Top 40 products of the year: 31-40

40. SoundSaver
Audio recording software
4.5 stars


SoundSaver is a sound recording application. It not only records audio but can turn any audio into beautifully noise-free sound, free of pops, hisses and crackles. If you want to restore audio from vinyl or cassette, and split the music into tracks, this is ideal.


39. Avast Free Antivirus
Security software
4.5 stars


If your budget is limited, that doesn’t mean you have to settle for inferior security software. Avast Free Antivirus takes our top spot because of its excellent malware blocking, easy to use interface and good speed.


38. Norton Internet Security 2011
Security software
4.5 stars


Streamlined and effective, Norton Internet Security has default settings that means it protects your computer right out of the box. It also includes an excellent password manager, web protecction and anti-phishing protection.


37. HP ZR24w
24-inch monitor
4 stars
Editor’s Choice Award


The HP ZR24w is a professional-grade monitor with a high-quality IPS panel, excellent colour accuracy and a phenomenal amount of adjustment, from tilt and swivel to pivot – you can turn it to portrait mode if you desire. It’s not new this year, but it still rates as one of the best.


36. Nintendo 3DS
3D-capable handheld console
4 stars


In a year where 3D was everywhere, the Nintendo 3DS managed it without the aid of special 3D specs. Instead, a parallax barrier sends a different image to each eye, creating eye-popping effects. Now that there are games to take advantage of the technology, the 3DS’s main downside is poor battery life.


35. Sonos Zoneplayer S5
Wireless Music system
4.5 stars


The Sonos system takes a controller and a player, to which you can add multiple specially designed speakers, to create a multi-room high-quality sound system. Each speaker can play its own selection of music, for ultimate control over your audio environment.


34. A4tech X7 Oscar
Gaming mouse
4.5 stars


If you’re looking for a gaming mouse that won't waste your budget, look no further. The Oscar has sensitivity adjustment from 600-3600dpi, allowing fast turns or slow-mo sniper shootouts. It also has adjustable weight (from 2.8g to 19.5g) and seven programmable buttons for extra personalisation.


33. Panasonic Lumix DMC-GF2
Hybrid camera
4.5 stars


Hybrid cameras take the tiny size of a compact and the switchable lenses of a DSLR. The GF2 goes beyond that, adding in a touch-to-focus LCD viewfinder, fast autofocus and impressively sharp, accurate images. It’s not quite DSLR for image quality, but it’s close.


32. Creative SoundBlaster Tactic 3D Sigma
Gaming headset
4.5 stars


Closed-ear headphones keep external sound out, and the Creative SoundBlaster Tactic3D Sigma offers surround sound inside its padded shell. You can connect to a PC via USB or 3.5mm jacks, and it provides excellent sound in a package that’s comfy to wear for long gaming sessions. The microphone’s noise-cancelling isn’t perfect, but this is otherwise amazing.


31. LG Optimus 7Q
Smartphone
4.5 stars


LG’s Windows Phone 7 smartphone is the only one with a slide-out keyboard as well as a touchscreen, and it’s a winner. Aside from its usefulness for emailing and the like, it can stream music and video to Wi-Fi compatible devices, and has an app called ScanSearch that helps find everything from banks to shopping malls in your location.

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