We live our entire lives surrounded by them. They slam into us constantly at more than 700 miles per hour, sometimes hurting, sometimes soothing. They have the power to communicate ideas, evoke fond memories, start fights, entertain an audience, scare the heck out of us, or help us fall in love. They can trigger a range of emotions and they even cause physical damage. This reads like something out of science fiction, but what we’re talking about is very much real and already part of our day-to-day lives. They’re sound waves. So, what are sound waves and how do they work?

If you’re not in the industry of audio, you probably don’t think too much about the mechanics of sound. Sure, most people care about how sounds make them feel, but they aren’t as concerned with how the sound actually affects them. Understanding how sound works does have a number of practical applications, however, and you don’t have to be a physicist or engineer to explore this fascinating subject. Here’s a primer on the science of sound to help get you started.

We can experience sound waves in ways that are more physical, not just physiological, too. If sound waves reach a microphone—whether it’s a plug-n-play USB livestream mic or a studio-quality microphone for vocals—it transforms them into electronic impulses that are turned back into sound by vibrating speakers. Whether listening at home or at a concert, we can feel the deep bass in our chest. Opera singers can use them to shatter glass. It’s even possible to see sound waves sent through a medium like sand, which leaves behind a kind of sonic footprint. 

That shape is rolling peaks and valleys, the signature of a sine (aka sinusoid) wave. If the wave travels faster, those peaks and valleys form closer together. If it moves slower, they spread out. It’s not a poor analogy to think of them somewhat like waves in the ocean. It’s this movement that allows sound waves to do so many other things. 

It’s all about frequency

When we talk about a sound wave’s speed, we’re referring to how fast these longitudinal waves move from peak to trough and back to peak. Up … and then down … and then up … and then down. The technical term is frequency, but many of us know it as pitch. We measure sound frequency in hertz (Hz), which represents cycles-per-second, with faster frequencies creating higher-pitched sounds. For instance, the A note right above Middle C on a piano is measured at 440 Hz—it travels up and down at 440 cycles per second. Middle C itself is 261.63 Hz—a lower pitch, vibrating at a slower frequency.

Understanding frequencies can be useful in many ways. You can precisely tune an instrument by analyzing the frequencies of its strings. Recording engineers use their understanding of frequency ranges to dial in equalization settings that help sculpt the sound of the music they’re mixing. Car designers work with frequencies—and materials that can block them—to help make engines quieter. And active noise cancellation uses artificial intelligence and algorithms to measure external frequencies and generate inverse waves to cancel environmental rumble and hum, allowing top-tier ANC headphones and earphones to isolate the wearer from the noise around them. The average frequency range of human hearing is 20 to 20,000 Hz.

We measure amplitude in decibels (dB). The dB scale is logarithmic, which means there’s a fixed ratio between measurement units. And what does that mean? Let’s say you have a dial on your guitar amp with evenly spaced steps on it numbered one through five. If the knob is following a logarithmic scale, the volume won’t increase evenly as you turn the dial from marker to marker. If the ratio is 4, let’s say, then turning the dial from the first to the second marker increases the sound by 4 dB. But going from the second to the third marker increases it by 16 dB. Turn the dial again and your amp becomes 64 dB louder. Turn it once more, and you’ll blast out a blistering 256 dB—more than loud enough to rupture your eardrums. But if you’re somehow still standing, you can turn that knob one more time to increase your volume to a brain-walloping 1,024 decibels. That’s almost 10 times louder than any rock concert you’ll ever encounter, and it will definitely get you kicked out of your rehearsal space. All of which is why real amps aren’t designed that way.

Twice as nice

We interpret a 10 dB increase in amplitude as a doubling of volume. 

Parts of a sound wave

Timbre and envelope are two characteristics of sound waves that help determine why, say, two instruments can play the same chords but sound nothing alike. 

Timbre is determined by the unique harmonics formed by the combination of notes in a chord. The A in an A chord is only its fundamental note—you also have overtones and undertones. The way these sound together helps keep a piano from sounding like a guitar, or an angry grizzly bear from sounding like a rumbling tractor engine. 

[Related: Even plants pick up on good vibes]

But we also rely on envelopes, which determine how a sound’s amplitude changes over time. A cello’s note might swell slowly to its maximum volume, then hold for a bit before gently fading out again. On the other hand, a slamming door delivers a quick, sharp, loud sound that cuts off almost instantly. Envelopes comprise four parts: Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release. In fact, they’re more formally known as ADSR Envelopes. 

• Attack: This is how quickly the sound achieves its maximum volume. A barking dog has a very short attack; a rising orchestra has a slower one. 
• Decay: This describes how fast the sound settles into its sustained volume. When a guitar player plucks a string, the note starts off loudly but quickly settles into something quieter before fading out completely. The time it takes to hit that sustained volume is decay. 
• Sustain: Sustain isn’t a measure of time; it’s a measure of amplitude, or volume. It’s how loud the plucked guitar note is after the initial attack but before it fades out. 
• Release: This is the time it takes for the note to drift off to silence. 

Sound’s velocity, or the speed it travels at, differs depending on the density (and even temperature) of the medium it’s moving through—it’s faster in the air than water, for instance. Generally, sound moves at 1,127 feet per second, or 767.54 miles per hour. When jets break the sound barrier, they’re traveling faster than that. And knowing these numbers lets you estimate the distance of a lightning strike by counting the time between the flash and thunder’s boom—if you count to 10, it’s approximately 11,270 feet away, or about a quarter-mile. (Very roughly, of course.) 

A stimulating experience

Anyone can benefit from understanding the fundamentals of sound and what sound waves are. Musicians and content creators with home recording set-ups and studio monitors obviously need a working knowledge of frequencies and amplitude. If you host a podcast, you’ll want as many tools as possible to ensure your voice sounds clear and rich, and this can include understanding the frequencies of your voice, what microphones are best suited to them, and how to set up your room to reflect or dampen the sounds you do or do not want. Having some foundational information is also useful when doing home-improvement projects—when treating a recording workstation, for instance, or just soundproofing a new enclosed deck. And who knows, maybe one day you’ll want to shatter glass. Having a better understanding of the physics of sound opens up wonderful new ways to explore and experience the world around us. Now, go out there and make some noise!

This post has been updated. It was originally published on July 27, 2021.

The post How do sound waves work? appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		Sennheiser MKH 416		SEE IT	Professional sonics and build capture the sound and fury of whatever you’re doing, wherever you are.
Best compact		Rode NTG3B		SEE IT	A relatively moderate price tag but wide frequency response means this giant sound from a small package.
Best for DSLR		Rode VideoMic Pro+		SEE IT	Able to run off of AA batteries, with a build that belies its affordable price tag, this is a perfect beginner mic.

Shotgun mics are flexible tools for capturing natural, focused sound for film and television, environmental recordings, sporting and live events, vlogs, or voice-overs. Their narrow pickup pattern rejects noise from the sides and, to a certain extent, the back, keeping the focus on your subject. The best shotgun mics are light enough to mount on a camera or carry on a boom pole all day and, in many cases, built with enough durability to survive the rough-and-tumble life of location recording. 

Plenty of times, you’re on the street or live streaming and don’t have the luxury of individually miking people, or you’re filming a scene where you can’t have a visible lavalier mic. That’s why you’ll find top-notch shotgun mics throughout the professional world—often accompanied by professional-level prices. But shotguns have been around for a while, and these ubiquitous tools of the trade are often inexpensive enough that even beginners and budget-minded users can add quality equipment to their kit bags. 

With every reputable—and less than reputable—microphone manufacturer producing them, it’s sometimes hard to figure out which shotgun mics deliver on their promise of great sound. So to help you out, we’ve rounded up a list of tips, advice, and the best shotgun mics.  

• Best overall: Sennheiser MKH 416
• Best compact: Rode NTG3B
• Best for DSLR: Rode VideoMic Pro+
• Best for most situations: Shure VP89M
• Best professional: Neumann KMR 81 i
• Best mini: Rode VideoMicro II
• Premium pick: Schoeps CMIT 5
• Best budget: Audio-Technica AT897

How we chose the best shotgun mics

We based our selection of the best shotgun mics on our own personal experience in the film, TV, and professional audio worlds, as well as conversations with other professional audio engineers and filmmakers, experts at equipment rental houses, and musicians. We consulted specialty review sites, industry trade magazines, and blogs, and read through the online impressions of typical users to see if performance typically matched a mic’s promise. In evaluating our selections, we prioritized sound quality and looked at construction (including moisture resistance), price, size, and how each microphone is powered.

The best shotgun mics: Reviews & Recommendations

Shotgun mics are ideal for recording dialogue on a movie set, the action on the court at a basketball game, or animals out in nature. It’s important to note that no shotguns will reject all off-axis sound. But they do an excellent job of keeping the focus on your subject.

Best overall: Sennheiser MKH 416

Sennheiser Pro Audio

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Specs

• Weight: 6.17 ounces
• Length: 9.84 inches
• Frequency response: 40 Hz – 20 kHz

Pros

• Wide frequency response for clear, natural sound
• Tight polar pattern isolates sound sources
• Moisture resistant

Cons

• Expensive

Sennheiser’s name repeatedly pops up when discussing the best microphones, and the venerable German manufacturer doesn’t slack off with their flagship MKH 416 shotgun mic. This professional-grade piece of kit has a wide 40-20,000 Hz frequency response, with a hyper-cardioid polar pattern at the low to mid frequencies that does an excellent job of rejecting off-axis sounds while zeroing in on the dialogue and other mid-frequency sources.

The shotgun works great indoors or out across various environments, thanks to an RF condenser design that’s highly moisture-resistant. And the MKH 416’s compact and light construction makes it easy to mount the mic on a boom pole without sacrificing maneuverability or tiring out your operator.

Make no mistake; you can get excellent shotgun mics for less money. But as good as they are, none provide the combined level of sonic quality, robust construction, and all-around utility of the MKH 416.

Best compact: Rode NTG3B

RØDE Microphones

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Specs

• Weight: 5.75 ounces
• Length: 10.4 inches
• Frequency response: 40 Hz – 20 kHz

Pros

• Wide frequency response for natural sound
• Moisture resistant 
• Easy to mount on a camera or boom

Cons

• Slightly thinner sounding

Rode makes excellent mics. And thanks to its relatively moderate price tag, the NTG3B represents a common first step into the world of high-quality microphones. But thanks to its wide, natural 40-20,000 Hz frequency response and excellent build quality, it’s also the last stop for many pro and semi-pro indie filmmakers, documentarians, broadcast journalists, podcasters, and in-house audio-video teams.

It has excellent off-axis rejection, and its RF condenser technology protects it from moderate moisture. It isn’t quite as sensitive or directional as our top pick, Sennheiser’s MKH 416, but it usually costs about $300 less—and includes a handy metal case. For all but the most demanding users, that is often worth the trade-off. It’s still not what we’d consider “budget-priced,” but you definitely get what you pay for in terms of sonic integrity and build. 

Best for DSLR: Rode VideoMic Pro+

RØDE Microphones

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Specs

• Weight: 4.3 ounces
• Length: 6.69 inches
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz

Pros

• Built-in shockmount resists handling noise
• Extremely compact design
• Multiple power options
• 3.5mm TRS connectors

Cons

• No XLR connectivity
• Off-axis rejection could be better

Rode designed this compact and handy shotgun mic with mobile journalists, vloggers, and run-and-gun shooters in mind. It connects to cameras or audio recorders via a 3.5mm TRS cable and features an integrated shockmount that protects it from handling noise. The VideoMic Pro+ also has a built-in cold-shoe mount—so no extra arms or connectors are needed to mount it on your camera. 

The mic can be tuned to handle different recording environments, with buttons providing low-cut filters at 75 Hz or 150 Hz. You can also boost the frequency at 7 kHz if things start sounding a bit muddy. The mic has adjustable gain, as well, to help compensate for very loud or soft sounds. 

The VideoMic Pro+ won’t accept phantom power, but it does allow you to use AA batteries, Rode’s rechargeable battery, or an external battery that can connect via USB. 

With a shorter barrel, this shotgun mic sometimes has trouble rejecting off-axis sounds, especially in environments with large and noisy crowds. But if you want to keep your kit low-profile and nimble, this trade-off might be worth it.

Premium pick: Schoeps CMIT 5

Schoeps

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Specs 

• Weight: 3.35 ounces
• Length: 9.88 inches
• Frequency response: 40 Hz – 20 kHz

Pros

• Natural sound
• Three switchable filters
• Shielded against electronic interference
• Compact design

Cons 

• Very expensive.
• Sensitive to environmental issues

Shoeps makes some of the best-sounding microphones in the business, and the CMIT 5 is no exception. It has a frequency response of 40-20,000 Hz tuned to provide flat, transparent, natural audio. But it also has three filters in case some additional acoustic sculpting is required: increase vocal clarity with a 5 dB boost at 10 Hz; roll off some bass at 300 Hz to offset proximity effect; or do a steep cut below 80 Hz to help wrangle handling-noise from a mic boom. It’s designed to perform best when paired with a high-gain mic preamp and is ideal for high-end applications like capturing dialogue, foley work, sound effects, or recording nuanced instruments.

However, Schoeps mics are some of the most sensitive to environmental issues like humidity. You don’t want to bring the CMIT 5 into the jungle or shoot down in Florida outside of an environmentally controlled building. This microphone is for the studio, concert hall, or closed set.

Remember that the best of the best comes with a high price tag, and the Schoeps CMIT 5 might be more microphone than many people outside the professional field need. 

Most versatile: Shure VP89M

Shure

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Specs 

• Weight: 4.9 ounces
• Length: 9.41 inches (Capsule), 4.02 inches (Preamp)
• Frequency response: 50 Hz to 20 kHz

Pros

• Unique modular capsule design
• Excellent sound quality
• Switchable low-cut filter
• Rugged yet lightweight build quality

Cons

• Requires 11 to 52 VDC phantom power

If you record in various situations, you typically need multiple shotgun mics to suit each scenario. But the Shure VP89M offers a unique modular design with interchangeable capsules, so you can stick with one mic even across indoor or outdoor applications. This version has a medium capsule, but you can also purchase short and long capsules to round out your kit. 

Shure built this mic around a Class-A transformerless preamplifier. It features a switchable low-cut filter to assist with less-than-desirable bass frequencies. The Medium capsule provides a narrow 50-degree acceptance angle, while the Long capsule offers a narrower angle, and the Short is wider. The mic produces a clean and natural sound that is very well-balanced. And it can easily pick up sound from up to 10 feet away, making it a worthy long-range mic option.

The Shure VP89M features a standard XLR 3-pin output. The aircraft-grade aluminum alloy construction adds to its durability but keeps the mic lightweight, making it easier to use for long periods. And it can operate in a wide range of temperatures and humidity levels. Though you must purchase the different capsules separately, this comes with a windscreen and carrying case. 

Best professional: Neumann KMR 81 i

Neumann

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Specs 

• Weight: 5 ounces
• Length: 8.9 inches
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz

Pros

• Warm, clear sound
• Works in a variety of situations
• Low sensitivity to wind and handling noise
• Compact enough to mount on a camera

Cons

• Expensive

Neumann makes some of the best microphones, and the KMR 81 i is no exception. It has a steep price tag, but you get a lot for that high price. It is a super-cardioid mic and uses a pressure gradient transducer and an interference tube depending on the wavelength of the frequency for versatile use. 

The Neumann KMR 81 i is compact and light enough to be used on a camera for handheld shooting. Though the mic is specifically designed for film and TV applications, it also works well for recording individual musicians, orchestras, and more. The limited off-axis coloration keeps the sound consistent even if the subject is moving around. 

Most importantly, the KMR 81 i produces a high-quality, clear, warm sound. The 90-degree recording angle picks up just the right amount of sound. It offers switches to control a 200Hz low-cut filter and a -10dB pad to reduce traffic and wind noises. It also comes with a windscreen for even better results when outdoors. You’ll also get a leather carrying case and a one-year warranty.

Best mini: Rode VideoMicro II

Abby Ferguson

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Specs 

• Weight: 1.4 ounces
• Length: 3.1 inches
• Frequency response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz

Pros

• Very compact and lightweight
• Affordable
• Straightforward and easy to use
• Excellent sound quality

Cons

• Only supports 3.5mm analog output

The Rode VideoMicro II, is, as the name suggests, tiny. At only 3.1 inches long and weight 1.4 ounces, it’s smaller than just about everything out there. This small shotgun mic is ideal for beginners getting into filmmaking or vlogging, partly because of its compact size. It’s also very simple to use. You mount it to your camera’s hot shoe, plug in the 3.5mm TRS cable, and you are good to go. It can even connect to a smartphone or tablet should you want to.

The VideoMicro II is also reasonably priced, under $100. But, despite the budget-friendly price, it produces quality sound. It comes with both foam and furry windshields, which do an excellent job of filtering out background noise. And Rode’s built-in HELIX isolation mount system keeps noise from any knocks and bumps down to a minimum. 

The mic has no physical controls, so you are more limited than when using more expensive models. But it only draws a tiny bit of power from your camera, so you won’t have to cut recordings short to charge back up. The short form factor even makes it feasible to use on gimbals, making it an ideal microphone choice for run-and-gun videographers and vloggers.

Best budget: Audio-Technica AT897

Audio-Technica

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Specs 

• Weight: 5.11 ounces
• Length: 10.98 inches
• Frequency response: 20 Hz – 20 kHz

Pros

• Inexpensive
• 80 Hz low-cut switch
• Lightweight
• Battery and phantom powered

Cons

• Susceptible to moisture
• Slightly brittle sounding 

With microphones, you often get what you pay for. But Audio-Technica’s AT897 delivers high-quality results while still costing less than $250. Its wide 20-20,000 Hz frequency response, with a switchable roll-off at 80 Hz, allows the mic to capture very natural sound. That said, the response across all those frequencies could be flatter, and you can expect some brittleness in the higher end that you won’t find on more professional-grade mics. Off-axis sound rejection is good but not great.

The AT897 is built like a tank, and while I wouldn’t suggest tossing it onto concrete or driving over it with a truck, it’ll generally survive the mishaps you’re likely to encounter when recording on location or out in nature. However, it’s susceptible to moisture and high humidity, so keep an eye on the weather if you’re using it outdoors. 

A nice bonus: This mic can run off an AA battery, which is particularly handy when the budget doesn’t allow for recorders or cameras that supply phantom power—for instance, in a classroom. Despite some shortcomings, this is an excellent shotgun microphone for beginners who want to develop their technique, schools, or anyone operating under a tight budget while still wanting plenty of features and quality. 

Things to consider before buying the best shotgun mics

Microphones have polar, or response, patterns, which describe how they “hear” sound sources depending on where they’re placed. A shotgun microphone is a type of mic with a very narrow, front-facing response known as a “supercardioid” pattern. This means the mic mostly picks up sound from whatever you point it at while rejecting sound from the sides and, to a lesser extent, the back.

Frequency response

Frequency response is measured in Hertz (Hz) and describes how well the microphone captures sound at different frequencies. Shotgun microphones tend to have very wide, flat responses—that is, they pick up a range of frequencies more or less equally well—to better represent what the human ear can hear. They’re often tuned a bit to help emphasize dialogue and other mid-range frequencies. 

Condenser vs. dynamic microphones

There are two main types of microphones: condenser mics and dynamic mics. In very basic terms, microphones use diaphragms that vibrate when hit by sound waves. These vibrations generate electronic impulses that can be recorded or converted directly back into sound. Condenser mics have very thin diaphragms sensitive to subtle, quiet, nuanced sounds. But they’re more delicate and susceptible to heavy handling and moisture.

Dynamic mics, with their thicker diaphragms, aren’t as good with nuance but do very well when blasted with loud noises. They’re also robust and can survive a lot of abuse. (Singers usually use dynamic mics on stage; if you’ve ever been to a punk show, you’ve seen the damage they can withstand.) 

Because shotguns are meant to capture even whispered dialogue, they’re almost always condenser mics. Some mics—like those in Sennheiser’s MKH series—use RF condensers in their capsules versus AF condensers, which do a better job of resisting humidity. But it’s important to understand the options and even test a mic to ensure you get the right one for the job at hand.

Length

Shotgun mics come in various lengths, from a compact 3 inches or 4 inches to more than one-foot long. Consider how you’ll use the mic when deciding whether you want a compact one. If you’re mounting it on a camera, a smaller profile makes the mic lighter and much more maneuverable. Longer shotguns tend to have tighter polar patterns; they’re great when recording concerts or sporting events, and you want to minimize the overwhelming crowd noise. But put one on a camera, and you’re liable to poke someone’s eye out!   

Power

Like all condenser mics, shotguns require some power source. They usually rely on 48v phantom power delivered from a recording device, mixer, or camera. But some also have an option of using an AA battery, which can be a lifesaver if you find yourself in a situation where phantom power isn’t available. (For instance, some wireless rigs don’t deliver power themselves, so pick up and power up those rechargeable batteries.)

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best shotgun mics

• Best overall: Sennheiser MKH 416
• Best compact: Rode NTG3B
• Best for DSLR: Rode VideoMic Pro+
• Premium pick: Schoeps CMIT 5’
• Most versatile: Shure VP89M
• Best professional: Neumann KMR 81 i
• Best mini: Rode VideoMicro II
• Best budget: Audio-Technica AT897

If you’re shopping for a shotgun microphone, you’ve got a lot of options—that’s the good news. Manufacturers like Sennheiser and Rode make mics at different prices that all deliver excellent audio. The trick is figuring out which mic suits your needs best without accidentally overspending. It’s not easy—and that’s the bad news. Navigating all these microphones takes time and careful research. It also helps to use the mics before you buy one so you can tell from first-hand experience if it’s right for you.

That said, our own experience working with these mics professionally takes us back, time and again, to the classic Sennheiser MKH 416. It’s hard to beat the sound quality, which is simply excellent. But if you can’t quite afford one, Rode’s NTG3B, our pick for the best compact shotgun mic, is an excellent second choice. It sounds almost as good and has the same resistance to humidity. I’ve used both in professional settings and never had any complaints. 

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best shotgun mics in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best Overall		Sanken Cos-11D		SEE IT	Professional-grade audio in a tiny package
Best For DSLR		Sennheiser EW 112P G4		SEE IT	Natural-sounding mic with a powerful wireless kit
Best Mic For Streaming		Audio Technica AT899		SEE IT	A wired lav that’s used throughout many industries

Lavalier mics capture clear and clean audio in a small and lightweight package while leaving people’s hands free for other things. It’s a simple mission, and whether they’re used on a movie set, news broadcast, live presentation, or podcast, these ubiquitous clip-on mics have performed it well for decades. 

Lavaliers—also commonly known as a lapel mic, body mic, or, simply, a lav—come in wired varieties that plug into a power source and then directly into a recorder, computer, mixer, or PA system. Wireless models rely on a small transmitter and receiver pack that allow wearers a full range of unencumbered movement. Both can sound excellent, and choosing the right one depends entirely on your goals.

Lavs have a place in any dedicated audio kit, studio, or camera bag—or attached to your computer for Zoom meetings. And because they’re available at a variety of price points, you don’t need to be a professional sound engineer to afford one. We’ve assembled five of the best lavalier microphones to help you cut through the noise and find the one that best suits your needs.

• Best lavalier mic: Sanken Cos-11D
• Best for DSLR: Sennheiser EW 112P G4
• Best for iPhone: Rode smartLav+
• Best mic for streaming: Audio Technica AT899
• Best budget: Giant Squid Audio Labs

How we chose the best lavalier mics 

When considering which lavalier microphones to include in our recommendations, we relied on our own experience and also consulted with other professionals in the film, TV, streaming, and recording worlds to find out which mics they use. We read trade journals and websites and checked online impressions to see what typical users thought of the equipment. We narrowed the field down to 10 excellent microphones, focusing first and foremost on audio quality and then considering size, types of connectors, power sources, and, of course, price. When evaluating wireless kits, we evaluated the quality of the lav first and then looked at transmitter and receiver specs to check things like the robustness of their signals, their effectiveness in handling interference, and the flexibility of their features.

The best lavalier mics: Reviews & Recommendations

Best overall: Sanken Cos-11D

Sanken

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Why it made the cut: This professional-grade microphone captures the human voice without noticeable coloration, and its small size makes it easy to hide. No wonder you’ll find the Cos-11D on many TV and movie sets.

Specs

• Frequency Range: 50Hz-20kHz
• Connection Type: XLR-3M, Locking 3.5mm TRS
• Polar Pattern: Omni-Directional

Pros

• Natural, open sound
• Small and easy to hide
• Picks up very little clothing rustle
• Resistant to sweat and moisture

Cons

• More expensive than many lavs

The Sanken Cos-11D condenser mic has a frequency response of 50Hz to 20kHz and captures wide, open, and natural sound. This 4mm lavalier hides easily under clothes, and a small boost in the upper-mid frequencies helps to counter any muffling effect.

With an omnidirectional polar pattern, the mic captures audio clearly even when positioned off-axis—it’s pretty forgiving when not placed perfectly. A built-in mesh screen helps resist RF interference while also providing a fair degree of protection against sweat and smeary makeup. Sanken makes the lapel mic in various connector configurations to fit any use and it comes with an alligator clip; small snap-on windscreen; and plastic sleeve to help when mounting it under clothes.

Finding fault with the Cos-11D isn’t easy, but this level of quality comes with a higher price tag. If your budget isn’t there yet, or your applications just aren’t as demanding as the professional broadcast world, other mics can deliver excellent sound in almost as small a package for less money.

Best for DSLR: Sennheiser EW 112P G4

Sennheiser Pro Audio

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Why it made the cut: Sennheiser pairs their excellent ME2-II microphone with a flexible wireless transmitter and receiver for a kit that won’t tie up filmmakers or streamers with extra cables.

Specs

• Frequency Range: 50Hz-18kHz
• Connection Type: Locking 3.5mm TRS
• Polar Pattern: Omni-Directional

Pros

• Rugged construction
• Easy to set up
• Comes with transmitter and receiver

Cons

• Requires a lot of batteries
• Audio can sound somewhat boxy

Sennheiser’s EW112P wireless kit includes their ME2-II omnidirectional microphone, a wireless transmitter, and receiver. It’s a clean-sounding, affordable kit that’s become a workhorse on indie films, documentaries, live presentations, worship services, business events—basically, any situation where movement is key. The 5.6-ounce receiver won’t weigh down your digital single-lens reflex (DSLR) camera and the transmitter easily slips into a pocket or clips to a belt. 

The microphone 50Hz to 18Khz frequency response doesn’t match those found on higher-end, professional lavaliers. But it still performs well without coloring the sound too much or adding mud to the low-end. The mic handles sudden boosts in volume well. Like other mics with omnidirectional polar patterns, the ME2-II isn’t picky about where you place it. However, it’s susceptible to rustling from clothes, so be careful if trying to hide it. 

The plastic and metal transmitter sends a signal up to 330 feet and features 1680 RF channels to help you avoid interference from other wireless sources. Digital displays on both the transmitter and receiver provide information on battery status, output level, and RF level. Each runs on convenient AA batteries, though you’ll want to buy a lot of them—best practices are that you change batteries before each shoot just to be safe. The kit includes cables terminating in both XLR and 3.5 TRS jacks for connecting the receiver to any kind of camera, as well as a convenient, plastic cold-shoe mount. 

Best for iPhone: Rode smartLav+

Rode

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Why it made the cut: The smartLav+ includes Rode’s iPhone recording app that features editing functions and EQ settings, and can export files to SoundCloud and Dropbox.  

Specs 

• Frequency Range: 20Hz-20kHz
• Connection Type: 3.5mm TRRS
• Polar Pattern: Omni-Directional

Pros

• Kevlar-reinforced cable resists stretching and tearing
• Included pop filter to cut down on plosive B and P sounds
• Custom iPhone recording app
• Compatible with third-party recording apps

Cons

• May require a TRRS-to-TRS adapter for use with some DSLRs.
• No version of Rode’s app for Android devices

Rode has a reputation for building affordable, high-quality mics. The smartLav+ plugs into an iPhone and you can use the company’s custom app to record, edit, and upload your audio. It’s great for anyone looking for a simple, streamlined recording solution that doesn’t require additional equipment. This body mic will work with Android phones as well, but you’ll need a third-party app. You can also plug it into DSLRs and mirrorless cameras, but you consult the camera’s manual to see if you’ll also need a TRRS-to-TRS adapter. 

As expected, this omnidirectional microphone picks up sound from all sides for easy use. It comes with a pop-filter to cut down on plosives—the hard B, P, and T sounds that can wreak havoc on a recording. Kevlar-reinforcing protects the cable from snapping, and the included mic mount includes an extra clip to help with wire management.   

Best mic for streaming: Audio Technica AT899

Audio-Technica

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Why It made the cut: The AT899’s small profile won’t distract your viewers, and it works off an included battery pack or 48v phantom power, making it easy to integrate into any type of streaming studio. 

Specs

• Frequency Range: 20Hz-20kHz
• Connection Type: XLR
• Polar Pattern: Omni-Directional

Pros

• Professional-quality sound
• Small profile
• Multiple power options
• Includes battery pack

Cons

• Moderately expensive

The AT899 is a wired lavalier that offers professional-quality sound in a small, flexible package suitable for any streaming studio. The included power-pack connects the mic to any device, including computer interfaces, mobile recorders, or cameras. But this lav also supports 48-volt phantom power for streamlined integration into higher-end mixing consoles, streaming interfaces, or pre-amps.

The low-profile 5mm hides easily under clothes; but even when exposed, it’s small enough that it won’t distract your audience. A wide, flat 20Hz-20kHz frequency response captures the nuances of the human voice and an omnidirectional polar pattern offers flexibility.

You’ll need an XLR to 3.5mm TRS adapter if you want to plug it directly into a DSLR or computer without a balanced audio interface.

Best budget: Giant Squid Audio Labs

Giant Squid Audio Lab Company

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Why it made the cut: This lavalier from Giant Squid Audio Labs has a low price and surprisingly wide frequency response, making it ideal for people with tight budgets. 

Specs 

• Frequency Range: 20Hz-20kHz
• Connection Type: 3.5mm TRS
• Polar Pattern: Omni-Directional

Pros

• Good sounding for a sub-$100 mic
• Convenient six-foot cord
• Low price

Cons

• Windscreen falls off easily
• Needs a TRRS adapter for smartphone use

With microphones, you often get what you pay for. However, Giant Squid Labs has done a nice job of delivering a reasonably flat-sounding lavalier for less than $50. Does it compete with a Sanken Cos-11D? Of course not—but the Sanken is about eight times the price. Still, Giant Squid Labs’ 20Hz-20kHz frequency response captures reasonably natural sound—even if it lacks a lot of the presence found in higher-end mics.

This budget lapel mic comes with an alligator clip, small windscreen, and a 6-foot cord. The latter is nice; no one looks great in a Zoom meeting when sitting too close to a web camera. And the windscreen helps cut down on noise when using the mic outside. However, it falls off easily, so consider avoiding heavy winds. The mic connects to a computer or other device using a 3.5mm TRS connector. If you want to use it with a smartphone, you’ll need a TRS-to-TRRS adapter.

Things to consider before buying the best lavalier mics

Wired or wireless

Lavalier microphones come in two basic varieties: Wired and wireless. Wired lavs connect to a small power source (usually an AA battery pack) that plugs into a recorder, PA system, or computer interface. It’s a strong signal path that won’t suffer from any interference. However, the length of the mic cable limits the wearer’s movement.

Wireless lavaliers plug into a small, wearable transmitter that sends the audio signal to a receiver plugged into a recorder or PA system. Wireless lavaliers provide complete freedom of movement, making them useful for video projects or presentations. While the transmitters and receivers have adjustable channels and frequencies to help avoid interference, sometimes they’ll still run into trouble in areas with too many other wireless systems. 

