How to pick the Best Indoor TV Antenna

Indoor TV antennas are a perfect choice for everyone who’s overwhelmed by expensive cable bills or guys who are simply looking for a way to supplement their cable or satellite subscriptions. With a TV antenna, you should be able to view a wide variety of free over-the-air channels, some of which are never even available on certain cables. What makes TV antennas a worthy investment is that for less than $100, you can get an incredible indoor TV antenna that should provide you with free access to some of the popular TV shows, live sports events news and much more.

Indoor TV Antenna Buying Guide

• Signal Strength and Quality

Indoor TV antennas are available as amplified or non-amplified antennas. Amplified TV antennas have a bigger range as compared to their non-amplified counterparts. These are a great choice for everyone living in rural or suburban areas where signal strength is usually not very strong. Sadly, amplified antennas are usually quite costly.

On the other hand, non-amplified TV antennas are not as expensive as amplified ones, but they do have a limited range of approximately 20-miles. This means that non-amplified TV antennas are better suited for individuals that are living in urban areas with strong signals.

In summary, the choice of whether you should get an amplified or non-amplified TV antenna will hugely depend on where you are located.

When it comes to signal quality, I will always encourage you to go for antennas that support Full HD picture quality with crisp audio. The good news is that the best and latest indoor TV antennas are engineered to deliver just that while others can even give you 4K UHD picture quality.

• Channels Available

The best indoor TV antennas are capable of receiving Ultra High Frequencies (UHF) and Very High Frequencies (VHF) signals. Of the two types of signals, UHF broadcasts most channels, but having both of them in your indoor antenna helps to make sure that you can access all the channels available within your area.

• Range and Direction

The range of your indoor antenna is very important, especially if you are far from broadcasting towers. In that case, you will need to get an antenna with the biggest range as it will help to increase the number of channels that you can watch.

The direction of the broadcasting towers is another crucial factor that must be considered. In some cases, you might get the towers of all the channels you need are located in the same direction while in other instances, the towers might be in completely different sides. If the channels you need are broadcasted in the same direction, the type of antenna you are buying might not matter a lot. However, if the channels you need are coming from different directions, you’ll need to invest in a multi-directional antenna. This will not just increase the number of channels that you are receiving, but it will also make the installation very easy.

Our Top Picks

Which is the best indoor TV antenna? The best Indoor TV antenna is the Mohu Leaf 30. This multi-directional antenna has remarkable image quality and a massive range that’s more than capable of receiving all the popular over-the-air channels. Oh, and the antenna is paintable, and hence you can customize it to match with your décor.

The following is a review of the Mohu Leaf 30 Indoor Antenna and various other alternatives that will help you cut-the-cord and reduce your utility bills drastically while still keeping your favorite shows, live sporting events, news, kids programs and much more within your reach.

1.Mohu Leaf 30 TV Indoor Antenna

The Mohu Leaf 30 TV Antenna is one of the best-selling indoor antennas in the market today. This omnidirectional antenna is designed with advanced US military tech allowing it to receive channels within a 40-mile radius in Full HD (1080p).

The antenna boasts of offering some of the best digital channels to make sure that you are never out of content to watch. With the antenna, you can watch CBS, ABC, PBS, Fox and NBC and their numerous subchannels. This basically means that you will have unlimited access to your favorite TV shows, sports, kid’s programs, and news channels and the best part is that all of them are delivered to you free of charge! Remember that 96 of the 100 most viewed TV shows are broadcasted over-the-air. Of course, the number of channels and type of content that you can access will ultimately depend on your specific location.

The Mohu Leaf 30 comes with a 10FT coaxial cable and a multi-directional digital antenna. This means that the antenna can pull channels from different directions, making sure that you can access as many channels as possible. The multi-directional nature of the antenna also reduces the hassle involved in looking for the perfect spot needed to get the most channels. The antenna is also reversible and paintable. In case you feel like the color of the antenna doesn’t suit your taste, you can repaint it to match your preference or home décor.

Other features

• 40-mile range
• Come with 10 ft. long cable
• Easy to set up and use
• Full HD quality

2. 1boyne Digital Amplified Indoor HD TV Antenna

How much money do you spend annually on cable or satellite? Now, take a moment and imagine what you could with all that cash if you didn’t have to pay for your cable! The 1boyne Digital Amplified Indoor HD TV is here to help cut the cord and save you hundreds of dollars, and you won’t have to miss out on anything as far as entertainment is concerned.

With this HD TV antenna, you can enjoy various channels available in your specific locations in Full HD or 4K! How many antennas out there can get you 4K UHD video quality for free?

The 1Boyne HDTV antenna features an intelligent integrated circuit chip which works side by side with the CleanPeak Filter technology and amplifier signal booster to get you as many channels as possible with the highest picture quality available. This tech gives the antenna a staggering 80-mile range! The technology has also helped to reduce signal interference by insulating the antenna against FM and cellular signals.

The coaxial cable is made of premium materials that deliver high-quality images while remaining free from electromagnetic and radio frequency interferences. The cable is made using a robust PVC outer layer, three layers of an aluminum shield, dielectric insulation, and a solid conductor at the center.

Setting up the 1boyne Digital Amplified Indoor Antenna is also very easy. Its plug-and-play design means that virtually anyone can set up the antenna and scan for local channels. With this antenna, you should be able to get various HD channels such as NBC, Fox, ABC, CW, RTN, CBS, among many others. Take note that the number of channels you receive will vary depending on your location and other factors such as physical barriers.

Other Features

• 50-80 mile range
• Comes with a 20ft coaxial cable
• UHF and VHF freeview
• Comes with an Amplifier signal booster
• Plug-and-play setup

3. Winegard FL5500A FlatWave Amped Digital HD Indoor Amplified TV Antenna

The Winegard FlatWave Amped Antenna is yet another incredible indoor antenna designed to free you from expensive satellite and cable bills. This multi-directional amplified TV antenna has a 50-mile range in both directions, increasing its reception for both UHF and VHF signals. To enhance your signal quality, the antenna is integrated with Clear Circuit technology which allows you to enjoy sitcoms, live sporting events, kid programs, news and other TV shows in HD. You can watch ABC, NBC, CW, Fox, PBS and much more in 1080p for free. You can also increase the amount of content you can watch by paring the antenna with different streaming devices such as Roku and Chromecast.

The amplifier used here is ultra-low noise on at just 1dB which is much lower than you would find in most other antennas out there. This improves signal strength and quality significantly.

The Winegard FlatWave antenna doesn’t just boast crisp image quality, but it is also one of the few antennas that support Dolby Digital Surround Sound.

Setting up this antenna is very easy. You can simply hang it on a wall or window or lay it flat on a table. Connecting and scanning for channels is also super easy, and the included guide should help you get it done in no time.

Other Features

• Embedded low noise amplifier
• 50-mile range
• Dual band UHF VHF antenna
• 4K ready
• ATSC 3.0 ready

How we rate the best external hard drive

External hard drives have never been as crucial as they are today. Back in the days, external hard drives were like an optional secondary storage media for backing up your files and data. In today’s digital world, external hard drives are perhaps a necessity. Not only do they offer secondary storage, but they also help to make sure that your system is never overwhelmed by all the massive files out there. In this 4K era where a single 4K movie can get as big as 100GB while some games are as big as 70GB, it has become rather obvious that not even 1Tb of internal storage is sufficient and this is where external hard drives come in.

With an external hard drive, you can comfortably continue enjoying your TV shows in crisp 4K images without having to delete some of the other content that you are not ready to part ways with. The best external hard drives will also reduce the amount of content stored in your internal storage. In doing so, your system should get faster, making your interactions with your device seamless. You’ll also love external hard drives for the simple fact that they offer better protection to your files. Every time your PC is connected to the internet, there is always a possibility of losing data even if you are using the very best antivirus. With an external hard drive, you’ll never have to worry about such issues.

There are so many hard drives out there coming with different features, and connectivity options make it a bit difficult to tell the best from other unreliable devices.

External Hard Drive Buying Guide

Storage Capacity

The whole concept of an external hard drive is to supplement your devices internal storage. It, therefore, goes without saying that the storage capacity has to be a priority. Look at your current storage and evaluate your need, and this should help you have a clear idea of what capacity you need. Also, it’s always advisable to get a size bigger than you need at the moment. That’s because your needs may change with time and its best if you’ll have a hard drive that can accommodate any potential changes in future instead of having to go back in the market again in search for another hard drive.

Security

Security is crucial, particularly if you are hoping to store sensitive files or work documents on the hard drive. In that case, you should look for an external hard drive that is compatible with the best software encryptions or better yet, hardware encryption.

Data Transfer Speed

Unless you want to spend the whole eternity transferring a single 4K movie, you’d better be keen to check on the data transfer speed of the external hard drive you are getting. To identify the speeds, you need to check on the connectivity option available. An external hard drive using USB 2.0 is usually very slow, and you should do everything possible to avoid them. Alternatively, you can get one with USB 3.0 whose speeds can get as high as 5Gbps or a USB 3.1 that can go up to 10gbps. You could also add a few dollars to your budget and get an external hard drive with Thunderbolt 3 which can transfer files at insane speeds of 40Gbps.

