Reviews

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2: Two-minute review

I'll be frank (you can still be whatever your name is): a lot has changed in the world of Bluetooth audio since May 2019. That's when the Powerbeats Pro 2's forefathers burst onto the relatively new true wireless earbuds scene and promptly cornered its fledgling athletic sub-genre.

The thing is, the wealth of reliable earbuds any of us can pick up now for as little as $20 were inconceivable six years ago, so the Powerbeats Pro 2 arrive as an interesting (quite large – cumbersome even) proposition. If their storied heritage did not exist, we might actually question what Beats was doing releasing a set of earbuds with a large curling tail on one end that does not facilitate open-ear listening, but instead includes a more traditional driver housing and neck for creating a closed seal betwixt its ear-tip and your ear canal.

One might argue that in the past few years engineers have collected substantial data and used it to create concha-fit and droplet-shaped ergonomic driver housings, which means we no longer need arms for our earbuds – even for sports. We might even think it odd for Beats to be pitching such a design at athletes – because other bright sparks have invented open-ear true wireless earbuds in the past four years, and these let us easily hear traffic or our trainer's voice as we work out.

But the Powerbeats Pro 2 get a pass for most of this, owing to the love we still have for the then-groundbreaking inaugural Powerbeats Pro. I remember the huge video ad I saw every day at London's Waterloo Station, featuring Serena Williams serving both looks and tennis aces while wearing an ice-white, Wimbledon-friendly set of Powerbeats Pro. Those earbuds – which arrived before the inaugural AirPods Pro and actually, before the 'Pro' suffix became a mainstay of the audio vernacular – soon seemed as iconic as the superstars who wore them.

So we need to be asking not only how the Powerbeats Pro 2 stand up against the best noise-cancelling earbuds aimed at regular users, but also how they compare to the best open-ear headphones that, until recently, were the preserve of athletes. Okay, as a set of 'regular' wireless earbuds, the case you'll be toting around is quite big – not quite coffee coaster big, but close. However, if you're an Apple Music subscriber the head-tracked spatial audio works very well, and the noise cancellation is quite good; neither is as good as what you get with the AirPods Pro 2, but the spatial audio in particular isn't far off.

Slipping them on isn't as quick a job as it is with other earbuds, but once they're on, if security is your main issue with Apple-styled buds you'll be pleased – these Beats ain't going anywhere. Also, at 10 hours from the buds and a further 3.5 charges in the case (for a whopping 45-hour total) the battery life is impressive, although if you're using ANC or spatial audio it's eight hours and a maximum playtime total of 36 hours. For clarity, you'll only get 5.5 to seven hours from your AirPods Pro 2 before they need charging. Not bad, eh?

See the sensor? (Image credit: Future)

However, for a set of sports-focused earbuds that sit inside the ear, a good transparency mode is important, and despite Beats' assurance that this is the most natural-sounding transparency mode in any set of Beats earbuds (with the adaptive algorithm powered by the H2 chip updating over 200 times per second) I've heard many more effective transparency profiles – and simply turning ANC off isn't something I'd advise, since this listening profile adds to the already-slightly tinny issues through the top end, making the soundstage a little too forward and sweet overall.

Price-wise, they're also a little hot and heavy-handed at $249.99 / £249.99 / AU$399.95. Despite arriving at the same price as their older siblings, times have changed. You can buy similar designs for considerably less now; you couldn't then.

But stop everything! We need to talk matters of the heart. Because make no mistake, you should feel ready to place your heart in Powerbeats Pro 2's hands here, either via the Health app or your compatible, linked fitness app. Beats told me heart-rate monitoring had been on the company's mood boards for inclusion since 2014, and the feature's debut here is the result of well over four years on the bench with engineers (and subsequently in the ears of over 1,000 real-world athletes for testing).

What I can tell you is that the heart-rate monitor is here now, beautifully implemented in certain third-party apps when linked with Apple's Health app. And because of the pulse readings, the super-secure fit and the excellent battery life, you may be prepared to forgive the few shortcomings I've talked about so far, plus a couple of sonic shortfalls I've yet to get into.

Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review: Price & release date

• Unveiled on February 13, 2025
• Priced $249.99 / £249.99 / AU$399.95

How often can a product come in at the same $249.99 / £249.99 / AU$399.95 price as its 2019 counterpart and still not be considered great value? Simply put, competition has brought prices right down. These days, $100 / £100 is top-end for inclusion in our best budget wireless earbuds guide, and anything above that goes into mid-range and flagship territory.

For a brief comparison in the world of 'regular' buds, Bose's QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds come in at $299 / £299 / AU$449 and Technics' outstanding EAH-AZ100 are also in the same ballpark, at $299 / £259 / AU$499. Apple's AirPods Pro 2 regularly cost under $199 / £199 / AU$349. Sports-focused options often come in a fair way under these kinds of figures (the Shokz OpenFit Air arrived in summer 2024 with a $149 / £119 price-tag for example) although the Bose Ultra Open buck the affordable trend – they can now be yours for a similar $249 / £249 / AU$349.95, having arrived at $50 more than that.

All of this is food for thought, but don't forget that none of the options I've listed above can monitor your heart rate…

(Image credit: Future) Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review: Specifications

(Image credit: Future) Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review: Features

• Heart-rate monitoring is useful – unless you use an Apple Watch
• Spatial audio with head-tracking enhances commutes
• Disappointing IPX4 splash-proof rating

Let's start with the ticker-taker. Heart monitoring from the ears is not a new concept as I've already mentioned – Beats wanted to include it back in 2014 – but it's been a long time in development. The tiny sensor at the helm in Powerbeats Pro 2 (which is derived from the Apple Watch, but is actually 1/16th of the size of the sensor in the Apple Watch Series 10) contains a photodiode, an optical lens, an accelerometer and an LED sensor, but Beats admits that this component wasn't that minuscule at first. And while the ear is actually a great place to access your pulse, developing a sensor small, light and accurate enough to wear comfortably in a headshell was a difficult process.

Well, it's here now – and if you're not using anything else, it's good. You need to be wearing both earbuds to get a reading, because when you do, that green LED light sensor in each earpiece pulses over 100 times per second, then measures the light reflected back to calculate how many times your heart is beating per minute.

Accessing the feature might seem a little limited or even disappointing at first (there's no juicy 'Heart-rate' bubble in your iPhone Control Center when you click through, as I might have hoped), but this is because the Powerbeats Pro 2 are really meant to only start taking readings when you begin a workout, rather than constantly monitor your pulse throughout the day or whenever you choose to summon a reading.

That said, you can dig into your iPhone's Health app, then either tap Browse at the bottom-right then Heart > Heart Rate to call up a live figure, or go to Summary at the bottom-left then Show All Health Data > Heart Rate, to see a graph of your live heart rate. But really, you're meant to be in training and with a third-party fitness app. The only currently supported one I use is Nike Run Club, but once you've linked the app and given the necessary permissions in Settings, it works a treat.

It's worth noting two things: if you wear an Apple Watch while using the Beats, the Watch readings are always prioritized over the Powerbeats' readings; and secondly, the Powerbeats Pro 2 don't work with Apple Fitness Plus currently (and no Strava support, i.e., the one I'd really like it to work with). At the time of writing, heart-rate monitoring through the Powerbeats Pro 2 is available in these iOS apps: Peloton, Slopes, Ladder, Open, Runna, YaoYao, and Nike Run Club, so plenty of activities are covered.

If you're on Android, it's different again (and arguably, better). Here, the feature will work with any fitness app that supports heart-rate monitoring; you just need to manually start each training session with a double tap and hold on either earbud.

On both iOS and Android you can turn the feature off in the settings if you don't want it taking readings.

Yes, I love the color so much, I did this…  (Image credit: Future)

Now, on to Personalized Spatial Audio with Dolby Atmos and dynamic head-tracking. This is Apple's 360-degree sound tech that adjusts the audio based on the shape of your ears, head, and – if you toggle it on – using your Apple device as a source so the audio has a fixed point of origin (and this moves between each ear as you move your head towards said source device). I really rate this in Powerbeats Pro 2, thanks to the solid fit and seal the design promotes, particularly when listening to more acoustic tracks. Want to hear how good it is? Try listening to Sam Fender's Arm's Length and holding your device at arm's length. Good, no?

The Powerbeats Pro 2 only support lossless audio with ultra-low latency on the Apple Vision Pro, so while high resolution is possible on these earbuds, it's an expensive route – and I do not own a Vision Pro headset (but leave a comment if you've tested it – I'd love to know whether there's a notable uptick in audio quality).

Call quality? It's good: the Powerbeats Pro 2 have a total of six microphones (three per earpiece) and callers throughout my testing said I sounded very clear and, on one occasion, "particularly empathetic". Beats says there's machine learning-based noise isolation tech at play, so callers will hear your voice at its best, aided by a voice accelerometer to detect when you're speaking and thus enhance clarity. What I can tell you is that if you take calls often on your earbuds, you'll be pleased here.

Other notable features include the option to customize what a press-and-hold of the physical 'b' button does on each earpiece (between Siri and noise-control functions), automatic ear detection, Find My to locate a lost earbud in iOS (you can select which earbud you'd like to emit a beeping noise if it's around the house, or see where they are on a map) and Find My Beats on Android via the companion app. But there's no U1 chip in the charging case for precise location tracking – and no inbuilt speaker as there is in the AirPods Pro 2 and AirPods 4 with ANC's charging nests, so the case itself is silent. There's also an ear tip fit test that's actually quite picky; I had to adjust to smaller ear tips to get the green light in both ears, even when I personally felt like I had the fit right.

As any AirPods owner will know, there's no cross-platform multi-point connectivity in Apple earbuds – and that hasn't changed here. They can auto-switch between your Apple devices as needed, but not between an Android phone and a laptop, say. You can 'share' the audio you're hearing in your Powerbeats Pro 2 to other Beats or Apple earbuds in the vicinity using Apple's proprietary Share Audio option. You cannot tweak the EQ on a dedicated tab with the Powerbeats Pro 2 – although on iOS you can go into your iPhone's settings > Apps > Music > EQ to tweak things a little.

Finally (and I'm putting this under 'features' rather than 'design' since any sports-specific earbuds really ought to focus on durability) there's a somewhat disappointing IPX4 rating for the earpieces, and the case is neither water- nor sweat-resistant at all. What that means is that while wearing the buds for sweaty workouts should be fine (the Powerbeats Pro 2 will survive light rain, humid environments and splashes of water), they absolutely positively cannot be submerged in the drink, which seems at odds with their, er… athleticism. And it's not that it can't be done: the Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro earpieces boast an IP57 rating, meaning they'll survive a 30-minute full submersion in water up to a depth of one meter.

• Features score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future) Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review: Sound quality

• Energetic and forward-sounding – almost to a fault
• A little tinny in some profiles; beaten by the original Powerbeats Pro for bass weight
• Turning off noise cancellation negatively affects the sound

This is not quite the glowing praise that long-term fans of Beats' Powerbeats Pro might have been hoping for. The 3.5-star rating for sound quality below is not bad and make no mistake, the sound here is not without merit, but this is a huge and hotly-anticipated seventh-iteration Beats earbuds product and the heavily-leaked follow-up to the iconic Powerbeats Pro, nearly six years on. And the sound simply isn't excellent – and not just because the relatively lowly SBC and AAC codecs are supported (ie. no hi-res audio, unless you're using them with the Vision Pro).

Perhaps in part because the driver is smaller than in the original Powerbeats Pro (a 9.5mm dual-layer driver versus 12mm in the originals) the sound is very different, and just a little more constricted. Deploying noise cancellation gives the Pro 2 the best chance to shine, and here, with dynamic head-tracked spatial audio also toggled on, there is separation and a healthy serving of detail in Tom Petty's textured vocal in Free Fallin', with guitar strings grazing each ear and a bridge as dynamically abrupt and agile as I remember. Nevertheless, cue up Gunna's One of Wun and the smouldering track is notably moodier, fuller and more resonant through the low end in both AirPods Pro 2 and my Technics EAH-AZ100. Listen with the Technics and I'm dropped into the mix; switch to the Beats and I'm just a little bit above it, wanting to get stuck into the bass a little more.

The lengthy acoustic guitar intro in Rod Stewart's Maggie May (known as 'Henry' and played by Martin Quittenton) has energy and pep – there's no faulting the Powerbeats Pro 2 for timing across the frequencies – but as the track continues, the forward-focused nature of the Powerbeats Pro 2 rather over-emphasises the keys and mandolin in the upper mids, even making Rod-the-Mod's voice sound a touch tinny.

And sadly, things don't improve when you turn noise cancelling off, which appears to heat the soundstage up a notch, as if I'm listening on cassette tape. Cue up the transparency mode and it helps quash the marginal sweetness, but during a run I simply didn't feel like enough ambient noise filtered in – and there's no way to tweak the levels of filtering in (or being nixed) here rather than 'Transparency', 'Off', or 'Noise cancellation'.

• Sound quality score: 3.5/5

(Image credit: Future) Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review: Design

• A triumph for security (and for on-ear volume tweaks)
• Case is smaller, but still big by today's standards
• They take a few seconds to fit – especially if you wear glasses

I've mentioned the slightly disappointing 'only splash-proof' IPX4 rating, so that's out of the way. I've also praised the up-to-45-hour stamina, which is a huge plus. Other than that, there's a lot to celebrate in the design department.

Said design (including the case, which can now charge wirelessly) is quite big by today's standards, but the Powerbeats Pro 2 are only as big as some of the best open-fit earbuds – the kind with the arm that slinks around your ear. In fact, you'd be forgiven for thinking this is an open-fit pair of earbuds given their size, but they're not – and for me, it's one of their biggest strengths.

In 2025, it's a very unusual proposition. Each earpiece also has a physical volume rocker on the bar above the 'b'-branded driver housing and because nothing works as consistently and reliably as physical buttons (maybe you're wearing gloves 'cause you're skiing; maybe your phone's in your kit bag) it's an excellent decision. It also means you're not fiddling with multiple presses of a main multi-function button to switch volume, which, as anyone used to this knows, can often mean unintended track skips or Siri piping up.

And the praise keeps coming! The colorways are excellent (see the 'electric orange' and 'hyper purple' colorways as well as your more standard black and 'quick sand' gray) and despite squeezing in that heart-rate monitor, Beats has made the Powerbeats Pro 2 light, very comfortable and unmovable. I tried to dislodge them during aerial hoop and silks training, spinning upside-down at speeds I've no business attempting these days, and they never even moved.

In combination with the extra pair of ear tips in the box, to equal five sizes rather than four (the ear tip fit test won't let you off lightly either), they're honestly some of the most well-fitting earbuds I've ever tested.

The only downside to all this security? Fitting them requires a little bit of work and if you're someone who tends to leave the house in a rush, you might find yourself reaching for earbuds you can throw in and go with fiddling. Unlike the best open earbuds, you do need to make sure the Powerbeats Pro 2's headshell is properly in your ear, then snake the arm around your ear, then twist everything back towards your crown, to lock it in.

I often found myself accidentally pressing playback buttons while doing this or dropping one if I didn't sit calmly to perform these tasks, especially since I wear glasses to look at my screen (and the arms of your glasses sit in the same spot as the arms of the Powerbeats Pro 2, behind the ear). The thing is, if security is your main issue, it's worth it. Ultimately, the design here is still a hit with me.

• Design score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future) Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review: Value

• Excellent battery life
• Heart-rate monitor is unique right now
• Sonically they can be beaten for the money

At $249 / £249, the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 are not cheap for a sports-focused set of earbuds – and indeed against Apple's AirPods lineup, considering Apple now makes its new AirPods 4 for just $129. But the Powerbeats Pro 2 do contain a ticker-tracking sensor no other AirPods can currently boast, and stamina levels that far exceed anything most earbuds can boast.

For me, the design is one of this proposition's biggest strengths; to others, the case may be a little big for the class of 2025. They aren't winning any awards sonically either – but the audio performance is a step up on most of the cheaper, sub-$100 wireless buds on the market when you deploy noise cancellation and dynamic head-tracked spatial audio. As always, it's a matter of priorities.

Honestly, I never thought I'd recommend a product that can't boast top-tier sound. But these earbuds go on for hour after hour, take your heart-rate and feel super-secure in your ears, so here we are…

• Value score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review:

(Image credit: Future) Buy them if...

You need buds for gymnastics, athletics, dancing or training
Niche? Maybe. But these earbuds offer the most secure fit I've ever tested in a true wireless design.

You want to track your heart rate (without a watch)
The heart-rate monitor is currently an Apple- and Beats earbuds first, and it works very well.

You're willing to pay for better stamina
A 45-hour maximum playtime is up there with the best battery life we've ever seen – and it leaves AirPods for dust.

Don't buy them if...

Sound quality is king
The sound here is a shade under excellent across the frequencies, feeling a little light in terms of bass weight, and a little heavy-handed through the treble.

You want an in-app tweakable EQ tab
No dice here, friend…

You want to keep your ear canals uncovered
Given their larger, sports-focused design and ear 'hook', you'd be forgiven for assuming this is an open-ear design in 2025. But make no mistake, these are in-ear earbuds.

(Image credit: Future) Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 review: Also consider

Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds
Prefer device-agnostic head-tracked spatial audio plus some of the best ANC in the business? These September 2023-issue earbuds from Bose are a great shout – and the in-ear security is nearly as good as the Powerbeats Pro 2. You'll have to forego multi-point connectivity, super-stamina (it's only 6 hours here) and a heart-rate monitor, but you'll get more detail from the sound quality.
Read more in our Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds review

Cambridge Audio Melomania M100
The ANC-off and transparency profiles are much more enjoyable here – as is the sound quality generally. You also get a similar battery life and the option of Matt Berry on voice prompts (his "Waiting to pair!" is a delight). The overall aesthetic isn't as striking though, and they aren't as secure in your ears – also you can forget about having your pulse read… 
Read our full Cambridge Audio Melomania M100 review

(Image credit: Future) How I tested the Beats Powerbeats Pro 2

• Tested for two weeks; listened against the AirPods 4, AirPods Pro 2, Cambridge Audio Melomania M100, Technics EAH-AZ100, JBL Live Beam 3, Bose QuietComfort Earbuds Ultra
• Used at work, at home, during aerial training and on a beach in Florida
• Listened to Tidal, Apple Music and Spotify on an iPhone 12 Pro, a Sony Xperia 1 V and a MacBook Pro

The Beats Powerbeats Pro 2 became my musical travel companions for two full weeks – after a thorough 48-hour run-in period. They accompanied me while running errands (fast walking; commuting), at home and throughout a surfing vacation in Florida – although they never joined me in the water (they're not waterproof, you see).

To better test the fit and security of the Powerbeats Pro 2, I wore them during a particularly upside-down aerial silks training session, a lyra (aerial hoop) class and a pole class, and they didn't budge once.

To test the audio quality across the frequencies, I consulted TechRadar's reference playlists spanning everything from electro-pop to blues (see our guide on how we test earbuds for more on this) on Apple Music, Qobuz and Tidal, but also to podcasts and albums on Spotify, and YouTube tutorials (mostly about how to bleed car brake pads, in case you were interested) on my MacBook Pro.

