TechRadar Reviews

AOC Agon Pro AG276FK: Two-minute review

(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

If you're serious about competitive gaming, you want the highest refresh rate possible. It's pretty much that simple. Which is where the new AOC Agon Pro AG276FK comes in. Running at 520Hz, it's up there among the very fastest gaming monitors you can currently buy.

If there's a catch, it's that the native resolution is just 1080p. Purely for playing online shooters, that actually makes sense in terms of minimizing GPU load and maximizing frame rates. However, for other types of gaming and especially for all-rounding computing, the low pixel density of 1080p on a fairly large 27-inch monitor like this isn't ideal.

Needless to say, that lofty refresh rate makes for a very pricey panel for a mere 1080p model, too. So, the question the AOC Agon Pro AG276FK poses is just how dedicated to the cause of esports you really are. This monitor is never going to be a great all-rounder.

But if high refresh rates and low latency are your absolute priorities, this monitor looks like a strong package on paper. It sports an IPS panel with 0.5ms GTG response, HDR400 certification and dual DisplayPort inputs, plus a whole host of gaming-centric additional features.

AOC Agon Pro AG276FK: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $550 (estimated) / £499 / AU$999 (estimated)
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the UK with other markets to follow

At £499 in the UK and a likely $550 in the US, the AOC Agon Pro AG276FK lines up right next to the likes of the ASRock Phantom Gaming PG27FFX2A. That monitor actually has superior HDMI 2.1 connectivity, but is otherwise very similar on paper.

Of course, this is a heck of a lot of money for a mere 1080p 27-inch monitor. But then the 520Hz refresh rate is an extreme specification and comes at a cost. For most gamers, we'd recommend a high-refresh 27-inch 1440p panel as better not just for all-round computing but also for a broad range of gaming.

However, if you're into esports and you want the very lowest latency thanks to super high refresh rates, well, the 520Hz offered here really delivers.

AOC Agon Pro AG276FK: Specs AOC Agon Pro AG276FK: Design and features

(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

As 1080p 27-inch monitors go, the AOC Agon Pro AG276FK is not exactly cheap. Mostly, that's thanks to the eye-watering 520Hz refresh rate. But it does have other attractions.

The 27-inch panel is an IPS item with claimed 0.5ms GTG and 0.3ms MPRT pixel response. In the context of LCD as opposed to OLED monitors, those are very impressive numbers. You also get HDR400 certification, which won't guarantee true HDR capability, but does mean this monitor will hit a punchy 400 nits.

The relatively elevated pricing also translates into a high quality stand with a full range of adjustment including height, tilt, pivot and swivel. It's well built, the materials feel high quality and the design includes some quirky asymmetric features that make this monitor stand out ever so slightly from the crowd. The slim bezels on three sides of the 27-inch IPS panel also ensure it looks current and up-to-date.

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As for connectivity, you get two DisplayPort 1.4 connections capable of the full 520Hz. The two HDMI 2.0 sockets only go to 240Hz, but then they're aimed at console connectivity, and that really only requires 120Hz at most. The ports are all located on the bottom of the chassis, while a slide-out headphone hanger is situated on the right-hand bezel.

Beyond all that, there's a smattering of RGB lighting, plus various gamer-centric options in the comprehensive OSD menu including overdrive controls, low latency modes, and adaptive sync, plus AOC's GMENU app that enables access to much of the functionality within Windows.

AOC Agon Pro AG276FK: Performance

(Image credit: Future / Jeremy Laird)

If speed is what the AOC Agon Pro AG276FK is all about, it definitely delivers. Undoubtedly the highlight is that 520Hz refresh. Many games have performance bottlenecks on the CPU, GPU or somewhere else in the system preventing them from hitting those kinds of frame rates.

The exception, of course, tends to be online shooters, which are optimized for maximum frames rates and are indeed the main target for this monitor. Up around 500fps, then, this monitor absolutely flies. Obviously the gains are marginal as you increase refresh rates. But you can certainly feel the reduction in latency and see the increase in motion clarity compared to, say, a 144Hz panel.

Put it next to a 360Hz monitor, and the gains will inevitably be more marginal. Ultimately, the extent to which you notice and benefit from 520Hz will always be subjective. But if ultra-low latency is something you think you're particularly sensitive to, well, this AOC gets the job done and then some.

It's also very fast for an LCD panel when it comes to pixel response. You can choose between the four levels of pixel overdrive in the OSD menu. A touch of overshoot can be detected in the fastest mode when jiggling an app window around on the Windows desktop. But actually in-game, there's little evidence of the kind of color shift that can be so distracting when monitors suffer from really bad overshoot.

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Anyway, this monitor is about as LCD tech currently gets when it comes to pixel response. You'll need to make the jump to an OLED panel to get something clearly faster.

Another strong point, relatively speaking, is the calibration. It's all really nicely set up in SDR mode, with punchy and accurate colors. In HDR mode, it's nicely executed, too, and that includes accurate SDR colors in HDR. That's handy because it means you can just leave this panel in HDR mode all the time and get great colors and accuracy for all content types.

Of course, this isn't a true HDR monitor. It has HDR400 calibration, but there's no local dimming. So, it's a case of correctly rendering HDR color mapping as opposed to really being capable of high dynamic range images. But that's par for the course for this class of display.

If all that sounds good, the major downside involves pixel density. 1080p stretched across a 27-inch panel like this makes for a lowly density of just 82DPI. That translates into blocky image quality and rough looking fonts on the desktop. For general computing, web browsing or content creation, this is not a great display. But that is not its remit.

Arguably the bigger problem is the slight lack of image detail in-game versus, say, a 270-inch 1440p panel. For gaming across a wide range of genres, a 240Hz 1440p panel can actually be had for less money and would be a better fit. But as a pure esports panel, this AOC delivers, you just have to be sure that's exactly what you're after.

Should I buy the AOC Agon Pro AG276FK? Buy it if...

You want ultra low latency

The 520Hz refresh makes for seriously low latency while the IPS panel also delivers excellent response times for an LCD panel. Only an OLED monitor will be quicker.

You like good color calibration

The AOC Agon Pro AG276FK isn't just fast. It's also very nicely calibrated with good color balance in both SDR and HDR modes

Don't buy it if...

You're an all-round gamer

If you like playing all kinds of games, not just online shooter, you'd be better off with a 1440p panel or maybe a 34-inch ultrawide, both of which can be had for the same money or less.

You want true HDR capability

The AOC Agon Pro AG276FK offers HD400 certification. But it doesn't have local dimming and it's not truly capable of high dynamic range rendering.

Also consider

Gigabyte Aorus FO32U2P

If you want to join the high-refresh OLED revolution, give the Gigabyte Aorus FO32U2P a try. It's a 4K 240Hz model, so not quite as high refresh. But the pixel response is ultra low and the 4K OLED image quality is to die for.

Read our full Gigabyte Aorus FO32U2P review

Samsung Odyssey G7

If you fancy 1440p gaming, consider the Samsung Odyssey G7. It's the same 27-inch size, but offers 1440p at 240Hz for a reasonable price, albeit more than the AOC Gaming C27G4ZXE.

Read our full Samsung Odyssey G7 review

How I tested the AOC Agon Pro AG276FK

I used the AOC Agon Pro AG276FK for literally everything for around a week. For sure, it's a monitor aimed squarely at esports as opposed to getting work stuff done or browsing the web. But full immersion tends to provide fuller insights.

The core task was to assess the impact of that lofty 520Hz frame rates in a slew of online shooters, including my favorite Counter-Strike 2. Would the huge Hz number translate into noticeably lower latency?

Comparing the pixel response to the best IPS panels and also the latest OLED screens is also intriguing. Beyond that, checking out the overall color performance and HDR calibration, along with connectivity, ergonomics and build are all in the mix.

First reviewed February 2025

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid: Two-minute review

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

I don’t know that I’ve ever been as confused by a laptop as I have by the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid. It takes the 2-in-1 concept to a whole new level – one that not many have probably asked for. It’s a powerful laptop, by Ultrabook standards, with a screen that can be pulled off and used as a tablet. To make things even more interesting (see also: confusing), you can press a button to use the Android OS without removing the tablet, essentially interacting with the Android tablet portion as if it was an Android laptop. AND, there’s a few hybrid functions that work across both devices in a way that a separately purchased laptop and tablet just couldn’t.

Confused yet? Hopefully, you won’t be by the end of this review. But, to be fair, while the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 has the bona fides to compare favorably to both the best 2-in-1 laptops and the best Android tablets, it’s not a product that’s right for everyone.

Its unique form factor is most ideal for those that like working specifically in the Windows and Android ecosystems. So, if your tablet needs are met by something made by Apple, this is not going to be for you unless you want to transition over to Android.

That said, it’s a cool concept for those that work in both those operating systems. And, as long as Lenovo keeps the price “discounted,” it’s worth it. Even if it’s not perfectly implemented – there’s no headphone jack on the tablet (the ports are somewhat sparse in general) and the mechanism to dock the tablet back on the hybrid base station is a bit tricky. It’s unique, as both the Windows and Android portions of the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid equation are powerful, and it has a vibrant, sharp 14-inch screen. Plus, it comes with a stylus and it’s kind of cool to type something up (say, maybe this article) on the hybrid station with a monitor while keeping YouTube open for some distraction and procrastination on the tablet.

Confused still?

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

• How much does it cost? Starting at $2,040.44 / £1,399.99 (about AU$2,710.00)
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US and UK

Considering how unusual the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid is and the fact that it not only offers two separate devices that can be used together or separately but two different operating systems, its listed price of $2,040.44 / £1,399.99 is not that bad. It’s what Lenovo advertised when we first covered this device.

What’s so frustrating is that, for a time, especially when I first looked at the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus gen 5 Hybrid, it was listed at a much higher price, specifically $3,518.00 / £2,199.98 (about AU$4,260). Those prices are still listed as the “estimated value,” which is, frankly, insane.

First, you can get a quality Android tablet and computer for that original $2,000 price. Second, the fact that it’s shown as a discounted price means that Lenovo could potentially remove the discount from time to time to sell at the higher price tag.

Now, at the current, “discounted” price, it’s still plenty pricey, but it’s not a hard sell. If you were to get a Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 Plus with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage – the same as the one that the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid comes with – you would spend $1199.99, not to mention you would have a smaller 12.4-inch screen. Of course, bigger isn’t always better with tablets as too big can be unwieldy.

Getting something equivalent to the Windows side of the Lenovo in a laptop with an Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU, 32GB of RAM, and an 1TB SSD, not to mention that the screen (which is also the tablet) is an OLED panel with a 2.8K resolution, is going to cost at least $1,000 if not more.

Assuming that Lenovo really keeps the price at around its current discounted price, it’s worth it if you rely on Android tablets and Windows PCs and want something capable on both fronts for work.

It’s worth noting that it also comes with the Lenovo Tab Pen Plus and an easel stand for the tablet. Unfortunately, it’s not currently available in Australia.

• Value: 4 / 5

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid: Specs

The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid only comes in one configuration. The base, which houses the Windows-related components, comes with a powerful Intel Core Ultra 7 155H CPU and Intel Arc integrated graphics. While there are no RAM and SSD customizations, at least Lenovo offers up a good amount with 32GB and 1TB, respectively.

The tablet is also suitably souped up with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ mobile CPU, 12GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage. That’s on par with the most powerful Android tablets on the market right now.

Likewise, there are no customizations on the exterior either. At least you get a sharp 14-inch OLED panel with a 2.8K (2880 x 1800) resolution and 100% DCI-P3 color coverage, though at 60Hz. It’s also available just in the one standard aluminum gray that most sleek laptops come in.

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid: Design

• Limited ports including no headphone jack on tablet
• Screen can be removed to use separately as a tablet, while base still works as a Windows machine
• Comes with an accurate and sensitive stylus

When the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid is in its standard laptop mode with the screen attached, it’s surprisingly normal looking. In fact, it’s a bit thick when closed as the hybrid station is a little over a third of an inch thick and the screen is just under a third. It almost looks a little dated if you’re not looking closely.

If you do look closely however, you’ll start to see the differences. For one, the keyboard has its own button to switch between Windows and Android operating systems – something you won’t find anywhere else. In fact, there’s a whole hybrid system that I’ll discuss in performance.

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

You’ll see the large vents on the sides of the hybrid station as well as the single USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports on each side, not to mention a mic/headphone jack on the left side. The tablet itself just has a USB-C port that’s hidden when attached to the hybrid station – there’s unfortunately no headphone jack on it, even if you can connect a pair via Bluetooth.

You’ll probably notice, like I did, that the display is quite stiff. It’s so stiff, in fact, that I thought I was going to break it the first time I tried to close it (I didn’t). This is in stark contrast to many 2-in-1 laptops, where the hinge is a little too loose so the screen sometimes sags, all in the name of making it easy to fold into one of the other modes.

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Where it really sets itself apart is when you pull the display off the base. When removed, the hybrid station can still be used as a Windows machine – you just need to plug it into a monitor via one of the USB-C ports.

The keyboard is fine enough to use and the trackpad is accurate enough that no matter how you’re using this computer, you won’t feel the need to grab an external anything. I won’t say that they’re the best I’ve used on a laptop, but they do the job and don't seem to have any noticeable shortcomings.

The tablet itself is a bit bulky as you’re still holding what’s basically a 14-inch screen, though it is a sharp one with a 2.8k resolution and a 100% DCI-P3. That’s good enough for some editing work. Plus, as a touch-screen, it’s very accurate.

Besides its large size, which can be a boon for some and cumbersome for others, the only other issue is the fact that it has just one USB-C port and no input jack for headphones, even if you can connect to it via Bluetooth. At least it has four 1-watt speakers (the hybrid station has an additional two 2-watt ones for a total of six speakers in regular laptop mode).

This package does come with an easel stand and stylus to make it a bit easier to use. A quick note on the stylus, which is the Lenovo Tab Pen Plus. It’s very accurate as well as sensitive, since it has “4,096 levels of pressure and tilt detection,” not to mention the fact that it has very palm rejection. Lastly, the stylus can magnetically clip onto the back or side of this device.

• Design: 4 / 5

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid: Performance

• Both devices are powerful in their own right
• Cross-integration between devices is unique
• Can be used as an Android laptop

Whether you use it as a laptop, tablet, or some kind of in-between cross-pollinated system, the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid is fairly powerful.

The hybrid station houses all the internal components related to the Windows portion of the experience, with an Intel Core Ultra 155H CPU, 32GB of RAM and 1 TB of solid state storage. Some discrete graphics would have taken this even further, but as it is, it can handle everything this side of video games and video editing. I was able to open 15 tabs, including four streaming videos on YouTube, without any slowdown in loading or even switching between tabs. I was even able to do some light gaming, but nothing all that taxing. It is powerful enough to do some photo editing.

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid: Benchmarks

3DMark: Fire Strike: 7798; Time Spy: NA; Port Royal: 1584

GeekBench 6.3 1702 (single-core); 10693 (multi-core)

PCMark10: 6826

Handbrake 1.8.1: 3:52

CrossMark: Overall: 1629 Productivity: 1559 Creativity: 1822 Responsiveness: 1328

PC Mark 10 Battery Test (Office): 9:55

PC Mark 10 Battery Test (Video): 5:43

The tablet with its Qualcomm Snapdragon 8+ mobile CPU, 12GB RAM, and 256 SSD of storage is pretty powerful for an Android tablet. It has no problem playing demanding games like Real Racing. Opening a bunch of tabs in Chrome (I stopped at ten) is speedy. Really, it can handle anything you could ask of an Android tablet. It even has a 1080p front-facing and 13MP back-facing camera. The front facing camera can be used with Windows for video conferencing and the like. It also has a physical shutter – always a nice touch.

Being able to use the hybrid base station and Android tablet as two devices is pretty cool, but what truly elevates the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid past just owning a Windows and Android device purchased separately – beyond the fact that they combine like a Transformer – is how the two devices still integrate on a software level.

The main way that they interact is through the Hybrid Folder that they share. You can put files of all sorts in there and they will sync to the other device, whether they’re physically attached or not.

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There’s also Hybrid Stream, which requires the tablet to be used as the only monitor, that lets you open a window to interact with the Android OS, while still using the Windows OS. It does run at a very slight delay, but is a cool way to access some Android-specific features without having to grab a second monitor to keep toiling away in the land of Bill Gates and Paul Allen.

Freestyle is an app that takes this cross-platform integration in a different direction, allowing you to mirror or extend your display, if you’re using an external one, to the tablet, basically turning into a second monitor. It’s pretty cool, though extending the display is a bit laggy. The app also allows you to share files directly between the two devices if you don't want to go the Hybrid folder route, as well as stream apps from one device to the other. Of course, the screen mirroring and extension is probably the most important functionality with this app.

Another way to use the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid is by pressing the Insert button, which also functions as a way to switch between the two operating systems without pulling out the screen, meaning that you can essentially use this device as an Android laptop. And it works fairly seamlessly for navigating as long as you’re not launching apps that need you to hold the tablet in your hand, such as a video game where you’re tilting the screen.

As mentioned before, there are a lot of speakers built into this device so that the hybrid station and the tablet can both emit sound. On their own, they do the job but are fairly thin. When used as a laptop, the Lenovo will use all six speakers. It’s not an audiophile experience by any means, but it’s much louder and fuller than you generally get with laptops. There’s still a small amount of hollowness, probably due to the fact that all the speakers are pretty small.

• Performance: 4.5 / 5

Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid: Battery life

• Up to ten hours of battery life in hybrid station
• Tablet has about eight hours of battery life

The battery life on the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid is not going to wow anyone. But considering the unique form factor on display here, getting ten hours of use is pretty good, not to mention that the tablet itself can go eight. That said, it only got about ten hours in the PC Mark10 Office Battery test. In the PC Mark 10 Battery Test focusing on video, the results were five hours and 43 minutes. Depending on how you use it, you might not get a full day’s worth of battery without charging back up.

Since it can be charged via USB-C, it can charge back up relatively quickly. It’s worth noting that the tablet will keep itself charged up when docked to the hybrid station.

• Battery life: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid?  Buy it if…

You use both Windows and Android devices

This was tailor-made for those that use Windows laptops and Android tablets. While that might not be a lot of people, the execution here is good enough that it’s worth considering.

You want something different

Even if your computing life doesn’t revolve around Android and Windows, if you’re looking for a different computing experience, this is about as unique as it gets.

You want a sharp, vibrant display

The OLED touchscreen here, even without considering the fact that it’s a tablet, looks very good and is certainly a pro for the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on any kind of a budget

At its lowest price, it might be cheaper than getting a top-of-the-line Ultrabook and Android tablet, but it’s still out of reach for many. When it’s not discounted, it’s not worth it to anyone.

You don’t use Android

If you’re not big into tablets or use iPads, this product is not worth it. If you’re looking for something unique, you’re better off considering the dual-screen Lenovo Yoga Book 9i.

Also Consider

If our Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid review has you considering other options, here are two laptops to consider...

Lenovo Yoga Book 9i

If you want a different computing experience, but don’t care about the tablet portion of the device reviewed here, consider the Lenovo Yoga Book 9i instead. It’s a similar price, but comes with two OLED panels that can be used in portrait or landscape mode, giving you the ability to double your screen real estate in laptop form.

Read our full Lenovo Yoga Book 9i review

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3)

Sometimes a more classic form factor is the right way to go. The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M3) has excellent performance with a long battery life, is a great looking laptop that’s incredibly lightweight, and doesn’t come with a learning curve to make the most of it.

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

How I tested the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid

• Tested for four weeks
• Used it for work, gaming, and streaming
• Tested the hybrid features

I used the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid for four weeks, doing some light gaming, watching some online content, and working on it. I used it in its various forms, whether as a laptop, tablet, Android laptop, or attached to an external monitor. I spent some time with its features as well, most notably the hybrid ones that are unique to this device.

The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 5 Hybrid is an interesting machine as it’s for a very select group of people who use Windows laptops and Android tablets and are looking for a way to invest in one machine that can cover both needs.

I’ve spent the last few years reviewing tech gear for gaming and otherwise, where I’ve gotten a feel for what to look for and how to put a piece of kit through its paces to see whether it’s worth the recommendation.

• First reviewed February 2025

For more Lenovo devices, we've reviewed and rounded up the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops.

Sony HT-SF150 review

If you’ve decided it's time to upgrade your sub-par TV audio, but don’t want to lose your life savings, the Sony HT-SF150 could be your ideal low-budget solution. This super-slim 2.0 channel soundbar aims to supply “punchy bass without compromising detail and clarity”, simple connectivity and cinematic virtual surround sound – but does it get the job done?

Well, let’s kick things off by talking about setup. It really doesn’t get much easier than this: simply connect your soundbar via HDMI ARC or digital optical, plug it into a power outlet and you’re away. I selected HDMI ARC mainly because it allows you to adjust the soundbar’s volume with a standard TV remote – pretty handy.

After getting the Sony HT-SF150 all set up, I got straight into testing its audio capabilities. I’m happy to report that it fared very well for a soundbar that’s often available for less than its already cheap $129 / £99 / AU$194 list price. I didn’t encounter much tinniness or distortion, even at medium to high volumes – something I’ve experienced with a lot of cheap soundbars. Speaking of volume, this thing can get surprisingly loud, in part thanks to its 120W power output, which is considerably higher than what some of the best cheap soundbars offer.

(Image credit: Future)

Staying with sound, I was impressed by dialogue clarity when using the Sony HT-SF150. For instance, I watched the movie Smile on Netflix and, when two women were speaking in an isolated room, the vocals were super clear and each character’s tone sounded natural. When listening to a podcast, I could switch to Voice mode using the included remote, which really brings speech to the forefront and presents it in a crisp, clear-cut manner.

In addition to Voice, there are Standard, Cinema, Music, Night and Auto Sound modes. That last mode tunes EQ depending on what content you’re consuming, though sometimes I still needed to do this manually.

Another glowing aspect of this soundbar’s performance is the effectiveness of Sony’s S-Force Front Surround virtual processing, which endeavors to emulate “cinema-style surround sound.” That may be a bit of a stretch for a soundbar with no Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, let alone any sub or rear speakers, but, while watching The Boy and the Heron, I was struck by the soundbar’s ability to accurately map the heron’s flight as he soared across my screen and then towards me. You won’t get incredible verticality or room-filling expansiveness here, but the HT-SF150 certainly outclassed my TV’s efforts.

(Image credit: Future)

One area where a lot of standalone soundbars fall flat is bass output – it can be hard to muster a meaty boom without a dedicated subwoofer – especially in a budget model like this. And although the HT-SF150 won’t rock your world with mesmerizing low-end output, it still plates up decent bass. This model includes a built-in bass reflex speaker, which gives a leg up to deep tones and makes it ideal for movies or video games with dark or ambient scores.

