TechRadar Reviews

XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K: one-minute review

The XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K is a well-performing 24-inch drawing display that offers a natural drawing experience and comes with some great accessories for a surprisingly reasonable price. The most notable of the accessories include the X3 Pro Smart Chip and X3 Pro Slim styli, pre-mounted ACS02 Stand, ACK05 Wireless Shortcut Remote, and much more.

With 4K resolution and the capability of displaying 16.7 million colors, I could see my photos in more detail than ever before. It was easy to transition between color spaces depending on my task by using the XPPen Pen Tablet driver. The typical color gamut ratio of the XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K is impressive, covering 99% sRGB, 99% Adobe RGB, and 98% Display P3. Further color calibration is achievable using the free XPPen Color Master program and a colorimeter, should you want complete control over the output.

(Image credit: Future)

My drawing experience felt satisfyingly natural and free of complications over the hours I tested the XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K, to the point where it could prove a worthy rival to many of the best drawing tablets. Some key features that made this drawing display such a pleasure to work with include the practically-bordered 526 x 296mm working area, the optimally textured anti-glare etched and anti-fingerprint coated glass surface, and the 60-degree tilt range of the styli. I didn’t encounter any lag or jitter, and although there was a tiny bit of parallax, despite the fully laminated screen, a quick calibration in the settings put this right in moments.

I only encountered minor niggles when testing the XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K, the worst of which being some brushes requiring much more pressure for the stroke to be visible, though this could be rectified in the relevant design software’s settings. This small misgiving is more than forgivable though, considering the quality, accessories, and performance you get for the low $1,299.99 / £1,199 / AU$1899.99 price tag. If you’ve been eyeing up a Wacom but can’t bring yourself to make such a large investment, the XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K is the perfect solution, delivering stunning results for a reasonable price.

XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K review: price and availability

• Announced: October 22, 2024
• List price $1,299.99 / £1,199 / AU$1899.99

The XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 series, which includes the 4K model I’ve been testing, and a slightly cheaper 165Hz model, was announced on October 22nd, 2024, and is available now on the XPPen website in the US and Australia. I’m sorry to say that we Brits may need to wait a little longer for the 4K model, as at the time of writing delivery isn't expected until mid-June 2025, although there's a handful left in stock at Amazon UK. The XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K retails at $1,299.99 / £1,199 / AU$1899.99 but at present, the price has been discounted to $1,065.99 / £1,139.05 / AU$1,557.99 in a Valentine's Day sale.

You get a lot of bang for your buck with the XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K, as a purchase doesn’t just get you a large-format drawing display, but also the X3 Pro Smart Chip and X3 Pro Slim styli, plus a sturdy dual styli case, an ACK05 Wireless Shortcut Remote, all the cables you could ask for, and more.

(Image credit: Future) XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K review: specs XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K review: design

• Sturdy metal stand included
• Convenient stylus storage
• Three multifunctional buttons on top of display

The overall aesthetic of the XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K is clean and understated. The working area has been kept practical, with a generously sized border giving me plenty of space for my hand and wrist. The only buttons on the unit itself are three multifunctional ones on the top right that serve as both brightness adjusters and signal changers.

XPPen helpfully includes all the required cables, including HDMI, DisplayPort, and USB-C to USB-C cables, plus different regional power cables. While this is undeniably convenient, it feels a little excessive, and some of those cables will likely prove redundant for many purchasers. In the name of sustainability, there’s a little more control over the accessories received when purchasing the Wacom One, although one gets a bit of a shock from the new total price once the pen and cable costs have been factored in.

(Image credit: Future)

Once the power and USB-C cables were in place there was a plastic cable cover that helped neaten up the cables and keep the dust at bay, though it took a fair bit of persuasion to clip onto the back of the display. The pen clips on the top of the display worked well, although the holder for the slim was made of a rubber-like material that attracted lint the moment I took it out of the plastic. I was pleased with the premium-feeling stylus case and appreciated that I could stand a stylus in there, as the top of the display was a bit of a reach for me. If there was the option to mount a pen clip on the side too, that would have been ideal.

A very much appreciated accessory that’s included as standard is the ACS02 Stand. It felt and proved very sturdy, which I should hope considering how heavy it is. It was easy to adjust using the central trigger, with an achievable angle range of 16 to 72 degrees. The included glove, on the other hand, isn’t exactly premium, but it did its job well; helping my hand to glide across the surface of the display, removing the chance of any mischief being caused by my palm or rogue fingers.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K review: performance

• Vivid colors and impressive detail
• Precise performance with no lag or jitter
• Easy and assignable pressure and shortcut customization

The XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K came to life and happily presented an extension of my desktop, no setting tweaks required. I very much appreciated this straightforward start, due to other displays I've tested that proved a nightmare by refusing to connect and/or sustain a connection. The UX of the XPPen Tablet driver was easy to navigate, and different settings were easy to find and change. I was also grateful how straightforward it was to change the stylus shortcut keys and adjust the pen pressure, and that I could assign different settings to specific applications.

The fully laminated display did a good job of reducing the parallax, but as there was still some present to a degree, I completed the calibration sequence in the settings, which knocked it on the head.

I found the display’s anti-glare etched glass surface delightful to sketch on – it had the right kind of texture to feel like I was drawing on paper. I didn’t find either stylus catching at any point, which was nice to experience from a drawing display. The display is stated to be anti-glare and I’m inclined to agree – even with a bright daylight bulb in my desk lamp, I didn’t encounter any problems with reflections on the screen.

I also (very reluctantly) put my fingers on the screen in a few areas to test the anti-fingerprint coating and no pesky prints were left behind. However, after picking up the XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K, I could definitely see where my hands had been on the black border. But I’m still satisfied that it didn't pick up any marks while I was working on it, plus the XPPen cleaning cloth removed both fingerprints and dust.

The XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K can reportedly display 1.07 billion colors and has a typical color gamut ratio of 99% sRGB, 99% Adobe RGB, and 98% Display P3. For those who want an advanced level of control over the screen’s output, the free XPPen ColorMaster software compatible with this model gives freedom to calibrate in real-time, to ensure the display is producing the most accurate results. The software has been developed with color calibration aficionados Calman and uses their color accuracy engine, but it’s worth noting that a colorimeter is required for complete color calibration.

Colors looked oversaturated in the first instance when looking at some of my photographs (many of which, yes, featured alpacas, if you're asking). This was due to the default color space being set to Adobe RGB, which, predictably, was the best choice for when I was doing graphic design or drawing, but a quick switch to sRGB in the driver settings made my photographs a little less psychedelic.

(Image credit: Future)

The brightness of the display was adequate. I did find myself increasing it to the max level soon after I began testing it, as the desktop was noticeably dimmer than my MacBook screen. However, when I opened a new (startlingly white) document to draw on, I quickly regretted that decision. The quality of the XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K’s display was impressive; it delivered great clarity and vibrancy, bringing fond memories back to life while also enhancing the detail in my photos, like the one above of Ernesto the alpaca.

Although drawing slates like the XPPen Magic Drawing Pad are great for the price, I far preferred working with the XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K – as one would hope, considering the vast difference in cost. I spent several hours drawing on the XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K to get an accurate idea of how well it handled different speeds, motions, and levels of detail. I began by drawing test lines with different brushes, including some very fast strokes, and there was no lag or jitter in sight. At times I used some very texture-heavy brushes in large sizes, the kind that used to fatally offend my previous MacBook, and still, I didn’t encounter any issues with lag. The result of every movement I made was precise, and my stylus strokes felt superbly smooth and natural during the hours I spent sketching, drawing, and writing.

• Performance score: 5 / 5

XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K review: stylus

• Two pens, each with customizable buttons
• Ergonomic, comfortable design
• 8K pressure sensitivity with programmable curves

The XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K comes with the X3 Pro Smart Chip and the X3 Pro Slim styli, both of which boast 16,388 pressure levels. While this is twice as much pressure as the styli included with the well-rated Xencelabs Pen Display 16, we're unlikely to be capable of utilizing anything above the 8K industry standard, so a pressure sensitivity of 16,388 isn’t quite as impressive as it may sound.

One issue I encountered was that strokes from certain brushes, such as pencils, didn’t always show up on the canvas, so I found myself needing to put more pressure down than felt necessary. This can be worked around by changing the pressure in the design software’s settings, but it was a little frustrating switching between brushes to find the stylus had seemingly run out of lead.

Both styli felt lightweight, with the Slim stylus weighing 10g, and the Smart Chip weighing 16g, but they were still heavy enough that it felt like working with hollow plastic. The styli can support a satisfying 60-degree tilt. This gave me more control over my line variation and allowed me to write and draw the way I would with a pen.

(Image credit: Future)

There are customizable buttons on both the styli, and they support pen ID recognition, which proved helpful while I was switching between them both during testing,. However, the X3 Pro Slim stylus quickly proved to be my favorite of the two provided, as I loved how it felt like a traditional pen in my hand. To be clear, the X3 Pro Smart Chip stylus is also great, especially as the standard nibs can be swapped out for felt nibs, four of which are included, along with a further ten standard nibs. The X3 Pro Slim stylus has fourteen replacements too, so I can’t see myself needing to purchase replacements any time soon.

The ACK05 Wireless Shortcut Remote was a great addition to my drawing sessions, for the most part. It sits flat on the desk, and because it’s compact, I could fit it between myself and the XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K, providing easy access to the customizable keys. There’s also a dial for actions such as zooming in and out and adjusting brush sizes, but I found it inefficient as I couldn’t make adjustments in small increments. The jump between each click of the dial seemed unreasonably large, so it offered imprecise control. Aside from that element, though, I was very fond of the ACK05 Wireless Shortcut Remote, due to the simple connection process, satisfying scissor switches, and impressive 300-hour battery life.

• Stylus Score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K? Buy it if…

You want a well-performing drawing display without the premium price tag
I’ll be honest, I didn’t expect such a fabulous performance from a large format 4K drawing display at such a low price, so I was left a little gobsmacked with how satisfying and natural the drawing experience felt. With similar models from competitors listed for an extra thousand, this drawing display is undoubtedly value for money.

You want a lot of drawing room
There’s a vast amount of drawing room on offer with this drawing display, more than I’ve ever gotten to play with before, and now I’m not sure I can ever go back. Plus, the adjustable stand means that you can make the most of the space in a way that’s most comfortable for you.

Don’t buy it if…

Space is limited
This drawing display and its metal stand are a goliath in size and weight. I’m fortunate to have a wider-than-average desk, but even so, it proved to be a tad obstructive. It could also prove a bit too much of a chonk to relocate regularly, so a designated space would be ideal.

You want something that can be relocated with ease
It’s quite unlikely one would purchase a 24-inch drawing display with a mind to commute with it, but even if it’s a case of moving it on and off a desk, it could prove a little exhausting. A better option would be the aforementioned Xencelabs Pen Display 16, which is not only lighter but comes with a handy carry case, too.

XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K review: also consider

Xencelabs Pen Display 24
The (current) top spot holder in our pick of the best drawing tablets, Xencelabs 24-inch pen display received a glowing five-star rating when we tested it thanks to its fantastic performance, build quality, and accessories. It’s a well-balanced pen display that is perfect for professionals and aspiring digital artists, proving an accessible asset thanks to its affordable price.

Xencelabs Pen Display 16
If you need a tablet that won’t be a space invader and can plausibly carry about, the 4.5-star rated Xencelabs Pen Display 16 would make a great choice. Like XPPen, Xencelabs provides everything needed to get started, along with a convenient carry case. Easy to use with a stunning display and highly customizable controls, this is the perfect alternative if you don’t have the space to spare.

(Image credit: Future) XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K review: how I tested

• I spent many hours drawing on the XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K over one week
• I used it for photo editing and drawing using Affinity software
• I tested for parallax, lag, and jittering, and created some graphic script using various brushes for linework and texture.

During my week testing the XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K, I tested the ease of setup and usability. I did some photo editing on Affinity Photo, and did lots of experimenting with different settings and tools on Affinity Designer, using my favorites to draw some lettering and add texture. I also tested how the Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K handled other tasks such as locating and previewing files in Finder and opening different file types.

I performed line tests to check for jitter and lag and tested the tilt angle and pressure sensitivity to get a feel for how responsive and realistic the drawing experience was. I also compared the XPPen Artist Pro 24 Gen 2 4K and its accessories against previous pen displays I’ve tested, as well as its specs against equivalent products on the market.

In terms of experience, I've used many a drawing tablet over the years, right back to when they were teeny-tiny pads with flimsy plastic pens. I've also had a couple of decades of experience with Affinity (formerly known as Serif), Creative Cloud software, and plenty of programs in between.

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

Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank: review

The Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank is a small power bank with an integrated USB-C cable for added convenience, making it ideal for light travelers. The smart, minimalist looks are welcome too. The Ice Blue colorway I had looked classy, but there’s a Tan variant if you want something a little lighter. Both models are elegant and complement the sleek form of the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank.

In keeping with its uncluttered approach, there’s no screen or interface to speak off, aside from a power check button and four discreet LED dots to indicate battery and charging status. Despite their small size, they’re pleasingly bright, which makes them easy to see at a glance or at a distance.

I also appreciated the small form factor, with its square shape taking up little room. This is all the more impressive considering its 10,000mAh capacity, as not even some of the best power banks this size have such a small footprint. However, it’s thicker than some of them, and while the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank isn’t exactly heavy, it’s not the lightest either.

The plastic material body feels reasonably premium, as it’s smooth to the touch and feels solidly constructed. However, the stress relief for the integrated USB-C cable seems quite flimsy, and I wouldn’t trust it to withstand too many bends or prolonged squashing, so I’d be careful when packing it deep inside a bag. I also wouldn’t use it as a carrying handle, although in fairness, Xiaomi doesn’t mention this as a feature.

Unfortunately, the housing that keeps the jack end stowed away isn’t as secure as I would’ve liked either. It does preserve the perfectly flat contours of the bank, though, as the jack sits flush with the side panel when stowed.

In addition to the integrated cable, the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank also has a USB-A port and a USB-C port. Three-way simultaneous charging is supported too, as well as two-way 30W fast charging.

Charging performance is good, as it managed to charge my Google Pixel 7a, which has a 4,385mAh battery, from empty to full in just over 90 minutes, which is a solid performance.

More impressively, the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank only lost one of its four LED dots, which means you should get between 2-3 full charges of a smartphone out of it. Charging the bank itself takes somewhere between three and a half to four hours, which is reasonable for this battery size.

For the price of £19.99 (about $26 / AU$41), the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank represents good value. Not many power banks with this capacity take up so little real estate, nor have an integrated cable in addition to two extra ports. The cable might not endure as much punishment as others, but for light traveling the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank should make for a convenient companion.

(Image credit: Future) Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank review: price & specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank? Buy it if…

You want something small
Not many power banks with this capacity are so small, and it’s quite easy to tuck away in a pocket.

You want multiple charges
The Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank only lost one bar after fully replenishing my smartphone, so you should get at least a couple of charges from it.

Don't buy it if…

You’re going to take it on adventure holidays
The Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank is built well enough, but the stress relief for the integrated isn’t the sturdiest, and the jack housing isn’t the most secure.

You want something thin
It may be short across its length and width, but it’s quite thick in terms of depth, which arguably might be the most important dimension for some.

Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank review: Also consider

Iniu B41
The Iniu B41 has the same capacity as the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank but is slightly cheaper, although it has less power and doesn’t have an integrated cable. It does, however, include a handy flashlight. And while it’s longer than the Xiaomi 33W 10,000mAh Power Bank, it’s thinner, which might be preferable for some users. The port selection is slightly different too, with two USB-A ports and one USB-C port. Read our Iniu B41 review.

Cuktech 15 Ultra review

The Cuktech 15 Ultra is a power bank with a large output designed for charging laptops and similar devices on the go. There’s no getting around the fact that it’s a sizable unit. It’s admirably thin across its width, but it’s quite long and has a thick depth. This shape may suit some but disappoint others depending on the dimensions and packing arrangements of their luggage.

Its looks aren’t anything special, adopting a two-tone grey and black color scheme that’s not the most vibrant. The front panel for the screen looks smart with its gloss finish, though, while the back panel has a subtle texture that helps with grip slightly.

The build quality of the Cuktech 15 Ultra is quite good, with materials that feel reasonably premium and there’s no flex at all when pressing any side. However, the join as the chassis meets the display is quite prominent, owing to the inset nature of the display panel, so this isn’t as seamless a design as some of the best power banks out there.

The power button is integrated within the display panel, although again there’s a fairly prominent gap around the edges. Oddly, it’s emblazoned with two vertical lines, rather than the standard power symbol, but it’s at least clear to see. It operates very smoothly, providing plenty of feedback when clicked.

The standout feature of the Cuktech 15 Ultra, though, is the screen. It can display information such as total input and output readings, as well as real-time wattage, amperage and voltage. Battery level, estimated charging times, and temperature warnings are also given.

There are also a few settings that can be adjusted using this screen: you can choose whether the first USB-C port is input only, output only, or both; and you can set the screen to always stay on – two useful features I haven’t seen on other power banks.

However, despite the full-length front panel, the actual display only comprises a small area by comparison, meaning all readouts are crammed into a relatively small space, which does compromise readability somewhat.

The Cuktech 15 Ultra features two USB-C ports and one USB-A port, delivering a total output of 165W, or a maximum of 140W from a single port. Three-way simultaneous charging is also possible, although the maximum outputs drop to 100W for one USB-C port, 45W for the other, and 15W for the USB-A port. Three ports might be plenty for some, but there are similarly sized – and even some smaller – power banks out there that manage to pack in four ports.

When it comes to performance, the Cuktech 15 Ultra managed to charge an HP Chromebook Plus 15.6-inch, which can charge at 45W, from empty to 98% in about two hours, which is an impressive performance – and it stayed cool throughout. However, it ran out of battery before it could charge the Chromebook to 100%, so it just falls short of providing even a single full charge for large devices.

Thankfully, charging the Cuktech 15 Ultra itself is quick, as it took me about an hour to top it up from 25% to full. This was via a single USB-C input, but you can use both ports at the same time for increased charging power.

Given its price, the Cuktech 15 Ultra competes with other large power banks, such as the Anker Laptop Power Bank, which is similarly priced. This bank, though, has a slightly larger capacity, and features two inbuilt USB-C for added convenience. However, its display doesn’t quite offer the same wealth of information as the Cuktech 15 Ultra. The two are closely matched, so if you went for the Cuktech 15 Ultra, you likely won’t be disappointed.

(Image credit: Future) Cuktech 15 Ultra review: price & specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Cuktech 15 Ultra? Buy it if…

You want to charge large devices
The large 165W total output means you should be able to charge many modern laptops.

You want plenty of information
The Cuktech 15 Ultra has some of the most comprehensive information I’ve seen from a power bank display, including readouts for wattage, amperage, and voltage, and various adjustable settings.

Don't buy it if…

You want the largest capacity
The power output might be large, but the 20,000mAh capacity doesn’t quite match up, meaning you might not even get a single full charge of a laptop from it.

You want the smallest power bank
The Cuktech 15 Ultra does an admirable job of condensing all that power into a thin form factor, but it’s still quite thick and long, and not all that light.

Cuktech 15 Ultra: also consider

Anker Laptop Power Bank
If you need plenty of power and output, then the Anker Laptop Power Bank is a great choice. It has similar dimensions to the Cuktech 15 Ultra, but additionally features two inbuilt UCB-C cables: one retractable and one that doubles as a carry handle. It also comes with two extra ports, meaning it beats the Cuktech 15 Ultra by one when it comes to outputs and inputs. While it does have a display, it’s not as detailed as that on the Cuktech 15 Ultra. However, it’s close to the same price (or cheaper in certain regions), yet has the same power output and a slightly greater capacity (25,000mAh).

Boulies Elite gaming chair: One-minute review

The Boulies Elite gaming chair sits in the mid-range bracket, with a welcome focus on adjustability and build quality. It adopts the familiar racing seat design, minus the seat side bolsters – an omission I welcome, since I always find these too restrictive, and means the wide seat can be made full use of.

The Boulies Elite looks smart in the black variant I had, and the PU leatherette feels durable and premium to the touch. There’s a small amount of suede on the sides of the seat, but less so than on many rivals.

The overall build quality is up there with some of the best gaming chairs, with the 4D arms being a particular highlight: they’re solid with virtually no wobble and the adjustments are smooth, although I found them a little too stiff to move up and down. The casters offer a surprising amount of grip on carpet too.

Overall, the comfort of the Boulies Elite is great. The head and lumbar pillows provide plenty of cushioning, but without them, I was surprised to find myself even more comfortable, as I sunk into the chair even more. The seat is a little firm, but still not as firm as those on others. I was also able to install the arms close to the sides, preventing my arms from stretching out too much, as I’ve experienced with other gaming chairs.

You’ll find many of the same adjustments typical of mid- and high-end gaming chairs, although there’s no inbuilt lumbar support here. The tilt mechanism is very smooth and silent, and the tension can be easily altered. The tilt lock is very useful too, while the 4D arms go almost anywhere you like.

The seat has a low minimum height, so those shorter in stature shouldn’t have much of a problem getting their feet firmly on the ground. However, its maximum isn’t that high compared to some of its rivals, although the Elite Max is designed for those who want more in this department.

On top of this, the backrest doesn’t recline to 180 degrees, as other chairs in this segment do. In fact, the recline is one of the weakest areas of the Boulies Elite. The notches in the mechanism are very prominent when moving back, and I often found the handle would get stuck before locking into position, requiring a firmer push of the handle than usual to lock into place.

Assembling the Boulies Elite was easy for the most part, although a couple of casters proved a little troublesome to snap into place. Keeping the gasket mounts in place while installing the tilt mechanism was the hardest part, whereas installing the backrest – which is usually the trickiest part of building a gaming chair – was easier than expected. I managed to construct it by myself with relative ease.

If you’re on the lookout for a mid-range gaming chair, the Boulies Elite is a solid pick. There are a few snags with some of the adjustments, but you’d typically have to pay a lot more for this level of adjustability, comfort, and quality (see the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022).

