Every EV And Its Range For Late 2021


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Every EV and its range for late 2021


Every EV and its range for late 2021

If you've been thinking about putting an electric car or truck in your driveway, there's likely a defining factor: driving range. That is, how far an EV will go on a single charge before needing to be plugged in to get more juice. It's a crucial part of ensuring a battery-powered car or truck fits your lifestyle and won't be a burden. Let's face it, EVs aren't for everyone, at least not yet.

If you're looking for that information, you've come to the right place. We've rounded up every EV on sale today and listed its EPA-estimated range. You'll find all that info below, so get to scrolling.

Editors' note: This list only includes vehicles that have been certified by the EPA. More EVs might be in the news, but they will not be added to this compilation until they're about to go on sale in the US and have official range ratings.

Audi

On the surface, Audi's first purpose-built battery electric road car hasn't changed much since its 2019 debut, with only minor tweaks and a few revisions to its options. Yet a combination of software and hardware updates have helped the electric SUV squeeze a few extra miles out of its 95 kilowatt-hour battery, climbing to an EPA estimated maximum range of 222 miles. Somewhat sweetening the pot, the E-Tron's starting price (including destination) has also dropped to $66,995 for the base Premium model.

Chris Paukert/Roadshow

The E-Tron has been joined by a new Sportback variant. The underpinnings, powertrain and tech are all the same as the aforementioned electric SUV, but the E-Tron Sportback features a slightly lower roofline and a windswept and silhouette -- coupe-like, if you squint. You'd think that the more aerodynamic profile would net more range, but the Sportback's sportier tuning only returns about 218 miles per charge. It's pricier, too, starting at $70,195.

Read our 2021 Audi e-tron Sportback preview.

Audi

In 2021, Audi introduced its E-Tron GT, a high-performance grand-touring four-door sedan as a racier companion to its E-Tron SUVs. Think of the model as a battery-powered A7 with front and rear trunks, and you won't be far off. With a starting MSRP of $103,445 (including a $1,045 delivery fee), the base 2022 E-Tron GT Quattro carries 238 miles of range. The RS E-Tron GT, which starts at $143,445 delivered, offers up to 637 horsepower and 0-60 mph in 3.1 seconds. Range for the more-powerful RS unsurprisingly dips slightly, to 232 miles

BMW

BMW's i3 has always been a little weird looking and expensive at $45,445, but it does offer a few things nothing else in the class can match. The biggest of these is its carbon-fiber chassis, which increases stiffness, reduces weight and looks great on a spec sheet. The i3 is definitely meant to be a city car with a relatively short range -- up to 153miles. But it's easy to park and a nice place to spend time, so we can't fault it too much.

Steven Ewing/Roadshow

The Bolt EV was the mainstream car industry's first real, practical answer to Tesla's electric juggernauts. It's an affordable little hatchback that doesn't stick out like the i3 and today, it packs plenty of all-electric range at 259 miles -- a nice increase over its initial 236-mile range. With a starting price of just $36,620, the Bolt has positioned itself as the perfect alternative to Tesla's impossible-to-spec $35,000 Model 3.

Read our 2020 Chevrolet Bolt EV review.

Steven Ewing/Roadshow

Chevrolet Bolt EUV

247 miles

The Bolt EUV tucks the Bolt EV's battery pack and electric car platform beneath a slightly taller and longer body. The increased weight and aerodynamic profile cost the electric utility vehicle a bit of range, dropping to a still-decent 247 miles, according to the EPA. Other reasons you may want to consider the larger EUV include its increased capacity for cargo and second-row passengers and to get your hands on -- or rather, hands off -- GM's Super Cruise advanced driver assistance tech. The bigger Bolt strikes this summer starting at $38,495.

Read our 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV review.

Nick Miotke/Roadshow

Ford's Mach-E may be a Mustang in name alone, but it's an EV through and through. This electric SUV is offered in a variety of configurations, from the single-motor "Select" spec starting at $43,995 to the Premium AWD Extended range model at $54,400. At its best, the rear-driven California Route 1 Edition cruises for up to 305 miles with a full charge.

Later this year, high-performance Mach-E GT and GT Performance models will join the lineup, boasting up to 634 pound-feet of torque and a 0-60 sprint in just 3.5 seconds. We'll update when the EPA gets its hands on them. Until then, here's what Ford is offering:

  • Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD: 211 miles
  • Ford Mustang Mach-E AWD Extended: 270 miles
  • Ford Mustang Mach-E RWD: 230 miles
  • Ford Mustang Mach-E RWD Extended: 300 miles
  • Ford Mustang Mach-E RWD California Route 1: 305 miles

Read our 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-E preview.

Hyundai

The Kona Electric is one of the most exciting new EVs you can buy right now. It has excellent range, weird-but-fun styling, tons of standard equipment and all the other killer Hyundai stuff (including a great warranty). The Kona EV is a lot quicker and more fun to drive than you'd expect, while its range of 258 miles puts it among the upper echelon of modern battery-electrics. With a price tag starting at $36,990, you're getting a lot for your money.

Read our 2019 Hyundai Kona Electric review.

Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

Jaguar was one of the last companies we'd have expected to release a purely electric SUV. But it did, and the decision ended up working in its favor. The I-Pace looks like nothing else, drives like a Jag and offers a real alternative to the Tesla Model X. The I-Pace is a practical beast: Having been designed from the ground up to be an EV, it has plenty of space for people and things and a substantial range of 234 miles.

Read our 2020 Jaguar I-Pace review.

Kandi

No, we're not joking. This newcomer has the distinction of being the least expensive new electric car you can buy today: The K27 costs a no-haggle, no-nonsense $19,999. And that's before the $7,500 federal tax credit, which brings the cost down to $12,499. That's cheap for any new car, but that price also only gets you a ridiculously short range of just 59 miles per charge and an… unorthodox aesthetic.

Kia

Kia's Niro EV is Kia's best effort yet at making a fully battery-electric SUV that offers good range for not a lot of money (239 miles, $38,500 to start), and it surprised us when we drove it for the first time. It's more fun than its looks or specs would suggest, and it's packed with a deep roster of standard features that make modern Kias so hard to beat for value.

Read more about the 2021 Kia Niro.

Andrew Krok/Roadshow

The Lucid Air is a top dog in the EV realm with up to 520 miles of range. The EPA confirmed Lucid's internal estimates earlier this year, though that figure is only for a special Dream Edition. Otherwise, the ranges do come in a tad lower for the first cars the startup plans to build. These figures also drop slightly when choosing larger wheel options.

  • Lucid Air Dream Edition Range: 520 miles
  • Lucid Air Dream Edition Performance: 471 miles
  • Lucid Air Grand Touring: 516 miles
Mini

You may not remember this, but Mini was actually an early pioneer of modern EVs. Back in 2009, the automaker underwent a large-scale test of electric Mini E hatchbacks, building hundreds and leasing them to hand-picked consumers and utility companies. It gave up on the tech after a couple years, and it's taken until now for the brand to offer a BEV for sale. 

The 2021 Mini Cooper SE Electric promises to be one of the most affordable EVs on the market. Priced from $29,900 plus delivery, when you factor in the full federal tax credit and potential state and local incentives, you could own one for well under $20,000. There's a catch, of course: limited range. The Mini Electric is only estimated at 110 miles of range, about as short an e-leash as you'll find today. It's not a compliance car sold only in California-emissions markets -- Mini says the SE is a 50-state model.

Read our 2020 Mini Cooper SE Electric review.

Jon Wong/Roadshow

Ah yes, the granddaddy of all affordable electric cars. There is a reason that the Leaf is the world's bestselling EV by a factor of a zillion. And if you've spent time in one recently, you'll know it's easy to see why. The Leaf is a simple, well-built and affordable electric car that offers reasonable range -- 149 miles -- but still feels like the future.

The Leaf Plus is Nissan's answer to cars like the Tesla Model 3, the Kona Electric and the Bolt. It has the Leaf line's best range yet at 226 miles, and while it's not as cheap as the standard Leaf, it offers more for your money. More what? Power and torque mostly. Some of its tech is a little old, but that means it's well-proven at this point.

Polestar

The second plug-in model from the fledgling Polestar brand is also its first to run completely on battery power. The Polestar 2 fastback -- a sort of tall, liftback sedan chimera -- hits the ground running with impressive interior appointments and gorgeous Scandinavian style. The Polestar 2 boasts a range of 233 miles per charge. We think that's more than enough range for daily driving and then some, but the 2's starting price of $61,200 puts it in the unenviable position of being cross-shopped with the much longer-ranging variants of the Tesla Model S and Y.

Read our 2021 Polestar Polestar 2 review.

Chris Paukert/Roadshow

Porsche's first battery-electric car arrives to take on the Tesla Model S. It initially went on sale in Turbo and Turbo S forms, packing 670 and 750 horsepower, respectively. The Turbo starts at $150,900 while the more powerful S comes in at $185,000. This year sees the addition of a new rear-drive Taycan base model, starting at $81,250. The EPA-estimated ranges have also been revised, improving across the board for 4S and Turbo models. That lines up somewhat with our independent testing, where we found the Turbo's previous EPA numbers to be a bit conservative.

  • Porsche Taycan Performance: 200 miles
  • Porsche Taycan Performance Battery Plus: 225 miles
  • Porsche Taycan 4S Performance: 199 miles
  • Porsche Taycan 4S Performance Battery Plus: 227 miles
  • Porsche Taycan Turbo: 212 miles
  • Porsche Taycan Turbo S: 201 miles
RJ Scaringe/Twitter

The Rivian R1T's been a long time coming, but it's finally here. The startup began production of the electric pickup truck in September and the EPA dished out a final range rating: 314 miles. That's with the truck's "Large Pack." Keep in mind, Rivian also has a "Max Pack" forthcoming, which should push the range even higher, but we don't have final estimates for that just yet. 