When playing Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth, I was met with impressive depth as the protagonist Cloud faced oversized mechanical monstrosities with thumping footsteps and ground-shaking attacks. I would’ve liked an option to raise bass levels manually to really enhance low-end output, but you won’t get that, unfortunately.

In some places, this game includes speech from the main cast, chatter from background characters or enemies and music from its grandiose soundtrack. This exposed a slight weakness in the Sony HT-SF150 – it sometimes leans into a slightly muddied presentation. When there are several layers to balance out, you may experience some business in the mid-range. There’s no abrasiveness or harshness to endure, just a bit of bloating that can leave some details under wraps.

(Image credit: Future)

You’re probably not expecting perfectly separated, ultra-detailed audio, so for the most part, the HT-SF150 performs well in this department. But sound isn’t the only positive part of this model, I also loved its design. Really, this soundbar looks a lot more premium than many of its budget counterparts. It has a beautiful leather-like finish on top, classy onboard buttons, and an attractive wraparound speaker grille.

The included remote is slim with well-sized button controls and a premium feel. Unfortunately, some features can only be triggered by repeatedly pressing certain buttons on the remote, which can be a bit confusing unless you consult the user manual.

The only frustrating aspect of this soundbar's design is its LED display. As with competitors like the Panasonic SC-HTB100, this thing just uses small lights to indicate volume and sound mode alterations or when it’s in Bluetooth mode. This works fine, but I do prefer a more visual display with letters and numbers – something you get with the Majority Elias, for instance.

(Image credit: Future)

Back to the positives, though. I found this soundbar to be pretty feature-rich given its price-point. For example, you can toggle Dolby Dynamic Range Control, which makes Dolby Digital audio easier to hear at lower volumes. There’s also multiplex broadcast sound and USB connectivity available. One key feature is the inclusion of Bluetooth 4.2, which enables you to connect your phone to the soundbar and play music.

Musical performance wasn’t amazing over Bluetooth – breathy vocal details in I Want You by Moloko weren’t very audible and could sound a bit lost in the overall mix, even when listening in Music mode. However, the low-end kick in the bass-heavy Splash Mountain by Yung Gravy was commendable and the depth and rapid decay of the drum machine in Black Eye by Allie X also stuck out to me. This soundbar is up to the task if you just want to listen to some tunes in the background, but it won't impress audiophiles or compete with some of the best soundbars.

Overall, the Sony HT-SF150 is a very solid budget soundbar with a broad feature set, generally clear-cut dialogue, considerable power, and an elegant design. For the price, it’s fantastic value and while it’s not without its flaws sonically, it can be trusted to offer a leg up to some of the best small TVs and even some more premium models. So, this soundbar is definitely worth bearing in mind for those on a budget, but if you’re a little short on space, the mini Hisense HS214 is an awesome alternative. Those with a bit more cash may also want to consider one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars for mind-blowingly good spatial sound.

(Image credit: Future) Sony HT-SF150 review: Price and release date

• $129 / £99 / AU$194
• Launched in 2018

The Sony HT-SF150 is available in the UK and has an RRP of £99. In the US and Australia, the model has a slightly different name – the Sony HT-S100F – and a list price of $129 / AU$194. But I bring great news…this soundbar is often available for a fair amount less. I’ve often seen it sell for less than $100 / £90 / AU$180, which makes it an incredibly low-priced option. It may not be the newest soundbar on the market, but it’s compatible with all modern TVs thanks to its use of HDMI and digital optical connectivity.

Sony HT-SF150 review: Specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Sony HT-SF150? Buy it if...

You’re working with a tight budget
This soundbar is available at an excellent low price, making it fantastic for anyone on a tight budget. It may have a list price of $129 / £99 / AU$194, but it’s available for even less than this fairly regularly – that’s phenomenal value for money.

You want to keep your set-up looking classy
One of the best things about the Sony HT-SF150 is its high build quality and looks. A lot of budget soundbars have a tendency to lean into a plasticky, cheap-looking aesthetic – but not this one. Even if you have one of the best TVs, this soundbar won’t appear out of place on your unit.

Don't buy it if...

You want surround sound
If you want truly expansive surround sound, you’re going to have to keep looking – you won’t find it here. This Sony soundbar doesn’t support Dolby Atmos or DTS:X (or Virtual:X) – meaning you won't get a next-level spatial impression. And of course, it’s a standalone 2.0 channel soundbar – there’s no sub or rear speakers included.

You’re looking for premium audio quality
For the most part, the Sony HT-SF150 delivers clean audio quality, with clear dialogue and impressive volume. But if you’re seeking truly premium audio, this soundbar won’t cut it. If you want booming bass, tightly controlled highs and super-rich mids, you'll need to stretch your budget a bit further. An all-in-one soundbar that offers all of these things and I can confidently recommend is the Sony HT-S2000.

Sony HT-SF150 review: Also consider

Hisense HS214
The Hisense HS214 is one of the best budget soundbars in the land. Why? It’s super compact, supplies clear dialogue and even has a built-in subwoofer – all for less than $100 / £80. Its small size means this Sony soundbar might produce a wider, more expansive impression, but if you’re short on space, the HS214 is a top alternative. Read our full Hisense HS214 review.

Amazon Fire TV Soundbar
Another solid compact option is the Amazon Fire TV soundbar. It’s not the most elegant-sounding option on the market, but audio is decent for the price and we found this soundbar super easy to use. Again, there's no Atmos or surround speakers included, but it's still a budget rival worth considering. Read our full Amazon Fire TV Soundbar review.

Sony HT-SF150 review: How I tested

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for one week
• Connected the soundbar to the Hisense U7K TV at home
• Used the HDMI ARC connectivity option

For one week, I had the not-so-arduous task of testing the Sony HT-SF150. During this time, I used HDMI ARC to connect the soundbar to my Hisense U7K TV – which already has solid built-in audio.

While testing, I viewed a variety of TV shows, videos and movies – mainly using streaming services like Amazon Prime Video, Netflix and YouTube. I also played Final Fantasy VII: Rebirth on the PS5 to assess the soundbar’s gaming capabilities. In addition, I connected the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE to the SF150 and trialed Bluetooth connectivity for playing music. I made sure to play tracks from the TechRadar testing playlist to judge the quality of the soundbar’s Music mode.

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

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus: Two-minute review

The Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is a Bluetooth speaker that does exactly what it says on the tin. It blasts onto the scene with booming bass output, high volume levels and blaring LED lights – this thing is by no means subtle! And at $249.99 / £199.99 / AU$359.99 it’s by no means cheap, either – so let’s find out if the Boom 2 Plus is worth the cash.

It only seems right to start with the main attraction: bass. With BassUp 2.0 activated you’re going to get deep pumping low-end output, ideal for genres such as EDM or hip-hop, and for occasions such as house parties. Without it, you may find that bass is a touch underwhelming, so it’s worth toggling it on for when you really want to ramp up any low-frequency audio. Still, I didn’t find the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus could offer quite as ground-shaking bass as the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2.

All-round sound quality is up-to-scratch, too. I found mids and highs to be clear and free of tinniness – a big relief. On top of that, there’s a nine-band EQ so you can get a more neutral sound if that’s what you’re after. The Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus isn’t going to supply the phenomenal attention to detail that some of the best Bluetooth speakers can offer, but it does include the AAC codec this time around, so it's a little better for Apple users in particular.

This speaker comes with a nice set of features, all of which can be accessed via the free-to-download Soundcore app. You can pick from preset or custom EQ calibrations, toggle BassUp, and alter light settings. The LED lights attached to the side of the speaker can sync up to audio output for a more immersive listening experience, and watching them rumble as the speaker pumps bass is highly satisfying.

The lights were one of many features already included in the original Anker Soundcore Boom 2. Now, don’t get me wrong, the standard-sized model is a decent budget option, but the Boom 2 Plus is an upgrade in almost every way. You get more power – as much as 140W for hitting high volumes – a more curved, quality-looking design, and a strap for carrying the speaker over long distances.

But the Boom 2 Plus isn’t without its drawbacks. Of course, its far more expensive – yet still only has the IPX7 waterproof rating, meaning it still lacks a dustproof score. On top of that, the Boom 2 Plus actually offers less playtime than the standard Boom 2, with just 20 hours on offer. Now, that’s not too bad, but considering rivals like the Earfun UBoom X can muster 30 hours, you may be left wanting more.

But overall, the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is still an adept party speaker. You’re getting plenty of bass and plenty of ways to personalize both its sound and appearance. If you can grab it at a cut-price, I’d argue it's an option well-worth considering, but unfortunately there’s some really stiff competition in this price range. And if you’re able to stretch your budget a little bit further, I’d recommend going for the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 instead, which ultimately packs more of a punch and better protection against the elements.

(Image credit: Future) Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Price and release date

• $249.99 / £199.99 / AU$359.99
• Launched in May 2024

The Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is significantly pricier than the standard Boom 2 model, coming in with a list price of $249.99 / £199.99 / AU$359.99. That’s compared to the usual Boom 2’s launch price of $129.99 / £119.99 / AU$219.99. I’ve spotted it on sale for around $200 / £170, though, so keep your eyes peeled for a bargain.

This 2024-issued model is available in a number of color options – all of which cost the same. The colorways available to you are: Adventure Green; Explorer Green; and the variant I tested, Phantom Black.

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Specs

(Image credit: Future) Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Features

• Nine-band custom EQ
• Customizable LED lights
• 20-hour battery life is decent, but nothing special

In terms of features, the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is almost identical to its standard-sized sibling. Button controls enable you to toggle on the low-end-boosting BassUp option, sift through light show settings and pair to a second speaker via PartyCast 2.0. And once again, there’s a USB-C port which enables the Boom 2 Plus to become a power bank.

If you download the Soundcore app, however, you get access to even more features. The standout is EQ adjustment, which grants access to a nine band equalizer and a small selection of presets: Soundcore Signature, Voice, Treble Boost and Balanced (as well as BassUp). I would maybe have liked to see a few genre-specific options, but there’s still plenty of customizability here.

The app also lets you personalize the Boom 2 Plus’ lights remotely. There are six effects available: Flash, Flame, Lightning, Scan, Cyclone and Bounce. On top of that, you can play around with a color wheel to get an even more tailored look to the speaker’s LEDs. The lights are on passive radiators which rumble violently during bass-heavy tracks, and this was enjoyable to watch, especially in dark rooms. They sync up to sound output, which makes for an immersive audiovisual experience, but if that’s not to your taste, you can switch them off entirely.

One benefit of going lightless is that you’ll save some battery life. And that might be useful, because the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus actually offers less playtime than the standard Boom 2. That’s a little disappointing and given rivals such as the Earfun UBoom X can serve up an impressive 30 hours, its fair to say this speaker’s battery life is a bit unimpressive. 20 hours is by no means bad, but it’s worth noting that BassUp – like the lights – will contribute to faster drainage.

One thing you do get over the standard edition, however, is an aux-in port, which enables wired listening – pretty neat. Otherwise, you’ll be relying on Bluetooth 5.3, which is plenty good enough, and there’s also Google Fast Pair for a speedy setup.

• Features score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future) Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Sound quality

• Booming bass with BassUp 2.0 on
• But won’t offer massively sophisticated all-round audio
• Impressive volume levels thanks to max 140W power output

Just by hearing this speaker's name, you probably know exactly what you’re going to get here. And if you guessed big, booming bass – congrats, you were right. Well, that is if you have BassUp 2.0 turned on – without this bass isn’t actually that impactful for a speaker of this size. But don’t get me wrong, having BassUp 2.0 on will definitely mean the low-end soaks up most of the limelight. For a party speaker, though, that’s not necessarily a bad thing.

When tuning in to Favorita by kryptogram, I was impressed by the speaker’s bass output with impactful, deep drum kicks instantly grabbing my attention. Similarly when listening to a house track, Dasha - Tour Maubourg Remix by Fusion Affair, the speaker showcased solid low-frequency response, with dominant, pumping bass. When I threw on Diva Bonita by bbno$, the track’s imposing sub-bass came through with authority, something that you’ll miss out on from a lot of cheaper models.

When I put the Boom 2 Plus next to the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2, however, I did find the latter offered considerably weightier power in the low end – even with its XBass feature turned off. Of course, that model is a little more expensive, but if you want ultimate bass performance, I’d recommend it over this Soundcore speaker.

Regardless, the Boom 2 Plus can get very loud. That’s in part thanks to its high maximum power output of 140W – 100W of which comes from the two 50W woofers, with the remainder stemming from the speaker’s dual 20W tweeters. Pair that with the Boom 2 Plus’ competence in the bass department and you’re looking at a speaker that’s primed for parties or outdoor events, where you want to power through excess noise.

If you want a speaker capable of delivering a highly nuanced listen, though, this isn’t a top option. Sure, you get AAC this time (meaning any tracks played in AAC on a compatible device will be played without conversion or other inteference – most notably for Apple Music users on Apple devices) rather than SBC (the standard Bluetooth codec) alone, and there’s a nine-band equalizer that can help you tune a more balanced sound – but I still found there was a lack of detail, particularly in the mid and treble frequency range.

When listening to I Want You by Molko, I wasn’t struck by a true-to-life cymbal crash or particularly natural-sounding, breathy vocals. The speaker also wasn’t highly capable of managing this track’s densely layered mix, so you may want to turn to a model like the Edifier D32 if you’re looking for stronger instrument separation.

Of course, that’s not something this model has to excel in. Ultimately, this is designed to be a party speaker that leans into its low-frequency talents and it does that well. Also, even if they’re lacking a bit of detail, mid-range and treble frequency sounds rarely sound tinny or harsh, even at higher volumes. I also found that I could get a fairly balanced sound profile out of this speaker after turning BassUp off in Soundcore Signature and slightly tweaking EQ.

• Sound quality score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future) Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Design

• More curved, premium looking design this time out
• Still only IPX7 rated
• Eye-catching LED lights

In terms of looks, the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is a huge upgrade on its standard-sized sibling. It’s less stubby and blocky looking, now donning a wider, more curved look. On top of that, the metallic speaker grille has a more premium feel and appearance, creating a far cleaner aesthetic overall.

Of course, much has remained the same – the LED lights on the side of the speaker are still bold and vibrant – they can also sync up to bass output for a more immersive listening experience. And the button controls on top of the speaker are again well-proportioned, clear and responsive.

But with this speaker’s added length comes added bulk – meaning Anker has had to make a change here. That’s right: this model comes with a strap included, which can be attached to hooks on the handle. This is pretty basic; there’s no shoulder pad or anything, but it’s still a nice addition if you’re going to carry the Boom 2 Plus over longer distances. This is also welcome as the Boom 2 Plus is more than twice as weighty as the standard model, coming in at 8.4lbs / 3.8kg – though this is still fairly lightweight overall.

Something that, perhaps disappointingly, has remained much the same, though, is this speaker’s ingress rating. Like the standard Boom 2, this is IPX7 rated. Now, the positive here is that the speaker can be submerged in up to a meter of water for as long as 30 minutes – something we’d expect from all of the best waterproof speakers. It's floatable too if you want to take it into the pool with you, for instance.

The bad? This thing skips on a dustproof rating again, meaning it might not be the best beachside companion. If you want a more rough and ready model, look for the IP67 rating, which a ton of competitors have, including the fantastic Bose SoundLink Max.

But enough moaning. I did like the small rubber tab on the reverse side of the Boom 2 Plus. Simply flick this up or down and you get access to the USB-C charging port – which can be used to charge the speaker or external devices – as well as the aux-in if you want wired listening.

I was also a fan of the multiple color options available. You can grab the Boom 2 Plus in Phantom Black, Explorer Blue or Adventure Green – all of these look neat and are discreet enough to bring out the best of light features in dark rooms.

• Design score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future) Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Value

• Considerably more expensive than standard model
• But does offer improved audio and design
• Unfortunately rivals offer better bang for your buck

The Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus has a list price that’s almost double that of the standard model. So, with added price, you’re going to expect a massive improvement. Do you get that? In many ways, yes. I would argue that this model is far better looking and, perhaps unsurprisingly, has bassier, cleaner audio. If you want an all-out party speaker, it’s no contest – the Boom 2 Plus is far superior.

At the same time, you get a smaller battery life and there are some lingering issues such as the lack of a dustproof rating. Perhaps a larger problem for the Boom 2 Plus, though, is that it’s sitting in an awkward spot price-wise. If you go cheaper, you can grab the Earfun UBoom X, which also packs plenty of bass, as well as highly customizable audio. And if you can push your budget just a little more you can get the mighty Tribit Stormbox Blast 2, which is a top-tier party speaker in my book – it can also double up as a karaoke machine if you’re into that kinda thing!

In its own right, though, the Soundcore Boom 2 Plus is still a solid Bluetooth speaker and plenty good enough to keep the party moving. If you can get it for less than $200 / closer to the £150 mark, it’s a model well worth considering. Nonetheless, there is some stiff competition, which can’t be ignored.

• Value score: 3.5/5

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus? Buy it if...

You want a bass-heavy party speaker
If you want a Bluetooth speaker for house parties or events, the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus has you covered. With a maximum power output of 140W and BassUp feature for booming low-end output, you’re certainly going to keep your guests entertained.

You want a lightweight option
Some boombox-like speakers can be heavy. Really heavy (I’m looking at you Tribit Stormbox Blast 2). But much like the standard model, the Boom 2 Plus bucks that trend, coming in at 8.4 lbs / 3.8kg. Combine that with the included strap and this speaker is pleasingly easy to take with you on the go.

Don't buy it if...

You want premium all-round sound
If you want a nuanced, supremely separated sound, this speaker isn’t for you. With the right tuning, you can get clear, decently balanced audio, but still, you’re not going to uncover the finest details.

You want a speaker that can brave any environment
The Soundcore Boom 2 Plus skips on a dustproof rating, meaning it’s not totally primed for all outdoor environments. There are a ton of options with the coveted IP67 rating, but you can go a step further with the LG XBoom Go XG8T, which actually has military-grade protection against the elements.

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: Also consider

Earfun UBoom X
Like this Anker speaker, the Earfun UBoom X won’t offer the most detailed, revealing sound quality. But it does still pack quite the low-end punch, has some integrated LED lights and a wired connectivity option. The real win is that this model has a 30 hour battery life and super-low price for a speaker of its size, making it a very viable candidate to be your next party speaker. Read our full Earfun UBoom X review.

Tribit Stormbox Blast 2
I’ll keep it simple: the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 is one of the best portable party speakers money can buy. It’s only a bit more expensive than this Anker model, but has superior bass output, more playtime and an IP67 dustproof and waterproof rating. It doesn’t get much better than that. Read our full Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 review.

Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus review: How I tested

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested over the course of one week
• Mainly used at our music testing facility at Future Labs
• Predominantly listened to tracks via Tidal

I listened to the Anker Soundcore Boom 2 Plus for hours at our music testing facility at Future Labs. I blasted a bunch of tracks from my own music library alongside tunes from the TechRadar testing playlist, which we use to assess audio performance across a variety of genres. I connected to the Stormbox Blast 2 with the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE and mainly listened to songs via Tidal.

Further to this, I played a podcast episode on Spotify and watched video content on YouTube in order to assess vocal clarity across different platforms. When appropriate, I used the Tribit Stormbox Blast 2 to compare elements like sound, design and ease of use.

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

This review first appeared in issue 355 of PC Pro.

If your priority is to stay safe, there are two good reasons to choose G Data Total Protection: its twin malware detection engines. G Data combines its own engine with Bitdefender’s, which is also a reliable performer, helping to keep those detection scores high.

It’s better known in its native Germany than in the UK, which is why it isn’t tested so widely; the UK-based SE Labs doesn’t test G Data, and even in AV-Test (based in Austria) we had to go back to February 2023 for results, where it provided 100% protection.

AV-Comparatives is based in Germany and unsurprisingly covers G Data much more frequently, and here it provided a strong set of scores, albeit not the best. Most recently, it returned a solid 99.6% protection rating with eight false positives. That’s just short of the clean sweep we saw last year, but if you’d spent the past 12 months using G Data then it’s very unlikely you will have experienced a malware infection.

(Image credit: Future)

There’s no shortage of scan options if you’re concerned. You can run or schedule a full malware scan, or scan specific files or directories, your computer’s memory and startup processes, removable media, and also check for rootkits. Other options under Virus Protection allow you to access quarantined files or burn a bootable rescue image to a CD or USB drive.

G Data Total Protection’s features haven’t changed in any major way since last year’s review, which is both good and bad. For example, it’s good that you’re prompted to install a plugin for Edge, but you’ll find references to Internet Explorer scattered throughout the G Data suite. Indeed, parts of the application feel oriented towards Windows operating systems that have been end-of-life for years, and include extra features that cater to older PC hardware configurations. Discontinued browsers, apps and web services appear in configuration settings and additional software tools, though the disk defragmenter at least automatically excludes drives that it detects to be SSDs. You can override this, but we strongly advise against it.

As we observed last year, the parental controls include an option to block all SSL sites, otherwise known as most of the modern internet. They otherwise work as you’d expect, but that’s still not as helpful as Microsoft Family Safety, unless you’d rather not create Microsoft accounts for your children. G Data’s password manager is particularly poor, minimally documented, and still only has plugins for Google Chrome and Internet Explorer. Use a dedicated password manager instead.

G Data is quirky but effective when it comes to malware protection (Image credit: Future)

More sensibly, as many people are still on modest internet connections and need as few delays to their downloads as possible, only downloads of up to 10MB are checked by the G Data Web protection tool by default. The files will also be checked once they’ve been downloaded, but if you’ve got a fast PC and internet connection to match, you might want to disable this option.

G Data’s firewall is simple and easy to work with, and its default autopilot is hassle-free. The backup tool supports differential and incremental backups of any selected files and folders, on the schedule of your choice, to physical media, a network location or a synced storage drive.

Unexpectedly, if you’re in the UK, G Data will be sold to you in US dollars, which means $50 for a one-device subscription, $66 for three devices and $82 for five devices. Whether you buy from a third-party retailer (good luck) or from G Data directly, there are no hidden price hikes after the first year of subscription, which is a real strength compared to its rivals.

(Image credit: Future)

G Data Total Security is the premium version of the company’s antivirus software, available on Windows and macOS, with iOS and Android apps to go with it. However, we actually recommend that you buy G Data Internet Security ($40) instead, as this gets you the powerful antivirus engines, plus the firewall, quarantine, cross-platform protection and parental controls – without the performance tuning and encryption tools, or the clunky password manager. You miss out on the device access controls and backup tool, which is one of the best we’ve seen built into an AV suite, but let’s not forget that Duplicati is free.

