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You may not be in the market for Sony electric cars, pee analyzers, 3D printed Neutrogena nutrient gummies or other weird things that emerged at CES this year. But just about everybody can benefit from the USB-C accessories from the electronics show.

We’ve rounded up some of the most promising chargers, docking stations, batteries and other USB-C accessories at CES. Take a look if you want a single multiport charger to sweep away a clutter of separate device chargers; a USB-C hub to expand the power of a single port on the side of a laptop; or if you want to prepare for the coming era of USB-C iPhones.

The newer version of the USB-C data transfer and charging port is taking over with its reversible oval connector that works on phones and PCs. The USB-C physical connector is a foundation for high-speed data transfer, up to 120 gigabits per second in the upcoming USB 4 version 2, and for high power charging, up to 240 watts.

VisionTek

VisionTek 2-port 65W GaN II Power Adapter

VisionTek offers a new range of USB-C chargers, including three two-port models at 35W, 45W and 65W. They’re very compact thanks to the newer and more compact GaN (gallium nitride) power electronics that have been sweeping the charger industry. I like the $50 65W model for its ability to capably charge both laptops and phones, and its slightly bulbous look is kind of cute. Power prongs flip into the charger for travel.

$50 at VisionTek

EZQuest

EZQuest 7-in-1 Multimedia USB-C Hub

EZQuest has delivered solid value with its hubs, and I like this $60 model as a way to convert a single laptop port into something more versatile. The headline here for me is that it includes two USB-C ports for peripherals, a rarity at this price range, though they transfer data at only 5Gbps, useful but somewhat pokey by modern USB standards. It’s also got two USB-A ports, a 4K HDMI port running at 60fps, and a gigabit Ethernet jack with unusual but helpful status LEDs. It’ll pass along 100W from your external charger to your laptop. EZQuest also announced higher-end 8-in-1 and 10-in-1 models if you need other features like SD Card slots or faster USB-C ports.

$60 at Amazon

Plugable

Plugable 1-meter 240W USB-C power cables

I’ve always liked Plugable’s cables: They’re pliable, durable and have a label that dispels all the confusion about what data transfer speeds and charging power levels they support. Many cheap USB-C cables intended for charging have only dog-slow 480Mbps USB 2.x data transfer speeds, so you have to read the fine print. Plugable’s new $25.95 USB4-240W-1M not only supports the new USB 4 speeds of up to 40Gbps but also is the first cable I’ve seen that can handle a whopping 240 watts of power. It’s 1 meter long and just as supple as lower-power models. You can order now for shipments starting Jan. 11. (For another $4, you can upgrade to a similar cable that’s certified for Thunderbolt 4, too.)

$26 at Amazon

Satechi

Satechi 200W 6-Port PD GaN Charger

If you’ve got a lot of devices, perhaps because you’re sharing one power plug in the wall with multiple family members or coworkers, take a look at Satechi’s $150 200W 6-Port PD GaN Charger. I’ve seen six-port chargers that combine USB-C with old-school USB-A (I’m using one from Ugreen right now to charge my laptop, three phones, tablet and smartwatch) but Satechi’s is all USB-C all the time. It won’t ship until the second quarter of 2023, though.

Kensington

Kensington USB-C Dual 4K Portable Mobile Dock with Qi Charging

Kensington’s $140 SD1700P dock offers dual 4K HDMI ports, dual USB-A ports for your older devices, a charging pad on top, an Ethernet jack and a USB-C power port to transmit up to 100W from your charger to your laptop. I prefer docks with multiple USB-C ports, but those are expensive and not what everybody needs. Conveniently, you can loop its USB-C cable back into a socket so it’s more compact for transport.

$140 at Kensington

Anker

Anker 615 GanPrime 65W USB-C Charging Station

This rounded $70 charger is a good way to make the most of scarce power outlets while you’re traveling. It’s got dual USB-C charging ports and a single USB-A port that collectively supply a healthy 65W for laptops and smaller devices. And it’s got an AC power plug for whatever else you need to plug in (including whatever you unplugged to make room for the charger). Best of all, its 3-foot power cable retracts into the power strip’s body for transit. I love compact chargers, and a longer cable means I don’t have to sit so close to the power outlet while both using and charging my devices.

$70 at Amazon

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BioLite

BioLite SolarPanel 100

BioLite’s $400 SolarPanel 100 is actually four panels that crank out up to 100W of power and that fold down for storage or transport. The water-resistant design can charge devices directly with USB-C and USB-A ports or charge BioLite’s big BaseCharge batteries. A kickstand adjusts the tilt, and a built-in sundial helps you face it straight at the sun for best performance. Up to four can be linked together if you want to charge faster or have margin for error on days with intermittent sun.

$400 at BioLite Energy

Hyper, Targus

Hyper USB-C SSD enclosure

This $120 portable SSD enclosure is a good way to dramatically beef up the storage capacity of your laptop’s pathetic built-in SSD. External drives are one of those peripherals where you notice the speed of your USB connection, and for this model, it’s a pretty fast 3,800 megabytes per second with a USB 4 connection. It’ll ship in the second quarter, Hyper said. It’ll accommodate SSDs up to 8TB in capacity, but those are sold separately.

Anker

Anker 733 GaNPrime PowerCore 65W Power Bank

This $100 device combines a 10,000mAh battery with a 65W charger — a useful combination if you’re running around school classes, business meetings or a conference when power plugs are only intermittently available. The battery capacity isn’t huge, but it’s roughly enough to usefully extend your laptop’s battery life or to fully recharge your phone twice.

$100 at Anker

Scosche

Scosche BaseLynx 2.0 modular charging station

This charging spot is good for people who are coming to terms with the fact that they have a huge pile of devices to keep topped up. It’s a modular design that lets you snap together what you’ll need, including three USB-C ports, a MagSafe stand for iPhones and AirPods, an MFi stand for Apple Watches, and an AC power plug. The BaseLynx 2.0 will be available this spring at Apple Stores. Its modules cost $50 to $100 each, and the model shown here costs $250 including three power cables.

Anker

Anker 727 GaNPrime 100W USB-C Charging Station

This slim $75 design can deliver a total of 100W to two USB-C and two USB-A ports. It’s also got two AC plugs for other devices. Its five-foot power cord can be removed.

$95 at Amazon

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BioLite

BioLite BaseCharge 1500 battery

The hulking BioLite BaseCharge 1500 and costs $1,699, but its 1521 watt-hour lithium-ion battery can be appealing to campers, drone videographers working in the field and anyone worried about power outages. (I’m looking at you, northern Californians drenched by the atmospheric river.) The battery is big enough to run a power drill for 57 minutes, the company says. The battery offers three USB-C ports, one of which can also be used to charge the battery. It’s also got wireless charging on the top deck and three AC power plugs. (If you’re worried about power, though, it’s best to charge with a USB cable, since wireless charging is less efficient and converting a battery’s DC power to AC and then back again to DC with a device charger also wastes power.) There are other big batteries out there, but BioLite argues its battery is cheaper.

$1,699 at BioLite Energy

Apple is known for its strong security measures, but if you’re a Mac user and you want to protect your online privacy, using a VPN, or virtual private network, is a good idea. While Apple devices offer a number of security features, it’s still possible for your internet service provider to track your browsing activity on both iOS and MacOS, and other sites can collect your IP address. MacOS can’t prevent either of those things, but the best Mac VPN can. With a reliable and well-tested VPN, Mac users can keep their online activity under wraps and better protect their digital information.

When we select the best Mac VPN for our readers, we consider a number of things that are specific to being a Mac user: First, if you’ve been using MacOS, you’re used to a clean, intuitive user interface with a minimal learning curve and a well-organized set of digital tools — which is why a VPN’s usability weighs into our consideration. Further, while not every Apple device is faster than a Windows and PC product, we want to see a VPN service with a connection speed that complements MacOS machines’ rapid reputation.