Portability

Portability is crucial if you’re constantly on the move and you’d love to carry your external drive with you. This means that you’ll need to pay extra attention to how compact the hard drive is and its weight. If your goal for getting a hard drive is to back up the classic movies that you don’t access so often, you can compromise on portability and redirect that cash to getting a hard drive with bigger storage capacity.

Our Top Picks

So, which are the best external hard drives in the market today? There are various incredible external hard drives out there, but the best one will depend on what your priorities are. If you are a security conscious individual, then the best hard drive for you will differ from someone whose priority is storage capacity. Therefore, you must first identify what your priority in a hard drive is after which you can start exploring the following options.

1.Toshiba Canvio Advance 2Tb Portable External Hard Drive

The Toshiba Canvio Advance is perfect for everyone who needs a hard drive that is more than just a secondary storage media. This incredible drive is programmed with various features geared towards giving you a smooth experience.

The first valuable feature is the automatic back up supported by the Toshiba Storage Backup Software. This free PC software helps to safeguards your files by automatically backing them at set intervals. This essentially means that cases of data loss happening as a result of forgetting to make backups are completely resolved.

Through Toshiba Storage Software, you can also prevent unauthorized access to your hard drive. This software allows you to set a unique password, thus limiting the number of people that can access your files.

The Toshiba Canvio Advance 2Tb is programmed with USB 3.0 technology. You will never have to endure slow speeds even when you are transferring huge files. The good news is that the hard drive is also compatible with USB 2.0 devices. Therefore, you should still be able to use it with your old devices, but the speeds will be a bit slower.

Toshiba Canvio Advance is available on numerous vibrant colors. It is also very well designed not just to look good but also to be extremely portable, weighing just 5.28 ounces.

Verdict: The Toshiba Advance is an incredible external hard drive that comes with a massive storage capacity of up to 3 Tb. The security and automatic back up software make it a great choice for everyone who’s looking to keep snoopers at bay. The fact that it can be used with both PC and Mac (after reformatting) also makes it a very versatile tool.

2. Toshiba Canvio Basics 1Tb Portable External Hard Drive

The Toshiba Canvio Basics is a highly portable external drive that is designed to deliver superb performance. The hard drive is very easy to use, and you won’t even need to install any software to get it working. All you have to do is plug it into your PC, and you’ll be ready to watch or copy files right away.

The hard drive comes with a 1Tb storage capacity which should be enough for everyone who’s looking for additional space for their videos, photos, and other files. You can also get the hard drive in 2, 3, and 4 Tb in case the 1Tb is too small for you.

The Toshiba Canvio Basics is small in size and reasonably light making it highly portable. It should be able to fit into your pocket or backpack compartments without weighing you down. You will also appreciate the sleek matte-black finishing, which gives it a stunning look.

Sadly, this hard drive connects through USB 2.0, which tends to be a bit slow when it comes to transferring data.

Verdict: The Toshiba Canvio Basics 1Tb Hard drive is a good option if you are looking for an affordable, easy-to-use and portable external hard drive

3. WD 4TB My Book Duo Desktop RAID External Hard Drive

If you are looking for an external hard drive that can fully satisfy the needs of you and perhaps your colleagues or workmates, then this is the perfect choice for you. This insane hard drive offers up to 20TB of storage capacity, which should be more than enough to store all your 4K videos, high-res JPEGS, and other files.

The hard drive features RAID-optimized WD Red Drives which deliver a reliable storage and high data transfer speeds. This firmware will also improve the management of drive operations in a two-disk array system to improve read/write functions.

In its default mode, the WD My Book Duo is set at RAID-0 which offers excellent speeds. You can also reconfigure the hard drive to RAID-1 mode, which improves data mirroring. Through WD Drive Utilities software, it’s also possible to use the My Book Duo as two independent drives.

Since the WD My Book Duo is designed to be usable both in a home and office setting, security has been beefed up to prevent unauthorized access. To that end, the hard drive is programmed with built-in 256-bit AES hardware encryption to secure your private contents. WD Security software also allows you to set a password to control the number of people who can use the hard drive.

The WD My Book Duo comes with two USB 3.0 ports. The hard drive is compatible with both USB 3.0 and USB 3.1 Gen 1. It supports high-speed data transfer via USB Type C to Type A and USB Type C to Type C. Through the Type-A hub ports; you can connect the hard drive to a card reader, additional storage, mouse, keyboard and even charge or sync a phone.

Verdict: The WD My Book Duo is a massive external hard drive with watertight security features that are guaranteed to offer optimal security to your delicate files. The tradeoff here is that the hard drive is not exactly portable. That said, this hard drive is an excellent choice for everyone who’s looking to secure their massive files without the frequent need of moving the hard drive from one location to another.

SSD vs. Hard Drive

Do you really need a hard drive, or are you better off getting a Solid State Drive (SSD)? Well, both of these external data storage options have their own pros and cons, and hence the choice on which one is better may come down to your preferences, but in most cases, SSDs usually come out superior.

SSDs such as the Samsung T5 are excellent in various ways including insane speeds, super portable and light and very easy to use but then they are usually very costly and with limited storage capacity. As such, SSDs are better suited for guys with a bigger budget but with limited needs in terms of storage capacity. On the other hand, hard drives may be a bit bulkier compared to SSDs and less stylish, but they are affordable, and they come with huge storage capacity. As I said, it’ll depend on your preferences and needs.

How do we select the Best VPN for Kodi

Kodi is one of the most popular media streaming players. This media player is extremely versatile, allowing users to access virtually all types of online content, both legal and the illegal kind. It is also compatible with a vast majority of add-ons that work to enhance users experience. If you know anything about the streaming world, then you know that privacy and security are crucial. This is especially important when you are dealing with versatile streaming platforms that support a lot of third-party add-ons, as is the case with Kodi. And when you are talking about online security and privacy, you have to mention VPNs.

VPNs allow you to stream all your content with some peace of mind. Virtual Private Network helps to protect your connection, ensuring that your true identity and IP address is masked against online creeps and government agencies. How does it do so? Well, the Best VPN services will stand between your device and your internet service provider. The VPN will then bounce your IP address across different servers all over the world before you are finally connected to the internet. With your IP address sealed, you can go on streaming knowing that all your data is safe and protected.

The good news about a virtual private network is that there are lots of them out there that come with all sorts of features. Whether you are looking for the best free VPN or paid VPN, then you are guaranteed of getting one that suits you. The problem, however, is that not all VPNs are ideal for streaming. Some of the VPNs out there are not particularly fast, and this essentially means that streaming with such a provider will be too much a struggle for anyone. There is also the question of compatibility between the VPN and your smart TV. This means that you need to ensure that the VPN you are getting is compatible with the specific operating system of your TV; otherwise, you will have some serious difficulties getting the network to work correctly.

VPN for Kodi Buying Guide

What are the essential factors that you need to investigate while looking for the best VPN for Kodi? The following are the key factors that you must consider:

• Performance. This includes how easy it is to use VPN and internet speeds.
• Compatibility with standalone Kodi apps
• Logging policy of the VPN service provider
• Cost

Our Top Picks

So, which is the best VPN for Kodi? Based on our comprehensive research and extensive user reviews, the following are the best VPN for Kodi at the moment:

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is one of the most reliable VPN out there. This virtual private network boasts insane speeds, supports P2P and has dozens of servers spread across the world. Streaming HD content doesn’t get as easy as it is with the fast speeds of this VPN. This allows you to sit back and enjoy your content without experiencing any annoying issues to do with buffering.

The fact that ExpressVPN supports both P2P and torrenting makes it an even better option than most of its competitors. This will increase the amount of content you can watch significantly. However, only a few selected servers support P2P.

It is also worth noting that Express VPN does a great job in unlocking most of the content that could otherwise be blocked due to geographical restrictions. With the VPN, you should be able to access HBO Go, HBO Now, Netflix, Hulu and BBC iPlayer with ease.

When it comes to your security, ExpressVPN does not mess around. The VPN offers 256-bit AES encryption, which is one of the best security standards among VPNs today. The company also has strict no logs policy. This makes sure that timestamps, browsing history, and other logs are constantly disposed of.

ExpressVPN is also a favorite because it is available on all major platforms. You can get this software on Android, Linux, MacOS, iOS, and Windows devices.

Other Features

• Over 3000 servers
• 160 server locations
• Supports three devices max
• UDP, TCP, L2TP – IPSec, SSTP, and PPTP protocols
• One-click applications for Kodi

NordVPN

Coming at a close second is NordVPN which provides users with over 5000 servers to choose from. You will also get the privilege of selecting servers located in any one of the 60+ countries where these servers are located. This should give you a clean pass over all geo-restrictions allowing you to get content from all over the world. Speaking of content, NordVPN is one of the few VPNs that are great at unblocking streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Pandora, Amazon prime, and BBC iPlayer.  Just like ExpressVPN, NordVPN also has several dedicated servers that support P2P.

Another reason for all Kodi users to love NordVPN is its extremely fast speeds. In our tests, this VPN consistently maintained download speeds of over 50mbps, which is enough to give you an effortless experience while using Kodi.

On matters security and privacy, NordVPN utilizes 256-bit encryption, which is the best in its class. You will get some peace-of-mind thanks to the clear no-logs policy. It’s also important to know that NordVPN is based in Panama, which is a very VPN-friendly country, and hence, there shouldn’t be much interference from the authorities.

