14 Oct
Blog

Google Nest Cam (Wired) Review: Watching With Confidence

Google Nest Cam Indoor Wired on the table.

Google Nest Cam (wired)

RRP $ 100.00

"This is a surveillance camera that, thanks to its intelligent functions, does not require constant babysitting."

advantages

  • Cute, compact design

  • Free three hours of video history

  • Convenient automatic arming / disarming

  • Reliable and accurate warnings

disadvantage

  • Power cord integrated in the camera

  • Limited articulation

Google's range of security cameras has recently expanded to offer more choice than ever before without compromising too much on features. In fact, the introduction of three hours of free video history without a subscription makes this range of Nest Cams much more appealing. However, Google doesn't make it easy for consumers to differentiate its new cameras – both the cordless and wired models use the Nest Cam name.

On the other hand, while the Google Nest Cam (battery) offers additional versatility as it can be used indoors and outdoors, the Nest Cam (wired) is a true indoor solution that has been improved thanks to a lower cost of $ 100. There are plenty of other indoor cameras in this price range, including models from the Ring, Arlo, and Wyze, making it an uphill battle for Google this time around.

draft

Immediately after unpacking, I am amazed at the smaller design of this camera compared to its outdoor sibling. There is one major difference to the Google Nest Cam (wired). It won't overwhelm countertops, tables, and other small corners of the house where you might want to install a security camera.

Google Nest Cam Indoor Wired on the table.John Velasco / Digital Trends

It's also smaller than the previous Google Nest Cam IQ Indoor, but maintains the same modern look that makes Google's cameras cozy and attractive. Consumers will appreciate that it is made from 45% recycled plastic and comes in four colors (snow, fog, linen, and sand). The only complaint I have is the limited posability of the camera – you really can't tilt it up that much when placed on a low surface.

Installation and setup

Similar to the battery-operated version, the Google Nest Cam (wired) only needs to be set up via the Google Home app – it is no longer tied to the dedicated Nest app. That is wonderful, because everything is controlled and accessed via an app. All of the event history is shown in a handy timeline view, but I also like how you can filter it by cameras if you have several from Google.

Once the camera is connected to my home's Wi-Fi network, the camera has very little latency when it is turned on, but it takes about five seconds before I can see the live stream. I suppose it's not that bad, but I can perfectly understand how those five seconds can get critical during an event.

Back of the wired Google Nest Cam Indoor.John Velasco / Digital Trends

Although it should rest on surfaces, there is always the option of mounting it on the wall – also thanks to its long cable. The disadvantage is that the wire cannot be removed. It's built into the camera so if the cable breaks you pretty much have to replace the entire unit.

Camera performance

As for the specification, the camera on the Google Nest Cam (wired) is lukewarm compared to the known cams in space. The 2-megapixel camera sensor records video at 30 frames per second (fps) in 1080p, but there are now cameras that record in 2K and 4K. In general, it produces some reasonable detail, but doesn't get the clarity I've seen with the Google Nest Cam IQ Indoor.

There are some artifacts that are a little distracting and become more noticeable with sudden changes in ambient light. It also tends to saturate colors a little more, making it look unrealistic at times. As night vision goes on, the footage tends to appear low in contrast, which I think is a good thing as it increases the exposure of the shadows.

While the video quality doesn't overwhelm me, I have to admit that the Google Nest Cam (wired) is spot on with detection. So far it has been the right thing to tell between people and my cats that are noted in the app.

privacy

What I really like about the latest Google Nest Cams is that they can all be turned off based on my phone's location – allowing them to turn on and off automatically for more privacy. The camera turns off automatically as soon as I get home, but turns on again when I leave the geofenced area around my apartment. There's no need to manually put the camera in Home or Away mode, so you have one less thing to worry about.

It's a simple camera that is effective in recording events.

There is also a green LED light on the camera that turns on when the camera is active. These are just a few of the privacy features I like about Google's cameras. They also come with up to three hours of free event video history and save those clips for you to review. No subscription is required, but if you want to extend the quota you must subscribe to Nest Aware, which is $ 6 a month and has 10 days of 24/7 video history and 60 days of event video history.

Close-up of the Google Nest Cam Indoor Wired camera lens.John Velasco / Digital Trends

Even if the internet goes down, you can rest assured that the Nest Cam (wired) will continue to store footage locally. Unfortunately, it can't do anything if the power goes out – which makes the battery-powered version more attractive.

Our opinion

Viewed across the product category, Google is not trying to blow the competition out of the water with its offer. It is not necessary as it is a simple camera that is effective in capturing events. At $ 100, it's not overly shoddy as it removes some of the frustrations I have with most security cameras – frequent false positives and manual arming are two of the most glaring points.

Is there a better alternative?

When it comes to indoor cameras, the Arlo Essential Indoor Camera is the closest competitor for the same $ 100 cost. I like it because it actually has a physical privacy shutter that goes over the lens to make sure no one is looking when they shouldn't, unlike Google's software-based privacy feature that turns the camera off.

