Latest news with #EditorsChoice
CNET
4 days ago
- Business
- CNET
I Highly Recommend This Bluetooth Speaker That's Now 14% Off
I've tested a lot of portable Bluetooth speakers, so I'm used to people asking me for recommendations. I like to point them to our list of the best Bluetooth speakers, but I also mention that I awarded a CNET Editors' Choice to the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 because it's well priced and delivers impressive sound, making it an excellent value. There are plenty of Bluetooth speakers to choose from, but the Soundcore Boom 2 stands out for its compact, waterproof design and great value for the money. Compared with its competitors, this mini boom box speaker is already a good deal at its list price of $140. Right now Amazon has the black model on sale for $120, or 14% off, at Amazon. The deal could go away at any point, so we'd recommend you grab it now if you've had your eye on it. I liked the original Soundcore Motion Boom, which made our list of the best Bluetooth speakers and was one of the better mini boom box Bluetooth speaker values over the last few years, selling for around $80. The 3.66-pound Boom 2 is priced a little higher but sounds substantially better, with more than double the power rating of the original, so it not only plays louder but kicks out more bass and offers better clarity at higher volumes (it's equipped with two tweeters and one subwoofer). It also has a couple of built-in LED lights to help create that party vibe. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Anker Soundcore Boom 2 speaker specs Here are the details about this mini boom box Bluetooth speaker. Drivers: 50-watt, 4-inch racetrack subwoofer and dual 15-watt tweeters 50-watt, 4-inch racetrack subwoofer and dual 15-watt tweeters Dimensions: 11.65 x 7.28 x 3.98 inches 11.65 x 7.28 x 3.98 inches Weight: 3.66 pounds 3.66 pounds Battery life: Up to 24 hours at moderate volume levels Up to 24 hours at moderate volume levels Bluetooth version: 5.3 (100-foot or 30-meter wireless range) 5.3 (100-foot or 30-meter wireless range) Water-resistance rating: IPX7 (fully waterproof and floatable) IPX7 (fully waterproof and floatable) Additional features : Built-in light show, customizable EQ, PartyCast 2.0 (link additional Anker speakers) : Built-in light show, customizable EQ, PartyCast 2.0 (link additional Anker speakers) Universal remote: Included Roku remote controls most TVs Why I like this Anker speaker The speaker's design isn't terribly sleek or eye-catching, but it's attractive enough and just the right size -- neither too big nor too small -- and you can choose between three color options. It also seems pretty durable, though it doesn't have a dust-resistance rating. The Boom 2 is fully waterproof (IPX7-rated) and floats should it fall into a body of water. Additionally, there's a USB-out port to charge your devices. Battery life is also good. The speaker's rated for up to 24 hours of playback at moderate volume levels (it charges via USB-C, which is good), and you can tweak the sound and customize the lighting with the Soundcore app for iOS and Android. Battery life does dip if you engage the bass boost or activate the LED lighting. Read more: Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Review Another Anker speaker to consider If you're looking for even more powerful sound, Anker makes the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus. A bigger speaker, it puts out more sound with similar features to the Boom 2. However, it costs around $180, and I don't think it sounds twice as good as the Boom 2 (more like 25% to 30% better). Still, it's also a good value. Read more: Best Tech Gifts Under $100 Want to check out the competition? We've tested and reviewed the best Bluetooth speakers for 2025, with Bose, Beats and Soundcore all featuring on our list. And just in case you're on the hunt for a gift, we've put together lists of our editors' picks for the best gifts for Father's Day and the best gifts for grads.