NordVPN is available on MacOS, Windows, Android, and iOS. Users can also take advantage of the free 3-days trials to see whether the VPN is a good fit for them or not before they commit to using the provider. Once you decide to commit, you will find numerous packages to choose from. Looking at the charges, most people are likely to find the monthly billing of NordVPN a bit costly.

Other Features

• One-Click application for Kodi
• Supports Onion over VPN, Double VPN, and CyberSec
• Automatic kill switch
• No-logs policy
• Supports six devices max

IPVanish

IPVanish is arguably the best VPN for all Android-based Kodi gadgets. With this VPN, you will no longer struggle to get Google Play as you can easily download it from the IPVanish website. With Google Play in place, you will have an easier time accessing different third-party streaming apps, and with this comes unlimited options on the content you can stream.

IPVanish boasts water-tight security achieved through numerous strategies. First, the VPN takes advantage of the superb 256-bit encryption, which is well-known for its ability to protect users’ privacy and security. The provider also has a strict no-logs policy in place. This makes sure that no traces are left regarding your online activities. Unfortunately, IPVanish is based in the US, where laws on watching copyrighted content are very strict. This doesn’t affect the performance of the VPN, but it is something you may want to consider if you don’t want to take any chances, especially if you are located within the US.

With IPVanish, you will have access to over 1200 servers located in 60+ different locations. The VPN also has more than 40000 IP addresses, which should make it really easy to mask your real IP address.

IPVanish is available on Fire TV, Windows, Mac OS, Android, and iOS. Since the VPN supports up to 10 connected devices, it should be really easy to get it working on virtually all your gadgets i.e., Smart TV, PC, laptop, tablet, and smartphones.

Other than heightened security and vast compatibility, IPVanish also provides great speeds that can stream HD content without any buffering.

Other Features

• L2TP/IPsec, OpenVPN, PPTP, SSTP, IKEv2/IPsec protocols
• One-click applications for Kodi
• No-logs policy
• 7-day-money-back guarantee
• Kill switch
• Onion Over VPN
• DNS leak protection
• Bitcoin payments are accepted

What are the Best VPN for Torrenting to Use

Governments in different parts of the world have invested hugely in trying to curb torrenting. Internet Service providers have also had their share of headache in trying to prevent this exercise unsuccessfully. Torrenting is a very popular method of sharing files with different users across the world. Torrent websites have become the one stop shop for everyone who’s looking for software, music, TV shows, movies, and other files. The websites allow users to get this content super-fast than they would under any other website. One big issue with torrents is piracy. This is one of the biggest reasons behind the demand for VPNs among torrent users. While indeed piracy is a serious issue that we don’t condone btw-most torrent users fail to understand that there is another big risk they subject themselves to every time they log into torrent websites. When you are uploading or downloading a file from most torrent websites, other users can easily see your IP address. This means that cybercriminals can now get your address and even initiate cyber-attacks on your devices. This issue is very serious, given the increased popularity of torrents.

Therefore, you need to make sure that your IP address is masked whenever you are visiting any torrent website. This is where VPN services come in. We’ve talked about the Best VPN Services before, but one thing we’d like our readers to understand is that the best general VPN might not be the ideal VPN when it comes to torrenting. What does that mean? Well, some VPN service providers do not condone torrenting and would even ban you for doing so. We also have several providers who do discourage the exercise and would usually limit the amount of data you can use on torrents. It’s for this reason that we’ve decided to give you a separate list of the best VPN for torrenting where you can expect fast speeds with no limits.

Our Top 3 Picks

So, which is the best VPN for torrenting? The best VPN for torrenting has to be NordVPN, and there are very solid reasons behind this choice. Here is a breakdown of what you can expect from this and other top providers.

1. NordVPN

NordVPN is a brilliant VPN service, which is not just arguably the best VPN service but also the best VPN for torrenting. This VPN comes with water-tight security to make sure that your online business – be it official or personal – does not compromise the security of your data and privacy. NordVPN supports OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, L2TO, and PPTP protocols. There is also a Double VPN server where data is passed through two different VPN servers for optimal security. The VPN has more than 5,000 servers located in over 60 different locations. Although not all of these servers support P2P, having so many options to choose from comes in very handy. NordVPN have even dedicated a server recommendation list, making it easier for you to get the best server for torrenting. 

The strict no logs policy is also very welcomed. This is supported by the fact that NordVPN is based in Panama, where privacy of user’s data is a priority. This means that you can rest easy and get the torrents you need without worrying about any IP, timestamp, or browsing logs ending up in the wrong hands.

NordVPN also comes with a kill switch should you need it. You can customize this switch and set the applications that you’d like to be terminated or shut down should your VPN connection get interrupted. Although the kill switch protects your data when closing these applications, it isn’t very effective. Most people usually prefer closing the internet connection on the system level. Unfortunately, Windows and Mac users won’t enjoy this protection. They will, however, get the connection of their Android and iOS devices terminated in such an event.

Pros

• Supports up to 6 different devices
• Works with different operating systems
• Dedicated servers for optimized torrenting
• Fast and consistent internet speeds
• Clear no-logs policy

Cons

• Some servers can be very unreliable
• Errors with NordVPN apps have been reported

2. ExpressVPN

In case you are looking for an alternative to NordVPN, then this is it. ExpressVPN is just as brilliant as NordVPN, and some of its die-hard fans even believe that it is the best all-round VPN service in the market. We are not going to join the debate on which one is better but rather tell you why ExpressVPN deserves your due consideration.

ExpressVPN has dedicated so many resources in making sure that your online identity is fully masked with reduced risk of IP leaks. The VPN has over 3000 servers located in 160 locations, which are found in 94 different countries across the world! When it comes to IP addresses, these guys have over 30,000 of them to offer! You have to agree with me that this is a complete overkill yet it’s very necessary. Therefore, the question shouldn’t be whether ExpressVPn is secured or not, but rather, how good is its performance? And the answer here is a resounding very secure!

First of all, the VPN comes with a Network Lock which is a fancy techie name for a kill switch. This will automatically disconnect you when your VPN connection is interrupted. By getting you disconnected, the lock makes sure that your IP address is not leaked.

When it comes to speeds, very few VPNs can match ExpressVPN. When you are connected to a strong network, the VPN can deliver speeds over 30mbps! Isn’t that fast enough to help you get the torrents you need and log off the sites within the shortest time possible?

Pros

• Excellent speeds
• 256-bit encryption
• Clear no-logs policy
• Unblocks a host of streaming services including Hulu, Netflix just to mention a few
• Available on multiple OS including Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, selected Wi-Fi routers

Cons

• a bit costly
• Supports just three simultaneous connections

3. CyberGhost

CyberGhost is our third pick but by no means is it any inferior. This Romania-based VPN is designed with 256-bit AES encryption and a kill switch for the desktop apps. The kill switch can be found under the name “app protection” in the settings. This kill switch is good in preventing IP leaks, but my biggest concern with it is that it can only be applied to specific programs. This means that even though you can set the kill switch to close the connection to your torrent client, it may still leave some loopholes on the websites where your IP address may be identified. The good news is that the strong DNS, IPv4, and IPv6 leak protections are quite strong and capable of blocking these loopholes.

CyberGhost clients will also have over 3700 servers at their disposal. These servers are spread across 60 different locations. You can also connect up to 7 different devices simultaneously.

Something interesting about this VPN is that it supports P2P file sharing. However, this is limited to the servers that are not located in Russia and the US. Windows and Mac clients can search for the servers dedicated to P2P file sharing.

CyberGhost is available on all the major operating systems i.e., Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS. CyberGhost also offers fast and consistent speeds. It’s nowhere as fast as NordVPN or ExpressVPN, but it is fast enough to get your torrents in time and to stream some shows. Speaking of streaming, CyberGhost can unlock Amazon Prime Video and US Netflix, among other streaming services.

Pros

• Supports P2P on supported servers
• Clear no-logs policy
• Supports up to 7 different connections simultaneously
• Affordable
• Bitcoin capabilities

Cons

• The speeds could have been better
• Some streaming services are inaccessible

How to pick the The Best Wireless Mouse

It’s very easy to overlook the importance of a mouse. This is the same mistake that most people make when it comes to keyboards. What most people fail to understand is that the mouse will significantly determine how your day-to-day interaction with your laptop or PC would be. This also explains why most people would never even think about the significance of the role that their mice play until they start malfunctioning, and that’s when it hits them that they need to do better.

Before we even go a step further into discussing the best wireless mice, let me tell you something. No alternative beats the convenience and flexibility that comes with a wireless mouse, and this is regardless of whether we are talking about laptops or a pc. With a wireless mouse, you get the flexibility that the tiny touchpad of your laptop can only dream of. Even more importantly, it comes with unmatched accuracy that neither the touchpad nor a stylus pen can beat. Even when we compare the experience of a wireless mouse to that of a touchscreen, you will realize that a mouse is way useful in real life as compared to touch screens.

We’d also like to point out that the best overall mouse may not necessarily be the best gaming mouse. This is a vital distinction to make because the gaming demands and experience are very different from normal pc or laptop functions. Yes, some of the mice that we are going to highlight may still perform relatively well when used for gaming, but the chances are that they won’t beat the best gaming mouse in the market.

