Reviews - BGR

Samsung M8 smart monitor review

Christian de Looper — Tue, 28 Jun 2022 04:30:00 +0000

Computers and computer monitors are finally getting more consumer-friendly and more fun. A large part of that has to do with Apple's release of the colorful iMac, and the new all-encompassing Studio Display. Samsung has certainly taken note, with the release of the colorful new M8, which takes the previous-generation M7, offers some extra features, lots of colors to choose from, and more.

The M8 is also...much more affordable than Apple's Studio Display. While the Studio Display is a solid product, it also comes at $1,600 -- which puts it out of reach for many. The M8 is less than half of that, coming at $730. Sure, it's still not a cheap product, but it's not unreasonably expensive either, at least on paper.

But does the Samsung M8 smart monitor do enough to warrant that price? After all, the Studio Display isn't its only competition, and much of the rest of the market is even cheaper than it. I've been using the Samsung M8 smart monitor for a while now to find out.

Samsung M8 Monitor

The Samsung M8 monitor is a killer to-it-all monitor that offers an excellent image quality and doesn't break the bank.

BGR may receive a commission

Pros

Good image quality
All-in-one
Comes with webcam and microphone
4K resolution
Lots of smart features

Cons

Speakers are only fine
Build could be better

Amazon

$699.99

Best Buy

$699.99

Continue reading...

The post Samsung M8 smart monitor review appeared first on BGR.

Today's Top Deals

Trending Right Now:

Apple iPhone 13 review

Christian de Looper — Mon, 27 Jun 2022 11:00:00 +0000

I'm far from the first to say it, but on its surface, the iPhone 13 and 13 Mini definitely feel like "S" years. That's to say, Apple has taken the iPhone 12 from last year, and refined it a little.

Dig a little deeper, however, and your opinion about the importance of the changes this year might shift. While last year's changes were mostly related to design, this year's heavily impact the day-to-day. In my book, that's what matters.

The improvements are meaningful too. The iPhone 13 offers a longer battery life that should easily get most through a full day. And the camera improvements cement the iPhone 13 as offering a better camera than any of the competition.

The iPhone 13 doesn't quite reach the heights of the iPhone 13 Pro though. Does that really matter? Well, it depends.

iPhone 13

Apple's iPhone 13 offers a wonderful combination of hardware and software. Better cameras, and better performance in a big update.

BGR may receive a commission

Pros

Great camera
Excellent performance
Design is excellent
Better battery

Cons

No ProMotion display

Buy On Amazon

Continue reading...

The post Apple iPhone 13 review appeared first on BGR.

Today's Top Deals

Trending Right Now:

2022 Mercedes GLS450 4Matic review

Christian de Looper — Fri, 24 Jun 2022 00:11:00 +0000

For some time now, the Mercedes GLS-Class has offered drivers an S-Class experience in a bigger body, and with some serious success. The GLS-Class has remained among the more premium SUV options out there, often going head to head against BMW's high-end SUVs, and regularly beating it. For 2022, the Mercedes GLS 450 4Matic has a few new AMG styling options and some new colors.

That may not seem like much -- and it's not. But that's not necessarily a bad thing. What does matter is the fact that the GLS-Class now faces stiff competition from the slew of new electric SUVs, like the BMW iX. Sure, those buying an electric car may not consider an option like the GLS 450 -- but those considering the GLS 450 may still be thinking about whether or not they want to electrify their drive.

Mercedes GLS 450 4Matic SUV

The Mercedes GLS 450 4Matic may be the lowest-end GLS-Class SUV for 2022, but it still offers a luxury experience and a smooth ride.

BGR may receive a commission

Pros

Smooth ride
Luxurious
Comfortable interior
Strong engine

Cons

MBUX isn't great

Mercedes

$77,850+

Continue reading...

The post 2022 Mercedes GLS450 4Matic review appeared first on BGR.

Today's Top Deals

Trending Right Now:

Master & Dynamic MW75 headphones review: Premium sound, premium price

Christian de Looper — Tue, 21 Jun 2022 12:00:00 +0000

Master & Dynamic has been building high-end, premium headphones for years now. All of its headphones offer a stunning build quality, excellent sound quality, and more. But over the past few years, some weird things have been happening in the headphone world. Notably, companies like Apple and Samsung have been building their own headphones, meaning that they can build more features into their headphones for those that use them with accompanying phones.

