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    The best 4K TVs of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

    Since 4K TVs were first introduced to customers back in 2013, they have become not only higher quality and versatile, but much more affordable. Now that 4K is the standard, it’s possible to get a great TV to upgrade your home theater without spending a fortune. Brands like Samsung, LG, and Sony are known for their premium models with features like object tracking sound, ambient light sensors, sound sensors, and machine learning processors, while other brands offer more budget-focus choices that still do a fantastic job.Also: The best TVs: Expert testedIf you’re sticking to a modest budget, brands like Hisense, TCL, and Roku offer quality 4K TVs for much lower prices. Those brands do have high-end choices, but those are outliers. For the budget-friendly choices, you’ll still find plenty of great features and good video and audio. With so many options available, it can be a bit of an overwhelming task to shop for a new 4K TV. To help you find the best fit for your budget, space, and entertainment needs, I’ve rounded up five of the best 4K TVs you can buy right now. I’ve broken down their features and price points to help you find the TV of your dreams.What’s the best 4K TV right now?Based on our extensive testing, our pick for the best 4K TV overall is the Samsung S95D More

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    The best power banks of 2024: Expert tested

    The clock strikes late afternoon, and the monotony of your office day is hitting hard. Your  smartphone, that trusty sidekick, is gasping for life at a perilous 15% battery. Panic? Not your style. You recall your secret weapon – you have a power bank. With a swift move, you reach into your bag, pull out your trusty power bank, and hook it up to your device, turning the tide and keeping your productivity on point.A good power bank is a total game changer in the modern tech arsenal. Yet, the journey to find a top-notch, dependable one amidst the sea of subpar knock-offs can be treacherous. Fear not, for I am here to be your guide, navigating you through the tech wilderness to uncover the perfect power bank that stands tall in quality, safety, and reliability.More: Best MagSafe battery packs of 2024: Expert testedWhat is the best power bank right now? I’ve rigorously tested hundreds — yes, literally hundreds — of power banks in recent years, putting me in the perfect position to identify which ones truly deserve your hard-earned money. My pick for the best power bank overall goes to the Anker PowerCore 10,000 mAh Redux More

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    The best record players of 2024: Expert tested and reviewed

    The U-Turn Orbit Custom is an excellent option if you’re looking for something entirely customizable for your taste and needs. You can choose everything from the color, cartridge, preamp, cueing lever, platter material, etc.What’s great about customization is that you can pay as little as $250 but can add on features that’ll cost you more than $900, making this option perfect for both turntable beginners and audiophiles alike. I actually purchased this turntable for my dad as a Christmas gift years back, and I can confirm it’s a great-sounding player that comes with as many bells and whistles as you need. One thing to note about this model that my dad and I experienced is that its belt drive can be challenging to handle if you’re not used to it. Since it is attached to the outside of the platter, if you are rough with switching your records, you can inadvertently cause the belt drive to fall off. This can be a huge pain to put back on.U-Turn Orbit Custom tech specs: Platter Material: MDF or acrylic | Cartridge Model: AT91B, Ortofon OM5E, Grado Black3, Ortofon 2M Red, Ortofon 2M Blue | Drive Type: Belt drive | Supported Speeds: 33 1/3 RPM, 45 RPM  | Tonearm Type: Adjustable Counterweight Straight Tonearm | Built-in Preamp: Can be included | Cueing Lever: Can be included | Anti-skate: Built-in/not adjustable More

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    I tested the 3 best VPNs for streaming the Summer Olympics

    Many providers recommended in this list have been subject to in-depth testing and reviews by members of our ZDNET team. We’ve been reviewing VPNs for years, and have spoken with their management and their users, and developed a generally favorable impression if we’ve included them on this list.ZDNET does test VPN services from multiple locations, but we can’t test from all locations. Every home, community, local ISP, and nation has a different infrastructure. Once you choose a VPN, it’s essential that you test for all your likely usage profiles and only then decide whether to keep the service or request a money-back guaranteed refund.These VPNs also have solid money-back guarantees, and we would not have recommended them otherwise. We analyzed the best VPNs for streaming TV and movies below using the following criteria that were most important in helping you make an informed decision:Performance: Our top VPNs must have a minimum level of performance, especially while streaming. After all, there’s no point in using a VPN while streaming if your connection continually drops or lags, making it intolerable.Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs limit how many devices you can connect to a service at the same time. If you have a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, and possibly even a smart TV you want to connect to a VPN, you’d need a service that allows at least five simultaneous connections.Security: There’s no point using a VPN unless its security protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. We also ensured that the development team behind each recommended VPN cares about making security improvements over time and patching reported bugs.Kill switch: A kill switch prevents you from having an unprotected connection. It is an essential feature for a VPN, as it prevents a return to a default Wi-Fi connection should your internet connection unexpectedly drop.Geoblocks and streaming: We know that VPNs can be key to accessing local content and services while you’re away from home. We ensured that our top recommendations perform well regarding these factors and are unlikely to slow down your connection while you are streaming. Countries & servers: In how many different countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers, and whether or not there are enough — at least 50 or so — to provide variety for customers.Trial length & price: Each VPN we recommend has a solid money-back guarantee. For a more extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensive VPN testing methodology page. More