The 10 best USB Type-C cables to keep your gadgets powered

The shift toward USB Type-C cables is well underway, and with good reason. Thanks to a reversible connector, you can finally wave goodbye to the frustration of plug in failures because your cable is in the wrong orientation. With USB-C, you can also potentially benefit from the latest speed boosts that the USB 3.1 standard brings. More and more devices, including Google’s new Pixel phones and the forthcoming LG G6, sport the new port.

More: The best portable battery chargers

Devices generally ship with a cable, but they sometimes break or go missing from time to time, and it’s always handy to have a spare or two. You may also want a USB Type-C cable to attach to one of your older chargers or devices. If so, below are the USB Type-C cables we personally recommend.

Ravpower C to C Cable

• Quick charge: Yes
• Length: 6.6 feet
• Warranty: 12 months
• Price: $11

This cable is a great value and offers rapid charging or syncing between two USB Type-C devices. That means you can use it to plug your Pixel smartphone into your new Macbook, or connect it to the USB-C brick that ships with Google’s phone. It’s a strong cable with solid, anodized-aluminum casing on the connectors. It supports fast charging, too, so you should be able to get maximum charging speeds for a range of phones. Syncing data is also extremely fast with this cable.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

iOrange-E USB 2.0 C to C Braided Cable

• Quick charge: Yes
• Length: 6.6 feet
• Warranty: 12 months
• Price: $14

This nylon-braided cable is strong and sure to stay tangle-free. It’s another cable for hooking up Type-C to Type-C connections. It should support fast charging for most phones — delivering up to 3A — and it can also handle data syncing at up to 480 Mbps. If you don’t like the gold finish, the cable is also available in either black or silver.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Google USB-C to USB-C Cable

• Quick charge: Yes
• Length: 6 feet
• Warranty: 12 months
• Price: $25

Google offers a no-frills cable that’s a little more expensive than some of the others on the list. It has reinforced, rubbery plugs with a tapered neck. It can deliver up to 60W at 3A, so fast charging won’t be a problem. Data sync speeds are USB 2.0, so you’ll get up to 480 Mbps.

This specific offering is a USB-C to USB-C cable, but the same price will net you a USB-C to USB-A cable. Charging speeds will vary depending on your device and charger, but it supports USB 3.1 for data transfers at up to 10 Gbps.

Buy one now from:

Google

Belkin USB-C to USB-C Cable

• Quick charge: Yes
• Length: 3 feet
• Warranty: 2-year limited
• Price: $22

You’ll enjoy fast speeds based on the latest USB 3.1 standard with this USB-C to USB-C cable. That means you’ll be able to capitalize on data transfer speeds of up to 10 Gbps, gain support for Thunderbolt 3, and benefit from the ability to connect to a DisplayPort-enabled USB-C display, allowing for 4K resolution. It can deliver up to 3A of power. The design is minimalist, with slim connectors, which makes it easy to plug in. The necks are also reinforced, though that doesn’t mean the cable is all that rugged.

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Apple

Anker Powerline USB-C to USB 3.0 Cable

• Quick charge: Limited to 2.4A
• Length: 3 feet
• Warranty: 18 months
• Price: $14

You can use this cable to connect a new device with a USB-C port to a charger or computer with a standard USB port. This is a durable cable that you can rely on, with a double-braided exterior and an aramid fiber core. The connectors also have reinforced necks to reduce damage from bending, and this cable won’t tangle or get knotted. It syncs data at up to 5 Gbps, but, sadly, it won’t charge faster than 2.4A, so you won’t be able to get the maximum charging speeds for phones like the Google Pixel XL. It comes with a neat carry pouch, however, one that has a Velcro strap to help you keep any excess cable out of the way.

