Is Matter worth waiting for in smart home devices?

Matter is the cross-platform standard backed by Apple, Google, Amazon and Samsung. Existing Zigbee devices from Philips Hue and similar brands are being updated via firmware. For new smart home builds, Matter-compatible devices are the future-proof choice.

Best Tech & Audio for Reading (2026)

Finding the right tech & audio for reading — we researched 2 options and selected the best.

📅 Updated 2026-05 🔍 2 products reviewed 🇬🇧🇺🇸 UK & US links

Best for Reading

Kindle Paperwhite (2023, 16GB)

300 ppi, IPX8 waterproof, 12-week battery. The best e-reader for most people.

★★★★☆ 4.7 (52,000 Amazon reviews)

✓ 300 ppi display is genuinely print-quality — indistinguishable from paper in good light

✓ IPX8 waterproof — read in the bath or by the pool without concern

✓ 12-week battery life makes it the lowest-maintenance device you own

Price range: Premium

🛒Check Price on Amazon→ Full Review →

Best Value

Kindle Oasis (2019, 32GB)

Physical page-turn buttons, 7" display, aluminium body. The premium Kindle for serious readers.

★★★★☆ 4.5 (28,000 Amazon reviews)

✓ Physical page-turn buttons — preferred by many serious readers over touch-only

✓ Larger 7" display vs Paperwhite's 6.8" — more text per page

✓ Ergonomic asymmetric design with extended grip for one-hand reading

Price range: Luxury

🛒Check Price on Amazon→ Full Review →

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Why These Made Our List

#1: Kindle Paperwhite (2023, 16GB)

Best for: Anyone who reads regularly and wants the best combination of eye-comfort, waterproofing and battery life in an e-reader.

The Kindle Paperwhite 2023 is the e-reader most people should buy. 300 ppi display, IPX8 waterproofing, USB-C and 12-week battery in a device that fits in a coat pocket. The Amazon ecosystem lock-in is the only meaningful consideration — everything else is best-in-class.

Full verdict →

#2: Kindle Oasis (2019, 32GB)

Best for: Heavy daily readers who prefer physical buttons for page turns, want a larger screen, or read one-handed regularly.

The Oasis is for readers who want everything — physical buttons, larger screen, premium build, Audible integration. The price premium over the Paperwhite is hard to justify for casual readers. For daily heavy readers who've already tried Paperwhite and want more, the Oasis delivers.

Full verdict →

How to Choose: Tech & Audio for Reading

The tech and audio market moves fast and is full of spec inflation and marketing hype. We cut through to what actually makes a difference — whether that's noise cancellation genuinely tested against alternatives, smart home devices that work reliably, or portable power that lasts as long as claimed.

What to Look For

These are the factors that genuinely separate good purchases from regretted ones:

ANC Performance

Noise cancellation specs are meaningless without independent testing. Sony WH-1000XM5 and AirPods Pro 2 consistently top third-party tests. Mid-range claims rarely hold up. Always check independent comparisons.

Battery Life (Real-World)

Manufacturer battery claims are measured at low volume with ANC off. Real-world figures are typically 20-30% lower. For ANC headphones: 20+ hours is good. For earbuds: 6+ hours per charge.

Ecosystem Compatibility

Some features are locked to specific ecosystems (AirPods Pro to Apple, Bose to a single device at a time). Always verify compatibility with your phone and computer before buying.

Smart Home Protocol

Matter is the emerging universal standard. Zigbee, Z-Wave, and proprietary protocols still dominate but limit expandability. Buying Matter-compatible devices future-proofs your setup.

Audio Codec Support

Bluetooth audio quality depends on the codec. LDAC (Sony) delivers hi-res audio on Android. aptX Adaptive is the Qualcomm equivalent. AAC is the best iOS codec. Standard SBC is the fallback — significantly lower quality.

Build Quality & IP Rating

For portable speakers and earbuds, IP ratings matter. IP67 means fully dustproof and waterproof to 1m for 30 minutes. IPX4 (splash-resistant only) is not suitable for outdoor or gym use.

Mistakes to Avoid

⚠ Buying AirPods Pro for Android — you lose Adaptive Transparency, spatial audio and seamless switching. Get the Sony WF-1000XM5 instead
⚠ Paying for a smart speaker with poor audio quality when a Sonos One costs only marginally more
⚠ Buying smart home devices without checking they support Matter or your existing ecosystem
⚠ Choosing headphones based on bass emphasis in-store — bass is always boosted in retail demos
⚠ Ignoring codec support — Bluetooth headphones with only SBC support sound noticeably worse than LDAC alternatives

Understanding the Price Ranges

Under 50: Budget tier. Echo Dot, basic earbuds. Functional but significant compromises on audio quality and ANC.

50–150: Mid-range. Solid true wireless earbuds (Sony WF-C700N), decent portable speakers. Good daily use value.

150–300: Premium tier. AirPods Pro, Sony WF-1000XM5, JBL Charge 5. Genuinely excellent performance.

300+: Luxury tier. Sony WH-1000XM5, Bose QC45, high-end smart home setups. Diminishing returns but real differences.

Price Ranges Explained

under-50

Budget tier. Echo Dot, basic earbuds. Functional but significant compromises on audio quality and ANC.

50-150

Mid-range. Solid true wireless earbuds (Sony WF-C700N), decent portable speakers. Good daily use value.

150-300

Premium tier. AirPods Pro, Sony WF-1000XM5, JBL Charge 5. Genuinely excellent performance.

300-plus

Luxury tier. Sony WH-1000XM5, Bose QC45, high-end smart home setups. Diminishing returns but real differences.

Related Guides

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Sony or Bose headphones better?

Sony WH-1000XM5 wins on ANC performance, audio quality (LDAC support) and battery life in independent testing. Bose QC45 wins on comfort for long sessions and call quality. If you wear headphones all day, comfort matters more than specs — try both if possible.

Are AirPods Pro worth it for Android users?

No. AirPods Pro's best features — Adaptive Transparency, Personalised Spatial Audio, seamless Apple switching — are iPhone-only. Android users get standard ANC earbuds in an Apple case. The Sony WF-1000XM5 delivers better ANC, LDAC audio and multipoint connection for Android.

What's the difference between a smart speaker and a Bluetooth speaker?

A smart speaker (Echo, Sonos One, Google Nest) connects to your WiFi, has always-on voice control and integrates with smart home devices. A Bluetooth speaker (JBL Charge 5) pairs directly to your phone, is portable and battery-powered. You need both for different situations.