These feature-packed headphones often top "best of" lists simply because of their deep integration -- and it makes sense. The AirPods Max, for example, not only sound awesome, but they offer support for things like Automatic Switching, Spatial Audio, and more, if you use them with Apple devices.

That makes it difficult for other companies to compete. But if any company can (perhaps aside from Sony), it's Master & Dynamic. It's been one of my favorite headphone companies for years, and it's easily one of the most premium.

How well can the Master & Dynamic MW75 headphones compete in a world of first-party, heavily integrated options? Well, pretty good -- but there are some caveats, like the $600 price tag.

Master & Dynamic MW 75 Headphones

BGR may receive a commission

Pros

Stunning design
Great build
Good sound quality
Comfortable

Cons

Expensive
No custom EQ

Continue reading...

The post Master & Dynamic MW75 headphones review: Premium sound, premium price appeared first on BGR.

Today's Top Deals

Trending Right Now:

Bushnell Wingman review

Chris Hachey — Mon, 20 Jun 2022 09:42:00 +0000

Spending a day on a golf course is a day well spent. Even if you have a terrible round, you can take solace in the fact that you were outside on, hopefully, a beautiful day. If you're an avid golfer, you know how far each one of your clubs is (most likely) going to go. Barring fierce weather conditions, you should be able to hit your clubs a certain distance in order to make your way through a round. But we're all trying to find advantages where we can on the course. The Bushnell Wingman is here to help.

If there is anything that can help me on a golf course, I'd like to know about it. Oftentimes I'm stressed about my bad shots and want to just enjoy the day and listen to some music. That's the beauty of the Bushnell Wingman. It is a GPS speaker, so it can tell you how far away you are from the green while also playing your favorite music. There's something for every kind of golfer in the experience of using it. I was able to test it out during a few rounds and here is what I thought.

Bushnell Wingman GPS Speaker

This portable Bluetooth speaker utilizes GPS to help you on the golf course

BGR may receive a commission

Pros

Accurate GPS readings
Remote control makes getting distances simple
Gives you distance to water hazards
Long battery life
Easy connection
Bushnell app helps you score your round
Strong magnet keeps it connected to your cart

Cons

Volume controls a little tough to press
Max volume a bit distorted

Bushnell

$149.99

$119.99

Amazon

$149.99

Setting the Bushnell Wingman up

The Bushnell Wingman is simple to hold. Image source: Chris Hachey for BGR

It takes almost no time to set up the Bushnell Wingman once you have it. Charge it up using the provided USB charger cable with a USB block of your own. In order for it to work as a GPS device, you must download the Bushnell Golf app, which is available in both the Google Play and Apple app stores. Just selecting the Wingman speaker from the device list will sync it up with Bluetooth. You should sync up the Wingman Remote as well to get the most out of it. Following the instructions on the app screen will get you ready to play a round of golf.

From then on, any time you turn on the speaker, as long as the previously used phone has its Bluetooth on, it will automatically connect. In order for others to connect to it as a speaker, you just need to disconnect and they can then search for Wingman on their device list. This allows you to use the speaker on or off the golf course as a portable Bluetooth speaker.

The Bushnell golf app

A view of a hole on the Bushnell app

The Bushnell golf app uses your location to find the golf course that you're near. It has a wide library of golf courses, packing the knowledge of over 36,000 of them. It'll ask you what tees you're playing from and the image that you'll see each hole is similar to what is pictured above. It will give you distances and a full-color aerial view of the hole. You'll see distances to the front, center, and back of the green.

After you've finished a hole, you can keep score in the app. You can mark down your score and how many putts you had. It also allows you to mark down where your drive went while tallying greens in regulation. The main metric the app is missing is sand shots, but it provides you with plenty of information about your round.