Anker also offers an excellent USB-C to USB-C 2.0 cable for $10, which supports fast charging and syncing speeds at up to 480 Mbps.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Choetech USB-C to USB-A Cable

• Quick charge: Limited to 2.4A
• Length: 10 feet
• Warranty: 18 months
• Price: $8

If you need a longer USB Type-C cable to hook up to an older USB device or adapter, but you don’t want to spend too much, then this offering from Choetech could be the solution for you. It’s a plain, black cable that’s capable of charging at up to 2.4A. It won’t be able to charge at the maximum speed for some phones, however, and doesn’t work with the rapid charge function unique to the OnePlus 3. That said, it’s going to be fast enough for most people. It can also sync data at speeds of up to 480 Mbps.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Cable Matters USB 3.1 C to A Cable

• Quick charge: Yes
• Length: 3.3 feet
• Warranty: Lifetime limited
• Price: $6

This short, black cable is thick and sturdy. It offers fast charging and data syncing for connecting USB-C to USB-A. It also supports the latest USB 3.1 standard and transfer speeds of up to 5 Gbps. In conjunction with a fast charger, it should charge phones and other devices at the maximum speed. This is a quality cable that works well, especially given the price.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Belkin 3.1 USB-A to USB-C

• Quick charge: Yes
• Length: 3 feet
• Warranty: Lifetime limited
• Price: $18

If you want 10Gbps transfer rates, then this is the cable you’re looking for. It has a USB-C connector on one end, and a USB-A 3.1 connector on the other. Most of the time, you will find USB-C to USB-A 2.0 or 3.0, so this cable is a special find. It’s compatible with any USB-C device, but well suited for laptops such as the Macbook and Google’s lauded Chromebook. It has a maximum charging output of 3A, too, so it will quickly charge your devices when you’re in need of a little juice.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Snowkids USB-C to USB-3.0

• Quick charge: Yes
• Length: 6.6 feet
• Warranty: 18 months
• Price: $9

This 6.6-foot cable makes use of a braided-nylon design and attractive metallic housing, the latter of which adds durability. The cable is safe to use with USB-C smartphones, such as the Google Pixel, along with devices like the 12-inch Macbook. It also has a current output of 3.0A, ensuring a quick charge when paired with a 3.0A wall charger.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Bridgegen USB-C to USB-A 2.0

• Quick charge: Yes
• Length: 6.6 feet
• Warranty: 18 months
• Price: $10

Compatible with the LG G5, Google Pixel, and other USB-C devices, this nylon cable can endure more than 4,000 bends. Quick Charge 2.0 requires a maximum current of 3.0A, so this 2.1A cable will provide charging speeds more in line with Quick Charge 1.0. It’s not as fast as the aforementioned Snowkids offering, but it does provide transfer speeds of up to 480Mbps. The cable also comes in black, gold, and rose gold, just in case you want to pair it with your newfangled Macbook.

Buy one now from:

Amazon

Sport yacht designed for Bugatti Chiron owners to match their cars

Why it matters to you

If your sights are set on a Bugatti Chiron, why not get the matching yacht to go with it?

Imagine for a hot minute what it would be like to own the world’s fastest production car, the Bugatti Chiron, which, though electronically limited to 261 mph, can hit 290 without the governor. The limited edition Chiron (only 500 will be built) isn’t just incredibly fast, it also epitomizes luxury and design. But once you have the car, wouldn’t you like a boat to match?

In 2015, Bugatti began a collaboration with Palmer Johnson Yachts, one of the world’s premier yacht designers. Palmer Johnson is known for pushing the edge of design and materials technology to build major race-winning sailing yachts across a number of decades and, more recently, for its fast, sleek sport yachts. When Bugatti and Palmer Johnson revealed early concept drawings, current Bugatti owners and other potential buyers wanted the sport yacht to draw more from the then-just-released Chiron. The result of the collaborative effort is the limited edition Bugatti Niniette 66.

Bugatti, as it happens, has a boat-building heritage. Austrian Prince Carlo Maurizio Ruspoldi commissioned founder Ettore Bugatti to build a one-off speedboat in 1930. Bugatti named it Niniette after his youngest daughter’s pet, hence the name.