Another alternative is the Wyze Cam V3, which at under $ 40 is still one of the best security camera deals you can get. With its weatherproof construction, it's designed for indoor and outdoor use, and you get the added convenience of local storage with its microSD slot.

If you're an Alexa user, the Ring Indoor Cam has similar features and performance for $ 60.

How long it will take?

Despite a body made mostly of recycled components, the Google Nest Cam (wired) feels like a well-made, solidly built camera that's well worth the price. There is a one year limited warranty that covers defects.

Should you buy it?

Yes, even if it's not the best deal Google has put on the table. While lacking the sharp clarity of other cameras, it does a wonderful job of actually providing meaningful warnings.

Editor's recommendations



17 Sep
Blog

Razer Huntsman V2 TKL Review: A Fantastic Wired Keyboard

The palm rest of the Huntsman V2 TKL.

Razer Huntsman V2 Tenkeyless

RRP $ 150.00

"The Huntsman V2 TKL from Razer is a gaming keyboard that impresses with its smooth switches."

advantages

  • Oh-so smooth linear opto-mechanical switches

  • Great comfort and ergonomics of the palm rest

  • Quiet typing

  • Tidy design

  • Detachable USB-C cable

disadvantage

  • No media buttons

  • While the palm rest is comfortable, there are a handful of problems

  • No tactile switch option

Razer is releasing a new TKL gaming keyboard today, just a week after the launch of its new Basilisk V3 gaming mouse. This one is called the Huntsman V2 Tenkeyless, and we have a sample on hand to see if it's good and worthy of competing with the best gaming keyboards you can buy.

The Huntsman V2 TKL is part of the Huntsman line of ultra-performance wired gaming keyboards that are designed to excel in competitive gaming without costing as insane as the BlackWidow series.

As a result, they aren't the most feature-packed boards, but the Hunstman V2 TKL proves that its superb switches and form factor are still a fantastic PC gaming companion.

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Overview of the Huntsman V2 TKL.

When you look at the Huntsman TKL, the first thing you notice is the simple design – it's just a simple TKL keyboard with no fancy extras in the periphery. The media keys are built into the F keys instead of being dedicated, there is no volume control, and there aren't tons of RGB qualities in all sorts of disgusting nooks. There's some RGB there, but it's just under the main buttons.

Combine that simplicity with the all-black design and aluminum top plate, and you get a fairly slim keyboard that, oddly enough, doesn't attract much attention. Razer used to be a company that built eccentrically styled devices that were unmistakably "gamers," but these days it seems to be leaning towards slimmer, more sophisticated designs. Maybe it will grow up along with its core audience.

Also included with the Huntsman V2 TKL – and this is probably the biggest upgrade compared to the original – is a synthetic leather palm rest. I first got to know this soft, plush palm rest with the BlackWidow V3 Pro and I'm still just as in love with it. The height is perfect for comfort and because it's so soft it makes typing a real pleasure.

Oblique view of the Huntsman V2 TKL.

There are a couple of caveats: the softness won't last forever – I feel like the thin material wears out relatively quickly by peeling off relatively quickly, and on warm days it can just be a little too plushy for you to beg for something need to be more breathable.

Fortunately, Razer also sells its palm rests separately from the keyboards. So if you type enough to wear them out, replacing them shouldn't be a problem. Plus, the palm rest isn't actually attached to the keyboard – there's not even a magnet holding it in place.

The keyboard is connected to your PC with a detachable, braided USB-C cable.

The switches

The reason you want to buy a Razer Huntsman keyboard is because of the optical switches, or as Razer calls them, the optomechanical switches. These hit the market in 2018 and enjoyed rapid popularity for good reason.

Turns on the Huntsman V2 TKL.Niels Broekhuijsen / Digital Trends

Our sample of the Huntsman V2 TKL came with the red linear version of the switches, and these are by far my favorite. In general, I'm a tactile (brown) switch type, but on a keyboard as geared towards gaming as the Huntsman V2 TKL, I prefer a linear switch. Thanks Razer for that. The keyboard is also available with clickable optical switches, but there is no tactile option.

But what do I like so much about the optomechanical switches? It's the smoothness.

Razer markets the optical switches as faster and touts them in all sorts of wondrous terms like "the speed of light" and "the fastest performance you'll ever experience," but I don't care about those things. Sure, in a scientific test they could outperform classic electro-mechanical switches because they don't have to take debouncing into account, but if you can find me a person who can determine the speed difference in a blind test, I'll buy you a beer. Maybe two.

Buttons on the Huntsman V2 TKL.Niels Broekhuijsen / Digital Trends

But the suppleness. I can hardly describe it, as I have only come across a few switches that offer similar smoothness. With a switch like Cherry or Gateron Red you could lubricate them and mount damping O-rings on the stems – and only with all this effort could you achieve the same smooth suspension travel.

