The absolute best technology we reviewed last month

We are approaching the middle of the year and the new products keep coming. Of course, the end of June marks the end of the developer season, because it has already survived Microsoft Build† Google I/Oand Apple’s WWDC†

If you’re looking for the latest technology we’ve had the pleasure of testing ourselves, check out the products below that we highly recommend.

Dell XPS 15 (9520)

Still the best, only faster

The XPS 15 is our go-to 15-inch laptop for years. And while it hasn’t received the same radical redesign as the XPS 13, the familiar aesthetic feels far from outdated. The carbon fiber weave in the palm rests still looks and feels nice – and of course the small bezels around the screen are industry-leading.

Most importantly, this year’s model delivers better performance than previous years, utilizing Intel’s latest 12th-generation H-series processors. Thanks to the advancement of Intel’s hybrid approach, the Dell XPS 15 has more (and faster) cores at its disposal than ever before. The OLED screen is great, as always, and while it lacks the extreme battery life of the MacBook Pro 16-inch, the XPS 15 comes as close as you can get to a usable alternative on the Windows side of the fence.

HyperX Cloud Mix Earbuds

A gamer’s take on true wireless

If you want to get dedicated wireless earbuds for gaming, they’d better be good. HyperX seemed to know that by going into the design of the Cloud Mix earbuds. They’re the kind of product that works just as well for gaming as it does for everyday work and phone calls – thanks in large part to the 2.4GHz connection available. Rather than relying solely on Bluetooth, the Cloud Mix earbuds give you that low-latency connection gamers need, whether they’re playing on the Nintendo Switch or their own gaming PC.

While it doesn’t have an ANC, the HyperX Cloud Mix certainly makes an interesting argument for gaming earbuds – and we’re fascinated to see how this growing product category thrives in the coming year.

Weber Genesis Smart Grill

Built-in cooking tips

A smart grill is not such a crazy concept as it seems. The Weber Genesis builds Weber’s smart module (which you can purchase and attach separately) into the grill. It can monitor the temperature of your food with the included cooking probe and notify you via the app when your food is ready.

The app is great, full of recipes designed to work with the sensor and send notifications to your phone. However, the grill itself is still the star. We really liked the smart module, but the Weber Genesis is a high-end grill at the end of the day with a durable build, plenty of storage and an extra burner on hand.

Logitech MX Mechanical Keyboard

Form meets function

The Logitech MX Mechanical just makes sense – and frankly, we’re surprised it took Logitech so long a good mechanical keyboard in its MX range. The MX Mechanical offers one of the best typing experiences you can get right now thanks to its low profile switches, which provide the perfect amount of snap for hours of typing. Logitech also offers three different switches so you can customize the feel however you want.

It’s expensive, but the MX Mechanical deserves its price. You can pair it with up to three devices on different operating systems and switch between them at the touch of a button. Even better, the keyboard automatically switches between a Mac and Windows layout depending on the device you’re using, so you don’t have to fiddle with toggle switches.

Master & Dynamic MW75

Sounds incredible, costs a fortune

If you spend $600 on noise canceling headphones, you want them to go beyond just great sound quality. And that’s what Master & Dynamic’s MW75 headphones have to offer. They sound better than even Sony’s WH-1000XM5 headphones according to our audio expert Simon Cohen, and they’re made from premium materials that look as good as they feel.

For sound, the MW75s stand out with a digital wired connection. You can use them in straight analog mode, or you can plug them in with the USB-C to USB-C cable to take advantage of the headset’s built-in digital-to-analog converter (DAC). A DAC alone will set you back at least $200 (and several thousand on the high side), so it’s a great addition to see on the MW75s.

U of Moen Smart Faucet

A versatile must-have for the kitchen

Moen’s U smart faucet seems like an unnecessary product until you actually use it. It can regulate your water temperature so you don’t burn your hands, but it’s the voice control and custom presets that make the U stand out. With Alexa or Google you can ask the faucet to dispense the exact amount of what you need and at the desired temperature.

Preset your pet’s water bowl, or let the faucet do the work and ask him to wash your hands (which will put you through a good hand-washing routine with warm water). From hands-free operation when you do the dishes to accurate measurements without a measuring cup, the U by Moen is a shockingly powerful centerpiece in the modern smart home.

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