We also know that for many Mac users, a broad resistance to app-borne viruses and malware is a major reason for picking that ecosystem over Windows devices. To that end, we examine a VPN’s antitracker capacity and its general compatibility with Apple’s progressively heightened privacy policies.

Note that there are currently some limits to the privacy VPNs offer MacOS and iOS users. Recent independent research has suggested that iOS (and some MacOS) users’ browsing and internet data may be sent to Apple despite the protections offered by an encrypted VPN tunnel. We’ll continue to update our recommendations as more research emerges around this issue.

Drawn from our directory of the best VPN services, these are our top recommendations for the best Mac VPN. Keep checking back here often since we regularly update this list as new VPN contenders emerge for the top spot.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

Editors’ Choice: Best overall VPN for privacy protection and speed

• Latest tests: No leaks detected, 2% speed loss in spring 2022 tests

• Network: 3,000-plus servers in 160 locations across 94 countries

• Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands

• Price: 5 simultaneous connections for $13 per month, $60 for six months, or $100 for a year (current discount: 3 months free). 2-year subscriptions available.

Read our ExpressVPN review.

ExpressVPN

• Current fastest VPN we’ve tested
• Unblocks Netflix, great for gaming and P2P
• Solid security and transparency, zero leaks
• Excellent customer support, easy refunds

49% off with 12-mo plan (+3 free months)

$6.67/mo at ExpressVPN

Despite battling major upheavals through the end of 2021, ExpressVPN clenched our Editor’s Choice Award for best VPN in 2022. One of the two largest providers globally, the VPN titan has been in business since 2009 and once again aggressively raised the industry bar for service transparency this year.

In the past year, ExpressVPN increased its independent third-party audit count, published details about its TrustedServer deployment process, joined the i2Coalition to call for improved VPN industry ethics, and released an open source Lightway encryption protocol.

After a set-back in 2020, ExpressVPN is again currently in first place as the fastest VPN we’ve tested. While most VPNs will cause you to lose half or more of your normal internet speeds, ExpressVPN caused us to lose just 2% of speeds in our 2022 speed tests. It also unblocks Netflix and other streaming services more reliably than most other VPNs, and seamlessly surpasses geo-blocking for access to international gaming servers and torrenting sites.

All of our top-rated VPNs have wide compatibility across platforms and operating systems, but ExpressVPN’s collection of setup guides, detailed FAQs and troubleshooting articles give it a clear advantage for users. So does its 24/7 customer support, and its no-questions-asked, 30-day money back guarantee.

While you can get a better month-to-dollar bargain with ExpressVPN’s two-year subscription, we don’t recommend anyone purchase any two-year VPN subscriptions at this time due to overall market volatility. ExpressVPN’s best plan offers five simultaneous connections for $100 a year (which includes three extra months, for a limited-time deal totalling 15 months of service). You can also opt for a $13 per-month plan, or pay $60 for six months.

Surfshark

Surfshark

Editors’ Choice: Cheap VPN packed with features

• Latest tests: Zero data leaks and 19% internet speed loss in fall 2022 tests

• Network: 3,200-plus in 99 countries

• Jurisdiction: Netherlands

• Price: Unlimited connections for $48 for the first year (then $60 annually) or $13 per month. 2-year subscriptions available.

Read our Surfshark VPN review.

Surfshark VPN

• Best value VPN in 2022
• Lots of unique security features
• Unlimited simultaneous connections
• RAM-only server network

84% off with 24-mo plan (+2 free months)

$2 at Surfshark VPN

Surfshark boasts an impressive suite of privacy and security features, unlimited simultaneous connections, easy-to-use interface and expansive global network. And it’s still significantly cheaper than most of its competitors. That’s what has helped Surfshark earn CNET’s Editors’ Choice for Best Value VPN in 2022.

Along with standard VPN features like a kill switch and DNS leak protection, some of the more notable Surfshark features include camouflage mode (which hides the fact you’re using a VPN), split-tunneling, NoBorders mode (which lets you use Surfshark in regions where VPNs are restricted) and multihop VPN connections. You’ll also get access to Surfshark’s CleanWeb technology, which blocks ads and malware and helps you avoid phishing attacks.

One innovation we’re excited to see Surfshark roll out over the next year is its Nexus network, which connects the VPN’s entire network of servers together and allows you to choose multiple servers to route your connection through. The functionality is somewhat similar to Tor, but Surfshark says it’s faster. With its Dynamic MultiHop, IP Randomizer and IP Rotator functions, the Nexus network can give you a few extra layers of protection while you use the VPN — which can be particularly beneficial to users with critical privacy needs.

Surfshark says it doesn’t log any user activity. And although no-logging claims are virtually impossible to prove with 100% certainty, German cybersecurity firm Cure53 declared Surfshark’s security to be “solid” in its 2021 security audit of the VPN. Surfshark says a new audit is forthcoming by the end of this year.

As of February 2022, both Surfshark and NordVPN have the same corporate parent (Tesonet), but Surfshark said it is legally bound not to share any information between the entities that would go against its Privacy Policy or Terms of Service. We didn’t find any language in either document that would indicate Surfshark has any obligation to share user data with its parent company or any sibling companies, including NordVPN.

Surfshark rates consistently as one of the fastest VPNs available. Which is why we were surprised that one of the only issues we had with Surfshark came in our speed test. While it still ranks as one of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested — with an internet speed loss of just 19% — we were disappointed with the inconsistent speed results we got to certain locations. Speeds to Europe and Singapore were erratic (dipping as low as 9 Mbps to Singapore), while speeds to New York were slower than speeds to the UK and even Australia. Surfhark is in the process of significantly expanding its server network, now offering more than 3,200 servers in 99 countries. The continued expansion of its server network could potentially help bring some more consistency to the VPN’s speeds.

In our tests, Surfshark had no problems unblocking Netflix and Amazon Prime Video content, but we did run into a fair bit of trouble accessing Disney Plus. After testing various servers in the US and other countries where Disney Plus is available, we were finally able to access the content when we connected to a server in Boston. You may need to test a few servers yourself before gaining access to Disney Plus content with Surfshark.

Surfshark offers cheaper introductory prices that jump after the first billing cycle. Even so, Surfshark manages to keep its prices lower than most other VPNs — helping it earn CNET’s Editors’ Choice for Best Value. The yearly plan starts out at $48 for the first year, then jumps to $60 for any additional years of service. If you opt for the two-year plan, you’ll pay $60 up front for the initial two years combined, then $60 per year for any additional years. Surfshark’s monthly plan stays constant at $13 a month. If you’re not satisfied with the service for any reason, Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. Surfshark review.

NordVPN

NordVPN

Best for gamers and streamers

• Latest tests: No leaks detected, 13% speed loss in summer 2022 tests

• Network: 5,600-plus servers in 84 locations across 59 countries
• Jurisdiction: Panama

• Price: 6 simultaneous connections for $12 per month or $60 for a year (current discount: 3 months free). 2-year subscriptions available.

Read our NordVPN review.

NordVPN

• Among the fastest VPNs
• Tons of features
• Diskless RAM-only server infrastructure
• Solid encryption

68% off with 24-mo plan (+3 free months)

$2.99/mo at NordVPN

NordVPN is one of the most recognized brands in the VPN field. It offers a generous simultaneous connection count, with six simultaneous connections through its network, where nearly all other providers offer five or fewer. NordVPN also offers a dedicated IP option for those looking for a different level of VPN connection, and the ability to VPN into Tor. More than half of Nord’s 5,000-plus server fleet is optimized for peer-to-peer sharing, though Nord has blocked torrenting in 14 countries.