What makes the best wireless mouse? The best wireless mouse should be able to do more than just directing the cursor displayed on your screen. This means that you need to be critical and look beyond the basic function of the mouse. What are we talking about?

Connectivity

Users can choose between two different types of connectivity options. The first option uses a wireless transceiver which is usually plugged into the USB port of the laptop or PC that you are hoping to control. The mice using this technology are usually very affordable, and they don’t even require Bluetooth connectivity since the transceiver is plugged directly to the PC. On the flip side, you’ll have to sacrifice a USB slot. The mouse will also become useless if the tiny transceiver gets lost.

The alternative is a Bluetooth mouse which is completely wireless and doesn’t require any accessories to connect the mouse to your computer. All you have to do is link the mouse through a Bluetooth connection, which means that your laptop or PC must have Bluetooth connectivity. The latest Bluetooth mouse performs very well, and if you have a few dollars to spend, you could end up with one that can also connect to your Bluetooth-enabled smart TV and tablet.

Sensitivity

The sensitivity of the mouse will depend on the technology used in tracking the movement of the mouse. Remember the little ball that was popping out of the bottom of the traditional mice? The replacement to that ball is the technology that we are talking about.

To determine how sensitive or precise a wireless mouse is, you need to look at its DPI (dots per inch) The higher the DPI rating, the higher the sensitivity and precision of the mouse. The best mice use laser technology to track the movement of the mouse. These are very accurate and sensitive, making them a good choice, particularly in PC Gaming. However, most of these mice are quite costly. You can also go for the affordable alternative which uses optical tech, but then they won’t be as accurate or sensitive as their counterparts.

Ergonomics

If you spend a lot of time on your PC, you need to get a comfortable mouse that won’t leave you with carpal tunnel syndrome or other issues. You must check how the overall designing of the mouse is done to help in keeping your hands comfortable.

Extra Features

You should also look out for the extra fixtures packed into the mouse. For instance, you can check for any buttons included to the left and right of the mouse. You can also look at whether there is a programmable button included. These will make your life very easy since you’ll be able to access some of the functions of your PC with just a single touch of a button.

Battery Life

If you are a heavy PC user, you must prepare yourself to spend a good amount of your cash on batteries. The good news is that recent mice don’t devour batteries as aggressively as the previous generations used to. The bad news is that when the battery starts to run out, then you’ll witness a decrease in accuracy and sensitivity.

Some premium wireless mice are coming with Lithium Ion cells built into the mouse. These mice can be charged through a USB cable, and the best part is that you can continue to use the mouse when it’s hooked and charging.

Our Top Picks for best wireless mouse

So, which is the best wireless mouse in the market at the moment? The best wireless mouse today is the insane Logitech MX Master 2S, and this is why:

1. Logitech MX Master 2S Wireless Mouse

If you have $79 to spend on a wireless mouse, then this is the beast you need. This little mouse is everything you need to control not one, not two but three different computers simultaneously. The craziest part is that you can even use it between Windows and Mac computers! And that’s not all; with this mouse, you can copy files and data from one computer and paste it on any of the other two computers synced! Just imagine how seamless your day-job would be if you could get this single device to control all the three monitors seating in your work station!

You are probably thinking that the process of getting the mouse to move from controlling one computer to another is complex, but that is not the case. All you have to do is to move the cursor to the furthest edge of the computer, and it will automatically jump into the next computer.

Comfort should always be a priority regardless of whether you use your computer frequently or not. The Logitech MX Master 2S is designed with an advanced ergonomic style. Every sculpt made here is intended to offer your hand, wrist, and fingers the support they need to feel like they are in their natural position.

The mouse offers various other features, including auto-discovery, which automatically detects and configures your computers within seconds. You can also customize Flow and functions through the Logitech Options software.

Other features

• SSL & AES 256-bit encryption for transferring data securely
• 70-days of battery life after a single charge. A 3-minutes charge can see you through the whole day!
• A 4000-Dpi sensor that works on different surfaces including glass
• Hyper-efficient scroll wheel comes with auto-shift and hyper-fast scroll capabilities. It also supports side-to-side scrolling
• USB/Bluetooth connectivity

2. Microsoft Wireless Mobile Mouse 1850 (U7Z-00001)

The Microsoft 1850 wireless mouse looks conservative and all but it is one of the best performing mice out there today. The mouse features a well-thought-out design that will make your hand feel at home. It’s also incredible how well the mouse was designed to serve both left and right-handed users without making either of the two feel any awkward.

The Microsoft 1850 is also engineered to go slow on the batteries without affecting its performance. This stretches the battery life to as much as six months! The manufacturer recommends the Polaroid AA batteries for this mouse, arguing that they offer the best performance for an extended period as compared to other batteries.

The downside with this mouse is that you don’t get much in terms of extra buttons and features as is the case with the Logitech 2S.

Other Features

• Microsoft Nano Transceiver v1.1
• Compatible with USB 2.0
• Compatible with windows, mac and some versions of Android
• 2-way scroll
• Optical tracking technology

3.Logitech MX Anywhere 2 Wireless Mobile Mouse

The Logitech MX Anywhere 2 is perfectly designed for all the guys that are constantly on the move. It doesn’t matter where your office duties will come knocking because this mouse will be right there to help you get the job done. That’s why the mouse is designed to function on virtually any surface, including glass.

The manufacturer was not just keen on helping you get the work done for the sake of it, but they actually wanted to make sure that comfort and performance are not compromised. To that end, they crafted the mouse to perfectly blend with the natural shape of a human hand. This resulted in an ergonomic design that will support you to help perform your duties perfectly for an extended time without experiencing any issues.

On the performance front, Logitech made this mouse work with Bluetooth technology, and they also included a super thin Pico Unifying receiver which measures a mere 3mm. Once you are connected, the mouse allows you to operate three different computers running on either windows or mac. The transition from one computer to another is seamless, thanks to a single button.

The Logitech MX Anywhere 2 comes with a micro-USB cable for charging. According to the manufacturer, a single full charge is enough to last two months! A one-minute charge can give you up to an hour of usage.

Customize the functions of the buttons, adjust tracking speed, and enable gestures through the Logitech Options software which you can download and install for free to get started. The software will also give you access to an array of other functions that you won’t find in other basic mice. For instance, you can program a single button to perform a certain function in a particular application and a completely different task on another application.

Other features

• Compatible with Windows 7, 8 or later and Mac OS x10.10 and later
• Easy switch technology
• Hyper-fast scrolling

How to pick the Best Torrent Client

Mention Torrent to anyone, and the first thing that runs into their minds is piracy. It is in the public domain that torrents are engaged in so much piracy on music, TV shows, movies, software, and other files. This is one of the reasons that so many torrent websites are getting shut down.

The thing is, there are so many files that cannot be accessed anywhere but through torrents. We also have several legal torrents that you can easily download into your local storage without getting yourself on the wrong side of the law. Also, some people simply prefer torrent because they are a lot faster when downloading even the biggest of files. This means that you can download several gigs of a file through torrents a lot faster than you would if you were to source from a standard website. Finally, some people simply prefer torrents because it gives them access to thousands of files from across the world. It’s for these reasons that the demand for torrents continues to increase even as the crackdown on piracy continues.

To get the best experience in your torrents, you need the best torrent clients. There would be no difference from downloading huge files from a standard website if your torrent client is slow or worse, drains a lot of resources from your pc making it almost impossible to do anything else while the download is in progress. To avoid all this nuisance, you have to get your decision right when looking for a torrent client. The good news is that most torrent clients are free, which means that you have some freedom to experiment and switch between them.

Even then, you might still find it difficult to settle down on one particular client due to the vast number of torrent clients available. To make your work easier, we have prepared the list of the best software clients that you can rely on for all your torrenting needs. These are clients with super friendly interfaces that don’t require tech savvy to navigate. Clients that are super lite with enhanced speeds that will get you the files you need as efficiently as possible. Here are our top pics:

1. qBittorrent

qBittorrent packs all the relevant features that you’d ever need in a torrent client. Talk of speed, simplicity, and a dozen other features that are geared towards making your experience hassle-free.

The user-friendliness of the UI means that virtually anyone can use this client with ease. It won’t matter if you have experience on torrenting or if it is your first time in the torrents world, but the simplicity here will make sure that you can navigate and get everything you need with ease.

Most torrent clients will provide all the relevant features that you typically need, e.g., getting magnet links, encrypted connections, and private torrents are not that hard. The biggest problem has always been on the execution of these features and how well they perform in real life. After using and testing so many torrent clients out there, I can tell you for the fact that it is one thing for a client to mention that a particular feature is available and for the feature to work as required. With qBittorrent, all the features have been included not just for the sake of it, but they are perfectly engineered for seamless performance. This is why downloading torrents using the client is not just easy but also very quick.

You will also get additional features such as an inbuilt search tool that will make it easier for you to get the files you need. What I liked the most about this feature is that it can search the files you need from different sources and bring them directly to you, thus saving you from having to go through the torrent websites yourself. This does not just save you time, but it also protects you from ending up in torrent websites with malware.

You will also get several other features such as media player, prioritization of both torrents and the files within the torrents, torrent creation, and IP filtering.

