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Huawei Watch Ultimate 2 review: A deep dive with the first ever smartwatch to feature sonar communication

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 11/11/2025 - 10:24

Huawei Watch Ultimate 2: One-minute review

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

In recent years, Huawei has dedicated itself so aggressively to wearables that in 2025 they shipped more watches than any other brand – including Apple. In the past year I’ve reviewed a number of the best smartwatches from Huawei, including the GT5, the D2 and the Fit 3. I awarded all three an impressive 4.5 stars, which just goes to show what a good track record Huawei has created thus far.

The Ultimate 2 represents Huawei’s most advanced smartwatch to date and is perhaps the pinnacle of what is currently possible with smartwatch technology. It’s packing sonar communications, a world first for a smartwatch, and an X-Tap feature for measuring blood flow through the finger. Huawei has aimed high, and as far as specs on paper go, they’ve achieved exactly what they set out to do. Look out, Apple Watch Ultra 3.

This is not a smartwatch for the casual user but rather a dedicated device for professional athletes and serious recreational fitness enthusiasts. The primary focuses are diving and golfing, although Huawei promotes the watch as being ideal for a much broader range of activities. As you’d expect, there’s also a full set of health tracking capabilities.

As well as rugged and premium materials, performance across the board is very strong, indeed. The display is super-bright, even when being used in direct sunlight. The interface is fast, responsive, and finely tuned for an optimum user experience. GPS tracking is quickly found and always accurate. Extreme waterproofing is engineered to perfection. The positives go on. I think if it could have been made slightly smaller and dealt with the pesky Huawei app side-loading issue, Huawei would have had the perfect package.

Huawei Watch Ultimate 2: Specifications

Component

Huawei Watch Ultimate 2

Price

£899.99 (Blue) / £799.99 (Black)

Dimensions

47.8 x 47.8 x 12.9 mm (Blue) / 48.5 x 48.5 x 12.9 mm (Black)

Weight

80.5g without strap

Caze/bezel

Zirconium-based Liquid Metal (Amorphous Alloy) / Nanocrystal Ceramic

Display

1.5 inch AMOLED (466 × 466 pixels)

Operating System

HarmonyOS

GPS

GPS, GLONASS, GALILEO, BeiDou, and QZSS

Battery life

4.5 days typical usage, 11 days in power saver mode

Connection

eSIM (for phone-free calls), Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi, and NFC

Water resistance

20 ATM

Huawei Watch Ultimate 2: Price and Availability

Blue: £899 / Black: £799
Not available in the US or AUS
It’s expensive, but very advanced

There’s no getting away from it. The Ultimate 2 Blue, at £899, is one of the most expensive smartwatches on the market, only beaten by the likes of the Garmin Fenix 8 Pro, which retails for £1,119. If you’d like the Black version, then that retails at £799.

The most similar price is the Apple Watch Ultra 3, which costs £749 and will always be a winner amongst Apple fans. If you’re not concerned about sonar communication but want a premium rugged offering, then the Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra for £599 is a great shout and works well with Android phones, being compatible with Google’s Play Store.

Value score: 4.5/5

Huawei Watch Ultimate 2: Design

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

One of the largest smartwatches on the market
Premium and rugged materials throughout
Bright and high-resolution AMOLED display

It’s difficult to make any mention of the design without first stating that this is one of the largest smartwatches I’ve ever worn. With a 47.8mm case diameter and a 12.9mm thickness, it’s in the realm of the chunky Garmin Epix Pro (although they range up to 51mm) and the Apple Watch Ultra 3. I get that this is a rugged smartwatch packed full of innovative hardware, but this size of watch won’t be for everyone. I, for one, didn’t like wearing it while exercising. You can see it in the photos, but even on my reasonably sized wrist, the watch looks and feels odd. Slender-wristed folks, you’ve been warned.

That being said, everything else about the design of this watch is incredible. Beginning with a zirconium-based liquid metal case, the Ultimate 2 packs high-performance materials for a premium and rugged build. This metal is strong, hard, and allegedly more corrosion-resistant than stainless steel, which means users will have no problems exposing this watch to saltwater environments, even for long periods of time.

The bezel (blue and white on mine) is nanocrystal ceramic (sometimes dual-color) which is smooth, durable, and most importantly, scratch-resistant. If I'm honest, I think it looks a little too much like a plastic finish, which detracts from the overall premium feel.

The display is a 1.5-inch LTPO AMOLED screen made of sapphire glass. You'll be hard-pressed to find a harder or more scratch-resistant material when it comes to smartwatches. I experienced zero scratches or cracks during my few weeks of testing, and I do not expect to have any problems in the future either.

The strap I've been testing is a durable fluoroelastomer strap with a blue/white color combo. It suits the overall watch aesthetic and is flexible enough to get a comfortable fit. It’s ideal for adventuring and exercising, but if you'd prefer a more polished and professional look, then there's also a metal link strap in the box. Huawei also throws in a longer diving strap when you purchase the blue package.

Design score: 4.5/5

Huawei Watch Ultimate 2: Features

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

Industry-leading waterproof rating
New X-TAP for PPG and ECG
No third-party apps

One of my biggest bugbears with all Huawei watches is the copious number of legal agreements that have to be agreed to. Rather than providing a single agreement that users consent to before using the watch, Huawei has determined that it's better for users to provide specific consent at the point of using each individual feature. This is the only smartwatch company that seems to do this, and I think it significantly interrupts the user experience.

The diving and water-related features are by far the biggest selling points of the Ultimate 2, and the 20ATM waterproof rating means it can be subjected to rain, swimming, diving, snorkeling, and high-speed watersports. It also boasts a diving certification of 150m.

Despite not being able to test the more extreme parts of these claims, I can confirm that I had no performance issues after submerging it for several minutes. By way of comparison, the Apple Watch Ultra 3 tops out at a waterproof rating of 10ATM, which makes the Ultimate 2 the industry leader at the time of writing.

The Ultimate 2 is also the first smartwatch to feature a sonar-based underwater communication feature, which lets two Ultimate 2s exchange messages up to 30 metres apart. You can say goodbye to traditional forms of underwater communication, although the requirement for both users to need the exact same Huawei watch is limiting. It'll be interesting to see whether the diving industry begins to adopt this technology or whether Huawei has gone more niche than they needed to.

Aside from these groundbreaking features, the Ultimate 2 includes top-level health tracking. It centers around a Distributed Super-Sensing Module that is paired with Huawei’s TruSense system. This combines multiple sensor types (optical, electrical, acoustic, and mechanical) to improve health tracking accuracy.

Huawei has integrated a sensor, named X-TAP, on the side of the watch which measures blood flow through the finger, making it capable of taking ECG and PPG readings. Taking health readings from the wrist has always been notoriously inaccurate, so a feature like this that uses more reputable sensor technology is very welcome indeed.

Features score: 4.5/5

Huawei Watch Ultimate 2: Performance

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

Accurate metrics
Between three and eight days of use
Too bulky

We've recently seen a rise in silicon-carbon battery technology that adds silicon to the graphite anode and thereby increases the capacity of the battery. Huawei has brought this new tech to their Ultimate 2 smartwatch, although it's labeled the battery technology 'high-silicon'.

As a result, we're looking at an 867mAh battery rather than the 510mAh battery that was found in the first version of this watch. That's quite the upgrade considering the Apple Watch Ultra 3 and Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra sit just below 600mAh batteries.

While testing the watch, I achieved between three and eight days of use depending on how intensely I was using it and whether I was using GPS on a regular basis. Having always-on-display activated significantly reduced the battery life, but there are no surprises there. My normal smartwatch habit involves performing daily GPS tracking for around 30 minutes, tracking health metrics regularly, and actioning dozens of notifications each day. Doing this drained the battery in just under five days.

The specs state that normal use will result in 3.5 days of use on iOS and 4.5 days on Android. The additional life on Android is on account of having to perform less frequent refreshes to maintain the connection. Either way, having a smartwatch that can last several days between charges is fine by me, especially given the rich feature set.

After comparing it to other Huawei smartwatches and my Suunto Race S during activity tracking, I have to say I was very impressed with both the responsiveness and the accuracy while tracking metrics, including heart rate, SpO2, and ECG.

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

Huawei has upgraded its Sunflower GPS technology. I tested its GPS capabilities in built-up urban areas as well as in dense woods, and it was capable of finding a signal quickly, with and without fuss. There was absolutely no inaccuracy or drift while tracking my runs and bike rides. If you need GPS that you can rely on, then there are very few watches on the market that will match it.

As accurate as the Ultimate 2 is in terms of tracking exercise, I actually think the watch is just too bulky to make it comfortable for most types of exercise. You certainly wouldn't want to wear it for long periods of time while running, swimming, or when in the gym. As a result, I'm not quite sure who this watch is designed for. If Huawei could reduce it by a few grams and slim it down a little, I'd be giving it a five-star rating without reservations.

If you can cope with the size, you'll be pleased with the user experience. The software, HarmonyOS, is fast and well laid out and integrates surprisingly well with Apple and Android phones. I especially like the addition of text labels to icons, which significantly helped me find features quickly and efficiently. Interaction with calls, texts, and other types of notifications was equally seamless.

Performance score: 4.5/5

Scorecard

I spent a week with the DJI Osmo Mobile 8, and it's just as good as pricier Hohem and Insta360 rivals

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 11/11/2025 - 06:49

DJI Osmo Mobile 8: two-minute review

To my knowledge, the DJI Osmo Mobile 8 is the first smartphone stabilizer to come with three distinct types of subject tracking. Not only is it able to track faces, bodies, and other objects when the mounted phone is running the DJI Mimo app – it can also track using third-party apps, either through Apple DockKit compatibility or the new Multi-Functional Module, a tiny camera-equipped add-on that also includes a fill light.

To be clear, none of the above is new exactly – we've seen both DockKit-compatible tracking stabilizers and those that use modules to track before. What is new is having both options in a single device. It's a best-of-both-worlds approach, and one of the things that sets the Osmo Mobile 8 apart from its myriad competitors.

The other is the low price: it's just £135 or AU$219, which is slightly more affordable than contemporaries like the Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra (£169 / AU$299) and the Insta360 Flow 2 Pro (£144.99 / AU$289.99). You'll no doubt have noticed that I haven't included a US dollar price. That's because, like other recent DJI launches, it's not coming to American stores. At least not officially.

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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Image 2 of 4

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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Image 4 of 4

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Design-wise, it's pretty much the same as every other compact smartphone stabilizer, which is no bad thing in my book.

It folds down to near pocket-size – you'll get it in a coat pocket, maybe, but not your jeans – and powers on automatically when the gimbal is pulled out. Your smartphone is mounted via a magnetic clamp, which can accommodate a good range of device sizes and weights (if not quite as wide a range as the Hohem iSteady V3) and is easier to deploy than a clamp that's permanently fixed to the gimbal arm. The arm also includes a USB-C output, allowing you to charge your phone from the stabilizer's own battery.

The Osmo Mobile 8's handle includes a pull-out extension rod to add up to 21.5cm / 8.5 inches of extra distance between the user and the phone (which I found valuable for self-shooting, as it allowed me to get more into the frame), plus a plastic mini-tripod for setting up the stabilizer on the floor or a flat surface for hands-free use. There's also a standard tripod thread on the bottom of the handle for fixing it to third-party mounts.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

The handle felt comfortable in my hand, and I found the controls simple and ergonomically sound; I was able to access them all with one hand, including the zoom/focus wheel. A trigger on the front offers various functions, including the ability to rotate the phone 180º or turn tracking on and off. There are dedicated buttons to stop/start recording and flip between front and rear-facing cameras on your phone, plus a thumbstick for manual gimbal arm control and a mode button to cycle through the four follow modes.

These are PTF (pan and tilt follow), PF (pan follow), FPV (pan, tilt, and roll follow), and SpinShot (a special mode that rotates the phone through almost 360º for bizarre shots). Basically, it's exactly what I'd expect from a smartphone stabilizer, and I can't see how any content creator would need anything more from one, particularly given the improved tracking capabilities.

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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Image 2 of 4

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(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

I've already mentioned the fact that the Osmo Mobile 8 has added DockKit tracking to the module-based or Mimo app-based tracking previously offered by the Osmo Mobile 7P. I should also point out that the Multifunctional Module now tracks dogs and cats as well as people, and that it can wirelessly connect to the DJI Mic Mini, Mic 2, and Mic 3, whereas the Osmo Mobile 7P's only worked with the Mic Mini. In fact, it can connect to two mics simultaneously.

Another upgrade over the Osmo Mobile 7P is 360º horizontal rotation, allowing the Osmo Mobile 8 to track a subject "infinitely" as they circle around it. This is something I've previously seen on rival gimbals, so it's good to see DJI keeping up with the competition.

Overall, the DJI Osmo Mobile 8 is yet another impressive, well-designed smartphone stabilizer that content creators looking to shoot smooth, stable footage should consider. With similar battery life and tracking performance to its rivals, I can't say it's worth ditching your existing Hohem or Insta360 stabilizer for, but if you're buying your first stabilizer and already own a DJI wireless mic, it makes a lot of sense to pick this up – particularly given its affordability.

DJI Osmo Mobile 8: price and availability

Priced from £135 / AU$219
Available in bundle with DJI Mic Mini

The DJI Osmo Mobile 8 was announced on November 5, 2025 and is available to order now worldwide – aside from in the US.

It's sold in a standard bundle including the stabilizer itself, a Multifunctional Module, a magnetic clamp, and a soft fabric carrying bag for £135 / AU$219, which I feel is a very good price considering the features and build quality.

It can also be purchased in a bundle with a single DJI Mic Mini transmitter for £165 / AU$274, which oddly doesn't represent a discount on the transmitter (it costs the same when bought separately).

DJI Osmo Mobile 8: specs

Dimensions:

190 x 95 x 46mm (folded)

Weight:

370g / 13.1oz

Compatible phone weight:

170 to 300g / 6 to 10.6oz

Compatible phone thickness:

6.9 to 10mm

Compatible phone width:

67 to 84mm

Connectivity:

Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C

Battery life:

4 hours (using tracking and fill light) / 10 hours (balanced and stationary)

Should I buy the DJI Osmo Mobile 8?

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

You own a DJI Mic Mini, Mic 2 or Mic 3 already
With built-in support for the OsmoAudio ecosystem, the OM 8 works brilliant with DJI's wireless mics – aside from the first-gen model.

You want an affordable, compact gimbal
The Osmo Mobile 8 is smaller and cheaper than the Hohem iSteady V3, so if you want to travel light and save a little cash, it's the best option around.

Don't buy it if...

You own a heavy phone
If your smartphone weighs over 300g or is more than 10mm thick, the Osmo Mobile 8 can't grip it.

You want to control gimbal movements from a distance
Aside from basic gesture controls, there's no way to remotely control the Osmo Mobile 8.

Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra review: Also consider

Insta360 Flow 2 Pro
The Flow 2 Pro’s big party trick is native support for subject tracking in hundreds of third-party iPhone camera apps, plus an included LED fill light. With no tracking module, Android users are left out in the cold, however, and trackable subjects are limited to people and pets.

Read our in-depth Insta360 Flow 2 Pro review

Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra
A little pricier than the Osmo Mobile 8, Hohem's stabilizer offers excellent module-based tracking plus a touchscreen-equipped remote control unit. It doesn't have a quick-release mount option, but it can grip heavier, larger handsets than the Osmo Mobile 8.

Read our in-depth Hohem iSteady V3 Ultra review

How I tested the DJI Osmo Mobile 8

One week of use
Tested with an iPhone 13
Used for B-roll and vlog-style footage

I tested the DJI Osmo Mobile 8 for several days, using it both handheld and set up on its built-in mini tripod. It was used with my Apple iPhone 13's front-facing and rear cameras, both indoors and outdoors, and I recorded video using a range of apps (including the iPhone camera, DJI Mimo, and Instagram).

First reviewed November 2025

Categories: Reviews

I tested the Kodak Ektar H35N half-frame film camera – it's cheap, it's crude... and I loved it

TechRadar Reviews - Mon, 11/10/2025 - 23:00

Half-frame cameras have garnered a bit of a cult following – enough for Pentax to make the Pentax 17 half-frame film camera (which we love) and for Fujifilm to make the X half, which is more of a digital ‘tribute’ to half-frame cameras than a faithful replica.