In our latest test rounds we noticed a few hiccups in Nord’s killswitch when using its iOS app, which could be a concern for torrenters. However, Nord has a sideloaded iOS available on its website that it recommends to users. In our most recent speed tests, NordVPN’s performance recovered from middling speed scores of 2021 and zoomed back into the ranks of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested, causing us to lose just 13% of base internet speeds.

NordVPN doesn’t accept PayPal payments, but you can purchase a subscription with any major credit or debit card, AmazonPay, Google Pay or ACH transfer. If you’d rather pay anonymously, you can pay with a variety of cryptocurrencies including bitcoin, ethereum, tether and dogecoin. NordVPN has also partnered with a handful of retail stores like Staples, Best Buy and Walmart — where you can even purchase your VPN with cash.

Read more: NordVPN Review: Feature-Rich and Speedy, but Privacy and Transparency Issues Need Attention

There have been plenty of iterative upgrades at CES 2023, from superslim laptops to big, bright-screen TVs and other whizbang products, but for me, this ridiculous SSD makes the show worth attending.

Adata, a Taiwanese maker of computer accessories, hardware and memory, showed off a PCIe Gen 5 SSD with a tiny fan built in to the heat sink. Because Gen 5 SSDs are two times faster than the previous generation, pushing read and write speeds of 14,000 and 12,000 MBps, they can get so hot that performance throttles.

Read more: CES gadget debuts that will be the talk of the year

Adata’s solution for an overheating SSD is to attach a small fan to the unit. Adata marketing specialist Thomas Lombardi said the fan is small and spins fast, meaning there’s no discernable fan noise. He said the case and other fans inside a PC should drown out whatever minimal sound the SSD fan might make. To Lombardi’s knowledge, no other company has created a PCIe SSD with a built-in fan.

Fast memory remains critical to computing and gaming as tasks grow in size and get more complex. The PlayStation 5 launched with an incredibly fast SSD, allowing transfers of 5 GBps. This meant games and game worlds could load nearly instantaneously, allowing designers more freedom because of fewer limits due to drive speed.

It’s taken time for the consumer PC industry to catch up, but now people can buy drives that match PS5 performance. Faster solid-state media means people can load things like large video files and games in seconds rather than minutes.

There isn’t a set release date or price for Adata’s Gen 5 PCIe SSD. But Lombardi did say it would likely launch in July around Computex, a tech convention in Taipei, Taiwan.

Anime fans can kick off 2023 with a slew of new releases to stream. That season 1 finale of Chainsaw Man probably left an impact — and possibly a void — after you watched Denji, Aki and Power take on monsters. But the new year will bring viewers lots to look forward to, including the NieR: Automata adaptation, the Attack on Titan finale and a new season of Jujutsu Kaisen.

Here’s a look at what you can stream this month on Crunchyroll, Netflix and other streaming services.

Read more: Best Anime Streaming Services for 2023

Yasuhiro Nightow, Shonengahosha, Crunchyroll

Trigun Stampede

Hitting Crunchyroll on Jan. 7, this Trigun Stampede reboot features Vash the Stampede, Millions Knives, Rem Saverem and a character called Roberto de Niro on a new set of adventures. The 12 episodes will air Saturdays at 8:30 a.m. PT (11:30 a.m. ET).

See at Crunchyroll

My Hero Academia Season 6

With Shigaraki on a rage-filled mayhem mission using the Metahuman Liberation Army, the stakes are high for our beloved Izuku “Deku” Midoriya, U.A. High and the pro superheroes. New quirks, new challenges and a new war await us in My Hero Academia. This season is a must-see, and the show airs on Hulu or Crunchyroll on Saturdays at 2:30 a.m. PT (5:30 a.m. ET) with the dubbed version dropping at 12 p.m. PT (3 p.m. ET). Watch the latest installment into the spring of 2023.

Vinland Saga Season 2

After leaving viewers with a cliff-hanger in season 1, Vinland Saga returns on Jan. 9. Follow Thorfinn on a new quest, where he seeks salvation and peace after Askeladd’s death. Praised for its dynamic characters and Viking-themed storytelling, the series will stream new episodes on Netflix and Crunchyroll each Monday.

Ken Wakui, Kodansha, Toman via Twitter

Tokyo Revengers Season 2

The popular anime series returns to TV on Jan. 7 with the Christmas Showdown arc. The story dives into the beef between the Tokyo Manji Gang and the Black Dragons. Watch Takemichi, Hakkai and Taiju maneuver and fight when Tokyo Revengers streams on Hulu.

See at Hulu

Junji Ito Maniac: Japanese Tales of the Macabre

Hitting Netflix on Jan. 18 is an anime anthology adapted from Junji Ito’s popular horror manga. Viewers will get to see stories like Hanging Balloon come to life on the small screen, along with more than 15 other tales. Stream all 18 episodes in season 1 when the show lands on Netflix.

Blue Lock

Forget Ted Lasso. Blue Lock’s soccer saga pits the top high school players in Japan against each other in a rigorous program to find the nation’s greatest striker. Watch Yoichi Isagi on his journey each Sat. 11 a.m. PT (2 p.m. ET) on Crunchyroll. This season will feature 24 episodes total, broken down into two consecutive cours that air into March 2023.

To Your Eternity Season 2

To Your Eternity comes back with more melancholy and compelling storytelling about Fushi’s struggles as a shape-shifting immortal. This time, he can’t keep his commitment to solitude when he faces the Nokkers and needs help to do it. To Your Eternity season 2 features 20 episodes and began streaming on Crunchyroll on Oct. 23 at 5:30 a.m. PT (8:30 a.m. ET).

Tōzai/Nexus screenshot via YouTube

The Eminence in Shadow

Don’t be fooled by the dark imagery in the trailer for The Eminence in Shadow, because the series falls in the lighthearted lane. Follow the coolest kid on the block, Cid Kagenou, on his quest to protect the world with his imaginary shadow organization against imaginary bad guys, the Cult of Diabolos. He’s not completely off-base, though, and that works to his advantage as he recruits others to his cause. Adapted fromDaisuke Aizawa’s manga, the new series is available to stream on Hidive on Wednesdays at 7:30 a.m. PT (10:30 a.m. ET). Season 1 began Oct. 5 and will feature 20 episodes.

See at Hidive

Spy Classroom

One of the newest anime series to be adapted from its manga, Spy Classroom follows up-and-coming spy Lily, who’s motivated to show she has what it takes. It won’t be easy to be on Team Tomoshibi, and even harder to take down Impossible Mission. You can start streaming the show on Hidive on Jan. 5 and watch it each Thursday at 6:30 a.m. PT (9:30 a.m. ET).

Lookism

A Korean anime, Lookism follows Daniel, a high school kid who is bullied for his appearance. After waking up in a new body, he explores and experiences “lookism,” a term that describes stereotypes, preferential treatment or discrimination based on looks. Season 1 debuted on Netflix on Dec. 8 but if you missed it, stream it this month.

P.A. Works, Crunchyroll

Buddy Daddies

If you enjoyed Spy x Family, you’ll probably want to check out the new original anime series Buddy Daddies. Animated by PA Works, the story follows two hitmen who happen to be roommates and wind up caring for the young daughter of a kingpin. Start streaming it on Crunchyroll on Jan. 6.

See at Crunchyroll

Running is a rigorous activity, and not every pair of earbuds can withstand your exercise routines without falling out. The best earbuds for running are designed for runners who need their gear to stay in place, even while sprinting. Earbuds specifically designed for running usually have some sort of ear hook or sport fin for added security. Comfort, durability and sound quality are key factors. So too is some sort of transparency mode or an open design that allows you to hear ambient sound (and traffic) for safety reasons. Most noise-canceling earbuds now have a transparency mode that lets sound in, so look for that feature if you’ll be using them on a run.

