Latest news with #DavidCarnoy
CNET
21 hours ago
- CNET
Why the Powerbeats Pro 2 Earbuds Instantly Became My Go-To Workout Companions
Beats launched the Powerbeats Pro 2 earlier this year after a six-year hiatus in the lineup. The new pair introduced a built-in heart rate tracker, improved the ergonomics and borrowed the Apple H2 chip from the AirPods Pro 2. I've been using them on and off since launch, and these are my new go-to earbuds to use for workouts. The Powerbeats Pro 2 are feature-packed Beats' new workout earbuds represent one of the biggest generational updates to this model. They come equipped with the Apple H2 chip, which puts them on par with the AirPods Pro 2. Beats says it's "leveraged Apple's best noise canceling." I find that I get a good, secure seal when I'm wearing them, so the noise cancellation performance is pretty good. However, they're tuned differently compared with the flagship Apple earbuds. The Powerbeats Pro 2 are more bassy, which some gym enthusiasts might appreciate. The best part about them is their fit, thanks to their ear hook build. The music never left my ears. Whether I was on a run or in the gym, the earbuds sat comfortably. More than the fit, I was surprised by the voice-calling performance. As CNET's David Carnoy noted in his review, "Thanks to the H2 chip, new microphones and voice accelerometers to help pinpoint your voice, Beats has made some big improvements in the voice department." Read more: Best True Wireless Earbuds With Ear Hooks for 2025 Android users have to manually start the heart rate monitor in the app or use the control button on the buds. Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET I haven't relied on their heart rate monitoring system, because I have an Apple Watch. And if you're like me and you already own the Apple Watch, your iPhone will prioritize readings from the Watch. If you don't own one, it'll show the heart rate data in Apple's Health app. Like other Beats products, the Powerbeats Pro 2 are also platform-agnostic, and the company says all Android fitness and wellness apps with heart rate monitoring capabilities are compatible with its earbuds. That said, the Powerbeats Pro 2 offer a few Apple-exclusive features, like personalized spatial audio with head tracking, hands-free Siri, audio sharing and iCloud pairing across all your Apple devices logged in to your iCloud account. Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 key specs Weight: 8.7 grams per earbud (case weighs 69 grams) Bluetooth 5.3 Apple H2 chip Custom designed, dual-element dynamic diaphragm transducer IPX4 splash-proof and sweat-proof Active noise cancellation (adaptive) Transparency mode Adaptive EQ Spatial audio with dynamic head tracking Six microphones total (one dedicated voice microphone on each earbud) Sensors (per bud): Optical in-ear detection, optical heart rate monitoring, accelerometer, gyroscope Customizable controls Five sizes of soft silicon ear tips (XS, S, M, L, XL) Wireless charging case (Qi compatible or via USB-C cable) Battery life: Up to 10 hours with ANC off (8 hours with ANC on) 35 additional hours from charging case with ANC off (28 hours with ANC on) Fast Fuel: 5-minute charge gets you up to 1.5 hours of playback Telephony: Up to five microphones employed for phone calls, wind-noise reduction, voice accelerometer isolates user's voice Colors: Electric Orange, jet black, Hyper Purple and Quick Sand The case isn't easy to carry Prakhar Khanna/CNET Though Beats made the Powerbeats Pro 2 50% smaller, the case is still on the bigger side. It isn't as comfortable as carrying other earbud cases, especially when you go for a run. I leave the case at home most of the time, but if you want a pair of earbuds that's easy to carry in a case, the Powerbeats Pro 2 aren't for you. That said, if portability isn't a priority, the Powerbeats Pro 2 can be counted among the best ear hook earbuds on the market right now, which is why they're on CNET's list of the best wireless earbuds of 2025. They offer good sound quality and great noise cancellation and voice call performance, and they stay snug in your ears. They also offer heart rate detection. With the $50 discount, this might be the best time to buy them. If you're interested in other options to improve your listening experience, check out our roundup of the best earbud and headphone deals.
