Reviews

Sonus Faber Lumina II: Two minute review

Since the early 1980s, Sonus Faber has been creating high-performance, high-end loudspeakers and charging a (generally perfectly justifiable) arm and a leg for them. But in a move not many people saw coming, the company decided to democratize its ‘Made in Italy’ cachet by launching a pair of speakers that sell for an almost-mainstream $1,499 / £999 /AU$2,200 per pair. They’re called the Sonus Faber Lumina II.

In many ways, the Lumina II are Sonus Faber business as usual. The standard of build and finish is impeccable, the materials are premium (although the company’s customary use of real leather will no doubt alienate as many people as it excites), the look is sophisticated and understated. And, sure enough, there’s a little ‘Made in Italy’ sticker on the cabinet's rear, just to let you know you're dealing with something a little special even among the heady brands that make the best stereo speakers.

In many ways, the Sonus Faber Lumina II sound like their money’s-worth, as well as looking and feeling like it. They’re a balanced, insightful and nicely detailed listen, are able to organize a soundstage well, and with unarguable talent where frequency response and tonal fidelity are concerned. No, they’re far from the punchiest speakers around – they run out of meaningful puff quite early in the bass frequencies – and they’re not enthusiastic about bigger volume levels, either.

But for some people, the fact that this is Sonus Faber we’re talking about will be enough to overlook these (admittedly fairly mild) shortcomings. The harder-headed consumer, though, knows that the Sonus Faber Lumina II are far from the only choice at this sort of money – the likes of the KEF LS50 Meta loom large.

(Image credit: Future) Sonus Faber Lumina II review: Price and release date

• Released June 15, 2021
• $1,499 / £999 / AU$2,199

The Sonus Faber Lumina II are on sale now, and in the United Kingdom a pair will cost you £999. In the United States, you’re looking at $1,499, while in Australia they’ll set you back AU$2,199.

Passive standmounting speakers at this sort of money are not exactly a rarity, of course. So, apart from the ‘handmade in Italy’ cachet, what does Sonus Faber have up its beautifully tailored sleeve?

(Image credit: Future) Sonus Faber Lumina II review: Features

• 29mm ‘damped apex dome’ tweeter
• 150mm pulp/fibre mid/bass driver
• Front-facing bass reflex port

As a pair of small and (relatively) affordable passive loudspeakers, the Sonus Faber Lumina II aren’t exactly awash with features, but those they have are of high quality and are utterly fit for purpose.

So, reading from the top of the front of each speaker, there’s a 29mm tweeter of Sonus Faber’s own ‘damped apex dome’ design, which features a silk diaphragm and is mounted using a visco-elastic baffle to effectively isolate the vibration it produces from the cabinet. Below here there’s a 150mm mid/bass driver – a cone made from a combination of natural fibres and cellulose pulp. It sits in what Sonus Faber describes as an ‘ultra-free compression basket’, and the promise is of high linearity and dynamic performance.

The speakers stand on a little plastic plinth – there’s a little gap between the main cabinet and the plinth where a bass reflex port faces forwards. This makes the Lumina II nicely forgiving of positioning in your room, notwithstanding a few rather unusual positioning issues thrown up further down in the ‘design’ section.

The overall arrangement is good for a frequency response of 55Hz - 24kHz, according to Sonus Faber. Crossover is at an unremarkable 1.8kHz, sensitivity is an equally ordinary 85dB, and nominal impedance is four ohms. The manufacturer suggests that any worthwhile amplifier with 50 watts or more available should be able to drive the Lumina II without issues.

• Features score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future) Sonus Faber Lumina II review: Sound quality

• Detailed and spacious presentation
• Organized and unflappable…
• …unless you decide to listen at bigger volumes

If you’re familiar with any of Sonus Faber’s products from the turn of the century onwards, the overall emphasis of the Lumina II sound isn’t going to come as much of a surprise. No matter the sort of stuff you like to listen to, and no matter the source of it, these speakers are a balanced, naturalistic and periodically absorbing listen.

The tonal balance of the Lumina II is carefully neutral, so a nicely organic recording like Nico’s The Fairest of the Seasons enjoys a true-to-life depiction of the small string section, acoustic guitar, and expressive and unmistakable vocal. There’s plenty of detail revealed and contextualized at every part of the frequency range, and the Sonus Faber travel from top to bottom in a smooth and undemonstrative manner. No part of the frequency range gets overstated and, apart from the very lowest frequencies, no part is underplayed. The crossover between tweeter and mid/bass driver is all-but imperceptible.

The speakers do good work with harmonic variations, and are quite explicit where soundstaging is concerned, too. There’s a respectable degree of dynamic headroom available, and a willingness to track even the smaller changes in attack or intensity carefully.

Switch to a copy of Aw, Shoot! by CMAT and the Lumina II’s ability to open up a fairly compressed and dense recording is straightforwardly impressive. It can create appreciable space on the soundstage, and where less accomplished speakers present this recording as a sort of aural wedding cake, with element piled on top of element, the Sonus Faber bring some order to bear. Detail levels are good all over again, and the ability to tease out the finer, more transient occurrences in a recording and let them enjoy a little breathing space is not to be sniffed at.

There’s appreciable bite and shine at the top of the frequency range, but nothing too threatening or hard-edged – there’s real refinement to the treble response here. The midrange is eloquent and revealing, and – up to a point – low frequencies are just as substantial and well-resolved as everything going on above them.

The Lumina II don’t so much run out of extension at the bottom of the frequency range – not by the standards of reasonably compact standmounters, anyway – as run out of conviction. There’s a lack of power and drive towards the bottom of their frequency response which can make for a slightly lightweight rendition of whatever it is you’re listening to. Low frequencies are nicely controlled, so rhythmic expression is convincing, but outright ‘punch’ is in rather short supply.

It’s equally safe to say that volume is a factor in the Sonus Faber comfort zone. At moderate volumes the Lumina II are a composed, insightful and well-organized listen, with talents that extend well beyond ‘unflappability’. But if you up the ante, volume-wise, a fair bit of that composure deserts them, along with some of their powers of organization. The can begin to sound just fractionally two-dimensional and ever-so-slightly stressed. Dial the volume down just a little and normal service is quickly resumed.

• Sound quality score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future) Sonus Faber Lumina II review: Design

• Choice of three finishes
• Leather-covered sides and top surface
• 304 x 180 x 263mm (HxWxD)

Obviously you’ll make up your own mind as to the decorative potential (or otherwise) of the Sonus Faber Lumina II. What can’t be argued with is the quality of construction or finish – these are impeccably made loudspeakers. The company’s ongoing determination to cover a good portion of its speakers in leather (both sides and the top of this model) won’t sit well for those who’d prefer a vegan option, but as far as ‘craftsmanship’ is concerned, the Lumina II have plenty in evidence.

Each speaker is a tidy 304 x 180 x 263mm (HxWxD), and if you choose either of the ‘walnut with maple inlays’ or ‘wenge with maple inlays’ the front baffle is of multilayered wood with real wood veneer. The piano black alternative is glossy, all right, and also built of multilayered wood but it’s quite reflective, so is not perhaps the first choice for those who may wish to use their Lumina II as part of a home theater set-up in a darkened room.

At the rear of each cabinet there are four nickel-plated speaker binding terminals that can be used with bare wire, banana plugs or spade connectors. Biwiring or biamping is perfectly straightforward.

Although the configuration of the speakers makes them quite forgiving of room position, the liberal use of leather does not. The company is quite unequivocal: you should not position your Lumina II near windows or sources of heat, and they should not be exposed to direct sunlight. Perhaps lots of leather isn’t such a brilliant idea after all…

• Design score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future) Sonus Faber Lumina II review: Value

‘Made in Italy’ seldom comes cheap, and in a market dominated by speakers that have been ‘designed and engineered’ in one place and then inevitably ‘made in China’, it’s quite a prestigious point of difference. And where materials, build quality and the standard of finish are concerned, it’s hard to argue that you’re not getting full value here.

And up to a point, that’s all true when it comes to sound quality, too. But a look at the ‘also consider’ section below lets you know that if you’re prepared to forgo a bit of the undeniable Sonus Faber cachet, better pound-for-pound performance is available…

• Value score: 4 / 5

Sonus Faber Lumina II review: Should you buy them? Buy them if...

You’re a sucker for Italian design
Like every Sonus Faber product, the Lumina II are a visual and tactile treat.

You enjoy open, detailed and naturalistic sound
These speakers have a real talent for opening up a recording and peering deep inside.

You do your listening in a darkened room
The leather finish means these speakers are more affected by sunlight than most.

Don't buy them if...

You’re vegan
The leather finish might be a dealbreaker.

You like to listen loud
The composure that’s such an admirable part of the Lumina II's sound can go astray at big volumes.

You consider ‘wallop’ to be a positive word
Other speakers of comparable size and price can dig deeper and hit harder.

(Image credit: Future) Sonus Faber Lumina II review: Also consider

KEF LS50 Meta
All price-comparable speakers tend to look a bit agricultural next to the Sonus Faber Lumina II but KEF’s outstanding LS50 Meta have a strong look of their own and, most importantly, the sort of all-around excellence the Lumina II can’t quite match. The ever-expanding number of available colors and dramatic visuals of the driver array don’t do any harm, either…View Deal

Sonus Faber Lumina II review: How I tested

• Connected to a Naim Uniti Nova, listening to Qobuz and Tidal tracks
• Also hooked up a Rega Apollo for CDs; Cambridge Audio/Clearaudio for vinyl

During my spell listening to the Sonus Faber Lumina II, they were powered by a Naim Uniti Nova streamer/amplifier capable of delivering 70 watts of power per channel. I also used the Naim for listening to Qobuz and Tidal, as it is both a streamer and an amplifier.

I listened to compact discs using a Rega Apollo player, and vinyl via both the Cambridge Audio Alva TT v2 and Clearaudio Concept turntables.

The Lumina II remained in my listening space for the test's entirety – the area is nothing too sophisticated, it’s a fairly ordinary (though not particularly reflective) room that works excellently for my purposes. Using this disparate sources, I listened to myriad different recordings, from a plenty of genres, and from a wide range of eras.

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

OnePlus Watch 3: One minute review

Writing this OnePlus Watch 3 review, I was struck by how much smaller of a leap we've seen from the OnePlus Watch 2 to the OnePlus Watch 3, compared to the leap the Watch 2 made from the original. The first OnePlus Watch was considered bad by every metric, but the OnePlus Watch 2 was a spectacular improvement in every way.

The OnePlus Watch 3 has much less work to do, iterating on an already successful design. Like the OnePlus Watch 2, it’s got the look of a classic dress watch with its outer casing and bezel, now upgraded from stainless steel to titanium. Its AMOLED display is now comprised of 2D sapphire crystal for improved durability, and its battery life has been extended from the OnePlus Watch 2’s 100 hours to 120 hours, beating rivals like the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Ultra for longevity.

I’ve only used it for a few hours, but functionally it performs as smoothly and as well as any Wear OS watch I’ve yet used, including the Google Pixel Watch 3. It’s an option most Android phone users should consider, and it’s sure to make its way into our best Android watches list in future.

Its usability is vastly improved by the addition of a rotating digital crown, allowing for easier scrolling and navigation, especially during sweaty workouts in which the touchscreen would be harder (or grosser) to use.

My main gripe is with the watch’s size: I would have loved to see OnePlus bring out a second, smaller model for those with smaller wrists. Many people, including a lot of women, will find it’s just too big and heavy for daily wear. However, this issue aside, it’s a powerful, robust daily driver with modern health tools and a timeless look.

OnePlus Watch 3: Specifications OnePlus Watch 3: price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• £319 in the UK (approximately $400 / AU$630)
• Available in the UK / EU
• Availability for other regions is TBC

The OnePlus Watch 3 is available in the UK, where it's priced at £319 (approximately $400 / AU$630), and in the EU. It's available to order from today.

We’re currently unsure if the watch will be available in the US and AU markets, but will update this full review with that information when we get it.

OnePlus Watch 3: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Sumptuous screen
• Rotating crown
• Very big for smaller wrists

As mentioned, the OnePlus Watch 3 shares many design similarities with the OnePlus Watch 2. However, there are a few changes both under the hood and, erm, over it. The watch still runs Wear OS 5 on its Snapdragon W5 chipset, but it also runs a second operating system, RTOS, powered by a new BES2800 MCU chip.

By switching from Wear OS to the low-power RTOS, the OnePLus Watch 3 is able to extend its battery life. In conjunction with the new chip, a bigger 631mAh battery means the Watch 3 lasts up to 120 hours, compared with the older model's 100 hours.

The shape and design of the OnePlus Watch 3 are very similar to the Watch 2 pictured below. At 46.6mm x 47.6mm x 11mm, not including the thickness of the sensor, it’s a hefty watch at 81g including strap. It might look like a timeless metal dress watch, which helps, but the sheer size of it will be off-putting to a lot of people.

However, its size does mean it’s packing a lovely big screen. Its 2D sapphire crystal and buttery-smooth AMOLED puts out 2,000 nits, the same brightness as the Apple Watch Ultra 2. The big screen makes reading messages and notifications a pleasure rather than an annoyance to, doubly so thanks to the other big new addition: a rotating digital crown. Pressing the crown takes you back to the main menu, and its wheel is used for scrolling, while the side button starts workouts. Coupled with the touchscreen, it’s all very intuitive, and a design that will be familiar to users of the best Apple Watches.

OnePlus Watch 3: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• 60-second heart health check-in
• New ECG functionality
• Dual-frequency GPS

As well as the rotating digital crown, tougher new screen and bezel, and longer battery life, there are software features aplenty, both new and returning. The beauty of the best Android watches (much like the best Apple Watches) is that you can stuff them full of third-party apps, and it’s the same case here. I’ve already got Strava, Spotify, AllTrails, Audible… all my usual suspects.

First up among the new stuff is the 60-second health check-in. By pressing your finger on the All-In_one sensor button, the OnePlus Watch 3 measures your heart rate, conducts an electrocardiograph scan (this feature will be available later in the year), and tracks blood oxygen levels, mental wellness, wrist temperature, sleep quality, and a new metric called ‘vascular age’, similar to Garmin’s Fitness Age, but specifically tailored to heart health.

A big emphasis is placed on heart heath, with vascular elasticity measured and the new ECG functionality working with this to create benchmarks based on age. Essentially, the OnePlus Watch 3 can tell you a rough idea of how 'old' your heart is in comparison to the rest of your body. If you’re in your thirties but very fit, you might have the heart of a 25-year-old for example, whereas someone out-of-shape might have a heart age edging towards the forties.

GPS is now dual-frequency for additional accuracy. The Watch’s basic workout app supports over 100 different sports mode, but only 11 of these offer ‘professional modes’ or unique metrics, such as running. The rest are nice-to-haves for instant input into your digital training diary.

I’ll be adding a Performance section, along with final scores, in my full review after I've worn and tested the watch over a longer period. Check back soon!

DJI Osmo Mobile 7P: Two-Minute Review

A lot has happened in the mobile gimbal market since DJI launched the Osmo Mobile 6 back in 2022. At the time, the Osmo Mobile 6 could claim to be the best ultra-portable folding smartphone stabilizer around, but since then, the Insta360 Flow Pro and Insta360 Flow 2 Pro have provided strong competition – mostly due to the fact that their Apple DockKit compatibility means they can automatically track subjects on a range of iPhone apps, not just the gimbals’ own companion app. As a result, the Osmo Mobile 6, which could only track (albeit track very well) on its own Mimo app, started to feel quite outdated.

All that changes with the launch of the new DJI Osmo Mobile 7P, which includes a module allowing it to track using any app on any phone. That addition, which theoretically puts DJI back in pole position of the ultra-compact gimbal market, comes with a few other tweaks and improvements, but otherwise, the 7P feels very similar to the 6 – which is no bad thing.

The design is beautifully simple. The Osmo Mobile 7P folds down to a pocketable size (by which I mean it’ll fit in a coat pocket rather than a jeans pocket) but can be ready to shoot in a single movement, while the magnetic clamp phone mounting method and the gimbal’s clever auto-balancing means successfully attaching and detaching my phone takes moments rather than minutes.

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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Stabilization works very well, with the three-axis gimbal following my movements intelligently and smoothly and the built-in 215mm extension rod enabling both extra distance for vlogging and higher and lower angle shots. The shape of the handle and the grippy material on its front, along with the light weight of the gimbal, make it very comfortable to use one-handed.

There are four gimbal movement modes to choose from: Pan Follow (which locks the tilt and roll axes while following horizontal pan movements), Pan Tilt Follow (similar but follows tilt as well), FPV (which follows motion across all three axes, for more dramatic videos), and SpinSpot (a specialist mode that enables Gaspar Noe-style rotation of the camera angle). There’s not much scope to adjust stabilization outside of the default settings for these modes, but I never found that to be an issue during my tests.

The gimbal’s onboard controls are basically the same as the Osmo Mobile 6’s, with a thumb stick supporting manual gimbal movement and a wheel allowing manual focus pulling and smooth zooming. There are also buttons for mode switching, start/stop recording, and flicking between front and rear cameras or horizontal/landscape phone orientation. The trigger on the front can be held down to fix the current gimbal angle or double-tapped to reset the angle to its default. All fine by me.

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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

As well as handheld stabilization, the Osmo Mobile 7P can act as an autonomous camera operator thanks to its tracking capabilities and mini tripod; after setting it up on a flat surface, a vlogger could perform a piece-to-camera while moving around and the gimbal will follow them.

The mini tripod now comes built into the handle, which is more convenient than screwing on the mini tripod that came with the Osmo Mobile 6; its short feet mean it’s not as stable, however, and I’d expect a strong gust of wind to knock it down. So, investing in a better tripod to screw into the standard tripod mount on the gimbal’s base might be advisable if you’re going to be shooting outdoors often.

In terms of tracking, the Osmo Mobile 7P represents a massive leap forward over its predecessor. When using the DJI Mimo app on your phone to capture video, the new ActiveTrack 7.0 tracking adds support for group tracking, fast subject reacquisition (if the subject ducks behind an object then re-emerges, for instance), and tracking while using zoom. It can also be set up so that the subject isn’t kept in the center of the frame but to one side, providing welcome new composition possibilities.

The only thing I didn’t like about the tracking was the gimbal's inability to rotate through 360º horizontally. The Insta360 Flow 2 Pro does offer this kind of ‘infinite’ rotation tracking, so be aware that you don’t get it here.

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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Even better, perhaps, is the fact that the new Multifunction Module accessory adds support for simple human subject tracking with any smartphone app. So, I can fire up my iPhone’s native camera app, TikTok, BlackMagic Camera, Instagram, or Zoom and still have the Osmo Mobile 7P follow me around – albeit not with all the features I’d get from ActiveTrack tracking. The Module’s tracking uses an onboard camera, and it’s quite good at following a tricky subject around the room. This camera also recognizes gestures, allowing you to start/stop tracking, stop/start video, and adjust framing using your hands.

