Category: Technologies

The year has barely begun, but there are already plenty of rumors, reports and leaks about new phones that are expected to debut throughout 2023.

Samsung and OnePlus will be among the first to release new devices. Samsung is expected to announce the Galaxy S23 on Feb. 1, while the OnePlus 11 5G will launch globally on Feb. 7.

Though it’s hard to predict exactly what’s in store for the smartphone industry in 2023, it’s possible to make some educated guesses, because many companies stick to the same launch routine each year. The iPhone 15 lineup, for example, is expected to arrive in September, possibly with USB-C charging for the first time. The Galaxy S23 Ultra could have Samsung’s new 200-megapixel camera sensor.

Such launches would come after smartphones took subtle but important steps forward in 2022. The iPhone 14, for example, gained satellite connectivity for emergencies and car crash detection, while Google found more ways to make use of its custom Tensor chip in the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro. Samsung, meanwhile, gave its flagship Galaxy S lineup a fresh look and an upgraded camera.

Here are the new phones we’re likely to see in 2023, based on previous launch cycles, rumors and reports.

Apple iPhone 15 lineup

What we’re expecting: Apple’s new iPhone family usually launches in September, and we have no reason to believe 2023 will be any different. The adoption of USB-C charging is one of the biggest changes we’re expecting to see on Apple’s next-generation iPhones.

The European Union recently mandated that all new phones sold in the region must support USB-C charging by 2024. Apple said it would comply with these rules but did not specify whether that means we’ll see a shift to USB-C starting in 2023. It’s also not confirmed if a USB-C iPhone would get a global release, or if it would remain solely a European model.

Otherwise, we’re likely to see routine changes such as some camera upgrades and a new processor. TF International Securities Analyst Ming-Chi Kuo, who is known for making pretty accurate predictions about upcoming Apple products, tweeted that Apple may do more to distinguish the iPhone 15 Pro from the regular iPhone 15.

It already made a step in that direction with the iPhone 14 generation by keeping features like the Dynamic Island and new A16 Bionic processor exclusive to the Pro line. What’s more interesting, however, is the idea that Apple could further differentiate the larger iPhone 15 Pro Max from the smaller iPhone 15 Pro, according to Kuo.

The main difference between the regular Pro and Pro Max comes down to screen size. Giving the Pro Max some extra perks could further convince shoppers to splurge on Apple’s biggest (and most expensive) iPhone. Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman also believes Apple could change the name of the iPhone Pro Max to the iPhone Ultra in the future to better align with other products like the Apple Watch Ultra.

Why I’m excited about it: The iPhone’s long-anticipated transition to USB-C is arguably the biggest reason to get excited about Apple’s next smartphone. The switch means iPhone users will finally be able to charge their iPhone, iPad and Mac with the same type of charging cable, reducing friction and making the iPhone that much more convenient. I’m also looking forward to seeing whether Apple further distinguishes the iPhone 15 Pro Max from the iPhone 15 Pro. I’ve argued that Apple needs to give its supersized iPhones more functionality that takes advantage of their larger screens, similar to the iPad.

OnePlus 11 5G

What we’re expecting: The OnePlus 11 5G is already available in China, but the new phone will be launching globally on Feb. 7. Based on what we’ve learned from OnePlus China’s website, the new phone will have a 6.7-inch OLED screen with a 120Hz refresh rate, Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 processor and 100-watt fast charging. That’s a step up from the 80W fast charging that OnePlus offered on last year’s device, although unfortunately those speeds were capped at 65W on the US model.

The OnePlus 11 5G will also have a 50-megapixel main camera, 48-megapixel ultrawide camera and 32-megapixel telephoto camera. That lines up with previous specifications from well-known leaker Steve Hemmerstoffer that were published on the blog GadgetGang.

Why I’m excited about it: For a company that made its name as the “flagship killer,” OnePlus’ prices have inched closer to those of the rivals it aims to undercut in recent years. That said, OnePlus still has a reputation for selling reasonably priced devices that pack a lot of high-end features such as superfast charging.

The OnePlus 10 Pro came really close to being a superb iPhone competitor, as my colleague Andrew Lanxon wrote when he reviewed the device. But a slightly disappointing camera and restrictions such as a lack of 80-watt charging in the US held it back from being as great as it could be. Hopefully OnePlus addresses these criticisms in its next-generation device.

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Samsung Galaxy S23 lineup

What we’re expecting: Based on the rumors, Samsung’s Galaxy S23 could bring some noteworthy upgrades to the camera and design — two areas that have traditionally been a big focus for the South Korean tech giant.

The rumored Galaxy S23 Ultra could include a 200-megapixel main camera. In mid-January, Samsung announced a new image sensor capable of taking 200-megapixel photos, fueling more speculation that it will arrive in the Galaxy S23 Ultra.That sounds like a huge jump from the Galaxy S22 Ultra’s 108-megapixel main sensor on paper.

Samsung may also give the regular Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus a tweaked design that more closely matches that of the Ultra model. Images from reliable leaker Hemmerstoffer suggest Samsung will eliminate the camera bump from the S23 and S23 Plus, replacing it with the protruding lenses found on the Galaxy S22 Ultra. Images were published on the tech blogs Digit and Smartprix in partnership with Hemmerstoffer.

Although we don’t know precisely what to expect in terms of performance, Samsung usually puts Qualcomm’s latest mobile chip in the new version of its phones that launch in the United States and certain other markets. That means we will likely see the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in Samsung’s next Galaxy phone. The new chip offers better power efficiency, ray tracing for improved aesthetics in mobile games and upgraded AI that can better separate you from your Zoom background, among other enhancements. The analyst Kuo even believes Samsung could ditch its own Exynos processors and rely solely on Qualcomm for the Galaxy S23.

Why I’m excited about it: Smartphone cameras have already gotten so sophisticated that I’m curious to see whether a 200-megapixel sensor actually makes a meaningful difference. Either way, it’ll be interesting to see how Samsung pushes the camera experience forward in the S23 lineup given the increased competition from Google’s Pixel series in recent years. I’m also in favor of the Galaxy S23 and S23 Plus’ rumored design change to more closely resemble the Galaxy S23 Ultra. Based on the renders, it looks cleaner and sleeker compared with the Galaxy S22’s camera bump.

Google Pixel 7A

What we’re expecting: If Google maintains its tradition, we could see a cheaper version of the Pixel 7 known as the Pixel 7A launch in the spring or summer time frame. Rumors about the Pixel 7A are scarce right now. But developer Kuba Wojciechowski claims to have found details possibly pertaining to the Pixel 7A in the Android codebase, suggesting that some fairly significant upgrades are in store.

Wojciechowski’s findings indicate the Pixel 7A could have a screen with a higher refresh rate of 90Hz and wireless charging — two characteristics that are noticeably absent from the Pixel 6A. Leaked renders from Hemmerstoffer that were once again published on Smartprix also suggest the Pixel 7A will have a very similar design as its predecessor.

The Pixel 7A could also include the same Tensor G2 processor that powers the Pixel 7 and 7 Pro as well as a camera setup that includes wide and ultrawide sensors. That’s if the Pixel 7A follows in the same footsteps as the Pixel 6A, of course.

Why I’m excited about it: Google’s A-series Pixel phones are seriously impressive from a value standpoint. That’s why the Pixel 6A has received a CNET Editors’ Choice award and is our favorite Android phone under $500. If Google manages to address the Pixel 6A’s very few shortcomings while maintaining the same price of $449, it’ll be an even more formidable challenger to Samsung in the affordable phone market.

Google Pixel 8 lineup

What we’re expecting: Google’s Pixel 7 and 7 Pro have only been out since mid-October 2022, but rumors have already started to surface about the Pixel 8 family. German tech blog WinFuture claims to have found references to two unreleased Pixel smartphones in publicly available code. The findings indicate that these two devices are codenamed “Shiba” and “Husky” and that they’re powered by a new processor codenamed “Zuma.” The code also suggests these devices will run on Android 14 and include 12GB of RAM, according to WinFuture.

Why I’m excited about it: There haven’t been many rumors about the expected Pixel 8 and 8 Pro, which means there isn’t too much to get excited about yet. But what I’m most interested in is what new features Google’s next-generation chip will bring to its future phones. Google’s current Tensor chips have enabled features that seem practical and useful in everyday life, such as Magic Eraser and Face Unblur for improving photo quality and the ability to add speaker labels to transcripts in the Recorder app. That makes me excited about where Google could take things next.

Samsung Galaxy A54 5G

What we’re expecting: Samsung may be best known for its Galaxy S devices, but its series of Galaxy A phones are worth your attention if you’re shopping on a tighter budget. The next phone in this series is expected to be called the Galaxy A54 5G, following the Galaxy A53 5G’s launch last spring.

Based on the few leaks that have surfaced so far, the Galaxy A54 5G will be a modest improvement over the A53 5G. It’s expected to have a 6.4-inch screen, which is slightly smaller than the A53’s 6.5-inch display, and a triple rear camera. That’s according to the leaker Hemmerstoffer, who shared renders claiming to show the Galaxy A54 5G’s design with the tech blog 91Mobiles. A report from the Dutch tech site Galaxy Club also suggests the A54 5G could have a slightly larger battery than its predecessor.

Why I’m excited about it: When I tested the Galaxy A53 5G around the time of its launch, I thought it felt much more expensive than it actually was. It’s not perfect, but Samsung provides a well-rounded package for the price with the Galaxy A53 5G. I’m hoping the success of Google’s Pixel A series motivates Samsung to up its budget phone game even further.

Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5

What we’re expecting: Even though foldable phones are still new to most people, Samsung’s Galaxy Z Fold will be on its fifth generation in 2023. The next version of Samsung’s phone-tablet hybrid could have a slot for storing Samsung’s S Pen stylus, a lighter design and a less noticeable crease, according to Korean news outlet The Elec. The report didn’t definitively say the Z Fold 5 will have these improvements, but did say Samsung has cited them as barriers that must be overcome to make foldable phones more popular.

Otherwise, we can probably expect to see routine improvements to the camera and processor in the Galaxy Z Fold 5. Samsung also added some new multitasking features to the Z Fold 4 this year, such as the ability to use the bottom portion of the screen as a mini trackpad when the display is folded halfway. So there’s a chance we’ll see other software enhancements in the future, too.

Samsung typically releases its new foldable phones in August, meaning we’re likely to see the next Z Fold around that time.

Why I’m excited about it: The Galaxy Z Fold 5 needs a lot more than an included S Pen to bring foldables into the mainstream. But making the S Pen a bigger part of the experience could go a long way in further defining who the Z Fold is for and why it exists in the first place. Samsung is promoting the Z Fold 5 as a productivity-oriented device, so having an embedded S Pen seems like a natural move. The Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Z Fold 3 are both compatible with the S Pen, but they must be purchased separately.

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5

What we’re expecting: Samsung’s next flip phone may have a larger cover screen and a less noticeable crease, according to Ross Young, co-founder and CEO of Display Supply Chain Consultants. Ross recently tweeted that the Z Flip 5 will have a cover display measuring around 3 inches and a new hinge design that could make the crease more subtle. That would represent a sizable increase from the current Z Flip 4’s 1.9-inch cover screen. Like with the Z Fold 5, there’s a chance we’ll see general improvements to camera quality and software as well as a new processor.

Why I’m excited about it: Making the cover screen slightly larger would address one of the Z Flip’s biggest shortcomings. As my colleague Patrick Holland wrote in his review of the Z Flip 4, the cover screen is the biggest area where Samsung could be doing more. I’m also hoping to see longer battery life from the Z Flip 5 considering that’s another area where Samsung’s current flip phone could use some improvement.

Overall

It seems like some of the biggest improvements we’re expecting to see across the board on new smartphones in 2023 will have to do with battery and charging improvements, as well as camera and design upgrades. Of course, we’ll know more throughout the year as more reports and rumors arrive and as Samsung, OnePlus, Apple and Google actually debut their devices.

Tablets have grown in popularity thanks to their portability and convenience. And with so many models now available, you can get your hands on a solid model without paying an arm and a leg if you hold out for deals. If you’re in the market for a basic tablet that can stream your favorite media, play games and more, check out the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8. You can grab the 32GB version for $149 right now — that’s only $9 more than its all-time lowest price. This offer expires tonight, Jan. 24, so be sure to get your order in before then if you want to nab one at this price.

If you need to stay productive even from the comfort of your bed or couch, but don’t want to deal with the bulk of a laptop, the Galaxy Tab A8 is a decent option. This Wi-Fi-only tablet sports a 10.5-inch LCD display with 1,920×1,200-pixel resolution, along with 3GB RAM and 32GB of storage. And while 32GB of storage isn’t much room to store your photos, videos, games and apps, you can always invest in cloud storage options or expand your storage up to 1TB with a microSD card (sold separately). It also gets up to 13 hours of battery life per charge (depending on usage factors) and with a fast charging USB-C port, you can always get a boost when you need it.

If you already use other Galaxy products, getting a Galaxy tablet might be a good idea, because your devices can seamlessly communicate with each other. Your notes, like your to-do lists, automatically sync on your tablet, phone or watch whenever you make changes. Plus, if you ever change up your operating system, Smart Switch can make moving your favorite files a piece of cake. The tablet also comes with Samsung Kids, which is a library of safe and fun games, books and videos that parents can trust to be kid-friendly.

If the Samsung Galaxy Tab A8 isn’t the right fit for you, be sure to check out other great tablet deals happening now.

YouTube is kicking off a series of online courses that can progress into earning official, transferable college credits, an initiative aimed at breaking down cost and accessibility barriers to higher education.

The program, called College Foundations, is an extension of YouTube’s existing partnership with Arizona State University and educational video company Crash Course, which was launched by internet creators Hank and John Green. The partners have been posting college-related videos for nearly a year on the YouTube channel Study Hall, with nearly 42,000 followers.

Starting Tuesday, people can sign up for up to four courses on the Study Hall channel, which will begin on March 7. Collectively called College Foundations, the first four courses are English Composition, College Math, US History and Human Communication, which the partners said were selected for being among the most common elements of a first-year, general-education college curriculum. The College Foundations series is planned to expand to 12 courses by January 2025.

The videos in these courses on Study Hall are free to watch. If learners are interested in pursuing college credits, they can pay $25 to participate in full online courses mapped to those subjects offered by ASU, including direct interaction with other students and faculty. These formal coursework programs last seven weeks, and if students are unsatisfied with their grade, they can retake the $25 course again without penalty until they’ve earned the grade they want.

The highest price comes if students wish to unlock college credits. A credit free is $400 per course, though people who sign up before March 7 qualify for a “scholarship” price of $350 each. The amount may give some people sticker shock, but YouTube and its partners said it represents less than one-third the average course cost at a public four-year university for in-state students and is nearly 90% lower than the average course cost of a private four-year university.

The credits can then be used at any institution that accepts ASU credits.

Ideally, the College Foundations program would also give learners confidence that they can handle college-level coursework — and start earning credit toward a degree — before committing to the greater expense and effort of applying for college, according to Katie Kurtz, the global head of learning at YouTube. As the series widens to 12 courses, students could accumulate “an entire full year of college credits before you’ve even had to apply,” she added.

This extension of their partnership into transferable college credits heightens YouTube’s ongoing interest in education. YouTube itself — with more 2 billion monthly users and a tight connection to the world’s most pervasive internet search engine — is one of the most impactful sources of online information on Earth. YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki, the daughter of a professor and a teacher, routinely touts YouTube as a educational resource.

“YouTube is where the world comes to learn,” Wojcicki said in a statement about new program. “By partnering with ASU and Crash Course, we are excited to use our platform to give learners the tools they need to pursue higher education while also making the path more accessible and affordable.”

Kurtz said none of the fees associated with the College Foundations credit-earning courses generate revenue for YouTube, and the Study Hall channel, which is a collaboration of ASU and Crash Course, doesn’t have advertising. (Crash Course has its own YouTube channel, which does have ads; some Study Hall videos coexist on the Crash Course channel.)

She characterized the project as a product of more than four years working to figure out ways the informal learning that people glean from YouTube can be part of a pathway to more formal learning experiences, one where learners’ acquired knowledge gets some external recognition. “This is one enhancement of many that you’ll be seeing,” she said.

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Having enough space on your devices can be tricky. And if you’re a gamer, you know how difficult it is, especially if you want to maintain a large gaming library. Storage often comes at a premium, which makes finding great deals that much more important.

Whether you want to upgrade your current computer or need to snag a drive for a new build, you can get the SK Hynix Gold P31 PCIe NVMe SSD at a bargain today at Amazon. Drives are available with 500GB, 1TB and 2TB of storage, with prices discounted by up to 52%. These offers expire tonight, so make your purchase sooner rather than later if you want to cash in on these deals.

If you’re looking for solid performance and safe storage for your entire gaming library, the SK Hynix is a solid bet. It delivers read speeds up to 3,500 MB/s and write speeds of up to 3,200 MB/s, so it’s the perfect thing to speed up your computer. Plus, the Gold P31 has more thermal efficiency than comparable products, helping it to stay cool. And with SK Hynix edition Macrium cloning software for data transfers and OS migration, setup won’t take long. Your purchase also comes with a five-year protection plan, for added peace of mind.

If you need the extra space, getting the high-capacity 2TB version may be your best best. It’s discounted by $58 right now, bringing the price down to $150. But if you’re looking for the best deal of the day, check out the 1TB drive. It’s marked down by a whopping 52% right now. That’s an $87 savings, meaning you’ll pay just $80 if you buy it today. However, if you’re looking for bottom-dollar prices and just need a boost to your current storage, you can get the 500GB model for $46 right now (save $24).

Note that these solid-state drives are intended for gaming and are compatible with most modern laptops and desktops, but you will need to check your specific model to make sure you can use it. To be clear, these drives are not compatible with Sony’s PlayStation 5, so if you’re looking to expand space and speed on your PS5, you’ll want to check out these drives instead.

Tablets are versatile tools that can be used for everything at school, work or home. Whether you’re checking email, managing finances, testing your art skills or casually browsing YouTube and watching videos, a tablet can do it all. Finding the best tablet isn’t hard, either, but knowing where to start can be overwhelming, and that’s where CNET’s testing and reviews can help.

Let’s start with Apple, which updated its entire iPad lineup in 2022. Along with faster processors across all of the latest models, Apple introduced the 10th-gen iPad with an entirely new design. However, the updated look and features come with a higher price, so Apple is still selling the ninth-gen iPad as its least expensive option.

Elsewhere in Best Tablet Land, Microsoft debuted a new Surface Pro 9 model in the fall of 2022. Meanwhile, Android tablets are available in a wide range of sizes and prices from the value-packed Amazon Fire tablets to Samsung’s top Galaxy Tab models that are strong competition for Apple’s iPad Pro.