Tesla

This is the EV to which all other midpriced electric vehicles have to answer. The Model 3 is just that good. It's comfortable, fun to drive, has tons of cargo space and one of the best ranges in its class. For 2021, Tesla simplified the Model 3 lineup, dropping from six configurations to three optimized specs:

  • Tesla Model 3 Standard Range Plus: 263 miles
  • Tesla Model 3 Long Range AWD: 353 miles
  • Tesla Model 3 Performance AWD: 315 miles
Tesla

The Model S has been around in more or less the same form since 2012. It's gotten several updates to its hardware, styling and performance. The biggest update came with a refreshed interior for 2021. It's also $96,190 before adding things like different wheels, paint or Tesla's dubiously named Full Self-Driving feature, which feels like a lot for one of the oldest vehicles here.

The Long Range model remains the range champ at Tesla with a 405-mile estimate, while the performance-oriented Model S Plaid will do 396 miles.

  • Tesla Model S Long Range: 405 miles
  • Tesla Model S Plaid: 396 miles
Tesla

The Tesla Model X is like the Model S in that it's fast and expensive, but it's also bigger, roomier and has the craziest doors to be found on a production car this side of the Lamborghini Aventador. Thanks to a similar update to the Model S, the X also comes in just a Long Range and Plaid form. Here's how the Model X line shakes out:

  • Tesla Model X Long Range: 332 miles
  • Tesla Model X Plaid: 313 miles
Tesla

Think of the Tesla Model Y as the larger, frumpier version of the Model 3: Smaller than the Model X, the Y still offers seating for seven (somehow) and the same powerful electric powertrain. According to the EPA, it'll do an impressive 326 miles on a full charge in Long Range Spec. The Performance model offers better performance (of course), but at the cost of a few miles range versus last year. And, like the rest of Tesla's lineup, the Standard Range model is no more.

  • Tesla Model Y Long Range: 326 miles
  • Tesla Model Y Performance: 303 miles

Read our 2021 Tesla Model Y review.

Tim Stevens/Roadshow

The XC40 Recharge's $20,000 premium over the combustion-powered XC40 is a hard pill to swallow, but if you look past the sticker, the price is somewhat justified. For starters, the $54,985 EV's 486 pound-feet of performance are a class beyond the standard T5 powertrain's 258 torques, as are its all-new Android Automotive cabin tech and luxurious interior appointments. We just wish its range was equally impressive: The 208 miles it offers is a touch low for this class and price range.

Read our 2021 Volvo XC40 preview.

Antuan Goodwin/Roadshow

Taking the place of the humble E-Golf is Volkswagen's first dedicated electric vehicle in the US, the 2021 VW ID 4. The first deliveries of its electric SUV should begin later this year. The performance is fine and the styling is unobtrusive, but its promise of utility, capacity and up to 250 miles of range make the ID 4 a fairly practical choice for families looking to go electric. The Tesla Model Y offers more range and better driving dynamics, but starting at $41,190 before incentives, the VW is more budget-friendly.

Read our 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 review.

Every EV available for 2021

Make, model and trim Best range MSRP
Audi E-Tron 222 $66,995
Audi E-Tron Sportback 218 $70,195
BMW i3 153 $45,445
Chevrolet Bolt EV 259 $36,620
Chevrolet Bolt EUV 247 $38,495
Ford Mustang Mach-E California Route 1 305 $51,500
Hyundai Ioniq Electric 170 $34,250
Hyundai Kona Electric 258 $38,565
Jaguar I-Pace 234 $71,000
Kandi K27 59 $19,999
Lucid Air 520 $169,000
Kia Niro Electric 239 $40,265
Mini Cooper SE Hardtop 2 door 110 $30,750
Nissan Leaf S Plus 226 $39,220
Polestar 2 233 $61,200
Porsche Taycan 4S Performance Battery Plus 227 $110,720
Rivian R1T 314 $73,000
Tesla Model 3 Long Range 353 $53,690
Tesla Model S Long Range 412 $100,690
Tesla Model X Long Range 371 $111,690
Tesla Model Y Long Range 326 $62,190
Volvo XC40 AWD BEV 208 $55,085
Volkswagen ID 4 250 $41,190

A few truly charming electric cars have disappeared from the list this year and will be missed, but overall the list is longer than ever. That means more choices running a wider gamut of ranges, prices and body styles. That's good news for electric car enthusiasts, early adopters and regular drivers looking for flexible and reliable transportation. And there will be more to come even by the end of 2021 -- from the newly announced Ford F-150 Lightning to budget-friendly offerings like the Hyundai Ioniq 5, Kia EV6 and more. We'll be updating the list as more models are certified by the EPA, so check back often.

For a list of just our favorite electric vehicles, check out our best electric cars for 2021 roundup. There's also our list of the best kids electric cars for 2021, because it's never too early to cultivate a love of cars -- electric or otherwise.


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Meet Nestflix, Where Fake Movies And TV Shows Are The Real Deal


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Meet Nestflix, where fake movies and TV shows are the real deal


Meet Nestflix, where fake movies and TV shows are the real deal

"Hey, Claudius. You killed my father. Big mistake." 

You haven't seen Hamlet till you've seen Arnold Schwarzenegger in the starring role as a ripped, cigar-puffing prince shoving his corrupt uncle out of a castle window. 

