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Maria Diaz/ZDNETWhat's the deal?The Owlet Dream Sock is a sleep-tracking baby sock available for $239 through Presidents' Day, a 20% discount (and it's FSA/HSA eligible). Additionally, the Owlet Dream Cam 2 baby monitor is 35% off at $103, and the Owlet Dream Duo bundle is $80 off at $319.Also: The 55+ best Amazon Presidents' Day tech deals live right nowZDNET's key takeawaysThe Owlet Dream Sock is an FDA-cleared baby sleep tracker that costs $299 and is FSA/HSA-eligible, though it is currently discounted for a limited time.It goes beyond your standard baby monitor by tracking your child's heart rate, blood oxygen, and sleep patterns. It has three alarms: a yellow incorrect fit alarm, a purple abnormal reading alarm, and a blue alarm when the sock is out of range or low battery.While false low oxygen and abnormal heart rate alarms are exceedingly rare (I've only had a handful in our 8+ years using Owlet products), I wish there were a separate low battery alarm instead of the same out-of-range alarm.Is it safe to say that all new parents need more sleep? This is partly why baby monitors were invented in the first place. I still remember when video monitors for babies became mainstream, which meant I no longer needed to haul a walkie-talkie-looking device around my house and now carry a screen instead.Also: The best smart home devices of 2024: Expert tested and reviewedNow, trackers like the Owlet Dream Sock have become so sophisticated that they can measure your baby's blood oxygen levels, heart rate, and sleep cycles -- and alert you if anything reads unusually. Owlet Dream Sock Maria Diaz | ZDNET The Owlet Dream Sock lets you easily track your baby's or toddler's sleep as a wearable that goes on your child's foot. It tracks sleep patterns, oxygen levels, and heart rate. Show more Such wearables have been a household essential for me, particularly because my family has a history of febrile seizures, which can cause a sense of unease when my children are sleeping. In hopes of helping other new parents who may experience similar discomfort, let me share why a sleep-tracking baby sock is highly recommended.How the Owlet tracks sleep and other measuresLike an Apple Watch or Fitbit, the Dream Sock is a wearable; in this case, it's worn by your baby while they sleep. It tracks their heart rate and oxygen levels to map their sleep stages. It also alerts your smartphone if your baby is awake or shows any signs of irregularity.The box has the sensor, a base station, and four fabric socks in two sizes to fit babies from birth through 18 months. For the years after, Owlet offers a Plus option that includes two additional toddler-sized socks to fit kids from 30 to 55 lbs. Maria Diaz/ZDNETThe sock holds a photoplethysmography (PPG) sensor that the baby wears on their foot, similar to what you wear in the ER to track your heart rate. Through the Dream Sock, the Owlet app can track heart rate, average oxygen levels, noise, wakings, and movements to learn your baby's baseline behaviors and measurements.Once that baseline is measured, the base station will send an alert to your phone, suggesting that your baby needs your attention, whenever the sensor on the sock detects a deviation from those numbers.Sleep regressions and trackingAs a millennial parent, I've always sought guidance from educational apps and the occasional forum group for parents to get me through the initial challenges of parenthood. These resources helped me navigate sleep regressions, for example, and the Owlet Dream Sock has been similarly helpful. As my kids got older, I decided to get the Owlet Dream Sock Plus to grow with them. Maria Diaz/ZDNETWith enough usage, the Owlet app builds a schedule for when you should the baby's next sleep or nap should start. Part of this depends on the measured baseline and their age, which you can enter manually. For times when your baby isn't sleeping with the sock -- there are days when I drop my one-year-old off at the daycare, for example -- you can input their sleep cadence for the Owlet app to work from.The app also features historical sleep data, so you can view your baby's sleep patterns and see how they change as they go through sleep regressions, growth spurts, or illnesses.Why I bought a sleep-tracking baby sockI first bought a smart baby sock for my firstborn six years ago, hoping it would help me keep track of my baby's breathing and give me enough tranquility to sleep without worry.As first-time parents, my husband and I were worried about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), so we'd have our newborn wear the Owlet more for peace of mind than anything else, and we knew that we weren't the only ones who thought that. According to amedical study conducted from 2015 to 2017, the Owlet Smart Sock helped 94% of parents sleep better at night. Owlet CareOnce our firstborn got past six months old, we rarely used the Owlet Smart Sock -- until she started having complex febrile seizures. I don't know if you've ever held a small child during a seizure, but I can tell you it's the scariest thing that has ever happened in my life, especially since I didn't know what was happening to her the first time.My family has a significant history of febrile seizures, so we were told after the first one that it likely wouldn't be the last, and it wasn't: My daughter had three more before she naturally outgrew them by the time she turned five. The Owlet Dream Sock charges wirelessly with its Base Station. Owlet CareAt that point, the Owlet sleep sock served an even greater purpose for us as parents: It could alert us whenever there were signs of a seizure while our baby slept, like elevated heart rate or low oxygen, helping us rest a little easier at night.Fortunately, our second child never had any febrile seizures, though she got her own Owlet sock to wear. By the time baby number three arrived, the standard sock had just enough battery left for us to pass it on to her. She wore her Owlet religiously for the first year of her life until we felt that the risk of SIDS was behind us -- but then she started having febrile seizures too.My third baby's first febrile seizure came on when she was 17 months old, so we sprung for a new Owlet Dream Sock Plus, which Owlet says should last you up to five years. This variant comes with an extension pack so it has socks in sizes from birth to five years of age, instead of the standard Dream Sock, which goes up to about 18 months old. With our significant family history of febrile seizures, I felt that buying a new Owlet device made the most sense, even if she was our last baby.A note on baby sock monitorsNot all baby socks on the market have the FDA's approval. Owlet used to market its sleep sock as a heart rate and oxygen monitor until the FDA forced the company to remove this language from its product descriptions through awarning letter in 2021. After that, Owlet put its baby sock through the FDA's requirements and was granted FDA approval in 2023.While awaiting its approval, Owlet shifted its focus to sleep tracking on marketing materials instead of oxygen and heart rate monitoring. The FDA-approved Dream Sock still tracks heart rate, but blood oxygen monitoring is now available in real-time for 1- through 18-month-olds, which is more useful than the previous 10-minute average the Dream Sock offered. The metrics are translated into sleep quality indicators in the Owlet Dream mobile app. When the company's algorithm detects these measures shifting from the regular baseline, you get an alert to check in on the baby.Bottom lineThe Owlet Dream Sock retails for $299, which is not cheap, but you can purchase it using HSA or FSA funds. Seasonal deals also help. Thankfully, there are no additional monthly fees or subscriptions to track your baby's sleep after you purchase the Dream Sock.Cost aside, the Owlet Dream Sock is an innovative smart device that has genuinely helped me mentally, emotionally, and, to a subtle extent, physically. I've always loved seeing data in black and white, and I often use my Apple Watch and Fitbit to track my sleep. I think extending those capabilities to my kids is a no-brainer. When will this deal expire? While many sales events feature deals for a specific length of time, deals are on a limited-time basis, making them subject to expire anytime. ZDNET remains committed to finding, sharing, and updating the best offers to help you maximize your savings so you can feel as confident in your purchases as we feel in our recommendations. Our ZDNET team of experts constantly monitors the deals we feature to keep our stories up-to-date. If you missed out on this deal, don't worry -- we're always sourcing new savings opportunities at ZDNET.com. Show more Featured reviews

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ZDNET's key takeaways The Ozlo Sleepbuds, created by three Bose engineers, launched last fall, and they are the most useful sleep earbuds I've tested so far The sound is perfect for masking environmental annoyances that keep you awake, and the fit is comfortable and secure. The sleep tracking feature hasn't hit the earbuds yet, and setup took a few tries and several glitches, but once these work in your ears, they get you to bed instantly. more buying choices I take my sleep as seriously as some athletes take their workout or diet routine. While I can control everything from the steps I take ahead of bedtime to the pajamas I wear or the sleep mask I put over my eyes to drown out light; one uncontrollable factor often keeps me awake: the sounds outside my Brooklyn apartment.My bedroom overlooks a busy -- and often noisy -- street. As I write this, motorcycle engines rev, and a firetruck's siren blares in the background. I've woken up to police sirens, honking cars, noisy pedestrians, and my neighbors, who loudly celebrate with songs and festivities into the wee hours of the night.During the 2023 holiday season, the loud voices singing songs until 1 a.m. kept me awake and made it difficult to get to bed. But this year, I took the noisy opportunity to test out the Ozlo Sleepbuds, and, boy, am I glad I did. They helped me get to sleep in minutes.For that reason, ZDNET and the rest of the CNET Group picked it for a CES award for 2025. You cansee all 12 of the Best of CES winnersselected by the CNET Group (ZDNET, CNET, PCMag, Mashable, and Lifehacker) in partnership with the organization that runs CES. details View at Ozlo Sleep The Ozlo Sleep earbuds are some of the most comfortable and effective sleep earbuds I've ever tested, and I can't recommend them enough to anybody who needs to quiet down their bedtime environment to catch a few more Z's, that is, if they're willing to pay the $300 price tag. Keep reading to learn why.Also: I tried a subscription-less smart ring in place of my Oura - and it did some things betterIf you've heard anything about Ozlo, it's probably because you were interested in the discontinued Bose Sleepbuds that the audio brand cut the cord on in 2020. The buds "didn't reach the level of adoption" Bose hoped they would, despite their avid following, Bose spokesperson Joanne Berthiaume told The Verge. The Ozlo Sleepbuds are the Sleepbuds reincarnate, taking some of Bose's proprietary tech, like the StayHear Plus tips, and implementing them into a new product. The earbuds come in a hefty but sleek case, and you can customize your ear tip and ear wing size to suit your desired fit. Set up was where I confronted the most issues, and the connection fell through twice before I could link up with the app. Once I was connected, the app's introductory pages glitched, and I found myself closing out the app to relaunch it several times. When my settings in the app were confirmed,d and the connection was established, I had no trouble using these buds.Thankfully, you don't need the app to get white noise out of the earbuds from the jump, and the first night I tested them, I used them easily without the app. But if you want customization, the Ozlo app provides ten different sleep sounds (or masking sounds) you can sort through. There's an earbud alarm you can use (though I have bad luck with these in-ear alarms, given how I wake up with my earbuds strewn across my bed), a sleep timer that shuts down the buds after a customizable amount of time to save battery, and an Auto-Play Sleep Sound feature that detects once you've fallen asleep and switches from the podcast or music you're playing to the masking sound you've selected.The Ozlo Sleepbuds hit the market with two key features that are unfortunately missing: sleep-tracking and environment-sensing capabilities. Eventually, Ozlo will roll out an over-the-air update to add these features. I will test them out once they are available and update my review with my thoughts, although it is disappointing that these key selling points aren't available at launch.These buds are made to last in your ears through a night's sleep. A pair of earbuds rarely last the night in my ears, given how regularly I move around in my sleep. When I wear sleep earbuds, it's to help me fall asleep amid a noisy backdrop of sound outside my window. Once I'm asleep, I can stay asleep and am not woken up by much. I only need them to stay in and fit well at the beginning of the night; I don't need them in for the entire night -- though I don't mind when they are.The ear wings on the Sleepbuds stabilize the fit for a long time, and when I wake up, normally, one earbud is still in my ear (there was one night over the past week of testing where both stayed in the entire night). The battery life lasted me about one and a half nights before it was due for a recharge. Nina Raemont/ZDNETEvery night I wore these buds, I slept like a baby and fell asleep within minutes. I found myself first gravitating towards them on nights when my neighbors celebrated on the street outside my apartment. However, I eventually put them in my ears even when outside disturbances were negligible. They're simply that comfortable and effective. They succeed at masking noise around me and isolating me from the pesky engines and sirens outside.One area that I couldn't test was whether they mask snoring. From my experience using them alone in my bedroom to dim outside sounds, I'd say they do a good job of removing ambient distractions, but I can't confirm how effective they'd be at minimizing snores right next to you.Also: The best sleep headphones you can buyIf you don't shuffle in bed throughout the night, these will stick in your ears -- and they're quite comfortable for side sleepers. I didn't experience any pressure built up over time, and, in the mornings, I didn't feel any soreness or sensitivity.One of my favorite aspects of these buds is the sleep sounds paired with the Sleepbuds' audio strength, which is loud enough to completely mask external sounds outside my bedroom window while being quiet and neutral enough to send me to sleep. That's a difficult feat and one that I had trouble finding while testing competing sleep earbuds.ZDNET's buying adviceSo, who are these for? People who prioritize comfort in a sleep earbud and are willing to pay $300 for it. These earbuds dissolved in my ears during sleep, and as I shuffled from one side to the other, I found myself absolutely content with them in my ears. The Ozlo Sleepbuds masked noises properly and efficiently, dulling down the outside hubbub on one of the busiest weeks of the year in my neighborhood.So, yes, they work as a noise masker (they technically aren't noise canceling). Setup and connection can be a bit dodgy, but brand-new product launches inevitably come with bugs. The product itself is great once it's connected. I look forward to sleeping with these earbuds the next time my neighborhood is up all night singing and partying.Featured reviews