Should you want something even more budget-friendly, the Corsair TC100 Relaxed is just about the best in this regard, although it lacks the same premium construction as the Boulies Elite.

(Image credit: Future) Boulies Elite gaming chair review: Price and availability

• $399 / £339 / AU$594
• Available now
• Cheaper than some rivals

The Boulies Elite costs $399 / £339 / AU$594 and is available now in three colorways for the PU variant (black, blue, and white), and two for the fabric model (ash grey and charcoal grey). There’s also an Elite Max for those with larger frames, which isn’t much more expensive.

It comes with a two-year warranty as standard, which can be extended to three with Boulies’ Warranty Plus, and also includes two years of peeling protection.

Gaming chairs of the Boulies Elite’s ilk usually command higher price tags. The Secretlab Titan Evo 2022, for instance, starts from $549 / £469 / AU$799, despite having similar adjustments and functionality. Its prices can escalate quickly too, depending on the specific model you opt for.

If you’re after something that’s more accommodating for larger frames, then the AndaSeat Kaiser 3 XL is the most comfortable gaming chair for such users. And if you want to spend even less than the Boulies Elite but still get a great chair, then the Corsair TC100 Relaxed is a great alternative.

Boulies Elite gaming chair review: Specs Boulies Elite gaming chair: Design and aesthetics

• Typical gaming chair design
• No side bolsters
• Premium feel

The Boulies Elite sticks to the tried and true gaming chair formula for the most part, with a racing-style backrest, complete with holes on either side just below head height, used to fasten the lumbar cushion strap. Its wide seat forgoes the side bolsters, though, following the segment’s more recent move towards completely flat bases, which I find more accommodating.

Hard wearing without looking utilitarian, the PU leatherette feels premium, even helping to inject an element of class. There’s a minimal amount of suede on the sides of the seat – less than you might see on other gaming chairs.

The arms are also well-built, and their plastic and metal construction again seems to be of the highest order. Their padding is firm, but I had no issues resting my forearms on them.

The metal wheel base is metal too and feels very sturdy, yet still comfortable enough to rest your feet on should you wish to. The casters offer plenty of grip on carpet, more so than those on other chairs I’ve used.

(Image credit: Future) Boulies Elite gaming chair review: Comfort and Adjustability

• Comfortable without cushions
• Great arms
• Poor recline

Overall, the comfort of the Boulies Elite is excellent. The seat is well-padded and seems a little softer than many others. Its lack of side bolsters is also welcome, as I personally find them too restrictive and inimical to different seating styles. The lumbar pillow is one of the thickest and most plush I’ve tried, while the head pillow is about on par with many of its rivals. Boulies does claim that you can get comfortable in the Elite without either, and I found this to hold true.

In fact, I was probably more comfortable, as sinking further into the chair allowed me to relax more. Of course, individual preferences will determine whether or not the pillows improve comfort, but it’s reassuring all the same to know they aren’t totally necessary.

The only real ergonomic drawback is the sharpness of the bottom edge of the seat, which feels a little uncomfortable if you tend to place your feet behind your knees, but this is merely a minor inconvenience.

The Boulies Elite has a similar level of adjustability as many premium gaming chairs. Its seat height can go down to 18.1 inches/46cm – which was low enough for me at 5ft 7 inches/170cm to get my feet flat on the floor without a footrest – and up to 20.5 inches/52cm, making it nearly identical to the range of the Secretlab Titan Evo in its regular size. If you’re over six feet, though, you’ll want the Elite Max, which can go up to 22 inches/56cm.

(Image credit: Future)

Its tilt function is smooth with no creaking or notchiness. There’s a clank once you tilt back into the neutral position, but it was mild enough to easily overlook. The ability to lock the tilt in any position is welcome and works well for the most part – I did find it occasionally got stuck in certain positions, but it was nothing that a firmer push of the lever wouldn’t remedy. However, the shortness of the handle for this lever can make it awkward to reach, especially when you’re already tilted back.

The arms can be installed quite close to the sides of the seat, more so than on some other gaming chairs, which I personally prefer as I like having my arms closer to my body for ergonomic reasons.

Their eight-way adjustability offers plenty of scope for getting a personalized setup, the various mechanisms feel tight yet smooth to operate, and there’s very little wobble to any part of them. One minor gripe I had, at least with my unit, was the stiffness of the height adjustments, although it’s possible they may loosen over time.

Boulies states that the Elite has a full-length backrest recline, but it doesn’t open to 180 degrees as some other gaming chairs do. The biggest problem with the recline function, though, is how notchy it is, proving difficult to push back to its maximum opening. I found it also had a tendency to get stuck at about 45 degrees, requiring some force to return upright. There’s a general lack of feel to the recline lever too, which means it can be hard to tell when it’s fully locked in place, again requiring a firm push.

Boulies Elite gaming chair review: Assembly

Building the Boulies Elite was a relatively easy process. A couple of casters proved difficult to insert initially, but I found that giving them a slight twist while pushing did the trick, although this isn’t mentioned in the instructions.

The hardest part was lining up the small gasket mounts for the tilt mechanism on top of the screw holes. These don’t fix in place, so they move out of position far too easily when placing the tilt mechanism. I was able to reach my fingers in and shuffle them back into alignment, but those with larger hands might need some kind of implement at hand to help.

The backrest, on the other hand, was surprisingly easy to install, given it’s usually the trickiest part of any gaming chair. I was able to assemble the entire chair by myself, so many others should be fine doing so too.

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Boulies Elite gaming chair? Buy it if...

You want good adjustments
The Boulies Elite has tilt locking, 4D armrests, and a large recline angle, although it’s not quite the full 180 degrees of some other gaming chairs.

You want to sit low
Personally, I don’t like using a footrest, so it’s important for me to have my feet flat on the ground, which is possible with seat height adjustments.

Don't buy it...

You want the smoothest recline
The recline mechanism on the Boulies Elite is very 'notchy', and the lever is prone to sticking in place.

You’re large in stature
While the seat is nice and wide, it might not rise high enough for taller people. For them, there’s the Elite Max.

Boulies Elite gaming chair: Also consider

If the Boulies Elite doesn't sound like a good fit for you (in every sense), these are some great alternatives.

Secretlab Titan Evo 2022
The Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 does everything well: it’s comfortable, well-made, and provides plenty of adjustments. Its starting price is higher than the Boulies Elite, though, with certain variants reaching astronomical heights. But it’s the best gaming chair around right now for a reason. Read our Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 review.

Corsair TC100 Relaxed
If you want to keep the costs down, then the Corsair TC100 Relaxed is one of the best cheap gaming chairs there is. Despite its relatively low cost, it still offers a decent amount of adjustability, although it lacks 4D armrests. We found it comfortable, with enough seat width to prevent feeling confined. Read our Corsair TC100 Relaxed review.

(Image credit: Future) How I tested the Boulies Elite gaming chair

• Extensive testing session
• Made adjustments
• Plentiful gaming and productivity experience

I tested the Boulies Elite for a day, during which time I made the full range of adjustments for the seat height, armrests, tilt, and recline.

I tried sitting in the Boulies Elite in all manner of ways to replicate how I would normally spend my time in a gaming chair. I sat at my desk while using a keyboard and mouse.

I have experience reviewing gaming chairs and have used a variety of both gaming and office chairs for many years, including popular models such as the Secretlab Titan and the Steelcase Leap. I spend many hours a day in chairs for both working and gaming.

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

Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro: Two-minute review

You may have heard of Chinese tech company Xiaomi from its impressive camera phones like the Xiaomi 15 Ultra, its impressive budget mobiles like the Poco X7 Pro or its powerful tablets like the Xiaomi Pad 5. You may not have heard as much about its earbuds.

It's true that the tech giant's in-ear headphones have yet to feature in our best earbuds guide, but perhaps this is that time? The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro are the latest offering from the company, a rare ‘premium’ pair of earbuds alongside the unending line of budget buds it releases under its Redmi line. They’re the specced-up version of the Xiaomi Buds 5 from six months prior, as well as the new iteration of the Xiaomi Buds 4 Pro.

Like most earbuds made by smartphone companies, you’re probably checking out this Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro review because you’ve found a deal that combines one of the company’s latest smartphones (perhaps the Xiaomi 15 or Xiaomi 14T) with them for a low price. And frankly, that’s probably the only time you should consider them: the buds are acceptable but nothing special, with a price that’s particularly uncompetitive (unless you’ve found them in a bundle).

There’s certainly some impressive acoustic engineering on display here, with each earbud boasting two drivers and a tweeter, but unfortunately the driver array doesn’t deliver equally-impressive audio chops, with music lacking the necessary bass impact and energy to invigorate your tunes.

A trip down the specs list will show some head-turning features, like a high audio bandwidth or the ability to play music over Wi-Fi instead of Bluetooth. The latter is exclusive to a more expensive model of the buds called the Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi, not this model, but both options require very specific Xiaomi phones that’ll rule out many buyers.

That may seem harsh, but the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro do solve many issues of their non-Pro siblings: they’re comfortable to wear, easy to tote around and don’t fall out of the ear at the slightest provocation. The Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) has seen a particularly improvement, both in the ability to remove noise, and the customization over its various modes.

Ultimately, because this proposition costs more than some really impressive rivals, it’s hard to recommend picking the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro off the shelves (virtual or physical). But as a bundle bonus alongside another gadget, it could be the music companion you need – and that’s equally true if you can find them reduced in sales.

Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro review: Price and release date

(Image credit: Future)

• Announced in February 2025
• Costs £159.99 / AU$340 (roughly $210)
• Over twice as expensive as non-Pro

The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro were announced in February 2025, alongside the Xiaomi 15 series of smartphones as well as the Pad 7 and a few other gadgets.

If you recall, the Buds 5 sold for £69.99 (roughly $90, AU$140); the Buds 5 Pro have undergone a serious price hike. They go for £159.99 / AU$340 (roughly $210), so they’re over twice the price of their predecessors.

As Xiaomi only sells its Redmi earbuds in the US, the Buds 5 Pro aren’t on sale there. In Australia, I noticed their prices from Xiaomi’s own outlets ranging from $340 to $380, so the price is a little nebulous.

Later on in this review, I’ll touch more on the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi, a more advanced model that I didn’t test. These cost roughly £20 / AU$40 (roughly $30) more than the standard model, depending on where you find them.

Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro review: Specs Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• Several ANC modes
• 8-hour battery life (with ANC off)
• Xiaomi app has EQ and more

Xiaomi has bumped up its feature set with the Buds 5 Pro, offering a few improvements over the non-Pro model, and it does make the earbuds much more competitive.

First up is the battery life – the buds themselves will last for 8 hours of listening if ANC is turned off, and while Xiaomi doesn’t provide an ANC-on figure, I’d guess at about 6.5-7 hours based on my testing. The battery life of the case itself has only seen a modest improvement of one hour over the past model, but the resulting figure of 40 hours in total is nothing to sniff at.

Charging is done with USB-C or wirelessly via Qi, and for the former at least, it’s pretty snappy. Xiaomi estimates that you’ll get 4.5 hours of listening time on 10 minutes charge with a fast enough charger, and while mine isn’t up to Xiaomi’s specs, I was still pleasantly surprised with how little you needed to charge these things for them to be on 100%.

Another improvement is ANC, or Active Noise Cancellation – it’s still not industry-leading but these buds offer a marked improvement over the Buds 5 (I’m sure the silicon tips help, more on that later). You get the usual three modes: on, off and transparency, with the latter letting you choose between enhancing ambient sounds, voice or both. It’s a neat way to let you avoid the downsides of passthrough modes while still enjoying the benefits.

There’s an adaptive noise cancellation mode, which can be toggled between ‘light’ and ‘deep’ (I'll be honest, I cannot discern the difference here). This helps retain some juice when you’re listening, as it dials ANC up or down, depending on how noisy your surroundings are.

(Image credit: Future)

This can all be changed in the Xiaomi Earbuds app, which brings a few extra features. This includes turning on adaptive sound and volume, the ability to change what touch controls do, a spatial audio feature called Dimensional Audio, and a voice memo recording feature which you can enable via the app or via gestures.

An eight-band equalizer is hidden deep in the app’s menus, but I found myself using the six presets most of all. These include ‘decrease bass’, ‘enhance voice’ and the enigmatically-named ‘audiophile’, as well as two Harman Kardon-tuned versions called ‘Harman AudioEFX’ and ‘Harman Master’. The app doesn’t reveal what these mean, but Harman’s website reveals that the former is a tool which intelligently balances the dynamics of a song.

The Buds connect to your phone, tablet or laptop via Bluetooth 5.4. There’s also a model which supports Wi-Fi connectivity to your phone, which I didn’t test. This pair, called the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro Wi-Fi and one of the big audio breakthroughs we saw at MWC recently, cost a little more and only let you use that titular feature alongside the expensive Xiaomi 15 Ultra, however more phones are apparently going to gain support in the future. The benefit to this pair is that you can listen to 96kHz / 24bit audio using the 4.2Mbps bandwidth, so it’s one for hardcore audiophiles to keep an eye on.

• Features score: 3.5/5

Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Silver case is lightweight and small
• Silicon eartips make buds stay in ears easily
• Buttons on each bud stem

The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro’s case is near-identical to the non-Pro model’s. It’s a slender silver clamshell with a USB-C port on its underside, that opens up to reveal the buds. It’s made of plastic and weighs 41.8g, so it’s pretty lightweight (though 5g heavier than the Buds 5’s).

A compliment I levelled on the previous buds stands true here: the design of the case makes it really easy to remove the buds quickly, as the stems aren’t buried in the case. I appreciate buds that reduce the time taken faffing with the case.

Now onto the earbuds: these show a big improvement over the Buds 5 (and remember, I have thoroughly tested both) in that they have silicon tips that keep the buds securely in your ears. The non-Pro model lacked this, and my biggest issue with them was that they just wouldn’t stick in my ear. The addition of tips removes this issue.

In fact I never had a problem with the Buds 5 Pro’s fit: they never felt wobbly or ill-fitting, and they’re nice and lightweight so it wasn’t a burden wearing them. They weigh 5.6g which is pretty svelte for earbuds.

The stems of each earbud house a button that you can trigger by squeezing the stem. You need to squeeze them quite hard though, and there’s not much in the way of response to show that your squeeze has registered as in the past buds (which gave a light ‘click’ to show the button had been pressed). It’s not the end of the world, but it’s a slight regression.

An improvement here is that the buds have an IP54 rating, offering limited protections against fine particles (like dust) as well as moisture (like sprays of water). IP certification is a nice reassurance that your chosen gadgets can withstand a dose of mother nature.

• Design score: 4/5

Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro review: Sound quality

(Image credit: Future)

• 11mm driver + planar + tweeter
• High max volume
• Impressive mids and decent trebles, but lacking in bass

Xiaomi has really stuffed the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro with tech: each bud has an 11mm dynamic driver alongside a planar driver and a ceramic tweeter.

While the midrange is much meatier than I’m used to in earbuds and the treble is clear and agile, the Achilles’ heel of the Buds 5 Pro is bass, which can range from ‘a little lacking’ to ‘conspicuously absent’ depending on the song.

Not everyone is a bass-head, and I count myself among that crowd, but even I felt that songs were lacking a little je ne sais quoi as a result. Using the equaliser can help a little bit, but the odd lack of a bass boost mode hurts (there’s treble enhancer, and bass reducer, not no bass enhancer or treble reducer?).

(Image credit: Future)

If you don’t care much for heavy grime or drum-and-bass music (or perhaps you listen to genres with so much intrinsic bass that no earbud can remove it and a tempered performance might actually help things), you’ll likely be fine with the Buds 5 Pro. But I can see this being a deal-breaker for some buyers.

Perhaps compensating for this issue is the Buds 5 Pro's eye-watering max volume. At some point in testing, I crank earbuds up to their max volume to see how high they can go. The Buds 5 Pro made me regret that I didn’t take the buds out of my ears before doing so!

A little feature I need to flag for a very slim market (hello, audiophiles who may still wear wireless earbuds) is that the Buds 5 Pro support a 2.1Mbps transmission rate of lossless audio, which would be great for high-res streaming… if it wasn’t for the fact that it only works if your mobile is one of a select number of recent top-end Xiaomi phones. So it’s not for everyone.

• Sound quality: 3.5/5

Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro review: Value

(Image credit: Future)

• Struggle compared to some rivals
• Pick them up bundled or discounted

The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro would be decent buds, sitting at the high end of the budget market, if that’s what they cost. But they don’t – they’re a little pricier than I would have expected, and they also cost more than some really impressive competitors that I’ll list below.

It’s not a huge margin, but you can save £40 / AU$80 and pick up some great competitors pretty easily.

That’s why, as I said in the introduction, these are great in a deal or bundle. But it’s harder to recommend picking them up on their own.

• Value: 3/5

Should I buy the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro?

(Image credit: Future) Buy them if…

You find them bundled
If you can pick these up alongside a flagship Xiaomi phone, you'll be able to use their top-end features and will likely get them at a discount.

You need a reliable ear fit
Unlike the Buds 5, these guys stick in your ear well, and won't fall out unless you take them out.

Don’t buy them if…

You're on a budget
These aren't cheap earbuds, and you should only consider these if you have money to burn.

You're a bass head
The Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro won't offer you the booming bass of some other earbuds, so they won't impress bass-heads.

Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro review: Also consider

Xiaomi Buds 5
The natural comparison, these buds are a lot cheaper. However they don't sound as good, have worse ANC and don't fit in the ears well.

See our full Xiaomi Buds 5 review

Nothing Ear
These buds from rival phone maker Nothing sound great, have loads of unique features and look distinctive. Best of all, they undercut the Xiaomis.

See our full Nothing Ear review

How I tested the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro

• Tested for two weeks
• Tested at home, in the office and at the gym

I used the Xiaomi Buds 5 Pro for two weeks in order to write this review. They were mostly paired with my Android smartphone although I did use them on a Windows laptop too.

This testing involved trips to the gym, walks around my neighborhood, working at home, streaming TV shows and idling at home. It was mostly done on music but I did listen to some podcast too.

I've been reviewing gadgets for TechRadar for over six years now, and in that time have tested plenty of wireless earbuds as well as a huge number of Xiaomi devices.

• First reviewed in March 2025

• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Dreame D9 Max Gen 2: two-minute review

The Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 is an entry-level robot vacuum designed for those seeking cleaning convenience on a budget. While it doesn't offer the same advanced features as the best robot vacuums on the market, it's a very capable cleaner that delivers good value for money. I'd definitely count it among the best budget robovacs I've tested.

This hybrid robot vacuum and mop is well built, if a little on the large side, with a compact charge-only dock. Set-up is straightforward, and I was impressed by its mapping and navigation, which was quick and painless (which isn't always the case with budget bots).

In terms of cleaning power, the D9 Max Gen 2 performed well in suction tests, tackling fine debris or chunkier spillages without issue. I was less enamored with its mopping skills, however. The design of the mop pad isn't the best and I'm not sure it's worth the effort, delivering only the lightest wipe-down of my lino floors. Another potential downside is the unreliable object avoidance; if you often have clutter on your floors and don't want to have to tidy before every vacuuming run, this isn't the robovac for you.

The app is well designed and intuitive. While you won't get the kind of granular control or automation offered by pricier bots, it covers the main bases. The only exception is that I couldn't see a way to set up a cleaning schedule or time a cleaning run.

For the price, then – which is solidly in the budget bracket – I think the D9 Max Gen 2 is a good buy. Dreame makes some of our favorite premium robot vacuums (including the excellent Dreame L40 Ultra), so I'm not surprised to find that its budget offering is of a high quality. I'd recommend it to anyone looking for a wallet-friendly, fuss-free robovac that navigates reliably well and helps you stay on top of your vacuuming. That's the short version; read on for my full Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 robot vacuum review.

Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 review: price & availability

• List price: $299.99 / £219 / AU$699
• Launched: Confirming
• Available: US, UK, Australia

In the US, at time of writing, the Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 is available direct from Dreame US or via Amazon, and has a list price of $299.99. In the UK, it has a list price of £219, and is available to buy direct from Dreame UK, as well as a range of third-party retailers such as Amazon, B&Q and Currys. In Australia, the robovac costs AU$699 at full price, but can be found discounted to AU$399 on the Dreame AU site at the time of writing. Note that I spotted the vacuum being offered at big discounts in all territories while writing this review.

Even at list price, this bot is firmly in the budget price bracket – we count any robot vacuum under $500 / £400 as budget at TechRadar. For that price, it feels very well-built, and the features are in line with what I'd expect.

• Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 specs Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 review: design

• Hybrid robovac and mop with compact, charge-only dock
• Single rubber roller and one side brush
• Fixed, D-shaped mop pad with small integrated water tank

The Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 is a hybrid robotic vacuum and mop. It's sports the standard, round design with a raised navigation puck, and is available in black or white. Size-wise, it's at the larger end of the spectrum, measuring 13.8in / 35cm in diameter, and it features two physical buttons: Power and Home. However, for most controls you'll want to use the companion app.

(Image credit: Future)

This model uses LiDAR for navigation, hence the raised puck. This is the fastest and most accurate robot vacuum navigation technology, and widely used – but not always a given in budget-friendly models (some use the more basic vSLAM; see how the two compare in our LiDAR vs vSLAM explainer). There's also a camera at the front of the bot.

This bot has a single rubber roller and one side brush (Image credit: Future)

Flip it over and you'll find a single rotating side brush, a rubbery roller, two chunky wheels, and a smaller, third mini-wheel for balance. In general, I prefer rubbery rollers such as the one here over bristled brushrolls, since the latter tend to become tangled with hair. Some bots will have dual rollers (the main examples being Roborock and iRobot Roomba models); but in general, this looks like a pretty standard setup.

Image 1 of 2

A wide, flat water tank is attached on the underside of the mop pad (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

... and the whole thing snaps onto the underside of the bot (Image credit: Future)

Slightly more unusual is the approach to the mop pad. Dreame has integrated a wide, very shallow water tank onto the underside of the D-shaped mop pad. Other robovacs will have a separate tank inside the bot itself, but that uses up valuable dust-storing space. Here, you're getting a slightly higher onboard dust cup capacity, but the bot won't hold much water.