The majority of the headphones for running on this best list are true wireless, but there are also a few other types, including around-the-ear wireless bone-conduction headphones that are popular with runners and bikers because their open design allows you to hear the outside world. Whether you’re looking for the best earbuds for running or the best running headphones, there’s something on this list that should work for you.

For this most recent update to the list, I’ve added a few new models of running headphones, including the Apple AirPods Pro 2, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 and the Oraimo Open Ear Headphones, an alternative to bone-conduction models.

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Shokz

Shokz OpenRun Pro

Best bone-conduction headphones

AfterShokz has changed its name to Shokz and released new 9th-generation bone-conduction headphones that offer slightly improved bass performance compared with the company’s earlier flagship model, the Aeropex (now called the Shokz OpenRun). That makes the OpenRun Pro model the best bone-conduction headphones you can get right now, although they still can’t match the sound quality of traditional headphones.

Bone conduction wireless headphones don’t go on your ears — they actually deliver sound to your ear through your cheekbones. The big benefit of this technology as a safety feature for running is that, thanks to its open design, you can hear what’s going on around you — traffic noise in particular — while listening to music or having a phone conversation (yes, they perform well for voice calls). Also, some race coordinators don’t allow runners to wear anything in their ears, which is where headphones like this come in handy.

Like the Aeropex, the OpenRun Pro have a lightweight, wraparound titanium frame and are rated for up to 10 hours of music playback and you can get 1.5 hours of battery life from a 5-minute charge (they have a proprietary charging cable instead of USB-C, which is unfortunate). I found them comfortable to wear but you may have to adjust them on your head to relieve potential pressure points. While they do offer incrementally improved sound that’s a bit fuller with more bass, like other bone-conduction headphones these are strongest in the midrange where voices live so they’re very good for podcasts, talk radio, newscasts and audiobooks. For music, they’re only OK.

Note that Shokz makes other, more affordable bone-conduction headphones, including the OpenRun, if you don’t want to drop $145 on its current flagship model.

$180 at Amazon

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David Carnoy/CNET

Beats Fit Pro

Best Apple wireless earbuds for sports

Technically, the Beats Fit Pro ($200) aren’t AirPods, but they’re built on the same tech platform as the AirPods Pro (Apple owns Beats). 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 a very good transparency mode that lets ambient sound in. 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.

$160 at Amazon

$200 at Apple

$160 at Best Buy

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David Carnoy/CNET

Shokz OpenMove

Best budget bone-conduction headphones for runners

Shokz’s OpenMove bone-conduction headphones list for $80 but are currently selling for $60. The OpenMove headphones have some small design upgrades over their predecessors. I found them comfortable to wear and while the sound isn’t great, it’s relatively good for a bone-conduction headphone (again, keep your sound quality expectations in check or you’ll be disappointed). They’re very good for listening to podcasts, audiobooks and news broadcasts while you run (I have a tendency to listen to XM radio while running).

This model charges via USB-C and includes a simple carrying pouch. Battery life is rated at up to 6 hours.

$80 at Amazon

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Skullcandy Push Active

Best Skullcandy sport earbuds

With so many new wireless earbuds and headphones being released on what seems likely a weekly basis, it’s not easy for companies to differentiate their products in the marketplace. Skullcandy hopes its new voice-driven platform, Skull-iQ Smart Feature Technology, will do just that. Similar to the Apple AirPods’ “Hey, Siri” feature, Skullcandy’s version allows you to say, “Hey, Skullcandy” to issue hands-free voice commands without touching a button. Skull-iQ debuts on the sports-oriented Push Active and the $100 Grind Fuel earbuds, which will be firmware-updatable via the Skullcandy App.

With their ear-hook design, the Push Active earbuds are essentially a more affordable version of the Beats Powerbeats Pro and they fit my ears slightly better. I’m not usually a fan of ear-hook style buds, but this is one of the better versions.

The Push Active earbuds are equipped with Bluetooth 5.2, are IP55 splash-proof, have built-in Tile Finding Technology and are rated for up to 10 hours of battery life on a single charge at moderate volume levels.

$60 at Amazon

$60 at Best Buy

$60 at Target

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Screenshot by David Carnoy/CNET

Oraimo Open Ear Headphones

Good-sounding neckband-style open sport headphones

The one downside to bone-conduction headphones is that they just don’t sound great for music and tend to fall short most noticeably in the bass department. Oraimo’s Open Ear Headphones look like a bone-conduction model but instead have speakers built into them that fire sound into your ears. And that sound is better than what you get with bone-conduction headphones (it’s bigger with better bass performance). I wouldn’t say they sound quite as good as decent noise-isolating earbuds, but the sound is quite respectable and has a nice open quality to it because these are after all “open” headphones.

The Oraimo are more expensive than some similarly styled open-ear headphones you can find on Amazon. But these did seem durable and also are good for making calls, with solid background noise reduction. This style of headphone isn’t for everyone (some may find them slightly uncomfortable after longer listening sessions), but they do stay on your ears securely and allow you to hear the outside world for safety reasons. Battery life is rated at 16 hours at moderate volume levels and they’re splashproof.

$80 at Amazon

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Earfun Free Pro 2

Top budget earbuds with sports fins

Battery Life

Rated up to 6 hours

Noise Canceling

Yes (ANC)

Multipoint

No

Headphone Type

Wireless earbuds

Water-Resistant

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

I was a fan of Earfun’s earlier Free Pro earbuds, which offer good sound for around $50 and have little sport fins that help keep them in your ears securely. Now Earfun has released the Earfun Pro 2 buds with aluminum alloy caps, improved noise canceling and a couple of extra microphones that help boost voice-calling performance.

The Free Pro 2 deliver good sound for their modest price (click to use the coupon), with decent clarity and deep but well-defined bass. They produce relatively big, open sound. They don’t have such extra features as an ear-detection sensor that would make it so your music automatically paused when you took one or both buds out of your ears or an app that would allow you to update their firmware. But they’re lightweight, should fit most ears well and have decent noise canceling along with a transparency mode. (It’s not as good as the AirPods Pro’s transparency mode, which is hard to beat.)

I found the voice-calling performance good but not great. The Free Pro 2 earbuds did an acceptable job of reducing background noise and picking up my voice in noisy environments, but they aren’t necessarily top-notch in this department. Battery life is rated at up to 6 hours, the earbuds are IPX5 splash-proof and their elongated, wirelessly charging case is compact, lightweight and better designed than the Free Pro case.

Note that you can save $20 at Amazon by activating the instant coupon located on the product page.

$60 at Amazon

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Sony LinkBuds

Best AirPods alternative with an open design for runners

Battery Life

5.5 hours

Noise Canceling

No

Multipoint

No

Headphone Type

Wireless earbuds

Water-Resistant

Yes (IPX4 — splash-proof)

The LinkBuds are, in a sense, Sony’s answer to Apple’s standard AirPods. While they don’t sound as good as Sony’s flagship WF-1000XM4 noise-isolating earbuds, they offer a discreet, innovative design and a more secure fit than the AirPods, as well as good sound and very good voice-calling performance.

Like the third-gen AirPods, their open design allows you to hear the outside world — that’s what the ring is all about. That makes them a good choice for folks who want to hear what’s going around them for safety reasons or just don’t like having ear tips jammed in their ears. They also have a few distinguishing extra features, including Speak to Chat and Wide Area Tap. Instead of tapping on a bud, you can tap on your face, just in front of your ear, to control playback.

