Best Earbuds
Top 10 Rated Earbuds 2025
By Brian Jones
We are constantly on the go in the world of today. It could be on the way to school, work, or some exotic location on the other side of the planet. No matter what the situation, we are going to have our music. Earbuds are a great way to keep your load down while continuing to enjoy your favorite music or videos on the go. We rated 10 pairs of earbuds based on the following criteria:
1. Sound quality
2. Comfort for various spans of time
3. Price vs value
4. Durablity of cords and speaker units
5. Included ear fittings, cases, or mic
Carrying pouch and 3 ear fittings included |
We all know what it means when we talk about a pair of bose headphones. Great sound. These are no exception. Bose took it a step further with their StayHear silicone tips…read more
Carrying pouch included |
These are going to be some of the best earbuds out there in the under $100 category. Sony has created an ultra-compact earbud that is feature-packed. The drivers are the highlight of these earbuds…read more
No mic |
Don’t let cheap make you steer clear of these earbuds. Yes, they are incredibly cheap at less than 10 dollars, but they get the job done. Just don’t expect too much out of them…read more
Carrying case included |
The SE535 earbuds are the best of the best when it comes to sound quality in a small package. With a price tag of $499.99 there are plenty of things to be happy about. Kevlar reinforced cable…read more
Eco friendly earbud option |
Many of our consumer products are becoming more and more eco friendly. Don’t let your earbuds be the exception. These earbuds have a rear wooden housing that not only reduces plastic…read more
5 bright colors available |
Sennheiser has made a great name for itself when it comes to headphone quality. These mid-range earbuds are no different. Sound quality and noise cancellation…read more
Soft and Hard case included |
This pair of earbuds from Vsonic is definitely a worthy investment. If you are serious about sound quality in portable headphones, this might be the pair…read more
Fabric braided cable reduces tangles |
These award winning earbuds from RHA have a full aluminum construction and 10mm drivers along with superior noise isolation to create fantastic and rich sound. Their design is very simple…raed more
Earbuds Buying Guide
Understanding Sound Quality When Buying Earbuds
Earbuds are the ultimate in headphones convenience for travel. They take up virtually no space, are usually light as a feather, are low profile, and can be pretty comfortable. Sound quality ranges from good to bad in earbuds more than any other type of headphone because of the space available to work with. Most of the time sound is not going to be issue. The trade off for convenience is sometimes more valuable anyway. Prices also vary in a big way. You can find a pair of earbuds for five dollars or you can spend hundreds. Options are always a good thing to have when shopping for a new pair of earbuds.
Whether you’re a casual music listener or a sound equipment aficionado, it’s worthwhile to know the finer points of sound quality in order to understand what manufacturers are talking about when they claim their headphones are the best.
Sound perception is different for everybody. The best way to select new headphones is to try them out. How else are you going to know what they are like? Since everyone has different shaped heads and ear canals, they’ll perceive sound differently. This is especially important since earbuds pipe music directly into the ears. Hence, it’s important to try on different headphones not only to see which ones are comfortable to wear, but to get an idea of the range of sound.
Consider the following questions:
- Are the earbuds small enough and light enough for what you plan on using them for?
- Does the sound come out clear with no distortions or muddiness?
- Is the bass clear, powerful, and controlled?
- You don’t want a bass so strong that it overpowers the vocals and lighter sounds.
- Are the high sounds tinny or smooth?
Understanding Other Sound Terms
Frequency: Earbuds capture the complete range of sounds that humans can hear, from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. The question is how well they reproduce those frequencies. Any low frequencies below 20 Hz aren’t audible, but you can sometimes feel them.
Sensitivity: Headphones measure their loudness efficiency in terms of decibels per milliwatt of power. You want a high sensitivity number of at least 100 dB if you’re using a portable device. The lower the sensitivity, the harder the headphones have to work to sound as loud as those with high sensitivity.
Impedance: Impedance is measured in ohms and it relates to how much resistance the headphones put on an amplifier. Most earbuds for professional and commercial use have impedance under 100 ohms. The higher the impedance, the more power you’ll need.
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Brian Jones has had a passion for photography and anything related for the majority of his life. One photography class in high school was all it took to get hooked on everything to do with the subject. He became more focused on learning about camera… See more about Brian |
Featured Headphones Articles
Choose the Right Pair of Headphones
There are many types of headphones out there on the market. They all have their pro and cons, right and wrong situations, and you have your preferences. This will be a quick overview on how to choose what type of headphones will work best… [more]
Recognizing the Different Types of Headphones
There are three main types of headphones, and their names relate to how they fit over the ears. Each headphone type has its special attributes and drawbacks. Supra-Aural – Also Called: On-ear, open-back, open-air headphones … [more]
More Top 10 Lists
Best Headphones
If you’re an audiophile who wants to enjoy the full richness of sound, then you need a good set of headphones. We looked at a number of headphones and selected our 10 favorites based on several factors: Comfortable wearing even for extended periods of time… [more]
Best Wireless Headphones
The word “wireless” has been sneaking its way into just about every electronic device we can think of. It started with cell phones, moved to the internet in our homes and we can even charge some of our devices wirelessly. A really great wireless innovation is headphones… [more]
Top 10 MP3 Players
While MP3 players vary in their size, capacity, and functions, we found ten models that scored well in the most important aspects: 1. High-quality audio, video, and/or pictures, 2. Ease of navigation with buttons and menus … [more]
Best Noise Cancelling Headphones
Listening to music on the go is becoming increasingly popular due to the flooding of smartphones that are capable of storing our entire music libraries. Since we are out and about while we are catching some tunes, there is bound to be some distracting environmental noise… [more]
More Earbuds
Energy Star will Become Stricter with its Dishwasher Efficiency Standards in January 2012
According to a Consumer Reports article, starting January 20, 2012, Energy Star is changing its requirements. In order for dishwashers to qualify for the Energy Star rating, they’ll have to be 9 percent more energy efficient and use 27 percent less water than the current standards.
In the meantime, appliance retailers will continue to stock and sell these soon-to-be downgraded models. Shoppers will have to do some research to find out if the dishwasher they plan to buy will still be considered energy efficient under the new standards. A spokesperson for Energy Star says consumers can visit www.energystar.gov for a full listing of qualifying models.
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Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany |
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More families today are choosing stainless steel dishwashers because they lend a professional, sophisticated look and imitate the kind that real chefs use. To accommodate this demand, several top dishwasher manufacturers… [more]
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Top 10 Dishwashers
To compile our top 10 list for dishwashers, we took several factors into consideration, such as cleaning performance, sanitizing options, attractiveness, size and capacity, ease of use, decibel level, and number of wash cycles. Today’s dishwashers have become increasingly sleek and streamlined in design, often in a variety of … [more]
Tablet or Laptop?
