The Best Tech Products and Services of 2023

Dell takes the words "desktop replacement" seriously, and the 2023 edition of its perennial Editors' Choice winner shows it. The XPS 15 model 9530 delivers near-workstation levels of power for the toughest productivity or content creation tasks, and its vivid 4K OLED display means you'll never miss your desktop monitor. When the clock ticks past five, its Nvidia GeForce RTX 4070 GPU is ready for any game you might throw at it. The XPS 15 has only USB-C and Thunderbolt 4 ports (though it comes with a USB-A and HDMI mini dock), but it's more than ready to be your only PC.

With Microsoft's Surface Laptop Go 3 growing out of the budget price range, 2023 has been a rough year for economy laptops (at least for Windows laptops). But Acer still carries the flag with its Aspire 3, an AMD Ryzen-powered 15.6-inch notebook that starts at $399. Sure, it sticks to the basics, but the Aspire marches through common tasks, schoolwork, and online access (Wi-Fi 6 is standard) without issue and its battery lasted nearly 17 hours in our tests. For your next "old faithful" laptop, it will be tough to beat this bargain from Acer.

ChromeOS has been around for a dozen years, but Google surprised us in 2023 by raising the bar for affordable laptops with its AI-enhanced Chromebook Plus campaign, specifying increased computing power and a higher baseline with features like 1080p screens and webcams. Then the 14-inch Asus Chromebook Plus CX34 elbowed its way to the front of the pack, rocking a high-quality display, a full array of ports including HDMI, and MIL-SPEC 810 durable construction for $399. Suddenly, Windows has its work cut out for it.

This was the year of the 16-inch gaming laptop, and Lenovo's Legion Pro 7i Gen 8 made the most of the trend with a sharp 2,560-by-1,600-pixel screen with a blazing 240Hz refresh rate. Add a screaming Intel Core i9 CPU and beefy Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080 graphics, and you've got one of the quickest gaming rigs under $3,000—well under, if you're considering Alienware or another of the super-premium brands. An exquisite keyboard and a slick design that doesn't shout "I'm a gamer" help make this Legion our favorite of the year.

Lenovo's reign as lord of business laptops continues with its 14-inch ThinkPad X1 Carbon Gen 11. We described 2022's Gen 10 as "The world's best laptop," and the 2023 edition duplicates that model's five-star rating and Editors' Choice award without breaking a sweat. With a choice of 13th-gen Intel Core processors and handsome 16:10 screens in a meticulously crafted 2.48-pound chassis, not to mention a full set of ports and the legendary ThinkPad keyboard, this year's revision is enough of an update to maintain its regal status.

Dell's Precision 5680 is a tiny bit less powerful and expandable than the biggest and heaviest laptop workstations, but considerably more, you know, portable. Under an inch thin and weighing just 4.46 pounds, this 16-inch Precision challenges the heavyweights in both performance (thanks to Nvidia's latest "Ada Generation" professional GPUs) and battery life. Its gorgeous 4K OLED display screen tips the 5680 over the finish line to become our new favorite in the category.

As the first of its kind, the 15.3-inch MacBook Air is something of a test, but Apple's gamble that the Air experience could be enhanced and enlarged without losing its featherweight appeal was clearly correct. You can't deny that this is a bigger and better MacBook Air—the 3.3-pound system has morphed from a handy ultraportable into a powerful all-purpose (even light gaming) laptop with speedy performance, impressive graphics, and epic battery life at a competitive price. Sometimes, bigger is indeed better.

Apple’s basic tablet might be from late 2022, but it’s still the best option for most people. Apple didn’t introduce new slates in 2023, so that leaves the 10th-gen iPad at the top of our recommendation list thanks to its appealing design, swift performance, user-friendly video chat camera, and wide compatibility with third-party accessories. Toss in countless apps the iPad is a winner.

Apple’s top phone for 2023 is the iPhone 15 Pro Max. This large smartphone packs a gorgeous screen, a speedy A17 Pro processor, tons of memory and storage options, and a triple-camera array that allows for 5x optical zoom and Pro Res video capture. New for 2023 is a strengthened titanium frame, a customizable action button, and a USB-C port with support for 10Gbps data speeds. 

