Shopping for Tech? These Brands Are PCMag Readers' Favorites
There are many ways to succeed in business, but how practice you know if your products are resonating with customers? According to business strategist and author Fred Reichheld, companies need just ask them one question: "How likely is it that you would recommend this company to a friend or colleague?"
Respondents select a number from 0 to ten; the higher the number, the more admired the company or brand—and the higher their Net Promoter Score, or NPS*.
In his book, Reichheld covers companies with "bad profits," or those with declining reputations fifty-fifty every bit they make coin. They're only "about extracting value from customers, not creating value," Reichheld writes.
When a company is headed into bad profit territory, that's reflected in a low NPS score. Nearly people say little, leading to a neutral NPS score. The lucky few get a high, recommended score, every bit we see in our regular Readers' Option Awards and Business Selection Awards coverage.
How to Calculate a Net Promoter Score
When asked "How probable is it that y'all would recommend this company to a friend or colleague?" respondents click anywhere on a calibration of 0 ("Not at All Probable") to 10 ("Extremely Likely"). They are then categorized as a Promoter, Passive, or a Detractor:
Passives get ignored. The concluding Net Promoter Score comes from subtracting the percentage of Detractors from the percent of Promoters. So:
If there are numerous detractors, the number tin fifty-fifty get negative—a score of less than zero. Talk about bad profits.
NPS isn't perfect and has plenty of critics. Some say the info gleaned from an NPS is not actionable. It's not like a visitor tin actually "apply" its NPS number to brand things meliorate for itself.
But it goes back to the "bad profits" conversation. A company that sees an increment in its NPS over time can infer it's doing something right. Those with high numbers—the kind represented in this story—are already doing plenty right.
Curious what'due south inverse from year to year? Check out the Consumer Recommended companies of 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013 and 2012.
Computers
Laptops
This is an upset: Apple has been the superlative recommended brand with PCMag readers since we started tracking Consumer Recommended in 2022. But as of the most recent PCMag Reader's Choice look at laptops, Apple fell merely behind MSI past one point.
Information technology'southward the first time a Windows-based PC maker has vanquish out Apple tree in this category. Volition information technology be the last? MSI, past the style, also nabbed tiptop honors in Readers' Pick two years in a row now, earning the accolade forth with Apple tree.
Apple continues to lead the NPS scores when it comes to laptops that are less than a year old (75), but when information technology comes to laptops that are also hybrid tablets, the only selection for our readers is Microsoft, earning a 58 NPS.
Desktop
While that score is downwards from terminal year's 77 NPS, Apple remains the only winner this category has ever seen for Consumer Recommended. And it's still well ahead of the nearest desktop competition: Asus just got a 47 NPS.
Apple's NPS scores are too high among desktops that are less than twelvemonth old (76) and for desktop all-in-one models (73). Chances are, if you lot ask a room of people to recommend a desktop PC, most of them are going to scream "Get a Mac!"
Readers' Choice Awards 2022: Laptops and Desktops
Monitors
Final year this category went to Samsung, even though it did win Readers' Choice. This time, Samsung tied for the win with others—just the highest NPS score went to LG. This is a category where the winner changes frequently (previous years have seen ViewSonic and Apple with pinnacle scores), and the tight scores this year (with Samsung and Asus both earning 65 as well) mean information technology's a product category with a lot of fluctuating feelings from users.
Readers' Selection Awards 2022: TVs and Estimator Monitors
Mobile
Carrier
Google's Projection Fi won this category terminal time besides, for the first fourth dimension then, taking over a spot formerly ruled past Consumer Cellular (which came in second this year with a 71 NPS). Projection Fi is on a express number of smartphones (specifically the Google Pixel line and the Android I Moto X4), but the mix of networks used (as a mobile virtual network operator information technology utilizes Sprint, T-Mobile, and United states of america Cellular towers) plus Wi-Fi for calls has PCMag readers gaga for the service where it'due south available.
