Best sports and outdoor technology
GoPro Hero6 Black
Cnet rating: 4.5 stars out of 5
The good: The Hero6 has groundbreaking electronic video stabilization for the category, a long list of resolutions and frame rates to choose from, and overall improved image quality. Its faster Wi-Fi makes mobile transfers a little less painful.
The bad: It’s pricey, and all those extra features and faster performance don’t do battery life any favors.
The cost: $478 to $500
The bottom line: GoPro one-ups its own top camera with the Hero6 Black with its superior stabilization and performance in the same small waterproof package as its predecessor.
Fitbit Alta HR
Cnet rating: 4 stars out of 5
The good: The Alta has a slim and stylish design with seven-day battery life and all-day fitness and heart-rate tracking.
The bad: It isn’t water-resistant, and notifications can be difficult to read. You can’t manually start workouts. Automatic exercise tracking and no buttons means no on-band controls.
The cost: $150
The bottom line: Long battery life and stylish design combined with improving app software make the Alta HR the best all-around fitness tracker for most people.
Bose SoundLink Micro
Cnet rating: 4 stars out of 5
The good: This Bose is a pocket-size Bluetooth speaker that is able to play louder and produce richer sound than competing micro wireless speakers. It’s waterproof and has a built-in microphone for speakerphone calls, plus an integrated strap for clipping the speaker onto a bag or other objects.
The bad: A little pricey and battery life is only average.
The cost: $110
The bottom line: Though it may not be a bargain, the travel-friendly SoundLink Micro is well built and the best sounding speaker in its size class.
Garmin Forerunner 235
Cnet rating: 4 stars out of 5
The good: The Garmin has accurate GPS for tracking runs and a 24/7 wrist heart-rate monitor. It can track all-day activities like steps and sleep, and can display notifications from iPhones and Androids. It’s water-resistant and can be worn in the shower or while swimming.
The bad: Heart rate accuracy drops off during interval training, there are occasional connection and syncing problems and Garmin’s Connect app can be confusing.
The cost: $300 to $330
The bottom line: The Forerunner 235 offers the best value for serious and casual runners looking for an all-inone running watch and fitness tracker.