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  • Which Cordless Vacuum is the Best?

    Which Cordless Vacuum is the Best?

    Everyone hates vacuuming. I know I do! One thing that makes it a bit more bearable, though, is having a cordless vacuum. Not having to pick around chairs and tables to get to those out-of-the–way spots is a great feature, to be sure! The question is, which cordless vacuum is the best bang for your buck? You don’t want to buy a lemon and have to return it, so we’ve got a list of our favorites. If you’re looking to clean up with no cord, check out our roundup: it doesn’t suck, I promise!

    Shark Navigator Freestyle SV1106

    For an impressively low $130, you can pick up this excellent stick vacuum from Shark. It’s quite light and very easy to use and store! It’s also very powerful, great for big messes, and possesses two distinct brush speeds. This lets is work optimally on both carpet and hard floor! While it’s not quite as powerful as most upright vacuums, the low price and great versatility easily make up for it. If you have pets that shed a lot, this is a great choice, is it’s powerful enough to suck up pet hair. That all said, you can’t beat that price!

    Hoover Linx BH50010

    Hoover’s a respected name, and for good reason. This entry to our list retails for $200, which is a fine price, all said. While this vacuum has a shorter handle and no bag, it’s a very modern and useful appliance. It’s got edge-to-edge brush bristles and works great on carpet and floor. This one’s powerful and sports great performance even on rough messes. Not to mention, that shorter handle can recline all the way back to help you get those very out of the way spots. A great buy for the money, and well worth your consideration!

    Electrolux Ergorapido EL2055B 2 in 1

    For $279, this upright vacuum is a great deal. It’s super lightweight and very easy to maneuver around corners. It’s got great detachable tools for getting under sofas and close to walls, too! THat said, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. For one thing, it only takes name-brand Electrolux filters. That’s an odd feature for a household appliance in 2018, to be sure. What’s weirder, it only works with name-brand accessories. What gives, Electrolux? More importantly, though, the vacuum isn’t as good on carpeted surfaces as we’d hoped. That said, this is still a fine pick if you’re looking for a great, light vacuum.

    Our Favorite Cordless Vacuum: Shark IONFlex 2x DuoClean IF251

    Easily the most expensive on the list, this entry from Shark retails for $450. However, it’s worth every penny of that steep price: it’s a supremely high-end piece of household technology. It sports two battery packs that last a very long time, and while you’re using one you can charge the other. The vacuum has a handheld mode that helps you hunt down those out of the way messes. And, of course, it’s just a great vacuum and picks up dirt like no one’s business. In a crowded field, this high-end cordless vacuum is the best of them.

  • Google Assistant Coming to Even More Devices

    Google Assistant Coming to Even More Devices

    Voice assistants are all the rage right now. Between Amazon’s stellar Alexa, Apple’s hit-and-miss Siri and Google’s excellent Assistant, there are a ton of options for home speakers with built-in assistants.

    Google is set to make an even bigger splash as their assistant technology comes to even more devices this year.

    Google Assistant Rolling Out on More Devices

    CES 2019

    This year’s Consumer Electronic Show, or CES, announced a number of new pieces of tech that will use Google’s Assistant software. JBL’s Link Bar, the Dolby Atmos soundbar and even Samsung TVs are slated to use the tech this coming year. This follows Google’s existing model of not marrying their software to their own tech, as seen with their Android phone operating system.

    CES 2019 marked a ton of new tech that Google Assistant would call home. This puts it apart from Apple, who only allow their Siri virtual assistant to live on Apple-branded products like the HomePod. Amazon, however, is no stranger to renting out their Alexa software.

    Earlier Models

    “Earlier models” of speakers are also slated to get updates to allow Google Assistant to live on them. Play:1, Play:5 and Playbar, for instance, will all be updated to allow for use with Google Assistant. It’s worth noting that these speakers don’t have native mics built in, so those wishing to use them as home hubs will need a go-between. A smartphone or another Google smart speaker are the two most likely candidates, though any microphone would do.

    So What?