CNET
2 days ago
- Business
- CNET
These Stylish Bluetooth Headphones With Unbelievable Battery Life Are Still Cheaper Than Ever After Prime Day
Amazon Prime Day discount still available: Marshall's Major V headphones are worth it even at full price, but right now they're at an all-time low price of $100 -- or around 38% off. Move quickly though, because with Prime Day done and dusted, who knows how long this price will stick around. I might not be a true battle-tested headphone expert like CNET's David Carnoy, but I still love headphones and I'm confident in what I like about them. My most recent pickup, the Marshall Major V on-ear Bluetooth headphones, quickly became a pair that I adore. What is Marshall? Marshall is a British audio hardware company that got its start back in the early '60s and became renowned for producing amps and speakers for live music performances. More recently, it's made a mark in consumer audio, producing home speakers with a distinctly rock 'n' roll aesthetic -- think rough-patterned black leather materials, gold trim and prominent physical buttons. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. The brand has also brought its signature sound and style to headphones. Recently, I picked up the Major V, Marshall's latest iteration of its on-ear Bluetooth model (that's V as in 5), and I could hardly love them more. Marshall boasts that these headphones can last up to 100 hours on one charge, an almost ludicrous number that has largely held up as I've used them. The audio quality, while not a patch on the heavier hitters in the Bluetooth market, is excellent for its price, with strong bass and clean high notes. Vocals can sometimes come off a little shabby at first blush, but I find you get used to it real quick. The connectivity performance has also really impressed me. For such a cheap pair of headphones, the Major V easily maintain connections to at least two devices at a time and can switch between them almost seamlessly. That's not something I've found to be the case for a lot of the affordable Bluetooth headphones I've tried in the past. It's a strong contender overall in the budget Bluetooth headphones space. Why does this deal matter? I was able to scoop up the Marshall Major V for $100, the lowest their price has gone since they debuted last year. For that price, it's basically a steal. For the amount of blissful use I've gotten out of them so far -- listening to music, watching movies or getting through my audiobooks -- it's been more than worth the price of admission. For now, only the standard black Major Vs are on sale. They also come in brown, cream and midnight blue varieties, but those will cost you closer to full retail price for now. They usually retail for around $160, making their current price a 38% discount. While I was able to get this deal well in advance of Prime Day, there's no telling how long it'll stick around now that the event is over, so get a move on if you're interested in picking a pair up.
CNET
4 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Best Prime Day Deals Under $100 Still Remaining: Last Chance for the Deepest Discounts on Home Essentials
Amazon's Prime Day sale is over, but there are still a few lingering deals around that will help you save on products like a new TV, laptop or mattress. Even better is that you're able to purchase some products without breaking the bank, such as the items included in our curated list of deals for $100 or less. Whether you need a new pair of wireless headphones or a vacuum that will keep your home looking clean, these lingering deals will be just the thing for you. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Be aware that the sale is over, and while we'll be updating this page frequently, the deals selected will likely be stopping soon. So, if you see anything you like? We recommend getting it ASAP. And if you're looking for even more affordable options, particularly for everyday essentials, consider our roundup of the best Prime Day deals under $10. Best Prime Day tech deals under $100 Beats Pill: $98 Thanks to its sleek design, the Beats Pill has landed on our list of the best Bluetooth speakers this year. CNET's David Carnoy was impressed by its sound quality -- particularly the bass definition, thanks to its new updated woofer system -- as well as the relative volume for its size. It also supports lossless audio with a wired USB-C connection and boasts an IP67 weather-resistance rating so you can take it just about anywhere. This deal matches the all-time low price, which makes it an incredible value. Details Save $52 $98 at Amazon Close More Prime Day tech deals under $100: Best Prime Day home deals under $100 Anker Eufy E10 indoor lamp: $70 This unique floor lamp makes it easy to add some atmosphere to your living room. It boasts 1,700 lumens of brightness and over 16 million possible colors, so you can find the perfect hue for your mood. There are more than 80 preset lighting modes, and you can set custom schedules and patterns. It's also compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant for hands-free control. Details Save $30 $50 at Amazon Close Shark Rocket Ultra-Light corded bagless vacuum: $110 This Shark vac has a detachable head that makes it easy to get into those hard-to-reach spaces. Plus, the upholstery tool makes picking up pet hair a breeze. Details Save $60 $99 at Amazon Close More Prime Day home deals under $100: Best Prime Day kitchen deals under $100 Carote 12-piece cookware set: $30 This 12-piece Carote bundle deal is a great way to upgrade your kitchen on a budget. It includes three pots and two pans with lids, and as well as two spatulas and a ladle. They're all nonstick, which makes them perfect for delicate ingredients like eggs and fish, but are also "100% free of PFOAs, PFAs, lead, and cadmium," so you don't have to worry about harmful chemicals leaching into your food. They're designed to be used with just about every type of stove, be it gas, electric or induction, so they're highly versatile. Details