Author: Admin

Schools and workplaces all around the world rely on Microsoft’s productivity apps, including popular programs like Word and Excel. In today’s world, it’s pretty tough to get by without having access to them. But getting access on your own can cost a pretty. If you’re looking to get your hands on a license for your Windows or Mac computer, StackSocial has a great offer available right now that you won’t want to miss.

A Microsoft Office 2021 license costs as much as $440 when purchased through Microsoft directly, but right now at StackSocial, you can get lifetime access for just $35. Just note that Mac users will only get the basic Home and Business suite, while Windows users will get the Professional suite, which includes Office Publisher and Office Access as well. This offer is available now through Aug. 13, so we’d recommend signing up soon if you don’t want to miss out.

StackSocial’s deal is a great bargain when compared with the online Microsoft 365 subscription suite, which starts at $7 a month or $70 a year for individuals. There’s a free online version of Microsoft Office that you can use as well, but it isn’t nearly as feature complete. (Separately — and notably — Apple users should note that Outlook is now a free app for the Mac.)

Now, a deal this good comes with some caveats. First, this key is good only for a single computer, so you won’t be able to install it on various machines in your home, and if your current computer happens to die, you could run into a snag when trying to transfer it. Likewise, you’re passing up on other benefits you’d get as a 365 subscriber. You won’t get any OneDrive Cloud Storage, nor will you get the fancy new cloud-based AI features like Microsoft Copilot. And while the apps should continue to work as long as your computer does, Microsoft’s support for this version of Office ends on Oct. 13, 2026.

To that last point: Though this is listed as a “lifetime license” — that is, the lifetime of the computer you installed it on — it’s worth noting there’s always a risk that Microsoft could terminate the license. But versions of StackSocial’s deal have been running for more than a year — the one we bought in early 2022, for instance, still works fine. At this cost, it takes a little over four months for you to get a full return on the investment compared with buying the subscription, so the risk factor isn’t super high here.

Samsung on Friday launched the beta version of its next software update, and if you’ve got a phone in the Galaxy S23 series, you’ll be able to sign up to try it out.

Signing up for the beta of Samsung One UI 6 will give you early access to the latest additions to Samsung’s software, which is based around allowing you to customize your phone settings to what you use the most.

“Our mission with One UI is to reflect the unique preferences of our users in every aspect of their mobile experience,” said Samsung Executive Vice President Janghyun Yoon in a release.

Here are some of the things you can expect in Samsung One UI 6:

• A simplified, “more modern” design.
• A new default font.
• New emojis on Samsung Keyboard.
• Screen visibility and settings like brightness available in the Quick Panel.
• The ability to set different lock screens with Modes and Routines (“such as a calming photo of a forest in Sleep Mode,” Samsung suggests).
• A new custom camera widget where you can preselect a camera mode and photo saving location.

One UI 6 is based on Google’s Android 14 operating system.

The beta program is open to Samsung Galaxy S23 users in the US, Germany and South Korea. The company was originally expected to launch the One UI 6 beta on Thursday, but it was pushed back a day. Samsung didn’t provide a reason for the delay.

Any feedback you give Samsung will help make final adjustments to the system ahead of its official launch.

Read more: Best Unlimited Data Plans for August 2023

Tournament top scorers Japan take on Olympic silver medalists Sweden today in this intriguing Women’s World Cup quarterfinal at Eden Park.

The free-scoring Japanese have arguably been the stand-out side in this year’s tournament so far, with in-form striker Hinata Miyazawa currently leading the golden boot standings after scoring five goals from four games.

The Swedes have meanwhile shown plenty of reliance, having pulled off the result of the completion so far by knocking out hot favorites the USA on penalties in the previous round.

Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch Germany vs. Colombia no matter where you are in the world.

Japan vs Sweden: When and where?

This quarterfinal clash takes place at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand on Friday, August 11.