Remember when laptops were the big craze? No? Well laptops were once considered what tablets and smartphones are today. That wore off after well…smartphones and tablets hit the market. Today for a minimal price you can get the power of a PC from 5 years ago, in the palm of your hand. It’s crazy how fast technology moves and I think we need to embrace it.
So should a tablet replace your laptop? Or should it simply server as a supplement to your laptop? Or is it just not needed period? Lets take a look at the benefits of both and draw a conclusion.
Tablets
Tablets are very portable, more portable then most laptops, which is what is some of the largest appeal to some people. Watch movies in bed, on a plane, in the car, on the bus. Read the news, play games, you name it, all from your hand. It’s like a big smart-phone, which actually, IS what it is.
For this ultra portability you sacrifice many things, but this is where some will be able to look past a tablets flaws. The direct control of the mouse is not here, no physical keyboard (unless you use a wireless addon), and as you can imagine its a more watered down experience. But thats not to say its not possible to substitute a tablet for a laptop.
Tons of new apps are released every day that bridge the gap between laptop and tablet, making it possibly to have both fun on a tablet, and be extremely productive. Thus eliminating the need of having to carry your laptop around with you to school or the coffee shop.
Laptops
Laptops are well…laptops. We know the power they posses, and the bulk most of them have. It’s not like it’s super heavy and we hate having to use every last muscle to carry them around – but it’s just annoying to have to lug around a big computer bag and keep track of cords/wires.
Or maybe you just want to do a quick run to the coffee shop and sit down for a bit. Who wants to lug a big bag, bringing a tablet is perfect for this occasion.
I can’t kill down the fact that having a full computer experience at this point in time definitely is more productive hands down – but tablets are catching up in their ability to act as a sole source of productivity and fun.
Which works for you?
Again, at the end of the day it’s up to you.
I find my table to be a nice supplement to my laptop and desktop. I can send documents to my tablet, and print them over wifi from my tablet later, eliminating the need to bring my laptop with me. Or I can bring it to the coffee shop on a sunday morning and have a coffee while I browse the news on my tablet. Most recently I have even been streaming content from my Desktop TO my tablet, which is pretty neat.
For ultimate fun – a tablet is the best choice.
For productivity and those who would want it for work – think of a tablet as a supplement that can’t just yet replace a laptop. But it’s a very good supplement that will make your life easier.
Related Articles
Best 7″ Tablets
Saving in price but not sacrificing features – 7” tablets allow a more portable experience. Hold your tablet with one hand, put it in your back pocket, bring it every where. Pay less too. They’re some hot hitters this year and these are our top 10 – 7” tablets of 2012…. [more]
Top 10 Tablets
Didn’t find what you like in the 7″ category? Check out our other Top 10 Tablet list that includes tablets with screen sizes greater than 7″!… [more]
Best Android Tablet
The iPad is no longer the boss in the tablet arena – the increasing popular Android OS tablet is a huge competitor that is taking over the market. With a super sleek interface, frequent updates, a plethora of apps, unlimited customization, and more – this makes any tablet running Android a very good alternative the stale Apple OS on the iPad… [more]
Best Laptops for Students
Whether your child is in high-school or college, these days some sort of computer is needed. Laptops are generally your best choice as it offers portability so your child can bring it with him to class to take notes, complete homework at a coffee shop, and be on the go with his/her school work… [more]
Factors to Consider When Choosing an iPhone 4 Case
If you’ve invested in an iPhone 4 and an expensive phone plan, then you almost certainly want a cover that will protect your smart phone from drops, bangs, scratches, and everyday wear and tear. The last thing you need is an irreparable crack on your screen or, worse, a completely shattered phone.
There are so many styles of phone cases that offer more than just protection: style, comfort, and ease of carrying. You need to decide what kind of phone user you are so you can pick a case that best suits your personal habits and preferences.
Bulky vs. slim
When you argue between bulkiness or slimness in an iPhone case, aren’t you really debating between function and style? The more a case encloses a phone in sturdy rubber—front, back, and sides—the heavier and bulkier it will be. And yet, it will also offer the greatest protection for your phone.
Be honest with yourself: Are you even a little bit clumsy? I wouldn’t call myself a complete klutz, but I’ve dropped my phone more times than I can count. It just happens. Smart phones have become a natural extension of our bodies, and we’re not always the gentlest creatures.
On the other hand, if you regularly carry your phone in your pocket, then a bulky case can make it difficult to slip in and out, not to mention make it uncomfortable to sit down. If that’s the case, then a slim, low profile model may be more your thing. You’ll just have to sacrifice some security when it comes to protecting the front of your phone. Slim cases either have a lip that overlaps the front of the phone, which offers some screen protection, or they lie flush with the front of the phone.
Slim cases are generally adequate if you aren’t too worried about abusing your phone. They protect the iPhone from everyday scratches, so you can carry it in a purse or in a pocket along with keys. And you can’t deny that slim cases are sleek and stylish. They emphasize and enhance the unique design of the phone. Some cases or skins feature creative colors, patterns, or designs that set your phone apart from all the rest.
Material
A phone case should provide a secure hand grip, but it should also be smooth enough that it slides in and out of pockets easily. Consider also whether the case material collects fingerprints, scratches, or lint.
Good phone cases are made of some heavy-duty silicone material that absorbs shocks and protects against impacts. Some are adequately slim and sleek. But consider that this type of material often sticks inside your pocket or bag. Some rubbery materials also pick up lint and dust.
Leather is another good, albeit pricey, choice. If it’s well cured, it will offer great protection and classy style to your iPhone, and it won’t be sticky.
Accessibility
If there’s one thing about phone cases that often frustrates people, it’s when the case blocks buttons and ports on the phone. You don’t want to remove the case every time you take a picture, adjust the volume, or charge the phone. Some cases are designed to be nearly impossible to remove, too.
When you’re selecting a case, make sure it’s compatible with your specific type of iPhone 4, be it iPhone 4S or 4G, Verizon, Sprint, or AT&T. It’s aggravating to get a snazzy looking case only to realize that the holes are misaligned or the fit isn’t just right.
