Editor’s Note: We think you should be aware that TP-Link routers are under investigation by the US government over security concerns and could be banned in the US this year, according to multiple news reports. The TP-Link Archer RE605X was previously named our best overall choice for Wi-Fi extenders. While our evaluation of the hardware hasn’t changed, out of extreme caution for our readers, we decided to pause it as our top recommendation until we learn more. Read CNET's reporting for more information.

Even the newest Wi-Fi routers will struggle to connect every corner of a multi-story home. When that happens, you have two choices: Swap out your router for a mesh system or add a Wi-Fi extender to your existing router. For as little as $20, a Wi-Fi extender can boost your internet signal to a specific area without you having to invest in an entirely new setup. Installation is as simple as plugging the extender into an electrical outlet and connecting it to your Wi-Fi router. If that sounds too good to be true, it kind of is. 

CNET’s testing has found that Wi-Fi extenders can be a passable solution if you’re looking to improve the connection in a single room, but you’ll likely end up disappointed if you’re hoping to boost the speeds to an entire floor or wing of your home. For that, you’re better off upgrading to a full-fledged mesh system.

If you’re looking to bring your Wi-Fi outside the house, be sure to check out our explainer on extending Wi-Fi outdoors, which includes recommendations for Wi-Fi extenders and mesh networks.

What is the best Wi-Fi extender overall? 

If you decide to go the Wi-Fi extender route, our vote for the best Wi-Fi extender is the Linksys RE7310. While it’s slightly more expensive than other models at $80, it delivered significant speed boosts in every room we tested and offers full support for Wi-Fi 6 speeds.

If you’re looking for something more affordable, there are plenty of options for under $50, although not all of them have Wi-Fi 6 support. We’ve spent the past few years regularly testing them to find the best of the bunch. After countless tests, our data identified the range extenders that reigned supreme. Let’s get right to them.

Best Wi-Fi extenders

What is a Wi-Fi range extender?

Also called a Wi-Fi signal booster, a range or Wi-Fi extender is a compact, plug-in device that is simple and hassle-free to implement. Wi-Fi extenders use built-in Wi-Fi radios and antennas to pair wirelessly with your router; no Ethernet cable required. Just plug one near the edge of your router’s wireless range and pair it with the network, and it’ll start rebroadcasting the signal farther out for significantly faster internet speeds throughout your home.

Should I buy a Wi-Fi extender?

Wi-Fi extenders are great options when you have a single room that you want to give a speed boost, like an office or a room with a smart TV. Wi-Fi extenders are generally less expensive than upgrading to a full-fledged mesh router with its own mesh Wi-Fi systems and range-extending satellite devices. Plus, they are generally a cinch to set up, they’ll work no matter what brand of router you’re using, and you can typically use the same SSID and password as your original router. That creates a single, seamless connection that will give you the best Wi-Fi range available with your current setup — all without you needing to think about it too much.

However, signal boosters can’t extend your Wi-Fi signal to an entire floor or side of the house like a mesh router can. An extender is only as good as the router it’s connected to, which means you won’t see huge improvements if your router is failing, outdated or in the wrong spot. 

How CNET tests Wi-Fi extenders and signal boosters

We ran tests at the CNET Smart Home, a 5,800-square-foot multistory home in the outskirts of Louisville, Kentucky, that served as a living lab for our product tests. It’s a much better environment for testing wireless devices at range than a personal, somewhat cramped, shotgun-style house — and with more ground to cover, it offered a much bigger challenge for these extenders.

The CNET Smart Home has a fiber internet connection with matching upload and download speeds of up to 150Mbps. That’s a far cry from the gigabit connections more and more of us have access to (not to mention the new, blazing-fast multi-gig internet plans emerging across the country). However, it’s in line with the Federal Communication Commission’s broadband definition, which makes it a great place to test how home networking products will work for the average consumer.

For our purposes, we started by setting up a router in the Smart Home’s laundry room, where the modem is set up. We went with the Netgear R6700AX, a perfectly decent model we’ve reviewed in the past. It offered reliable performance but limited range when we tested it — and that’s exactly what we wanted for these range extender tests.

Sure enough, the router delivered strong speeds on the home’s main floor, but as soon as we went down to the basement level, speeds started to fall. That includes single-digit upload speeds in the bourbon room and the mud room. (Yes, the Smart Home has a bourbon room that the previous owners used to age their own barrels. We don’t have any barrels of our own, but it smells amazing in there. Kentucky, ya’ll!)

Running the range test

With our control speeds established, it was time to start adding in the range boosters and seeing which ones improved things the best. Pairing each one with the router required us only to plug it in nearby and press the WPS button on both devices — after that, we relocated them downstairs to the basement rec room, which was the farthest point from the router that still had a decent signal and speeds. Whenever you’re using a Wi-Fi range extender, that’s typically the best place to put it: just shy of the edge of your router’s range, where it will still receive a strong enough signal to put out a strong signal of its own. The best way to find that spot? Grab your phone or laptop and run some speed tests.

In the end, we ran at least 96 speed tests for each extender, two rounds of 24 tests to find its average speeds to a Wi-Fi 5 client device (an iPad Air 2 from 2015) and another two rounds of 24 tests to check its speeds to a Wi-Fi 6 client device (a 2021 Lenovo ThinkPad laptop). In each case, we started the first round of tests with a fresh connection in the laundry room, closest to the router, and then started the second round of tests with a fresh connection in the mud room, farthest from the router. With each test, we logged the client device’s download speed, its upload speed and the latency of the connection.

Aside from our speed tests, we streamed video on each extender’s network and made several video calls while connected through each one. We also spent time playing with each extender’s settings. You shouldn’t expect much, but most will at least make it easy to change the extension network’s name or password. Some include app controls with extra features, too.

It’s also worth making sure that your range extender includes at least one Ethernet port (almost all of them do). If you can directly connect your wired device (like a smart TV), then you’ll enjoy speeds that are as fast as possible.

Wi-Fi extender test results

Ready to see how the range extenders did in terms of upload and download speeds? Let’s take a look.

On the left, this first set of graphs shows you the average download speeds by room for each extender we tested. On the right, you’re looking at the average upload speeds. All of these speeds are to our Wi-Fi 6 test device, a Lenovo ThinkPad laptop from 2021.

So what jumps out? First, all five of these extenders did a decent job of boosting speeds in those last four rooms, down in the basement. With all of them, we had a faster connection throughout the house than we had when we connected through the router alone. The D-Link EaglePro AI struggled a bit with upload speeds in the basement, but still kept things above a minimum of 20Mbps or so.

