Latest Smart Assistants Reviews
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Reviews
Zvox SoundBase 440 review: A disappearing breed of TV sound reinforcement
If you’re looking for a one-piece audio solution that will tuck neatly under your TV, this is a good one.
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Wyze Thermostat review: First-class feature set, bargain-basement price tag
But you’ll need to trust Wyze on its promise to deliver important add-ons like remote sensors in 2021.
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RSL CG5 loudspeaker review: High-end sound with a budget price tag
A smooth, non-fatiguing sound; premium build quality; and patented Compression Guide design are the RSL CG5's recipe for endless nights of musical bliss.
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Nest Thermostat review: An easy recommendation for budget shoppers
Most of the features we love about the top-of-the-line Nest Learning Thermostat—at almost half the cost.
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Amazon Echo Dot (4th gen) with Clock review: The clock-equipped Echo Dot gets a spherical makeover
Aside from its new spherical design, the revamped Echo Dot with Clock doesn’t veer far from the original’s winning formula.
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Panasonic SoundSlayer review: This compact, gaming-focused soundbar packs a punch
Just 17 inches long and equipped with a built-in subwoofer, the Panasonic Soundslayer delivers surprisingly big sound in a small package.
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Polk Audio MagniFi 2 soundbar review: Virtual 3D audio and built-in Chromecast, but iffy bass
The 2.1-channel MagniFi 2 soundbar from Polk Audio does a solid job at delivering virtualized 3D audio, but gets tripped up by its mediocre bass response.
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Peace by Hampton A19 LED Wi-Fi smart bulbs review: Powerful automation tools, but some missing features, too
The new A19 color smart bulbs from Hampton Products are reasonably priced, but some key features, such as a vacation mode, are MIA.
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Focal Chora 806 bookshelf speaker review: A taste of high-end audio
The Chora's beautiful build and styling is outmatched only by its sonic punch.
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Mackie Freeplay Live Bluetooth speaker review: A mini PA system for refined listeners
This portable public-address system works nearly as well for simple listening as it does amplifying voices or instruments for small gatherings.
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DALI Katch Bluetooth speaker review: Small sound from a small package
The sound quality is clean, clear, and bright, but the bass is generally weak.
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Amazon Echo Dot (4th gen) review: The new Dot delivers a revamped look and (slightly) better sound
The latest Echo Dot is technically the best Dot yet, but only by a narrow margin.
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Lenovo Smart Clock Essential review: A great budget smart speaker
Music is not its forte, but this inexpensive gadget packs plenty of value into its small footprint.
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Amrobt MAX HEPA11 Air Purifier review: Cleaner air is just a click away
With multiple modes and remote app control, this purifier makes it easy to monitor and improve your home's air quality.
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Roku Streambar review: A very good streamer inside a pretty good soundbar
There are better soundbars at this price, but none that incorporate a quality media streamer.
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Zvox AccuVoice AV157 TV Speaker review: It’s like a hearing aid you plug your TV into
TV viewers with impaired hearing will appreciate this speaker’s knack for emphasizing dialog.
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JBL L82 Classic review: This retro ride will knock your socks off with its amazing sound
Exceptional dynamics, authoritative bass, a huge sound stage, and uncanny musicality headline the sonic strengths of this outstanding monitor.
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Nest Audio review: The Google Home successor has serious audio chops
Improving on the original Google Home in every way, the Nest Audio is the new $100 smart speaker to beat.
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YoSmart YoLink Hub review: A robust, long-range solution for smart home control
With real-world range of more than 300 feet indoors and 1,000-plus feet out, this LoRa-based hub works in situations where better-known technologies won’t.
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Klipsch The Fives review: These Bluetooth bookshelf speakers deliver smooth, refined sound
But the sonic balance tips toward the bass and away from the mids and highs.
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Yamaha MusicCast BAR 400 review: A $500 soundbar with multi-room audio, but no Dolby Atmos
While it packs DTS Virtual:X and high-resolution multi-room audio, Yamaha's BAR 400 lacks Dolby Atmos support and a center channel.
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Amazon Echo Plus (2nd Gen) review: Good sound, plus a Zigbee smart-home hub for the win
If you can forgo Z-Wave smart-home devices, this is the smart speaker to buy (but that calculation could change soon).
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TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Power Strip review: The ultimate surge protector for the smart home
This smart outlet strip has it all: sophisticated scheduling, power monitoring, and support for voice control via Amazon Alexa, Google Home, and Microsoft Cortana.
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Aura Carver review: This landscape-only photo frame automatically pairs portrait images
The Aura Carver picture frame uses AI to ensure you don’t see letterbox bars when the frame is displaying portrait images.
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Andover Audio SpinBase review: An all-in-one speaker system for your turntable
A great-sounding, compact, vibration-free solution for vinyl lovers.
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Sony HT-G700 review: This Atmos- and DTS:X-enabled soundbar boasts a trifecta of virtual 3D modes, but no Wi-Fi
Its arsenal of virtual 3D modes is impressive, but without Wi-Fi, the HT-G700 is missing a bevy of key features given its price tag.
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Ecobee SmartCamera review: If you can tolerate a subscription, this security cam has more features than most
Nest isn’t the only thermostat maker with greater smart home ambitions.
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DALI Katch One soundbar review: Great sound—under the right circumstances
This soundbar must be placed up against a wall to sound its best, and it requires more space beneath a TV than most.
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LG SN8YG review: A feature-packed soundbar that doesn’t neglect the basics
The Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support is great, but the rich mid-range audio is even better.
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JBL Link Music smart speaker review: Pretty good things in a pretty small package
JBL delivers respectable performance and a decent set of features at a very affordable price.
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Accell Power Dot surge protector review: A clever idea, but also a pricey one
You can plop your smart speaker in the middle of Accell Power Dot surge protector and have three outlets and four USB ports to power other devices.
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Anker Soundcore Rave Neo review: Fat, punchy bass for the dance floor
This oversized Bluetooth speaker not only pumps the volume and the bass, it delivers a light show and syncs with other Soundcore speakers, too.
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Sonos Port review: A flawed successor to the Sonos Connect
The new Sonos S2 operating systems sounds promising, but should you replace a workhorse Sonos Connect with a Sonos Port in the name of compatibility?
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Definitive Technology Studio Slim soundbar review: Its skinny form factor doesn’t compromise its sonic punch
This soundbar delivers an unexpectedly strong punch given its thin proportions, and it supports Chromecast, too.
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Fluance Ai60 Bluetooth speaker review: Large and in charge!
This pair of powered Bluetooth speakers has the look, feel, and sound of a high-end product without a high-end price.
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Sonos Arc review: A great soundbar for any home theater, even if it’s not all that it could have been
You’ll likely need a newer TV that supports eARC to get the best that this soundbar can deliver.
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Belkin SoundForm Elite Hi-Fi smart speaker review: The case of the missing midrange
Several smart speakers sound much better and cost much less than Belkin's Google Home-compatible effort. The wireless charging feature, however, is as handy as a pocket on a shirt.
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Aukey SK-M30 Eclipse Bluetooth speaker review: Stylish design and satisfactory sound
Aukey's SK-M30 Eclipse is an affordable and very attractive Bluetooth speaker. The sound doesn't quite live up to its looks, but it's very good for the price.
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Enclave Audio CineHome Pro review: A great home theater audio system—for the right audience
The Enclave Audio CineHome Pro is a true 5.1 surround-sound system that's also truly wireless, but it’s more suitable for streaming media than pairing with a Blu-ray player.
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Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 2 Bluetooth speaker review: A small, sturdy design can’t offset poor sound quality
It's nice that the Wonderboom 2 is hardened against water, dust, and drops, but that doesn't mean much when it produces thin sound and wimpy bass.
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Anker Soundcore Flare 2 review: A new excuse to party by the pool
This Bluetooth speaker is waterproof and it can sync up with up to 100 others of the same make and model.
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Anker Soundcore Wakey bedside speaker review: Booming audio, with a side of wireless charging
Use your Apple or Samsung smartphone to configure this Bluetooth speaker, then drop it on top to charge it.
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JBL Bar 9.1 review: This 5.1.4 soundbar boasts truly wireless surround speakers
For once, the wireless surround speakers on JBL’s first Dolby Atmos-enabled soundbar are, in fact, truly wireless.
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Tribit StormBox Micro BTS10 review: The more affordable micro Bluetooth speaker
A surprising amount of sound and thump emanates from this palm-sized speaker, modeled after the Bose SoundLink Micro and JBL Clip.
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Morel Högtalare Bluetooth speaker review: High-end audio meets Ikea design
This dual-tweeter wireless loudspeaker blends in with your décor and it kills it in the quality department, too.
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Braven BVR-XXL/2 Bluetooth speaker review: Gigantor lays down the beat
If you appreciate volume, thump, and durability in a speaker, the Braven BVR-XXL/2 should be at the top of your short list. It's IPX5 rated, sounds good for the weatherized category, and even features a magnetic bottle opener.
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Marshall Tufton Bluetooth speaker review: Loud, thumpy, with a long-life battery, but pricey and lacking in amenities
Marshall's Tufton Bluetooth speaker certainly invokes the brand name, as well as delivering decent sound with a lot of thump, but the price is a bit steep and there's a caveat concerning stereo.
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Denon DHT-S216H review: An inexpensive all-in-one soundbar with sweet sound and DTS Virtual:X support
While Denon’s first DTS Virtual:X soundbar lacks Wi-Fi or voice assistant support, it doesn’t disappoint when it comes to the feature that matters most: Sound quality.
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Noon Lighting System review: It’s the very best smart switch for your home, and it’s priced accordingly
The ability to create scenes using your room’s lighting is positively magical.
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