Category: Technologies

With the international break done and dusted, English Premier League leaders Arsenal will be looking to pick up where they left off as they take on relegation-threatened Leeds at home on Saturday.

The Gunners will be looking to extend a run of six successive victories as they go in search of their first Premier League title since 2004. Boss Mikel Arteta will nevertheless have been left frustrated by injuries picked up by Thomas Partey and Keiran Tierney while on international duty, which look set to rule them out of this match, alongside Eddie Nketiah and William Saliba.

Leeds are just two points above the drop zone, but have given themselves hope of avoiding relegation following a marked improvement in performances since the appointment of Javi Gracia as manager. However, a tough task against the league leaders looks to have gotten even more difficult with the loss of both Tyler Adams and Willy Gnonto to injury.

Below, we’ll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch the game live wherever you are in the world.

Arsenal vs. Leeds United: When and where?

Arsenal host Leeds at the Emirates Stadium in London on Saturday, April 1. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. BST local time in the UK (10 a.m. ET, 7 a.m. PT in the US, and at 1 a.m. AEST on Sunday, April. 2 in Australia).

How to watch the Arsenal vs. Leeds United game online from anywhere using a VPN

If you find yourself unable to view the game locally, you may need a different way to watch the game — 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 Canada, 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.

Sarah Tew/CNET

ExpressVPN

Best VPN for streaming

ExpressVPN is our current best VPN pick for people who want a reliable and safe VPN, and it works on a variety of devices. It’s normally $13 per month, and you can sign up for ExpressVPN and save 49% plus get three months of access for free — the equivalent of $6.67 per month — if you get an annual subscription.

Note that ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.

See at ExpressVPN

Livestream the Arsenal vs. Leeds United game in the US

Saturday’s game is on USA Network, which you can access as part of your cable package or at the NBC Sports website with a valid login, and can be streamed via FuboTV and Sling TV.

Livestream the Arsenal vs. Leeds United game in Canada

If you want to stream this EPL clash live in Canada, you’ll need to subscribe to FuboTV Canada. The service has exclusive rights to this Premier League season.

Livestream the Arsenal vs. Leeds United game in Australia

Football fans Down Under can watch this EPL fixture on streaming service Optus Sport, which is showing every single Premier League game live in Australia this season.

Can I livestream the Arsenal vs. Leeds United game in the UK?

No broadcaster has the rights to show this game live in the UK, due to the traditional Saturday 3 p.m. kick-off blackout, which prohibits matches being shown in the region at that time in order to protect attendances throughout the English football pyramid.

That also means that if you’re in the UK traveling for pleasure or for work, you’re unlikely to be able to watch the game like you normally would at home thanks to geo-blocking.

There is one option to get around this, however. By using a VPN, as explained above, you can set your location to a country where the match is being broadcast and go from there.

Quick tips for streaming the Premier League using a VPN

• With four variables at play — your ISP, browser, video streaming provider and VPN — your experience and success when streaming EPL matches 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.

We have a list of the best cheap true-wireless earbuds. But what if you want to pay as little as possible? Say, under $40 or even less? Yes, there are an increasing number of cheap true wireless earbuds out there, but only a few that stand out for being a cut above and surprisingly decent for the price. As I like to say, you shouldn’t expect the world at this low price, but I’ve rounded up options if you’re shopping for an affordable pair that do a decent job — and you can throw any of these cheap wireless earbuds in a gym bag and not feel heartbroken if you happen to lose them.

Here are my current dirt-cheap true-wireless favorites, listed from highest to lowest price (but heck, they’re all pretty darn cheap). I’ve tested them all, and I’ll update this list of options for the best wireless earbuds under $40 periodically.

Read more: Best Cheap True-Wireless Earbuds for 2023

Best budget true-wireless earbuds

Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET

Soundpeats Air3 Deluxe HS

Best cheap open earbuds

$35 at Amazon

What makes these Soundpeats Air3 Deluxe HS buds special is that they sound surprisingly good for open earbuds — they’re pretty close to what you get from Apple’s AirPods 3 for sound. On top of that, they support Sony’s LDAC audio codec for devices that offer it. Not too many cheap open earbuds have good sound, but these Soundpeats have good bass response and clarity. They’re also good for making calls and have a low-latency gaming mode. The price is currently a little more than $35 after applying the code NI6VXZF8 at checkout.

