There are a lot of things that make up a good gaming mouse. The right buttons in the right spots can easily help you in using your skills or switching out weapons before your enemy can even see you coming. Good supporting software can also enhance the performance of your chosen gaming mouse, letting you tailor it to your exact style of gameplay. Furthermore, a mouse that fits comfortably in the palm of your hand as well as a powerful sensor, increases the flow of your games. As a result, makes your strikes more accurate and fun. However, with so many options available, selecting the ideal one for you might be difficult. So without further ado, here’s our gaming mouse buyer’s guide for you today.
The Difference Between A Gaming Mouse And A Regular Computer Mouse
If you’re still on the fence about whether or not a gaming mouse is worth the money, here is a good place to start.
To get the most out of your gaming setup, you typically would want to get the best gaming mouse possible to help you achieve that. This is especially so if you have a very competitive playstyle. Some hardcore gamers can be quite prickly with the peripherals they use. And how could they not when these are the things that could sometimes be the difference between victory and defeat?
Some of you might think that a good graphics card is enough but in truth, that’s not the case at all. No matter how powerful your computer is, if your peripherals can’t keep up with your fast-paced games and your attacks, you might just see yourself on a losing streak. So it’s truly important that you treat each of your gaming peripherals with the same care and attention you do as the rest of your gaming setup.
With that being said, investing in an excellent gaming mouse will greatly assist you in bringing triumph and glory to yourself or your team. A true gaming mouse compared to your regular computer mouse, will get you a lot more than just the ability to point and click.
These peripherals are designed with gamers in mind especially. Whatever type of game you’re playing, owning a good gaming mouse will seem like an extension of your own hand. Because of that, most models will come with enhanced sensors, remappable buttons, a wider DPI range, and other helpful features that are sure to take your gaming experience to the next level.
Things To Consider
As previously stated, choosing the best gaming mouse that will suit your playstyle among the endless options available on the market can be a tough task. Other factors to consider include how the mouse will feel in your hand depending on its shape and form, the overall design, remappable buttons and their placements, the quality of the sensor, and so much more.
These minor details, however insignificant they may appear, can have a huge impact on your overall experience. On the other hand, brands sometimes would make exaggerated claims on their gaming mice and end up not performing as well as stated. So to make sure that you get your money’s worth, here are some things you might want to keep in mind and eye out for.
If you’ve been playing PC games for a while now, you’ve most likely already heard about the long-running argument about whether a wired or wireless gaming mouse is better for your gaming. It’s almost the same thing with gaming headphones and some of the concerns actually overlap between these peripherals.
But at the end of the day, it comes down to personal preference. Some players like the reliability corded gaming mice provide. Meanwhile, some gamers just love the complete wireless experience without having to fuss over the limitations a cord could bring in terms of mobility.
However, up until recently, the vast majority of gamers believed that wired gaming mice were still superior to their wireless counterparts. Because a corded mouse is physically plugged into your PC, you won’t have to worry about encountering latency issues or even running out of battery life. Not to mention, response time was just objectively better.
But that was until 2016 when Logitech dropped one of their best products to date. With the launch of Logitech’s G900 Chaos Spectrum that year, the performance gap between wired and wireless gaming mice began shrinking. The G900 was one of the first wireless mice to properly keep up with wired gaming mice in terms of speed and performance.
Wireless gaming mice technology has continued to advance and evolve since then. Major gaming companies like Corsair and Razer have now developed both wired and wireless versions of their popular gaming mice, with no compromises in terms of features and capabilities. Not to mention, this provides their customers the option of choosing which type of mouse they want.
Because both wired and wireless gaming mice come with their own set of advantages and disadvantages, the debate between wired and wireless mice just goes on and on. So the answer is never a definite one. But one thing is for sure, there’s no right or wrong answer. Everything comes down to your personal preference and gameplay.
Size, Shape, & Weight
Gaming mice, as you may know, come in a variety of designs and sizes. In fact, some models allow you to disassemble it or remove components of it to customize its overall shape and weight to your preferences. So, if the sensation of your gaming mouse under your palm is bothering you, you may quickly switch it up for more comfort if your chosen model has this specific feature.
Other gaming mice, usually the high-end ones, tend to have removable weights. These weights resemble little steel tablets. The overall feel and amount of drag can be changed by adding or removing these weights from the slots inside the mouse’s body. Some models even go the extra mile for this, allowing you to configure the height, the pitch of the palm rest, as well as the center of balance.
Another design feature some gaming mice have is swappable panels. These panels can offer a good number of remappable buttons you can customize according to your playstyle and are typically tailored to cater to a certain type of game genre.
These kinds of adjustments are made to ensure that you’re as comfortable as possible when using your gaming mouse and you can use it for hours on end. After all, when you’re gaming, one of the things you’ll be holding the most is your mouse.
It’s also worth noting that most gaming mice are designed for right-handed users. As a result, if you’re a lefty, you might have a hard time finding a mouse that’s made for you. Fortunately, several manufacturers offer ambidextrous designs that will appeal to a wider range of consumers.
The two most prevalent types of sensors found in gaming mice are “optical” and “laser.” Each variety has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, so it’s up to you to decide which you prefer over the other. Trying out a mouse in person or relying on reviews and online forums for people’s own experiences is the easiest approach to figure out how it feels in various play situations.
In cheaper gaming mice, optical sensors are widespread, as they provide high tracking sensitivity and tend to map well on a variety of surfaces, including textured ones like fabric. Laser sensors, on the other hand, can map onto multiple sorts of surfaces at the same time. This includes smooth or glossy surfaces, which optical sensors may find difficult to detect. Keep in mind that some laser sensor types can also be sensitive to rough surface textures.
However, this isn’t anything that should be overly concerned about. You may quickly resolve any surface tracking issues with your mouse’s sensor by using a very inexpensive mousepad.
Software
The software supporting your gaming mouse is equally as vital as the shortcut buttons and other useful features in your mouse’s compartment. Every large and little gaming company has developed its own mouse-control software, which you can adjust to your liking. Advanced macro programming is usually included as well.
