In a year of chip shortages and the transition back to life on the go, these gadgets were the favorites of CNET editors.
Dec. 11, 2021 1:40 a.m. PT Listen
Original Article Appears on CNET
– 03:02 While 2021 wasn’t 2020 — there was no global recession and there were fewer restrictions on activity — it was still a challenging year for companies launching new tech products. The worldwide chip shortage and the supply chain crisis tied the hands of tech companies. Plus, consumers loaded up on so much tech last year that demand wasn’t as brisk for some products in 2021. Nevertheless, the bullet train of innovation kept racing forward and there were billions of people buying tickets for a ride.
As we do each year, CNET evaluated the most important products in the biggest categories in consumer tech. Our goal is to find the most recommendable product in each category and subcategory and designate it as the CNET Editors’ Choice. The end result is always to provide the clearest and most useful advice to our audience.
https://playlist.megaphone.fm/?e=RED5750022502 The best tech products offer a combination of performance, design and value. All of the products on our list have been rigorously tested by CNET’s team of subject matter experts. Also, we don’t hand out an Editors’ Choice until the product has been in the hands of the general public for at least a week, to make sure there aren’t any bugs, glitches or other surprises that didn’t show up in our testing.
All of that is what makes the CNET Editors’ Choice badge a hallmark of excellence in consumer tech. It’s our signal that a product is among the best of breed in its category and is a good value for the money.
In 2021, as the world worked its way toward post-pandemic normalcy, technology continued to remain critical in connecting us virtually so that we could work, collaborate, educate, entertain, socialize and encourage each other from afar. Tech keeps reimagining life, society and the world — and the transformation continued to accelerate this year.
CNET Now
Get editors’ top picks of the day’s most interesting reviews, news stories and videos.
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
So here they are, the best products of 2021.
Phones, smartwatches, earbuds
- Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G
- OnePlus 9
- Google Pixel 6
- Google Pixel 6 Pro
- Apple iPhone 13 and Mini
- Apple iPhone 13 Pro and Pro Max
- Garmin Venue 2
- Apple Watch Series 7
- Fitbit Charge 5
- Sony WF-1000XM4
Computers, laptops, gaming
- Dell XPS 13 OLED
- Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch
- Acer Chromebook Spin 713
- Dell Inspiron 16 Plus
- HP Pavilion Aero 13
- Razer Blade 14
- Dell 4K UltraSharp Webcam
- Razer Viper 8K mouse
- Nintendo Switch OLED
- Apple iPad (9th gen)
- Kindle Paperwhite 2021
Home entertainment gear
- LG C1 OLED TV
- Epson Home Cinema 5050UB
- Roku Express 4K Plus
- Chromecast with Google TV
- Vizio M512a-H6
- Bose SoundLink Flex
- Audio-Technica AT-LP60X
- Fluance RT82
- Elac Debut 2.0 B6.2
- Sony WH-1000XM4
- YouTube TV
- Sling TV
Useful tech for your smart home
- Google Nest Hub (2nd gen)
- Amazon Echo Show 8
- Amazon Echo (4th gen)
- Ring Alarm Pro
- Arlo Pro 4
- TP-Link Deco W7200
- Amazon Smart Thermostat
- August Wi-Fi Smart Lock
