Unlock the power of two ovens in the counter space of one with the Ninja Double Stack XL Countertop Oven & Air Fryer with Pro Cook System. Only Ninja has the FlexDoor that creates 2 separate ovens so you can cook 2 meals, 2 ways at different temperatures and cooking times. Use just the Top Oven for quick snacks, sides, and sheet pan meals—or the Bottom Convection & Air Fry Oven for larger roasts, bakes, or air frying up to 6 lbs of wings. You can also sync both independent ovens to cook a full course meal that finishes cooking at the same time with Smart Finish with DualZone Technology. While your meal cooks, FlavorSeal technology prevents flavor crossover between ovens. Two cooking zones in one eliminate back-to-back cooking for 65% faster meal-making than your traditional oven. The Pro Cook System with Auto Detect Intelligence precisely monitors temperatures, so you don’t have to. Plus, this countertop dual oven features 12 cooking functions for the ultimate versatility.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Years ago, my favorite oven had a smaller, thinner oven (like a pizza oven) on top with a larger, more standard-sized oven below. We sold that oven in a house sale and have never had anything like that again. Since then, we’ve become very dependent on a countertop oven that sees more usage than our regular oven by far. Our existing countertop oven has been great, but Ninja just came out with an update to their oven that combines the best of all of these: a dual countertop oven with loads of features!
**Size**
Since you’re probably putting this under your kitchen cabinets, you’ll want to know the size of this oven. Ninja lists the dimensions as follows: 18.6 in L x 16.39 in W x 13.26 in H. By comparison, my previous oven was 11.6” tall, so the Ninja Double Stack adds a small second oven while not giving up much on the height of the main oven, and only adds about 1.25” to the height! For me, this was a big deal, since if it won’t fit under my cabinets, it has no place in my kitchen.
The top oven compartment is ideal for baking small items such as pizza or dinner rolls or a tray of vegetables. It is definitely meant for those kinds of things, so keep that in mind. Trying to put taller items in there will result in the food touching the top and getting burned.
**Controls**
Ninja has done a good job of not overloading the panel with controls. Both ovens have their own time and temp buttons, and there is a dial for selecting things like cooking programs. There are 3 additional buttons for the thermometer: preset, doneness and manual. More on these later. There is one additional control, for turning on the Smart Finish feature, which allows the oven to time the completion of top and bottom ovens so that they’ll finish at the same time.
**Features**
The Ninja Doublestack XL includes 12 cooking programs: Bake, Broil, Reheat, Keep Warm, Toast, Bagel, Air Fry, Conv.Bake, Pizza, Air Roast, Whole Roast, and Dehydrate. These are selected by turning the dial to highlight your choice in the program list.
One thing I think is pretty striking is the display. Unlike most competing ovens, there is no screen on the face of the oven. Instead, information shines through the brushed nickel finish! Before I turned it on, I assumed there was no display, but couldn’t imagine how I would know what choices to make (would it be a series of beeps?). This is a great design decision and contributes to the sleek, modern look of the oven.
New for this year is a plug-in thermometer. The oven features a small port on the side (like a headphone jack) where you can plug in the thermometer. Insert the thermometer in the middle of the meat, then use the thermometer preset button to choose fish, beef, chicken or pork. You can also choose a small or large size (bottom oven only), and a doneness level (rare, medium, etc.). The choice of doneness level determines the internal temperature setting for the meat. The chicken setting only allows one temperature—165 degrees. The manual button allows you to set a temperature to whatever you like.
There is also a button labeled “Smart Finish” which ensures that both ovens finish at the same time. Details about this in the next section.
**Performance**
I’ve been using my Ninja Foodi grill to air fry French fries, so I wanted to see how the Double Stack would compare. Using the included air fry basket, I cooked up a batch of French fries that were crispy on the outside and tender on the inside, easily as good as the results I get from the Foodi, but with less clean-up.
Next, we prepared some meals using the thermometer. We dialed in the settings as described above for the top oven, then chose the settings for the bottom oven. The last step was pressing the Smart Finish button and pressing start. The oven with the shorter cooking time was automatically placed on hold while preheating the other oven. A progress bar showed how things were going on the bottom oven, while the internal temperature of the meat was shown for the top oven. Smart Finish ensured that both ovens finished at the same time—super convenient! More impressive was that if I made a change to the settings for either oven during the cook, it would recalculate the total time and adjust accordingly. After turning out multiple successful meals this way, we may just cook this way all the time.
Random thoughts: using the top oven as a toaster also worked well, but it does take some experimentation to find settings to your liking. One advantage a regular toaster has is that it’s easier to get items out that are not laying on an oven rack. Preheating time in the top oven was only 3 minutes to reach 350 degrees, much faster than our large traditional oven. Convection airflow is noticeable in this oven, which I appreciated, coming from a previous oven that I was never sure actually circulated any air. This makes for speedy convection baking times.
**Negatives**
There really aren’t many, but I’ll mention two. A roast tray is not included, but really should have been, since that’s a needed accessory for roasting a whole chicken. The handle on the door, while being very attractive, is actually too big. When the door is laid down to pull food out of the oven, the handle prevents the door from laying flat, and that can make it a bit tricky to navigate the hot surfaces.
**Conclusion**
The Ninja Double Stack XL oven is an upgrade in multiple ways, and I’m very glad to have gotten it. We’ve had several Ninja kitchen accessories, and they’ve done it again with this one. Like all our other Ninja accessories, the Double Stack oven is built superbly and includes a plethora of thoughtful features that make it a joy to use. The only thing limiting our usage is when we need to cook a very large dish, but thankfully that’s rare. If you’re looking for a countertop oven, I’m not sure you can do better than this versatile model.