That was with a Wi-Fi 6 device, though. How did the performance look with an older Wi-Fi 5 device from several years ago?

Things get interesting here — you can see a greater gulf between download and upload performance, as well as some more distinct weak spots and dead zones throughout the house. Each of the five extenders struggled to keep uploads speedy in the upstairs dinette, for instance. With Wi-Fi 6, we barely saw any issues there at all, save for the Netgear Nighthawk X4S.

Meanwhile, in the basement, our top picks from TP-Link and Linksys (as well as the high-performing Asus RP-AX56) were each able to keep download speeds above 100Mbps, which is great. Uploads were another story, as all of the extenders struggled. None of them failed to deliver a usable upload connection outright, though the D-Link EaglePro AI came close with single-digit upload speeds in the basement’s farthest reaches.

The TP-Link RE605X makes it easy to tweak settings via TP-Link’s Tether app on an Android or iOS device. Again, the features make for slim pickings, but you can check signal strength or turn on High-Speed Mode, which dedicates the 2.4GHz band for traffic from the router to the range extender, leaving the 5GHz free for your regular Wi-Fi network traffic. That mode wasn’t as fast as sharing the 5GHz band like normal when we tested it out, because those incoming 2.4GHz speeds are limited, but it still might be a helpful option in some situations.

Another key takeaway from these tests is that Wi-Fi 6 delivers some of its most noticeable speed boosts on the upload side of things. If you’re looking to make lots of video calls, upload lots of large files to the web or anything else requiring sturdy upload performance, then upgrading to Wi-Fi 6 hardware should be high on your list of priorities (assuming you haven’t already made the jump).

Affordable Wi-Fi booster picks

For our first batch of range extender tests a few years back, we tested four bargain-priced models to see which one offered the most bang for the buck. It was the start of the pandemic and people were scrambling to bolster their home networks — we wanted to be sure we could point them to a good, budget-friendly pick that would do the best job as a signal booster offering an extra room’s worth of coverage in a pinch.

In the end, the aforementioned TP-Link RE220 was the runaway winner. Currently available for $15, it remains a solid value pick.

We’ve separated these models from the other six because the test setup was different in our initial tests, and it wouldn’t be fair to directly compare those results. You’ve already read about the TP-Link RE220, but here are our takeaways from the others we tested:

D-Link DAP-1620: This was the only range extender that ever managed to hit triple digits during our tests, with an average speed of 104Mbps in the bedroom during evening hours. The setup was just as simple as what we experienced with TP-Link, too. We could stream HD video, browse the web and make video calls on the extender’s network without any issue.

Network speeds were inconsistent, though — and much slower in daytime hours, with a bigger dropoff than we saw with TP-Link. The device also dropped our connection at one point during our speed tests. On top of that, the app was too finicky for our tastes, refusing to let us log in and tweak settings with the supplied device password, which ultimately forced us to reset the device. That’s too much hassle for us to recommend outright, but if you can grab it on sale for less than $30, it could be a decent alternative to the TP-Link RE220.

Netgear EX3700: It’s a dated-looking device and it wasn’t a strong performer in our tests. The 2.4GHz band was able to sustain workable speeds between 30 and 40Mbps throughout most of the home, which was strong enough to stream video with minimal buffering, or to hold a quick video call with a slight delay. But the 5GHz band was surprisingly weak, often dropping into single digits with only a single wall separating the PC or connected device from the range extender. 

We also weren’t fans of the web interface, as it seemed more interested in getting us to register for the warranty (and opt in to marketing emails) than in actually offering any sort of control over the connection. WPS button-based setup lets you skip all of that, which is helpful, and some outlets now have it listed for less than $30, but even so, this is one you can safely pass by.

Bottom line

Before investing in a Wi-Fi extender, evaluate the Wi-Fi problems you’re trying to fix. Are you trying to improve internet access in one room or extend the internet to an entire floor? Wi-Fi extenders aren’t as effective as mesh Wi-Fi systems in improving signal throughout the house, but they still offer impressive speed boosts in rooms that need them. Our top pick was the Linksys RE7310w, with the TP-Link RE605X coming in as a close second. If you want to stay within a budget, our top competitively priced pick is the TP-Link RE220.

Wi-Fi range extender FAQs

Update: Voting is officially over. Check out the polls below to see all the lucky winners. Thank you so much to all the participants and join us in congratulating our 2019 Halloween costume contest winners! What follows is the original article we ran with the poll:

Cast your vote to help us pick our winner for the best Halloween costume (individual category) from our 2019 contest with GameSpot and TV Guide. 

After hours of reviewing hundreds of submissions, we selected three finalists. Please check out their costumes and captions in the poll below and vote for your favorite before Friday, Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. PT.  [Again, this poll is now over; you can see the results of all this year’s Halloween polls below.] 

We can’t forget to mention, the winner of this category will take home a prize package including two $50 gift cards for Halloweencostumes.com courtesy of Fun.com, a $25 gift card for CBS All Access, an Echo (3rd Gen), and a Nintendo Switch Lite.

Don’t leave yet! Check out the finalists in our group, kids and pets categories to help us choose this year’s winners, and jump to the comments section to let us know which costumes are your favorites. 

Originally published Nov. 5.

Update, Nov. 11: Adds the winner. 

Typewriters might not be in every office or classroom anymore, but this working version made completely out of Lego is so cool it deserves pride of place on anyone’s desk today. 

The replica typewriter, which is programmed using Mindstorms EV3 software, is fully motorized and moves via a hand-cranked mechanism. It pays also attention to essential typewriter details such as the carriage return, paper rest, ribbon spool, roller knob, strikers and the round button letters themselves. 

Designer Steve Guinness submitted the typewriter to the Lego Ideas website, which encourages fans to offer suggestions for original Lego sets that people can then vote on to determine whether there’s enough interest to turn the ideas into real sets. The proposed Lego set has gotten 10,000 votes, which means it can now move into the review stage. 

While the Lego typewriter does move like the real deal, you can’t actually add ink to type on paper. This typewriter is for display, not for writing novels. 

“I originally developed the idea whilst I was on the Lego Masters TV show in the UK,” Guinness wrote on the Lego Ideas description page. “Since then I have continued to refine the design, making a hand-cranked mechanism instead of a power functions motor that I had originally fitted.”

Added Guinness, “I think it showcases the versatility of the Lego brick, and would look amazing on any Lego fans desk, at home or even in the office at work.” 

The Lego typewriter is now headed to the next stage in the review process where a board comprised of Lego designers, product managers and other key team members will examine the design. 

The team then builds concept models to decide if the design meets the standards it takes to make a Lego product, such as playability, safety and fit with the company brand.