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Steve Holdgren is an engineer by trade and has worked for some of the largest energy related engineering firms in the world with his latest stint in Switzerland. He holds a degree is mechanical engineering… See more about Steve |
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Top 10 iPhone and Smartphone Accessories
A smartphone is an incredibly convenient gadget that helps organize your life and keep you entertained. We reviewed 10 smartphones and ranked them based on the following qualities:1. Responsive touchscreen… [more]
Top 10 iPhone and Smartphone Accessories
There are a multitude of smartphone accessories on the market that serve a variety of purposes. Because accessories vary in function, we looked for the following basic qualities when selecting our top 10 … [more]
Top 10 iPhone and Smartphone Cases
There are dozens of manufacturers making protective cases for smartphones of every brand and carrier. We selected our top 10 case makers based on several important qualities, including 1. A variety of styles, colors, and materials … [more]
Bagged vs. Bagless Vacuum Cleaners: The Pros and Cons
As you search for the perfect vacuum cleaner, you should know that whether it has a bag or a dust canister has little effect on its suction performance. The choice just depends on your personal preference. There are advantages and disadvantages to both style vacuum cleaners.
Bagged vacuum cleaners
Pros:
- Contains dirt and dust so you don’t have to see or touch it.
- Tend to hold more dirt.
- Release less dust into the air when you change them.
Cons:
- You have to constantly buy replacement bags, which can be costly.
- Hard to fish out sucked up items like toys or earrings.
Bagless vacuum cleaners
Pros:
- You can see how much dirt, dust, and hair your vacuum has pulled up, which may give you satisfaction.
- You can see for yourself when it’s time to empty out the canister.
- You save money not having to buy replacement bags.
Cons:
- It can be messy cleaning out the dirt canister.
- It’s often best to empty the canister outside because it exposes you to dust and allergens.
- The filters occasionally must be cleaned or replaced; replacement filters are more expensive than bags.
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Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany |
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Top 10 Vacuum Cleaners
The best vacuum cleaners are durable but lightweight enough to swivel around and under furniture. They should get up dirt close to walls, on stairs, and in tight spaces. See the vacuum cleaner comparison and ratings below with a link to the full review of each…. [more]
Top 10 Stick Vacuum Cleaners
A stick vacuum is ideal for spot cleaning hardwoods, rugs, and thin carpets. You should not expect the performance of a full-size vacuum, however. We chose our top 10 stick vacuums based on the following qualities: Good suction, Handles hardwoods and carpets, Wheels don’t scratch hardwoods, Dirt cups transparent and easy to empty with minimal mess…. [more]
Top 10 Mini Vacuum Cleaners
Mini hand-held vacuum cleaners are a convenient tool for cleaning up crumbs, stains, and pet hair quickly without lugging out the full-size vacuum. We chose 10 mini vacuums on the basis of the following traits: Lightweight and easy to maneuver, Easy to clean out the bag/dust container and filters, Powerful suction and thorough cleaning… [more]
Best Noise Canceling Headphones
Top 10 Rated Noise Canceling Headphones 2025
By Brian Jones
Listening to music on the go is becoming increasingly popular due to the flooding of smartphones that are capable of storing our entire music libraries. Since we are out and about while we are catching some tunes, there is bound to be some distracting environmental noise that takes us away from our music listening experience. Noise cancelling headphones are designed to counter and drown out environmental and ambient noise to create the perfect listing conditions. This way we can fully enjoy our music during travels, on our commute, in the office, or at school. Plus, if you don’t feel like listening to music, these headphones can create your own little space of peace and quiet by just having them on. We looked for the following criteria when compliling our list on noise canceling headphones:
1. Size and comfort for short and extended period of use
2. Sound Quality
3. Noise cancelling ability
4. Power source (and battery life if required)
5. Price vs. functionality
6. Extras like additional cords, adapters, and carrying cases
7. Durability
1 AAA battery required |
Bose has a good reputation in the world of audio. The Quiet Comfort 15 headphones are aptly named. They provide a comfortable fit while quieting the noise around you to whispers and hums….Read More
Powerful passive noise reduction (no battery) |
This pair of headphones from V-moda is unique in many ways. The lightweight metal construction and kevlar reinforced audio cables make this one of the most durable pairs on the list. V-moda even calls it “Military Level Quality.” The large 50mm drivers…read more
Not completely noise cancelling |
Sennheiser has a lot of professional grade headphones on the market. If you are in the market for headphones but don’t want to drop hundreds of dollars on a pair, these might be for you. They are almost a steal…read more
1 AAA battery required |
Headphones have not always been the focus of Polk Audio, it’s been big speakers for home theater systems and car stereos. And their products are very well received…read more
1 AAA battery |
This is one of Sennheiser’s top of the line headphones, and its really one of the best performers on the list. Sennheiser really focused on achieving great sound quality…read more
Lithum-ion/AA battery operated |
Sony has incorporated digital noice reduction into their NC500 headphones. What is digital noise reduction? It is a feature that automatically selects outside noises and gets rid of them while you enjoy your music…read more
1 AAA battery required |
This pair of headphones from Audio-Technica has a perfect combination of features and price. If you are serious about noise cancelling headphones, these will do the trick without dropping $300+ dollars…read more
1AAA battery required |
This is a great middle of the road pair of noise cancelling headphones. On top of the powered noise cancellation technology, JVC has added a double housing…read more
1 AAA battery required |
Audio-Technica has a great line of noise cancelling headphones, which means there are plenty of options for you. This pair has 2 40mm drivers with neodymium magnet…read more
1 AAA battery required |
Sony’s lower end of the noice cancelling headphone offerings has its fair share of pros and cons. On the positive side, the MDRNC7’s are pretty inexpensive, they can get very loud, initially comfortable…read more
Noise Cancelling Headphones Buying Guide
Understanding Sound Quality When Buying Noise Cancelling Headphones
People buy noise cancelling headphones for one main reason. These are used for getting rid of sounds from the real world when you want to be fully engaged in your mobile music or videos. Noise cancelling headphones create anti-wave sounds to effectively cancel out sounds on similar wavelengths. This is most effective for the low rumbling sounds of a plane, train, or any other similar sound. Many have modes that will cancel out sounds of the office or library that aren’t as loud as a plane but sometimes get through a good pair of headphones. Many can also be used just to cancel out noise. No music or video needed. They are a good investment if environmental and ambient noise become a real problem in the work space or during travel.
Whether you’re a casual music listener or an audiophile, it’s worthwhile to review the basics of sound quality so you understand the specs on the side of a headphone box.
Sound perception is different for everyone. The only way you are going to know if you like something is to try it. Because everyone has different shaped heads and ears, they’ll perceive music and sound differently, especially since noise cancelling headphones pipe music directly into the ears. Hence, it’s important to try on different headphones not only to see which ones are comfortable to wear, but to get an idea of how rich and full the music sounds.
