deals on an assortment of soundbars.

The post Score a 75-inch Roku TV for only $450 with this Cyber Monday deal appeared first on Popular Science.

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Black Friday is over or ongoing, depending on your understanding of the time-space continuum. And multiroom audio experts Sonos are offering great deals on connected speakers so you can fill the home theater, whole house, or someone else’s heart with cheer this holiday season. Sonos’ speakers and soundbars were designed to work together, and these deals allow you to assemble a full wireless system in a couple of clicks.

Sonos Arc Soundbar $719 (Was $899)

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The Arc soundbar is the centerpiece of the most immersive Sonos system. Pair it wirelessly with either a Sonos Sub (Gen. 3) or Sub Mini and two Era 100 speakers for rear channels and you’ve got a compact 5.1 surround sound system (available in black, white, or a Cruella De Vil-worthy combo if that’s your vibe). The soundbar connects to your TV via eARC HDMI to take advantage of top-tier Atmos material, but you can stream stereo music to it wirelessly from Apple devices through AirPlay 2. And you can add additional speakers throughout the house (assuming your WiFi is up to the task) if you need to hear Vince Guaraldi and other Christmas classics no matter where you roam.

Check out all the Sonos deals that are music to our ears:

• Sonos Sub (Gen 3) $639 (was $749)
• Sonos Sub Mini $343 (was $429)
• Sonos Era 100 powered speaker $199 (was $249)
• Sonos Roam portable speaker $134 (was $179)
• Sonos Beam (Gen. 2) Soundbar $399 (was $499)
• Sonos Ray Soundbar $223 (was $279)

Looking for other soundbar deals? We got you. We’ve also collected deals on some of our favorite speakers for stereo and multichannel setups.

The post It’s not too late to save hundreds on a Sonos sound system appeared first on Popular Science.

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We’re big fans of soundbars here at PopSci. They’re a simple and often-affordable way to seriously upgrade your TV’s sound. Right now, Amazon has pretty absurd deals on JBL soundbars, including $300 off one of our favorites. That’s half-price. Stop reading and go get it.

JBL Bar 5.1 – Soundbar with Built-in Virtual Surround, 4K and 10″ Wireless Subwoofer $299 (was $599)

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This high-end soundbar offers 5.1 surround sound performance thanks to JBL’s clever beam-forming technology, which can chuck sound around the room with impressive accuracy. The 10-inch wireless subwoofer connects easily and booms when you want it to. It supports all sorts of wireless technology, like Bluetooth and AirPlay 2, for playing music. Plus, it looks slick, so you won’t want to hide it in your entertainment center.

More Black Friday soundbar deals

Some of these soundbars are literally half-price, so if you see something you want, grab it because it will probably sell out before Cyber Monday rolls around.

• SENNHEISER AMBEO Max 5.1.4 Soundbar with Dolby Atmos & DTS:X $1,699.95 (was $2,499.95)
• Sennheiser AMBEO Plus Virtual 7.1.4 Soundbar $999 (was $1,495)
• Sennheiser AMBEO Subwoofer wireless reinforcement w/ 8″ woofer & response down to 27 Hz $499 (was $699)
• JBL Bar 2.1 Deep Bass (MK2): 2.1 Channel Soundbar with Wireless Subwoofer $199 (was $299)
• Amazon Fire TV Soundbar, 2.0 speaker with DTS Virtual:X and Dolby Audio, Bluetooth connectivity $99 (was $119)
• SAMSUNG HW-C450 2.1ch Soundbar w/DTS Virtual X, Subwoofer Included $137 (was $197)
• VIZIO V-Series 2.0 Compact Home Theater Sound Bar $79 (was $119)
• Bose Smart Ultra Soundbar With Dolby Atmos $799 (was $899)
• Bose TV Speaker – Soundbar for TV $199 (was $279)
• Sony HTX8500 2.1ch Dolby Atmos/DTS:X Soundbar $199 (was $398)
• SAMSUNG HW-B650 3.1ch Soundbar w/Dolby 5.1 DTS Virtual:X $207 (was $399)
• VIZIO M-Series 2.1 Sound Bar with Dolby Atmos $119 (was $179)
• Sony HTX8500 2.1ch Dolby Atmos/DTS:X Soundbar with Built-in subwoofer $198 (was $399)
• SAMSUNG HW-S60B 3.1ch Soundbar w/Dolby Atmos $197 (was $347)
• Polk Audio Signa S2 Ultra-Slim TV Sound Bar $149 (was $249)
• Denon DHT-S217 Sleek Home Theater Soundbar $149 (was $249)
• LG Sound Bar and Wireless Subwoofer S40Q $126 (was $196)
• LG S75Q 3.1.2ch Soundbar with Dolby Atmos $296 (was $599)

Want a complete wireless surround sound system? We love the Nakamichi Shockwafe Ultra 9.2.4 Channel Dolby Atmos/DTS:X Soundbar with Dual 10″ Wireless Subwoofers, and it’s only $1,399 (usually $1,899).

Interested in building a more traditional multi-component surround system or stereo listening station? Check out these other amazing speaker deals before they’re gone.

The post These deep soundbar discounts are still live, but won’t be for long appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Imagine your favorite artist just released a new album, and all you want to do is be surrounded by sound … but maybe not by speakers. Maybe you don’t have the space, budget, or just plain desire for a surround sound system. But you’re worried a two-channel system can’t quite satisfy you. After spending three months with a pair of Dymension DM70 floor-standing speakers, I can say … definitively … that one can. Whether I’m streaming, playing CDs, or enjoying my latest pressing from Vinyl Me Please, these loudspeakers don’t need Atmos to be immersive. If I were buying a music lover an indulgent gift right now (and you can be your indulgent music lover in question), these are what I’d buy. And, at hundreds less than their typical prices, they’ve never been more affordable … if you act fast.

Definitive Technology Dymension DM70 Large Tower Speakers $1,399.00 each (was $1,999.00)

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They may look like the 2001 monolith, but what’s under the minimalist fabric cover makes the DM70 speakers multidimensional. Each three-way tower has a bipolar array, meaning two 5.25-inch long-throw midrange drivers and a 1-inch aluminum oxide dome tweeter on each side. And the reflections of those rear-focused channels mean there’s enveloping energy throughout the room. Anchoring that expansive soundstage is the integrated powered 10-inch subwoofer and two passive radiators within each speaker. That’s a lot of muscularity rounding out pure musicality, and it’s available for $600 off—a total of $1,200 in savings per pair.

The DM70 towers are basically 2.1 systems and don’t need a separate sub to shine (just add wall outlets for the Class D 180W amplifiers and a sturdy floor), but the balanced bipolar arrays do require external power. I’ve been using a Cambridge Audio Evo 150 and NAD C 700 at various times because I’m a fan of compact network players/integrated amps. But if you do end up wanting a 5.1 or 7.1 system, you can use a powerful multichannel AV receiver and expand the system with DM60 mid-sized towers for the rears, a DM20 center speaker, and DM90 height modules (all of which are on sale right now).

Here are additional audio components offering more for less:

• Sony STR-AN1000 7.2 CH Surround Sound Home Theater 8K A/V Receiver $598 (was $899)
• Denon AVR-X3800H 9.4-Ch 8K UHD Home Theater AVR $1,296.71 (was $1,699)
• Cambridge Audio CXN V2 Stereo Network Streamer $899 (was $999)
• Bluesound Node Wireless Multi-Room High-Resolution Music Streamer $448 (was $549)
• Focal Theva No.1 2-Way Bass-Reflex Bookshelf Loudspeakers (pair) $798 (was $998)
• Polk Audio Legend L100 Bookshelf Speaker (Single, Brown Walnut) $849 (was $999)
• Polk Audio T50 150 Watt Home Theater Floor Standing Tower Speaker (Single, Black) $199 (was $249)
• Klipsch R-41M Powerful Detailed Bookshelf Home Speaker (pair) $149 (was $279)
• KEF Q350 Bookshelf Speakers (pair) $499 (was $799)
• KEF LSX II Wireless HiFi Speaker System $999.98 (was $1,399.99)
• Q Acoustics M20 Bluetooth Speakers HD Wireless Speakers Music System $399 (was $499)
• Fluance Ai41 Powered 2-Way 2.0 Stereo Bookshelf Speakers with 5″ Drivers $211.96 (was $249)
• Cambridge Audio ALVA ST Belt Drive Turntable with Bluetooth aptX HD $499 (was $599)
• Fluance RT81 Belt Drive Turntable with Audio Technica AT95E Cartridge & Built-in Preamp $211 (was $249)
• Sennheiser IE 600 Wired Audiophile Earphones $499 (was $699)
• Sennheiser Consumer Audio HD 660S2 – Wired Audiophile Stereo Headphones $399 (was $599)
• Sennheiser HD 800 S Over-the-Ear Audiophile Reference Headphones $1,499 (was $1,699)
• Focal Bathys Over-Ear Hi-Fi Bluetooth Wireless Headphones with Active Noise Cancelation $629 (was $799)
• Focal Clear Mg Open-back over-ear wired headphones $1,199 (Was $1,499)

The post Shop our favorite speakers of 2023 and save up to 30% right now appeared first on Popular Science.

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I spend a lot of time in front of screens. And, in 2023, a lot of that time was in front of Samsung screens. They’re a favorite of the whole office, really, because Samsung truly makes a monitor or TV to suit every conceivable space and activity—from affordable standouts to straight-up statement pieces. And the best is even better priced during Black Friday on Amazon. The following are a few of our favorites:

SAMSUNG 34″ Odyssey OLED G8 Curved Gaming Monitor $899 (was $1,499)

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We call it the Helm, like in Star Trek, because it really feels like you’re navigating the farthest expanses of websites and spreadsheets. It’s where my wife sits doing much of her work, intently plotting her output as I stare longingly—No. 1 wishing he had the conn. It’s the 34-inch OLED G8 curved USB-C monitor, and it was supposed to be mostly for me … but you know how that goes. When I can use it, it’s possibly the biggest boost to efficiency I’ve ever set up, as the value in laying out every conceivable window and document I need for immediate reference on the 21:9 panel cannot be oversold. I’d have two of these monitors if I had more space and budget—don’t be like me, have your own cockpit! I love how the curvature makes everything so immersive but also ergonomic. I feel no pain, only pleasure, as I absorb the full Ultra WQHD resolution of new product images and promo videos, Slack in one quadrant and CMS in another. The OLED screen delivers rich color and true blacks (though, like all OLED panels, it performs best away from bright light, so consider your placement carefully). And did I mention the mini-HDMI/DisplayPort connections, 175 Hz refresh rate, and 0.03ms response time are great for gaming? But so are many Samsung monitors, including:

• SAMSUNG 55″ Odyssey Ark 2nd Gen 4K UHD 1000R Curved Gaming Monitor $1,999 (was $2,999)
• SAMSUNG 57″ Odyssey Neo G9 Dual 4K UHD Quantum Mini-LED Curved Gaming Monitor $1,999 (was $2,999)
• SAMSUNG 49″ Odyssey OLED G9 G95SC Series Curved Smart Gaming Monitor $1,199 (was $1,799)
• SAMSUNG 49″ Odyssey G93SC Series OLED Curved Gaming Monitor $999 (was $1,599)
• SAMSUNG 49” Odyssey G9 Gaming Monitor, 1000R Curved Screen, QLED $899 (was $1,399)
• SAMSUNG 32” Odyssey G7 Series WQHD (2560×1440) Curved Gaming Monitor $499 (was $799)
• SAMSUNG 27″ Odyssey G7 Series WQHD (2560×1440) Gaming Monitor, 240Hz, Curved $469 (was $699)

SAMSUNG 65-Inch Neo QLED 8K QN900C Mini-LED Quantum HDR Smart TV $3,297.99 (was $4,997.99)

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If you pay more, you surely want to see more. And with Samsung’s flagship QN900C QLED 8K TV, you most certainly do. Its nigh-invisible bezel, what Samsung calls its Infinity Screen, is immediately striking and makes you feel like you’re completely immersed in the image. And the image itself, well, is brighter and more vivid than any TV you’ll encounter. With 33 million pixels, nearly 2,500 nits in HDR, brilliant color and contrast, and impeccable upscaling, the QN900C conveys the ultimate expression of any content in any environment, even the kind of bright room that neuters an OLED panel. The internal sound is even surprisingly radiant (though we always recommend investing in a soundbar/surround sound system if it’s within your budget—which it may be during Black Friday). As for Game Mode, the four HDMI 2.1 ports—with variable refresh rates (VRR), up to 144 Hz, and auto low-latency mode (ALLM)—mean you can enjoy all the 4K/120fps goodness of next-gen. consoles, like the Spider-Man 2 PlayStation 5 I’ve been testing, with zero distractions or frustrations. If you can afford to be future-proofed, you can’t afford to miss this TV at this price.

• SAMSUNG 85-Inch Class Neo QLED 8K QN900C Series Mini LED Quantum HDR Smart TV $5,497.99 (was $5,997.99)
• SAMSUNG 75-Inch Class Neo QLED 8K QN900C Series Mini LED Quantum HDR Smart TV $4,497.99 (was $4,999.99)
• SAMSUNG 77-Inch Class OLED 4K S95C Series Quantum HDR Smart TV $3,597.99 (was $3,997.99)
• SAMSUNG 65-Inch Class OLED 4K S95C Series Quantum HDR Smart TV $2,397.99 (was $3,297.99)
• SAMSUNG 75-Inch Class Neo QLED 4K QN90C $2,397.99 (was $3,299.99)
• SAMSUNG 65-Inch Class Neo QLED 4K QN90C $1,697.99 (was $2,797.99)
• SAMSUNG 75-Inch Class QLED 4K The Frame LS03B Series $1,997.99 (was $2,997.99)
• SAMSUNG 65-Inch Class QLED 4K The Frame LS03B Series $1,597.99 (was $1,997.99)

Loyal to another brand? They have some more equally deep discounts:

• LG C3 OLED 55-inch TV $1,298 (was $1,799)
• LG C3 OLED 65-inch TV $1,596 (was $1,999)
• Sony 65 Inch 4K Ultra HD TV X80K Series $699 (was $899)
• Roku – 55″ Class Plus Series QLED 4K Smart RokuTV $379 (was $499)
• Hisense 50-Inch Class R6 Series 4K UHD Smart Roku TV $239 (was $449)
• Hisense 55-Inch Class U6 Series ULED Mini-LED Google Smart TV $348 (was $579)
• Hisense 65-Inch Class U6 Series Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD Google Smart TV $498 (was $749)
• Hisense 55-Inch Class U7 Series Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD Google Smart TV $673 (was $799)
• Hisense 65-Inch Class U7 Series Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD Google Smart TV $699 (was $1,079)
• Hisense 75-Inch Class U7 Series Mini-LED ULED 4K UHD Google Smart TV $899 (was $1,499)

Need something to play so you can show off all those pixels? Shop these great 4K Blu-ray deals.

The post Shop Samsung’s best OLED and QLED Black Friday TV deals now appeared first on Popular Science.

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Black Friday is all about getting the best possible deals, and you can’t get much better than Roku’s $15 discount on the Express 4K+. The media streamer was an excellent value at its original price—especially since it comes bundled with Roku’s new Voice Remote—but this Black Friday deal pushes it over the top. Anyone who wants to make an older TV smart, or a new TV easier to use, should take notice.

Roku Express 4K+ $24.97 (Was $39.99)

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This pocket-sized media streamer allows you to play 4K HDR video anywhere you go, and the included voice remote allows you to control it totally hands-free. The biggest reason to choose a Roku device over the competition is the company’s commitment to ease of use. The Voice Remote has large, tactile buttons, with shortcuts to popular streaming services. Roku’s digital user interface is easy to navigate, and its devices always feel snappy. Roku continually updates the software to add new features and channels for its media streamers, oftentimes automatically in the middle of the night to avoid downtime.

Roku Streamer deals

• Roku Streaming Stick 4K, $29.99 (Was $49.99)
• Roku Ultra, $69 (Was $99.99)

Fire TV deals

• Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite, $15.99 (Was $29.99)
• Amazon Fire TV Stick, $19.99 (Was $39.99)
• All-new Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K, $24.99 (Was $49.99)
• All-new Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Max, $39.99 (Was $59.99)
• Amazon Fire TV Cube, $109.99 (Was $139.99)

Chromecast deals

• Chromecast with Google TV (HD), $19.95 (Was $29.99)
• Google Chromecast with Google TV (4K), $37.98 (Was $49.99)

Want to ditch streaming for discs? Check out this deal on a 4K Blu-ray player. And need somewhere to showcase all that quality content? Shop these amazing deals on Samsung screens.

The post Start streaming for as little as $25 thanks to Roku’s Black Friday deals appeared first on Popular Science.

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In the age of streaming, it’s easy to forget that movies are still released on discs, and a 4K Blu-ray player will offer a far more high-fidelity experience than what you’ll see from streaming services. Expect better-looking colors and improved contrast to showcase that 4K flatscreen, equally uncompressed Atmos audio that will make your surround system shine, and, of course, all those special features like filmmaker commentaries, deleted scenes, and blooper reels. If you’re considering upgrading from a standard Blu-ray player or want to get back into collecting movies in the fear that all the streaming services could one day go dark, we’ve found the best Black Friday deals on a 4K Blu-ray player and classic films.

Panasonic DP-UB420-K Streaming 4K Blu-ray Player $197.99 (Was $247.99)

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The Panasonic DP-UB420-K is a 4K Blu-ray player designed for the streaming age, and it’s currently $50 off thanks to a Black Friday deal. In addition to playing 4K Blu-ray (plus standard Blu-rays and DVDs), the DP-UB420-K doubles as a media streamer. That means you can access services like Netflix and Prime Video directly from the player when you’re not watching disks. The DP-UB420-K supports the latest HDR (high dynamic range) video formats, high-resolution audio formats, and even supports Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free operation. If you want to see movies the way the director intended, this is as close as you’ll get at home.

Looking to expand your film library? Spin through these 4K Blu-ray deals:

• Reservoir Dogs, $9.33 (Was $13.99)
• Everything Everywhere All At Once, $9.99 (Was $11.99)
• Terminator 2: Judgement Day, $7.99 (Was $22.99)
• BELLE Collector’s Edition, $32.99 (Was $44.10)
• Interstellar, $22.78 (Was $25.99)
• WarGames, $17.99 (Was $21.36)
• The Fifth Element, $11.99 (Was $30.99)
• Harry Potter: 8-Film Collection, $92.95 (Was $178.99)
• The Lord of the Rings: The Motion Picture Trilogy, $74.99 (Was $89.99)
• Back to the Future: The Ultimate Trilogy, $28.49 (Was $55.98)
• Men in Black Set, $33.49 (Was $65.99)
• Game of Thrones: The Complete Collection, $99.99 (Was $219.99)
• The Dark Knight Trilogy, $34.99 (Was $70.99)

Need somewhere to showcase all that 4K goodness? Shop these amazing deals on Samsung screens.

The post Get the best picture and price with $50 off a Panasonic 4K Blu-ray player at Amazon appeared first on Popular Science.

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A 4K projector is the type of uber-indulgent gadget every home theater enthusiast desires but finds clicking “add to cart” hard to justify. Enter Xgimi’s Black Friday deal. The company has knocked $900 off the price of its premium short-throw laser projector. What’s more, you can get its most entry-level HD projector for just $249, which is an incredible price for a gift you (or a gamer or movie lover in your life) would enjoy.

XGIMI Aura 4K UHD Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector $1,599 (Was $2,499)

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The Aura 4K is Xgimi’s latest and greatest laser projector. It can create a 120-inch 4K image from 11.7 inches away from your wall. If you’ve put off getting a projector because your room isn’t deep enough, the Aura 4K solves that issue. If you have more space, you can use this projector to create a 150-inch image. The Aura 4K is equipped with a pair of 15-watt Harman Kardon speakers, two HDMI ports, three USB-A ports, an Ethernet jack, an optical audio output, and a headphone jack. It runs Android TV, so you can stream media from the most popular apps directly from the projector. If you’ve been interested in upgrading your home theater setup from a TV to a projector, you won’t find a better Black Friday deal than this $900 discount on the Xgimi Aura 4K.

Xgimi projector deals

• XGIMI MoGo 2 Portable Projector, $249 (Was $399)
• XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K Projector, $1,099 (Was $ 1,699)
• XGIMI HORIZON 1080p FHD Projector, $799 (Was $1,099)
• XGIMI Halo+ 1080P Portable Projector, $649.99 (Was $849)
• XGIMI Elfin Mini Projector, $479 (Was $649)
• XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro 1080P Portable Projector, $509.99 (Was $599)

The post This isn’t an illusion: save up to $900 on a 4K projector at Amazon for Black Friday appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		BenQ TK700STi 4K Gaming Projector		SEE IT	A brightness level of 3000 lumens, 4K resolution, and gaming-tuned contrast and frame rate make this the best short-thrown projector for those long drives.
Best value		Optoma EH200ST Full 3D 1080p 300 Lumen DLP Short Throw Projector		SEE IT	Optoma’s EH200ST projector is an incredibly well-specced projector at a world-beating price—something you CAN swing a stick at.
Best budget		BenQ TH671ST Full HD 1080p Projector		SEE IT	While it won’t deliver its best performance in a bright room, it will more than impress in a dark room, especially for the price.

Golf is a fantastic hobby. However, being able to play is largely dependent on the weather. Technology to the rescue! These days, you don’t need a shining sun to get in a solid back nine, thanks to golf simulators. Immersive and convenient, simulators let you play virtually on the world’s top courses—from the comfort of your own home. However, to get the most out of your simulated experience, you will need a great projector, and that’s where this list of the best golf simulator projectors comes in.

• Best overall: BenQ TK700STi 4K Gaming Projector
• Best value: Optoma EH200ST Full 3D 1080p 300 Lumen DLP Short Throw Projector
• Best budget: BenQ TH671ST Full HD 1080p Projector
• Best ceiling-mounted: Panasonic PT-VZ580U 5000-Lumen WUXGA 3LCD Projector
• Best standard throw: ViewSonic PX748-4K UHD Projector

How we chose the best golf simulator projectors

To arrive at this selection of the best golf simulator projectors, we looked at various projectors across the spectrum and from all price points. We compared features and specifications and cross-referenced them with commentary and analysis from a number of well-respected critics, as well as general consensus and reviews from online users and retailers.

The best golf simulator projectors: Reviews & Recommendations

Seasoned pros will already know that the best golf simulator projectors are actually just general-use projectors. However, there are a few things to remember when shopping for one for your sim space. Aside from budget (which is always a consideration no matter the hobby), brightness and distance are the key factors to consider. In short, you want a bright projector with a short throw—one that sits relatively close to the screen. There are other things to keep in mind as well, such as aspect ratio, which relates to the size of your screen (the standard is 16:9). No matter your requirements, though, you’re sure to find a winner here.

Best overall: BenQ TK700STi 4K Gaming Projector

SEE IT

Specs

• Brightness: 3000 lumens
• Display resolution: 4K
• Connectivity: USB, HDMI, 3.5mm jack

Pros

• 4K resolution
• Great picture
• Affordable price

Cons

• Could be brighter

Our choice for the overall best golf simulator projector is the TK700STi 4K Gaming Projector from BenQ. Although aimed primarily at gamers, it’s also incredibly popular with golfers looking to practice their swing in a home environment. It’s not hard to see why, given the brightness level of 3000 lumens (get it?). Although it could be brighter (4000 lumens is a good benchmark), it will still perform admirably given a darkish space. This short-throw projector also boasts 4K resolution at 60 Hz (1080p at 240 Hz), giving you a crisp and clear representation of the on-screen virtual fairway. And, as it’s aimed at gamers, it has sharp 10,000:1 contrast plus 4.16ms low latency, resulting in overall picture quality that you can definitely write home about.

And the best part is that it all comes in an eminently affordable package. If you’ve considered splashed out for a top-quality golf simulator, you may be worried you’ll feel the economic pinch, but know that the TK700STi will deliver without forcing you to reach deeper into your pockets than is comfortable.

Best value: Optoma EH200ST Full 3D 1080p 300 Lumen DLP Short Throw Projector

SEE IT

Specs

• Brightness: 3000 lumens
• Display resolution: 1080p
• Connectivity: HDMI, MHL

Pros

• Excellent brightness
• Supports multiple aspect ratios
• Incredible price

Cons

• Could be brighter

Optoma’s EH200ST projector consistently appears on lists of the best golf simulator projectors, and for a good reason: it’s an incredibly well-specced projector at a world-beating price. This is why it’s our pick for best value.

As an entry-level projector, you can’t go wrong with the EH200ST. Sporting 3000 lumens of brightness, a contrast ratio of 20,000:1, and DLP technology to ensure sharp, colorful images, this projector will help elevate your game. It also has a 0.49:1 throw ratio, which means you can achieve a 100-inch image with the projector placed 3.5 feet from the simulator screen. There’s even an onboard speaker.

Best budget: BenQ TH671ST Full HD 1080p Projector

SEE IT

Specs

• Brightness: 3000 lumens
• Display resolution: 1080p
• Connectivity: HDMI, VGA

Pros

• 16:9 native aspect ratio
• Plenty bright
• Affordable

Cons

• Darks not great in bright conditions

BenQ’s TH671ST makes a great entry-level projector if you’re working within a limited budget. While it won’t deliver its best performance in a bright room, given the 3000-lumen rating (essentially the minimum brightness spec for golf simulators), it will more than impress in a dark room.

Along with the brightness, this projector offers a clear picture at 1080p resolution plus a native aspect ratio of 16:9. It also features BenQ’s LumiExpert technology to automatically adjust brightness should you need it. While lag may not be of the most concern with a golf sim, it still boasts an ultra-smooth 16.67ms input lag, something your kids may appreciate if you let them play games on it. Overall, it is an excellent budget-minded projector.

Best ceiling-mounted: Panasonic PT-VZ580U 5000-Lumen WUXGA 3LCD Projector

SEE IT

Specs

• Brightness: 5000 lumens
• Display resolution: WUXGA
• Connectivity: Wireless

Pros

• LCD display
• WUXGA 1900 x 1280 resolution
• Easy installation

Cons

• On the older side

This 2017 ceiling-mount projector from Panasonic may be getting long in the tooth, but it still comes recommended due to its fantastic brightness. Designed primarily as a conference room projector, it has 5000 lumens of brightness, so it looks sharp and luminous even in a bright room. If your golf sim space is on the bright side, this is one to consider.

The PT-VZ580U is a ceiling mount projector, which makes it ideal for those who want to save some space in their golf sim room by getting the projector up off the floor. Installation is a breeze, so don’t worry if you’re not very handy. It also runs on the quiet side, allowing you to focus on what’s important: your golf game.

Best standard throw: ViewSonic PX748-4K UHD Projector

SEE IT

Specs

• Brightness: 4000 lumens
• Display resolution: 4K
• Connectivity: USB, Ethernet, HDMI

Pros

• Excellent brightness
• 4K resolution
• 1.3x optical zoom

Cons

• Won’t work in small rooms

The best golf simulator projectors that we’ve looked at so far have all been short-throw projectors, making them appropriate for smaller rooms. However, if your golf sim room is on the larger side, you’ll need a projector to mount further back. The ViewSonic PX748-4K projector is meant to be used in standard throw situations and excels in that.

It’s plenty bright, for one. With its lumens rating of 4000, you won’t lose any of the picture, even with the lights on. It’s also 4K with SuperColor technology under the hood, giving it a vibrant and crystal-clear image. It even has a short lag rate of as low as 4.2 ms, meaning it can double as a gaming projector should you ever get tired of hitting the virtual links. If your room (and budget) will allow, remember this one for your best golf simulator projector.

Things to consider when choosing the best golf simulator projectors

Aside from budget, the major contributing factor to the best golf simulator you go with is your golf sim room. Everything else depends on this.

First, if your room is on the small side (and it probably is), you’ll want a short-throw projector. The throw is the distance between the lens and the screen; short-throw projectors can comfortably be placed between three and eight feet from the screen, while longer throws will be farther away and usually installed on the ceiling.

You’ll next want to think about aspect ratio, which your screen’s shape will determine. Finally, there’s brightness. If your room is sufficiently blacked out, 3000 lumens will be fine. Of course, brighter is always better. Additional factors like color accuracy can also contribute to your enjoyment.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best golf simulator projectors

• Best overall: BenQ TK700STi 4K Gaming Projector
• Best value: Optoma EH200ST Full 3D 1080p 300 Lumen DLP Short Throw Projector
• Best budget: BenQ TH671ST Full HD 1080p Projector
• Best ceiling-mounted: Panasonic PT-VZ580U 5000-Lumen WUXGA 3LCD Projector
• Best standard throw: ViewSonic PX748-4K UHD Projector

When shopping for the best golf simulator, we recommend going for brightness over resolution. As long as your projector puts out at 1080p, you’re good to go. While gaming projectors are nice and all, they’re made for fast-moving images and lots of detail. Golf sims display the fairway, and as long as you can make out things in the distance, such as sand traps, you’ll be fine. That being said, a good color balance is key. If you’re going to splurge on one area, make it brightness. With good blackout curtains, a brightness of 3000 lumens will be fine, but if you can pump that up to 4000 or even 5000, you’ll be good to go in even bright light. Remember, your golf simulator projector is your key to golf fun, regardless of the conditions outdoors. Enjoy.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best golf simulator projectors of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Hulu + Live TV		SEE IT	Hulu + Live TV offers an extensive channel lineup, plus access to Disney+ and ESPN+.
Best for sports		Fubo TV		SEE IT	FuboTV is the perfect live TV streaming service for sports fans.
Best with local channels		DirecTV Stream		SEE IT	DirecTV Stream offers a wide range of subscription options and a great selection of local channels.

Live TV streaming services make it easier than ever for hesitant cord-cutters to ditch cable. With these services, which offer live channels in addition to on-demand shows, you can watch live sports, local news, and events from devices you already own. All you need is a reliable home internet (or mobile) connection, a smart TV, and a subscription to the service of your choice. On the other hand, veteran streaming-only viewers who miss flipping channels can get access to a lot of what they’ve missed, without committing to a cable subscription. The best live TV streaming services offer a happy middle ground.

• Best overall: Hulu + Live TV
• Best for sports: Fubo TV
• Best with local channels: DirecTV Stream
• Best budget: Sling TV
• Best premium: YouTube TV

How we picked the best live TV streaming services

To select the best live TV streaming services, we tested many of the most popular streaming platforms that feature some amount of live programming. We researched what live channels and on-demand programming you can find through each option, as well as technical features and pricing. 

