Reviews

Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz: One-minute review

The Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz is one of the brand’s new flagship gaming keyboards. It features analog switches with huge customization potential, designed to meet the exacting requirements of esport professionals.

It has a simple and basic form, although there are few touches that add a little flair. The shiny, brushed top plate and high floating keycaps are sleek, while the bright but subtle RGB lighting adds some much needed color.

It’s also light and compact, but very solid at the same time. The materials feel premium, with the Doubleshot PBT keycaps being the highlight. Some might not like their prominent graining, but to me they’re among the best gaming keyboard caps around in terms of texture.

(Image credit: Future)

Razer’s Synapse software has a smorgasbord of options to play around with. There are plenty of rebinding options and performance-related settings, including in-depth Rapid Trigger, Snap Tap, and controller emulation features, to name a few. The app is clear and easy to use, although I did experience a few minor issues with settings failing to take hold at certain points, although these are ultimately fixable.

The optical switches in the Huntsman V3 lack the dampening or clickiness of other boards, and can feel a little harsh at times. This is especially evident when typing, which is also made difficult by the sheer height of the keycaps themselves. Overall, though, they’re still pleasant to use, and the smooth and easy travel of the keys makes them effective when gaming.

The analog performance is also smooth and precise. However, there’s a lack of feel and feedback at the top of each key’s travel. Press further down, though, and you’re met with more resistance, which provides more control when attempting to hit certain actuation points, or when emulating controller sticks and triggers.

With its sub-$200 price point, the Huntsman V3 represents good value considering all that it offers. There are very strong contenders in the analog gaming keyboard space, but the Huntsman V3 acquits itself just well enough to justify its place among them.

(Image credit: Future)Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Price and availability

• $169.99 / £169.99 / AU$299.95
• Available now in one color
• Decent price for an analog board

The Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz costs $169.99 / £169.99 / AU$299.95 and is available now in black only. The keycaps are removable, but the switches aren’t.

This is a decent price for an analog keyboard, especially one with as many software tweaks as the Huntsman V3 features. The SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3, for instance, has a considerably higher list price, although we have seen it with significant discounts lately, bringing it closer in line with the Huntsman V3. The Apex Pro is a truly phenomenal board, with a superior build and performance to that of the Huntsman V3. It doesn’t have as many analog tweaks, though.

For a more budget option, there’s the Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro. Like the Huntsman V3, this also has plenty of analog adjustments and features, including controller emulation. However, I found its analog performance inferior, lacking the same levels of precision and control as the Huntsman V3.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Specs

Layout

TKL

Switch

Razer Analog Optical Switch Gen-2

Programmable keys

Yes

Dimensions

14.2 x 5.5 x 1.5 inches / 362 x 140 x 38mm

RGB or backlighting

Yes (customizable)

(Image credit: Future)Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Design and features

• Light and compact board
• Tall floating keycaps
• Wealth of settings in Synapse

The Huntsman V3 has a basic appearance, although a few touches set it apart. The aluminum faceplate has a shiny finish with a brushed effect, which is subtle but may still prove divisive. The prominent floating keycaps lend it a healthy dose of sleek minimalism.

The RGB lighting is reasonably subtle, only shining through the keycap characters, although a small amount does leak between the gaps. It’s quite bright, and there are numerous options for customizing patterns.

It’s quite a light and compact board, but it feels surprisingly solid at the same time. There’s very little flex and all materials feel premium. This includes the Doubleshot PBT keycaps; their prominent graining is satisfying to touch and also helps with traction. Again, though, this mightn’t be to every gamer’s taste, given that many keycaps are super smooth.

While the board itself is quite thin, it actually feels a lot thicker, thanks to the height at which the keycaps float above it, as well as the tallness of the keycaps themselves.

However, the tilt angle provided by the feet does help to make it more comfortable to reach the keys. There are two sets of feet which offer meaningful differences in angle.

You’ll find the USB-C port on the back left of the unit. It’s deeply recessed, which makes it a little more difficult to connect and disconnect, but this small inconvenience is a fair trade-off for the security it provides.

To customize the Huntsman V3, you’ll need to download Razer’s Synapse software. This has an impressive gamut of adjustments. There are plenty of remapping options, including a wealth of Windows and media controls you can assign to keys. You can also assign up to four inputs to a single key, each triggering depending on how far down you press.

(Image credit: Future)

Like many modern gaming keyboards, there’s a Snap Tap function, letting you assign priority to a single key when two are pressed simultaneously. There are various options here, with different types of priority to choose from. There’s also a Snap Flex feature, which allows you to bind a second input to a key that triggers when you release it. This can be assigned on up to four different keys.

Then there are the analog settings, which again are very extensive. Aside from being able to adjust the actuation point for each key between 0.1mm and 4mm, there’s also a Rapid Trigger function with independent upstroke and downstroke sliders, each with ranges between 0.1mm and 1mm. You can even enable Continuous Rapid Trigger.

There’s a controller emulation mode, too, allowing you to assign gamepad inputs to your keys. This includes trigger and stick inputs, where you can also adjust their curve profile to set their response and sensitivity to your liking.

Controller inputs are easy to assign, in part thanks to the ability to assign multiple common mappings with a single click. For instance, there’s an option to assign the left stick to the WASD keys. A simple but useful visualizer attends the controller section, showing trigger and stick behaviours in real time with your presses.

Aside from being able to create your own profiles, Synapse features some useful preset profiles, including those designed for certain games. For example, the Racing profile binds gamepad triggers and joysticks to the WASD keys. These profiles can be selected via Fn shortcuts, and there are hotkeys for other performance-related functions, too.

Synapse is clearly laid out and features helpful explanations and tutorials. It’s fast and smooth, although I did experience a few minor bugs. For instance, the keyboard passthrough feature for controller emulation, which allows keys not bound to controller inputs to work as normal, failed to work on occasion. However, a simple replug of the USB cable seemed to remedy the issue.

• Design and features score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Performance

• Precise analog response
• Slight harsh and numb keys
• Not great for typing

The keys in the Huntsman V3 are more clicky than thocky, although they feel less sharp than the clickiest switches out there. Their sound is both lower in pitch and quieter than many mechanical models, too.

They don’t have much dampening, which can make the board feel a little harsh at times. This is especially evident when typing — and the act isn’t made any easier by the thick keycaps, their elevated height, and the absence of a dip in the middle row. This combination makes gliding around the keys tricky, and it also causes some discomfort, owing to the angle at which you have to bend your wrists to reach them.

Thankfully, I was more comfortable when gaming in the WASD position. The keys are comfortably spaced, while the space bar and other peripheral keys are easy to reach.

The standout aspect of the Huntsman V3’s performance, though, is its analog response. It’s very precise and sensitive, reacting very well to different levels of pressure, which in turn gives you a broad range of control.

However, this precision is somewhat undermined by the lack of feel in the keys themselves. They don’t provide as much feedback as I would've liked, which can make it a little tricky to dial in the exact amount of pressure to hit certain actuation points or make smooth adjustments when emulating triggers and sticks.

What's more, there’s a small but noticeable amount of wobble to the keys, which means presses don’t feel particularly secure. Thankfully, though, most of the analog issues I’ve outlined only pertain to the top of presses; once you press further down, more resistance is generated from the springs, which allows for much smoother and more granular control.

• Performance score: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy the Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz?Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Not many analog keyboards are cheaper than this, especially those that offer this many features.

4 / 5

Design and features

Compact, light, and well made. The Synapse software provides copious options and it’s mostly stable, bar a few minor issues.

4 / 5

Performance

The analog response from the switches is great, although the actual control you get from presses is less so. Not a great board for typing, either.

3.5 / 5

Overall rating

The Huntsman V3 packs in many features and it mostly delivers on the performance front, aside from a slight lack of feedback. For the price, the Huntsman V3 is a competent gaming keyboard.

3.5 / 5

Buy it if…

You want plenty of adjustments
I haven't seen an analog keyboard with this many adjustments, and the software for tweaking them is easy to use.

You want a good analog performance
The analog response is smooth and precise, which makes it ideal for all kinds of games.

Don't buy it if…

You want great key feedback
The keys are a little numb at the top of their travel, which might deter those looking for the finest of movements.

You’ll be typing a lot
The height and the thickness of the keycaps make the Huntsman V3 a chore to type on.

Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz review: Also consider

SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3
Still one of my favorite analog keyboards, the performance and build quality of the Apex Pro are hard to beat. It doesn’t have as many adjustments as the Huntsman V3, and misses out on controller emulation entirely, but in terms of pure analog feel, it’s a hard board to beat. Read our full SteelSeries Apex Pro TKL Gen 3 review.

Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro
A more budget-friendly analog board, the Vulcan 2 TKL Pro still has plenty of features, including controller emulation. However, its analog response isn’t as precise as the Huntsman V3’s, nor is its build quite as strong, but it’s not a bad pick for those looking to save. Read our full Turtle Beach Vulcan 2 TKL Pro review.

How I tested the Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for several days
• Used many features
• Extensive gaming keyboard experience

I tested the Razer Huntsman V3 Tenkeyless 8KHz for several days, during which time I used it for gaming, working, and general use.

I played games such as Subnautica 2, which makes use of the typical first-person keys, from WASD and the number keys to the space bar and control and shift keys. I also played games that allowed me to make use of the Huntsman V3’s controller emulation, such as Assetto Corsa, by using W and S to emulate triggers and A and D in place of the left stick.

I’ve been PC gaming for over a decade, and have used a number of keyboards in that time. I’ve also reviewed a large number of them, including other Razer models.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: June 2026

Corsair Galleon 100 SD one minute review

I still don't quite know what to make of Corsair's Galleon 100 SD gaming keyboard. On the one hand, the ethos of this thing, the switches, the design, the implementation are generally very well thought out, and it's solidly built too.

Sound-dampening is decent, the linear MLX switches are delightful to type on, and the Stream Deck integration on the right-hand panel gives the whole thing a lot more versatility than you first might think.

Whereas before your Stream Deck buttons sat beside your monitor, the Galleon 100 SD brings them within reach, taking up that numpad position instead. That makes it a more natural flow while you're gaming and streaming at the same time.

That's a long-winded way of saying you can actually use all of the Stream Deck's vast utility in-game, finally, without stretching halfway across your desk to do it. Not only can you have all of those macros and keybinds added into the numpad directly, with visual indicators as to what they actually do, but the display element gives you key system stats while you do it.

The bigger issue lies in the absolute bonanza of software you need to get this thing running. The Galleon, by default, requires two separate programs to fully function. Corsair's Web Hub, a PWA interface (or website effectively) that replaces the desktop iCUE app, allowing you to change your lighting, keybinds, polling rate, all with a lightweight web page rather than a full-blown software suite. And then the standalone desktop Stream Deck app, which you need to configure, well, the Stream Deck.

(Image credit: Future)

The worst part about that is that the Galleon's not backwards compatible with iCUE directly, and similarly, a lot of the "legacy" Corsair hardware hasn't made its way to the Web Hub either yet (there's a promise it's coming, but nothing confirmed). So, if you're running RGB lighting with some older fans, or a different mouse that isn't supported by Web Hub, you're effectively running iCUE, Web Hub, and the Stream Deck app to keep all of your Corsair products in line, and that just feels messy.

Then there's the price. It isn't cheap, by any measure. Yes, you are technically getting a full Stream Deck in here as well, so there's that to bear in mind, but it's near enough $100 more than the likes of Corsair's Makr Pro line (a markedly better keyboard if your sole aim is gaming).

It's a good board, and if you're not phased by the ludicrous software setup and the price tag, you'll get along with it just fine. Arguably for many, that expanded Stream Deck utility might make it one of the best gaming keyboards you could buy. But you really need to be able to justify what you gain from the Stream Deck itself. If you hesitate even for a moment on that thought, you might be better off looking elsewhere.

Corsair Galleon 100 SD review: Price & availability

• Priced astonishingly high for a standard mechanical keyboard
• Available globally today
• Only worth it if the Stream Deck is for you

Perhaps the biggest talking point of the Galleon 100 SD is that price tag. $350 and £310 (around AU$500) for a keyboard of this magnitude is a tough pill to swallow, particularly because at its bare bones, the keyboard itself doesn't really outclass boards a third of the cost.

Like yes, the MLX switches are lush to type on, pre-lubed, and there's plenty of sound dampening going on here, but those aren't exactly Corsair exclusives, and you can find a number of full-size boards from other manufacturers that feature exactly that, for a lot less.

Now, yes, of course, you do get that Stream Deck baked into the side here, sacrificing a full numpad for it (although technically that is a function that's available with a quick profile swap), but if you've already got a Stream Deck in any form, it's quite hard to justify the extra cost.

• Value: 3/5

(Image credit: Future)Corsair Galleon 100 SD review: Specs

Price

$349.99 / £309.99 / AU$599

Layout

Full-size "Extended"

Switch

Corsair MLX Pulse

Switch specs

45g actuation; 2.0mm actuation point; 3.6mm travel; 80M keystrokes

Keycaps

Shine-through PBT

Dimensions

448 × 159 × 42mm (17.6 × 6.3 × 1.65")

Connectivity

Wired USB-A; 2× USB 2.0 Type-C passthrough

Polling rate

Up to 8,000Hz (wired)

Rollover / anti-ghosting

Full-key rollover (NKRO), 100% anti-ghosting

Weight

1.392kg (3.07lb), excl. palm rest

Corsair Galleon 100 SD review: Design

• Lush aluminum frame, dense and filled with sound-dampening
• Stream Deck replacing the numpad is wildly cool
• Twin dials is highly divisive, and the lighting is average

From a pure design perspective, there's a lot here that generally leans positive. The aluminum body is clean, solid, and it feels durable. There's little, if any, flex in the shell, and the sound dampening is doing its work nicely.

There's no errant pings or metallic rattlings going on here at all. Certainly not compared to the 2022 generation of K70 keyboards, that's a fact. And without a doubt, Corsair's keyboard design and build quality has come a long way in the last few years; that's very easy to see. Still, it's not quite as solid as the Makr line, nor does it feel as heavy.

Styling on the whole is a bit of a mixed bag. The aluminum outer shell mimics most of Corsair's product line right now with soft bevelled edges and this relatively satin-esque finish.

(Image credit: Future)

The top LED bar is a bit gauche. You've got this quite bizarre, triangular three-point pattern running along the length of it as a plastic strip with the Corsair logo embedded in the middle, which, if I'm honest, looks quite cheap. It would've been far better suited just to have a singular Corsair logo, and that's it. In fact, that's something that the Makr line does well.

I'm not entirely sold on the twin dial setup either. There's just something about it that looks a bit diabolical, and I can't quite place it. This is a bit of a hangover from the Stream Deck Plus, and I get the utility here being able to configure two dials to two different operations (particularly useful for video scrubbing, or creative work), but visually it's a bit eugh.

(Image credit: Future)

There's also a few other bells and whistles here, too. Namely, for some reason (despite there being a fully dedicated Stream Deck with 12 buttons, media controls, and twin dials over to the right) a fully embedded set of function keys here too. I mean, sure, why not? It's not like you're losing anything by having them.

Keycaps are clean, too. The font face is professional and sensible, more subdued than some of the more custom units out there, and the PBT touch is comfortable enough to type on, that's for sure. Corsair's also included two USB Type-C passthroughs on this thing as well.

Corsair Galleon 100 SD review: Performance

• MLX Pulse switches are smooth and satisfying, if over-damped.
• Stream Deck's finally usable in-game properly
• The three-app software stack drags the whole experience down

So the good news is, typing and gaming on the Galleon 100 is a real treat. It's smooth to use on those linear MLX switches feel buttery under touch. It's not quite as pleasant an experience for me as on the Makr Pro, or Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX, but it's still top quality. If you like a linear switch, and you're not quite as heavy-handed as I am, bottoming out every key strike, you'll love this thing.

The Stream Deck, too, is immensely satisfying to use. Once you've got it set up and it's swapping into profiles on game load, with your keybinds and macros set, it's a real treat. I've already mentioned, but having the keys within reach like that makes it far more useful than leaning across your desk to whack a macro real fast. Star Citizen in particular, and well, any simulator, rife with keybinds, benefits a ton.

I will say, the feel of those switches, though, sucks. Certainly, when you have the direct comparison of a mechanical switch right next to them. That's particularly jarring if you just need to use a numpad quickly to enter a pin, or your phone number. It's mentally very jarring. Almost like you're going back in time for a second, using a membrane board.

(Image credit: Future)

Then there's the software stack. Oh boy. You effectively need two programs to run this board efficiently. The Stream Deck app, to configure your deck profiles and each key, along with the display. That's local, sits on your desktop. Then, the Web Hub to configure the Corsair side of the keyboard. That's web-based (although you can install it on desktop via the "Save and Share -> Install page as an app" feature).

Web Hub is effectively a lighter-weight replacement for iCUE. You access it via URL. Configure your settings once, and it disappears into the ether. The problem with it is that it's not entirely backwards compatible with the rest of Corsair's legacy hardware. So, older products still need to be configured and set up via iCUE on your desktop. What's worse is that the Galleon isn't compatible with iCUE, so if you are embedded in the Corsair ecosystem, you're then left in a position where you have effectively three apps to control your products.

There's a more pressing issue, too, in that Web Hub isn't supported by all browsers currently. In short, it uses two browser APIs to access the keyboard directly via USB: WebHID, and WebUSB. Firefox doesn't natively support those APIs as it (rightly) views it as a harmful fingerprint/security attack vector that exposes your USB hardware unnecessarily to web pages. So it's not even a case of "Mozilla will catch up eventually", the company has taken a philosophical stance against the implementation of it, and it doesn't have anyone working on it.

Similarly, Brave, although Chromium-based, will only allow device configuration through Web Hub with permission enabled, and doesn't allow you to update the firmware at all. If you want to do any of that, you're effectively forced to install Chrome, Edge, or Opera.

It's a tricky one to justify. Particularly as iCUE itself was already stripped down in the last few years anyway. Currently, it only installs modules based on what you actually need and what products you have plugged in, rather than the entire back catalog.

Theoretically, yes, you could install a second browser specifically just for Web Hub. Then install that as a PWA app, but this just feels so hard to justify from a user experience perspective. It'd be far better just to add compatibility into iCUE directly, and it's hard to see why Corsair didn't.

Should I buy the Corsair Galleon 100 SD?Corsair Galleon 100 SD Scorecard

Attribute

Notes

Score

Performance

Switches are a dream to type on, ideal if you don't bottom them out, and having access to that Stream deck gives it greater in-game utility, but the software stack leaves a lot to be desired, particularly if you use Firefox or are security-conscious.

3/5

Design

Clean, crisp, professional with plenty of sound dampening, and quality switches. The implementation of the Stream Deck is top-tier, but the lighting strip could use some work.

4/5

Value

Thoroughly expensive compared to other mechanical boards with similar build quality but you do get a full display and Stream Deck thrown in for good measure.

3/5

Buy it if…

You want a keyboard and a stream deck, but not both
The Galleon 100 SD's claim to fame is that Stream Deck is baked in on the side, replacing the numpad. With twin dials and a cornucopia of profiles you can set up, it becomes one of the best gaming utilities out there.View Deal

You create as much as you game
It's those twin dials that are game-changing, and if you're a streamer, then you're doubly equipped with quick camera options, lighting controls, scene setups, the works, all at your fingertips.View Deal

You miss the older K70 keyboards
There's a certain K70"ness" about the Galleon 100. Naming conventions aside, the size, the layout, the build quality, it's got all the hallmarks of that legendary line.View Deal

Don’t buy it if…

You're fed up with software bloat
Embedded in Corsair's ecosystem already? Be prepared to install Elgato's Stream Deck app, Corsair's Web Hub, and iCUE as well, just to get everything playing nicely, and that's without mentioning the security risk and lack of Firefox support.View Deal

You're after a budget keyboard
She's seriously pricey, and you can get similarly performing keyboards at a fraction of the cost, with sound-dampening and pre-lubed linear switches if you'd like. Although you lose out on that Stream Deck.View Deal

You want a slimmer form factor
Its extended form factor makes it wide, seriously wide, which can be an issue if you're thinking about your ergonomics or have a narrow desk.View Deal

Also consider

Corsair Makr Pro 75

Want the premium Corsair build without the Stream Deck sprawl, and $100 off? The Makr Pro 75 is the better-built, hall-effect sibling, with adjustable magnetic switches and eight layers of dampening to the Galleon's 6. Sure, you lose out on the big ol display and squishy media keys, but it dominates this thing in almost every other area, with 33% off.View Deal

Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX

You don't have to break the bank to get a good ol' lubed-up keyboard these days. Asus' Strix Scope II RX is a seriously slick alternative: superb RX Red optical switches, proper sound dampening, PBT keycaps, and an actual numpad, all for about $110, roughly a third of the price. The catch? No Stream Deck to spam your buddies with gifs. Still, you could buy this and a standard one, and still save $100.

Read our full Asus ROG Strix Scope II RX reviewView Deal

How I tested the Corsair Galleon 100 SD

• Tested over three weeks as my daily driver
• Used for gaming, professional writing, and creative work
• Full Stream Deck integration tested
• Compared to competitors and my back catalogue, with 11 years of experience in the tech field

I lived with the Galleon 100 SD for about three weeks, running it as my main board. I tested it across all manner of different tasks, from creative agency work to freelance journalism and, of course, gaming sessions in Total War: Warhammer 3 and World of Warcraft as well.

During my time with it, it was the Stream Deck that I focused on most; after all, keyboards are very similar, and Corsair's got a name for making good ones, but implementing a Stream Deck into the side of it and swapping out the numpad? Had to be put through its paces.

I benchmarked it against a selection of modern-day keyboards I have in-house, and compared it to the wider market at the time of testing, including the Makr Pro 75, which I'd just finished up reviewing as well. I've spent over a decade testing PC hardware and peripherals, so I've got plenty of knowledge to draw on when it comes to mechanical keebs and the plucky old Stream Deck, too.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: June 2026

RugOne Xever 8: 30-second review

While this phone won’t make our best rugged phone collection, what it offers might be perfect for some customers, and it is reasonably affordable for a phone with a swappable battery.

RugOne is Ulefone's premium rugged sub-brand, launched in late 2025. It targets buyers who want a genuinely capable device rather than a cheap, rough-and-ready handset. The Xever 8 is the entry point to the second generation of that vision. It arrived in May 2026 and carries forward the headline idea from the Xever 7 series: a battery you can swap without powering down the phone.

That concept matures here into what RugOne calls Swappable Battery 2.0. The claim is that critical apps stay running throughout the swap, and within quite narrow criteria, it achieves that.

I can confirm that the Xever 8 ships with two 4,800mAh batteries and a charging dock in the box. For field workers and outdoor users who simply cannot afford downtime, the proposition is clear.

There is a catch, though, and it is worth addressing upfront. The Xever 7 was a 5G device with a Dimensity 8020 chipset. The Xever 8 steps down to a Helio G200 on a 4G-only platform. For a phone launching in 2026, that is a significant concession, and it, to some degree, negates some of the advantages this phone has over its previous generation. RugOne made a deliberate trade-off, prioritising the battery system and audio hardware over performance. Whether buyers agree that trade is fair depends heavily on what they need most.

With a better SoC, this might have been one of the best rugged phones, but it appears that we might need to wait until the Xever 9 to get all these ducks in a row.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)RugOne Xever 8: price and availability

• How much does it cost? $368/£380
• When is it out? Available now
• Where can you get it? You can get it directly from RugOne or via many online retailers such as AliExpress.

The RugOne Xever 8 comes in two colors, Back and Sand Dune, and each of these offers two SKUs, one with 128GB of storage and another with 256GB.

While the machine is shown on the RugOne website, there isn’t any option to buy it from the maker, and I was forced to search for it elsewhere. The only place I could find it was AliExpress, and for US customers, the only option is the 128GB model for $367.99.

UK customers get both capacity phones, with the 128GB being £379.39 and the 256GB option (reviewed here) being £414.59. Spending £35.20 and getting an extra 128GB of storage doesn’t seem like a poor deal. It doesn’t appear to be available to those in the EU at this time, but I suspect it will be at some point.

I complained that the previous RugOne Xever 7 Pro was too expensive, and admittedly, its predecessor, the Xever 8, is cheaper. However, given its specifications, it should be less.

The obvious competitor for this phone is the Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro, a phone that sells for roughly $560 in the USA, and £425 in the UK. That’s for a phone with only 128GB of storage and a single battery. Batteries are freely available for around £22 each. The Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro uses a Snapdragon 7 Gen3 SoC, making it a substantially more powerful device, justifying some of that extra cost.

