If there's one thing I always recommend to my fellow drivers, it's a dashcam. While it might not do much to prevent accidents in the first place, it does act as a secondary insurance policy should things get a little more drawn out and annoying. After all, there's not much you can say in the face of a video with evidence of your misdeeds — or indeed, the lack thereof.

Any dash cam is better than no dash cam, but there are some features you'll want to make sure you get the most out of it. Clear, high-definition footage is important so you can make out license plates and the like. Something easy to fit is always a bonus. There are other features out there, but they are by no means necessary. Some have cameras for the car interior, and some even feature voice control.

My favorite dash cam right now is the Nextbase iQ. Sure, it's an expensive option, but the useful driver safety features aren't seen on other models. If you don't want to spend loads of money, I also like the Nextbase Piqo. It's got plenty of features but won't break the bank. There's even a snazzy option that completely replaces your rearview mirror!

Here are the best dash cams of 2026.

Best overall

If you're looking for a dash cam packed with smart features that still delivers incredible video footage, look no further than the Nextbase iQ. This all-in-one solution has just about everything you'd need to protect yourself and your car from whatever happens when you're out on the road.

Advanced features include a proximity radar that powers advanced parking mode and can detect intrusions or people hanging around near your parked car. Witness Mode is also capable of contacting a nominated contact, so they can see a live video feed of whatever is happening after an incident. There are also voice commands, automatic incident recording, emergency SOS and a feature that watches out for obstructions in the road ahead.

The Nextbase iQ is expensive, and the optional subscriptions can push up that price even further. Thankfully, you're not locked into a single model, since Nextbase offers 1080p, 2K and 4K options at various price points.

• Read our full Nextbase iQ dash cam review

Best affordable dash cam

The Nextbase Piqo isn't as feature-rich as the Nextbase iQ, but it certainly takes a lot of inspiration from the flagship dash cam — at a fraction of the cost. There's no LTE connection, but it does offer impressive features like live streaming incidents to trusted contacts and reporting accidents to emergency services if you're incapacitated.

Personally, I was a little disappointed with the video quality at 1080p resolution, and the night vision is far from perfect. But the 2K models offer some impressive video quality that should prove more than enough to cover all the driving you do. Plus, there are voice commands that help you switch smarter features on and off with a single command

But really, the biggest strength is its design. The Nextbase Piqo is small and sleek enough that you probably won't even notice it on your windscreen. Which means you can forget about it and focus on what really matters — driving.

• Read our full Nextbase Piqo review

Best multi-view dash cam

Anyone wanting maximum visibility who isn't bothered as much about video quality should head straight for the Vantrue N5S. It levels up the three-camera system of the N4 Pro to a four-camera system by adding an additional cabin camera, giving you two cabin cameras, a front, and a rear camera. All can record simultaneously for a near-360-degree view.

The drawback here is that the extra camera comes at the expense of video quality. There's no option for 4K/60fps recording (although an N5S Pro model could change that) and the front unit is quite bulky and tricky to install. But if you can overlook those niggles you'll find a solid package with plenty of bells and whistles. There's voice control and the N5S is one of the few dash cams to include Wide Dynamic Range (WDR), which improves overall image contrast.

Naturally, the N5S carries a G-sensor, which detects impacts, saving a recording of around 40 seconds before and 20 seconds after an incident. There's also a parking mode that will help you with motion and collision detection. Vantrue doesn't include a microSD card or polarising filters, which is a shame. But the four-camera system does what it promises and eliminates blind spots in its coverage, whether from chunky A-pillars, headrests, or other passengers.

• Read our full Vantrue N5S review

Best compact dash cam

The Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 is the perfect camera if you need something simple, without any features that might distract you from the road ahead. As the name suggests, this is a positively tiny dash cam, designed to hide away where you're not going to see it. In fact, you may even forget that it's there.

Video resolution is limited to 1080p, and you're missing out on the advanced features that Garmin dash cams are typically known for. But considering how high-tech modern cars are becoming, there's less and less need for a dash cam that's overly complicated.

The Garmin Dash Cam Mini performs where it counts, though, offering fantastic video and image performance on day and nighttime drives. Which is all you really need from a new dash cam, frankly.

• Read our full Garmin Dash Cam Mini 3 review

Best dash cam for safety

The Garmin X310 dash cam makes a name for itself with its compact design and the ability to record high-quality video without the usual lens glare that can affect some of its rivals. However, it's also capable of offering some incredibly useful safety features, which may be useful for those of you who don't have modern cars.

Like many Garmin dash cams, the X310 offers lane departure warnings, early collision alerts, plus an alert for upcoming red lights. and safety cameras. The downside is that a lot of the X310's power comes from the Garmin Drive app, which requires a $10 a month subscription to get the most out of your camera. But this does come with cloud video storage and a live view mode, which a lot of less expensive dash cams lack.

But subscription or not, the X310 proved easy to install, and produced some excellent videos — aided by the built-in polarizing filter to reduce glare. Our reviewer Brian Nadel found the video he recorded was excellent, with sharp, clear video that lacked irritating pixelization. Not to mention the lifelike colors, which are impressive for such a small camera.

• Read our full Garmin X310 Dash Cam review

Best affordable 4K

If you're on the lookout for a 4K dash cam, you'll find that the models on sale are extremely cheap or extortionately expensive. Cheap models perform ok, but tend to come with compromises that affect video quality. Expensive models offer great video, but the excess of high-tech features means sky-high prices.

Thankfully, the Vantrue E1 Pro manages to offer good quality video without all the fluff — while maintaining an affordable sub-$200 price tag.

The E1 Pro is small enough to hide behind your rear-view mirror and has all the features you'd expect from a modern dash cam. Wi-Fi for speedy video downloads, voice control, GPS, parking mode, and collision detection with adjustable sensitivity. There's also an optional LTE module (this costs extra), and a specialist feature called PlatePix, which analyzes and upscales license plates — one of the hardest things to capture accurately on a dash cam.

Video quality during the day is excellent, and while night recording isn't perfect, the extra contrast from HDR mode really helped bolster the overall quality.

• Read our full Vantrue E1 Pro review

How about swapping out your mirror for a camera?

It's no great secret that rearward visibility in cars is getting worse. The best way to counteract it? A camera that serves as a rearview mirror, giving you a better view out of the back and a good spot to mount a front-facing dash cam should you find yourself in a collision or party to some woeful driving.

We tested one of many — the Rexing M2 Max. It's a $229 option that very easily slips over your existing rearview mirror. The camera for the rearview needs to be fitted and wired in as well, but following the instructions, you'll have no problem getting it in place. From what we've seen, this is how most rearview replacement cameras work.

Once fitted, there are plenty of options to play around with when it comes to your rearview. You can pan around for a better look at your surroundings, and there are brightness settings should things get sunny outside.

As a dashcam its about as middle of the road as they come. It works well enough, recording the road in front and behind you, and it'll give you the evidence you need should you have to fight potential accident claims (or, indeed, make one). There's nothing to write home about here — 4K25FPS, HDR, middling performance in the dark.

So, if you're looking for a snazzy new rearview mirror, something like the Rexing M2 Max might well be a good idea — just don't expect the best dashcam ever and you'll be fine.

• Read more about the Rexing M2 Max

Also tested

Why do you need a dash cam?

Think of a dash cam as a little extra insurance. It's not going to make you a safer driver, although it will encourage safer road habits — those videos can be used against you as much as in your favor. The most important part of their usefulness comes down to helping insurers work out who was at fault during an accident.

To that end, some insurers even offer lower rates if you've got a dash cam fitted. That's a big bonus as the world becomes ever more expensive.

Some of the more expensive options even act like security cameras for your car, tracking who comes and goes from your vehicle.

What to look for in a dash cam

Dash cams come in countless different shapes and sizes, with each model offering different hardware specs, features and price tags. Before you commit to buying a specific dash cam, you should first figure out what you want it for.

At their most basic level, dash cams record everything that happens while you're driving. But at the other end of that spectrum, dash cams also offer useful driver safety features. Those aren't necessary, but they could potentially be very useful.

Camera & video quality

By far the most important thing to consider when buying a dash cam is the camera quality. This goes way beyond picking up a model with the best resolution; it's about that camera being able to pick up important details in a variety of conditions.

It's no good having a dash cam that only picks up license plate numbers in conditions you may only get for an hour or so each day. Your dash cam needs to be able to pick up and record those details, no matter what, day or night, rain or shine.

Better resolution can help, but it isn't guaranteed, so you also want to be on the lookout for dash cams that support features like HDR and offer better low-light performance. A higher field of view is also beneficial if it's on offer, since it allows the camera to see more. But generally speaking, most dash cams are designed to cover everything that happens on the other side of your windshield.

Storage

Something you probably didn't really think about, storage is especially important for dash cams. Continuously recording footage takes up a lot of space, and the 32GB microSD card that came with that cheap dash cam isn't going to last long. Assuming it even came with one.

There are two things you need to know first. Dash cams will overwrite old footage as new stuff is recorded, and that means you need to be aware that those saved recordings are not permanent. However, a lot of dash cams do have features that automatically preserve recordings whenever it thinks there's been an accident. These features aren't foolproof, though.

So you need to make sure that any dash cam you buy either has high storage capacity or microSD expansion. That way, you don't need to worry about preserving every last bit of important footage. Just remember that you will need a higher-end card with faster read/write speeds.

Features

You'll be hard-pressed to find a dash cam that doesn't include GPS these days. The benefit of this is that the camera can record exactly where a piece of video was recorded, and in many instances, how fast you were going at the time.

Some dash cams also feature parking features, designed to record what happens if someone hits your car when the engine is switched off. These generally mean hardwiring your camera into the car, either through the fuse box or the OBD port, and that requires a little more effort than simply plugging into your cigarette lighter.

Other notable features available include additional reversible camera lenses, the ability to connect to other cameras, cloud storage and, of course, voice controls. These can typically be found on a variety of dash cams at different price points.

Safety & connectivity

The most high-end dash cams also come with features you won't find elsewhere, relating to safety and connectivity. These are especially useful in older cars that don't offer these kinds of features.

In some cases, these features include low-level advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like lane departure warnings and alerts if there's a stationary vehicle ahead. Other companies offer emergency SOS systems, livestreaming capabilities, or geolocation options that alert you if your car leaves a specific area.

How we test dash cams

Every dash cam you see in this list has been tested and reviewed to ensure that the best dash cams really are the best. We look at every step involved in owning a dash cam, from setting up all the way to actually having to pull your footage from the memory card.

The testing begins by setting up the camera, and judging it depending on how easy or difficult the whole process is. We also spend extensive time on the road, day and night, to collect footage and make an informed judgment on how each camera performs in a variety of real-world conditions.

We also assess each camera's design and companion software (if it has any) throughout this process, and assess what impact it has on day-to-day use. Finally, we collect the footage from the camera, which can be via a companion app or by manually transferring the microSD card to a different machine. The ease or difficulty with which this happens also factors into our final score, as do any additional features the camera may or may not have.

Almost everyone can get something out of the right VPN. Whether you want to stream niche shows, protect yourself from surveillance, or just get reliable access to your bank when abroad, one of the best VPNs can help you out.

At their core, VPNs encrypt your data and change your IP address. We've got technical details on how that works below, but the outcome is very simple – VPNs hide the websites you visit from your internet provider, and make sure those websites can't see your real location.

Of course, VPNs aren't a silver bullet. If you use your real details to log into a browser like Chrome or apps like TikTok and Instagram, those platforms can still link you with your activity. However, if you stay savvy and keep online safety in mind, using a VPN is the perfect first step to improving your privacy.

We're a team of four full-time VPN users and cybersecurity journalists, and we spend every day testing, reviewing, and writing about privacy products. We have over 20 years of experience between us, and we've been hands-on with every VPN on this page. You can find links to our VPN reviews in the detailed analysis of each product.

Top 3 overview

What's new in VPN?

Fresh VPN deals

Since Private Internet Access ended its excellent summer VPN deal, most VPNs are at full price right now. However, if any good deals launch, we'll update this page straight away.

Global sports and streaming

Commonwealth Games (July 23-August 2): The Commonwealth Games begin this week with 72 countries/teams meeting in Glasgow to compete across 10 events. Available to watch for free on 7Plus (AU) and CBC Gem (CA). Available with a subscription on TNT (UK).

Love Island UK Final (27 July): The final of UK Love Island is on Monday, with the remaining four couples battling it out to be crowned champions of the villa. Stream free on ITV (UK).

News and software updates

ExpressVPN recently announced an upgrade to its server network, boosting its range to 113 countries and 214 selectable server locations – great news if you're a real VPN globetrotter.

Beyond that, all eyes are still on the UK. With Andy Burnham now in the driving seat, and has caught the eye of privacy advocates by stating he'll scrap the upcoming digital ID scheme. Time will tell to see if any changes are implemented regarding age verification laws.

Meet the creators of this guide

Our top recommendation

NordVPN is currently our top recommendation as the best all-round VPN service. Our tests show that it combines excellent privacy features with fast speeds in our lab and real-world tests, and has the most server locations of any VPN we'd recommend. It also has an excellent unblocking track record, plus well-thought-out apps and clever customer support.

Close rival Surfshark is cheaper and offers a similar level of performance. However, NordVPN has consistently proven to be one of the best VPNs for streaming – that’s going back at least four years – and is still competitively priced, with what is objectively a good-value, two-year introductory price.

Easy to set up and use, but not as cleanly designed as ExpressVPN

While we don't think NordVPN's app interfaces have the same sheen of visual simplicity as ExpressVPN's, it’s still very suitable for beginners: it took one of our low-tech impromptu testers less than 10 seconds to connect to a server in Australia when I asked him to try using it. Recent mobile app updates have improved this, and only the least confident users will have any problems getting up and running.

Meanwhile, there’s a generous amount of extra features, such as Double VPN (where your traffic can be routed through two encrypted servers rather than one), and custom DNS (often used for custom ad blocking) tucked away for more advanced users if you want them.

Jump to: The best VPNs for usability

Top speeds of over 1,200 Mbps – won't noticeably slow you down

In our latest round of speed testing, we upgraded to a 10 Gbps line. NordVPN performed very well, delivering a average speed of 1,256 Mbps when connected to the closest server, and 626 Mbps when connecting to a US server from the UK. When we tested it on a 10 Gbps connection in the US, we saw maximum speeds of over 1,100 Mbps – that's fast enough for 73 simultaneous 4K Netflix streams.

However, in this round of testing we did see ExpressVPN and Proton VPN make big improvements – peaking at 1,479 Mbps and 1,521 Mbps respectively – which makes NordVPN's results a little less impressive.

While VPNs invariably have some impact on your connection, we can comfortably say that NordVPN won't slow down your connection noticeably during regular use.

When we simulated network drop outs in our lab tests, NordVPN reconnected quickly and without fuss when the network came back – something a remarkable amount of lower-end VPNs really struggle with.

Finally, VPN Editor Mo Harber-Lamond uses NordVPN daily on an iPhone 14 Pro (4G and 5G), as well as at home on a 1 Gbps connection, and on slow public transport Wi-Fi. He finds it almost always connects in a couple of seconds, and manages to stay up even on patchy connections.

Jump to: The fastest VPNs we've tested

Audited, encrypted and future-proof – but not open-source

NordVPN has excellent privacy credentials and is a good choice for most security-conscious people – only Proton VPN scored higher in our testing on that front. Since a hacking incident back in 2018, NordVPN has taken several steps to bolster its security. These include continuing to implement a robust no-logs policy, and committing to regular independent audits to verify that it doesn’t collect any of your activity data. For example, a fifth audit of the no-logs policy was conducted at the end of 2024, and the infrastructure and apps were audited in late 2025. Only ExpressVPN has undergone more audits, with 23 to date.

NordVPN uses its custom NordLynx protocol to power your connections. Think of it like the engine under the hood, designed to make your connection fast, secure and reliable.

We found that it works well: it connects fast and responds quickly. It's built on top of the industry-standard WireGuard protocol with some custom privacy enhancements, such as its double NAT system which addresses the well-known IP-storing concerns of the base protocol. Many other VPN providers use WireGuard, and most also implement their own privacy measures on top of it.

We tested it across a variety of network conditions in both the US and UK, including Tom's Guide’s office Ethernet, multiple home Wi-Fi networks, and 4G and 5G mobile networks, and found that NordLynx had little to no real-world impact on speed or performance. A recent update has also introduced post-quantum encryption across all apps, which future-proofs the privacy of your data.

This makes NordLynx a strong protocol choice for demanding activities like downloading large games and streaming multiple 4K movies simultaneously on the same network, as well as for everyday internet usage.

However, if you need to bypass heavy censorship or network restrictions like corporate firewalls, NordVPN also supports OpenVPN, which offers better base privacy, as a more robust fallback.

NordVPN’s new censorship-busting NordWhisper protocol is now also available – but we haven't been able to test it properly yet (we're getting set up to do so). In the meantime, if evading super-strict censorship is your priority, we'd suggest using Proton VPN instead at number four in this guide..

One limitation is that NordVPN’s apps aren’t open-source. This means we can’t fully test their security: we rely on independent audit data for this. It's not a major deal, but for many people, open-source should be the norm. If this is important to you, you should again consider Proton VPN, as well as Private Internet Access, which are both premium VPNs with open-source apps.

However, we do test Nord’s kill switch across all major platforms and devices twice a year in the lab, as well as sporadically during personal use, and we've never once been able to make it fail. We’ve also never found iPv6 or DNS leaks when we've probed for them. These security vulnerabilities are common in lower-quality VPN services and can expose your identity.

Jump to: The best VPNs for privacy

Packed with powerful extras, if you know where to look

NordVPN is one of the best-featured VPNs, overall, with a comprehensive set of tools that cater to both general and more advanced users. On the Basic tier you get the same privacy and security features as the other leading VPNs, including a kill switch, custom DNS, Double VPN, and auto-connect.

Extra features include a Dark Web Monitor – something NordVPN says is its "most useful, yet overlooked features." It scans the internet for any credential leaks associated with your email address (within our top five VPNs, ExpressVPN, Proton VPN and Surfshark also offer this feature).

The almost-axed Meshnet feature is great too. Meshnet allows up to 60 devices to be linked, and is made for file sharing and even gaming.

However, split tunneling isn't available on iOS or macOS. If you do much torrenting on these operating systems and want to only route the torrent traffic through the VPN, consider PIA or Surfshark instead.

In terms of platform compatibility, NordVPN is at the bleeding edge. As well as all the standard platforms like Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Apple TV and Linux, NordVPN was the one of two VPNs with apps ready for Amazon's VegaOS launch – with IPVanish being the other.

NordVPN's network has very wide coverage – it recently increased its server locations to 224, with servers in 149 countries. This is well ahead of ExpressVPN and Surfshark, which sit at 113 and 100 countries apiece. This is good news if you live in a smaller country, or use your VPN to connect to lots of different locations.

NordVPN's closest competitor here is Proton VPN, and over the past year, the two have been in something of an arms race. Currently, NordVPN is just ahead of Proton's 148 countries. However, it's worth looking at the individual spread of each to see which offers the best locations for your personal usage.

You can upgrade your plan – at a cost, of course – to include some interesting added extras. The most useful of these is Threat Protection Pro. It's an anti-malware and browser protection tool, which runs even when the VPN is off. It was put head-to-head against four competitors by AV-TEST in Germany, which rated NordVPN as the best of its kind, and has recently been upgraded to include hijacked session alerts. In July 2025, NordVPN also introduced scam call protection, and in 2026 the feature was made available in Europe.

It worked really well for us too. We attempted to open 100 brand new malicious URLs from anti-phishing experts OpenPhish, and it blocked 87% (we found dedicated antivirus provider Bitdefender blocked 89% of the same threats – only two more).

However, while it worked well for the leading browsers (Chrome, Edge, Firefox), Threat Protection Pro doesn't protect every browser or app, and also isn't supported on mobile devices. So, if you’re doing anything risky online, we’d still recommend choosing a separate antivirus.

Consistently unblocked every streaming service we tested

Most top VPNs are effective at unblocking streaming sites from around the world. However, NordVPN is one of the very best – and has maintained this performance for a good number of years.

In the early days of our VPN reviews, NordVPN didn't put much effort into streaming and didn't perform well. But, since about 2021, we've found it to be incredibly effective and consistent.

Most recently, it once again unblocked every streaming service we threw at it on the first try (ExpressVPN and PIA are the only services in our top five that didn't). You can see the results from our latest tests in the Streaming section below.

NordVPN’s extremely fast speeds mean that you don’t get any frustrating buffering – we've enjoyed The Traitors on BBC iPlayer by connecting to a UK server from the US – and the wide spread of server countries adds value too. As a result, NordVPN takes the number one spot in our best Netflix VPN and best VPN for streaming guides.

Jump to: The best VPNs for streaming

Good customer service: real humans and quick responses

To help you when you get stuck, NordVPN offers a 24/7 live chat service. We contacted NordVPN's support team via the chatbot on the site with a variety of questions, and responses were quick. We didn't have to wait long to be handed over to a human agent.

For example, I had trouble accessing the Formula 1 YouTube channel while connected – an issue I've had with all VPNs. The first time I asked this question, the live chat support agent was able to give me a specific server that worked within the space of a couple of minutes. Impressive.

We asked the same question again a month later in mid April 2025 and this time NordVPN couldn’t solve the issue. However, the agent stayed online for almost an hour, providing detailed and varied suggestions to try and solve it.

When it comes to the support articles on the NordVPN website, they're good, but not great. Most are suitable for beginners, but more complex topics are wordy and tricky to decipher. We found ExpressVPN's FAQ section much more accessible, but our recent tests have found that its live chat is now less efficient than NordVPN's.

Jump to: The best VPNs for usability

Great value for money... for the first 24 months

NordVPN offers four different pricing tiers (or three, if you’re outside the US). The entry-level Basic tier offers good value when compared with other services, with more handy extra features than most other VPNs at this mid-range price point – including a "lite" version of its Threat Protection feature.

NordVPN usually costs around $94 for 24 months of service, which is the equivalent of $3.49 per month. Like many other VPNs, though, there's often a special offer – this typically comes in at around $2.99 per month.

By comparison, Proton VPN has more advanced tools but slightly fewer extra features, and costs a little less per month on the two-year plan ($71.76 total for 24 months), while Surfshark and ExpressVPN are much cheaper at $2.49 per month, but give you fewer additional features.

NordVPN’s Plus plan also looks good value to me. For less than a dollar more per month, you can get everything in the Basic plan, plus Threat Protection Pro (which works even when the VPN isn’t connected) and a password manager. It’s worth considering if you're looking for wider-ranging online protection and don’t want to buy separate anti-malware software or an antivirus.

I’m less sold on the value of NordVPN’s more expensive higher tiers. If you’re in the US, the Prime option ($7.49 per month / $202.23 overall) includes Coveron (formerly NordProtect), which gives you scam and ID theft insurance up to $1M, and a credit-monitoring service, and personal data removal tool Incogni.

However, ExpressVPN's two-year "Advanced" plan offers almost everything on NordVPN's Prime plan, but costs just $5.49 per month.

However, some of my only major gripes with NordVPN are to do with its pricing model. First of all, the advertised price may not be what you'll actually pay. Depending on where you live, tax is added at checkout – in the UK, for example, a hefty 20% VAT is added. US states vary, but expect a markup of at least 7%. Of the VPNs on this page, only those owned by Nord Security do this.

Another issue is the massive price hike you'll see after your initial subscription runs out – it's far bigger than any other service. If you allow your subscription to auto-renew, the two-year plan that cost $94 for will turn into a one-year rolling plan that costs $139. That works out at around $11.60 per month. My advice? Don't let that happen. Cancel, and resubscribe at a reasonable rate.

NordVPN is best if:

✅ You want a powerful VPN that just works.
NordVPN is the most well-rounded VPN we’ve tested. From enhanced privacy to gaming, streaming, shopping, and more, it’s the best option out there.

✅ You want to access streaming sites anywhere.
NordVPN has consistently been the one of the most reliable VPN for unblocking streaming services in our testing.

✅ You want lots of extra features.
Alongside the core VPN, NordVPN offers good malware protection with Threat Protection Pro, a dark web monitor, and more.

NordVPN isn't best if:

❌ You're on a tight budget.
There are a few cheaper VPNs that give NordVPN a good run for its money – Surfshark and Private Internet Access are two standouts. What's more, be aware that NordVPN's prices are quoted pre-tax in its marketing material.

❌ You're a technophobe.
NordVPN isn't too difficult to use, but ExpressVPN is a better choice if you want a simpler alternative.

🔒 Read our in-depth NordVPN review for more.

The best cheap option

Surfshark's appeal is simple: an unbeatable introductory price, with excellent speeds and good core VPN features that stood up to our testing. While it doesn't have some of the advanced features NordVPN has – Onion over VPN, for example – it offers far more than any other VPN at this price point, and more than most VPNs, period.

The best value VPN we’ve tested by far

The bargain price is clearly the standout reason why many people choose Surfshark. Starting at $1.99 per month (you pay $53 plus tax upfront for 27 months of service), it's the value heavyweight in the VPN division. There are also higher price plans that give you some extras like antivirus (provided by Avira), Alternative Number, and a personal data removal tool with Incogni.

Alternatives in the value category include PIA ($2.19 per month) and PrivadoVPN ($1.11 per month), but I'd recommend Surfshark as a much better fit than these for most people: PIA is more complicated to use, and PrivadoVPN is about as basic a VPN as you can get. Surfshark ties together great features with a bargain price like no other provider we've tested.

What's more, In May, 2025, Surfshark launched its 7-day free trial for all platforms. Previously this was only available on mobile devices. However, support for older iOS and macOS versions has been dropped – if you're using an old Apple device, more compatible alternatives include Private Internet Access and Proton VPN.

However, just like NordVPN, Surfshark's headline prices are quoted pre-tax (unlike other VPNs like Proton VPN and ExpressVPN), and also ramp up if you auto-renew. It jumps to $79 for one year, to be exact, which works out at about $6.60 per month. We dislike this practice, but almost every VPN does it. Don't let it happen to you. Mark it in your calendar to cancel, and resubscribe at the end of your package.

Designed with beginners in mind

Compared to the likes of NordVPN and Proton VPN, it's clear that Surfshark has prioritized ease of use over advanced features. Upon first installation for our testing processes, Surfshark asked us how familiar we are with VPNs, and then tailored our setup experience accordingly. It’s a great feature that offers beginners a soft landing into the world of VPNs, and advanced users more immediate access to the fancy features they’re expecting.

The layout is intuitive, with the fastest and nearest location placed front and center in the app. The roominess of the app is also welcome, especially compared to more cramped alternatives like Private Internet Access.

Additional features like Alternative ID (where you can generate temporary fake contact details – for example, to sign up for websites online without using your real email address) and antivirus are kept in different tabs, accessible on the left of the app. If you need them, they're available in a click. If you don't, you never have to look at them.

Overall, our team agrees that Surfshark balances simplicity with power, and despite not being quite as elegant as ExpressVPN, it's unlikely to disappoint you.

Surfshark is still very fast – but has dropped off slightly

Surfshark's default protocol is WireGuard – the same VPN engine that NordLynx is based on. In our last round of speed tests, Surfshark impressed, topping out at 1,021 Mbps when connecting to a US server from within the US. Surfshark's long-distance connections have improved too, posting speeds of 935 Mbps when connecting to the UK from the US.

However, if you need even faster connections, Proton VPN is a better choice, and tops our ranking of the fastest VPNs.

It's worth noting that Surfshark recently launched the Dausos protocol, which promises to improve speeds by up to 30%. In our hands-on with Dausos, performance was impressive, and we're excited to see how it performs in our next round of lab testing.

With speeds of 430 Mbps, Surfshark's OpenVPN speeds are a little slower than its competitors. NordVPN recorded 857 Mbps and ExpressVPN peaked at 808 Mbps.

This is great if you live in a country with restrictive internet laws. OpenVPN is much easier to obfuscate, which means hiding the fact you're using a VPN at all. Camouflage Mode is Surfshark's version of this, and is enabled by default when using OpenVPN.

One caveat to this is that OpenVPN is not actually available by default in any of the Surfshark apps. To use it, you need to set it up manually. We followed Surfshark's onsite guide and it only took us about five minutes, but some people won't like having to do this.

Backed by Nord Security: great security and privacy

Being owned by Nord Security means that you can trust that Surfshark follows the same high standards when it comes to privacy. Everything was in order in our testing, and its privacy policies are fully audited.