Film cameras have become a big thing among photographers trying to recapture the feel and mood of analog media, and the camera designs that went with it. Check out our guide to the best film cameras to see a long list of all the new film cameras on the market, and some classic oldies that are definitely worth seeking out on the used market. If you're new to all this, we also have a guide to camera film sizes and types.

The basic principle of a half-frame analog camera is that it uses regular 35mm film, but instead of capturing images horizontally using the 24mm height of the film and a horizontal width of 36mm, it captures images vertically, so they're 24mm high and 18mm wide (or 17mm if you allow for the extra gap between the half frames).

You get twice as many shots on the roll as they're roughly half the size – and the camera takes vertical rather than horizontal photos (of course, you can rotate the camera to swap from vertical to horizontal if you need to).

Looks like a regular 35mm film camera inside, right? Not quite – usual horizontal 35mm film gate is replaced with a vertical 'half-frame' format. (Image credit: Rod Lawton)

You do get twice as many exposures on a roll of film, which sounds like a cost saving, but then you have to find a lab that will do half -frame prints, and printing will cost more because there are more prints.

But by a strange twist of fate, half-frame cameras are particularly well suited to social sharing because they match the vertical orientation of mobile devices in a way that camera makers of old could never have anticipated.

Back, then, to the Kodak Ektar H35N. This is an improved version of the Ektar H35 we reviewed in 2024, replacing that camera's plastic lens with a glass one. We weren't over-impressed with the Ektar H35 at the time, but since then we've been swept along by a huge surge of interest in analog photography, so maybe this improved point and shoot Kodak deserves a second look.

Where half-frame cameras have so far been a somewhat expensive hipster fad, the Kodak is about as cheap as it’s possible for a camera to get. It’s also extremely crude, and is essentially no more sophisticated then a disposable single-use film camera.

The Kodak H35N takes a single AAA battery, but this is solely to power the flash – the camera doesn't need it to operate. (Image credit: Rod Lawton)

The difference is that you can open the back to load and unload film, and you can swap out the single AAA battery for the flash. If you don’t use the flash, you don’t need the battery.

And in case you’re wondering what kind of exposure system it has and how the focusing works, it doesn’t really have either. It relies on the huge latitude of analog negative films to capture images in daylight ranging from bright sun to heavy overcast, and indoors you simply have to use the flash and stick to close-range subjects. The harsh flash look is really trending right now for its retro vibes, and this little Kodak does it brilliantly.

The focus is fixed. The lens has an aperture of f/11, so it has enough depth of field for distance of 1m and beyond, depending on how much sharpness you expect. This camera is all about the look, not technical precision.

The lens has a fixed aperture of f/11 and there are no exposure or focus controls. The ring around the lens is just to switch the flash on and off (if you can budge it). (Image credit: Rod Lawton)

This may not sound like the kind of camera you could be even remotely interested in, but hold on. You do have to shoot in the right kind of light (daylight or with flash), and you do have to trust your film to deal with degrees of overexposure and underexposure which would send a digital sensor into a tailspin. But you adapt surprisingly quickly. It’s a simple camera designed to do a simple job, and it does it brilliantly. If you could even contemplate using an Instax, this is cheaper and gives you much bigger and better prints with all the same character and more.

Bottom line? I started out in film photography and I know the limitations of analog film and its particular charm. The Kodak H35N took me straight back to simpler times and simpler cameras. I thought I would hate it, but I loved it.

Kodak Ektar H35N: price

$64.99 / £67 (around AU$98)
Factor in the cost of developing and printing – half-frame is more specialized and expensive

The Kodak Ektar H35N is a cheap camera! Its price is a million miles from the (expensive) sophistication of the Pentax 17 half-frame camera. The Kodak is also very basic. In fact, you can think of it as a bit like a disposable camera that you can re-use. It's available in a variety of colors and styles, and at a typical price of $64.99 / £67 (around AU$100), it’s a cute, inexpensive buy.

It’s crude, but at this price you probably won’t care. Do factor in the cost of developing and printing, though. You’ll need to find a lab that will process film from half-frame cameras, and the cost of prints will double – after all, there are twice as many per roll of film!

Kodak Ektar H35N: specs

Format:

35mm half-frame

Lens:

22mm f/11 (approx. 30mm effective)

ISO:

ISO 200 or 400 film recommended

Focus:

Fixed at approx. 1m-infinity

Flash:

Built in

Exposure:

Auto plus bulb

Battery:

1x AAA (for flash)

Viewfinder:

Optical, direct vision

Size:

110mm x 62mm x 39mm, 110g

Kodak Ektar H35N: design

Plastic build but looks smart
Simple controls (well, no controls really)
No issues with film loading, shooting and rewinding
Small but effective optical viewfinder

The metal-look front panel gives the H35N a touch of class, but it really is a very basic camera. (Image credit: Rod Lawton)

There's a catch on the side for opening the film back, but it's not easy to move by accident, thankfully. (Image credit: Rod Lawton)

The film leader slides into a slit in the take-up spool. I usually pull a bit more out to make sure it's gripped properly (Image credit: Rod Lawton)

There's a tiny frame counter on the top which shows you how many frames you've taken (Image credit: Rod Lawton)

The film is finished when you can't wind on any more. You then hold down the transport release button, fold out the rewind crank and rewind the whole film back into the canister (Image credit: Rod Lawton)

The Ektar H35N might be lightweight plastic, but the front panel has an attractive metallic finish that looks rather smart. Kodak has a knack for making cheap cameras look rather better than they are.

The lens is surrounded by a switch to activate the flash mode. This was extremely stiff on my review sample, so not exactly as convenient as it should be. To one side of the lens there’s another switch for the built in ‘star filter’. Is this useful? Possibly.

On the top, there’s not much to see at all. There’s a big shutter release, a cable release socket for bulb exposures – so you can actually do night shots if you don’t mind estimating how long you need to hold the shutter open for – and there’s also a frame counter to let you know how many shots you’ve taken.

Round the back it’s all semi-matte black plastic. There’s a somewhat stiff and vague switch at the side for opening the back to load and unload film, but you do not want to open the back accidentally, so it’s no bad thing if it is a little fiddly.

Once the film is loaded you use a thumbwheel at the bottom left to advance the film. In standard film camera style, you can’t take a shot until the film is wound on and the shutter is cocked – and once you’ve taken the shot, you have to wind on again to re-cock the shutter. It’s foolproof. And, plastic or not, the film advance and shutter release worked perfectly.

A second little switch alongside the lens activates the Star Filter. Useful? Hmm, maybe (Image credit: Rod Lawton)

Even film loading is straightforward. I had to pull out just a little more of the film leader to engage properly with the take-up spool, and then I did my usual thing after the back was closed, which is to take up the tension on the rewind crank and check it’s turning as I advance to the first frame. It worked fine.

You know when the film is at the end because you can’t wind on any further, so you press a button in the base to disengage the film transport mechanism, and wind it all back into the film canister with the crank handle.

The Ektar H35N might be cheap, but mine worked fine, with no film jams, no accidental double exposures, and no dramas at all.

Kodak Ektar H35N: performance

Good picture quality
Surprisingly tolerant to changing light
Nice vintage flash look
Good colors and contrast (I used a good lab)

If you fancy Lomography style images without Lomography prices, this is your camera! (Image credit: Rod Lawton)

The in-built flash gives a harsh, short-range light, but this look is really on-trend right now (Image credit: Rod Lawton)

This trip to a pumpkin patch in late-October gloom worked out really well, despite me using ISO 200 film (ISO 400 would have been better) (Image credit: Rod Lawton)

The resolution is limited so the fixed-focus lens isn't much of a disadvantage, and you can shoot objects quite close up (Image credit: Rod Lawton)

I started out in film photography before switching to digital right when digital cameras first came in – and there are a few things I'd forgotten about shooting with film.

First, there's nothing quite like opening a pack of prints from the photo lab and looking through them. It doesn’t matter what kind of monitor you have on your desktop – I have a 27-inch 4K BenQ – or what kind of phone or tablet; a digital display is simply not the same as holding a stack of prints in your hand and going through them one by one. Maybe you don’t care – that’s fine – but for me it was a reminder of just how much value simple physical objects can have.

Of course, you can get your digital camera or smartphone images printed too. But they don’t look like this. Digitally-captured images are so technically superior that there’s almost no comparison. By contrast, my images from the Ektar H35N were softer, with crushed shadows and a faint ethereal glow characteristic of analog color negative films. I review photo-editing software as well as cameras, and I haven't yet found a film simulation or plug-in that can give quite the same look.

In good light the colors are very good and details look crisp in 6 x 4-inch prints – though you wouldn't want to blow these pictures up any larger (Image credit: Rod Lawton)

This was shot with the Star Filter engaged. It does seem a bit of a gimmick, to be honest (Image credit: Rod Lawton)

And here’s the thing. Imperfect and murky as they sometimes are, the photographs from this camera are just like the ones in the photo albums of your mum and dad, your aunts and uncles. The Kodak's images have a kind of connection with these old photos.

Have you noticed that we’ve all got pictures separated by a great digital divide, when digital cameras took over from film? Your digital photos have a clinical ’now-ness’ that separates them from these older analog photos. Does that make sense? The Kodak H35N, for all is cheapness, crudeness and its limitations, shoots in that older style, and fits right in with your analog family archives.

No, I’m not going to shoot with it every day. My photography is digital now. But that doesn’t stop me from appreciating just what this cheap little Kodak does, and what it brings back that perhaps we'd forgotten.

Should you buy the Kodak Ektar H35N?

(Image credit: Rod Lawton)Buy it if…

You want to get a taste of the analog look

The Kodak Ektar H35N is so cheap there’s nothing to lose. Film, developing and printing can be expensive, but you can still just try it once to see if it’s your thing.

You want a break from digital overload

Once you’ve got the film loaded, the Ektar H35N is incredibly simple to use. There are literally no controls – you wind it on, look through the viewfinder, press the shutter button.

You want album- or frame-ready prints

This is the beauty of analog negative film – prints come as standard. There's nothing like the anticipation and satisfaction of opening a packet of prints fresh from the photo lab.

Don’t buy it if…

You’re expecting high-quality art

The Ektar is a snapshot camera, pure and simple. The prints you’ll get back have that classic lo-fi snapshot look. You could scan the negatives, but you won’t be printing them big.

You want to learn about analog photography

You won’t learn anything from this camera. It’s as basic as a camera can get, with no shutter speed, aperture or focus control. You might, however, learn how amazingly tolerant film can be.

You’re looking for a classy classic camera

The Ektar H35N looks cute enough, but this is not a camera you’ll want to show guests at a dinner party or flash around at photo meets (unless you like winding people up).

Also consider

The Pentax 17 is a ‘proper’ half-frame camera; in other words it has a good lens, proper focusing and exposure controls, and is built to last. If the Ektar H35N inspires you, the Pentax is the obvious step up.

If you like your photography truly hands-on, get the Lomography Konstruktor F (best film cameras), a plastic 35mm camera you have to make yourself. It’s cheap to buy, though a little challenging to make (yes, I’ve made one).

The Olympus Trip 35 (in our best film cameras round-up) is an all-time classic 35mm compact with auto exposure, zone focusing and a selenium metering cell around the lens that requires no batteries. A good used one won’t cost the earth and will give you great results.

How I tested the Kodak Ektar H35N

I tested it in different lighting conditions, inside and out
I checked the flash illumination in low light
I assessed how well it coped with subjects near the camera
I also checked that the film transport/rewind worked properly

I took the Kodak H35N on a series of days out and family outings, as well as testing it out in different lighting conditions at home. I used it on bright sunny days, overcast days, the gloom of late afternoon in October and even at dusk with flash.

It’s not like a digital camera where you can check to see what’s worked straight away. Instead, you have to trust in the inherent latitude of color negative film, and a big part of this test was to find out just how many prints I would lose, which makes a difference when you’re paying for developing and printing.

I tested how easy it was to load and unload films – a key point for novice analog users – and the reliability of the film advance/shutter release mechanism. I also tested the in-built flash and even the ‘star filter’, choosing shots with the sun in the frame or showing through trees.

I chose typical ‘snapshot’ subjects that families might shoot, but also the kind of compositions made popular by Lomography and its legions of analog fans. Could you really use a cheap camera like this for this kind of anti-mainstream retro-graphy?

Categories: Reviews

Anno 117: Pax Romana is a beautiful and refined city builder, but its simplicity might disappoint returning fans

TechRadar Reviews - Mon, 11/10/2025 - 11:00

Anno 117: Pax Romana is a marked return to simplicity for the long-running city-building strategy game franchise. Some returning fans might find what it offers a little basic, but for others, the more relaxed progression will be a welcome, more relaxed change of pace - especially paired with the countless quality of life features that are available from day one.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PC
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, PC
Release date: November 13, 2025

In contrast, its forbear Anno 1800 is one of the most complex city builders that I’ve ever played. The act of constructing a civilization is an intricate dance of lengthy supply chains that has you micromanaging the production of resources across two continents (or more with all the downloadable content) while simultaneously juggling a wealth of overlapping effects generated by the buildings in your town center.

It was incredibly rewarding to master, but doing so required plenty of YouTube tutorials, and a fair number of panicked searches on the community wiki.

A fresh start

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Anno 117: Pax Romana is much more approachable for newcomers, an area that was clearly a key concern for developer Ubisoft. This is especially evident in the campaign, which is one of the most engaging in series history.

Don’t get me wrong, the story mode in Anno games has always been little more than a glorified tutorial - basically showing you what you need to do to get started in a safe environment before setting you loose into the wider sandbox - and that’s no different here, but the choice to have you playing as a named character does add an extra layer of narrative detail.

Best bit

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

Anno 117: Pax Romana is absolutely gorgeous, and will delight true history nerds. Its Roman setting is recreated wonderfully with intricate details that lead to stunning and life-like streets. There are even some authentic painted statues, which is always great to see.

Out of the two options, I picked Marcia Tertia, a wealthy Roman daughter who has been married off to a troubled governor whom she’s never met. After a series of events in Latium (the game’s Roman region) that I won’t spoil, she winds up banished to Albion (Celtic England), where she ends up acting as the governor in secret to try and get back into the emperor’s good books. In typical Anno fashion, dialogue is comedic throughout, and I found myself enjoying some of the twists and turns.

This is a much shorter campaign than 1800's, lasting just over six hours rather than about 15, though it’s tightly paced and doesn’t overstay its welcome as a result. I couldn’t resist diving into my own sandbox games once I hit the end, though I’m still eager to try the story as the other protagonist - Marcus Naukratius. There are a handful of narrative decisions and some side activities that I wouldn’t mind going back to for a replay, too.

The best thing I can say about the mode, though, is that it does a very good job of telling you what you need to know. I finished the 1800 story with more questions than answers, but a new player here would feasibly be fully qualified to dive into sandbox or even online multiplayer.

Soggy sandals

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

But what exactly is it that you’re doing exactly? Anno fans will know the drill, but for everyone else, this is a city-building game that’s all about constructing supply chains to collect the resources that your citizens need to level up. Anno 117: Pax Romana lets you choose whether to start your game in Latium or Albion, and each region plays out in a slightly different fashion.

In Latium, there are four population tiers: Liberti, Plebeians, Equites, and Patricians. Needs become more complex as you move between the levels, with citizens that initially required porridge and straw sandals eventually demanding access to running water for communal baths, education through libraries, flashy jewellery, and even yummy bird tongues in aspic to nibble.

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

The map is split into multiple islands, with each island only capable of harbouring specific resources. No one island will offer every resource that you need late in the game, so at some point, you will inevitably need to load up a ship and start settling them. Funnelling resources back to your main city center becomes a game in and of itself, as you set up trading routes and, on higher difficulties, deal with the disruption caused by frequent attacks from raiders.

It’s the same formula that fuelled 1800, but importantly, in 117, you don’t actually need to fulfill all of a specific group’s needs to progress.

If you’re struggling to get enough fine glass, for example, you can ignore it and focus on olive oil instead. It cuts down the complexity massively, and while you are rewarded for meeting all needs at once, so less confident players don’t need to worry about overwhelming themselves with too many types of resources to manage.

More refined than ever

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

You shouldn't take all this to mean that Anno 117: Pax Romana feels incomplete, though. There’s plenty here, including a wealth of quality of life changes that long-time fans will love.