Introducing the Flex Open Clip Wireless Earbuds, the epitome of convenience and innovation in earbud technology. With its unique, clip-style design, these earbuds offer a distinct open-ear experience unlike any other. Simply clip them around your ear and immerse yourself in your surroundings while still enjoying your favorite tunes. Featuring touch controls directly on the earbud, managing your music and calls has never been easier or more intuitive. With USB-C charging, you can quickly and conveniently power up your earbuds for extended listening sessions. Compatible with the JLab App, you can further personalize your listening experience to suit your preferences. Enjoy a remarkable 21+ hours of playtime, ensuring you never miss a beat throughout your day. Thanks to multipoint technology, you can seamlessly connect to any two devices simultaneously, making it effortless to switch between your smartphone, tablet, or laptop without missing a moment of your audio experience. Experience the freedom and versatility of the Flex Open Clip Wireless Earbuds - where innovative design meets exceptional functionality for the ultimate listening experience.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
I’m a big fan of earbuds/headphones that leave the ears open to allow you to be aware of your surroundings. I enjoy bone conduction headphones, but they do leave a lot to be desired in the sound quality category. Newer “air conduction” earbuds are attempting to resolve this issue, and there are currently two approaches to this: ear hooks and ear clips. Bose is the first to come out with ear clips, but they are pretty expensive, so I decided to try the new JLab Flex Open earbuds. The ear clip design is sort of like a large earring around the outer part of the ear. This places the battery/button slightly behind the ear, with the speaker module inside the ear, but not blocking the ear canal.
Comfort:
It takes a little getting used to putting an earbud on your ear in this position, but it’s pretty easy. Angling the loop up or down can make it more comfortable, as well as improving the sound. I was concerned that these would not be comfortable, but they were quite comfortable, and a little fiddling allowed me to quickly find the optimal spot. The key here is whether these will work with your ears, since the length from the back of the loop to the speaker and battery is fixed, so I think these will either work for you or they won’t. These are very comfortable, but they did start making my ears sore after about an hour. I’m still in the phase of getting used to these, so I expect that to improve the more I use them.
Aside from the minor discomfort I just mentioned, the Flex Open earbuds are very lightweight and comfortable, making it easy to forget you’re wearing them. The clip approach is surprisingly secure, allowing them to stay put no matter how you move. In spite of that, I’m not sure you’ll want to use these for sports involving a lot of sweating or rain. They’re only rated IPX4, which JLab calls “everyday proof”. Since these essentially use a tiny speaker, that’s an open hole where water can enter, so I won’t be using these while I run.
One big advantage to the clip design is that it doesn’t interfere with glasses at all. This is a big advantage that is shared by in-ear buds as well, but most open buds/headphones using either a headband or ear clips interfere with glasses. Not having to deal with that is nice.
Sound quality:
All of the “open” style earbuds/headphones sacrifice sound quality for situational awareness, and that’s why we buy them. That said, the newer “air conduction” style brings a huge improvement to the sound quality over bone conduction models. I wasn’t sure what to expect from the Flex, but I was very pleasantly surprised at how good they sound. They don’t seal inside the ear canal (they’re not supposed to), so you’re not going to get pounding bass like the best in-ear monitors, but these do a remarkable job, especially at 80% less than the Bose model. I haven’t tried that one, so I’m not able to comment on what may be different, but I can forgive a lot when saving that much money. Open earbuds create a wider soundstage, which is quite pleasant. The midrange and high notes are crisp and clear, the bass is good, in spite of not being as prominent as in-ear monitors. JLab provides 3 EQ settings: signature (enhanced bass & treble), balanced (flat) and custom (you set using the equalizer in the app). I’m always partial to custom settings, and while you won’t be wowed at your customization options, being able to tweak the sound a little does sound pretty good. Remember that openness is the real goal with this type of earbud, so the idea is to have a reasonably good sound while still being able to hear your surroundings. JLab has delivered an earbud that sounds better than you would expect at this price point.
The Flex clips are not as loud as I had hoped. I first noticed this when using them while riding my electric scooter in the neighborhood. The wind blowing into my ears easily overpowered the Flex, requiring me to turn my head to hear. This would happen while riding a bike as well. Comparing these to my Shokz Open Fit, I found that the Shockz are considerably louder, but they cost a whole lot more as well, so take that into account. Given that the Flex are not targeted for use while exercising, the lower volume level isn’t a problem. They’re plenty loud enough for use indoors.
Controls:
I’ve had previous JLab earbuds, and while I prefer physical buttons, JLab’s previous implementation of physical buttons always seemed to be a little too hard to push for my liking. This resulted in me driving the earbud into my ear whenever I wanted to push a button. Touch-sensitive buttons solved this, but I think this version of the touch buttons is JLab’s best yet.
JLab always provides the most functionality at its price point, and the Flex Open is no exception. Touch controls can be mapped to 4 different options for each ear, providing a lot of flexibility to set up the controls to your liking. Every other earbud manufacturer should do it like this!
Call quality:
Call quality is passable, but I wouldn’t say it’s great. It’s not bad either, it’s just that it’s obvious that you’re using something other than the phone itself. That doesn’t inhibit the ability to have a conversation, you just won’t be able to pretend you’re not using earbuds. Sound quality for calls in the earbuds is just as good as podcasts or audiobooks. At this price point, that’s not a showstopper at all.
Conclusion:
With prices moving ever higher for quality earbuds, JLab has delivered another winner in the value space. Full-featured and with great sound, the JLab Flex Open provide a solid open-ear alternative to more expensive alternatives. I’ve had some longevity issues with other JLab earbuds in the past, but if these can avoid that, it’ll make them a no-brainer purchase decision. If you want open earbuds for heavy exercise, I suggest you look at other alternatives, but for light exercise or all-day office usage, these fit the bill nicely.
