To help you find the best electronics, we spent hundreds of hours testing and using hundreds of individual products (a large number, we know, but it’s the aggregate of all our work for each product type’s buying guide you can find on our site). During our testing, we looked specifically for wide feature sets, a high level of usability and solid product quality. If you’re going to spend money on an electronic, you want to be sure your money doesn’t go to waste. This is why we measured each product on its overall durability and longevity, as well.
In the end, we compiled a list of the top electronics we’ve researched to date. Read on below to learn more about the best electronics in a wide variety of different categories. And, if you want to learn more about more products in each of these categories, explore our electronics page even further.
Top 8 Best Electronics
#1 Canon PowerShot SX530 Digital Camera
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Our #1 Pick is the Canon PowerShot SX530 Digital Camera
Award: BEST DIGITAL CAMERA
WHY WE LIKE IT: If you need a portable digital camera that can still capture clear images at a long distance, you can’t go wrong with this Canon digital camera. It’s a versatile option with a powerful integrated zoom lens that won’t leave you disappointed.
Pros
- Long range optical zoom
- NFC and Wi-Fi connectivity
- Snappy and responsive
Cons
- Slower focus speed while zoomed
- Doesn’t have an electronic viewfinder
- Barebones video functionality
The Canon PowerShot SX530’s standout feature is its 50x optical zoom lens, by far. The lens is integrated into the camera itself and can retract fully into the body of the camera when not zoomed in. This allows you to maintain the overall versatility and portability of the camera. The PowerShot retains a high level of image quality, even when fully zoomed in, which is better than what you might expect from a fixed-lens camera with large zoom. This is an excellent choice for anyone who wants to still create large prints of zoomed in subjects.
The only downside we found with such a large zoom is the slower focus speed when fully zoomed in. You might struggle just a little to get clear shots of moving subjects when zoomed in. However, this wasn’t a make or break feature for us, and it’s not something to worry too much about. Another one of the best features of the Canon SX530 is its Wi-Fi and NFC connectivity, which gives you more flexibility in how you get your photos off your camera. We were also impressed to see full HD 1080p video recording at 30 frames per second. While the overall video functionality is somewhat barebones, you still get a solid recording experience here. Gaming vloggers and others will love this.
#2 Bose QuietComfort 35 II Headphones
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Our #2 Pick is the Bose QuietComfort 35 II Headphones
Award: BEST HEADPHONES
WHY WE LIKE IT: Bose has elevated the overall audio experience with these over-ear headphones, which is to be expected of Bose’s superior audio products. These headphones offer supreme comfort, amazing noise cancellation and powerful overall sound, making them an easy top pick.
Pros
- Unparallelled active noise canceling
- Lightweight and comfortable
- Crisp and rich audio quality
Cons
- More expensive than other options
- Can’t replace the battery
- No in-line controls
There’s a lot to praise about the Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones, and not a lot to criticize. For starters, these over-ear headphones offer superior audio quality over most other options you can purchase today. The audio quality is balanced across the highs and the lows, with rich, heavy bass and crisp, sculpted highs. The QuietComfort headphones offer a truly immersive audio experience. This amazing audio quality is complemented by super comfortable ear cups that also breathe well for better extended use.
You also get amazing active noise cancellation (ANC) with these headphones at three different levels: Off/On, High and Low. You can also customize your overall experience with the Bose smartphone app. The High mode was our favorite, as it was able to block out most noise, even in loud environments like crowded rooms or airplanes. If you’re looking for a premium audio experience, you absolutely need to consider the Bose QuietComfort 35 II headphones. Quality headphones are among the best gaming accessories.
#3 Optoma HD29 Darbee29 DLP Projector
Our #3 Pick is the Optoma HD29 Darbee29 DLP Projector
Award: BEST HOME THEATER PROJECTOR
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Optoma home theater projector creates an amazing picture with high contrast levels for darker blacks and crisper whites. It’s also incredibly bright and whisper quiet, making for a truly immersive cinematic or gaming experience.
Pros
- Amazing 1080p picture quality
- Lightweight and comfortable
- 30,000:1 contrast ratio
Cons
- Onboard speaker could be better
- Expensive lamp replacements
- Short, 1-year warranty
Optoma is one of the best home theater projector companies out there today, and that dedication to quality and reliability really shines in the HD29Darbee. The biggest consideration for projectors is of course image quality, and the HD29Darbee doesn’t disappoint. You’ll get 1080p, full HD resolution that creates a sharp image with every movie you watch or game you play. And with a 30:000:1 contrast ratio, the picture really pops, especially during dynamic and colorful scenes. What’s more, the Optoma projector features proprietary DarbeeVision, an optional mode that will only enhance the colors and vibrancy of the picture. During our testing, enabling DarbeeVision took our movie-watching experience to the next level.
