As we enter 2024, I’ve taken a look back among the many tech products I reviewed in 2023 and picked a handful that made an outsized impression. Some were unique, some featured an outstanding design, some were stellar performers–and more than one was all of the above.
SOUNDBOKS 4 Performance Bluetooth Speaker
Kicking things off is the SOUNDBOKS 4, the high performance Bluetooth speaker that pushes the boundaries for what constitutes a “portable” speaker.
At 35.5 pounds, it’s probably not a surprise that SOUNDBOKS offers an optional backpack accessory to haul this thing around. But the massive size is worth it for the incredible specs, including a pair of 10-inch woofers and a 1-inch tweeter (powered by a trio of 72W Class D amplifiers), a 40-hour user swappable battery, inputs for a guitar or mic in addition to the usual Bluetooth–and a volume knob that goes to 11.
My full review can be read here.
Rabbit Air A3 Air Purifier
Home air purifiers were launched into the mainstream by 2020’s Covid pandemic, but 2023 saw a resurgence in interest thanks to Canadian forest fire smoke that blanketed many cities in North America.
The Rabbit Air A3 is a great option for a home air purifier. It not only works wonders on scrubbing the air for a large room or floor (with a range of customized filters available), but this one actually looks modern and stylish instead of being a utilitarian box. It’s designed so that it can be easily wall-mounted if you want to save floor space, has user-controlled LED mood lighting and the company also offers decorative front panels that attach via magnets and feature famous works of art.
I reviewed the Rabbit Air A3 in October.
Aiper Seagull Pro Cordless Pool Cleaning Robot
Aiper’s Seagull 1500 robotic pool cleaner made my 2022 list of favorite tech and the follow-up Seagull Pro (reviewed here) was even more impressive.
If you own a swimming pool, a pool-cleaning robot can save you hours of daily maintenance, while also saving water. They don’t get any better than the Aiper Seagull Pro. It fast-charges, then you drop it in the pool. No cords and no hoses. For several hours, the robot navigates using its WavePath navigation technology and quad-motor system to scrub the pool bottom and climb the walls, even scrubbing along the waterline. Pull it out, empty the filter basket and you’re ready to enjoy a swim.
Ultimate Ears EPICBOOM Portable Bluetooth Speaker
I’ve been a longtime fan of Ultimate Ears portable Bluetooth speakers and 2023 was an exciting year because the company released a new model. Not an upgraded version of an existing speaker, but an all-new one. This doesn’t happen very often.
The EPICBOOM filled a gap between the WONDERBOOM and the very large HYPERBOOM, offering a new option for music lovers who want a big, powerful–but still portable–Bluetooth speaker. The five pound EPICBOOM delivers epic sound with a 4.6-inch woofer, a pair of 1.7-inch active transducers, automatic sound optimization using a mic and adaptive EQ, water resistance (including the ability to float) and 17-hour battery life.
You can read my full, hands-on review of the Ultimate Ears EPICBOOM here.
SpinBase MAX Turntable Speaker System
I evaluate a lot of turntables, but the real standout in this space among my 2023 reviews was a speaker system that’s designed to maximize space by sliding beneath a turntable.
The SpinBase MAX (reviewed here) from Andover Audio acts as a base that a turntable sits on. Inside the minimalist cabinet is an array of speakers (dual 0.8-inch soft dome tweeters and a pair of 3.5-inch woofers) with 60W of total amplification and 270 degree sound. The company’s proprietary IsoGroove technology completely isolates the turntable above from any vibration or resonance generated by the speakers, so you can crank up the music without causing any feedback, distortion or stylus jumping impacting the record playback. Naturally, the system has an integrated pre-amplifier and it also supports Bluetooth wireless streaming.
Mango Power E Battery Power Station
Finally, a representative from another hot category in 2023: battery power stations. These things are a smart investment for home power backup during blackouts that are increasingly common during extreme weather. A battery power station can be used indoors and most can be charged with optional solar panels. In contrast, gas-powered generators must remain outside and last only as long as their gasoline supply.
The Mango Power E stood out from the pack due to its combination of smart design, high capacity and output, expandability and safety.
The Power E is equipped with a 3533Wh LFP CATL battery. That is a huge capacity for a portable power station and those LFP batteries are not only safer than Li-ION, they also have a much longer lifespan (this one should be good for 20 years of regular use). Its 3000W output means even demanding appliances like heaters and microwave ovens can be powered. The Mango E comes mounted on wheels with an extending suitcase-style handle for easy movement and the base unit can be expanded to a whole-home backup with 14kWh capacity, 6000W output and solar recharging.
You can read the full Mango Power E review here.