I’ve been a cord-cutter for years, giving me valuable insight into what to look for when picking the right live TV streaming service. I ditched my cable subscription for live TV streaming years ago, and have helped friends and family make the switch. Since cutting the cord, I’ve tested various services on my Apple TV, so I have experience using many of the most popular options. For the most part, it’s been an easy transition, and the experience hasn’t felt much different from a traditional cable subscription. I can still watch everything from live sports to local news, and I can also record shows to watch later.

What is live TV streaming?

Live TV streaming is effectively a digital cable platform, purchased from outside of the major cable providers like Comcast and Verizon, which does not require any kind of proprietary hardware. Like other streaming services, you can watch it through any number of devices using an app or through a browser window. As the name suggests, the big draw of the live TV streaming service is access to either broadcast TV channels or other livestream programming, like sports.

The interface of live TV streaming isn’t all that different from on-demand services, so if you’re familiar with something like Netflix, the experience will feel similar. While an increasing number of services offer some live programming–both Apple TV+ and Amazon Prime Video have limited sports, for example—the best live TV streaming interfaces feel a little closer to traditional cable, where you can scroll channels, as well as individual shows.

The best live TV streaming services: Reviews & Recommendations

Switching to live TV streaming can feel daunting, but ditching your cable box isn’t as hard as you think. Whether you watch a lot of sports or only occasionally tune into specific events, there’s something for everyone.

Best overall: Hulu + Live TV

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: With access to live TV, Hulu Originals, and Disney+, Hulu + Live TV offers the best value on the market.

Specs

• Price: $69.99
• Channels: 75+
• DVR: Unlimited for nine months
• Concurrent streams: 2; you can upgrade to unlimited for $9.99/month

Pros

• Robust channel lineup
• Access to Hulu’s original shows and movies
• Disney+ and ESPN+

Cons

• No PBS

Hulu + Live TV has the most robust channel lineup of any streaming service with live channels right now. You can get more than 75 channels of news, sports, and entertainment, including ABC, CBS, and NBC. It also comes with digital DVR functionality, so you can record shows when you aren’t around.

Of course, you also get access to Hulu’s streaming library, including on-demand access to many network shows and original content like The Handmaid’s Tale and Nomadland. The service also bundles in subscriptions to Disney+ and ESPN+, rounding out the best package of live TV and on-demand content.

Best for sports: FuboTV

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: You won’t find a live TV service with a broader selection of sports channels than FuboTV.

Specs

• Price: Pro: $69.99; Elite: $79.99
• Channels: Pro: 118; Elite: 174
• DVR: 1,000 hours
• Concurrent streams: 10

Pros

• Great selection of sports
• Up to 10 concurrent streams
• On-demand TV shows

Cons

• No PBS

If you live and breathe sports, FuboTV is the streaming service for you. In addition to local and nationwide network channels, you also get access to Bein Sports, TUDN Xtra, ESPN, FS1, and the list goes on and on. The FuboTV Pro plan allows subscribers to watch everything from Nascar to NFL RedZone to Premier League. It’s a nice mix, and if you add the Sports Plus add-on, you’ll get access to even more, including NHL Network, MLB Network, Tennis Channels, PAC-12 channels, and NBA TV. FuboTV is a wonderland for sports fans, so the service is a grand slam if that’s all you watch.

Best with local channels: DirecTV Stream

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: DirecTV is a robust streaming platform that offers the most regional channels of any competing service.

Specs

• Price: Entertainment: $69.99; Choice: $89.99; Ultimate: $104.99; Premier: $149.99
• Channels: Entertainment: 65+; Choice: 90+; Ultimate: 130+; Premier: 140+
• DVR: Unlimited
• Concurrent streams: Unlimited at home, 3 concurrent away from home

Pros

• Most regional channels
• Unlimited DVR
• Unlimited concurrent streams at home

Cons

• Higher tiers are expensive

DirecTV Stream offers several streaming packages, ranging from the 65-channel Entertainment plan to the 140-channel Premier plan. Though your channels will vary depending on the plan, the overall lineup offers the most robust offering of regional networks from a streaming service. 

Subscribers get unlimited cloud DVR storage, and the ability to record multiple channels at once. You also get features like Lookback and Rewind, which let you watch previously aired content (up to 72 hours ago) and start over live streams from the beginning of the broadcast, so you don’t miss a minute.

Best budget: Sling TV

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Sling TV offers a decent selection of national broadcast networks at a great price.

Specs

• Price: Orange: $35; Blue: $35; Orange & Blue: $50
• Channels: Orange: 31; Blue: 41; Orange & Blue 50
• DVR: 50 hours
• Concurrent streams: Orange: 1; Blue 3; Orange & Blue: 3

Pros

• Affordable
• Decent channel lineup
• Limited tiers make it easier to choose

Cons

• Weak channel selection

At $35 for its Blue or Orange plans, Sling TV is one of the most affordable live TV streaming options on the market. It’s an excellent service for people who occasionally watch live TV, but don’t need a ton of channels or DVR features. You don’t get a lot: mainstream and local channel selections are limited and sports fans will want to steer clear. That said, if you pay for the Orange + Blue plan and get the full channel lineup, you’ll have plenty of cable staples, including AMC, ESPN, and Cartoon Network, while paying less than you would with the other options on our list.

Best premium: YouTube TV

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: YouTube TV features an excellent channel lineup, unlimited DVR, and 4K streaming.

Specs

• Price: $64.99
• Channels: 85+
• DVR: Unlimited
• Concurrent streams: 3

Pros

• Great channel selection
• Unlimited DVR
• 4K streaming available

Cons

• YouTube Premium not included in YouTube TV subscription
• 4K costs extra

YouTube TV has grown into one of the best live TV streaming options, offering subscribers more than 85 nationwide and local channels. That includes the core broadcast networks; popular news channels like CNN, Fox News, and MSNBC; and sports from ESPN, Golf Channel, and MLB Network. Best of all, YouTube TV includes mainstream channels from the Discovery Network, ViacomCBS, and local PBS channels. Subscribers also get unlimited DVR storage and keep their recordings for up to nine months. You also get along with pause, rewind, and fast-forward functionality for live shows. 

YouTube TV is also one of the few platforms that streams live TV in 4K, which is both a great strength and a sore spot. On the one hand, we love any opportunity to make our shows and movies look better. On the other hand, YouTube TV charges extra for the privilege.

Why you might want to switch to a live TV streaming service

You can watch TV anywhere

The most significant benefit of using a live TV streaming service, even over traditional cable, is the ability to watch live sports, local news, and events on any device with an internet connection. Not only do you get it on your TV, but you can use your smartphone, tablet, or PC. 

Some of the services on our list also offer unlimited DVR, which you can access from anywhere you have an internet connection. These features make watching live TV streaming more flexible, and allow you to watch TV from almost anywhere.

No equipment rentals or long-term contracts

Signing up for live TV streaming services is, generally speaking, much easier than setting up cable. You don’t need to set up an appointment, and it typically doesn’t require any additional equipment. That means you don’t have to worry about fees related to “renting” your cable box. Like other streaming services, our selections offer month-to-month billing so you can subscribe for one month and then move on to something else if it doesn’t work for you. 

More affordable options

Depending on your package, streaming may be far less expensive than cable. The starting prices for the live TV streaming services on our list range from $35-$150 per month. According to Cabletv.com’s pricing comparison tool, the average cable TV subscription costs about $80 per month. Though the streaming services rarely provide the same channel selection as conventional cable, many of the services offer dozens of channels, including major networks like ABC, CBS, and Fox. You can also sign up for premium add-on channels that give you access to HBO, Showtime, and more. 

Why you might want to stick with cable

You won’t get every channel

Unfortunately, there is no live TV streaming service that perfectly mirrors a fully loaded cable package. While the situation has improved over the last few years, there is a gap between cable and live TV streaming, especially for people outside of major markets. Hulu Plus Live TV, for example, does not include PBS or other regional sports networks. Sling TV doesn’t have ABC, CBS, or The CW. You also may or may not get local channels, depending on your location and the service you choose. (On the bright side, you can always use a TV antenna to get local channels.) Some services also make you pay for additional channels, so the price of a robust live streaming subscription may creep up as you add premium options like HBO and Showtime.

Your internet will may get more expensive

Don’t be surprised if cutting cable doesn’t save as much money as you’d expect. Cable companies often offer deals when you sign up for broadband, cable TV, and home phone service. If you cancel any of those services, the others become more expensive. Depending on how much you pay for cable, your overall bill should still go down. It just won’t be by the exact cost of your cable subscription.

Bandwidth may be an issue

Live TV streaming requires a relatively strong, stable internet connection. If too many people are using the internet at once in your home, or if you’re playing video games while watching the game, you may find that the quality of the stream might degrade, or it may not work if you don’t have a strong internet connection. 

Most of the services on our list recommend an internet connection of at least 10 Mbps, and we’d recommend a connection of 50 Mbps and above. That way you can stream live TV while others on your network play online gaming, browse the web, and stream music.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best live TV streaming services

• Best overall: Hulu + Live TV
• Best for sports: Fubo TV
• Best with local channels: DirecTV Stream
• Best budget: Sling TV
• Best premium: YouTube TV

There’s no perfect live TV streaming service, but some outstanding options make cutting the cord reasonably painless. If you’re unsure about ditching your cable subscription, try signing up for a live TV streaming service for one month. Consider what channels are available, how much the service costs per month, and what kind of DVR functionality it offers. There’s no perfect solution out there, but there are enough options out there that you should be able to get your unique set of four to five favorite channels in one package.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post Best live TV streaming services of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Black Friday is still two weeks away, but that hasn’t stopped Hisense from pulling out the stops early and discounting virtually all of its 2023 TV lineup. These are some of—if not the–best TVs released over the past year, and will be a home theater upgrade even if you got your set in the past three or four years.

Hisense 75-inch 75U7K, $899.99 (was $997.99)

SEE IT

We’re highlighting Hisense’s mid-tier U7 TV as a particularly good deal because it’s an incredible value at its normal price. The TV’s $98 discount is just the cherry on the cake. This TV has it all: two 144Hz HDMI ports for gaming, support for Dolby Vision IQ HDR, compatibility with Amazon’s Alexa and the Google Assistant, and a peak brightness of 1,000 nits. The good news is that you’re going to get a phenomenal picture regardless of whether you play games, watch movies and TV shows, or watch TikTok compilations on YouTube. The image will be bright, have excellent contrast, and phenomenal color reproduction, too.

Black Friday is the best time of the year to splurge either for yourself or someone you love. This Hisense deal on the U7 gets you a 75-inch TV for well under $1,000, and we don’t expect to see it at a lower cost any time soon. The best part is that by shopping now you can enjoy the TV for the full holiday season, and don’t need to worry about it going out of stock or facing shipping delays.

Get more Hisense home theater Black Friday deals

• Hisense 55U6K, $348 (Was $398)
• Hisense AX5125H, $349.99 (Was $449.99)
• Hisense 55U7K, $479.99 (was $548)
• Hisense 75A6H, $498 (Was $699.99)
• Hisense 65U6K, $498 (Was $548)
• Hisense 65U7K, $699.99 (was $1,049.99)
• Hisense 55U8K, $748 (Was $1,099.99)
• Hisense 65U8K, $1,048 (Was $1,399.99)
• Hisense 100U8K, $3,999.99 (Was $4,999.99)

The post Save up to $1000 on Hisense 4K TVs with these early Black Friday deals from Amazon appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best 4K streaming device		Apple TV 4K		SEE IT	The Apple TV 4K makes a TV an extension of your Apple devices.
Best streaming device		Roku Streaming Stick 4K		SEE IT	The Roku Streaming Stick 4K is small and has almost everything you want to watch.
Best budget streaming stick		Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite		SEE IT	Amazon’s entry-level Fire TV Stick Lite has what you need to start streaming.

The days of cable and satellite, with their bulk subscriptions of hundreds of channels you don’t watch and big set-top boxes you had to borrow and return to the company, are going the way of the dinosaurs. Digital platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max are the new gateways to our favorite TV shows and movies. Most new TVs now come with a “smart” operating system that can access the popular options, but we feel that streaming devices, like Roku boxes and Amazon Fire sticks, are still the best hubs for getting digital content on your TV. They can plug into anything with a screen, tend to more smoothly than smart TV apps, and they’re small enough that you can pack it and take your whole TV setup wherever you go. With Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple, and more, it can be a bit overwhelming to pick the right one for you. In truth, there is no obvious standout. Picking the best streaming devices will depend on the streaming and smart home ecosystems you already use, and what you want to get out of your streaming device.

• Best streaming stick: Roku Streaming Stick 4K 
• Best 4K streaming device: Apple TV 4K
• Best budget streaming stick: Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite 
• Best game console to use as a streaming device: Xbox Series S
• Best hands-free streaming device: Amazon Fire TV Cube
• Best soundbar that doubles as a streaming device: Roku Streambar Pro

How we picked the best streaming devices

At this point, the world of streaming devices is dominated by a small number of major manufacturers. Brands like Roku, Amazon, and Apple are the most likely to make the device you want. The best streaming device will likely depend on which of these devices fits best into your home theater setup and fit into your budget. For the most part, these devices should plug and play, and just get out of the way, so you can enjoy your favorite content. In some cases, like if you’re a gamer, it may be the game console you already own. If you don’t notice it, it’s doing its job right, though. You don’t need to spend an arm and a leg to achieve that. 

To select the best streaming devices, we relied on personal testing, starting with the general-use best streaming stick for most people and then sampling some higher-end options for more specific use cases. We also collated additional information from professional and user reviews. As a cord-cutting, media-obsessed millennial that has never had a cable or satellite subscription as an adult, this is a space I’ve followed for years.

The best streaming devices: Reviews & Recommendations

Media streaming devices–stick, box, or otherwise–are still thriving, with a range to fit any budget, all with broadly the same capabilities. Power over your TV-watching experience has never been more in consumers’ hands, and the best streaming device for you, no matter your needs, is likely here among our selections.

Best streaming device: Roku Streaming Stick 4K 

SEE IT

Specs

• Resolution: Up to 4K
• HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10+
• Dolby Atmos: No
• Connection: Wi-Fi
• Ports: HDMI

Pros

• Fantastic performance
• Small
• Relatively inexpensive

Cons

• Proprietary power cable
• No Dolby Atmos

At this point, the Roku brand name is effectively synonymous with set-top streaming devices. It’s one of the largest manufacturers in the space and streaming devices are what it does best. The Streaming Stick 4K is the fruit of years of focus, with smooth and zippy 4K performance packed into a wee little thumbstick that’s priced to move. Roku’s solid UI is content-agnostic, so it won’t be pushing any particular services over others in its layout. It supports both HDR10+ and Dolby Vision but not Dolby Atmos sound, which is a bummer for audiophiles. It has also, unfortunately, switched to a proprietary charging cable in this latest version, which could be a hassle to replace if you lose it. Overall, however, Roku’s Streaming Stick 4K is easy to recommend. It’s highly functional, very affordable, and a well-balanced option for most people.

It’s worth pointing out that Roku makes an enhanced version, the Streaming Stick 4K+, which changes the remote to include voice control and a headphone jack for an additional $20. These are features we’ve found we can live without, but you may think they may be worth the slightly higher spend.

Best 4K streaming device: Apple TV 4K 

SEE IT

Specs

• Resolution: Up to 4K 
• HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10+
• Atmos: Yes
• Connections: Wi-Fi, Ethernet, Bluetooth
• Ports: HDMI 2.1, Gigabit Ethernet

Pros

• Fantastic performance
• Dolby Vision and Atmos
• Apple product integration

Cons

• Expensive
• Prioritizes Apple content

At 4 x 4 x 1.5 inches, the latest Apple TV 4K is actually fairly large as far as streaming devices go, but it packs a lot of power into that glossy little square. It’s one of the most responsive and smooth-playing devices out there, supporting HDR10+, Dolby Vision, and Dolby Atmos sound. We don’t love that the UI prioritizes content from within the Apple TV ecosystem over other content, though that can include movies and shows from other services if you sign into them through Apple. 

On the plus side, it naturally also integrates seamlessly with other Apple products like your iPhone (an always-handy remote as well as an additional streaming source) and services like Apple Arcade, making it a useful hub if you’re in the Apple ecosystem. For those of us already living that Apple lifestyle, the Apple TV 4K is a solid, if spendy, investment.

Best budget streaming stick: Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite 

SEE IT

Specs

• Resolution: Up to 1080p/HD
• HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10+
• Atmos: Yes
• Connections: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth
• Ports: HDMI, MicroUSB (power)

Pros

• Solid performance
• Affordable

Cons

• No 4K

Streaming in 4K may be all the rage, but plenty of people are still watching 1080p TVs. If you’d rather spend less and drop 4K support, the perfectly competent, but bare-bones Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite costs a mere $30. It maxes out at Full HD (1080p) resolution, but otherwise shares the basic capabilities seen in our other selections. It even, somewhat oddly, supports HDR, despite the fact that there aren’t many 1080p displays with HDR support. All that said, if you really don’t want to spend more than $30 on the bare essentials, then the Fire TV Stick Lite could be all you need.

Best game console to use as a streaming device: Xbox Series S 

SEE IT

Specs

• Resolution: Up to 4K 
• HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10+
• Atmos: Yes
• Connection: Ethernet, Wi-Fi
• Ports: HDMI, USB-A (2)

Pros

• Fantastic streaming performance
• Dolby Vision and Atmos in addition to HDR10+
• Accessible contemporary gaming console

Cons

• More expensive than a dedicated streaming device

If you’re in the market for a streaming device and also want a new game console, the Xbox Series S is the most affordable way to kill both birds with one stone. The Series S can play all new Xbox games, including major releases like Elden Ring and exclusives like Halo Infinite. At $300, it is considerably less expensive than the PS5 and Xbox Series X and only a moderately higher price than the Apple TV 4K, considering how much extra functionality it offers.

Realistically, any of the three new consoles—Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X, and PS5—would make for fine alternatives to a streaming device. Picking which one of them is right for you will come down to factors that extend far beyond streaming. Though it limits games to 1440p, the Series S can play video in full 4K with Dolby Vision and Atmos. You get a controller, rather than a remote, but that’s one of many Xbox accessories you can add if you feel inclined. For gamers, a controller may feel more comfortable anyway.

Best hands-free streaming device: Amazon Fire TV Cube 

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Specs

• Resolution: Up to 4K
• HDR: Dolby Vision, HDR10+
• Atmos: Yes
• Connections: Ethernet, Wi-Fi
• Ports: HDMI, Micro USB, Infrared

Pros

• Fantastic streaming performance
• Dolby Vision and Atmos
• Alexa voice control
• Control whole media center

Cons

• No included HDMI cable
• Prioritizes Amazon content

The latest version of Amazon’s Fire TV Cube added Dolby Vision and Atmos, elevating it to a top-tier streaming box. The Cube benefits from all of the UI optimization after generations of Amazon Fire TV sticks, but with more powerful hardware you can use to control your whole media center. You can use a remote or, better yet, control the whole system using Amazon Alexa voice controls, which could be a game-changer for people with mobility or dexterity issues. 

The downside to Amazon Fire devices, including the Cube, is the way in which its home screen prioritizes Amazon’s own content. Strangely, the Fire TV Cube does not include an HDMI cable, which means you’ll need to buy one if you don’t have an extra lying around. Otherwise, this is as powerful and high-end a streaming box as anyone else offers, but less expensive than Apple or Nvidia’s best.

Best soundbar that doubles as a streaming device: Roku Streambar Pro

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Specs

• Resolution: Up to 4K
• HDR: HDR10
• Atmos: No
• Connections: Ethernet, Wi-Fi
• Ports: HDMI-ARC, USB 2.0, Toslink optical

Pros

• Easy setup
• Solid audio for price
• Virtual surround sound

Cons

• Sluggish performance
• No Dolby Vision/Atmos

Wouldn’t it be a shame to spend all that money on a nice, new 4K TV and streaming media player, only to find your TV doesn’t sound as good as it looks? If you’re still using your TV’s speakers, you need a soundbar, folks. One of our favorite budget soundbars, the Roku Streambar Pro combines Roku’s great, content-agnostic UI and app ecosystem with a great-for-the-price soundbar that will almost certainly feel like a substantial upgrade over your TV’s native speakers. By audiophile standards, the bass is a bit weak, but the sound comes in clean and can be expanded with an optional subwoofer and wireless speakers for true surround sound. 

As a streaming device, the Streambar Pro is a touch slow compared to our top performers, taking a moment longer to load up apps and the like. Also, while it offers virtual surround sound, it doesn’t support Dolby Atmos, specifically. Still, it’s an easy way to upgrade two aspects of your TV-watching life with a single device.

What to consider when buying the best streaming device

Support for streaming apps is an increasingly ubiquitous feature. Though we prefer the apps made for streaming devices, all TVs are smart now and have apps that are at least usable. Game consoles like the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, or Xbox Series X/S can also serve as fully functioning streaming boxes with all the same apps. (The only console without a full suite of streaming apps is the Nintendo Switch.) Before you decide to buy a streaming device, it makes sense to at least consider whether or not you really need one.

Still with us? Good. All of the streaming devices on the market, particularly from big, trusted players like Roku and Apple, have broadly the same capabilities. If you’re already invested in a particular platform ecosystem, such as Apple or Android, that could help make your decision by keeping your digital life more seamless. Beyond that, look for devices that are proven and in your budget, and you can’t really go wrong. Here are our selections for the best streaming devices.

4K support

If you have a modern TV, chances are it supports 4K “ultra HD,” or 3840 × 2160p, resolution. It’s roughly four times the number of pixels versus the previous HD standard, 1080p, and thus demands a streaming device with more powerful hardware. All but one of our recommended options support 4K, and those are the ones you should consider if you just invested in that new OLED TV. Even if you only have an older HD TV with no intent to upgrade to 4K, we still recommend a model that supports it, as those processor upgrades will also lead to smoother performance across the board. If money is tight, however, it’s a cuttable corner.

HDR

Among 4K monitors, the next level of image tech currently jostling for your attention is HDR, or high-dynamic range. HDR enables richer and more accurate colors and notably darker blacks through various degrees of regional control of your TV or monitor’s backlight. The exact quality of how well this works can vary from TV to TV, but support on streaming devices is closer to binary. There are a couple of HDR standards that a streaming device may or may not support.

The most common format is an open-source format called HDR10. There’s also a proprietary competitor, Dolby Vision, which offers “dynamic” HDR that can refine your picture quality further. Dolby Vision support has been less common as a proprietary format only showing up on more high-end products, but adoption is spreading. 

As an alternative, some TV manufacturers have recently adopted HDR10+, an enhanced version of HDR10 with dynamic features similar to Dolby Vision, though it is less common and critics debate whether it’s a strong alternative to Dolby Vision.

Dolby Vision support is great to have if your TV supports it, but shouldn’t be a dealbreaker. The differences between it at HDR10+, or even HDR10, are likely only noticeable when you look for them.

Something in the Atmos-sphere

On the audio side, Dolby Atmos support enables spatial “3D” audio, or surround sound that can simulate sonic “objects” coming from all around, above, or below you. There are multiple versions of Atmos, ranging from immensely expensive surround sound systems with ceiling speakers to soundbars and 5.1 speaker systems with “virtual” Atmos that emulates positional audio with fewer speakers. If you are an audiophile, or even just have a newer soundbar, it makes sense to buy a streaming device that supports Atmos so you can get the most out of your audio gear.

For more information on Dolby Atmos, check out our explainer in the best Dolby Atmos soundbars.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best streaming devices

• Best streaming stick: Roku Streaming Stick 4K 
• Best 4K streaming device: Apple TV 4K
• Best budget streaming stick: Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite 
• Best game console to use as a streaming device: Xbox Series S
• Best hands-free streaming device: Amazon Fire TV Cube
• Best soundbar that doubles as a streaming device: Roku Streambar Pro

Today’s media streaming players are smaller, more powerful, and less expensive than ever. It’s honestly hard to go wrong when choosing among known brands like Roku, Amazon, or Apple, so just pick a streaming device at a price with which you are comfortable—stick, box, or otherwise—and enjoy having all the world’s content at your fingertips, no cable or satellite needed.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best streaming devices of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Antennas Direct 8-Element Bowtie		SEE IT	The Antennas Direct 8-Element Bowtie is a  powerful antenna that you can tuck away in an attic.
Best budget		GE Attic Mount HD Digital TV Antenna		SEE IT	The GE Attic Mount HD Digital TV Antenna gets the job done and costs less than our more powerful picks.
Best for rural areas		Marathon Plus HDTV Long-Distance Antenna		SEE IT	The Marathon Plus HDTV Long-Distance Antenna is easy to set up, and gives you lots of range.

Streaming may be king, but cord-cutters still need a TV antenna to fill in the gap left by cable and pick up regional channels to watch sports and local news. Fortunately, the technology is better than ever—from classic, spiny, yagi antennas to modern flat models you stick on your window, there’s a perfect antenna out there for you, no matter your budget. And if you have access to an attic, the best attic antennas offer convenience and reliability. An attic antenna should give you a stronger signal than an in-room antenna while avoiding the hassles of having a rooftop antenna installed. It’s also the most discreet way to mount it. Besides, what are you using that space for, anyway? If you’re considering placing a new TV antenna in your attic, we can help you pick one of the best attic antennas for your space.

• Best overall: Antennas Direct 8-Element Bowtie
• Best for rural areas: Free Signal TV Marathon Plus HDTV Long-Distance Antenna
• Best compact: Antennas Direct ClearStream 2V
• Best for furnished attics: Antop AT-500SBS HD Smart Bar
• Best budget: GE Attic Mount HD Digital TV Antenna

How we chose the best attic antennas

I’ve written about consumer technology for nearly a decade at sites like Digital Trends, GameSpot, and Lifewire as an industry journalist and critic. Most recently, I have covered home media and gaming here at Popular Science, including televisions and antennas. I also edit the Uber Engineering blog. Picking an antenna depends largely on your location, so the best antenna for a rural home would be complete overkill for someone living near a large city. Attic-mounting has more to do with placement than the antenna itself, so we’ve chosen a range of antennas at various price points and strengths, with a focus on quality and value. 

We’ve surveyed the best-selling, most reviewed, and most recommended products on the market and extrapolated a representative list of the best value options for a variety of price points and use cases. All of our recommendations are well-reviewed by customers and critics alike and come from brands we trust.

The best attic antennas: Reviews & Recommendations

In most cases, it makes sense to either get an outdoor antenna to mount on your roof or place an indoor antenna near a window in the same room as your TV. However, the third, less obvious option that splits the difference between the two: mounting your antenna inside your attic. Getting better signal quality out of the airwaves keeps free over-the-air broadcast TV relevant, even as we upgrade to 4K TVs and the broadcast environment shifts. You can upgrade any streaming setup with an attic antenna, which will bring free, local broadcasts to your living room without a gaudy black panel on your window or putting something on your roof. No matter your budget or needs, we’re confident that the best attic TV antenna for your home is here among these picks.

Best overall: Antennas Direct 8-Element Bowtie

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Why it made the cut: The Antennas Direct 8-Element Bowtie is a powerful and versatile antenna that you can tuck away in an attic.

Specs

• Range: 70 miles
• UHF/VHF: Both
• Installation: Mast clamp
• Gain: 17.4Dbi

Pros

• Great performance
• Flexibility from multiple aimable panels
• Lifetime warranty on parts

Cons

• Very large
• Includes mounting hardware, but requires mast and coaxial cable

The four sizable rectangular panels of the Antennas Direct 8-Element Bowtie antenna are its greatest strength, and also make it well-suited for tucking away in an attic. Because the panels are mounted on two independently rotating masts, you can either spread them out to capture signals in different directions or focus them to better capture in a single direction. That versatility, paired with its 70-mile range and 17.4Dbi gain, makes it powerful enough for most situations. The only real tradeoff for all that power is its commanding size, at 3 x 4 feet, which is why it’s particularly perfect for hiding in your attic if you have the room, rather than commanding attention on your roof.

Best for rural areas: Free Signal TV Marathon Plus HDTV Long-Distance Antenna

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Why it made the cut: The Marathon Plus HDTV Long-Distance Antenna offers great reach in a compact form.

Specs

• Range: 110 miles
• UHF/VHF: Both
• Installation: Wall, pole, floor, ceiling
• Gain: 40 dBi

Pros

• Long range
• Compact
• Flexible installation

Cons

• Expensive

The Marathon Plus HDTV Long-Distance Antenna looks more like a Wi-Fi router than a TV aerial but that sleek, compact appearance belies some serious power with a 110-mile range. Its compact, rectangular form also makes it extremely versatile in its installation, letting you clamp it to poles like most antennas but also hang it on the wall like a picture frame or place it on the floor. It’s expensive, but the performance and form factor are worth the investment if you want something powerful and discreet.

Best compact: Antennas Direct ClearStream 2V

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: Compact and dependable, the Antennas Direct ClearStream 2V offers a great balance between size and power.

Specs

• Range: 60 miles
• UHF/VHF: Both
• Installation: Wall, pole, floor, ceiling
• Gain: 10.4 dBi

Pros

• Great performance
• Compact

Cons

• Assembly required

Antennas Direct‘s ClearStream 2V sits in the middle of its smaller ClearStream line for windows and TV stands. The 2V stands out because of its longer range, UHF/VHF support, and pivoting mast for installation flexibility. It requires a little more day-one assembly than the other options on our list, and its unique design combining rings and a grid tends to stand out when used indoors or on your roof, but its range, features, and price are all on point, so it’s a perfect pick to set up in your attic.

Best for furnished attics: Antop AT-500SBS HD Smart Bar

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Buy it used or refurbished: eBay

Why it made the cut: Simultaneously large and unobtrusive, the Antop AT-500SBS HD Smart Bar will blend right in with any modern home theater setup.

Specs

• Range: 80 miles
• UHF/VHF: Both
• Installation: Wall mount, floor stand
• Gain: N/A

Pros

• Great performance
• Sleek design
• LTE filter

Cons

• Large

The Antop AT-500SBS HD Smart Bar is almost 30 inches long, but its sleek, black form is designed to blend in among any other contemporary consumer hardware, looking more like a speaker bar or heat pump than a television antenna. It configures both vertically and horizontally, either free-standing or mounted onto the wall for maximum flexibility in getting the best possible signal. It delivers great performance with an 80-mile range and all sorts of useful features, including a 4G LTE filter to block interference from cell signals, and an adjustable range dial for tuning in precisely on signals.