Get a close, comfortable shave any where with the Philips Norelco Portable Shaver. With 18 self-sharpening ComfortCut blades made from stainless steel and 37,000 cutting actions per minute, each hair is comfortably cut right above the skin for a smooth, even finish. 3D Floating Heads move in 3 different directions, following your facial contours for a clean shave, even in difficult-to-reach areas. It lets you quickly freshen up anytime, whether it's a sudden meeting, an unplanned outing, or a quick touch-up while traveling, saving time in your busy schedule. Adapt your shaving routine to your needs - choose a comfortable dry or a refreshing wet shave. You can shave with gel or foam, even under the shower. This portable electric shaver is water resistant so you can easily clean it under the tap. The IPX7 rating means that the shaver can be submerged in up to 3 feet of water for up to 30 minutes. Travel with peace of mind with its durable battery - you get 2 months of shaving with one charge¹. Keep the shaver safe with the convenient deluxe travel case. Home or away, you're always ready to go. The built-in travel lock prevents the shaver from turning on while on the go. Enjoy convenient charging with a USB-A charging cable. (wall adapter not included) ¹ assuming an average shaving time is about 1 minute per day.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
I got rid of my last electric shaver decades ago and never looked back, but the new Philips Norelco “on the go” travel shaver pulled me back in to try an electric shaver again. Its compact size and long battery life are designed to go with you so you can shave whenever you need to do so.
In the box you’ll find the shaver (already charged) along with a nice, zipped travel case and charging cable. The case does not have room for the cable, but that’s to make it as small as possible for just taking the razor with you. Charging requires a USB-A wall adapter, which is not included in the box. Norelco says that a full charge lasts for 60 minutes, and that’s probably accurate. I’ve been using it for the last 10 days on the same charge, and it’s going strong. That’s especially nice for something that you will be taking with you, since you might not want to have to worry about charging it in your car.
Let’s talk about why you would buy one of these, and that’s shaving. The smaller size means that there are only two shaving heads, not the traditional three. Obviously, that’s a good thing because it makes it smaller, and it does fit easily in the hand. Norelco recommends moving the shaver in a circular motion to allow the blades to cut from all directions, and this does in fact make for better performance.
This shaver is completely waterproof, which I love. One reason is because it makes it super easy to clean after each use—just take it apart and run the heads and body under the water. That’s it! Another reason I love the waterproofing is that I can use it in the shower, or with shaving cream. This makes the shaver very versatile and allows you to use it in the way you prefer. I tried it all 3 ways: dry, in the shower, and with shaving cream. Dry is the quickest and most convenient, but I think it may actually get a little closer with the use of shaving cream. Regardless, it's nice to have options to use it however best works for you.
The instructions say that it can take 21 days for your beard hairs to adjust to this type of shaving, especially if you’re coming from a traditional razor and shaving cream. I’m not quite up to 21 days yet, but I’ve gone more than 10 days so far and I can definitely tell that the closeness of the shaves is getting better. Overall, however, I wouldn’t say that this shaver can get as close as a non-electric razor, but it’s quite good.
Could this replace those disposable razors and shaving cream? That depends on what you value most. If you would like to break free of having to be at a sink in order to shave, then this will set you free. Its small size and long battery life will allow you to shave while commuting to work, saving time. It’s also great for a quick touch-up in the middle of the day before that important meeting, when it wouldn’t be practical to go to the restroom and lather up for a shave. To me, that’s one of the biggest reasons to use a shaver like this one. If you value the ability to get the closest shave possible, I’m not sure that any electric shaver can beat a regular razor, but no regular razor can beat the convenience of an electric shaver. There’s also the benefit of not having to worry about nicking your skin like is so common with a regular razor.
Norelco says the blades are self-sharpening, but also recommends replacing them every year. I’m hoping that they’ll actually last longer than a year, but we’ll see. If I continue to get closer shaves as time goes on, I’ll be very happy to leave my razors and shaving cream behind.
The Velox Mini Qi2 is a versatile dash & windshield phone holder that utilizes Qi2 technology for a powerful magnetic hold and fast wireless charge. Designed exclusively for Qi2-enabled devices including MagSafe compatible iPhones and cases, the Velox Mini Qi2 delivers up to 15W of power. Just tap your phone against the mount face and powerful magnets will hold it in place in perfect alignment. Securely install the Velox Mini Qi2 on your vehicle’s dashboard or windshield via a super strong, reusable suction cup base with sticky gel formula. A dashboard pad is included to protect you dash from any potential damage. The telescopic arm easily extends from 4” to 6.75” and pivots on a 260* arc to give you ultimate flexibility when installing the mount. A ball joint rotates and tilts so you can adjust the cradle for an ideal and safe viewing position in either portrait or landscape mode. A series of ventilation holes constructed around the mount help to dissipate heat and maintain airflow, while the anti-slip silicone finish offers added support and a gentle, scratch-free connection to your phone. Now it’s easier than ever to keep your phone powered up on the go!
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
I’m one of those people who’ve been going around without a phone mount in my vehicle, which meant balancing the phone on my leg when using the GPS. The new iOttie Velox car mount is the one that finally changed my ways.
The Velox I got is carbon black, and looks very sleek. In the box you’ll find the mount, a car power adapter with USB-C port, and an adhesive pad to use for protecting the dashboard. The Velox can be mounted either on the dashboard or the windshield. Either way, it attaches using a very secure suction mechanism, assisted by stickiness on the suction cup.
Attaching the Mount
I wanted the phone to be visible, but didn’t want to obstruct my view of the road. That meant attaching it to the windshield on the left side of the steering wheel. I’ve seen people mount theirs in the middle of the windshield, but I just can’t understand blocking the view that much. Attaching the mount is very easy—just clean the chosen spot, flip up the suction cup lever, put the mount where you want it, then close the lever to secure the suction cup to the windshield. Mounting it this way is very secure. I had to move mine a few times to get into just the right location, and it wasn’t hard, but the removable adhesive actually adds a lot of strength to the grip. It does this while not leaving any residue on the glass—impressive!
The phone is held to the mount by the Qi2 charging magnet. Simply line up the magnetic circle on the back of the phone with the round mount, and it snaps into place. This is very convenient for mounting and unmounting the phone as needed. The magnet seems pretty strong, but not overly so. I was concerned that hitting a bump might jar it loose, but that hasn’t happened to me yet. I have an iPhone, so the magnet lined up perfectly with my phone. I assume this would work equally well with other phones utilizing the Qi2 charging standard, as long as the magnets line up. I appreciate that the mounting magnet is covered in a soft silicone material so that it won’t scratch the phone.