The Lego typewriter could be considered for possible production in 2020. 

Netflix’s adaptation of the fantasy book series The Witcher is almost here. The popular novels have already been adapted into a video game series and comic books, but some people have described the upcoming show as Netflix’s answer to Game of Thrones.

The Witcher tells the story of Geralt of Rivia, a monster hunter who kills mythical beasts for money. He’s cynical and pragmatic, but Geralt — portrayed in the Netflix series by Henry Cavill — does reluctantly help those in need as he travels the fictional land of The Continent.

Netflix released the final trailer for The Witcher on Thursday, and it features the Nilfgaardian Empire, which is the most powerful kingdom in the world. 

The show seems to center on the war between Nilfgaard and Cintra, in which the empire will try to capture Princess Cirilla and take control of the land. 

Below is everything you need to know before you, too, can clap your eyes on the show.

The show will stream starting Dec. 20, according to the latest trailer, released on Oct. 31.

On Sept. 11, Witcher fansite Redandian Intelligence reported that it had found deleted tweets from Netflix’s Netherlands Twitter account that listed the show’s premiere as 97 days away, which would’ve been Dec. 17 — not so far off. A Netflix spokesperson told Video Game Chronicles on Sept. 13 that the posts were made in error and that the launch date hadn’t been confirmed. 

The new trailer came during the Lucca Comics and Games convention in Lucca, Italy, on Oct. 31. The con had multiple panels for the show, featuring the author of the books, Andrzej Sapkowski; showrunner Lauren Hissrich; Anya Chalotra, who plays Yennefer; and Freya Allan, who plays Ciri. 

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Hissrich and executive producer Tomasz Baginski broke down the trailer in a video uploaded to the Netflix Italian YouTube channel on Nov. 12. 

The two start off explaining one of the big themes of the show, which is rebirth. They also confirmed that Cavill does all of his stunts and swordplay. One reveal made in this video is the appearance of Geralt’s bard friend, Jaskier, who was called Dandelion in the US. 

Production of the first season officially ended in April, according to social media posts from actor Adam Levy, who plays Mousesack, and director Charlotte Brändström.

In May 2017, Netflix announced it was adapting the books into a series. Hissrich, the showrunner, was a producer for Daredevil and Marvel’s The Defenders. 

On Nov. 22, Netflix revealed the episode names along with a short description for each. (And yes, the list rhymes!)

Episode 1: “The End’s Beginning” — A monster slain, a butcher named.
Episode 2: “Four Marks” — We look at a sorceress’s earlier days.
Episode 3: “Betrayer Moon” — A picky eater, a family shamed.
Episode 4: “Of Banquets, Bastards and Burials” — The Law of Surprise is how one repays.
Episode 5: “Bottled Appetites” — A fateful meeting, a bard is maimed.
Episode 6: “Rare Species” — The hunt for a dragon is underway.
Episode 7: “Before A Fall” — A return to before a kingdom is flamed.
Episode 8: “Much More” — The Witcher Family, as you all like to say.

Before the first season of The Witcher even starts, Netflix ordered a second season of the show. Netflix tweeted about the series renewal news on Nov. 13, over a month before the premiere. 

Henry Cavill is making the rounds to promote The Witcher. He was a guest on Jimmy Kimmel Live Dec. 2 to talk about his youth, but more importantly, how he did his own stunts in the series. He brought a short clip with him from episode 4, “Of Banquets, Bastards and Burials.”

The clip shows Geralt and a character known as Duny — who was cursed and has an appearance that’s a cross between a boar and a hedgehog — fighting off the soldiers of Queen Calanthe, played by Jodhi May. This fight comes from one of the short stories in the book The Last Wish. 

It’s still weeks away from its premiere, but The Witcher received early praise from critics. Some received screeners for the show, and one critic called what he’s seen so far a “masterful job.”

“I’ll admit, as a huge fan of the books, I was a little worried, but [showrunner] @LHissrich has done a masterful job telling this story,” said Will Franklin on Nov. 23. “It also helps that the cast is amazing! And Henry Cavill, just … wow.”

Multiple critics also praised the show’s sword fighting. A tweet from the Whispers of Oxenfurt: A Witcher Podcast Twitter account says the fight scenes make Game of Thrones look like “two drunks fighting outside a bar.” Another critic said it had the best sword fighting he’s ever seen.

Taking the lead role of Geralt of Rivia is Superman himself, Henry Cavill. The actor has said he’s a fan of the novels and the video game series, in particular, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt. He told IGN in August 2018, when he was promoting Mission Impossible: Fallout, how much he wanted the role. He was picked for the job the following month.

In the October issue of French magazine Premiere, Cavill talked about his experience on the set and his love for the franchise. A Reddit user translated the interview in which the lead actor talked about how much he loved wearing the costume and wig while on set. He also described how he lived and breathed the Witcher universe before he was cast as the lead and that he already prepared for the role long before the show was even announced. 

A new image of Cavill in the title role appeared on Twitter Sept. 28. 

The other principal actors in the series are Freya Allan (Into the Badlands) as Ciri and Anya Chalotra (The ABC Murders, Wanderlust) as Yennefer. Ciri is the young princess of Cintra, one of the kingdoms in the world of The Witcher, and Yennefer is a sorceress who is Geralt’s love interest and mother of Ciri. 

Another important role cast for the show is Roach, Geralt’s horse and traveling companion, who’s a favorite among fans. 

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Hissrich, in an interview with Spanish video game magazine Hobby Consolas, said Cavill personally picked out his horse for the show and the two have a “humorous relationship.” 

Some of the cast will speak a new language created by David J. Peterson. He’s known for creating the Dothraki and Valyrian languages in Game of Thrones. 

A new set of shots of the characters appeared in the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera on Oct. 23. The images show more of Cavill as Geralt, along with a new image of Yennefer. There’s also a shot of what appears to be a monster trying to hold a woman’s hand. 

Netflix added three new character trailers to help those new to the Witcher universe familiarize themselves with the principal characters: Geralt, Yennefer and Princess Cirilla. The three actors touch on the motivations of their respective characters and there’s a bit of new footage within each trailer. 

Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski wrote the first book featuring Geralt in 1992, with the English title Sword of Destiny. Both it and the follow-up, The Last Wish, were a series of short stories featuring the protagonist. Sapkowski then went on to write the five-book saga about Geralt and Ciri. 

In the books, Geralt’s job is that of a professional monster hunter known as a witcher. He was trained for the job as a young child and was experimented on, which turned his skin and hair white and gave him superhuman strength. Geralt is also skilled in magic and sword fighting. 