CNET
5 days ago
- Business
- CNET
I Replaced My $200 Electric Toothbrush With This $50 Oral-B, and I'm Never Going Back
About a year ago, a thief broke into my friend's car and stole my luggage out of it. The most expensive thing in my suitcase? My $200 electric toothbrush. I was devastated (particularly since I had reviewed the toothbrush at a previous job and didn't have to pay for it). So I had to quickly search for a replacement. And what I landed on is the Oral-B Pro 1000 Electric Toothbrush. The Oral-B Pro 1000 is a CNET Editors' Choice Award winner, and our CNET testers rated it their top pick for the best electric toothbrush of 2025. That's a whole lot of accolades for an electric toothbrush that costs just $50, a quarter of the price of my previous model. Now that I've spent plenty of time with it, I can honestly say I don't miss my old one at all -- I'm a complete convert. While the expensive toothbrush came with an app, more settings, a glass cup that charged the toothbrush and a travel case, I actually prefer the Oral-B Pro 1000's simplicity. It's easier to use and doesn't take up as much space. It has one daily cleaning mode and a 2-minute timer that reminds you to move mouth quadrants every 30 seconds. What more could I want out of a toothbrush? The Oral-B Pro 1000 has everything I could possibly want from an electric toothbrush: a brushing timer, pressure sensor, affordable brush head replacements and a compact, travel-friendly charger. Plus, it has the American Dental Association's Seal of Acceptance, meaning it's fulfilled the ADA's safety and efficacy requirements. Anna Gragert/CNET Oral -B Pro 1000's key features One brushing mode Two-minute brushing timer Pressure sensor Affordable brush head replacements ADA seal of acceptance A powerful and functional brush In my quest to replace my expensive toothbrush, I looked at a lot of different models. What finally sealed the deal was CNET reviewer Caroline Igo's commentary on the Oral-B Pro 1000. She tested 12 models over several weeks, and the Pro 1000 was hands-down her favorite due to its simplicity and "impressive" cleaning abilities. "I hardly had to scrub or brush my teeth on my own," she wrote in her review. "The fast-spinning bristles did most of the work for me. It easily glided across my teeth. The smaller brush head also helped me to get to those hard-to-reach places." If you're an Oral-B fan but want something with more bells and whistles, CNET rated the Oral-B Series 5 the best smart electric toothbrush for 2025. At $120, it's more than double the price of the Pro 1000, but you get five brush modes, 3D teeth tracking and real-time advice on brushing habits. Plus, it's also ADA-accepted. The Pro 1000 makes a great gift You might not ordinarily think of an electric toothbrush as a gift, but hear me out. I'm a big fan of giving gifts that are super practical and will make someone's daily routine easier, and the Oral-B Pro 1000 fits that bill. It's one of those items that people don't always think to buy for themselves, but once they have it, they wonder how they ever lived without this remarkably useful thing. For more great gifts, check out our recommendations for the best gifts for Father's Day and graduation.
CNET
5 days ago
- General
- CNET
This Cordless Dyson Vacuum Is My Ultimate Spring Cleaning Sidekick, and It's $150 Off
I've got a full-time job, two messy toddlers, a shedding dog and a husband who occasionally tracks in dirt. I think you can see where I'm going with this. Like all busy parents, I find keeping a clean house to be rather challenging. Enter the Dyson V15 cordless vacuum cleaner, a purchase that's been practically life changing. I've tried out a lot of different vacuums at different price ranges, and this model outperforms every single one. The Dyson V15 was awarded a CNET Editors' Choice Award, is on CNET's best cordless vacuums list, and out-suctioned all its stick vacuum competitors in our laboratory testing. That's a whole lot of power and performance, which is what I love about it. And yes, all that performance also comes with a pretty hefty price tag. But right now you can get it for $150 off, which brings the price down to $600. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. This is two days' worth of dog hair, which my Dyson can suction up on its highest suction setting from a 500-square-foot section of carpet. Katie Collins/CNET Why I love my Dyson V15 vacuum My Dyson V15 works great for quick clean-ups or deep cleans. Because it's cordless, I appreciate not having to constantly plug and then unplug it when cleaning the upstairs and downstairs in my home. It doesn't take up storage space because the charging docking station is mounted in our garage. It's no surprise to me that the Dyson V15 outperformed most of its competitors during CNET's lab testing. It is now rated as having the best suction performance for a cordless vacuum. My Dyson also cleans my car well My kids' and pets' messes aren't contained to my house so I love how the Dyson easily converts to handheld mode, which comes in handy for suctioning up loose toddler snacks from car seats and car floors. The crevice attachment can reach those in-between spaces in my car and couch cushions. The Dyson V15 converts into a handheld for easy car cleanup. Dyson Washable HEPA filter is a plus I love the washable HEPA cloth filter too. No more running out of replacement filters. Simply wash it and let it dry. I also bought a backup replacement filter to use so I don't have to wait for the original filter to dry before using my beloved Dyson on another mess. I love how easy it is to clean my Dyson HEPA filter. I have two replacement filters on deck in case one is still wet from washing it. Dyson High-performing vacuum with one flaw My one complaint is its battery life when using it on its best suction setting: boost mode. Dyson's boost mode works well picking up my dog's pet hair, but it drains the battery quickly. To clean two stories in boost mode, it needs to recharge to finish the job, and that can take a few hours. Dyson has three power modes for different tasks. The overall battery run time varies based on power mode. I find Boost mode to work best on pet hair but will drain the battery quickly. Dyson/CNET In the middle setting -- auto mode -- I can clean the upstairs and downstairs of my 2,000-square-foot home on a single charge, and it works well on hard floors and pretty well on carpet. Auto mode is fine for in-between cleanings, but boost mode works best for a deep carpet clean. To find some other top-rated vacuums, check out our editors' list of the best vacuums you can buy. We also think this vacuum would make a great gift for a new graduate moving into their first place. For other gifting inspiration, check out our picks for the best gifts for grads.