The Xever 8 is a better value than its Xever 7 Pro predecessor, but it's hardly a bargain in the remarkably competitive rugged phone sector. What helps RugOne justify the price somewhat is the relatively small number of designs with replaceable batteries.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• Value score: 4/5

RugOne Xever 8: Specs

Item

Spec

CPU:

MediaTek Helio G200 (6nm)

GPU:

Mali-G57 MC2

NPU:

N/A

RAM:

8GB

Storage:

256GB UFS 2.2

Screen:

6.5-inch IPS Screen

Resolution:

1080 x 2400 FHD+, 120Hz, 680 nits

SIM:

2x Nano SIM + TF + eSIM (all can be used)

Weight:

320 grams

Dimensions:

168 x 80 x 14mm

Rugged Spec:

IP68 IP69K dust/water resistant (up to 2m for 30 minutes), MIL-STD-810H Certification

Rear cameras:

64MP Main Camera + 20 MP Night Vision Camera

Front camera:

32MP

Networking:

4G LTE. WiFi 5, Bluetooth 5.2

Audio:

3.5mm audio jack for headphones

OS:

Android 15 (updates promised)

Battery:

4600 mAh (Max 33W wired, dock included) hot-swapable

Colours:

Sand Dune, Black

RugOne Xever 8: Design

• Industrial aesthetic
• Extra custom buttons
• Easily swappable batteries

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

In many ways, this phone is a derivative of the Xever 7 Pro, but with some extra elegance and refinement in places. That it comes with the charging stand, a second battery, a charger, and a bunch of other accessories does make it feel more worthy of the asking price.

The Xever 8 measures 168 x 80 x 14mm and weighs 320g. It is not especially light or slim, but it fits better into a pocket than some rugged phones I’ve reviewed. That is the reality of a phone engineered to survive two-metre drops, high-pressure water jets, and the demands of MIL-STD-810H testing. The IP69K rating alongside IP68 is notable. IP69K specifically covers resistance to high-temperature, high-pressure water streams, which is relevant in agricultural and industrial settings where a regular waterproof phone would fail.

RugOne has tried to soften the bulk with bevelled edges designed for grip. The company calls the speaker and camera module arrangement symmetrical, which is unusual in this category. Two colourways are available: Black and Sand Dune. The latter is a muted, low-saturation tone clearly inspired by the rugged outdoor aesthetic that is now common across the category.

The rear cover is removable, obviously, since the battery sits beneath it. The dual-latch system on that cover is a practical addition. An internal latch secures the battery cell itself, and the outer cover adds a second retention point. The claim is that this significantly improves drop resistance at the point where a single-latch design would typically allow the battery to shift on impact.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

A dedicated button on the side can be used to activate the TorchX flashlight, rated at 230 lumens. That is a useful addition for anyone working in unlit environments. The 3.5mm headphone jack is also present on the top edge. These are small decisions that matter to the people this phone is built for.

The Xever 8 uses a 6.5-inch IPS LCD panel running at 1080 x 2400 pixels. At 405 pixels per inch, sharpness is not an issue. The 120Hz refresh rate makes scrolling and navigation feel fluid. Peak brightness reaches 680 nits in high brightness mode, which should be adequate for outdoor use in most conditions, though it does not match the 1,000-plus nit figures now appearing on flagship OLED panels.

Corning Gorilla Glass 3 protects the display. That is two generations behind Gorilla Glass 5 and four behind Gorilla Glass Victus, both of which appear on competing devices in this price range. It is functional protection, and the overall rugged construction means the chassis absorbs much of the shock that would otherwise reach the screen, but it is worth noting for buyers who have had cracked screens before.

The aspect ratio is 20:9, which suits one-handed use in portrait mode. RugOne says the display is grip-friendly, and the physical dimensions suggest the narrower 80mm width helps with that. All the buttons are metal, which does give the Xever 8 a premium feel.

Design score: 4/5

RugOne Xever 8: Hardware

• MediaTek Helio G200
• UFS 2.2 storage
• Swappable batteries

The MediaTek Helio G200 is a 6nm octa-core chip running two Cortex-A76 performance cores at 2.2GHz alongside six Cortex-A55 efficiency cores at 2.0GHz. The GPU is a Mali-G57 MC2.

If you didn’t read the clues in those statements, this is a mid-range platform, not a flagship one. For everyday use, including calls, navigation, messaging, and camera work, it will perform without complaint. Gaming above casual titles and GPU-intensive tasks is where this chip reaches its ceiling.

The RAM configuration is 8GB physical with an additional 8GB of virtual dynamic RAM. Storage ships in 128GB and 256GB variants, both using UFS 2.2. That is an area where the Xever 7 series outshone this device. UFS 2.2 is not slow, but the step from higher-grade storage feels like a backwards move in a product that otherwise claims to be purpose-built for professional use.

USB connectivity is USB 2.0. There is no video output. For a field worker wanting to mirror the screen to a display or transfer large files quickly, that is a real limitation. The Xever 7 Pro carried the same USB 2.0 restriction and received criticism for it. The Xever 8 repeats that choice, though that’s another feature that hinges on the choice of the SoC.

Where the Xever 8 makes its strongest argument is in the battery department, because in theory, it could have a massive capacity. Each battery holds 4,800mAh. Two are included.

The Swappable Battery 2.0 system allows one to be replaced while the phone keeps running. A small internal power buffer maintains the system during the swap. RugOne states that critical apps, calls, and GPS remain active throughout, provided the swap is completed within two minutes. Beyond two minutes, the phone enters a 60-second safety lockout to protect data.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

In practice, that means a user carrying one spare battery has access to something approaching 9,600mAh of usable capacity across a working day without needing a cable at all. The four-in-one charging station that comes in the box charges batteries independently, so the spare can top up while the device is in use.

However, where this scheme trips up somewhat is with respect to charging, which peaks at 18W wired. That is not fast by 2026 standards, but the swappable system largely renders charging speed less critical than it is on sealed-battery devices. The phone also supports 10W reverse wired charging, allowing it to top up other devices.

One concern raised in early community commentary is that RugOne's customer support has indicated that additional batteries are not sold separately. Buyers receive what comes in the box and cannot stock spare cells beyond that. This is a significant limitation if a battery degrades over time, or you wish to carry more than one replacement.

For this reviewer, the biggest issue here is the G200 CPU, as it's far from modern phone technology, and it doesn’t support 5G comms, only 4G LTE. This choice seems to fly in the face of the notion that newer designs should have better technology.

As a platform, the Xever 8 is underwhelming.

• Hardware score: 3/5

RugOne Xever 8: Cameras

• 64MP, 20MP on the rear
• 32MP on the front
• Three cameras in total

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The RugOne Xever 8 has three cameras:

Rear camera: 64MP Sony IMX682, 20MP Sony IMX350 Night vision,
Front camera: 32MP GalaxyCore GC32E1

The main sensor is a 64MP Sony IMX682 with an f/1.9 aperture and PDAF. This is a well-regarded 1/1.7-inch sensor that appears across a range of mid-to-high-end devices. Paired with sufficient processing and a capable aperture, it can produce usable results in daylight. Video tops out at 2K at 30fps, which is adequate but hardly wonderful.

The second rear camera is the more interesting choice for this category. It is a 20MP night vision camera with an f/1.8 aperture and two integrated infrared emitters. In total darkness, without any visible light, this sensor can produce usable images and video.

The applications this is suitable for are straightforward: wildlife observation, search and rescue, perimeter checks, and pinhole camera detection. It is a genuinely specialist capability that most smartphones simply do not offer.

Oddly, in the supported camera section of Android, it mentions that this version of the OS was compiled with support for the GalaxyCore GC8034, an 8MP sensor often used for special focus scenarios like Bokeh mode. But I couldn’t find any evidence for this hardware in the camera app, so it might have been omitted from the final phone.

On the front, a 32MP f/2.5 selfie camera covers video calls and self-documentation. The 0.7-micron pixel size is small, which may limit low-light performance, but the resolution is generous for the category.

An underwater camera mode is included, accessible via side buttons to avoid touchscreen failures when submerged. Given the realistic limits on how deep you can submerge a phone like this, I’m not sure providing an underwater mode is a good idea. Take it much beyond the two-metre depth limit, and pressure will force water inside, ending the fun abruptly.

For still image capture, the primary camera on the Xever 8 is effective, and the night vision sensor is a tried-and-tested solution. There are also plenty of special modes such as slow motion, time lapse, panorama, document capture, group photo, dual video, sports and Pro controls.

What’s less wonderful is that there are only two levels of digital zoom, and the maximum video resolution is only 2K. Note that the Sony IMX682 supports 4K capture, whereas the G200 SoC can only handle 2K video. Yet another way that the SoC choice stymied this design.

RugOne Xever 8 Camera samplesMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark Pickavance

• Camera score: 3.5/5

RugOne Xever 8: Performance

• 6nm SoC
• Mid-tier performance

Phone

 

RugOne Xever 8

RugOne Xever 7 Pro

SoC

 

MediaTek Helio G200

MediaTek Dimensity 7025

GPU

 

Mali-G57 MC2

IMG BXM-8-256

NPU

 

N/A

N/A

Memory

 

8GB/256GB

12GB/512GB

Weight

 

320g

325g

Battery

 

4800

5550

Geekbench

Single

728

940

 

Multi

1952

2283

 

OpenCL

1657

136*

 

Vulkan

1747

133*

PCMark

3.0 Score

9357

11353

 

Battery

15h 18m (15%)

17h 53m

Charge 30

%

35

33

Passmark

Score

5914

10999

 

CPU

4616

5367

3DMark

Slingshot OGL

3346

3777

 

Slingshot Ex. OGL

2531

2600

 

Slingshot Ex. Vulkan

2746

2665

 

Wildlife

1427

N/A

Nomad Lite

162

N/A

If the Xever 7 Pro were made by a different brand, then perhaps comparing it to the Xever 8 might be considered unfair, but it's mostly the numbering convention here that sends a confused signal.

From a hardware perspective, the Xever 8 is a retrograde step, with the exception of graphics. The IMG BXM-8-256 used on the Xever 7 Pro is a horrific GPU that doesn’t support OpenGL or Vulkan properly, and it gets outperformed by the modest Mali-G57 MC2. To anchor that assessment, the Xever 8 still isn’t a gaming phone, or anything approaching that.

Where these scores get interesting is when we look at the battery, because the Xever 8 has a smaller battery than the Xever 7 Pro, but manages similar efficiency. As I recall, on the Xever 7 Pro, the phone was entirely exhausted after the battery benchmark, but the Xever 8 still had 15% battery left. If you at 15% to the running time of the Xever 8, it’s almost exactly the same time as the Xever 7 Pro.

Except, it has 14% less battery capacity. That demonstrates that the Helio G200 is more efficient than the Dimensity 7025. But compared to a modern 4nm SoC, it's not that efficient.

Overall, neither of these devices is anything more than a mid-tier device, and by the end of this year, they’ll be entry-level. But if you do invest in the Xever 8, it’s nice to know you have more than 30 hours of runtime with both batteries.

• Performance score: 3/5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)RugOne Xever 8: Final verdict

Before I wrote this review, I immediately looked at my RugOne Xever 7 Pro piece, and was amused by the first paragraph in that verdict. I’d said the Xever 7 Pro design had gone somewhat off the rails when they discovered that the 5550mAh battery in that phone wasn’t enough for the SoC that RugOne had probably planned for it. It was a guess on my part that the Dimensity 7025 used in that design was an alternative that better fitted the battery capacity.

And, now in the Xever 8, I’m getting the same vibe. Instead of starting with the SoC and then designing the battery system to work with that, it looks like RugOne started with the battery and worked backwards. Which is how this machine ended up with the G200 SoC.

For those familiar with MediaTek’s range, the G200 only appeared in mid-2025, although its technology dates back to the G100 (2024) and the G99 (2022). And, the giveaway about the underlying age of this design is that it's fabricated at 6nm, not the 4nm that MediaTek sells for mid-tier designs, or the 3nm (soon to be 2nm) on its flagship chips. The G99 wasn’t entirely new when it was launched, and the G200 is three iterations from that.

The irony is that a newer SoC might have allowed the battery in the Xever 8 to last even longer if used correctly, and enabled more concurrent features like 5G comms and 4K video.

Overall, for someone who can work with these specifications, the Xever 8 is a workable solution, but, like the Xever 7 Pro, it's compromised in several important areas.

Should I buy a RugOne Xever 8?RugOne Xever 8 Score Card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Better value than the Xever 7 Pro, but it needed a better SoC for this price

4/5

Design

Easy to handle and includes an elegant battery tech

4/5

Hardware

The G200 SoC isn’t modern tech and lacks 5G

3/5

Camera

Good primary camera sensor and night vision, but only 2K video

3.5/5

Performance

Not a great performer for its price

3/5

Overall

Swappable batteries don’t overshadow some of this phone limitations

3.5/5

Buy it if...

You need a phone for outdoors
The water and dust resistance on the Xever 8 is enough to handle submersion and drops. And the battery-swap technology also helps avoid it being overly heavy.

You need battery capacity
One critical feature of this design is the swappable battery, and how that feature translates into running time. However, RugOne doesn’t appear to sell extra batteries yet, which is crazy.

Don't buy it if...

You need the best photography
The sensors on this phone aren't exceptional, but they're also not rubbish. However, the camera app doesn't allow you to exploit what the sensors can do, and video capture is capped at only 2K resolution.

You need 5G
The SoC in the Xever 8 only supports 4G comms, so this isn’t the phone for those who live and work in an area supported by 5G.

Also Consider

Blackview Oscal Tank 1
An inexpensive phone with a 20000 mAh. But in this case, it comes with a superior SoC platform and a better camera cluster. Therefore, you get 4K video recording on both rear and front sensors, and you also get an SoC that supports 5G comms.

Read my full Blackview Oscal Tank 1 reviewView Deal

RugOne Xever 7 Pro
A previous RugOne design has similar swappable battery technology, but slightly larger batteries. The one critical advantage of this design is its thermal imaging camera. However, it costs more than the Xever 8, because of that feature.

Read my RugOne Xever 7 Pro review

For more ruggedized devices, we've reviewed the best rugged tablets, the best rugged laptops, and the best rugged hard drives

HyperX Origins 2 1800: One-minute review

The HyperX Origins 2 1800 is a full-size gaming keyboard with mechanical switches and plenty of hardware customizations available.

It adopts a fairly typical gaming keyboard aesthetic, although the translucent body does at least offer something a little different. This also allows the RGB lighting to shine through a little more than usual. And shine it does — this is probably the brightest RGB I’ve ever seen in a keyboard, and it helps the board to stand out among its peers.

Build quality is above average, with materials feeling smooth. However, unlike the best gaming keyboard constructions around, the body is made of plastic rather than aluminum. There’s also a fair amount of flex to it.

On the other hand, it’s very light as a result, despite its thickness. It’s also easy to replace the body if you want to personalize your Origins 2, thanks to the easy-access screws underneath.

(Image credit: Future)

A board this thick often poses an ergonomic problem, but given the generous tilt angle of the Origins 2, I found it comfortable to use, even with the feet stowed and the lack of wrist support. The dip in the middle row allowed for natural finger positioning, too.

There is software available for the Origins 2, although it’s disappointingly basic. It does have a generous selection of remapping options, but there are no advanced or pro-level tweaks available here.

Elite gamers will be more impressed with the performance of the Origins 2, though. The stock Linear switches are very snappy and responsive, with just enough dampening and travel to impart satisfying feedback.

The stock keycaps are also comfortable, with their prominent indents providing a secure WASD position. The space bar is also pleasing to hit, thanks to its slightly rounded top, and the aforementioned tilt of the entire board prevents you from hitting its edge. However, the sheer height of the keycaps can make typing difficult.

There’s no denying that the Origins 2 commands a premium price tag, but it is a premium gaming keyboard. The mechanical switches and hardware customizations are top-tier, and it still costs less than some of its rivals. The software is disappointing and typing is difficult with those stock keycaps, but for those who want a pure mechanical experience, the Origins 2 is hard to beat at this price.

HyperX Origins 2 1800 review: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• $139.99 / £119.99 (about AU$200)
• Available now in one colorway
• Reasonable price for a mechanical keyboard

The HyperX Origins 2 1800 costs $139.99 / £119.99 (about AU$200) and is available now in black only. The keycaps, switches, and body can all be swapped out.

This is certainly an expensive board, especially one that’s wired. However, given the high-performing mechanical switches, build quality, and hot swapping capabilities, it’s not exactly surprising.

What’s more, other high-end boards are similarly expensive, if not more so. The Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro, for instance, has a slightly higher list price, although we have seen it on offer for considerably less than this. When I tested the wireless variant of this board, the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75%, I found it to be among the best mechanical keyboards in terms of feel, performance, and build quality.

For a more budget mechanical option, you could try the Gamakay TK75 V2. This is considerably cheaper than the Origins 2, yet it still offers great key feel and respectable build quality.

• Value score: 4 / 5

HyperX Origins 2 1800 review: Specs

Layout

Full-size

Switch

Mechanical

Programmable keys

Yes

Dimensions

15.3 x 5.5 x 1.8 inch / 388 x 140 x 46mm

RGB or backlighting

Yes (customizable)

HyperX Origins 2 1800 review: Design and features

(Image credit: Future)

• Hardware personalization options
• Thick but lightweight
• Premium feel as plastic constructions go

Aesthetically, the Origins 2 is hard to distinguish from many gaming keyboards. HyperX may call the color black but in reality it’s more of a dark grey, which departs somewhat from the sector’s obsidian dominance, albeit not by much.

Its translucent nature, though, is more original. What’s more, it allows the RGB backlighting to shine through. This lighting is brighter than many other instances I’ve seen, and really helps to liven up appearances. The keycap characters are fully transparent too, meaning these illuminate as well, which isn’t always a given on RGB keyboards.

The Origins 2 feels like a premium board. The base material, despite being plastic rather than metal, is of a high standard and the two panels are solidly put together. The unit is quite easy to flex by hand, but not to a concerning degree. This plastic also means the Origins 2 isn’t as heavy as it looks, given how thick it is. It’s also relatively easy to change the housing, requiring just a small crosshead screwdriver (not included) to disassemble and swap with another.

(Image credit: Future)

Its thickness isn’t much of a problem from an ergonomic perspective. There’s no wrist support included, but the forward tilt of the board makes for a comfortable hand position. The dip in the middle row, typical of many keyboards, also helps in this regard. There are folding feet that angle the board towards the user even more, but the difference isn’t as great as other examples.

The USB-C cable that comes with the Origins 2 is braided and quite light. This makes it easy to maneuver, although it’s not quite as light as those that come with the best gaming mice. Thankfully, drag isn’t exactly an issue when it comes to keyboards. Also, the cable seems a little stiffer and hardwearing than mice ones.

The latest version of HyperX’s Ngenuity software is required to customize the Origins 2. However, I couldn’t get this to work on my main gaming PC for some reason, with the app refusing to open once installed. Fortunately, I was able to install it on another Windows 11 machine.

However, the dearth of features available for the Origins 2 is disappointing. You can only adjust the RGB lighting, record macros, and rebind keys. There are plenty of options for the latter, with numerous system and media functions mappable, but there are no performance-related tweaks. Granted, a mechanical keyboard is never going to match the versatility of analog models on this front, but even more basic features, such as an SOCD function, are missing here, which might disappoint elite gamers.

• Design and features score: 3.5 / 5

HyperX Origins 2 1800 review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Brilliant clicky mechanical switches
• Comfortable for WASD position
• Stock keycaps not great for typing

With its stock red Linear switches installed, the Origins 2 is a very clicky board. It produces a gratifying sound, although it’s a little louder than others. The keys are light but at the same time offer plenty of feedback, thanks to their minimal but effective dampening and generous travel distance. They rebound quickly, making them wonderfully snappy, and their actuation point is quite forgiving, which meant I didn’t suffer any mispresses.

Despite the thickness of the board, I found it comfortable to use in the WASD position, thanks to that slanted angle and central dip. Whether I had the feet up or down, I didn’t find myself wanting for wrist support, although I usually prefer a rest for long sessions.

I also found the space bar comfortable to hit, which is often a problem key for me. Its soft curve meant I rarely hit its edge. As for the other keycaps, their prominent indentations offered secure presses.

These aspects also make the Origins 2 comfortable when typing, but a bigger impediment here is the sheer height of the stock keycaps. I usually prefer low profiles as I find I can glide over them more easily. But here, I often caught their edges as I moved from key to key, which slowed me down and resulted in more errors.

• Performance score: 4 / 5

Should I buy the HyperX Origins 2 1800?Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

It’s expensive, but reasonably priced compared to the competition.

4 / 5

Design and features

Thick but light and comfortable. There are plenty of hardware customizations, but not so many software ones.

3.5 / 5

Performance

Fantastically clicky and snappy switches. Great for gaming, less so for typing.

4 / 5

Overall rating

The Origins 2 is a great mechanical keyboard, slightly let down by the lack of performance tweaks.

4 / 5

Buy it if…

You love a clicky board
The clickiness of the stock Linear switches feels and sounds great, although they are a little loud.

You want plenty of hardware customizations
You can swap out the switches, keycaps, and even the body, letting you personalize your Origins 2 to a large extent.

Don't buy it if…

You want plenty of software customizations
There are plenty of remapping options, but those looking for performance-related adjustments will be disappointed.

You’ll be typing a lot
While the indentations of the stock keycaps provide comfort and security, their height doesn’t exactly facilitate fast and smooth typing.

HyperX Origins 2 1800 review: Also consider

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro
Another premium mechanical board, the BlackWidow is a fantastic performer, and unlike the Origins 2, it comes with a wrist rest — and it’s one of the plushest I’ve ever used. Upon its release, it was substantially more expensive than the Origins 2, but recently it’s had considerable discounts. Read our full Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro review.

Gamakay TK75 V2
If you want something cheaper than the Origins 2, but still want all that mechanical goodness, the TK75 V2 is a good choice. Not only does it perform very well, but it’s also built to a surprisingly high standard. Read our full Gamakay TK75 V2 review.

How I tested the HyperX Origins 2 1800

(Image credit: Future)

I tested the Origins 2 for several days, during which time I used it for gaming, working, and general browsing. I tested it on two PCs. As mentioned above, I was unable to get the Ngenuity software working on my main PC, but did on another, despite both running Windows 11 with x64 CPUs.

I’ve been PC gaming for over a decade, and have used numerous keyboards in that time. I’ve also reviewed a large number of them, across a range of price points, feature sets, and switch types.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: June 2026

SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2: Two-minute review

The SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 doesn’t try to do everything. Instead, it focuses primarily on one: speed.

At 68g, it’s built to be as light and responsive as possible, targeting players who want quick reactions and minimal resistance. That approach works: it’s fast, accurate, and easy to control, particularly in competitive games where small movements make a difference.

But that focus comes with trade-offs. The honeycomb shell won’t suit everyone, and the feature set is deliberately minimal. If you’re looking for extras, you’ll likely find more elsewhere. Likewise, the smaller ambidextrous shape won’t be the best fit for all hand sizes, and the Aerox 3’s mechanical switches won’t satisfy everyone, particularly when some mid-range rivals offer optical or hybrid switches.

(Image credit: Future)

Nevertheless, the Gen 2 does bring some meaningful quality-of-life improvements over its predecessor. It features an up-rated 26K TrueMove sensor and boasts a 4000Hz wireless polling rate without the need for a dongle upgrade. Both represent clear upgrades in terms of gaming performance, shifting the emphasis towards fast-paced and competitive gameplay.

Battery life is similarly impressive, offering up to 120 hours on 2.4GHz, or up to 200 hours on Bluetooth. That said, this assumes 1000Hz with RGB off for both, so if you’re planning on gaming at the top end with all the bells and whistles at your disposal, expect there to be some drop-off in longevity here.

Another notable differentiator is the GG software’s 3D Aim Trainer and sensitivity converter, which can be tweaked and personalised to train your flicks, tracking, and target switching across multiple gaming environments, helping you to find the right settings before stepping into a live match.

SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 review: Design

The Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 light weight is immediately noticeable. In boxing terms, this guy is a minimumweight, clocking in at just 68g (the same as the Gen 1 model). It’s easy to move quickly and with minimal effort, it’s perfect for fast-paced gameplay.

Its low weight comes from the honeycomb chassis, which removes material to keep things light. It works well, but the perforated design may divide opinion: some will appreciate the lighter feel and added airflow, while others may find it less comfortable during longer sessions. The design feels almost skeletal, and while I didn’t find it uncomfortable per se, I remained aware of those perforations throughout testing.

