All posts tagged: Reviewed

The best earbuds of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

The best earbuds of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

Published by skeptic

A solid pair of earbuds is a must in today’s world. They help us make hands-free calls, accompany us to the office, and serve as an easy-to-reach companion on the road. There are so many earbuds to choose from, and we’ve tested several. Still, only a few offer a high-performing, well-rounded experience that focuses on value and versatility. Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers. Best headphone deals of the week Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article. What are the best earbuds right now?  Our pick for best overall earbuds are the Apple AirPods Pro 3. These earbuds deliver several upgrades over the previous generation, such as in-ear heart rate monitoring, stronger noise cancellation, and improved device tracking, all without a price increase. They’re the best earbuds to pair with your iPhone.  However, there are great earbuds that can accommodate Android phones, too, with my favorite being the Sony WF-1000XM6. These earbuds offer several …

The best mini gaming PCs of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

The best mini gaming PCs of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

Published by skeptic

PCs have been through a number of evolutions in terms of size. They have transformed from hulking machines to something about the size of a hardback book that still packs enough power to handle demanding workloads. The same has happened with gaming PCs. With their increased power and cooling demand, it’s amazing just how much can fit into such a small package. Also: The best gaming PCs you can buy If you don’t have the space in your life for a huge gaming rig, a mini gaming PC can still deliver the power you need. For April, I replaced all of the entries with mini PCs from well-known brands including HP, Dell, and Raspberry Pi. Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers. Best desktops deals of the week Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article. What is the best mini gaming PC right now? I chose the Raspberry Pi Compute Module 5 as the best …

The best website builders for small businesses in 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

The best website builders for small businesses in 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

Published by skeptic

Choosing between dozens of website builders, each promising the “easiest” setup and “best” features, can leave you more confused than when you started. I know because I spent countless hours sharing that frustration earlier on in my career.  I’ve tested nearly every major platform over the years as a B2B tech reviewer, and that’s how I know that no single platform works for everyone. Some platforms give you complete design control but require a greater time investment. Others automate everything through AI but limit your customization options. In this guide, I’ll walk you through the five best website builders for small businesses, so you can make a confident choice. Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers. Best web hosting deals of the week Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article. What is the best website builder for small businesses right now? After testing dozens of website builders just over the last week, I recommend Webflow to any small …

The best laptops of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

The best laptops of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

Published by skeptic

Laptops come in a variety of different form factors these days, with manufacturers playing into the different categories to develop an intended use case. For example, lightweight laptops are made to be carried around, and trade in some raw power for portability. 2-in-1 laptops come with touchscreens that allow for use as a tablet. The best form factor for you reflects how you think you’ll use the device.  Lightweight/ultraportable laptops Laptops are made to be mobile, so the lighter the better. Whether you’re a student, hybrid worker, or professional, ultraportables have exploded in the past few years, becoming thinner and lighter than ever. Some good examples are the Asus Zenbook A14, the Apple MacBook Air M5, and the Acer Swift 16 AI — all devices we’ve tested and love for their ultraportable forms relative to power and battery life.  Even laptops that previously were not seen as particularly light, like the Dell XPS 14, have joined the club with lighter frames that get smaller each year. Still, to be considered “ultraportable”, the laptop should be less …

The best Apple Watch of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

The best Apple Watch of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

Published by skeptic

An Apple Watch isn’t just an accessory or an excuse for a second screen. After more than a year of testing Apple Watches, I’ve found them to be helpful sleep trackers, convenient timers in the kitchen, phone-free communication tools, as well as exercise motivators and mid-workout monitors.  Also: Why the Apple Watch’s 20-minute calibration test is worth your time – especially if you’re data curious The Apple Watch started out as a fitness tracker and evolved into an essential companion for iPhone users. Apple’s smartwatches have an arsenal of convenient capabilities, like housing your boarding pass for a flight, identifying songs, opening your garage door, and providing weather alerts. These watches are also expansive health monitoring systems with FDA-cleared features that can check your heart rate, notify you of hypertension, or detect sleep apnea. Best smartwatch deals of the week Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article. What is the best Apple Watch right now? My pick for the best Apple Watch is the Apple Watch …