The mop pad/water tank comes on and off using a combination of clips and magnets (not as complicated as it sounds!), so it doesn't need to be attached when you're just vacuuming.

This kind of fixed, D-shaped mop pad tends not to be as effective at scrubbing compared to the spinning, dual discs found on more advanced models. However, it's as I'd expect for a robot vacuum in this price bracket.

The mop pad also can't lift and lower to allow the bot to traverse over carpet without leaving damp patches, which is a feature also seen on pricier robot vacuums. In fact, more advanced Dreame bots can dock themselves and drop off their mop pads when they're not required – but again, you'd need to pay a fair bit more for that kind of functionality.

Image 1 of 2

A hinged lid opens to reveal the onboard dust bin and filter (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 robot vacuum with top lid open to show where the dustbin fits inside (Image credit: Future)

A hinged lid on top of the bot can be opened to reveal the onboard dust cup with integrated filter. This is very slightly fiddly to remove from the inside of the bot. There's also a brush and hair-cutter tool, for easier maintenance.

(Image credit: Future)

The dock is of the basic, charge-only type, rather than the kind that houses a larger dustbin into which the bot's smaller bin will automatically empty. That has the benefit of being far more compact – good news, if you have a small home. However, it also means you'll need to take care of emptying the bin manually, which will be annoying if you're regularly dealing with large volumes of dust or pet hair, for instance.

You'll also need to manually refill the bot's water tank, as well as clean and dry the mop pads. For a dock that can do this for you, you'd be looking in a significantly higher price bracket.

• Design score: 3.5 out of 5

Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 review: performance

• Good navigation, but unreliable object avoidance
• Vacuuming generally good, can struggle with larger debris
• Mopping okay, but just for very light cleans

The app walked me through the initial setup, which included linking the bot to my home Wi-Fi and connecting it to the app – all nice and straightforward.

On setup, it prompted me to do a fast mapping run, where the bot just creates a map of your space but doesn't clean. This took under five mins, and involved the bot meandering into each room and vaguely looking around. After that was complete, it created a very rough map of the space, without trying to separate rooms.

The bot got a little stuck making its way around my fireplace (Image credit: Future)

I then set it off on its first cleaning run. I was pretty impressed. The bot covered everything with minimal fuss, only getting slightly muddled when trying to traverse the slanting edges of some rooms. It also became stuck when it was making its way around the border of my low hearth – although did manage to escape on its own eventually.

With the first cleaning run complete, the app split the map into what it thought were rooms (mostly correct), and I tweaked and named each room. It is possible to create multiple maps, but I didn't do this as I live on a single floor.

Navigation & obstacle avoidance

In general, the Dreame Max Gen 2 navigates very well. I could see it adjusting its path when it was about to reach an obstruction, although at times it did also seem to find its way by bumping into things.

However, it isn't as reliable when it comes to obstacle avoidance. I ran TechRadar's standard tests using a shoe, sock and cable on my floor, and the Dreame failed to spot any of them, eating the cable, doing its best to eat the sock, and pushing the shoe around until I picked it up and took it away to safety. This bot probably isn't the best choice if you have a lot of clutter on your floors.

The D9 Max Gen 2 sadly failed to avoid any of these obstacles (Image credit: Future) Suction performance

The Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 has four suction modes: Quiet, Standard, Strong and Turbo; and can be set to vacuum, mop, or both.

To assess cleaning power, I ran TechRadar's standard tests. I started by sprinkling tea and oats on separate patches of carpet. I bumped up the suction setting to Strong (it's Standard by default) and set the bot to vacuum that area.

Image 1 of 3

Tea on carpet before test (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 3

Remaining tea on carpet after a single pass (Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 3

Remaining tea on carpet after a second pass (Image credit: Future)

It cleared most of the tea in one pass, and almost all of it in two. I then boosted suction up to Max, and remote-controlled the bot over the area to clear the final remnants.

Image 1 of 2

Oats on carpet before test (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

Remaining oats on carpet after a single pass (Image credit: Future)

I was impressed with how it handled the oat spillage, too. It cleared almost all of it first time and the rest on second pass, and it didn't ping them around, either.

However, in my general use of the vacuum on carpet, I had a few minor complaints. Occasionally, the bot would deposit larger debris – a tiny bit of leaf, for example – in another area of the room after initially seeming to have picked it up.

I also found it wasn't amazing at dealing with hair. I have long hair, and the bot would occasionally to roll it into clumps and leave it on the carpet rather than pick it up. However, there was hair in the bin when I came to empty it, and none wrapped around the brushroll, so it isn't a total fail on that front. (If you're looking for the best vacuum for pet hair, we have a separate guide that's worth consulting.)

Image 1 of 3

Tea on lino floor before suction test (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 3

During the suction test (Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 3

After one pass (Image credit: Future)

I repeated my tea suction test on hard floor. On the first pass, the D9 Max Gen 2 seemed to just push the tea leaves around everywhere. On the second and third passes, though, it had gathered pretty much everything.

Image 1 of 3

Oats on lino before the suction test... (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 3

... during the test... (Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 3

... and the ones that got away (Image credit: Future)

The oats were pinged around even more enthusiastically, however; but, again, almost all were sucked up eventually. Only a few escaped and that was because they'd bounced their way out of my set cleaning zone.

It's worth stating that robot vacuums are great for everyday maintenance cleans, but even the priciest models fall short of the results achieved with a decent manual vacuum. When I went to empty the Dreame's bin after use, it was packed full of dust and hair, so it certainly picked up plenty from my apartment; but following up with my Dyson Gen5detect saw even more dust collection.

Mopping performance

To mop, you need to clip on the full water tank with pre-dampened mop pad attached. I found filling the tank a little fiddly since it's so thin and the opening is small, and getting the wet mop pad back on proved a bit tricky, too. To Dreame's credit, the unit didn't leak at all while I was attaching it back onto the bot, as I had feared it might. There's no option to use this bot with a floor cleaner.

There are three water levels to choose from, and I selected the middle one for my mop tests. You can also choose from a couple of intensity settings: Daily mopping and Deep mopping (where the robot moves in "a dense Z-shaped pattern"). I opted for the latter, because the app warned there was a "risk of skidding" in this mode, which sounded exciting.

In fact, there was no skidding and I couldn't really see a difference in how it was moving compared to how it had previously navigated the rest of my apartment. However, it did an okay job of mopping, leaving a light, even sheen of water across the floor and clearing a wet spillage I'd introduced.

Image 1 of 2

Ketchup smear on floor before mopping (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

... and what was left after a couple of passes (Image credit: Future)

To see how it fared with trickier spillages, I smeared a tiny bit of ketchup on the floor. Unfortunately, it barely touched this at all, even after traversing the area three times. It seems that the vacuum isn't exerting enough pressure with its mop pad to clear anything other than surface dirt. That's not too surprising for a bot at this price point, but it's worth bearing in mind if mopping is a priority.

There's also some maintenance to be aware of. You'll need to remove and rinse the pad shortly after a mopping session (the app prompts you, which is helpful), as well as running it through the wash fairly regularly so it doesn't end up smelling. After my mopping session, there were bits of tea and oats on the pad along with the ketchup, even though I'd run the vacuuming tests separately, first. Next I drained the tank, although the placement of the inlet meant I couldn't empty it completely.

Since the D9 Max Gen 2 can't lift its mop pads, you'll ideally want to avoid situations where the wet mop is being dragged over a carpeted area. As such, this bot isn't ideal for apartments such as mine, where there's a big carpeted room meeting three rooms with lino.

In short, I'm not wholly convinced this machine is better off for having mopping capabilities, or that I'd end up using them often. If you really want hands-free mopping, I'd recommend investing more in a machine with spinning circular mop pads that are able to lift over carpet, and a dock that can clean them.

• Performance score: 4 out of 5

Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 review: app

• Nicely designed and easy to use
• Main functions covered, except you can't set a cleaning schedule
• Pricier options offer more granular control

The Dreame app is well-designed and intuitive. It doesn't offer tons of settings compared to more premium options, but most of the key ones are covered.

The map is clear, and you can follow the bot in real-time as it makes its way around the home. You can split and merge rooms, add "zones", and create no-go zones if there's something you know is going to cause problems.

(Image credit: Dreame / Future)

There's also an area where you can adjust your suction and water settings. If you switch on "customized cleaning", you can set personalized suction power and water for each area. It's also possible to adjust the order in which the bot cleans you rooms. While you can launch the bot remotely, you can't set a regular cleaning schedule for it to follow.

• App score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Dreame D9 Max Gen 2? Buy it if...

You're on a budget
While not the fanciest robovac around, you're getting a very decent bot for your money here. It's well-built, straightforward to use, and navigates reliably.

Your priority is vacuuming
The vacuuming here is decent – the Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 performed well in my suction tests, and I could see it was cleaning my floors well from the amount of dust that was collected in the bin.

You have a smaller home
This model doesn't self-empty, which won't be an issue if you have a smaller home. It also means you won't have to make room for a massive dock.

Don't buy it if...

Your priority is mopping
The mopping here is perfunctory, and you'll need to take care of all mop maintenance yourself.

You often have cluttered floors
While navigation is reliable, this Dreame bot doesn't do a good job of spotting, or avoiding, clutter on the floor.

You have a larger home or pets
You don't want to be emptying the small onboard bin every 30 minutes, so opt for a bot with a self-empty base – our favorite budget option in this category is the Roborock Q5 Pro+.

How I tested the Dreame D9 Max Gen 2

I used the Dreame D9 Max Gen 2 as my main vacuum for a couple of weeks to get a feel for its general usability and performance. I also ran a series of suction tests to assess its cleaning power, asking it to pick up fine (tea) and chunky (oats) debris on hard floor as well as carpet. To test obstacle avoidance, I scattered common items you'd find around any home over my living room floor to see if it would bump into them or navigate around them. I also noted how effective it was at mopping, and whether it could cope with wet (water) and sticky (smeared ketchup) spillages.

During my review period, I assessed how easy it was to set up the D9 Max Gen 2, the accuracy of its navigation, and if it generally performed as I'd want it to. I compared my experience with other robot vacuums I've tested, both budget and premium models.

Read more about how we test robot vacuum cleaners.

• First reviewed March 2025

Roborock Q5 Pro+: two-minute review Product info

For this review, I tested the Q5 Pro+, which has a self-empty dock. There's also a cheaper Q5 Pro, which is the same bot but with a charge-only dock.

The Roborock Q5 Pro+ is an affordable robot vacuum that delivers strong vacuuming performance with one major trade-off – poor mopping. Despite having a slightly lower 5,500Pa of suction power, on test I found it excelled at picking up dirt and dust, especially on carpets – perhaps thanks to the dual rubber roller brushes borrowed from Roborock's higher-end models. It also handled the copious amounts of pet hair in my home extremely well. If you don't have loads of cash to splash and your priority is vacuuming, this could be the best robot vacuum for you.

This model uses LiDAR-based navigation, which allows for precise mapping and efficient cleaning paths. Its obstacle avoidance is a little basic, though, so it's one to avoid if you typically have lots of clutter on your floors. Other standout features include the extra large 2.5-liter bag in its compact but efficient dock, and an outstanding, intuitive app.

While the Q5 Pro+ performs admirably well at vacuuming floors of all types, its mopping system is simply comprised of a static mop pad with no mop-cleaning facilities of any sort. Hence, its mopping performance is very underwhelming when compared to much of the competition, including many of its own, admittedly more expensive, Roborock stablemates.

If you don't need mopping, however, this could be an excellent buy. It's slightly older now and discounts are easy to come by, taking the Q5 Pro into the budget price bracket and delivering strong value for money. It's not the latest and greatest model, but it delivers strong vacuuming performance, smart navigation and minimal dust-emptying maintenance. I'd include it amongst the best cheap robot vacuums around and the best robot vacuums for pet hair if you're on a budget.

That's the short version; read on for my full Roborock Q5 Pro+ review.

(Image credit: Future) Roborock Q5 Pro+ review: price & availability

• List price: $699.99 / £499.99 / AU$999
• Launch date: October 2023
• Availability: US, UK, AU (out of stock)

The Q5 Pro line was first announced at IFA 2023, and launched in October 2023. As of writing, the Q5 Pro+ with auto dustbin is available on the US Roborock site at a list price of $699.99, but reduced to $359.99. On the UK Roborock website, it's £499.99 down to £349.99. In Australia, if you go direct to Roborock the Q5 Pro+ costs AU$999, reduced to AU$799 but out of stock at time of writing. The Q5 Pro+ can also be purchased via Amazon, although at time of writing it was out of stock in both the US and UK.

If you don't need the self-empty dock, you can opt for the Roborock Q5 Pro, which is the same model but just with a basic, charge-only dock. That costs $429.99 (reduced to $179.99) or £299 (down to £199.99). In Australia it's only available via third party retailers, but has a list price of AU$899.

At TechRadar, a robot vacuum under $500 / £400 is considered a budget model. At full price, the Pro+ model is mid-range, but it's currently widely discounted into the budget bracket. The Pro version is a budget model even at list price, and really very cheap if you can snag a discount. If vacuuming is your priority, then it's well worth considering.

If mopping is a priority, then it won't be such a good pick, though. In which case, perhaps opt for the earlier high-end Roborock S7 Max Ultra model – which features a fully functioning mop system with self cleaning ability, and can be picked up for around $799.99 / £500 (although at list price it's more expensive),

Shoppers in the UK should also check out the excellent Xiaomi X20+, which retails for a ridiculously low price of £299, and is the best cheap robovac I've tested.

A quick note on availability. Given the rate of new releases in the robot vacuum world, the Q5 Pro and Pro+ are now considered slightly older models. That, combined with widespread discounts and some lack of availability makes me think that maybe this line may be discontinued in the not-too-distant future.

• Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Roborock Q5 Pro+ specs Roborock Q5 Pro+ review: design

• Excellent dual-roller vacuum system
• Great dock with extra large dust bag
• Disappointing mop pad

As much as I tend to gravitate towards Roborock as my brand of choice when it comes to robot vacuum cleaners, I'm also startled by the number of different models – 21 and counting – that the innovative Chinese manufacturer has launched in just the past year alone (at time of writing in March 2025). It's hard enough as reviewer of these little home helpers to differentiate between one model and the next, so I can only imagine the confusion it must cause for prospective buyers who don't know anything about all these models' respective suction power levels, navigation and obstacle avoidance systems, and their various mopping functions.

(Image credit: Future)

What I will say is that, though it's not necessarily the best in the Roborock range, if you're on a tight budget and wish to jump onto the Roborock bandwagon, the minimalistic Q5 Pro series is a good place to start. Available in two variants – the Pro+ I'm reviewing here with self-emptying dock and the standard Pro with no dock – the Roborock Q5 Pro+ is one of the lowest priced Roborock series currently on the market.

Robot design

Let's take a look at the robot itself. At 35 x 35.3 x 9.7cm it's about the same width as most robot vacs though, at a shade under 9.7cm, it's also one of the tallest, which means it won't be able to venture beneath some furnishings like its ultra-low stablemates, the Saros 10 and Saros 10R. In the pantheon of robot vacs, this one's not a bad looker, though its ribbed top and black plastic does attract dust instantly. Like within seconds.

Like so many robot vacs these days, the Q5 Pro uses LDS (Laser Distance Sensor) LiDAR and this means that the Q5 Pro will quickly map a home – usually in a matter of minutes – and present its floor plan in great detail on the accompanying Roborock app. LiDAR-equipped robots are excellent at general navigation – even in total darkness – and will almost always find their way back to their docks the very first time you use them, unlike old-fashioned camera-only models that don't know where they are half the time (here's more on how robot vacuums navigate, if you're interested).

(Image credit: Future)

This model isn't fitted with a front-facing camera, so obstacle avoidance of any item under around four inches in height will suffer. Instead, it uses its LiDAR and a bump sensor to help it avoid larger obstacles and furniture. While there is a sensor on the front, it's only used for navigation back to the dock.

Like all robovacs, the Q5 pro also comes with four under-body cliff sensors to prevent it tumbling down a flight of stairs (you can also set a virtual barrier in the app for extra peace of mind). The top part of the unit is completed with three instant-access buttons for some manual control – dock, start/stop and spot clean.

(Image credit: Future)

This model is fitted with Roborock's very effective Duo Roller rubber rollers for efficient pickup of carpet and hard floor debris, along with the obligatory fixed spinning side brush for sweeping matter from corners of the room into the path of the suction funnel. And speaking of suction, this model is rated at 5,500Pa which is a lot lower than some Roborock flagship models which boast up to 22,000Pa.

However, as you'll see in my tests below, its lower suction power doesn't impinge on the bot's ability to vacuum as well as the very best, especially considering the lower price point. This model doesn't feature an ultrasonic carpet sensor, and while the blurb does say it has carpet boost by default, I haven't heard anything from the motor to suggest it does.

One especially useful asset here is the inclusion of a larger-than-average 770ml internal bin for the robot – most others are around 270ml – and that means it will happily tackle pet hair on a grand scale before it trundles back to the dock to have it all emptied automatically into the dock's also larger-than-average 2.5-litre dust bag. But more on that below.

(Image credit: Future)

If you have a big home and are interested in battery specs, you'll be pleased to know that the Q5 Pro comes with a 5200mAh battery – the same as fitted to some of Roborock's earlier flagship models. This battery boasts a running time of up to 180 minutes, which is more than enough juice for a large floor plan.

Finally we come to this model's Achilles Heel – the dreadful moping system. Now I'm generally no fan of any robot with a mopping system and I know I'm not the only one. But, hey, the powers that be have decided that that is what most people want so all manufacturers continue to make high-end robots with mopping systems when all some of us want is a highly efficient vacuum-only system with a whopping 5-litre dust bag instead of the space in the dock being consumed by two large water containers. But what do I know?

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(Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Future)

So, what's so bad about this model's mop? Well it's a simple 35cm static pad for a start and, worse, it isn't really pushed down hard enough against the floor by the weight of the robot, which means poor contact and coverage. Also, since there are no water tanks in the dock, you will have to fill a tiny 180ml water tank above the mopping pad and select two levels of moisture – a lot and a little. Incidentally, this mop does not raise automatically when traversing carpet so tread carefully if you have a lot of rugs en route to the hard floor. You can read all about the performance of this mop in the, er, Performance chapter below, but suffice to say I wasn't impressed.

Dock design

The Q5 Pro+'s dock is a great bonus since it features an extra large 2.5-liter dust bag where most other bots can only manage around two liters. And since there are no water tanks to accommodate, the dock itself is only around 45cm in height, a svelte 30cm in width and 44cm in depth, which means it won't take up very much floor space.

(Image credit: Future)

The ribbed design of the dock's front fascia is reminiscent of some of iRobot's newer offerings and it's no shabby looker, especially when compared to some of the tasteless designs I've recently seen. However, I'm not too enamoured of the cheap-feeling lid one has to lift to access the dock's dust bag. Also, setting the dock up isn't quite as straightforward as most models since you will need to assemble the dock by using the supplied Allen key (under the platform) to attach it to the bin housing.

• Design score: 3.5 out of 5

Roborock Q5 Pro+ review: performance

• Excellent vacuum performance
• Strong navigation but rudimentary obstacle avoidance
• Very poor mopping

Let's take a look at the Roborock Q5 Pro+'s performance. It's a bit of a mixed bag here, so I've broken this section up into navigation, vacuuming and mopping so it's clear where this bot's strengths and weaknesses are.

Navigation performance

All Roborocks navigate spaces extremely well and this model is no different. No it doesn't have the bells-and-whistles multi-point LiDAR navigation of the new Roborock Saros 10R, but it managed just fine in my open-plan home. Put another way, during my review period it never once got lost or found itself trapped under furniture. I'm not promising that'll never happen in the future – it's a robot after all – but it's a strong start.

Roborock uses something called Adaptive Route Algorithms for the Q5 Pro's navigation system and this means it will clean floors in a logical, linear way rather than randomly like most camera only-based models.

Crucially, this is another one of those modern bots that didn't seem to have any trouble traversing my rugs, even those of the loose, thin variety. And that's always a major bonus in my opinion.

(Image credit: Future)

This model can be described as merely adequate when it comes to obstacle avoidance, so it's best suited to homes that are generally free of small items like loose socks, Lego bricks and phone cables. If this describes your home, you would be better off spending a lot more on a higher-end model – or avoid a robot altogether.

The Q5 pro uses very basic touch-and-run avoidance. This means it may gently push some larger items out of the way while dodging others. There's no rhyme or reason to its thought processes when faced with obstacles but, according to my tests, it didn't seem to see any items less than around 4 inches in height. Consequently, it gamely ploughed over the small nylon dog bone that has similarly caught out many other robot vacs and pushed some smaller dog toys that other models have avoided.

Vacuum performance

Vacuum cleaning of both hard floor and carpet is where this model really shines. But then that doesn't surprise me because very few Roborocks fail to impress in this regard.

Image 1 of 2

Before the suction test on hard floor... (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

... and during (Image credit: Future)

Test one took place on my kitchen floor with a buffet of different ingredients – a handful of orzo pasta, a crushed Hob Nob, half a teaspoon of brown sugar, a large pinch of flour and a scattering of cornflakes (I would usually also include some oats, but I ate them). Anyway, I set the unit to Max (one below full power) and selected two passes.

The results were excellent; indeed, as good as many of Roborock's high-end bots. Yes, there was some serious snow ploughing of ingredients (my bad for adding so many) but everything was eventually sucked up with no traces of any remnants. Top marks.

Image 1 of 2

Before the suction test on carpet... (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

... and after (Image credit: Future)

I then replicated the test on a medium-pile carpet rug using the app's Zone option and set the vacuum power to Max+ (its highest setting) plus two passes for good measure. I expected poorer performance for this test but was pleasantly surprised to see it collect the vast majority of the debris in a single pass. It then came back on itself and collected the rest. And just for good measure, it then proceeded to run over the same section horizontally until absolutely nothing remained. I call that a success.