Pick-up pattern

Microphones have something called pick-up (or polar) patterns, which describe the way mics capture or reject sound. Most lavaliers have either omnidirectional or cardioid patterns. The first picks up sound evenly from all sides, a handy trick when there’s no way to perfectly position the mic. An omnidirectional mic attached to someone’s collar will capture sound almost as well as one placed on a lapel or tie. Mics with cardioid patterns, on the other hand, are directional, requiring more careful placement—make sure they’re pointed toward the speaker’s mouth. A less forgiving mic might sound like a big drawback, but because cardioid patterns are better at rejecting sound from the sides, these lavs work well in noisy spaces. When purchasing a body mic, think hard about the environment where you’ll use it the most.  

Power

Many lavaliers are condenser mics, and condensers need external power to operate. And let’s not forget, wireless mics require power for their transmitters and receivers. In either case, most of these body mics, as well as transmitters and receivers, run off AA batteries. Best practices say to change batteries before each use to avoid the risk of bad audio—or transmitters that drop signals entirely. Be prepared to stock up on AAs, and factor that into your budget. Good quality rechargeables will cost more at the outset, but they will cut costs and waste in the long run. 

Some lavaliers also accept 48+ volt phantom power from recorders, mixers, cameras, or other sources. These also have battery packs for use with other equipment. And other mics, like Rode’s smartLav+, can draw power through their 3.5mm jack. 

Connectors

The wires connected to lavaliers can terminate in a number of different jacks, including XLR, 3.5-inch TRS, and 3.5-inch TRRS for use with smartphones. Many companies manufacture their best clip-on mics in a variety of jack configurations. 

Durability

Lavaliers often take a lot of abuse. Not only can they get banged around, but their wires get twisted, and they’re sometimes attached to sweaty bodies. The best clip-on mics are durably built with at least a nod toward protecting them from low levels of moisture. Don’t submerge them, but don’t be afraid to attach them to someone who might be working in the sun all day. 

Attachments

Clip-on mics can attach to people in a variety of ways. Alligator-style clips are common and use a loop made from metal or rubber to hold the mic in place. If you don’t have anywhere to clip something like that, vampire clips use two small pins to attach the mic to clothing (hence the name). There are also magnetic attachments, which have a small metal disk that gets placed inside a shirt, and a small, magnetized loop that connects to it and holds the mic. Third-party manufacturers also make small foam or plastic sleeves that encase mics to minimize the rustling noise when hidden under clothes. Most lavaliers come with at least some basic attachments, but when buying others, find one that isn’t too big or small for your lav. 

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best lavalier mics

If you’re looking for the cleanest, clearest, professional-quality lavalier for your film or streaming program, and you’re not worried about your budget, then I absolutely recommend the Sanken Cos-11D. It’s become my go-to mic on documentaries and TV shows, and I often pair it with a Sennheiser wireless transmitter and receiver for the most flexibility. 

But I’ve also used mics that cost a third as much. Before I upgraded to the Sanken, I was happy with the Sennheiser ME2-II lav that comes in the EW 112P G4 wireless kit. As long as I placed it carefully and watched my levels, it never let me down. I still carry it in my kit as a backup. 

In the end, great equipment won’t do much if you don’t know how to use it. Take the time to learn proper miking techniques and develop your skills. 

The post The best lavalier mics of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		BenQ TK850		SEE IT	A top-tier true UHD DLP 4K cinema experience.
Best HD		Epson Home Cinema 3800		SEE IT	A 3LCD HD projector that competes with 4K.
Best portable		Anker Nebula Solar		SEE IT	Ultra-portable and battery-powered for taking the show(s) on the road.

As the weather warms up, outside activities heat up, and outdoor projectors transform the natural world into open-air movie theaters. They feature powerful lamps for use even when the sun hasn’t fully set or the streetlights are on, and they’re light enough to make moving them from your media room to your deck easy on your back. Many projectors suited for outdoor use include features like rechargeable batteries, smart TV operating systems, and robust speakers to help streamline set-up. Most importantly, just like any projector you’d buy for indoor use, they don’t skimp on important image specs, such as color, contrast, and resolution. When you don’t want your cul-de-sac drive-in to become a giant car wreck of a viewing experience, turn to the best outdoor projectors. 

• Best overall: BenQ TK850
• Best HD: Epson Home Cinema 3800
• Best portable: Anker Nebula Solar
• Best for daylight: Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K Projector
• Best for rooftops: Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12
• Best for streaming: XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro Mini Projector
• Best budget: GooDee Video Projector 2022

How we chose the best outdoor projector

When considering the best outdoor projectors for our recommendations, we relied on our experience with home-theater projectors. Also, we reached out to professionals in the TV and AV worlds to discuss their favorite projector brands and the types of specs they care about when shopping. We read trade journals and websites, sifting through reviews to get the impressions of typical users. We narrowed our selection of projectors down to 10, focusing on image quality. Color, contrast, and resolution were all taken into account. Balanced against these specs were features making the projector most suited to outdoor use, including brightness, portability, and versatility. Price was an important factor, especially regarding “bang for your buck,” though it wasn’t of primary concern when judging the higher-end categories of projectors. 

The best outdoor projectors: Reviews & Recommendations

Shopping for outdoor projectors can be tricky, filled with jargon, numbers, and an endless parade of acronyms. If you want the most out of your home-theater experience, there’s much to learn, especially when hosting backyard movie night. So read on for guidance in choosing the best outdoor projectors to watch the stars under the stars.

Best overall: BenQ TK850

BenQ

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Why it made the cut: True 4K resolution, excellent picture quality, and a relatively lightweight build make this projector our top choice despite a higher price tag.  

Specs

• Brightness: 3,000 ANSI Lumens
• Contrast Ratio: 30,000:1
• Weight: 9.8 pounds

Pros

• Native 4K resolution
• Lightweight design that’s easy to carry outdoors
• 10-bit HDR processing

Cons

• Expensive

The TK850 continues BenQ’s reputation for making excellent home theater projectors with a true UHD DLP unit that’s bright enough for outdoor use even under higher ambient light levels. The 30,000:1 contrast ratio isn’t the highest we’ve seen. However, it still delivers detailed blacks and lush colors (covering the DCI-P3 color space), thanks in no small part to the high-end 10-bit HDR (High Dynamic Range) processor and 12-bit imaging processor, plus a dynamic iris. The high-lumen projector’s lens array features 10 individual elements—the glass inside the lens—that work to increase color, brightness, and sharpness. The image size can be a nice, theatrical-feeling 300 inches. 

Lots of projectors in the TK850’s price range have great specs, but BenQ’s 4K projector hits above its weight class—literally. At only 9.8 pounds, it’s a cinch to move movie night from the living room out to the deck. Vertical lens shift and keystone correction work alongside the 1.3x zoom lens to make positioning the projector easier. The built-in 10-watt CinemaMaster Audio+2 speakers are good enough that, at least with smaller events, you won’t need to run external speakers. Connect your media—whether a Blu-ray player, computer, Fire or Roku TV stick, or set-top streaming box—via two HDMI ports or a USB 3.0 data input (so don’t forget those HDMI cables). Or pay an extra $100 for a model with built-in Android TV. If you’re looking for the best outdoor projector for gaming, consider the BenQ X1300i.

Best HD: Epson Home Cinema 3800

Epson

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Why it made the cut: This ultra-bright HD projector delivers a cinema-like picture with brilliant colors and deep blacks even when it’s not completely dark. 

Specs

• Brightness: 3,000 ANSI Lumens
• Contrast Ratio: 100,000:1
• Weight: 15.2 pounds

Pros

• Accurate color
• Can display 4K content using pixel shifting
• Easy-to-adjust settings
• Wide variety of inputs

Cons

• Expensive
• Somewhat heavy

The Epson 3800 projector is an excellent outdoor choice for anyone who doesn’t need native 4K resolution but still wants a large, movie-theater-quality picture. And with a contrast ratio of 100,000:1 and 10-bit HDR color processing, this 3LCD projector will give you deep blacks and bold colors (100% of the RGB color signal) on a screen up to 300 inches from corner to corner. 

What’s more, the 3800 can still deliver a 4K image—sort of. While its native resolution is 1920 x 1080, it uses a technology called pixel shifting to interpolate the missing pixels and fill out a full UHD frame. Is it perfect? No, and at the maximum screen size some loss of sharpness has been reported. But at, say, 150-200 inches, issues become much less noticeable. 

At 14.1 pounds, the projector isn’t as heavy as units meant to live permanently in a media room, but it’s also not a complete lightweight. The same could be said for this smart projector’s $1,700 price tag, which is a bit high for an HD unit. On the other hand, the superb picture quality and ability to play 4K movies without having to down-res them to HD are worth the extra bucks for this high-quality projector. The Epson also features dual HDMI 2.0 ports, dual USB ports, dual 10-watt speakers, and Bluetooth connectivity for easy integration into any media environment.

Best portable: Anker Nebula Solar

NEBULA

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Why it made the cut: Lightweight, battery-powered, and featuring built-in Android TV, this projector travels easily and delivers a strong picture despite a relatively low brightness rating. 

Specs

• Brightness: 400 ANSI Lumens
• Contrast Ratio: 1,000:1
• Weight: 3.1 pounds

Pros

• Very lightweight
• Up to three hours of battery life
• Built-in Android TV
• Native HD resolution but can accept 4K inputs

Cons

• Picture suffers in ambient light
• Color accuracy could be better

This 3.1-pound, battery-powered projector is built for on-the-go use. Fully charged, it runs for 1 1/2 hours in Standard mode and 3 hours in Battery mode—albeit with a dip in brightness. That’s usually enough for a couple of episodes of your favorite series or one movie. And don’t worry about carrying media around with you because the built-in Android TV includes apps to connect to all the major streaming services (though you’ll need access to a WiFi network and a Google account). Built-in dual 3-watt speakers can handle Dolby Digital Plus encoded audio and are loud enough for a decent-sized screening out on the lawn, though the sound quality could be better. 

The Solar Portable accepts 4K signals and down-converts them to its native 1080p resolution. In HD mode, colors were nuanced (if just a bit off), and shadows maintained a lot of detail, even in dark scenes. However, 4K content requires some contrast adjustment and never improves on the 1080p image. Also, while the projector is bright enough to deliver a nice 180-inch image, don’t expect to go much larger without the picture starting to go soft. 

When considering a projector like the Solar Portable, it’s all about weighing priorities. You might be giving up a larger image and a bit of color accuracy, but you’ll gain the portability that could have you watching movies in unique places like a treehouse, the middle of a field, or on a hill where you first proposed to your spouse. A combination of factors makes this outdoor movie projector one of our favorite portable projectors.

Best for daylight: Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K Projector

Anker

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Why it made the cut: This 4K UHD laser projector provides images you can watch in daylight with built-in Android TV, two 10-watt speakers, and a handle that lets you easily transport it.

Specs

• Brightness: 1,840 ANSI Lumens
• Contrast Ratio: 1,500,000:1 dynamic 
• Weight: 10.7 pounds

Pros

• Impressive brightness
• 3840 x 2160 display resolution 
• 4K laser system
• Built-in Android TV

Cons

• Expensive

For those looking to create a cinematic experience in all kinds of light, the Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K Projector can help you do it. The 4K UHD laser projector comes equipped with 1,840 ANSI Lumens and 3840 x 2160 display resolution for a bright and vivid picture even on a sunny day. Outdoor projector setup is easy for this model, which is available in 1080p and 4K versions. The Nebula Cosmos is also designed with intelligent technology that allows it to adapt to the environment for a display of up to 150 inches. This daylight projector also has two 10-watt speakers and two 5-watt tweeters, creating an immersive sound experience. 

The built-in Android 10 TV provides access to more than 400,000 movies and 7,000 apps and streaming services. And it’s designed with an ergonomic handle that lets you easily move it from the living room to the backyard. That said, the lack of battery and corded electric power will be a factor in the settings in which you can use this projector.

Best for rooftops: Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12

Epson

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Why it made the cut: This small and light projector is easy to lug up a few flights of stairs but comes in heavy with its picture quality and built-in Android TV. 

Specs

• Brightness: 1,000 ANSI Lumens
• Contrast Ratio: 200,000:1
• Weight: 4.7 pounds

Pros

• Native 1080p resolution
• Supports 4K media (down-converted to HD)
• 3-chip LCD avoids rainbow artifacts
• Built-in Android TV
• Excellent speakers

Cons

• No 3D support
• Could be brighter

Movies on the rooftop in the summer—what could be more fun? The EpiqVision Mini EF12 is small and light enough to perch on even the highest roof and delivers a gorgeous 1080p picture once you’re there. The integrated Android TV means you don’t have to go back downstairs to grab a Blu-ray player, and the built-in 5-watt Yamaha stereo speakers save you a trip for extra audio. The 1,000-lumen MicroLaser light source is bright enough for a 140-inch outdoor projector screen if it’s really dark out. Still, it’s more reasonable to expect 80 inches on most neighborhood rooftops awash in light pollution. Thanks to the projector’s 200,000:1 contrast ratio, colors are nicely saturated, and shadow details pop. Three-chip LCD technology displays 100 percent of the RGB color range. Besides the built-in streaming functions, the EpiqVision Mini also has two HDMI inputs for external players. 

Best for streaming: XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro Mini Projector

XGIMI

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Why it made the cut: This lightweight mini projector is Full HD (1080p), has Android TV 11 built-in, and can work with Netflix.

Specs

• Brightness: 400 ISO lumens
• Contrast Ratio: Not available
• Weight: 4.6 pounds

Pros

• Full HD (1080p)
• Android TV 11 built-in
• Lightweight

Cons

• Doesn’t provide as much brightness as other models

The XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro Mini Projector makes it easy to stream your favorites. This mini projector comes internet-ready with Android TV 11 built-in, providing quick access to over 5,000 apps, including Paramount+ and HBO Max (and you can use a streaming device or contact customer service to watch Netflix.) At 4.6 pounds, this wireless projector is designed for portability and just requires two AAA batteries to operate. 

The MoGo Pro 2 supports HDR 10 and features intelligent screen adaption technology that automatically adjust to the viewing space. It’s also 3D-ready. And its two 8-watt speakers work with Dolby Audio for quality sound. That said, it’s not as bright as some other models.

Best budget: GooDee Video Projector 2022

GooDee

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Why it made the cut: Despite some flaws, this projector impressed with its 1080p native resolution and a wide variety of inputs—all for about a 10th of the cost of our top picks.

Specs

• Brightness: 300 ANSI lumens
• Contrast Ratio: 3,000:1
• Weight: 5 pounds

Pros

• True HD resolution
• Dual 3-watt speakers
• Incredibly inexpensive

Cons

• No control for display size
• Hard to adjust the unit height
• No wireless connectivity

The most recent upgrade to the GooDee projector raises the native resolution from 1280 x 768 to full 1080p, a welcome upgrade that improves picture sharpness. A 300-lumen LED doesn’t provide the most light, but the projector can still create a 200-inch picture with respectable color and contrast—thanks in part to a 3,000:1 contrast ratio. It won’t win any awards for the picture quality, but considering that all this is delivered for less than $200, it’s an impressive device.

Expect some compromises at this price when purchasing a budget-friendly projector, however. For one thing, the projector doesn’t perform well with ambient light; wait until the sun is truly down before starting your movie. It also suffers from a dearth of adjustment controls. For instance, you’ll need to move the projector closer or farther from the screen to make the picture bigger or smaller. But the wealth of connectivity and dual 3-watt speakers add to the convenience and value.

Things to consider before buying the best outdoor projector

Projectors shine light on a surface that reflects the light back to our eyes. That means using a projector with a plain, white wall isn’t going to deliver the best picture because too much light gets absorbed by the paint. For the optimal viewing experience, you need to buy a screen—which can run from around $25 to a little over $100, depending on sizes, stands, and accessories. These have reflective surfaces that increase perceived brightness, contrast, and color saturation—all of which our top picks for best outdoor projectors deliver. 

Luminosity

Brightness, measured in ANSI lumens, is one of the most important specs for an outdoor projector. This describes how much light the projector creates. The more light, the bigger and brighter the picture. It also determines how dark a space needs to be for the best projector performance. Since outdoor projectors can’t take advantage of blackout curtains to fight ambient light from a full moon or from inside your neighbor’s home, putting out as much light as possible has distinct benefits. High-end projectors have brightness ratings of 2400 lumens or more, while less-expensive machines deliver somewhat less. While manufacturer claims don’t always match independent testing, the numbers are useful for making general comparisons—a 3,000-lumen projector will be about three times brighter than a 1000-lumen one. Remember, you can’t ever go wrong with more light but brightness isn’t the only specification that matters when selecting a projector. 

Let there be light

Images are created by focusing a light source onto a chip, and that image is then sent through a lens to your screen. Light sources come in three varieties: Lasers, LEDs, and Ultra High Pressure (UHP) lamps. UHPs are most common in mid-range and higher-end projectors and are essentially high-end light bulbs. Yes, they’re bright, but they also generate a lot of heat and, over time, can burn out. Replacements aren’t cheap, though you won’t have to swap out UHPs anywhere near as often as you might have replaced the old incandescent bulbs in your hallway. LEDs and lasers are far more efficient than UHPs, but there’s a significant increase in cost vs. performance, and they’re usually built into high-end models. 

Chips

As mentioned above, projectors use imaging chips to create a picture, and there are three types: Digital Light Processing (DLP), Liquid Crystal Display (LCD), and Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCoS). DLP chips find a home in units at all different price points and deliver average contrast and nice color. Sometimes units will use one DLP chip, while sometimes they use three: one each for the Red, Green, or Blue colors that make up an image. LCD chips can be found on budget to mid-range projectors and often have better color than DLP projectors, but contrast ratios sometimes suffer. Lastly, LCoS chips are used in mid- to high-end projectors; they tend to deliver the best picture quality overall, but cost more.

Single-DLP projectors sometimes suffer from what’s known as “the rainbow effect,” where bright objects on the screen leave very quick, multicolored pixel trails behind them. Many people don’t even notice these artifacts, which is why thousands of single-DLP projectors have been sold and continue to sell. Some people simply aren’t bothered by them. If you have an opportunity to test a single-DLP projector at a store, consider doing so in order to gauge how you feel about the rainbow effect should you encounter it. 

Contrast ratio

Another aspect of picture quality is contrast ratio, or the difference between the black and white output. This is usually expressed as a number representing black followed by a number representing white, with each separated by a colon. So, for instance, something like 15,000:1. 

The greater the difference between black and white, the more color variation the projector displays. An image from a projector with an 18,000:1 contrast ratio will, in most cases, look better than one with a 3,500:1 contrast ratio, with bolder, more true-to-life colors, subtler gradients, and richer blacks. Remember, though, contrast isn’t the only factor in determining picture quality, so always look at the number in the context of all the unit’s specs.  

Resolution

Resolution describes the number of pixels that make up a digital image. A high-definition image is 1920 pixels wide by 1080 pixels high—we often simply call this 1080p. A 4K image (also called Ultra High Definition, or UHD) is twice as large, at 3840 pixels wide (close enough to 4000 to earn the name 4K). The higher the resolution, the sharper the image at large sizes.

A projector that can display a 4K image is wonderful and, since these units also play HD media, you’re covered for whether you’re streaming the latest Marvel movie in ultra high def or you’ve dug out an older Blu-ray. At the same time, many HD projectors use a technology called pixel-shifting to double the 1920 resolution. It’s not perfect, but many people won’t notice the difference, and these projectors cost less money. Also, the resolution isn’t the only factor determining picture quality; many movies look fantastic in HD, especially if you’re not blowing up the picture to monumental proportions. 

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best outdoor projectors

• Best overall: BenQ TK850
• Best HD: Epson Home Cinema 3800
• Best portable: Anker Nebula Solar
• Best for daylight: Anker Nebula Cosmos Laser 4K Projector
• Best for rooftops: Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12
• Best for streaming: XGIMI MoGo 2 Pro Mini Projector
• Best budget: GooDee Video Projector 2022

Choosing the best outdoor projector isn’t too different than choosing the best projector for your home. To capture that cinema experience, you want one that delivers a large picture with bold colors and rich blacks. On top of that, it needs to be bright enough to overpower ambient light and mobile enough to move in and out of the house easily. A tall order, but one we think the BenQ TK850 accomplishes with ease. We also really like Epson’s Home Cinema 3800 and EpiqVision Mini EF12, but the 3800 costs nearly as much as the BenQ while pixel-shifting to achieve a 4K picture. Meanwhile, the EpiqVision Mini EF12—though lighter and cheaper—also uses pixel shifting and is much less bright than the other two. All three have strengths to recommend them, though, depending on your needs and viewing habits.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best outdoor projectors in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		AAXA P7 Mini Projector		SEE IT	A light, bright, mini streaming machine.
Best for movies		Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12		SEE IT	Advanced imaging offers a cinema-like experience.
Best for travel		Anker Nebula Solar		SEE IT	A projector that’s road-worthy and feature-rich.

Mini projectors strike a balance between size, features, price, and image quality. Is it easy to pack big entertainment in a small package? Nope, so when purchasing a mini projector, it’s important to manage your expectations. These units will never match the brightness, resolution, color saturation, contrast, or picture size you get from a full-size projector. On the other hand, try slipping one of those 20-pound monsters into your carry-on bag or using it in a small office or a dorm room. Ideally, the best mini projectors weigh a few pounds or less—sometimes much less—but are bright enough for presentations and to display photos, spec sheets, or whatever else you’d like. 

These small entertainment units often include built-in batteries for truly portable play, and some have Android TV functionality for easy streaming. Integrated speakers are common, and there are often HDMI and USB ports for external media like Blu-ray players, set-top streaming boxes, or USB streaming sticks. Finding the best mini projector that meets your priorities isn’t always easy, so we’ve gathered six of the best mini projectors while also providing some insight into what to look for when you’re shopping.

• Best overall: AAXA P7 Mini Projector
• Best for movies: Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12
• Best for gaming: XGIMI Elfin Mini Projector
• Best pocket-sized: Kodak Luma 450
• Best for travel: Anker Nebula Solar
• Best budget: Kodak Luma 150

How we chose the best mini projectors

When selecting the best mini projectors to include in our recommendations, we relied on our experience with home projectors and we reached out to professionals in the TV and AV worlds to discuss their favorites—as well as the types of specs they care about when shopping. We read trade journals and websites and sifted through online reviews and comments to get the impressions of typical users. We narrowed our selection of projectors down to 10, focusing first and foremost on how the unit balanced image quality against its small, portable size. Color, contrast, and resolution were considered, as were size and weight. Price was an important factor, especially in terms of “bang for your buck,” and additional features—like built-in streaming apps, batteries, and speakers—were evaluated as well.

The best mini projectors: Reviews & Recommendations

A little more compact than some portable projectors, while not as limited in features as a pico projector, the best mini projectors are all-in-one entertainment.

Best overall: AAXA P7 Mini Projector

AAXA

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Why it made the cut: This small, light projector ticks all our boxes with a native 1080p picture, reasonably bright lamp, built-in battery, and an on-board speaker. 

Specs 

• Brightness: 600 lumens
• Size: ‎1.85″ x 1.73″ x 1.06″
• Weight: 1.48 pounds

Pros

• Native 1080p picture
• Included rechargeable battery
• Lots of ports

Cons

• Not 4K

There’s a reason the AAXA P7 Mini Projector is part of our projector coverage. This projector’s DLP lamp delivers a full 1920 x 1080 picture, and its high contrast level produces deep blacks and colors with nice saturation. HDMI and USB-A ports connect the unit to external media players (so don’t forget those HDMI cables).

Its internal battery lasts for 1.5 hours. The internal speaker sounds good, despite being light in the low end. With a brightness of 600 lumens, you get a 120-inch picture before noticing any significant loss of quality.

There are few cons with this mini projector: To watch content from streamers, you’ll need to either connect an HDMI cable or plug in a Google Chromecast. It also doesn’t support 4K. It’s frustrating but not a deal-breaker, given how many other excellent features are present. 

Best for movies: Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12

Epson

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Why it made the cut: Superior contrast, a relatively bright lamp, and advanced imaging technology work to deliver what’s by far the best-looking movies you’ll see from any other projector on this list.  

Specs

• Brightness: 1000 ANSI Lumens
• Size: 6.9” x 6.9” x 5”
• Weight: 4.7 pounds

Pros

• Native 1080p resolution
• Supports 4K media (down-converted to HD)
• 200,000:1 contrast ratio
• Built-in Android TV
• Excellent speakers

Cons

• A bit heavy by mini standards
• Expensive

The EpiqVision Mini EF12 is more expensive than most other mini projectors, but that’s the trade-off for a positively cinematic movie-watching experience. With a native Full HD 1080p resolution and 1,000-ANSI lumen MicroLaser light source, the unit projects a sharp 140-inch picture. Three-chip LCD technology displays 100 percent of the RGB color range, while high contrast and adaptive color correction deliver shadows full of detail and saturated colors that positively pop. 

Built-in Android TV provides access to a full suite of streaming apps, and the EpiqVision Mini has two HDMI inputs for external players. A 5-watt Yamaha speaker delivers robust and clear audio. 

Unfortunately, this Android projector doesn’t have an internal battery, so don’t expect to use it without having access to AC power. It’s also a chunkier piece of gear than many mini projectors on this list—this isn’t dropping into anyone’s pocket. And, again, the price—close to $1,000, compared to all our other sub-$500 choices—might make it a tough buy for anyone watching their budget. But if you prioritize your movies above all else, there’s a reason this is one of our favorite home theater projectors.

Best for gaming: XGIMI Elfin Mini Projector

XGIMI

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: The XGIMI Elfin mini projector enhances gaming by providing a crisp picture, a 3D mode, superior audio quality, and low latency.

Specs

• Brightness: 800 ANSI lumens
• Size: 7.56” x 7.63” x 1.89”
• Weight: 4.41 lbs.

Pros

• 1920 x 1080 resolution
• Features a 3D mode
• Built-in Android TV
• Comes with two Harman Kardon speakers with DTS and Dolby Atmos sound

Cons

• Doesn’t work with iOS
• Some users experienced difficulties with WiFi connection

The XGIMI Elfin Mini Projector is designed for both cinephiles and gamers. Its native Full HD 1080p resolution and 800-ANSI lumen light combine for a crisp 150-inch picture. This pick also comes with built-in Android TV, giving users access to over 5,000 apps, including Google Play, Prime Video, and Disney+.

What sets the Elfin apart is that it comes with a 3D mode that can enhance the gaming experience. This mini projector also features two 3-watt Harman Kardon speakers that work with DTS and Dolby to provide atmospheric sound. The Elfin is also equipped with an autofocus mode, and the low latency of 26.5 milliseconds is another selling point for gamers.

For those looking for a projector with wireless audio, the Elfin connects via Bluetooth 5.0, as well as WiFi, USB, HDMI, and headphones. With its slim profile and at just 4.5 pounds, it’s also easy to tuck this projector into a backpack for travel. And it’s priced lower than some other options. If you’re looking for a larger model, check out our guide to the best projectors for gaming.

Best pocket-sized: Kodak Luma 450

KODAK

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: With native 1080p resolution, this pint-size player delivers a much better picture than you usually get from such small projectors. 

Specs

• Lumens: 200 ANSI lumens
• Size: 4.9” x 4.9” 1.26”
• Weight: 9 ounces

Pros

• 1920 x 1080 resolution
• 4K compatible (down-converted)
• Keystoning 
• 3-hour battery life

Cons

• Not very bright
• Tinny audio

Kodak’s tiny Luma 450 delivers full 1080p resolution with the ability to accept 4K signals (down-converted to HD). The DLP projector’s 200 lumens aren’t high-performance, but good color management and a 3,500:1 contrast ratio help to achieve a decent picture up to about 100 inches. It’s important, however, to make sure the room is nice and dark, as too much ambient light leads to washed-out colors and a loss of details in the shadows.

The Android Smart OS is included, and streaming apps can be downloaded directly to the projector. You can also cast from this wireless projector directly from your smart device or computer, or plug a media player into the projector via HDMI. It also accepts USB streaming sticks and is a great mini projector for iPhone.

The Luma 450’s battery is reported to last three hours and most users seem to get about 2 1/2 hours of life before plugging in—impressive! Less impressive is the small 1-watt speaker system; the audio lacks any sort of body and clarity sometimes suffers during chaotic scenes (luckily, there’s a 3.5mm jack so you can connect to a beefier sound system). 

Best for travel: Anker Nebula Solar

NEBULA

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: Lightweight and featuring built-in Android TV, this battery-powered projector travels easily. 

Specs

• Brightness: 400 ANSI Lumens
• Size: 7.56” x 7.57” x 2.15”
• Weight: 2.8 pounds

Pros

• Up to three hours of battery life
• Built-in Android TV
• Native HD resolution but can accept 4K inputs

Cons

• Picture suffers in ambient light
• Color accuracy could be better

This 3.1-pound, rechargeable, battery-powered DLP projector loves life on the road. You’ll get 1 1/2 hours in Standard mode and an excellent 3 hours in Battery mode—albeit with a dip in brightness. The built-in Android TV includes apps to connect to all the major streaming services, so no external media is necessary (you will, however, need access to a Wi-Fi network and a Google account). Built-in dual 3-watt speakers can handle Dolby Digital Plus encoded audio, though the sound quality could be better. 

The Solar Portable accepts 4K signals and down-converts them to the projector’s native 1080p resolution. In HD mode, colors exhibited a subtle nuance—though they were sometimes a bit off—and shadows maintained their detail even in darker scenes. While this 4K mini projector is bright enough to deliver a nice 180-inch image, don’t expect to go much larger without the picture softening. 

Again, it’s about striking a balance. Other projectors deliver a nicer picture but don’t have as much functionality when traveling. For more options, explore our guide to the best outdoor projectors.

Best budget: Kodak Luma 150

KODAK

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This inexpensive and ultra-small projector is a great way to share presentations, photos, or videos. 

Specs

• Brightness: 60 ANSI lumens
• Size: 3.1” x 3.1” x 0.87”
• Weight: 7.8 ounces 

Pros

• Small and light
• Full-size HDMI input
• microSD card slot

Cons

• Not very bright
• Not full HD

Kodak’s Luma 150 is a fun, budget-friendly way to share content from your smartphone. Send video over a full-size HDMI cable, or cast your content from connected devices. The projector also accepts microSD cards. 

At first blush, the 60-lumen DLP projector doesn’t seem very bright. And its 854 x 480 resolution isn’t the stuff of blockbusters. But this mini movie projector isn’t meant to be your primary choice. The Luma 150 instead makes a convenient, very inexpensive tool for sharing photos at get-togethers, watching movies in the backseat of the car, or delivering presentations at a conference on a screen that’s significantly bigger than the one on your phone, tablet, or laptop.

The battery lasts about two hours and the unit can also be plugged in, making it a good option for a bedroom projector. This cheap projector has a speaker, but you’re better off using headphones or a small, portable speaker if watching videos with other people. 

Things to consider before buying a mini projector

It’s not easy for something that potentially fits in your palm (or at least can be easily carried with one hand) to throw a picture that’s around 100-200 inches from corner to corner, in 720p or 1080p, with accurate colors and decent shadow detail. Here are the specs to watch for as you shop:

Brightness

ANSI lumens describe how much light a projector creates, which determines how bright and large your picture will be—especially in less-than-ideal situations where you can’t achieve a completely dark room. Brightness levels of around 200 to 500 ANSI lumens are common, with picture sizes of around 80-120 inches. That said, there are some mini projectors that can achieve much brighter pictures than that. 

Chip

Projectors use imaging chips to create a picture, and there are three types of them: DLP, LCD, and LCoS. DLP chips find a home in units at all different price points and deliver average contrast and nice color. LCD chips can be found on budget to mid-range projectors and often have better color than DLP projectors, but contrast ratios sometimes suffer. Lastly, LCoS chips are used in mid-range to high-end projectors; they tend to deliver the best picture quality overall but, not surprisingly, cost more and don’t show up in budget units. 