Aside from its scrawny appearance then, the Aerox 3’s build quality is solid, with minimal flex during normal use. It’s zippy and responsive, with the welcome retention of the Gen 1’s IP54-rated AquaBarrier protection to help guard against dust and (coffee) splashes – which isn’t always a given in this mid-range category.

(Image credit: Future)

The shape is ambidextrous and broadly accessible, although it’s best suited to claw or fingertip grips. For me, an average-sized, middle-aged ape, it felt a little small. I tend to prefer a steeper curve at the back end of a mouse; the Aerox 3’s relatively flat profile doesn’t quite accommodate a comfortable grip, with too much palm left over with nowhere to sit.

Buttons are well placed, with five programmable inputs covering the basics, and the scroll wheel offers a consistent, controlled action.

The Aerox 3 Gen 2 features three-zone RGB lighting that provides a cool, neon underglow, and it can be customized via the GG app to suit your personal preferences and to complement your gaming setup. RGB lighting is subtle rather than showy, adding a bit of visual flair without becoming a distraction, switching itself off during mouse movement to conserve battery life.

SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 review: Performance

Pull the Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 out of the box, and the first thing you’ll notice is how little there is of it. At 68g, it almost doesn’t register in your hand, and that weightlessness translates directly into how it performs. This is a mouse that gets out of its own way.

The TrueMove 26K sensor is the engine under the hood, and it’s a willing one. Tracking was consistent across every surface I tested it on, including my SteelSeries Limited Edition QCK cloth gaming mousepad, my partner’s Corsair MM700 RGB Extended gaming mousepad, and bare-desk testing, with no drift or jitter across a range of DPI settings. The addition of adjustable lift-off distance over the Gen 1 is a small but welcome refinement, and was certainly noticeable with the amount of junk I have on my desk.

DPI flexibility is one of the Aerox 3 Gen 2’s quiet strengths. Spending time with Cyberpunk 2077, I found myself toggling between settings depending on the situation. I opted for high DPI (around 15,000+) when surrounded by enemies (which happens far too often), then dropped to between 500 and 800 DPI for precision aiming. The onboard DPI button makes switching on-the-fly straightforward, and I found myself efficiently eliminating such foes as John Wick on a rampage.

(Image credit: Future)

However, where the Aerox 3 Gen 2 really earns its stripes is in competitive gaming. Testing it in Apex Legends, the 4000Hz polling rate — which needs to be enabled in the GG app — delivered noticeably smoother cursor movement, low input lag, and killshots I’d have otherwise missed. At this price point, 4000Hz wireless polling without the need for a dongle upgrade is a big achievement and genuinely made a difference to my gameplay.

Running the mouse through mousetester.io at 3250 DPI with polling set to 4000Hz, I recorded a real-world polling rate of 3106Hz, which is a strong result and well within the expected range for a mouse of this specification. Pushing the DPI higher caused that figure to dip slightly — which is consistent with how high-polling-rate sensors behave under increased processing load, rather than any inherent limitation of the hardware. In practice, most competitive players will be running DPI settings where the Aerox 3 Gen 2 performs at its best anyway.

The mechanical switches deserve a mention, too. Rated for 80 million actuations, they’re crisp, light, and tactile. They might look plasticky, but they don’t feel cheap, which further affirms the price range. The PTFE feet glide smoothly across my mousepad, and the overall movement experience is effortless.

At $99.99 / £99.99, you’re not getting the last word in gaming mouse performance; the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro’s 45K DPI sensor and 8000Hz polling rate still sit in a different league. But that’s not what the Aerox 3 Gen 2 is trying to be. What it delivers at this price is a fast, consistent, genuinely competitive wireless experience, and it does so very well.

The Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 supports both 2.4GHz wireless and Bluetooth. The inclusion of both at this price is worth noting, particularly as some of the Aerox 3’s rivals have opted to drop Bluetooth entirely in pursuit of raw performance (e.g., the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro and Logitech’s G Pro X2 Superstrike).

For gaming, 2.4GHz is the clear choice, offering lower latency and a more stable connection. Bluetooth is better suited to everyday tasks, multi-device setups, or commuting. What’s more, commuters can leave the dongle at home and still pair this mouse without it, boosting its portability factor.

Battery life is a genuine strength. SteelSeries rates the Aerox 3 Gen 2 at up to 200 hours on Bluetooth and up to 120 hours on 2.4GHz, both assuming 1000Hz polling with RGB off. Push that polling rate up to 4000Hz, however, and that figure is likely to drop sharply, to around 30 hours or so. That will still give you enough juice for the bulk of a working week, but it’s a notable trade-off if you’re planning on leaving that cable behind permanently.

(Image credit: Future)

One practical point: there’s no onboard storage for the USB dongle inside the mouse itself (no surprise there, given its aerated design). However, SteelSeries has included a desk-based extension cable for situations where signal strength may be an issue, which is a handy addition if your tower sits on the floor.

Charging is handled via USB-C with fast-charging support, which helps keep downtime to a minimum when you do eventually need to plug in.

Customization is handled through the SteelSeries GG app, which strikes a good balance between accessibility and depth.

You’ll find all the basics catered for here: you can adjust DPI across multiple levels; remap your buttons; fine-tune RGB lighting; and save profiles for different setups. Plus, its onboard memory means your key settings travel with the mouse rather than being tethered to a single machine, which is a godsend for anybody switching between computers.

(Image credit: SteelSeries)

One important practical note: the headline-grabbing 4000Hz polling rate isn’t enabled by default, and you’ll need to head to the GG app to unlock it. This is simple enough to enable, but worth knowing before you assume you’re getting that peak performance right off the bat.

Where the GG software genuinely stands out, however, is the 3D Aim Trainer and Sensitivity Finder. This is best described as a 10-minute mini-game that analyses your playstyle and recommends an optimal DPI setting for your chosen FPS. It even lets you apply that sensitivity across different games, so if you split your time between titles, you can maintain a consistent feel from one to the next. Considering the Aerox 3’s price point, this is a thoughtful and genuinely useful addition that goes beyond what most rival software suites offer.

The interface itself is clean and easy to navigate, and I didn’t encounter any bugs or technical issues during my time with it.

SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 review: Price & availability

• $99.99 / £99.99
• Available now in Shadow, Magenta Haze, and Ghost colorways

The SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 typically retails for around £99.99 / $99.99, although it’s frequently available at a discount, making it an even more attractive proposition at this mid-range price point.

It comes in three colorways: Shadow (black), Magenta Haze (pink), and a semi-translucent Ghost finish, the latter of which leans into the current trend for see-through tech aesthetics and looks particularly striking with RGB lighting active. I was provided with the Ghost variant for this review, and I can absolutely vouch for the cool factor that it lends to my gaming setup.

At this price, the Aerox 3 sits comfortably alongside rivals such as the Endgame Gear OP1w 4K and Be Quiet! Dark Perk Ergo, while undercutting more premium competition such as the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro and the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike by a considerable margin. For the performance on offer, it represents solid value for money.

SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 review: Specs

Buttons

5

Sensor

SteelSeries TrueMove 26K

Max DPI

26,000

Should I buy the SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2?

SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 scorecard

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

A solid but minimal physical package, five buttons, and mechanical switches are functional rather than exciting, and some rivals offer more at this price point. The GG software’s 3D Aim Trainer partially redresses the balance.

3.5 / 5

Performance

The TrueMove 26K sensor is accurate and consistent across surfaces, and the 4000Hz polling rate made a genuine difference in competitive gameplay. The mechanical switches are crisp and functional, if not quite at the level of optical alternatives.

4.5 / 5

Design

The honeycomb chassis keeps the weight impressively low at 68g, and the build quality is solid throughout. The smaller ambidextrous shape and flat profile won’t suit all hand sizes or grip styles, though.

4 / 5

Value

At £99.99, the Aerox 3 Gen 2 offers strong performance for the price, 4000Hz wireless polling, and dual connectivity, including Bluetooth, which are features you’d typically pay considerably more for.

4 / 5

Buy it if…

You want a lightweight wireless mouse built for speed
At just 68g, the Aerox 3 Gen 2 is built to get out of your way and let you focus on what matters. At this price point, few rivals come close to matching its combination of weight, sensor performance, and 4000Hz wireless polling.View Deal

You mainly play fast-paced competitive games
The upgraded TrueMove 26K sensor and 4000Hz polling rate make this a genuinely capable competitive mouse, delivering the low latency and responsive tracking that fast-paced shooters demand.View Deal

You value strong battery life and flexible connectivity
With up to 200 hours on Bluetooth and 120 hours on 2.4GHz, the Aerox 3 Gen 2 keeps going long after rivals need a charge. The inclusion of both wireless modes adds versatility that some pricier mice don’t bother with.View Deal

Don’t buy it if…

You prefer a solid-shell design
The honeycomb chassis is central to keeping the weight down, but if you find perforated designs uncomfortable — or simply don’t like the look — then there are cleaner alternatives available at a similar price.View Deal

You prefer a heavier mouse with a more premium feel in the hand
At 68g, the Aerox 3 Gen 2 is deliberately and defiantly light, but if you find some heft reassuring, this mouse may feel a little insubstantial by comparison.View Deal

You need more than five programmable buttons
The Aerox 3 Gen 2 keeps things simple with five inputs, which covers the basics comfortably but won’t satisfy players who rely on a full suite of side buttons for macros or keybinds.View Deal

SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 review: Also consider

Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro
If the Aerox 3 Gen 2 has whetted your appetite for a more premium wireless gaming mouse, the Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro is the logical next step up. It packs a 45K DPI sensor and 8000Hz polling rate — a step up from the Aerox 3 Gen 2 in every performance metric — and backs it up with an exceptional 150-hour battery life. It will cost you considerably more, but if outright performance is the priority and budget isn’t a constraint, it’s hard to argue. Read our full Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro review.View Deal

Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike
Another premium option worth a look is the Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike, whose unique haptic click system allows you to adjust the actuation point and click feel to suit your preferences. It’s significantly pricier than the Aerox 3 Gen 2, and the absence of Bluetooth connectivity is a notable omission at that price point. However, for exacting competitive players who want something genuinely different, it’s worth considering. Read our full Logitech G Pro X2 Superstrike review.View Deal

How I tested the SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2

• Tested across multiple gaming sessions and general desktop use
• Gaming tested in Cyberpunk 2077 and Apex Legends
• Polling rate verified using mousetester.io

I used the SteelSeries Aerox 3 Wireless Gen 2 across a mix of gaming, notably Cyberpunk 2077 and Apex Legends, and everyday tasks, focusing on responsiveness, comfort, and battery life. Testing included fast-paced shooters and general desktop use to assess responsiveness, comfort, and battery life across real-world conditions. I also ran the mouse through mousetester.io to verify real-world polling rate performance.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: June 2026

Secretlab Atlas: Two-minute review

With the Secretlab Titan Evo firmly cemented as one of the best gaming chairs, the Singaporean furniture giant is now gunning for the office market with the launch of its first dedicated task chair: the Secretlab Atlas.

Back in April I flew out to the brand's HQ for an early hands-on and a look behind the scenes of its development. And now — having sat on the newly released chair at home for more than 35 hours — I've been pretty impressed with the experience so far.

Aesthetically, the SecretLab Atlas looks great. It's distinctly Secretlab, with echoes of the Titan Evo in its overall silhouette, but not too garish for an office setup. All of the color options, which range from basic black and white to the slightly more adventurous Dune or Cookies & Cream, are appropriately subdued and should blend in well in most home office settings.

With prices starting at $499 / £399, the materials are suitably premium and feel great to the touch. I'm testing one of the fabric variants, which boasts the brand's SoftWave Plus weave, and while it's still very early days I can say that other Secretlab chairs I've tested with the same finish still look practically brand new after years of use.

The Secretlab Atlas is also refreshingly no-nonsense to actually sit in. There's built-in lumbar support, but it's adjusted automatically cutting the need to fiddle with various dials and agonize over getting it just right. It feels quite firm at first (especially compared to the soft rubbery mesh of my usual Herman Miller Sayl) but the support is definitely there, and I've found it perfectly comfortably on my back so far.

(Image credit: Future)

You can, of course, still customize the rotation of the armrests (not by a full 360 degrees, but rather three distinct positions), move the seat base forward or backwards, and tweak the amount of force required to recline the backrest or lock it in a static spot when you just want to lie back for a little rest.

The chair's height is adjustable too, though this is the one area that I'm not completely satisfied with so far. The first thing that you will notice when you sit in the Secretlab Atlas is that it's a low chair, with its height capping out at about 16.7in / 42.5cm from the ground. This is actually intentional, and apparently designed to make it easier to plant your feet on the ground, but I really wish that it could go a little higher.

I'm roughly 6ft 2in / 188cm tall (testing the large variant of the chair) and the Atlas' maximum height is just scraping the borderline of what I find pleasant. I've moved the seat base forward to try and compensate, but if I were any taller, my legs would be at a bit of an awkward angle.

I understand the vision, but it's odd that you don't at least get the option to go higher if you want — especially when almost every chair that I've tested lets you. This likely isn't going to be an issue for the vast majority of buyers, however.

(Image credit: Future)Secretlab Atlas: Price and Availability

• Secretlab Atlas starts at $499 / £399
• Premium range starts at $699 / £599
• Available via the Secretlab website

The standard Secretlab Atlas starts at $499 / £399 and is available in two finishes: Neo Hybrid Leatherette and SoftWeave Plus Fabric. Leatherette buyers can choose from Classic Black and Moon (a kind of light grey and black) while those on the fabric side get Black, Cookies & Cream (a grey and black weave), or a sandy Dune color.

You can upgrade to the premium range for some extra cash, with prices starting at $699 / £599. This adds a layer of NanoFoam Composite designed to make the chair more comfortable, and swaps out the black armrests, hydraulics, and wheel bases of the standard versions for perfectly color-matched alternatives.

Again there are two finishes: NanoGen Edition (with the brand's ultra-soft NanoGen leatherette), which comes in Pure White+ or Pure Back+ and SoftWeave Plus Fabric which is available in Black+ or Dune+.

Two size options are available: regular and large. The regular design is intended for those under 5ft 10in / 178cm tall and weighing less than 200lbs / 100kg with large for everyone else.

You can buy the Secretlab Atlas direct from the Secretlab website.

Secretlab Atlas: Specs

Price

$499 / £399 (Premium range $699 / £599)

Dimensions

TBD

Max user weight

Regular: 220lbs / 100kg

Large: 265lbs / 120kg

Max seat height

~16.7in / 42.5cm

Seat width

TBD

Warranty

TBD

Secretlab Atlas: Design and Aesthetics

• Looks very stylish
• Lots of attractive color options
• Multiple finishes on offer

The Secretlab Atlas is definitely more stylish than your standard office chair.

Its backrest has a shape that looks almost like a cross between the racing-seat style Secretlab Titan Evo gaming throne and more traditional office models such as Boulies Nubi or Desktronic SitOne. It's distinctly Secretlab, but not in a way that makes it appear unsuitable for serious workspaces.

Unlike some of the more elaborate Titan Evo limited edition models, this isn't a chair that is going to look embarrassing if you're in a video call to your boss.

I think all of the available color options and finishes are pretty sleek, but I'm particularly fond of the Dune and Dune+ colorways. The sandy pale hue perfectly complements a white or light oak desk and adds a little color to your setup without going totally overboard.

If you prize aesthetics, the more premium range is definitely the one to go for. The color matched armrests and so on definitely elevate the look and help it look extra premium.

The inclusion of a magnetic head pillow regardless of the model you choose is also very welcome.

(Image credit: Future)Secretlab Atlas: Comfort and adjustability

• Firm but supportive
• Automatic lumbar adjustment
• A fantastic head pillow

As I mentioned earlier, the Secretlab Atlas feels pretty firm at first, which took a little bit of getting used to. It's been extremely comfortable for my back in spite of this though, and has felt very supportive so far.

The integrated lumbar system does seem to work and, while I was initially skeptical of the lack of ways to adjust it, does the job well automatically. If you focus your attention on your back and shift around on the chair, you can actually feel it moving a little bit under your weight to redistribute the pressure.

The backrest's inherent curve is also impressively effective. Secretlab told me that it was designed using over a decade of data and testing, and you can really tell. It's easy to sink into and provides plenty of support right up to your shoulders.

Although it can be removed, I've had the included head pillow practically glued to the chair. It's by far the nicest that I've ever seen included with a chair, with some wonderfully soft memory foam that provides support in all the right places. I could sleep on it, and this is coming from that someone that usually doesn't bother using any additional accessories.

I also appreciate the fact that it can be attached to basically any point near the top of the headrest so that it can cushion either your neck or the back of your head.

(Image credit: Future)

The chair's controls are also worth of some praise. A lever on the left-hand side lets you unlock the seat base to adjust its depth, or lock and unlock the backrest by flipping a big switch. The switch is accompanied by an indicator that either shows words 'unlocked' (in green) or 'locked' (in red), letting you check your setting at a glance.

It's also quite nice that the backrest actually remains momentarily locked when you unlock it, requiring you to lean back in order to bring it forward and avoiding it awkwardly springing forward and hitting you like on some other chairs.

The tilt force adjustment mechanism found on the opposite side is well labelled too, with up to four red squares appearing to denote its current level. It's positioned next to the height adjustment level which brings the seat base up or down.

The design of the controls is a little unusual, but I love the distinct tactile feel of each mechanism, and have learned how to operate it all very quickly.

My only problem thus far has been the maximum height of the seat base. It's a little lower than I would like, and has forced me to reposition my monitor to keep it at an ergonomic level. This is pretty annoying, but hasn't actually caused my any real strain in my legs or knees so far — though you can be sure that I'll be monitoring this carefully in the weeks ahead.

(Image credit: Future)Secretlab Atlas: Assembly

• Very well packaged
• Easy and quick assembly process
• All necessary tools included

When it comes to the assembly process, there are few brands as consistent as Secretlab. I've never had an issue building one of their chairs, and the Atlas is no exception.

My box arrived pretty banged up with a few visible gashes (presumably the result of some rough handling in the courier's warehouse) but the condition of everything inside was flawless thanks to a liberal quantity of perfectly sculpted packing foam.

Assembly instructions are provided on a huge piece of laminated paper and are very meticulous. You're also given all the tools that you would need in the box: a hex key, magnetic screwdriver, and even a foam sheet to protect your floor. This makes the whole process very newcomer friendly and, while I'm experienced building furniture for review, I'm confident that almost anyone would be able to put this together without issue.

In total, the whole process (which involves assembling the wheel base and attaching the armrests and backrest) took about 20 minutes from unpacking the box to being seated at my desk.

(Image credit: Future)Early verdict

The Secretlab Atlas has been very impressive in my hands-on time so far. The experience feels premium from the get-go thanks to a wonderfully smooth assembly process and the undeniable quality of the materials used.

I love the overall design and have found it very comfortable to sit in as well, especially when I'm relaxing with the backrest locked all the way down and my head resting on that incredible included pillow.

That said, the low height of its seat base is an annoyance. I don't think it will be a dealbreaker for many, but it does mean that I'll likely return to my usual Herman Miller Sayl Gaming Chair (a model that I consider pretty much the perfect task chair, bar the lack of a headrest or shoulder support) when testing is over.

Still, the Herman Miller is substantially more expensive (starting at an eye-watering $1,020 / £755) than the cheapest Atlas, so the fact that the Atlas gives it a fair run for its money is commendable indeed.

I'll be back in the next few weeks with my full verdict after I've spent a bit more time with the chair.

Sometimes you don't need a fancy chair. Sometimes you just need a quality chair that fits a good budget. The Uplift Clarksville is a simple chair with breathable mesh, a comfortable enough cushion, and enough lumbar support to feel like it's there and worth the cost, without making you want to reach for another chair immediately, as a lot of cheap chairs do.

Assembly is easy. The price is right. Ok, it's unlikely to make it on to our guide to the best office chairs we've tested, but the design is simple enough to replicate across an entire conference room or co-working space without creating a break in the uniformity.

That's not to say that this is a boring chair at all. It still is a good-looking chair. Plus, it matches perfectly with Uplift's range of walking pads or standing mats if you want to create a more health-conscious office or workspace.

Uplift Clarksville: Price & availability

The Clarksville by Uplift is priced at $359 direct from the Uplift website.

To me, that's a fair cost for a no-nonsense office chair that puts support and comfort ahead of stylish designs that, while pretty, don't offer much practicality in the workplace.

A variant in fog grey is also available for an additional $29, and you can upgrade the casters for a smoother roll for an extra $39.

Uplift Clarksville: Unboxing and First Impressions

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The unboxing experience for the Clarksville is unassuming and simple at best. It arrives in a very compact box with everything well packaged in its new packaging. This is clearly designed for efficiency and simplicity, not for mind-blowing marketing on the box itself.

The hover is easy to assemble, and with my hotel electric screwdriver, I was able to assemble everything pretty quickly. You could just use the included tools as well, if you like. Once I got everything put together, which was a very simple task, I was able to get the seat itself dialed in within only a matter of minutes due to the simplicity.

That's not a bad thing at all. This chair is designed to be simple and functional, so having that mirrored in the assembly process is actually a massive pro for it.

Uplift Clarksville: Design & Build Quality

My team has used this chair in our rotation of chairs for the last 120 days, and in that time it has functioned excellently. There's no squeaking, no loose parts, nothing that feels like it's degrading at all.

It's simple, and it's easy. It works great in our conference room or in an office or in a waiting room or anywhere you need a decent office chair but don't want to spend exorbitant amounts of money, like some of these chairs are costing these days.

The chair is durable and reliable enough for a primary office chair, but it's also sleek enough to place on the guest side of your desk if you're that kind of office.

Uplift Clarksville: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

As I said, this chair has been in our rotation for over 100 days now, and during that time we've all appreciated its soft cushion and how it has remained comfortable despite its lower price.

Don't get me wrong, I love where Uplift is going with this chair. Not everybody needs that absurdly expensive chair they put in the executive office or feel bad about grabbing. Usually, your chair is only going to sit in for a little bit, maybe because you prefer to stand or walk on walking pads, such as Uplift's walking pad, which we have tried with this chair. Maybe you just want to spend your money somewhere else.

Regardless, there aren't many great companies that offer a good-quality chair at a good price. Most of the chairs that are at this cost are absolute trash and are Amazon cheap ones that are made from poor quality materials.

Having a reputable company like Uplift create a budget-friendly chair is massive, and our last 100+ days of experience have proven that the armrest adjustability is great, the recline is solid, and the comfort works for even a long day at work. Granted, it is not as comfortable as some of the higher-end chairs that we have, but for the price this is pretty good.

Uplift Clarksville: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

All in all, with this chair you get more than you pay for. You get a chair that will actually last for several years in the conference room with daily abuse from people who don't care about chairs that aren't in their own office.

Or, if you want this in your own office, you'll get many years of use unless you absolutely obliterate your chairs or decide to tumble me down on them to burn off some steam after your last frustrating meeting. Regardless of your reason for buying a chair like this, Uplift is a company you can rely on and trust to put out quality gear.

Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future

For more office furniture, we've tested the best standing desks.

Specs

Type: color multifunction laser printer

Functions: Print, scan, copy, fax, ADF

Connectivity: Ethernet, USB, Wi-Fi, NFC

Data storage slots: USB Host 

Print speed: 33ppm

Max paper size: Letter/A4

Print quality: 600x600 dpi

Memory: 1GB

Apple AirPrint: yes

Consumables included: 4 x toner cartridges (7,500 black, 6,500 color pages)

Dimensions/Weight: 454 x 505 x 460 mm (WxDxH)/58.8lbs/26.7kg

The Brother MFC-L8970CDW and MFC-L8930CDW are high-spec laser all-in-ones aimed at enterprise and they’re a subtle but significant step up from the outgoing MFC-L8395CDW, despite being 25% smaller.

The top model in the updated L8000 series comes with a blistering print rate of 33ppm (pages per minute) and an equally impressive duplex scan speed.

With high capacity cartridges in the box, features aplenty, and a compact, but expandable design, it looks to me like the ideal office printer for a growing business. I tested it with the extra paper cassette option to find out.

Brother MFC-L8970CDW: Design and buildFutureFutureFuture

The Brother MFC-L8970CDW pictured here comes in two-tone gray, while the otherwise identical MFC-L8930CDW variant is gray and black. It’s the same machine targeting different territories and shipping with different amounts of inbox toner.

The MFC-L8970CDW is available with Brother’s MPS (managed print service) and it’s a multifunction device with a large ADF (automatic document feeder) and A4 scanner on top of a color laser printer with a large 7-inch touchscreen interface. It looks a bit top heavy, but Brother’s designers have done well to shrink the model it replaces by 25%, while increasing it’s capacity and display size. The 7-inch touchscreen is now twice as big.