I’ve been testing audio products for just over six years now. As a dancer, aerialist and musical theater performer in a previous life, sound quality, the overall user experience and security have always been non-negotiable markers for me – and having heard how effective (and stress-relieving) ANC can be when the anti-phase tech is done well, I have grown to love it.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed: February 2025

Iniu B6 power bank review

There are a lot of power banks on the market that seem great on paper, but it can be hard to know how they hold up in the real world. Iniu is one of my favourite brands thanks to very high-quality power banks with great features and a long warranty, but just as importantly, very reasonable prices. That said, when shopping online, the list price is often quite high, but the power bank is typically sold for much less.

The little Iniu B6 offers a lot considering the price tag, with a 10,000mAh (37Wh) capacity and a 20W (9V, 2.22A) PD 3.0 output, which will fast charge most phones fully at least once, with enough leftover for other devices or a second charge later on. The B6 measures 13.6 x 7 x 1.5cm, weighs 210 grams – a better-than-average size and weight for the capacity, making it ideal for slipping into a pocket, purse or bag.

(Image credit: Future)

The B6 has a single USB-C port, as well as two USB-A ports and a large easy-to-read digital display that shows the capacity still available to use. In the box, you get a USB-A to USB-C cable and a carry bag – the latter is a nice inclusion, as the soft-touch coating on the B6 is great to hold but prone to scratches. The soft-touch coating also holds fingerprints and fluff, and I do worry that it might degrade and feel sticky in the future but, so far, it's held up well.

The power bank has an LED torch that can be turned on by double pressing the power button. Sure, it’s not very bright, but I've found it very useful for finding lost items in a dark bag. Plus, it will literally run for days – I often use it as a portable night light when travelling. For example, a bit of dim illumination is very helpful when trying to find the bathroom in a dark, unfamiliar hotel room, and avoids needing to turn on the main lights.

The B6 also has a pull-out phone holder that turns the power bank into a stand when charging – also very handy when travelling.

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(Image credit: TechRadar) Iniu B6: Price & specs Iniu B6: Test results

I conduct comprehensive testing of power banks to make sure they can meet the manufacturer's claims. All in all, the B6 gives excellent results that are well above average – especially considering the price.

In testing, the B6 has excellent voltage accuracy and can output 85% of its rated capacity at 20W (9V, 2.22A) and an even better 91% at 5V. These are very impressive results considering the affordable price. The B6 also supports PPS mode from 5V to 11V at 2A, and 5V to 5.9V at 3A, allowing compatible phones to charge faster and more efficiently. Note that while the B6 is listed as 22.5W, that's at 5V 4.5A (or 4.5V 5A) which is not supported on most phones.

I first tested this Iniu B6 back in May 2023, and have used it as one of my main power banks ever since. Along the way, I have performed periodic cyclic testing and have not turned up any appreciable capacity loss, so I am very confident that the B6 will last well long term. But of course, it’s worth mentioning (again) that Iniu offers a generous three-year warranty, providing peace of mind if you do have an issue.

(Image credit: TechRadar) Should I buy the Iniu B6? Buy it if...

You need an affordable power bank
The B6 is one of the best-value power banks available, and is often on sale for even less from retailers like Amazon. The B6 offers features, specs, warranty and test results that are as good as premium power banks.

You plan to charge a phone
The 10,000mAh capacity and 20W output is perfect for topping up small devices when on the go. It’s also just the right size to slip into a bag and not even notice it’s there.

Don't buy it if...

You want to charge a laptop
While great for charging small devices like phones, tablets and earbuds, a higher output power bank is a better option for laptops or handheld gaming devices.

You need to charge multiple devices
The 10,000 mAh capacity is perfect for topping up a phone, but if you want to charge multiple devices, a larger 20,000 mAh power bank is a better option.

(Image credit: TechRadar) Also consider

The Iniu B6 is one of the best affordable power banks available, but below are a few other options if you are looking for something different.

Iniu B41 power bank
The B41 is slightly slimmer and lighter than the B6, but doesn’t offer fast charging. Still, that’s a perfectly fine trade-off depending on your charging needs.

Read our full Iniu B41 power bank review

Iniu B5 20,000 mAh power bank
For those who like the look of the B6 but need a larger capacity, the Iniu B5 has the same number of ports and output voltages and amperage as the B6, but has a 20,000mAh (74Wh) battery. It includes the same torch, but no phone holder, and measures in at a larger 13.5 x 7.1 x 2.5cm and weighs 362 grams.

Read our full Iniu B5 power bank review

How I test power banks

I get hands-on with every power bank I can, and performance extensive testing in both the lab and real-world scenarios. Using equipment like the ChargerLab POWER-Z KM003C, I check charge voltage, protocol support, and log capacity tests.

Each power bank is also tested with real devices, including phones, tablets, laptops, and others, and connected to a programmable load tester for multiple charge cycles. I carry a selection daily in both pockets and bags to assess their durability and ability to withstand rough, everyday use.

All measurements and weights are personally verified, ensuring accuracy beyond the manufacturer’s listings.

Want to know more? Read about how we test.

Two-minute review

The Echo Show 15 is back, with some moderate hardware upgrades and quality-of-life improvements that make for a slightly more rounded offering. The original Echo Show 15 sat a little on the periphery of Amazon’s smart display range, with the more popular Echo Show 8, Echo Show 5 and the more snazzy Echo Show 10 taking center stage. So, does the new Echo Show 15 (2024) earn a place alongside its siblings on our list of the best smart displays you can buy today?

The first Echo Show 15 found itself on the sidelines following a slightly lackluster launch and early performance – at least that was the case until Amazon released a Fire TV update. Despite its weak sound and underwhelming display, that upgrade made the Echo Show 15 a far more interesting proposition as a smart display for kitchens, offices and other rooms where even a small TV might be too obtrusive.

The 15-inch smart display has always suffered from a bit of an identity crisis, having been designed to cater to the relatively small niche market of “small TV-shaped smart hubs” by offering app support for various streaming services in addition to the standard array of music streaming platforms supported by the best smart speakers, as well as some basic smart home controls.

(Image credit: Future)

However, following the release of the Echo Hub in early 2024, which arrived rocking a new user interface and features specifically designed for smart-home control, I had high hopes that some improved smart-home… well, smarts, from the Echo Hub’s user interface would make an appearance in the second-generation Echo Show 15 as well as the all-new Echo Show 21.

Sadly, that’s not the case. Instead, the Echo Show 15 once again serves the dual purpose of being an entertainment and smart-home hub, this time made complete with built-in Fire TV at launch, widgets, and an Alexa Voice remote and a few added hardware upgrades. It also totes an improved camera, display and audio, as well as connectivity supporting Matter, Thread and Zigbee, all in response to customer feedback from the first generation and to ensure that the hardware meets current smart home and entertainment needs.

By and large, Amazon has addressed the bare minimum upgrades needed to make the Echo Show 15 a more attractive option; unfortunately, not enough has changed for me to recommend the device as a must-have smart display. Especially with the release of the all-new Echo Show 21, the Echo Show 15 doesn't even have "being the biggest Amazon Echo Show" going for it anymore. It is, however, a nice-to-have screen that might fill a relatively small gap in your smart-home ecosystem, and is plenty capable for what it is.

(Image credit: Future) Echo Show 15 (2024): Design

• Simple picture frame design
• Super easy setup
• Includes Fire TV remote

Echo Show 15 (2024): Specs

Screen size: 15.6 inches

Dimensions: 15.8 x 9.9 x 1.4 inches / 40 x 25 x 3.5cm

Resolution: 1080p resolution

Connecivity: Matter, Wi-Fi, Thread, Zigbee, Bluetooth

Voice assistant: Alexa

Camera: 13MP

Weight: 4.85lbs / 2.2kg

The design of the Echo Show 15 (2024) is suitably unassuming for a device that’s intended to be functional rather than being a centerpiece, retaining the simple, picture frame-esque form of the original model. The main frame is black, with a white matte surrounding the 15.6-inch screen.

It’s wall-mountable out of the box, with a super easy sub-five-minute setup – or, if you owned the original model, you can switch it straight out as it uses the exact same frame – and it’s also compatible with standardized VESA mounts, which are widely available. It can be set up in either a horizontal or vertical orientation, but you’d need to re-fit the included bracket to do change the orientation. It’s a nice option, though I’d imagine most users would opt for horizontal to use its screen for TV and film, and you can opt to buy a third-party rotating wall mount if you regularly want to switch between the two.

A variety of stands are also available, including the official stand made by Sanus (sold separately for $33 / £34; it’s not yet sold in Australia) which allows you to use the Echo Show 15 in tabletop mode. Whichever way you set it up, the main thing to consider other than visibility is the camera field of view – this has seen a significant upgrade in the newer model, but if you want to make use of Vision ID and video calls you’ll need to make sure the camera is unobstructed and has a good view of the room.

(Image credit: Future)

Along the top edge are the manual controls: a physical switch for the camera’s privacy shutter, as well as volume and mute buttons. At 15.8 x 9.9 x 1.4 inches / 40 x 25 x 3.5cm, its footprint is considerable, and that only increases if you opt to use the tilt stand, which adds a further 7.5 inches / 19cm to its depth. Along the top edge (in horizontal orientation), the camera is seated centrally in the white matte instead of in the top-left corner per its predecessor.

Also included is the Alexa Voice Remote, which can be used to control the new Fire TV interface – this is just a standard Alexa remote, which you’ll be familiar with if you own one of Amazon’s Fire TV sticks.

(Image credit: Future) Echo Show 15 (2024): Performance

• Bright and vivid screen
• Improved audio and camera specs...
• ... however audio quality is still lacking

Thanks to some moderate hardware upgrades, performance is the area where the Echo Show 15 (2024) stands above the first-generation device, although unfortunately not by enough to make it a meaningful upgrade if you already have the original Show 15.

Let’s start with the display. It’s bright and clear, and the 1080p resolution is perfectly passable for a screen of this size, and is well-suited to streaming, web browsing and reading from any distance. However, the lack of HDR is something we had a complaint about in the original model, and, unfortunately, Amazon didn’t deign to upgrade the display specs for the second generation to boost contrast and color saturation. Still, black levels are plenty good enough, and given that this isn’t the kind of screen I’d expect users to have their eyes glued to, it’s a forgivable omission.

Audio specs saw a significant upgrade in the second-generation Echo Show 15, with the newer model housing dual 2-inch woofers in addition to two 0.6-inch tweeters, versus the original model’s two 1.6-inch full drivers.

Does this change have a noticeable impact? Absolutely – the new Echo Show 15 is certainly louder than the first-generation model, and the bass is more pronounced. However, it suffers from issues that seem common to many of Amazon’s speakers: a lack of detail in the highs, muddy bass that’s lacking in dynamics, and boosted mid frequencies which mostly serve to create considerable distortion at high volumes.

(Image credit: Future)

Listening to Fleetwood Mac’s The Chain, there’s a whole lot of bass – enough to overpower the already-subdued vocals – but the audio lacks the drive and meat needed to compliment the track. Complex and textured tracks like Radiohead’s 15 Step are all too easily muddied, with the Echo Show 15 lacking the fidelity and stereo separation to handle the mix. The scratchy electric guitar strums and bass sit right up front alongside Thom Yorke’s mournful vocals for much of the track, which would be fine were it not for the fact that the rest of the track feels muddy and directionless, with dull highs and flat percussion letting down the Echo Show 15.

While its handling of music might not be the most balanced, I will say that the Echo Show 15 is well suited to the spoken word, and in this regard it’s again leaning into its role as a small smart TV rather than a smart display. Still, I’d have hoped to see a little more improvement and bang for your buck in this second-generation model, and a little more range.

Also upgraded in this new model is the now-13MP wide-angle camera, which is primed for improved Alexa video calls, using Amazon’s Drop In feature, as well as for calls using Zoom or Skype. It’s a notable step up from the previous model’s 5MP camera, especially thanks to the new auto framing and 3.3x zoom, and as with all camera-equipped Echo devices the Echo Show 15 doubles as an in-home security camera that you can check in on when you’re away.

(Image credit: Future) Echo Show 15 (2024): Software

• Quick and clear Alexa responses
• Fire TV support out-of-the-box
• Customizable widgets make smart home control quicker

Alexa’s responses are zippy, offering all the usual Alexa Skills and commands we’ve come to expect from Amazon’s smart speaker and displays thanks to its Octa-core AZ2 system-on-chip. Much like other available Echo Show devices, by default the Echo Show 15 displays a customizable widget control center, framed by a rotation of content from default images to your own photos, news, and content suggestions.

In a similar vein, the screen UI is pretty clean and runs smoothly, benefitting from years of Echo Show software development despite using the same hardware as the original Echo Show 15. By comparison, the Echo Hub’s newer, smart home-first interface was a little on the buggy side, but I would still have much preferred to have the option to switch to a more smart home-device-oriented alternative.

The included Alexa Voice Remote is a nice touch that serves to drive home the fact that this screen is well suited for streaming, but a slight niggle I have is that it can only control the Fire TV interface and music. Especially during the evening, when I don’t want to quarrel loudly with Alexa, I prize manual control features that don’t involve me standing; I’d love if the remote was configured to control the entire UI, inclusive of smart-home devices to this end.

Any excuse to re-re-re-watch Studio Ghibli's Spirited Away... (Image credit: Future)

However, the remote is handy for Fire TV navigation, especially given that the display doesn’t always play ball with touch controls. The Echo Show 15 comes pre-loaded with many of the best streaming services and support for a wide range of platforms, but Amazon again misses a trick hereby not leaning further into its smart TV functionality and incorporating Miracast/WiDi support for screen mirroring.

Widgets are great, but once again they’re underutilized in Amazon’s smart display interface. With woefully few customization options to reshape, resize, configure or create your own widgets, this feature still feels half-baked. Amazon’s first-party widgets are naturally the most useful, and there are a decent amount to choose from, but it’s not the magic bullet the Echo Show 15 very much needs for its smart-home offering.

However, I really appreciate the option to customize widgets and interfaces based on user profiles, meaning whole families and households alike can benefit from the assistive tech on board the Echo Show 15. During my testing, I switched out with my partner several times in an hour, and Vision ID correctly identified each time who had just walked in, showing them their personalized content suggestions.

(Image credit: Future) Echo Show 15 (2024): Price and availability

• Release date: December 2024
• Price: $299 / £299 / AU$549

The Echo Show 15 is available from Amazon in the US, UK and Australia for $299 / £299 / AU$549 respectively. That’s a small price increase over the original model, and while you do now get an included remote and slightly better specs, I’m very much ‘whelmed’ by Amazon’s efforts here, in terms of value for money.

That’s especially true of the stand situation; it would have been perfectly reasonable, given the volume of customers who don’t have the option or desire to wall-mount their screens, to include a small, stable kickstand. Instead, you have to opt for either the official Sanus stand (sold separately for $33 / £34. It’s not yet sold in Australia) or for one of the many alternative – and often pricey - VESA mounts.

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Echo Show 15? Buy it if...

You want a small, smart TV

If you fit into the relatively small niche of people who want a smart entertainment hub that also houses Alexa, this is the screen for you.

You mostly want to stream video

Between its moderate audio and display specs and the included Fire TV remote, the Echo Show is well suited to streaming TV shows and movies.

Don't buy it if...

You want to upgrade your original Echo Show 15

Unless you’re really desperate, not enough has changed nor improved from the original model to justify this upgrade.

You want a smart-home-first display

The Echo Show 15 leans more towards entertainment than it does granular, accessible smart-home control.

Amazon Echo Show 15: also consider

If you're not sure the Amazon Echo Show 15 is the right smart hub for you, here are further options to consider:

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen)

The latest generation model boasts better audio, faster performance and added support for Matter, Thread and Zigbee. The only big thing that holds it back is its uptick in price.

Read our full Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) review

Amazon Echo Show 21

The new 21-inch Amazon Echo Show offers much the same as the new Echo Show 15, but in a bigger frame.

Read our full Echo Show 21 review

(Image credit: Future) How I tested the Echo Show 15 (2024)

• I used the Echo Show 15 as my primary smart home hub for one month
• I tested its display, audio, and camera specs with real-world testing
• I used all of its various smart-home control features

To put the Echo Show 15 through its paces I tested all of its significant feature and hardware upgrades against the first-generation model, other Echo displays and speakers in my home, and Google Nest devices.

I watched and listened to a variety of media to test the range and performance of the smart display, as well as trying out all of the various features and unique selling points. I incorporated the Echo Show 15 into my wider smart home ecosystem, which is also populated with smart security cameras, lights and appliances, and used it to control my home.

I’ve been testing smart-home devices for three years and using them personally for even longer, during which time I’ve learned everything there is to know about what makes a good smart display or speaker. I use Alexa and other smart assistants every day to run my home.

Govee RGBIC LED Strip Light review

The Govee RGBIC LED Strip Light is a Bluetooth-controlled length of customizable LED lights that can be applied around interior surfaces to create a subtle or eye-catching light feature. Govee has a large range of LED strip lights available, but this particular model appears to be available only at Amazon at the time of writing. There’s a list price of $28.99 / £27.99 for the 32.8 ft / 10-meter H617C model of the Govee RGBIC LED Strip Light I’ve tested, and there’s also the shorter 16.4 ft / 5-meter H617A model available, retailing at $14.99 / £19.99. Longer lengths can be purchased in packs of two reels, with the 65.6 ft / 20 meter H617E costing $52.99 / £45.99, and the 100 ft H617F at $69.99.

The back of the length of the LED strip has double-sided tape ready-applied; not 3M tape, which is a shame, but the strength of the tape seemed satisfactory over the time I tested it. It’s important to note that the longevity of the hold from any adhesive relies on factors like the surface it’s applied to, and any tension due to cable positioning, etc.

(Image credit: Future)

When it came to applying the Govee RGBIC LED Strip Light around corners, I was pleased to find that the strip was very flexible, as long as there wasn’t a bit of hardware on the part of the strip that needed to bend. This is why it’s always advisable to check the positioning of any stick-on light strips before committing. Other than the generic double-sided tape, the quality of the Govee RGBIC LED Strip Light looked satisfactory for the money, though of course, how the unlit strip looked isn’t what’s important here.

Before delving into the fancier features, I used the control box to turn on the Govee RGBIC LED Strip Light to observe the quality and brightness of the light. The LEDs were all in working order, performed well, and had no problem playing out sequences and switching between different colors.

The Govee Home app was required to make the most of all the Govee RGBIC LED Strip Light’s features. I’m already a big fan of the Govee companion app, as I made clear in my review of the Govee Table Lamp 2, thanks to its attractive and easy-to-navigate interface. Syncing the Govee RGBIC LED Strip Light to the Govee Home app took mere seconds as the app detected it almost instantly, and connected to the LED strip quickly upon selection.

(Image credit: Future)

There are a lot of features available, a simple but useful one being the brightness adjustment bar on the main page. Under different tabs I found more adjustable settings, including customizable color selections that could be applied to the entire strip or specific segments, and a great selection of ready-made scenes, which changed the lighting effect to reflect my choice of sunrise, forest, or glacier, to name a few.

There’s also an AI feature which, in my experience, wasn’t the most inspiring. I took a photo of a sunset-colored travel mug I own, and a bit of my grey and white marble-effect desk could be seen in the background. I can’t say I could see the resemblance in the resulting light combination, but I think this feature is best suited to highly saturated colorful images. For any custom color palettes or effects I created, there’s a DIY section where I could save them, making it easy to store and access my favorites.