In truth, we still find the client’s old-school looks rather endearing, and love all the little touches – such as USB keylogger detection and the ability to include only some of the security suite’s features at install time – but it could do with updates for the Windows 11 era (and Windows 10 era), particularly when it comes to its privacy tools.

Nonetheless, G Data provides straightforward, effective and inexpensive protection against malware and other threats to your system, making it one of our favorite security suites, despite its quirks.

We've also rated the best privacy tools and anonymous browsers.

This review first appeared in issue 355 of PC Pro.

The Framework Laptop 16 defies categorization. It’s a gaming laptop, unless you decide not to choose discrete graphics, in which case it’s a productivity workhorse.

Even then you have decisions to make. Which keyboard? Should you choose a number pad? Perhaps an RGB macro pad? What about spacers, ports, storage? This is simply the most customizable laptop I’ve seen.

There are two drawbacks, starting with the price. But all the various input options, expansion choices and graphics swaps make specifying the Framework Laptop 16 a complicated matter. For PC Pro readers familiar with the inner workings of PCs this won’t be a problem, but Framework is hitting the point where you need a degree of expertise or you could make a costly mistake.

(Image credit: Future)

Start with the basics

As always with Framework, you can either build the laptop yourself – and bring your own OS – using its DIY Edition, or opt for a pre-built model. The former starts at £1,399, the latter at £1,699.

If you opt for pre-built, you have three options: Performance, Performance Pro (which, for an extra £50, includes Windows 11 Pro) or Overkill for £2,099. Both Performance models have the same core spec of an AMD Ryzen 7 7840HS, 16GB of memory and 512GB of storage. Overkill ups the ante with a Ryzen 9 79440HS, 32GB of RAM and a 1TB SSD.

Framework sent us its £1,749 Performance Pro configuration, but with the Graphics Module containing a discrete AMD Radeon RX 7700S chip, which adds £400 to the price.

So our test system costs £2,149, but that’s before adding any extras. As part of the price, you get six USB expansion cards to slot into the six bays built into the side of the chassis, and if you stick to USB-A or USB-C you won’t pay any extra. Want HDMI, a DisplayPort, microSD card or an audio jack? Those cost an extra £10 apiece. And if you want Ethernet you’ll pay £30 more. You can also order storage expansion cards, with 256GB (£45) or 1TB (£125) options available. In short, this is a smorgasbord of a laptop for you to kit out as you wish.

Choose carefully, though. You can only charge from the back four ports, while only three of the six ports support display output. And USB-C works in any port, but only the back two allow full USB 4 speeds.

It’s possible to replace and repair every part of this laptop yourself (Image credit: Future)

Key decisions

At this point, it won’t surprise you that the choice of keyboard and touchpad modules on the Framework Laptop 16 depend on you. Your choices, however, must include a keyboard module, touchpad module and spacers, with the possibility of a number pad, macro pad and LED Matrix spacer as extras.

Framework expects you to work out where to put the keyboard. It could be central, with two spacers on either side. Or perhaps you’re left-handed and would prefer to put the number pad there. Just as importantly, if one of these parts dies, it’s easy to replace.

There are a load of options to pick from, and Framework is happy to sell them to you. An RGB backlit keyboard – US English only, for now – costs £50. A number pad module is £39, while an RGB macro pad is an extra £79. This macro pad offers 24 programmable RGB backlit keys that you can configure how you like in software.

(Image credit: Future)

And there’s more. While black spacers for the keyboard come standard, you can switch to orange, grey or lavender for £5 a pop. Or go wild and buy the LED Matrix design for £39 each. The downside of this modularity is that there are seams; while everything is guided by magnets and fits snugly, you can see where the modules and spacers are separated.

The keyboard and macros are controlled by the open-source software VIA, and while Framework uses a simplified, browser-based version, there’s still a learning curve. Framework needs to work on this: it should be far easier to program the RGB macro pad, for instance.

My other gripe is about the keyboard. Framework says the keys offer 1.5mm of travel, but they were too mushy for my taste. If only Framework offered a ThinkPad-like keyboard option.

The choice of keyboard and touchpad modules is up to you (Image credit: Future)

Upgrade ability

While shuffling around the Framework’s modular input mechanisms is easy enough, actually getting into the device is harder than on the Framework Laptop 13. After removing all of the input modules, you have to pull a cable in the metal plate, helpfully labelled number 1. From there, you can use a T5 screwdriver (one comes with the laptop) to remove 16 captive screws labelled 2 to 17.

Our pre-built model came with a single 512GB M.2 2280 SSD installed. If you want to add another, there’s room for a smaller M.2 2230 SSD underneath. The DDR5 memory is upgradable, as is the battery and, in theory, the motherboard (this is also your route to future CPUs). The other upgrade is the GPU, but at the moment the Radeon RX 7700S is your only option. I’d like to see Nvidia get involved, but Framework is making no promises.

You can also buy the laptop with both the Graphics Module and the Expansion Bay Shell. The idea is that if you want to travel lighter, you can swap the shell with the graphics module. However, it’s a trickier process than it should be.

Frequent travelers will probably make the effort, though, as even without the Graphics Module the laptop weighs 2.1kg. With it, that goes up to 2.4kg, and the height at the back increases from 18mm to 21mm.

You can buy a pre-built Framework Laptop if you prefer (Image credit: Future)

Speed boost

Framework’s 16in anti-glare display comes with a 2,560 x 1,600 IPS panel, and it performed well in our technical tests. It covers 75% of the DCI-P3 gamut with a peak brightness of 485cd/m2and an average Delta E of 0.21. There’s also an anti-glare coating, which is better for work than for games or watching films.

Still, when I started testing with one of my favorite games, Control, it looked great. The game features a lot of red lighting, which looked bright and vibrant on the Framework Laptop. The pair of speakers sound good, too, only lacking in bass.

As for speed, I started at 1,920 x 1,200 on High settings with medium ray tracing presets, where the game ran between 40fps and 48fps but with several stutters. Cutting ray tracing and dropping to Medium settings kept me more reliably above 50fps, albeit again with a few hiccups. The fans were spinning loudly during gameplay, keeping the system cool.

Those aren’t great results, especially compared to laptops with an RTX 4070 – which now cost less than £1,500. For example, on Shadow of the Tomb Raider’s highest settings, the Framework reached 86fps at 1080p and 49fps at the panel’s native resolution of 2,560 x 1,600. An RTX 4070 system scored 104fps and 60fps respectively.

It’s a similar story for productivity performance. Although the Ryzen 7 7840HS is a fine processor, with eight high-performance cores and 16 threads, a glance through these pages will review cheaper laptops that outperform it. Bearing in mind this is a laptop with gaming skills, however, it was great to see battery life of 8hrs 49mins in our web-surfing test.

(Image credit: Future)

Final word

While I have my criticisms of the Framework Laptop 16, then, it’s obvious in so many ways that this is a company with ethics at its heart. That stretches to the 1080p webcam, which produces good detail and colours but also features a switch next to it that turns it off. There’s another switch for the microphone, too.

Then there’s its approach to materials: the cover is made from 75% post-industrial recycled (PIR) aluminum, the bottom cover is 90% PIR aluminum, shipping is fully carbon offset and the packaging is 100% recyclable. Framework is setting the standards for other to follow.

While the Framework Laptop 16 isn’t for everyone, it offers tech enthusiasts the chance to build their dream laptop – provided that the dream involves a 16in screen and all-AMD parts.

We've also rated the best monitors for gaming.

This review first appeared in issue 355 of PC Pro.

D-Link is aiming to take surveillance in new directions with its DSS-200G series of Layer 2 switches, which are designed to power the latest IP cameras and provide automated recovery services. This family of four switches is headed up by the 28-port DSS-200G-28MPP, which has a punchy power budget of 518W and offers support for 90W 802.3bt PoE services.

We reviewed the DSS-200G-28MP model, which sits on the rung below and offers a more modest 370W power budget with 30W 803.2at services available across all 24 gigabit ports. Both have four pairs of unpowered copper and fiber dual-personality gigabit ports for uplinks to a network video recorder (NVR) or server.

The switch can power any PoE-compliant device, but D-Link has focused primarily on surveillance usage. It incorporates 6kV surge protection circuitry to shield external cameras against lightning strikes.

One common feature of the DSS-200G series is the block of five DIP switches at the front, which are used to hard-set certain features. The first switch sets an ingress priority function so packets entering port 1 have the highest priority while those incoming on port 24 have the lowest.

The second switch enables a PoE extend mode on the first eight ports. This overcomes the 100-metre PoE cable length limitation by allowing powered devices (PDs) to be placed up to 250 meters away but, in common with all PoE extenders, it drops speed to 10Mbits/sec.

The third switch activates an isolation function so packets incoming on a “controlled” port will only be forwarded to a designated uplink port. This is a handy security feature; it means that if an IP camera is compromised, the intruder can’t gain access to any others attached to the switch.

The D-Link DSS-200G-28MP provides a power budget of 370W (Image credit: Future)

Next up is D-Link’s PD-Alive function, which pings the IP address of a device to check availability and, if it doesn’t respond for a specific time, will reset its PoE services and send out notifications, although for traps, only the less secure SNMPv2 is supported. Lastly, the fifth DIP switch enables STP, which uses redundant paths to restore connections due to a link failure.

Two management modes are available, and selecting the standard option from the quick start wizard presents a web interface with access to every switch feature. From here, you can configure all Layer 2 functions, create surveillance and voice VLANs, assign one of three PoE priorities to each port and enable the global ONVIF service so all compliant IP cameras are discovered and placed in a separate VLAN.

The surveillance mode presents a completely different interface with a smart graphical topology view showing all ports and attached devices. After we connected three D-Link PoE IP cameras, they were identified and automatically assigned icons with the correct model photo.

The two web consoles include a graphical view for monitoring functions (Image credit: Future)

Add non-D-Link cameras and, as long as they’re ONVIF-compliant, the switch assigns a generic camera icon but won’t identify their make or model. Devices such as our Netgear Wi-Fi 6 APs were simply classed as “other” but, in all cases, PoE services can be manually recycled to force a remote reboot.

The graphical theme continues with the console offering a filtered view showing only IP cameras along with their IP addresses and power consumption. You can keep a close eye on total power consumption and switch stats from the surveillance overview page, set schedules to control when power is provided to selected ports and configure the PD-Alive function on individual ports instead of using the fourth DIP switch.

The web console is mainly concerned with surveillance functions and offers greatly reduced access to switch settings. This isn’t a problem, though, as you can swap back to the standard mode if you need to tweak something and then return to surveillance mode.

The DSS-200G-28MP is a worthy contender for business surveillance duties as it offers plenty of smart IP camera management and monitoring features. Value looks good, too, as it includes a generous PoE budget, but you’ll need to focus on D-Link’s IP cameras to get the best from it.

We also rated the best secure smartphones.

This review first appeared in issue 355 of PC Pro.

SMBs that want a cloud file-sharing service that snaps neatly into their existing workflows will love Box, as it offers more app integrations than most of its rivals – over 1,500 in fact. Even better, admins can control which third-party apps are to be made available, and users can browse and install them directly from their personal web portal.

There’s a lot more to Box than that, however. It’s packed to the gills with collaboration tools: along with the obligatory cloud file-sharing and syncing services, it provides facilities for issuing file upload requests to external users, strong access controls for shared files, Box Preview for viewing and editing files in a browser without downloading them, Box Relay for automating repetitive tasks and Box Notes for taking real-time meeting minutes.

The new Box Canvas adds an extra sharing dimension that allows you to create secure virtual whiteboard sessions. Users can access this from their web portal, start sessions, invite other users and employ a selection of templates as well as drawing and editing tools to create interactive meetings, training sessions and more.

Box provides free iOS and Android mobile apps (Image credit: Future)

Box is available in five plans, with the Business Plus on review starting at three users and costing £20 each per month when billed annually. It enables a 15GB maximum file size, a 50-file version history, includes initial access to ten app integrations and gives value a big boost by offering unlimited cloud storage.

User onboarding is swift and they’ll find the web portal very easy to use. It opens with an overview of all their files and folders, and shows the most recent documents across the top. The left menu bar provides one-click access to all tools including Notes, Relay and Canvas.

When sharing content with team members, users can apply one of seven access permissions, ranging from viewing only to full editorial rights, and receive notifications when anyone accesses them. Box Collections is a smart feature that allows users to organize files, folders and web links in personal logical groups in their web portal without having to create new shared folders for them.

Install the local Box Drive app from the portal’s Sync page and you’ll receive a mapped drive with quick access to cloud files. You can mark any for offline access so they’re downloaded and stored locally and changes made are synced back to the cloud when internet access is restored.

Microsoft Teams users will find the Box app a worthy addition. We added it to our Teams desktop app and, after logging into a Box account, it presented an interface that’s a near-perfect replica of the web portal.

Box Insights keeps admins appraised on all file activity (Image credit: Future)

Business Plus supports unlimited external collaborators – people outside your organisation that are invited to work with you on shared files. They require a Box account to access them, but this isn’t a deal breaker as when we shared a file using an email address outside our account domain, the user was prompted to create a free Box Individual account, which provides 10GB of cloud storage and a 250MB file upload limit.

There are no such limitations on file upload requests, as external users don’t need a Box account for this. Users select a folder, create a file request, paste the web link into an email and send it to the recipient, who drags the required files into the web page to send them.

Box Business Plus delivers a superb range of cloud file-sharing and collaboration tools at a price that is sure to appeal to SMBs. It supports an incredible range of app integrations and tools, delivers strong access controls and neatly amalgamates everything into a well-designed web portal.

We've also ranked the best customer relationship management software for small businesses.

Anker Laptop Power Bank review

The Anker Laptop Power Bank is designed to charge large devices on the go, thanks to its high 165W output, large 25,000mAh capacity, and convenient extra features. For such a heavy-duty battery, the Anker Laptop Power Bank does a good job of remaining slender, although it’s as weighty as you might expect it to be. It’s also quite thick, so certainly better stored in your bag than in your pocket.

The Anker Laptop Power Bank is very well built, with every material and panel feeling solid. The screen has hardly any flex either, so I would be confident in it withstanding normal wear and tear.

This display provides various readouts, including those for temperature and wattages for each of the four outputs, which is more than some of the best power banks offer. It’s a shame, however, that it only covers a small area – smaller than the physical size of the screen would lead you to believe, which seems like a missed opportunity to me.

As a result, some figures can appear quite small. This can lead to misreadings when, for instance, charging the bank itself; since it gives the battery percentage to two decimal places, 10% can look like 100% when you glance at it from afar.

It features one USB-C and one USB-A port, both located on the side. This might seem like a strange placement, but the Anker Laptop Power Bank has an ace up its sleeve – two, in fact.

This is because it comes with two inbuilt cables. One loops round into its own clip, creating a makeshift carrying handle (which Anker condones; it can withstand over 20,000 bends), while the other is retractable, with the jack end connecting magnetically to the base to keep it tucked away. This keeps cable clutter to a minimum, as well as saving you the trouble of bringing your own.

Both cables feel very durable and thick, as do the strain reliefs at the base of the jacks themselves. However, they’re flat and rectangular rather than round, which means that they tend to twist themselves when you go to use them, but I only found this to be a minor inconvenience.

The charging performance of the Anker Laptop Power Bank is good. All three USB-C outputs can deliver up to 100W, and Anker claims an M3 MacBook Pro or an iPhone 16 can charge to 50% in about half an hour each. While charging, the display also usefully tracks the output wattage in real time.

I managed to charge a Lenovo IdeaPad 4G in about two hours, which is an admirable performance. More impressively, though, the battery only dipped to about 50% – which means you might just be able to get two full charges out of it – and replenishing its battery from 0% to 100% took just 90 minutes.

The Anker Laptop Power Bank can also charge four devices simultaneously, with the power output dipping to a maximum of 130W. There’s also a trickle charging mode for devices that only need low currents, such as smartwatches and earbuds.

For $99 / £89, the Anker Laptop Power Bank represents good value, considering its power, versatility, and convenience. If you’re a power user who travels with large devices, you likely won’t be disappointed with the Anker Laptop Power Bank as your companion.

(Image credit: Future) Anker Laptop Power Bank review: price & specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Anker Laptop Power Bank? Buy it if…

You have large devices
All three of the Anker Laptop Power Bank's USB-C outputs can charge at 100W, which is more than enough for many modern laptops and tablets.

You're forgetful
The two integrated USB-C cables, one of which doubles as a carrying handle, are handy additions if you regularly forget to bring your own.

Don't buy it if…

You want something light
At over half a kilo, the Anker Laptop Power Bank isn't exactly light. The thickness means you probably can't carry it in your pocket either.

You're not a power user
The 165W output and 25,000mAh capacity are probably overkill if you're only ever going to charge your phone and other small devices.

Anker Laptop Power Bank: also consider

Anker Prime 27,650mAh Power Bank (250W)
As the best power bank for power users, the Anker Prime has the output and capacity for serious demands, eclipsing the Anker Laptop Power Bank on both fronts. It also features similarly detailed readouts. However, it has three outputs rather than four, it’s marginally heavier, and doesn’t have any inbuilt cables. But if power is your primary concern, you can’t do much better than the Prime.

Amazfit Up: One-minute review

The Amazfit Up earbuds feature an open-ear design, making them a great choice for those who want to stay aware of their surroundings while listening to music. This makes them particularly popular for fitness enthusiasts, outdoor runners, and anyone who struggles with traditional in-ear or over-ear designs.

But these earbuds take a different approach. While many of the best open-ear headphones rely on ear hooks that go over the top of your ear or neckbands for stability, the Amazfit Up earbuds "clip" onto the edge of the ear instead. This isn’t unique to Amazfit – other brands, most notably the Bose Ultra Open earbuds, have used a similar design, along with various budget-friendly alternatives.

However, the Amazfit Up buds could be a game-changer for those who find ear-hook designs uncomfortable, especially if you have thick hair or wear glasses (I’ve personally had trouble with them for both of these reasons).

Another key selling point is price. Amazfit, owned by Zepp Health, is known for its budget-friendly fitness smartwatches, like the Amazfit Bip 3 Pro, which we praised for covering the basics at an affordable price – though not without its drawbacks. The Amazfit Up follow a similar pattern.

Open-ear earbuds can be pricey, with brands like Shokz and Bose offering premium options that require a serious investment. And since open-ear listening isn’t for everyone, spending that much can feel like a gamble. The Amazfit Up buds offer a more affordable entry point, though, as with most budget-friendly devices, compromises are inevitable.

Read on to find out what I thought after three weeks of testing the Amazfit Up – and whether budget-friendly buds can deliver without cutting too many corners.

Amazfit Up: Price and release date

(Image credit: Future)

• Priced at $49.99 / £44.99
• Released in late 2024
• Cheap compared to rivals – but competition is mounting

The Amazfit Up earbuds launched in late 2024 with a price tag of $49.99 / £44.99. At the time of writing, there’s no official pricing or release date for Australia.

This price makes them an incredibly budget-friendly option – not just among open-ear designs but among wireless earbuds in general, even compared to those in our best budget wireless earbuds guide.

For context, our current top pick for open-ear earbuds, the Shokz OpenFit, cost $179.95 / £179.99 / AU$289, making them significantly more expensive. While the Shokz model does have a more premium build and better sound quality, fit is subjective. Personally, I found the Amazfit Up more comfortable for my ears, making them an outstanding value prospect.

Some other earbuds with a similar clip-on design – where the buds attach to the edge of the ear rather than sitting in, over, or around it – are priced much higher. The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, which we rated highly in our review, are often considered the gold standard for clip-on earbuds but come at a steep $299 / £299 / AU$449.95. The Huawei Free Clip, another alternative, is also pricier at $212.37 / £169.99.

That said, the market for affordable clip-on earbuds is growing. Models like the JLab Flex Open and Anker Soundcore C30i are priced similarly to the Amazfit Up, offering more competition in the budget open-ear space.

So while the Amazfit Up is a strong contender at this price point, it’s not the only budget-friendly option. However, considering what it offers, it stands out as a great value – though it’s worth keeping an eye on the increasing competition in this space.

Amazfit Up: Specifications Amazfit Up: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• A clip-on design
• Incredibly comfortable and light
• Exterior looks a little cheap

The Amazfit Up earbuds feature an open-ear design often described as “clip-on.” While this term is becoming more common, I find it a little misleading since there’s no clamping or tight pressure involved.

Each earbud consists of a main housing that sits behind your ear, connected by a small curved band to a spherical speaker that rests lightly in your ear’s concha, just above – but not touching – your ear canal. While this design isn’t unique, it’s a clever take on open-ear audio, allowing sound to play close to your ears while keeping your ear canals free for situational awareness.

Unlike many earbuds that create pressure points over time, these distribute their lightweight 5g-per-bud so evenly that I barely noticed them, even after hours of wear. In fact, they’re some of the lightest, most comfortable earbuds I’ve tested – and I’ve tested a lot. That’s rare for me to say, as I usually experience some level of discomfort with most headphones. After wearing these for a while, everything else felt heavy in comparison.

For me, this design wasn’t just more comfortable – it was also far more practical. The area behind my ear, where many other open-ear buds sit, is already occupied. If I’m not wearing contacts, my glasses rest there. I also have thick, long hair and often wear hats, especially when running. This is why ear-hook designs tend to get in the way for me, and why the Amazfit Up felt like such a great fit.

(Image credit: Future)

For everyday use, they were ideal for walking and light jogging. While I wouldn’t trust them for intense activities like sprinting or inversions during yoga, they stayed more secure than I expected during running, especially compared to ear-hook designs.

Visually, they’re… fine. The textured design isn’t particularly sleek or premium-looking. A friend pointed out that they resemble a 1990s Star Trek: The Next Generation gadget, and I can’t unsee it now – especially with the small red light and ridged details adding to the sci-fi aesthetic. That said, once they’re on, all you really see is the sleek black band, which I actually loved.

The earbuds are IPX4-rated, meaning they can withstand light splashes, sweat, and rain. That’s fine for casual workouts, but some fitness-focused earbuds offer better water resistance, so it’s something to consider if you plan to use them in tougher conditions.

The charging case is compact and functional, but feels a bit flimsy. While it does the job, it doesn’t seem particularly durable, so it’s worth handling with care.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Amazfit Up: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• Multi-point connectivity
• Connects with the Amazfit line of smartwatches
• 24 hours battery in total: 6 from the buds, 18 from the case

The Amazfit Up earbuds come with a decent range of features, though there are some gaps. One of the most notable omissions is the lack of an app, which is frustrating for those who like customization options. However, they do support voice assistants, including Zepp Flow and other phone-based assistants.