Kick-off is set for 7:30 p.m. NZST local time in New Zealand, which makes it a 3:30 a.m. ET or 12:30 a.m. PT start in the US and Canada, a 7:30pm AEST start in Australia, and a 8:30 a.m. BST kick-off in the UK.

How to watch the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 online from anywhere using a VPN

If you find yourself unable to view the tournament locally, you may need a different way to watch this match — that’s where using a VPN can come in handy. A VPN is also the best way to stop your ISP from throttling your speeds on game day by encrypting your traffic, and it’s also a great idea if you’re traveling and find yourself connected to a Wi-Fi network, and you want to add an extra layer of privacy for your devices and logins.

With a VPN, you’re able to virtually change your location on your phone, tablet or laptop to get access to the game. Most VPNs, like our Editors’ Choice, ExpressVPN, make it really easy to do this.

Using a VPN to watch or stream sports is legal in any country where VPNs are legal, including the US, UK and Australia, as long as you have a legitimate subscription to the service you’re streaming. You should be sure your VPN is set up correctly to prevent leaks: Even where VPNs are legal, the streaming service may terminate the account of anyone it deems to be circumventing correctly applied blackout restrictions.

Looking for other options? Be sure to check out some of the other great VPN deals taking place right now.

Livestream Japan vs Sweden in the US

Women’s World Cup matches are being broadcast on Fox in the US. If you’re already a subscriber, you can livestream games via the Fox website. if you’re not, you’ll need a live TV streaming service that carries Fox, the least expensive being Sling TV Blue.

Numerous other live TV streaming services carry local Fox stations as well, namely YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TV, DirecTV Stream and Fubo. They all cost more than Sling TV, but they also carry more channels. Check out our live TV streaming channel guide for details.

NBC-owned Telemundo, meanwhile, offers all the games in Spanish, and can also be viewed via NBC’s streaming platform Peacock Premium.

One further option in the US for watching matches comes with Tubi TV, which is offering full-length replays of the games in English minutes after they end on the free ad-supported streaming service. You’ll have to sign up for a Tubi account in order to get the games, but you won’t need a credit card or subscription.

Watch Japan vs Sweden for free in the UK

Football fans in the UK are among the luckiest in the world, as all matches of the FIFA Women’s World Cup being shown live on free-to-air channels, with the BBC and ITV sharing broadcast duties. This game will be shown live on BBC1, which means viewers in the UK will be able to stream the game for free on BBC iPlayer. Coverage starts at 10:45 a.m. BST on Thursday morning.

Stream Japan vs. Sweden in Canada

Comprehensive live coverage of the 2023 Women’s World Cup is available in Canada via TSN. Cord cutters can watch via the network’s streaming service TSN Plus.

Stream Japan vs Sweden for free in New Zealand

Live coverage of 2023 Women’s World Cup for the co-host nation is with free-to-air channel Prime. Kick-off for this match is at 7:30 p.m. NZST.

Quick tips for streaming the 2023 Women’s World Cup using a VPN

• With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming the Women’s World Cup action live may vary.
• If you don’t see your desired location as a default option for ExpressVPN, try using the “search for city or country” option.
• If you’re having trouble getting the game after you’ve turned on your VPN and set it to the correct viewing area, there are two things you can try for a quick fix. First, log into your streaming service subscription account and make sure the address registered for the account is an address in the correct viewing area. If not, you may need to change the physical address on file with your account. Second, some smart TVs — like Roku — don’t have VPN apps you can install directly on the device itself. Instead, you’ll have to install the VPN on your router or the mobile hotspot you’re using (like your phone) so that any device on its Wi-Fi network now appears in the correct viewing location.
• All of the VPN providers we recommend have helpful instructions on their main site for quickly installing the VPN on your router. In some cases with smart TV services, after you install a cable network’s sports app, you’ll be asked to verify a numeric code or click a link sent to your email address on file for your smart TV. This is where having a VPN on your router will also help, since both devices will appear to be in the correct location.
• And remember, browsers can often give away a location despite using a VPN, so be sure you’re using a privacy-first browser to log into your services. We normally recommend Brave.

