Steven Tata

Jul 30, 2024 | outdoorgearlab.com | Steven Tata |Trish Matheny

As climbing increases in popularity, gear manufacturers are producing a variety of rope bags suited for many different genres of the sport. Regardless of what type of climbing you prefer, a rope bag is critical to protecting your rope from excess dirt, sand, sunlight, chemicals, and oils, all of which can compromise the safety of your rope. Protecting your rope is crucial because it is one of the few non-redundant components that you trust with your life while climbing.

Jan 11, 2024 | techgearlab.com | Steven Tata |Max Mutter

Best for Most PeopleThe Samsung Pro is a great Chromebook with an intuitive interface, responsive touchscreen, and integrated stylus. Although it lacks the super high-end components of the Google Pixelbook, we still found it to have plenty of power for constant daily use. It has 4GB of RAM, 32GB of solid-state storage, and an Intel Core m3 processor. It is still considerably expensive for a Chromebook but remains a great deal when compared to the Pixelbook.

Nov 22, 2023 | techgearlab.com | Steven Tata |Michelle Powell |Max Mutter

Best Bang for Your Buck Active Noise Cancelling: Yes | Battery Life: 40 hoursSoundcore has a reputation for producing decently performing audio products at an affordable price, and the Soundcore Life Q20 headphones do not disappoint. Resonant yet controlled bass sets a solid foundation for a warm overall sound that lends itself to practically any music genre. That sound is backed by active noise cancellation.

Nov 14, 2023 | techgearlab.com | Steven Tata |Max Mutter |Matt Spencer

Best Value Smart Lock ANSI Rating: Grade 3 | Use Existing Deadbolt or Full Replacement: ExistingThe Wyze Lock is a solid budget-friendly smart lock that performs well in all the ways that matter. It's a great option for a standalone smart device or a first step into creating your smart home, as it comes with its own smart hub and integrates easily into the Wyze ecosystem of smart devices. If you already own an Alexa or Google Nest, this affordable lock pairs easily with them also.

Nov 8, 2023 | techgearlab.com | Steven Tata |Max Mutter

Best for Travel and City Commutes Battery Life: 5 hours | Weight: 0.4 ozThe Apple AirPods Pro are the perfect companions for airports or crowded subways. They feature impressive active noise cancellation, a slim carrying/charging case, and a fit that is still comfortable after hours of wear. In crowded or loud situations, we found the noise cancellation to be effective enough to listen to music or podcasts at a reasonable volume without being distracted by the outside world.