This ranges from small things like a day and night cycle (which wasn’t available in 1800 at launch) and the ability to play using a keyboard and mouse on consoles, to substantial changes such as the option to place buildings diagonally for the first time and a planning mode that lets you visualize your city with blueprints.

Some major DLC features from past games are also included for free. Your governor villa, for example, is effectively identical to the Palace from 1800’s Seat of Power expansion, allowing you to buff parts of your island with well-placed Specialists. Once built, the villa is also the primary target for invaders because land combat, a feature entirely missing from Anno 1800, is back too.

Fighting has always been the weakest part of any Anno game in my eyes. It largely boils down to clicking on enemies, and battles are usually won by whichever side has more soldiers. Unfortunately, there haven’t been many strides in this regard, though I hope the fact that ground combat is back will prove a good foundation for some combat-focused DLC or updates in the future.

(Image credit: Ubisoft)

There were also some weird bugs that I hope will be addressed. The most annoying of these was with my island’s fire safety rating, which would randomly decrease a few thousand points without warning. Hovering over the icon told me that this was due to “City Status", whatever that means, and there was seemingly very little I could do to remedy it.

I tried moving all my most flammable buildings, like bakeries and kilns, to a separate island, making sure that they were well spaced to avoid their areas of effect, and filling every street corner with Vigilies (the Roman fire department) in vain.

Actual fires didn’t even seem that much more frequent, but this big red number did cause some frustrations with diplomacy as other leaders looked down on my apparently highly combustible settlement.

That aside, I’ve been very much enjoying my time with Anno 117: Pax Romana. It's a more relaxed take on the Anno formula than 1800, and while not as complex, it’s still easy to lose track of the hours as you watch your city grow.

Should I play Anno 117: Pax Romana?Play it if…

You want a high-quality city builder
Anno 117: Pax Romana is more polished than lots of competing city builders like Cities: Skylines 2. It also offers significantly more content in the form of a single-player story and online multiplayer.

You love the Roman setting
Both Rome and England are beautifully recreated in Anno 117: Pax Romana, with plenty of details that will delight history nerds and lovers of the past.

You were overwhelmed by 1800
Anno 117: Pax Romana is much easier to manage than 1800, with fewer complex supply chains needed to progress. If you love the idea of an Anno game but bounced off the last entry, then this is the perfect time to come back.

Don’t play it if…

You expect even more complexity
If you go into Anno 117: Pax Romana expecting a game that’s even more complicated than Anno 1800, then you will be disappointed. Stick with that past entry and wait for some new expansions to up the difficulty.

Accessibility features

There is no dedicated accessibility menu in Anno 117: Pax Romana, which is a bit of a shame given Ubisoft’s leading track record in the area.

There are still some useful options in the settings, though, such as the ability to rebind your keys and increase the scale of the UI. Dialogue features subtitles throughout, with the option to use only sans-serif fonts for reliability or to remove italics.

How I reviewed Anno 117: Pax Romana

I played close to 20 hours of Anno 117: Pax Romana on PC using a copy provided by Ubisoft, with a small amount of time spent also trying the PS5 version, including testing its mouse and keyboard support.

My system is a 5070 Ti-powered model from retailer Scan that features a compact Corsair 2000d RGB Airflow case, Asus ROG Strix B860-I Gaming Wifi motherboard, Intel Core Ultra 7 265K CPU, a 2TB WD Black SN770 SSD, 32GB of DDR5 Corsair Vengeance RAM, and an Nvidia 5070 Ti manufactured by Asus.

This setup allowed me to play the game smoothly on its highest graphics settings with the use of Nvidia DLSS. For peripherals, I relied on my trusty Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro mouse and Cherry XTRFY K5V2 keyboard, plus an Astro A20 X PC gaming headset for audio.

Throughout my time with the game, I constantly compared my experience with my significant experience playing other Anno games, including 1800, 2205, 2070, and 1404.

First reviewed November 2025

Categories: Reviews

This Bluetooth speaker’s battery life impressed me in testing, but it’s irredeemably bad in one vital respect

TechRadar Reviews - Mon, 11/10/2025 - 09:30

AO mini portable wireless speaker: two-minute review

If you don’t live in the UK, you’ve probably never heard of AO, so allow us a brief explainer. AO is a Bolton-based online electrical retailer that sells white goods – fridges, dishwashers, ovens, TVs, hi-fi equipment and the like – for a fraction of their store price. For an annual membership of £39.99, you get discounted prices when buying from its website because it cuts out the middle man and sells direct to the customer. It also has a natty advertising campaign that features the soundalike “Hey, hoh – let’s go!” refrain from The Ramones’ Blitzkrieg Bop. Got it? Good.

What AO has never done is make the audio gear it also sells. Until now. In the summer of 2025, the AO mini portable wireless speaker (yes, this really is its does-what-it-says-on-the-tin name) was part of a suite of releases to change that and try to provide an inexpensive entry to the best portable Bluetooth speakers on the market.

So, how does it fair? Well, the £29 price – $40 / AU$59, but only available in the UK (and only direct from AO) at the time of writing – is a strong start for a portable speaker with Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity. Indeed, for AO members in the UK, it's cheaper still at £19. Better still, a 25-hour battery life dominates some of the biggest competition in the budget market such as the JBL Go 4 (seven hours), the five-star Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 (12, already four more than the first-gen model) or the Edifier ES20 (15 hours).

The AO mini portable wireless speaker is also nicely built, with sturdy buttons plus appreciated answer/end/reject call options (with decent accompanying call quality) that is increasingly absent from the competition. Plus, its IP67 waterproofing means it more than does the job in the shower or down at the beach.

Unfortunately, though, there’s the biggest of elephants in the room – the way the AO sounds. It’s not good. In fact, I’d rather listen to tunes coming out of my iPhone 15’s speakers or even my retro MacBook Air's pretty limited sound-producing alternative. For a bit of tech whose primary purpose is to elevate sound, add depth and make it louder – nope, it doesn’t do that, either – this is quite a big problem.

Is it going to be your primary Bluetooth speaker to while away hour upon hour? Definitely not, but that’s not to say it doesn’t warrant a place in your lineup of listening apparatus. The AO mini portable wireless speaker’s flexibility, solid build and near-peerless battery life make it a decent bet to accompany a long weekend away or just be left in the shower so you can sing along to Wham! to help wake you up, before you go-go. After all, that aggressive price is pretty hard to ignore…

(Image credit: Future / Andy Murray)AO mini portable wireless speaker review: price and release date

£29 (not on sale in US or AUS)
Launched in summer 2025

The AO mini portable wireless speaker was launched in the summer of 2025 as part of the retailer’s debut line of self-made audio products and costs £29 (£19 for AO members) in the UK. It isn't available in the US or Australia, but that equates to $40 / AU$59. Just to confirm, you haven’t misread that price – it really is that cheap.

TechRadar's review sample is black, but it also comes in white, which was the only color available to purchase on the AO website at the time of writing. It’s an opposite Model T Ford, then.

AO mini portable wireless speaker review: specs

Drivers

1x 20mm

Dimensions

82 x 47 x 98mm

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.3

Battery life

25 hours

Waterproofing

IP67

(Image credit: Future / Andy Murray)AO mini portable wireless speaker review: features

Excellent 25-hour battery life
Shower-tested IP67 waterproofing
Easy setup but no multi-point connectivity

For what is a pretty small bit of kit, the AO mini portable wireless speaker undeniably packs plenty in. Bluetooth 5.3 connectivity isn’t industry-leading – and a 3.5mm line-in for wired listening would’ve been nice – but it’s decent for a speaker as emphatically entry-level as this, while at no stage in testing did I encounter any drop outs.

It’s solid and reliable, the only minor gripe being its lack of multi-point connectivity option. At one point I needed to switch from music listening via Tidal on my iPhone to Match of the Day football watching on my laptop – technically, that’s still work, but only just – and discovered that I’d need to disconnect from the former to be able to connect to the latter. Sure, it’s not the greatest of impositions, but it’s nevertheless unwieldy.

At least the AO is quick and easy to set up. Within minutes of turning on the AO for the first time, my partner and I were dancing around the front room to Going Places by Teenage Fanclub – she effortlessly magnificent, me shufflingly dreadful, thanks for asking. Gerard Love’s lilting vocal complemented his erstwhile bandmates’ harmonies well enough but without a clarity or depth to be expected even at this low price point. More on which later, and the fault certainly doesn't lie with the Scottish group Kurt Cobain once called “the best band in the world”.

(Image credit: Future / Andy Murray)

Better still, the AO’s IP67 waterproof rating makes it borderline impervious to dust and water ingress. Short of trying to bury it at the bottom of the Atlantic, or subjecting it to extended periods in your teenager’s never-cleaned dust box of a bedroom, you’ll do very well to stop it from working. I used the AO constantly in the shower for over a week and (much like me) it got absolutely soaked, but at no stage did the superb improv podcast Three Bean Salad featuring Taskmaster alumnus Mike Wozniak cut out or the speaker lose connection from my phone in the adjoining bedroom. A trip to my local beach also presented no issue for water ingress either from Portland Harbor or the heavens as an unexpected Dorset shower passed overhead.

No less sturdy is the battery life, which is nothing short of relentless. In testing, the AO’s claimed 25 hours proved plenty accurate – I used the speaker throughout three full seven-hour working days, plus aforementioned trips to the beach and in the shower, and it still had half its juice remaining according to the battery indicator on my phone.

Compare those figures with the as the JBL Go 3’s notorious five-hour lifespan, the updated Go 4’s seven and even the recent Edifier ES20’s 15 hours and the AO dominates the competition for half the (already pretty insignificant) price in some cases. Stuff it in your rucksack on a camping trip and it’ll neither take up much space, nor will it fail you across a week’s medium use before its next charge, a vital consideration when living off-grid in a field. Just 1.5 hours’ charging from the included USB-C cable gets it back to full power, too.

My only other issue is the lack of accompanying app, so there’s no option to tweak EQs or come up with your own presets to get the sound just how you like it. But at this price point what did you expect? This little box is packed with plenty.

Features score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future / Andy Murray)AO mini portable wireless speaker review: sound quality

Almost no bass
Lacks clarity
Limited top volume

Sadly, though, we can ignore the obvious no longer. The AO sounds dreadful, and you don’t need me to tell that this is a bit of a problem for a speaker. No separation, very little bass, a tinny sound and generally just not loud enough. This is regardless of the quality of source device music, too – I tried streaming hi-res FLAC content on Tidal but still to no avail.

A level of compression for a portable Bluetooth speaker this size is to be expected – it measures 82 x 47 x 98mm and though no weight is quoted, it feels lighter than the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 I used as a comparison – but it is definitely possible to make a better sound than this within the dimensions. The AO’s 20mm driver soon hits a ceiling that others glide beyond and, though its timing is OK and it doesn’t feel too jumbled, the lack of definition and depth are immediately obvious.

Rich by Yeah Yeah Yeahs comes across as one-dimensional – something bordering a war crime – with no separation between Nick Zinner’s synth promptings, lead singer Karen O’s exultant, imploring vocal and Brian Chase’s percussive beat. Switching between the AO and the Tribit mid-song only serves to highlight the difference further – the latter delivers a clearer, punchier vocal and the frequencies are more faithful to the original.

The bass, hardly the thing you most associate with Yeah Yeah Yeahs, is broader, deeper and much more noticeable with the Tribit, so I switch to a band known for allowing its four-string to drive tracks. New Order’s All the Way features arguably Peter Hook’s most melodic and rhythmic high-fretted bassline – thanks in part to the band’s increasing use of sequenced synthesizers and Hooky still wanting to be heard – but the AO strips all that away and it sounds tinny. Even the notoriously lo-fi band Guided By Voices, and the stellar Game Of Pricks, lacks oomph.

More infuriating still, the ‘power-down’ sound the AO makes when you turn the speaker off features a demonstrably bassy effect that is completely absent when listening to music. If the AO is capable of making that noise, why do we only hear it when turning it off? Here’s what you could’ve won.

Keen to find out what the AO could do in the open air, I took the speaker on a 10-minute walk to my local beach. Sadly, it’s no different. The gradual 40-second jangle-guitar intro of Star Sign by Teenage Fanclub from 1991 classic album Bandwagonesque is barely audible, then Brendan O’Hare’s driving bass drum lacks attack. The AO is quiet, too – I fire it up to maximum volume and it hits another ceiling all too quickly. Whack the Tribit up to a Spinal Tap-approved 11 on the same song, and two nearby seagulls take their immediate. It feels instructive.

Weirdly, the spoken word is better. The Elis James and John Robins podcast on BBC Sounds, featuring the two titular comedians and producer Dave, comes through impressively and sounds true-to-life. Even the choral theme tune to regular feature Cymru Connection, in which Elis has to find a mutual acquaintance with a fellow Welsh person inside 60 seconds, sounds well-rounded.

It's just a shame about, well, everything else.

Sound quality score: 2.5/5

(Image credit: Future / Andy Murray)AO mini portable wireless speaker review: design

Small enough to fit in a hoody pouch, but not a jeans pocket
Tactile buttons
Loop is small and not very versatile

The AO mini portable wireless speaker certainly lives up to its name. Its 82 x 47 x 98mm dimensions make it smaller than the Edifier ES20 (90.4 x 93.7 x 49.7mm) or the Tribit Stormbox Micro 2 (104 x 99 x 41mm) – it's perfect to pop in a bag to enjoy on the move. You could just about fit it in a hoody pouch, but a jeans pocket is probably a stretch too far, unlike the squarer Tribit which can squeeze into a back pocket with a bit of encouragement.

Simple to use, the AO has four buttons that sit on top of the speaker – 'on/off', 'volume up/skip track', 'volume down/skip back track' and 'play/pause'. Unlike some headphones' on-ear controls, where a double tap skips a track instead of increasing the volume by two, there’s no danger of an errant press, either. It’s a single press for each volume increment you want (no matter how quickly you push), and press and hold for three seconds to skip forward and backward – never once did I err, a minor miracle in itself.

A much-appreciated feature was the 'answer/reject call' option, something sorely lacking from similar products such as the JBL Flip 7 and Go 4. A quick press of the 'play/pause' button answers the call, a three-second hold rejects it – once on a call, the quality is good and stable.

It’s pretty well built, too. The AO’s unobtrusive rubber feet mean it isn’t going to go sliding off tables with an accidental knock, and even if you are on the clumsy side – guilty as charged, your honor – then it’s still plenty sturdy enough to cope with a few knocks on the floor.

There are, though, some flaws. If you’re planning on using the green plastic-covered coiled loop to hang the AO from something – a pole in the roof of your tent, or from a strap on a backpack, for instance – you’re going to need a carabiner of some kind to attach it because there’s almost no space in the loop itself. No rucksack release buckle is small enough to slide through.

There’s also good reason why you wouldn’t want to leave the AO suspended in midair. And, yep, it comes back to the sound. Though AO claims ‘multi-directional audio’ for its mini portable wireless speaker, in testing I didn’t encounter anything so aurally 360. Put the speaker next to your ear and it’s immediately obvious out of which side the sound emits, and it sure doesn’t come out of both sides, despite the impression given from a fabric jacket that covers 80 per cent of the product.

On a desk in front of you that isn’t much of an issue – just turn the AO to face you and you’re sorted – but if you’re taking advantage of the speaker’s brilliant battery life and it’s accompanying your outdoorsy endeavors then the situation is different. Assuming you’ve got the aforementioned carabiner, the AO’s sound pings off in whatever direction it happens to be hanging from a rucksack or your tent roof. Essentially, you’ve got three options: deal with it, try to balance the AO in an adequate position or adjust the gradient of the field in which you’ve pitched your tent.

Design score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future / Andy Murray)AO mini portable wireless speaker review: value

Astonishing price point…
... at which you shouldn’t expect too much

You might argue it’s a bit unfair to rag on something that costs as little as £29 (£19 if you’re an AO member in the UK, the only territory it's currently on sale) but I’ve done so anyway.

That being said, if you can look past the AO mini portable wireless speaker’s shortcomings in sound representation and volume, and aren’t going to use it for anything other than to listen to some tunes or a podcast on-the-go, then the price makes it an attractive option nevertheless.

The AO sits squarely in the gray area where ‘cheap’ and ‘good value’ merge.

Value score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future / Andy Murray)Should I buy the AO mini portable wireless speaker?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Unbelievable 25-hour battery life; IP67 waterproofing; Bluetooth 5.3 but no 3.5mm line-in.