Consider the following questions:
- Since you are looking at noise cancelling headphones, how quiet do they really get?
- Does the sound come out clear with no distortions or muddiness?
- Is the bass clear, powerful, and controlled?
- You don’t want a bass so strong that it overpowers the vocals and lighter sounds.
- Some headphones have shaking technology that lets you feel as well as hear the thumping bass.
- Are the high sounds tinny or smooth?
- Is there a distinguishable hiss with a wireless set?
A comfortable fit is almost as important as sound quality. Many modern headphones are incredibly lightweight, but make sure you’re comfortable wearing a set for times longer than half an hour. Padded surfaces are a must. Ths goes for the headband too. With circumaural headphones, you want a good seal over the ears, but make sure it’s not so tight that it puts undue pressure on your ears and head. Some headphones make your ears heat up or feel tingly if you wear them too long.
Being able to adjust your headphones is critical, especially if you’re a professional who wears them a lot. The headband should adjust for different head sizes, and pivoting ear cups making getting a comfortable position easier. Unless they’re wireless, headphones typically come with a cord anywhere from 6 to 10 feet. Some have a Y split in the cord, with each end connecting to an ear cup. Headphones with a single-sided cord allow for more freedom of motion.
Understanding Other Sound Terms
Frequency: Headphones capture the complete range of sounds that humans can hear, from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. The question is how well they reproduce those frequencies. Any low frequencies below 20 Hz aren’t audible, but you can sometimes feel them.
Sensitivity: Headphones measure their loudness efficiency in terms of decibels per milliwatt of power. You want a high sensitivity number of at least 100 dB if you’re using a portable device. The lower the sensitivity, the harder the headphones have to work to sound as loud as those with high sensitivity.
Impedance: Impedance is measured in ohms and it relates to how much resistance the headphones put on an amplifier. Most headphones for professional and commercial use have impedances under 100 ohms. The higher the impedance, the more power you’ll need.
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Brian Jones has had a passion for photography and anything related for the majority of his life. One photography class in high school was all it took to get hooked on everything to do with the subject. He became more focused on learning about camera… See more about Brian |
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Noise-Canceling Headphones: Active vs. Passive
You’re settling in for a long flight and you want to listen to music to help you relax. The ear pads fit right over your ears, but the roar from the engines overpowers the sounds coming from the headphones. That’s the frustrating situation Amar Bose found himself in back in 1978; within 10 years … [more]
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Top 10 Earbuds
We are constantly on the go in the world of today. It could be on the way to school, work, or some exotic location on the other side of the planet. No matter what the situation, we are going to have our music. Earbuds are a great way to keep your load down while continuing to enjoy your favorite music or videos on the go. We rated 10 pairs of earbuds… [more]
Best Wireless Headphones
The word “wireless” has been sneaking its way into just about every electronic device we can think of. It started with cell phones, moved to the internet in our homes and we can even charge some of our devices wirelessly. A really great wireless innovation is headphones… [more]
Top 10 Headphones
If you’re an audiophile who wants to enjoy the full richness of sound, then you need a good set of headphones. We looked at a number of headphones and selected our 10 favorites based on several factors: Comfortable wearing even for extended periods of time… [more]
Be Your Own Barista: Effectively Using a Pump-driven Espresso Machine
For the highest-quality espresso coffee, you’ll most likely want to invest in a pump-driven espresso machine. The taste is noticeably superior to the coffee made by steam machines, with a richer, frothier, less bitter quality. Pump-driven espresso machines can require more practice to master, and they’re bigger, messier, and more expensive. However, they’ll give you the best control over your coffee, producing espresso shots equal to if not superior to the local coffeehouse’s. And in the long run, you’ll find the machines to be more cost-effective than splurging on drinks at Starbucks every morning.
So how do pump-driven espresso machines work? The machinery is quite high-tech but the process essentially follows these steps:
- A boiler heats up the water in a sealed reservoir tank.
- The machine then pushes the water through the pre-ground, tightly tamped beans at a specific amount of pressure.
- The resulting product is a tiny shot, about 1.25 ounces, of highly concentrated coffee topped off with a creamy layer of foam called crema.
If you take the art of making espresso coffee seriously, you will over time discover the best coffee beans to use, the right way to tamp down the grounds, and how to adjust the temperature and pressure of the machine for the best coffee results.
Of course, there are also automatic models that do all the hard work for you: grinding the beans, releasing the correct amount of hot water, and depositing the used grounds in a container for easy disposal. Some automatic machines still give you a degree of control over the bean grinding process and the amount of coffee made. Whether to choose a manual or an automatic pump-driven machine is a matter of personal preference. Know, too, that machines with a grinder will automatically be heavier and take up more space on the counter.
Cleaning up
Newer models have become increasingly easier to clean, but the manual pump-driven machines can become quite messy in the espresso-making process. You are, after all, grinding beans and measuring out and tamping down the grounds into a filter. A drip tray is often necessary to catch any spills or drips, as well. However, models that use pods or capsules cut down on the mess, and some espresso machines come with an automatic cleaning cycle.
Choosing the right espresso maker is a complicated process worthy of a lot of careful consideration, especially if you choose one of the top-of-the-line models. But the satisfaction you’ll get from creating your own special brew of coffee and acting as your own barista with a sleek, gleaming machine will more than make up for the price.
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Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany |
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Top 10 Espresso Machines
For the most variety, we included stovetop, steam, and pump-driven models. Each type of espresso maker has different capabilities and qualities, and by following the proper steps you can enjoy high-quality coffee with any of these models. See the espresso machine comparison and ratings below with a link to the full review of each…. [more]
How much should I spend on a tablet?
Maybe you aren’t too familiar with the whole tablet craze. Maybe you just don’t like spending large amounts of money on gadgets and gizmos. Maybe your in college and eat Ramen every night. Just like there is an App for that, there is a tablet for that.
With 7” tablets on the rise – tablet prices are dropping like crazy. Leaving many budget tablets available for right under $100.
For Just under $100 you can get a basic entry level tablet that won’t blow minds – but is usable and interesting. It’s a great entry into the tablet marketplace without spending tons of money.
With technology today – for $90 you can get something that fits in the palm of your hand, and is more powerful then desktop computers from just a few years ago. Pretty neat, huh?
So let it be known – if you are new to tablets and don’t really care about bells and whistles and feature galore – go for a cheaper budget tablet to see if it’s for you. But if you want the best of the best – shell out the extra $100-300 – and check out our Best Tablet list and Best 7” tablet list
Our Favorite Tablets
Best Android Tablet
The iPad is no longer the boss in the tablet arena – the increasing popular Android OS tablet is a huge competitor that is taking over the market. With a super sleek interface, frequent updates, a plethora of apps, unlimited customization, and more – this makes any tablet running Android a very good alternative the stale Apple OS on the iPad… [more]
Best 7″ Tablets
Saving in price but not sacrificing features – 7” tablets allow a more portable experience. Hold your tablet with one hand, put it in your back pocket, bring it every where. Pay less too. They’re some hot hitters this year and these are our top 10 – 7” tablets of 2012…. [more]
Top 10 Tablets
Didn’t find what you like in the 7″ category? Check out our other Top 10 Tablet list that includes tablets with screen sizes greater than 7″!… [more]
5 Best Android Tablet Apps
With a flooded market of apps for Android it’s hard to figure out which are the best ones. Literally thousands of apps are available, ranging from really good to really bad! Here are some of are favorite Android Tablet Apps as of Q3 2012.
Cut the Rope
Cut The Rope is an extremely addicting and fluid game. It has a back story to it but the real fun is simply using your finger to slice away at rope in different puzzles to help feed some little creature. It’s mindless fun and some of the levels get pretty hard!
SketchBook Mobile
A drawing app for Android? Yes! This actually works flawlessly on tablets and we had a blast drawing all sorts of stuff. Not only can you sketch, but SketchBook Mobile has a robust set of tools and even offers support for layers (Photoshop fans rejoice)
OfficeSuite Professional 6
What a god send this app is for students and business people. Open/View/Print documents from Google Cloud – convert to PDF, spell check, view powerpoints, open excel spreadsheets, and more. A truly powerful and robust application that is worth the price tag.
Farm Invasion
Another neat and addicting game that runs great on tablets. Kick back with some redneck fun and battle with aliens, farmers, UFOs and more all while earning dozens of achievements. It’s a relaxing and fun simple game thats nice to look at and runs great.
Pool Break Pro
Another game yes – but it’s pool! Who doesn’t love pool! And on a tablet the touch controls work flawlessly! The best pool game hands down for Android and tablets. Online multiplayer supported, or just play the AI with a variety of game modes from classic 8 ball pool, to 9 ball, straight pool, place-n-shoot, and more!
Don’t Have A Tablet?
Best Android Tablet
The iPad is no longer the boss in the tablet arena – the increasing popular Android OS tablet is a huge competitor that is taking over the market. With a super sleek interface, frequent updates, a plethora of apps, unlimited customization, and more – this makes any tablet running Android a very good alternative the stale Apple OS on the iPad… [more]
Best 7″ Tablets
Saving in price but not sacrificing features – 7” tablets allow a more portable experience. Hold your tablet with one hand, put it in your back pocket, bring it every where. Pay less too. They’re some hot hitters this year and these are our top 10 – 7” tablets of 2012…. [more]
Top 10 Tablets
Didn’t find what you like in the 7″ category? Check out our other Top 10 Tablet list that includes tablets with screen sizes greater than 7″!… [more]
Why 7″ tablets are perfect
Tablets aren’t a new phenomena, in fact they have existed for longer then you think. Only since the release of the iPad have we seen a peak interest…okay an explosion in tablet interest. With most tablets being 10″ plus – they were big and lunky. If technology told us anything though, it’s that technology knows how to shrink itself, and become more powerful.
Enter the 7″ tablet. The 7″ tablet is the next big thing. The tablets with screens over 10 inches are big and spacious, nice for movies and such. But not really portable. I can’t hold them in one hand and do everything with that hand. Yet pick up a 7″ tablet and you can treat it like a paperback book.
What makes this so great? It’s the perfect compromise, if you would even call it that. A smartphone with a 3″/4″ screen is small and powerful, it’s nice for certain menial tasks, but watching a movie and playing games on it isn’t something that’s really enjoyable. A 10″+ tablet is a HUGE screen and though it can be nice for movies and games, it’s not really portable and is awkward to hold. Give us a middle ground!
The 7″ tablet makes up the best of both worlds, AND is more powerful. This is the perfect sized technology to take on the go, yet still have a screen big enough to watch movies comfortably and perform many other tasks without squinting or having to use 2 hands.
With new 7″ tablets popping up left and right: The Nexus 7, Kindle Fire HD, Nook, and soon to be Apple iPad “Mini” – you don’t want to miss out on the perfect tablet. A 7″ tablet is what you should be looking at!
More Tablet Articles
Best 7″ Tablets
Saving in price but not sacrificing features – 7” tablets allow a more portable experience. Hold your tablet with one hand, put it in your back pocket, bring it every where. Pay less too. They’re some hot hitters this year and these are our top 10 – 7” tablets of 2012…. [more]
7″ Tablet Buying Guide
Picking the right 7” tablet isn’t a hard decision, the market for a quality 7” tablet is pretty small, with just a few home run tablets that are on top of the market now. It does offer room for some cheaper versions, but usually for the increased price of another $100 or so, you can get a really really good tablet… [more]
Android vs Apple
The market for tablets basically comes down to this, you can get a Apple iPad, or an Android based tablet. With a couple other OS’s (Blackberry OS, etc) – but we are focusing on Android and Apple…. [more]
Best Tablet Accessories
We examined several accessories—from protective cases and stylus pens to card readers and cleaning cloths—and picked our top 10 based on the following qualities… [more]
Top 10 Tablets
Didn’t find what you like in the 7″ category? Check out our other Top 10 Tablet list that includes tablets with screen sizes greater than 7″!… [more]
Best Android Tablet
Top 10 Rated Android Tablets 2025
The iPad is no longer the boss in the tablet arena – the increasing popular Android OS tablet is a huge competitor that is taking over the market. With a super sleek interface, frequent updates, a plethora of apps, unlimited customization, and more – this makes any tablet running Android a very good alternative the stale Apple OS on the iPad.
We picked our favorite Android tablets of 2012 and put it in a list for you below! Our criteria is based on:
1) Price
2) Manufacturer
3) Battery Life
4) Build Quality
5) Inputs/Outputs
6) Wifi/3G/Connectivity
7) Features
8) Version of Android
Sony Tablet S |
$300-320 |
The Sony Tablet S is a gorgeous sleek tablet from…Sony! Running on the latest version of Android Honeycomb, providing a super sleek user experience. A blazing fast 1.2GHz Tegra 2 dual-core processor powers through games and apps like butter. The Tablet also has a really interesting ergonomic design, with a slight swivel on the tablet to fit better in your hand. We like it!
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Barns N Noble Nook Tablet |
16GB – $199 |
Everyone is getting in on the tablet industry, Barns N Nobles once plain e-reader too is now a full fledge tablet. The Nook Tablet has a vibrant 7” screen, built in Wi-Fi, 16GB of storage with an expandable microSD slot. The Nook Store features thousands of books and magazines, including your typical apps such as Netflix and Hulu. This tablet sports a full featured browser as well. It’s not simple an e-reader, it’s a full featured tablet. But, in our opinions it does sport the best option if you are heavy into e-readers and books, while also giving you other things to do.
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Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 |
8GB – $220 – $250 |
The Galaxy Tab 2 is a very very good Android tablet, running Android 4.0 OS, with a 1024×600 screen, 8GB internetal memory (expandable via microSD up to 32GB), Wi-Fi + Blue Tooth. Though the screen isn’t up past 1280 like most 7”, this screen is still very bright and vivid, though it could be better for video playback. This tablet features dual cameras, which most 7” tablets actually lack. The biggest problem to us was the screen again, as it isn’t up to par with other 7” tablets, but it’s still bearable. The smoothness of Android 4.0 on this tablets hardware makes for a pure and enjoyable Android experience. A great tablet!
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Google Nexus 7 |
8GB and 16GB versions for $199 – $250 |
The Google Nexus 7 is one of the best 7” tablets to date. Just released this summer it has focused attention on 7” tablets. With a gorgeous 1280×800 HD display at 216ppi you are guaranteed the most crisp and HD video ever. This godly tablet has a Quad-core Tegra 3 processor that will cut through apps and games like butter. Speaking of butter, project butter on this tablets Jelly Bean Android OS is so smooth it will leave you trembling. Two versions, 8GB and 16GB priced respectively. Google Play is integrated and features tons of apps/movies/tv’shows. This tablet unfortunetly lacks expandability, but with the cloud services its no problem. This tablet is simply our favorite 7” and probably Android tablet period.
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16GB – $369 |
Toshiba excite is a 10” tablet designed for at home and on the go use. It has a super fast NVIDIA Tegra 3 processor with GeForce graphics, great for gaming. Runs Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) which is one of the best Android OS experiences. This is a quality tablet that is blazing fast with great hardware and software!
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Acer Iconia TAB |
8GB – $199 |
Running Android Honeycomb OS, this Tablet isn’t one to shy away from. Featuring awesome sound playback, something most tablets lack naturally from their speakers. Face-to-face video chats are extremely nice on 5MP rear-facing camera, and 2MP front-facing camera. 8GB of internal storage, 1GB DDR2 RAM, and a decent 1024x600px screen. Also note this guy sports a NVIDIA GeForce GPU, making gaming on this beast actually surprisingly good. You get all your other features such as Wifi, Bluetooth, 1 USB 2.0 port, Micro HDMI out. This tablet has dropped in price to compete with the Nexus 7, and is priced to match the 8GB Nexus at $199 – at the end of the day, its personal preference.
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Motorola Xoom |
32GB – $399 |
A very sleek 10.1” tablet with a big 32GB internal storage space, Wi-Fi, Android 3.1 (honeycomb), and 2 facing cameras. The display is 1280×800 which is perfect HD for movie playback. We love the huge 32GB harddrive, which is a lot compared to most tablets with only 8 or 16. With around 10 hours of battery life and a truly sexy looking design, the Xoom is a great looking and functional, quality tablet.
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Lenovo K1 IdeaPad |
10.1” Screen – 1280×800 |
Lenovo makes great products and most people don’t even know this. The Ideapad tablet is a sturdy quality piece of tech. With a 10” screen with a 1280×800 resolution for HD playback, a huge 32GB hard drive, Android 3.1, WiFi, and a NVIDIA Tegra 2 processor, you can expect a great experience. MicroSD reader and connector is included, as well as a docking port, integrated BlueTooth, and other great features. At around $470 its pricey, but you might be able to find some refurbished for as south as $200.
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8GB and 16GB – $379 – $429 |
The Toshiba Thrive is a bit pricey compared to what you can get for a 7” tablet. The price is almost warranted if you have the money. It’s resolution matches the Nexus 7’s gorgeous 1280×800 – making for some amazing HD video playback on this tablet as well. It’s a big thicker and feels more sturdy then the Nexus 7. It runs Android 4.0 – and is powered by a NVIDIA Tegra 2 dual-core processor. Ontop of this is an NVIDIA GeForce GPU, making for some great gaming. Built in bluetooth, GPS, and more, its a pretty basic tablet but with more of a kick. Coming in a 32GB and 16GB version it is a powerful tablet, but with the prices of other tablets we cant justify the price tag. Wait a few months, and once it drops to the $199 range, pull the trigger. We love this tablet, just not its price.
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Dell Streak 7 |
$193 – 16GB |
The Dell Streak 7 features 16GB of internal memory, Android 2.2 OS, 1GHz nVIDIA Tegra T20 dual core processor, and a 800×480 screen. It’s an older tablet whoes price has dropped to compete with the Nexus. It doesnt beat the Nexus, due to its sub par screen, but its still a good experiene. Built in Wifi, and a very crisp 5MP rear camera, which is beyond good for a tablet. The overall design of this tablet though feels amazing in our hands, not to thin, not to thick, but good for someone with bigger hamds. USB 2.0 port makes it great, and it can even capture 720P video.
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Jon Bannister has always had an interest in the latest technology and gadgetry. A graduate of the Georgia Tech computer science program, Jon has a very technical and working knowledge on how computers interact with and improve… See more about Jon |
More Tablet Articles
Top 10 Tablets
Didn’t find what you like in the 7″ category? Check out our other Top 10 Tablet list that includes tablets with screen sizes greater than 7″!… [more]
Best Tablet Accessories
We examined several accessories—from protective cases and stylus pens to card readers and cleaning cloths—and picked our top 10 based on the following qualities… [more]
Best 7″ Tablets
Saving in price but not sacrificing features – 7” tablets allow a more portable experience. Hold your tablet with one hand, put it in your back pocket, bring it every where. Pay less too. They’re some hot hitters this year and these are our top 10 – 7” tablets of 2012…. [more]
Best Budget Tablets
Some people just dont understand the Tablet craze, and can’t justify spending hundreds of dollars on something they might not use. Or maybe your a college student, or just don’t have much to spend on tech gizmos in general…. [more]
Best Features of Windows 8
Finally Windows 8 has hit, with much controversity. But is it really all that bad? No, it’s not. Not only that, Windows 8 is actually really awesome. It’s been just 3 years since Windows 7 was released… [more]
Android vs Apple
The market for tablets basically comes down to this, you can get a Apple iPad, or an Android based tablet. With a couple other OS’s (Blackberry OS, etc) – but we are focusing on Android and Apple…. [more]
Android or Apple? Which is a better Tablet OS?
