There are lots of great accessories released this 12 months and some amazing headphones. Personally, I finally got to try the Sonos Ace headphones and they were spectacular! I really like Sonos because they’re continuously innovating and creating latest things.
A number of years ago, I got my hands on a Google Nest thermostat and now it lives cozy in my lounge. I actually prefer it and I really like that I can control it with my phone. I actually feel like I would like to upgrade to the most recent version since it looks absolutely gorgeous, prefer it’s a chunk of art.
But other than these two winners, we had many others, most notably Google Pixel Buds Pro 2, Thinborne and Google TV Streamer.
Here’s what Namerah Saud-Fatmi, Harish Jonnalagadda, Tshaka Armstrong and Andrew Myrick needed to say in regards to the winners.
Best phone case brand: Thinborne
Saud Fatmi’s intentions: Believe it or not, the phone case market is sort of fierce. There are actually 1000’s of brands on the market, so it’s really hard to identify a diamond within the rough. Thinborne has consistently delivered incredibly thin phone cases constructed from durable aramid fiber, earning us the title of Best Phone Case Brand of 2024.
“Born” in Texas, each accessory from this all-American brand is crafted with love by the surprisingly small team dedicated to creating the world’s thinnest phone case. Most slim cases sacrifice durability, but not these from Thinborne. What’s much more impressive is that the brand’s latest creations include sealed MagSafe!
Best wireless headphones: Sonos Ace
Armstrong Tribes: In 2024, there are several noteworthy latest additions to the wireless headphones market. The most significant of these, and one which many consumers probably didn’t expect, was Sonos’ first pair of wireless on-ear headphones, the Sonos Ace. Imagine: headphones that fit into one of the best home theater ecosystems and can actually sound more personal and immersive than a house theater system.
This is only the start. Thanks to built-in Wi-Fi, Ace can receive audio transmitted from Sonos soundbars that support Dolby Atmos, and also they are a pair of very efficient Bluetooth headphones that support wireless hi-res audio codecs. You also get impressive energetic noise cancellation that rivals industry leaders Sony and Bose. If you would like, you too can take heed to lossless audio files via a wired connection.
However, being first generation, they should not without some development issues. For example, headphones cannot hook up with all speakers within the Sonos lineup, and they only connect in a method, so you may’t stream music out of your phone/headphones to Sonos speakers.
Despite all of the shortcomings of the primary generation, the Android Central team considers Sonos Ace the best wireless headphones of 2024. With the arrival of Ace on the market, the dearth of innovation on the part of Sony and Bose on this area becomes a glaring omission. Perhaps in 2025 it will change
Best wireless earbuds: Google Pixel Buds Pro 2
Armstrong Tribes: It’s been an incredible 12 months for Bluetooth earbuds! Whether it was artificial intelligence taking center stage, support for high-resolution wireless audio, or the powerful bass from on-ear designs, there was something for everybody.
When it involves wireless earbuds, “something for everyone” is best exemplified by Google’s Pixel Buds Pro 2 headphones. This version of the Buds Pro line has been redesigned to suit more people’s ears, and that is huge. What is not huge is their size. With the interior Tensor A1 chip, Google has managed to extend comfort, incorporate more technology, extend battery life, and redesign acoustics in a smaller form factor, making them Android Central’s pick for the best wireless earbuds of 2024.
An enormous think about earning this name is that the one major feature you lose when the Pixel Buds Pro 2 just isn’t connected to your Pixel phone is surround sound with head tracking. Thanks to this, everyone will find something for themselves in these headphones, regardless of who makes your favorite phone.
Three of my favorite features of the Pixel Buds Pro 2 are:
- Impressive surround sound quality as I listened to Blue Eye Samurai on Netflix which supports surround sound for movies.
- From adjusting sound quality with an equalizer to monitoring your hearing health in real time, the Pixel Buds app elevates your Pixel Buds Pro 2 experience.
- Native Google Gemini support. It’s in its infancy and, because of this, it definitely has some development issues, but Gemini Live’s integration with the Pixel Buds Pro 2 was engaging, even when it was a bit of rough around the perimeters.
Best streaming device: Google TV Streamer
Harish Jonnalagadda: Most TV streaming devices aren’t definitely worth the trouble, but luckily Google TV Streamer is a worthy successor to the powerful Chromecast. The streaming device has a pleasant design, plenty of power and all of the codecs you wish – no problems with HDR videos on YouTube. There aren’t any interruptions when navigating the interface; supports Google TV and means that you can install all streaming services via the Play Store, and streams high-bitrate content seamlessly.
In short, it’s an incredible streaming solution and you get good value for it.
Second place: NVIDIA Shield TV Pro
I still prefer the second option, NVIDIA Shield TV Pro. It has been around for over five years, but it surely still has the best hardware and still receives regular updates. If you would like extras like the flexibility to attach an external drive or stream games through a service like Moonlight, the Shield TV Pro continues to be my selection. However, for those who need a reliable media streaming solution, Google TV Streamer is unbeatable today.
Best Smart Home Device: Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen)
Andrzej Myrick: As 2024 draws to an in depth, there’s still a sense that larger things are on the horizon for smart home devices. That being said, Google’s release of the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Generation) has been a protracted time coming. The previous version was released in 2018, and while the third generation continues to be a superb option, it’s definitely time for an upgrade.
Google has managed to deliver the exact same thing within the fourth generation, essentially giving the enlarged Pixel Watch control over your own home comfort. In addition to a bigger display and narrower bezels, the Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Gen) also offers Matter support, which is becoming increasingly vital.
Second place: Tapo 2K indoor security camera
Speaking of Matter, Tapo is a brand that is making waves, a lot in order that its line of smart security cameras is on our list. Do you wish an inexpensive camera to maintain an eye fixed on your pup whilst you’re away from home? The Tapo 2K indoor security camera costs just $30. Are you drained of having to work out the right way to open the door for somebody whilst you’re in the center of doing housekeeping? Get the Tapo Smart Battery Video Doorbell for $80.
Tapo is owned by TP-Link, but its popularity is growing for various reasons. There are currently 17 different offers available on the Tapo store, which is already impressive, and Tapo offers a improbable smart home security ecosystem on a budget, including this improbable security camera.