Google’s Pixel 8 is the smaller and more affordable of its latest range of smartphones, but it doesn’t skimp on features. The Pixel 8 features a comfortably sized display, a standout design, and a solid everyday performance. Google’s Tensor G3 processor gives the phone loads of on-device AI smarts to power advanced photo and video editing, as well as Google Assistant search tools. It’s the Google-iest of all Google phones.

Just because you’re shopping on a budget doesn’t mean you should settle for junk. Samsung’s affordable entry-level 5G smartphone gives you everything you need at a price that’s easy on your wallet. It’s got a generous 6.6-inch screen, a zippy MediaTek Dimensity processor, and a triple rear camera array for snapping photos. Toss in a microSD slot for expandable storage, a 3.5mm headphone jack for wired headphones, and solid 5G performance, and the Galaxy A14 5G is the budget phone to beat.

Like other smart plugs, the TP-Link Kasa Smart Wi-Fi Plug Slim With Energy Monitoring (KP125M) is a convenient way to smarten up any basic electronic device. One of the first Matter-compliant smart plugs to hit the market, the KP125M works with all of the major smart home platforms and reliably responds to voice commands. Moreover, its energy-monitoring capabilities put it a step ahead of many competitors. While on the pricey side, the KP125M is worth it as a versatile smart plug that nails the basics.

The affordable, Wi-Fi-enabled Roku Smart Bulb SE Color is a smart choice for adding a pop of color to your home. It's easy to set up, doesn’t require a hub, and works well, delivering bright light in a variety of colors. It works with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant and quickly responds to both voice and app controls. It's an excellent option and the best smart bulb we tested in 2023.

The iRobot Roomba Combo j7+ is the first double-duty robotic floor cleaner with a fully retractable mop. When the pricey 2-in-1 detects carpet, it automatically lifts its mopping plate out of the way, rests it on top of the device where it has no risk of wetting carpets, and continues vacuuming. For comparison, Roborock's similar VibraRise mop-lifting system only works well on low-pile carpets because it doesn't lift high enough to avoid medium- and high-pile rugs. This Combo model otherwise offers all the perks of the vacuum-only Roomba j7+, including a self-emptying bin, AI-powered obstacle avoidance, and a poop-evasion guarantee. 

The Dyson Gen5 Detect earned our first Editors' Choice award in the cordless vacuum category for its triggerless design, long battery life, strong suction power, and deft maneuverability. We also appreciate its LCD interface, which shows when a surface is free of dust particles in real time to help you achieve a thorough cleaning. It comes with a fantastic assortment of attachments, including the standout Fluffy Optic cleaner head that reveals invisible dust on hard flooring, a hair screw tool that quickly eliminates pet hair from upholstery and stairs, and a combination tool for dusting. It's one of the most technologically advanced cordless vacuums and an excellent option for both quick touch-ups and whole-home cleaning jobs.

If you're looking to protect your dwelling, the Arlo Home Security System is worth a look, especially if you own other smart home gadgets from the same brand. This versatile DIY home security system seamlessly ties all of the company's cameras and doorbells together, as well as tons of third-party devices via IFTTT. It's easy to install, offers a professional monitoring option, and incorporates unique multifunction sensors that can detect anything from motion to water leaks to freezing temperatures and more. In the competitive smart home security category, Arlo's system stands out as the best we've tested this year, but SimpliSafe's Home Security System remains our Readers’ Choice and overall Editors' Choice winner because it includes cellular and battery backup components at no extra cost, and its professional monitoring plan is cheaper.

Thanks to its solar charging panel, the EufyCam 3 S330 offers the flexibility of a battery-powered outdoor security camera without the hassle of monitoring and recharging those batteries. While pricey, the EufyCam 3 has plenty of features to justify the cost, even aside from its highly capable solar panels. That includes a built-in spotlight, color night vision, facial recognition, flexible storage options, and sharp 4K video. All of that makes the EufyCam 3 one of the best, most feature-rich security cameras on the market. 

Our favorite video doorbell of the year one-ups competitors with a simple addition: A second camera. The S330 Video Doorbell offers the usual view of your front porch in 2K, while the second 1080p camera points directly at your doorstep to keep a close eye on your packages. It can play an automated message if it senses someone coming toward your recently delivered goods. The Eufy S330 makes a great choice if you’re willing to spend up to keep deliveries safe. If you don’t need 2K resolution or the extra cam, the Toucan Wireless Video Doorbell—still our overall Editors' Choice in this category—will save you a chunk of change. 