In the value segment, Amazon’s Fire tablets remain the best tablet option for cheap and kid-friendly models. But if you’re looking for something that’s good for productivity and entertainment there’s an affordable Chromebook that blurs the line between laptop and tablet.

What’s the best tablet?

The ninth-gen iPad from 2021 is the best tablet that we continue to recommend, despite the availability of newer iPad models. That’s mainly for its features and reasonable price. If you’re definitely going with an iPad, though, we strongly recommend you check out the entire iPad lineup because there might be a better option for your needs.

Not interested in an iPad? Our other top picks for the best tablets 2023 has to offer right now are below. All offer ways to get popular apps, but you’ll want to check that your must-have apps are available on the device before buying (don’t look for Fortnite on the iPad through the App Store, for instance). We included budget tablet and premium tablet options, as well as laptop-replacement devices at prices in between, including Android tablet and Apple iPad options. We even threw in tablet PC and Chromebook options. All of these products (or previous versions thereof) have been fully reviewed or anecdotally tested by CNET editors.

Read more: How We Test CNET Products and Services

Best tablets of 2023

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Apple iPad (10.2-inch, 9th generation, 2021)

The most affordable iPad

We’ve always appreciated the entry-level iPad for its affordable price. Last year’s entry-level model is less expensive than the newer 10th-gen iPad, and is still very functional: Its older A13 chip and Lightning-charger-equipped, Touch ID home button design all feel somewhat out of date but work fine. This iPad’s screen size is perfect for everyday work and fun, there’s an auto-zooming front-facing Center Stage camera, and unlike the 10th-gen iPad, the first-gen Apple Pencil doesn’t need a dongle to work. It’s still compatible with a range of keyboard cases, too.

Apple iPad (9th Gen, 2021) review

$329 at Apple

$330 at Best Buy

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iPad Pro 2022

Best for creatives

Apple’s 2022 iPad Pro refresh added a more powerful M2 chip, faster Wi-Fi 6E and optional 5G connectivity, and a new Pencil 2 “hover” feature that activates the display when the stylus is in close range. Not many apps take advantage of hover, though, and the rest of this iPad design is the same as the previous model. The iPad Pro lineup are still the only models with faster 120Hz variable refresh rate displays, a step-up Mini LED HDR display on the 12.9-inch model, Face ID and depth-sensing lidar cameras and a faster Thunderbolt 4 port. If you don’t mind that the front-facing camera isn’t landscape-oriented yet like the 10th-gen iPad’s — and you have the money to burn — this is the most advanced model, but it doesn’t get you any closer to being a Mac.

Apple iPad Pro 2022 review

$1,070 at Amazon

$1,099 at Best Buy

$1,099 at Apple

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Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus

Best premium Android tablet

The Galaxy Tab S8 Plus is essentially the Android equivalent to Apple’s iPad Pro. Samsung’s DeX interface gives it an edge for productivity if you’re looking for a more laptop-like feel from the tablet. It’s built around a beautiful 12.4-inch, 2,800×1,752-pixel Super AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate for smoother-looking visuals. Samsung also includes one of its great S Pens, so you’re ready to start sketching and taking notes right out of the box. The tablet can also double as a wireless display so you can extend your Windows laptop’s screen space on the go.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S8 Plus review

$850 at Best Buy

$499 at Amazon

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Apple iPad Mini (2021)

Expensive, but the best smaller tablet

Apple refreshed the iPad Mini this year with an A15 processor, which is faster than the iPad Air’s A14. Now that the 10.2-inch model has caught up (almost) to it in terms of specs, it’s tough to swallow the fact that this smaller 8.3-inch model has a higher price — though it should be available at a discounted price during the holiday season. Some folks love this model as a smaller, lighter mobile device option that’s well-sized as an upscale ebook reader.

Apple iPad Mini (2021) review

$469 at Amazon

$500 at Best Buy

$449 at Apple

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Amazon

Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022)

Best tablet value

Amazon continues to make the best inexpensive tablets for media consumption. The Fire HD 8 is the middle of the lineup, hitting a sweet spot for price and performance. The 2022 model sports a thinner, lighter design, a faster processor and an hour more battery life (13 hours vs. 12) than its predecessor. It’s definitely a good low-cost option for streaming video, reading ebooks and web browsing, but we still recommend waiting to pick it up when it’s discounted, which Amazon regularly does. We also recommend spending an additional $20 for the Plus version, which adds 1GB of RAM, wireless charging and a 9-watt power adapter.

Amazon Fire HD 8 Plus (2022) review

$100 at Amazon

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Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021)

A better but still low-cost Amazon tablet

The 10-inchAmazon Fire HD tablet is faster and better than the 7- or 8-inch Fire tablet, and it’s still a pretty low $150 (or less). For the Amazon Fire HD 10, there are two storage options, 32 and 64GB. The Amazon Fire HD tablet also charges its battery via USB-C now. A Plus version of the tablet adds wireless charging, 4GB of RAM and a soft-touch finish.

Amazon Fire HD 10 (2021) review

$85 at Amazon

$85 at Best Buy

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Microsoft Surface Pro 9

Best for productivity

While there are several imitators, the Surface Pro continues to offer the best detachable two-in-one PC experience. The 2022 version jumps from an 11th-gen Intel CPU to a newer 12th-gen one and moves to a slightly faster type of RAM. There’s also a 5G version that switches from Intel to a Microsoft/Qualcomm ARM-based chip for faster mobile wireless with long battery life. Unfortunately, unless you get a bundle, the keyboard and active pen are still separate purchases. Also, the Surface Pro 8 is still around and worth considering, especially because it’s at a better price.

Microsoft Surface Pro 9 review

$1,000 at Microsoft

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Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3

Affordable Chromebook tablet

The Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 is an awesome little 11-inch ChromeOS tablet with a detachable keyboard and touchpad. It’s a good pick if you’re looking for an affordable ultraportable device to get some work done on the go, sketch or jot down notes in class, or do simple stuff like email, web browsing, gaming, reading and streaming video.

Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 review

$379 at Best Buy

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There’s a wide variety of styles out there when it comes to headphones, so we’ve had to create a number of different best lists here at CNET to cover all the different categories. But for this list, we’ve taken the best models from every category to bring you the overall best headphones 2023 has to offer. One of CNET’s audio experts either fully reviewed or had hands-on time with every pair of headphones you see on this list.

With so many headphone and earbuds options available, we’ve had to create a number of best lists here at CNET to cover all the various model types and use-case scenarios. For this list, I’ve taken the best of the best headphones from several categories, including wired and wireless (that includes true-wireless earbuds) and distilled that information into a top overall headphones list. We either fully reviewed or had hands-on time with every model on the list.

While many of the headphones on the list are premium models that cost a lot of money, we also like to highlight headphones that are a good value. These more affordable models can still deliver excellent quality at a good price. Regardless of budget or use case, this list will help you find the best headphones for you. As new top headphones are released, we’ll update this list.

Read more: Best Wireless Earbuds for 2023

David Carnoy/CNET

Sony WH-1000XM5

Best new noise-canceling headphones

Battery Life

Rated up to 32 hours

Noise Canceling

Yes (ANC)

Multipoint

Yes

Headphone Type

Over-ear wireless headphones

Water-Resistant

No IP rating

When you have a product that a lot of people love, change can be risky. Such is the case for Sony’s WH-1000XM5, the fifth generation of the 1000X series headphones, which were first released in 2016 as the MDR-1000X Wireless and have become increasingly popular as they’ve improved with each generation. Over the years, Sony has made some tweaks to the design, but nothing as dramatic as what it’s done with the WH-1000XM5. Other than the higher $400 price tag ($50 more than the WH-1000XM4), most of those changes are good, and Sony’s made some dramatic improvements with voice-calling performance as well as even better noise canceling and more refined sound.

Read our Sony WH-1000XM5 review.

$398 at Amazon

$400 at Best Buy

$400 at Target

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Apple AirPods Pro 2

Best compact noise-canceling wireless earbuds

Battery Life

Rated up to 6 hours

Noise Canceling

Yes (ANC)

Multipoint

No

Headphone Type

Wireless earbuds

Water-Resistant

Yes (IPX4 — splash-proof)

The new AirPods Pro (2nd generation) are powered by Apple’s new H2 chip, which delivers more processing power while being more energy efficient, according to Apple. The new chip, combined with new low-distortion drivers, allows for improved sound that offers better clarity and depth. The noise canceling is also improved — Apple says the new AirPods have “double” the noise canceling of the original AirPods Pro. Additionally, the new AirPods add an extra hour of battery life, up from five to six hours with noise canceling on. Plus, a speaker in the case that emits a sound that helps locate your buds via Find My should they decide to hide from you.

Note that while Apple has discontinued the original AirPods Pro, they’ll remain on sale at discounted prices until supplies are exhausted. However, most people should get this newer model if they can afford it. They’re IPX4 splash-proof.

Read our Apple AirPods Pro 2 review.