The way the switches move is so smooth that it exudes a sense of luxury that you don't get with many keyboards – at least not without stepping into expensive custom keyboard territory.

It is the ease of movement of the opto-mechanical switch that makes the Huntsman V2 TKL so appealing.

The switches are also almost noiseless. Thanks to a sound-absorbing foam layer inside the keyboard, this is one of the quieter mechanical keyboards you will find.

There's just one catch: because the switches are optical, they consume more power than traditional electro-mechanical keys, which means the keyboard cannot be wireless. So there is a cable. And the stabilizers aren't the same as those on Cherry-based boards. Most keys will fit, but the longer keys will not. However, the standard keycaps are double-shot PBT, so most people don't bother updating them.

Gaming performance

When starting out in gaming, the Huntsman V2 TKL is a happy companion. The keyboard's smaller layout isn't quite as game-friendly as something really small like the Razer Huntsman Mini or the BlackWidow V3 Mini or the Corsair K65 RGB Mini, but because of the additional mouse space, it's miles better than a full-size keyboard. This allows me to play at a lower DPI, which results in more accurate recordings.

Side profile of the Huntsman V2 TKL.Niels Broekhuijsen / Digital Trends

Combine that with the comfortable palm rest, height, and sleek switches and you'll largely forget about the keyboard while gaming – and that's the best compliment I can give a keyboard. It's all just smooth sailing.

While the keyboard polls at 8,000 Hz, 1,000 is enough, and Corsair's K70 RGB TKL Champion Edition has already shown that you don't need 8,000 Hz on a keyboard.

Our opinion

Razer's Huntsman V2 Tenkeyless is a simple but well-executed TKL keyboard for PC gamers. It's not wireless, which is not possible with optical switches (not without very limited battery life). It also doesn't have media buttons and I have a couple of issues with the included palm rest.

Despite these nitpicks, however, you will fall head over heels for it due to the excellent opto-mechanical switches and comfortable form factor.

Are there alternatives?

The next alternative from Logitech is the G Pro mechanical keyboard, which offers largely the same range of functions. But it doesn't come with the same great switches or the comfy palm rest, so I'd go for the Razer of the two.

Corsair now offers the K70 RGB TKL Champion Series, which has media keys and also carries out 8K polling, but, like the Logitech board, does not have the same convenient switches. The palm rest is also missing here.

How long it will take?

The Huntsman V2 TKL should last at least five years of normal use, although I expect the palm rest to need replacing early during that time – maybe twice. Razer covers the keyboard with a two-year warranty.

Should I buy it?

Yes sir. Priced at $ 150, the Huntsman V2 TKL is one of the best TKL keyboards available today.

Editor's recommendations



18 Feb
Blog

Ring Video Doorbell Wired: Delightful Value for the Money

Ring video doorbell wired mounted on brick

Ring video doorbell wired

"This is the best video doorbell value."

  • Magnificent installation

  • No need to recharge

  • Great app

  • Clear, clear video

  • Bypasses the wired carillon

  • Narrow field of view

Ring is arguably the company that brought video doorbells into the mainstream. That tradition continues with Amazon's brand new $ 60 Ring Video Doorbell in a very affordable space. This affordable video doorbell is a wake-up call for the video doorbell room. We've already seen an extremely (read: ridiculously) affordable doorbell from Wzye, and Ring is now showing us that if you double your money, you can quadruple your value. Simply put, this doorbell is no joke.

installation

Installation tools needed to wire the video doorbell.

When I think of the installation experience I had with this doorbell, the only word that really comes to mind is adorable. I've installed half a dozen doorbells in the past eight months, and while none have been particularly difficult for anyone with my skills (I'm your basic handyman), none have been particularly easy. The wired ring doorbell was very easy to install. I only had two hiccups and only one of them was Ring's fault.

The Ring Video Doorbell with Cable is one of my favorite doorbells that I have reviewed.

At first I had trouble figuring out how to expose the screw holes to mount the doorbell. As it turns out, I just didn't apply enough pressure to remove the cover. Then I had problems pairing the doorbell with the app. I was using a beta version of the software as it wasn't officially released and I just had to wait for the server side to turn things on for me. Once it was them, all I had to do was scan a barcode and head to the races.

What impressed me the most about the installation process was its simplicity. I had to scan a barcode with my phone to connect to the doorbell. During the setup process, verbal cues indicated when the doorbell was connected to WiFi and when the setup process was complete. It is far more satisfying when the element you are working with tells you in plain English that "you did this right" rather than a cryptic series of beeps or buzzes.

No chimes for you

One important hardware note that I have to mention is also the only real downside I found with this doorbell. During the installation I installed an included jumper wire on the transformer of my doorbell bell. This is to bypass the mechanical chimes completely so that the doorbell can get the power it needs. Previous ringtones had to be recharged regularly, even if they were connected to the ring tone. This jumper basically ensures that the doorbell gets the power it needs. But it will also render your mechanical chimes inoperable.