(Image credit: Future)

As the Govee RGBIC LED Strip Light doesn’t have smart capabilities, I wasn't able to connect to my Amazon Alexa, so I naturally couldn’t use voice control or set routines, no matter which of the best smart home devices I owned. Fortunately, however, there’s a timer function on the Govee Home app, with several slots to choose which time and days you want the light strip to power on, and when to power off again. There’s also a wake-up feature that once set will gradually build up to maximum brightness in the ten minutes leading up to the assigned time.

Overall, I’m quite fond of this Govee light strip. While there are many cheaper RGBIC LED light strips out there, I haven’t encountered any to date that rival the ready-made scenes or the level of customization available via the Govee Home app. If you’re interested in brightening up your home with smart lighting I recommend checking out our best smart lights guide for a variety of products that cater to different requirements.

(Image credit: Future) Govee RGBIC LED Strip Light review: Price and specs Should I buy the Govee RGBIC LED Strip Light? Buy it if...

You want something simple
This LED strip is easy to install, set up, and use (even for the not-so-tech-savvy) thanks to the large-buttoned control box.

You want the best of both worlds
With a variety of pre-set colors and scenes to choose from and a load of customizable settings too, you can make things as simple or specific as required.

Don't buy it if...

You want to add to your smart home setup
One thing this Govee light strip lacks is smart connectivity, so if you’ve got the rest of your lighting set to a routine and want your light strip to fall in line, this isn’t the one for you.

You want something cheap and simple
If you just want to add a little ambiance with single colors and prefer a physical remote to app control, then you may find cheaper LED strips that tick all your boxes.

Govee RGBIC LED Strip Light review: Also consider

WiZ LED strip smart light
If you happen to prefer the reassurance of 3M adhesive, this Wiz LED strip smart light connects via 2.4GHz Wi-Fi and is Matter compatible, although curiously it doesn’t connect via Bluetooth. The available smart features mean that this strip can easily be incorporated into your current ecosystem, or be used as your first building block. To learn more, check out our full WiZ LED strip smart light review.

How I tested the Govee RGBIC LED Strip Light

• I tested the Govee RGBIC LED Strip Light for one week
• I looked at the quality and flexibility of the LED strip
• I tested the app's different features and customizable settings

I set up the Govee RGBIC LED Strip Light and synced it with the Govee Home app. I took a close look at the quality of the materials used, including the adhesive and the hardware. I tested how flexible it was and how well it handled corners. I checked that all LEDs were working, ensuring there were no gaps in the run of lights.

I assessed how easy it was to control the Govee RGBIC LED Strip Light, and looked at the different customizable settings. I created my own color palettes before saving them in the DIY folder, tested out the AI feature, and ready-made scenes.

• First reviewed: February 2025
• Read more about how we test

ThisWorx Corded Car Vacuum Cleaner review Product info

The UK model I’ve tested has since become unavailable to purchase, with no details to suggest when it might be back in stock. There are identical-looking car vacuums available under a different brand, but we cannot guarantee that these would perform the same.

The US model is still available and looks identical. However, the specifications may vary from those of the UK model I’ve tested.

The ThisWorx Corded Car Vacuum Cleaner is a cable-powered and easy-to-wield handheld vacuum cleaner that comes with some helpful accessories and a storage bag. It has a list price of $36.99 at Amazon, and was available in the UK until recently, with no hint of when it may be back in stock. There’s a variety of budget handheld vacs available on Amazon, and results can be somewhat hit-and-miss, but in the case of the ThisWorx Corded Car Vacuum Cleaner, it’s a low-cost vacuum that’s worth the money.

I must admit, the ThisWorx Corded Car Vacuum Cleaner appealed to me straight out of the box simply because it has rose gold buttons on – clearly I’m easily pleased. Aside from this detail, I was happy with the overall aesthetic and the materials used. It mostly comprises not-too-cheap-looking matt black plastic, with a smoky black translucent dust cup that makes up the front end of the vacuum. ThisWorx hasn’t provided a capacity for the dust cup, but it doesn’t look much smaller than the dust cup of the Temola TS20BS Cordless Handheld Vacuum.

(Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)

I liked how the air outlet vents have been somewhat made into a feature, as they’re fin-like and curved. The integrated handle is easy to hold and while at 2.4lbs / 1.1kg it’s not as light as other car vacuums I’ve tested, it’s still light enough and easy to wield. The rose-colored buttons are clearly differentiable and easy to use. There’s a simple slide switch engraved with a power button symbol and a rounded button that releases the catch holding the dust cup when pushed.

While many users prefer a wireless vacuum, I found the 16ft / 4.8m power cord offered plenty of length to vacuum my whole car. It plugged into my car's 12V outlet easily, and this constant power meant that I wasn’t limited to a 10-15 minute run time as many cordless of the best handheld vacuums are. The dimensions of the ThisWorx Corded Car Vacuum Cleaner are fairly average, measuring ‎13.4 x 3.9 x 4.3 inches / 340 x 102 x 109mm, so it was small enough to use in my footwells. For harder-to-reach areas, the extension tube and flathead nozzle came in handy, as this allowed me to get down the sides of the seats. This car vac also comes with a brush head, spare HEPA filter, filter cleaning brush, a storage bag, and a hanging car freshener, too.

(Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)

I consider it a bonus when a handheld vacuum comes with a storage bag. The one that comes with the ThisWorx Corded Car Vacuum Cleaner could not only hold the vacuum and the accessories but it was easy to carry as well. The quality isn’t fantastic, I must say. The material is thin and looks like it could get easily torn, so I can’t speak of its longevity, but it was convenient over the week I tested this car vac.

Getting the ThisWorx Corded Car Vacuum Cleaner ready to rumble was pretty easy. There was no charging time to factor in thanks to its corded design, and I just needed to follow the instructions that stated I’d need to remove and reinsert the HEPA filter. The user manual stated this may be difficult to do at first, and they weren’t wrong, but after that point, it was easy to put back in place and remove. I liked that there was a plastic bar across the center of the filter, as this made life easier when it came to removing it, which is especially useful as the filter needed to be removed each time I needed to empty the dust cup.

(Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)

Despite only having one power setting, the ThisWorx Corded Car Vacuum Cleaner had no issue vacuuming up the oats I’d spread over my car’s floor mat. It picked up basically everything in its path on the first pass, spare a couple of smaller particles, but it picked these up quickly when I went back over those spots. It performed well when vacuuming up the mixture of fine biscuit crumbs and flour, too, but there were some very fine particles within the pile that it wasn’t quite powerful enough to suck up.

This was the perfect opportunity to try out the extension tube and brush. Both ends of the hose look similar, but there’s a helpful arrow on the end that should be inserted into the vac. Both accessories were easy to fit in place, and the brush enabled me to clean up the finer particles, although it took a few passes, making it more effort to use than the Shark Ultracyclone Pet Pro Plus, the overall champion of our best car vacuum, but this is understandable considering the substantial price difference.

(Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)

The position of the air outlets was good, as the fin-like vents were positioned on the sides of the vacuum and blew backward, so I didn’t have any issues with the stream of air shooting oats and biscuit crumbs around my car, as happened when I tested the Homekane Handheld Vacuum Cleaner Cordless.

I tested ThisWorx Corded Car Vacuum Cleaner in a full car clean, and my driver's footwell was no easy task. I was pleased to find the suction was strong enough to get small bits of leaf debris and gravel out of my car's carpeting, something weaker vacuums I’ve tested struggled with. This car vacuum tackled the leaves and bits of gravel well, although I needed to empty the dust cup halfway through as the one-inch leaves unavoidably covered the filter. It took a few minutes, and I needed to finish off with the brush to get the finer debris out of the carpet pile, but overall I was pleased with the results from the ThisWorx Corded Car Vacuum Cleaner.

In a nutshell, I’d happily spend $36.99 on this handheld vacuum cleaner. It looks nice, is easy to hold and, in my opinion, the corded power is a bonus as I don’t need to wait for it to recharge if I want to do a thorough clean. While the storage bag is a little on the cheap side, it still proved useful, and the accessories were a suitable quality for the price. If you’d prefer a named-brand vacuum, take a look at our selection of the best car vacuums, handheld vacuums, and cordless vacuums to learn about our favorites.

ThisWorx Corded Car Vacuum Cleaner specs Should I buy the ThisWorx Corded Car Vacuum Cleaner? Buy it if...

You don’t want to risk running out of juice
Many people love a cordless vac, but if, like me, you like to spend time doing a thorough job, this corded design means you won’t be cleaning against the clock.

You want something easy to store
Whether you’d keep this handheld vac in your car or in a cupboard, the small size and storage bag make it easy to pack away when you’re not using it.

Don't buy it if...

You want a cordless vac
Corded vacs can have their limitations, especially if you own a motor home or a large vehicle. If this is the case for you, then a cordless handheld vacuum would be your best bet.

Don’t buy if you want control over suction power
While this vacuum had a good level of suction, there may be situations where you require more or less power. If so, a handheld vac with different suction modes might prove more efficient.

ThisWorx Corded Car Vacuum Cleaner review: also consider

Temola TS20BS
The TS20BS is satisfyingly lightweight and easy to use. It's cordless, has two speeds to choose from, and even has a helpful LED light for better visibility when vacuuming awkward spaces. The only downside to this efficient car vacuum is that there doesn't appear to be separate filters to purchase, so that's something to bear in mind. If you'd like to learn more about this Temola vac, check out my full Temola TS20BS review.

How I tested the ThisWorx Corded Car Vacuum Cleaner

• I used the ThisWorx Corded Car Vacuum Cleaner to clean my car
• I assessed its ability to vacuum both large and fine debris
• I tested the included accessories

I took a close look at the design and materials used for the ThisWorx Corded Car Vacuum Cleaner. I put it through its paces against the TechRadar vacuum testing process in my car. This involves testing a vacuum's ability to pick up fine and coarse particles, namely oats, and a mixture of flour and fine biscuit crumbs.

I assessed the fit of the accessories and used each of them to see how effective they were. I also looked at how easy and efficient the dust cup emptying process was.

• First reviewed January 2025
• Read more about how we test vacuum cleaners

Amazon Echo Show 21: two-minute review

The idea of combining a smart speaker with a flat screen is certainly not a new one for Amazon. Amazingly, it’s over seven years since the first-generation Echo Shows launched, and three since the original Echo Show 15 first arrived in homes. At that time, its 15-inch display made it the largest Echo device inside Amazon’s stable. But not anymore. That accolade now goes to the newly-launched Echo Show 21.

Essentially, the Echo Show 21 is a larger version of the latest Echo Show 15, complete with Alexa, built-in Fire TV, and an Alexa voice remote. It even features the same mounting bracket as the Echo Show 15, which is handy if you have multiple devices you want to swap over. Capable of being installed in portrait or landscape orientation, it’s best to think of the Echo Show as a rather large web tablet (albeit one with much better speakers). So, in the same way you might use an iPad to display a recipe in the kitchen or control your home’s heating, so you might use an Echo Show to do these things.

It’s much more than that, though. Once you’ve gone through the setup process, pairing the Echo Show with your home’s Wi-Fi and the Alexa voice remote, there’s the option of customizing it all. Usefully, because the Echo Show 21 has Fire TV built in, you can use it much like you would a smart TV. Buttons are provided on the Alexa voice remote for accessing Prime Video, as well as Netflix. Alternatively, you can press the app button to access other apps you have downloaded to your device such as Apple TV, Disney+, and YouTube. You also have the option to display images from your Amazon photo library when the device is not use.

However, the Echo Show really comes into its own with all the other widgets you can add. Just swipe down from the top of the display and hit ‘widget gallery’. There you will find everything you need to help you organize your life, from sticky notes to shopping lists and from calendars to daily reminders. It can also display local weather, so you're fully prepared when you leave the house.

The Amazon Echo Show 21 is a good-looking device with an attractive wooden frame (Image credit: Chris Price)

Once you’ve made your choice, each of the widgets is then displayed on the home screen. And if you want more details, you only have to touch the screen to bring up more information. For example, while the weather widget shows the temperature for the next four hours, you can find out more information (such as the likelihood of rain and whether you need an umbrella) by pressing the weather option on the home screen to bring info up across the entire display.

Want to control connected devices within your home, such as your smart thermostat, lights, and home security cameras? There’s a ‘smart home favorites’ widget for that. Not only will this allow you to control options such as the temperature of your property, it will also do things like display footage from a connected video doorbell if someone comes to the door. Support is provided for Matter and Thread, which means you can use the Echo Show 21 as a Zigbee Hub.

Finally, also on board is the Echo Show 21 is a 13MP selfie camera (complete with privacy shutter) for video calls. This includes Alexa Drop Ins, which lets you get in touch via video or voice using other connected devices in the household. It’s particularly handy if you want to tell the kids that dinner is ready and they’re not responding to yells from the kitchen because they are on their devices.

Amazon Echo Show 21: price and availability

• $399/£399.99 without stand, $100/£100 extra with stand
• Available now
• Available in the US and UK

Released in November 2024, the Amazon Echo Show 21 costs £399 or $399 direct from Amazon for the standard wall-mount installation (at the time of writing it's not available in Australia). However, if you want a desktop/counter stand you will have to pay an additional $100/£100 on top of that. That makes the Echo Show 21 the most expensive device in Amazon’s line-up, at $100/£100 more than the smaller Amazon Echo Show 15.

It’s not an excessive amount of money for what it is, but it's not an absolute bargain either. A decent 43-inch smart TV will now set you back less money, so it does seem a little pricey.

That said, the Amazon Echo Show 21 is much more than a smart TV. It offers much greater functionality and interactivity for starters, including the ability to control your smart home, music and calendars, as well as being able to stream content from video services.

Importantly, it also feels very solid and well made, with an attractive wooden frame around the outside. It certainly makes a nice addition to the kitchen, living room or office, especially if you are looking for all of the features of an Echo Show device, but with a bigger screen.

• Value score: 3.5 / 5

Amazon Echo Show 21: specs Amazon Echo Show 21: design and installation

• Mounting bracket for portrait/landscape orientation
• Solid design with black wooden frame around 21.5-inch screen
• Alexa voice remote

Designed to be mounted on the wall, the hefty Amazon Echo Show 21 comes with a metal bracket in the box (alternatively, you can buy a desktop stand but our review sample didn’t include one). This means you will need a drill, a spirit level and hammer for installation. Four screws and four wall plugs are provided in the pack, as well as paper wall-mount template that helps you drill holes into the right places.

The Echo Show 21 is supplied with a bracket that lets you mount it vertically or horizontally on a wall (Image credit: Chris Price)

Once the bracket is installed, you simply slide the Echo Show 21 into place in either landscape or portrait orientation. I used it extensively in both modes, but personally preferred it in portrait because I found it better for displaying the widgets. Around the actual screen is a white background and around that is a black wooden surround, giving the Echo Show the look and feel of a large photo frame. Large speakers are built into either side of the display and on top (in landscape mode) are buttons for volume up/down as well as two pinhole microphones.

For privacy, there’s also a button that switches the microphones on and off (this glows red when activated) and a privacy shutter that covers the 13MP camera. The power cable needs to be inserted into a recess on the back of the display before it’s mounted to the wall, but at 1.5m it’s not overly long, which could limit your options when it comes to positioning it. Finally, you will need to pair the display with the Alexa Voice Remote (it is the same as the one you get for Amazon Fire Sticks).

The power cable plugs into the back of the Echo Show 21, but isn't very long (Image credit: Chris Price)

This can only be paired with one device at a time, and can’t control skills and services outside the Fire TV experience. Also, while some video streaming services such as Amazon Prime can be fully controlled using the touch screen display, other services such as Netflix provide only limited functionality without the remote.

In addition to the circular navigation pad and usual forward/rewind and home buttons, the remote includes an Alexa option with a pinhole microphone for use instead of the smart display’s far-field microphones. As with other Alexa devices, you can change the wake word of the Echo Show 21 – handy if you have several Amazon devices near to one another.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Amazon Echo Show 21: performance

• Crisp 1,920 x 1,080 display
• Maybe a little too bright
• Much improved sound system and onboard 13MP camera

The largest display in Amazon's Echo series, with nearly double the viewing area of the Echo Show 15, the Echo Show 21 certainly cuts an imposing figure once mounted on the wall. In fact, it seems more like a much larger smart TV than a glorified touch screen display with built-in Alexa, especially when mounted in landscape mode.

With double the viewing area of the Amazon Echo Show 15, the Echo Show 21 makes a real statement when mounted on the wall (Image credit: Chris Price)

Boasting a highly reflective 1,920 x 1,080 display, the Echo Show 21's picture quality is excellent, delivering crisp, bright images. However, it’s arguably a little too bright especially when watching video content. The first thing I had to do once I switched the display on was to swipe down from the top to turn the brightness down. However, switching adaptive brightness does help a little, automatically adjusting brightness levels based on the ambient light levels in the room. Turn down the room’s lights and the screen will dim too, turn them up and the screen will brighten.

Also on board is a proximity sensor, which adjusts what’s on the screen when you aren't actively using it. When no one is nearby, it closes the control panel and rotates through a variety of screens. For example, it could display various content suggestions such as jokes or football scores or act as a large photo frame, cycling through images in your Amazon picture library. It will also support multiple users, switching between different profiles using facial recognition when the camera is active or via voice recognition instead.

The Amazon Echo 21 features various widgets that let you see information at a glance, and what's displayed can change depending on your proximity (Image credit: Chris Price)

One of the criticisms of previous Echo Show devices was the poor quality of the onboard camera. Thankfully this has been addressed with the Echo Show 21. Supporting auto-framing, 3.3x zoom and noise reduction technology, the built-in 13MP camera works extremely well – whether you're using Alexa Drop In to tell the kids that the dinner is ready, or calling someone for a business meeting. However, if you are worried about privacy you can always cover up the camera using the Camera Shutter button on top of the display, as well as switch the onboard microphones off.

Some reviewers thought sound from the first Echo Show 15 was poor, Amazon has decided to improve it considerably on the new generation smart displays (both 15- and 21-inch versions). In fact, sound on the latest 21-inch model is surprisingly punchy, thanks to reasonably large side mounted speakers complete with two 2-inch woofers and two 0.6-inch tweeters (the previous Echo Show 15 only had two 1.6-inch tweeters).

The Echo Show 21 works well in landscape mode for entertainment, but it really shines as a smart home hub in portrait mode (Image credit: Chris Price)

Over a period of three weeks, I listened to a range of music from various streaming services, including Spotify and Amazon, and found the experience really enjoyable. However, it’s fair to say that the Echo Show 21 still only offers sound quality as good as a modest smart TV, so if it’s a high-quality home cinema system you want, you're best looking elsewhere.

In summary, when it comes to performance, the Echo Show 21 comes highly recommended. And while I think it is rather more successful in portrait mode as a touchscreen home hub, it also doubles as a pretty decent smart TV in landscape mode for sitting back and watching streaming video content.

• Performance score: 4/5

Should you buy the Amazon Echo Show 21? Buy it if

You want a large touchscreen display

At 21.5 inches, this is the largest of all the Echo Show devices, offering nearly double the viewing area of the Amazon Show 15. This makes it an excellent choice if you want to display lots of widgets or simply want a bigger picture for streaming video content.