12 Best Standing Desks of 2026, Tested and Reviewed

12 Best Standing Desks of 2026, Tested and Reviewed

Published by skeptic

Other Standing Desks to Consider Photograph: Nicole Kinning Luxor Compact Electric Standing Desk for $200: The Luxor is a no-nonsense standing desk that does exactly what you expect and takes up minimal space. It’s perfect for students, small apartments, and anyone who needs a compact, budget-friendly setup. At 23.5 inches deep, the tabletop is shallow enough to fit into tight corners or shared spaces. The electric lift moves steadily at an inch per second, whisper-quiet, and the 154-pound weight capacity can handle a laptop, monitor, and a few textbooks with no sweat. The lift mechanism is exposed underneath, so you’ll want to leave some legroom when at sitting height. —Nicole Kinning Simple Height Adjustable Desk for $850: The Simple Height Adjustable Desk lives up to its name. Assembly is straightforward and cable routing is tidy thanks to an integrated channel that keeps everything corralled. The T-shaped legs slide into a bracket instead of screwing or locking into place, which feels a little ambiguous, but once it’s upright, the desk is solid and sturdy. In practice, …

The best Zoom alternatives in 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

The best Zoom alternatives in 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

Published by skeptic

Video calls are exhausting. You’re juggling screen sharing, managing participants, and dealing with spotty connections. The last thing you need is headache-inducing software. Zoom became very popular during the pandemic, but it’s not your only option for video conferencing. Google Meet integrates seamlessly with your calendar. Microsoft Teams works better for enterprises. Platforms like Whereby require zero downloads. I’ve tested these platforms many times over my career, reviewing B2B software, watching them evolve with each major update. Some got better, others stayed stagnant, and a few surprised me with features that genuinely improved my workday. Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers. What is the best Zoom alternative right now? Google Meet takes the top spot for most teams. The platform supports up to 100 participants free and works directly in your browser. I particularly appreciate how it automatically pulls meeting details from Gmail and Calendar. No more copying links between apps. Also: The best business messaging apps The best Zoom alternatives of 2026 Show less …

The best data removal services of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

The best data removal services of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

Published by skeptic

If you’ve ever looked yourself up online and found public records you did not expect, or you suddenly experience an influx of cold callers, but you aren’t sure of the source, you’re not alone. So much of our information is in the hands of data brokers. The problem of public records that may list your full name, home address, telephone number, and more is compounded by daily data breaches. Your data may be exposed online or, when in the hands of third parties, traded or sold without your explicit consent or permission.  While many data broker services and people search websites are legal, they still often violate your privacy. The problem, however, is that tracking down these companies and forcing them to delete your information — and not collect it again — is a time-consuming task that often fails unless you consistently send data removal demands. Manual removals only go so far and are usually time-consuming processes, but the best data removal services shoulder this task for you.  Also: I put 2025’s leading data-removal services …

The best mobile scanning apps of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

The best mobile scanning apps of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

Published by skeptic

Paper clutter is real. When you’re drowning in receipts, contracts, or handwritten notes, you need a fast way to digitize everything without a bulky scanner that commandeers your desk. And when you’re out traveling, you might need something to translate text and run searches based on what you see on your phone camera. That’s where mobile scanning apps come in. I tested the leading options to find which ones actually deliver clean scans with smart features like PDF and DOCX conversion, OCR, and AI search. Whether you’re a freelancer managing invoices or a professional who needs to manage documents on the go, these apps turn your phone into a powerful scanner. Get more in-depth ZDNET tech coverage: Add us as a preferred Google source on Chrome and Chromium browsers. Best personal data removal service deals of the week Deals are selected by the CNET Group commerce team, and may be unrelated to this article. What is the best mobile scanning app right now? Adobe Scan is my top pick for mobile document scanning. It converts physical documents …

3 Best Robot Lawn Mowers (2026), Tested and Reviewed

3 Best Robot Lawn Mowers (2026), Tested and Reviewed

Published by skeptic

Mowers I Am Currently Testing We are just into a new cutting season here, so I haven’t tested these new robot mowers enough to make a full recommendation, but here are my impressions so far. Photograph: Simon Hill Mammotion Luba 3 AWD for $2,399: If this robot mower continues to perform as well as it has in its first week, it will earn a spot above. It is pricey, but the Mammotion Luba 3 AWD can handle relatively rough terrain and steep slopes, and it combines three technologies (GPS, LiDAR, and AI vision) to ensure it can cut larger lawns even where there might be tree cover or other awkward spots. It boasts quiet operation, efficient pathfinding, and leaves a lovely finish. The obstacle avoidance is solid, and it does a decent job around the edges. I also appreciate the manual mowing option, enabling you to cut any problem areas with remote app control. Husqvarna Aspire R6V for £999: I was excited to test this new robot mower from Husqvarna because it is more affordable …