What that means as a homeowner: When a visitor presses the doorbell button, all you get is a notification on your phone or smart screen. That will be enough for many. Personally, I carry my cell phone around the house for this to work. But something doesn't seem right when a wired doorbell doesn't ring the chime it is wired to – "wired" is even in the name!

My Kindle Fire HD 8 Plus tablet with its wireless charging stand can announce someone is on the doorbell and it can show me the video feed from the doorbell, but the Kindle does not have two-way communication. You can also purchase an additional wireless bell that can be plugged into any power outlet. Ring currently bundles a wired doorbell and rings for an additional $ 20. This might be a good option if you don't factor in the added cost.

Surprisingly good video quality

The video feed from the doorbell is clear at 1080p in daylight and at night in infrared. The field of view is a very decent 155 degrees. When you receive a Ring Basic Protect Plan, you can access recordings for a single device for up to 60 days. This also brings with it "bulky notifications" which give you a thumbnail of what the camera will see when it sends a notification. I particularly liked that.

Bell door mounted on brick

The bidirectional communication on the device is great with very little delay, while the voices on both ends are loud and clear. The Ring app cannot broadcast sound from the doorbell when I am talking. In principle, a host and a guest cannot talk about each other. This is another minor limitation.

Setting detection zones is standard in video doorbells, and you can do that here, but Ring goes a step further by allowing you to set privacy zones. No data is recorded in a specific data protection zone. The camera can also detect movements and people. Another thing that is difficult to understand is that an Amazon company's doorbell does not offer package detection. What's wrong with it?

Our opinion

This is a small, nondescript video doorbell with a great price tag. It's not the cheapest on the market. This award goes to Wyze. In terms of money, this doorbell is just superb. There are some minor tradeoffs, but even if you buy a bundled wireless chime, you are still spending less than you would on the closest competitor.

In addition to a good doorbell, you get the Ring app and all the benefits that come with it, like the network of neighbors. It's good to know what's going on in your neighborhood, whether it's a person stealing packages or a random fox showing up in someone else's driveway. Overall, this doorbell offers you the best price-performance ratio in the video doorbell arena.

Is there a better alternative?

Yes. There are better doorbells out there, but they all cost more. The 155-degree field of view is surpassed by most of the other doorbells on our scorecard. Ring's own video doorbell Pro, however, only knocks it by five degrees. Other doorbells like the Arlo Video Doorbell and Vivint Doorbell Camera Pro offer 180 degrees. However, when you weigh the value these other doorbells offer for the price, often three or even four times that of the Ring Video Doorbell Wired, dollar for dollar, Ring's offering is hard to beat.

How long it will take?

The Ring Video Doorbell with Cable comes with a one-year warranty. The doorbell is solidly constructed, although it is mostly made of polycarbonate. It seems very solid and should stand up to whatever Mother Nature is up to.

Should you buy it?

Yes. The Ring Video Doorbell with Cable is one of my favorite doorbells that I have reviewed. The easy installation process, great app, and solid hardware make this a breeze. The Wyze video doorbell is half the price but a quarter of the experience. The Ring Video Doorbell with Cable has so much value that it is impossible to recommend it to anyone looking for a video doorbell.

Editor's recommendations




21 Jan
Blog

Logitech Circle View Wired Doorbell Review: It’s Very Apple

Circle view doorbell mounted on brick.

Logitech Circle View doorbell

"This is a great video doorbell if you're a die-hard Apple."

  • Neat integration with other smart home devices

  • Good color night vision

  • Light sensor with readable interface

  • face recognition

  • Not at all compatible with Android

  • Additional hardware and subscription requirements

When Apple announced HomeKit Secure Video, manufacturers took the opportunity to deliver hardware for the Apple home ecosystem. We have one of the first video doorbells, the Logitech Circle View Wired Doorbell. This video doorbell was specially developed for Apple. You will immediately notice that it will not connect to Android at all. That has to be the first thing you know about that doorbell.

The second thing you need to know is that you will need additional Apple hardware and a monthly iCloud subscription for the doorbell to work at its fullest. In addition to having an Apple Hub or AppleTV or iPad as a hub, you'll also need to subscribe to Apple's iCloud plan with 200GB or 2TB (for $ 3 / month and $ 10 / month, respectively) so the doorbell does not collect records Counted towards your iCloud storage space.

In short, you need to be all-in with Apple for this doorbell to be of any use to you. If you've read this far, you are probably all there so we can move on. If you are an Android person, this video doorbell won't work for you at all. You can go ahead and stop reading. I'm assuming anyone reading past this point is either a die-hard Apple fan or my editor (hi, boss!).

