Tag Archives: Handheld & Connected Devices

Engadget’s best of 2025

Posted on by

Engadget has been reviewing the latest devices for over two decades, adding well over 100 in-depth product tests to our tally every year. For 2025, we have compiled a list of the best gear we reviewed this year based on the highest review scores in each category. From Pixel to iPad, and Switch 2 to Sony WH-1000XM6, our reviews team has spent thousands of hours testing new products this year to discover the best of the best. Now it’s your turn to rediscover the best gadgets of 2025, including explanations from our editors as to why these products were rated so highly.

Best overall phone: Google Pixel 10 Pro

Best iPhone: iPhone 17 Pro

Best foldable: Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7

Best laptop: MacBook Air M4

Best Windows laptop: Dell 14 Premium

Best gaming laptop: Acer Predator Triton 14 AI

Best smartwatch: Apple Watch Series 11

Best tablet: Apple iPad Air (M3, 13-inch)

Best desktop: Apple Mac Studio M4 Max

Best gaming handheld: Nintendo Switch 2

Best headphones: Sony WH-1000XM6

Best earbuds: Apple AirPods Pro 3

Best CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D

Best GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5070 Ti

Best drone: DJI Neo 2

Best camera: Sony A1 II

Best smart glasses: Ray-Ban Meta (2nd gen)

Best home theater: Anker Nebula X1

Best kitchen appliance: Ninja Swirl by Creami

Best kitchen accessory: Thermoworks RFX

Best EV: 2026 Nissan Leaf

Best VPN: Proton VPN

Best wireless mouse: Logitch MX Master 4

Best charging accessory: Anker Laptop Power Bank

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/engadgets-best-of-2025-114500543.html?src=rss

The best iPad cases for 2024

Posted on by

When it comes to keeping your iPad safe and functional, a protective case can be a real lifesaver. Whether you're looking to shield your device from everyday bumps and scratches or need something a bit more rugged, there are options for every budget. Some cases go beyond protection and add extra functionality, like built-in keyboards that turn your iPad into a productivity powerhouse, ideal for work or note-taking on the go.

From slim, stylish folio cases to tough covers with soft microfiber linings, there’s a wide variety of choices to suit your style and needs. No matter what you're after, the perfect iPad case is out there waiting to keep your device safe and make it even more versatile.

It’s almost always a good idea to keep your iPad in a case so it’s protected against hazards and accidents. The best iPads are expensive — even the most affordable model will set you back nearly $300 — so you’ll want to safeguard your gear as much as possible.

All iPad covers are cases, but not all iPad cases are covers — yes, it’s a bit confusing, but allow us to explain. Most iPad covers are cases that surround the back of your tablet and have a flap that covers the screen, so it provides protection for the body as well as its display. Plenty of iPad cases also have screen covers, but you don’t have to get one with that feature. Instead, you could just get a case that hugs the back of the tablet and nothing else. Those accessories will be marginally thinner and lighter than their cover-toting counterparts, and give your iPad a more svelte profile.

How often you charge your iPad will depend on how often you use it. Most iPads will last at least a regular work day with frequent usage, which is one of the reasons why many have opted to use their iPads as laptop replacements. But with heavy usage, like constant video streaming or gaming, will come more rapid battery drain. A good rule of thumb is to charge your iPad when you go to sleep each night, that way you’ll have a topped-up device waiting for you in the morning.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-ipad-cases-to-protect-your-tablet-130033533.html?src=rss

Amazon’s new Echo Show 21 is already $40 off in this Black Friday deal

Posted on by

Amazon isn't exactly shy about slashing prices on its own products during major shopping events like Black Friday. Not even when it comes to devices that it announced and released just days ago. To wit, the company has taken 10 percent off the list price of the Echo Show 21. The smart display can now be yours for $360.

Amazon revealed the Echo Show 21 on November 20 and made it available to order immediately. No prizes for guessing that the device has a 21-inch screen. Of course, as with the Echo Show 15, this can be mounted on a wall. A countertop stand is available to buy separately.

The Echo Show 21 has a 1080p display and an upgraded camera. Amazon claims this offers more than double the field of view of the original Echo Show 15 as well as 65 percent more zoom. As the presence of a camera suggests, Amazon is hoping you'll use this for video calls too. The company claims to have reduced unwanted ambient noise with this model. The Echo Show 21 is said to offer double the bass and immersive sound as well.

You can use the Echo Show 21 as a Fire TV and it comes with an Alexa Voice Remote. The unit has Wi-Fi 6E connectivity and you can use it as a smart home hub.

