All products featured on WIRED are independently selected by our editors. However, we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links.
Tabletop Radios
Immaculate Reception
Just because you don't have room for a full-size stereo system doesn't mean you need to forgo big sound. High-end radio and CD player combos now deliver rich lows and crisp highs from boxes that fit comfortably on the nightstand. - Gordon Bass
SPLURGE: Cambridge Soundworks Radio CD 740 $400, www.hifi.com
Thanks to its built-in powered subwoofer, the CD 740 pumps out bass that stays solid even when you crank up the volume. Rather than opening a flimsy lid, you insert discs into the front-loading slot. The large-print LED screen (which politely dims in the dark) displays radio and CD Text information and, oh yeah, file names - the CD 740 also plays MP3 discs. Sweet.
BEST BUY: Tivoli Henry Kloss Audio RadioWorks $360, www.tivoliaudio.com
Tivoli Model systems are modular. This package includes the Model Two stereo radio (with auxiliary speaker) and Model CD player. Luckily, these retro boxes look terrific; you won't mind stacking them. The combination offers superb sound and doesn't overload you with buttons and knobs. One drawback: no MP3 CD support.
OVERRATED: Bose Wave Radio/CD $499, www.bose.com
The original high-end radio still sounds damn good, but for five Franklins you'd expect MP3 capability and an update to the decade-old design.
Air Purifiers
Breathing Easy
Opening a window might seem like a refreshing idea, but that spring breeze may bring in pollutants and allergens. Instead, clean the air with a high-efficiency particulate air purifier. HEPA devices remove both smells and airborne particles. - Peter Suciu
SPLURGE: Blueair 601 $631, www.blueair.com
This purifier looks like a hotel minibar, but thanks to its ultraquiet operation you'll soon forget it's around. A two-stage HEPA system clears pollen grains, dust mites, mold spores, and even pet dander from large rooms (up to 679 square feet). Energy efficient and easy to maintain, the Blueair tackles the toughest, biggest areas with aplomb.
BEST BUY: Sharp FP-N40CX Plasmacluster $450, www.sharpusa.com
The Plasmacluster offers less capacity than the Blueair - but in the bedroom-sized space (253 square feet) it does handle, it mounts a triple assault. A pre-filter traps dust and particles, washable charcoal carbon eliminates odors, and the main HEPA filter bats cleanup. The Plasmacluster features odor sensors that automatically activate the device when it's needed.
OVERRATED: Hunter QuietFlo 225 $260, www.hunterfan.com
The QuietFlo is noisy, and the warm air it spews smells musty. It's a little like having a small aircraft in your living room.
Gaming Cell Phones
Reach Out and Someone
Phone gaming has come a long way since the days of chasing a snake around a monochrome screen. Crisp graphics, in-game vibration, and multiple button hits are now standard features. Use one to kill time while away from your Xbox. - Darren Gladstone
SPLURGE: Sanyo SCP-5500 $380 (before $150 rebate from Sprint), www.sanyo.com
The compact 5500 boasts a crisp 96 x 128-pixel, 65,535-color TFT screen, 1.4 Mbytes of download space, and pitch-perfect polyphonic sound. Little onscreen lag and solid all-around performance make this phone hard to beat. There's no Bluetooth or IR support for multiplayer fun, but the button layout is great for fast action.
BEST BUY: LG VX6000 $150 (before $50 rebate from Verizon Wireless), www.lge.com
LG's wunderphone packs just about everything you could want in a handset at an affordable price. It has a gorgeous 160 x 120-pixel, 262,000-color TFT screen, and a decent number of games can be downloaded into its 2-Mbyte internal memory. Cramped top buttons make play less comfortable than on the ergonomic Sanyo, but it's the most stylish cell of the pack.
OVERRATED: Nokia N-Gage $200, www.nokia.com
The Electronic Taco's unwieldy size and shape make it useless as a phone. Plus, its interface is the worst ever created.
Travel Speakers
Party to Go
As Mom always said, sharing is good - especially when it's your fine taste in music. Portable speakers are a perfect travel companion for a laptop, iPod, or other portable music device. They tuck away while on the road, and open up when you're ready to rock. - Cathy Lu
SPLURGE: Creative TravelSound i300 $100, www.creative.com
The iPod-white i300 speakers look slick and sound even slicker. In addition to the sharp, clean audio, they feature all the perks, including a headphone jack, a wide stereo-effect switch, and onboard volume controls. A folding base keeps the unit standing, and the included power adapter helps conserve the four AAA batteries.
BEST BUY: Sony SRS-T57 $50, www.sonystyle.com
Don't let the clunky product name mislead you: The SRS-T57 speakers are anything but, offering the best combination of sound and portability. There's no headphone jack, and the output isn't as crisp as the i300's, but the speakers have an ultracompact flip-out design and a warm and natural tone. Four AAA batteries provide power (AC adapter sold separately for $20).
OVERRATED: SI-5 Generation 2 $50, www.si-5.com
Sure, these speakers are flat - but so is their sound. Awkward setup and a short, tightly coiled connection cable stink, too.
PLAY
Paragon City Needs You!
The Secret Diaries of Hellboy
You're With the Band
Kraftwerk's Tour de States
New World Order & A Side of Fries
For an Airtight Alibi, Press 1 Now
In Pursuit of Pallor
Man of Steel
The Blender Files
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