David Carnoy/CNET

Tranya T20

Good sound for under $40

$32 at Amazon

You’re receiving price alerts for Tranya T20

Battery Life

Rated up to 8 hours

Noise Canceling

No

Multipoint

No

Headphone Type

Wireless earbuds

Water-Resistant

Yes (IPX7 — can be submerged for 30 minutes up to 1 meter)

The Tranya T20s remind me a little of a cheaper version of Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 2 without the noise canceling. They’re pretty no-frills and are missing more premium features such as an ear-detection sensor that automatically pauses your music when you take a bud out of your ears. But they sound surprisingly decent for their modest price. If you get a tight seal, they sit flush with your ears (they don’t stick out much) and they have decent battery life — up to 8 hours at moderate volume levels. They also work pretty well for making calls and are IPX7 waterproof.

The case feels a little cheap and the buds are lightweight. The Galaxy Buds 2 definitely feel more premium. However, the buds are well tuned and have a relatively wide soundstage. Don’t expect the world from them and I think you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET

Soundcore by Anker Life P2 Mini

Decent-sounding buds for less than $35

$31 at Amazon

You’re receiving price alerts for Soundcore by Anker Life P2 Mini

The Soundcore by Anker Life P2 Mini have been out for some time but remain a good budget earbuds option. Available in several color options (navy is show here), they’re compact and lightweight and offer decent sound with 3 EQ modes to choose from. While these don’t have active noise canceling, battery life is good, running up to 8 hours at moderate volume levels. The P2 Mini are IPX5 splash-proof and perform well but not exceptionally well as a headset for making calls.

I also like Anker’s Soundcore Life P3i buds, which retail for around $45 and do have active noise canceling. They’re superior to these buds, but cost about $10 to $15 more.

Amazon

Earfun Free 2S

Top budget wireless earbuds pick

$27 at Amazon

You’re receiving price alerts for Earfun Free 2S

I was a fan of the original Earfun Free buds, and now there’s an upgraded version called the Earfun Free 2 (which has been subsequently upgraded to the 2S). They’re not a huge upgrade, but like the originals, they fit my ears well and deliver decent bang for the buck with strong sound. It has just a touch of treble and bass boost (there’s plenty of bass), and extra features such as wireless charging.

Battery life is rated at up to 7 hours at moderate volume levels, and these buds are fully waterproof with an IPX7 rating. These are equipped with Bluetooth 5.2 and use Qualcomm’s QCC3040 chip that includes support for the aptX audio codec if you’re using a compatible device (certain Android smartphones support that protocol).

Clip the on-page coupon and apply the code BFFREE2S4 at checkout to get an additional $13 discount.

David Carnoy/CNET

Fiil CC2

Open buds with an open case (temporarily out of stock)

$30 at Amazon

Battery Life

Rated up to 6 hours

Noise Canceling

Yes

Headphone Type

Wireless earbud

Water-Resistant

No IP rating, advertised as sweat-proof

I never tried the original Fiil CC earbuds, but the next-gen CC2 improves on the performance of the originals, with better battery life (they’re rated at 5 hours on a single charge) and no audio latency issues when watching videos.

These did stay in my ears better than the standard AirPods. They pair quickly — they’re equipped with Bluetooth 5.2 — there’s a Fiil companion app for tweaking settings and they sound quite decent for open-style buds, with just enough bass to keep you from feeling they’re bass shy. They’re also decent for making calls and have touch controls.

One of their distinguishing features is their open case, which makes it easy to access the buds and put them back in their case. Thanks to some integrated magnets, they stay in the case securely — you can turn it upside down and the buds won’t come out. Unlike the AirPods, these have square stems, not rounded ones. That seems a little weird at first, and they do fit in your ears slightly differently to AirPods as a result.

Between the impending rollout of Netflix’s account-sharing fees and a wave of streaming service price hikes, it may feel like a luxury to stream. If you add up the costs of each platform, you may discover you’re spending $100 or more a month. But it doesn’t have to be this way.

Let’s say you’re subscribed to multiple streaming platforms, you watch one or two of them until your favorite series ends its season, then look for the next thing. But is it worth keeping all those accounts active if you’re not watching anything on them? I don’t think so.

Have a look at this budget-conscious strategy to help you save on your streaming TV expenses.

Best Live TV Streaming Service for Cord Cutters in 2023

See at Cnet

Rotate all your streaming subscriptions

For cord-cutters, shifting from cable to streaming can be a wise financial move. Because you’re able to sign up for monthly plans, it’s easy to jump into a streaming service and jump out when prices increase or content gets dull. But according to Deloitte’s 2022 Media Trends report, the main reasons people cancel their streaming subscriptions are because of costs and lack of fresh content. Media companies call this behavior “churn.” We’re calling this the rotation method, and you should try it.

The incentive? You save your coin and avoid content droughts. Let’s say a popular show like Ted Lasso or The Masked Singer is set to premiere on a streaming service. Find the total episode count and wait until they’re all available at once on a platform. You cancel Apple TV Plus, Hulu, Disney Plus or other service and then, once all the episodes are available, resubscribe to catch up. Alternatively, you can start streaming a show midseason to cut costs. My monthly guide on which streaming services to cancel can help you keep up.

The downside? You won’t have immediate access to every show you want to watch and will have to wait until the full season airs. And since many streaming services release new episodes weekly, you might not be caught up at the same time as your friends. If you’re someone who prefers to watch episodes immediately when they drop, you may decide it’s worth it to have multiple subscriptions at a time. If you have patience, however, you can save some money.

The strategy can also work if you have a live TV streaming service to watch a particular sport or major event like March Madness. Once the season wraps, cancel the service or move to a cheaper platform with fewer channels, like Sling TV.

Need help figuring out the best way to rotate? Follow the tips below to learn how to churn streaming platforms until your wallet feels content.

Best Streaming Device for 2023: Picks From Roku, Google, Amazon and Apple

See at Cnet

Tip No. 1: Cancel your subscription before getting charged

Set calendar reminders for your billing cycle and upcoming TV show or movie release dates. Give yourself enough warning to begin or end a subscription. Apps such as JustWatch, TV Time and Hobi help you track when and where TV shows and movies appear on a streaming service. And JustWatch added a tracker specifically for sports. If you have a smart home device from Google or Amazon, you can set reminders for specific dates and allow a voice assistant like Alexa to notify you of an upcoming bill or streaming release date.

Tip No. 2: Sign up for streaming service deals

Look for discounts on streaming services. For example, Starz is now $3 per month for three months, a drop from its regular $9-a-month rate. You can also take advantage of the Disney Bundle, which provides access to Disney Plus, Hulu and ESPN Plus in a single package for a reduced price. And eligible Hulu subscribers can add on Disney Plus for $2. Lastly, be sure to check with your mobile carrier to see which ones offer free streaming subscriptions.

Best Streaming Service Deals From Verizon, AT&T and T-Mobile

See at Cnet

Tip No. 3: Pick one or two default streaming services

Subscribe to one or two must-have services for the year, and select only one or two more options to fit your monthly budget. Rotate the bonus service(s) according to what you want to watch, ensuring you don’t miss your favorite shows while sticking to your monthly spending cap.

Tip No. 4: Use monthly billing only

Avoid annual subscriptions and pay attention to your auto-renewal payment dates. Your billing cycle can help determine when it’s the best time to quit a service, even if you’ve only signed up for a free trial. The only advantage to signing up for an annual plan is when the price is drastically cut down.

Tip No. 5: Don’t cancel your subscription, pause it

Hulu allows you to pause your subscription for up to 12 weeks, and Sling has a similar option with stipulations. Check with your streaming provider to see if you can take a temporary break without canceling.

Give it a shot, and if you don’t like it you can always resubscribe. For more excellent tips on streaming TV, check out this guide to Netflix’s hidden tricks and our tips on the best VPNs.