Mobile Operating System
In that location's not a lot of choice out at that place for mainstream smartphone platforms (and fragmentation of Android doesn't count). Still, Android is the one nearly PCMag readers would tell friends, family, and colleagues to invest in, even if the NPS score is downward from last yr's 69. Apple tree's iOS is second with 52.
Smartphone
—
The merely path toward true, pure Android is to get a smartphone fabricated past Google itself (formerly the Nexus line, at present Pixel). And it pays: readers recommend Google'southward phones above all others, with a score well alee of Apple tree'southward 56 NPS for iPhones, or Samsung's own phones with Android getting a 55 NPS. In fact, Google'southward NPS score increased since the final Consumer Recommended story, shooting up from the previous 69.
Smartphone Manufacturer by Major Carrier
AT&T
The tiptop phone with AT&T recommended by readers has changed a lot over the years, simply last year the iPhone took the atomic number 82 with a 62 NPS. Despite a drop, Apple'southward devices are nonetheless the most recommended—but merely by a hair. Samsung's Galaxy devices running Android are close behind at 54 NSP.
Consumer Cellular
—
This is the starting time year Consumer Cellular had multiple phones to charge per unit, and it came down to just iPhones vs. Motorola phones. Apple'due south score outstripped Moto's 25 NPS handily.
Sprint
Some other reduction in score for Samsung's Galaxy line (it got a 64 under Sprint last time), it however was far more than recommended by users than Apple's iPhone with only a 46 NPS.
T-Mobile
Previously T-Mobile users showed a preference for iPhones, merely this year the shift over to Google's line of Android devices is consummate. In fact, Google has the same score Apple tree got under T-Mobile last yr; Apple'due south NPS this yr dropped to 59, followed by Samsung at 49.
Verizon Wireless
Google's Android-based phones are the most loved smartphones under Verizon—a network that doesn't even back up Projection Fi! In fact, Google's NPS under Verizon is radically loftier, one of the highest NPS scores of the year, well ahead of the leader under Verizon concluding year, which was Samsung at 63. (This time around, Samsung was 3rd at 58, with Apple tree in 2d at 59.)
Readers' Choice Awards 2022: Smartphones & Carriers
Smartwatches and Fettle Trackers
This is our beginning year always looking at the wearables market place in the Readers' Choice survey and the results were interesting, if not surprising. Apple's articulate win was in keeping with its typical showing with PCMag readers in almost any category. The erstwhile Pebble took dwelling house 2d identify in Readers' Choice but had a negative number for its NPS (since it no longer exists, readers were smart not to recommend information technology to friends).
That put Samsung and its Gear line of wearables as the second most consumer recommended with a 55 NPS—well behind Apple'southward superior number. Fitbit surprised united states coming in expressionless last for recommendations with a 32 NPS.
Readers' Choice Awards 2022: Smartwatches and Fitness Trackers
Net/Networking
Internet Service Provider (Isp)
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We've said information technology before, and we'll say information technology again: people (at least the people who read PCMag.com) aren't really in love with their ISPs.
Of the eighteen ISPs rated in our Readers' Choice awards concluding time, 15 have a negative number for a Net Promoter Score (the worst: -68 for Frontier'southward DSL service). So the fact that any vendor gets a positive NPS is worth bragging nearly, and that RCN did so well as to get a 37 is even more important. Sadly, that number is down from last yr'southward 49 score. Verizon Fios, which shared the Readers' Choice Award with RCN, only had a 28 NPS this year, downward from 43 previously.
Readers' Choice Awards 2022: Internet Service Providers
Network Attached Storage (NAS)
—
Our goes to Synology, and it'south no surprise. Always highly regarded, the vendor has won this area of Consumer Recommended for six years in a row—ever since nosotros started keeping track. Its previous all-fourth dimension high NPS was 80 in 2022; this spring to 85 is the new best best from the company. 2nd place is QNAP at 65, downwards from concluding year's 69.