The bulb is bright enough at 3200 Lumens for both dark rooms and bright rooms, which was another impressive feature that you shouldn’t overlook. Unfortunately, the replacement bulbs can get expensive, especially when compared to other brands’ replacement options. On the flip side, though, each bulb is rated for 3,000 hours of life, which means you won’t be replacing them as often. If you want an HD home theater projector, the Optoma HD29Darbee is the best choice for you. Compare it to the best projectors.
#4 JBL Charge 3 Bluetooth Speaker
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Our #4 Pick is the JBL Charge 3 Bluetooth Speaker
Award: BEST BLUETOOTH SPEAKER
WHY WE LIKE IT: The JBL bluetooth speaker is powerful, loud and water resistant, meaning you can take it with you anywhere. It’s also got an amazing, long battery life for extended audio enjoyment.
Pros
- Powerful overall audio
- Long, 20-hour battery life
- IPX7 water resistance
Cons
- Heavier than other options
- No microphone
- Longer charge time
The Charge 4 emulates JBL’s dedication to providing superior audio quality and premium build quality. This bluetooth speaker is the 4th iteration of the popular Charge series and improves many things over the Charge 3 line. One of the staples of the Charge line of bluetooth speakers is their overall loudness, and the Charge 4 doesn’t change anything there. This option really pumps up the volume without too much distortion at even the highest volumes. Fortunately, the overall sound also maintains its high quality, giving you deep bass and crisp highs.
The Charge 4 is also built with durability and longevity in mind. It’s got IPX7 water resistance, which means it can be fully submerged in water up to about 3 feet for up to 30 minutes at a time. Its corners are also encased in durable rubber that protects the speaker in case you accidentally drop it. This added durability adds some weight and heft to the speaker. It’s heavier than other options, but this doesn’t detract from the overall experience. Perfect for music as you are piloting the best drones.
#5 Astro Gaming A50 Gaming Headset
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3,497 Reviews
Our #5 Pick is the Astro Gaming A50 Gaming Headset
Award: BEST GAMING HEADSET
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Astro gaming headset has been a Gadget Review favorite for many years, and the latest version is no different. With excellent sound, wireless connectivity and an improved design, this headset is an easy top pick for gaming headsets.
Pros
- Dolby 7.1 surround sound
- 5GHz wireless connectivity
- More streamlined Base Station
Cons
- Expensive
- Software feels clunky
- Mic could be clearer
The Astro Gaming A50 gaming headset has been one of our favorite options here at Gadget Review for a few years now, so we’re always happy to see an updated version come out. Astro Gaming has taken care to improve many aspects of this premium gaming headset. For starters, the battery life has been improved to 15 hours, which is a welcome change over previous models. We also get a new mic design, which can flip and is more flexible. We still wish the mic was a little clearer, but it’s still an excellent option.
Sound quality is excellent, as usual, with Dolby 7.1 surround sound that will give you more awareness than ever in your games. The A50’s design is also something to be applauded. It features an extra-comfortable, lightweight headband and LED light panels for an added layer of customization. The software to control audio settings and the LED panels could be better, but it’s still really great to have that level of customization available at your fingertips. If you’re looking for a premium gaming headset, you can’t go wrong with the latest version of the Astro Gaming A50. You can also check out the best over ear headphones
#6 DJI Tello Quadcopter Drone
Our #6 Pick is the DJI Tello Quadcopter Drone
Award: BEST DRONE
WHY WE LIKE IT: This DJI drone offers tons of flying fun for anyone on a budget. This, combined with intuitive controls and quick setup, make for an excellent drone for beginners.
Pros
- Out of the box usability
- Extra affordable
- Intuitive controls
Cons
- Struggles in wind
- Long charge time
- 720p video
If you’re looking for a more affordable entry point into the world of drone flying, photography or videography, the DJI Tello option is an excellent option. This quadcopter includes a 5 megapixel camera that can also record video in 720p. While this isn’t the highest camera quality in the industry, it’s a great starting point for beginners. We were more impressed with photo quality over video quality, but both are good for hobbyists and beginners alike.
The Tello is small and lightweight, making it easier to carry around with you, at the risk losing some control in windier weather. One of the best things about this DJI drone, though, is its out of box usability. You can get flying right out of the box without having to wait hours to charge or update firmware. To control the drone, you can download the Tello app on your smartphone. Controls are also intuitive and easy, which was a nice plus. If you want to break into the drone flying hobby, but don’t want to spend thousands to do it, the DJI Tello drone is the best choice for you. Drone footage beats footage from the best iphone if you ask me.