4/5

Sound quality

Severely lacking bass; limited top volume; compressed and tinny sound.

2.5/5

Design

Well built, compact with tactile buttons; small hanging loop and no multi-directional sound.

4/5

Value

Astonishing price point but in a gray area as to whether 'cheap' equates to 'value'.

4.5/5

Buy it if...

You like camping
The battery life is beyond excellent. Even with moderate-to-extensive use, the AO will survive a week on just one charge, especially useful if you regularly spend vacations in a field with next-to-no plug sockets.

You get lots of calls
I’m not popular enough, but if your phone is ringing off the hook then you can answer, talk and hang up with seamless efficiency using the integrated buttons on top of the AO. And that’s rarer than you think in many recent Bluetooth speakers.

You like singing in the shower
The AO’s IP67 waterproofing makes it the perfect morning accompaniment. You can even drop it in the bath and it’ll survive.

Don't buy it if...

You appreciate sound quality
The small 20mm driver can only deliver so much. There’s almost no bass (apart from the 'on/off' wake-up noise), limited separation and a general lack of attack.

You want to turn it up to 11
The top volume just isn’t loud enough, especially when you consider the AO will be most often listened to outdoors.

You want to hang it
The loop hole is too small to be used without a carabiner, and even if you do, there’s no omni-directional functionality.

AO mini portable wireless speaker review: also consider

AO mini portable wireless speaker

JBL Go 4

Edifier ES20

Price

£29.99 (£19 for AO members, not available in other territories)

$49.95 / £39.99 / AU$59.95

$89.99 / £49.99 / AU$99.99

Drivers

20mm

45mm driver, integrated class D digital amplifier

43mm full-range driver

Dimensions

82 x 47 x 98mm

94 x 78 x 42mm

90.4 x 93.7 x 49.7mm

Weight

Not supplied

190g

326g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.3 / USB-C (charging)

Bluetooth 5.4

Battery life

25 hours

7 hours

15 hours

Waterproofing

IP67

JBL Go 4
If it’s an ultra-cheap Bluetooth speaker for under $50 / £50 you’re after, the JBL is the one to go for. Punchy, clear audio in a tiny form, even if the aforementioned battery life could do with improvement.
Read our full JBL Go 4 review.

Edifier ES20
The Edifier offers punchy sound, ambient lighting and sturdy waterproofing in a perfectly styled box, all for the $50 bracket. EQ options are lacking, but it represents excellent value for money.
Read our full Edifier ES20.

How I tested the AO mini portable wireless speaker

(Image credit: Future / Andy Murray)

Over two weeks as my primary Bluetooth speaker
On my office table, in the shower, at the beach
With a variety of music styles, sources and podcasts

I had just over two weeks with the AO mini portable wireless speaker, listening to various different music styles and resolutions via streaming service Tidal. I also listened to podcasts downloaded from Apple Podcasts and BBC Sounds onto my iPhone 15, plus music from my Apple MacBook Air.

I tested the AO indoors while writing and editing words about everything from audio to football, in the shower and at the beach. In short, in most everyday conditions possible (if you’re lucky enough to live by the sea, that is).

First reviewed: November 2025
Read more about how we test

Categories: Reviews

The Seduction is the new HBO Max series you need to stream in November – and it’s as explicit as you’d expect

TechRadar Reviews - Mon, 11/10/2025 - 08:00

The best prequels are the ones that have clear ties to an existing world we know and love, but ultimately have a separate identity... and that's something the new HBO Max series The Seduction has achieved effortlessly.

Starring Diane Kruger, Anamaria Vartolomei, Lucas Bravo and Vincent Lacoste, we follow Marquise Isabelle de Merteuil's (Vartolomei) rise to power in the French cultural elite. If you think you've heard that name before, it's the character Glenn Close played in the 1988 movie Dangerous Liaisons (based on the book of the same name).

Therefore, it tracks that Vicomte de Valmont (Lacoste) was played by John Malkovich, with Madame de Rosemonde (Kruger), the old lady who frequently regaled on opulent couches with judging eyes. It took me the entirety of episode 1 to make this connection, and that's to The Seduction's huge credit.

We can see the lore links as the series continues (including to Michelle Pfeiffer's character Madame Tourvel), but the HBO prequel feels like an entirely different beast. Sure, all of the sex and scandal is still there, but it's much more calculated and considered this time around.

As far as legacy prequels go, The Seduction on HBO Max impressed me

Anybody who has an issue watching foreign language shows and movies is going to need to get off their high horse for this one. With all six episodes solely in French, The Seduction takes the drama of 16th century France all the way back to its native language and location, and I think the overarching story is a lot richer for it.

Enemies-to-friends Isabelle and Rosemonde are navigating a man's world, and finding out how to hold power within it. The result? Risky alliances, illicit affairs and plans that could bring entirely families crashing down with one wrong move.

All of our characters are enigmas, proving incredibly difficult to read. Isabelle hides her vulnerability to everyone around her, orchestrating multiple schemes at once to make up for the fact she doesn't trust a soul. Rosemonde has her own agenda, and that threatens in the only genuine friendship she has in her live at every turn.

Then we've got the boys. Valmont starts off causing the biggest betrayal of Isabelle's life, and that's ammunition against him for years to come. Positioned as an elitist playboy, it's difficult to tell whether his feelings for Isabelle are every genuine or not (and to be honest, I still don't buy them).

Gercourt (Lucas Bravo) is presented as our evil pantomime villain. However, I think it's a case of honesty – he isn't actually the most malicious, he's just not cloak and dagger about it. Regardless, he's the embodiment of the worst patriarchal traits in human form.

Between the four, personal vendettas make way for rich and intimate drama. Truthfully, this loses impact as the series reaches its conclusion, but the build-up is so well structured and dynamic that any lulls are easy to overlook.

Lucas Bravo is the real hero in The Seduction, and I'm thrilled for him

Lucas Bravo is Gercourt in The Seduction. (Image credit: HBO)

I've always had a sneaking suspicion that Lucas Bravo isn't the biggest fan of Emily in Paris – and every interview with him in the lead-up to Emily in Paris season 5 all but confirms that. He's existed under the Netflix character's shadow on a global scale for years now, but his performance in The Seduction comes with night and day difference.

Everything that constrains him in Emily in Paris (namely having to fit the on-off romantic interest TV mould) isn't present in The Seduction, leaving him free to play with stereotype and identity. Bravo is a ridiculously good villain, both vindictive and charming in a single breath. He acts solely on selfish whims, but yet he's weirdly not the worst of the bunch.

For me, he's the standout performance of the series. Perhaps that purely because I'm so thrilled that he's been given a chance to do something so different, but it's equally clear that he's been underused in previous roles. Vartolomei is the other clear standout, and if the Wonder Woman rumors surrounding her are true, I think she's more than proved her craft here.

Given that period drama could so easily fall into a safe TV series blueprint, The Seduction has pushed the boundaries. And don't get it twisted – there's sex in what feels like every other scene, and while it's always explicit, it's never gratuitous.

The Seduction premieres on HBO Max on November 14, with episodes airing weekly until December 19.

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Categories: Reviews

Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro review: this restricted RTX 5080 machine holds its own thanks to 5070 Ti pricing

TechRadar Reviews - Sun, 11/09/2025 - 19:22

Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro: Two-minute review

Powered by an RTX 5080 and featuring a large 16-inch, 165 Hz display, the A16 Pro delivers excellent gaming performance while doubling as a capable workstation. At the time of writing, there are two A16 Pro variants for sale – both equipped with the Intel Core 7 240H CPU, 32GB of (soldered) 5600MHz LPDDR5x RAM, a 1TB SSD and either an RTX 5070 Ti or, as tested, the RTX 5080.

The large screen folds back through 180 degrees to lie flat, has a 2560 x 1600 resolution, a 3 ms response time, a decent 400 nits of brightness and displays an excellent 100% of the sRGB color gamut. Ports include HDMI 2.1, a 5 Gbps USB-C port with power delivery and DisplayPort 1.4, 2x USB-A 5 Gbps (plus a USB-A 2.0 port), Gigabit Ethernet and a 3.5mm headset jack.

For the Gaming A16 Pro, Gigabyte includes a MUX switch but caps the GPU TGP for the 5080 at 115W. The laptop RTX 5080 can run at up to 150W, so a 115W limit means raw performance sits about halfway between that of an unfettered 5080 and a 5070, and is similar to a 5070 Ti.

While this seems like a major downside, what matters is performance for your dollar, and the Gaming A16 Pro is cheaper than a lot of higher TGP 5080 machines. At 36 x 26 x 2.3 cm, and weighing 2.3 kg, it’s also slimmer and lighter, making it a better choice for those who want to carry it every day. In fact, most thin and light laptops that feature powerful GPUs limit the TGP to keep heat under control.

For demanding games at the screen's native resolution, you will need to scale back the quality settings to maintain over 60 fps, while older ones will happily run at over 100 fps. To push towards the 165 Hz the screen is capable of, you will need to drop back to 1080p or use frame generation.

It depends on your game (or app) of choice, but in less demanding titles the 115W TGP 5080 is about 25% slower than one at 150W, and up to 22% faster than a 5070. In more intensive games, I saw the CPU create a bottleneck, bringing frame rates closer to that of the 5070. At full tilt, the Gaming A16 Pro emits a fairly loud roar from the cooling fans, but despite this, for sustained loads, performance is limited by the cooling capacity.

The A16 Pro is also a very capable workstation and we measured up to 90W charging via USB-C, so it can provide decent productivity performance without having to lug the larger power brick around. We wish it had a larger battery than the 76Wh models used, as while the 10 hours, 37 minutes of video playback is a decent result, we were disappointed by under five hours of light-duty work.

The keyboard and trackpad are both excellent, and the customizable RGB lighting modes are fun but also easily toned down to white if you want to blend in at the office. The 1080p webcam is nothing special in terms of image quality, but it does facial recognition for fast logins.

While the A16 Pro is an excellent machine overall despite a few foibles, the purchase decision comes back to price. If you can buy it for 30% less than a comparable full TGP 5080 machine (or on par or less than a full TGP 5070 Ti laptop) then it’s a solid buy, but otherwise wait for a sale.

The A16 Pro display can fold through 180° to lie flat (Image credit: Future)Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro: Price & availability

How much does it cost? Starting from $1,899 / £1,699 / AU$3,299
When is it available? It's available now
Where can you get it? You can get it in the US, UK and Australia

At the full list price, the Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro doesn’t offer standout value, but third-party retailer prices can be considerably lower, making it a good buy.

Gigabyte does not list a recommended retail price for the A16 Pro in every market, but below is a table of typical non-discounted pricing for the RTX 5080 and 5070 Ti variants at the time of writing.

When on sale, we have seen it at up to 25% less than these prices.

RTX 5080

RTX 5070 Ti

US List Price

$2,199

$1,899

UK List Price

£2,099

£1,799

AU List Price

AU$4,299

AU$3,299

Value score: 4 / 5

Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro: Specs

Availability is the same in the US, UK and Australia, with the main difference being the inclusion of an RTX 5070 Ti GPU or the RTX 5080 card. If comparing models, be aware there is a non-Pro Gigabyte Gaming A16 available as well that has lower spec and TGP.

Below is the specs list for the A16 Pro models available.

Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro specs

RTX 5070 Ti variant

RTX 5080 variant

US Price

$1,899

$2,199

UK Price

£1,799

£2,099

AU Price

AU$3,299

AU$4,299

CPU

Intel Core 7 240H

GPU

RTX 5070 Ti

RTX 5080

RAM

32GB LPDDR5x 5600 MHz

Storage

1TB

Display

2560 x 1600 IPS, 100% sRGB, 400 nits, 165 Hz

Ports

1x USB-C 5 Gbps, DisplayPort 1.4, PD charging, 2x USB-A 5 Gbps, HDMI 2.1, 1 Gb Ethernet, 3.5mm headset jack.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi 6E, 802.11ax 2x2 + BT5.2

Battery

76Wh

Dimensions

358.3 x 262.5 x 19.45 - 22.99 mm (14.11 x 10.33 x 0.77 - 0.91 inches)

Weight

2.3 kg (5.1 lbs)

Specs score: 4 / 5

Image 1 of 3

Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro open on desk showing left hand side ports (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Future)Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro: Design

Conservative power ratings
Customizable lighting
Facial recognition webcam

The A16 Pro is a large 16-inch laptop, but the display has fairly slim bezels and overall it fits into a footprint small enough that I think it’s reasonable to carry it on the go every day. This is helped by Gigabyte’s inclusion of 100W USB-C PD charging, so you can leave the big power brick at home if you’re not going to be gaming.

The laptop measures in at 358.3 x 262.5 x 19.45 - 22.99 mm, but this is at the most optimistic points. At the front, I get about 20 mm, and 25 mm at the rear, and 28 mm if you include the feet. On the scale, it weighs 2.36 kg (not far off the 2.3 kg from Gigabyte) and the power brick is another 0.54 kg.

The A16 Pro stands out with a display that can fold through 180 degrees to lie flat. I love this design for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it means you can toggle the display upside down and share it with someone sitting across from you. Secondly, it makes it easy to use the laptop in your own unique way.

For example, with the A16 Pro plugged into a second screen or dock, and using a keyboard and mouse, I liked to open the screen fully, and place the laptop in a vertical stand. That way the laptop screen is raised to the right level to be placed next to a second screen, plus it leaves the vents unobstructed and takes up very little desk space.

The A16 Pro includes a MUX switch for Advanced Optimus graphics switching. This means the laptop can optimize graphics performance and power use automatically based on need, such as shutting down the discrete GPU, without needing to restart when switching modes.

Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro rear vents (Image credit: Future)

The A16 Pro opts for plastic on the main chassis and display to save weight. While I like the strength of metal, the stiff plastic used is still pretty good and the laptop feels capable of handling any bumps or drops. The laptop is equipped with a large keyboard with 1.7 mm key travel, but there’s no numpad. Still, it’s pleasant enough to type on despite a little bounce. The keyboard has customizable RGB 1-zone backlighting that can be used to add some bling, or toned down to muted colors (or white) if trying to blend in at the office or university.

Port selection is reasonable but not outstanding, with a single USB-C that includes DisplayPort output and USB-C charging. At 5 Gbps, the data rate is lower than I would like and I’d ideally want to see at least one 40 Gbps USB4 port for a laptop in this class, and at the very minimum 20 Gbps USB-C. You also get two 5Gbps USB-A ports, plus a standard USB 2.0 port.

It also has HDMI 2.1, plus Ethernet and a 3.5mm headset jack – though no card reader. The ports are well located on the sides of the laptop, with plenty of spacing between them ensuring easy access.

The choice to include Wi-Fi 6E (802.11ax 2x2) means the A16 Pro doesn’t have the absolute fastest networking, but is still relatively future-proof in terms of high-speed connectivity. The A16 Pro doesn’t include a privacy e-shutter on the webcam, but on the plus side it’s capable of facial recognition for fast Windows login.

The 76Wh battery is decently sized but I’d have much preferred to have seen a larger 99Wh battery – as is featured in some competitors – to help eke out a little extra time unplugged.

Design score: 4 / 5

The A16 Pro keyboard has 1-zone RGB (plus white) LED lighting (Image credit: Future)Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro: Performance

Solid gaming results
Somewhat noisy under load
Decent CPU performance for workstation use

I’ve tested a range of similarly priced laptops that use the RTX 5080 GPU and, generally speaking, for the same GPU thermal design power (TGP) and similar CPU / RAM spec, gaming results don’t vary a huge amount if the cooling is up to the task. But subtle differences in how manufacturers configure their CPU and GPU power profiles, as well as other design choices, can lead to consistent differences overall.

For the A16 Pro, Gigabyte caps the GPU TGP for the 5080 at 115W. The 5080 can run at up to 150W (plus dynamic boost), so the 115W limit in the A16 Pro means performance sits about halfway between that of an unfettered 5080 and a 5070, and is similar to a 5070 Ti. While this seems like a major downside, what matters is performance for your dollar, and the Gaming A16 Pro is cheaper than a lot of higher TGP 5080 machines. Gigabyte does not confirm the TGP of the RTX 5070 Ti, though it can likely run at the full 115W the GPU is rated for, but without higher dynamic boost power levels.

Now, it’s important to mention that a capped 115W RTX 5080 still has major benefits over a full power 5070 Ti or 5070. You get 16GB of VRAM instead of 12GB or 8GB, which means you can run higher quality textures at 2560 x 1600 and keep ray tracing on in games like Cyberpunk 2077. The 5080 also has a wider 256-bit memory bus, so busy scenes with path-traced lighting or dense city areas will drop the frame rate less than with the 128-bit 5070 or 192-bit 5070 Ti.

The 5080 has more ray-tracing and Tensor hardware too, so DLSS 4 can run at a higher preset without impacting playability. Plus, it’s more powerful for creator work. The GPU will stay relevant longer too, as more new titles call for loads of VRAM, so the 16GB 5080 will handle them better than a 12GB 5070 Ti or an 8GB 5070.

Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro underside cooling vents (Image credit: Future)

Overall, the A16 Pro manages decent gaming performance but does run at the limits of its cooling. In most scenarios, we found that the CPU hit its thermal throttling point before the GPU, limiting performance. Older or less intense games still tended to have the CPU thermally throttled, but the GPU could still run flat out. On more demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077, the performance was bottlenecked by the CPU and the 5080 was often running up to 20% or so behind its full potential.

The Core 7 240H isn’t a bad CPU, but as a refreshed Raptor Lake-H part launched in late 2024, it’s not the most efficient option. This isn’t a problem normally, but with the limited thermal ability of the laptop, heavy load on the CPU and GPU push heat levels to the point the CPU has to throttle itself.

This can be helped somewhat by scaling back settings that put more load on the CPU, like reducing crowd depth, but ultimately the 5080 is still often limited by the CPU. This meant that for games like Cyberpunk 2077, we struggled to push frame rates to the 165 Hz the display is capable of (with frame generation), even when dropping detail or resolution back.

(Image credit: Future)

To give some context, I have compared the A16 Pro benchmark results to the Alienware 16X Aurora with a 5070 and the Alienware 16 Area-51 with a 150W TGP 5080. In synthetic benchmarks (which don’t get CPU bottlenecked), the A16 Pro sits right between the two, as expected. But for gaming benchmarks, the A16 Pro has a smaller lead over the 5070.

Now, this is not necessarily a problem, as, for example, the A16 Pro is significantly cheaper than the RTX 5070 equipped Alienware 16X Aurora, making it a much better bang for buck machine. While we wish Gigabyte had used a more efficient CPU, ultimately the design trade-offs here are fine overall.

Still, it does mean you need to be slightly more careful when comparing pricing, and make sure the A16 Pro is on par with or slightly less than a 5070 Ti-based machine with a more powerful cooling system, and significantly less than a full TGP 5080 laptop.

One potential wildcard is the performance of the A16 Pro with 5070 Ti. While the 5070 Ti will likely experience the same CPU bottleneck as the 5080, the overall performance difference may be small. We will update this review once we can test the 5070 Ti variant or confirm third-party benchmark results.

Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro benchmark results

Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro

Alienware 16X Aurora

Alienware 16 Area-51

CPU

Intel Core 7 240H

Intel Ultra 9 275HX

GPU

RTX 5080 (115W TGP)

RTX 5070 (115W TGP)

RTX 5080 (150W TGP)

RAM

32GB

Battery

76 Wh

96 Wh

General performance

PCMark 10 - Overall (score)

7,523

8,437

8,639

Geekbench 6 - Multi-core

13,503

19,615

20,244

Geekbench 6 - Single-core

2,744

3,068

3,149

Geekbench 6 - GPU

177,521

136,686

213,178

Cinebench R24 - CPU Single Core

117

133

Cinebench R24 - CPU Multi Core

832

1,964

2,106

Battery

PCMark 10 - Battery Work (HH:MM)

3:19

6:01

3:09

TechRadar video test (HH:MM)

10:37

6:16

4:27

Graphics performance

3DMark SpeedWay

4,247

3,664

5,610

3DMark Port Royal

10,744

9,031

11,999

Steel Nomad

3,967

2,846

5,109

Cyberpunk 2077 - 1600p RT Low (DLSS)

114

Cyberpunk 2077 - 1600p RT Low (DLSS off)

Cyberpunk 2077 - 1600p RT Ultra (DLSS)

Cyberpunk 2077 - 1600p RT Ultra (DLSS off)

Black Myth: Wukong - 1600p Cinematic (DLSS)

104

Shadow of the Tomb Raider - 1600p (DLSS off)

137

131

175

Storage

CrystalDiskMark Read/Write (MB/s)

6,982 / 6,481

6,939 / 6,740

6,575 / 5,890

Overall, even at 115W the RTX 5080 is a solid choice for 2560 x 1600 gaming, and can run most games at very playable frame rates without dropping back the details. For especially demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 set to ultra ray tracing and high texture detail, the A16 Pro manages 55 fps, or 84 fps if the ray tracing is on low. Turn on frame generation, and you can be gaming at the display's 165 Hz limit with no problems at all.

While the fan profiles keep the A16 Pro quiet in non-gaming use, at full tilt they are quite loud and if gaming, we highly recommend using a headset. Heat is directed out of both the sides and rear of the laptop, and after an intense gaming session, the trackpad reached a low 24.6°C / 76.3°F, the keyboard hit a toasty 41.3°C / 106.3°F and the underside was the hottest part at 42.4°C / 108.3°F. The keyboard temp here is significantly hotter than many competing gaming laptops, though not at the point it is uncomfortable to use.

The A16 Pro uses the GiMate control software and includes five modes – Balanced, Game, Creator, Power Saving and Online meeting – which vary the performance levels, as well as the amount of noise and heat created. For each mode, you can also adjust the individual settings, like fan control profile, display brightness and more. Stability is also good and I had no glitches or strange behavior from the Gigabyte software, or problems running any games, benchmarks or applications.

The trackpad stays cool, but the keyboard gets a little toasty under load (Image credit: Future)

The A16 Pro cooling system may struggle with the GPU, but is good enough to let the grunty Intel Core 7 240H CPU use up to 85W in our testing. It’s not as powerful as the Core Ultra series CPUs, or the new AMD Ryzen AI processors, but still makes for a competent workstation when not gaming, and it will happily handle heavy workloads such as video editing.

If you leave the software in charge of profile selection, performance on battery takes a hit compared to being plugged in, and is about 60% slower in CPU workloads.

The A16 Pro can also be run on or charged from USB-C using PD spec 100W (20V/5A) and we saw a max of 90W in use. Unlike the questionable USB-C power profiles on the otherwise excellent Gigabyte 16X, the A16 Pro gives solid performance on USB-C, and is about 50% faster than on battery for CPU workloads and about 35% behind full performance. Gaming on USB-C is about half the performance compared to using the main PSU.

In other words, workstation use feels snappy when running on USB-C (such as when plugged into a dock) or if charging from a power bank, but don’t expect to do much more than casual gaming without the larger PSU.

Performance score: 4 / 5

Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro: Battery life and Charging

4 hours and 49 minutes of regular use when unplugged
10 hours and 37 minutes of video playback
58 minutes of gaming

(Image credit: Future)

The Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro uses a 76Wh battery, which is decent size but not quite as good as the 99Wh featured in some competing models.

Still, five hours or so of work unplugged (and around an hour longer if just browsing the internet or watching YouTube videos) is enough to be useful, but still not a great result overall. In contrast, other gaming laptops I've tested with similar spec hardware (including more powerful CPUs) use a 96Wh battery and can last up to 7 hours unplugged. The A16 Pro doesn’t handle medium level loads too well on battery (like video editing), and I saw run times at under three hours. On the plus side, the A16 Pro offers relatively quick charging and it gets back to full charge in under an hour.

The PSU is medium sized (and not as chunky as many gaming laptops) and weighs 537 grams (including the cable), so it has a measurable impact if carried around all day. Fortunately USB-C charging is decent and it could top up in just over an hour. The A16 Pro also charges well from a power bank and a large, but flight safe, 27,000mAh (99Wh) model will just give the laptop a full charge.

Battery life and charging score: 3.5 / 5

Should you buy the Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro?Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Expensive at list price, but great value when discounted

4 / 5

Specs

Reasonable but not standout

3.5 / 5

Design

Decent features but some compromises like noisy fans

4 / 5

Performance

Solid gaming and workstation performance

4 / 5

Battery

Short battery life for work but decent video playback

3.5 / 5

Overall

A gaming laptop that is also very well equipped for workstation or creator use – but don’t pay full list price

4 / 5

Buy it if…

You want decent gaming performance in a relatively portable package
The A16 Pro isn’t exactly tiny, but considering the large 16-inch screen and full performance GPU, it’s still pretty good for carrying every day.

You want CPU performance
The Intel Core 7 240H CPU is grunty enough for demanding Uni students, or workstation and creator use.

You want to use it for more than just gaming
Options like the fold-flat screen mean the Gigabyte is also a great option for plugging in alongside a second monitor.

Don’t buy it if...

You want a very portable gaming option
The A16 Pro isn’t too heavy or thick, but if portability is a prime concern, then consider a slimmer model, or a 14-inch gaming machine.

You want a more powerful GPU
The A16 Pro caps the 5080 to 115W, and you will need to look at models like the Aorus Master 16 or 18 for better gaming frame rates.

You want a very affordable laptop
The A16 Pro is a great-value machine (when discounted), but it’s still a pricey laptop. If you crave affordable RTX 5050 and 5060 focused gaming, check out the non-Pro Gigabyte Gaming A16.

Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro: Also consider

If my Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro review has you considering other options, here are some more gaming laptops to consider:

Razer Blade 14 (2025)
Smaller and lighter than the 16-inch Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro, the Razer Blade 14 offers pretty good performance in a small package.

Check out the full Razer Blade 14 (2025) review

Alienware 16 Area-51
A powerful 16-inch gaming laptop that’s sold with an RTX 5060, 5080 or 5090, this is a chunky machine that’s all about performance.

Take a look at the full Alienware 16 Area-51 review

I tested the Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro for two weeks
I used it both on a desk and carried it in a backpack for travel
I used it for gaming, as well as office productivity work and video editing

I ran the Gigabyte Gaming A16 Pro through the usual comprehensive array of TechRadar benchmarks, as well as using it for actual day-to-day work at a desk and on the go. I used the TechRadar movie test for assessing battery life during video playback, and a range of productivity battery benchmarks to further gauge battery life. I also logged power use in a variety of scenarios, including when charging from USB-C, and tested the laptop with a variety of USB-C chargers and power banks.

I tested the official Nintendo Switch 2 carry case, and it's a slim and stylish option well worth considering

TechRadar Reviews - Sun, 11/09/2025 - 19:00

Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector: review

Want to take your beloved Nintendo Switch 2 on the road without the fear of damage and destruction? Well, the official Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector could be the ideal fit for you.

This package provides you with a case that can hold your Switch 2 console (including the Joy-Con 2 controllers), six game cartridges, and some smaller accessories, like Joy-Con straps, for example. Of course, you also get a screen protector thrown in for good measure – more on that later.

I want to start by discussing the case, which I found to be very solid indeed. It’s well finished, with the Switch 2 logo front and center, and aptly, it has red and blue colored handles on the two zips, which feel smooth and easy to do up. The case also has a pleasantly durable feel to it, and when dropping it a couple of times and giving it a good scratching, I couldn’t see even a spec of wear – that’s the sort of quality I’d expect from the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories.

Inside, there are three compartments: one on each side of the case to hold the console, and another that can hold small accessories, with room for six cartridges above. Could there be a few more game card slots? Yes, but personally, six physical slots will be enough for me if I’m taking a short trip – there’s enough room for some party games like Mario Kart World and Super Mario Party Jamboree + Jamboree TV, as well as a few single-player adventures.

(Image credit: Future)

The amount of storage in that third compartment is limited – you’re not gonna get your dock in here. I could fit a pair of earbuds or Joy-Con straps without issue, but if you’re hoping to store an item like a USB camera or the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, you might want to check out a larger option. One upside here is that the case remains slim and tight to the console, meaning you can easily slot it in a bag without worrying about it being too bulky.

I did generally really like this case, and I might use it instead of my official Nintendo Switch 2 All-in-One Carry Case if I'm not planning to play docked. But one thing I did realize is that it's very prone to fingerprints. Even when shooting the photos you see in this guide, I had to wipe it down a few times – it’s a small thing, but worth flagging.

As I mentioned earlier, this package also includes a screen protector, but I was feeling much less positive about this. You’ll have to temper your expectations here – after all, you’re not getting a tempered glass screen protector! Instead, it’s an anti-scratch piece of film, which is hardly the most protective option on the market.

You don’t get a frame to help apply the screen protector – you have to fit it freehand. But even though I lined it up pretty nicely, I still ran into some issues, like excessive air bubbles, which were a struggle to squeeze out. I put it through the same testing process as the Genki Aegis Shield, for example. And although my console got out unscathed, I would still recommend getting a tempered glass option for better protection and peace of mind.

(Image credit: Future)

Ultimately, I’m going to treat the screen protector more as an extra. The focus for me is on the case, which I consider to be good value, especially for UK and Aussie buyers who are spending £20.99 / AU$39.95 at most to get this model – I’ve already seen it on sale for less. In the US, availability appears to be inconsistent, and the proportionally higher $39.99 price tag is a bit of a shame.

Still, you’re getting a slim, well-finished, and durable case that’s ideal for taking on the go. And in the end, I think Nintendo's official case remains well worth considering.

Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector review: price & specs

Price

$39.99 / £20.99 / AU$39.95

Dimensions

13.4 x 5.6 x 1.7in / 340 x 142 x 42mm

Weight

310g

Number of game card slots

Compartments

Handle

Color

Black

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Sleek look with nice finish and durable build, but a little prone to fingerprints.

4/5

Storage

Could have some more game card slots, but for a slim case stores console and Joy-Con 2s effectively.

4/5

Value

A tad pricey in the US, but solid durability, good looks, and decent storage in this size class.

4/5

Buy it if…

You want a lightweight Switch 2 case
If you don’t need a case that’s big enough to fit your dock, and you just need a lightweight option, then this model could be perfect for you. It's slim, stylish, and can easily slot into a bag for on-the-go play.

You want something with dashing looks
A few of the third-party options we’ve tested here at TechRadar aren’t the prettiest, but personally, I’m a fan of how Nintendo’s official carrying case looks. The red and blue zip handles playfully contrast the case’s textured black exterior, and it's got a slightly curved look that’s very easy on the eye.

Don’t buy it if…

You want a great screen protector
Sure, the screen protector here is functional, and it's a decent extra considering the moderate pricing of this package. But it's not the most durable protective layer on the market, and fitting it freehand isn’t ideal. I’d instead recommend checking out the DBrand Prism 2.0 for Nintendo Switch 2 or the Belkin Tempered Glass Anti-Reflective Screen Protector separately.

You need everything to play in TV mode
If you need a case that can fit all the gear for TV mode play, this ain’t it. Instead, I’d recommend picking up the official Nintendo Switch 2 All-in-One Carry Case, which can fit your dock, cables, console, a Pro Controller, and more with ease.

Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector review: also consider

Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case
This one comes at quite the cost, but if you need one case for everything Switch 2, it doesn't get a whole lot better. With seven compartments custom-built for your dock, controllers, console, and more, you'll have oodles of space to play with. This case is pretty hardy too, and even comes with a handle for improved portability. It's the model I use the most, and if you like to play in TV mode, it will suit you to a T.

Read our full Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case review.

Nacon Protection Case XL for Nintendo Switch 2
OK, it isn't being sold in the United States just yet, but if the Nacon Protection Case XL is available in your region, I highly recommend it. It's got enough room to house all the gear for TV mode play, but it’s only a little more expensive than this slim model. Great value, great durability, and lots of storage – what more could you want?

Read our full Nacon Protection Case XL for Nintendo Switch 2 review.

How I tested the Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector

(Image credit: Future)

Tested over the course of multiple days
Took with me on public transport and to the office
Trialled by a Nintendo Switch 2 owner and life-long gamer

I tested the Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case & Screen Protector over the course of a few days. I packed it with my Nintendo Switch 2 console, Joy-Con 2 controllers, and a charging cable, and it held out well, as expected.

In order to judge the case’s durability, I tried dropping it from a decent distance, and also gave the exterior a scratch. I then checked for any wear and tear after the testing period came to a close. Where appropriate, I compared this case to rivals on aspects like sturdiness and storage space.

I’m a Switch 2 owner, a lifelong gamer, and an experienced tech reviewer with plenty of experience with Switch 2 accessories. Since grabbing my Switch 2 at launch, I’ve trialled a range of products, including cases like the Nacon Protection Case XL for Nintendo Switch 2, screen protectors such as the DBrand Prism 2.0, and cameras, like the Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2.

Read more about how we test
First reviewed: November 2025

Categories: Reviews

Quella Imperial Electric Courier Bicycle review: A nippy e-bike that is damn good looking

TechRadar Reviews - Sun, 11/09/2025 - 13:00

Quella Imperial Electric Courier Bicycle : One minute review

The best electric bikes come in many shapes and sizes. Some e-bike manufacturers embrace a brutalist and utilitarian design philosophy, while others try and keep their e-bikes looking as much like traditional push bikes as possible. The Quella Imperial Electric Courier before us today most definitely falls into the second category.

Quella is a British-based bicycle brand with a passion for fixed-gear bikes. It continues Quella's focus on creating stylish, minimalist bicycles. The Imperial is unlike a lot of other e-bikes on the market in that it features a rear hub that contains both the motor and the battery. This leaves the rest of the e-bike to adopt any design Quella decides, rather than being limited by bulky batteries and trailing cables. I loved the bike from my first ride.

Quella Imperial Electric Courier Bicycle: Specifications

Component

Quella Imperial Electric Courier Bicycle

Size range:

51cm, 54cm, 58cm, 61cm

Motor:

Zehus Gen 2 all-in-one rear hub motor

Top speed

15.5mph / 25kmh (UK)

Power:

155Wh (watt-hour) battery unit

Control:

Phone app

E-bike classification:

Pedelec

Speeds:

Single-speed

Brakes:

Radius dual-pivot caliper brakes

Frame material:

4130 chromoly steel, with track geometry

Weight:

15.2 kg / 33.5 lbs

Range:

60 km / 37 miles

Quella Imperial Electric Courier Bicycle: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

$2,289 USD / £1,699 UK / $3,500 AUD
Located in the middle of the market
Fantastic spec for the price

The Quella Imperial sits comfortably in the mid-range of the e-bike market, competing with brands like VOLT and some models from manufacturers like Trek and Cube. These bikes, like the Imperial, offer a balance of features, performance, and price.

Even though the price will put a lot of people off, if you’re not comfortable spending more than this for a higher-spec e-bike, then the Imperial is an incredible offering.

Value score: 4/5

Quella Imperial Electric Courier Bicycle: Design

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

Rear hub with integrated motor and battery
Regenerative braking feature
Classic aesthetic with a modern twist

One of the most important features of the Quella Imperial e-bike is that the electric motor and the battery are integrated into the rear hub. This creates a beautifully clean and minimalist aesthetic, to the point that many would think it was a standard push bike. As a result, the frame is not cluttered by a battery, which means that the top, down, and seat tubes are free from electronic clutter.

There are, however, two distinct downsides to this type of hub design. The first is that the battery can't be removed, and therefore you need to bring the whole e-bike to mains power. I'm a big fan of removable batteries, as I can separate the battery from the frame and therefore charge it wherever I like. The other downside to this design is that if the battery fails, then you'll need a complete hub replacement or, worse, potentially a whole new bike.

While we're on the subject of the battery, it includes a Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) that recharges the battery as you pedal backward. This is similar technology to that used in Formula One engines, and even though I didn't find myself using it very much, it is a clever and simple way to extend the bike's range.

Moving onto the design of the bike itself, Quella has created a modern e-bike that still embraces a classic, minimalist aesthetic. I love the vintage-inspired track frame made from 4130 chromoly steel that continues Quella's heritage style. In particular, it features a unique and eye-catching chrome-plated finish, giving it a polished, premium, luxurious look.

Quella has also inserted aggressive-looking deep-section rims and bullhorn handlebars, and I loved the riding position that this afforded me. The single-speed design won't be for everyone, but I love its simplicity, and the lack of derailleurs, shifters, and multiple sprockets means it's super low maintenance.

Design Score: 4.5/5

Quella Imperial Electric Courier Bicycle: Performance

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

Smooth and reliable power assistance
Perfect for city living
Effective regenerative braking feature

The Quella Imperial e-bike is far from a powerhouse, but despite this, it’s a very clever, lightweight, and efficient city commuter. Having tested numerous e-bikes, it doesn't get much better than this, especially if you have an aversion to heavy and bulky e-bikes that are hard to manoeuver around.

The assistance comes from a 250W motor and 40Nm of torque, which serves up smooth, subtle, and natural-feeling power delivery. It won't zoom around but rather provides a "helping hand" to make starts easier, maintain speed on flats, and take the sting out of minor inclines. The motor kicks in rapidly after you begin pedaling and is reliable enough to give you the assistance you need when pulling away from standing still.

The rear-hub motor is less efficient than mid-drive alternatives, especially when riding routes with a lot of inclines. This is further compounded by the single-speed design that restricts the rider to only one gear. As a result, the motor has to work much harder, which can lead to rapid battery drain and the risk of overheating. This makes it a less ideal choice for riders who frequently encounter hilly terrain.

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But given this isn't the target market of this e-bike, I don't see a problem with that. I actually really loved the simplicity of the single-speed design that meant I wasn't faffing around with gears all the time. This is an e-bike that you can just jump on and ride, and in all honesty, that's my favorite type of ride.

The regenerative braking, KERS, is one of its best features. In terms of functionality, when you backpedal, the motor acts as a generator, not only slowing the bike down but also recharging the battery. This worked incredibly well and was a serious game changer when I needed to finely manage any remaining battery life.

The Quella Imperial is about simplicity and efficiency, rather than brute force. It provides a seamless, non-intrusive power assist that makes urban cycling a breeze.

Performance score: 4.5/5

Quella Imperial Electric Courier Bicycle: Battery life

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

Small battery located in the rear hub
A range of 37 miles (60 km)
Two to three hours to recharge the battery

The Imperial e-bike has a 155Wh (watt-hour) battery unit that is significantly smaller in capacity compared to many other e-bikes that feature 400Wh batteries or more. The small battery is due to Quella's integration of the battery into the hub. This has the added benefit of reduced weight and minimalist design, but it does have an impact on range.

Quella claims the e-bike has a maximum range of 37 miles (60 km) on a single charge. I always find it near impossible to achieve an e-bike manufacturer's range claims because there are too many varying factors. These include the terrain, wind strength, temperature, and, of course, my weight. I gave it a go, though, and managed to achieve around 75% (just under 30 miles) of the advertised range. That's still not bad.

The limited range, compared to many competitors, can be offset by the fact that this is primarily an urban city bike and that journeys are likely to be much shorter between charging locations. If you're doing those types of rides, then you'll have no issues at all. If you're doing long daily commutes, then you will find that a daily charge is required – but you’ll need an extension cord, or to lug the whole bike over to a mains socket to do so, rather than removing the battery.

The battery takes approximately two to three hours to charge due to the smaller battery size, which is really quite fast for an e-bike.

Battery life score: 3.5/5

Quella Imperial Electric Courier Bicycle: Scorecard

I tested Marshall’s new mini Dolby Atmos soundbar and I adore its crystal-clear dialogue, expansive sound, and classy design

TechRadar Reviews - Sun, 11/09/2025 - 12:00

Marshall Heston 60: two-minute review

The Marshall Heston 60 is a small Dolby Atmos soundbar that aims to deliver immersive sound for movies and music alike – something that’s proven to be quite the challenge for a number of rivals in this size-class.

But luckily, the Heston 60 has risen to that challenge. Sure, it may be limited in size, but its performance would suggest otherwise. It nails the basics, with ultra-clear dialogue and a nice variety of sound modes to suit whatever content you’re consuming. But it also gets those tricker elements right too.

For instance, the level of expansiveness on offer makes the Heston 60 one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars in its weight class, I’d argue. It isn’t going to wow you with the incredible width of the Marshall Heston 120 or other larger rivals, but the Heston 60 still creates an impressive sense of height while watching Atmos movies, and the width of the soundstage is strong given the bar’s physical confines.

Like its larger sibling, the Heston 60 is also musically astute. It separates out instruments and positions them beautifully in the Atmos format, and takes a relatively impactful, nuanced approach to stereo.

Something that a lot of smaller soundbars struggle to do, is muster up weighty, hard-hitting low-end output, but the Heston 60 certainly bucks that trend. I was taken aback by the rumble of jet engines and roar of explosions when watching movies, and pumping bass in my favorite tracks.

You won’t get the same room-swallowing bass the Heston 120 serves up, and you may want to add the Marshall Heston 200 or a separate sub for enhanced low end, but for a model of this size, it sure packs a punch.

If you want to adapt the Heston 60’s sound, you can do so via the Marshall app. This opens up a range of features, like EQ adjustment, sound mode alteration, room calibration, and so on. I did encounter a few issues with setup, with a few bugs rearing their head from time to time. But for the most part, the app felt intuitive and easy to use – pretty important, given the omission of a physical remote.

(Image credit: Future)

Something that really makes the Heston 60 stand out is its design. Like the Heston 120, this has a gorgeous, amp-inspired aesthetic with frets and stunning golden details. However, the Marshall logo and control panel are now magnetic, meaning you can optimize the look of this model for wall-mounted use. Parts are also repairable, making this bar worth investing in for the long-haul.

And I don’t use the term ‘invest’ lightly here – this is a pretty pricey option. The Heston 60 comes in at just under $700 / £500 / AU$1,000. In the US, that’s quite a bit more than its clear competitor, the Sonos Beam Gen 2, but you do get DTS:X compatibility, a far more premium look, and a wider range of connectivity options.

It’s worth noting that you could get a strong multi-box soundbar at a similar cost to the Heston 60 – including models that support HDMI passthrough (unlike Marshall’s smaller soundbar).

But if you’re a little tight on space or using a smaller-sized TV, then the Marshall Heston 60 is one of the best soundbars in its class. It delivers on Dolby Atmos and punchy audio, it’s a classy looker, and it's built to last. Combine all of that, and the Heston 60 is easy to recommend.

(Image credit: Future)Marshall Heston 60 review: price & release date

$699.99 / £499.99 / AU$999
Launched in September 2025

The Marshall Heston 60 released in September 2025, about three months after the Marshall Heston 120, upon which I bestowed the elusive five star rating. It's a smaller version of its larger sibling, but has a largely similar design and also uses the revamped Marshall app.

You can purchase the Heston 60 in either black or cream, and it costs $699.99 / £499.99 / AU$999. That’s pretty competitive against its main rival, the Sonos Beam Gen 2, which has a list price of $499 / £499 / $799.

(Image credit: Future)Marshall Heston 60 review: specs

Dimensions

28.7 x 4.9 x 2.7 inches / 730 x 124 x 68mm

Speaker channels

5.1

Connections

HDMI eARC, RCA Mono (sub out), USB-C, 3.5mm, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi

Dolby Atmos / DTS:X

Yes / Yes

Sub included

Rear speakers included

Marshall Heston 60 review: features

5.1 speaker configuration with seven active drivers
Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
App opens up strong set of features

The Marshall Heston 60 has a 5.1 speaker configuration, but is powered by seven active drivers. There are two 25W and five 5W class D amplifiers on board, and the soundbar is capable of a 56W maximum power output.

This is an all-in-one offering from Marshall, you won’t get a subwoofer or rears included from the off. However, you are now able to purchase the Heston Sub 200 – a wireless sub that I tried pairing to the Heston 60, and this can give you some extension below the 45Hz mark – the lowest the soundbar can go.

Even as a one-box option, the Heston 60 aims to create spacious, immersive audio with the inclusion of Dolby Atmos, as well as DTS:X. That latter format is missing on the Sonos Beam Gen 2, making the Heston 60 an attractive option for cinephiles.

On top of that, there are a number of ways to connect up to the Heston 60. Of course, there’s HDMI eARC, which I used for the majority of my testing time. However, you can also connect via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth, as well as USB-C and 3.5mm, plus RCA – which can be used to add a third-party subwoofer.

Unfortunately, there’s no HDMI passthrough here, something that was included on the larger Heston 120. This would be a nice touch for those who want to unlock extra space for an HDMI-reliant device like a PS5 or Nintendo Switch 2, though it is pretty common for smaller models to leave this out.

If you head on over to the Marshall app, you’ll also discover that there’s Auracast compatibility – a type of Bluetooth technology that enables you to tune into an audio broadcast transmitted from a phone, TV or similar device without any pairing.

But there’s more! Marshall has once again integrated a wide range of music services, such as: Google Cast; Spotify Connect; Internet Radio; Tidal Connect; and Apple AirPlay 2. If you’re going to return to Internet Radio or Spotify on the reg, you can set the ‘Prog’ button to a specific service and gain easy access.

Let’s talk a little more about the Marshall app – this is revamped, but separate to the software used for Bluetooth speakers including the Marshall Kilburn III and Marshall Bromley 750. It supplies a five-band equalizer, AV sync to adjust audio delays, and Room correction, which cycles through an array of sounds to optimize performance for your listening space. It also lets you change between the Movie, Music, Voice, and Night modes – all of which are very well differentiated.

I’ll speak more about my experience with the app in the ‘Setup & usability’ section, but I will say that it was a little buggy. When it got into gear, I was very pleased with the options on offer, though.

As we saw with the Heston 120, there’s no physical remote control lumped in the box – you’re going to be using the app only. The app lets you adjust volume, manually switch between different sound modes or sources, and view whether Atmos or DTS:X are in-use or not. If you’re connected to the soundbar via HDMI eARC, you can also use your standard remote to ramp up or dampen volume too.

Features score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Marshall Heston 60 review: performance

Fantastic vocal clarity
Impressive bass for a small soundbar
Fairly expansive too

The Marshall Heston 60 performs pretty admirably for such a small soundbar. Of course, there are a few limitations due to its small size and moderate maximum power output of 56W. Still, the power the Heston 60 does have is used to great effect.

Let’s start by talking about dialogue quality, an area I always expect significant improvement over plain TV audio. And I was very impressed by the clarity and definition of vocals in the mix while using the Heston 60. While watching a 4K UHD Blu-Ray of Top Gun: Maverick, I was struck by the separation of voices in a large open space, as well as the natural replication of echo and breathy details.

Even when layered with a grand score and booming sound effects, voices remained clear-cut throughout the movie’s runtime, making for a great viewing experience.

Another area the Heston 60 held its own, was in the bass department. For such a lil’ guy, this soundbar can produce pretty imposing low-end sound. Sticking with Top Gun: Maverick, and the roar of jet engines firing up was both impactful and attention-grabbing.

Sure, it wasn’t that room-swallowing bass that the Heston 120 offers, and when I paired up the Heston Sub 200, rumble was considerably enhanced. But for its size, the Heston 60 performs pretty well in the bass department. For instance, when watching The Batman, an explosion during a chase scene erupted with intent, despite the soundbar’s confined physical form.

I was really hoping the Heston 60 would deliver on the Dolby Atmos front, especially as a lot of small models either struggle here or skip on it entirely. Luckily, Marshall has done a good job here once more, and the soundbar whipped up a very solid spatial impression.

With The Batman, I flicked to a scene with bats flying towards me, and the sense that they soared over my shoulder was captured with commendable accuracy. Back to Maverick, and the classic scene of the jet flying overhead came through effectively, and provided more vertical extension than you’d expect from such a compact product.

In The Boy and the Heron on Netflix Premium, the Atmos effects were pretty convincing too, with the flight of the Heron mapped fairly well. The Heston 60 didn’t have the pinpoint accuracy of its larger sibling – but I was still well immersed in the on-screen action.

Let’s also take a moment to speak about music – something that Marshall’s audio engineers paid close attention to on the Heston 120. Performance is very good in this area, again, and I enjoyed a range of my favorite tracks in both the Dolby Atmos and standard stereo format.

Let’s start with Atmos, and although I don’t always love these mixes, a few tracks impressed me on the Heston 60. For instance, in Song for my Father by Horace Silver, I was satisfied with the positioning and separation of various instruments, with percussion playing rhythmically on the right side, while keys panned across the left side of the bar.