Routers
Asus has won for all-time router in Readers' Choice for half dozen years. Just concluding twelvemonth it got passed by Apple tree. This year, Asus is back on top for routers, sporting a score that should make Apple blush equally it's dropped to a 52, which is fifty-fifty behind second-place TP-Link at 56.
Whole Home Routers
The whole-home mesh network router is a new category for us this year. While there are lots of players trying to own the space, the biggest names are Linksys and Netgear. Our reviewers like both, but give the Linksys Velop system the edge; our readers liked information technology more, too. Yet, readers then turned around and gave Netgear a higher recommendation considering of its Orbi arrangement. The Linksys only gets an 44 NPS. It pays to mind to endorsements.
Readers' Choice Awards 2022: Routers and NAS
Peripherals
Printers
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Maybe the least surprising affair we've always said: Brother won. That's because PCMag readers Brother printers of all shapes and sizes. Information technology's won Readers' Choice for a decade, and is now the half dozen-time winner of Consumer Recommended. That score is actually an improvement over last fourth dimension's 57, to boot (the high was 61 in 2022). 2d best? HP and Canon printers tied at 41 NPS this time around.
Readers' Choice Awards 2022: Printers
Cameras
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Few vendors seem to improve their Net Promoter Scores from yr to year, but Canon did, going from 64 to 67 his year (its best we've always seen was 74)—all without even winning the main Readers' Choice award for digital cameras this year. Or last yr, for that thing, when Catechism was still the almost recommended, every bit it has been for six years in a row. Nikon right behind at 65.
Camcorders
You might expect a large proper name like GoPro to win the most recommended spot for camcorders, and information technology did—in 2022 with 51. For the last two years, Catechism earned the best NPS; it may have the most improved NPS having gone from 43 to 56 between 2022 and 2022. (If yous're curious, GoPro also improved year over year, but only from a 38 to 40 NPS.)
Readers' Option Awards 2022: Digital Cameras and Camcorders
Headphones and Earphones
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Bose knows what information technology's doing in the world of headphones. Recommendations from PCMag readers are incredibly high, with an 81 NPS being the third highest score of the year across vendors. If y'all consider wireless headphones, Bose'due south NPS shoots up to a stunning 85. Bose shared the Readers' Pick laurels for headphones with Sound Technica, but the latter's NPS was simply (a even so amazing) 78, giving Bose a clear lead. That'due south good since last time Bose didn't even make the top 3—Sennheiser was the nearly recommended in 2022.
Wired PC Speakers
—
Klipsch didn't make our results this year—not plenty responses—so Bose is back. It had been on top in 2022 and 2022 as well, with college scores than information technology sports today. But Bose's recommendation score is well ahead of the other PC speaker vendors that made the cut, like Logitech (49) and Altec Lansing (40).
Wireless Speakers
—
I of the highest NPS scores of the year goes to Ultimate Ears. The vendor'south wireless speakers never score quite well enough with our readers to get the Readers' Choice award, but they come up more highly recommended than the other brands like Harman Kardon (the RC winner, it had a 75 NPS) and Bose (73 NPS).
Readers' Choice Awards 2022: Headphones and Speakers
Entertainment
TVs
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Samsung TVs have now won the Consumer Recommended accolade from PCMag readers for half dozen years in a row. While the score this yr represents a drop from concluding year'due south 66 NPS, that score keeps Samsung just 1 bespeak ahead of the tight competition from LG and Sony, each with a 59 NPS. Next year could be an interesting showdown.
4K TVs
All the 4K TV providers are pretty well liked, but Sony manages to squeak just alee of the competition from TCL, LG, and Samsung earning the highest Internet Promoter Score for 4K providers on the market today. Sony was likewise on meridian of 4K screens last year, the first time nosotros looked at the ultra-loftier-definition sets alone.