In January 2026, Surfshark had its network infrastructure audited by cybersecurity firm SecuRing. The results were very positive, and this is a big improvement – previously, Surfshark hasn't been as diligent as big rivals NordVPN and ExpressVPN when it comes to third-party audits.

The software itself is secure, too. In each of our tests – kill switch, DNS leaks – we found no issues with Surfshark, and the introduction of post-quantum encryption is a big green flag. Clearly, the lower price does not mean less privacy, and we consider Surfshark very safe for general use.

All the essential features, plus some clever extras

Compared to other VPNs of a similar price, we found that Surfshark offers a superb set of extra features. It can't quite match up to NordVPN – there's nothing like Onion over VPN or Threat Protection Pro – so anyone looking for a full privacy suite might be better served by the big brother. But, if you're just looking for a cheap, simple VPN that won’t let you down, that shouldn’t concern you.

When testing the kill switch, we found it 100% effective and reliable: we tried lots of methods to trip it up but we couldn't find a way to break it. That's an improvement from a couple of years ago where we discovered a significant issue.

There's also split tunneling on all platforms, including iOS and now macOS, which NordVPN does not cater for. However, the removal of OpenVPN from the apps and manual setup requirement seems counterintuitive – especially considering how well Surfshark performs when using this protocol.

Elsewhere, there's not a lot that Surfshark has left out. I watched as the rotating IP option successfully cycled my IP address to a new one every 10 minutes. ExpressVPN is the only other VPN on this page that offers this.

The real standout feature, though, is Alternative ID. It’s totally unique, and offers a quick and easy way to create a short-term disposable identity – complete with fake but functional contact details – that can be used to sign up for accounts and services online without revealing your identity or contact information. I created a bogus email address with it, which I used to bag a discount code from an email newsletter sign-up without having to give any real information.

It's not all perfect for Surfshark though. The VPN is aimed at more casual users, which makes it easy to use, but a little simplistic for power users. For example, Private Internet Access offers port forwarding – a niche tool that can help when torrenting – so if you have a very particular reason for using a VPN, there's likely a provider that's more tailor-made.

Excellent streaming performance, but a notable hiccup

Surfshark proved to be very reliable for streaming, unblocking almost every website we tried on the first attempt. No matter which server or location we tried with our custom testing tool, we were able to access streaming sites from that country.

However, it's worth noting that Surfshark did have issues when it came to Amazon Prime Video. In fact, it was only able to access the UK library of the streaming site, which is disappointing. That said, almost every VPN tested had issues with Amazon Prime Video this time round, so this isn't unique to Surfshark.

In our previous round of testing, Surfshark rose to the very top of our streaming VPN rankings. However, with a strong performance, NordVPN has overtaken it once again, but both providers are excellent at unblocking.

If you're a VPN newbie who's heading abroad, or just looking to access global streaming services, Surfshark is your very best choice.

Not quite NordVPN-level customer support, but good enough

Surfshark's customer support isn't the most effective we've experienced. We posed the same Formula 1 YouTube channel streaming problem to all our top five VPNs in mid-April 2025, and while Surfshark transferred us to a human very quickly, and the agent was friendly, a resolution couldn't be found. That was disappointing, given that ExpressVPN and Proton VPN were able to resolve the same issue.

The support articles are also quite thin, and don't provide as much detail as other VPNs do. This is one of the few areas in which Surfshark doesn't adequately help the less-experienced user, and needs some improvement.

For example, when querying: "Can't connect to Surfshark," the support article is quite short, and doesn't give much information. Compare this to NordVPN's version and ExpressVPN's version of the same page, and the difference is night and day.

That said, the live chat agents should be able to help you out in most situations if the written articles aren't good enough (our live chat test concerned a very niche issue). Plus, we do have to factor the cheaper price into our expectations here.

Surfshark is best if:

✅ You love a bargain.
At $1.99 per month, Surfshark is excellent value. Just don't forget to turn off auto-renewal to avoid that price hike.

✅ You're a beginner.
Surfshark is designed with beginners in mind, with clear, simple apps that make both basic features and more complex settings easy to understand.

✅ You're a big streamer.
Surfshark performed a clean sweep in our last round of streaming tests, and is our top choice if you just need a VPN for streaming.

Surfshark isn't best if:

❌ You have advanced needs.
A focus on being beginner-friendly means Surfshark has left out some more technical settings.

❌ You need OpenVPN to be readily available.
Although Surfshark is one of the fastest providers when using OpenVPN, it's not available in the apps by default – you'll need to set it up manually to use it.

❌ You want to rely on the built-in malware blocking tech.
Surfshark's CleanWeb tool just isn't as effective as NordVPN's Threat Protection or ExpressVPN's Threat Manager.

🔒 Read our in-depth Surfshark review for more.

The best VPN for beginners

ExpressVPN stood out in my testing as the most user-friendly VPN of the lot. It strips away all the complexities, and just gives you what you need: strong privacy, reliable speeds, and good customer support with an easy one-touch interface.

However, this simplicity inevitably does come with trade-offs. For example, NordVPN offers more customization features, so advanced users may find that ExpressVPN doesn't quite offer enough flex.

With prices starting at $2.49 per month, ExpressVPN is remarkably good value – especially considering just a year ago, the cheapest plan cost $4.99 per month.

With the recent introduction of a huge range of extra apps, ExpressVPN is the perfect choice if you need them. If not, you're paying for tools you won't use.,

As easy as VPN gets across every device

Open ExpressVPN and you get a remarkably clean interface. With just a prominent connect button and a small, curated selection of server locations, there’s almost nothing to distract you from turning the VPN on.

Even for a VPN novice like my housemate, connecting to an Australian server was a swift, sub-10-second process – much as it was for NordVPN. If you just want a simple, one-click interface without having to worry about what’s going on behind the scenes, ExpressVPN is really nice to use.

Dig deeper into the settings, and you’ll find straightforward menus that are logically grouped and easy to get to grips with. That’s a stark contrast to the more feature-dense interfaces of more advanced options like Private Internet Access, which can feel a little overwhelming.

The Tom’s Guide team runs ExpressVPN daily on our work-issued Windows laptops, and we’ve never had any issues with the apps freezing or crashing on any platform. ExpressVPN also offers the best level of cross-platform consistency of any VPN we’ve tested: we discovered the interface design is exactly the same whether you’re using a Windows PC, Android tablet, or even an Apple TV 4K. This dramatically reduces any learning curve, and is a significant benefit for beginners – there's more variability across apps from the other providers. ExpressVPN even offers an app for Meta Quest, making it one of the most widely accessible VPNs around.

ExpressVPN is always adding quality-of-life improvements to its apps, too. In September, 2025, it introduced iOS widgets and Siri shortcuts, allowing iPhone and iPad users to switch the VPN on without opening the app. As an iPhone user myself, I've found this very useful – further cementing ExpressVPN's spot at the top of my guide to the best VPNs for iPhone.

New pricing tiers makes ExpressVPN more affordable

Because it focuses on usability as a central pillar, ExpressVPN's core apps are relatively feature-light versus the competition. You get everything you need, and nothing you don't. For example, there's no port forwarding, custom DNS, or multi-hop. However, you do get standard features like split tunnelling and Network Lock (a kill switch). These features tested well for me and I wasn't able to break them.

ExpressVPN used to bundle additional security features as standard. This made it much more expensive than its rivals, but if you needed everything on offer, it was great value. Now, ExpressVPN offers a tiered subscription system.

ExpressVPN Basic subscribers only get the core VPN features, DNS-based ad-blocking, and the brand-new ExpressMailGuard. You'll get protection for 10 devices on this plan, with 12 and 14 offered on premium plans. This is an improvement on the previous limit of eight.

We got hands-on with ExpressMailGuard, and while it's definitely still evolving, it's a very useful email spoofing tool – and much more powerful than Surfshark's Alternative ID.

If you want the Keys password manager, Advanced Protection, the Identity Defender suite, and a free holiday.com eSIM, you'll need to upgrade to ExpressVPN Advanced.

This plan is currently $2.99 per month, $2 per month cheaper than the old ExpressVPN plan. This is a massive upgrade, seeing as previously you had to spend over $6 per month to get the full package.

The only reason to go with the top-tier Pro plan is if you need dedicated IP – but at $5.49 per month, it's still good value. I'd recommend most people settle for the Advanced plan. If you don't want Dedicated IP and/or don't use Identity Defender, then the Pro plan is fairly expensive and not worth subscribing to – although still better value than NordVPN Prime.

Finally, it's worth mentioning the ExpressVPN-backed EventVPN, an ad-supported free VPN which launched on September 18, 2025. From our first hands-on tests, it's very powerful and has the potential to challenge the best free VPNs, but the ads are intrusive.

Privacy pedigree and a reputation for innovation

ExpressVPN has put a lot of time, effort, and money into establishing strong credentials in the security and privacy space over the last decade, often tapping into cutting edge technologies like quantum encryption earlier than its rivals. It also has the basics locked down, like a solid kill switch on every platform including iOS, a choice of protocols, and TrustedServer.

TrustedServer refers to how ExpressVPN manages its servers to offer an extra dimension of safety for its subscribers. In short, nothing is ever stored on these servers, and to make things even more secure, they're wiped and reinstalled every time they switch on. To confirm this, ExpressVPN submitted its servers to an external independent audit, along with almost every other part of its business (there’s a handy section on the ExpressVPN website that details all the audits).

The way that ExpressVPN handles dedicated IP addresses is also very innovative. In short, ExpressVPN doesn't know which dedicated IP it allocates to any user, which eliminates one of the biggest privacy concerns with using a dedicated IP.

ExpressVPN's server count now includes one in every US state, with 62 locations now present across the country. This will mean servers are less crowded and they'll likely be one closer to where you are. Private Internet Access (also owned by Kape Technologies) is the only other provider on this list that can boast this.

However, on that note, ExpressVPN's acquisition by Kape Technologies in 2021 was highly controversial. The software giant has historic links to dubious software like CrossRider – and malware-like toolbar extension – but our opinion is that ExpressVPN operates independently, and there is no evidence otherwise.

It's also worth noting that in the wake of age-verification laws and the scrutiny VPNs have come under, ExpressVPN has introduced DNS blocks for URLs known to share CSAM. While this is a clear positive for child safety, some have questioned whether a VPN should impose content blocks at all.

ExpressVPN's speeds are a tale of two halves

A VPN protocol determines the methodology for how your VPN encrypts and transmits your data, and it makes a big impact on connection speed. ExpressVPN primarily uses its own totally custom Lightway protocol, and we found it to be the quickest at establishing a connection of all the VPNs – although this is only a matter of seconds.

In March, 2025, ExpressVPN launched Lightway Turbo – a super-fast version of Lightway that uses multiple tunnels to improve bandwidth and speeds.

Our latest round of speed tests were the first time we methodically tested Lightway Turbo, and the results were . Averaging at 1,479 Mbps on our 10 Gbps UK-UK connection. UK-US speeds were similarly impressive at 1,374 Mbps – faster than any other VPN.

However, there are a few catches. Firstly, Lightway Turbo is only available on Windows – meaning Mac, Linux, and mobile VPN users can't use the super-fast protocol. What's more, Lightway Turbo doesn't support split tunneling, and some applications and websites may not be compatible.

So, original Lightway and OpenVPN are still important to consider.

Unfortunately, Lightway averaged just 489 Mbps on a UK-UK connection, and 323 Mbps UK-US. That puts it behind many other providers that are typically mid-pack – Private Internet Access, for example.

We'll finish with more good news, though, because ExpressVPN's OpenVPN speeds topped the charts at 1,038 Mbps UK-UK, and 808 Mbps UK-US.

This is likely down to ExpressVPN's implementation of OpenVPN DCO, a technique that allows OpenVPN process data in the kernel space rather than copying over to the user space. In short, it's much faster than regular old OpenVPN, and ExpressVPN posted the fastest OpenVPN speeds of any VPN this time around.

Not flawless at unblocking, but unlikely to let you down often

ExpressVPN has long been a reliable VPN for streaming, and in our latest round of testing it was able to unblock almost every streaming service and app we tested. However, unlike with the options higher in our guide, we did experience some issues along the way.

For example, we couldn't access Amazon Prime Video when connected to a US server. We changed servers three times but still encountered a VPN detection message.

When it was successful, ExpressVPN unblocked streaming platforms first time. This was the case for every Netflix library we tested, Disney+, and regional sites. There's no dedicated streaming servers, so connecting to any server in any country should serve you well.

ExpressVPN has downsized its human live chat service

The written setup and troubleshooting articles on ExpressVPN's support centre are the best we’ve seen from any provider. Having been through hundreds of them, they strike a balance between being user-friendly and offering useful technical advice. Whatever problem you have or whatever you want to know, you’ll probably find a detailed page ready to help you.

However, recently we've found that the live chat service has significantly deteriorated. ExpressVPN formerly offered an industry-leading 24/7 live chat service, with near instant replies from real people. We now get a mix of AI chatbot and longer waits if we need access to a human agent. For example, when we asked a simple question about whether custom DNS is available in any version of ExpressVPN, the AI chatbot couldn’t understand our question, and we had to wait over 10 minutes to get a response from a person.

Compared to the likes of NordVPN, where you can talk to a human within a minute, this is poor. Reports online suggest that a considerable number of support agents were sacked in the recent ExpressVPN layoffs. We can say first-hand that it has had a material impact on the product. We’re about to embark on a new round of deep testing so we’ll be probing this issue in more detail in the coming weeks.

Recently, we’ve also seen reports from ExpressVPN users on Reddit that some updates, including Lightway Turbo, have been buggy. This is quite unlike the ExpressVPN of old. We're reserving judgment for now because we haven't experienced these issues ourselves, but we’ll dig into this in our upcoming re-reviews.

ExpressVPN is best if:

✅ You'll use all the bonus features.
Premium ExpressVPN plans come bundled with a password manager, an ad tracker and malware blocker, personal data leak monitoring, ID theft insurance, data broker removal, and Dedicated IP. This is a huge privacy bundle, and worth the money if you're going to use everything.

✅ You're looking for the simplest VPN.
ExpressVPN makes staying protected online incredibly easy, and its stripped-back apps are perfect if you're new to VPNs.

✅ You want cutting-edge privacy.
ExpressVPN is consistently one of the first VPNs to address the "next big thing" in privacy.

ExpressVPN isn't best if:

❌ You don't trust Kape Technologies
ExpressVPN's ownership is controversial, and privacy purists may prefer to go with an independent VPN like Proton VPN or Mullvad.

❌ You love to tinker.
Just like Surfshark, ExpressVPN doesn't afford many customization options, such as port forwarding or setting up your own custom DNS. Private Internet Access is a better choice for this.

🔒 Read our in-depth ExpressVPN review for more.

Top-rated for privacy and open source

Proton VPN has two big privacy USPs. Firstly, its apps are fully open source, which means software experts and independent developers can inspect the source code and examine it for any security and privacy flaws. This transparency – along with regular independent audits (the most recent was in September 2025) – helps build confidence that the provider is doing what it claims to. It’s something we'd love to see more VPN companies embrace.

The second USP is Secure Core, which is Proton's version of multi-hop, a feature that sends your traffic through two VPN servers instead of one.

However, rather than using two regular servers, like NordVPN and Surfshark, Secure Core first sends your traffic to an ultra-secure server in either Sweden, Iceland, or Switzerland. These have extra protections in place, and will keep your data safe even if the end server is compromised.

The kill switch was rock solid for us in our tests – it didn't leak anything when we tried force-ending the connection in different ways. And since our last review, Proton has also implemented a number of anti-censorship features. These include Stealth Protocol (which hides the fact you're using a VPN), and Smart Routing, which allows Proton to offer servers in countries it otherwise could not. If you're using a VPN to keep your activity hidden from the government under strict regimes, there's no better choice.

Unlike other VPN providers, Proton VPN is very open and often collaborates with other privacy tech companies. For example, it has recently partnered with secure browser Vivaldi.

Most apps now high quality and easy to use

Proton VPN refreshed its apps on Android, iOS, and Windows in April 2025, meaning it's now much more intuitive to use. Gone is the map-based interface, making way for a simpler, less complex design that’s more welcoming to those new to VPNs. Do note, though, that the Mac app hasn't been updated yet.

Installation is very simple, the app is well-designed, and plenty of features are included without being intrusive. For example, we found the quick toggles for the kill switch, NetShield, and split tunneling very useful, because these are the features most likely to be used frequently. Less frequently used features like moderate NAT (useful for online gaming) and connection rules don't need to be permanently on show, and are easily accessible in the Settings menu instead.

Usability is an area we've previously criticized, so it's great to see Proton VPN being proactive and responding to feedback. However, simply due to its wider range of technical features, there's no escaping the fact that Proton VPN feels more complex and functional than NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark – all of which offer a slightly more polished and user-friendly experience.

Top speeds unlikely to ever slow you down

When using the WireGuard protocol to connect to a local US server on our 10 Gbps test line in the UK, we saw speeds of around 1,475 Mbps. Somehow, we saw even better top speeds when connected to UK servers from the US, with speeds peaking at 1,548 Mbps. In short, these results make it the fastest we've tested recently.

When using OpenVPN, speeds were good at 449 Mbps. That's faster than our previous round of testing but seriously lagging behind NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN. There are clearly some faster alternatives out there if OpenVPN is a priority for you – but most people won't need to bother about this.

We can confirm from our day-to-day use of Proton VPN on various networks, including the Tom's Guide office Ethernet, 4G, 5G, and spotty public Wi-Fi, that it’s very reliable, with no unexpected drop-outs or blocks – all of which have earned it top spot in our guide to the fastest VPNs.

A few rough edges don't spoil Proton VPN's privacy power tools

Proton VPN is well featured, covering the basics with a kill switch and split tunneling, as well as more advanced features like moderate NAT. If you're a beginner, these technical features won't be a big selling point. Thanks to their inclusion, though, Proton VPN is a very strong choice for more technical users.

You'll also get NetShield, an ad and tracker blocker that offers basic protection. However, in our tests it proved much less effective than NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro. If wider-ranging ad blocking and browser protection are a priority, NordVPN is a better choice.

Profiles might seem gimmicky, but if you use your VPN for multiple reasons – perhaps streaming UK Netflix from the US, downloading torrents, and general browsing protection – they'll be very useful.

They take a little time to set up, but after configuring a particular set of rules for each purpose – watching BBC iPlayer through a Secure Core server in the UK, for example – they prove to be a genuinely time-saving addition to the apps.

A recent update has introduced split tunneling to the Linux app, which frequent torrenters will be pleased to see.

One area in which Proton falls behind is its Mac application. It hasn't yet had the visual update all other platforms have, and it misses our split tunneling – surprising for such a privacy- and feature-focused VPN. However, Proton's 2025 roadmap claims that this, as well as plenty of other features, are on the horizon – and the update to the Linux app may indicate the Mac upgrades are close.

Now a top performer when unblocking Netflix and others

In our streaming testing, Proton VPN matched NordVPN and Surfshark – meaning it unblocked everything we tried to access, every time. That includes UK, US, Canadian, Japanese and Australian Netflix libraries, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, 10 Play, and many more.

We'd still recommend NordVPN as the streaming VPN of choice, thanks to its consistency in recent years. However, Proton VPN is becoming a very reliable alternative.

Great customer support but no 24/7 support

Proton VPN's customer support isn't quite as comprehensive as the other VPNs on this page. The main reason for this is the fact that live chat isn't available 24/7. Agents are online between 9am and 12am CET (between 3am and 6pm EST). This could prove awkward if you're in the US, but Proton has told us that there are plans to expand this.

However, when we've contacted the agents, responses have been prompt, and they've typically seemed knowledgeable and friendly.

The written setup and troubleshooting guides are very comprehensive, but they do lean towards the more technical side. If you're a beginner, some may need some deciphering.

Pricey. But if you know, you know

If you head through from Google, Proton VPN's two-year plans coming in at the equivalent of $4.49 per month (upfront fee of $107, which lasts for 24 months). That makes it the most expensive VPN on this page, now that ExpressVPN has introduced its tiered subscriptions.

However, if you choose to head through from one of the links on this page, Proton VPN is currently available for $2.99 per month. This is exclusive to Tom's Guide and our friends at TechRadar Pro.

Just like every other VPN here, once this introductory deal ends you'll see your plan shoot up to $6.67 per month ($79.95 for 12 months). Don't let that happen. Cancel, and resubscribe to get a better price.

Proton does also offer a free VPN option that currently ranks at #2 in our review of the best free VPNs. The best feature of the free version is that it offers an unlimited data allowance, so you know you won't run out at any point in the month. But there are big drawbacks compared to the paid version including slower speeds, just five server locations in Netherlands, Japan, Poland, Romania and the US, and no support for unblocking streaming services or downloading via BitTorrent.

Proton VPN is best if:

✅ You live in a country with strict censorship.
Proton VPN has made a name for itself as an advocate for a free internet for all, and is very effective at evading censorship measures.

✅ You use other Proton products.
Unsurprisingly, Proton VPN integrates very well with all the other Proton apps.

✅ You value privacy over everything.
Proton VPN's unique privacy features like Secure Core are great if you're looking to stay as private as possible.

Proton VPN isn't best if:

❌ You don't need that extra veneer of privacy and security.
For most people it's probably not necessary to spend this much on a VPN service.

❌ You're looking for simplicity.
Proton VPN isn't as complicated as some alternatives, but its more expert features may seem complex to those new to VPNs.

🔒 Read our in-depth Proton VPN review for more.

Our top pick for power users

Private Internet Access (PIA) is unashamedly made for more experienced VPN users. Compared to NordVPN, PIA offers far more customization, but this comes at the cost of usability for less experienced users. Peak speeds when using WireGuard also can't match the other providers here, and the apps feel a little unpolished.

However, this VPN has certainly earned its place in our guide. We like its robust set of features – some of which, like port forwarding and adjustable encryption, aren't offered by any other top provider – as well as its excellent OpenVPN speeds, and a very tempting introductory price of $1.33 per month ($34.58 upfront for 26 months).

Great for privacy purists, if you know what you're doing

Much like Proton VPN, PIA is first and foremost a privacy-focused provider. Alongside the essentials – a kill switch and no DNS leaks – it offers a ton of ways for advanced users to tailor their privacy settings. For example, there are a selection of remote port options, which no other big-name VPN offers, as well as more encryption settings than its competitors.

If you're using a trusted network, for instance, you might choose to drop down to AES-128 encryption to boost your connection speed. This degree of control is very valuable if you know what you're doing, but for anyone less experienced, we'd recommend sticking to the default settings.

Interestingly, PIA also offers an "advanced" kill switch. Instead of just protecting you if your VPN unexpectedly cuts out, this kill switch doesn't allow any traffic to ever be transferred if the VPN isn't on. This is useful if you want to be ultra-sure you're always protected by your VPN.

PIA's no-logging policy was last audited in 2024, and it also publishes a transparency report every quarter. This outlines what information governments have requested it to hand over, and what it has disclosed. Spoiler alert: it hasn't disclosed anything.

No added extras, but advanced VPN tools aplenty

PIA offers a ton of features and settings to do with the VPN itself. Customizable encryption, two kill switches, split tunneling (even on Mac and iOS), multi-hop, port forwarding, and as an add on, dedicated IP. Because of this, we rate it as the best VPN for torrenting.

However, the most interesting tool is Automation. This allows you to set up rules so that the VPN connects when your device connects to a particular kind of network.

For example, we told the VPN to connect when we joined an unprotected Wi-Fi network. We tested this out at a local coffee shop, and as soon as we connected to the network, PIA fired up without any issue. This is a great tool that lets PIA run in the background without you having to remember to use your VPN. And it provides a unique level of granular control that the likes of NordVPN and ExpressVPN simply don't offer.

Outside the core VPN, though, there's not much to shout about. Unlike NordVPN, Surfshark and ExpressVPN, you don't get any flashy extra features like Alternative ID or cyber insurance. It’s a fraction of the price of those providers though (bar Surfshark), so I imagine there isn’t the same budget to spend on non-core ideas.

Nowhere near the fastest VPN service on this list

Speed remains the weak point for PIA. Its peak speed was 419 Mbps in our latest testing (we connected using WireGuard in the US to the recommended US server). In the grand scheme of things that’s not too slow but it's significantly slower than NordVPN, Surfshark, ExpressVPN and Proton VPN.

A reminder, though: the peak speeds that any individual will experience rely on the base connection. We've tested PIA on connections of around 100 Mbps (which is closer to average US and UK connection speeds) and have seen similar real-world results to NordVPN and Surfshark.

If you don't have ultra-fast Wi-Fi, you won't notice a difference. However, if you do, and you do a lot of downloading and uploading, consider an alternative VPN. Surfshark is the closest on price.

PIA struggles with its OpenVPN performance. In the same test (US to US), we saw speeds of 129 Mbps. This is slower than almost all other VPONs we've tested, with Proton VPN topping out at 449 Mbps, and ExpressVPN almost 10 times faster at 1,038 Mbps when using OpenVPN.

Powerful and flexible, but we only recommend for expert users

On desktop, PIA’s apps initially appear fairly simple – an ExpressVPN-style on/off button, and a menu to select your server. However, the apps can be expanded vertically, which reveals a whole load of information: your protocol, how much data you've used, your IP address, and more.

These sections are modular, and you can pin the ones you care about to make them visible without expanding the app. This kind of customization is great, and if you're like us, you'll probably find a deep satisfaction in arranging the app just to your liking. If you're not, though, you may find it adds a complexity that other VPNs avoid. The mobile apps are a little simpler, but still offer plenty of customization.

A significant annoyance we had with the PIA desktop apps is that it's never present in the dock/taskbar on either Windows or Mac. This is more noticeable on Mac, and even our experienced testers found themselves briefly confused multiple times when trying to open the app while it was running in the background.

Decent for streaming

In our streaming tests, Private Internet Access showed improvement from our last round of testing by unblocking most sites we tried it with. Many were on the first attempt but some required a few tries.

However, it's worth noting that PIA wasn't quite as reliable as NordVPN and Surfshark. In fact, when we connected to its "streaming optimized" US servers, we were unable to access US Netflix. Oddly enough, though, the non-optimized servers worked just fine.

This isn't enough for us to be too critical of its performance, but you should be aware that – just like ExpressVPN – you may be in for a few rounds of trial and error before finding a server that reliably supports streaming.

Inconsistent customer support

Customer service has been a mixed bag in our limited testing so far, but given PIA’s low cost, we don’t expect the same level of support as NordVPN. Overall, we think it’s pretty good for the money (and we’ll be conducting more in-depth tests in the coming weeks).

In PIA’s favor, there are plenty of written support articles available on the site, and they strike a good balance between being informative and accessible. Also, in our most recent spot-test in mid-April 2025, PIA solved our Formula 1 YouTube server problem within 15 minutes.

However, when our lead tester had a major issue on his main review laptop a few months ago (it refused to connect using both OpenVPN and WireGuard), he received poor customer support. After taking him through the usual uninstall and reinstall steps with no success they asked him to use an old version – and then stopped responding.

His guess is the issue was so complex and unusual that they escalated it to the developers. “My problem isn’t so much that this is taking a long time,” our reviewer commented at the time, “but that they haven’t told me what they’re doing.”

Lots of power for the price

Private Internet Access's pricing mitigates a lot of its issues. Currently at $1.33 per month ($34.58 for 26 months), it's great value, especially considering all the features. A dedicated IP is also available for an extra $60, and antivirus protection for $35 over the same period.

Like almost all VPNs, PIA does increase its price on renewal, but not so egregiously as NordVPN. If you auto-renew, you'll be paying the same $57 for a single year of service. This works out at about $4.75 per month, which is less of a price hike than some providers on this page, but we'd still recommend canceling and resubscribing at a better rate.

PIA is best if:

✅ You know what you're doing.
Private Internet Access has the most customizable features of any VPN featured here.

✅ You torrent often.
Features like port forwarding allow you to tailor your torrenting experience.

✅ You want to automate your VPN.
PIA allows you to set up automation rules, meaning it turns on whenever you open a certain app.

PIA isn't best if:

❌ You want a simple VPN.
Customization comes at a cost, and PIA is more complex than many other VPNs.

❌ You have superfast internet.
PIA can't keep up in terms of connection speeds compared to the other VPNs in this guide.

🔒 Read our in-depth Private Internet Access review for more.