This desktop printer’s footprint is relatively compact, especially when you start to add paper cassettes like the LT350CL as I did. It’s as simple as stacking the printer on top and letting the two units couple automatically. This US$226 upgrade doubles the 250-sheet paper capacity and allows you to load different paper stock in the second drawer. A 500-sheet cassette is available for $229, which makes a maximum paper capacity of 1,340 possible. There’s also a wheeled cabinet stand for $294.

Another design improvement is the increased use of user replaceable parts. Components such as drum unit, belt drive, paper feed kit etc can all be swapped out to prolong the printer’s life. Much of the material used in this printer's production is recycled and its packaging is cardboard rather than polystyrene. Office printers are never things of beauty, but I think it’s an aesthetic improvement on the old L8000 series and the whole thing feels like it’s built to last from pretty rugged plastic.

Brother MFC-L8970CDW: Features & specifications FutureFutureFuture

As the flagship of Brother’s L8000 line-up, the Brother MFC-L8970CDW comes with all the features. There’s duplex printing and single pass duplex scanning, an 80-page ADF, USB Host ports front and rear and the biggest touchscreen you’ll find on any printer. Dual-band Wi-Fi is built in, as is a gigabit Ethernet port and NFC for private printing using an NFC-enable staff card.

The print speed is very fast at 33ppm for letter-size pages, or 31ppm for fractionally larger A4 pages, and the copy speed is the fastest I’ve clocked so far at up to 20 sides per minute. It can print on envelopes, labels or any kind of uncoated paper up to Letter or A4 in size and up to 163gsm in weight. In other words, it cannot print on thick paper stock, card or inkjet photo paper. That’s a little disappointing, but it proved competent with all other kinds of media, including labels and envelopes during the test.

The ADF can hold more pages than most rivals at 80 sheets and the scan rate is 100ipm for two-sided mono pages is the fastest I’ve tested. This makes it a great photocopier in a shared office. It also comes with plenty of toner in the box, enough for 5,500 black, or 4,500 color pages, and compatibility with even higher yield cartridges that make this a very economical printer to run. The only thing missing is Bluetooth, which HP uses in its to make setup even easier.

Brother MFC-L8970CDW: Setup and operationFutureFutureFuture

The setup procedure is simplified by the expansive 7-inch touchscreen display. The GUI is logical, if a little long-winded, so you probably won’t need the printed quick start guide, which fits on a single sheet of paper. With the four toner cartridges already installed, you simply need to remove the transport packaging, load some paper and follow the on-screen prompts until you’re ready to print.

The large display is intended to reduce congestion at the machine because you can see the printer’s status and menu at a glance. Brother’s free companion app called Mobile Connect makes it just as convenient to print and scan from your smartphone. Other factors that increase this printer’s ease-of-use are the not one, but two available USB Host ports for walk-up printing from a USB device.

And the choice of paper inputs between the multi-purpose and main trays allows you to load different various stock, so there’s no need to reload when switching from plain to headed paper for example. In short, I found this a very easy printer to set up and operate.

Brother MFC-L8970CDW: PerformanceFutureFuture

The Brother MFC-L8970CDW printed promptly and without any jams or misprints throughout the tests and yielding consistently crisp and colourful documents. It can pump out professional-looking pages of black and white text in duplex mode with characters that are always clearly legible right down to the smallest point sizes. You’ll need a magnifying glass to fully appreciate the neat delineation.

And it can turn out color documents that are just as crisp at the same rate. Brother’s toner looks slightly less vivid than that of the HP Color LaserJet Pro 4201dw for example, but it’s also more natural, which makes the overall effect closer to the original source document.

This strong color balance works well when printing photos too. The test photos I printed on laser photo paper look sharp and colourful enough, although, as with most lasers, you can still see the dots that make up the 600dpi image.

Scanning and copying is a strong point for this multifunction device, thanks to its single-pass duplex scanner and fast scan speed. You can load 80 double-sided sheets into the ADF and have them duplicated in minutes and the duplicates are often hard to tell apart from the originals.

Brother MFC-L8970CDW: Consumables

(Image credit: Future)

Brother is generous with the toner in the bundled setup cartridges. The MFC-L8970CDW ships with enough to print 5,500 black, or 4,500 color pages, while the otherwise identical MFC-L8930CDW ships with enough for 3,000 black and 1,800 color pages.

Ultra high yield cartridges are also available that will give you up to 10,000 black and color pages and these expensive but economical carts bring the cost per page down to a highly competitive level.

Brother MFC-L8970CDW: Maintenance

With more user-serviceable parts readily available for this model, than for the previous one and most rivals, it should have a longer lifespan. And if you purchase the MFC-L8970CDW through Brother’s MPS (managed print service), your machine will be serviced for you as well as being topped up with discounted toner.

Brother MFC-L8970CDW: Final verdictFutureFutureFuture

The Brother MFC-L8970CDW proved a pleasure to print with and performed very well in all of my tests.

It’s a pretty high-spec multifunction device with all of the features I would want to see in a premium office printer aimed at a large or growing business. With such speedy duplex printing and duplex scanning, a huge touchscreen and scope to expand the already generous paper and toner capacity, this hardworking machine could serve a busy workgroup very well.

I found it easy to set up and operate and I appreciated the seven-inch touchscreen and prompt first time out speeds. The print quality proved crisp and consistent with both monochrome and color documents, while my test photographs looked surprisingly realistic for a laser printer.

Brother’s reasonably priced cartridges don’t contain the brightest toner around, and I’ve made slightly sharper prints with the Xerox C325, but overall, this well-equipped and future-proofed all-rounder will be hard to beat.

For more top-performing models, I've tested out the best home printers and the best laser printers.

EcoFlow Stream Ultra X: 30-second review

The EcoFlow Stream Ultra X sits at the premium end of a rapidly growing product category. It is sold as a balcony power plant storage system. That means it combines a large lithium iron phosphate battery with a built-in hybrid inverter, four solar MPPT inputs, and a standard wall plug connection. You attach solar panels to it, plug it into a socket, and let it get to work – or that’s the theory.

It charges from the sun or from cheap grid power during the day, then it powers your home at night. Simple. What makes the Ultra X stand out from the crowd is its capacity. At 3.84 kWh, it doubles the storage of EcoFlow’s own Stream Ultra. That is a meaningful difference. A typical fridge uses about 1-2 kWh per day. An Ultra X, fully charged, can cover that and much more besides.

The system delivers up to 2,300W of continuous on-grid AC power with two AC outlets that handle simultaneous loads, and 800W back into the property's mains system. Solar input tops out at 2,000W across four MPPT trackers, each rated at 500W.

This technology first became popular with apartment dwellers and renters across Europe who want to cut their electricity bills without undertaking any structural work. But it can be a simple first step for any homeowner or small business that wants to use variable-rate electricity or get into solar without committing to a full rooftop system.

The Ultra X scales too. Connect multiple units and additional Stream batteries to reach up to 23 kWh of total storage. That is no longer a starter system, as it exceeds the total power consumption of a typical UK home.

The EcoFlow app ties it all together. It uses AI to track pricing, weather forecasts, and usage patterns, adjusting charge and discharge behaviour accordingly. For anyone who wants energy independence without the complexity, the Stream Ultra X makes a very strong case.

Due to the way this technology works, it's superior to even the best portable power stations we've tested, although I wouldn't want to try to take this device camping.

EcoFlow Stream Ultra X: Price & availability

(Image credit: EcoFlow)

• How much does it cost? £1,499/€1,499
• When is it out? Available now across most of Europe
• Where can you get it? EcoFlow official website and selected European retailers

The current asking price for the Ultra X is £1,499 in the UK direct from EcoFlow. In Europe, it's priced at €1,427 on EcoFlow's site, although EcoFlow regularly has discount deals, so it might be possible to get it a little cheaper.

It's not currently available in the US, as far as I can see, with the closest alternative being the EcoFlow Stream Ultra (not the X variant), for $1279 at the time of review. It's essentially the same type of system, with a lower capacity than the Stream Ultra X.

That price makes it the most expensive option in the Stream series, and for those wanting a lower up-front cost, the Ultra model, with half the battery capacity, but the same microinverter technology, can be got for £999.

The best-known competitor to EcoFlow in the balcony solar space is Anker with its Solix Solarbank 2 E1600 Pro, which sells for only €799 in Europe. However, that’s only for a 1600 Wh battery, though it does have 4 MPPT solar inputs and the same 10-year warranty as the Ultra X. This system can be expanded to 9.6 kWh by adding up to six modules that stack vertically.

On paper, the Ultra X and the Stream series in general might seem on the pricey side, especially when compared to some of the deals available on portable power stations.

However, this equipment isn’t comparable to power stations, since it's meant to feed power directly into the property's electrical system, rather than directly power an appliance. Therefore, it has a significant number of safety protections that power stations lack.

Based on its build quality, attention to detail, and the sophistication of its software, the EcoFlow Ultra X is undoubtedly worth the asking price.

• Value: 4 / 5

EcoFlow Stream Ultra X: Specs

Catagories

Spec

Battery Capacity

3.84 kWh (LFP)

Max AC Output

2,300W (on-grid continuous)

Max Output to mains

800W (900W in France)

Solar Input

2,000W max (4 x MPPT, 500W each, 15-60V DC)

AC Charging Input

1,200W max

Expandable Capacity

Up to 23 kWh (via additional Stream units)

Cycle Life

6,000 cycles to 70% capacity

Warranty

10 years

IP Rating

IP65 (dust and water resistant)

Operating Temperature

Down to -20°C (integrated battery heater)

Dimensions

420 x 294 x 460 mm

Weight

38.8 kg

Noise Level

Under 30 dB

Connectivity

Wi-Fi (2.4GHz), EcoFlow app, Matter, Shelly, Tibber compatible

EcoFlow Stream Ultra X: Design

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• Built for indoors and outdoors
• Battery and microinverter in one
• Application controlled

A short disclaimer before we go any further: I’m not an electrician, and therefore any information I provide about plugging things in should be considered as being my understanding, and not an irrefutable fact.

The EcoFlow Stream Ultra X is part of what is being termed ‘plug-in solar’, meaning you can install it without an electrician's intervention. Can you do that, and what are the implications? I’ll talk about that later on when I cover the user experience, but for now, what did EcoFlow build?

The Stream Ultra X is an IP65 weatherproof design made for genuine outdoor use. Clean, minimalist white enclosure designed to blend into residential settings. Wall-mount bracket included for balcony installation. And it’s impressively compact, given the 3.84 kWh capacity it contains.

While this is not a product designed for a garage or a utility room, it can be put in these if the heat it generates isn’t an issue and you’re not creating a potential fire hazard.

The unit measures 420 x 294 x 460mm, and weighs 38.8 kg. The previous Stream Ultra at 1.92 kWh was a much lighter 23.1 kg. The Ultra X, at double the capacity, is almost twice the weight.

Installation requires at least two people and some forward planning about how to get a 39 kg box onto a balcony or, in my case, close to my consumer unit in my garage. EcoFlow ships a dedicated bracket for wall mounting, but I think this is more about theft prevention than additional stability.

The IP65 rating is not a token gesture. It means genuine dust-tight protection and resistance to water jets from any direction. The Stream Ultra X should be able to sit outside through a European winter without complaint. The integrated battery heater ensures performance at temperatures down to -20 degrees Celsius. That matters in northern European markets where the appeal of balcony solar is perhaps greatest.

In terms of the layout, there is a clean user-facing side with an on/off button and an LED strip that shows the charge level and whether the battery is charging. On the other side is a huge heatsink, dual AC outputs (UK 3-pin in mine) and four MPPT inputs for solar panels. Each of these is rated for 500W 15-60V DC, enabling up to 2000W of solar energy to be injected into the battery.

Along with the AC outputs that can deliver 2300W, an additional cable is provided for charging the battery from the grid or for sending up to 800W to the property's mains system.

In Germany, this cable comes terminated with a plug designed to go into a EU power socket directly, whereas in the UK, the wires end with three ferruled wires.

The connector for the power interface has a corresponding connection for chaining to another Stream battery. At this time, EcoFlow makes the Stream Ultra X, Stream Ultra, Stream Pro and Stream Max.

Here’s the breakdown of what each offers.

 

Battery Capacity

Solar Inputs

Solar Input

Max Expansion

Stream Ultra X

3.84kWh

4

2000W

22 kWh

Stream Ultra

1.92kWh

4

2000W

12 kWh

Stream Pro

1.92kWh

3

1500W

11.52 kWh

Stream AC Pro

1.92kWh

0

N/A

11.52 kWh

Stream Max

1.92kWh

2

1000W

N/A

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The two AC outlets sit on the unit’s face. They are clearly labelled and sensibly positioned. The PV input ports are grouped together. Cable management is tidy out of the box. EcoFlow has done well here. The only minor gripe is that 38.8 kg makes periodic repositioning or maintenance awkward. A wheeled trolley would be a great addition to this equipment if EcoFlow added one.

In conclusion, this is mostly a scaled-up version of the Stream Ultra with twice the battery capacity, but exactly the same solar inputs and 2000W input cap. Based on the price of this unit compared with a Stream Ultra and a Stream AC Pro combined, there are some cost savings in using the Stream Ultra X to achieve the same capacity.

Other than the two buttons, one to power and the other to activate the AC ports, all control of the unit is via a terrific phone application. This tool allows you to monitor every aspect of the battery, decide when it discharges and recharges, and it can handle multiple pieces of equipment as a single system.

• Design: 4 / 5

EcoFlow Stream Ultra X: Features

• Ten-year warranty
• Extensible
• Up to 23 kWh

The hardware inside the Stream Ultra X is where EcoFlow has made its boldest statements. Start with the battery itself. The 3.84 kWh lithium iron phosphate cell is rated for 6,000 charge cycles to 70% capacity and backed by a ten-year warranty. LFP chemistry is the right choice here. It is thermally stable, long-lived, and less prone to degradation than the lithium cobalt oxide chemistry found in cheaper alternatives.

For a product that will live outside on a balcony, potentially, for the best part of a decade, that matters enormously. The four MPPT trackers are a standout feature. Each handles up to 500W of solar input at between 15 and 60 volts DC, for a total of 2000W.

With these independent trackers, you can connect panels facing different directions, at different angles, or partially shaded, and each string is optimised independently. A single tracker managing four panels would drag performance down to the weakest link. Four separate trackers do not. EcoFlow says the system performs reliably even in low solar irradiation conditions, and the multi-MPPT architecture is a large part of why.

The integrated hybrid inverter handles both on-grid and off-grid modes. On-grid, it delivers up to 2,300W of continuous AC output across two standard sockets. Off-grid capacity is more modest, but the unit keeps essential loads running during outages. The AC charging input allows up to 1,200W from the grid, meaning you can top up the battery overnight on cheap tariff rates and discharge it during expensive peak periods.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

That is where the AI Time-of-Use feature earns its keep. EcoFlow’s Home Energy Management System integrates with third-party smart energy monitors, including Shelly and Tibber. The app connects to local electricity price data and weather forecasts, running over 100 million data operations per hour according to EcoFlow, to deliver forecasts with up to 94% accuracy over a three-day horizon.

The system automatically adjusts when to charge, when to discharge, and when to feed solar power into the home. In practice, this means the Ultra X is not just a passive battery. It is an active participant in your household energy economy. Some of the more advanced AI features require a premium app subscription, which is a minor but worth noting caveat.

Connectivity runs over 2.4GHz Wi-Fi. The app is polished and informative, giving real-time visibility of generation, consumption, and savings. Matter and Shelly compatibility means the Ultra X fits into a broader smart home setup without friction.

The expandability story is also compelling. A single Ultra X delivers 3.84 kWh. Connect up to five more Stream series units to reach 23 kWh. That is a home energy solution, not a starter product. The Stream series uses a parallel cable connection and automatically shares intelligence across units. The system distributes energy between units in a smart, usage-based way rather than draining one unit at a time. This architecture reduces the impact of charging and discharging, so that even after ten years of use, these modules should still retain a good proportion of their original capacity.

• Features: 4.5 / 5

EcoFlow Stream Ultra X: User Experience

• Simple in theory
• Get an electrician
• Genuine cost savings
• Add Solar later

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

According to EcoFlow - and I’m not qualified to disagree with them - in the UK, local regulations require the EcoFlow STREAM DIY Cable to be wired into the distribution board, which must be done by a certified installer or electrician.

The snag here that I ran into is that electricians typically won’t attach this to any ancient distribution board. It requires a modern design that can accommodate the dual-direction RCD and provide the per-circuit RCD protection currently mandated in the UK.

That elevates what would be a relatively inexpensive exercise into one, for me, which cost almost as much as the Stream Ultra X, as I had my entire consumer unit replaced.

However, this was probably long overdue, and it's critical if I ever expand the system further or want to use separate microinverters.

Does it work if you simply find a good-quality UK plug, attach it to the provided cable, and plug it into your ring main? Yes, it does, but electricians wouldn’t recommend it, and therefore, I won’t suggest you do that either.

Ideally, it should be connected on a fused spur from the consumer unit with a bi-directional RCD, I believe.

Another dimension to these requirements, and it has to do with exporting power back to the grid. When the Ultra X is injecting power into the wiring of the house, it's trying to balance what the battery discharges and the power drawn from the grid. If it adds too much power that will end up going out to the grid, and you are effectively powering your neighbours' homes for free.

It’s worth noting that if you have an MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme)- rated electrician come and sign off on your installation, you can get a certificate that allows you to sell power back to your supplier at a pre-agreed price.

This could be a good option if you have enough solar panels to generate the 2000W of power that the Ultra Stream X can ingest, the battery is full, and you only need 400W to run the house. But you can go further, charge the battery up when electricity is cheap and then dump it to the grid when it's expensive to make money and offset costs.

A consumer unit that needed replacing (Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

To make this model work more effectively, you need a special RCD that EcoFlow sells that can accurately monitor the flow of power in and out of the house, and I had one of those installed, adding another £99 to my costs. The step I’ve not yet taken is to add solar panels, but that’s my next phase.

When I first got this unit, I’d made various assumptions about how it might work based on also owning an EcoFlow Delta 2 power station. The Ultra X isn’t like a Delta series unit at all, in one critical way.

With the Delta 2, you plug that into a wall socket, and anything you wish to power into one of its power inlets. If the power coming from the mains is interrupted because you switch the wall socket off, or use a smart socket, then the Delta 2 will immediately take over, much like a UPS, and power the device until it's exhausted, at which time the device it's plugged into will be turned off. This is pretty much the same in the majority of power station products, though some won’t automatically trigger battery power with a UPS mode.

The Ultra X is totally different in that it can do the direct-powering trick like the Delta, but it can also power things via its connection to the electrical system. That means when the battery power is all used up, it can sit and wait until the optimal time to recharge. With the Delta 2, once the power connection is restored, it will immediately start charging, and there are limited things you can do to stop it while still having power flow through to connected devices.

Being able to insert power into the system, then step aside and let the mains do the work, is the most useful aspect of this design, as it lets you fully control when you recharge and discharge.

A smart metre (Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The flip side of this coin is that, should the mains power be cut, the Ultra X won’t just take over and power the house. In fact, if it detects a mains failure, it will immediately stop delivering power to that connection as a safety precaution. This is called anti-islanding.

If the battery still outputs power during a power cut, then that might leak out onto the grid, making things dangerous for those working to restore the service, and it would also mean that if I pulled the plug out of the wall that connects it to the house, those pins would be live.

On this product, the anti-islanding technology is sophisticated, and can sense within a very small amount of time if the mains has been disrupted, and then cut output.

You can still run things on the AC outputs, but those appliances must be physically connected to the Ultra X. Some expensive home battery systems can power the whole house in an emergency, but with only 800W of mains output, this isn’t one of them.

Where EcoFlow excels is with their software, which ties all the products you have into a unified logic that allows you to control what’s happening at any point. And you can build your own automations that can recharge and discharge, and interface with smart devices, like plugs.

A power management strategy

How you would configure the EcoFlow Stream Ultra X would be colored by your particular use model, and the level of efficiency you want. Overnight charging is straightforward but less efficient, and AI control is the most efficient, with manual adjustments being somewhere in the middle.

In my instance, I’m an Octopus Energy customer, and I use their Octopus Agile tariff that breaks down the day into 30-minute slices with a different cost depending on the demand at that time of day. On a typical day, there is a slight bump in prices around breakfast, followed by a cheaper period until 4 pm, when it becomes expensive until 7 pm, when it starts to get cheaper again.

Therefore, I have the battery recharge between 12 am and 4 pm, and discharge from 4 pm until it's exhausted. Each day, I can see the cost profile for the next day, published at 4 pm each day, and act accordingly.

But if you pay EcoFlow £3.40 a month, the company will entirely automate the charge low and discharge high system using AI, so you never need to think about it.

Alternatively, many providers run an Economy 7 tariff where you are given five hours every night to recharge at 7p a kWh. And, using that time window, you can build a simple automation to recharge then and discharge after 4 pm. When you consider that at peak times, power might be from 35p to over 50p a kWh, considerable savings can be made.

According to people who have tested these things, the loss of power recharging and discharging is about 10% in each trip, so if you buy power at 10p, it costs 12p to use it.

By adding solar to this mix, you can recharge for free and then use that power when the sun has gone down, if it's sufficiently sunny.

Having used this for a number of months, I’m seeing real benefits in my power consumption costs, and it's something that all homes and businesses should seriously consider.

(Image credit: EcoFlow)

The first question any business owner is likely to ask is if these tariffs are available for businesses, and often they are. I could be mistaken, but I think all UK power companies offer an equivalent to the old Economy 7 tariff, where you are allocated a block of time at low cost per kWh (like 7p) in the night, allowing that power to be delivered back to the property when the price is much higher.

The EcoFlow app enables you to define when the battery recharges and discharges, and how much wattage, up to the 800W limit, it can push back into the system.

As an Ocopus Agile customer, the prices in each 30-minute block do alter each day, both in price and in terms of when the cheapest point of the day is. If you want a fire-and-forget solution I could switch to a cheap nighttime recharge, or EcoFlow has an AI service that will look at the prices for the coming day and decide when it the best times to recharge and discharge. They charge an additional £3.90 a month for that service, and you don’t get any free time with the hardware. Intelligent Mode, as its called, promises to create the most cost effective power schedule based on solar, load, electricity rate and system status.

I’ve not yet signed up for this, but if it could save me more than another £3.90 a month, it might well be worth it.

Solar economics

But, if you always intend to have plenty of capacity to begin with, then it might be worth looking at the EcoFlow Ocean product line, or other modular home battery installations from the outset.

Solar harvest depends on panel setup and local conditions, but the four MPPT design gives the Ultra X a genuine edge over single-MPPT competitors. Where a cheaper system with one tracker might lose 15 to 20 per cent of potential harvest due to panel mismatch or partial shade, the Ultra X keeps each string performing at its individual peak. The 2,000W total solar input ceiling is generous. On a sunny day with an appropriate panel setup, you can expect to fill the 3.84 kWh battery from empty in roughly two hours.

The AI Time-of-Use system works elegantly since EcoFlow integrates with Tibber and other dynamic tariff providers. The system reads electricity prices, reads weather data, and makes genuinely intelligent decisions about when to top up from the grid and when to discharge into the home. EcoFlow’s own modelling suggests that a six-unit Ultra X setup with ten 500W solar panels could generate over 5,300 kWh annually in a central European location. For a single unit paired with two to four typical balcony panels, expect something closer to 800 to 1,500 kWh per year, depending on location and orientation.

(Image credit: Maysunsolar)

That is sufficient to meaningfully offset a household electricity bill. At European rates of around £0.35 per kWh, a single Ultra X setup could save between £350 and £550 annually. With the units costing roughly £1500 without solar panels, payback sits in the three to four-year range. That is competitive, though the Anker Solix Solarbank 2 E1600 Pro and Jackery Explorer alternatives come in cheaper and are worth comparing if budget is the primary driver. The Ultra X commands a premium for its capacity, four-MPPT design, and the quality of its AI integration. For most buyers, that premium is justified.

While not the cheapest option, EcoFlow will sell you two 450W panels for £399, and four 250W panels for £699. Therefore, with the Stream Ultra X, it is possible to have 3.84 kWh, a 900W solar input, which on a sunny day could recharge that battery for less than £2000.

If you use one of the lower-end options, like the Stream Ultra, Stream Pro, or Stream Max, the outlay could be much lower if you accept a smaller initial battery capacity.

There is nothing stopping you from buying more batteries and connecting them, though some of the range, like the Stream Max, aren’t empowered to chain to other Streams.

What’s nice is that you can add just a battery or a battery and more MPT ports for extra solar, and expand the system however you want.

• User Experience: 4 / 5

EcoFlow Stream Ultra X: Final verdict

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

To understand the Stream Ultra X, you need to understand the movement it belongs to. Balcony solar is no longer a niche hobbyist pursuit. It is a genuine mass-market revolution reshaping how ordinary people across Europe think about electricity.

Germany led the way. By mid-2025, over one million balcony solar systems had been registered with the German Federal Network Agency. Industry insiders believe the true installed number is two to three times higher, since many units go unregistered. In the first half of 2025 alone, more than 220,000 new systems were added. The Germans have a word for them: Balkonkraftwerke. Balcony power plants.

In the UK, the phrase plug-in solar has been coined, though to my mind this entirely misses the point of these systems. You don’t need solar panels to make this work for you, and therefore, it could be used by those renting a flat or home to reduce energy costs once the device is plugged in. And, should you move to a new location, the battery can come with you. It is the first rung on a ladder that could take you to solar, but it doesn’t need panels to be useful.

The balcony solar market is projected to grow from $500 million in 2025 to $1.8 billion by 2033, at a 15% annual growth rate. EcoFlow recognised this trajectory early. The Stream series is its answer to the question of what a premium, storage-forward balcony solar product looks like. The Ultra X, with its 3.84 kWh capacity, four-MPPT design, and AI energy management, is the most complete answer yet.

However, £1,499 is a serious investment. Some AI features need a subscription. And in the UK, there is some confusion about the plug-and-play nature of this technology based on the standards. Despite those caveats, this is the product to beat in its category, and if you wish to reduce your energy costs now, this is a highly flexible approach that doesn’t require solar panels to impact your electricity bills.

In many reviews I write for Tech Radar, the products are provided by the makers for the purpose of coverage, but in the case of EcoFlow Stream Ultra X, it's something I bought and paid for. And watching it hack chunks out of my electricity bill within weeks of arrival makes me think this purchase might not have been the worst plan I've ever had.

My advice, for what it's worth, is that anything involving electricity in the home still requires an electrician's input before you start plugging in equipment like this. But if you have a modern consumer unit, getting the battery wired correctly should be straightforward.

If you don’t have the additional expense of a new consumer unit, a piece of kit like the EcoFlow Stream Ultra X could easily pay for itself in under three years, and that’s without attaching a single solar panel to it. And that’s based on today's energy prices, which are unlikely to go down in the foreseeable future.

EcoFlow Stream Ultra X: Report card

Value

Not cheap, but highly extensible

4 / 5

Design

Clean, weatherproof, and compact for its substantial capacity

4 / 5

Features

LFP battery, four MPPTs, and smart AI management lead the field

4.5 / 5

User Experience

Delivers meaningfully on solar harvest, storage, and bill savings

4 / 5

Overall

The best balcony battery available; buy it if you can afford it

5 / 5

Should I buy a EcoFlow Stream Ultra X?Buy it if...

You want serious balcony solar storage and maximum solar harvest
The 3.84 kWh LFP battery and four independent MPPT trackers make this the most capable plug-and-play system available. If you are on a dynamic electricity tariff, the AI Time-of-Use optimisation will pay for itself. This is genuinely the product to beat in its category, and the ten-year warranty backs that confidence up.

You want to start small and then add solar
Systems like the EcoFlow Stream Ultra X enable home and business owners to start small and then add extra battery capacity and solar panels when they’re ready for them. That staggers the cost, and also means that the investment can be easily moved to another property in the future.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You have a consumer unit wired by Telsa himself
Much of the concern that electricians have voiced about plug-in-solar stems from the poor electrical installations in older houses they encounter every day. If you have an old consumer unit, or physical fuses, then you need to address that before plugging batteries into your ring main.

You want a complete home UPS
This system isn't designed to power the entire home in the event of a power cut. A system that can do that will cost significantly more than this.

I don't know about you, but any time I spend on LinkedIn, I am then immediately drowned by AI talk by those who are replacing entire companies with AI and how quickly people can build AI. All of that building requires a device that has insane power, or, to quote Aladdin, "ultimate cosmic power." That is what it seems like we are reaching for these days with the amount of computing power we are demanding from our devices.

Depending on what you are doing, having a dedicated LLM device could be the thing that makes or breaks your profit margins or also helps you actually get work done without burning through all of your tokens in one week. The Lenovo ThinkStation PGX is designed to run an LLM locally on a machine so that you can test anything that you need to test in an AI workspace without having to run it through the cloud. This will allow for things like script testing, feature testing, model testing, etc.

Further, this is also the kind of machine that you could use as an always-on device that would be fantastic for OpenClaw or Claudbot. As I mentioned briefly above, many people rely on the Mac mini for this.

However, if you're already in the professional work space or if you prefer Windows or if you trust Lenovo already, or alternatively maybe you don't need a full desktop as well, this is a phenomenal option for those workloads, and it likely destined for inclusion in our best mini PC guide for those that need a dedicated compact AI-ready workstation.

Lenovo ThinkStation PGX: Price and availability

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The ThinkStation PGX is available across Lenovo's regional websites, including in the US where prices start at $5,079 and in the UK, priced from £5,200.

The base model comes with 1 TB storage. However, if you want to upgrade to other storage components or buy through other retailers, the price may vary. My quick research has shown that the price of this unit can easily vary between $4,800 and $5,400 depending on your configuration.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Lenovo ThinkStation PGX: Unboxing and First Impressions

The PGX makes a strong case for those who want an mini AI Workstation. There are so many people in that realm of work these days that having dedicated devices that specialize in extracting every ounce of power from components to support power-hungry software is a good thing. However, it’s not for everyone. While there is a basic desktop, it feels more like a NAS rendering than that of a true computer.

The ThinkStation PGX appears to be similar in size to a standard mini PC; for continued comparison and reference, it’s about the size of a Mac mini. All the ports are on the back; since this isn’t meant to be a desktop replacement in any way, there is no need for any ports for the user to interact with after setup.

If you are the type of person who has to ensure the reliability and dependability of AI-powered machines, such as ensuring drivers are up to date, then having a dedicated machine may be just what you need to stay sane.

Lenovo ThinkStation PGX: Design & Build Quality

The Lenovo ThinkStation PGX is fairly compact, and it’s short enough to fit under desk shelves if you want it to stay on your desk, or tuck it away in a media closet or office space. Good flexibility here for that.

No matter where you choose to put it, the result is pretty much the same. It’s not meant to be looked at, bothered with, flash with colors and lights, nor really even be bothered with once it is set up.

Design-wise, as I say, this feels minimalist and styled to look sleek and professional wherever it is used. There are no forward-facing ports, but that is of course due to the intended use case. On the back there are USB-C ports, no USB-A ports, an HDMI port, a network port, and then two expansion ports that will allow for two of these units to link together to distribute the workload you’ve created across multiple PGX’s.

Beyond the ability to link multiple together, the expandability and customization kind of stops there, so if you are the type of person who is currently using a custom tower setup for their LLMs, then this is going to feel a bit too controlled. If you are okay with the change-up from the Wild West of computer parts to something that is a bit more controlled, you will swap customization for reliability.

Lenovo ThinkStation PGX: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Lenovo ThinkStation PGX is best when used as a dedicated device for running tasks against your local LLM. The 128GB memory and the Grace Blackwell GB10 help make even complex scenarios feel snappy, much more than most people’s laptops can; that’s for sure. For those in this space, the struggle of maxing out your available GPU is a known constraint. But now with your own personal device, you won’t have to wait on anyone else or book time, or anything else of the sort.

In my experience with AI tooling, speed is a major factor. Trying to ship features with AI usually comes with the expectation of speed. Now, with your own tooling and hardware, you can get prototypes, demos, and research done without waiting.

Off the top of my head, the tools that would benefit from this the most would be things such as: running local inference on larger models, prototyping across several different models, perhaps different versions of an app, a tool, or a workflow, even other ways of teaching or tooling that require quick turnaround time to try things out and you don't want to waste time or credits.

One thing worth noting is that while this does have a ton of operational memory, storing this kind of information to run these large models will take up a lot of space. If you need more than the allotted storage, or if you don't want to pay for internal storage, you can add external storage options to host the datasets you will be using for this.

In short, utilizing something like this as a service-kind-of-model, where you tunnel in and do what you need to do and keep your day-to-day machine light, means that you could run around with a more lightweight laptop or a more practical day-to-day laptop and then utilize this machine when you need it instead of carrying this beefy machine all day long every day. That may not be the best for everything else that you do in your day-to-day work.

Lenovo ThinkStation PGX: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Lenovo ThinkStation PGX is an incredibly powerful machine; however, it is probably not the machine for you unless you are in a very niche workspace. For those that this applies to, this is a fantastic tool to add to your arsenal, with more specialized capabilities and easier setup than a Mac mini. It is also more limiting than a Mac mini in some other ways.

You shouldn't buy this if you want a small desktop that can do some powerful things. If you do need a machine dedicated to running LLMs or open claw, then absolutely you should consider the Lenovo ThinkStation PGX, because in that world, this thing is a king.

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For more pro-grade desktops and workstations, we've tested the best business computers.

I've always had a soft spot for the office furniture put out by Ergonofis - the company seems to blend clean, modern styles with good functionality. So, my hopes were high for the Equation.

This is a well-designed and practical office chair, suitable for both office and home office settings. And I really like just how simple this was to put together.

After 170 days testing, I found it a comfortable sit. However, the unique weight activation prevents it from charting in our best office chair guide - I got used to it, but I understand many won't like it.

Having said that, there's no denying this is one of the more attractive offerings in the chair arena, reminding me of a more office-ready version of the Branch Verve.

Ergonofis Equation: Price and availability

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Equation by Ergonofis is priced at $995 direct from the Ergonofis website.

Now, as I say, I've had this chair in my fleet of seats for almost six months. During that time, I have seen this chair sell out more often than not.

And that's true now. At the time of review, it's completely sold out. However, there is a “notify me when available” banner on the website.

To my mind, that this office chair keeps selling out tells you a lot about the quality here.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Ergonofis Equation: Unboxing and First Impressions

I assemble a lot of chairs, so when I get one like this that is super simple assembly, I am very thankful. It took a total of four screws and only about 3 steps.

I found the base with casters already installed, which was super nice; then I added the piston, the base, screwed on the back, and called it a day. Again, that kind of assembly is wild and so appreciated.

The materials themselves feel minimal, yet not cheap. They feel quality, not luxury, and all around, something that, at the end of the day, I actually appreciate.

Ergonofis Equation: Design & Build Quality

I care a lot about how chairs look. I see enough to have strong opinions. This chair looks very sharp. The two-tone look, the light marble colorways, and even the unique seat material all make up a very elegant-looking chair. Something that would work perfectly with a light desk and a walnut desktop.

It’s that kind of vibe: clean, minimalist, simple, yet elegant. The seat itself feels like a soft woven textile, not a mesh seat that feels like it’s trapped everything from the last 12 years inside. But rather it feels comfortable and cool while still breathable.

The armrests are pretty mobile and connect to the back lower lumbar of the chair. Originally, I was concerned that this would make them weaker or squeakier than if they were connected by the chair's thighs. But, in all of my testing over the last several months, my team and I have yet to experience any issues, even pushing down on the armrests to stand up.

I did have concerns about something like dark denim transferring color onto this chair, but thankfully I have yet to experience this, and that concern continues to fade with every passing day.

Ergonofis Equation: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

My team and I have used this chair for up to eight hours on end, and it has stayed comfortable the entire time. Altogether, we agree that we love the material on the seat; it's something we have never seen on other chairs.

We also love how adjustable the armrests are, so we can adjust them for whatever task we are doing. If we're sitting at a desk, it adjusts. If we are sitting in a circle during a meeting, it adjusts. If we want to adjust our desk to be a little higher for a different kind of work, like focused writing or drawing, we can do that. If we want to lower it down, we can do that. These armrests adjust with everything.

Furthermore, we can adjust the backrests to do the same. If we want the option to lean back a little more, we can, or sit up; we can do that and provide good comfort and stability for all-day work.

Ergonofis Equation: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

Whether this is the right office chair for you will depending on several factors. For anyone who likes the breathability of a pure mesh seat, this won't be ideal. Nor will it sit right with those who prefer models with a leg rest or more adjustable knobs for fine-tuning. And if you need to push up off the armrests to help yourself in and out of the chair every single day, I would consider something else.

But if you're the kind of person who likes this sheer white design, or the clean, modern stylings, it's an absolute no-brainer. For me, the Equation is the chair to choose when you want office furniture that's not afraid to stand out from the crowd a little more.

For more office furniture, we've tested the best standing desks.

In a time when there are 18,000 different standing desk companies, and I'm getting a different standing desk sent to me every single week, it's good to see that there are still some that stick to the basics and don't upcharge for a brand name. Yes, I do think that in a capitalist economy we need some tried-and-true brand names, but it's good to still see some that are trying to create cheaper alternatives of quality gear without trying to rip people off.

Simple seems to be trying to do exactly that. While it may not be the best standing desk I've tested in absolute terms, there's a lot here I like. Considering the mid-range price (it costs $849), it feels like a high-quality product at a much cheaper price compared to some big-name brands out there.

Granted, yes, there are not as many features as some of the others, and there are reasons those other companies charge more. But Simple is the brand I would grab if I am looking for a more inexpensive option.

Simple Height Adjustable Desk: Price and availability

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

The Simple Height Adjustable Desk is available for $849 direct from Simple's official website here. It comes in a range of styles, including the walnut and charcoal colorway I have for this review.

Shipping, according to Simple, will take around 5 business days or less, but mine arrived in about 2 days. They also offer 30-day returns and a 5-year warranty.

The benefit of buying a quality desk in this price range is that you have more of your budget to spend on other things. You can grab a nice chair or accessories, perhaps some higher-end upgrades for a new laptop, etc. Regardless of your reasoning, I lean more towards the buy-once-cry-once model.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)Simple Height Adjustable Desk: Unboxing and First Impressions

Right off the bat, I was genuinely surprised by this desk. I've tested far more than my fair share of desks. I feel like I'm building a new one every single week from different brands, and I honestly had to check back a couple times to see what brand this one was because it felt like one of the higher-quality desks as I was building it. It had some of the same materials and almost felt like it used some of the same suppliers for some of its components.

The build process was sturdy and rugged, and though this is a relatively budget-friendly desk in this world and comes from a brand that even calls itself Simple, this is still a quality desk with quality materials. I can honestly say I was very impressed with the feel of this desk.

Beyond its looks, this desk also functions very well, just as some higher-end desks do. The steel legs are rigid, provide a smooth lifting experience, and still look sharp.

Additionally, something I have begun to pay much more attention to with these desks I'm testing is how simple the assembly process is. Unlike some desks that take forever to build, this one took only minutes and feels as rock-solid as any that take longer.

Simple Height Adjustable Desk: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Day-to-day, this desk operates wonderfully. I've put this desk through tests for around 180 days now, extending my normal review period a bit longer to see if the desk’s quality continues to hold up. After this amount of time, I can say that there have been zero issues with the desk. So far, it has held its own quite nicely.

It has kept its shape and gone up and down smoothly every single time. There are no excessive marks, damage, or wear and tear on the desk. I still enjoy using it in my fleet of desks every single day. My team and I have this in one of our accessory setups, and it has performed flawlessly in that role, even as we have built it out with some gear over time. I've shifted back to Simple. It looks great in both scenarios.

One thing that I've grown to love in some desk companies is accessories such as built-in or mounted power on the desk frame, so you don't have to drill into the desk's wood. I wish that Simple had something like that, but then again, beggars can't be choosers at a price like this. You could just as easily grab your own power strip and mount it wherever you want.

Simple Height Adjustable Desk: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Unless you two have an affinity or love for bougie standing desks, most people who need or want a standing desk don't actually need the best of the best. They want a desk that works. They want a desk that will do the basic up-and-down. That's really all they care about.

That's you. You should strongly consider the Simple brand of standing desks, specifically this one. It does it all: up and down. It's stable, it's reliable, and it looks great. No matter how built out you have it, it's made from quality materials at a fraction of the price of the big guys.

At the end of the day, all you really care about is having a desk that works too. You can get your work done, your gaming done, your reading done, or whatever else you choose to do at your desk.

Collin Probst // FutureCollin Probst // FutureCollin Probst // FutureCollin Probst // FutureCollin Probst // FutureCollin Probst // FutureCollin Probst // FutureCollin Probst // Future

For more office furniture, we've tested the best office chairs.

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro: Two-minute review

Anker's Soundcore sub-brand may not have a reputation for releasing the best earbuds that everyone raves about, but they tend to be solid pieces of kit. We gave the Soundcore Liberty 5 (yes, take care, because that's not these — and there's also a Pro Max to swerve in favor of these) a 3.5-star score, and that tends to be par for the course. Until now, that is.

With the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro, there's been a change: it really feels like the brand is coming into its own, and it knows what buyers really want.

These are incredibly feature-stuffed headphones, with an app that'll boggle your mind given how many tools it offers. And they're all useful too: the ANC is very good, the listening test is handy and the array of array of little extras is impressive.

Particularly special is the quiet calling feature, so people you're speaking to on the phone can't hear what's going on around you. I hear many brands boast about their buds’ quiet call quality, with algorithms and microphones designed to wipe background sound from your voice in calls. Most of the time it’s bluff and bluster, but the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro are the real deal.

I know this because, part-way through the review process, my mother called me while I was in a busy coffee shop. I apologized for the pop music being blasted over the speakers – I could barely hear myself think for Outkast’s Hey Ya! – and she asked me what music I was talking about. She’d have had no idea I was in a noisy space, had it not been for my telling her. If two thumbs up from my mom isn’t a glowing endorsement of tech, I don’t know what is.

I'd be remiss not to mention the Soundcore's fit too. The buds are nice and lightweight, with a ridge to help them lock in your ear. I never had any fit problems with them, and they stayed in place during runs and workouts.

What about the sound? The buds offer warm, bass-heavy music that'll please people who like thumping heavy rhythms. The audio quality won't endear the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro to audiophiles (do wireless earbuds at this level ever excite audiophiles?) but nevertheless it isn't at all bad. Sound quality may not be the highlight of these buds, but I still enjoyed listening to them during my testing.

My main gripes with the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro bypass the earpieces and their talents and really only concern the case. It has a small touchscreen strip, but it doesn't do enough to justify its existence (nor is it responsive enough for that). And the case is bigger than it should be as a result; I would've loved to see it lose the strip and shrink a little.

At least it's not the Liberty 5 Pro Max, with a giant case and big touchscreen. I tested that too, and you can read more about it later, but it's decidedly more of a professional-targeted device. Most buyers looking for some great earbuds would do better with these Pro-only earbuds: they're cheaper and you're only missing a few features — ones I think you may not use anyway.

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro review: Price and release date

(Image credit: Future)

• Released on May 21, 2026
• They sell for $169.99 / £149.99 (about AU$300)
• Sitting between Liberty 5, and Liberty 5 Pro Max

The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro were announced alongside a slew of other Anker products at the brand’s annual Anker Day, on May 21, 2026.

You can pick them up for $169.99 / £149.99 (about AU$300), so unlike many of the brand’s other pairs of earbuds, they’ve crept over the line: these aren’t budget buds, rather solidly mid-range ones. For a little context, the non-Pro model launched for $129 / £99 / AU$169, but went on sale a year prior, so have seen some discounts.

They launched alongside the Liberty 5 Pro Max, which sell for a fair bit more: $229.99 / £199.99 (roughly AU$400). We’ll get into these a little later; it’s best to treat them as a ‘Pro’ model to the Liberty 5 Pro (despite that being a little confusing), with a few extra tools for professionals, but no major advantage.

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro review: Specs

Drivers

9.2mm

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Battery life

6.5 hours (buds), 28 hours (case)

Weight

7g (buds), 70g (case)

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.1

Frequency response

Not specified

Waterproofing

IP55

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• Impressive noise cancellation and clear calling
• Middling battery life, at 6.5 hours
• Absolutely loads of features via app

In the introduction to this review, I already waxed lyrical about the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro's quiet call tools. Suffice to say, it's just as impressive as it was when you read about it a few minutes ago: a real stand-out feature of the buds.

Quiet calls is one of the many benefits brought from the use of Anker’s Thus chip, with the brand’s decision to home-brew its own internals, and thus get to design its software and hardware in tandem, paying dividends.

Another example is noise cancellation, as the Liberty 5 Pro has some of the best I’ve used in a set of earbuds at its price point. It is able to eradicate the low, rumbling background hum of life, and drastically reduce louder sounds too — it even took a big chunk out of my coffee shop’s streaming of Hey Ya!.

In theory, battery life is another department that should benefit from Thus, and Anker puts the listening time per bud, with ANC on, at 6.5 hours. From my own testing, that’s an optimistic figure — my own listening time was a little south of that mark. The same is true with the overall case battery life, which Anker states as 28 hours. Don’t get me wrong: the battery life here is fine, but it’s nothing to write home about either.

(Image credit: Future)

If that sounds like a nice little haul of features already, just wait until you download the Soundcore app. If my editor didn’t think this section was too long already, just wait until we list what else you get with the buds.

This has all the basics: the ability to change between noise cancelling modes, customizable touch controls, Dolby Atmos, EQ presets, multi-point connection, fit tests, find-my earbuds, and an eight-band custom equalizer.

But you get a whole lot more: there's a listening test for custom EQ, a load of ambient soundscapes and listening modes, and even a built-in chat-bot called Anka which can give you suggestions for settings to change. There's a lot going on.

If anything, the app's a little confusingly laid out. If you select your earbuds, where most apps would put all the settings, you can only see a few. To find more, you need to press a little Settings cog which is easy to miss. And for many more options, you have to back out all the way to the main menu.

• Features score: 4.5/5

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Kidney bean-shaped bud with tip and fin
• Reliable in-ear fit
• Touchscreen-toting case is a little bulky

Anker has opted for a kidney bean-shaped look for the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro earbuds; they bring to mind Samsung’s bean buds, but with a tip that you can use to put them in your ear. You can pick them up in blue, pink, white or black, and the buds and case come in the same hue.

Each earbud weighs 7g, is made of a solid-feeling plastic, and the other design feature of note is a little wing at the top to keep them locked in your ear. To be clear, the fit is much better than those older Samsung buds. That little wing works magically, and I took them to the gym and on countless runs without any inkling of them falling out.

The buds are IP55 protected, which means they’re protected from dust and low-pressure water jets (like rain or sweat) but aren’t suitable for swimming. You get touch controls on each bud, but you need to tap multiple times to achieve anything, and I found them unreliable for multi-tap commands.

(Image credit: Future)

Now onto the case; the 0.96-inch display on the front isn’t as much as selling point here as the Pro Max’s larger one is, but it’s not as much of a gimmick as to put off people who aren’t interested.

It sort of makes the case look like a very small '90s alarm clock. You can use its screen to quickly check the charge of the buds and enabled certain features; I found it pretty unresponsive and gave up using it for music control quite quickly, but perhaps a more patient user could persevere. I can see the quick access to EQ presets being pretty handy for certain people.

Due to its touchscreen, the Liberty 5 Pro's case is a little larger than most rivals', even if at 70g it's not unduly heavy. I found it a little on the large side to slip into my pocket; not perfect for people who like a tiny case. The sliding mechanism to reveal the buds felt quick and easy, but I'm curious about how long it'd lasting in the long term. Even over several weeks of using the buds, the sliding plane started to feel a little wobbly.

• Design score: 4/5

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro review: Sound quality

(Image credit: Future)

• Using 45mm drivers
• Music is muffled, and tinny
• EQ doesn't help

Anker has put 9.2mm drivers in the Liberty 5 Pro Max, which I'm inclined to believe are the same pieces of kit that it used in the non-Pro buds. As with those other models, these aren't audiophile earbuds — the sound is way too warm for that — and instead they give the people what they want.

That's to say, they're bass-heavy and energetic buds, focused more on snappy lower frequencies and tender higher ones than an objectively natural, integrated hi-fi sound. Given how commonly this kind of sound profile is used in affordable and mid-range buds, I'm inclined to say it's popular, and Soundcore's done a great job hitting that target.

If you like lower-end clout in your sound, you'll be happy here. Any genre I tried, from rock to pop to dance, fared well. It was even solid for listening to genres that don't revel in excess bass, like classical, acoustic and jazz.

Bass injection is clearly the name of the game here, but for the most part, trebles and mids are just as forceful, offering an enjoyable amount of detail. Shane Smith & the Saints' Coast has a lovely delicate timbre in the acoustic guitar which you often miss, and some lovely harmonies in Last Sunrise In The Wasteland by At The End Of Times, Nothing came to the fore.

