UE Wonderboom 2
Most durable
We liked Ultimate Ears’ original , which sounded good for its compact size and was also waterproof. Now the company has released the Wonderboom 2, which is a touch bigger than the original and sounds slightly better, with more bass and a special Outdoor Boost mode that boosts treble.
Oontz Angle 3 Ultra
Solid bargain model
Full disclosure: This is the only product on this list we didn’t test in person. But we found much to admire in its predecessor, the , back in 2017. This one has marginally better battery life, slightly bigger sound and is more water-resistant than the Plus, and it offers stereo pairing, too. We’ll have a hands-on evaluation soon, but we’re including it here based on our positive experience with the Plus and the enthusiastic 4,800-plus user reviews on Amazon, where it sells for $35 to $40.
Bose Soundlink Micro
Micro favorite
Although a little pricey and due to be upgraded, the Bose SoundLink Micro sounds remarkably decent for its tiny size, delivering more bass than other pocketable speakers. It’s a fully waterproof Bluetooth speaker and available in three color options, although the blue version appears to be hard to find.
Mini succulents
Eleven plants in two-inch-tall pots
One of the prettiest plant arrangements you can make without using too much space is pairing different succulents together. With this assortment of mini succulents, you can beautify your space with very little effort. These air-purifying succulents only need water every two weeks and enjoy direct sunlight. The 11-pack comes with duplicates of six different varieties that are unique in size, color and texture.
Note that while compact wireless speakers continue to improve with time, offering better sound, longer battery life, more reliable connectivity and increased durability (many are now fully waterproof), most of the speakers on this list are technically mono speakers and do have some limitations to their sound, particularly when it comes to bass output and overall volume. Often, you can wirelessly link two of the same speakers to create a stereo pair (which does improve sound quality) but not everybody wants or can afford to buy two speakers.
Microsoft Surface Pro 8
Best Surface laptop
Although this Microsoft Surface laptop is not the , the Surface Pro continues to hit all the right notes if you’re looking for a do-it-all Windows tablet that doubles as a Windows laptop. Microsoft recently overhauled it for the , which has a larger 13-inch display, 11th-gen Intel Core processors and two Thunderbolt 4 USB-C ports. The Surface Pro 7 is still around for the time being at a discount, and an updated version called the Surface Pro 7 Plus will stay in the lineup, so you’ll still be able to get the classic Pro design but with new processors.
Samsung Galaxy Book 2 Pro 360
Best 15.6-inch 2-in-1
Samsung’s latest big-screen two-in-one doesn’t look all too different from its predecessor, but inside is a new, 12th-gen Intel processor that gives it a sizable multicore performance bump. Plus, the other, smaller updates Samsung made to the Pro 360 improve the overall user experience, making it one of the best two-in-ones available right now.
Chinese evergreen
This sturdy 14-inch plant comes in a six-inch modern white ceramic planter with a natural wood stand. It can grow in any indoor condition and acts as an air purifier, especially from harmful pollutants like formaldehyde and benzene. It just needs one cup of water each week.
In my tests, the speaker compared pretty favorably to more expensive speakers like the JBL Charge 5. There’s plenty of bass and the speaker plays loud for its size, with decent clarity. That said, it’s a mono speaker with a single driver and two bass radiators — that’s how you get all that bass. So while you can expect big sound, the soundstage doesn’t feel all that wide, particularly at lower volumes. It actually sounds better at higher volumes.
While we haven’t had a chance to test the new model yet, we expect it to be a strong Windows alternative to the MacBook Air. Also, if you want to save money, the 2021 XPS 13 with 11th-gen Intel chips is available for less now.
Majesty palm tree
This three-foot tall majesty palm tree is great for quotes home decor or as a gift. It thrives in low-light areas so you can put this in hallways or in the corner of a room. Just make sure stays hydrated or else the leaves will start to turn brown. These palms are slow growing, so they won’t tower over you anytime soon.