For controls, Amazfit has opted for actual buttons positioned behind the ear. I really appreciated this, especially for fitness use. A tactile button makes a huge difference – especially when your hands are sweaty, cold, or tired. These buttons allow you to adjust volume, play and pause music, skip tracks, answer or reject calls, and wake up your voice assistant. There are multiple input methods – single, double, and triple-taps, as well as a press-and-hold gesture. While the positioning behind the ear isn’t the most intuitive at first, I found the controls to be responsive once I got used to them.

One standout feature is multipoint connectivity, which is rare for budget buds and something even the Shokz OpenFit (our top open-ear pick) doesn’t offer. I connected the buds to two devices simultaneously, my Macbook Air and my iPhone, and the connection was seamless between them both.

Amazfit claims that the Up earbuds integrate well with Amazfit smartwatches, though I wasn’t able to test this firsthand. If you already own an Amazfit watch, this could be a nice bonus.

For calls and noise reduction, Amazfit advertises an “advanced AI algorithm” designed to reduce background noise, particularly wind. While I could still make calls outdoors, and they performed better than expected in windy conditions, the call quality was just okay – my voice sounded slightly muffled and distant according to the person I was calling. For casual use, they do the job, but if you rely on earbuds for frequent calls, you’ll likely want something with stronger microphone performance.

Battery life is decent but not outstanding. You get 6 hours per charge and a full 24 hours in total with the case too, which is lower than some competitors. For comparison, the Bose Ultra Open buds offer 7.5 hours per charge, while the Shokz OpenFit buds deliver 7 hours per charge and 28 hours total. So while the Amazfit Up holds its own, it’s not leading the pack.

• Features score: 3.5 / 5

Amazfit Up: Sound quality

(Image credit: Future)

• Decent clarity and crispness
• Volume and bass okay considering the design
• Only a little noise leakage

Open-ear earbuds aren’t designed for premium, immersive audio, especially at the budget end of the market. But I was pleasantly surprised by the way the Amazfit Up sounded – design and price considered.

Since they play audio just outside of your ear canal rather than sealing sound in, they naturally lack some punch, particularly in the bass. That said, there’s still enough low-end presence here to keep workouts energized, and I found the overall sound to be really enjoyable. Vocals come through well, instruments in the higher range are crisp, and the treble is clear – though occasionally a little on the sharp side. The soundstage has an expansive feel, making tracks sound open rather than compressed.

Compared to pricier alternatives like the Shokz OpenFit Air, the clarity isn’t quite as refined, but the difference isn’t huge, especially considering the price gap. Volume levels are decent here, though not the loudest. Then again, the whole point is you’re meant to be able to hear your surroundings, so what could be a negative with other designs is a plus here.

One thing I noticed was a slight vibration at times, which is common with this style of earbuds. Noise leakage is also expected, but in my testing, it was minimal. At about three feet away, people could detect a faint sound but couldn’t make out what was playing. Only those standing very close could actually hear the music, but even then, it wasn’t intrusive. So in the past, I wouldn’t have recommended this design to take from say a run to the office, but unless you’re used to strict silence, these can multi-task.

Ultimately, you’re not getting top-tier audio or ANC here, but that was never the point. Instead, for casual listening, workouts, and walks, the Amazfit Up buds deliver a surprisingly solid, well-balanced sound for the price.

• Sound quality: 3.5 / 5

Amazfit Up: value

(Image credit: Future)

• Excellent value for money
• Cheap compared to rivals – though there is competition
• A good way to try this design

The Amazfit Up earbuds offer excellent value for money, delivering a surprising combination of decent sound quality, excellent comfort, and good features at a budget-friendly price.

While open-ear designs typically come with compromises, the fit is a standout feature, making them far more comfortable – especially for those who struggle with ear-hook designs, many of which are significantly more expensive. They also seriously undercut premium clip-on competitors like the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds while still offering a solid listening experience.

That said, the market for affordable clip-on earbuds is growing, with brands like JLab and Anker offering similar designs at comparable prices. While competition is likely to increase, the Amazfit Up still holds its own as one of the best budget-friendly open-ear options we've tested. If you’re looking for an alternative to ear hooks without spending a fortune, they’re well worth considering.

• Value: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Amazfit Up? Buy them if…

You want open-ear earbuds but dislike ear hooks
A great alternative if the more common ear hook design don’t work for you. Ideal for those with long or thick hair or who wear glasses.

You have a clear reason for open-ear buds
If you dislike the feeling of blocked ears, need to stay aware of your surroundings, or worry about external noise, these are worth considering. Otherwise, there are better options.

You’re on a budget
They’re not the cheapest buds we’ve ever tested, but they’re significantly more affordable than most open-ear rivals – perfect if you’re unsure about this style and don’t want to risk it.

Don’t buy them if…

You need ultra-secure buds
They’re more secure than expected, but they don’t match the stability of sports earbuds with fins or more robust ear hooks.

You’re unsure about the style
They offer good situational awareness and decent sound, but their unique design won’t be for everyone.

You want a premium look, feel, and sound
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds may cost significantly more, but they offer better sound, a sleeker design, and an app for customization – something the Amazfit Up lacks entirely.

Amazfit Up: Also consider

Bose Ultra Open Earbuds
The Bose Ultra Open Earbuds are a good shout if you don’t have a budget to consider and you’re pretty convinced by the open ear form factor. They look sleek and deliver some excellent sound, all things considered. It does feel like a risk at this price though, so you’ve been warned.
Read our full Bose Ultra Open Earbuds review

Shokz OpenFit
If you like the idea of open-ear headphones but aren’t a fan of the clip-on style and want top-tier sound quality, the Shokz OpenFit are our top pick, featuring a comfortable ear-hook design. Alternatively, you might prefer the Shokz OpenFit Air, which we found to be even more comfortable during our testing due to their improved design.

Read our full Shoz OpenFit review

Sony LinkBuds Fit
If you’re here because you want sporty buds and don’t want to risk the design of these, then consider the Sony LinkBuds Fit. They sound good and are from a brand we trust to deliver, but we also recommend them as they’re incredibly comfortable – likely to appeal to those who haven’t liked in-ears in the past.

Read our full Sony LinkBuds Fit review

How I tested the Amazfit Up

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for three weeks
• Tested at home, in a cafe, at the gym and outside in all sorts of weather conditions

I used the Amazfit Up open ear buds for three weeks before writing this review, and that involved listening to music and watching streamed movies. This gave me a good opportunity to trial them in a range of different environments and all sorts of situations.

Throughout the testing period, I used the Amazfit Up alongside my iPhone 14 Pro via Bluetooth. Streaming was done via Spotify and Mubi.

I listened at home, whilst travelling on a train, working in a cafe, working out at the gym, running along the beach and in the countryside and walking outside in all sorts of weather conditions.

I've spent the past 12 years testing a wide range of headphones and earbuds, particularly those designed for fitness. I have a keen interest in tech that emphasizes comfort and user-friendly design.

• First reviewed in February 2025.

• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Roborock Saros 10R: two-minute review

The Roborock Saros 10R is one of Roborock's 2025 flagship models, and proof if we needed it that robot vacuum cleaner innovation is advancing at a truly blistering pace.

Yes, the Saros 10R is expensive ($1,599.99), but that's the price you'll pay for any premium robot vac, especially when it's from one of the best robot vacuum brands around; Roborock is well known for consistently pushing the envelope of robot vac design, innovation and reliability.

This new flagship model can be considered a direct successor to the popular S8 MaxV Ultra and is available in two variants, the Saros 10R I'm reviewing here, which is equipped with a new type of Solid-State LiDAR that doesn't require a turret, and the cheaper Saros 10 which uses a retractable turret.

All you really need to know is that the Saros 10R is squat enough to zip under furnishings just 8cm in height while sporting a gorgeous looking mirrored glass dock, oodles of suction power, revolutionary StarSight LiDAR navigation and mapping, plus a fully integrated mopping system with full self-cleaning facilities.

If you have a cluttered home with a complex layout, lots of furniture and a surfeit of messy kids and pets in tow, this is the model – this autonomous household helper does pretty much everything but make the tea. That's the short version; read on for my full Roborock Saros 10R review.

(Image credit: Future) Roborock Saros 10R review: price & availability

• List price: $1,599.99
• Launched: February 2025
• Available: US

Although robot vac prices have generally dropped in price while offering far more tech for your money, the very latest premium models will always cost in excess of a grand, at least for the first few months of their shelf lives. That's certainly true of the new Roborock Saros 10R which retails at an eye-watering $1,599.99.

Yes, there are other high-end bots out there that offer generally similar performance to the Saros 10R – the Dreame L40 Ultra for instance – but I haven't come across another model that does quite as much as this one, including its ability to negotiate the deeper recesses of the home.

The Saros 10R launched in February 2025 and is available in the US only. As of writing, it's not expected to make it to UK shores – it does, expect it to arrive around March 2025. Assuming it's roughly the same price in pounds as it is in dollars, it would be around £1,290.

If you live in the US, you can purchase the Saros 10R direct from Roborock, or via Amazon. Best Buy also sells Roborock robovacs, so it may also become available there.

• Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Roborock Saros 10R specs Roborock Saros 10R review: design

• Impressive vacuum and mopping features
• Extremely stylish mirrored dock
• Expert navigation, mapping and obstacle avoidance

Most robovacs these days are equipped with a LiDAR turret that protrudes about half-an-inch above the body of the bot. This not only makes the robot look a bit ugly but, more than that, it prevents the bot from passing under low-slung furniture like cabinets and some sofas and beds.

By stark contrast, this stunning, black-only hybrid model from Roborock eschews a turreted LiDAR in favour of a flush, newfangled solid-state LiDAR navigation system (as opposed to rotating LiDAR, where the laser beam rotated 360-degrees). This not only takes navigation performance to a whole new level, but also allows the robot to venture beneath furniture with just an 8cm gap to the floor.

In fact, at just 3.14" (7.98cm) in height, the Saros 10R is the first robot vacuum I've ever tested to make it under my TV cabinet with just one millimetre of clearance. What's more, having a robot vac with no LiDAR turret means no more issues of a spinning LiDAR module sticking on a loose strand of pet hair – it happens. And of course, it also gives the unit a much more sleek and stylish appearance.

Navigation features

Aside from raw suction power and overall cleaning performance, a robot vac is only as good as its navigation system. As alluded to above, the majority of modern robots use two-dimensional LDS (Laser Distance Sensor) LiDAR and it serves them well. However, Roborock has thrown that book out of the window and has equipped this model with StarSight Autonomous System 2.0, a Dual Transmitter Solid-State LiDAR system that offers '3D Time-of-Flight scanning of the home for expert navigation around and under low-lying furniture, and enhanced mapping by capturing detailed height and depth information'. I'll take that, whatever it means.

The Saros 10R also features front-mounted RGB and infrared cameras for high-resolution visual recognition, side-mounted VertiBeam Lateral Obstacle Avoidance for moving around irregular-shaped furniture, walls and unfurled cables, and a front-mounted LED headlight for improved navigation in dark spaces. There is also another infrared camera and transmitter on the rear, plus the usual array of downward-facing drop sensors to stop it from falling down a flight of stairs, no matter which way it's facing. (Here's more on how robot vacuums navigate.)

To give you some idea of how far ahead of the game this robot's LiDAR system is, Roborock says that its 3D StarSight LiDAR system produces over 21,600 sensor points as opposed to standard two-dimensional LDS LiDAR, which produces just one. Consequently, this potpourri of navigation systems makes the Saros 10R ideal for cluttered homes with irregular layouts, a surfeit of furnishings and a lot of obstructions like toys, shoes and other household items. As of writing, the Saros 10R's obstacle avoidance system can recognise up to 108 household objects.

Bot design

That's Roborock's pioneering navigation system out of the way, so let's take a look at the mechanical stuff starting with this model's suction power. According to Roborock, this model sports 20,000 Pascals of 'HyperForce' suction power and that's about as strong as it currently gets (the upcoming Eureka J15 Max Ultra will apparently offer 22,000Pa, but that's the highest we've seen). It means its suction will reach deep down into medium and deep-pile carpet, removing a lot of obstreperous dust particles in the process. This model also includes a feature called DirTec that automatically increases vacuum power whenever heavy soiling is detected.

I should point out that raw suction power alone isn't the be-all and end-all of a vacuum cleaner's performance, since much of the work is also performed by the brush roller. And I think Roborock has nailed it with its DuoDivide anti-tangle main brush – a rubber two-piece corkscrew design that shuffles pet hair towards the centre where it's instantly sucked into the robot's slightly larger-than-average 270ml internal bin. This brush head will also raise by a few centimeters when heading to and from the dock to avoid any unnecessary contact with the floor.

Along with the main brush bar, the Saros 10R is also fitted with an anti-tangle side sweeping brush that pops out of the side by a couple of inches so it can reach into corners and around furniture legs. This side brush also lifts when not required, like when on carpet.

(Image credit: Future)

Like the Roborock Qrevo Curv I reviewed a few weeks ago, the Saros 10R can negotiate thresholds, small steps and floor-mounted tubed furniture legs up to 0.39 inches (1cm) in height. However, the Qrevo Curv's chassis can raise much higher so consider that machine instead if you have tall thresholds.

I'm personally not a big fan of robot vacs that also wet mop the floor, but that seems to be the 'in' thing these days, especially when it comes to the mid-to-upper range of robot vacs. Sure enough, this one comes with a full bells-and-whistles mopping system.

Like most modern hybrid robot vacs, the Saros 10R uses twin spinning mop pads for cleaning hard floors and, like the Qrevo Curv and some Dreame bots, the right-hand side mop articulates outwards for edge cleaning along skirting boards and around furniture legs. Similarly, the mops lift by 10mm when traversing carpets. However, since the mops are attached magnetically, they can also be left in the dock whenever the robot is assigned to a vacuum-only task so that there is zero chance of a damp mop running over even the shaggiest of rugs and carpets.

You get three levels of water flow with this model's mopping system – low, medium and high – but I would suggest sticking to low if used on wooden flooring. Furthermore, I can't vouch for the safety of using this model – or any other hybrid bot for that matter – if your floors are made from delicate laminate since thin laminated flooring is easily warped if water seeps into the joins. (Here's more on how to clean hardwood floors.)

Like the vast majority of Roborock robot vacs, this one also offers its own built-in voice control, if that is your wont. What's more, the voice control continues to work even if your internet system is offline. Alternatively, you can program it to respond to Google Home and Amazon Alexa prompts. Likewise, the robot itself has a voice and it will often pipe up to let you know what it's doing before and after a task, including announcing when it's about to empty its bin into the dock's larger dust bag.

All robot vacs I've tested have either used Chinese or American-accented voices, which is fine. However, with this model – indeed all Roborock models – there's also the option to download British-accented voices (male or female) which makes ownership in the UK a little more personalized (if this model ever arrives in the UK…).

(Image credit: Future)

As if you haven't already absorbed enough details for one day, the Saros 10R also provides some cool tech for your pets. For instance, you can remotely drive the robot around like an RC car or select Pet Search and it will look for your dog, cat or gerbil and take a picture of it. You can also use its built-in microphone and speaker to chat with your furry friends, but I would practice this first while you're at home in case they freak out the first time you use it remotely.

Dock design

I recently wrote a feature on robot vac innovations I'd like to see and chief amongst these was a request for better looking robot docks that you wouldn't mind having in the sitting room if space elsewhere was limited. By bizarre coincidence, this model arrived a week later sporting a cleaning dock embellished with a tempered glass front fascia replete with a stunning black mirror finish that reflects its surroundings – especially wooden floors – so well that you hardly notice it sitting there. Thank you Roborock.

At 18.7" (47.5cm) in height, 15" (38cm) in width and 19" (48.8cm) in depth (if you include the ramp), the Saros 10R's charging and self-cleaning dock isn't especially small, so you will need to find an adequate spot to locate it with several inches of space on either side so the bot can dock without difficulty.

(Image credit: Future)

Like most modern hybrid robovacs, the Saros 10R's dock will automatically empty the contents of the robot's small 270ml bin into its much larger two-liter dust bag every vacuuming session and sometimes mid task if requested to do so in the app.

For the mopping system, it comes with two water containers – 3 liters for clean water and 3 litres for the dirty stuff – which you will have to attend to from time to time by simply emptying the dirty water into a sink or toilet and topping up the other tank with fresh water. This model also comes with a detergent dispenser that can be filled with your own choice of hard floor detergent, though Roborock, like any floor cleaning product manufacturer, will naturally advise against this so you're persuaded to buy their own brand.

(Image credit: Future)

There's no shortage of sci-fi tech in this dock when it comes to cleaning the mops. On returning to the dock after a mopping run, the dock's scrubbing mechanism washes both mops using hot water at a very effective 176F (80C). If its intelligent dirt detection system senses excessive dirt in its cleaning tray, it will rewash the mops to ensure near perfect cleanliness for the next session. It will then proceed to dry the mops using wafts of warm air at 131F (55C). When it's time for its next mopping mission, the dock will automatically fill the robot's small water reservoir with warm water for improved stain removal.

Some docks I've seen also come with a self-cleaning feature that injects water into the mop tray. However, in most instances you need to get down on your knees with a brush to help move the dirty water towards a suction tube. By contrast, the Saros 10R's self-cleaning system does it all for you by scrubbing the tray in hot 176F (80C) water before porting the dirty stuff up a small pipe positioned at the rear. To activate the self-cleaning function, simply go to Dock Settings in the Roborock app and select 'Self-Cleaning for Cleaning Tray'. I should add that it's worth checking the cleaning tray from time to time to remove any excessively large pieces of debris that are sometimes collected by the mops and the robot's brush rollers. The two-part tray is easily cleaned with a brush and some hot tap water.

If you have a smart modern kitchen and you like your appliances to be fully integrated, you can also request this model as a svelte plumbed-in version that automatically fills the fresh water tank while emptying the contents of the dirty water container into a drainage outlet.

• Design score: 5 out of 5

Roborock Saros 10R review: performance

• Industry-leading navigation
• Great vacuum performance
• Excellent dock functionality

There's a lot to get into on the performance front here, so I've broken this section up into sub-sections. I'll start with that pioneering navigation, then look at obstacle avoidance, vacuuming performance (including the results f our suction tests), mopping performance, and finally dock performance.

Navigation performance

As mentioned above, the Roborock Saros 10R uses StarSight to navigate, an innovative system comprising a turret-free LiDAR, front-facing RGB and infrared cameras, and all sorts of other sensors to help it maneuver through even the most complex of floorspace layouts.

I've had it running for the past few weeks and at no point has it failed to find its dock or simply stopped mid-task for no reason. Mind, that's been the case with most Roborock models I've reviewed. Its mapping is exemplary and you can watch it all unfold in real time on the app's map screen.

Like a whirling dervish, it trundles off on its mapping run – an advised process when using it for the first time – and completes the task with impressive speed. In fact it took just five minutes for it to map my open-plan living space comprising five different areas. Yes, it merged two areas together as one room but even that was easy to rectify, simply by going into the app and dividing them into two separate rooms.

One of the most common anomalies with LiDAR-equipped robot vacs is their refusal to punch through a bed or sofa valance. This is because LiDAR treats a fabric valance as a solid boundary. Well I'm pleased to say that the Saros 10R is the first LiDAR-equipped robot vac I've ever tested that's capable of penetrating the valance on my lounge sofa.

Rather confusingly, it doesn't do it every time it's vacuuming the lounge so perhaps it's something to do with its angle of approach at the time. That's the thing with robots; they sometimes behave in mysterious ways. Either way, I'm very happy with this discovery.

(Image credit: Future)

I also tried to replicate a threshold using books but the Saros 10R isn't designed for anything much higher than 0.39 inches (10mm). Unlike the Roborock Qrevo Curv, which scaled the same book experiment like an off-road tank, the Saros 10R made an attempt to ride over the books but then thought better of it and retreated. Hence, if you have tall thresholds up to 1.5" (4cm) in height, Roborock's Qrevo Curv model would be a better bet.

Obstacle avoidance

Most robot vacs I've tested haven't been that great at small obstacle avoidance, especially when the objects have been less than an inch and a half in height. Sure enough, the Saros 10R at first refused to recognize one specific obstacle – a one inch-high nylon dog bone that's been too low in height for most robot vac's cameras and obstacle sensors to detect. Like the majority of bots, it basically rode over the bone and then struggled to extricate itself by moving hither and thither while one of its wheels raised the whole unit up in the air at a cock-eyed angle.

(Image credit: Future)

I checked the Roborock app to see if I'd missed a setting and, lo and behold, I discovered that I hadn't activated the 'Pet' option that 'recognizes and avoids pets and their waste with precision'. I remember seeing this option when I first set it all up but the 'avoids pets' explanation sounded unnecessary to me, since most pets are larger in size than any small obstacle. So I originally left the option off. In hindsight, I think this function in the app needs to be amended to just say 'avoids pet waste' to circumvent any confusion, because once I'd activated it the Saros 10R became a different beast altogether.

(Image credit: Future)

In fact, it consistently avoided said bone every time I dropped it in its path. Sometimes it would avoid it by about six inches and other times come perilously close but deftly work its way around it. I should add, however, that it may not clean as closely to the object when the pet option is selected. Swings and roundabouts spring to mind. Would I rely on this model to reliably avoid all pet waste all the time? No way, José. I've been down that road already and don't wish to go there again.

Vacuum performance

The Saros 10R vacuums like a trooper and comes with five power bands – from Quiet to Max+. I have my test model set between Max and Max+ since I see no reason to select anything less, given that the bot has enough battery to complete an entire sweep of my home in either of these modes. And besides, even if it were to run out of juice it will simply return for a full recharge – which takes about two and a half hours – before heading out again to complete the task.

Unlike non-LiDAR robots like those from iRobot, this model vacuums in a systematic pattern that makes a lot of sense, especially when you're watching it work. I also like the way the side brush pops out of the casing whenever the robot approaches a corner. It does a fine job of flinging debris into the path of the roller brush. This brush also lifts off the ground when the robot is vacuuming rugs.

Aside from its generally excellent suction performance, a quick shout out to the developers for coming up with such an effective two-piece corkscrew-shaped brush roller because at no time has any pet tangled on it. Instead, any hair is cleverly coaxed towards a centre gap between the rollers and into the mouth of the suction area. In this regard, I can wholeheartedly recommend this model as one of the best robot vacuums for collecting pet hair.