$239 at Amazon

$249 at Apple

$250 at Best Buy

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Earfun

Earfun Air S

Best budget noise-canceling earbuds

Battery Life

Rated up to 6 hours

Noise Canceling

Yes (ANC)

Multipoint

Yes

Headphone Type

Wireless earbuds

Water-Resistant

Yes (IPX5 — protection against low-pressure water streams)

In the past, we’ve recommended Earfun’s AirPro SV and Air Pro 2 as excellent budget noise-canceling earbuds choices (they’re still good values). But the new-for-2022 Earfun Air S may be the best of the trio, with multipoint Bluetooth pairing, the latest Qualcomm QCC3046 SoC (system on a chip) with the AptX audio codec for Android and other devices that support it. It has the same 10mm wool drivers as the AirPro SV and features surprisingly impressive sound for its modest price point. They also work well as a headset for making calls with decent background noise reduction.

The buds have an IPX5 water-resistance rating, which means they’re splashproof and can withstand a sustained spray of water.

Note that the earbuds cost as low as $49 when you activate the instant coupon and apply the CNET-exclusive discount code EFAIRS07 at checkout at Amazon.

$62 at Amazon

$70 at Earfun

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Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2

Best noise-canceling with top-notch sound

Battery Life

Rated Up to 6 Hours

Noise Canceling

Yes (ANC)

Multipoint

No

Headphone Type

Wireless Earbuds

Water-Resistant

Yes (IPX4 — Splash-Proof

Bose’s second-generation QuietComfort Earbuds 2 are not only about 30% smaller than their predecessors, but their case is about 40% smaller and truly pocketable. They feature best-in-class noise canceling and improved sound, thanks to Bose’s new CustomTune sound calibration system that customizes the sound for your ears. Voice-calling performance is also significantly better than that of the original QuietComfort Earbuds.

The other big change is to the ear tips. Bose has ditched its one-piece StayEar wing tips for a two-piece Fit Kit system that features separate ear tips and “stability bands” in three size options, giving you more flexibility to get a secure fit and tight seal.

The buds initially ship in the triple black color, with the sandstone option to follow later in the year. They’re also IPX4 splash-proof.

Read our Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 review.

$299 at Bose

$299 at Amazon

$299 at Best Buy

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Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3

Best Sennheiser true-wireless

Featuring excellent sound, improved noise canceling and voice-calling performance as well a smaller, more refined design that includes stabilizing fins (so the earbuds stay in your ears more securely), the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 are among the best new true-wireless earbuds for 2022. They’re also among the best true-wireless earbuds overall, giving the Sony WF-1000XM4 a run for the money.

Read our Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 3 review.

$191 at Amazon

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Beats Fit Pro

Best wireless earbuds for sports

Battery Life

Rated up to 6 hours

Noise Canceling

Yes (ANC)

Multipoint

No

Headphone Type

Wireless earbuds

Water-Resistant

Yes (IPX4 — splash-proof)

Hot on the heels of the third-generation AirPods, Apple has another new set of earbuds, this time from its subsidiary audio company, Beats. Technically, the new Beats Fit Pro ($200) aren’t AirPods, but they’re built on the same tech platform as the AirPods Pro. Unlike Beats’ earlier and less expensive Studio Buds, the Beats Fit Pro include Apple’s H1 chip and have most of the AirPods Pro’s features, including active noise canceling, spatial audio, Adaptive EQ and IPX4 water-resistance (splash-proof). I’d venture to call them the sports AirPods you’ve always wanted. And for some people, they might just be better than the AirPods Pro. Read our Beats Fit Pro review.

$200 at Best Buy

$200 at Apple

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Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro

Best Samsung wireless earbuds

Battery Life

Rated Up to 8 Hours

Noise Canceling

Yes (ANC)

Multipoint

No

Headphone Type

Wireless Earbuds

Water-Resistant

Yes (IP57 – Can Be Submerged for 30 Minutes Up to 1 Meter)

The Galaxy Buds 2 Pro offer improved noise canceling along with very good sound and voice-calling performance, plus support for high-resolution wireless audio streaming if you’re a Galaxy device owner with the right setup. That said, their biggest upgrade may be their new design and smaller size, which make them a better fit for more ears. They’re also fully waterproof. Aside from their somewhat high price tag, their only drawback is that some of their key features only work with Samsung Galaxy devices.

Read our Samsung Galaxy Buds 2 Pro review.

$190 at Samsung

$230 at Amazon

$230 at Best Buy

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Sony WF-1000XM4

Best Sony wireless earbuds

2020

Battery Life

Rated up to 30 hours

Noise Canceling

Yes

Multipoint

Yes

Headphone Type

Over-ear wireless headphones

Water-Resistant

No IP rating

Sony’s flagship WF-1000XM4 buds were arguably the top overall earbuds for 2021 and part of 2022. They feature excellent sound and great noise-canceling with decent voice-calling capabilities and good battery life. They’re still great earbuds but they’ve been surpassed in some ways by both Apple’s AirPods Pro 2 and Bose’s QuietComfort Earbuds 2. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t consider them, but look for them at a discount.

Read our Sony WH-1000XM4 review.

$348 at Amazon

$350 at Best Buy

$350 at Target

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Sennheiser

Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless

Flagship Sennheiser noise-canceling headphones

Sennheiser’s previous-generation Momentum Wireless headphones have always had a pretty distinct look that was part retro, part modern, and stood out for the exposed metal on their headband. For better or worse, that’s all gone now, and the new Momentum 4 Wireless, Sennheiser’s flagship noise-canceling headphones, look a bit more subdued and also a bit more like some of their competitors.

The Momentum 4 Wireless offers superior performance over the Momentum 3 Wireless in every regard, though the biggest gains are with noise canceling and voice-calling performance as well as battery life, which is outstanding — up to 60 hours at moderate volume levels. There’s also a transparency mode that allows ambient sound in, as well as the ability to create a custom sound profile in the Smart Control app for iOS and Android using the built-in EQ, sound modes and a new Sound Personalization feature that “assesses the user’s listening preferences and adjusts the listening experience according to their taste.”

Equipped with 42mm drivers, Sennheiser says the Momentum 4 Wireless offer “best-in-class” sound, which is debatable, of course. I’d say the Momentum 4’s sound quality is right there with other models in this price range — they sound excellent, with the requisite well-defined, punchy bass, relatively wide soundstage (they sound pretty open) and smooth treble that brings out some of the finer details in well-recorded tracks. They’re a pleasure to listen to.

Read our Sennheiser Momentum 4 Wireless first look.

$279 at Amazon

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Sony LinkBuds S

Best compact wireless earbuds from Sony

Battery Life

Rated up to 9 hours

Noise Canceling

Yes (ANC)

Multipoint

No

Headphone Type

Wireless Earbuds

Water-Resistant

Yes (IPX4 — splash-proof)

Unlike the “open” LinkBuds, the LinkBuds S are traditional noise-isolating earbuds with tips you jam in your ears. They’re more compact and lighter than Sony’s flagship WF-1000M4 and also feature Sony’s V1 processor. While their sound and noise canceling don’t quite measure up to the WF-1000XM4’s, they’re close and cost less. They’re the Sony buds for people who can deal with larger buds like WF-1000XM4 but want 80 to 85% of those buds’ features and performance for $80 less.

Read our Sony LinkBuds S review.

$180 at Amazon

$200 at Best Buy

$200 at Target

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Bose QuietComfort 45

Great noise canceling

Battery Life

Rated up to 25 hours

Multipoint

Yes

Headphone Type

Over-ear wireless headphones

Water-Resistant

No IP rating

The QuietComfort 45 has virtually the same design as its predecessor, the QuietComfort QC35 II, which many people considered one of the most comfortable over-ear headphones — if not the most comfortable. It has the same drivers, according to Bose, and the buttons are in the same place. However, there are small but notable changes. First off, these thankfully have USB-C instead of micro-USB.

Secondly, the microphone configuration is different. Not only have the mics been shifted on the headphones, but there’s now an extra external microphone for voice pick-up, which means the QC45 has a total of six microphones, four of which are beamforming and used for voice. By contrast, the QC35 II has a total of four, two of which are used for voice. (The Bose Noise Canceling Headphones 700 also have six microphones total.)

These headphones are excellent for making calls. They’re similar to the Bose Headphones 700 in that regard. They also include top-notch noise canceling and multipoint Bluetooth pairing, so you can connect them with a PC and your phone simultaneously. Read our full review of the QuietComfort 45.

$329 at Bose

$329 at Amazon

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Master & Dynamic MW75

Great-sounding premium noise-canceling headphones

The MW75 are Master & Dynamic’s best full-size headphones yet. Needless to say, they’re pricey at $599; most people will be quite satisfied with the $400 Sony WH-1000XM5, which are lighter and more comfortable, and which deliver best-in-class voice calling and noise canceling. But the MW75’s build quality is hard to beat and they offer top-notch sound for a wireless model (I thought they sounded better than Apple’s AirPods Max headphones), plus strong voice-calling and noise-canceling performance. With their support for aptX Adaptive, they have additional appeal for Android users, who can get a touch better sound quality with the right setup. But I was also quite happy streaming music with my iPhone 13 Pro using the AAC codec.

Read our Master & Dynamic MW75 first take.

$599 at Master & Dynamic

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JBL Live Pro 2

Best AirPods Pro alternative for less

Battery Life

Rated up to 10 hours

Noise Canceling

Yes (Adaptive)

Multipoint

Yes

Headphone Type

Wireless earbuds

Water-Resistant

Yes (IPX5 — protection against low-pressure water streams)

Over the years, JBL has put out some decent true-wireless earbuds, but nothing that really got me too excited. That’s finally changed with the arrival of the Samsung-owned brand’s new Live Pro 2 and Live Free 2 buds. Both sets of buds — the Live Pro 2 have stems while the Live Free 2 have a pill-shaped design — offer a comfortable fit along with strong noise canceling, very good sound quality and voice-calling performance, plus a robust set of features, including multipoint Bluetooth pairing, an IPX5 splash-proof rating and wireless charging.