Save $120 $54 at Walmart Close SodaStream Terra sparkling water maker bundle: $84 The SodaStream Terra can turn tap water into refreshing sparkling drinks with ease, no power needed. Its sleek design, flavor compatibility and reusable bottles make it a stylish and eco-friendly kitchen upgrade. This bundle comes with the sparkling water maker, two CO2 cylinders, three 1-liter carbonating bottles and two 40mL bottles of flavor drops. Details Save $66 $80 at Amazon Close Chefman 10-quart Air Fryer Plus: $100 This versatile Chefman multicooker is a great addition to any kitchen. It can do a lot more than just air-fry. It also has functions for baking and dehydrating, as well as 12 cooking presets for chicken, fish, fries, vegetables and more. It's got a substantial 10-quart capacity with three different racks so you can cook multiple dishes at once, and it even comes with a rotisserie spit. Plus, the cooking racks and drip tray are dishwasher-safe for easy cleanup. Details Save $30 $100 at Walmart Close More Prime Day kitchen deals under $100: Best Prime Day health, beauty and wellness deals under $100 Fitbit Charge 6 fitness tracker: $95 The Fitbit Charge 6 fitness tracker has many of the features that we loved on the Pixel Watch. This includes its heart-rate accuracy and Google app support, but it packs them into a smaller design. Plus, it has a battery that can last up to a week rather than a single day. Details Save $65 $95 at Amazon Close Blume SuperBelly variety pack, 45-count: $75 The ultimate hydration hack. Most of us don't get enough water in us every day, which is why these hydration packets are so helpful. They are made with prebiotics, probiotics, electrolytes and more. Plus SuperBelly is sugar-free and comes in three flavors: strawberry hibiscus, acai pomegranate and lemon ginger. This bundle comes with 45 on-the-go packets. Details Save $9 $67 at Amazon Close Renpho C3 massage gun: $50 This Renpho massage gun can produce up to 50 pounds of force and features 20 speed levels ranging up to 3,200 rpm to help alleviate stiff muscles. It also comes with six head attachments to help you target specific muscle groups. Plus, it weighs just over 2 pounds, which makes it easy to toss in your gym bag and take just about anywhere. Details Save $40 $50 at Walmart Close More Prime Day health, beauty and wellness deals under $100: Best Prime Day fashion deals under $100 Crocs Baya clogs: $30 Are Crocs the most stylish shoes on the market? Debatable. Are they seriously comfortable? Undeniably. They're perfect for lake days or lounging around on the back patio and right now you can grab tons of colors and sizes for less at Walmart. Details Save $20 $30 at Walmart Close Target: Adult denim clothing From jeans for men and women to denim skirts, shorts and everything in between, you can score 30% off all adult denim at Target. Just make sure you have a Target Circle account. If you don't have one, don't worry, it's free to sign up. Details Save 30% See at Target Close More Prime Day fashion deals under $100: Best Prime Day toys and games deals under $100 Melissa & Doug wooden scoop-and-serve ice cream counter: $38 This 28-piece set comes with a wooden ice cream counter, eight ice cream scoops, six toppings, two cones, a cup, a scooper, tongs, a wooden spoon and six play-money bills. It's made for ages 3 and up. Details Save $27 $38 at Walmart Close Lego Bonsai set: $40 Add some zen to your shelf with this tranquil Bonsai tree building kit. It's an 878-piece set made of sustainable plant-based plastic and it has interchangeable leaves and cherry blossoms so you can match your mood or season. Details Save $10 $40 at Amazon Close Nintendo Switch games Right now at Best Buy, you can score $20 off many Nintendo Switch games. This includes classics like Super Mario Bros. as well as Animal Crossing, Pikmin and more. Details Save $20 See at Best Buy Close More Prime toys and games deals under $100: When is Amazon's Prime Day event? The online retailer's massive summer sale officially kicked off July 8 and will run through July 11. It's now over, but there are still deals lingering. Are Amazon Prime Day deals worth buying? Depending on what you're after, the short answer is yes. There are thousands of items on sale now, including some deals that match or exceed the previous all-time low prices. Just note that Amazon stock can fluctuate wildly, which means there's no telling how long these items will remain on sale or available. If you see a deal you don't want to miss, we'd recommend taking advantage of those savings sooner rather than later. Are other retailers offering Prime Day deals? While the official Prime Day sale is exclusive to Amazon, other retailers are absolutely getting in on the action. Both Walmart and Best Buy have kicked off their own events that coincide with the Prime Day dates, with plenty of other retailers ramping up the deals this week as well. Watch this: How to Hack Amazon Prime Day: Shopping and Deals Advice 04:03 How we choose the best Amazon Prime Day deals Many of us here at CNET have covered shopping events for several years, including Black Friday, Prime Day, Memorial Day and countless other sales. In that time, we've learned how to spot the best deals among a sea of thousands of superficial offers and scams, and we only highlight the best offers from trusted retailers. We look for real discounts, quality reviews and remaining sale time when choosing the best deals to show you. Real discounts mean genuine savings. We check pricing history for products listed as on sale so we know when it's a case of an inflated list price rather than an actual discount. Quality reviews and testing are super important for any product. A discount isn't worthwhile if it results in a subpar product experience, no matter how much you saved. Remaining sale time is important, too. Some deals are only around for a short time or may be limited in supply. If that's the case, we'll let you know upfront so you don't come back to the deal later only to be disappointed.