Best budget: GE Attic Mount HD Digital TV Antenna

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Buy it used or refurbished: Amazon

Why it made the cut: The GE Attic Mount HD Digital TV Antenna gets the job done and costs less than our more powerful picks.

Specs

• Range: 60 miles
• UHF/VHF: Both
• Installation: Wall, pole, floor
• Gain: N/A

Pros

• Flexible installation with included hardware
• Great performance
• Inexpensive

Cons

• Lower range

The GE Attic Mount antenna is a solid performer from a dependable brand that’s designed specifically to be hidden away in your attic. The included mounting hardware and helpful instructions should make it a breeze to install on the wall, floor, post, or ceiling. At 60 miles, it’s a lower range than the other indoor/outdoor antennas on the list, but its performance is solid within its reasonable range, especially for its price.

What to consider before buying an attic antenna

When you put an antenna in an attic, you can set up either an indoor or outdoor antenna. Whatever you pick, ensure you’ll have the hardware necessary to secure it. Since you don’t need to worry about how it looks, an unfinished attic likely provides the most flexibility of any option. You can secure it to the floor, ceiling, walls, support posts, or a window if you have one. The higher up from the ground you can get, the longer its effective reach becomes.

Before picking out a new TV antenna, you should do a little research and find out how far away your local signals are. There are several free tools, such as the Federal Trade Commission’s DTV Reception Maps, that will let you type in your address to find nearby local stations. They’ll also show you useful information on each station, including its distance, signal strength, frequency band, and relative position. (You may need some of this to optimize your antenna position.)

For over 95% of homes in the United States, you should be able to get local affiliates of FOX, CBS, ABC, NBC, The CW, and PBS, plus any nearby local channels. Your ability to watch faraway channels will depend on the signal strength of the station and your antenna’s range.

HD and 4K

Gone are the days of coaxing an image out of crackling white static by delicately manipulating set-top antennas like a locksmith. In 2009, a federal government mandate forced all over-the-air (OTA) TV broadcasts in the United States to transition to digital signals, rather than the older analog format. Digital broadcasting is much more information efficient (only sending changes from frame to frame, rather than replicating the whole image every single time), so your local news and sports are likely going out in beautiful 1080p, or possibly even 4K. Many people report that the picture quality of an OTA broadcast is better than what you get from a cable provider, which compresses the signal more in order to serve it packaged alongside all the other channels.

Range and gain

The most important spec to keep in mind with a new antenna is its range, which gives you an approximate indication of how far an antenna can reach to still pick up a broadcast from a nearby station. Your actual range may vary a little bit, depending on the particulars of local interference, like trees, buildings, and hills. Again, an OTA mapping tool can tell exactly what stations are in your area, and how much range your antenna needs to pick them up.

After range, most antennas will list gain, which indicates how well an antenna can pick up distant signals in one particular direction. The higher the gain—listed in dBi, or “decibels relative to isotrope”—the more focused an antenna’s reception. Theoretically, a zero-gain antenna would perfectly detect any signal on the edge of its range in every direction. In reality, every antenna will be at least slightly better at picking broadcasts when it’s pointed toward the source of the signal. A high-gain antenna is useful when you need a lot of range and most or all of your signals come from one particular direction, such as the nearest major city.

UHF and VHF

Every channel broadcasts on specific frequency bands, all of which fall into one of two categories: UHF and VHF (short for ultra- and very-high frequency). Channels operating at higher frequencies can send information more efficiently but within a slightly smaller range. Most channels take that tradeoff and broadcast on UHF now, though there are some stragglers on VHF bands. 

Most UHF antennas can pick up VHF signals even if they aren’t built specifically to receive them, so you shouldn’t worry too much about being unable to pick up VHF. That said, if enough of your stations will be in VHF, it may make sense to pick a VHF-compatible antenna.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best attic antennas

• Best overall: Antennas Direct 8-Element Bowtie
• Best for rural areas: Free Signal TV Marathon Plus HDTV Long-Distance Antenna
• Best compact: Antennas Direct ClearStream 2V
• Best for furnished attics: Antop AT-500SBS HD Smart Bar
• Best budget: GE Attic Mount HD Digital TV Antenna

We live in the age of streaming, but you shouldn’t give up on broadcast TV just yet. Antenna technology keeps getting better, so now you can pick up crisp HD content without ever leaving the comfort of your home. Indoor antennas are feasible for many but, if you’ve got access, the best attic TV antennas can be a great way to boost your performance without going through the hassle of running cable outside and onto your roof.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best attic antennas of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Samsung’s screens get a lot of attention, but what’s a vivid image without equally detailed sound? The HW-Q900C is the simplest soundbar option at the high end of Samsung’s lineup. This 7.1.2 system provides effective surround sound, punchy bass, and some of the clearest dialog we’ve heard with just one soundbar and a wireless subwoofer. It sets up simply and performs admirably, especially if you’re connecting it to a Samsung TV. But, with so many options out there, is it worth your precious media console real estate?

SEE IT

Overview

• This is Samsung’s flagship soundbar that ships with a remote and a subwoofer, no satellite speakers.
• The subwoofer connects wirelessly, so it only requires a power cord.
• Q900C attaches to a TV using HDMI (two inputs and one output) or infrared.
• Wireless connectivity includes Apple AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth 5.

Pros

• Excellent overall sound quality
• Some of the best dialog performance we’ve heard
• Very easy setup
• Impressive surround sound performance 
• Fills a big room
• Provides plenty of volume
• Rumbly bass

Cons

• Some niche features only work with a Samsung TV
• Big
• Pricey

Verdict

This high-end component provides some of the best sound we’ve heard out of a soundbar, especially considering that it doesn’t require any satellites (though you can add rear satellites if you want after the fact). This is a worthy upgrade, especially if you have a modern Samsung TV that can take advantage of the extra features. 

Samsung HW-Q900C soundbar build

Samsung offers two higher-end soundbar setups: the HW-Q910C, which features the same soundbar and subwoofer as the HW-900C but packaged with wireless Left/Right rear speakers, and the HW-Q990C, that same soundbar and subwoofer but with a pair of wireless satellites with height channels to make it an 11.1.4 configuration. That makes the HW-Q900C a simplified flagship, which is ideal for users who may have a slightly smaller room or don’t need maximum surround sound effects. 

The bar itself, 17 pounds of mostly sturdy metal with hexagonal angles, houses nine speakers in a 7.1.2-channel arrangement powered by 246 watts of built-in amplification. The bar is 48 inches long, which makes it just about as wide as my 65-inch TV, so it’s not a small device (though there are even heftier all-in-one soundbars out there). The 25-pound subwoofer is also somewhat chunky, but it contains an 8-inch woofer powered by a 200-watt amp. 

The box includes a mounting kit and the necessary hardware to put the soundbar up on a wall. I didn’t install it on my wall (I swap out soundbars too often to mount them), but it uses very standard and simple hardware that should be simple to install. 

Samsung HW-Q900C soundbar setup and design

Setting up the Samsung HW-Q900C is refreshingly simple. The bar sports two HDMI inputs (plus one HDMI out) and an infrared input. The ports don’t support HDMI 2.1 and, therefore, can’t passthrough 4K @ 120Hz. Still, they can handle 4K with HDR10 and HDR10+ and are eARC compatible, so if you’ve got a flagship gaming TV (like Samsung’s own OLED 4K S95C or NEO QLED 8K QN900C), you can just connect your console and soundbar directly to the screen and the setup is extremely simple right out of the box.

I’m testing an LG TV at the moment, and the HW-Q900C immediately worked well with the LG remote without finagling. If you want to stop there, you can with the setup, but more advanced users can dig into tuning and calibrating with the Samsung SmartThings app, and Samsung TV owners can use the automatic SpaceFit Sound Pro option.

Setting up the subwoofer requires little more than plugging it into the wall. It connects wirelessly and instantly. From opening the box to watching a movie (with basic setup), it took me less than 10 minutes. If you plan to tweak and go through the auto calibration, plan for roughly an hour.

Samsung HW-Q900C soundbar performance

Simply put, the Samsung HW-Q900C is one of the overall best-sounding soundbars I’ve heard. It’s solid for streaming music, even though it’s eclipsed in tunefulness by more purpose-built bars like the Sonos Arc, so if you’re ready to take a deep dive into spatial audio, consider that with the Sonos Era 300 speakers. The HW-Q900C, however, is excellent for watching movies and TV shows, in large part because of its ability to render dialog. During testing, I fired up a MAX stream of the woefully awful but sonically dramatic Jason Statham movie Meg 2: The Trench. Despite its nonsensical plot, the movie has a persistent bass rumble that ebbs and flows throughout the movie as the characters putter around under the sea. That lets me hear how granularly a system can modulate that low end while monitoring how well the actor’s voices cut through. The Samsung, aided by adaptive room correction and Active Voice Amplifier (AVA) processing, did outstanding in both cases. 

The subwoofer, with its “acoustic lens” design for deeper extension in a slimmer enclosure, provides true boominess when required for explosions and punchy impacts while deftly producing subtler ripples that add essential mood and ambiance to a movie. 

The HW-Q900C supports both Dolby Atmos and DTS:X surround sound technologies, and it offers an impressively immersive sound considering its lack of stand-alone satellites. Up-firing speakers and the soundbar’s 48-inch width give it physical advantages compared to smaller units. I fired up a Blu-ray player to watch my old standby testing movie, Alien on 4K disc, and found that the surround sound performance was excellent overall. Alarms blared behind my head, and that weirdly wet alien noise sounded like it could have been coming from anywhere in the room. 

I was similarly impressed with the sonic presence in less action-oriented movies. The Wolf of Wall Street, streamed in 4K with Dolby Atmos on Netflix, made the dialog sound as clear and crisp as it ever has. The high-end performance allowed me to keep the volume relatively low while keeping the dialog perfectly intelligible. That’s a big win.

Q900C sound modes

Switching between modes is relatively simple with the included remote, but the display on the front of the bar itself is very low-res and scrolls like the Lotto sign in the window of a bodega. It gives you an idea of what mode you’re in, but digging into the SmartThings app makes it simpler. If you go through the process of calibrating the system to your room, you likely won’t flip through the modes very often anyway. 

The gaming mode is one exception, as it emphasizes the directionality of the sounds to keep you aware of what’s happening around you as you game. Using it with a PlayStation 5, I could appreciate the difference.

Music performance

I’m not a huge fan of soundbars for music playback in general, but the HW-Q900C is perfectly capable. I listened to everything from the sad, twinkly Fiona Apple cover of the Beatles’ “Across the Universe” to the ruthlessly bombastic metalcore “Overthrone” by Judiciary. The bass comes across a bit strong, but the clean highs prevent things from falling into “muddy” territory. 

The real draw for playing music on the HW-Q900C is its simple connectivity. It easily connects via Bluetooth (the SBC codec) or Apple AirPlay 2 via WiFi (the far-preferable method). The soundbar also includes Alexa voice control, so if you use a compatible service, you can just ask the virtual assistant to play your music for you. 

Special features for Samsung users

Samsung would love for you to buy a 2022/2023 Samsung TV to go with your fancy new soundbar, and the company has added some exclusive features to make them more enticing. The Q-Symphony feature allows the HW-Q900C to work in concert with the TV’s built-in speakers to center and sync audio even more tightly to the on-screen action. Current Samsung TVs can also send a Dolby Atmos signal over Bluetooth to the soundbar for a wireless connection (though Q-Symphony requires a wire). That’s very handy, but also probably not worth basing your entire TV choice on. 

So, who should buy the Samsung HW-Q900C soundbar?

The Samsung HW-Q900C currently retails around $1,000, which puts it in the high-end category. But, with excellent surround sound performance, clear bass, and some of the best dialog reproduction I’ve ever heard, it’s a Dolby Atmos soundbar worth the investment if you can swing it. Some more advanced users may prefer the upgraded Q990C with its more immersive wireless surround sound system. Still, Samsung’s bar and subwoofer combo had absolutely no problem filling my very average-sized suburban living room on its own. If you’re already using a newer Samsung TV and can access the extra features of the pairing, it’s an even better value. 

Ultimately, this is a great pick for anyone looking for a high-performance setup that doesn’t take up much space or require a lot of setup. Just plug it in, fire up Meg 2: The Trench, and let the great sound drown out the plot holes.

The post Samsung HW-Q900C soundbar review: A standout standalone sound system appeared first on Popular Science.

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The unfortunate reality of rapidly advancing TV tech is that as screens have gotten flatter, so has the sound they output. That leaves flatscreen owners with a choice: find space for a surround-sound setup with bulky subwoofer and satellite speakers, or turn to single-unit soundbars that can simulate an all-around 5.1 or 7.1 speaker setup without the need for threading wires and installing wall mounts. And thanks to the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Max, convenience won’t cost you audio quality, though it will cost you $2,499—a major price jump from similar immersion-focused integrated systems like the $999 Vizio Elevate or the Sony HT-A7000. Featuring 13 drivers and the ability to transform any source into 3D audio, this thick slab of sound is for those who want the best soundbar, regardless of price. It’s an investment, but one worthy of the best OLED TVs and best QLED TVs.

The Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Max’s design

Accommodating all those speakers (two firing upward and 11 outward) and the 500 watts of power to drive them requires considerable size and weight. At almost 41 pounds, 50 inches wide, and more than 5 inches tall (including the rubber feet), the AMBEO Max is considerably larger than the average soundbar. On the same tabletop as a flagship TV, the Sennheiser soundbar may block a portion of your screen unless the TV is mounted upon a wall or has a height-adjustable stand. 

A small display on the AMBEO’s fabric-covered front face shows basic info, such as input source, volume level, and connectivity status when connected to Bluetooth 4.2 or when Chromecasting from the iOS or Android Google Home app. The brushed metal top panel has an embedded row of essential controls. While, on the back, the Sennheiser AMBEO Max soundbar has three HDMI inputs for connecting components like gaming consoles or Blu-ray players, along with an HDMI TV eARC (Audio Return Channel) output for two-way connection to compatible TVs. This means the AMBEO can pass through 4K and HDR (including Dolby Vision) signals from components to the TV. There’s a subwoofer output should you wish to add one to your system, as well as an optical input for digital audio and an RCA audio input. An Ethernet port is there should you prefer a wired connection over the built-in WiFi. The Google Home app performs Chromecasting and any firmware updates, but there is also a USB port solely for performing firmware updates if needed.

Getting started with the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Max

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If your primary setup is source-soundbar-TV, you’ll find everything you need in the Sennheiser AMBEO soundbar box to set up quickly: a standard “figure-8” power cable and a high-speed HDMI cable for an eARC connection for two-way comms with the TV, plus a remote control. The AMBEO may seem like a lot of soundbar (and it is), but it is quite simple to connect to your TV. With my Samsung TV connected in this way, the TV remote would power up and down both the TV and the AMBEO, and the TV remote controlled the AMBEO’s volume while the TV’s internal speakers were bypassed. It’s nice and simple. In the rare case that you don’t have an ARC-compatible TV, you’ll just need to connect an optical audio cable from the TV to the soundbar. 

Using the ceiling and walls to reflect sound is key to the Sennheiser AMBEO soundbar’s ability to simulate surround sound, so the “hardest” part of setting up the soundbar is just making sure none of the speakers, including the upfiring ones, are obstructed by anything. Then, before settling in for your new audio experience, you’ll want to optimize the AMBEO’s internal settings for the room with the included stand-up calibration microphone. You plug this into the front of the soundbar, place the microphone where you will most often be while listening to the system (recommended six or more meters away) and, when prompted from the remote, the AMBEO emits a series of loud frequency sweeps to set levels it saves in internal memory. When finished, just store the microphone somewhere so you can repeat the process again if you move the AMBEO—or the sofa. 

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar key features

Unlike a lot of A/V companies, Sennheiser comes to soundbars from a pro-audio perspective. It is decades of engineering studio microphones and audiophile headphones that give the German company the confidence to ask serious coin for the AMBEO. For comparison, Sonos, a much younger company that started in multiroom audio systems, asks just $899 for the Arc, its fidelity-first flagship soundbar with Dolby Atmos and Amazon Alexa. 

Considering its price and the pedigree of the 75-year-old brand, the Sennheiser AMBEO soundbar must live or die based on its audio quality and the many ways in which it treats incoming signals to sound like a 5.1.4 surround system (representing two left channels, two right channels, and a center channel; a subwoofer; and four rear channels). In order to do this, the soundbar supports all the major 5.1 and 7.1 surround formats found in legacy movies and games, plus all newer 3D audio ones you’re likely to come across on discs or streaming, including Dolby Atmos; DTS:X; MPEG-H; and even Sony 360 Reality Audio (an April 2021 firmware addition, exhibiting Sennheiser’s desire to futureproof your sizeable investment). But you won’t need to worry about formats for the most part beyond initially setting up HDMI devices. For example, when I connected a Sony PS4 to the AMBEO and chose the audio settings for the game console, it knew the soundbar was compatible with DTS 7.1 and defaulted to that setting. 

Virtual reality

Set up via room correction, the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Max pumped out detailed, clear audio with excellent definition and separation in the mid- and high-frequency ranges. It also had a very satisfying bass response, reaching down to a thumping 30Hz while maintaining a natural tonality. However, if you’re a real bass addict who needs to feel the kind of guttural quivering inside that you only get from large loudspeakers or subwoofer-reinforced systems, the AMBEO can’t quite compare to that feeling. 

For about two weeks, I ran nearly every piece of visual and audio media I played through the AMBEO, including the Netflix Army of the Dead movie and the John Wick franchise (both with Dolby Atmos), the PS4 Middle Earth: Shadow of War game in DTS 7.1 sound, and a selection of 21st-century music with which I am intimately familiar, including hip-hop, pop, and a range of electronic music such as dubstep, house, and indie-dance.

With film, the dialogue was more intelligible, maintaining its presence even as dynamic atmospheres stretched across the room. And directional cues increased the excitement exponentially. In the bathhouse scene of John Wick (2014), there’s a sequence when Wick’s target Iosef runs across the screen behind a series of glass panels, bullets transforming each into a spiderweb of cracks in turn. Hearing the bullets fly in as the sound of their impact radiated out caused my head to involuntarily turn, generating one of those “wow” moments that are rare from all but the best gear. Games exhibited similar spatial depths—sound pinging and panning and the virtual world feeling even more visceral with the AMBEO’s 13 drivers sending sounds flying in all directions. 

The Sennheiser AMBEO soundbar treated rumbling sound effects and bass-heavy music equally well—presenting plenty of low-end without distracting from or distorting the overall audio. Playing the squelching symphonics of Daft Punk’s TRON: Legacy Reconfigured on the AMBEO Soundbar Max, either from the Bluetooth connection or from streaming apps on the TV or PS4, was a real joy. The soundbar takes two-channel music and parcels it out across its 13 speakers in unexpected and delightful ways. I quickly preferred music through AMBEO virtualization over my dedicated stereo speakers positioned on both sides of the living room. 

The soundbar’s sound presets and three “AMBEO” 3D sound modes also made for some interesting listening experimentation, where none of the settings really sounded bad, just different. The presets—Movies, Music, News, Sports, and Neutral—are guidelines for the material you’re hearing, but I tended to prefer the dynamic and vibrant spread of the Music preset even for Movies. However, the Movies setting did tend to emphasize dialogue more, which can be helpful during cacophonous action flicks. 

The Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Max’s 3D modes are where the soundbar really shows off all of its immersive magic. They can be off or on in one of three settings: Light, Standard, and Boost, which determine the intensity of the soundbar’s ability to “upmix” a stereo sound into the illusion of surround. Movie and TV show audio seems to occupy a space from a few feet on either side of the soundbar and even a couple of feet above it due to the top-firing speakers. Different elements of music seem to dance across with audible width. While each setting has its merits, 3D sound is the name of the game here, so I’m fond of the Boost setting, which transformed familiar songs in interesting ways, digitally separating musical elements and stretching them across a tall, wide stage. However, if you’re used to hearing music in a certain way, Standard and Boost may sound somewhat unnatural.

A ’cast of characters

The built-in equalizer, which you can adjust through a companion iOS and Android app, let me crank up the bass for a little extra oomph and to find a personalized sound for my tastes. This is frankly a low-rated app for a number of reasons and the Android app on my Motorola G Stylus phone would not connect to the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Max, even though it was recognized and working to Chromecast through the Google Home app. However, the iOS app on an iPad did connect and it was worth the hassle in the end to get the graphic equalizer and the easier toggling of AMBEO 3D sound modes. From the app, you can also power the AMBEO on/off, select its input source, and control the volume, although with a finicky touch slider that makes subtle adjustments not so easy. 

Sennheiser also offers Google Chromecasting through the AMBEO. Setting this up failed several times, but after some dizzying rounds of rebooting the soundbar and the phone, it did connect for successful Chromecasting over WiFi. However, Google Home noted, “This device [the AMBEO] is not optimized for casting,” and when Chromecasting from the phone, the volume was significantly quieter than when paired over Bluetooth. 

So, who should buy the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Max?

When you want a strong, sumptuous sound for home theater viewing but also want the “simplicity” of an all-in-one soundbar, Sennheiser’s AMBEO Soundbar Max succeeds. Its mobile app-based functionality still could use some work, but that’s a minor component of the AMBEO setup. Not only would the Sennheiser soundbar be a surround-sound upgrade from TV speakers or other soundbars, but it can easily serve as the primary music speaker for any room in which you place it. There are many all-in-ones that cost less and take up less space, but for the best multidimensional soundbar experience without sacrificing fidelity, the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Max has set a high bar.

The post Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Max review: Reaching the upper Atmos-sphere appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		Marantz Cinema 70S		SEE IT	Perfect for a multidimensional, multi-room system.
Best gaming		Sony STR-AN1000		SEE IT	4K 120Hz video and Dolby Atmos support in a PlayStation-perfect package.
Best budget		Denon AVR-S570BT		SEE IT	5.1 surround capabilities for just under $350.

If you’re setting up a home theater, a killer game rig, or even a multiroom music system, an AV receiver (AVR) is necessary for tying it all together. It can function as your system’s hub, accepting, decoding, and routing various audio sources and formats, passing through HDMI signals, and providing connection and amplification for all your speakers. In the alphabet-soup world of home entertainment technology, figuring out which AVR is right for you isn’t easy. We aim to inform and demystify your shopping experience by recommending the best AV receivers in various price ranges and for different applications.

• Best overall: Marantz Cinema 70S 
• Best 4K under $500: Yamaha RX-4VA 
• Best 7.2: Denon AVR-X2800H
• Best for home theater: Arcam AVR31 
• Best for gaming: Sony STR-AN1000
• Best low profile: Marantz NR1711 
• Best budget: Denon AVR-S570BT

How we chose the best AV receivers 

We considered dozens of the best AV receivers and amplifiers for this story and focus on those that offer overall excellence in their price range. We also wanted to present products that excel for specific applications, such as gaming or audiophile music listening or multichannel surround sound. All our recommended units are made by solid, reputable companies and should give you years of excellent performance. The PopSci writers and editors have decades of combined experience writing about technology and home theater gear. These recommendations are a mixture of first-hand experience, spec comparisons, user impressions, peer recommendations, and scouring critical AV receiver reviews. 

The best AV receivers: Reviews & Recommendations

The best AV receivers integrate the various components of your home theater and music system. Most offer optical and analog (RCA) inputs in addition to their HDMI ports. That way, AVRs can incorporate digital sources like Blu-ray players, streaming devices, game consoles, smart TVs, analog turntables (although you might need a phono preamp), or older CD or DVD players. AVRs receive audio over the internet (some by WiFi and others Ethernet) and via Bluetooth from your mobile devices; many can provide wireless multiroom audio. A home theater with a music system and maybe a gaming system would be unmanageable without an AV receiver as its nerve center. You can assume that each AVR we mention includes a remote control and a setup/calibration system.

Best overall: Marantz Cinema 70S 

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Why it made the cut: Get it for the Marantz sound quality and enough channels for true Dolby Atmos.

Specs

• Channels: 7.2
• Power: 50W per channel (into 8 Ohms, THD: 0.07%, 2-ch driven)
• HDMI ports: 6in/1 out
• Highest Video Supported: 8K    

Pros

• High-quality Marantz audio
• Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, both hardwired and virtual.
• Built-in HEOS

Cons 

• Remote lacks backlight

Marantz’s 70S packs the performance of a full-sized AV receiver into a package compact enough to fit in most media centers. It supports Dolby Atmos audio, can pass through Dolby Vision video at 8K, and even has a built-in phono preamp.

In our tests, the Cinema 70S was surprisingly simple to set up. We plugged in our Q Acoustics 3020i bookshelf speakers and Q Acoustics 3050i towers, connected the receiver to a Sony OLED 55-inch BRAVIA XR A80L Series 4K Ultra HD TV using an HDMI cable, and followed the on-screen instructions, which walked us through testing each speaker to ensure it was connected correctly. We could also connect the receiver to our WiFi network using a pair of included antennas, enabling the ability to stream media from Apple devices using AirPlay 2. There’s also a built-in Ethernet port if you’d prefer to hardwire your setup completely. Within 15 minutes of unboxing the sleek but substantial feeling receiver, we were up and running.

We filled most of the Cinema 70S’ HDMI inputs with all three current-generation game consoles, the latest Apple TV 4K, and connected a Denon DCD-900NE CD player to one set of its RCA inputs. We had no problem using the Apple TV to stream Dolby Atmos tracks, playing Xbox Series X games like Diablo IV with Dolby Vision enabled, and enjoying every bit—pardon the pun—of our CD collection through Denon’s latest player. There were no ticks or dropouts during our hours of playing and listening, either.

Devices connected to the Cinema 70S over HDMI have the ability to wake the receiver and TV using their respective remotes, which makes jumping into a game or using the Apple TV to stream media more convenient. The receiver always recognized when a device was turned on and automatically switched to the correct input. We could tell this was true because the receiver would show the connected device’s name (and its current volume level) on the tiny screen built into its circular portal-like screen.

Overall, we were incredibly pleased with how well Marantz’s Cinema 70S performed under several circumstances, and its variety (and quantity) of inputs mean it’ll likely be your one-stop shop for both analog and digital music listening and video watching. Some nice-to-have features (like backlit buttons on its remote) were missing, but the core functionality far exceeded our expectations, especially given its incredibly reasonable size.

Best 4K under $500: Yamaha RX-4VA 

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Why it made the cut: It offers a surprisingly rich feature set for the money if you don’t need every bell and whistle.

Specs

• Channels: 5.2
• Power: 80W per channel (into 6 ohms, 0.06% THD)
• HDMI ports: 4 in/1 out
• Highest video supported: 4K currently, 8K upgrade via firmware available soon

Pros 

• Affordable price for a surround-capable receiver
• Supports multiple video and music formats
• Will support 8K and VRR, QMS, ALLM and QFT with a future firmware update

Cons

• Requires (free) HDMI board replacement for 4K/120Hz gaming
• No Dolby Atmos height virtualization or DTS Virtual:X support
• No phono input

This 5.2-channel unit makes a solid centerpiece for home theater, gaming, and music listening. With four HDMI 2.1 inputs and an eARC output—along with optical, coaxial, and analog RCA inputs (but no phono inputs for a turntable)—it’s compatible with a wide range of gear. The unit supports Dolby and DTS surround sound decoding, streaming via WiFi, Apple AirPlay 2, and Spotify Connect, and can be voice-controlled with Amazon Alexa or Google Assistant. 

The RX-4VA comes with Yamaha’s MusicCast multiroom system (minus the speakers, of course), allowing you to connect with other compatible Yamaha components wirelessly. A USB port lets you play music from an external storage device. 

On the negative side, the RX-4VA doesn’t support virtualized Dolby Atmos or DTS Virtual:X. It’s also one of the receivers whose chipset has an HDMI 2.1 bug that cannot handle 4K/120Hz gaming for Xbox Series X or NVIDIA RTX30. Fortunately, Yamaha offers a free HDMI board update program to fix it. Although it supports HDMI 2.1, it doesn’t support 8K out of the box. However, Yamaha will soon offer a firmware update that will add 8K capabilities as well as VRR (Variable Refresh Rate), ALLM (Auto Low-Latency Mode), QMS (Quick Media Switching), and QFT (Quick Frame Transport), which are HDMI 2.1 features designed to enhance gaming. Together, this makes it a top-value 4K AV receiver that retails for $599 but is typically offered under $500 and is future-proofed for when 8K flatscreens come down to a more approachable price.

Best 7.2: Denon AVR-X2800H

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Why it made the cut: This mid-priced AVR has a full feature set and is ready for the future.

Specs

• Channels: 7.2
• Power: 95W per channel (into 8 ohms, THD: 0.08%)
• HDMI ports: 6 in /2 out
• Highest video supported: 8K     

Pros 

• Broad multichannel format support
• Lots of connectivity options
• 8K video pass-through

Cons

• Dirac support requires jumping up to a higher-priced model

Surround sound used to be synonymous with 5.1 speaker configurations, but the advent of Dolby Atmos and other “3D” audio formats have helped usher in the era of 7.2 systems. Denon’s AVR-X2800H is well-equipped for this job, serving up a solid 90W of power per channel and supporting Dolby Atmos, Atmos Height Virtualization, DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X surround audio formats. 

Virtual surround sound formats will never be able to usurp or equal the experience of additional physical speakers, but they’re nice to have as you build your setup. Beyond HDMI ports, the AVR-X2800H is stacked with RCA, optical audio, and coaxial inputs. There’s even a built-in phono preamp if you plan on hooking up your turntable to the receiver.

Audio is important when selecting the right AV receiver, but it’s only one-half of the equation. The AVR-X2800H also delivers on the “V” side of things by passing through 8K/60Hz or 4K/120Hz video and supporting the latest HDR formats, including Dolby Vision, HDR10+, and HLG. If you plug in a game console or 4K Blu-Ray player, you will like what you see and hear.

On the wireless connectivity front, the AVR-X2800H stacks up well, too. It supports Apple’s AirPlay, Bluetooth, HEOS, and can be integrated into Apple HomeKit or Google Assistant smart home ecosystems. It feels like the only protocol this receiver doesn’t support is Dirac Live, an optional piece of software that continuously analyzes your room to adjust and optimize your speakers’ output. If that sounds appealing, you’ll need to jump up to Denon’s AVR-X3800H, a 9.4-channel stereo receiver that’s even more immersive (but also pricier).

