At a glanceExpert`s Rating Pros Beautiful and pleasant design Large haptic touchpad Lots of Thunderbolt 4 connectivity Excellent battery life Cons LCD display is bright but lacks contrast compared to OLED Intel Core Ultra 5 325 is mediocre for the price Keyboard feel doesn’t match the competition No USB-A, HDMI, or other legacy connectivity (besides 3.5mm audio) Our Verdict Dell’s entry-level XPS 14 with LCD looks as attractive as more expensive configurations and delivers better battery life, but the performance of Intel’s modest Core Ultra 5 325 fails to excite. Price When Reviewed This value will show the geolocated pricing text for product undefined Best Pricing Today Best Prices Today: Dell XPS 14 Retailer Price Check Price comparison from over 24,000 stores worldwide Product Price Price comparison from Backmarket Best Prices Today: Check today’s prices Dell has wisely returned to the XPS brand with its new XPS 14 and XPS 16 laptops, ditching the forgettable “Premium” and “Pro” branding it switched to a couple years ago. That’s good news for the Dell XPS 14, which fixes several design problems found in prior models. But the Dell XPS 14 you choose matters—and arguably more so than many competitors. The entry-level model starts at $1,349.99 and has an Intel Core Ultra 5 325. That puts the most affordable XPS 14 in an uncomfortable position in many performance benchmarks, though it at least manages to deliver superior battery life. Dell XPS 14 (LCD): Specs and features as-tested As mentioned, the entry-level Dell XPS 14 has an Intel Core Ultra 5 325. It’s among the most affordable and least performant variants of Intel’s new Panther Lake architecture. It has half as many CPU cores, and a third as many Xe graphics cores, as the Intel Core Ultra X7 358H that powers top-tier XPS 14 configurations. The laptop I tested paired the Core Ultra 5 325 with 16GB of memory and a 512GB solid state drive. ? CPU: Intel Core Ultra 5 325 ? Memory: 16GB LPDDR5x-7467 ? Graphics/GPU: Intel Graphics ? NPU: 47 TOPS ? Display: 14-inch 1920×1200 120Hz IPS-LCD ? Storage: 512GB M.2 PCIe 4.0 solid state drive ? Webcam and microphone: 4K webcam with IR camera ? Connectivity: 3x Thunderbolt 4 with DisplayPort 2.1 and Power Delivery, 1x 3.5mm audio jack ? Networking: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0 ? Biometrics: Windows Hello facial recognition ? Battery capacity: 70 watt-hours ? Dimensions: 12.19 x 8.26 x 0.60 inches ? Weight: 3.1 pounds ? Operating System: Windows 11 Pro ? Price: $1,409.99 The MSRP for this configuration rings up at $1,409.99. That includes a $60 charge for Windows 11 Pro, putting the minimum MSRP at $1,349.99 for a Dell XPS 14 with Windows 11 Home. That’s a lot less than the OLED model I reviewed, which had an MSRP of $2,259.99. If you care about portability, but don’t care about performance, the entry level model might be for you. Dell XPS 14 (LCD): Design and build quality Foundry / Matthew Smith Dell’s pitch for the XPS 14 is a return to form, and the new laptop’s design backs that claim. It’s not loud about it, as there’s no aggressive geometry or attention-seeking finish, but the details fall together into a cohesive and slick piece of kit. The exterior uses thick aluminum panels with gently curved edges that eliminate any hard transitions between surfaces, and the graphite colorway produces a dark, understated luster that looks brilliant when the light catches it just right. Branding is minimal with a single glossy XPS badge on the lid and the interior is wonderfully free of stickers.b My only issue with the design can be found in the display hinge. It only opens to about 145 degrees, which will feel limiting if you use the laptop in a tight space or if you’re particularly tall. On the plus side, the hinge is tuned to make the lid easy to open with a single finger, and a slight bump-out on the lip of the laptop provides a place to grip the lid for that purpose.  Weight is a small downside, too, as the XPS 14 sits on the heavier end for its class in 2026 at roughly 3.1 pounds for the LCD model (the OLED model is a tad lighter at three pounds, but the difference isn’t noticeable). The Asus ExperBook Ultra is worth a look if portability is your priority. The LCD model of the XPS 14 is thicker than the OLED model, too, but the difference is about half a millimeter so, once again, it’s hard to notice.  