For my hard floor vacuum test I scattered raw oats, flour and half a crushed Hobnob biscuit and set it to clean a small zone in the kitchen using the Max setting and two passes for good measure. As expected, the robot disengaged its mops in the dock and headed straight to the specific area I drew on the map. It duly sucked up all the larger pieces of detritus but did leave traces of flour in the floor seams.

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(Image credit: Future)

So I reprogrammed the test, this time using Max+ mode and it collected a bit more flour than before but still left some evidence in the cracks. I personally don't consider this a fail because no robot I've tested has ever completely removed flour from the joins in my wooden flooring. And anyway, in the real world one wouldn't rely on a robot vac to perform a one-off sweep of a specific area when you should, by rights, have a cordless stick vac to hand.

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Test two involved the same ingredients on the medium pile rug I have in front of the dogs' beds, with the Saros 10R set to Max+ mode and two passes. Aside from some light evidence of flour on the rug that was easily finished off by the Dreame R20 stick vac I recently reviewed, I still rate this test a success. I was especially impressed with the way it moved both vertically and laterally across the rug to ensure full coverage.

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(Image credit: Future) Mopping performance

As I've mentioned above, I'm not a fan of mopping robots, mostly because I'm lucky enough to have a cordless wet-and-dry hard floor cleaner which I find is more than enough for occasional mopping duties. Nevertheless, the industry seems to have decided that mopping is what people want so, along with observing its bi-weekly mopping runs, I also put this model through a specific mopping test in the kitchen.

Using a hotchpotch of wet ingredients – soy sauce, syrup and a teaspoon of milk – and a pre-set zone routine in the app using the low water setting, the Saros 10R's dock filled the unit's small onboard water container with a mix of warm water and detergent, and primed its two spinning mops. It then trundled off to its predetermined zone.

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(Image credit: Future)

Well blow me down with a feather if it didn't clear the floor of all evidence in a single sweep. This really impressed me because I at least expected to see a smear of syrup. That's a fine result in my book.

Dock performance

I've only had one minor issue with the dock and it occurred directly after a family Christmas with five dogs and three cats in attendance. Once everyone had gone home, I unboxed the Saros 10R and set it to work in the lounge. This room hadn't been swept for three days and the Christmas tree had dropped a lot of pine needles.

Cutting to the chase, the unit duly swept up as well as anyone could reasonably expect from a high-performance model of this nature but when it proceeded to dump the contents of the robot's bin into the dock's large 2-litre dust bag, the hair clogged up the works. A quick check of the robot's bin showed an enormous conglomeration of pet hair and pine needles protruding from the bin's outlet port and another clump that had blocked the inlet tube leading to the dock's dust bag.

I should add that every robot I've tested has had at least one issue like this – and even my Dyson Gen5detect has jammed up from time to time – so I put it down to rare circumstances and a combination of matted pet hair and pine needles. I'm personally not sure if the Saros 10R's dock suction is as strong as the Qrevo Curv's because it sounds quieter, which is a good thing. Nevertheless, I'm very pleased to report that the dock has experienced no further problems during the past four weeks I've been using it.

(Image credit: Future)

In terms of self cleaning the mops, it did them well enough in my opinion given the amount of muck on the floor. However, I would always advise removing them and giving them a good scrub under a hot tap with some washing-up liquid for good measure. By the way, I especially liked the way the dock cleaned the mops' tray using water and a revolving mechanism to sweep the dirty stuff towards a small rubber suction tube.

(Image credit: Future)

Although Roborock advertises up to seven week's worth of floor matter collection before its dust bag requires binning, I am having to change the bag every three weeks – but then I do have a large menagerie of furry creatures. Hence, I'd like to see some bigger dust bags going forward.

In conclusion, I have been really impressed with this robot vac's overall performance and I find it hard to give it anything less than five stars in this category. It's just so reliable and efficient at the tasks it was designed to do.

• Performance score: 5 out of 5

Roborock Saros 10R review: app

• User friendly
• Superb customization
• Impeccably clear maps

Judging by the Reddit forums, I'm not the only one to think that the Roborock app is the best on the market. This app is just so customizable, intuitive and informative to use. Firstly, it produces a highly detailed map of the home with evidence of every nook and cranny. And you can edit the map to your heart's content, whether that's dividing or merging rooms, or adding keep out zones and virtual barriers. Aside from being able to create an endless range of timed schedules, you can also assign specific zones you want cleaned on a frequent basis, and save them as routines that appear on the home screen for convenience.

(Image credit: Future)

The app also offers something called SmartPlan as an option when cleaning. This feature supposedly weighs up the tasks it's previously performed and adjusts its cleaning method accordingly. Hence, if, say, the robot mopped the kitchen yesterday it might avoid doing it today. I personally leave it off since I don't want it doing anything I don't want it to do.

This app also features a full smorgasbord of custom features, including settings for floor cleaning, the dock, the robot's reactive obstacle avoidance, maintenance, remote viewing, robot settings, the list goes on. Furthermore, each menu you select brings up a range of individual tweaks with explanations that you could spend many happy hours fiddling with.

• App score: 5 out of 5

Should you buy the Roborock Saros 10R? Buy it if...

You want unbridled efficiency

This bot performs all tasks with consummate skill.

You want hands-free operation

The Saros 10R's self-cleaning features are a key selling point – the dock will not only empty the dust cup and wash and dry the mop pads, but clean itself too.

You need versatility

This bot is designed for complex environments – layouts with a mix of floor types and lots of obstacles.

Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget

The Saros 10R is expensive with a capital E. And while the premium features and tech help justify that asking price, if you don't need the very latest tech then there are plenty of options that'll do a very good cleaning job for a lower price.

You have very tall room thresholds

While the Saros 10R is pretty good at getting over raised thresholds, it's not as good as the Roborock Qrevo Curv.

You don't require a mopping function

Mopping (and the related mop dock functions) bump up the cost of this model considerably, so if you're not fussed about that then look for a vacuum-only model and save some cash.

How I tested the Roborock Saros 10R

I received my test model of the Saros 10R just before Christmas and set it up before the New Year 2025. For the following month I ran different daily schedules in both vacuum and mopping modes. It has been one of those robot vacs that just gets on with the job without making a song and dance about it.

However, for purposes of this review, I also put it through three specific TechRadar tests involving both vacuuming and mopping just to make sure it was as efficient as it seemed. As you will have read, it sailed through everything without any major hiccups. I should add, however, that that was the least I expected from a brand which has a reputation for producing great gear that just works.

Read more about how we test robot vacuum cleaners.

• First reviewed February 2025

LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 4TB: 30-second review Specs

Capacity: 2, 4TB
Transfer rate - Read: 6,700 MB/s
Transfer rate - write: 5,300 MB/s
Dimensions - 17× 65 x 98 mm
Weight - 150g
Rating - IP68

The LaCie Rugged drives have been the go-to for creatives for the past two decades and have often led the field when it comes to adopting the latest technologies. While the performance of the Rugged drives has lent itself to use by the creative sector, especially videographers, it's the design that has really made them stand out. I use the older iteration of the Rugged drive, in its unmissable bright orange rubber shell, on most shoots—they offer large capacities, they're easy to locate at dusk as well as in the bottom of a bag due to the contrasting colour, and best of all they'll survive a knock or two.

Ranked as some of the best rugged hard drives, the only issue I've had with them in recent years is that while the capacities have increased—I stack up the 5TB versions to cope with 4K RAW video files—the speeds haven't generally kept pace with the latest SSDs, even the excellent LaCie Rugged SSD. The existing SSD version is USB 3.2 Gen 2 and only offers 10Gbps, whereas now there's a true ultrafast option with this Pro5 and its native Thunderbolt 5.

Removing the Rugged SSD Pro5 from the box, and like the Rugged SSD, it takes the small form factor that has been made possible by the new storage technology, although this time it's blue rather than orange.

Aesthetics and design aside, I preferred the orange for use out on site, and while the blue looks great and aligns with the original LaCie brand colours, I'm not so keen—I'll go into why in the performance section, along with the IP68 certification, which I have to say is a great upgrade.

In use, the performance of the drive instantly impressed, and while I wasn't able to test the full Thunderbolt 5 speed, the transfer rates still surpassed most other drives I've tested.

The choice of Thunderbolt 5 has wide backward compatibility and will work with USB Type-C and Thunderbolt ports, in each case enabling the speeds that you need for use as a scratch disc for video editing and, therefore, anything else.

While I have reservations about the colour choice, there's no doubting the build quality—this is a drive that will stand up to far more than most, including being dropped into water or run over by a Ford Transit Custom. And then there's the speed. The speed of the transfer and the compact size make this a great choice for any creative looking for one of the best portable SSDs around; however, while you can see the influence of the iconic design, a little more of an evolution of the design would have been welcome.

LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 4TB: Price & availability

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 is widely available and can be purchased from most photographic, video, and electronics retailers, including Adorama, CVP, and B&H Photo, as well as directly from LaCie.

• Score: 4/5

LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 4TB: Design & build

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 is the latest iteration of the iconic portable hard drive and one that has been the go-to for creatives for the past 20 years. I have old LaCie Rugged drives that I've used over the years and had chosen for three distinct characteristics.

Firstly, the speed and capacity of the internal drives made them ideal for video and photographic work. Secondly, they're tough, with that rubberised outer offering plenty of protection. And finally, the colour made them easy to locate when working out in the field. There's no missing a bright orange hard drive when you pack up.

This latest iteration takes that design, if not the colour, and, like the small SSD version, downsizes the drive to 17 x 65 x 98 mm with a weight of 150 g, so it's extremely small and light. It keeps much of the aesthetics, so there's no mistaking the make or model of the drive from a glance. The only thing is, as mentioned, it's now blue rather than the iconic orange.

The design of the drive is simple, with just the single Thunderbolt 5 port on the side, which, like the SSD version, is placed on the long side of the drive rather than at the end.

The update to Thunderbolt 5 is welcome, as the SSD version for Mac compatibility remained at USB 3.2 Gen 2, which limited speeds to 10Gbps. While fast, this is starting to be challenged by the latest 4K and 8K video file formats. This new version will handle these large video data files without issue.

The other major point about the build, aside from the high quality, is the fact that this drive is now IP68, up from IP67 on the previous version. This essentially means that you can drop it into water up to 1.5 m in depth, and it will survive for up to 30 minutes. This is a big upgrade over the SSD version, which you could only submerge briefly. It will also withstand 3m drops and up to two tonnes of pressure, again reinforcing the build quality and its suitability to be a go-to for creatives.

• Design & build: 4.5/5

LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 4TB: Features

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

When it comes to the features, the small SSD keeps things simple, with the headline being the ultra-fast transfer rates provided by the Thunderbolt connection. This connection type, when connected to a machine that supports Thunderbolt 5, will achieve read speeds of up to 6,700 MB/s and write speeds of up to 5,300 MB/s with a 50GB cache. To achieve these speeds, you'll need one of the latest Apple Mac machines, and at present, the availability of Thunderbolt 5 on PCs is almost non-existent.

This makes it an ideal option for videography as a scratch disc, meaning that after the cache, the performance will still enable up to 5,000 MB/s read and 1,800 MB/s write. The fact that it's available in both 2TB and 4TB versions also gives you plenty of flexibility and budget choices, and considering the capacity and speed, it's actually not that expensive.

At present, it's only the latest Mac computers that offer the full Thunderbolt 5 speeds, making it an ideal partner for anyone needing to edit 6K and 8K video. While these speeds are nice to have, outside of video editing, these transfer rates will be far in excess of the needs of most users.

One of the features that really interests me is the IP68 rating and resistance to water, dust, drops of up to 3 m, and 2-tonne pressure. While I never intend to drop a hard drive into a puddle, run over it in a car, or drop it from a height, these are all possible outcomes when you work in the field—so knowing that it can take this abuse in its stride is reassuring.

One other point about the build is that the Rugged SSD Pro5 is built with at least 45% recycled materials, giving the drive a small environmental tick when it comes to sustainability.

As with all LaCie drives, the new Rugged Pro5 comes with a 5-year limited warranty, Rescue Data Recovery Services, and Toolkit backup software, all of which I have found very useful in the past, especially the data recovery.

• Features: 4/5

LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 4TB: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings) Benchmarks

These tests were carried out on a MacBook Pro M1 Max with Thunderbolt 4

Blackmagic Disk Speed Test read: 3518.7MB/s
Blackmagic Disk Speed Test write: 2968.1MB/s
AmorphousDiskMark Read: 3451.97MB/s
AmorphousDiskMark Write: 1795.47MB/s
AJA System Test Lite Read: 3024MB/s
AJA System Test Lite Write: 2015MB/s
ATTO Disk Benchmark Read: 3280MB/s
ATTO Disk Benchmark Write: 2830MB/s

Opening the box, the small drive is very reminiscent of the SSD version, the main difference being that the new drive is blue rather than orange. The difference in colour is a nice touch, although I do wish they had also launched an orange version. The orange is far more than an aesthetic choice—for the same reason that the insides of camera bags are often bright yellow, red, or grey, those colours are chosen to create contrast with kit so you can find things when Light is low.

Still, against the inside of the Vanguard and Manfrotto bags, the new blue drive contrasts well, although, at this size, it's now better practice to pop the drive into one of the small zipped inner pockets rather than leaving it loose inside the bag. I would also have liked to see a lanyard loop for a drive of this size just to secure it, as this is now a common feature elsewhere with drives of this type.

Another feature, and an issue that is universal with the new wave of tough drives, is that there's nowhere to stick a label. The rubber outer skin of this and other drives just doesn't allow labels to adhere with ease, and when you're dealing with a stack of these, some indicator is always useful. If LaCie included a 3M sticker or similar for that top section, it would definitely be welcome, and a flush rather than raised logo on this surface would enable the label to lay flat rather than have a bump in the middle. On the back, however, there is a nice flat section with the info label, making it a perfect surface to attach Velcro to secure it to the back of a laptop or other device.

The new smaller size of the drive, made possible by the small form factor of SSD technology, definitely makes this a huge upgrade in performance and usability over the previous generation.

When it comes to performance, there is little to fault. Used as a scratch disk for Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro X, the drive works seamlessly and at the same pace as the internal MacBook Pro M1 Max SSD when under load. Any worries about thermal throttling performance when editing RAW Light were quickly dismissed, and a 15-minute edit using 4K and some 8K footage from the Canon EOS R5 C showed the drive's potential, with the limitations coming from the MacBook Pro rather than the drive itself.

As the results from the benchmarking test highlight, the speed and ability of this drive as an external entity is one of the fastest available and the first to utilise the Thunderbolt 5 interface.

• Performance: 5/5

Should you buy the LaCie Rugged SSD Pro5 4TB?

As an all-around portable SSD, its small size and variety of capacity options make this a discreet and easy choice. The minimal size and weight will appeal broadly, as it takes up very little room in the pocket of a jacket or bag, making it an ideal partner for imaging professionals.

The cable's weight influences its position on a desktop, but with a little Velcro, this drive can be perfectly attached to the back of a monitor. This feature is particularly beneficial for those on the move, working in various locations like trains, coffee shops, or hotdesking around an office, as it ensures the safety of the driver's connection during movement.

Although small pen drives with large capacity options are available, this dedicated drive offers sustained performance, making it an ideal choice for activities that require fast transfer speeds and reliable access to data. It is particularly suited for those in the video sector who demand reliable file access and need storage that is safe, secure, and lightweight enough to be easily transported in a busy environment without excessive concern about cables disconnecting.

iPhone 15 Pro and Max users will also benefit from the connection to greater storage when shooting video in the Apple ProRes format. This is a superb, slightly unique feature. There's the issue of how to attach the drive comfortably, but ultimately, it pushes the function and features of the iPhone 15 Pro even further. In real terms, the video that you can store on an iPhone with around 70GB of storage goes from 18 minutes to 1,183 minutes with the 2TB drive attached.

Overall, considering the capacity, size, and speed, this is an outstanding SSD that will suit many uses but will find particular appeal with photographers and videographers.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings) Buy it if...

You need data transfer speeds.

The Thunderbolt 5 interface ensures ultra-fast data transfer rates along with excellent backward compatibility.

You need durability

Few other portable SSDs are as rugged and durable as this compact option.

Don't buy it if...

You just need storage.

While this drive will supply you with plenty of storage, if you don't need the speed on offer here, then there are cheaper options.

You work in an office.

Even if you're video editing in a studio, there are desktop drives that will match this performance for the price. You'll pay a premium for the rugged design that you may not need.

For more durable devices, we've tested out a range of options including the best rugged tablet, the best rugged laptops, and best rugged phones.

Razer Barracuda X Chroma: two-minute review

The Razer Barracuda X Chroma is a wireless gaming headset that sits towards the budget end of the brand’s lineup, offering plenty of features in a more affordable package.

It adopts a rather conservative design, with its gaming stylings confined to the RGB lighting on the sides of each driver. The matte finish and elegant form help make this a smart-looking headset.

The fit and comfort levels are up there with the best wireless gaming headsets around. Even glasses wearers should find there’s enough clearance and cushioning to accommodate the arms of their frames comfortably.

The headband is wonderfully plush too, and the relative lightness of the overall headset means it remains comfortable over long sessions. The earpads aren’t the most cushioned, however, which did result in the insides of the drivers making contact with my ears, but not enough to cause an issue like other gaming headsets.

In addition to some useful on-board functionality courtesy of the buttons on the left driver, you can make further tweaks using Synapse, Razer’s peripheral software. These include altering EQ profiles via numerous draggable points across the frequency spectrum, as well as advanced customization options for the lighting via the Razer Chroma add-on. However, it’s inconvenient that this latter feature opens in a separate app window, rather than being contained within Synapse.

You’ll also get access to the Surround Sound 7.1 feature with your purchase of the Barracuda X Chroma, but this also requires a separate app, rather than being a Synapse module.

The Barracuda X Chroma offers a balanced and clear sound. The various preset sound profiles can be hit and miss, with music mode being the best in my opinion, as it rounds out the bass nicely. Oddly enough, while the Surround Sound 7.1 capability does impart a subtle sense of directionality, the overriding impression I got from it was an increased fullness and punchiness – but at the expense of adding an unwanted airiness to the higher frequencies.

The various connectivity modes on the Barracuda X Chroma work well, with Bluetooth and the HyperSpeed dongle functioning as intended. Using the SmartSwitch button to hot-swap between the two modes is quick and easy too, although there were some occasions when it wasn’t quite so sharp.

The battery life is also good, with the 70-hour claim appearing to hold water during my tests, as it didn’t even deplete halfway after several days of varied use. Charging it from about half to full took just under two and a half hours, which is a middling performance.

All things considered, however, the Barracuda X Chroma represents better value than some of Razer’s more expensive gaming headsets, such as the Kraken V4, offering much the same features and performance but for less. I also found it more comfortable than the Kraken.

If you’re after a headset with superior sound, though, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is a better choice, and if you want to stick to the budget end of the market – and don’t mind missing out on wireless connectivity – you can’t do much better than the Epos H3.

(Image credit: Future) Razer Barracuda X Chroma review: price and availability

• $129.99 / £129.99 / AU$229.95
• Available now in black and white
• Well-priced and good value

The Razer Barracuda X Chroma costs $129.99 / £129.99 / AU$229.95 and is available now in two colorways: black and white. With a purchase of the headset, you’ll also get access to the Surround Sound 7.1 app, which is usually a paid-for addition.

At this price, it sits well within the gaming headset market. It’s cheaper than the Razer Kraken V4, and yet it performs just as well according to my tests, with similar sound quality – yet the Barracuda X Chroma has better comfort levels. It also has a claimed battery life of up to 70 hours, whereas the Kraken can only manage 50 hours. However, the Kraken does feature a retractable mic, whereas the mic on the Barracuda X Chroma is only removable.

If you’re after a headset with better sound quality, then the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, the best PC gaming headset around in our view, may be a better option. It also has some useful features, such as ANC. However, it’s considerably more expensive than the Barracuda X Chroma. If you want something a lot cheaper but still worthy, the Epos H3 is the best gaming headset in this regard, although you’ll have to make do with a wired connection.

Razer Barracuda X Chroma review: specs

(Image credit: Future) Razer Barracuda X Chroma review: design and features

• Restrained looks
• Comfortable
• Volume wheel a little prone to misscrolls

The Barracuda X Chroma looks smart and rather understated for a gaming headset, with the RGB lighting on the sides of each driver being the only indicator in this regard. The smooth, matt finish adds a dash of elegance too. The whole headset is quite wide, but I wouldn’t describe it as bulky.

It’s also one of the most comfortable gaming headsets I’ve tried. The light weight means it’s hardly felt on the head, and the fit is snug but not too tight. The earcup padding isn’t the most plush, however, and I did feel the inside of the drivers making slight contact with my ears, but thankfully the pressure wasn’t great enough to cause aches, as I’ve experienced with other headsets. I also prefer their oval shape over circular designs, as they fit my ears completely without protruding behind me too much.

However, it has the same design flaw that I noted with the Kraken V4: namely that the volume wheel on the left driver has a tendency to spin unintentionally when leaning back in a chair or sofa, such is the ease with which it scrolls. It’s a small gripe, but one that may become irritating for those who like to lounge away when gaming.

The headband is more cushioned than the earcups, and I hardly felt it across my head. The headband adjustments are also easy to make while remaining secure. In fact, the entire headset is engineered to the high standards typical of Razer’s peripherals.

(Image credit: Future)

The mic on the Barracuda X Chroma is detachable, but since it employs a gooseneck design, it can be moved in and out of position with ease. It also feels durable, and the cloth tip is reasonably thick, so I don’t have many concerns about it deteriorating quickly.

There are various buttons adorning the left driver, including a power button that can also be used to perform various call and media-related functions, which is quite useful. There’s also a mic mute button and a SmartSwitch button, which quickly switches between Bluetooth and HyperSpeed Wireless modes, provided both are already connected to your devices.

The Barracuda X Chroma can be tweaked using Synapse, Razer’s peripheral software. Here you’ll find various settings for the sound, including an EQ graph where you can boost and cut numerous frequency bands, allowing for a lot more control than many other headsets offer. You can alter the existing sound profiles, or create a custom one. Synapse itself is well laid out and relatively stable, and I had hardly any issue with it, aside from the occasional slow-down.

As the Barracuda X Chroma name suggests, you can also customize the RGB lighting using the Razer Chroma add-on. This offers plenty of options to sink your teeth into, including audio-responsive effects and synchronization with other compatible peripherals. There’s also a Studio section where you can create layers of effects and segment the light bars with different colors, which is far more detailed than most.

