Audio
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The Best Alexa Smart Speakers
by Rachel Cericola and Grant Clauser
Amazon’s line of Echo smart speakers are the best option for bringing Alexa into your home. We’ve got picks for nearly any setup and situation.
The Best Turntables and Record Players
by Freddy Gerngross and Brent Butterworth
The Fluance RT85N is our favorite turntable under $600 because it’s easy to set up and use, and it sounds great with all types of recordings.
The Best Computer Speakers
by Brent Butterworth
The Pioneer DJ DM-50D-BT is the best-sounding pair of computer speakers we’ve heard in the $200 price range.
The Best Music Streamer
by Kathryn Rath
The WiiM Pro Plus is the best music streamer because it offers easy setup, reliable performance, and a wide variety of features—all at an affordable price.
The Best Time to Buy Headphones
by Nathan Burrow
Headphones and earbuds are often on sale, but the very best prices appear only a few times a year. Here’s when.
How to Connect Your New Turntable to Any Audio System
by Brent Butterworth
No matter what kind of turntable and audio gear you have, it is possible to get them working together. Here’s how.
Ready to Get Serious About Vinyl? Start With These Affordable Accessories.
by Ian D. White
If you’ve discovered a passion for vinyl, a few affordable accessories can make a positive difference in your turntable setup.
The Best Record Player Setup for Beginners
by Adrienne Maxwell
Start your vinyl music journey here with our picks for turntable, receiver, speakers, and more.
How to Set Up Your Turntable to Sound Its Best
by Chris Heinonen
No matter what turntable you own, there are a few adjustments you can make—often for little to no cost—to help it sound its best.
Setting Up Your Turntable System Can Seem Daunting. The SpinBase 2 Makes It Easy.
by Brent Butterworth
We love the Andover Audio SpinBase 2 because it makes setting up a vinyl-record playback system easy, and it sounds shockingly good.
Outgrown Your Starter Record Player? Here’s How to Shop for a Quality Turntable.
by Freddy Gerngross
Shopping for your first higher-end, dedicated turntable can be a confusing experience. We explain the important features to consider.
The Best AV Receivers for Most People
by Dennis Burger and Adrienne Maxwell
The Denon AVR-X1800H is an easy-to-use AV receiver that sounds great and has the necessary features to meet most people’s movie, music, and video-gaming needs.
The Best Outdoor Speakers
by Brent Butterworth
A good set of weather-resistant outdoor speakers can bring year-around delight to a backyard or patio.
The Best Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids and Other Hearing Solutions
by Lauren Dragan
No single over-the-counter hearing device is perfect for everyone, so we offer different recommendations for different priorities and budgets.
The Best Tabletop Radios
by Kathryn Rath and Nena Farrell
Tabletop radios are as much about style as they are about performance. We have four radio recommendations that appeal to different tastes and budgets.
The Best Stereo Amplifiers and Receivers Under $300
by Brent Butterworth
Stereo amplifiers come in various flavors. We have affordable picks for full-featured integrated amps, discreet mini amps, and powerful stereo receivers.
The Best Smart Speakers for Your Home
by Rachel Cericola
Voice-controlled smart speakers make it easy to summon music news, trivia, timers, and more, and to control smart devices, too.
There’s No Evidence That Noise-Cancelling Headphones Cause Auditory Processing Disorder
by Lauren Dragan
Are noise-cancelling headphones contributing to a rise in auditory processing disorder in young people? Experts say there’s no evidence to support that.
The Best Google Nest Smart Speakers
by Rachel Cericola
If you rely on Google’s ecosystem for your digital needs, here you’ll find your match for the best Google Nest smart speaker or screen to enjoy music, news, timers, smart-home control, and more.
The Best Sleep Headphones
by Lauren Dragan
After years of testing sleep headphones that proved to be a nightmare, we’ve found two pairs that help us sleep like a baby.
How to Start a Podcast for as Little as $0
by Brent Butterworth
Producing your own podcast can be simple and affordable. Here’s the gear and services you need to get your voice out to the world.
I’ve Tested Over 450 Wireless Bluetooth Earbuds Since 2017. These Are the Best.
by Lauren Dragan
The versatile Sony LinkBuds Fit wireless earbuds sound great, fit great, and are loaded with features that work well no matter what phone you own.
Gear to Get Better Sound From Your TV
by Grant Clauser
TVs are made for great pictures, so we recommend the best ways to get great sound too.
Great Sound on a Small Budget
by Grant Clauser
Good sound doesn't have to cost a lot. We found the best audio gear for around $100 or less.
The Best Wireless and Wired Headsets
by Kaitlyn Wells and Melanie Pinola
Whether you prefer the freedom of Bluetooth or the reliability of a wired headset, we have picks to suit all budgets and fit preferences.
The Best Portable Headphone Amp With Built-In DAC
by Brent Butterworth
The affordable Fosi Audio DS1 is our favorite headphone amp/DAC because it has the needed connections and power output to suit most headphones.
The Best Bookshelf Speakers for Stereo and Surround Sound
by Brent Butterworth
A great pair of bookshelf speakers should last for years and deliver better performance than you can get from a tabletop speaker.
The Best Soundbar
by Brent Butterworth
The Polk MagniFi Mini AX is the all-around best soundbar because of its big, immersive sound, small footprint, affordable cost, and easy operation.
The Best Portable Bluetooth Speaker
by Brent Butterworth
The UE Wonderboom 4 is the all-around best portable Bluetooth speaker because it sounds good and looks cool, and it’s quite rugged.
How Good Are the AirPods Pro 2 as Hearing Aids? We Tested Them to Find Out.
by Lauren Dragan
The AirPods Pro 2 earbuds aren’t suitable as a full-time hearing-aid replacement, but they work well for occasional hearing augmentation.
The Best USB Audio Interfaces for Musicians and Podcasters
by Brent Butterworth
If you’re serious about recording high-quality music or podcasts, a great USB audio interface—like Focusrite’s Scarlett 2i2 or Vocaster Two—is a vital tool.
This Teeny, Tiny Speaker Is a Surprisingly Good Gift
by Leta Shy
The JBL Go 4 portable Bluetooth speaker defies its size and fills your surroundings with a robust, soul-touching sound.
The Best USB Microphones for Musicians and Podcasters
by Freddy Gerngross and Brent Butterworth
The 512 Audio Tempest is the best USB microphone because of its excellent clarity, useful controls, and versatile mounting options.
The Best Home Bluetooth Speaker
by Brent Butterworth
Klipsch’s The One Plus Bluetooth speaker is a great way to get full, satisfying sound in your home with no need for complicated setup.
The Best Subwoofer
by Brent Butterworth
For powerful, precise bass in stereo and home theater systems, the best subwoofer is the compact, affordable Rogersound Labs Speedwoofer 10S MKII.