Fortunately, the XPS 14’s weight contributes to its chassis rigidity. And while three pounds is a little heavy for this class of laptop, it’s still light enough that the XPS 14 won’t feel like a burden when stowed in most laptop backpacks and messenger bags. Dell XPS 14 (LCD): Keyboard, touchpad Foundry / Matthew Smith Good news, everyone! The XPS 14’s keyboard once again has a physical function row, which deserves a moment of acknowledgment. Dell’s decision to replace it with a capacitive touch strip in prior XPS and Premium models was an awkward misstep, and it’s good to see the company correct itself. Having said that, the keyboard still isn’t a standout. Dell’s key design leans toward large, flat slabs with minimal spacing between them, which gives the deck a clean look but doesn’t translate to a satisfying typing experience. I like to have a better tactile sense of the gap between keys. The keycaps also feel slightly out of step with the rest of the machine, as the plastic doesn’t carry the same premium tactility as the aluminum chassis. Plastic is of course a common material for keycaps, but the details matter, and the plastic used here seems light and insubstantial. Key travel is shallow and the bottoming action is indistinct. The keyboard is perfectly usable, but if you’re comparing the XPS 14 to a Lenovo Yoga 9i or an Asus ExpertBook, Dell comes up short. The touchpad is a different story. Dell has added subtle physical bumpers along the left and right edges to delineate the touchpad’s boundaries, which sounds minor but was an annoying omission on previous models. The touchpad is generous in size at roughly six inches wide and three inches deep, edging out most competitors, which land closer to five inches wide. The extra real estate earns its keep during multi-touch navigation.  Haptic click simulation rounds out the package, and Dell’s implementation is well-tuned. The feedback feels deliberate and never buzzy. I’ve heard some complaints about haptic touchpads, but I think the feel is much better than any physical touchpad button action available from a laptop sold in 2026. Dell XPS 14 (LCD): Display, audio Foundry / Matthew Smith This review is focused on the entry-level Dell XPS 14 with a 14-inch LCD display packing 1920×1200 resolution. It’s the most affordable display and it’s included with most pre-built configurations, though it’s possible to customize any configuration to the OLED display for $150. You’ll want to spring for that upgrade if you care about image quality. The LCD display is fine, with okay contrast and reasonably vivid color. However, OLED provides a night-and-day improvement. Its vastly superior contrast offers a better sense of depth and more detail in dark scenes, while its improved color performance provides a more vivid look. And while the LCD display is fine in terms of image quality, virtually all notable competitors have fully switched to OLED. It’s not a straight win for OLED, though. The LCD display has a semi-gloss finish, as opposed to the OLED’s glossy finish, which makes the latter more difficult to use in bright rooms. The LCD display is brighter, too, as it slightly exceeds the promised 500 nits in my testing (a roughly 25 percent improvement over the OLED’s max of about 400 nits). Surprisingly, the LCD display also has a slight advantage in VRR because it can handle a refresh rate from 1Hz up to 120Hz. The OLED has a range of 20 to 120Hz. To be honest, I’m not sure that matters in terms of motion clarity and performance. It can matter for battery life, however, and the LCD model delivers a big battery life gain over the OLED model. More on that in the battery life section of this review. While the LCD model’s image quality is reduced compared to the OLED model, all XPS 14 laptops have an exceptional quad-speaker sound system with a pair of three-watt speakers and a pair of two-watt tweeters. The speakers serve up a loud, well-rounded sound stage that’s among the best I’ve heard from any 13-inch or 14-inch Windows laptop. Dell XPS 14 (LCD): Webcam, microphone, biometrics Dell’s specifications list a 4K webcam, but there’s a (hopefully temporary) issue. Windows reports a maximum video resolution of 1440p at 30 FPS, and 4K is not available. That’s true even in applications like OBS. The issue, according to Dell, relates to the current Windows Studio Effects driver. Disabling that driver enables 4K resolution but then, of course, will disable Studio Effects (like auto-framing and background blur). Dell says it’s working with Microsoft to resolve this problem. Unlike many