Amazon has also updated the Echo Show 15 with all these features and the smaller unit is on sale as well. It's down to $270, which marks a discount of 10 percent.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazons-new-echo-show-21-is-already-40-off-in-this-black-friday-deal-191730669.html?src=rss

Black Friday Apple deals for 2024: The best sales we could find on AirPods, MacBooks, AirTags and iPads

Posted on by

Apple devices have a few things in common: they’re well-designed, solidly built and easily connect with one another. But chances are, if it bears the Apple logo, it’s not cheap. That’s why promos like Black Friday are always worth checking out if you’re in the market for a new Apple device.

We’ve reviewed nearly every major release from the company over the last 20 years, including the newest products for 2024, like the AirPods 4, the M4 iPad Pro, the M4 Mac Mini and more. Some of those devices are seeing their first discounts for Black Friday and others are dipping back to the lows they saw earlier in the year. Here are the best Black Friday deals on Apple devices we could find from retailers across the web.

Apple has four models of AirPods right now: The AirPods Pro 2, the over-ear AirPods Max and two AirPods 4, one with active noise cancellation and one without. Apple has been doing a lot of interesting things with their headphones lately, making this a good time to dive in. Though the discounts for Black Friday look to be minor, it's better than paying full price.

The tenth generation ipad sits on a pile of books. it looks pretty in the dapled afternoon sun.
Photo by Nathan Ingraham / Engadget

The line between Apple’s tablets and laptops is a little blurry at this point, especially with the release of the iPad Pro this year, which (at the time) housed the company’s most powerful chip. The iPad Air is our current pick for the best iPad you can buy and we were delighted by the iPad mini that came out just last month. The only problem is iPads are among the more expensive tablets you can buy. Hopefully these Black Friday iPad deals help out.

A person wears the Apple Watch Series 10 on their wrist. It shows a blue screen with the time and other widgets.
Photo by Cherlynn Low / Engadget

If you take steps or do a workout and you’re not wearing a smartwatch, does it really count? Of course, the Apple Watch is more than a fitness tracker, it’s also a shortcut to your iPhone notifications, a handy Siri portal and an always-on weather forecast. Plus it tells time. While they’re not cheap, these Black Friday Apple Watch discounts should help.

the 2024 macbook air m3 sits on a wooden table outside bear a fence and some trees.
Photo by Devindra Hardawar / Engadget

Apple held a quiet Mac Week at the tail end of October in which it announced the new desktop M4 Mac mini, the all-in-one M4 iMac and the M4 MacBook Pro laptop. The MacBook Air from back in March is still the model we recommend for most people

An AirTag in a bag.
Apple

  • Apple AirTags (four-pack) for $73 ($27 off): These are the Bluetooth trackers we recommend if you have an iPhone. They allow you to keep track of your keys, wallet and other belongings using the Find My app and nearly every other nearby iPhone. Note that you’ll need an AirTag holder or case to use them with your keys and a new generation is rumored for next year. The record low for the four pack was $70 which we saw earlier this month, this deal is a few dollars more. Also at Walmart.

  • Apple Pencil Pro for $99 ($30 off): It’s true that you may need a roadmap to help you figure out which stylus is compatible with which iPad. The Pro is the newest Apple Pencil and it’ll work with the newest iPad Air and Pro models and adds haptic feedback, squeeze and barrel roll movements to the mix of features. The all-time low was $90, but this is still a decent deal. Also at Amazon.  

  • Apple Pencil (2nd gen, USB-C) for $69 ($10 off): The USB-C Apple Pencil was released late last year and effectively serves as Apple's "budget" stylus. It works with the widest range of Apple tablets, though not all of them so check before you buy. This is about $4 more than the all-time low. Also at Walmart. 

  • Apple Pencil tips (4-pack) for $12 ($7 off): Search for Apple Pencil replacement tips and you'll find plenty of third party manufacturers with options available. But this is one of the areas where I think it's best to go with the original manufacturer. I bought these tips and they've served well — I just wish I'd paid $12 instead of $19.  

  • Apple Magic Mouse (Black) for $80 ($19 off): The black model of Apple's popular mouse has an updated USB-C charging port but, confoundingly, it's still on the bottom where you can't use it while recharging. Still a charge will last for about month and it should reliably connect to any iPad or Mac you own.  

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/black-friday-apple-deals-for-2024-the-best-sales-we-could-find-on-airpods-macbooks-airtags-and-ipads-165143431.html?src=rss

Black Friday Apple deals include the 10th-gen iPad for a record-low price

Posted on by

Apple's Black Friday deals have started popping up, and this is your chance to grab a new iPad at a discount if you've been thinking of getting one. The 10th-gen iPad is currently on sale for $279 at Amazon, $50 less than what it usually costs. A few color options have an additional coupon that brings the final price down to $250. Apple released the tablet back in 2022, but it's still our best budget iPad option for 2024.