They’re IPX4 splash-proof and thanks to their fins — Sony calls them Arc Supporters — they lock in your ears securely and work well for running and other sporting activities.

Water-resistant: Yes (IPX4 rating — splash-proof).

Read our Sony LinkBuds review.

$148 at Amazon

$150 at Best Buy

$148 at Crutchfield

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Jaybird Vista 2

Best secure fit workout earbuds

The Jaybird Vista 2 sports buds are similar in design to the original Vista buds but have a couple of key upgrades: active noise canceling and a transparency mode called SurroundSense, which allows you to hear the outside world, an important safety feature for runners and bikers (as well as skiers).

The Vista 2 buds have an IPX68 water-resistance rating, which means they’re both dust-proof and fully waterproof. Jaybird says they’re also sweat-proof, crush-proof and drop-proof. And the compact case is now splash-proof and dust-resistant, with an IP54 rating.

They sound quite good once you tweak the EQ settings to your liking, but their sound quality isn’t quite up to the level of some other premium earbuds. Their noise-canceling, transparency mode and voice-calling are decent though unspectacular (the Beats Fit Pro earbuds perform better in all departments). But if you’re buying these, you’re buying them for the secure fit and durability.

$130 at Amazon

$150 at Crutchfield

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Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2

Best Bose earbuds that fit comfortably and securely

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. They’re IPX4 splashproof, and I found them very good for running as they stayed locked in my ears and have a good transparency mode to let you hear the outside world.

While they’re pretty pricey, Bose has begun to offer some discounts on them in flash sales.

Read our Bose QuietComfort Earbuds 2 review.

$299 at Bose

$299 at Best Buy

$300 at Target

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Apple AirPods Pro 2

Best lightweight noise-canceling earbuds for working out

Battery Life

Rated up to 6 hours

Noise Canceling

Yes (ANC)

Multipoint

No

Headphone Type

Wireless earbuds

Water-Resistant

Yes (IPX4 — splash-proof)

As long as you can get a good, secure fit, the lightweight AirPods Pro (2nd generation) make excellent earbuds for running and feature a top-notch transparency mode that allows you to hear the outside world (they now come with extra small ear tips for those with very small ears but Apple still doesn’t have XL tips for those with larger ears).

They’re 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.

Read our Apple AirPods Pro 2 review.

$249 at Apple

$239 at Amazon

$250 at Best Buy

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Soundcore by Anker Sport X10

Best affordable wireless earbuds with ear hooks

The new Soundcore Sport X10 have an interesting design with rotating swiveling ear hooks that flip up when you’re using them and flip down when you want to set them in their charging case, which has a smaller footprint than a lot of buds with ear hooks.

As long as you get a tight seal, they sound good, with powerful, punchy bass and good detail. They also have active noise canceling, which is effective though not as good as Sony or Bose’s noise canceling. They’re also fully waterproof with an IPX7 rating, which means they can be fully submerged in up to 3 feet of water for 30 minutes. Battery life is rated at up to 8 hours with an additional three charges in the charging case.

$80 at Walmart

$80 at Amazon

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Sennheiser

Sennheiser Sport True Wireless

Excellent sounding budget sports earbuds

The Sport True Wireless earbuds are essentially Sennheiser’s CX True Wireless earbuds with sport fins (for a more secure fit) and better durability. They have an IP54 rating that makes them splash-proof and dust-resistant. The CX True Wireless (IPX4) don’t offer dust resistance.

These aren’t noise-canceling earbuds, but they do have an awareness mode that allows ambient sound to leak into the buds so you can hear what’s going on around you for safety reasons. They use Bluetooth 5.2 and have support for the AAC and AptX audio codecs. Battery life is rated at up to 9 hours at moderate volume levels with an additional two charges in the charging case (there’s no wireless charging).

Featuring clean and well-balanced sound with punchy bass, they sound very similar to the CX True Wireless and CX Plus True Wireless.

$100 at Amazon

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Cleer Arc

Best open earbuds with ear hooks

Battery Life

Rated up to 7 hours

Noise Canceling

No

Multipoint

No

Headphone Type

Open-ear wireless earbuds

Water-Resistant

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

Cleer’s Epic Arc buds are similar to Bose’s Open Sport Earbuds (see below) but are actually a little more comfortable to wear thanks to their swiveling hinge. Like the Bose buds, they rest on the top of your ear just above the ear canal and fire sound into your ears. They’re open so they let ambient sound in (that’s a plus if you’re a runner or biker and want to hear traffic), but their 16.2 mm drivers provide ample bass and volume. They don’t sound quite as good as the Bose Open Sport Earbuds but they’re pretty close.

I liked the case, which is a little big but pretty thin. While it has an integrated USB charging cable (that’s nice), like the Bose Open Sport Earbuds case it doesn’t have a rechargeable battery so it’s basically a dock for charging the earbuds, which are also available in black. Battery life is rated at up to 7 hours and they’re IPX5 splash-proof.

Some of these types of ear-hook-style earbuds have physical control buttons but these have touch controls. I found they worked pretty well but not great. The buds do have a companion app that allows you to upgrade the firmware and tweak the sound profile.

$130 at Amazon

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JBL Live Pro 2

Best AirPods Pro alternative

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 splashproof 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 Walmart

$150 at Amazon

$150 at Crutchfield

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Beats Powerbeats Pro

Best Earbuds with ear hooks for working out

Battery Life

Rated up to 9 hours

Noise Canceling

No

Multipoint

No

Headphone Type

Wireless earbuds

Water-Resistant

Yes (IPX4 — splash-proof)

Yes, the Beats Powerbeats Pro’s jumbo charging case is a notable drawback. But the combination of incorporating all the features that make Apple’s AirPods great while delivering richer sound quality and better battery life in a wireless design that won’t fall out of your ear (ear hooks for the win!) ultimately is a winning proposition for earbuds for running.Just make sure you buy these running earbuds somewhere that has a good return policy in case you’re in the small minority that has ears that aren’t quite a match for the Bluetooth earbuds. Note that these headphones are frequently discounted and have been on the market for a few years, so you should only buy them if they are substantially discounted.

Read our Beats Powerbeats Pro review.

$150 at Amazon

$150 at Target

$150 at eBay

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Bose Sport Open Earbuds

Innovative open earbuds for running

As headphones go, Bose’s Sport Open Earbuds are pretty funky. Not to be confused with the company’s more traditional in-ear Sport Earbuds and QuietComfort Earbuds, they feature an open design without a tip, meaning the earpiece sits on top of your ear and doesn’t penetrate your ear canal.

Geared toward runners and bikers who want their ears open to the world for safety reasons — or to people who don’t like to have any sort of bud in their ears — they sound surprisingly good. I ended up liking them, but their design isn’t for everybody, and how comfortable you find them will determine how much you like them.

Alas, Bose has discontinued them. But they remain on sale at a discounted price.

Read our Bose Sport Open Earbuds review.

$119 at Bose

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Bose Sport Earbuds

Bose secure-fit sports earbuds

Battery Life

Rated up to 5 hours

Noise Canceling

No

Multipoint

No

Headphone Type

Wireless earbuds

Water-Resistant

Yes (IPX4 — splash-proof)

Bose’s QuietComfort Earbuds and Sport Earbuds both make good workout earbuds, thanks to their StayHear Max tips and secure fit, but the Sport Earbuds are more compact and lighter and also more affordable (the QuietComfort Earbuds do have excellent active noise canceling, however).

They have the same IPX4 splash-resistance rating as the QuietComfort Earbuds, are equipped with Bluetooth 5.1 (my connection was rock-solid) and share a similar design aesthetic, with three color options available. Unlike their step-up sibling, they have no active noise canceling and 5 hours of battery life instead of 6 hours, and they don’t have wireless charging. While they do stick out from your ears, they’re noticeably smaller and lighter than the QuietComfort Earbuds and their case is about 30% to 40% smaller. The case still isn’t as small as the cases for such competitors as the AirPods Pro, but it feels reasonably compact.