Corsair’s top-of-the-line model in its K70 series of gaming keyboards, the K70 Max ($230, 249 or roughly AU$485), delivers a lot for its high price if you’re willing to take advantage of the type of customization it offers. Unlike the K70 Pro, which has traditional optical switches offered in linear, clicky and tactile variants, the Max comes with magnetic-mechanical MGX switches, comprised of a magnet which controls the point at which a keystroke registers (actuation point) lodged inside a spring that makes it feel more mechanical.

The technology enables useful capabilities, like the ability to manually define actuation points — two per key in the range of 0.4-3.6mm, for things like quick combos — and reset points. I found the dual actuation useful for double jumps, for instance. But the feel of the keys is idiosyncratic compared to more conventional mechanical and optical switches, thanks to a combination of the magnetic actuator, soft landing and full 4mm travel. The effect is like jumping from a plane and landing on a steel core wrapped in a layer of air inside a marshmallow. It’s an acquired taste that I’ve had some trouble acquiring.

For example, linear switches essentially have no actuation distance, or one that’s so small it might as well as be none. But the equivalent setting on the MGX switches (0.4mm) still feels like there’s a slight but distinct point to overcome through. So they don’t feel quite as smoothly linear as optical switches, though there isn’t enough resistance to prevent accidental presses because it has the same light 45g actuation force of opticals like Razer’s.

But your mileage may vary, because different hands and brains.

There are compelling reasons to put up with the oddness, though, if it doesn’t throw you off too badly. The customizable actuation and reset points let you find that exact point where you can execute a move as fast as possible without overshooting, rather than letting your keyboard dictate your response.

I had to go through a lot of trial and error to find a setting that made my spacebar sufficiently easy to actuate without repeating, for instance. I finally ended up with a midrange actuation point (2.1mm) and a short reset point (0.6mm); if you use spaces in hidden fields (like passwords), reliable keystrokes are critical, since you can’t tell if you’ve made a mistake.

You can also try using the dual actuation points to the same end, or change the global debounce delay setting, which is normally zero (a positive debounce adds a slight lag between the keypress and the registering of the keystroke). The dual actuations are nice, but for a lot of people it might not compensate for the lack of dedicated macro keys. I wish there were a built-in way to test different variations or presets with combinations of settings when you get started.

Since you probably don’t want the same settings while gaming, being able to add granular settings to profiles and load them into the keyboard’s memory is good. If you need to quickly “wipe” all the customizations, there’s a tournament mode switch.

Corsair plans to offer an update with support for Rapid Trigger mode, where the switch effectively resets immediately upon release. A firmware update is slated for the end of August, and it’ll be integrated into iCue, Corsair’s software for Mac, by the end of the year. The latter is necessary to customize it.

The keyboard works with consoles and the Mac as well as Windows, but iCue is a version behind Windows and doesn’t run at all on consoles. So the ability to cycle through profiles in hardware is key, though you may not be able to customize if you don’t have a Windows system. And in order to take advantage of its 8,000 Hz polling rate (or anything above 1K Hz, I believe), you need iCue.

Beyond the switches and what they bring to the table, the Pro Max is pretty much the same as the Pro. It’s tanklike and heavy, thanks to all the metal in it, with nice design touches including multiple channels to thread the braided cable through. There’s a nice magnetically connecting wrist rest with rubber tabs that cushion the bottom edge of the keyboard (and accumulate schmutz). There’s also bright, shine-through per-key RGB lighting and sturdy, textured doubleshot PBT keycaps.

The only thing I don’t like about the keys is the sound of the spacebar. It’s stable, with three points of attachment, but it sounds hollow and high-pitched. That’s not an issue if you wear a headset, but when it’s just you, your keyboard and your speedy touch typing, the noise kind of grates.