The Live Pro 2 and Live Free 2 are equipped with the same 11mm drivers, six microphones, oval tubes and oval silicon tips. Aside from the design, the biggest difference between the two buds is battery life; the stemless Live Free 2 is rated for up to seven hours, while the Live Pro 2 is rated for 10 hours. The Live Pro 2 is available in four color options.

Read our JBL Live Pro 2 first take.

$150 at Amazon

$150 at Crutchfield

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Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2

Next-gen Bowers & Wilkins noise-canceling headphones

Available in three color options (gray, blue and black), Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 headphones offer some significant improvements over the first-generation version. Not only are these headphones more comfortable — they tip the scales at 307 grams — but they sound better and have better noise-canceling and voice-calling performance with improved noise reduction. I don’t necessarily think they’re a better option than the lighter and even more comfortable Sony WH-1000XM5. But the PX7 S2 certainly looks and feels luxurious, with its sturdy design, and delivers very good sound with better voice-calling performance thanks to an upgraded microphone setup.

Bowers & Wilkins has also released a step-up model, the PX8, that features even better sound but costs more.

Read our Bowers & Wilkins PX7 S2 first take.

$399 at Amazon

$399 at Crutchfield

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Google Pixel Buds Pro

Excellent wireless earbuds for Android users

The Pixel Buds Pro are Google’s first earbuds to feature active noise canceling. While it’s nice that they finally have a feature that a lot of true-wireless earbuds have had for a while, what ultimately sets the Pixel Buds Pro apart and makes them worth considering — particularly for Android users — is their distinct design and winning fit. That helps enhance their performance on both the sound quality and noise-canceling fronts. While not quite elite for voice-calling, they did perform well as a headset for making calls. A couple of features were missing at launch — spatial audio and a five-band equalizer — but the equalizer has now been added with a firmware update. We’re now just waiting for spatial audio.

The Pixel Buds Pro are also IPX4 splash-proof. Read our Google Pixel Buds review.

$190 at Amazon

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Focal Bathys

Best-sounding wireless noise-canceling headphones

French audio company Focal is known for its high-end speakers and headphones. You might call it the Bowers & Wilkins of France. And now it’s finally done what a lot of high-end audio companies have had to do in this age of on-the-go wireless music listening: make active noise-canceling Bluetooth headphones.

Over three years in development, the Bathys cost $799 and feature not only wireless connectivity but a built-in DAC (digital-to-analog converter) for USB wired listening with any computer, smartphone or tablet with USB-C. They are easily one of the best-sounding wireless headphones.

Read our Focal Bathys first take.

$799 at Crutchfield

Jabra

Jabra Elite 7 Pro

Best Jabra true-wireless

Battery Life

Rated Up to 8 Hours

Noise Canceling

Yes (ANC)

Multipoint

Yes

Headphone Type

Wireless Earbuds

Water-Resistant

Yes (IP57 — Can be Submerged for 30 Minutes Up to 1 Meter)

Coming in at 16% smaller than the Elite 75t, the Elite 7 Pro are Jabra’s top-of-the-line earbuds in its new range and include the company’s new MultiSensor Voice technology with a bone-conduction sensor, four microphones and intelligent algorithms to deliver new “ground-breaking call quality,” Jabra says. The voice calling performance doesn’t quite live up to the hype, but Jabra has updated the buds’ firmware, adding multipoint Bluetooth pairing and slightly improving sound quality, noise canceling and headset performance. It took a while but they’re now excellent all-around buds.

These have adjustable active noise cancellation, Jabra’s HearThrough transparency mode and Bluetooth 5.2. They offer up to nine hours’ play time at moderate volume levels with noise canceling on, and nearly three additional charges in the charging case — total battery life is rated at 35 hours. The charging case has wireless charging capabilities.

The earbuds’ IP57 rating means they are dust-resistant and fully waterproof (they can be submerged in up to 1 meter of water). For those who like to use only a single bud, you can also use either one independently in a mono mode.

$200 at Amazon

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Beyerdynamic DT 700 Pro X

Best wired studio headphones

Battery Life

NA

Noise Canceling

No

Multipoint

No

Headphone Type

Over-ear wired headphones

Water-Resistant

No IP rating

We were fans of Beyerdynamic’s earlier DT 770 Pro headphones. The new DT 700 X is easier to drive than the 770 Pro, thanks to the company’s new STELLAR.45 sound transducer with an impedance of 48 ohms, so it plays better with smartphones, tablets and laptops without requiring a headphone amp.

The headphone is targeted at content creators who want accurate audio reproduction, but it’s a bit more dynamic sounding and less bass shy than many studio headphones, which tend to restrain the bass and hew toward a very neutral sound profile. The DT 700 X is a revealing, clean-sounding headphone that offers invitingly open sound (particularly for a closed-back headphone) and makes you realize what you’re missing after listening to similarly priced Bluetooth headphones.

Unlike the earlier DT 770 Pro, which is being sold at a nice discount (around $160), the DT 700 X comes with two interchangeable (detachable) straight cables in different lengths, and the DT 700 X arguably has a little cleaner look than its predecessor.

The solidly built headphone — it weighs 350 grams — is quite comfortable, featuring upgraded soft, velour-covered memory foam earpads that offer decent passive noise isolation. The earpads and the headphones’ other parts are replaceable, Beyerdynamic says.

Beyerdynamic also sells the open-back DT 900 X for the same price. That model should provide slightly more open, airy sound but the big drawback is people around you can hear whatever you’re listening to — and sound also leaks in. This closed-back version is more versatile.

$139 at Walmart

$139 at Amazon

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Apple AirPods 3

Best open earbuds

Battery Life

Rated up to 6 hours

Noise Canceling

No

Multipoint

No

Headphone Type

Wireless earbuds

Water-Resistant

Yes (IPX4 — splash-proof)

Take one look at the new design of the third-gen AirPods, and the first thing you’ll probably think is: “Those look like the AirPods Pro without ear tips.” You wouldn’t be wrong. While they’re more fraternal than identical twins, the AirPods 3 are shaped like the AirPods Pro, with the same shorter stems and same pinch controls as those of the Pro. Aside from the design change, which should fit most ears better than the AirPods 2nd Generation (though not very small ears), the biggest change is to the sound quality: It’s much improved. Also, battery life is better, and the AirPods 3 are water-resistant.

Read our Apple AirPods 3 review.

$135 at Amazon

$179 at Apple

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Apple AirPods Max

Apple’s premium noise-canceling headphones

Battery Life

Rated up to 20 hours

Noise Canceling

Yes (ANC)

Multipoint

No

Headphone Type

Over-ear wireless headphones

Water-Resistant

No IP rating

Yes, they’re expensive, but the AirPods Max deliver richer, more detailed sound than lower-priced competitors from Bose and Sony. They also feature arguably the best noise canceling on the market along with premium build quality and Apple’s virtual surround spatial audio feature for video watching. While they’re heavy, they manage to be surprisingly comfortable, though I did have to adjust the mesh canopy headband to sit a little more forward on my head to get a comfortable secure fit when I was out walking with them. They should fit most heads well, but there will be exceptions.

Read our Apple AirPods Max review.

$500 at Amazon

$549 at Apple

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Grado SR225x Prestige Series

Best affordable open-back wired headphones

Battery Life

NA

Noise Canceling

No

Multipoint

No

Headphone Type

Over-ear wired headphones (listed as on-ear)

Water-Resistant

No IP rating

Grado has upgraded its entry-level line of Prestige Series wired headphones for 2021. Hand-built, the line includes the SR60x, SR80x, SR125x, SR225x and SR325x, and they’re all very good at their various prices. Arguably, however, the $225 SR225x hits the sweet spot if you’re looking for open-back audiophile-grade headphones that won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

This updated model features a more durable eight-conductor cable infused with “super annealed” copper for “improved purity of the audio signal,” a more comfortable headband design and updated fourth-generation 44mm drivers that further cut down on distortion and are also more energy-efficient, making them easier to drive. I not only used them with an external headphone amplifier attached to my computer but with an iPhone using a Lightning-to-3.5mm adapter. They had plenty of volume when connected directly to the iPhone.

Open-back headphones are supposed to produce more open sound and these do just that with powerful, controlled bass and natural, warm-sounding mids (where vocals live) along with excellent overall clarity. Stepping up to the SRS325x should give you a little bit more bass energy, but you’re not looking at a big jump in sound quality. As with any open-back headphones, these do leak some sound, so people around you can hear what you’re listening to.

These headphones have semisoft foam earpads that, when you first put them on, you wouldn’t think are that comfortable over longer listening sessions. But they end up being more comfortable than you’d expect and the new headband design does help in that department. For entry-level audiophile-grade headphones that cost less than $250, it’s hard to do better than the SR225x.

$225 at Amazon

$225 at Crutchfield

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V-Moda M-200

Best audiophile headphones from V-Moda

V-Moda’s M-200 are currently only one of three pairs of wired headphones on this list. Released in late 2019, these clean and detailed sounding over-ear headphones have excellent bass response, and the cushy ear cushion cups mean they’re also comfortable to wear. Featuring 50mm drivers with neodymium magnets, CCAW voice coils and fine-tuning by Roland engineers — yes, V-Moda is now owned by Roland — the M‑200 is Hi‑Res Audio certified by the Japan Audio Society. Other V-Moda headphones tend to push the bass a little, but this set has the more neutral profile that you’d expect from studio monitor headphones. It comes with two cords, one of which has a built-in microphone for making calls. It would be nice if V-Moda offered Lightning or USB-C cables for phones without headphone jacks.