Read our Bose Sport Earbuds review.

$149 at Bose

$129 at Best Buy

$150 at Target

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Shokz

Shokz OpenRun

Best midrange bone-conduction headphones

Battery Life

Rated up to 10 hours

Noise Canceling

No

Multipoint

Yes

Headphone Type

Bone conduction open-ear headphones

Water-Resistant

Yes (IP55 — protection against low-pressure water streams)

The headphones formerly known as the AfterShokz Aeropex are now the Shokz OpenRun. They don’t have quite as good sound as the flagship OpenRun Pro and they come with a soft case rather than a hard case, but they’re similar in many ways. The Aeropex model, which you can still find, includes two charging cables while the OpenRun includes only one (it’s proprietary rather than USB-C).

$130 at Best Buy

$130 at Amazon

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Tribit MoveBuds H1

Sturdy budget earbuds with ear hooks

Battery Life

Rated up to 15 hours

Noise Canceling

No

Multipoint

No

Headphone Type

Wireless earbuds

Water-Resistant

Yes (IPX8 — can be fully submerged for long periods of time)

While the Tribit MoveBuds H1 only sound decent, not great, there’s a lot to like about them. They feel sturdy and are fully waterproof with an IPX8 rating. They also have very long battery life — up to 15 hours — and support Qualcomm’s AptX audio codec. Many Android smartphones offer AptX Bluetooth streaming.

$90 at Amazon

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Bose

Bose Frames (Tempo)

Best audio sunglasses for sports

2020

Battery Life

Rated up to 8 hours

Noise Canceling

No

Multipoint

No

Headphone Type

Built-in with glasses

Water-Resistant

Yes (IPX4 — splash-proof)

The Bose Frames are one of those products you have to try in order to fully appreciate — or dismiss. The concept is that you’re getting a decent pair of sunglasses with a pair of headphones that don’t actually go in your ears. Rather, integrated micro speakers in each arm direct a beam of sound to your ears. That design could be appealing to people who don’t like having headphones in or on their ears, and also offers a degree of safety for runners and bikers who want their ears open to the world.

Bose has updated its line of audio sunglasses with three new models, including the Tempo sports model, which offers better sound and battery life than the more traditional-looking Tenor and Soprano. The Tempo has better specs all around, with USB-C charging and larger 22mm drivers. It also delivers up to 8 hours of battery life.

Their sound is definitely improved from the original Frames. Bose says the Tempo plays “deeper and louder — loud enough for cycling at 25 mph — while [you’re] still able to hear traffic and your training partners.” They’re sweat-, weather-, scratch- and shatter-resistant, according to Bose, and fit under most protective helmets. (I had no problem using them with a couple of bike helmets.) They also work really well for making calls, thanks to a new dual-microphone system. Optional lenses are available for $39 and you can order prescription lenses through Lensabl.

Read our Bose Frames review.

$249 at Bose

$249 at Amazon

$249 at Best Buy

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Shure Aonic 215 II

Best-sounding sports buds for audiophiles

Battery Life

Rated up to 8 hours

Noise Canceling

No

Multipoint

No

Headphone Type

Wireless earbuds

Water-Resistant

Yes (IPX4 — splash-proof)

I liked Shure’s original Aonic 215 true-wireless earbuds, but they were buggy and Shure pulled them off the market. From a design standpoint, the second-generation earbuds are essentially identical, but not all the performance kinks have been smoothed out.

Weirdly, they’re kind of the audiophile equivalent of the Beats Powerbeats Pro. They have a hook that wraps around the top of your ear and they stayed in my ears very securely (even more securely than the Powerbeats Pro earbuds). And like that Beats model, they have a jumbo charging case. Even though it’s technically bigger than the Powerbeats Pro’s case, it doesn’t feel bigger, perhaps because it’s slightly thinner.

What’s interesting about them is that the Bluetooth module is detachable (I liked the physical control button they have instead of touch controls). As the name implies, the Aonic 215 True Wireless Noise-Isolating Earphones incorporate Shure’s SE215 buds, the $99 model in its line of earbuds that have detachable cables. But the modules, which can be bought separately for $230, are designed to drive any Shure earbuds that have a detachable cable, including the $1,000 SE846.

Headset performance has improved (they’re now stereo rather than mono for calls) and they now have an IPX4 splash-proof water-resistance rating. They have clean, well-balanced sound with nicely defined bass — but they just don’t have a ton of bass. I’d like to see them cost about $50 less, but they do make for good sports earbuds that you don’t have to worry about falling out of your ears.

$229 at Amazon

More earbud and headphone recommendations

• Best Headphones for 2023
• Best Headphones for Samsung Phones

• Best Wireless Earbuds for 2023
• Best AirPods Accessories for 2023
• Best Cheap True Wireless Earbuds
• Best Over-Ear Headphones for 2023

• Best True Wireless Headphones

• Best Noise-Canceling Headphones for 2023

• Best Workout Headphones for 2023

• Protect Your AirPods: 5 Cases Under $15

• 4 True Wireless Earbuds Under $40 Worth Buying

• Best AirPods Max Accessories for 2023

More for fitness buffs

• Best Women’s Running Shoes for 2023
• Best Bluetooth Audio Glasses and Sunglasses in 2023

• Best Women’s Hiking Shoes, Boots for 2023
• Best Ellipticals Under $1,500 for Your 2023 Home Gym

• Best Foam Rollers

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• Best Women’s Walking Shoes
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E-readers have been popular for years now. Avid readers can keep their shelves clutter-free while still having access to a massive library wherever the day takes them. Amazon’s latest Kindle device, the Kindle Scribe, transforms the e-reader into a full-on E Ink tablet that comes with a stylus that allows you to write, draw and take notes by hand right on the display. Right now at Amazon, you can get up to $60 off the Kindle Scribe, with the base model available for as low as $295.

Kindle Scribe has a 300 ppi, front-lit, 10.2-inch high-resolution touchscreen E ink display with adjustable warm light and can provide weeks of battery life on a single charge. It’s the largest Kindle ever, but still weighs in at just under a pound. While that certainly makes it portable, you will probably want to invest in a cover that can double as a stand — which you’ll have to purchase separately.

Depending on the model you buy, your Scribe will come with either a standard stylus or a premium pen. Each will adhere magnetically to the side of your Scribe and require neither power nor Bluetooth connectivity, so you’ll never have to charge it. The premium pen is even designed with an eraser that essentially works like a regular pencil and has a programmable button. You can use the stylus to mark up PDFs, and sending those documents to the device itself is easy. Note, however, that you cannot mark up Kindle ebooks or DRM-free ePub ebooks. Essentially you will write on “sticky notes” on anything other than a PDF.

If you want the lowest price on this device, you’ll want to go for the Basic Pen, which is available for $295 (save $45) and comes with 16GB of storage. The Premium Pen option is available in 16GB, 32GB and 64GB configurations, with the 64GB option discounted to $360 right now, saving you $60 off the $420 list price. Are there multiple readers in your family? If so, a further discount of $40 is available when you buy two, as well.

Read more: Kindle Scribe vs. ReMarkable 2 vs. Kobo Elipsa: Top E Ink Tablets Compared

Gaming PCs and game consoles offer hundreds of hours of entertainment, thanks to the breadth of games available these days. They also “offer” hundreds of dollars in additional expenses in the form of new games and accessories. That’s why we recommend checking out free-to-play games, which give you a chance to test out your new gaming machine without all the added costs.