The Corsair K70 Max probably doesn’t have broad appeal; the price alone narrows the potential pool of buyers. And I’m not sure how practical it is generally. If speed matters to you, you may be better off with the speed and consistency of optical switches like the Corsair OPX versions in the cheaper K70 Pro, among other brands. But if you need a keyboard that can be many things to many games — and work, too — the K70 Max may offer the flexibility of a custom feel for every occasion.

Can you get a projector for under $100? Technically, yes. They do exist. Are they any good? In a word, no. No, they are not. Most ultracheap projectors are barely watchable. However, we did find a couple that can create a reasonable, TV-size image, as long as you’re watching them in a dark room. Most of the best projectors we review here at CNET fall in the $500-to-$1,500 range, but if that’s beyond your budget, you can watch TV and movies on something as cheap as $65. If you can spend a little more, there are some gems for just a few hundred bucks.

Even going as high as $250 or so, AAXA P8 and the Vimgo P10, did surprisingly well in my comparison tests. They delivered big, perfectly watchable images for less than the price of a cheap phone.

Even among the sub-$100 projectors, some are notably better than others. We tested several, using the same tests and measurement gear we use to review “real” projectors, and got some interesting results. Here’s how they looked.

We need to talk about picture quality

The projectors above, except perhapsthe Hision and AuKing, look worse than pretty much any modern TV, no matter how cheap. You definitely need to recalibrate your expectations for what you’re getting here. I’ve used the word “watchable” a lot in this guide which is somewhere between generous and Olympic-grade hyperbole. Here are a few key reasons why:

• Light output
• Contrast
• Color
• Resolution

In every measurable way, spending $150 more will get you a vastly superior product. The best cheap projectors we’ve reviewed are substantially brighter, better looking, more accurate and more detailed. I hate recommending anyone pay more for something, but in this case, it’s well worth it. Unless you’re considering these as a disposable toy, I’d advise getting something else or saving up and getting something better.

One of the understandable points of confusion are the specs and marketing of these projectors. They’re filled with… shall we say, “gifts for fiction”? One of them claims 8,000 lumens of brightness. I measured 141. Another claimed a resolution of 1080p. I measured 240, which is the same resolution as VHS tape. Lots of marketing will twist the truth to sell you a product, but these projector descriptions were especially bad.

Why you should spend more than $100 on a projector

I’m all for spending as little as possible to get something cool, or at least useful. We’ve reviewed several inexpensive projectors recently that aren’t bad for the price. The ones in this roundup, however, are decidedly not good, even for the price. They’re exceptionally dim, so they can’t create a very large image, and it would be generous to call their color and contrast “marginal.”

What do you get with slightly more expensive projectors, starting at around $250? Picture quality is an obvious one, in terms of resolution, detail and color, most noticeably. Spending even a little bit more gets you significantly more light output, which means the picture is easier to see and you can create a larger image as well. Some have built-in batteries so they can work completely wirelessly. Lastly, many more expensive projectors have built-in streaming. This means no external device is needed to watch Netflix.

If you’re considering one of these $100-ish projectors to have on hand for the kids to occasionally watch a show in a room without a TV, the TV is absolutely a better option. It will be easier to use, easier to watch, and can be seen with the lights on. It’s not even that different in price. We recently spotted a deal on a 32-inch TV with streaming built in for $90. It’s less portable, for sure, but infinitely more useful.

If you were considering these projectors for something inexpensive and portable for camping, the Meer and MissYou can technically run off a battery. But then they’re even dimmer, if you can believe it. Don’t expect to create an image much larger than the smallest of TVs. If it doesn’t break your budget, something like the AAXA P8 is way brighter, or the Anker Mars II Pro which is good all-around for a bit more.

How does CNET test budget projectors?

The same way we test more expensive projectors. For specifics, check out how we test projectors.

Ultrabudget projector FAQ

As well as covering TV and other display tech, Geoff does photo tours of cool museums and locations around the world, including nuclear submarines, massive aircraft carriers, medieval castles, epic 10,000-mile road trips, and more. Check out Tech Treks for all his tours and adventures.