    While millions of homes are now equipped with smart speakers, many people remain unconvinced of their usefulness. As such, this news might sound like no big deal. However, given the incredible usefulness and flexibility of smart speakers and virtual assistants, this is huge news.

    Smart speakers, first and foremost, are great for coordinating your media. If you want to listen to music or hear the weather, it’s easy to just call out to your smart speaker. Traffic reports, stock market changes and news are all available through these speakers as well, helping you streamline your morning routine.

    Smart speakers also can act as home hubs if you opt for smart appliances and lights. Controlling your home’s entire electronic ecosystem with your voice is a uniquely awesome experience. Asking to have the oven pre-heat while you also command the lights to enter “romantic dinner” mode is a sublime experience, to be sure.

  • Soul Electronics Blade Earbuds Review: Great for Fitness Fans

    Soul Electronics Blade Earbuds Review: Great for Fitness Fans

    True wireless earbuds are great for fitness-focused people. Whether you’re into swimming, running, cycling or hiking, having earbuds that don’t require wires is a huge help. If they’re also weather-resistant and high-quality, that’s just a win-win.

    Today we’re looking at the Soul Electronics Blade earbuds to see how they stack up against the competition.

    Soul Electronics Blade Earbuds Review

    Design

    These new earbuds are stylish and made of a comfortable, flexible rubber. They’re weather-resistant, with a solid iPX7, meaning you could even swim with these or run in the rain with them. The Soul Electronics earbuds are actually a new version of the previous Blade In-Ears from last year. Those, likewise, were aimed at fitness-focused people with their numerous smart features.

    The design is hook-like to make sure the earbuds stay on your ear during a run or other activity. A comfortable, sport-friendly fit is a must for these kinds of earbuds, and that’s on display here, too. The battery life is impressive, at six hours, making these a great pick based on their design alone.

    Fitness Features

    The Soul Electronics Blade Earbuds sport a number of bleeding-edge technological features for fitness-minded folks. Firstly, there’s a built-in heart rate monitor, so you need not worry about having a separate fitness tracker. That’s a huge help for fitness fans on a budget who don’t have the money for a ton of different gadgets.

    Another interesting feature on display with these new earbuds is a voice coach powered by an AI that can give feedback on your run. This feedback is given in real-time by the AI, and takes a lot of factors into account. Speed, distance, step length and width, even the angle of your head are all tracked by the earbuds and taken into account by the AI system.

    App

    There is also, of course, the Soul Electronics Soul Fit app available. This app tracks your runs and various metrics, such as heart rate and steps. The app allows you to even share your run with your friends, helping keep up with your other fitness-minded friends. The training log is great for seeing your progress over time.

    Bottom Line

    Long battery life, stellar design and fascinating fitness features all come together to set the Soul Electronics earbuds apart from the competition. For those looking to pick up a pair of these earbuds later this year, the price is the only sore spot. These are coming in at a relatively high $250, making them a bit on the high side for wireless earbuds.

  • Best Portable Generators for Your Money

    Best Portable Generators for Your Money

    Portable generators are awesome if you’re looking to go camping or just have a backup in case of an emergency. However, they can be a bit pricey, so it’s often hard to tell whether a given generator is worth buying. Today we’re breaking down the best portable generators so you can rest assured that you’re making a good purchase.

    Best Portable Generators

    WEN 56200i

    This lightweight generator is great pick for a number of reasons. For one thing, it sports a quiet performance, coming in at just 51 decibels. You won’t have to shout to be heard over it. It’s also quite light, weighing only 48 pounds. This makes it ideal for camping or other outdoorsy activities.

    Another great aspect of the WEN 56200i is that it’s got a 5V USB port, two three-prong 120V inputs, and a 12V DC input. That way you not only have lots of ports to charge your devices, but also a ton of options when it comes to your power needs.

    5735 GP17500E

    This generator is great if you need to power a whole house. Consider opting for this massive generator if you’re worried about the power getting knocked out for a while and needing a backup to keep the house online. This is a great generator for people who live in remote areas and want a great backup in case of emergencies.