Readers' Choice Awards 2022: TVs and Computer Monitors
Gaming Consoles
Some categories never modify (nosotros're looking at yous, printers). Others change on a dime with the mercurial whims of the tech-loving public. That's what happens each time we look at game consoles, as mainly the Xbox 1 and PlayStation 4 shift back and along in being most recommended by PCMag readers.
Concluding year was Microsoft'southward turn, for the Xbox 1 Due south specifically. This year, Sony is back on superlative, sporting an NPS that didn't have to modify much. Mostly, the Xbox I (at 62) and smaller Xbox 1 Southward (dropping 28 points to 52 NPS) took a plunge. And nosotros couldn't even factor in the Nintendo Switch ($299.99 at GameStop) this year, so in 2022 this category is anyone's judge. For now: like our readers, we recommend you endeavor a PS4.
Streaming Media Hubs
—
When information technology comes to returning in mode, Roku has washed so. Information technology won this category a few times, but last year took a plunge in score downward to 57. This twelvemonth, Roku'south back with an fantabulous NPS of 69, ahead of second identify Apple at 64. These are all improvements considering concluding twelvemonth TiVo won with a 61; this year TiVo didn't get enough responses to make the results.
Streaming Video Service
It says a lot when a service tin can take a ten drop like Netflix did from last timeand still boss the category of Consumer Recommended similar it does. 2022 was the kickoff time we covered the category of streaming video services; the 2nd place so was a tie between the console-based services from Microsoft and Sony. This time around, second place goes to Amazon Video at 34 NPS; Apple iTunes gets a 31 NPS.
Readers' Option 2022: Consoles, Streaming Devices, and Services
Business
When yous piece of work with tech at work, you lot may be saddled with applied science you lot don't honey. That explains why the Net Promoter Scores from PCMag readers on business-oriented hardware, software, and servers can exist pretty harsh. Here are the best numbers amongst the findings in our Business Pick surveys, even if some of them seem tragically low.
Laptops
—
Desktops
—
Computers in the workplace in our Business Option surveys oasis't changed much in the past few years—Apple tree'southward consistently been the well-nigh recommended brand with the best Net Promoter scores. And while that'due south true for laptops again this time, despite a driblet from 65 to 58, in the world of desktops things took a turn. But mostly considering non enough Macintosh users at work took the survey for Apple to fifty-fifty qualify. So past default we have to give Dell the Consumer Recommended award this time around. And considering the increase in NPS from xvi to 27, Dell earned it.
Runners upwards include Microsoft earning an 49 NPS in laptops; while in desktops Lenovo and HP tie for 2nd with twenty NPS each.
Business organisation Choice Awards 2022: Laptops & Desktops
Printers
Whether for use at home or work, Blood brother manages to be highly recommended. Overall information technology had a 60 NPS; for the workplace, it still manages a 58. That's a 5 bespeak increase over what it took for Brother to win this slot last time. Second place this year goes to Epson with a 42 NPS, edging out both Catechism and HP which tied at 41.
Business Choice Awards 2022: Printers
Smartphones
—
There are winners, then there are articulate-beyond-a-shadow-of-a-doubt winners, and that's the instance when it comes to smartphones for the workplace. Google devices running the Android OS crush the residuum when it comes to recommendations, with an 81 NPS that is tied for the 2nd best NPS nosotros saw all year across all brands. The closest runner upward is also an Android organisation: Samsung had a 52 NPS for concern smartphones.
Business Choice Awards 2022: Smartphones
Email Marketing Service
—
This is a category where there'due south fiddling to recommend. Mailchimp'southward viii is not much of endorsement from PCMag readers, especially when previous Aweber—which lacked plenty responses to make the results this fourth dimension—crushed it with a 72 NPS. Mailchimp and Constant Contact were the simply two electronic mail marketing vendors to get a positive number—the other five in the survey all got negative Net Promoter Scores.