The Module, which fixes to the magnetic clamp and can be pointed front or backwards, also includes an LED fill light with four brightness levels (the brightest of which is surprisingly powerful) and four different color temperatures. It can also wirelessly pair with a transmitter from DJI’s Mic Mini to offer a quick, fuss-free way to get great audio for vlogs. Unfortunately, I don’t have a Mic Mini to test this with, and my DJI Mic 2 transmitter annoyingly doesn’t replicate the feat.

Battery life on the DJI Osmo Mobile 7P is roughly the same as you get from other small gimbals, with a full charge offering up to 10 hours of use. However, with the Multifunction Module attached, as well as tracking and more gimbal movement, I’d expect closer to five hours of use – or less if the LED fill light is blazing away.

Overall, I was hugely impressed by the DJI Osmo Mobile 7P, which keeps all that was good about the Osmo Mobile 6 while adding massive improvements to tracking. I’d say the addition of the Multifunction Module means the Osmo Mobile 7P now pips the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro for the title of best small folding gimbal, although both models are superb stabilizers for on-the-go video work.

DJI Osmo Mobile 7P review: Price and Availability

The Osmo Mobile 7P comes with a soft drawstring bag to store all its main elements (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

• Announced February 18, 2025
• Osmo Mobile 7P priced from $149 / £135 / AU$219
• Lighter, Module-free 7 priced from $89 / £85 / AU$159

The DJI Osmo Mobile 7 series launched on February 18, 2025 and is available to order now. The range consists of two slightly different models: the Osmo Mobile 7P and the Osmo Mobile 7. The former, which I've reviewed here, is a little larger and heavier and comes supplied with the new Multifunctional Module accessory. However, it’s worth noting that the Module is available separately and compatible with the Osmo Mobile 7, so buyers can always upgrade their model later on down the line.

The Osmo Mobile 7P costs $149 / £135 / AU$219, while the Osmo Mobile 7 costs $89 / £85 / AU$159. These prices look like quite good value to me, given that the 7P’s closest rival, the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro, costs roughly the same (actually, ever so slightly more). The new model is actually a little cheaper than the Osmo Mobile 6 was at its launch in 2022 too; it’s good to see something beating inflation these days.

A range of accessories are launching alongside the gimbal, but at the time of writing, I have not been given prices or further details about them, merely their names. These are: the DJI OM Magnetic Quick-Release Mount; DJI Mic Mini Transmitter; DJI OM 7 Series Tracking Kit; and DJI OM Grip Tripod.

DJI Osmo Mobile 7P review: specs DJI Osmo Mobile 7P review: Also Consider

Insta360 Flow 2 Pro
Until the Osmo Mobile 7P showed up, this was undoubtedly the best compact mobile gimbal around. Now, it sits alongside it as a highly recommended option, although its lack of a tracking module means it only really offers extended tracking for iPhone users via Apple DockKit compatibility. Android users are better off with the Osmo.

Read our Insta360 Flow 2 Pro review

Hohem iSteady M7
While it’s significantly pricier and bulkier than the Osmo Mobile 7, the iSteady M7’s beefy stabilization works with phones up to 500g in weight, and it offers a plethora of adjustment options for perfectionist creators – plus a brilliant built-in touchscreen remote control module. A more professional option for those who demand more than simplicity and portability.

Read our Hohem iSteady M7 review

Should I buy the DJI Osmo Mobile 7P?

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen) Buy it if...

You want the most flexible tracking on a small gimbal
The Osmo Mobile 7P’s Multifunction Module allows it to track subjects with any camera app on both Android and iPhone, which hasn’t been available on a tiny folding gimbal until now.

You own a DJI Mic Mini
The Module is also able to directly connect to DJI’s tiny Mic Mini wireless mic, giving vloggers clearer audio immediately. Sadly, it’s not compatible with the full-size DJI Mic 2 or Mic.

Don't buy it if...

You own a large, heavy phone
Not many phones weigh more than 300g, but if yours does, you’ll need a bigger, stronger gimbal like the Hohem iSteady M7. The Osmo Mobile 7P works best with regular-sized handsets.

You like to heavily tweak settings
The Osmo Mobile 7P keeps things simple when it comes to gimbal movement and stabilization, and if you want to make precise adjustments to the way these things work, a more pro-friendly gimbal is in order.

How I tested the DJI Osmo Mobile 7P

• One week of use
• Tested with iPhone 13 and various iOS apps
• Used inside and outdoors both on tripod and in hand

DJI loaned me a review sample of the Osmo Mobile 7P, which included the gimbal, Multifunctional Module, magnetic clamp, cables and a soft storage bag but no additional accessories.

I tested it out using my Apple iPhone 13 in and around my home, using it both handheld and set up on its mini tripod indoors and outdoors. I tested all movement modes too.

Having recently reviewed several rival mobile gimbals for TechRadar, I’m in a good position to compare the Osmo Mobile 7P to its competitors.

First reviewed February 2025

Dell XPS 13: Two-minute review

(Image credit: Future)

Dell's XPS 13 laptop line has been kicking about for quite a while now, and it's come a long way. The XPS brand debuted more than two decades ago, with the very first XPS laptop launching back in 2007; needless to say, the latest iteration of the Dell XPS 13 looks and feels far more modern, sharing very little DNA with that first XPS laptop, and it's (almost) flawless.

Sporting the same sleek design we saw in the 2024 Dell XPS 13 with the Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite chip, the new model basically takes everything that laptop did and does it better, thanks to new Lunar Lake processors from Intel. In our review model, that's the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, which delivers staggeringly good battery life and a general uptick in performance over the Snapdragon model.

When I say staggeringly good, I do mean staggeringly good – I'll get into the details later in this review, but in our video playback test the Lunar Lake XPS 13 clocked in just shy of 24 hours, beating most of the machines on our current list of the best laptops. In terms of general use, it can literally go for days without a charge if you're just doing basic tasks like word processing and answering emails. It feels like a giant middle finger from Dell and Intel to the MacBook Air's generational drops in battery life, and I'm so here for it.

(Image credit: Future)

Performance-wise, things are a bit less impressive, but still basically excellent. The laptop ran smoothly no matter what I threw at it, and overall performance in my benchmarking tests exceeded that offered by the previous Snapdragon-powered XPS 13 – and many other laptops at this price point.

Speaking of price, I should probably clarify right now that this isn't a cheap laptop; our review unit is priced at $1,999.99 / £2,049 / AU$3,998.50, placing it squarely in 'premium ultrabook' territory. Still, it delivers great value for money when you look at the specs and performance, with an absolutely gorgeous OLED display

The only reason this isn't an immediate five-star review is the fact that Dell hasn't resolved some issues with the design that I've noticed in previous models, dating back to the 2023 Dell XPS 13 Plus. These are mainly related to usability and accessibility; while the design looks incredible, the edgeless touchpad and lack of physical Fn keys hurt the laptop's functionality a little, stopping it from achieving perfection.

Despite these niggling issues, the new XPS 13 is still an absolutely fantastic laptop that I'd happily use for the next five years or more – how do you feel about letting me keep this one, Dell?

Dell XPS 13: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? Starts at $1,199.99 / £1,399 / AU$3,198.80
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

There are multiple configurations of the 2nd-gen Intel Core Ultra version of the XPS 13, with prices starting at $1,199.99 / £1,399 / AU$3,198.80 for the non-touchscreen model. In a strange twist, the Core Ultra 5 configuration is actually $50 more expensive in the US for no discernible reason; elsewhere, that's the cheapest model.

You'll likely at least want a touchscreen and a Core Ultra 7 processor to get the full experience from this laptop, which is what our review unit offers, and that model checks in at a cool $1,999.99 / £2,049 / AU$3,998.50 – certainly not inexpensive, but about par for the course for premium ultrabooks. It is notably more expensive than the latest M3 MacBook Air, which is almost a year old now – in other words, macOS fans likely won't be making the switch to Windows 11 based on this review.

The top-end configuration of the Dell XPS 13 will cost you $2,349.99 / £2,634 / AU$4,899.40, and offers an Intel Core Ultra 9 288V chip, 32GB of RAM, 2TB of SSD storage, and the same lovely 3K OLED touchscreen in my review model.

• Price score: 4/5

Dell XPS 13: Specs Dell XPS 13: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Lightweight but sturdy
• Looks fantastic
• Still has some accessibility issues

Aesthetically speaking, Dell didn't need to change a thing for this new iteration of the XPS 13: it's still rocking the same sleek chassis as last year's model, combining a modern style with a robust traditional clamshell design in either Platinum (featured here) or Graphite colorways.

The screen is the star of the show here: my review unit has the top-spec 3K (2880 x 1800) InfinityEdge OLED touch display, and it's glorious. Colors are bright and vivid, contrast is deep, and picture quality is generally very sharp and detailed. Even in more demanding tests that battered the frame rate a bit (like 3DMark's Time Spy benchmark), it looked magnificent.

The keyboard feels great to type on, with a decent amount of key travel and a satisfying bounce despite the super-thin chassis (it measures just 1.48cm in total thickness), and the cool backlighting makes it easy to use in low-light conditions. Naturally, it features a dedicated Copilot key as well as a fingerprint scanner integrated into the power button.

Unfortunately, I have the aforementioned beef with aspects of the keyboard and touchpad layout. The touchpad is 'invisible', integrated edgelessly into the palm rest, and while it's very responsive, and the palm rejection works perfectly, the lack of tactile edges is actually a little irritating in practice. While testing the XPS 13, I would sometimes unknowingly slide my fingertip past the edge of the pad's sensor range and try to click, to no avail.

These frustrations continue with the function bar above the keyboard, which is actually an LED-backlit touch bar that can swap seamlessly between traditional Fn keys and media keys when you hold down the Fn button. While this is a clever (and rather visually satisfying) solution, the lack of physical feedback is annoying, and in brightly-lit conditions – like working outside on a sunny day – these backlit 'keys' become virtually impossible to actually see. It's annoying, and both of these problems pose accessibility issues for sight-impaired users; not being able to feel a button or the edge of the touchpad with your finger would make using this laptop extremely difficult for a blind or partially-sighted person, even with screen reader tools.

(Image credit: Future)

The quad-array speakers and 1080p webcam are both very good – not the best I've ever seen, but perfectly capable of handling high-quality video calls and even playing music or videos out loud. I do generally recommend using a headset over integrated speakers when it comes to laptops (especially for gaming), but these do the job well. The webcam array also features an IR camera for facial recognition logins, although it lacks any sort of privacy shutter or kill switch, which would have been a nice inclusion for security-conscious users.

In terms of overall construction, this is one very sturdy laptop in spite of its thin-and-light design. The outer metal shell is scratch-resistant machined aluminum with a matte finish (though it does pick up fingerprints), and the internal plastic of the keyboard and palm rest feels durable too.

One downside to the overall design is the dearth of physical ports: you get two Thunderbolt 4 USB-Cs, and that's literally it. No USB-A, no Ethernet or video output (although those USB-C ports do support DisplayPort video), no microSD slot, not even a humble 3.5mm audio jack. I get it; USB-C is a great multipurpose connection standard, and this sort of port layout is increasingly common in modern ultrabooks, but if you need to use the laptop while it's plugged in, you're limited to just a single Thunderbolt port, which is a shame. Prepare to buy a USB-C hub if you're planning to connect a lot of devices to your XPS 13, basically.

• Design score: 4/5

Dell XPS 13: Performance

• Lunar Lake performs excellently
• Copilot+ works as advertised

As expected, the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V in my XPS 13 review unit performs admirably, delivering strong performance in virtually every department, helped along by its hefty 32GB of DDR5 memory. It's truly mind-blowing to me how rapidly laptops have improved in the past decade. Speaking as someone who's been testing them for years, being able to play modern games on an ultralight compact laptop like this just feels unreal.

That said, this isn't a gaming laptop – though I'll discuss the graphical performance in a bit – so let's focus on what the XPS 13 is really for: everyday productivity. Across almost all of our synthetic benchmarks, it beats last year's Snapdragon X Elite model handily by a decent margin. Multi-core performance in Geekbench 6.4 was notably a bit weaker, but still good, while single-core performance was stronger.

Dell XPS 13 review: Benchmarks

Here's how the Dell XPS 13 (Intel Core Ultra 7 258V, 2024) performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
3DMark: Night Raid: 34,618; Fire Strike: 9,058; Time Spy: 4,407; Steel Nomad: 889
Cinebench R23: Multi-core: 8,494; Single-core: 1,874
Geekbench 6.4: Multicore: 11,001; Single-core: 2,716
Geekbench AI: Single Precision Score: 2,359; Half Precision Score: 1,217; Quantized Score: 4,811
PCMark 10: 6,827
Crossmark: Overall: 1,839; Productivity: 1,684; Creativity: 2,174; Responsiveness: 1,467
Sid Meier's Civilization VI: (1080p, Ultra): 65fps; (1080p, Low): 155fps
Battery Life (TechRadar movie test): 23 hours, 26 minutes

In any case, when it came to real-world use, I had zero problems. Opening 20 Chrome tabs and multitasking between them caused no slowdown, and the laptop boots up and wakes from sleep mode incredibly fast. General responsiveness and functionality were excellent. Dell's own pre-installed software is here, naturally, but it's mercifully quite unobtrusive – no bloatware here, besides the usual Windows 11 stuff.

Given that the Core Ultra 7 258V packs an Intel AI Boost neural processing unit (NPU), I put that to the test as well. In the Geekbench AI benchmark, it produced a quantized score of 4,811; a reasonable showing, but weak compared to a system with a discrete GPU for advanced AI processing. However, in practice, Windows Copilot worked quickly and effectively on the XPS 13.

The Dell XPS 13 handled everything I threw at it with relative calm, only spinning up its fans to any noticeable volume during the 3DMark rendering tests. In most tests, I heard barely a whisper from the fans, and general use was completely silent most of the time.

(Image credit: Future)

Intel's focus on power efficiency and thermal performance for the 2nd-gen Core Ultra chips has clearly paid off. The laptop barely got warm throughout my entire testing process – opting for a rear exhaust vent rather than the underside vents I often see on ultrabooks was a wise move from Dell, as it means using the laptop on a soft surface (like a duvet, or your own thighs) won't block any heat output.

When it comes to gaming, it's surprisingly viable on the XPS 13: toss in features like Intel XeSS upscaling (or AMD's open-source FSR 3.1), and you can reasonably play the vast majority of PC games on this laptop, even modern titles – just be aware that you'll probably need to tweak down some of the graphical settings in order to get a decent frame rate. This certainly isn't one of the best gaming laptops, but it'll happily stand up to a bit of casual gaming when the workday is done.

(Image credit: Future)

• Performance score: 4.5/5

Dell XPS 13: Battery

You probably got this from me raving about the battery further up in this review, but wowzers. Yeah, never saying that again. Seriously though, the battery life on this thing is absurd, beating out virtually every other laptop I've tested. Dell promised 24-hour battery life, and I'll be damned if it didn't deliver.

Our battery test involves running a looped 1080p video clip with the laptop set to standard power efficiency mode in Windows 11, with Bluetooth off, the volume at zero, and brightness at 50%. Running on battery power, the XPS 13 shut down after 23 hours and 26 minutes of playback – if you were using it at minimum brightness with additional low-power modes enabled, you could probably stretch it even further.

Granted, this isn't indicative of everyday use; many people will want brightness set to maximum or Bluetooth turned on to support a mouse or headset (because, you know... not enough ports on this bad boy). Still, it's a phenomenal showing that batters most of the competition, and virtually guarantees that this laptop will see you through a full workday.

One thing I really value in a laptop battery is its ability to hold charge when turned off or in sleep mode, and the XPS 13 also excels in this area. After sitting on a desk for several days, unplugged and unused, I cracked it open and found it still had more than 50% battery. Thanks to Thunderbolt 4 power delivery, it also charges very fast, going from empty to 80%-plus in one hour when not in use.

• Battery score: 5/5

Should you buy the Dell XPS 13? Buy it if...

You need long battery life
If you want your laptop to last through a full day's work and then some (or you're just prone to forgetting your charger), then Dell has you covered.

You want something lightweight but powerful
With a thin chassis and low overall package weight, the XPS 13 is a compact powerhouse that doesn't skimp on performance for its lightweight design.

You want to use AI locally
Intel’s Lunar Lake chips bring boosted NPU performance against previous models, so anyone who wants an ultrabook capable of running on-device AI tools should consider the XPS 13.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a tight budget
Even though it backs up its price tag with excellent performance and a strong spec sheet, there's no denying that the Dell XPS 13 is a pricey piece of hardware.

You're sight-impaired
The edgeless touchpad and lack of tactile feedback on the function bar above the keyboard will prove to be a real issue for blind or partially-sighted users – this feels like a case of form over function.

You like plugging stuff in
Two USB-Cs, Dell? That's all we get? A measly showing for physical connectivity, something that won't bother some users but will really irritate others.

Also Consider

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3)
The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch with M3 is one of the best compact laptops on the market, and its performance is top-notch too – the XPS 13 beats it in some areas, but if you prefer macOS to Windows, this is the one to pick.

Read our full Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) review

Dell XPS 17 (9730)
If you want a powerful laptop but would prefer a larger display (and you're not overly concerned about portability), then the Dell XPS 17 is worth a look.

Read our full Dell XPS 17 (9730) review

How I tested the Asus Zenbook S 14

• I used the Dell XPS 13 for a week, both for work and personal projects
• I ran it through our full suite of benchmarks
• I tested the battery using the TechRadar movie test as well as general use

As usual with laptops, my process for reviewing the Dell XPS 13 involved replacing my daily driver with it for a week (usually I'd like a little longer, but deadlines are deadlines). This helps me get a feel for how the laptop handles everyday workloads, as well as giving me a good amount of insight into the build quality and user experience.

Once I'd used the XPS 13 for a little while, I ran it through our grueling gauntlet of synthetic and real-world benchmarking tests, running every test at least three times to produce accurate averages.

Lastly, I always try to play some games on every laptop I review, and the XPS 13's performance genuinely surprised me – I was able to play Warframe and Elite Dangerous with few to no hiccups after a bit of tweaking in the graphical settings, although the demanding Black Myth: Wukong proved a bit much for the integrated graphics in this laptop.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed January 2025

Boulies EP200: 30-second review

Supremely comfortable. That was my first thought after assembling the Boulies EP200 office chair and sitting down for the first time. And after a month of constant use - for at least eight hours a day, sometimes more - this initial assessment still holds true.

This is a delightful mesh seat which feels at all times supportive, relaxed, and one of the best office chairs I’ve ever tested. I’ve long been a fan of mesh office chairs, which are a lot more breathable and far less sweaty than fabric and leather (or worse, so-called PU or faux leather) options you’ll often find on even the best gaming chairs. If you’re using your chair for long hours at a time, to my mind mesh is the way to go. On this score, the Boulies EP200 ably fits the bill.