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ZDNET's key takeaways The Samsung Neo QLED (QN90D) 98-inch TV lists for $15,000, but is marked down to $13,000 at most vendors. Its picture quality rivals OLED models in contrast and motion handling while exceeding most of them in peak brightness. The location of its connection ports can make setting up such a large TV a bit fussy. more buying choices What's the deal?Samsung's QN90D Neo QLED TV has received a massive $5,000 discount, going from $15,000 down to $10,000.It's rare for me to be blown away by the picture quality of any TV I'm reviewing. But with Samsung's QN90D Neo QLED TV, that's what happened -- in a big-time (ultra-large) way.That's because Samsung sent the 98-inch model to our ZDNET lab in Louisville, and I had the pleasure of spending some time with it, fully daunted by its imposing $15,000 price tag. This is the most expensive model of any TV I've tested. Also: I changed these 6 Samsung TV settings to instantly improve the picture qualitySo, does the QN90D live up to its price point? If your budget falls into the $10K+ cost echelon, then you've already jumped the first hurdle in acquiring one. And if that's the case, then the answer is a resounding "Yes." details View at Best Buy To be clear, there are dozens of 98-inch TVs on the market that are much easier on the wallet than this puppy. For example, you can buy two of TCL's 98-inch QM8 Mini-LED for less than one QN90D. But there's a substantial difference in the technology behind these models, namely Samsung's treatment of Quantum Dot overlays on a mini-LED backlit display.Also:I still recommend this TCL TV model from last yearThis formula is known as "Neo QLED," in which case Samsung has swapped out conventional LEDs for tens of thousands of mini-LEDs. These components consist of manufactured nanocrystals with ultra-fine semiconductor materials, allowing for a higher magnitude of these units to distribute light accurately and efficiently. The result, as Samsung puts it, is "brighter whites, darker blacks, and overall, a better color range in between."I can attest to this. The QN90D offered up a crystal-clear picture with glistering highlights, vibrant colors, and the truest blacks I've witnessed on a non-OLED set. With its spread of UHD micro dimming zones, dark areas are so piercingly black that focusing your eyes on shadows is like staring into a void. This is fine by me because they're shadows, and I'm a fan of higher contrast ratios. Adam Breeden/ZDNETBut in some extreme cases, dark objects were so dark that their features were lost. Picture a black-clad motorcyclist racing down a sunlit road -- black helmet, black jacket, black bike -- and in this distant, wide-angle shot, the cyclist and his bike become almost a uniform silhouette, revealing no distinguishable textures or dimensionality. To be clear, this would be a demanding ask of any TV for the scene I'm describing. A desirable level of detail in such inky blackness may only be captured on Samsung's Neo QLED 8K QN990C, which goes for an eye-watering $40,000 and is the subject of a different review altogether.Also:The best TVs you can buyWhat impressed me most was the in-your-face brightness and extraordinary color gamut of the QN90D. It's bright, but not offensively so. I'd rather call the overall effect "convincing." Viewing the motion graphics at the beginning of Warner Brothers and 20th Century Fox productions, for example, felt like looking into the window of an uber-vivid metaverse. In a few instances, the color vibrance was so intense that some viewers might find it off-putting, such as the radioactive red glow of Netflix's logo. There are settings to reduce this intensity. For starters, you won't want to set the TV's picture mode to "Dynamic" because then every color will gleam with supersaturated abandon. (I'll speak more on setting options below.) Adam Breeden/ZDNETOtherwise, I didn't encounter disproportionate levels of color or tonality. This held true in my assessments of glare and reflection, plus a scope of the QN90D's viewing angles. Standing just two feet from the screen at an unreasonably tight angle, the picture only suffered a minor loss of coloration (a slight washout), yet it retained its 4K QLED sharpness.I was equally impressed with this TV's audio output. Even in the absence of a connected soundbar, the volume managed to fill our testing area more than adequately, and it did this at about one-tenth of its potential. While watching Kandahar on Prime, I never pushed the volume past 12. It frightens me to imagine the stentorian result of cranking it up to 100.Also: Looking for Netflix shows? I used these secret codes to unlock the full catalogIn addition to 4.2.2 channel speakers pumping out 60 watts of power, Samsung's OTS+ technology tracks the onscreen action and adjusts sounds accordingly. Its 98-inch panel consists of 8,276 square inches, allowing for more integrated speakers, strategically creating a 3D-like soundscape that seems to envelop you from all directions. No soundbar is necessary. (Although I don't discourage adding one to it.)I did change the QN90D's default sound mode to "Amplify" and noticed a marked improvement in the crispness of whispering dialogue in Dune 2andKandahar. The setting's name is a bit misleading because it doesn't amplify volume but clarity. The two films I mentioned above are excellent for TV testing. Like many movies, they have plenty of whispering dialogue but also gads of sweeping desert vistas.Color variation and rendering become more evident in viewing these mostly stark landscapes, which include everything from jutting rock formations to an actor's skin tone and Dune's reddish "spice" granules within swells of billowing sand. The bright and sunny drone shots in Kandahar, for example, were particularly stunning.My ideal picture settings for the Samsung QN90DWhen orienting myself with any new TV, I spend a lot of time testing out the settings. I toggle the options on and off while scrutinizing select scenes from certain movies. I adjust the sliders if available (e.g., tint). I experiment with Expert Settings (like switching Local Dimming to high and Contrast Enhancer to low, and vice-versa).I do a similar thing with audio. This practice of combining and/or separating setting variables is basically a trial-and-error endeavor in pursuit of seeing optimal results. Naturally, this is a subjective process because it's all about personal preferences.Also: I changed these 6 Samsung TV settings to instantly improve the picture qualityFor the QN90D, I only changed three picture settings from their default positions, and that's in large part owed to the Tizen software's AI capabilities:Under All Settings, you'll find Samsung's "Intelligent Mode" option. Turning that on disables the usual lineup of options under the Picture Mode menu (Dynamic, Eco, Filmmaker, etc.).The Picture Mode options are then replaced with three choices: "Optimized," "Eye Comfort," and "AI Customization." The latter indeed lets you customize your visual preference by selecting one of four image choices (each) for sports, movies, and general viewing.The Tizen OS's NQ4 AI Gen2 processor then used my image selections as ingredients to concoct what was, to me, the best picture possible.After all the experimentation, my selections solidified AI Customization as the clear winner in terms of a preferred picture mode. The contrast, brightness, and sharpness in scenes from these 4K flicks were incredibly satisfying. Adam Breeden/ZDNETConsider these design elements as you shopLike other new Samsung remotes, the QN90D's takes a little getting used to because of its diminutive size and its rocker buttons, which are relatively unconventional for remote controls. These small, flat, capsule-shaped buttons are designed to push toward or away from the TV to adjust the volume and navigate the menu. (The interface itself, I should note, only required a modicum of menu-diving to reach desired selections, making it one of the more user-friendly panels I've tested.)I acclimated to the remote's design swiftly, and I also appreciate the solar panel on its underside for a lifetime of use without cable charging or replacing batteries. But if it's just too much effort to pick up and use a TV remote, the QN90D also offers hands-free operation with its Bixby, Alexa, or Google voice assistants. Disappointingly, the remote is not backlit -- as I wish all TV remotes should be -- because I tend to do any binge-watching after sundown.A common complaint among users of the QN90D is the placement of its input array. Its four HDMI ports, two USBs, and other connection points are on the panel's back right side. This is fairly standard for many TVs. However, for a television of this size, simply accessing the ports and then deciding how to run your wires to the nearest wall outlet can be an awkward affair. These grumblings likely stem from prior iterations of Samsung's QLED models (e.g., the QN95C) having a separate OneConnect box that can marry all your peripherals to the TV through a single translucent cable. For the QN90D, the lack of a dedicated HDMI switch is a practical concern in terms of access and positioning. And it's an aesthetic consideration if you can't stomach visible wires trailing from the electronic centerpiece of your living room.ZDNET's buying adviceI can overlook Samsung's decision to make the inputs a tad harder to reach because this TV is spectacular to watch and listen to. At $15,000, even an ultra-large 98-inch screen ought to be brimming with cutting-edge technology, elevated specs, and a profusion of cool features. The Samsung QN90D certainly qualifies with these traits.Most of all, though, it delivers an exceptional viewing experience that will dazzle your eyeballs and please your earholes. If I were in a higher tax bracket (and had a bigger house), I would undoubtedly put this massive entertainment purchase in my (gargantuan) shopping cart.Should you want a TV of similar size but with a more accessible price, consider the TCL Q6 and QM8, both of which ZDNET has tested and recommended for big-screen shoppers on a budget.Samsung 98-inch QN90D 4K QLED TV tech specsDisplay TypeNeo QLEDScreen Size98 inchesResolution4K Ultra HD (3840 x 2160)Refresh Rate120HzHDR CompatibilityQuantum HDR 32xScreen Brightness1253 nitsContrast RatioInfiniteAudioDolby Atmos 4.2.2chProcessorNQ4 AI Gen2 ProcessorGaming FeaturesMotion Xcelerator, FreeSync Premium Pro, 4K @ 144HzInput Lag (Game Mode)2.9 msInputs4x HDMI 2.1, 2x USB 2.0, 1x Ethernet, 1x RFWi-FiWi-Fi 5 (802.11ac)Smart TV PlatformTizen OSVoice AssistantBixby, Alexa, Google AssistantStreaming PlatformsNetflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, and many moreDimensions (with stand)86.6" x 50.8" x 14.3"Weight (with stand)113.5 lbsHow we test TVsWhile testing and researching the TV featured in this review, I and other ZDNET experts kept these criteria in mind:Price:Not all budgets are created equal. And if you're working with a limited budget, that shouldn't mean you have to settle for a sub-par TV. Each TV model we review has been chosen across a variety of price points to help accommodate different needs.Screen size:The most important factor to consider, after price, when shopping for a new TV is whether or not it will fit into your space. While this specific screen size is exceptional, the QN90D is available in a wide variety of smaller sizes to suit different rooms.Picture and audio quality:A new TV doesn't mean much, even if it costs an arm and a leg, if it doesn't provide a great picture and clear audio. Each TV on this list has been ensured to support various HDR codecs, including HDR10+ and Dolby Vision, as well as enhanced audio software like Dolby Atmos, Dolby Digital Plus, and object-tracking sound.For a more detailed look, check outour extensive TV testing methodology.Featured reviews

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Taylor Clemons/ZDNETWhat's the deal?The Hisense U8Nis up to $800 off at Best Buy. It's available in screen sizes from 55 inches, on sale for $400, to 85 inches, on sale for $800, making it a good fit for your home entertainment setup, no matter how much space you have.Why this deal is ZDNET-recommended?The Hisense U8Nis regularly priced at between $1,099 and $2,799.The U8N has a 144Hz native refresh rate and supports AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR, making it a great TV for console gaming.Dolby Atmos and Dolby Vision deliver enhanced picture quality with virtual surround sound for an immersive experience.If you're a console gamer or entertainment buff looking for a high-quality, dedicated TV, the Hisense U8N is an excellent choice. With a 144Hz native refresh rate, motion blur is practically nonexistent. The TV is also equipped with AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR, which helps prevent stuttering and tearing. If those aren't enough reasons to pick up the TV, you can save up to $1,100 on the Hisense U8N right now at Best Buyfor the 85-inch version.Also:The best QLED TV I've tested got an upgrade, and it's over $2,000 off at AmazonWhile I'm primarily a PC gamer, I do have a PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch, so I can keep up with platform exclusives and play party games with friends whenever the stars align (and we all have a Saturday free.) My main TV is an older 50-inch Samsung TU7000, which is fine enough for gaming, and the Hisense U8K I previously tested has pride of place in the master bedroom, where it's mostly a glorified YouTube and Dropout box. Even though last year's Hisense U8K has served me well, the U8N definitely has it beat. details View at Best Buy Right away, you'll notice the bright, bold colors and deep contrast the mini LED panel offers, even in Google TV's dynamic home menus. Setting up the U8N is quick and simple, just like its predecessor. If you don't install the pedestal base backward at first, as I did, you can go from box to streaming or gaming in about 15 minutes.I appreciate the pedestal foot more than the traditional TV feet, as it definitely feels more sturdy and durable. This is needed since this is a heavy TV at 65 inches, so the 75- and 85-inch models need even more reliable support. Also:LG's G4 OLED TV is my No. 1 for best picture quality, and it's still $900 off after Cyber MondayI have my Switch set up in my office/gaming room, and the PS5 is in the main living room because I also use it as a Blu-Ray/DVD player for my extensive physical media collection, barring music CDs, but that's another article entirely. While I could easily move the consoles around the house, especially the Switch, since it's quite literally designed to be a mobile game device, it's still a hassle to unhook everything, untangle the cables, and move it all without tripping over the cats. Taylor Clemons/ZDNETThe U8N helps solve this issue by supporting the PlayStation remote play app. This app lets you play your PS5 or PS4 games wherever you are, as long as you have a controller and a reliable Wi-Fi connection.Since my console was just in the next room over, and I have a robust mesh network set up for work, I was pleasantly surprised at just how well the remote play app works. Other than a few visual artifacts upon launch as the connection stabilized, I would have had difficulty telling the difference between remote and console-direct gameplay.Also:For $799, this new Hisense TV is my pick for Cyber Monday's hottest TV dealAnd though I'm sure the lag would be more difficult to deal with if I were across the country or traveling internationally, I'd be willing to put up with it for the novelty of putzing around Cyberpunk 2077 in my hotel room after a day on the beach or exploring a real city with a disappointing lack of free junk laying around to pick up and sell for extra cash.Pairing an old PS4 DualShock controller to the Hisense TV via Bluetooth was simple enough. As long as the battery is charged or you're plugged into a USB power source, there shouldn't be any connectivity issues. Setting up the remote play connection was about as easy as it could get: just go to [Settings], select the [System] tab, then [Remote Play], where you'll find the toggle button to enable remote play for your console.Also: OLED vs. QLED TV: Which panel type is best suited for your home?Playing games on my Nintendo Switch was a perfect opportunity to see just what the Hisense U8N's QLED panel was capable of regarding color accuracy and contrast. Many Nintendo titles have brightly colored visuals and distinct art styles that are best appreciated on a full TV screen, and the Hisense U8N didn't disappoint.I was finally able to pick up a digital copy of Super Mario Bros Wonder, and the U8N did an incredible job of rendering the radically different art styles and color palettes. From dark purples of subterranean caves and the deep blacks of space to warm desert tones and crisp blues of icy passages, the TV handled each level beautifully. I spent countless minutes just admiring the background details and flavor animations between badge challenges and collecting every level star.Also:This Sony Bravia is my pick for best TV for the money - and it's still on sale after Cyber MondayI also did a quick Hades run on the Switch, which helped show off the U8N's deep contrast with the harsh, dark art style, as well as the TV's built-in audio - which was pleasantly clear. The built-in speakers handle in-game dialogue wonderfully, delivering crisp audio that is easy to understand, even without subtitles.And the game's gorgeous, sweeping soundtrack and heavy, satisfying battle sound effects helped test the limits of the TV's Dolby Atmos capabilities. You'll definitely get your money's worth if you hate wearing a headset for console gaming, but I suggest you invest in a dedicated gaming speaker system like the SteelSeries Arena 9 if you want to get the most out of your audio.ZDNET's buying adviceEven if you aren't a big console gamer, the Hisense U8N is an excellent TV for streaming movies, music, and TV shows with its bold colors and contrast, as well as immersive audio. With a 144Hz refresh rate, you'll get smoother motion during fast-paced movie and game scenes as well as live sports broadcasts. Dolby Atmos support gives you virtual surround sound without needing a headset or expensive home audio setup, and AMD FreeSync Premium Pro VRR helps prevent screen tearing and stuttering.The U8N is available in screen sizes ranging from 55 to 85 inches, typically retailing from $1,100 to $2,800. While this is on the more expensive side, the Hisense U8N packs plenty of premium-grade features to make it a worthwhile investment, especially if you are looking for a TV that you're not going to have to replace in five years. Featured reviews

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Mensent Photography/Getty ImagesOpenAI recently announced Operator, an AI agent designed to perform tasks on the web.After testing it (yes, I paid the $200 bucks, but, more importantly, I kept the subscription), this is a game-changer, but not for the reason you think.This article will probably get me in trouble with my business partner.Also: Will AI kill creativity and destroy human innovation? Here's the unsettling truthI'm about to snitch on myself for your benefit. I'm going to tell you the secret sauce behind how our ecom business generates millions in revenue and how Operator can help.In this article, I'll break down:What Operator is and why it mattersThe good, the bad, and the ugly of using itThree ways you can turn Operator into a side hustleGrab a pen and paper if you're into this kind of stuff. You'll want to take notes. Quick introTo understand why this is a game changer, first, you must understand who I am and what I do for a living.If you are new to my work, my name is Lester, but feel free to call me Les.I'm a founder with a successful exit under my belt. These days, I'm the exec chair for a group of ecom brands, but at my core, I'm an award-winning performance marketer. Also:From zero to millions? How regular people are cashing in on AINeedless to say, data and insights are my jam. We operate more like a data company than an ecom brand. Our secret sauce? Pairing data and insights with ideas that generate revenue.If you are into leveraging AI or emerging tech to help your workflow or generate revenue, check out my free newsletter, No Fluff Just Facts. I break down what is working in the world of AI along with actionable insights to implement no fluff, just facts (see what I did there).But enough about me. I have to tell you why Operator is a game changer! What is Operator and why it's a game changerOperator helps US-based PRO users perform browser activities like filling out forms and ordering groceries; apparently, it can even help you create memes. It interacts with web pages by clicking, typing, and scrolling like a human.A new AI model powers Operator called Computer Using Agent (CUA), combined with GPT-4's vision and capabilities for advanced reasoning. This is what allows it to understand what is happening on a website.Now that you're all caught up, let me share the opportunities. Also:The billion-dollar AI company no one is talking about - and why you should carePrice is the biggest complaint among users. At $200 per month, it's a significant jump from the $20 plan, and many don't see enough value to make the upgrade worthwhile, which is a valid point.But instead of comparing it to the cheaper plan, I look at it in terms of the time and resources it can save.A big part of my day job is validating ideas, visiting different websites, looking at trends, and documenting them. While this is not the best use of time, it is still necessary and has a cost, whether I do it myself or hire an assistant to do it for me.$200 is a lot of bread, especially in this economy, but the alternative could cost thousands of dollars per month and tens of thousands per year. Operator allows small business owners and professionals to automate without hiring or paying a developer to create an internal tool.Sure, there are online tools that can perform similar functions, but that is yet another tool to learn. OpenAI is already part of my workflow, so having everything in one place is beneficial.Also:Have a genealogy mystery? How I used AI to solve a family puzzleOperator is a great tool to handle the mundane, time-consuming tasks I don't want to do.And for $200 bucks? Pffft. Have at it, Operator.Let me know when you're done or if you need me.The biggest limitation may not be Operator itself, but our imagination when using it.How I use OperatorAh yes, the reason why my biz partner may beat my you-know-what.First, I need to explain the core of any business. Most businesses operate on some form of arbitrage, whether it's sourcing a product at a lower cost and selling it at a higher price, or offering a service where the cost to deliver is lower than the price charged.Whether you are selling a product or service, the core of what is happening is the same.The key is creating value while managing cost differences between markets.Now that we understand that, let's dig into how we build businesses. Everyone sees Amazon as a place to buy, but we consider it a place to validate product ideas.Let's say we have an idea for a funny candle. We go to Amazon first to see if the concept already exists. If it does, we document things like:Product namePriceSales rank Lester MappThis information is critical. The arbitrage is then sourcing that product and introducing it to our audience.Bonus tip: We do not just copy. We look at how a product can be improved and offer our audience the new and improved version on our website.Make sense?Now that we have that out of the way, let me explain how we used Operator. As I mentioned, part of the job is endless scrolling -- looking and looking. I instructed Operator to do my product research for me.Here is the exact prompt I used:"I need you to go to www.amazon.com and search 'funny candles.' I then need you to tell me the price and name of each listing. Then, I need you to tell me the sales rank for the first 48 product listings."After a CAPTCHA and a little finessing with the prompt, I got the exact output I needed.Operator was able to handle the most critical role in our business, which is product research.It freed up my time and allowed me to focus on things like talking to customers. Nobody likes doing these types of tasks as they are monotonous and tedious. It's all the "ous-es" you can think of.But it is vital for staying ahead.Operator did it autonomously for the most part.Like I said, it's a game changer.The good, the bad, and the kind of uglyThe goodI like the fact that I can operate independently without having to wait for a coworker or a developer to help. If you are anything like me, you know exactly what I mean by that. I would rather wash my eyes with bleach than wait for someone.I also love that I can speak, and it appears. I do not have to write a fancy brief or send ten gazillion emails to get what I want.I love the fact that it is centralized. I don't need ten apps and integrations to do one thing. I allow it to log into things like Google Sheets and copy the info.The badIt's not all the way there. It is AI. It does weird AI stuff, like hallucinating and providing incorrect and nonsensical information. I stay patient and keep it pushing.It's slow, but still faster than me at getting the job done. Honestly, I can't even call that a real complaint.It was asking me for confirmation way too much. This meant Operator would stop and sit there waiting for my input while I was off living my best life. Time wasted. To combat this, I turned on notifications to see if that improves the time between confirmations. I will let you know how it goes.The kinda ugly Sure, there are flaws and things that could be better, but at this moment, the real issue is me. I wish I could think of even more creative ways to use it.To be clear, I'm not talking about everyday stuff like grocery shopping. That's table stakes.I mean, how do I get this thing to 10x my business while I am on vacation? How to make money with OpenAI OperatorWith any emerging technology, there will always be a group of people who:Need help implementingDo not have the time to do it themselvesThere's potential to build a business around either of these scenarios. In my humble opinion, this is a great place to start, especially if you are an early mover, as it could position you as the go-to resource.That said, here are a few more ideas on how you can use Operator to generate income.1. AI automation as a serviceOffer automation services to businesses that want to streamline repetitive tasks like data entry, email responses, or customer support.2. AI-powered lead generation and sales automationUse Operator to send personalized messages to potential leads on LinkedIn about your product or service.3. AI-powered e-commerceUse Operator to automatically list, update, and optimize product listings on eBay, Amazon, or Shopify.These are just a few ideas, but the biggest opportunity is using Operator to enhance what we are already doing.Rather than looking for some magical new opportunity, the best move is to integrate it into your current workflow.Operator is a tool that makes us more efficient and provides an opportunity to win back some of our time.The real opportunity is looking within and asking yourself, what can AI help me do? As I mentioned earlier, it really comes down to your imagination and how you use it in your existing workflow or even how you create a new one.The critics aren't wrong about its limitations, but the tool is still incredibly powerful. Unlocking its full potential just requires a bit of creativity and a willingness to work around its constraints.Writing the technology off entirely because it is not there yet is unwise. My two centsSo, is Operator worth it?Like most things in life, it depends. The price of $200 is relative and depends on how you use it.If you are using it to book your Airbnb or something like that, I am hard-pressed to find any reason to justify paying $200 for the luxury of not doing it yourself (unless this is your job).I can see a future where Operator, when used effectively, becomes one of the best business assets in your toolkit by automating repetitive tasks.However, it's not a magic fix. You still need to build a strong business by solving real problems and maintaining solid unit economics.Also: The work tasks people use Claude AI for most, according to AnthropicWe are not at a place where AI can do everything for us. A do-it-with-me approach would be the better way to look at it.All that said, I am bullish on Operator as a business tool and look forward to seeing where it goes. Hope this helps; I am rooting for you.By the way, if you want to learn more about leveraging AI or emerging tech to optimize your workflow or generate revenue, check out my free newsletter, No Fluff Just Facts. I break down what is working in the world of AI, along with actionable insights you can implement and the occasional pep talk. If this sounds like your jam and you wanna be besties forever, click here to sign up. It's totally free. Artificial Intelligence Editorial standards

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Adam Breeden/ZDNETDid you know that a modern TV uses significantly less energy than a TV that's a decade old? Maybe that shouldn't be a surprise, considering how much more power-efficient today's display panels are. According to Perch Energy, the average power consumption of an old TV runs around $54 per year in energy costs. Because LED-backlit TVs and OLEDs consume less power than traditional LCD screens, newer models cost about $32 annually.Also: How to clear the cache on your TV (and why it's more important than you think)In large part, the bigger your screen size, the more power your TV requires. But there are ways to attenuate your TV's power consumption every time you turn it on. Here are some settings you can change to save more money on your next electricity bill. Even if it's just tens of dollars that you're ultimately saving, it's still a little less money coming out of your pocket, and that's the goal.What are EnergyGuide ratings?First, if you're thinking of buying a new TV, start with the most fundamental source of information: the EnergyGuide label and the ENERGY STAR rating. Each TV on a showroom floor will display these labels. This information from manufacturers provides a reliable metric for comparing efficiency among TV sets.Also: Your TV's USB port is a hidden gem: 5 surprising benefits you're missing out onRatings range from A to G, with an A rating being the highest and most energy-efficient. However, it is rare to find a TV with an A rating. For a smart TV, a rating of D or E is considered highly efficient. New TVs certified by ENERGY STAR must have comparable features and be 25% more energy-efficient than competitors. While many energy-efficient televisions may cost more upfront, you'll quickly recover the difference in price through energy savings.But what about your current TV settings? There are a few you can tweak for better results.1. Lower your brightnessBrightness on any television is a tricky variable. It can enhance your viewing experience, but sometimes too much brightness isn't worth the money. Over-brightness can distort clarity and contrast, and it also costs extra pennies. Some newer TVs have sensors that detect ambient light -- automatic brightness control (ABC) -- and automatically adjust the brightness. Also:The best home battery and backup systems: Expert testedOn your TV, look for an Eco mode or Movie mode. Select one of these for optimal energy efficiency and a realistic viewing experience. In the end, you might do both your eyes and your checkbook a favor by reducing brightness. 2. Set a sleep timerI know it's not ideal sleep hygiene, but I confess that I enjoy going to bed with my TV on. I luxuriate in drifting off, bathed in its comforting glow. This is also senseless, I know, in terms of being economical. So, I set a sleep timer on my Samsung. When the TV detects no activity for two hours, it automatically turns off. This is similar to Standby mode, which you also can enable to power down your set after a predetermined period of no interaction. 3. Turn off your screen when streaming musicEver listen to Spotify or one of the music channels included in your cable package? If you're listening to music through your TV, you don't really need the visuals. Many TVs have a special setting that allows you to turn off the screen entirely, but you can also lower the brightness if that option isn't available. Also: Looking for Netflix shows? I used these secret codes to unlock the full catalogThe same goes for using your TV simply for background noise. If you're not watching the screen, you can save money by turning off the lumens and focusing on the volume. 4. Power down completelyNew TV sets use about 55 kilowatt-hours (kWh) a year. For comparison, a refrigerator uses an average of 550 kWh per year -- but your refrigerator lacks the luxury of shutting down for a rest. Even when you turn off your TV with the remote, it tends to go into Standby mode, continuing to use about 0.4 watts. To really limit your TV's power consumption, I suggest plugging it and any peripherals into a power strip, so you can swiftly switch everything on and off. 5. A note on picture quality and powerIf you're looking to significantly reduce energy usage, an OLED TV is an excellent choice due to its advanced pixel technology. OLED TVs feature pixels that emit their own light and can turn on and off individually. This precise control allows for deeper blacks, higher contrast, and lower overall power consumption. By turning off individual pixels when displaying dark scenes, OLED TVs consume less power compared to traditional LCDs, which require a backlight that's always on. Also:Changing these 5 TV settings can instantly improve its picture quality - here's howAs mentioned earlier, if you're in the market for a TV, I recommend an OLED model with an EnergyGuide rating of D that's ENERGY STAR certified. However, it's important to note that higher resolutions mean more pixels, which can result in greater energy consumption. A 4K screen has 8.29 million pixels, four times more than a 1080p screen, requiring four times the energy.Before making a decision, consider your viewing habits. Many streaming services still offer content in 720p or 1080p. Assess how frequently you watch 4K content to determine if the higher energy consumption of a 4K TV is justified for your needs.FAQ Do newer TVs use less electricity? Yes, generally. With advancing technology, newer TVs tend to be more energy efficient. LED-backlit TVs use a fraction of the electricity that older LCD screens consume, and OLED technology offers even greater efficiency. Show more What's the most energy-efficient type of TV? OLED (organic light-emitting diode) TVs are currently considered the most energy-efficient option. They offer brighter, thinner, and more efficient screens than other technologies. Show more How much can I save by using energy-saving features? TVs with energy-saving features consume significantly less power. ENERGY STAR-certified TVs are, on average, at least 25% more energy efficient than conventional models. Show more Does screen size affect power consumption? Yes, larger screens typically consume more power. The good news is that the impact of size on energy consumption has decreased with newer technologies. Show more Should I replace my old TV with a new, more efficient model? If your current TV is ancient, you can always buy a replacement that could result in energy savings -- although you might consider the environmental impact of disposing of your old TV and manufacturing a new one. If your current TV still has a good picture, I suggest trying some of these energy-saving practices first. Show more Featured

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ZDNETOur businesses are undergoing anAI transformation.Increasing numbers of professionalsusegenerative AIand machine learning to complete mundane tasks and spend more time on the activities that matter most.Also: AI transformation is a double-edged sword. Here's how to avoid the risksBusiness and digital leaders are charged with turning these initial forays with emerging technology intoa long-term competitive advantage. Here are three ways to ensure AI changes your organization for the better.1. Increase time spent on value-adding activitiesDave Moyes, partner for information and digital systems at architect SimpsonHaugh, said his firm uses AI in three key areas: word AI, image AI, and generative AI (Gen AI).Word AI is a productivity boon. The practice is introducing automation to help staff reduce the hours spent on time-intensive tasks such as preparing emails, creating meeting minutes, and developing site reports.The practice uses Gen AI for parametric design, where building elements and engineering components are shaped using algorithmic processes rather than direct, manual manipulation.Also:How Gen AI means better customer experiences - see one bank's approachMoyes told ZDNET that this branch of AI is well-established in architecture. His firm hones its approach using tools like Autodesk Forma and the Grasshopper visual programming interface in Rhino."Something as simple as the orientation of a building can make a massive difference, particularly when dealing with tall towers," he said."Being able to rotate the building by 10 degrees to see the effect of the wind is quick with AI. Previously, that process would have required a specialist and taken many hours."Moyes said the good news is that the automation enabled by Gen AI means staff spend less time on paperwork and more time on value-adding activities."Architects can focus on design because the technology removes many of the questions around compliance."Also:Your AI transformation depends on these 5 business tacticsFinally, the practice uses image AI -- and the specialist tool, ComfyUI -- to help professionals generate early-stage design proposals based on sketches and prompts."Early-stage architecture is a sales pitch around the vision for the scheme, the context within the city, the benefits to the environment, and the benefits to the clients. Image generation allows us to enhance the sales pitch," he said."Our staff might say, 'Give me an image of somebody sitting in a bedroom overlooking the beach.' Generating that image within a large language model is easy."However, Moyes cautioned other business leaders to ensure highly skilled humans stay in the loop."For example, the tools may not understand what a dual-aspect apartment is," he said. "So, there's still a level of input required from the architect to say, 'Actually, the scheme this AI tool has created is not right.' The technology still needs somebody to validate the data."2. Cut the admin and boost productivityCarrie Jordan, Microsoft's global director of program execution, said the tech giant is using AI to help proposal professionals close deals effectively.Microsoft uses Responsive's Strategic Response Management platform and AI to develop a pioneering approach that boosts sales staff productivity.Jordan told ZDNET that writing proposals is a time-intensive task that takes sellers away from the face-to-face and problem-solving conversations that drive customer orders."One of the sellers' biggest pain points is proposals," she said. "At Microsoft, the sellers have a lot on their plates. They have many resources and accounts, and answering a 600-question RFP is a pain point."Also:Why the 'Bring Your Own AI' trend could mean big trouble for business leadersAs a first step, Jordan said her company used Responsive to create a repository of 20,000 pieces of proposal content.While this content provided approved corporate answers to sales queries, Jordan said searching for the right answers was still time-consuming, especially when some RFPs have 600-plus questions with deep technical requirements.Jordan worked with Responsive to see how AI could help create a first draft automatically from the content repository Microsoft had already built.Before AI, Microsoft's proposal professionals spent about 20 minutes per question searching the library, finding the right answer, and using it for work-related activities.Also:We're losing the battle against complexity, and AI may or may not helpWith the AI-enabled system, the proposal creation process can take five minutes or less, even including the time to ensure the output is correct. Jordan said that the final validation stage is crucial to success."What we don't want is for there to be an overreliance on AI in any use case, but particularly in proposals, as we are signing up the business to do certain things for our customers," she said."To solve that challenge, we're putting all sorts of reminders everywhere that the AI creates a first draft and the professional's role is to validate, review, and edit the content for accuracy."Jordan said the company also includes disclaimers that explain to customers how AI might have been used in the proposal process."We've done our best to ensure accuracy and response quality," she said. "But this is a challenge all use cases of AI will come across because automation involves a modification to human behavior."3. Use data to deliver effective personalizationRaymond Boyle, vice president of data and analytics at Hyatt Hotels, said he uses innovation to create better experiences for customers and colleagues."Data and AI are very powerful enablers of those outcomes," he said. "I think the relationship between what people and machines do -- and getting the balance right, caring for our people and guests, and designing the organization to move with fluidity and speed -- opens up when you think about the potential benefits of emerging technology."Boyle told ZDNET Hyatt uses the Snowflake AI Data Cloud for Travel and Hospitality. This unified data platform helps his company consolidate enterprise data into a single location for innovative projects.Also:I put GitHub Copilot's AI to the test - its mixed success at coding baffled meOne of the company's priorities is ensuring AI and data are used to improve the search experience and recommendations that people receive."Personalization is all about how our guests and customers interact with us. So, that process starts when you're dreaming about your vacation, searching for properties, and receiving recommendations about where you might be interested in going," said Boyle."It then moves onto ancillary areas. Maybe you want to participate in different experiences, such as a spa day, playing golf, or having dinner on the beach. All those areas are great opportunities for machine learning and personalization systems."In addition to personalization, Boyle said Hyatt is rolling out modern pricing-optimization capabilities globally."We want to modernize and level up our ability to boost revenues. We're thinking about how we can help our owners and operators achieve higher levels of profit within the system."Boyle's team is also exploring the potential for using Gen AI capabilities within analytics."We're thinking about how self-service analytics can help people have the information they need to make smarter decisions across the enterprise," he said."In those areas, we're leveraging the ability to do natural language search to see insights from the data and to understand what drives change."Boyle said any implementation of emerging technology must help the business boost customer and colleague experiences."The application of the technology differs depending on whether it's a sales, marketing, finance, or governance use case," he said."But the right use case for AI and data allows us to be cleaner, quicker, faster, and more secure as we pursue Hyatt's objectives."Featured Editorial standards

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ZDNET's key takeaways The RingConn Gen 2 is a subscription-free smart ring that retails for $300 It monitors your sleep, activity, stress, and vitals, and it's got a marathon battery life The only downside is the user interface feels underdeveloped. $299 at Amazon Most smart rings these days claim to offer marathon battery lives but often fall short of their promise. Take theOura Ring 4, for example, which claims to have an eight-day battery life but often only lasts me around four days, tops. I still love and willingly recharge that ring, but part of the appeal of smart rings, compared to smartwatches, is their longer battery life.Also: Oura Ring's ovulation tracking beats the calendar method, according to this studyI've got one for you if you want a smart ring with a truly competitive battery life. I've been testing the RingConn Gen 2 smart ring that boasts a marathon battery life of 10 to 12 days. The smart ring comes with other perks and a few drawbacks that I'll get to below. details View at Amazon Right off the bat, the RingConn 2 has some green flags. Unlike competing smart ring brands with products that start at $350 and go all the way up to $400 or $450, this smart ring costs $300 and does not require a subscription to gain full access to your health data. Sizing starts at size six and goes through size 14, and you can get the ring in three colors: silver, black, and gold.The build of the ring is more square than circular, but I found myself unbothered by this unique shape. It fits comfortably around my finger with no problems. Despite healthy and frequent wear, the ring doesn't tarnish easily either.The RingConn Gen 2 comes with a case that extends its already impressively long battery life, powering the smart ring's empty battery for over 150+ days. As someone who is constantly charging several wearable devices at a time, this long-lasting charging case that I could use without hooking the smart ring up to an outlet made me partial to RingConn.Most smart rings offer up daily scores for two to three important health metrics: sleep, activity, and readiness. Readiness is calculated based on yesterday's activity, how you slept, and other biometric data, like how late your heart rate dropped as you slept.The RingConn Gen 2 measures your vitals, sleep, activity, and stress but doesn't measure readiness. Instead of readiness, it provides a Wellness Balance feature. It takes all of the aforementioned data and displays it in a flower-like graph, with longer petals for the biometrics that are meeting or excelling the recommended benchmarks and shorter petals for those that aren't.When all your petals are the same length it indicates that your wellness is at equilibrium. I liked that I could see all the important data displayed in such a digestible and visual manner right as I opened the app. RingConn's Wellness Balance compiles your activity, sleep, vitals, and stress scores into a holistic illustration of your health. Screenshot by Nina Raemont/ZDNETHardcore trainers use the readiness or energy feature on their smart ring apps to gauge how intense their exercise regimen should be for the day. If that's you, you might be displeased with the Wellness Balance functionality, and I'd recommend the Oura Ring, Ultrahuman Ring, or Galaxy Ring instead.The app delivers your scores alongside context that helps inform the reasoning behind your sleep or vitals score. I was ill one day while testing the ring and spent the entire day sleeping. Because of the large amount of time I spent in bed, it told me that too much sleep can slow down my metabolism or lead to weight gain.Also:Your next Apple Watch or smart ring could have a feature that transforms healthcareRingConn says that the battery on its second-generation ring lasts up to 10 to 12 days, but in my testing, I found that it only lasted seven. Still, that's far longer than the battery lives of other smart rings I've tried, which last four to five days on a single charge. I can say without a doubt that this smart ring has the most impressive battery life out of every brand I've tried. Nina Raemont/ZDNETAccording to its website, the RingConn Gen 2 also boasts a sleep apnea detection feature with 90.7% accuracy. If you're a chronic snorer looking to learn more about how your breathing impacts you throughout the night, the sleep apnea feature could help monitor your conditions and answer some of your questions.It tells you when there are significant or minor outliers in your sleep throughout the night, not only providing a graph that details this but also a timeline that shows when your SpO2 fluctuated during the night.I wore the Oura Ring 4 in tandem with the RingConn Gen 2 and found that the latter seems to underestimate both the time spent asleep and the steps I've taken throughout the day.The RingConn and Oura both ranked my sleep efficiency in the 87th and 88th percentile. Oura said I got 11 hours and eight minutes of sleep, while RingConn said I spent 10 hours and 50 minutes asleep. RingConn reported 11,091 steps, while Oura reported 15,259 steps. I've seen in various Reddit threads that the Oura Ring tends to overestimate step count, which could account for the great disparity in steps between rings.On a healthy night of sleep, Oura recorded eight hours and two minutes, a sleep efficiency of 94%, and a sleep score of 90. RingConn recorded an 84 sleep score, seven hours and 45 minutes asleep, and a sleep efficiency of 91%. In both cases, RingConn is subtracting around 15 minutes from my night's sleep.ZDNET's buying adviceI enjoyed most aspects of wearing this subscription-free smart ring, and at $300 ($50 less than competitors), it's a smart ring I'd recommend to those looking for an alternative to Oura's subscription-based services. especially if you want a smart ring with a battery life that will actually last you a week before recharging.The one area where I noticed RingConn's smart ring lacking was in its user interface. The app feels underdeveloped, and some of the messages lacked personal context that proved they were being generated off of my own data. On one good sleep score day, all that it said when I clicked into the sleep tab was: "Good sleep makes you happy." That's my only true gripe, and I hope the recommendations can become more tailored and informative in future software updates.Otherwise, the RingConn Gen 2 is an impressive smart ring with comprehensive health metric monitoring that's on the cheaper end of the smart ring spectrum. It accurately tracks sleep with features like sleep apnea monitoring that could help you uncover your snoring patterns, it's got a marathon battery life (plus a charging case with 150 days' worth of juice in it), and a build you can wear comfortably.Featured reviews

ZDNETOpenAI recently announced Operator, an AI agent designed to perform tasks on the web.After testing it (yes, I paid the $200 bucks, but, more importantly, I kept the subscription), this is a game-changer, but not for the reason you think.This article will probably get me in trouble with my business partner.Also: Will AI kill creativity and destroy human innovation? Here's the unsettling truthI'm about to snitch on myself for your benefit. I'm going to tell you the secret sauce behind how our ecom business generates millions in revenue and how Operator can help.In this article, I'll break down:What Operator is and why it mattersThe good, the bad, and the ugly of using itThree ways you can turn Operator into a side hustleGrab a pen and paper if you're into this kind of stuff. You'll want to take notes. Quick introTo understand why this is a game changer, first, you must understand who I am and what I do for a living.If you are new to my work, my name is Lester, but feel free to call me Les.I'm a founder with a successful exit under my belt. These days, I'm the exec chair for a group of ecom brands, but at my core, I'm an award-winning performance marketer. Also:From zero to millions? How regular people are cashing in on AINeedless to say, data and insights are my jam. We operate more like a data company than an ecom brand. Our secret sauce? Pairing data and insights with ideas that generate revenue.If you are into leveraging AI or emerging tech to help your workflow or generate revenue, check out my free newsletter, No Fluff Just Facts. I break down what is working in the world of AI along with actionable insights to implement no fluff, just facts (see what I did there).But enough about me. I have to tell you why Operator is a game changer! What is Operator and why it's a game changerOperator helps US-based PRO users perform browser activities like filling out forms and ordering groceries; apparently, it can even help you create memes. It interacts with web pages by clicking, typing, and scrolling like a human.A new AI model powers Operator called Computer Using Agent (CUA), combined with GPT-4's vision and capabilities for advanced reasoning. This is what allows it to understand what is happening on a website.Now that you're all caught up, let me share the opportunities. Also:The billion-dollar AI company no one is talking about - and why you should carePrice is the biggest complaint among users. At $200 per month, it's a significant jump from the $20 plan, and many don't see enough value to make the upgrade worthwhile, which is a valid point.But instead of comparing it to the cheaper plan, I look at it in terms of the time and resources it can save.A big part of my day job is validating ideas, visiting different websites, looking at trends, and documenting them. While this is not the best use of time, it is still necessary and has a cost, whether I do it myself or hire an assistant to do it for me.$200 is a lot of bread, especially in this economy, but the alternative could cost thousands of dollars per month and tens of thousands per year. Operator allows small business owners and professionals to automate without hiring or paying a developer to create an internal tool.Sure, there are online tools that can perform similar functions, but that is yet another tool to learn. OpenAI is already part of my workflow, so having everything in one place is beneficial.Also:Have a genealogy mystery? How I used AI to solve a family puzzleOperator is a great tool to handle the mundane, time-consuming tasks I don't want to do.And for $200 bucks? Pffft. Have at it, Operator.Let me know when you're done or if you need me.The biggest limitation may not be Operator itself, but our imagination when using it.How I use OperatorAh yes, the reason why my biz partner may beat my you-know-what.First, I need to explain the core of any business. Most businesses operate on some form of arbitrage, whether it's sourcing a product at a lower cost and selling it at a higher price, or offering a service where the cost to deliver is lower than the price charged.Whether you are selling a product or service, the core of what is happening is the same.The key is creating value while managing cost differences between markets.Now that we understand that, let's dig into how we build businesses. Everyone sees Amazon as a place to buy, but we consider it a place to validate product ideas.Let's say we have an idea for a funny candle. We go to Amazon first to see if the concept already exists. If it does, we document things like:Product namePriceSales rank Lester MappThis information is critical. The arbitrage is then sourcing that product and introducing it to our audience.Bonus tip: We do not just copy. We look at how a product can be improved and offer our audience the new and improved version on our website.Make sense?Now that we have that out of the way, let me explain how we used Operator. As I mentioned, part of the job is endless scrolling -- looking and looking. I instructed Operator to do my product research for me.Here is the exact prompt I used:"I need you to go to www.amazon.com and search 'funny candles.' I then need you to tell me the price and name of each listing. Then, I need you to tell me the sales rank for the first 48 product listings."After a CAPTCHA and a little finessing with the prompt, I got the exact output I needed.Operator was able to handle the most critical role in our business, which is product research.It freed up my time and allowed me to focus on things like talking to customers. Nobody likes doing these types of tasks as they are monotonous and tedious. It's all the "ous-es" you can think of.But it is vital for staying ahead.Operator did it autonomously for the most part.Like I said, it's a game changer.The good, the bad, and the kind of uglyThe goodI like the fact that I can operate independently without having to wait for a coworker or a developer to help. If you are anything like me, you know exactly what I mean by that. I would rather wash my eyes with bleach than wait for someone.I also love that I can speak, and it appears. I do not have to write a fancy brief or send ten gazillion emails to get what I want.I love the fact that it is centralized. I don't need ten apps and integrations to do one thing. I allow it to log into things like Google Sheets and copy the info.The badIt's not all the way there. It is AI. It does weird AI stuff, like hallucinating and providing incorrect and nonsensical information. I stay patient and keep it pushing.It's slow, but still faster than me at getting the job done. Honestly, I can't even call that a real complaint.It was asking me for confirmation way too much. This meant Operator would stop and sit there waiting for my input while I was off living my best life. Time wasted. To combat this, I turned on notifications to see if that improves the time between confirmations. I will let you know how it goes.The kinda uglySure, there are flaws and things that could be better, but at this moment, the real issue is me. I wish I could think of even more creative ways to use it.To be clear, I'm not talking about everyday stuff like grocery shopping. That's table stakes.I mean, how do I get this thing to 10x my business while I am on vacation? How to make money with OpenAI OperatorWith any emerging technology, there will always be a group of people who:Need help implementingDo not have the time to do it themselvesThere's potential to build a business around either of these scenarios. In my humble opinion, this is a great place to start, especially if you are an early mover, as it could position you as the go-to resource.That said, here are a few more ideas on how you can use Operator to generate income.1. AI automation as a serviceOffer automation services to businesses that want to streamline repetitive tasks like data entry, email responses, or customer support.2. AI-powered lead generation and sales automationUse Operator to send personalized messages to potential leads on LinkedIn about your product or service.3. AI-powered e-commerceUse Operator to automatically list, update, and optimize product listings on eBay, Amazon, or Shopify.These are just a few ideas, but the biggest opportunity is using Operator to enhance what we are already doing.Rather than looking for some magical new opportunity, the best move is to integrate it into your current workflow.Operator is a tool that makes us more efficient and provides an opportunity to win back some of our time.The real opportunity is looking within and asking yourself, what can AI help me do? As I mentioned earlier, it really comes down to your imagination and how you use it in your existing workflow or even how you create a new one.The critics aren't wrong about its limitations, but the tool is still incredibly powerful. Unlocking its full potential just requires a bit of creativity and a willingness to work around its constraints.Writing the technology off entirely because it is not there yet is unwise. My two centsSo, is Operator worth it?Like most things in life, it depends. The price of $200 is relative and depends on how you use it.If you are using it to book your Airbnb or something like that, I am hard-pressed to find any reason to justify paying $200 for the luxury of not doing it yourself (unless this is your job).I can see a future where Operator, when used effectively, becomes one of the best business assets in your toolkit by automating repetitive tasks.However, it's not a magic fix. You still need to build a strong business by solving real problems and maintaining solid unit economics.Also: The work tasks people use Claude AI for most, according to AnthropicWe are not at a place where AI can do everything for us. A do-it-with-me approach would be the better way to look at it.All that said, I am bullish on Operator as a business tool and look forward to seeing where it goes. Hope this helps; I am rooting for you.By the way, if you want to learn more about leveraging AI or emerging tech to optimize your workflow or generate revenue, check out my free newsletter, No Fluff Just Facts. I break down what is working in the world of AI, along with actionable insights you can implement and the occasional pep talk. If this sounds like your jam and you wanna be besties forever, click here to sign up. It's totally free. Artificial Intelligence

Little in life is truly free, and this phrase applies to Virtual Private Network (VPN) services. "Free" in the VPN world usually means that providers will give you a VPN connection but make money from you in other ways. They may hide crucial features behind a paywall, display ads, or worse -- they may sell your data for a profit.You can test the best VPNs for free with a trial or a money-back guarantee. But if you want a 100% free VPN to use for the long term, there is a handful of secure options you can choose from. The VPN provider's reputation is critical in ensuring free services won't compromise your security, so the only free VPN solutions we can recommend are typically backed by their paying subscribers rather than offered through the trade-off of user data collection.What is the best VPN for free right now?We've extensively tested every major VPN on the market, including some free VPN offerings. Our pick for the best free VPN is Proton VPN. The company, developed by the team behind the encrypted ProtonMail service, offers a free VPN supported by paying subscribers. The number of device connections is limited, but it's still a top-tier VPN that can help you maintain a high level of online privacy.There are several other trustworthy options, and we have listed our recommendations below. Alternatively, if you're interested in trying out a paid VPN, consider one of our picks for the best VPNs with free trials. Sort by All Countries and servers Usability Speed and performance Security Price The best free VPNs of 2025 Show less View now at Proton VPN The free version of Proton VPN offers many useful features that are paid for in other services or by paid subscribers.It doesn't cap bandwidth, so you can use it year-round without worrying about exceeding monthly data limits. Proton VPN's free tier also doesn't restrict your speed. During our testing, we found that Proton VPN's connection and server speeds are reasonable, and there's no difference between the capabilities of the free solution and a paid plan.Robust online protection features like AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and no-logs policy help to hide your identity and digital footprint, regardless of whether you pay for this service or not. Also, Proton VPN doesn't monetize its free apps with ads, allowing you to browse without distractions.There are free servers in five locations: The U.S., Romania, Poland, Netherlands, and Japan. However, you can't manually choose and connect to a server. The VPN automatically selects one for you, but you can click the "Change Server" button to be assigned a different server location.Another drawback is that you can only use one device with your free account.Premium plans unlock 10 simultaneous connections and start at $3.59 per month on a two-year subscription. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee.Proton Free VPN features:Simultaneous connections: 1|Countries: 5|Logging: No-logs policy | Security audits |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, Kodi, and routers | VPN accelerator |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Free option|Trustpilot rating: 2.3 |Google Play rating: 4.5 |App Store rating: 4.6| Customer service: Only with a paid subscription | Data limit: None | Speed limit: None Countries and servers 8 Usability 6 Speed and performance 7 Security 9 Price 6 Pros Completely free Unlimited bandwidth and speed No ads Solid protection Cons Only one device connection Limited servers Latest tests No leaks detected, 21% speed loss in 2024 testsNetwork 11,400-plus servers in 117 countriesJurisdiction SwitzerlandPrice $10 a month, $60 for the first year or $108 for the first two years (one- and two-year plans renew at $80 per year) Proton VPN Best free VPN overall 3.6 / 5 Score The free version of Proton VPN offers many useful features that are paid for in other services or by paid subscribers.It doesn't cap bandwidth, so you can use it year-round without worrying about exceeding monthly data limits. Proton VPN's free tier also doesn't restrict your speed. During our testing, we found that Proton VPN's connection and server speeds are reasonable, and there's no difference between the capabilities of the free solution and a paid plan.Robust online protection features like AES 256-bit encryption, a kill switch, leak protection, and no-logs policy help to hide your identity and digital footprint, regardless of whether you pay for this service or not. Also, Proton VPN doesn't monetize its free apps with ads, allowing you to browse without distractions.There are free servers in five locations: The U.S., Romania, Poland, Netherlands, and Japan. However, you can't manually choose and connect to a server. The VPN automatically selects one for you, but you can click the "Change Server" button to be assigned a different server location.Another drawback is that you can only use one device with your free account.Premium plans unlock 10 simultaneous connections and start at $3.59 per month on a two-year subscription. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee.Proton Free VPN features:Simultaneous connections: 1|Countries: 5|Logging: No-logs policy | Security audits |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, Kodi, and routers | VPN accelerator |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Free option|Trustpilot rating: 2.3 |Google Play rating: 4.5 |App Store rating: 4.6| Customer service: Only with a paid subscription | Data limit: None | Speed limit: None Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Windscribe Windscribe is our second-best free VPN choice because, like Proton VPN, you can do a lot with the app. There are many customizable settings, including an ad-block feature, split tunneling, and a firewall to prevent leaks.You can access free servers in 10 countries, allowing you to easily change locations. The free servers also support streaming across multiple popular platforms.You can connect unlimited devices, but free users have 10GB per month maximum data usage (and only 2GB per month for users not signed up with an email address). This is plenty for occasional use while browsing online, but it won't be suitable if you frequently stream movies and television shows.You can use Windscribe on various devices, including Amazon Fire TV and browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.The VPN also allows you to build a plan, starting at just $1 per month if you want a VPN for specific server locations. Alternatively, a subscription starts at $5.75 per month on an annual plan, or a monthly plan will set you back $9 per month.Windscribe Free VPN features:Simultaneous connections: Unlimited|Countries: 10|Logging: No-logs policy |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, browsers |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Free option|Trustpilot rating: 4.7|Google Play rating: 4.6 |App Store rating: 4.6| Customer service: Online form, online FAQ only | Data limit: 2GB/10GB monthly | Speed limit:No| Countries: 10 Pros Many free servers Unlimited connections Browser extension available Custom plans Cons Limited bandwidth Windscribe is our second-best free VPN choice because, like Proton VPN, you can do a lot with the app. There are many customizable settings, including an ad-block feature, split tunneling, and a firewall to prevent leaks.You can access free servers in 10 countries, allowing you to easily change locations. The free servers also support streaming across multiple popular platforms.You can connect unlimited devices, but free users have 10GB per month maximum data usage (and only 2GB per month for users not signed up with an email address). This is plenty for occasional use while browsing online, but it won't be suitable if you frequently stream movies and television shows.You can use Windscribe on various devices, including Amazon Fire TV and browsers like Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.The VPN also allows you to build a plan, starting at just $1 per month if you want a VPN for specific server locations. Alternatively, a subscription starts at $5.75 per month on an annual plan, or a monthly plan will set you back $9 per month.Windscribe Free VPN features:Simultaneous connections: Unlimited|Countries: 10|Logging: No-logs policy |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, browsers |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Free option|Trustpilot rating: 4.7|Google Play rating: 4.6 |App Store rating: 4.6| Customer service: Online form, online FAQ only | Data limit: 2GB/10GB monthly | Speed limit:No| Countries: 10 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Hotspot Shield Free users can connect to Hotspot Shield's proprietary protocol for quick speeds. The protocol has a reputation for fast speeds like NordVPN's NordLynx and ExpressVPN's Lightway. Hydra can handle connections up to 1Gbps and works on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows.Were it not for the limited free server locations (one virtual location), Hotspot Shield Basic could have easily made it to our fastest VPN shortlist. This VPN is known for being extremely fast due to its Hydra protocol, but connection speeds may be impacted due to server limitations, and you won't have access to servers optimized for streaming purposes.You can use the split tunneling feature to exclude some apps and websites from routing traffic on the VPN for optimal connections. This also helps you conserve bandwidth since you only get 500MB daily (amounting to 15GB per month). Though Hotspot Shield Basic offers high-end encryption, the app is ad-supported.The ad-free premium upgrade plan starts at $6.66 per month and comes with a server selection of 70 countries.Hotspot Shield free VPN features:Simultaneous connections: 1|Countries: 1|Logging: No-logs policy |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, browsers |Money-back guarantee: 45 days |Trial: Free option|Trustpilot rating: 4.1 |Google Play rating: 4.6 |App Store rating: 4.6|Customer service:Paid subscribers only, online FAQ |Data limit:500MB/day |Speed limit:Yes Pros Proprietary Hydra protocol Multi-platform support Strong encryption Cons Has ads Limited customer support on free plans Free users can connect to Hotspot Shield's proprietary protocol for quick speeds. The protocol has a reputation for fast speeds like NordVPN's NordLynx and ExpressVPN's Lightway. Hydra can handle connections up to 1Gbps and works on iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows.Were it not for the limited free server locations (one virtual location), Hotspot Shield Basic could have easily made it to our fastest VPN shortlist. This VPN is known for being extremely fast due to its Hydra protocol, but connection speeds may be impacted due to server limitations, and you won't have access to servers optimized for streaming purposes.You can use the split tunneling feature to exclude some apps and websites from routing traffic on the VPN for optimal connections. This also helps you conserve bandwidth since you only get 500MB daily (amounting to 15GB per month). Though Hotspot Shield Basic offers high-end encryption, the app is ad-supported.The ad-free premium upgrade plan starts at $6.66 per month and comes with a server selection of 70 countries.Hotspot Shield free VPN features:Simultaneous connections: 1|Countries: 1|Logging: No-logs policy |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, browsers |Money-back guarantee: 45 days |Trial: Free option|Trustpilot rating: 4.1 |Google Play rating: 4.6 |App Store rating: 4.6|Customer service:Paid subscribers only, online FAQ |Data limit:500MB/day |Speed limit:Yes Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Tunnelbear You can use all TunnelBear servers in more than 40 countries for free. That's more generous than one of our top free VPN contenders, Windscribe. If you want to change your IP address to almost anywhere, TunnelBear should be your choice.During testing, I could connect to servers in countries including the U.S., Canada, U.K., Singapore, and across Europe without any problems.The only limitation you have to deal with is the 2GB monthly bandwidth cap. This diminishes TunnelBear's usefulness for regular content streaming and makes it best suited for occasional use.Thanks to its user-friendly and interactive interface, learning how to use TunnelBear won't be a problem -- even if it's your first time with VPNs. You can also connect as many devices as you want on the free account, and it has native apps for PC, mobile devices, and browsers.To access more features, like unlimited bandwidth and full access to the VPN's server network, you can subscribe for as low as $3.33 per month.TunnelBear Free VPNfeatures: Simultaneous connections: Unlimited|Countries: 40+|Logging: No-logs policy |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, browsers |Money-back guarantee: No |Trial: Free option|Trustpilot rating: 3.3 |Google Play rating: 4 |App Store rating: 4.7|Customer service:Paid only |Data limit:2GB monthly |Speed limit:No Pros Many server locations Interactive user interface Unlimited connections No credit card required Cons Only 2GB per month free No money-back guarantee You can use all TunnelBear servers in more than 40 countries for free. That's more generous than one of our top free VPN contenders, Windscribe. If you want to change your IP address to almost anywhere, TunnelBear should be your choice.During testing, I could connect to servers in countries including the U.S., Canada, U.K., Singapore, and across Europe without any problems.The only limitation you have to deal with is the 2GB monthly bandwidth cap. This diminishes TunnelBear's usefulness for regular content streaming and makes it best suited for occasional use.Thanks to its user-friendly and interactive interface, learning how to use TunnelBear won't be a problem -- even if it's your first time with VPNs. You can also connect as many devices as you want on the free account, and it has native apps for PC, mobile devices, and browsers.To access more features, like unlimited bandwidth and full access to the VPN's server network, you can subscribe for as low as $3.33 per month.TunnelBear Free VPNfeatures: Simultaneous connections: Unlimited|Countries: 40+|Logging: No-logs policy |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, browsers |Money-back guarantee: No |Trial: Free option|Trustpilot rating: 3.3 |Google Play rating: 4 |App Store rating: 4.7|Customer service:Paid only |Data limit:2GB monthly |Speed limit:No Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at PrivadoVPN Unlike many services that only support streaming with a premium account, Privado VPN allows you to watch content online with the free tier plan. You can access servers in 13 countries, including the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. (for watching BBC iPlayer in HD), but you won't have access to the full 49-country network unless you are a paying subscriber.Servers available to free users are part of the paid server fleet, meaning you have the same high-end protection online. Privado VPN also supports safe torrenting and file-sharing on the free servers.This VPN can easily be installed on devices, including Android TV and streaming media players like Fire TV Stick -- but choose wisely, as you are only given one device connection for free. You also only receive 10GB of free data per month.Still, subscriptions are very affordable, starting from just $1.11 per month with three months free.Privado free VPNfeatures: Simultaneous connections: Unlimited, 1 on a free plan|Countries: 49 (12/13 on a free plan) |Logging: No-logs policy |Platforms: Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Android TV, Fire TV |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Free option|Trustpilot rating: 3.8 |Google Play rating: 3.3 |App Store rating: 4|Customer service:Email, online FAQ |Data limit:10GB/month|Speed limit:No Pros Many server locations Streaming support P2P-support Affordable Cons Only one connection Unlike many services that only support streaming with a premium account, Privado VPN allows you to watch content online with the free tier plan. You can access servers in 13 countries, including the U.S., Canada, and the U.K. (for watching BBC iPlayer in HD), but you won't have access to the full 49-country network unless you are a paying subscriber.Servers available to free users are part of the paid server fleet, meaning you have the same high-end protection online. Privado VPN also supports safe torrenting and file-sharing on the free servers.This VPN can easily be installed on devices, including Android TV and streaming media players like Fire TV Stick -- but choose wisely, as you are only given one device connection for free. You also only receive 10GB of free data per month.Still, subscriptions are very affordable, starting from just $1.11 per month with three months free.Privado free VPNfeatures: Simultaneous connections: Unlimited, 1 on a free plan|Countries: 49 (12/13 on a free plan) |Logging: No-logs policy |Platforms: Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Android TV, Fire TV |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Free option|Trustpilot rating: 3.8 |Google Play rating: 3.3 |App Store rating: 4|Customer service:Email, online FAQ |Data limit:10GB/month|Speed limit:No Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Hide.me Hide.me, like Proton VPN, offers unlimited bandwidth on the free plan, so you can browse, stream, and download content without limitations.You can connect to seven server locations -- more than Proton VPN. You can connect to Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the U.K., or the U.S.. It has a minimalistic interface that I feel needs a brush-over to be more inspiring, like one of my all-time favorites, TunnelBear.It has an ad and tracker blocker, minimizing annoyances and third-party intrusion. There is also a no-logs policy in place to maintain a high level of online privacy.The free plan allows only one simultaneous connection per account, with premium subscriptions starting at $2/month.Hide.me free VPN features: Simultaneous connections: 10, one on a free plan|Countries: 89 (Seven on a free plan)|Logging: No-logs policy |Platforms: Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, routers |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Free option|Trustpilot rating: 4.5 |Google Play rating: 4.4 |App Store rating: 4,5|Customer service:24/7 |Data limit:Unlimited |Speed limit:No Pros Unlimited bandwidth No speed-throttling Customer support Cons Only one free device Basic app Hide.me, like Proton VPN, offers unlimited bandwidth on the free plan, so you can browse, stream, and download content without limitations.You can connect to seven server locations -- more than Proton VPN. You can connect to Finland, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Switzerland, the U.K., or the U.S.. It has a minimalistic interface that I feel needs a brush-over to be more inspiring, like one of my all-time favorites, TunnelBear.It has an ad and tracker blocker, minimizing annoyances and third-party intrusion. There is also a no-logs policy in place to maintain a high level of online privacy.The free plan allows only one simultaneous connection per account, with premium subscriptions starting at $2/month.Hide.me free VPN features: Simultaneous connections: 10, one on a free plan|Countries: 89 (Seven on a free plan)|Logging: No-logs policy |Platforms: Windows, Android, iOS, macOS, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, routers |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Free option|Trustpilot rating: 4.5 |Google Play rating: 4.4 |App Store rating: 4,5|Customer service:24/7 |Data limit:Unlimited |Speed limit:No Read More Show Expert Take Show less Best premium VPNs you can try for freeThe most popular VPN services barely have freemiums, but some offer free trials and money-back guarantees. These allow you to test all premium VPN features risk-free for a limited period. Here are our best picks with free trial opportunities. Show less View now at NordVPN NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to all users, including iOS and Android. It remains our best VPN for iPhone, but the free trial is only available to Android users. The free trial runs for seven days and is only accessible if you sign up through the Google Play Store.With its servers in more than 110 countries, secure features, and fast speeds globally, you can experience the best streaming and online gaming performance at no cost. There are also specialty servers, like Double VPN, for secure peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing. Subscriptions start at $3.39 per month.NordVPNfeatures: Simultaneous connections:10 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, and routers |Countries:111 |Kill switch:Yes |Logging:Email address and billing information only |Money-back guarantee: 30 days|Trial: Seven days on Android|Trustpilot rating: 4.1 |Google Play rating: 4.6 |App Store rating: 4.7 Countries and servers 10 Usability 9 Speed and performance 10 Security 8 Price 7 Pros Longer free trial for Android Proprietary fast protocol Many server locations Secure features Cons Limited free use No unlimited simultaneous connections Price $14 per month, $60 for the first year or $81 total for the first two years (one- and two-year plans renew at $140 per year)Latest tests No leaks detected, 3% average internet download speed loss in 2025 testsNetwork 7,200-plus servers in 118 countriesJurisdiction Panama NordVPN Best free VPN trial for Android 4.4 / 5 Score NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee to all users, including iOS and Android. It remains our best VPN for iPhone, but the free trial is only available to Android users. The free trial runs for seven days and is only accessible if you sign up through the Google Play Store.With its servers in more than 110 countries, secure features, and fast speeds globally, you can experience the best streaming and online gaming performance at no cost. There are also specialty servers, like Double VPN, for secure peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing. Subscriptions start at $3.39 per month.NordVPNfeatures: Simultaneous connections:10 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Android TV, Fire TV, tvOS, and routers |Countries:111 |Kill switch:Yes |Logging:Email address and billing information only |Money-back guarantee: 30 days|Trial: Seven days on Android|Trustpilot rating: 4.1 |Google Play rating: 4.6 |App Store rating: 4.7 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at CyberGhost VPN Contrary to NordVPN, CyberGhost favors iPhone users more, offering them a 7-day free trial without a credit card or subscription. Android and Windows/macOS devices can access shorter free trials of only 3 days and 24 hours, respectively. Plus, CyberGhost's 45-day money-back guarantee is more generous than most providers, allowing you to test