We’ve curated a list of popular free-to-play games from different genres, along with a few alternatives. Keep in mind that there are other ways to get free games, too. The Epic Games store periodically offers the chance to download otherwise paid games for free. Xbox Gold and PlayStation Plus members also get access to a monthly selection of free games for as long as they stay subscribed.

And though they’re not technically free games, there are game subscription services that grant you access to all kinds of games (including console exclusives) for a relatively low monthly price. These services are good deals if you play a lot of games.

Here are our picks for the best free games to play on your new gaming system, whether you’re into shooters, fighters, party games, MMOs or simulation games.

Shooter: Fortnite

Available on: PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox

Also check out: Apex Legends, Overwatch 2, Valorant (PC only)

Most multiplayer shooters are free to play these days, and we have Fortnite to thank for much of that. Fortnite started as a paid disaster survival game before shaking up the entire video game landscape with its free-to-play battle royale mode. Now the game features various game types, including zero-build, team rumble, party royale and dozens more. And with the game recently moving to Unreal Engine 5.1, it looks better than ever on new consoles and gaming rigs.

Fighting game: MultiVersus

Available on: PC, PlayStation, Xbox

Also check out: Brawlhalla

A recent Game Awards winner for best fighting game, MultiVersus blends the frantic pace of Smash Bros. with more technical fighters for a truly unique fighting game experience. The core game mode is 2v2 battles where the first team to four knockouts wins. Pick from your favorite DC Comics and other Warner Bros. characters, like Bugs Bunny, Arya Stark, Wonder Woman and… Gizmo from Gremlins?

Party game: Fall Guys

Available on: PC, PlayStation, Switch, Xbox

Also check out: Bombergrounds (PC, Mac, iOS only), Stumble Guys (PC, iOS, Android only)

Fall Guys has dropped off a bit from its initial, pandemic-propped hype, but it’s still arguably the best free-to-play party game out there. Run, jump, stumble and fall your way to various objectives in minigames while competing against dozens of comically costumed competitors. If you enjoy Mario Party minigames, Fall Guys offers a similar experience on a larger scale.

MMO: Final Fantasy XIV

Available on: PC, PlayStation

Also check out: Destiny 2 (not available on Switch), Lost Ark (PC only)

Final Fantasy XIV’s free trial has turned into a bit of a meme, but it’s a genuinely great deal — effectively letting you play through the entire base game and first expansion for free. FFXIV has an unusually newbie-friendly player base, and recent updates allow you to play through dungeons with computer-controlled allies, meaning you don’t even have to experience the “multiplayer” part of “massively multiplayer online role-playing game.” Unlike other MMOs, Final Fantasy XIV also lets you play all classes on just one account, giving you even more freedom to play the way you want. Note that the other expansions are paid, and some functions like item trading are locked for free accounts, but there’s plenty to do in the free trial.

Simulation: Sims 4

Available on: PC, PlayStation, Xbox

Also check out: Minecraft

If you’re less interested in saving the world and just want to relax with a game that lets you build things and live your digital life, The Sims 4 is a great option. The game recently became free to play and features dozens of DLC packs to make the game more your aesthetic, whether that’s summery, spooky, school-focused or nearly any other theme you can think of.

Using a virtual private network, or VPN, is an excellent way to give your online privacy a boost. We’ve already rounded up some of the best VPNs on the market, and now we’ve short-listed some of the best VPN deals you can get right now.

There are many good reasons to use a virtual private network. For example, did you know your internet service provider amasses as much data as possible on your digital activity? A 2021 Federal Trade Commission report noted that the leading ISPs have gathered user data on topics as personal as race, sexual orientation and real-time location. They’ve combined it, cross-referenced it and shared it with third-party partners. Yikes.

Thankfully, a VPN can help protect you from such pervasive data-gathering practices. In addition to hiding your internet activity by providing a secure and private “tunnel” to your online destination, a VPN can also let you virtually move your location to a different city or country — a nice bonus if you’re looking to get around local censorship laws or try out different slates of streaming media offerings in different locales.

An important thing to keep in mind is that free VPN services aren’t worth the risk. For the most part, they’re playing that same game of scooping up and selling your data. The good news is there are some great VPN deals available right now, with prices starting at what amounts to less than $2 a month if you prepay for a year or two of service. We’ve tested a bunch of the market leaders and pulled together our recommendations for the best VPN deals below. Just keep a few things in mind:

• Some of these offers have countdown clocks saying that the VPN deals are ending “today.” These are usually marketing tactics that have no relationship to the deal’s actual end date.
• We will update sale prices when we notice a change, so be sure to check back often.
• The VPN industry has undergone significant change in the past year, with all three of our top VPN choices announcing major changes in corporate ownership. In December, ExpressVPN announced that it had officially joined Kape Technologies, a company that already owns several other VPNs and has raised privacy concerns in the past. In February, NordVPN and Surfshark announced the two companies were merging, though they’ll continue to operate autonomously. We’ve since given ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark fresh reviews in light of these changes, and we continue to actively evaluate other VPN services as well. Our rankings are likewise subject to change as they reflect our latest findings.
• Most of these offers below are for subscriptions of two years or more, which is a long time to tie yourself to a service that could change ownership (see above) or terms of service, or even have a security incident. While most services have a 30-day free cancellation policy at the start, be sure to check the terms of service before signing up for a long-term commitment.

VPN deals: Tested and recommended

The VPNs in this first group are also among our current top five best VPN picks. As such, we can broadly recommend them — albeit with the noted caveats. That said, the fast-changing ownership landscape in the VPN space may continue to shake things up, but we will continue to update this as we uncover more.

Surfshark

Surfshark: $2.30 a month for 26 months

Billed $59.76 upfront

Devices: Unlimited

Refund policy: Fully refundable for 30 days

Surfshark is a relative newcomer to the VPN space, but it’s quickly become known for its speed, which is why it’s one of our VPN experts’ top picks. Surfshark also supports unlimited devices, which is great for large households. If you pick up 26 months of Surfshark VPN right now, you’ll pay only $2.30 a month, billed at $59.76 upfront. Keep in mind that this deal is for two years of service with an extra two months of “free” access, which just drops the overall cost per month lower. Note that Surfshark recently merged with rival NordVPN, though the companies have thus far continued to operate independently. Read our Surfshark review.

See at Surfshark

NordVPN

NordVPN: $3 a month for 27 months

Billed $80.73 upfront

Devices: Up to six

Refund policy: Fully refundable for 30 days

An industry heavyweight and still one of CNET’s top picks, NordVPN is discounting its two-year subscription plan by 63% and throwing in three months extra for free. You’ll pay the equivalent of $3 per month (billed at $80.73 upfront) for 27 months of service.The three months of “free” access drops the overall cost per month lower, but spreads the savings out over the longer term of 27 months. The one-year plan is also discounted, though not as steeply, at $4.49 per month. (Note, again, that NordVPN and Surfshark recently merged but have continued to operate autonomously so far.)

Read our NordVPN review.

See at NordVPN

IPVanish

IPVanish: $4 a month for 12 months

Billed $48 upfront

Devices: Unlimited

Refund policy: Fully refundable for 30 days

With one of the best user interfaces in the field, according to our reviewer, IPVanish is good for those who want to be able to customize settings and those who are new to a VPN.If this is your first time at the rodeo and want to know more about the technology, IPVanish is a reliable service with a gentle learning curve. Normally IPVanish goes for $90 a year, but this deal gets you a year of IPVanish for only $48 ($4 per month). This is one of the lowest-priced deals without a multiyear commitment. Note that IPVanish is owned by US-based Ziff Davis, which may be a concern if you’re a security-focused user. Read our IPVanish review.

See at IPVanish

ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN: $4 a month for 24 months

Billed $120 upfront

Devices: Up to 10

Refund policy: Fully refundable for 30 days

Go off the grid with ProtonVPN for $5 a month, good for two years.Keep in mind that this deal is billed as two years for $120. ProtonVPN Plus (the paid plan) has no data caps or server switching limits. Its ease of use, Tor support and ad-blocking feature make ProtonVPN a favorite with many users. You may also opt for the single-year plan at $6 per month (billed at $72). To access the biggest savings, choose the two-year plan option. Read our ProtonVPN review.

See at ProtonVPN

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN: $6.67 per month for 15 months

Billed $100 upfront

ExpressVPN still tops our list of the best VPNs and you can make a bit of a saving on a subscription by going for its 12-month plan where you’ll snag an additional three months of service for free, dropping the equivalent monthly cost to just $6.67 (billed as $100 upfront). Again, those three months of “free” access just drops the overall cost per month lower, but spreads the savings out over the longer term of 15 months. We evaluate VPNs based on their overall performance in three main categories: speed, security and price. Express isn’t the cheapest, but it’s among the fastest and, so far, is the most secure — even after its acquisition by Kape Technologies. Read our ExpressVPN review.

See at ExpressVPN

Additional VPN deals

We either haven’t fully tested the following VPNs, or have only tested them anecdotally. Thus we can only recommend them for casual use, such as bypassing geographic restrictions while streaming media.

PureVPN

PureVPN: $2 per month for 12 months

Billed $23.88 upfront

Devices: Up to 10

Refund policy: Fully refundable for 31 days

PureVPN presents another affordable option if you’re in the market for a simple VPN without a big price tag. With a solid server fleet of over 6,500 in 78 countries, PureVPN promises reliable service, although we haven’t had the chance to verify.Another thing to disclaim here: PureVPN was reported on by our sister site ZDNet as having provided timestamp-only logs to the FBI in a cyberstalking case back in 2018. PureVPN has since stopped the timestamp logging practice and undergone a third-party audit to ensure that it keeps to its no-log policy. There’s currently a deal priced at $2 a month for a year ($23.88 upfront).

See at PureVPN

Atlas VPN

Atlas VPN: $1.64 a month for 30 months

Billed $49.19 upfront

Devices: Unlimited

Refund policy: Fully refundable for 30 days

Atlas VPN is a budget VPN aimed at casual users whose main requirements are video streaming and P2P file sharing. It has all the features you would expect from a VPN, such as strong encryption, a no-log policy and a network kill switch. Atlas VPN’s server fleet is currently stated to be around 700 across 28 countries, which is smaller than those of the major VPN providers. The service was acquired by rival NordVPN last year, so that may involve terms of service changes going forward. However, since we already like Nord, we’re hoping this is a step forward, not a step back. (Atlas offers a free version, though we always suggest you steer clear of those.) Use code XMAS2022 at checkout to get 30 months of Atlas VPN for about $1.64 a month ($49 upfront).Keep in mind that this deal is billed as two years of service, but the six “free” months drop the cost per month lower, spreading the savings out over the longer term of 30 months.

See at Atlas VPN

More VPN recommendations

• Fastest VPNs We’ve Tested
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• Best iPhone VPNs

The OnePlus 11 had its debut this week in China ahead of a global release set for Feb. 7, but it seems the phone might be alone — an official on social media said there’s no OnePlus 11 Pro.

OnePlus China President Li Jie celebrated the phone’s record-breaking sales in a post on Chinese social media site Weibo. But in a response to a commenter asking whether a Pro version would be released, Jie essentially said there isn’t a OnePlus 11 Pro.

Things can get lost in translation, as GSMArena, which originally reported the story, pointed out — so it’s tough to say definitively whether a OnePlus 11 Pro could come out at a later date or have a more restricted launch. OnePlus didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

It wouldn’t be the first time OnePlus decided not to release a more premium Pro sibling for one of its main phones. The OnePlus 8T didn’t launch with a Pro version, and last year’s lineup was similarly split, with the OnePlus 10 Pro launching without a standard OnePlus 10 version.

But to eschew a premium version of a flagship in early 2023 seems like a bold strategy when top-tier phones are only getting more refined. We’ll have to see if a OnePlus 11T Pro launches later in the year to fill the gap.

Razer’s new 16- and 18-inch Blade laptops join the pack of front-line CES gaming laptops. Like a lot of other models announced at CES, Razer has essentially replaced its 17-inch Blade with an 18-inch and brought back the “desktop replacement” terminology after a hiatus. Both boast the latest technologies announced at the show, including top-of-the-line 13th-gen Intel Core i9 HX chips and Nvidia GeForce RTX 40 series mobile graphics.

The Blade 16 does offer a novel 1,000-nit screen, which Razer refers to as “dual-mode”: In Creator mode, it operates at 4K-plus resolution (the 16:10 aspect ratio means it’s just off 16:9 4K) at a refresh rate of 120Hz, while in Gamer mode it drops the resolution to 1080p-ish to run at 240Hz. It’s an interesting concept, but the execution will make or break its usefulness.

Razer has also invented a new spec it calls “Graphics Power Density,” for the amount of graphics power per cubic inch (which, unsurprisingly, it has the most of!) in order to convey thin-but-powerful-ness. I suspect it’s because the Blades tend to be heavy, but it’s kind of nebulous and I really, really hope it doesn’t catch on.

The Blade 18 also has the new components, but instead a 1440p-plus 240Hz display. It gets one of the increasingly common 5MP webcams and incorporates a six-speaker array that uses Razer’s own THX spatial audio.

Both are slated to ship this quarter. The Blade 16 starts at $2,700, while the Blade 18 starts at $2,900.

See the Razer Blade 16

See at Razer

See the Razer Blade 18

See at Razer

Razer’s Leviathan V2 soundbar line has gotten an upscale sibling, the Leviathan V2 Pro. In addition to adding a gazillion lighting zones (OK, 30), the Pro beefs up its audio chops with head tracking (via IR cameras) and beamforming to more precisely target the sound toward your ears.

It also replaces the pairs of full-range drivers, tweeters and passive radiators with five full-range drivers which boosts the lower frequency response range down to 40Hz from 45Hz, while upping the power output to 98dB from 96dB. The Leviathan V2 Pro also puts back the headphone jack Razer had removed when it leveled the Leviathan up a generation. All of that makes it a bit longer, though.

You can preorder the soundbar now for $400; it’s scheduled to ship at the end of January.

See the Leviathan V2 Pro

$400 at Razer

Razer already had a Kiyo Pro webcam, so its newest model, which jumps to the top of the line, went Ultra. The 4K Kiyo Pro Ultra has been upgraded with a 1/1.2-inch sensor, much larger than typical webcams, which can help a lot with exposure (especially in low light) and color. It doesn’t necessarily guarantee a better result, but larger sensors usually do improve image quality over smaller ones.

It’s got an “ultra-large f1.7 aperture lens,” which doesn’t mean a lot; a larger sensor requires a larger lens, and f1.7 is neither here nor there. The webcam does, however, seem to have to have focusing behavior and depth of field, which is sadly lacking in webcams. Razer challenges Elgato’s Facecam Pro by claiming rawer raw processing, with in-camera conversion of the 40-30fps stream into lower resolutions and frame rates on the fly and directly stream out.

The Kiyo Pro Ultra has a built-in shutter in addition to a protective (but easily lost) standalone cover. That was also on my wish list.

It’s available now, albeit at a pricey $400.

See the Razer Kiyo Pro Ultra

$400 at Razer

The company also unveiled the first of a line of add-ons for the Meta Quest 2, padding developed with partner ResMed, and announced the availability of the Edge and Edge 5G tablet-plus-controller handhelds for cloud gaming.