It’s inconvenient, however, that Chroma isn’t integrated within Synapse; instead, it’s a separate app, which can be a hassle when hot-switching between windows.

(Image credit: Future) Razer Barracuda X Chroma review: Performance

• Good audio quality for gaming
• Surround sound adds fullness
• Long battery life

The sound of the Barracuda X Chroma is well-balanced, although the low-end lacks the same level of depth as some of the best headphones out there. As I found with Razer’s other headsets, the best preset profile for most situations is Music, as it offers the best all-round frequency response, whereas the others tend to cut the lows and mids too much.

With your purchase of the Barracuda X Chroma you’ll also get access to the Surround Sound 7.1 feature, which is usually paywalled. Like Chroma, this opens in another app window, adding to the inconvenience. The Surround Sound 7.1 effect is reasonably subtle but does give a better sense of where sound is coming from in-game. It also provides a noticeably fuller sound, with greater presence and low-end, but at the cost of making the upper mids and highs more airy, with a faint drone in these registers. This can be a little off-putting but not egregious enough to ruin the experience entirely.

Both wireless modes work well, with the HyperSpeed dongle – true to its name – offering slightly better response times, although there isn’t much in it. The sound quality appears much the same too.

The SmartSwitch feature also works well enough, moving quickly between devices connected via Bluetooth and HyperSpeed Wireless. It also connects easily to various devices besides PC: it’s as convenient as the best PS5 headsets to use with Sony’s console, while both Bluetooth and HyperSpeed modes work seamlessly with the Nintendo Switch, with a slight improvement in sound quality and lag when using the latter method.

The HyperClear cardioid microphone on the Barracuda X Chroma provides sufficient clarity, but it’s not quite as pristine as that on the Kraken V4, as it introduces more sibilance and muffling. But for gaming, it’s still perfectly usable.

The claimed battery life of the Barracuda X Chroma of up to 70 hours seems to ring true according to my tests. After several days of varied use between Bluetooth and HyperSpeed modes, it only depleted to 54%. Charging the headset took just under two and a half hours from this point, which isn’t spectacular but not terrible.

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Razer Barracuda X Chroma? Buy it if...

You want features
From the multiple connectivity options to the in-depth software and included Surround Sound 7.1 app, Razer has been rather generous with the extras.

You want comfort
Thanks to the oval drivers, plush headband, and overall lightness of the Barracuda X Chroma, many gamers should find these comfortable to wear – even the bespectacled.

Don't buy it if...

You want the best sound
Although it suffices for gaming, the audio quality isn’t the best for serious music listening, and the various modes can compromise the fidelity even more.

You want the best convenience
It’s not always plug-and-play with the Barracuda X Chroma, and the various apps for the settings can complicate matters.

Razer Barracuda X Chroma review: Also consider

Epos H3
If you’re on a budget, then the Epos H3 is hard to beat, as we think it’s one of the best wired gaming headsets for those looking to save. It offers superb sound, even when listening to music, as well as great comfort levels. It can be found for a mere fraction of its original price too, making it even better value. A wireless version is available in the form of the Epos H3Pro Hybrid, but naturally, this costs more.

Read our full Epos H3 review

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro
The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro is the best PC gaming headset overall in our view, thanks to the brilliant sound, comfort levels, and battery life. It also has ANC, but we didn’t think this was its strongest suit. You’ll also have to pay considerably more for it than the Barracuda X Chroma, but in the areas where it excels, it’s pretty much unbeatable.

Read our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro review

How I tested the Razer Barracuda X Chroma

• Tested for several days
• Used on multiple platforms
• Extensive gaming and headset experience

I tested the Razer Barracuda X Chroma for several days, during which time I used it while playing gamines, listening to music, watching video content, and attending virtual meetings. I made use of as many of its features and functions as possible, including the Surround Sound 7.1, Chroma, and Synapse apps.

I used the headset on a variety of devices, including PC, PS5, and Nintendo Switch, and played various titles ranging from Counter-Strike 2 to The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. I connected to these platforms via Bluetooth and the HyperSpeed Wireless Dongle where I could.

I have been gaming for over 25 years, and during that time I have experienced a number of headsets and headphones, from over-ear to in-ear. I have also reviewed a myriad of gaming headsets, including other offerings from Razer: namely the Kraken V4 and the Hammerhead Pro HyperSpeed.

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

Flashback ONE35: two-minute review

For the terminally—unfortunately—online, the ONE35 Camera's promise is an alluring one: a digital version of the disposable camera, offering the same sort of tech you would have got in the 90s with photos that feel like they were shot on film.

That means no screens, a xenon flash and no controls barring a pleasingly tactile winding wheel and a toggle to turn the flash on. It's a similar concept to the Camp Snap Camera, only Flashback goes one step further – it limits you to the number of photos much like a roll of film, and you have to 'send the photos' off to be developed one the roll is done.

That's right, when you've loaded in one of the three different types of film from the Flashback app, you've only got 27 snaps before you have to send the photos off to be developed, with a 24 hour wait time before you can see them.

This concept enough to give the Flashback ONE35 an incredibly successful Kickstarter campaign. I caught wind of it late last year and as someone who has been toting an Instax Wide around for every big social event for the last decade, I was tempted by a camera I could keep in my pocket that would still let me snap photos but wouldn't let me see them all at once.

(Image credit: Jake Tucker)

I'm old enough to remember taking disposable cameras out with me the first time around, and the illusion here is strong. The ONE35 looks like a cheap plastic camera but the construction is durable and sturdy and the camera is turned on by turning the clicky winder. The flash is bright and powerful: enough that the entire New Year's Eve party I was at turned to look at me after each photo.

The only part of the camera's design that gives me pause is the toggle for that flash, located on the front of the camera. This doesn't lock securely and there's no way to know whether the flash is engaged or not, and it's given me a scare a few times because the flash button has been slightly knocked off so it doesn't fire. This often means a ruined photo if it's not perfectly lit because you'll want that xenon flash on for pretty much every scenario except bright sunlight.

The ONE35's commitment to 90s film photography is awful low-light performance. Considering the point of the ONE35 is that I can spend less time thinking about the photos that I'm taking and more time enjoying the circumstances in which I'm snapping them, it's a little annoying when a photo doesn't work due to that misaligned flash toggle.

(Image credit: Jake Tucker)

There are some other quirks too: I'm fairly certain that the ONE35's viewfinder is out of focus, with images looking slightly blurry whenever I look through it, and when I hold the camera using its grip, my fingers end up popping up in the corner of photos. Neither of these are big issues though, just some things that you'll have to acclimatize to using the camera.

It's worth persevering though, because the images look great. You have three different films to choose between, but they all have that same disposable camera feel. Your choices are Flashback Classic, Flashback Mono and Flashback Beta.

Classic and Beta offer different color tones but feel similar, while Mono is your black and white option. These images look great but technically aren't brilliant: there's no EXIF data on the images and they come out around 4MP, but they look fine on a phone and the noise and grain from the processing through the app hide the fact this is probably the lowest quality sensor out of any camera in my collection.

(Image credit: Jake Tucker)

The real kicker for me is that to get these images you can't simply use a USB cable, but you must go through the Flashback app which sends them off for "developing" with a 24 hour wait, which is actually just some processing at Flashback's end.

As novel an idea as this is, it irks me a little bit because I don't enjoy the idea of sending a company my photos, but also because I worry about what happens if Flashback stops offering this service, as I don't pay for a subscription service. There will simply be no way to get the photos back.

Still, if the concept interests you more than it concerns you, then Flashback ONE35 is a breath of fresh air, and I can see it making an excellent gift – while its screen-free design lends itself as a camera for kids.

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(Image credit: Jake Tucker)

Across my photos, color depth is surprisingly good, particularly in the black and white Mono film. Otherwise, I'm a big fan of the Beta film which seems to deliver on that nostalgic 90s theme. However, I found around 30 percent of my images transpire out of focus or poorly lit, which can feel like a pain especially with the 24 hour wait time.

Flashback ONE35: Price and availability

The Flashback ONE35 Camera is available pretty much worldwide from JoinFlashback.co. Currently it comes in four colorways: Orange/Black, Yellow/Black, Red/White and Teal/White. In the UK this will set you back £78. In the US it's $97, while in Australia it's $150. The accompanying iOS / Android app is free.

Should I buy the Flashback ONE35 camera?

(Image credit: Jake Tucker) Buy it if...

You want to ditch the screens
Everyone just living in the moment? That's definitely the promise of the ONE35. You can snap a quick photo without carrying an expensive camera or getting your phone out. Wind the wheel, click, back in your pocket. Perfectly candid photos.

You want digital photos that look shot on film
The ONE35's biggest strength is the photos that look like they've fallen out of a party in the 90s. The development process, fictional that it is, adds noise and post-processing that makes it look like film. You can do this yourself with presets on your photo editing platform of choice, but for those who don't want that extra work, this is a great option.

Don't buy it if...

You want high-quality printable photos
I think you could print the photos taken with the ONE35, but your phone camera would take better photos. The ONE35 is more about style, but if you want a physical artifact, you would be better off with an Instax Wide or similar instant camera.

You want instant photos
The ONE35 is the opposite of instant gratification. With the slightly fiddly app and the 24-hour development time, it's unlikely you'll be able to get photos from a Friday or Saturday night until Sunday evening at the earliest. If you're looking to take photos of a specific trip, it could be days before you have wifi good enough to upload your reels to the developing center in the first place.

How I tested the Flashback ONE35 camera

I had the Flashback ONE35 camera always on me, in my pocket, for several weeks, during which time it has been used to grab snap shots at parties. I've used the flash, tested the three film types on offer, and sent my photos off through the app.

First reviewed February 2025

Logitech POP Mouse: Two-minute review

The Logitech POP Mouse is a small and simple wireless mouse for productivity and general browsing, with its versatile Bluetooth connectivity and customization options pitched at modern workers.

It sports a stylish design courtesy of its pebble-like shape, front slope and one-piece unit for the mouse buttons. This is extended further by the multiple colorways, which utilize a soft, light palette, with some two-tone schemes thrown in for good measure.

Although it’s quite small and thin compared to the best mouse options around, the POP Mouse fitted my hand and fingers well. The body is thick enough to get a good grip, and the rear weight bias means it’s easy to tilt backwards for lift-offs between swipes. The completely symmetrical design also makes it suitable for left and right handers alike.

There’s a distinct lack of buttons on the POP Mouse, with the only topside additions being a scroll wheel and a button below it. Underneath you’ll find the power slider and the Easy Switching button used for pairing and toggling between three different Bluetooth devices.

The aforementioned one-piece unit for the mouse buttons also doubles as the battery compartment cover. It’s attached magnetically to the mouse’s body, and the robust plastic achieves the ideal balance between easy removal and secure fastening.

(Image credit: Future)

Even better, though, are the switches for mouse buttons. They’re very tactile and heavily damped, so much so that they barely make a sound in use. This makes for a satisfyingly padded sensation, and more pleasurable to use than I was expecting for a mouse of this kind. Those who prefer the loud, sharp clicks of traditional switches may not find the POP Mouse provides enough feel or feedback, but personally, I enjoyed using them for general and productivity purposes.

The scroll wheel is also damped nicely, as well as being lightly notched. When you flick quickly, it enters into a free-wheeling state to some degree, which is a handy feature; I only wish this triggered more readily, as it didn’t make navigating long documents and web pages as easy as I was hoping.

However, it does feel well-made and the rubber material on top is smooth to the touch. The scroll click is secure and tactile as well, while the button below – which opens an Emoji menu by default – is more snappy but still premium-feeling.

Using Logitech’s Options Plus software, you can customize the POP Mouse, with a surprising amount of tweaks available. The right and left click can’t be altered, but the scroll button and Emoji menu button can be remapped to perform a variety of actions. These include keyboard shortcuts via the recording of your own combinations, and a variety of system-level functions, which include media playback controls, opening apps, taking screenshots, and opening the Windows Action Center. There’s even an option to open ChatGPT in a pop-up window.

(Image credit: Future)

You can also map these buttons to gestures: by holding them and making certain mouse movements, you can perform a variety of navigational and cycling actions, such as switching app windows or selecting the next or previous tracks.

Logitech also has a feature called Smart Actions, a more advanced form of macros. There are various presets already included in Options Plus, such as Meeting Mode, which opens Zoom (if already installed) and Notepad at the same time, and Social Media Break, which opens Instagram’s website in a new Chrome tab. These can be edited as you see fit.

You can also create your own Smart Actions from scratch, by adding certain conditions and layers of actions to automate any number of processes you can conceive of. You’re given some basic building blocks, which are: opening applications, performing keystrokes, writing blocks of text, and performing system functions. You can also set delay times between each action.

Options Plus also has a feature called Logi Flow, which is supposed to make device switching even more seamless by letting you simply drag the cursor from one device to another, although I was unable to get this working on numerous machines, as a connection failed to establish.

Additionally, Options Plus lets you invert the scroll wheel direction, and toggle something called Smart Scrolling, which is supposed to make scrolling web pages smoother. While I did find this to be the case, it was also slower, so I didn’t find it particularly useful.

Logitech claims a staggering 24-month battery life for the POP Mouse. Naturally, I wasn’t able to exhaust it, but I can say that after about a week’s worth of use across numerous devices, the battery remained at 100%, so it certainly seems to have plenty of endurance.

At this price, the POP Mouse represents good value thanks to its performance and in-depth customization options via the Options Plus software. However, the lack of side buttons and additional connectivity methods is a shame, omissions that could deter those who demand high productivity credentials.

The wireless mouse sector is a hotly contested one, and there are plenty of great value options to choose from. The Microsoft Modern Mobile Mouse is an equally capable performer, although it costs more than the POP Mouse and lacks customization software. If you’re prepared to spend a little bit more, you could go for the Logitech MX Anywhere 3, which has better scrolling capabilities as well as side buttons.

(Image credit: Future) Logitech POP Mouse review: Price & availability

• $29.99 / £24.99 / AU$59.95
• Available now in multiple colors

The Logitech POP Mouse costs $29.99 / £24.99 / AU$$59.95 and is available now in multiple and vibrant colorways, some with two-tone schemes. It comes with a AA battery preinstalled.

The best wireless mouse for those on a budget, as far as we’re concerned, is the Microsoft Modern Mobile Mouse. This similarly has a slim and light form factor, although it adopts a square shape rather than a round one. It also requires two AAA batteries rather than one AA battery. While we found its performance to be great for a mouse of this price, it doesn’t have many features, with no native software for customization. At 78g, it weighs slightly less than the POP Mouse, which sits at 82g.

If you’re willing to spend a bit more, you could get the Logitech MX Anywhere 3, which is the best portable mouse in our view, and a great mid-range buy thanks to its excellent scrolling abilities and overall accuracy – plus it can be customized using Options, Logitech’s last-gen peripheral tool.

Logitech POP Mouse review: Specs Should I buy the Logitech POP Mouse? Buy it if...

You want great clicks
I haven’t come across another budget-friendly productivity mouse with better clicks than this. The ultra-damped feel might not appeal to everyone, but I liked them.

You want plenty of customizations
Thanks to its integration with Options Plus, the scope of customizations is surprisingly large, considering only the scroll click and Emoji menu button are rebindable.

Don't buy it if...

You want more than Bluetooth
Even today Bluetooth can have its reliability issues, and although you can switch easily between three devices, the lack of a wireless dongle or even a USB port on the POP Mouse might be a problem for some.

You want lots of buttons
You don’t even get side buttons on the POP Mouse, which can be a real downer for those who do a lot of web browsing.

Logitech POP Mouse: Also consider

Microsoft Modern Mobile Mouse
Another basic mouse, the Microsoft Modern Mobile Mouse sports the same basic functionality as the POP Mouse, lacking side buttons and a rechargeable battery. It misses out on software for customizing it, but we think it performs very well, thanks to its solid clicks and lightweight form. Read our Microsoft Modern Mobile Mouse review.

Logitech MX Anywhere 3
The best portable mouse in our view, the Logitech MX Anywhere 3 packs in more features and functions, such as side buttons and a scroll wheel with two resistance levels. What also sets it apart from the POP Mouse is the rechargeable battery and USB-C port, and the added connectivity options, courtesy of the included 2.4GHz wireless dongle, so you won’t have to rely solely on Bluetooth. Even better is the fact that it’s still relatively cheap. Read our Logitech MX Anywhere 3 review.

How I tested the Logitech POP Mouse

• Used with multiple devices
• Used with Options Plus software
• Plentiful peripheral testing experience

I tested the POP Mouse for about a week, using it for working and general browsing. I used it with multiple devices, including Windows 10 laptop and desktop, a MacBook Pro, and a Chromebook.

I also made as many tweaks and customizations as possible using Logitech’s Options Plus software, rebinding the scroll click and Emoji button to the various functions available.

I have experience reviewing a myriad of peripherals, including mice and keyboards for both productivity and for gaming, across a range of price points.

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

Asus Chromebook CM14: Two-minute review

The Asus Chromebook CM14 occupies the lower end of the market with its low price and spec, but it aspires to nail the basics.

It boasts a thin and light design that’s impressive for a 14-inch Chromebook. The steely black colorway is fairly austere but it looks smart. Build quality is also good, although the lid is a little flimsy – still, it does recline all the way back to 180 degrees, so it’s certainly flexible.

The partially recycled materials feel solid, and the keyboard is laid nicely, with plenty of space between keys whilst remaining compact, which is a combination I prefer. There’s also a good selection of ports on the Asus Chromebook CM14, with two USB-C ports, a SuperSpeed (SS) USB-A port, a microSD slot and a 3.5mm headphone port.

What isn’t so good, however, is the display. It lacks the clarity and sharpness of some of the best Chromebook devices around, and it’s too reflective when it strays even marginally beyond the optimal viewing angle, either washing out or blacking out entirely.

Things are worse when it comes to performance. Although it can handle light productivity, general browsing, 2K video playback and some light gaming, it can struggle with these on occasion. What’s worse, though, is that it's severely hamstrung by multitasking, with stutters, slow downs, and crashes a frequent occurrence, at least when equipped with 4GB of RAM, which is low by today’s standards.

The typing experience of the Asus Chromebook CM14 is pleasant enough, thanks to the tactile feel of the keys and their low profile. However, the touchpad is another drawback, as there’s too much friction; the surface is nowhere near as smooth as that on, say, the best MacBook models. And no matter what you do with the sensitivity settings, it either travels too much – continuing to move even once your finger stops – or too slowly, making it feel sluggish and imprecise.

One of the saving graces of the Asus Chromebook CM14, though, is the battery life. It lasted over nine hours during our battery test, which isn’t that far off its claimed 15 hour figure. It’s also quite quick to charge, taking about four hours to replenish completely from empty, again close to Asus’ claim.

The Asus Chromebook CM14 is also very cheap, and undercuts many other Chromebooks, even those that are considered good value. But performance is sacrificed, especially when multitasking. If you’re on the lookout for Chromebooks that won’t break the bank, then the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is the best in this regard, while the Acer Chromebook Plus 515 is great for students.

Asus Chromebook CM14: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• $299 / £299 (about AU$473)
• Available now in black
• Cheaper than the competition

The Asus Chromebook CM14 costs $299 / £299 (about AU$473) and is available now in one color: black. It can be configured with 4GB or 8GB of RAM, but only one storage size: 64GB.

It’s cheaper than the best laptops in the budget-friendly realm, and even cheaper than the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook, which is the best Chromebook for those on a budget in our view. However, the IdeaPad Flex 3 is a 2-in-1 device, so can be used like a tablet when the mood strikes. It also has an even better battery life than the Asus Chromebook CM14, and is built like a tank to boot.

For about the same price or cheaper than the Asus Chromebook CM14 in some territories, you could have the Acer Chromebook 314, which is one of the best student Chromebook picks for those on a budget. Like the Asus Chromebook CM14, it has a great battery life, but with the added benefits of a 2-in-1 design and an impressive display – aspects the Asus Chromebook CM14 lacks.

• Value: 3.5 / 5

Asus Chromebook CM14: Specs

The review unit of the Asus Chromebook CM14 I had was configured with 4GB of RAM.

Asus Chromebook CM14: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Thin and light for its size
• 180-degree opening
• Not the sharpest display

The Asus Chromebook CM14 sports a smart, understated design. The dull black colorway does little to inject much interest, but it certainly fits in a professional environment. It’s also pleasantly light and thin given its 14-inch size, weighing just 1.45kg (3.20 lbs). Both these aspects make it easy to travel with.

The build quality seems quite good too, with the partially recycled materials appearing relatively robust for a Chromebook of this class. However, the hinge for the lid isn’t the tightest, causing the screen to feel a little flimsy, but I wouldn’t highlight this as a major concern.

The hinges also prop up the back of the chassis when the lid is open past 90 degrees, but thankfully the bottom remains stable enough to type on. The lid also reclines all the way to 180 degrees, which provides flexible usage options.

The two USB-C ports are a welcome addition considering their versatility, as they allow for power and data – including internet – to run through, as well as facilitating connections to a myriad of peripherals, including external displays. There’s also one USB-A port with SuperSpeed (SS) capability, a Micro SD slot, and a 3.5mm audio jack, useful for those using wired headphones or speakers.

The display, on the other hand, is a let down. The 1366 x 768 resolution looks outdated, with an ever-present blurriness plaguing the interface, no matter how you resize it in the system settings. It also looks a little washed out, lacking the vibrancy of other Chromebook displays. It’s quite reflective too, with certain angles causing the screen to turn almost completely white or black, depending on the ambient lighting.

• Design score: 3.5 / 5

Asus Chromebook CM14: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Handles light work and gaming
• Good for typing
• Terrible for multitasking

Benchmarks

These are the results of our benchmarking tests for the Asus Chromebook CM14:

TechRadar Battery Life Test: 9 hours and 26 minutes
Jetstream2 Benchmark: 86.506
Kraken Benchmark: 1769.0ms
Speedometer 3.0: 3.49 (±0.12)

The Asus Chromebook CM14 handles the kind of light productivity Chromebook users typically perform reasonably well. Word processing and spreadsheet creation are viable, as is video playback, even at 2K resolutions – but expect the occasional buffer and slowdown at this quality.

As for gaming, the Asus Chromebook CM14 can handle titles with low graphical demands smoothly. I was able to play Clash of Clans with no issue, and Asphalt Legends Unite was just about feasible on high settings; although it was prone to stutter and slowdowns, it wasn't enough to render it unplayable. At lower settings and 30fps, it ran much more smoothly. I was also able to connect a controller via Bluetooth with no issue. More demanding games would be out of the question, though, as the spec is certainly no match for the best gaming laptops out there.