In many cases, the software also lets you control and customize a gaming keyboard made by the same company. As a result, it may be advantageous if your peripherals are all from the same manufacturer for improved compatibility.
In addition to recording macro commands, these software dashboards allow you to activate premade, game-specific profiles, develop your own profiles, and even adjust any RGB patterns and illuminations your gaming mouse may have. Non-gaming settings are another useful feature that certain software may have. This enables you to leverage the programmability of your mouse in Microsoft or Adobe apps for professional purposes.
Overall, the availability (or lack thereof) of dedicated software can be the deciding factor between low-end and high-end gaming mice. In fact, some low-cost gaming mice will ship without any software. If you don’t have such software, you’ll only be able to change mouse commands within a game or in your PC’s native mouse settings. For some, this isn’t a big deal, but it’s something to consider.
Conclusion
The most crucial element to consider when purchasing a gaming mouse is how comfortable it feels in your hand. There are many various sizes of mice available on the market, and weight and shape are important factors you can’t overlook. Aesthetics and other features can be added later. After all, no one wants a nice-looking mouse that they can’t use because it’s too unpleasant to operate. After you’ve decided which models are best for your hand, you can start thinking about which attributes will help you the most as a player.
Have you already bought your own gaming mouse? Was our gaming mouse buyer’s guide helpful? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any suggestions, insights, or questions to ask. I would love to hear all your thoughts!
When Apple made the decision to remove the headphone jack from their iPhone models years ago, most headphone brands and manufacturers started putting their efforts into making some of the best Bluetooth earphones compatible with the iPhone. That’s why I highly recommend making the jump to Bluetooth earphones as well. Because they’re just that good. So if you’re on the hunt for your next pair of earbuds, here’s a simple guide on how to buy Bluetooth headphones for your iPhone in 2021.
Wireless earbuds, or sometimes known as Bluetooth headphones, are extremely popular right now. They’ve been in the market for some time now but it took a while for people to actually appreciate these wireless devices. Especially not until Apple started removing the headphone jacks from their products. Then people really started investing in the best Bluetooth headphones they can get their hands on.
Due to the increasing demand for wireless earphones, every manufacturer and brand in the headphone industry is now hurrying to put out their own models in the market. Meanwhile, those who don’t have a product ready to sell are purchasing generic (and oftentimes subpar) models so their company doesn’t miss out on the hype train.
With that being said, it’s very important to know that not all wireless headphones are made equal. You’re going to find some excellent products on the market, but you should also expect to encounter some genuinely awful ones. But if you do your due research before clicking the check out button, you’ll easily find out which headphone models are to be avoided.
Then after that, perhaps, you’ll find a pair that is perfectly suited for your needs. It may seem like a lot of trouble for just a pair of earbuds but these are things we use every day and making sure that we invest in the right ones are pretty worth it.
If you’ve never owned a pair of true wireless earphones before, then now is the time! However, if you’re still on the fence about it and would need a bit more convincing whether these devices are worth it, I made a short list below including a few very important reasons why you should make the switch.
1. No More Pesky Wires
Obviously, the main reason why you should invest in a pair of Bluetooth headphones is that fact that they’re completely wireless. Don’t get me wrong, though. I don’t mind wired earphones. In fact, I have held onto my wired pair for so long because I found them reliable. Plus, I don’t have to worry about losing one of them in case they fall of their charging cases.
However, ever since I invested in true wireless earphones, nothing has been the same. The flexibility that going wireless provides is just utterly unrivaled. This is especially the case if you like listening to audio content while doing chores, running errands, or even working out.
Not to mention, you also no longer would have to deal with knotted cords or worry about getting tangled in them while you do your cardio. Just think of the times where you accidentally yank the wire of your earphones and resulted to knocking your phone off. Well, with wireless earbuds, that’s no longer a concern. The list could go on and on. But I think you already get the idea.
2. Sound Performance Have Improved So Much
Gone are the days when Bluetooth connections between your smartphone and your earbuds would constantly drop out. During those times, pairing up both devices was such a nightmare and a huge hassle.
On top of that, before these things became everywhere, Bluetooth earphones cost a fortune! Playback was also unstable and the audio performance was the musical equivalent of the old tin can telephone you fashioned as a kid. But fortunately for you, times have changed and so did technology.
Nowadays, pairing up your earbuds and your smartphone is as simple as pressing a button or even opening the lid of your AirPods’ case. Bluetooth 5.0 has also arrived, making your connectivity faster and increasing the distance you can get from your device. To put it simply, wireless connections are reliable and stable as ever now. Also, almost every device is Bluetooth supported now.
While some of you might argue that the audio quality from wired headphones is still superior, there’s nothing wrong with that. You can still definitely keep your wired earbuds. But keep in mind that every day, the difference in quality between them narrows.
3. Wireless Is The Future
As much as I hate to admit, wireless is the future. In probably a handful of years, it’s not impossible if we reach a time wherein headphone jacks are completely obsolete. So to prevent yourself from missing out or being late to the party, it’s best to invest in a pair of Bluetooth headphones as soon as you can.
Hoping that my statement above has convinced you to ditch your traditional wired headphones, here are some friendly tips and reminders on what to consider when you’re finally shopping for your new pair of Bluetooth headphones.
Cost
When it comes to the pricing of Bluetooth headphones, these devices can either be really, really cheap or very expensive. And that’s actually a good thing. Because that means you’re sure to find a pair of headphones that will be well within your budget.
With that in mind, you are bound to find some very inexpensive pairs of headphones in the market. But I would seriously recommend avoiding them at all cost. I’m not saying you should pay half a thousand dollars on a single pair but wireless earphones that are of decent quality do no come cheap.
For starters, these Bluetooth earbuds need a high quality Bluetooth chip from companies like Qualcomm. Additionally, they would also need excellent high-density batteries to make sure that they can last for a handful of hours without their charging cases. Quality doesn’t come cheap, so be prepared to spend a little more to acquire something really decent.
If you do buy generic wireless headphones, they might not last as long or have plenty of issues that will just end up with you spending more just to get them fixed or even purchasing a new pair altogether.