With qBittorrent, you’ll also never have to worry about your devices lagging due to downloading torrents. This software does not pull too many resources, and hence, it allows you to go on using your devices for other purposes as the torrents download in the background.

qBittorrent is available on MacOS, Windows, Linus, FreeBSD, and OS/22, just to mention a few. You’ll also love the fact that it is ad-free and hence you don’t have to endure the constant spamming of online ads as is the case with most other torrent clients.

Drawbacks

qBittorrent has much fewer plugins as compared to other popular torrent clients such as utorrent. This may come as an inconvenience to everyone who loves options as far as extensions and plugins are concerned. I must mention that setting up this tool may become a bit tricky due to the regulations governing piracy on torrents.

2. Deluge

Deluge is nowhere as popular as your uTorrents and qBittorrent, but it is just as powerful and as simple to use. The torrent client features a rather simple user interface that may seem a bit complex at first. This is especially the case to everyone who has used utorrent or qbittorent before, and that’s because Deluge has taken a rather different path on how they designed the UI. The good news is that after a few days of using it, you should get well familiarized with it and get down into enjoying the vast features on offer.

What features are these? Well for starters, you could use Deluge as a desktop torrent client or simply set it to run in the background as a service where you can integrate it with a Firefox or Chrome browser. This makes it more convenient to use, even for a distribution server. You will also enjoy the convenience that comes with this highly-customizable client. For instance, you can set Deluge to start downloading torrents automatically and give them unique batch names. A single setting will also allow your system to go to sleep when all the torrents are downloaded. You could also set the client to delete all torrents that are not fully downloaded automatically. You will also get a wide range of other features including bandwidth control, IP blocklist, notifications, upload and download statistics, among others.

Drawbacks

One brilliant thing about Deluge is that it is easily extendable via plugins, but the biggest issue is that the number of plugins available is a bit limited.

3. uTorrent

uTorrent is another extremely popular torrent client maintained by BitTorrent themselves. This client has been around since 2005, which basically makes it the grandfather of torrent clients.

What’s so impressive about uTorrent is that after more than a decade in existence, you’d expect it to be phased out by other newer clients, but that is not the case. uTorrent remains highly reliable to its clients and a benchmark to other torrent software.

The simple reason behind the continued popularity of uTorrent is its performance. This lightweight client uses less than 6mb of RAM to operate, which means that you can do so many other things with your system as torrents are downloading in the background. This also increases download speeds significantly.

If you’re not a newcomer in the torrents world, then you must have used uTorrent at one point or another. The one thing that all uTorrent users love is the simplicity of the user interface. Everything is placed within your reach with no tech skills required to navigate or operate the client. This doesn’t just apply in downloading torrents, but you will also find it quite easy to use even when you are uploading the files. Sure, it will take some time and practice to learn (if you are a starter), but once you get the hang of it, then you’ll find it very intuitive.

Another advantage stemming from the fact that BitTorrent maintains uTorrent is that you will constantly receive system updates (which tend to improve the software and fix bugs which occur once in a while) and you will also have dozens of plugins at your disposal. This is one area that no other torrent client can beat uTorrent.

Drawbacks

The biggest issue with uTorrent has to be the ads. There are so many of them, and they do tend to become irritating sometimes.

The client also doesn’t provide search tools, something that could have made it convenient to use.

How do we rate the Best Tablets?

The whole concept behind tablets is to come up with a piece of equipment that can perform the functions of both a laptop and a smartphone without being too bulky or struggling too much to get the job done. Using your tablet, you should be able to do most if not all of the tasks that you would otherwise require a laptop to do. This is essential because remember you cannot carry a laptop with you everywhere you go because it is too bulky or for any other reason. Also, in as much as smartphones have come a long way with vast features, they still miss out on a lot especially when it comes to browsing and managing office tasks, and this explains the continued enthusiasm behind foldable smartphones such as the Galaxy Fold. Therefore, the tablet is supposed to be the perfect middle ground where you can call, chat, and do other smartphone stuff while also remaining capable of undertaking some of your office tasks.

With that in mind, we’re sure that you now know the basics of a good tablet. However, we want you to know more than just the basics. We want you to be a pro, and that’s why instead of just highlighting the best tablets for you, we’re are also going to tell you what informed our decision in coming up with the tablets.

Tablets Buying Guide

How do you know which is the best tablet for you? Some bare minimums must be met in any tablet, but we also cannot ignore the subjective aspect when it comes to tech devices. What may seem intuitive to me may be rocket science to someone else. For instance, I may say that the Samsung Tab S4 is an excellent tablet which gets the job done for me but to someone else, getting anything done on any OS other than Mac is a total struggle. Therefore, we are going to discuss the main factors that you need to look into before settling on any one particular tablet and hopefully, this should help you get the best tablet that is within your preferences.

Purpose of the Tablet

Here is the thing you cannot expect to do some 4K streaming and play demanding games on $100 tablet. There are instances when you can get insane bargains, but you also need to be realistic. If you know that your tablet is going to do a lot of tasks for both official and entertainment purposes, then you need to do yourself some justice and spare a big budget. This is the only way that you can get the hardware you need to get the experience you deserve. This should not be interpreted to mean that you need to spare in excess of $1000 for a tablet; no. You can get a decent tablet capable of handling as much of your intensive work as possible at a very reasonable price of less than $400.

Likewise, there is no point in getting $1000+ iPad Pro if you are barely going to do anything other than lite browsing, tweeting, and maybe watching some videos on YouTube. You can save so much cash by going for a simple, standard, and sleek tablet that’s capable of doing all that. Of course, if you have lots of cash to spare, then by no means should you settle for anything less.

It’s also worth mentioning that if you expect to do a lot of typing or drawing on your tablet, then you need to investigate how well the tablet integrates with some of the best Bluetooth keyboards and pressure-sensitive stylus respectively.

Storage

Once you know what you need the tablet for, it becomes easier to know how much space you’ll need. If you want a tablet that can hold lots of files, you won’t just need a device with a huge internal storage, but you may also consider looking for one with a micro SD slot.

On the other hand, save yourself a couple of dollars to buy the best earbuds by buying a tablet with medium storage capacity if you know you don’t need lots of space. It’s also worth considering cloud storage when making your decision.

Operating System

If you’ve only ever used iPhones, and Mac devices then getting a Windows or Android tablet may require some time getting used to. Ideally, having gadgets that are all running on the same operating system is recommended as it creates a highly compatible ecosystem where sharing of files is seamless. You’ll also find it quite easy using your new device since most things are very similar. However, if you don’t mind learning and using gadgets of different operating systems, then you’ll have so many options to choose from. It all comes down to your preferences really.

3 Best Tablets

1.Apple iPad 9.7-inch (Wi-Fi, 32GB) – Space Gray

The Apple iPad 9.7-inch is a great piece of tech that is designed to surpass all the needs of a tablet while remaining very reasonably priced. This tablet costs just $249, yet it comes with a host of features making it a bargain.

First of all, this is a product from Apple, and hence, it doesn’t disappoint when it comes to build quality. The iPad 9.7-inches has a sleek designing making it look and feel incredible. It’s also really slim, and this is good news as it can easily slide into a small compartment inside your backpack or even in a handbag without taking too much space. Looking at the design, the one department where this device has let us down is on the thick bezels which look outdated.

The overall performance of the Apple iPad is decent enough for all the standard tablet functions. The device comes with an A10 processor, an M10 co-processor and 2 gigs of RAM. This makes up for a smooth performance free of lags. We tested the tablet with some movies and also played a few games on it, and the performance was satisfactory.

In the department of cameras, the Apple iPad 9.7-inches performs reasonably well, considering its price. The rear camera is 8MP with f/2.4 aperture. The camera captured lots of details pretty well, but nothing too stunning. Meanwhile, you’ll get a 1.2MP front camera and f/2.2 aperture. You can FaceTime with this camera at 720P but don’t think about taking selfies with it because it will disappoint you.

Other features

• 10-hours battery life
• A10 fusion chip
• Touch ID fingerprint sensor
• Two speaker audio
• 802.11ac Wi-Fi
• Augmented Reality (AR)
• Compatible with Bluetooth keyboards

Verdict: The Apple iPad 9.7-inch is an incredible tablet for everyone who’s looking for an Apple tablet that can handle most of their tablet needs without leaving a massive dent on their bank statement.

2.Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (Wi-Fi, 64GB)

The Apple iPad Pro 11 is designed to offer the ultimate iPad experience. We are not just talking about standard functions anymore. Throw anything at this device, and it will tackle it down effortlessly.

The iPad features the powerful A12X Bionic processor with eight cores. Combine this with the neural engine, and the result is an insanely, powerful and highly responsive tablet that will completely change everything you knew about iPads. If that isn’t enough, Apple went ahead and integrated the ProMotion tech on this gadget, which delivered a refresh rate of 120Hz! Yes, you heard that right. 120Hz in a tablet. This basically means that you can multi-task and do some intensive gaming on this tablet without getting the feeling that it is punching above its weight.

The Apple iPad Pro is elegantly designed with fairly slim bezels. This increases the screen coverage allowing you to fully appreciate the brilliance of the 1668 pixels. Take note that you can also get the Apple iPad Pro with a 12.9-inch display. If you don’t mind handling the bigger iPad, then you can go for the 12.9-inch display which will come in very handy, particularly when you are watching TV shows or playing games.