Unfortunately, the Asus Chromebook CM14 falls flat when it comes to multitasking, with the 4GB of RAM installed in my test unit failing to handle even weak workloads. Lightweight applications, including Google’s own software, can create serious issues, with frequent slow-downs, freezes, and outright crashes.

If you hope to run even a couple of apps in tandem, then you’ll likely be disappointed with the performance. Even Chrome can struggle to run with a less-than-moderate amount of tabs open, and basic ChromeOS functions, such as entering task view, can result in freezes too.

(Image credit: Future)

One of the more positive aspects of the performance, though, is the lack of heat and noise produced by the Asus Chromebook CM14. During my time with it, I never heard the fans whirring up under heavy loads, and it never got too hot to touch.

Typing on the Asus Chromebook CM14 is mostly a pleasant experience as well, as the keys are well-spaced and provide enough tactility. Their profile is low too, which makes gliding around them easy. And despite the corner of my right palm making contact with the touchpad while typing, gestures, swipes and clicks never unintentionally registered.

However, that’s about the only positive aspect of the touchpad, as it’s one of the more frustrating aspects of the Asus Chromebook CM14. No matter what sensitivity settings I used, cursor movements were either too sluggish or too fast, with the cursor continuing to move after my finger had stopped, making accurate navigation difficult. What’s more, the surface isn’t smooth enough and generates too much friction, causing a nasty rubbing sensation on the fingers.

As for the webcam, the 720p resolution provides just enough clarity, but there is certainly an element of graininess to images. My camera footage did freeze when making a call in Google Meet, but this could’ve been more of a software glitch rather than a hardware one.

The speakers on the Asus Chromebook CM14 provide reasonable playback quality, with little in the way of distortion and tinniness, as other Chromebook and laptop speakers can suffer from. However, as they’re located on its underside, audio is somewhat muffled, so those after the utmost clarity won’t be best pleased. However, I found them sufficient for calls and other content where sound quality isn’t a top priority.

• Performance score: 2 / 5

Asus Chromebook CM14: Battery life

(Image credit: Future)

• Great battery life
• Better than rivals
• Quick charging too

The Asus Chromebook CM14 redeems itself somewhat with its battery life. Asus claims it will last up to 15 hours, and during our benchmark, it lasted close to nine and a half hours, which is an admirable performance. Charging it from flat to full took about four hours, which is in line with what Asus claims.

It beats the Acer Chromebook Plus 515, our current pick as the best student laptop, which only managed five hours according to our test and was one of the biggest drawbacks of that particular Chromebook. However, it is bested by the best Chromebook overall in our view, the Acer Chromebook Spin 314, which managed over ten hours.

• Battery life: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Asus Chromebook CM14? Buy it if...

You want a long battery life
One of the most impressive aspects of the Asus Chromebook CM14 is its long battery life, and charging times are also conveniently quick.

You’ll want something easy to carry around
Thanks to its light and thin design, the Asus Chromebook CM14 is easy to travel with. That 180-degree lid opening gives it greater flexibility, too.

Don't buy it if...

You want to do any kind of multitasking
Word processing, streaming content, and light gaming it can handle – but as soon as you start doing multiple things at once, it grinds to a halt.

You want the best display
The 14-inch display isn’t the clearest, and even when you scale the resolution, things don’t improve. It’s also too reflective if the angle isn’t just so.

Asus Chromebook CM14 review: Also consider

If you're in the market for a new Chromebook, here are some alternatives to the Asus Chromebook CM14...

Acer Chromebook Spin 314 (2023)
As our current pick as the best Chromebook overall, the Acer Chromebook Spin 314 (2023) gets most aspects right for this kind of device: it has a great display, is good for typing with and is easy to carry around. Battery life is also very good. Read our Acer Chromebook Spin 314 (2023) review.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook
If you’re looking for another budget-friendly offering, then you should consider the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3, as we think it’s the best Chromebook around in terms of value for money. It’s more expensive than the Asus Chromebook CM14, but we were impressed with its great build quality and battery life. The performance isn’t the best, but we still found it capable of running ChromeOS and Google apps reasonably well. Read our Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook review.

How I tested the Asus Chromebook CM14

• Tested for about a week
• Used in a variety of scenarios
• Extensive laptop and Chromebook experience

I tested the Asus Chromebook CM14 for about a week, during which time I used it for working, browsing, watching video content and playing games. I also connected various peripherals to it via Bluetooth and USB, including a mouse and a gamepad.

I played games such as Clash of Clans and Asphalt Legends Unite. I used Google Docs and Google Sheets, and made use of third-party apps, including Steam and VLC. I also used other popular apps, including YouTube for watching video content in full-HD and ultra-HD. I also streamed video content via Twitch and made a video call to try out its webcam and inbuilt mic.

I have experience testing laptops and have owned a number of such devices, including other Chromebooks, Windows and Mac laptops.

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

Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra two-minute review

If you're going to call a smartphone ‘ultra’, it needs to embody that adjective. The Xiaomi 14 Ultra has a top-tier camera system. The Motorola Edge 50 Ultra has mind-boggling charging speeds and a chic textured look. The Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra has a stylus (and lots more besides).

Throughout my testing of the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra, I couldn't quite put my finger on what made it worthy of the 'ultra' designation. It’s undoubtedly a highly capable premium Android phone, but in the competitive mobile market, ‘good’ just isn’t good enough.

The latest entry in Asus’ one-per-year line of flagship Zenfone mobiles, the Zenfone 12 Ultra is another top-spec handset that costs a blisteringly large amount of money. On paper, it's a stablemate of the best Android phones and best iPhones – and it certainly competes with those devices in some areas.

Indeed, if you look at the specs sheet below, you’ll see that the Zenfone 12 Ultra bears all the hallmarks of a premium smartphone. Its Snapdragon 8 Elite processor provides a huge amount of processing power, and its giant 6.78-inch display is great for gaming or streaming movies. The phone's three-lens rear camera array also gives shutterbugs much to delight in.

Certainly, from a specs perspective, there's nothing to dispute the Zenfone 12 Ultra's status as an 'ultra' phone. But that's no longer enough.

All of those aforementioned ‘ultra’ phones go that extra mile to justify the suffix, offering unique features or specs that make their hefty price tags seem almost reasonable. I don’t see any such selling point in the Zenfone 12 Ultra. It’s not ‘ultra’, it just is. Ironically, the lack of a non-ultra Zenfone 12 seems to underline this fact.

If you were to ask Asus, the company would likely say that the killer additions here are the phone's AI features. Most new phones nowadays tout a long list of ‘AI features’, a buzzword given to what we’d otherwise call ‘new software tools’ or, less forgivingly, ‘unnecessary software extras’ – but you need to call everything ‘AI’ in today's tech landscape.

Among the Zenfone 12 Ultra’s AI features are an article summary tool, call translation, a feature that creates AI-generated wallpapers, and plenty of AI-powered camera tools. Now, regardless of the usefulness of many of these features (how many people actually phone someone else who doesn't have a language in common?) and the unproven interest of normal tech buyers in AI features, they don’t allow the Zenfone 12 Ultra to collect the 'ultra' suffix for one simple reason – so few of them are actually new. Honestly, the Zenfone 11 Ultra had most of them.

Speaking of the Zenfone 11 Ultra, the 12 Ultra barely brings any upgrades over it to the table. A newer chipset and some minor tweaks to the camera lenses are the only improvements I could discern. I checked the price of the now-year-old Zenfone 11 Ultra one week prior to the 12 Ultra’s release, and it was going for over a third off from Asus itself. So, you’d be saving loads of money on a pretty similar mobile.

What's more, the Zenfone 12 Ultra has even more similarities to the recent Asus ROG Phone 9 Pro. Their appearances are near-identical, as are their specs, with the scant differences being the 12 Ultra's smaller battery and a refresh rate that doesn’t go quite as high, and the ROG Phone's trigger sensors and LED back panel.

Okay, let's take a breath. I may sound down on the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra in this review, but it's undoubtedly a good phone. It provides a top-tier experience across the board and I enjoyed using it throughout my testing process.

That said, Asus loaned me the device for review purposes, meaning I didn’t have to part with a scary amount of my salary to buy it. When you factor in the phone's high price, it’s hard to see why you should opt for the Zenfone 12 Ultra over its equally expensive rivals – or, for that matter, mid-range rivals that offer similar specs for a dramatically lower price.

Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra review: price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• Released in February 2024
• Costs €1,099.99 in European markets
• US, UK, and Australian availability unconfirmed for now

The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra was launched in early February 2024, a year on from its predecessor, and with nary a standard or Pro sibling to speak of.

At the time of writing, it's only available in European markets for a price of €1,099.99, which will net you 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. "As for pricing and availability in the US, UK, and Australia", Asus told TechRadar, "we have yet to get a clear date or price at this moment." That said, we expect the Zenfone 12 Ultra to launch in at least some of these regions soon.

For a little bit of context, the Zenfone 11 Ultra started at $899.99 / £869.99 (around AU$1,450) for its 12GB/256GB starter model. There was also a 16GB/512GB model, which offers a better price comparison to the Zenfone 12 Ultra, but it was only on sale in the UK (for £949.99). The Asus Rog Phone 9 Pro, meanwhile, is available globally for $1,199.99 / £1,099.99 / AU$1,999.99.

Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra review: specs Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra review: design

(Image credit: Future)

• Blocky phone that looks like predecessor
• Still has a 3.5mm jack
• IP68 protection

There’s no getting around it: the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is a blocky phone. I won’t quite call it ‘ugly’, not when the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra lays claim to that term with such an iron rule, but it’s a little on the boring side.

It looks almost identical to the Zenfone 11 Ultra, and pretty similar to the ROG Phone 9 Pro, but without the lines pattern of the former and the ‘gamer chic’ of the latter.

It’s a big phone, measuring 183.8 x 77 x 8.9 mm and weighing 220g, so if you remember how Asus used to cater to the small-phone market with its Zenfones, you’ll be disappointed. It stretched my hands out and I’ve got fairly average-sized mitts, and it was a pretty big burden in the pocket too.

The right edge of the mobile has the power button – pretty easy to reach, despite the phone’s big size – and the volume rocker, which was a little harder to stretch to. There’s also an in-screen fingerprint sensor, positioned higher up than on other phones, which took a little getting used to.

Talking of acclimatizing, the USB-C charging port on the phone’s bottom edge isn’t right in the middle. Instead, it’s to the left – as far as I’m aware, Asus is the only company that uses this design quirk. There’s nothing wrong with it, once you get through the first few days of jamming your charger into the wrong place. There’s another novelty here too, in the form of a 3.5mm headphone jack. How many mobiles cater to wired headphone users these days?! Props to Asus for that.

I mostly used the Zenfone 12 Ultra in a protective case (provided) but even when I didn’t, it took drops and bumps like a champ. It has an IP68 rating, so it can withstand dust ingress, as well as brief drops in the tub or pool.

• Design score: 3.5 / 5

Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra review: display

(Image credit: Future)

• 6.78 inches, 1080 x 2400 resolution
• 144Hz refresh rate max, though usually at 120Hz
• A few display customization features

The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra has a nice big display: it’s 6.78 inches diagonally, which explains how much of a hand-stretch the mobile itself is.

The screen’s resolution is FHD+ or 1080 x 2400 — that’s pretty standard for most smartphones, although you’d be forgiven for wanting a little more at this price range.

Mind you, the phone's refresh rate is super fast at 144Hz (good luck finding many games to utilize that spec, though) and the max brightness is nice and high at 2500 nits. In typical use, you can expect a buttery smooth 120Hz refresh rate.

There's another feature here I love to see in smartphones: a color temperature and balance mode for adjusting the way the screen looks. Max saturation with the warmest possible temperature? Don't mind if I do!

• Display score: 4 / 5

Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra review: software

(Image credit: Future)

• Android 15 with optional Asus overlay
• Only two years of OS updates
• AI features aren't very useful

In a pretty unusual move for an Android phone, you actually have your pick between two software systems when you first boot up the Zenfone 12 Ultra. Both are technically Android 15, but you can choose between stock Android and Asus’ reskinned version. The differences are minimal but it's nice to be given the choice.

Stock Android is, if you don’t know, the standard Google-made version of the Android operating system, and it’s popular for being quite clean-looking. However, it misses many custom features that certain other versions of Android have. Asus doesn’t add any of these features in its own version, mind; it’s just a redesign for how menus and icons look.

Whether you pick stock or Asus Android, you’re getting software that’s quite minimal, which is a good thing; there are few pre-installed apps (beyond lots of Google ones) and a smartly laid-out quick-settings menu with big icons that are easy to press.

Asus has only promised two years of software updates for the Zenfone 12 Ultra, which isn’t a particularly ‘ultra’ commitment given how many years of updates rivals offer. That doesn’t mean it’ll stop working after two years, but you won’t get new features added after that point.

As mentioned in the introduction to this review, a few AI features on the Zenfone 12 Ultra seem to be its main selling point, but I wasn’t hugely impressed by any of them. The option to use them is often buried in menus (to use the AI article summarizer, for instance, you need to go into the browser’s ‘share’ menu to share it with the summary tool) and they were often pretty slow to work. In fact, for summarizing articles online, I found it quicker to literally just read the article than to wait for the summary tool to work.

You have to download extra kits for most of the AI features, too, and they’re pretty big, often several GB each. I can see these tools eating up a fair amount of storage space.

I’m always a little cynical of AI features on phones, with most of them seemingly designed to fix problems that no one actually has, and offered in lieu of actual improvements to a given device. Suffice to say, I never used these AI features on the Zenfone 12 Ultra beyond my obligatory testing of them.

• Software score: 3.5 / 5

Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra review: cameras

(Image credit: Future)

• 50MP main, 13MP ultra-wide and 32MP telephoto lenses
• 32MP selfie snapper
• Scene optimization comes in clutch

The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra may not offer the megapixel overload of its rivals, but it covers its bases.

On the back of the phone is a 50MP main camera, which is joined by a 13MP ultra-wide and a 32MP telephoto, the latter of which can reach 3x optical zoom.

All three combine to give you a decent level of versatility and control over the shots you take (as long as you don't want to go above the 30x digital zoom cap), and there's largely a consistency between image quality at these ranges

Coming in clutch is the image optimization and HDR, which was quick to punch up the contrast and saturation of pictures to improve their vibrancy without making them look unnatural. Look at the curry bowl or football field images below as cases in point; neither looked as bright in real life as they do on camera.

These improvements increase the Zenfone's camera grade from 'fine' to 'good', even if the phone misses the extra lenses, sensitive sensors, and super-high-res MP counts of its competitors. That said, the latter would have been preferable for situations in which the AI optimization didn't step in, like in the pizza pic below.

Another thing to note is that photos often took longer to capture than I'd expect; I'd often press the shutter button and assume the photo had been taken, only to move the phone and end up with a blurry end image. My advice to owners would be to hold the Zenfone 12 Ultra in place for a few seconds longer than you think you need to, or else you'll end up with a long list of camera reel mistakes.

(Image credit: Future)

The selfie camera hits 32MP, and its result is largely similar to the rear ones: it has the potential to make some bright and bold pictures, and succeeds most of the time, thanks to software.

The phone can record video in 8K/30fps, 4K/60fps, or down to HD/480fps in the slow-mo realm.

The Zenfone 12 Ultra also has a small selection of extra modes. Some, like Night and Portrait, work well; the latter was great at balancing contrast and exposure, as you can see in the photo below, and Portrait was fantastic at adding a natural-looking bokeh and also balancing the colors and tones of a shot.

There are a few modes being touted as 'AI' ones too, despite the fact that almost all camera software features use artificial intelligence in some way or another. These include AI Panning, which creates a "dynamic focus effect" on a moving object, and in effect, this is very similar to Portrait mode. The other is AI Tracking, which lets you record a video of something moving and it'll output a zoomed-in photo that keeps the moving subject framed center. I can see this being situationally very useful, although I only ever found myself using it for testing's sake.

• Camera score: 4 / 5

Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra camera samples Image 1 of 7

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(Image credit: Future) Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra: performance and audio

(Image credit: Future)

• Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset
• Fast for gaming and everyday use (mostly)
• Range of audio options

The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra really embodies the ‘ultra’ in its name when it comes to performance: it’s a certifiable beast.

The processor at work here is Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, which is the chipset you'll find inside many of the current best Android phones (at the time of writing, at least) and it tells. It’s paired with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage.

Games were snappy to play, and could easily handle the highest graphical settings; they didn’t lag or stutter once and, in the most noticeable improvement (in my mind) over a lesser chipset, they were really quick to open too.

In a Geekbench 6 multi-core test, the Zenfone 12 Ultra returned a score of 9,818, putting it in the higher echelons of phones we’ve tested. For context, Geekbench’s own rankings mark the iPhone 16 Pro at a score of 8,528 (though no recent 8 Elite-toting phones are listed).

The speed is mostly noticeable in other parts of the phone, too, for example when you’re trying to edit a big photo. However, I noticed that the AI features could cause the phone to slow down noticeably. This isn't a deal-breaker, especially given that most of the features take only a second to use, but the minor slowdown was still noticeable.

The Zenfone 12 Ultra has stereo speakers and, in a surprisingly retro turn, a 3.5mm headphone jack. As a result, audio fans have a choice as to how they’d like to listen to content on this phone, which is a rarity in this day and age.

• Performance score: 5 / 5

Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra review: battery life

(Image credit: Future)

• Pretty big 5,500mAh battery
• Lasts for over a day of use
• 65W charging, 15W wireless

The Zenfone 12 Ultra packs a 5,500mAh battery — that's pretty big, but it’s also necessary for a phone of this size and power.

When I used the Zenfone as a normal mobile (i.e. not as a gaming phone) it could reliably coast through a single day of use and reach mid-way into the second day without trouble, but I wouldn’t go quite so far as to say it’s got two-day battery life.

When I did go heavier on the gaming side of things, I was happy with how well the Zenfone 12 Ultra could handle a few hours of gaming without losing too much battery — it’s hard to be scientific when talking about experiential battery use, but the phone lost charge slower than lots of other handsets I’ve tested recently.

Charging is a little slow. That feels silly to say for a phone with 'fast charging', but it’s at 65W, which is slower than lots of its rivals. There’s also 15W wireless charging.

• Battery score: 3.5 / 5

Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra review: value

(Image credit: Future)

The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra is an undeniably pricey premium phone. While an argument could be made that no phones in this price range really offer value for money, it's doubly the case with the Asus.

I say this because it doesn't really offer any killer features, either over its predecessor or comparatively priced rivals, that make it a must-buy. When you cost this much, specs alone will only get you so far.

If you can find the Zenfone 12 Ultra at a meaty discount, it's potentially more deserving of your money, but I'm talking a 25% discount as a minimum for that to be the case.

• Value score: 2.5 / 5

Should you buy the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra? Buy it if...

You need lots of processing power
The Zenfone 12 Ultra is one of the most powerful phones on the market right now, and it'll stay a contender for years to come.

You're a wired audio fan
Few Android phones come with headphone jacks these days, especially towards the premium end of the market.

You play 144Hz games
Very select mobile games can play at 144 fps, but for the ones that do, it's hard to find mobiles that support this high refresh rate. The Zenfone 12 Ultra is one of them.

Don't buy it if...

You don't like big phones
The Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra will stretch smaller hands; don't buy it thinking it's one of the compact Zenfones of old.

You find the Zenfone 11 Ultra discounted
The Zenfone 12 Ultra doesn't offer that many upgrades over its predecessor, and that older phone is now poised for sizeable sales.

Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra review: Also consider

If you want other 'ultra' smartphones to compare the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra to, here are some other similar-priced picks.

Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra
The natural rival, this Android powerhouse has a wider array of cameras, a bigger and higher-res display, and a stylus. However, its chipset is the same as the one in the Asus, its battery is smaller, and it charges slower.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra review

iPhone 16 Pro
The other natural rival, the iPhone 16 Pro, costs roughly the same as the Asus. It has a smaller screen, a weaker battery, and, if the benchmarks are anything to go by, a lesser chipset. But I'd be remiss not to mention the Apple rival at a phone this costly.

Read our full iPhone 16 Pro review

Xiaomi 14 Ultra
Another ultra-branded Android phone, this Xiaomi has an unbeatable camera array, a better display, and faster charging, but last year's chipset and software.

Read our full Xiaomi 14 Ultra review

How I tested the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra

• Review test period = 2 weeks
• Testing included = Everyday usage, including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
• Tools used = Geekbench 6, Geekbench ML, GFXBench, native Android stats

To properly test the Asus Zenfone 12 Ultra, I used it daily for two weeks; this doesn't include a short period beforehand when I set it up, took the review photos, and played a few games on it.

The testing of the handset occurred in two parts. The first saw me run benchmark tests, take sample photos, and run down the battery. The other was more experiential; I used the handset for personal things like music and video streaming, social media scrolling, mobile game-playing, and other everyday tasks.

At the time of this review's publication, I've been writing reviews for TechRadar for exactly 6 years (happy anniversary, me!). I've reviewed countless smartphones in that time, including multiple Asus models as well as headphones, smartwatches, and tablets.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed February 2025

Nike Zegama 2: two-minute review

(Image credit: Future)

The Nike Zegama 2 is a high-mileage trail shoe designed to handle pretty much anything you can throw at it. Nike put nearly two years of testing into the model, which is designed to offer supreme comfort and support over uneven, changing terrain.

Launched alongside the Pegasus Trail 5, it stands out against the latter as a more dedicated trail shoe rather than a road-to-trail offering.

While the first Zegama was cool, it fell down because of its limited grip. The Zegama 2 offers more traction, plenty of cushioning, and a really responsive ride. After a few weeks with it I've been really impressed. I'm not a trail runner by trade and find most trail shoes look a little too much like walking shoes. The Zegama 2 got me out on the trail and looked brilliant in the process.

(Image credit: Future)

Out of the box, the Zegama Trail 2 features a really striking design. Its large heel stack complete with shelf gives the shoe an imposing silhouette reflective of its rugged durability and exceptional support.

This is the Khaki/Hyper Crimson/Burgundy Crush/White option, a special design inspired by the Donghai Yunding trail in China. In all honesty, I love the design. The lighter jade color is also a real head-turner, as is the special Two Bays Trail blue version. Essentially, it's impossible to find a dull or disappointing colorway.

Not that you'll be keeping these clean, the Zegama Trail 2 is one of the best running shoes for the great outdoors. At its heart, Nike has adopted the extremely responsive and cushioned ZoomX foam midsole. In trials across tarmac, concrete, grass, and dirt trails I found the Zegama 2 to be very comfortable.

