Google Maps Updates UI With Brighter Colors Not Everyone Will Love

Google quietly released an update to its Google Maps interface that updates the color palette for phone and desktop users: Roads are gray, water is a brighter greenish-blue, and parks are a bluish-green. The tweak seems to be rolling out slowly, and reactions — at least anecdotally — have been mixed.

The palette update is a shift away from Google Maps’ more traditional look and is closer to the hues used by Apple Maps, as pointed out by 9to5Google, which wrote about the UI update earlier and called it a test. Amusingly, this follows Apple finally letting users download maps to use offline, in the iOS 17 software update coming in September, a feature Google Maps has had for years. 

Aside from resembling the colors used by Google’s rival in mapping software, the new Google Maps hues aren’t as easily distinguishable as they had been before. Most notably, the tones for water and nature/park areas are close enough to bleed together. 

Fortunately for folks who don’t like the new look, Google Maps is relatively unchanged in dark mode.

Google didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Read more: Google Maps Cheat Sheet: The Most Useful Tricks You Need to Know

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Google Is Raising Nest Aware Subscription Price to $80 a Year

Google is raising the annual subscription price of its Nest Aware smart home service to $80, according to a customer service email sent out Friday. The old price was $60 a year.

“This new price will go into effect on your next bill that occurs on or after November 6, 2023,” the email to one Nest Aware customer said. “Your Nest Aware subscription will continue at the adjusted price and your current benefits will remain the same with 30 days of event video history, smart alerts and other helpful features.”

Nest Aware is the Google-owned smart home service that lets you review video from your Nest doorbell and Nest cameras.

Google didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment. The tech giant purchased smart home company Nest for $3.2 billion in 2014.

The Google Nest help page says, “Subscription prices can change to keep up with market shifts, which can include inflation and local tax updates.”

Check out the Nest Aware FAQ here, and if the price increase is too much for your wallet, here’s how to cancel your service, and here’s CNET’s guide to the best video doorbell cameras.

Read also: Best Smart Home Products for 2023 That Aren’t Made by Amazon or Google

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10 Natural Ways to Boost Your Eye Health Daily

Vision problems can seriously affect your life over time — beyond having to wear glasses or contacts. In fact, vision loss can lower your quality of life and raise your risk of depression, diabetes and other health issues, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 

Practicing simple, daily habits can help you improve your eye health and reduce your risk of problems in the future.

Want more health tips? Check out Omega-3 Rich Foods That Offer Many Benefits for Heart, Hearing and Overall Health, Why Your Glasses Get Foggy and How to Stop It and The Right Color of Sunglasses for Eye Health. 

Wear sunglasses 

Exposing your eyes to ultraviolet rays may cause damage over time. Wearing sunglasses can block harmful UV light, lowering your risk of eye diseases like cataracts, sunburn, eye cancer and growths around the eye, per the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Polarized glasses with smoke or gray lenses may offer the best protection against the sun’s rays and reduce glare.

Take screen breaks

Prolonged screen time can cause dry eyes, pain in the neck and shoulders, blurred vision, headaches and digital eye strain, or computer vision syndrome. The American Optometric Association recommends using the 20-20-20 rule to prevent computer vision syndrome. Every 20 minutes, look at something at least 20 feet away for 20 seconds.

Take book breaks, too

Screen time isn’t the only way to strain your eyes. When you read a book, you probably hold it up close for long periods, too. Both activities can lead to nearsightedness, or myopia, which means far-away objects are blurry while up-close things are clear. Just like you should use the 20-20-20 rule to take screen breaks, you should also use this rule for book breaks. If you find yourself engrossed in what you’re reading or doing on the computer, set an alarm so you don’t miss your 20-minute break.

Science Photo Library/Getty Images

Move your body 

Regular exercise can provide eye health benefits, such as promoting healthy blood vessels and lowering your risk of developing glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy, the AAO reports. The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity every week, plus two days of strength training for your muscles. You can also practice eye exercises to reduce tension and eye strain while sitting at your desk.

Read more: Sneak More Exercise Into Your Daily Routine: 7 Steps That Actually Work

Get outside

Children and adults need to get outside often, even if you get your recommended exercise indoors. Research shows that children who spend time outdoors have a lower risk of developing nearsightedness in adolescence and as adults. Playing with your kids at the local playground, walking through the woods or even playing in the backyard can help the whole family stay healthy and active. Don’t forget your sunglasses!

Don’t smoke

It’s well known that smoking is bad for your health. It can also increase your risk of developing eye diseases like cataracts or age-related macular degeneration, according to the Food and Drug Administration. Smokers have a two or three times higher chance of developing cataracts and up to four times higher risk for AMD. Future research may determine if smoking cigarettes can also cause glaucoma, Graves’ eye disease, thyroid eye disease and encourage diabetic retinopathy onset or progression. To improve your health, build a quit plan.

SimpleImages/Getty Images

Eat balanced meals

The foods you eat every day can improve your eye health. Eating foods rich in vitamins A, C and E, beta-carotene, omega-3 fatty acids, lutein, zeaxanthin and zinc can help cellular growth, lower eye tissue inflammation and limit free radicals that can damage your eyes.

To get the right nutrients for your eyes, eat balanced meals by including some of these foods in your regular diet, recommended by the AAO:

Vitamin A and beta-carotene: Apricots, carrots, cantaloupe, sweet potatoes, red pepper, ricotta cheese, mangoVitamin C: Grapefruit, oranges, lemons, tangerines, peaches, strawberries, tomatoes, red bell pepperVitamin E: Avocados, almonds, peanut butter, wheat germ, sunflower seedsOmega-3: Halibut, sardines, salmon, tuna, troutLutein and Zeaxanthin: Collards, broccoli, eggs, peas, kale, spinach, romaine lettuce, turnip greensZinc: Lima beans, kidney beans, black-eyed peas, lean red meats, oysters, fortified cereals, poultry

Avoid rubbing your eyes

If you habitually rub your eyes, it could cause eye damage or infections. Dry eyes and eye strain can make you want to rub your eyes, and some may rub them too much or too hard. This can lead to issues such as reduced or blurry vision, headaches, inflammation, eye and light sensitivity. Another reason to avoid eye rubbing is that bacteria or viruses on your fingers or hands could lead to conjunctivitis, commonly called pink eye. Instead of rubbing your eyes, use eye drops or saline to clean your eyes and keep them moist. Resist the urge and find something else to keep your hands busy until you undo the habit.

Read more: 7 Home Remedies for Dry, Itchy Eyes

Wash your hands

You should always wash your hands before touching your face or eyes and handling contact lenses. Almost 45 million Americans wear contact lenses, and around 1 in 3 wearers develop complications, with 1 in 5 infections from contact lenses causing corneal damage. 

Plus, there’s no telling what kind of germs are on objects you touch after someone unknowingly contaminated them. Washing your hands regularly can lower your risk of respiratory illness by up to 21% and diarrheal illness by up to 40%, the CDC reports. 

Take off your makeup

After a long day, the last thing you might think about is removing your eye makeup before you get into bed. But doing so benefits your eye health and can lower your risk of blepharitis or eyelid inflammation, according to the Optometrists Network. 

You should also adopt good makeup practices that can save your skin and eyes, such as only using products made for eyes, replacing your makeup often (especially after an eye infection), not applying eye makeup in the inner lids and never sharing eye makeup with someone else. If you use brushes or sponges to apply eye makeup, wash them regularly.

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Starz’ Annual Subscription Just Got Cheaper

If you’re thinking of subscribing to the Starz streaming service — perhaps to catch up on hit romantic time-traveling drama Outlander — then paying annually might be the way to go. Starz has dropped its annual subscription price from $75 to $70, making it one of the cheaper yearly options available. 

The price drop comes just two months after Starz raised its monthly subscription price from $9 to $10 per month on June 26. The June price hike was the first price increase for Starz since 2016, when it launched as a stand-alone digital service. The channel began as a premium cable offering.

“As one of the few streaming networks that is profitable, we are always looking for ways to drive success for the business while providing great value to our customers,” Alison Hoffman, president of domestic networks for Starz, said in a statement. “Our annual plan subscribers are some of our most valuable customers, so we wanted to find ways to drive more people into the plan and reward our existing customers.”

Current Starz annual subscribers will see the new price on their next bill.

Starz, an ad-free service, may be best known for such shows as Outlander, Power and The White Queen. As a Lionsgate-owned company, Starz also airs the studio’s movies and shows, such as John Wick and Saw. 

Starz has a deal with Universal to broadcast its lineup too, including movies such as Jurassic World Dominion, Minions: The Rise of Gru and Oppenheimer. Check out CNET’s rundown of the Starz app.

At $70, an annual subscription to Starz comes in below yearly options available from other popular streaming services. Hulu with ads costs $80 a year. Disney Plus Premium costs $110 a year, and Paramount Plus with Showtime comes in at $120 a year. 

Read more: YouTube TV vs. Hulu Plus Live TV: The Top Streaming Services Compared

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33 Best Advent Calendars for Kids in 2023

$45 at Target

Lego Star Wars Advent Calendar

Surprises from a galaxy far, far away

$33 at Amazon

Lego Friends Advent Calendar

New mini-figurines in Heartlake City

$24 at Amazon

Disney 100 Advent Calendar: A Storybook Collection

Read a magical tale each day

$38 at Amazon

Funko Pop Marvel Advent Calendar

All your favorite superheroes

$34 at Amazon

Barbie Cutie Reveal Advent Calendar and Doll

All things Barbie

$20 at Amazon

Fidget Toys advent calendar

Pop-its, spinners, squishies and more

$39 at Amazon

The Crazy Scientist

Cool science experiments for curious kids

$30 at Playmobil

Playmobil Christmas Under the Rainbow Advent Calendar

Fit for a princess or prince

$46 at Amazon

Super Mario Advent Calendar

Give gamers more Mario!

Show more (14 items)

There’s nothing quite like the excitement and anticipation of the holiday season, but that’s especially true when you’re a kid. Waiting for Jolly Old Saint Nick to arrive with his bundle of toys is just so hard! That’s why advent calendars are a must in my household. If they aren’t a part of your household’s tradition yet, the idea is that starting on Dec. 1, kids (or adults!) get to open a numbered door each day until Christmas arrives. Depending on the calendar you choose, you might find toys, chocolate or even books behind each carefully crafted door. 

This story is part of Gift Guide, our year-round collection of the best gift ideas.

We’ve put together a list of the best Advent calendars for kids for 2023, and we’ve included options that cater to practically every interest. Whether your kids are into Legos, Barbie, Disney, Roblox, fidget toys or DIY ornaments, we’ve got you covered. Some of these popular options sell out before the holiday season even begins, so be sure to get yours as soon as possible.

Lego

Lego makes some of my all-time favorite Advent calendars ever, and it just dropped its 2023 batch, including the ultra-popular Lego Star Wars calendar. Kids get to start off each day building a new toy they can then add to the foldout Star Wars holiday scene. Not only is it fun to see which vehicle or Star Wars character they get each day (Emperor Palpatine! Princess Leia!), but these toys last well beyond the holiday season. 

Lego

We love how Lego switches things up a bit with its Friends calendar each year. Last year was all about Olivia’s visit with Santa, and this year offers up a bunch of new Heartlake City characters along with a pet theme. If you’ve got a kid who’s really into Lego Friends or animals, this is a great choice. Kids even get to put together a train for the pets to ride on.

More Lego calendars:

Amazon

This Advent calendar is for kids who love all things Disney, and it’s a great way to get kiddos excited about reading. Every day there’s a new paperback book to read, featuring holiday-themed adventures and regular stories of your Disney and Pixar favorites. Note that it’s due to be released Sept. 5, but you can preorder it now.

More Disney Advent calendars:

Funko

Two trends combine in this cool Advent calendar. Funko Pop figurines are popular collectibles, and Marvel and Spider-Man are still going strong. Twenty-four Marvel vinyl Pocket Pops (mini Funko Pop figurines) are included here, creating quite the menagerie. Kids will love discovering Captain Marvel, Spider-Man, Black Panther, Hulk, Iron Man and more.

More Funko Pop Advent calendars:

Amazon

Barbie has always been popular, but the Barbie movie turned that excitement up a notch this year. This Advent calendar comes with a Barbie doll that kids get on the first day, followed by all sorts of snow-themed apparel, accessories and mini-pets. If you were a fan of this summer’s blockbuster hit, you might want this for yourself.

More Barbie advent calendars:

Amazon

If you’ve got a Roblox-obsessed kid in your household, you’re not alone. This Advent calendar has 24 doors that reveal holiday-themed Roblox characters and accessories. Kids can mix and match these accessories to make their very own unique character. This calendar also comes with two redeemable codes to unlock exclusive Roblox content.

Williams Sonoma

If your kid is a fan of Harry Potter, this is the Advent calendar to go for. It’s packed with all sorts of sweets straight out of Honeydukes, from Butterscotch Drops that taste just like Butterbeer to Bertie Bott’s Every Flavor Beans. Each day offers a new tasty delight for muggle kids.

Uncommon Goods

I love to keep little hands busy during the holidays, and this DIY ornament Advent calendar is the perfect way to do that. Each day, kids get to craft a new felt and sticker ornament, which they can then hang on the Christmas tree or use to decorate their rooms. It comes with easy instructions, and you don’t need to have a sewing kit or glue on hand.

Amazon

Who doesn’t love Pokemon? With this long-standing brand, both adults and kids have grown up on it. To celebrate the holidays, this Pokemon Advent calendar has 16 figures, including popular Pokemon such as Pikachu and Eevee. For kids ages 4 and up.

Amazon

For the science kid that loves collecting gemstones, this National Geographic Advent calendar is great for exploring the wonders of the world through rocks, gems and fossils. From shiny to matte, there’s a special surprise behind 25 doors, including a special rose quartz on the 25th day that kids will dig out themselves. 

Amazon

Sensory toys aren’t just for stress — lots of kids just enjoy playing with these gizmos. Stretchy noodles, water-bead balls, springs, spins and all kinds of holiday doo-dads are tucked away behind the little doors of this fun Advent calendar. This Christmas countdown calendar is the perfect Christmas gift for kids to count down the days till Christmas Eve and get some surprises every day.

Uncommon Goods

This holiday season little ones ages 3 and up will delight in opening a piece of Grand Station each day until the set is complete. Railway tracks, wooden trains, figures (including Santa) and other holiday-themed pieces are included in this Advent calendar. Bonus: The outside of the box unfolds to complete a winter scene.

Amazon

Little scientists will love counting down to Santa with daily STEM activities. Twenty-four little boxes contain materials (with the exception of some common household materials) for projects and experiments. The Crazy Scientist Advent calendar is recommended for ages 8 and up, but younger kids who are interested in science can partake with some help. Bonus: The empty boxes come together after Christmas to form a board game.

Playmobil

Kids who are into imaginative play will love this royal Advent calendar. Hidden behind each door is one of 24 Playmobil figures and pieces that combine to create a magical Christmas scene, complete with rainbow princesses, a prince and a golden Pegasus. The detailed toy set will last far beyond the holiday season, making this Advent calendar a great value. For ages 4 and up.

More Playmobil Advent calendars:

Amazon

Mario, Princess Peach and Luigi are as popular as ever. So if you’ve got a Super Mario lover in your household, this Advent calendar will hit the mark. Pop open the little doors and discover 24 video game-themed action figures and accessories, including Santa Mario, Snowman Luigi and more.

Hearthsong

This sturdy wood Advent calendar doesn’t come with toys. You fill the 24 little drawers yourself. It may be a little extra work, but this colorful gingerbread house could be the start of a DIY Advent calendar family tradition. Just add notes, chocolate, tiny toys, ornaments or any other itty-bitty holiday trinkets.

Amazon

Every day feels like Christmas with this Advent calendar, especially if your kiddo is into cars. Each door reveals a new Hot Wheels car or accessory, which they can add to the holiday-themed track. You’ll get tons of imaginative play out of this one, and the toy cars last well beyond Christmas.

Play-Doh/CNET

This Advent calendar is perfect for younger ones who enjoy creative play. Behind each of the 24 doors is a can of Play-Doh and various tools and cutters to help your little one craft holiday decorations. It comes with a set of cards suggesting craft ideas, but most kids will have a blast just using their own imaginations.

KiwiCo

This Advent calendar gives kids the opportunity to build their own mini village. Each day offers up a new part of the village to assemble, from a house to an evergreen tree to a reindeer. With 24 surprises, your kids will get plenty of play-based learning while having fun. 

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Dual-Motor Rivian R1T Is a More Efficient, Less Expensive Electric Pickup

Electric truck manufacturer Rivian hit the ground running with the R1T pickup and, most recently, the R1S SUV with its powerful and capable Quad-Motor powertrains. However, as impressive as they are, four electric motors is probably overkill for most light duty drivers, which brings us to the Dual-Motor versions of the R1T and R1S, rolling off of the assembly line at Rivian’s Normal, Illinois headquarters and factory today.

With half the motors of its predecessor, the Dual-Motor powertrain promises improved range at a lower cost than Rivian’s current Quad-Motor offerings with surprisingly little trade-off to performance and power, thanks mostly to the automaker’s new generation Enduro electric drive units. I traveled to Rivian HQ to see the new Dual-Motor Enduro powertrain being built and compare it head-to-head on the automaker’s street and off-road test tracks with the familiar Quad-Motor version.

The Enduro drive unit

If you’re a delivery driver, you may have already experienced Rivian’s new electric motor without knowing. Manufactured for Amazon — and also used as Rivian’s own mobile service vehicle — the single-motor, front-drive Rivian Electric Delivery Van (EDV) was the first vehicle to feature the new Enduro drive unit, which now makes its way into the new R1T and R1S Dual-Motor AWD models.

Each Enduro drive unit integrates the motor, transmission, differentials and power electronics into a single compact housing

Antuan Goodwin/CNET

The Dual-Motor EVs make 533 horsepower and 610 pound-feet of torque, punching it to 60 mph from a stop in just 4.5 seconds. Stepping up to the Performance Dual-Motor configuration bumps output to 665 hp and 829 lb.-ft. and shaves the 0-to-60 mph sprint to 3.5 seconds, just 0.5 ticks short of the 835 hp, 908 lb.-ft. Quad-Motor’s time.

Enduro features a new stator and rotor — the stationary and rotating magnetic parts of an electric motor — that are assembled in-house at Rivian’s plant in Normal. (The R1 Quad-Motor’s Origin units source off-the-shelf rotors and stators.) The new stator uses 240 hairpin wires with a flat profile, squeezing more coils in closer for more efficient packaging and operation than round wires. Building in-house allows Rivian’s engineers to tightly integrate the entire drive unit, combining the electric motor, the inverter and three-phase power electronics, the two-stage reduction gear set, an open differential and, for the rear unit, an axle disconnect clutch into one housing that’s around 60 pounds lighter than a single Origin motor.

The new silicon-carbide MOSFET power module is 99% power efficient, versus the around 98% efficient silicon IGBT tech used prior. It’s a small difference that adds up to around a 3.5% range improvement for this generation.

Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Dual-Motor AWD

Of course, there are only two Enduro units per Dual-Motor chassis, as opposed to four Origins in the Quad, which saves even more weight. The rear-motor uses a higher final drive ratio (13.7:1) than the front (11:1), creating a rear-biased torque distribution that Rivian says improves driving feel and fun. The torque split can range from 50:50 to 30:70 during all-wheel operation depending on the drive mode. Enduro also introduces a dynamic rear-motor clutch that can automatically decouple the rear axle when cruising in the default All-Purpose drive mode to boost range, and then instantly re-engage the rear motor when passing or climbing power is needed or slip is detected. (The Quad-Motor EVs could only rear-disconnect by manually selecting the Conserve mode on the dashboard display.)

Rivian also employs brake-biasing to shuffle power laterally across the axle, which comes with its own advantages and disadvantages versus the one motor per wheel Quad setup. Driven back-to-back with the Quad-Motor R1T, the Performance Dual-Motor R1T feels nearly identical on the street. However, when tackling Rivian’s short off-road course, the Quad-Motor setup felt more sure-footed, particularly in situations where one or more wheels would lose contact with the ground, such as rock crawling or transitioning between severe opposite cambers. The Dual-Motor system was a touch slower to adjust — requiring patience and a steady pedal foot while the brakes built pressure on the lifted wheel to send torque back through the open diff — but it handled every obstacle that the Quad did safely and impressively.

For daily driving and weekend adventures, the R1 Dual-Motor powertrain should be capable enough for all but the most hardcore EV offroaders.

Rivian

Drive modes and towing

The R1 Dual-Motor’s simplified software reduces the EV’s drive mode programs to just All-Purpose, All-Terrain, Snow and Towing, skipping the specialized Rally, Drift, Rock Crawl and Soft Sand drive modes present on the Quad-Motor. And of course, there’s no longer need for a Conserve program, thanks to that dynamic rear axle. Performance Dual-Motor AWD models feature an additional Sport program that locks the powertrain into full-time all-wheel drive and adds a “Lowest” selectable ride height.

Finally, all R1 EVs feature a Towing mode that preps the vehicle to haul heavy loads and brings trailer braking systems online. The R1T pickup is capable of dragging up to 11,000 pounds, while the R1S SUV is rated for 7,700 pounds. I was able to experience the former during a ride-along in the passenger seat of an R1T Dual-Motor pulling Rivian’s EDV service van on a flatbed trailer. The van, trailer and the full complement of onboard tools was said to weigh around 9,800 pounds and the R1T still accelerated, braked and cruised acceptably.

The 9,800-pound EDV and trailer are well within the R1T Dual-Motor’s maximum towing capacity.

Antuan Goodwin/CNET

Battery packs and range

At launch, the Rivian R1T and R1S Dual-Motor will be offered with the automaker’s Large battery pack and up to 352 miles of estimated EPA range, an improvement over the 314 to 316 miles the Quad-Motor returns with the same battery. Post-launch, the automaker plans to roll out an even larger Max battery pack with up to 410 miles for R1T or 390 miles for R1S and, eventually, a smaller 260-270 mile Standard pack for the base non-Performance models.

Rivian Dual-Motor models

Model RangeHorsepowerTorquePriceR1T Dual-Motor Standard 270 miles533 hp610 lb.-ft.$73,000R1T Dual-Motor Large 352 miles533 hp610 lb.-ft. $79,000R1T Dual-Motor Max 410 miles533 hp610 lb.-ft. $89,000R1T Dual-Motor Performance Large 352 miles665 hp829 lb.-ft. $84,000R1T Dual-Motor Performance Max 410 miles665 hp829 lb.-ft. $94,000R1S Dual-Motor Standard 260 miles533 hp610 lb.-ft. $78,000R1S Dual-Motor Large 352 miles533 hp610 lb.-ft. $84,000R1S Dual-Motor Max 390 miles533 hp610 lb.-ft. TBDR1S Dual-Motor Performance Large 352 miles665 hp829 lb.-ft. $89,000R1S Dual-Motor Performance Max 390 miles665 hp829 lb.-ft. TBD

The extra range and lower price are well worth the slight tradeoff to extreme rock-crawling performance.

Antuan Goodwin/CNET

The Rivian R1T and R1S Dual-Motor will start at $73,000 and $78,000, respectively, when the Standard battery becomes available. Currently, with the Large battery, $79,000 and $84,000 gets you in the door, around $8,000 less than a comparably equipped Quad-Motor EV. The Large battery Performance models climb to $84,000 for the R1T and $89,000 for R1S — only around $3,000 saved versus the Quads, but still money in the pocket at the end of the day. 

Considering how closely the Enduro-powered R1T performed back to back with its more complex predecessor, both on and off of the road, the Dual-Motor configuration’s increased range and reduced price make it a much better value as a daily driver for most drivers most of the time. As the saying goes, sometimes less is more.

Editors’ note: Travel costs related to this story were covered by the manufacturer, which is common in the auto industry. The judgments and opinions of CNET’s staff are our own and we do not accept paid editorial content.

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Best Dating Apps for 2023

See at Her

Her

Best dating app for lesbian, bisexual and queer women

See at Raya

Raya

Best dating app for social media influencers

See at Match

Match

Best dating app for someone with money to spend

Show more (6 items)

Despite dating apps’ ever-growing popularity, they still have something of a bad reputation. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard my mother say that back in the day you’d just go out to the neighborhood bar to meet people. Well, times have changed — and in some ways for the better. Dating apps have emerged for all groups and niches, allowing singles to narrow down the field and find exactly who they’re looking for. 

The downside is that with all these apps it’s hard to know which you should focus your time on and which to avoid. Luckily for you, I have a lot of first-hand experience with current dating apps. This is a list of some of the best dating apps out there, including the experiences they offer, their unique features and the pool of people you can expect to find on each platform. So what are you waiting for? Sign up for these top dating sites or apps, start chatting and maximize your chances of meeting your match. We’ll update this list periodically. 

(A note on the byline: This story was initially written by Rebecca Fleenor and has been substantially updated, including the introduction, by Charlotte Maracina. The blurbs below are initialed to reflect which of the authors’ respective opinions are referenced.)

Best dating apps for 2023

Bumble Best dating app for bold womenTinder Best dating app for casual chat and hookupsOKCupid Best dating app for those on a budgetHinge Best dating app for relationship seekersCoffee Meets Bagel Best dating app for serious relationshipsHappn Best dating app for local datingHer Best dating app for lesbian, bisexual and queer womenRaya Best dating app for social media influencersPlenty of Fish Best dating app for conversationsMatch Best dating app for someone with money to spendeHarmony Best dating app for marriage seekers eHarmony/Apple

eHarmony was one of the pioneers among online dating site options, and — while I haven’t personally used this one — we all remember the pitch for online daters, thanks to years of TV commercials: The service matches couples based on “29 dimensions” of compatibility and interests (as determined by a thorough relationship questionnaire and personality test). While you can review the profiles of your prospective matches for free, you’ll need to pay to unlock the full features of the service. There’s a three-month plan and a six-month plan, and they come with a guarantee: If, after three months of paid membership and communicating with at least five members, you’re not satisfied, eHarmony will refund your money. Despite a rocky road that eventually involved a high-profile lawsuit, the site finally added same-sex dating in 2013. I have mixed feelings about using the site myself, but it’s at least technically more inclusive now. — RF

Monthly subscription cost: $36Free version available: YesDownload from: Android, iOS

Bumble is for the women who aren’t afraid to make the first move… and don’t mind losing matches if they don’t receive a reply within one day. If the guy doesn’t message back within 24 hours, the match then expires. Not a great scenario if you’re like me and check your dating apps once every other week.