Our rankings are based on rigorous testing

Our recommendations are built from a decade of in-depth VPN testing. We don't just review these apps – we use them every day and run over 30 top services through structured lab tests twice a year. Those tests include speed benchmarking, streaming tests, and deep dives into security features like kill switches and DNS leak protection.

We've developed custom tools to map server networks, track app satisfaction among users, and evaluate how well VPNs block malware and bypass VPN restrictions. Wherever possible, we factor in independent audits and transparency reports.

This guide is built from that ongoing experience to help you make a confident, informed choice. You can find out more about our testing process below.

What is a VPN and why do people use them?

A Virtual Private Network is a system that creates a private and secure connection between you and the internet. It routes your traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a remote VPN server and then on to the internet and back, making your personal data unreadable to anyone without the correct encryption key.

The VPN also assigns you a generic IP address. Your IP address is one of the key factors that identifies you online and it can be linked to your physical location. Changing it to a random one removes that point of vulnerability.

A neat analogy is a secret tunnel between you and a grocery store. Instead of leaving your house and driving to the store in plain view, you can travel through the tunnel without anyone seeing what you're doing, where you came from, or what you’re buying.

There are caveats though – especially on mobile, where there are data points that the VPN doesn’t touch. Your location can still be revealed through browser fingerprinting (where websites use details about your device and browser to track you) or GPS data, so you need to remain savvy. And of course, if you’re logged into any services you’re accessing – Netflix, Facebook, Google, and so on – with your real credentials, they can still track what you’re doing on their platform.

So, the two core parts of how a VPN protects you online are encryption (making your information unreadable to anyone looking in) and anonymising your IP address. These help break the link between your true identity and your online activity: your data is secured, and your browsing history and location are hidden.

VPNs can be used across a wide range of devices and platforms, including desktop, mobile, routers, and even smart TVs. However, certain platforms – such as games consoles like PlayStation or Nintendo Switch – may require manual setup or additional steps, like setting up the VPN on your router to cover all devices on a home network.

Read more: What is a VPN?

Why you might use a VPN

• Stream geo-restricted content
• Keep sensitive data protected when working remotely
• Prevent ISPs, advertisers and hackers tracking your activity
• Stay safer on unprotected public Wi-Fi
• Safer torrenting
• Find cheaper prices online by switching locations
• Avoid censorship and access restricted websites and services
• Access websites and services from your home country when abroad

VPNs aren't a silver bullet for staying completely safe and secure online, but they are a powerful starting point.

Encryption makes it significantly harder for third parties to track you online – when you're connected to a VPN, not even your internet service provider (ISP) or mobile network provider can see what you're getting up to. They can see how much bandwidth you're using, but they have no way of finding out what it contains.

For some people, that can be a life or death feature. In countries with harsh censorship laws, VPNs can be a lifeline because they can allow you to connect with the outside world without being blocked – or worse – watched.

VPNs can protect you while you’re using public Wi-Fi in places like airports. These networks are often unsecure and so can be vulnerable to snooping attacks. They're also a fantastic tool to prevent an internet provider from throttling your connection. For example, some hotels offer free, basic Wi-Fi to guests but slow down or restrict video streams. That’s not possible if you’re using a VPN because the hotel has no way of detecting the type of data you’re accessing.

For torrenters, using a VPN is essential. Not only does one grant you access to the torrent sites that might otherwise be blocked by your ISP, but it also lets you connect to the P2P networks to download the content privately by hiding your identity from the rest of the network.

Beyond privacy, another core function of VPN services is location spoofing. By sending your connection to the web through a server in another country, a VPN can make it appear to the rest of the internet as though you’re browsing from that location.

This means depending on which service you use, you can bypass firewalls and blocks on geographically restricted content. For some people, that means the international libraries of streaming services like Netflix; for others, it means being able to use Google and access western news sites.

VPNs can even help you bypass price discrimination. Some sites and services offer cheaper prices depending on your region, and so by switching to a virtual location you can sometimes unlock cheaper deals.

Specific VPN guides

This buying guide is to tell you about the best VPNs overall and some of their uses but if you're after a VPN for a very specific use case, then you should take a look at our VPN buying guides on the following:

• Best VPN for Mac
• Best VPN for torrenting
• Best VPN for streaming
• Best VPN for Fire Stick
• Best VPN for iPhone
• Best VPN for Android
• Best VPN for Apple TV
• Best VPN for gaming
• Best free VPN
• Most private VPN
• Fastest VPN
• Best VPNs with free trials
• Best VPN for Linux

A note on affiliate links

Tom's Guide's parent company Future could earn a commission if you click through and sign up for a VPN through one of our links. Our promise to you is that this will never affect our testing or scoring, and our recommendations are locked in before any links are added. There's often a benefit to you too: clicking through using an affiliate link from a review site will usually unlock a few extra months for free on multi-year plans.

Our top five VPNs compared

Key to star ratings:

★★★★★ = Excellent
★★★★☆ = Very Good
★★★☆☆ = Good
★★☆☆☆ = Fair
★☆☆☆☆ = Poor

3 best VPNs for privacy

1. Proton VPN. This open-source provider offers the best combination of relative ease of use, dedicated privacy tools like Secure Core servers, and anti-censorship tech like Alternative Routing.
   
2. NordVPN. Solid privacy basics, with robust, audited apps, and welcome extras like post-quantum encryption. It's the cheapest of the top three.
   
3. ExpressVPN. Has undergone the most independent audits of any VPN, and typically leads the way when adopting new privacy technology.

What makes great VPN privacy?

Using a VPN you can't trust is worse than not using a VPN at all. Although you might be hiding your activity from your internet provider, the VPN can see everything and do what it likes with that information. That's why signing up to a VPN with a strong focus on privacy is important. Here's how we evaluate a VPN’s privacy credentials.

1. Logging policy

One of the most important ways we evaluate a VPN’s privacy credentials is to study its logging policy. This is a public statement that outlines what data a VPN does and doesn't collect. A "no-logs policy" is a statement that claims the VPN does not collect any "identifiable data" – that is, any data that can be linked to you and your internet activity, such as your browsing history, home IP address, or the files you download.

A "zero-logs" policy goes further, and claims that a VPN does not collect any information about its users at all. That includes anonymized and aggregated user data, which server you've used, and for how long you've used the VPN. This is the Holy Grail for VPNs, but we aren't aware of any VPN providers that can truly claim to be zero-logs.

All of the VPNs we recommend on this page have audited no-logs policies.

2. Independent audits

When we test VPNs for privacy, we read through every word of the no-logs policy. We also look for an independent audit to verify its claims. This process involves a reputable third party studying the no-logs policy and ensuring the VPN actually follows it in practice. Examples of auditing firms include Deloitte, KPMG, and Cure53.

These audits can extend to other areas of the VPN too, including server infrastructure, and applications on various devices. We study these audits to see the scope of the process, whether any vulnerabilities were found, and whether these vulnerabilities have been addressed.

Proton VPN and NordVPN regularly take on and pass third-party audits. ExpressVPN subjects itself to more successful audits than any other. PIA has twice been able to stand up in court and show that it doesn't log any information when data on its customers has been subpoenaed. Arguably, Surfshark is a little less impressive on this front, with its last VPN-specific product audit in 2023.

3. Privacy features

Once we've made sure all the paperwork is in order, we then go over the apps with a fine-tooth comb to see how much emphasis has been put on privacy features, and whether they work as intended.

How we test VPN privacy and what we recommend

We're satisfied that all of the VPNs we recommend here meet high standards for privacy. These are the privacy features we've looked at in detail and which products we rate most highly for each.

Test the kill switch

First up, it's the kill switch. We try every possible way to unexpectedly end the VPN connection and trick it into failing. "One of my tests is simulating some kind of major issue with Windows; perhaps the networking layer just stops working,” explains our lead VPN tester – who, unsurprisingly, wishes to stay anonymous. “If the app uses a standard network connection – Win+R and run ncpa.cpl – then I try to disconnect it manually. At the most extreme, I have uninstalled an app’s driver while it’s connected."

All our top-recommended VPNs have very strong kill switch functionality that withstood these tests. PIA's double kill switch system is worth considering for those for whom this feature is particularly important.

Check the code

Some VPNs are open-source, which means we can study the code to make sure it's in order. This is one of the main reasons we recommend Proton VPN if your absolute top priority is privacy – none of the VPNs ranked higher on this page have made their app code open-source.

However, even if an app isn't open-source, there are still tests we can do. For example, to ensure there are no trackers within an app, we check its traffic. If we see it sending requests to a tracking service, we can immediately tell it's up to no good. Naturally, none of the VPNs on this page do this.

Dedicated privacy features

A standout here, again, is Proton VPN. The provider has clearly invested in dedicated privacy features like Secure Core to offer a unique level of privacy for its users.

NordVPN's Onion over VPN feature, allowing VPN access to the Tor browser, is another good privacy feature. PIA is also a good choice for privacy with the depth adjustments users can make to the VPN protocol options.

Jurisdiction

Each VPN provider has to choose where to base itself, legally speaking. As such, they are subject to the data protection, and other, laws of that land.

ExpressVPN (British Virgin Islands), NordVPN (Panama) and Proton (Switzerland) are all well positioned in jurisdictions which offer their users excellent protection from governmental data requests. All three territories have strict laws which means they won't have to give up information, no matter who comes knocking.

PIA is based in the U.S. and does not benefit in the same way, hence the company having to go to court twice and rely on their no logs policy instead.

Surfshark is the other exception. It moved its headquarters from the British Virgin Islands to the Netherlands in 2021. While the country does not require any logging of user data, there is some concern that it is part of the Fourteen Eyes intelligence sharing group of countries which did upset users at the time of migration.

Track record

We also take a VPN's track record very seriously. A clean sheet is perfect, and many providers here, like Proton VPN and Private Internet Access, have a long history of good practice. PIA, for example, has been taken to court twice to divulge information on its users, and both times it has been unable to, because it didn’t collect any. This sort of proof is better than any audit.

Not every VPN is as untarnished. NordVPN, for example, suffered a server hack in 2018, and worsened the impact by not disclosing this until a year later. However, in the years since, NordVPN has hugely improved its privacy practices and, likely spurred on by the fallout after this event, is now one of the most privacy-conscious VPNs around.

Read more in our guide to the most private VPNs.

3 best VPNs for streaming

1. NordVPN: Our top pick for streaming, thanks to its consistently flawless unblocking performance across all major platforms, combined with its overall feature set and fair price.
   
2. Surfshark: Worth choosing if streaming is your only concern, offering the same consistently successful unblocking abilities as NordVPN, but at an even better price.
   
3. Proton VPN: We really rate Proton VPN, and our testing shows it’s currently performing just as well as NordVPN and Surfshark when it comes to streaming. But it also has less of a consistent track record with these features, which means it stays at number three for now.

Using a VPN to unblock streaming services has historically been somewhat hit and miss. One day a specific server will work to unlock Netflix Japan; the next day it doesn’t, and you’re left looking for one that does.

That’s because using a VPN to unblock streaming content isn’t illegal – but it is against the streaming services’ terms of service. Those same services are contractually required to uphold the licensing agreements they have with their content partners.

So, when the streaming services start to suspect that certain IP addresses belong to VPN servers, they ban those IPs, which is why certain VPN servers stop working for streaming. The VPN companies then buy fresh IP addresses to use for their servers – which the streamers haven’t banned – and so on goes the cat and mouse game between the streaming services and VPN providers.

For the time being, our VPN streaming tests show that the VPNs have the upper hand. Over the last year, our testing has indicated a shift in that dynamic and the good news is that all of the top five VPNs we recommend on this page can consistently unblock the most popular streaming services exceptionally well.

How we tested streaming

For every VPN that Tom’s Guide reviews, we go through a process of accessing region-exclusive content across a range of platforms, including Netflix libraries in the US, UK, Canada, Japan, and Australia, plus Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, and local services like Hulu, BBC iPlayer, 10 Play, and 9Now.

To do this, we use a semi-automated tool that connects to multiple servers in each location and tracks which ones work, which don’t, and how consistently we can stream without error messages or detection. The tool allows us to check many more services and locations than we would be able to manually, and we follow up any errors manually. We also manually spot-check each provider to correlate our test findings with real-world experience, and investigate any issues our readers report to us.

And it’s not just about whether a VPN works – we also consider how the provider handles things when it doesn’t. If a service claims to support Netflix but fails in our tests, we reach out to customer support to see how they respond. Can they suggest a working server? Are they actively addressing the issue? Services that engage and troubleshoot earn credit, while those that shrug and point to vague disclaimers don’t. Streaming is a moving target, and the best VPNs aren’t just capable – they’re proactive.

What we recommend

On that basis, we’ve chosen NordVPN as our top pick for the best streaming VPN. It scored full marks in all streaming tests without a single hiccup, and because it’s also our top-rated service across the other tested categories, it’s also a no brainer to recommend.

That being said, if unblocking streaming services is the only reason you’re interested in using a VPN, we’d strongly recommend choosing Surfshark instead. It’s every bit as good as NordVPN at unblocking streaming services, but costs a bit less. We also really rate Proton VPN: it matched NordVPN and Surfshark in our most recent testing, and the only reason it isn’t higher currently is because it has less of a track record compared to the other two.

It’s worth highlighting that ExpressVPN and PIA performed well for streaming too, but we don’t recommend them more highly for a couple of minor reasons. ExpressVPN had a few wobbles when we were trying to unblock international Netflix libraries – we still got it working with every streaming site, but not first time, every time. Occasionally we had to jump through some extra hoops to find a server that would give us the result we wanted.

And while PIA also performed well, it’s historically been much less reliable in the streaming space. We’ll be watching it closely to see if its current excellent performance continues over time.

Read more in our guide to the best VPNs for streaming.

3 fastest VPNs we've tested

1. Proton VPN: Big improvements in speed have seen Proton VPN take the number one spot here. Its OpenVPN speeds are a little slow but WireGuard is blisteringly fast.
2. ExpressVPN: It recorded the fastest speeds on a 10 Gbps line and has great OpenVPN performance. But regular Lightway didn't perform as well and Lightway Turbo is a Windows-exclusive.
3. NordVPN: A slight drop in speeds were noted in our testing, but it's consistent and WireGuard speeds exceeded 900 Mbps.

Connection speeds are important for almost everyone using a VPN. Whether you're streaming global content or avoiding censorship under a repressive government, getting the most out of the internet connection you have access to is a must.

That’s why speed testing is one of the biggest parts of our VPN review process, and we do it in a number of ways. First, we test multiple times on an uncontested 1 Gbps line from our UK base to the recommended fastest server, and then from the UK to the fastest US server.

While our base connection is much faster than the average domestic connection, it gives us a good idea of what a VPN is capable of under perfect conditions. We initially test using the VPN's recommended protocol – usually WireGuard nowadays – and repeat when using OpenVPN.

Proton VPN, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN all exceeded 900 Mbps when using their recommended protocols. When given more bandwidth, Proton VPN and ExpressVPN topped 1,000 Mbps. Our results table below, detail the speeds we recorded in our testing.

Real-world testing

These results may not be representative of what you'll see in the real world, though. To get a better idea of this, we test VPNs on a variety of networks, including very fast domestic fibre connections, slower public Wi-Fi, and 4G and 5G. Generally, the providers that were fastest in the peak tests perform best in our real-world tests. However, there can be some surprises – especially when using less powerful devices which will likely not be so adept at coping with the encryption and decryption demands of the VPN software

For example, using a bottom-of-the-range 2022 Dell Inspiron on a connection that topped out at around 100 Mbps, we found that ExpressVPN had the least impact on speed, only reducing it by around 16%. Contrast this with NordVPN, which surprisingly impacted speeds by almost 47%, and you get quite a different picture from a single case study to the one painted by peak performance. So, it’s important to bear in mind your particular set of circumstances.

Of course, these tests only provide a snapshot in time. Speeds fluctuate continually on VPN servers, even on our base connections. The important thing is consistently delivering good speeds on a variety of connections – which all the providers on this page do.

Bear in mind that you only need fairly low speeds for most daily activities:

• Streaming music: 1-5 Mbps
• General browsing: 5-10 Mbps
• HD video: 5-10 Mbps
• 4K video: 25-30 Mbps
• Gaming: 25-50 Mbps

Remember, though, that all of these activities take up part of your total bandwidth. So, two people streaming 4K Netflix with someone else playing an online Apex Legends match will use up almost all of a 100 Mbps connection.

If you do find yourself suffering from low internet speeds when using a VPN, make sure that heavy usage isn't impacting your base connection before investigating your VPN or contacting the support team.

Latest speed test results: October 2025

3 easiest VPNs to use

1. ExpressVPN: A super-simple interface and clear one-click connection make it easy to use for absolutely anyone. However, it's also quite a bit more expensive.
   
2. Surfshark: A cheaper alternative to ExpressVPN. It's not quite as slick, but it's still really easy to use and we can't imagine anyone having any issues with it.
   
3. NordVPN: A little more complex still, but a well laid-out interface makes it very easy to connect, and find extra features if you need them.

Anyone should be able to use a VPN to improve their online privacy without fuss or confusion – even if you're not that comfortable with tech. No one wants a steep learning curve.

When reviewing a VPN, we first test the installation process. Gone are the days where you need to dig around in your computer's guts to get software to run properly. All the VPNs on this page install simply and quickly, with direct downloads available for PC and Mac. On mobile, they all offer easily accessible apps from both the App Store and Play Store.

Be aware that you will need to give the VPN permission to access certain parts of your device before it can run. This isn't anything to worry about, but some VPNs – like ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark – make it very clear exactly how to do this, and when to do so.

Then comes the fun bit: running the app. After giving those permissions, the most reliable VPN apps are totally ready out of the box, and that’s the case for all our top-recommended providers. You can connect to the suggested server and forget all about the VPN – or, if you're feeling adventurous, you can test out some extras.

We love having extra features, but having them laid out in a simple, effective way is essential if anyone but the most experienced user is going to try them out.

Finally, good customer support is crucial if a VPN is going to cater for less experienced users. All the providers on this page offer live chat (although Proton VPN isn't available 24/7), but written articles are where the real knowledge lies.

All of this is what separates the really well-made VPNs from the less user-focused ones.

What we recommend

ExpressVPN takes the crown here, because it's incredibly simple: just a single button to connect, and another to select your server. There's some customization available in the settings, but it's clearly designed to make the process of using a VPN as simple as possible. What's more, it also has the best written troubleshooting articles.

However, we have seen a slight downturn in its live chat. When we contacted ExpressVPN's support with a query about custom DNS, we waited for over 10 minutes to get a reply, and further responses were delayed too. This is much slower than what we've experienced with other VPNs on this page.

Surfshark adds a little more depth to its apps, but manages to keep the essentials simple and to the point. The left-hand tabs are a smart way of offering easy access to advanced features while not cluttering the main interface.

NordVPN is similarly laid-out, with tabs down the left-hand side of the desktop app that contain more advanced features. However, it feels a little more "grown up," with smaller buttons and a more sober color scheme – the result of which is a potentially more intimidating experience.

PIA and Proton VPN serve up more advanced features to users’ fingertips, and with that comes a delicate balance with usability. PIA is a little over-complicated for novice VPN users. However, since a recent app design overhaul, Proton VPN has come up with a UI that we’d still recommend for anyone – even if it’s not quite as simplified as the likes of ExpressVPN.

How we test VPNs at Tom's Guide

The Tom’s Guide team takes testing VPNs seriously. If a VPN gets a security feature wrong even one time, for one person, on one day, there can be serious consequences.

So, we're as rigorous as possible, including designing custom in-house testing tools, to ensure our recommendations are as reliable as possible. Of course there are some things we can’t test. For example, if an app isn’t open source we can’t look at the source code. And because we’re talking about encrypted systems that are designed to be impenetrable, it’s hard to verify certain security and privacy claims – which is why we also consider independent audits in our analysis.

Assessing countries, cities and servers

We wrote a custom tool that can scrape the latest location lists of 260+ VPNs. This can export any provider’s location list into a Google-compatible format, enabling us to visually compare its network on Google Maps.

The tool also enables us to see how every provider’s live locations are distributed across the globe. In a click or two, we’re able to see where in the world a provider is strong or weak, and to highlight any important locations it’s missing. And if we’re curious which providers have the most countries in Asia, or anywhere else, we can find out with a click.

The end result is that we don’t just tell you that "VPN X has an average number of servers." We know where it excels, where it falls down, the key countries it’s missing and more. All of this contributes to a much richer and more helpful review.

Testing VPN apps: the big picture

Reviewing VPN apps starts by being able to compare them with the competition, but that’s surprisingly difficult. Do you even know how many Android apps there are, how many on the App Store, how many Chrome or Firefox extensions? That’s really important information, and so we decided to find out.

We wrote a custom app that uses multiple search techniques to crawl the web and identify VPN apps. On its last run, the app found 850 Android apps, 929 for iOS, and uncovered more for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and the Windows Store.

This data brings all kinds of benefits to a review. We can sort all our apps by rating, downloads, or the number of reviews for instance, allowing us to see exactly how each provider compares with the competition. And by analyzing each app store, we can come up with useful information that isn’t available any other way.

For example: we’ve discovered that the average VPN app rating on Google Play is 4.2, but on the App Store it’s 4.5. Sounds like a small detail, but it means when we tell you whether a VPN app rates above or below average, we can be far more accurate than anyone else.

Speed matters

We begin by building our main speed test environment on a Microsoft cloud PC, effectively creating a Windows 11 computer with a huge amount of ultra-reliable bandwidth and a connection that’s not going to be affected by having to share resources with anyone else on the same cable. This means we get improved consistency of our speed test results, and also allows us to automate testing.

On testing day, we start in the morning, when our custom tool runs five speed tests using each of four speed test platforms: SpeedTest.net’s website, SpeedTest.net's command line tool, Measurement Lab and Cloudflare, giving us 20 tests in total.

Then we switch locations to the US, reconnect and run the tests again. Then we change protocol to OpenVPN, and repeat the entire sequence. And finally, in the evening, we repeat all those steps again, giving us a total of 160 speed test results for each VPN service.

Finally, we analyze the data, calculate the best median scores in the morning and evening sessions, and average those to get a download speed you could reasonably expect from that VPN. This all takes a while, but it’s worth it. We’ve found our results are generally consistent over time, and properly reflect improvements (or issues) with providers as they happen.

Unblocking Netflix and more

To find out how these apps really perform at unblocking tasks, we connect to countries including the UK, USA, Australia, Canada and Japan, using whatever streaming server the VPN recommends (if any). An automated testing tool that we built identifies Netflix and other content available in that country that we can’t view in the UK, and we use both automatic and manual testing across multiple streaming platforms – Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, YouTube, BBC iPlayer and more regional channels – to see if it’s accessible.

If a VPN appears to be blocked with one location in a country, we try up to two others, if possible. When we’re done, we put the results through a custom algorithm to score each provider and accurately rank them against the best.

Unblocking isn’t just about streaming, though: many websites try to detect and block VPN users. To find out how each provider handles these, we use an automated tool to see how many of these VPN-hating sites it can fool. You won’t often see stats like that elsewhere, but they’re important: the better a VPN is at bypassing protection, the less likely you are to experience website blocks, CAPTCHAs, and other security hassles.

VPN features: test, don’t trust

A provider might claim it has servers in specific locations but is that really true? We verify (or disprove) those claims by running various timing tests to see if a location is really hosted in the country the provider claims.

The kill switch is another great example. We don’t just take the provider’s word that it works. We put it through some serious stress testing, killing processes, stopping services, tweaking drivers – doing everything we possibly can to make the VPN drop, while monitoring where our traffic is going and making sure it’s still protected.

Even that’s not enough. Just because a kill switch worked on one protocol, doesn’t necessarily mean it will work with another, so we check them all.

Blocking malicious websites is a common VPN extra. Sounds good; but only if it works. To find out, we wrote a custom tool to scour the web looking for newly reported malicious links, both phishing sites and malware. We use Google’s Safe Browsing API to help verify that these really are dangerous sites, and remove anything that looks harmless. Then we connect to the VPN, open our links in Chrome and a custom browser, and find out how well the VPN performs.

Testing everything else

So, we’ve looked at some of the more involved tests and checks we make in a review, but there are many, many more.

User experience: We take a long, hard look at usability. Are the apps easy to understand? Can we spot key features right away, or are they sometimes hard to find? Does each app interface work as we expected, or does it break conventional design rules? Performance and features matter here, too. Does the app connect in a flash, or take ages? Does it have dark/light modes, or other tweaks to suit you and your device?

Platforms: We test many of the most technical aspects of a VPN on Windows, because that’s most difficult to get right and easiest to get wrong, but we’re keen to explore other devices, too. Which platforms does a provider support? Does it update these regularly? Is it always adding new features, and always improving, or has it not seen any real changes for years? Does each platform have all the necessary features, or are they poor imitations missing essential elements of a modern VPN?

Audits: VPN audits are also good to see, but we don’t just quote the "we passed" post on the provider’s blogs: we find the full report, and read it, to discover just what the auditors uncovered.

Support: Even if you’re a VPN expert, support matters: everyone needs help sometimes. We scour every support site, checking the quantity and quality of articles, confirming that they’re up-to-date and contain useful advice. We put real questions to the support team, too, and rate the provider on the speed of response, the quality of the answer, and whether the agent feels like an expert listening carefully to what we’re asking, or an amateur simply reading from a script.

Going the extra mile

Sometimes we run into tough issues – for example, if something about a VPN app just doesn’t work as expected. When it feels important, we don’t just give up. We dig deeper to understand what’s happening. In the past, that’s meant firing up tools like Fiddler or Wireshark to inspect network traffic, or using Process Explorer and other Sysinternals utilities to monitor app behavior. We’ve even decompiled Windows and Android apps to inspect the code.

At times our testing has felt closer to an audit than a review, but the precise methods don’t matter – it’s what we uncover that counts, and those discoveries often add real depth to our reviews. For more information, take a detailed look at how we test VPNs.

How to choose the right VPN

All the best VPNs have slightly different advantages and drawbacks. The right VPN for you depends on a range of factors, from what you want to use it for to your skill level, budget, and more. Here are some key considerations to help you choose the right one for your needs.

1. Privacy

Protecting your privacy is the most fundamental role of a VPN. Look for independently verified no-log and security audits, detailed privacy policies, and a kill switch – all our top five recommendations offer these.

If you're a beginner, streamer, or gamer, this should be enough. But if you're heavily privacy conscious, look for multi-hop features and obfuscated servers, and choose a provider that’s based in a country with strong privacy laws for extra security (Proton is based in Switzerland, for example).

2. Speed

Fast speeds are essential for smooth streaming and gaming. The speed of your VPN depends on your own internet connection, but the fastest are capable of over 950 Mbps – well above the 25 Mbps generally required for 4KUHD streaming and gaming. For a detailed provider comparison, see our VPN speed tests.

Bear in mind that using a VPN does make your internet speed slower. You shouldn't notice a difference during daily browsing, streaming, or gaming, as long as your internet is fast enough.

Some advanced privacy and security features such as multi-hop or Onion over VPN can add more latency and may slow you down a little because your traffic has to travel further. Your VPN protocol also has an impact: WireGuard is faster than OpenVPN.

However, in practice, modern VPNs are capable of much faster speeds than the average domestic Wi-Fi connection. If you pay for an ultra-fast 1 or 10 Gbps connection and push it to the max, you will want the very fastest VPN you can find. If not, all the providers on this page will deliver a speedy and lag-free experience,.

3. Ease of use

The best way to test ease of use is to take advantage of a VPN free trial or money-back guarantee, and use the VPN yourself. Look for apps with a clean, intuitive interface, with obvious on/off buttons, and easy server selection across all devices (app design can differ across desktop and mobile so check both).

Ideally, the provider’s website will have plenty of well-organized FAQs and tutorials – ExpressVPN excels in this area. Beginners should consider a VPN that is also scored highly for customer support by users.

4. Device connections

If you want VPN protection for the whole family, or have a large number of devices, then look for an unlimited device connections policy. Providers commonly offer protection for 8-10 devices, which may be enough, but unlimited connections are offered by some – including Surfshark and PIA.

5. Customizable features

Unless you're a real tech wizard, you won't require much more than the basics. For beginners, look for a wide range of servers, integrated threat protection, and the odd speciality server will be enough. Streamers may want to look for streaming optimized servers (such as those offered by PIA), but this isn't essential and don't always perform as well as regular servers.

For more control, look for split tunneling to manage which apps use the VPN, and the ability to choose different protocols (like WireGuard or OpenVPN). You can turn your VPN off for things like online banking or websites that block VPNs.