My real concern was whether that mesh seat would suffer from a general sagging or whether it would be too firm - either can lead to discomfort and fatigue during the work day. I’m happy to report that it hits the Goldilocks spot, neither too hard nor too soft, but just right.

There are a handful of features lacking here, which you’ll find on higher-priced desk chairs. Notably, the lumbar support is fixed to one spot - although you can move it back and forth, it isn’t height-adjustable to accommodate for taller users (as a man of average height, this wasn’t an issue for me).

Nonetheless, it does boast decent lower back support, 3D armrests, a pleasant headrest, and overall, I had no real problems positioning these to make it as comfortable as possible for all-day use.

Boulies EP200: Price & availability

(Image credit: Boulies )

The Boulies EP200 Series retails for $300 via the Boulies.com website by clicking here.

In the UK, the chair is available for £280 from the Boulies.co.uk site which you can visit by clicking here.

Right now, only the black cold-cured foam version is available in the US, while the UK offers both gray and black models.

At the time of review, this chair is currently discounted to $200 / £190, which is more in-line with budget-price office chairs - and an excellent price for what’s on offer, I feel. You can also pick it up from Amazon and other online retailers.

Boulies EP200: Specs Boulies EP200: Design

Close-up of the mesh weave on the Boulies EP200 (Image credit: Boulies )

The EP200 Series is available in black or gray, with the choice of a mesh or a cold-cured foam seat. Both models possess a tightly woven, single-piece mesh backrest. I selected the gray mesh variant for review, which I found unimposing in the home office.

Design-wise, it’s of the classic office chair look, not dissimilar to the likes of the Sihoo M57 (read our review here). Smart and professional, it won’t look out of place either in the home or in the office, and I have no complaints with its appearance. At 51cm, the backrest itself is relatively wide compared to some at this price-point, giving it more utility for those with a larger frame.

Around the back, it’s similarly unfussy, with a Y-shaped plastic support where, within the nub, you’ll find the adjustable lumbar support. The only sign of decoration comes from a silver piece of plastic stamped with the Boulies signature. This is a separate piece, fitted post-assembly, and entirely optional depending on your tastes.

Boulies EP200: Assembly Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Boulies )Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Boulies )

Taking around twenty minutes from start to finish, constructing the Boulies EP200 is about as simple as any I’ve tried. Plug the wheels into the aluminum base, bolt the backrest to the seat, then affix the contoured headrest. Connect the armrests, add the gas lift to the base, and rest the chair on top. All par for the course when it comes to office chair assembly.

While the box is admittedly heavy, I had no issues hauling it upstairs into the office, and assembling the entire unit on my own. The included manual is straightforward and easy to follow, and if you have any experience piecing chairs together, you’ll have no trouble here whatsoever.

Boulies EP200: Comfort & adjustability Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: Boulies )Image 2 of 4

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(Image credit: Boulies )

I was impressed with the comfort of this office chair - in fact, I’d find reasons to sit at my desk outside of work hours just to use it. I found the suspended mesh seat firm without being too hard, and supportive in all the right places.

As a chap of average height and build, I didn’t struggle with finding the sweet spot here. Like all gas-lift office chairs, you’ll find a lever beneath the seat to adjust the overall height. Pulling this lever outward unlocks the backrest so you can recline - just push back with your body weight until you find the appropriate angle, then lock it into place again. Easy stuff.

A second lever beside this is where you can control how far back the seat can go, and I found I had to have it moderately far forward in order to get into the lumbar support in the correct position. After making this adjustment, the foam lumbar support pushing through the mesh offered consistent lower back support.

I was expecting the unpadded armrests to be a bind, akin to resting one’s elbows on a slab of warm concrete. However, I was pleasantly surprised to find the foam, while relatively thin and somewhat hardened, provided an excellent balance between comfort and support - much like the rest of the chair, to be fair. As typical 3D armrests, these can be moved up and down, backwards and forwards, and outward and inward.

However, I would’ve liked to see a few more adjustability options. Specifically, the lumbar support, which can be repositioned on the horizontal plane by turning the screw cap, but not vertically, which would be useful for taller users. The headrest, too, can be moved up and down, but won’t shift forward, back, or angled in any way. Perhaps I’m being greedy, since for the price, I don’t consider these deal-breakers.

Boulies EP200: Final verdict

If you’re looking for a decent ergonomic office chair that won’t break the bank, there’s a lot to recommend about the Boulies EP200. It might not boast all the bells and whistles you’ll find on chairs twice the price, and it would’ve been nice to have a few extra adjustability points here and there. But for a modern, uncomplicated seat, I found it supremely comfortable and ultra-breathable even when used all day.

Should I buy the Boulies EP200 Series office chair? Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Boulies )Image 2 of 3

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(Image credit: Boulies )

Buy it if…

✅ You want an affordable ergonomic office chair: Considering the price, the Boulies EP200 is extremely comfortable, offering good all-round support,with most of the key features I’d like to see in an office chair.

✅ You demand all-day comfort: I used this chair for at least eight hours a day for a month during testing, and never once felt fatigue set in. If you’re planning on being at your desk for work, rest, or play, it’s an effective choice.

Don’t buy it if…

❌ You need more adjustments: While you can reposition plenty of parts of this chair, it lacks height adjustable lumbar support, 4D armrests, and an angled headrest. That may be a deal-breaker for some.

❌ You need a padded backrest: Both versions in the Boulies EP200 Series of office chairs feature a mesh backrest, and while I found it snug and comfortable, many prefer a cushioned option for additional comfort.

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

Early on in narrative adventure game Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1, you find yourself in the maximalist milieu of its protagonist’s cluttered bedroom, circa 1995. After fiddling with the pin art board and pilfering through a collection of shiny VHS tapes, my eye was drawn to the off-brand Tamagotchi on Swann’s desk.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PC
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam
Release date: February 18, 2024

As I admired the familiar chunky design, marked delicately by little scratches, the screen came to life, and new options appeared on screen: Play, Feed, Eat. Like an archaeologist, I marveled at the unnecessary meticulousness of this moment — there was no need for Lost Records to include a fully-playable pocket pet, yet here I was, cleaning up its poop like any good teenager would.

This level of detail is redolent of developer Don't Nod's first two Life is Strange games, which solidified the studio’s reputation as new wave masterminds of segmented narrative. There have been many Don't Nod and even some Life is Strange games in the time since, but the key creatives behind that initial diptych have yet to deliver a successor, until now.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage is a new IP that explores the uncanny, messy nature of humanity from a stylized and period-specific perspective. So far, it’s an adventure dripping in tactile nostalgia and pithy mystery that evolves the ethos of the games that came before it. Evoking Life is Strange’s episodic approach, Lost Records: Bloom and Rage is split into two parts, with the second tape coming in April 2025.

In Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1, four friends who vowed never to speak after an undisclosed incident are summoned back to their hometown when an ominous package arrives in the mail. You play as Swann, an anxious forty-something who must face the events of the troupe’s ‘lost summer’, rekindling their dormant relationships to understand why the parcel arrived after all this time and what could be inside.

To do this, you’ll rummage through gorgeously curated midwestern dioramas, jumping between 1995 and 2022 to pick apart set pieces and choose lines of dialogue, with the story molding around your version of events. The decisions you make in the past and present weave together as the story unfolds, ensuring each choice feels loaded regardless of what you’re doing. In Velvet Cove, appearances are deceiving, and the liberating break the friends have since put behind them obscures an otherworldly backbone waiting to be unearthed.

Swann’s teenage self is also equipped with a trusty camcorder that you’ll use to film the events of the summer as they unfold, a unique mechanic that helps to distinguish Lost Records from its peers. As you explore, you can pull out your trusty device on a whim to capture precious moments and create idiosyncratic memoirs. You’ll often be prompted to film certain scenes, too, with that footage showing up during cutscenes, cleverly immersing you in the 90s fantasy.

Be kind, rewind

(Image credit: Don't Nod)

The basis of Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1 is rewarding exploration. If you search hard enough in your reckless friend's garage, you might find the crude placement of perfume samples meant to hide the scent of weed. Or, if you wander deeper through an abandoned park, you might stumble upon some choice graffiti that illuminates the small-town mentality and class dissonance present in Velvet Cove. Not every nook and cranny hid something shocking, and oftentimes, the small clues served to illuminate the complexity of the townsfolk, blurring the lines between what I thought it meant to be a ‘good’ or ‘bad’ character.

Looking for such hints is helped by the overarching mystery of Swann’s amnesia, which weaves the spirit of investigation into the main plot. As such, combing through each room or open space feels natural and less game-like, with my attention drawn to Swann’s actions instead. Whether I’d scoured a room or not, I never felt as though I was missing something, with Don't Nod consistently giving me enough information to push forward.

This sense of immersion is helped by the stellar voice acting delivered by the Lost Records cast. There’s distinct naivete and softness as the younger versions of their characters chat, which rubs against the awkwardness as they reconnect as their older selves. Lines are delivered with patience and intent, and I relished watching their tones shift as the summer played out, as they became a closer, more flirty group. This shift is also accompanied by an atmospheric soundtrack that blends its original score with a smattering of licensed cult tracks (including Cocteau Twins) to great effect.

(Image credit: Don't Nod)

Despite how magical and freeing Lost Records can feel, Don't Nod doesn’t shy away from the harsher elements of humanity either, and handles them with care. As a teen girl, Swann doesn’t fit the ‘skinny’ mold, an issue that comes up cruelly for them throughout Lost Records. While visceral performances summoned plenty of emotion from me, I found the quieter teenage disaffection of Swann and their group to be equally as moving. This is particularly true for the case of Swann’s friend Nora, whose brash aesthetic and attitude act as a mask for insecurities about their troubled home life.

Of the leading group, the firecracker Kat is perhaps the most intriguing, with much of the story centering around their homelife, their polar opposite sister Dylan, and her disaffected but strangely magnetic boyfriend Corey, who appears to bully and accost the girls. Kat’s struggles seem simple, as punk beliefs wrestle with traditional family values. It would be easy to settle on Kat’s situation as one-dimensional family trouble, but Lost Records subverts these expectations considerably and did well to reframe my experiences with its cast of murky heroes and villains.

What’s in the box?

(Image credit: Don't Nod)

Perhaps my favorite aspect of Lost Records, though, is the variety of choices you can make and how they ratchet up your emotions. Unlike the team’s previous work on Life is Strange, here, the story-shifting decisions don’t appear with an intimidating on-screen chyron.

It’s fair to assume that the repercussions of my actions won’t be fully revealed until Tape 2. However, there were still plenty of instances where I saw my actions immediately play out. For example, in the opening moments, Swann talks to their mum on the phone and reminisces about their old cat: from here on out in the past, from feeding them to cuddles, that is your pet’s name. No matter how big or small the selection felt, a fine-tuned balance of player influence alongside the main linear story made me feel necessary to the plot despite it being moored in a confident overarching narrative.

Best bit

(Image credit: Don't Nod)

You won't find any collectibles throughout Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1. Instead, Swann can pull out their trusty handycam at any point to film seemingly random pieces of set dressing to create nostalgic video memories, complete with a snowy 90s filter. Public graffiti, bird species, and dilapidated playground equipment are dotted around Velvet Cove, waiting to be transformed from small town bric-a-brac into a stylized retro memoir. What’s most impressive, though, is that the tidbits of tape you’ve filmed go on to play in cutscenes, giving your playthrough a unique and dreamy feel.

Lost Records isn't always hazy sunsets, though, with some scenes twisting towards horror. In one particular instance, Swann fell through a window into an abandoned house, the exit guarded by a mystical padlock. Wandering through the dark, with only my camcorder light to guide me, I felt pangs of genuine fear while puzzle-solving. Much of Lost Records revolves around dialogue, and these surprising deviations into thrilling puzzles and spooky tricks kept me on my toes as I moved through the story, which is persistently tinged with menacing magical realism.

A stand-out feature was the intricately modeled characters and carefully curated visual identity in both the past and present. Despite jumping twenty-seven years, Velvet Cove feels trapped in the past, with its water tower adorned with gaudy wooden antlers and the plaid-wearing regulars in the local bar. Rusty chain link fences, cracked cement, and abandoned spaces create a strong feeling that the town has been left behind, a sensation which contrasts against the liberated aesthetic of the girl group who are keen to leave it behind.

Across my playtime I encountered a smattering of technical bugs, such as chugging when scenes would load and, in one instance, a crash. These issues were minor in the grand scheme of the game, and I’m hopeful they will be resolved before the launch. Thankfully, a forgiving checkpoint system meant I never lost that much progress when I did run into problems.

Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1 might only be the first half of the story, yet even as I rolled credits, tears streaming down my cheeks, I felt satisfied and deeply curious about the chaos its cliffhanger ending had wrought. I’m keen to dig in and unlock the missing pieces of Swann and Co.'s past, one aberrated camcorder clip at a time.

Should I play Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1?

(Image credit: Don't Nod) Play it if…

If you love cinema…
Gameplay in Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1 is interspersed with gorgeously shot cutscenes that feel ripped from a coming-of-age film yet to exist.

You like games grounded in reality…
Similar to Don't Nod's previous work, Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1 doesn’t shy away from the crueler parts of humanity, exploring complex topics like fatphobia and misogyny.

Don’t play it if…

You want to play something fast-paced…
Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1 is first and foremost about taking your time and enjoying the environments and vibes curated throughout its slow-moving story. While there are undoubtedly moments of urgency, much of Tape 1 involves gently combing through the Velvet Cove and getting to know its inhabitants.

Accessibility

When you boot up Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1, you can choose the interface text size (small, medium, and large) and toggle on and off subtitles. From this screen, you can also select the size of the subtitles (small, medium, large.) Due to the heavy themes in Lost Records: Bloom and Rage, you’ll also have the choice to turn on trigger warnings.

These warnings include topics such as drugs, tobacco, and alcohol. On this screen, you can also tweak audio dynamic range, choosing between a narrow (little difference between loud and quiet moments, suitable for low-quality sound systems or noisy playspaces), Medium (moderate difference between loud and quiet moments, ideal for most speakers), and Wide (sizable difference between loud and quiet moments, ideal for high-quality sound systems or quiet playspaces)

From the pause menu, under controls, you can toggle on and off vibrations and how the camcorder behaves in the game. There are also options to reduce motion sickness, such as a toggling off head bob, camcorder motion controls, and shifting the camcorder feel between regular, light, very light, and none. You can additionally invert cameras and movements and remap the entire keyboard from this menu.

Where visual effects are concerned, You can toggle on and off motion blur, camera smoothing, and camera shake. From the interface menu, you can also toggle on and off a speaker cue that provides a visual cue for who is talking as well as toggle the persistent reticle in first and third person.

How I reviewed Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1

(Image credit: Don't Nod)

I completed Lost Records: Bloom & Rage Tape 1’s story in around nine and a half hours on my PC. In that time, I searched through each environment and completed most mini montages Swann could film throughout, as well as tested photo mode.

I used an AOC 27-inch QHD VA 144Hz monitor, a Logitech MX Master 3S mouse, and a Logitech G915 TKL keyboard. For sound, I used my external Creative Pebble V2 speakers and Audio Technica ATH-MX50X headphones plugged into a Scarlett 2i2 interface. My GPU is an RTX 3080, and my CPU is an AMD Ryzen 9 3950X.

First reviewed February 2025

PebbleHost has been around since 2017 and despite not often featuring among best Minecraft server hosting provider lists it is still a great host. It offers three different types of plan encompassing budget, premium, and extreme. Understandably, the prices vary wildly depending on what you choose here with the budget servers proving the highlight for those on a tight budget.

PebbleHost sticks to focusing on its Minecraft server hosting rather than including other games, but you can also sign up for VPS hosting or dedicated server hosting if you want more freedom. For gaming communities, there’s also Discord bot hosting. If you’re looking for the best dedicated server hosting, it could be worth checking out PebbleHost but in this review, we’ve focused on its dedicated Minecraft server hosting options. Here’s how we found the PebbleHost experience to be.

Plans and pricing

PebbleHost offers three tiers of Minecraft server plans. All its plans offer 24/7 customer support via Discord, a free MySQL database, full FTP access, unmetered storage, a free subdomain creator, unlimited slots, and global server locations. Where plans differ is in terms of the hardware involved.

The budget range uses older CPUs such as the Intel i9-9900k and Ryzen 5700X, and DDR4 memory. The premium range uses the Ryzen 7900 CPU and DDR5 memory, with the Extreme range using the same hardware but also offering dedicated CPU threads. The two pricier plans also provide a one-click Modpack installer and free automatic backups which are bordering on essential for any Minecraft server admin.

For all servers, you can use a sliding scale to increase the RAM involved, and whether you want any additional CPU threads for your server. The cheapest budget server offers just 1GB RAM but costs only $3 per quarter. A more mid-range option comes from the Premium server with 5GB RAM which is $11.25 per month. The cheapest Extreme server has 6GB of RAM and 3 threads and starts at $37.50.

PebbleHost offers a 72 hour refund policy which isn’t the longest but is fairly standard with other competitors like Shockbyte offering similar.

During the signup process, Advanced DDoS mitigation is added onto the price tag but you can unselect it. Another options include a dedicated IP, and additional MySQL databases. Whatever you decide, payment is possible via credit or debit card, Apple and Google Pay, as well as Paypal, FastSpring, and crypto currencies. Costs can ramp up (more on if it’s worth it later) but everything is laid out in a clear and obvious manner.

Ease of use

A screenshot of the PebbleHost control panel - running a low-end server. (Image credit: Future)

The sign up process with PebbleHost is straightforward and instantly offers up access with passwords for the client side of things and the control panel. During sign up, you’ve already picked what server type you want installed so that’s one step removed. All you really need to do is get the server started and operational.

On the control panel, there’s a list of options on the left hand side with easy ways to check out the file manager, set up your MySQL database, and add subusers which is great if you want to add admins or even a co-owner to your plan. The jar manager helps you switch between different versions like Paper, Vanilla, or Spigot.

For the most part, everything is clearly laid out so you won’t get confused. Opt for anything but the budget plan if you want a one click install for mod packs as well as automatic backups, and there’s even less work involved for you.

If you’ve never set up a Minecraft server before, you won’t get too confused here.

Speed and experience

Adding another user/admin to PebbleHost. (Image credit: Future)

PebbleHost offers servers located in North America (Canada), Europe, and the UK. Premium server users also have the option of a server located in Australia or Singapore, as well as the US. When signing up, keep an eye on what’s available as some server locations sell out.

I used a server based in Europe, as am I, and saw a steady 30-35 ping. There was no downtime either which is always welcome news.

How well the server operates really does depend on the plan you choose. While $3 per quarter seems like a bargain for the cheapest plan, in reality, you won’t get far with it. Even with no one active on the server, half the RAM is allocated, and once someone logs on, the CPU usage soars. It’s best to invest a little into something that actually suits your needs.

That’s even more important if you plan on installing mods or plugins (and you should). Still, even at its most basic, PebbleHost demonstrates what it offers. Just make sure you opt for a Premium plan at minimum if you want to gather together friends with no hassle. Although, bear in mind that if you opt for one of the more expensive plans, it could work out cheaper to go elsewhere.

Support

PebbleHost has two main forms of support -- a ticketing system and a Discord server. The Discord server is reasonably active and useful for quick advice from both staff and experienced users. It can also prove useful if you need advice about mods or other community elements which PebbleHost isn’t equipped to advise on.

When using the ticket system, I received a response within less than 10 minutes. It was both friendly and informative. If you’re truly stuck, you can pay $10 per month for advanced Minecraft support so someone on the PebbleHost team will setup up to 30 Forge/Fabric mods, as well as setup many other key additions for your server.

Besides direct support, PebbleHost also has a knowledgebase which is helpful and incorporates some YouTube videos. PebbleHost is also transparent with uptime with its server status page breaking down every server and part of the company’s infrastructure. At time of writing, its 7-day average uptime is a very respectable 99.992%.

Final Verdict

PebbleHost’s speciality is offering well performing Minecraft servers for those looking for something cheap or mid-range. It gets a little expensive for the most premium/Extreme options which makes your decision a little harder. When it comes to the budget price point though, it’s hard to fault PebbleHost.

I was particularly impressed with how quick and efficient support was (without being cold or unfriendly), and how straightforward the PebbleHost Control Panel is to use. The addition of a Discord server is always useful too.

The sweet spot here is going for a PebbleHost Premium server. Anything pricier is a little too expensive for all but the most high-end user, and the budget option is a little too basic and slow. Stick with the Premium server and you can have a good quality Minecraft server set up in no time. The backup of speedy support will ease any worries newbies to being a server admin may have.

JBL Tune 305C review

If you’re on the hunt for some new earbuds but you’ve not bought into the whole wireless thing, the JBL Tune 305C could be an enticing budget option. These wired earbuds promise punchy bass, a comfortable fit – not a bad package for £16.75 / AU$24 (about $21). So can the JBL Tune 305C live up to these bold promises, or do they instead fall flat?

Well, let’s start where it matters most – sound. Of course, the main attraction is meant to be JBL’s “Pure Bass” sound but despite providing enjoyable warmth, this won’t conjure up the low-end boom that bass heads may want. For instance, when I tuned into Black Eye by Allie X, there was a solid amount of depth to the thumping drum machine, but it lacked the impact and prominence in the mix to really have my head bopping. When listening to All Night Long by Chris Stussy, the bouncing bass never sounded lethargic or unresponsive, but again, it wasn’t as hard-hitting as I’d hoped.

You can be assured, however, that bass won’t sound nasty and distorted. Similarly, I didn’t experience much in terms of tinniness in the treble range or overly thin mids – something that all our picks of the best wired earbuds are capable of circumventing. But clean audio isn’t always a given with budget buds – the Belkin SoundForm Wired Earbuds with USB-C Connector, for instance, are very cheap… and they sound it. The JBL feel like good value in comparison.

Another positive is that the JBL Tune 305C can play hi-res music files thanks to the inclusion of a built-in digital to analog converter (DAC) – pretty impressive for some buds that come in at £16.75 / AU$24 (about $21). But although overall audio is certainly clear, it doesn’t really sound massively detailed.

For instance, I tuned into Clair de Lune by Kamasi Washington and piano notes soaring up and sinking down sounded slightly clumped – where they’d sound more individualized and defined using more premium buds such as the Sennheiser IE 200. Piano was also given a lot more breathing space with the IE 200, whereas it sounded more muddied with the Tune 305C – but not to a degree that it was totally lost in the mix.

One reason that I didn’t get a massively nuanced, informative listen from the Tune 305C was their in-ear fit. Like the Apple EarPods USB-C, they’re pretty loose-fitting, with an 'open-ear' design. They don’t include eartips, like the SoundMagic E11D, for example, meaning sound is less concentrated into the ear canal. Some may prefer the looser feel of these – I can’t deny that they were easy to keep in for longer listening sessions.

But still, they would occasionally feel as if they were falling out, especially when I was on the go. Not ideal if you’re on a run or working out. This design choice also limits noise isolation, so you may have to put up with the sound of that wailing baby on your four-hour flight… uh oh.

But again, some may prefer the more relaxed feel of the Tune 305C. On top of that, these are pretty lightweight and didn’t subject me to all too much cable noise – impressive for buds at this price-point.

(Image credit: Future)

And that’s not all – you also get a neat controller, which has volume, play/pause and mic controls built-in. Firstly, I have to say I was very impressed with mic quality. There was some very slight tinniness on a phone call, but my voice was nice and clear. Meanwhile, a voice recording came through with limited background static and well-defined vocals – rare for lots of wired earbuds.

You’re not going to believe me, but the fun doesn’t stop there either. If you hold down the volume up button for two seconds, you can even switch between Standard, Bass and Voice modes. EQ settings are pretty rare for cheap wired earbuds, so I was delighted to find this here. Really, the only downside practicality-wise is the lack of waterproofing, which would be ideal for listening in the rain or when exercising.

Another slightly disappointing aspect of these earbuds is their design. The buds each have a raised piece of plastic with the JBL logo on which looks a little clumsy, and the flat wire might not be to everyone’s taste either. Don’t get me wrong, my eyes didn’t burn just looking at the Tune 305C, but I was hardly swooning over them. The controller looks decent, however, and is positioned near your cheek for easy access, not to mention that the wire – despite not being too pretty – is tangle-resistant, which is useful if you need to slide these into your pocket.

All in all, the JBL Tune 305C are a solid pair of in-ear buds. They have typically clean audio with commendable bass and volume, EQ options and a surprisingly good mic. The loose fit does come with sacrifices in the audio and noise isolation departments and it's a shame not to see waterproofing too. But at £16.75 / AU$24 (about $21), there’s still plenty to like here.

If you want a step-up USB-C option, the SoundMagic E80D will outperform the Tune 305C in most departments, but there are some nice cheaper options too, such as the Skullcandy Set USB-C.

(Image credit: Future) JBL Tune 305C review: Price and release date

• £16.75 / AU$24 (about $21)
• Launched in 2024

The JBL Tune 305C launched in 2024 – the same year that the audio specialists dropped the Tune 310C model, which uses ear tips for a more snug, noise-isolating listening experience.

These in-ears are typically priced at £16.75 / AU$24, making them a very budget-friendly option. They’re also available in a number of attractive color variants including: Black, Blue, Red and White – I tested the latter for this review.

JBL Tune 305C review: Specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the JBL Tune 305C? Buy them if...

You’re on a tight budget
If you want a cheaper wired option, these are worth considering. At £16.75 / AU$24 (about $21), you get audio that’s rarely tinny or grating, solid loudness and even EQ options – not bad at all.

You’re always on the phone
If you love a phone call, you’ll likely be satisfied with the JBL Tune 305C’s built-in mic. You get decently clear, defined speech as well as call controls, making these ideal for those who enjoy a good natter.

Don't buy them if...

You want strong noise isolation
Due to their loose-fitting design, these JBL Buds will offer very little in the way of noise isolation. If you’re looking for decent passive noise isolation at an ultra-low price, consider the Sony MDR-EX15AP. But if you want to take things up a notch and wouldn’t mind going wireless, then take a peek at our guide to the best noise cancelling earbuds – which includes a very cheap option.

You’re expecting top-tier audio quality
If you’re expecting a top-drawer sonic performance from the JBL Tune 305C you’re likely to be disappointed. Sure, they have a built-in DAC for hi-res listening and pretty warm bass, but they can sometimes produce a fairly bloated sound, especially at high volumes.

JBL Tune 305C review: Also consider

Skullcandy Set USB-C
If you’re looking for a stylish, moderately priced pair of wired earbuds, the Skullcandy Set USB-C could be the perfect fit. They boast a clean, curved design, attractive color options and solid sound quality. There are no built-in volume controls, which is slightly irritating, but IPX4 waterproofing does give it some points in the durability department. Read our full Skullcandy Set USB-C review.

SoundMagic E80D
The SoundMagic E80D are some of the best budget-friendly wired earbuds around. Why? They offer excellent comfort, an inbuilt DAC for hi-res listening and impressive noise isolation. It’s a decent amount more than the JBL Tune 305C, sure, but if you have that extra cash, you’re in for a far superior sonic experience. Read our full SoundMagic E80D review.

JBL Tune 305C review: How I tested

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for one week
• Used in the office and on public transport
• Predominantly tested using Tidal

I tested the JBL Tune 305C over the course of one week. When I used these buds for music listening, I mainly used Tidal on the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, but I also tried them out with YouTube and Spotify on my Windows Laptop.

Not only that, but I made sure to run through tracks in the TechRadar testing playlist, which contains songs from a variety of genres – read our guide on how we test earbuds for more. I did, however, also spend hours tuning into songs from my personal library. And I took the 305C with me everywhere for this review. I tested them at a busy London train station, on walks through my local town centre and in the office.

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

Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System: one-minute review

The Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System is just that. It is indeed an air fryer, and not really more than that, but the design is utterly unique. Rather than cooking in a plastic drawer, your food goes on a metal tray in a glass cooking container with built-in plastic handles and feet. The heating element, which Ninja calls the PowerPod, is placed onto the glass container. When your cooking is complete, simply remove the PowerPod and place the glass container right onto the table for serving.

If you have leftovers, you can just put the included lid on your glass container and stick it in your fridge. The glass containers come in multiple sizes and the PowerPod has an adapter so it will fit on each container perfectly. There are four cooking modes: Bake, Air Fry, Max Crisp, and Recrisp. Each runs at a different temperature range, so you have some flexibility.

Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System: price and availability

• List price: $159.99 (about £127 / AU$251)

You can purchase the Ninja Crispi directly from Ninja’s website, where it’s available in a number of bundles containing multiple glass containers. You can also purchase extra glass containers in three different sizes separately: $29.99 for the six-cup container, $39.99 for the 2.5-quart container, and $44.99 for the four-quart size. The standard $159.99 system, which I tested, comes with the large four quart and the small six cup glass container. It’s available just about everywhere that sells air fryers online and in person, such as Amazon, Best Buy, Target, Walmart, and many more.

• Value score: 4.5/5

Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System: specifications Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System: design and features

• Heat comes from removable Crispi PowerPod
• Four cooking functions
• Looks functional rather than attractive

The cleverly designed Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System is a really a cooking pod, called the PowerPod, and a collection of glass cooking dishes. The cooking dishes, which Ninja calls TempWare Containers, withstand high cooking temperatures and are made just for the Ninja Crispi. You must use Ninja’s TempWare Containers; the PowerPod won’t work on other dishes. A built-in plastic piece adds handles and feet so you can place the dishes on any countertop. Each cooking dish comes with a metal crisper plate that nests inside and keeps the food off the bottom so air can circulate around it.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

Place your food into one of the glass dishes on the crisper plate and place the pod on top. The PowerPod fits the small six-cup dish perfectly on its own. If you’re using the larger four-quart dish, you’ll need to use the included adapter for the PowerPod. Choose your cooking function mode: Recrisp (380°-400°F), Bake (375°-400°F), Air Fry (400°-425F), or Max Crisp (425°-450°). Select your cook time by pressing the - or + buttons. Press the start button to begin.

As with most air fryers, you will usually need to flip your food over halfway through the cook time. To pause cooking, simply remove the PowerPod and it will power off automatically. To re-start cooking, place the pod back onto the glass container and hit the start button once again.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

The standard bundle comes with the largest glass dish, which has a four quart capacity, and the smallest one, which holds six cups. Ninja also makes a medium 2.5-quart glass dish, which is sold separately. Any of the glass dishes can be purchased separately, and there are different bundles you can buy with varying dish combinations. The handles and feet allow you to use the dishes for serving the food; there’s no need to transfer it to another container. All of the cooking dishes also come with an air-tight lid, so you can use the dishes for storing food as well.

Cleaning the Ninja Crispi is easy. You don’t need to clean the PowerPod, just the glass containers and crisper plates. They are even dishwasher safe, though it is easy enough to just wash them by hand. Though it’s not mentioned in the literature, I was able to use paper air fryer liners which made cleanup even easier.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System: performance

Though there are four cooking modes, the Ninja Crispi is truly an air fryer. The Air Fryer, Max Crisp, and Recrisp modes all worked pretty much as expected. The Bake mode, however, was a bit disappointing. I tried baking several items, all of which turned out fully browned on the top and raw in the middle. Since air frying in general requires flipping for even crisping, I’m not that surprised that the baking mode wasn’t great. I think baking would be fine for something quite thin, like cookies or very small mini muffins. If you want to make something thicker, like full-sized cupcakes, you’re better off using a regular oven. Of course, most people don’t buy air fryers in order to bake.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

I eat a lot of fresh roasted vegetables, so I air fried broccoli, cauliflower, red peppers, brussels sprouts, and sweet potatoes. I used both Air Fry and Max Crisp modes. There is a learning curve, but once I got the hang of it, the veggies turned out delicious with just the barest spritz of oil. You definitely want to remember to flip your food, at least once during the cooking process. When I didn’t flip it, the food did not cook evenly. The Ninja Crispi is very, very fast. It’s a good idea to check your food frequently to make sure you don’t burn it. Even with careful flipping and checking, vegetables tend to brown (or blacken) quickly in some spots before all of them are fully cooked. Raw vegetables tended to come out more blackened and crisp rather than tender.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

My favorite vegetable cooked from its raw state was the diced sweet potatoes. They were crisp on the outside and soft in the middle. The next day I used the Recrisp mode to heat up the leftovers, which turned out great.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

I made a bunch of veggie burgers, as well as protein waffles, veggie tots, falafel balls, and veggie “chicken” nuggets. They all turned out wonderful and crisp on the outside, tender on the inside. I didn’t need to add any oil to any of these convenience foods.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

I hosted a Super Bowl party and air fried some frozen french fries for my guests. The fries disappeared so quickly, I ended up air frying another batch immediately! They were perfectly crisp and evenly browned on the outside and soft and fluffy in the middle. I did nothing to doctor them at all, no oil or seasonings, and they came out just right.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

My family got in on the air frying fun. My youngest is a more adventurous cook than I, and they made some panko-crusted and seasoned tofu squares. The tofu was delicious! As expected, it was nice and crunchy on the outside and soft in the middle. They didn’t even have to press and dry the tofu first. I’m a vegetarian but my husband eats meat; he used the Ninja Crispi to quickly and easily cook some chicken breasts. They got nicely browned on the outside (flipping half-way through cook time is a must) and cooked all the way through.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

As I mentioned above, I did try Bake mode. First, I made some pancake bites in a little silicone baking dish. The tops browned but the rest was still raw. I actually pulled off all the tops, flipped them over, and put them through another bake cycle. That worked fine. I also baked a (rather thick) protein air fryer cookie with the same results. I did the same thing where I pulled off the top, flipped it over, and put it through another cycle. Again, it was fine that way. So if you do use Bake mode, just be sure your items are very thin.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

• Performance score: 4/5

Should you buy the Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System? Buy it if

You want to minimize cleanup and hassle

Put your food in one specially designed glass dish. Then air fry, serve, and store your food without having to move it to another dish. You only have one dish to clean. Easy peasy!

You want multiple cooking modes

From low heat to high heat: Recrisp, Bake, Air Fry, and Max Crisp.

You want portability

You could easily keep the PowerPod at the office, for example, and just bring the glass container with your food inside ready to air fry each day.

Don't buy it if

You want something pretty to keep on your counter

The Ninja Crispi just looks functional. It has a lot of parts (stackable, but still) so you’ll need some storage space.

You want the cheapest possible no frills air fryer

There are certainly cheaper options out there.

You plan to do a lot of baking in your air fryer

If that’s the case, you might prefer a toaster oven-air fryer combo appliance instead.

Ninja Crispi: also consider

If you're not sure about the Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System, here are some other options to consider...

Ninja Double Oven Air Fryer

Cook two different items two different ways at the same time in this two-compartment air fryer oven. This is a good pick if you want to bake and air fry with the same appliance, which is why it earned a place in our roundup of the best air fryers.

Read our full review here.

Russell Hobbs Satisfry Dual Basket Air Fryer

Just want a regular air fryer? This two-basket version does the job, twice, earning it the title “best budget air fryer” on our list of the best air fryers.

Check out our full review here.

How I tested the Ninja Crispi 4-in-1 Portable Glass Air Fryer Cooking System

• I tested Recrisp, Bake, Air Fry, and Max Crisp modes multiple times
• I used it daily for two weeks to cook a variety of food
• I cleaned it after each use

Although I’m a foodie, I’m kind of a lazy cook. As a wife and mother of three, I used to put more effort into crafting a variety of nutritious meals from scratch when my kids were little. Now that they’re grown, I still want to eat healthy meals, I just don’t want to take the time to cook them. The Ninja Crispi certainly helps me get food on the table fast. My family (my husband, my adult child, and I) used the Ninja Crispi daily, sometimes multiple times in one day, for two weeks. We made loads of fresh veggies, plus veggie burgers, veggie chicken nuggets, french fries, frozen waffles, breaded tofu, falafel, veggie tots, chicken breasts, pancake bites, and a protein breakfast cookie. I cleaned it after each use, which was quite easy. I did use paper air fryer liners sometimes, which made cleanup even easier.

Read more about how we test.

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The Elegoo Centauri Carbon is one of the new wave of CoreXY fully enclosed machines that I've reviewed this year, although this one is aimed directly at the entry-level market. Elegoo already has a decent history with this level of printer, with their Neptune printers being some of the most reliable on the market—if not the most well-known.

The main reasons for making the switch from the traditional bed slinger to the CoreXY machines is that they ensure high speed and accurate prints, and it's nice to see a printer of this type and quality come from Elegoo.

After removing the printer from the box, it only took around 10 minutes to get it set up and started with the first print. What really impressed me was the fact that it was so easy to use. It actually compared really well against the new Creality and Anycubic machines and, again, was just extremely fast and ran through its various self-checks faster than those competing machines.

While an initial check through the specifications showed that this is a slower printer than the new Creality K2 Plus or the S1 from Anycubic, when it came to general print speeds away from the standard test models, the Centauri Carbon actually outpaced them.

As I've seen with many of the best 3D printers, there's a lot of self-checking that goes on, so the auto bed levelling, strain gauge system, and other fail-safes all help to avoid misprints. It's nice to see a printer of this type coming out with its own integrated camera as a standard part of the machine, rather than an optional extra—the main thing here is that it will also print Carbon fill straight from the box, again without any additions.

The enclosed design enables plenty of material support, and through the test, I used PLA, PETG, as well as TPU and carbon fill, just to give the printer a full run of materials. With more advanced materials, having that enclosed build area does help with print quality, and when it comes to materials such as PLA, you can always pop the top of the machine to increase airflow.

Overall, while there's nothing groundbreaking about the Centauri Carbon, other than the amount of printer that you get for the price. When it comes to build quality, design, and ease of use, I have to say I've been extremely impressed. Although it remains a closed system, as an out-of-the-box and easy-to-use solution, the Elegoo Centauri Carbon is just a really well-thought-out and solid machine.

Elegoo Centauri Carbon: Price and Availability

The Elegoo Centauri Carbon can be purchased directly from the official Elegoo website as well as through major online retailers.

US: $299.99
UK: £299.99
EU: €329.99
CA: $449.99

• Price and Availability: 5/5

Elegoo Centauri Carbon: Design

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The first thing I noticed when I lifted the Centauri Carbon out of the box was just how heavy it was for such a relatively small machine. The reason for this is that it has a completely integrated chassis, which helps boost stability, and certainly, for a machine of this type, it feels really solid. That solid build is carried across the entire design of this 3D printer, and it all feels really high-quality, with reinforced aluminium alloy pillars and stainless steel side panels. They all add weight but, again, add to that rigidity, which is needed for a CoreXY machine.

Looking over the machine, the overall build is good and solid, with a high-quality glass door at the front and a touchscreen for easy navigation and control of the machine. One of the pitfalls of this type of machine is that a door or top needs to be removed or opened when printing filaments such as PLA, and that's certainly a case here—some of the latest machines have started to incorporate other manual or automatic vent systems. Considering the price, the build and design is very high, so to not featuring a vent at this level isn't an issue. For a machine of this type, the display is just about standard at 4.3 inches, offering a full-colour screen that is nice and bright and extremely responsive.

Inside, due to the design of the machine, everything is neatly packed away, so it looks like a really refined 3D printer. It would have been considered premium had it been released a year ago, but now it sits just at the upper end of the entry-level price point. From the outset, it just seems like superb value for money, considering the quality and the number of features that you get.

There's a lot here that is reminiscent of the old bed-slinger Cartesian printers, so we have the large 256 × 256 × 256 mm print area, and as standard, there is a flexible magnetic build plate. This enables easy model removal when needed.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

On the outside of the machine, you have your USB port so that you can transfer files offline to and from the machine, and the right-hand side of the machine features the filament holder, which is pretty standard and not enclosed. These days, it's more common to put your filament into a dry box of some type, and the design of this machine actually makes that next to impossible, so if a dry box is added, it will be an external module.

When it comes to the nozzle, there is a standard 0.4 mm option fitted by default, and as is now standard, this can be swapped and changed for a range of other diameter nozzles depending on the type of work you're doing. When it comes to the maximum temperature, this can reach up to 320°C—perfect for specialist materials—and there is plenty of flexibility over the adjustment of the temperature when needed. This is the Carbon model, so you guessed it, as standard out of the box, it's Carbon ready. Likewise, the bed temperature can also rise up to 110°C, again ideal for specialist materials.

• Design: 4.5/5

Elegoo Centauri Carbon: Features

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings) Specs

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Build Volume: 256 × 256 × 256 mm
Nozzle Diameter: 0.4 mm (default)
Max Nozzle Temperature: 320°C
Max Bed Temperature: 110°C
Filament Compatibility: PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, ASA, PLA-CF, etc.
Printing Speed: ≤500 mm/s
Acceleration: 20,000 mm/s²
Slicing Software: ELEGOO Slicer, supports third-party slicers
Connectivity: USB, Wi-Fi
Display: 4.3-inch full-color touch screen
Power: 1100 W @ 220 V, 350 W @ 110 V

This is Elegoo's first CoreXY motion machine, and if we look at the quality of their previous 3D printers, this first launch sets a pretty good standard when it comes to entry-level machines of this type for others to follow.

Starting out with the build area, at 256 × 256 × 256 mm, this is big all things considered and will give you plenty of flexibility over the type of model that you print. When it comes to the actual size and weight of this machine, it measures 398 × 404 × 490 mm, which again really isn't that large for a machine of this type and build area. When you compare that with the traditional bed slinger, it actually takes up a lot less space. However, when it comes to weight, these machines are in a different league compared with the older bed-slinging Cartesian models and has a weight of 17.5 kg. So, despite that relatively small footprint, with the strength and quality of the construction, the weight of this machine is far greater.

Just taking a quick run-through of the tool head, and it's fitted with a 0.4 mm nozzle diameter, and this can be swapped out and changed for others. It's heated by a 60 W heater, which is quite powerful, meaning that the hot end will heat up quickly. Inside the tool head there's that filament cutter, which helps to avoid filament clogs but also lends to the belief that this is going to be a multifilament machine in the not-too-distant future, and as standard, it takes 1.75 mm filament—so good standards all around.

The build plate is a double-sided flexible magnetic plate, which again is pretty standard, and it can reach temperatures up to 110°C. Along with the nozzle's maximum temperature and the enclosed design of the machine, that will enable plenty of flexibility over the type of materials that you print.

The CoreXY kinematics enable several advantages over the previous Cartesian design. Primarily, they are a lot faster and also more accurate. When it comes to speed, it has a maximum tool head speed of 500 mm/s, which is impressive, and a maximum tool head acceleration of 20 m/s²—again, exceptionally fast. But as I've come to realise, speed isn't everything, and whilst it might not match up to the likes of the Creality K2 Plus or the Anycubic S1 with those speeds, the speed at which it does its self-checks and heats the hot end could make all the difference.

As we've seen with the likes of the Bambu Lab P1P and many other machines on the market, cooling is as important to print quality as heating, and Elegoo has really tackled this with a high-speed 5020 cooling fan, an internal enclosure cooling system, and an auxiliary cooling fan—all to help with the efficient cooling of models as they're being printed. In addition to cooling, there is also a filtration system, so if you are using toxic filament such as ABS, then the built-in nano mineral crystals should help to reduce the odours and particles coming out of the machine.

One of the touches that I really like is the built-in camera, which enables timelapse recording as well as monitoring. While this is possible on most modern machines, it isn't always the case that the camera is included as a standard part when you buy the kit, so it's great to see that it's standard for the Elegoo Centauri Carbon.

• Features: 4.5/5

Elegoo Centauri Carbon: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Setting up the Elegoo Centauri Carbon took me around 10 minutes, with the most effort being lifting the 3D printer out of the box. The reason for this was that, while it looked small, it was actually surprisingly heavy, and I wasn't quite prepared for that weight. At 17.5 kg, it is about average for a CoreXY machine, but with its slightly smaller footprint than most, it was still a bit of a surprise.

Placing the printer onto a work surface, and it all looks extremely neat with assembly essentially consisting of plugging in the small LCD and removing all the packaging.

Switching it on, the printer ran through its setup process and auto-levelling, with all checks running through relatively quickly and smoothly. Feeding in the filament and following the load instructions, and all was complete.

Starting out, I ran a few of the test prints from Elegoo, and the machine quickly proved just how efficient and fast it could be. While this isn't the fastest 3D printer on paper, when it actually came to use, it seemed to be incredibly quick. Using the example 3DBenchy, it produced this in a little over 15 minutes, and to be honest, the quality of that print was really good.

As the test went on and I produced more prints, I became increasingly impressed with the precision and speed that the Elegoo Centauri Carbon was capable of when printing with a variety of different materials. One thing that really struck me was that, because of its size and quality of the physical machine's construction, there was very little vibration. Although it caused a little bit more noise than some, the speed at which it printed and the consistency and reliability it was capable of were really impressive.

Again, when it came to checking over those prints for print quality, there was little to fault. The test models showed that it handled negative space, overhangs, bridging, and dimensional accuracy exceedingly well.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

This is the fourth 3D printer that I have looked at in as many weeks that shows complete separation between the older Cartesian printers that I was reviewing a year ago and this new wave of CoreXY machines. The main thing here is that the Elegoo Centauri Carbon is far cheaper than many of its rivals.

When reviewing this machine, you can't help but make comparisons with the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon, which sits side by side with it on the workbench. The Elegoo Carbon actually takes the lead, mainly due to the time it takes to do its safety checks and the speed at which the nozzle gets up to temperature. Otherwise, when it comes to actual print quality, both are actually very similar. I would say that while they compete, the X1 Carbon is still a more premium machine and, in the long run, is the better machine, but considering the price of the Centauri Carbon, it gives the X1 Carbon a run for it's money.

• Performance: 4.5 / 5

Elegoo Centauri Carbon: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

It's incredible how far things can come in a year, with the Elegoo Centauri Carbon really being a competitor against the far more expensive Bambu Lab X1 Carbon. The print size is exactly the same, but with the Elegoo Centauri Carbon, you have those faster speeds due to the fact that the nozzle gets up to temperature really quickly, spends less time doing safety checks, and, ultimately—no doubt due to the rigid, high-quality build—it seems to be incredibly reliable.

The more I used the Centauri Carbon, the more I could see how this design has developed. What Elegoo has done is focus on the quality of the print and the hardware of the machine to ensure that it's able to compete in an increasingly competitive and advanced market.

I recently looked at the Anycubic S1, and that machine was capable of producing some of the most accurate prints that I've ever seen from a 3D printer of its type and price range. While printing some specialist materials, the S1 does require a nozzle upgrade. The Elegoo Centauri Carbon, however, comes ready and equipped to print with carbon fibre materials straight out of the box, and there is no other machine at present in this price range that can do that.

Its main competitor is really the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon, but with that model costing over £1,000, there's a huge difference in price. So if you are looking to print with carbon fibre materials, whereas a few weeks ago I would have recommended the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon without a doubt, now you're spoilt for choice with the X1 Carbon, Original PRUSA Core One or now this ultra-cheap entry-level Elegoo Centauri Carbon.

Should you buy the Elegoo Centauri Carbon? Buy it if...

You want an outstanding printer

This smallish CoreXY machine pitches itself at a level that is well beyond it's price point. The build is outstanding, and the quality of prints and speed absolutely excels.

You want outstanding prints

While speed is the core of these new machines, dial down the pace and the print quality, utilising a huge variety of prints, including carbon, is outstanding.

Don't buy it if...

You need multifilament now

Although it looks like eveything is in place for multifilament printing, at launch this is a single filament machine.

You want to print at scale

While the build area is pretty good, there are plenty of machines that are now offering 300mmx300mmx300mm build areas.

For more 3D printing devices, I've also tested and reviewed the best 3D printers for miniatures and the best hobby 3D printers.

As a company, BenQ has been heading up and to the right for years. They crushed it with the monitor light bar and showed they could also dominate the monitor market. Then, they made dedicated monitor line-ups, some for coding, some for business, and some that are just great monitors for the masses.

The BenQ RD320UA is just a continuation of that greatness, but not in a boring way. In my humble opinion, it is in the running for the best monitor for programming on the market. But what makes this so incredible is that though it's a "coding monitor," I'd be thrilled to use it as a business monitor and never show a line of code. It's that good.

Granted, it's not the best monitor for photo editing and definitely not the best video editing monitor either. Most likely, though it would be good, it's not built for that. Nor is this built for gaming due to the 60Hz limitation. But, outside of creative or high graphical intensity needs, this monitor is incredible.

It has outstanding IO, a built-in KVM, a built-in backlight to help with eye strain, and specialized coding modes to help with eye training and clarity of code, helping supercharge your coding sessions without needing anything but this great monitor.

BenQ RD320UA: Price and Availability

Depending on the reseller or retailer, this monitor ranges from $650 to $700. It is more premium, but it's for a good reason. You can buy this monitor without needing or even wanting an upgrade for quite some time. Plus, its build quality and feature set are tremendous benefits.

If you're a programmer with multiple computers, perhaps personal and work, now with this monitor, you won't need a KVM. Plus, if you're a programmer and work at night or in the dark, with the RD320UA, you won't need a backlight as this will help illuminate behind the monitor, helping with strain. Lastly, it has an ergo arm built in, meaning you don't need a separate monitor arm.

You can purchase this monitor from BenQ's website, Amazon, and other retailers.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) BenQ RD320UA: Unboxing and First Impressions

The box for this monitor was shockingly thick, but then I remembered I got the model with the Ergo arm, which made more sense with how dense it was. The box all together was packaged fairly efficiently and had two main layers. The first layer had all the cables, documentation, and the ergo arm pieces. The bottom layer housed the panel itself.

The Ergo arm was super easy to set up, with a simple rubber-enforced twist clamp that I threw on the edge of my desk and then tightened down. There were no extra steps to assemble anything, grab and go. Then, I added the ergo arm piece that connects to the mount and the mounting piece that connects to the monitor itself.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

The power cable easily tucked away into the cable management that's built into the Ergo Arm, but the USB-C that came with the monitor was a tad short for what I was wanting, so I left that out for now so I could plug my MacBook Pro into the front of the monitor and get a stacked setup working.

The first moment I plugged into this monitor, I was blown away by the Nano Matte panel's clarity and beauty. The clarity is remarkable, and the lack of glare is also huge.

Thanks to the ergo arm, I could position the monitor exactly how I wanted it to and get to work with incredible flexibility and ability. The Ergo arm didn't feel weak, but rather, it was high-quality and firm.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) BenQ RD320UA: Design and Build Quality Specs

Screen Size: 31.5 inches
Resolution: 4K (3840 x 2160)
Panel Type: Nano Matte
Refresh Rate: 60Hz
Connectivity: USB Type-C, HDMI, DisplayPort
Ergonomics: Adjustable Ergo Arm (height, tilt, swivel)

This monitor all around is a classic BenQ monitor. It's high quality, sleek, gorgeous, and has excellent ports. The monitor is made with premium materials. The Ergonomic arm is a fantastic feature that I wish more monitors included. BenQ's ergo arm is excellent all around. I hope it was longer on the top arm, but that could be me used to a full-blown, dedicated monitor arm I've used for years.

The Ergo arm on this BenQ display allows easy pivoting and rotation, enabling you to switch the monitor to portrait mode effortlessly. It also offers height adjustment, panning, tilting, and movement to the left and right. This feature is quite impressive. The core of the Ergo arm allows for twisting, providing maximum mobility.

The entire monitor is impressive, but the standout feature must be the built-in MoonHalo light ring in the back's mounting area. Surrounding the circular disc mounting plate is an entire LED light strip with a diffuser integrated into the monitor. This light can be easily turned on and off, offering complete temperature control. Additionally, built-in quick buttons allow you to display the light strip on the top and sides or for a full 360-degree effect.

What's particularly convenient is that this can be controlled through the complementary DisplayPilot 2 app, enabling you to make adjustments without reaching behind the monitor, asking Google to turn on the light strip, or fumbling with your phone to hit a button in another app. Everything can be managed directly from your mouse and keyboard through your computer. If the goal for usability is a frictionless experience, sign me up for DisplayPilot 2 because that app could not be more straightforward to use, and the fact that it can now help me turn on bright lights in my monitor, too, is just incredible.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) BenQ RD320UA: In use

When I got this monitor, I was thrilled to set it up. Because I am testing other accessories on my main monitor setup, I threw this display on my secondary desk setup in my studio. I hoped to get a reasonable amount of time with this monitor, but I did not expect to be drawn to this display even when my main display is also a newer BenQ and is gorgeous.

The Nano Matte Panel enhances everything on display, and even in a room that doesn't have a ton of reflections or bright light glares or anything like that, I find my eyes feel like they are resting when looking at this display. They can lock in on what I am doing so quickly.

While I am not a professional engineer and work in code all day, I do have a few scripts I run weekly to do some back-end work for one of the companies I support. I was skeptical of the "coding mode" on this display, but I can say that it made a difference with readability. I wouldn't know that having this coding mode viewing option is an absolute must if you work with code, but if I did work with code daily, I would turn this feature on if I had it. So take that as you will.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

The MoonHalo was super easy to play with and utilize. I love having lights behind my monitor, but nothing too crazy. Since I am still rocking the original BenQ Halo Plus lightbar (that still uses USB-A and Micro-USB, along with a wired puck if that gives any indication of age) at my main desk setup, I moved my desk to be in front of some Govee Glide Hexa Pro light panels that I had already set up on a wall. Now, I keep these on a warm glow, paired with a lamp from Vari on a set of drawers from Vari, and my desk has one LED light strip I keep on cooler white for a nice contrast.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

With the RD320UA, I'd be able to and would desire to negate the Govee panels and one of the lamps; I'd use the backlight and add a monitor light bar, and my whole setup would be ready to go lighting-wise. The MoonHalo makes it super easy to reduce eye strain at night by adding some backlight so the contrast isn't so intense, and it has an auto mode, so you don't even have to think about it. In addition to helping with your eyes, having the backlight turned on makes the whole area feel more elevated without needing extra accessories.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

One remarkable feature of this monitor is its built-in KVM switch, which makes it incredibly easy to switch between devices. I use several devices throughout the day, though most would probably have a work and personal computer. This monitor can connect to two devices, and with the press of a button, it allows you to swap your USB-connected keyboard and mouse (or use a Bluetooth receiver/dongle) from one computer to another, all while displaying the new computer on the screen. KVM stands for Keyboard, Video, and Mouse, and that's exactly what this function switches. Usually, if I have needed something like this in the past, I use a Logitech Keyboard and mouse that have multiple connections and then manually switch the input, but with the KVM built-in, I can now do this without any friction.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) BenQ RD320UA: Final verdict

The BenQ RD320UA offers a compelling package for software developers, engineers, or business professionals in general, prioritizing eye comfort, screen clarity, and ergonomic design. While it isn't designed for gaming or streaming, its coding-focused features justify the premium price for professionals who code extensively.

For more dev tools, we reviewed the best laptops for programming.

The Flexispot C7 Pro Max ergonomic Office Chair continues the C7 legacy of chairs that has performed very well in the last few years. I've tried out the C7 and the C7 Lite; both have been excellent chairs.

Like many of the best office chairs from the company, the C7 Pro Max is designed to showcase the best of what Flexispot offers within not only this C7 line-up but also its entire catalog.

Flexispot C7 Pro Max: Price and Availability

The C7 Pro Max is Flexispot's most premium chair, priced at $799.99, but it is currently discounted at the time of writing this down to $599.99 on official website (check it out by clicking here). The C7 Pro Max comes in a light grey or a black colorway, with a matching seat color.

While you may be able to find this chair through some other retailers, it's worth noting that Flexispot runs deals fairly regularly on their site, making the products even more accessible.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Flexispot C7 Pro Max: Unboxing and First Impressions

The C7 Pro Max came in a box like the other Flexispot chairs I reviewed. The packaging keeps everything secure, yet it's easy to unbox. Assembling the C7 Pro Max took around 27 minutes and was straightforward. The instructions were clear, the parts were easy to find and distinguish, and everything went together quickly.

At first glance, this chair looks a lot like the Flexispot C7 and Flexispot C7 Lite that I have previously checked out. It has a similar shape; you can tell it's part of the same design language. However, some things stick out as upgraded. First, the lovely design on the back "spine" of the chair, the controls are slightly modified, the leg rest is slightly changed, and the lumbar support is somewhat different. The rest looks very similar, just making the changes needed and learning from the success of the C7 Ergonomic Chair. What's great, and what matters, is that this chair is still fantastic; it's comfortable, it's premium feeling, it's sleek and professional, and it's great for all-day comfort.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Flexispot C7 Pro Max: Design and Build Quality Specs

Weight capacity: 330 lbs.
Height range: Recommended for users 5’9” to 6’11”.
Recline angle: Adjustable to 135 degrees.
Base: Aluminum alloy for durability.
Warranty: 10 years.

The Flexispot C7 Pro Max is constructed with a high-quality mesh seat that allows both support and comfort, all while allowing for ventilation for those who get a little warm in their posterior during the day if they are sitting in a leather seat, for example, that doesn't breathe. The most prominent feature of this chair is the dramatic lumbar support. While this feature is aggressive-looking, it's comfortable. I could dial in just how much resistance I wanted, and once I could pick that amount, I hadn't touched it since.

The last element worth mentioning is the metal base. Some chairs have a plastic base where the wheels connect to the piston that holds the chair up (and usually changes the chair's height too). However, the C7 Pro Max has a metal base, which adds to the frame's comfort and quality build design.

Flexispot C7 Pro Max: In use

The Flexispot C7 Pro Max has been a fantastic chair in my rotation for several months. In that time, I've gotten comfortable dialing in every setting just as I want for maximum comfort while working. While having a lot of adjustability is excellent, you do have to spend the time to set it up; otherwise, there's no point in choosing a nice ergonomic chair compared to a simple, no-adjustment dining chair, for example.

The C7 Pro Max has a gravity-sensing chassis that auto-adjusts based on weight, though this works better for those that 200lb plus, or perhaps it's just more noticeable. I've had friends and peers of many weights and heights check out this chair to see how well it worked for everyone. For those under 200 and under 6 feet tall, this is comfortable and even good. But this is an excellent chair from my little testing group for those a bit bigger and a bit taller. Even my son loves it.

The only issue is that he's five-years-old and skin and bones, meaning he doesn't come anywhere close to even the minimal weight suggestion from Flexispot, nor the height range -- though he does still love running down to my office to jump in this chair pretty much every chance he gets. For reference, I am about 6'2" tall and 210lb. For me, this chair feels great, and like it's designed for me in mind. I had a friend who is around 280lb and 6'4" sit in this chair and his immediate response was to exhale and smile -- in a good way.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

The backrest is great; the armrests are stiff enough that I don't find myself falling to my doom after leaning on them and having them give out on me like has happened on other chairs. But, at the same time, I can adjust them to whatever setting I want to give me the armrest relief I am looking for. The leg rest is nice, too, though I feel like I need to lean back actively or adjust my legs just right to lean back while my legs are up too, that could be my build. Someone built differently than me may experience different proportions, making leaning back with the footrest easier.

For the past several months, this has been a great chair; through all my stress testing, early mornings, and long hours in this chair, It still looks as good as new and functions as though it's brand new. If you're looking for a new, high-quality office chair without paying the ultra-premium pricing of some of these chairs, the C7 Pro Max might be the chair you're looking for.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Flexispot C7 Pro Max: Final verdict

The FlexiSpot C7 Pro Max is a remarkable ergonomic chair designed for users who prioritize comfort and adjustability. While the price tag might be on the higher side, the build quality and extensive features make this a fantastic option, especially if you are taller and a bit bigger. This chair is an excellent representation of what makes the C7 line-up a great choice from Flexispot.

For more office space essentials, we tested the best standing desks and best office desks.

It's not any secret that I have tested many, many, many chairs. I rotate through them like some people rotate through socks. It's thrilling, and sometimes chairs rotate through, and I can't distinguish them from one another. Some stick around, some rotate through and get swapped out with the newest and shiniest chair that I need to put to the test.

The Autonomous line of Ergonomic chairs break that mold for me. Back in July of 2023, I reviewed the A72 ErgoChair Pro, and since that review, I have had this chair at one of my workstations exclusively. I can work in several workspaces throughout the week without wasting time diving into them. At one of these spaces, I have a desk setup that the A72 has lived at for a year and a half now, amidst all of the other fantastic chairs coming in and out that I have loved (most of them). There is something about the A72 ErgoChair Pro that became a baseline for me. Everyone of the best office chairs I reviewed was compared to that one for my chair at that desk. It became such a good base that I realized it was a good chair. I didn't see a chair surpassing or replacing it until I unboxed the Autonomous ErgoChair Mesh, which seems to be a perfected ErgoChair Pro at first glance.

Autonomous ErgoChair Mesh: Price and Availability

The Autonomous ErgoChair Mesh has two purchasing options. First, if you are "Buying for the Home," the price is $599, discounted to $549 for a limited time. However, if you are "Buying for the Office" or in bulk, you can grab a nice quantity discount of $507.82 per unit. You can grab the ErgoChair Mesh from the Autonomous website by clicking here and other select retailers.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Autonomous ErgoChair Mesh: Unboxing and First Impressions

The Autonomous ErgoChair Mesh arrives in a well-packaged box, ensuring that all parts are protected during shipping. There are clear labels and organized parts once unboxing, making the assembly process a dream. It took me about 22 minutes with a HOTO Electric screwdriver to put everything together correctly.

I immediately noticed that this chair resembles my favorite A72 ErgoChair Pro from my office. This model is an upgrade, enhancing some features while maintaining others that I love.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Autonomous ErgoChair Mesh: Design and Build Quality Specs

Materials: Ultra Air Mesh
Color Options: Black and gray.
Weight Capacity: Supports up to 300 lbs (136 kg).
Dimensions:
• Seat Height: 18–21 inches (adjustable).
• Seat Width: 20 inches.
• Backrest Height: 22 inches.
Warranty: 2 years.

The Autonomous ErgoChair Mesh is a very sleek and minimalist chair offered in the two most basic colors possible, and only those colors -- black and grey. This makes everything a lot easier on the warehouse side of things and is a premium choice, showing that there are only professional colorways.

The lightweight frame is robust and durable, leaving plenty of room to let air flow through the mesh seat.

This mesh seat is designed to keep you comfortable, even if you sweat during the workday. Those of us who run warm throughout the day appreciate such a design.

Autonomous ErgoChair Mesh: In use

The Autonomous ErgoChair Mesh has lived up to the hype. By this point, you've heard me ramble on about how great it is; it's an upgrade to a chair that even someone like me, who has access to many chairs, has held onto for two years. So, I won't go into the Ultra Air Mesh micro-mesh fabric that enhances airflow and prevents sticky discomfort for those with a lot of moisture that collects in the posterior region of the body. Nor will I dive into the nine adjustment points, including recline angle, seat height, armrest positions, lumbar cushions and more. Lastly, it's not worth diving into the fascinating and one-of-a-kind 2:1 synchro-tilt mechanism that ensures balanced support between the back and seat, ultimately focusing on reducing strain to the lower body with the integrated lumbar.

This chair is excellent. It has just enough bells and whistles to keep those with a squirrel-like attention span when it comes to flashy new gear while not being so complex that you need a manual to sit down, only to feel like you're in a complex chair that rivals an F1 Jet. The backrest is like nothing I have experienced before. I can lean back along with my seat leaning back, which provides support I never knew I needed until I felt it for the first time. Additionally, the seat on the ErgoChair Mesh is wildly supportive while not adding any pressure points to my body. I can sit in this chair for 9 hours plus (and sadly, I have tested this theory). Part of this is because of all of the adjustment features; part of this is because of how fine-tuned you can make these adjustments. Some chairs have a tight or loose adjustment for the back tension. For this chair, for example, I can rotate a little wheel, much like the crank of an old car window when you have to roll it up or down, to fine-tune just how I want my backrest to be.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Autonomous ErgoChair Mesh: Final verdict

The Autonomous ErgoChair Mesh is a thoughtfully designed ergonomic chair that excels in performance, comfort, and style. While it comes at a premium price, its features justify the investment for those prioritizing quality and health. If you’re seeking a chair to enhance your work-from-home or office setup, this could be your next upgrade.

Make your workspace more comfortable with the best standing desks and best office desks we've reviewed.

Lexar NM790 with Heatsink: One-minute review

The Lexar NM790 with Heatsink is one of the best SSDs for PS5 in its price range. Its 4TB variant in particular is significantly cheaper than the competition, especially when it goes on sale. It also scores well in the internal PS5 benchmark, even beating pricey licensed alternatives like the WD Black SN850P and Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5.

If your number one priority is getting a high-capacity option with solid performance at the lowest possible cost, then the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink is the clear winner. That said, there are some significant drawbacks that arise with that reduced price tag. The most important is that this is a dynamic random access memory (DRAM)-less model that uses host memory buffer (HMB) technology, something that you would expect from budget PC SSDs rather than ones made with consoles in mind.

The PS5 does not support HMB and Sony even recommends against fitting HMB drives. This is because it leads to somewhat uneven performance, which is noticeable when you’re copying particularly large files. It can also cause issues in games, though these are far from a complete dealbreaker as the vast majority of titles that I tested ran flawlessly, even the likes of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6.

There was some stuttering in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, however, namely in a handful of cinematic moments where scenery changed quickly. Assassin's Creed Valhalla also had the odd hitch, though nothing that rendered either title unplayable or even really spoiled the experience.

(Image credit: Future) Lexar NM790 with Heatsink: Price and availability

• 1TB is $94.99 / £74.99
• 2TB is $159.99 / £129.99
• 4TB is $269.99 / £233

Unlike the seriously overpriced Lexar Play 2280, the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink comfortably undercuts the competition at its going rates. It's available at Amazon, where the 1TB model will set you back $94.99 / £74.99 - $30 / £25 less than the WD Black SN850X.

The price of the 2TB varies depending on its stock level but is most often found at $159.99 / £129.99 which is a very fair price for what you’re getting. The best value option, however, is the 4TB version which comes in at $269.99 / £233 and has been on sale for as little as $234.95 / £229.49 in the past twelve months.

This drive seems extremely popular, however, so prices do fluctuate week to week. The 4TB model, for example, is currently only available for the absurdly high asking price of $338.92 through a third-party Amazon seller in the US - so avoid purchasing one unless you can find it for around the above figures.

Lexar NM790 with Heatsink: Specs Lexar Play 2280: Design and features

• Looks and feels premium
• Sold with and without a heatsink
• HMB model, so lacks DRAM

The Lexar NM790 with Heatsink has a plain overall design. It comes with a chunky black heatsink fitted out of the box, with some small grooves to give it some texture on the top. Despite its large size, it fits absolutely perfectly in a PS5 or PS5 Slim. Even though this is a more budget-oriented product, nothing about its look or feel seems particularly cheap either.

It comes well-packaged in a compact cardboard box and small plastic tray, which is easy to open and should provide a good level of protection on the move. On the box, you will find instructions on how to access more production information, in addition to warranty or return details, via the Lexar website.

The most notable feature of this drive is the fact it is an HMB model. As I explained above, this means that the drive does not have any DRAM - a small bit of separate memory used to store mapping information. This, in essence, tells your system where to find specific data quickly, improving performance and longevity. With HMB, the host device is meant to be responsible for this function.

This is not the case with the PS5 though, which does not support HMB drives. Sony states that such drives “may experience slower-than-expected performance because the PS5 console does not support HMB”. Even so, HMD models are generally significantly cheaper than those with DRAM and will still function when fitted to a PS5 - so make for solid budget picks.

(Image credit: Future) Lexar NM790 with Heatsink: Performance

• Impressive PS5 benchmark score
• Performs well copying games
• But very occasionally stutters while playing

The Lexar NM790 with Heatsink delivers admirable performance on the whole, but it's far from consistent.

To give one example, copying a 67.25GB installation of Dishonored 2 to drive from the internal storage took just 22 seconds - while a smaller 59.22GB installation of Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine was fully playable in 26 seconds, four seconds more. This wouldn't be noticeable in general use but does demonstrate some of the spottier moments associated with HMB drives on PS5.

The largest file I tested, 101.9GB of Far Cry 6, took just 44 seconds to copy to the SSD, while the 80.7GB Remnant 2 took 34 seconds - all good results. Smaller games also copied smoothly and quickly, with a 24.22GB copy of Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens and 12.93GB installation of Lollipop Chainsaw RePop accomplished in 13 seconds and 6 seconds respectively. A relatively tiny file like the 2.72GB Slime Rancher 2 was then copied in only 2 seconds.

Similarly, good figures were observed copying from the drive back to the internal storage, with Far Cry 6 taking 6 minutes 51 seconds and Remnant 2 5 minutes and 24 seconds. Lego Star Wars: The Force Awakens took just 1 minute and 42 seconds, which is broadly in line with the times for similarly sized games on the more expensive WD Black SN850P. Just bear in mind that these figures are mainly due to the PS5’s internal write speed more than the SSD itself.

The drive also scored impressively well on the PS5’s internal benchmark, clocking in at 6,526MB/s. That’s significantly higher than the WD Black SN850P, just above the Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5, and close to the numbers achieved by the seriously pricey Samsung 990 Pro - excellent on the whole.

That said, things aren’t entirely perfect when you dive into games stored on the drive. The vast majority of titles that I tested were completely fine, but there were two exceptions. Exploring the world of Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, I noticed the occasional framerate hitch which was entirely absent when playing on internal storage. Likewise, moments with lots of rapid changes in scenery in Marvel’s Spider-Man 2 (like the bombastic final boss fight) suffered from a few stutters - almost as though the drive was unable to load in assets quickly enough.

In the grand scheme of things, these are very minor problems and in my book are worth the cost savings represented by the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink - but it does mean that if you want a completely flawless experience across the board, you should look elsewhere.

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink? Buy it if...

You want a cheap high-capacity drive
If you want a decent 4TB PS5 SSD for the lowest possible price, then the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink is a solid contender. It’s not perfect, but it’s hard to complain much when it costs such a relatively low amount.

You want a model with a quality built-in heatsink
I did not experience any noticeable thermal throttling throughout my testing of the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink, no matter what kind of intensive load I threw at it suggesting that its chunky heatsink is very effective.

Don't buy it if...

You want flawless performance
You won’t run into problems in most games, but some particularly demanding titles can push this HMB drive to its limits. If you want truly flawless performance, spend more for a model with DRAM.

Also consider...

If you want to weigh up the Lexar Play 2280 against some other options, here are two great alternatives.

Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5
This officially licensed drive from Seagate is a great alternative if you’re shopping for a 1TB or 2TB model. It performs much more consistently, with no noticeable negative effects on your games.

For more information, check out our full Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5 review

Samsung 990 Pro
The Samsung 990 Pro is the cream of the crop, a premium SSD with an effective heatsink that boasts blisteringly high speeds. It's a fantastic performer and much more consistent than the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink but doesn’t come cheap.

For more information, check out our full Samsung 990 Pro review

(Image credit: Future) How I tested the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink

• Tested for over a month
• Tried with a wide range of games
• Compared to other SSD models

I tested the Lexar NM790 with Heatsink for over a month, using it as my primary PS5 SSD at home. During that time I played a wide variety of games, including plenty of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Doom Eternal, Sniper Elite: Resistance, and much more.

Throughout the testing period, I was careful to assess the performance of the drive in each game, in addition to a variety of copy tests, and compared my experience with hands-on testing of other models like the WD Black SN850P, Lexar Play 2280, Samsung 990 Pro, and Seagate Game Drive M.2 SSD for PS5.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed February 2025

The EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus builds on the success of the Delta 2, featuring the latest LiFePO4 battery technology for enhanced durability, safety, and performance. This portable power station is designed for users seeking a versatile power solution for various scenarios. While it excels as an all-around device, significant upgrades in design, an excellent array of ports, and an ideal size for portability make this model stand out.

Having spent considerable time working with the best portable power stations, the Delta 3 Plus is nearly perfect for most users' needs. Although it's not large enough to comfortably power an entire house—something EcoFlow does offer with larger models designed for whole-home backup systems—it's intended for easy transport, or dare I say, to be portable. It's perfect for camping, use at a cabin, providing power around a warehouse, enhancing a work truck's capabilities by adding outlets and power, working as your primary power solution for living or working out of a vehicle, and converting solar energy into usable power, among other applications.

EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus: Price and Availability

EcoFlow offers the Delta 3 Plus for $799 on their site, but it is currently on sale at the time of writing this for $649, making it an even better deal. While this price gets you a Delta 3 Plus, you could also pick up accessories to expand the capabilities of the power station, such as extra batteries, solar panels, a dual-fuel smart generator, alternator chargers, and more.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus: Unboxing and First Impressions

The EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus came in a simple box with the essential cables to recharge via AC and DC. Unboxing was incredibly easy; I just pulled the power station and cables out of the box and was good to go. Right away, I remember smiling when I saw the size and port offering, knowing that this was the perfect size for most. Even the design is sleek, modern, and super simple -- in the best way. This power station can easily blend in and fit in most situations, and I have found plenty of scenarios to use this. Thanks to the port layout, the dual handles, and the shape of this unit, I have been able to fit the Delta 3 Plus into many workflows and scenarios without needing to change how I do things -- but more on that later.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus: Design and Build Quality Specs

Capacity: 1024Wh
Cycle Life: 4000 cycles to 80%
Outputs: 6 AC (1800W continuous, 3600W surge), 2 USB-C, 2 USB-A, 1 car port, and 2 DC5521 ports
Charging Options: AC (1500W), solar (500W), car (800W), or smart generator.

The EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus has a sturdy plastic casing around the IP65-Rated battery. There are integrated cooling systems that ensure optimal performance even when I put a lot of strain on this power station. Additionally, the LED display helps provide clear metrics crucial for performance. This shows battery level, output levels, time left under the current load, etc. This information is also readily displayed on the app; you can connect to it via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi.

EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus: In use

I've had quite a bit of fun testing this all around my office, in my Jeep, on the road, in the yard, and the workplace. First of all, it's worth noting that in addition to being a great power station, this is also a seamless UPS with a 10ms switchover time, meaning it can be relied on for even critical devices that cannot lose power or have any downtime. With this in mind, I tested it a few times and simulated my power outage. My router could stay powered on without any blips, the same as my modem, computer, monitor, lights, and anything else I had plugged into it.

I recently built a giant playhouse/swingset in my backyard with my father. We had to keep drill batteries charged to swap to new ones during this time. With the Delta 3 Plus, I could have power out at the job site without running a crazy long extension cord from my house.

Another area I have been using the Delta 3 Plus is as a UPS and power station for my home office. Thanks to that 10ms switchover time, I have been more than confident to trust this to run things such as my Wi-Fi router and modem, my main workstation, which has a monitor, my chargers to keep all my gear juiced up, my Plex Server, my Synology Bee Station that holds a backup of my client data, my Apple TV, and more. The EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus can power it easily, pulling whatever power it needs off the wall to transfer to my gear and keep my vital tech running. Additionally, if the power goes out, it can keep my gear running for the duration of the battery (which would vary in time based on what I have plugged in) while staying quiet and without dropping power to my essential devices.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus: Final verdict

The EcoFlow Delta 3 Plus strikes an excellent balance between power, portability, and advanced features. While limited accessory compatibility may deter some users, its rapid charging, robust construction, and quiet operation make it a top choice for diverse power needs. Whether you're an adventurer, a homeowner preparing for outages, or a professional requiring portable energy, this power station delivers dependable performance.

For more portable power, we tested out the best laptop power banks.

Eureka Ergonomic is a company I had not heard of until about a year ago. I've gotten to know them better. I've had the opportunity to try out the Eureka Ark standing desk and the Eureka Serene ergonomic office chair. Both have been great and have given a great insight into Eureka Ergonomic as a company.

Both of those products have shown me that Eureka Ergonomic is a company that cares about making premium products that are just as beautiful pieces as they are functional. To put it another way, you wouldn't find Eureka creating the classic and infamous cube shelf system sold at every budget store. But they would make a gorgeous bookshelf system out of walnut. While their gear looks premium and high-quality, they also want to reach the cheaper product market. For example, this is a premium leather chair, but it's currently on sale for only $400. It's slightly different from a lot of the best office chairs I've reviewed - but that's arguably part of its charm.

Eureka Ergonomic Royal Executive: Price and Availability

The Eureka Ergonomic Royal Microfiber Leather Executive Office Chair is sold for $700 on their website and is currently on sale for $400.

Eureka sells the Royal through its website (click here), Amazon, and select retailers. The Eureka Royal is available now and has four "interest-free installment" options via Shop Pay for those who need an option other than paying full price.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Eureka Ergonomic Royal Executive: Unboxing and First Impressions

The Royal Microfiber Leather Executive Office Chair came well-packaged with secure padding to prevent any damage to the chair. Eureka included any necessary tools for assembly (such as the hex key) within the box, helping to ensure that my assembly time was around 12 minutes without any hiccups or issues.

At first glance, after the assembly was complete, this chair looked a bit bougie, but then I remembered the price and realized it was very nice for the price. It looks great and is my first time sitting in the chair; it's comfortable all around.

Granted, the armrests are not what I am used to with ergonomic chairs, nor is there any lumbar support, but this one is wonderful for a padded side leather chair.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Eureka Ergonomic Royal Executive: Design and Build Quality Specs

Material: Microfiber Leather
Weight Capacity: 350 lbs
Seat Height: 19.3" - 22.4"
Backrest Recline: 98° - 130°
Armrests: Fixed
Tilt Mechanism: None (limited rocking function)
Headrest: Adjustable
Warranty: 2 years (upholstery), 3 years (other parts)

Most ergonomic office chairs have a very similar look. They distinguish themselves with certain features, upgrades, fancier armrests or headrests, etc. The Eureka Ergonomic Royal, however, has a very different look. It stands out among all of my other ergonomic office chairs easily. Part of this distinguishability is because of the leather, part of it is because of the lack of a headrest, and part of it is because of the built-in and non-adjustable armrests that are solid and like a wall to the chair and not just an armrest on the arm... that the arm rest rests on...

Regardless of its stand-out design, the Royal has a lovely touch to it. There's a big difference between the old-school, dated, and fake leather executive chairs that are (thankfully) going away slowly but surely and the high quality, or "premium faux leather," of today. Yes, they're both fake leather. However, the quality of the material itself is significantly better here. I don't feel my legs sticking to the chair, nor my arms. I don't feel cold when I sit on it for the first time, and I don't feel like it will make me sweat an absurd amount.

Eureka Ergonomic Royal Executive: In use

My team has had this chair in our rotation of chairs for a few months now. At this time, the chair still looks brand new, even though we have used it rigorously. After hours upon hours of use, the plush cushioning still feels very comfortable even for extended use. Additionally, the faux leather I talked about earlier still feels cool without being cold, reducing sweat build-up or sticking to bare skin. The armrests are comfortable, though I do wish I could move them around sometimes. But, then again, when I look at this chair I am not shocked that the armrests don't move, becuase they aren't supposed to. Further, the lumbar support is lacking, though I don't feel pain when I use this chair for long hours, but rather just not supported and relieved in my lower back.

This chair is great for those who are looking for this style chair. If you are looking for an office chair that doesn't look like it's a piece of technology in and of itself, like a lot of the modern office chairs do, then this chair is a fantastic option. If you like the vibe of the classic leather executive office chairs but you don't want the discomfort that came with those, then this chair is for you.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Eureka Ergonomic Royal Executive: Final verdict

The Eureka Royal Executive Office Chair gives off a luxury chair kind of feel, making it a perfect addition to both home offices and high-end executive spaces. Crafted with attention to detail, this chair boasts a sleek design and robust construction that ensure durability and aesthetic appeal. However, potential buyers who prioritize ergonomic features may find its lack of lumbar support and limited adjustability somewhat of a problem. These missing pieces could cause discomfort during long hours of work, making it essential for those who value optimal ergonomic benefits to consider their needs carefully.

For more workspace essentials, we've tested out the best standing desks and best office desks.

Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed: two-minute review

The Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed are wireless gaming earbuds made for playing on the go thanks to their slender form and useful mobile-related features.

They certainly make a good first impression, with the elegant appearance of both the case and the earbuds themselves standing out. The AirPod-like stalks help on that front too, with the added benefit of making them easy to handle.

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed buds are also very well-made, on par with the best gaming earbuds around. The hinge of the case is strong, as is the magnetic pull to keep the buds inside. This can make getting them out a little difficult, but it’s a compromise I’m okay with.

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed can be configured and customized using the Razer Audio mobile app. This has some useful features, including plenty of touch control assignments, but I didn’t find it to be the most stable app in my experience, with connectivity issues and failed firmware updates proving a real thorn in its side.

As wireless gaming earbuds go, the audio quality of the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed is quite good. Sound is admirably rendered across the frequency spectrum, although the highs lack the pristine clarity found in high-end consumer-grade earphones. It’s also a shame that the ANC isn’t all that powerful either. However, the THX profile does help to create a greater sense of space with its surround sound effect, while the bass enhancement bolsters the low end without introducing too much distortion. The microphone quality is also good, if not the best in class.

The battery life of the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed isn’t great, lasting a couple of days according to my tests. Charging the case takes just over two hours, which again isn’t anything to boast about. However, the case charges the earbuds themselves quite quickly, meaning you won’t have to wait long to top them up.

With its competent sound and highly engineered design, the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed buds are a solid pair of wireless gaming earbuds. But while the sound is good, it’s not enough to make the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed stand with the very best gaming earbuds on this front. At this price, you would also expect greater comfort levels, better software, and fewer glitches. Better value earbuds are out there, such as the SteelSeries Arctis Gamebuds and the Sony Inzone Buds.

(Image credit: Future) Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed review: price and availability

• $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$369.95
• Available now in black and white
• More expensive than the best gaming earbuds

The Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed earbuds cost $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$369.95 and are available now in two colorways: black and white. They come with Razer’s HyperSpeed Wireless USB dongle, as well as a charging cable and three different sizes of silicone tips.

At this price, the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed buds are some of the most expensive gaming earbuds around. They’re even the same price as the Razer BlackShark V2 Pro, our pick as the best wireless gaming headset. With its over-ear design, it’s hardly as portable as the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed, but we found it to have great battery life, high levels of comfort, and superb sound.

The SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds, the best gaming earbuds right now in our view, are less expensive than the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed, yet they have terrific build quality and sound. We also found the companion app to be flexible and full of useful features.

Then there are the Sony Inzone Buds, which are about the same price as the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed, but offer superb sound and noise cancellation. Naturally, they're compatible with the best gaming console around right now – the PS5 – but they also work great with PC and mobile devices.

Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed review: specs

(Image credit: Future) Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed review: design and features

• Great build quality
• Comfort slightly compromised
• Razer Audio app issues

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed ooze style. The matt black finish of the case is silky smooth and the engineering of the lid is impressive, opening with ease and closing with a satisfying click. The hinge is also weighted just right, with enough force to keep it securely shut.

In contrast to the case, the earbuds themselves are shiny. They feel equally as well-made, though, and ape the familiar design of Apple’s AirPods, with their long stalks protruding downwards from the drivers. In use, these stalks make the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed easy to put in and take out, while the drivers curve inwards, which also helps to secure them in your ear.

However, it can be quite awkward to remove the earbuds from the case, as the lack of divots on either the earbuds themselves or within the case makes it difficult to get a hold of them. And thanks to the strong magnetic slots, turning the case upside down won’t cause the earbuds to drop out with ease. This is a small price to pay for the added security, though.

(Image credit: Future)

Three sets of silicone tips with varying sizes are included to ensure you’ll get the fit right for you. However, regardless of which tip size I tried, I did experience minor aching after extended sessions, as the plastic body of the drivers exerted too much pressure on the inside of my ear canal. For shorter sessions, though, they were perfectly acceptable.

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed can be customized using the Razer Audio mobile app. However, I had multiple issues with the headset failing to connect to the app on my Android device (a Google Pixel 7a). It also failed on numerous occasions to install a firmware update.

Once connected, though, you’ll find Razer Audio offers a range of useful tweaks, including various equalizer presets. The default is THX mode, which isn’t explained in the app, but this is Razer’s spatial audio engine. There’s also a custom profile that lets you boost or reduce multiple points across the entire frequency band as you see fit – a feature lacking in many other companion apps. However, it’s a shame that for PC users the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed buds don’t integrate with Synapse, Razer’s main peripheral software.

(Image credit: Future) Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed review: Performance

• Decent sound
• Weak ANC
• Some connectivity issues

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed earbuds perform admirably for a pair of wireless gaming earbuds. The bass response is strong and there is enough clarity across all frequencies, although overall fidelity isn’t the best, with mild distortion occasionally rearing its ugly head.

The default THX EQ profile suffices for most scenarios, offering a balanced sound. THX is designed to impart a greater sense of positional accuracy, and I did find this to be the case, as audio pans subtly yet effectively to sonically map to your in-game environment.

The bass enhancement profile is also useful in elevating the low end without becoming muddy or overblown. However, I found that the enhanced clarity profile reduced the bass too much, and did little to actually improve fidelity as far as I could tell.

The Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed buds also have ANC, although I didn’t find this blocked out external sounds all that well, even on the highest setting. There’s also an ambient mode to allow outside noises to come through, which is more effective, letting you hear yourself and other noises in the room clearly.

The microphone on the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed is also good, offering sufficient vocal clarity, but it’s not equal to the mics equipped on the best wireless gaming headsets. However, for a set of earbuds, it provides reasonable quality.

Razer Audio can also be used to customize the touch controls, with a generous number of actions available to configure, including a two-second hold, double tap, double tap and hold, and triple tap and hold. These can be assigned to a myriad of playback and call controls, as well as other functions such as ANC toggling. What’s more, each bud can have different assignments for the same action, providing even more flexibility.

(Image credit: Future)

The various touch gestures are reasonably responsive and consistent, although the single press does require a firm hold rather than a mere tap, which makes it less convenient to use in a hurry. Also, the double tap and hold action took a while to perform its assigned functions during my tests.

The various wireless connectivity modes work well for the most part. Using the HyperSpeed Wireless Dongle on PC and console is easy, as it’s simply a case of plug and play, requiring no further setup. When using the dongle, I found there was an improvement in sound quality, with enhanced clarity and better low-end response, as well as a decrease in lag compared to Bluetooth.

However, one downside of using the HyperSpeed Wireless method is that you can’t use Razer Audio when connected, as it only works via Bluetooth. This is a major inconvenience for those who like to tweak their settings frequently or on the fly.

Setting up Bluetooth was smooth for the most part, however, there were occasions when the earbuds failed to connect to my Android phone. I also experienced a bizarre issue where the volume reduced considerably when switching back to my mobile from a PC that was connected via the HyperSpeed dongle.

This issue was resolved easily by restarting the Bluetooth connection to my phone, and, hopefully, it’s a glitch that can easily be solved via a firmware update. I had no such problems when connecting to a Nintendo Switch, though, so it’s possible the fault lies with my mobile device.

The battery life of the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed isn’t impressive, as they just about lasted a couple of days, during which time I switched between Bluetooth and HyperSpeed modes. Charging the case took over two hours, which is an average performance. The case itself, though, does charge the earbuds themselves quite quickly, and it managed to recharge the earbuds from half to full in about half an hour.

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed? Buy it if...

You want numerous features
The ANC might not be anything to boast about, but the various EQ profiles and the customization options for the touch controls are welcome.

You want great build quality
In line with many of Razer’s products, the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed are built to a very high standard, with both the case and the buds themselves feeling premium and durable.

Don't buy it if...

You want the absolute best sound
Despite doing an admirable job, the sound quality of the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed just can’t compete with larger headsets or earphones designed specifically for audio playback.

You want the best companion app / software
The Razer Audio app is useful when it works, but I found it wasn’t the most stable in my experience, and the fact it doesn’t work when connected via the HyperSpeed dongle is irksome.

Also consider...

SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds
As the best gaming earbuds around, you can’t really do much better than the Arctis GameBuds. With stellar sound and top-end features such as ANC and IP55 water resistance, they’re hard to beat. And to top it all off, they’re cheaper than the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed.

Read our full SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds review

Sony Inzone Buds
As one of the best PS5 headsets, the Sony Inzone Buds have excellent noise cancellation, sound quality, and battery life. We did find some issues with Bluetooth connectivity and the bass response wasn’t the best, but they’re still a compelling package nonetheless. They’re also the same price as the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed.

Read our full Sony Inzone Buds review

How I tested the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed

• Tested for over a week
• Used on numerous devices
• Extensive gaming experience

I tested the Razer Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed for over a week, during which time I used them when playing games, listening to music, and watching video content.

I tried them with an Android phone – more specifically a Google Pixel 7a – as well as a PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch. I used both Bluetooth and the HyperSpeed Wireless Dongle to connect to these devices.

I have been gaming for about 25 years, and have experienced numerous headsets and earbuds during that time. I have also reviewed various gaming headsets and general headphones.

• Read more about how we test
• First reviewed December 2024.

The TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro is an impressive mesh Wi-Fi system that works in large spaces, can easily connect up to 200 devices, and has some pretty impressive features. As Wi-Fe 6E adoption continues to grow, and some manufacturers are even up to a Wi-Fi 7, mesh systems like the TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro offer incredible wireless speeds and stability for users in a very accessible fashion. This system is easy to set up, can stretch to 7,200 sq. feet of coverage without a problem, and boasts a 2.5GbE port.

I've been running this system at my home/home studio/home office for the last few months to get comfortable with how well it operates. I've had a few hiccups, but this Wi-Fi system has been a massive upgrade from my previous Google Nest Wi-Fi mesh Wi-Fi routers (one of the best Wi-Fi mesh systems for everyday use) and has brought some enhancements I now cannot live without.

Like many people post-COVID, I work from home quite a bit. And, when I am not working from home, I still have things like my client server through Synology's BeeStation, my Plex Server, and other processes running on a Mac Mini Server I have in my home office that I need to access. All this and more can run easily in my 1990s house without ethernet cables running through my walls -- but more on this later.

TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro: Price and Availability

The TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro comes in a couple of options: a two-pack and a three-pack offering. The two-pack is rated at 5,500 sq. ft. and usually sells for around $400. My three-pack variant covers up to 7,200 sq. ft. and usually retails for around $600. You can pick this up at Amazon, Best Buy, or through TP-Link's official website by clicking here.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro: Unboxing and First Impressions

I'm a fan of minimalist tech. I like things to be simple and sleek. I also like things to work well. When I first opened the Deco XE75 Pro box, I was happy to see that the router was a sleep and sharp white dome that did not look bad. I've never been a fan of the black spider-looking routers that were so popular for so long, which is partially why I had stuck with a Google Nest Mesh Wi-Fi system for so long up until now. The units are compact and well-designed, with a beautifully designed point and an easy line of ports on the back, running up the height of the cylindrical design. The nodes, if you will, are all identical, meaning it's super easy to grab one and have it be the central unit -- something I later realized I could also change in the app if I needed to.

In the box comes the nodes, power adapters, and an ethernet cable to connect whichever node you want to be the primary node to your modem. The setup was super easy. I downloaded the companion app and followed the instructions. I had everything operational in a matter of 10 minutes at most.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro: Design and Build Quality Specs

Wi-Fi Speeds:
6 GHz: 2402 Mbps
5 GHz: 2402 Mbps
2.4 GHz: 574 Mbps

Dimensions (W×D×H):
4.1 × 4.1 × 6.7 in (105 × 105 × 169 mm)

Included:
3 Deco XE75 Pro units
1 RJ45 Ethernet cable
3 Power adapters
1 Quick Installation Guide

The design of the XE75 Pro is simple and aesthetically pleasing. Normally, I hide away my routers, but in two instances in my house, I have left them out in the open. One was on purpose, and the other was because I didn't need to hide it. These nodes stand about 6.7 inches tall and 4.1 inches wide and are cylindrical. They have a matte white finish with a black top, and the ports are all located on one side, running up the node's height. There is a 2.5Gbe WAN port, 2x 1GbE LAN ports, a power jack, and a reset button. One thing to note that's missing is any USB ports; however, this was not a huge loss for my use case. I've had them in the past, and they are helpful, but with my Synology BeeStation and Mac mini server, I didn't miss it in this rendition of my home office setup.

TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro: In use

I could get into a spec sheet and talk for a few hundred words about the performance of this router, but that wouldn't be as exciting as talking about my real-life use case. I set this router up several months ago, and it works well. I could connect with all my devices in my home and office as I needed to. The Wi-Fi was solid, I could reach my correct speeds, and the stability was pretty good. Nothing incredible and nothing terrible. That was until I dug into what this router could do, and everything changed for me.

One day, when I was contemplating running CAT 6 through the walls of my 1990s house so I could get both a more stable internet connection for my work and a wired connection to test some PCs that were in the queue that didn't have Wi-Fi antennas built in (shocking, I know), I remembered the ethernet ports on the back of the router that was sitting on my desk looking like a modern art piece. After some basic research, I learned that this could serve not just as ports on the central unit but could be something I plug a device into on the points connected over Mesh and connect as though I was wired to my modem.

When I figured this out, I took things a step further and bought a small network switch that I mounted under my desk (photo below). Now, I had multiple ports that I could connect to and get a stable internet connection, even without having a Wi-Fi antenna or relying on Wi-Fi. This was perfect for my BeeStation, my old Mac Mini Server (that I'm shocked is still kicking it, even without a reliable Wi-Fi antenna), and some smart home access points (Phillips Hue, Flic, etc). Next up, I wanted to make my connection as perfect as possible. At this time, my central unit was behind a Christmas tree and started having some issues. So, I looked it up; sure enough, Christmas trees can cause interference. So, I moved my main router to a different part of my living room and voila, I had a near-perfect connection to my other two access points running full Wi-Fi channels for 6GHz, 5GHz, and 2.4GHz connecting to nearly 80 devices at any given time (yes, my house has a lot of smart technology). The Deco app also has a built-in optimizer to help with this; with one click, I could change the channels to cause less interference, strengthening my network even more.

Having those ethernet ports on the back of my points and being able to act as an extension from the central unit has been something I didn't know I needed, but now, legitimately, I cannot live without it. It has allowed me to connect even dated or limited devices to blazing-fast internet without having to poke holes in my walls and traverse between floorboards to bring a CAT6 Ethernet cable from my main floor down across the footprint of my home to my basement home office/studio. Further, it has helped me speed up my testing process, allowing me to run updates and download testing software without having to take another step to connect to my Wi-Fi manually. I can plug into a " wired " dock to my modem, and I'm automatically connected to the internet.

Another massive win for the Deco XE75 Pro Wi-Fi system is that I can have my own built-in VPN to connect back to my home network without paying some absurd fee or having some crazy tech added to my network. I could set this up with limited knowledge of VPN creation and only a few minutes. Now, anywhere in the world, I can connect to my home network and access printers, local cameras, local storage, computers on my home network, and so on.

Lastly, if I did want to pay, I could get a host of AI-enhanced features that TP-Link has that could give me even more ability through this incredible router.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro: Final verdict

The TP-Link Deco XE75 Pro is an excellent Wi-Fi 6E mesh system for those seeking high-speed, low-latency performance with wide coverage. The AI-driven mesh technology and seamless roaming make it ideal for large spaces with multiple devices, and the extra ethernet ports allow the ability to turn a wireless network into a place to plug in wired devices. While it lacks USB ports and some security features require a paid subscription, its performance, ease of use, and future-proofed design make it one of the best Wi-Fi 6E mesh options available.

For more for home networking, we reviewed the best Wi-Fi routers around.

This is a hands-on review to give you the chance to see what the Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI (2025) is all about as soon as possible. Stay tuned as we'll be expanding and upgrading this hands-on review very shortly with more info.

At the Intel Extreme Masters esports tournament in Katowice, Poland, Acer has unveiled a pair of new gaming laptops: the Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI and Helios Neo 16 AI. I got to spend some hands-on time with the larger of these two new laptops, and I have to say, I’m impressed.

The Predator Helios Neo 18 AI is, unsurprisingly, a seriously chunky machine. The display is a gorgeous 18-inch QHD+ Mini-LED panel that looks stunning, and the large form factor means that it also packs a full-scale RGB keyboard and a metric ton of ports - something I always like to see on a laptop. It weighs in at a hefty 3.3kg (7.3 lbs) - granted, not the heaviest gaming laptop I’ve ever seen, but comfortably into ‘desktop replacement’ territory.

Meanwhile, the Helios Neo 16 AI is a little more svelte, with an optional OLED configuration available for its 16-inch display and a package weight of 2.7kg (6 lbs), making it a little more portable (though still fairly hefty). Otherwise, it looks like someone hit the 18-inch model with a shrink ray; it’s very similar but a little smaller. There’s also the 16S, which was previously unveiled at CES and offers a slightly slimmer overall design (the ‘S’ stands for ‘slim’).

These 'Neo' models were introduced a little while back, acting as a sort of middle ground between Acer's premium Predator gaming laptop line and the more affordable Nitro series. While they’re not exactly what I’d call affordable (more on that below), they are very fairly priced for the hardware on offer. I'm pleased to say that Acer hasn’t skimped on design quality to reduce the pricing; it’s purely a cap on the internal specs, as these laptops only go up to an RTX 5070 Ti while the ‘non-Neo’ Acer Predator Helios 18 AI can be configured all the way up to an RTX 5090.

The rear edge of the laptop features an RGB light bar behind the display. (Image credit: Future) Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI: Price and availability

While we don't yet have full pricing information for the Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI, I can confirm that it will start at $2,199.99 in the US with a launch scheduled for sometime in May. The 16-inch version will start at $1,899.99, and is expected to launch a month earlier in April.

Now, it's important to mention that these are base configuration prices, meaning that you'll only be getting an RTX 5070 GPU, Core Ultra 7 255HX CPU, and a relatively standard 1200p LED display. Other configuration details are still up in the air; we know that both laptops can be configured with up to 64GB of RAM, but not the baseline amount, which is likely 16GB or 32GB. It's likely that opting for the more powerful configurations will jack that price up a fair bit, especially the Mini-LED display option.

However, these are still very reasonable starting prices, especially for an 18-inch laptop. The Helios Neo 18 AI's closest competitor will likely be the ROG Strix G18 from Asus, which already starts at $2,299.99 in the US - and that's for the RTX 4070 model.

A thicker chassis has its downsides, but it also means more ports for better physical connectivity. (Image credit: Future) Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI: Design

The build quality on show here is a notable step up from the first-gen Neo laptop design, which I noted was ‘quite robust’ but not exactly the best-constructed laptop I’d tested in my Acer Predator Helios Neo 16 review last year. The keyboard and trackpad in particular feel a bit more sturdy, which is nice.

The Helios Neo 18 AI (and its 16-inch sibling) both retain the same excellent port selection seen in previous models, however, with basically everything you could possibly ask for: USB-A, USB-C, HDMI, Ethernet, a 3.5mm headphone jack, and even a microSD card slot. Anyone wanting to use this laptop for double duty across gaming and professional creative work should be well-served here (as well as by the respectable internal specs). Some of these ports, including the HDMI out, are located on the rear edge of the chassis, which helps keep some of your cables out of the way.

The keyboard is a fairly straightforward affair; customizable RGB backlighting is par for the course with gaming laptops, and the larger scale of the Neo 18 AI means that Acer has seen fit to go with a full-size key layout that includes a numpad. Key spacing is good and there's a reasonable amount of travel, meaning that typing feels comfortable. You've also got dedicated keys for both the Microsoft Copilot AI assistant in Windows and the Acer PredatorSense system tweaking software (which comes preinstalled), as well as a separate button above the keyboard that activates 'turbo mode' for gaming.

The size difference between the Neo 16 AI and Neo 18 AI is immediately obvious. (Image credit: Future) Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI: Performance

Acer sadly (but unsurprisingly) didn't let me sit and download a ton of benchmarks to run on the Helios Neo 18 AI, but based on the spec sheet, both the Neo 18 AI and Neo 16 AI are powerful without going completely overboard.

The GPU can be either an RTX 5070 or RTX 5070 Ti, with a choice between 2nd-gen Intel Core Ultra 7 or Ultra 9 HX chips. System RAM is configurable up to 64GB of DDR5, and storage can be up to a 2TB SSD (with an extra M.2 slot for user upgrades).

One notable missing feature is Wi-Fi 7 support, with these Neo laptops instead opting for Wi-Fi 6E - likely a small cost-cutting measure by Acer, and one that personally doesn't bother me. Considering the RJ-45 port and Intel Killer Ethernet E3100G support, combined with the fact that this laptop is an absolute tank that almost certainly needs to remain anchored to a wall outlet for serious gaming, you should probably just be using a wired internet connection for the best experience anyway.

With a large form factor like this, a full-size keyboard with numpad easily fits inside the Neo 18 AI's footprint. (Image credit: Future) Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 AI: Early verdict

I was pretty pleased with the Acer Predator Helios Neo 18 (and the Neo 16, too) - it feels like a smart move from Acer to have an option specifically for the midrange, ideal for users who don't want to shell out for an ultra-premium laptop from the likes of Razer or Asus's ROG line, but have enough cash to afford something a bit more heavyweight.

It would be nice to see more of a shift towards thinner form factors in gaming laptops (something that the 16S model does achieve), but that doesn't seem likely to change anytime soon; not with Nvidia's GPUs still bringing the same sort of power and cooling requirements to the table. That's a reasonable tradeoff for performance, though - and after all, any 18-inch laptop is going to spend most of its time acting as a desktop replacement system anyway. In short, I'm excited to see more - we'll be doing a full review of this gaming laptop once Acer starts to send out test units, so watch this space.

First reviewed February 2025

How we test

While this is a review, it's important to bear in mind that it's only a hands-on account based on my limited time with the device at IEM Katowice 2025. As such, there aren't any concrete performance figures to speak of, and there's the possibility that there may be specific flaws (or benefits!) that I may have missed. It's also possible that the product may be changed in some way before release, which may render parts of this hands-on review incorrect.

When reviewing laptops and tablets, I spend as much time as possible using the device as if it were my own: I'll browse the web, watch videos, and create content. Ideally, we also run a variety of benchmarking software to stress-test the hardware, and keep track of component temperatures and battery life while doing so. I also pay close attention to the weight, profile, and build quality of the device itself, as well as rigorously testing any moving parts such as keys, buttons, and touchpads.

Read more about how we test

KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6: two-minute review

The KitchenAid KF6 is a fully automatic bean-to-cup coffee machine, and it does its main job exceptionally well: brewing a delicious, rich espresso with the best crema I’ve ever seen.

It offers a wide menu of espresso drinks, each of which can be customized and saved to a custom profile. In addition, it includes an automatic milk-frothing system for options including cappuccinos, caffe lattes, and macchiatos. Unlike the higher-end KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF8 we reviewed in 2024, there’s no separate profile for plant-based milk.

Macchiato is one of seven customizable espresso drinks on the menu (Image credit: Future)

In addition, it's one of the quietest coffee machines we’ve tested here at TechRadar, with a pump that’s barely any louder than your refrigerator. The only significant noise happens for a moment during grinding and milk frothing, and it’s over in a second or two.

Thoughtful touches include a brew group that purges itself automatically between drinks to ensure you always have fresh beans ground to the correct size (like a barista would purge their grinder); a chute so you can make an occasional drink using a different bean to the one in the hopper; and a comprehensive set of cleaning functions that make maintaining the machine as simple as using it.

It’s also less expensive than you might expect. Fully automatic bean-to-cup coffee makers are never going to be cheap, but the KF6 costs far less than the KF8, with only a few compromises – and it’s often available at a discount, too.

KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6: price and availability

• List price $1,199.99 / £1,299 / AU$1,799
• Far less expensive than KitchenAid KF8
• Often available at a discount

The KitchenAid KF6 launched in 2024, and is available to buy directly from KitchenAid, or from third-party retailers. It has a list price of $1,199.99 / £1,299 / AU$1,799, but you can often find it more cheaply. For example, at the time of writing it’s discounted to $999.99 in the US and AU$1,599 in Australia for Valentine’s Day.

It certainly isn't cheap, but fully automatic bean-to-cup machines never are due to their complexity; plus the KF6 delivers plenty for the money. It's far less expensive than its higher-end sibling, the KF8, which has a list price of $1,999.99 / £1,899 / AU$2,599. While the KF6 makes a few compromises to keep the cost down, it remains an exceptional coffee maker; in my opinion, it's much better value than its big brother. We’ve rounded up today’s best prices for you here:

• Value score: 5/5

KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6: specifications KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6: design

• Sleek and modern look
• Takes whole beans and grounds
• Automatic milk texturizing system

The KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6 is a sleek, modern-looking coffee maker, with a matt finish and brushed stainless steel accents. It's available in three colorways: stainless steel, cast iron black, and porcelain white (the latter of which launched in January 2025).

Its screen measures 2.4 inches diagonally (6cm), which is smaller than that of the KF8, but it’s still bright and clear, with plenty of space for reviewing and tweaking your drink settings. You operate the machine using a set of touch-sensitive buttons positioned beside the display, and the power button is located discreetly on the left-hand side of the case.

The KitchenAid KF7 is controlled using a set of touch-sensitive buttons arranged around its small color screen (Image credit: Future)

The bean hopper is accessed via a hatch on the top, and has a central dial that twists to lock and unlock it. The hatch has a rubber seal to help keep your beans fresh. Next to the hopper, you’ll find a small chute where you can insert a scoop of pre-ground coffee if you want to use a different bean from time to time. This is particularly handy for those who prefer to switch to decaf in the evening; the machine will detect if the chute has been opened and automatically offer you the option of using ground coffee rather than beans when you next select a drink (a thoughtful touch). The KF6 arrives with a scoop to make this easier.

The KF6's water tank has a capacity of 2.3 quarts / 2.2 liters, which is the same as the other espresso machines in KitchenAid’s fully automatic series, and has a folding handle that makes it easier to carry it to the sink. You also get a water-testing strip, so you can decide which water hardness setting to choose, and a water filter that screws into the bottom of the tank. Additional filters are available to purchase directly from KitchenAid, or from Amazon.

The water tank is easily lifted out of the side of the machine, and comes with a filter that screws into the bottom (Image credit: Future)

The dispenser slides smoothly up and down to accommodate different-sized cups, and can dispense coffee and milk into one or two cups.The drip-tray beneath slides out smoothly when lifted slightly, and contains a removable bin where used coffee pucks are deposited. The tray has a spout shape at the back to avoid mess when emptying and rinsing.

The KitchenAid KF6 has an automatic milk-frothing system, but unlike the KF7 and KF8, it doesn’t come with a dedicated container. Instead, you just place the end of the tube into your own jug or cup of milk. The results are the same; the only difference in practise is that you can’t pop the closed container into the fridge between uses. However, unlike the higher-end KF8, the KF6 doesn’t have a separate profile for plant-based milk. You can still use it to heat and texturize oat, soy, or almond milk, but the system is optimized for dairy.

Used pucks are dispensed into a removeable bin that sits inside the drip-tray (Image credit: Future)

The only downside to the design is that I noticed a few small scratches on the stainless steel drip-tray after testing, which must have been caused by the bottom of the glass and ceramic cups I was using. They were noticeable only when observing up-close, however; you’d never see them in ordinary use. I was just a little surprised it happened so quickly.

• Design score: 5/5

KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6: performance

• Makes exceptionally good espresso with thick crema
• Good choice of customizable drink presets
• No profile for plant-based milks

The KitchenAid KF6 is very simple to use and, most importantly, makes a gorgeous espresso – rich and delicious, and with exceptionally thick crema that even earned praise from team coffee aficionado and reviews editor Josh Russell, who noted that his manual espresso machine couldn’t produce similar results.

The KF6 doesn’t have quite such an extensive menu of presets as the KF8, but still offers plenty of choice. There’s scope for customizing the strength, temperature, volume, and body of each drink, too. The options offered by the KF6 are:

• Espresso
• Cappuccino
• Caffe latte
• Macchiato
• Latte macchiato
• Americano
• Coffee

The KF6 can also dispense hot water and warm milk. However, unlike the higher-end KF8, it doesn’t offer a cooler water option for brewing green tea, or foamed milk without coffee for a babyccino.

The KitchenAid KF6 produces an incredible espresso (Image credit: Future)

When I tested the KitchenAid KF8 in 2024, I found that the default settings for a cappuccino and latte didn’t produce as much milk foam as I like, and it was the same with the KF6. Thankfully, both machines let me adjust the volume of the drink to add more milk, which resulted in thicker foam. It’s easy to play around with the options before making your espresso drinks, and once you’ve set your preferences, you can save them to one of four custom user profiles. The KF6 supports six profiles, but four will be plenty for most households.

The KF6 is Quiet Mark certified, meaning it has been designed with noise reduction in mind. It’s definitely quieter than most of the best espresso machines I’ve tested. It reached 75db for a second or two while foaming milk (similar to a vacuum cleaner) and 66dB while grinding coffee (about the noise of a normal conversation), but averaged a mere 44dB while the pump was in operation (a very gentle hum).

Unlike the KF8, the KF6 doesn't have a mode optimized for plant-based milk (Image credit: Future)

Sometimes, the convenience of a bean-to-cup coffee machine is offset by the hassle of maintaining it, but this isn't the case here. All of KitchenAid’s fully automatic espresso machines offer a great selection of cleaning and maintenance functions, and you’ll be prompted when it’s time to run each one.

After each milk-based drink, you’ll be advised to run the "easy milk rinsing" program, which uses water from the tank to flush the lines. To keep things hygienic in the longer term, the "deep milk cleaning" function uses a cleaning solution to give everything a good wash and remove proteins and bacteria.

There’s a quick option for rinsing the brew unit, plus a deep-cleaning mode that requires you to remove the brewing unit and insert a cleaning tablet to remove any build-up of oils that could start to impact the taste of your drinks.

Remove the panel on the right-hand side to access the brew group for cleaning (Image credit: Future)

The KF8 also offers a function that purges all coffee from the hopper and brew unit (ideal if you want to switch to a different bean), and one that evaporates all water from the system (great, if you won’t be using the machine for a while or need to transport it). You may need to use a cloth to absorb a little leftover water from the dispenser once it’s done, but the evaporation system works very well.

Generally speaking, I found the differences between the KF6 and the KF8 to be quite small. Although there are fewer drink options, the ones I use frequently are still available (and customizable). The absence of a special container for milk barely affects the experience at all, and the smaller screen is still ample for displaying your various options.

The only thing I really missed was the plant milk option from the KF8, which yielded particularly silky micro-foam when used with almond milk. If you rarely use plant milk, it’s well worth considering opting for the KF6 instead – the experience is just as good; it handles dairy equally well; and it brews an exceptional coffee.

• Performance score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6 Buy if if

You love espresso

I've said it before and I'll say it again, this machine produces truly great espresso, with masses of golden crema. It's delicious, and it will be perfect every time – with no skill necessary on your part.

You want minimal hassle

The joy of a bean-to-cup machine is its ease of use and consistency, and the KF6 excels in both areas. It makes preparing your favorite coffee a piece of cake, and is refreshingly easy to clean and maintain.

Don't buy it if

You prefer plant milk

There's nothing to stop you using the KF6 with your favorite plant-based substitute, but it's optimized for dairy. Unlike the KF8, there's no profile for soy, almond, oat and other alternatives.

You're on a tight budget

The KitchenAid KF6 is great value for a fully automatic bean-to-cup espresso machine, but if money is tight then you'd be better off choosing a manual espresso machine instead.

KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6: also consider

Not sure whether the KitchenAid KF6 is the right espresso machine for you? Here are a couple of other options that you might like to consider:

De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo

This is our favorite manual bean-to-cup machine, and an excellent introduction to the world of espresso. Plus, it's less than half the price of the KitchenAid KF6.

Read our full De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo review

Breville The Barista Impress Express

This espresso machine gives you the choice of manual or semi-automatic operation, and for those who lack the experience of grinding and tamping coffee, Breville's Impress system helps you create the perfect puck.

Read our full Breville The Barista Impress Express review

KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6: how I tested

I tested the KitchenAid Fully Automatic Espresso Machine KF6 using fresh coffee beans from local coffee shop, Mokoko, and chilled whole milk. I used each of the machine’s preset drink options, experimenting with the volume, temperature, strength, and body settings, creating a custom user profile.

I also ran all of the machine’s cleaning programs, including the intensive profiles for cleaning the milk system and brewing group, and evaporating water from the whole system. For more details, see how we test, review, and rate on TechRadar.

First reviewed February 2025

(Image credit: Future)