#7 Anker PowerCore 20100 Portable Charger
45,259 Reviews
Our #7 Pick is the Anker PowerCore 20100 Portable Charger
Award: BEST PORTABLE CHARGER
WHY WE LIKE IT: The Anker portable charger blows the competition out of the water with a 20100mAh battery capacity, dual USB charging ports and sturdy design quality. This charger can give you nearly 90 hours of total charge, making for an amazing and reliable product.
Pros
- Amazing high-capacity charge
- Dual USB charging ports
- Durable design
Cons
- Heavier than other options
- No Apple Lightning cable included
- Expensive
The Anker PowerCore 20100 portable charger is by and large the best portable charger your money can buy. The first thing to consider here is the sheer amount of charge this device offers. The 20100mAh battery can give your iPhone or Android phone up to 8 full charges before needing to be recharged itself, an amazing feat of technology. The larger size of the battery makes this a heavier option, but it still fits easily into your pocket, purse or bag.
With proprietary VoltageBoost and PowerIQ technology, the PowerCore provides a much faster charge than other portable charging solutions. It also charges quickly when plugged into the wall due to its 2 amp design. We were also really impressed with the overall design of the portable battery. It features a fingerprint resistant matte finish, as well as drop proof construction for a longer overall lifetime. If you need long-lasting charging power and reliability for your portable devices, you just can’t pass up the Anker PowerCore 20100. Great for charging the best point and shoot camera.
#8 Samsung UN65RU7100FXZA 65-inch 4K TV
16,068 Reviews
Our #8 Pick is the Samsung UN65RU7100FXZA 65-inch 4K TV
Award: BEST TV
WHY WE LIKE IT: At 65 inches and with a stellar 4K picture, this Samsung TV is the best choice for buyers that have big living rooms. It’s also got low input lag for gamers and plenty of Samsung smart TV features for the connected buyer.
Pros
- Amazing picture quality
- 4K resolution
- Low input lag
Cons
- HDR brightness could be better
- Disappointing viewing angles
- No voice assistant functionality
The Samsung UN65RU7100FXZA might not offer the flashiest design, but it’s the picture quality and internal workings are more important anyway. The first standout feature of this TV is its 4K resolution and amazing color quality. With Samsung’s proprietary PurColor technology, this TV provides a much wider range of color that delivers a much more vibrant picture overall. The Samsung also provides a good contrast ratio so blacks are deeper and whites are brighter.
Due to its large size and stunning display, the Samsung is an excellent choice for large living rooms. Unfortunately, the viewing angles on this 4K TV aren’t the widest, but you’ll still be able to see the picture at most of the standard viewing angles. The UN65RU7100FXZA is also great for gaming, with a 120Hz refresh rate and minimal input lag. Samsung also offers refined smart functionalities, including an intuitive user interface as well as a robust selection of smart TV Apps. All in all, if you need a reliable and high-quality 4K smart TV, the Samsung UN65RU7100FXZA is the best choice for you.
How We Decided
While we researched and tested the most popular consumer electronics available today, we looked specifically for the value each item provided in comparison to its price and feature set. The best electronics offer a wide feature set that serve the broadest swath of audience.
We also rated products highly if they were easy to use straight from the box. While some electronics are more complicated to operate than others by nature, each product should have clear instructions and simple user interfaces. If you have any problems that you can’t seem to figure out, you should be able to contact customer support and get answers quickly without paying money for it.
Finally, we rated electronics higher if they provided a long battery life and added durability. You shouldn’t have to worry about losing power after a few short hours of using the product or about the product breaking after a few uses.
Best Electronics Buyer’s Guide
The Most Important Features to Consider
- Value
The most important feature to consider when it comes to purchasing a new electronic for yourself is the value it provides to your specific situation. Any purchase should involve some research before you click the buy button. And while each product serves a different purpose, the research process is the same because you’re essentially asking one single question: does this product meet my needs? If you can confidently answer in the affirmative, then you’ll know that the product will be of the most value to you. And if there are extra features that improve the experience, all the better. - User Friendliness
The best consumer electronics are easy to use and easy to learn, especially for first-time buyers. The last thing you want is to buy something and get excited for it just to have it be too difficult for you to use. Look for easy-to-read instruction manuals and simple, intuitive user interfaces. - Battery Life
All electronics need some kind of power source, and if the product you’re researching uses a battery, you’ll want a long battery life. This is especially important if you’re planning on taking your product along with you while you travel or you’re at work. The meaning of a “good” battery life can vary depending on the type of electronic you’re purchasing. For laptops, you should expect something in the range or 10-12 hours, while accessories like bluetooth keyboards and headphones can last for days or even months. - Durability
It’s likely that you’ll constantly use your electronic devices on a daily basis. You’ll also likely take them along with you or store them in your pockets or bags. This is why it’s so important that you purchase durable options that can take a bump or two without being permanently damaged.