Aside from the above tests, I also had the Q5 Pro running over a five day period and noted how well it collected all the hair shed by my two dogs and three cats. The great thing about this model is that it has a much larger internal bin than the majority of other robot vacs. This is a big bonus when it comes to collecting pet hair – not because it can cram more in during an average cleaning session, but because of the extra space in the bin which prevents bundling and compression when automatically emptying at the dock.

Many robot vacs I've tested have occasionally had issues during self emptying, where large clumps of hair become trapped in the outlet of the robot's bin and around the intake to the dock's dust bag. These issues are easily fixed but are also an inconvenience. Hence, if I'm in the same room as the dock, I always listen for the tell-tale ‘woomph' sound as the hair is sucked into the dock. In fact, I've also become accustomed to the tone of the motor fan during emptying so I can usually tell if there's a blockage issue.

Mopping performance

In short, there is nothing Pro about this robot's mopping system. In fact, I'm not sure why Roborock even considered a mopping system like this in this day and age, because it is pretty woeful at mopping up anything other than the very top layer of dust and some very light soiling. Worse, the mop cannot lift itself off the floor when crossing carpets so you would need to remove all rugs while in transit.

To set up the mopping system you need to fill the small 180ml water tank – preferably with hot water – and slide the switch under the mop pad to your preferred choice of wetness (I chose the lower amount since I have engineered wooden floors). Now wait a few minutes while the water saturates the mop and set it off on its way. Since the app doesn't show an option for mopping, you basically set the robot to do a standard vacuum and the mop pad simply drags along the floor.

Mopping merely left damp stripes on my floor (Image credit: Future)

In my test, the pad left a lot more moisture on the floor than other mopping models I've tried and, because some of my floor's wooden planks are fractionally bowed, the water was deposited as a series of stripes. Yes, it kind of mopped the floor as evidenced by the dirtiness of the mop but, really, this is no substitute for some proper elbow grease. Worse, you have to remove the mop pad when finished and clean it under a hot tap. That's just too much work for me.

Personally, I wouldn't bother using this model as a wet mop. Instead I would advise leaving the dry pad attached when sending the bot out on a vacuum run. It'll simply drag behind, collecting any remnants of dust while giving your hard floor a polish of sorts.

Alternatively, if you don't think you need a mop, perhaps consider the non-mopping Q5 Max+, which is ultimately a better overall choice for the money. And if your robot simply must have a mop attached, consider something like the Roborock S7 Max Ultra which, while more expensive, is way better at wet mopping hard floors.

Dock performance

I've been very impressed with the performance of this dock. For a start, it's got a much larger dust bag than most other models (2.5-litres) and a reassuringly loud suction process that never failed to remove all contents from the robot's larger-than-average bin, even when filled with pet hair. I also love its unobtrusively small size, which makes it perfectly suited to location in a living room if space is an issue.

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The dock has a larger than usual bin (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 3

The onboard bin before auto-empty... (Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 3

... and after (Image credit: Future)

It's not as fully-featured as you'd find on pricier models – as discussed, there are no water tanks, let alone mop pad cleaning – but as a dust-emptying dock it's excellent. Despite some cheapness in the quality of the lift-off dust bag lid, I give this dock close to top marks.

• Performance score: 3.5 out of 5

Roborock Q5 Pro+ review: app

• Intuitive and easy to set up
• Feature filled
• Not all setting options available

The Roborock app is essential for maximizing the Q5 Pro+'s potential. Setup is straightforward and the interface is clean and very intuitive. It also comes with tons of options, though some may be missing for this particular model of robot vac.

(Image credit: Roborock)

In general, you're provided with a decent range of parameters, including real-time mapping, cleaning schedules, zone customization, routine settings and various custom options regarding how the robot and dock behave during any cleaning session. I particularly appreciated the ‘no-go zones' for keeping the vacuum away from delicate areas and the way you can view your home in 3D. I also love the way you can set its voice notifications to your specific language and, if living in the UK, even choose a British accent.

• App score: 4 out of 5

Should you buy the Roborock Q5 Pro+? Buy it if...

You want reliable, efficient vacuuming

Roborocks rarely fail to impress when it comes to sweeping floors, and this model is no exception. Despite not having the highest outright suction on the market, its cleaning power is right up there with far pricier, higher-specced models.

You're on a budget

This is one of the cheapest Roborock bots available, and discounts are easy to come by. If mopping isn't your priority, this could be a great-value buy.

You want a compact dock

The dock is small for a self-empty option, despite having generously sized dust containers. I have no complaints about its functionality, either.

Don't buy it if...

You need a mopping feature

Although this bot does mop, it's pretty useless at it.

Your home is a little cluttered

While mapping is good, the obstacle avoidance here is basic. If there are often toys or other clutter on your floor, and you don't want to have to tidy before every vacuum session, this is one to avoid.

You have low furniture

The Q5 Pro+ is on the taller side for a robot vacuum. If you have low-sitting furniture, it might not be able to fit underneath. Roborock's newest models (including the Qrevo Slim and Saros 10R) are designed specifically with this in mind. View Deal

How I tested the Roborock Q5 Pro+

I let the Roborock Q5 Pro+ loose on my open-plan flooring and observed its behavior over a five-day period. I then ran a series of intensive tests to see how well it vacuumed both hard floor and carpet, which it passed with flying colours. I also tried out its obstacle avoidance using a variety of items, including small and large dog toys. I then put its mop to the test, knowing full well that it would be a sub-par performer simply by looking at it. And I was right.

Read more about how we test robot vacuum cleaners

• First reviewed March 2025

Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad Review

The Technet Laptop Cooling Pad is an inexpensive cooling solution for any heavy-duty tasks you throw at your laptop, whether you’re gaming or rendering 3D animation. It rocks two fans capable of up to 1800rpm and is compatible with laptops up to 17 inches.

As those fans would suggest, the Technet Laptop Cooling Pad offers genuinely impressive cooling. The baseline 3D Mark Stress Test I ran on our Acer Predator Helios 300 with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 saw its temperature rise from 20.2°C to 52.1°C, an increase of 31.9°C. With the Tecknet running at its highest output, our gaming laptop hit a high of 41.8°C, a much more modest warming of 17.9°C. That’s one of the best results I’ve seen in my testing so far.

With this kind of cooling, you’d expect some pretty serious fan noise from the Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad. However, in my experience it wasn't too disruptive – while the noise was noticeable, it didn’t distract from the tunes I was listening to.

And this was borne out by empirical testing – 10 minutes into the stress test, I measured the noise levels from three inches away and the combined noise of the cooling pad and laptop was quieter at 58dB than the 60dB benchmark of the laptop’s fans working alone. At my head height (21 inches away), this evened out a little, registering a little louder at 45dB combined compared to 42dB alone. Still, this rivals some of the best laptop cooling pads.

The Tecknet felt comfortable to use. The ergonomics were just right for me, with its angle allowing me to comfortably rest my wrists without any flexion or extension.

Speaking purely aesthetically, its looks are perhaps a little on the basic side – it’s essentially just made of textured matt plastic and a grille over the fans. You won’t see them most of the time, but when in use the fans are lit by a subtle blue light, which I think looks a bit more classy than some of the flamboyant RGB lighting its rivals opt for. One slight worry I do have, though, is the textured grips that hold your laptop in place. While my laptop didn’t slip around too much during testing, I have concerns about how well they’ll keep one in place during extra vigorous gaming sessions.

Ultimately, though, I can’t argue with the results. Despite being toward the cheaper end of the spectrum at $19.99 / £19.99, the Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad offers seriously decent performance, even if it doesn't look quite as fancy as more stereotypically gaming-focused cooling solutions. All in all, it's definitely worth the spend if your biggest priority is shaving off those degrees for as little dough as possible.

(Image credit: Future) Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad review: specs

(Image credit: Future) Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad review: price and availability

• Released August 18, 2015
• MSRP of $29.99 / £24.99

The Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad first went on sale on August 18, 2015, and is still available now. It retails for an MSRP of $29.99 / £24.99, but there are plenty of deals out there. It’s currently on sale for $26.99 on Amazon US, while you can buy it direct from Tecknet in the UK for just £12.49, so it’s worth keeping an eye out for bargains.

There aren’t many different options available, with most retailers only offering it with blue lighting and detailing. However, Amazon US does currently offer it with red lighting and highlights, so if that’s more your bag, it’s worth snapping that option up.

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad? Buy it if…

You want impressive cooling
Able to keep our testing laptop a full 14°C cooler even during a 3D stress test, this cooling pad is seriously frosty. It should go a long way to stop your laptop overheating, even during the most demanding gaming sessions.

You want reduced noise
Thanks to those ultra-quiet fans, this cooling doesn’t come at the cost of loads of noise. In fact, the Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad seems to be no louder than our testing laptop’s built-in fans.

Don’t buy it if…

You want souped-up gaming aesthetics
If you want psychedelic RGB lighting and the sharp, angular geometry typical of most gaming equipment, you might be disappointed here. The Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad has understated blue lighting and is made of relatively basic materials, so it’s more for cooling than drooling over.

You want to ensure your laptop will stay put
Unlike some cooling pads with physical rests for keeping your laptop in place, the Tecknet only offers some textured grips. These are not a guarantee your laptop won’t slip during vigorous gaming sessions.

Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad review: also consider

TopMate C12 Laptop Cooling Pad
The TopMate C12 Laptop Cooling Pad looks stunning, with its vibrant RGB lighting and quality build, while the braces at its bottom end keep your laptop firmly in place. It didn’t quite manage to keep up with the Tecknet’s cooling in our test, allowing our laptop to warm up by 22.8°C, but it was just as quiet. If you’re willing to spend $29.99 / £29.77, this will definitely earn you some extra style points.

How I tested the Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad

• Tested it over several days
• Used a thermal camera to measure temperature difference before and after test
• Used a sound level meter to measure fan noise 10 minutes into test

I spent several days testing and using the Tecknet N5 Laptop Cooling Pad. I ran it through several standardized benchmarks that we use for all laptop cooling pads. I checked the temperature of the hottest point of our Acer Predator Helios 300 with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 testing laptop using a handheld thermal camera, ran a 15-minute 3DMark Stress Test with the cooling pad on its highest setting, then checked its temperature again.

To test the noise it generated, I used a sound level meter to check the noise generated 10 minutes into the test both with the laptop alone and with the laptop cooler running. I tested this from three inches to get an accurate reading of the noise generated, as well as from my head height to gain a reading of how loud it will sound in practice.

In terms of my experience, I’ve been a committed gamer and laptop user for over 30 years, and I’ve been covering tech and gadgets as a journalist for well over a decade.

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

Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad review

The Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad is a travel-friendly Qi2 MagSafe charger with charging modules for an iPhone and AirPods, and a certified Apple Watch fast-charging module. It has a retail price of $89.99 / £89.99 / AU$199.99 on the Anker website and can be purchased at Amazon too.

The material of the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad looks and feels high-quality, and the patented design is well-considered. I was particularly happy to see Anker has incorporated materials that could reduce their environmental impact by using 75% PCR (post-consumer recycled) plastic in the outer casing of the MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad.

It took mere moments to fold the MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad down small enough to fit in the palm of my hand, and the magnets were strong enough to withstand the depths of my bag but easy to pull apart when needed. It was not so easy to remove the iPhone from the charging pad, however, unless I had two free hands to pry them apart and stop the charging pad from hitting the table once separated.

(Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)

Although I liked the novel UFO-meets-macaron aesthetic, I found the charger moved easily when laid flat to charge three devices, especially when placing or removing the iPhone and Apple Watch. The charging module for the latter made me the most uncomfortable, as I could hear the outer surface scraping on the table each time it moved. It got a little marked from the rough surface of the table I photographed it on – fortunately it wiped off easily and there didn’t appear to be any scratches, but I’d still advise caution. This can be avoided if an Apple Watch has an all-in-one band or a sturdy strap is left fastened, as the charger’s silicone strap enables the Apple Watch charging module to tilt upwards, allowing upright charging.

I’m not really a fan of flat wireless chargers – unless it’s a charging pad I can comfortably hold in my hand like the Anker MagGo Wireless Charger Pad. However, I was pleased to discover the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad could be made into a stand by attaching the Apple Watch charging module to the back of the iPhone module. It’s not a perfect solution as the phone can only be landscape and there’s only one viewing angle, but as Anker’s point was to facilitate StandBy mode, it does the job.

(Image credit: Cesci Angell / Future)

I’ve tested a fair amount of wireless chargers that seemed to take themselves too literally. This isn’t the end of the world if they charge efficiently with any cable and adapter, but some require the latter to be above a certain wattage. Fortunately, I won’t be adding the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad to that list, as it comes with a 40W adapter and a conveniently long 5 ft / 1.5 m USB-C to USB-C cable too.

The Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad took a commendable hour and fifty-six minutes to fully charge an 3,095mAh iPhone 13 Pro, which is almost twenty minutes faster than the Anker 3-in-1 Cube with MagSafe. The Apple Watch charging speed was good too, taking just an hour and three minutes to recharge my Apple Watch Series 9, only one minute shy of the fastest MagSafe charger I’ve tested to date, the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Stand.

In closing, I really quite like the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad. Certain aspects may not be entirely to my preference, but it’s well–made out of good-looking materials, and the patented design makes it conveniently easy to fold up and pack away. It’s pretty pricey, for sure, but for the good charging speeds, eco-conscious materials, compact size, and light weight, you’re getting value for money here. If you’d like to explore other MagSafe charger options, I’d recommend checking out our pick of the best wireless chargers.

Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad review: Price & specs Should I buy the Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad? Buy it if…

You want a small and convenient travel-friendly wireless charger
This charger is easy to fold down to a satisfyingly small size, making it perfect to pack away quickly whether you’re off on your travels or taking it to the office to keep your phone juiced up as you work.

You want something minimal but efficient
Despite its clever design, this Anker charger keeps things fairly simple with just three wireless modules linked together with silicone straps. Its ability to fold down into a stand to charge the iPhone alone is a great space-saver too, if that’s the device you’ll charge most often.

Don't buy it if…

You want a wireless charger you can use one-handed
As there’s no weight to this Anker charger and no grippy base to keep it in place, it makes it very difficult to remove the iPhone from the charging pad. So if you’re someone like me who needs access to their phone regularly while working, it could prove irritating after a while.

You want a cheap 3-in-1 charging solution
As much as I like this charger, there’s no hiding the fact it’s very expensive. The price is reasonable for those wanting a compact and high-quality travel charger with good charging speeds, but if your budget is half as much as this, there are other options out there.

Anker MagGo Wireless Charging Station 3-in-1 Foldable Pad review: Also consider

Mous MagSafe Compatible 3-in-1 Portable Charger
For around half the price of this travel-friendly Anker charger, you could purchase this pocket-sized portable charger that folds down to around the size of a credit card and is only 0.5 inches / 13.4mm deep. It’s certainly not the fastest charger out there, but if cost and convenience are the priority over fast charging, this little 3-in-1 charger is worth a look. If you’re interested in learning more, have a read of my full review of the Mous MagSafe Compatible 3-in-1 Portable Charger.

Since Visual Concepts’ WWE 2K wrestling game series hit current-gen platforms after a year off – skipping a 2K21 – it’s been a genuinely great series instead of a middle-of-the-road yearly sports release. From WWE 2K22 onwards, the games have been steadily improving with smart changes and new features, and WWE 2K25 is once again a great wrestling game that improves on what came before.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5 / PS5 Pro
Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC
Release date: March 14, 2025

The core wrestling feels like a great mixture of arcade and simulation styles, with counters, combos, and freeform carry moves giving each wrestler a deep moveset. This year’s entry brings back the Chain Wrestling mechanic that was last seen in WWE 2K20; this allows matches to kick off in a far more realistic way. Wrestlers will lock up in a grab and use a minigame to maneuver around their opponent to get the edge at the start of the match; it’s only available at the beginning of a bout and gives the early match a momentum more akin to what you see on TV, as opposed to just going all out right away.

It’s also the best-looking game yet, with wrestlers now being covered in welts and bruises as a match goes along, and those who wear body paint having it come apart over the course of the match. Meanwhile, the TV-style presentation is top-notch, with camera cuts akin to real WWE TV.

The big new addition this year is intergender wrestling, allowing men and women to compete against each other. This features heavily in this year’s My Rise storyline, but outside of that, I feel like it could be more. For example, title matches are available in the mode, but it’s only for designated ‘intergender’ titles, which mostly consist of 2K’s made-up titles and a handful of official WWE titles like the 24/7, cruiserweight, and hardcore titles, but without being able to have Chelsea Green win the WWE Championship, it feels a little half-baked.

(Image credit: 2K) Bloodline rules

This year’s 2K Showcase focuses on ‘The Bloodline’ – the WWE canon name for the Anoaʻi/Maivia family of Samoan professional wrestlers, including the likes of The Rock, Roman Reigns, Yokozuna, and Umaga. Where previous editions have followed single wrestlers, you take on the role of a majority of the family members this time around.

This mode is presented and narrated by Paul Heyman this year, who is already the greatest talker in WWE history, and his rundown of the events is fantastic and keeps you engaged throughout the long cutscenes.

Since not all Bloodline members are created equal, 2K25’s matches are split into three categories. The usual reliving prominent wins (like Yokozuna beating Hulk Hogan at King of the Ring 1993) returns. But for those members who don’t have any big wins or standout matches, there are rewritten and dream matches like Tamina winning the first women’s Money in the Bank or having The Wild Samoans take on The Dudley Boyz.

The last few years of 2K Showcase intercut real-life match footage during gameplay, leading to players sitting and watching matches without commentary instead of playing the game for long stretches. This year, 2K has mercifully ditched that and recreated match cutscenes in engine and added new commentary from the game’s announce team. This style makes Showcase way less of a slog this year and turns it into a standout mode.

The only real issue with the mode this year is the goals. When recreating matches, the game wants you to redo certain beats from the real match, which will unlock new items when done correctly (you can play the match normally too, but you’ll miss these unlocks). This year’s game introduces timed goals, which usually require you to do a certain move or an amount of damage. But if you don’t get it in time, it’s skipped, and you’ll need to replay the match entirely if you want another crack at it.

Some of these timers are ridiculously short, and in multi-person matches like Money in the Bank, another wrestler doing one grab to you is enough to guarantee you failing it. The dream match goals, on the other hand, are terribly bland, mostly being ‘do x amount of damage’ and then ‘now win.’

(Image credit: 2K) Mutiny on the Bounty

This year's My Rise – an original story following your created wrestler – is a mixed bag. It’s far and away the best storyline found in any of these modes. It follows a faction of former NXT wrestlers attempting to take over WWE with their new NXT Mutiny brand, and your character leading the fight against them. It’s full of great twists and turns and kept me engaged the whole time. But, instead of the two gender-specific stories, this time you have to make a male and female-created character to go through the story.

Best bit

The Bloodline showcase features highlights of many members of the family. But the section dedicated to Umaga was not only the best match in this year’s mode but was also a genuinely lovely tribute to an incredible talent gone too soon.

The big deal this year is choices. There's stuff that will affect certain story beats, like where your wrestler came from (Indies, MMA) and their relationship with the other wrestler you make (used to date, best friends) that introduce different dialogue. And there are bigger choices, like which wrestlers you recruit to fight Mutiny. This means there’s a bigger focus on replayability too, which becomes a bit of a hindrance when there are unlockables involved. From what I can tell, you’ll probably need to play through the mode a good three or four times to get all of the extra characters and arenas available.

There only being one story isn’t the only cutback this year either. There are no more side missions, and the runtime feels shorter than in previous years. There are ‘Live Events’ that allow you to do generic fights, which also have unlocks attached to your star rating. Assuming you get five-star matches every time (which takes a while), it’s still 56 fights to unlock everything. I can’t help but feel like things were cut down in favor of another mode.

(Image credit: 2K) Here comes the money

The Island is the brand-new mode exclusive to the current-gen versions of the game (not PC, though), and despite being the big thing for WWE 2K25, it’s easily the worst thing about it. The mode plays out like a bad MMO where you go talk to NPCs, play matches, and compete against others.

But the mission structure is so bland; one of the early questlines has you walking in and out of the same building to talk to two different sets of NPCs multiple times. Plus, the story is told via still images with text, with the occasional video of Roman Reigns. It would be a harmless, kind of bland mode, but then its character progression shows its true colors.

You create a new character for The Island, and this character’s stats are upgraded via VC – the game’s premium paid currency. Not only that but there are also exclusive cosmetic items for your characters that also cost VC. You can earn VC while playing matches, but it’s a pittance compared to the prices of gear, leading you to either grind like mad or pull out the credit card.

Every online match (which took ages to find and disconnected immediately most times) in the mode placed me against the sweatiest-looking created wrestlers with maxed-out stats, so the mode is also basically pay-to-win, although thankfully it’s not interesting enough that I care. I play these games for around 80+ hours every year, but I don’t see myself touching this mode after the review.

(Image credit: 2K)

Speaking of money, My Faction – 2K’s take on Ultimate Team – returns with all the same problems as before. Exclusive characters are locked behind ‘Persona’ cards, which are either a massive grind to get or require random drops from card packs. The new ‘World Tour’ within My Faction is the best thing added to the mode in years (allowing you to unlock some of those ‘Persona’ cards), but it also has walls that require you to have specific card types to continue through it.

My GM is another mode that has similar problems to before. I love GM Mode with all my heart, but the weird penalties in 2K’s version are off-putting. Characters all have roles and styles; some vibe well with others, and your matches are worse off if you don’t have the right pairings.

But this isn’t emblematic of what WWE is like in real life; CM Punk and Seth Rollins are in the midst of a blood feud right now on TV; both of them are good guys. This mode has the potential to be the best thing about WWE 2K, but the same old restrictions once again overwhelm any improvements.

WWE 2K25 is the best wrestling game of the modern era. The Showcase and My Rise modes are the best they’ve been with some minor issues, and the core wrestling feels great with an ever-increasing number of match types keeping it fresh. But the money-hungry Island and My Faction modes – which can’t even be ignored due to their unlockable content – hold it back from its rightful place at the head of the table.

Should you play WWE 2K25? Play it if...