If you’re looking to expand your surround sound system beyond five channels and a single subwoofer, Denon’s AVR-X2800H should be your first choice.

Best for home theater: Arcam AVR31 

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Why it made the cut: It can process up to 16 channels of multichannel audio.

Specs

• Channels: 7.2
• Power: 120W per channel (into 8 ohms at 0.02% THD, 2-ch driven)
• HDMI ports: 7in/3 out (HDMI 2.1)
• Highest Video Supported: 8K

Pros

• 16 channels of processing
• Broad multichannel format support
• Dirac Live room correction tailors the sound to your room’s acoustics (microphone included)
• Class G amplification provides excellent sound  
• Spotify Connect, TIDAL Connect, MQA, and Roon support

Cons

• No phono input for turntable two-channel use
• Price

Arcam’s high-end AV receiver offers seven Class G amplification channels, offering better efficiency than the typical Class B or AB designs. It also can process 16 channels simultaneously. Using its preamp-outs to feed an additional power amp, you could configure a 15.2 system. The AVR31 has Dirac Live room correction and a measurement mic to calibrate all those speakers correctly. 

Moreover, it offers broad support of multichannel audio formats: Dolby Atmos, TrueHD, Digital Plus, DTS:X (but not DTS:X Pro), IMAX Enhanced, and Auro 3D. From an HDMI standpoint, it offers seven in and three out, including one eARC output. All HDMI is 2.1, supporting 4K/120Hz and 8K/60Hz signals (but no VRR/ALLM). HDCP 2.3 technology and Dolby Vision, HDR10, HDR10+, and HLG support even ensure compatibility with 4K and 8K Ultra HD sources and TVs. But there isn’t really 8K content to concern yourself with, so if your goal is a pure signal path and clean power that can convey any soundtrack’s every nuance, you’ll get what you pay for (and you’ll pay around $5,500 on average).

Unlike Arcam’s previous generation, the AVR31 has Bluetooth Audio w/ aptX HD, WiFi, Apple AirPlay 2, Google Chromecast support, and an FM tuner. You’ll need a phono preamp to connect a turntable. But overall, if you’re looking to set up a massive multichannel system in a dedicated home theater, especially if you’re installing numerous wall-mountable speakers, etc., the AVR31 makes an outstanding central hub to build around.

More interested in the A rather than the V when it comes to an AVR? If streaming music is your primary pursuit, ARCAM recently unveiled the Radio Series, featuring two-channel integrated amplifiers that can receive audio from every source imaginable except HDMI.

Best for gaming: Sony STR-AN1000

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Specs

• Channels: 7.2
• Power: 165W per channel (into 8 ohms, with 0.9 % THD, 1-ch driven)
• HDMI ports: 6in/2out (eARC)
• Highest Video Supported: 8K

Pros

• Supports 4K video output at 120Hz
• Compatible with Dolby Vision, Hybrid Log Gamma and IMAX Enhanced High Dynamic Range
• Works with Dolby Atmos, DTS:X, DTS Virtual: X, and DTS X Pro surround formats

Cons

• No tuner or phono inputs

While many people now associate Sony strongly with the PlayStation 5, the company has a long history in personal audio (well before we could afford AV receivers, we couldn’t live without our Walkman, hello). And its STR-AN1000 is a slam dunk regardless of your preferred next-gen. gaming console. Its most important feature is its ability to pass 4K video at 120Hz courtesy of its HDMI 2.1 ports, which allows you to play games at up to 120 frames per second. Most games still top out at 60 frames per second for technical reasons, but cutting-edge titles that push the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X to their limits can take advantage of it.

Similarly, the receiver can pass through Dolby Vision HDR video, the high dynamic range format supported by the latest consoles. The STR-AN1000 can also pass through 8K video at 60 frames per second, which gives you a nice cushion when it comes to future-proofing your setup alongside a Mini-LED 8K TV. Visuals are the most important factor to consider when choosing an AV receiver specifically for gaming, but that doesn’t mean audio doesn’t count.

Both the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X have titles with a Dolby Atmos mix, and other surround sound formats have been commonplace in games for a couple of console generations. The STR-AN1000 supports all major surround sound formats and can be connected to seven sets of speakers and a pair of subwoofers. You’re covered if you have the space for a 7.2 speaker setup for your gaming rig.

Some of this AV receiver’s shortcomings, like the lack of a radio tuner and phono input, are forgivable, given its eye toward the future. Support for wireless streaming protocols like Apple’s AirPlay 2 and Google’s Chromecast, compatibility with Sonos’ hardware ecosystem, and the ability to control the receiver using a Google Home-compatible speaker more than make up for it.

The STR-AN1000 is an excellent AV receiver whether you’re playing the latest games, or using your console for video streaming or 4K Blu-Ray playback. And if you decide you want more connectivity and current at the heart of your system and you have the expanded budget to match, a January 2023 press event unveiled additional top-tier contenders for AVR receiver of the year.

Best low profile: Marantz NR1711 

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Why it made the cut: The half-size frame and full feature set will appeal to anyone with a space-limited home theater setup.

Specs

• Channels: 7.2
• Power: 50W per channel (into 8 ohms, with 0.08 % THD, 2-ch driven)
• HDMI ports: 6in/1out (eARC)
• Highest Video Supported: 8K

Pros

• Slimline form factor saves space
• 8K support provides future-proofing
• Comprehensive implementation of Dolby and DTS multichannel formats

Cons

• Only 50W per channel

The NR1711 is a diminutive 3.5 inches in height, about half that of the typical AVR. Yet somehow, Marantz was able to engineer it with a competitive feature set for its $800 price range. Because of its half-sized housing, Marantz had to scale down the amplifier size, so its power output is only 50W per channel. But unless you’re setting it up in a large room, it should still give you plenty of oomph. 

Gamers short on space will appreciate the NR1711’s “Slimline” form factor. They’ll also love its 8K support, which will serve them well for the next generation of gaming consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X. Home theater buffs will appreciate the impressive list of surround formats supported by the NR1711, such as Dolby Atmos, Dolby Speaker Virtualizer, Dolby Digital Plus, and Dolby Surround. DTS is also well represented with DTS:X, DTS Virtual:X, DTS Neural:X, and DTS Digital Surround, to name just some. 

You can set up and calibrate your system with built-in Audyssey MultiEQ, Dynamic EQ, and Dynamic Volume processors. If you want to spin some vinyl, the NR1711 sports phono inputs alongside its other analog I/O. Additional goodies include Bluetooth, WiFi support, AirPlay 2, HEOS, and Alexa support.

Best budget: Denon AVR-S570BT

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Why it made the cut: It offers a low-cost path into the surround-sound world.

Specs

• Channels: 5.2
• Power: 70W per channel RMS at 8 ohms, 0.07 percent THD, two channels driven.          
• HDMI ports: 4in/1out (ARC)
• Highest video Supported: 8K HDR pass-through

Pros 

• Low price for a 5.2-compatible AV Receiver
• 8K video pass-through and Dolby Vision support
• Quality sonics

Cons

• No Atmos support

The Denon AVR-S570BT is an entry-level AVR that can handle Ultra-HD content such as 4K Blu-ray and HDR video, and play audio encoded in most of the latest surround sound formats. It lacks Dolby Atmos support, which will be a sticking point if you’re living on the cutting edge, but beyond that, it’s remarkably capable.

Its most impressive feature is its 8K video pass-through capability, which comes courtesy of HDMI 2.1 ports. It also impresses on the video side by supporting 4K video pass-through at 120Hz and Dolby Vision HDR, which is the format used for the latest video games and 4K video releases. Ultimately, anyone on a budget will find a lot to like about this receiver.

We mentioned the AVR-S570BT’s only audio fault earlier, but its lack of Atmos support isn’t a big deal, given the receiver’s price. It does support Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD, so any game or film soundtrack with a 5.1 surround sound mix will sound correct. The AVR-S570BT is also compatible with Apple’s AirPlay 2 and Bluetooth for wireless music streaming.

Overall, if you’re not trying to keep up with the latest and greatest but want to watch movies or play games in 5.1 surround sound, the Denon AVR-S570BT will get you there for less without sacrificing very much.

What to consider when shopping for the best AV receivers

You have many variables to consider with a product as complex as an AVR. Some essential questions include: Can it support what I have (or want to have) in my system? How many HDMI inputs do I need to cover all my gear and have at least one leftover for expansion? Does it support the main surround format I plan to use? Does it deliver enough power per channel to give me plenty of distortion-free volume, given the size of my room? Does it offer 8K support so that I’m future-proofed? Does it have phono inputs for my turntable? Do I need to match my speakers to an AVR? The best AV receivers cover a pretty extensive range of features and prices. Look for the one that will best meet the needs of your current or planned home theater setup.

Is 8K video capability important in an AV receiver?

Right now, 8K isn’t necessary because there’s precious little 8K content available, even if you have an 8K TV. But that will likely change in the next couple of years, and if it’s important for you to watch shows and movies or play games with the best quality available, you’ll need a receiver that supports it. Fortunately, most of the products that we recommend in this article do.

How many channels do I need if I want a receiver that supports Dolby Atmos?

Atmos is a pretty “hot” format now, offering the dimension of height and the traditional directionality of surround sound to create an even more immersive sonic environment. Many movies now offer Atmos mixes, which can be spectacular. Atmos systems require a receiver with seven channels at the minimum for a hardwired system, consisting of a 5.1 speaker setup with two additional Atmos ceiling-mounted speakers. If you don’t want to mount speakers in the ceiling, you could get Atmos-enabled speakers that fire forward and upward. The latter bounces the sound off your ceiling to simulate having speakers up there. (And don’t forget the speaker wire!)

Another option is an Atmos-enabled soundbar, like the Sennheiser AMBEO or the Sony HT-A7000. Such products create an Atmos-like effect from one multi-speaker device. Finally, several receivers in this roundup support Virtualized Atmos, which simulates Atmos from whatever speaker configuration you have. The soundbar and the virtualized Atmos won’t compare to hardware-based Atmos systems, but you do get some of the effects, and it’s a lot less money. DTS:X is a competitor to Atmos and gives you a similar immersive effect. It also has a simulated version, DTS Virtual:X. Again, it would be best to have a receiver or soundbar that supports it.

HDMI input and output

On the HDMI outputs on AVRs, you’ll see the letters ARC or eARC. ARC stands for Audio Return Channel and eARC (Enhanced Audio Return Channel), introduced with HDMI 2.1. Both ARC and eARC allow bidirectional audio. With the emergence of smart TVs, which stream content from the internet, you need a way to get the audio from that content out of your TV and into your AVR or soundbar so that it gets amplified and routed to speakers. If you have eARC, it supports up to 24-bit/192kHz audio, as well as uncompressed audio from 5.1 and 7.1 surround content. In addition, it works with compressed formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS-HD Master Audio coming from your TV. And don’t forget the HDMI cables!

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best AV receivers

• Best overall: Marantz Cinema 70S 
• Best 4K under $500: Yamaha RX-4VA 
• Best 7.2: Denon AVR-X2800H
• Best for home theater: Arcam AVR31 
• Best for gaming: Sony STR-AN1000
• Best low profile: Marantz NR1711 
• Best budget: Denon AVR-S570BT

As you may have noticed from our roundup, there are a lot of choices and a wide range of prices in the AVR market. To decide which is right for you, you need to consider the price and the kind of system you’re trying to create. Do you want to move from 5.1 to a more complex multichannel format, like a 7.1 or an Atmos system? Will you also have to upgrade your TV and speaker system to achieve your goals? Because AV receivers are multifaceted and encompass or support so many technologies, it helps to be as informed as possible when deciding which one to buy. In this article, we’ve offered you a diverse range of products and information. However, you still have plenty of issues to consider regarding the specifics of your system, the space you’re putting it in, and your goals for the system before you can choose which of the best AV receivers is best for your needs.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best AV receivers in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Adding a soundbar to your TV is a quick and easy way to seriously upgrade your content-watching experience. You typically don’t need to run a bunch of speakers around your house. They’re easy to set up and install. Plus, right now, Amazon has some of our favorite models for several hundred dollars off, including one sale that ends very soon.

• Sony HT-A5000 5.1.2ch Dolby Atmos Sound Bar Surround Sound Home Theater with DTS:X and 360 Spatial Sound Mapping $698 (was $999)
• Polk Audio Signa S4 Ultra-Slim Sound Bar for TV with Wireless Subwoofer, Dolby Atmos 3D Surround Sound $299 (was $399)
• Nakamichi Shockwafe Pro Bluetooth 7.1.4 Channel Dolby Atmos/DTS:X Soundbar with 10″ Wireless Subwoofer $699 (was $899)

The post Hurry and grab huge discounts on high-end soundbars during Amazon’s pre-Black Friday flash sale appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

It wasn’t too many years ago that an 86-inch TV wasn’t just expensive; it was almost impossible to get. Right now, however, Best Buy has the LG 86” Class UR7800 Series LED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV for just $899. That’s $100 cheaper than you can even get at the big price club stores that require an annual subscription. That’s a lot of TV for not a lot of money.

LG 86” Class UR7800 Series LED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV $899 (was $1,249)

SEE IT

This TV is a very solid deal even for its retail price, but at $899, it’s an absolute steal. It offers full 4K resolution and a powerful image processor to upscale all your older content into UHD. You get three HDMI ports, full HDR compatibility, and LG’s own WebOS operating system. It’s not the latest and greatest, but it’s huge, bright, and offers Filmmaker Mode to help movies look exactly as their directors intended. Imagine hanging this on your wall and watching Suits while all those other suckers battle it out for TVs on Black Friday.

More TV deals

• Toshiba – 65″ Class C350 Series LED 4K UHD Smart Fire TV $369 (was $529)
• TCL – 65″ Class Q5 Q-Class 4K QLED HDR Smart TV with Google TV $399 (was $599)
• Samsung – 75″ Class TU690T Crystal UHD 4K Smart Tizen TV $629 (was $749)
• LG – 65″ Class C3 Series OLED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV $1,599 (was $2,499)
• LG – 77″ Class C3 Series OLED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV $2,499 (was $3,499)
• Samsung – 65″ Class S90C OLED 4K UHD Smart Tizen TV $1,599 (was $2,599)
• LG – 65″ Class B3 Series OLED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV $1,299 (was $2,399)
• LG – 65” Class UQ70 Series LED 4K UHD Smart webOS TV $449 (was $599)
• Samsung – 65” Class Q80C QLED 4K UHD Smart Tizen TV $1,199 (was $1,499)
• Samsung – 65″ Class Q60C QLED 4K UHD Smart Tizen TV $849 (was $999)
• Hisense – 75″ Class A6 Series LED 4K UHD HDR LED Google TV $499 (was $649)

The post Get an 86-inch 4K LG TV cheaper than ever with Best Buy’s early Black Friday deal appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

As television shows become available online, there’s less of a need to watch your favorites on a set schedule. But if you choose to cut the cord entirely, you’ll miss out on live channels, such as news and sports. Luckily, you can still watch live TV on your computer. You have two options: Plug a TV tuner device—which catches broadcasts like an antenna does—into a USB port, or stream shows through your web browser.

Plug in a TV tuner

Network channels, including NBC, CBS, ABC, Fox, PBS, and local stations, air for free. All you need to watch them is an antenna to snag the broadcasts and a device to share them with your computer. The latter, called a TV tuner, can come in the form of a dongle or a larger box that plugs into any spare USB port.

Tuners come with bundled software that helps you navigate. When you’re getting started, these built-in applications will install the necessary drivers, scan for available channels, and display them on your computer screen. Then you can click through your options.

Once you’ve finished installation, the bundled software will help you receive channels, browse program guides, and make recordings. However, you can also download alternative applications, such as Kodi and Plex, to do the same tasks. Kodi is free but has a slightly more complicated setup, while Plex has a simpler process but requires a Plex Pass subscription that costs $5 per month, $40 a year, or $120 for lifetime access. Plex also has a handy “discover” feature that lets you track down anything you want to watch.

Buying a tuner

When you go shopping for tuner hardware, first look for compatibility with your computer’s operating system. Also consider whether the device includes extras like a bundled remote control. If you choose a model that comes with two or more integrated tuners, you’ll be able to record one channel while watching another, record two shows at once, or create a picture-in-picture effect with two channels.

We’d recommend the Hauppauge WinTV-DualHD ($80 on Amazon), though it only works with Windows machines. It includes two tuners, which lets you view or record two shows at once. Once you plug it into a spare USB port, the supplied software will take over, which makes the setup process extremely easy.

Buying an antenna

If you’ve already wired your home with a TV antenna, you can connect it to your new tuner and be good to go. If not, you’ll need to purchase an antenna to catch the TV signals flying through the air. Unfortunately there’s no easy way to figure out how many channels an antenna will catch—many factors make a difference, including the presence of surrounding buildings and nearby hills, and the distance between your home and the closest tower. You’ll just have to buy the hardware and try it out, so make sure the seller has a good returns policy, in case the reception is poor. If you live in a place where structures are few and far between, you may also want to check out our review team’s roundup of the best TV antennas for rural areas.

One of our favorite options is the Mohu Leaf Supreme Pro ($70 on Amazon), which boasts a sleek-looking design and a 65-mile range. Because it’s multi-directional, you don’t need to point it in a specific direction, so you can lay it flat or mount it to a wall. It’s meant to be used indoors, but it works great wherever you put it.

[Related: The best TV antennas]

Another choice we’d recommend is the 1byone Digital Amplified Indoor HDTV Antenna ($18 on Amazon), which is cheaper than the Mohu but has a smaller range—it only connects to transmission towers within 50 miles.

Once you’ve purchased your new gear, connect the antenna to the tuner, then the tuner to your laptop. Finally, download the free installer software (if necessary) and launch the application. It will walk you through the process of bringing up live TV channels on your laptop.

Stream channels online

Don’t want to buy new hardware? You can still watch live TV through your web browser. While services like Netflix focus on on-demand programs, other services include a live component so you can watch broadcasts—such as sports—as they happen.

If you’re only interested in watching a few channels in particular, head to the websites for those companies. Many of them—including ABC, Fox, and NBC—let you stream directly from their sites. However, there’s a catch: Different channels have different rules, and some require that you already have a TV provider or similar subscription (you have to sign in to confirm those credentials before watching). For example, you can watch CBS shows live only if you have a Paramount Plus subscription, which costs $6 per month and still includes ads.

Monthly online TV services

To get more than one channel at once, including premium options, you’ll need to subscribe to a monthly service like Hulu Live TV, YouTube TV, or Sling TV. All of these options provide a strong connection and easy setup, but they differ in the channels they offer. For example, YouTube TV doesn’t have a great spread of sports channels, while Sling TV has two plans that contain different stations but doesn’t focus on local ones. Before you invest in any subscription, test out that service’s free trial (they all offer one) to get a feel for the experience and make sure it includes the TV channels you want to watch. Here’s some more information that should help you choose.

Hulu offers four plans that include live TV, and the cheapest is $75.99 a month, but it does not allow you to access Hulu’s regular on-demand library—it’s live stuff only. You can spend $1 more ($76.99 per month) to add access to Hulu’s streaming library, Disney Plus, and ESPN Plus, all with ads. You can also pay more for additional features, such as premium channels like Showtime and Max (formerly HBO).

[Related: Watch anything you want without signing up for every streaming service]

With a slightly lower price of of $72.99 a month, YouTube TV offers access to more than 100 live channels, but you will need to enter your ZIP code to see what’s available in your area. For an additional $2 to $30 a month, you can bolt on extra ones, including NFL RedZone and Showtime. It also gives you an unlimited amount of free cloud DVR storage, so you can record as much content as you want and store it on YouTube’s servers.

Sling TV focuses on premium cable channels rather than local networks like ABC, CBS, and Fox, although you may be able to get some local channels, depending on your area. Prices start at $40 a month for a pack of 32 channels, and you can increase your subscription fee to add more. You can watch on a variety of devices besides your computer, including a smartphone or an Apple TV. Sling also offers a cloud DVR service, but you’ll have to pay an additional $5 a month to save recordings in the cloud.

Cable subscriptions

If you already pay for a cable subscription, this may be the easiest way to tune into live television on your computer. All you need are your username and password.

Take Comcast’s Xfinity Stream service. It gives subscribers access to more than 250 channels. Just navigate to the Xfinity Stream site, log in with your credentials, and start watching. DirecTV offers similar services, and you can access it through a web browser.

This story has been updated. It was originally published in 2019.

The post How to watch TV on a computer, even if it’s live appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Walker Edison Wren Classic TV Stand		SEE IT	This sturdy and stylish option has a traditional design and comes in multiple finish options
Best with mount		Walker Edison Wren Classic 4 Cubby TV Stand		SEE IT	Elevate your TV without the need to drill into the wall.
Best fireplace		Ameriwood Home Lumina Fireplace		SEE IT	A realistic fire effect to add a cozy element to your home.

Many people choose to mount their TV on the wall, which is a fine solution with some drawbacks that can be solved using a TV stand. With a wall mount, it can be hard to get behind the panel to plug things in. And not everyone can just go drilling into the wall to hang a mount and a heavy TV, especially if they’re renting. Luckily, TV stands provide an elegant solution. These crucial bits of living room furniture hold your TV and all the important stuff that goes with it, from streaming boxes to gaming consoles. You need to choose the correct TV stand for your setup, though. Picking the right size, material, storage solution, and style can all have a serious impact on your ability to enjoy the best seats in your house. This guide will help walk you through the process of choosing from the best TV stands for your space, whether you’re hoarding set-top boxes or you’re a die-hard minimalist. 

• Best overall: Walker Edison Wren Classic TV Stand
• Best for gamers: Bestier 70-inch Entertainment Center
• Best with mount: Walker Edison Wren Classic 4 Cubby TV Stand
• Best fireplace: Ameriwood Home Lumina Fireplace
• Best for 75-inch TV (and bigger): Walker Edison Englewood Mid Century Modern 2-Door
• Best easel-style: VIVO Artistic Easel
• Best solid wood: Simplihome Redmond
• Best value: Zinus Modern Studio Collection TV Media Stand

How we chose the best TV stands

We surveyed dozens of different models looking for TV stands that offered the right mix of value, style, and durability. This list represents a wide swath of looks, materials, and sizes to try and accommodate most spaces. We have collectively spent hundreds of hours putting together flat-pack furniture, so ease of assembly is important as well. If it can’t go together with our relationships, thumbs, and mental well-being intact, it can’t go on the list.

The best TV stands: Reviews & Recommendations

TVs have gotten absolutely massive in recent years, with 55- and 65-inch models starting to feel slightly small compared to the massive 75- and even 85-inch behemoths out there on store shelves. Supporting those pricy panels is crucial. Here are our picks if you’re looking for a new home for that Samsung 8K TV (and maybe a matching soundbar):

Best overall: Walker Edison Wren Classic TV Stand

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Walker Edison’s Wren Classic TV stand features adjustable shelves and comes in multiple sizes and a wide range of finishes. 

Specs

• TV Capacity: Up to 65 inches
• Material: MDF
• Width: 58 inches
• Height: 24

Pros

• Wide finish selection
• Multiple sizes available
• Universally appealing aesthetic
• Includes cord management ports on each shelf

Cons

• No enclosed storage

The Walker Edison Wren Classic TV Stand has an appealingly simple design and can accommodate TVs as large as 65 inches. It’s made from medium-density fiberboard (MDF), an engineered wood that offers excellent stability at a lower price point than traditional hardwoods. The durable laminate finish comes in a variety of styles to suit varying aesthetics, including Rustic Oak, Dark Walnut, Whitewash, and Reclaimed Barnwood.

Two adjustable shelves allow for customization based on your electronics and accessories, and each features cord management ports so your wires stay organized and out of sight. The top surface has a maximum weight capacity of 150 pounds, while each shelf can support an additional 30 pounds.

The stand’s total dimensions are 23.38 by 15.75 by 58 inches. There’s also a larger size of this model available with an 80-inch width to accommodate larger TVs. Assembly is required, and instructions are provided by the manufacturer.

Best for gamers: Bestier 70-inch Entertainment Center

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: There’s plenty of room for lots of streaming boxes and gaming consoles, but the built-in RGB LED lighting helps set the gaming mood. 

Specs 

• TV size: Up to 70 inches
• Material: Particle and metal
• Width: 63 inches
• Height: 22 inches

Pros

• Accepts large TVs
• Lots of storage space
• Built-in RGB lighting
• Tempered glass shelves

Cons 

• Pressboard construction
• No front doors to conceal gear when not in use

You can’t have a piece of gaming-specific gear without adding RGB lighting. That maxim stays true with this 63-inch wide TV stand. It has LED strips inside the cabinet that can show off seven different colors and vary between 22 different display patterns. So, if you’re a streamer and you’re looking to create the perfect ambiance for your flagship flatscreen, this is a great way to do it without having to DIY your own solution. The lights even come with their own remote to control the display. 

As for the TV stand itself, it’s made of sturdy pressboard, but the shelves are made of tempered glass to allow the light to travel through them. There are five individual compartments, one vertically oriented space in the middle with two stacked horizontal shelves on each size. There are no doors to close in front of all your devices, so you can show them off even when you’re not playing. 

Cord holes in the back of the unit allow you to easily snake power cables through without creating a cluttered look. The carbon cellulose surfaces are smooth to the touch and relatively durable in case you spill a drink on it in the heat of the moment. 

Best with mount: Walker Edison Wren Classic 4 Cubby TV Stand

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Our pick for the best TV stand with a mount, an integrated stand lifts to a 58-inch TV above the surface to make room for a soundbar or elaborate action figure arrangements.

Specs 

• TV size: Up to 60 inches
• Width: 58 inches
• Height: 24 inches
• Material: MDF

Pros

• Attractive composite surface
• Fits big TVs
• Integrated mount
• Spacious shelves

Cons 

• No doors on the front
• Limited finish options

If you want the look of a wall-mounted TV without having to drill into your drywall or plaster, this is the TV stand you’re looking for. It’s 58 inches wide, so you can sit a TV on top of the unit as normal if you want to. It has a capacity of up to 150 pounds. Add the integrated mount, however, and the TV can sit above the surface and away from the wall. That leaves room beneath the TV to accommodate extra set-top boxes, speakers, or a soundbar. 

That extra room up top augments an already spacious interior. There are two compartments, each with its own adjustable shelf, so they’re customizable depending on your setup. Each compartment has a cable port in the back, so it’s simple to hide wires out of the way. It’s not solid wood, but it is built to last, and it’s simple to tether to the wall so it doesn’t tip over.

Best fireplace: Ameriwood Home Lumina Fireplace

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Why it made the cut: The included 23-inch wide fireplace display augments built-in LED lighting so you can set any mood you want, from romantic to gamer circus.

Specs 

• TV size: Up to 70 inches
• Material: MDF, particle board
• Width: 64.75 inches
• Height: 24.875 inches

Pros 

• Holds large TVs
• Built-in fireplace display (not real fire)
• Heats rooms up to 400 square feet
• LED lighting
• Each compartment has three shelves

Cons 

• Limited storage space
• Not a real fireplace

Fireplaces are another luxury that not every home can accommodate. An easy pick for the best fireplace TV stand, this sturdy TV stand has a 23-inch fireplace display that creates a realistic fire effect while an electric heater pumps warmth out into a room up to 400 square feet. It can’t replace a real fireplace, but it also won’t involve major home renovations, regular cleanings, or the threat of melting that PS5 you waited so long to get. If you just want the fire or heat effects, they’re both available independently, too. 

The stand itself can hold up to a massive 70-inch TV. The storage underneath offers three shelves on each side. Because the fireplace display takes up space, you don’t have as much room in the storage compartments as you would on other models, so make sure you’re cool with that trade-off before taking the leap. 

Best for 75-inch TVs: Walker Edison Englewood Mid Century Modern 2-Door

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Why it made the cut: The attractive design masks the fact that it’s 70 inches wide and plenty big enough to support TVs all the way up to 80 inches. 

Specs 

• TV size: Up to 80 inches
• Materials: MDF
• Width: 70 inches
• Height: 15 inches

Pros

• Attractive design
• Sturdy construction
• Doors to obscure storage when not in use
• Large capacity

Cons 

• Short
• Legs allow for stuff to roll underneath

This extra-long TV stand looks like something Don Draper might put in his apartment. It has a slack, minimal design with doors on each of the two side cabinets to obscure your devices. The center shelf is exposed, so you can keep your best-looking consoles or a basket in there if you want to get fancy about it.  

Despite its relatively skinny (and handsome) legs, it can support up to 150 pounds. Combined with its length, that makes this a solid option for massive TVs. It stands 24 inches tall, too, which is important if you’re watching a massive set. Get too tall of a TV stand and you’ll be looking up to see the whole screen, which is annoying. 

There are four different color options, so you can choose exactly which one matches your home vibe. 

Best easel-style: VIVO Artistic Easel

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: The VIVO Artistic Easel TV stand simply consists of a slim, tripod-style mount that is both subtle and sturdy.

Specs

• TV Capacity: Up to 65 inches
• Material: Wood, steel
• Width: N/A
• Top surface weight capacity: 77 pounds

Pros

• Swivels 360 degrees
• Adjustable height

Cons

• Limited weight capacity

Make your flatscreen look like a work of art with this VIVO Artistic Easel stand. It’s designed to look like an artist’s easel and elevates your TV without taking up much floor space or causing visual clutter. Because of its small footprint, it’s a perfect choice for those with small living rooms, as it can easily be tucked in a corner. The height is adjustable, and the stand swivels 360 degrees so you can get the perfect viewing angle no matter where you’re sitting.

It’s best suited for TVs ranging from 45 to 65 inches and can support a maximum weight of 77 pounds. There’s even a cable management system in the legs, meaning your cords and wires will be neatly tucked out of view. The stand is made from a combination of steel and solid wood and comes in either a light or dark finish.

Best solid wood: Simplihome Redmond

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Why it made the cut: With four cabinets, two drawers, and a pair of shelves, this wood TV stand gives off a retro entertainment center vibe that we love.

Specs 

• TV Capacity: Up to 80 inches
• Material: Pine with plywood
• Width: 72 inches
• Height: 26 inches

Pros 

• Lots of storage
• Doors to hide items when not in use
• Very sturdy
• Seven color options

Cons

• Heavy
• Design may feel dated to some

Entertainment centers once ruled the land. Your living room wasn’t complete until it was equipped with a massive wooden piece of furniture that housed your TV and everything that went with it. This 72-inch TV stand evokes that era. The storage areas have doors to hide what’s inside. There are four cabinets with adjustable shelves, as well as a pair of drawers in the middle. They all have doors with recessed panels for an old-school look. There are also two uncovered shelves directly underneath the top surface. 