The 10th-gen iPad is only slightly thicker and heavier than the iPad Air. It looks similar to the iPad Air, too — the tablet no longer has the Home button that its predecessor did, and it has a bigger screen with smaller bezels.

The device is powered by Apple's A14 Bionic chip, which was first seen on the iPhone 12 and is powerful enough that we could edit RAW photos in Lightroom when we tested the tablet. When we ran a test for battery life, we discovered that the model could play movies continuously for 11 hours and 45 minutes on a single charge. 

Unlike previous models with Lightning ports, this one comes with a USB-C port for charging. Apple moved its front-facing camera to its landscape edge, as well. The company gave it a larger display, measuring 10.9 inches, so it doesn't feel as cramped as previous models even with a lot of apps. While the iPad Air does have a better display overall with its lamination and anti-reflective coating, the 10th-gen iPad's isn't bad at all seeing as it costs significantly less, especially with this discount. 

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/black-friday-apple-deals-include-the-10th-gen-ipad-for-a-record-low-price-130005592.html?src=rss

The Kobo Libra Colour ereader is $20 off in this Black Friday deal

Posted on by

If you’re in the market for a color ereader, one of Rakuten Kobo’s latest models is on sale for Black Friday. Today, you can order the Kobo Libra Colour, which has a seven-inch color e-ink screen and physical page-turn buttons, for $200. If you’re content with black-and-white reading, two of the company’s other models — the Sage and Elipsa 2E — are also discounted.

Although not everyone needs a pop of color while reading, the device can enhance the visual presentation of book covers, highlights and comics on its seven-inch 1,264 x 1,680 E Ink Kaleido 3 display. Unlike tablets such as the iPad, it doesn’t add glare from sunlight. The device includes Kobo’s ComfortLight Pro, which automatically adjusts the front light’s blue levels for a more comfortable reading experience. It also has a dark mode for night reading.

One way the device stands out from Amazon’s new Kindle Colorsoft is physical page-turn buttons. Although reaching your thumb slightly to tap the screen isn’t exactly a chore, I prefer the satisfying feel of physical buttons: Keep your thumb rested on it and press when it’s time to flip the page.

The Libra Colour supports note-taking, annotating and highlights — all in color — with the Kobo Stylus 2. Unfortunately, the pen-like accessory isn’t included in the box; you’ll need to pony up an extra $70 if you want a more notebook-like experience.

The ereader has 32GB of storage, enough for 24,00 ebooks or 150 audiobooks. Rakuten Kobo rates the device for up to 40 days of battery life, although that will vary with usage. The Libra Colour has an IPX8 rating, meaning it can handle immersion in over 6.5 ft of water for an hour. As a welcomed perk, the ereader is self-repairable through a partnership with iFixit.

On the black and white ereader front, Kobo’s Sage and Elipsa 2E are also on sale for Black Friday. The Sage has a larger eight-inch display with deep contrast and fast page turns. Typically ringing up for $270, it’s on sale for $240. Finally, the Kobo Elipsa 2E has a tablet-sized 10.3-inch screen and software built around note-taking (including handwriting conversion). It has a $400 MSRP but is discounted to $350.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-kobo-libra-colour-ereader-is-20-off-in-this-black-friday-deal-150004882.html?src=rss

The Apple Watch SE drops to a new record low of $169 for Black Friday

Posted on by

Here's a solid Black Friday deal for iPhone users who have yet to hop into the smartwatch ecosystem or perhaps are clinging onto a much older Apple Watch but don't need a flagship model. The Apple Watch SE has dropped to $169 at Amazon. That's a discount of 32 percent or $80.

This is a new record-low price for the 40mm GPS variant. However, it's an all-time-low only by one dollar. The wearable was on sale for $170 during the October Prime Day event. 

The second-gen Apple Watch SE is our pick for the best budget Apple Watch and we gave it a score of 89 in our 2022 review. It has the same chipset as the Apple Watch Ultra and Series 8, and it should feel faster if you're coming over from, say, a Series 6 or earlier model.

The SE shares some, but not all features with flagship Apple Watches. It supports crash detection, heart rate monitoring and emergency calling, and it is water resistant to 50 meters. We felt that the screen was easy to view, even when the sun was shining brightly. Fitness tracking is accurate (which is pretty important!). Perhaps most crucially, the Apple Watch SE is light and easy to wear.

The Ion-X glass isn't quite as robust as the sapphire crystal on other recent Apple Watch models, so you'll likely want to be extra careful with it. Other features present on other Apple Watch devices that are missing here include an always-on display, blood oxygen monitoring and temperature sensor. The very handy Double Tap feature isn't available here either.