You probably won't catch the scene at any Shakespeare film festival, but you will see it in a parody movie version of Hamlet that appears in another flick, 1993 action comedy Last Action Hero. 

The prince will be back. 

Video screenshot by Leslie Katz/CNET

It's one of the "nested films" on Nestflix, a new online platform that rounds up all those wacky fake movies and TV shows that appear in real entertainment offerings (think The Itchy and Scratchy Show from The Simpsons). 

"I've been interested in nested films and shows for years, since I learned that Angels with Filthy Souls from Home Alone was a fake movie," says Lynn Fisher, the Phoenix-based web developer and digital illustrator behind the amusing site. "After a web search didn't show a super comprehensive list, I thought it could be a fun data aggregation site." 

Nestflix looks like Netflix's twin, though you can't actually play the fake films and shows listed -- "feels like a copyright mess I don't want to worry about," Fisher wisely says. It is, however, a great place to discover the phonies and go watch them elsewhere. 

I, for example, hadn't yet seen Ghandi II ("Gandhi's back and this time he's mad. No more Mr. Passive Resistance") from 1989 parody film UHF, starring Weird Al Yankovic. And until now, I hadn't caught crime show Homicide Life on Sesame Street, as seen on Family Guy. It's a sobering look at the dark side of Sesame Street, brought to you by the letter H.

The stories within stories, more than 400 of them, are broken down by category -- dramas, comedies, thrillers, spy movies, westerns, reality TV and the like. It took Fisher two months to gather all the information and assets she needed to build the site. Not surprisingly, "I have some intense spreadsheets and Photoshop/Illustrator files," she says. 

Fisher's other online projects include a Dress David Rose, where you can outfit a digital version of the Schitt's Creek character in every shirt, sweater and jacket David wore on the show. Another project tries to make sense of those ever-confusing airport codes. MSY for New Orleans? Really? 

Fisher encourages fans to submit any favorite nested films or shows missing from her latest project, though she's paused submissions temporarily due to the windfall received since the site launched last week. Or maybe she's just too busy watching the Thomas Jefferson biopic starring Tracy Jordan to tinker with Nestflix right now.  


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Does It Make Sense For You To Refinance Your Mortgage? These Are The 4 Things To Consider


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Does it make sense for you to refinance your mortgage? These are the 4 things to consider


Does it make sense for you to refinance your mortgage? These are the 4 things to consider

Should you refinance your mortgage? It's a complicated question -- and a variety of factors will determine whether or not it makes financial sense for you right now. But if you bought your house before 2020, or haven't refinanced since then, it's worth giving the question some serious thought. Interest rates are so low -- like, near their all-time, historic lows -- that, for the vast majority of homeowners in the US, a refinance will likely make sense. And yet interest rates are just one part of doing the math for your own situation.

There are a lot of benefits to refinancing, including lowering your monthly payment, nailing down a shorter loan term and potentially taking cash out to finance home improvements, consolidating debt and ridding yourself of expensive mortgage insurance. Once you identify your "why" you'll be in a better position to move forward. 

"The decision to refinance really depends on how long you've had your mortgage, what the existing terms of that mortgage are and how long you're planning on retaining any type of mortgage on your existing property," said Robert Heck, vice president of mortgage at Morty, an online mortgage marketplace. "Depending on how somebody answers those questions will determine whether or not refinancing makes sense."

Here's an overview of the four major factors to consider when weighing whether refinancing makes sense for you and your personal situation.

Your interest rate

How your existing interest rate compares with current rates will play a major part in deciding whether a refinance makes sense. A low interest rate may just provide enough of an impetus on its own, and historically low rates will increase the likelihood of a refi making sense for you. Though rates are starting to creep upward, they still remain low, with the average 30-year fixed-rate just over 3% and the average 15-year fixed-rate mortgage hovering around 2.5%. You have to watch mortgage rates carefully, though, as they change daily.

"These are unprecedented times of volume" when it comes to refinancing, said Bill Banfield, executive vice president of capital markets for Rocket Mortgage. "Why is there a lot of volume? Because it makes sense for most people." 

Your equity

If you bought a home 10 years ago and have paid a decade's worth of interest on the principal toward a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, you're going to be in a much different position than someone who bought their home two years ago or has been making interest-only payments on an adjustable-rate mortgage. Using a mortgage calculator or looking at amortization tables can help you figure out how much principal and interest you've actually paid down.

And you may have paid off more of your mortgage than you realize. With a fixed-rate mortgage, "the percentage of your monthly payment that's going toward building equity in your home goes up over time. That's not always very obvious through your mortgage statements," Heck said.

One option that makes sense for some homeowners with solid equity in their house is a cash-out refinance. Cashing out isn't for everyone, but has grown in popularity as home values rose across the country in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. As homeowners simultaneously gained more equity in their houses while also spending more time at home, the idea of taking money out and putting it back in through home improvements became more appealing to many Americans. But if you aren't looking to do something particular like home improvements, a cash-out may not make much sense. 

Your mortgage type

The type of mortgage you currently have will also help determine whether refinancing is a sound financial decision. If you have an adjustable-rate mortgage and your monthly payments have been paying off interest but not principal -- a common feature of ARMs -- refinancing could actually end up costing you more over time. 