There are seven colors to choose from when you’re picking your finish, all of which involve stained pine wood material. The hardware is made of handsome brass, and the doors shut magnetically, so they don’t randomly kick open when you don’t want them to. 

Best budget: Zinus Modern Studio Collection TV Media Stand

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This minimalist TV stand from Zinus comes at an affordable price but has a 100-pound weight capacity due to its sturdy steel frame.

Specs

• TV Capacity: 32 inches
• Material: Steel frame
• Width: 40 inches
• Height: 18 inches

Pros

• High weight capacity
• Sleek, modern design
• Excellent value

Cons

• Minimal storage
• Not suitable for large TVs

While some households require a large media console with plenty of storage, others simply need a flat surface for their TV to fit on. This Zinus Modern Studio Collection TV Media Stand is streamlined and perfect for small spaces because of its compact design. Despite its sleek aesthetic, there is an additional shelf for storage. While the design looks simple, the stand features sturdy steel framing that provides a 100-pound weight capacity.

The stand’s total dimensions are 40 by 17 by 18 inches, and assembly is easy; all the necessary tools come in the package. Choose from two colors: Red Mahogany and Espresso. This stand’s design provides a minimalist look for modern homes and due to its open shelving, has an airy feel. There’s also an option to purchase a matching side table for a more cohesive look in your living room.

Things to consider before buying the best TV stands

You must know your home and your TV before pulling the rip cord and buying a stand. Here are some things to consider:

Materials

Most of the easily shippable stuff you’ll find online is made of material like MDF or particleboard. These materials sometimes get a bad name because they aren’t as durable as real wood, which is true in a way but not in others. They typically include laminate exteriors, which are good at resisting marks and damage from liquid. 

You can, of course, go with various types of wood, but it comes with its own issues, like a need to be polished and a predilection for dings. 

Dimensions

It should go without saying, but your TV stand needs to actually fit in your house and where it’s best to place your TV. Get a good, solid measurement before you pull the trigger so you know for sure that your new furniture has a snug place to go. If your TV is huge, you want something that’s wide enough for the feet to sit comfortably on the surface, but you also don’t want it too tall to throw the center of the screen above your eyeline when you’re sitting on the couch. 

Storage type

Modern gaming consoles are extremely chunky, so if you want to park that PS5 or Xbox Series X inside your new TV stand, ensure it will fit and the shelves can handle its weight. You’ll also want to decide whether or not you want doors in front of your cabinets to hide your shameful mess of game cases and controller charging cables when you’re not playing or watching content. 

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best TV stands

• Best overall: Walker Edison Wren Classic TV Stand
• Best for gamers: Bestier 70-inch Entertainment Center
• Best with mount: Walker Edison Wren Classic 4 Cubby TV Stand
• Best fireplace: Ameriwood Home Lumina Fireplace
• Best for 75-inch TV (and bigger): Walker Edison Englewood Mid Century Modern 2-Door
• Best easel-style: VIVO Artistic Easel
• Best solid wood: Simplihome Redmond
• Best value: Zinus Modern Studio Collection TV Media Stand

You have a nice place to sit when you watch content; that amazing new OLED TV deserves the same. It may not seem like an important decision, but the TV stand can set the tone for your entire living room. It stores your important stuff, hides your wires, and holds up our good pal, the TV. By taking a few minutes to really consider your options, you can make an informed decision and get the best TV stand for your home. 

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best TV stands in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Black Friday gets most of the credit when it comes to cheap TVs. This year, however, you can shop Black Friday deals comfortably from your home—and you don’t even need to wait until the leftovers get cold to do so. Snag an Amazon Fire TV for 45% right now before the Black Friday rush.

Amazon Fire TV 32″ 2-Series HD smart TV with Fire TV Alexa Voice Remote $109.99 (Was $199.99)

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If you don’t need 4K definition but still want to watch television sans cable, the Fire TV is for you. Its 720p resolution is just enough to see rich colors and contrast without the cost. All your favorite streaming apps, like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more, come together in one central hub and the Amazon Alexa Voice Remote to easily access it all. You also get six months of MGM+ for free with your Fire TV purchase—perfect for future winter movie nights and snowy stay-ins. If you need a recommendation, we’re fans of FROM, a binge-able and gripping drama about people who can’t escape a nightmarish town once they enter. It will leave you gripping your weighted blanket in suspense.

If 720p doesn’t seem satisfying to you, the 40-inch Amazon Fire TV 2-Series 4K UHD television is $179.99, 28% off its OG $249.99 price. It bumps up the resolution to 1080p—still not 4K quality, but noticeably more detailed than 720p. Both TVs are solid if you’re watching a lot of DVD or older Blu-ray content that has trouble filling up a 4K screen anyway.

We’ve gone from fighting over TVs in-store to hoping they don’t sell out before we click “add to cart.” The latter is just as frustrating as the former—skip the chaos altogether by acting now.

Here are more pre-Black Friday home theater deals we’re watching alongside the Thanksgiving parade:

• Amazon Fire TV 50″ 4-Series 4K UHD smart TV $309.99 (Was $449.99)
• Amazon Fire TV 75″ Omni QLED Series 4K UHD smart TV $899.99 (Was $1,099.99)
• SAMSUNG 85-Inch Class Neo QLED 4K QN90C Series Neo Quantum HDR+ TV $3,297.99 (Was $4,797.99)
• Sony OLED 55-inch BRAVIA XR A80L Series 4K Ultra HD TV $1,498 (Was $1,899.99)
• Sony 65-Inch 4K Ultra HD TV X85K Series $898 (Was $998)
• TCL 65-Inch Q7 QLED 4K Smart TV with Google TV $632.79 (Was $999.99)
• SAMSUNG HW-Q60B 3.1ch Soundbar w/ Dolby Atmos $234.99 (Was $497.99)
• VIZIO 2.0 Home Theater Sound Bar with DTS Virtual:X $69 (Was $79.99)
• Sony S100F 2.0ch Soundbar with Bass Reflex Speaker $98 (Was $129.99)
• LG Sound Bar and Wireless Subwoofer $469 (Was $1,199.99)
• Sony BDP-S6700 4K Upscaling 3D Home Theater Streaming Blu-Ray DVD Player with Wi-Fi $89.99 (Was $119.99)
• Sony BDP-BX370 Streaming Blu-ray DVD Player with built-in Wi-Fi $78 (Was $89.99)

The post Get big TV savings before Black Friday with 45% off an Amazon Fire TV appeared first on Popular Science.

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best overall		DBPOWER WiFi Bluetooth Projector		SEE IT	Excellent all-around performance with HD video and a good warranty.
Best bright image		GooDee 2023 Projector		SEE IT	With an extra bright image, this is a solid outdoor movie night option.
Best portable		Kodak Ultra Mini Portable Projector		SEE IT	Palm-sized but still potent, this tiny pocket projector offers big entertainment.

Projectors do wonders at making any room—even minuscule city apartments—feel like a home theater. And not all projectors require a big investment to open up a huge new window of immersive entertainment. If you’re ready to expand your laptop binges and smartphone scrolling to the size of your wall, you can explore the world of streaming content at a surprisingly affordable price. You shouldn’t expect top-tier performance at this price point, but the best projectors under $200 can still provide a satisfying experience if you choose the right model and do a little prep work. 

• Best overall: DBPOWER WiFi Bluetooth Projector
• Best bright image: Projector, GooDee 2023
• Best portable: Kodak Ultra Mini Portable Projector
• Best for home theater: Wsky HD Projector (Refurbished)
• Best with DVD player: BIGASUO Upgrade HD Bluetooth Projector
• Best with screen: YABER WiFi 9000L
• Best for gaming: WiMiUS S26 Projector
• Best budget: Vamvo Mini Movie Projector

How we chose the best projectors under $200

Having spent countless nights watching YouTube with my girlfriend’s cat at the foot of the bed purring and curled up around the projector’s exhaust fan, I know the joys of a simple-to-use home projector. For this best-of list, I evaluated leading projectors from numerous manufacturers, looking for the magic combination of a few factors that add up to make some truly great picks. We narrowed down this list from dozens based on intensive research, editorial reviews, and spec comparisons. 

The best projectors under $200: Reviews & Recommendations

These projectors offer surprisingly capable combinations of tech features that capitalize on crisp definition, Apollonian illumination, dynamic sound, and the connectivity you need for nightly use. Most hook into your laptop using an HDMI cable, while some pair wirelessly through a WiFi network. For audio, many pair with powered speakers (or an AV receiver) via aux connections and sometimes support Bluetooth. At the $200 price point, few projectors may be completely cord-free or the perfect pairing for your premium sound systems, but they could be a great partner to that new portable party speaker. Still, today’s budget projectors offer versatility and delivery that would have been unthinkable at this price a decade ago.

Best overall: DBPOWER WiFi Bluetooth Projector

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Why it made the cut: With native HD, 9,000 lumens, and WiFi connectivity, this is a versatile and powerful projector, but it’s the customer support that makes it the best overall.

Specs

• Luminance: 9,000 lumens
• Definition: 1080p
• Connections: HDMI, WiFi, Bluetooth (sound), TV stick, USB, AV port, 3.5mm audio

Pros

• Really nice picture with good definition and bright luminance
• Solid connectivity options
• Allows viewers to screencast from their phones

Cons

• Bluetooth connection is only sound, advertising is misleading
• Some high-end sound systems won’t connect

This projector hits all the basics with aplomb: It offers 1080p definition without much warping along the edges, delivers 9,000 lumens to be visible in half-light conditions, and features impressive connectivity options. That connectivity lets you pair your devices to the projector via WiFi to screencast from a phone, or connect a sound system via Bluetooth. However, it will not deliver video via Bluetooth. That’s typical, but the product listings make it slightly confusing. 

The projector also delivers a few special features, such as a zoom function that allows you to shrink the image to 75% via the remote. Built-in speakers create a modicum of surround sound illusion. However, we think you’ll be best served by connecting to a separate Bluetooth speaker device.  

Best bright image: GooDee 2022 Projector

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Why it made the cut: With 1080p native resolution, 9,500 lumens, and two speakers to create a modicum of surround sound, this projector is more than capable of achieving most of what most users want.

Specs

• Luminance: 9,500 lumens
• Definition: 1080p
• Connections: 2 HDMI, VGA, 2 USB, AV, TF card

Pros

• Two speakers for true stereo sound
• Extra bright LED luminance
• Decent connections

Cons

• Build quality is a bit cheap
• Edges get somewhat fuzzy

At the sub-$200 price point, it can be hard to find a projector with really excellent brightness. The GooDee 2022 distinguishes itself here. Offering 9,500 lumens with a 3,000:1 contrast ratio and a max screen size of 230 inches, this budget projector emphasizes going big. A pretty perfect option for backyard movie nights, this might be the best outdoor projector under $200, hitting a nice sweet spot of big image and lightweight build. 

The GooDee does have a little trouble with warping and fuzziness around the image corners. However, that’s nothing rare at this price point. The device also suffers from a somewhat cheap-feeling build. It doesn’t feel super solid and primed for longevity. Still, the brightness and resolution may compensate for this for most users.

All in all, GooDee delivers a projector that yields a pretty bright, crisp image, with good contrast and resolution. It’s especially suited for backyard movie parties.

Best portable: Kodak Ultra Mini Portable Projector

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Why it made the cut: With support for 1080p signal and a two-hour battery charge, this super-petite projector fits in a pocket and makes for a perfect companion for campers with kids or travel.

Specs

• Luminance: 25 ANSI lumen
• Definition: 640 x 320 (capable of displaying images meant for 1080p)
• Connections: HDMI, USB, MicroSD

Pros

• Ultra-portable
• Makes a great camping projector

Cons

• Battery often dies in under two hours

Ready to bring your projector camping? The Kodak Ultra Mini projector does some amazing things, considering its size. At about 3 inches square and only 150 grams, the Kodak lives up to its title as a true “ultra-mini” projector housed in that tiny body is a decent projector that hooks up to most smartphones and portable devices.

With such a tiny size and low price, the Ultra-Mini will require you to make some sacrifices. While it can receive a 1080p signal, it only outputs at 640 x 320, meaning the 1080p video entering the projector will be downscaled to a much lower native resolution. It’s quite a drop from HD, so don’t expect crisp, beautiful video that perfectly represents contemporary cinema. Additionally, the brightness isn’t anything to write home about. Still, it’s nothing to sneer at on a dark tent wall. One other issue with the device is its short battery life. It generally won’t make it past two hours, so don’t expect any Lord Of The Rings marathon binges here.

If a miniature portable projector is something you’re after and you decide you can afford the bells and whistles, Kodak’s more expensive Luma 350 could be worth exploring. For its small price and equally tiny size, however, the Kodak Ultra Mini is the best mini projector under $200. It’s worth a look, even if it could be a good idea to get your expectations in order before you spring for it.

Best for home theater: Wsky HD Projector (Refurbished)

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Why it made the cut: With a native 1080p HD resolution and a significantly higher-than-average 5,000:1 contrast, this projector puts its double-dense LED tech to work.

Specs

• Luminance: 7,500 lumens
• Definition: 1080p
• Connections: HDMI, VGA, audio port, USB, MHL

Pros

• 84 LEDs double the standard LED count in a projector and achieve greater detail, contrast, and less fuzziness on the exterior of the image
• Value priced

Cons

• Sound quality isn’t great

For a sub-$200 cinephiles projector, look no further than the Wsky HD Projector. This projector puts the work in on image quality using a higher-than-average LED count. The 5,000:1 contrast is noticeably better than much of the competition, and the 1080p HD coverage looks great, even with new movies. With better-than-average corner coverage achieved via the keystone wheel, Wsky also doesn’t suffer from as much of the edge blurriness that might make subtitles illegible on some projectors.

The Wsky’s sound won’t rack up any bonus points, however. While it advertises Dolby sound, the two speakers aren’t powerful enough. However, plugging speakers into the audio jack can mitigate this sound deficiency. Sadly, no Bluetooth audio connection is available. However, those who stump for Bluetooth speakers may be able to pair them to a device that’s sourcing video (such as your laptop, though there might be sync issues). 

With its impressive video capabilities, the Wsky HD Projector is worth consideration for anyone who wants a projector that yields a great picture.

Best with DVD player: BIGASUO Upgrade HD Bluetooth Projector

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Why it made the cut: For folks with a legacy DVD collection who might want to skip all the wires, this projector has a built-in DVD player and does a decent job at all the rest.

Specs

• Luminance: 5,500 lumens
• Definition: 720p
• Connections: HDMI, VGA, AV, USB, Bluetooth (sound), TF SD card

Pros

• DVD player built in
• Decent connectivity, including Bluetooth for sound

Cons

• Resolution and brightness are both somewhat low
• Sound is nothing to write home about

Are you itching to tuck into the entire Lassie television series on DVD box set? The BIGASUO Upgrade HD projector with a built-in DVD player might be your best bet. The BIGASUO projector is remarkable for its connections and legacy media opportunities. 

The Bluetooth connection for sound is particularly useful in concert with the built-in DVD player. Often with contemporary laptops, Bluetooth sound on a projector is redundant since most laptops can pair to a Bluetooth speaker while casting video through HDMI. However, since this device acts as its own DVD player, the Bluetooth connection can be important for those skipping the laptop entirely. This means you can natively watch DVDs from the device while simultaneously paired with a Bluetooth speaker for sound.

Outside of its DVD player, this is an unremarkable projector. It downscales HD video to its native 720p definition, which falls short of similarly priced native HD projectors. Its brightness similarly lags the competition somewhat.

If you’re looking for a capable all-in-one DVD player/projector hybrid, the BIGASUO Upgrade HD is a good pick. Otherwise, you may want to move on.

Best with screen: YABER WiFi 9000L

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Why it made the cut: The Yaber boasts an impressive 10,000:1 contrast, supplemented by an included SCT screen that improves the image.

Specs

• Luminance: 9,500 lumens
• Definition: 1080p
• Connections: HDMI, USB, VGA, AV, audio, TF card

Pros

• Includes projection screen, which is primed for contrast
• Decently bright
• Lightweight and portable at just over two pounds

Cons

• Resolution could be better

Pay for a projector, get the whole shebang? You’ll get just that with the YABER WiFi 9000L, which features a projection screen included in the box. While lots of folks use their projectors on a blank wall, you can demonstrably get a better image with a specially designed projection screen.

The rest of the YABER’s specs are average. It features a 1080p native resolution, and its brightness is better than average but not outstanding. It uses two speakers for decent sound. The WiFi connectivity is a nice touch that may sway some buyers. That, coupled with the 10,000:1 high definition, makes for a good all-around projector that’s a perfect addition to some households.

Best for gaming: WiMiUS S26 Projector

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Why it made the cut: This HD projector isn’t actually true 4K, but it does deliver 1080p video at gaming speeds, extra bright 480 ANSI lumens, 20,000:1 contrast ratio, and extra nice keystone correction. 

Specs

• Luminance: 480 ANSI lumens
• Definition: 1080p
• Connections: HDMI, USB, AV, 1 audio output

Pros

• Great video quality with very bright and detailed image
• Relatively low lag makes it worthy of games
• With a wider-than-average keystone correction capability, you’ll get a more balanced picture

Cons

• “4K” claim refers to 4K video input, which is standard and downgraded to HD
• Edges of the picture remain fuzzy

Available for a solid sale price more often than not, the WiMiUS S26 fits within the $200 mark for our purposes. While the false 4K advertising is certainly a turn-off, the projector is still a good enough deal to highlight on this list. 

This projector has a classic HD 1920×1080 resolution, make no mistake. The 4K claim simply refers to the projector’s ability to accept 4K video and downscale it to HD, which is common. Still, this projector throws a nice-looking image: It has the highest contrast ratio of any projector on this list, with about 1,152 LED lumens (480 ANSI lumens) that should appeal to gamers. That said, the image has some issues; its edges tend to blur, with the middle properly focusing and the corners getting fuzzy.

In the end, this is a pretty capable extra bright projector. But don’t be fooled by the advertising … this isn’t a magical unicorn 4K projector for under $200.

Best budget: Vamvo Mini Movie Projector

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Why it made the cut: With its two built-in speakers, 720p resolution, and under 1-pound weight, Vamvo dishes up a budget projector that does a really decent job. 

Specs

• Luminance: 3,500 lumens
• Definition: 720p
• Connections: HDMI, VGA, SD/TF, AV, USB and RC

Pros

• Better sound delivery than most at this price
• Lightweight build makes it a great choice for a portable option
• Decently bright

Cons

• Non-HD picture is a bit blurry

For a truly low price for its capabilities, the Vamvo Mini Movie Projector is the value pick for budget projectors. This 720p projector still delivers a decent enough high-contrast picture that’s adequately bright in dark rooms at 3,500 lumens, so that it’s effective in moderately dark to very dark spaces. While it advertises its support for 1080p HD, the 720p resolution will mean that high-end pictures do downgrade and lose detail. If you’re just watching the occasional movie in a dark backyard on a DIY screen or sheet, that may not matter very much.

The projector’s speakers certainly fall short of outstanding. Still, you can’t knock the performance here for the price point. It does a better job than most at this level. Overall, Vamvo is a true budget projector. While none of its components outpace the best equipped of the competition, if a low price is your most important metric, then it’s worth real consideration for its decent treatment of all the basics. At about just under a pound, this Vamvo is portable, reliable, and very cheap.

Things to consider when shopping for the best projectors under $200

You won’t get a chance to try out these projectors before you take the leap and buy one, but you can get a good idea of what you’re getting by comparing the specs. Here are some essential features to look for when trying to pick the best model for you. 

Do you need 4K?

4K is all the rage (until 8K finally establishes itself), and while I type this article on a laptop with a 4K screen, the resolution difference between 1080p and 4K at that scale is subtle. However, a top-tier projector is arguably one of the best applications of 4K resolution. Since projectors often cast their image onto large surfaces, the more pixels the projector displays, the better it looks at visual detail. That said, true 4K resolution is currently prohibitively expensive for an “under $200” list.

The difference between 1080p and a resolution like 720p is quite drastic. With a difference of 1080 lines of pixel dots versus 720 lines of pixel dots, you will notice the difference, especially if you’re projecting large. Generally, a substantive price difference separates the standard resolution brackets. So unless you are dedicated to getting the most portable projector out there, the choice should generally come down to budget vs. resolution. Go for the 1080p model unless image quality really isn’t important to you.

Read the fine print

Yeah, you want to believe that companies are being transparent about their products, but there’s a lot of bluster in the budget projector market. Often companies will claim their product supports HD in a header, then reveal that it has a native resolution of 720p, accepting HD video and downscaling it. It’s important to fully examine the specs of the projector you’re considering purchasing to ensure that it’s really the right one for you.

Keystone effect

Keystone correction refers to the illusion that’s created when your projector casts a square image onto a wall at an angle, creating a trapezoid. The shape created looks like the crowning keystone a mason would use to construct an arch. 

Today’s projectors compensate for the keystone effect by including a control that skews the image. This control usually takes the shape of a ring or nob by the focus control. Keystone correction can also be added digitally. 

Some projectors are better at keystone correction than others. But all projectors can benefit from supplementing keystone compensation with proper alignment of the projector against the wall. For permanent installation, getting the projector alignment right the first time is usually a good idea. Whether your projector will be installed permanently, or be moved around the house (or beyond), it’s worth understanding Keystone controls before you make a final decision.

Screen or wall?

Screens can make a huge difference in the image quality you get from your projector. Painted walls often contain more bumps and crevasses than you would expect. Not only do projector screens deliver a flat uniform surface, but they also often come primed with materials that help your projector do its work. Some projectors ship with a screen in the package. Many others would benefit from one. It’s worth considering whether you want to invest in a projector screen.

Luminance

Most of the time, projectors with the highest luminance are better than others for most users. Since projectors work by casting light onto a wall, higher luminance equals a brighter, more visible image, that will show up in half-light settings and on surfaces that aren’t primed for contrast. Usually, companies describe luminance in terms of lumens, which is the International System of Units standard for measuring total light emission over a unit of time. Sometimes, projectors advertise their brightness using the term “ANSI lumens,” a (generally) more accurate metric created by the American National Standards Institute for measuring total light emitted from a projector. While ANSI lumens aren’t directly convertible to lumens without accounting for a few additional factors (such as room temperature and surface color), 400 ANSI lumens roughly translates to a little under 1000 lumens. For this article, we prioritized higher luminance in most cases.

Picture quality and definition 

We’re in the era of 4K, and while a 4K resolution projector is rarely achievable for less than $200 (though we’ve got some great choices starting at $500), HD has become the bottom line in most cases. Many projectors still offer less than 1080p resolutions, and some are still worth considering, especially if you’re stumping for ultra-portability (or ultra-cheap prices). Still, most of the time, 1080p HD is the baseline we look for in a model designed for watching content. It creates a detailed image that does justice to your Criterion Collection binges. Definition isn’t the whole story, though: some projectors warp or blur image edges, skewing the picture. Other factors like contrast and color reproduction can also affect quality. This list prioritizes projectors that achieve image quality that displays the worlds you escape in how the director (or game designer) envisioned them.

Connectivity

At the sub-$200 price point, most projectors use HDMI cables for video connection. A few offer WiFi connections to supplement this. A few even offer Bluetooth connectivity. I factored in a projector’s connection offerings when I evaluated it and highlighted any that stand out from the crowd.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best projectors under $200

• Best overall: DBPOWER WiFi Bluetooth Projector
• Best bright image: Projector, GooDee 2022
• Best portable: Kodak Ultra Mini Portable Projector
• Best for home theater: Wsky HD Projector (Refurbished)
• Best with DVD player: BIGASUO Upgrade HD Bluetooth Projector
• Best with screen: YABER WiFi 9000L
• Best for gaming: WiMiUS S26 Projector
• Best budget: Vamvo Mini Movie Projector

The best projectors under $200 offer tuned combinations of value and performance. You’ll find HD video, bright high-lumen LEDs, and solid connectivity at the price point. You can also find ultra-mini projectors capable of projecting from a phone or tablet and easily fit into a shirt pocket. For one of the best value projectors around, the Vamvo Mini Movie Projector delivers good video and brightness at a super-budget price. The Wsky HD Projector, with its impressive LED tech, is our favorite for home theater, though you might want to pair it with external speakers. DBPOWER, on the other hand, was the clear choice for the overall best projector under $200 for its HD video, good brightness, connectivity, and a customer service plan and warranty that goes far beyond most on this list. Whatever you pick, enjoy the new dimensions of video and picture quality that your projector will bring to your home media. 

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best projectors under $200 in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Black Friday has long reigned as the champion of cheap TVs. But Amazon’s October Prime Day is no slouch when it comes to big-screen bargains. A huge new TV will serve you well whether you want to play video games, enjoy sporting events, or binge-watch the latest seasons of your favorite shows. Jumping up to a bigger, brighter, higher resolution set can get expensive—especially if you’re interested in the latest screen technologies like OLED and MiniLED—but Prime Day deals make the upgrade a lot more palatable. You’ll appreciate the investment, no matter how big or how small, each time you feel like channel surfing.

Note: You’ll have to be an Amazon Prime member to take advantage of most of these deals, so be sure you’re signed up before making a purchase.

Samsung LS03B $1,597.99 (Was $1,997.99)

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Samsung’s LS03B (colloquially referred to as the “Frame TV”) has a double purpose. On one hand, it’s an ultra-thin 65-inch 4K TV that supports HDR (high dynamic range) for better color reproduction, has Amazon’s Alexa built-in, which allows for voice control, and an anti-reflective matte display. All of these features make it a great set for streaming your favorite TV shows or movies and playing the latest video games.

On the other hand, you can engage this TV’s “art mode,” and it’ll cycle through high-resolution digital images from a library of over 2,100 new and classic works of art. Art mode is initiated each time you turn the TV off and costs either $5 per month or $50 per year. Individual pieces of art can be purchased a la carte for different prices. The Frame’s matte display is essential for “art mode” to work because it won’t reflect natural or artificial light like a typical screen would.

The best Samsung TV deals

• Samsung 65-inch QLED 4K Q80C, $1,297.99 (Was $1,497.99)
• Samsung 77-inch OLED 4K S95C, $3,797 (Was $4,797)
• Samsung M70B, $299.99 (Was $399.99)
• Samsung CU7000, $667.99 (Was $747.99)
• Samsung UN43CU8000FXZA, $389 (Was $439.99)

The best Sony TV deals

• Sony X80K, $648 (Was $699.99)
• Sony X85K, $698 (Was $849.99)
• Sony XR65X90L, $1,098 (Was $1,499.99)
• Sony XR A80L, $1,798 (Was $1,998)
• Sony X93L, $1,698 (Was $1898)
• Sony KD43X77L, $398 (Was $449.99)
• Sony X93L, $3,798 (Was $4,499.99)

The best Hisense TV deals

• Hisense 65U6K, $548 (Was $799.99)
• Hisense 55U8K, $748 (Was $1,099.99)
• Hisense U6HF, $199.99 (Was $499.99)
• Hisense 43A4H, $178 (Was $239.99)
• Hisense 50U6G, $429.99 (Was $534)
• Hisense 75U7K, $997 (Was $1,499)
• Hisense 85U8K, $1,799 (Was $2,699)

The best TCL deals

• TCL QM8, $1,498 (Was $2,299.99)
• TCL S3, $179.99 (Was $229.99)
• TCL 65S450F, $379.99 (Was $529.99)
• TCL 50S450R, $279.99 (Was $349.99)

The best XGIMI projector deals

• XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro 1080P Portable Projector with WiFi and Bluetooth, $500 w/ clickable coupon (was $599)
• XGIMI MoGo 2 Portable Projector with WiFi and Bluetooth, $299 (Was $399)
• XGIMI Horizon Pro 4K Projector, $1,179 (Was $1,699)
• XGIMI Halo+ 1080P Portable Projector, $649 (Was $849)
• XGIMI Aura 4K UHD Ultra Short Throw Laser Projector, $1,599 (Was $1,999)

The best Roku streamer deals

• Roku Express 4K+, $29 (Was $39)
• Roku Streaming Stick 4K, $37.99 (Was $49)
• Roku Express 4K with Voice Remote Pro, $49.99 (Was $59)
• Roku Streambar 4K HDR Streaming Device & Premium Roku Soundbar, $99 (Was $129)

Accessorizing other activities? Take a look at our ongoing list of Big Deal Days discounts.

Want more deals delivered to your inbox weekly? Sign up for PopSci’s Deals newsletter and save money on stuff you’ll really use.

The post The best Amazon Deal Days discounts on TVs from Samsung, Hisense, TCL, and more appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		TCL Q6		SEE IT	TCL’s Q6 offers the perfect balance of performance and price.
Best OLED		Sony BRAVIA XR A80L		SEE IT	Sony’s BRAVIA XR A80L will provide the best contrast and color reproduction of any Google TV out there.
Best budget		TCL S3		SEE IT	It’s hard to argue with a new 43-inch HDTV that costs $200.

Google’s Android TV has become a go-to software platform for TV makers over the past few years because of the search giant’s commitment to providing continual software updates and user interface improvements. Android TV is loaded onto TVs from the likes of Sony, TCl, and Hisense, three companies committed to creating cutting-edge sets for movie watching and gaming alike. Choosing one of the best Android TVs means picking a television with an operating system that keeps content streaming smoothly.

• Best overall: TCL Q6
• Best OLED: Sony BRAVIA XR A80L
• Best for gaming: Sony XR65X90K
• Best QLED: Hisense U7H
• Best budget: TCL S3

How we chose the best Android TVs

Our recommendations for the best Google TVs are based on a mix of hands-on testing and research. We paid additional to each Google TV’s video and audio quality, size, refresh rate, port selection, and price. The way you tend to use your TVs is also important. For example, if you’re a hardcore gamer, you’ll need a TV with different specs than someone who just wants to stream video for a couple of hours after work. Both are valid use cases, but require different hardware.

The best Android TVs: Reviews & Recommendations

If you’re ready to get a more modern smart-home TV for your family room or want a new one for your home theater system, these are the best Google TVs you can get right now.