Appleness extends into the hardware

Once you're beyond that, we can begin examining the doorbell ourselves. The hardware is a study in overengineering. I'm not sure if this is a good thing or a bad thing to be completely honest. Maybe I'm not pecking here, but even the way Logitech handles the wiring is a bit strange. On the back of the doorbell housing, slide the doorbell wires into slots that "grab" the wires rather than just using screws as you may be used to. When connecting the power converter, Logitech includes clips that you use to connect the power converter to the transformer. Neither of these are bad, in fact it makes for a very clean experience, but it just felt a little over the top. There is nothing wrong with wire nuts and screws. These other methods aren't better or worse, they're just very Apple.

Logitech Circle View Wired doorbell merrily on brickDigital trends / Adam Doud

The video doorbell hardware looks a bit simple. It's a black rectangle on which (from top to bottom) the camera is located, a light for night vision, motion and light sensors, an LED notification light, the doorbell button with a ring of light so people know where to press and finally a little branding. The doorbell is 4.68 cm high and 1.65 cm wide on the larger side. It also comes with an angled bracket if you want to turn the doorbell 15 degrees to the side.

I am particularly impressed with the color night vision capability.

The camera itself has a field of view with a diagonal of 160 degrees and has excellent night vision functions even without the 4,000K LED light strip. The camera does not use IR night vision, but rather a pithy night vision that is grainy but otherwise clear even on a particularly dark night. I set the doorbell on my back door so it didn't even have the luxury of my front yard light to help, and the image was still pretty good, although it wasn't good enough for facial recognition, which we'll investigate further in a little bit .

The camera also has a motion sensor and a light sensor that measures the ambient light in lux. This is really neat as I can tell at a glance at the doorbell if there is enough light outside to take photos or videos. The software doesn't take full advantage of these sensors, however, which we'll explore below.

The wiring is a clean doorbell experience.Adam Doud / Digital Trends

With negatives, the camera suffers from a fish-eye effect on the periphery of the camera. The LED strip on the doorbell has an on and off setting, but no automatic setting. Given the doorbell has a motion sensor and a light sensor, it seems ridiculous that you can't configure the light to turn on when the sensor detects motion and the light is below a certain threshold. However, this is a software glitch, and not the only one.

The software is very Apple

Once you've set up a Home Hub and have an iCloud subscription, open the doorbell features. In particular, you can have the activities for recording the doorbell carried out, e.g. B. Motion detection, doorbell ringing, etc. If you don't have a hub, you're only limited to one live stream. I honestly don't see the need for a home hub to easily capture and store video. If I only had an iPhone, I could still watch motion event videos. This is a blatant platform lock-in and a little gross. Other doorbells require subscriptions to record video, so I'll barely forgive Apple's iCloud request.

It's also noteworthy that if you want to stream video from the camera, every device that acts as a hub must be turned on. Most of the time this isn't a problem, but if you ever need to turn off your iPad, your doorbell will ring. This again supports the argument that using an iPhone I can stream data to it without the need for a device in between. Not cool.

The Logitech Circle View doorbell CAmera uses color night vision.

Other aspects of Apple software are standard on other doorbell interfaces. Scrubbing through events is a little shaky as you can only view events that detect motion or people. However, you have to drag your finger from event to event, and getting to the beginning of an event is a little difficult. However, sharing and saving videos is easy with Apple's share menu.

With Apple, you can also use the sensors in the doorbell to trigger other events in your house. For example, if you want a specific light in your house to turn on when your doorbell senses movement, you can do that. This is a very smart integration that really makes a smart home.

This doorbell is one of the first ones I tested that offers facial recognition that really works. The implementation is not the best. Apple uses your photo library to identify people who ring the doorbell. So, if you've had an iPhone for a long time, you have a lot of people in your photo library. If you're like me and only use Apple products occasionally, this won't work as well. But just the fact that it works at all is very cool. Given the number of doorbells I've tested that I'd love to access Google Photos if they only asked for it, this was a breath of fresh air. Unfortunately, my photo library can only accurately identify me and my children. Fortunately, you can add the names of new faces as they appear. This comes in handy the longer you use the doorbell.

Our opinion

Overall, this is a really nice video doorbell – if you're a die-hard Apple fan. If you are not, this is not a good doorbell at all. We already established that by the time you've read this far, it is you. Yes, this is a very nice doorbell that is specially made for you and your existing ecosystem. The field of view is pretty good, although it's not the 180 degrees you get from the Vivint Video Doorbell Pro. Plus, the video quality is good even at night, similar to the HomeHawk window I checked a few months ago. I really like the access Apple gives to the motion and light sensors. Other doorbells have these sensors, but Apple lets you use them, which is pretty neat.

Is there a better alternative?

From a holistic standpoint, this video doorbell is just as good in everything out there. I am particularly impressed with the color night vision capability. While infrared-based night vision can produce brighter and clearer results even on a cheap doorbell like the Wyze video doorbell, I prefer colored night vision because it allows you to better visualize what is actually outside your door. There are also three more doorbells that HomeKit support, including offerings from Netatmo, Robin, and Yobi.