competitors, the XPS 14 doesn’t provide a physical privacy shutter. It’s not an essential feature, but it would have been nice to see. A dual-microphone array flanks the webcam. Background noises are well managed and my voice came through clearly when I recorded a test clip. It’s not perfect, however. The microphone’s audio capture still has the hollow, distant character typical of such microphones. Biometric login is available through Windows Hello facial recognition. A fingerprint reader is not available. Dell XPS 14 (LCD): Connectivity The XPS 14 course-corrects on a few of Dell’s recent design decisions, but connectivity isn’t one of them. The port selection continues a modern minimalist approach. You get three Thunderbolt 4 ports, each of which also handles USB-C, DisplayPort, and Power Delivery, plus a 3.5mm audio jack. Of course, the trio of Thunderbolt 4 ports has perks. They give you serious flexibility for docks, hubs, high-speed storage, and Thunderbolt/USB-C compatible monitors. Many such devices can extend the Dell XPS 14’s connectivity. And Dell itself makes many monitors with fantastic Thunderbolt/USB-C connectivity, such as the Dell Ultrasharp U3225QE. On the other hand, the XPS 14 lacks USB-A, dedicated video output, a card reader, and  other legacy connectivity. For most users, that means dongles will be a fact of life. USB-C and Thunderbolt 4 have made significant inroads, but I think it’s close to impossible to move about the real world without occasionally needing to use a port not found on the laptop’s flanks. While the XPS 14’s physical connectivity has trade-offs, its wireless connectivity fires on all cylinders. The laptop ships with Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 6.0, both of which are recent enough that your existing devices probably can’t take full advantage of them yet. That’s a good thing. A well-built laptop at this price point has a realistic useful life of five to ten years, and both standards should remain relevant throughout the entirety of the laptop’s life. Dell XPS 14 (LCD): Performance The entry-level Dell XPS 14 with LCD display ships with Intel’s Core Ultra 5 325. This chip is based on Intel’s new and deservedly well-reviewed Panther Lake architecture—but there’s a catch.  Intel’s Core 5 line-up is more down-market than it used to be, so the Core Ultra 5 325 is a rather basic chip. It has just eight cores (four performance and four low-power efficiency). It also lacks the new high-end Arc B390 graphics and instead has Intel Graphics with four Xe cores. These downgrades hold back the entry-level XPS 14’s performance. Foundry / Matthew Smith PCMark 10 actually puts the Dell XPS 14 with Intel Core Ultra 5 325 off to a respectable start with a score of 7,260. As the graph shows, that is quite a bit behind the XPS 14 with Intel Core Ultra X7, but it’s well ahead of most Intel Core Ultra Series 2 chips.  This is a trend I’m observing with Panther Lake. All Panther Lake chips seem to do well in this benchmark. As PCMark 10 is a holistic test that stresses multiple areas of performance, I think this demonstrates that chips that use the Panther Lake architecture are well balanced in CPU, GPU, and memory performance. Foundry / Matthew Smith The story begins to shift a bit in Cinebench 2024. The Intel Core Ultra 5 325 looks good if compared to the prior generation of Intel hardware, as it can outperform the Intel Core Ultra 7 255U and Ultra 5 226V. Compare it to the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350, though, and things sour. The Ryzen AI 7 350 is about 50 percent quicker in the multi-threaded Cinebench 2024 benchmark. Keep in mind, as well, that the Ryzen AI 7 350 isn’t positioned as a more expensive chip. On the contrary, it can be found in laptops sold for as little as $800 and sometimes less. The HP OmniBook 7 Aero, for example, currently retails for $759.99 direct from HP.com. Foundry / Matthew Smith It’s a similar story in Handbrake. The Intel Core Ultra 5 325 looks good if compared to the prior generation of Intel hardware. However, it only barely defeats the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 in the HP OmniBook 7 Aero—a much less expensive laptop. I can find things to like about the Intel Core Ultra 5 325. There’s no doubt that it delivers a meaningful bump over the prior generation. An Intel Core Ultra 5 325 seems to provide CPU performance on par or better than chips like the Intel Core Ultra 7 255U and Intel Core Ultra 7 256V. But