He wrote a bestselling sci-fi novel about city-size submarines and a sequel. You can follow his adventures on Instagram and his YouTube channel.

Streaming is a convenient way to enjoy your favorite movies and TV shows, but nothing beats the picture quality and audio fidelity you get from a Blu-ray disc. The best Blu-ray players provide an exemplary movie-watching experience in the comfort of your own home. And without being constrained by internet speeds and bandwidth, you never need to deal with buffering like you may on services such as Netflix.

Currently, there are two types of Blu-ray player available: 4K UHD Blu-ray and 1080p Blu-ray. Both are a step up from a traditional DVD player, though opting for a 4K model will let you play both kinds of Blu-rays and give you access to Dolby Atmos, Dolby Vision, DTS:X and HDR10 formats for top-rate image quality. If you’re a real collector, all Blu-ray players will work with your old DVD and CD collections, too. The problems you encounter with streaming apps, like dropouts, bandwidth caps and buffering, are nonexistent. But if you miss those glitches, the vast majority of the best Blu-ray players can accommodate your streaming service of choice, including Netflix (some even in 4K), Amazon Prime Video and Hulu.

Current gaming consoles like the high-end PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X can play both types of Blu-ray in addition to the latest games. If you don’t have a 4K TV and a library of only regular Blu-rays, you can save money by buying a 1080p-only player like the Sony BDP-S3700.

Are you ready to make the most of your 4K content? Grab an HDMI cable and get ready to enjoy the excellent playback and top-notch viewing experience that Blu-ray players have to offer. This curated list of the best Blu-ray player options should help you find the right setup for your needs.

Blu-ray player FAQs

More home entertainment essentials

• How to Buy a TV
• Best TV for 2023
• Best Streaming Device for 2023
• Best TV Antenna for Cord-Cutters
• Prime Video: The 35 Absolute Best TV Shows to Watch

• Best Free Shows on Peacock, IMDb TV and More

You protect your skin with sunscreen, but don’t forget your eyes. Protecting your eyes has never been more important and right now, you can pick up a pair of great sunglasses from major brands like Oakley, Ray-Ban and others. There are so many options to choose from, you’re sure to find something that fits your style and budget.

Looking for more discounts? CNET has the latest coupons and promo code offers from Sunglass Hut, Costa Del Mar, Ray-Ban, Oakley and more — updated and verified daily.

Welcome to CNET Coupons, the first stop before you shop, featuring a multitude of deals and discounts from top online retailers. Simply head over to our coupon page and type in your favorite store or brands to find all the deals available for the week.

Some of the most significant upgrades in the iPhone 14 are inconspicuous tools and services that could come in handy when in more remote regions without cellular service. Emergency SOS via Satellite, which Apple announced in September, is one such feature — and I had the chance to try it out.

Beyond the clouds and sky, hundreds of miles above the Earth, flying by at 16,000 mph, are communications satellites. They’re too high to be seen by the human eye, but could be vital for getting you help when you (or someone you love) is stranded, injured and out of cell service range. The iPhone 14 can connect to these satellites to contact an emergency dispatcher even when you can’t make a phone call. You can also share your location with loved ones via a satellite without sending a message.

Like Car Crash Detection, Emergency SOS via Satellite is something you hope you won’t ever have to make use of. If you want to try the service out for yourself, Apple added in a built-in demo mode that lets you connect to a satellite without calling 911.

How to use Emergency SOS via Satellite on the iPhone 14

The first thing you need to know about Emergency SOS via Satellite is that you don’t need to know anything. The service is designed to work on its own, and the interface will walk you through the process step by step.

The second thing you should know is that using Emergency SOS is equivalent to calling 911. In fact, that’s actually how you use it. Dial 911, and if your phone can’t connect, an option to text emergency services via satellite appears. To get started, tap the Emergency Text via Satellite button. (You can also go to Messages to text 911 or SOS, and then tap Emergency Services.)