Best overall: TCL Q6

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Specs

• Resolution: 4K
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Sizes available: 55, 65, 75, 85-inches
• Ports: 3x HDMI, 1x Ethernet, 1x optical audio, 1x coaxial, 1x Ethernet, 1x USB

Pros

• Excellent picture quality
• Snappy performance
• Easy to set up

Cons

• Some settings are confusing

The 2022 model of TCL’s 6-Series is so good that it earned a spot in our guide, but the company has continued to defy our expectations of what to expect from a sub-$1,000 4K TV with its successor, the Q6. We’ll cut to the chase: This is the TCL TV you should get unless you have really specialized needs or a very strict budget. In our tests, which included playing Nintendo Switch games and streaming native 4K content from Netflix, YouTube, and other streaming services, the Q6 couldn’t have performed much better.

We noticed the biggest differences when watching shows with a lot of contrast—like Star Trek: Picard—in which dimly lit scenes are often punctuated with pops of light and color. We can confirm each shot from a phaser was pleasing to the eye, and details in dark, seemingly abandoned spaceships were present. The Q6 was able to show colors more accurately, too. In games, like the Nintendo Switch‘s Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, foliage looked lush, dragons looked imposing, and “The Depths” felt isolating.

Gamers who play on more powerful consoles or PCs will be able to push the Q6 and their gaming hardware to its limits thanks to the TV’s 120Hz panel. Additionally, features, like TCL’s Game Accelerator Enhanced Gaming and Auto Game Mode with AMD FreeSync will automatically optimize the Q6 to lower latency (lag) for the smoothest experience. Whether you’re a casual gamer or someone who spends their nights playing online titles with friends, the Q6 has you covered.

We’re also pleased to report that TCL’s Q6 was as easy to setup as it was to use. The model we tested ran Google TV, and we could run through most of the setup process on our phone using the Google Home app, which is available on iOS and Android. It took about 10 minutes to sign into our Google account, run through the typical gauntlet of security questions, and download a software update. Similarly, Google’s operating system was easy to navigate, and streaming apps loaded quickly. Shortcut buttons on the Q6’s remote made opening the most common streaming apps a single button push away.

We don’t have any complaints with the TCL Q6’s performance, but we were a little confused by the default picture setting being a low-power mode. We’re used to seeing normal in its place and didn’t want to limit the screen’s brightness for the sake of power savings. We ended up using the Q6’s Smart HDR setting for the majority of our tests, which worked well for both playing games and watching videos.

If you want a reliable TV that runs well and looks even better, we can’t find much fault with TCL’s Q6, which is competitive not only with the company’s other sets but also with what’s available from TCL’s competitors.

Best OLED: Sony BRAVIA XR A80L

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Specs

• Resolution: 4K
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Sizes available: 55, 65, 77, 83-inches
• Ports: 4x HDMI, 1x Ethernet, 1x optical audio, 1x coaxial, 1x Ethernet, 2x USB

Pros

• OLED display
• Fast refresh rate
• Exclusive features for PlayStation 5

Cons

• Price

As far as QLED and MiniLED technology have come, they can’t match the true black levels of an OLED screen, which makes them particularly good for gaming. Sony is no stranger to the space, considering the PlayStation’s multi-decade dominance in the console space, so it’s not surprising that it makes the best Google TV for gamers.

The XR A80L’s OLED panel has a 120Hz refresh rate, support for Dolby Vision HDR, and runs on a custom processor that optimizes its performance for video streaming and gaming. These features will benefit all gamers, but PlayStation-exclusive ones like Auto HDR Tone Mapping and Auto Genre Mode will tune the set when you plug in Sony’s console. The two can speak to one another in ways other consoles can’t because of custom hardware and software developed for each.

Another exclusive feature of Sony’s TVs is the BRAVIA CORE app, which allows you to buy and stream digital copies of the company’s movies at the highest-possible quality. Cinephiles will appreciate this more than the common streamer, but it’s nice to have as these films will show off what the XR A80L is truly capable of. This TV has no discernable technical flaws, but its price tag matches its fidelity. If you don’t mind spending extra to have the best of the best, though, this is a no-compromise Google TV.

Best for gaming: Sony XR65X90K

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Specs

• Resolution: 4K
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Sizes available: 55, 65, 75, 85-inches
• Ports:4 HDMI, 1x Ethernet, 1x optical audio, 1x coaxial, 1x Ethernet, 2x USB

Pros

• Custom Sony processor
• Fast refresh rate
• Exclusive features for PlayStation 5

Cons

• Can’t quite match the Sony BRAVIA XR A80L

If you like everything about the Sony BRAVIA TVs except price, and don’t mind giving up its OLED screen, we recommend the Sony XR65X90K. It has the same PlayStation-exclusive gaming features, processor, refresh rate, resolution, and port selection as its luxe sibling, alongside access to Sony’s BRAVIA CORE service.

The only real difference is the screen technology used by both sets. While the XR A80L has an OLED display, the XR65X90K sports a full array LED screen. The differences will be subtle to most people, but hardcore gamers who want the most hyper-realistic-looking skin tones and contras (assuming their games are going for such an aesthetic) may be disappointed. Everyone else will find a lot to like from this Google TV, which costs roughly half the price of the XR A80L when it’s on sale.

One place the XR65X90K actually pulls ahead of the XR A80L is in its maximum screen size. The former tops out at 85 inches, while the latter only goes up to 83 inches. Again, this is a subtle difference, but one that could make a big difference to gamers.

Best QLED: Hisense U7H

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Specs

• Resolution: 4K
• Refresh rate: 120Hz
• Sizes available: 55, 65, 75, 85-inches
• Ports: 4x HDMI, 1x Ethernet, 1x optical audio, 1x coaxial, 1x Ethernet, 2x USB

Pros

• Very affordable
• Excellent picture for the price
• Bright
• Full-array local dimming for better contrast

Cons

• Picture lags behind more expensive sets

Hisense has spent the last several years pouring more resources than you’d expect to find in a QLED TV at its price range. So much so that we named it one of the best 65-inch TVs regardless of operating system or price. It includes some unexpected niceties like HDMI 2.1 ports, a 120Hz refresh rate, and a svelte frame. Most importantly, Hisense chose to hop on the QLED bandwagon, which means you should expect excellent brightness, contrast, and overall performance. It even has local dimming zones, which allow the TV to automatically and intelligently manage the brightness levels on different sections of the screen.

All of these features will benefit gamers and video streamers alike, and we wouldn’t expect to find them in a TV priced well under $1,000. Now the color reproduction and contrast may not be as high as they would be on higher-end sets, but we can still recommend the U7H without reservation because it punches far above its weight.

Best budget: TCL S3

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Specs

• Resolution: 1080P
• Refresh rate: 60Hz
• Sizes available: 32, 40, 43-inches
• Ports: 2x HDMI, 1x headphone jack, 1x USB, 1x Ethernet jack, 1x coaxial, 1x optical
• Operating system: Google TV, Roku TV

Pros

• Price
• Available in smaller sizes
• Modern look

Cons

• Two HDMI ports

Choosing a best budget TV for this guide was difficult because all of its hardware punches above its weight at its price class. There isn’t a poor value in TCL’s current-generation lineup, which is a testament to its value. That said, if you need an inexpensive TV for a guest or bedroom, or have very basic video streaming needs, TCL’s S3 is the one to get.

The 1080P TV doesn’t have the same gaming or premium video features as its high-end siblings, but it does have a couple of distinct advantages. First, you can get a TCL S3 TV in sizes as little as 32 inches, which is the perfect size for a dorm room or to wall mount in a kitchen. Big screens are great for home theaters and living rooms, but they’re not always necessary. The second reason to pick up a TCL S3 TV is, unsurprisingly, its price. The largest-screen model in this line costs under $200. That’s an incredible value for a 43-inch screen. If you’re not gaming or playing streaming 4K videos, this is all the TV you’re going to need.

It’s easy to associate inexpensive tech gear with looking and feeling cheap, but TCL has maintained a high bar for industrial design even with its lower-specced TVs. The S3 TV’s bezel (rim) is nearly flush with the screen, which lowers its bulk and weight in addition to making it look modern. The only problem you may run into is its relatively low number of HDMI ports. There’s enough for one game console and a soundbar, but not much else. If all you want to do is stream the latest season of Stranger Things, this won’t be an issue.

If you’ve been using the same TV for a decade, and want an inexpensive replacement that will look and perform well for its price, TCL’s S2 is the one to get.

What to consider when choosing a Google TV

When deciding which Google TV is appropriate for you, we drilled down into tech specs that make the biggest difference between all sets. One additional overarching factor in your decision will be your budget, which we factored heavily in our decisions.

Size

We understand space constraints may bar you from picking up a truly massive screen, and with that in mind we’ve tailored our recommendations to suit every room. Our Google TV recommendations range in size from 32 to 85 inches. It’s worth noting that going for the largest possible TV may not be wise, even if you have enough space due to your viewing angle. You want the Google TV to be far enough away that you can comfortably see things happening on both edges. We recommend you reference this chart to ensure you get the right-sized Google TV for your room.

Resolution

A Google TV’s resolution determines the number of pixels on its panel, and in this case, more means more. A 4K TV has eight times as many pixels as a 1080P set, which means videos will look sharper and, therefore, more lifelike. While we’re mostly recommending 4K TVs, you should also think about the resolution of the content you consume. If you play games on the Nintendo Switch and have a basic Netflix account, for example, you’ll only be gaming and streaming 1080P content.

A majority of the video content you’ll watch is HD, but we feel getting a 4K set today means you won’t have to upgrade in the near future. The amount of 4K video content continues to increase exponentially, and it’s better to have a TV that can handle it rather than having to get another set down the line.

Refresh rate

A television’s refresh rate determines the number of times it’s able to display new information every second. This doesn’t matter when you’re watching TV shows and movies (unless you’re a serious cinephile who watches movies at 24 frames per second), but is important for gaming. If you have the right system and games, a Google TV with a 120Hz refresh rate will make gameplay look buttery smooth. As with 4K video content, you’ll need a game that can run at up to 120 frames per second to take full advantage of this tech spec.

Ports

The assortment ports on the back of a Google TV aren’t as important as they used to be as people cut the cord and have moved on to streaming video from services you can access directly from the set. Still, if you plan on hooking up a soundbar, game console, or other peripherals, you’ll want to get an Android TV that has enough ports to handle your equipment.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best Android TVs

• Best overall: TCL Q6
• Best OLED: Sony BRAVIA XR A80L
• Best for gaming: Sony XR65X90K
• Best QLED: Hisense U7H
• Best budget: TCL S3

As Google TV continues to evolve, it’ll become even easier to recommend sets running this operating system to everyone. The fact that you’ll find the operating system running on TVs at a wide range of prices only speaks to Google’s commitment to the space. We eagerly anticipate the continued introduction of new features as the platform evolves. Rest assured, getting one of these Google TV today means a positive experience.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best Android TVs of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best HD home theater projector		BenQ HT2060		SEE IT	Imagery that punches above its price.
Best 4K home theater projector		Epson Home Cinema 5050UB		SEE IT	Bold colors and the highest contrast ratio.
Best value home theater projector		Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12		SEE IT	Packed with streaming content.

The best part about owning home theater projectors is watching your shows with all the immersive fun of sitting in a movie theater. That 65-inch flatscreen is great, but nothing compares to sitting and watching that giant Star Destroyer descending down your entire wall in the opening shot of Star Wars. Home projectors bring that experience to your living room, den, or, if you’re lucky, a dedicated movie room. 

Projectors for home theater also provide the flexibility you don’t often find with TVs, especially large ones. They take up much less space in a room, and aren’t an unsightly decorating “dead zone.” With a home projector, you can even take the show outside. Set one up on the deck for a romantic night of movie-watching under the stars. (Again, that Star Destroyer under the night sky would be pretty sweet!) Not all home theater projectors are the same, though, and it’s important to match the right device with your viewing habits, space, and overall needs. With that in mind, we’ve, well, screened the options, and collected our selections and considerations for the best home theater projectors. 

• Best HD: BenQ HT2060
• Best 4K: Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
• Best for gaming: Optoma UHD38x
• Best value: Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12
• Best outdoor: BenQ TH685P

How we chose the best home theater projectors

When selecting the best home theater projectors, we looked at many different units. We read reviews, both from industry insiders and owners, and scoured manufacturers’ technical specs. Projectors were evaluated based on brightness, picture quality (particularly in terms of sharpness, color, and contrast), resolution, chip type, and refresh rate. We wanted to know how a projector performed not only in specially designed movie rooms, but also rooms with ambient light or outdoors. For gaming, we compared lag times among units to see which could keep up with players’ reflexes. While not a primary concern, extra features, like lens shift and motorized lenses, or audio capabilities, were noted and considered as well.

The best home theater projectors: Reviews & Recommendations

The best home theater projectors produce a sharp image with strong contrast and bright, vibrant colors. They fit into your life, both literally (producing the right size image for your room) and figuratively (price and ease of use). In short, the best projectors for watching movies and programs at home deliver the entertainment you expect from a standard TV, only much, much larger. Pair that with the right home theater sound system for your space and be transported into fantastical worlds without leaving the house.

Best HD home theater projector: BenQ HT2060

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Why it made the cut: Darker blacks, bright whites, and realistic colors all help the BenQ HT2060 punch above its price point.  

Specs

• Product Dimensions (HWD): 19 x 15.5 x 8.8 inches
• Brightness: 2,200 lumens
• Chip Type: DLP
• Resolution: 1080p HDR
• Video input: HDMI

Pros

• Excellent color and contrast
• Lens shift
• 3D compatible

Cons

• No support for HDR
• Can’t play 4K video

If the BenQ HT2060 only delivered a great picture at a lower price point, it would be enough to make this the best HD home theater projector. But projecting a 100-inch screen from just 8 feet away (with the ability to project up to 300 inches) combined with having vertical lens shift (rarely found on DLP chip projectors) really makes the unit stand out among its peers. 

The high contrast ratio and natural colors deliver a strong, cinema-like picture at up to 1080p resolution at 8.3ms 120Hz. While the company claims the bulb outputs 2,200 lumens, some review tests show it coming in around 1,600. But that’s still bright enough to deliver a large image even in rooms without blackout curtains.

The HT2060 accepts video from two HDMI 2.0 inputs, as well as a USB connection that has a 1.5-amp output to drive a streaming stick without external power. You’ll also find older, analog audio and video inputs, including both component and composite—just what you need if you’re still rocking the old VHS player. (We won’t judge.) And Built-in 5Wx2 speakers if you do.

The DCI-P3 and 98-percent Rec. 709 color accuracy calibration contributes to picture quality, though the BenQ does suffer from rainbows—multicolored trails left by bright objects on the screen. It’s a problem found with all projectors with single DLP chips, though many people either don’t notice them or simply aren’t bothered by them. For some, however, they’re deal-breakers so make sure you know how you feel about them before considering a single-DLP player. 

Best 4K home theater projector: Epson Home Cinema 5050UB

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Why it made the cut: This best 4K home theater projector is designed for home-theater enthusiasts, with bold colors and contrast that deliver inky shadows and razor-sharp highlights.   

Specs

• Product Dimensions (HWD): 7.6 by 20.5 by 17.7 inches
• Brightness: 2,600 lumens
• Chip Type: 3LCD
• Resolution: 4K
• Video input: HDMI

Pros

• Excellent picture quality
• High contrast ratio
• Horizontal and vertical lens shift
• Motorized zoom
• Full DCI-P3 color

Cons

• Bulkier than many high-end units

The light engine under the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB’s hood uses “4K enhancement” technology and pixel-shifting to create a high-resolution image out of its three HD LCD chips. The jury’s out on whether this delivers a sharper picture than a true 4K DLP chip, but that doesn’t change the fact that movies look absolutely gorgeous with 100 percent of the RGB color signal displayed for every frame.

The 5050UB owes much of its success to the 2,600-lumen bulb, one of the brightest in its class. Even more so, UltraBlack 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and full 10-bit HDR processing results in dark, silky blacks and punchy highlights that make movies pop. 

Epson’s projector lacks audio outputs, but that’s typical for this class of unit; the company assumes users will run audio through an AV receiver and speakers for optimal sound. Additional features like a motorized lens with both horizontal and vertical shift, plus motorized zoom, make setting up the Epson 5050UB simple and fast. 

Best home theater projector for gaming: Optoma UHD38x

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Why it made the cut: An extremely short lag time combined with an excellent 4K and HD picture makes the Optoma UHD38x projector a gamer’s best friend.   

Specs

• Product Dimensions (HWD): 4.65 by 12.4 by 10.63 inches
• Brightness: 4,000 lumens
• Chip Type: DLP
• Resolution: True 4K
• Video input: HDMI, DVI

Pros

• 240 Hz refresh rate and lag as low as 4.2 ms at 1080p with Enhanced Gaming Mode
• Supports 4K and HD gaming
• High contrast ratio for a crisp-looking picture

Cons

• Minimum throw distance of six feet
• Minimal zoom and lens shift makes it hard to position

Quick reactions win video games, so a TV or projector’s blur-free visuals and unparalleled smoothness are a must. The Optoma UHD38x’s 240 Hz refresh rate keeps lag time down to as low as 4.2 ms in Enhanced Gaming mode. The bright, 4,000-lumen bulb, a high contrast ratio, and jewel-like colors create a picture that captures all the dynamic energy of both games and movies. The 4K UHD 60 Hz or 1080p 120 Hz resolutions, plus HDR10 and HLG content compatibility, makes all your content look great and blur-free, making this projector our choice for the best home theater projector for gaming.  

Set-up is a little tricky. The UHD38x’s lens isn’t motorized, and it has minimal lens shift or physical zoom. You’ll have to position it right in the middle of your screen in order to get the best image and, with its relatively long throw, the closest it can focus is 6 feet.

Best value home theater projector: Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12

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Why it made the cut: The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 includes a built-in Android TV and Google Play Store apps, making it as much a smart TV as a high-quality HD projector. 

Specs

• Product Dimensions (HWD): 5.3 by 6.9 by 6.9 inches
• Brightness: 1,000 lumens
• Chip Type: LCD
• Resolution: 1080p
• Video input: HDMI
  

Pros

• Laser light source lasts longer than a bulb
• Three-chip LCD imaging for higher contrast ratios
• Integrated Smart TV components
• Supports 4K content (downconverted to 1080p)

Cons

• Only 1,000 lumens
• No true 4K resolution

Saying something is the best budget is relative in home theater projectors, but getting a ton of quality for a grand qualifies. Oh, you can go cheap (even cheap-cheap) when it comes to projectors, but if you want the best value projector that can still do a home theater justice, the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 Smart Streaming Laser projector delivers, enabling streaming video services with built-in Android TV and Google Play Store apps. The projector uses a laser-illuminated, three-chip LCD to create a picture with sharp contrast and natural colors.

While the laser-phosphor light source isn’t the brightest at only 1,000 lumens, in a dark room it still provides a large, immersive show at up to 150 inches. Besides all the built-in content channels and the ability to project connected device content wirelessly via Chromecast, the EF12 has two HDMI ports for HD or downconverted 4K video sources.

Built-in, dual 5-watt speakers provide robust sound and the projector connects to an external sound source via 3.5mm output jacks, HDMI ARC, or even Bluetooth. All this versatility makes for a great choice from the gaming pod to the classroom.  

Best outdoor home theater projector: BenQ TH685P

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Why it made the cut: Even in ambient light, the BenQ TH685P’s 3,500-lumen lamp delivers a sharp picture with nice contrast and accurate color, making this ideal for an evening of outdoor movie watching.  

Specs

• Product Dimensions (HWD): 12.28 by 8.86 by 4.33 inches
• Brightness: 3,500 lumens
• Chip Type: DLP
• Resolution: 1080p
• Video input: 4K HDMI

Pros

• Color and contrast good at this price point
• Bright 3,500 lumen lamp
• Supports HDR programming
• Accept 4K input, downconverted to 1080p

Cons

• Can’t read files from USB memory sticks

The BenQ TH685P makes hosting an outdoor movie night easy, with a bright, 3,500-lumen lamp that cuts through ambient light spilling from your living room, the neighbor’s home, or a full moon. It’s adjustable to throw distances of 80 inches to 150 inches. And the onboard, 5-watt mono speaker has a chamber design that delivers more muscular sound than you’d expect; you still might want to bring some speakers out to the patio (it has an audio output on the back), but this saves you that hassle if you’re keeping your set-up simple.

Two HDMI 2.0 ports accept both 1080p and 4K signals, though the 4K gets downconverted to HD. Nonetheless, the resulting image remains sharp, with 95-percent Rec. 709 color. Unfortunately, you can’t feed content from a USB device, so you’ll need to have a Blu-ray player or a computer with an HDMI output as part of your theater setup. The TH685P supports HDR10 and 3D programming. An added bonus: At 120 Hz in 1080p, the BenQ has a lag time of 8.3 ms, making this a useful projector for gamers in addition to being the best outdoor home theater projector.

Things to consider before buying the best home theater projectors

Bright ideas

Of all a projector’s specs, none shine like the number of lumens. Lumens describes how much light a projector can create, which translates into how bright and large your image can be. Often, units with higher lumens cost more, so you’ll have to balance price and performance when making your selection. While this all might seem straightforward, no company measures lumens in exactly the same way. In broad strokes, if one projector is described as being 2,000 lumens and the other is 1,000, you can say for certain the first one is brighter. But if one is 2,000 and another is 2,200, it’s hard to know if the latter is really brighter, or if the manufacturers are using different scales. On the other hand, in most cases, your eyes probably can’t tell the difference between 2,000 and 2,200 anyway. 

Let there be light

To play your movie on the big screen, a projector’s light source creates the light, which is then focused on a chip that generates an image. Light sources come in three varieties: Lasers, LEDs, and Ultra High Pressure (UHP) lamps. The UHP lamps, which are basically high-powered light bulbs, cost the least and generate the most light. The downside is that, over time, they can wear down and need replacing. However, it can take years before that happens, and the replacement bulbs usually cost less than $300. LEDs and lasers are more efficient than UHP lamps but cost much more for the same performance. For the time being, UHP lamps still give the most bulb for the buck. 

Chipping away

Projectors use one of three types of imaging chips: DLP, LCD, and LCoS. DLP chips are found in products at many price points and deliver average contrast and decent color. LCD chips can be found on budget to mid-range projectors and often have better color than DLP projectors, but the contrast ratios can sometimes suffer. Finally, LCoS chips can be found on mid-range to high-end projectors, have the best contrast ratios, and good color. In the end, LCoS projectors usually beat the others in terms of overall picture quality, which is why they tend to cost more.

Room with a view

Before deciding on a projector, know where you want to use it and how you want to set it up. Will the projector sit far from the wall? If so, you’ll want a projector with a long throw. Some projectors are meant to sit on furniture while others are mounted to the ceiling. If your projector doesn’t have built-in lens shifting, you’ll need to place the unit on something that can be adjusted up or down. It’s better to sort out these details ahead of time than to get home with your new projector and discover it won’t work well in your movie room. 

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best home theater projectors

• Best HD: BenQ HT2060
• Best 4K: Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
• Best for gaming: Optoma UHD38x
• Best value: Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12
• Best outdoor: BenQ TH685P

If you’re a movie fan, the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB is a hard projector to beat and our best overall pick. With great color and contrast, plus a bright light source, it delivers a 4K picture that looks great on a big screen and captures the experience of sitting in a real cinema. The motorized lens with horizontal and vertical shift makes it easy to set up, so you’ll be enjoying blockbusters in no time. But no matter what model you opt for, don’t forget the popcorn!

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best home theater projectors for 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		KEF LS50 Meta		SEE IT	The proper pick for audiophiles who demand stunning sound.
Best powered		PSB Alpha iQ		SEE IT	Your top choice if you want to fill tight spaces with less wires and more fidelity.
Best budget		Edifier R1280T		SEE IT	The best bookshelf speakers for $100.

An excellent set of bookshelf speakers will enhance your listening experience with a wider stereo image and a more vibrant sound than what you get from a TV, laptop, or the average connected speaker. Whether you’re enjoying the lossless tier of a streaming service or admiring sleeve art as an LP revolves on your turntable, higher fidelity is often accompanied by an appreciation for upgrading your system. Regardless of the source, properly positioned home stereo speakers present audio with a true soundstage—the original immersive audio. Here are some of the best bookshelf speakers to deliver a rich response for any budget. 

• Best overall: KEF LS50 Meta
• Best powered speakers: PSB Alpha iQ
• Best for home theater: Klipsch The Fives
• Best for computers: Audioengine A2+ Wireless
• Best smart speakers: Sonos Era 300
• Best studio monitors: PreSonus Eris E4.5
• Best with a radio: Tivoli Audio Model One Digital (Gen. 2)
• Best budget: Edifier R1280T

How we chose the best bookshelf speakers on any budget

While we here at PopSci love portable party speakers, we spend as much, if not more, time looking through hundreds of choices to find the best true stereo speakers for music—but we don’t want you to feel overwhelmed by all the specs and requirements when online comparison shopping. So we combined our decades of collective experience, the impressions of trusted listeners, and the consensus of experts attuned to meticulous details to narrow our core choices. The speakers on this list range in price, but all lean more toward affordable (compared to so many easily recommendable but hardly affordable audiophile options) and present their case for value when it comes to the research, engineering, and, most of all, performance they represent.

The best bookshelf speakers: Reviews & Recommendations

Despite the prevalence of wireless noise-cancelling earbuds and compact Bluetooth speakers, people are rediscovering the high-quality, space-filling audio that can come from bookshelf speakers. While many still listen to music on budget ’buds and battery-powered speakers, there’s a growing appreciation for high-resolution audio formats on digital audio players and streaming services—like Apple’s Spatial Audio—and the analog warmth from vinyl and even cassettes. Don’t get us wrong; we love headphones for a close, critical listen … but even the best headphones can only approximate the visceral thrill of hearing your favorite songs fill the air. Of course, even the best-recorded album will sound like crap on subpar transducers, so the following list identifies the best bookshelf speakers for different situations, desires, and budgets.

Best overall: KEF LS50 Meta

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Why it made the cut: KEF speakers stand out with the impeccable sound that audiophiles revere just as well as they stand out in appearance.

Specs

• Frequency response: 79 Hz-28 kHz
• Power handling: 40-100W amp recommended
• Connectivity: speaker wire binding posts
• Drivers: 12th-generation Uni-Q driver, embedding a 1-inch tweeter within a 5.25-inch woofer
• Dimensions: 12 x 8 x 11 inches each (HxWxD)
• Weight: 17.2 lbs. each

Pros

• Entirely transparent sound
• Extraordinary detail
• Singular style

Cons

• Pricey
• Not as good in the low end as some passive speakers

KEF speakers, particularly 2012’s LS50, have dazzled audiophiles for years, but the updated LS50 Meta two-way bass-reflex speakers take the stunning clarity of sound to an even higher level. A new 12th-generation Uni-Q driver embeds the 1-inch tweeter within the 5.25-inch woofer, giving the LS50 Meta ($1,499 a pair) a stark, single-cone look and stunning off-axis response. New, proprietary Metamaterial Absorption Technology (MAT) is integrated behind the driver to reduce distortion. The result is a beautiful design and an even more satisfying sound. These hi-fi speakers deliver a frequency response of 47Hz-45kHz and a maximum output of 106dB from a relatively compact enclosure of 11.89 inches (H) by 7.87 inches (W) by 10.94 inches (D).

Because the LS50 Meta is a passive system, you’ll need to supply it with ample power. As a starting point, the NAD D 3045 is an excellent, unobtrusive 60W-per-channel hybrid amp/DAC for building the best-sounding bookshelf speakers system to project powerful audio without taking up much area (it’s also a convenient hub for digital and analog connections, plus adds a subwoofer output). Want more of a connected but still compact home setup? Power the LS50 Meta speakers with a NAD C700 stereo amplifier with built-in BluOS streaming, AirPlay 2, and a 5-inch color display. Plus, because the C700 shares an operating system with our next pick, the PSB ALPHA iQ, you could have the KEF speakers + NAD amplifier in one room and the PSBs in another and play the same audio throughout the house.

If you’d prefer to achieve the same pinpoint imaging as the LS50 Meta in all-in-one self-amplified speakers, the $2,799 KEF LS50 Wireless II setup is the premium pick because it builds in 100W of power; HDMI, analog, and digital audio ports; plus Bluetooth and WiFi connectivity, including 24-bit/96kHz wireless streaming and compatibility with AirPlay 2, Chromecast, Roon, HD and Ultra HD music from Amazon Music, and more. And the impact that the sonically and aesthetically complementary KEF KC62 subwoofer can have when it comes to extending the low end and opening up the headroom cannot be overstated.

That’s a lot of options, but KEF isn’t the only Britain-based speaker manufacturer packing value into compact cabinets. If you’re still considering passive speakers, coming in hot are the Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3—a clarity-centered “value” at $900/pair with a newly designed titanium dome tweeter and 5″ midrange/bass driver that uses a highly acclaimed transducer borrowed from the company’s high-end 800 series. We’ll share more about these two-channel champs in the near future.

Best powered speakers: PSB ALPHA iQ

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Why it made the cut: Pint-sized but persuasive, these connected speakers offer a comprehensive hub for expressive audio whether your sources are dusty or digital.

Specs

• Frequency response: 64-20,000 Hz
• Power handling: 180 watts (60 watts/woofer & 30 watts/tweeter)
• Connectivity: Ethernet; WiFi; Bluetooth (SBC, AAC, aptX HD); MM phono input; HDMI eARC port; Toslink optical digital input; 3.5mm auxiliary input; USB port for external drive/files
• Drivers: 4″ polypropylene mid-bass driver w/ steel basket and rubber surround; 3/4″ aluminum dome tweeter w/ neodymium magnet and ferrofluid cooling
• Dimensions: 9.6 x 5.7 x 7.6 inches (HxWxD)
• Weight: 8.2 lbs. (each)

Pros

• Wireless connection between speakers
• DSP crossover and tuned rear-firing ports for bass extension
• MQA decoding for TIDAL Masters streaming
• Roon support
• BluOS whole-house audio setup compatibility
• Subwoofer output

Cons

• You’re only going to get so much bass out of a 4″ woofer
• While sized to fit any shelf, these speakers are still best for a smaller room

All great things are made up of many small parts. And with the ALPHA iQ, Ontario, Canada’s PSB Speakers has shown that an eye (and ear) for details can mean small things play a great part in a deeply satisfying, space-saving sound system. Compact enough to fit any shelf, tucked between diaries or beside a computer display, the ALPHA iQ speakers offer natural, nuanced playback from any imaginable source. Yes, they’re $1,499 a pair (in satin white or black) and may not look like much for that price, but you’d be mistaken. Packed with class D amplifiers and wirelessly paired together, the primary and secondary speakers only require two wall sockets and WiFi to give you access to AirPlay 2 and countless high-resolution streaming services through the BluOS app (while also allows you to sync/pass off audio between compatible speakers on your home network, such as the Omni-Hybrid PULSE M).