This impressive gadget comes with 64GB of internal storage, which should be enough for you to store all the essentials that you use frequently. You can also take advantage of the cloud storage to back up all the other data that you use less frequently. If 64Gb feels like child-play to you, you can get the iPad with 1Tb internal storage. And of course, the price increases as you increase the storage.

Other features

• 10-hours battery life. This will drop to 9-hours if you take a version that supports LTE cellular data
• A12X Bionic Chip Face ID
• 12MP back camera and 7MP front camera
• Four speakers with wider stereo sound
• 802.11ac Wi-Fi

Verdict: If you are looking for a powerful tablet and your financial muscles are strong enough to support your needs, then the Apple iPad Pro is an excellent choice for you. Yes, it costs a lot (up to $700) with additional costs if you want the magnetic apple pencil ($130) and the smart keyboard ($180), but its performance is the one thing no one can refute.

3.Samsung Electronics Sm-T830NZKLXAR Galaxy Tab S4

The Samsung Tab S4 takes the crown of the Android-based tablets. This gadget features a stunning 10.5-inch super AMOLED display that supports HDR. Take a moment and imagine just how brilliant it would be watching your Netflix or Amazon Prime TV shows in HDR from the palm of your hands! Your non-HDR videos will also look stunning in the 2560 x 1600 pixels display.

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S4 runs on Qualcomm Snapdragon 835. This is a relatively old processor, but it has proven to be very powerful, and that’s why it is used in flagship smartphones. The processor works along with the 4GB RAM to ensure that all the tasks are running smoothly. You can also split the screen with ease and perform different tasks simultaneously with no issues at all.

The Samsung Tab S4 also performs well above average when it comes to cameras. The rear 13mp camera, for instance, can record videos in 4k at 30 frames per second while the front 8MP camera is excellent for both video calls and selfies.

This tab is available with 64GB or 256GB storage. You will also have a MicroSD slot in case you need even more storage.

Other Features

• 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac Wi-Fi
• AMOLED display
• Dolby Atmos surround
• Integrated with far-field mics
• S-pen included
• 16-hour battery life (it takes less than 2 hours to charge the tab fully)

Verdict: The Galaxy Tab S4 is quite expensive ($748), but it is arguably the best android tablet in the market. The display is nothing short of impressive, the processor is very powerful, and the long battery life seals the deal for everyone who doesn’t want to spend every couple of hours looking for a power outlet.

How do we select the best over-ear headphones?

I want to kick off this review by first addressing this question; do we still need over-ear headphones? Yes, we do. You know, the continued increase in popularity of earbuds has raised a theory that over-ear headphones might not be as necessary as they were some years back.

Here is what I think: earbuds have come a long way, and the competition for making the best wireless earbuds has never been as huge as it is at the moment. Companies from all parts of the world are now committing their resources towards coming up with these buds. We’ve seen Apple strengthen their position in the industry with the Apple AirPods, Samsung have been improving their Galaxy Buds while Jabra is giving the big boys a chase for their money with incredible earbuds such as the Jabra Elite Active 65t. The technology used in making wireless earbuds has increased enormously with the introduction of noise canceling technology and some of the most advanced drivers that produce rich sounds for all genres of music. This has been raising questions on whether true wireless earbuds are indeed phasing out over-ear headphones.

Here is the thing though earbuds have come a long way, and yes some of them are really incredible, but they still don’t come anywhere near the best over-ear headphones in the market. Over-ear headphones deliver unparalleled noise cancellation that true wireless earbuds can only dream of. These headphones are also way comfortable thanks to several layers of foam cushioning, unlike some earbuds, which just can’t seem to stay in place. Headphones also beat earbuds in the several basic real life stuff e.g., chances of headphones getting lost are very slim as compared to earbuds. So, even if over-ear headphones are bulkier compared to earbuds, their performance is still undefeated, and that’s precisely why we still need over-ear headphones.

Over-ear Headphones Buying Guide

Buying an over-ear headphone is a tedious task, especially if you don’t know what you are looking for. To save you the headache, we’ve come up with a brief and easy-to-understand list of all the vital stuff that you need to consider before buying your headphones.

Impedance

In simple terms, impedance is a measure of quality that helps you understand how well the headphones will sound. Typically, you want the highest impedance possible to enjoy the highest quality of sounds while you’re using your headphones with different audio devices. These usually cost more, but the clarity in the sounds produced is always worth it.

However, if you know that your headphone won’t do much more other than listening to some music and podcasts in your smartphone, then you need not spend so much cash on a headphone with super high impedance.

Frequency

This essentially refers to how deep the bass can get and how high the treble can go. You can use this information to get headphones that are in line with your preferences. For instance, if you are a deep bass type of guy, then you need to get a headphone with the lowest Hertz possible.

Comfort

You cannot ignore the importance of comfort when it comes to headphones. You need a pair that is perfectly designed to completely eliminate pressure points and cover your ears comfortably while also blending with your head’s shape naturally. It’s at this point that you’ll need to check for the steps taken by the manufacturer to make the headphone’s ergonomics. This boosts your experience even when you are using the headphones for an extended period.

Wired vs. Wireless

Wireless over-ear headphones offer excellent flexibility enabling you to undertake your normal duties without the nuisance that is cables. On the flip side, most of these headphones are costly, and some of them don’t even perform that great. It’ll, therefore, make sense to go for wired over-ear headphones as it may save you a lot of cash without compromising on performance. You could also go for headphones with detachable cables.

Additional features

You must also consider other features offered by the headphone. Bear in mind that the more the features, the costlier the headphone gets. Therefore, you should look for features that are likely to offer you more value based on your unique needs. For instance, you may want to go for headphones that have active noise cancellation. This is essential as it helps you to eliminate all the noise coming from outside, thus immersing you into the music, movie, or audio you are listening to.

You may also look for headphones that provide the option of letting in a little sound from the outside. This feature is essential in real life scenarios such as when you are waiting for your flight, and you don’t want to miss any announcements.

1.Sony MDR7506 Professional Large Diaphragm Headphone

The Sony MDR7506 is an extremely comfortable headphone thanks to their closed-ear designing. For everyone who hates the feeling of earbuds in their ears, this headphone will feel natural to you. The soft foam will hug your ears, and this is not just beneficial in the department of comfort, but it also enhances noise cancellation significantly. By covering your ears, the headphone manages to shield external noises from interfering with your experience.

The Sony MDR7506 is packed with 40mm drivers and neodymium magnets producing powerful and highly-detailed sounds. This means that the speakers are not just useful for normal uses, but they can also function pretty well in a studio and broadcast setting.

The headphone connects to your smartphone via a gold-plated plug found at the end of the 9.8-foot cord. This should be long enough for you to use the headphones with ease in your everyday activities.

The MDR7506 can be folded, and it also comes with a soft case where you can store the headphones. This case is quite compact, making it easier for you to move around with the headphones.

Specs

• Frequency: 10Hz – 20Hz
• Unit weight: 8.1oz
• ¼ and 1/8 stereo unimatch plug
• 63 ohms impedance
• 1000mW

2. Bose QuietComfort 35 II Wireless Bluetooth Headphones

The Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones tick all the boxes there are in the making of the best headphones and goes a step further to offer new and advanced features that will make your everyday life a breeze.

First of all, all the basics you’d expect in a headphone are well delivered here. For instance, the headphone’s drivers pump sound like nobody’s business. Get this, the drivers don’t just produce powerful sounds, but you’ll also notice that the clarity levels here are insane with excellent attention given to the finer details of your audio files. We must also recognize the fantastic balance in audio performance achieved here. This means that the quality of your music will not change with the increase or decrease in volume.

When it comes to comfort, very few headphones out there can match this particular product from Bose QuietComfort. The manufacturer is already popular for making highly ergonomic headphones, and the 35 II takes the game to a whole new level. The cushioning is superb, and the frame blends very well with the natural shape of your head.

In the department of noise cancellation, the Bose QuietComfort 35 II is designed with three levels of noise canceling. This will result in almost total cancellation of external noises, thus freeing you from the menace of this world to fully immerse you into the rich sounds of your music. The dual-microphone is also made with noise-rejecting tech to facilitate clear communication which you’ll find very useful be it on regular communications or in gaming.

Bose QuietComfort have thrown in lots of extras to give you the ultimate experience. The perfect example here is the Alexa and Google Assistant voice control, which makes it easier for you to control your music and other gadgets.

Specs

• BOSE AR-enabled
• 20-hours battery life
• 12” USB cable included
• 47.2” audio cable

3. Jabra Move Style Edition Navy Wireless Headphones

The Jabra Move Style Edition Navy is yet another incredible headphone popping some exceptional sounds. In our time with the headphones, we loved how consistent the quality of the sound was even as we tested them with movies, different genres of music, and in some lite gaming. The headphones are, therefore, an ideal option for everyone with a versatile taste.

The overall designing of the headphone has a cool vibe about it. They look fantastic in all the three colors available, and they also feel pretty good too. The headband is ultra-light and well sculpted to move with the shape of your head for optimal comfort. The cushioning is also well-done, allowing the headphones to settle into your ears comfortably.

You can use these headphones while they are wired or wirelessly. In wireless mode, you can get up to 14 hours of entertainment from this portable beast before you are forced to recharge them. In case you are not close to a power source, you can use the cord and plug the headphones directly to your device and continue to enjoy your music.