Note that in 2021, V-Moda released the M-200 ANC ($500), a wireless version of these headphones that includes active noise canceling. They also sound great but their noise canceling, call quality and overall feature set don’t match those of the AirPods Max.

$304 at Amazon

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More headphone recommendations

• Best Cheap True Wireless Headphones
• Best Open Wireless Earbuds for 2023

• Best Headphones for Working at Home in 2023
• Best Noise-Canceling True Wireless Earbuds of 2023

• Best Headphones for Running
• Best Cheap Wireless Noise-Canceling Headphones Under $100 for 2023
• Best Wireless Earbuds and Headphones for Making Calls
• Best Cheap Earbuds and Headphones
• Best Apple AirPods Max Alternatives for Less: Sony, Bose, AirPods Pro and More

• Best Headphones for Sleeping

You don’t need to waste money on a pricey cable subscription to watch sports any more. Nowadays, there are plenty of live TV streaming services that will carry the biggest games, including DirecTV Stream, YouTube TV and more. However, finding the right service for your interests and location can still be a headache since not every service carries local regional sports networks. But to help you get an idea of your options, we’ve rounded up the best sports streaming services available in 2023.

For example, Boston-area hockey fans looking for the Bruins or Major League Baseball fans hoping to catch the Red Sox need NESN to view the majority of their games. That’s even if they subscribe to a league-sponsored, sport-specific package such asMLB TV, which doesn’t cover in-market games.

DirecTV Stream is the one exception to this among streaming services. It has nearly every RSN, particularly the Bally Sports (formerly Fox Sports) channels offered by Sinclair, but the company will be increasing its prices this month, and you’ll need to spring for its now $100-a-month plan to access them.

Read more: How to Find the Best Streaming Service for You

However, once your sport starts its playoffs, games tend to shift from smaller, regional channels to those that reach a national audience and tend to be included in most TV packages. The NBA is one of the major exceptions to this, as you’ll still need access to NBA TV — which generally costs extra — in order to catch every first-round playoff game. Also, some sports, like Formula 1 racing, feature all of their contests on one national network, such as ESPN.

Depending on location, diehard sports fans might ultimately save more money by getting a cable subscription, as your RSNs come bundled with ESPN, TBS, TNT and other local channels. This could especially make sense if the package is bundled with the home internet you’ll likely be getting anyway.

If you’re a determined cord-cutter or know that you only need one or a few channels to get your sports fix, here are the best streaming services for you.

Read more: Best Streaming Devices for 2023

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DirecTV Stream

Carries ESPN, ABC, Fox, CBS, NBC, TBS, TNT, FS1 and, in the $90 package, most RSNs and league channels

DirecTV Stream is expensive. It’s the priciest of the five major live TV streaming services, but it’s also the one with the most RSNs and offers the most for sports fanatics. Its cheapest, $70-a-month Plus package includes the major networks as well as ESPN, TNT, FS1 and TBS. You’ll need to move up to the $90-a-month Choice plan to get any available RSN and many league channels such as the Big Ten network and NBA TV. It’s also worth noting that DirecTV will be increasing its prices to $75 a month (Plus package) and $100 a month (Choice package) on Jan. 22. You can use its channel lookup tool to see which local channels and RSNs are available in your area.

Read our DirecTV Stream review.

$70 at DirecTV Stream

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ESPN Plus

Full out-of-market package for NHL, global soccer, UFC pay-per-view events, select MLB baseball games, tennis, golf

ESPN’s stand-alone streaming service is great for casual sports fans and is a must-have accessory for hockey zealots. It costs $10 a month or $100 a year and shows all out-of-market NHL games. It’s also included as part of the $13-a-month Disney bundle, as well as in the Hulu Plus Live TV package.

ESPN Plus is heavily invested in global soccer, hosting LaLiga games from Spain and Germany’s Bundesliga. It’s also the home of some English soccer: the FA Cup, the Carabao Cup and the Community Shield, along with the EFL Championship — which is the league below the Premier League. The company used to carry all out-of-market MLS games, but lost the package to Apple after the completion of the 2022 season.

ESPN Plus doesn’t show any live NBA basketball or NFL football games, but it does offer coverage of Wimbledon and the US Open. During the MLB baseball season, the service carries select out-of-market Major League baseball games as well as unlocking the MLB Archives of classic games. It also offers some NCAA football and basketball, as well as the Little League World Series for fans looking to watch up-and-coming athletes. Some UFC matches are included as part of the subscription, with pay-per-view matches usually requiring an extra fee.

The service is also home to exclusive shows, such as Peyton’s Places starring Peyton Manning, and the vast 30 for 30 library. As an added inducement, the subscription removes the paywall on the ESPN website, giving you access to all online articles and reporting.

There’s something here for most sports aficionados and it’s almost a necessity for hard-core hockey and UFC fans.

Read our ESPN Plus review.

$10 at ESPN Plus

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FuboTV

Carries ESPN, FS1, FS2, 12 RSNs and most local networks and league channels

FuboTV costs $75 per month and offers 12 RSNs. It includes ESPN, but not TBS and TNT — which might be a problem for some sports fans. It also has most of your local networks like ABC, NBC, CBS and Fox, along with FS1, FS2, BeIn Sports, the Big 10 and the Golf channel.

You’ll have to pay an extra $8 a month for the Fubo Extra Package or pay for the $85-a-month Elite streaming tier that includes Fubo Extra for the NHL, NBA, MLB, SEC, PAC 12 and Tennis channels. Check out which local networks and RSNs FuboTV offers here.

Read our FuboTV review.

$75 at FuboTV

Hulu

Hulu Plus Live TV

Carries ESPN, ABC, NBC, CBS, Fox, FS1, FS2, TBS, TNT, NFL Network, 4 RSNs and comes with an ESPN Plus subscription

Hulu Plus Live TV offers an interesting middle ground for sports fans. On the one hand, the service lacks the ability to get many league-owned channels, but on the other, it comes automatically bundled with an ESPN Plus subscription.

Hulu Plus Live TV costs $70 a month and carries four RSNs along with all the major networks plus ESPN, TBS, TNT, FS1 and FS2. It does come with the NFL network, but even the Sports add-on lacks the MLB, NHL, NBA or Tennis channels. The biggest appeal of the add-on is the inclusion of NFL Red Zone. Otherwise, it doesn’t bring much value to the package.

The inclusion of the Disney bundle might make Hulu Plus Live TV more appealing than some of the other services on this list. Not only do you get full access to the sports on ESPN Plus, but you also get Disney Plus as well. Perhaps Hulu Plus Live TV could be a good compromise for sports fans who are also Disney lovers or who share a house with those who are.

Click the “View all channels in your area” link at the bottom of Hulu Plus Live TV’s to see which local networks and RSNs are available where you live.

Read our Hulu Plus Live TV review.

$70 at Hulu

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YouTube TV

Carries ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, ESPN, FS1, FS2, TBS, TNT, 4 RSNs and most league channels

2022

YouTube TV costs $65 a month, though it’s currently $10 off for the first three months, and offers four RSNs, along with FS1, FS2, ESPN, TBS, TNT and all of the major national networks. The standard package includes just about every league channel with the exception of the NHL Network. There is an additional Sports Plus package, but it doesn’t offer much other than BeIn and NFL Red Zone, so you might be able to skip it. Plug in your ZIP code on YouTube TV’s welcome page to see which local networks and RSNs are available in your area.

Read our YouTube TV review.

$65 at YouTube TV

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Sling TV

Carries ESPN, TBS, FS1 and some national networks

The Sling TV packages don’t have a ton to offer any but the most casual fan. Sling Blue currently lacks a single RSN, but you can use it to watch some national broadcasts. Sling TV’s Orange plan includes ESPN, while the Blue plan has FS1 and the NFL network. While both plans offer TBS, none of them gives you access to ABC, which could be a problem for many fans. The Sports Extra add-on, which costs $11 a month for either the Blue or Orange plan or $15 for the combined Orange and Blue plan, offers the NBA, NHL and MLB channels, along with the PAC 12, BeIn and Tennis channel, among others. The individual plans cost $40 a month each, and the combined Orange and Blue plan costs $55 a month. And right now, you can get your first month for half off. You can see which local channels you get here.

Read our Sling TV review.

$40 at Sling TV

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Paramount Plus

Carries AFC NFL games, UEFA Champions league, NWSL soccer

Paramount Plus, formerly CBS All Access, gives its $5-a-month Essential subscribers access to AFC football games during the NFL season, along with some UEFA Champions League soccer, as well as most matches from the NWSL women’s soccer league.

Users are able to access the AFC games in their local market, which might be a good option for anyone looking to grab CBS without spending a ton of money. You could also just get an over-the-air antenna and get all your local channels for free.

Read our Paramount Plus review.

$5 at Paramount Plus

Peacock

Peacock Premium

Sunday Night Football, the Olympics, Premier League soccer, WWE, Indy Car, golf

Peacock, owned by NBC, offers some live sports to go along with its on-demand entertainment. The $5-a-month Premium tier gives users access to English Premier League soccer, the Olympics, Sunday Night Football, select WWE events, Indy Car races and some PGA golf tournaments. The service also airs a few other less popular sports, such as rugby, figure skating, cycling and track and field. Access to Sunday Night Football is great during the season, but for most of the year the platform is best suited for soccer and wrestling fans.