Will it take?

This doorbell is very well built, albeit made of plastic. It's not made from the most durable building materials any doorbell I've tested. That honor likely goes to the Nest Hello doorbell. That being said, I have no concerns about long-term profitability. The doorbell is designed for operation at -20 to 40 degrees Celsius. There is a one year limited warranty.

Should I buy it?

If you've read this far, you're a die-hard Apple. Yes, you should buy it. The integration with the Apple ecosystem is pretty powerful, and using those sensors on the doorbell to trigger other smart home events has really good potential. The $ 199 MSRP is right in the wheelhouse of other doorbells like the Eufy Security Doorbell. After all, the software, Apple's Home Kit, is far more secure than Ring Video Doorbell 3.

Editor's recommendations




17 Sep
Blog

Beats EP Review: Good Sound Trapped By Wired Limitations

Beats EP headphones

Beats EP on-ear headphones

"Although they sound great, the Beats EPs are wire-bounded and poorly finalized at their price."

  • Extraordinary sound

  • Adequate comfort

  • Good noise reduction

  • Questions about shelf life

  • Cable connection only

For the sake of transparency, I've had trouble writing on the Beats EP headphones for a while. They are wired headphones and deserve to be treated as such. At the same time, they come with a price tag that ties them tightly to budget wireless headphones, most of which have features and capabilities not possible with the Beats EP.

Perhaps this is the best way to write about the $ 130 Beats EP. They're not the audio juggernaut high-end cable options often come with, and they're not the first wireless cans that seem to surround them. You're somewhere in between, awkwardly in the middle of two different parts of the genre.

Out of the box

In all fairness I could summarize this section of the review in two words: Not a lot. In addition to the headphones themselves, the contents of the Beats packaging include a foldable carrying case, a quick start guide and a warranty card.

Beats EP headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

Objectively speaking, the minimalist style of EP packaging isn't a huge issue. After all, wired headphones are pretty self-sufficient, there is no battery to be charged and the only cable that has to be connected. In a modern day when 3.5mm audio jacks are a rarity on phones, it would have been nice to include a smartphone adapter. Because if you're like me and you've lost that USB-C adapter that came with your phone years ago, the Beats EP become desktop cans only.

It literally comes down to just joining in and pressing the play button and then it's off to the races with your favorite podcast or album.

I usually deal with connectivity in this section as well, and one of the great things about the Beats EP is how classically easy they are to get up and running. It literally comes down to just joining in and pressing the play button and then it's off to the races with your favorite podcast or album.

design

There are several elements associated with the design of the Beats EP. Some of them are good. Some of them are head scratches.

Beats EP headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

First, the good thing: The Beats EP are relatively light, although you can't find exact numbers on the Beats website. They come in a variety of colors including white, blue, black, and red, giving them a more diverse aesthetic that should suit most consumers' tastes. And they're pretty comfy – I like the fuller coziness of over-ear headphones like the Razer Opus, but when it comes to on-ear headphones, the Beats EP felt good hugging my ears for longer listening times.

With the on-ear headphones, the Beats EP felt good pressed against my ears for longer listening times.

Now for the scratching of your head: on its website, Beats says the EP has a “durable frame” that is “reinforced with stainless steel and adjustable vertical sliders”. This is not wrong, but it can be misleading. The EP, while light, doesn't feel like an incredibly rugged pair of headphones, and that worry grows as you read the various Amazon customer reviews complaining that these headphones were owned for less than a year. Some had problems with the headband locking into place, others mentioned a deterioration in the ear cups. Now I haven't tested the Beats EP long enough to say firmly that it is unsustainable. But with the somewhat flimsy feel of those light doses, I could understand why so many people were having problems.

My other problem with the Beats EP, unfair as it may be, is the overall concept of inexpensive wired headphones. I think there is still an important place for wired sockets, especially when it comes to high-end options like the Grado Labs hemp headphones, the V-MODA M-200 studio sockets or gaming headsets like the HyperX Cloud Revolver S. price goes, the Beats EP and their hard cable don't offer the flexibility I think most people interested in buying them want. For $ 30 less, the Avantree Aria Pro lets you choose between wired or wireless, although the audio quality may be compromised. The point is, as much as wired connections are necessary in some situations, I believe the Beats EP's wired-only setup hurts them when compared to similar budget headphones with multiple connectivity options.

properties

This is not a joke – the only specs available on the Beats EP page is the fact that they are on-ear headphones. Please excuse me if this segment is on the short side.

Beats EP headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The Beats EP has inline call and music controls as well as inline volume controls. They are effective and easy to use, so I can pause YouTube clips or podcasts episodes without having to manually return to these pages. They also have a built-in microphone that has come in very handy on Zoom calls, at least after I got my desktop to collaborate.