    This is a 17500-watt unit that is capable of putting out a ton of power. It’s also a favorite at construction job sites to keep appliances powered. This all comes at a price, of course. The unit is quite expensive, and extremely heavy, at a massive 390 pounds. However, it does have wheels so you can wheel it around more easily.

    Honda EU2000i

    This Honda generator is a great pick for those who want a durable and easy-to-use generator. This one is ideal for people who like camping or going outdoors, as it’s a great battery to throw in the back of a car. It weighs just under 50 pounds, and it runs rather quietly.

    Impressively, the battery can put out 2,000 watts of starting power and 1,600 watts of running power. That makes it a tough little generator for its size. Note, however, that you get what you pay for. This generator is awesome, but it’s a little pricey. Consider it a worthy splurge if you’re looking to upgrade to a really great portable generator.

  • Exciting New TVs Seen at CES 2019

    Exciting New TVs Seen at CES 2019

    CES 2019 was a great showcase of some of the best upcoming TV technology we’ve seen in years. With the imminent jump to 8K displays and crazy advances in technology, we’re excited for the future of TVs. Let’s take a look at some of the most exciting new TVs seen at CES 2019. Between 8K images and rollable displays, there’s a lot to be excited about.

    Exciting New TVs Seen at CES 2019

    Sony ZG9

    Sony’s new ZG9 Master Series will sport 8K picture quality and come in both 88- and 95-inch sizes. This means that the screens will not only look more real than real life, but will also be undeniably massive. The Master Series is going to use backlit LEDs instead of OLEDs, making it a departure from existing TV tech.

    Software in the ZG9’s will allow them to upscale 4K images and help them to look much sharper on the larger display. This is a great feature for future-proofing, as most 4K content is still new, and there is no 8K content currently available. As such, having a sharp 4K image, too, is important for the Master Series to be useful.

    Panasonic GZ2000

    This straightforward design from Panasonic wasn’t a head-turned at the show like some of the other high-concept displays. However, it does have some very interesting things going for it. For instance, the screen sports a state-of-the-art processor that works to clean up images and make high frame-rate image look even smoother.

    The screen will also use this processor for integration with Dolby Atmos, helping to keep the images and sounds synced up perfectly. While this isn’t going to be the flashiest TV on the market in 2019, it will have a competitive price point. We love things that can defy expectations, and this Panasonic looks set to do just that.

    LG OLED65R9

    Finally, the most impressive TV at the show was the LG OLED65R9. The TV can be rolled up and stored away easily when not in use, making it the first consumer application of the roll-able screen tech we’ve been hearing about for years.  LG is set to bring this incredible tech to the market by mid-2019.

    What’s even better, the screen stows away in a Dolby Atmos speaker when it’s not being used. This makes for a great portable TV, as you can tote it easily to a different spot when it’s rolled up. The OLED screen looks great, and it has a great speaker attached to boot.

  • Google Hardware News for 2019: Expect More Pixel Devices

    Google Hardware News for 2019: Expect More Pixel Devices

    Early reports of the “Made by Google” lineup for 2019 are here, thanks to Japanese newspaper Nikkei. The biggest news is mostly unsurprising, though it’s nice to have solid locks on the pieces of tech we’ve been speculating about. Namely, a budget Google Pixel, a Google Pixel 4, a Google watch, a new Nest cam and a new Google Home.

    Google Hardware News

    Google Pixel Lite

    The Google Pixel isn’t exactly known for its affordable price, but Google wants to change that. In their quest to go toe-to-toe with Apple’s iPhone, Google is launching a Google Pixel 3 Lite later this year. Reports hold that the new phone will actually undercut the iPhone XR in price, allowing Google to come out as the more affordable of the two luxury smartphone makers.

    Google Pixel 4

    The next step for the Pixel line of phones, of course, is the Pixel 4. Not much is known about the successor to last year’s Pixel 3 at the time of writing, aside from the fact that it’s slated for a late 2019 release. The Pixel 4 will likely be the first Pixel phone with 5G capabilities, and we’re likely to see even more emphasis on biometric security like face scanning technology or in-screen fingerprint readers.

    Google Pixel Watch

    The ongoing quest to be like Apple also means that Google’s expected to launch their own wearable tech, much like the Apple Watch. The expected Pixel Watch will likely feature fitness tracking, vital monitoring and music playback capabilities, much like the Apple Watch. We can expect to see the Pixel Watch by the end of 2019, according to reports.

    Next Generation Google Home?

    A new Google Home, as well as Nest Cam, are also slated to be unveiled soon. It’s unclear whether the new Google Home devices coming in 2019 will be a second generation of the existing smarthome speakers or a completely new line of technology.

    However, the good news is that we can expect to see all of this from Google before the end of the year. It’s going to be a big year for the tech giant!

  • The Gift of Music: How to Do It the Right Way

    The Gift of Music: How to Do It the Right Way

    Everyone has those people in life that are very hard to shop for. I mean what are you to get the person that has everything? Music. Music is always the best gift,  and for the people that have everything, it’s often the only gift. Music is universal and received by everyone. No one can have all of it or appreciate all of it,  which makes it such a great gift.

    The best part about giving music as a gift is there are so many different ways to do it. You can give equipment, earbuds, speakers, listening peripherals, or just new music that you think they would enjoy. The options are virtually endless. Let’s take a look at some of the best music gift ideas you can give your friends, family,  and loved ones.

    Streaming Subscriptions

    When gifting music the first place to start is the easiest place to start. That is a subscription to new music. Starting at $9.99 a month there is a plethora of streaming music subscription services. The subscriptions will allow you to stream, download, and listen to unlimited music, new, retro or classic. Whatever you wanna hear, whenever you wanna hear it.

    The first one I would mention is Apple Music. Apple Music has the largest subscription-based of users as well as the largest database of music. They’ve been compiling music in their iTunes software since the beginning of digital music. Almost all the music you could ever want to listen to is there is a very easy to use, intuitive,  user-friendly platform that syncs perfectly amongst all your iOS devices.

    The next option is Amazon’s Prime Music. Prime Music functions mostly like the Apple subscription services. Prime music will sync across all your Amazon prime devices,  you can even download the prime music app to your iOS or Android devices.

    This provides flexibility in your multiple and various OS mobile devices. There are also services like Iheartradio, Pandora, and Spotify. All the services will run you $9.99 a month and make an excellent gift for anyone who doesn’t have unlimited streaming music service.

    Harmonica?

    Maybe you want something tangible to give? Another great option to give somebody is the gift of a musical instrument. Regardless of talent level, Giving the gift of a musical instrument is always welcome. This will give you some options as well, the classic iconic instrument, a keyboard or guitar,  or you can get interesting like a banjo or harmonica. It’s fun, always remembered, and just may improve someone’s life.  If that’s not exactly what you been looking for, Here are some specific music listening devices that will make great gifts.

    Amazon Echo

    The Amazon Echo is one of Amazon’s premier speaker systems. It is an elegant and easy to use this quality speaker. It doubles as a speaker for most of your devices and comes with Amazon’s Alexa voice-enabled assistant fully built in. Full cloud sync-ability to prime music,  you can add in that subscription for a total music package. Synchronization across your devices lets the Amazon echo provide the ultimate in home music listening enjoyment. The Echo gives the gift of high-quality speaker along with the content to play through it.

    The Sonos Vinyl Set

    Are you looking for a gift for someone who likes that hands-on music experience? Do they like the sound they can feel and touch? At the same time want to have that digital proficiency and quality without suffering the nostalgic sound of crackles and pops. Look no further than Sonos’s new vinyl set. Picture this, the Play:5, the best-sounding, most powerful speaker, matched with the Pro-Ject vinyl record player, allowing you to stream your vinyl to every room. Masterful.

    Did I mention, the Pro-Ject includes built-in phono preamp. Outstanding. They will be able to just plug in any audio device, from a record player to a friend’s phone, and listen to their favorite music on the fantastic Play:5. Like all Sonos speakers, it is expandable.  The Sonos vinyl easily let you go from streaming your favorite music and high-quality sounds to spinning from your own record collection.

    Give the gift of streaming vinyl across the connected Sonos speakers to every room in a pure, balanced sound,  unmatched by anybody else in the industry. Give the gift of their own musical completion, The Sonos Vinyl set.

    Beats Studio3

    You could just try keeping it simple and just go with the old trusty Beats headsets. When you want to give the gift of quality music look no further than beats headphones. The best of the beats headphones are the Beats. Featuring intuitive balanced, pure noise canceling functionality in the most robust and authentic sounding headphones on the market.

    These headsets function flawlessly regardless of the situation or noisy environment that you’re in,  always providing the perfect pure balance sound and they look pretty great.

  • Change the Mood with These Color Changing Smart Lights

    Change the Mood with These Color Changing Smart Lights

    If you often host guests or find yourself wishing you had more control of the mood lighting of the rooms in your house, smart lights are the right option for you. Smart lights not only allow you to control your home’s lighting with your voice, they also enable you to change the mood and color of the lighting on the fly. Notably, GE’s popular lighting solutions are going smart this year with the new C by GE line of smart lights. This year’s newest devices will be joining the C-Sleep and C-Life smart bulbs that GE has already released.

    Smart Lights from GE Launching in 2019

    What’s the Big Deal?

    You might be asking what’s so special about smart lights. They’re just lights, after all. What could be so fancy or special about them? Well, quite a lot, actually. Smart lights like GE’s C line are known for their awesome ability to connect to one another via Bluetooth. Importantly, they also connect to smart home hubs like Amazon’s Echo Devices or Google’s Home devices. This allows for voice control and full integration with your smart-home infrastructure.

    Whether you’re commanding the device with your voice or through a smartphone app, access to these kinds of lighting makes your home higher-end and safer. Walking into a room and commanding the virtual assistant to activate the lights makes it that much less likely you could trip or fall, and it also makes it easier to navigate when your hands are full.

    Smart lights also make hosting a breeze. Simply call out what mood setting you want the lights in, or what color you’d like to switch the lights to, and they follow up immediately and easily. Getting the lights set up with your smart home hub is a breeze, and you need only set up your preferences and profiles once to get the system ready to go. It’s as easy as flipping a switch!

    What Are They Compatible With?

    As you may expect, these smart bulbs are compatible with most smart home hubs that are currently on the market. They currently work with all Amazon Alexa-enabled devices, including the Echo and Echo Show lines of products. Additionally, C by GE smart lights are compatible with Google Home out of the box, so whichever of the two main home hubs you have, you’re good to go. Google Home owners also get the added benefit of not requiring a C-Reach Plugin Hub to connect to their Home device.

    GE has announced plans to update the device software, so they are compatible with Apple’s HomeKit software. This will allow the use of Apple’s HomePod ecosystem, including Siri commands. That means that by the end of the year, the entire C by GE line of smart lights will be available for all major types of smart home hub!

    New Switches

    The first line of new switches coming in 2019 for the GE smart product line is a robust showing. Namely, a smart dimmer (with or without motion and light sensors) and a smart on/off switch are both on the way. Both forms of the dimmer are coming in the first quarter of 2019, retailing for $50 and $75, respectively. The standard on/off switch is slated for the second quarter of 2019 and will retail for $40, making it the more budget-friendly option.

    Smart switches are a clever and intuitive way to take standard lightbulbs and make them smart lights. Whether you prefer voice controls, Bluetooth controls or just using a smartphone app, these switches are the fastest way to make your lighting smart-enabled!

    New Bulbs

    In addition to this slate of new switches, GE is also introducing a line of new color-changing bulbs. These include the A19 color-changing smart bulb, the BR30 smart floodlight and color-changing ropes lights. The A19 will retail for $40, the BR30 will go for $45 and the rope lights are slated to sell for $75. All three of these lighting options are set for a Q2 2019 release.

    Surprisingly, these are the first standalone color-changing bulbs that are being sold by GE. That means for the first time, GE will directly compete with other smart color-changing bulbs like Philips Hue and Sylvania. This makes these new smart bulbs worth watching, as competition breeds innovation and is always better for the consumer.

    These bulbs look set to be comparable in many ways to the primary competition. Their pricing is quite similar to the Philips Hue brand, and early reports say the light and color quality are also on the same excellent level as the Hue line.

  • How to Save Money When You Upgrade Your Smartphone

    How to Save Money When You Upgrade Your Smartphone

    There are constantly new smartphones coming out. Every year the biggest smartphone manufacturers release new flagship phones full of great new features. If you’re not careful you could end up spending a ton of money trying to keep up with the latest tech trends. If you’re looking to upgrade your smartphone without breaking the bank, you need to have a plan on how to save money.

    There are a number of strategies you can use to try to keep your costs down while you’re trying to keep up with the latest tech. If you follow these tips you should save money and stay cutting edge all at the same time!

    How to Save Money When You Upgrade Your Smartphone

    Consider Switching Carriers

    Smartphones are a very competitive business. Carriers are always vying to lure customers of their competitors away with a number of cost-cutting tactics. Use their rivalry to your advantage! The last thing you need to do is pay full-price for anything. Pit carriers against one another when you look for the best deal on a new smartphone. If your current carrier has a worse deal on the newest smartphone than a competitor, make sure they know about it.

    If you threaten your cell phone carrier with the prospect of switching to get a better deal, they pay attention. Often you can even get discounts on your bill or a credit to your account as an incentive to stay with your current company. Don’t be afraid to play hardball with your carrier, and if they won’t help you save, cut them loose. You have no obligation to spend more money just because you’ve been using them for longer.

    Check Retailers

    Often, big-box stores like Sam’s Club, Walmart and Target offer deals on new smartphones. These could range from gift card promotions to savings on buying two phones at once. Either way, keeping your eyes peeled for deals in unlikely stores often pays when you’re trying to upgrade your smartphone for cheap.

    When it comes to smartphone shopping, you’re not stuck with just your wireless carrier for finding new phones. Between big-box retailers, online shopping and upstart phone companies, there are always ways to save. For instance, many tech-heads find it’s much cheaper to buy unlocked smartphones from the manufacturer and then get cell service added to them, rather than buying straight from the carrier.

    It’s important to remember that you have the power as the customer: your carrier only exists to serve you. Don’t let them fool you into thinking otherwise!

    Trade-Ins

    Most phone retailers will allow you to trade your current phone back in for a credit to your next upgrade. Depending on the carrier you could even find yourself paying nothing up front to pick up a brand-new phone when you trade-in. The biggest factor to keep in mind is the age and condition of your current phone. If you have a seven-year-old phone with tons of cracks and scratches it’s unlikely you’ll fetch much (if any) trade-in credit.

    However, if your phone is newer and of a well-known brand like Apple or Samsung you could find yourself saving a ton of money when you trade-in. Remember, not all carriers offer good trade values. Make sure you do research on your current phone and know what a fair trade-in price for the phone is. If the retailer won’t offer you a decent trade-in credit, simply opt for selling it yourself, or even switching carriers. Know your phone’s worth!

    Sell Your Old Phone

    This requires a bit more research and work in your part but it could be a great way to recoup some of the cost of your new phone. If you’ve got the time and patience to list and sell your old phone yourself you might get a lot more for it. Even selling your old phone for a few hundred dollars less than its MSRP could result in some bargain-hunter buying it off of you.

    This, in turn, frees you up to make sure you get what your phone is worth. The cold, hard cash you get selling the phone yourself allows you to turn the savings into money for groceries or other bills, too. Whether you choose to sell to a private individual or a retailer is your call, though you often get more when you sell it to a private individual.

    Just remember, before you sell someone your old phone you need to factory reset it. You don’t want some stranger having your contacts and pictures! Make sure you also take the old SIM card out of it if you haven’t already.

     

  • Top ATVs, Your Next Toy Could Be a Winter Workhorse

    Top ATVs, Your Next Toy Could Be a Winter Workhorse

    ATVs are multi-purpose vehicles that can be used for towing large loads or tearing through snow, dirt, and dunes. ATVs have helped revolutionize hunting by making difficult locations easier to access and exit. They have become a well sought-out resource for hunters. Comfort, handling, and size all play a role in choosing the right ATV for you. After all, you don’t want to arrive completely exhausted from a rough ride to your hunting location.

    Are you in the market for a new 4×4 ATV? Whether you’re looking to buy or finance your first or your fifth, buying a new ATV is something that takes a lot of thought and research. There’s a lot to consider when buying an ATV. It is easy to get overwhelmed with all the information that is out there. It is important to figure out what your priorities are. Ask yourself what you will be using the ATV for.

    Almost 230,000 ATVs are sold within North America every year, and 4×4 ATVs, also called “quads,” are by far the most popular. This means that there are tons of different models and brands to choose from. So how do you narrow it down? Start with the brand. The top ATV brands are familiar names within the traditional motorcycle industry. These brands don’t mess around and have a serious passion for anything with an engine and a sense of adrenaline.

    Honda Recon 250

    This manual shift ATV continues to be a favorite among riders and is a similar platform to the Honda TRX250 with a utility body including racks and floor boards. The rugged features, stylish looks, and get-it-done attitude along with its 229 cc OHV engine are truly amazing. Honda has a strong stake in the motorcycle industry and an even more firm grasp over the ATV sector.

    They’ve really created some great options that can be trusted, and also don’t hurt the wallet as much as some other brands. And you don’t even have to be an ATV person to recognize the 2018 Honda Recon 250 looks like one heck of a ride. Honda’s got a heart, and they’re killing this industry.

    Polaris Sportsman 570 EPS ATV

    This ATV probably has one of the best engines in the entire lineup of Polaris; the 570cc has been used in several other model line-ups including their ATV, Ace, Ranger and RZR. The Sportsman is compact, powerful, and offers a serious amount of power for the tough trails and hills. This is the first time one of their ATV’s is so powerful, though in a small package with a great starting price. This model also comes in the “touring 2-seat” configurations.

    When motorcycle lovers hear this name, what also comes to mind is “Indian.” We have tons of Indian motorcycle lovers out there, and we can thank Polaris for giving Indian that extra shot they needed. But Polaris isn’t just known for the stylized Indian motorcycles. They’re a personal crowd favorite when it comes to anything side-by-side vehicle and off-road related, and that’s for a good reason.

    Take a look at the Polaris Sportsman 570, and I dare you to tell me that it doesn’t have “fun” written all over it. It’s a comfortable ride for all ages, and those tires are ready to eat up all the mud you throw its way.

     Yamaha YFZ450R

    The high performance of this ATV combined with its race-ready engine makes it fly past the competition. Often in the First, Second or Third place podium standings with popular off road racing circuits like GNCC and others, this machine is built to win with its Advanced Frame, Fuel Injection and Assist-and-Slipper clutch.

    Note: ATVs are recommended only for use by those age 16 years and older. YAMAHA recommends an approved training course.

    Here’s another crowd favorite in the motorcycle industry. And if you’re not a personal lover of the brand, you can at least admit they do a damn good job of providing affordable bike options. Let’s be honest, not everyone can afford the price associated with a Harley, and Yamaha is always there in the wings trying to urge you over to try one of their rides.

    But when it comes to their ATVs, they’re a top name in the industry and aren’t waiting in the shadows for anyone. Yamaha is one of the most reliable brands, all without expecting the soul of your firstborn son as comparative payment. Have you seen the YFZ 450R? It’s a more matte-looking option than a lot of its shiny competitors, and it’s got an engine that just won’t quit.