Experts should seek torrenting and P2P support, and features like port forwarding. However, these tools are often more complicated to use and have very detailed settings, so they're not for everyone.

6. Price

We always recommend taking out a two-year deal. You pay more upfront but they work out cheaper per month.

Check what features are included in your plan. Most providers include everything, but some (NordVPN and Surfshark for example) offer tiered plans, where the number of features offered is price dependent. Read what's included in each tier so you only pay for what you need.

Almost all providers include a money-back guarantee of at least 30 days, so take advantage of this and trial your VPN risk free.

Go back to the top ^

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example:1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service).2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad.We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

What's the purpose of a 13-inch laptop? You guessed it: portability. And if that's what you're here for, then you'll be happy to know that the best 13-inch laptops we've tested are compact powerhouses made for workers, students, gamers and creatives on the move.

I'll give you a behind-the-scenes here at Tom's Guide: we all adore this form factor. These are the machines my team and I take with us during press trips abroad, after all. A 13-inch laptop is that sweet spot between the easy handling of a tablet and a versatile machine for getting stuff done, allowing you to slip it into your backpack, take it out and work (or play) from virtually anywhere you go.

Many laptops we test come in a 13-inch size, and right now, the top 13-inch laptop I recommend for your money is the MacBook Air M5. But there's more worth putting on your radar, like the Dell XPS 13 (2026) and Asus ROG Flow Z13 for gamers. You'll find some are lighter, more powerful or better suited for different areas, and we've got just the picks to put on your radar. So, let's dive in to find a portable notebook for you.

The best 13-inch laptops you can buy today

The best 13-inch laptop overall

Who is the MacBook Air for?

The MacBook Air M5 is the quintessential 13-inch laptop. Thin and lightweight, powerful enough to breeze through everyday tasks and more demanding ones like 4K video editing and even some light gaming, and boasting long-lasting battery life at over 15 hours. It's the laptop that fits most people's needs for its price.

Why is it the best overall 13-inch laptop?

As with its M4 predecessor, the MacBook Air M5 carries on everything we loved about Apple's modern Air lineup. That means a portable 12 x 8.5 x 0.4-inch size and a light 2.7 pounds, stunning 13.6-inch (2560 x 1664) Liquid Retina Display, and this time, even longer battery life at 15 hours and 37 minutes. Oh, and in a lovely array of stylish colors. Throw in its improved performance, Wi-Fi 7 connectivity and upgraded 512GB base storage, and this 13-inch laptop has it all (it's just too bad about the $200 price hike after Apple raised prices across MacBooks).

What do we like about the MacBook Air?

👍 Improved performance with M5: Apple's laptops just keep getting stronger, and the latest M5 chip still dominates in our benchmarks across thr board, even compared to its competition. From web surfing to video editing, and even gaming, this laptop powers through.

👍 Strong(er) battery life: MacBooks are among the longest-lasting laptops around, and the MacBook Air M5 continues this legacy with 15 hours and 37 minutes of battery life. That's more than enough to get through two workdays without reaching for a charger.

👍 Extra perks: While it's more of a nominal upgrade, the MacBook Air M5 still comes with welcome features, including Wi-Fi 7 connectivity and a larger 512GB base storage.

What don’t we like about the MacBook Air?

👎 Price bump: Despite its improvements, the MacBook Air M5 is now $100 more than its predecessor, which stings. So, an extra $100 for most of the same features.

👎 Not a major upgrade: If you already own an M4 MacBook Air, you won't see a major difference with the M5 model. This is purely under-the-hood improvements.

Apple MacBook Air M5: Bottom line

Apple still delivers the best 13-inch laptop you can grab today, as the MacBook Air M5 ticks all the right boxes in being a stellar machine for most people. Even if its welcome upgrades are smaller in scale, it's a laptop that's hard to beat.

Read our full MacBook Air 13-inch M5 review

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The best budget 13-inch laptop

Who is the MacBook Neo for?

Apple has another 13-inch laptop up its sleeve, and the MacBook Neo is conquering the budget laptop market with its premium (and fun) design that's perfect for workers and students on the move. Plus, you can expect solid performance for its $699 price, and $599 if you're a student.

Why is it the best budget 13-inch laptop?

Yes, it was an even better budget pick before Apple's official price hikes, but the MacBook Neo is still a steal. At $699, the MacBook Neo (nearly) gives you all the perks of the pricier MacBook Air, including its sturdy aluminum finish and portable size and weight. In fact, it's slightly smaller at 11.7 x 8.1 x 0.5 inches, and the fun splashes of color just make it even more appealing. If you can forgive the lack of a backlit keyboard, you'll find yourself with a reliable machine for work, studies and plenty of entertainment.

What do we like about the MacBook Neo?

👍 Portability as its finest: Being just 0.5 inches thin and weighing 2.7 pounds, the MacBook Neo follows its Air sibling's winning formula but at a much more affordable cost. No cheap-feeling plastic chassis for this budget machine, just a sleek, premium design with lively colors to choose from!

👍 Performance that works: You'd think an iPhone's A18 Pro chip wouldn't be nearly as powerful enough in a laptop, but that isn't the case with the MacBook Neo. From juggling multiple tasks to even some casual, less demanding gaming, this laptop can handle most people's workloads.

👍 Strong battery life: Impressively, the MacBook Neo lasts 13 hours and 28 minutes, which shows it has more than enough stamina to last a full workday, and then some.

What don’t we like about the MacBook Neo?

👎 Pay extra for Touch ID: Want to quickly log in with your fingerprint? You'll have to pay $100 more for the Neo with Touch ID, but at least you'll also get a larger 512GB for storage.

👎 Budget cuts: Don't expect any backlit keyboard or Thunderbolt ports on this machine, which is a shame even if it's made to be a budget option.

Apple MacBook Neo: Bottom line

The MacBook Neo is an affordable force to be reckoned with, packing solid performance in a compact, 13-inch laptop that looks and feels good to use. It's not perfect, but at its now $699 starting price ($599 for students), you'll be hard-pressed to find a machine of this size boasting plenty of value.

Read our full MacBook Neo review

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The best 13-inch Windows laptop

Who is the Dell XPS 13 for?

Dell's exceptional XPS line of laptops is now more affordable thanks to the Dell XPS 13 (2026), and it's quite easily earned the title of the best budget Windows laptop you can get right now. For anyone after a 13-inch laptop that delivers a quality, lightweight build, fast performance and a sharp 2.5K touch display for a wallet-friendly price, this is the laptop I recommend.

Why is it the best 13-inch Windows laptop?

The Dell XPS 13 (2026) is the best Windows ultraportable if you want a laptop that feels as premium as it looks. At just 2.2 pounds, it’s easy to carry around anywhere, and in our testing, the compact footprint and featherweight build made a real difference during long commutes and packed days on the move. Plus, battery life is another strong suit, delivering 14 hours and 29 minutes in our tests. Along with its Intel Wildcat Lake CPU for strong everyday performance (even with just 8GB of RAM) and its vibrant 13.4-inch 2.5K (2560 x 1600) touchscreen, this covers all bases for its low price.

What do we like about the Dell XPS 13?

👍 Smooth, reliable everyday performance: With an Intel Core 5 320 "Wildcat Lake" CPU, we found the XPS 13 easily handled multitasking, office work and even light creative workloads without issue. Plus, it goes up to 32GB of RAM for better performance

👍 Battery to last all day (and then some): In our tests, the XPS 13 lasted 14 hours and 29 minutes of continuous web browsing. That's enough for even those long, meeting-filled days.

👍 Premium build and display for less: Between its lightweight, compact aluminum chassis and sharp 2.5K touchscreen, the XPS 13 feels and looks like a true premium device for both work and media, but for a wallet-friendly price!

What don’t we like about the Dell XPS 13?

👎 So-so webcam quality: Not a huge surprise when it comes to budget laptops, but the Dell XPS 13's 1080p webcam won't do you justice in video calls. Its image quality is blurry, and you'll look washed out.

👎 Two ports are all you get: The XPS 13 offers only two USB-C ports and lacks a headphone jack, so be prepared to rely on adapters.

Dell XPS 13 (2026): Bottom line

For $699, the Dell XPS 13 (2026) offers one feature-rich package that's hard to ignore. If you want a travel-friendly 13-inch Windows laptop that nails the essentials, like premium build, true portability, strong everyday performance and all-day battery, the XPS 13 is our top pick.

Read our full Dell XPS 13 (2026) review

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The best 13-inch 2-in-1 laptop

Who is the Asus ROG Flow Z13 for?

The ROG Flow Z13 is a perfect two-in-one for those who need plenty of horsepower like a gaming laptop, but without the battery life hit of a gaming laptop. On top of that, if you have prosumer workloads, this will work great for you, too. It's a gaming and workflow beast that's pricey, but anyone would be happy traveling around with this.

Why is it the best 13-inch 2-in-1 laptop?

Put simply, it comes down to just what this system is capable of. There are plenty of good 2-in-1s that are more for the casual productivity crowd. But nothing has come across my desk quite like this beast and its ability to match even the RTX 4070 laptop GPU for gaming, even though there's no dedicated GPU in here whatsoever. Plus, for even more power with a Death Stranding-type touch, the Asus ROG Flow Z13 Kojima Edition we've tested is worth checking out.

What do we like about the Asus ROG Flow Z13?

👍 A super-powered beast: AMD's Ryzen AI Max 395+ is an APU monster of a chip that is able to handle AAA gaming at close to 100 FPS maximum settings, crush GPU-intensive workloads, and outperform every single other 2-in-1 at any task.

👍 Stamina assured: Now, when I mentioned its gaming performance, I can understand some people may be worried — given most gaming laptops struggle to last 90 minutes. However in our testing, we were able to get comfortably over two hours, and in general day-to-day, I was able to hit 8 hours with a varied workload. This powerhouse has serious stamina.

What don’t we like about the Asus ROG Flow Z13?

👎 Ray tracing is not too great: While the GPU is fantastic at gaming, make sure you keep ray tracing turned off. Like a lot of AMD GPUs, RT is not its strong suit and it can hamper performance.

👎 Expensive: And of course, you can expect to pay a pretty penny for this power — from $2,099 specifically. That's rather expensive for a 2-in-1!

Asus ROG Flow Z13: Bottom line

With powerful gaming laptop performance is a sleek, compact design, a gorgeous MiniLED display and decent battery life, this is a 13-inch 2-in-1 that feels like it achieves almost impossible levels of performance.

Read our full Asus ROG Flow Z13 review

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The best lightweight 13-inch laptop

Who is the MSI Prestige 13 AI+ for?

The MSI Prestige 13 AI+ immediately takes the crown as the lightest 13-inch laptop we've tested, weighing just 1.9 pounds. That spec alone is impressive. Hands-on, the ultra-light chassis makes tossing it in a backpack or carrying it one-handed feel almost effortless. It's the kind of laptop you forget is in your bag, making it a great pick for on-the-go professionals, students and anyone after reliable ultraportable performance

Why is it the best lightweight 13-inch?

Despite being so light, the Prestige 13 AI+ doesn't sacrifice build quality. Its solid metal frame gives the laptop a reassuring sturdiness in hand, eliminating the flex and creaks that sometimes plague other featherweight designs. That, and MSI equips this model with a bright, color-rich OLED panel that’s a joy to use for everything from spreadsheets to streaming. Throw in the Intel Core Ultra 7 155 processor for smooth performance (even playing games like Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p at 40 frames per second!), and the Prestige 13 AI+ does wonders.

What do we like about the MSI Prestige 13 AI+?

👍 Featherweight (yet sturdy) design: Being the lightest laptop we've tested, this is just about as portable as it gets. If you prioritize true portability, the Prestige 13 AI+ is unmatched at 1.9 pounds — lighter than any other 13-inch laptop we've tested — yet still offers a sturdy, premium-looking metal frame.

👍 Colorful OLED display: With its 13.3-inch 2.8K (2880 x 1600) OLED screen, this panel delivers vivid colors and superb contrast, making it excellent for creative work and is easy on the eyes even after long sessions. Take that, MacBooks!

👍 Strong ultraportable performance: This isn't the strongest 13-inch laptop around, but the Intel Core Ultra 7 355 inside feels quick in real-world use, easily handling productivity apps and moderate creative workloads like photo editing. You're also getting enough for a bit of downtime gaming, as in our tests, Cyberpunk 2077 ran at roughly 40 frames per second at 1080p on medium settings.

What don’t we like about the MSI Prestige 13 AI+?

👎 Battery life could be longer: While battery life is reasonable at around 11 hours, the Prestige 13 AI+ doesn’t outlast top rivals like the MacBook Air or XPS 13 on a single charge. Still, this will get you through a workday without needing to be plugged in for the majority of the time.

👎 Not the best price-to-performance ratio: It’s more expensive than some similarly equipped competitors, making price-to-performance a weaker point for budget-minded shoppers.

MSI Prestige 13 AI+ (2026): Bottom line

The MSI Prestige 13 AI+ is a strong choice for those who value absolute portability and a top-tier screen and chassis, even if it means accepting shorter battery life and a higher price. It's lightweight power at its finest.

Read our full MSI Prestige 13 AI+ (2026) review

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The best 13-inch laptop for upgradeability

Who is the Framework Laptop 13 for?

The Framework Laptop is the option for those with a DIY frame of mind — the modular construction may be a little pricey, but it's totally worth it for being able to upgrade this frame with new stuff as it's released.

Why is it the best 13-inch laptop for upgradeability?

In many ways, the Framework Laptop is the anti-MacBook — a modular 13-inch laptop that gives you the chance to repair, customize and upgrade at your own leisure. No longer are you confined to what it comes with. Now, you have a screwdriver and you can get to work.

What do we like about the Framework Laptop 13?

👍 Unparalleled upgradeability: The DIY-friendly design may be a little thicker and heavier than other laptops on this list. But those enlarged dimensions give you an innovative Expansion Card system to add what you want. Whatever you want, be it an Ethernet port or microSD card reader, just add them in here. Or take it apart with the included screwdriver to add more to the mainboard.

👍 Great keyboard: One thing I'm really happy to see come to this 13-incher is a fantastic keyboard — packing even backlighting and 1.5mm of key travel for a tactile feel to each press.

👍 Decent performance: The model we tested with the Intel core i7-1370P CPU and 32GB of RAM gave us some strong performance across the board, including over 11,000 in our Geekbench multi-core tests. It's worth noting that Framework now offers this system with either Intel Core Ultra or 7th Gen AMD, which are going to be even faster!

What don’t we like about the Framework Laptop 13?

👎 Loud fans under load: The modularity is great, but heat dissipation seems to be affected, as the fans kick into overdrive to keep this thing cool under heavier loads.

Framework Laptop 13: Bottom line

In many ways, the Framework Laptop 13 is a breakthrough in laptop design — a fully modular system that gives you endless levels of customization beyond anything you see from the competition. I wouldn't judge you if you'd rather just have a fully built laptop to last you a good long while, but if you're a tinkerer, the choice is obvious.

Read our full Framework Laptop 13 review

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Performance benchmarks

Don't let their size fool you. 13-inch laptops can be portable powerhouses, and we've done the testing to prove it. With Apple's latest M-series chipsets, Intel's Panther Lake and Wildcat Lake CPUs, and AMD's amazing processors, you can get a lot out of these machines for productivity and gaming.

All of the 13-inch laptops we recommend for this guide offer plenty of performance for multitasking and speedy day-to-day performance, while those at a higher price, like the MacBook Air M5 and Asus ROG Flow Z13, will deliver ample performance for playing the latest games and even video editing.

Using Geekbench to measure the single-core and multi-core performance of each laptop (the higher the number, the better), here's how they compare:

Best 13-inch Laptops Performance Results

Slide through to see Geekbench single-core and
multi-core benchmarks

< Prev

Geekbench 6 (single-core)

Next >

Apple MacBook Air (M5)

4168

Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro)

3535

Dell XPS 13 2026 (Intel Core 5 320)

2684

Asus ROG Flow Z13 (AMD Ryzen AI Max 390)

2896

MSI Prestige 13 AI+ (Intel Core Ultra 7 355)

2727

Framework Laptop 13 (Intel Core i7-1370P)

2362

01,5003,0004,5006,000

Geekbench 6 (single-core) Data

Product	Value
Apple MacBook Air (M5)	4168
Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro)	3535
Dell XPS 13 2026 (Intel Core 5 320)	2684
Asus ROG Flow Z13 (AMD Ryzen AI Max 390)	2896
MSI Prestige 13 AI+ (Intel Core Ultra 7 355)	2727
Framework Laptop 13 (Intel Core i7-1370P)	2362

Apple MacBook Air (M5)

17276

Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro)

8920

Dell XPS 13 2026 (Intel Core 5 320)

7952

Asus ROG Flow Z13 (AMD Ryzen AI Max 390)

17876

MSI Prestige 13 AI+ (Intel Core Ultra 7 355)

10190

Framework Laptop 13 (Intel Core i7-1370P)

11317

05,00010,00015,00020,000

Geekbench 6 (multi-core) Data

Product	Value
Apple MacBook Air (M5)	17276
Apple MacBook Neo (A18 Pro)	8920
Dell XPS 13 2026 (Intel Core 5 320)	7952
Asus ROG Flow Z13 (AMD Ryzen AI Max 390)	17876
MSI Prestige 13 AI+ (Intel Core Ultra 7 355)	10190
Framework Laptop 13 (Intel Core i7-1370P)	11317

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Battery benchmarks

13-inch laptops are all about portability, but that wouldn't mean anything if these machines didn't come with decent battery life. The good news is you'll find many of the best laptops for battery life right here, coming close to an amazing 20 hours! You can compare the battery life we tested below.

In our battery test, we set the laptop's display to 150 nits of brightness and have it endlessly browse the web via Wi-Fi until it runs out of juice. Take note that battery life may vary depending on what you use a laptop for, but this will give you a good idea of how long each laptop on this list will last.

Best 13-inch Laptops Batter Life Results

In our battery test, we set the laptop's display to 150 nits of brightness and have it endlessly browse the web via Wi-Fi until it runs out of juice.

Battery life (hh:mm:ss)

MacBook Air M5

15:30:00

Dell XPS 13 (2026)

14:29:00

MacBook Neo

13:28:00

MSI Prestige 13 AI+

11:30:00

Framework Laptop 13

10:17:00

Asus ROG Flow Z13

08:36:00

05101520

hours

Battery life (hh:mm:ss) Data

Product	Value
MacBook Air M5	15.5
Dell XPS 13 (2026)	14.483333333333333
MacBook Neo	13.466666666666667
MSI Prestige 13 AI+	11.5
Framework Laptop 13	10.283333333333333
Asus ROG Flow Z13	8.6

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Frequently Asked Questions

How to choose the best 13-inch laptop for you

When it comes to portability, all the 13-inch laptops we recommend have you covered. But beyond that, it's worth thinking about the performance and type of system that works for you.

• What kind of power do you need? If you only need something basic for surfing the web, consider the MacBook Neo or a cheap Windows laptop. If you want something that feels speedy and can handle more than basic browsing and typing, consider starting specs such as a Core 5 CPU, 8GB to 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD. Most of the laptops on this list are at least this powerful, since they're the best 13-inch laptops we've reviewed.
• Do you want to play PC games? Most mainstream laptops feature integrated graphics, which may be able to run simple, well-optimized games like Minecraft and Fortnite, but can't handle graphically demanding games or heavy visual work. For that, you'll want a laptop with a discrete graphics card or the latest Apple, AMD or Intel chips with integrated graphics, like the Apple M5 or AMD Ryzen AI Max.
• Do you want Windows, Mac or Chrome? Windows is the most common operating system, while macOS is more ideal for folks already tied into Apple's ecosystem. ChromeOS is a lightweight operating system built to allow for cheap, fast systems, though it has become a bit more robust over the years with support for full Android apps.

Whichever system you decide on, you may also want to consider investing in the best mouse and best keyboard for your needs so you can have some more ergonomic options for getting work done on your new laptop.

How we test the best 13-inch laptops

Our path to finding the best 13-inch laptops for you is littered with test results. To help us better compare and recommend the best machines for you, we run every laptop we review through a rigorous suite of benchmarks and real-world tests to gauge how it will perform during everyday use.

We measure the average brightness and color quality of each laptop's display using our in-house light meter and colorimeter. For general performance, we run our machines through tests that include Geekbench 6 (CPU performance), as well as various 3DMark tests to measure graphics capabilities. We also run a file transfer test to measure how fast a machine's hard drive is, plus a video editing test to see how good it is at crunching video, and a custom battery test that has the machine browse the internet over Wi-Fi until it runs out of juice.

We know many people also love to play games on their laptops, so we test the gaming horsepower of every laptop we review by putting it through the Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm graphical benchmark. This is an ideal test for us to use on 13-inch laptops because almost none of them have discrete graphics cards, which means they have a hard time running more modern or graphically demanding games. Civilization VI is also one of the few relatively modern games with a graphical benchmark that runs on both Windows and macOS, meaning we can easily compare the performance of MacBooks against that of Windows machines.

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If you're looking to train at home or in the gym, using one of the best workout apps can help you access motivational, qualified personal trainers in just a few taps.

However, with so many options out there, including both free and paid apps, it can be hard to know which will suit your training needs.

We've done the hard work for you by putting these fitness apps to the test, joining strength training sessions, yoga classes, and high-intensity routines over several weeks.

If you're looking for a top all-rounder, we recommend downloading Centr, the app developed by actor Chris Hemsworth. Or, if you're looking to keep costs down, Nike Training Club is completely free, while Fiit offers access to all group classes without charge.

But if these aren't quite right for you either, we've rounded up the best workout apps for a range of training styles and budgets to get you started.

The best workout apps available right now

Best workout app overall

Centr is the best workout app for most people thanks to its impressive library of strength training, HIIT, and cardio sessions. But if you're worried that an app designed by Chris Hemsworth, known for his muscular stature in the Marvel superhero films, would be all about bulking up, that's not the case.

Although there are plenty of sessions that can help you build substantial muscle, we were impressed at the variety available through Centr. There are beginner-friendly workouts, high-intensity cardio sessions, and gym-based weights sessions, but the primary focus is on helping you hit your goals, whatever they are.

So, if you want to add more exercise into your routine, and develop a mindfulness habit, the app can help with that. There are meditations, some led by Hemsworth himself, designed to connect you mind and body, and that can improve your focus and form during the strength training sessions to get the most from your workouts.

We also really liked that you can head into the app's settings to select the equipment you have to hand, then use that list to filter the library, so you only see classes or routines you can do with the weights you have. This saves a lot of time, allowing you more space to do your workout rather than fiddle with the app.

And if you want to use Centr as a holistic base for all your health and fitness needs, there's a meal planner too, and we found that it was really easy to customize the meals, adjust quantities, and add them automatically to an in-app shopping list for when you go to the grocery store.

Although we rate it as the best workout app for most people, it is primarily focused on strength training, with some cardio and yoga on the side. If you want more mobility or yoga workouts, you might be better off with an app like Fiit, which offers access to all group classes for free.

• Read our full Centr review
• Download Centr: Android | iPhone

Best free workout app

In March 2020, Nike made its Nike Training Club app content completely free for 90 days to help people keep fit while they stayed at home during the COVID-19 pandemic. Since then, the app has been completely free for users, and unlike others on this list, there’s no paid version anymore.

However, with the update, Nike removed some of their training programs, which used to be a popular feature of the app. Instead, you now have the option to filter workouts by muscle group — abs and core, arms and shoulders, or glutes and legs, workout focus — endurance, mobility, strength, and yoga, and by equipment. There is also the option to filter by duration, level, and intensity.

During testing, we found the instructor-led workouts to be engaging and motivating, and also enjoyed the whiteboard workouts, which show you the entire workout so you can follow at your own pace. There’s also the option to connect the workout to your Apple Music. It’s not perfect, but for a free app, there’s plenty to keep you moving here.

• Read our full Nike Training Club review
• Download Nike Training Club: Android | iPhone

Best workout app for beginners

Whether you enjoy weightlifting, yoga or cardio, the Fiit app has you covered. We've tested Fiit with and without equipment or chest strap monitors, and every class we've sweated through gets a huge tick from us.

Intuitive in-app features, clear metric monitoring and world class instructors are just some of the perks of being a Fiit member. From strength training to treadmill-only workouts and spin, you can build strength and improve cardio from the comfort of your own home. Then you get to cool down and go again without swapping apps.

There's free and paid options, but you get plenty of value if you do decide to pay, and you can access a free trial if you're unconvinced. Functional fitness, HIIT, yoga or breathwork. It's all there, and we're big fans.

• Download Fiit: Android | iPhone

Best workout app for iPhone

Apple Fitness Plus is the best workout app if you're embedded in the company's ecosystem, especially if you use an Apple Watch. There are HIIT, strength, core, yoga, Pilates, and meditation classes, taught by a range of different trainers.

During testing, we also liked the fact there were two instructors in the background during classes, showing modifications for beginners, or those looking to push themselves harder — this is particularly handy as there’s no option to filter classes by difficulty.

The app can feel a little overwhelming at a first glance, but classes can be filtered by trainer, time, and the music you prefer to work out to. You can also add classes to your library, which lets you select classes you’ve taken before, or plan on taking in the future, at a glance.

During a workout, if you're wearing one of the best Apple Watches, you’ll be able to see stats from your watch on the screen. When it first launched, you had to have a Watch to use Fitness Plus, but Apple removed the restriction in 2022.

• Read our full Apple Fitness Plus review
• Download Apple Fitness+: iPhone

Best workout app for women

The brainchild of Australian personal trainer Kayla Itsines, the Sweat app started as a series of downloadable Bikini Body Guides in 2015 and has now grown into an extensive training app with several different programs and recipes to help you reach your goals.

Trainers include Kayla herself, as well as the likes of Kelsey Wells, Chontel Duncan, Britany Williams, and Stephanie Sanzo. You can switch your program easily and take on-demand classes if you feel like adding the odd barre session to your planner.

SWEAT's app is clean and easy to navigate, with the ability to save workouts for later and browse ‘On Demand’ workouts from other trainers outside of your plan, and is even available on Apple Watch. This allows you to follow workouts without your phone, displaying exercises, reps, timers, and haptic alerts for section changes. Metrics such as active heart rate, calories, steps, and distance are tracked, too, and demo videos are also available on the watch, though trainer audio is not.

However, if you use a non-Apple fitness tracker, you may be a bit limited for now. For example, I wasn’t able to connect my best Garmin watch to the SWEAT app.

Another thing to keep in mind is that while there's no reason why anyone shouldn't use the training programmes, you should keep in mind that the app is definitely aimed at women and has an emphasis on female-led programmes.

• Read our full Sweat review
• Download Sweat: Android | iPhone

Best workout app for meal plans

If you're based in the UK, you've probably heard of Joe Wicks, or done one of his PE with Joe workouts in lockdown, but if you're in the US, Wicks is a fantastic trainer and his app has a mix of workouts to get you in shape. Since having my son, I've religiously used Joe's The Body Coach app to rebuild my core postpartum, and I've loved the flexibility and challenge of the Body Coach plan.

All of the workouts can be done from home, and for most of them, you'll only need one set of dumbbells. The app has loads of on-demand classes you can try, including yoga, Barre, and mobility, as well as different challenges to join to keep you motivated. Once you've chosen your program, you check in once a month to keep track of your progress.

Of course, if you really want to make noticeable changes to your body, you'll need to focus on your nutrition. The app has hundreds of recipes to choose from, and I was able to tailor my meal plan to my dietary requirements. The recipes are delicious, and easy to follow, and I appreciated having everything in one place.

The only downside here is the cost — this isn't the cheapest app on the market. I also wish there was the option to see the workout written out, so I could listen to my podcast and do the workout without following the video if I wanted, however following along with Joe is super-motivating, so I wouldn't let this put you off.

• Download The Body Coach: Android | iPhone

Best workout app for runners

Strava is one of the best running apps on the market, with a free and a paid subscription to allow runners, cyclists, and walkers to keep track of their progress. That said, despite its reputation as an app for runners and cyclists, you can track a total of 31 different sports.

The list includes hiking, canoeing, an e-bike rides, rowing, alpine skiing, swimming, stand-up paddleboarding, and yoga. Of course, it’s important to point out that there are no actual workouts on Strava, so unlike other apps on this list, don’t expect to follow a strength training session — this is an app for tracking your progress.