More: 11 radiators. 16 cylinders. 1,500 horses. How Bugatti built the monstrous Chiron

At 20 meters long, the Bugatti Niniette 66 has a slim main hull with left and right sponsons — projections that extend from the side of the main hull. The sponsons aren’t visible from the side of the craft, but they add stability and allow a wider-than-normal beam, in this case, 6.5 meters or a little more than 21 feet. Generous use of carbon fiber gives the yacht structural rigidity and reduced weight.

It’s a Bugatti, so you know there’s plenty of power. Two 1,000-horsepower MAN V8-1000 engines are paired with Marine Jet Propulsion waterjets to propel the Niniette to a maximum speed of 44 knots. All that power is controlled by joystick in the Ninette’s topside cockpit where an interactive infotainment system also controls navigation, systems monitoring, and entertainment. One of the benefits of the Palmer Johnson sponsor and slender hull design is the yacht’s shallow 1.3-meter draft, about 4 feet, which enables it to enter waters denied most boats of this class because of their deeper draw.

The Niniette doesn’t cram small cabins below deck. The emphasis is on the highest levels of luxury for a select few. A spacious Bugatti signature horseshoe-shaped salon for entertaining has heritage-automotive design elements.  The master suite has a double bed and a large lounge. There is also a galley kitchen and a guest bathroom. As in the Chiron, the Bugatti yacht emphasizes the finest materials, with polished metal, carbon, leather, and marble used throughout in furnishings and appointments.

On the open top deck a combined Jacuzzi, sun pad, and champagne bar are situated between seating areas on each side. A fire pit just forward of the Jacuzzi and additional seating is another bold, instinctive touch.

Bugatti and Palmer Johnson describe the Niniette as “powerfully seductive.” As the photos show, the yacht is designed to be pleasing from all angles, with elements uniquely characteristic of the Chiron.

According to Timur Mohamed, Palmer Johnson CEO, “The challenge was to create an experience and a persona as much as a yacht, from streamlined luxury, sophisticated style, and unprecedented quality. For owners of tomorrow, Niniette will lift your expectations of life even higher.”

Best app deals of the day! 6 paid iPhone apps for free for a limited time

Everyone likes apps, but sometimes the best ones are a bit expensive. Now and then, developers make paid apps free for a limited time, but you have to snatch them up while you have the chance. Here are the latest and greatest apps on sale in the iOS App Store.

These apps normally cost money, and this sale lasts for a limited time only. If you go to the App Store and it says the app costs money, that means the deal has expired and you will be charged. 

More: 200 Awesome iPhone Apps | The best Android apps for almost any occasion

FotoMed

FotoMed is a handy mobile medical reference, medical image search, and photo comparison tool for health tracking.

Available on:

iOS

50mm

Create charming 50mm-photo style photographs with real-time vintage effects. These effects work great on selfies and other portraits but also for many other subjects.

Available on:

iOS

Backup Contacts

Backup Contacts is the easiest way to backup and restore your contacts all from your phone without needing a computer or synchronization.

Available on:

iOS

Photo Sharing

With Photo Sharing you can send as many photos as you want in one single email, even a whole album. Photo Sharing allows you to send far more than a normal email.

Available on:

iOS

Pro Camera

Enhance your photos with the effects of this photo editing app. The filters mimic analog processes, vintage optics, and wear and tear typical for traditional film photography.

Available on:

iOS

Jet Scanner

Tired of convoluted and unnecessarily complicated iOS Scanners? Look no further. With JetScanner, just scan, validate, and save as a PDF smoothly, without complications.

Available on:

iOS

Oklahoma bill won’t penalize homeowners who shoot drones out of the sky

Why it matters to you

Oklahoma’s new bill to allow homeowners to shoot down drones could open the door for other states to pass similar legislation.

Drone owners in Oklahoma may soon be forced to keep their unmanned aerial vehicles on a short lease or risk losing them to rifle-wielding homeowners. A new bill, sponsored by Oklahoma state Senator Ralph Shortey, makes it easier for a homeowner to shoot down or otherwise immobilize a drone that is flying over their private property.