2023’s Best TV and Streaming Shows You Can’t Miss on Netflix, HBO, Disney Plus and More

+59 more

See all photos

Google on Friday outlined steps it took to stop fake info from making its way onto Google Maps.

Google Maps is a go-to for directions, a way to find public transportation info and even offers a peek into the past thanks to Street View. It also provides a wealth of information that’s contributed by people, including videos, reviews, ratings and business information. Some of that user-contributed content, however, can be inaccurate or fraudulent.

With the help of machine learning, the search giant removed millions of pieces of user-submitted fake content from Google Maps in 2022, said Ashish Gupta, Google’s engineering director for user-generated content, in a blog post. This included 115 million policy-violating reviews along with 200 million photos and 7 million videos that were “blurry, low quality, or violated our content policies.” Google also stopped 20 million attempts to create fake business profiles, Gupta said.

Google also shared some specific examples of attempts to scam people through Google Maps, including a scheme that involved images with fake phone numbers for businesses.

“Scammers started overlaying inaccurate phone numbers on top of contributed photos, hoping to trick unsuspecting victims into calling the fraudster instead of the actual business,” Gupta explained.

The company said its machine learning tech was able to pick up on these fake images, removing them from Google Maps faster and in many cases blocking them before they were published.

For more, check out how to blur your home on Google Maps and how Google Maps can help you figure out dinner.

Samsung’s new Galaxy A54 5G has a lot in common with its predecessor, but you wouldn’t guess just by looking at it. The Galaxy A54 5G, which costs $450 ( 499, roughly converts to AU$915) and launches on April 6, brings a fresh design, new processor and updated camera to Samsung’s more wallet-friendly phone.

Based on the brief amount of time I spent with it, the new design appears to be the biggest change. That might not matter much if you plan to put a case on your device. But it suggests Samsung is doing more to close the gap between its premium and budget devices. That could be particularly important if Samsung wants to catch up to Google’s Pixel 6A, which I said might be the best-looking phone in its price range in my review.

Now playing:Watch this:Galaxy A54 5G: Hands-on With Samsung’s New Budget Phone

3:20

The Galaxy A54 5G’s new look

The Galaxy A54 5G has a new glossy finish that makes it feel more premium than last year’s Galaxy A53. The shiny back panel and matte edges remind me of the iPhone 11, and that’s a good thing.

You’ll also notice the camera bump is absent from the Galaxy A54 5G. Samsung replaced it with a floating camera setup similar to the one found on the Galaxy S23 lineup, giving it a more clean and consistent aesthetic. Looks aren’t the most important aspect of a phone, but it’s still great to see a sub-$500 device that doesn’t feel cheap.

It almost feels like Samsung is taking a page from Google’s book in terms of design. The $450 Pixel 6A, which is essentially a less expensive version of the Pixel 6, also has a glossy finish. And like the Galaxy A54 5G, the Pixel 6A inherits a camera design that’s similar to its premium sibling.

The Galaxy A54 5G has a 6.4-inch screen, making it slightly smaller than the 6.5-inch Galaxy A53 5G. I’ve always felt this size makes for a great medium between the 6.1-inch Galaxy S23 and 6.6-inch Galaxy S23 Plus, and that remains true with the Galaxy A54.

By putting more of a focus on the Galaxy A54’s looks, Samsung addressed one of my biggest complaints about the Galaxy A53. I specifically said there was nothing “new” or “interesting” about the Galaxy A53’s design, so I’m glad to see that’s changed this time around.

My other gripe about the Galaxy A53 was its sometimes sluggish performance. The Galaxy A54 5G runs on a newer processor called the Exynos 1380, which is likely the successor to the Exynos 1280 found inside the Galaxy A53. I haven’t spent enough time with the Galaxy A54 5G to know whether this new chip brings significant improvements. But in my brief time with the device, performance seemed just fine. Apps opened and closed quickly, the camera launched almost instantly and the keyboard popped up right away.