Charging
The Velox is not just a phone holder it’s also a wireless Qi2 charger. I didn’t have the previous model, but I read that some people thought it was underpowered. This model delivers up to 15W, which is plenty to charge up an iPhone while driving around town. I have a pickup truck with its own built-in wireless charging pad, but it’s so underpowered that I never use it. With the Velox, I finally have a wireless charging pad in my vehicle that actually works!
The Velox comes with a USB-C power adapter, so the power cable must be routed to the adapter. In my chosen location, it was pretty easy to route the cable behind the weather stripping in my door, then under the steering wheel to reach the center console. Other than a right turn under the dash, this was a direct route, but the 1.5 foot-long cable was too short. This is the only real negative that I encountered, and it required me to purchase an extension cable to make it work. For those mounting in the center of the dash/windshield, this cable length will likely be enough, but I don’t think my situation is unusual, so I wish that iOttie had included a longer cable.
One thing to note is that the power cable is not removable, so you can’t choose to just use the mount as a phone holder. Of course, you don’t always have to keep it plugged in to power, but it might have been nice to have the choice to unplug if so desired. The power adapter was a little bit finicky, and needed to be seated just right to make it work. Once seated, however, it stays securely in place, so I don’t think this will be a problem.
Charging is fast and easy, and the phone gets hot while charging, just like with any wireless charger. The magnet mount does include ventilation holes, which is good because mounting near the windshield like I did can put the phone in the sunshine, which will add to the heat produced by the charger. Something to keep in mind.
Conclusion
I’ve had other iOttie mounts (not with chargers), but this one is my favorite. I started my review saying that I didn’t have a mount, which is true because my previous mount stays in a drawer in my house. The new Velox will stay permanently in my truck, as the new location for my phone while driving. I can be confident that it will hold my phone securely and charge it without my having to fish out a charging cable that will only get in my way.
The Velox is a great option if you’re in the market for a mount plus charger, and iOttie priced this new one at the same price as their other similar models.
The Best Buy essentials 20W Wall Charging Kit is compatible with USB-C iPhones, Samsung smartphones, tablets and more. Keep all of your USB-C devices charged with up to 20 watts of power and an included USB-C cable means everything is ready to go right out of the box. This 2-pack gives you an extra wall charger and cable.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
If you’ve bought a lot of devices over the years, you likely have a lot of charging adapters and cables around the house. Most of those are probably of the USB-A variety, but most device manufacturers are moving toward USB-C, so that leaves you with a lot of chargers but fewer than you need in any particular location. In my case, many of those old USB-A chargers are very low power, which means slow charging for newer devices.
This Best Buy Essentials kit includes 2 power adapters and 2 USB-C to USB-C charging cables, so you can stash one in multiple places. The USB-A port provides 12 watts of power, while the USB-C port offers 15 or 20 watts, depending on what the device needs. If both ports are used together, the maximum output is 15 watts. This was certainly better than my old standby USB-A charger, and it’s plenty for charging earbuds, phones or other smal devices. It’s even a match for the charger that came with my iPad Air 4th generation, so it’s a capable mid-level charger. However, don’t mistake it for the more powerful fast chargers supplied with most laptops. While I was able to charge my laptop, it was very slow, and couldn’t keep up when doing more power-intensive tasks on the laptop.
If you’re looking for a reasonably priced set of chargers, including cables, then this is a great package. For the price of a comparable Apple wall adapter (without cable), you can have 2 of these adapters, each with a cable, and each with dual ports.
Meet ProArt PX13 – your go-to 13-inch convertible laptop, designed to effortlessly switch between forms, ready to fuel your creative passion whenever inspiration strikes. Its OLED touchscreen ensures precise color accuracy for flawless proofing, while versatile I/O ports seamlessly connect all your peripherals. This NVIDIA Studio-validated laptop packs GeForce RTX 4050 Laptop GPU and up to a 50 TOPS AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processor, a pairing that will supercharge all your creative endeavors. With AI-enhanced creative features, military-grade toughness, and a long-lasting battery, ProArt PX13 transforms any setting into your studio.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
Opening up the new ProArt PX13 felt like it should have been accompanied by its own music. The device comes in a super nice all-black box, with the ProArt name embossed in shiny black letters. Inside, the laptop is encased in a black cloth-like sleeve.
This is a thin and light laptop, but Asus has done a great job of striking the right balance between thinness and usefulness. It’s nice to see a full-size HDMI port, which is often hard to find these days. Two ventilation ports flank the screen on each side of the keyboard deck. The port selection is actually quite good, and includes 2 USB-C and 1 USB-A port, as well as a headphone jack, micro SD card reader and proprietary power port.
*Hardware
Let’s start with the hardware. The version I got is black aluminum, covered with what Asus calls a “nano coating”. Whatever it is, this stuff is amazing! I’ve had other dark-colored aluminum laptops, and they’ve been fingerprint magnets. Not this one! It may seem a small thing, but this is a nice touch that makes the device seem a bit more premium. The underside of the keyboard reveals a plastic panel with vents for air. I’m not sure what I think about that, as the plastic seems a bit out of place with the rest of the premium metal and glass materials. On the other hand, it does make for a nicer feeling material to put on your lap, and it looks like the entire bottom may be removable. I believe it may be possible to replace the SSD, and if so, that is great!
Opening the laptop reveals a gorgeous 3k screen. Especially for this size, 4k would be overkill and reduce battery life, which needs to be preserved. The resolution makes everything super sharp, and the brightness is more than enough. It’s also a touchscreen that works as a tablet when the screen is folded back over the base. I happened to have a Bamboo stylus that I wasn’t using, and it was a pleasant surprise that it worked with the PX13! I didn’t do a lot with the handwriting, but it seems to work well. For me, this is an extra feature that’s nice to have, but not my main reason for getting this laptop.
The keyboard is one of the best I’ve used on a laptop. When I got the PX13, I was upgrading from my favorite laptop keyboard ever, and I thought I’d be disappointed in the Asus keyboard. I’m happy to say, however, that this is a fantastic keyboard! It has the right amount of key travel to give solid feedback on every keypress. The keys are larger than many other laptops that try to squeeze in too many extra keys, and that makes the keyboard immediately comfortable. It’s also backlit, with multiple levels of brightness and even a dedicated emoji key. love this keyboard!
