The Buying Game (Issue 28)

How I’d spend $500: Apple AirPods Pro 3

This week would be a good time to pick up the newest AirPods Pro 3, if you've been waiting for the ANC earbuds to go on sale. I've tested several premium wireless earbuds, and the Pro 3 compare well for blocking noise and audio quality. I haven't had much use for their live language translation feature, but it seems like it could be compelling as a way to get a sense of what's going on around you in a foreign location.

Price: $199 (link)
Value Score: Good

Even at the full $249 price, these compare favorably to Sony's and Bose's premium buds. At $199, these are great for air travel or just noisy workspaces. This is the lowest price that these earbuds have been since their release.

How I’d spend $150: Satechi OntheGo 7-in-1 adapter

As computers and devices get thinner, they lose more of their ports. The OntheGo 7-in-1 solves that by adding a variety of connections over a single USB-C cable. There are USB-A ports, HDMI, ethernet, and SD Card slots. This can be used on a Mac, Windows, iPad, and even iPhone. The form factor utilizes a magnet to stick to the back of MagSafe iPhones, but also comes with an adhesive magnetic ring so it can be stuck to the back of other devices.

Price: $60 (link)
Value Score: Fair

This isn't the only magnetic USB-C adapter that can work for a laptop or iPhone. Anker has one to allow SD Cards to be imported into iPhones, for example. But I like the extended range of uses all these ports offer.

How I’d spend $50: Airversa Waterless Oil Diffuser

Traditional oil diffusers use water, so the tank needs to be managed more closely. It also needs more attention in general. I've been using the Airversa Waterless Oil Diffuser for nearly a year and the only time I touch it is when pressing the power button and the timer button so it turns off automatically. This unit is small enough to place anywhere. Because it runs on a rechargeable battery, it can actually be placed anywhere. This is a great addition for an office.

Price: $27 (link)
Value Score: Good

I turn mine on a few times a week for an hour each time, and the battery life has lasted more than six months. As a nice touch, it uses a USB-C port for power. If you want a recommendation for an essential oil, I like one inspired by the Ritz-Carlton hotel.

The winning pick: Apple AirPods Pro 3

While it's easy to recommend AirPods at any point throughout the year. I think this first major sale of AirPods Pro 3 warrants them being highlighted. $50 or 20% off is nothing to dismiss. If you're still on the fence, you can check out my initial review for all the details about the latest high-end earbuds from Apple.

Are you looking for even more picks this week? Here are a few things worth considering.

An expensive pick: Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold

The Samsung Galaxy Z TriFold isn’t cutting-edge on the processor or camera front, but it is the future of display technology. Although the screen only folds twice, it does have three (tri) panels and can expand into a full 10-inch tablet. This isn’t a device for the masses yet, but it is an enthusiast’s dream. The video above gives a good look at what the phone is like to actually use. If you are crazy enough to be interested, the TriFold is out today, available exclusively from Samsung to start.

Price: $2,899 (link)

Media pick: Bruce Springsteen - "Streets Of Minneapolis"

By the dawn’s early light
Citizens stood for justice
Their voices ringing through the night
And there were bloody footprints
Where mercy should have stood
And two dead left to die on snow-filled streets
Alex Pretti and Renee Good

This week's other interesting deals and product news

• Apple released a second-generation AirTag this week.
• Apple's Creator Studio subscription, for apps like Final Cut Pro, is now live.
• There's a new season of Jury Duty coming to Amazon Prime in March.
• Sonos unveiled its new Amp Multi—a multi-zone, all-in-one amp. It's only being sold through professional installers, but it'll likely retail for $2,500 or more.
• The Soundcore Motion X500 portable Spatial Audio speaker is on sale for $69, down from $169.
• Netflix paid Alex Honnold how much to climb Taipei 101?

This week's published stories

• Take a Look Through My Junk Drawer. How Many of These Failed Gadgets Have You Owned? [PCMag]
• Best Bluetooth record players (2026) [Business Insider]
• Hands-on Apple's new AirTag [Yahoo]
• Spoiler-free Hijack season 2 review [Yahoo]
• Forget Severance and Pluribus, first-time Apple TV subscribers should start with these 3 shows [Yahoo]
• The iPhone has a hidden feature that can remind you to call someone back [Yahoo]