Camera is the major difference between the Galaxy A54 and S23

There are many differences between Samsung’s A-series budget devices and its premium S-series phones. However, the camera system continues to be the biggest one. The Galaxy A54 5G has a 50-megapixel main camera, 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and 5-megapixel macro camera. There’s no telephoto camera, so the Galaxy A54 5G only has a 10x digital zoom.

The Galaxy S23, on the other hand, has a 50-megapixel main camera, 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and 10-megapixel telephoto camera. While the main and ultrawide cameras may sound similar on paper, I wouldn’t be surprised to see some noticeable differences in image quality. The Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip inside the S23 lineup, which has been optimized for Samsung’s Galaxy phones, likely plays a notable role in the way photos are processed.

You can’t use Samsung’s Expert Raw app on the Galaxy A54 5G either, which might be important for photography enthusiasts to consider. That said, the Galaxy A54 5G’s camera setup is just what you would expect on a phone of this price. It even has much more to offer than the $429 iPhone SE, which only has one 12-megapixel main camera with a 5x digital zoom.

Overall, the Galaxy A54 5G seems like a promising option for those seeking an Android phone that costs less than $500. But we’ll have to spend more time testing it before we know whether it’s worth recommending.

For the first time in more than a decade, you might need a different charger for your iPhone. Apple executives said the company plans to comply with European rules mandating that new phones all use the same common USB-C charging port. Most phones already use USB-C, with Apple being the main outlier.

When asked if Apple will move to USB-C, Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of worldwide marketing, said the company has “no choice.” Apple will “comply with local laws” as it does around the world, Joswiak said during an appearance at The Wall Street Journal Tech Live conference in October.

That said, there’s still a lot we don’t know about how Apple will execute the transition to USB-C for the iPhone. Apple rarely discusses new products before announcing them, meaning we don’t have much insight on details like whether all new iPhones will get USB-C, or just those sold in Europe.

Apple declined to share further details regarding future plans to bring USB-C to the iPhone.

Will the iPhone 15 have a USB-C charging port?

There’s a chance the iPhone 15 could have a USB-C port instead of the Lightning connector, but it’s impossible to know until Apple releases its next iPhone. The EU’s rules say all mobile phones sold in the EU will need to have a USB-C charging port by the end of 2024. That means it’s unclear whether Apple will start the transition in 2023 with what will presumably be the iPhone 15, or wait until 2024.

But Chiew Le Xuan, a research analyst for Canalys, thinks the switch could come sooner rather than later.

“What we think is that Apple will bring Type C to the iPhone 15 series,” he said. “So, similar to what they did for the iPads [and] the Macs: They sort of just transitioned the whole product line.”

Apple has reportedly tested iPhone models with USB-C in the past. Bloomberg reported last May that Apple was testing future iPhone models with USB-C, as well as an adapter that would enable these iPhones to work with Lightning connections. Ming-Chi Kuo, an analyst for TF International Securities known for his Apple predictions, also said Apple plans to convert the iPhone to USB-C in 2023.

It’s also worth noting that Apple is a member of the USB Implementers Forum, a nonprofit organization that was formed to further advance USB development and adoption.

What’s the reasoning behind the EU’s new rules?

The new mandate is part of an effort to simplify the charging experience for consumers and cut down on electronic waste.

“Under the new rules, consumers will no longer need a different charger every time they purchase a new device, as they will be able to use one single charger for a whole range of small and medium-sized portable electronic devices,” reads a European Parliament press release.

The shift is also meant to help cut down on the roughly11,000 metric tons (12,125 tons) of annual e-waste resulting from unused chargers in the EU, the release says.

Now playing:Watch this:Apple Might Finally Bring USB-C to iPhone 15

5:03

Will all future iPhones adopt USB-C, or just those in Europe?

This is another question we won’t know the answer to until Apple releases future iPhone models. But Maurice Klahne, senior research analyst at Counterpoint Research, thinks it seems likely Apple will transition the iPhone to USB-C more broadly rather than keeping it region-specific.

“It’s just simply too costly to make different devices for different regions,” he said. “And so Apple will likely make the switch everywhere all at once.”