You wouldn't buy the Zegama 2 for road running, but we all need to get to the trail before the fun begins. These trainers will deliver you to your trail in style and won't put paid to your feet on the way. The ZoomX midsole felt responsive and springy, combined with a pronounced rocker motion that really helps propel you along.

Once you get to the rugged stuff and the bumps, jumps, ridges, and roots, the Zegama 2 brushes them all off with ease as you navigate your way along uneven terrain. I've never been much of a trail runner but the Zegama 2 instills a real sense of confidence and almost challenges you to seek out more treacherous and adverse terrain. I've no doubt these would also easily double as a durable hiking shoe, thanks to their extremely forgiving underfoot experience.

(Image credit: Future)

Stability is another big plus here, and crucial to the trail shoe experience. With uneven terrain all around, the last thing you want is movement and rotation. The fit of the entire upper is very comfortable. I found there was plenty of room upfront in the toe box, although I've seen a couple of complaints about the vertical space being more limited in this year's model. The snug upper combines with the ankle gaiter to give a supremely secure fit that also limits ingress of the great outdoors into your shoe.

Across all manner of uneven ground that I tried, there was never any sense of rolling an ankle or losing my balance.

The original Zegamas lost out big time because of its poor traction. For the Zegama 2, Nike has added the Vibram Megagrip and the effect is obvious. Living in Scotland I do all my running in the wet, and I couldn't believe how much traction the Zegama 2 delivered on wet grass, mud, and slippery concrete. Of course, the Megagrip does cake up with mud pretty quickly, so there's a little bit of slip-and-slide when the going gets really soft, but that's to be expected of any shoe in the conditions. By and large, the traction is excellent, and generally, this is regarded as the biggest upgrade Nike has made to the Zegama 2.

(Image credit: Future)

The Zegama 2 displays extremely good build quality and exudes durability. I have absolutely no concerns that this is a shoe built to last, with its chunkier features and rugged design lending themselves to hundreds of miles getting battered by the great outdoors.

(Image credit: Future)

If you like a more neutral feel to your run, then this might not be the shoe for you. Generally the Zegama 2 is excellent, and gives you a sense of being nudged along as you travel, which I really appreciated.

While there are a couple of overlays on the toes for extra durability, these shoes aren't waterproof. If you land yourself in a large enough puddle, your feet will get wet. If you do want a waterproof trail shoe, options from the likes of Saucony available.

Across my testing and research, the other drawbacks I've come across are few. They are on the heavier side, so if you want a lighter trail shoe you might want to look elsewhere. There are some concerns about how hot the shoe runs given how substantial it is. Again, as a resident of Scotland I'd chalk this up as a bonus, but it's definitely true and something to watch out for if you run in warmer climes.

Nike Zegama 2: price & availability

• $180/£165/AU$250
• Men's and women's options, 11 total colors

The Nike Zegama 2 is available from Nike.com and the usual array of third-party resellers. Its hefty and rugged build means it's a little pricier than your average running shoe at $180/£165/$250 AUD, although we have seen it discounted, including on Nike's website.

There are versions for men and women, with five or six colors respectively.

(Image credit: Future) Nike Zegama 2: specifications Nike Zegama 2: scorecard Should I buy the Nike Zegama 2?

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

You're running primarily on trails

This sounds obvious, but the Zegama 2 is for trail running, so make sure you're primarily on the rugged stuff if you're buying.

You want a trail shoe for longer distances

With its heavier, softer feel, this is a shoe that excels over longer distances.

Don't buy it if...

You're on a budget

There are a couple of cheaper options out there including Nike's own Pegasus Trail 5.

You want a lighter shoe for speed or agility

If you're doing faster trail runs the Zegama 2 might not be for you, it's more a long-distance shoe with comfort, rather than pace in mind.

Also consider

(Image credit: Future)

Nike Pegasus Trail 5

Nike's cheaper, general purpose trail shoe.

Shop at Nike

Inov-8 Trailfly G270 V2

A brilliant neutral trail shoe that's lighter and grippy, with good spring and a firmer ride.

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How I tested

I used the Nike Zegama 2 across a multitude of terrain including concrete, grass, mud, as well as incline and declines during a series of runs.

First reviewed: February 2025

Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus: Two minute review

The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is a solid soundbar at a decent, but not exceptional, price. While that’s a non-controversial and fairly vanilla statement, it’s a strange situation for Amazon since the company typically subsidizes its products, especially ones like Echo speakers and Fire TV branded TVs, to beat the market. It’s hard to ignore that there are plenty of cheaper options, whether you’re considering a basic all-in-one soundbar or a 5.1-channel soundbar system.

While I’m surprised that the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is not as discounted as most Amazon products compared to the competition, it is one of the best soundbars I’ve experienced when it comes to ease of setup – everything is already paired and you just have to plug it all in.

The performance is, as expected at this price point, good but not great. The surround sound is immersive and the audio quality is what you’d expect at this price point. The sound doesn’t have quite the clarity of more premium options, but only fussy listeners will notice.

The only big issue I had with the audio quality is that the stereo image is not as wide as it should be from the soundbar, which I’ll get into below. And while the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is advertised as having Dolby Atmos, it doesn’t actually have the physical speakers for spatial audio, so you won’t find it on any list for the best Dolby Atmos soundbars.

That said, you could do a lot worse for a soundbar system at its price point, whether you’re looking at the most basic configuration or the 5.1-channel one, especially if you see it discounted (as Amazon is wont to regularly do with its products).

The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus comes with all the accessories you need, including an HDMI cable and wall-mount brackets (Image credit: Future) Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus review: Price & release date

• First available: December 2025
• Price: Starting at $249.99 / £249.99 (about AU$400)
• Available in the US and UK

The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is priced at $249.99 / £249.99 (about AU$400), and is just a standalone soundbar (along with a power cable, HDMI cable, remote, remote batteries, and mounting kit). The next level up comes with a wireless subwoofer and is priced at $374.99 (about £300 / AU$590). The maxed-out configuration (reviewed here) adds surround speakers along with the subwoofer for a 5.1-channel setup and costs $489.99 (about £390 / AU$770).

Surprisingly, this is more mid-range than budget pricing, bucking Amazon’s typical model of subsidizing its hardware for either market share or branding, especially when it comes to either smart home devices or Fire TV ones.

As far as availability goes, those in the US have access to all three configurations while only the most basic configuration is available in the UK. The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is not sold in Australia.

Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus review: Specs

A basic set of control buttons is located on the soundbar's top surface (Image credit: Future) Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus review: Features

• Surprisingly stripped down feature set
• Some EQ and audio modes available through the remote
• Virtual Dolby Atmos

Considering the branding, I was surprised to see how barebones the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is. It doesn’t have built-in streaming the way Roku soundbars do, and it doesn’t have any Alexa-related functionality. There’s no app either, so you’re not going to be able to do any EQ fine-tuning (with an exception that I’ll mention below).

All EQ settings are available via the remote. There are four audio modes: Movie, Music, Sports, and Night. I preferred the Movie mode most since it seemed the least affected. However, Night mode is a nice addition as it keeps any peaks in the audio from getting too loud while simultaneously making everything easy to hear at low volume.

There are also individual bass and treble controls as well as surround sound volume on the remote. A dialogue function boosts the volume of dialogue to make it easier to hear – a great option for those with hearing loss, even if it’s a somewhat subtle effect.

There’s no physical Dolby Atmos on hand – the advertised Dolby Atmos is virtual, meaning you don’t get a true spatial audio experience. You get a full surround sound experience with the rear speakers at least, so there is a lateral 360-degree soundstage, just not the vertical one that spatial audio provides.

Besides the usual HDMI and optical digital connections, the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus also comes with Bluetooth, so streaming a Spotify playlist from a phone is straightforward.

The one area where the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is unique is that, when paired with certain Amazon Fire TVs, you can fine-tune the audio on a deeper level in the TV’s settings.

• Features score: 3.5 / 5

Subwoofer level can be adjusted using the bass settings on the remote (Image credit: Future) Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus review: Performance

• Sounds good but not the best resolution
• Stereo image is a bit narrow
• Surround sound is immersive
  

The sound quality of the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is pretty good. You might not be impressed if you’ve used hi-fi equipment or premium soundbars, but if you’re looking for your first home theater surround sound system, you should be pretty happy.

Specifically, the high-end is just a tiny bit lacking so the audio doesn’t quite have the best clarity and resolution. This was especially apparent when playing music I’m familiar with, which just didn’t quite have the same sparkle it usually does. However, this is a nitpick.

The mids are fairly well balanced so that they sound full without being compressed or distorted. And there’s lots of bass available from the subwoofer so you get that rumble when watching movies.

You can adjust the subwoofer via the bass settings on the remote to be less impactful (or more) if you want. The treble, as mentioned before, is also adjustable via the remote, though I found the various levels to be a little too subtle.

When it comes to the soundstage, the left and right channels are a little closer together than I would like. This is because, even though the soundbar has left, center, and right channel speakers, the drivers and tweeters for the left and right channels (each channel has a mid-bass driver and tweeter) both face straight ahead. Even though the soundbar is 37 inches wide, this is not enough separation when you’re sitting beyond a 1.5-meter distance from the TV.

Yes, everything that’s supposed to be on the left sounds like it’s on the left and everything that’s supposed to be on the right is there as well. But, the stereo image is still a bit too narrow.

The surround sound, on the other hand, is a pleasure to listen to. The surround speakers offer a 360-degree experience, even when it’s just the atmosphere of a video game like It Takes Two or random background characters talking such as I experienced when watching Fool’s Paradise. I also tested the surround speakers with 5.1-channel audio mixes on YouTube, and it was enlightening to experience the spaciousness these speakers deliver while also confirming that you don’t really need to listen to Bob Marley in anything other than stereo.

It’s worth noting again that, though this soundbar supports Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, this is purely virtual as there are no physical upward-firing speakers. And I didn’t notice anything resembling that vertical sense of space when watching movies and TV with Dolby Atmos soundtracks.

• Performance score: 4 / 5

A minimal set of inputs, including HDMI ARC, optical digital and USB-A, is located on the soundbar's back panel (Image credit: Future) Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus review: Design

• Basic aesthetics and design
• LED indicator lights instead of alphanumeric display
• Most fine tuning done through the remote

Aesthetically, the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus can best be described as utilitarian. All the units come in a matte black. The units are also all pretty boxy, and you would only know that they were made by Amazon because each piece has the Fire TV logo imprinted in shiny black somewhere on it. The various units don’t call too much attention themselves, other than the fact that the sound bar is 37 inches wide so you’ll need a wide enough surface to install it if you’re not wall-mounting.

The ports on the back are surprisingly limited to HDMI, optical digital, and USB. While the HDMI port is ARC-enabled, I would have appreciated a second HDMI passthrough port. This is an issue I frequently find with cheaper sound bars.

Another limitation is that there’s no alphanumeric display on the front, just five LED indicator lights that shine through the front grill cloth to reflect what the volume or various settings are up to.

The controls on top of the soundbar are a bit more limited than on the remote, but the necessary ones are here, namely: power, source, Bluetooth, volume up, and volume down.

All fine-tuning is done on the remote. Luckily, it’s easy to use and has separate bass and treble buttons to cycle through levels as well as a button to turn on/off surround sound, which has its own volume up and down. There are also EQ preset and dialogue buttons.

• Design score: 4 / 5

The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus system's surround speakers make an instant wireless link to the soundbar when plugged in (Image credit: Future) Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus review: Setup & usability

• Already paired out of the box
• Easy to use
• No real display for current settings

Setting up the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus couldn’t be easier. Everything comes in one big box – all the packaging seems to be materials that can be recycled – and just needs to be removed and plugged in.

The soundbar, subwoofer, and rear speakers are already paired so that once everything is plugged in and powered on, the soundbar will register the other units. A wall-mounting kit is also included, though it’s just for the soundbar. The hardest part (unless you’re planning on mounting) is putting the batteries in the remote.

As far as using the soundbar, it’s also just as straightforward. The buttons on the sound bar itself are a bit basic so you need to keep track of the remote to get most of the functionality. But switching sources and adjusting the audio to taste within its limitations is fairly foolproof.

I do wish there was a front panel alphanumeric display for feedback when making changes. Instead, you have to rely on the indicator LEDs and listen to a voice prompt to know what setting you’ve changed. And if you’re not paying close attention, you have to adjust again to find out what it was on.

• Setup & usability score: 4.5 / 5

With no app or Alexa control, EQ and sound adjustments on the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus are all carried out using the included remote (Image credit: Future) Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus review: Value

• Good, but not great, deal for a surround sound soundbar system
• Can find cheaper, though lesser, 5.1-channel sound bar options
• Same money can get better-sounding options, but with fewer channels

I may sound a little confused when discussing the price of the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus by saying it’s at once affordable and overpriced. At $489.99 (about £390 / AU$770) for the surround sound configuration, it’s a good mid-tier system for the price that comes with a large soundbar, subwoofer, and two rear speakers. Yet, it’s priced higher than one would expect from the likes of Amazon, especially considering how light on features it is.

This is particularly highlighted when considering the Ultimea Poseidon D50, a 5.1-channel sound bar system that goes for a paltry $119.99 / £149.99 (about AU$180). Sure, the Ultimea comes with many more compromises with slightly worse audio and build quality, but it’s also much, much cheaper.

Of course, you can spend the same amount on something that’s not quite considered premium and get a much smaller package. Consider the Sony HT-S2000, a 3.1-channel system that counts virtual Dolby Atmos as a main attraction. It does have generally better audio quality. Still, you have to pay $499 / £449 / AU$695 for it.

• Value score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus? Buy it if...

You want the easiest setup possible
All you have to do to set up the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is to power up the various units. It doesn’t get easier than that.

You don’t want to spend too much for a surround sound system
While it’s not the cheapest out there, the price is pretty good, especially if you go for the configuration with the surround speakers and subwoofer.

You want a straightforward soundbar
Not only is this soundbar system easy to set up, but it’s easy to operate. If you find that too many bells and whistles get in the way, then this might be the one for you.

Don't buy it if...

sound-enabledYou want a lot of features
The Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus is surprisingly stripped down, especially for a surround sound- enabled setup. Sure, there’s virtual Dolby Atmos, but it’s not the real deal.

You want crystal-clear audio
The sound quality is good, but if you’re fussy, you’re going to wish you spent a little more on something with better clarity and resolution.View Deal

Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus review: Also consider

Ultimea Poseidon D50
The Ultimea Poseidon D50 is proof you can go really cheap and still get a 5.1-channel system. Yes, there are compromises, such as the lack of any kind of Dolby Atmos support, and it’s also a bit cheap-looking. But, it mostly sounds good, and is easy to set up.

Read our full Ultimea Poseidon D50 review

Sony HT-S2000
If surround sound is not a top priority, but you still want something beyond stereo and have $500 / £500 to burn, the all-in-one Sony HT-S2000’s overall sound quality is impressive and its virtual Dolby Atmos is actually spacious-sounding.

Read our full Sony HT-S2000 review

Hisense AX5125H
Hisense's soundbar system offers 5.1.2 channels in a compact package with wireless surround speakers and subwoofer. It also has an alphanumeric front panel LED display and costs less than Amazon's system.

Read our full Hisense AX5125H review

How I tested the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus

The Nakamichi Dragon with its two subs in my home. (Image credit: Future)

• I used the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus for a couple weeks
• Tested with both TV, movies, and music

I used the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus system regularly for a week. I used it with TV shows, movies, and music. I tested the various EQ options and audio modes as well as played around with all the other settings available, such as the dialogue mode.

After testing, the Amazon Fire TV Soundbar Plus seems to be a decently priced 5.1-channel system that leans a bit on the Fire TV brand, offering mostly convenience and the surround sound experience, and not much else.

I’ve tested a lot of tech gear over the years from laptops to keyboards and speakers, and so have been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.

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

Developer Allware makes no secret of its inspiration from Superhot with its aptly named VR game Cold VR. Flipping the script with the tagline “Move or Die,” this shooter introduces a reversed time mechanic: time slows down when you move and speeds up when you stand still. While Superhot used its time-bending feature to create strategic, puzzle-like combat, Cold VR pushes for a more fast-paced, aggressive style, demanding quick, on-the-fly adjustments.

(Image credit: Allware LLC) Review Info

Platform reviewed: PCVR via Meta Quest 3S
Available on: Meta Quest, PC (via Steam), PSVR 2
Release date: February 11, 2025 (PSVR 2 releasing in 2025)

Even the art style takes cues from Superhot by focusing more on simple low-poly visual design with various shades of white, blue, black, and pink. There is a visual switch-up during optional intermission horror-inspired levels called 'backrooms' that feature dark orange and black but we’ll touch on that later.

Neither Hot Or Cold

(Image credit: Allware LLC)

The core gameplay loop of Cold VR has players defeating a set amount of enemies until an area is clear. Dodging bullets and attacks is a must as one hit will send players back to the beginning of the level which can stretch pretty long compared to Superhot. So long that players may find themselves frustrated by making it far to have to start all over considering some segments take as long as 10 to 15 minutes to complete.

A diverse arsenal of melee weapons and firearms keeps the gameplay exciting and dynamic. Of course, players can wield those weapons in either hand for a nice variety of combat options. Like Superhot, one strategy involves having something like a sword in one hand and a pistol in another as guns have a finite amount of bullets. Various katanas, claws, straight swords, and even shields join pistols, shotguns, machine guns, assault rifles, and sniper rifles. Playing in a flat open arena firing away at gun-toting enemies in one hand and hacking approaching grunts in another in slow motion can be a euphoric experience at times.

While you can throw guns and swords at enemies, the awkward physics and clunky controls make it an unreliable combat option. Adding to the frustration, players can’t pick up weapons from defeated enemies. This eliminates the kind of cinematic moments seen in Superhot, where you could toss an empty gun at an enemy, watch them shatter into crystal-like fragments, snatch their weapon midair, and seamlessly continue the fight.

(Image credit: Allware LLC)

Some platforming portions within gameplay add some diversity to the combat though it doesn’t make good on the promise the opening tutorial brings. Similar to Doom, some battle scenarios beg players to run on jump pads and shoot enemies while in mid-air. Outside of learning core mechanics, players have to use the time mechanic to slow down lasers to pass alongside climbing moving stairs.

The optional backroom levels initially offer a refreshing break from the intense combat, challenging players to navigate a maze armed with nothing but their wits. These eerie corridors are patrolled by black, spiked creatures that kill on contact and the first level effectively builds tension with clever flashlight mechanics. However, the suspense quickly fades as these levels devolve into tedious fetch quests and button hunts. One variation has players searching for three orbs, which can be confusing without a map and frustrating if you're killed mid-search. For completionists, the backroom levels risk dragging down the game’s pacing and adding unnecessary frustration instead of serving as a pallette cleanser.

Shining bright despite bugs

(Image credit: Allware LLC)

Combat is also hurt by bugs that can lead to annoying moments. Sometimes levels can start with players pointing in the wrong direction which can lead to instant death. This happened several times in a level that starts with an elevator opening with an enemy already firing in your direction. This happened in other missions that start with enemies directly facing the player as well. Cold VR also has ammo counters on guns but a bug makes it inconsistent when players see them leading to an unnecessary guessing game.

Though Cold VR’s gameplay experience can be fairly inconsistent, its story and presentation shine. Players are a piece of software attempting to fight against a rogue artificial intelligence led by a menacing force. The mysterious protagonist is helped by a human hacker who appears via a large monitor in between levels. These live-action FMV (full-motion video) sequences ride a fine line between providing over-the-top camp and meaningful story beats. By the time Cold VR ends, players will even have a nuanced understanding of the main baddie’s motivations.

Best Bit

(Image credit: Allware LLC)

In one mission, players start perched on a rooftop with a sniper rifle, methodically taking out enemies one by one as they cock the hammer back between shots. Once the coast is clear, they leap onto the rooftop, unleashing a barrage of dual-pistol fire in epic slow-motion to finish the remaining foes.

The FMV sequences add to a respectable-looking game that blends solid cyberpunk art direction and great performance. Cold VR's minimalistic art design allows for some pretty neat special effects. This includes fantastic particle effects, lighting, shadows, and even reflections. All of that is done without a hint of slowdown during our playthrough. Adding to the experience is an awesome techno soundtrack that enhances the feel of combat in meaningful ways. If there’s one area where Cold VR overtakes its inspiration, it’s the presentation department through and through.

Cold VR offers a unique twist on the time-manipulation shooter formula, delivering a visually striking and fast-paced experience. With its 3.5-hour campaign, it’s a concise yet challenging ride that demands quick reflexes and strategic thinking. The reversed time mechanic - where time slows as you move - pushes players into more aggressive combat scenarios. While the gameplay occasionally stumbles with clunky physics, bugs, and some frustrating level design, Cold VR excels in its narrative and presentation.

The straightforward story, bolstered by engaging FMV sequences, adds depth, while its cyberpunk aesthetic and dynamic techno soundtrack elevate the overall immersion. Despite its flaws, Cold VR stands out for its cool mechanics and polished visuals, making it a worthwhile addition for VR enthusiasts seeking a fresh take on the genre. At this price point, it’s an intriguing, albeit imperfect, adventure that’s sure to challenge and entertain.

Should you play Cold VR? Play it if...

You’re a fan of Superhot
Cold VR proudly showcases its inspirations while adding some unique twists to make it stand out just enough.

You want a unique presentation within your VR experience
The game offers stunning visuals, immersive audio with dynamic sound effects, a high-intensity soundtrack, and a solid storyline.

Don't play it if...

You expect to do cool things like throw objects or throw enemy weapons
All players can do in Cold VR is shoot and swing a wide range of weapons. Don’t expect to grab enemy weapons or throw objects effectively.

You require a certain level of polish during your playthrough
Occasional bugs can disrupt an otherwise enjoyable experience, becoming especially frustrating when levels stretch to ten minutes and a single death forces players to restart from the very beginning.

Accessibility features

Cold VR offers smooth gameplay regardless of whether you're standing or sitting. Movement is handled with the left controller, while the right controller allows for both snap and smooth turning options. Players can adjust snap turn angles and smooth turn speed with dedicated sliders. Additionally, a vignette slider is available to darken the screen's edges, helping some visually impaired players focus on the center of the image.

(Image credit: Allware LLC) How I reviewed Cold VR

I reviewed Cold VR on a gaming PC using a Steam key provided by the developer, playing wirelessly on a Meta Quest 3s via Steam Link. The single-player campaign took about three hours to complete, but I spent more time with the game to explore it and test it more intensely.

First reviewed February 2025