In his travels, Geralt has killed all sorts of monsters for the right price. He’s also showed compassion for those in need of someone with his skills. 

As for the plot of the show, there’s minimal info outside of the trailer. A portion of the casting script was leaked on Reddit but contains no plot spoilers. Hissrich tweeted in July that the goal for the end of the season is to make viewers cry. 

Although the series isn’t adapting the Witcher video games, the stories told in the games are considered faithful stories of The Witcher universe. The Witcher games are available on the PC, Xbox One, PS4 and a recently released Nintendo Switch version of The Witcher 3. 

Originally published Sept. 6 and updated as new information is revealed.

Starting with the iPhone 15, Apple moved from Lightning to USB-C charging, so some people still have iPhones with a Lightning connector while others have iPhones equipped with USB-C. I’ve included a lot of different types of batteries and power banks on this list, including several that offer wireless charging, which continues to evolve. The latest iPhones have not only MagSafe wireless charging but Qi2 wireless charging. Pricier MagSafe-certified and Qi2-certified wireless chargers provide 15-watt fast-charging that’s twice the speed of standard magnetic wireless chargers. The iPhone 16 series supports 25W MagSafe charging, but no power banks on the market today do.

Read more: Best iPhone Chargers

What’s the best overall iPhone power bank?

There are a lot of great power banks on this list. The one I currently have at the top is the Baseus 5K Qi2 Picogo Power Bank with Kickstand because it’s a slim MagSafe-enabled battery that sticks onto the back of your phone and wirelessly charges your MagSafe-enabled iPhone at fast 15W charging speeds (the Baseus Picogo Power Bank 5K is half the price but only charges at 7.5W because it isn’t equipped with Qi2). The new Anker Nano Power Bank 5K Magnetic Charger costs a little more than the list-topping Baseus power bank but is also a good option for those looking for faster 15-watt wireless charging in a slim power bank.

What We Updated: August 2025

We added the Baseus 5K Qi2 Picogo Power Bank with kickstand, Anker Nano Power Bank 5K Magnetic Charger, Baseus Picogo Power Bank 5K, Sharge IceMag 2, Baseus Picogo Qi2 Magsafe 10K Portable Charger, Mophie Power Station Mini (Gen 3), Belkin Portable Charger 10K with integrated Lightning & USB-C cables and the Anker Soundcore P41i earbuds with built-in power bank. We also moved several older models to the other power banks we tested section and added additional details and specs to each product on the list.

Best power banks for iPhone for 2025

Factors to consider when choosing iPhone power banks

Lightning vs. USB-C

Every iPhone from the iPhone 5 in 2012 to the iPhone 14 series in 2022 used Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector for charging. With the iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 series, Apple has made the jump to USB-C. The differences between these two connectors matter only if you’re seeking out a power bank with an integrated cord. Otherwise, you’ll want a model with USB-C or USB-A output that can be used to charge your iPhone (or nearly any small electronic device) with the cable that came in the box.

Wireless charging: MagSafe vs. Qi

Most iPhones since the iPhone 8 and iPhone X models introduced in 2017 offer inductive wireless charging. Apple’s standard for these phones is called MagSafe, and power banks that are fully MagSafe compatible — like Apple’s own MagSafe Battery Pack — will charge iPhones at a fast 15-watt level when the power bank magnetically adheres to the rear of the iPhone. Many other more affordable models will still attach to iPhones magnetically, but charge them at half speed (7.5 watts). In all cases, you’ll need to make sure the iPhone has a MagSafe-compatible case. The iPhone 16 series supports 25W MagSafe charging with Apple’s MagSafe wireless charging puck. But no power banks on the market today do.

Wireless charging: MagSafe vs. Qi2

The iPhone 15 and iPhone 16 series iPhones are compatible with the new Qi2 standard, which allows for faster wireless charging — up to 15 watts. But Qi2 portable wireless chargers that are capable of charging at 15-watt speeds tend to cost quite a bit more than wireless batteries that charge at 7.5-watt speeds. They also tend to heat up more than 7.5-watt magnetic wireless chargers. Again, the iPhone 16 series supports 25W MagSafe charging with Apple’s MagSafe wireless charging puck. But no power banks on the market today do.

Power capacity vs. weight

Most baseline power banks now start at a 5,000-mAh capacity, which should give you close to one full charge for an iPhone (Pro Max models have bigger batteries). Chargers with 10,000 mAh or more are available, but they’re larger and weigh more. That’s of particular note if you plan on traveling with the charger in a purse, backpack or pocket. 

A few more things to keep in mind when shopping for an external battery pack or power bank:

• A higher power output rating (mAh, short for milliamp hours) means more charges — but also a heavier portable charger weight. 
• For the latest iPhones (everything after the iPhone 7) you should buy a battery with at least a 5,000-mAh capacity, which should give you at least one full charge for a device. All of the models featured above hit that mark. 
• These best portable chargers for iPhone all use lithium-ion rechargeable batteries, and should thus always be stored in carry-on luggage when flying. Airlines and regulatory agencies are increasingly banning li-ion batteries in checked baggage.
• If you want maximum power output, opt for chargers with USB-C PD (power delivery) models, which should charge nearly every device smaller than a laptop, such as a tablet or Nintendo Switch.
• Multiple integrated charge cables or USB-out ports will allow you to charge more than one device at a time, such as an iPad or another iPhone. Just don’t expect to charge a laptop unless you get a power bank with 65 watts of output power or more, which is comparatively rare.

How we test power banks for iPhones

At the current time, we do anecdotal testing on these models. Each is fully charged and used on a recent iPhone model for at least a week in real-world conditions. We verify that charging speeds and recharge times are within expected parameters and — for models with integrated stands or cables — confirm that the connections and build quality are sturdy and free of any notable annoyances or caveats. 

Other iPhone power banks we’ve tested

Ugreen Qi2 magnetic power bank: Less well-known battery companies, like Ugreen and Baseus, are trying to take on Anker on Amazon with value power banks like this Qi2 magnetic wireless charger ($35). It’s fairly slim for a 10,000-mAh battery and offers up 15-watt wireless charging and 20W wireless charging if you plug the battery into a 20W or higher power adapter. This power bank can charge an iPhone 16 almost twice and is one of the more affordable Qi2-certified power banks.

Mophie Powerstation Plus Mini: If you have one of the newer iPhones with USB-C charging, or an Android smartphone with USB-C, the Mophie Powerstation Plus Mini ($50) is a relatively compact power bank with an integrated USB-C cable that offers 20-watt fast charging. The mini version has a 5,000-mAh battery that will fully recharge most smartphones at once. Mophie also makes a larger, 10,000mAh version that offers double the charging capacity, but it’s a little bulky and costs more. Note that while you’re charging the battery, you can also charge your device (the battery has pass-through charging).