What benefits does USB-C offer over Lightning?

The transition to USB-C could result in more perks and conveniences for iPhone owners. For example, you’d be able to use the same charger that powers other devices, like your MacBook laptop or iPad, to charge your iPhone. There’s also a broad accessory ecosystem for USB-C, considering it’s been standard on most electronics for the better part of the last decade. Plenty of Apple’s own products already rely on USB-C rather than Lightning, such as the iPad Air, iPad Pro and Apple’s lineup of MacBooks.

It’s possible the switch to USB-C could result in faster charging and data transfers, specifically on the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Kuo has reported that only the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max will support high-speed data transfers over USB-C, for example.

Le Xuan agrees, saying Apple will likely do more to separate the regular iPhone 15 from its premium sibling this year.

“By then moving into a Type C switch, we will probably see some sort of differentiation between the Pro and Pro Max and the non-Pro Max in terms of charging speeds,” he said.

Will I need an Apple-specific USB-C cable?

You shouldn’t need an Apple-made cable to charge your iPhone when Apple makes the switch to USB-C. After all, that would defeat the purpose of the EU’s push toward a universal charging cable.

But the company could potentially make it so that Apple-certified USB-C cables offer benefits over noncertified alternatives. Kuo, for example, reports that Apple will likely optimize chargers that are part of the company’s MFi certification program to offer faster charging speeds. This follows a leak from ShrimpApplePro (who also leaked the Dynamic Island’s design early), which says cables without an MFi certification will be limited in charging and data transfer speeds.

Apple hasn’t spoken about its plans for the iPhone 15 or future USB-C charging cables beyond the comments made at The Wall Street Journal’s conference. But a move like this could help Apple boost its accessory ecosystem by maintaining some level of exclusivity as it embraces the switch to a universal iPhone charger.

“Even though their walled garden isn’t as walled anymore,” said Klahne, “they can still make these little adjustments to keep their iOS base more walled off from the general Android market.”

Apple is expected to announce the iPhone 15 lineup in the September timeframe during its usual annual product launch event. Other than USB-C charging, rumors suggest new solid-state buttons are coming to the Pro models, while the Dynamic Island is expected to expand to non-Pro versions.

Install the Verum E-SIM application and be connected in most countries of the world!

The Verum E-SIM app makes the internet more accessible, provides a stable connection and offers the largest global coverage. Use the Internet in more than 140 countries around the world without buying a new SIM card every time and understanding the roaming system of a new provider.

Verum E-SIM offers a simple and intuitive interface that allows customers to buy Internet traffic directly from their device, quickly and easily select the amount and duration of the plan they need.

Benefits of the Verum E-SIM application: 

• 29 tariff plans for every taste and budget: you can freely use mobile Internet in several countries, on the whole continent, or immediately select the “World” tariff;
• Quality: enjoy a secure internet connection without interruption anywhere in the world;
• Easy to install: in a few clicks, the profile setting will be successfully completed;
• Easy to sync: you won’t lose traffic if you log into your account on another device;
• No contracts or long-term obligations: you can stop using the service at any time.

Powered by eSIM (Embedded SIM) technology, the Verum E-SIM app is ideal for both business and personal use. Boldly step into the future with Verum E-SIM – a new generation solution that allows you to forget about problems with Internet access!

Verum E-SIM is available on all iOS devices that support eSIM technology, including:

• iPhone XS and XS Max
• iPhone XR
• iPhone 11, 11 Pro and 11 Pro Max
• iPhone SE (2nd generation)
• iPhone 12, 12 Mini, 12 Pro and 12 Pro Max
• iPhone 13, 13 Mini, 13 Pro and 13 Pro Max
• iPhone 14, 14 Plus, 14 Pro and 14 Pro Max
• iPad Air (3rd generation and later)
• iPad Pro (3rd generation and later)
• iPad (7th generation and later)
• iPad mini (5th generation)

Although many of the new phones have wireless charging capabilities, a lot of them don’t come with wireless charging pads. Which is frustrating to say the least when you’re spending a good chunk of change on a new phone. Luckily, you don’t have to break the bank to get your hands on a high-quality wireless charging pad. There are some great deals right now on chargers for both Android and Apple phones. A couple of which cost less than $15 and three that cost less than $20. We’ll update this story as new deals appear.