There’s TIDAL Connect with MQA decoding, and Spotify Connect built-in. There’s also Bluetooth 5.0 (SBC, AAC, aptX HD), a Toslink optical input, and you can play files off an external USB drives. If (up to) 24-bit/192 kHz digital isn’t your jam, a moving magnet phono input (or 3.5mm aux-in for preamp-equipped platters) invites analog albums to the party. An HDMI input lets you make it a movie (or gaming) night. No matter how you feed the Alpha iQ, the active, two-way design maintains its composure and delivers full-fidelity finesse. Balance and separation are top-notch, aided by PSB’s signature driver inversion—the woofer on top/tweeter on bottom configuration helps keep frequencies in phase, whether standing or sitting. And the pair’s proportions can be deceiving; the ALPHA iQ speakers push impressive air for their size, capable of reaching a punchy 90 dB without breaking up (not recommended for medical reasons). No, they can’t defy physics, so fans of hip-hop, hyperpop, etc., may wish for more bass, but there’s more than you’d expect and a subwoofer output if you require reinforcement. In a typically sized room (or tighter space), the ALPHA iQ will allow you to fill the space with sound, not cords.

Best for home theater: Klipsch The Fives

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Why it made the cut: The Fives make it easy to set up a big, bold sound for both music and your home theatre.

Specs

• Frequency response: 50-25,000Hz
• Power handling: 160 watts RMS
• Connectivity: HDMI ARC port, optical digital audio input, RCA stereo analog input, USB Type B input, 3.5mm stereo input, RCA mono output for optional powered subwoofer
• Drivers: 1-inch titanium dome LTS (Linear Travel Suspension) tweeter with a 90° x 90° Tractrix horn, 4 1/2-inch long-throw woofer
• Dimensions: 18.5 x 17.5 x 13.5 inches (HxWxD)
• Weight: 23.60 lbs

Pros

• Generous connectivity, including HDMI ARC for TVs and Bluetooth
• Classic vintage look

Cons

• Larger-than-average bookshelf speakers
• Somewhat lacking bass response for the price

The Fives ($600 a pair) flaunt a retro-chic style in both black and walnut finishes. Still, these speakers also accommodate a technologically diverse modern lifestyle with connections for your turntable (RCA phono/line), mobile devices (Bluetooth and line Aux input), gaming consoles (digital optical), computer (USB), and, more uniquely, your TV (HDMI ARC). Just connect your flatscreen, set the output to PCM stereo, and you’ll get to enjoy video accompanied by rich mids and clarity emanating from the 1-inch titanium dome LTS tweeter and long-throw 4.5-inch woofer. You select the input from a dial on these powered speakers or with the remote control, which can also control your TV’s volume, a rarity for bookshelf speakers. The Fives are somewhat large for bookshelf speakers at 18.5 inches by 17.5 inches by 13.5 inches, but they get loud. Their maximum output reaches 109dB with a frequency range of 50Hz-25kHz. For even more thunderous vibes from movies, games, and music, connect a subwoofer from The Fives’ Sub Out. Two subwoofers that have earned reputations for an all-around excellent low-frequency roar include the $129 Polk Audio PSW10 10-inch subwoofer, which delivers 100W of power and a frequency response of 40-160Hz from a simple, all-black cube design that can fit into most home listening setups. For a step up in power, size, and price, with an appropriate step down into the lowest depths of bass, try the $299 BIC America Acoustech PL-200II 12-inch powered subwoofer, a 1000W behemoth with gut-punching 22-200Hz frequency response.

If you’d like even better performance and have the space required, you can step up to The Nines, Klipsch’s most premium powered speakers, which we reviewed earlier this year. They have the same general design and inputs as The Fives but larger drivers to deliver even more potent sound. If you have more clearance for taller “bookshelf” speakers, or want to keep them on stands, the Nines are an excellent upgrade.

Best for computers: Audioengine A2+ Wireless

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Why it made the cut: The Austin, Texas-based Audioengine manufactures many of its speakers’ own components, such as woofers and tweeters, and its commitment to affordable, quality sound has made its speakers favorites since its founding in 2005.

Specs

• Frequency response: 65Hz-22kHz
• Power rating: 60W peak power (2 x 15W RMS)
• Connectivity: USB input, Bluetooth 5.0 aptX HD, stereo RCA I/O, stereo mini-jack input
• Drivers: 0.75-inch silk dome tweeter, 2.75-inch aramid fiber woofer
• Dimensions: 5.25 x 4 x 6 inches each (HxWxD)
• Weight: 6.61 lbs. total

Pros

• Warm and clean sound
• Impressively loud for small speakers
• High-quality components and design

Cons

• A little less bass than medium-sized smart speakers and desktop speakers
• Sound cohesiveness gets lost in large spaces

Audioengine combines a non-intrusive footprint of 6 inches by 4 inches by 5.25 inches with versatile connectivity and crisp sound in the A2+ Wireless powered speakers for bookshelves and desktops. This small set ($269 a pair) utilizes ¾-inch silk dome tweeters and 2.75-inch aramid fiber woofers, with a 60W peak power total, max output of 88dB, and a frequency response of 65Hz-22kHz. There are analog RCA and minijack connections, as well as USB for computer audio. But the juice comes from Bluetooth 5.0 for compatibility with high-quality audio streaming codecs like aptX HD for Android users (up to 570kbps) and AAC for iOS users (up to 256kbps, with no additional loss from conversion).

Best smart speakers: Sonos Era 300

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Why it made the cut: Sonos helped popularize WiFi hi-fi, and the company makes great speakers if your preferred source of music is streaming.

Specs:

• Frequency response: N/A
• Power handling: N/A
• Connectivity: WiFi, Ethernet, USB-C port
• Drivers: Two woofers, four angled tweeters
• Dimensions: 6.3 x 10.24 x 7.28 inches (HxWxD)
• Weight: 9.83 lbs. each

Pros

• Single-speaker Dolby Atmos
• Can be paired with a second Era 300 for even better stereo and Atmos separation
• Can be used as rear speakers with a Sonos soundbar

Cons

• Requires speedy home WiFi

Dolby Atmos (and the term spatial audio) has become a dominant topic in the hi-fi world as streaming services like Apple Music and TIDAL have brought surround sound to a larger audience. Sonos’ Era 300 was designed to meet the moment, with a six-driver audio system that can natively playback Dolby Atmos audio from a single speaker. And it’s no slouch when it comes to delivering stereo from one unit, whether located on a bookshelf or countertop (if tucking it on a shelf, you will want to consider how close the surface above it is in order to maximize effects). Plus, you’ll get better separation and a wider soundstage by pairing two Era 300s together or connecting it to a home theater system with a Sonos Arc soundbar.

While Dolby Atmos support is the Era 300’s flashiest feature, it can also be used to play music in true stereo. In our tests, the Era 300 performs well under both circumstances. The Era 300 is primarily a WiFi-connected speaker, though it also supports Bluetooth 5.0 and has a USB-C port that can terminate into a 3.5mm audio jack via an adapter for wired connectivity. In our review, we found the Era 300’s sound exceptional, with deep bass, clear mids, and reigned-in high frequencies that never made music sound too crunchy. Performance when watching movies was equally engaging when a surround soundtrack was available. It may have fewer drivers than the Sonos Play: 5, but the processing and array arrangement of the Era 300 gives it the edge, especially when decoding spatial content.

Sonos speakers are genius because optimized placement is far less labor-intensive than with some standard speakers, considering there’s no stringing of speaker wire or fiddling with EQs as Trueplay software tunes the Era 300s based on the acoustics of your room. Pioneers of network-connected audio, Sonos speakers can also be synced throughout rooms for whole-house sound. This is true whether you get a system of all Era 300s, or mix and match different Sonos speakers.

If you’d like to experience the Sonos house tuning but want it in a svelter form without Dolby Atmos support, we recommend the Era 100s, stereo-only cylinders that rated very highly in our hands-on tests. Sonos has even brought its new dual-tweeter, custom waveform arrangement to the portable realm with the durable Move 2, which can reside in its loop charger on a bookshelf, happily filling a room with tunes until you head outdoors, where it’s equally adapt.

Want to explore another WiFi multi-room ecosystem? Bluesound offers several speakers, such as the Omni-Hybrid PULSE M, which manage wide dispersion from compact form factors and can sync/pass off audio with other speakers using the BluOS system on your home network (including our powered pick, the PSB Alpha iQ, above).

Best studio monitors: PreSonus Eris E4.5

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Why it made the cut: These monitors allow for studio reference sound even if your workstation space is limited.

Specs

• Frequency response: 70Hz-20kHz
• Power handling: 25X per speaker
• Connectivity: bare speaker wire inputs, RCA inputs, balanced ¼-inch inputs, 3.5mm input
• Drivers: 4.5-inch, woven-composite woofer and 1-inch silk-dome tweeter
• Dimensions: 9.45 x 6.42 x 7.09 inches (HxWxD)
• Weight: 2 lbs. each

Pros

• Compact and accurate
• Headphone jack

Cons

• Only so expressive because of size limitations
• Not the most bountiful bass

Small-studio musicians, producers, and DJs all love the PreSonus Eris E4.5 powered monitors for their accurate, reference-level sound coming from compact speakers that merge studio monitor and bookshelf speaker attributes. The Eris E4.5 ($200 a pair) has both bare speaker wire inputs, RCA inputs, and balanced ¼-inch inputs, plus a front-facing power switch, volume control, headphone jack, and aux input. Its 4.5-inch, woven-composite woofer and 1-inch silk-dome tweeter pump out a maximum volume of an even 100dB with a frequency response of 70Hz-20kHz. The 9.45 inches by 6.42 inches by 7.09 inches monitors also come in a Bluetooth-equipped model for $30 more, but if you have a little extra space and don’t need the front-panel features, check out options such as the Pioneer DJ VM-50 studio monitors if you’re building a more traditional workstation/listening post. Studio monitors can easily cost costs hundreds of dollars each (see the exemplary but expensive Focal Alpha 80 Evo), so these are a killer deal and some of the best budget computer speakers for music you can buy.

Best with a radio: Tivoli Audio Model One Digital (Gen. 2)

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Why it made the cut: A stylish way to enjoy soundwaves and airwaves, whether they’re FM or streaming from your smartphone.

Specs

• Frequency response: Unknown
• Power handling: 21W x 2
• Connectivity: DAB+/FM Radio Tuner, Bluetooth, Google Chromecast, Apple AirPlay 2, Optical, 3.5mm Aux-In
• Drivers: Unknown
• Dimensions: 5.5 x 8.7 x 4.5 inches
• Weight: 3.40 lbs.

Pros

• Good for old-fashioned aerial broadcasts, as well as modern streaming services
• Bluetooth, Google Chromecast, Apple AirPlay 2
• Optical and 3.5mm Auxillary inputs for TVs and turntables, etc.
• Alarm Clock
• Remote Control Included
• Attractive three wood cabinet finishes

Cons

• Not stereo

This is cheating a little since we’ve talked stereo up so much, but maybe your favorite things to listen to are the radio, or podcasts, or other content that doesn’t necessarily need the separation. The DNA of the Tivoli Audio Model One Digital (Gen. 2) traces back to 2005 and a mid-century-styled tabletop receiver. However, the latest permutation of that analog original adds AirPlay 2 and Google Chromecast to increase connectivity and clarity for audiophiles (and others) who have embraced streaming. The Tivoli Audio Model One Digital (Gen. 2) (which we thoroughly reviewed) can still pick up DAB/FM radio broadcasts, but it can also present anything your smartphone throws at it with a rich, detailed response. Admittedly, this speaker differs from the rest because it’s mono and won’t have anywhere near as expansive a presentation as others in this round-up. But not every bookshelf is a big bookshelf, and sometimes you want a convenient concert for one in the living room, kitchen, etc. Perfect for nestling between art books or cookbooks, this is a compact wireless speaker that sounds as good as it looks. And it looks gooooooood. Plus, the Model One is now at least $100 cheaper than it was following the release of the Tivoli Audio Model Two Digital, which updates the look and connectivity but loses the radio function.

Best budget: Edifier R1280T

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Why it made the cut: In a word, price—this set lets you can enjoy every note for around a C-note.

Specs

• Frequency response: 75Hz-18kHz
• Power handling: 21W x 2
• Connectivity: 2 x RCA inputs
• Drivers: 4-inch woofer and 13mm (roughly a half-inch) silk dome tweeter
• Dimensions: 6.9 x 9.5 x 5.8 inches (HxWxD)
• Weight: 10.80 lbs.

Pros

• An inexpensive go-to for two-channel sound
• Clean, retro look
• Bass, treble, and volume dials

Cons

• Limited connectivity
• No subwoofer out

While there are even lower-priced bookshelf speakers, the compact and attractive wood-veneer Edifier R1280T delivers a surprisingly warm and balanced sound for just over $100 so that music lovers on any budget can enjoy a step up in sound. These powered speakers take up only 9.5 inches by 6.9 inches by 5.8 inches of space and come with cables for the two aux inputs, a remote control, and removable cloth grilles. The maximum output is 96dB with a frequency range of 75Hz-18kHz coming from the 4-inch woofer and 13mm (roughly a half-inch) silk dome tweeter. For only a few dollars more, you can score the R1280Ts with subwoofer output to boost that bass. And for a few hundred more, you can pick up the Edifier S1000W—some of our favorite powered workstation-friendly speakers—which for $449 is no longer “budget,” per se, but is still a bargain considering the performance:price it delivers.

What to consider when shopping for the best bookshelf speakers

Bookshelf speakers—sometimes called standmount speakers because they can be isolated and optimized on stands rather than shelves—are smaller and usually less expensive than floorstanding, aka tower, speakers (though there are certainly boutique exceptions). Their relative affordability is because bookshelf speakers may have a more narrow frequency range, less power, and less presence in the low-end than the best floor-standing speakers, but that doesn’t mean their sound quality is significantly less than that of floor-standers, which can be overkill and unimpressive if you don’t have a properly sized, optimized space or won’t play them loudly enough to make them necessary. 

For small to mid-sized rooms at middle-to-mildly loud volumes, bookshelf speakers stand at the locus between price, footprint, and performance, while also presenting an enormous amount of options in the price range, design, and features. That means there’s something for everyone, but also several factors to consider, including size, price, appearance, and compatibility with the devices and electronics you will use with the speakers. 

Bookshelf speakers are not standardized in size to all fit on, say, the average Ikea bookshelf. They vary in dimensions, so figure out where you will put them and measure the height, width, and depth you have available for the speakers. Also, settle on your target price range since bookshelf speakers can cost tens of dollars on the low side and thousands of dollars at the top. 

The devices from which you want to playback on the bookshelf speakers will also inform your decision. If you’re a vinyl lover, you’ll need phono inputs for a turntable with a built-in preamp or a jack for an external preamp. If you want the convenience of streaming from your phone, you’ll need Bluetooth or some other wireless capability, and so on.

The visual style of a bookshelf speaker set may be a priority for some and not as important for others. However, with all other factors being equal, you will still have a variety of speaker aesthetic designs from which to choose, so pick something you’ll be happy to see every day in what’s likely to be a prominent place in the space the speakers occupy. 

Finally, you have to know whether to purchase passive or active (powered) speakers. The last thing you want to do is to buy a set of passive speakers that you thought were active, or vice versa.

Passive vs. powered bookshelf speakers

Before shopping for bookshelf speakers, you must know the difference between passive and active—also known as powered—speakers. Passive speakers require external amplification from an audio/video receiver, digital audio converter (DAC), or amplifier component. Passive speakers tend only to have speaker wire hook-ups that connect to the amplifier, which has inputs for your audio devices and other electronics. 

On the other hand, active speakers are powered with internal amplification, thus the “powered” label. Active speakers also have all their connections for audio or even video devices. Still, the quantity and variety of those connections are features that differentiate sets of powered speakers and also can affect their price. 

Audiophiles often lean toward passive speakers because they allow the users to try out different amplifiers and DACs and upgrade components as their taste or budget dictates, all while keeping the same speakers. Passive speakers don’t have to plug into a power outlet, which may open up more placement options in your space (though they require speaker wire, which poses its own challenges). Without the internal amp electronics, passive speakers can be lighter and possibly smaller than active speakers while offering comparable sound.  

Active speakers’ advantages include simplicity of setup and fewer overall components and cables. Theoretically, the amplifier within a set of powered speakers should already match the speakers’ capability. 

Whether you opt for passive or active speakers, there are plenty of options at all price ranges to suit various needs. And both passive and powered bookshelf speakers can pump out the satisfyingly spacious stereo sound that single-unit WiFi and Bluetooth speakers, TVs, and laptops cannot match. 

Do you want more bass?

The smaller size of bookshelf speakers imposes some natural limitations on the bass that emanates from them. Woofer sizes in the speaker systems in this round-up range from 4 inches to 5.25 inches. Bookshelf speaker woofers don’t come much larger than that; adding to their challenges, they must take care of mid-range frequencies alongside the low end. Even though some bookshelf speakers exhibit impressive bass response, the physical size of a woofer within a speaker does matter for moving enough air to create the kind of low-end thump that shakes the room while you’re shaking your butt. Boosting the bass through EQ can have some effect but won’t let you exceed a speaker’s inherent limits. Too much EQ boosting in the low end can result in subtle-to-nasty distortions.

Larger floor-standing speakers have larger low-end drivers on average than bookshelf speakers to produce more rumbling responses. However, they also tend to cost more and take up more space. 

Bookshelf speaker users can instead add a subwoofer to their system. Subwoofers are dedicated to low frequencies, usually in the 20-200Hz range. When paired with a bookshelf speaker system, subwoofers almost always extend the system’s frequency range lower and relieve strained bookshelf speaker woofers of the burden of creating all the bass tones. With a subwoofer, you can crank the bass higher without distortion to experience the full power and presence of music, movies, and games that the artists originally intended. And the midrange and treble will benefit from the increased headroom that comes from offloading the lows.

Once you commit to expanding your frequency horizons with a subwoofer, any choice you make will let you enjoy the low-end of your music and other audio, not just in the auditory space but also in the physical space with a bass response you can feel.

FAQs

Final thoughts on choosing the best bookshelf speakers for you

• Best overall: KEF LS50 Meta
• Best powered speakers: PSB Alpha iQ
• Best for home theater: Klipsch The Fives
• Best for computers: Audioengine A2+ Wireless
• Best smart speakers: Sonos Era 300
• Best studio monitors: PreSonus Eris E4.5
• Best with a radio: Tivoli Audio Model One Digital (Gen. 2)
• Best budget: Edifier R1280T

Bookshelf speakers offer a relatively quick and painless way to improve your audio listening experience, beating built-in device speakers and single-unit wireless speakers without giving up the expense and real estate that floor-standing speakers require. Finding the best bookshelf speakers for you comes down to settling on your preferences for size, price, connectivity, and style and then narrowing down the wealth of options that exist as both passive and powered bookshelf speakers.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best bookshelf speakers in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		Yamaha YH-L700A		SEE IT	Super versatile with an excellent boost of layering and legibility to even low-quality audio.
Best budget		Soundcore by Anker Life Q30		SEE IT	These budget headphones offer noise-canceling features to keep you focused on your shows.
Best cinephile		JVC Exofield Personal Home Theater System		SEE IT	A multi-layered, immersive soundscape designed for one thing: the ultimate movie-watching experience.

When it comes to gadgets for home theaters, picture quality gets most of the press, but even the best TVs don’t have good built-in audio, which is where wireless headphones for TV come in. Sound matters, so we’re going to talk about some sound matters. Once you experience a truly great soundscape with your favorite films, shows, or games, you’ll never want to go back. Multi-speaker systems replicate the theater experience best but can be harder to set up in smaller spaces and get very expensive very quickly. Plus, the ground-shaking T. rex steps that get your heart racing might also get your neighbors racing to file a noise complaint. So what’s the answer when space, wallet, or society conspire to deny you the sonic stimulation you so richly deserve? The best wireless headphones for TV, that’s what.

• Best overall: Yamaha YH-L700A
• Best with transmitter: Sennheiser RS 195 RF
• Best gaming: Astro A50 Wireless Gen 4
• Best cinephile: JVC Exofield Personal Home Theater System
• Best earbuds: Sennheiser TV Clear Set 2
• Best budget: Anker Life Soundcore Q30

How we chose the best wireless headphones for TV

First of all, naturally, we removed all wired headsets from contention. Generally, wired headphones offer better sound than wireless, but that gap is not nearly as wide as it once was. We considered Bluetooth headsets and those that use their own base stations/wireless protocols. Options up and down the budget spectrum were assessed, though none of these headsets hit $1,000, and most are under $500. The list below is an amalgamation of first-hand reviews, recommendations by trusted colleagues, and the consensus of the audio-video press. These were then delineated into categories that can guide you toward cans that can.

The best wireless headphones for TV: Reviews & Recommendations

It’s unlikely you’ll be disappointed with any of the wireless headphones we’ve selected. Even the budget set is quite nice. And it’s certainly a huge upgrade if you’re only listening to the built-in sound of your TV’s speakers (no matter how amazing that new OLED display is, we promise the sound is lacking). The most important thing to note is the exclusive features of each headset, as the general sound and use of all these units are strong. Regardless of which wireless headphones for TV you choose, your ears will thank you for your service to their joy.

Best overall: Yamaha YH-L700A

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Why it made the cut: With features on features, the Yamaha YH-L700A pairs excellent quality sound with modes of listening that make it excellent for TV, gaming, music, and work.

Specs

• Format: Over-ear headphones
• Noise cancellation: Active noise canceling
• Connection: Bluetooth
• Battery life: 34 hours

Pros

• Clear, crisp sound
• Versatile 3D Sound Field mode sweetens stereo sound signals significantly
• Bluetooth and wired options allow use in the maximum number of set-ups
• Excellent noise-canceling

Cons

• Cinema audio settings aren’t as true-tuned as units rated for Dolby Atmos
• Cups can get quite warm around the ears
• Head-tracking feature doesn’t improve sound experience much

Yamaha is an old-school name in audio, but the company’s top-tier headphone is packed with the newest technology. What caused this set to edge out our others is its jack-of-all-trades mentality. That pairs with great sound and low latency from its high-quality Bluetooth 5.0 connection (featuring the advanced resolution aptX Adaptive codec for compatible Android devices, plus AAC for iPhones). Additionally, The YH-L700A’s seven selectable Sound Fields can transform any input into an approximation of 3D sound, improving any broadcast or stream even if higher-quality audio options aren’t available. 

The noise-canceling on this pair is quite adept, featuring a range of dynamic filtering modes that are easy to implement. In addition to active noise cancellation, which analyzes and counteracts environmental sound, Listening Optimizer adjusts equalization on the fly based on the noises around you, boosting levels when the environment would normally pierce through. This is great for rambunctious kids or city noises if you’re an urban dweller. Listening Care ensures that important sonic cues aren’t lost at lower volume levels by re-juggling the equalization to pop what needs to pop. It also differentiates between primary sound and background noise. The Yamaha YH-L700A ends up offering one of the most impressive low-volume listening experiences available.

The headset itself is comfortable, though the ear cups can make quite a warm seal. Its battery life is robust, reaching 34 hours at less taxing use. The Bluetooth connection does reduce what these earphones can achieve. But the use of aptX Adaptive, a next-gen codec for wireless audio, ensures the best quality sound with the lowest latency possible over the Bluetooth protocol. And Bluetooth does open up a ton of possible uses other than with your TV. You’ll also be able to use these while walking or exercising, in public transit, or at computer workstations.

Don’t forget that for the highest-quality sound settings, like those with Blu-ray or the best streams, you’ll need to use the wired connection option on these bad boys. Bluetooth simply doesn’t have the bandwidth necessary to give you those richest soundscapes. The nice thing about this set, though, is that even in lower-quality settings, like pure stereo, the 3D modes really add some space and area to the sound in your head, giving a “2.5D” experience. Taking below-average sound and making it sing—that’s the makings of a best-in-class. If you want to know even more about our favorite set, check out the in-depth review.

Best with transmitter: Sennheiser RS 195 RF

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Why it made the cut: Sennheiser is a name synonymous with quality headphones, and these are no exception, thanks to their clarity, comfort, and consistent signal via a dedicated transmitter.

Specs

• Format: Over-ear headphones
• Noise cancellation: None
• Connection: Transmitter
• Battery life: 18 hours

Pros

• Incredible clear sound
• Customizable
• Able to sweeten dialog or music
• Nearly no audio lag thanks to RF technology
• Long battery life with charging dock

Cons

• No Bluetooth compatibility / device-bound
• Somewhat bulky construction
• Not cheap

Sennheiser can be trusted. Some may quibble over what the very best headphones on the market are. But Sennheiser’s name is always in the conversation. And it will come as little surprise that a company that makes what we consider the best all-in-one soundbar on the market understands how to pair audio with video. So when it comes to headphones built to work with television, the venerable German brand also sets a gold standard. 

You won’t get Dolby Atmos, unlike in the company’s soundbars, but the sound quality is really strong, focusing on clarity rather than volume. Sennheiser often markets these particular headphones to customers with hearing issues because of their ability to isolate certain elements of sound. That includes clearer dialog, which helps listeners who otherwise would need to jack the volume up to hear the characters speaking. The benefit for users who don’t have hearing issues is that you can fully customize the sound levels of not just volume, bass, and treble, but the sweetening of certain elements and save those settings as a selectable preset.

However, while these are wireless headphones for TV, they’re not portable. The transmitter/dock that connects to the audio source isn’t meant to be taken on the go. And there’s no Bluetooth compatibility. The wireless is instead RF (a radio signal) created by the transmitter/dock.  While that limits the devices that it can be used with, it means there’s almost no latency (lag) between the source signal and the sound in your head. Every spoken word and dramatic sound will sync up with the screen. Additionally, there is up to 330 feet of range, even though this set is designed to live with your audio source. Those who want precise, impressive sound inside comfortable, noise-dampening headphones can rest assured that Sennheiser stands above the rest.

An important thing to note about the Sennheiser RS195 RF is that it’s not always easy to get. While there is new-in-box product out there, including on Amazon, the high quality and desirability of these now-discontinued headphones mean that there are times when their secondary-market price can be higher than their original MSRP. Despite this, they are still recommended due to their incredible performance. Just keep that price in mind. If you want a cheaper alternative, the step-down model, the Sennheiser RS 175 RF, is also sometimes available on Amazon, again with a potentially inflated cost.

Best gaming: Astro A50 Wireless Gen 4

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Why it made the cut: Game soundscapes have come a long way from 8-bit beeps and boops, and so have headsets like this specifically calibrated one that gives you 3D sound and maybe even a competitive advantage.

Specs

• Format: Over-ear headphones
• Noise cancellation: None
• Connection: Transmitter
• Battery life: 15 hours

Pros

• Nearly no lag on wireless sound
• Supports lower-end surround sound modes (5.1)
• Included mic is strong quality, for communication while gaming
• Dolby Atmos support with Xbox version

Cons

• No universal version
• Battery life could be longer
• Command Center software has some issues on Windows 11 (though this will probably get fixed)

Gamers know the power of great headsets. Competitive games test your eyes, your hand reflexes, and even your ears. The higher the quality of your sound, the more easily you can pinpoint the location of the enemy from his gunfire sounds. Then you can dominate him easily, and isn’t that what it’s all about? And you don’t have to spend hundreds (though you easily can if you snag Master & Dynamic MG20 or Audeze Penrose X).

The Astro A50 comes in two models. Both offer compatibility with PC and Mac, but you need separate versions for the next-gen. Xbox and PlayStation families. The Xbox version offers an advantage over the PlayStation with Dolby Atmos 3D sound support. That feature requires you to sign up for a subscription, but there’s a voucher included that gives you a free trial. Both Astro A50 headsets give you great clarity and placement and communicate quickly with the base station. That results in nearly no lag, a key for gaming.

The mic is a flip-down boom-type that auto-mutes when flipped up. You don’t have to stare at it if you’re using these headphones to listen to some streaming media through your console instead of playing a game. In a competitive gaming headset space, there are better wired options out there. But you won’t find better wireless options than the Astro A50.

Best cinephile: JVC Exofield Personal Home Theater System

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Why it made the cut: Truly focused, the JVC Exofield Personal Home Theater System is not just a set of headphones but also a sonic processor, meaning you get the truest cinema-spec sound beamed straight to your head.

Specs

• Format: Over-ear headphones with set-top processor
• Noise cancellation: None
• Connectivity: Transmitter
• Battery life: 12 hours

Pros

• Theater sound in headphones
• DTS:X and Dolby Atmos compatible
• Amazing range and dynamic sound
• Offers sound that is simply not attainable on other headphones
• App, once it works, offers amazing customization and calibration

Cons

• Most expensive item on our list
• Difficult to set up and optimize
• Difficult to connect components in a way that maximizes all of them

The JVC Exofield Personal Home Theater System is designed to do only one thing, and it does that thing very well: producing a theater-style multichannel soundfield within headphones. The vast majority of the wireless headphones for TV on our list cannot process true object-based sound. Instead, they offer extremely high-quality stereo sound that, while lovely to listen to, is not going to have the depth or location that the Exofield offers. Using a 2.4GHz/5GHz dual-band Wi-Fi connection to transfer full-fidelity cinema sound between the set-top unit and headphones, the Exofield system brings realism and surrealism in the way it delivers a spacious, immersive experience through its 40mm drivers. The main drawback of this incredible piece of technology, other than it requiring space on or in your credenza, is that it is finicky to set up and to communicate with other devices. 

Set up is a bit arduous, involving taking measurements. And it can potentially error out, forcing you to restart the process. The choice of marrying many of the options to an app could backfire in the future if an update breaks the software or the app gets delisted, and you need to download it to a new device. Setting up the transmitter correctly—patching through the right inputs/outputs (don’t forget those HDMI cables) to ensure all your components work correctly on your screen—can be a difficult task. Though, usually, a unit like this assumes the end-user doesn’t need much handholding when it comes to A/V. It’s just important to consider how plug-and-play things truly are when buying a nearly $1,000 audio system.