While the free version of the app is brilliant, the paid version gives you the option to use the Routes tool, which gives you suggestions based on where other runners in your area have clocked their miles, as well as segments, advanced performance metrics, and training plans.

Strava supports a variety of running trackers in addition to Wear OS devices and Apple Watch. (Just make sure you opt out of the location tracking features if you happen to be around restricted areas.)

There are also handy features like Strava Beacon, which are designed to keep you safe, by allowing your friends or family members to track your live location on a run.

• Read our full Strava review
• Download Strava: Android | iPhone

Best workout app for classes

If you've ever done a BodyPump class in your local gym, you'll have been introduced to the world of Les Mills. It's a series of tempo-based classes, set to music, designed to get you fitter and stronger. The app is an extension of this, with hundreds of classes to choose from, all set to an infectious beat, with motivating instructors.

As a BodyPump fan, I would watch the classes on my TV, and send my heart rate soaring without leaving my living room. These classes do require you to have a decent amount of equipment at home, however. I don't have an exercise bar, but I used a set of the best adjustable dumbbells and still got a great workout.

If you're not into weights or the fast tempo of BodyPump and Body Attack, there's plenty of other classes to choose from. The Functional Strength classes are a great way of working on your movement patterns if you're a complete beginner, and the Pilates, core, and tone classes were all engaging.

Compared to some of the other apps on this list, this app is also pretty affordable. You can sign up for a free trial to see whether it's for you, and after that, there are two different membership options to choose from. The Les Mills+ base membership gives you a stripped-back version of the app and starts from $4.99 per month. The full membership, Les Mills+ premium, gives you access to all classes and starts at $9.99 per month.

• Download Les Mills+: Android | iPhone

Also tested

Not every workout app can be the best, but some can still be great and worth your time. These are the apps we've tested that didn't quite make the cut, but are still worth a download if you're after more options.

How to choose the best workout app

The best workout app for you covers the exercises you're interested in doing at a level that's accessible to you. Ideally, a good fitness app will support multiple levels of expertise so that as you get fitter and more comfortable, you can push yourself to the next level.

While a handful of apps are free, many of these workout apps require a subscription. Take advantage of any trial period and then try a monthly subscription to see if the app meets your needs. If you like what you see, you can always switch to an annual subscription, which usually lowers your monthly cost.

If you're someone who likes to mix up your workout routines regularly, it might be a good idea to look for a well-rounded workout app that has a good mix of workouts to suit your mood and prevent you from regretting your monthly subscription.

Several of the options on our best workout apps list will log your exercise data. If you're an iPhone user, pay special attention to any apps that integrate with the built-in Health app on your phone.

How we test the best workout apps

To help you make the best decision when choosing a workout app, we put them to the sweat test by using them for a number of different workouts. For each of the apps, we tried multiple workouts and looked at how easy the workouts were to follow, the range of workouts on offer, and how often new workouts were added to the app.

We also looked at the little extras that make using the app more enjoyable — for example, the option to sync the app with third-party music platforms to allow you to listen to your own playlists as you work out, or the option to download workouts to do without phone reception or wifi.

Finally, we'll look at the cost of the workout app to download or subscribe to, and what you get for your money.

FAQs

Want to make a dumb TV a whole lot less... well, dumb? A Roku stick or streaming box is the way to go. They add the Roku smart TV platform in a couple of simple steps: Plug in stick, turn on TV. Done. Dumb TV now smart.

At the moment, there are only two Roku devices we'd recommend you buy. The Roku Streaming Stick Plus doesn't break the bank, and adds loads of useful smart features to your TV without doing any work. If, however, you want something a little more premium, then it's the more expensive Roku Ultra you'll want. It feeds 4K streaming to your TV and features more power for a smoother experience.

How do we know? Because we've tested them. All of them. So when we say "this is the one to buy," it comes from hundreds of hours of experience. So let's get into why these two streaming options are the best you can buy right now.

The best value roku device

I’m going to start with the weakness of the Streaming Stick Pro — because for its low, low (and often discounted) $39 price, there’s really only one glaring omission. Dolby Vision fans will be left out in the cold, because Roku’s cheaper stick wants to leave something for the more expensive options. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be all that many reasons to spend more.

Because, really, the Streaming Stick gives you everything you need to get your favorite content streaming on your big screen. 4K HDR is no problem, and there’s support for loads of different audio formats from Dolby to DTS. We loved watching our movies and TV shows with the stick, all accessible from Roku’s platform.

And it really is one of the best ways to navigate a smart TV. The Roku interface is slick and smart, with plenty of on-screen options. The UI is easy to follow, and supports all of your favorite streamers. Even some really niche options that aren’t available for other platforms (ultra-niche streamers like Gagaoolala and HiDive— I’m looking at you) are available on Roku.

The diminutive stick even offers great power, despite its size. 4K video runs hitch-free, and we never really had any hang-ups or slowdown when browsing around. If you’re going to buy a streaming stick from Roku, this is the sweet spot you’ll want. The cheaper options don’t have 4K, and the more expensive models don’t have any more features to speak of. This is the one to buy.

• Read our full Roku Streaming Stick Plus review

The best premium Roku device

So we’ve established that the Roku Streaming Stick Plus is the Roku device you actually need — but the Roku Ultra is the one you want. Rather than a stick, it’s a box that’s packed with power for extra smarts. Perhaps most importantly — Dolby Vision. That’s right, cinephiles, now you can watch Tenet in a bit more of its “director-intended” form with a more color-accurate picture. Roku Ultra, you spoil us. IMAX next?

There’s more to it than just Dolby Vision, of course. There has to be something extra to justify the price increase. There’s an Ethernet port to make sure the internet connection is as stable as possible, reducing the chance of dropouts. We found that means more stable, and often slightly higher quality images. Just remember that you’ll need a cable between the router and the Roku Ultra, and you’re good to go.

You can even slot a USB stick in the back to add music, TV shows and movies to the Roku Ultra, something that nothing else in the Roku line does. Then there’s the very clever QuickMedia Switching, so you can hop between media types without any issues. It really works too — we changed from some content that ran at 60FPS to the more standard 24FPS movie frame rate, and we had no issues.

That’s one of the biggest things with the Ultra — it’s simply wonderful to use. The extra power means that it’s slick and smooth across the board, even more so than the already excellent Streaming Stick Plus above. This is a cut above — you’d have to go with something like an Apple TV 4K for a similarly speedy and lag-free performance.

There are two drawbacks. It’s more expensive than the Streaming Stick Plus by some margin, and you’ll need some extra space for the larger box. In the long run, though, we’ve found it to be well worth the trade-offs — we love it.

• Read our full Roku Ultra (2024) review

How to choose the best Roku device for you

There's a Roku device for everyone. In the void left by the discontinuation of Chromecast, Roku streaming sticks and devices make for the best alternatives. Whether you're looking for an affordable 1080p model or a soundbar with the Roku ecosystem built into it, Roku's got it all.

However, with so many Roku devices sharing similar-sounding names, it can get confusing when picking the right one for you.

To help, here's a full breakdown of what each Roku device has to offer in terms of resolution, upscaling, audio, HDR, and networking:

Is Roku a streaming service?

Roku has a slew of free channels to dive into on its platform, all of which are hosted on the Roku Channel app. It's here where you can find all kinds of FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) channels ranging from movies and shows to sports and live news broadcasts.

A popular area within the Roku Channel is the Sports Zone, which houses all kinds of major sporting events and pastimes for you to enjoy. This includes EFL Cup soccer games, WNBA basketball games, Tour of de l'Ain cycling sprints, and so much more. You can also dive into highlights from your favorite sports, including baseball, tennis, monster truck rallies, and the like. It's practically endless.

Everything is totally free to enjoy too, no subscription required. Roku does offer some premium subscription models if you want them, netting you access to various other streaming platforms, including HBO Max, STARZ, Paramount+, and others. Roku launched its own premium subscription service called Howdy on August 5. The app consists of ad-free TV and several movies for a monthly $2.99 fee.

Chromecasts are discontinued — now what?

Google discontinued its Chromecast with Google TV device lineup in August 2024 as it rolled out its newest premium streaming device, the Google TV Streamer, which goes toe to toe with the Roku Ultra. For over 11 years, Chromecast devices served as among the best streaming devices for their price-to-performance ratio and the myriad of models offered.

This hole left in the wake of the departure of Chromecast devices leaves just two major brands in contention for budget streaming sticks: Amazon and Roku. While Fire TV Sticks do have their merits, especially for gamers, Roku proves a better proposition largely for its streamlined navigation, simplified interface, and price.

This extends to Roku vs Google TV. While we do like Google's incredible search and voice functionality on TVs, plus the tons of free channels it offers, Roku is just as adept — and now even better for all kinds of needs. Google only has a $99 streaming device right now, where Roku runs the gamut in options, including 1080p HD, 4K without Dolby Vision, and 4K with the slew of HDR and audio features.

Our Roku Ultra vs Google TV faceoff is a great example of this, highlighting the multitude of smart home and AI features offered via Google TV, many of which might be borderline useless for most users. Roku's commitment to keeping things simple and budget is its major selling point. You don't need to spend a fortune when you just want to turn you dumb 1080p TV into a smarter display with Roku at the helm.

How we test the best Roku devices

I've tested tons of streaming devices beyond Roku models. With Roku, I like to test across all varied use cases: watching movies, shows, and listening to music. Depending on the model, I'll also try other features, like smart home testing and sound quality, as in the case for the Ultra and Streambar.

Snappiness is a top priority. That's not only in regards to navigation but also in terms of how fast apps open. It's one of the reasons I love the Ultra, but also is why several other models listed here are perfect for a wide range of users.

Although Roku devices all offer the same operating system, price is a major factor. If one can stand out from the rest by loading 4K content faster than the others, that's worth some points in our scorecard, but it's not always the key to victory, as not all of them have 4K resolution.

Depending on the model, I also try to gauge HDR content. Of course, most users won't be using best TVs with a Roku device, because why would you they have their own robust operating systems? But to get the best out of your Roku device, check out our guide on the best cheap TV deals if you need a discount.

If you're a parent, your number-one priority is keeping your child safe. In the outside world, that likely looks like making sure they wear a helmet when they ride their bike, but what does it look like in the online world? By using one of the best parental control apps, you can discover how your children are spending their time online.

However, with many to choose from, it can be difficult to decide which is the right one for you. We've done the hard work for you and have spent dozens of hours testing the apps below. This included trying out their features to make sure they function as promised, including location tracking, texting and messaging management, filtering tools, and app and time management. We also compared prices, noted how easy it was to install and uninstall each app, and what devices each app would cover, and thought about the level of controls provided.

Our number one choice for a parental control app is Net Nanny thanks to its intuitive, clean interface and its full set of features, including location tracking and history, web filtering, and app blocking.

However, we've also included other recommendations you should consider, from the best value parental control app to the best parental control app for large families. Read on to learn more.

The best parental control apps you can get today

The best parental control app overall

Net Nanny, which we think is the best parental control app, has a modern, intuitive design and excellent web-filtering technology that analyzes pages rather than just blindly blocking them and lets you create filters of your own.

Among the parental-control apps we tried, Net Nanny comes closest to having feature parity between its iOS and Android versions. It can track your child's location, display their location history, and set time allowances and schedules equally well on both platforms.

The iOS version lets you block more than 100 apps on your kid's phone; the Android one lets you block them all. The built-in App Advisor gives you a heads-up on which new apps you should watch out for.

Net Nanny also includes content screening that works within social media apps and services, including Instagram, TikTok and YouTube, instead of blocking or allowing them entirely.

The only thing Net Nanny can't do on a smartphone is monitor calls or texts. No apps we tested can do that on iOS, but a couple still do on Android.

Read our full Net Nanny review.

The best parental control app for monitoring

Qustodio supports iOS and Android devices, Amazon Fire tablets, Macs, PCs and Chromebooks. It also lets you set time limits for individual apps and individual devices.

This service's location tracking works on both iOS and Android, as do its geofencing and a Family Locator feature that shows you where all your kids are at once. You can manage about 6,000 apps on iOS, and all Android apps, but the web filtering doesn't work that well on either mobile platform.

However, Qustodio is one of the only apps we've recently tested that can still log a child's texts and calls, view the content of text messages or block phone numbers, at least on Android — and you have to sideload a special version of the app from Qustodio's website for it all to work. But if these features are important to you, then Qustodio may be the app to get.

The biggest drawback is that Qustodio can get darn expensive, costing up to $138 per year for 15 devices. This does work at around $9 per device if you use all 15, but if you don't have this many devices to install Qustodio on, then it isn't as worth it.

Read our full Qustodio review.

The best parental control app for big families

Norton Family's power and features are ideal for Android (and Windows) households with many children, offering nearly every feature a parent could want from one of the best parental control apps, including recently added geofencing.

This service's location-tracking, time-scheduling, and web-filtering and -monitoring capabilities work on both iOS and Android, but Norton's time allowances are only for its Windows and Android software. App management doesn't work in the iOS app at all.

However, Norton Family has very strong web filters, even on iOS, monitors Hulu as well as YouTube, and has a feature called School Time to keep children focused while learning or doing homework.

Norton Family comes free if you spring for one of Norton's more expensive antivirus suites, such as Norton 360 Deluxe, which is often discounted to as little as $50 per year. At that price, getting Norton Family along with Norton's excellent antivirus protection is a no-brainer, unless your kids happen to use Macs.

Read our full Norton Family review or save on plans with our Norton coupon codes

The best parental control app for iOS

Once the most powerful parental-control app for iPhones, OurPact's abilities have been whittled down a bit by Apple, which temporarily threw OurPact out of the App Store. However, it can still manage or block any iOS app, just as it can on Android.

OurPact also gets kids involved in managing the daily allowance of screen time that you give them, and it does a good job of scheduling. Its Premium Plus plan lets you get screenshots from the child's device, even on iOS, and you can block messaging and texting apps even if you can't read the messages themselves.

Yet its website filtering simply blocks adult content, and the time-management interface is a bit clunky. OurPact will tell you where your child is, and its geofencing will tell you when a child arrives or leaves specific locations, but it can't tell you where your child has been.

Despite these drawbacks, OurPact's well-designed interface and intuitive features make it a joy to use, especially if your kids have iPhones.

Read our full OurPact review.

The best parental control app for Android

Google Family Link is the only option on this page that's totally free. You may be pleasantly surprised by how powerful and useful it can be — as long as your kids happen to have Android phones or tablets.

Google Family Link gives parents control over the system permissions each individual app has on a child's Android device. No other parental-control app we've reviewed has that ability. It also lets you decide which kind of apps, or any apps at all, your child can download from Google Play.

There's no iOS version of the Google Family Link child app, but parents can use either iOS or Android to monitor kids' devices. We recommend Android for kids' apps anyway, as the Android versions of all these apps give parents much more insight and control.

A few drawbacks: Google Family Link has only one web filter, against "mature sites," and it doesn't work perfectly. The same single filter is available for YouTube. Location tracking is a bit primitive, and there's no geofencing. But the time-management features work well.

If you're primarily concerned about the apps your kids use, Google Family Link may be everything you need. And if you want an app that can do more, Google Family Link will work well alongside one of the other options on this page.

Read our full Google Family Link review.

How to choose the best parental control app for your family

What you need from a parental control app mainly depends on the age of your children. If you’re the parent of a child under 12, you absolutely need the ability to block objectionable websites, but you might also want to consider an app that’s available on Amazon’s Fire tablets.

However, if you have teenagers, you might want to let them look at some objectionable things online, but only if you’re aware of it. You may also want to see who your teens are chatting with online in messaging apps as well as where they are late on a Friday night. At the same time, you might also want to consider a service that monitors your kids’ Windows and Mac devices in addition to their smartphones.

The best parental control apps offer, at a minimum, a website filter, location tracking, screen-time limits with a scheduler and an app blocker that at least works on Android.

Other useful extra features include geofencing which alerts you if a child’s phone leaves a designated ‘safe’ area like their school or a relative’s house. Most of these apps allow you to monitor your child’s phone from a web interface on your computer as well as from your own smartphone.

A couple of these apps also let you block and log the calls and text messages a child makes and receives, and even read a child’s text messages. However, they require extra steps to do so. Still though, none of the best parental control apps let you listen in on a call, as doing so is illegal.

See the chart below for what each parental control apps offers.

Feature comparison chart

How we test the best parental control apps

We focused on parental control apps that emphasize setting up filters and limits proactively before your child uses a smartphone rather than merely tracking activities after the fact. In our extensive testing, we took the following criteria into account.

Price: What is the cost of the service and how many children/devices are covered?

Installation: How easy is it to install and configure the app across each device?

App management: What level of control does the app provide when it comes to monitoring, blocking or restriction of smartphone usage? Does the app let you see all of the other apps on the child’s device?

Filtering: What kind of filtering tools does each app offer? How effectively does the app filter out content that you deem inappropriate?

Time management: What kinds of tools does the app provide for restricting screen time?

Texting and messaging management: Does the app let you see the content of your child’s text messages? Are you able to create rules or block specific contact? Are you notified of new contacts? Does the control extend beyond the built-in messaging apps or can you block messaging apps altogether?

Location tracking: Does the app let you find your child in an emergency? Does it log their previous locations? Does the app let you create geofenced areas?

Our most recent round of testing was done on a Lenovo Yoga C940 running Windows 10, a Google Pixel 4XL running Android 11, and an iPhone 12 running iOS 14.2. However, we're currently in the process of updating all of our existing parental control reviews and adding some new ones.

We tested each app on every supported platform twice, from installation to uninstalling it. We typically monitored activity from the Lenovo Yoga C940 but for apps that offered control from a smartphone, we tested those features from an iPhone.

The best Android parental control apps are still considerably more robust than their iOS counterparts in most cases, with only OurPact offering feature parity to the other apps we tested.

We note areas in which there are discrepancies between the functionality offered on each platform, but we haven’t provided distinct ratings and reviews for the iOS or Android version of each app.

Regarding call and text monitoring, both Apple and Google have made it nearly impossible for any app to do so. Qustodio gets around this by offering a special version of the Android app that users can sideload.

For more on how we test security software and other products, check out our how we test page for Tom's Guide.

FAQs

The journey to find the best laptop for students (i.e., you) is an exciting one. This is the machine that will see you through your education, and hopefully beyond. You'll want it for taking notes during class, typing up those long assignments and, of course, binging your way through copious amounts of sitcoms and dramas.

Take it from me, someone who tests laptops for a living with a team of experts: today's laptops absolutely shine at taking on the workloads that schools and colleges throw at you. Well, the right ones, that is. That's why we've done our own homework — picking the laptops that fit with student life.

The MacBook Neo is our top recommendation as the best laptop for students. At $699 (down to $599 for students), and with enough performance to juggle note-taking, video calls and watching shows on the side (sneakily) at once, it's a winning formula. And now, there's also the excellent Dell XPS 13 (2026) that Windows fans shouldn't miss. But there are students from all walks of life, studying different subjects with different needs. So, let's begin that journey to find the student laptop for you.

The best college laptops you can buy right now

The best laptop for students overall

Wait, a MacBook that's actually affordable and isn't old? Apple's finally done it. The MacBook Neo pushes into the budget market, and it's come in swinging with one of the best laptops for value yet. In fact, you could say it was made for students.

Now priced at $699 (after Apple raised the price), but more importantly, $599 through the Education Savings discount, the MacBook Neo is simply everything we love about the MacBook Air in terms of design, portability and visual brilliance, but this time with a stylish splash of color. Don't be surprised if you see these dotted around classrooms, with students (and maybe even yourself) typing away on its comfortable keyboard.

Impressively, the A18 Pro chip onboard, generally reserved for Apple's iPhone, holds enough power to handle multitasking, jumping between multiple tabs and apps, editing photos and even some casual gaming.

Sadly, there's no backlit keyboard here or Thunderbolt connectivity if you need it, and some heavier-duty tasks may struggle with its 8GB of RAM. But for general study sessions and binge-watching shows, the MacBook Neo is the laptop for most students.

• Read our full Apple MacBook Neo review

The best value laptop for students

If you prefer Windows over macOS for your studies but still want to keep value as your highest priority, look no further than the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x. No, it's not made for creative work or playing games between classes, but for handling research and assignments while juggling multiple tabs and apps, this slim, 15-inch machine will do the trick.

The Snapdragon X chip inside works reliably for students in need of a laptop for writing, replying to emails and watching Netflix in their downtime. It can even take on some light photo and video editing if needed, and it's a breeze to carry around in your backpack thanks to its sleek 0.7-inch design and light 3.42-pound weight.

The best part? While it will set you back $749 at full price, I often see the IdeaPad Slim 3x for far less. In fact, for as low as $499, giving it an edge over the MacBook Neo (even with the student discount). Not bad for a notebook boasting a sizeable 15.3-inch (1920 x 1200) touch display, and even better with its amazing 16-hour battery life.

It's not perfect, as colors will look washed out onscreen, and its speakers don't get very loud. But that's an easy fix with one of the best headphones. This is an outstanding budget Windows laptop for students, so if you're looking to save, the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x has you covered.

• Read our full Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x review

The best Windows laptop for students

For students who want a premium Windows experience in a compact, hugely affordable package, the Dell XPS 13 (2026) is it. This budget laptop takes on the MacBook Neo in all the right ways, and has an edge with its razor-sharp 13.4-inch 2.5K touchscreen. Even at this price (down to $599 for students), the XPS 13 feels anything but budget, as its design easily rivals far pricier laptops.

Performance-wise, the Intel Core 5 320 Wildcat Lake CPU, paired with up to 32GB of RAM and fast storage, easily keeps up with coursework and daily studying. In our review unit, which came with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, the XPS 13 breezed through 15 Chrome tabs and background YouTube streams without breaking a sweat, making it ideal for research, group projects and deadline sprints. This machine keeps up the pace, but as you may expect, video editing or gaming are a little too demanding, at least for its base configuration.

You also get excellent real-world battery life: in our testing, the XPS 13 lasted 14 hours and 29 minutes, which is enough to carry you through back-to-back lectures and late-night study sessions. While the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x edges ahead on stamina with its 16+ hours of battery, the XPS 13 delivers a much more premium aluminum chassis and a higher-res display. Compared to the MacBook Neo, you’re getting more pixels in that display and touchscreen support, even if the Neo’s chip is stronger for heavier multitasking. Still, for students who want Windows compatibility and a reliable machine, the XPS 13 nails the right balance.

On the downside, port selection is limited to two USB-C ports (with no headphone jack, sadly), and the 1080p webcam won’t exactly win you compliments in video calls. And while touch support is excellent — responsive and accurate — it can't be fully utilized for creatives. Still, if you value a great screen, a premium build and all-day reliability, this is the budget Windows laptop students can count on. If you've got the cash for something with more power, though, check out the superb Dell XPS 14 (2026).

• Read our full Dell XPS 13 (2026) review

The best MacBook for students

The MacBook Air M5 shows that Apple's thin and lightweight laptop is better than ever. While the MacBook Neo makes a fantastic case for value, if you need a machine with more horsepower to blaze through assignments and even a touch of gaming, this is the one to grab.

More of a modest upgrade over the previous M4 model, and unfortunately now with a $200 price bump after Apple's price surge across MacBooks, the MacBook Air M5 is still one of the top dogs when it comes to performance, stamina (battery life is now over 15 hours) and portability, thanks to its sleek, featherweight design.

From $1,299 (and definitely less with frequent discounts), the MacBook Air M5 excels at giving you all the performance and tools for multitasking projects. And, at just 2.7 pounds (3.3 pounds for the 15-inch model), it's still thin and light enough to easily pack into your bag before heading off to class. Thanks to its lovely Liquid Retina display, visuals are a treat, whether it's reading research papers or binge-watching shows.

With its M5 chip, it's capable of powering through web surfing (made better with Wi-Fi 7 connectivity), video editing and even some AAA gaming, and it's always handy to have an upgraded 512GB base storage onboard to save all your assignments (and photos, of course). For that sweet spot between the Neo and Pro, the MacBook Air M5 is your best choice. Need a bigger display? The 15-inch model just gives you the benefit of having more to work with.

• Read our full MacBook Air M5 review

The best Chromebook for students

When our reviewer, Jason England, ditched his MacBook for the Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 to review it, he was stunned. ChromeOS has well and truly come into its element as a really effective study buddy for your courses, and the 12 months free Google AI Pro can really work effectively alongside you to help you nail that college degree (more on that later).

First, there's the laptop itself — a gorgeously premium aluminum shell that packs the stellar ergonomics that Lenovo is known for with a tactile keyboard and smooth touchpad (and a touchscreen if you pay for it). Speaking of screen, that OLED display is mesmerizing for work and play, and those speakers get loud for those times you need background music in the dorm room!

Then we turn our attention to the performance and power efficiency, which far outstrips any other Chromebook thanks to that MediaTek Kompanio Ultra 910 chipset and 16GB of RAM. No matter how many Chrome tabs you open, this never stutters, and you've got worry-free battery life all day.

Throw in the aforementioned AI features that enrich your studies with Gemini 2.5 Pro to be a capable research assistant, NotebookLM being a lifesaver for pooling resources around big pieces of coursework, and generative AI giving you laughs around Veo 3 video and Imagen pictures, and you've got a fantastic system for your time at college.

• Read our full Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14 review

The best 2-in-1 laptop for students

The Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 Gen 10 honestly looks and feels too good for a $400 laptop, with a full aluminum shell that stands miles above most Chromebooks made for students in this price range. And it all comes with the perks of being one of the best 2-in-1 laptops.

But it’s not just about looks. We found the keyboard to be fantastic for long study sessions, with nicely spaced keys with crisp activation and just the right amount of travel. And with its sturdy convertible hinge, you can flip between laptop, tablet or tent modes for whatever the day throws at you, whether you’re typing notes in class or streaming a show back in your dorm.

Under the hood, the Intel Core 3 N355 processor keeps things responsive for everyday ChromeOS tasks. Think research, essay writing and video calls. No, this isn’t a creative powerhouse or a gaming beast, but it nails the reliable, no-fuss performance students actually need.

Battery life, though, is where the shine fades a little. In our web surfing test, it managed 8 hours and 32 minutes, which is enough for much of a typical class day, but not quite on par with the marathon stamina you’ll see from others in this guide. Plus, the 14-inch touch display could be a bit brighter.

Still, if you want a Chromebook that feels premium, performs reliably for coursework, and comes in at a student-friendly price, this is the 2-in-1 laptop to grab.

• Read our full Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 Gen 10 review

The best gaming laptop for students

The Lenovo Legion 5i is the gaming laptop for students who want plenty of power for games and productivity — no compromises. With its Nvidia RTX 5060 GPU delivering over 60 FPS at 1080p in our gaming tests, you can count on smooth, sustained performance for both study sessions and late-night downtime. If you’re planning to game between classes or need a laptop that doesn’t choke under demanding workloads, the Legion 5i is built for you.

But it’s not just about raw power. The 15-inch OLED display is amazing for the price. You get a sharp WQXGA (2560 x 1600) resolution, vibrant colors, a buttery 165Hz refresh rate and up to 500 nits of brightness, making every frame look crisp whether you’re deep into a fast-paced match or streaming a movie. This screen doesn’t just look good for games, either; it’s easy on the eyes for hours of reading, research or group projects.

We found the build surprisingly refined for a gaming rig in this class. The aluminum lid and sturdy plastic casing mean you can toss it in your backpack and not worry about dings from a hectic day on campus. The keyboard deck holds up to long essay sessions and all-night gaming marathons, which is another small but important detail for student life.

There are a couple of catches: battery life and fan noise. Off the charger, you’ll squeeze out just about an hour of gaming before hunting for an outlet (around four hours outside of gaming), and when you’re pushing the hardware in a game like Cyberpunk 2077, the fans really kick up a storm. If battery and quiet operation matter most, some others like the MacBook Neo or Dell XPS 13 win hands-down for all-day portability. But if you want the best possible gaming performance and visuals for the price, and don’t mind gaming tethered to a wall, the Legion 5i is the clear pick for student gamers.

• Read our full Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10 review

The best student laptop for creatives

Need more multitasking power for your studies? If you're willing to spend more on a machine that will see you through your classes and beyond, the MacBook Pro M5 is our top choice.

Thanks to its M5 chip, this MacBook boasts more than enough performance for editing 4K video, building out a design portfolio, producing music or touching up photos for a project. If your assignments require as much, the MacBook Pro will power through your workflow, all wrapped up in a premium, sturdy aluminum design.

