The Ultimate Gear for Watching the Olympics

Video isn’t the only great thing about those feeds. In many cases, the audio will be compatible with Dolby Atmos speakers---those sound systems in movie theaters that provide realistic 3-D effects. You’ll need a compatible soundbar to make those immersive effects work, and there are a couple of pricey options on the market: Yamaha’s $1,600 YSP-5600 and Samsung’s $1,500 HW-K950.

If you’ve got the NBC Sports app, a Samsung Galaxy phone, and a Samsung Gear VR headset, you can also watch some events in VR. These won’t be live broadcasts, but the NBC Sports app should recognize if it’s installed on a compatible phone. If so, it’ll give viewers the option to witness some events in 360-degree video.

If you’re OK with watching the games in HD, an antenna can pull in a top-notch signal without having to use a cable box. Plug in your antenna, run a channel scan, and then tune into NBC or Telemundo. Buying the right antenna can be tricky. It’s hard to recommend one for everybody, because your home’s surroundings and distance from a broadcast tower are important factors. Your TV has to have a built-in tuner, too, and you may need to invest in an amplified or directional antenna if you’re dozens of miles from a tower.

When it comes to streaming the Olympics on your phone or tablet, your viewing appetite may be larger than your data plan. You could always use Wi-Fi, but T-Mobile’s “Binge On” plan lets you stream without using any of your monthly data. NBC Sports, Playstation Vue, and Sling TV are all covered under the Binge On plan.

Phones are big nowadays, but if you want to really show off at the coffee shop, you need something along the lines of a portable wireless television. Panasonic’s ginormous 4K tablet, for example. The Toughpad UT-MB5025 has a 20-inch screen and weighs more than five pounds. Don’t worry about cracking that screen, because it’s built to withstand drops of up to six feet.

You haven’t experienced an Olympic javelin competition until you’ve listened to it on the radio. TuneIn will stream Olympics audio coverage from two NBC stations and four Westwood One stations. It’s the best way to enjoy the games while sipping lemonade on the porch.

You’ve spoiled yourself with the sights of the games in VR and the sounds in Dolby Atmos. If you really want to feel like you’re right there in Rio, how about a little bug spray? This Sawyer Picaridin spray is Consumer Reports’ top-rated mosquito repellent. Bonus: It has a “mild corn-chip aroma mixed with citrus,” so you'll also smell like a bag of Fritos Sal y Limon.