Form Factor
Wireless headphones, just like their corded counterparts, come in all shapes and sizes. To help you out in deciding which is suitable for you, you can read below the most basic types of headphones you’ll surely encounter in the market.
Over-Ear
Over-ear headphones are the best option for noise cancellation due to their snug design. They offer a great capacity for limiting noise leakage, allowing you to hear what you want while allowing outside noise to escape. They’re also very comfortable to wear (though this varies by model) and don’t compress your ears like on-ear headphones do.
Because there is very little air circulation in or out of these headphones, you may sweat while wearing them. So keep this in mind. This type of headphones is also the heaviest out of the bunch. In case you’re looking for something more portable, this might not be the ideal option for you.
In-Ear
In-ear headphones are the most popular among the general public, and because of their ease of use and portability, they have quickly become the go-to models on the market. Apart from that, these headphones also go deeper into your ear canal to rest inside of your ears. They get a little close to your eardrums than other types of headphones which usually just sit outside on the ridge of your ears.
There is also extremely little sound leaking with this kind of design. This means that the sound is maintained in your ear and outside noises are kept out. A silicone or foam ear tip is generally included with in-ear headphones for enhanced comfort and protection.
In comparison to the over-ear headphones, which is significantly better at filtering out external noises if sound isolation is required, the on-ear design is comparable to open-back headphones in that it allows some sound from the surroundings to enter and escape.
This type of headphones are typically quite comfortable doesn’t cause you to sweat as much as their over-ear counterparts. Because they rest on your ears, it’s also critical to select a pair that’s both comfortable and doesn’t put too much pressure on your ears. Or else, you might experience some ear fatigue while you’re using them.
Noise Cancellation
Headphones that are able to isolate and decrease unwanted sound, whether active or passive, are in high demand. After all, who wants to hear the loud noises of cars and other distracting exterior noises while listening to music? Noise-canceling headphones are beneficial to commuters, travelers, and even other types of workers since they allow you to focus on what matters most: the sound.
However, it’s important to remember that some models offer both of these advantages to the customer, while others favor one over the other. With over-ear and on-ear styles, passive and active noise reduction work together to thoroughly immerse you in your favorite tunes.
Additionally, some headphones feature Adaptive Noise Reduction, which adjusts the noise cancellation intensity based on the degree of ambient noise. Though these are normally only seen in higher-end headphones.
Battery Life
The battery life of your headphones is an important factor to consider when purchasing your next pair. The music you’re listening to should last at least as long as the activity you’re doing right now. When you’re fully involved in your favorite rock music, no one wants to stop in the middle of a head bang.
That said, take attention to how long they last between charges and how easy and quick it is to charge them when you’re not using them while you’re using them. When used with their specific charging case, most of today’s Bluetooth headphones provide up to 24 hours of listening time, and they should last you at least a few hours without it.
Some headphones are water and sweat resistant to differing degrees. Water and sweat resistance is a common feature among sports and training headphones, but it is also useful for regular music listeners. A few drips of water ruining your headphones is the last thing you want.
So if you’re the type to work out a lot and listen to music at the same time, think about how much protection your headphones provide against water and sweat. The industry uses the Ingress Protection (IP) rating to measure how sweat-proof or water-proof a product is.
Conclusion
So that makes up our buyer’s guide for this week. These are very simple tips and reasons on why it’s worth investing on a pair of Bluetooth headphones. With so many excellent offers available in the headphone market, you can get a nice pair that won’t cost an arm and leg. Another nice aspect of this is that you don’t have to get rid of your old wired earbuds entirely. Whenever it’s convenient, you can use them and switch over to the wireless ones when needed.
Have you already bought your own Bluetooth headphones for your iPhone? Was our buyer’s guide on how to buy Bluetooth headphones helpful? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any suggestions, questions, or insights to share regarding this article. I would love to hear all your thoughts!
Are you confident in selecting the TV panel technology that’s right for you when shopping for your next TV? Are you able to tell which is which? How about the specs and features? If you’re unsure, it’s only natural to feel overwhelmed or confused. Understandably so, not everyone is a tech expert. But not to worry! Our OLED TV buying guide is here to help you out to make sure you’re well-equipped with the right knowledge for your next shopping trip. From knowing the suitable specs for you to reasons why you should certainly go for an OLED panel. To learn more, just keep scrolling!
If you’re still unsure which type of screen panel technology you should choose for your next TV, let me give you a few reasons why an OLED TV is your best choice.
When you’re shopping for a TV, you’ll see a handful of different panel technologies in the market. These particular panels are divided between your standard LEDs, the OLEDs, and the relatively new QLEDs from Samsung. If you’d like to know the differences between these panel technologies, we’ll be getting to that in a bit.
In case you’re unaware, OLED panels are a kind of panel technology that brings images to life on your television. However, unlike the LEDs, it is now the most advanced and widely-used technology available when it comes to TVs. Since recent years, more and more people are now switching and upgrading to OLED TVs due to the stunning visuals and vibrancy they bring.
While standard LED displays use a backlight to create a picture, OLED TV pixels use electricity to produce their own organic light. To put it simply, an OLED display allows you to control visuals at the pixel level because each pixel self-illuminates and can also be turned on and off separately. This method employs less electricity to provide increased brightness while also allowing for total black.
As a result, any film or content with both darkness and brightness, such as a star-studded night sky, will appear realistic. This means you’ll be getting the whitest whites and the darkest blacks, as well as everything in between with limitless contrast.
This particular aspect of OLED has made a huge impact in terms of the visuals they create in your televisions. OLED is truly pushing technological boundaries in terms of color accuracy and visual responsiveness, as well as physical characteristics and energy efficiency.
OLED Vs. QLED & LED
Now if you’re still contemplating choosing OLED for your next TV, here are some brief comparisons between these TV types.
LED & QLED
LED panels, which use light-emitting diodes to illuminate the LCD screen and can be incredibly small, account for the vast majority of televisions being sold today. A huge advantage they have is that they are the more budget-friendly option among these panel technologies, which is why a lot of consumers opt for this type of TV.