It retains everything you'd expect from a MacBook Pro, including that gorgeous 14-inch (3024 x 1964) Liquid Retina XDR display with a 120Hz refresh rate and sharp 12MP webcam for those video calls. But this time, the heavy-duty assignments will benefit from the performance boosts M5 offers, so expect an easier time with creative work, along with enough power to play games like Resident Evil 4 Remake at 60 FPS.

This is a pricey one, and even pricier after Apple raised it to $1,999 following a $300 increase. If you already have an M4, or even an M3, model in your bag, don't expect a huge upgrade. That doesn't take away from this being a laptop made for power users, and if heavy workloads come with the territory for your education, this laptop was made to handle it all. That said, if you have the funds for something boasting even more performance, the MacBook Pro with M5 Pro may better suit your needs.

• Read our full MacBook Pro M5 review

Battery life test results compared

Battery life is a key concern for students since you don't want a laptop to die in the middle of class. With that in mind, we've collected all the results from our battery tests of these laptops, and I've organized them below in a brief chart.

Right now, the MacBook Pro M5 lasts the longest, but all of these machines offer plenty of juice to keep you going for a whole day of classes. Looking for the longest-lasting notebooks? Check out our guide on the best laptops for battery life.

Best Student Laptops Battery Life Results

In our battery test, we set the laptop's display to 150 nits of brightness and have it endlessly browse the web via Wi-Fi until it runs out of juice.

Battery life (hh:mm:ss)

MacBook Pro M5

18:00:00

Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x

16:29:00

MacBook Air M5 13-inch

15:28:00

Dell XPS 13 2026

14:29:00

MacBook Neo

13:28:00

Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14

13:19:00

Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 Gen 10

08:32:00

Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10

04:30:00

07.51522.530

hours

Battery life (hh:mm:ss) Data

Product	Value
MacBook Pro M5	18
Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x	16.483333333333334
MacBook Air M5 13-inch	15.466666666666667
Dell XPS 13 2026	14.483333333333333
MacBook Neo	13.466666666666667
Lenovo Chromebook Plus 14	13.316666666666666
Lenovo Chromebook Plus 2-in-1 Gen 10	8.533333333333333
Lenovo Legion 5i Gen 10	4.5

How to pick the best laptop for my studies?

Good question, and I'm here to help! There are certain key factors that make a laptop amazing for heading back to school.

• Design & Ergonomics: A laptop for students needs to be both portable and durable. Look for a great keyboard for late-night essays and a large, precise trackpad.
• Performance & Battery Life: Nothing's worse than a laptop freezing up before a deadline. Aim for a powerful processor like an Intel Core Ultra 5 300 series (Wildcat Lake), AMD Ryzen AI 300, Snapdragon X, or Apple's M3 to M4 (and even the A18 Pro) for speed and reliability.
• Screen & Speakers: A bright, sharp screen is great for both getting work done and relaxing with a show. Look for at least a 1080p display with 500 nits of brightness.
• Connectivity: Wireless and wired connections are essential. Make sure you have at least Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth, along with a few USB-C ports and a headphone jack for all your accessories.
• Operating System: This comes down to personal preference, but always double-check if your essential software is compatible with Windows, macOS, or ChromeOS before you buy.
• Price: Don't get a cheap system that will let you down. Start with a budget of at least $500 to ensure you get a durable, high-performing laptop that will last you all four years.

How we test the best laptops for students

Here at Tom's Guide, we put each laptop through real-world tests and benchmarks to see how it will perform during everyday use. That includes the CPU, GPU, display, battery life and the overall design — all the important bits students should look out for no matter what they're studying.

We measure the average brightness and color quality of each laptop's display using our in-house light meter and colorimeter. For general performance, we run our machines through tests that include Geekbench 6 (CPU performance) and various 3DMark tests to measure graphics performance. We also run a file transfer test to measure how fast a machine's hard drive is, and a custom battery test that has the machine browse the internet over Wi-Fi until it runs out of juice.

Plus, we run the graphics benchmark test in Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm to get a sense of how well a laptop can handle basic games. When testing dedicated gaming laptops, we run benchmarks for a number of games such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption 2.

For more granular detail on our lab benchmarking and real-world testing, you can see how Tom's Guide tests every single laptop, PC and tablet.

You're wondering what the best computer for students is, and that comes with a lot of questions. Is a desktop or a laptop better? Should I get Mac or Windows? How much should I pay? Well, being a student once (it's been a few years), I know the queries, and I now have over a decade of expertise to point you in the right direction.

After testing a wide selection of Windows PCs, Macs, all-in-one computers and more over the years, my team of PC experts and I know the territory and are here to help find the right computer for you. Better yet, you'll be happy to know that the PCs you'll find today can easily breeze through research, study, write-ups and deadlines at school and college. Oh, and some gaming in your downtime, of course.

I'm a big believer in the Apple iMac M4 for students, as that's the type of computer I would adore for writing up papers, editing images and even gaming. But it's not "one size fits all," as there are plenty of other options to choose from to make the most of your needs. So, let's dive into finding the best student computer to get you through your studies.

The best student computers right now

The best student computer overall

Apple's iMac recently received a shot in the arm known as the M4 chip, and the boost in performance helps cinch its place at the top of our charts as the best student computer you can buy today.

I recommend this Mac to students and families because it offers a beautiful 24-inch 4.5K display, an excellent 12MP webcam with support for Center Stage and Desk View (which means it can follow you as you move around in front of it, or send a separate video feed of what's on your desk in front of you when FaceTiming) and a great six-speaker sound system built in. Plus, this is the first model that comes with an optional nano-texture coating on the glass, which makes it more glare-resistant for an extra fee.

Of course, it's not a perfect computer. There's no option to adjust the height of the display or order it with a VESA mount, so extraordinarily tall or short folks may need to awkwardly rearrange their desk to get it seated in a comfortable position. And there's no HDR support and no option to get it with a touchscreen or an OLED/mini-LED screen, which handicaps that luscious 24-inch 4.5K display.

But none of those flaws keep it from being the best student computer for most folks on the market.

With Apple's price hikes now official, the iMac M4 has seen a $200/£200 increase. Now, it starts at $1,499/£1,499, which means it isn't quite the value-buster it once was. That said, we still recommend it as the best student computer for most, considering the performance it offers. What's more, for students, Apple's Education Savings means you can get this for less.

• Read our full Apple iMac M4 review

The best Windows student computer

For students who prefer (or require) Windows but are fans of the iMac setup, look no further than the Lenovo Yoga AIO 27. Truly, this is the "iMac killer," and when it comes with a built-in Qi phone charger in its base, you know it has the best interests of students in mind.

The all-in-one PC comes with everything you need right out of the box, and that includes an impressive wireless keyboard with satisfying clicks (number pad included, by the way). Its mouse could use a little work, since it's a battery-powered peripheral that relies on a USB dongle plugged into the Yoga’s base, but at least it lasts 12 months and is highly responsive.

With its 27-inch QHD (2560 x 1440) IPS display, you can expect crisp, colorful visuals no matter what you view, and that includes gaming. Yes, the Yoga AIO 27 can play titles, albeit more less-demanding PC games. It shows the power of the Intel Core Ultra 7 255H CPU, which this laptop comes packed with (at its higher configurations), and that punchy performance will blaze through workloads when studying or working on a project.

Impressively, the Yoga AIO 27's display can also be adjusted 90 degrees to transform into a vertical powerhouse, which makes it versatile for different areas of study. The icing on the cake is that it's a stunner in any desk setup.

It's not perfect, as the screen's brightness is slightly dimmer than its competition, the 5MP webcam won't do you justice when on video calls and you can't adjust the height as much as you'd want. Regardless, when it comes to delivering Windows at its finest, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better all-in-one PC at this price, and that's an important factor for students.

• Read our full Lenovo Yoga AIO 27 review

The best MacBook for students

The Apple MacBook Neo redefines the value student laptop with its featherweight 2.7-pound chassis and a battery that sailed through 13 hours of continuous web browsing in our testing. If you’re tired of lugging a heavy machine or searching for outlets between every class, this is the kind of all-day companion that earns its “ultraportable” tag.

General productivity for studying and beyond feels speedy, too. The A18 Pro chip and a Geekbench 6 score of 3,535 translate to responsive multitasking — we found the Neo can handle multiple open apps and browser tabs without bogging down. Even better for essay marathons: the keyboard feels snappy (you'll have to pay extra for a backlit keyboard, though).

The 2408 x 1506 Liquid Retina display is crisp and bright, making everything from readings to video calls easy on the eyes. The built-in 1080p webcam is decent for the price, while the surprisingly powerful speakers impressed us, as audio during a movie trailer came through rich and clear. Jumping between apps and streaming content, you'll find that the Neo stays responsive throughout.

Of course, you do trade away some premium touches, like no Touch ID (you'll have to pay extra again) or Thunderbolt support. But for students who want a MacBook that’s light, lasts all day and won’t slow down during a busy semester, the Neo is the best blend of portability and power you can get this year.

Since Apple's price hikes across Macs, the MacBook Neo now starts at $699/£699 after a $100/£100 increase. That means you'll have to pay even more for Touch ID and a backlit keyboard. However, for students, Apple's education savings bring it back down to $599/£599, so it's worth getting discounts where you can!

• Read our full Apple MacBook Neo review

The best Windows laptop for students

The Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x leads as our top Windows laptop pick for students, thanks to its outstanding 16 hours and 29 minutes of battery life (that's one of the best laptops for battery life!) That’s enough to get you through a full day of classes, study sessions and late-night catch-ups — no outlet required.

Performance is more than up to the mark for daily coursework, as we found the Slim 3x has the muscle for browsing, research and multitasking. We also found it handled routine tasks like writing papers, streaming Netflix and replying to emails smoothly, which is exactly what you want in a campus companion.

Now, the Arm-based Snapdragon CPU that delivers such impressive battery life isn’t suited to gaming or heavy creative workloads, and you may run into app compatibility issues with some specialized software. If your studies require demanding graphics or niche programs, you’ll want to look elsewhere.

Still, with a 15.3-inch touch display and such robust battery performance, the IdeaPad Slim 3x covers the basics for most students — long campus days, group projects and plenty of productive screen time. For the price, it’s the Windows laptop we’d recommend first for anyone focused on value, portability and all-day reliability.

• Read our full Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3x review

The best gaming computer for students

Honestly, it's hard to go wrong with this fully customizable, mini powerhouse. The Framework Desktop gives you the choice of the parts you want and the price you want to pay, now starting at $1,269. For students, that's a boon to start off with, and you're in need of something stronger to blaze through work and certainly gaming, just configure it to your liking and your budget.

Even the base configuration boasts ample performance to breeze through all kinds of work assignments, whether that be for the plentiful tabs when studying or more demanding creative work. That's thanks to the AMD Ryzen AI Max 385 CPU onboard, along with the 32GB of DDR5X RAM. Even for gaming on the side, the Radeon 8050S integrated graphics can handle the latest PC titles with smooth, solid 60 FPS and beyond (thanks to AMD's FSR frame boosting tech).

Need more power? The AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 with its Radeon 8060S can more than handle what you throw at it. One downside is that RAM isn't upgradeable, so the configuration you get is the RAM you'll have to stick with.

Either way, if you're working your way through a single-player masterpiece or climbing the ranks of a competitive multiplayer title between studies, the Framework Desktop has you covered. Even better, you can customize its look to your liking to give it a splash of personality, all while not taking up much room on your desk.

• Read our full Framework Desktop review

The best mini PC for students

Mini PCs have become mainstream, and I can see why with the Mac mini M4. Not only is this small powerhouse the cheapest of Apple's Mac lineup, but for students who just want a neat, compact and lightweight computer on their desk, especially if they already have a monitor and other PC peripherals, it offers just the solution.

It's everything we loved about the Mac mini with M2, but now it's faster thanks to Apple's custom M4 chip. You'll even be playing games, multitasking while studying and editing photos and videos with this small beast.

For most schoolwork, the Mac mini M4 should be more than capable enough. Of course, you'll need to hook it up to your own monitor, keyboard and mouse, but that's par for the course when purchasing PCs. Plus, it gives you freedom of selection to choose your add-ons of choice, thanks to its many ports. Just be aware this mini PC isn't upgradeable, so the configuration you get is the one that stays.

We've named it the best mini PC you can buy right now, especially for its price for well under $1,000.

• Read our full Mac mini M4 review

The best computer for DIYers

The Raspberry Pi ushered in a new era of DIY tech, and the $35-$55 Raspberry Pi 4 Model B pushes that to new heights with a more powerful processor, 4K video output and an improved part selection. While this incredibly affordable DIY PC is powerful enough to work as a standalone PC in a pinch if you want to install Windows on it, that's not really the ideal way to use this computer.

Instead, the Raspberry Pi 4's real value for students lies in how many projects you can build with it. While it's nothing more than a fancy circuit board out of the box, once you kit it out with a power supply, monitor(s), and whatever input devices you prefer, you can turn it into everything from a tiny PC to a web server to a home media center or a retro gaming machine.

If you want a ready-made PC for homework and papers, you'd be better off with another PC on this list, but if you want a cute little DIY PC board you can use for all sorts of cool student projects, you can't go wrong with the Raspberry Pi.

• Read our full Raspberry Pi 4 Model B review

Also tested

Frequently Asked Questions

How we test the best student computers

As we test and review all sorts of computers — such as best all-in-one computers, best gaming PC and best mini PCs — we run a series of standardized tests to measure how each machine performs, what it's best suited to and what sort of capability you get for the price.

These standard tests include generalized performance benchmark tests, like Geekbench 6 (for processor performance), 3DMark Fire Strike Ultra (for graphics) and a custom file transfer test to measure hard drive performance.

Gaming-oriented benchmarks test the performance of systems using current games, measuring the frame rates each desktop will produce in games like Tomb Raider, Doom: The Dark Ages, Red Dead Redemption 2 and more. We'll also run individual game tests and the SteamVR performance test to evaluate how well-suited they are to the unique demands of virtual reality.

Most importantly, we spend a ton of time simply using each desktop computer for everyday activities. We watch movies, do work, play games and blast music on the speakers, all to get a better sense of which ones are worth your money.

Nintendo's Switch Joy-Cons are a masterstroke of controller design, but if you really want to get into those Switch games, you'll want one of the best Nintendo Switch controllers. Customizability, a more comfortable experience and nicer buttons under your finger — there are plenty of reasons you might want to pick up a different interface.

We've spent hours and hours testing all the best Nintendo Switch controllers we could get our hands on, from premium options to budget controllers that won't break the bank. We even plug them into a Hardware tester to really check them out — they've been through the wringer by the time we're done.

The best controller? Nintendo's very own Switch Pro Controller, thanks to great buttons and a comfortable layout. Want something cheaper? Pick up the Gamesir T4 Kalied.

Got a switch 2? All of these controllers will work, but don't forget to check out the best Switch 2 controllers to get a brand new gamepad with more tailored features.

With all that said, here's our pick of the best Nintendo Switch controllers that you can find right now below.

The best Nintendo Switch controller overall

Even by The Big N’s standards when it comes to creating first-class, first-party gamepads, the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller sets new standards. It’s pretty much the perfect pad to pair with the handheld hybrid when playing your favorite games in either docked or tabletop mode. Unlike some of the other controllers on this list, it also includes the same HD Rumble seen in the Joy-Cons. It supports motion controls, too. Meaning you can aim by moving the pad, which can come in handy for precision targeting in a game like Splatoon 3.

I’ve been using the Pro Controller since the first day I bought my Switch, and I honestly think it’s the greatest gamepad the company has ever made. Its stick and button placement feel natural, I’ve never once suffered from the dreaded stick drift on my Pro and every button on the controller feels as snappy to press down as the day I held it for the first time. I like it so much, I own two of them.

$70 does feel a little on the high, though, a matter that’s even more frustrating when you realize Nintendo almost never puts the Pro Controller in a sale. Still, you get what you pay for and there’s no question this gamepad feels premium. If you’re looking for something cheaper with a similar design, the Power A Enhanced Wireless Controller starts at $50 and is also frequently discounted.

If you’re a big PC player, the Pro works brilliantly with many Steam games. Valve has even given you the option to switch to the Pro Controller’s layout, via the “Use Nintendo Button Layout” under controller settings. The Nintendo Switch Pro Controller is a phenomenal gamepad. I just wish it cost $20 less.

• Read the full Nintendo Switch Pro controller review

The best Nintendo Switch controller on a budget

The GameSir Super Nova is one of the cheapest Switch controllers featuring Hall Effect triggers and thumbsticks, and it's our new pick for gamers on a budget. That's not a huge surprise, either, as another GameSir pad previously occupied this spot on the list: the GameSir T4 Kaleid.

At around $45, the Super Nova is a budget-conscious but seriously responsive of hardware, one that offers plenty of features at a more reasonable price point than the official Switch Pro controller. Plus, it has the added benefit of being a wireless controller and one which can be used across the Switch family, PC and Android devices, making it a great way to level up your gaming experience across your systems.

Even though the reprogrammable back buttons are slightly awkward to reach, and the battery life is a little disappointing, it comes with a dedicated charging dock to mitigate against any battery woes. Plus, the range of features, customizability options, the user-friendly companion software, and the comfortable design (which includes textured grips) meant it scored very highly during our review process.

If you can contend with the asymmetrical, Xbox-style layout and remember to plug it in regularly, the GameSir Super Nova is a great pick-up for any Switch gamers who don't want to break the bank.

• Read our full GameSir Super Nova review

The best Nintendo Switch controller for features

The 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth can often be found at Amazon for as little as $60, making it a cheaper alternative to the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller and a rival that also packs in a few extra features to justify its higher price. As someone who likes to save money when buying gamepads, I know that makes the 8BitoDo Ultimate an enticing prospect.

So what exact additional features do you get here that the official Pro Controller doesn’t offer? For starters, you get a charging dock that you can use to store the Ultimate when you’re not playing. Likewise, there are two remappable buttons on the backside of the 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth. 8BitDo uses Hall Effect sensors for its joysticks, which means this controller won’t develop stick drift. And trust me, you do not want stick drift.

Besides connecting this controller to your Switch using Bluetooth, the charging dock also includes a 2.4 Ghz USB dongle, which is a handy additional extra I appreciate. This dongle can be plugged directly into the Switch’s dock or you can use a USB-C cable to connect the 8BitDo Ultimate Bluetooth’s charging dock to the Switch itself since it also has a USB port for the dongle.

If the price of this controller is a bit too high for you, 8BitDo also sells a wired version of its Ultimate controller for the Switch for just $35. Either way, you’re getting an extremely comfortable Switch controller with an excellent D-pad, programmable rear buttons — I have an almost unhealthy love of back buttons on gamepads — and multiple profiles that you can swap on the fly.

• Read our full 8BitDo Ultimate Controller review

The best customizable Nintendo Switch controller

If you’ve ever used Microsoft’s Elite Series 2 Controller with your Xbox or PC and want a similar experience on the Switch, then let me introduce you to the PowerA’s Fusion Pro. This smart and stylish controller comes with a carrying case, two swappable magnetic faceplates, short and tall analog sticks and a Pro Pack with four remappable buttons. The PowerA Fusion Pro’s injected rubber grips make it comfortable to hold for long periods of time — something I’ve definitely found to be the case. Those anti-friction rings in the faceplates prevent wear and tear on its analog sticks, which is another feature I appreciate as a guy who has lost too many pads to said tears over the years.

The PowerA Fusion Pro connects to your Nintendo Switch wirelessly over Bluetooth but you’ll need to plug in the included 9.8 foot braided USB-C cable if you want to plug headphones into the controller’s 3.5mm audio jack. While you do get plenty of customization options and four programmable back buttons, you are missing out on rumble and NFC.

There’s no denying the lack of rumble is a bitter pill to swallow, yet I actually prefer the analog sticks on the FusionPro over the official Pro Controller’s ones, as they feel considerably smoother. When you boil it down, there’s no other Switch controller out there quite like the PowerA Fusion Pro. So if you’re looking for a more hardcore Switch gamepad and can live with the loss of rumble, then you should definitely consider this highly customizable peripheral.

• Read the full PowerA Fusion Pro review (Xbox version)

The best Nintendo Switch controller for designs

If you’re not willing to pay $70 for either the Nintendo Switch Pro Controller or the 8Bitdo Ultimate Bluetooth, then the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller is a great choice. It features a similar layout to both of these controllers and also has two programmable back buttons you can remap on the fly.

The PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller is also worth considering if you want a controller with a design to match your favorite Nintendo Switch game since there are Mario, Zelda, Animal Crossing, Pixachu and plenty of other variants to choose from.

Another thing worth noting about the PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller is that it’s extremely lightweight. This is likely due to the fact that it’s powered by two AA batteries instead of a built-in battery pack. As a result, it’s easy to swap in new batteries quickly and you can also rechargeable batteries with it if you want.

The PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller starts at $60 and frequently goes on sale. However, there’s also a cheaper wired-only version as well as a Nano version for children and those with smaller hands.

• Read our full PowerA Enhanced Wireless Controller review

The best GameCube Nintendo Switch controller

You really can’t come much closer to a WaveBird 2.0 than this. The NYXI Wizard is another unique controller on this list for several reasons. Like I just mentioned, it has a GameCube style button layout with a larger A button in the center. And said layout instantly brings back fond memories for me of playing Luigi’s Mansion and Wave Race: Blue Storm the night Nintendo’s purple little box launched back in 2002.

The Nyxi Wizard can also be used wirelessly as a full-sized controller or attached to either side of my Switch in handheld mode. The NYXI Wizard even packs in some Pro-level features like backlit face buttons, two programmable back buttons and Hall Effect joystick sensors to prevent stick drift.

If you grew up playing GameCube games or are an avid Super Smash Bros. Ultimate player, not only will you appreciate the NYXI Wizard’s button layout but also the fact that it comes with swappable joystick rings. This way, you can have octagonal joysticks like on the GameCube or circular ones like those found on all modern controllers.

It’s worth noting that with the NYXI Wizard attached to the Switch, the console feels a lot larger and is almost the same size as Valve’s Steam Deck. Likewise, when used as a wireless controller, it’s a lot larger than a traditional GameCube controller. Still though, if you prefer the GameCube’s controller layout or have larger hands, the NYXI Wizard is a very unique controller with plenty of interesting features. The perfect gift for that GameCube fan in your life.

• Read our full NYXI Wizard review

Also Tested

How to choose the best Nintendo Switch controller

Although the Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Cons are excellent controllers right out of the box, they can be a bit small for playing in docked mode and have a habit of developing stick drift over time. This is why you may want to pick up one of the best Nintendo Switch controllers from this list instead.

When it comes to picking the right Nintendo Switch Controller for you, there are a few things you want to consider first. Are you okay with a wired controller or do you want to play wirelessly while sitting on your couch? Do you prefer playing in handheld mode or do you like playing your Switch on one of the best TVs instead? Button layout is another important factor but fortunately, you can choose between Switch style or GameCube style controllers. The same goes for your controller’s joysticks as some people prefer staggered joysticks while others prefer asymmetrical ones. The best thing about the Nintendo Switch though is that you have plenty of different controller options to choose from.

How we test the Best Nintendo Switch controllers

Just like with the best PC game controllers, we put all of the Nintendo Switch controllers on this list and the ones we review through extensive hands-on testing. This includes using them to play a variety of different types of games in handheld, tabletop and docked mode. We also use and test out their special features like programmable back buttons, motion controls and see whether or not they can wake up the Nintendo Switch from sleep.

Besides hands-on testing, we also plug in the best Nintendo Switch controllers to a PC and use Hardware Tester’s Gamepad Tester to make sure that all of their buttons and joysticks work as they should. When it comes to multiplatform Switch controllers, we also test them out on all of the systems they support. For more information, check out our how we test page for Tom’s Guide.

If you want the most portable way to listen to music on the go, then the best earbuds are the best way to do it. They're tiny, often comfortable, and generally offer ANC to keep the sounds of the outside world at bay. They come at a range of different price points to suit any wallet — but which are the best? At the moment, the AirPods Pro 3 take the crown.

We've spent hundreds of hours testing earbuds to find out which are the best around. Every single option on this list has been thoroughly put through its paces to check their sound, fit and features. So without further ado, these are the best wireless earbuds.

Earbuds jargon buster

When we review earbuds and the best headphones here at Tom's Guide, you'll probably spot a whole load of terms and words that you don't understand. To break it down and make it easier to digest, here's what some of the most common ones mean:

ANC
"Active Noise Cancelling" is what ANC stands for. This one you'll see appear quite a lot whenever we talk about earbuds, given that it's quality is very important to a recommendation we make. It uses audio magic and some very clever algorithms to quiet the outside world, and make your commute more manageable.

How does it work? It uses a combination of the music you're listening to and inaudible white noise to counteract the noise of the outside world. It uses the microphones inside the earbuds to read the noise, and then dynamically shifts certain sounds to make it go away. Sometimes this can change the sound of your music, so we'll report when the ANC is either too weak, or too invasive.

EQ
This stands for "equalization", and it allows you to dial in how your headphones sound. You'll generally find it as a series of sliders that represent different parts of the music, so that you can increase the bass, the mids, or the treble in your favorite tunes. Some manufacturers give you preset EQ options, which save you from getting lost in sliders or graphs. These are almost always found in apps for earbuds.

Frequencies
These are the different sounds that make up your music. You'll generally read them divided into three simple sections — the lows, the mids, and the highs. The lows are the bass frequencies. Think bass guitars, and kick drums. You want them to be impactful and low. The mids are the main parts of your music, like vocals, guitars, and synths. Because they're so important, you want them to be thick and wide. Finally, the highs are cymbals and other higher sounds. These should be crisp, and clear.

Meet the Tom's Guide testing team

I'd love to be able to test all the earbuds, but I have other things I need to write and test. Like the best headphones. Or the best soundbars. And I've only got so much time.

Thankfully, I've got Tom's Guides panel of testing experts on hand who review every single pair of earbuds I throw at them — some of which are on this list. Meet our earbud experts:

Best wireless earbuds overall

The AirPods Pro 2 were excellent, but soon aged out compared to the competition. Now, the AirPods Pro 3 have arrived to conquer all and lay waste to Sony and Bose. And, despite a couple of foibles, they're currently the best wireless earbuds you can buy right now.

Still, these are the very best earbuds that Apple has ever made. They've got some key updates over the previous model, for one. There's the extended battery life of 8 hours, improved sound quality, and superior noise canceling to keep the noise of your commute at bay.

Those upgrades have materialized in a pair of buds that stun in sound and make sure that your office is a whole lot more tolerable when you're getting on with your day.

They lose out to the Sony and Bose due to a lack of Codec support for Android devices, but there really is nothing better if you're an iPhone user.

Sound

The AirPods Pro 3 improve on the old model in the sound department. They've still got Apple's more neutral sound signature built in, but they manage to find more detail and extra bass depth over the old pair.

They've got a very solid soundstage as well. They're on par with the Sony buds, and better than the Bose alternatives — although there are still options out there that sound better.

Spatial Audio for movies with an Apple TV is still a great way to watch your content, and just as easy to connect up. It works well for music as well, especially when you listen to your music on Apple Music.

Comfort

The buds have been shrunk down this time around, and as a result, they have a very comfortable fit. The silicone ear tips have been infused with foam for a softer and more comfortable finish, and they mould better to the inside of your ear.

That means you can wear them for extended periods of time. The sweat and water resistance means you won't have to worry about wearing them when you go to work out, either — IP57.

ANC

The ANC of the AirPods Pro 3 has received a big look with their third generation. The result is ANC that comes closer to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds Gen 2, but doesn't quite beat out Bose's buds.

Still, it's very good and blocks out all the major noises of your commute or your busy office. It's on par with the Sony WF-1000XM5 — both are excellent noise-canceling options.

Transparency mode is very good as well, and boosts the battery life by another couple of hours. Nice.

App

There isn't an 'app' per se with the AirPods Pro 3, but you can easily control their settings from the iPhone settings menu. There, you'll find all their features along with options to update the firmware and change the sound.

Android users are left out in the cold here — you have very little you can control, thanks to a lack of any kind of application.

Battery life

The battery life has been much improved in the AirPods Pro 3. It's now around the same, if not more than, their closest rivals. You get 8 hours of ANC on time, two hours more than the old version. That's around the same as Sony — and more than Bose.

If you switch over to the transparency mode, you get 10 hours of battery life, more than pretty much anything else at their price point. That also means you can use the new Live Translation feature for longer.