As it is written, Oklahoma Senate Bill 660, removes any civil liability for a property owner who damages or destroys a drone that is flying in the airspace above their premises. The bill states, “Any person owning or controlling real estate or other premises who voluntarily damages or destroys a drone located on the real estate or premises or within the airspace of the real estate or premises not otherwise regulated by the Federal Aviation shall, together with any successors in interest, if any, not be civilly liable for causing the damage or destruction to the property of such person.”

The bill was a response to skirmishes between homeowners and drones. In particular, Bill sponsor Senator Shortey points to a 2015 incident in which a drone that was being flown by an animal protection group was shot down over a pigeon shoot fundraiser for U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe, R-Oklahoma. When defending his bill, Shortey points to the thorny issue of privacy in a statement provided to the Tulsa World newspaper. “As a private citizen, you have a reasonable expectation of privacy in your property where the public does not have access, and that is under 400 feet.”

More: Oreo flies five ‘cookie drones’ over New York City in a wacky milk-dunk stunt

The bill has passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee with an 11-0 vote but has not been debated on the floor of either the House or the Senate. The bill is expected to be taken up by the full Senate in the coming weeks. Even if it passes through the state legislature and becomes law, it may not stand for very long, argues Stephen McKeever, the chairman of Oklahoma’s Unmanned Aerial Systems Council, which opposes the measure.

According to McKeever , the bill may run afoul of FAA regulations that make it illegal to shoot down an aircraft. Though the term “aircraft” conjures up images of Cessna and Lear jets, the FAA considers a drone to be a form of aircraft and blankets these UAVs with the same protections provided to conventional aircraft. The Oklahoma bill also allows a homeowner to shoot down a drone flying at any altitude, which runs afoul of the FAA’s statement that any airspace from the ground up is regulated by the FAA and not under the control of individual states.

And on a more practical level, shooting a drone out of the sky is dangerous and will land someone in hot water as the discharge of any weapon within a residential area is legally restricted in Oklahoma and most other U.S. states.

3D-printed door latch now comes equipped with a functional PIN pad

Why it matters to you

3D-printed innovations like these may inspire the cheaper, simpler manufacturing of relatively complex devices.

You won’t find metamaterials in nature — in fact they may seem to defy its very laws. Consider the nanoscale wrinkles in wallpapers that can completely absorb sound. Or the light-bending particles that form the fabric of rudimentary invisibility cloaks. By experimenting with the shape, size, and arrangement of particles, engineers can create metamaterials that do seemingly impossible things.

Last September a team of researchers from Hasso Plattner Institute in Potsdam, Germany created 3D-printed objects with simple internal structures that could perform relatively complex functions. They called their door latches, pliers, and Jansen walkers “metamaterial mechanisms.”

“The field of metamaterials is an emerging and very interesting one,” Alexandra Ion, lead researcher and PhD student, told Digital Trends at the time. “Metamaterials can employ behavior that traditional materials cannot. We set out to explore this space and started by simply wondering if we can achieve, for example, rotation to implement a rotary knob.”

More: 3D-printed metamaterial ‘machines’ are greater than the sum of their parts

After developing a handle, Ion and her team realized that, by adding other cells through a custom metamaterial editing program that allows them to create rigid and shear blocks, they could attach a latch to their handle and create much more sophisticated systems.

This year they’ve added yet another feature: a PIN pad.

The PIN pad consists of a series of bistable springs, some of which are “locked” and other of which aren’t. By pressing the correct combination on the pad, the springs all switch to the unlocked position, allowing the handle and latch to turn.

“The goal of this work was to explore how we can create ‘materials that are machines’ at the same time,” Ion said of their metamaterial machines project.

Of course, these machines aren’t entirely practical. We certainly don’t recommend securing your home with them. Nonetheless, as Ion pointed out, the technology used to develop them could inspire cheaper and simpler manufacturing processes.

“These types of machines are very simple to fabricate, compared to the conventional manufacturing process of, for example, a door latch mechanism, which consists of many parts and requires assembly,” she said. “We envision that … doors can be 3D printed with the door latch mechanism already in place, in one single fabrication step.”