the price matters, and in this case the Intel Core Ultra 5 325 is out of its league. AMD’s Ryzen AI 7/9 chips are better bang-for-the-buck in lower price brackets. Or, at least, that’s the case right now. Laptops with Panther Lake are only just now hitting stores, which means many have not yet received the discounts they’re likely to receive after a few months on shelves. Foundry / Matthew Smith Intel talked up Panther Lake’s new integrated graphics prior to launch, and for good reason. The Intel Arc B390 integrated graphics, which provides 12 Xe graphics cores, can deliver performance on similar to entry-level discrete graphics from a few years ago, such as Nvidia’s RTX 3050. However, the Arc B390 is only found on some Panther Lake chips—and the Intel Core Ultra 5 325 isn’t one of them. Instead, the Core Ultra 5 325 gets along with just four Xe graphics cores clocked at 2.45 GHz. The 3DMark results make the consequence of that clear. I’ll admit that I’m surprised to see this solution nearly hit 3,000 in 3DMark Time Spy, and it managed to slightly outperform the AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 with Radeon 860M integrated graphics. However, there’s a huge gap between the Intel Graphics solution and the Intel Arc B390, with the latter more than doubling performance. Most laptops with the last-generation Intel Arc 130V or 140V graphics will also have an advantage. Real world results reflect this. Shadow of the Tomb Raider averaged 27 FPS at 1080p and Highest detail, which isn’t an enjoyable result. You’ll likely want to drop the detail to Medium. Cyberpunk 2077 averaged only 31 FPS at 1080p and Low detail, which is a huge downgrade from the Dell XPS 14 with Intel Arc B390, which averaged 36 FPS at 1080p and Ultra detail. Of course, it’s unreasonable to expect high-end performance from a modest chip like the Intel Core Ultra 5 325. However, the entry-level Dell XPS 14 is priced against laptops that will have much better graphics solutions ranging from AMD’s Radeon 890M to Intel’s Arc 140V. Dell XPS 14 (LCD): Battery life and portability Dell ships the XPS 14 with a 70 watt-hour battery and boldly claims the laptop can last up to 40 hours on a charge. That claim is only applicable to the versions with the IPS display, however, so does it live up to that mark? Foundry / Matthew Smith Well, no—but as the graph shows, the Dell XPS 14 with LCD display still offers excellent battery life. Frankly, the 40-hour claim was absurd. Windows laptop makers have grown increasingly aggressive about pushing technically possible but unrealistic battery life claims, and Dell is not immune to that. However, the Dell XPS 14 with LCD display managed to turn in nearly 23 hours of battery life in our standard battery life test, which loops a 4K file of the short film Tears of Steel.  That defeats many similar laptops. Plus, this level of battery life is high enough that I never had to specifically charge the laptop. I did charge it, of course—but through a USB-C monitor that I share with other PCs. I always found myself returning to my desk way, way before the XPS 14’s battery was ready to give out. Importantly, the LCD model provides a huge battery life gain over the OLED model, which endured about 15 hours in the same test. I can’t say for sure how much of the LCD model’s gain should be credited to the LCD display, or how much should be credited to the less performant Core Ultra 5 325 chip. In any case, it’s a winning combo if battery life is important to you. Dell XPS 14 (LCD): Conclusion The Dell XPS 14 with LCD display is, in some ways, an excellent value. I hesitate to call a retail MSRP of $1,409.99 affordable, but in 2026 it’s definitely more of a mid-range price than it used to be. And the entry-level XPS 14 retains most of the perks found in more expensive configurations. It has a great haptic touchpad, lots of Thunderbolt connectivity, and a beautiful design. Intel’s Core Ultra 5 325 is a weakness at this price point, however. $1,400 is enough to snag a number of alternative laptops with AMD Ryzen 7/9 AI or Intel Core Series 7 chips, and most of these will have a significant advantage. The integrated GPU performance is more competitive but still not impressive. Remember, too, that the entry level XPS 14 achieves excellent battery life and is superior to the more expensive configuration in this area. If you care about portability, but don’t care about performance, the entry level model might be for you. Read...

Every new generation of wireless charging promises the same thing: more speed, less friction, fewer cables. And almost every generation runs into the same wall—heat. Push wireless charging faster, and temperatures climb. Throttle it too aggressively, and speed gains vanish. The arrival of Qi2.2 technology, with its headline 25W magnetic wireless charging, puts that trade-off front and center. Baseus 25W: The fastest possible wireless charging The Baseus PicoGo AM52 magnetic wireless power bank is compelling not just because it supports Qi2.2 25W wireless charging, but because it demonstrates how the standard can be implemented properly, balancing speed, heat, and real-world usability in a way most power banks still struggle to achieve. With this level of innovation, the magnetic wireless power bank at last becomes the must-have accessory for every iPhone user. At a spec level, Qi2.2’s jump from 15W (Qi2 and MagSafe) to 25W is transformative. Wireless charging finally approaches wired performance, removing the psychological and practical gap that made cables feel “necessary” for quick top-ups. The PicoGo AM52 embraces that promise fully and joins already ground-breaking Baseus PicoGo power banks such as the 5K AM41 Ultra Slim and 10K AM41 Ultra Slim and 5K AM31 Ultra Mini magnetic power banks. Its officially certified 25W Qi2.2 output can power an iPhone 17 Pro to around 45% in just 30 minutes—territory that was previously exclusive to cables. Crucially, this speed isn’t theoretical or situational. The integrated 16×N52 magnetic ring ensures precise alignment and consistent energy transfer, eliminating the micro-misalignment losses that often generate excess heat and erratic charging curves. Baseus If you use the USB-C output you can achieve even faster 45W wired charging. It is available in two models: one with a clever built-in USB-C cable, and one without. 45W wired charging can be achieved using either the USB-C port or the built-in USB-C cable. View Baseus AM52 and order now on Amazon View Baseus AM52 with built-in cable and order now on Amazon Cool: Making fast wireless charging possible But raw wattage alone doesn’t solve the speed-versus-heat dilemma. In fact, it usually makes it worse. Where Baseus stands out is in how deliberately the AM52 is engineered around thermal control. Instead of relying on a single mitigation tactic, it uses a triple-loop cooling system: a graphene heat-conduction layer to spread heat quickly, an aluminum alloy body to dissipate it efficiently, and real-time temperature monitoring to adjust output dynamically. The result is tangible. The AM52 operates at around 102°F, compared to an industry norm closer to 118°F. That difference isn’t just a lab stat—it directly affects charging stability, battery health, and user comfort when the power bank is attached to a phone in your hand or pocket. Baseus This thermal discipline enables something that defines good Qi2.2 design: sustained performance. Many fast wireless chargers spike early, then throttle sharply once heat builds. The AM52’s cooler operating envelope allows it to maintain higher output for longer, delivering faster real-world charges rather than short-lived bursts. That’s the difference between “supports Qi2.2” and “actually benefits from Qi2.2.” 16mm thin: The slimmest-ever wireless 10K power bank Equally important is how Baseus integrates this technology into a form factor that respects everyday use. At just 16mm thick and under 7 ounces, the PicoGo AM52 is slimmer and lighter than even lower-wattage competitors. Ergonomic curved edges, a soft silicone contact surface, and a durable aluminum alloy shell make it comfortable to hold while charging—no small detail when magnetic power banks are designed to stay attached during use. The aluminum body isn’t just premium; it’s functional, doubling as a key thermal pathway. View Baseus AM52 and order now on Amazon View Baseus AM52 with built-in cable and order now on Amazon At a spec level, Qi2.2’s jump from 15W (Qi2 and MagSafe) to 25W is transformative. Wireless charging finally approaches wired performance, removing the psychological and practical gap that made cables feel “necessary” for quick top-ups. The PicoGo AM52 embraces that promise fully and joins already ground-breaking Baseus PicoGo power banks such as the 5K and 10K AM41 Ultra Slim and 5K AM31 Ultra Mini magnetic power banks. The AM52 also recognizes that wireless shouldn’t replace wired—it should coexist with it intelligently. Alongside 25W wireless output, it offers 45W USB-C fast charging and 30W self-recharging, fully topping up its 10,000mAh capacity in about 1.5 hours. The option of a model with an integrated USB-C cable further reinforces the product’s minimalist, travel-friendly philosophy. You carry less, charge faster, and adapt to whatever device or scenario you’re in. In the broader context of Qi2.2, the Baseus PicoGo AM52 feels like a reference design. It shows that faster wireless charging doesn’t have to mean hotter, bulkier, or more compromised hardware. By treating thermal management, magnet alignment, materials, and ergonomics as equal priorities—not afterthoughts—Baseus demonstrates how the new standard can deliver on its promise. Qi2.2 isn’t just about 25W. Done right, as the AM52 proves, it’s about making wireless charging finally feel effortless, fast, and safe enough to trust everywhere you go. Baseus PicoGo AM52: The next generation of mobile charging See it on Amazon Read...

In our Travel Insiders column, we ask people in the travel industry about how they travel and their favourite parts of New Zealand. Read...

Valtteri Bottas reveals his hopes for all travelling to the Australian Grand Prix from overseas to arrive safely amid the strikes in Iran. Read...

BA, Virgin Atlantic and Wizz Air are among major airlines to overhaul their schedules in light of the attacks. Read...

TL;DR: Score a Grade A refurbished Surface Pro 6 for $229.99 and get lightweight performance at a steep discount. If you’re looking for a lightweight Windows machine that can handle everyday work without costing a fortune, this Grade A refurbished Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (2018) at $229.99 makes a strong case. You’re getting an 8th Gen Intel Core i5 quad-core processor, 8GB of RAM, and a 256GB SSD. That combination is more than capable for web-based workflows, document editing, spreadsheets, streaming, video calls, and general multitasking. The 12.3-inch PixelSense display is one of the highlights. With sharp resolution and vibrant color, it’s comfortable for long stretches of reading, working, or browsing. Whether you’re reviewing reports, managing email, or attending virtual meetings, the screen quality holds up well. Battery life is rated for up to 13.5 hours of typical use, which means it can comfortably get through a workday without constant charging. Windows 11 comes installed. At just 1.7 pounds, it’s easy to carry between home, office, and travel. And since it’s listed as Grade A refurbished, you can expect near-mint condition with minimal cosmetic wear. Get this near-mint Microsoft Surface Pro 6 for $229.99 (reg. $849.99) while stock is still available. Microsoft Surface Pro 6 (2018) 12.3? i5-8250U 8GB RAM 256GB SSD (Refurbished)See Deal StackSocial prices subject to change. Read...

When you travel outside your home country, you quickly realize that you can’t use the same power plugs all around the world. Up until now, to charge your USB devices, you needed an adapter that converts your power plugs into the type used by the country you’re in. But not anymore! With the Anker Nano Travel Adapter, you get a 5-port charging solution that works in almost any country worldwide—and right now you can score it for just $19.99 on Amazon. The Anker Nano 5-in-1 Travel Adapter has four different sets of retractable outlet prongs: US, UK, EU, and AU. When retracted, the adapter is super compact and easy to throw into any bag for travel, and you won’t have to worry about it snagging or scratching anything. What’s great about this adapter is that no matter which regional outlet you’re plugged into, you now have access to 5 different ports: 2x USB-C ports, 2x USB-A ports, and an AC outlet for anything else that isn’t USB. The USB-C ports are fast-charging at up to 20 watts, so you’ll be able to recharge your phone back to 100% in no time. If you plan on traveling to Europe, the United Kingdom, or Australia, you’re going to want this. It’ll make your time there way more convenient and give you peace of mind. Get it now for $19.99 while it’s on sale! This Anker Nano 5-in-1 Travel Adapter is now 23% offBuy now at Amazon Read...

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A lot’s changed since I first wrote about sharing your streaming passwords more than a decade ago. While Netflix once lauded password sharing as a growth mechanism, lately it’s been pushing more password sharers to pay up as it focuses on growing revenue. Disney and HBO Max followed Netflix’s lead over the past few years, gradually introducing more roadblocks for account sharers. But that doesn’t mean password sharing is dead. Technically, it’s still possible for all but a handful of streaming services, even if some terms of service technically forbid it. And even with services like Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max, the level of enforcement can vary, leaving some leeway to bend the rules. Just so you know what you’re getting into, though, here’s how each streaming service is handling password sharing in 2026: Streaming services that try to block password sharing Netflix Netflix was the first major streaming service to severely limit password sharing. For each account, Netflix establishes a “Netflix Household” based on factors like IP addresses and device IDs, and it limits access from outside that location. Changing locations: You can change a Household location through Netflix’s TV apps, using a code sent to the account holder’s email address. Bending the rules: Netflix has no documented limitations on how often you can switch, though you may eventually have to update the home location every time you log in. What about travel? Netflix will temporarily let you watch while away from home, though you may need to enter a verification code sent to your email address. You can avoid this extra step by using Netflix’s mobile app on your home Wi-Fi network at least once a month. Extra members: Netflix’s Standard plans can add one extra member, while Premium plans can add two. Each extra member costs $7 per month with ads or $9 per month without. Disney+ and Hulu on-demand Disney began limiting passwords for its streaming services in 2024. Similar to Netflix, both Disney+ and Hulu establish a “Household” location and restrict out-of-home viewing. Changing locations: You can establish a new Household location through the Disney+ and Hulu TV apps, using a code sent to the account holder’s email address. Bending the rules: Disney says there “may be a limit” to how many times you can update a Household location or say you’re away, but doesn’t disclose what that limit is. What about travel? Both Disney+ and Hulu offer “I’m away from home” options while traveling, though you may have to enter a verification code first. Extra members: You can add an extra person to Disney+ or Hulu for $7 per month with ads or $10 per month without. It’s $1 per month extra for the Disney+ and Hulu bundle. Extra members aren’t allowed for Disney’s bundles with HBO or ESPN. Note that Hulu + Live TV has different restrictions. More on that shortly. HBO Max HBO Max’s password sharing crackdown began in earnest last year, with a similar approach to Netflix and Disney. The service will automatically establish a “household” location and may limit access from outside the home. Changing locations: You can manually update your home location through the HBO Max app on a TV, using a code sent to the account holder’s email. Bending the rules: HBO Max says it may limit how many times you can switch home locations or claim to be traveling, at which point you’ll have to contact customer service. It doesn’t disclose what the limit is. What about travel? There’s an “I’m Traveling” option for temporary out-of-home access, which may require a verification code via email. HBO Max suggests using the app on your phone at home at least once every 90 days to avoid interruptions. Extra members: Adding a member costs $8 per month and provides the same benefits (for instance, ad-free or 4K video) as the main plan. You can’t add a member to the HBO bundle with Disney+ and Hulu. Streaming services with inherently impractical password sharing Apple TV Apple TV supports up to six simultaneous streams with no out-of-home viewing restrictions, but sharing your Apple ID and password with others is a bad idea. Anyone who can access your Apple account for streaming can also access things like your iMessage history and iCloud Photos. An Apple Family Sharing group does let up to six people access the same subscriptions, including Apple TV, but you can only belong to one Family Sharing group and can’t switch groups more than once per year. This mostly makes sense for folks who are actually part of the same family, but at least living together isn’t a requirement. Amazon Prime Video Amazon allows three simultaneous streams per account, two streams while watching the same content, or one stream for pay-per-view events. Just one problem: Anyone with access to your Amazon account can also make purchases, view your Amazon Photos, and interact with Alexa on your behalf. Adding someone to an Amazon Family limits that access, but you can only add one other adult per account. YouTube Premium YouTube Premium only lets you stream on a single device at a time, but since YouTube and Google accounts are the same, you probably don’t want to share your password with anyone. The alternative is to get a YouTube Premium Family plan at $23, as this can be shared with five other people in a Google family group. Streaming services that haven’t blocked password sharing (yet) Peacock Peacock lets you watch on up to three devices at a time, with no restrictions on out-of-home access from inside the United States. Password sharing is still technically against the rules, though, as Peacock’s terms of service say that “you may not share your subscription outside of your household,” and warns that it could “limit, suspend or terminate access” for violating those terms. Paramount+ Paramount+ supports three simultaneous streams from anywhere inside the United States. Like Peacock, its terms of service forbid sharing an account “with anyone other than members of your household,” though it’s not widely enforcing those rules for now. Fox One Fox hasn’t specified how many simultaneous streams it supports for Fox One, though StreamTV Insider reports that the limit is “around three” for out-of-home viewing. As for restrictions on password sharing, Fox One hasn’t announced any, though its terms of service discourage it. The company says it may impose simultaneous stream limits or device limits to prevent account sharing with people outside your home. ESPN Unlimited A help page on ESPN’s site says you “may not share your subscription outside of your household.” But unlike Disney+ and Hulu, ESPN doesn’t provide any information on how to update your Household or access the service while traveling. Since ESPN Unlimited only launched last year, enforcement may still lag behind Disney’s other services. Password sharing rules for live TV streaming services YouTube TV YouTube’s live TV streaming service can be shared with up to five other members of a Google family group and allows up to three simultaneous streams. But there’s a catch: Each member needs to access YouTube TV at the home of the account holder at least once every three months (or once per month for MLB programming), and local channels will only be available from the member’s current location. You can only change a YouTube TV account’s home location twice per year. Hulu + Live TV Hulu’s live TV service is a mostly a non-starter for password sharing. While you can watch on up to three mobile devices at a time while traveling, you can’t watch on TV devices from outside the home at all. Fubo Fubo lets up to three devices stream from outside the home at the same time, but you can only watch on a TV from one location at a time. If someone’s already watching on TV at home, anyone else who tries to watch on TV from elsewhere will get an error message. Also, local channels will come from the current location, wherever you are. DirecTV Of all the major live TV streaming services, DirecTV’s password sharing policies are the loosest. The service supports streaming on up to three devices from outside the home, two of which can be TV devices such as smart TVs and streaming players. While DirecTV hasn’t laid out any enforcement measures against password sharing, its terms of service do say to keep your password confidential and to “not to share it with anyone else.” Philo Philo supports up to three simultaneous streams, and its terms of service don’t mention password sharing. Frndly TV Roku’s rerun-centric live TV service allows either one, two, or four simultaneous streams depending on plan. While Frndly doesn’t disclose any enforcement measures against password sharing, its terms of use say you can only share credentials “with household members residing together at the same physical address and sharing a common living space.” Could you get banned? So far, I’ve not heard of a single streaming service that’s banned a paying customer outright for sharing their password, because that would be counterproductive. Instead of eliminating legitimate customers, companies like Netflix and Disney are more interested in adding inconveniences for password sharers who aren’t already paying. All of which is to say there’s little harm in testing the rules. But if you’re on the receiving end of someone else’s login, don’t be surprised if you’re eventually shut out. Sign up for Jared’s Cord Cutter Weekly newsletter for more streaming TV advice. Read...