If you’re a woman who wants to take charge, you’re looking for a quick response and aren’t afraid to lose matches if someone doesn’t get back to you right away, I’d recommend checking Bumble out. Based on my personal experience Bumble tends to attract bold women and shy men, which isn’t a bad thing. Because women must message first, Bumble tends to weed out the more insecure guys from the dating pool. Plus, Bumble also offers Bumble BFF which allows you to meet friends when moving or visiting new cities. — CM

Pros:

Allows women more control Offers Bumble BFF, making it easier to meet friendsAllows users to specify their interests and dating goals

Cons:

Matches expire in one dayOnly the woman can make the first move, making it harder for those more shyMonthly subscription cost: $40Free version available: YesDownload from: Android, iOS Hinge

Those looking for love, lust and everything in between have a good chance of finding that on Hinge. Hinge is the app “designed to be deleted” and ranks as one of my favorites. While Tinder may be more for hookups, Hinge is for those looking for something a little more than a one night stand.

Since it first launched, Hinge has added dozens of features that allow you to display your interests and specify who you’re looking for. My only issue with the app is that it’s recently began limiting the amounts of likes you’re allowed to give, requiring you to upgrade to the paid version of the app for unlimited likes. I’ve gone on several Hinge dates and while the only thing it’s ever really led to has been an “it’s complicated” status relationship, I’ve never had a bad experience using the app and definitely recommend it to those looking for something more than a casual relationship. — CM

Pros:

Prompts allow your profile to show your personalityGood for those not totally sure what they wantYou can see who liked your profile 

Cons:

Limit on the amount of likes you have per dayYou have to pay extra for your top potential matchesYou have to add three promptsMonthly subscription cost: $10Free version available: YesDownload from: Android, iOS

OkCupid, how you confuse me. I have friends who’ve met their ideal match and even spouses through OkCupid. My last serious relationship came from the OkCupid dating service. In fact, I’ve been on OkCupid on and off, for roughly the last 11 years. Profiles are a lot more in-depth than most online dating sites and if you answer a seemingly endless series of questions (much like a personality test), they will spit out a reasonable Match/Enemy percentage ratio on profiles to help you gauge compatibility based on interests.

Changes in the last few years have made OkCupid a bit more like Tinder (they’re owned by the same company), focusing more on swiping and eliminating the ability to message a user without matching with them first. Online daters can still send a message — it just won’t show up in the recipient’s inbox unless you match. Because who doesn’t enjoy sending a thoughtful message to someone who might never see it? However, OkCupid has pointed out that these changes did help lower the number of offensive messages and fake profiles people received, which might be a worthwhile trade-off. Unfortunately, in my experience, OkCupid has become a bit of a dating ghost town. — RF

Monthly subscription cost: $15Free version available: YesDownload from: Android, iOS

Happn matches you with people who are located nearby. It’s a cool concept and helpful for people who want to meet someone in a more organic manner. That said, I’ve never met a single person who actually uses the app.

After signing up, Happn showed me 68 people it said I’d crossed paths with in the preceding three hours, though I hadn’t left my apartment all day. This might be helpful if you’re looking to date your immediate neighbors (or Uber drivers), but I don’t see the attraction when competitors like Tinder already show the distance between you and other users. Frankly, if I saw an attractive guy in a coffee shop, I’d just approach him rather than check to see if he’s on Happn. The app seems designed for people who don’t want to use online dating sites but also don’t want to approach people in real life. Pick a lane. — RF

Monthly subscription cost: $15Free version available: YesDownload from: Android, iOS

Most dating apps are fairly LGBTQ inclusive. Still, it’s nice to have an app to call your own. Her is tailored to lesbian, bisexual and queer women. It’s a worthy notion — but the app has some bugs and glitches that made it frustrating to use. Most of my queer female friends have told me they found the app “just OK” and not perfect and that they usually end up back on Tinder or Bumble. Still, I checked it regularly for some time and had a few pleasant conversations with actual human beings. Isn’t that all we’re really looking for in a dating app? — RF

Monthly subscription cost: $15Free version available: YesDownload from: Android, iOS Raya

 If you work in virtually any creative industry — whether you’re an executive assistant for a music label or a full time social media influencer — and are looking to date someone in a similar field, Raya is the app for you. You’ll have to fill out an application then go through a verification process that can take anywhere from two days to two years. Hot tip: Listing references of friends who are currently on the app will help your application move further. — CM

Pros:

Good for both dating and networkingUsers are carefully vetted to make sure no one is using fake photosYou can connect globally with other

Cons:

ExpensiveMatches expire in 10 daysOnly several profiles are shown per dayMonthly subscription cost: $20Free version available: NoDownload from: Android, iOS

Coffee Meets Bagel hopes to offer people better-quality matches by sending curated daily matches, or “bagels,” each day at noon. They suggest ice-breakers for first messages and the profiles are more in-depth than Tinder. For people who like a little extra hand-holding, CMB isn’t the worst option. However, I found the app confusing to use, with too many features and a lot of gimmicks. I shouldn’t have to look up online tutorials to figure out how to use a dating app. Plus why call matches Bagels?

