Electronics
More Electronics Posts
How Mobile Phones Became a Privacy Battleground—and How to Protect Yourself
by Thorin Klosowski
Smartphone privacy has changed over time, and owners have more controls than ever. Here’s where the controls came from, and how to keep your phone private.
What You Really Need to Know From Amazon’s 2022 Fall Event
by Wirecutter Staff
Amazon announced several new smart devices, including an upgraded Echo Dot, new Fire TV QLED TVs, and cameras from Ring and Blink.
Do You Need a Fancy Bluetooth Speakerphone to Make Your Zoom Meetings Better?
by Brent Butterworth
Our tests showed that a Bluetooth speakerphone won’t necessarily produce better results than a smartphone. But we found a few models worth checking out.
Why We Don’t Trust Apple’s HomeKit Secure Video—and You Shouldn’t Either
by Rachel Cericola
Apple’s cloud service for security cameras has many great features, including the price—but we don’t recommend it for most people.
16 Practical Privacy Tips for Your iPhone
by Thorin Klosowski
With a few easy changes to the privacy and security settings, you can control how much information your iPhone—and your apps—collects and uses.
All the New Privacy and Security Features in Apple iOS 16
by Thorin Klosowski
Apple’s new iOS mobile operating system adds a handful of new security and privacy features.
We’re Impressed With Everything From Apple’s Fall 2022 iPhone Event—With One Exception
by Arthur Gies, Dave Gershgorn, and Lauren Dragan
We’re excited for the new iPhones and Apple Watches, which come packed with features at surprisingly good prices. Not so much the new AirPods.
How to Clean Your Home Security Cameras
by Rachel Cericola
You should occasionally clean your Wi-Fi cameras to keep them free from dead bugs, water stains, and other debris that might alter their function.
How to Buy Better Charging Accessories in a Pinch
by Elissa Sanci
When it comes to the gear you rely on to power your devices, you shouldn’t skimp on quality.
Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids Could Finally Give People an Affordable, Convenient Hearing Solution
by Lauren Dragan
Traditional hearing aids can be expensive and inconvenient. But lower-priced, over-the-counter hearing aids are coming soon.
5 of the Best Couch Co-op Games for Nintendo Switch
by Haley Perry
We’ve assembled our favorite games for families and friends to play together on the Nintendo Switch (and more).
What Is 5G, and Does It Actually Make a Difference?
by Rob Pegoraro
5G may seem like a confusing mess of buzzwords, but it’s not all marketing hype. We explain the situations where it can provide tangible benefits.
How Wirecutter Evaluates Sound in Our Headphone and Speaker Reviews
by Brent Butterworth
This is the first in a two-part series in which we discuss how we evaluate good sound in our speaker and headphone reviews.
Incognito Mode Isn’t As Incognito As You Might Think
by Thorin Klosowski
Incognito and private browsing modes sound powerful, but they really only do one little thing, and they aren’t necessarily private.
Do You Really Need a Home Energy Monitor?
by Tim Heffernan
Whole-home energy monitors can help you save on electrical bills—but you may find that there are simpler alternatives.
Does Buying a Carbon Offset for Your Laptop Really Help the Planet?
by Kimber Streams
Carbon offsets may seem like a solution to alleviate the environmental costs of a laptop, but there are other, more immediate ways you can make a difference.
Is There Any Way to Measure Whether a Laptop Is Truly ‘Sustainable’?
by Kimber Streams
We wish we could look at a number to understand the environmental impact of a laptop purchase, but as it turns out, things just aren’t that simple.
Your Phone’s Location Access Reveals a Lot. Here’s How to Turn It Off.
by Thorin Klosowski
Lots of phone apps request access to your location, but that tends to be some of the most personal information you have. Here’s why that matters.
The Best DSLR for Beginners
by Erin Roberts
If you want better images than your smartphone can capture and are looking for a DSLR, we think that Nikon’s D3500 is the best option.
The Jubilant Weirdness of My Custom iPhone Case
by Dorie Chevlen
Every time I pick up my phone, I see Jack Nicholson’s maniacal snarl—and it sparks joy.
Ask Wirecutter: What’s the Best Way to Get Fast, Reliable Internet on Vacation?
by Annemarie Conte
Sometimes you need internet service in the unlikeliest of places. Here are some tips on how to get it.
Why You Should Delete (All) Your Tweets
by Thorin Klosowski
There’s a case to be made that everyone should use an automated tool to delete old tweets regularly. Here’s how.
Geofences Make Your Home Work Better. Here’s How.
by Eric Chiu
Controlling devices with a smartphone is helpful. But if you want a home that’s automated, turn on geofencing.
Outdoor TVs Are Built to Withstand the Elements, but Do You Really Need One?
by Lee Neikirk
Outdoor TVs are built to withstand the elements, but they generally cost more than their indoor counterparts. We weigh in on whether to buy one.
Apple’s New MacBook Air Is $200 More—and Probably Worth It
by Dave Gershgorn
Apple announced new M2-equipped MacBook Air and MacBook Pro models at its 2022 WWDC keynote presentation.
There’s (Probably) Nothing You Can Do About the New Bossware That’s Spying on You
by Thorin Klosowski
The trend of companies using “bossware” to monitor employees continues despite more office reopenings. Plus: Turn off next-gen personalized ads on some TVs.
Bluetooth Headphones Don’t Always Play Nice With Computers. Here’s Why.
by Lauren Dragan
Bluetooth headphones should work reliably with most newer computers and laptops. If yours don’t, here are some possible reasons why.
The Best Wi-Fi Hotspot
by Rob Pegoraro
If you find that you often need to get online when there’s no Wi-Fi around, you may need the speed and extra data allowance of a cellular Wi-Fi hotspot.
Is an Ultra-Short-Throw Projector a Good Substitute for a Big-Screen TV?
by Geoffrey Morrison
Ultra-short-throw projectors can deliver a big, bright image in your living room, but for most people a big-screen TV is a better choice.
Ask Wirecutter: My Friend’s Phone Keeps Dying. Can You Help?
by Annemarie Conte
How to improve cell phone battery longevity.
How a Burner Browser Hides My Most Embarrassing Internet Searches
by Thorin Klosowski
A burner browser is a fast and easy way to keep your embarrassing or sensitive searches out of your browser history and detached from your online accounts.
Skip the Spotify Car Thing. Get a Car Phone Mount Instead.
by Nena Farrell
The Spotify Car Thing didn’t solve the major problems I had with listening to music in my car. Here’s the device to get instead.
A KVM Switch Saved My Desk From Cable Clutter
by Haley Perry
If you have a work computer and a personal computer, a KVM switch is key to achieving cable bliss at any desk.
Buying a New TV This Year? Here’s What You Need to Know About OLED.
by Lee Neikirk
OLED TVs have long been considered the highest-quality displays by hardcore videophiles. New developments may make one a good choice for your home.
The Amazing Practical Utility of the iPhone’s Live Text Feature
by Mark Smirniotis
Apple regularly adds lots of features to the iPhone, but few are as immediately, practically useful as Live Text.
Nintendo Switch Sports Is Fun. But Make Sure to Tighten Those Wrist Straps.
by Arthur Gies
The Nintendo Switch Sports versions of soccer, volleyball, badminton, bowling, tennis, and chambara use motion-control play that’s particularly fun in groups.
Simple Online Security for Online Dating and Sexting
by Thorin Klosowski
We recommend a few tips to avoid revealing more information than you intend when you’re using dating apps or sexting.
Simple Online Security for Selling or Donating Devices
by Thorin Klosowski
Before you get rid of phones, laptops, or other gadgets, make sure you’re not handing your data to strangers.
Simple Online Security for Borders and Protests
by Thorin Klosowski
If you’re concerned about your privacy being invaded by governments at border crossings or protests, you have a few options to protect your information.
Simple Online Security: Securing All Your Small Gadgets
by Thorin Klosowski
Smart-home devices, game consoles, and other small connected gadgets all have their own privacy and security settings to review and adjust.
Simple Online Security: If You Think You’ve Been Hacked
by Thorin Klosowski
If you think your accounts or devices have been hacked, there are a lot of resources to help you recover and lock things down.
Simple Online Security: Secure Your Sensitive Data
by Thorin Klosowski
Health and financial data is particularly sensitive, and a few tips will help you keep it more secure online.
Simple Online Security for Social Media Accounts
by Thorin Klosowski
Don’t ignore the privacy and security settings on social media accounts and cloud platforms.
Simple Online Security: Sending Messages and Files Safely
by Thorin Klosowski
Picking the right app and adjusting a few settings can make messaging and sharing files much more secure.
Step 10 to Simple Online Security: Secure Your Wi-Fi
by Thorin Klosowski
Take the time to set secure passwords for your network and router to prevent anyone from accessing your network or devices without your knowledge.
Step 9 to Simple Online Security: Secure Your Web Browser
by Thorin Klosowski
You can block malicious ads and invasive trackers with a few safe, free add-ons for most web browsers.
Step 8 to Simple Online Security: Free Antivirus Software Is Good
by Thorin Klosowski
Confirm that the built-in protections of Windows and MacOS are active, and you probably won’t need to pay for antivirus software.
How to Format Your External Hard Drive
by Justin Krajeski, Kimber Streams, and Dave Gershgorn
You might need to format an external hard drive before you can use it with your computer. We have some tips to help the process go smoothly.
Step 7 to Simple Online Security: Secure Your Smartphone
by Thorin Klosowski
There are a few steps you can take to secure your phone against malicious attacks and potential hacks. Here’s what you need to know.
Step 6 to Simple Online Security: Backups Are Security Too
by Thorin Klosowski
Backup software is free and included in your OS, but you need to purchase an external storage drive. Here are our tips for backing up your computer.
Step 5 to Simple Online Security: Track or Wipe a Lost Device
by Thorin Klosowski
Losing a phone or laptop stinks, and it can be a security risk if it holds important data. Here’s how to enable “find my device” on a variety of device types.