A smart, quiet window air conditioner that works well while staying out of the way, the GE Profile Clearview PHNT10 more than earns its keep. Unlike most window air conditioners, the PHNT10 features a split-housing design: The bulk of the unit sits below your window line, so you can continue to enjoy your view, while all the noisiest components remain outside. Besides its innovative design, the PHNT10 packs in plenty of features including voice and app controls, energy usage reports, and IFTTT support for third-party integrations. It makes for a great option to keep your place cool and your view clear. 

The Fi Smart Dog Collar makes it easy to track your dog's location, activity, and sleep from your phone, and the third-generation model introduces major changes inside and out. It's not only smaller and lighter to accommodate tiny dogs, but also stronger than ever to hold up against chewers and leash pullers. It now boasts an IP66K water resistance rating, which means it's tested to protect against not only submersion but also high-pressure jets. Escape alerts took longer to arrive in testing than with the previous model, but the Series 3's overhauled GPS and cellular radios deliver quicker location updates in the crucial Lost Dog Mode without killing the battery. 

Your voice isn’t the only way to interact with smart assistants. Smart displays add touch screens to the mix, letting you watch videos and tap to control compatible devices from a single hub. The Amazon Echo Show 8 is one of the best smart displays available, with an eight-inch screen that’s easy to read, powerful speakers for its size, and fast performance. This generation offers expanded smart home control capabilities with support for Matter, Thread, and Zigbee. Overall, it's a useful addition to virtually any room in your home. 

The Hisense U8K is one of the most value-rich TVs, specifically at Hisense’s official “everyday” price of $1,099.99. It’s incredibly bright, has excellent color, sports a 144Hz refresh rate with extremely low input lag, and features Google TV with built-in hands-free Google Assistant voice control. It’s a complete package that doesn’t cost a lot.

The Fire TV platform is filled with features, and Amazon packs it into a $50 stick that’s one of the best ways to turn your basic TV into a smart one (or to simply change your smart TV’s streaming interface if you don’t like it). The Fire TV Stick 4K plugs into the back of your TV and provides a comprehensive streaming experience that covers all of the major services, with Bluetooth support for listening through wireless headphones and gaming with wireless controllers, and Amazon Alexa so you can search for content by voice through the included remote. The 2023 model adds Wi-Fi 6, a more powerful processor, and more memory than its predecessor, all for the same affordable price. 

The JBL Bar 1300X soundbar delivers detailed spatial audio and huge bass with a clever twist. It features 11.1.4 channels including four upward-firing channels (two on the soundbar itself, and one on each rear satellite) for fully immersive Dolby Atmos sound, which you should expect from any high-end soundbar in this price range. The twist: Its rear satellites are battery-powered, so you can use them completely wirelessly. When they run low, simply attach them to the sides of the soundbar to recharge, and enjoy even more powerful stereo sound while you wait. Support for both Apple AirPlay and Google Cast is a nice touch, too.

Sony’s high-end WF-1000XM5 earphones easily compete against the best from Apple and Bose. Highlights include high-quality tunable drivers, nearly best-in-class active noise cancellation, an exceptionally clear mic system, and support for the AAC, LC3, and LDAC codecs. Their companion app might be a little bloated, but it includes every feature you need to customize the experience to your preference. They also offer hands-free Alexa and Google Assistant.

For less than $100, the Anker Soundcore Liberty 4 NC true wireless earphones pack serious value. They offer superb noise cancellation for the price, long battery life, very capable audio drivers, and a full-featured companion app with customizable EQ. And for Android users, they even support the hi-res-capable LDAC codec. A moderate IPX4 water-resistance rating and a wirelessly charging case further enhance the package.

The Fujifilm X-S20 integrates many of the best features from the company's flagship X-T and X-H lines into a lighter, lower-cost frame. The camera features a stabilized 26MP image sensor, packs the full array of Fuji’s Film Simulation looks, and uses a smart focus system that can lock onto people, animals, cars, and planes at up to 30fps with tracking. We’re fans of the image quality and the extensive Fuji X lens library. The only thing missing is weather sealing.