Wingman remote

The Wingman Remote is a small, circular remote that fits and snaps onto the top of the speaker. This is the best place to put it when your Bushnell Wingman is attached to your golf cart. The speaker features a strong magnet with BITE technology, similar to other Bushnell rangefinders, that keeps it in place while you're playing your round. While you're playing a hole, you need to go up to your ball and tap the button on the remote. From there, the speaker tells you what hole you're on, what par is for the hole, and how far you are from the green.

It also provides you with the distance to a water hazard, if there is one on the hole. You can take the remote off when you aren't using it for golf, so you don't lose it. The magnet for the remote is strong, so it won't slide out easily.

Bushnell Wingman speaker

Bushnell Wingman speaker on a cart. Image source: Chris Hachey for BGR

Once you've connected via Bluetooth, you can play music through the speaker. You don't need to have the Bushnell Golf app in order to use it. So hooking up your favorite music app lets you play through it. This is a premium audio speaker that allows you to control the volume from your phone or the speaker itself. The + button increases the volume and the - button decreases it. The play button lets you pause and play the music. If you hold down the + button it will skip the song and go to the next one. If you hold down the - button, it will restart the song you're listening to. Be careful with the amount of pressure you apply, as you may accidentally skip the song if you're just trying to increase the volume.

Once you get to about 80% of its maximum volume, the distortion of audio kicks in a bit. But it's not anything outrageous, so most listeners won't even notice. There aren't any ways to customize your sound other than raising and lowering the volume. But the battery lasts for 10 hours, which is more or less perfect for two full rounds of golf. I used it for 27 holes and never had to recharge it.

If you are golfing and listening to music simultaneously, the volume of your music will automatically lower as it reads you the distances you want. Then, after the distances are read, the volume and music return to the level they were previously. This is a huge timesaver and doesn't make you have to look at your phone more than you want to during a hole.

Other intangibles

Not only can you listen to music, but you can also charge a device while you're playing. If your phone is running low on battery, there is a charge-out port that lets you charge it from the speaker. It doesn't come with a carrying case. But there is one that you can purchase from Bushnell and plenty of other versions that are made for the cord, remote, and speaker. The remote doesn't work on its own if it's away from the speaker to give you the distances. Turning the speaker on plays a loud sound and turning it off plays another sound, letting you know the power is on or off.

Conclusions

This speaker is a great addition to any golfer's bag. If you're someone who loves to listen to music while playing, this eliminates your needing a speaker and a rangefinder. It also saves you time in getting distances for you rather than you needing to shoot a distance with a rangefinder. The audio is of high enough quality for almost any person to enjoy. It can fit in your golf bag in one of the side pockets for storage.

The competition

There really isn't any. It is the first of its kind in terms of a portable speaker and a GPS device. You can choose a rangefinder and a portable speaker bundle from Blue Tees Golf, but it is more expensive than the Bushnell Wingman.

Should I buy the Bushnell Wingman?

Yes. It's one of the most innovative golf accessories in years.

The post Bushnell Wingman review appeared first on BGR.

Today's Top Deals

Trending Right Now:

2022 BMW iX xDrive50 review

Christian de Looper — Fri, 17 Jun 2022 06:13:17 +0000

BMW's EV strategy has been a little weird, but finally, it seems like the company is forming a cohesive electric strategy. The BMW i4, for example, is an excellent and luxurious electric coupe. But it also has a bigger sibling -- the BMW iX -- which is available as the BMW iX M60, and the BMW iX xDrive50. We're reviewing the latter.

In many ways, the BMW iX is far more important than the i4, just because of the sheer number of people going for crossovers and SUVs as opposed to sedans and smaller cars. It's also, of course, more expensive -- and in fact, more expensive than many of the other electric crossovers and SUVs out there.

Does the BMW do enough to justify its price? I've been using it for a while now to find out.

2022 BMW iX xDrive50

The 2022 BMW iX xDrive50 is a premium EV that boasts a stunning interior and a decent range and charging speed -- but you'll pay for the privilege.

BGR may receive a commission

Pros

Handsome exterior
Premium interior
Good range and charging
Good handling
Great performance

Cons

iDrive is buggy
Expensive

Buy from BMW

$83,200

Continue reading...

The post 2022 BMW iX xDrive50 review appeared first on BGR.