Huawei P11: Expect next year’s flagship at MWC 2018

Huawei will target February trade show for future flagship announcements, exec tells Android Central.

This year’s Huawei flagship announcement at Mobile World Congress in February came a couple months ahead of the usual launch window. The Huawei P10, which broke cover in Barcelona a week ago, landed well in advance of the April announcement events Huawei has hosted for the P9, P8, and previous models.

Bruce Lee, Huawei’s Vice President of Handsets Product Line, told us to expect future flagship launches in a similar cadence. Speaking exclusively to Android Central ahead of the P10 announcement in Barcelona, Lee said that the company had always tried to launch devices by March or April in order to kick off sales around the Easter period in Western Europe. Huawei wasn’t able to hit that mark with the P8 or P9 but did for the first time with this year’s P10.

“In the future, we will probably launch the devices at Mobile World Congress,” Lee told us through an interpreter.

Although Huawei’s standalone launch events — usually in London — have been well-attended in previous years, MWC allows the company to ride an even bigger wave of publicity, exposing its new products to journalists and others who may not have attended a separate press conference in another part of the world.

An earlier announcement, if it’s followed up by an earlier retail launch, would allow Huawei to get future flagships on store shelves around the same time — or perhaps even earlier — than its major Android rival in Europe, Samsung. And while there’s no guarantee that Huawei will hit this February target with future launches such as a P11 or P12, the timely arrival of the P10 is a good sign.

More: Huawei P10 hands-on

Best Dualshock 4 Controller Charging Docks

• Best Overall
• Best Third-party
• Best on a budget

Best Overall

PowerA DualShock 4 Controller Charging Station

See at Amazon

The PowerA DualShock 4 Controller Charging Station is the only officially licensed charging dock for your PlayStation 4 controllers. It works off of AC adapters to make it easy to plug your controllers in and get a charge without any additional hassle. With a design that makes it easy to plug in your controllers and one that doesn’t take up much room, this dock fits easily onto an entertainment system. From the design to the size, this dock makes it easy to keep your controllers charged and ready for you when it’s time to game.

Bottom line: The PowerA DualShock 4 Controller Charging Station is the officially licensed charge dock, which means it’s the dock that you can trust with the solemn duty of charging your controllers. Additionally, it’s a small dock that is easy to fit into even a crowded entertainment system.

One more thing: This charging dock can charge up to two DualShock 4 controllers at the same time.

Why the PowerA DualShock 4 Controller Charging Station is the best

PowerA DualShock 4 Controller Charging Station makes it easy to keep your controllers stored and charged for when you need them.

There are plenty of great reasons that this controller dock is the best, and they all combine to deliver an absolutely stellar product. The design means that you can slot your controllers directly down and into the cradle, which means that properly plugging your DualShock 4 controller in is a breeze. That same design also takes up as little room as possible. Since you may well already have an overcrowded entertainment center, this means that it won’t be taking up too much room. It’s designed so that you don’t have to think about what you’re doing; just drop your controller in and go about your day. While many other docks have a few more features, they don’t combine to form the excellent product that PowerA has delivered.

Best Third Party

Nyko Charge Base – PS4

See at Store

When it comes to third-party accessories, Nyko is well-known for delivering quality products that work exceedingly well. Its DualShock 4 charging dock is no exception to that either. The dock is small and easy to drop a controller into when it’s time to charge, and, like the official DualShock 4 Controller Dock, it can easily handle both of your controllers at the same time. It’s got a low profile design that you set your controller into when it’s time to charge, meaning that it’s easy to settle just about anywhere on your entertainment center. While it is a bit pricier than some of the other options, it does it job very well, so it’s worth it.

Bottom line: Nyko’s charge dock is easy to use, can hold two controllers at once, and has a low profile design that makes it easy to fit just about anywhere.

One more thing: When your controller is done charging, you’ll see an indicator light go out, letting you know that your controller is good to go for hours of gameplay.