I was also disappointed in the notifications, which I found too pushy. CMB was constantly “gently” reminding me to message people I’d matched with. I eventually disabled the app after receiving the following notification: “Show [match name] who’s boss and break the ice today!” Should a potential future relationship be rooted in a hierarchical power dynamic? At the end of the day, I have friends who’ve had the perfect match on CMB, but it isn’t one of my favorite online dating apps. — RF 

Monthly subscription cost: $20Free version available: YesDownload from: Android, iOS

Since Tinder was launched in 2012, the app has been the best option for people looking for casual hookups, flirty casual conversation or even long-term relationships. Tinder was the first dating app I, along with most of my friends, began using and it definitely helps ease you into the online dating world.

The notoriety and simplicity of Tinder is why most people are drawn to it as their first dating app. It’s easy: Swipe left if you’re not interested and right if you are. The profiles include a handful of pictures you can tap through, a bio and the option to link your Instagram and Spotify. It may seem like a very judging-a-book-by-the-cover approach, but isn’t that what all dating is like at first? Now Tinder also includes the option to verify your profile, helping to prove your legitimacy to others on the app. 

My best advice for Tinder is that it’s truly about quantity over quality at first. As with all dating apps, the more people you match with the greater chances you have of having one or two successful matches. Luckily now Tinder has added a feature that lets you specify what type of relationship you’re looking for to help when looking at potential matches. — CM

Pros:

Easy to useMatches don’t expireYou can add your interests and add your Spotify on your profile

Cons:

You need to pay to unlock your top potential matches
It’s not as easy to show your personalityMonthly subscription cost: $8Free version available: YesDownload from: Android, iOS

Plenty of Fish launched in 2003 — and it shows. The problem I come across over and over again is that POF is filled with bots and scams, even though it may have the most users of any dating app. POF’s issues don’t mean you won’t be able to find love on it, but the odds might be stacked against you. Unless you’re into dating bots. — RF

Monthly subscription cost: $25Free version available: YesDownload from: Android, iOS

Match.com has a free version, but the general consensus is that you’ll need a paid subscription to have any luck. That’s a hangover from the early days of online dating sites, when a paid basic membership to a site meant you were serious about settling down. But my friends and I have long since come to the conclusion that you might be a little too eager to find a significant other or the perfect partner if you pay to get dates, particularly given the abundance of free dating apps. There are definitely paid features on some dating apps that are worth the price, but I’ve yet to be able to justify shelling out cash for love. — RF

Monthly subscription cost: $20Free version available: Yes; free trial availableDownload from: Android, iOS

How we test 

There’s only one true way to test a dating app and that’s to try them out ourselves. Everyone’s experience with dating apps will be different, but our reviews are based on our own personal experiences along with reviews from friends and family. After carefully crafting a profile we then took the time to swipe through our options and familiarize ourselves with the platforms. Once we’ve had the opportunity to talk to potential partners, we’re able to form our opinions of the overall vibe of the app and who we think it might appeal to.

Factors to consider

If you’re freshly single or have been single your whole life, it’s important to have an idea of what you want when picking out the best dating app to invest your time in. You can download all of them and constantly be switching between platforms, but I’ve found it best to invest your time, and money if you want, into one or two apps. Also consider whether or not you want to spend money on app. 

Dating app FAQs

What is the best overall dating app?

Listing one dating app as the best overall one is hard because it truly depends on your personal preference. Many people have friends who went on Tinder looking for a one-night stand but ended up finding long-term relationships. Hinge tends to be the best in-between app for those looking for both a casual fling and something more serious. But if you’re ready to put a ring on it, eHarmony or Match may be more up your alley.

What should I include in my dating profile?

Making a dating profile may seem daunting at first but at the end of the day you should just include whatever feels most true to yourself! If you like to travel, include a picture or two of your travels. A photo of you doing what you’re passionate about will be a great conversation starter. 

In previous dating profiles I’ve used a mixture of photos of just me and photos where I’m out and about with friends. As far as answering prompts goes, it’s always better to answer genuinely. Answering prompts is a great way to get your sense of humor and personality across, so make sure to take advantage of that. 

Are dating apps worth it?

This once again is all up to personal preference. Dating apps are a great way to put yourself out there and see other singles in your area. Even if you don’t find love, you may still have a fun few dates or flirty conversations. Dating apps are all about putting yourself out there and not being afraid to weed through a bunch of people to find the one. If you’re willing to put in the work then you may find the person you’ve been looking for. 

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