CNET
5 days ago
- Business
- CNET
Don't Let These Last-Minute Prime Day Sales on Excellent SSD Storage Slip Away
Amazon Prime Day is hours from being over, but you can still take advantage of deals, and there's one collection that looks particularly cart-pleasing. SanDisk is offering a bunch of its flash storage options with discounts anywhere from 15% to 40%. You can see the full list here, but my favorite is the SanDisk Extreme Pro 2TB for $170, an upgraded model to the Extreme SSD we picked as the best external hard drive. It's down 38% today from its usual $273 list price. These SanDisk Extreme models have tough weather resistance ratings so photographers, GoPro fans and many others can take them along on adventures. When reviewing the similar Extreme model, CNET's David Carnoy said, "Sarah Tew, CNET's photographer here in New York, shoots tons of products for me. But rarely have I seen her as excited about a product as SanDisk's new Extreme Portable SSD." Carnoy praised the Extreme's IP55 rating (which this Pro model upgrades to IP65) and extra-speedy transfer speeds which he tested with his own work videos. If you're looking for something smaller and keychain-friendly for the office or study room, the Extreme Pro USB model is nearly 40% off as well, down to $90 with a chapstick design that fits easily in any pocket. Or if you were thinking more about internal storage, I've got a deal for that too: This massively powerful 8TB SanDisk WD_Black SSD is 40% off, saving you a whopping $340 on your next big PC upgrade, ideal for media centers or professionals who work with a lot of content. There are plenty other SanDisk deal too, from microSD cards to laptop plugins, all in one spot for this Prime Day Sale. SanDisk sales extend to internal upgrades, too. SanDisk Why these SanDisk deals are great SSD storage can be expensive, especially for the bigger upgrades, and it's rare to find so many discounts in one spot. There's a deal for every kind of user with SanDisk's well-known brand quality backing each of them up. Grab these deals while they are still there as the end of Amazon Prime Day counts down.
CNET
5 days ago
- CNET
Prime Day Deal: The Best External Mini Hard Drive Is on Sale, But You Must Act Fast
There are many reasons to purchase an external hard drive. You can transfer large files, improve gaming performance and even expand available storage. Now, you can buy one in the final hours of Prime Day 2025. The SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD, CNET's pick for the best rugged external mini SSD, is on sale for a whopping 43% off at $120. This deal is available for this device in black only. Other colors, such as "monterrey" and "sky blue," are also on sale, but not as heavily. In testing, we loved the ruggedness of this portable hard drive. It can handle a sustained spray of water and is dust- and shock-resistant. It importantly also features USB-C for fast transfer speeds. With speeds up to 1,050MB/s, this mini SSD is perfect for most users, unless you regularly work with very large files. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. "Your speed will vary if you're moving a mishmash of files to or from the USB drive," said CNET Executive Editor David Carnoy during testing. "But when copying a single large file you should be able to get close to that fast transfer speed." Why this deal matters With the SanDisk 2TB Extreme Portable SSD, you'll have a device that packs quite a punch for its size. It's suitable for most users, which is a major plus. The fact it's $90 off is the cherry on top in our book. It's a piece of tech that will be worth the investment.