Read our Peacock review.

$5 at Peacock

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Samsung has a huge range of different phones to choose from, which can make finding the best Samsung phone for your needs a bit of a challenge. If you want the best of the best, there’s the Galaxy S22 Ultra, the most advanced phone in its flagship lineup with an S Pen stylus, impressive camera and hefty price tag of $1,200. On the other end, there’s the budget-friendly Galaxy A12, which lists for just $180. And there are tons of different choices in between so you can find a Samsung phone that fits your needs and your budget.

Whether you want a high-performance phone with incredible photo skills and a raft of exciting features, or a more affordable device that nails the basics, there’s a Samsung phone for you.

How to pick the right Samsung phone for you

Like many purchasing decisions, deciding which Samsung phone is right for you comes down to what you want in a phone and how much you’re willing to spend. If you want the largest screen available on a standard Samsung phone, enjoy notetaking with a stylus and want a camera with a significantly closer zoom, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is the right choice for you. But you’ll also have to be willing to spend more than $1,000 unless you score a trade-in deal.

Those who don’t need the stylus, prefer more compact devices and still want a top-notch camera should consider the Galaxy S22 or Galaxy S22 Plus. And if you really just want the basics, like a spacious screen, 5G and a decent camera, consider the Galaxy A53 5G. If you want the flashiest tech around — and you have deep pockets — the company’s latest Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 pack innovative foldable displays that are certainly eye-catching. Check out the entries in our guide below for more details on each Samsung phone, including their pros and cons.

It’s also important to consider whether now is the right time to upgrade. If you have a relatively new phone that’s two to three years old and still functions properly, you can probably wait. Phones like the Galaxy S21 FE, Galaxy S22 lineup and Galaxy A53 5G all arrived in 2022, so they should still feel fresh and new. Samsung has also committed to supporting four generations of Android security and operating system updates on these devices.

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If you’re ready to upgrade but can hang on for a few more months, you might want to wait before making a purchase. Since Samsung typically launches its new Galaxy S phones within the first couple of months of the year, we are likely to see a successor to the Galaxy S22 sometime between January and March 2023.

Finding the best Samsung phone will ultimately come down to preference. Choosing among so many options can get complicated, so here’s how to decide which Samsung phone is best for you.

Samsung

Galaxy S22 Ultra

Best camera

2022

The $1,200 Galaxy S22 Ultra is Samsung’s most expensive phone that isn’t a folding phone. With its giant 6.8-inch screen and four-lens camera, it’s best for those who want the largest screen and best camera possible in a new Samsung phone. Unlike last year’s model, the Galaxy S22 Ultra also comes with Samsung’s S Pen stylus at no additional cost, just like Samsung’s older Galaxy Note devices.

At 6.8 inches, the Galaxy S22 Ultra is noticeably larger than the 6.6-inch Galaxy S22 Plus and 6.1-inch Galaxy S22. The camera is also one of the biggest reasons you should consider this phone over Samsung’s smaller and cheaper devices. While all three new Galaxy S22 phones can take better photos in the dark and have improved color and contrast, the S22 Ultra is the only one with two telephoto lenses. As a result, the S22 Ultra has the closest zoom of any Samsung phone — and perhaps any phone, period. It also has a 108-megapixel main sensor similar to the one in last year’s phone, along with a 12-megapixel ultrawide camera and the two 10-megapixel zoom lenses.

The Galaxy S22’s high price and large size are probably too much for most people, and its battery life could be better. But for those who love big screens and who really want a superior zoom camera and the S Pen for taking notes, the S22 won’t disappoint.

Read our Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra review.

$1,000 at Samsung

$896 at Amazon

$1,200 at Best Buy

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Galaxy S22 Plus

Best screen size

The Galaxy S22 Plus is the middle child of the Galaxy S22 lineup, but don’t overlook it. Its 6.6-inch screen size is just right for most people, it has a sharp new glass-and-metal design and the camera has gotten a major upgrade compared with the S21 generation. Although it’s a bit pricey at $1,000, it feels like the right option for those who want a screen that’s big but not gigantic paired with one of the best cameras around.

Many of the updates Samsung made across the Galaxy S22 lineup are iterative, like the phones’ new processors and refreshed designs. But the jump from the Galaxy S21’s 12-megapixel camera to the S22’s 50-megapixel camera is perhaps the most noticeable improvement. Both the Galaxy S22 Plus and regular Galaxy S22 have this new camera system, along with other internal camera enhancements, which results in better low-light performance, color and detail. The Galaxy S22 Plus also lasted the longest in CNET’s battery test of Samsung’s Galaxy S22 phones, although battery life still felt average rather than impressive.

Overall, the Galaxy S22 Plus is the best choice for those who want a premium phone with a top-notch camera and a large, bright screen.

Read our Samsung Galaxy S22 Plus review.

$850 at Samsung

$748 at Amazon

$1,000 at Best Buy

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Galaxy S22

Best smaller phone

Android users don’t have much choice when it comes to small phones, but Samsung is changing that with the Galaxy S22. The standard Galaxy S22 has a 6.1-inch screen, whereas many competing Android phones have displays that measure around 6.4 inches or larger.

The $800 Galaxy S22 otherwise brings many of the same benefits as the Galaxy S22 Plus. That includes a 50-megapixel camera with better low-light photography, a new processor and a revamped design that feels more elegant than the S21. It’s essentially a smaller version of the Galaxy S22 Plus, except the Plus also has a bigger battery, faster charging and ultrawideband support.

The Galaxy S22 is the best option for those who want a more compact phone that still has most of the premium features found in Samsung’s bigger and more expensive phones. Just keep in mind that the Galaxy S22’s smaller size also comes along with shorter battery life than the S22 Plus and S22 Ultra.

Read our Samsung Galaxy S22 review.

$700 at Samsung

$645 at Amazon

$800 at Best Buy

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Galaxy S21 FE

Best cheaper flagship

The first S20 “Fan Edition” seriously impressed us with its balance of performance and price, and the new Galaxy S21 FE takes that further with a solid triple camera, a vibrant display and the same powerful processor found in the flagship S21. It has a 6.5-inch screen, making it an ideal choice for those who want a phone that’s larger than the regular Galaxy S22 without the Galaxy S22 Plus’ high price. Although it’s missing some of the Galaxy S22’s bells and whistles — like improved night photography and a newer processor — this phone has a sharper front-facing camera for selfies and video calls.

The Galaxy S21 FE faces some tough competition from Google’s Pixel 6A, but if you’re after a great overall Samsung phone and don’t want to pay top dollar for the flagships, then the S21 FE is well worth considering.

Read our Samsung Galaxy S21 FE review.

$550 at Amazon

$700 at Target

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Galaxy A53 5G

Midrange value

New for 2022, the Galaxy A53 gets you a plethora of Samsung features and power at a fraction of the S-series price. It boasts a far larger screen and more versatile camera cluster than the iPhone SE, though Apple’s budget model delivers snappier performance.

Still, Samsung fans will appreciate what they’re getting here considering the affordable price. The Galaxy A53 5G has an ultrawide lens for taking photos with a broader field of view and also supports night-mode photography. Image quality isn’t as good as what you’d get on a more expensive Samsung phone like the Galaxy S21 FE or Galaxy S22, but it’s certainly clear and colorful enough for basic shots. Other highlights include a long-lasting battery, four guaranteed generations of Android operating system updates and a microSD card slot for expandable storage.

Overall, the Galaxy A53 5G is a suitable choice for those who prioritize having a large screen and long battery life for less than $500. Just keep in mind you might have to deal with some occasional lag, and the camera isn’t as advanced as those found on pricier phones. Read our Samsung Galaxy A53 5G review.

$399 at Amazon

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Galaxy Z Fold 4

Best foldable phone

Usually priced at $1,800 (yikes!), the Galaxy Z Fold 4 still costs substantially more than your average smartphone. But the latest version of Samsung’s book-style foldable is filled with small improvements that add up to a much more pleasant overall experience. The hinge is thinner, the device is slightly lighter and the cover screen is a bit wider, making it feel more natural to use as a phone when closed. That’s on top of other routine smartphone upgrades like a better camera that’s similar to the Galaxy S22’s and a new processor. Our reviewer Patrick Holland called it his “favorite Android tablet.”

If you already have a Z Fold 3, it’s not worth upgrading. But if you’re willing to spend big (or can find a good trade-in deal) and are interested in a phone that can double as a tablet, the Z Fold 4 is the way to go.

Read our Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 4 review.

$1,585 at Samsung

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Galaxy Z Flip 3

Samsung’s smaller folding phone

If the Galaxy Fold is a tablet that folds in half to become a phone, the Z Flip is a phone that folds in half to become a smaller phone. The Galaxy Z Flip 3 is a generation older than the newly released Galaxy Z Flip 4. But we recommend it over the Z Flip 4, since it’s cheaper while still offering many of the same benefits. The Z Flip 4 has a new processor, larger battery, a new main sensor for taking better low-light photos and a slightly tweaked design. That might sound like a lot, but these changes come together to make only a slightly improved experience over last year’s Flip 3.

