Reviews

Anyone who’s used a Mac for years understands the value of Spotlight search, as it can quickly help you search through your Mac, email, apps, and system settings. But if you want to take things to the next level, check out Raycast — a powerful Spotlight alternative that goes beyond simple search.

From setting reminders and tracking flights to running Terminal commands and finding files, Raycast is built for speed and efficiency. It really is a Swiss Army knife for your Mac. Here’s how I use it to supercharge my productivity on the Mac.

The Zagg 6-port Media Hub includes a flip-up iPad stand, an HDMI port, a USB-A port and more, with the standout feature being an easily accessible set of media controls. And all this fits into the same space on your desktop as a more conventional tablet stand.

I used the iPad hub/stand in my home for weeks, and it does its job well. That said, a design quirk might limit its appeal.

The Nyrius Orion Prime Wireless USB-C to HDMI Video Transmitter & Receiver frees you from needing to string an HDMI cable across your office or living room. Plug one gizmo into your MacBook, iPad, or iPhone, and another into your TV, and they’re connected.

The wireless adapter sends HD video a surprising distance and doesn’t require a Wi-Fi network.

I tested the wireless video transmitter out for myself and came away impressed. That said, it does have a limitation that makes it better for entertainment than work.

“Budget” headphones keep getting better, and I’ve discovered a pair of over-ear wireless noise-canceling cans you can get for less than $70 that pretty much equal the excellent — and much pricier — Beats Studio Pro. In this EarFun Tune Pro headphones review, I’ll get into how they’re very nearly as good as Beats Studio Pro in every way that truly counts — sound quality, noise cancellation and comfort. And Tune Pro’s epic battery life blows away most headphones, full stop.

At launch, EarFun lists the cans for $89.99 marked down to $69.99, with a further 20% off coupon available on Amazon. That should make them about $56 at checkout before tax.

The sci-fi action comedy Murderbot season 1 is the hottest show premiering this weekend. Apple TV+ turned an award-winning collection of novels into a series that’s fun to watch, with an enjoyable mix of laughs and fight sequences… with some suspense mixed in.

Here’s why you should tune in this weekend, whether you’ve read Martha Wells’ books or not.

With the StarTech.com USB-C Power Tester, you can easily look for charging problems in your setup. It’s a quick and easy way to ensure your devices are getting all the power they’re supposed to.

I tested the inexpensive little multimeter out. Here’s what I found.

After four solid generations before them, Soundcore Liberty 5 wireless noise-canceling earbuds are compact audio powerhouses. My Soundcore Liberty 5 earbuds review finds they challenge premium noise-canceling earbuds like AirPods Pro 2 for about half the price. In fact, Liberty 5’s price ($130) went down from Liberty 4’s starting price by $20.

While Apple, Sony and Bose dominate the high-end market, Soundcore steadily refined their Liberty series to deliver impressive sound quality without the premium price tag. During my testing, the earbuds demonstrated remarkable performance in a variety of ways, along with a limitation or two.

Spring is here, and the air is full of birdsong. The Merlin Bird ID app tells you what type of birds you’re hearing … plus it’s quick, easy and free.

With this software from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology on your iPhone, you can learn about all the birds around you — you might be surprised how many of them there are. And if you get interested, you’ll soon be able to identify them without the app.

If you want both a grip on the back of your phone for ergonomics and MagSafe charging for convenience, you might think there are no good options. Well, finally, there is — the Snap Grip Luxe combines both in an incredibly slim and clever design.

It’s truly the best of both worlds — you have a better grasp on your phone, so you won’t drop it; you have a built-in stand for watching videos anywhere you go; and you can still use your MagSafe chargers or even battery packs. You can freely detach it and put it on a different phone case if you want.

Cleverest of all, it’s only 2.5mm thin, so it doesn’t add any more bulk to the back than the camera bump your phone already has.

Keep reading below for the full review.

You want the best iPad, but shopping for one can be overwhelming. Apple sells six iPad models in a wide range of sizes, prices and capabilities. Our iPad comparison explains the strengths and weaknesses of each model. You don’t want to get one that doesn’t have all the features you want, but you also don’t want to pay too much for features you won’t use.

Here’s some straightforward advice on picking the best iPad for you.

The Arovia Splay Portable Foldable Monitor and Projector is a truly remarkable piece of kit. Not only does it promise a 25-inch, 1080p screen that can fold down to the size of a book, it actually delivers… with a surprisingly bright, clear image that doesn’t need a darkened room.

As the name indicates, it can also be used as a small portable projector.

I watched hours of TV shows on the Splay, and used it for work, too. I’m truly impressed with the performance. I’m less pleased about the price, though.

The Backbone Pro game controller that launched Tuesday wraps around your iPhone and connects via USB-C, but it can also connect to your Mac or iPad via cable or Bluetooth. Plus, it adds remappable rear buttons to the standard mix of sticks, triggers, D-pad and more.

Backbone already makes the best iPhone game controller, and my hands-on experience with this new premium version found that it takes mobile gaming to a whole new level.

The GameSir X5 Lite is the game controller for those who’ve hoped for a truly affordable way to add physical buttons and sticks to their iPhone. It costs a fraction of the price of its chief rival.

But don’t call it cheap. The accessory includes Hall Effect sticks plus a full set of the buttons and triggers needed for cloud gaming or on-device apps.

I enjoyed my time testing the GameSir X5 Lite — read the full review to find out why.