When I tried the feature out, there was a satellite icon on the top right corner of the phone, where my cell signal normally is.

Next, tap Report Emergency. Since a back and forth conversation isn’t possible over a satellite connection like a regular phone, Apple worked with emergency dispatchers to create a form that gathers the essential information they need in order to respond. Those details are compressed into a message that’s a third the size of a regular text so that it can be sent to a satellite in low Earth orbit.

Using taps, you answer the emergency questions based on your situation. The types of emergencies you can choose are:

• Car or Vehicle Issue
• Sickness or Injury
• Crime
• Lost or Trapped
• Fire

Depending on your emergency, you’ll get different follow-up prompts and questions. You can also notify your emergency contacts.

Next, onscreen directions will help you connect to a satellite. The interface is simple and guides you through finding a satellite and staying connected. As the satellite moved, I was prompted to shift left or right to maintain the connection. And despite a cloudy, rainy day, the connectivity worked within 20 to 30 seconds. But it could take a minute or more to connect, especially if there is light foliage.

Once you’re connected, your iPhone starts a text conversation with emergency responders and shares the emergency questionnaire answers, your location (including elevation), critical information like your medical ID and emergency contact information (if you have set them up) and the remaining battery life for your iPhone.

You might be asked questions through additional messages, like where you’re located or whether you have medication.

At the top of the screen, a window shows your connection to the satellite and the status of your messages. Emergency dispatchers receive your messages and respond via text. If your local emergency services don’t support text messages, Apple has set up relay centers with operators who work as an intermediary between you and emergency dispatch.

Which iPhone models support Emergency SOS via Satellite?

The service will be available now on:

• iPhone 14
• iPhone 14 Plus
• iPhone 14 Pro
• iPhone 14 Pro Max

Can I try out Emergency SOS via Satellite?

Yes, kind of. Apple created a demo mode that lets your iPhone connect to a satellite without calling or contacting 911. The experience is nearly identical to what I did, except you are not contacting emergency services.

To start the demo, go outside and open Settings. Then, tap Emergency SOS and scroll to the bottom to try the demo.

The Emergency SOS via Satellite demo turns off your cellular connection and gives you a preview of the emergency questionnaire. But again, it’s not actually contacting emergency services.

Next, the demo walks you through finding a satellite. It’s a good way to familiarize yourself with the feature should you ever need it. (Plus, connecting your iPhone to a satellite is just cool.)

How do I share my location using a satellite?

Another way to use satellite connectivity on your iPhone is sharing your location to let friends and family know where you are without messaging them.

In the Find My app, tap the Me tab. When you expand the tab, you’ll see a new section called My Location via Satellite. Tap Send My Location. You’ll be prompted to find and connect to a satellite. In the time I spent trying Emergency SOS via satellite at Apple Park, this particular step took minutes to send my location.

Where can I use Emergency SOS via Satellite?

Currently it’s available in the US (including Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands) and Canada. The service will expand to France, Germany, Ireland and the UK next month. But you don’t need to live in these places to use this feature. Emergency SOS service is also available for people visiting the US and Canada, unless they bought their iPhone 14 in China, Hong Kong or Macao.

Can I use Emergency SOS via Satellite indoors?

No. You need to be outside and have a direct line of sight between your iPhone and the satellite. The service doesn’t work indoors, and tall buildings, mountains, dense foliage and other objects can block satellite connectivity. The Emergency SOS interface guides you to help you find and connect to a satellite.

How much does Emergency SOS via Satellite cost?

The service is free for two years. Beyond that, Apple hasn’t shared how much it will cost or if there will actually ever be a charge to access the feature.

Does the iPhone 14 have satellite connectivity?

Yes. All iPhone 14 models support Emergency SOS via Satellite.

What satellites are used for Emergency SOS via Satellite?

Apple worked in partnership with satellite telecommunications company Globalstar, which is headquartered in Covington, Louisiana, with facilities across the US. The feature uses Globalstar’s network of low-orbit satellites.