CNET
27-05-2025
- Business
- CNET
Memorial Day Deal: I Highly Recommend This Bluetooth Speaker That's Still 14% Off After The Holiday Sale
I've tested a lot of portable Bluetooth speakers, so I'm used to people asking me for recommendations. I like to point them to our list of the best Bluetooth speakers, but I also mention that I awarded a CNET Editors' Choice to the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 because it's well priced and delivers impressive sound, making it an excellent value. There are plenty of Bluetooth speakers to choose from, but the Soundcore Boom 2 stands out for its compact, waterproof design and great value for the money. Compared with its competitors, this mini boom box speaker is already a good deal at its list price of $140. Right now, Amazon has the black model on sale for $120, or 14% off, even after its Memorial Day sale ended. The deal could go away at any point, so we'd recommend you grab it now if you've had your eye on it. I liked the original Soundcore Motion Boom, which made our list of the best Bluetooth speakers and was one of the better mini boom box Bluetooth speaker values over the last few years, selling for around $80. The 3.66-pound Boom 2 is priced a little higher but sounds substantially better, with more than double the power rating of the original, so it not only plays louder but kicks out more bass and offers better clarity at higher volumes (it's equipped with two tweeters and one subwoofer). It also has a couple of built-in LED lights to help create that party vibe. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Anker Soundcore Boom 2 speaker specs Here are the details about this mini boom box Bluetooth speaker. Drivers: 50-watt, 4-inch racetrack subwoofer and dual 15-watt tweeters 50-watt, 4-inch racetrack subwoofer and dual 15-watt tweeters Dimensions: 11.65 x 7.28 x 3.98 inches 11.65 x 7.28 x 3.98 inches Weight: 3.66 pounds 3.66 pounds Battery life: Up to 24 hours at moderate volume levels Up to 24 hours at moderate volume levels Bluetooth version: 5.3 (100-foot or 30-meter wireless range) 5.3 (100-foot or 30-meter wireless range) Water-resistance rating: IPX7 (fully waterproof and floatable) IPX7 (fully waterproof and floatable) Additional features : Built-in light show, customizable EQ, PartyCast 2.0 (link additional Anker speakers) : Built-in light show, customizable EQ, PartyCast 2.0 (link additional Anker speakers) Universal remote: Included Roku remote controls most TVs Why I like this Anker speaker The speaker's design isn't terribly sleek or eye-catching, but it's attractive enough and just the right size -- neither too big nor too small -- and you can choose between three color options. It also seems pretty durable, though it doesn't have a dust-resistance rating. The Boom 2 is fully waterproof (IPX7-rated) and floats should it fall into a body of water. Additionally, there's a USB-out port to charge your devices. Battery life is also good. The speaker's rated for up to 24 hours of playback at moderate volume levels (it charges via USB-C, which is good), and you can tweak the sound and customize the lighting with the Soundcore app for iOS and Android. Battery life does dip if you engage the bass boost or activate the LED lighting. Read more: Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Review Another Anker speaker to consider If you're looking for even more powerful sound, Anker makes the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus. A bigger speaker, it puts out more sound with similar features to the Boom 2. However, it costs around $180, and I don't think it sounds twice as good as the Boom 2 (more like 25% to 30% better). Still, it's also a good value. Read more: Best Tech Gifts Under $100 Want to check out the competition? We've tested and reviewed the best Bluetooth speakers for 2025 with Bose, Beats and Soundcore all featuring on our list. And just in case you're looking for something else, CNET's shopping experts have compiled a list of Amazon's best Memorial Day deals that are still going on for you.