Active dimming, also known as local dimming, allows many of these TVs to dynamically light up select sections of the screen while dimming others to better portray a scene’s mix of light and dark areas. Additionally, backlighting is a concealed feature that distinguishes inexpensive LED TVs from the more premium and high-end models.
However, despite full-array backlighting, you can’t expect LED screens to reach the deepest black levels the way OLEDs can. That said, the colors don’t appear punchier or more vibrant in comparison. Some shadow detail also gets lost because the pixels aren’t individually lit.
Another LCD technology, quantum dots (also known as QLED), is gaining popularity, owing to HDR’s necessity for a wider range of colors and increased brightness. An LCD with quantum dots features an additional layer, or “rail,” of nanocrystal dots of various sizes that light up when the LED backlight strikes them. As a result, the color range is expanded and the brightness is boosted.
If you’re on a budget and unwilling to spend thousands of dollars on an OLED panel, a QLED might be a good balance between your regular LCDs and pricy OLED TVs. However, despite the fancier terms and similarities with OLEDs, always keep in mind the QLEDs are still essentially LED panels.
OLED
As stated before, OLED TVs outperform full-array LED TVs due to their dozens of illumination zones. To achieve pure black and astonishing levels of contrast, OLEDs use a layer of organic LEDs controlled at the pixel level instead of a backlight. As a result, Expect vibrant colors and, more importantly, lightning-quick response times.
OLED panel manufacturing is also less harmful to the environment than regular panel manufacture. LCD panels, on the other hand, require the greenhouse gas Nitrogen Trifluoride in their manufacturing, but OLEDs do not. So, if you want to conserve the environment while improving picture quality, an OLED television may be the way to go.
However, there are also a few disadvantages to OLED. One is that they can be quite expensive, and second, there’s always the risk of permanent burn-in.
4K TVs are becoming more widely available these days. As a result, Ultra HD 4K televisions are becoming more affordable. Not to mention, in terms of visual quality and fidelity, the greatest 4K TVs on the market today can also easily compete with the top gaming monitors on the market.
Small items on the screen have more detail, including crisper typography, which is the main advantage of 4K TVs. Images appear richer and more lifelike than on the average HDTV, but the differences are minor. Larger TVs are more comfortable to view in a regular-sized home since the crisper picture allows you to easily observe the screen from a shorter distance.
Moreover, Netflix, Amazon Video, and even YouTube have begun to provide 4K material, making smart TVs with online streaming apps your best choice for accessing 4K movies and shows.
On the other hand, if you thought 4K resolution was impressive, wait till you see 8K, which boosts the detail even further with 7680 x 4320 pixels. It’s incredible to see, and it’s the next big thing in televisions for consumers. However, any good TV buying guide should advise you that it’s not worth your money just yet. They cost a fortune and it’s better to wait a few years or more until the prices go down.
On top of that, 8K is also still missing one crucial component: content. There are no 8K movies available for purchase yet in the market, and streaming 4K content is already stressing many people’s internet connections.
HDR stands for high dynamic range and is a new feature of 4K televisions. It refers to the capacity to produce more colors, contrast levels, and brightness. HDR is essentially a 4K, or Ultra HD, format update.
The UHD Alliance, an industry trade association, has established HDR10 as the basic standard for high-dynamic-range videos. Because dozens of firms implement this fundamental HDR compatibility criteria, you’ll see “HDR10” or “Ultra HD Premium” on an increasing number of TVs this year.
Dolby Vision is another form of HDR developed by the same people that brought us Dolby noise reduction and surround sound. To display HDR material, a Dolby Vision set must meet a tighter set of criteria. As a result, Dolby Vision has led the market in proprietary HDR formats so far.
There is still considerable HDR skepticism. HDR10 is presently compatible with any HDR-enabled TV on the market, however, Dolby Vision is only available on sets that match Dolby’s technical requirements and pay license costs. Despite this, Dolby Vision has fast become the HDR industry standard.
Due to numerous lockdowns and quarantines, plenty of households and consumers turned to games to get through the ongoing pandemic. From the past months, demand and prices for gaming consoles and PC parts have skyrocketed due to the scarcity of supply. However, that still doesn’t stop people from investing in the newest next-gen consoles or getting their hands on the latest AAA titles.
So if you’re planning to use your TV as your gaming monitor, finding a model that has great gaming-friendly features should be one of your top priorities. From low input lags, VRRs, and quick response times, these are just some of the gaming features in a TV to look out for. Thankfully, a lot of manufacturers and brands nowadays are making sure that their TVs can offer these qualities to meet your needs.
If you’re unsure or confused with these terms, I’ll be explaining them below to help you out.
Our Final Verdict
All in all, OLED TVs are just simply superior when it comes to TVs. Aside from the obvious reasons for better visual quality, choosing OLED also means a better gaming experience as well as saving the planet from the dangerous production of certain chemicals. They’re definitely worth investing in and the best models in the market can surely last you for a handful of years (or even more) before you realize it’s time for an upgrade.
Have you already bought your own OLED TV? Did our OLED TV Buying Guide help you in choosing the right model for you? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any suggestions, insights, or questions to ask. I would love to hear all your thoughts!
It can be tough to find the proper workout headphones because everyone’s fit, type, and sound preferences are vastly different, and what works for one person may not work for another. Regardless of whether you choose to exercise in the outdoors or push yourself on the treadmill, most fitness enthusiasts agree on one thing: music is a necessity. So for our buyer’s guide today, I’ll be helping you on how to buy wireless headphones for your workouts this 2021.
As you might already know by now, there are various benefits that come with listening to music while we go through our workout routines. One study suggests that music changes and has a certain effect on the body and mind during physical exertion. It relieves pain and fatigue by elevating mood, increasing endurance, reducing perceived effort, and maybe promoting metabolic efficiency.
As a result, people run farther, ride longer, and swim faster when listening to music, and often without realizing it. Furthermore, Costas Karageorghis of Brunel University in London, one of the world’s leading specialists on the psychology of exercise music, noted in a 2012 review of the study that music may be thought of as “a type of legal performance-enhancing drug.”