Apple made a $450 million investment to provide critical enhancements to Globalstar’s satellite network and ground stations. At Globalstar, more than 300 employees support the new service.

Can an iPhone be used as a satellite phone?

Yes and no. The iPhone 14 series can connect to satellites to send a text message to emergency services when a call can’t be placed. You can also share your location via satellite in the Find My app. However, you can’t use any iPhone to make calls like a dedicated satellite phone.

Can the iPhone 13 be used as a satellite phone?

No, only the iPhone 14 series supports satellite connectivity for emergencies.

Which iPhone is a satellite phone?

None are technically satellite phones, but the iPhone 14 series does support contacting emergency services via satellites through text messages as a last resort.

For more, here’s your complete guide to the iPhone 14 and everything to know about iOS 16.

No matter the cost of your TV, it’s worth investing in a separate, dedicated speaker for your screen. This is because even the best TVs may be able to offer excellent image quality, but sound quality will always have to play second fiddle. Soundbars are a much more affordable alternative to home theater speakers and AV receivers, while still providing powerful and immersive audio, and they’ll take up a lot less room in your living room as well. To help you find the best one for your needs, here are the best soundbars based on my listening tests.

What is the best soundbar?

If you’re looking to spend the least amount of money to get good sound, then the best soundbar to buy is the Roku Streambar. It offers both streaming and movie sound and is an unbeatable value. If you’re looking for a step-up from that, then a soundbar with a wireless subwoofer, such as the Klipsch Cinema 400, will help you get the most out of action films and music. Taking this one step further, the Vizio M512a-H6 with Dolby Atmos support is an excellent buy and the best option for spatial audio on a budget. Lastly, if you want the best that money can buy, then the Sennheiser Ambeo will give you the best sound I’ve ever heard in a soundbar.

If you’re on the hunt for the best soundbar 2023 has to offer, I’ve rounded up some excellent speakers starting from $100. This list is updated periodically as I test new models.

The 10 best soundbars of 2023

Other soundbars I’ve tested

• JBL Bar 500 ($600): Alongside Klipsch, JBL has long had a reputation for being a rock ‘n’ roll brand with a big sound and even bigger cabinets. During my tests, the JBL Bar 500 fulfilled both parts of the brief by pairing excellent sound with one of the largest subwoofers I’ve ever seen with a soundbar. Yet, while it includes both HDMI and networked music streaming, the JBL is missing Dolby Atmos — which is disappointing for the price. You can save yourself a lot of money by getting the even-bigger sounding Klipsch Cinema 400 instead.
• Polk Signa S3 ($299): If you’re looking for a speaker that can do music as well as play the latest episode of The Last of Us, then the Polk Audio Signa S3 has a lot to offer. It’s great for streaming, as it has Chromecast built in in addition to Bluetooth and an HDMI input. Read my Polk Signa S3 review.

• Sony HT-S2000 ($498): Better in some ways than the competition and worse in others, the Sony HT-S2000 boasts better bass response than the Sonos Beam. But for $500 it misses a lot of the features of its single-bar competition, namely Dolby Atmos compatibility and Wi-Fi streaming.

• Zvox SB500 ($430): If you’re looking for a single audio bar that’s even cheaper than the Sonos Arc, the Zvox SB500 is a great option for people who still prize sound quality. This speaker offers multiple sound mode options, tighter bass and better sound than most other single-speaker options. While it may lack the Sonos’ Wi-Fi streaming, the Zvox still includes Bluetooth connectivity for streaming audio from your phone or tablet. Read the Zvox SB500 review.