In I'm Gonna Love You Just a Little More Baby by Barry White, I enjoyed deft keys and well-balanced percussion, as smooth vocals oozed from the center. Guitars weren’t as prominent in the mix as I’d like, and didn’t have the expansive quality I experienced with the 120. Bass was perhaps a touch overeager too, though luckily EQ options can be accessed in the app to tailor audio to your taste.

Moving over to the stereo format, I was instantly hit by pumping bass in Never Would by M-High, although lighter electronic elements were a touch overshadowed. The soundbar produced controlled audio, however, even at higher volumes. On tracks where sub-bass came into the equation, those ultra-low notes didn’t come through with all too much force. Of course, if you pair the soundbar with the Heston Sub 200, you’ll get the low-end extension required for that, but the soundbar still sounded strong overall.

Sound quality score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Marshall Heston 60 review: design

Gorgeous fret-infused aesthetic
Simple yet effective button controls
Magnetic features for wall mounting

If you read my Marshall Heston 120 review, it won’t surprise you to find that I love the look of this soundbar too. The Heston 60 is, in essence, the same as its sibling, just smaller. I’m a huge fan of the amp-inspired look and eye-catching golden details, and it's nice to see the option to grab this in cream – a nice break from the homogeneous swathe of plain black competitors.

One key difference on the Heston 60, though, is that the tactile control knobs from the Heston 120 have been ditched. This time around, there are simple button controls. These are easy to use and effective, and although they’re not as satisfying to use as the Heston 120’s physical controls, they're less prone to catching reflections from the TV.

Another is the inclusion of a magnetic Marshall logo and control panel. This enables you to optimize the look of the soundbar for a wall-mounted configuration,which is highly practical and considered. Wall mount grommets are also included in the box, which I was glad to see, as rivals will often sell these separately.

Unlike its larger cousin, the Heston 60 is a lightweight, highly compact option. It’s just 28.7 inches / 730mm wide and 6.1lbs / 2.8kg in weight, making it easy to install and slot beneath smaller-sized TVs. All in all, it's an ideal pick for those working with limited space, or if you’re not looking for a full-length behemoth.

One more thing – I also liked the inclusion of a panel on the reverse side, which protects the various ports and enables improved cable management. It’s an all-round great effort from Marshall, and I’ve never tried a small soundbar with so much style and care injected into its design.

Design score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future)Marshall Heston 60 review: setup & usability

Plug and play setup
Companion app could be improved
Wide variety of connectivity options

The initial part of the setup process here was as easy as it comes. I simply plugged the Heston 60 into the power, and connected an HDMI lead from the soundbar to a TV. Using the HDMI eARC connectivity option, you’ll be able to use your standard TV remote to alter the soundbar’s volume, which is very convenient.

Unfortunately, I did experience a few issues when pairing the soundbar to the Marshall app, though. I wasn’t getting a pairing request on my phone, and neither the wireless or Bluetooth methods functioned at first. After trying again the following day, these woes were resolved, and I was able to proceed with room correction, play around with EQ options and more, but I did encounter a few other small bugs and loading issues with the app.

For the majority of my testing time, everything worked just fine, thankfully. And when the app behaves itself, it’s a fantastic tool, filled with plenty of personalization settings, and integrated services.

This soundbar has a range of connectivity options too, and it's very easy to stream songs over Wi-Fi, connect to a phone over Bluetooth, or hook up devices using RCA or an analogue method.

Setup & usability score: 3.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Marshall Heston 60 review: value

Priced competitively against Sonos – albeit less so for US buyers
Though you can still get a great multi-box option at a similar cost
Repairability ensures long-term return on investment

I suspect that the sticking point a lot of people will have with the Marshall Heston 60 is its price, which – for a small model like this – is undoubtedly high. It comes in at $699.99 / £499.99 / AU$999, so US buyers are proportionally splashing out a fair bit more, although I still think there’s plenty of value here.

Firstly, this soundbar is priced competitively against the Sonos Beam Gen 2 – the Heston 60’s clear and obvious competition. The Beam Gen 2 comes in with a list price of $499 / £499 / $799, and although it has a higher peak power output, it doesn’t support DTS:X, Bluetooth connectivity, plus we felt that the height of its Atmos effects were lacking.

Meanwhile, the Heston 60 still has plenty of power and effective Dolby Atmos effects, but it also supports DTS:X and Bluetooth. In my view, it also has a more premium design, and many will appreciate its RCA sub out port.

Marshall’s ramped-up sustainability efforts are also being demonstrated with the Heston 60, which is largely repairable. Head over to the manufacturer’s site, and you can access repair services and get spare parts, including frets, end-caps, and drivers. This gives additional longevity to the soundbar, which will make your investment more worthwhile in the long run.

Despite all of this, it’s still worth pointing to the fact that the $700 / £500 / AU$1,000 you spend on the Heston 60 could equally be spent on a very capable multi-box option. In the US and Australia, the same sum of money can net you the Samsung HW-QS700F, which comes with a full length bar, as well as a dual-driver sub.

If we’re talking about soundbars in this weight class, though, few can compete with the Heston 60. Its surprisingly good Atmos performance, imposing bass, and ultra-clear dialogue make it a real standout. Pair that with a pretty exterior and admirable repairability, and I’d still argue it's a good value pick.

Value score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Marshall Heston 60?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Atmos and DTS:X, feature-rich companion app, good connectivity options but no HDMI passthrough.

4.5/5

Sound quality

Clear dialogue, larger bass than you’d expect, fairly expansive Atmos effects.

4.5/5

Design

Beautiful appearance, effective controls, compact build.

5/5

Setup & usability

Easy to install, app is feature-rich but has a few bugs.

3.5/5

Value

It’s undoubtedly pricey, but still competitive against the Beam Gen 2 and feels worth the investment long-term.

4/5

Buy it if…

You want great performance but you’re tight on space
If you’ve got a smaller TV or you’re tight on space, you don’t have to sacrifice on quality. And the Heston 60 proves that. It offers surprisingly immersive Dolby Atmos effects, impactful bass, and ultra-clear dialogue in a single, highly compact model.

You want your soundbar to be a statement piece
Sure, the Heston 60 sounds good, but it looks even better! This thing is just as much a statement piece as it is a soundbar, boasting a gorgeous amp-inspired design and golden details. The magnetic logo and control panel also ensure it looks top-class while wall mounted too.

Don’t buy it if…

You want the true surround sound experience
So, if you’re looking for an enveloping surround sound experience, the Heston 60 might not quite do it for you. Sure, it does well with Atmos for movies and music alike, but there’s no sub or rear speakers for that true wraparound sound. If that’s what you’re after, I’d highly recommend the Samsung HW-Q990F.

You’re expecting thunderous power
Similarly, the Heston 60’s physical restrictions mean that it can’t quite blast out the roaring power some may well crave. I’d suggest grabbing an option that pairs a sub, or maybe even spending a bit more to get the Heston Sub 200.

Marshall Heston 60 review: also consider

Marshall Heston 60

Sonos Beam Gen 2

Samsung HW-QS700F

Price

$699.99 / £499.99 / AU$999

$449 / £449 / $699

$699.99 / £749 / AU$999

Dimensions

28.7 x 4.9 x 2.7 inches / 730 x 124 x 68mm

25.6 x 2.7 x 3.9 inches / 651 x 68 x 100mm

Main soundbar: 43.7 x 2.4 x 4.7 inches / 1110.7 x 60.4 x 120mm; subwoofer: 8.3 x 15.9 x 15.9 inches / 210 x 403 x 403mm

Speaker channels

5.1

5.0

5.1.2

Connections

HDMI eARC, RCA Mono (sub out), USB-C, 3.5mm, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi

HDMI eARC, Ethernet, Wi-Fi

HDMI eARC, HDMI input, digital optical, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.2

Dolby Atmos / DTS:X

Yes / Yes

Yes / No

Yes / Yes

Sub included

Yes

Rear speakers included

Sonos Beam Gen 2
It’s four years old now, but the Sonos Beam Gen 2 is still a great option for anyone seeking out cinematic audio in a condensed package. With decent Dolby Atmos effects, a surprisingly wide soundstage, and a classy build, it’s still easy to recommend.

Read our full Sonos Beam Gen 2 review.

Samsung HW-QS700F
Looking for a little more power? Then the Samsung HW-QS700F is a top choice. In the US and Australia, you can get this for the same as the Heston 60, even though it adds a dual-driver sub and the bar itself is full-sized. I’d also recommend checking for the Samsung HW-Q800D if you can find it on sale, although I omitted it due to low stock in a lot of territories. Read our full Samsung HW-QS700F review.

How I tested the Marshall Heston 60

(Image credit: Future)

Tested across a week-long period
Used in our TV testing space at Future Labs
Sometimes tried in conjunction with Marshall Heston 200 sub

During my time testing the Marshall Heston 60, I had it connected to the TCL C6K mini-LED TV via HDMI eARC.

In my time with the Heston 60, the soundbar was placed beneath the display at our TV testing space at Future Labs. I watched – and indeed listened – to a variety of content during an intensive testing period. This included a number of movies on both Netflix Premium and on 4K UHD Blu-Ray via the Panasonic DP-UB820. I also listened to music via Tidal Connect in both Dolby Atmos and stereo formats.

I also made extensive use of each listening mode: Movie; Music; Voice; and Night. Of course, I also exhausted the soundbar’s additional settings through the Marshall app, ensuring each feature functioned as advertised.

More generally, I've tested tons of soundbars here at TechRadar – everything from ultra-cheap options like the Hisense HS214 through to pricier models like the Samsung HW-Q800D. I also reviewed the Marshall Heston 120, which released earlier this year, and have interviewed audio engineers at Marshall on its home cinema tech, so have a strong understanding of the product.

First reviewed: November 2025
Read more about how we test

Categories: Reviews

Logitech MX Master 4 review: the master returns

TechRadar Reviews - Sun, 11/09/2025 - 07:00

Logitech MX Master 4: Two-minute review

(Image credit: Future)

Logitech’s MX Master is one of the best-known mice in the business, and the last iteration – the MX Master 3S – has long been seen as one of the best mice you can buy. That means the new MX Master 4 has big shoes to fill – and it doesn’t disappoint.

The main new addition is a haptic touch panel for your thumb, and this provides physical bumps when it’s activated and in use. While I’m happy to see it here, it’s actually far from the mouse’s best feature. That accolade goes to the MagSpeed scroll wheel, which automatically adjusts between precise clicks and freewheeling spinning. It’s a brilliant inclusion.

Elsewhere, the gesture button is a helpful, customizable tool that can be adapted to your needs, as can many of the other buttons, with a range of presets and programmable adjustments that help you make the mouse your own. And it’s on this software side where the MX Master 4 really excels, with the superb Logitech Flow making it a breeze to use the mouse across multiple computers and the Options+ app serving as your customization hub.

This is not a perfect mouse, though. It’s weighty and bulky, meaning it’s not ideal for travel or for gaming, while the thumb wheel doesn’t feel anywhere near as responsive or premium as the MagSpeed wheel. Those points aside, though, there’s very little else to be dissatisfied with.

Logitech MX Master 4: Price & availability

How much does it cost? $119.99 / £119.99 / AU$199.95
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available globally

The Logitech MX Master 4 is not a cheap mouse, either in terms of its price or its quality. Its cost is on the high side for a mouse, but it comes with a raft of top tools and touches that enhance both your productivity and your overall computing experience. It’s not for everyone (especially gamers and those who want a lightweight mouse), but if you find yourself in its target audience, you’ll likely be very happy with it.

Logitech MX Master 4: DesignImage 1 of 3

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(Image credit: Future)

This mouse comes with the familiar sculpted design used by previous MX Master mice. That includes a wide, arched body and a cut-out thumb area with a curved lip for your digit to rest on. The mouse fits snugly in your hand and should be suitable for all grip types, particularly palm and claw.

That large form factor contributes to the mouse’s weight, which clocked in at 152g on my scales. It’s noticeably heavy, and whether that’s a good or bad thing really depends on your preferences. I’m used to featherweight mice (the 60g Logitech G Pro X Superlight 2 is my daily driver), so the MX Master 4 took a bit of getting used to, and even after almost two weeks of usage, it felt a touch imprecise due to its heft. That might not be ideal if you’re a frequent gamer and want something fast and light.

On the top are two large left- and right-click buttons. These come with incredibly soft, quiet clicks, which are both satisfying to use and subtle enough not to annoy your coworkers. While the mouse’s other buttons are by no means loud, it’s a shame that they aren’t quite so noiseless.

Nestled between the two main buttons is Logitech’s renowned MagSpeed scroll wheel. This ratchets when turned slowly and spins freely if you flick it with a bit more force. It’s a brilliant way to skim through websites and spreadsheets, and as small as it sounds, it’s one of the mouse’s best features.

The switching is automatic, but you can settle for one mode or the other using the button located just behind the wheel. Also note that you can click the scroll wheel in, but there are no side-to-side clicks of the type that you might find on rival devices.

(Image credit: Future)

The MX Master 4’s real power features are mostly assigned to your thumb. First up is the horizontal scroll wheel, which is handy if you need to pan side-to-side in an app like Microsoft Excel or when viewing a large image. Unfortunately, it lacks the ratchet/free spin abilities of the MagSpeed wheel, and it’s quite heavy and imprecise in use. It’s also loud and scratchy when turned, making it feel much cheaper than the rest of the mouse.

Below this wheel are three thumb buttons. The first two are grouped together, while the third stands a short distance away. The buttons aren’t particularly well defined – there’s no gap between the first two – which makes them a little tricky to separate by touch alone. The third is Logitech’s gesture button, which we’ll cover in the Performance section, but note that all three can be customized to perform different functions.

The main part of the thumb rest is occupied by a dimpled gesture button, which is a new addition to the MX Master 4. This is large and spacious, taking up nearly the entire thumb rest area, and its textured surface makes it easy to grip. Pushing it in brings up Logitech’s Actions Ring, and there’s a haptic bump every time you mouse over one of the ring’s icons. We’ll get to its features in more depth further down, but it’s a useful and thoughtful way to add more functionality to this section of the mouse.

On the underside is a quick-switch button for moving between connected PCs, allowing the MX Master 4 to pair with up to three computers at once (including Windows, macOS and Linux machines). There are also three black pads to help the mouse glide smoothly over surfaces.

Logitech MX Master 4: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

The first thing I want to cover in terms of performance is the mouse’s battery life, which is absolutely phenomenal. The Logi Options+ app only measures battery in 5% increments, but even so, it took over 20 hours before I saw the first drop from 100% to 95%. After close to 35 hours the mouse was still sitting pretty at 95%. Logitech rates it for 70 hours on one charge, but it felt like it could go on for decades.

The MX Master 4 is not a gaming mouse, but plenty of people are likely to blend work and play throughout their daily usage. Unfortunately, its substantial weight means it’s not well optimized for fast-paced shooters like Call of Duty or other titles where agility and speed are required. Slower games like Baldur’s Gate 3 or Stardew Valley didn’t present many problems, although I still prefer a lighter mouse for gaming regardless.

You get the same 8K polling rate as the MX Master 3S, which might be attractive for top-end pros looking for high sensitivity, but is probably lower down the list of priorities for average users. What is likely to be more applicable to regular folk is the mouse’s ability to work on a variety of tabletops – Logitech says it’ll track properly on “any surface,” and while I can’t 100% guarantee it’ll stand up to anything it encounters, it at least performed admirably on every surface material I tested it on (including a mouse mat, wood, paper, fabric and glass).

One of the MX Master 4’s key strengths is its customizability, and most of this is achieved through the Logi Options+ app. Here, you can change the functionality of seven of the mouse’s physical features, including five buttons and both wheels. It’s quick and intuitive to assign new functions or create your own.

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The adjustability doesn’t end there. You can also tweak the strength of the new haptic feedback feature, the press sensitivity of the thumb button, mouse pointer speed, scroll force and direction, and more. Don’t like how slowly the thumb wheel moves or how hard the haptic engine taps? You can change it all up in the software.

Options+ is also where you set up Logi Flow, which lets you use one mouse and software pointer for multiple computers and copy and paste files between them. It even works between Windows and macOS. Moving the mouse from a Microsoft PC onto a Mac and back again feels both wondrous and surreal, and it’s a fantastic weapon in your arsenal if you use more than one computer at once. It’s a little clunky – there’s a slight bit of lag when going from one computer to another, you can’t drag files directly across platforms, and copying and pasting items was hit and miss – but the MX Master 4 is better for its inclusion.