While we feel that this is a good price for the second-gen Apple Watch SE, it's worth bearing in mind that a new model could arrive in the coming months. Apple is reportedly working on an Apple Watch SE with a plastic casing in a bid to reduce the price and allow for bolder color options. It's unlikely that Apple will announce this model before next year, though.

There are plenty of other Black Friday deals available on Apple products. We've put together a list of the best ones from across the web.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/the-apple-watch-se-drops-to-a-new-record-low-of-169-for-black-friday-183924035.html?src=rss

Apple pledges $100 million Indonesia investment to lift iPhone 16 ban

Posted on by

Apple has offered $100 million to Indonesia as part of an effort to lift a recent ban of the iPhone 16 in the country, as reported by The Wall Street Journal. The company has presented an investment plan that would use that $100 million to set up a manufacturing plant in the nation.

Earlier this month, Apple offered the country $10 million to reverse the ban. This latest proposal is worth ten times that, so the company certainly sees Indonesia as an important market. After all, the country is home to 280 million potential smartphone customers. The Ministry of Industry of Indonesia is scheduled to review Apple's proposal this week.

This all started because Apple missed a local investment threshold by around $15 million. Indonesia mandates that certain devices sold in the country must have at least 40 percent “domestic content.” This percentage can be met by using domestically-sourced materials, building manufacturing plants or by employing local workers.

Apple previously invested around $94 million in the country through a variety of means, but it wasn’t enough to stave off the ban. The sale stoppage also applies to other recently-released Apple products, like the Apple Watch Series 10. The ban doesn’t impact older Apple devices, which are still available for purchase throughout the country.

Apple has opened up several developer academies throughout the country, but an actual manufacturing plant would be a major boon for Indonesia. Both Samsung and Xiaomi have already set up factories in the nation.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/big-tech/apple-pledges-100-million-indonesia-investment-to-lift-iphone-16-ban-162217627.html?src=rss

Amazon Black Friday deals include the Fire Max 11 tablet for a record low of $140

Posted on by

The Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet is on sale for just $140, which is a record low price. This early Black Friday deal brings the price down from $230, which is a savings of nearly 40 percent. That’s a whole lot of tablet for not so much money.

This is a fairly recent entry into Amazon’s library of tablets, having just been released last year. The Fire Max 11 boasts a large 11-inch LCD screen, a slim aluminum frame and plenty of smart home controls. Of course, it integrates with Alexa for voice controls. This is the cooler and more refined sibling of the Fire 10 and Fire 8 tablets.

The tablet uses an octa-core MediaTek processor and weighs just over a pound. There’s a fingerprint sensor, support for WiFi 6 and 4GB of RAM. It runs Fire OS 8, which allows for split-screen and picture-in-picture features. This lets users slam some emails while, say, keeping an eye on a YouTube video.

The tablet integrates with a keyboard and stylus, but those cost extra. There are some minor downsides. First of all, this is an ad-supported model that’ll throw advertisements on the lock screen. In my experience, these are surprisingly unobtrusive. I hate ads and barely notice them. This sale is also for the 64GB version. That’s not a whole lot of room but the tablet does come with a microSD reader for up to 1TB of additional storage.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazon-black-friday-deals-include-the-fire-max-11-tablet-for-a-record-low-of-140-150026096.html?src=rss

Amazon Black Friday deals include the Fire Max 11 tablet for a record low of $140

Posted on by

The Amazon Fire Max 11 tablet is on sale for just $140, which is a record low price. This early Black Friday deal brings the price down from $230, which is a savings of nearly 40 percent. That’s a whole lot of tablet for not so much money.

This is a fairly recent entry into Amazon’s library of tablets, having just been released last year. The Fire Max 11 boasts a large 11-inch LCD screen, a slim aluminum frame and plenty of smart home controls. Of course, it integrates with Alexa for voice controls. This is the cooler and more refined sibling of the Fire 10 and Fire 8 tablets.

The tablet uses an octa-core MediaTek processor and weighs just over a pound. There’s a fingerprint sensor, support for WiFi 6 and 4GB of RAM. It runs Fire OS 8, which allows for split-screen and picture-in-picture features. This lets users slam some emails while, say, keeping an eye on a YouTube video.

The tablet integrates with a keyboard and stylus, but those cost extra. There are some minor downsides. First of all, this is an ad-supported model that’ll throw advertisements on the lock screen. In my experience, these are surprisingly unobtrusive. I hate ads and barely notice them. This sale is also for the 64GB version. That’s not a whole lot of room but the tablet does come with a microSD reader for up to 1TB of additional storage.

Check out all of the latest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals here.

This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/deals/amazon-black-friday-deals-include-the-fire-max-11-tablet-for-a-record-low-of-140-150026096.html?src=rss