Mophie Powerstation Plus: If you’re still using Apple devices with Lightning connectors but also want a power bank that can charge USB-C equipped devices, the Mophie Powerstation Plus ($80), while fairly price, is a nice option with its dual UBC-C/Lightning cable design. It’s a 10,000-mAh battery, so it can charge an iPhone 16 almost twice, and it delivers 30 watts of power from its USB-C port, so it can also provide some juice to a MacBook Air in a pinch. The smaller Mini version costs about $30 less and has only a single USB-C cable (it’s a 5,000-mAH battery), while the Mophie Powerstation Plus ($100) also has dual cables but adds retractable prongs so you can charge it in any power outlet.

Anker MagGo Power Bank 6.6K: The Anker MagGo Power Bank 6.6K has a 6,600-mAh battery and a foldable design with customizable viewing angles. It’s Qi2-certified, which means it offers 15-watt fast-charging capabilities and is fully MagSafe compatible, offering twice the speed of standard 7.5-watt wireless chargers for MagSafe-enabled iPhone 13, 14, 15 and 16 models and Android smartphones that support 15-watt wireless charging. Though it comes with a USB-C cable, you’ll need a USB-C charger with more than 15-watt output to hit those 15-watt charging speeds. You can take the power bank on the go or leave it plugged in to use as a wireless charging stand when at home. Its only drawback is that it’s a little bulky for on-the-go use.

Nimble Champ: Nimble’s updated Champ portable charger uses recycled plastic in its construction. You have to pay a bit more for going green, but it’s a nice, compact 10,000-mAh charger that features 20-watt PD fast-charging with dual USB-C ports (one on either side of the power bank) that allow you to charge two devices at the same time. If you are charging two devices, your charging speeds will be limited to 10 watts per device.

MyCharge Superhero MagLock: MyCharge calls its line of magnetic power banks Superhero MagLock, implying that they’re real saviors. I was impressed by their design. Not only do the batteries, which come in various capacities and colors, have strong magnets and stick really well to the back of any MagSafe-enabled iPhone, but they have raised coils, which are supposed to help reduce heat levels while charging. It does seem to work. All the MagLock batteries charge Qi-enabled iPhones at 5 watts, although you can get faster charging if you go wired and use a USB-C-to-Lightning cable. I also liked how there’s a chime when the charging starts and your phone tells you how much juice is left in the battery pack

Anker 523 PowerCore Slim 10K PD: The Anker 523 PowerCore Slim 10K PD ($28) is impressively slim for a 10,000-mAh portable phone charger and has a fast 20-watt USB-C out charging port (it’s also a USB-C input to charge its battery), plus a 12-watt USB-A out port. While the Anker 313 PowerCore Slim 10K is cheaper, this offers fast USB-C outcharging, which makes spending the extra dough a big plus if you have a USB-C-to-Lightning cable.

Mophie Powerstation 10K Stand with MagSafe: Mophie’s Powerstation Wireless Stand with MagSafe isn’t cheap but is a versatile 10,000-mAh battery with both a stand and MagSafe charger built-in and also has a threaded tripod mount at the bottom. Since this is an official MagSafe charger, the battery does charge at 15 watts, making this among the fastest wireless external battery chargers out there and will also charge the AirPods 3 and AirPods Pro models with MagSafe. If you use a USB-C-to-Lightning cable (not included) with it, you can charge at 20-watt speeds. You can also charge two devices at the same time.

Anker PowerCore III 10K Portable Charger: The Anker PowerCore III 10K portable charger has fast USB-C out charging (18 watts) as well as a USB-A port and up to 10-watt wireless charging. It’s not magnetic, so your phone won’t stick to it but it will wirelessly charge any Qi-enabled devices.

Mophie Snap Plus Juice Pack Mini: Mophie’s magnetic power bank is similar to Anker’s but is slightly slimmer (it’s suitable for a 5,000-mAh battery) and doesn’t have an integrated flap that converts into a stand. It’s designed to adhere to the back of MagSafe-enabled iPhone or MagSafe cases, it comes with a “snap adapter” ring to stick onto the back of Android devices so they’ll be magnet-friendly. 

Anker PowerCore Fusion Portable Charger (Currently Unavailable): This Anker model is effectively an oversized wall charger with a built-in 5,000-mAh battery. It’s got two standard USB charging ports for simultaneously juicing up your phone and a secondary gadget (or two phones). A little LED indicator on the side lets you check the charge level at the press of a button.

iPhone power bank FAQ

Adapting the infamously complex Watchmen graphic novel hasn’t exactly been all smiles. But HBO has stepped up with a TV series sequel of sorts that promises to be true to the original while breaking new ground. The show presents a cast of new characters plus several characters from the graphic novel in an intriguing new take on the superhero genre.

Let’s unpack what we know about HBO’s nine-episode Watchmen TV series, which premiered Oct. 20 on HBO and airs every Sunday. Based on reviews, the show looks like it’ll be a keeper — read CNET's review here, which delves into how the show is influenced by history and westerns as well as superhero comics.

Angela Abar: Regina King leads the cast as Angela Abar, a former detective of the Tulsa Police Force and mother of three. The police force must wear masks to protect themselves from the vigilantes raiding their homes, but Abar must also wear a metaphorical mask while looking after her children. By night, she takes on the role of Sister Night, a black-clad asskicker with an armory of cool superhero toys and her own Batmobile-style car.

Silk Spectre: Jean Smart, star of Fargo and Legion, takes over the role of Silk Spectre, the yellow-and-black suited hero played by Malin Akerman in Zack Snyder’s movie adaptation. Showrunner Damon Lindelof reportedly confirmed the character’s superhero identity at the 2019 Television Critics Association summer press tour. Smart’s character had been named as FBI agent Laurie Blake née Juspeczyk — the surname of the original Spectre, aka Sally Jupiter/Juspeczyk.

Ozymandias: Next on the prestigious cast list, Jeremy Irons takes on the role of “the aging and imperious Lord of a British Manor,” who looks a lot like an older Adrian Alexander Veidt, the comic’s superhero-turned-villain Ozymandias. In this alternate history, the billionaire genius masterminded world peace in the 1980s, but he killed 3 million people to do it — something the series will explore.

Also in the cast are:

Andrew Howard, Jacob Ming-Trent, Dylan Schombing and James Wolk also have parts.