The market for tablets basically comes down to this, you can get a Apple iPad, or an Android based tablet. With a couple other OS’s (Blackberry OS, etc) – but we are focusing on Android and Apple.
With Apple, your choice is the iPad. That’s it. Your iPad looks like this, it will run like this, and it will function like this. It’s set in stone, what you see is what you get. With an Android, you have numerous Manufacturers to buy yours from. This means choices, and frankly, this sole reason is why an Android tablet is a better option.
The Apple OS is very restricted and bare. Sure it works and has a nice simplicity to it – and that’s fine for some people. But I personally can’t justify paying $500 over and over again every 6 months for the same device with the same OS.
Android is on fire. They are releasing new OS versions constantly – and each major update ACTUALLY BRINGS a change to the OS. Not to mention the amount of customization you can do with Android out of the box, and with rooting.
This customization doesn’t mean its confusing either – Android still provides a super sleek and simple – yet elegant interface. Way more innovative and intuitive then the plain Apple OS interface.
For example – we all know the Apple iPad interface basically is a bunch of squares – and we can swipe to the next page and it’s more of the same squares. With Android, we have those squares – but we also have widgets. Widgets are we set the OS’s looks apart. Widgets are plentiful and available in different shapes/sizes which can be then re-arranged on your screen to provide a unique look.
Widgets allow you to essentially view important information from most applications – without having to open it. Think of it as a Windows 7 gadget. You can have a weather widget, that can display the days weather, temperature, time – or maybe you wan’t it to display a 5 day forecast. Or maybe you wan’t a CNN widget to list the top breaking story. You name it, you customize it, you do it.
This is where Apple falls short and the biggest comparison is put in that Apple iPad OS is bland and streamlined. For those who wan’t SUPER simplicity and a what you see is what you get phone, then maybe the iPad is for you. But if you want a bit more customization, a more personalized experience, then take a look at an Android phone. Both are great OS’s depending on who you are and what you want – it all comes down to personal opinion. But in the entire tablet market these are the two biggest and best OS’s compared to all others.
Want to see more Tablets?
Best 7″ Tablets
Saving in price but not sacrificing features – 7” tablets allow a more portable experience. Hold your tablet with one hand, put it in your back pocket, bring it every where. Pay less too. They’re some hot hitters this year and these are our top 10 – 7” tablets of 2012…. [more]
Top 10 Tablets
Didn’t find what you like in the 7″ category? Check out our other Top 10 Tablet list that includes tablets with screen sizes greater than 7″!… [more]
Best Tablet Accessories
We examined several accessories—from protective cases and stylus pens to card readers and cleaning cloths—and picked our top 10 based on the following qualities… [more]
CARB Compliant Leaf Blowers
As you browse the selection of gas leaf blowers, you’ll find some listed as CARB compliant and others as non-CARB compliant. CARB stands for California Air Resource Board, an organization that maintains strict air-quality regulations for engines. Other states besides California have adopted these guidelines to ensure that motors release minimal gas emissions into the environment. Just as your car must pass the emissions test, so must other engines.
So what does it mean if a leaf blower’s motor is CARB compliant? Does it mean it doesn’t release any harmful pollutants into the air? Not entirely. Even motors that comply with the CARB regulations release some gas emissions, but they generally run cleaner. Non-CARB compliant motors do not pass these guidelines, and as a result may be banned in California and other states.
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Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany |
Related Top 10 Lists
Top 10 Leaf Blowers
The best leaf blowers, be they gas, electric, or cordless, must be effective at blasting away leaves, twigs, and other lawn debris. We looked for a number of factors when selecting the top 10 leaf blowers: Easy to start up, Powerful engine with high air speeds, Durable mulching blades… [more]
Tips for Cleaning a Grill
After cooking out and enjoying crispy steaks, burgers, or kebabs, usually the last thing you feel like doing is cleaning the grill. However, to continue getting the best tasting food and most efficient grilling, it’s critical to maintain your grill on a regular basis. Neglecting the task just makes it more difficult to clean baked-on grease and food residue.
Luckily, once you get the steps down, it’s a fairly straightforward process.
- Take out the grates and leave them to soak in warm, soapy water.
- With a charcoal grill, sweep out the insides after removing the grate. With a gas grill, take out the briquettes or flame shield so you can see the burner.
- With warm, soapy water, clean around the burner, being careful not to knock it out of place. Brush out all the ashy residue.
- Clean the insides of the grill with some soapy water and a wire brush.
- Let the metal flame shield soak or brush off the briquettes or lava rocks before putting them back in the grill.
- After soaking in warm water, the grates should be easy to brush clean.
- Spray the inside surfaces with cooking oil in preparation for the next grilling.
- Replace the grates and leave the hood open so the grill can air dry.
The next time you fire up the grill, give it an additional five minutes to heat up before you add any food. You don’t want any cleaning solutions to remain on the grates and affect the taste of your food.
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Brittany Rowland researches new developments in Appliances, Kitchen and CE products features with a vigor to which few would aspire… but someone has to do it. See more about Brittany |
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Top 10 Grills
There are a wide range of grills, from gas to electric, portable to tank-like models. The most important aspect of a grill, however, is its cooking performance: A grill should produce a juicy, flavorful steak or burger with a nicely seared exterior… [more]
Best Golf Bags
Top 10 Rated Golf Bags 2025
By S. Dee Davis
Following are our top 10 Golf Bag choices based on the following criteria:
1. Durability
2. Price
3. Stability of Stand
4. Access and Organization
5. Extra Pockets for Accessories
6. Comfort of Harness strap
10 inch, 6-way top |
Ogio gives you that neutral brand name that you want if you carry Hogan clubs and therefore do not want to carry a Titleist bag. They also specialize…read more
Harness Strap |
This bag has about everything you need if you are interested in potentially carrying your bag. The straps are fairly comfortable. The stand is lightweight so a little care is needed…read more
14 way divider |
This good looking tri-colored bag from Titleist is easy to spot in a crowd. It has two ball pockets, a contoured rubber handle for easy lifting, and two very large accessory pockets ….read more
Adidas aG Tour Stand Bag |
6.5lbs |
This is a nice looking tour style carry bad for only $230. It’s handsome and has plenty of room . Though it does add a couple pounds at 6.5 pds. to simpler lighter bags, if you’re looking for a more stylish, cart compatible bag that will hold more this is a good choice.
