X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

The best tech values today

Everybody likes a good deal, which is why we've decided to round up a bunch of gear we think is well priced and delivers a lot of bang for the buck.

carnoy-headshot-2019-2
carnoy-headshot-2019-2
David Carnoy
Value_Overview_shot.jpg
1 of 26 Lori Grunin/CNET

Best tech values

Everybody likes a good deal, which is why we've decided to round up a bunch of gear we think is well priced and delivers a lot of bang for the buck.

Naturally, we didn't find every deal, but we did our best to find the best deal among the products we've reviewed. As always, if you feel we've missed a product that's a great deal, post a comment to get your 2 cents in. We'll be updating this list in the future and may very well include it.

JVC_Flats_headphones_34491027_04.jpg
2 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

JVC Flats: On-ear headphone

There's nothing fancy about the JVC Flats, but it delivers solid sound and a comfortable fit for very little money. Available in multiple colors.

Panasonic_Headphones_33397148_06.jpg
3 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

Panasonic RP HTX7 over-the-ear headphone

The Panasonic RP HTX7 remains an impressive deal at around $30 online. Available in multiple color options.

Panasonic_Ergo_Fit_earphones_34113254_03.jpg
4 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

Panasonic ErgoFit RP-HJE120

You can't ask for too much more from an $8 earphone. The Panasonic ErgoFit RP-HJE120 is now also available for $3 more in a model with an integrated microphone (the RP-TCM125-K).

iPadMiniRetinaVersusNexus7_02.jpg
5 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

Google Nexus 7 (2013)

The Nexus 7 is about half the price of the iPad Mini Retina (on left).

Amazon_Kindle_Fire_HDX_7_35828167-9731.jpg
6 of 26 Josh Miller/CNET

Amazon Kindle Fire HDX 7

Amazon basically sells its Kindle Fire HDX 7 and HDX 8.9 tablets at cost -- or close to it anyway.

Sony_STR-DN840_35734383_04.jpg
7 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

Sony STR-DN840 AV receiver

We called the Sony STR-DN840, which is loaded with features, the best value in AV receivers for 2013.

Motoroloa_Moto_G_35831726_12_540x386.jpg
8 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

Motorola Moto G

The Moto G has a few shortcomings, but it only costs $199 (16GB) without a contract. Note: We prefer this model to the Moto G Google Play Edition.

nexus-5-35828372-6357.jpg
9 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

Google Nexus 5

The Nexus 5 is a solid choice if you're looking for a high-end Android phone for a reasonable price without a contract.

Sony_BDP-S5100_35566983_02.jpg
10 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

Sony BDP-S5100 Blu-ray player

It's always tough to figure out which Blu-ray player to buy. We think the Sony BDP-S5100 is one of the better choices at its modest price point.

Asus_Transformer_Book_T100_35827544_02.jpg
11 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

Asus Transformer Book T100 Windows 8.1 tablet w/keyboard

For around $400 (and sometimes $350), the Asus Transformer Book T100 stands out among the budget-priced, netbook-style Windows tablets.

Roku_3_35627695_01_610x436.jpg
12 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

Roku 3

We like Apple TV a lot, but the Roku 3 is more compelling at the same price or slightly less (you can often get it for closer to $90).

NikonD5300_35829218_01.jpg
13 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

Nikon D5300

The Nikon D5300 is arguably the best dSLR you can buy for a little more than $1,000 with a lens.

Pioneer_SP-SB23W_35799008_06.jpg
14 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

Pioneer SP-SB23W sound bar

The Pioneer SP-SB23W may not be all that stylish, but it delivers great sound for the money.

Lenovo_IdeaPad_Yoga_2_Pro_35827161_10.jpg
15 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro ultrabook/hybrid

At around $1,000, the Lenovo Yoga 2 Pro features an ultra high-resolution 3,200x1,800-pixel screen in a convertible design. In fact, the whole Lenovo Yoga family (yes, there are several models) offers good bang for the buck.

Pioneer_SP-PK52FS_35477425_02.jpg
16 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

Pioneer SP-PK52FS surround speaker system

We thought Pioneer's sound bar sounded really good for the money and so does its Andrew Jones designed SP-PK52FS surround speaker system, which retails for a mere $549.99.

You can also buy the speakers separately, with the excellent SP-BS21-LR bookshelf speakers going for less than $100 a pair at Amazon (the price sometimes dips to to less than $70) and the SP-FS52-LR towers selling for $130 (each) and sometimes less.