The Canon RF 28mm F2.8 is a low-cost lens that punches well above its weight. Its pancake design doesn’t add much heft to a full-frame or APS EOS R camera and its approachable focal length means younger, smartphone-first creators should feel right at home. We don’t have any complaints about picture quality or focus performance, either.

Most standard full-frame zooms start at 24mm, so the Sony FE 20-70mm F4 G’s significantly wider angle makes it more suitable for cityscapes, architecture, and other shots that require a broader view. The lens also offers stellar picture quality, a snappy autofocus system, and weather protection. Put it all together and you've got our favorite zoom of the year and arguably the most versatile standard zoom for any system.

GoPro updates its top-end action camera annually, so it always manages to stay ahead of the competition. The latest edition is as tough as earlier models, with a 33-foot depth rating and a very durable exterior. It's a slow-motion machine too, pushing up to 240fps at 2.7K and 120fps at 4K. Other highlights include 10-bit capture with HDR processing for a broad color range and class-leading digital stabilization. Importantly, this is the first model in the series with both a traditional tripod socket and mounting clips for GoPro accessories.

Like most years, 2023 has been rather barren when it comes to high-quality, low-cost desktops. That said, Acer continues as a champion of reliable, affordable PCs with the Aspire TC-1760-UA92, a budget tower that sports a 12th Gen Intel Core i5 CPU and a non-skimpy 12GB of memory and 512GB of storage. It's nothing fancy, but it delivers quite a lot of power for the price, not to mention more room and capacity for upgrades than our 2022 pick.

When Apple keeps upgrading the Mac mini, it's hard for Windows compact desktops to compete. The 2023 model not only brings immense power in the form of our M2 Pro review unit, but a surprisingly accessible on-ramp to macOS with a $599 entry-level option. It might look identical to the previous version, but Apple's refinements elevate the Mac mini's capabilities while expanding its reach to more potential buyers, making this Editors' Choice award winner the space-saving desktop to beat.

With its Legion Tower 7i Gen 8, Lenovo has produced another top-tier gaming desktop with lots of upgradability, dashing desk appeal, and plenty of power for fast 4K gaming. The fact that this sleek and discreet shell makes surprisingly little noise under load, while dazzling the eye with flashy but tasteful RGB lighting, pushes the Legion 7i into excellent territory, earning it an Editors' Choice award and recognition as our favorite desktop gaming rig.

With exceptional performance for a fair $299 price, Nvidia's GeForce RTX 4060 is the graphics card to beat for mainstream PC gamers this year. Significantly improving over its RTX 3060 predecessor, the "Ada Lovelace" architecture RTX 4060 boosts ray-tracing performance in a big way, and DLSS 3 frame generation is more pronounced than ever. With 8GB of GDDR6 video memory, the GeForce RTX 4060 is your best bet for fast, visually gorgeous gameplay at 1080p resolution.

With class-leading performance across the board, Intel's 14th Generation "Raptor Lake Refresh" Core i7-14700K earns our vote as the best high-end processor of 2023. Four additional efficient cores lift the CPU's overall core count to 20 (and its thread count to 28), surpassing the previous Core i7-13700K while adding a few megahertz of clock speed to boost single-threaded tasks. The price also undercuts Intel's more costly Core i9 options and their AMD Ryzen 9 rivals while delivering performance close enough to satisfy all but a few fanatics and spendthrifts. The 14th Gen Core i7 is an easy Editors' Choice award winner and the best chip of the year.

Sometimes a predecessor can do a better job than the successor. That's the case with Intel's Core i5-13600K, still driving powerful midrange performance for a better price than its 14th-generation follow-up. With six performance cores, eight efficient cores, and a 5.1GHz max clock speed, the Core i5-13600K kept pace with its replacement in most of our benchmarks, proving you can save some cash without sacrificing real-world performance. Smart shoppers take notice.

ASRock's Taichi motherboards have long delighted desktop builders. This year we're pleased to salute the company's midrange B650E Taichi Lite (for AMD) and Z790 Taichi Lite (for Intel), which bring topmost components to more affordable price points. While the Lite motherboards lack the luxury look of ASRock's flagship platforms, they definitely won't bring your build down. The Taichi Lites prioritize useful features like USB4 and overclocking support rather than high fashion, making them easy Editors' Choice award winners and honorees here.

