Buying lab

Compare consumer tech gear before you buy.

Line up review signal, value, lifecycle, chip and buyer fit across up to four products.

Best blended pick

Nvidia Shield TV Pro

The review signal is high relative to the usual price. Prioritise deals and refurbished options. Target price: $191.

Worth-it breakdown

3 products selected

Image: NVIDIA

TV & Streaming

Nvidia Shield TV Pro

Best value

The review signal is high relative to the usual price. Prioritise deals and refurbished options.

Critic score84

Value signal100

Price$199

Lifecycle6y 8m old

User score7

Consensus

84/100

Lifecycle

6y 8m old

Value signal

100/100

HomePod

HomePod mini

Best valueS5

The review signal is high relative to the usual price. Prioritise deals and refurbished options.

Critic score83

Value signal100

Price$99

Lifecycle5y 8m old

User score7

Best for

music-first homesvoice assistant householdscompact smart speakers

Consensus

83/100

Lifecycle

5y 8m old

Value signal

100/100

HomePod

HomePod (2nd generation)

Best valueS7

The review signal is high relative to the usual price. Prioritise deals and refurbished options.

Critic score82

Value signal100

Price$299

Lifecycle3y 5m old

User score8.3

Best for

music-first homesvoice assistant householdscompact smart speakers

Consensus

82/100

Lifecycle

3y 5m old

Value signal

100/100