(Image credit: Future)

I'm not going to claim that these buds are perfect. At lower volumes, the Liberty 5 Pro lose trebles and mids at a disproportionate rate.

But the real 'problem' will likely come from the sound being divisive. The Liberty 5 Pro's bassy sound might not please everyone. It's right on the border of 'too much', sometimes offering a lovely thumping sound, but occasionally stepping over the line.

In songs like Gabriel Kelley's You Kill Me, bass guitar can overstep its role as an accompanying instrument, and step to the fore in a way that throws the song out of whack. At other times, it can just override some of the more sensitive instruments. More so than in most earbuds I test, you're going to have to get familiar with the EQ presets, and use them depending on which genre you prefer to listen to.

If that wasn't a problem for audiophiles, perhaps the relative lack of Bluetooth codec support is. You're getting Hi-Res Audio Wireless certification, but seemingly no bone thrown for LDAC, aptX or anything similar.

• Sound quality: 4/5

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro review: how about the Pro Max?

(Image credit: Future)

• Pro Max cost a little more
• Sound quality and battery life are identical
• Pro Max has larger case, one or two extra tools

Beyond being an absolute mouthful to say (or, in this case, write), the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max are very similar earbuds to the Pro. So much so, that instead of writing an entire separate review on them, I decided to give them a section of the Pro review. And why not the other way around? That's because the Pros are, in my opinion, the best buds for most people.

The Pro Max earbuds are exactly the same as the Pro's, in terms of design, sound quality, battery life and feature set (mainly). The Max comes in thanks to two additional features: you can use the case to record audio and provide quick transcripts, and for instant voice translation.

They're solid features, all right, but with more limited appeal. I can see them being handy for business users, but not so much for the average buyer.

Your other upgrade here is in the carry case: its display now takes up the entire top of the buds, and it offers loads more features. You can add a custom wallpaper, and use it for various tools, settings and modes, including (but not limited to) the aforementioned extra features.

Again, useful additions, but at the cost of an even larger carry case. It wasn't comfortable to keep in my pocket, that's for sure.

I'm not disputing that the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro Max are better earbuds. But for most people, I don't think they're enough to justify the extra cost. Only consider these if you'll really use

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro review: Value

(Image credit: Future)

• Too expensive to be consumer cans
• Value for money if you need transmitter

The Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro are reasonably priced, but you get what you pay for. There’s nothing wrong with that, but a good discount would tip these into the ‘amazing’ value for money camp.

The noise cancellation, sound quality and feature set are all really good for the price… but there are loads of other rivals at around the same price point that all offer suites that are good for the price. I've tested a few earbuds for even less, that impress me just as much.

At least the Anker Liberty Pro are better value money than the Pro Max. You’re paying more money, and getting a very similar product. For business users maybe, but I can’t see myself recommending them to most people, when the Pro is right there.

• Value: 3.5/5

Should I buy the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro?Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro score card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Is there anything these buds can't do? The clear calling is a real stand-out, but don't forget the ANC and equalizer.

4.5/5

Design

The earbuds have a unique look and sit firmly in the ears. The case is a little large, with an unresponsive touch screen and some durability concerns.

4/5

Sound quality

4/5

Value

They're great buds, for a fair price, but a discount would make them absolute must-buys.

3.5/5

Buy them if…

You want solid ANC
The Liberty 5 Pro are great at silencing unwanted background noise. They're not the best I've ever tried, but at this price, they're hard to say no to.

You need a secure fit
The unique design of the Liberty 5 Pro, and their fin, mean they're reliable to stay in place when you're exercising.

Don’t buy them if…

You need a svelte carry case
We see some wired earbuds nowadays that come with incredibly tiny carry cases. The Soundcore... ain't those. If you want something pocketable, look away.

You want a fully-featured touchscreen
If you want earbuds with a touchscreen that'll let you do it all, the Pro might not scratch that itch. Instead, the Pro Max are better for you.

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro review: Also consider

Want to see what other earbuds your money can get you? Here are some alternatives for roughly the same price.

Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro

Apple AirPods 4 with ANC

Technics EAH-AZ80

Drivers

9.2mm

Unspecified

10mm

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Yes

Yes

Battery life (ANC on)

6.5 hours (buds), 28 hours (case)

4 hours (buds), 20 hours (case)

7 hours (buds), 25 hours (case)

Weight

7g (buds), 70g (case)

4.3g (buds), 32.3g (case)

7g (buds), 50g (case)

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.1

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.3

Waterproofing

IP55

NA

IPX4

Apple AirPods 4 with ANC
If you have an iPhone, these are some of the go-to buds at the price. They may not have in-ear tips, and the battery life's not amazing, but they have plenty of audio features.
Read our full AirPods 4 with ANC review

Technics EAH-AZ80
Yes, they're quite a bit older, but they're still some of our favorite wireless earbuds in that they offer triple device connectivity, excellent sound quality, and they're much cheaper now then when they first launched.
Read our full Technics EAH-AZ80 review

How I tested the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro

• Tested for three weeks
• Paired with Android phone for variety of tasks
• Also used alongside Pro Max

I used the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro for three weeks before writing this review. I tested them alongside the Pro Max model.

During the testing process, the earbuds were connected to my Android smartphone. I used them for streaming Spotify Lossless music as well as Tidal and Apple Music, playing various games, streaming videos, conducting voice calls and going on video chats.

That listening went on at home, while at the gym, during runs, and on walks around my neighborhood. For certain areas, like ANC and sound quality, I have reference tests I conduct which lets me compare various earbuds.

I've reviewed earbuds and headphones for TechRadar for many years, including previous Anker products like the Space 2 over-ears earlier this year.

• First reviewed in June 2026

• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Dyson Supersonic Travel: two-minute review

As the name suggests, the Dyson Supersonic Travel is a scaled-down, travel-friendly version of Dyson's now-iconic Supersonic dryer, redesigned to fit in your luggage. It's 32% smaller and 25% lighter than the original, weighing just 0.7lbs / 330g, and it automatically adapts to any voltage between 100 and 240V without any fiddly switches or converters.

It offers the same 110,000rpm motor and intelligent heat control technology as seen on the full-size Nural, measuring air temperature over 100 times a second to avoid extreme heat damage. You get three heat settings and two airflow speeds, controlled via buttons on the cylindrical head and LEDs show you which setting you're on, at a glance.

The Travel ships with a magnetic smoothing nozzle in the box but is also compatible with any and all existing Supersonic Nural attachments, which is a useful detail if you already own the Nural or if you need a range of alternative nozzles.

The Travel ships with a magnetic smoothing nozzle in the box (pictured) but is also compatible with any and all existing Supersonic Nural attachments (Image credit: Future)

In testing, drying was noticeably faster than a typical hotel dryer, and faster than some cheaper, regular hair dryers. It took around four minutes on my fine, mid-length, curly hair and the results were smooth. Dyson is upfront that airflow isn't quite as powerful as its full-size range and it is noticeable, but not a dealbreaker for my hair type. I imagine it will soon frustrate anyone with thicker or longer hair, though.

The price is where things get complicated. At $299.99 / £249.99 / AU$449, the Supersonic Travel sits at the very top of the travel dryer market. The ghd Flight+ does the same basic job, albeit it with some more fiddly controls, for $129 / £79. The most like-for-like is the Dreame Pocket Pro and even that only pushes the price to $159.99 / £149.

By almost any normal dryer standards, the Supersonic Travel is a well-designed, well-built and powerful contender in the hunt for the best hair dryers. It more than holds its own and there are very few sacrifices to make. This performance goes a long way towards justifying the higher cost, but even then it's still a tough price pill to swallow unless you're a frequent traveler.

The Supersonic Travel is unmistakably a Dyson, from the pink and rose gold accents to the same circular head above a narrow handle (Image credit: Future)Dyson Supersonic Travel: price & availability

• List price: $299.99 / £249.99 / AU$449
• Availability: US, UK, Australia

The Supersonic Travel sits at the top end of the travel dryer market – and then some. It's almost three times the price of the GHD Flight+ and twice the price of the Dreame Pocket Pro. In fact, it's not too far off the price of the original Supersonic, which still retails for $399.99 / £279.99 (although is often on sale for less).

It is, however, notably cheaper than its siblings and Dyson's flagship models, the $449.99 / £399.99 / AU$749 Supersonic Nural and the Supersonic r that retails for $549.99 / £449.99 / AU$799.

The Supersonic Travel is available from Dyson, as well as Amazon, Boots and Cult Beauty in the UK; Amazon and Best Buy in the US; and JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman in Australia.

The most obvious budget alternative is the ghd Flight+ at £79 / $129 / AU$159 – a foldable travel dryer with dual voltage, albeit without auto-adapting voltage (you need to use a coin to switch modes) and no wider attachment compatibility.

The Dreame Pocket Pro ($159.99 / £149) is a more interesting comparison: it's lighter (at 300g), similarly auto-adapts to global voltage, and comes with a more generous attachments bundle. It's also foldable, whereas the Dyson model isn't.

Neither the GHD or Dreame models match the Dyson for brand heritage or the intelligence of the heat control system, but both are meaningfully cheaper.

• Value for money score: 3 out of 5

Dyson Travel Supersonic specs

Model:

Dyson Supersonic Travel

Wattage:

1,000-1,220W

Weight (without cord, appox):

0.7lb / 330g

Size (H x W x L, approx):

2.7 x 2.8 x 8.7in / 6.8 x 7.1 x 22.2cm

Airflow settings:

2

Temperature settings:

3 + cool shot

Cord length:

6.6ft / 2m

Attachments:

Styling concentrator (include in box); Travel also compatible with all Dyson Supersonic and Supersonic Nural attachments (sold separately)

Dyson Supersonic Travel: design

• Classic Dyson-style cylindrical head design
• 32% smaller, 25% lighter than Supersonic
• Three heat settings, two airflow speeds, controlled via buttons on head
• Universal voltage auto-adapts from 100–240V
• Reviewed in Ceramic Pink / Rose Gold with styling concentrator

The Supersonic Travel is unmistakably a Dyson device, from the pink and rose gold accents to the same circular head above a narrow handle.

The biggest difference, visually, is in size. The Travel is 32% smaller (2.7 x 2.8 x 8.7in / 6.8 x 7.1 x 22.2cm) and and 25% lighter (0.7lbs / 330g) than the original Supersonic, but doesn't lose any of the essence. I'd be as bold to say it's the best-looking travel dryer I've ever tested.

Despite the size difference, the dryer still feels well-balanced. It doesn't fold in half like the GHD Flight+ or Dreame Pocket Pro, to name two rivals, but the whole design is sleek and compact enough to drop into a handbag or carry-on regardless. The only thing that really gets in the way is the chunky 6.6ft / 2m cord.

There's no travel case in the box, which at this price feels like a miss, particularly when the ghd Flight+ includes one at a fraction of the cost. Even a bag as standard, to protect what is far from a cheap dryer, would suffice but instead you have to pay an additional $39.99 / £45 for the privilege of a travel pouch.

On the back of the cylindrical head, the airflow button sits on the left with the temperature button on the right. Each button has a row of LEDs above it (Image credit: Future)

To account for the lack of handle space on the Travel, versus the larger Dyson models, the controls are more concentrated on the head.

On the back of this cylindrical head, the airflow button sits on the left with the temperature button on the right. Each button has a row of LEDs above it – two lights for high speed or heat, one for the gentler settings. These LEDs also flash white if the filter needs cleaning, and red if there's a fault. The power button is then a slider on the back of the handle and this slider is used to control the cool shot.

If you've ever used a Dyson, these split controls will be familiar but they do take a little getting used to compared to other, standard dryers. To enable the cold air, give the slider a nudge upwards from its 'on' position. It isn't clear or obvious that you need to do this, unless you have an Airwrap and are familiar with how Dyson maximizes the use of its switches, and ended up being one of the only features on the Dyson Travel that didn't feel natural. Also the LEDs are great on paper, because you can see which setting is selected at a glance but given that they're on the rear of the head, it's not as intuitive as it sounds either.

The removable filter cage sits at the base of the handle and pulls down onto the cord for cleaning. You can remove the entire filter and wash it with water and this is a small but welcomed touch. It also means the Travel should last longer, which at this price is a blessing.

The removable filter cage sits at the base of the handle and pulls down onto the cord for cleaning. You can remove the entire filter and wash it with water (Image credit: Future)

In the box is a magnetic smoothing nozzle, and thanks to Dyson's heat shield technology, the surface of this nozzle stays cool to the touch even during use. It's not exactly a wide default attachment range, especially at this price and the fact the Dreame Pocket Pro ships with five attachments.

However, you're unlikely to want to take lots of attachments when travelling, and the Supersonic Travel is compatible with the full Supersonic and Supersonic Nural attachment range, which is super useful if you already own either machine, and semi-useful if you can afford to buy any of them separately.

This side-by-side comparison shows how the Supersonic Travel (right) is shorter and more compact than the full-size Supersonic Nural (left) (Image credit: Future)

One thing to note, even though the Supersonic Travel automatically adjusts its voltage based on the country you're in, Dyson recommends using an adapter rated to 1,300W across the full voltage range rather than a universal adapter. It's not a dealbreaker but will help preserve the life of the Travel for longer.

• Design score: 4.5 out of 5

Dyson Supersonic Travel: performance

• Dries faster than a hotel dryer; notably quick for a compact machine
• Intelligent heat control measures air temperature 100 times per second
• Noise level: [XdB] in testing

The Supersonic Travel was tested daily over four weeks, including a trip to San Francisco where the universal voltage got its first real workout.

It's not the fastest dryer I've tested, but it was notably, and surprisingly, powerful for such a compact device. Drying time on my fine, mid-length curly hair ran to around 4 minutes on high heat and high airflow – faster than I expected from a machine this size. If you have thick or long hair, expect to be there for longer but even then, I can promise it will be faster than a hotel dryer and with more heat protection.

Speaking of protection, Dyson's intelligent heat control is one of the reasons the results hold up so well. With temperature measured more than 100 times per second, there's no scorching or uneven heat distribution – just consistent, controlled drying. The finish was always smooth with minimal frizz and enough volume to feel close to an at-home result. Over the review period my hair also felt softer.

The styling nozzle helps further with this. It guides the airflow for precise smoothing and shaping and clicks on magnetically. You can rotate it during styling, which is a bonus if you're trying to get different angles in a cramped hotel bathroom, but it never came loose. It's a delicate balance of movement and security that Dyson is great at across the Supersonic range.

The Supersonic Travel is compatible with all attachments from the Supersonic and Nural. The Nural's styling concentrator attached to the Travel is pictured (Image credit: Future)

One of the more compelling arguments for the Supersonic Travel's price is the attachment compatibility. Any attachment from the Supersonic or Supersonic Nural range clicks straight onto the Travel's magnetic barrel. This means if you already own either machine at home, you can simply pack whichever attachments you need rather than adapting your routine around whatever comes in the box.

I tested the Travel with the Gentle Air attachment alongside the Nural's Styling Concentrator. The Gentle Air attachment diffuses the airflow slightly for a cooler, softer result. This is useful for fine hair that doesn't need aggressive heat, and is particularly good for a second-day refresh, but I found I didn't have much of a need for it given the Travel's already lower, more gentle airflow.

My favorite attachment to use with the Travel (and any Dyson Supersonic model for that matter) is the Flyaway Smoother. It uses Coanda airflow to attract and flatten stray hairs on a finished style, and it works incredibly well. Especially on fine, naturally curly hair; the difference between a finished blow-dry with, and without it is noticeable. My only complaint is that it's a large attachment which doesn't lend itself well for travelling.

Despite these attachments originally being designed for the larger Supersonic models, the magnetic connection felt as secure on the Travel as they do on the Nural; clicking on with the same snap as on the full-size machine, and rotating smoothly during styling without any loosening mid-use.

Dyson’s motor sits in the handle rather than the head, creating the hollow design (pictured) and this allows space for the controls to be split between the head and handle (Image credit: Future)

Plugged in at my hotel in San Francisco with a country adapter, the Supersonic Travel performed exactly as it did at home. There was no perceptible difference in power or overheating. You can often tell when a dryer isn't performing at full strength when abroad by a drop in noise but this also wasn't noticeable with the Dyson Supersonic Travel. Another pleasant surprise.

Speaking of noise, the loudest the Travel got during my tests was 87dB on high speed, and the lowest was 83dB on low speed. The machine is certainly not silent, but it's comparable to – and in many cases quieter than – the sort of dryer you'd find mounted to a hotel room wall. It also carries over the slightly softer-pitched sound found on the wider Dyson range (of vacuums and hairdryers) which is less jarring on the ears than the decibel rating may suggest.

Elsewhere, maintenance is minimal. The filter cage requires periodic cleaning when the LEDs flash white, which involves removing it, washing it under a tap, and leaving it to dry naturally before reinserting. It's a six-step process that Dyson details clearly in the manual and it's not difficult at all.

• Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

Premium pricing is hard to justify, especially with only one attachment and no travel bag, but the performance helps account for a lof ot it.

3/5

Design

Recognizably Dyson, well-engineered, and compact, even if it doesn't fold and the cord is long and thick.

4.5/5

Performance

Fast, consistent, and surprisingly effective. The lower airflow is noticeable but a marginal drop for most hair types (other than thick and long).

4.5/5

You travel frequently and your hair dryer matters to you

If you're the kind of person who wants home-from-home hair drying performance, the Supersonic Travel offers compact style with little compromise.

You already own a Dyson Supersonic

If you own a Supersonic or Supersonic Nural and have attachments you love, this is the machine that lets you take that routine on the road.

You travel occasionally

If you're happy enough with a hotel dryer for a week away, there's no compelling reason to spend $299.99 / £249.99. The ghd Flight+ does the job at $129 / £79, and for most people on an occasional trip, the difference won't be worth the outlay.

You have thick or long hair or need more drying power

The Supersonic Travel's airflow is intentionally reduced compared to the full-size machine. For fine or medium hair it's excellent; for a thick, dense mane that takes 20 minutes with a full-size dryer at home, this will take longer and may frustrate.

You want a travel dryer with more versatility

The Dreame Pocket Pro costs around half the price and arrives with curling barrels, a diffuser, and a storage bag.

How I tested the Dyson Supersonic Travel

I tested the Dyson Supersonic Travel hair dryer over four weeks on my fine, mid-length naturally curly hair.

I used it as my only dryer at home and took it on a trip to San Francisco. Testing included daily use across all heat and speed settings, use with the styling concentrator on wet and damp hair, and real-world travel use with a country adapter in a US hotel room.

I measured noise levels using the DecibelX app and compared drying times against my usual full-size dryer.

• First reviewed May 2026

Lepow 16" Quad Monitor for Laptop: 30-second review

The Lepow 16" Quad Monitor for Laptop is an innovative multi monitor design that essentially enables you to take the office with you. The four monitor set, stand and backpack is available as a complete system.

The build quality matches that of the TriScreen Pro side panels that I recently reviewed..

The set also comes with a stand which considering it's robust construction is surprisingly lightweight, and offers decent stability for the monitors through the test.

The monitors themselves are linked with the Transformer connectors, the same as those used on the TriScreen Pro, and as I found with that monitor setup the same is true here, careful alignment, then a firm press and a wiggle and click to ensure that everything is locked into place.

Once connected, the panels form a solid visual array with a decent of articulation once you discover that theres's additional flex in the connectors once you pull the two ends apart, once you get that shift in angle you can position them around or above your laptop screen.

For most of the test, I used the screens with my MacBook Pro M1 Max, and, as with the TriScreen, you need the USBDisplay app to get everything working; without it on the Mac at least, you’ll just see four blank monitors.

The installation process for USBDisplay does require a series of special permissions to be granted under Privacy and Security. Once done, the app lets you change the orientation of the screens via a menu accessible by clicking the icon at the top of your screen.

If you want to rotate a panel from horizontal (landscape) to vertical (portrait), you do it physically by unclipping the monitor and then clipping it back in your intended orientation, and then you can access the app to correct the orientation.

The screen arrangement is, as ever, configured through the main display settings for the OS, whether Windows or macOS.

In use, having four 16-inch panels arranged around my MacBook Pro was genuinely useful and offered a great way to organise my workspace, allocating an application to each screen. I found that I essentially had five displays: the main MacBook display, then the four mounted above.

While all the displays are identical in size, I used one as the main display, and the others for all other windows and content. The main Laptop screen I left empty for use with any color-critical apps I needed.

The display quality as covered by the benchmarking was good, although the results and specifications highlight the limited resolution, color accuracy and refresh rate; however, in a work environment and for pure productivity, the system, with the solid stand, absolutely makes sense and works exceptionally well.

Lepow 16" Quad Monitor for Laptop: Price and availability

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

• How much does it cost? From approximately $1059
• When is it out? Available now
• Where can you get it? Directly from Lepow official store

The Lepow TriScreen Pro is available now direct from Lepow's website here, where you can select between triple and quad display systems. At time of review, it's priced at $769 (down from $819).

You can order the system with a US, UK, AU, JP, EU, and KR plug, depending on where in the world you're based.

The system includes four 16-inch panels with proprietary connectors, an HDMI cable, a USB-C cable, a power supply, and a carry case.

• Value: 4 / 5

Lepow 16" Quad Monitor for Laptop: Specs

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Screens: 4 × 16-inch IPS matte anti-glare
Resolution: 1920 × 1200
Aspect ratio: 16:10
Brightness: 400 nits
Contrast: 1500:1
Color gamut: 100% sRGB
Refresh rate: 60Hz
Connector: Proprietary Transformer magnetic connector
Host connection: USB-C (data) + USB-A or USB-C (power)
Driver: One-time installation required
Dimensions: 420 × 360 × 30mm per panel

Lepow 16" Quad Monitor for Laptop: Design

Each of the four 16-inch panels in the Lepow 16" Quad Monitor for Laptop are identical, with a thin, lightweight construction that enables them to pack into the supplied backpack and makes everything ultra portable.

When it comes to the size and weight of each, the monitors weigh 1050g per unit and measure 420 × 360 × 30mm. When the kit arrives, everything is nicely boxed, but it’s worth assembling before use just to check on the construction. I noted that the central monitor really needs to be screwed into the stand using the VESA mounting holes. Otherwise, once the other monitors are attached, it can feel unstable; attaching the monitor fixes this.

That said if you need to transport it in the back pack the monitor really needs to be detached from the stand to avoid it getting damaged, so I found securing it with two of the four screws saved time when disasembling, this is definately something in the design that needs reworking.

Each display is otherwise identical, with a matte IPS panel, a slim profile, and a finish that gives them a premium look, which is reflected in the price. Unlike the large 27-inch display from Lepow that I looked at recently, these are lightweight with a polymer composite build rather than metal, which makes each panel relatively light, which is handy due to their intended portability. The actual construction feels robust, the panels are rigid, and there is no flex when handling them, which is relevant when attaching the Transformer connectors.

The Transformer connectors are a real innovation and allow each monitor to connect seamlessly, and then there are just two cables that are needed to connect to the laptop and power. Each monitor has two USB-C ports: one for the display and the other for power, and it’s up to you which you use to connect to the system.

The Transformer connectors then carry the data to each of the other monitors without the need for additional cables.

Each monitor in the review kit is identical, and these can be mounted on the lightweight CNC’d aluminium stand. This is incredibly lightweight, a perfect design for a portable system like this, and provides a good, solid base to support the weight of the monitors.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Once the first monitor is placed in the stand, the others can be clipped on, and, as previously mentioned, screwing the central monitor into the stand ensures absolute stability, this is a bit of a design flaw and not ideal.

It does take a few minutes to assemble and connect, but once done, the setup is solid and essentially lets you set up a larger workspace with plenty of screen real estate in a relatively space-limited location.

Then at the end of your work session, the breakdown of all the components is relatively quick, and everything, including your laptop, can be neatly packed into the backpack along with the cables and charger. It’s a tight fit, but there is room.

• Design: 4 / 5

Lepow 16" Quad Monitor for Laptop: Features

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Lepow 16" Quad Monitor is a modular display system that's been designed to work alongside your laptop to expand on the screen space you have available.

Each monitor features three connection points: one on each side and one on top, so you can configure the system as you want. For instance, you could have four panels in a horizontal row, a vertical stack, a mixed landscape-and-portrait that wraps around your laptop screen, a 2×2 grid, or in a triangle for meets where all participants can see a screen.

In practice, the configuration I found most useful for day-to-day work had two panels in landscape mode above the laptop screen and one on each side also in landscape mode. I tried portrait, but I think that's going to take a mind shift on my behalf. This configuration kept a relatively low profile while still providing plenty of screen space.