With the correct pair of headphones on your head, you’ll not only be able to enjoy your favorite music, but you’ll also feel more motivated and fired up to complete your strenuous workout routines. On top of that, the best headphones can block out any other distracting noises that may be present in the gym.
The incessant clanking of metal against metal, your other gymgoers’ grunts and groans, and the list goes on and on are all examples of such noises. If you don’t enjoy listening to this style of music, a pair of headphones will undoubtedly let you escape from the scenario.
After all, nothing beats listening to your favorite music or songs to help you get through your workout and ensure a solid finish. With that in mind, while the best headphones on the market for 2021 will sound great and give excellent quality regardless. But to help you out in finding the perfect pair for you, our guide will aid you in what to look for on your next workout headphones.
Stay Wired Or Go Wireless?
I’m sure you’ve used a variety of headphones and earphones in your lifetime. You may already have your tried and true faves, and you’re well aware that some models are simply superior to others and better suited to working out.
While many of the best wireless headphones sound great, only a few have a secure enough fit in your ears to let you run, jump, squat, and crunch without them falling out. You don’t want to be tethered to your earphones or continuously fiddling with them while you’re running on a treadmill or lifting a barbell, believe me.
I do understand why a lot of people still lean towards wired earbuds though. There are a few reasons why wired earbuds are still so widely popular. To begin with, you’ll never have to charge them. Simply connect them to your device and go. Not having to worry about losing a bloom is also a great relief for people who are forgetful like me.
However, if you’ve ever unintentionally tugged a bud out of your ear when your arm caught on the cord, you’ll understand why going wireless can also be quite appealing. In my opinion, the ideal workout headphones or earbuds for any gymgoer are wireless headphones.
They should preferably be true wireless earphones that do not impede your mobility in any way. Apart from that, headphones should also give a secure and comfortable fit, whether they’re over-ear headphones with a plush ear cup or in-ear earbuds with silicone ear tips. It goes without saying that losing an earbud while running or riding a bike is a major annoyance.
Difference Between Earphones & Headphones
For some, the choice between these two types of devices may not be critical. In fact, for some of you, the only thing that matters is that they provide excellent sound quality while still being sweat-resistant and durable enough to last numerous gym sessions. However, if you’re unsure whether to go with headphones or earbuds, I’ve highlighted the benefits and drawbacks of each gadget below.
Earphones
Until recently, the majority of earphones we were familiar with came with a cord. However, as technology advances, the choice for Bluetooth earphones has become more widespread and has dominated the market since the major smartphone makers decided to remove the headphone jack from their smartphones.
They also make wireless earphones that don’t require any connections and can connect to your Bluetooth device on their own. There are also changes in the shapes and sizes of these earpieces. Some of you may have noticed that some of them are sphere-shaped and that they were precisely designed to fit in your ear canal ergonomically.
Earphones with G-shaped earpieces will fit comfortably in your ear. You can run with them, do box jumps, jump rope, or shoot hoops without worrying about them slipping out. For some of you, this may be a deciding factor in determining whether or not an earbud is suitable for your workouts.
Meanwhile, sphere-shaped earbuds are more widespread, although they tend to fall out too easily and don’t allow for quick movements due to the possibility of them coming out. Earphones with headphones, on the other hand, have the advantage of being less cumbersome. You won’t have any trouble slipping them into your pockets.
Headphones
Headphones, like earbuds, can be wired or wirelessly connected to your smartphone. They also come in two different styles: over-the-ear and on-the-ear. Furthermore, a band that crosses over the top of your head and links each earpiece secures headphones to your head.
Over-the-ear headphones provide superior sound since they occupy the space just outside your ear. Earbuds, on the other hand, are inserted directly into your ear canal. This improves the sound quality and helps to eliminate distracting background noises.
If you love getting into your zone and ignoring everyone and everything else going on at the gym, over-the-ear headphones might be appropriate for you. Although on-ear headphones reduce ambient noise blockage slightly, some individuals prefer to be aware of their surroundings and hear what’s going on around them, so it’s a personal choice.
On the other hand, headphones that cover your full ear can trap sweat around your ear. Because of the fact that your skull generates the most heat of any area of your body. Over time, wearing tight-fitting headphones over your ears might cause them to sweat and become uncomfortable.
Furthermore, when wearing headphones, you will have to sacrifice your hair or wear a cap owing to the tight fit of the band. Headphone hair isn’t the most appealing sight. But hey, if looking good is essential to you, the decision is up to you.
Things To Look For In Your Next Pair Of Workout Headphones
Comfort & Fit
Comfy headphones are just as crucial as comfortable sneakers while you’re out for a run or in the middle of a tough workout. Nothing depletes adrenaline faster than having to slow down to change an earpiece. The fit of workout headphones varies a lot, and there are a lot of them on the market.
In-ear headphones are popular among fitness enthusiasts, specifically with runners. They appear to have everything you need in a wireless earbud for exercise: comfort, compactness, and lightness. Not to mention, in-ear pieces are typically one-size-fits-all, which might be irritating if your ear shape doesn’t match the earbuds.
This will result in the earbuds fitting less snugly and falling out more frequently during workouts. Though more brands nowadays offer customized ear tips to accommodate different ear shapes. They do, however, block off your ear by nature, offering some passive noise reduction. This is ideal if you want to really focus and don’t want to hear external ambient noises.
On the other hand, wireless over-ear headphones have over-the-ear ear cups and a headband to keep the headphones in place on top of your head. In terms of form factor, over-ear headphones are more likely to stay snug when you’re exercising. However, this is only true if the clamping force around your head is not excessive. Otherwise, wearing it will become progressively unpleasant over time.
Apart from that, over-ear headphones have their own set of disadvantages. They are thicker than in-ear headphones, and if the earpads are not washable or properly cared for, sweat will damage them.