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10 pockets (all zippered) |
Ogio provides you with a brand neutral bag so that your Taylor Made clubs do not have to be toted in a Callaway bag. This is great for the player that changes clubs…read more
$199 |
This bag provides more size and storage than most carry bags which makes it a great tweener bag for those who like to do both – ride and walk. It does a nice job of balancing comfort and accessibility…read more
TaylorMade Rocketballz Stand Bag |
4.9lbs |
This bag is a good deal and looks very updated with that RBZ slime green color. It’s got 5 way separation and sells for only $129 through Amazon. You can’t go wrong with this one.
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9” Oval Top |
This is a very lightweight carry bag which fits many purposes. It has plenty of club dividers and functional zip pockets and the price is very competitive. The thing I also like is that the Nike logo…read more
TaylorMade Micro-Lite 3.0 Stand Bag |
Harness Strap |
TaylorMade has done a nice job of remembering the guy carrying his bag with this handy bag. It has redesigned ergonomic ventilated shoulder straps but only a 3 way top divider.
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TaylorMade Catalina 3.0 Cart Bag |
Single Strap Cart Bag |
This robust bag has a 14 way divider atop for very complete separation of clubs. It also has 11 pockets for storing everything from your stereo system to a takeout lunch. Best of all it’s on sale for only $129. Not halter strap, it’s a cart bag only. Get the red white and blue version. The large insulated cooler pocket holds a 6-pack.
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As an avid golfer and tennis player for most of his life, he enjoys researching the latest in golf and tennis technology as well as analyzing his own game. He has been a writer and reviewer for a dozen years… See more about S. Dee Davis |
Related Top 10 Lists
Top 10 Golf Clubs
Following are some of the factors that we felt are most important in evaluating the top 10 golf club iron selections. Clubs were tested at a testing facility and loosely measured for the below quality points: 1. Comfort at Setup (Instilling Confidence), 2. Solid Feel at Impact, 3. Workable Ball Flight…[more]
Top 10 Golf Drivers
We tested many of the drivers that are out there in the market today and came up with our top 10 list. There are a couple holdovers from last year. Testing and consideration were given based on distance and accuracy with the same neutral swing speed (110) in a controlled distance…[more]
Top 10 Golf Wedges
A club class of its own, the wedges have high lofts, the short shafts, and the heavy clubheads. Out of all the irons wedges take all of these to the extreme. The purpose of a wedge is to aid players in making accurate sh
7″ Tablet Buying Guide
Picking the right 7” tablet isn’t a hard decision, the market for a quality 7” tablet is pretty small, with just a few home run tablets that are on top of the market now. It does offer room for some cheaper versions, but usually for the increased price of another $100 or so, you can get a really really good tablet.
Here is what you should look for:
Price/Size
Right now one of the best Tablets, the Nexus 7 is priced as $199 fresh out the gate. This has caused other $400 tablets, to drop their prices to match it. With others such as the Kindle Fire HD and Samsung’s tablet at the same range – expect to pay $199 – $250 for a GREAT 7” tablet. Anything more, and you payed too much, anything less and you will be in the entry level of tablets. Most 8GB 7”s will go for $199, while a 16GB would normally go for the pricier $250. Do you need all the extra space or would you be fine with cloud stroage? Is the tablet expandable via microSD or is the internal hard drive all the space you get?
OS
¾ of the tablets right now run Android, the other micro percentages running either Apple OS (iPad, no 7” version), Blackberry OS, or some customization of Android. That being said, make sure your Tablet is running one of the most recent version of Android, code named Jellybean or Ice Cream Sandwich. See if your Tablet is upgradable as well. The newer versions provide some of the best experiences ever. Something like Blackberry OS on the Blackberry Playbook, would probably only appeal to a Blackberry phone user. Look up Youtube videos of the different OS’s in action to see which looks the best for you.
Wi-FI/3G/4G
Most tablets with 3G/4G connectivity will instantly shoot the price up another $100 or $200. To us, it’s just not worth it to shell out that much more when Wi-Fi is available pretty much anywhere. All tablets listed on here have WiFi – be sure yours does to. If you want 3G/4G , be prepared to pay a couple hundred more, on-top of any carrier fees from a phone/internet company. Remember, this is a tablet, not a phone. Do you really need the 3G/4G, or could you suffice with just Wi-Fi for the cheaper price? Up to you!
HD/Screen Size
Just because a tablet has “HD Playback” doesn’t mean you are getting a true HD playback experience. True HD is 1280×720 or above, if a tablet has anything less in width or height, you are not getting the best playback for HD content. Since HD content is either in 1280×720, or 1920×1080 – scaling that down to anything less then 720P will result in not the greatest playback. So make sure to see if the screens resolution is bigger then 1280×720 (IE: Nexus has 1280×800, this is HD perfect!) – It makes all the difference, trust me!
Apps!
This pretty much relates to the OS part. Android apps are available on a variety of platforms. For example, the Kindle uses the Amazon Android Marketplace, the Nexus uses Google Plays Marketplace, and the Blackberry uses the Blackberry Store Front. All Android Apps aren’t created equal. Check and see where Apps are boughten from on your speced out device. Everything isn’t centralized like on the iPad which uses just the iTunes store. We found that the Google Play store has a huge amount of Android Apps, which is available on the Nexus. Second would be Amazons App store available on the Kindle Fire HD.
More Tablet Articles
Best 7″ Tablets
Saving in price but not sacrificing features – 7” tablets allow a more portable experience. Hold your tablet with one hand, put it in your back pocket, bring it every where. Pay less too. They’re some hot hitters this year and these are our top 10 – 7” tablets of 2012…. [more]
Top 10 Tablets
Didn’t find what you like in the 7″ category? Check out our other Top 10 Tablet list that includes tablets with screen sizes greater than 7″!… [more]
Best Tablet Accessories
We examined several accessories—from protective cases and stylus pens to card readers and cleaning cloths—and picked our top 10 based on the following qualities… [more]
Why 7″ Tablets are perfect
Tablets aren’t a new phenomena, in fact they have existed for longer then you think. Only since the release of the iPad have we seen a peak interest…okay an explosion in tablet interest. With most tablets being 10″ plus – they were big and lunky. If technology told us anything though, it’s that technology knows how to shrink itself, and become more powerful… [more]