Appealing to most PC users including gamers and packing an eminently affordable price tag, the Cooler Master Qube 500 Flatpack is our favorite desktop PC chassis of 2023. Why? For starters, it's compact yet surprisingly spacious inside, accommodating ATX, MicroATX, and Mini ITX motherboards. It's also surprisingly sturdy for its price and even available in several colors—including a macaron edition.

Designed for gamers, content creators, and professionals, the Crucial T700 is the fastest PCI Express 5.0 solid-state drive we've tested, setting a new PC Labs record in the PCMark 10 Overall and the gaming-centric 3DMark Storage benchmarks. The T700 is available with or without a heatsink in capacities up to 4TB, and its AES 256-bit hardware-based encryption is the gold standard in drive security. This future-proof drive won't be worth its cost unless you have a new desktop or have upgraded your PC's motherboard with support for the PCIe 5.0 standard, but it'll keep you at the cutting edge in performance.

This first-class Wi-Fi 6 router is a stand-up performer, with speedy throughput, strong signal transmissions, and multi-gig networking ports. At $219.99, it's not the cheapest dual-band router, but it delivers a ton of value, not to mention some of the highest throughput scores we've seen from a mainstream Wi-Fi 6 device. Plus, the WRX560's beveled edges and grillwork give it a futuristic, minimalist look and its six antennas are hidden inside, making it less obtrusive when placed out in the open instead of behind furniture. That makes it better able to spread wireless internet access throughout your small or midsize home.

The Canon imageClass MF455dw is a heavy-duty monochrome laser all-in-one for midsize offices or workgroups. It lets you print, scan, copy, and fax, cranking out pages at high speed (40ppm) with excellent output quality. Its paper capacity is 350 sheets, expandable to 900, and the MF455dw combines duplex printing with a single-pass duplexing ADF for faxing, copying, and scanning. With a choice of USB, Ethernet, Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi Direct connectivity, it'll keep everyone in your business productive.

The smartphone-oriented Kodak Step Instant Mobile Photo Printer connects to your mobile device via Bluetooth or NFC to produce business-card-size zero-ink (Zink) prints with adhesive backing at a relatively low cost per snapshot. The device holds 20 sheets of paper and produces a print in about a minute. Kodak's iOS or Android Step app lets you touch up your images before printing. The Step is also available in assorted bundles that include not only paper refills but extras like carrying cases, markers, and crafting supplies.

Anker's debut 3D printer is a perfect choice for newbies and experienced users alike. The speedy AnkerMake M5 produces top-quality prints and can even produce nifty time-lapse videos of your builds thanks to its built-in camera. Easy to assemble and use, the M5 offers a sizable print bed and competitive speed. If you've been thinking of getting into 3D printing, now is the time to take the plunge.

What would you call an upgraded version of the Epson Perfection V39? How about V39 II? This $119.99 flatbed scanner targets home users and creative types who need occasional high-quality photo and document scanning. A close match with its predecessor as far as hardware goes, the 4,800dpi (optical resolution) scanner's updates are mostly on the software side, with streamlined task processes linked to the Perfection's four control buttons and new settings to help you fine-tune your scans. The V39 II's mix of features makes it the best budget flatbed photo scanner we've tested.

As essential as computer mice are, they aren't always accessible for differently abled users. Microsoft hopes to change that with its $44.95 Adaptive Mouse, a modular, ambidextrous mouse with an inclusive design philosophy. At first glance, the square mini-mouse is unassuming in its simplicity, but its support for different accessories like tails, button toppers, and custom 3D printed extensions from Shapeways can transform it into something much more. The flexible Microsoft Adaptive Mouse is one of the most impressive peripherals of the year.

Razer's gaming accessories are well known within the PC gaming community, so it's no surprise the company makes great keyboards for just about any occasion. The BlackWidow V4 75% is a smaller, tenkeyless version of the famous BlackWidow V4, but its compact footprint maintains all of the full-size keyboard's functionality. The main attraction aside from its size is its hot-swappable frame, allowing you to swap in the 3- or 5-pin mechanical key switches and keycaps of your choice. With great performance and comfort plus modularity, it's hard not to recommend the BlackWidow V4 75% to everyone from hard-core gamers to keyboard enthusiasts eager to fine-tune and tinker.