the service and claim a refund.As recommended in our CyberGhost review, it's one of the best choices for streaming, thanks to its optimization for multiple platforms worldwide. The app can be used even on PlayStation and Xbox consoles via the Smart DNS feature or router setup.It costs just $2.19 per month for the most affordable two-year plan with two months free. You can also opt for a subscription for six months.CyberGhost VPN features:Simultaneous connections:7 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV, NAS routers |Countries:100+ |Kill switch:Yes |Logging:Payment information only |Money-back guarantee: 45 days|Trial: 24 hours on macOS and Windows; three days on Android, seven days on iOS |Trustpilot rating: 4.2|Google Play rating: 3.9|App Store rating: 4.2 Pros Various free trials available Optimized streaming servers 45-day money-back guarantee Straightforward apps Cons Short free use Contrary to NordVPN, CyberGhost favors iPhone users more, offering them a 7-day free trial without a credit card or subscription. Android and Windows/macOS devices can access shorter free trials of only 3 days and 24 hours, respectively. Plus, CyberGhost's 45-day money-back guarantee is more generous than most providers, allowing you to test the service and claim a refund.As recommended in our CyberGhost review, it's one of the best choices for streaming, thanks to its optimization for multiple platforms worldwide. The app can be used even on PlayStation and Xbox consoles via the Smart DNS feature or router setup.It costs just $2.19 per month for the most affordable two-year plan with two months free. You can also opt for a subscription for six months.CyberGhost VPN features:Simultaneous connections:7 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV, NAS routers |Countries:100+ |Kill switch:Yes |Logging:Payment information only |Money-back guarantee: 45 days|Trial: 24 hours on macOS and Windows; three days on Android, seven days on iOS |Trustpilot rating: 4.2|Google Play rating: 3.9|App Store rating: 4.2 Read More Show Expert Take Show less Show less View now at Surfshark VPN Surfshark's offers a 7-day free trial that includes Mac device users. You can only access the free trial via the App Store or Google Play Store for Android devices. It's also supported by a 30-day money-back guarantee for risk-free testing. Note that refunds will be processed by your app store, not Surfshark, which makes things more complex.When using the Surfshark app for free, you can access servers in 100 countries and tons of other paid features, including the NoBorders tool that works on network firewalls blocking VPN traffic. It's only $2.19 per month for the long-term starter package with three months of free access included, but short-term plans are more expensive.Surfshark features:Simultaneous connections:Unlimited| Ad blocker | Two-factor authentication |Kill switch: Yes |Countries: 100 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, tvOS, and routers |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Seven days on Android, iOS, and macOS|Trustpilot rating: 4.4 |Google Play rating: 4.6 |App Store rating: 4.7 Countries and servers 8 Usability 9 Speed and performance 6 Security 8 Price 9 Pros Longer free trial for Mac, iOS, and Android Affordable long-term plans NoBorders mode WireGuard Cons Short free use Expensive short-term plans Price $15.45 per month, $45 for the first year or $60 for the first two years (one- and two-year plans renew at $60 per year)Latest Tests No leaks detected, 17% speed loss in 2023 testsNetwork 3,200-plus servers in 100 countriesJurisdiction Netherlands Surfshark Best free VPN trial for macOS 4 / 5 Score Surfshark's offers a 7-day free trial that includes Mac device users. You can only access the free trial via the App Store or Google Play Store for Android devices. It's also supported by a 30-day money-back guarantee for risk-free testing. Note that refunds will be processed by your app store, not Surfshark, which makes things more complex.When using the Surfshark app for free, you can access servers in 100 countries and tons of other paid features, including the NoBorders tool that works on network firewalls blocking VPN traffic. It's only $2.19 per month for the long-term starter package with three months of free access included, but short-term plans are more expensive.Surfshark features:Simultaneous connections:Unlimited| Ad blocker | Two-factor authentication |Kill switch: Yes |Countries: 100 |Platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, tvOS, and routers |Money-back guarantee: 30 days |Trial: Seven days on Android, iOS, and macOS|Trustpilot rating: 4.4 |Google Play rating: 4.6 |App Store rating: 4.7 Read More Show Expert Take Show less What are the risks of free VPN services? The primary reason free VPNs are discouraged is because they can put your safety and privacy at risk. Some of them want to secretly collect your data and auction it to the highest bidder, which defeats the purpose of the VPN. Also, some offer only basic protection, and cybercriminals can exploit the flaws and do whatever they want to.Another problem is ads. They're not only annoying but could also indicate that trackers are monitoring how you interact with the ads.Some free VPNs are malware apps in disguise. They may contain viruses, spyware, or keyloggers designed to steal your information.These and many more hidden risks of free VPNs prompted us to explore secure options you can use to bolster your online privacy. The free VPNs on our list have passed safety tests and garnered positive testimonials from millions of users. They're not flawless, but you don't have to watch your back much while using them. Show more How to use a VPN's free trial Accessing a VPN free trial depends on the provider. It's important to check the company's website for clear instructions on how to access their free trial or plan.Some require you to sign up and provide your billing information, and others give a free service without this information. VPNs that offer free trials via money-back refunds will charge you beforehand, expecting that you'll voluntarily ask back the money if you change your mind. When it comes to mobile trials, you'll likely need to visit Google Play or Apple's App Store to access them. Show more What's the best free VPN? Best free VPNFree bandwidthFree server locations / countriesLowest starting priceProton VPNUnlimited5$3.59Windscribe10GB/month10$1 - $5.75Hotspot Shield Basic15GB/month1$6.66TunnelBear2GB/month40+$3.33Privado VPN10GB/month12-13$1.11Hide.meUnlimited7$2 Show more Which free VPN is right for you? Choose this free VPN...If you wantProton VPNPrivacy-centered features. While limited in server availability, Proton VPN maintains your privacy.WindscribeMany server locations and unlimited simultaneous connections. Bandwidth is limited, but generous and custom paid plans are also available.Hotspot Shield BasicFast connections in the U.S. as well as on major devices and platforms. Customer support and server locations are limited.TunnelBearIP addresses in multiple countries and user-friendly apps. You can tap into over 40 countries, but bandwidth is extremely limited.Privado VPNAmple servers for streaming and accessing geolocked content. This is a great option for streaming and safe torrenting.Hide.meUnlimited data transfers without a subscription. However, the app is basic and you are restricted to one device. Show more Factors to consider when choosing a free VPN If you're set on a free VPN instead of a paid one, check for these essential factors and be aware of some of the disadvantages.Truly free without a catch: Some free VPN services aren't what they claim to be. You can easily consent to a free app that collects and shares your private data with other entities, like marketers. You should carefully scrutinize your provider's policy and only choose transparent services.Safety: Even on free apps, the encryption should be AES 256-bit as it helps mitigate online risks like hacking. Also, look for other features like secure protocols, a kill switch, and leak protection.Intended use: Consider what you want to use a VPN for. A free VPN might be fine for casual browsing, for example, but is unlikely to work well for resource-heavy applications.Speed and bandwidth:A free VPN will likely come with speed restrictions, meaning you might need to accept lower speeds as a trade-off.Server selection: Decent coverage should offer you connections in multiple locations. However, many free VPNs will impose limits on your access to the server network.Streaming, torrenting, gaming: If you want to use a VPN to game, stream, or torrent, free options are likely to be unsuitable. You may need to opt for a paid subscription or trial instead. Show more How we test VPNs The free and paid VPN providers we recommend have been vetted and reviewed by members of our ZDNET team. We've been reviewing VPNs for years, have spoken with their management and their users, and developed a generally favorable impression if we've included them on this list.ZDNET tests VPN services from multiple locations, but we can't test from all locations. Every home, community, local internet service provider (ISP), and nation has a different infrastructure. Once you choose a VPN, it's essential that you test for all your likely usage patterns and then decide whether to keep the service or request a money-back guaranteed refund.We analyzed the best free VPNs below using the following criteria:Performance:Our recommended VPNs must have a minimum level of performance. After all, there's no point in using a VPN if your connection continually drops or lags.Simultaneous connections: Many VPNs limit the number of devices you can connect to a service simultaneously. If you have a phone, tablet, laptop, desktop, or smart TV you want to connect to a VPN, you need a paid service that allows at least five or six simultaneous connections. When it comes to free services, though, there needs to be at least one.Security: There's no point in using a VPN unless its security protocols and encryption levels are up to scratch. We also ensured the development team behind each recommended VPN cares about making security improvements and patching reported bugs. It's important that our free VPN recommendations are not known for selling user data.Kill switch: A kill switch prevents you from having an unprotected connection. It is an important feature for a VPN, as it protects you by preventing a return to a default Wi-Fi connection should your internet connection unexpectedly drop.Platforms: What systems and devices can you run the VPN on? Our VPN recommendations have to offer easy-to-use and intuitive apps suitable for various hardware.Countries and servers: In how many different countries does the VPN have servers? This can include physical and virtual servers, and whether there are enough to provide variety. Expect fewer options with free plans.Support: As with any subscription software, you may encounter problems with installing apps, using the service, renewing, or canceling. We list VPNs with an available support team, although support may be limited on free plans.For a more extensive breakdown, check out our comprehensiveVPN testing methodology page. Show more Testing Proton VPN's ability to change servers. Screenshot by Kennedy Otieno/ZDNETFree VPN FAQs Which free VPNs should I avoid? Avoid free VPNs that don't provide very basic security or have a negative privacy reputation. Some of the services users have reported experiencing major issues with are:Hola VPN: This VPN works by randomly assigning your device's IP address to other users on the peer-to-peer (P2P) network. The IP might be used for criminal activities and traced back to you.Hoxx VPN: The encryption used isn't safe, and the VPN collects more user data than what is necessary for tracking purposes.Urban VPN: Though offering lots of free features, including unlimited bandwidth and device connections, the app collects and stores your identifiable information like your IP address. This isn't safe, given that it's also based in the U.S. and can be legally forced to hand over your information.Betternet: A 2016 cybersecurity research paper found that the Betternet Android app had hidden trackers. One year later, the VPN's Chrome extension was hacked and used to spread malware. The VPN has since undergone many changes, including new ownership, but we haven't tested it ourselves.Tuxler VPN: Just like Hola, Tuxler offers a residential IP address pool, whereby users are assigned IP addresses of other users in the locations they want to connect. While this model seems to work, concerns have been raised about the VPN's lack of transparency when it comes to the logging policy. Show more Which is the best free VPN for China? At the moment, there is no free VPN solution that we can recommend for use in China. Instead, although it is expensive,Astrill VPNis one of the best VPN choices with customers reporting high success rates. China has imposed restrictions on many providers, and even premium VPNs might not work correctly. Also, you should download the VPN app before arriving in the country because you might face challenges accessing the website once you're there. Show more Which are the best free VPNs for Chrome? Windscribe, CyberGhost, TunnelBear, Proton VPN, and other services have Chrome extensions. All VPNs on our free list have extensions for Chrome and other browsers like Firefox, Safari, and Microsoft Edge.When installed on a browser, a VPN masks your IP address, secures your online activities, and enables you to access content on-the-go without the need for a native app on your device. However, you should carefully check the features supported by free VPN extensions as some don't provide encryption or servers. Show more Which is the best free VPN proxy? Some VPN providers double as proxy services such as Hide.me, Turbo VPN, HMA, and VPN Proxy Master. You can also use exclusive proxy services like ProxyScrape, FreeProxy, and Oxylabs. Keep in mind that while proxies can give you IP addresses to different locations, they do not encrypt your traffic like VPNs. This means websites, ISPs, and Wi-Fi owners can still monitor your activities. 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