Vizio_M551D-A2_35781765_10.jpg
17 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

Vizio M-Series M1d-A2R

Many Vizio TV models represent good values, but the M-Series M1d-A2R delivers the most bang for the buck.

Sharp_LE650_series_35636058_35636583_14.jpg
18 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

Sharp LE650: LCD TV

Sharp's LE650, available in a few different sizes (up to 80 inches), must be selling pretty well because it isn't readily available.

Sony_R520_series_35831558_35661321_35561978_35661322_35661323_08.jpg
19 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

Sony R520/R550 series LCD TV

CNET's video guru David Katzmaier had generally high praise for Sony's well-priced R520/R550 series LCD TVs.

Epson_PowerLite_5020_35509301_35509300_01.jpg
20 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 5020

The Epson PowerLite Home Cinema 5020 is our current top pick for value home-theater projectors.

001Sonos_Play_1_black_35828916.jpg
21 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

Sonos Play:1 wireless speaker

If you're interested in starting a multiroom audio system, the Sonos Play:1 is a good place to start. Just try to pick it up when Sonos is offering its Bridge ($50) as part of the package. Look for that deal to crop up every few months.

35828244_DXG_action_cam_0742.jpg
22 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

IronX by DXG 5G9V HD action cam

GoPro's higher-end models offer superior image quality, but the IronX by DXG 5G9V HD action cam is no slouch for around $165. Monoprice also sells a version of this same model for about $15 less.

Canon_PowerShot_SX280_HS_Red_35646467_08.jpg
23 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

Canon PowerShot SX280 HS megazoom camera

If you're in the market for a modestly priced point-and-shoot megazoom camera, it's hard to do better than the Canon PowerShot SX280 HS at $200.

Logitech_Harmony_Smart_Control_35663905_06.jpg
24 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

Logitech Harmony Smart Control

The Harmony Smart Control is down to $99.99 on Amazon -- or $30 off its list price. If you're looking for a universal remote and don't have a ton of components, it's an excellent choice.

Fluance_Fi30_High_Performance_Bluetooth_Wood_Speaker_System_35873251_01.jpg
25 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

Fluance Fi30 Bluetooth speaker

Fluance, an online direct-to-consumer Canadian company, is known for serving up excellent performing speaker for modest prices.

The large and minimalist design of the company's Fi30 wireless Bluetooth speaker isn't for everyone, particularly if you're looking for a smaller wireless speaker that's truly portable and has a battery-powered option. But for those in search of the best sound for their Bluetooth buck, the Fi30 is hard to beat at only $149.99.

OontzCurveSilver_35834139_01.jpg
26 of 26 Sarah Tew/CNET

Oontz Curve by Cambridge SoundWorks

The Oontz Curve isn't considerably better than the rest of the tiny budget speakers out there, but it is sturdily built and you're not going to do too much better for $30. Just don't come in expecting to get incredible sound for that money and you should be happy with the Curve.

More Galleries

Go Inside the Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: See How the New iPhones Look and Work
iphone 15 in different color from an angled view

Go Inside the Apple iPhone 15 and iPhone 15 Pro: See How the New iPhones Look and Work

21 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features and Settings on Your iPhone
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features and Settings on Your iPhone

18 Photos
Astronomy Photographer of the Year Winners Reveal Our Stunning Universe
andromeda

Astronomy Photographer of the Year Winners Reveal Our Stunning Universe

16 Photos
Check Out the iPhone 15's New Camera in Action
A photo of a silhouette of buildings on the water taken on the iPhone 15

Check Out the iPhone 15's New Camera in Action

12 Photos
I Got an Early Look at Intel's Glass Packaging Tech for Faster Chips
Rahul Manepalli, right, Intel's module engineering leader, shows a glass substrate panel before it's sliced into the small rectangles that will be bonded to the undersides of hundreds of test processors. The technology, shown here at Intel's CH8 facility in Chandler, Arizona, stands to improve performance and power consumption of advanced processors arriving later this decade. Glass substrates should permit physically larger processors comprised of several small "chiplets" for AI and data center work, but Intel expects they'll trickle down to PCs, too.

I Got an Early Look at Intel's Glass Packaging Tech for Faster Chips

20 Photos
Yamaha motorcycle and instrument designers trade jobs (pictures)
yamaha01.jpg

Yamaha motorcycle and instrument designers trade jobs (pictures)

16 Photos
CNET's 'Day of the Dead Devices' altar (pictures)
dia-de-los-muertos-3318-001.jpg

CNET's 'Day of the Dead Devices' altar (pictures)

9 Photos