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is one of the pricier gaming headsets, but it's absolutely packed with features. It’s wireless (with a transmitter that doubles as a volume control/chat mixer), supports two simultaneous USB connections, features active noise cancellation, and comes with two batteries so you don’t have to worry about downtime. It includes an excellent microphone and parametric EQs if you game on a PC. In short, the Arctic Nova Pro is the total package.

Looking for a top-tier VR headset? Check out the Meta Quest 3, which offers a comprehensive, wireless virtual reality experience. It has the fastest processor (Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2) and the highest resolution (2,064 by 2,208 per eye) of any Meta VR headset to date, even beating out the $1,500 Quest Pro in some specs. It also has cool, full-color pass-through cameras that are much sharper than the Quest 2’s black-and-white lenses, so you can comfortably navigate your surroundings and use augmented reality (AR) software. It lacks the Quest Pro’s eye-tracking and face-tracking tech, but the Quest 3 is the best bang-for-your-buck VR headset.

Plan to game for hours? Get this chair. The Cooler Master Caliber X offers excellent comfort and build quality at a reasonable price. Its PU leather is supple and breathable, the foam is solid and dense, and the sliding lumbar support is cleverly designed. It’s simply a great chair that costs a bit less than similarly well-made alternatives.

Marvel's Spider-Man 2 lets you play as either Peter Parker or Miles Morales, arachnid-powered heroes who swing across a lovingly recreated New York City to bust bad guys with webs and wit. The story makes dramatic twists, and the Venom symbiote amplifies the game's overall aggression. In addition, the action delivers top-tier spider combat, amazing web-slinging, and spectacular web-gliding traversal abilities.

After a surprise early launch on Xbox Game Pass, Hi-Fi Rush instantly became one of 2023’s most exciting releases. Tango Gameworks tapped its action chops to make a rhythm game version of Devil May Cry. Enemies take more damage if you attack them on time with the beat. As you gain more combat options, Hi-Fi Rush feels more like a musical performance than a video game. The vibrant, cel-shaded world makes this a symphony for your eyes and ears.

Nintendo Switch owners never thought they’d get another game as good as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. They were wrong. Tears of the Kingdom builds on its predecessor's foundation by delivering fun sky and underground exploration, and construction powers that let you break apart the toy box world and rebuild it as you see fit. Tears of the Kingdom is an irresistible, hypnotic adventure, and an absolute must-play title.

If you own an iPhone, install iOS 17 as soon as possible. This year’s update is packed with fresh features, including showstoppers like the Standby mode bedside display, highly customizable Contact Posters, and AirDrop enhancements that let you transfer media by tapping iPhones or iPads together. All in all, iOS 17 added more interesting tools than Android 14, making it our top mobile OS of the year.

Canva's quest to democratize graphic design moved even further along in 2023 with the addition of new AI tools, called Magic Studio. The app continues to empower anyone, anywhere, at any artistic skill level to create a professional-looking graphic. Canva is a boon to small business owners in particular, who use it to make compelling graphics for social media and advertising. It's a delight to use, too.

If you do any kind of professional graphic arts or photography, you use Photoshop, and you have probably spent months learning its intricacies. If you are an amateur or hobbyist...you probably also use Photoshop because it's simply the best photo- and image-editing software there is. Photoshop has one-touch tools and new AI-powered editing options that make it as simple as can be to take an ordinary photo and make it extraordinary.

CyberLink's PowerDirector 365 video editing software bridges the gap between professional editing and consumer friendliness. It's often ahead of professional-grade software in terms of support for new formats and technologies, and it's loaded with tools that help you put together compelling digital movies complete with transitions, effects, and titles. Best of all, it's easy to work with and fast at rendering. It's the video editing software we recommend most.

As Apple TV+, Netflix, and other streaming services ratchet up their subscription prices, Tubi reigns as the free video streaming service that doesn’t feel cheap. Sure, you must watch ads, but the service grants instant access to more than 50,000 movies and TV shows. The library includes popular and well-received programs thanks to licensing deals with major studios, as well as some fun underground schlock. The clean interface, watchlist support, and even parental control features help Tubi keep pace with its premium competitors.