The touchpad is also quite good. It’s a good size in relation to the keyboard, and I think Asus did a really good job of finding the right ratio between the two. One thing that makes this laptop unique is the inclusion of the their “dialpad”. Although I haven’t had an Asus laptop before this one, I understand that they’ve featured physical dials on some models. The PX13 features a version of the dial that utilizes a dedicated part of the touchpad in the upper left. It can be programmed to provide different functions depending on what’s on the screen, and the idea is that you can easily bring up things that are used most often, eliminating the need for finding the right key sequence or opening the right menu. When I first used it, I found it a bit difficult to activate (it’s off by default), and then it was finicky to use. While I haven’t mastered it yet, I’m coming around to see how it might come in handy to have some functions easily available. The good news is that, if you find that you don’t like it, it can be left off and it won’t inhibit your use of the trackpad.
The PX13 features stereo speakers under the keyboard, tuned by Harmon Kardon. These speakers may not reproduce the full dynamic range of music, but they are surprisingly loud for a laptop. I wasn’t expecting much, but I was happy to discover that they could be used in a pinch to fill a room with sound and are more than adequate for online meetings. Speaking of online meetings, the camera is fine for online meetings, offering 1080 resolution.
*Battery Life
This is one of the few places where I was a little disappointed. Battery life is rated at 10 hours, but as always, that depends upon how you’re using it. There are a host of settings that you can play with to get more performance or better battery life, but with the settings on “balanced”, I was getting around 6 hours. Not bad, but not good enough to leave the charger at home. And speaking of chargers, this one is rather large. It features a nice long cable and allows the power plug to be removed, but it adds some bulk when traveling. Thankfully, the PX13 will also charge using a USB-C power cable, if you have one, although it may not charge as fast as with the proprietary charger.
*Software and features
Asus has done a really good job of including useful software, not just “bloatware”. Three main software tools are included:
• MuseTree is a tool that provides a modern interface for interfacing with OpenAI for text and creative drawings. In my limited tests with it, it was not immediately intuitive as to the best way to use it, but I look forward to becoming more adept with it. Installation took several tries, as early attempts either wouldn’t complete or showed error messages about the machine not having enough resources. Eventually I got it to complete, and now I’m good to go. It is very slow to start up, but I assume that is due to all the AI connections it’s making behind the scenes. If Asus can improve this, I think it has a lot of promise, but as we all know, AI is changing every day. • ProArt Creative Hub is a nice tool, providing a dashboard for getting an overview of system performance similar to task manager, but more visually appealing. It also provides the ability to adjust things such as color calibration and blue light control. From here you can manage your performance profile and keep tabs on system temperature and fan usage. This will be my go-to tool for managing system performance and tweaking settings for creative work. There’s even a dedicated button on the function key row to bring it up! • StoryCube is an intriguing tool. As an avid photographer, I have thousands and thousands of photos, making organizing and managing them a challenge. So, I was excited to find out if this tool could make my job easier. I immediately encountered a roadblock—StoryCube seemingly cannot tell the difference between the local folder used with OneDrive and the cloud version. The program kept telling me to choose a local folder, as cloud folders aren’t supported. Unfortunately for me, that means I can’t use it until I figure this out.
These three are a good set of tools for managing the device and making use of AI for personal creativity projects. I’m looking forward to becoming proficient with them, but it will obviously take some time. Asus has also included complimentary subscriptions to Adobe and CapCut, which is a good value if you don’t already have such tools and want to try them out.
The MyAsus tool does a really good job of combining lots of information about the device in one place. From here, you can monitor system performance metrices, make changes to settings, perform diagnostics, and find system updates. I really like the way Asus puts everything together in one place, but unless I missed it, this is not available without setting up a free account. I’m not opposed to setting up the account (and that is necessary for registering your device), but key settings should be available regardless of whether you have an account or not. Again, I could have missed it, but I can’t go back and undo the fact that I have an account.
*Copilot and AI
Computer manufacturers, especially Microsoft, are touting the “new age” of AI computing. Admittedly, I have a lot to learn, but I’m very interested in discovering how AI can be used to improve my workflows. The software included by Asus is a good start, and these seem similar to tools that Microsoft is including with their latest machines. The real game changers, however, have yet to arrive, so it’s too early to tell how these new Copilot certified PCs will actually change the game. The dedicated Copilot key is nothing more than a shortcut to the Copilot prompt page on Microsoft’s website for now. That’s fine, but it’s not more than we already had. So, I’ll stay tuned until later when Microsoft rolls out some of their bigger changes, and then hopefully the PX13 will ready for the new challenges that will come with those changes.
The PX13 is a really great machine. It’s not cheap, but Asus hasn’t skimped on this one. A top of the line AMD chipset with dedicated GPU, 32 GB of RAM, 1 TB of storage and a 3K OLED screen make for an excellent and very portable machine. Add in the extra touches that Asus has thoughtfully included, and the result is a very nice machine. Especially if you’re the creative type, this is a machine that you should be considering, given the attention that Asus has paid to the screen. The only real mark against it, in my opinion, is the middling battery life. 6-8 hours on a charge isn’t bad, but these days there are more and more options that can beat that. Other than that, this one should be on your short list.
Experience home theater like never before.BRAVIA Theatre U Wireless Wearable Neckband Speaker uses Sony' 360 Spatial Sound technology to transport you into the action of your favorite shows and movies, while not disrupting your household. Pair with your compatible Sony BRAVIA TV to enjoy thrilling Dolby Atmos sound.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
I have a lot of wireless Bluetooth audio options, and I’m always looking for new offerings that deliver sound in new, innovative and comfortable ways. The new Sony Bravia Theater U wearable speaker brings a new way to get portable, high-quality sound in a comfortable package. At $299, this is not an impulse buy, but it certainly offers an intriguing option in a world of “me too” earbuds.