The sound is amazing and near-flawless when optimized, offering a surreal experience of over a half-dozen points of sound inside headphones. But getting there may be a battle. It is a battle that’s absolutely worth it if you’re a cinephile. The bass kicks, the dialog sparkles, and you’ll hear elements within your movie soundscapes that were literally inaudible on TV speakers.

Best earbuds: Sennheiser TV Clear Set 2

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Why it made the cut: Lose the headband but keep the same high-quality Sennheiser sound with these TV-ready earbuds.

Specs

• Format: In-ear headphones
• Noise cancellation: Passive noise cancellation
• Connectivity: Bluetooth or TV transmitter connection
• Battery life: 15 hours

Pros

• Qi wireless charging compatible
• Great for people with glasses
• Speech clarity mode choices are unmatched
• Provides access to an app with customization options

Cons

• Expensive

Those with glasses—or those who hate the feeling of wearing headphones—can find over-ear headphones difficult to comfortably wear. The TV Clear set from Sennheiser solves that problem by packing high-quality sound into lightweight earbuds. And they are so lightweight that they are practically unnoticeable while you sport them. You can choose from five different speech clarity settings for clearer dialogue. It’s like turning up the brightness on a Game of Thrones episode but with sound.

True wireless earbuds, TV Clear 2 can connect with tablets, laptops, or smartphones and can be used to make and receive calls. But what sets these ‘buds apart is you can use the included pre-paired transmitter with your TV to set your own preferred earbud volume while family and/or guests watch at the sound level of their choice.

You can use an app to personalize your TV-watching experience with five listening profiles with speech clarity levels of up to 20 dB of high-frequency amplification. In addition, the app can help you find the earbuds if they fall into a couch, etc. And the transmitter’s low latency keeps audio and video in sync. The Ambient Awareness mode allows you to hear your surroundings while you watch, if you want, so you can hear if the popcorn’s done or your kid is trying to sneak back into the house.

And you can pair as many Bluetooth headphones to the connector as you like. The 15-hour battery life (with an additional 22 added by the case) means you can get through a quarter of a Love Island season without taking a pause. No headband, no problem.

Best budget: Anker Life Soundcore Q30

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Why it made the cut: While its sound can’t compare with its competitors, the Anker Soundcore Q30’s price blows them all away, making these headphones a great backup set or quick replacement.

Specs

• Format: Over-ear headphones
• Noise cancellation: Active noise cancellation
• Connectivity: Bluetooth
• Battery life: 40 hours battery life

Pros

• Low price
• Excellent battery life
• Features some noise-canceling via pre-sets
• Anker is known for good customer support

Cons

• Sound is budget-level
• Needs app for best calibration
• Ear cups are very small

Sometimes, the dollar is almighty. If you’re looking to get serviceable wireless headphones for TV under $100, the answer is the same as it often is in the budget tech space: Anker. Anker is known for low-price products that don’t feel low-price, coupled with helpful and hassle-free customer support. The Anker Life Soundcore Q30—a slightly older model than the current Q35 that saves you $50—is exactly what you expect from the company. It’s a solid, if unspectacular, headset that includes a few surprising features. But mostly, most importantly, it understands the assignment. 

The surprising feature here is a form of noise-canceling. While it isn’t groundbreaking, there are three presets that can determine how ambient sound is filtered. Fiddling through these can definitely improve your listening experience, making these the best cheap noise-canceling headphones we can recommend. Additional customization and equalization (EQ) are available by pairing the headphones with a phone or tablet and using an app. For TV, these headphones aren’t going to blow you away. They don’t support multichannel audio, so you’ll only be able to listen in stereo. But if $100 is your budgetary ceiling, the Anker Life Soundcore Q30 is a serviceable, portable option to listen to your TV’s audio solely between your own ears.

What to consider before buying the best wireless headphones for TV

If it were 10-20 years ago, it would have been silly to suggest headphones could give you an immersive sound experience with your TV. But now, technology has blessed us with a world of personal listening devices that are tech’d, tuned, and tested to bring the best out of Blu-ray, streaming devices, a gaming console, etc. Plus, isn’t versatility important? Nobody wants to be tethered to a device without the ability to walk to the kitchen to pop another bag of corn in the microwave while simultaneously staying in your program’s audioverse.

Why do you want wireless headphones for TV?

Before even considering wireless headphones for TV, you’ll want to think about your reasons for choosing them over other sound options. If you live alone in a home that shares no walls with other people, the pull of wireless headphones is more for their versatility outside of using them with your TV. In that case, you’ll likely want to get a pair that uses Bluetooth for its connection. It will allow you to pair the headphones with a phone or computer as well as with your TV. If this aspect of the headphones doesn’t appeal to you, you can achieve better sound with a multi-speaker system with wireless surround sound. Or you can get comparable audio with a high-quality soundbar, like one with Dolby Atmos capabilities.

However, if privacy for yourself or consideration for a coinhabitant or neighbor are chief considerations for your sound set-up, headphones are the best choice. Even headphones that are not considered “noise-canceling” will isolate your ears and allow you to experience blow-me-away booms without bothering anyone but those in close proximity. As for what is lost in the transition from multi-speaker/soundbar to headphones, the good news is that it isn’t much. The richness of the sound may falter a bit compared to a more powerful system. But multi-channel, deep soundscapes can be replicated within headphones quite adeptly, using multiple small speakers within the headphone earcup.

How do you use your TV?

The last thing to consider is what your most common TV uses are. If you’re into 4K content, cinema-quality sound spec compatibility is really key for a good pair of headphones. DTS (formerly Digital Theater Systems) has DTS:X—a sound setting that allows greater “location” within the soundscape. For example, let’s say a character in a movie on one side of the screen shoots a bullet toward a character on the other. DTS:X-compatible headphones receiving a DTS:X signal will do a much better job of placing the sound of the gun going off, moving the bullet sound across the headphones, and producing the impact in the correct place on the other side. 

Dolby Atmos, a competing sound spec, does essentially the same thing. It treats sounds as “objects” assigned a spot within a 360-degree sphere around the listener. Headphones that create these sorts of soundscapes will seem much more immersive than simple 5- or 7-channel speaker systems. Meanwhile, if you’re a gamer, very specific placement of sounds is useful for competitive 3D games. It gives you a better clue of where to move your avatar to mow down your enemies. Additionally, a quality microphone for communicating with online teammates, as well as good blending and delineation between game audio and voice channels, helps the gaming experience.

Can wireless headphones for TV replace a multi-speaker sound system?

Replace is a tough word to use. The truth is, if your living situation allows a high-end multi-speaker home theater system and you can afford one, that is what is going to produce the very best, most impressive sound experience. However, not everyone has the ideal circumstances that allow this. While they won’t stand up to the top of the line, a quality pair of headphones designed for TV viewing will be better than a mediocre multi-speaker system.

More importantly, you can use and enjoy a pair of headphones in literally any case. They’ll work in a small apartment, a busy family home, or by yourself in your gigantic mansion. The sound quality will be high and enveloping. Some people, especially those with hearing issues, may find headphones easier to calibrate for comfortable bass, treble, and volume levels without losing ambient or background sound. Headphones are not a replacement; they’re an alternate experience and one that may be better for your particular needs.

What else can I do with my wireless headphones?

Some of these wireless headphones use their wireless signals through a unit plugged into your wired inputs on your TV. Headphones that use their system rather than the more universal Bluetooth tend to have much lower latency. Latency is the delay between a signal being sent and received. When listening to music, latency can be annoying. It can make moving through tracks seem sluggish, for example. But it doesn’t really ruin the listening experience the way audio that doesn’t sync with a TV can. However, these plug-in receivers are not going to be as portable or adaptable to different listening situations as a Bluetooth unit will be.

With a Bluetooth headset, you can pair it with your phone or laptop and take it with you on the go. For the plug-in receiver sets, you’ll likely end up using the headphones almost exclusively with your TV. However, a good pair of headphones is going to be useful for movies, streaming, and gaming. While some features relevant to the specific use may not be available in all units, everything we reviewed performs “above average” in all of these categories, which will be the three most common signals coming out of your TV.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best wireless headphones for TV

• Best overall: Yamaha YH-L700A
• Best with transmitter: Sennheiser RS 195 RF
• Best gaming: Astro A50 Wireless Gen 4
• Best cinephile: JVC Exofield Personal Home Theater System
• Best earbuds: Sennheiser TV Clear Set 2
• Best budget: Anker Life Soundcore Q30

There are a lot of choices to make once you’ve made the choice to get a set of the best wireless headphones for TV. Remember to adjust your headphones out of the box, both by changing the headphones’ settings and your TV or receiver’s settings to find the sweet spot for your ears. Everyone can be different, and the “default” settings—whether it be the picture on a screen or the sound emanating from it—are not always the ideal. Happy listening.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best wireless headphones for TV in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Samsung Q60B		SEE IT	If you want a true 60-inch TV, then this is the best of the (relatively small) bunch.
Best Budget		TCL 5-series		SEE IT	TCL continues its trend of high-performing TVs for surprisingly small prices.
Best curved		Samsung Q7C		SEE IT	Curved TVs have slowed down, but you can still get a bent screen if you want it.

A true 60-inch TV has become increasingly difficult to track down. However, if you have measured your space and know this is the size of TV you want and need, we’ve scoured the market to bring you a comprehensive guide to the sets that likely fit your space. This list includes 55-inch, 60-inch, and 65-inch TVs, so check the full measurements to ensure your new purchase will fit. Whether you’re a dedicated cinephile, a sports enthusiast, or simply seeking to elevate your everyday viewing, our curated list will help you make an informed decision when investing in your next entertainment centerpiece. Take your pick from some of the best 60-inch TVs for an unparalleled home viewing experience.

• Best overall: Samsung Q60B
• Best budget: TCL 5 Series/S555 2023 QLED 
• Best for gaming: LG OLED C3
• Best curved: Samsung Q7CN 4 K
• Best premium: Sony XR-55A80L

How we chose the best 60-inch TVs 

The writers and editors at Popular Science have decades of combined experience covering and reviewing the latest home theater gear. This list is based on a variety of information sources, including first-hand experience, spec comparisons, editorial reviews, and user feedback. We also took into consideration variables like brand reputation. While there are very few 60-inch TVs on the market, we also recommend some 55-inch and 65-inch options that might still fit the pace you have in mind. Be sure to take some actual measurements, so you know what you’re looking for.

The best 60-inch TVs: Reviews & Recommendations

While we can always recommend stand-out models, your needs may be very specific. Be sure to check out all of the options before you get your heart set on one big, glowing rectangle. That way, you’ll know you’re getting what you want or need.

Best overall: Samsung Q60B

SEE IT

Specs

• Screen size: 60-inch
• Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
• Smart services: Google Assistant, Bixby, Alexa

Pros

• Great picture quality 
• Good contrast
• Good remote control

Cons

• A little expensive

Our overall top pick for the best 60-inch TV is the Samsung Q60B. It offers exceptional picture quality and QLED technology at a fair price, although you can find cheaper alternatives without the assurance of the quality Samsung brand name. The picture quality impresses in bright rooms for sports and regular TV, as well as movie night when the lights are dimmed. The ultrathin design and profile look sleek in your living room, and it comes with an impressive rechargeable remote control and a game status display to please most players. 

Your voice command options are diverse, with the power to select between Alexa, Google Assistant, and Samsung’s Bixby by simply speaking into the remote. This TV seamlessly integrates with Apple AirPlay and Game Hub, with access to cloud-based services like Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.

Perhaps most importantly, this is a truly 60-inch TV. It’s one of just a few you’ll find out on the market.

Best budget: TCL 5 Series 2023 QLED

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Specs

• Screen size: 55-inch
• Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 
• Smart services: Roku TV

Pros

• Deep blacks in dim rooms
• Good choice of streaming apps
• Great for gaming

Cons

• Side angle viewing is poor

Although the TCL 5 Series is a 55-inch TV, it’s a great budget option if you’re looking for a screen no larger than 60 inches, which still feels big enough for a crowd to enjoy the latest movie or game night. Gamers will be impressed with the super-quick response rate and visuals. It retails around $699, but you can often find it even cheaper when on sale, so it’s a great investment as an additional TV aside from your main home entertainment setup. Despite its cheap price, it still offers a few more bells and whistles than super cheap models that make our list of the best TVs under $300.

You can either wall mount it or choose from the two different supplied feet to best work with your TV stand. Keep in mind that the thickness of the TV isn’t uniform, with a wider bottom housing the main inputs. This means you won’t get a totally sleek look if you mount it on the wall.

Best for gaming: LG OLED C3

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Specs

• Screen size: 55-inch/65-inch
• Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160 4K UltraHD
• Smart services: webOS 23, LG ThinQ

Pros

• Near-perfect contrast
• No input lag
• Crisp display

Cons

• Unstable TV stand 

Snagging one of the best 4K TVs is no longer a luxury, with many excellent options available for a price that won’t make your bank account groan. The LG OLED C3 comes in either 55-inch or 65-inch sizes, so measure your space carefully before making your choice. Expect almost perfect contrast ideally suited to gameplay thanks to the individually adjusting pixels in the OLED display that needs no backlight. 

No need to worry about input lag with this model featuring crisp images that will suit movie lovers and gamers alike. The one-piece stand isn’t as stable as we would like and tends to wobble a little, although this won’t be an issue if you wall-mount the TV. This great-looking TV offers a super display with zero glare, making it comfortable to watch and play games in different light conditions.

Best curved: Samsung Q7CN 4K

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Specs

• Screen size: 55-inch/65-inch
• Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
• Smart services: Bixby Voice, Apps, and Full Web Browser

Pros

• Sleek design
• Almost no glare or reflections
• One cable management system

Cons

• Viewing from the side effects image quality

Offering superior build quality with a gentle curving screen that is also reflected in the curve of the stand, this TV looks fantastic and provides an excellent viewing experience. It has a tidy design with just one cable, which you can route through the stand for a streamlined look. The thin profile looks great wall-mounted or on its stand. It offers bright display, which works well in both dimly lit and bright rooms, and an anti-reflection coating that manages to prevent reflections in most situations. 

The Samsung Q7CN 4K offers a wide color gamut for superior HDR performance; whether you use your TV to play 4K games or watch 4K HDR movies and content, the curved screen delivers immersive viewing. You can easily access apps and content through the intuitive Smart Hub menu system, including Facebook, and movies and TV shows to stream. As with many curved screens, image quality is lost from side-angle viewing, so keep that in mind when you design your seating arrangement.

Best premium: Sony XR-55A80L

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Specs

• Screen size: 55-inch
• Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160
• Smart services: Google TV

Pros

• Great viewing angles
• Dynamic picture quality
• Good sound quality

Cons

• Not as bright as competitors

The ultrathin bezel on the Sony XR-55A80L allows for the maximum screen real estate, which delivers a fantastic viewing experience with OLED technology offering superior viewing angles. The motion processing offers a nuanced picture performance, which justifies the rather high price tag, even though some competitors do have brighter screen displays. The sound is impressive for a TV, with both softer ambient noises and large-scale explosions delivered with clarity and impact (and you can always add a complementary Sony soundbar for a truly immersive experience). The smart Google TV interface brings together more than 700,000+ movies and TV episodes from all the major streaming networks, including Netflix, Prime, Disney +, and more. Best yet, you can control it with your voice simply by saying, “OK, Google.”

It’s not the cheapest model around, but it does offer fantastic performance in exchange for that cash.

What to consider when choosing a 60-inch TV

It can be tricky to find 60-inch TVs as manufacturers focus more on producing larger cinematic styles or on 55- and 65-inch models, which are currently very popular. Carefully measure your space to see whether a more readily available 55 or 65-inch TV would work before you go shopping. When choosing your new TV, keep these points in mind:

Resolution

Opt for a TV with a high-resolution display. Most 60-inch TVs offer 4K Ultra HD resolution (3840 x 2160 pixels) for sharp and detailed images. You’d be hard-pressed to even find a 1080p set this big here in the 2020s.

HDR (High Dynamic Range)

Look for HDR support, such as HDR10 or Dolby Vision, which enhances color and contrast for a more lifelike picture. Most of the major manufacturers support the primary HDR protocols, so compatibility shouldn’t be too much of an issue if you buy a current model.

Smart features

Enhance your viewing experience with a user-friendly and up-to-date smart platform for streaming services and app support. Some manufacturers use a third-party OS like Sony’s relationship with the Google TV platform. Samsung and LG use proprietary operating systems called Tizen and WebOS, respectively. If you hate the built-in smart features on your TV, you can always get a streaming device to bypass it completely.

Connectivity

Select TVs with multiple HDMI and USB ports, as well as WiFi and Bluetooth capabilities so that you can connect various devices and accessories.

By carefully considering these factors, you can select the perfect 60-inch TV that aligns with your entertainment preferences and enhances your overall viewing experience. You’ll want to look for HDMI 2.1 ports, as those are the current-gen and offer the best compatibility. That may not matter all that much if you’re just doing basic streaming, but if you want to play high-end video games or watch high-res movies, you’ll need the extra bandwidth.

FAQs

Final thoughts regarding the best 60-inch TVs

• Best overall: Samsung Q60B
• Best budget: TCL 5 Series/S555 2023 QLED 
• Best for gaming: LG OLED C3
• Best curved: Samsung Q7CN 4 K
• Best premium: Sony XR-55A80L

The best 60-inch TVs feature stunning displays, clear picture quality, crisp sound, and good looks. We chose the Samsung Q60B as our overall winner as it offers smart TV features and excellent picture quality with QLED technology at a reasonable price.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now. 

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best 60-inch TVs in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

There are plenty of songs about the month of September that you can stream through your speakers: Green Day’s “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” “September Gurls” by Big Star, and the GOAT “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire, to name a few. And all of them sound even better with a subwoofer from British hi-fi purveyor KEF to take over the bass and leave more headroom in your main drivers for all those classic melodies. Some additional low down on this great low-end: Act now, and you can take advantage of KEF’s SUBtember event—running until the end of the month, where you can snag the award-winning audio company’s Kube, KC62, or KF92 and get a free KW1 Wireless Kit—a $200 value—opening up not only your frequency reinforcement but where you can put your subwoofer without stringing cable(s) around the room. That leaves more space for the boom and to boogie.

If you’re looking for slappin’ bass in music, movies, and video game soundtracks, look no further than the Kube 10b, which features a custom-designed 10-inch woofer and 300-watt RMS amplifier to hit 24 Hz depths.

SEE IT

The Kube 10b also includes an easy-to-use input and control panel on the back. Three placement settings—free-standing, in-cabinet, or corner—allow for peak-performing sound wherever they’re placed, and Intelligent Bass Extension (iBX) digital signaling gives you dynamic bass at any volume level. Recently experienced in a custom home theater by one of our editors, several Kube subwoofers working in tandem propagated wave after wave of bass, impressing him with the way each surge managed to be percussive, not just concussive.

If you’re looking to achieve rock concert-level sounds in your living room, check out the KEF KF92, which uses dual force-cancelling 9-inch woofers to achieve response down to 11 Hz and up to 110 dB. While that sounds like some intimidating rumble, this sub is designed for accurate, musical bass: each woofer is made up of an aluminum skin atop a paper cone for precise, dynamic tones.

SEE IT

And if you’re looking for sonic depth without a deep footprint, choose the KEF KC62. You heard it here first: this is our top pick for a compact subwoofer. The dual 6-inch woofers in this easily integrated sealed compartment are a perfect complement to one of our top powered speakers, the LS50 Wireless II. Pair them (like in the almost realistically scaled photo above) and you have a customizable connected set-up that uses DSP to optimize enviable audio from any imaginable source in even the tightest spaces. Is overkill your big thrill? Add the KC62 to the LS60 wireless tower speakers and go full-on Maxell Man.

Speaking of September ending, the KEF SUBtember sale ends when spooky season begins, meaning you have five days to get your sound system ready for Halloween hits like Rockwell’s “Somebody’s Watching Me” or the 1977 “Suspiria” movie soundtrack by Goblin. The right sub will leave you shivering because everything sounds so frightfully good.

The post Wake up before the KEF SUBtember sale ends and get a free KW-1 Wireless Kit appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best Overall		Samsung 55-inch Class QLED The Terrace Outdoor TV		SEE IT	This television is IP55 rated and features 4K QLED for excellent picture quality.
Best budget		SunBriteTV 43-inch Outdoor Television for Shade		SEE IT	Its picture quality is high despite its low price.
Best for partial sun		Furrion Aurora Partial Sun Series Outdoor TV		SEE IT	A self-adjusting screen means more time watching TV and less time fiddling with settings.

An outdoor TV can change the entire vibe of your al fresco living space. Want to play whiffle ball while you watch Field of Dreams? No problem. Most standard TVs can’t withstand the elements, and not all outdoor TVs offer the same level of protection and versatility. Some work on covered patios and decks, while others can handle full exposure to rain and snow. Sunlight makes a difference, and most TVs will fall under one of three categories: shade, partial sun, and those that will offer great picture quality no matter what the conditions are. Other factors to consider when shopping for an outdoor TV are size, sound quality, and price. With so many options out there, choosing the right one can be a little confusing, but we’re here to help you find the best outdoor TV for all your viewing needs.

• Best overall: Samsung 55-inch Class QLED The Terrace Outdoor TV
• Best with a soundbar: Furrion FDUP55CSA 55″ Aurora Partial Sun Outdoor TV Bundle with 2.1-Channel Soundbar
• Best for shaded areas: SunBriteTV Weatherproof Outdoor 55-inch Veranda
• Best for partial sun: Furrion Aurora Partial Sun Series UHD LED Outdoor TV
• Best budget: SunBriteTV 43-inch Outdoor Television for Shade

How we chose the best outdoor TVs

As pool lovers, grill geeks, and float fanatics, we’re excited about everything outdoorsy. We looked at critical reviews and consumer impressions, along with important features like weatherproofing and anti-glare technology, to narrow down the best outdoor TVs. We then took that list, culled through pages of specs and opinions from the most trusted sources, and selected the top six options we’re presenting to you.

The best outdoor TVs: Reviews & Recommendations

From enjoying America’s pastime in prime time to movie nights under the stars, the best outdoor TVs can handle it all. After plenty of research, here are our outdoor television picks. All you’ll need is some popcorn and a cooler full of drinks and you’ll be entertaining in no time.

Best overall: Samsung 55-inch Class QLED The Terrace Outdoor TV

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Why it made the cut: An IP55 rating and 4K QLED ensure durability and excellent screen quality.

Specs

• Sizes: 55″, 65″ 75″
• Resolution: 4K, 8K
• Anti-glare: Yes

Pros

• Excellent screen quality
• Intuitive

Cons

• Decrease in quality at outer angles

With a 55-inch screen utilizing QLED technology, this Samsung TV is our pick for best outdoor TV overall. Equipped with smart TV technology, this TV lets you easily stream your favorite sports and movies without having to buy a separate device. Although its anti-glare technology and exceptional brightness levels mean that it works well on sunny days, you may notice a decrease in quality at the outer angles if you have very wide seating. Overall though, it’s no surprise that Oprah named The Terrace one of her favorite things in 2020.

Best with soundbar: Furrion FDUP55CSA 55″ Aurora Partial Sun Outdoor TV Bundle with 2.1-Channel Soundbar

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Why it made the cut: This outdoor television combines excellent sound quality with clear audio.

Specs

• Sizes: 55″
• Resolution: 4K
• Anti-glare: Yes

Pros

• Included soundbar
• Works in a wide temperature range
• Daytime and nighttime viewing settings

Cons

• Pricey

While picture is important for consuming quality content, audio also plays a similarly huge role. This 55-inch outdoor TV offers all the features you’d expect out of a high-end model, including 4K, HDR, and a display that’s rated against weather, temperatures, and even impacts. It also, however, comes with a relatively powerful 75W Bluetooth soundbar that mounts directly with the TV itself. It’s easy to connect and adds serious audio oomph that will really make a difference when you’re trying to watch the latest James Bond movie and birds won’t stop screaming in your yard. Even if you’re not going to use the TV, you can hook up your phone to the soundbar and use it as an outdoor speaker for playing music.

Best for shaded areas: SunBriteTV Weatherproof Outdoor 55-inch Veranda

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Why it made the cut: A backlit 4K HDR screen and an aluminum case make it a welcome addition to your covered patio.

Specs

• Sizes: 43″, 55″, 65″, 75″
• Resolution: 4K
• Anti-glare: No

Pros

• Durable
• Multiple sizes
• Built-in speakers

Cons

• Is not a smart TV

This model from SunBriteTV is durable enough to live in a shaded area like a covered porch but won’t get damaged by wind, rain, dust, and stray insects. The 55-inch screen is up to 50-percent brighter than your typical indoor TV and comes with excellent built-in speakers. Unlike some of its more expensive rivals, this outdoor screen isn’t a smart TV, but it’s easy to connect multiple media sources to it through its three HDMI ports and single USB port.

Best for partial sun: Furrion Aurora Partial Sun Series 43-inch 4K UHD LED Outdoor TV

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Why it made the cut: A self-adjusting screen means less time fiddling with settings and more time enjoying the sun.

Specs

• Sizes: 43″, 50″, 55″, 65″
• Resolution: 4K
• Anti-glare: Yes

Pros

• Built-in fans
• Self-adjusting screen
• Waterproof remote
• Streaming ready

Cons

• Not the loudest speakers

This Furrion HDR10 LED outdoor TV is a terrific choice if you’re watching in an area that gets partial sun. In fact, the 400 nits screen will even adjust itself according to how much light it’s getting, so there’s no need to constantly fiddle with the brightness settings. It’s IP54 rated for when it does rain and has built-in cooling fans for when it’s hot. And if your weather gets a bit intense, you’ll be happy to know the screen comes equipped with enhanced protection against scratches and impacts thanks to XtremeShield IK08-rated tempered glass.

Best budget: SunBriteTV 43-inch Outdoor Television for Shade

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Why it made the cut: This television is hard on the elements but easy on your wallet.

Specs

• Sizes: 43″, 55″, 65″, 75″
• Resolution: 4K
• Anti-glare: Yes

Pros

• Weatherproof media bay included
• Powder-coated rust-proof aluminum exterior
• Easy cable hookups

Cons

• Sound doesn’t travel as far compared to others

The smallest and least expensive option in the SunBriteTV Veranda line, this unit is designed to be enjoyed in the shade but can withstand rain, snow, dust, insects, and whatever else Mother Nature decides to throw at it. The Ultra 4K HDR LED screen delivers a crisp picture that’s 50-percent brighter than a standard TV and is perfect for patios, screened-in porches, and covered decks. This SunBrite TV comes with a large weatherproof media bay so whatever you plug into it will be protected as well.

What to consider when buying the best outdoor TVs

Before you bust out the snacks at your next shindig, there are a couple of things you’ll need to think about when choosing the best outdoor TV for your space. For example, if you plan on watching your new set under your porch, you probably won’t need a model that offers the same level of waterproofing and anti-glare technology as a full sun option.

Placement

Sun exposure is a major consideration when choosing an outdoor TV. Partial sun models might have some glare, and some will only deliver a great picture if they’re in the shade.

However, the picture might not be the only thing that suffers if you aren’t choosy about your new TV. Models designed to be enjoyed under a covered porch may not be as resilient to extreme weather conditions as ones that are meant to live in a backyard. In some cases, it may be wise to invest in a cover, just as you would for your grill or ping pong table.

TV size

If you want to keep everyone from invading each other’s personal bubble, but don’t want your guests squinting to see the game, a huge outdoor TV will keep everyone entertained and safe at the same time. Plus, if you’re a movie buff, a large TV is terrific for simulating the fun of a drive-in without leaving your home. Just remember, the bigger the TV, the bigger the price tag.

Audio quality

When you’re shopping, make sure you pay attention to audio quality. Some models don’t come with built-in speakers, meaning you’ll have to connect them to something else unless you just plan on watching old, silent movies. Other models come with speakers but deliver less quality.

One way to make sure that you don’t end up straining your ears is to find an outdoor TV that comes equipped with a soundbar. A soundbar (also known as a media bar), is a speaker that is wider than it is tall and delivers superior audio quality when mounted above or below the TV. In a pinch, you could also pair waterproof Bluetooth party speakers with your TV, and then be ready when the party migrates to the pool.

Amount of shade and sun

If you plan on enjoying your TV on a screened-in porch or in a covered gazebo, there may not be a reason to shell out extra money on the latest anti-glare technology. The best outdoor TV is suited for where you’re watching it—there are great options that work in the shade while still offering protection from temperature shifts, rain, insects, and dust.

If you have a covered porch that receives some amount of light but isn’t directly exposed to the sun, consider a partial shade TV. These models will have brighter screens compared to shade-friendly TVs and will offer more protection against glare.

Price

Although outdoor TVs have come down in price considerably over the past couple of years, they’re still relatively expensive compared to standard models. The cheapest outdoor designs are not designed to truly live outside. In fact, some won’t work at all if they aren’t in the shade because the glare from the sun will make it impossible to see what’s on the screen.

If you’re just looking for a TV to watch on your covered deck or screened-in porch, look for options that are durable enough to be (partially) exposed to the elements. And expect to pay between $1,500 and $5,500, depending on brand, size, and features.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best outdoor TVs

• Best overall: Samsung 55-inch Class QLED The Terrace Outdoor TV
• Best with a soundbar: Furrion FDUP55CSA 55″ Aurora Partial Sun Outdoor TV Bundle with 2.1-Channel Soundbar
• Best for shaded areas: SunBriteTV Weatherproof Outdoor 55-inch Veranda
• Best for partial sun: Furrion Aurora Partial Sun Series UHD LED Outdoor TV
• Best budget: SunBriteTV 43-inch Outdoor Television for Shade

Enjoying your television in the great outdoors can be a wonderful change of pace, especially after a year of being cooped up inside. The most important thing to consider when shopping for the best outdoor TV is where you’re going to watch it because different models can handle different conditions. A TV built for shade is not recommended for sun exposure. Likewise, one that is meant to be watched in the sun will probably be wasted sitting under a covered porch.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

More TV roundups to help you find the perfect set

• Best 8K TVs
• Best TVs for gaming
• Best TVs for PS5
• Best OLED TVs
• Best QLED TVs
• Best Roku TVs
• Best TVs under $300
• Best TVs under $1,000
• Best 40-inch TVs
• Best 55-inch TVs
• Best 65-inch TVs
• Best 70-inch TVs
• Best 75-inch TVs

The post The best outdoor TVs of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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