Best on a budget

PDP Energizer 2X Charging Station for PlayStation 4

See at Amazon

When it comes to finding great accessories that fit into your budget, things can be a bit difficult. Thankfully, this controller port is both easy to use and affordable, even when you don’t have much money to spare. The PDP Energizer 2X Charging Station for PlayStation 4 can easily handle two controllers at once and lets you smoothly slot them into the charging port. Indicator lights will let you know that your controller has a proper connection for charging, which makes checking on your charge status at a glance an easy task. This charging station isn’t quite as sturdy as some of its competitors, but for just $20, it’s a solid purchase.

Bottom line: The Energizer 2x Charging Station delivers a great product without a steep price tag. It can charge two controllers at once, has convenient LED indicators, and is easy to fit in your crowded entertainment center.

One more thing: The indicator lights will shine red when charging and then switch to green when your controller is fully charged.

Conclusion

There are plenty of charging docks that are available for your DualShock 4 controllers, and, thankfully, many of them are fantastic at their jobs. While they often have similar features and functions, there are definitely some docks that work better than others. That’s why we recommend the PowerA DualShock 4 Controller Charging Station. It offers all of the features that you might want, as well as a design that makes it easy to pop your controllers in and out of without any frustration. It’s affordable, easy to use, and the officially licensed PlayStation 4 charging dock for DualShock 4 Controllers. All of these things combine to deliver a stellar dock that can get the job done without any issues in the process.

Best Overall

PowerA DualShock 4 Controller Charging Station

See at Amazon

The PowerA DualShock 4 Controller Charging Station is the only officially licensed charging dock for your PlayStation 4 controllers. It works off of AC adapters to make it easy to plug your controllers in and get a charge without any additional hassle. With a design that makes it easy to plug in your controllers and one that doesn’t take up much room, this dock fits easily onto an entertainment system. From the design to the size, this dock makes it easy to keep your controllers charged and ready for you when it’s time to game.

Bottom line: The PowerA DualShock 4 Controller Charging Station is the officially licensed charge dock, which means it’s the dock that you can trust with the solemn duty of charging your controllers. Additionally, it’s a small dock that is easy to fit into even a crowded entertainment system.

One more thing: This charging dock can charge up to two DualShock 4 controllers at the same time.

PlayStation 4

• PS4 vs. PS4 Slim vs. PS4 Pro: Which should you buy?
• PlayStation VR Review
• Playing PS4 games through your phone is awesome

See on Amazon

Become a programming wizard with this Python 3 Bootcamp Bundle

Our world is quickly becoming automated, and an increasingly large amount of code needs to be written. This means that coding professionals are in high demand, but the most successful need to have a wide range of knowledge. Where to start?

Grab a nine-course Python 3 bundle for only $41 Learn more

Python 3, the latest iteration of the popular Python language, is considered one of the best programming languages to learn first. The problem is, there’s a lot to learn and the courses are generally quite pricey.

Right now, however, Android Central Digital Offers has a great deal on a Python 3 bundle; you get nine courses and over 30 hours of content for only $41. That’s a huge drop from the regular price of $810.

This bundle includes everything you need to learn the basics, as well as the advanced techniques that will land you a solid job. You can take your time and work at your own pace, as access remains open forever. Included courses are:

• Learn Python 3 from Beginner to Advanced
• The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Django
• Python for Programmers
• Python Scrapy
• Python Scipy
• Python Numpy
• Learn iPython
• Python BeautifulSoup
• Python Object Oriented Programming Fundamentals

Become a Python 3 wizard with this amazing bundle! Learn more

If you’ve always dreamed of getting into the world of coding, whether as an interest or as a lucrative new career, there’s no better place to start than Python, and this bundle has everything you need. Don’t wait too long, this deal won’t last forever.

HTC’s big, shiny U Ultra is finally shipping

HTC’s oversized phablet took two months from pre-order to shipment, but it’s here. Is it worth buying?

HTC waited until a few days after CES this year to announce the enormous, shiny U Ultra, but since that January day we haven’t heard much about it. Now, the device is finally shipping to Americans who pre-ordered the 5.7-inch flagship for $749 when it first went up for pre-order.

