Home entertainment tech comes in various types – from cool gadgets that are often unnecessary to major tech pieces that can drastically change the way you and your family spend your free time. In this article, we’ll look at the second category and some of the newest and best home entertainment devices on the market. We’ll also look at specific models you might want to consider, especially with the winter holidays just around the corner.
Naturally, most home entertainment systems and devices are a bit pricey, especially if you’re looking for something top-of-the-line. This makes it all the more important to ensure what you’re buying is truly worth it, has all the features you need, and will serve you faithfully for a long time. Without further ado, here are our recommendations for the best tech to stay entertained at home.
1. Best smart TV set – TCL 6-Series Roku TV
Modern smart TV sets are much more than just a projection screen. They tend to have built-in streaming capabilities, can have apps and games installed and played on them, and are chock-full of features most of us aren’t used to seeing on anything other than capable computers.
Of course, a great TV must, first and foremost, offer an excellent visual experience. Nowadays, this generally means having an OLED or QLED screen – although when we start digging into the nitty-gritty of the OLED vs QLED vs LED comparisons, most people agree that the differences are usually negligible.
Moreover, some smart TVs can be far from most people’s budgets while offering only marginal benefits. Finding the TV set with the best value-for-money ratio is much more important than buying the “best possible” option. For 2023, our pick would be the TCL 6-Series Roku TV.
The TCL 6-Series has been excelling for several years now, and it keeps improving too. The current version offers various extras, such as full-array local dimming, a simple and highly effective Roku TV OS, gaming features such as 4K/120Hz input and variable refresh rate to get the most out of your consoles, and more – all at a relatively affordable price.
2. Best streaming box – Roku Express 4K Plus
If you don’t feel like upgrading your smart TV but want the best streaming experience, getting a new streaming box is often a smart (pun 100% intended) decision. Contemporary streaming boxes often surprise users with their vast array of new functionalities. These can include features such as 4K HDR, faster navigation speeds, Dolby Atmos compatibility, and buttery-smooth interfaces.
However, there are quite a few options, and choosing between them can feel complicated. As of the end of 2023, our pick would be the Roku Express 4k Plus. This streaming box has a huge app library, a streamlined and practical search functionality, and takes a content-agnostic approach. It’s also the most affordable Roku streaming box with 4K HDR.
3. Best video game console – Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5
Yes, we fully intend to steer clear of the console wars for now, so we won’t even attempt to do a “versus” review of the PS5 and Xbox X. What we will say is that both consoles have been out for a couple of years now, and both have their own pros and cons. What’s undeniable, however, is that having either one or both in your home has pretty much become a must-have for most modern households. Especially when coupled with a good smart TV, a modern video game console can offer you and your family countless hours of entertainment.
Then there’s VR, too. Even though the medium still isn’t quite as popular as some anticipated, a VR headset is an excellent way to supplement your home entertainment options and step into the future. The Meta Quest 3, for example, which does VR and mixed reality (MR), is a recent and particularly exciting option.
4. Best smart home sound system – JBL Bar 700
Whether watching movies and TV or listening to music, a high-quality home sound system can radically enhance your experience. Modern sound systems offer much more than just good sound, however, and are smart devices in and of themselves with built-in Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, music streaming, a microphone and recording capabilities, and more.
If you are looking for a suggestion, our current favourite is the JBL Bar 700. It’s smart home compatible, has detachable speakers, and offers a powerful and immersive sound.
5. Best desktop computer – Dell XPS Desktop (8960)
Considering the innovative and fascinating entertainment systems above, it feels a bit strange even to mention the humble desktop computer. That is until we remember that a good desktop computer with the right accessories can do most of the things the above devices can do. Besides, a computer doesn’t need to be all that “humble” either.
You can use the right modern desktop computer for work, gaming, streaming, music, and much more. Whether you want to watch something new, run the latest AAA game, or simply take your pick from a list of user-recommended top slot sites in the UK, a good computer is a must.
Our pick for the end of 2023 is the Dell XPS Desktop (8960). With a 3.4 GHz processor, 32 RAM, and an Nvidia GeForce RTX 4080, this desktop offers the power of a gaming computer inside a classic office look.
Mastering home entertainment with cutting-edge tech
As you can see, one can supplement their domestic entertainment options in many ways. Whether you’re looking to enhance your home theatre experience, crave new gaming options, or want better audio options for the musicophile in you, the current market has lots of phenomenal options. Just keep in mind that the market changes quickly, so looking for products with future-proof features you know are worthwhile is important.
Image Credit: Jonas Leupe at Unsplash