For the best look at the new series so far, go no further than the official HBO trailer. There seems to be a female buddy cop duo forming between King and Smart’s characters, which we’re very down for. And did anyone see that weird tree hologram? The surprises keep on coming.

Just peeping out of Marvel's massive shadow, HBO made its mark at San Diego Comic-Con this year with a full Watchmen trailer. It offers a deeper look into plot details, including an explanation of why the police of this world wear yellow masks — to protect their identities from vigilante attacks. One of the most exciting clips is a shot of a blue hand picking up a blue mask. Is the space-traveling Dr. Manhattan ready to set up life back from Mars?

Our first look at HBO’s eight-episode adaptation revealed there’s not just one Rorschach mask-wearing vigilante out there, but a whole underground community: the racist group known as the 7th Kavalry. Their speaker, featured at the very beginning of the trailer, says, “We are no one, we are everyone and we are invisible.” The ominous chanting of “ticktock, ticktock” certainly sends a chill.

The trailers establish a war between an uprising of Rorschach mask-wearing vigilantes, reportedly known as the 7th Kavalry, and the Tulsa Police Force, who also don masks to protect their own identities.

The setting in Tulsa, Oklahoma, sets Lindelof’s adaptation on a different tone to the New York-set comic, although Dr. Manhattan nips off to Mars. With this story taking place after the events of the book and Zack Snyder’s 2009 movie, characters like the Comedian are likely to remain dead in the TV show’s timeline. But this doesn’t mean Lindelof can’t still dip into the graphic novel’s cast of characters who haven’t been portrayed on screen yet.

Lindelof likened his take to Noah Hawley’s Fargo TV series, which became “its own thing” from the Coen brothers’ original 1996 film, he told Syfy in April, 2018. “I wouldn’t call Noah Hawley’s version of Fargo an adaptation because the film exists inside of his world, and so everything that happened in the film Fargo, it does precede the television show Fargo.”

In a five-page open letter to fans he shared in 2018, Lindelof, a lifelong fan of the graphic novel, detailed his intentions not to adapt the “sacred ground” but to remix it. He flashed words like “original”, “contemporary” and “new faces” but also stressed that he wouldn’t “erase what came before.”

All the way back in 2009, before Snyder’s Watchmen came out, Lindelof described to CBR how the story had influenced his writing: “From the flashbacks to the non-linear storytelling to the deeply flawed heroes, these are all elements that I try to put into everything I write.”

Original writer Alan Moore hasn’t had anything to do with the show — he generally shuns adaptations of his work — but artist Dave Gibbons appears to approve of the series. “I found Damon’s approach to be really refreshing and exciting and unexpected,” he told Entertainment Weekly in September, 2018. “While it’s very reverential and true to the source material (by which I mean the Watchmen graphic novel that Alan and I did), it’s not retreading the same ground, it’s not a reinterpretation of it. It approaches it in a completely unexpected way.”

The ninety-minute first episode premiered on Oct. 20 and new episodes will air Sunday on HBO. In the UK you can see the show on Sky Atlantic and Now TV.

For the uninitiated, HBO is a subscription service that offers both cable and streaming with HBO Now so you don’t even need a TV. Bonus: You can stream HBO Now for free for 30 days.

Soundtrack fans, note that composers Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross of The Social Network are on board.

Nicole Kassell, a HBO veteran from Westworld and Lindelof’s The Leftovers, directs the pilot. Lindelof praised Kassell for her work, posting on Instagram in June, 2018: “Yesterday, she called wrap on the pilot of Watchmen… and let there be no doubt — she WAS the pilot, navigating our owlship flawlessly from takeoff to landing.”

Like all good superheroes, Watchmen’s history hasn’t been all smiles. Zack Snyder’s 2009 film adaptation came off the back of two decades of development hell. Twelve Monkeys’ director Terry Gilliam flirted with the project before deeming the comic (gathered into a graphic novel in 1987) “unfilmable.” Others like Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan) and Paul Greengrass (The Bourne series) entertained taking it on, before Snyder stepped up in 2005.

His final cut spanned 2 hours and 43 minutes, with an “Ultimate Cut” at 3 hours and 35 minutes. With an R-rating, six main characters and a world set in a complicated alternative timeline, response was split. But at the very least Snyder can claim to have given it a red-hot shot.

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This story was originally published Oct. 19, 2018 and is updated as news comes out.

If you’re aiming to eat healthier without giving up on flavor or convenience, an air fryer is the perfect companion. They use less oil to achieve the same crispy and caramelized texture you get from pan-frying, roasting, and broiling. To help you find the best, I’ve tested models from Ninja, De’Longhi, Breville, Phillips, Cosori and Dash.

From cooking whole chickens to crisping up chickpeas, vegetables or salmon, air fryers handle it all with ease. I make no secret of my love for air fryers, and I’ve been testing various models for more than five years. My list of favorite things to make in the air fryer grows by the week, but choosing the right countertop oven to make them isn’t as simple as it seems.

What’s the best air fryer overall?

When Ninja released its Ninja glass-bowl Crispi, we got a new favorite air fryer on our list after two years. The Crispi has loads of power and is easy to clean, plus the cooking chamber doubles as a portable food container. This is hands down the best air fryer to buy in 2025. And guess what? It’s available for just $180 — a bargain.

The dynamic glass Crispi is the air fryer we now recommend most, but there are several other picks to choose from that cost less, hold more food or feature additional cooking modes and methods not available on that model.

Read more: The Air Fryer Is the Best and Fastest Way to Make a Roast Chicken

Best air fryers of 2025

Recent updates

July 2025

The Ninja Crispi glass air fryer was tested and added as best air fryer overall

The Ninja 4-quart air fryer was tested and added as the best air fryer under $75

The Our Place Wonder Oven was tested and added as the best air fryer and toaster oven

Other air fryers we tested

Dreo Chefmaker: This souped-up air fryer has a built-in thermometer and tons of smart features. It works ggreen t but I found myself just using the basic air fryer function which makes it hard to justify the $359 price.

Dash Tasti-Crisp: I don’t have major complaints with this model’s function, but it feels a little flimsy for $60.

Crux Marshmello: This compact 3-quart air fryer did well in testing and the cooking basket was easy to clean. I wasn’t a fan of the control panels, which sport cutesy LED images in place of words, and it wasn’t abundantly clear what each one was for. 

Phillips air fryer: I had no issues with this air fryer and liked the sleek design and intuitive controls. It performed similarly to the Ninja 4-quart but that model, our top budget pick, costs $100 less.

PowerXL Air Fryer: This is another small air fryer that did well in testing, but I prefer the controls and sleek design of the more budget-friendly Gourmia 2-quart.