Today's Top Deals

Trending Right Now:

Sonos Arc review: The smart Dolby Atmos soundbar to beat

Christian de Looper — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 12:15:00 +0000

Sonos is no stranger to high-quality audio. Ever since its first speakers, the company has been known as a great option for those who want solid audio quality at an affordable price. That can be seen in its latest soundbar, the Sonos Ray, which comes at $279. But what if you have more money to spend and want a higher-quality experience? Sonos has something for you too -- in the form of the Sonos Arc.

The Sonos Arc is its highest-end soundbar, above both the Sonos Ray and Sonos Beam. It's not cheap, at $899 for the soundbar alone, and you'll have to pay extra if you want the deeper bass on offer by the company's subwoofer.

Does the Sonos Arc do enough to warrant its higher price? Or should you stick with the cheaper Sonos Beam or Sonos Ray? I've been using the Arc for a while now to find out.

Sonos Arc

The Sonos Arc is Sonos' highest-end soundbar, and while it's a little more expensive than Sonos' other options, it's worth the cash.

BGR may receive a commission

Pros

Premium design
Excellent sound
Immersive audio
Super smart features

Cons

No HDMI passthrough

Sonos

$899

Amazon

$899

Best Buy

$899.99

Continue reading...

The post Sonos Arc review: The smart Dolby Atmos soundbar to beat appeared first on BGR.

Today's Top Deals

Trending Right Now:

2022 BMW i4 eDrive40 review

Christian de Looper — Wed, 15 Jun 2022 11:00:00 +0000

BMW is finally getting serious about electric. Over the past few years, it has released a number of plug-in hybrid and electric models, with cars like the BMW i4 leading the pack. The latest high-end i4, called the BMW i4 eDrive40, sits kind of in no-mans land. It's more luxurious and more expensive than the Tesla Model 3, Kia EV6, and Hyundai Ioniq 5, but it doesn't reach the heights of the Model S or Mercedes EQS.

It may live in the middle when it comes to price, but ultimately, it's far closer to the top-end when it comes to quality. The car is far from perfect -- but it proves that BMW is well-positioned to compete in an electrified car world, keeping everything that you know and love about modern BMWs, and adding an electric powertrain.

All that said, the BMW i4 still feels like a bit of a safe play from BMW. It doesn't reinvent the wheel -- and sat inside, it looks and feels like a modern gas-powered BMW. That, however, isn't necessarily a bad thing.

2022 BMW i4 eDrive40

BGR may receive a commission

Pros

Comfortable ride
Good performance
Solid range
Stylish design

Cons

Still not cheap
Not as quick as some of the competition

BMW

$55,400

Continue reading...

The post 2022 BMW i4 eDrive40 review appeared first on BGR.

Today's Top Deals

Trending Right Now:

Roomba s9+ review: Ultimate robot vacuum for pet hair

Maren Estrada — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 17:05:00 +0000

When the Roomba s9+ robot vacuum was first released in June 2019, it instantly became known for two main reasons. First, it was iRobot's most powerful and most advanced Roomba ever. And second, it was iRobot's most expensive Roomba ever.

With its staggering $1,400 price tag, people immediately wondered how the Roomba S9+ could possibly be worth that sky-high price. After some time passed and reviews came in, people saw how impressive the s9+ truly was. In a nutshell, this robot vacuum's performance was completely unrivaled.

On top of that, something huge happened recently: iRobot gave the Roomba s9+ robot vacuum a big price cut to $999. That's still a tall order for a robot vacuum, but a 29% price cut certainly makes it a more attractive proposition. And an extra discount on top of that sweetens the deal.

Now, a newer model has burst on the scene in the scene. The Roomba j7+ robot vacuum offers a few exciting new features that the older s9+ can't match. Needless to say, however, the Roomba s9+ vs j7+ debate is much more complicated than a few new features.

iRobot Roomba s9+ (9550) Robot Vacuum with Automatic Dirt Disposal

Price: $964.22
Buy Now

Roomba s9+ vs j7+

iRobot's Roomba s9+ features a unique design. Image source: Maren Estrada for BGR

There's no question that the Roomba s9+ vs j7+ debate is a complicated one. They're obviously both excellent robot vacuums. And they both outshine nearly all of the competition from rival robot vacuum brands.