You want a fantastic wrestling game
WWE 2K25 is the best wrestling game I’ve played since 2K took the series over. The core wrestling is fantastic and is only improved with the likes of chain wrestling. Some of the side modes aren’t amazing, but it has a ton of content for you to play through until next year’s entry releases. Plus, there are hundreds of wrestlers from WWE’s past through to the current day.

You acknowledge Roman Reigns as your Tribal Chief
The 2K Showcase documentary mode is the best it has ever been this year. Looking back at the Bloodline’s past and future gives it a ton of variety, and Paul Heyman’s narration is incredibly engaging throughout. Plus, removing the real footage helps the pacing massively.

Don't play it if...

You’ll be annoyed at missing content
Variants of characters are locked to ‘Persona’ cards found behind a grind or random card packs in My Faction mode, or through various My Rise replays. Unless you’re willing to put a massive amount of time in, you’re probably not unlocking everything.

Accessibility

Accessibility-wise there’s not much to write home about. The various mini-games for the likes of pins and submissions are customizable. There’s rapid button pressing for submissions, which can be switched for a slider minigame, while pins are a timed minigame that can be swapped for rapid pressing. There’s also an option for rapid press inputs to be replaced by holding buttons. However, these changes are not available in any online modes (including vs the CPU in My Faction).

How I reviewed WWE 2K25

I played 30 hours of WWE 2K25 between a PS5 Pro on a Samsung Q60D TV and a Samsung HW-T450 soundbar. I also played on a PS5 on a Samsung Odyssey G5 gaming monitor with a PlayStation Pulse 3D Headset.

During this time I played all of the Showcase mode (including both sides of the Wargames match), one playthrough of My Rise, a year of My GM, a few months in Universe, and about five hours of My Faction. I also played through the first few chapters of The Island, with a couple of PVP matches in the mode.

First reviewed March 2025

Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro: Two-minute review

The Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro toothbrush from Swiss company Curaden is a sonic brush that looks good, packs a fair bit of power and offers a comprehensive clean. Its octagonal shape and clinical whites and grays remind me of a satellite or space station, and the electric toothbrush itself is certainly a high-flier, and a contender for the title of “best electric toothbrush I’ve tried in 2025”, delivering a premium clean, albeit for a premium price.

The Curaprox is well-designed and functional. In the box you get the handset, a trio of brush heads equipped with soft Curen fibers, a plastic travel case, and a USB-A ‘nub’ type charging stand typical of many electric toothbrushes. Charging takes 10 hours, and the brush will last for 60 minutes on a full charge, which equates to around two weeks of use. As is the case with many toothbrushes, Curaden recommends that you don’t leave the Curaprox on charge constantly, and only charge it when the battery drops below 20%, as indicated by the LEDs running up the side of the handset.

Overall, it’s a pretty good package, although it would be nice at this price point if the case charged the brush too, so that you never have to worry about it on the go. I suppose that given its two-week battery life, the idea is that you should make sure the brush is fully charged before you go on your holidays.

(Image credit: Future)

The trio of brush heads comprise one for power cleaning, one for sensitive cleaning, and one for precision cleaning. The single brush head really allows you to get between teeth and gums, and I was very impressed: it’s bent backwards where the others have been bent forward, to account for the difference of use.

Curaprox says the Hydrosonic Pro has been designed for professional-level cleans at home (what electric toothbrush isn’t, according to the marketing people?) and the three brush heads coupled with the seven intensities mean you get a total of 21 bespoke cleaning modes. There’s also lots of helpful information in the manual, and it makes for quite interesting and educational reading when it comes to how to use the brush. I’d rather read the manual than have to follow the instructions in an app any day – I’ve got too many wellness apps on my phone as it is.

Replacement brush heads can be bought in packs of two of each kind from Curaprox, and, like the brush itself, they’re not cheap at $25.20 / £24.50 / AU$42.00 for a pack on Amazon.

That powerful motor can go from whisper quiet to annoyingly loud at the highest setting – over 65 decibels, according to the Decibel X app, which is louder than the 53 decibels I recorded for the similarly premium Philips Sonicare 7100. However, it is a good indication of how powerful the clean is, and during my testing I found myself using the single brush to clean across my gumline quite often – it’s a great design element that I’d like to see more manufacturers adopt.

Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro: Specifications Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• $199.99 / £190 / AU$299
• Replacement brush heads cost $25.20 / £24.50 / AU$42.00
• Not cheap, but high quality

The Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro costs $199.99 in the US, £190 in the UK and AU$299 in Australia, with replacement brush heads available in packs of two of the same head, so if you want spares of the power clean, sensitive or the single clean, you’ll need to pay twice. Crafty.

As you’ve probably gathered, while there are more expensive toothbrushes on the market this is certainly a premium option, and an ongoing investment in your oral health. It’s a very well-designed system, you could certainly do a lot worse – I’m of the opinion AI guidance and app-based rewards are almost never used on more expensive toothbrushes, and therefore are usually unnecessary – but the Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro represents the upper limit of what I think anyone should prepare to pay for an electric toothbrush.

• Value score: 3.5/5

(Image credit: Future) Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro: Scorecard Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro: Should I buy? Buy it if...

You want power

The Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro is perhaps the loudest, most powerful toothbrush I’ve tested.

You want precision

The single brush head is a really great idea, enabling you to clean between your teeth and at the gumline with more accuracy.

You have sensitive teeth

With a brush head specifically for sensitivity and Curen’s special softer fibers, those needing a gentle clean are catered for.

Don't buy if if...

You’re on a budget

If you’re just after a simple sonic clean that does the job, you could spend half the money and get a suitable brush.

You want a charging case

The Philips Sonicare 7100 comes with a charging case rather than a non-electronic plastic one

Also consider

Suri Sustainable Sonic Toothbrush

The best sustainability-focused sonic toothbrush.

Read our Suri Sustainable Sonic Toothbrush review

Philips Sonicare 7100

Often found on sale, this toothbrush isn’t quite as powerful, but it comes with a charging case and cheaper replacement heads.

Read our Philips Sonicare 7100 review

How I tested

I used the Curaprox Hydrosonic Pro for one week. I charged it using the plug-in base, used all seven modes and all three brush heads, and used a decibel meter app to calculate how loud the brush was compared to other brushes on the market.

First reviewed: March 2025

I’ll be the first to admit games that heavily feature crafting as a key component are typically a huge turn-off for me, so I was initially wary of Atelier Yumia: The Alchemist of Memories and the Envisioned Land’s focus on it. Be it in survival games like Minecraft or Sons of the Forest, or even other RPGs like Final Fantasy 14 Online, I usually find it hard to engage with crafting systems; the tedium of it all quickly sets in, making me very eager to get back to gameplay that’s just a bit more exciting.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PC (Steam)
Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
Release date: March 21, 2025

This, surprisingly, has not been the case with developer Gust’s Atelier Yumia. From equipment and accessories to helpful items and placeable furniture, so much of this RPG’s (role-playing game) gameplay revolves around its alchemical crafting system.

But that became the exact reason why I grew to love the game. In Atelier Yumia, you’re not just crafting things for small, temporarily helpful gains. Each item you synthesize provides meaningful game and character progression. Whether that’s increasing the potency of a healing item by using higher-quality gatherables or creating a version of a weapon that lets you slot in extra traits, there are always multiple avenues of customization and outfitting your party members with tools that suit your playstyle.

Pair this with an incredibly slick and stylish battle system and an open world that greatly incentivizes exploration, and in Atelier Yumia, you have a game that can easily be considered one of the best RPGs of 2025. Barring some presentational issues and the occasional bit of obtuse map design, the game is simply a near-constant joy to play.

(Image credit: Koei Tecmo) The not-so-wicked witch

While not an exclusively dark narrative by any means, Atelier Yumia grounds things in a world where alchemy is greatly feared and shunned, having been responsible for a great many accidents throughout history.

Our titular protagonist, Yumia, is one such alchemist and, despite only wanting the best for the world and its people, is typically met with distrust. Even when she uses alchemy for the benefit of others.

Thus, Yumia sets out on a journey of truth and discovery with a party of trusted comrades. With the goal of discovering the secrets of the fallen land that once thrived beforehand, Yumia aims to prove that alchemy can be used for good and doesn’t have to be something that’s inherently destructive.

From start to finish, Atelier Yumia’s story is a pretty straightforward ride, but one that’s nonetheless enjoyable. Elements of maturity are present, especially when exploring Yumia’s past. But the game often keeps the tone light-hearted and there’s plenty of bubbly dialogue and humor to enjoy. Overall, it’s an easygoing, often cozy tale, but one that isn’t afraid to get serious as the situation demands.

(Image credit: Koei Tecmo) A walk in the park

What Atelier Yumia gets right for the majority of its runtime is pacing - something that’s usually pretty rare in the open-world space. The game’s story rarely drags its heels, allowing players to truly take things at their own pace.

That pace, between all the game’s systems and mechanics, is usually very brisk. That’s especially true of exploration in Atelier Yumia. While you might initially balk at the abundance of Ubisoft-style question marks dotting the map, in reality, these are almost all extremely quick diversions. Optional points of interest like this include small ruins to explore, monster breeding grounds or hubs for particular materials, caves containing treasures, and boxes you can quickly nab skill points from.

While there’s certainly much to do in each of Yumia’s four main regions, you’re able to explore it at a relatively quick pace. Darting between undiscovered points of interest on the way to the next story objective always felt natural, and never like I had to seriously go out of my way unless I expressly wanted to.

Best bit

(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)

Atelier Yumia’s take on the series’ alchemy system is arguably its best yet. While certainly very deep and boasting an amalgamation of its own mechanics, it’s nonetheless incredibly straightforward. Crafting high-quality items like weapons, accessories, restoratives and more is a moreish endeavor, especially as you continue to refine and make them more effective as you progress through the game.

That same snappiness applies to Atelier Yumia’s battle system. Like alchemy, there’s a lot to the battle system, but it’s all very easy to pick up and learn. The basics are that your party of three can engage enemies with combo attacks, set to each of the four face buttons. These combos can be used to put enemies in a weakened state, at which point you can use battle items and partner attacks to exploit elemental weaknesses for massive damage.

Battle items are also a much more integral part of the experience, and have been streamlined to a degree. They can become permanent additions to your combat loadout, only limited by a cooldown timer between uses. You’ll only need to replace them if you wish to craft better versions of them with more properties and more damage or healing potency.

As a result, while party members have their own weapons and base stats, how you can set them up is impressively flexible. For example, kitting Yumia out with elemental battle items can turn her into a robust mage, while the shield-bearing Viktor might hold a variety of stat-boosting items, essentially making him a stalwart support unit. It’s a bit Xenoblade-esque in that regard, giving you the tools necessary to build and equip characters in a way that works for you.

(Image credit: Koei Tecmo) I require your strongest potions

As I mentioned at the top, alchemy is the system that ties everything together in Atelier Yumia. While at your atelier - or within a designated building zone in the world - you’re free to perform synthesis to create anything from battle items to benches. You will of course need materials to craft these items, but you’ll find plentiful gathering spots throughout the world and you’ll naturally collect an abundance of ingredients by simply exploring.

All synthesis projects begin by selecting an Alchemy Core as your base item, of which there are various types - including one that provides an overall quality boost or another that lets you slot in traits for additional modifiers. You’ll then add materials to help expand the core’s resonance area. The larger this area, the more drifting mana will be captured within its influence. The more mana you collect, the greater the item’s quality, thus boosting its overall potency. Plus, using materials of a higher grade will extend the ceiling of any given item’s potential power.

What makes alchemy so great is that it really is up to you in regards to how you shape these items. Materials have their own unique properties, and using specific ones can provide secondary or tertiary bonuses. A hard-hitting battle item may provide other bonuses this way, such as healing or providing various buffs. Or, you can just go all-in on power, making items that hit as hard as possible.

(Image credit: Koei Tecmo)

As you progress through the game, you’ll gradually unlock new recipes for synthesizing entirely new items. These ‘recall recipes’ can be created and upgraded at your atelier using different types of Memory Vials you can find in the world. Upgrading recipes can make them even more powerful, such as increasing their number of uses before going on cooldown, or increasing their base quality.

As I said, you’re not just limited to battle-oriented items. Synthesis can be done to create potions, armor, accessories, and more. And if you don’t want to get too lost in the weeds, handy quick synthesis options exist where the game will smartly assign materials automatically based on your preferences - whether that be the bare minimum, or going for as much quality as possible.

Synthesis doesn’t stop there, either. Workbenches will allow you to create housing items like benches, plants, or archways. These can then be freely placed as designated building spots throughout the world, letting you create your own bases or homesteads. There are so many options here, and it feels great being able to leave your own marks on the world to a greatly personal degree. Sure, it’s not quite Minecraft levels of freedom, but there’s plenty here that’ll allow you to get lost in hours of creativity.

One stroke forward, two strokes back

In my Atelier Yumia playthrough, really the only thing that bugged me was the game’s overall visuals and presentation. They’re by no means bad, but I do feel like developer Gust often went a touch overboard when it comes to post-processing effects. Bloom during sunrise and sunset can be eye-searingly bright, washing out the world to an occasionally uncomfortable degree. Weather effects also aren’t particularly convincing, with an example being rainfall immediately coating the world in an overly wet and shiny look.

In better news, performance in Atelier Yumia is fantastic. On PC, I was able to maintain a rock-solid 60fps (frames per second), and load times are phenomenally fast - even when fast traveling from one end of the map to another. I found this to be crucial given the relatively fast-paced nature of the game, and I’m glad that Gust really took the time to optimize its world with this in mind.

Should you play Atelier Yumia? Play it if...

You want an intricate and moreish crafting system
Synthesizing items in Atelier Yumia is extremely enjoyable, and there are so many ways to create items for any playstyle and occasion.

You love a game that respects your time
It may be a lengthy RPG, but Atelier Yumia doesn’t bog you down with an hours-long intro. Meanwhile, battle and exploration are both remarkably brisk, making for an experience that’s easy and fulfilling to play if you don’t have a ton of free time to spare.

Don't play it if...

You’re averse to poorly implemented post-processing
Atelier Yumia’s biggest issue is its reliance on intrusive effects like overdone bloom and unconvincing weather effects. While not enough to be a deal breaker for me personally, such effects can be quite distracting during exploration.

Accessibility

There’s a decent amount of accessibility features found within Atelier Yumia’s options menu. Text size and background opacity can be adjusted, as well as have three colorblind settings (deuteranopia, tritanopia, and protanopia) applied to them.

Various battle options exist that can make hitting certain commands easier, too. These include an auto-guard function for incoming attacks and an ‘easy precision counter’ that swaps you to a random character after successfully guarding or evading at the right time.

(Image credit: Koei Tecmo) How I reviewed Atelier Yumia

My playthrough of Atelier Yumia lasted around 35 hours, taking me through the main quest line, a ton of optional map exploration, and a handful of side quests.

I spent much of that time getting absorbed by item synthesis, finding it to be the game’s crowning achievement and something I was willing to put much time into in order to craft high-quality battle items and gear. I played the game on PC via Steam with an Nvidia RTX GeForce 3060 Ti graphics card, an AOC Gaming 24G2SP monitor, and the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro controller.

First reviewed March 2025

Upeak Sport Strap review

The Upeak Sport Strap is an Apple Watch band designed for physical activity, and for those who want something light and comfortable. It adopts a fairly typical sports band aesthetic, with its silicone material and perforated holes.

There are multiple colorways available, from monochromatic shades to more vibrant, multi-hued combinations, so there’s a good match for everyone. The Charcoal variant I had was understated, making it suitable for all sorts of occasions.

It feels reasonably durable, although it’s perhaps not as tough as some of the best Apple Watch bands out there. It also picks up blemishes and small scratches relatively easily too.

It installs quite easily into an Apple Watch. I did notice a small amount of play, wobbling very slightly from side to side within the strap recess, although not enough to cause a problem or warrant concern.

The Upeak Sport Strap is pleasingly light and reasonably thin. It’s also quite pliant with a small amount of elasticity, meaning you can stretch it slightly to adjust on your wrist.

These aspects help to make it very comfortable. The multiple fastening holes ensure an easy fit, while the material is soft enough to prevent irritation occurring. In fact, I could barely feel it on my wrist at times, which is always a good sign in a watch strap.

Despite this, the Upeak Sport Strap also offers a good amount of grip. Even when I had it relatively loose on my wrist, my Apple Watch still didn’t move around. The buckle is equally secure, so I wasn’t worried about it coming loose. This makes it great for physical activity, and means you don’t need an uncomfortably tight fit to keep it stable.

What also supports physical activity is how the Upeak Sport Strap deals with sweat and water. It stays comfortable even when drenched, without rubbing on the skin or causing irritation. Even better is just how quickly it dries, and a small dab of a towel is all that’s required in the most extreme cases.

One drawback of the Upeak Sport Strap, though, is just how easily it picks up debris, such as dust and hair, thanks to the sticky nature of the silicone. This can be hard to remove without the aid of a brush or lint remover.

Despite this, the Upeak Sport Strap remains good value for money at under £10. The comfort levels and ease of use are great, so even though it mightn’t be the most premium Apple Watch band out there, it still makes for the ideal workout partner.

(Image credit: Future) Upeak Sport Strap review: Price & specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Upeak Sport Strap? Buy it if…

You want supreme comfort
Regardless of what you’re doing, the Upeak Sport Strap remains comfortable in all situations.

You want to save money
Many equivalent sports bands, especially those from the big brands and Apple itself, are considerably more expensive.

Don't buy it if…

You want minimal upkeep
Thanks to the sticky nature of the Silicone, dust and debris stick easily to the Upeak Sport Strap, which can be awkward to clean.

You want something formal
Despite being relatively understated, it still isn’t among the most premium or elegant of Apple Watch straps.

Upeak Sport Strap review: Also consider

Nike Sport Band
If you’re after something more premium, then the Nike Sport Band is a good choice. It’s made from fluoroelastomer and is comfortable and breathable no matter what kind of activity you’re up to. It’s also durable, and the range of colors, including a Pride option, mean there’s a variant for everyone. We think it’s one of the best Apple Watch bands for working out with.

Meridian Ellipse: two-minute review

The Meridian Ellipse is a seriously capable single-unit wireless speaker. It can handle incredibly detailed hi-res audio, whether via Wi-FI or wired inputs like USB-C or optical, and is crammed with seriously clever features. But it’s also one of the most expensive wireless speakers I’ve ever tested. So does it justify that high price tag?

On the one hand, the Meridian Ellipse is capable of impressive clarity and detail. When listening to the relatively spacious mix of Diamonds On the Soles of Her Shoes by Paul Simon, I was impressed with how much room various elements were given to breathe. The vocals of Simon and Ladysmith Black Mambazo in particular projected forward into the room, while the slap of the percussion was keen and clear.

However, if you feed the Ellipse something much sonically denser like electronic or dance music, some of the shortcuts it takes become more apparent. Listening to Expander by Bonobo, dynamic elements like the punchy kick and shuffly hats were well-communicated, as was its gorgeous vocal line, but there was a lack of cohesion lower down to help glue the mix together. The sub and low mids felt brighter and chillier than the glowing warmth I’ve come to expect from the best wireless speakers. And while you can tweak both treble and bass levels in the Meridian app, I definitely felt like I was ameliorating these imbalances rather than entirely reversing them.

It compensates, in part, for this with its suite of smart features, some of which are truly fantastic. For example, Image Focus does an exceedingly deft job of reorientating the stereo field when you’re sat at an off angle, while Image Elevation is a piece of psycho-acoustic wizardry that throws its voice higher to make TV audio seem like it’s coming from your TV screen. Its position-optimization settings are decent, although they aren’t algorithmic like on some devices, merely offering Free, Wall, Shelf and Corner options. Sadly, I was pretty underwhelmed by its frequency-balancing tech for different volumes: the speaker sounds great at higher volumes, but somewhat neutered at lower ones.

The connectivity options on offer are also decent, although maybe not as extensive as with speakers like the Ruark Audio R410 or Cambridge Audio Evo One. It goes without saying that it can utilize Wi-Fi streaming solutions like TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, AirPlay 2, Google Cast, and Roon connectivity, as well as Bluetooth. But it’s also able to support sampling rates of 192kHz / 24-bit over USB-C, 96kHz / 24-bit via mini-TOSLINK optical, plus 88kHz / 24-bit via its stereo analog input and built-in DAC. However, it doesn’t offer more exotic options like eARC or phono in, so you won’t be using this as your all-in-one home audio hub.

As its name suggests, the shape of the Ellipse is… anyone? Yep, it’s elliptical. I’m sure I’m not the only person to notice this but it gives me distinct vibes of the Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin Pro, both having an undeniably similar Hindenburgian silhouette when viewed front on. Oh, the humanity. However, the metal grille on the face of Meridian’s speaker is much flatter, giving the device a footprint more like a slightly gibbous moon. It also features blue-lit, touch-sensitive controls on its top surface, allowing you to play and pause, skip tracks, adjust volume and initiate Bluetooth pairing mode.

All told, the Meridian Ellipse is a hi-res, feature-packed speaker with some major strengths and a few significant caveats. It’s undeniably detailed and, when its smart functionality delivers, it really delivers. It deftly reproduces trebles and dynamic details, while managing satisfactory, if not exactly stellar, frequency reproduction elsewhere. Were it not for the price tag, I’d be tempted to give it a pass on some of the weaker elements but, at the savings-siphoning price of $3,000 / £1,900 / AU$4,999, I feel its sound needs to be beyond reproach. For that reason, I’d suggest you at least consider cheaper options like the $1,799.95 / £1,299 / AU$2,599 Ruark Audio R410 or $1,499 / £1,299 / AU$2,495 Cambridge Audio Evo One before you commit here.

Meridian Ellipse review: price and availability

• Released August 24, 2024
• MSRP of $3,000 / £1,900 / AU$4,999

Launched on August 24, 2024, the Meridian Ellipse is available to buy now. It goes for an MSRP of $3,000 / £1,900 / AU$4,999, which is no small change for a single speaker. By way of context, TechRadar’s current pick for best premium wireless speaker, the KEF LS50 Wireless II, costs $2,499.99 / £1,999 / AU$4,000. Even our pick of best wireless speaker if money’s no object, the Bang & Olufsen Beolab 8, is a similar $2,749 / £2,199 / AU$4,499, which shows you the kind of company this speaker keeps.

(Image credit: Future) Meridian Ellipse review: specs

(Image credit: Future) Meridian Ellipse review: features

• Crammed with smart features
• Good range of connectivity options
• Lower wattage than some rivals

For a comparatively compact speaker, the Meridian Ellipse certainly squeezes in a lot of features. When it comes to drivers, it focuses on quality over quantity. It only contains three drivers but they’re substantial: it has two 3.5-inch (90mm) polypropylene wide-range drivers and one 5.9 x 3.9-inch (150 x 100mm) racetrack sub. There’s not quite as much oomph behind these drivers as you’d hope, though. The Ellipse only offers 25W for those full-range drivers and 30W for the sub, while the cheaper Cambridge Audio Evo One packs a whopping 50W of amplification per driver.

Naturally, as a wireless speaker, the Ellipse focuses much of its energy on cable-free connectivity. It can stream over Bluetooth, Wi-Fi and Ethernet, offering both native streaming from Spotify Connect and TIDAL Connect, as well as AirPlay, Google Cast, and Roon connectivity. This doesn’t mean that wireless connectivity is the only connection to its bow however: it also possesses a USB-C that supports sampling rates up to 192kHz / 24 bit, a mini-TOSLINK optical port capable of 96kHz / 24 bit and an analog input with a built-in DAC that can hit rates of 88kHz / 24 bit.

None of this is unusual for a premium wireless speaker. However, what does set Meridian’s speaker apart is the range of smart features they’ve crammed into the Ellipse’s brain.

Some focus more on clarity: for example, Q-Sync exists to minimize jitter and increase clarity, while Digital Precision boosts the signal-to-noise ratio of the digital audio. Others aim to smooth out the Ellipse’s acoustics, with Perfect Balance ensuring low and high frequencies are perceived the same at low and high volumes and Free-Q offering the now-obligatory tech for sonically compensating for the device’s placement.

Perhaps the most unique smart features are those that tweak the speaker’s soundstage. Bass & Space offers stereo-enhancing tech to increase the sense of soundstage width, while Image Focus helps ‘correct for off-center listening’. Finally, Image Elevation is a piece of pseudo-Dolby-Atmos-style trickery that promises to raise the sound image so you can raise it from the speaker below to the middle of your TV screen – although with no actual height channels, it’s worth moderating your expectations on this front, as it won’t position sound as well as one of the best soundbars.

There are admittedly a few things the Meridian Ellipse is lacking. You won’t find a remote control here, which some rival premium wireless speakers supply and it doesn’t offer fancier inputs like eARC or phono in. All told, though, the Meridian Ellipse has an excellent range of features and a lot of the core functionality you’d expect.

• Features score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future) Meridian Ellipse review: sound quality

• Crisp, accurate presentation
• Sounds great at higher volumes
• Bass and lower mids a bit flat

Given its not-inconsiderable price and the hype around the Meridian Ellipse, I was really hoping to be able to give it an unequivocal thumbs up. But in reality, things aren’t so clear-cut. While a lot of the coverage of its sound quality during its release and early demos was gushing in its praise, I think part of this is down to the protean nature of the device itself, where it sounds wonderfully crisp in some situations and displays distinct flaws in others.

Undeniably, the Meridian Ellipse is capable of some impressive, high-resolution detail. When playing Chemtrails Over the Country Club by Lana Del Rey, it could achieve skillful separation of each instrument. Not only that, but it really brought out the rich, smokey timbre of her voice, giving it real, palpable presence in the room.

High-end detail is also unflinchingly precise. Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac has exposed many a speaker’s weakness with its bright, trebly mix but the Ellipse holds the line. It never becomes overly sharp and yet still has plenty of definition – you can almost hear the scrape of the plectrum as it rings off those taut guitar strings, while the toms punch right through the mix.

Elsewhere, the picture gets a lot more mixed. For example, the Ellipse did a reasonable job with I Want You by Moloko: the funky keys and glockenspiel both had plenty of bite and presence, though I couldn’t help but feel this came at the expense of more nuance in the lower mid frequencies. With electronic music like Chimes by Otherliine, this became much more pronounced: the sound felt very forward without necessarily having the depth to back it up, leaving everything feeling a bit compressed and overdriven.

Again, the Meridian’s bass sometimes felt like it was all bite and no bark – which is particularly disappointing in light of its supposed E3 Bass, which is meant to ‘Expand, Extend, Enhance’ the low end. It’s undeniably punchy and dynamic, with kick drums giving a sizable thump, but the Ellipse can’t always back this up with substance – emphasis on the sub. The gargantuan bass of Tectonic by Technimatic sounded a lot weedier than I’m used to and there was noticeable ducking of the bassline every time the kick sounded, making me question whether its racetrack can really deliver the goods where sub is concerned.

Thanks in no small part to the Perfect Balance feature mentioned above, the Ellipse can hold its own at much higher volumes than many wireless speakers. In fact, I would argue it sounds much better when you crank it up. While Black Eye by Allie X sounded a bit hollow in the lower mids at average volumes, turning it up to 60% gave its saw-toothed synth line much more presence without causing those urgent string slams to distort. While this does give it some much-needed punch, if you’re not going to be listening to the speaker at earwax-melting volumes, it's worth asking whether its weaker sound profile at lower volumes is a compromise you’re willing to make.

To test the speaker’s soundstage, I popped on Tighten Up, Pt. 1 by Archie Bell & The Drells. Despite the hard panning typical of 1960s soul, on the Ellipse there was barely a sliver of daylight between the bass and horns, with much of the sound feeling like it came from a single point.

Its Image Focus stereo field correction was much more impressive, however. Positioning the device at a 3/4s angle definitely left Heart of Gold by Bettye LaFayette missing some of its high-end clarity. And when I slipped the Image Focus setting to <7, it really brought the slap of the bongos back into clarity. Admittedly, you could get up and spin the speaker around yourself, but where’s the fun in that?

I was skeptical about how convincing its Image Elevation feature would be, but when I played some classic episodes of The Simpsons and dialed it up to max elevation, it was genuinely compelling. The slight treble boost of the dialogue made it seem like it was issuing directly from the screen. Yes, with some effort I could get my brain to recognize the sound was issuing from the speaker, but it’s a pretty convincing effect.

Impressive though these smarts are, though, I’m not sure they totally compensate for some of the speaker’s sonic weaknesses. It might seem like I’m being overly harsh – the Ellipse doesn’t sound bad by any means and fed the right genres and sources, it sounds impressively clear and expressive for a speaker of its size. But it’s also inconsistent: in some frequency ranges it focuses on cut-glass definition at the cost of more balanced expression and there’s a lack of ballast to ground it in both the mids and bass. As a result, its sound quality is a qualified success, which would definitely give me reservations about spending this kind of money.

• Sound quality: 3.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future) Meridian Ellipse review: design

• Well built and attractive
• Decent touch controls
• Not the most original shape

For anyone who has spent some time following the wireless speaker space, the design of the Meridian Ellipse looks… eerily familiar. There’s no getting around it: there’s something undeniably Bowers & Wilkins Zeppelin-esque about the Meridian Ellipse. It’s not quite as rounded as B&W’s audio dirigible, with a front grille that’s slightly convex rather than actively bulging, but it’s still a similar elongated ellipse shape that will be familiar to that device’s many fans.

Build quality is very decent, even if it’s not as luxe as some audio products in this category. Its matt black surface is smooth to the touch but doesn’t seem to pick up fingerprints, while a sturdy metal mesh protects its fabric covering and drivers. Its size is right in the middle of a Goldilocks zone between ‘big enough to make its presence known’ and ‘so large it’ll dominate your living room setup’. It’s also pretty light and easy to move, should you want to: at 8.6lbs (3.9kg), you won't need to wear a back brace just to relocate it to another shelf.

Controlling the Ellipse falls to a series of blue-lit touch-capacitative buttons on the top surface of the device. These are clearly marked and easy to activate, covering most of the basic functions you’d expect, including play / pause, skipping forward and back, adjusting the volume, and triggering Bluetooth-pairing mode. There are no presets here, though, which is a shame. Being able to quickly switch to various inputs or playlists is something a lot of wireless speakers offer these days and, while it’s not a must-have feature, it would be nice all the same.

• Design score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future) Meridian Ellipse review: value

• Eye-wateringly expensive
• Some cheaper speakers sound better

Ultimately, the Meridian Ellipse is a good – or even potentially great – wireless speaker. But your expectations are inevitably going to be influenced by how much you’ve paid for a device. And for $3,000 / £1,900 / AU$4,999, I expect an audio device to sound unimpeachable. That’s not really been my experience with the Ellipse.

It’s smart, really smart. But instead of taking already rock-solid audio and polishing it up to a truly breathtaking listening experience, I often found myself tweaking the features just to get an aural picture that bested or even matched what I’ve heard from much cheaper speakers. When you can get better audio from the Cambridge Audio Evo One and comfortably buy the £599 / $699 / AU$1,299 Pro-Ject Debut Evo 2 out of the change to plug into its inbuilt phono stage, it does make me wonder who this device is for. Because, in reality, I think audiophiles can get more for much less.

• Value score: 3 / 5

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Meridian Ellipse? Buy it if…

You want crisp, high-resolution audio
For a speaker of its size, the Meridian Ellipse is capable of consummate detail, with each instrument having impressive separation. And it keeps this up even at high volumes: it remains coherent at a level many speakers dissolve into a mess of distortion.

You want a whole range of smart features
Whether it’s tweaking the positioning of the soundstage, tailoring the speaker to its placement in the room, or widening the sound, the Meridian Ellipse features a wide range of tech to improve the audio you hear.

Don’t buy it if…

You want well-rounded lower mids and sub bass
Despite the above, the Ellipse does have a few shortcomings, sonically speaking. In particular, the mids and bass are lacking heft in their lower registers, meaning it can sound like it’s pulling some punches when it comes to certain genres.

You want value for money
Not only is the Meridian Ellipse firmly at the premium end of the market, with a whopping $3,000 / £1,900 / AU$4,999 price tag, but I would argue some cheaper speakers can give a more balanced, consistent experience.

Meridian Ellipse review: also consider

Cambridge Audio Evo One
While the Cambridge Audio Evo One is significantly bulkier than the Meridian Ellipse, it’s also arguably more talented. It’s capable of producing polished, dynamic sound that’s well-tuned across its full frequency range and genuinely impressive separation when fed appropriately hi-res sources. However, its real strength is in just how versatile it is: not only can it stream over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth but it can also handle your TV’s audio over eARC and play records from your turntable via its built-in phono stage. Not bad given its $1,499 / £1,299 / AU$2,495 price tag. Check out our full Cambridge Audio Evo One review.

KEF LS50 Wireless II
The similarly priced KEF LS50 Wireless II can muster streaming hi-res audio up to 24-bit/96kHz and offer a range of connectivity options, whether that’s HDMI eARC, Ethernet port, coaxial and optical or 3.5mm AUX inputs. They’re also discreet, compact units that nonetheless provide crisp, detailed sound across the frequency spectrum and taut, well-controlled bass. Couple this with superb stereo separation and a wide soundstage and these are some fantastic performers. Read our full KEF LS50 Wireless II review.

How I tested the Meridian Ellipse

• I tested the Meridian Ellipse for a month
• I used it to stream a wide range of genres and audio resolutions
• I have several decades of experience using and reviewing audio gadgets

I lived with the Meridian Ellipse for a month, testing it with a range of types of music and sources. Not only did I listen to the TechRadar testing playlist but I also tried out plenty of my own go-to tracks to assess its dynamics and frequency balance.

Additionally, I monitored the quality of its output by trying out a variety of sources. This included my iPhone 16 Pro, MacBook Pro, and TV. On top of this, I tried out a variety of different audio resolutions, from Spotify's most basic tier to Tidal's 24-bit, 192kHz Max tier.

In terms of experience, I've covered tech and reviewed gadgets for over 10 years. Additionally, I've been listening to and producing music for several decades, which has given me insight into the balance of different frequencies and sonic performance.

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

The Apple Milanese Loop can be considered a mid-range Apple Watch band offering, coming in at $99 / £99 / AU$149. It’s neither as cheap and cheerful as the $49 / £49 / AU$69 Sport Bands, nor as unabashedly expensive as the premium $349 / £299 / AU$549 Link Bracelet bands. It can also be picked up in a newer Titanium edition for the Apple Watch Ultra 2, which retails for $199 / £199 / AU$299.

Its stainless steel mesh wraps smoothly around the wrist, free of any kinks or rigidity, feeling comfortable yet suitably premium. And for those who are sustainability conscious, it’s made of 65% recycled materials, while 100% of the energy used for manufacture is from renewable sources. Here we review the dark gray Slate color; but the Milanese Loop is available in a Gold and silvery Natural finish, too.

Putting it on and taking it off is a breeze. As is the case with all of the best Apple Watch bands, clicking it into place simply requires you to slide it into the connectors on either side of the Apple Watch, while to disconnect it, you simply press the release buttons on the Watch’s underside. Tightening and fastening the clasp is achieved via a magnetic clasp that affixes to the band itself, which feels delightfully innovative and typically Apple-esque. Unfortunately, it does have a slight tendency to snap to itself when you’re just trying to adjust the strap; this isn't a deal breaker, but it can make things more fiddly than they need to be.

We found during our Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap review that the lookalike band showed quite a bit of scuffing after just a few weeks of wear. Conversely, the Apple Milanese Loop looks as perfect now as the day I first clasped it round my wrist. While I didn’t risk wearing it during high-risk activities such as weightlifting, this band's superior build quality will shrug off damage like John Wick wearing a kevlar business suit.

Its mesh build also makes it far more breathable than many other Apple Watch bands. During my weekly bouldering session, the skin beneath my Milanese Loop strap didn’t become sweaty as it can with synthetic rubber straps, while flexing sufficiently to remain comfortable. I also found I rarely needed to take it off to shower; in contrast to Apple’s sports bands, which trapped water against my skin, the Milanese Loop allowed my skin to stay dry and protected, even when wearing it for days on end.

The weave of the Milanese Loop does periodically pick up fibers here and there. Unlike the Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap, it doesn’t tend to leave your garments looking like a shorn spring lamb, although it does occasionally require you to undo it to pluck out rogue threads. All in all, I didn’t find this happened often enough to be a bother, however.

All in all, the Apple Milanese Loop is a fantastic Apple Watch band. It looks great, it’s relatively sustainable, and it's more hard-wearing than cheaper rivals. Ultimately, whether you decide it’s the right strap for you will come down to cost. If you’re happy parting with $99 / £99 / AU$149 for an accessory for your smartwatch, it’s an easy recommend. If not, a cheaper lookalike such as the Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap might suit you better.

(Image credit: Future) Apple Milanese Loop review: Price & specs

Released alongside the original Apple Watch back on September 9, 2014, the Milanese Loop is available now direct from Apple for $99 / £99 / AU$149. It arrives in Natural, Gold and Slate finishes. Alternatively, if you own a Titanium watch such as the Apple Watch Ultra 2 or Apple Watch 10, you can pick up the Titanium edition of the strap to match, which will be as hard-wearing as your wearable.

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Apple Milanese Loop? Buy it if…

You want a band that will always look its best
Not only is Apple’s Milanese Loop gorgeously premium in its design, it’s hardy too. After two weeks of solid testing, it looks as good as it did out of the box – which is more than we can say for some of its cheaper rivals.

You’re interested in sustainability
Given 65% of it is made from recycled sources, while 100% of the energy used to make it comes from renewables, this is a suitably green option for anyone wanting a strap that doesn’t deplete the earth’s resources.

Don’t buy it if…

You want an affordable Apple Watch band
At $99 / £99 / AU$149, the Milanese Loop is hardly the most inexpensive Apple Watch band on the market. While not an unreasonable price to pay, given its quality, if you don’t want a quarter of the cost of your Apple Watch to be its band, you’d be wise to look elsewhere.

You don’t want a lint trap on your wrist
It isn't quite as bad as options such as the Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap, but the Milanese Loop still likes to accumulate errant fibers. It won’t depilate your favourite cardigan, but you will occasionally need to pluck the odd filament out of its mesh.

Apple Milanese Loop review: also consider

Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap
The Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap comes with a couple of compromises: it can be a bit stiff to slide in and out of your Apple Watch, and it scuffs more easily. On the flip side, however, it looks great, it’s breathable and, most importantly, it’s super affordable – it costs from as little as £8.99 to a max price of £15.99, making it an easy choice for someone who wants their Watch to look fancy but can’t quite stretch to the Milanese Loop’s asking price.

Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand review

The Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand has a list price of $23.99 on the Anker US website for the black model, and at the time of writing there's a $9 saving on offer, lowering the price to just $14.99. The Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand can also be purchased at Amazon at a list price of $19.99 / £19.99, but as I write this review it's been reduced to $14.99 / £13.99 thanks to a limited-time deal.

One thing to note is that the product name varies slightly depending on where you look. I've come to expect Anker's disjointed and mildly frustrating naming conventions after reviewing so many of their chargers. There's often a different product name on the box than the website, and the name tends to differ again on Amazon too. This charger is sold as the Anker 313 Wireless Charger (Stand) on the Anker website and at Amazon US but is referred to as the PowerWave in the contents, and on the packaging. It's sold under the name Anker PowerWave stand at Amazon UK. If you ever get confused by the names of Anker chargers, you can cross-reference the model numbers for confirmation.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

The design of the Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand couldn't get much simpler. The charging stand comes in one piece, with the backward-angled phone holder attached to the front edge of the stabilizing rear stand. The outer is made of a soft-sheen plastic that is nice to touch, but there is a slightly sharp edge to the join between the front and back panels of the charging pad. A small shelf extends at an angle from the bottom of the charging pad, which was easy to place my phone on, however, it didn't offer much stability as it lacks any lip or silicone for extra hold. On the front of this ledge is a small blue LED ring that illuminates when the charger is connected to power.

The Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand is available in Black on the Anker website and at Amazon, with the latter also offering a white model that costs an extra dollar or so. Curiously, Anker has used an outdated micro USB power port on the 313 Wireless Charger Stand, though fortunately it does provide a 3 ft / 900mm cable, saving me scrabbling through drawers in a vain attempt to hunt one down, although I would have preferred more length.

As this charger doesn't feature a MagSafe attachment, phone placement must be correct to ensure efficient charging. This lack of magnetic hold also means that anyone on the clumsy side, such as myself, must be careful not to knock it because there's nothing to hold the phone in place.

(Image credit: Future / Cesci Angell)

When it came to charging an iPhone 13 Pro, the performance of the Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand was underwhelming, taking three hours and twenty minutes to fully recharge from 0% - 100%. This is especially disappointing considering the INIU I212 Adjustable 15W Fast Wireless Charger was able to perform the same task in just two hours and sixteen minutes. Granted, the INIU charger is a little more expensive, but it more than makes up for it with the adjustable viewing angle, and the aforementioned charging speed.

Personally, I wouldn't purchase an Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand due to its static design and slow charging speeds. However, when the price is discounted, it could prove a worthwhile purchase for someone who isn't fussed about speedy charging and wants to take their phone off the stand with ease, as there's no magnetic attachment to contend with. But even then, I'd suggest spending just a little more and buying the aforementioned INIU I212 Adjustable 15W Fast Wireless Charger; it's worth it. If you're looking for something faster or capable of charging more than one device, I recommend checking out our pick of the best wireless chargers.

Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand review: Price & specs Should I buy the Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand? Buy it if…

You're happy to wait
If you're someone who doesn't constantly have your phone in your hand, or you just want a cheap charging stand to pop your phone on when you go to bed, this charger will meet your needs.

You just want something cheap
When discounts are applied, the price is satisfyingly low for a brand-named wireless charging stand. You only need to spend a little more for a charging stand with an adjustable viewing angle, as shown in our also consider section below.

Don't buy it if…

You want a quick charger
This charging stand won't be winning any medals for its speed, taking nearly three and a half hours to charge an iPhone 13 Pro, which is an hour longer than it took a similar model.

You want some versatility
This charging stand is about as basic as you can get. It only charges one device at a time, and the viewing angle is fixed, meaning it's not the best choice for anyone who wants to use their phone as it charges.

Anker 313 Wireless Charger Stand review: Also consider

INIU I212 Adjustable 15W Fast Wireless Charger
I'm a big fan of this adjustable Android and iPhone charging stand. Its angle adjustment range should suit most situations, and it charged an iPhone 13 Pro an hour quicker than the Anker 313 Stand. It is a smidge more expensive, but the benefits far outweigh the price difference in my opinion. Read our full INIU I212 Adjustable 15W Fast Wireless Charger review.

Alienware 27 AW2725Q QD-OLED: Two-minute review

(Image credit: Future)

The basic notion of a 4K gaming monitor based on Samsung's QD-OLED panel tech isn't new. But for 2025, it's been shrunk down from 32 inches to 27 inches. We give you the new Alienware 27 AW2725Q QD-OLED.

The new 27-inch version of Samsung's QD-OLED panel delivers the latest five-layer tandem OLED structure. However, apart from high pixel density, the rest of the specs look very familiar, including the 250-nit full-screen brightness, 0.03ms response and 240Hz refresh rate.

This monitor also debuts Alienware's new design language. Dubbed "AW30" and supposedly inspired by extraterrestrial phenomena and the Aurora Borealis, the reality is a lot of dark blue plastic, soft, curved shapes, plus the signature RGB-lit alien head logo.

However, if this isn't physically the most exciting looking monitor known to mankind, the new high-DPI OLED panel promises to be spectacular. Time to find out what it's actually like and where it ranks among the best gaming monitors in 2025.

Alienware 27 AW2725Q QD-OLED: Price & Availability

(Image credit: Future)

• How much does it cost? $899 / £TBC / AU$TBC
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US with UK and Australia following in April

At $899, the Alienware 27 AW2725Q is currently $200 cheaper than Alienware's own 32-inch 4K OLED, the AW3225QF. That means there's some savings to be had from the smaller form factor.

However, that's only true within the Alienware ecosystem, as there are 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitors using exactly the same panel as the 32-inch AW3225QF for pretty much exactly the same price as this 27-inch model.

