You can get some of the most useful gadgets for students at amazingly low prices, including everything from headphones and video streamers to wireless speakers and fitness trackers. Here are four of CNET’s top picks for your student.
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Skullcandy Grind
Product Review: http://www.cnet.com/products/skullcandy-grind/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 4 stars out of 5 (Excellent)
The good: The Skullcandy Grind sounds surprisingly good for its modest price, is lightweight and comfortable to wear, and has a remote/microphone built into the left earcup. Headband is made of metal instead of plastic.
The bad: Doesn’t fold up or come with a carrying case; no in-line volume controls.
The cost: $29.69 to $68.94
The bottom line: The Grind is a good choice for anyone looking for a quality on-ear headphone who doesn’t want to spend a lot.
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Google Chromecast (2015)
Product Review: http://www.cnet.com/products/google-chromecast-2015/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 (Very good)
The good: The Google Chromecast is a dirt-cheap wireless video dongle that streams Netflix, YouTube, Spotify, Pandora, HBO Now and thousands of other apps and games to your TV using an Android or Apple phone or tablet, or a PC, as the controller. Its small size hides neatly behind your TV and makes it easy to take with you when traveling, and the new version adds compatibility with 5GHz Wi-Fi networks.
The bad: The lack of a dedicated remote means you always need a smartphone, tablet or PC nearby to use it. Slightly more expensive boxes and sticks, with their physical remotes, tactile buttons and onscreen displays, are more convenient to use. The only way to watch Amazon videos is by streaming from a PC.
The cost: $30.00 to $54.99
The bottom line: The innovative Chromecast might be the ultimate living-room accessory for your phone or tablet, but more traditional streaming devices deliver a better streaming experience.
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JBL Clip+
Product Review: http://www.cnet.com/products/jbl-clip-plus/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 (Very good)
The good: The JBL Clip+ Bluetooth speaker is a compact, hockey-puck size speaker that has a built-in lithium ion rechargeable battery, offers decent enough sound for its size, and is water-resistant. It also has an integrated line-in cable that stows away in the bottom of the device, as well as speakerphone capabilities.
The bad: It doesn’t handle big bass well and distorts at higher volumes. It isn’t fully waterproof.
The cost: $34.99 (refurbished) to $49.99
The bottom line: JBL’s Clip+ takes an already well-designed, travel-friendly and affordable Bluetooth speaker and adds water resistance.
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Misfit Flash
Product Review: http://www.cnet.com/products/misfit-flash/#ftag=CAD187281f
CNET rating: 3.5 stars out of 5 (Very good)
The good: The Misfit Flash is waterproof, lasts six months on a single battery, comes with a wristband and clip-on accessory, works with iOS and Android, and tracks steps and sleep.
The bad: Lacks a heart rate monitor; plastic design feels a little cheap; LED readout shows daily progress and blinks hours and minutes, but doesn’t show step count.
The cost: $29.96 to $49.99
The bottom line: The Misfit Flash is a versatile, easy-to-use and extremely affordable fitness tracker that can be worn swimming, too, and it even — kind of — works as a watch.
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The following CNET staff contributed to this story: Executive Editor David Carnoy, Section Editor David Katzmaier, Senior Editor Scott Stein and Senior Editor Laura K. Cucullu. For more reviews of personal technology products, please visit www.cnet.com.