Simply put, YouTube TV is the best option for replacing cable. It combines online streaming's conveniences with an excellent selection of news channels, live sports, and many popular entertainment options. Watching multiple exclusive football games via NFL Sunday Ticket feels like living in the future. It’s an expensive service, but worth the money if you watch a lot of television. It’s an Editors’ Choice and Readers’ Choice winner for live TV cable replacement. 

Spotify might be the big player in the streaming music space, but YouTube Music's recent strides make it our top pick this year. As an extension of Google’s entertainment arm and an offshoot of the enormous YouTube platform, YouTube Music is incredibly accessible. It offers robust free listening, community uploads, music videos, podcasts, scrolling lyrics, and a recently added Samples feature that aids in musical discovery. It lacks hi-res audio, but as far as recommendation-based listening, YouTube Music is hard to beat.

Asana is one of the absolute best collaborative tools for teams. It lets a group of people track work through a workflow and hand off tasks from one person to another. The real magic is in Asana's flexibility. You can set it up to work however you want, so it doesn't matter if the work you track is the creation and production of videos or chores for kids. Asana is one of the best apps for collaboration and productivity. It also won a PCMag 2023 Business Choice Award for project management.

With a generous free tier of service and excellent AI powering it, Otter is our favorite transcription app this year. It transcribes with better accuracy than any other AI transcription service we've seen, and it turns around audio files quickly. It can transcribe audio in real time, and it learns people's voices and gets better at identifying speakers as it works. Otter is the transcription service we recommend most highly.

Despite fierce competition from rivals, Zoom has remained relevant by pivoting from a simple video meeting app to a more comprehensive business communications tool. Now known as Zoom One, the service features an AI-powered assistant and new collaboration tools (expanded team chat, whiteboards) that you use outside of meetings. Factor in its excellent transcription tech and many integrations that expand the app's functionality, and Zoom One shines as a top-tier video conferencing service.

Wix has nearly everything you could want from a website builder, including an intuitive interface that lets you create beautiful pages from hundreds of available templates. Widgets and mobile-specific tools add flexibility and functionality, while robust e-commerce tools let businesses sell memberships and digital downloads. Best of all, you can sample much of what Wix has to offer in the generous free tier and then pay for premium features if you’re ready to upgrade.

Many web hosting services vie for your dollar, but HostGator stands out from the pack by offering varied plans and top-notch uptime. In particular, its shared hosting packages have many features, low starting fees, and reasonable renewal rates, making it a great starting point for budding entrepreneurs. Of course, you can scale up to the company's cloud, VPS, or dedicated server package should your site need more hosting muscle.

Balanced Bite, Fresh N Lean, and other prepared meal kits are great if you don’t want to do anything more than heat and eat, but CookUnity is for people who want a convenient and comprehensive prepared option that doesn't sacrifice choice. It lets you choose between hundreds of tasty, fully prepared meals designed by its personalized chef collective. CookUnity has numerous delicious options, so you'll find something that works regardless of food preferences or dietary needs. Flexible scheduling helps it fit perfectly into your life.

With its decades of virus-fighting service, the Norton name is known worldwide. Cementing its reputation, Norton AntiVirus Plus takes stellar scores from the independent testing labs. It goes beyond basic antivirus protection with an intelligent firewall, effective ransomware protection, an online backup system, and more. It’s billed as an antivirus, but it includes so many features it could compete with some full-scale security suites.

First-time password manager users—or anyone looking for a free password manager—should consider Bitwarden. The password management app is open-source software, and its code undergoes regular audits by independent researchers, making it less vulnerable to hacks and breaches. Bitwarden's password manager is easy to use and doesn’t limit the number of passwords you can store, nor does it prevent you from syncing your vault across devices, as many free password managers do. The Premium tier is inexpensive and includes excellent features, such as an actionable password health report, emergency access options, the ability to generate TOTP codes, and support for enhanced multi-factor authentication methods.

NordVPN's greatest strength is that it has something to offer for everyone. Privacy wonks will appreciate its set of rare tools. People looking to access an otherwise blocked streaming service will find themselves empowered by its large selection of servers and the ability to select server locations and even specific servers. And first-time users should have no trouble getting started, and might also be intrigued by NordVPN's growing list of additional services—including storage protected by encryption and a password manager.