Specs

• Unit weight: 5.59 oz (150g)
• 100Hz – 8kHz TIA920 frequency
• 4mm Omni-directional microphone
• Bluetooth v4.0
• 33 feet (10m) operating a range
• Pair up to 8 different devices (2 simultaneous Bluetooth connections)
• 14-hours battery life. It takes less than 2 hours to fully charge the headphones (12 days standby)
• Conveniently placed control buttons on the headphones

How do we rate the Best Gaming Monitors

The ultimate PC gaming experience is an expensive affair. By the ultimate experience, I mean getting super powerful processors, the best gaming keyboards, the best gaming mouse, an excellent gaming headphone and now the best gaming monitors. When you get the best of all these accessories, then you can confidently shop for any game out there knowing that there is nothing you can throw to your system that it won’t be able to handle. At least not in the near future. The issue, however, is that getting all the best of these accessories to make a single system is perhaps as expensive as trying to assemble the Avengers. But let’s say you are lucky enough to have a budget decent enough to get you the best monitor in the market. Let’s say that you’ve managed to save some cash on the gaming CPU, keyboard and headphones, making it possible for you to spare enough cash for a proper monitor.

The biggest question for you, therefore, is which is the best gaming monitor in the market today? The best gaming monitor has to be the Acer Predator XB273K. After testing dozens of monitors, The Acer Predator XB273K didn’t just tick all the relevant boxes, but it performed well above its peers within and above its price point. The monitor packs impressive refresh rates, excellent image quality, and incredibly low response time, making it an excellent buy. The best part? Even with all the brilliant features, Acer still provides this monitor at a very reasonable price of less than $1000 putting to shame a big majority of the rather standard monitors retailing at insane prices simply because they are coming from glorified brands.

Gaming Monitors Buying Guide

The truth of the matter is that there is no one particular unit that is capable of suiting everyone.  Our goal is to make sure that you get a monitor that is perfect for your unique situation. This means that we need to do more than just mentioning our top picks. It’s for this reason that we are committed to giving you a proper guide on all the crucial factors that you need to consider when shopping for a gaming monitor. When you know what you are looking for, it becomes easy to choose an item that is in line with your needs and even better, you will save yourself from having to spend more on features that you are probably never going to need.

That said, here are the crucial factors to consider when buying a gaming monitor:

Refresh Rate

If you are all about dominating the Battlefield V and other shooters games, then refresh rate should be up there in your priorities. Refresh rates directly translate to how many frames your monitor can display in one second. Therefore, a high refresh rate is crucial for a seamless gaming experience, especially if you are trying to get an extra cutting edge over your opponents.

At the moment, gaming monitors come in all refresh rates from as low as 60Hz going all the way to 200Hz or even higher! For any serious gamer, 60Hz can’t punch it while over 200Hz seems like overkill plus monitors with such high refresh rates are usually very expensive. With that in mind, you should be able to find the middle point where you can get the appropriate refresh rate while sticking within your budget. For instance, most people settle for around 144Hz. This saves them a couple of dollars without taking anything from their gaming experience.

While checking refresh rates, you may also look out for G-Sync from Nvidia and AMD’s FreeSync technologies. This tech helps in reducing input lag, but they are usually very expensive, plus they require a powerful supporting GPU to work effectively.

Response Time

In competitive gaming, a single extra second in response time is more than enough to stand between you and the championship. To prevent latency, you need to make sure that you are getting a monitor with the lowest response time possible. Of course, this will also result in a higher price tag, but it is the price you’ll have to pay to remain the champion on Fortnite Battle Royale.

If you know that you are not going to get into a lot of competitive gaming, then you don’t need to pay too much attention to response time. You can compromise a bit on this part and pay more attention to the next factor in our list.

Resolution

Everyone wants crystal clear pixels, and this plays a vital role in immersing you into the surrounding of your games. Getting the excellent resolution is, therefore in the best interest for all gamers. But, how sharp do you really need the images to be? Bear in mind that a screen with superb resolution requires an equally outstanding graphics card. This is especially the case when you start to move from 1080p resolution to 4K monitors. Therefore, if you cannot invest on a powerful graphics card, then you are better off settling for a Full HD display.

Screen Size

At this point, it’s more about enhancing your experience than anything else. A big screen with equally large aspect ratio will improve your gaming experience significantly. It’s highly recommended that you go for such screens if you have the resources to pull it off i.e., financial muscles and enough room to house the monitor.

1.Acer Predator XB273K

The Acer Predator XB273K is one of the most impressive gaming monitors you’ll ever come across. The 27” beast delivers 120Hz refresh rate which can be pushed further to 144Hz through the display port. This is further supported by the Nvidia G-Sync, resulting in remarkable results. The refresh rate, together with the G-Sync makes sure that your gaming experience is super smooth, giving you the desperately needed advantage over your opponents. The brilliant refresh rate also future-proofs this unit, making it a valuable investment in the constantly changing gaming world.

The CB273K also comes with one of the most stunning displays you’ll find in any gaming monitor. The monitor features a 27-inch UHD 4k IPS display with a 175-degree viewing angle which makes sure that you are fully immersed into the game. If that wasn’t enough, the manufacturer went ahead to add DisplayHDR 400 for more vibrant images, and that’s not enough. The monitor also features Quantum Dots that breathe life into all the images displayed. This delivers a staggering realism into all the images with superb color accuracy and saturation.

The Acer Predator XB273K is also packed with various other features that will make your gaming experience smooth even when during a triathlon. For instance, the monitors are designed with Acer VisionCare whose sole purpose is to protect your eyes from the lighting you’ll be subjected to during your long gaming sessions. We also loved the ErgoStand of this system. The stand allows you to pivot, swivel, and adjust the height of the screen. This basically means that everyone can adjust the monitor to sit at an angle that is in tune with their gaming setup and preferences.

Gamers will also have the option of choosing from more than four modes. These modes have been adjusted to suit the specific type of content you are playing, and the best part is that it isn’t just designed for different genres of gaming but also for watching movies. These modes include Racing, Action, Sport, Standard, User, Graphic, ECO, and Movie.

Other Features

• 4ms (GTG) response time at 4K
• DCI-P3
• Ports: 1 HDMI 2.0, 1 Display Port 1.4, 4 USB 3.0 ports
• Delta e<1

2.ASUS ROG PG279Q 27” Gaming Monitor

The ASUS ROG PG279Q is the ultimate gaming monitor for every gamer using a GeForce graphics card and with a slightly tight budget. This monitor is perfectly tailored to make sure that GeForce gamers get all the advantage they need to move up the leaderboard.

One of the best things about this monitor has to be the insane refresh rate. While your typical monitors cap your refresh rate at 144Hz or below, the PG279Q can deliver up to 165Hz! This eliminates motion blur and lag completely, making sure that even the most demanding of games are breezing their way through your system. This aspect is further supported by the 4ms response time. Combine the impressive refresh rate and this minimal response time, and you will get all the advantage you need to dominate the Black Ops 4. Unfortunately, this refresh rate is only available through the display port. If you resort into using an HDMI, you’ll only get 60Hz at QHD resolution. 

Smooth gaming is paramount for every gamer. The last thing a fast-shooter game needs is unnecessary lags because a single second is all it takes for the enemy to blow your brains out. To make sure that you experience none of that, ASUS has included Nvidia G-Sync technology which synchronizes GeForce GPU with the 165Hz refresh rate to make sure that your gaming experience is fast and accurate.

The PG279Q comes with a 27-inch QuadHD 1440p display. The first thing that will catch your attention with this display is how thin the bezels are. This gives the display a rather elegant and full look. In fact, the screen allows you to get as much as 70% more in terms of desktop space as compared to other 1080p displays.

ASUS has also thrown in a couple of features to improve your experience. This includes four filter settings with an Ultra-Low Blue Light filter option that is designed to protect your eyes from harmful light. The monitor is fitted with a five-way joystick that allows you to navigate through the display menus and customize the settings.

Other Features

• 27-inch QuadHD  1440p display
• TUV certified flicker-free
• 165Hz refresh rate
• IPS sRGB gamut display
• NVidia G-Sync tech
• VESA compatibility

3.Samsung Electronics CHG90 Curved Gaming Monitor

The CHG90 adds to the long list of innovative electronics coming from Samsung. If you know anything about electronics, then you know that Samsung is among the leaders in the industry and this does come with some strings attached the biggest one being price. The CHG90, for instance, goes for a staggering $1000 and you could end up paying even $200 more depending on where you are buying it.  But, let’s take a step back and look at what it really offers and determine whether it is worth it.

The first thing that’s guaranteed to take your breath away while unboxing this monitor is its crazy size.  Our two picks above were only 27-inches, and Samsung has decided to change the game completely by bringing not just a bigger display but a curved one for a vivid experience.

Set up this monitor and power it on and you will feel like it’s a piece of tech cut from a Sci-fi TV show. This monitor won’t just change how your gaming station looks like, but it will completely transform the atmosphere and your experience. Some experts are even terming it as the next best thing to virtual reality, and there’s some sense to that. Sitting in the middle of a 49-inch 1800R curved screen takes full advantage of the human eye view to give you all the details going on in your games as if you are in it.