How CNET chooses which soundbars to test

When choosing which soundbars to evaluate, CNET uses the following criteria as part of its selection process:

• Price: The most important consideration when choosing a soundbar is how much it costs, and I have found there are great soundbars at every price level, starting at $100 and up. I give a lot of thought to the features a soundbar has in comparison to others that cost the same. I do have one rule of thumb, though: Once the price of a soundbar exceeds $500, you may find it more worthwhile to save for an AV receiver and speakers.
• Wireless streaming: Whether it’s connecting a phone over Bluetooth or more advanced streaming technologies such as Spotify Connect or Apple AirPlay, the more choices for streaming technologies a soundbar has, the better.
• Dolby Atmos: Dolby Atmos is one of the most popular features in soundbars over $400, and so I look at features that help maximize spatial sound quality. For example, does the soundbar offer dedicated height speakers, or is it simulated Atmos?
• HDMI connections: At the bare minimum, a soundbar sold in 2023 should have at least one HDMI input, and preferably more. The ability to offer multiple HDMI ports will help users with a large selection of sources (Xbox Series X, Apple TV, Nintendo Switch, Blu-ray player, etc.). However, there are notable exceptions to this rule. For example, the Sonos Ray only offers an optical output, but this is acceptable given that it’s most suitable for older or smaller TVs.
• Subwoofer and surround speakers Single-bar systems are great for smaller TVs, while a soundbar-and-subwoofer combo is better suited for a living room. For that reason, I take note of the size of the system and whether it offers wireless or wired peripherals. Most soundbars with subs are wireless, for instance, while systems with surrounds can be wired, as in the case of the Vizio Elevate.

Read more in the soundbar buying guide.

How CNET tests soundbars

CNET follows a rigorous, unbiased evaluation process for all of its soundbar testing, from simple stereo speakers to Dolby Atmos systems. In the CNET AV Lab I do comparative testing, pitting similar soundbars against each other side by side.

I evaluate the performance of each soundbar with a number of different types of content, including movies, music, TV shows and games. I use a number of test scenes — including the opening of Mad Max:Fury Road for playback of the spatial audio standard Dolby Atmos for soundbars which support it. I also use the Thanator Attack scene of Avatar (26.53) to test a system’s dynamics and detail retrieval.

When it comes to music, I use a number of CNET test tracks which you can find here in a Tidal or Spotify playlist. Tracks such as Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds’ Red Right Hand, with its deep bass and tenor vocals, help determine a system’s ability to track male voices in particular, without sounding congested. The song also helps with uncovering hidden details and the relative dynamics a speaker is capable of. Using both types of content — movies and music — I then grade the sound quality of each soundbar. I evaluate characteristics such as speech clarity, dynamics/volume, bass response and musical playback.

CNET’s dedicated audio lab in downtown New York includes a selection of 2022 and 2023 televisions (with HDMI eARC), plus Apple TV 4K streamer and Roku Ultra streamers, a Microsoft Xbox Series X and an Oppo UDP-205 4K Blu-ray player. I also use Roon music software to stream to individual devices or the Oppo player as needed.

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On Thursday, Apple Arcade added Nekograms Plus to its library of games, and this puzzle game is purr-fect for cat lovers. If you subscribe to Apple Arcade ($5, 5 or AU$8 a month), you can play this game at no additional charge, and without ads or in-app purchases — hence this version being called “Nekograms Plus” on the App Store.

This game was developed by Hungry Sky, a studio that has developed various augmented reality apps, touchscreen apps and other digital experiences. The studio developed Nekograms, its first self-published title, in 2021.

The goal of this game is simple: Get all the felines on screen to take a nap. You have to slide the cats and pillows around obstacles and each other in as few moves as possible until everyone has a pillow to rest on.

Finding a comfy spot for everyone can at times feel like, well, herding cats. Cats can only move horizontally, while pillows can only move vertically. Some cats are long boys and block your path or take up multiple pillows. But the most difficult part might be waking up an unsuspecting cat and hearing their little yelp of surprise that makes you want to move them back and apologize for the disturbance.

You can play this game, and many others, in Apple Arcade for $5 a month, or $60 annually. You can also try Apple Arcade for free for one month with your first sign-up, or you can get a three-month free trial whenever you buy a new Apple device. To access Apple Arcade, open the App Store on your iOS device and tap the joystick in the menu bar.