## Mashable’s 2024 Choice Awards: The Best Tech of the Year
2024 was a year of incredible technological advancements, viral trends, and surprising discoveries. Mashable’s team rigorously tested 106 products throughout the year, evaluating them on a five-point scale to determine which truly deserved recognition. Only those scoring 4.5 or higher earned the coveted Mashable Choice Award, a testament to exceptional quality and value. This year, 27 products achieved this honor. Below, we highlight some of the standouts.
E-readers & Wearables:
The Kindle Paperwhite (2024), according to Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino, is “not just the best Kindle but the best e-reader overall.” Its compact design, improved speed, and adjustable warm light make it a superior reading experience, despite a slightly increased price point.
For action-packed video capture, the GoPro Hero 13 Black reigns supreme. Mashable Contributor Timothy Beck Werth praises its professional-quality footage and enhanced features like lens mods and geotagging, making it a worthwhile investment for serious creators, although he cautions casual Hero 12 Black users against upgrading.
The AirPods 4 earned high praise from former Tech Editor Kimberly Gedeon for their superior comfort, elite noise cancellation, and immersive sound quality, surpassing even her AirPods Pro. In the headphone arena, the Dyson Ontrac headphones delivered a superb audio experience (second only to unavailable xMems ultrasonic technology), remarkable comfort, and justifiable price tag, although their design might not appeal to all.
Budget-conscious consumers found a champion in the Sony ULT Wear headphones, offering booming sound and impressive bass at a more affordable price. However, Miller Kern, Deputy Editor of Shopping and Reviews, notes that the design isn’t as sleek as some competitors.
Smartphones & Tablets:
The iPhone 16 Plus, lauded by Kimberly Gedeon, boasts exceptional battery life (nearly 19 hours!), along with a new Camera Control button, a tougher display, improved zoom, and stylish new colors. The iPhone 16 Pro Max, while pricier, extends battery life to a remarkable 25 hours and features impressive Audio Mix for enhanced video sound quality, a must-have for content creators.
The iPad Pro 2024 (13-inch, M4) targets professional digital artists with its ability to handle demanding workloads on the go, but its high price point also appeals to Apple enthusiasts seeking a premium tablet experience. For a more budget-friendly option, the Amazon Fire HD 10 offers a decent alternative, excelling in video streaming and gaming, despite a limited app store.
Desktops, Laptops & Accessories:
The Logitech Casa Pop-Up Desk provides a convenient, travel-friendly solution for remote workers, impressing with its functionality and aesthetics. The Philips Creator Series monitor offers creative professionals a superior display with high brightness and color accuracy, justifying its higher price tag compared to cheaper alternatives. For those seeking the ultimate visual experience, the Corsair Xeneon Flex monitor delivers vibrant colors and deep contrast, although its high price makes it unsuitable for casual users.
The FlexiSpot E7 standing desk earned enthusiastic praise for boosting productivity and health amongst home workers. In the beauty tech category, the NIRA Pro Laser delivered subtle but noticeable skin improvements over time. While results require patience, its ease of use makes it a worthwhile investment.
The Viture Pro XR glasses, initially considered overpriced, are redeemed by their SpaceWalker app, enabling a versatile three-monitor setup, ideal for mobile professionals. The Asus Zenbook Duo, with its dual-screen design, offers a unique and powerful multitasking experience, surpassing many single-screen laptops.
The Microsoft Surface Laptop (2024) stands out with its exceptional battery life (nearly 23 hours!), powerful performance, and AI-boosted apps, even surpassing some MacBooks in certain aspects. Gamers found their ideal machines in the Dell Alienware m16 R2 (despite some minor flaws), the MSI Cyborg 14 (a lightweight and capable travel companion), and the Acer Swift X 14 (a powerful device for creative tasks and gaming). The HP OmniBook X, powered by a Snapdragon X Elite processor, offers impressive battery life and enhanced AI features that breathe new life into the Windows experience, while the HP Spectre x360 14 finally delivers the long-awaited acceptable battery life for Windows laptops.
Wellness:
The Oura Ring 4 utilizes AI to provide personalized health insights and guidance, simplifying data interpretation for users. Finally, the Fitbit Inspire 3 stands out as an affordable and feature-rich fitness tracker, perfect for both beginners and seasoned athletes.
This year’s Mashable Choice Awards showcase the best in innovation and design, demonstrating the continued evolution of technology and its impact on our daily lives.