This meant I could keep my main applications centre focus, with email and music on the side panels, and an additional browser window open at the top. Everything was always visible, and there was never a need to switch between applications as you do when using a single panel.

While PC users are used to this multi-screen display, Mac users often face constraints, and this system requires some initial setup with the USBDisplay App. Once installed however, you’re good to go.

One interesting feature of the monitors is that, as they’re designed for productivity and office work, the aspect ratio is 16:10 rather than the more common 16:9. This just means you have additional screen height for email, document editing, spreadsheets, and web browsing in landscape orientation, and more horizontal width in portrait. This format really does make sense for the intended use.

Switching between display modes, like turning a screen from horizontal (landscape) to vertical (portrait), has two steps: physically move the panel, then choose the correct option in the USBDisplay menu bar app.

The monitors switch relatively quickly, and the other part is to change the monitor arrangement in the operating system’s display settings. This takes only a few seconds and is easy after a couple of goes. The USBDisplay app is extremely simple and one of those single-screen support programs that runs in the background until you need it, when it can be accessed from the menu bar.

While the system is designed for multiple monitors, the modular approach means you can use one, two, three or all four even on a Mac.

If you need however, each panel can operate as an independent USB display with its own power and data connections, so if you want to travel with just one additional monitor for your laptop, then you can.

• Features: 4 / 5

Lepow 16" Quad Monitor for Laptop: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Benchmark scores

Spyder X2 Calibration Results

Gamut: 5.0/5
Tone Response: 4.5/5
White Point: 2.5/5 | Measured 7200–7500K
Contrast: 5.0/5 | Peak 1700:1 at 25% brightness
Luminance Uniformity: 2.5/5
Color Uniformity: 4.5/5
Color Accuracy: 3.5/5
Overall Rating: 4.0/5
Peak brightness (measured): 333.2 nits at 100%

Through this test, I was surprised by just how portable these monitors were, and while the supplied backpack was quite plain and uninspiring, it was perfectly sized to hold all four panels, with seperate sections for each, as well as a large cavity for the stand, and still room to squeeze in my 16-inch MacBook Pro.

The backpack was a little weighty, but no more than my usual work camera backpack, and perfectly acceptable for daily use on a commute from home to the studio/office or another location.

Over the test period, I varied the setup I took with me, and early on, screwed one of the panels onto the stand to make a secure base for any other monitor combination I would take.

The stand, while simple, is perfectly designed, with the three sections folding down securely so it essentially packs down nearly flat. Each section can be angled up to the position you need, and large push-button releases and locks the angle.

Through the test, I found that my most common configuration was to have two landscape panels above the laptop, one landscape panel on each side, which gave five visible screens, and I assigned a specific application to each.

As an example, email on one, 3D printer monitoring on another, music and media controls on a third, server monitoring on the fourth, and the main laptop screen reserved for primary work.

The fact that the four monitors are identical makes them extremely easy to work with, and they essentially match the one on the MacBook Pro, at least in size.

Initially, it took a while to figure out the best configuration, but once settled on the monitor positioning it was then time to install the USBDisplay software. Locating the software wasn’t straightforward, and finding the correct page, which didn’t seem to be linked from any page on the manual or website, took time. You can use this link on the official site, and scroll down to the firmware section.

Once this software is installed, everything else is straightforward: the monitors will flicker to life, ready to be oriented using the USBDisplay app and arranged in the system display settings.

Out of the box, the calibration is OK and perfectly adequate for productivity. If you do want to match them to the MacBook Pro monitor, then a calibration device is needed. Just as a matter of course for the test, I used the Spyder X2 Ultra to calibrate and analyse the displays.

During calibration, it showed that despite the relative limitations of the panels, they still scored 5/5 for Gamut and Contrast, with a Tone Response of 4.5/5, which is impressive.

White Point, however, was quite low at 2.5/5, out of the box, with a measured reading of 7200–7500K, but it improved after calibration as the monitors are set to a yellowish warm by default. More notable was the Luminance Uniformity, which also scored 2.5/5, with brightness differences across the panels. I tested each, and each was slightly different, though in all cases you’d be hard-pressed to notice it visually. Really, this would only be an issue for photographers and videographers.

As the initial benchmarks showed, the panels arrive with a slight warm tint before calibration, which is easily corrected via the OSD. Running the Spyder X2 calibration across all four panels individually takes around an hour, but it brings them closer in representation to each other and to the MacBook Pro screen. For productivity applications, Word, Excel and PowerPoint, this really isn’t an issue, however this is something to note for color-sensitive work.

As these monitors are designed to be portable and will more than likely be used away from ideal office conditions, brightness is an important feature. Here, the benchmarking measured 333.2 nits at 100% against a claimed 300 nits.

In a studio or office environment at 50–75% brightness, the panels are a decent brightness, and in normal ambient light, there is no visibility issue. The 1920×1200 resolution is a bit of a limitation, and comparing these panels directly to the MacBook Pro display makes the difference apparent, but in use with Word and Excel rather than being used for creative displays, it is absolutely fine.

On Windows, the setup is considerably more straightforward than on Mac. Install the driver once you find it, again link above, connect the panels, and Windows handles the rest without prompting for permissions. Switching between Mac and PC required only swapping the USB-C and power cables with no reconfiguration of the panels.

• Performance: 4 / 5

Lepow 16" Quad Monitor for Laptop: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Lepow Lepow 16" Quad Monitor for Laptop is a great choice if you’re looking for a lightweight multi-screen solution that is ultra-portable. The way they all connect is innovative, and once you figure out how you like to position them, they really do become a very slick display option.

These are, however, designed for productivity rather than creative use and gaming, and with the limitation of 1920x1200 resolution at 60Hz and limited color depth, those specifications lack for the creative or game sector, however, they are ideal for productivity. However, as an addition to a MacBook Pro or ASUS ProArt monitor, there’s no arguing just how useful the multi-display system is, we all have to write emails, and do you really need an Adobe RGB class monitor for your music library?

What I also liked was that, because of the modular design, you can take one, two, three, or all four, and that choice is fully up to you. That flexibility makes them extremely useful.

Over a month of testing, I initially started taking the system with me as part of the test, but relatively quickly, the use alongside the MacBook and Netgear M7 made a powerful onsite solution giving plenty of space for documents and other media, and then the fact that it all packs into a handy backpack just made it ultra convenient.

It is a shame that the resolution is limited, and while the panels are 100% sRGB, which is fine for productivity for photographers and videographers, the fact that the minimum DCI-P3 requirement is not met and is way off the ideal of Adobe RGB accuracy means that most creative users will find them slightly limited on the creative front.

These modular monitors however seem perfectly suited for developers, business users, remote workers, or content creators who need multiple screens for productivity, monitoring, and organisation, rather than for color grading. The Lepow 16" Quad Monitor is excellent and offers something that few other products at this price can match.

Should I buy the Lepow 16" Quad Monitor for Laptop?

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Value

Four 16-inch modular panels, a metal CNC stand, and a carry backpack for $893. Decent value for a portable quad-screen system.

4

Design

The composite polymer build is a step below the TriScreen Pro’s CNC aluminium, but it feels robust and perfectly suited for portable use.

4

Features

Fully modular quad-screen configuration with 16:10 panels, 360° orientation options, and a versatile meeting mode

4

Performance

The results say it all with a Rating of 4.0/5. 333.2 nits measured vs 400 nit claim. White-point mismatch before calibration, meaning they’re essentially excellent for productivity but not suitable for color-critical work.

3.5

Overall

A genuinely portable modular quad-screen system that offers flexible configurations for wherever you work. 

4

Buy it if...

You work across multiple locations. 

The backpack-ready quad system sets up in minutes and adapts to any workspace, from a desk to a meeting room.

You want more screen space.

Four 16-inch panels in any configuration give you more visible application space than almost any single-monitor setup.

Don't buy it if...

You need color-critical accuracy. 

The panels are 100% sRGB with no DCI-P3 or Adobe RGB claim and are not suitable for professional photo editing or color grading.

You want a premium desk setup.

The TriScreen Pro’s 27-inch 4K main panel is the better choice for a fixed studio or office environment.

For more picks, see our guide to the best business monitors and the best portable monitors we've tested.

Shokz OpenDots 2: One Minute Review

Shokz, the company specializing in bone conduction and open-ear buds, returns to the clip-on form factor with the Shokz OpenDots 2. It’s worth noting that the OpenDots 2 are one of two pairs released at the same time: they arrive alongside the cheaper Shokz OpenDots Air, which are missing a few features like wireless charging, waterproofing and bone conduction mics.

The clip-on earbud form factor offers both pros and cons. On the one hand, the shape is light and comfortable to wear day-to-day, and doesn’t interfere with glasses in the same way an over-ear hook might. They look almost jewellery-like, with my testing pair sporting a metal-and-pearl off-white sheen, sitting like a helix piercing over my ears.

On the other hand, they’re much less stable than over-ear hooks, with some brands being very wobbly or prone to dislodging. While the OpenDots 2, like most clip-on headphones with big drivers at the back, do suffer from being easily dislodged by the accidental brush of a hand or a hood (you’ll want to take extra care during commutes if you’re crammed into someone’s armpit on the train), they tend to stay in when left alone.

You might think that without a seal around your ear canal the OpenDots 2 might come up short on sound, and compared to market leaders like Apple’s AirPods that’s largely true. However, for open-ear headphones, the sound quality is excellent, with powerful bass despite the lack of a seal, and very little leakage. A dedicated Private equalizer mode also reportedly works to reduce leakage, although during my tests, even on Standard my office colleagues couldn’t hear any sound leakage at all, even when I had the volume turned up to Spinal-Tap-11 levels. Other EQ modes in the Shokz app include Vocal and Bass, and a Smart EQ option also exists, with users taken through six ‘A or B’ comparisons to find their optimal EQ mode.

Battery life is strong, with Shokz citing “up to 40 hours” from a full charge of the case. Wireless charging takes 3.5 hours, and a full wired USB-C charge takes two hours.

The launch of the OpenDots 2 sees Shokz attempting to push its way into a crowded category. One Shokz representative told me the company was hoping to eventually ‘replace AirPods’, and while I can’t see that happening anytime soon, the OpenDots 2 are probably the strongest clip-on earbuds I’ve ever tried; certainly in terms of sound quality, they’re up there with the Bose Ultra Opens while surpassing them in the fit stakes. They’re high-quality, durable, attractive-looking, and stable when left alone — just be careful when pulling your hood down.

Shokz OpenDots 2: Specifications

Component

Shokz OpenDots 2

Drivers

Bassphere 2.0 acoustics + dual 11.8 mm drivers

Battery life

Buds 10 hours, with case 40 hours

Weight

6.4g per earbud

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.1 multipoint

Waterproofing

IP55

Shokz OpenDots 2: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• $199.95 in the US
• £179.99 in the UK
• AU$339 in Australia

The Shokz OpenDots 2 cost $199.95 in the US, £179.99 in the UK, and AU$339 in Australia. That’s not cheap, and comparable to the cost of AirPods 4 with ANC ($179 / £179 / AU$299) — and the OpenDots 2 aren’t as versatile, considering that they’re effectively always in ‘transparency mode’ due to their design. If most people are going to drop this sort of money on a pair of wireless earbuds, it’s likely to be on a set that can both block out noise entirely and allow it to filter through when needed.

That being said, they’re not badly pitched (sorry) in value, being cheaper than the Bose Ultra Open Earbuds, which cost $299 / £299 / AU$449.95, at launch, and of similar quality. If you’re looking for cheaper options, the Shokz OpenDots Air are available at $129.95 / £129.99 / A$219, or you could opt for the Huawei Freeclip series.

• Value score: 3.5/5

Shokz OpenDots 2: Design

• Clamshell case
• Comfortable fit
• Some instability if knocked

The Shokz OpenDots 2 are designed in a similar way to most clip-on earbuds now: there’s a battery cylinder at the back featuring sensors with a tactile button, a driver designed to hover over the ear, and a band connecting the two, and gripping the device to the ear’s helix. In the case of the OpenDots 2, the speaker is in fact a sphere with two 11.8mm drivers facing inwards towards each other, creating a ball of sound, and a hole from which the sound is projected towards the eardrum.

From an aesthetics standpoint, the OpenDots 2 look very similar to the Bose Ultra Opens, right down to the mix of plastics and metallics on the buds and the clamshell case. That’s not a bad thing; they look very premium, and are extremely comfortable to wear. As a glasses wearer, I experienced none of the chafing or earache over-ear hooks give me, even when wearing the OpenDots 2 for long periods or during sweaty workouts. As mentioned, they can be knocked loose easily, and there’s no getting around this, as it’s simply a design issue with almost all clip-ons. Pulling a hood back immediately risks pulling out your expensive earbuds and sending them clattering to the floor.

The controls are intuitive — you can pause, play, adjust volume or cycle through tracks by pinching the barrels or tapping the bridges of the earbuds. The OpenDots 2 pack IP55 waterproofing, meaning they can withstand sweat, rain and dust but are unlikely to survive prolonged submersion or high-pressure washing. The case isn't waterproof either, so don’t leave them in your pocket and put them in the washing machine!

• Design score: 4.5/5

Shokz OpenDots 2: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• Four EQ modes
• Multipoint connectivity
• Custom EQs to tailor sound to your liking

Despite being focused on open-ear products, Shokz is clearly working on sound and pitching the OpenDots 2 at everyday audiophiles rather than athletes. With four equalizer modes — Standard, Bass, Vocal and Private — plus a Custom EQ option, you’re able to tweak the sound to suit your needs and preferences.

After going through the custom EQ setup, which asks you six times to choose between two different versions of the same track, I noticed only a very minor difference to Standard, with slightly more powerful bass and clearer mids. This probably speaks to the quality of Shokz’ already excellent sound mixing, particularly on an open-ear bud.

Multipoint connectivity allows for two devices to connect via Bluetooth simultaneously, and I’ve been switching seamlessly between my phone and laptop with no issues. The option to use wireless charging is nice too. AI-powered call noise reduction with dual bone-conduction and ‘air conduction’ microphones makes calls sound nice and clear.

The OpenDots 2 are not packed with features such as live translation and heart rate sensing like Apple’s AirPods Pro 3, but they’re certainly not bad for the price.

• Features score: 4/5

Shokz OpenDots 2: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Great sound
• Stable fit, apart from on contact
• Good battery life

The sound delivered by the Shokz OpenDots 2 is excellent, considering that these are open-ear headphones: they’re meaty and bassy, with minimal leakage even at higher volumes. In the office, I wore them comfortably all day while using my laptop, transitioning to my phone when I left the office, and only removing them to show curious colleagues, or pausing via a tap to have a conversation. Most outside sounds were blocked in a way that they aren’t with bone conduction headphones, as you have a driver sitting right over the top of your ear canal pumping vibrations down to your eardrum, whereas with the likes of the OpenRun Pro 2 your canal is left truly open.

However, while on a 10K run I kept my headphones on a low-to-middle volume, and I was still able to hear the bells of passing bikes and the occasional twitter of birds, so the open-ear design still does its job admirably. On my very sweaty run, the buds didn’t feel like they were pendulously wobbling, and I was able to pound the pavement and even shake my head without being afraid that they would dislodge. Only a nudge of my hand would cause them to come loose.

I find the OpenDots' listed battery stats to be largely accurate: I’ve been using these headphones for the better part of a week as I write this review, and only now is the case at 10% battery, with the buds themselves still on a full charge, and good for a further 10 hours.

• Performance score: 4.5/5

Shokz OpenDots 2: Scorecard

Category

Comment

Score

Value

Expensive considering you’re locked into the open-ear form factor.

3.5

Design

Attractive, well-designed, light, intuitive.

4.5

Features

Enough for a premium headphone to get on with.

4

Performance

Great sound, good battery life, solid fit.

4.5

Shokz OpenDots 2: Should I buy?Buy it if...

You’re certain about open-ear

Want to have conversations, work out and listen to tunes without blocking the sound around you? Be sure before you buy, as there’s no noise cancellation option here.

You want multipoint connectivity

You can bounce from your laptop, to your phone, to having a quick conversation with a colleague, all without removing your earbuds.

You care about sound

Shokz has gone the extra mile to make an open-ear headphone for audiophiles here.

Don't buy it if...

You want one set of headphones for everything

Using these in the gym or on the plane won’t be the best experience, as you’ll be unable to shut out ambient noise.

You wear hoods a lot

Any time your hands or a hood make contact with your ears you run the risk of these earbuds falling off.

Also consider

Apple AirPods 4 with ANC

The option of a transparency mode makes the AirPods more of a do-it-all bud.

Read our full Apple AirPods 4 with ANC review

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

Serious athletes might prefer a set of over-ear bone conduction headphones for greater awareness and stability.

Read our full Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 review

How I tested

I wore the Shokz OpenDots 2 for a week in different scenarios. I used them on my commute, in work, on a 10K run, in the gym, and even while sleeping, making use of the custom EQ functionality, asking colleagues if they could hear the audio I was listening to at various volumes, and testing their multipoint connectivity features.

First reviewed: June 2026

Parallels Desktop is often included among the best virtual machine software options for users who need to run Windows on a Mac. Its main appeal is convenience. Rather than presenting virtualization as a technical task, Parallels tries to make Windows feel like part of the Mac environment, which is still its biggest advantage over more manual alternatives.

This matters more on Apple Silicon Macs, where running Windows is no longer as simple as installing the standard x86 version of the operating system. Parallels focuses on Windows 11 Arm, and it handles much of the setup process for the user. That makes it especially useful for people who need Windows-only apps but do not want to manage installation media, drivers, or configuration details manually.

The result is a tool that feels more consumer-friendly than most virtualization platforms. It is not the cheapest option, and it is not free from compatibility limits, but it remains one of the few products in this category that can make running Windows on a Mac feel normal rather than experimental.

Parallels: Plans and pricing

Parallels Desktop is a commercial product, and pricing remains one of its main drawbacks. The Standard edition starts at $99.99 per year, while the Pro edition starts at $119.99 per year and the Business edition at $149.99 per year. Enterprise pricing is handled separately through sales.

The Standard edition is aimed at home and personal users, with resource limits of 8GB of virtual RAM and 4 virtual CPUs. The Pro and Business editions expand this significantly, supporting up to 128GB of virtual RAM and 32 virtual CPUs, while also adding more advanced tools for development, automation, testing, and business deployment.

A one-time purchase option is available for Standard users who prefer not to subscribe. However, the one-time Standard license only covers the version purchased. Future major upgrades require an additional payment, which makes the subscription model more practical for users who want to stay current with annual macOS and Parallels updates.

This pricing structure matters more than it used to. VMware Fusion is now available for free, which puts Parallels under more pressure to justify its cost. The argument for Parallels is no longer simply that it is the most capable option, but that it saves time and provides a more polished experience.

For casual users, Standard may be enough, especially if the goal is to run office software, web apps, or a small number of Windows-only tools. Users who need more CPU cores, more memory, command-line tools, or advanced development features will need to look at Pro. That makes Parallels more flexible, but also more expensive over time.

In practice, Parallels is best seen as a productivity expense rather than a casual utility. If Windows is central to your workflow on a Mac, the price can be easier to justify. If you only need a virtual machine occasionally, free alternatives become much more attractive.

Parallels: Features

(Image credit: Parallels // Future)

Parallels Desktop provides a broad set of virtualization features, but its strongest features are the ones that reduce friction between Windows and macOS. Windows 11 installation is highly guided, and on Apple Silicon Macs the software is built around the Arm version of Windows, which is the most practical route for modern Mac hardware.

Coherence Mode remains one of the defining features. It allows Windows applications to appear alongside Mac apps without keeping the full Windows desktop in view. This makes Parallels feel less like a separate virtual machine and more like a compatibility layer for Windows software.

Integration goes further than display handling. Users can share folders, copy and paste between systems, drag files between Mac and Windows apps, and access Windows applications in ways that feel close to native macOS behavior. There are practical workflow benefits such as Spotlight access to Windows apps and files, and the ability to use Mac-side tools more naturally while working inside Windows.

Parallels also supports macOS and Linux virtual machines, although Windows remains the main reason most users buy it. More advanced editions add features aimed at developers and power users, including expanded CPU and memory allocation, command-line tools, and more control over virtual environments.

There are still limits. On Apple Silicon Macs, Windows runs as Windows 11 Arm. Many x86 Windows applications can work through Microsoft’s translation layer, but this is not the same as running every older Windows app natively. Parallels can also support x86 environments in some scenarios, but this is better treated as a specialist capability than a mainstream workflow.

Parallels: Interface and use

(Image credit: Parallels // Future)

Parallels Desktop is strongest when judged as a user experience rather than just a virtualization engine. The setup process is one of the easiest in the category, especially compared to UTM or VMware Fusion. Instead of requiring users to build a virtual machine manually, Parallels guides the process and handles much of the configuration automatically.

This is the area where Parallels justifies much of its price. The interface is clean, direct, and designed for Mac users who may not have a technical background. Common tasks such as launching Windows, resizing the VM, sharing folders, or switching view modes are easy to find and rarely require deep configuration.

Coherence Mode is also central to the experience. By hiding the Windows desktop and letting Windows apps sit directly on the Mac desktop, Parallels reduces the sense that the user is working between two separate systems. This is not essential for everyone, but for users who spend hours moving between macOS and Windows applications, it can make a major difference.

The experience is not perfect. Some advanced settings still require a basic understanding of virtualization, and accessibility feedback from real users suggests that setup and certain preferences can still be awkward in specific workflows. But compared to most competing tools, Parallels remains the most approachable option for everyday Mac users who need Windows.

Parallels: Performance

(Image credit: Parallels // Future)

In use, Parallels Desktop delivers strong performance for everyday Windows workloads, particularly on Apple Silicon Macs with enough memory. Office apps, browser-based tools, communication apps, and general productivity software are the areas where it feels most convincing.

On an M4 Mac Mini with 16GB of RAM, Windows was allocated four CPU cores and 8GB of memory, yet still handled large Excel files, Outlook, Chrome tabs, 2160p HDR video playback, and large spreadsheet operations smoothly. That is not a formal benchmark, but it supports the broader point that Parallels is well optimized for practical productivity work.

Recent reporting also suggests that Parallels can keep Windows 11 usable even on more limited Apple Silicon hardware for light productivity tasks. That does not mean every Mac is equally suited to virtualization. Running macOS and Windows at the same time places pressure on memory, and 8GB unified memory should be treated as workable for light use rather than ideal for sustained work.

For users who expect to run macOS and Windows side by side for extended periods, 16GB or more is a more realistic baseline. This becomes more important when using larger productivity apps, browser-heavy workflows, or Windows software that depends on translation layers rather than native Arm support.

Heavier workloads remain more complicated. CAD, 3D rendering, graphics-heavy Windows applications, and sustained multi-core workloads are better suited to higher-end Macs with more memory and stronger cooling. x86 translation also adds overhead, especially for older Windows software that has not been optimized for Arm.

Graphics support is useful but should not be overstated. Parallels supports DirectX 11 and OpenGL 4.1, which makes it suitable for some Windows applications and lighter games, but the lack of DirectX 12 support limits its usefulness for newer Windows games and graphics-heavy workloads. For productivity and compatibility, performance is strong. For demanding Windows gaming or professional 3D work, a dedicated Windows system remains the safer option.

Parallels: Support

Parallels benefits from a more structured support model than many free virtualization tools. Paid subscriptions include access to support channels, and the product is updated regularly to keep pace with macOS and Windows changes. This is particularly important on the Mac, where Apple platform updates can affect virtualization behavior quickly.

The company has also kept Parallels closely aligned with recent platform releases, including macOS Tahoe 26 and Windows 11 25H2. That level of update cadence is one of the reasons Parallels remains attractive for users who rely on Windows regularly and cannot afford long compatibility gaps.

Support is not the same for every user, though. Standard users and Pro users may have different expectations, and some real-user feedback still points to occasional issues around audio, accessibility, and settings behavior. For most mainstream users, support and documentation are good enough, but Parallels is not immune to friction.

Parallels: The competition

Parallels Desktop competes most directly with VMware Fusion and UTM. VMware Fusion is now the biggest pressure point because it is free, making Parallels’ subscription model harder to justify for users who only need occasional Windows access.

With VMware Fusion now available at no cost, Parallels has to justify its price through ease of use, integration, and ongoing Mac-focused updates rather than basic virtualization capability alone. That is still a strong argument for regular users, but it is less persuasive for technical users who are comfortable with more manual setup.

That said, Parallels remains easier to recommend for users who value convenience. VMware Fusion can run Windows on Mac, but setup and day-to-day workflow tend to feel less polished. UTM is also capable and free, but it requires more manual configuration and is less approachable for users who simply want Windows apps to work.

