Music
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The Best Music Streamer
by Kathryn Rath
The WiiM Pro Plus is the best music streamer because it offers easy setup, reliable performance, and a wide variety of features—all at an affordable price.
The Best Record Player Setup for Beginners
by Adrienne Maxwell
Start your vinyl music journey here with our picks for turntable, receiver, speakers, and more.
The Best Ukulele for Beginners
by Brent Butterworth
The Kala Satin Mahogany is our favorite starter uke for beginners. It sounds good, is easy to play, and comes in concert and soprano sizes.
The Best USB Microphones for Musicians and Podcasters
by Freddy Gerngross and Brent Butterworth
Monoprice’s Dark Matter Sentry is an excellent all-purpose USB microphone that sounds great, offers an array of features, and comes at an affordable price.
New Portable Cassette Players Transport You Back to the ’80s. But Do You Really Want to Go There?
by Brent Butterworth and Arriana Vasquez
We checked out the new generation of portable, Walkman-style cassette players to find out if an old-school audio format could really replace streaming services.
The Best Budget Digital Piano for Beginners
by Brent Butterworth and John Higgins
The Roland FP-10 is our favorite budget digital piano for beginners because it offers the most realistic feel and sound among models in its price range.
How to Connect Your New Turntable to Any Audio System
by Brent Butterworth
No matter what kind of turntable and audio gear you have, it is possible to get them working together. Here’s how.
Ready to Get Serious About Vinyl? Start With These Affordable Accessories.
by Ian D. White
If you’ve discovered a passion for vinyl, a few affordable accessories can make a positive difference in your turntable setup.
Outgrown Your Starter Record Player? Here’s How to Shop for a Quality Turntable.
by Freddy Gerngross
Shopping for your first higher-end, dedicated turntable can be a confusing experience. We explain the important features to consider.
The Best USB Audio Interfaces for Musicians and Podcasters
by Brent Butterworth
If you’re serious about recording high-quality music or podcasts, a great USB audio interface—like Focusrite’s Scarlett 2i2 or Vocaster Two—is a vital tool.
The Best Karaoke Machines
by Thom Dunn
After months of research and straining our vocal cords, we think the Tonor K20 Wireless Karaoke Machine is the best karaoke machine for most people.
Setting Up Your Turntable System Can Seem Daunting. The SpinBase Makes It Easy.
by Brent Butterworth
We love the Andover Audio SpinBase because it makes setting up a vinyl-record playback system easy, and it sounds shockingly good.
Everything New York Times Pop Critic Lindsay Zoladz Uses to Listen to Vinyl
by Rose Maura Lorre
The ancient art of spinning records is alive and well at Lindsay Zoladz’s Brooklyn apartment. Here’s all the gear the music critic uses to get her grooves on.
How Wirecutter Tests Audio Products (And You Can, Too!)
by Brent Butterworth
Here are the procedures Wirecutter uses to test audio devices, plus a few tips on how you can evaluate them yourself.
Skip the Spotify Car Thing. Get a Car Phone Mount Instead.
by Nena Farrell
The Spotify Car Thing didn’t solve the major problems I had with listening to music in my car. Here’s the device to get instead.
Use This Time During Coronavirus Isolation to Learn to Play Guitar or Ukulele
by Brent Butterworth
So many people want to learn an instrument, but so few find the time. With free online lessons, you can learn guitar or ukulele while your town’s on lockdown.