The M4 Mac mini stands out as one of the best value-for-money Macs in Apple’s lineup. But it’s not perfect, with the lack of an SD card slot and USB-A ports being two major annoyances. Satechi’s Mac Mini M4 Stand & Hub with SSD Enclosure aims to address these flaws while offering a way to expand storage on the cheap.

That’s a bold pitch. So, does the accessory deliver? Here’s what I found.

Ever misplaced your wallet or keys right when you’re rushing out the door? This Ugreen Smart Finder tracker review might help solve that universal frustration on the cheap. Whether you’re considering the standard Smart Finder or its wallet-sized counterpart, both promise to keep your valuables just a tap away through Apple’s Find My network.

These Bluetooth trackers pack some interesting features that set them apart from typical item finders — specifically their compact design, reliable tracking capabilities and low prices.

The quest for an affordable Apple Studio Display alternative got going right after Apple launched its premium 5K monitor in 2022, but now Alogic takes a bold step in a completely new direction. As this Alogic Clarity 5K Touch Monitor review points out, it’s not just another 5K display trying to undercut Apple’s pricing. It’s a technological breakthrough that brings something the Studio Display simply doesn’t offer: a fully functional touchscreen interface for macOS.

The Sigma BF is a beautifully designed camera unlike any other. While testing it for this review, I found the full-frame camera to be as easy to pick up as a point-and-shoot. It’s a pleasure to use — a love letter to minimalism, precision and the pure joy of old-school photography.

With an aluminum unibody worthy of Jony Ive and a stripped-down interface that favors elegance over excess, this full-frame mirrorless marvel feels less like gear and more like art itself.

What it lacks in cutting-edge features, this gorgeous $1,999 camera more than makes up for with soul. And for Apple lovers, photo fans and design purists, that might be all that matters.

Keep reading for my in-depth Sigma BF review (and/or watch my video version).

GameBaby from Bitmo Lab is both an iPhone case and a game controller. Combined with the Delta retro game emulator, the accessory’s clever design allows you to play classic games on your phone with real buttons. And there’s nothing wrong with a new way to have fun.

For my GameBaby review, I tested it with my iPhone 16 Pro Max, and it’s the closest thing to a Game Boy I’ve played in much too long.

Plus, it’s available at a huge discount right now — 38% off. But the deal only lasts a few more days.

ESR bills its new MagMouse Wireless Mouse, unveiled at CES 2025 in January, as the world’s first magnetic mouse with built-in charging cable. The mouse attaches via adhesive base to a laptop or tablet so you can take it with you. And a handy little USB-C charging cable stows under the mouse. I put it through some paces for my ESR MagMouse review.

You can preorder the mouse now but it’s officially available Monday, April 28, via Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign. I happily tested it partly to see who it serves best. Not me, as it turns out — but plenty of others could find its unusual features quite useful.

Lost your water bottle again? Journey Reevus Insulated Stainless Steel Bottle could fix that, permanently — if you’re willing to pay for it. It’s pricey because it’s not just another insulated stainless steel bottle, but the first one that integrates with Apple Find My tracking and functions as a MagSafe iPhone stand. So at $90 (or $76.50 with launch discount), it’s kind crazy steep. But this Reevus smart bottle review finds it might actually be worth it, especially if you’re one of those people who carries around water bottles all the time and tends to lose them.

The Espresso 15 Pro offers everything Apple users want in a high-end portable monitor. 4K? Yes. Gorgeous. Oh, yeah. Touchscreen? Got it. USB-C? Check.

It has an all-aluminum body that makes it look great from any angle. And as a bonus, it comes with an innovative stand that lets you position the screen where you want it, even above your notebook.

I used the Espresso 15 Pro display in my home office and when working remotely, and am simply blown away. Here’s why.

Apple makes the best desktop PCs and laptops. But I cannot say the same for its accessories. While I have been using Macs for more than a decade, I rely on these five Mac accessories made by third parties to enhance my experience.

The list ranges from a wireless keyboard to an ergonomic mouse to headphones that will amaze you with their noise cancellation. Read about my five favorite Mac accessories below.

The Plugable USBC-E5000 5Gbps USB-C Ethernet Adapter is as good as having an Ethernet port on your MacBook. Connect it to your cable, plug it into your Mac, and you no longer need to worry about the vagaries of Wi-Fi — you have a solid and secure wired internet connection.

Even better, it supports very fast internet connections for those with hefty connectivity demands.

I tested the affordable USB-C to Ethernet adapter in my home office and on the road to be sure it’s worth the money.

The EZQuest WorldTravel 65W GaN 5 Port with PD Wall Charger can keep your notebook, phone, tablet and smartwatch powered up in more than 200 countries. It packs four USB-C ports plus a USB-A one for compatibility with a range of electronics.

Of course, the travel adapter includes retractable power prongs for Europe, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and most of Asia. And EZQuest built in some welcome safety features.

I tested the 65W power plug adapter out, and it’ll certainly go on my next international trip. Here’s why.

Apple TV+ comedy The Studio brings a biting perspective to the entertainment industry, pulling back the curtain on Hollywood’s most absurd realities. The series, starring Seth Rogen, takes viewers deep into the chaotic world of a legacy movie studio struggling to survive in modern-day Hollywood, which is decidedly different from classic Tinseltown. So this The Studio review says green-light this one for your watchlist.

Unlike showbiz satires before it, The Studio focuses tightly on the clash between artistic vision and evolving corporate demands in a streaming-media world. And where else are you going to see Martin Scorsese weep and Ron Howard go ballistic? See three reasons to watch it below.