Not that this list is limited to budget Qi wireless charging pads, most of which don’t include a power adapter. If you’re looking for more wireless chargers, we have a list of the best Qi wireless chargers that includes models that can charge multiple devices at the same time (a smartphone, Apple Watch and earbuds with a wireless charging case) along with portable magnetic wireless batteries (MagSafe-compatible) and even wireless phone chargers you can mount in your car.

Read more: Best Wireless Charger for 2023

Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET

Anker 315 Wireless Charger

$15 at Amazon

You’re receiving price alerts for Anker Wireless Charger, 315 Wireless Charger (Pad), 10W Max Fast Charging, Compatible with iPhone 13/12 Series, Samsung S22, AirPods, Samsung Buds, Google Buds, and More (Wall Charger Not Included)

Over the years, Anker has sold a few different budget Qi wireless charging pads. There’s nothing terrible fancy about its 315 Wireless Charger, but it delivers up to 10-watt charging speeds for Android smartphones and 7.5 watts for iPhones, and it does look fairly sleek with a slim design (it also has some grippy material on top so your phone doesn’t slide off).

It’s not a super fast charger but it’s fine for those who charge their phones overnight. A USB-C cable is included, but you will need to supply a power adapter (you’ll want one that’s capable of delivering 10 watts or more to get the higher charging speeds).

Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET

Belkin Quick Charge Wireless Charging Pad 15W

Best cheap wireless charging pad with power adapter

$17 at Amazon

You’re receiving price alerts for Belkin Quick Charge Wireless Charging Pad 15W

The latest version of Belkin’s wireless charging pad offers up to 15-watt fast charging (a power adapter and cable are included). Only certain Android phones are compatible with that 15-watt wireless charging speed, and the pad only charges iPhones at 7.5 watts. It does have some rubber grips embedded into the slim puck to keep your phone from slipping of the pad.

Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET

Baseus Mini Magnetic Wireless Charger

Value wireless charge with strong magnets

$20 at Amazon

You’re receiving price alerts for Baseus Magnetic Wireless Charger, 15W Mini Lightweight Charger with N52 Strong Magnets & Aerogel-Made Casing for an Upgraded Temperature Control for Magsafe Compatible with iPhone 12/13/14 Series

The Baseus Magnetic Wireless Charger or Baseus Magnetic Charger for MagSafe as it’s called on Amazon, is a slim Qi wireless charging puck that sticks securely to MagSafe-enabled iPhones (or MagSafe-enabled cases). You can also just let an Android rest on top of it for charging (or a set of earbuds with a wireless charging). It charges iPhones at up to 7.5 watts and Android devices at up to 15 watts.

No power adapter is included, but a USB-C cable is integrated into the puck. A 20-watt PD fast charger is recommended.

Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand

Best cheap wireless charging stand

$16 at Amazon

You’re receiving price alerts for Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand

Anker makes its newer PowerWave 2 charging stand that offers faster charging speeds and comes with a power adapter for around $35. But if you already have a power adapter, the 313 Wireless Charging Standing will work just fine for most people, particularly if you’re mainly charging overnight. It offers up to 10-watt wireless charging for Android devices and 5-watt wireless charging for iPhones. No power adapter is included.

Mophie

Mophie Stream Pad Plus Qi wireless charging pad

Best value charging pad from Mophie value (Update: Low stock)

$11 at Amazon

You’re receiving price alerts for mophie Charge Stream Pad+ – 10W Qi Wireless Charge Pad – Made for Apple iPhone Xr, Xs Max, Xs, X, 8, 8 Plus, Samsung, and Other Qi-Enabled Devices – Black

This Mophie Qi wireless charging pad retailed for over $50 when it first came out in 2018 (I still use it today). It’s now down to $11 in black. This charges iPhones at 7.5 watts and Android phones at up to at 10 watts. It’s not the latest and greatest charging pad, but it’s cheap.