CNET
27-05-2025
- CNET
Memorial Day Deal: I Highly Recommend This Anker Bluetooth Speaker, and It's $20 Off for a Limited Time
I've tested a lot of portable Bluetooth speakers, so I'm used to people asking me for recommendations. I like to point them to our list of the best Bluetooth speakers, but I also mention that I awarded a CNET Editors' Choice to the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 because it's well priced and delivers impressive sound, making it an excellent value. There are plenty of Bluetooth speakers to choose from. But the Soundcore Boom 2 stands out for its compact, waterproof design and great value for the money. Compared with its competitors, this mini boom box speaker is already a good deal at its list price of $140. And right now Amazon has the black model on sale for $120, or 14% off, for Memorial Day. But with Memorial Day winding down, it's uncertain how much longer this deal will stick around. I liked the original Soundcore Motion Boom, which made our list of the best Bluetooth speakers and was one of the better mini boom box Bluetooth speaker values over the last few years, selling for around $80. The 3.66-pound Boom 2 is priced a little higher but sounds substantially better, with more than double the power rating of the original, so it not only plays louder but kicks out more bass and offers better clarity at higher volumes (it's equipped with two tweeters and one subwoofer). It also has a couple of built-in LED lights to help create that party vibe. Hey, did you know? CNET Deals texts are free, easy and save you money. Anker Soundcore Boom 2 speaker specs Here are the details about this mini boom box Bluetooth speaker. Drivers: 50-watt, 4-inch racetrack subwoofer and dual 15-watt tweeters 50-watt, 4-inch racetrack subwoofer and dual 15-watt tweeters Dimensions: 11.65 x 7.28 x 3.98 inches 11.65 x 7.28 x 3.98 inches Weight: 3.66 pounds 3.66 pounds Battery life: Up to 24 hours at moderate volume levels Up to 24 hours at moderate volume levels Bluetooth version: 5.3 (100-foot or 30-meter wireless range) 5.3 (100-foot or 30-meter wireless range) Water-resistance rating: IPX7 (fully waterproof and floatable) IPX7 (fully waterproof and floatable) Additional features : Built-in light show, customizable EQ, PartyCast 2.0 (link additional Anker speakers) : Built-in light show, customizable EQ, PartyCast 2.0 (link additional Anker speakers) Universal remote: Included Roku remote controls most TVs Why I like this Anker speaker The speaker's design isn't terribly sleek or eye-catching, but it's attractive enough and just the right size -- neither too big nor too small -- and you can choose between three color options. It also seems pretty durable, though it doesn't have a dust-resistance rating. The Boom 2 is fully waterproof (IPX7-rated) and floats should it fall into a body of water. Additionally, there's a USB-out port to charge your devices. Battery life is also good. The speaker's rated for up to 24 hours of playback at moderate volume levels (it charges via USB-C, which is good), and you can tweak the sound and customize the lighting with the Soundcore app for iOS and Android. Battery life does dip if you engage the bass boost or activate the LED lighting. Read more: Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Review Another Anker speaker to consider If you're looking for even more powerful sound, Anker makes the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus. A bigger speaker, it puts out more sound with similar features to the Boom 2. However, it costs around $180, and I don't think it sounds twice as good as the Boom 2 (more like 25% to 30% better). Still, it's also a good value. Read more: Best Tech Gifts Under $100 Want to check out the competition? We've tested and reviewed the best Bluetooth speakers for 2025 with Bose, Beats and Soundcore all featuring on our list. And just in case you're looking for something else, CNET's shopping experts have compiled a list of Amazon's best Memorial Day deals for you.