Of course, a big curved screen would mean nothing if it doesn’t nail it when it comes to running games. The Samsung CHG90 has a 144Hz refresh rate and HDR support. What steals the show here is the 1ms response time which you’ll appreciate in all your highly-competitive games.

You can also adjust the height, swivel, and tilt the monitor to get it in the right position and angle.

Unfortunately, big displays such as this always come with various issues, and the biggest one is usually on space. To get full advantage of this monitor, you will need sufficient space to house it and have extra space left for your mouse, keyboard, and other accessories. This means spending more on a gaming station.

Another issue with the CHG90 is the resolution, which is a bare 1080p. At 49-inches, you are likely to notice the individual pixels of this monitor when you check closely or when playing high-contrast games.

Other Features

• 1ms MPRT
• Massive 32:9 aspect ratio
• Quantum dot tech (QLED)
• Radeon FreeSync 2
• Factory Calibration
• Adjustable stand
• Game mode
• Eye-saver mode
• 60Hz & 120Hz settings included
• Arena Lightings which adjust automatically based on the audio output
• Connectivity: HDMI, Display Port, USB-A, Mini-Display Port

How do w rate the Best Fitness Trackers

Staying fit used to be one of the most tedious tasks anyone could ever go through. Not only was it difficult to get affordable fitness equipment, but keeping track of your progress was also a total nightmare. Fast forward several years, we now have a host of incredible fitness equipment, some of which are compact and affordable enough for you to bring them into your home. Fitness tracking has also improved tremendously. We are seeing a new generation of fitness trackers that come with vast features tracking different aspects of your fitness journey. These gadgets have also grown extremely accurate and comprehensive, making sure that no detail is left out. With more accurate data, it becomes extremely easy for one to monitor their progress and come up with a masterplan that can boost their fitness objectives further.

Fitness Trackers Vs. Smartwatches

Do we really need fitness trackers in the age of smartwatches? Well, this will depend on your fitness goal and budget. The smartwatch technology has advanced so much, and now we see incredible watches that can not only give you access to some of the basic functions of your phone, but they can also keep track of your physical activities. Take the Samsung Gear S3, for instance; this device is packed with lots of features that pull dozens of your phone’s functions all while it is still tracking some of your vitals such as your heart rate. It’s insane just how much stuff you can do from your wrist.

The best smartwatches are incredible in many ways. They feature a big display, they give you convenient access to your phone, and they also complement your fashion either subtly or through a bold statement. However, if you are looking for a reliable gadget that gives you as many details on your fitness as possible then what you need is a fitness tracker. These devices are, after all, solely designed for this very purpose. The best fitness trackers will give you accurate and extensive details on various aspects of your body, allowing you to make informed decisions on what you need to improve to finally reach your fitness goals. Some of them will also throw in a few extras such as delivering a couple of your smartphone’s notifications to the usually small display. A big majority of the smartwatches in the market don’t come anywhere close to this sort of performance, and the ones that do are usually expensive and out of reach for many fitness enthusiasts.

1.Fitbit Charge 2 Heart Rate + Fitness Wristband

It’s impossible to discuss fitness trackers without mentioning Fitbit products. Fitbit has mastered the ins and outs of this industry, and with their advanced technology, they consistently make some of the best fitness trackers in the market. This is evidently seen on the massive success that their trackers have had over the years, and the Fitbit Charge 2 is part of that culture.

This particular Fitbit tracker looks amazing, feels premium, and the OLED display is one that you will definitely enjoy interacting with. You will also find the tracker very comfortable to wear while going through your daily routine.

Charge 2 will keep track of your heartbeat throughout the day thanks to the PurePulse heartrate monitor. This means that you’ll be getting comprehensive data on everything that you are doing automatically. By everything we mean active minutes, stairs climbed, calories burned, distance covered, and the number of steps taken. With so much data being collected, you’ll receive comprehensive stats that can help you attain your fitness goals within a very short time.

To make it easier for you to monitor your progress, Fitbit provides the Cardio Fitness Score. This feature is integrated with a GPS which facilitates the real-time transmission of data on distance and pace.

The Fitbit Charge 2 can be connected with different devices running on different operating systems, including Android, iOS, and Windows.

Other Features

• All-day activity tracking
• Supports Fitbeat health and Fitness Apps
• Auto-exercise recognition
• Guided breathing sessions
• Guided coaching
• Personalized Insights for improved sleep quality and routine
• Connect and challenge your family and friends

2.Fitbit Charge 3 Fitness Activity Tracker

The Fitbit Charge 3 was supposed to be an upgrade to the Charge 2, but the boots appear to be too big for this tracker to fit. This does not mean that the Charge 3 is useless though because if you are looking for a simple yet elegant fitness tracker that is capable of monitoring all the essentials of your health and fitness, then the Fitbit Charge 3 Fitness Activity Tracker is one of your best options. This tracker monitors various essentials including your heart rate (this is done 24/7) and calories burned.

This device from Fitbit is also one of the best-selling trackers in the market, and one of the key reasons behind that is the numerous exercises modes that are included. The modes are designed by expert, and they are supposed to help you achieve specific goals. From the 15+ modes, you can easily switch between calories-burned, distance, and time-based goals. The modes provide real-time progress helping you to see how well you are faring and whether you are on track to hit your goal or if you need to up your game. These versatile options make sure that you remain healthy and fit from all fronts.

The Fitbit Charge 3 also comes with an auto-sleep tracking feature. This is tasked with helping you get better sleep by providing you with options of setting different sleep schedules. Bedtime reminders further enhance this feature. If you utilize this feature correctly, you are going to see incredible improvements with your sleep routine and overall sleep quality.

You can sync this tracker with your android smartphone and receive texts, calls, app alerts and even view a calendar through this tracker.

Other Features

• Swim-proof design
• Water resistant (up to 50m)
• GPS-enabled
• 7-day battery life
• Guided breathing sessions
• Supports Fitbit Health and Fitness App
• All-Day tracking
• Guided coaching
• Female health tracking (monitors periods, ovulation and fertility)

3.Letsfit Fitness Tracker HR

The LetsFit Fitness tracker HR is a decent option for all the budget-conscious fellas that want to get their fitness journey underway. This comes with what the manufacturer refers to as “Multi-Sport Management.”  In simple terms, this feature helps to track up to 14 different exercises, and this includes outdoor exercises such as riding and running. The tracker can also be connected to your phone’s GPS thus helping to deliver real-time stats.

The LetsFit Fitness Tracker also offers all-day heartrate tracking. At night, it will remain active to monitor your sleeping. With these two sets of data, it becomes really easy to understand both your fitness and health status. 

The tracker is designed to do more than just heart rate and sleep monitoring. It will also take down the data on calories burned; distance covered, active time, and steps taken.

LetsFit Fitness Tracker HR can be paired with smartphones to bring important notifications to your wrist. You should be able to access your incoming emails, text messages, and various other notifications through the device. Unfortunately, not many smartphones can be paired with this affordable fitness tracker.

Other Features

• Reminders to move
• Remote photography
• IP67 waterproof
• Supports VeryFitPro app
• 5-10 days battery life (will depend on how you use it)
• 0.96 OLED screen

Fitness Tracker Buying Guide

With so many options to choose from, it is vital that you are fully aware of what you are looking for failure to which you might end up with a tracker that is rather useless to you.

What are your fitness goals?

If you are all about doing activities like swimming and jumping rope, you’ll need to read between the fine print and get yourself a tracker that is capable of taking down this data. Also, if fitness to you is a non-stop activity and you need all the data on your vitals even when you are resting, then your best pick has to be an advanced tracker that’s capable of detecting all your activities automatically and tracking them consistently.

What’s your preferred design?

Fitness trackers come in many different designs, and this means that there is something perfectly suited for your unique preferences. If you are looking for a simple tracker with a minimalistic display, then you will have a lot of options to choose from. Likewise, guys who are looking for a tracker that draws attention with a slightly bigger LED display, a fancy look, and various other features will also have a good number of options at their disposal. You’ll also have the luxury of choosing between a tracker with a circular and square face.

It’s also under this category that you will have to ask yourself the type of tracker you’ll be comfortable wearing. Wrist-worn trackers are the most popular. These are very comfortable, and they also make it easier for you to access the data you need. Some trackers are attached to your clothing where a hook holds them. It’s also possible to get a single tracker that provides both of these options.

Which vitals do you want to be monitored?

The two main vitals that all fitness trackers monitors are calories burned and steps done. If that’s all you need in a fitness tracker, then you’ll be spoilt of affordable choices. However, we don’t recommend such trackers to anyone. It doesn’t matter whether you are a newbie or on a tight budget, but such a basic tracker will most probably become obsolete before you even know it. Do your best and get a tracker that takes down more data such as distance traveled, heart rate, sleep quality, and many others. You may also want GPS-capability, especially if you do a lot of outdoor exercises such as cycling and running. While scanning the specs for GPS, make sure that you also get some information on how long the tracker can function with the GPS turned on before the battery dies. You can also check the tracker’s ability to synchronize with your phone.

Are there any fitness tracker apps supported?

The best fitness trackers will allow you to use various fitness applications to increase the amount of data captured. This is very important as it not only increases accuracy, but it also makes it easier for you to make well-informed decisions on what you need to do to improve. They will also help you to note down your achievements, and this should motivate you to work even harder.