Battery Life
Your workout headphones’ battery life is an important feature that shouldn’t be overlooked when shopping for your next pair. The music you’re listening to should last longer than your workout. You can’t have your headphones quit before you do if your music is providing you the extra boost you need to push past your boundaries.
So, when you’re using them, it’s important to pay attention to how long they last each charge and how easy and quick they are to charge when you’re not. Most of the best wireless headphones nowadays offer up to 24 hours of listening time if you have their dedicated charging case and they should also last you about a good handful of hours without them.
Audio Quality
Obviously, when buying wireless headphones for your working out, it’s important to get a pair that provides excellent audio quality. But each pair of headphones are built differently and tend to prioritize certain aspects of music. For example, the Jabra Elite Active 75t will be excellent for people who like loud music during intense workouts and like to hear full-bodied basses.
It’s also best to keep in mind that higher-end headphones produce excellent sound and come with a slew of features that improve not only the audio but also the listening experience. They’re also expensive, but in the realm of audio, you get what you pay for.
Headphones that can isolate and eliminate extraneous sound, which is divided into active and passive types, are desirable pieces of equipment. Noise-canceling headphones are ideal for commuters, travelers, and even some types of work since they allow you to focus on what matters most: the sound.
The physical architecture of the headphone unit is primarily responsible for passive noise cancellation. By sealing the ear canal, in-ear models cancel out ambient noise, and over-ear models eliminate noise by covering the entire ear. For a more comprehensive form of ambient noise removal, active noise-canceling uses specific frequencies to cancel out extraneous sound.
Both passive and active noise canceling work together to immerse you in your favorite audio, especially with over-ear and on-ear styles. Furthermore, Adaptive Noise Cancellation is a function of some headphones that adjusts the intensity of noise cancellation to the level of ambient noise.
Some headphones are water and perspiration resistant to differing degrees. Water and sweat resistance is a characteristic that is particularly popular with headphones built for sports or working out, but it is also a useful feature for regular music listeners. A few drops of water on your headphones is the last thing you want to happen.
Furthermore, the ultimate proof test for workout headphones is water and perspiration, which has a big impact on their durability. If headphones aren’t water or sweat-resistant, they may become ineffective or even impossible to use in the long run.
As a result, it’s critical to think about the level of protection offered by headphones and whether you need water-resistant or waterproof headphones. In the industry, the Ingress Protection (IP) rating is used to indicate how sweat-proof or water-proof a product is.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve reached the last part of our buyer’s guide, I hope I was able to help you out in choosing your next pair of workout headphones. All in all, it’s best to keep in mind that everything comes down to your personal preference and you’ll always know better which works for you the best.
Have you already decided which workout headphones suit you best? Did our guide on how to buy wireless headphones for your workouts help? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any more questions, suggestions, or insights to share. I would love to hear all your thoughts!
Choosing the best printer for your home can sometimes be a task more difficult than you might expect. There are a variety of printing methods to choose from, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. On top of that, printers also come in a variety of sizes and builts, ranging from space-friendly devices to bulky machines. So to help you out, here’s a quick guide on how to buy a printer for your home this 2021.
As I have just previously mentioned, printers come in a wide range of types, uses, as well as the technology used to produce such pages. Gone are the days when printers were merely used for printing. Nowadays, printers can also copy, scan, and fax among other things.
One of the best advancements made in this modern era is the invention of wireless connectivity with our printers. What a relief to be free from those pesky cords, right? Now you have an array of connectivity options to choose from to make printing even more convenient and easy for you.
However, finding the right kind of printer for you will solely depend on your criteria, requirements, and preferences. What you think might be a good printer might not do the job for some. So in order to do know which printer works best for you, you must first answer this question: what’s the main purpose of your printer?
At the end of the day, I’m sure that the majority of you undoubtedly want a machine that you can use to its full potential without squandering your investment. After all, printers don’t come cheap, and buying the wrong one might cost you more than you’d expect.
As a result, it’s critical that you remember what you want your printer to do for you. Are you primarily interested in having it print text on a sheet of paper for you? Or do you want a printer that can also print and scan high-quality photos and graphics?
In any case, your options in the market are endless and it’s easy to get lost and confused. But listing down a set of requirements and what you plan on mainly doing with the printer might help narrow down your options.
Know The Different Types Of Printers
The market is filled with several kinds of printers that offer all types of purposes and advanced features to catch your eye. Some are designed specifically for casual use, some are made with photographers in mind, while others are geared towards multitaskers. Furthermore, the numerous resolution and speed requirements can often be confusing as well.
So to clear out things for you, I’ve provided a list below of the most common types of printers you’ll encounter in the market. Hopefully, this gives you an idea of which printer is best suited for you.
Home Printers
Mixing home printers with home office printers is something you should avoid. They may sound similar because both printers are commonly found in homes, but their capabilities are often vastly different. Though if your work isn’t too demanding with printing out documents then perhaps, home printers could also suffice.
Despite the fact that home printers, like home office printers, are essentially inkjet printers, they are primarily geared for low-volume printing. They’re slow and, because of the high cost of ink, they’re usually quite expensive to print with. If you’re on a tight budget, this printer might not be the best option.
It’s also worth noting that home printers don’t print text and images as well as professional printers. Almost all of these home printers, on the other hand, are multifunction or “all-in-one” printers. They can scan, copy, and fax in addition to printing.
Home Office Printers
Inkjet printers designed for low- to mid-volume printing make up the bulk of home-office printers. The majority of them are likely to be multifunction printers, which offer consumers a great lot of flexibility. They can also print text and images on top of photographs.
Home office printers come in a variety of paper capacities, ranging from 100 to 500 sheets (though this is usually seen in higher-end models). The majority of these printers are also appropriate for use in so-called “micro workplaces,” which have fewer than five to ten employees.
Aside from that, many of these home office printers are also acceptable for use in residential settings, particularly if you’re a student who will be printing a large number of documents for school on a regular basis or an employee who’s currently working from home.
Business printers, unlike residential and home office printers, are available in a range of configurations. They can range in size from small single-function printers for low-volume printing to enormous floor-standing units that can handle the printing needs of a whole office department.
The bulk of these corporate printers use laser-type technology for printing, but inkjets are gaining popularity as well. Furthermore, the bulk of corporate printers are multifunction machines. Many people still prefer to print in black and white and prefer to create text and graphics over photos.
The speed and paper capacity of a printer are the most crucial elements for many enterprises and workplaces. The printer’s price is also a factor to consider. However, the lower the per-page printing expenses are, the more expensive the printer is to purchase. So purchasing a higher-end model, may save your company money in the long run when it comes to printing.
The cheapest per-page pricing is found in bulk-ink machines, and ink subscription programs are now readily available to assist the cost of ink and toner.
Additionally, most commercial printers in the market have security features too. These include password-protected printing, and some even have extra special features, such as an encrypted hard drive or an ID card reader, to ensure that your files and documents are adequately safeguarded.
Photo Printers
Photographers, both professional and amateur, are the target market for this type of printer. Although photo printers can print both text and images, their primary purpose is to print high-quality photographs.
Some are wide-format printers with massive frames capable of handling large-format paper, and several can also print from rolls. To provide you with accurate and realistic colors, they need up to a dozen ink cartridges. You can end up paying a lot more per page because of the amount of ink they use and the high-quality paper they use to produce the finest results.
There is also a type of printer known as “small-format photo printers” that might be classified as a dedicated photo printer. This type of specialty printer is made to print just images for their owners. Wallet-size prints to 5 by 7-inch prints are available. Keep in mind, however, that certain models can only print in one size.
The majority of these dedicated printers are also small and light, and they either come with a battery or may be used with one that you must purchase separately.
“Specialty printers” include dedicated and near-dedicated photo printers that can only offer one specific type of printing to its user. Label printers also fall under this category. However, even among specialty printers, 3D printers are a unique case and are beyond the scope of this discussion.
Label printers can print labels on both paper and plastic. Some come with label-making software or apps that may be linked to your computer or smartphone. Others are standalone devices with a small built-in keyboard for designing and printing your own labels. These stand-alone label printer manufacturers usually have a large selection of label colors and types to pick from.
Even if you merely intend to only print photographs or labels, there may be instances when you require more from your printer. So, before you make any hurried decisions, I strongly advise that you first comprehend the full scope of your printing requirements.
Despite the fact that the capabilities of the two most used printing technologies are constantly overlapping, there are still major differences between laser and inkjet printers.
For starters, inkjet printers employ dye or pigment-based ink. They’re a great option for customers who require a lot of high-quality graphics printed. Inkjet printers are preferred by home users, as well as home, school, and small business users who print image-heavy documents.
On the other hand, Laser printers employ toner to print text and graphics. They’re usually bigger than inkjet printers and print more quickly. Due to its business-focused features, such as optional trays for greater capacity, huge replacement supply yields, and superior security features, laser printers are frequently chosen by larger enterprises and busy offices with high print volumes.
Simply put, most laser printers and/or LED printers (which are identical to laser printers but use LEDs as a light source) produce higher-quality text than most inkjet printers. Inkjet printers, on the other hand, virtually always produce better-quality images than laser printers.
It’s important to remember, however, that both technologies have evolved greatly in recent years, and you may discover that certain printers meet or surpass your expectations. Not to add, you might be shocked to find out which is the perfect fit for your requirements.
You don’t have to worry about how much a printer can print if you simply print a few pages every day. If you print frequently enough that the duty cycle is important, it’s best to keep an eye on the specifications of a printer’s monthly duty cycle. Calculate how much you print by keeping track of how often and in what quantities you buy paper. Then choose a printer that can do at least that much printing to play it safe.
When it comes to printing speed, printers usually indicate how many pages per minute (ppm) they can produce. Doesn’t it appear to be fairly simple? Unfortunately, it isn’t that easy. Some manufacturers test utilizing basic text documents at the lowest-quality print settings (draft mode) on plain paper to come up with the fastest possible speeds, which will obviously offer the manufacturers the best possible result.
To really find out if a printer’s claims on its printing speed are true, it’s best to test it out for yourself.
Conclusion
We have finally reached the conclusion of our buyer’s guide on how to buy a printer this 2021. I hope this gave you some helpful insight on which kind of printer you should go for and make a wise purchasing decision.
Did this article help you out? Have you already bought a printer for yourself? Let me know in the comments section below your experiences or if you have any questions or suggestions to share. I would love to hear all your thoughts!
Find the best laptop to run your small business in can be often tricky. There are so numerous factors to consider that some might find it overwhelming. However, with the help of this laptop buyer’s guide this 2021, you won’t have to worry if you don’t have much technical knowledge or experience with these compact computers. Once you understand the basics of what makes a decent laptop, the shopping process will be less stressful and a lot easier for you.
So if you’re a small business owner looking for some help in buying your next laptop, just scroll down to read more about our essential tips and everything you need to consider!
Since the dawn of technology, there has been a long-standing dispute about which device is better: a laptop or a desktop?
Truthfully, there are no right or wrong answers here. Both gadgets have their benefits and drawbacks, and neither is superior to the other. It all boils down to your personal preference and requirements to keep your small business running.
However, because of how quickly technology evolves and advances, people are finding it increasingly difficult to choose between the two. Laptops are now being designed to manage more power by including advanced internal components, effectively closing the performance gap between them and your standard desktop computer. This is one good reason why you should opt for a laptop, but what else is there?
Benefits Of Purchasing A Laptop
If you like portable gadgets because you like to move around or are constantly on the go, a laptop is the best solution for you. So, no matter where you go, you can always bring your laptop with you and never be without it.
Tech enthusiasts and casual consumers used to argue that laptops lacked power, but that is no longer the case. Laptops nowadays come with some of the most powerful internal components, including CPUs and graphics cards, that can easily compete with some of the best desktop PCs on the market.
Keep in mind, however, that not all laptops are the same, and that it is still dependent on the type of laptop you choose at the end of the day. Laptops are suitable for lighter jobs like word processing, streaming, social media management, and working with excel sheets, among others.
However, there are laptops now on the market that can easily handle high workloads and run demanding apps in a breeze. Though this comes at a higher cost naturally. There are also laptops that can be connected to an external graphics card or GPU to give it an extra boost of power.
One major drawback, however, is that while many laptops today offer more capability, they can also be quite expensive. Budget-friendly options may be lackluster in terms of performance, although this isn’t always the case. If you’re on a tight budget, you’ll certainly have to expect sacrificing advanced or modern features and specifications in a laptop that you’ll find in more high-end models.
When shopping for a laptop, one of the most crucial considerations to make is the system’s inbuilt CPU or GPU.
The CPU, or central processing unit, is primarily responsible for executing instructions and allowing your computer to interact with all of the apps and programs that it has loaded.
Meanwhile, its counterpart, the GPU, or graphics processing unit, is a specialized processor originally designed to accelerate graphics rendering. GPUs can process many pieces of data simultaneously, making them useful for machine learning, video editing, and gaming applications. You can also find out more about CPUs and GPUs here.
Laptop processors with four or more cores are already commonplace and accessible in modern laptops today. Allowing them to perform both basic email checking and the more demanding business programs and applications you need for work.
Our Recommended Processors
Intel’s latest 11th Generation “Tiger Lake” CPUs are found in many top-of-the-line business laptops. Older 10th Generation “Ice Lake” and “Comet Lake” CPUs, on the other hand, are still easily accessible and capable of handling most jobs. For particularly demanding applications, Hexa-core processors, such as the latest top-end Core i7 and Core i9 CPUs, will be required.
Apart from that, due to the advent of Tiger Lake processors, laptops with older generation processors may also see a price drop, which is good news if you’re on a limited budget.
Eight-core Core i9 CPUs, which were previously only available and shown on desktops, is now available in some bigger workstation-grade laptops for designers, engineers, and professional data crunchers. AMD-based laptops that employ the Ryzen Pro are still pretty much rare, though they’re starting to show up in established business laptop manufacturers like Lenovo’s ThinkPad series.
If you’re planning to use your laptop mostly for work to operate your small business, go for laptops with 8 GB or 16 GB of RAM as much as possible. You may believe that 4 GB of RAM is sufficient, but it’s best to future-proof your next laptop purchase so that you won’t need to upgrade it for at least the next handful of years.
If you do a lot of graphics design, video editing, or other heavier tasks on a daily basis, 16 GB of RAM is the minimum spec you need to aim for. With that much RAM, you can easily run many programs, windows, and browser tabs at once, as well as do multimedia tasks like photo editing and video processing considerably more quickly.
Storage
A laptop’s hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD) can have a few different effects on its performance. While SSD is widely favored and chosen by the majority since it runs software much faster, a handful of you may still choose HDD because it is less expensive. Let me explain the difference between the two if you’re still undecided.
An HDD is a data storage device for your laptop made up of a metal disk with a magnetic coating. A read/write head on an arm reads the data as the platters are rotating.
On the other hand, data on SSDs is stored on interconnected flash memory chips that, like a hard drive, maintain the data even when the power is turned off. These flash chips are not the same as those used in USB thumb drives, and they are typically faster and more reliable.
Personally, I prefer laptops with SSDs, but if your budget doesn’t allow for it, HDDs aren’t too bad either.
Battery life
For some business owners, battery life is not a big deal. While for others, it can be a make-or-break decision. To know which one are you, just simply consider and observe how frequently you’ll be using your laptop without access to power.
In any event, checking the battery life of every machine you buy is a good idea. Keep in mind that different measures are used by different laptop manufacturers to measure battery life, thus each one’s given statistic should be treated as an estimate rather than an absolute reality.
Some laptop manufacturers charge extra for add-on batteries. While these batteries can significantly prolong the energy life of a work laptop, they also add a significant amount of weight to the machine, so consider the total weight before purchasing an additional battery pack.
Choosing between Windows, Apple’s macOS, and Google’s Chrome OS is not an easy decision to make. Especially if you’re not that familiar with these operating systems. So to help you out, I’ve written an explanation for each OS below.
macOS
Apple’s OS X laptops are pretty expensive. But many die-hard Apple fans are willing to pay more for a premium machine with a well-designed interface. Apple laptops have long been prized by creative workers for their high-resolution screens, function keys, and ability to run high-powered apps like Avid, Maya, and Dreamweaver.
Many creative professionals still buy Apple computers, but it’s no longer the go-to brand, especially since recent MacBook Pros have less RAM than prior models and appear to be more focused on general appeal than niche appeal.
Unless your small business strictly uses a software program that can only function on Mac, the decision to buy a system running Apple OS X comes down to personal preference and how much money you’re willing to spend.
Windows
For most laptops in the market, Windows is the standard operating system. If you choose Windows OS over Chrome OS or Apple OS X, you’ll have a larger selection of laptops to choose from. Windows machines are readily available in every configuration and price range imaginable, so you have a lot of options as you might imagine.
Windows 10, the most recent version of the operating system, includes a number of new features that might help you work more efficiently. Microsoft’s virtual assistant, Cortana, can help you with everything from arranging appointments to checking the weather. Then there’s Task View, which allows you to create multiple virtual desktops for multitasking convenience.
Chrome OS
Google’s Chrome OS is fairly new in the market when it comes to operating systems. So you’re not alone in not knowing what to expect when you decide to buy a Chromebook. Because of their inexpensive price, Chromebooks were primarily designed with students in mind when they first entered the market. Not to mention, they had a lot of limitations too.
However, Chromebooks are now available in a wider range of configurations, including business-oriented laptops that run Chrome OS. Chrome is a wonderful alternative for an entrepreneur who prefers to work in the cloud (Chromebooks don’t allow you to download programs) and doesn’t want to bother about upgrades.
Conclusion
Now that we’ve reached the end of this article, I hope you’re feeling more confident in what you’re looking for in your next laptop purchase. Have fun shopping!
Have you already purchased a work laptop? How was the experience for you? Let me know in the comments section below if you have any insights or suggestions to share or questions to ask! I would love to hear all your thoughts about it!