The Bravia Theater U is essentially a soundbar that wraps around your neck. Two chunky speakers hang down, one on each side of your neck, with a flexible, rubber coated neckband in between. The undersides are covered with a padded vinyl-like material, making them soft against your collarbone. On the inside of the right speaker, you’ll find the power/Bluetooth button and a mute button. On the inside of the left speaker, there are buttons for volume up/down and a center button for play/pause. All of the buttons are rubber coated, and the device has an IPX4 waterproof rating, meaning that it can handle the occasional splash if you’re wearing it while at the sink doing dishes.
Setup and sound quality:
Out of the box, the Theater U starts up in pairing mode. Find it on your phone’s list of available Bluetooth devices and you’re good to go. I already had the Sony Headphones app, and it instantly recognized the Theater U. Setting sound options, such as EQ was very easy – more on that later. Upon starting up the first song, I was immediately impressed with how good this thing sounds. Music was rich and full, with nice clean bass and crisp, clear high notes. In a direct comparison with a good set of earbuds, the Theater U lacked the immediacy of the earbuds, but the open air sound brings a different kind of ambience and sound stage that earbuds just can’t replicate. With earbuds, you’re always aware that you’re listening with something in your ears that’s trying to sound like a room full of speakers. With the Theater U, it actually is a set of speakers firing at your ears. It’s a subtle difference, but one that I really enjoy. What’s really nice is that you can listen to your music without being cut off from your surroundings. With so many open ear options available today, it’s nice to find one that doesn’t sacrifice sound quality in exchange for situational awareness.
Watching TV with the Theater U:
Sony markets this as wireless audio for watching movies or playing games at home. I’m not a gamer, but I was looking forward to using it with my Samsung QLED television. The Theater U paired easily with the TV, but when I chose to connect and listen through the Theater U, I experienced stuttering audio until it just quit trying. I unplugged and restarted the TV, but got the same result. After multiple tries, I gave up. Even changing the setting in the app to tell it to prioritize a stable Bluetooth connection didn’t make difference. It’s disappointing that the main use case for these is the one I can’t use. I might not have been surprised if I were using an off-brand TV, but this one is a major brand that’s only a few years old, so it should have worked.
Theater U and working from home/phone calls:
Having a dedicated mute button makes the Theater U into a portable speakerphone for working from home. I’m on conference calls all the time, and using the Theater U frees me from sitting in front of my computer and allows me to move around while staying connected. A simple press of the mute button on the right speaker toggles the microphone on or off. The excellent sound quality makes it easy to hear the participants on a call, and no one had any trouble hearing me as well. Using the Theater U as a hands-free speaker phone also works well. The speakers are comfortable enough to just keep wearing them all day to be ready when a call comes in. If all you want is a wearable speaker for calls and meetings, Sony’s NB10 wearable speaker is smaller, lighter and much cheaper, but is nowhere close to the sound quality of the Theater U.
Using the app:
The Sony headphones app continues to improve, and it works well with the Theater U. Multiple EQ options including 2 custom settings allow you to tweak the sound to your liking. Sony continues to partner with several providers to offer 360 Audio. I tried this and thought it was enjoyable, but not something I want to pay for. I did go through the Audio 360 setup, however, and thought it was interesting that Sony uses pictures of your ears to tune its sound output.
Conclusion:
Are these the wearable Bluetooth speakers for you? They boast excellent sound, are very comfortable and don’t require anything to be in your ears, and can serve as a great work from home mobile speaker system. The problem is that there are many wireless earbuds and headphones that can do the same thing and also allow you to use them for completely private audio in a coffee shop or while walking around the neighborhood. As a wearable speaker, they’re best suited for the home, and I can see how they would be great for a less invasive listening experience while watching a movie, but I wasn’t able to experience that for myself. Using it with Playstation 5 requires the use of a special cable that connects to the controller. That would eliminate any issues caused by Bluetooth, but the cable might be a little annoying. I’m not a gamer, but thought you should know.
At $299, the Theater U is a little pricey for an audio device that really can’t be your go-to in all situations. If you just can’t stand having earbuds in your ears and aren’t happy with the other open-ear offerings, the Theater U is a great choice and sounds better than any other open-ear product available. If you’re a gamer or can use these with your TV, they provide a great audio experience that won’t disturb the whole house. Outside of these groups, it may be difficult to justify, but I am very impressed with the Theater U. They accomplish what Sony set out to do, and have improved greatly on past iterations.
Water to Land, the Music Never Ends. Seamless transition from water to land, thanks to OpenSwim Pro's durable IP68 waterproof rating. Submerge your OpenSwim Pro up to 2 meters for 2 hours, seamlessly playing your tunes with perfection. Switch between Bluetooth and MP3 mode for uninterrupted music with a button press or in the Shokz App. OpenSwim Pro is tailored waterproof, versatile, while fitting safe and secure for your workout routine — in the water or on the land.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
I’m a big fan of Shokz headphones. I’ve had every model Shokz has produced since the Trekz Air, with the exceptions of the OpenSwim and OpenRun Pro models. My current bone conduction model is the OpenRun, and while they have an IPX67 rating, Bluetooth does not work underwater, so I jumped at the chance to pick up the new OpenSwim Pro bone conduction headphones.
Why should you consider purchasing a pair of bone conduction headphones? As a runner, I’ve found nothing better to take tunes with me on a run, while still maintaining situational awareness, since they leave my ear canals open. There’s also nothing more comfortable for long-term usage. I can leave these on all day long and forget that I’m wearing them at times. Even if you’re not active, the comfort and convenience of being able to leave your headphones on while not being isolated from your surroundings make it worth getting some for yourself. What’s the tradeoff? The sound quality of bone conduction headphones can’t compare to in-ear monitors, but that’s the nature of bone conduction technology, so it’s a tradeoff worth making if you need situational awareness.
With the OpenSwim Pro headphones, Shokz has addressed the biggest deficiency in the previous version: the lack of Bluetooth capability. The OpenSwim Pro expands onboard storage to 32 GB when in MP3 mode, but adds Bluetooth that can be used when you’re not underwater.