Instant Vortex: One popular option is the Instant Vortex. It’s priced in line with the other air fryers in this group. The Vortex is made by the same company that created the groundbreaking Instant Pot electric pressure cooker. Despite that, I wasn’t blown away by its results. Chicken wings and fried chicken were acceptable but not incredible and less juicy than what other fryers produced. My Brussels sprouts ended up overdone too, and frozen fries cooked unevenly.

Dash Compact Air Fryer: We found the Dash Compact Air Fryer to be underpowered. While the larger Dash Deluxe is a powerhouse, the Dash Compact struggled to air-fry almost everything we put inside it. Both french fries and Brussels sprouts were under-done and unevenly cooked. The only bright spot was chicken wings. They took 30 minutes, but I was treated to skin with some crunch. 

GoWise USA 8-in-1 Digital Air Fryer: You may not have heard of this brand, but this offering from GoWise is a solid choice. It didn’t cook the skin of my chicken wings evenly. That said, french fries came out crispy and crunchy, with fluffy interiors. The fryer also roasted Brussels sprouts well, no mean feat for this group of appliances. 

Chefman 3.5 qt. Analog Air Fryer: Another relatively affordable choice is the Chefman Analog Air Fryer. It’s tiny, too, offering just 3.5 quarts of food-frying capacity. The appliance delivered decent chicken wings, but it undercooked the Brussels sprouts and frozen french fries. We also found the Chefman’s timer control confusing. This dial is labeled in numerical increments of 10. The numbers are separated by groups of four dots, not nine, as you would expect.

PowerXL Vortex Air Fryer: You might consider purchasing the PowerXL Vortex, but we recommend against it due to its steep price and mediocre frying performance. We had satisfactory results cooking chicken wings in it, but this machine overcooked Brussels sprouts, and the french fries were just OK.

DeLonghi Rapid Crisp: The DeLonghi Rapid Crisp was one of the most expensive models we tested, and it just didn’t live up to the price tag. While I liked the design and sturdy build and appreciated the small viewing window for watching the cooking progress, I found the buttons and interface clunky. There was no way to set an actual cooking temp, only presets, and even those weren’t very intuitive. 

Beautiful Air Fryer by Drew Barrymore: This air fryer offering from the actor’s new kitchen line performed well in the four rounds of testing. It showed good power and cooked chicken wings to a nice crispy outside and kept them juicy inside after about 25 minutes. The air fryer’s interface is slick, although I liked the Ninja’s simpler control panel more, which is one of a few reasons it edged out this unit for best air fryer overall. This is a great option and is about $30 cheaper than the Ninja. It also has a pleasing design with smooth matte plastic (which does smudge a bit). 

How we test air fryers 

To date, we’ve tested well over a dozen air fryers to curate this list. Each air fryer is evaluated for its power, consistency, ease of use, design, features and overall performance. In total, we’ve logged results for more than 20 air fryers and over 75 hours of air fryer testing.

There are hundreds of recipes that can be made with an air fryer but we stuck to the basics and focused on the most popular foods people associate with air fryers. Chicken wings are at the top of that list, but french fries, frozen snacks and dense vegetables — in this case, Brussels sprouts — are air fryer food staples. Before we began, we consulted each model’s manual for relevant cooking directions. If the manual didn’t provide specific instructions, we applied uniform procedures to each air fryer depending on the type of food we were preparing. 

For chicken wings, we followed a basic air fryer recipe. First, we preheated the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and cooked them for 25 minutes in the basket with the included tray, then checked on them and turned them every 8 minutes. Most of the air fryers we tested had a solid showing in the wing test, although some, including the powerful Ninja and Cosori Lite models, got the wings a bit crispier in that amount of time.

For Brussels sprouts, we preheated the ovens to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and cooked them for 15 minutes. Before cooking, we rinsed and cut the sprouts in half and tossed them with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. In this test, some ovens struggled to brown the outside of the sprouts, but most got there eventually.

For the french fry test, we opted for Alexia’s frozen crinkle-cut fries and cooked 1 cup, according to the air fryer directions on the bag. Quick note: Be careful when cooking fries in an air fryer as some types, especially thinner-cut fries, can dry out easily when hit with super-convection. We recommend heftier waffle fries, tater tots, crinkle cut or potato wedges over the shoestring variety.

At the end of each test, we looked for how evenly the items were cooked, if they were cooked through and whether they had a sufficient level of crispy, crunchy, fried goodness comparable to deep frying or pan frying.

Ease of use

Beyond cooking performance, how easy an air fryer is to operate and how intuitive the buttons and controls were something we observed closely during testing. Overly complicated settings, controls and presets didn’t generally result in high marks, but certain features were appreciated. All air fryers have base-level control over the temperature and cook time, although some are controlled digitally while others require the crank of simple manual dials. From there, you’ll find preset programs for various foods such as wings, fries, fish, veggies and even baked goods.

How well they cook

To get a sense of how each air fryer in this test group handles, we ran a battery of three tests on each model. Each test focused on one food: chicken wings, Brussels sprouts and frozen french fries. 

What health experts say about air fryers

The Cleveland Clinic: “They [air fryers] won’t magically remove the saturated fat from bacon or the trans fats from a bag of processed chicken wings. To reap the benefits, reach for better-for-you options like vegetables and lean proteins….Think of the air fryer as a way to enhance healthier foods, so they’re even more tempting.”

Medical News Today: “Research on the effects of air-fried food is promising. Air fryers appear to be a healthy alternative, offering flavors similar to fried food with fewer adverse effects.”

British Heart Foundation: “If you often eat deep-fried foods, switching to an air fryer could be helpful.”

Buying guide: What to consider when choosing an air fryer

An air fryer can bring efficiency and simplicity to your nightly meal routine. It’s easy to make a quick and delicious meal with the best air fryers in your kitchen. They are not only healthier than an oven but also use less energy. Check out the complete guide to air fryers to learn more about these great kitchen appliances.

Pod-shaped air fryers vs. air-frying toasters

While the idea of a toaster oven that doubles as an air fryer is a good one, and the air frying function on many of the hybrid machines is proficient, certain foods we love cooking in an air fryer are too messy to cook in a toaster.

All pod air fryers have removable cooking baskets and most of them are nonstick. When you’re cooking chicken thighs with a sauce or even veggies drizzled with oil — a few favorites — there is going to be some inevitable splatter. Air frying mode is intense, with high convection heat circulated at a fast pace. Do this in a toaster oven, which is markedly more difficult to clean, and you’ll be dealing with some serious caked-on gunk after the first few dozen uses. 