The easiest way to start comparing iRobot's flagship s9+ to the j7+ is to run through the core features each model has that the other does not. And if you'd like to see all the core features they share, you can go through the full comparison of features on the iRobot website.

Roomba S9 Plus features that are not on the Roomba J7 Plus

40x stronger suction than the Roomba 600 series
30% wider dual multi-surface rubber brushes
Careful Drive 3D obstacle avoidance system
Specialized corner clean using advanced sensors
Deeper carpet clean

Roomba J7 Plus features that are not on the Roomba S9 Plus

10x stronger suction than the Roomba 600 series
PrecisionVision Navigation system avoids obstacles like power cords and pet waste
Obstacle and object review system allows you to add permanent obstacles to your home map

As you can see, the Roomba j7+ has some fancy new features related hazard detection and avoidance. These are intelligent new capabilities that the s9+ can't match. I discussed these features at length in my earlier Roomba j7+ coverage.

Roomba's new AI-based obstacle detection features are quite impressive indeed. They go a long way to separate the Roomba j7+ from other iRobot models and from rival brands. But I personally find that the s9+'s advantages far outweigh the newer AI features it's lacking.

Roomba s9+ on carpet

The dual rubber roller brushes on the s9+ pick up pet hair with no problem. Image source: Maren Estrada for BGR

Performance on carpet is an area where the Roomba s9+ really shines. And that's especially true when compared to the Roomba j7+.

In my testing, I found the j7+ to be lacking on carpets and rugs. The caveat here is that I'm referring solely to its ability to pick up dog hair.

iRobot's dual rubber brushes on the Roomba J7+ definitely do a better job than robot vacuums from other brands. They pull up dirt and pet hair from carpets that other autonomous vacuums leave behind.

The problem, however, is that the Roomba j7+ doesn't always have strong enough suction to pick up all the pet hair agitated by the roller brushes.

Pet hair performance: Roomba s9+ vs j7+

iRobot's rubber roller brushes agitate much better than other robot vacuum brands I've tested. That's particularly true for the Roomba s9+, which has the widest rubber brushes of any iRobot vacuum.

If you have a long-haired pet that sheds a lot, this is hugely important. Most robot vacuum models will leave most of that pet hair woven into your carpet fibers. Meanwhile, the Roomba j7+ will do a great job of pulling it up and forming what I like to call "dog hair worms". The problem, however, is that its suction isn't powerful enough to pick them all up.

Here's what one carpet looked like every time the j7+ was done cleaning the house where I tested it:

A carpet covered with balled-up dog hair after the Roomba j7+ finished cleaning. Image source: Maren Estrada for BGR

Meanwhile, the Roomba s9+ robot vacuum handled the same carpet with no trouble at all.

The Roomba s9+ handles pet hair with ease, whether it's on carpet or hard floors. When iRobot says the s9+ has 40x stronger suction than its entry-level 600 series, that's no exaggeration.

iRobot's Roomba s9+ is by far the most powerful robot vacuum I have ever tested.

iRobot Roomba s9+ (9550) Robot Vacuum with Automatic Dirt Disposal

Price: $964.22
Buy Now

How loud is the s9+?

The Roomba s9+ packs plenty of power. Image source: Maren Estrada for BGR

If you're wondering how loud the Roomba s9+ is, you're not alone. It's a very common question. After all, it features 40x stronger suction than the most popular iRobot Roomba robot vacuums out there.

There are two different things to keep in mind when discussing how loud the Roomba s9+ is.

First, there's vacuum volume to consider. As you might have guessed, vacuuming is quite loud on the Roomba s9+ because of this model's powerful suction. This is especially true on carpets and rugs. The s9+ cranks up the suction on these surfaces to ensure that it pulls up as much dirt and dust as possible.

Second, you need to consider how loud the robot vacuum is as it moves around your home. I was pleasantly surprised to find that the Roomba s9+ is one of the quietest models I've tested as it rolls around the house.

When most robot vacuums transition over the edges of rugs or over half rounds, they're very noisy and clunky. That's especially true with half rounds on hard floors.