Business organisation Choice Awards 2022: E-mail Marketing Services
VoIP
—
That score indicates a nice uptick for ooma, which is a consistent winner of Consumer Recommended. And that's not even the top NPS ooma's had from our readers (that was an 85 in 2022). This is ooma's fourth year equally virtually recommended. Second place went to PhonePower with a 59 NPS.
Business Pick Awards 2022: Voice over IP (VoIP) Systems
Business concern ISP
—
RCN'due south on height of the about recommended ISPs for offices for the second time, after boot Verizon Fios from the slot previously. The forty is a drib however—previously information technology had a 46 score. Fios continues to run in 2nd identify with a 23 NPS, a thirteen point drop from the score it had last time.
Business Option Awards 2022: Cyberspace Service Providers
Router
Cisco is a proper name practically synonymous with the corporate net connection, and so it's not much of a surprise it would get recommended. Still, this is Cisco'due south first fourth dimension in this slot. Prevously, readers preferred to recommend Asus routers for minor businesses instead, merely Asus didn't become enough responses in the work category to brand the cut this twelvemonth. It's worth noting that Asus got a 54 NPS in this category last year too. Runner up this yr is Netgear, which had a 49 NPS, a 4 signal increment from the last fourth dimension.)
Server/NAS
—
Much like it does in providing storage for at-home employ, the business side of Synology besides gets all the love. The 84 NPS it got here is second only to what it got for consumer utilise, making it the 2d highest NPS seen in all our surveys of 2022.
Business Choice Awards 2022: Routers and Servers
Web Hosting
—
It doesn't happen often that the Net Promoter scores amidst vendors equal out, only it happened this yr between the three-time Consumer Recommended winner Dreamhost and the former frequent runner up, ane&1. Dreamhost's NPS dropped a total nineteen points; 1&1's dropped half-dozen points. That put them both on the equal playing field for commendation past customers. And not to exist trifled with are the teeth of the HostGator, which is in very close 2d identify this time around with a 53 NPS, then tertiary for BlueHost with fifty.
Business Choice Awards 2022: Web Hosting
Deject Computing—SMB/SOHO
—
Box was the big winner in this category of Consumer Recommended in 2022 with a 57 NPS, just information technology didn't get enough response to make the survey results in 2022. This time the accolade goes to Dropbox, which didn't do bad—that's only 13 points lower than Box had previously. And it's better than the score Dropbox had in 2022—a 32—which was the last time it got this award from our readers.
Cloud Calculating—Enterprise
—
Amazon cleaned up in this category in previous years, but despite winning the Business organisation Choice award, it wasn't the almost recommended cloud service for big business this time around. Instead, Google, with its many forays into the cloud, came out on acme. That's a big drop in NPS for Amazon, which had a l last time and only got a 16 in 2022—which is tertiary place. In second, none other than Microsoft with a 22 NPS.
Business organization Option Awards 2022: Deject Computing
CRM
—
Talk about being the very picture of constantly building on your quality: there was a time when no customer relationship direction (CRM) solution in our survey could become a positive Internet Promoter Number. Then in 2022 SugarCRM turned that tide. It improved its numbers again and again for the 2 years after, culminating in 2022, where it earned a stunning 64 NPS. It's all the more amazing because every other CRM solution in the survey got an NPS of 0—or lower.
Business organisation Choice Awards 2022: CRM
Accounting Software/Services
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In our 2022 results for Accounting, we didn't have a single winner—all the NPS scores were negative. Our adjacent results, published in 2022, finally scored a few positives. The latest edition finally saw NPS numbers truly worth recommending, and none more so than Sage, the company formerly known as Peachtree Bookkeeping. While Sage didn't win the Concern Selection accolade—that accolade went to Microsoft—Sage more scored as the most recommended brand.
Business Choice Awards 2022: Accounting Software and Services
Source: https://sea.pcmag.com/readers-choice/19129/shopping-for-tech-these-brands-are-pcmag-readers-favorites
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