With the Z Flip 3, you’re still getting a 6.7-inch display that folds in half and can easily slide into a jeans or jacket pocket. The cover screen is also the same size on both phones, and the Z Flip 3 and 4 each have similar cameras and 5G connectivity. At around $1,000, it’s now the most affordable foldable phone Samsung sells. Unless you can find the Z Flip 4 at a discount that makes it the same price as the Z Flip 3, we recommend going for last year’s phone.

Read our Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 review.

$900 at Samsung

$1,090 at Walmart

$600 at Best Buy

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Samsung

Galaxy A42 5G

Affordable with a big screen

The A42 5G Android phone sits just below the A52, provides less RAM, loses the macro camera and has a lower-resolution front-facing camera. It still has 5G connectivity though, along with a bigger battery and a marginally bigger display, which could make it a great affordable Samsung phone option for those of you who watch a lot of videos on the move.

$450 at Samsung

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Galaxy A32 5G

5G for less

If 5G speeds are your top Android phone priority but you don’t want to spend much money, Samsung’s Galaxy A32 5G is where you should be looking. Its low price makes it one of the cheapest 5G-enabled Samsung Galaxy phones that’s possible to buy right now, and you still get a big 6.5-inch display and a multiple rear camera setup. It’s not challenging the overall performance of the S21 line, but it’s a solid all-rounder device for the money.

$280 at Samsung

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Galaxy A12

Just the basics

The Galaxy A12 is one of the cheapest phones Samsung sells and it’s the one to consider for those of you who simply want a phone for all of life’s essentials. If you don’t care for extravagant cameras or supercomputer-levels of processing power, you won’t have to pay for them with this model. It doesn’t have 5G, but it does have four rear cameras, a 6.5-inch display and a capacious 5,000-mAh battery. Given the generally low demands of the specs, that battery should easily last a full day.

The camera is one of the biggest factors that distinguishes the Galaxy A12 from Samsung’s other less expensive phones. During CNET’s testing, the Galaxy A12 took noticeably better photos than the cheaper Galaxy A03S and Galaxy A02S, especially in low light. Just remember you’ll likely have to buy a microSD card since the A12 only comes with 32GB of built-in storage.

Samsung also recently launched the Galaxy A13, which has 5G, more storage and a sharper 50-megapixel camera, which could be worth considering when searching for Samsung Galaxy phones.

Read our Samsung Galaxy A12 review.

$180 at Samsung

Frequently asked questions about Samsung phones

How we test Samsung phones

We test Samsung phones similar to the way we test most smartphones: by evaluating core characteristics like camera quality, battery life, software, performance, design and overall value compared to competing devices.

To assess the camera quality, we take photos in various lighting conditions to see how the camera performs in different scenarios. Then, we compare those results to the same photos taken on competing devices or previous models (in many cases both.) We also test various shooting modes using different lenses, specifically focusing on new or unique features (like the Galaxy S22’s Ultra’s zoom).

We generally test battery life in two ways: by assessing how long the battery lasts during a typical day, and by seeing how long the battery lasts during continuous video playback. The video playback test isn’t always included in initial versions of our reviews because it can take up to a full day to run. We typically use that time to test other aspects of the phone to provide a well-rounded review.

Performance is measured anecdotally by using the phone and through benchmarking apps. Design is subjective, but we look for things like build quality, how comfortable the phone feels to hold and how much screen space it provides for the size. For software, we look for unique features that may not be available on other phones, ease of use and update longevity.

iPad shoppers, I have frustrating news for you. There’s no perfect iPad anymore. This is the state of iPads in early 2023: lots of choices but no clear-cut, absolute winner. There are, however, some specific shopping tips we can offer. And some good news.

The latest iPads have confused the landscape further. The 10th-gen iPad is more expensive than the ninth-gen iPad, which remains on sale. The 10th-gen model has a better-placed front-facing camera for video chats, a larger screen, a faster processor and USB-C charging, but needs its own cases and a weird dongle for charging the first-gen Pencil.

Meanwhile, the newest iPad Pros get better M2 processors, faster Wi-Fi 6E and 5G connectivity and a new “Pencil hover” tool for proximity-based previews of art tools, but the design remains the same and the front camera placement hasn’t been fixed, which remains frustrating for anyone who was hoping to use the iPad Pro for work-based video chats when in landscape mode. Also, iPadOS is no closer to replacing your Mac, except for Stage Manager’s external monitor support coming later this year.

The best iPads for now may arguably still be older models: The 9th-gen iPad is the best choice for kids and budget shoppers a year after its debut.

Meanwhile, the iPad Air, released earlier this year, remains the best “Pro on a budget” iPad with its fast M1 chip and Pencil 2 support. It doesn’t fix that front camera either, though, so if looking good on Zoom and FaceTime matters the most, consider that 10th-gen iPad instead.

Read more: Best iPad Deals Right Now

Our top choice: Again, no clear winner

There’s a $120 starting price gap between the $329 entry-model 9th-gen, which remains in the line, and the new $449 10th-gen version. That gives the older model a bit of an edge over the new one, despite the latter’s slightly larger display, side camera, better processor and USB-C connection — especially if you only really need one of those upgrades, like the camera relocation. If you need all those upgrades and can afford it but don’t need an M1 CPU, the step-up model makes sense.

Whichever model or screen size you go with, all the current iPads support the latest version of iPadOS (a version of iOS specifically for iPads) and either the first- or second-gen Apple Pencil — though the most recently released 10th-gen model’s Pencil support is less than elegant. Let’s just say there’s a dongle involved, which is rarely a good thing. Apple is supporting external monitors as an extended desktop for iPads with an M1 chip or better via a software update to iPadOS 16 that’s coming later this year, but the feature, called Stage Manager, remains buggy and feels experimental.

No matter what iPad you buy, there are ways of connecting keyboard cases, Bluetooth and otherwise, although your options will vary. That’s good news for anyone who wants to do more than stream videos and music, browse websites and play Apple Arcade games. Plus, all the current iPad models support mouse and trackpad use, for a more MacBook-like experience. The Apple Magic Keyboard is compatible with the iPad Pro and iPad Air, but not the 10th-gen iPad (which has a new Magic Keyboard Folio case instead).

Check out the selections below to find the best iPad for your needs. And then read further for more advice.

Scott Stein/CNET

iPad 9th-Gen 2021

Best iPad for kids or budget shoppers

We’ve always appreciated the entry-level iPad for its affordable price. Last year’s entry-level model is less expensive than the newer 10th-gen iPad, and is still very functional: Its older A13 chip and Lightning-charger-equipped, Touch ID home button design all feel somewhat out of date but work fine. This iPad’s screen size is perfect for everyday work and fun, there’s an auto-zooming front-facing Center Stage camera, and unlike the 10th-gen iPad, the first-gen Apple Pencil doesn’t need a dongle to work. It’s still compatible with a range of keyboard cases, too.

$329 at Best Buy

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iPad 10th-Gen (2022)

The iPad for serious video chatters

The step-up new entry-level iPad has a whole new design and now has USB-C, a faster A14 chip and a larger display. Its best feature, though, is a repositioned front-facing camera that finally centers video chats properly in landscape mode, which is how most people use their iPads when they’re connected to keyboard cases. If you’re someone who needs to Zoom a lot on an iPad, this is worth the extra price over the 9th-gen model if you can afford it. The downside is the bizarre lack of support for the Pencil 2, requiring you to use a first-gen Pencil and a USB-C charge dongle (not included) for sketches and note-taking.

Read our review.

$440 at Amazon

$449 at Best Buy

$449 at Apple

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Apple iPad Air (2022)

Best lower-cost iPad Pro alternative

The iPad Air costs less ($599) than the iPad Pro, but has less starting storage (64GB). It adds an M1 processor similar to that of the iPad Pro from 2021, a 5G option, and a Center Stage front-facing camera. It doesn’t have the better-placed front camera of the 10th-gen iPad, but supports Pencil 2 and has a better processor and display. The only points where it lags compared to the 11-inch Pro are a slightly slower processor, that new Pencil 2 hover support, and faster connectivity. You still might consider the Pro worth it, depending. But keep in mind that the 2021 iPad Pro, if it’s on sale for less, is the better buy: It has a faster-refresh display, better rear cameras, Face ID/lidar and a faster Thunderbolt USB-C port.

$559 at Amazon

$600 at Best Buy

$599 at Apple

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iPad Pro 2022

Best iPad for power Pencil users

Apple’s 2022 iPad Pro refresh added a more powerful M2 chip, faster Wi-Fi 6E and optional 5G connectivity, and a new Pencil 2 “hover” feature that activates the display when the stylus is in close range. Not many apps take advantage of hover, though, and the rest of this iPad design’s the same as the previous model. The iPad Pro lineup are still the only models with faster 120Hz variable refresh rate displays, a step-up Mini LED HDR display on the 12.9-inch model, Face ID and depth-sensing lidar cameras and a faster Thunderbolt 4 port. If you don’t mind that the front-facing camera isn’t landscape-oriented yet like the 10th-gen iPad’s — and you have the money to burn — this is the most advanced model, but it doesn’t get you any closer to being a Mac.

$770 at Amazon

$799 at Best Buy

$799 at Apple

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Scott Stein/CNET

iPad Mini

Best ultraportable iPad

If you don’t care about a keyboard case (even though there are some small ones that will work with it), this tinier iPad mini, while expensive, is still a great portable pick. Its newer design supports the Pencil 2, it has USB-C, and its processor is plenty fast enough. For note-taking, reading, games and movies, this is an enticing choice.

Read our review.

$499 at Target