The thick rubber wheels on the Roomba s9+ are centrally located under the heaviest part of the vacuum. Then, the harder plastic wheel that pivots and spins is in the back, under a lighter part of the s9+. As a result, the Roomba s9+ is noticeably quieter than other robot vacuum models as it rolls between surfaces or over half rounds.

So, despite the fact that vacuuming is a bit louder than most rival models, the s9+ is quieter overall while it's rolling around your home. And when you consider how much better the s9+ cleans than most other robot vacuums, it's well worth any added vacuum noise.

Is the s9+ worth the money?

The auto-empty base station lets you go a month or longer without clearing your Roomba s9+. Image source: Maren Estrada for BGR

It doesn't matter whether you're comparing the Roomba s9+ to the new Roomba j7+ or comparing it to other robot vacuum models in general. In either case, the s9+ is going to come out on top in almost every case.

The biggest strike against the Roomba s9+ robot vacuum is definitely the price tag. While $999 is more accessible than the previous $1,400 price, it's still a lot of money to spend on a robot vacuum.

Thankfully, the s9+ does go on sale with an extra discount sometimes. At the time of this writing, for example, it's on sale at an all-time low price of $799.

Another shortcoming some people will frown at is the fact that the s9+ doesn't have a mop feature. iRobot doesn't make any robot vacuums with built-in mopping. Instead, the company has a separate line of Braava autonomous mops that work in conjunction with Roomba vacuums.

Braava robot mops are great. But that also means you need to buy another pricey gadget if you have a Roomba and want mopping, too. That being said, no rival robot vacuums with built-in mopping are as good at vacuuming as the Roomba s9+. Most models I've tested don't come anywhere close.

Aside from mopping, the Roomba s9+ robot vacuum has it all. It's the most powerful model out there and it has a great design with intelligent features. It also has an auto-empty base that lets you go a month or longer before you need to pop in a new bag.

Of note, new dirt disposal bags can be pricey if you buy authentic Roomba bags. Thankfully, there are plenty of third-party options that are far more affordable.

There's only one quandry left, and it's the question of whether or not you should buy one. The bottom line is this: If the price tag doesn't make you balk, the Roomba s9+ is the best robot vacuum out there, hands down.

iRobot Roomba s9+ (9550) Robot Vacuum with Automatic Dirt Disposal

Price: $964.22
Buy Now

This article was originally published on March 31, 2022. It has been updated with additional details.

The post Roomba s9+ review: Ultimate robot vacuum for pet hair appeared first on BGR.

Today's Top Deals

Trending Right Now:

Sonos Ray soundbar review

Christian de Looper — Tue, 14 Jun 2022 03:23:00 +0000

All of Sonos' soundbar releases have been well-received. The company has managed to combine high sound quality with awesome smart features to deliver a great modern home audio experience. Add in the fact that those soundbars integrate with the rest of Sonos' smart home products, and you have a hit on your hands. But those soundbars have also all been at least midrange, costing $449 for what was the entry-level Sonos Beam.

But now there's a new entry-level in town, and it's the first in Sonos' soundbar range to be truly a budget offering. At $279, the Sonos Ray is being positioned as the soundbar for those who want an upgrade from their TV's built-in audio, without having to shell out for it.

But, of course, to hit the lower price point Sonos has to cut some corners. Some of those are clearly to do with sound quality and sound-related features. Unlike Sonos' other soundbars, the Ray doesn't support Dolby Atmos. In fact, it doesn't even have an HDMI port, which means that you have to connect it through its optical connection.

But assuming you can tolerate those compromises and could stand to save some cash, the Sonos Ray is a serious competitor. Here's why.

Sonos Ray

The Sonos Ray is Sonos' cheapest soundbar to date, offering a solid audio quality and some great smart features. But does Sonos cut too many corners to hit the low price?

BGR may receive a commission

Pros

Good-looking design
Solid audio quality
AirPlay 2 support
Inexpensive

Cons

Relies on optical connection
Remote support is spotty

Sonos

$279

Best Buy

$279.99

Continue reading...

The post Sonos Ray soundbar review appeared first on BGR.

Today's Top Deals

Trending Right Now: