The Buying Game (Issue 19)

How I’d spend $500: Beats Powerbeats Fit

The new Powerbeats Fit might be the best workout or running earbuds out right now. The new wingtips are more comfortable and keep the buds completely secure, even when moving around. The case is a little smaller, which is good for pockets. They sound good and have enough features to be useful outside of fitness activities, too.

Price: $200 (link)
Value Score: Poor

These will go on sale at some point, and if they ever dip below $150, then they’ll be a good value. But, for $200, with an older chip inside, these are a steep ask—even if they do work really well.

How I’d spend $150: Govee Starlight Projector

The Govee Starlight Projector with Nebula Effect looks cool. Whether you use it as a sleep aid to help lull someone off to dreamland or just for decorating a movie room, it's powerful and colorful. Not only is the cloud-like effect impressive, but its 540 feet of coverage means it should cover nearly any ceiling from edge to edge.

Price: $75 (link)
Value Score: Fair

At full price, this light projector is a little steep, even if it does work much better than a generic $30 one. Right now, at $75, it’s much easier to justify, especially if it can help a child fall asleep or stay in their room at bedtime.

How I’d spend $50: Craighill Chroma Scissors

I’m not sure if these are a perfect pair of scissors, but they look like they’ll cut nearly anything and should last forever. The scissors are made from stainless steel, and the rings are dipped in vinyl for a better grip and to add fun colors.

Price: $48 (link)
Value Score: Fair

Scissors that cost nearly $50 aren’t a great deal at first blush, but if they really do last through the years and can save you from buying several cheaper pairs over the years, then the investment might be worth it.

The winning pick: Craighill Chroma Scissors

I’m a sucker for a thoughtful product, aimed at people who want a premium experience, even if it costs just a little bit more upfront. That’s exactly what the Chroma Scissors are. The debate about whether something that costs more but lasts longer is a better value than something less expensive, but of cheaper quality, will rage on, I guess.

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

An expensive pick: TCL Playcube

Projectors have improved a lot over the last 10 years. Everything having to do with the light source and video quality is much better. The thing I like the most, however, is the unique form factors popping up in recent years. The TCL Playcube is a fairly standard projector, but it incorporates a twisting design that allows it to be angled without any tripod or extra stand needed. No more stacks of books under a projector needed!

Price: $699 (link)

Media pick: The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy (S3)

Season three of The Reluctant Traveler with Eugene Levy is streaming now. The latest season is only four episodes in, so there's still time to catch up. New episodes come out each Friday and follow the homebody around the world. This season sees him traveling to places to tick items off his bucket list. It's my kind of travel show since the host is less adventurous than most.

This week's other interesting deals and product news

• Logitech is ending support for its smart home "Pop" buttons.
• Californians will soon have a way to to opt-out of data collection and sales right from the web browser.

This week's published stories

• An inside look at Apple Music's new LA studio (Yahoo)
• Govee Star Light Projector review (Yahoo)
• Why are the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses so hard to buy? (Yahoo)
• The new Standard Tesla Model Y (and Model 3) is not a great deal (PCMag)
• Satechi OntheGo Bluetooth Keyboard review (How-To Geek)