In addition, the Beats EP in the feature department are rare. It's such a dire situation that Beats is marketing these headphones as "unlimited playback" because they don't have a battery. Which, okay, that's true. But it's not exactly anything special as this is the main difference between most wired and wireless headphones. Tech-wise, you can get "unlimited playback" with these $ 10 Sony headphones. If this is the most notable feature of the Beats EP, it speaks volumes about what value these cans actually have.

Audio quality

In my view, the sound of the Beats EP is the biggest reason to buy these headphones over a wireless alternative. For $ 130, you can get high quality audio from the Beats EP, even if you are physically tied to the device it came from.

Beats EP headphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The vocals are remarkably clear and shine through on busy tracks like Maroon 5's Sunday Morning. Higher frequencies are crisp but not harsh, which can be a tough proposition for headphones at this price point. They're a bit of bass-forward, which might seem like a turn off for people hoping for a completely neutral sound from their headphones, but is a brand for the Beats Sound signature. Thankfully, if you're not a big bass head, I don't think it's prominent enough to be considered a problem. Overall, they are mostly well balanced headphones with great sound quality that would satisfy most of the people looking to spend money in this stadium.

One more note about the sound of the Beats EP: They are impressively good at reducing ambient noise and creating a quiet room in which to listen to your content. These headphones don't have active noise cancellation features by nature, but I would argue they shouldn't be overlooked as the Beats EP does a commendable job of passively blocking out excess noise.

Our opinion

For $ 130 worth of wired headphones to compete with wireless alternatives, they must have great sound. The Beats EP have that, and even if they don't have much else, it might be enough for certain buyers.

Are there any better alternatives?

For a wireless alternative, the $ 100 Avantree Aria Pro offers decent active noise cancellation and improved flexibility over the Beats EP, though they likely don't sound that good. If you can afford to spend significantly more, it might be wise to consider the $ 250 1More Triple Driver over-ear headphones. They're an improvement over the Beats EP in many ways, but cost more than twice as much.

How long will they last?

They didn't fall apart on me so I can't say they will fall apart on you. However, if your build and the experiences of others are any indications, I would be extra careful with how you handle the Beats EP.

Should you buy it?

Just if you're looking for sound quality, wireless headphones can't compete in this price range. Otherwise, enjoy the versatility of a wireless option or spend more to get a better pair of wired sockets. The Beats EP makes sense to some, just not most.

Editor's recommendations




23 Jun
Blog

JLab Epic Sport2 Review: Wired For Workouts

JLab Epic Sport2 earphones

"The Epic Sport2 is another pair of weatherproof, durable fitness buds from JLab."

  • Several customization options

  • IP66 weatherproof

  • 20 hours of playback

From an outside perspective, JLab appears to be taking advantage of the qualities of its popular Epic Air Sport wireless earbuds, attaching them to a set with a wire on the two buds, and lowering the price by $ 100.

While not quite cut and dried – JLab's new $ 49 Epic Sport2 has some significant differences besides a cable and a drop in price – it feels like it has the same sound quality as the real wireless earbuds looking for these but want a cheaper price and no matter a cable, these headphones are made for you. These fourth generation buds are still primarily intended for workouts like their predecessors, and although they may not be the same real wireless spectacle as the Epic Air Sport, the Epic Sport2 are damn good for fitness.

Out of the box

The packaging of the Epic Sport2 is simple, but usual for JLab conditions: a sky-blue box with a small selection of goodies. There are the buds themselves, which sit in plastic form, as well as a practical, foldable quick start guide and a small carrying case, in which a charging cable, additional earplugs and "Cush fins" (these are the foam pads of the buds against which they are attached) are attached to yours Ear, for those who are not familiar with JLab's jargon).

JLab Epic Sport2 earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The power switch of the inline remote control brings the Epic Sport2 to life and has a voice prompt that greets you with a "Hello". The buds go into pairing mode after pressing the power button for eight seconds. You can then access your mobile device's Bluetooth settings to end the connection. This process is not as easy as buds, which automatically switch to pairing mode the first time they are unpacked. However, the setup is simple.

design

I am the first to say that I was not immediately satisfied with the fit and comfort of the Epic Sport2. That's why the company naturally has as many additional sets of earplugs and cush fins as it does.

JLab Epic Sport2 earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

JLab contains four sets of standard gel earplugs that I usually like. However, the set of three-flange foam earplugs proved to be the most comfortable for me and in this case best suited my ear canals. I had to swap the cush fins for another of the three sets and finally found something with a little more padding to press against my ears.

This solved my comfort problem. The badly fitting buds were immediately comfortable to wear on long runs and very safe. All credit to JLab: you may recognize more than others that ears are not one size and offer you a wide range of the right tools to find out what works best for you.

The black earbuds (the only color JLab offers with these buds) are not tiny themselves, but they are not too big either. I think they find a decent balance. The ear hooks to which they are attached are flexible, if slightly thin, and merge into a thin wire that runs from one ear to the next. At 14.8 grams, these buds are lighter overall than the Epic Air Sport, which weighs 10 grams per bud. During a week of runs and workouts, I can probably count the number of times I had to readjust these buds.

The lightweight and comfortable fit combines a range of earbuds that are excellent in design for the intended purpose: training.

The carrying case for the Epic Sport2 resembles a stripped-down sunglasses holder with the JLab logo on the cover. I wouldn't say that the case is pocket sized, unfortunately – it's too big for this nickname. That means the case balances its mass with additional certainty. I can safely say that it is sturdy enough to fit in your backpack or training bag without fear of damaging the earbuds.

properties

Overall, it was the characteristics of the JLab Epic Air Sport that made them our favorite earphones for training. It's no surprise that JLab has retained many of these features with the Epic Sport2.

JLab Epic Sport2 earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

The Epic Air Sport had a weather protection class of IP66, which protected them from strong water jets and made them completely dustproof. The Epic Sport2 receives the same treatment and again offers these buds better protection than the Powerbeats Pro (IP56) and the Jabra Elite Active 75t (IP57).

The Epic Air Sport had a playback time of 10 hours on a single charge, with an outrageous additional charge of 60 hours available in its case. The Epic Sport2 is not quite as generous in terms of battery life, but it does offer 20 hours of playback – eight hours better than the previous Epic Sport – and a quick charge feature that lets you plug in 1.5 hours of playback in just 10 minutes. That's probably a lot of battery for most fitness-minded people, and frankly I'm still working on using them to discharge the battery from these buds after a little over a week.

Both the real wireless and wireless versions feature Bluetooth 5 technology with an estimated range of over 30 feet. With the Epic Sport2, I would say the range was accurate because I was able to move the buds between my front and back yards without failure, while my phone stayed in place on my porch. The buds only support the AAC and SBC audio codecs, and I would have liked aptX to be included in the mix. However, this isn't a deal breaker for earphones under $ 100.

The inline remote control offers the ability to control the volume, pause / play, change tracks and call your preferred voice assistant. It's not as easy a process as the better touchpads on the market, but it still works for most requirements.

Audio quality

Let's just admit it: we're all podcast listeners during training these days, right? There's nothing better than hearing Marc Maron's pontificate about life during the WTF podcast as he crosses a six-mile run.

JLab Epic Sport2 earphonesNick Woodard / Digital Trends

You don't need great sound quality for Maron, though it does offer some tremendous transition guitar riffs. But at some point, podcasts lose their shine for a moment and you find yourself going to your go-to playlist. JLab knew that at some point you would come to the musical side of things and prepared accordingly.

The same dynamic 8mm neodymium magnet drivers power both the real wireless Epic Air Sport and these Epic Sport2 buds. Both have a three-mode EQ that offers Signature, Balanced and Bass Boost modes.

In this sense, our original thoughts on the audio quality of the Epic Air Sport apply a year later with the Epic Sport2. The different EQ modes help the buds work well for different genres, with the signature mode being the best mode to produce the most sound. We said the Powerbeats Pro had more fidelity than the Epic Air Sport back then, and this comparison applies here too. A more comparable option for the Epic Sport2 may be the 1More Dual Driver ANC, a pair of earphones that are also wired together. They're not training-ready earbuds, but they do offer superior sound quality for around $ 100 more than what the Epic Sport 2 offers in retail.

There is a fairly problematic area of ​​the sound quality of the Epic Sport2: calls. The JLab website says the Epic Sport2 has built-in microphones for phone calls – and I believe them – but based on my experience, I just don't think they are very good. Especially when I was traveling, the primary environment for which these buds were intended, both ends of my calls encountered a certain scratchiness, as if the buds themselves were trying to clear their throats. I don't know if you will make many calls during an intense workout. Maybe this is not a big problem. Still, it's a subject worth mentioning.

Our opinion

The JLab Epic Sport2 are almost the likeness of their true wireless cousins, the Epic Air Sport, with solid features and sound quality in a design that is explicitly geared towards athletes, and they even saved a few dollars. The only advantages are that you need to be fine with a wire that occasionally tickles your neck, and know that at best, you expect sub-average call quality.

Are there any better alternatives?

The Epic Air Sport was originally retailed for $ 149 and offers a more convenient, real wireless design, albeit at a higher cost. If you like the connected style of the Epic Sport2 but don't need a workout-centered pair of buds, the ANC Dual Driver Dual Driver sounds great for $ 150 and offers active noise cancellation.

How long will they last?

JLab offers a two-year warranty and airtight weather resistance. I don't think these buds will soon stall.

Should you buy them

Yes. Call quality is a hit with the Epic Sport2, and real wireless has far exceeded the popularity of the connected look, but you can't deny the features and design of these sweet-sounding buds. In short, they're as good for workouts as the Epic Air Sport at a fraction of the price.

Editor's recommendations