Moreover, this remains an extremely expensive display for a mere 27-inch monitor. If pixel density is an absolute top priority, then it might just make sense. Otherwise, a 32-inch QD-OLED for similar money is surely more appealing. And if you really don't care about pixel density, 34-inch and even 49-inch ultrawides can again be had for a similar sticker price.

Alienware 27 AW2725Q QD-OLED: Design

(Image credit: Future)

Aside from debuting Samsung's 27-inch 4K QD-OLED tech, the Alienware 27 AW2725Q is also rolling out Alienware's new AW30 design language. Alienware says it is "crafted to evoke a sense of mystery and transcendence." Frankly, that's a tiny bit hyperbolic.

Not that the Alienware 27 AW2725Q is a bad looking display. But the new AW30 design language isn't a comprehensive success. In this iteration, AW30 translates into mostly dark blue plastic that's infused with just a hint of metallic fleck. The shapes and design flourishes are soft and organic with a slightly dated 90s vibe.

(Image credit: Future)

Indeed, the signature RGB-lit alien head logo on the rear is the only obvious carry over from the previous Alienware aesthetic which, in all candour, we prefer. Overall, the look and feel isn't especially impactful or premium.

That said, it is well enough built and the AW2725Q boasts a fully adjustable stand and good ergonomics. What's more, for the most part those design considerations only apply to the rear of this monitor, which you generally aren't looking at. Up front, the slim bezels on three sides of the QD-OLED panel and glossy panel coating ensure it looks bang up to date.

Alienware 27 AW2725Q QD-OLED: Features

(Image credit: Future)

The star of the show is the new 27-inch 4K Samsung QD-OLED panel. It boasts Samsung's latest five-layer tandem OLED structure. In larger panel formats, it helps to increase brightness, but the very small pixels of this high-density display mean that brightness is essentially the same as previous QD-OLEDs.

Specs like the 240Hz refresh and 0.03ms response are likewise dead ringers for existing 32-inch 4K QD-OLED monitors. So, the main attraction here on paper is the 166DPI pixel density, which is far higher than the 109DPI of, say, a 27-inch 1440p monitor.

(Image credit: Future)

Elsewhere, this isn't the most highly specified monitor when it comes to connectivity. You do get both two HDMI 2.1 ports, plus DisplayPort 1.4, all of which will do the full 240Hz refresh rate. But there's no USB-C input and thus no facility for docking a laptop with this monitor and keeping it charged.

Still, there is a USB hub which you can hook up to your PC, which offers three USB-A and one USB-C downstream ports. For the record, the Alienware 27 AW2725Q is also covered by Dell's Three-year Advanced Exchange Service warranty which includes cover for OLED burn-in.

Rounding things out as you'd expect from this class of gaming display, there's support for Nvidia G-Sync and AMD FreeSync, plus Alienware Command Center, which is a Windows app that allows you to control some functionality from within Windows.

Alienware 27 AW2725Q QD-OLED: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

When this new class of 27-inch K QD-OLED was announced, it was pretty exciting, what with it using Samsung's latest five-layer tandem OLED tech. In practice, that aspect arguably underwhelms.

Not that the OLEDness here is anything less that you'd expect. Rather, it looks just like what you'd expect in terms of full screen brightness and peak HDR sizzle. This screen isn't a step on in that regard.

So, full screen brightness is adequate rather than excellent. That said, HDR performance in darker game scenes is just fantastic. There's a nighttime scene in Cyberpunk 2077 located on a gantry by a rocket that is the perfect illustration.

You get great detail in the shadows right next to the fluorescent light fittings that pop out with such intensity and precision. The glossy screen coating only enhances that sense of epic contrast. No LCD-based display comes even close, not even those with full-array local dimming.

(Image credit: Future)

Outdoor game scenes are less impressive, albeit still pretty good. Then there's the lightning fast pixel response. In fact, response is essentially a solved problem with these OLED monitors. The 240Hz refresh rate makes for very fluid visuals, too, plus excellent input latency. Of course, you'll need one heck of a graphics card to drive modern games at 4K, even with upscaling. But if you've got one, you'll love this monitor.

But what of the other key benefit, that high pixel density? On the Windows desktop, fonts look super crisp and sharp, despite the OLED panel's non-standard triangular pixel substructure. But in game? Honestly, there's not much subjective benefit compared to a 32-inch 4K OLED. And of course this screen is smaller and less immersive. If space is at a premium, then this 27-inch form factor is a clear benefit over a 32-inch option. Otherwise, we'd go 32-inch for the larger, more cinematic experience.

On a pair of final related notes, another area where this new-gen QD-OLED panel is essentially the same as previous generations is the purplish tinge to the panel itself in really bright ambient light. It slightly detracts from the sense of contrast and, again only slightly, undermines black levels. It's not a deal breaker, but is worth being aware of.

The other related issue is the color balance marginally tilted towards warmth. Again, it's not a major issue and for most people you'd barely notice it first and then quickly adjust to it if you have. But those who knowingly and clearly prefer a monitor with a truly neutral color temperature, it might be problematic.

Alienware 27 AW2725Q QD-OLED: Specs Should I buy the Alienware 27 AW2725Q QD-OLED? Buy it if...

You want a high-DPI OLED experience

At last, OLED panel tech is available with really good pixel density thanks to this new class of 27-inch 4K QD-OLED monitors.View Deal

You love HDR sizzle

When it comes to HDR visuals, no LCD monitor comes close to the high-contrast experience on offer from an OLED monitor with a glossy panel coating.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You want stellar value

$899 for a 27-inch monitor is masses, even for one this good. That's especially true when a 32-inch 4K OLED can be had for the same price.View Deal

You like large, cinematic visuals

Here in 2025, a 27-inch monitor isn't exactly massive. For a really immersive experience, a 32-inch 4K model would be better, as would 34-inch or 49-inch Ultrawides.View Deal

Also Consider

Alienware AW3225QF

This 32-inch 4K QD-OLED is a little more expensive. But then it's larger and more immersive. Uniquely among the 4K 32-inch OLEDs on the market, this monitor is curved.

Read our full Alienware AW3225QF reviewView Deal

MSI MPG 491CQP

Hard to believe, but this massive 49-inch QD-OLED monitor isn't all that much more expensive. The pixel density is much lower, but the immersion levels are off the map.

Read our full MSI MPG 491CQP reviewView Deal

How I tested the Alienware 27 AW2725Q QD-OLED

I ran the Alienware 27 AW2725Q QD-OLED as my primary display for a week. I used it for absolutely everything including getting stuff done for work, watching YouTube and movies and, of course, games.

I've reviewed just about every OLED gaming monitor out there, and certainly every panel type, so this new class of 27-inch 4K QD-OLED is particularly interesting. Assessing things like full screen brightness is critical, as is getting to grips with the high-DPI experience.

I was also keen to double check that this new OLED was up to scratch for metrics like pixel response and latency while delivering that signature OLED HDR experience. Checking out Alienware's new design language was intriguing, too.

First reviewed March 2025

Groov-e Boston: Two-minute review

If you had a checklist of everything you wanted from a DAB radio, the Groov-e Boston would mark off almost every point. It lacks good looks and its sound quality could be better but for only £39.99 – it's currently only available in the UK, but that would make it approximately $52 or AU$82 where available in the US and Australia – it’s hard to criticize it too much.

Also, I can see it fitting in nicely in any room of your home, or you can always take it with you to a holiday let, a caravan: you get the idea. It’s lightweight for the size so it’s easy to move around.

A wooden frame isn’t the priciest or most exclusive look but it does make the Groov-e Boston appear a little classier than if it stuck with the speaker grilles' metal styling, or went for plastic casework. This isn’t the radio to show off to friends and family (that’s the Roberts Revival Petite 2) but it has, nevertheless an old-school charm about it.

Audio quality could be better but for a basic DAB radio, the Groov-e Boston is fine. Don’t count on using the Bluetooth connectivity too often to listen to your own music, though, unless you’re really stuck for options.

So, the Groov-e Boston isn’t one of the best Bluetooth speakers but who really cares about that? You’re buying something like this to compete with the best DAB radios. The Groov-e Boston may not have stolen my heart, but my head (and bank balance) do certainly love the price tag.

Groov-e Boston review: Price and release date

(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Allen)

• Released February 2023
• Cost £39.99 (currently only available in the UK)

The Groov-e Boston was released in the UK in February 2023. Availability hasn’t stretched elsewhere – though if you happen to find it in the US or Australia it'll set you back approximately $52 or AU$82 – but if you’re in the UK, this is a cheap DAB radio while still being from a reputable brand.

It’s far cheaper than my beloved aforementioned Roberts Revival Petite 2, as well as the bulky Pure Woodland. There are some obscure brands with DAB radios around the same price point but none from a reputable brand to compete with the budget delights of Groov-e.

Groov-e Boston review: Specs Groov-e Boston review: Features

(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Allen)

• DAB & FM radio
• Bluetooth streaming
• Built-in alarm clock

Pretty much all the features you could need from the Groov-e Boston are here. It has DAB and FM radio connectivity along with Bluetooth 5.0 for pairing with your phone or other devices. All are easily tapped around thanks to the clearly laid out buttons. It takes seconds to get started with the Groov-e Boston and it never really gets any more complicated.

You can set up 40 presets if you really plan on browsing that many stations regularly and the Groov-e Boston also has an alarm clock function. The latter is a little awkward to set up, though, compared with the simplicity of everything else.

I’d consider the Groov-e Boston primarily as a radio to use at home but it does take batteries if you want to use it out and about. You need four size C batteries to stick in the back – though probably not something you’ll ever actually do, the option is there.

Features score: 4 / 5

Groov-e Boston review: Sound quality

(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Allen)

• A little tinny
• Best for spoken word over music
• Some distortion at high volumes

The Groov-e Boston’s sound quality instantly reminds me of almost every car garage I’ve ever been to. That may be too a specific an anecdote but what I’m getting at is the Groov-e Boston is pretty basic-sounding, with that low-level quality you’d get from a small radio trying to expand to much larger surroundings. The Groov-e Boston transfers that tinny sound to a smaller room.

Mileage will vary depending on the strength of the DAB signal, of course. I found it sometimes improved but there was never any punch such as when listening to Beyonce’s Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) while browsing through some music stations. Spoken word is far better with some time spent with rant-filled LBC sounding reasonably strong, if still a little tinny for want of a better word.

There’s a reasonable stereo effect here but little heft. Crank up the volume and the Groov-e Boston ends up sounding more distorted but it works well enough in a small environment.

Sound quality: 3 / 5

Groov-e Boston review: Design

(Image credit: Future / Jennifer Allen)

• Useful carry handle
• Lightweight
• Retro stylings

Reminiscent of electronics' stylings a few decades old, the Groov-e Boston is functional if not exactly the device you’ll be posting across all your favorite social media platforms. It has a great metal carrying handle so you can move it from room to room without any bother, while the antenna pulls out easily enough.

In the center is a simple LED display showing the time, date, and whatever you’re listening to. Underneath that are your control buttons which are well laid out and explained, as well as a volume knob, which feels so much more satisfying repeated button bashing. The buttons on this radio are a tad on the noisy-clunky side but at least there’s never any doubt you’re tapping them. As is increasingly the way, there are no tactile bobbles to help those with sight impairments figure things out but the buttons are spaced out well so you can’t mistap anything.

On the back is simply the place for the batteries. No additional ports or anything like that. Also, if you’re keen to pick the right colorway for your decor, this isn’t the device for you. The Groov-e Boston is solely available in its part-gray/metal, part-wooden build.

Design score: 3 / 5

Groov-e Boston review: Value

• Very affordable
• Reputable name for the price
• Fine for short- or long-term plans

Check out any retailer and you’ll be lucky to find a DAB radio for this price that is also from a brand you’ve heard of. The competition is simply more expensive. The likes of the Sony XDR-P1 are in the same ballpark, but still pricier and also nowhere near as pleasant to place on your shelf.

You’ll be unlikely to find much for cheaper but if you want style or better features, you may wish to look elsewhere.

Value score: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Groov-e Boston? Buy it if...

You’re on a budget
The Groov-e Boston packs a lot in for the price, even if it isn’t perfect.

You want something that fits everywhere
The Groov-e Boston will look fine in your kitchen as well as your living room, and you can even take it out with you.

You want something lightweight
Ideal for those who need to pack light or can’t carry anything too heavy, the Groov-e Boston won’t overwhelm you.

Don't buy it if... 

You want great sound quality
The Groov-e Boston works well with the spoken word but I was no fan when listening to music. Bear that in mind.

You want something stylish
The functional look will suit some but you won’t be showing off the Groov-e Boston to friends.

You need something more robust
The Groov-e Boston isn’t the weakest radio around but I wouldn’t feel comfortable taking it to the beach or off the beaten path.

Groov-e Boston review: Also consider

Roberts Revival Petite 2

Costing much more but looking gorgeous, the Roberts is just as portable while being something you’ll be proud of owning. Don't blame me when you decide to spend more.

Read our full Roberts Revival Petite 2 review here

Pure Woodland

The Pure Woodland is just as portable as the Boston but is a little more robust, making it ideal for the rugged lifestyle.

Read our full Pure Woodland review here

How I tested the Groov-e Boston

• Used the Groov-e Boston over 14 days
• Listened to DAB radio, FM radio, and music via iPhone 14 Pro and Bluetooth
• Over 10 years' experience testing audio equipment

I’ve spent a lot of time with a lot of different DAB radios over the years. I opened up the box and got started with the Groov-e Boston the moment it arrived. It spent much of its time between my home office, bedroom, and living room. The carrying handle came in useful there. I mostly used it connected to mains power.

I listened to a lot of talk radio (LBC and BBC Radio 5 Live) to keep up with current affairs, while switching over to Heart 90s and 00s along with a local music station to calm my nerves after too much news.

When using the Bluetooth functionality, I connected my iPhone 14 Pro, and listened to Spotify and Apple Music.

• Read TechRadar's review guarantee
• First reviewed in March 2025

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4): Two-minute review

The MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) is the latest edition of Apple’s large-screen thin and light laptop, launched alongside the smaller MacBook Air 13-inch (M4). Many of us have been waiting for Apple’s most popular laptops to get the powerful M4 chip since it debuted last year with the iPad Pro.

Since then, we’ve had M4 versions of the MacBook Pro, iMac and Mac mini, which has left MacBook Air fans (and there are a lot of them, with the MacBook Air being the most popular Mac product) waiting for their turn.

It’s perhaps understandable that some people might feel like the M4 MacBook Airs are an afterthought, with Apple taking so long to bring its latest chip to its most affordable laptops, but it seems Apple has settled into this release schedule. After all, the M3 MacBook Air (in both 13-inch and 15-inch configurations) launched pretty much exactly a year ago, in March 2024.

It seems Apple doesn’t want to get into another controversy by releasing a new MacBook model less than a year after the previous one. It did that with the MacBook Pro M3, which launched around nine months after the MacBook Pro M2, and it got a lot of flak for that.

By spacing the launches out for a year, it’s less likely to annoy people who have bought the previous model, and I get the feeling that Apple’s made the calculation that because the MacBook Air is aimed at a more casual, mainstream audience, there’s less clamor to get the latest and greatest hardware.

To be fair, that’s probably the right call, and no one who has an M3 MacBook Air should feel the need to upgrade to the M4 model. We go into more depth about what the M4 brings to the MacBook Air in our MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) review, but this release is more of a refinement than a complete reimagining.

(Image credit: Future)

When a laptop is as good as the MacBook Air (in either size), then that’s no bad thing at all, and if you’re looking for a new laptop, especially coming from a much older MacBook or Windows laptop, then there’s a very good chance that you’ll absolutely love the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4).

With a starting price of $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,099, Apple gave us all a pleasant surprise, as like the 13-inch model, the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) has actually had a price cut, as the base model of the 15-inch MacBook Air with M3 started at $1,299 / £1,399 / AU$2,199.

A better model for less money is fantastic to see, especially these days where things seem to be getting ever more expensive, and I’ve got to give Apple credit for this. One of the best things about the MacBook Air is its affordability compared to laptops of a similar spec, and it’s great to see that Apple understands this.

This lower price does come at some cost, however, as unlike with previous generations, Apple is no longer officially selling any of the older MacBook Airs. When the MacBook Air M2 came out, for example, Apple reduced the price of the M1 model and sold it as a more affordable option, and the same thing happened with the M3 model (the M2 model got a price cut).

Instead, Apple is only selling the M4 models of the new MacBook Airs, so if you want to buy direct from the company, there’s no cheaper option available. However, third party retailers will continue to sell older MacBook Airs as they clear their inventory, and we’ve already seen some impressive MacBook Air deals since the announcement of the M4 model.

The base model of the 15-inch MacBook Air comes with the M4 chip with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB of unified memory and 256GB of SSD storage – the same as the base model of the new 13-inch MacBook Air.

In fact, in many ways, the M4 MacBook Air 15-inch is the same as the 13-inch model, but with a larger screen, and therefore larger overall size. Even the sharpness of the two screens are essentially the same, due to the larger 15.3-inch screen coming with a higher resolution of 2880 x 1864 which works out at 224 pixels per inch, compared to the 13.6-inch screen’s 2560 x 1664 resolution, which also offers 224 pixels per inch.

(Image credit: Future)

This means the screens offer the same level of sharpness, and with the other similarities of the hardware, it really boils down to which screen size you’d prefer. The 15-inch MacBook Air offers a larger screen that some people will find more comfortable to work on, while the 13-inch model’s smaller size will appeal more to people who want a laptop they can rely on while traveling.

One big difference between the 13-inch and 15-inch M4 MacBook Airs is that the larger MacBook comes with six built-in speakers with force-cancelling woofers, while the smaller laptop makes do with four speakers, and no force-cancelling.

So, the 15-inch MacBook Air with M4 offers a much richer and more immersive sound experience, while the woofers offer deeper bass without shaking or vibrating the MacBook. The sound is certainly impressive considering the thin and light design of the 15-inch MacBook Air – it’s certainly one of the best sounding laptops you can buy, and if audio quality is of the utmost importance to you, then you will likely be better off buying the 15-inch model rather than the 13-inch.

There have also been some slight design tweaks since the last generation of MacBook Airs. The MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) (as with the 13-inch model) now comes with a 12MP Center Stage webcam. When broadcasting, you can move around and the Center Stage camera will keep you in frame (within reason – you can’t move too far). It does a decent job, and the video quality is clean and crisp.

The new webcam also supports Desk View, which cleverly keeps you in shot, while also showing your desk in another shot. This can be useful if you’re demonstrating something to an audience, and previously you’d need two cameras to achieve the same effect – one to shoot you from the front, the second angled to shoot your hands.

While not everyone is going to make use of this feature, it’s pretty clever, and works well. The new webcam also uses the M4 chip to offer machine learning-enhanced video effects such as Studio Light, which adjusts the lighting, brightness and contrast of your footage to give you a more professional look. It’s similar to the Windows Studio Effects tool found in Windows 11 laptops which come with AI-capable processors.

The new M4-powered MacBook Airs also come with a new color choice: Sky Blue. Don’t go thinking this is a vibrant, iMac-like hue, however. It’s a more subtle, metallic color with a hint of blue, and while understated, I do like it (Apple was kind enough to send me a review unit in the new color). The MagSafe charge cable comes in a color that matches the color of the MacBook Air, which is a nice touch.

Overall, the new MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) is an excellent thin and light laptop, and one of the best 15-inch laptops you can currently buy. However, if you have an M3, or even M2, version, there’s not much different that will make you feel the need to upgrade. That’s no particular slight on the M4 chip, but rather a testament to how good the M2 and M3 remain.

(Image credit: Future) Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) review: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? Starts at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,099
• $100 / £200 / AU$100 less than M3 model
• When is it available? On sale now

In a very welcome move, Apple has released the new MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) at a lower price than the M3 model launched at, beginning at $1,199 / £1,199 / AU$2,099, which gives you an M4 chip with a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB of unified memory and 256GB of SSD storage.

After getting an increasing amount of flak for launching modern MacBook Airs with 8GB of memory and 128GB SSDs, which isn’t enough these days, Apple – to its credit – doubled the base amount of memory and storage without increasing the price of the M3 model, and I’m pleased to see that it has continued to offer 16GB and 256GB as its minimum configuration.

If you’re a student, then you can get a further price cut which makes the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) much better value, and even without that discount, you’ll be hard pushed to find a 15-inch laptop that offers the same level of performance, design and build quality for a similar price. A recent model of the Dell XPS 15, for example, launched at $1,499 / £1,499 / AU$2,498.

In fact, the only competition the 15-inch MacBook Air with M4 has is… the 13-inch model, which offers the same level of performance, but with a smaller screen and fewer built-in speakers, and starts at $999 / £999 / AU$1,699. As impressed as I am with the price of the 15-inch MacBook Air, I’m not sure the larger screen and better sound justify the extra $200 / £200 / AU$400.

Unlike with previous generations, where Apple continued selling an earlier model as a more affordable option, it’s no longer selling M2 or M3 MacBook Airs, and while third party retailers will continue selling those models whilst stock lasts, the M4 models are now the only option available to buy direct from Apple, which means you have less choice if you want to get a cheaper MacBook.

The good news is that since the launch of the M4 MacBook Airs, we’ve seen some fantastic deals on the older models already.

• Price: 4.5 / 5

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) review: Specs

Here are the specs for the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) at a glance.

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) review: Design

• New Sky Blue color
• Upgraded webcam
• Otherwise same design

Since getting a major design overhaul with the M2 model back in 2022, Apple has pretty much stuck to the same design for its MacBook Air releases, with the 15-inch model essentially looking identical to the 13-inch model – just larger.

This is pretty much true with the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4), which largely keeps the look of the M3 model, but with a few welcome tweaks. The lack of a major new look isn’t too much of an issue, as the design remains stylish and modern.

With dimensions of 0.45 x 13.40 x 9.35 inches (1.15 x 34.04 x 23.76cm) and a weight of 3.3lbs (1.51kg), it remains an impressively slim and light 15-inch laptop, though the smaller dimensions of the 13-inch MacBook Air mean that’s the laptop I’d recommend to people who want the most portable machine.