Now, we know that this likely isn’t HTC’s only flagship for 2017 — we’re expecting a true successor to the HTC 10 sometime in April or May — but the U Ultra’s existence feels like it needs to be justified. It’s a big, shiny combination of metal and glass, and though it cranks the specs to 11, it lacks mainstay features like waterproofing, wireless charging, a big battery, and a headphone jack. Our friend MrMobile said it best:

If you’re going to spend that much money in 2017, you may as well drop an extra Jackson and get a Pixel XL.

What you get in its place is capital P phablet with what appears to be a great camera, a beautiful SuperLCD display, sufficient power to appease most hardware enthusiasts, and that love-it-or-hate-it shiny exterior. Oh, and a second screen lifted straight from LG’s V series.

At $749, with compatibility in the U.S. for just AT&T and T-Mobile, the U Ultra is going up against some serious competition, and even though it’s shipping over a month before the LG G6 and Galaxy S8, we wonder how much impact it’s going to have overall. We’ll have our full review in the coming days, though, so stay tuned for Andrew’s thoughts on the phone.

See at HTC

Edifier R1700BT Review: Beautiful Bluetooth speakers for your bookshelves

Edifier’s Bluetooth-enabled bookshelf speakers deliver crisp sound quality at a great value.

Finding the right speakers for your home or apartment can be difficult. There’re a lot of options out there, and you typically want to strike a balance between sound quality, cost, and functionality. I was in that exact position about a month ago and ended up buying a great pair of speakers from Edifier: the R1700BT 2.0 bookshelf speakers.

If you’re looking for moderately sized speakers that deliver big sound in a stylish package, these are absolutely your best bet. These 2.0 channel bookshelf speakers are fairly compact, with each speaker including a 19mm “Eagle Eye” dome tweeter and a 4-inch bass driver, which deliver warm and balanced sound from both wired and wireless connections. They come with a dual RCA to dual RCA audio cable, 3.5mm to dual RCA audio connecting cable, and a wireless remote.

I’m no audiophile, but for $150, these speakers deliver great sound. I’ve used them for a variety of purposes without hiccup. They’ve delivered great sound for a basic home theatre setup, served well as laptop speakers for my office, and have pumped out the jams for impromptu dance parties. The sound is balanced no matter what style of music you’re listening to — from soft acoustic ballads to the thumping bass from the latest Run The Jewels album. Watching Netflix and other media is equally satisfying.

Beyond the sound quality, I really enjoy Edifier’s look and design here. Featuring a beautiful walnut vinyl finish on the sides, Edifier has blended high-tech innards with a classy vintage look that you’ll want to show off to all of your friends. Everything here is smartly designed: On the right side of the right speaker, you’ll find a recessed panel housing the volume, treble, and bass controls, allowing you convenient access to those controls without impeding the overall aesthetic or stashing them on the back. The speakers are also built on a 10-degree upward slant, a subtle tweak that Edifier says helps better direct the sound toward your ears. And the fabric speaker grilles on the front can be removed if you prefer that look instead.

They’ve delivered great sound for a basic home theatre setup, served well as laptop speakers for my office, and have pumped out the jams for impromptu dance parties.

The wireless remote included with these speakers is serviceable, though easily the weakest part of the package. It feels somewhat cheap in hand and is susceptible to getting lost in a couch cushion, but it does offer volume control and allows you to switch audio sources between Bluetooth and line-in from the comfort of the couch.

Setting up your devices to connect to the speakers is easy. Beyond connecting your phone up for music, I definitely recommend these if you own an NVIDIA Shield TV. Pairing the console directly to the speakers wirelessly is seamless and cuts out the need for added wires behind your TV.

When you consider the sound quality, design, and price, these speakers are well worth your attention at $150. They come with a two-year warranty from Edifier, and I definitely feel like I’ll be using these regularly for all my media needs for years to come.

You can find these speakers on Amazon, but you might get a better deal on shipping by ordering directly from Edifier’s website.

See at Edifier