You need to figure out whether your upfront costs combined with the lower interest rate on a newly refinanced mortgage will actually cost you less than your current interest payments, Heck advises. That equation will depend on your specific type of loan.

Another common type of loan is an FHA loan. With the backing of the Federal Housing Administration, an FHA loan is designed for people with a blemished credit history or not enough savings for the traditional 20% down payment. In 2021, you can secure an FHA loan with only 3.5% down -- but you'll be required to buy mortgage insurance, which will increase your monthly payment. Some FHA loans also have higher interest rates than a conventional fixed-rate mortgage. 

Refinancing can allow you to get rid of mortgage insurance while also lowering your rate, a win-win. "If you're in a FHA mortgage, it's the perfect time to think about refinancing into a conventional mortgage and getting out of any mortgage insurance," said Banfield.

How long you plan to stay in your home

If you plan to move soon, refinancing may not make sense. 

Typical closing costs are 2% to 5% of your loan -- about $2,400 on average in 2021, according to Bankrate. Many homeowners roll closing costs into their new mortgage to avoid having to come up with a sizable lump sum, but you'll need time to recoup the expense.

If you plan to say goodbye to your house in the next two or three years, a refi probably doesn't make financial sense, said Linda McCoy, board president of the National Association of Mortgage Brokers.

The bottom line

One of the most common mistakes people make is assuming that all loans and all rates are the same, McCoy said.

"There are thousands of different programs and rates," she said. "People think because their friend got one rate they should get that rate, but they don't understand there are so many variables that make up the rate that you're going to get, like your credit score and your loan amount."

Before you can officially refinance, you need to have good credit, and proper documentation for critical aspects of your financial life like proof of income, bank statements and debt-to-income ratio. From there, a mortgage lender or broker will determine if you are qualified to refinance.

No matter your reason for refinancing, you should only do it if you stand to benefit financially over the long term. "You're really trying to make sure that you're truly getting a net tangible benefit out of the refinance," Heck said. Otherwise, historically low interest rates or not, you won't gain any financial advantages.


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Watch The Sun Spit Out A Whopper X1 Solar Flare


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Watch the sun spit out a whopper X1 solar flare


Watch the sun spit out a whopper X1 solar flare

The sun is in a zesty mood right now. Our friendly neighborhood star fired off a major solar flare on Thursday and a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellite captured an excellent view.

NOAA's Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies at the University of Wisconsin-Madison tweeted two views of the flare popping off as seen in different wavelengths.

NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center logged the flare as an X1. Solar flares are measured in a similar way as earthquakes, with the biggest flares labeled as "X-class." The smallest flares are "A-class." Higher numbers denote more intense flares. NASA once measured an X28 in 2003, though an X1 is still a major flare.

Solar flares can have an impact on Earth. "Harmful radiation from a flare cannot pass through Earth's atmosphere to physically affect humans on the ground. However, when intense enough, they can disturb the atmosphere in the layer where GPS and communications signals travel," NASA said in a statement on Thursday.

NASA released a view of the flare as seen by its Solar Dynamics Observatory.

NASA's sun-watching Solar Dynamics Observatory captured this view of an X1 solar flare on Oct. 28.

NASA/SDO

Space weather physicist Tamitha Skov is tracking the flare and expects the associated solar storm to reach Earth in time for Halloween on Oct. 31. It could fuel some impressive aurora action, as we saw when a coronal mass ejection reached us earlier this month.

It's been a busy October for the sun, and this latest outburst could add an additional festive element to Halloween as some areas of the globe may get to witness swirling, dancing auroral ghost lights in the sky. The North Dakota Dual Aurora Camera project will be keeping an eye on the potential action this weekend. It could be quite a visual treat.


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Best Holiday Gifts Under $300 For 2021


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Best Holiday Gifts Under $300 for 2021


Best Holiday Gifts Under $300 for 2021

This story is part of Gift Guide, our year-round collection of the best gift ideas.

If you're looking for that best gift ever for your loved ones and aren't afraid to splurge, then we have good news: We've got a bunch of CNET-approved gift ideas, many of which are available for under $300. We've fully reviewed each of the products you'll find below and can ensure they'll all make excellent gifts. The one downside for this year is that virtual reality has gotten more expensive. The Meta Quest 2 is now $400, up $100 from last year -- it's still an excellent gift, though a bit more expensive than all of the items in this particular gift guide.

You've got lots of options in this price range, where you'll start to see more premium-grade products. From massagers and headphones, to trainers and speakers, here are gifts under $300 that are perfect for Mom, Dad and other loved ones for a special occasion.

David Carnoy/CNET

When it launched, Bose made some bold claims about its new SoundLink Flex Bluetooth speaker, particularly its bass performance. But it mostly lives up to the hype and arguably is the best-sounding wireless speaker for its compact size. Available in three color options -- black, white smoke and stone blue (pictured) -- it's equipped with Bose's PositionIQ technology to automatically detect the speaker's orientation and deliver optimized sound based on whether upright, hanging or flat on its back. Read our SoundLink Flex review.

David Carnoy/CNET

No earbuds are perfect, of course, and not everybody will love the fit of the Sony WF-1000XM4 buds or be able to afford their high price. But if you're looking for great-sounding earbuds with great noise canceling, solid voice-calling capabilities and good battery life, these buds check all the boxes. As of Nov. 1, these have dropped from $278 to $248 at most retailers -- the best price to date.

David Carnoy/CNET

First released in 2020, the 1.5-pound Theragun Mini massager is designed to be portable, easily fitting in a backpack or purse. While it doesn't have quite the power of one of Theragun's full-size devices, it's surprisingly powerful considering how small it is. I've tried larger massage guns in this price range, and it's just as powerful but half the size. The rechargeable battery is rated to last two-and-a-half hours, and a neoprene protective case is included. 

David Carnoy/CNET

The FirePit Plus, made by Brooklyn-based BioLite, weighs under 20 pounds and is built for portability. Measuring 27 by 13 by 15.8 inches, it's relatively long and narrow, making it really good for patio use. However, it holds a little more wood than you'd think, with room for up to four cordwood logs. You can either use it as a standard fire pit or as a backyard grill and it's been upgraded in 2021 with an enamel coating for easier cleaning and a higher-capacity battery for its built-in fan. 

The FirePit Plus has a couple of signature features, one being patented airflow technology. A motorized fan drives air to the fire box. You can also control it using an iOS or Android app on a phone using Bluetooth. A mesh body lets you see flames through the FirePit from any angle. 

In the new 2021 version, battery life has improved by about 20%, with up to 30 hours at the low setting, 14 hours on medium and 7 hours on high. The airflow technology also helps create an almost smoke-free fire, making it suitable as a patio heater. The FirePit Plus' legs fold up when you want to take the grill on the go, plus the pit comes with a handy rain cover. A removable ash tray makes cleaning up easy. 

All in all, this is a compelling little fire pit for someone who doesn't want (or can't have) a permanent pit always eating up patio space.

David Carnoy/CNET

Altra shoes are known for their wide toe boxes, which makes them favorites for those with wide feet (or people who just like wide toe boxes). If you're looking to do some virtual workouts with your new Oculus Quest 2 -- or IRL workouts -- the company's Solstice XT 2 shoe is a versatile cross-trainer that can be used for gym sessions or road running. This can be a perfect birthday gift for your gym junkie boyfriend.

Altra says the "caged upper is firmer than the previous model, and the toe reinforcement promotes toe protection." They're also available in white, as well as in a women's version.

Eli Blumenthal/CNET

After nearly three years, Apple has finally given the Apple TV 4K an upgrade. The new Apple TV 4K costs $179 with 32GB storage or $199 with 64GB.

Along with an upgraded A12 Bionic processor, the biggest upgrade is the all-new Siri remote control. Silver in color instead of the original's black, it features a directional pad at the top (with gesture support), a Siri toggle on the side and a power button for controlling your TV. The new d-pad addresses a lot of the complaints users had with the original remote, with its larger touchpad and lack of directional cues.

David Carnoy/CNET

Hot on the heels of the third-generation AirPods, Apple has another new set of earbuds, this time from its subsidiary audio company, Beats. Technically, the new Beats Fit Pro ($200) aren't AirPods, but they're built on the same tech platform as the AirPods Pro. Unlike Beats' earlier and less expensive Studio Buds, the Beats Fit Pro include Apple's H1 chip and have most of the AirPods Pro's features, including active noise canceling, spatial audio and Adaptive EQ. I'd venture to call them the sports AirPods you've always wanted. And for some people, they might just be better than the AirPods Pro. 

Read our Beats Fit Pro review.

Vanessa Hand Orellana/CNET

With the arrival of the Apple Watch 7, we should see some intriguing discounts on earlier Apple Watch models, but the SE remains arguably the best value when it comes to Apple smartwatches. It starts around $280 for the 40mm model with GPS and little more than $300 for the larger 44mm model. You can also get it with LTE cellular service.

While it doesn't have some of the extra health features of the Apple Watch 6 and 7, it offers decent performance for those who don't want to spend that much on an Apple Watch.

Read our Apple Watch SE review.

Sarah Tew/CNET

If you're looking for the best-sounding pair of audio glasses with the best overall performance -- that includes call quality and battery life -- the Bose Frames Tempo are the one to get. It's ostensibly a sports model designed for runners and bikers, and while it's a little bulky, it stays on your head securely. 

The Tempo offers slightly better sound and battery life than the more traditional-looking Tenor, which is a good choice for a more everyday set of audio sunglasses. The Tempo has better specs all-around, with USB-C charging and larger 22mm drivers. It also delivers up to eight hours of battery life.

Their sound is definitely improved from the original Frames. Bose says the Tempo plays "deeper and louder -- loud enough for cycling at 25 mph -- while still able to hear traffic and your training partners." They're sweat-, weather-, scratch- and shatter-resistant, according to Bose and fit under most protective helmets. (I had no problem using them with a couple of bike helmets.) They also work well for making calls, thanks to a new dual-microphone system. Optional lenses are available for $39 and you can order prescription lenses through Lensabl.

Read our Bose Frames review.

David Carnoy/CNET

Dads secretly want an electric razor even if they've never used one. While many fathers have been spending a lot of time at home these days letting their beards grow out, dad might take more of an interest in shaving if he had a new gadget.

The Braun Series 7 isn't the top-of-the-line Braun (the $250 Series 9 is). It can be used dry or wet -- it's fully waterproof -- and comes with beard trimmers, a cleaning dock and a carrying case. Battery life is rated at up to 50 minutes on a full charge and a quick five-minute charge will get you enough juice for a shave. 

Sarah Tew/CNET

With a full-fledged 4K HDR Roku streamer built in and a single voice remote controlling everything, this bar makes a thoughtful gift and offers a simple all-in-one audio-video system. Setup is a breeze: Plug it into a TV with a simple HDMI connection. Sound quality is very good for a single bar, and you can add Roku's optional wireless subwoofer for more punch. It also comes with the much-loved Roku remote control. (This model is basically just the Smart Soundbar with an upgraded voice remote.)

Read our Roku Smart Soundbar review.

Sarah Tew/CNET

Ember makes 10-ounce ($100) and 14-ounce versions ($130) of its temperature-controlled smart mug that keeps your hot beverage of choice hot while you sip it over a longer drinking session. While it won't keep your coffee or tea warm for hours, the idea is that you can select your ideal temp via the companion Ember app for iOS or Android and keep your beverage at a high temp during the 30 minutes or so it takes to casually drink it.

I personally prefer the larger 14-ounce version, though it does cost more. A good insulated mug with a top on it will also keep your beverage hot (and they are cheaper), but this Ember mug allows you to drink a cup of joe like you normally would and not sip it through a small hole in the top.

This larger version is available in black or white while the smaller 10-ounce model is available in a variety of color options.

Amazon

Available in multiple color options, the latest version of JBL's Charge Bluetooth Speaker delivers improved sound with more bass. It's bigger than your average portable Bluetooth speaker, but it's got some good kick to it and like previous Charge speakers, it has a USB out port that allows you to charge a device like a smartphone. Battery life is rated at up to 20 hours at moderate volume levels. It's fully waterproof and dust-proof.

Sarah Tew/CNET

The Beats Studio Buds look a lot like the rumored stemless AirPods we've been waiting for. Geared toward both iOS and Android users, they are missing a few key features on the Apple side of things (there's no H1 or W1 chip), but they're small, lightweight buds that are comfortable to wear and offer really good sound. While their noise canceling isn't as good as the AirPods Pro's, they have a transparency mode and are decent for making calls. Ultimately, their fit and sound quality are the strongest selling points -- and they're about $50 cheaper than the AirPods Pro. Prefer full active noise cancellation? Check out the new $200 Beats Fit Pro instead.

More gift ideas


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Nvidia, Intel's New Laptop Chips And Tech Aim To Improve Gaming, Video Editing And More


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Nvidia, Intel's new laptop chips and tech aim to improve gaming, video editing and more


Nvidia, Intel's new laptop chips and tech aim to improve gaming, video editing and more

This is shaping up to be a busy week for laptops targeting gamers and creators. Monday, we saw the Asus ROG Zephyrus G14, the first with AMD's flagship eight-core consumer mobile chip and first AMD-based laptop with discrete Nvidia RTX graphics. Today, Intel announced its competing 10th-gen Core H series, which is headlined by a new octa-core/16-thread i7 processor, the i7-10875H. Intel's launch is also concurrent with Nvidia's rollout of mobile versions of its GeForce RTX 2070 Super and 2080 Super, welcome step-ups mirroring their desktop counterparts. 

Nvidia also announced an updated version of its Max-Q power-saving architecture -- versions of its GPUs designed for thin-and-light high-end gaming laptops. The big news is a series of changes to its Optimus design, dubbed Advanced Optimus. That controls when a laptop switches between its basic integrated graphics and a high-power, battery-killing discrete Nvidia graphics card. The switching in Advanced Optimus is said to be more efficient. Another new feature, Dynamic boost, offers more granular balancing of power allocation (and thus speed) between the CPU and GPU.

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The Acer Predator Triton 500 will also offer a 300Hz screen along with the newer Nvidia and Intel parts.

Acer

This may not sound groundbreaking by itself, but even incremental performance advances can be a boon in gaming and creative work, where every extra frame or encoding minute saved can make a difference.

Read more: Best laptops for 2020

As ever with Intel and Nvidia launches, they're accompanied by a host of new products from key partners. This time it's the usual suspects, including Razer, Lenovo, Asus, Acer, Gigabyte and MSI. Most of the new releases are simply updates of existing models with the replacement versions of last year's CPUs and GPUs, along with pricing and availability for eagerly awaited (at least by me!) models incorporating the new components that were announced at CES 2020 in January. 

These include the MSI Creator 17, which comes with an optional 4K DisplayHDR 1000 mini LED display. It'll ship in mid-April for $3,799 (about £3,060 or AU$6,230) with that screen. There's also the Acer ConceptD 7 Ezel Pro and gaming models offering the new 300Hz 1080p screens, such as the updated Razer Blade 15 (expected by the end of June). Also of note: Asus has taken the opportunity to release a version of its dual-screen ZenBook Pro Duo for gamers, the ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 (available starting around June), with a tilting design for its second screen that looks like a real improvement.

Read more:  Best gaming laptop performers in 2020   

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The dual-screen Asus ROG Zephyrus Duo 15 gaming system

Asus

But Nvidia says you'll also see prices starting at $699 for entry-level models with discrete GPUs, such as the GTX 1650. Systems with RTX 2060 GPUs will begin at just under $1,000. (Those will still use ninth-gen Intel CPUs.) In addition to the RTX 2060, the plain RTX 2070 will also remain a key mainstream-priced GPU. That's fine by me -- I'll never complain about better performance at an existing price threshold. Despite coronavirus-complicated supply problems, many of the manufacturers say they expect to begin shipping the new models this month. The GTX 1650 Ti and 1660 Ti remain for sale as well.

For the new Max-Q, manufacturers have to update firmware and the electrical system at the very minimum to support power-saving low-voltage GDDR6 video memory and to improve voltage-regulator efficiency. The new Dynamic Boost feature shifts power allocation between the CPU and GPU as needed to eke out better overall performance without wasting battery power unnecessarily (a la AMD's SmartShift). 

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Razer's Blade 15 Advanced update will offer a 300Hz screen option.

Razer

Nvidia's Advanced Optimus improves on the original by essentially putting a switcher on the bus between the integrated GPU and the discrete GPU so the system can change between them on the fly. You previously had to be on one bus or the other, and the built-in display was usually connected to the iGPU. The switcher allows a direct path between the laptop screen and the discrete GPU, which is how it now enables G-Sync. (The new features will be coming to AMD-based systems as well.) Being able to switch on the fly allows the system to better choose whether to use the slow, low-power iGPU or the fast, high-power discrete GPU. In theory, that means less battery drain and better performance when you need it.

The first laptop announced with Advanced Optimus support are the Lenovo Legion 7i and 5i (which replace the Legion Y740 and Y540) expected later this year. Every Max-Q on laptops first available from today is a new Max-Q, even for older GPUs.   

The new 10th-gen H lineup sounds less inspiring. They're Comet Lake-H (14nm), not Ice Lake (10nm) generation -- compare that with AMD's Ryzen 4000 series, which jumps down to 7nm -- and mostly gain some tweaks to power usage, memory speed and small bumps in clock speed over their predecessors. Specifically, those improvements boil down to support for 2,933MHz dual-channel DDR4 memory, Speed Optimizer one-click overclocking for chips that support it, integrated Wi-Fi 6 AX201 (Gig+) and some refinements to existing power-management technologies, like its Adaptix workload-based dynamic frequency adjustments.

10th-gen Core H CPU lineup

Processor Cores / threads Cache Base frequency (GHz) Max single core turbo (GHz)
i5-10300H 4/8 8MB 2.5 4.5
i5-10400H 4/8 8MB 2.6 4.6
i7-10750H 6/12 12MB 2.6 5
i7-10850H 6/12 12MB 2.7 5.1
i7-10875H 8/16 16MB 2.3 5.1
i9-10980HK 8/16 16MB 2.4 5.3

It's not clear yet how their performance will compare over the ninth-gen equivalents, since Intel only provided numbers against three-year-old laptops. CPU and GPU manufacturers like to provide performance comparisons against much older systems -- citing the replacement cycle -- rather than the previous year's. But knowing how they compare against the previous generation is an important consideration when deciding whether it's worth the price premium to buy a laptop with the latest component or if you can safely save money by opting for an older model.

One potential bright spot is a new octa-core i7-10875H, though it's within the realm of possibility that it's just an updated and rebranded replacement for the i9-9980H, since there's no equivalent for that i9 in the new lineup. The six-core i7-10850H supports partial automatic overclocking (for two cores only), and the octa-core i9-10980HK is fully unlocked. It can scale performance up to the 65-watt power envelope typical of big gaming laptops or work within the same 45-watt target of more mainstream, thin and lightweight models that the rest of the processors in the line are designed for.

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The MSI GS66 Stealth will have a configuration based on the flagship i9-10980HK CPU.

MSI

The devil's in the details, though. AMD's seen a performance advance in single-core workloads with its Ryzen 4000 series mobile CPUs without sacrificing its lead in multicore performance. It'll be interesting to see how the 10th-gen H models stack up in comparison. Intel continued to pursue single-core performance over multicore for this lineup, because many games still don't take advantage of multiple CPU cores. The company says it couldn't achieve the higher speeds if it moved from Comet Lake H to a newer generation. 

But that strikes me as short-sighted. Creative applications are quickly moving to take advantage of as many cores as you have. And while current popular games may be optimized for at most four cores, future games are likely to be more demanding. Given that, by Intel's reckoning, people only upgrade their systems every few years, the future should weigh more than it does in Intel's high-end laptop chip strategy. 


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