Welcome to the Techaeris Editor’s Choice Awards for Q2. This is a new awards program (check our Q1 Editor’s Choice Awards in case you missed it) where we pick some of our favorite consumer tech products from the past quarter. Now that Q2 is wrapping up it’s time to announce what we felt were the best gadgets we reviewed and handled over the past few months.
We want to congratulate the brands below for making the cut and for making outstanding products that we can recommend. Without further ado. Here are the winners of our 2018 Q2 Editor’s Choice Awards!
Editor’s Choice Creative Laptop: HP ZBook X2 G4
We realize that the HP ZBook X2 G4 is a pricey piece of gear and it’s not for everyone. But with the high price you’re getting a high-grade device which will serve creative professionals well! The HP ZBook X2 G4 not only earns an Editor’s Choice Award but it also won a Top Pick Award.
Editor’s Choice Wire-Free Earbuds: Samsung Gear IconX 2018
The wire-free earbud market is getting saturated and there’s plenty of great choices on the market! But the Samsung Gear IconX 2018 were standouts in Q2 for design, fit, battery life and features. Of course, they’re most at home with a Galaxy device but they work just as well with any Android or iPhone.
[button link=”https://techaeris.com/2018/05/12/samsung-gear-iconx-2018-review/” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Samsung Gear IconX 2018 review[/button]Editor’s Choice Sport Smartwatch: Ticwatch S
Wear OS smartwatches are becoming plentiful, plain and boring. The Ticwatch S was a refreshing change with a nice price to boot. With its heart rate monitor, good build quality, and great battery life, it earns its place on the Editor’s Choice table for 2018 Q2.
[button link=”https://techaeris.com/2018/06/16/ticwatch-s-review-wear-os/” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Ticwatch S review[/button]Editor’s Choice 13″ Portable Laptop: Dell XPS 13 9370
Dell is doing some amazing things with its XPS lineup. The Dell XPS 13 9370 earns a spot at the Editor’s Choice table for its lightweight build, amazing screen, great battery life, and super user experience.
[button link=”https://techaeris.com/2018/03/31/2018-dell-xps-13-9370-review/” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Dell XPS 13 9370 review[/button]Editor’s Choice Portable Business Laptop: Lenovo ThinkPad X280
Lenovo continues to do great things with the ThinkPad line of business laptops. While the ThinkPad X280 is made for business, consumers might also like its rugged utilitarian looks. It’s thin, light has a nice responsive touch screen, and many other features which make it an Editor’s Choice.
[button link=”https://techaeris.com/2018/05/21/lenovo-thinkpad-x280-review-thinner-lighter-capable/” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Lenovo ThinkPad X280 review[/button]Editor’s Choice Monitor: BenQ EX3501R
If you’re currently using dual monitors or a laptop with a secondary screen for more real estate, or looking for a bigger gaming monitor — and this is a great monitor for gaming — you’d be well off to invest in the BenQ EX3501R. Not only large and aesthetically pleasing, the included features like HDR and BI+ support are more than worth the cost of the monitor. It’s for all these reasons and considerations that the BenQ EX3501R ultra-widescreen monitor is more than worthy of an Editor’s Choice award in addition to the Top Pick of 2018 Award it picked up here at Techaeris.
[button link=”https://techaeris.com/2018/06/19/benq-ex3501r-review-plenty-real-estate-features-work-play/” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]BenQ EX3501R review[/button]Editor’s Choice Mechanical Gaming Keyboards: Fnatic STREAK & miniSTREAK
Depending on your keyboard weapon of choice, the Fnatic STREAK and miniSTREAK mechanical gaming keyboards offer great performance and value with their Cherry MX switch choice selections. As a result, they are more than worthy of both the Editor’s Choice and Top Pick of 2018 Awards here at Techaeris.
[button link=”https://techaeris.com/2018/05/04/fnatic-ministreak-streak-review-esports-grade-cherry-mx-mechanical-gaming-keyboards/” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Fnatic STREAK & miniSTREAK review[/button]Editor’s Choice Speaker: Grace Digital Encore+
Just about everyone loves music and wherever you go you’re bound to hear it playing on a radio or other device in the background. If you enjoy Internet Radio, have music through other services, and looking for a device that will let you stream or play music from nearly any other device you may have, the Grace Digital Encore+ offers great sound and integration for your music playback needs. Everything from design to sound to supported apps and integration, the Grace Digital Encore+ easily earns it’s Editor’s Choice pick in addition to the Top Pick of 2018 Award it picked up earlier this year.
[button link=”https://techaeris.com/2018/04/08/grace-digital-encore-review-great-sounding-wi-fi-internet-music-streaming/” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Grace Digital Encore+ Review[/button]Editor’s Choice Musicians Gadget: Roadie 2 Guitar and Bass Tuner
The Roadie 2 is an amazing little gadget that is going to be a musician’s best friend. If you happen to have perfect pitch and can tune your stringed instrument by ear then you’re better than most. For those who can’t this thing is a godsend. You can also pick up a Roadie made specifically for the bass. Check out that review here.
[button link=”https://techaeris.com/2018/03/30/roadie-2-guitar-tuner-review/” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Roadie 2 Tuner Review[/button]Editor’s Choice Wired Over-Ear Headphones: Shinola Detroit Canfield Over-Ear
Much like the on-ear version of these headphones, I really enjoyed the sound of the Shinola Detroit Canfield over-ear headphones. These really do compete with other headphones in their market category. I really enjoyed the sound of the on-ear version of these headphones as well, but their fit could be an issue for some. Because of that, I think the over-ear headphones are the Shinolas you want. That is if you don’t need Bluetooth and don’t mind paying a good chunk of change.
[button link=”https://techaeris.com/2018/06/03/shinola-detroit-canfield-over-ear-review/” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Shinola Detroit Canfield Over-Ear Headphones Review[/button]Editor’s Choice Smart Home Device: Flo Smart Home Water Monitoring System
One of Flo’s selling points is homeowners insurance savings. You’ll have to check with your insurance company to find out if they give price breaks for Flo. Our insurance company does not so we saw no savings through insurance. Still, I think there’s a tremendous value here as early detection of water leaks can literally save you thousands of dollars if something does happen. This is the first smart home leak detection system I’ve used, but I think it’s really an amazing investment. You may never have to deal with a major water leak, but having Flo in place could save you big money should that water leak happen.
[button link=”https://techaeris.com/2018/06/24/flo-review-smart-water-monitor/” icon=”fa-external-link” side=”left” target=”blank” color=”285b5e” textcolor=”ffffff”]Flo Review[/button]Congratulations to our winners for taking home our Techaeris Editor’s Choice Award! Be sure to click the links and read the full reviews on all of these products. Check back at the end of Q3 to find out what devices and gadgets make the next round of awards!