Pod air fryers, on the other hand, take very little effort to get clean. Most air fryer baskets are now thicker and also nonstick. Beware of thin wire baskets, which can be tougher to clean. Both types can be removed to soak in the sink and some can be run through the dishwasher. The same can’t be said for the inside walls of a countertop oven.

If you’re buying a toaster oven, there’s no reason not to get one with an air fryer function. It can still be used for less splatter-prone foods such as potatoes, frozen empanadas and filets of salmon with too much risk of making a mess.

For more, read CNET’s complete guide to air fryers.

Air fryer size

While there are several features to consider, the size of your air fryer is likely the most important decision you’ll make. If you’re typically cooking for one or two people, a 2- or 3-quart air fryer should be large enough. Consider adding another quart of capacity to your air fryer for every person that you’re regularly cooking for.

A family of four or five, for instance, should be fine with a 5-quart model. If you plan on regularly cooking full meals for a family, including meat and veggies or sides, you might consider a larger, dual-basket air fryer like the Ninja DualZone.

All that said, the smaller the air fryer you can get away with the better. I’ve found that smaller air fryers such as the Magic Bullet 2- to 5-quart model and Instant Pot’s Duo Crisp net better results since food will get blasted faster and more often than inside a larger model. Smaller air fryers mean less overall capacity, so you may have to cook in batches.

Power

Most air fryers are somewhere between 1,200 and 1,800 watts. Larger air fryers typically have more wattage and smaller models have less. Your midrange 4-quart air fryer should have about 1,500 watts. The small Magic Bullet and Gourmia air fryers have 1,300, but that’s plenty of power to cook food in the petite basket. Larger air fryers should have about 100 more watts per quart to make sure they hit those hot temps of 400 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit.

Air fryer accessories

Some fancy models may come with extra accessories, but all you need is an air fryer basket with wire or nonstick grates. They come standard with most air fryer models and help the super-convection to hit all sides of your food evenly. I prefer the nonstick variety as wire baskets can be particularly tricky to clean. 

Should you just get a normal air fryer or a multifunction model?

That depends on the type of cooking you’ll do and what other appliances you already have. I like having a solo air fryer, but I’m also a fan of the Instant Pot Duo Crisp which functions as both an air fryer and a multicooker (also a pressure cooker and slow cooker).

Consider how the air fryer looks, too

Air fryers don’t have to be kept on the counter but anything larger than 3 quarts might be tricky to store when not in use. Considering that, you should get an air fryer that compliments your kitchen. Both the Ninja and Cosori models are available in a range of colors (Cosori has more). There are also glass bowl air fryers and more modern-looking machines.

As Facebook deals with the fallout from a scandal involving misused data from 50 million user accounts, the social network said it’s getting outside help to investigate the matter.

The company on Monday said it’s hired the digital forensics firm Stroz Friedberg to conduct a comprehensive audit of Cambridge Analytica, a consultancy used by the Trump campaign that received the data from a third-party app developer.

Over the weekend, The New York Times and the Guardian reported that the data initially came from Cambridge professor Aleksandr Kogan, who created the app “thisisyourdigitallife,” a personality quiz that was billed as “a research app used by psychologists.”

Kogan legitimately gained access to information on 270,000 accounts through Facebook’s Login feature, but then broke the social network’s rules with app developers by passing the data onto Cambridge Analytica. Chris Wylie, who worked for the consultancy, is the whistleblower who took the story to the press.

Facebook found out about the violation in 2015 and demanded all parties involved destroy the data. But now there are allegations not all of the data was deleted.

“We are moving aggressively to determine the accuracy of these claims,” Facebook said in a blog post. “We remain committed to vigorously enforcing our policies to protect people’s information.”

In addition, Andrew Bosworth, a top Facebook executive who used to run the company’s ads business, weighed in on why the audit is necessary. “We don’t actually know what the truth is here,” Bosworth wrote on his Facebook page. “We need to investigate and are asking for a full audit.” 

Facebook said Cambridge Analytica has given the forensics firm complete access to its servers and systems. The social network also said it asked Kogan and Wylie to submit their own audits. Kogan has agreed but Wylie declined, Facebook said.

At the time Kogan allegedly collected the information, Facebook allowed developers to also access information not only from the people who opted into the feature, but some other data about their network of friends. That added up to info from 50 million accounts, according to the Times. (Facebook changed its rules three years ago to stop developers from seeing information about people’s friends.)

“Kogan’s app would not be permitted access to detailed friends’ data today,” Facebook said.

Updated, 2:14 p.m. PT: Adds statement from Facebook executive Andrew Bosworth about the audit. 

iHate: CNET looks at how intolerance is taking over the internet.

Tech Enabled: CNET chronicles tech’s role in providing new kinds of accessibility.

Sure, pinatas are fun. They’re an engaging little birthday-party activity that ends in a delicious sugar rush. Drones are fun too, buzzing around capturing cool aerial video and terrifying cats. Add the two together and you’ve got a drone pinata, which hits the sweet spot on all accounts.

The guys behind cool-stuff store Vat19 wanted to celebrate receiving 2 billion views on their YouTube channel, and decided a drone pinata was the obvious answer. They had a custom pinata made in the shape of a gummy bear, since one of their most famous products is a 5-pound, $36 (£25, AU$49) gummy bear.

The pinata was filled not with actual gummy bears, but with cereal marshmallows, also sold on the site (1200 marshmallows for $8). It turned out to be a pretty tough opponent, too, seemingly taunting the baseball-bat swinging assassins and even dive-bombing one of them.

In the end, the lightweight drone and crepe-paper bear were no match for an aluminum bat and a few well-placed Bryce Harper-like swings. Get out your own bowl of popcorn — or cereal marshmallows or gummy bears — and sit back and enjoy the destruction. Please note: No real bears, gummy or otherwise, were harmed during the making of this video.

With so many varieties of wine available, finding the right one to pair with your food or to bring to your occasion can be a lot if you’re not a wine connoisseur. Now, thanks to the help of some of the best apps, you don’t have to be an expert to find good wines or know what they pair with. We tested and gathered all the best wine apps currently available so you can decide which sounds right for you.

I’m still getting my sea legs when it comes to picking out wine, and the local liquor store tends to make my eyes cross. Armed with these excellent and (mostly) free wine apps, I’ve become a more confident wine buyer, finding better wine that’s in my wheelhouse and discovering new varieties. Since most of these apps let you compare wine prices both from online and local vendors, you’ll never overpay for a bottle again. 

These are our three favorite wine apps for 2024. 

Read more: Best Wine Clubs for 2023

Editors’ note: This story was originally published on Feb. 9, 2015, and has been updated with new apps and information.

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