• Read the full AirPods Pro 3 review

Best Alternative

When following up a highly successful pair of earbuds, there are a couple of things you do. First, you make things better — more features, better sound quality. Then you improve the design — make the fit better, improve the looks.

That’s the WF-1000XM6, Sony’s follow-up to the WF-1000XM5. The AirPods of this generation make a better case for your money if you wield an iPhone, but the XM6 are great for just about everyone else. Just like their predecessor, they’re a fantastic all-rounder, with great specs, sound and ANC.

Our 4-star review highlights that they’re not entirely perfect. The new case design is a bit odd, and makes fitting them into a pocket a chore, and they’re more expensive than the previous model, but those are our only major criticisms.

The sound quality is, as you might expect for something from the X-mark series, very good, with support for LDAC. Sony’s excellent DSEE Extreme audio upscaler is here as well, and works a treat. The ANC boasts a massive improvement, too, although Bose still has Sony beat for out-and-out noise performance.

They’re a wonderful pair of comfortable buds with plenty of battery life — there’s little more you could ask for. Apart from a discount.

Sound

They may seem on the expensive side, but the upgrades in sound performance make them totally worth it. Sony is known for a warmer sound profile on their headphones, and these are a total joy to listen to.

They are only made better by using the personalized EQ settings on the earbuds, and there’s seriously no genre that these buds can’t cope with.

Your favorite songs will sound a lot more detailed, and it’s really awesome to get a studio sound from earbuds instead of having to rely on studio headphones to do the job.

Comfort

These earbuds are superbly comfortable, and you get a bunch of different eartip options in the box to get the best seal and best security. You can do a fit test to make sure everything fits.

I can wear these buds for hours at a time — they’re seriously comfortable, and they’re lightweight so they never weigh me down.

ANC

ANC differs depending on personal experience with these buds. My own experience was amazing, and I couldn’t fault them at all. They made a long travel day on a plane, train, and bus, completely silent.

However, another one of my colleagues who tried them out was still able to hear the sounds of traffic moving around. I think it’s all about the eartip fit, so this is an extremely important process to complete.

Make sure you use the Optimal Earbud Tips in the Sound Connect App to get the best fit, and ensure your ANC is working properly.

App

The Sound Connect app is one of the most user-friendly I’ve tried. Once you get the hang of things and organize the app to suit the settings you need to use the most, it’s incredibly handy and makes using the earbuds so much better.

The app is where you do all the earbud fit tests and personalized EQ tests to make the overall experience with the buds so much better.

Battery life

The battery life of the WF-1000XM6 earbuds is 8 hours with ANC and 24 hours with the charging case. This is pretty standard and matches up with Apple’s AirPods Pro 3 and the Sony WF-1000XM5.

• Read the full Sony WF-1000XM6 review

Best value wireless earbuds

Value is something that Cambridge (once Cambridge Audio) is very good at. The Melomania A100 are just another notch in the firm's illustrious belt at this point, bringing some incredible features to a very accessible price.

They're very comfortable, for a start. The silicon tips that come in the box are velvety soft, so you never find them becoming irritating in your ears. They're very light, and the shape is well-formed. I've been able to wear them for much longer times than other similar-priced buds.

Sound is a highlight, of course. They sound better than anything that costs the same, taking the sonic fight to the likes of Apple in buds that cost $100 more. They're detailed, deep, and feature a wider soundstage than you might expect for something that costs as much as these little buds do.

The ANC isn't quite as good as some of the alternatives, but the rest of the package is so tempting that you can completely let them off. After all, with 10 hours of battery life on tap, who cares if the ANC doesn't block out everything?

Sound

Cambridge has brought its significant audio chops to bear with the Melomania A100. They sound absolutely ridiculous for the price, with loads of detail and clear, rhythmic bass. There's very little that sounds like them for the price.

I've found that they outperform options that cost more, even, thanks to a wider soundstage and clearer highs. They have to be heard to be believed — there's only so many words I've got here.

Listening to Vorga's Magical Thinking showed a layered soundscape, each instrument clear amongst the rest. Casiopea's I Love New York brought the funk, and a whole bunch of fun.

Comfort

Thanks to well-shaped silicon eartips and some well-rounded shells, the Melomania A100 are very comfortable. They don't reach into the ear as much as some options, for a less intrusive fit, which many are going to appreciate.

They're small and light as well, so you'll be able to wear them for long periods of time. I was able to listen for 8 hours during a work day while I was testing, and only took them out because I needed to eat dinner — and eating with buds in isn't fun.

ANC

The ANC built into the Cambridge Melomania A100 isn't going to be quite as good as that found in the Sony options that cost a similar amount, but they're up to scratch for the most part with the rest of the price category.

They do a solid job of keeping out the world, especially when you listen to music rather than spoken word content. Transparency mode is good as well, and voices sound natural and clear.

App

The Cambridge app is good, if a little simplistic. That does make it much easier to find all the features, and it is much easier to get used to than some of the alternatives. I like the way that it looks, although it might seem less polished to some users who are used to the presentation of Bose.

You'll find the ANC modes and the EQ here, so you can customize the buds to your hearts content. There is only one sub-menu, so you don't have to spend too much time panning around to find what you want.

Battery life

There's not much that needs to be said about the battery life of the Melomania A100, so I'll keep it brief. They last 10 hours on a charge, and there's an extra 39 hours of use in the case. That's the most battery life you'll get out of any pair of earbuds, conquering everything within a $100 radius.

The case charges quickly, and you can pop them in for a fast charge for extra battery in a scrape. My testing showed those battery figures to match up with experience, although using LDAC does drop the staying power a bit.

• Read the full Cambridge Melomania A100 review

Best wireless earbuds for fitness

Now, I'll be the first to admit that I'm not a fitness expert — but I sure am an earbuds expert. As earbuds, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are great. They've got excellent ANC from the AirPods Pro 2, and there's some great sound for a solid audio experience.

Given that I'm not a fitness expert, I also spoke to someone who is, so that we can get a picture of why they're on the list. From my review, our fitness expert Nick said:

"I genuinely believe that the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are outstanding sports headphones and would be top of my list for people who need an earhook to keep their buds in place during runs and other workouts."

It's thanks to those secure-fit hooks, that keep the earbuds in place no matter how much you run or move around. The heart rate monitor is a nice extra, but we were slightly disappointed with its accuracy.

For all kinds of exercise, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are an excellent earbuds option for everyone.

Sound

While not high-fidelity, there's a rhythmic energy to the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 that's infectious. They've got some great bass presense, as you might expect, but they're also good in the upper register too.

They fall down slightly in the mid-range, with a dip in the upper mid-range. That can take the edge off guitars and other instruments, although R&B listeners aren't going to notice too much.

There's head-tracked Apple Spatial Audio as well for Apple Music listeners, and it works well. It does a number on your battery though, so bare that in mind.

Comfort

Thanks to their excellent earhook, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 aren't going anywhere when you do your exercise. It can be a challenge to get them in place, but they're very stable when in place.

The buds themselves are comfortable for long periods of wear as well, thanks to the silicon eartip options that you get in the box. The fit finder in the app is good as well, so that you can dial them in perfectly.

ANC

The ANC on board is very similar to that which you'll find in the AirPods Pro 2. That means that they're not quite up to speed with the likes of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra earbuds or the Sony WH-1000XM5, but they still manage to block plenty of noise.

The transparency modes work well enough, although I found that voices occasionally became fuzzy or tricky to hear depending on the surrounding noise. A shame, but not a deal breaker.

App

On Apple devices, the Beats are integrated into your settings menu. It works well, with all the options at your fingertips. Android users have to use the Beats app, which is fine, although we did find some heart rate monitor weirdness on Android devices.

Both methods let you control the ANC, and dial in the EQ settings. They're simple, but they work well enough. Android users might find the occasional crash, however.

Battery life

The battery life of the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 is exemplary. They feature 10 hours of battery life in the buds themselves, which beats out pretty much all of the other options on this list.

That's perfect for long-distance runners and cyclists, or gym goers that want something that will take them to the gym, last their exercise, and then take them home again. We found those battery life claims ran true in our review. Pop them in the charging case for 45 hours of staying power.

• Read the full Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review

Best wireless earbuds for noise canceling

The QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds were my favorite release of 2024, and the gen 2 are now my favorite of 2026. They've improved on pretty much everything over the first model, with the only exception being the unchanged battery life — but it's that world-silencing ANC that really takes them over the edge.

They remain the very best way to listen to music without disruption when you're traveling. That busy train carriage? Silenced. The office? Quietened completely. With that signature orchestral swell, you're in your own world, free to listen to your tunes.

Sound is much better this time around, although you'll still want to adjust the EQ in the Bose app. And you'll be listening comfortably for their entire 6-hour battery life thanks to their incredibly comfortable fit.

I gave them 4.5 stars when I reviewed them, thanks to that all-conquering ANC and solid sound quality. They lose out in the battery department to the XM5, opting instead for out-and-out ANC performance — and there's nothing better to block noise.

Sound

The bassy sound of prior Bose earbuds is still here, but it's been refined slightly this time around. There's more detail retrieval and the soundstage has been extended, but the bass weighting is still very much present.

I've found that dipping into the Bose apps' EQ is a must with any of the brand's headphones. From there, I adjust the bass down slightly and the highs up a few notches to increase the detail and reduce any muddiness. They sound great out of the box, but these improvements make them sound even better.

There's also Immersive Audio, Bose's spatial audio setting. Some like it's ability to make music sound much larger, but I find it thins out important frequencies. It also tanks the battery by 2 hours, making them last an even shorter time.

Comfort

Yeah, they're still some of the most comfortable buds you can buy. I've been able to wear them for hours and hours at a time without the need to adjust the fit or take them out for a break — they're a lovely thing to have in your ears.

It's all down to the fitting options. There are loads of different silicon tips, and the fit is further improved by the rubber fins you can attach to the edge. They're secure as well, so they won't fall out should you get headbanging or dancing.

ANC

The ANC is the best around — there's nothing that comes close. That's high praise given how good the previous model was at keeping out unwanted sounds, but Bose has somehow made it even better. It's a bit like magic.

You can choose different levels for the noise canceling, but I prefer to leave it on the top level. That way, I don't have to worry about any noise making its way through at all, and I can enjoy my music to the max.

App

Bose's app is one of the better options around. It's very well laid out, and everything is clearly labelled so that you don't get confused. It even shows you what's playing, although I'm not entirely sure how useful that feature is.

It's where you'll find all of the EQ options, noise control, and different sound modes. I particularly like how the app knows what color your buds are — and even lets you name them.

Battery life

Battery life remains a weak point in the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds gen 2's armor. We've still only got 6 hours' worth of life here, which pales in comparison to some of the competition.

The WF-1000XM5 last for 8 hours, a whole 2 hours more than the QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds. You can't even turn the ANC off to boost the battery life — 6 hours is all you're going to get.

• Read the full Bose QuietComfort Ultra gen 2 review

Best wireless earbuds for sound

The Noble Fokus Amadeus are not cheap. They're $70 more than the AirPods Pro 2, and $50 more than the XM5 and the QuietComfort UItra Earbuds. They're not the most expensive earbuds around, but you should be ready to shell out if you want a pair.

And you will want a pair, because they've dethroned other excellent-sounding earbuds with their incredibly well-rounded sound signature that dishes out masterful amounts of detail while providing plenty of low-end punch.

For the price, this is about as close to wired earbuds that you're going to get. The crisp detail is utterly sublime, their mids are fat and juicy, and the bass is tight, controlled and impactful. An audiophile's wireless dream, one might say, and the new earbud sound quality standard that all else must be measured against.

The price means they're out of reach for many users, but as I discovered in my testing they're well worth their higher price thanks to a very good all-round package. The battery is good, and the ANC matches up — there's very little to get sad about here.

Sound

The absolute best thing about the Noble Fokus Amadeus is their sound profile. Thanks to the Audiodo profile in the app it means they sound amazing for everyone too, catering their sound for specific hearing needs.

There are details in my tracks I'd not heard for a while thanks to the impressive detail, and the mids bring plenty of body to listening. The bass kicks and barks with impressive control, notably adding more for drum and bass in particular.

The sound is effortlessly spaced apart for a wide soundstage, and the instruments are very well seperated. They sound better than absolutely everything on this list — they're not fun to get hold of, but it's worth every single effort when you do.

Comfort

The Amadeus come with a range of different fitting options in the box for a very comfortable fit. They're more shaped and molded than other options as well, making them easier to wear for longer periods of time.

My favorite fitting options are the flanged tips because they not only improve the sound and the ANC but they stay in place better than the other options.

ANC

While not quite as good as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds, the ANC is still very good, especially if you opt to use the included flanged tips. It blocks out plenty of noise as a result, focusing on low-end sounds like bus engines.

Transparency mode is nice and natural as well, and makes it easier to talk to shop clerks and bus drivers without needing to take buds out of your ears. There's perhaps a little more noise than some might like, but it's otherwise very good.

App

The Noble Fokus app is very simple and lacks some of the more in-depth modes and settings of some of the competition. It's very easy to use, though, and offers everything you actually need.

There's the Audiodo sound customization, as well as a very in-depth EQ to really dial the sound in to your preferred listening curve. You can also change the noise-canceling mode, and adjust the volume. Beyond that, there's not much else. At least there's a nice picture of your buds.

Battery life

Battery life is very solid in the Fokus Amadeus. The buds last for 8 hours with the ANC turned on, and 12 hours if you turn the ANC off. They charge quickly in the case which provides a total of 42 hours of charge. That's amongst the very best battery life on the list.

Wireless charging is the cherry on top, and a 10-minute quick charge for 2 hours of use is a nice bonus too.

• Read the full Noble Fokus Amadeus review

Best cheap wireless earbuds

This is a spot that’s likely to be occupied by CMF for some time — the brand's budget buds are just that much better than everyone else's. For just $50 (and often less thanks to significant price drops during deal events), you get earbuds that feel like they’re worth a whole lot more.

CMF has packed in a whole range of great features. There’s sound customization from Dirac, which generally deals with premium HiFi equipment. You get a form of spatial audio to make your music sound bigger, and there’s even great ANC to keep the outside world at bay.

The sound is the most impressive thing here, though. They sound like a pair of buds that costs loads more dollars, and once you’ve gone through the Dirac sound tuning, there’s very little better for under $100. Premium buds — low price.

Sound

Thanks to CMF’s use of Dirac, the CMF Buds 2 sound excellent. While the core sound is very good, with plenty of bass for impact and revealing detail for interest, the EQ settings kick things up a notch. We’ve described it as “breathing new life into your songs” — and you’d be hard pressed to find something at this price that sounds better.

They’re great for a wide range of genres as a result. We span up everything from the heaviest of metal to breezy folk and classical, and the buds didn’t skip a beat. They’re as meaty as they are delicate — extremely impressive considering the price.

There’s nothing else that sounds like this at the low price point at which they sit. Even without Dirac they’re impressive — although you’ll want to run the tuning engine to get the most out of them possible.

Comfort

Thanks to a multitude of fitting options in the box and a great bud design, the CMF Buds 2 are very comfortable. There are three different size, and we found that the ‘small’ size option was perfect for even very small ears.

There are comfier buds out there, but we had little problem wearing them all day during our testing. More expensive buds might feel slightly nicer in the ear, but these still feel great for the price.

ANC

You can’t expect Bose-level ANC for $50, but you’ll be immediately impressed by the noise-canceling packed into the CMF Buds 2. It does a very good job of keeping the outside world at bay, with some very impressive noise blocking.

The transparency mode is good too, making it easy to hear whats going on without a robotic edge. They call down slightly with the ENC during calls — while your voice will be clear, your call partner will be able to hear everything going on around you.

App

The Nothing X app is excellent. It's super simple to navigate around, with easy access to all the features in the buds. There’s a home screen, and then various different menus that are clearly labelled. It’s a must install if you pick up the CMF Buds 2.

This is where you find the Dirac tuning menu for, as well as other settings. Those include the ANC settings, fit test, spatial audio, and touch control settings.

Battery life

11 hours of use in the buds is very solid indeed, and our testing showed no reason to dispute CMF's claims. The case contains 55 hours of use, so you can charge the buds about 11 times from empty. This is good battery life for buds, better than even some of the more premium options.

• Read the full CMF Buds 2 review

Best earbuds for Samsung phones

Not one to miss out on a good earbud battle, Samsung’s Galaxy Buds 4 Pro bring a whole host of features to the Samsung crowd who want something that seamlessly integrates with their phone.

They sound great, and Samsung’s audio upscaling tech is almost as good as Sony’s for improving weaker streams from the likes of Spotify and YouTube Music. That looks like the place Samsung has put the most work into the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, improving massively over the old model.

Not quite as much work seems to have gone into the battery life, unfortunately. There are only around 7 hours on tap with ANC turned on, which lags behind the key competition like the 8 hours of the AirPods Pro 3. Still, you get more charge in the case at 30 hours.

Samsung has also packed in some very solid ANC, with loads of clever modes if you wield a Galaxy handset. That’s where their true value lies. There are a bunch of features that only Samsung users will appreciate, like AI translation that only works with Galaxy phones.

If you’re a Galaxy phone user, then the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro were likely already on your shortlist. Thanks to our testing, we can tell you that they’re a great pair of buds that’ll pair with your device perfectly.

Sound

“Overall, the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro sound utterly divine” is how Erin finished off the sound portion of the buds review. That’s thanks to rich bass, excellent mids, and great vocals giving you a top-notch audio experience.

Detail heads might prefer the slightly tighter AirPods or Sony WF-1000XM6, but these sound better than the likes of the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds gen 2. Their AI sound enhancement works great with lower quality streams as well.

Comfort

Thanks to some solid shaping, the Buds 4 Pro are comfortable to wear for long periods of time. There are plenty of fitting options in the box as well to make sure that you’ll find the best fit for you, no matter what shape your ear canals are.

Some with smaller ears might find their slightly larger bodys slightly tighter, but it’s not enough to make them in any way uncomfortable.

ANC

The noise canceling is excellent, blocking out all the noise that we could throw at them/. They perform about the same as the AirPods and Sony competition, making for more relaxing journeys while wearing them.

Transparency mode is also good, and doesn’t make any of the incoming noise sound robotic. The ANC performance might not be quite as impressive as the Bose buds, but it’s more than a match for the Sony and Apple alternatives.

App

First off: Some of the headline features, like the AI settings and call enhancement are only available for Galaxy S23 models and newer. The buds use the Samsung settings menu itself rather than a dedicated app in these devices, and it works well.

There is a Samsung app for other devices, and its fine. You can control the ANC and other settings, and update the firmware. Still, there are better app experiences for non Galaxy users, like the Sony and Bose apps.

Battery life

Battery life is fine. It’s not as good as the 8 hours you get from the AirPods or the Sony WF buds, but the 7 hours on tap is more than enough to get you through the day. The 30 hours in the charging case, though, make up for the slightly lacking battery life of the buds.

Quick charge tops up the buds quickly, should you need some extra juice in a pinch.

• Read the full Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro review

Also tested

Not every single pair of earbuds that we test can land on the best list — otherwise you'd be just as clueless as if you were to land on an Amazon search page with hundreds of entries. These are the honorable mentions in our quest to find great wireless earbuds.

How we test the best wireless earbuds

Before we make a recommendation about any pair of wireless earbuds, we want to make sure that we've put them through their paces. It helps us find out how good they'll be when you find them in your hands, and makes sure that we can pen our informative, buying advice-packed reviews.

It's all work — no fun. Listening to our favorite music for hours on end to test the sound, taking the headphones out and about on day trips to test their long-term comfort and ANC algorithm. In all seriousness, we put a lot of effort into making sure that you'll be happy with a purchase you make after reading our buying guides and reviews.

Here are the key factors in our testing and how we evaluate each pair of earbuds that falls across our desks.

Comfort

Earbuds are going to be jammed directly into your ear-holes, so one of the most important things that we test is how comfortable they are over long periods of time, and how difficult it is to dial in the fit. How many bud bits do you get in the box, and are they easy to fit on the buds? Are they loose? Are there extra fitting options like earhooks?

To find out, we put the buds through their paces. We try out a range of the tips that come with the buds so that we can find the perfect fit that makes the ANC excellent and sound good. After all, if they don't make a good seal on the inside of your ear, you're not going to get the best out of your buds. We report on our findings, telling you how easy it was to get the perfect fit, and how comfy they are when dialled in.

Then we test their long-term comfort. That means wearing them for hours during a work day, so that we can see how they feel when they're worn for hours on end. If they start impacting certain pressure points in the ear, we'll notice, and it'll go into our review. We're looking for earbuds that can't be felt during wear, so that you forget you're wearing them.

Sound quality

This is my favorite thing to test. Hours and hours of my favorite tunes played into my ears while I work, and I don't have to make excuses to my boss about why I need to be doing it? Excellent news. When we test the audio quality of a pair of buds, we play the Tom's Guide testing playlist on Qobuz so that we can get a good picture of how they sound with some top-quality hi-res tracks to put them through their paces.

We listen at first in a quieter environment so that we can get an idea of how they sound in a vacuum without the ANC to cause potential problems. We compare the earbuds to the sound profiles of those in the best list above, and then we write down our findings for the full review.

Then, we take the headphones out with the ANC to see if it changes the sound. It might all sound like we're having fun, but there is a point to it all. It gives us a clear picture of the buds' performance in an everyday use case, so that we can see how they'll serve you if you decide you'd like to buy a pair.

ANC

Pretty much every pair of earbuds that you can buy today comes with some form of ANC (unless you buy some of the very cheapest ones at the very end of a lengthy Amazon search, you madman), and we want to make sure that it performs well in a variety of use cases.

How do we do it? By taking the earbuds with us wherever we go. That could mean on all our daily commutes, to see if they perform well on the train, or out for hikes so we can see how well they handle normal atmospheric noise. Maybe we're going on a flight — then we can test how well they handle loud engines and crying children.

Once we've thoroughly tested how much noise they block, we also test the transparency modes when we go to buy our tickets or a bag of candies from the grocery store. We look out for how clear the voice of our conversation partner is, and whether they're audible through any other noise. We're also looking out for the quality of the audio that's being pumped in. Is it too loud? Again, we note down our findings for the review.

Finally, we want to make sure that the ANC doesn't change the sound of the music too much. After all, you want your music to sound great, and if the ANC changes things too much, it can create annoying sonic issues.

Call quality

Given that your earbuds are often going to pull double duty as a form of hands-free calling system, we want to ensure that they're going to be good at it. We make a whole bunch of calls to check things out.

We're looking out for a couple of different things. First of all, we want to make sure that we can hear our call partner well, and that they're coming through clearly. We listen out for clarity, and judge whether we can hear them properly throughout the duration of the call, and whether their voice sounds natural.

Then we ask our call partners how we sound. Can they hear us properly, or do the noises of our environment make it hard to hear what we're saying? We note down our findings, and then we report back on them in our review to give you an idea of how they'll perform if you want to take (or make) a call.

Battery life

We know that manufacturers sometimes have a habit of overestimating their battery life figures. To make sure that you're getting the best information possible, we spend the time to test the battery life claims and whether they ring true. We listen to the buds for hours on end, and count how many hours we used them before they needed to go back into their case. We do this with ANC turned on and with the volume at a comfortable level.

For charging cases and very long-lasting buds, we extrapolate battery data in a different way. We measure how long we've used them, and then compare that with how much life we've got left. This gives us a good picture of how the battery is going to last in the long run, and whether you'll get those rated claims.

How to choose the best earbuds for you

Hopefully, our list will have made it easier to cut down the options when you're looking for your next pair of buds. To cut it down even more, here are some extra points you should think about.

What do you want out of your buds?

There are as many reasons to buying earbuds as there are earbuds themselves. You need to work out what you're looking for first and foremost — it's why I've divided the list up into their most important headline features.

Do you want the best sound, and would you be willing to give up some battery life and pay a bit more for it? If not, then you should go for the best earbuds overall, but if you don't mind some compromise then you should go for the best sounding earbuds.

It's important to make a list of the features that are most important to you, and then work out from there which of the earbuds on the list fit those criteria the best. Afterall, what might be the best for one person might not be the best for you.

Do you want headphones or earbuds?

If you're looking for the most compact, easily transported audio device around, then the best earbuds are probably going to be right for you. But there are a couple of things to remember — they're going to live inside your ears, and not everyone likes the feeling of in-ears after longer periods of listening.

If you'd prefer something more comfortable for longer periods of wear that offers more battery life, and potentially better audio quality, you should consider some of the best wireless headphones. They might cost a bit more, but you might be more comfortable.

Don't be fooled by frequency response readings

I talk about this on our best headphones list, but I think it's well worth reiterating here. It's very easy to get hooked on frequency response graphs and numbers, and think you're getting a surefire cheat code to finding the best sounding earbuds around.

You'll spot them as a pair of numbers in specs lists, like "15 Hz - 22 kHz." The first number is how low the earbuds can go, and the second number is how high they can go.

You might think that finding a pair with the greatest frequency range is going to net you a pair of excellent sounding earbuds. While that can be true, it's not worth seeking out. Just because a pair of headphones can go really low doesn't mean they're good at replicating those frequencies, and neither does it tell you about what's going in the music itself.

There's only one way to really tell how good a pair of earbuds is — and that's to give them a listen. Or, of course, you could read one of our excellent and informative earbuds reviews.

Wireless earbuds repairability

Repairability is becoming ever more important, as we try to find new ways to lengthen the life of our devices, but also look after the planet that we call home. Repairing products is great for both, and it's important to consider it when buying new tech.

Unfortunately, earbuds are one of those products that are extremely rarely user-repairable. Thanks to their size and the amount of tech that companies have to pack into their buds, it's generally impossible to make the insides accessible to you or I.

Not all is lost, however — some manufacturers do offer some form of repair service, so you don't have to worry if your buds stop working. It's worth checking before you buy — and if you're still not sure, don't hesitate to get in contact with one of the Tom's Guide Audio team!

No matter your skill level, if you're looking to diagnose problems in your car, one of the best OBD-II scanners is an essential tool in helping you save a huge amount of time and money. You may not be able to fix every issue that crops up, but knowing which ones you can fix is always helpful.

Picking the right OBD-II scanner can be an intimidating prospect, though — believe me, I've been where you are. However, understanding error codes and all the inner workings of OBD-II diagnosis is a lot easier than it seems. Additionally, your average scanner costs significantly less than a single trip to the mechanic.

We've put tons of OBD-II scanners to the test to determine our top picks for the best OBD-II scanners you can buy right now. Our favorites include the Innova 5610, which has a great selection of professional features, and the Topdon TopScan, which is completely wireless and deceptively useful for diagnosing problems. Meanwhile, the Launch CR529's $40 price tag means it's a perfect budget option.

What are the best OBD-II scanners?

Best OBD-II scanner overall

Best described as a crossover scanner, the Innova 5610 offer a huge range of features that should satisfy amateurs and professionals alike. What helps it stand out is the versatility of the scanner.

Normally, you'd need a tablet OBD-II scanner to take advantage of this number of professional features. But instead, you have a more comfortable, intuitive handheld design. During testing, I was pleased with how solid it felt in my hand — and how it even survived being dropped on my garage floor.

Still, if the handheld scanner is not to your liking, you can always link to Innova's smartphone app via Bluetooth. During testing, I was able to connect to it quickly and easily. Plus, not only was it able to display recalls and the next scheduled maintenance, but warned of the failure of the transmission’s solenoids. It was like having a trained mechanic at my side.

This isn't the cheapest OBD-II scanner around, but it's not the most expensive, either. In fact, for the amount you actually get in this handheld design, it's incredibly good value. Overall, it's ideal for those who need a little more than a basic OBD-II scanner can offer.

• Read our full Innova 5610 review

Best mobile OBD-II scanner

While the Topdon TopScan may not look like much, believe me, there is a lot more to this compact scanner than meets the eye. This isn't just your average Bluetooth OBD-II module, beaming information from your car to the app on your phone. I was thrilled to see that it also goes well beyond the capabilities of rival scanners in its class.

This means it does more than just find faults or run I/M Readiness tests — although these are important features to have. Still, the TopScan pushes the envelope further with its ability to check performance and efficiency. It even goes so far as to estimate your car's horsepower and torque.

There are OBD-II scanners that cost 10 times more without being able to perform checks like this. So, whether you want to fine-tune your car or just make sure it stays roadworthy, this is one of the best gadgets to have in your toolbox.