You need to consult recipes while cooking

Ideal for mounting in the kitchen, the Echo Show 21 is a perfect companion for when you're cooking. It’s also great for looking up recipes on the internet or listening to music when you are preparing the ingredients for a meal.

You want to control smart home devices

Providing support for Matter and Thread, the Echo Show 21 is a really good way of controlling your home. And because it has such a big display, you can see footage from connected security cameras really clearly.

Don't buy it if

You just want to watch TV

Put simply, there are much better and cheaper displays out there for watching TV/streaming services. Unlike the Echo Show 21 these can be connected to a TV aerial too for those who still like to watch good old fashioned TV channels.

You want a portable smart display

Designed to be mounted permanently on the wall, the Echo Show 21 is a big heavy beast requiring specialist installation, unless you pay even more for the table-top mount.

Amazon Echo Show 21: also consider

If you're not sure the Amazon Echo Show 21 is the right smart hub for you, here are a couple of other options to consider:

Amazon Echo Show 8 (3rd gen)

The latest generation model boasts better audio, faster performance and added support for Matter, Thread and Zigbee. The only big thing that holds it back is its uptick in price.

Read our full Echo Show 8 (3rd Gen) review

Amazon Echo Show 15 (2nd gen)

The new generation 15-inch Amazon Echo Show offers much better audio quality than its predecessor, putting it on a par with the new 21-inch model. Amazon has also upgraded the auto-framing camera for improved video calls.

How I tested the Amazon Echo Show 21

• I mounted on the wall in my home office for three weeks
• I used it in both landscape and portrait modes
• I tested it both as a home hub and smart TV

To get a good grasp of what a product like the Echo Show 21 can do, you really need to spend as much time with it as possible. That’s because it offers so much functionality! Even after three weeks I’m still finding apps I can download and new things I can do with it.

As I installed it in my home office, I used the Echo Show 21 mostly for listening to classical music while I was working and for features such as the checking the weather before taking the dog out for a lunchtime walk. But I also used it for other things too, including watching video content, turning the heating up and down and viewing images from Amazon Photos.

Personally, I preferred it in portrait mode, although using it landscape mode might work better if you have it installed in the living room or a bedroom. However, you ideally need to use the Echo Show for its advanced smart home control features to get the most out of it. Read more about how we test.

First reviewed February 2025

Two Point Studios have established a legacy of goofy simulators with their previous games, Two Point Hospital (the spiritual successor to 1997’s Theme Hospital) and Two Point Campus, asking players to succeed in institutional entrepreneurship through their set of distinctly silly business-building systems.

Now, the studio is solidifying its position with a third installment, Two Point Museum, which tasks you with fixing up a, you guessed it, failing museum after its previous owner suspiciously dipped out. Capitalizing on the series’ goofy sense of humor and forgiving gameplay, Two Point Museum isn’t hell-bent on reinventing the studio's tried and tested formula. Still, despite this overly familiar setup, Two Point has delivered a beginner-friendly management sim PC game that I found surprisingly hard to put down.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PC
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Release date: February 27, 2025

In Two Point Museum, your time is spent balancing your income through ticket sales and donations, as well as compelling guests with rare exhibits and intriguing interactive equipment like dino playgrounds and sound booths. The people are fickle, though, and it’s not enough just to have a caveman trapped in ice or a stegosaurus tail slide. You’ll also need to dress up that caveman with thematic decor, as well as send your hardworking explorers out to find more icemen in the wild, too.

To do this, you’ll participate in a mixture of active and idle gameplay, setting up Expeditions — which play like a passive resource-collecting minigame — and maintaining your customer’s happiness by building up local amenities and cleaning the museum clean.

Your staff are the hardworking backbone of your success, with essential work split between Experts, Janitors, Assistants, and Security Guards. If you can manage and train them well, the outer wilds of the game’s map become your playground, with your team able to steal enough artifacts to make your museum the greatest tourist destination in the world. The Natural History Museum might have whale bones, but it doesn't have a plant that births a clown every few minutes, does it?

(Image credit: Two Point Studios/SEGA) You are not serious people

Early in the campaign, your primary consideration is whether to send your staff on expeditions or leave them back to work, though admittedly, this isn’t a particularly challenging choice. Both exploits earn them experience to level up and learn new skills that make them more efficient, and you can comfortably stretch to afford multiples of each staffing type from the early game. This is until you start to explore further afield, and the expeditions become more dangerous.

At first, the trips you’re making look straightforward, and you can choose your staff based on who will be missing from work rather than who is the least likely to die. That doesn’t last long, though, as certain areas on the map will eventually prop up complex Event Cards that dictate riskier barriers to success. Here, the goal becomes matching your worker and their skill to the event to nullify the issue or pay the price.

On one occasion, my under-prepared archaeology expert got IBS on a job and couldn’t work, so I had to ship him off to the hospital for a hefty cost. A few trips later, my favorite janitor went MIA, and I had to train another staff member to replace him, leaving me unable to run the missions until everyone was up to speed.

Unpredictable events also attempt to sully your best efforts and pop up mid-mission, asking you to make decisions about the expedition, with the wrong decision resulting in illness or worse. Where previously I had been haphazardly shipping off anyone to earn precious loot, I quickly began playing favorite, taking the time to neutralize threats. This consideration added a much-needed layer of strategy that did well to keep me focused and drew my attention towards staff management as an essential metric rather than an afterthought.

Best bit

There’s something so funny about sardonic British tannoy playing overhead in your local shop, a humour Two Point Studios clearly understands with Two Point Museum. As you potter along, designing exhibits and sending your employees on perilous expeditions, an occasional voice will sound off, delivering informational addresses loaded with contempt. While there were far too many good ones to choose from, my favorite arrived as I set up my first tour, with the voice overhead announcing: "Childish behavior will be met with childish retribution."

Outside of Expeditions, special events occur randomly, drawing your attention back to the Museum. For example, health inspections and unique visitors require the space to be in top shape when they arrive, with cleanliness and exhibit quality adding to the overall experience. While these metrics aren’t hard to hit, having a few more considerations to juggle on my way to total success was nice.

Two Point Studios’ wacky British humor is visible in almost every aspect of Two Point Museum. Throughout the campaign, I was delighted whenever a text window would pop up or a tannoy would play overhead, giving me another chance to giggle at the goofy writing. This style applies to the non-verbal aspects of the game, with the NPCs acting out and interacting with my historical pieces in unlikely ways.

As my exhibitor numbers skyrocketed, the space became more like a Where’s Wally book of cartoonish weirdos, and all it took was me to zoom in randomly and watch someone pop out of a carnivorous plant or lick an ancient amber pod. These irreverent moments of stupidity not only made me giggle but did well to break up the repetitive nature of Two Point Museums' more tedious management activities.

(Image credit: Two Point Studios/SEGA) Life finds a way

Designing rooms and exhibits is where Two Point Museum really shines, and I thoroughly enjoyed placing tropical shrubbery and plotting dinosaur feet decals as if guiding guests through a Universal theme park ride. Visitors are most attracted to exhibits with ‘Buzz’, a metric related to how new the piece is and how well it’s dressed. Certain exhibits require specific decor to earn Buzz boosts, offering light touch guidance to your interior design exploits.

Your exhibits must also have educational prowess, with some patrons preferring edutainment over pure pizazz. Much like the rest of Two Point Museum’s forgiving gameplay, balancing these metrics isn’t overly complicated. Thankfully, the UI sorts the specific set dressing by room, so you don’t need to trawl through random menus to find your missing piece.

If dinosaurs aren’t your thing, Two Point Museum also offers alternative Museum genres, each with its own unique goal. The ghost-infested Wailon Lodge encourages you to explore a rift between worlds and house found poltergeists in unique homes that match their time period. Alternatively, Passwater Cove asks you to dive for all manner of fish and build lavish coastal aquariums to house them in. The alternate areas aren’t just extensions of the base and offer unique decor and mechanics that flesh out Two Point Museum’s foundational gameplay nicely.

(Image credit: Two Point Studios/SEGA)

Unfortunately, as much as I adored going big on design, a densely packed space was more profitable for success in nearly every scenario. While I did find time to flex my creative muscles through frosty flooring and flora-forward props, the urge to min-max my staff routes often fell higher on my to-do list than style alone. The call towards efficiency isn’t helped by the game’s ‘Kudosh’ currency, which allows you to unlock additional cosmetics by hitting specific achievements. When my bags of income arrived without much extra work, Kudosh enabled a more instrumental style play, occasionally creating a strange bottleneck for my design goals.

Thankfully, Two Point Museum’s Sandbox mode is the salve to many of these issues. Split into three sections (Creative, Career, and Hardcore), this mode opens doors to those who want to build bespoke structures, like myself, or those, ahem, masochists who are looking for a much more complex and punishing management experience.

Despite the pressure to deliver financial success and the plethora of passive systems to consider, my time with Two Point Museum was surprisingly worry-free. As I consistently dipped into the financial red and sent my overpaid workers on expeditions, I never found myself on the verge of bankruptcy or failure - a far cry from the heightened emotional investment of Frostpunk 2. Still, I felt compelled to return to my museum even without impending doom on my coattails coaxing me on, which speaks to the game’s idiosyncratic charm and accessability.

(Image credit: Two Point Studios/SEGA) Should you play Two Point Museum? Play it if...

You like a management sim with a heavy dose of comedy
Two Point Museum might be a management simulator, but it doesn’t hold back on the jokes. Whether you’re watching your expert puke onto the floor or watching a visitor faceplant on a fossil.

You want to play something casual
Despite the management simulator tag, Two Point Museum is reasonably forgiving, so you can pick up and play without making any plans.

Don't play it if...

You want a super complex management simulator
While Two Point delivers a moreish hand approachable simulator, those looking for something more challenging like Satisfactory or Factorio might not be satisfied with its more forgiving array of systems.

Accessibility

In Two Point Museum, you can access the settings submenu from the Pause menu at any time in the game. From the main Game subhead, you can toggle on and off camera shake, flash effects, and character limit. You can also choose your Game Autosave frequency (Ingame - Every Month, Every Three Months, Every Six Months) and your Career Auto Save Frequency (Every Change, Most Changes). From here, you can also toggle on Subtitles and a Player Idle Message, as well as toggle UI Scale (Small, Medium) and Status Icon Filter (All Icons, Reduced Icons, Minimal Icons, Vital Icons).

Where sound is concerned, you can tweak individual streams, such as Tannoy, SFX, and UI, using a slider from the Audio submenu Settings menu. In the Controls Menu, you have the option to toggle on/off Inverted Vertical and Horizontal Camera Rotation, as well as Camera Edge Scrolling, Controller Input, and vibration. From here, you can also use a slider to dictate camera sensitivities for panning, pitch, zoom, and rotation. You can also rebind keys to suit your set-up.

(Image credit: Two Point Studios/SEGA) How I reviewed Two Point Museum

We played Two Point Museum’s campaign and sandbox mode on the base model Steam Deck and gaming PC for around 20 hours. I used an AOC 27-inch QHD VA 144Hz gaming monitor for my PC, a Logitech MX Master 3S mouse, and a Logitech G915 TKL keyboard. I used my external Creative Pebble V2 computer speakers and Audio Technica ATH-MX50X headphones plugged into a Scarlett 2i2 interface for sound. My GPU is an RTX 3080, and my CPU is an AMD Ryzen 9 3950X.

The Panasonic Lumix S1R II is the new flagship model for Panasonic’s Lumix S series of full-frame mirrorless cameras, replacing the original, 2019-released S1R.

Built first and foremost for capturing massive amounts of detail (the ‘R’ in its name presumably referring to ‘resolution’), the S1R II features a new full-frame 44.3MP CMOS sensor and can record 8K video at up to 30fps, not to mention 4K video at 120fps – a significant resolution and frame rate improvement over its predecessor.

Panasonic is trumpeting meaningful advances in other areas too, most notably autofocus, continuous shooting speed and image stabilization, all while reducing the overall size and weight of the camera body in comparison to the Lumix S1R.

Having had a couple of days to put some of these claims to the test using a pre-production review sample, I’m ready to share my first impressions of the Lumix S1R II. Read on for my hands-on review – and don’t forget to check back soon for a full, in-depth and extensive final review of Panasonic’s new range topping mirrorless camera.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen) Panasonic Lumix S1R II: price and release date

• Lumix S1R II body only: $3,299 / £2,999 / AU$5,499
• UK-only Lumix S1R II with 24-105mm lens bundle: £3,799
• On sale March 2025

The Panasonic Lumix S1R II will be available from March 2025 priced at $3,299 / £2,999 / AU$5,499 body only. In the UK, it'll also be available in a kit with a 24-105mm f/4 standard zoom lens for £3,799. These are roughly the same as the original Lumix S1R cost upon its launch in 2019, so it's hard to have too many complaints about the pricing.

Additionally, Panasonic is launching a battery grip accessory, the DMW-BG2, alongside the camera. This will be available from March 2025 also, priced at $349 / £299.

specs Panasonic Lumix S1R II: design and handling

• Relatively compact and just 795g
• Large, detailed OLED viewfinder
• Front and rear tally lamps

The original Lumix S1R was a large and bulky camera, sometimes annoying so – but I don’t feel the same way about the S1R II. With a significantly lighter (over 200g) and more compact body than its predecessor, it feels much more like a camera you could take out with you every day rather than on special occasions. That does depend somewhat on the lens you choose, of course: the 16-35mm zoom Panasonic sent me for this review is a hefty piece of glass – but the 85mm prime makes for a much more manageable and agile setup.

The classic DSLR-style shape is a joy to handle and the physical controls are all nicely placed in my opinion. There’s a dial to flick quickly between photo, video and S&Q (slow and quick) shooting modes, front and top record buttons and more than enough dials to ensure any setting can be swiftly adjusted. The original S1R's top plate LCD info panel has gone here, which helps keep the size down in this its successor – but I suppose some people might miss it.

The on-screen UI, meanwhile, will be immediately familiar to anyone who has used a recent Lumix camera. The 3-inch screen itself is a pretty standard affair, able to tilt and swivel nicely in almost any direction, while the large, ultra-sharp OLED viewfinder is a highlight and a pleasure to hold your eye against.

Connectivity is very solid. There’s a full-size HDMI plus USB-C, mic, headphone and wired remote sockets, now each with their own protective door. On the storage front, there’s a single SD card slot plus an additional slot for high-performance CFexpress Type B cards.

Finally, there are front and rear tally lamps to indicate when recording is active. It might seem like a basic feature, but so many cameras skimp on it.

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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen) Panasonic Lumix S1R II: features and performance

• Phase hybrid autofocus
• Dual I.S. 2 image stabilization
• 10fps / 40fps burst shooting

The S1R II comes with a number of performance improvements over its predecessor. First and possibly foremost is its phase hybrid autofocus system, which is faster, smoother and more accurate than the contrast-based system on the old model. It’s particularly great for video use, slickly keeping subjects in sharp focus without any of the hunting that was sometimes seen on older Lumix models. It can also identify and automatically track a variety of subjects, from humans to animals to motorcycles. I’ve only tested it with humans and cats so far, but found it highly effective with both.

Image stabilization is Panasonic’s Dual I.S. 2 variety, combining sensor-shifting in-body and lens-based stabilization with user-configurable electronic stabilization tailored to specific shooting scenarios. Panasonic does stabilization particularly well and from my testing so far that seems to be the case here too, with vlogging and handheld video gaining an almost gimbal-like stability at the cost of a crop to the frame. Panasonic claims the system adds up to 8 stops of shutter speed compensation, as opposed to 5.5 stops on the original S1R.

Shooting speed has likewise been given an improvement. With the mechanical shutter, it’s risen from 9fps to 10fps with AF-S and 6fps to 8fps with AF-C, while switching to electronic shutter now allows for 40fps bursts with AF-C.

Bucking the trend, battery life appears to be slightly worse than that of the S1R, but you can still expect around 350 images on a full charge – or over 1000 when using the Power Save LVF mode.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen) Panasonic Lumix S1R II: image and video quality

• 44.3MP stills and 8K/30p video
• 177MP high-resolution mode
• 10-bit color depth and wide range of bitrates for various qualities / file sizes

The S1R II is the resolution king for Panasonic’s Lumix S range, and both photos and videos are extremely rich in detail and dynamic range.

Photos are captured at 44.3MP which, while marginally smaller than the 47.3MP images captured by the S1R, are more than sufficiently detailed for creating huge prints or heavy cropping. Pixel peepers have absolutely nothing to fear from the images here: I found them richly detailed even when zoomed right in, with smooth color gradation and superb dynamic range. I shot both in JPEG and RAW, processing the latter in Adobe Lightroom.

I haven’t yet tested the handheld high-resolution shooting mode, which combines several shots into one huge 177MP photo, but look forward to seeing just how convincingly it stitches things together.

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On the video front, the camera can record 8K footage at up to 30fps, as well as a variety of ‘lesser’ resolutions at higher frame rates. It has an Open Gate recording option, which uses the entire surface of the sensor and results in up to 6.4K video now – with 8.1K or 7.2K options being promised via a future firmware update later in 2025. It also offers an option to record video in Apple ProRes RAW and RAW HQ formats at up to 5.8K internally, provided you use a CFexpress Type B card. Panasonic claims videos can exhibit up to 14 stops of dynamic range too.

Unfortunately, I haven’t yet had enough time with the S1R II to fully test out its video capabilities. From my limited vlog and b-roll recording of 6.4K and 4K video, though, I’m already very impressed, not only with the detail, color and dynamic range on display but with the camera’s beautifully assured image stabilization and smooth, accurate hybrid autofocus.

How I tested the Panasonic Lumix S1R II

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

• Pre-production model with latest firmware
• Paired with wireless mic gear
• Vlogging and photography in a range of scenarios

Panasonic loaned me a pre-production model of the Lumix S1R II running the latest firmware (the firmware that will be on the retail units on launch day), plus two L-Mount lenses: a 16-35 f/4 zoom and an 85mm f/1.8 prime.

I've used the camera for vlogging, both testing its internal mics and pairing it with a DJI Mic 2 wireless mic kit. I've also taken lots of photos in different scenarios, including a sunset walk along the East Kent coast and a day trip to Canterbury.

First reviewed February 2025

Specialized Vado SL2: One minute review

When I first jumped on the Specialized Vado SL2 Carbon, it instantly reminded me of my time with the Tenways CGO600 Pro. It had something to do with the form factor and sleek design but above all, it was the smooth ride and effortless power delivery that never left you wanting.

I used the Vado SL2 Carbon on a variety of different routes, including to travel between home and work, which itself includes city streets and rural roads. I found that it performed admirably and is most definitely worthy of consideration as one of the best e-bikes around.

It’s been a while since we reviewed the first iteration of this e-bike, the Vado SL, but suffice it to say, Specialized has made it better in almost every way. That includes the design, performance, and battery life.

Few e-bikes deliver this premium level of quality, but with great results comes a pretty hefty price tag. As a result, the Vado SL2 Carbon is only for elite commuters who have more money than they really know what to do with.

Specialized Vado SL2: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• $6,500 USD, £5,500 UK / $9,900 AUS
• Available in black or red paint finishes

At $6,500 USD, £5,500 UK / $9,900 AUS, the Specialized Vado SL2 Carbon Equipped is, hands down, the most expensive e-bike I’ve ever had the pleasure of riding. Second to it would be the Brompton Electric P Line Urban, which retails at $4,750 / £3,695 and is a positive steal in comparison. The Vado SL2 Carbon is available in either black or red paint finishes.

• Value score: 3.5/5

Specialized Vado SL2: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Carbon frame
• Non-detachable battery
• Excellent handlebar screen

The smooth and sleek design means you’ll look the part as you commute between home and work and back again. Compared to the previous iteration of this e-bike, Specialized has opted for a much smoother and streamlined aesthetic. I know I’m not alone in thinking this but they have absolutely nailed it. It shouts premium from every single angle.

The frame and other components are made of carbon, which results in one seriously light e-bike. Now I’m no weightlifter, but I had no problems lifting the whole thing with just one hand. At 17.9kg / 39.7 lbs you’ll be hard-pressed to find a lighter e-bike of the same size. Despite not being foldable and therefore not suitable for car trunks, the minimal weight will make it easy to throw up onto a bike rack.

The weight and ergonomic positioning of the seat and handlebars make for an effortless telepathic handling experience. With some e-bikes, it feels like you’re shifting a truck around but not so with the Vado SL2. Turning round corners and making quick adjustments is as easy as it could be. Overall, the e-bike delivers a surprising level of balance considering it has a heavy battery built into it. This isn’t the case for many e-bikes but during the more challenging inclines, I was even able to stand up and ride.

Thanks to Future Shock 3.2, Specialized has produced an e-bike that effortlessly cushions any uneven bike track or potholed road surface. Every ride is therefore super smooth, an ideal experience for commuters who want to turn up to work without feeling like they’ve done a workout.

I tested the EQ (equipped) version, which includes a range of extra features that are not available in the base package. These include a rear rack with lights, cage mounts, fenders, and a kickstand. I was glad to have these extra parts, especially while cycling through the British winter, which is known for being wet, muddy, and dark!

The e-bike also has one of the best handlebar screens that I’ve ever come across, with a well-designed interface that provides sufficient data, including speed, distance traveled, and battery life left. There is a Specialized app that takes this to a whole new level but I opted to stick with the e-bike’s built-in screen on account of not wanting to have to mount my phone each time I went for a ride.

• Design Score: 4.5/5

Specialized Vado SL2: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Smooth power delivery
• Responsive handling
• Effective shockproof technology

The Specialized Vado SL2 Carbon is a powerhouse of performance. Having tested the e-bike on a range of surfaces over a period of several weeks, I never found myself wanting. This is rarely the case when I’m testing e-bikes with either the torque, handling, or motor sensitivity falling short of what I want. Not so with the Vado SL2 Carbon.

Formidable power and high torque are delivered from Specialized’s bespoke SL 1.2 motor. As soon as I had clocked up my first kilometer of riding, I knew this was one special e-bike. I was particularly impressed with both the responsiveness and smooth power delivery that this bike provides. With no delay between turning the pedals and power delivery, I knew I could trust the SL2 to give me exactly what I needed when accelerating from a stationary position.

With the motor up and running, I loved how it smoothly went through the motions all the way up to top speed, even when traveling up medium inclines. As is the case with most e-bikes the SL2 struggled to provide the power required for steeper hills. I don’t mind getting the muscles burning at this stage but if this is a problem for you, then you might want to explore other options.

Due to the seriously lightweight carbon frame, I was a little concerned that handling was going to be twitchy and unreliable but all my concerns were unfounded. Rather, handling was beautifully telepathic thanks to the ergonomic layout of the handlebars and seat. If anything, the reduced weight meant strain on my arms was limited

The 12-speed rear derailleur provides a superb range of gears but was unfortunately a little clunky during gear changes. I was able to access all gears but moving between gears was slower than I would have expected for an e-bike at this price point. While we’re on the subject of things that could be improved, I found the effectiveness of the disc brakes meant I wasn’t able to stop as quickly as I would have expected.

More positively, I loved the Future Shock 3.2 technology, which effortlessly dealt with any uneven surfaces that I cycled on. This was particularly noticeable when traveling over pothole-laden roads around where I live.

I was also sure to test the e-bike at night to see how the lights performed. Both front and rear lights are powered by the battery but only the rear is integrated into the frame. Both provide adequate light levels to be seen by others but the front lacks the strength to light up country roads that don’t have street lighting. I therefore found myself requiring a secondary front light to do this for me.

Overall, the Vado SL2 Carbon is one of the highest-performing e-bikes I’ve ever had the pleasure of riding. It’s powerful, smooth, and delivers fantastic handling.

• Performance score: 4.5/5

Specialized Vado SL2: Battery life

(Image credit: Future)

• Up to five hours range
• Specialized SL2-520
• Fully integrated

Specialized is strangely silent on how many miles or kilometres the e-bike will manage but it does commit to a range of five hours. This is likely to be at the lowest level of pedal assist, minimal rider weight, and no headwind.

During my test rides, I found that I achieved around 35 miles per full charge, which equated to around two and a half hours. These rides included a range of terrains and weather conditions that would have made the e-bike work harder than usual.

If range is likely to be a concern for you, then you could always buy a Specialized range extender battery, which is likely to give you an additional 1 hour of range. This is likely to be less in real-world tests and is nowhere near the same as buying a second battery. The extender does have the benefit of being super portable, though.

The battery is integrated within the frame, which means you’ll have to be able to charge it where you store the e-bike. This is far from ideal for me and I much prefer batteries that I can take indoors overnight.

• Battery life score: 3.5/5

Specialized Vado SL2: Scorecard Buy it if...

You want a seriously premium e-bike

With high-class components and excellent engineering, the Vado SL2 Carbon is almost everything you could ever want in an e-bike.

You have money to burn

If money is not much of an issue, then it’s hard to come up with many reasons why you wouldn’t buy one of the best options out there at the moment.

You want a quiet e-bike

The motor performs with minimal buzz and is ideal for people who want a quiet ride.

Don't buy it if...

You want a detachable battery

The Vado SL2 battery is built in so you’ll be limited to charging wherever you store your e-bike.

You need a portable e-bike

With no foldable mechanism, the Vado SL2 won’t fit in many cars and will take up a lot of space on a train.

Also consider

(Image credit: Engwe)

ENGWE MapFour N1 Air

The lightest 100 km range carbon e-bike around. A perfect e-bike solution for commuters.

Tenways CGO600 Pro

The magnetic torque sensor and carbon belt drive deliver smooth and seamless performance. Read our full review here.

How I tested the Specialized Vado SL2

As soon as the e-bike dropped onto my doorstep, I cracked straight on with getting it built. It didn’t take long, thanks to the way it was packaged and mostly pre-setup. With the rest of the setup completed, I proceeded to use the e-bike for all my rides across a six-week period. This included my daily 7-mile commute through the country, along heavily congested roads, and through city streets. My testing period was during the winter season so I was able to test the e-bike during a range of weather conditions, including rain and ice.

First reviewed: February 2025

Monster Hunter Wilds has some rather big shoes to fill. For one, it’s the sequel to the record-breaking blockbuster that was Monster Hunter World, a game that saw the long-running, and oftentimes niche franchise reach a whole new group of altogether more mainstream gamers. It also follows Monster Hunter Rise, which, while not as big as World, was extremely successful as an originally exclusive Nintendo Switch game, and introduced a host of new traversal systems.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5 Pro
Available on: Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, PS5
Release date: February 28, 2025

In many ways, Wilds has had to walk a tightrope between the approaches showcased in previous games, providing something for the new fans, while appealing to those that have stuck around over the past 20 years. By streamlining the formula that shined bright in Monster Hunter World, and by finally offering a seamless open world, Monster Hunter Wilds manages to hit all of the right notes, while avoiding some of the more frustrating elements that have plagued the series since its inception.

Let's skip to the good part

(Image credit: Capcom)

Loading up a brand new Monster Hunter game is usually a mixed experience. To truly access the really good stuff, that being the High Rank endgame content, you need to first beat the campaign. In the past couple of games, this has been easy enough, though the shoehorned systems present in Monster Hunter Rise (Rampage Mode), and Monster Hunter World (colossal Elder monster battles) really dragged things out, extending the runtime of stories that were fun, but forgettable.

Monster Hunter Wilds is an entirely different beast with regards to its campaign, which is streamlined, slight, and punchy. For one, there’s no ‘gimmick’ to speak of, with the headline feature being the seamless open world with dynamic seasons and wildlife. There are no on-rails giant monster battles, no filler quests spent in quasi-tower-defense modes, just epic monster hunts, one after the other. One annoying side character aside, this is the best Monster Hunter campaign ever, punctuated by a final boss fight that’s already among my all-time favorites in all of gaming.

Best bit

(Image credit: Capcom)

The reverence that Monster Hunter Wilds shows for every single one of its monsters shines through from the very beginning. Doshaguma, a monster featured in the beta, and one that wasn’t particularly interesting at first, is introduced into the main game with an exhilarating sequence, as lightning sparks all around, and other monsters come to join in on the hunt. Several moments like these bookend other major hunts in the campaign, with every single main fight being a show-stopping event.

The Monster Hunter Wilds campaign is a globe-trotting adventure that encourages you to spend as little time in your base camp as possible. There’s still fun to be found in crafting new gear, building new loadouts, and specializing your Item Pouch, but largely, you’ll be encouraged to be out and about as much as possible.

One casualty of expanding the open world to include multiple hub villages is that the main hub, which you’ll have seen if you played the beta, doesn’t really measure up to the more dedicated locales like Astera, found in previous games. Much more focus has been applied to Pop-Up Camps, with Monster Hunter Wilds once again encouraging the player to set out and claim small pieces of the world outside, rather than get too settled at the ramshackle Base Camp in the Windward Plains. It’s a strange choice, though one that does tie into the game’s overall mantra. Cooking a meal in your camp just isn’t as fun as watching a team of Palico chefs preparing dishes for you back at Kamura Village or Astera, however.

Someone call Attenborough

(Image credit: Capcom)

The vast open world of Monster Hunter Wilds is the main draw that sets the game aside from its predecessors. For the first time in the series, the map is an interconnected, seamless, and dynamic one. From camp, to hunt, to Field Investigations, there are no menus or loading screens getting in your way as you adventure. Of the handful of different regions that make up the world around you, each is visually distinct from one another, fostering its own specific collection of flora, fauna, and resources. Not only that but there are seasons to reckon with here as well. Fallow will strip away some of the biodiversity of a region, turning areas like the Windward Plains into dusty deserts, populated by only the hardiest of creatures.

Inclemency then rolls in, bringing sandstorms, riling up certain insects to boost passive effects that can be used on a hunt, and in some cases, completely changing the landscape. After the storm clouds fade, the season of Plenty comes about, and let me tell you, the change in conditions are seriously impressive. Gone are the barren dry lands of the Fallow, and the cloudy skies of Inclemency, as you look out over an Edenic environment teeming with creatures.

The campaign does a masterful job of leading you through this cycle for the first time, and the sheer dynamism of the world never really loses its charm. This doubling down on creating a living, breathing natural world follows the path laid in Monster Hunter World. This time though, the variety in the life that occupies each region is genuinely breathtaking.

Once I was given the freedom to explore at my leisure, I spent hours simply riding through each region, watching as small monsters and other endemic animals went about their routines. Pink-furred apes snooze peacefully in the sun, small birds can be seen riding on the backs of large reptiles, pecking and pruning as they go. Whether you’re there to witness it or not, there’s a natural cycle to the world of Wilds, and meticulous detail, from the huge raptors that soar in the sky, to the lines of tiny leaf-cutting ants that walk in formation across the branches of trees. You can practically hear David Attenborough narrating the whole thing.

Focus, Hunter

(Image credit: Capcom)

Monster Hunter games are rarely praised for their graphical fidelity, as they tend to put more resources into dynamic worlds and overlapping systems than boosting the resolution. Thankfully, Monster Hunter Wilds is very impressive to behold, though like a lot of other modern games this generation, does have some issues with looking washed out in certain environments. Some regions like the forest are impossibly dense, and I was regularly taken aback by just how many small monsters could be on screen at once. In fact, entire herds can be seen in some moments, running alongside large monsters as you give chase.

Performance-wise, the game runs smoothly on PlayStation 5 Pro, especially in the Prioritize Framerate mode. There is quite a hit to visual fidelity, but with how frenetic fights can get, you’re going to want those 60 frames per second (fps). What Monster Hunter Wilds may lack slightly in pure graphical prowess, it more than makes up for in the way its seasons change the world. Atmospheric fog effects, dust clouds that precede huge sandstorms, and puddles that follow the heavy rain all look spectacular, refreshing the palette with a complete change of scenery just before any one locale starts to overstay its welcome.

Should I play Monster Hunter Wilds?

(Image credit: Capcom) Play it if…

You want to jump into the Monster Hunter series for the first time
Monster Hunter Wilds is the most accessible, most user-friendly game in the series yet. It still has some incredibly obtuse systems, but the campaign acts as a great tutorial to cover the main systems and combat options. By allowing you to switch between two weapons, it’s also easier than ever to get to grips with the game’s diverse array of swords, axes, and bowguns.

You’re looking for hundreds of hours of multiplayer fun
While the campaign for Monster Hunter Wilds can be beaten in around 20 hours, the endgame content offers up so much more, with hunts that are great to jump into with friends. If you’re looking for a new multiplayer game to get into, this is one that’s likely going to be supported for a long time to come.

Don’t play it if…

You’re an old-school Monster Hunter purist
Monster Hunter Wilds is a continuation of what World set out to do, and that’s to open up the series to more players by streamlining more complicated systems. By doing this, it’s a very different game to that of the older entries in the series. The combat is excellent, and the monsters are diverse, but if you’re expecting the depth of something like Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate, you won’t find it here.

Accessibility

Monster Hunter Wilds offers some accessibility options, namely in button mapping and colorblindness assistance (Trichromatic, Protanope, Deuteranope, Tritanope), but its convoluted control schemes could be tricky for some. Though the series has definitely streamlined its approach to combos for certain weapons, you’re still going to be managing a bunch of quick menus, weapon gauges, and aiming reticles at once. A simplified control scheme would be a welcome addition, especially for more complicated weapons like the Insect Glaive, which require multiple buttons to be pressed and held at once to execute moves. There are some basic auditory settings, motion sickness reduction, and an arachnophobia mode as well.

How I reviewed Monster Hunter Wilds

I played Monster Hunter Wilds for 30 hours on the PlayStation 5 Pro. During that time I completed the campaign (in around 18 hours) and then cleared through the start of the post-game content. In general, I tried to tackle side quests as they appeared and set out into each new region to explore for a while after they unlocked. There were three graphics options available during the pre-release period: Prioritize Resolution, Balanced, and Prioritize Framerate. I played the vast majority of the game in the Prioritize Framerate mode, keeping it at a solid 60fps.

On PlayStation 5 Pro, I played the game using a 4K Samsung TV (Samsung 43-inch RU7400 Dynamic). I used a PS5 DualSense Edge controller, with the Razer Blackshark V2 gaming headset connected via the controller port. Having started with Monster Hunter Generations Ultimate on Nintendo Switch, I’ve poured hundreds of hours into Monster Hunter since. Monster Hunter Rise is where I spent the most time, and I absolutely consider it to be one of the best Switch games, but recently I’ve gone back to Monster Hunter World to prep for the release of Wilds. In addition to being a fan, I’ve produced hundreds of Monster Hunter guides over the years, covering everything from the best weapon builds, to where to track down rare resources.

First reviewed February 2025

With plenty of office, ergonomic and gaming chairs on the market, FlexiSpot gives it a go with the oddly named BS12B-Pro, let see what makes it stand out from the rest of the crowd.

Having used this chair for over two weeks now after using an old 11-year-old Ikea Markus office chair here are my thoughts on the FlexiSpot’s take and how it compares to the best office chairs we've reviewed here at TechRadar Pro.

The chair arrived in a large plain cardboard box which was a bit beaten up by the courier, the outside informing you what it was, model and colour with the “FlexiSpot” branding and motto in blue, at least some color.

(Image credit: FlexiSpot) FlexiSpot BS12B-Pro: Assembly

Opening up the box, everything appeared to have been either haphazardly thrown in the box or the courier gave it a bit of a tumble around. Not much was securing anything in place like you would find on a monitor for example being in case in foam. It appears that FlexiSpot knew that this was the case as each component of the chair had its own plastic or cardboard wrap or foam added in places likely to be pointy.

(Image credit: FlexiSpot)

Removing everything and laying it out flat allows you to see how it all goes together; I noted that the seat and backrest are made of a mesh like fabric to enhance breathability where it’s needed the most.

(Image credit: FlexiSpot)

The wheels are notably plastic castor wheels which were freely spinning, both the wheel and spindle. They appeared sturdy enough for the chair but I do wonder about their longevity and how they fair on my laminate flooring.

Inspecting the part that will take nearly all the combined weight of the chair and the seat, which is the spider-like legs, I saw that they were made from plastic. Coming from an Ikea Markus Chair which for £100 less has a steel base that provides both better strength, material quality and feel as well as weighing the chair down so that it should be hard to tip over.

(Image credit: FlexiSpot)

Putting it together was rather quick and easy. FlexiSpot provides some Allen keys and a small spanner to get the job done if you have absolutely no tools whatsoever, but with proper tools I had this chair up and assembled in about 15 to 20 minutes. One good thing I noticed was that the screws used to assemble the chair all had a blue coloured thread glue already applied to prevent the screws from backing out, a nice touch.

(Image credit: FlexiSpot)

The one-part I found a bit fiddly to put together was the head rest, this was a bit difficult as the space for your fingers is very narrow

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(Image credit: FlexiSpot) FlexiSpot BS12B-Pro: In use

The main seat of the chair is almost a 50 x 50cm square (51 cm wide by 49cm back to front) pad contoured at the corners and edges with a front curve for under thigh comfort. The seats minimum height is 46cm and at max is about 54cm. The seat can be moved forwards and back about 4cm of movement depending on how much or little under thigh support you want or need to have. Lastly the seat can be tilted from a flat 90 degrees to a backwards 135-degrees, there is no forward tilt which is a miss as some people do prefer seating slightly forwards.

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Adjustments are all done by the use of three buttons or mini levers on the front right-side of the chair. Made of metal for the premium feel, they are a nice touch, rather than having to reach under the chair for a lever to make adjustments. Furthermore, I feel like they can be used blindly, no need for me to look at them. Nonetheless the symbols are quite self-explanatory from left to right, back and forth seat, tilt lock and seat height up and down. Tucked underneath is the tension adjustment but this is something seldom adjusted.

(Image credit: FlexiSpot)

The seat itself is covered in a mesh like fabric to allow breathability and prevent a sweaty backside, it is stretched tight over the frame of the seat to give it that “bounce” but it does mean that the edges of the seat are sharp corners on the sides and back, the front however does a have a small foam insert for under thigh support. Long term use will see if this fabric can hold up to daily use.

I expected more of the lumbar support; the fabric of the chair is so tight that fully leaning back I don’t even touch the lumbar support most of the time. It is also limited to 3 different heights and 0 front to back options.

(Image credit: FlexiSpot)

The armrests appear to be the standard shaped, plastic structure with firm foam tops, they can be adjusted using the lever under the arm rest from 16cm high (from top of seat to top of arm rest) to 23.5cm high. They can be rotated 1 click in and out from the straight and about 9cm of forwards and backwards movement, the rotation, forwards and backwards movement cannot be locked into place so bumping into the chair may move the arm rests.

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(Image credit: FlexiSpot)

The headrest is where I was a bit disappointed by this chair a bit when comparing it to an Ikea Markus chair. The Markus headrest height was comfortable for me (at 6’1”) so that my head rested on a cushioned part at the top of the chair. The BS12B-Pro doesn’t have this, instead it feels like the headrest, at its maximum height setting, is jamming into my neck or shoulders giving my actual head no support. Any lower setting and it's now jamming into my shoulder blades. I suppose this chair would work well if you were 5’8” or 5’10” tall.

FlexiSpot BS12B-Pro: Final verdict

In the end the headrest being so low forces me to sit in a slouched position (i.e. not ergonomic), or if I sit in a proper position, my head has nowhere to rest. Right now, sitting bolt upright in the chair gives my lower and upper back support, but the headrest is below my lower neck. The headrest has no other tilt or rotation adjustments that can be made.

As for the price, at the time of writing this review the FlexiSpot BS12B-Pro is shown available for £399.99 but seems to be suspiciously on sale permanently for £249.99 which leads me to believe that this is the actual cost of the chair, £249.99 is the actual cost. Also I noted that save for the box and manual, nowhere on the chair is any FlexiSpot branding.

For more workspace essentials, we tested the best standing desks for the home and office.

This review first appeared in issue 355 of PC Pro.

SMBs that are worried about file-sharing security and privacy can rest easy with Tresorit. A great feature of this cloud service is its zero-knowledge policy, which delivers end-to-end AES-256 encryption, and the company never stores keys or passwords, so only account holders and users have access to their data.

Tresorit is good value, and it’s commendable that its prices haven’t increased for over four years, with the Business Plus plan on review holding steady at £12.83 per user per month when billed yearly. This is a good choice for SMBs: it takes all the features of the Standard plan and doubles cloud storage per user to 2TB, trebles the maximum single file size to 15GB and offers a 100 file-version history.

Along with file sharing, syncing, user and group management, and Outlook, Outlook 365 and Gmail integration, it enables custom portal branding and access audit logs. A choice of 12 global data center locations is also available for businesses concerned about data residency jurisdiction.

Deployment is swift. You use the Tresorit Admin Center to email invitations to your users and, when they click on the message link, they can create an account and choose a password. You don’t need to worry about users forgetting it as the Advanced Control feature includes password reset services.

Security policies provide extensive access controls (Image credit: Future)

Once users have downloaded the desktop app, it will create a personal “Tresor” – Tresorit’s name for a secure, encrypted folder. You can have an unlimited number of Tresors up to your storage limit, and the app also creates a quick-access Windows Explorer drive mapping or a macOS Finder favorites folder.

Users can share their Tresors with selected team members by choosing them from the desktop app contact list and setting manage, edit or view-only permissions. Two types of Tresors are supported: the entire contents of classic folders can be shared, while next-gen folders allow specific sub-folders within them to be shared.

Tresorit has brought next-gen features in line with classic folders as you can now create and email links to share their files and sub-folders. You can also use encrypted links to place files requested from external partners, including those without a Tresorit account, in next-gen folders.

Integration with third-party apps has also seen improvements. Tresorit now works directly with Microsoft Teams, and we used our Teams Admin console to decide which users could install the Tresorit add-in on their Teams desktop app. Once logged in, they were able to access and share selected Tresors with other Teams users, upload or download files and create file requests, all from their Teams app.

Tresorit offers great account management and monitoring (Image credit: Future)

Users can access the optional eSign digital signature service from both the Teams and Tresorit apps. Costing £45 per month for 100 signatures, you create an eSign request, select a PDF file and email it. Tresorit users can digitally sign the document with one click, while external users confirm their email address, enter the six-digit verification code provided and then sign the document.

Security features are extensive, with Admin Center policies controlling everything users are allowed to do. You can decide what types of devices they can access their account from, stop users from permanently deleting content, block their browsers from storing login details, use IP filtering to limit access from specific locations, enable single sign-on (SSO) and enforce two-factor authentication (2FA).

Tresorit doesn’t offer the same levels of integration with third-party apps as many rivals, but it rises to the top with its strict zero-knowledge encryption policy. Excellent value and ease of use make it a great choice for SMBs with cloud file-sharing security at the top of their agenda.

We've also ranked the best project management software.

This review first appeared in issue 355 of PC Pro.

HP’s latest Spectre convertible is a pricey proposition – you could buy a decent laptop plus a separate tablet for the same cost. But if you’re looking for something that can fulfil both roles, this powerful, premium computer is a delight.

The two-in-one laptop design doesn’t compromise the aesthetics at all. Its deep blue chassis stands out tastefully from the swamp of monochrome laptops, while sliced-off corners give a pleasing minimalist aesthetic, as do the thin bezels around the display. In tablet mode, magnets hold the screen secure against the chassis, and despite the 14in screen it’s not too heavy to carry around at 1.4kg. My one reservation about the design is a lack of ports: you get one USB-A port on the right-hand side, two USB-C ports on the left – and that’s it.

The keyboard has a comfortable layout and I quickly found myself typing at full speed, enjoying the action as my fingers bounced positively from each keystroke to the next. The haptic touchpad simulates clicking by producing a vibration; I can take or leave this, but I definitely like its smooth texture.

A vibrant OLED screen and a superb keyboard give the Spectre a luxury feel (Image credit: Future)

The star of the design is the 14in, 2,880 x 1,800 OLED touchscreen. On paper it doesn’t appear all that exceptional: it covers 86% of the DCI-P3 color gamut with an average peak brightness of 366cd/m2. However, it delivers wonderfully vibrant colors, making games and videos look much richer, brighter and more solid than the numbers would suggest.

Tucked above the display sits a surprisingly good webcam. Excellent, in fact. Unusually, it offers an Ultra HD, 4K resolution, and image quality is a cut above most rival laptops: my cheeks looked rosy, my surroundings looked bright and colorful, and somehow the windows behind me weren’t blown out.

Audio performance is pleasing, too, thanks to a pair of top-firing speakers. I listened to “This Feels Like the End” by Nothing But Thieves and immediately got into the groove.

The opening percussion was thumping, vocals were crisp and loud and the guitar chords and riffs were bright and urgent.

Whether it’s in tent, laptop or tablet mode, the Spectre is a joy to use (Image credit: Future)

The basic Spectre x360 14 comes with an Intel Core Ultra 5 125H CPU, 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD for £1,499 inc VAT, but I reviewed the premium model with a Core Ultra 7 155H, 32GB of RAM and 2TB of storage. Unsurprisingly, this high-end hardware let me open dozens of Chrome tabs and a handful of YouTube videos all at once, without the slightest stutter. In Geekbench, the Spectre scored a soaring 12,358, even outpacing the M3 MacBook Pro’s score of 11,968.

The one area of compromise is graphics performance. The HP Spectre x360 14 relies on an integrated Intel Arc GPU, and in the Civilization VI:

Gathering Storm benchmark, it averaged a merely acceptable 36fps at 1080p. In other words, it’s fine for casual titles, but hardcore gamers will demand something more capable.

A final strength is battery life. With a power-efficient processor and no separate GPU to drive, the Spectre x360 14 lasted 11hrs 1min of web surfing, longer than almost any Intel laptop we’ve previously tested – although the M3 MacBook Pro lasted a ridiculous 17hrs 16mins. Heat is well managed, too: after 15 minutes of video streaming, we measured a maximum temperature of 39°C on the underside of the chassis, which is on the warm side but easy to live with if you want to use the Spectre on your lap.

(Image credit: Future)

The new HP Spectre x360 14 is hard to fault. It’s a fast, beautifully designed laptop, with a sumptuous screen, excellent performance and battery life, and the convenience of tent and tablet mode. Gamers will want a more powerful graphics chip, but as a general-purpose productivity and entertainment companion, this laptop is a star that manages to justify its high price.

We also ranked the best gaming PCs.

This review first appeared in issue 355 of PC Pro.

It’s tempting to ignore the diagrams on the Philips 49B2U6900CH box that say, categorically, “this is a two-person job”. So tempting, in fact, that I did ignore them, and was soon struggling to attach the gigantic 49in panel to the gratifyingly sturdy metal stand. At least I had the good sense to clear my desk beforehand, as I looked like a weightlifter huffing and puffing it into place.

But it’s office workers rather than weightlifters that Philips targets here, particularly those who currently have two or three 27in monitors littering their desk. The idea is to replace such anachronisms with a single screen, allowing you to split your windows across the 5,120 x 1,440 pixels (32:9). Windows Snap does a great job of this, but I found I worked best with my windows scattered around; I could then drag the required window front and center as required. If your job involves research, you’ll love having everything in view.

It’s even possible to multitask across two different computers, with a KVM that allows you to switch between sources simply by pressing Ctrl three times. At least one of those sources will need to be connected over USB-C, and with up to 100W of power delivery (on both upstream USB-C ports) this monitor makes an ideal docking station. It even includes a 1GbE port alongside the four USB-A ports and a USB-C downstream port. Sensibly, Philips places that USB-C port, a 3.5mm jack and two USB-A ports on the left-hand side of the monitor for easy access.

The huge 49in VA panel allows you to have multiple windows open at the same time (Image credit: Future)

You’ll also find a flip-out headphone stand here although, for once, I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of a monitor’s integrated speakers; I was happy to listen to music while working on the Philips 49B2U6900CH. Although not bass-heavy tracks, as even this pair of 5W speakers sound hollow.

Philips includes a 5MP webcam, which pops up like a periscope when you need it.

It makes sense to keep it up all the time as it can also log you into Windows using facial recognition, plus it includes a “Busylight”. So, if it knows you’re on a video call, a red strip light runs across the top and side to alert colleagues. Or you can activate this yourself using a button on the bottom left. It’s a nice idea, but I hope the next iteration is more prominent.

I also hope that Philips improves the camera. Detail capture is spot on, and the auto-framing option (albeit a tad over-eager) works well, as does the fact that it can accommodate several people in view. However, its color balance needs work, as everything has a strange, hazy blue quality to it. Hopefully this will be fixed via a software update, but in the meantime I recommend using a webcam and a separate mic, as even at maximum pickup I found the built-in option too weak.

I have no such complaints about the panel’s image quality. This is a VA panel with a minor curvature, and it’s tuned for the sRGB color space rather than DCI-P3. There’s even an sRGB preset, which produces excellent whites. Color accuracy is fine for its intended office use, with an average Delta E of 1.13. Keeping to the default mode gives you more colors than sRGB mode, covering 79% of the DCI-3 space compared to 68%, and while whites lose some whiteness it’s still a great everyday choice.

Connections include a 1GbE port alongside four USB-A ports and USB-C (Image credit: Future)

Brightness goes all the way up to 500cd/m2, which is overkill in an office and also consumes more power. At a more sensible 200cd/m2(33% in Philips’ brightness setting) it consumed 44W, while pushing it to 100% eats 71W. Philips also offers a bunch of its SmartImage options, including Eco (125cd/m2, 37W) and EasyRead, which are worth exploring.

There’s a Movie mode, too, with Philips earning DisplayHDR 400 certification for this monitor. Films look good so long as you ignore the huge expanse of black to the left and right. It’s in driving and FPS games, though, where you truly enjoy the wide expanse, and even though it has a peak 75Hz refresh rate this monitor pays extra dividends after hours.

In fact, it delivers in all key areas. Image quality is strong, it’s extremely well suited to office life (note the 150mm of height adjustment), and there are useful features galore. My only real criticism of this monitor is its price.

We've also rated the best monitors for dual screen set-ups.

Working away at a standing desk in the office was once thought to be an odd practice, but standing desks are now believed to offer some health benefits, helping us to be less sedentary at our desk and reduce strain on our backs when working.

With current work from home practices still going strong (despite employers asking staff to return back to the office), more and more people are looking to outfit their personal work space or home offices with the best standing desks.

This is where FlexiSpot has come through with a range of standing desks with different desktop finishes, capable of lifting 100kg for the budget friendly E1 to 180kg for the flagship E9 and accessories to boot.

Today we are reviewing their flagship FlexiSpot E9B-UK which comes with a 140cm x 80cm white laminate desktop.

The desk was delivered in two packages with the FlexiSpot branding displayed proudly and model numbers. The desktop box was a little battered by the courier which left me somewhat worried about it knowing that laminate tops can be chipped or cracked if mal-handled. Point two note that the Standing Desk Frame box was very heavy and ideally you need two people for this job though I managed by myself.

(Image credit: FlexiSpot) FlexiSpot E9B-UK: Assembly

Starting with the Standing Desk Frame box and opening that I was greeted by ample packaging with all items wrapped or in soft closed cell foam. Lifting foam out revealed the two standing desk legs which were the main culprit of the heft. All other bits and bobs were in the small boxes you see tucked in between. Removing the second layer of foam brought me to the Standing Desk Frame which is the part that holds the legs and desktop all together, it is inside that where we find the control box, the brains of the desk effectively. Along with some rubberised, height adjustable feet pads.

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Taking everything out of packaging and boxes shows all the components of the desk, which gives you an idea of how it’s put together. FlexiSpot provides two little hex keys to assemble the desk, whilst these are a welcome for those with no tools, I on the other hand was armed with a combi drill and an assortment of bits.

(Image credit: FlexiSpot)

Assembling the desk was quick and easy, starting with screwing the desktop supports to the frame then the legs followed by the feet all upside down before (and make sure you have the space) opening the desktop box. The legs are what make this desk, they are made of a solid steel construction with a column front to back thickness of 95.6mm.

(Image credit: FlexiSpot)

On opening the desktop box, I was pleased to find that the desktop and fully intact with no damage to it. It appears that FlexiSpot knows how couriers sometimes treat boxes, especially one as heavy as this. I noted that FlexiSpot had placed hard plastic corner protectors. We have opted for the 140cm x 80cm desktop.

(Image credit: FlexiSpot)

There are already pre drilled holes on the underside of the desktop which line up to the screw holes of the standing desk frame and control panel. It is simply a matter of placing the frame on the desktop, locating the holes, screwing it together before flipping the entire desk over so that the desk is the right way up.

(Image credit: FlexiSpot) FlexiSpot E9B-UK: Operation

Once completed, the desk will be at its lowest setting, too low for my liking. Checking the control panel, we have the usual “up” and “down” buttons. Next to them is the “M” button which has two uses, lightly pressing on it will allow you to set a memory setting, pressing and holding it will lock the desk height preventing accident height adjustment.

Between the cluster of buttons is the height display. The cluster of buttons to the right are memorised heights of “1” and “2” as well as a memorised “standing” and “sitting” heights. These are adjusted by setting the height first, say 114, pressing the “M” button then the “standing” button. Thereafter every time you press the “Standing” button, the desk will raise itself to 114.

(Image credit: FlexiSpot)

Lastly, at the end of the control panel is a USB-A port for charging various items, I don’t have any equipment to test the wattage of the port, but trying to charge the Lenovo ThinkPad X13 Yoga laptop didn’t work, which requires at least 65W. Plugging my Samsung Galaxy S23 Ultra in showed it as fast charging, this leads me to believe that it is capable of 25W. It would have been nicer to see a USB-C port as that’s becoming the standard with at least 100W output, a missed opportunity.

(Image credit: FlexiSpot)

About the display, the numbers do actually mean height. At say 110, it means that the bottom of the desktop will be 110cm from the floor. The numbers tick up in centimetre with anything under 100 shown as 99.9cm, anything about 100 shown as whole centimetres. Minimum height is 68.5 and max height is 128cms.

Playing around with the desk on initial setup I was presented with an “E01” error, on reading the manual, it appears that this desk doesn’t like to be adjusted too often and it appears I “overworked” it. This despite the desk being empty. Switching off the desk at the mains and then switching it back on after a few minutes solved the issue, I haven’t seen the error since then for over two weeks of use.

(Image credit: FlexiSpot) FlexiSpot E9B-UK: In use

After assembly, I loaded the desk with a very light load of a laptop, monitor and a few other bits and bobs. The desk performed flawlessly, silently, swiftly and most importantly, smoothly too. And it should do too as this desk has brushless motors which have better longevity, speed and weight capacity when compared to their brushed brethren.

(Image credit: FlexiSpot)

Confidence gained, I loaded the desk with my main set up, whilst I knew that the desk would have no issue in lifting my 25Kg+ desktop PC, I decided not to place it on the desk for the sake of cable management. It did however have to lift and lower the Innocn 49Q1S monitor which we reviewed a few months back, this weighs in at a not heavy but bulky 12Kg as well as a few accessories.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: FlexiSpot)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: FlexiSpot)

I set my sitting height at 74cm and standing height at 114cm, I found desk had no issue lifting the entire setup as shown with little to no wobble from the monitor. I have noted that the desk also has a collision detection system where if any part of the desk encounters resistance whilst going in either direction, the desk will stop and back off a few centimetres.

On to cable management. The cables for the desk such those that connect the legs and control panel to the central box in the frame are a little too long so had to be tucked away. Thankfully, FlexiSpot provides a little magnetic cover that hides those cables. For my desktop PCs cables I used a cable sleeve for the cables and then from there used lots of sticky cable tacks to hold them against the underside of the desktop neatly.

(Image credit: FlexiSpot) FlexiSpot E9B-UK: Price and availability

Lastly, the cost at time of writing the frame of the E9B-UK alone costs £499.99, our combination to white laminate desktop at 140 x 80cm brings this to £629.98. the most expensive combination coming in at £749.98 for a 180 x 80cm desktop made from Bamboo. And, that’s before we add any accessories such as a cable management tray, power plugs or drawers. If that’s too costly, then FlexiSpot also sells the E1 desk, with the same desktop colour finish and size it retails for £239.98 but with a lower load capacity and missing some features.

FlexiSpot E9B-UK: Final verdict

So, what’s the verdict of the FlexiSpot E9B-UK standing desk? Overall, a well-made, sturdy, smooth and hefty desk with a heavy load capacity. There's not much to dislike about this desk if you’re in the market for a standing desk then this should definitely be on your shortlist.

For more workplace essentials, we reviewed the best office chairs.

EAT C-Dur Concrete: two-minute review

‘EAT’ = ‘European Audio Team’. ‘C-Dur’ = ‘C-Major’ in German. ‘Concrete’ = ‘a blend of aggregates bound together by a hydraulic binder’. Put the three together and you’ve one of the most individual and dramatic-looking record players around, not to mention one of the more expensive.

The C-Dur Concrete has the technical foundations to back up the asking price, though. The turntable itself, its ‘C-Note’ aluminum/carbon fibre tonearm and its ‘Jo No.8’ high-output moving coil cartridge are all painstakingly engineered and work together harmoniously – and the result is a record player that, in the right system, is a pleasure to listen to in many respects.

It’s a staggeringly insightful device, for starters, even among the best turntables – no detail of a recording is too fine, too minor or too transient to elude it. It’s organized, too, able to describe a soundstage with complete confidence and make the spaces on it just as significant as the occurrences. Low-frequency control is absolute, so rhythmic expression is utterly convincing. And when it comes to big dynamic shifts, it is just as accomplished as it is with low-key harmonic variations.

A lack of outright scale undermines the C-Dur Concrete, though – it doesn’t sound especially big, and although it’s organized and controlled, the soundstage it generates is undeniably positioned between the speakers you’re listening to. And when you’re talking about this sort of money for a record player, this has to count as a fairly significant shortcoming.

(Image credit: Future) EAT C-Dur Concrete review: Price & release date

The EAT C-Dur Concrete is on sale now, and in the United Kingdom it costs £6,499. That’s the price for the turntable and its bespoke C-Tone tonearm – if you want to add the (recommended) Jo No.8 high-output moving coil cartridge (which is how this review is conducted), that price rises to £8,098. That’s because the cartridge costs £1,999 when purchased separately, or £1,599 if purchased at the same time as the turntable.

In America you’ll have to fork out around $7,499 for the turntable, plus an additional $2,495 for the cartridge – a discounted price for the pair is likely to be available, but there was nothing confirmed at the time of writing. No pricing is available for Australia as yet, but a quick look at today’s exchange rates suggests something like AU$12,999 plus AU$3,999 for the cartridge will be in order.

Not cheap, is it (he said helpfully)? And yet you’ve a stack of choice when it comes to alternatives. None of them is made of concrete, admittedly, but models from brands as credible as Linn, Pro-Ject and Rega (to name just three) are all available at comparable money.

(Image credit: Future) EAT C-Dur Concrete review: Features

• 33.3, 45 and 78rpm
• 254mm aluminum/carbon tonearm
• High output moving coil cartridge

Undeniably, some of the ‘pull’ of the C-Dur Concrete is, well, the concrete that’s used in its construction. But this is no mere design exercise, this is a deadly series turntable with the feature-set to back up the giddy asking price.

For instance, the chunky (5.2kg) platter is internally damped with a thermoplastic elastomer that offers both density and stability. A 900g aluminum sub-platter gives the platter even more isolation from the motor. The bearing block adds another 1.8kg to the overall weight and uses a polished stainless steel spindle to support an inverted ceramic ball that functions as the main bearing. This pairs with a Teflon plate for even greater rotational stability.

The drive system, meanwhile, isolates the motor in a steel ring positioned in the concrete chassis itself, enhancing the platter’s chances of stable and uniform rotation. It also reduces resonance transfer (already extremely low, thanks again to all that concrete). The motor has two areas for connection to a drive belt – and the turntable is supplied with two different belts, both of anti-static polished rubber.

The first is relatively broad and flat, sits on the upper part of the motor and allows for 33.3 and 45rpm. The other is a ‘string’ shape and fits over the motor’s lower portion – this is the belt you fit if you want the platter to turn at 78rpm.

The pre-fitted C-Note tonearm is, at 254mm, longer than the norm, is made from aluminum and carbon fiber for maximum rigidity, and is internally damped with silicon grease for as much resonance rejection as is realistically possible. It’s a unipivot design, which ought to guarantee its cardan bearing is never overloaded – and the bearing itself is designed to offer minimum resistance and maximum stability.

The over-engineering of the tonearm makes a lot more sense when you get a look at the cartridge it’s designed to support. The Jo No.8 high-output moving coil cartridge features a nude Shibata stylus on a boron cantilever, with high-end copper windings (which is the sort of specification the asking price demands) – but it’s the 19.2 x 25.1 x 28.3mm (HxWxD) dimensions that are most immediately striking. ‘Oversized’ only begins to describe it.

So this is incredibly well-specced and thought-out when it comes to the functional features of being an impressive turntable – but it's very much just a core turntable, so don't expect any 'modern' features such as Bluetooth connectivity or USB output here.

• Features score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future) EAT C-Dur Concrete review: Sound quality

• Remarkable insight and detail retrieval
• Organized, controlled and yet dynamic presentation
• Sounds rather small-scale and confined

The ‘pros’ are more numerous than the ‘cons’ where the sound of the C-Dur Concrete is concerned – but the ‘cons’ are significant, so we may as well start there before moving on to the many ways in which this is a straightforwardly admirable player.

The sound of the C-Dur Concrete is on the small side. Everything that happens, happens within the confines of the outer edges of the speakers you’re listening to – and consequently it’s never easy to shake the idea of a ‘point source’ of sound.

The outer edges of the cabinets of your speaker define the outer edges of the soundstage the EAT can create – in this respect it sounds unlike any price-comparable alternative, and not in a good way. It doesn’t matter if it’s a big ensemble (such as that involved in Miles Davis’ Concierto de Aranjuez) or just a voice and a guitar (like Nick Drake’s Parasite); the presentation is organized and controlled, but undeniably confined.

Get beyond this not-insignificant shortcoming, though, and the C-Dur Concrete is an extremely adept and accomplished device. Its facility with detail retrieval is approaching staggering – there isn’t a fleeting occurrence in a recording that’s too minor or too deep in the mix to evade it. And having teased out all these fine details, the C-Dur has absolutely no problem putting them into convincing context. Even if it’s the most transient harmonic variation in the strum of an acoustic guitar, this EAT turntable lets you know all about it.

The soundstage the turntable creates is believable, and it somehow manages to give elbow-room to every element of a recording even though the stage itself is nowhere near as expansive as it could (and should) be. Its tonality is carefully neutral, which allows the inherent sound of a recording to be expressed without any overt interference. And it balances the frequency range carefully, giving no undue prominence to any area.

Low-frequency information is robust and substantial, and is controlled with such certainty that rhythmic expression (often held up as one of the most obvious strengths of the vinyl format) is entirely natural. Midrange expression, too, is accomplished – the voice during I Kicked a Boy by The Sundays is intimate, immediate and direct. And the top of the frequency range has bite and brilliance in fairly equal measure, so treble sounds shine without threatening to become edgy or glassy.

Everything hangs together in an unforced and convincing manner – there’s a genuine sensation of singularity and unity to the C-Dur Concrete’s presentation that makes me want to reach for the dreaded word ‘musical’. And the spaces and silences in recordings are not only given their due emphasis, they’re as dark and as quiet as from any turntable I’ve ever heard. This inky backdrop from which sounds occur is one of the most gratifying things about this whole EAT listening experience.

• Sound quality score: 3.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future) EAT C-Dur Concrete review: Design

• 170 x 496 x 396mm (HxWxD)
• 32kg in weight
• Supported on three conical, height-adjustable, damped aluminum feet

If it’s a little visual drama you’re after, you’ve come to the right place. EAT will sell you a version of the C-Dur built of MDF and finished in black or plum for quite a lot less money than this – but once you’ve seen (and touched) this concrete version, it’s hard to resist from a design standpoint.

At 170 x 496 x 396mm (HxWxD) it’s fairly big, although not too big to be accommodated by a standard equipment rack. At 32kg with its platter in place, it’s heavier than the heaviest turntable you’ve ever encountered – and all of that weight is supported on a trio of pointed aluminium feet.

They’re ideal for isolating the deck from external vibration, and can help in getting the turntable absolutely level, but they concentrate the whole 32kg on to three tiny points, which means that an extremely robust and hard-wearing shelf is in order if the C-Dur Concrete isn’t just going to drive itself into the surface it’s standing on.

The standard of build and finish is, as seems only reasonable when you consider the asking price, basically impeccable. Any tiny flaws in the concrete (each plinth is unique, of course) only add to the character, and the tonearm feels as good (and as expensive) as it looks. Even the cartridge body – which is polished chestnut – offers a bit of pizzazz.

• Design score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future) EAT C-Dur Concrete review: Usability & setup

• Automatic speed change
• Semi-balanced five-pin DIN to RCA cable
• Optional (and cost-option) power supply upgrade

As with a lot of turntables, there’s a degree of fairly fiddly set-up required to get the EAT C-Dur Concrete ready for action. Unlike quite a few turntables, though, once you’ve been through the set-up process then operating the EAT is quite a painless process.

As usual, the counterweight and anti-skate setting need to be attended to. After that, though, it’s simply a question of fitting your preferred drive belt (which, let’s be honest, is going to be the broader of the two that lets you listen to 33.3 or 45rpm discs), connecting the semi-balanced five-pin DIN end of the cable to the deck and its left/right RCAs to your (pre)amplifier at the other, and plugging in the power adapter. Speed change is facilitated by two of the big buttons on the plinth – the other is used for putting the turntable into ‘standby’.

It’s worth mentioning that both the cable and the power supply can be upgraded. A fully balanced cable is (inevitably) a cost option (£175, or £499 for the silver alternative if you’re feeling super-flush), and EAT will also sell you a linear power supply (£1,349 if purchased individually, a trifling £1,079 if you buy it at the same time as the turntable).

EAT is confident the C-Dur Concrete’s AC generator, which uses the DC current from the power supply, generates an almost entirely clean AC signal for the motor – but if you want to make it as noiseless as possible then the linear power supply is what you need.

• Usability and setup score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future) EAT C-Dur Concrete review: Value

• Requires add-ons to reach full potential
• Not a class-leading performer for the price
• But it's hard to argue with its physical impact

I almost wrote that it’s impossible to put a price on an aesthetic as striking and individual as this, but demonstrably it’s not. In the context of the sound it makes, the C-Dur Concrete is far from the last word in value for money (and becomes less so if you take the company up on its offer of an upgraded power supply), but that’s not the same as saying it doesn’t sound splendid in many ways.

And if you find yourself smitten by the looks, the areas in which it’s not a class-leading performer might be easier to overlook – but with my hardest ‘consumer advice’ head on, it’s hard to make a watertight case for this turntable representing authentic value.

• Value score: 3 / 5

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the EAT C-Dur Concrete? Buy it if…

You’re a fan of visual (as well as audio) excellence
Once you get up to this area of the market, there are a few turntables that offer a bit of visual drama – but none of them makes use of concrete…View Deal

You value sonic detail and insight above all else
Between them, the turntable, the C-Note tonearm and the Jo No.8 cartridge are capable of unearthing the finest of fine details and handing them over without fuss.View Deal

You have a system that justifies the outlay
Don’t imagine you’ll hear the C-Dur Concrete at its best unless its partnering amplification and speakers are equally capable (and, inevitably, equally pricey).View Deal

Don't buy it if…

You’re expecting appreciable scale of sound
For all its many talents, the C-Dur Concrete is far from the most expansive-sounding turntable around.View Deal

You don't like having to pay more to complete the set
Paying big money for a cartridge is fair enough, but at this price, the EAT really should come with its optimum connection incuded and power-cable options as standard.View Deal

Your shelves are of soft (or even soft-ish) wood
32kg balanced on three tiny pointy points will damage a soft-ish shelf almost immediately.View Deal

EAT C-Dur Concrete review: Also consider

Rega Planar 10
The more money you spend on a Rega turntable, the less it seems to buy you – but never doubt that it’s buying remarkable audio fidelity. The Planar 10 (£7,395 with RB3000 tonearm and Alpheta 3 cartridge) is entirely lacking when it comes to visual drama, but most certainly has it where sound quality is concerned. It’s an open, revealing, wide-screen listen with an absolute stack of pertinent observations to make about both your recordings and the vinyl on which they are pressed. Unless you want your record player to be interesting even when it’s not working, the Planar 10 absolutely demands your attention if this is your budget range.View Deal

How I tested EAT C-Dur Concrete

I listened to the C-Dur Concrete for well over a week, with a variety of music on vinyl in a variety of conditions. It was positioned on the top shelf of my Blok Stax 2G equipment rack (which is how I know the weight of the turntable can damage wooden shelves), and connected via its supplied semi-balanced cable to a Chord Huei phono stage, which it turn was connected to a Naim Uniti Star acting as a volume control and pre-amplifier.

The Naim was connected to a Cambridge Audio Edge W stereo power amplifier, which drove a pair of Bowers & Wilkins 705 S3 Signature loudspeakers on their bespoke FS-600 S3 stands.

• First reviewed: February 2025
• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

The Yaber K3 is a budget smart projector that offers 1080p resolution, 1600 ANSI lumens brightness and built-in access to streaming services such as Netflix and Disney Plus. While it delivers good sound and a Google TV smart interface for cheap, its picture quality is inconsistent and there are several other issues with it as well.

A smart projector such as the Yaber K3 for $599 / £569 is a tempting prospect, especially when it can light up 40-200-inch screens. And while it’s not as well featured as the best projectors, built-in Wi-Fi and decent built-in speakers are hard to find at this price range. But some of the K3’s other main features such as its auto keystone correction and processing are sluggish and often frustrating to use. Gamers will also be better off looking elsewhere.

The K3’s picture quality is a very mixed bag. It displays natural colors and solid enough detail at times and puts in a decent showing with sports. But contrast is weak and black levels are washed out. The K3’s picture quality was never going to compete with the best 4K projectors, but even compared with some of the best portable projectors, such as the Samsung Freestyle Gen 2, the K3’s picture struggles.

Where the K3 excels is its sound, as the built-in JBL speakers are punchy and powerful, especially at this budget price range. While one of the best soundbars is still recommended, some won’t find the need to add one, especially for casual viewing.

Fundamentally, the Yaber K3 is for those who are looking for a smart projector at an affordable price for the occasional movie night. While it packs as much as it can into its budget-friendly frame, it’s not quite the bargain budget gem it could have been.

Yaber K3 projector review: Price & release date

The Yaber K3 has natural enough colors but they appear washed out in some instances (Image credit: Future)

• Price: $599 / £569 (roughly AU$942)
• First available: September 2024

The Yaber K3 is a 1080p smart projector that follows on from Yaber’s K2 series. The K3 is priced at $599 / £569 (roughly AU$942 with direct exchange), putting it at the budget end of the projector spectrum in direct competition with portable projectors such as the Samsung Freestyle Gen 2 (also a 1080p smart projector) which has a standard price of $749 / £649.

Since its release in September 2024, there have been some discounts on the Yaber K3, with prices falling to $499 / £465 during sales events. This is similar to the discounts the Samsung Freestyle receives, as it’s regularly priced at $549 / £499 during sales events.

Yaber K3 projector review: Specs Yaber K3 projector review: Design & features

• 1600 ANSI lumens
• Google TV smart interface
• Nice fabric grill but bulky elsewhere

The Yaber K3 offers access to smart features and streaming via Google TV at a budget price (Image credit: Future)

The Yaber K3’s fabric front grill gives it a slightly more premium appearance than its budget price would suggest, but elsewhere it appears a little plain and oddly bulky looking. It measures 11.4 x 12.7 x 6.1 inches (290 x 3232 x 154mm) and requires a mains power supply with no battery options. There’s also a noticeable amount of fan noise after extended viewing periods.

The K3 has a specified 1080p resolution and 1600 ANSI lumens brightness. It has a 1.2:1 throw ratio and fits screens from 40-200 inches. Auto and manual keystone adjustment and object detection count among its features, but I generally found that auto keystone was frustrating and often didn’t calibrate correctly to the Optoma 80-inch portable screen I was using for my tests. Manual keystone correction can only be done via the Yaber homepage and not while watching content – another aspect I found frustrating.

Despite its budget price, it uses Google TV as a smart TV interface. This provides access to some of the best streaming services including Netflix, Prime Video and Disney Plus. For connections, it has two HDMI ports, one USB-A port, a 3.5mm audio output and Bluetooth wireless.

The K3 has a surprisingly robust built-in speaker system for such a budget projector, with dual 15W JBL speakers totaling 30W of power.

No gaming features are included on the K3. For those looking for a gaming projector, you’re better off with something like the BenQ X300G.

• Design & features: 3/5

Yaber K3 projector review: Picture & sound quality

The Yaber K3 displays details well on occasion, but textures and contrast are often inconsistent and unbalanced (Image credit: Future)

• Inconsistent picture quality
• Decent enough colors
• Surprisingly punchy sound

For my testing, I used an Optoma 80-inch, 1.0 gain matte white projection screen. I first began by taking brightness measurements using a colorimeter, and the K3 yielded results of 109 nits and 93 nits in Standard and Natural picture modes respectively, putting it above 4K portable projectors such as the LG CineBeam Q (which yielded 60 nits in Filmmaker Mode).

Moving on to critical viewing, I first looked at an HD stream of Star Wars: The Last Jedi on Disney Plus, focusing on the throne room fight scene. Colors were natural enough, but they lacked any sort of dynamic punch. Characters’ skin tones also appeared washed out, even in the most accurate Natural picture mode (though there wasn’t a great deal of difference between the various picture modes). The same was true for La La Land on Blu-ray, which showed natural colors but also inaccurate textures, although in some scenes details were more refined than I’d anticipated.

Next, I watched a Blu-ray of The Batman to test black levels and contrast. While mostly acceptable, I found some scenes difficult to watch due to limited brightness (namely the opening crime scene investigation) even in blacked-out viewing conditions. In brighter scenes, details were clear and accurate enough, but there was a gray wash over the screen and textures still appeared fuzzy.

One area where the K3 did well was with sports. Watching soccer matches in Sports mode, the action was smooth and accurate enough that the games were watchable, though it won’t beat more premium projectors.

While the K3’s picture is average, its built-in sound is surprisingly good. Equipped with a JBL speaker system totaling 30W of power, the K3's sound is punchy, detailed and clear. Watching the Batmobile chase sequence in The Batman, the sound of swerving cars was accurately presented, with a strong sense of direction. The rumble of the Batmobile’s engine had a hefty amount of bass and plenty of power, especially for small built-in projector speakers.

Even La La Land’s dynamic, jazzy score was presented with real clarity, with a good balance between the horns, strings and vocals throughout. While the JBL speaker’s soundstage is limited by its size, it’s still surprisingly effective for a built-in speaker at this price range.

• Picture and sound quality: 3/5

Yaber K3 projector review: Value

The Yaber K3's remote is cheap-feeling but has the buttons you need (Image credit: Future)

• Smart projector for a budget price
• Cheaper than most portable projectors
• Overall performance is frustrating

The $599 / £569 Yaber K3 is good value for those looking for an affordable projector that provides access to streaming services via the Google TV smart platform. It isn’t going to beat more premium projectors and may even struggle against some of the best portable projectors, but for those looking for a casual projector, the K3 is a budget-friendly option.

Unfortunately, shortcomings in the K3’s picture quality and some frustrations with setup such as keystone correction hold it back from being a budget gem. You’ll have to make some sacrifices, particularly with sound, on other portable projectors such as the Samsung Freestyle Gen 2, but the Freestyle is likely to give you a more consistent experience for a similar price.

• Value score: 3.5/5

Should I buy the Yaber K3 projector?

Black levels are one of the K3's weakest areas, with pictures appearing washed out at most times (Image credit: Future) Buy it if...

You want a smart projector for cheap
If you're looking for a projector with access to streaming services like Netflix but don't want to break the bank, the Yaber K3 ticks the boxes. View Deal

You want a projector with solid built-in sound
Yes, the K3's JBL speaker system isn't going to beat a soundbar, but at this price, it does a pretty good job.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You want a consistent picture
Brightness and colors are OK on the K3, but its contrast, textures, detail and motion handling are all inconsistent, with not many ways to tweak or improve things.View Deal

You want a hassle-free setup
In my testing, I found both auto and manual keystone adjustments to be frustrating and time-consuming. View Deal

Also consider

Samsung Freestyle Gen 2
The Samsung Freestyle may not be as bright and its sound isn't as good as the Yaber K3s sound, but its interface is more responsive and its overall picture quality is superior. Although pricier normally, the Freestyle Gen 2 is frequently on sale. Read our full Samsung Freestyle Gen 2 projector review.

Xgimi MoGo 3 Pro
The MoGo 3 Pro is a budget, portable HD projector that's cheaper than the K3 and it offers HDR support and good picture quality. But the K3 takes the crown when it comes to sound. Read our full Xgimi MoGo 3 Pro review.

LG CineBeam Q
Pricier than the K3, the LG CineBeam Q offers 4K resolution in a compact, stylish portable design. Its interface is also more responsive. The K3 may have better sound, but it pales in comparison in all other areas. Read our full LG CineBeam Q review.

How I tested the Yaber K3 projector

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested with an Optoma 1.0 gain, matte white 80-inch screen
• Tested using Blu-ray, streaming sources
• Measurements taken using Portrait Displays' Calman calibration software

To test the Yaber K3 projector, I first used high definition and standard definition sources including Blu-ray and streaming. I tested the K3's picture quality, analyzing color, contrast, black levels, detail and motion. I also evaluated its built-in JBL sound using the same reference scenes from movies and TV shows.

I used a colorimeter, test pattern generator and Portrait Displays' Calman color calibration software to record measurements for brightness, contrast ratio and color and grayscale accuracy.

The projector was primarily tested in pitch-black conditions in our testing room at TechRadar and also in full ambient light settings to see how it handled brighter viewing environments.

• First reviewed: February 2025
• Read TechRadar's review guarantee

NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition: One-minute review

The NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition is a brand-new variant of CRKD’s Neo S controller. Functionally, the controller is the exact same as the regular one, but this specific variant comes bundled with a 5-fret attachment designed for Fortnite Festival and other rhythm games like Guitar Hero and Rock Band.

The fret attachment slots into the bottom of the controller via the headphone jack, and from there it’s good to go. The obvious comparison is that of the Guitar Hero: On Tour series of games, which featured a similar attachment for the Nintendo DS. However, the issues that plagued that release over a decade and a half ago still persist here.

The fret buttons are small with very little spacing in comparison to a regular guitar controller, and holding the controller in the guitar form can become quite uncomfortable – especially with bigger hands. I’ve tested the NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret for three months or so now and found it difficult to play for over a couple of hours.

The biggest issue is that there’s no good way to strum in guitar-led rhythm games. The default option is to tap the RB button, which is useless when you have to strum in quick succession; meanwhile, mapping it to the stick works slightly better, but it’s still no substitute. If you’re looking for a way to play rhythm games casually, then it’s more than serviceable. But anyone looking to seriously delve into the genre is better off looking for a more suitable controller like the PDP Riffmaster.

The controller features an Xbox layout and has Bluetooth connectivity, making it great for the PC. However, it doesn’t connect to Xbox consoles (although this is promised in a future update). It does connect to the Nintendo Switch – but it’s awkward to play due to the buttons being swapped around from the usual Nintendo layout.

(Image credit: Future) NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition: Price and availability

• List price: $59.99 / £59.99 / AU$119.95
• Available in the US via the CRKD website
• Available in the UK via Argos and Amazon

The NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition launched back in November 2024 and costs $59.99 / £59.99 / AU$119.95 – making it $10 / £10 / AU$20 more expensive than the regular NEO S controller. However, it’s currently the only way to get the five-fret attachment for the controller. It’s compatible with Nintendo Switch, PC, smart TVs, and mobile devices at the moment, with Xbox support promised to arrive later down the line.

NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition: Specs NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition: Design and features

• Guitar attachment designed for rhythm gaming
• Bespoke Fortnite Festival design inspired by the game
• Programmable back buttons and fret buttons

One of the Neo S controller’s main gimmicks is the litany of custom designs available, such as one inspired by the Nintendo Famicom color scheme, 90’s-style translucent variants, and collabs with the likes of Rocket League and Hellboy.

The Fortnite Festival edition is a purple variant with a wavy design that features different shades of purple, while the d-pad, shoulder, and back buttons are bright pink. Meanwhile, the back of the controller is a solid purple shell. It’s a lovely-looking controller until you notice the gaudy Fortnite Festival logo slap-bang in the middle. A more subtle Fortnite design or emblem would’ve been preferable.

This design isn’t extended to the guitar attachment, which is also just a solid purple – although the lighter pink does appear at the fringe of each button. When the attachment isn’t on the controller, it does feel a bit flimsy, like the plastic could snap very easily.

This doesn’t help when getting it onto the controller can feel quite fiddly. You need to pop it on at an angle before pushing the top into the ridges, but lining the bottom up can be a bit cumbersome. This attachment comes with a Velcro strap, which you pop in between the controller and guitar, making it easier to hold like a standard guitar neck.

(Image credit: Future)

The Guitar attachment features five buttons to emulate the classic Guitar Hero formula; these buttons are automatically mapped to the buttons used for each lane in Fortnite Festival.

The controller comes with three modes: one for Easy, Medium, and Hard modes in-game, another for Expert, and another for Pro mode (which is the one designed for guitar controllers). You can swap through all three of these modes by holding down all five frets, with the LED on the attachment changing color to represent another mode. You can also rebind these buttons to be used in regular games, although the position of them may not make this the most optimal.

Unfortunately, I found the NEO S Fortnite Festival Edition quite uncomfortable to hold after long sessions – more so than the discomfort of a regular guitar controller. However, it’s far more comfortable in wireless mode, as the USB-C port at the top of the controller gets in the way otherwise.

NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition: Performance

• Solid battery life
• Easy to set up
• Custom button mapping requires using a mobile app

The NEO S works straight out of the box with a USB-C cable connection to PC, or by holding the CRKD button and left on the d-pad to enable Bluetooth connection for PC or mobile. For the Nintendo Switch, it’s as simple as holding the CRKD button while on the controller connect screen. The NEO S Fortnite Festival Edition’s battery life lasted around eight hours from my testing. I didn’t notice much difference in battery drain when using the guitar attachment.

The controller is fully remappable; however, if you’re looking to remap the buttons, you’ll need to do so in the CRKD app. This extends to the Guitar attachment too, which can be mapped to any button on the controller and works even outside of Fortnite Festival. However, there’s no way to actually select and enter a song in Fortnite Festival without using the regular controller.

(Image credit: Future)

The default mapping for the strum bar is the bumper buttons, which is fine for casual play, but the issues become apparent once you’re faced with fast-moving songs like Metallica’s Battery. While a strum bar would allow you to alternate directions for faster moments, tapping one button makes this tiresome, or near-impossible in some cases. You can remap the control stick to work as a strum bar, which feels like the ideal solution, however, I couldn’t get this to work in Fortnite, but it does work in fan games like Clone Hero.

CRKD was founded by former RedOctane staff – who created the original Guitar Hero controllers – meaning that these buttons feel in line with the original series (namely the DS Guitar Grip). However, if you want to play this style of music game seriously, I’d recommend investing in a proper guitar controller.

Should I buy the NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition?

(Image credit: Future) Buy it if...

You want a way to play Fortnite Festival Pro Mode or other guitar games
At the end of the day this controller is made with this in mind. It works for playing these modes casually and allows players the chance to experience the classic genre without forking out a lot for a guitar controller.

You’re getting a NEO S and like Fortnite Festival
For only $10 / £10 / AU$20 more I don’t see much reason not to pick this version up compared to the regular NEO S if you have even a passing interest in Fortnite Festival. Considering this is the only way to get the guitar attachment currently, I’d say it’s worth the upgrade.

Don't buy it if...

You plan on playing guitar games seriously
While it’s definitely possible for someone to tear it up with the NEO S Fortnite Festival Edition, the setbacks make this hard. If you were playing the likes of Metallica or Slayer on Guitar Hero, I’d invest in a regular guitar controller.

You have big hands or fingers
The NEO S is quite snug as a controller and the guitar attachment follows that form. The buttons on the guitar attachment do the job, but are very small and don’t have much space between them, making it easy to double-fret.

Also consider...

Still not sold on the CKRD NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition? Here’s how it compares to the other Guitar Controller on the market and a more regular pad for reference.

PDP Riffmaster
This is a great alternative because the PDP Riffmaster is the only proper guitar controller on sale right now. PDP was responsible for the last batch of Rock Band 4 guitars, so these are almost exactly alike.

For more information, check out our full PDP Riffmaster review

GameSir Nova
If you’re looking for a good Nintendo Switch and PC controller with stats comparable to the NEO S at a cheaper price point then the GameSir Nova may be up your alley. However, this obviously doesn’t support the Fortnite Festival guitar controller addon, but you are still able to play the mode with a regular controller!

For more information, check out our full GameSir Nova review

How I tested the NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition

• Tested for around 15-20 hours
• Used it to play Fortnite Festival and Clone Hero on PC
• Used it as a regular controller on Nintendo Switch

I’ve been using the NEO S Purple Wave 5-Fret Fortnite Festival Edition on PC and Nintendo Switch since mid-December 2024 (so just under two months). During this time I’ve played a bunch of Fortnite Festival, but my true love affair has been with Clone Hero. I tested the controller in a variety of different musical situations: acoustic tunes that rely on strumming patterns with multiple notes, thrash tunes that require a ton of fast-paced strumming, and songs with wailing guitar solos (yes, I did play Free Bird).

In my experience, it worked best in slower songs and songs with a lot of hammer-ons and pull-offs due to my issue with the strum bar. The highlight of this experience was playing a custom chart of the full Flood album by They Might Be Giants, which featured a lot of piano (among other instruments) charted to Guitar Hero’s clear notes, which didn’t require me to strum.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed February 2025

Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 review

The Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 is a power bank designed for charging smartphones and other smaller devices multiple times, thanks to its 20,000mAh capacity.

As you might expect from a fairly simple power bank, the PowerCore Essential 20000 isn’t particularly striking in terms of its appearance. However, it does sport a nice texture on the front panel, and the overall build feels solid and premium – as is the case with many of Anker’s power banks.

While it’s quite thin and narrow, it’s also long and reasonably heavy, which compromises its portability somewhat compared to some of the best power banks. However, this is still a relatively easy power bank to travel with, and it reduces the dimensions that matter most.

The PowerCore Essential 20000 features a single power button, which feels as premium as the rest of the bank. It has four LED dots around the bottom to indicate the battery level. However, these are very dim, which makes them hard to see at certain angles and in certain lights, which is less than ideal if you want to quickly glance over to check the status.

There are four ports on the PowerCore Essential 20000, two of which are USB-A for charging your devices, with a power output of 15W each. You can also charge two devices at the same time, and there’s a trickle charging mode designed for safely replenishing small devices with low power draws, such as smartwatches and wireless earbuds. This can be activated by pressing the power button twice. However, when on, the fourth LED will remain green no matter what the battery level is, which is a shame.

I managed to charge my Google Pixel 7a from 50% to 100% in 90 minutes, which is a reasonable performance. It depleted the PowerCore Essential 20000 by a single bar, which means you should get a couple of full phone charges out of it. Replenishing the PowerCore Essential 20000 from two bars to full took about six hours, which is less impressive.

Ultimately, the PowerCore Essential 20000 doesn’t represent the best value when you consider its lackluster port selection, power, and features. It’s capacity does make it more practical than it otherwise would be, but there are better-priced alternatives out there.

(Image credit: Future) Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 review: price & specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Anker PowerCore Essential 20000? Buy it if…

You want a thin power bank
Given its 20,000mAh capacity, the PowerCore Essential 20000 is surprisingly thin, which does help with portability.

You only want to charge small devices
The 15W output is enough for charging smartphones and smaller devices quickly, and the 20,000mAh capacity means it can do so multiple times.

Don't buy it if…

You want good port selection
Despite having four ports, only two can be used for charging devices, and they are both USB-A; the USB-C and micro USB ports can only be used for charging the bank itself.

You want to charge bigger devices
With only 15W of power, the PowerCore Essential 20000 can’t charge laptops and the like.

Anker PowerCore Essential 20000 review: also consider

Juovi J2621
The Juovi J261 has the same capacity as the PowerCore Essential 20000, but much more power at 45W. It also has four ports that are all capable of charging devices, including two USB-C ports to keep up with the times. To top it all off, it’s cheaper too. However, it’s notably bigger in size than the PowerCore Essential 20000, which may deter those who like to travel light. Read our JUOVI J2621 20000mAh 45W Power Bank review.

Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker: one-minute review

If you can't get your hands on the Ninja Creami Swirl, the Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker could be the next best thing. It isn't as advanced as the Ninja machine, but can produce a smooth and creamy dessert once you get used to its quirks.

Preparing your ice cream is straightforward, and Cuisinart provides a good online recipe book to get you started. However, you have to keep a very close eye on the machine to ensure you stop it when your mix reaches the right temperature. Stop it too late and you'll have to wait for it to melt, or pull the churning mechanism out and scoop your ice cream out with a spoon. It's not the end of the world, but a timer would help avoid such issues arising.

The miniature hot plate for keeping sauces or melted chocolate warm is a nice touch and works well, but I'd argue that there's no need for three different topping containers – particularly since the design of their dispensing mechanism means most candies are too large.

It can be fun to use, but it would be difficult to justify spending on the Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream maker unless you eat frozen desserts several times a week. It's reasonably priced and often available at a discount, but it takes up a lot of valuable space in your kitchen

Stop the machine when your ice cream reaches "Goldilocks" consistency, and it should pour out smoothly when you open the dispenser (Image credit: Future) Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker: price and availability

• List price $179.95 / £200 / AU$249
• Sometimes available at a discount
• About half the price of Ninja Creami Swirl

The Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker has a list price of $179.95 / £200 / AU$249. It's available direct from Cuisinart's online store, and from third-party retailers such as Amazon. It's sometimes available for a discount, and you'll find all today's best prices below.

For comparison, the Ninja Creami Swirl comes in at almost twice the price at $349. At the time of writing (February 2025), international prices and availability had yet to be announced.

If you have a KitchenAid stand mixer, the ice cream maker attachment works in a similar way to the Cuisinart, using a frozen bowl and a rotary motor to churn your ingredients while they freeze, but it lacks a soft-serve dispenser. It retails for $99.99 / £149 / AU$209.

• Value score: 4.5/5

Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker: design

• Bulky, not very attractive
• Excellent mini hotplate for sauces
• Topping dispensers aren't ideal

The Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker is a large appliance, and at 17.7 inches / 45cm, it only just fit beneath my kitchen wall cabinets. Its footprint is relatively small though (9.4 x 11 inches / 24 x 28cm), which is more compact than a lot of coffee makers. You might not want to keep it on the kitchen counter at all times, though; its white plastic chassis is functional and easy to clean, but not a thing of great beauty.

From a mechanical perspective, it's quite simple. There's a double-insulated bowl that you freeze ahead of time, which cools your ingredients to freeze them as they're churned. When your ice cream is ready, simply switch off the motor, open a tap on the bottom, and the finished dessert pours out in a smooth stream (provided you've judged the timings correctly).

You'll need to freeze the main bowl and chill your blended ingredients for at least four hours before making your ice cream (Image credit: Future)

There are three removable topping containers on the top right of the machine, which I initially loaded with candy. Unfortunately, I later realized that they were only capable of dispensing very small items such as sprinkles due to the size of the mechanism inside. Toppings such as M&Ms or nuts will be too large, which is a shame. All three toppings are dispensed through a single funnel, which propels them into your ice cream as it pours. During my tests this mostly worked well, but some sprinkles ended up overshooting.

The Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker also has a small hotplate on the left-hand side of the bowl, with a little saucepan that you can use to melt a sauce to pour over your finished ice cream.

• Design score: 3.5 / 5

Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker: performance

Cuisinart's website has a good selection of simple recipes for the Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker, all of which can be adapted to suit your tastes. I started with the fresh strawberry ice cream, which is a mix of double cream, milk, hulled strawberries, lemon juice, and sugar.

You need to keep the bowl upright while it freezes, but I found it fitted in my freezer's deepest drawer quite easily, and I was able to stuff it with small frozen items to make good use of the space until I was ready to use it.

You'll need to blend your mix (take a look at our roundup of the best blenders, if you've been thinking about upgrading) then chill the mix for at least four hours before you start churning.

Once your mix is cold, it's time to begin. The frozen bowl fits easily into place inside the machine, then the lid with the churning mechanism clips on top. Once it's all in place, you start the machine using the switch on the left; make sure the lever is pushed up into the "closed" position, and pour your mix through the L-shaped hole in the top. I forgot to check the lever on my first attempt, which was a messy mistake.

The mini hotplate is activated by turning the control dial all the way to the right, and during testing it worked very well. It provides gentle heat while your ice cream churns, and will melt a cube or two of chocolate by the time your dessert is ready.

I initially filled the topping dispensers with candy, but they're not actually suitable for anything larger than sprinkles (Image credit: Future)

Unlike the Ninja Creami Swirl, the Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker relies on gravity to dispense your ice cream, so it needs to be just the right consistency. If you allow the mix to chill too long, it will fail to flow through the dispenser, and eventually the churning mechanism will stop turning. This won't break the machine, but you'll need to wait for the ice cream to thaw a little before you can continue, or remove the lid and churning mechanism (which can be tricky if the ice cream has become stiff) and scoop out the dessert instead.

For best results, don't churn for longer than 20 minutes. If I wasn't sure that I'd achieved the right consistency, I found it helpful to turn off the machine, then use a spoon to scoop some of the mixture out of the bowl to assess its thickness. A programmable timer would be a good addition to avoid accidentally over-chilling the mix.

The topping dispenser has a tendency to overshoot your dessert (Image credit: Future)

I also found that the blades didn't quite reach all the way to the edge of the bowl, which created a layer of hardened ice cream that wouldn't dispense. This was difficult to remove with a spoon without thawing everything completely.

• Performance score: 3.5 / 5

Should you buy the Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker Buy it if

You eat a lot of ice cream

Large single-use appliances such as this are tricky to justify unless you'll be using them frequently. If you're more of an occasional dessert fan, an attachment for your stand mixer may be a more economical choice.

You have kids

Custom ice creams with different toppings will definitely appeal to youngsters (or to your inner child).

Don't buy it if

You're easily distracted in the kitchen

This isn't the kind of appliance you can set and forget. You'll need to watch the consistency of your ice cream closely to make sure it's just right.

You have a small kitchen

This is a bulky machine that will take up a lot of room on your counter, or in a cupboard.

Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker: also consider

Ninja Creami Swirl

The hugely popular soft-serve ice cream maker isn't available outside the US at the time of writing, but it's definitely more advanced than the Cuisinart machine (particularly its dispenser).

KitchenAid Ice Cream Maker

If you have a KitchenAid stand mixer, this freezable bowl and churning attachment will do basically the same job as the Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker, for less cash. You don't get the dispenser nozzle, though.

How I tested the Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker

I used the Cuisinart Soft Serve Ice Cream Maker to prepare several recipes from Cuisinart's website, including soft-serve ice cream and sorbet. I tested the hotplate with different types of chocolate, and tried various sprinkles and candies in the topping dispensers.

For more details. see how we test, review, and rate products at TechRadar.

First reviewed February 2025