VirtualBox is less relevant on modern Apple Silicon Macs, especially for users who want a smooth Windows 11 experience. It remains important in the broader virtualization market, but Parallels operates in a more Mac-specific category where integration matters as much as raw virtualization capability.

In practice, Parallels remains the best option for Mac users who regularly depend on Windows software and want the least amount of friction. VMware Fusion and UTM are better value choices, especially for technical users, but Parallels still offers the most refined overall experience. Its main challenge is no longer capability, but whether that refinement is worth the price.

Parallels: Final Verdict

Parallels Desktop remains the most polished virtualization tool for Mac users who need regular access to Windows. Its biggest advantage is not simply that it can run another operating system, but how smoothly it integrates Windows into the macOS workflow. Setup is straightforward, Windows 11 can be installed with minimal effort, and features such as Coherence Mode, shared files, drag-and-drop, and Mac-style app access make the experience feel more refined than most alternatives.

That refinement comes with a cost. Parallels is no longer competing only against awkward or limited free tools, but also against VMware Fusion, which is now available at no cost. This makes the pricing harder to ignore, especially for users who only need occasional access to Windows.

For Mac users who rely on Windows apps regularly, Parallels still makes a strong case. It is fast, convenient, and highly integrated, but users with lighter needs may find that the price is harder to justify than before.

Microsoft’s approach to virtualization combines two distinct tools under the same ecosystem. Hyper-V serves as the primary platform for running full virtual machines, while Windows Sandbox provides a lightweight, temporary environment for quick testing. Together, they are often considered among the best virtual machine software options, particularly for users who already rely on Windows as their primary platform.

Unlike standalone virtualization tools, Hyper-V is built directly into Windows, which shapes both its strengths and its limitations. It benefits from deep system integration and consistent performance, but it also follows a more technical, system-oriented design that can make it less approachable for new users. Sandbox, by contrast, focuses entirely on simplicity, offering a clean and disposable environment that launches quickly and resets after each session.

Microsoft Hyper-V / Sandbox: Plans and pricing

Hyper-V and Windows Sandbox are not sold as standalone products. Instead, they are included as optional features within Windows Pro, Enterprise, and Education editions.

For users already within the Microsoft ecosystem, this effectively makes them free to use. There are no separate licensing tiers or feature restrictions once the appropriate Windows edition is available. However, this also means that users on Windows Home do not have access to the full functionality without upgrading.

With competing tools such as VMware Workstation Pro now also available at no cost, Hyper-V’s value lies less in pricing and more in its native integration with Windows.

Support is handled through Microsoft’s broader support structure rather than a dedicated product channel. While documentation and community resources are extensive, direct support is typically tied to enterprise agreements rather than individual use.

Microsoft Hyper-V / Sandbox: Features

(Image credit: Microsoft // Future)

Hyper-V provides a comprehensive set of virtualization features suited for both development and enterprise scenarios. It supports a wide range of guest operating systems and allows detailed allocation of CPU, memory, and storage resources across multiple virtual machines.

Core functionality includes checkpoints, virtual networking, and the ability to run multiple environments simultaneously. These features make it suitable for testing, development, and structured lab environments where repeatability and isolation are important.

The platform also benefits from its integration with the wider Windows ecosystem. Tools such as PowerShell and Windows Admin Center extend its capabilities, allowing more advanced configuration and automation for users who need greater control.

More recent developments have expanded its flexibility further, including GPU Partitioning (GPU-P), which allows virtual machines to share the host’s graphics resources more efficiently. While this is primarily aimed at professional workloads, it reflects a broader shift toward more demanding use cases.

Windows Sandbox takes a different approach. It provides a minimal, disposable environment that launches quickly and runs a clean instance of Windows. Any changes made within the Sandbox are discarded once it is closed, making it particularly useful for testing unknown applications or files without affecting the host system.

Microsoft Hyper-V / Sandbox: Interface and use

(Image credit: Microsoft // Future)

Hyper-V Manager presents a structured but dated interface, with a layout that prioritizes functionality over usability. Virtual machines are managed through a central console, with configuration options exposed through menus that reflect the platform’s administrative origins.

Creating a virtual machine involves a guided process, but it still requires familiarity with concepts such as virtual switches and resource allocation. Compared to more modern tools, the workflow can feel less intuitive, especially for first-time users.

Networking is one of the more demanding aspects. Basic connectivity is handled automatically through the Default Switch, while more advanced configurations still require manual setup and a clearer understanding of how virtual networking works.

Windows Sandbox, on the other hand, is intentionally simple. It launches as a clean desktop environment within seconds and requires little to no configuration. Files can be tested quickly and safely, then discarded when the session ends.

This contrast defines the overall experience. Hyper-V focuses on control and flexibility, while Sandbox is built for speed and convenience.

Microsoft Hyper-V / Sandbox: Performance

(Image credit: Microsoft // Future)

In use, Hyper-V delivers stable and efficient performance across a range of typical workloads. Virtual machines start quickly and remain responsive, particularly when running standard operating systems such as Windows or common Linux distributions. Everyday tasks such as software testing, browsing, and light development work run smoothly on adequately provisioned systems.

Because it is integrated into Windows, resource handling tends to be consistent. Multiple virtual machines can run in parallel without major instability, provided that system resources are properly allocated. Performance scaling is predictable, with slowdowns appearing gradually under load rather than as sudden drops.

This becomes more apparent in multi-VM scenarios. Running several environments at once remains manageable, making Hyper-V a practical choice for development workflows that rely on parallel systems. While it may not always feel as responsive as more polished alternatives in short bursts, it maintains stability over longer sessions.

Disk and memory behavior are generally reliable, although not optimized for peak speed. In I/O-intensive scenarios, such as working with large virtual disks, it can feel slightly heavier than some competing tools. However, it avoids the inconsistent performance fluctuations sometimes seen in lighter virtualization platforms.

Long-term stability is one of its stronger points. Virtual machines remain usable over extended sessions, and overall system behavior stays consistent. This makes Hyper-V well suited to users who rely on persistent environments rather than short, isolated tasks.

Windows Sandbox follows a different performance profile. It launches quickly and runs smoothly for short testing sessions, benefiting from its lightweight and disposable design. Because it relies on a shared system image, startup times are significantly shorter than those of a full virtual machine. However, it is not intended for sustained workloads or complex configurations.

On Windows 11, storing virtual disks on a Dev Drive (ReFS) can improve I/O performance in development-heavy workflows.

Microsoft Hyper-V / Sandbox: Support

Hyper-V benefits from extensive documentation and a large user base, particularly in enterprise environments. Guidance is widely available through official documentation, community forums, and third-party resources.

However, support is not structured as a standalone product offering. Direct assistance is typically tied to broader Microsoft support agreements, which may limit accessibility for individual users compared to commercial virtualization platforms with dedicated support channels.

Microsoft Hyper-V / Sandbox: The competition

Hyper-V operates in a competitive space that includes both free and commercial virtualization tools.

Oracle VM VirtualBox remains the most accessible free alternative, offering cross-platform support and a simpler setup process, though with less consistency in performance.

VMware Workstation Pro provides a more polished experience, with a clearer interface and smoother day-to-day usability. It is generally easier to manage, even if Hyper-V offers tighter integration within Windows.

On macOS, Parallels Desktop stands out for its seamless integration and ease of use, targeting a different audience but highlighting the importance of user experience in this category.

Hyper-V’s strength lies in its stability and tight Windows integration rather than its interface. It is best suited to users who prioritize control and long-term reliability within a Windows environment.

Microsoft Hyper-V / Sandbox: Final Verdict

Microsoft Hyper-V is a capable and deeply integrated virtualization platform that delivers consistent performance and a wide range of features, particularly for users already working within the Windows ecosystem. Its enterprise background is evident in both its capabilities and its interface, which prioritizes control over ease of use.

Windows Sandbox complements this approach by providing a fast, disposable environment for safely testing files and applications without long-term setup. It is one of the simplest ways to isolate potentially risky software, even if its functionality is intentionally limited.

Taken together, Hyper-V and Sandbox offer a practical and reliable solution. They excel in stability and integration, but fall short of the polish and accessibility found in more user-focused virtualization tools.

Think portable PC monitor and something pretty puny probably comes to mind. What you're probably not imaging is folding contraption with dual 24-inch 1080p displays. What you probably didn't think of is the extraordinary Acer PD243Y E Portable Monitor.

It's immediately obvious that the term "portable" is being used pretty liberally by this unusual dual-screen monitor. You're not going to be slipping it into a small bag with your 13-inch thin-and-light laptop.

However, it is much more compact and transportable than a typical 24-inch PC monitor, let alone a pair of them. So, it's not designed to be taken to the coffee shop, even if that isn't actually out of the question if you could put up with the attention you'd surely attract.

Instead, the Acer PD243Y E Portable Monitor makes more sense for someone wanting, perhaps, to take an additional screen with them on a long trip or for work presentations, that sort of thing. And for those kinds of remits, the basic ergonomics make sense. But what about the features and performance? Time to find out.

Acer PD243Y E: Design and featuresFutureFutureFuture

• Surprisingly portable for a dual 24-inch display
• Clever hinge and ergonomics
• No USB-C power delivery

Specs

Panel size: Dual 24-inch

Panel type: IPS

Resolution: Dual 1,920 x 1,080

Brightness: 250 nits

Contrast: 800:1

Pixel response: 4ms

Refresh rate: 100Hz

Color coverage: 72% NTSC

HDR: No

VESA: 100mm x 100mm

Connectivity: HDMI 1.4 x1, 2x USB-C

We'll come to the performance of the Acer PD243Y E Portable Monitor's dual 24-inch panels momentarily. But the real novelty here involves packaging them into something relatively portable.

OK, you're not going to sling this dual-24-inch contraption into your shoulder bag. But Acer has done a good job of keeping the chassis compact and the bezels slim. All told, it weighs in at 4.4kg, which really is pretty impressive given the sheer amount of screen on offer.

The ergonomics are clever, too. The two screens are attached via a sturdy hinge which folds around over 300 degrees. Combined with a kickstand on the lower panel, you can arrange the displays in a variety of configurations, including vertically stacked or tent mode. The latter setup could be handy for making presentations and screen sharing.

Incidentally, the displays automatically reorient in Windows when you fold into tent mode and both panels run off a single USB-C connection. However, all of that only applies to Windows. Support for Apple Macs is more limited. A MacBook Air, for instance, can only drive one external display, so won't output to both panels.

Speaking of connectivity, there's a single HDMI input and two USB-C ports. Either of later can be used for powering the displays via the included adapter or video input. Sadly, however, neither provides power-out. So, you can't, for instance, hook up a laptop via USB-C and both drive the display and keep the laptop charged.

That's a bit of a pity because it increases cable clutter. You'll need two power adapters, one for your laptop and one for this display, for long-duration use. What's more, all the ports are located on one side of the lower display. Ideally, at least one USB-C on the other side to give you more cable management options would have been welcome.

Acer PD243Y E: PerformanceFutureFutureFuture

• Relatively low resolution
• No HDR support
• Good viewing angles

Dual 24-inch displays undeniably provide a huge amount of physical screen real estate in the context of a portable monitor. But usable screen space also depends on resolution, and here the Acer PD243Y E Portable Monitor is less impressive.

The 24-inch panels are native 1080p or 1,920 by 1,080 pixels. That kind of resolution would be pretty low spec these days on a 15-inch laptop, let alone panels this size, even if the comparison with conventional desktop monitors is probably more apt.

Anyway, the point is that, physically, these screens have plenty of space to run two app windows per panel and thus four across the two displays. But because of the relatively low resolution, you may find limitations in that regard. You only have 960 horizontal pixels each for two two app windows on one panel, for instance.

But whatever your metric, 1080p certainly isn't a huge resolution when applied to a 24-inch in terms of pixel density, too. That means fonts look pretty rough and the image detail just isn't terribly sharp.

In other regards, these displays are tolerable but inferior to what you'd expect from a conventional display, be that a desktop monitor or laptop panel. Peak brightness is 250 nits, which means they struggle a bit in really bright ambient light, and there's no HDR support at all.

That said, they do support 100Hz refresh and so feel fairly responsive, and the basic calibration is decent. Thanks to IPS panel tech, the viewing angles are good too, which will be appreciated for presentations and screen sharing.

Acer PD243Y E: Final verdictFutureFutureFuture

There's a lot to like about the Acer PD243Y E Portable Monitor. It's surprisingly portable for something that offers dual 24-inch displays making it usable in a pretty wide array of contexts.

The ergonomics and build quality are good, too. The hinge and kick stand offer a wide range of configuration options both for personal use and for presentations or screen sharing. In those regards, this dual-screen monitor could be an extremely useful tool. The connectivity on offer via HDMI and USB-C is reasonable, too.

The quality of the panels is mostly acceptable, too. OK, the IPS panels only hit 250 nits, and there's no HDR support. But the colours and calibration are good enough for a portable monitor setup.

What isn't so impressive is the 1080p-per-panel resolution. It somewhat limits the utility of the Acer PD243Y E Portable Monitor in terms of multitasking and it definitely has an obvious impact on image clarity and text crispness.

If this display was 1440p per panel it would make for a pretty fantastic proposition for all round usage, including productivity work. As it is with dual-1080p, the appeal is narrowed somewhat. As a device for presentation and screen sharing, 1080p will often be just fine. But if you were hoping to use this dual-display contraption for, say, video editing or day trading while travelling, the low resolution is a bit of a pity.

For more displays, we've reviewed the best business monitors and the best portable monitors.

Scuf Omega: one-minute review

The Scuf Omega is the Corsair subsidiary’s latest PlayStation 5-compatible controller. It’s received the PlayStation seal of approval as an officially-licensed product, so you’d expect it to be of at least a reasonably high quality, right?

Here’s the thing. I’ve reviewed loads of the best PS5 controllers, including a bunch of those at the premium price level, including the Razer Raiju V3 Pro, DualSense Edge, and the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded. The Scuf Omega hasn’t outshone any of them in my testing, even though, on paper, it should win out with its feature set and customization options.

So, where has Scuf gone wrong? Much of it comes down to build quality. While it’s solid enough in the hands - and actually very comfortable - most individual parts can be removed, like the faceplate, touchpad plate, d-pad, face buttons, and the thumbsticks. In isolation, these parts (and the accessories included in the box, like button and paddle blanks and optional long-shaft thumbsticks) feel cheap and flimsy.

(Image credit: Future)

I’m also not at all a fan of the optional paddle buttons on the sides of the controller. These are far too easy to press accidentally, and because they come pre-mapped out of the box, even gently tapping one mid-game can feel like the video game equivalent of stepping on a Lego brick.

I’ll get into other issues I have with the Scuf Omega below, but I want to stress it’s not all bad news. Those side buttons and paddles are removable and can be replaced with included blanking plates, preventing accidental presses entirely if you don’t really feel like using them (though this is a controller squarely aimed at players who do appreciate these additional input options).

And in general, actually playing games with the Scuf Omega is a pretty wonderful experience. The d-pad and face buttons are extremely tactile with a ludicrously short travel. The textured grips are comfortable, and the controller just sits in your hands so nicely. I adore the digital trigger option here, too, giving them the exact same immediacy as the buttons you’ll be pressing the most.

Again, there’s plenty Scuf has gotten right with the Omega, but I just can’t recommend it at the triple-digit sticker price when it’s not as solidly or thoughtfully built as competing premium options.

Scuf Omega: price and availability

• List price: $219.99 / £209.99 (around AU$300)
• Available to buy now from Scuf’s website
• Many special liveries are available, but they are a tad pricier

It’s easy to baulk at the price of the Scuf Omega. However, this is the bracket where most third-party PS5 controllers sit. For example, the Razer Raiju V3 Pro comes in at $219.99 / £199.99, while the official DualSense Edge can be had for $199.99 / £199.99. Meanwhile, there’s the similarly modular Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded, which will set you back $209.99 / £179.99. It’s an expensive space.

The thing is, if you want to buy a PS5 controller that isn’t the standard DualSense, options outside of that premium space are practically non-existent. I could forgive many of the Scuf Omega’s shortcomings if it were made available at a more tempting mid-range price.

We know that Sony can be challenging to work with for third-parties, especially as it reserves features like haptic feedback, adaptive triggers, and native PS5 wireless connectivity for its own controller hardware. That often means that brands stick to PC, Xbox, or Nintendo consoles, thus drying up any meaningful budget-to-mid-range alternatives on PlayStation.

Still, when I look at controllers in other spaces, like the 8BitDo Pro 3 or GameSir Tarantula Pro, I’m seeing similar premium features on those pads, like Tunnel Magnetoresistance (TMR) sticks and extra remappable buttons. All available for much, much less.

My two cents right now? Wait for a sale. If you see the Scuf Omega drop by around 20-25% over a major sales period, then I’d say that’s a good time to consider picking one up.

Scuf Omega: Specs

Scuf Omega

Price

$219.99 / £209.99 (around AU$300)

Weight

8.9oz / 254g

Dimensions

6.5 x 4.5 x 2.5in / 164 x 115 x 64mm

Compatibility

PS5, PC

Connection type

Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)

Battery life

Around 17 hours

(Image credit: Future)Scuf Omega: design and features

• Wonderful ergonomics
• Lightweight and comfortable in hand
• Removable parts feel a bit cheap and flimsy

The Scuf Omega is a mixed bag on the design front, but it has nailed it on the ergonomics front. The controller feels fantastic in the hands, resting snugly and firmly, thanks to the rugged textured grips on the back half of the controller. It’s close in shape to the DualSense Wireless Controller, though the Omega’s row of G1 to G5 buttons at the bottom between the grips adds some slight extra volume.

If you read that last sentence and thought “wow, that’s a lot of buttons,” then you’d be right. The Scuf Omega is not wanting when it comes to ancillary features. Those G1 to G5 buttons mainly govern headset volume and mic muting (which is lovely to have on the controller itself), though G1 and G5 are remappable on PS5.

Beyond those, you have a dedicated profile switching button, four paddle buttons on the back (two of which can be removed and replaced with the included blanking panels), a pair of side bumpers (one on each flank), and trigger locks that are built right into the triggers themselves.

The central touchpad also works as it would on a DualSense, enabling cursor movement and gestures in supporting games. That isn’t something you see often with third-party PS5 controllers, which often opt for the basic touchpad clicks and no actual touch functionality.

One design aspect I do find to be a bit finicky is how the Omega handles connectivity options. You can swap between 2.4GHz, Bluetooth, and wired connections with one switch, and PS5 and PC connectivity with another. That isn’t uncommon for third-party PS5 controllers.

(Image credit: Future)

The problem is that these switches are hidden beneath the Omega’s faceplate. So yes, that means you have to remove the faceplate every time you want to make a connectivity change. It’s not the end of the world, but it’s an irksome extra step you’ll need to contend with if you regularly swap between PS5 and PC play, for example.

It’s not just the faceplate that’s removable here, though. Practically every module on the Omega - from the sticks and touchpad plate to the rear paddles, d-pad, and face buttons - can all be taken out and swapped for other parts (many of which are sold on Scuf’s website separately). On the one hand, I like this; it gives the Omega the kind of customizable flair usually reserved for speciality controllers like fight sticks.

On the other hand, it reveals the Omega’s build quality isn’t at all what it seems. When put together, it feels solid enough. However, its individual parts in isolation feel rather cheap. Especially the faceplate, which feels brittle enough to snap in half with little effort. Obviously, I would never do this, and I imagine you wouldn’t, either. But a mischievous nephew might. Just something to be cautious about if you choose to buy the Scuf Omega yourself.

There are also some instances where the controller just doesn’t feel all that thoughtfully put together. Those blanking plates for the rear and side paddles can start to feel loose, and I often need to secure them back in place. The touchpad plate almost has the opposite issue, where it can sometimes get wedged to the left or right. While this didn’t have a profound impact on play, it does add to that feeling of cheapness that I shouldn’t expect from a controller that costs as much as the Omega does.

(Image credit: Future)Scuf Omega: Performance

• Marvelous play experience
• Around 17 hours of battery life
• Some of the nicest-feeling buttons in the business

I’m going to keep this section short because I have virtually no complaints (I have one, but I’ll get to that) about the Scuf Omega’s game performance. It may fall short of the competition on build quality, but when it comes to actually playing games, the Omega does it better than any PS5 controller I’ve tested to date. Yes, even Sony’s own DualSense Edge.

Performance is where the Scuf Omega just about clinches a four-star rating from me. I adore the clicky immediacy of its d-pad and face buttons, both of which are powered by the brand’s own Omron mechanical switches. And on the thumbsticks front, you’ll have no issues with drift, thanks to Scuf leveraging Hall effect-like TMR tech here.

I think my favorite aspect of the Scuf Omega is its two-way trigger locks, though. These are housed on the underside of the triggers themselves, which is a really thoughtful design touch. I love the digital trigger press here, which provides fast, fluid inputs for shooters like Fortnite and Call of Duty. You can switch back to a more traditional analog pull at any time, too, which makes the Omega a dab hand at racing games like Forza Horizon 6.

It'd be almost a slam dunk if it weren’t for the awkward and frankly annoying side bumpers. Aesthetically, they’re horrible, jutting out of the sides of the pad where your fingers can accidentally press them all too easily. And because they come pre-mapped, my first hour or so with the Omega came with no shortage of mispresses in-game.

Sure, there’s a use case for pro players who like quick and easy access to input shortcuts, but they’re wholly unnecessary for casual folks. After a bit of testing, I swiftly swapped them out for the side blanking paddles.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Scuf Omega?Buy it if...

You want super customization
You can swap everything here, and I do mean everything. Faceplates, buttons, d-pad, sticks, and even the touchpad. Whether it’s for aesthetic or gameplay purposes, you’ll find an extraordinarily malleable controller in the Scuf Omega.

You’re after something high-performance
You do get what you pay for in terms of controller performance. Most modules feel fantastic to use on the Omega, and while I personally dislike those side buttons, having up to 11 extra remappable buttons is nice for those who like to make use of shortcuts and secondary inputs.

Don't buy it if...

You were hoping for better build quality
The controller itself is solid enough when it’s all put together. But the individual parts have a noticeably cheap feel to them when removed. For my money, both the DualSense Edge and Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded are more well-put-together devices.

You’re on a budget
This one’s probably a bit obvious, but I wouldn’t at all blame you for turning your nose up at a controller that is north of $200 / £200. The Scuf Omega is absolutely a luxury purchase that won’t be for everyone.

Scuf Omega: Also consider

If you’re not quite feeling the Scuf Omega, here’s a quick glance at a couple of other PS5-facing third-party options.

Scuf Omega

Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded

Razer Raiju V3 Pro

Price

$219.99 / £209.99 (around AU$300)

$209.99 / £179.99 (around AU$322)

$219.99 / £199.99 (around AU$339)

Weight

8.9oz / 254g

9.3oz / 265g

9.8oz / 279g

Dimensions

6.1 x 3.9 x 2.6in / 154 x 101 x 65mm

6.3 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 160 x 105 x 60mm

6.6 x 4.2 x 2.6in / 168 x 105 x 65mm

Compatibility

PS5, PC

PS5, PS4, PC (Xbox version sold separately)

PS5, PC

Connection type

Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)

Wireless (2.4GHz), Wired (USB-C)

Wireless (2.4GHz), Wired (USB-C)

Battery life

Around 17 hours

Around 20 hours

Around 10 hours

Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded
My favorite ‘pro’ PS5 controller to date, the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded nails practically everything I would expect from its premium price tag. Superb build quality, high level of customization, and even the option to swap out stick and button modules. I’m especially a fan of the included Fightpad module, which is ideal for fighting games.

Read our full Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded review

Razer Raiju V3 Pro
While it loses out on the battery life front, Razer’s first go at a dedicated PS5 controller is still a winner. Sublime TMR sticks, wonderfully clicky rear bumpers, and handy trigger locks all make for a top-notch feature set. Build quality isn’t quite as robust as what we saw with the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro, but the Raiju honestly isn’t far off.

Read our full Razer Raiju V3 Pro review

How I tested the Scuf Omega

• Tested for two weeks
• Tested on both PS5 and PC
• Played a variety of single and multiplayer games

I tested the Scuf Omega for roughly two weeks for this review. In that time, I made use of the controller’s broad swathe of features, including its remappable buttons and swappable modules. Games I played with the Scuf Omega include Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Saros on PS5, as well as Final Fantasy 14 Online and Forza Horizon 6 on PC, broadly aiming to test out a variety of game genres with the controller.

First reviewed May 2026

Read more about how we test