One last thing to know about chips: Single-DLP projectors, which comprise most budget-priced units, sometimes suffer from “the rainbow effect.” This is when bright objects on the screen leave very quick, multicolored pixel trails behind them. With thousands upon thousands of single-DLP projectors sold, it’s obvious that most people don’t even notice them—or aren’t bothered. But if you have an opportunity to test out a single-DLP projector at a store, consider doing so in order to gauge how you feel about the rainbow effect.

Pico and palmtops

There’s mini, and there’s mini. Pico projectors, also sometimes called pocket projectors, are about the size of a smartphone. They’re extremely portable, of course, but their pictures rarely match the brightness or quality found on bigger machines. Palmtop projectors are larger and brighter than pico projectors, with more connections, but still light enough to drop into a bag for travel or presentations. Many models also connect with smartphones, making them ideal cell phone projectors.

Power

Many mini projectors run on internal batteries for at least a couple of hours, making them even more portable. That said, it’s not enough juice to binge an entire series or watch some of the longer Marvel movies. Luckily, mini projectors also come with AC cords so when you’re at home, in an office, or at a friend’s place, you can just plug them in.

Screens

Projectors shine light on a surface that reflects the light back to our eyes. That means using a projector with a plain, white wall isn’t going to deliver the best picture because too much light gets absorbed by the paint. For the optimal viewing experience, you need to buy a screen—which can run from around $25 to a little over $100, depending on sizes, stands, and accessories. These have reflective surfaces that increase perceived brightness, contrast, and color saturation—all of which are especially important when using a mini projector, which is likely already hobbled by a dimmer light source.

Audio

Because they’re built for portability, mini projectors often include speakers. Three or more watts can generally fill a small space, but volume isn’t everything. Ensure the speakers produce clear audio to separate voices from background noise or music in busy scenes. Decent bass response will contribute to the sound’s fullness, too. Many mini projectors also include an audio-out jack for using external speakers. 

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best mini projectors

• Best overall: AAXA P7 Mini Projector
• Best for movies: Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12
• Best for gaming: XGIMI Elfin Mini Projector
• Best pocket-sized: Kodak Luma 450
• Best for travel: Anker Nebula Solar
• Best budget: Kodak Luma 150

Mini projectors almost never live up to the specs of larger, more permanent units—but they cost less and travel easily. Anyone looking to purchase a mini projector needs to first accept that reality before deciding which unit suits them best. After that, it comes down to priorities. If you want a great picture and don’t care about much else, Epson’s EpiqVision Mini EF12 delivers a cinema-like picture. On the other hand, the AAXA P7 Mini Projector trades off some brightness, and a bit of image quality, for portability. It features a battery and costs much less. In striking that balance, in embracing what’s great about mini projectors, the AAXA P7 edged out the Epson for our top pick.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best mini projectors of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		BenQ HT2050A		SEE IT	A projector that punches above its price tag.
Best for Outdoors		Epson Home Cinema 1080		SEE IT	Bright enough for outdoor movies.
Best budget		Kodak Luma 150		SEE IT	Smart features help this projector stand out.

Cheap projectors deliver a crisp, bold image without emptying your wallet. With image sizes often topping 100 inches, projectors turn a night home with Netflix into immersive, movie-theater experiences—only without the lines, sticky floors, or terrible sight-lines. They fit into spaces that don’t typically have room for large TVs and many are portable enough to easily take on business trips or vacations. A variety of connectors—including HDMI, USB, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth—make it convenient to pull your programming from set-top streaming boxes, computers, NAS Servers, or your smartphone. The best part? Each of the ones we’ve selected below costs well under $800.

While inexpensive projectors often deliver a great picture, you should expect to make a few sacrifices in regards to features and specs. For instance, drop any notion of watching full, 4K movies. Many inexpensive projectors can’t match the brightness of their higher-end cousins, and that limits the size of the projected image. And in some of the pocket-size models, you might see a drop off in color quality and contrast. 

So how do you separate quality from junk? How do you strike a balance between affordability and quality? We’ve put together a list of five of the best cheap projectors to help you upgrade your entertainment system while leaving money left over for the popcorn and soda. 

• Best overall: BenQ HT2050A
• Best for outdoors: Epson Home Cinema 1080
• Best mini: Nebula Capsule Max
• Best for gaming: BenQ TH671ST
• Best budget: Kodak Luma 150

How we chose the best cheap projectors

When considering the best cheap projectors to include in our recommendations, we relied on our own experience and also consulted with professionals in the TV and AV worlds to find out which ones they prefer. We read trade journals and websites and looked through user impressions to see what typical real-world experiences were like. We narrowed our selection of projectors down to 10, focusing first and foremost on image quality versus price. Everything had to fall under $800 to constitute “cheap,” which, admittedly, is a relative term in the world of home theater projectors. We looked at important specs including brightness, color, and contrast, and also what kind of technology was used to generate the image. Size and weight played a role, particularly in units meant to be portable.

The best cheap projectors: Reviews & Recommendations

Despite their low price a cheap projector should still provide an excellent movie or TV watching experience. You may not get every bell and whistle, but the core experience should be similar to using a projector that costs quite a bit more.

Best overall: BenQ HT2050A

BenQ

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Why it made the cut: This HD projector competes against much more expensive units thanks to high contrast and natural-looking colors, striking the perfect balance between price and performance.

Specs

• Product Dimensions (WxDxH): 15 x 11 x 5 inches
• Weight: 8 pounds
• Image Source: Single-DLP
• Lumens: 2,200

Pros

• Excellent image quality
• Lens shift
• 3D Compatible

Cons

• No support for HDR video
• Can’t play 4K movies

The BenQ HT2050A performs above its weight class by delivering a gorgeous picture that’s up to 300 inches diagonally. It also has lens-shift, a feature rarely found on DLP projectors that allows you to adjust the image up or down without moving the projector itself. In addition, there’s a convenient 1.3x zoom.

The 15,000:1 contrast ratio and natural colors create a strong, cinema-like 1080p image, and you only need to set the projector back 8 feet for a 100-inch screen. The excellent color accuracy is achieved by using an RGBRGB (red-green-blue-red-green-blue) color wheel that doesn’t wash out an image and isn’t commonly found on budget projectors. The company claims the bulb outputs 2,200 lumens, but some tests chart it at 1,600. Either way, it’s still bright enough to deliver a bold picture without the need for blackout curtains. 

The HT2050A has inputs for HDMI and USB that can drive a streaming stick without external power. It also sports analog audio and video inputs for anyone using older stereo equipment or—for those who still have them—VHS players.

You won’t be able to get a 4K image out of the HT2050A, and some reviewers have reported seeing the rainbow effect inherent to single-DLP projectors, but this is still one of the best projectors you can buy at this price point.

Best outdoor theater projector: Epson Home Cinema 1080

Epson

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This bright projector delivers an image even in spaces filled with ambient light, making it the best cheap projector for outdoor use no matter how much light pollution is in your neighborhood. 

Specs

• Product Dimensions (WxDxH): 15 x 15 x 7.9 inches
• Weight: 8.2 pounds
• Image Source: LCD
• Lumens: 3,400

Pros

• Bright enough for outdoor use
• Built-in Android TV module
• 10-watt speaker

Cons

• Not the cheapest “cheap” projector
• Blacks could be richer and deeper

Everyone loves outdoor movie night, and Epson’s Home Cinema 2250 is bright enough to deliver even when you can’t avoid ambient light from a street, your home, or a bright, full moon. 

In Natural picture mode, this projector produces a reported 1,600 lumens, with sharp contrast and natural colors. It’s enough to watch movies without having to turn off all the lights. Set to Dynamic Picture mode, the 2250 pumps out nearly 2,400 lumens—bright enough to watch programs during the day. However, there’s a small green shift in the color so this isn’t a recommended setting if you care a lot about a movie’s cinematography. But it’s great for catching a baseball game in the afternoon with friends.

The Epson 2250 has a lens-shift function to accurately position the image on your wall and a nice 1.6x zoom to help find the perfect size screen. Because it generates its image using an LCD chip, it doesn’t suffer from the rainbow effect found on single-DLP projectors.

Best mini projector: Nebula Capsule Max

NEBULA

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: The Anker Nebula Capsule Max’s small size and big sound make it our favorite mini, battery-powered projector. 

Specs:

• Product Dimensions (WxDxH): 3.2 x 3.2 x 5.9 inches
• Weight: 8 pounds
• Image Source: Single-DLP
• Lumens: 200

Pros

• Small and portable
• Robust 8W speaker
• Smartphone remote app

Cons

• Only 720p
• No USB charging
• Short battery life

Mini projectors, by necessity, trade some functionality and quality for their go-anywhere size, and none of them are perfect entertainment machines. However, the Anker Nebula Capsule Max—at just a bit larger than a soda can—does a good job of delivering a nice picture and strong audio, while still keeping the price tag low.

While the 200-lumen DLP-chip projector doesn’t sound very bright, in a dark room it still produces a 100-inch image with decent color and contrast. However, if you sit close to the screen, the larger pixels of its 720p image might stand out. The projector’s real sweet spot is around 60-80 inches—which is still a nice size for movies. Color is decent, if a little on the cool side. The 8-watt mono speaker sounds loud and clear and does a good job with both dialogue and sound effects. The projector also works as a standalone Bluetooth speaker.

Nebula claims a 4-hour battery life, but it requires switching to a battery-reserve mode that dims the bulb. In standard mode, expect to plug in the unit or else your battery could die in about an hour-and-a-half. It’d be nice if it could be charged via USB from a portable battery pack but as long as you have an outlet nearby—like in a hotel, conference room, or RV—you’ll be fine. 

The Capsule Max has an HDMI input for connecting to a streaming box or other media player, and a USB-A input for a streaming stick. You can download apps to the device via a curated version of the Android app store. One notable exception is Netflix, which can only be accessed after first loading the Nebula Connect app onto your phone (Android or iPhone). There’s also Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. 

Best gaming projector: BenQ TH671ST

Adorama

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Why it made the cut: With its short, 16.4ms input lag-time, this is a projector that responds to gamers’ commands quickly while also producing an image that’s good enough for movies and TV. 

Specs 

• Product Dimensions (WxDxH): 15 x 11 x 5 inches
• Weight: 8 pounds
• Image Source: Single-DLP
• Lumens: 2,200

Pros

• 16.4ms input lag time
• Short-throw lens for small rooms
• Up to 2600 lumens
• 3D compatible

Cons

• At the higher end of “cheap”

Input delay times can turn even the best gamers into losing gamers, which is why the TH671ST’s zippy, 16.4ms lag (in game mode) should appeal to anyone who likes to rock a controller. What’s more, this single-DLP, HD projector produces a bright image (up to 2,600 lumens) with natural colors and high contrast. So, not only do video games look great but so do your favorite movies. 

The TH671ST supports 3D content using DLP Link glasses and while it’s not a stand-out compared to projectors optimized for 3D, it’s a nice bonus feature if that’s something you enjoy. There are also dual HDMI inputs so you can have two devices—whether they’re game systems, media players, or streaming boxes—plugged in at once. This makes switching between games and movies simple. 

If your game or media set-up doesn’t include an audio system or soundbar, the 5W onboard speaker does a nice job of filling up a room. Sound effects and music from games pack a nice punch. Combine this with the projector’s short-throw design, which can project a large image from as close as four-and-a-half-feet away from a wall, and you’ve got a compact set-up that’s perfect for not just living rooms, but also dorm rooms, bedrooms, or any other place where space is at a premium. 

Best budget: Kodak Luma 150

KODAK

SEE IT

Why it made the cut: This ultra-portable HD projector can slip into a bag or large pocket, providing an easy way to watch videos, share photos, or give presentations from your phone. 

Specs

• Product Dimensions (WxDxH): 3.1 x 3.1 x 0.87 inches
• Weight: 1 pound
• Image Source: Single-DLP
• Lumens: 60

Pros

• Small and light
• Full-size HDMI input
• microSD card slot

Cons

• Not very bright
• Not full HD

With its subcompact size and price, Kodak’s Luma 150 is a great way to share content from your iPhone—or any smartphone, for that matter. Send video over a full-size HDMI cable (using an adapter for Apple’s lightning port), or use the integrated Airplay casting to connect devices. The projector also accepts MicroSD cards. 

At first blush, the 60-lumen DLP projector doesn’t seem very bright and, at 854 x 480 resolution, it hardly seems ready to deliver blockbusters. And that’s fair—these aren’t fantastic specs if you’re looking to use this as your main entertainment room TV. But, of course, you’d never do that. The Luma 150 instead makes a convenient, very inexpensive tool for sharing photos at get-togethers, watching movies in the backseat of the car, or delivering presentations at a conference on a screen that’s significantly bigger than the one on your phone.

The battery can last about two hours, and the unit can also be plugged in. It has a small speaker, but you’re better off using headphones or a small, portable speaker if watching videos with other people. 

Things to consider before buying one of the best cheap projectors

Brightness

Projector brightness is measured in lumens, which describe how much light the unit creates. The more light, the bigger and brighter the picture. It also determines how dark your room needs to be to get the best performance out of the projector. High-end projectors might have a brightness of 2,000 lumens or more; budget machines might deliver anywhere from less than 100 to 2,200 lumens. That said, with the exception of some of the mini projectors, even budget picks among the best cheap projectors can deliver a wonderful image that’s more than 100 inches from corner to corner. It’s worth noting that there’s no standard across manufacturing for how lumens are measured, so often a manufacturer’s number won’t match independent testing. However, the numbers do serve to help compare the relative brightness between models. 

Light source

Projectors splash movies on a wall by focusing a light source onto a chip that creates an image. Light sources come in three varieties: Lasers, LEDs, and Ultra High Pressure (UHP) lamps. UHPs are basically high-end light bulbs. They generate a lot of light but, over time, can burn out—and replacements are more expensive than the bulb hanging in your hallway. LEDs and lasers are more efficient than UHPs, but the cost of including them in a unit goes up without a huge change in performance. You’re unlikely to find them in budget-oriented projectors. Don’t worry, though—UHPs can last years before you’ll need a new one.

Chip

As mentioned above, projectors use imaging chips to create a picture, and there are three types of them: DLP, LCD, and LCoS. DLP chips find a home in units at all different price points and deliver average contrast and nice color. LCD chips can be found on budget to mid-range projectors and often have better color than DLP projectors, but contrast ratios sometimes suffer. Lastly, LCoS chips are used in mid-range to high-end projectors; they tend to deliver the best picture quality overall but, not surprisingly, cost more and don’t show up in budget units. 

One last thing to know about chips: Single-DLP projectors, which make up a majority of budget-priced units, sometimes suffer from “the rainbow effect.” This is when bright objects on the screen leave very quick, multicolored pixel trails behind them. With thousands upon thousands of single-DLP projectors sold, it’s obvious that most people don’t even notice them—or simply aren’t bothered. But if you have an opportunity to test out a single-DLP projector at a store, consider doing so in order to gauge how you feel about the rainbow effect. 

Contrast ratio

Part of what makes a projected image look good is its contrast ratio, or the difference between the black and white output. This is usually expressed as a number representing black followed by a number representing white, with each separated by a colon. So, for instance, something like 15,000:1. 

The greater the difference between black and white, the more color variation the projector can display. An image from a projector with an 18,000:1 contrast ratio will, in most cases, look better than one with a 3,500:1 contrast ratio, with bolder, more true-to-life colors and richer blacks. 

Remember, though, contrast isn’t the only factor in determining picture quality, so always look at the number in the context of all the unit’s specs.  

What’s your viewpoint?

Before choosing one of the best cheap projectors, think about where you’ll use it. Is this your main TV? Is it going in a kid’s playroom? Will you take it on vacation with you? Or use it outside? If it’s going into your home, how big is the room that’ll house it—can you set it far enough back from a wall to get the screen size you want, or will you need to focus on a projector designed for short-throws? These are all questions you need to ask and answer before making a purchase or else you could easily end up with a projector that doesn’t deliver the performance specs you need. 

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best cheap projectors

• Best overall: BenQ HT2050A
• Best for outdoors: Epson Home Cinema 1080
• Best mini: Nebula Capsule Max
• Best for gaming: BenQ TH671ST
• Best budget: Kodak Luma 150

“Cheap” is always relative and, in the world of projectors, that usually means near $800 for an enjoyable home theater experience. With that in mind, you really can’t go wrong with the BenQ HT2050A if you want one of the best cheap projectors. The HD projector falls well below that price ceiling and still delivers a picture up to 300 inches. Thanks to advanced color processing, that giant picture looks fantastic. And if you’re a gamer, or even if you just want a short-throw machine for smaller rooms, BenQ wins again with the TH671ST—though the HT2050A still has the better picture.

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best cheap projectors in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Hit the Ground Running		Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar		SEE IT	This sensors-stuffed running watch keeps you in touch with your stats and your supporters.
A Class Act		Garmin Venu 2		SEE IT	An attractive smartwatch that can teach the competition about offering powerful tools in a stylish form.
Top Watch For Top Fitness		Garmin fēnix 7 Sapphire Solar		SEE IT	Track any outdoor activity you can imagine with this full-featured multisports watch.

Garmin is one of the most popular smartwatch makers in the world, largely due to the multinational GPS-enabled technology company’s focus on hyper-accurate fitness tracking. While Apple still holds 30% of the global market (and over 50% of its revenue), according to a February 2023 Counterpoint Research report, Garmin has achieved a position of prominence on people’s wrists from the boardroom to the backcountry. When it comes to premium multisport wearables, Garmin is the endurance athlete’s top choice because of the depth of activities supported and battery life that can outlast almost any adventure. We’ve pulled together several of the company’s most popular products to help you find the best Garmin smartwatch to fit your lifestyle, sense of style, and budget.   

• Best overall: Garmin fēnix 7 Sapphire Solar and Garmin epix (Gen. 2)
• Best running watch: Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar
• Best for hiking: Garmin Instinct Solar 2
• Best for diving: Garmin Descent G1 Solar
• Best fashion wearable: Garmin Venu 2
• Best budget watch for beginners: Garmin Vivoactive 4

How we chose the best Garmin smartwatches

All Garmin smartwatches provide a degree of wellness metering; they measure steps, monitor your heart rate, and generally check to make sure you’re still alive. But if you take your training seriously, the best smartwatches feature activity tracking, pulse oximeters to measure the oxygen in your blood, stress metering, energy-level monitoring, sleep trackers, customizable training regiments, and challenges designed to help you improve in your favorite sports. The Garmin Connect app syncs to your iOS and Android phones, providing access to customizable coaching and a community of athletes to compete with. If you’re serious about training, durability should also trump style. You don’t want it falling apart the first time you bang the watch against a machine at the gym, or you take a hit on the playing field. And if you’re a swimmer, your watch has to be waterproof, too. We took all these factors, and more, into consideration.

The best Garmin smartwatches for 2023: Reviews & Recommendations

Once you’ve considered your specific needs, it’s time to dig into the Garmin lineup. With multiple models in different lines—including sports & fitness, outdoor recreation, swimming, fashion, luxury, and more—there are plenty of options. Here are our top picks from several categories:

Best overall: Garmin fēnix 7 Sapphire Solar

Tony Ware

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Why it made the cut: If you want metrics that tell you if you’re in the weeds and guidance that helps you get out of the woods, the fēnix 7 Sapphire Solar can keep up with whatever you’re up to.

Specs

• Display: 1.3-inch sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Battery life with GPS: Up to 57 hours/73 hours with solar (GPS only mode)
• Weight: 2.68 ounces

Pros

• The battery life, which can stretch from many days to several months depending on usage and solar energy conditions
• Touchscreen and button navigation/controls
• The visibility in sunlight
• The durability of the titanium body and sapphire crystal

Cons

• Expensive
• Bulky

The Garmin fēnix 7 Sapphire Solar is perfect for gym rats, anyone who plays a wide variety of sports, and especially people who believe new terrain equals new gains. It tracks more activities than other watches and includes advanced training features like PacePro for grade-adjusted pace guidance throughout an activity. Plus, the heart monitor works underwater. Adventurous athletes will appreciate the preloaded TopoActive maps (updateable via Wi-Fi), ski maps for more than 2,000 ski resorts, and a multiband global navigation satellite system. Whether it’s jet lag or running laps, the sensor-packed smartwatch gives you insight into your body’s battery (tracking everything from heart rate and blood oxygen to respiration and sleep to stress and hydration). The downside: It’s predictably expensive and chunky. The upsides, though …

Watches need to be charged. Most of Garmin’s smartwatches plug into a wall via a proprietary multi-pin USB cable (don’t lose it!) that attaches to the back of the case. At the higher end of the product line, these watches run for about 26 hours under a constantly tracking GPS load or 173 days in battery-saver mode. However, if you’re someone who spends a lot of time outdoors—whether hiking, gardening, or running, for instance—Garmin’s solar watches can extend that time, well, almost indefinitely. Garmin uses what the company calls “Power Glass,” which is integrated behind tough Corning Gorilla Glass 3 in the standard Solar edition or Power Sapphire in the upgraded flagship (shown catching sunlight on a crisp January hike above), to turn a few hours of direct light into days of use. As a bonus, the Power Glass doesn’t take up real estate on the watch’s face, leaving ample room for all the other information Garmin’s watches provide. 

As its name suggests, the Garmin Solar watches can be powered by the sun; three hours of direct light is enough to keep one running. It’s a boon for outdoor enthusiasts, especially athletic ones who will appreciate the robust set of activity trackers, personal coaching, and other wellness features. It’s a great fitness watch, but the fēnix 7 Sapphire Solar isn’t the prettiest of Garmin’s premium products because it lacks the advanced AMOLED touchscreen found on the Garmin epix (Gen. 2)—though that vivid display (shown below on the same winter day in a bit of shade for comparison) means the epix can’t match the fēnix 7 in battery life even though it’s otherwise as full-featured. Though a week or two, depending on mode, ain’t bad and more than enough if most of your training and traveling centers around convenient recharging stations.  

Best running watch: Forerunner 955 Solar

Abby Ferguson

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Why it made the cut: The Forerunner 955 Solar offers excellent battery life with a seemingly endless list of features and capabilities, from training and safety tools to full smartwatch abilities and countless customization options. 

Specs

• Display: 1.3-inch transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)
• Touchscreen: Yes
• Battery life with GPS: Up to 42 hours/49 hours with solar (GPS only mode)
• Weight: 1.86 ounces

Pros

• Long-lasting battery life
• A plethora of sensors for lots of data
• Full smartwatch capabilities
• Touchscreen

Cons

• Solar charging doesn’t add much to battery life

If you are serious about improvising your fitness and performance, a watch with many sensors is a must. There’s no such thing as too much data for such athletes. That’s where the Forerunner 955 Solar comes in. It’s jam-packed with just about every sensor you could imagine so that you can measure everything from heart rate to stride length and even REM sleep.

Garmin then uses all that data to provide training suggestions and status updates via the watch and the Garmin Connect app. It helps prevent overtraining, offers a rough guide for improving your performance, and suggests workout ideas to keep your training fresh (as we found out in our full review). Your Forerunner 955 can even give predictions on race times for different distances. It’s essentially like having a coach right there on your wrist (or in your pocket).

Beyond fitness tracking, the watch also pairs with your phone for full smartwatch capabilities. It will give you notifications for calls, texts, and all your apps and even let you send some preformatted responses right from the watch. And you’ll have access to important safety features for runners so that they can track your progress on an activity (LiveTrack), and you can quickly request help (Assistance).

Best for hiking: Instinct 2 Solar and Instinct 2S Solar

Abby Ferguson

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Why it made the cut: The Instinct 2 Solar provides truly impressive battery life and rugged design for those who seek out long adventures.

Specs

• Display: 0.79 x 0.79-inch or 0.9 x 0.9-inch monochrome, sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)
• Touchscreen: No
• Battery life with GPS: Up to 30 hours/48 hours with solar
• Weight: 1.52 ounces or 1.86 ounces

Pros

• Ridiculous battery life
• Available in two sizes
• Robust fitness tracking and health features
• Garmin Pay compatible

Cons

• Black and white display 
• Detailed maps and graphs don’t show up well

Hiking—especially long hikes and backpacking—requires more from a watch than many other activities. Battery life, in particular, is critical. Recording with GPS for long periods can eat through battery life, and having your hike recording disappear because of a dead battery is extremely frustrating. The Instinct 2 Solar attempts to solve this with its absurdly long battery life. For example, in Expedition mode, you can get up to 105 days of battery with the right solar conditions.

Part of the long battery life is thanks to the rather simple monochrome display. It’s not a fancy color touchscreen like some of the more premium Garmin watches, but it’s easily visible even in bright sunlight and fits the rugged design of the watch. Additionally, the Instinct Solar 2 comes in two case sizes: 40mm or 45mm. That’s especially ideal for those with tiny wrists who don’t want a giant watch (like me, for instance). And a newer Instinct 2X Solar has been released with a larger bezel for those who prefer a larger display and longer battery life, so now there are three size options within the family.

The watch comes with more basic sensors, including heart rate, barometric altimeter, accelerometer, thermometer, pulse ox monitor, compass, and a few GPS modes. Even though it doesn’t have as many sensors as the more expensive watches, it still provides training details, statuses, and suggestions to improve your fitness without thinking much about it. 

Best for diving: Garmin Descent G1 Solar

Abby Ferguson

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Why it made the cut: The solar capabilities of the Descent G1 Solar prolong the battery life, allowing you to stay out longer while recording your dives. Plus, it offers a full suite of freediver-friendly features to keep you safe and help you improve your apnea performance. 

Specs

• Display: 0.9 x 0.9-inch monochrome, sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)
• Touchscreen: No
• Battery life with GPS: Up to 26 hours/39 hours with solar
• Weight: 2.32 ounes

Pros

• Excellent battery life and fast charging
• Dive features are intuitive and easy to use
• Very customizable
• Pairs with other Garmin fitness devices like heart rate monitors and power meters

Cons

• Monochrome screen
• Not as sleek as the more premium Garmin dive watch

While most forms of exercise overlap with what you would want from a watch, diving presents a unique situation. Environmental conditions such as tide and weather are even more critical when diving, and different data types are useful to stay safe. The Garmin Descent G1 Solar is a robust and rugged dive computer and exercise watch that is water-rated to 100 meters. It’s the ideal tool for those who dive but don’t want a separate device for exercise on land.

This watch can keep you updated on the current tide, surf, and weather conditions, provides GPS coordinates of your surface entry and exit points, and can pair with the Garmin InReach communication device. All these features will help keep you safe even if you are in a remote location. Plus, you’ll get up to 25 hours of battery life in dive mode, so you won’t have to worry about your watch dying mid-dive session.

The Descent G1 Solar comes loaded with multiple types of diving, including single and multiple gas dives (including nitrox and trimix), gauge, apnea, apnea hunt, and closed-circuit rebreather. But it’s also ready for just about any other type of activity, from running to cycling and even hunting and yoga. My husband has been using this watch for six months and said it is a fantastic partner to have with you in the field (or in the water) on long days.

Best fashion wearable: Garmin Venu 2 

Amazon

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Specs

• Display: 1.3-inch AMOLED optional always-on mode
• Touchscreen: No
• Battery life with GPS: Up to 22 hours (GPS without music); 11 days as just a smartwatch
• Weight: 1.73 ounces

Sometimes you want a smartwatch that is less focused on your workouts but can keep you up on work while you’re out. While keeping track of your steps, etc., is valuable, sometimes you want to control your watch and control your life. The Garmin Connect app allows the company’s watches to sync to iOS and Android phones via a robust Bluetooth connection. This opens up advanced wellness features and biometric tracking, as well as a way to further customize the watch’s features. But what I really love is how syncing the two lets me subtly check my messages and calendar alerts by simply glancing at my wrist. I can also control my music, navigate through a new city, and many other things I’d normally use my phone for—all while keeping my hands free. Now, reaching into my back pocket for anything other than answering a call seems like a waste, even when not working out.

The Venu 2 features a colorful, touch-sensitive AMOLED display that’s as easy to read as it is to navigate. This is great because the smartwatch is loaded with features, including activity tracking, a powerful GPS, onboard storage for up to 650 songs, and seamless integration with your smartphone via the Garmin Connect app. This is a watch you can wear all day, in any setting, and it’ll never look out of place (and you can read more about the experience in our full review).

Best budget watch for beginners: Garmin Vivoactive 4

Garmin

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Specs

• Display: 1.3-inch sunlight-visible, transflective memory-in-pixel (MIP)
• Touchscreen: No
• Battery life with GPS: Up to 18 hours (GPS without music)
• Weight: 1.78 ounces

Pay attention to your budget when choosing a smartwatch. If you don’t need advanced features, like solar power, and AMOLED screens, then don’t pay extra for them. If you’re looking for a basic fitness tracker and something that syncs with your phone, many of Garmin’s entry-level watches will suit you just fine. 

They still offer basic sports apps, GPS, and access to apps and widgets from the Garmin Connect store, and they’ll integrate with iOS and Android phones. While future-proofing yourself might seem smart, smartwatch technology develops quickly and by the time you’re ready for more advanced features, watches featuring them might drop in price. Only pay for what you’ll use. 

Garmin’s Vivoactive 3 GPS smartwatch features built-in sports apps, a contactless payment system, and the ability to sync with compatible smartphones. It comes housed in a classy package that looks great in the gym and out and about, and the watch face can be personalized by visiting Garmin’s Connect IQ store.

What to consider when choosing a Garmin smartwatch

After holding the pandemic at bay with packaged cookies and streaming TV, people have been reintroducing regular exercise and movement into their lives in living rooms, gyms, trails, and beyond. And achieving goals is easier if you can accurately track them. However, if you’re not a hardcore athlete, you don’t need the same features someone training to hit specific benchmarks would. When choosing the best Garmin watch, focus on finding the health monitoring features you want without paying extra money for those you’ll never use. Here are some things to think about when choosing the best Garmin activity tracker:

Features

Are you looking for a simple workout tracker, or do you need advanced metrics? Will it be closely monitoring your health? How important is the sleep tracker function? Do you prefer a fitness watch that allows you to organize your life by providing access to your phone’s messages and calendars? Will you pay for things by tapping your watch? Download and play music, or control the music player on your phone? How important are GPS features? Different watches offer different combinations of these features and more. There’s a big difference between something like the $199 Garmin Forerunner 55 (reviewed here) or the $169 Garmin Forerunner 35, which are dedicated Garmin running watches, and something like the $399 Garmin Venu 2, which is more of a well-rounded smartwatch you’ll wear all the time.

Style

Many of Garmin’s best sports watches aren’t exactly elegant to look at. Think about when and where you plan on wearing your watch. Do you like the bulky aesthetic of classic sports watches, like the Garmin Instinct Solar, or do you want a watch you can wear all day—maybe even going straight to work from the gym? Don’t forget to look at the different color options available to each watch model, and keep in mind that watch bands are often customizable.  

Battery life

Do you spend a lot of time camping? Do you go weeks without seeing an outlet? Or are you home each night with access to a charging station? Make sure the watch you purchase won’t let you down by running out of juice. This doesn’t necessarily mean larger batteries—Garmin makes solar versions of most watch series that can last for weeks if exposed to enough direct sunlight. For other watches, battery life can come down to usage. The Venu 2, for instance, can last up to 11 days in battery-saver mode, but it will die in just 7 hours if you’re playing music and using GPS. 

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best Garmin smartwatches

• Best overall: Garmin fēnix 7 Sapphire Solar and Garmin epix (Gen. 2)
• Best running watch: Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar
• Best for hiking: Garmin Instinct Solar 2
• Best for diving: Garmin Descent G1 Solar
• Best fashion wearable: Garmin Venu 2
• Best budget watch for beginners: Garmin Vivoactive 4

It’s no mystery why Garmin has become a top smartwatch company. Instead of taking a one-size-fits-all approach to watch design, Garmin has offered up options focusing on health and fitness, all-day wear, and high-tech gadgetry designed to fit individual users’ lifestyles. Sometimes the differences aren’t obvious, and shopping for a Garmin watch can feel daunting. But by identifying your needs first and consulting this guide, you’ll be able to zero in on the smartwatch that’s best for you. 

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best Garmin smartwatches for 2023, tested and reviewed appeared first on Popular Science.

Articles may contain affiliate links which enable us to share in the revenue of any purchases made.

Best overall		BenQ SW321C		SEE IT	High quality with great post-production features.
Best 4K monitor		Eizo ColorEdge CG319X		SEE IT	Hollywood performance with built-in calibration.
Best HDR monitor		ASUS ProArt Display PA32UCX-PK		SEE IT	Widest gamut support for the best color.

When selecting a monitor for color grading, you’ll want to choose a model that can deliver accurate color consistently, from project to project, day in and day out. The best options offer a sharp picture with strong contrast and display more than 1 billion colors. The best monitors for color grading let colorists fix problems in post-production and, more enjoyably, creatively use color to bring mood, excitement, and drama to a scene. 

• Best overall: BenQ SW321C
• Best 4K: Eizo ColorEdge CG319X
• Best IPS: LG 32UL950-W
• Best HDR: ASUS ProArt Display PA32UCX-PK
• Best budget: BenQ PD2700U DesignVue

So, what is color grading, exactly?

Colorists are the people in post-production who take the footage and use color and contrast to make images pop. Manipulating a shot’s color can also create different emotional moods, heighten the drama, and even convey physical sensations like cold nights or hot days. At the very least, a good colorist fixes problems in the footage resulting from mismatched lighting or exposure issues. All this is referred to as color grading. Whether destined for the big screen, a streaming platform, or a social media post, color grading gives footage its final polish. 

How we chose the best monitors for color grading

When evaluating the best monitors for color grading, we relied heavily on conversations with industry professionals, as well as our own experience working in film and TV. We also read trade magazines and technology review sites and looked at online impressions to understand what average users thought. We narrowed our focus down to seven excellent monitors that ranged from top-tier professional units to those geared toward tighter budgets.

Accurate and consistent color was a priority. A monitor had to use IPS LED technology, have 4K resolution, a 10-bit display, and coverage of at least 99% of the Rec. 709 and sRGB color gamuts to make our list. And all but our budget model had to cover at least 85% of the DCI-P3 gamut. We also paid attention to support for Rec. 2020, HDR formats, and connectivity (making particular note of monitors that took advantage of Thunderbolt 3 ports). Finally, we picked units across a range of price categories. What does that all mean? Read on!

The best monitors for color grading: Reviews & Recommendations

Obviously, colorists need high-performing monitors with some specialized features. These aren’t screens meant merely for spreadsheets or text files. To get the most out of a monitor, you have to dig into the physics of color and light, looking at gamut and color space, bit-depth, contrast ratio, as well as the LED technology underlying the display itself. Offering 4K resolution is great, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg.

It’s not always easy to navigate, especially when many of these screens have surprisingly similar specs. We’re here to help, so read on as we explore the nuances that make the best monitors for color grading standard equipment for video creatives.

Best overall: BenQ SW321C

BenQ

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Why it made the cut: High color accuracy and a host of features designed to help colorists and post-production workflow, plus a reasonable price, make this our favorite 4K monitor.

Specs

• Screen Size: 32 inches
• Weight: 20.06 pounds
• Gamut: 100% Rec. 709; 100% sRGB; 95% DCI-P3

Pros

• 95% support of DCI-P3 HDR gamut
• GamutDuo Mode
• HDR Support

Cons

• Pricier than some other monitors
• Calibration could be easier

BenQ has made a name for itself by designing accurate monitors for photo and video editing and color grading. With full coverage of the Rec. 709 and sRGB gamuts and 95% support of DCI-P3, the SW321C delivers industry-standard color performance with up to 10-bit color depth for smooth shading. The 1300:1 contrast ratio prevents details from getting lost in darker parts of the image. The company’s Uniformity Technology does a good job of maintaining consistent color and brightness across the entire panel. 

If you output projects for different destinations—say, TV (Rec. 709) and Apple screens (DCI-P3)—you’ll love BenQ’s GamutDuo mode. It displays your content with two different gamuts side-by-side for easy comparison. You also get the fairly standard Picture-in-Picture (PiP) and Picture-by-Picture (PbP) modes, as well as an advanced Black & White mode. 

The monitor connects to video sources or your computer via USB-C, a pair of HDMI 2.0 connectors, or a DisplayPort 1.4 port. It also has two USB-A and one USB-B ports. BenQ does a good job calibrating its monitors at the factory, but it’s always recommended that you do a more formal calibration once you’ve installed it in your workspace.

The only downside to the BenQ SW321C is its price. Retailing for nearly $2,000, it’s a significant investment.

Best 4K: Eizo ColorEdge CG319X

Adorama

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Why it made the cut: Built-in calibration sensors and software help this feature-rich professional monitor deliver Hollywood-level color performance.

Specs

• Screen Size: 31.1 inches
• Weight: 18.3 pounds
• Gamut: 100% Rec. 709 and RGB; 98% DCI-P3

Pros

• Supports 98% of DCI-P3 color
• 1500:1 static contrast ratio
• Built-in calibration sensors

Cons

• Extremely expensive
• Not the most aesthetically pleasing

Feature films and big-budget streaming programs don’t have room for ugly shots, which is why monitors like the Eizo ColorEdge CG319X exist. Supporting 100% of Rec. 709 color and 98% of DCI-P3, this monitor includes a built-in color-calibration sensor that eliminates the need for third-party calibration tools or software. Unlike many monitors, the 31.1-inch screen displays full DCI 4K resolution—4096 x 2160 pixels, instead of UHD 4K’s 3840 x 2160—and supports both HLG and PQ gamma curves for displaying and working with HDR video. A static contrast ratio of 1500:1 ensures deep, rich blacks, and the 10-bit display can show more than 1 billion colors simultaneously. 

The monitor includes some great tools to help with the grading process, including a Rec. 709 out-of-gamut warning for when you’ve pushed your colors just a bit too far. The Rec. 709 Clipping Mode lets colorists look at Rec. 2020 footage and see how audiences will view it on HDTVs. 

An anti-glare panel helps protect against eye fatigue, as does the light-shielding hood that cleverly attaches via magnets. Use the built-in carrying handle to transport the monitor between work locations and any of the two DisplayPort 1.2 and two HDMI 2.0 inputs to plug into your computer. Unfortunately, the smart design choices don’t extend to the monitor’s aesthetics, which are, frankly, pretty dowdy. The CG319X also has zero cable management, so stock up on zip ties. 

On the other hand, if you’re spending this kind of money on a monitor—more than $5,700—your concern should be performance, not looks. And the Eizo is tough to beat in that department.  

Best IPS: LG 32UL950-W

LG

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Why it made the cut: This IPS monitor strikes a nice balance between price and performance, with wide coverage of the DCI-P3 gamut for less than some of its competitors. 

Specs 

• Screen Size: 32 inches
• Weight: 13.7 pounds
• Gamut: 100% Rec. 709 and sRGB; 98% DCI-P3

Pros

• 98% DCI-P3 coverage
• Supports AMD FreeSync for gaming
• Thunderbolt 3 connectivity

Cons

• On-screen controls are reportedly fiddly on Macs
• Stand could be more robust

The LG 32UL950-W costs less than the BenQ SW321C but manages to cover a bit more of the DCI-P3 color gamut. Combine that with the strong 1300:1 contrast ratio, and you’ve got a monitor that provides accuracy that satisfies even demanding colorists. It also supports HDR10 video and 4K UHD resolutions. However, it lacks some helpful monitoring features found on the BenQ.

The 32UL950-W offers user flexibility thanks to support for AMD FreeSync. This technology syncs the screen’s refresh rate with your graphics card’s frame rate output, reducing stuttering and ghosting for better gaming. It’s a nice add-on for those times when you’re between projects and want to unwind. 

The monitor connects to your computer via a Thunderbolt 3 connector, HDMI 2.0, or DisplayPort 1.4. Besides the common USB-A outputs, it also has a Thunderbolt 3 port for fast, 40 MB/sec transfer rates from your computer. 

Some users have been frustrated by the LG’s on-screen control panel, which doesn’t always sync up with Apple’s monitor controls. It works, but expect to spend some time fiddling.

Best HDR: ASUS ProArt Display PA32UCX-PK

ASUS

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Why it made the cut: Unlike most other monitors, this supports the Rec. 2020 color gamut, as well as all three major HDR formats.    

Specs

• Screen Size: 32 inches
• Weight: 21.38 pounds
• Gamut: 100% Rec. 709 and sRGB; 99% DCI-P3; 89% Rec. 2020

Pros

• 89% coverage of Rec. 2020 gamut
• Supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG HDR formats
• Mini LED backlighting helps improve color and contrast

Cons

• Extremely expensive
• Heavy

With its support for the Rec. 2020 color gamut and a full complement of HDR formats—Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG—this monitor is designed with professionals in mind. The 10-bit IPS panel has a wide, 178-degree horizontal and vertical viewing angle, which is useful when you’re sitting down to review a project with multiple collaborators. Mini-LED backlight technology has 1,152 zones of local dimming to help improve color and contrast. And Asus’ Off-Axis Contrast Optimization technology reduces halo effects that sometimes afflict wide-viewing angles—again, your collaborators will thank you.

On the back, the monitor has three HDMI 2.0 connectors, two Thunderbolt 3 ports, and a DisplayPort 1.2. It also has three USB-A ports, making it a suitable hub for any additional peripherals. 

Like the Eizo Color Edge, the Asus ProArt is geared toward, and priced for, working professionals. Colorists who demand the utmost quality—and have the experience and know-how to achieve it—will get the most out of this high-end screen. 

Best budget: BenQ PD2700U DesignVue

BenQ

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Why it made the cut: High-quality, professional features belie this monitor’s low price, making it perfect for beginners, indie filmmakers, or creators with tighter budgets. 

Specs

• Screen Size: 27 inches
• Weight: 11.02 pounds
• Gamut: 100% Rec. 709 and sRGB

Pros

• 100% Rec. 709 and sRGB coverage
• 4K IPS panel
• True 10-bit support

Cons

• No support for DCI-P3 gamut
• Lacks Thunderbolt 3 connectivity

This is an excellent monitor for delivering videos to online platforms and even TV, thanks to 100% coverage of the industry-standard Rec. 709 gamut. Its 10-bit technology supports 1.07 billion simultaneous colors, and the 1300:1 contrast ratio matches that of BenQ’s much pricier models. It even supports the HDR10 format of high-dynamic-range video. Not bad for less than $500!

Where the BenQ falls short, however, is its versatility. There’s no way for it to display colors outside the Rec. 709 standard, meaning no support for DCI-P3, a format Apple uses for device screens. This also makes it less suitable for color grading feature films destined for digital projection in movie theaters. (Though, to be fair, if that was your goal, there’s a good chance you’re not worried about your budget.)

The PD2700U also lacks Thunderbolt 3 connectivity, instead relying on HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, and a mini DisplayPort jack. It does, however, have a DisplayPort output for daisy-chaining together two monitors, which is handy when you work with a lot of editing software windows. You also get 2 USB-B inputs and 4 USB-A outputs, making this color-accurate monitor useful as a basic USB hub.

Things to consider when shopping for the best monitors for color grading

You’ve already spent thousands on one of the best laptop for video editing, or multi-multi-thousands on a new Apple Mac Studio, and you want to get the best out of it. Here’s what to look at as you invest in your monitor:

Video color space

Video color space is a standard that defines the color gamut (see below), white point, and color component transfer function (brightness, in lay terms, and often called “gamma”) for color encoding in a video system. These standards are set by different industry groups and are important because cameras, monitors, and projectors are limited in which colors they can encode, decode, and display. 

When color grading an image, it’s important that you work within the same color space as the one you’re delivering to. In other words, your color-accurate monitor needs to conform to the same standards as the screens used by your audience. Otherwise, there’s no guarantee that the rest of the world will see the image you craft as you intend it to be seen.

Color gamut

Color gamut is the range of colors within the visible color space—the colors visible to a human eye—that a monitor can also display. The human eye can see many more colors than any monitor can display, so color gamut expresses the portion of those colors that the monitor reproduces. It defines the monitor’s limits. Color gamut also provides a shared vocabulary for use by video cameras and monitors. By saying a camera uses a particular color gamut, we know the colors it captures will be represented accurately by a monitor that uses the same gamut. It also means that consumers will view your masterpiece as you intend them to because they’re using TVs that also use the same color gamut.

Standard color gamuts

Color gamuts have been codified by various industries and, generally speaking, video colorists need to focus on the following four: 

• Rec. 709 is used mostly in the TV industry and is the most common color space for video projects. If you’re working in broadcast TV, streaming, or online video, this is likely your sandbox. It’s supported by TVs, computer monitors, and hand-held devices.
• sRGB is used mostly in computer imaging and is almost identical to Rec. 709 except for its slightly higher gamma (brightness). Office monitors, printers, and sometimes mid-range consumer cameras conform to it. 
• DCI-P3 is used for digital film projectors and has a wider gamut than Rec. 709 in order to match the gamut of motion-picture film or high-end digital sensors. Apple has also adopted the DCI-P3 color space for use in the company’s device screens; Apple’s cameras can capture stills and video in the DCI-P3 color space, too. 
• Rec. 2020 has the widest color gamut, covering a fairly large portion of what we see with our eyes. Some high-end professional video cameras capture these colors but, right now, there aren’t a lot of TVs or other displays available to consumers that can display them. More likely, you’ll find these extremely high-end monitors in professional post-production houses—they’re expensive.

Calibration

Most monitors, even those designed for color grading, need some calibration. Calibrating monitors involves tweaking colors, white points, and black points to make them conform to whichever standard you’re working with (for instance, Rec. 709). Calibration tools, such as the datacolor SpyderX, attach to the monitor’s screen and read the light it puts out. This information is fed back to the software via a USB connection so that accurate adjustments can be made. Properly calibrating a monitor ensures that your work accurately represents the widest range of audience devices.

Bit rates and HDR

Rec. 709 is known as an 8-bit color space, while DCI-P3 and Rec. 2020 are 10-bit and 12-bit color spaces, respectively. This is another way of describing the number of colors they can reproduce; 10-bit color, found on all the monitors we chose, can display more than 1 billion simultaneous colors. 

Bit-depth also determines an image’s dynamic range, or the gradient between black and white. High Dynamic Range screens display more detail in high and low ranges. HDR—while increasingly more common in the best OLED TVs, etc.—is still developing technology in monitors, and the two most common formats are HDR10 and HLG. (Note: Most professional video cameras capture a much wider range of detail in their lights and darks than monitors can display … but it’s getting better!)  

Contrast ratio

Contrast ratio is the difference between a monitor’s black and white output. This is usually expressed as a number representing black followed by a number representing white, each separated by a colon. So, for instance, something like 1300:1. 

The greater the difference between black and white, the more color variation the projector displays. Images are bolder, more true-to-life, with subtle gradients and richer blacks.

LED panel technology

The best monitors for color grading use IPS LED technology for their panels. IPS stands for In-Plane Switching, and monitors using this tech have the best color and viewing angles compared to those with other types of LED panels. However, they tend to cost more. And they’re not perfect for every situation. For instance, if you’re into gaming, the lower refresh rates of IPS LED panels might not suit your needs. But if you’re color grading, or working in other creative and artistic fields, your monitor needs to use it if you want to ensure color accuracy.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best monitors for color grading

• Best overall: BenQ SW321C
• Best 4K: Eizo ColorEdge CG319X
• Best IPS: LG 32UL950-W
• Best HDR: ASUS ProArt Display PA32UCX-PK
• Best budget: BenQ PD2700U DesignVue

All of the monitors on our list deliver highly accurate, consistent color—which is the most important thing for any colorist, whether you’re crafting Hollywood blockbusters or videos for social media. They all fully support the Rec. 709 gamut, display more than 1 billion colors, and let you work with HDR footage. For many people, especially those creating content for online streaming, social media, or vlogs, that’s enough to give projects professional polish. 

But for colorists who work with footage from higher-end cameras capable of capturing more colors, or create projects destined for better TVs, their monitors must cover the wider DCI-P3 gamut—especially when doing more creative color grading. (Rec. 2020, the widest gamut of them all, is really only meant for those working in the professional film industry.) And that’s when you start to see some major shifts upward in price. 

All of this gets us to our top pick, the BenQ SW321C. It doesn’t cover quite as much of the DCI-P3 gamut as the Asus or Enzio monitors on our list (and forget about Rec. 2020). However, those two monsters are meant for professionals working on high-end projects with large budgets. The BenQ, on the other hand, still delivers top-notch performance and many useful features while remaining accessible to both indie professionals and dedicated amateur creators. It’s still a sizable investment, but it could also be the last monitor for color grading you’ll buy for a long time. And for those reasons, it’s our favorite. 

Why trust us

Popular Science started writing about technology more than 150 years ago. There was no such thing as “gadget writing” when we published our first issue in 1872, but if there was, our mission to demystify the world of innovation for everyday readers means we would have been all over it. Here in the present, PopSci is fully committed to helping readers navigate the increasingly intimidating array of devices on the market right now.

Our writers and editors have combined decades of experience covering and reviewing consumer electronics. We each have our own obsessive specialties—from high-end audio to video games to cameras and beyond—but when we’re reviewing devices outside of our immediate wheelhouses, we do our best to seek out trustworthy voices and opinions to help guide people to the very best recommendations. We know we don’t know everything, but we’re excited to live through the analysis paralysis that internet shopping can spur so readers don’t have to.

The post The best monitors for color grading in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Laptops for video editing deliver the power and performance few other applications need. Video, especially 4K and above, requires a fast central processing unit (CPU), a powerful graphics processor, and a screen that can display the most accurate color. In the past, this kind of performance required a desktop computer with a high-end production monitor. Thanks to technological advances, however, all that muscle now fits in a unit small enough to slip into your backpack. Unfortunately, computer manufacturers rarely market their machines specifically to video editors. Instead, you need to compare complicated specs and think about how they relate to the type of work you’re doing. It’s not always easy, so we’ve put together our list of the best laptops for video editing so you can spend less time shopping and more time cutting your masterpieces.

• Best overall: Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro
• Best Windows laptop: Dell XPS 17
• Best for YouTube: Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro
• Best for video editing and gaming: Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED XC
• Best budget: Razer Book
• Best tablet for video editing: Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch

How we chose the best laptops for video editing

When evaluating the best laptops for video editing, we looked at 12 top picks among professional editors, reviewers, and users. We focused on specs but with an eye toward video editing, specifically; some desirable general-consumer features, like touchscreens, aren’t important in this context. Instead, we set our sights on processing power and CPUs, graphics cards, and the size, resolution, and color accuracy of monitors. 

Some laptop reviews spend time considering the computer’s size and weight, but that was also secondary. Many video editors spend most of their time working at a desk, even when using a laptop. Related to that, battery life took on less importance in this context. Working with video draws a lot of power, and it makes sense to keep a laptop plugged in while working.

Finally, we also paid attention to the laptop’s ports. Editors use external hard drives, monitors, and other peripherals, none of which do any good if you can’t plug them in.

The best laptops for video editing: Reviews & Recommendations

Editing video on a laptop requires some sacrifices. At home, you might have a pair of specialty 4K monitors on dual-monitor mounts that allow your timeline to stretch as far as you want while displaying your software’s many different panels. Your portable system, on the other hand, has a 17-inch panel—if you’re lucky. Laptops also have fewer USB ports than desktop machines, which makes it harder to connect all your peripherals. Some have slower CPUs, tighter caps on memory capacity, and anemic internal storage. So why bother with a laptop at all?

In a word, portability. An editing rig built around a laptop won’t tie you to a desk. You can work on your project in an editing bay, pack it up and take it home for more tweaks. If you travel, you can edit vacation or travel vlog videos from the road. And, honestly, never underestimate the pleasure of getting work done while sitting in the park on a nice spring day. With those things in mind, here are our top picks that will allow you to make your projects portable.

Best overall: Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro

Apple

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Why it made the cut: With a large Retina display that supports the P3 color standard and a processor designed to handle heavy-weight tasks like rendering multiple layers of high-resolution video, Apple’s M2 Pro and M2 Max MacBook Pros are some of the most powerful around making them our choice for best Mac laptop for video editing.

Specs

• Weight: 3.5 pounds
• Product Dimensions (HWD): 0.61 inches by 12.31 inches by 8.71 inches
• Processor: Apple M2 Pro or M2 Max
• Screen Size: 16-inch
• Operating System: macOS

Pros

• Large Retina display supports P3 color standard
• Powerful M2 Pro or M2 Max chips inside
• Unique architecture makes for super-efficient operation
• Up to 8TB SSD storage
• Built-in SD reader
• Lots of ports

Cons

• Expensive to configure for high-end video editing

Apple has a deep history building computers favored by creatives, with the machines finding homes with photographers and designers, musicians and record producers, and, of course, video editors. After the massive reception to the M1 Pro and M1 Max chips, it’s still impressive just how much of an upgrade the new 16-inch MacBook Pros with M2 Pro and M2 Max chips are.

The latest MacBook Pro offers a choice between the M2 Pro chip and the top-of-the-line M2 Max chip. Obviously, the Max provides the highest level of performance, but even the M2 Pro provides enough oomph for intense editing jobs. 

Like the M1 model, the MacBook Pro M2s use the MagSafe 3 charger with a burly 140W charging brick. The 16-inch model offers three USB-C Thunderbolt ports, an HDMI out, and even a built-in SD card reader. While the reader itself isn’t super fast, it’s handy in a pinch for dumping footage or images. 

The laptop also benefits from its bright, 16-inch Retina display, which supports the P3 wide-color standard used by Hollywood, as well as multiple refresh rates. Of course, it can be configured to match other color standards, like Rec.709 (used for TV). This helps with accuracy when color-correcting your videos. 

Users can configure the MacBook Pro with up to 64GB of memory and a whopping 8TB of internal SSD storage. The large drive is nice if you spend a lot of time cutting projects while away from an editing bay or office. However, upgrading from the included 1TB SSD to an 8TB drive nearly doubles the laptop’s price.

When buying a MacBook Pro, get the best configuration you can afford when you make the purchase. Unfortunately, for many years, Apple hasn’t allowed after-market upgrades. If you initially opt for less memory and decide to upgrade later, you’re stuck.

Best Windows laptop: Dell XPS 17

Dell

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Why it made the cut: The Dell XPS 17 is the best Windows laptop for video editing because Dell XPS’s powerful graphics processing easily handles multiple tracks of 4K video files and complex effects and the large, 17-inch screen provides room for all the panels in your workspace.

Specs

• Weight: 4.65 pounds
• Product Dimensions (HWD): 0.77 inches by 14.74 inches by 9.76 inches
• Processor: Intel Core i7 or Core i9
• Screen Size: 17-inch
• Operating System: Windows

Pros

• Large 17-inch display that can be configured for 4K
• Can be configured with a powerful Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 graphics card
• Four Thunderbolt 3 ports and built-in SD card reader

Cons

• The best configuration for video is expensive
• No USB Type-A ports

Dell created the XPS17 laptop not just to supplement an existing desktop workstation, but to replace it completely. With a large, beautiful monitor, plenty of processing power, and ample RAM, the computer has enough muscle to handle even the most complicated video projects. It does require some configuration and upgrades when purchasing, and that drives up the price. For your money, however, you get a workhorse that can cut Hollywood blockbusters at home, on the beach, in an editing bay, or on a plane high above the Pacific. 

The base model of the XPS17 features a lovely 17-inch high-definition screen, but it’s worth swapping it with the available 4K panel for better pixel resolution; both panels support the sRGB and DCI-P3 color space, making it easier to color-correct footage, whether it’s destined for TV, the web, or the multiplex. You’ll also want to replace the built-in graphics processor with the speedy and efficient Nvidia GeForce RTX 3060 card for improved image processing and faster render times. 

The best model for video editing uses the Core i7 or i9 chip, and your budget will dictate your choice. Either one handles most professional-level projects, with the difference being most noticeable on ones that use an excessive number of tracks, multiple layers of effects, or composited images.  

Four USB-C ports connect the laptop to external hard drives and monitors. The built-in SD card slot keeps you from wasting a port on an external reader, but you must use one to plug in the computer’s power cord. All USB-C ports support Thunderbolt 3. 

Best for YouTube: Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro

Apple

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Why it made the cut: The 13-inch MacBook Pro boasts a muscular M2 chip capable of handling most video projects, and its compact size makes it ideal for YouTubers who like to work while maintaining a fast-moving lifestyle.

Specs

• Weight: 3 pounds
• Product Dimensions (HWD): 0.61 inches by 11.97 inches by 8.36 inches
• Processor: 8-Core M2
• Screen Size: 13 inches
• Operating System: macOS

Pros

• High-performance M2 processor
• Compact size and weight
• Gorgeous Retina display
• Longest battery life of Apple’s laptops

Cons

• Limited to a max 24GB of memory
• Only two USB-C ports

Apple’s 13-inch MacBook Pro delivers solid video performance while remaining small enough to make and post YouTube videos from the road. When you’re a content creator traveling with a camera, tripod, and other filmmaking tools, you’ll appreciate a laptop that doesn’t weigh you down.

The 13-inch MacBook Pro takes advantage of Apple’s high-end M2 chip to deliver fast and robust video performance. You can’t configure the laptop with a third-party graphics processor, but the system graphics perform well and are more than enough to handle most HD or 4K projects destined for the web.

The high-resolution Retina display supports the P3 color standard and is nice and bright for working outdoors. That said, it’s still only 13 inches; the trade-off for easy mobility is a cramped work environment. 

The reported 20 hours of battery life is almost twice as long as the 16-inch MacBook Pro’s. This is great if you’re spending time cutting videos while at conventions, concerts, or on vacation. It’s also useful even when you’re back at home base; with one of the two USB-C ports needed for plugging in a power cord, there will be times when you’ll have to rely on the battery to operate two peripherals. 

You’ll probably want to spend a bit more to ensure a smooth editing workflow, as the base model’s 8GB memory is low for video editing. You can upgrade to 16GB or 24GB, which should run more smoothly with big video files and complicated programs. However, as with other Mac laptops, you can’t perform after-market upgrades, so be sure to configure the 13-inch MacBook Pro exactly how you want it at the time of purchase.

Best for video editing and gaming: Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED XC

Gigabyte

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Why it made the cut: The Aero 15 OLED XC splits the difference between an editing workstation and a full-powered gaming laptop by including enough processing power to handle 4K video, as well as a graphics driver that’s fast enough to deliver video-game frame rates. 

Specs

• Weight: 4.4 pounds
• Product Dimensions (HWD): 0.78 inches by 14 inches by 9.8 inches
• Processor: Intel 8-core i7
• Screen Size: 15.6-inch
• Operating System: Windows

Pros

• Powerful 8-core i7 processor
• Pantone-certified 4K OLED screen
• RGB light-up keyboard
• An abundance of ports

Cons

• Poor webcam
• i9 processor upgrade is expensive

If you like to wrap up a day of editing by relaxing with some gaming, look no further than Gigabyte’s Aero 15 OLED XC. While some of its performance specs don’t quite match those of the top laptops for either video editing or gaming, they’re certainly up to the task of cutting your 4K movie and then running your favorite first-person shooter. 

Armed with an 8-core i7 processor, the Aero 15 can edit and process large video files. The Nvidia GeForce RTX 30 graphics driver isn’t the fastest on the block. Still, it delivers enough performance to keep video games looking smooth and sharp and performs well when rendering 3D graphics, lighting, and other power-hungry types of imaging. 

The Aero 15 features a bright 15.6-inch Samsung OLED display with strong contrast. It covers 100% of the wide DCI-P3 color gamut, the Hollywood standard that’s making strong inroads on the web as well. This makes color-correcting tasks much easier, and video games pop with vibrancy. 

Unsurprisingly, the strong OLED display, not to mention a funky, light-up keyboard, runs down the battery quickly. Reports and tests put it at about 8.5 hours, which is certainly enough to get you through the day before needing to plug in, but just barely. 

Unlike many of the best laptops for video editing, Gigabyte’s doesn’t skimp on the number and kind of ports. On the sides of the laptop, you get an HDMI and mini DisplayPort for video output, four USB-A ports, a USB-C port delivering Thunderbolt 3 performance, an SD card slot, and a port for the AC adapter. Given the bus speed required by video, replacing a USB-A port with another USB-C/Thunderbolt-3 port would be a nice upgrade. However, the Aero 15 XC gets big thumbs up for providing dedicated connections for both AC power and video output.

Best budget: Razer Book

Razer

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Why it made the cut: The relatively low price of the Razer Book 13 belies its admirable specs as a solid laptop for video editing, making it an excellent tool for beginners or casual cutters and the best budget laptop for video editing.   

Specs

• Weight: 2.95 pounds
• Product Dimensions (HWD): 0.6 inches by 11.6 inches by 7.8 inches
• Processor: Core i7
• Screen Size: 13.4 inches
• Operating System: Windows

Pros

• Lovely edge-to-edge HD display
• Wide variety of ports
• Compact and lightweight design

Cons

• 256GB internal storage is a bit stingy

Razer is known for its gaming computers. Unsurprisingly, the company delivers a solidly performing machine with the Razer Book 13, one that can serve comfortably as the heart of an inexpensive editing rig.

One of the Razer’s greatest strengths is its 16:10, edge-to-edge HD screen, which delivers high contrast and bright, bold colors. There are three available configurations: full-HD with touch capabilities, full-HD without, and 4K. A 4K monitor is nice, especially when fitting a timeline and multiple editing panels into a 13-inch monitor. Still, it’s an upgrade that takes the laptop out of the “budget” category. 

Razer is a company that, thankfully, understands the value of having a variety of ports. With the Razer Book 13, you get one USB-A 3.1, one USB-C Thunderbolt 4, a microSD card slot, and an HDMI connection. Having another USB-C port would be nice, as would a slot for a full-size SD card. The Razer Book 13 can be configured with an i5 or i7 chip and you’ll want the latter for video work; it’s powerful enough to handle most video projects, including 4K. Even with this upgrade, the price remains budget-friendly by the standards of editing laptops.

Best tablet for video editing: Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch

Stan Horaczek

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Why it made the cut: Apple’s most powerful iPad has a superior screen, ample processing power, and access to some surprisingly powerful editing software, including DaVinci Resolve.

Specs

• Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Product Dimensions (HWD): ‎0.25 x 8.46 x 11.05 inches
• Processor: Apple M2
• Screen Size: 12.9 inches
• Operating System: iPadOS

Pros

• Extremely portable
• Incredible screen
• Apple Pencil integration
• Built-in camera
• Lots of keyboard options

Cons

• Doesn’t have access to every editing app (though compatibility is growing)
• Can get pricey once you start adding accessories

The M2-powered iPad Pro is the most powerful tablet in Apple’s lineup. That gives it plenty of oomph to churn through surprisingly intense edits while on the road. the 12.9-inch Liquid Retina display offers a wide color gamut and HDR support for both editing and playback.

It only has a single USB-C lightning port, but it supports high-speed connections for additional storage and up to 6K monitors if you want to sit at a workstation. While some of the most popular editing apps aren’t available in full for iPadOS (at least not yet), the list is growing. BlackMagic recently introduced a version of the popular DaVinci Resolve software designed specifically for the iPad.

If you’re a fan of touch-based interfaces, this option obviously provides a better experience than any traditional laptop with a touchscreen display. The Apple Pencil can come in handy for things like motion graphics which might be tricky or annoying with a touchpad or mouse.

It’s not spec’d out for editing full IMAX movies, but it can handle regular editing without much of a stutter.

Things to consider before buying the best laptop for video editing

In the simplest terms, the best laptops for video editing are jacked-up machines that deliver the most power possible. But that’s not the whole story. The laptop best suited to editing doesn’t need certain features that might appeal to other high-end laptop users, such as touchscreens. When purchasing a laptop, here are some things to consider carefully.

Nothing is more important than processor speed and memory

Video editing and real-time playback are processor-intensive, and it only worsens when you start loading up a project with effects, graphics, and other creative bells and whistles. Most of the best editing software takes advantage of multicore CPUs, and the best laptops for editing video come with 8-core processors. These each usually have multithreading, which allows them to handle two processing threads simultaneously. An end result is a machine that efficiently processes video files, whether playing back multiple tracks of 4K video, transcoding one video format to another, or outputting finished movie files. 

Don’t forget about RAM, either. Generally, 16GB is enough for video editing, though more is always better. But if your budget is tight, it’s better to put the money toward the CPU than more memory.

What’s a graphics processor, and how important is it?

Most laptops have a built-in graphics processor to handle imaging with enough muscle to edit video. However, many better laptops come with dedicated GPUs—with their own onboard RAM—that work in conjunction with your CPU to improve video performance. You most often notice this in functions like video encoding and multitrack video playback. If you’re working on bigger projects, or if you want a faster workflow, consider springing for the best GPU you can afford.

Internal storage: How much should a laptop have?

Most professionals agree that storing video files on external drives is better than leaving them on your computer. It keeps files organized and groups in a dedicated location, and also keeps your internal drive from getting bogged down reading and writing real-time video files. External hard drives also provide easy expandability; when one fills up, you can replace it. They’re shareable among collaborators, too. 

That said, if the point of using a laptop is portability, you might not want to be tied down by drives that hang off the side of your computer. In that case, an internal SSD makes a lot of sense. But remember, video files are often quite large, and you have to balance the need for more space with the price of expensive SSDs. 

Having a 1TB internal SSD will keep you working on small projects when you’re trying to keep your rig lean and mean, but in the end, most of your cutting is best done using larger, less expensive, high-performance external hard drives.

Monitors: Seeing is believing

Today, all laptop monitors are at least full-HD resolution. You can get 4K monitors, too, and they’re helpful when trying to squeeze all of your software’s panels and timelines into a relatively small space. But the truth is, more important than resolution is the monitor’s physical size because editing on a tiny screen isn’t fun.

Most of the best laptops for editing video come with monitors 15 inches or larger. The best provide 16 and 17 inches of workspace, and trust me, you’ll notice the difference. There are times when you might want an ultra-portable laptop, especially if you spend a lot of time working on airplanes or when you have so much other gear that shaving size and weight off anything is a blessing. However, in all other cases, bigger really will make your life better if you’re an editor. 

Color accuracy is also important, especially if you perform your own color correction. Unfortunately, color standards aren’t always so standard, and TV, web, and cinema all treat video differently. This generally manifests in how wide a range of colors can be displayed. The best laptop monitors can conform to the wider DCI-P3 standard, which is coming into use across more platforms, including movies and the web. They can also be calibrated to match the Rec. 709 standard, which is used primarily in television.  

Ports of call

The importance of ports is sometimes overlooked in the race to crank out the best performance specs, but that’s a mistake. USB ports, HDMI outputs, and SD card slots increase your laptop’s capabilities in many ways. You can plug in external drives, monitors, or audio interfaces using USB, send video to TVs through HDMI, or pull footage from cards with built-in SD slots. Unfortunately, many manufacturers today limit their laptops to a few USB-C ports, though these often work at Thunderbolt 3 or 4 speeds. That’s fine if your peripheral uses USB-C, but USB-A is still common. HDMI provides another way to connect to an external monitor without taking up the USB ports and an internal SD reader is just a handy feature for editors, who often pull footage from cameras that record to SD cards. 

All that said, ports aren’t the priority. If a laptop delivers on its CPU and monitor, you’ll be fine if the port selection isn’t exactly what you’d love. After all, that’s what adapters are for. 

Battery life

Editing video uses a lot of power, so whenever you’re working somewhere with an outlet, take advantage of the opportunity to plug in. However, half the fun of owning a laptop is mobility, so decent battery life doesn’t hurt.

Size and weight

In almost every case, the laptops most suitable for editing video will be larger. They have bigger monitors, they accommodate more memory, and they usually have more powerful CPUs. But that doesn’t mean you can’t edit using a smaller computer if size and weight are important. Many laptops for both Windows and Mac can edit video quite well while still having monitors in the 13-inch range.

Don’t be afraid to customize

As we said, manufacturers don’t usually market their laptops specifically to editors, and many base-level configurations won’t provide the specs necessary for complex and power-hungry video applications. When buying, look to upgrade CPUs, graphics cards, and RAM.

FAQs

Final thoughts on selecting the best laptops for video editing

• Best overall: Apple MacBook Pro M2 Pro
• Best Windows laptop: Dell XPS 17
• Best for YouTube: Apple 13-inch MacBook Pro
• Best for video editing and gaming: Gigabyte Aero 15 OLED XC
• Best budget: Razer Book
• Best tablet for video editing: Apple iPad Pro 12.9-inch

The best laptops for video editing have powerful, multicore CPUs with multithreading, 32GB or more RAM, and spacious, color-accurate monitors. For Windows users, the Dell XPS 17 delivers all the specs necessary to run the top editing programs. Mac users want the 16-inch MacBook Pro; whether you get the M2 Pro chip or splurge on the M2 Max, it’s one of the best laptops for cutting movies. For any laptop, don’t forget to properly configure your laptop when you buy it, upgrading the CPU, graphics card, and RAM as much as your budget allows.  

The post The best laptops for video editing in 2023, chosen by experts appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best for YouTube beginners (Windows)		NCH VideoPad		SEE IT	A simple-to-use program that doesn’t skimp on the tools editors use most.
Best for Mac		Adobe Premiere Pro		SEE IT	Professional editing software that provides all the tools to cut anything you can experience on a screen.
Best for mobile devices		Premiere Rush		SEE IT	A simple and intuitive app designed for on-the-go editing.

The ideal video editing software for YouTube provides powerful tools and an interface that doesn’t get in the way of your creativity. Whether you’re producing unboxing videos, product reviews, sketch comedy routines, short films, or news reports, solid editing transforms raw footage into content that gets more views and Likes. There was a time when high-end, professional editing software cost too much for home users. Today, however, pretty much any aspiring creator has access to the best video editing software for YouTube … as long as you pick from this list!

• Best for beginners (Windows): NCH VideoPad
• Best for beginners (macOS): Apple iMovie
• Best editor for Mac: Adobe Premiere Pro
• Best video editor for PC: Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve 18
• Best for mobile devices: Adobe Premiere Rush

How we chose the best video editing software for YouTube

In picking our best video editing software for YouTube, we looked at 10 top products. We evaluated their editing tools, titling and graphics options, how the software handles audio, and selections of transitions and effects. We also paid close attention to the types of files they can import and play, as well as the video formats and resolutions that they output. We looked specifically at each software’s limitations to decide if they were deal-breakers. Finally, we assessed their ease of use. The best software in the world doesn’t do anyone any good if no one can figure out how to use it. 

Our evaluations come from direct testing by professional editors, as well as conversations with other industry professionals. We also looked at reviews left by typical users to get an idea of how editors of different experience levels feel about the software.

The best video editing software for YouTube: Reviews & Recommendations

In testing this software, we treated each program as if we were using it on professional projects, often importing footage shot for TV shows and movies. These were cut into sequences, trailers, and other short videos. We didn’t skimp on titles or effects, and we exported our files using YouTube’s suggested parameters, as well as settings for higher-end delivery. Combining this with observations from other trusted peers, we narrowed the options to these five top choices.

Best for beginners (Windows): NCH VideoPad

NCH Software

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Why it made the cut: VideoPad is the best video editing software for Youtube beginners because it has an easy-to-navigate interface and many of the most important editing tools, with a tiered price structure that keeps it affordable.  

Specs 

• Cost: Tiered subscription
• Mobile or Desktop: Desktop
• Platform: Windows and macOS (with limited features)

Pros

• Easy to learn 
• Tiered pricing, including a limited free version
• Excellent video stabilization

Cons

• Free version includes repetitive notifications
• Poor automatic speech-to-text subtitles

NCH Software’s VideoPad Editor is a simple-to-use program that doesn’t skimp on the tools editors use most. Other software might provide a larger set of features and more functionality, but those programs can often overwhelm beginners—not to mention their budgets. But with its easy upgrade path that opens up features, VideoPad is a video editor for Windows that grows with its user.   

The traditional layout includes familiar modules. Bins store clips, still images, music, and other assets. A timeline allows you to string the assets together. The viewer displays the final project. The intuitive drag-and-drop interface makes piecing together engaging content quick and painless, and the included effects and transitions will let you flex your creative muscles. You can even edit 360-degree video.

Overlays like graphics or text use the same drag-and-drop system, so adding on-screen identifications and logos is easy. The Masters Edition opens the software to third-party plugins that increase the software’s effects and transition library. 

VideoPad creates files in resolutions ranging from 480p to 4K. It can output directly to YouTube and other social media, as well as sites like Dropbox, Vimeo, and Google Drive. Of course, files can also be saved to the desktop or a dedicated folder on both an internal or external hard drive. 

Best for beginners (macOS): Apple iMovie

Apple

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Why it made the cut: Practically every Mac and iOS device includes iMovie, making it quick and easy for Apple users to start editing video without spending an extra dime.

Specs 

• Cost: Free
• Mobile or Desktop: Both
• Platform: macOS, iOS

Pros

• Included on every new Apple product
• Simple interface
• Powerful color-matching and green-screen tools
• Excellent tools for audio

Cons

• No 360-degree video editing
• Only two video tracks
• No multicam capabilities

If you own a Mac, iPad, or iPhone, you’ve already got iMovie—why not learn to edit on it before diving into deeper waters? Apple’s ubiquitous software is the best video editing software for Youtube beginners because it is easy to navigate and features intuitive drag-and-drop functionality to help you produce your YouTube videos quickly. It also acts as a stepping stone to Apple’s full-featured video editor, Final Cut Pro, for anyone who wants to stay in Apple’s orchard. 

The simple iMovie interface only shows you the tools you need when you need them. A standard three-pane layout includes source material, your video content, and a timeline. The software only has two video tracks, a limitation that most editors will outgrow. On the flip side, it’s easier for beginners to focus on the fundamentals of laying out a compelling and focused story.

Editing in iMovie is simple. If you slide the mouse over a clip while in Media View, you’ll scrub through your footage for easy previews. Once you drag a selected clip into the timeline, it automatically links up with the other clips. Trim or extend your selections by dragging their fronts or backs. Clips conveniently lock together so you can move whole chunks without worrying that you might accidentally leave part of a sequence behind.

Apple provides powerful tools for color correction, green-screen keying, and time effects—as well as more esoteric options. iMovie handles different types of footage without trouble, including 4K resolutions. Once the edit is done, it outputs all standard file formats. You can share your video directly to YouTube, Vimeo, or your iTunes library, or you can save it to your computer to upload to other sites.

Best video editor for Mac: Adobe Premiere Pro

Adobe

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Why it made the cut: Adobe Premiere Pro is an industry-standard editing platform designed to cut everything from YouTube videos to Hollywood blockbusters, making it our choice for the best Youtube editor for Mac. 

Specs 

• Cost: $20.99-$31.49/month (Included with Creative Cloud subscription)
• Desktop or Mobile: Desktop
• Platform: macOS, Windows

Pros

• Interfaces seamlessly with other Adobe Creative Cloud apps
• Full set of industry-standard, professional editing tools
• Can output virtually any type of audio or video file 
• Highly adjustable effects and transitions

Cons

• Steep learning curve
• Requires a powerful computer

Adobe Premiere Pro is cross-platform, professional editing software that provides all the tools to cut YouTube videos, Hollywood features, music videos, educational shorts, or anything else you can watch on a screen. It’s part of Adobe’s Creative Cloud subscription service, including Photoshop, Illustrator, AfterEffects (motion graphics), and numerous other programs—many of which interface seamlessly with Premiere Pro.

Premiere Pro provides any number of video and audio tracks, limited only by your computer’s CPU and GPU. Nearly every parameter is adjustable, including the clip’s length, speed, scale, position, rotation, and transparency levels. Want to add text? It’s easy with a text editor that includes design and layout tools. 

The software includes dozens of effects and transitions, from the simple to the outrageous, with powerful image stabilization and advanced color correction. It runs most third-party plug-ins, too. Effects can be added to individual clips or adjustment layers that transform entire sequences. 

Premiere Pro imports and plays nearly any type of video file and provides comprehensive media management tools to help keep track of everything. It exports videos in any format, resolution, size, or bitrate, making it easy to optimize your content for playback via YouTube, social media, streaming services, BluRay, or your local multiplex. 

Premiere Pro has a steep learning curve, especially for brand-new editors. But experienced YouTubers and filmmakers will grasp the basics thanks to the program’s standard layout. Adobe’s website helpfully provides extensive tutorials, and the filmmaking community has swamped YouTube with how-to videos. 

Best video editor for PC: Blackmagic DaVinci Resolve 18

Blackmagic

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Why it made the cut: Professional features, industry-standard color grading tools, and a starting price tag of zero dollars make DaVinci Resolve a powerful choice for YouTubers and our choice for the best Youtube video editor for a PC.  

Specs 

• Cost: Free
• Desktop or Mobile: Desktop
• Platform: Windows, macOS

Pros

• Full set of professional editing tools
• Includes Hollywood’s go-to color-correcting system
• The “Cut” page allows for fast edits and quick turnarounds
• Free version has everything most editors need

Cons

• Extra effect filters cost money
• Upgrading to DaVinci Resolve Studio is expensive

Blackmagic’s DaVinci Resolve started life as a color-grading system used by most TV networks and production companies. When the company announced the addition of a full suite of editing tools, the industry took notice. Now, 18 versions later, that software has become a tool used regularly by editors in and outside of Hollywood. 

Resolve combines an entire post-production facility into one program, from media management to editing to motion graphics to color correction to audio mixing to final delivery. All those tools come with a learning curve, but Blackmagic has always focused on user experience. While the interface isn’t exactly intuitive, it’s easy to get a hang of after watching some tutorials.

The software includes all the expected editing tools, effects, and transitions, as well as highly-customizable speed ramping and excellent tools for creating picture-in-picture videos. Given the software’s lineage, it’s not surprising that the color-correcting tools are some of the best in the world. One of the most useful elements of Resolve is its Cut page, which presents editors with a simplified timeline and tools for faster content creation when deadlines are looming.

Fusion is Resolve’s motion-graphics toolset, and it can create 2D and 3D text, animation, and other elements for your video. And the Fairlight audio system provides mixing and processing for music, dialogue, voice-overs, and sound effects. If you decide that you need to really push your editing workflow, you can upgrade to DaVinci Resolve Studio, which has tons of additional effects and optimizations for a Hollywood-level editing experience.

Best for mobile devices: Adobe Premiere Rush

Adobe

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Why it made the cut: Premiere Rush is an easy-to-navigate app that’s ideal for on-the-go YouTubers, with output tools designed for use with all major social media sites making it our choice for the best video editing software for mobile devices.    

Specs

• Cost: $9.99/month (Included with Premiere Pro or Creative Cloud subscriptions)
• Desktop or Mobile: Mobile
• Platform: iOS, Android

Pros

• Easy to learn
• Automatically converts videos to specific aspect ratios for social media
• Can share projects with Premiere Pro
• Included with Creative Cloud

Cons

• Requires subscription to use all the features

Adobe Premiere Rush is a simple and intuitive editing app designed for on-the-go YouTubers. By trimming away some of the more esoteric features found on Premiere Pro, it allows content creators to edit and post videos quickly—whether they’re on macOS, Windows, iOS, or Android.

Moving clips to the timeline from the bin is a one-button process, and then you can cut, trim, clip, or move pieces around at will. Premiere Rush features a title creator with useful, customizable templates, and can import and overlay photos and graphics. Speed tools create drama, and the color corrector includes templates for fast fixes—creators who want a specific look can tweak parameters all day long. Audio is just a click away, and Premiere Rush can access Adobe’s library of music tracks if you need them. 

Premiere Rush tailors its output to social media use and can change aspect ratios to 1:1, 16:9, 9:16, or 4:5 in just a few clicks. Hit all your social media sites without fiddling around too much with settings. 

The app’s ability to share projects with Adobe Premiere Pro makes it a great tool for tweaking bigger projects while away from home. Or, if you want to attack your video with more, send it to the desktop. 

YouTubers who already subscribe to Adobe Creative Cloud or Premiere Pro can download Premiere Rush immediately and at no additional cost. Otherwise, you’ll need to purchase a subscription to take advantage of all the features.

Things to consider when shopping for the best video editing software for YouTube

Any video editing software can deliver professional results, but that doesn’t mean every program is right for every editor. Here are some important questions to think about before making a purchase.

Are you a beginner? 

If you’ve never edited video before, consider starting with software that leaves off or hides more advanced features so you can focus on the basics. Great content doesn’t require 100 layers of video and an endless supply of effects. After all, many Hollywood classics were cut with what was essentially a razor blade!

Mac or PC?

First, ensure the software is compatible with your laptop, then confirm that it can take full advantage of a video-editing optimized monitor. Thankfully, many of the best programs run on both Mac and Windows machines. Of course, there are exceptions, such as Apple’s iMovie and Final Cut Pro, which only work on Macs. 

Want to edit on your mobile device?

With a modern smartphone, whether iPhone or Android, it’s easy to shoot spectacular 4K video and then upload it directly to YouTube. So why bounce it out to a desktop just to edit when plenty of apps turn your device into an all-in-one production studio? If you create content from the field, editing apps are lifesavers—and the processing power of an M2 iPad Pro is astounding. 

How fancy are your YouTube videos?

Experienced editors can take advantage of the multiple layers, complex effects and transitions, powerful compositing tools, titling and graphics, and advanced output options in professional editing software. If that’s you, the basic programs will leave you wanting or cost you extra cash when you send it out for advanced work. 

What’s your budget?

Most editing software requires payment to unlock all the features or remove watermarks. Tiered subscription models help protect your wallet by only making you pay for features you’ll actually use. And the free options are great for trying before you buy.  

FAQs

Final thoughts on selecting the best video editing software for YouTube

Adobe’s Premiere Pro is our choice for the best video editing software for YouTube. Advanced editing tools and easy integration with other Adobe products—specifically Photoshop, AfterEffects, and Premiere Rush—make it the software of choice among professionals. And while the program’s complexity steepens Premiere Pro’s learning curve, beginners can start cutting footage after just a few online tutorials.  

The post The best video editing software for YouTube in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Hit the Ground Running		Garmin Forerunner 955 Solar		SEE IT	This sensors-stuffed running watch keeps you in touch with your stats and your supporters.
A Class Act		Garmin Venu 2		SEE IT	An attractive smartwatch that can teach the competition about offering powerful tools in a stylish form.
Top Watch For Top Fitness		Garmin fēnix 7 Sapphire Solar		SEE IT	Track any outdoor activity you can imagine with this full-featured multisports watch.

Most people don’t give a lot of thought to microphones. Those people aren’t livestreaming. For anyone sharing their actions and reactions live on Twitch, YouTube, Facebook Live, etc., a quality standalone mic is one of the most important pieces of equipment you can buy. Long gone are the days when a generic headset or a computer’s tinny built-in mic will do. But not every mic suits every job and the wrong one in your studio can limit your broadcast options or even silence you completely. With the best mics for streaming, however, it’s easy to make your livestream sing—literally, if that’s what you like to do on-air!

• Best overall: Blue Yeti
• Best for multiple sources: Elgato Wave:3
• Best professional: Shure SM7B
• Best budget: Rode PodMic
• Best portable: Sennheiser MKE 400

How we selected the best mics for streaming

The microphone market is saturated with products and choosing the right piece of equipment isn’t always easy. We consulted academic articles and product reviews, we spoke with professionals, and we did our own first-hand testing to find mics whose signals rise above the noise. We focused on microphones designed for different types of streamers, from interviewers to gamers and everyone in between, and evaluated criteria like audio quality, ease-of-use, flexible features, and portability. Finally, while a mic’s aesthetics don’t play a role in how it sounds, we realize that, when livestreaming, your equipment often becomes part of your on-screen persona. All other things being equal, we stuck to nicely designed mics.

The best mics for streaming: Reviews & Recommendations

Not all mics are created equal and navigating an industry swamped with options can leave anyone’s ears ringing. So we performed a few check-check-checks for you and here are our picks for the best mics to stream with.

Best overall: Blue Yeti

Blue Microphones

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Why it made the cut: Blue Microphones has been producing mics for streamers and podcasters for years, and the ubiquitous Yeti’s three condensers and variety of polar patterns make it one of their most versatile models.

Specs:

• Capsules: Three condensers
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• Connector: mini-USB
• Number of Polar Patterns: Four

There’s a great reason you’ll find the Blue Microphones Yeti USB microphone in the studios of many streamers and podcasters: it’s simple to use, versatile, delivers great sound, and costs less than even a D-list cover band’s touring budget. As one of the best mics for streaming this mic combines three separate condenser capsules and has four selectable polar patterns: cardioid, omni, figure-8, and stereo. Its 16-bit/48kHz analog-to-digital converter captures all the expressiveness of the human voice and the mic provides zero-latency monitoring thanks to an internal headphone amp and output (with its own volume knob). An input gain control keeps louder sound sources under control and you can use the mute switch whenever discussing something you don’t want your listeners to hear—or you just need to sneeze. The Yeti’s USB output makes connecting it to a computer simple and the microphone sits on your desk using its included stand. If your setup is more modular, you can also mount the Yeti to a swing-arm using the threaded connector set into its housing. And, as an added bonus for any streamers who like to keep their mics in sight of the camera, the standard Yeti comes in a variety of colors—including blue, silver, teal, red, and black—while the Yeti for The Aurora Collection edition adds Pink Dawn and White Mist. 

For even more on-screen impact, consider the HyperX QuadCast S—which we reviewed here—a gaming microphone with customizable RGB lighting. Or, if you’re good with the general look of the Blue Yeti but want some subtle visual flair and a bump in audio clarity, consider the newer, slightly more expensive Yeti X (learn more about the differences here).

Best for multiple sources: Elgato Wave:3

Elgato

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Why it made the cut: The Wave:3’s Clipguard technology helps stop bad audio from ruining your stream by preventing the mic from distorting when you get too loud.

Specs:

• Capsules: One condensers
• Frequency Response: 70 Hz to 20 kHz
• Connector: USB-C
• Number of Polar Patterns: One

The Elgato Wave:3 is an innovative streaming and podcast microphone that connects seamlessly to Wave Link, Elgato’s digital mixing platform for both Windows and Mac OS. The classy-looking, rectangular mic has one condenser capsule and a fixed cardioid polar pattern, but the audio that comes from it is at a high-quality 96kHz/24-bit resolution. An internal pop-filter helps cut down on those plosives—the hard P’s and B’s that make your audience’s speakers shake—while the company’s proprietary Clipguard technology allows you to rant and rave as loudly as you’d like without the mic distorting. Those are great features, but what really sells the mic is the included Wave Link software, which allows you to combine audio from eight sources—like video games, voice chats, music, alerts, samples, or other mics—into a single broadcast. All in all, this is an elegant solution if you’re building more complex streams.

Best for professionals: Shure SM7B

Shure

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Why it made the cut: The SM7B’s single, dynamic microphone capsule has a cardioid response pattern that accurately captures your voice while helping to reject off-axis, ambient sounds.

Specs:

• Capsules: One dynamic
• Frequency Response: 50 Hz to 20 kHz
• Connector: XLR
• Number of Polar Patterns: One

Shure has been a leader in professional-grade stage and studio microphones since 1925 and the company’s products, like the venerable SM58, have graced the performances of divas, pop stars, and heavy-metal gods; recorded instruments on best-selling records; and found a home in broadcast booths worldwide, which is exactly where you’ll find the SM7B. Whether you’re trying to create the rich, honeyed tones of a public radio host or you frequently burst out into raucous song during your livestream, the SM7B’s dynamic capsule is a recording microphone set to receive the goods. Undoubtedly the best studio microphone of our choices, it handles high volumes across a wide frequency range without distortion and its cardioid polar pattern keeps your voice front-and-center in the mix while rejecting surrounding chatter. It’s easy to tailor your sound using the SM7B’s built-in toggles for bass rolloff and presence. However, the SM7B uses a professional XLR microphone connector, which means you’ll need to make sure you’ve got an audio interface like the Red Scarlett 2i2, or a mixer with a USB output, like Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X, in order to get sound into your computer. So your investment requires further investment. Space and budget a little tight? Another great option that shares some of the SM7B’s pedigree, but adds USB, is the Shure MV7 (read our full thoughts on it here).

Best budget: Rode PodMic

Rode

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Why it made the cut: Rode’s PodMic captures the rich tones of a dynamic microphone but without the accompanying cost.

Specs:

• Capsules: One dynamic
• Frequency Response: 20 Hz to 20 kHz
• Connector: XLR
• Number of Polar Patterns: One

Sometimes, you have a PC with a purpose and sometimes you want a jack of all trades. The same can be true of your speakers. Rode has worked hard over the years to establish itself as a purveyor of high-quality, budget-friendly microphones and today its products are found in professional settings all over the world. So it’s not surprising that this dynamic microphone captures the warm sounds of pro broadcasters without emptying your wallet. Its single capsule has a cardioid polar pattern that focuses the listener on your voice while holding ambient noise at bay. Rode describes the PodMic as optimized for use with the company’s RodeCaster Pro Podcast production studio—an external mixer and recording unit with four inputs—but the microphone’s professional, balanced XLR output connects to any audio interface for use with a computer. It also can plug directly into field recording units, video cameras, or professional mixers.

Best portable: Sennheiser MKE 400

Sennheiser

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Why it made the cut: The supercardioid polar pattern is specifically designed to reject a fair amount of noise from anywhere but directly in front of the mic, making the mic excellent for use in noisy environments.

Specs:

• Capsules: One condensers
• Frequency Response: 50 Hz to 20 kHz
• Connector: TRS or TRRS
• Number of Polar Patterns: One

Sennheiser makes some of the best microphones in the world, go-to equipment for audio professionals across a wide range of industries. The German company’s MKE 400 compact shotgun microphone (read our full review here) is small enough to sit comfortably on smartphones—using the included phone mount—or compact cameras using the built-in cold-shoe. It features TRRS connectivity so you can attach it to an iOS or Android device without losing access to your phone and also comes with a TRS connector for use with cameras, micro-mixers with TRS inputs, or full-size mixers and audio interfaces using third-party TRS to ¼-inch adapters. The MKE 400 is known as a shotgun microphone because of its single-condenser interface and supercardioid polar pattern that offers extreme rejection of noise from the sides—these types of mics do a great job of keeping the focus on whatever they’re pointed at. The MKE 400 includes switches for gain boost and cut, a bass rolloff switch, plus a zero-latency headphone output jack and dedicated volume control. It comes with a tripod and phone holder for easy positioning on a desk or for use as a handle when shooting livestreams in the field.

What to consider when shopping for the best mics for streaming

All the top microphones will deliver high-quality audio, but mics still differ in various ways. When shopping for a streaming microphone, think about the kind of show you’re streaming and what sort of features the mic can bring to your production values. Make sure you understand the ins and outs of how different pickup (or “polar”) patterns, microphone capsules, and connections work so you won’t have to worry about downtime while your audience numbers dwindle. Remember, with microphones you get what you pay for—they don’t have to cost as much as a car to do their job, but beware the flood of budget-oriented, low-quality mics popping up online. Stick to brands that have established reputations in the audio marketplace.

A pattern of use

Different microphones are designed to capture sound waves from different positions. Cardioid mics pick up sound sources right in front of them and are great for use in the broadcast booth or when only one person’s speaking. Mics with omni patterns respond well to people clustered around it—use them if you’re streaming the conversation at a party or you want to pick up all the ambient noise at an event to help your listeners feel like they’re on the scene. Mics with figure-8 patterns are ideal for interviews; they pick up voices on either side, and reject a lot of the surrounding noise. Many mics have one polar pattern, but a company like Blue makes theirs with the ability to switch the range of the mic’s response.

Types of mics

Generally speaking, the best mics come in two flavors: condenser and dynamic capsules. Many streamers prefer the best condenser mics because they’re great for capturing quiet sounds and subtle nuances. They’re also usually available in a wider range of polar patterns. On the other hand, they can be delicate, don’t do a very good job with loud noises, and also require power from either an internal battery or through a USB connection or a source that can deliver 48v phantom power. Dynamic mics, on the other hand, are robust tools that hold up well to high volumes—and rougher handling. They often have a cardioid polar pattern that does an excellent job rejecting background noise, which is why they commonly turn up in the hands of stage performers and field reporters. These are excellent mics if you’re streaming from a noisy household, comic convention, or bustling office. It’s harder to find them with USB connections, though, which makes them a bit trickier to slide into your audio chain. It’s worth noting that dynamic mics often have a warmer sound, which is one reason radio broadcasters deliver their schtick in such dulcet tones. If you want a more naturalistic sound, it might be worth looking at condenser mics.

On the road again

Streaming tech has reached a point where it’s easy to broadcast live using just a smartphone with a solid LTE or WiFi connection. If you’re traveling, look for small, lightweight mics that can connect to your device via its TRRS jack, or USB or Lightning ports. These mics usually have an extremely directional supercardioid or hypercardioid pattern—they’re colloquially known as shotgun mics—so that when you point them at yourself for a selfie walk-and-talk, pesky environmental noise won’t screw up your stream. It’s worth considering keeping one in your backpack and using a different mic in your home studio.

If you often stream from the road, consider pairing your mic with a micro-mixer like the Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X. This pocket-size mixer has nine audio inputs and connects directly to an iOS or Android device so you can record not only yourself, but also collaborators, musicians, or anyone else.

Making a connection

Microphones can plug directly into most computers via USB or, sometimes, using a traditional audio cable that connects to a USB audio interface. If you’ve got multiple audio sources, a mixer is handy—some have USB outs themselves, while others will also need to plug into an audio interface. While a USB connection is convenient, it does limit the mic to the digital world. If you want to use the mic in other applications, it needs to have an analog output such as balanced XLR or TRS.

FAQs

Final word on picking the best mics for streaming

The best mic for streaming is an investment that will serve you well for as long as you stay on the air. If you have clear goals for your streaming, try to find a mic that helps you accomplish them even as you and your online identity grow. But also consider multiple mics for different situations; sometimes the best streaming microphone in the studio or while you’re gaming isn’t ideal for taking to a festival or industry event. In the end, when buying equipment, remember the value of research. Read reviews, consult our guides, and don’t forget to find out what your favorite podcasters are using. Then get out there and make some noise.

The post The best mics for streaming in 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Smartphones are annoying to tote along on a run, but they can come in very handy. A friend of mine once had a medical emergency while jogging and was able to call 911. My wife sometimes receives uncomfortable attention from strangers while training for races, so she likes the reassurance that comes from being able to call me or a friend if she ever feels unsafe. But both have told me that, all things being equal, they don’t enjoy strapping a phone to an arm or finding a way to secure one in small pockets. That’s where the new Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE sports watch comes in. As its name suggests, the company built LTE technology into one of its popular fitness tracker watches, the Forerunner 945 first released in 2019, so that it now provides powerful safety alerts in addition to advanced athletics tracking in a sophisticated wearable. 

However, the Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE can’t break fully from a connected device. You’ll still need your smartphone if you want to stream music from Spotify, get and respond to text messages, make calls, or receive Twitter updates or photos, etc. Replacing your phone isn’t Garmin’s goal. Instead, the company has packed an already feature-rich running watch with a number of reassuring wireless tools. So read on to find out if the latest iteration of the Forerunner 945—and the added cost of its LTE—are right for you. 

Brian Stillman

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The Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE’s design

This Forerunner is a surprisingly classy athletic watch. It’s not as chunky as the company’s Instinct Solar [check out our hands-on review]. And, while nowhere near as sleek as the Venu 2 [see our thoughts on that model], the understated design looked good when I met some coworkers for dinner. At 44.4 mm in diameter, 13.9 mm thick, and only 49 grams, it’s comfortable, too. Like many of Garmin’s sports watches, the Forerunner dons a familiar array of five control buttons, which I had no problem finding by touch while working out. 

The watch’s lens is made from strong Corning Gorilla Glass DX (similar to the material used on various smartphones) and it’s set into a fiber-reinforced polymer bezel. This watch can take some abuse. The included silicone watchband feels fine, but it traps sweat and I’d prefer something that breathes more. Thankfully, Garmin and third-party providers offer dozens of replacement bands. Finding the right look and feel requires only a quick Internet search. 

The bright, color display provides ample information at a glance, and it’s easy to read in full sunlight. Backlighting helps when it gets darker. Garmin preloaded the Forerunner 945 LTE with a number of watch face options. You can download more from the GarminConnect store or third parties. From there, it’s easy to tweak what information is displayed and how it’s laid out. You can also adjust the colors. Personally, I prefer a simple watch face with the time and date. I included message alerts for a while, but I get so many during the day that I can’t keep up, and seeing an icon with the number 75 next to it was just embarrassing. Three clicks of a button and, unlike all those unanswered message alerts, it was gone.

Setting up the Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE

My watch arrived 92-percent charged out of the box. I still topped it off by plugging it into a USB power source (you’ll need to supply your own adapter). In typical Garmin fashion, it charges via a proprietary multipin cable. Some companies, like Apple, have opted for wireless magnetic charging, but using a cable is definitely faster. 

Garmin reports that the battery lasts up to two weeks in smartwatch mode and up to seven hours in GPS mode with music and LTE LiveTrack activated. In my tests, I was able to go a little more than 13 days before the watch died on me. However, in GPS mode, it did last the reported seven hours, though not much more. 

Once charged, the watch guided me through its setup using helpful prompts that started by linking to my phone through Bluetooth to take advantage of the downloadable Garmin Connect app (available for both iOS and Android). From there, I established my baseline for health tracking, including weight, height, and sleep patterns, as well as other biometrics. I was also able to link the watch’s Spotify app to my account in order to stream music through my device or play music I downloaded to the Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE itself. The app then provided a quick-start guide to the watch’s top-level navigation and functions. You can also activate some of the community features, like challenges.

This is also where you set up your LTE plan. I was thrilled to discover I didn’t need to contact my cellphone service provider to activate a second line. In fact, you don’t need to sign up for a plan with any of the phone providers. The watch uses Garmin’s own cellular service. You’ll have to pay $5.99 per month with an annual subscription ($6.99 a month without). You’ll have to decide for yourself whether that fits your budget, but I found the price more than reasonable for what this watch provides. 

LTE connectivity

I was excited by the prospect of the Forerunner’s new LTE connectivity. I dreamed of owning Dick Tracy’s communicator watch when I was a kid, so the lure of having a wearable that wasn’t tethered to my iPhone was impossible to ignore. But that’s not exactly what Garmin had in mind when they designed this sports watch. 

The Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE, which costs $50 more than the base model, uses its over-the-air functionality to add helpful tracking features for both performance metrics and well-being, such as real-time progress sharing, crash detection, and emergency response team assistance request.

The Assistance tool is the one you hope you never have to use. It sends a message to your emergency contacts if you’re feeling unsafe or you’re lost, and it includes location data so they can find you. Assistance Plus takes this a step further by sending your name and location to the Garmin IERCC, which is a professional emergency response coordination center that then contacts emergency services to get you out of trouble. This is the same technology Garmin uses on its navigation tools to help rescue people at sea, when mountain climbing, and in other extreme situations. For extreme runners, backcountry skiers, wilderness hikers, people who like to swim in the open ocean, this safety tool is a no-brainer.

Taking it for a test run

I tested out LiveTrack, a tool that lets friends and family follow your location in real-time, on a jog through my new neighborhood. My friend, back in his apartment, followed my route without any trouble through an invite-only web portal. Of course, it also showed him how long I chilled out in the park halfway through my run. The tool was accurate enough that he could even figure out which bench I sat on. Busted!  

Spectator Messaging is a fun tool that lets friends, family, coaches, or teammates add some extra motivation during a race by delivering audio and text messages.

Finally, Live Event Sharing automatically sends race updates to your friends so they can stay up-to-date on your pace, location, and time. No need to press a button or do anything else that might break your concentration or interrupt your stride.

The rest of the specs

The Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE puts a lot of information on your wrist, but the lack of touchscreen technology means navigating what to me often felt like a maze of submenus. Expect a learning curve.

That said, hot-buttons take you to convenient widgets that provide snapshots of such biometric data as heart rate, step count, run details, and pulse ox. Some widgets report the weather, provide calendar alerts, notifications, and similar information. This is just surface-level information; dive deeper via the watch or the Garmin Connect app.

Thankfully, dedicated buttons access the music player and stopwatch, two features that I hate hunting for in the middle of a workout.

While navigating the watch is sometimes trickier than I’d like, Garmin does an excellent job of conveying information clearly and concisely through the smart use of icons, colors, and easy-to-read text. I only needed to glance at my wrist to read my lap time and heart rate.

Keep track of your movement and activities

The Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE tracks all sorts of preloaded activities—like biking, paddling, hiking, walking, snowboarding, and rafting. You can easily add new ones. With its focus on running, it’s no surprise this GPS fitness watch provides different running options, including outdoor, indoor track, and trail. You can also get real-time feedback on your form, including cadence, vertical oscillation, ground contact time, stride length, and more by pairing it with a running dynamics accessory. 

The watch suggests times for heat and altitude acclimation, lactate threshold, predicted race times, and training load and focus. It even provides daily suggested workouts. It tracks sleep data and then combines it with other information to help compute body battery, a measurement of energy levels. This, in turn, cycles back into the data set that helps the watch set up workout plans. 

Garmin has a long history of making excellent navigation tools, and the Forerunner 945 LTE includes full-color mapping of streets and trails, plus you can create your own courses in the Garmin Connect app. ClimbPro ascent planner displays real-time information including gradient, distance, and elevation gain. The Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE also includes turn-by-turn navigation and round-trip routing. 

Pay as you play

I like to keep my wallet secured in my locker when working out at the gym. The Garmin Pay feature lets me use my watch to pay for things like juice or a light snack in the same way that I might use my phone and Apple Pay. Just add a credit or debit card to the Garmin Pay wallet and you’re all set. It’s also handy for anyone who worries about losing their credit cards when running, or who spends a lot of time in the water. No one likes a wad of soggy cash.

So, who should buy the Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE?

The Garmin Forerunner 945 LTE is an upgrade to the original Forerunner 945, but it’s not an upgrade everyone needs. It provides peace of mind and fun features for fitness trackers, especially racers, but if you spend most of your workout time in the gym or running on a local track or in a safe neighborhood, you could save some money by considering running watches like the original Forerunner 945 or the Instinct line. They cost less but have nearly the same tracking, measurement, and training capabilities. 

Related: Apple Watch comparison

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Best 4k portable projector		ViewSonic X10-4KE		SEE IT	This projector packs oversized image quality into a small and portable package.
Best portable projector for movies		Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12		SEE IT	The high-contrast image pops on screen.
Best affordable portable projector		Miroir M289		SEE IT	This pick offers affordable portability for movies on-the-go.

The best portable projectors produce big, bright images for a cinema-like experience. But, at the same time, they pack all that power into units that can go places the best home theater projectors can’t. These options are small and light enough to take anywhere—from the living room to the bedroom, on family vacations, or even out camping in the woods. They’re ideal for anyone who makes presentations at work or school, with units small enough to fit in a backpack, shoulder bag, or briefcase. 

No one wants to lug around extra source components like a Blu-ray player, so many of the best portable projectors accept HD or 4K content from streaming sticks, SD cards, or USB keys. In fact, some projectors have smart TV and streaming capabilities built in. A well-rounded portable projector also delivers surprisingly robust audio—again, who wants to haul speakers when you can have all the equipment built into one device? Some projectors even run on battery power for truly off-the-grid viewing. 

The projector market is saturated with units designed to replace the TV as your main source for programs and movies. To help you wade through all the options, we surveyed the choices to offer you our picks for the best portable projectors.

• Best 4K: ViewSonic X10-4KE
• Best for movies: Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12
• Best budget: Miroir M289
• Best mini-sized: AAXA M7
• Best for presentations: AAXA P6X

How we selected the best portable projectors

To select our picks for the best portable projectors, we looked at 14 different units from eight different companies. We combined staff experiences with critical and user opinions to narrow down the choices and dug into the manufacturer’s spec sheets to find out how the projectors performed and whether they lived up to their manufacturer’s promises. We evaluated our choices by comparing brightness, contrast ratios, and color accuracy, as well as people’s overall impressions of picture quality. Since portable units are often taken out of people’s main movie rooms, we also focused on the quality of built-in audio—a movie isn’t any good if you can’t hear it. Of course, we looked at each projector’s size and weight and evaluated the ease of traveling with it. Battery life was also a consideration, as was ease-of-setup. 

Things to consider before buying the best portable projectors

It’s easy to become confused by the specs underlying video projectors, and the terminology might seem confusing at times. Thankfully, when you break it down, the product details can help you choose the best pick for your unique situation. So here are a few things to consider before purchasing a portable projector: 

Light it up

When buying a projector, shine a light on the number of lumens offered. Lumens describe how much light a projector creates and that, in turn, determines how bright and large your picture will be—especially in less than ideal situations where you can’t achieve a completely dark room. Unfortunately, different companies measure lumens in different ways, so comparisons between units aren’t always clear-cut when the numbers are close. A projector that puts out a reported 1,800 lumens might not actually have much more light than one with a reported 1,500 lumens. In fact, it might not be brighter at all! On the other hand, if one projector claims 2,000 lumens—and another delivers 1,000—it’s safe to assume the former is the brighter unit. 

Chips and dip

Projectors use imaging chips to create a picture and those come in three types: DLP (Digital Light Processing), LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and LCoS (Liquid Crystal on Silicon). DLP chips and LCD chips crop up in products across many price ranges, while LCoS chips tend to appear in higher-end products. DLP often delivers better contrast than LCD, but the latter tends to win on color. Additionally, units with single DLPs can suffer from a “rainbow” effect, where colors sometimes flash momentarily in areas of extreme brightness. Many people don’t notice them or don’t find them bothersome, while, for others, this quality may be a deal-breaker. 

Size matters

Portable projectors aren’t exactly portable if they’re too heavy to carry in one hand or can’t fit into a backpack. When looking at projectors, pay attention to the physical specs; they might not make a difference if you planned on leaving the unit sitting in your living room, but you’ll appreciate it if you spend a lot of time carrying your tech from one place to another!

Pico and palmtops

Pico projectors, also sometimes called pocket projectors, are about the size of a smartphone. This makes them extremely portable, of course, but they’re generally dimmer than most other projectors, with a price-to-performance ratio that leaves something to be desired. Palmtop projectors are larger and brighter than pico projectors, with more connections, and lightweight enough to drop into a bag for travel or presentations. 

Pico and palmtops don’t often need bulky external content sources; they can run files from USB drives and sometimes SD cards. They often feature rechargeable batteries, which makes them convenient when on the road and far from an outlet. 

Power Up

If you plan on traveling with your projector to the office, a friend’s house, or any other place with an outlet, power won’t be an issue. But if you’ve got dreams of watching romantic movies—or, my personal choice, deep-space adventures—under the stars, then you’ll need something with enough battery life to get you through the feature. Nothing’s worse than reaching the final scene and having the projector go dark!  

Game on

If you plan on using a portable projector for gaming, pay attention to the unit’s refresh rate, which is usually between 60Hz and 240Hz, as well as its lag time. The higher the refresh rate—the faster the pixels can change images—and the lower your lag time. Lower lag times translate into faster on-screen reactions to your button-mashing. Many projectors have variable refresh rates depending on the resolution. So, for instance, when playing 4K games, the refresh rate might be 60Hz, while playing 1080p games allows the projector to have a 120Hz refresh rate.  

Additional features

Other things to look for in higher-end projectors include lens shift, which helps you adjust the picture up and down or side to side without having to move the projector; motorized lenses that make it more convenient to focus; and throw distance. That last spec determines the distance required between the projector and its screen or surface. Short-throw projectors are excellent for small spaces because they can generate a larger image from closer. But long-throw projectors can sit comfortably in the back of a room in, for instance, an entertainment unit. Knowing how and where you plan on using the unit will help determine how much throw distance you’ll need. (The distances generally have the flexibility to accommodate various settings and situations since no two spaces are exactly the same.) And, if you’re using an external source, make sure you have the best HDMI cable for the job (and maybe even know how to connect a soundbar to beef up the audio presentation of your projector).

The best portable projectors: Reviews & Recommendations

Best 4K portable projector: ViewSonic X10-4KE 4K UHD Projector

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Why it made the cut: Though a bit chunky at 9 pounds, this projector provides 4K video and high-quality audio for an all-in-one portable entertainment system.

Specs

• Weight: 9 pounds
• Product Dimensions (HWD): 6.5 inches by 10.3 inches by 10.7 inches
• Brightness: 2,400 lumens 

Pros

• 4K resolution
• High-quality stereo audio
• Integrated streaming and smart-home features

Cons

• Color needs tweaking out of the box
• Loss of details in shadows
• Too much lag time for gaming

As the best 4K portable projector the ViewSonic X10-4KE packs a punch into a small and portable—if slightly heavy—package, using pixel-shifting technology to get 4K video out of a 1080p DLP chip. A lamp-free red-green-blue LED light source boosts color accuracy and brightness (plus a 30,000-hour lifespan) for an excellent, ongoing image in dark rooms as well as ones with low ambient light. The projector does need some fiddling with settings to get the best image (which includes Rec. 709 color accuracy and HDR content support), but once it’s set you won’t have to deal with it again. 

The short-throw projector casts 4K and HD sources up to 200 feet. It also has built-in smart-home and streaming features built on the Android OS, so you won’t need an external Blu-ray player or laptop—that’s a plus in the portability department. 

Two 8-watt Harman Kardon speakers serve up powerful, stereo sound that can easily fill a living room. The projector also features analog and digital audio ports and Bluetooth output for external speakers. As with all single-chip DLP projectors, the ViewSonic X10-4KE might show rainbow artifacts in particularly bright areas. While not everyone notices them, it’s worth considering when looking at this projector for your home.   

Best portable projector for movies: Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 Smart Streaming Laser Projector

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Why it made the cut: Even though it’s only 1080p, Epson’s EpiqVision Mini EF12 has a three-chip LCD that delivers high contrast ratios and accurate color.

Specs:

• Weight: 4.7 pounds
• Product Dimensions (HWD): 5.3 inches by 6.9 inches by 6.9 inches
• Brightness: 1,000 lumens

Pros

• Laser light source lasts longer than a bulb
• Three-chip LCD imaging for higher contrast and accurate color
• Integrated smart TV and streaming apps
• Supports 4K content (downconverted to 1080p)

Cons

• Only 1,000 lumens
• No true 4K resolution

The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 is the best portable projector for movies because its multi-array laser diode technology uses a three-chip LCD to play movies with sharp contrast and beautiful, accurate colors (using scene-adaptive color correction) at up to 150 feet. It can accommodate both HD and 4K sources (with HDR support) through its two HDMI ports, though higher-resolution movies are downconverted to 1080p.

Epson’s projector is a full-entertainment center in a box, with Android TV and Google Play Store apps. Download all your favorite streaming services and then settle in to watch movies and binge-able TV without ever having to carry along an external player. 

The EpiqVision Mini EF12 also has muscular sound, provided by built-in, dual 5-watt Yamaha speakers. A 3.5mm output jack, HDMI ARC, and Bluetooth connect the unit to external audio systems—which is a nice feature to have when traveling.  

Best affordable portable projector: Miroir M289 Portable LED Projector

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Why it made the cut: This simple-to-use, portable projector has impressive color and audio for the price, making it the best affordable portable projector for both business presentations and movies.  

Specs: 

• Weight: 27.5 ounces
• Product Dimensions (HWD): 1.4 inches by 6.9 inches by 4.8 inches
• Brightness: 400 lumens

Pros

• MSRP under $400
• Accurate color
• Can use any streaming stick
• Built-in, four-hour battery

Cons

• No image controls
• One HDMI port

The tote-sized, 27-ounce Miroir M289’s DLP chip easily delivers a sharp 1080p image at up to about 100 inches thanks to its 400-lumen red-green-blue LED light source. And it does it just about anywhere thanks to a built-in 5200 mAh, li-polymer, rechargeable battery for up to 2 hours of uninterrupted viewing time (or use it as a battery backup for mobile devices).

This portable projector is designed for streaming, with a USB input compatible with streaming sticks of your choice, and one HDMI input that accepts up to 4K material (then downconverted) from an external media player or a laptop. There’s no way to adjust the image, but colors and contrast are reasonably good out of the box whether you’re watching movies or making presentations. The unit has three buttons (on/off, volume up/down), a focus control, and automatic keystone correction. 

The 3-watt stereo speakers sound good, with enough volume to fill a meeting room. Audio outputs can connect to stereo speakers. While this isn’t a top-of-the-line projector, so you can’t expect it to compete with units costing three or four times as much, the Miroir performs solidly for this price point. 

Best mini portable projector: AAXA M7 Full HD Portable DLP Projector

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Why it made the cut: Sitting comfortably in the palm of your hand, the best mini portable projector, the AAXA M7 pushes out a sharp-looking, bright 1080p picture.

Specs 

• Weight: 3 pounds
• Product Dimensions (HWD): 1.85 inches by 7.3 inches by 6.4 inches
• Brightness: 1,200 lumens

Pros

• 1080p resolution
• Bright image for size and class
• Powered focus
• Small enough for a briefcase or bag

Cons

• Color could be more accurate
• Doesn’t support HDR content

The M7 from AAXA is a tiny, but powerful portable projector that easily slips inside your bag or briefcase to bring to business meetings. It also serves as a movie projector for unwinding after a day of work. 

This 1080p unit (4K 30FPS ready) has a higher resolution than many projectors of this size. The picture from the 1,200-lumen quad-cast LED light source looks good even when blown up to around 200 inches. Using power from the 15,000mAh, 3-hour rechargeable battery, though, that drops to 650 lumens. It has a bit of a green-shift that isn’t too noticeable unless you use boost mode to raise the brightness. Darker scenes are a bit soft on detail, but not so much as to make them unwatchable. 

Dual 4-watt speakers are loud enough for a night of movies, though the audio sounds a little thin—not entirely unexpected from a projector of this size. Of course, external speakers can be attached via a 3.5mm stereo output. 

Best portable projector for presentations: AAXA P6X Battery-Powered Portable Mini Projector

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Why it made the cut: The AAXA P6X’s 1280 by 800 resolution, bright image, and high contrast deliver presentations that pop, while its small size makes it easy to take on the road. 

Specs

• Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Product Dimensions (HWD): 1.85 inches by 6.25 inches by 6.2 inches
• Brightness: 1,000 lumens

Pros

• Small and lightweight
• Bright for its class
• Excellent contrast and shadow details
• Four-hour battery

Cons

• Movies don’t look as good
• Focus is difficult to adjust

Anyone who travels for business and needs to make presentations will appreciate the small size and light weight of AAXA’s P6X mini projector. It’s easy to set up, too, so meetings won’t get held up by tech issues making it our choice for best portable projector for presentations. 

The 1280 by 800 resolution isn’t Full HD, but this isn’t a unit designed for watching movies—though you can certainly do so if you’d like. Instead, the DLP chip in this 1,100 lumens (plugged in) pico projector produces images up to 160 inches with high contrast that makes graphics look sharp and punchy. Details emerge from shadows, and colors are vibrant on this brightest-meets-lightest option. 

The unit features an HDMI input that accepts 1080p sources, as well as a microSD slot and two USB Type-A ports. A full set of controls on top of the projector is mirrored on the slim, included remote control. It runs off of a 15,000mAh powerbank, which can also charge other devices. The P6X doesn’t have a carrying case, however, so consider picking one up to protect it from the dings of road life.  

FAQs

The final word on the best portable projectors

The best portable projector is the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12. Its high-definition image shines brightly and scales up nicely for an immersive viewing experience, while the high contrast ratio delivers excellent blacks with strong detail in the shadows. On top of all that, the built-in smart TV and streaming functionality turns the projector into its own, self-contained entertainment center that never lacks for content. Because what’s the point of a portable projector if you also have to carry around a Blu-ray player, too? Finally, the Epson’s powerful, built-in speakers provide robust enough audio to fill any room in your house where you’d watch TV and don’t require any additional sound reinforcement. It’s a powerful package that can comfortably replace a traditional TV—not to mention travel with you wherever you might roam. That said, the other options on this page are excellent choices if they better fit your space and budget. Whichever one you choose, you’ll have fun bringing new meaning to moving pictures. 

The post Best portable projectors of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best HD home theater projector		BenQ HT2050A		SEE IT	Imagery that punches above its price.
Best 4K home theater projector		Epson Home Cinema 5050UB		SEE IT	Bold colors and the highest contrast ratio.
Best value home theater projector		Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12		SEE IT	Packed with streaming content.

The best home theater projectors produce a sharp image with strong contrast and bright, vibrant colors. They fit into your life, both literally (producing the right size image for your room) and figuratively (price and ease of use). In short, the best projectors for watching movies and programs at home deliver the entertainment you expect from a standard TV, only much, much larger. 

The best part about owning a projector is watching your shows with all the immersive fun of sitting in a movie theater. That 50-inch flatscreen is great, but nothing compares to sitting in the cinema and watching that giant Star Destroyer flying overhead in the opening shot of Star Wars. Home projectors bring that experience to your living room, den, or, if you’re lucky, a dedicated movie room. 

Home projectors also provide the flexibility you don’t often find with TVs, especially large ones. They take up much less space in a room, and aren’t an unsightly decorating “dead zone.” With a home projector, you can even take the show outside. Set one up on the deck for a romantic night of movie-watching under the stars. (Again, that Star Destroyer under the night sky would be pretty sweet!) 

Not all of the best home theater projectors are the same, though, and it’s important to match the right device with your viewing habits, space, and overall needs. With that in mind, we’ve, well, screened the options, and here are our selections and considerations. 

• Best HD home theater projector: BenQ HT2050A
• Best 4K home theater projector: Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
• Best home theater projector for gaming: Optoma UHD38
• Best value home theater projector: Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12
• Best outdoor home theater projector: BenQ TH685

How we picked the best home theater projectors

When selecting the best home theater projectors, we looked at a selection of 14 different units. We read reviews, both from industry insiders and owners, and scoured manufacturers’ technical specs. Projectors were evaluated based on brightness, picture quality (particularly in terms of sharpness, color, and contrast), resolution, chip type, and refresh rate. We wanted to know how a projector performed not only in specially designed movie rooms, but also rooms with ambient light or outdoors. For gaming, we compared lag times among units to see which could keep up with players’ reflexes. While not a primary concern, extra features, like lens shift and motorized lenses, or audio capabilities, were noted and considered as well.

Things to consider before buying the best home theater projectors

Bright ideas

Of all a projector’s specs, none shine like the number of lumens. Lumens describes how much light a projector can create, which translates into how bright and large your image can be. Often, units with higher lumens cost more, so you’ll have to balance price and performance when making your selection. While this all might seem straightforward, no company measures lumens in exactly the same way. In broad strokes, if one projector is described as being 2,000 lumens and the other is 1,000, you can say for certain the first one is brighter. But if one is 2,000 and another is 2,200, it’s hard to know if the latter is really brighter, or if the manufacturers are using different scales. On the other hand, in most cases, your eyes probably can’t tell the difference between 2,000 and 2,200 anyway. 

Let there be light

To play your movie on the big screen, a projector’s light source creates the light which is then focused on a chip that generates an image. Light sources come in three varieties: Lasers, LEDs, and Ultra High Pressure (UHP) lamps. The UHP lamps, which are basically high-powered light bulbs, cost the least and generate the most light. The downside is that, over time, they can wear down and need replacing. However, it can take years before that happens and the replacement bulbs usually cost less than $300. LEDs and lasers are more efficient than UHP lamps but cost much more for the same performance. For the time being, UHP lamps still give the most bulb for the buck. 

Chipping away

Projectors use one of three types of imaging chips: DLP, LCD, and LCoS. DLP chips are found in products at many price points and deliver average contrast and decent color. LCD chips can be found on budget to mid-range projectors and often have better color than DLP projectors, but the contrast ratios can sometimes suffer. Finally, LCoS chips can be found on mid- to high-end projectors, have the best contrast ratios, and good color. In the end, LCoS projectors usually beat the others in terms of overall picture quality, which is why they tend to cost more.

Room with a view

Before deciding on a projector, know where you want to use it and how you want to set it up. Will the projector sit far from the wall? If so, you’ll want a projector with a long throw. Some projectors are meant to sit on furniture while others are mounted to the ceiling. If your projector doesn’t have built-in lens shifting, you’ll need to place the unit on something that can be adjusted up or down. It’s better to sort out these details ahead of time than to get home with your new projector and discover it won’t work well in your movie room. 

The best home theater projectors: Reviews & Recommendations

Best HD home theater projector: BenQ HT2050A

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Why it made the cut: Darker blacks, bright whites, and realistic colors all help the BenQ HT2050A punch above its price point.  

Specs

• Product Dimensions (HWD): 5 by 15 by 11 inches
• Lumens: 2,200
• Chip Type: DLP

Pros

• Excellent color and contrast
• Lens shift
• 3D compatible

Cons

• No support for HDR
• Can’t play 4K video

If the BenQ HT2050A only delivered a great picture at a lower price point, it would be enough to make this the best HD home theater projector. But projecting a 100-inch screen from just 8 feet away (with the ability to project up to 300 inches) combined with having lens shift (rarely found on DLP chip projectors) really makes the unit stand out among its peers. 

The high contrast ratio and natural colors deliver a strong, cinema-like picture at up to 1080p resolution. While the company claims the bulb outputs 2,200 lumens, some review tests show it coming in around 1,600. But that’s still bright enough to deliver a large image even in rooms without blackout curtains.

The HT2050A accepts video from two HDMI inputs, as well as a USB connection that has a 1.5-amp output to drive a streaming stick without external power. You’ll also find older, analog audio and video inputs, including both component and composite—just what you need if you’re still rocking the old VHS player. (We won’t judge.)

The 96-percent Rec. 709 color accuracy calibration contributes to picture quality, though the BenQ does suffer from rainbows—multicolored trails left by bright objects on the screen. It’s a problem found with all projectors with single DLP chips, though many people either don’t notice them or simply aren’t bothered by them. For some, however, they’re deal-breakers so make sure you know how you feel about them before considering a single-DLP player. 

Best 4K home theater projector: Epson Home Cinema 5050UB

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Why it made the cut: This best 4K home theater projector is designed for home-theater enthusiasts, with bold colors and contrast that deliver inky shadows and razor-sharp highlights.   

Specs

• Product Dimensions (HWD): 7.6 by 20.5 by 17.7 inches
• Lumens: 2,600
• Chip Type: 3LCD

Pros

• Excellent picture quality
• High contrast ratio
• Horizontal and vertical lens shift
• Motorized zoom
• Full DCI-P3 color

Cons

• Bulkier than many high-end units

The light engine under the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB’s hood uses “4K enhancement” technology and pixel-shifting to create a high-resolution image out of its three HD LCD chips. The jury’s out on whether this delivers a sharper picture than a true 4K DLP chip, but that doesn’t change the fact that movies look absolutely gorgeous with 100 percent of the RGB color signal displayed for every frame.

The 5050UB owes much of its success to the 2,600-lumen bulb, one of the brightest in its class. Even more so, UltraBlack 1,000,000:1 dynamic contrast ratio and full 10-bit HDR processing results in dark, silky blacks and punchy highlights that make movies pop. 

Epson’s projector lacks audio outputs, but that’s typical for this class of unit; the company assumes users will run audio through a receiver and speakers for optimal sound. Additional features like a motorized lens with both horizontal and vertical shift, plus motorized zoom, make setting up the Epson 5050UB simple and fast. 

Best home theater projector for gaming: Optoma UHD38

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Why it made the cut: An extremely short lag time combined with an excellent 4K and HD picture makes the Optoma UHD38 projector a gamer’s best friend.   

Specs

• Product Dimensions (HWD): 4.65 by 12.4 by 10.63 inches
• Lumens: 4000
• Chip Type: DLP

Pros

• 240 Hz refresh rate creates lag as low as 4.2 ms
• Supports 4K and HD gaming
• High contrast ratio for a crisp-looking picture

Cons

• Minimum throw distance of six feet
• Minimal zoom and lens shift makes it hard to position

Quick reactions win video games so a TV or projector’s blur-free visuals and unparalleled smoothness are a must. The Optoma UHD38’s 240 Hz refresh rate keeps lag time down to as low as 4.2 ms in Enhanced Gaming mode. The bright, 4,000-lumen bulb, a high contrast ratio, and jewel-like colors create a picture that captures all the dynamic energy of both games and movies. The 4K UHD 60 Hz or 1080p 120 Hz resolutions, plus HDR10 and HLG content compatibility, makes all your content look great and blur-free, making this projector our choice for the best home theater projector for gaming.  

Set-up is a little tricky. The UHD38’s lens isn’t motorized and it has minimal lens shift or physical zoom. You’ll have to position it right in the middle of your screen in order to get the best image and, with its relatively long throw, the closest it can focus is 6 feet.

Best value home theater projector: Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12

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Why it made the cut: The Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 includes a built-in Android TV and Google Play Store apps, making it as much a smart TV as a high-quality HD projector. 

Specs

• Product Dimensions (HWD): 5.3 by 6.9 by 6.9 inches
• Lumens: 1,000 lumens
• Chip Type: LCD
  

Pros

• Laser light source lasts longer than a bulb
• Three-chip LCD imaging for higher contrast ratios
• Integrated Smart TV components
• Supports 4K content (downconverted to 1080p)

Cons

• Only 1,000 lumens
• No true 4K resolution

If you want the best value home theater projector, the Epson EpiqVision Mini EF12 Smart Streaming Laser projector delivers, enabling streaming video services with built-in Android TV and Google Play Store apps. The projector uses a laser-illuminated, three-chip LCD to create a picture with sharp contrast and natural colors.

While the laser-phosphor light source isn’t the brightest at only 1,000 lumens, in a dark room it still provides a large, immersive show at up to 150 inches. Besides all the built-in content channels and the ability to project connected device content wirelessly via Chromecast, the EF12 has two HDMI ports for HD or downconverted 4K video sources.

Built-in, dual 5-watt speakers provide robust sound and the projector connects to an external sound source via 3.5mm output jacks, HDMI ARC, or even Bluetooth. All this versatility makes for a great choice from the gaming pod to the classroom.  

Best outdoor home theater projector: BenQ TH685

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Why it made the cut: Even in ambient light, the BenQ TH685’s 3,500-lumen lamp delivers a sharp picture with nice contrast and accurate color, making this ideal for an evening of outdoor movie watching.  

Specs

• Product Dimensions (HWD): 12.28 by 8.86 by 4.33 inches
• Lumens: 3,500
• Chip Type: DLP

Pros

• Color and contrast good at this price point
• Bright 3,500 lumen lamp
• Supports HDR programming
• Accept 4K input, downconverted to 1080p

Cons

• Can’t read files from USB memory sticks

The BenQ TH685 makes hosting an outdoor movie night easy, with a bright, 3,500-lumen lamp that cuts through ambient light spilling from your living room, the neighbor’s home, or a full moon. It’s adjustable to throw distances of 80 inches to 150 inches. And the onboard, 5-watt mono speaker has a chamber design that delivers more muscular sound than you’d expect; you still might want to bring some speakers out to the patio (it has an audio output on the back), but this saves you that hassle if you’re keeping your set-up simple.

Two HDMI 2.0 ports accept both 1080p and 4K signals, though the 4K gets downconverted to HD. Nonetheless, the resulting image remains sharp, with 95-percent Rec. 709 color. Unfortunately, you can’t feed content from a USB device, so you’ll need to have a Blu-ray player or a computer with an HDMI output as part of your theater setup. The TH685 supports HDR10 and 3D programming. An added bonus: At 120 Hz in 1080p, the BenQ has a lag time of 8.3 ms, making this a useful projector for gamers in addition to being the best outdoor home theater projector.

FAQs

Final thoughts on the best home theater projectors

If you’re a movie fan, the Epson Home Cinema 5050UB is a hard projector to beat. With great color and contrast, plus a bright light source, it delivers a 4K picture that looks great on a big screen and captures the experience of sitting in a real cinema. The motorized lens with horizontal and vertical shift makes it easy to set up, so you’ll be enjoying blockbusters in no time. But no matter what model you opt for, don’t forget the popcorn!

The post Best home theater projectors of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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I used to cover conventions as a producer and cameraman and that meant conducting lots of interviews from crowded show floors. Because we wanted to stay light and mobile, we ran two mics directly into the XLR audio inputs on our video camera: one for the on-air host and the other for whoever she interviewed. The set-up worked, but it had two big problems. First, we could only use two microphones, and interviewing more than one person meant having them share a mic on-camera. Frankly, that looks a little lame. Much more significantly, we had no way to broadcast live and by the time our stories were uploaded that evening from a computer, we were often scooped by teams with expensive livestreaming technology. If I could take one piece of recording equipment back in time with me and do it all over again, I’d pack the Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X. 

Combined with an LTE or Wi-Fi-connected smartphone camera, this compact audio mixer for streaming is a pocket-sized problem solver. Whether you’re a podcaster, vlogger, videographer, or musician in the studio or on stage, the Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X helps get your audio to the masses. 

Brian S. Hawkins

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What is the Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X

The battery- and/or USB-powered GO:MIXER PRO-X features nine channels of audio for microphones, instruments, and line-level sources like music players. It also has a USB output so you can send your jam session directly to a phone or computer for livestreaming or recording. And at only 4.12 inches wide, 6.12 inches deep, and 1.62 inches high, this 8-ounce unit is ridiculously easy to transport. The $149 device isn’t any tougher on the pocketbook than it is on an actual cargo pants pocket but, at this price point, Roland had to make some choices about which features to include and which ones to leave out of the mix. With that in mind, let’s look at whether this mini-mixer for your smartphone is right for you. 

The Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X makes some modest improvements over the company’s previous model, the GO:MIXER PRO. Like its predecessor, the PRO-X features an XLR microphone input with optional 48v phantom power for use with condenser mics; a ¼-inch jack for guitar or bass; dual mono ¼-inch inputs for stereo, line-level instruments; two stereo TRS inputs for external audio from sources like music players; and, finally, a dedicated TRRS jack for connecting a smartphone’s output without losing access to its microphone. 

The Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X’s design

The Roland GO: Mixer PRO-X owes much of its portability to its small size, of course. But you can’t wander through the backcountry broadcasting your livestream if you need to plug into a wall outlet to make it all work. Thankfully, this little mixer draws power from four AAA batteries (not included). Roland claims you’ll get four-and-a-half hours of use from them; in my tests, I came in at just shy of that before I noticed little dips in the audio quality—and then the unit conked out completely. However, the mixer also draws power through its USB port, whether plugged into your phone, computer, or an external power pack. And if you’re using the mixer in a single spot, you can, of course, plug it into the wall via an adapter (also not included). Roland points out—and my tests confirm—that you’ll need to use batteries if you want phantom power for your mics. This will shorten the batteries’ run times, but I had more than enough juice to get through my recording sessions. The versatility of the dual power sources—battery and USB—is a nice touch. 

Hitting the right cords

The mixer connects to your smartphone or computer via a micro-USB jack located on the back of the unit. Much to my delight, Roland included a micro-USB-to-USB-C cable, as well as a micro-USB-to-Lightning cable, making it easy to connect to both older and new Apple and Android smartphones. The company also tossed in a TRRS cable for use with a phone’s dedicated audio output (found on Android phones and older iPhones). This makes the mixer usable straight out of the box.

The Roland GO:Mixer PRO-X improves on its older sibling by adding an attenuator switch that, when engaged, pads the guitar/bass input to help control hotter signals from instruments with active pickups. Roland also added a loopback function so you can play music from your smartphone while still recording video. Finally, they upgraded the headphone output to support headset and earbud mics. 

A strange spin on things

Roland arranged the mixer’s five knobs with enough space between them for even the thickest of fingers—or someone wearing gloves while using it outside on a chilly day. The knobs aren’t as rock-solid as those found on higher-end mixers, but they’re not flimsy either and I never felt like they were at risk of breaking when I carried it in a backpack or the pockets of my cargo shorts.  

Somewhat oddly, Roland marked each knob with an icon indicating the type of instrument they expect you to plug into the corresponding jack. I’d rather they just number them. Sure, the little keyboard icon tells me immediately which controller boosts my synth’s signal, but what if I’ve plugged a drum machine into it? If I’m setting up with a partner and they ask which channel has the DJ mixer, it’s a little confusing to tell them “the one marked with a keyboard.” How do I notate that if I’m writing everything down? Remember, when all’s said and done, an input is an input is an input, and the unit doesn’t really care what sound source runs into it. There are two notable exceptions: If you’ve got an unpowered microphone, you must plug it into the XLR input to use phantom power. And if you’ve got something that combines an output and input on one line, you’ll need to use the TRRS jacks.

I like that Roland designed the mixer with an integrated groove to hold my phone at a great angle for monitoring recordings or streams and, depending on where the mixer’s sitting, using the camera for things like Zoom calls. However, I think Roland missed a beat by not including screw-mounts on the underside for a tripod plate and on the top for a small, flexible arm to hold something like a light, phone clamp, or even a better camera. It would have been an easy way to provide a significant boost in functionality. It’s not a deal-breaker for me, but I’d love to see the company address it one day.   

Is the Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X a sound choice?

Features and inputs are all well and good, but how does the mixer sound? I don’t want an interface that colors the sound or introduces noise to the signal. It’s also important that it provides a decent amount of gain. Can a tiny, inexpensive mixer hit those benchmarks? 

For my first test, I decided to make a live music video about the existential drama unfolding between two squirrels outside my office window. I plugged a drum machine, a sampler loaded up with chugging electric guitar loops, and a high-end condenser vocal microphone into the PRO-X (making sure phantom power was engaged), and then sent the signal to my favorite phone video app, Filmic Pro. Then I hit record and started playing while trying to shoot the two rodents as they ran around a tree. I won’t lie, the video stunk, but I was absolutely impressed by the quality of the audio. 

The mixer didn’t color the sound at all and provided more than enough headroom for a strong signal without any added noise. I had no trouble dialing in and recording a mix that sounded excellent when played back. The peak indicator light was handy for setting levels, though I’d prefer a meter over a single LED for accuracy. 

In my next test, I plugged two dynamic microphones into the mixer for a simple interview setup. One went into the XLR input (without any need for phantom power) and the other plugged into one of the ¼-inch jacks using an XLR-to-¼-inch adapter. Once again, I sent the signal into my phone, but this time used Zoom to livestream a conversation between myself and an artist friend to an audience of six other people who tuned in for the test. Once again, the audio sounded great in my mixing headphones and the people on the other end of the signal gave it a thumbs-up as well. 

However, during setup, I discovered a rather head-scratching design decision: The mixer’s central volume knob controls output for both the main mix and the headphones. So if I want a bit of a boost in my cans, the recorded signal’s getting a boost, too. As frustrating as that is in the studio, it’s downright problematic if you’re somewhere you need to hear yourself over lots of background noise, like at a convention or a club. In order to make your headphones louder without increasing the entire output volume, you’ll need a separate headphone amplifier. Out of all the features I’d like to see added to the Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X, a separate control knob for headphone gain tops the list. 

That said, I love that the Roland GO:Mixer PRO-X makes it so easy to livestream from my phone. It’s a great tool for anyone with a podcast or vlog, whether they’re conducting interviews, playing live music, doing a DJ set in a virtual club, or holding a conference call. It’s perfect for virtual conventions and panels, too. The mixer’s small size and light weight make it easy to take anywhere, and it drops easily into a broadcast signal chain. In fact, the size and versatility of the GO:MIXER PRO-X invites experimentation. Want to livestream your wandering minstrel troupe at the next Renaissance Faire? It’s easy—just plug in your instruments, set your levels, attach it to your phone, and then drop the mixer into someone’s backpack. If you use wireless connectors, you can walk around and entertain the masses on-site, and your followers online, at the same time. (Who cares about historic accuracy—we’re living in the future, baby!)

So, who should buy the Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X?

Roland’s GO:MIXER PRO-X is ideal for anyone who likes to work with audio on the go, especially if livestreaming is a big part of their creative endeavors. This sound mixer features enough inputs for small bands to play and record together, and bloggers will find setting up audio for interviews or discussion panels a fast and simple affair. The unit’s small enough to toss into your kit bag or backpack, making it perfect for broadcasting from vacation destinations or while on tour. That said, anyone looking for more advanced mixer functionality, like separate gain stages, EQs, or even multiple XLR inputs won’t be happy with the PRO-X. Roland never intended it to replace the mixer in your home recording studio or broadcast booth, but, rather, it makes a perfect supplemental system that goes and performs wherever you do.

The post Roland GO:MIXER PRO-X review: A smart solution for smartphone audio streaming appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best overall		Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1		SEE IT	Multiple high-speed ports and slots in a portable package make this the all-around best hub.
Best for multimedia		Anker PowerExpand Elite 13-in-1		SEE IT	For creatives working with 4K, this is a powerful multimedia hub.
Best budget		Sabrent 4-Port USB 2.0 Hub		SEE IT	Plug in more peripherals for under $10 with this budget, no-frills hub.

The best USB hubs reclaim all the ports computers have lost in the pursuit of thinner, smaller, and lighter machines. These handy hubs help connect just about any peripheral including external drives, monitors, card readers, and more. 

USB hubs not only give you more USB-C and A ports, but they often include HDMI outputs for running multimedia presentations or using a second monitor. They sometimes include Micro or standard SD card readers, and Ethernet ports for networking your machine. For laptops that also draw power through the USB port, many hubs provide powered pass-through connections, and some even have jacks dedicated to charging devices like phones, tablets, and wireless earbuds. 

Thanks to upgraded design philosophies, the best USB hubs not only look nicer on your desk but are also small enough to drop into a bag for easy and convenient travel. Finding the best USB hubs means sifting through a lot of products, so read on to find our favorites. 

• Best overall: Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB C Adapter 
• Best for business travel: Belkin USB-C Hub MultiPortAdapter Dock
• Best for multimedia: Anker PowerExpand Elite 13-in-1
• Best for desktops: Sabrent 10-port USB Hub
• Best budget: Sabrent 4-Port USB 2.0 Hub

How we selected the best USB hubs

When evaluating the best USB hubs, we consulted external reviews, talked with computer experts, read manufacturer spec sheets, and relied on our own professional experience. We focused on the criteria of speed, number of ports, type of ports, and portability when considering which hubs to include on this list. To a lesser extent, and where warranted, the price was taken into account as well. More than a dozen USB hubs were considered before arriving at our top-five choices. 

Things to consider before buying the best USB hub

USB, which stands for Universal Serial Bus, comes in a few flavors, and understanding their differences helps when purchasing a hub.

Catching the BUS

The type of physical connector is denoted by a letter, either A, B, or C. You’re probably very familiar with USB-A ports—they’re the rectangular ones that always seem to be upside down every time you try to plug in a cable. You’ll find the roughly square-shaped USB-B ports found on peripherals like scanners, printers, and audio interfaces. Finally, many modern computers have USB-C ports, which have a flattened, oval shape. 

The standards that describe USB’s data transfer speed use numbers. Currently, most computers with higher-performance ports use USB 3.0 (5 gigabits per second), though older USB 2.0 connections (480 megabits per second) are still fairly common. The highest performing hubs include 3.1 Gen 2 ports (10Gbps), or even Thunderbolt, which transfers data at a whopping 40Gbps. 

Devices that support USB 3.1 will read data from USB 2.0 outputs. However, the maximum data speed will be determined by the slowest link in the data chain.

So, why does speed matter? If you’re connecting an external keyboard or mouse or transferring text documents or spreadsheets, USB 2.0 works great. But if you create video content or 3D games, or edit large photo files, and your data is stored on a fast external hard drive or SSD, you’ll want to take advantage of USB 3.1’s or Thunderbolt’s higher speeds for the best performance possible. Thunderbolt connections can also drive 4K monitors without any lag. 

Connections

It’s a simple idea: USB hubs provide computers with more connections. For instance, plugging a hub into your laptop’s last, open USB-C port creates three or four new places to connect peripherals. Some hubs also act as adapters, allowing you to plug devices with USB-A connectors into a computer with only USB-C inputs (or vice-versa). Finally, many hubs expand the type of connections available to your computer, adding HDMI outputs for video or 4K monitors, card readers for more convenient data transfer, and ethernet ports for network connectivity. Some even offer an extra microphone or headphone jacks for more flexible audio performance.

Monitoring speed

While many hubs include an HDMI output that technically works with 4K monitors, look for hubs that can handle 60Hz refresh rates. They cost more than the hubs that tap out at the more common 30Hz, but the result is smoother movement and animation on the higher resolution screens. If you paid for a fancy 4K monitor, you want to get the best performance from it—don’t let a cheap USB hub stand in the way.

Design

There was a time when USB hubs were bulky and ugly, but thankfully, today’s devices look good on your desk. If you travel, select a lightweight model that stows easily in a briefcase, backpack, or shoulder bag. USB hubs won’t do you any good if they can’t go to where you use your laptop. 

Power 

Some USB hubs require an extra power cord that plugs into the wall. These models are great for powering electricity-hungry devices, but they’re not very portable. Hubs that draw power directly from the computer into which they’re plugged are much easier to use on the go but won’t always provide enough juice for the greediest gadgets. 

The best USB hubs: Reviews & Recommendations

Best USB hub overall: Anker PowerExpand 8-in-1 USB C Adapter

Anker

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Why it made the cut: The multiple, high-speed USB ports and SD slots make Anker’s PowerExpand 8-in-1 a great hub, but an HDMI output that supports a 60Hz video signal for 4K monitors makes it our favorite.  

Specs

• Weight: 4.5 ounces
• Product Dimensions (LWH): ‎4.76 x 2.17 x 0.6 inches
• Number of USB Ports: 4

Pros

• One USB-C and two USB-A ports supporting 10Gbps USB 3.1 speeds
• HDMI output supports 60Hz refresh rates
• AC-power pass-through charging for laptops
• SD and MicroSD card slots

Cons

• Somewhat pricier than many hubs
• Fewer ports than some hubs

Anker has long excelled in this product category, so finding them at the top of this list makes sense. Their PowerExpand 8-in-1 has enough ports to accommodate everything except a garden hose. 

One USB-C and two USB-A jacks deliver 10Gbps speeds using the USB 3.1 standard for lightning-fast file transfers. This makes them ideal for not only basic file management, but also real-time video editing and audio production. The HDMI port connects easily to external monitors, or use it to send your computer’s content to a TV. True 60Hz video support means that 4K monitors will perform great. If you use SD or MicroSD cards, the included slots alleviate the need for an external reader—one less thing to carry around or lose—and a 1Gbps Ethernet port connects to local networks. The 8-in-1 gets bonus points for a pass-through charging port, which allows you to power your laptop by plugging the AC cable into the hub.

As great as it is, Anker’s PowerExpand 8-in-1 doesn’t include as many USB ports as some devices. And if you’re not running a 4K monitor, or looking to network your computer, those features aren’t important. In that case, you might consider less expensive units with more jacks. 

Best USB hub for business travel: Belkin USB-C Hub MultiPortAdapter Dock

Belkin

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Why it made the cut: It has everything a business traveler needs for connecting to a remote workstation without a lot of extra features that will never be useful.

Specs 

• Weight: 4.6 ounces
• Product Dimensions (LWH): 4.61 x 1.85 x 0.63 inches
• Number of USB ports: 3

Pros

• USB-A and USB-C ports
• Pass-through charging up to 100 W
• Very compact and easy to pack

Cons

• Slightly pricy
• Lackluster HDMI support for high-res monitors

Belkin has a long reputation for products that are solid, if a little pricey. That’s the case with this 6-in-1 hub. It packs a pair of USB-A 3.0 ports alongside a single USB-C 3.0 connector. The HDMI port supports 4K monitors, but only up to 30Hz. It draws all the power it needs directly from the connected computer via its built-in USB-C cable. At 4.6 ounces, it weighs just over a quarter-pound and it’s small enough that you could slip it in a pocket if you don’t have time to cram it into a travel bag. The understated design also works well with the business travel motif with no flashy lights or unnecessary graphics. — Stan Horaczek

Best USB hub for multimedia: Anker PowerExpand Elite 13-in-1

Anker

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Why it made the cut: Four of the Elite’s 7 USB ports deliver data at 10Gbps or faster, and the hub supports 60Hz refresh rates for the best experience with 4K monitors, making this a monster in creative, multimedia environments. 

Specs

• Weight: 1.1 pounds
• Product Dimensions (LWH): 4.96 inches by 3.5 inches by 1.65 inches
• Number of USB Ports: 8

Pros

• Two Thunderbolt 3 ports support 40Gbps transfer rates
• Two USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports support 10Gbps transfer rates
• Supports 60Hz refresh rates for 4K video signals

Cons

• Expensive
• Requires external AC power
• Not very portable

High-end creative environments require fast methods for moving data. Anker’s Elite 7 delivers, with not only two USB 3.1 Gen 2 ports for transfer speeds of 10Gbps, but also two Thunderbolt 3 ports that support 40Gbps transfers. This makes working with video and 3D graphics files in real-time significantly easier. The hub also supports video refresh rates of 60Hz for 4K monitors. Anker rounds out the unit with three USB-A jacks for printers, keyboards, thumb drives, or other peripherals. An ethernet port supports gigabit networking. Anker conveniently placed slots for SD and MicroSD cards on the front of the Elite, as well as charging ports for both USB-A and USB-C devices, and a mini-TRS audio input and output jack. 

While the hub is light enough to take on the road, you’ll need AC power to use it. If you’re the kind of person who likes to work in the park or a local coffee shop, this isn’t for you. The Elite 13-in-1 is also the most expensive unit on our list. 

Best USB hub for desktops: Sabrent 10-port USB Hub

Sabrent

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Why it made the cut: Sabrent’s 10-port USB 3.0 hub provides more than enough spots to plug peripherals and drives, while individual power switches help save energy when your gear’s not in use.  

Specs 

• Weight: 1.33 pounds
• Product Dimensions (LWH): 5.7 inches by 1.9 inches by .94 inches 
• Number of USB Ports: 10

Pros

• All ports are USB 3.0
• Individual on/of switches
• Upward-facing design saves desk space

Cons

• No SD or MicroSD card reader
• No USB-C jacks

If you’re using a desktop computer then you probably already have an ethernet connector and either HDMI or video out for your monitor. You really need more USB jacks for all your peripherals, hard drives, thumb drives, and portable devices. Sabrent’s 10-port hub satisfies that need, and with 5Gbps data speeds from each, the hub can efficiently handle all your files.

The Sabrent’s upward-facing design makes plugging and unplugging USB cables much easier. It also saves space on your desk and makes it hard for cables to accidentally disconnect. The hub’s handy on/off switches—one for each jack—help rein in power consumption by shutting down peripherals that aren’t in use but that you don’t want to unplug. 

The Sabrent isn’t really designed with travel in mind—it lacks the extra features like card readers and ethernet jacks, and it requires AC power. However, it’s still compact enough to toss in a suitcase or backpack if you’re traveling between a home and office workspace.  

Best budget USB hub: Sabrent 4-Port USB 2.0 Hub

Sabrent

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Why it made the cut: For less than $10, you get four extra USB 2.0 ports for peripherals, freeing up your machine’s faster ports for external hard drives and other data-intensive devices.  

Specs 

• Weight: 2 ounces
• Product Dimensions (LWH): 3.4 inches by 1.4 inches by .61 inches
• Number of USB Ports: 4

Pros

• Extremely cheap
• Compact, portable design
• Individual on/off switches

Cons

• Only delivers USB 2.0 speeds
• Only has USB-A ports, so adapters might be needed for USB C devices

Sometimes you just need a few more USB ports and you don’t want to dig deep into your wallet to get them. Sabrent’s tiny, portable hub fits the bill. Its four ports only clock in at 480Mbps, but that’s perfect for attaching a printer, scanner, thumb drive, or webcam while keeping your machine’s built-in USB 3.0 or Thunderbolt jacks free for high-speed applications.

Individual power switches help keep your office energy efficient, and the compact design slips cleanly into a laptop bag. At less than $10 each, these also make great hubs for the family, and can even find a home on gaming devices.

FAQs

Final thoughts on selecting the best USB hubs

Given the company’s experience in the field of computer peripherals, we’re not entirely surprised that Anker manufactures some of the best USB hubs on the market. The PowerExpand 8-in-1 delivers high-end performance with fast data speeds, a wide variety of ports, and 60Hz video support for the best 4K monitor experience. It’s portable, competitively priced, and even looks good (for a computer peripheral). That said, if you’re working in a multimedia environment, you can’t go wrong with Anker’s PowerExpand Elite 13-in-1, which adds Thunderbolt performance for high-speed drives or additional monitors, an HDMI output with 60Hz video support, and slots for SD cards. However, it requires AC power to drive everything and costs quite a bit more. Unless it’s something you really need, consider the 8-in-1. 

The post Best USB hubs of 2023 appeared first on Popular Science.

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Best birthday gift ideas for men who ride bikes		Feedback Sports Omnium Portable Trainer with Tote Bag		SEE IT	This stationary bike is perfect for keeping active and riding all-year-round.
Best birthday present ideas for men who are artistic		Wacom One Drawing Tablet with Screen, 13.3 inch Pen Display for Beginners and Digital Mark-up		SEE IT	For the avid artist, this handheld tablet can allow them to create from anywhere—and give them a fully digital palette.
Best birthday present ideas for men who are into cooking		AeroGarden Harvest Elite		SEE IT	Fresh herbs can improve any dish—which makes this home LED garden the perfect selection for someone who loves cook.

Is it that time of year when you need to find the perfect birthday gift to show a man in your life just how much you love and/or appreciate him? Shopping for a man in your life—whether it’s your husband, father, son, brother, or even yourself—can sometimes feel impossible. Finding unique gift ideas that stand out and pique a man’s interest can take creativity, resourcefulness, and maybe just a little guile.

There was a time when certain things were considered the “best gifts for men,” standbys were very narrowly defined by mostly “manly” interests and attitudes, which of course, didn’t suit a large amount of the men in our lives. Back in those neolithic days, marketers would have us believe that a man’s perfect gift was a bottle of whisky, some sort of power tool, or power tie, or the most macho electric razor available (I don’t know, maybe it used shark teeth instead of steel blades). But today, we know that men’s interests are often much more diverse. While some men might still revel in a fine bottle of whiskey, when it comes to gift-giving, one size certainly doesn’t fit all.

With that in mind, we’re approaching this guide to birthday gift ideas for men by looking at the expansive width and breadth of a modern man’s experiences and interests. We’re exploring the world of tech, design and home, food, health, gaming, sports, and music to deliver a wide variety of options for any relationship and individual. We’ve looked for unique gift ideas, as well as practical gifts for men, to surprise as much as satisfy him and, hopefully, win you a few brownie points. Hey, maybe your birthday is coming up next! 

• Best birthday gift for tennis players: Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 Tennis Racquet
• Best birthday gift ideas for men who ride bikes: Feedback Sports Omnium Portable Bike Trainer
• Best birthday present ideas for men who are artistic: Wacom One Digital Drawing Tablet
• Best gifts for men who are musicians: STYLOPHONE GEN X-1 Portable Analog Synthesizer
• Best birthday gift ideas for men into home fitness:  TRX Slam Ball 
• Best birthday present ideas for men who are retrogamers: Atari Flashback 9 Gold
• Best gifts for men who love wine: The Essential Scratch & Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert: Take a Whiff of That
• Best birthday gift ideas for men who want to relive their teenage years: Dungeons & Dragons Core Rulebooks Gift Set
• Best birthday gift ideas for men who want to capture the moment: DJI Pocket 2 – Handheld 3-Axis Gimbal Stabilizer with 4K Camera
• Best birthday present ideas for men who are into cooking: AeroGarden Harvest Elite – Stainless Steel
• Best gifts for men who are into camping:  REI Co-op Grand Hut 4 Tent 

Get inspired by the best birthday gift ideas for men

When selecting birthday gift ideas for him, think about the man’s interests, hobbies, and favorite activities—because the best gift is tailored to his unique personality. Whether he can be found doodling daily or fiddling with a musical interest, paying homage to one of his favorite things is a sure-fire way to give a gift he’ll use (and love). Consider gifts that reflect your relationship and history with him. Shared experiences—or even better, misadventures—can provide inspiration. And don’t be afraid to solicit advice from his friends and family members. Above all else, remember that the gift is for him, so don’t fall into the trap of getting something just because it appeals to you. 

We’ve dug deep to help you find unique, exciting birthday gifts for even the most impossible-to-shop-for man in your life. These are gifts that let him know you’re thinking of him on his special day, and every time he looks at them, he’ll remember you. In the end, the best birthday gift ideas for men are any gift given with honesty and genuine affection. Whatever you get him, he’ll love it. But if you follow our list, maybe he’ll love it just a little bit more.

Related: Sometimes the best gift for a guy is something for man’s best friend

Best birthday gift for tennis players: Wilson Pro Staff 97 v13 Tennis Racquet

Amazon

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The Pro Staff 97 v13 from Wilson is the latest incarnation in a decades-long production run that sports new features including a unique 45-degree angle graphite fiber braid that allows for superior stability and an incredibly responsive feel. Along with an ergonomic endcap and a tighter, denser string bed to deliver added precision during play, the Pro Staff is finished with a sleek, glossy look and colorful pinstripes that pay homage to the original model from 1983. An exposed carbon fiber element at the tip adds extra style points, making this a clear choice for esthetically-minded players who don’t want to skimp on performance. Snag one on Amazon or on Wilson’s website.

Best birthday gift ideas for men who ride bikes:  Feedback Sports Omnium Portable Bike Trainer

Amazon

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Bike riding is a fantastic way to keep in shape, but sometimes the weather doesn’t cooperate. That’s no reason to break your routine when you can use a portable bike trainer like this one from Feedback Sports. Basically, you attach your favorite bike (assuming it has quick-release tires) to the front of the unit and let the back wheel spin on top of rollers—it’s like a more advanced and customized version of the old stationary bikes. The Omnium trainer utilizes Internal Progressive Resistance in the rollers to simulate a real-road feel…minus the potholes and any risk of road-rash from falling over. The whole system is nearly silent, which makes it a great option for apartment dwellers or people who don’t want to wake the kids when they go out on an early morning ride. The unit is portable and comes with a heavy-duty, padded tote bag. So whether you’re training for a race or just riding to stay in shape, you never have to worry about angry dogs, careless drivers, or rain and snow that makes getting out on the road impossible. 

Best birthday present ideas for men who are artistic: Wacom One Digital Drawing Tablet

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If you have an artist in your life, chances are he wants a Wacom tablet. The company has dominated the professional illustration and design worlds for years, and the entry-level Wacom One lives up to the reputation of its bigger siblings. It features a surface that feels like paper and a digital pen that can create an endless range of line and brush styles. Combined with the included two-month license for Adobe Photoshop software, it provides powerful tools for illustration and photo manipulation. The device works on its own, and can also connect to a PC or Mac via USB. You can even import photos from your phone or tablet. The relatively small screen might get in the way for anyone looking to use this in a professional environment, in which case, it’s worth looking at Wacom’s bigger, and more expensive, Cintiq models. But for others, it’s a great doorway to the world of digital art.

Best gifts for men who are musicians: STYLOPHONE GEN X-1 Portable Analog Synthesizer

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Birthday present ideas can be hard to come by, but not with this list. The Stylophone Gen X-1 is an unusual electronic instrument that’s played by sliding a stylus along a smooth, keyboard-style strip. At less than 9 inches wide and weighing under 16 ounces, it’s a portable noisemaker that’s fun to play. Under the hood, it features a single oscillator to generate tone, and you can fatten up the sound nicely by activating the sub-octave switch that creates a second frequency one or two octaves below your sound source. The synth also has an envelope with attack, pitch, and decay controls, and an LFO that can switch between square and triangle waveforms. An onboard analog delay with time, feedback, and level knobs, and a resonant filter with adjustable cutoff frequency help to further shape the sound. There’s even a Pulse Width Modulation button that creates a chorus-like effect. There’s a built-in speaker, or audio can be sent to headphones or an external speaker or mixer via the line out. In addition, an audio input jack lets you use the Stylophone as an effects unit. 

Best birthday gift ideas for men into home fitness  TRX Slam Ball 

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There’s just something satisfying about smashing something heavy into the ground. And the fact that it’s helping build and tone muscles doesn’t hurt, either. The Slam Ball is a textured, rubber ball filled with sand that weighs in at 10, 15, or 20 pounds. To use it, just lift it over your head and smash it into the ground—doing so helps work every muscle in your body. You can also slam it sideways into a wall for a rotational workout. Sound like fun? It is, but it’s also a terrific, unique way to feel the burn. Optional stress reliever: yelling, “Hulk smash!” every time you slam it to the ground. 

Best birthday present ideas for men who are retrogamers: Atari Flashback 9 Gold

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Searching for the best gifts for gamers? Nolan Bushnell started a revolution when his company, Atari, released the 2600 back in 1977. And while video game consoles have since delivered untold technological wonders, there’s no beating the nostalgic rush that comes from firing up one of those classic 8-bit games. The Atari Flashback 9 Gold captures some of that with a black-and-orange console that’s lovingly modeled after the original 2600 and packed with 120 games, including Frogger, Pitfall, Space Invaders, Kaboom, Centipede, Asteroids, and all the other favorites. It includes two Bluetooth-connected joysticks with the single orange button that so many of us mashed for hours on end in the pursuit of video-game glory. And while it’s missing the plastic cartridges of yesteryear, it does feature an HDMI output that delivers a 720p signal to your display. Full HD would have been nice, but this is still a big step up from playing it on the old CRT TV in your basement. All you need is a six-pack of cola, a bag of chips, and your best friend and you’ll be ready to blissfully waste away your weekend. 

Best gifts for men who love wine: The Essential Scratch & Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert

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Fruity, woody, earthy—describing wine is an esoteric skill that sometimes leaves novices scratching their heads and questioning their taste. The Essential Scratch & Sniff Guide to Becoming a Wine Expert is written by Master Sommelier Richard Betts, who takes a unique approach to helping fans develop their fundamentals by presenting 16 wine-related scents. Accompanied by fun illustrations and helpful text that explains how the aromas apply and relate to different types of wine, the smart and enlightening book delivers knowledge without a hint of snobbery. It even includes a useful chart that connects bouquets to different wines. Short of including a bottle of red and a corkscrew, it’s everything a man needs to up his game the next time he heads to the wine store. 