If you have the OpenRun headphones, you’ll be hard-pressed to tell the difference between those and the OpenSwim Pro. The OpenSwim Pro is basically the OpenRun with the ability to listen underwater. Doing A/B testing between the two models, I struggled to tell the difference in sound quality between the two, with a possibly slightly fuller sound in the OpenSwim Pro. Two EQ modes are available, standard and vocal. Vocal mode removes a lot of the bass, allowing you to enjoy the spoken words without the extra vibrations that sometimes happen with a speaker who has a lower voice. MP3 mode relies on mp3 files that you put on the internal storage. Since you’ll be using these underwater where Bluetooth can’t reach, you’ll need to load up the audio files you want to take with you. On a Windows computer, this is almost trivial. To do so, simply connect the headphones to your computer using the supplied multiuse charging cable. Windows sees the OpenSwim Pro as an external drive, so all you need to do is to drag files from your computer to this drive. That’s it! While you can drag and drop entire folders, OpenSwim Pro does not recognize the folder structure, which makes sense, since there’s no screen.
While I’m accustomed to using my OpenRun while running, I’ve never been able to listen while swimming, so I was anxious to find out how these would work. Switching to MP3 mode is easy, and the companion app allows you assign the mode toggle either to a long press on the button on the left earbud, or to a simultaneous press and hold on the volume up/down buttons. Surprisingly, pressing both buttons can be done with the thumb and works well. Once in MP3 mode, the music starts and you’re ready to swim. As soon as I went underwater, I was struck by how good the music sounded! The bass that is normally lacking was there in spades, and the music sounded full and loud. Upon leaving the water, it’s just as easy to switch back to Bluetooth mode and go back to streaming music and podcasts, and taking calls. By the way, call quality was excellent, so these can be your hands-free headset as well.
If you already have a pair of OpenRun or OpenRun Pro headphones, you probably don’t need these unless you also have swimming as part of your exercise program. If you do, it’s great to have a single set of headphones able to meet your listening needs both in and out of the water. MP3 mode allows you to take your tunes with you without needing your phone, which is an added bonus. If you have a pair of the original OpenSwim headphones, you’ll want to get these for the sorely-needed Bluetooth mode and upgraded sound. For you, this is a worthy upgrade.
If you’re a runner, biker or swimmer and looking for a way to take your tunes with you while remaining aware of your surroundings, bone conduction is the way to go. OpenSwim Pro brings together the best of the OpenRun and OpenSwim headphones while retaining best in class comfort and stability. These aren’t the headphones I pull out when I want to isolate myself and get lost in my music, but for everything else, these are my go-to.
I’m giving them 5 stars, but not because they’re the overall best in all categories. I’m giving them 5 stars because they do such a great job at what they set out to do. Shokz advertises the OpenSwim Pro as headphones that are comfortable, stay in place, allow you to still hear your environment, deliver good quality sound and are not only waterproof, but work when fully submerged. They deliver on those goals and do so very well, so I give them top marks!
The Torretta Supersoft chair is an attractive long-lasting gaming chair that features Arozzi's minimalist Swedish design, and boasts a plethora of features that enable you to game and work harder and longer.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
A computer chair is something you spend a lot of time in, so you want it to be comfortable, with the right features to help you maximize the time you spend in it. I recently replaced my previous gaming chair with this new Arozzi Torretta chair, and here are my thoughts on this chair.
Assembly: Arozzi deserves some kudos on their packaging and assembly experience. Everything is well protected and padded inside the sturdy cardboard box. Assembly instructions include step by drawings that do a good job of taking you through the process. A nice touch was the included hex key with rubber handle that was used for tightening all necessary screws. They even included a pair of white cotton gloves for those who don’t want to risk getting their hands dirty! One thing I found helpful was that all the screws came already in the places where they would ultimately be installed. This allowed me to know immediately that I wasn’t missing anything, and just needed to remove the screws and then reuse them to fasten the parts together. Assembly was intuitive and straightforward, and soon I had a fully assembled chair. My only gripe was the plastic covers on the sides of the chairs that are meant to cover the springs that provide the tension for leaning back. Although the covers are supposed to snap in place, they did not fit well. They still cover the springs, so it’s not a big deal.
Features: There’s a small list of features that any chair can provide, and the Torretta delivers. The base is solid, and the 5 caster wheels move smoothly and silently. The pneumatic piston raises and lowers the chair just like other chairs, using the lever under the seat. Pushing in this lever locks the chair in the upright position, preventing you from leaning back. Here’s where the Torretta has an additional feature not found in a lot of other gaming chairs. There’s an additional lever on the right side that allows you to change the angle of the back to the seat, ranging from fully upright to lying completely flat. This allows you to find the angle that is most comfortable for your back, and even to take a nap if necessary!
The arm rests feature a lot of available adjustments. They can be raised or lowered, moved forward and back and even angled side to side. With all these possibilities, it’s easy to find the right combination. There isn’t a lot of padding on the armrests, but they’re not meant to be under the elbow, so that shouldn’t matter.
Comfort: This is the most important quality of a chair, since you’ll be spending a lot of time in it. The Torretta is covered in a soft material like microfiber. This is a nice material, but it does tend to hold onto animal fur, so beware if you have furry pets. I’ll be interested to see how the fabric holds up over time, and my concern is that it’ll stain easily. However, I did drop some chocolate on the seat which melted. It was easy to wipe it off and I couldn’t tell it was ever there, so that was a good sign.
The Torretta has a nice amount of foam padding, but I wouldn’t call it a lot. It’s more than adequate now, but I would have preferred a little more padding. The chair comes with both a lumbar pillow and a headrest pillow, both of which can be strapped in place on the chair. These provide additional options for getting the chair exactly to your liking.
Leaning back in the chair is a little harder than I prefer, even when setting the tension dial to the lightest setting. Perhaps this will loosen up over time, but it’s something to be aware of. I found that the more time I spent in the chair, the more I liked it. I’ve been using it for all my time at the computer desk since I bought it.
Value: The Torretta is priced similarly to other chairs in this class. If you prefer fabric over PU leather, you’ll definitely prefer this chair. It has nice styling and features, and plentiful options for customizing the fit. But, I’ve seen competing gaming chairs at a local retailer that were actually more comfortable and cost hundreds less. Ultimately, you’ll have to decide whether the various finishing touches are worth the difference in price.
If you like a chair with a lot of padding, this is probably not the chair for you, but if you prefer a more moderate level of padding, then you’ll like the Torretta. I’m looking forward to seeing how it holds up over time.
Enter numbers with greater speed and accuracy using the NS-PK3KANB24 Insignia 22-Key Bluetooth Scissor Switch Number Keypad for Windows, macOS, ChromeOS, iPadOS and Android. The keypad connects to your computer or tablet wirelessly with an easy Bluetooth connection. Its slim, inclined design makes it comfortable to use, and it offers a smooth typing experience with quiet scissor switch technology. The compact size lets you carry it everywhere. An LED shows the keypad’s status and when functions are enabled. Finish your work faster with this Insignia keypad.
This reviewer is a member of the Best Buy Tech Insider Network Program. This invitation-only program provides BestBuy.com reviewers with manufacturer-supplied products for the purpose of writing honest, unbiased and usage-based reviews. Outside of receiving products to test and review, Best Buy Tech Insider Network Reviewers are not compensated in any other way.
In recent years, I’ve migrated to smaller laptops, with screen sizes of around 14 inches. This is great for portability, but with less space available for the keyboard, the dedicated number pad is the first thing to go. While that’s not a problem often, extended numeric data entry is much easier with a dedicated number pad.
The Insignia 22-key Bluetooth number pad is the perfect addition to any laptop keyboard. It’s small and light, and is powered by a single AAA battery. I haven’t had it long enough to really test the battery life, but my expectation is that I won’t have to worry about replacing the battery for a long time.
Pairing the keypad is simple: just hold down the Bluetooth key for a few seconds, and when the blue LED starts blinking, it’s ready to pair. The same LED also serves as the “Num Lock” indicator. The keys feature good travel, and the scissor switches feel good while entering numbers. The underside features rubber feet which are helpful for keeping it from sliding across the desk. Entering lots of numbers using this keypad is much easier than trying to use the top row of numbers on a keyboard, and the keys feel good enough that it’s not annoying to use.
I thought it was strange at first that there is a Num Lock key. After all, it’s a numeric keypad, so what else am I gonna do with it? However, turning off Num Lock enables the cursor keys, allowing you to move your cursor around if you have a need to do that. There’s also a key to bring up the calculator, which is another convenient feature. I only have Windows computers, and this feature worked well for me.
With a reasonable price, solid build quality, nice tactile feel in the keys, and a few extra features, this keypad is the one to get. I’m glad I finally did!
Create, learn, work, and play like never before. Featuring an immersive 9.7-inch Multi-Touch Retina display,¹ powerful A10 Fusion chip, and now supports Apple Pencil,² there's nothing else quite like iPad.
Can I buy this without service to a wireless carrier for the same price?
Enjoy up to 10 hours of wireless audio with these Sony noise-canceling headphones. They produce rich sound by playing at audio frequencies of 3-40,000Hz and have a closed-back design that blocks outside noise for a better listening experience. These Sony noise-canceling headphones sit comfortably behind the neck and work with or without the 1m wire.
Can you mute while on a call. I want to take some conference calls on my way to work and need to mute myself. Is there a way to mute while on the call from the headphone. I know i can always mute from the phone. Thanks.
Keep your Wi-Fi connection strong anywhere in the house with this NETGEAR router. Monitor your network with the NETGEAR genie app, keep track of your kids with parental controls, and use multiple devices simultaneously for downloading, gaming and more
Is there a monthly charge for this netgear wireless router? Or does it just need an outlet and from there your off and running?
Type on your terms with Keys-To-Go, the super-slim, super-light Bluetooth keyboard for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV that fits anywhere and goes everywhere. The durable, spill-proof Keys-To-Go helps you escape the cramped on-screen keyboard and turn any space into a workspace whether you’re in the backyard, the kitchen, or the park. Keys-To-Go has comfortable, soft keys that type silently so you and people around you can focus without distractions. Plus, a full row of iOS shortcut keys provide one-tap access to your most-used functions including volume and media controls.
Yes, but don't expect it to take the place of the Apple Smart Keyboard. This is a great keyboard, but it will connect via blue tooth, not using the new smart connector.
Type on your terms with Keys-To-Go, the super-slim, super-light Bluetooth keyboard for iPhone, iPad and Apple TV that fits anywhere and goes everywhere. The durable, spill-proof Keys-To-Go helps you escape the cramped on-screen keyboard and turn any space into a workspace whether you’re in the backyard, the kitchen, or the park. Keys-To-Go has comfortable, soft keys that type silently so you and people around you can focus without distractions. Plus, a full row of iOS shortcut keys provide one-tap access to your most-used functions including volume and media controls.
Will this work with the new IPad 5th generation (2017)?
View files or videos in custom positions with this HP Envy x360 laptop. The hinge lets you lay the computer flat, fold it for use as a tablet or prop the screen at angles to enhance your viewing experience. When you aren't streaming videos on this HP Envy x360 laptop, convert it to a traditional position for standard keyboarding action.
View files or videos in custom positions with this HP Envy x360 laptop. The hinge lets you lay the computer flat, fold it for use as a tablet or prop the screen at angles to enhance your viewing experience. When you aren't streaming videos on this HP Envy x360 laptop, convert it to a traditional position for standard keyboarding action.
does this computer come with windows 10 or.........
View files or videos in custom positions with this HP Envy x360 laptop. The hinge lets you lay the computer flat, fold it for use as a tablet or prop the screen at angles to enhance your viewing experience. When you aren't streaming videos on this HP Envy x360 laptop, convert it to a traditional position for standard keyboarding action.
I'm not sure about what's inside, as this laptop really isn't built to make it easy to open up. It's quite thin, so I doubt there's an extra slot in there. Sorry that I don't know for sure.