• Read our full Topdon TopScan review

Best OBD-II scanner under $50

After testing, we think the Launch CR529 is the best value OBD-II scanner available. Not just because of its $38 price tag, but also because of the level of diagnostic features you're able to get for that price. I was not expecting to get quite so much for such a low cost.

There are some compromises you need to contend with for a scanner that's this budget-friendly. For example, it can't use car manufacturers' specialty codes, and it's a pretty heavy scanner, which makes it feel unwieldy in your hands. But it does still offer live data, an instant inspection feature, and a surprisingly in-depth look at the inner workings of your car. Better still, the lifetime updates mean you should be able to keep using this scanner for quite some time — no subscription necessary.

If you're an expert or a professional mechanic, you'll likely find that the CR529 isn't enough for you. However, for the average person, it's a great addition to your toolbox.

• Read our full Launch CR529 review

Best pro-level OBD-II scanner

If you're looking for an OBD-II scanner with a professional edge, the Topdon Phoenix Lite 2 scanner is ideal, whether you're an amateur diagnostician or a professional mechanic.

It's a pricey bit of kit, but you are getting an awful lot for your money. The best part is that the Phoenix Lite 2 is completely wireless, with the control pad connecting to a Bluetooth receiver that plugs into your car's OBD port. During testing, this allowed unparalleled movement around the car as compared to the other OBD-II scanners on this list.

I did find the scanner itself to be bulky and heavy, but I appreciated the fact that it came with a kickstand. Plus, its rugged design should let it survive any workshop environment.

It also has live data graphing, fault information, and a bunch of more advanced items that most cheaper scanners can only dream of.

However, you should be aware that you only get 2 years of firmware updates — after which you'll have to pay an extra $495 a year.

• Read our full Topdon Phoenix 2 Lite review

Best dual-purpose OBD-II scanner

Ancel's BD310 is a dual-purpose scanner capable of operating as a standard handheld scanner and when connected to a smartphone via Bluetooth. Better still, it's capable of turning into a secondary display displaying various key engine details inside the cabin.

We found that the BD310 was one of the easiest scanners to keep around, because it's small and light enough to fit inside your glovebox. Granted, this means the 2-inch display feels a little small, and we found the four-key interface to be a little awkward, but overall, these factors shouldn't get in the way of you figuring out how to diagnose your car.

The 56-inch cable is perfect for hanging over the hood while you work, and the BD310 itself is capable of performing actions like an I/M inspection-readiness test or divulging performance details — including coolant temperature, engine timing, and engine speed.

• Read our full Ancel BD310 review.

Best companion app

The Carly OBD Scanner offers a lot of great features for your money, and we were particularly impressed with the quality of the companion app. While some Bluetooth scanners offer a pretty basic app experience, Carly has one of the best apps we've ever used.

Not only is it capable of fixing lights and diagnosing problems, but it also features repair help to get your car back on the road, and tools to check that the used car you're interested in isn't a lemon. Plus, there's a lifetime warranty, which is pretty rare but always appreciated.

The downside is that not all of the myriad of features available work with every car model. So you're going to need to check just how compatible your car is before you buy. Likewise, as good as the app is, you have to maintain an active subscription if you want anything more than basic OBD features — which can get pricey if you're not careful.

• Read our full Carly OBD scanner review

Other OBD-II Scanners We've Tested

Frequently asked questions

What is an OBD-II Scanner?

If you've ever wondered how mechanics figure out what the problem is with your car, it's not because they strip the whole thing down and figure it out by hand. Instead, they plug a diagnostic scanner into your car's OBD port to access information from the onboard computer.

These OBD-II scanners, at their most basic, are able to read and identify error codes flagged by your car — which has already realized something is wrong. More advanced models are also able to monitor your car's systems in real-time, and in some cases predict where future problems may occur.

What is the OBD-II port?

The On-board Diagnostics Version Two (OBD-II) port is the standard port on almost all passenger vehicles sold in the United States since 1996, in Canada since 1998, in the European Union since 2004, and in Australia, Mexico, and New Zealand since 2006.

This port is where you plug into the car and interface with the onboard computer. A variety of devices can be plugged into the OBD-II port, including OBD-II scanners, insurance black boxes, and, more recently, dash cams.

If you're unsure where an OBD-II scanner plugs in, here's how to find your car's OBD-II port on North American cars. If you're living elsewhere, here's how to find your OBD-II/EOBD port worldwide.

What is a DTC?

DTC is short for Diagnostic Trouble Code, which is the error code a car's OBD system generates when it spots an issue. These are the codes read by OBD-II scanners that allow the user to figure out what's going on under the hood. There are a lot of standardized DTC codes that are the same across different makes and models of vehicles, though some manufacturers employ their own DTCs that are unique to one or more of their vehicles

What do DTCs actually mean?

If you're unfamiliar with how DTCs are written, then they probably look like complete gibberish — a random selection of numbers and letters that mean very little to you. Fortunately, there is some logic, which will give you an idea of what errors the car has detected.

The first letter confirms which of the car's main systems is experiencing the issue. Those are the Powertrain (P), Body (B), Chassis (C), and Network (N). The second is a number designating whether this is a generic code (0) or a manufacturer-specific code (1).

The third character then identifies exactly which system is experiencing the issue.

• 1 is fuel and air metering
• 2 is an injector circuit specific fuel and air metering code
• 3 is the ignition system or a misfire
• 4 is an auxiliary emissions code
• 5 concerns vehicle speed controls and idle control systems
• 6 is for computer auxiliary outputs
• 7, 8 and 9 are for transmission and gearbox faults
• A, B and C are for hybrid-specific propulsion faults

The fourth and fifth characters then confirms the exact fault, and can be any number between 0 and 99.

OBD-II scanners are able to describe what these error codes mean, though more advanced models will be able to give you more information. It may require some time on Google, and as you can imagine there are a lot of possible DTC errors you may encounter. Over 5,000, in fact.

Not all DTCs are critical issues, though. While they will detail major problems experienced by your problem, the error code may just be warning you that the engine temperature is a little too high.

How to choose the best OBD-II scanner for you

If you're looking for insights into how your vehicle is working or what's wrong under the hood, there's no better way than to plug in one of the best OBD-II scanners and read the results.

After all, it's how your car dealer or repair shop would figure out what's wrong with your car when you drive (or are towed) in. Why shouldn't you have the same information? Not all the best OBD-II scanners are created equal. There are two general types of devices.

Handheld OBD-II scanners come with their own screen and cable to plug into the car's OBD port. Wireless OBD2-II scanners plug into the port, but then connect via Bluetooth to a smartphone or tablet to display their findings. Some scanners can even do both.

While you may be drawn towards more expensive models, odds are you don't need to spend a fortune. Whatever type cries out to you, there are several high-performance OBD-II scanners that cost less than $200. Some can even be found for less then $30.

More expensive ones are available, with more powerful features and capabilities, but they're designed for professionals — and aren't that suitable for beginners.

The most important thing to remember is that the best OBD-II scanners provide the right mix of size, weight and the ability to read your car's fault codes and live data. The most important criteria are:

1. Easy setup. If it takes forever to set up the scanner, you probably won't use it to diagnose a problem early.
   
2. Faults and explanations. The best OBD-II scanners not only tell you the faults your car has, but also can explain the meaning, so you can either fix it yourself or tell a mechanic.
   
3. I/M Readiness check. A good scanner will run the major engine and emissions tests to see if you'll pass your state's inspection.
   
4. Accuracy. A scanner is worthless if its results aren't accurate, because the only thing worse than no information is incorrect information.
   
5. Size and weight. If the scanner is heavy and bulky, chances are it'll stay in your toolbox and not in the car to help you on the road.
   
6. Live data. By tapping into the car's engine speed, timing, and other parameters, the right scanner can help track down an intermittent problem.
   
7. Graphs. Numbers are good, but a visual representation of them is much better, particularly if you're comparing before and after.
   
8. Warranty. You expect your car to last at least eight or 10 years, so why shouldn't your OBD-II scanner? That said, the best offer a lifetime warranty that should outlast your ride.

It's also worth thinking about longevity and get one that includes lifetime warranty or software updates so the scanner will stay current with changing automotive tech. Like many devices, some OBD-II scanners only offer this if you pay for an ongoing subscription. But just as many don't charge for that privilege.

A handheld scanner's screen size is also worth mulling over. Getting the biggest, brightest and easiest to read display is always a good way to go. But if you're clumsy, try looking at rugged scanners with rubber bumpers to absorb the shock of being dropped.

Finally you have to consider extras that are included on some models, like the ability to read a manufacturer's proprietary codes or export documents as Acrobat PDF files. We've also seen OBD-II scanners, typically from Innova, that offer advice on repairs, the kind of parts you need as well as the ability to predict when problems may arise in future. We even saw one that doubled as an electrical multimeter a few years back.

How we test OBD-II scanners

We test the best OBD-II scanners in the garage or on the road over a period of several weeks. The first step, after connecting each scanner to my car's OBD-II port, is making sure they could report the car's vehicle identification number (VIN).

For the wireless scanners, we test the connection to either a smartphone, tablet, or laptop via a Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connection. This step doesn't apply to handheld scanners, since they only need to be plugged into the OBD-II port for a connection to form.

Next, we measure the cord's length on the handheld scanners (if it has one) and the wireless range on the others. With the car running, we monitor the engine and other vital systems, and then disconnect the engine's oil temperature sensor.

Finally, we check the details provided by the scanner, fix the problem, turn off the check engine light, and erase the error code.

Once the garage-phase of testing is complete, we hit the road to see if the scanner can display operating data. This includes engine speed, timing, and coolant temperature. We pay attention to whether the device reports the data as numbers, graphs, or auto-style gauges.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best desk speakers are one of the best ways to get excellent sound for your music, movies and games when you're sitting at your computer. They come in all shapes and sizes with various connection methods.

We've tested plenty of options to find the best fit for you, whether you're looking for a budget hero or a sonic masterpiece. These six options are the best we've seen, ranked so you can determine exactly what you need from a pair of desk speakers. The Edifier M60 are the best overall, balancing price, performance and size into the perfect desktop package.

There are plenty more options besides, from premium options to cheap, compact speakers that won't break the bank. These are the best desk speakers that you can pick up on 2026.

About the author

The best computer speakers you can buy right now

Best desk speakers overall

The Edifier M60 are the best computer speakers for most people for three main reasons: one, they look sleek; two, they are teeny-weeny; three, they sound utterly phenomenal. Seeing as sound is the most important aspect of a pair of speakers, let's discuss that first, shall we?

Despite their uber-compact 6.6-inch height, the M60 are pocket-rocket oblongs of pure power. Tucked away in their miniature exterior are two powerful drivers capable of 66W of power. And boy, does this make for an enjoyable listening session. When I was testing the M60, I adored the surprisingly loud bass and the deft handling of treble. The M60 sounded confident with electronic, rock, pop, indie, and everything else I threw at it. Although they're not as room-filling as larger desktop speakers, they are both 6 inches tall and just $199. You can't buy a cow then ask it why it's not laying eggs.

Last but not least, I'll discuss size and design. As you might be able to see from the photo above, the M60 are gorgeous. Edifier has been knocking it out of the park recently with its budget speakers, somehow making them look and sound like premium models you'd expect from Kanto, KEF, and Dali. The clean, white or black design looks right at home on my walnut wood desk, and the tiny size means I can use these speakers even in compact setups. The M60 are simply as close to perfect as cheap, compact desktop speakers can get.

• Read our full Edifier M60 review

Best professional desk speakers

First up, this isn’t a list of the best studio monitors. Those are speakers that are designed for sonic balance, no weight put on any one frequency band. They’re also not the best for pleasure listening — and, contrary to popular belief, sometimes musical mixers also like to listen to music through their speakers. The Kanto ORA4 are the perfect speaker for the bedroom audio mixer who also wants to enjoy listening to music when not making beats.

They’re a relatively simple-looking speaker, with fairly nondescript enclosures topped off with black drivers and tweeters. Their sound is anything but simple, however. It’ll depend how far away you place them, but their soundstage and imaging are very good, making for an engaging listening experience. There’s some lovely detail at the top, and more bass than more professional models so that they keep everything listenable.

But they’re still balanced enough for some light mixing. Combine them with a sub and you’ve even got the system for larger offices or rooms, keeping the music, movies and games coming without any problem at all. They’re not cheap, but if you’re looking for a great addition to your listening space, you’ve just found it.

• Read our full Kanto ORA4 review

Best budget desk speakers

Just because something is “budget” doesn’t necessarily mean it isn’t “good enough.” The Creative Pebble Pro are our pick for the best budget computer speakers for a few reasons — primarily because they cost less than $70. These speakers are perfect for those short on desk space as they’re very compact and portable. Orb-shaped and small, they look cute, and the customizable RGB rings light up the desk they’re sitting on.

And though they are tiny, they are mighty. They punch well above their weight, delivering surprisingly meaty bass and crisp, vibrant treble that doesn’t sound overzealous. Vocals are also characterful, and all of this is thanks to the speakers’ re-engineered 2.25-inch drivers and Creative’s BassFlex technology. They’re also angled at 45° degrees which means sound travels directly to your ears when you’re sitting at your desk.

Connectivity is another major highlight, with the Pebble Pro offering USB-C or 3.5mm wired playback and Bluetooth 5.3 wireless playback. There’s also a headphone and mic port, so you don’t need to duck under your desk or unplug other cables. For under $70, the Pebble Pro offer supreme sound quality that’s hard to get elsewhere for the price.

• Read our full Creative Pebble Pro review

Best premium desk speakers

Thanks to a unique blend of high-fidelity audio and lifestyle features, the Edifier QR65 are the best premium computer speakers you can buy right now. They’re a visual and sonic powerhouse, wrapped in soft faux leather that gives the speakers a premium edge, and the included metal stands not only add to the aesthetics but also ensure sound travels in the general direction of your ears. The “infinity mirror” RGB panels make them fit right into a gamer’s desk space too.

The QR65 deliver a sophisticated soundstage powered by 70W of total output, so they can get very loud without suffering distortion at high volumes. Their 1.25-inch tweeters and 2.75-inch long-throw drivers reproduce bountiful bass with plenty of low-end impact, and exceptional vocal clarity, regardless of whether you’re slaying enemies in RPGs, jamming to your favorite tunes, or watching an action movie.

If you want to get rid of cable nests on your desk, the QR65 are a standout choice as they feature a built-in 65W GaN charger for fast-charging your smartphone and laptop. This is a high-performance audio system that doubles as a stylish, premium desk accessory.

• Read our full Edifier QR65 review

Best desk speakers for gaming

The Edifier G2000 Pro take the crown for the best gaming speakers for two reasons: the RGB panels that make them fit the gamer aesthetic, and high-octane performance in RPGs, FPS and racing titles. The two speakers look like jet engines, and they feature 100 full-color LED beads which dance and change colors according to the game you’re playing.

Boasting a wide soundstage, the G2000 Pro deliver crystal clear vocals in dialog-heavy games, such as Detroit: Become Human, and pronounced footsteps in FPS titles, such as Cyberpunk 2077. A dedicated Game mode emphasizes spatial awareness and directional cues, giving you a competitive advantage in many games. Combat sounds are loud but never booming too. The speakers are also compatible with a wide array of consoles, such as the PS5 and the Nintendo Switch 2, thanks to Bluetooth 5.4 wireless and USB-A wired playback.

For gamers who want high-energy, reactive lighting and crisp directional audio and virtual surround sound, there aren’t any better speakers than the G2000 Pro.

• Read our full Edifier G2000 Pro review

Best soundbase

The SteelSeries Arena 9 is our top pick for immersive surround sound thanks to its 5.1 channel setup. It features three front speakers and two wireless rears, plus an enormous subwoofer for earth-shaking bass.

In testing, our reviews editor Pete Wolinski loved the spatial sound, which came in very handy for competitive FPS gaming, where it allowed our tester to pinpoint the location of enemies from their footsteps or reload sounds. Surround sound is also incredibly immersive, which is great for cinematic games or movies.

We also loved the huge bass from the Arena 9’s subwoofer. Indeed, these speakers could’ve made our ‘best for bass’ award, too. It’s truly floor-shaking, and our reviewer Pete was more than a little concerned about annoying his neighbours. Regardless, the huge bass amplifies the surround sound experience, allowing you to feel as well as hear your games and movies.

The Arena 9 proved relatively easy to set up, although there were quite a few cables to deal with. It also comes with a handy OLED control pad, which allows you to make adjustments to EQ and other settings on the fly — ideal for customizing your surround sound as you watch or play.

• Read our full SteelSeries Arena 9 review

Best computer speakers: Specs compared

Also tested...

As Tom's Guide's audio experts, we test a lot of speakers but some models don't make it into a buying guide. That's not to say that they're not great performers, just that they're beaten by rival models with a stronger set of features or better performance at the price. The picks in this guide are the very best computer speakers we've tested and have all been given full reviews. But with more models to choose from than ever, we want to make sure that you consider these also tested options. These alternatives have been through our rigorous testing process but didn't quite make the grade to rank among the best of the best.

How to choose the best computer speakers for you

There are three things to consider when choosing the best PC speakers for your setup: sound quality, extra features and price.

Sound quality

Sound quality is a subjective consideration, but choose the wrong speaker setup and you'll find them boring to listen. Think about the kind of sound you like and decide whether you enjoy a big bass sound, one with clear dialog and vocals, or a speaker setup that has a bright or detailed top end. Everyone hears things differently, and the kind of sound you enjoy is personal to you.

It's also worth considering the environment you're placing the speakers in. Are they going to be placed on a desktop? Close to a wall? Or on dedicated speaker stands? As computer speaker are mostly used in near-field desktop arrangements with the speakers placed within a few feet way from the seating position, the size of the speaker matters too. Also consider the environment the speakers are placed in. Speaker placement has a surprisingly big influence on the sound it produces. If you want it to perform its best, it's important to consider proximity to boundary walls as well as the material a speaker is placed on.

Power output is also something to consider. Generally speaking, the greater the figure the better they will be at handling complex audio signals and filling a room with sound. Most computer speakers will outperform those built-in to a laptop or monitor.

Although improving the working from home experience may be your main criteria, gamers may also enjoy the extra depth a set of dedicated computer speakers can bring to their favorite titles. Online gaming is one of the most popular forms of entertainment, and you may want a set of desktop speakers that come with a subwoofer (2.1) or a full multi-channel speaker system with front and surround speakers with a subwoofer (5.1) to heighten the gaming environment for a more immersive and engaging experience.

Features

Extra features tend to come as standard in more expensive speakers, but even cheaper models can have them. The most common extra feature are some kind of tone or dedicated bass and treble controls, but you can also have remote controls, wireless functionality via Bluetooth (or even Wi-Fi) and RGB lighting.

Another is the number and type of inputs they support. Ideally you want to see a pair of stereo RCAs for analog sources as well as optical digital connectivity and/or a USB port. A headphone socket on the front is also a useful addition.

None of these features are strictly necessary, but some can make your life a lot easier, especially if you're looking to turn your computer into a studio powerhouse.

Price

Cheaper, less elaborate systems can sometimes offer decent sound quality, but the sound output is often not particularly well nuanced, and the maximum volume is sometimes not loud enough to fill your listening space or impactful enough for your activity. More elaborate systems tend to offer refined high frequencies, deeper bass and good vocal clarity. A great-sounding pair of computers speakers should sound balanced across the entire frequency range, with no band of frequencies sounding more powerful than another.

How we test the best computer speakers

To an extent, testing to find the best computer speakers isn’t that different to testing one of the best Bluetooth speakers or even a soundbar. We’re looking for high audio quality across a range of uses, from making sure voices are clear in video calls to the speakers’ music, movie and gaming performance. We’ll play a variety of different media, including multiple musical genres, to identify any sonic strengths and weaknesses.

We also examine how easy it is to set up a pair (or multi-speaker set) of computer speakers, but generally you shouldn’t need any special knowledge to get them up and running.

Generally, we try to spend a few days using each speaker set on a desktop/home office setup, to fully replicate the conditions in which you’d use them yourself.

Once our testing is complete, we rate the best computer speakers based on our five-point system (1 = worst, 5 = best). Products that hit nearly every mark are awarded an Editor's Choice badge.

When you think of the best VR headsets, what do you plan on using one for? If it's jumping into immersive, virtual worlds and being the characters you play, transforming your workspace into the multi-screen setup of your dreams or simply giving the shows you watch the cinema treatment, then it's time to jump on the VR bandwagon.

Virtual reality has reached new heights, especially when you throw augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (MR) into the mix. And in the six years I've spent testing VR headsets, I've used a combination of those realities to learn how to draw, find new ways to work and yes, even have the satisfaction of fighting off zombies and becoming the one and only Batman (along with Iron Man, Deadpool and so on).

VR headsets have a lot to offer that goes beyond just gaming, and the best way to see that in action (at an affordable price) right now is with the Meta Quest 3S. But there's more my team of VR experts and I recommend them for different needs, so if you're looking to sink hours into VR as I have, this guide will help you find the must-buy VR headsets to get today.

The best VR headset overall

The Meta Quest 3S is everything you could ever want from a VR headset — great color passthrough and speedy performance, a ton of apps to use and games to play, and all at a seriously affordable price. This is why Tony Polanco has called it "the best VR headset for the money."

Are there cutbacks? Of course. This is a cheaper entry-level headset from Meta, but the team has been carefully strategic in its compromises, so as not to massively impact the experience. For example, you get cheaper Fresnel lenses over pancake, along with a lower resolution display with a narrower viewing angle inside. I'd be lying if I didn't say you'd be hard-pressed to notice these mid-action (except for the occasional bit of glare from those lenses).

Without a 3.5mm audio jack, you're left using the speakers on here. Don't get me wrong, they are good, but you're missing some of that bass emphasis through them.

Besides these, you're still getting that same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor that keeps all the latest and greatest experiences (such as Batman: Arkham Shadow) running smoothly, the mixed reality experience is mightily impressive, but continues to get better over time, and you'll be hard pushed to really notice that reduced display quality.

Oh, and if you wanted to dip into gaming, all your favorite cloud gaming services work so well on here (to the point that I'd choose this over an actual Xbox). For PC VR, that's just one Meta Quest Link cable away. Starting at $299, this is the best bang for your buck when it comes to getting started with the world of virtual reality.

• Read our full Meta Quest 3S review

The best standalone VR headset

The Meta Quest 3 is the step up over its Quest 3S sibling, and is undoubtedly the best standalone VR headset today. However, the reasons to pick one over a Quest 3S come down to small improvements.

You're getting the same Snapdragon XR2 Gen 2 processor in here, the same breadth of app and game support, so why pick this one? Well, it comes down to whether you're willing to pay a little extra for the best standalone experience you can get in VR.

For example, there's a higher 2K resolution per eye for a combined 4K, thanks to its pancake optics. Combine that with a wider 110-degree field of view and you're getting a more detailed picture that can be seen further into your peripheral vision.

Not only that, but there is also a depth sensor that the Quest 3S lacks, which lends itself to better fixed tracking of app windows in mid-air in front of you, pancake lenses that make for sharper optics without any light glare, a smooth IPD adjustment so you can tune it just right to your vision, and let's not forget the 3.5mm headphone jack.

That said, it's still not perfect. The battery life did not impress us — we managed to kill the battery in just under two hours. But that's what battery headstraps like the Kiwi Design H4 Boost (among others) are made for.

But despite this shortcoming, the Quest 3 is still a top choice. It's just an ultimate question you have to ask yourself. You will see and feel the spec bumps of this headset over the 3S, but is that worth an additional $200 to you? Whatever you choose, expect the finest VR experiences for the price.

• Read our full Meta Quest 3 review

The best gaming VR headset

Sony's new PSVR 2 is arguably the best wired VR headset, given it has a plethora of high-end specs, including a brilliant OLED display. But it sits behind the Quest 3 because it requires a PS5 to work and is limited to the PlayStation ecosystem. Plus, the gap between the Quest 3 and PSVR 2 is much smaller than the gap between the Quest 2 and the PSVR 2, thanks to a new processor and display on the Quest 3.

Still, the PSVR 2 is excellent, especially for gaming. The headset is comfortable with just a relatively slim but sturdy cable that connects it to the PS5, the screen is excellent with impressive passthrough capabilities and 4K resolution. Plus, there's 3D audio support and easy buttons for adjustment.

But the real ace-in-the-hole is the Sense controllers. These are not only comfortable and good at tracking, but they also have excellent haptic feedback, an area where other VR headsets are lacking.

And thanks to being in the PlayStation ecosystem, there are exclusive games like Horizon Call of the Mountain and the ability to play Gran Turismo 7 in VR. Combined with the VR tech, the PSVR 2 is one of the very best virtual reality systems you can buy today.

• Read our full PlayStation VR2 review

The best PC VR headset

The HTC Vive Focus Vision is a $999 mixed-reality headset that works best as part of a PC VR setup. With that sharp 5K display with a 120-degree field of view and a comfortable fit for long sessions, it's an impressively immersive experience.

Add in strong eye and hand tracking, alongside hot swappable batteries, and this really comes into its own in the PC gaming space.

However, I was surprised to see it using the older Snapdragon XR2 chipset, the same as the Quest 2, which limits its performance in standalone mode. Pair that with the limited software library compared to the Quests, and standalone can be a rather lonely experience. Oh, and the choice to use Fresnel lenses also feels a little outdated, causing some edge distortion and chromatic aberration.

So, if your main mission is to get a headset specifically for your PC VR gaming, plugging this in via DisplayPort is an awesome, high-quality experience — ideal for enthusiasts and pros. But if you're looking for something more multi-purpose, I'd reconsider.

• Read our full HTC Vive Focus Vision review

The best AR Glasses alternative

Prefer a more subtle, lightweight wearable that puts all its focus on the finest AR tech we've seen? The Viture Beast are a fantastic alternative to a bulky headset, being the best AR glasses on the market right now.

These smart specs are for those who prefer to make use of virtual screens rather than immerse themselves in virtual worlds, as there's no onboard chip to make use of VR apps or games. But it still delivers an exceptional virtual experience on the device of your choosing. Smartphones, laptops, gaming consoles — you name it, and the Beast will unleash an absolutely gorgeous screen straight to your eyes.

With the Sony Micro-OLEDs the glasses pack, it offers up a massive 174-inch virtual screen with 1200p resolution and a peak brightness of 1,250 nits, meaning you can even see screens in direct sunlight. From a Steam Deck to an iPhone, the visuals it reflects in the lenses are filled with rich colors and crisp details. To top it off, the specs also boast a 120Hz refresh rate, making them ideal for gaming.

Through the SpaceWalker app, you'll be able to customize multi-screen setups (including a 32:9 ultrawide screen) and even real-time 2D to 3D content conversion. Plus, the dual Harman speakers offer great spatial audio, even though it's still too quiet in outdoor spaces.

The color accuracy isn't the best around, and our reviewer, Jason England, noticed bluriness around the edges when pushing its wide 58-degree field of view. But if you're looking to boost your workflow with multiple screens, play games on a massive screen or watch shows like you're in the cinema, all in a subtle pair of smart specs, the Viture Beast will do the trick.

• Read our full Viture Beast review

Also tested

Frequently asked questions

How we test VR headsets

Finding the best VR headsets takes a suite of things to consider, from the hardware itself to the software the headsets will work with. We test and consider how easy it is to set up a VR headset and system, how well-designed and comfortable the headset is, how well its interface works, and take a look at the accessories the VR headset can use.

A major part of initial testing involves evaluating how much space is needed to set up one of our picks for the best VR headsets to get the most out of them.

A product can look great but still be uncomfortable to use. Aside from testing out all the various content, we spend hours wearing each headset. We test to make sure any embedded air vents are keeping things cool. And if it does get sweaty, we see how well the face guard wicks away moisture. We also weigh the headsets, because even the lightest gadget can feel heavy after long periods of use. Finally, we test how adjustable the head straps are and how secure they feel.

As the de facto face of your virtual experience, the interface is vitally important. We test how responsive and intuitive the home page and subsequent menus are, as well as test special features, like voice commands and gesture control.

We also take a look at how specific VR headsets work, and how easy the interface is to use, as well as how head tracking performs and the quality of the controllers with the headsets.

Whether it's a traditional gamepad or something more elaborate, like Meta's controllers, we're checking to see if the input devices are ergonomically designed; after all, no one wants hand cramps. We also test tracking and responsiveness in the best VR games.

Hardware without great software is just an expensive paperweight. We not only examine the size of a device's library but also scour the listings and test out some of the higher-end apps and titles. At this point, a good library should feature many games, apps, movies and other experiences.