While some rival laptop makers are putting out stylish and incredibly light laptops, especially LG with its ‘gram’ lineup of laptops, the 15-inch MacBook Air is unmistakably a premium Apple product with a stylish design and solid build quality.

(Image credit: Future)

On the left-hand side are two Thunderbolt 4 ports and a MagSafe 3 charging port (which contains magnets which makes plugging and unplugging the power connector convenient – and protects the MacBook from damage should the cable be yanked out by accident), and on the right-hand side is a 3.5mm headphone jack.

The Thunderbolt 4 ports offer speeds of up to 40Gb/s, and while it would have been nice to have faster Thunderbolt 5 ports, for most people this will be plenty fast enough for transferring large files to and from an external hard drive.

It’s not the best selection of ports, and we’ve seen rival thin and light laptops feature a greater array of ports, such as HDMI, without sacrificing their svelte looks, but at least the inclusion of the MagSafe 3 port means you don’t have to give up one of the Thunderbolt 4 ports when charging (though you can still use a USB-C charger to top up the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4)’s battery if you leave your MagSafe charger at home.

(Image credit: Future)

There have been a few changes to the design, however. For a start, the webcam is now a 12MP Center Stage camera which also offers the Desk View feature, which effectively splits your footage into two – a front-on portrait shot, and a wide angled view of your hands and desk. The image quality is excellent (boosted by the M4 chip), though the divisive ‘notch’ that surrounds the webcam and dips down into the screen remains.

This has been a part of the MacBook Air’s design for three years now, so most people who had a problem with this have likely made peace with its inclusion, and I’ve never had an issue with it, but it’s worth pointing out, especially as there are rival Windows 11 laptops that include just as good a webcam into thin bezels without needing a notch.

(Image credit: Future)

Another very minor design change is with the keyboard. It remains backlit, with a Touch ID button for quickly logging into macOS or confirming Apple Pay payments using a fingerprint, and is comfortable to use (and no longer plagued by stuck keys, which older MacBooks sometimes suffered from). What’s changed, however, is the mute icon on the F10 key, which has changed from a symbol of a speaker to a symbol of a speaker with a line through it.

This might seem like a minor change, but it’s actually one I welcome, as it means the symbol now matches the icon that appears on screen when you mute the sound of the laptop. It also matches what most other devices use as a mute symbol, and also means the mute button and the volume down button (which also has a speaker icon) are less easily confused, as they now look more distinct.

The biggest design change, however, is the new Sky Blue color. Apple sent me the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) in this color, and you’ll be able to see what it looks like in the photos that accompany this review. It’s a subtle, metallic color that means it doesn’t look out of place next to the existing Midnight, Starlight and Silver colors, and while it’s not as vibrant as the iMac colors, it does mean it looks professional, while offering a hint of personality. It’s always nice to see the braided MagSafe cable that’s included in the package match the color of the MacBook Air you choose as well.

Overall, the design of the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) remains stylish, thin and portable. If you’re looking for a 15-inch laptop with a premium look, then you’ll be very happy with the design of this machine.

• Design: 4 / 5

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) review: Performance

• Very good performance
• M4 remains impressive
• Big leap over Intel Macs

While the design of the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) feels like an iterative update over the previous model, the hardware and performance of the new MacBook Air… also feels like a limited leap rather than a generational one.

In some ways this is to be expected due to Apple’s yearly release schedule for its M-class chips. There’s only so many improvements and refinements you can make, and unlike with an iPhone, you’re unlikely to want to upgrade your laptop every year or so.

What this means is that if you already own an M3-powered MacBook Air, the performance upgrade you’re going to get by moving to the M4 isn’t going to be huge.

This is why in most of Apple’s marketing and documentation for the new MacBook Air 15-inch (M4), the company highlights the performance gains over the 13-inch MacBook Air with an Intel Core i7 processor from around 2020.

According to Apple, the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) offers around 20 times the performance of the Intel MacBook Air in certain tasks. Meanwhile, the difference between the M3 and M4 MacBook Air, according to Apple’s own figures, is much more modest (I’m talking single digit increases).

Having used both the M2 and M3 MacBook Airs extensively, as well as my time testing the M4 MacBook Air, I have to say that there was little noticeable performance difference. Pretty much every app, and the macOS operating system itself, ran smoothly, and almost every major application now supports the Arm-based M4 chip natively, which meant I didn’t need to rely on the Rosetta 2 tool which allows apps designed for Intel Macs to run (which comes with a slight hit to performance).

(Image credit: Future) Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) benchmarks

Here's how the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) performed in our suite of industry-standard benchmarks and game tests.

Geekbench 6.4:
Single - 3,799
Multi - 14,921
Blackmagic Disk Speed Test:
Read: 3,012.5MB/s
Write: 3,335.1MB/s
Cinebench:
Single-core - x
Multi-core - 904
GPU - 3,860
Battery life test:
15 hours 14 minutes

More intensive tasks, such as editing 4K raw footage in Premiere Pro, saw a bigger improvement, but, again, not enough to warrant upgrading from the M3. Most people looking to buy a MacBook Air won’t be performing heavy duty tasks with it, but for day-to-day use, the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) is truly excellent. The efficiency of the M4 chip means that it is also once again fanless, so the MacBook Air remains silent throughout use – a lovely change from many Windows 11 laptops that like to whirr up their fans seemingly at the drop of a hat.

The screen remains excellent, with bright, vivid colors, though an increasing number of competitors, such as the Asus Vivobook S 15 Copilot+ threaten to beat Apple here with support for OLED screen technology which makes a huge difference to image quality. We’re also seeing an increasing number of 4K laptops that offer sharper resolutions as well.

That’s not to say that the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4)’s screen is bad – far from it – but rivals are catching up fast at this price point. A new feature with the M4 chip is that the MacBook Air can now support two external displays at once, while also powering its built-in screen as well – a welcome tweak that people who like to use multiple monitors at once will be very pleased with.

Where the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) remains a leader in its class is with the audio. Watching shows and movies in Apple TV+ looked good, but sounded even better thanks to the six-speaker sound system offers a depth and clarity that other thin and light laptops can’t match. In movies especially, the six speakers offer a wide soundstage, with sound effects coming from either side of the screen. Apple also talks up the spatial audio abilities of the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4)’s speakers, and while it doesn’t compare to my physical Dolby Atmos home theatre setup, there are still moments of impressive immersion as the sound envelops you. Considering the slimline design of the 15-inch MacBook Air, this is very impressive.

(Image credit: Future)

What does disappoint, slightly, is that Apple has stuck with Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 for wireless networking and peripheral connections, two last-gen technologies that lack some of the features and performance that Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 offer.

Overall, the performance of the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) is superb for the price, and if you’re coming from an Intel-based MacBook, or even a traditional Windows 11 laptop, then you’re going to be very impressed with what the new MacBook Air offers.

However, if you already have an M2 or M3 MacBook Air, I don’t think there’s enough of a performance leap to justify upgrading just yet – and I’d recommend holding out for the (almost) inevitable M5-powered MacBook Air which could land sometime next year.

• Performance: 4 / 5

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) review: Battery life

• Apple promises 18 hours
• We found it lasted over 15 hours
• Slightly longer battery life than the 13-inch model

Ever since Apple switched from Intel hardware to its own Arm-based M-series chips, I’ve been incredibly impressed with the power efficiency of the MacBook Air. Even when performing complex tasks, the performance of the new MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) didn’t drop when on battery power (some laptops will throttle performance to prolong battery life), and in our battery life benchmark tests, it easily cleared 15 hours of continuous use.

This means you can confidently use the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) for several work days without worrying about plugging it in – something I did myself while testing.

Because of the bigger body, Apple has added a larger battery to the 15-inch MacBook Air compared to the 13-inch model, and this resulted in a slightly longer battery life for the 15-inch MacBook Air, though the extra energy needed to power the larger screen means there’s not a huge amount in it.

• Battery: 4.5 / 5

Should you buy the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4)? Buy it if...

You want a 15-inch laptop
Apple has done it again, and the new MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) is the best 15-inch laptop you can buy.

You want a laptop that lasts several work days
The battery life of this laptop is excellent, and you should be able to use it over several work days on a single charge.

You have an Intel-based MacBook
If you have an old Intel-based MacBook, then the new M4 MacBook Air will offer a tremendous upgrade.

Don't buy it if... 

You have an M2 or M3 MacBook
While the M4 chip is a great performer, you don't need to upgrade if you have an M2 or M3 MacBook, as the leap isn't quite worth it.

You prefer Windows 11
As you'd expect, the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) runs macOS, Apple's own operating system. If you want to stick with Windows 11, look elsewhere.

Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4): Also consider

Mac mini (M4)
Like the sound of the M4 chip, but want something cheaper? The Mac mini from late 2024 is a great, affordable choice that comes with the same M4 hardware that the 15-inch MacBook Air has. It's a desktop PC, however, so it's not as portable.

Read our full Mac mini (M4) review

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)
The 13-inch MacBook Air has also got an M4 makeover, and offers very similar performance but in a smaller form factor, making it a great choice if you want a more easily portable laptop to travel with.

Read our full MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) review

How I tested the Apple MacBook Air 15-inch (M4)

• I used the new MacBook Air for around a week
• I ran multiple benchmarks
• I used it as my daily work laptop

I've used the MacBook Air 15-inch (M4) over the past week as my main work laptop, writing most of this review on it, as well as browsing the web, attending meetings via video call and running our suite of benchmarks. I also played around with video and photo editing during my time with the laptop. I've been reviewing MacBooks for TechRadar for well over a decade, and have extensively used and tested all models of Apple's M-series chips.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed: March 2025

Amazfit Helio Ring: One-minute review

The Amazfit Helio Ring is the first smart ring from Chinese tech company Amazfit, best known for its budget-friendly fitness trackers, like the Amazfit Active 2 and its new open-ear earbuds, the Amazfit Up. Staying true to its brand, the Helio Ring undercuts the competition on price, offering a more affordable alternative to rivals like Oura with no added subscription fee.

The design is sleek and minimalist, with a titanium outer shell, and the ring is very comfortable to wear all day and night – possibly the most comfortable smart ring I’ve tested. The downside? It comes in just one finish and only three size options at the time of writing, which significantly limits your choice compared to competitors.

Functionally, the Helio Ring is built for sleep and wellness tracking. It offers in-depth sleep insights, heart rate monitoring, and energy tracking. There’s no auto-detection for workouts and there are only four workout modes to pick from. But, if one of those is your exercise of choice, you do get comprehensive data after each workout – and heart rate tracking as you exercise is accurate, too.

Having said that, if you’re looking for a fully-fledged fitness tracker, this isn’t it. Most smart rings out there can’t compete with fitness watches in those stakes – but that’s never been the point of them. Amazfit does say that the ring would work very well if you pair it with one of its smartwatches, and this will be too much hassle and expense for some, but if you’re already in the Amazfit ecosystem, it’ll make a lot of sense.

Overall, the Amazfit Helio Ring is a solid choice for sleep tracking and general wellness monitoring. While it lacks some of the refinement of its more premium rivals, especially in terms of battery life and app experience, it’s a welcome new option in the smart ring space. It'll especially appeal to those already in the Amazfit ecosystem – or anyone looking for a more affordable yet equally capable alternative to some of the best smart rings on the market.

Amazfit Helio Ring review: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• Launch price of $299.99 / £269 / AU$399
• Official price now of $199.99 / £169 / AU$269
• No subscription required

The Amazfit Helio Ring originally retailed at $299.99 / £269 / AU$399 in 2024. But now you’ll find it for $199.99 / £169 / AU$269 on the Amazfit website and some regions also stock it on Amazon. For example, you’ll find it on Amazon in the UK right now for a slightly cheaper £149.

How does that stack up against the competition? The Oura Ring 4 starts at $349 / £349 for some designs and colors, but others cost much more. For example, the rose gold version is $499 / £499. Not only is the latest Oura Ring significantly more expensive than the Helio Ring, you’ll also need an Oura Ring Membership to unlock its potential, which is $5.99 / £5.99 a month.

For comparison, the Samsung Galaxy Ring is our top smart ring pick at the moment and that currently costs the most at $399 / £399 / AU$749, but that doesn’t need an additional subscription.

When the Amazfit Helio Ring first launched, some features required an additional payment. Fortunately, Amazfit appears to have removed that model, making the device even more appealing. With no subscription fees, it stands out from Oura.

Whether the Amazfit Helio Ring offers good value depends entirely on what you need from a wearable. At a lower price point than the Oura Ring, and with no must-buy subscription, it’s a solid choice for those focused on sleep and recovery tracking.

If sleep tracking is your top priority, the Helio Ring offers strong value. However, if you’re looking for comprehensive workout tracking, a smartwatch or fitness tracker is likely a better buy. Smart rings, this one included, aren’t designed to replace a sports watch, and the Helio Ring’s limited workout modes prove that. But for those seeking a sleek, comfortable sleep and wellness tracker at a lower cost than the best in the game, it’s a strong contender.

• Value score: 4/5

Amazfit Helio Ring review: Specifications Amazfit Helio Ring review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• My favorite smart ring in terms of design
• Only three sizes
• Only one finish (but I love it)

The Amazfit Helio Ring is one of my favorite smart rings in terms of design. It’s sleek, lightweight, and comfortable. It has a titanium alloy exterior, giving it a more high-end feel than its price suggests. While the inner side (where the sensors sit) is plastic and comfortable. It’s impressively slim at just 2.6mm and light at 3.65g. This is very similar to the Oura Ring, which is 2.88mm thick and weighs from 3.3g to 5.2g depending on the size. In short, there’s not much in it, so don’t assume affordability means bulkier or heavier.

However, where it does fall short is the Helio Ring comes in only one finish, a brushed silver with tiny dots on the front, which I personally love. The popular matte black options from other brands tend to scratch easily, and gold versions can be too flashy and shiny for me to wear everyday. Of course, this is all down to personal preference, and if you want something that looks different, Oura and Samsung offer more color choices.

Fit-wise, there are just three sizes available (8, 10, and 12), which is far more limited than other smart rings that offer a wider range of sizes. Oura offers 12 different sizes. If one of these fits you, great – but if not, you’re out of luck.

Another big plus is durability. Some smart rings I’ve tested got scuffs within hours, especially those with matte finishes, but the Helio Ring has held up well with only minor scratches after several weeks.

The Amazfit Helio Ring is rated at 10 ATM water resistance, meaning it can handle surface swimming and snorkeling, but not scuba diving. In practical terms, it’s safe for most daily water exposure, including showers, workouts, and casual swims.

A small vertical line on the exterior of the ring marks the sensor placement, which should face the inside of your finger for the best tracking. Unlike some other smart rings, Amazfit makes this clear, which is a nice usability touch.

This is one of the best-designed smart rings I’ve tested. It’s slim and lightweight, subtly stylish, and surprisingly scratch-resistant. The limited sizes and finishes might be a drawback for some, but if the fit works for you, it's a great-looking, comfortable option.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Amazfit Helio Ring review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• Excels at sleep and general wellbeing tracking
• Limited workout tracking
• App is simple but works well

For a more affordable smart ring, the Amazfit Helio Ring packs in plenty of features. Sleep tracking is where this ring shines. You get everything you’d expect, sleep stages, duration, and detailed metrics presented in easy-to-read charts.

But it also monitors breathing, skin temperature, heart rate variability, and resting heart rate while you sleep. All this data is used to generate a morning readiness score, telling you how well you’ve recovered, how much energy you have, and what kind of activity you’re primed for.

There’s also an EDA sensor (electrodermal activity), which, combined with heart rate data, aims to track stress and emotional responses throughout the day.

Unlike fitness watches, smart rings aren’t designed for workouts, and the Helio Ring is no exception. It only offers four workout modes, which is a bit disappointing. But if you mostly run or walk, you’ll still get solid data like workout time, speed, heart rate, VO2 max, calories burned, and GPS-tracked routes.

Amazfit suggests pairing the ring with an Amazfit smartwatch – the idea being that the watch handles workouts, while the ring tracks sleep and recovery. Both sync seamlessly in the Zepp app, making it a well-rounded system if you’re in the Amazfit ecosystem.

There are a couple of other features here worth mentioning, like PAI (Personal Activity Intelligence). This is your unique cardiovascular fitness score based on heart rate and daily activity. At first, it felt like just another number, but PAI actually provides a useful gauge of overall fitness. As someone shifting from a weightlifting and yoga focus to more cardio, I found it surprisingly helpful.

You can also track your menstrual cycle from within the Zepp app, which works similarly to period apps like Flo or Clue, predicting cycles and sending reminders. I didn’t test this, but it’s a solid addition if you want all of your health and fitness data in one place.

With all this data, a good app is crucial. The Zepp app has improved recently and while it’s not as sleek as Oura’s, it’s clean, intuitive, and lets you find key insights quickly. Personally, I prefer a simple interface over something overly designed anyway.

At launch, some features within the app required a Zepp Aura subscription, this is Amazfit’s extra sleep and recovery assistant, this included deeper sleep insights, relaxation tracking, and personalized sleep music. But they’re now all free to Helio Ring users.

• Features score: 4 / 5

Amazfit Helio Ring review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Solid at sleep tracking
• Really comfortable to wear
• Won’t replace your fitness tracker

Amazfit claims the Helio Ring lasts up to four days, but in real-world use, I got closer to three-and-a-half days with all health tracking features turned on. That’s noticeably less than the six days you’ll get from the Oura Ring and the seven days from the Samsung Galaxy Ring. Charging is quick, taking about an hour and a half via a USB-C wireless charging plinth.

In terms of comfort, this is one of the most wearable smart rings I’ve tested. The lightweight, slim design makes it easy to forget you’re even wearing it. The size 8 fit perfectly on my index finger, making it feel seamless throughout the day and night. However, with only three sizes available (8, 10, and 12), finding the right fit might be tricky for some. Hopefully, future versions will offer more size options.

Sleep tracking is where the Helio Ring really stands out. It provides a detailed breakdown of sleep stages alongside heart rate and breathing monitoring. The data syncs quickly to the Zepp app, where you can view trends and graphs over time. Compared to other wearables, the sleep tracking felt mostly accurate, though it occasionally overestimated my sleep by a few minutes. One feature I particularly liked was nap tracking, which tends to be hit-or-miss with other devices, but as long as I napped for more than 20 minutes the Helio Ring picked it up accurately.

One of its standout features is how sleep data influences readiness, exertion, and recovery scores, giving you real insights into how well your body has recovered overnight. You can even toggle off certain metrics, like hypopnea (airway obstruction) detection for sleep apnea risk if they’re not relevant to you, which helps conserve battery life.

For me, the recovery tracking was especially useful. Not just physically as I recover from a back injury, but also mentally, after dealing with seasonal depression earlier in the year. If you’re in a similar situation – trying to rebuild fitness or improve sleep – this kind of data can be genuinely helpful. On the other hand, if you’re already in peak shape, I’m not sure these insights would add much value.

When it comes to workout tracking, there are some limitations. Unlike smartwatches or fitness trackers, it doesn’t auto-detect workouts and only supports manual tracking for running, walking, cycling, and treadmill sessions. This was frustrating, as my fitness routine includes a lot of yoga and strength training, neither of which are supported. However, for the workouts it does track, the data is solid. When I took the Helio Ring for a run, I could see everything I needed in the Zepp app, including workout time, average speed, heart rate, VO2 max, calories burned, and GPS-tracked routes.

So while it’s not a dedicated fitness tracker, it does a decent job for running and walking. For more complete sports tracking, pairing it with an Amazfit smartwatch is the best way to get a broader picture of both fitness and recovery.

• Performance: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future) Scorecard Should I buy the Amazfit Helio Ring? Buy it if…

You already have a watch in the Amazfit ecosystem
The ideal setup is a smartwatch for fitness and daytime tracking and a smart ring for sleep and recovery at night.

Sleep tracking is your top priority
The Helio Ring excels at sleep monitoring, using data like heart rate, temperature, and breathing patterns to inform your Readiness and Exertion scores.

You find other wearables uncomfortable
This is one of the most comfortable smart rings I’ve tested. If you’ve struggled with wristbands or smartwatches for sleep tracking, this could be the perfect solution.

Don’t buy it if…

You’re willing to pay more for a premium experience
If budget isn’t a concern, the Oura Ring offers a more refined experience, plus better battery and size and finish options – just expect to pay extra, both upfront and for the subscription.

You need a strong workout tracker
If all you need is tracking for walking and running, you do get good data. But for anything beyond that, there are limited workout modes.

The sizes don’t work for you
The Helio Ring only comes in three sizes (8, 10, and 12). If your index finger (the most comfortable placement) doesn’t match one of these, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

Amazfit Up: Also consider

Oura Ring 4
If you’re looking for a more refined experience with a wider range of colors and sizes, as well as a better battery the latest Oura Ring is a great choice. Just be prepared to pay more upfront – and for the ongoing subscription to unlock full features
Read our full Oura Ring 4 review

Ultrahuman Ring Air
Pricier than both the Oura and Helio Rings at the time of writing, but it comes without a subscription. If you want more finish and size options with no additional monthly costs and a solid battery, this is a strong alternative.
Read our full Ultrahuman Ring Air review

How I tested the Amazfit Helio Ring

(Image credit: Future)

• Worn 24/7
• Tested for several weeks
• Lots of expertise testing smart rings to compare

I tested the Amazfit Helio Ring for three weeks, pairing it with an iPhone 14 Pro. Aside from taking it off for charging and showers (it’s waterproof, but I was cautious about soap and shampoo), I wore it 24/7 – through outdoor runs, gym sessions, long workdays in coffee shops, evenings at home, and, of course, while sleeping. It’s been put through its paces in a wide range of real-world environments.

As someone who has reviewed numerous wearables over the years, I’ve tested a variety of smart rings – including models from Ultrahuman, Motiv, Ringconn, Evie, multiple generations of the Oura Ring, and more. The smart ring market is only just breaking into the mainstream, but having worn so many, I have a solid sense of what to expect, how they should feel, and what makes a great user experience.

• First reviewed in March 2025

• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee