Best Picks
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Best laptops for college students: 7 picks for every budget
Finding the best laptop for college can be tricky. Our 2026 guide breaks down top laptops for students, from affordable Chromebooks to premium 2-in-1s and gaming rigs.
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Best SSDs: From SATA to PCIe 5.0, from budget to premium
The best solid-state drives can supercharge your PC. Here are our picks for the best SSDs, and what you should know before a purchase.
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Best gaming monitors 2026: Displays that will do your games justice
Whether you're looking for 4K, HDR, a budget price, or the best overall package, we have gaming monitor picks for you.
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Best 4K monitors: HDR, gaming, budget, and best overall
We've applied our extensive hands-on monitor testing to models from Dell, Samsung, Asus, and other big brands to name the best 4K monitors among them.
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Best USB-C cables: Get quality charging and data transfers
We bought a bunch of USB-C cables and put them through the wringer to find the best ones for your charging and data transfer needs.
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Best ultrawide monitors 2026: Picks for gaming, budget, 5K, and more
Let's face it, the more screen space you have to stretch out on, the better the experience, whether you're working on a project or gaming. See which ultrawide monitors we've rated as best.
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The best PCIe 4.0 SSDs for blistering storage speeds
Our list has picks for best PCIe 4.0 SSD overall, best on a budget, best for a game consoles, and more. Plus what you need to know about PCIe 4.0 drives in general.
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Best Windows backup software 2026: Protect your data!
The best free and paid backup software for your Windows system, disks, and data.
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Best laptops for engineering students: Top 5 picks for power and portability
Looking for a solid laptop for engineering? We’ve got you covered.
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Best budget computer speakers: PC audio for less than $150
Budget computer speakers have come a long way since the tinny-sounding beige boxes of yore. Our top picks are surprisingly good—and surprisingly affordable.
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Fastest VPN 2026: Expert picks of the top 5 VPN speed demons
If you have the need, the need for VPN speed, we've got recommendations about the best choices for you.
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Best password managers: 6 trustworthy options
The best password is one you probably can't easily remember—that's why a password manager is so crucial to your online security. We review LastPass, Dashlane, Keeper, NordPass, and others to find the best one for managing passwords.
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Best free password managers 2026: Online security doesn’t have to cost a thing
Identity theft and fraudulent charges are just part of the headache that can result from using weak passwords. Shore up your defenses with one of these free password managers.
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Best antivirus software 2026: These 8 apps keep your PC safe
Your Windows PC needs virus protection. Some threats can’t be avoided without the aid of antivirus software. Choose the best antivirus software for you from our top picks.
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Best VPNs for Android: 5 top picks for phones and tablets
PCWorld's picks for the best VPNs for Android devices including smartphones and tablets.
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Best VPNs for torrenting: 5 top picks for speed, privacy, and security
Staying safe while torrenting is essential, and using a VPN like any of these top picks is the best way to do it.
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Best gaming laptop under $1,000
Discover the best budget-friendly gaming laptops of 2026, tested and ranked for performance, portability, and value. From powerful GPUs to portable designs, we'll help you find the perfect affordable gaming laptop that suits your needs and budget.
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Best external drives 2026: Top picks in portable storage
Whether you're looking for speed, capacity, portability, or all of the above, a USB external hard disk or SSD is a necessary complement to your desktop PC setup.
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Best monitor arms 2026: Top 10 models you can trust
A monitor arm is one of those quality-of-life upgrades—the added flexibility for adjusting your monitor's position and angle takes an office setup to the next level. I name the best monitor arms for single- and dual-screen users.
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Best free antivirus 2026: Keep your PC safe without spending a dime
Many of the big names in antivirus offer a free version of their security suites. Here are our top choices for free antivirus.
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Best DisplayLink docks 2026: Move over, Thunderbolt
The DisplayLink dock uses data compression as a low-cost, effective alternative to Thunderbolt docks and USB-C hubs. Here are our picks for the best DisplayLink docking stations.
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Best smart dimmers and switches for your home's lighting
In-wall smart lighting controls will deliver convenience, security, luxury, and sophistication to any smart home.
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Best DVR for cord-cutters: Tablo vs Zapperbox vs Channels
Want to record local channels and skip the commercials? These are the best options.
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Best wireless keyboards 2025: Top Bluetooth and USB models
You’re not using the crummy keyboard that came with your PC, are you? Are you? We hand-tested these wireless models to find better options for your daily driver.
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Best streaming devices: Apple TV, Fire TV, Roku, or Google TV?
Which streaming device is best for you? We'll help you pick the right streaming player, from Apple TV and Roku to Amazon Fire TV and Google TV.
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Best smart lighting: Philips Hue, LIFX, Nanoleaf, and more
Today’s smart lighting is brighter and easier to control than ever, but choosing the right solution for your environment remains a challenge.
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Best TV antennas: Reviews and buying advice for indoor and outdoor options
A great TV antenna lets you watch broadcast television for free and in better resolution than you'll get any other way, including streaming services.
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These are the best live TV streaming services
Is Sling TV better than Hulu, or should cord-cutters subscribe to YouTube TV? Or Fubo? We compare all the ways to watch TV online.
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Best video doorbells 2026: Top 7 picks for your home security
Video doorbells keep continuous watch over the entrance to your property, but which should you choose? We take a look at the field to determine the best.
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Best smart speakers & displays for state-of-the-art smart homes
Whether you prefer Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri, we’ll help you find just the right model.
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We tested the battery life on hundreds of laptops. These 5 refused to die
Need a long-lasting laptop? Here are the longest battery life laptops we've seen in our many years of hands-on testing.
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Best free PDF editors 2025: Our top picks
Not everyone needs a full-fledged PDF editor. Depending on the scope and breadth of your PDF editing needs, you might find that a free option is sufficient. Read on for our recommendations of the best free PDF editors.
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Best smart locks: 5 great options for any budget
Keys are yesterday’s tech. Your smart home needs a smart door lock, and these are our favorites.
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These are the best smart home systems of 2025
The Matter smart home standard gets plenty of attention these days, and for good reason–it is unifying the major smart home platforms championed by Amazon, Apple, Google, Samsung, and more. But many advanced smart home dwellers will want more than that.
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Best smart plugs 2026: Transform your dumb outlets into smart sockets
With models from Lutron, Leviton, TP-Link, and others, we'll help you find the right smart plug to control your lamps, small appliances, and outdoor lighting.n
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These are the best robot lawn mowers of 2025
Robots aren't just for cleaning your home's floors anymore, this variety of autonomous machine will keep your lawns manicured—and you out of the brutal sun.
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Tested! The best security cameras for keeping your home safe
From wireless outdoor floodlight cameras that patrol the yard to indoor cams with motion, person, and pet detection, we've rounded up the top home security cameras and put them through a gauntlet of real-world tests. Our guide will help you pick the best security cam for your budget.
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Chromebook vs. Windows laptop: Which should you buy?
Should you buy a Chromebook or a Windows laptop? They're similar in some ways, but fundamentally different in others. This guide will help you decide.
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Best laptops for video editing 2025: Work faster with these expert picks
Need to cut video fast? We name the best laptops for the task based on performance and available features.
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Best DIY home security systems of 2026: Reviews and buying advice
Installing your home security system yourself can save you hundreds of dollars. These are the best DIY options, with and without professional monitoring.
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Best smart garage door controller: Convenience, safety
Even if you use your garage only as an oversized storage locker, you’ll wonder how you ever got along without a smart controller for your existing garage door opener.
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Best dash cams 2025: Our picks for all types, at all budgets
We review the best 1080p and 4K dash cams. They record what's ahead (and sometimes what's behind)—just the sort of backup you want in the midst of harried traffic.
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Best work from home tech of 2024/2025
15 of the best hardware and software products for an optimal home-office workplace.
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Best wireless gaming mice: Tested and approved
Whether you want your desktop gaming freed from wires, or you frequently take your gaming rig on the go, a good wireless gaming mouse will get the job done.
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Best budget gaming mice
Looking for a budget gaming mouse that ticks all your boxes? These top-performing budget mice can keep up with even the priciest out there.
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Best gaming headsets: Reviews and buying advice
The best wired and wireless headsets for your PC gaming pleasure and comfort.
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Best wireless gaming headsets: Top picks for audio quality, comfort, and more
These wireless gaming headsets were the standout performers in our rigorous PCWorld review testing.
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Best gaming mice: Find your perfect match
We present the best gaming mice money can buy as rated by PCWorld expert reviewers.
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The best wireless gaming keyboards
Whatever your style or preference, there is a wireless gaming keyboard that fits the bill, offering top-notch performance, while keeping your desk tidy!
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