Best birthday gift ideas for men who want to relive their teenage years: Dungeons & Dragons Core Rulebooks Gift Set

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“As the torchlight bounces off the stone walls around you, a shadow moves in the back of the room. You hear a low growl followed by the crunch of bone. From under your helmet, a bead of sweat runs down your brow, and you grip your sword a little tighter. The growl grows louder. What do you do?” Welcome to the world of Dungeons & Dragons, the best-selling fantasy roleplaying game in the world. After more than 40 years, D&D is bigger than ever, with gamers of all ages gathering around the dining room table—or online—to spend a few hours embodying heroic adventurers who fight monsters, save kingdoms, uncover treasure, and, in the end, create fun memories. This boxed gift set includes all three of the core books needed to play the game: The Player’s Handbook, the Dungeon Master’s Guide, and the Monster Manual. They contain all the rules for everything from character creation to combat, hundreds of monster descriptions, spells, weapons, world-building tips and tricks, and full-color art by some of the top names in fantasy illustration. It’s all housed in a handsome slipcase, and even comes with a fold-out Dungeon Master’s screen. You’ll have to supply your own gaming dice, as well as pencils, paper, and, of course, a group of friends. But once you’ve assembled your party of heroes, the adventure’s only limited by your imagination. 

Best birthday gift ideas for men who want to capture the moment: DJI Pocket 2

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If your guy likes filling his phone with videos when he travels, if he’s got his own YouTube channel, or throws videos up on Instagram regularly, it’s time to step up his cinematography. DJI’s Pocket 2 is a 4K camera attached to a three-axis, motorized gimbal for smooth, stabilized shooting that still fits, as the name suggests, in your pocket. It features a 1/1.7-inch CMOS sensor and a 20mm f/1.8 lens, as well as a built-in screen. Besides delivering smooth footage, the gimbal can reverse the camera while tracking software keeps it locked on your face for walk-and-talks. The Pocket 2 pairs with both Apple and Android smartphones to provide a bigger monitor, and to open up controls for exposure, image quality, and more. Transfer footage from the camera to your phone using DJI’s free Mimo app, and then edit on the fly before uploading your footage to the web. The camera includes onboard mics for basic audio, and accessories are available to use more professional microphones. It’s too bad DJI doesn’t have a way to include built-in ND filters to help control the light on bright days, and professionals are still hoping for a wider dynamic range. But regardless of all that, the Pocket 2 is a huge leap up from shooting video on a smartphone, and the artistic opportunities it opens up are endless. 

Best birthday present ideas for men into cooking: AeroGarden Harvest Elite – Stainless Steel

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Nothing brings flavor to a home-cooked meal like fresh herbs. If the man in your life loves spending time in the kitchen, the AeroGarden Harvest Elite lets him grow his own all year long. This countertop growing system uses energy-efficient, 20W grow lights to grow herbs and vegetables in water, with no messy soil. It features an automatic timer, customized settings for different types of plants, reminders for when you need to add water or plant food, and even a vacation mode for when the cook is out of town. The Harvest Elite can grow up to six different plants at once, providing a full bounty of flavoring. The unit includes non-GMO seed pod kits for Genovese basil, curly parsley, dill, thyme, Thai basil, and mint to start, and others can be purchased online. The system is simple enough that parents and kids can enjoy it together, and it’s a fun, educational, and tasty way to bring everyone just a bit closer to the food they’re eating. 

Best gifts for men who are into camping:  REI Co-op Grand Hut 4 Tent

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Vacation in nature without sacrificing comfort with REI’s Co-op Grand Hut 4 Tent. With almost 60 square feet of interior space, there’s enough room to sleep four people, and the 75-inch peak height means you can stand and stretch in the morning. The free-standing tent features ripstop panels low on the walls for privacy, and bug-proof mesh toward the top so you can enjoy the view of the night sky. A waterproof fly and dual twin-stake vestibule offer additional livable space, as well as a place to store and protect your gear. Storage also includes high and low pockets throughout the tent, while gear loops placed throughout provide convenient places to attach lights. attach lights. The tent packs up in a heavy-duty carry bag with pockets for poles and stakes, making it easy to carry with you on hikes—or just fun nights in your backyard.  

Related: Here’s what to get your man if he’s a child of the ‘90s

Some closing thoughts on birthday gift ideas for men

It’s never easy to find the perfect birthday gift ideas for men, and we hope our list of unique gift ideas helps. But in case you’re still stuck, remember to think about his interests: Is he a video gamer or board gamer, is he a whiz in the workshop, does he want to learn something new, and does he want to work up a physical or a mental sweat? Try to find a unique way to spin his interests, and you’re sure to find cool gifts for men, that even the man who has everything will love.   

PopSci is here to help you find the most useful and expert shopping recommendations for the best gift ideas. Searching for more unique gifts? Check out more gift guides here: best gifts for women, space-themed presents, and gifts for new parents.

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Garmin offers a range of full-featured running watches designed for elite athletes. Its Forerunner 745 and 945 are incredible training tools, but they come with elite price tags and often include features the average runner doesn’t need. That’s where the $199 Garmin Forerunner 55 (with its smaller, lighter size, and a feature list that focuses on personal improvement) comes in. 

It features a range of biometric and fitness-tracking apps, training exercises, and navigation tools. Plus, it performs smartwatch functions like controlling your phone’s music and displaying messages and texts. What’s more, it does all this for a price that won’t empty your wallet. But can a relatively inexpensive running watch lap the competition, or does it sputter out just before crossing the finish line? Read on to find out.  

The Garmin Forerunner 55’s design

The Forerunner 55 isn’t as sleek as some dedicated Garmin smartwatches. At the same time, it’s also not overly obvious that it’s meant for working out. It can go from the gym to the office to dinner without raising eyebrows. The lens is made from what the company describes as “chemically strengthened” glass. While that’s not as robust as the Corning Gorilla Glass used on its bigger siblings, it’s designed to stand up to a vigorous workout. I dropped it on its face from about 3 feet to simulate tumbling to concrete during a run. It remained scratch-free. 

The lens sits in a clean-looking metal bezel for a simple, understated look. It has three function buttons on the left side of its case and two on the right, just like the other Forerunners. 

As usual with the best Garmin watches, the Garmin Forerunner 55 comes with a comfortable silicone watch band. I’m not a huge fan of silicon and find it traps sweat. Luckily, this running watch features quick-release pins that make it easy to swap bands. Garmin and third-party manufacturers make them in a variety of colors and materials and customizing your watch is a breeze. 

At 42mm in diameter and only 11.6mm thick, weighing barely 37g, this was one of the most comfortable fitness watches I’ve worn. It’s big enough that the 26.3mm, 208 x 208-pixel color display provides a lot of easy-to-read information, but compact enough for smaller wrists. My wife, who hates chunky running watches, loved the size. 

And, like all Garmins, the Forerunner 55’s face offers copious options for customization. Tools included with the watch let you decide what data you want to be displayed and the way in which the watch presents it. I decided to leave the watch set to show just the time and date. I like checking my steps and heart rate, but I can call up that data with the push of a button or give it more in-depth attention later in the app.

Setting up the Garmin Forerunner 55

Those new to Garmin smartwatches and fitness trackers will be happy to hear that the Forerunner 55 walks you through the set-up process, which only takes about 10 minutes. The watch arrived about 80-percent charged. The cable uses a proprietary connector, so don’t lose it. You’ll also need to provide your own USB wall adapter. 

Garmin eschews the wireless magnetic charging found on, say, an Apple Watch. That helps keep the price down and, frankly, charging via cable is just faster. Garmin says the battery will last up to two weeks in smartwatch mode and 20 hours in GPS mode. This actually exceeds the performance of Garmin’s high-end 945. In real-world tests, I was happy to find those numbers borne out. This a very efficient running watch for its class. 

Once charged, I followed the on-screen prompts to download the Garmin Connect app (available for iOS and Android). I then used the app to enter basic biometric data, like height, weight, gender, and sleep/wake hours. The watch syncs to the phone and you’re good to go. 

Features

The Forerunner 55 is all about improving personal performance. Garmin loaded up this watch with tools for runners, whether they’re training for a race or just cruising the neighborhood. Built-in GPS tracks where you run and provides accurate stats, including distance, intervals, and pace. Cadence alerts let you know when you’re outside your target range. And a helpful recovery advisor, a tool I’ve really grown to rely on, analyses biometric and performance data collected through your activities to optimize your recovery time. This means that I know exactly how much downtime to take in order to get back to my workout with the most energy. 

It’s not just limited to running, either. The watch comes with built-in sports trackers for swimming, hiking, and many others, so that it can switch things up when you do. 

The Forerunner 55 doesn’t offer Garmin Pay, which lets you make purchases as you might do with your phone. Is this a big deal? That depends. I like to leave my wallet safely stowed in my locker when I go to the gym and sometimes I want to buy a snack. Being able to pay with my watch is pretty convenient. But if stripping functionality allows Garmin to keep down the price of their fitness watch, I think Garmin Pay is an easy app to lose. 

For the more competitive runners

A number of the Garmin Forerunner 55’s features are designed to help you achieve better times when racing. The race predictor examines your fitness level and physiological data collected over time to predict your race time. This makes it easier to set goals and actually see your improvement. Another piece of tech, PacePro, works closely with the Garmin Connect app on your Apple or Android smartphone to help set up strategies for race day. Just download courses or set the proper distance, and the smartwatch provides GPS-assisted pace guidance for you to follow.  

I’m not the world’s best runner and I’m less concerned with racing than I am with overall fitness. And what I’d really like to do is run with my wife. But to do that, I need to improve. I love the Forerunner 55’s Daily Suggested Workouts. They provide regular, personalized run recommendations based on my training history, fitness level, and recovery time. Because I’m terrible at devising my own training regimen, I’ve found it remarkably helpful in pushing me forward. I can’t quite keep up with my wife yet, but I’m getting there.

Navigating the Forerunner 55

The best Garmin watches offer a lot of functionality that you control using only five buttons. So, it’s not surprising that many buttons serve double duty. A quick push may achieve a different function than a press-and-hold on the same button.  

Because the screen is small enough to sit on your wrist, and the information provided goes quite deep, I did find myself having to navigate a number of sub-menus. It can get confusing. It took me a little time before I could move through the Garmin Forerunner 55’s user interface without getting lost or accidentally hitting the wrong button. Now, I can usually make my way to the tools I need when I need them without any missteps.

Two hot-buttons on the left side of the watch scroll up or down through the widgets. These are surface-level readouts of data like heart rate, steps, your body battery score (which describes your energy levels), and overall performance. You can also scroll through typical smartwatch data, such as your calendar and notifications. By selecting a widget and pressing the top-right button, you can dive deeper into the information. For instance, scrolling to heart rate and selecting it will show you a graph of your BPM over time. From here, you can scroll down to yet another screen showing a seven-day average. Pressing the bottom-right button always takes you back one screen until you reach the main watch face. 

The top-left button activates the backlight, and holding it down brings you to the watch’s control screen. This is where you can turn it on or off, resync with your phone, set an alarm, access the timer, and other basic functions. 

Holding down the middle button on the left calls up the settings menu. From here, you can add trackable activities, adjust the watch’s appearance, sync to external sensors or accessories, adjust your user profile, and more. 

After using it for a few days, I decided to reorder the widgets so that the two pieces of data I checked the most were at the top and bottom of the list. This essentially turned the up and down scroll buttons into hotkeys taking me straight to those widgets. Customizing the features to your needs makes it more enjoyable to use.

So, who should buy the Garmin Forerunner 55?

This running watch impressed me with the number of features it includes while still maintaining a reasonable price. The Garmin Forerunner 55 is ideal for runners who focus on health and fitness, or who like to race but aren’t concerned with competing at an elite level. It’s also an excellent choice for anyone new to the sport, with a toolset that remains useful even as they improve. And, at $199, it’s not a heavy investment for a Garmin fitness tracker of this class.

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Bad audio can ruin a project. If a podcaster’s voice-over is thin and reedy, it lacks authority. If a singer’s vocal track sounds like it was recorded through six inches of mud, it falls flat. These all-to-common scenarios are exactly why it’s important to test your microphones before a crucial session or performance. Microphones shape the sound they capture, and no two mics do it in exactly the same way. Testing them out not only ensures they’re in good working order, but it helps you understand a mic’s particular characteristics—its voice, if you will—so you can make sure it’s the right mic for the type of sound you’re after.

Manufacturers rely on high-end audio analyzers and special sound-deadening rooms called anechoic chambers to test and assess and chart every single subtle nuance of a microphone’s performance. While we certainly recommend you look into affordable ways to tune up your recording space, like soundproofing, you don’t need to go to complicated (and expensive) lengths to get a good take. Whether you’re a musician or singer, a home-recording engineer, a stage performer, or a videographer looking for the best audio, there are a number of techniques you can use to help learn how to test microphones and select the one that best suits the gig.

How to test microphones? Reading is fundamental

In order to make a, well, sound investment in a microphone you should start by reading different spec sheets to see what kind of performance the manufacturers claim you’ll get from their products. For instance, what are the mic’s polar patterns, frequency range, sensitivity? And what the heck do all those terms mean, anyway? Here are a few of the important things when it comes to how to test microphones. 

Don’t be afraid to ask for directions

When people talk about types of mics, they first talk about the physical mechanisms inside them that convert sound into electrical impulses, which are dynamic vs condenser vs ribbon. There’s a lot of tech that could be shared about these types of capsules, but to give you a little quick guidance we’ll share a few things. A dynamic mic never needs to be powered, while condensers always do (and ribbons sometimes do). Dynamic mics (for example, the beyerdynamic M70 PRO X) have the warmest frequency response and are great for aggressive volumes, while condensers (like the Neat Microphones King Bee II) are the most extended and best for high-frequency precision when in more controlled situations. Ribbon mics, meanwhile, sit somewhere in the middle, are most fragile, but capture a distinct vintage vibe, a full room ambiance.

The next most important talking point is a microphone’s “polar” pattern. These patterns describe how mics respond to sound coming from different directions.  For instance, a mic with an “omni” pattern picks up sound from all around it, making it great in the middle of an audience to record applause or general laughter. On the other hand, a “hypercardioid” mic, like a shotgun mic, is best with objects right in front of it, and a “supercardioid” mic does an even better job of rejecting sounds from the sides and rear. (Think boom operators on movie sets.) While a standard “cardioid” mic—like you see with singers on stage, TV reporters on location, podcasters at the coffee table, etc.—responds best to sounds right in front of it, but is much more forgiving with people who might not be perfectly positioned. Some mics are set up in a single pattern, while others feature microphone settings that include multiple selectable patterns.

So even before you test your mic you should test yourself. Do you have a clear idea of the subjects and situations you’ll be recording? The spaces you’ll have to set up in? Knowing that helps you have gear that can best capture your project.

Let your freq flag fly

A sound’s pitch is determined by its frequency, or how fast the sound waves vibrate. Microphones are designed to capture certain frequencies better than others, and this is described as a mic’s frequency response. This is why the mic that might be great for vocals isn’t the best choice for kick drums (unless, of course, you’re making an intentional artistic decision to mess around with traditional miking techniques). Many microphones have a wide frequency response—often around 50 Hertz on the low end all the way up to 20,000 Hertz. That sounds like all mics might be great for any application. But a vocal mic, for instance, responds particularly well to core vocal frequencies of around 100 Hertz to 10 Kilohertz. Many also include a switch that rolls off frequencies around 20-80 Hz to help control low-end rumble. This isn’t the mic you’d want to put in front of a bass amp. 

It pays to be sensitive

Sensitivity describes how well a microphone can convert pressure from sound waves into an electronic signal. In practical terms, you’d prefer a mic with a higher sensitivity for use in quieter situations. This way you can avoid boosting the gain and possibly adding unwanted noise to your signal. On the other hand, a mic with low sensitivity is perfect for when things get loud (like on stage with an amp that goes up to 11). Mic sensitivity is measured in decibels. The decibel (dB) scale is the basis for most mic specs, and it’s used to measure a microphone’s input sensitivity and its response to certain frequencies.

Testing … testing … mic check, mic check … sibilance sibilance

There’s no single, perfect microphone, and whether a mic is “good” for a job depends a lot on the type of sound you’re after. So before beginning, understand your goals. Will you be using it to mic an instrument? A flute, with its breathy, high-frequency notes, requires a different kind of mic than the one you’d stick in front of a beefy, growly guitar amp. Maybe you’re trying to capture elusive bird songs—or the in-your-face rumble of race cars at the Indy 500. You’ll want an extremely sensitive mic for those cardinals, and something that can handle a lot of input without distorting when you’re down on the track.

Don’t forget about where you’ll be using it. Recording in an acoustically controlled environment with a perfectly positioned mic is one thing. It’s an entirely different scenario when you’re trying to record your on-camera talent while they’re hanging by their fingernails from the side of a giant waterfall—you’ll never get the mic exactly where you want it and environmental noise is definitely a concern. A highly directional mic with a tight polar pattern and a low-frequency roll-off switch will help keep listeners focused on your outdoor adventurer. 

That said, there are some universal goals when you do a microphone check that apply no matter where or how it’s used. You want your mic to capture all the frequencies that give your sound source nuance—if it’s the human voice, that means the highs that provide presence, the midrange “body,” and the lows that give it some weight and gravity. Your mic shouldn’t be so overly sensitive for its task that it distorts and ruins your recording. But it should be sensitive enough to capture your sound without needing to add too much gain, which can also ruin your recording with unwanted noise. 

The manufacturer’s spec sheet can get you started, but you’ll still need to see if the microphone can deliver as promised. There are a number of tests you can easily perform without having to go into a fancy studio or engineering lab. They allow you to assess how a mic sounds under the best of circumstances, but also in situations that aren’t always ideal. 

Just hit record

This is a mic test of how things sound when everything is just right. If you’re doing a sound test using vocals, set up the mic about a foot away from your singer and properly positioned for its polar pattern. Have your singer perform at different volumes, and try to choose a song with a pitch range of a couple octaves. If you’re running the microphone through a mixer, set the EQs to a neutral position, and turn any signal processing—including compressors and limiters—off. You don’t want to do anything that’ll color the sound unnecessarily. If possible, test the microphone on other sound sources, like musical instruments, tone generators, or even traffic noise if that’s something important to your final project. Oh, and don’t forget to invest in a trusty pair of studio monitors or mixing headphones, which are designed to have a flat response so that you can be assured you’re hearing the most accurate playback of what you’re recording. This will help you make those tiny, but much-needed mic adjustments. When it comes down to how to test microphones, a test take or two is a key component.

Go off your rocker

When the sound is coming from the optimal position for a microphone, it’s described as being “on-axis.” But it’s not always possible to position a microphone exactly where you want it, but it still has to capture the sound you’re after. On the other hand, maybe you’re conducting an interview on a noisy convention floor and you need a mic that only picks up whoever it’s pointed at. Either way, it’s important to understand how your mic performs with an off-axis sound source. Is it forgiving enough when you need it to be? Does it reject unwanted sounds when necessary? To perform this test, position the microphone about a foot from your source, but this time at a 45-degree angle. Listen for changes in frequency response, sensitivity, and overall clarity. How’s the sonic rejection? Turn on an air conditioner, or the TV, or a radio, and see how much of the noise bleeds into the mic while your main source is playing at the same time. 

Get up close and personal

When I was in a punk band, I used to practically swallow my mic when I was singing on stage. Mostly, it just looked cool and that’s what we all did. It drove the guy behind the soundboard nuts because of something called the “proximity effect.” When a mic is too close to the singer, about an inch or so, it experiences a boost in bass frequencies. It can add a muddiness to the mix that some poor engineer needs to try EQing out—all because someone wanted to look like a badass. But not all mics respond the same way to this close proximity, so be sure to test yours by placing it close to your singer’s mouth while they belt out their tunes. (Coiling the cable around your wrist while stalking menacingly around the stage is optional.) 

Handling noise

If you’re using a mic in a studio, chances are it’ll be attached to a stand using something called a shock mount that isolates it from vibrations or bumps. But on stage or on a reporting assignment, most people just hold the mic, and that can lead to all sorts of handling noise. Before you go in the field, gently tap the handle of the microphone, brush your fingers across the front, and try pulling it out of the mic stand’s clamp. How does it sound? The idea is to simulate and test the normal wear and tear a mic might experience at a gig or on a news assignment. 

Proud to be loud … but silence is golden

Don’t forget to test a mic’s response to loud and soft noises. Put it in front of a blender and see if the sound distorts. Try whispering from a distance to see if it can hear you.

Crunch the numbers

Many brands of digital audio workstations (DAWs) and other music production software include scopes and meters to help analyze sound. These can show you a mic’s frequency response, its off-axis attenuation, and other helpful pieces of data. While they’re no substitute for careful listening, they can help you better understand what you’re hearing—or what you’re not hearing—when testing your microphone. 

Try before you buy

It’s one thing to run tests in order to figure out how best to use the microphones you already own. But you can also test microphones to match your application before making a potentially expensive purchase—even when you don’t have access to a fancy recording studio. AV supply houses can be found in most cities, and many of them have a large selection of mics that you can rent for a few days. Some bigger specialty musical instruments or AV stores also sometimes rent equipment. If you have access to them, don’t be afraid to take some interesting mics for a test drive.

It’s possible you’ve used a microphone before that you really like—whether as a guest on someone else’s podcast or sitting in with a band during a recording session. Try renting one of those and then use it as a reference mic. For instance, I’m a documentarian and I love using the Sennheiser MKH50 as a boom mic. It’s wonderful for capturing the nuances of the human voice, and its supercardioid polar pattern excels at rejecting room noise. When I test out other boom mics, even when I’m trying out a compact shotgun mic such as the Sennheiser MKE 400, the MKH50 becomes my reference point and I always ask myself, “How does this new mic compare?” Now, say, you’re looking for the best podcasting mic for your situation and also happen to be in a band. There are plenty of choices, but you’d probably want to put them up against an established baseline such as the Shure SM7B, which has been a broadcasting reference mic for decades.

There are a few different ways to use a reference microphone. A human’s “audio memory” is only a few seconds long, so I rely on the A-B method of having both the new mic and reference mic capturing a signal at the same time, running them into their own channels on a small mixer, and then using the mute buttons (or just the faders) to alternate between listening to one or the other. If that’s not practical for some reason, I’ll set up the mics to each record to an individual channel for later playback—again using an A-B method to compare the two files.

When it comes to how to test microphones, practice makes perfect

A good quality microphone is an investment that can last a long time and carry you through many projects. In order to get the most out of your mic, you need to understand its strengths and weaknesses, which is why testing microphones is so important. But recording audio is as much art as science, and the real trick is learning how to use the information you pull from your tests to get the sound you want from your mic. So don’t forget to listen to what’s coming out of your recordings. Look at what the manufacturer’s documentation says the frequency response is, compare that to what you get from your own tests, but then use your ears to understand what a mic with that frequency response sounds like. Then go practice with it. Put it in front of different instruments, in the vocal booth, or out on the convention floor when you’re doing interviews. Listen to how it responds in each situation and then decide how best to use it. “Good” is a subjective term. You can’t tell if you really like something by reading numbers on a piece of paper. In the end, there’s no substitute for experience. 

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Garmin makes some of the best fitness trackers around, but they sometimes give up serious style points in the name of functionality. Fortunately, that’s not the case with Garmin’s Venu 2, which was released in April 2021. It’s a wearable fitness and health tracker with GPS that not only tells the time, but it also monitors a wealth of biometric data, can plan workouts, play music, sync up messenger and calendar functions, and increase its functionality with downloadable apps. The Garmin Venu 2 features a gorgeous AMOLED full-color touchscreen, metal bezel, and interchangeable 22mm bands. It’s a powerful and classy upgrade to the original Venu that looks at home in the gym, but also won’t stick out like a sore thumb when the dress code calls for something more refined than fitness gear.

I wore the Garmin Venu 2 smartwatch for most of a month while jogging, bike riding, and packing up and moving to a new apartment (lots of heavy boxes). I’m also a professional cameraman and I never knew how many calories I burned just lugging gear until this Garmin smartwatch offered me insight into my daily activities. But I also wore it during less strenuous moments, like meeting with producers, talking to apartment brokers, and just going about my day. Through it all, I found the Venu 2 struck an excellent balance between functional and fashionable.

Garmin Venu 2 design

I was impressed by the Garmin Venu 2’s looks, with its polymer case and attractive ridged, metal bezel. It’s uncluttered and understated, with only two small buttons located on the side of the case. At 45mm, the watch follows the trend toward larger faces. While I didn’t find it uncomfortable to wear, it did trap sweat on longer, warmer days. Anyone with smaller wrists or who simply likes wearing smaller timepieces will want to check out the 40mm Venu 2S. Both have the same features.

Garmin knows how to build watches and, despite their minimalist look, the Venu 2 and 2S watches are durable and designed for tough workouts. They have a 5 ATM water-resistance rating and can withstand pressure equivalent to a depth of 164 feet—using the watch in the rain, snow, or shower, when swimming or snorkeling won’t cause any problems. The AMOLED screen is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 3, the same material used on many smartphone screen protectors. 

The Venu 2’s beautifully expressive AMOLED touchscreen really caught my eye. Bright and colorful, it displays a wealth of data that I had no trouble reading during workouts. However, that style comes at a cost—keeping the display active all the time will quickly drain the battery. Garmin promises the Venu 2 lasts 11 days in smartwatch mode but has just 22 hours of power in GPS mode, and 8 hours in GPS mode with music. And the Venu 2S should last about 10 days in smartwatch mode, 19 hours of power in GPS mode, and 7 hours in GPS mode with music. While I never took the watch into the backcountry, I did use it constantly over a four-day weekend, including some tracked fitness activities, and never found myself worrying it would die. If near that point, the Venu 2 can be set into battery-saver mode, which disables the “always-on” screen so it is capable of lasting longer without paring back on features or restricting monitoring; it just puts the display to sleep. (And 10 minutes of quick-charge can get you a day of smartwatch mode or an hour of GPS mode in a pinch.) 

Also, as much as I loved all the bright colors, it sometimes felt like someone was throwing a rave on my wrist, so I decided to take advantage of some customizable displays that intentionally reduce the number of active pixels. This preserves battery life and makes the watch a bit more subtle. A handy low-power mode darkens the screen when not in use. Some people might like that, but after testing it for a couple of hours, I decided it was a bit too subtle.

Garmin put a lot of thought into the Venu 2’s user interface, and I was impressed by how easily I navigated its features using an intuitive swiping motion. Nice bonus: using it on a rainy day or when sweaty didn’t get in the way of the touchscreen’s sensitivity. 

The Venu 2 is available in slate or granite blue, while the 2S comes in graphite, light sand, mist gray, and white. The 2 uses a 22mm strap, and the 2S has an 18mm strap; both are easily replaced with the many, many options (of various materials, colors, and prices, starting at $29.99) available through Garmin and third parties. 

Setting up the Garmin Venu 2

I had no trouble getting started with the Venu 2. Before anything, I used the included USB cable (featuring a proprietary port, so don’t lose it) to charge the watch, which comes partially charged. It doesn’t include a wall adapter, so you’ll need to supply your own or plug it into a computer. Once the watch was topped off, I downloaded the free Garmin Connect app to my phone (there are versions for both iOS or Android), and created an account. 

The app automatically synced with my watch via Bluetooth and walked me step-by-step through the set-up process. If this is your first time using the app, it establishes baseline biometric data like height, weight, stride length (all of which I had to double-check for accuracy), and heart rate in order to better track your fitness later on. I was testing another Garmin running watch and, once my account was set up, I was able to switch between the two, synching data to each, with the touch of a button. By connecting to my phone, I also gained control over my music, messages, calendar notifications, and news apps. The Garmin Connect app also provides access to an entire online community and opens up additional layers of customization. 

Moving to a better Venu

Like the original Garmin Venu, the newest version monitors heart rate, Pulse Ox (to spot-check blood oxygen saturation), respiration, stress, step numbers, and sleep patterns. Not surprisingly from a company known for its navigation systems, the Venu 2 has an excellent GPS with GLONASS and Galileo options. When synced to your iOS or Android smartphone, it delivers messages and notifications, provides control over your music, and interfaces with the powerful Garmin Connect app for greater health metering and feedback. 

The watch now uses Garmin’s Elevate V4 optical heart-rate sensor and has two sensors to increase the accuracy of the pulse oximeter. Those fancy AMOLED graphics benefit from a more robust processor and GPU. The Garmin Venu 2 has a larger display area than the original, as well as more storage for downloaded music (increasing from about 3 GB to 7 GB). Widget Glances provide snapshots of biometric data, sleep tracking has improved, and there’s also a new strength-training profile that includes a muscle map for planning workouts, as well as added activity profiles.

Monitoring more than your battery’s energy levels

I often feel like I’m running on fumes. It’s part of an unhealthy pattern of staying up late, waking up early, and pushing myself hard during the workday. The last month wasn’t helped by a move to a new home and a return to film production now that I’m vaccinated. So I was particularly intrigued by something called a “Body Battery” energy score. The Garmin Venu 2 combines a variety of metrics—including heart rate, stress levels, activity levels, and quality of sleep—to estimate my energy reserve throughout the day. If the number is low—like mine was—it suggests that some lifestyle changes might be in order. In my case, the sleep tracker suggested that I needed more time in the sack. Seeing it graphed out in glorious color, and looking at some of the correlating health metrics, hammered home the point and helped motivate me to do something about it. (Less caffeine in the evenings, for starters, combined with better time management.)

Garmin Connect’s online community

Workouts are always easier when you’ve got a cheer squad at your back, and the Garmin Connect app helps provide this by gaining wearers access to an online community. I linked up with some friends who also wear Garmin watches and we were able to compete in challenges and track each other’s progress. We decided to keep it easy and compete for the most number of steps, and it was great motivation to get off the couch and engage in a little friendly rivalry. 

A feature called Garmin Coach downloads training plans for people at any level of experience, and this is the first Garmin watch to provide muscle-map graphics to help illustrate and reinforce what groups you’re working at a gym. Swimming buffs will love that the watch provides underwater heart-rate monitoring and stroke detection. 

So who should buy it?

The Garmin Venu 2 smartwatch is the best Garmin GPS watch for people who want a full-featured fitness tracker and sports watch that looks as good on a night out as on the playing field. Its intuitive interface is easy to use, and it comes with a full flight of features that compete with any other fitness tracker. With an MSRP of $399, the Venu 2 costs the same as an Apple Watch 6, but can sync to Android phones, meaning it won’t limit you to Apple’s ecosystem. For some people, that alone makes the Venu 2 a must-have over any wearable made by Apple. However, even some Apple loyalists may be swayed by the Garmin’s sharp looks, and large, colorful screen. In fact, as an Apple fan myself, I found the Venu 2 to be a stylish, versatile smartwatch that I enjoy rocking on my wrist. 

Brian S. Hawkins is a journalist and documentary maker who focuses on technology and pop culture. He has contributed product reviews and recommendations to Popular Science since early 2020.

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Whether you like blasting down a mountain trail or you’re going on a family vacation and want to explore the area on two wheels, you’ll need a rack to transport your bike. Racks come in different sizes with mounting options for your trunk, roof, or trailer hitch, and they’re designed to carry multiple bikes. But with so many options, finding a rack that suits your needs can be tricky. Keep reading to find out some tips to help you buy the bike rack that fits your car and your lifestyle. 

• Location of carrier. There are three main styles of rack: roof, trunk, and hitch. Roof racks attach to the top of your car. Hitch racks are installed using a vehicle’s receiving tube and then locked into place. Trunk racks attach to the back of your car using straps and hooks. 
• Compatibility. You might like hitch racks the best because you don’t want to lift your bikes up onto your roof. But does your car even have a hitch? Thankfully, many systems can work with all sorts of vehicles, and finding one that can be moved from one car to another isn’t too tough. 
• Number of bikes. Racks come in a variety of sizes, with larger models designed to hold up to four bikes. If you’ve got a family or you’re part of a racing team, going big makes sense. That said, smaller racks are convenient if you don’t need extra space. 

Our Picks for the Best Bike Rack for Cars on Amazon

Best Overall: Kuat Sherpa Bike Rack

Kuat

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Runner Up: Thule UpRide Roof Rack

Thule

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Budget Pick: Allen Sports Trunk Rack

Allen Sports

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Also Consider: Saris Bones Trunk Rack

Saris

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Popular Science is here to help you choose among the most popular products on Amazon, and hidden gems our experts think are worth checking out.

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