Tucked away near your thumb’s resting spot is a small gesture button. The idea here is that you hold it down, then move the mouse left, right, forward or back to activate various gestures. By default, holding it and moving your mouse forward opens the Start menu in Windows, for example. These actions are customizable, with various presets available to try. It’s a handy feature and can save you time, particularly if you set it up in a way that suits your workflow.

Press in the dimpled thumb button and an “Actions Ring” appears, with eight buttons arranged in a wheel around your mouse pointer. These serve as quick shortcuts – change the volume, lock your PC, and more – and can be customized in the Logi Options+ app. Mouse over each one and you feel a solid haptic bump, although you can change the force in Logitech’s app.

The thumb button is a bit clunky and heavy to press, and the Actions Ring can be laggy – I found that it didn’t always appear when I pressed the thumb button, for example. It also ended up having limited utility during my time with the mouse, perhaps because I’m so ingrained in my ways of working. But if you’re tired of keyboard shortcuts and want a fast way of working solely with your mouse, it might be a tempting feature.

Should you buy the Logitech MX Master 4?Image 1 of 2

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Value

This is a pricey mouse, but its value is well earned thanks to its plethora of top-quality features. You definitely get what you pay for.

5/5

Design

The MX Master 4 uses Logitech’s familiar design that comfortably fits your hand. It’s heavy, though, which won’t be for everyone.

4/5

Performance

Lots of premium features and extensive customization options. Just don’t expect it to be a performer when it comes to gaming.

4/5

Average rating

Logitech shows why its MX Master is the mouse to beat, with the latest entry picking up where the MX Master 3S left off and taking it to new heights.

4.5/5

Buy the Logitech MX Master 4 if…

You want a mouse loaded with productivity tools

From its MagSpeed scroll wheel to its gesture button and Actions Ring, the Logitech MX Master 4 is tailor-made for productivity.View Deal

Battery life is important to you

The battery in this mouse goes on and on and on, making it ideal whether you’re a frequent traveler or just hate reaching for the charging cable.View Deal

You use multiple computers and operating systems

With Logitech Flow compatibility, the mouse can be used to control several computers at once – including Windows, macOS and Linux varieties – without needing to switch mice.View Deal

Don’t buy it if…

You prefer lightweight mice

Weighing in at 152g, the MX Master 4 is a bulky, heavy device.View Deal

You’re on a tight budget

It’s far from the world’s most expensive mouse, but the MX Master 4 is pricey enough to provide pause for thought.View Deal

You’re left-handed

There’s only one orientation of the MX Master 4 and it’s built for right-handers. Southpaw users will need to look elsewhere.View Deal

Logitech MX Master 4: Also consider

Razer Pro Click

Razer is best known for its gaming peripherals, but its Pro Click mouse is all about business. Like the MX Master 4, it looks gorgeous and is supremely comfortable thanks to its premium ergonomics, and it throws in multi-device compatibility and programmable buttons to boot. It lacks a gesture button and Logitech’s MagSpeed wheel but trades them for superior gaming performance. Read our full Razer Pro Click reviewView Deal

Apple Magic Mouse 2

Apple’s Magic Mouse 2 is far from perfect, but it has one advantage that very few rivals can match: its entire top surface works as a gesture pad, letting you perform the same swipes that you’d use on one of Apple’s trackpads. It’s macOS-only, but if you want something that offers even better gesture control than the MX Master 4, it’s worth a look. View Deal

How I tested the Logitech MX Master 4

I spent just under a fortnight using the Logitech MX Master 4, putting it through its paces both during and after work hours. That involved writing articles, browsing the web and playing games. I tested it on both Windows and macOS and tried it out on a variety of surfaces.

First reviewed November 2025

Categories: Reviews

PNY’s microSD Express Card is one of the fastest Nintendo Switch 2 cards I’ve tested, and it costs the same as the competition – but there’s one big catch

TechRadar Reviews - Sun, 11/09/2025 - 06:30

PNY microSD Express Card: review

The PNY microSD Express Card is one of the fastest Nintendo Switch 2 cards that I’ve tested.

In my benchmarks, the 256GB model achieved a staggering 712.42MB/s write speed - blowing past the competition and coming impressively close to the manufacturer’s claimed 750MB/s performance.

It also excels when it comes to read speed, actually achieving above the claimed 890MB/s with 893.74MB/s in my testing. This difference is likely all down to different conditions and equipment, but it’s safe to say that this card is quick. Its read speed is practically neck and neck with the licensed SanDisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 - a model that’s officially endorsed by Nintendo.

What does this all mean in practical terms? Well, the PNY MicroSD Express Card is fantastic to use with a Nintendo Switch 2. Internet providing, games download quickly and everything runs smoothly while you play. I tested the likes of Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition and Hitman World of Assassination - Signature Edition, two very demanding Nintendo Switch 2 games, and didn’t observe any noticeable performance decrease in either - be that missed frames, slow-to-load models, or increased load times.

(Image credit: Future)

Best of all, the 256GB PNY MicroSD Express Card is practically the same price as its major competition. At $59.99 / £59.99 / around AU$100, the leading write speed is a good reason to pick this card over the alternatives. This is the case for the warranty too, with PNY offering a five year or “limited lifetime warranty” in some regions.

This refers to the lifetime of the card (not you) and doesn’t cover you if PNY stops making them, but should otherwise see you through the life of the Nintendo Switch 2 at least - just make sure that you hang on to your proof of purchase and retail packaging in case you need to claim it.

PNY is also one of the few manufacturers offering a cheaper 128GB model, which goes for $44.99 / £39.99 (or even less in sales), allowing players with very modest storage needs to avoid paying more for storage that they don’t need.

There is a catch when you start looking at variants above 256GB, though. There’s a recently released 512GB model on the market that comes in at $119.99 / around £150, but seems to be very hard to find outside of the US right now. There’s no 1TB model yet either, leaving those with massive libraries better off with the competing Lexar Play Pro microSD Express Card instead.

PNY microSD Express Card: Price and specs

Price

$59.99 / £59.99 / around AU$100 (256GB)

Capacity

128GB / 256GB

Quoted read speed

890MB/s

Quoted write speed

750MB/s

Benchmarked read speed

893.74MB/s

Benchmarked write speed

713.42MB/s

Should I buy the PNY microSD Express Card?Buy it if...

You want high-end performance
The PNY microSD Express Card has the fastest write speed of any Nintendo Switch 2 card that I’ve tested. This is backed up by an excellent read speed, making it a good choice for those after a high performance card.

You’re after peace of mind
With its “lifetime” warranty, the PNY microSD Express Card should comfortably last you the entire life of the Nintendo Switch 2. This could be the first and last microSD Express Card that you buy.

Don't buy it if...

You need bigger storage capacities
The 512GB model appears to be quite hard to find outside of the US, and there’s no 1TB version yet. With this in mind, there are better options for those with big game libraries.

Also consider

Here’s how the PNY microSD Express Card stacks up against two major competitors.

PNY microSD Express Card

Lexar Play Pro microSD Express Card

SanDisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2

Price

$59.99 / £59.99 / around AU$100 (256GB)

$58.98 / £59.45 / AU$119.34 (256GB)

$59.99 / £49.99 / AU$79.95

Capacity

128GB / 256GB / 512GB

256GB / 512GB / 1TB

256GB

Quoted read speed

890MB/s

900MB/s

880MB/s

Quoted write speed

750MB/s

600MB/s

650MB/s

Benchmarked read speed

893.74MB/s

831.97MB/s

894.4MB/s

Benchmarked write speed

713.42MB/s

310.03MB/s

674.1MB/s

SanDisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2
The SanDisk microSD Express Card is the model to choose if you want something that’s been officially endorsed by Nintendo. It has a slower write speed, but a marginally faster read speed to make up for it.

Read our full SanDisk microSD Express Card for Nintendo Switch 2 review

Lexar Play Pro microSD Express Card
Lexar is the current king of you’re after a 1TB microSD Express Card. The brand was one of the first to bring a 1TB model to the market and should be at the top of your list if that’s what you’re after.

Read our full Lexar Play Pro microSD Express Card review

How I tested the PNY microSD Express Card

Tested over a period of multiple weeks
Compared to other microSD Express cards
Measured using standardized benchmark tests

I tested the PNY microSD Express Card alongside multiple other microSD Express units over a period of multiple weeks. During that time I used the card with my personal Nintendo Switch 2, evaluating its performance across a range of the best Nintendo Switch 2 games.

To obtain comparison data, I benchmarked the card against the competition in a series of standardized tests. I measured the sequential read and write speed of each card using a standardized benchmark via CrystalDiskMark in its default flash memory settings.

To do this, I relied on the Lexar Play Pro MicroSD Express Card Reader, which has an active cooling fan.

Philips Evnia 49M2C8900 QD-OLED review: A strong highlight among the greatest super ultrawide monitors

TechRadar Reviews - Sat, 11/08/2025 - 18:00

Philips Evnia 49M2C8900 QD-OLED: Two-minute review

(Image credit: Future / Isaiah Williams)

I was specifically drawn towards the Philips Evnia 49M2C8900 in hopes that its Ambilight RGB feature would enhance my gaming experience, and I'm quite happy to report that it did, with color shifts that made my favorite games like Resident Evil 4 remake and Cyberpunk 2077 blossom even more – but not without some downsides. As I mentioned in a previous feature, my love for super-ultrawide monitors hasn't faded, but I've felt I needed a break from them.

Issues with desk space and games not supporting the 32:9 aspect ratio are one thing, but the 49-inch display size made the Auto Brightness Limiter (ABL) far more noticeable than it would be on a smaller display, as I realized when testing on other OLED ultrawide monitors like the Alienware AW3423DWF OLED ultrawide.

In my experience, I couldn't fully enjoy the Ambilight feature as much as I thought I would, considering the length of the display (which can serve as a compliment to how immersive it is), and yes, I tried it without another monitor mounted on top of it, and came to the same conclusion. It's also worth noting that the Ambilight feature can sometimes fail at representing accurate colors.

That doesn't mean it's bad by any means, but it made me realize that I likely would have enjoyed the feature far more on the 34-inch 1440p or 42-inch 4K Philips Evnia models. It just gets to a point where you wonder if the 32:9 aspect ratio is a little bit too much, but ultimately, if those aren't dealbreakers for you, you'll absolutely love this display.

(Image credit: Future / Isaiah Williams)

On a more positive note, though, gaming in titles like Call of Duty or Battlefield 6 on this display gives you an extra edge and lets you take advantage of a 240Hz refresh rate. If you have the hardware capable of pushing high frame rates, you'll reap the benefits with smooth gameplay and a 0.03ms Grey-to-Grey (GtG) response time, minimizing ghosting and blur as pixels transition.

It's not just multiplayer FPS shooters where this shines, as this is an exceptional display in narrative-driven action games, and truly makes you feel like you're at the center of the action. The increased point of view you get with super ultrawide displays, as such, should not be understated, providing a cinematic experience to get lost in, and I felt that across the numerous single-player games I tested on this display.

The 49M2C8900 is another display that highlights how much better OLED is when compared to regular LED or even mini-LED monitors. Sure, mini-LED displays can provide better, more consistent brightness levels, notably because there's no frustration with ABL. However, OLED is simply undefeated when it comes to deep black levels, and you can see that in my Wallpaper Engine screenshots below – truly fascinating.

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Now imagine that deep black level accuracy in a horror game... (Image credit: Future / Isaiah Williams)Image 2 of 2

Now imagine that deep black level accuracy in a horror game... (Image credit: Future / Isaiah Williams)

Just to highlight, if you're a big fan of horror games that take full advantage of dark environments or even those with constant color changes like Cronos The New Dawn, then there's plenty of fun to be had with this display. The images don't do it enough justice, and some might even suggest there's major bloom or over exposure, but that isn't the case at all with this display.

It gets even better when Ambilight is working at its best, blending in perfectly with jumpscares or sequences in games where colors shift rapidly on screen, lending extra ammunition to an immersive visual experience. I can definitely see this being loved by those who aren't particularly enthused by Ambilight when buying this monitor, as opposed to me, who was underwhelmed with its inconsistencies.

Philips Evnia 49M2C8900 QD-OLED: Price & Availability

How much does it cost? $1,500 (retail) / £799 / AU$1,799
When is it available? Available now (first released in 2023)
Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The Philips Evnia 49M2C8900 is a pricey super ultrawide monitor, retailing at $1,500 and around £1,649.99 in the UK, which would have been an instant dealbreaker for me and many others. Still, it's been available since 2023, so pricing has inevitably plummeted, meaning you can find it at much lower prices – specifically £799 (around $1,050) – with more active sales seeing it drop even further.

Is it worth the retail price it was at previously? No, and that's no shade on the display's quality, because $1,500 is a tough ask for any gaming monitor. However, at its current pricing, I can easily recommend this for anyone who's adamant to dive into the QD-OLED super ultrawide gaming experience, with the added productivity benefits.

However, it's worth noting that if you do plan on getting this display, it's best to act fast, as it can be quite difficult to find it at various online stores. It doesn't appear to be discontinued yet, but new Philips Evnia monitors are likely on the horizon to take the limelight.

(Image credit: Future / Isaiah Williams)Philips Evnia 49M2C8900 QD-OLED: Specs

Screen Size

49-inch

Aspect Ratio

32:9

Resolution

5120x1440

Brightness

1000 nits (Max)

Contrast Ratio

1,500,000:1

Refresh Rate

240 Hz

Color Gamut

10-bit / DCI-P3

Speakers

7.5 W x 4, DTS

HDR

DisplayHDR True Black 400 certified

Weight

13.96 kg (with stand) | 10.82kg (without stand)

Wall Mountable (VESA)

100 x 100 mm

FreeSync Premium technology

Premium Pro

Power Delivery

Up to 90 W

Panel Type

QD-OLED

Connections

HDMI 2.1 x 2

USB-C x 1 (PD)

DP 1.4 x 1

USB 3.2 x 5 (incl upstream)

Audio Out

Philips Evnia 49M2C8900 QD-OLED: Performance & Design

Again, on a more consistent basis, I was left happy using the Philips Evnia 49M2C8900, as it gave me what I needed for almost all of my games (excluding those that don't support the 32:9 aspect ratio).

It's simple, really: if immersion is your top priority and you've never used a display like this, I have no doubt this will be right up your alley. I must admit that I'm an ultrawide enthusiast, so I do have an element of bias towards these displays. Still, if anything, that ultimately makes me more critical of them with nitpicks – but aside from the issues with Ambilight and ABL, there are hardly any complaints from me with this display.

When ABL isn't an issue, you really notice just how great high brightness is for gaming, and thanks to the QD-OLED panel, I had no problems with any form of ghosting or smearing, which is something you might find with a VA mini-LED monitor, like the Mobile Pixels 34-inch ultrawide monitor I reviewed.

(Image credit: Future / Isaiah Williams)

It's also worth noting that while this monitor is FreeSync Premium Pro certified, it supports G-Sync, so both AMD and Nvidia GPU users will be able to enjoy screen-tearing-free gameplay.

Speaking of GPUs, it would be worth investing in a beefy GPU; to give you an idea, I was using the Asus TUF RTX 4080 Super OC GPU (the second GPU behind the RTX 4090), and the 5120x1440 display resolution gives it a run for its money, knocking Cyberpunk 2077's frame rate down to its knees around 50 to 60fps with ray tracing enabled and Frame Generation disabled.

In terms of design, there's a lot to love regarding the Ambilight feature when it's functioning without glitches, and, excusing my personal issues with the width of these super ultrawide monitors, I believe many others will appreciate color shifts and effects even more than I do.

I didn't get to use a monitor mount, and the stand that comes with it is serviceable, but I would recommend buying a desk mount as the stand's base takes up a decent amount of space on the desk – and the screen itself is already wide enough, taking up a majority of the room available.

Philips Evnia 49M2C8900 QD-OLED: Productivity & OSD

(Image credit: Future / Isaiah Williams)

It isn't just gaming where it shines, though, as productivity was a highlight while testing this display. If you thought that the 32:9 aspect ratio would serve as a detriment to your work-from-home duties, think again, because I was left very pleased with what the 49M2C8900 had to offer.

I tend to multitask a lot when working, with multiple browser tabs left open, and perhaps some videos playing in the background, and this is the monitor built just for that. Yes, there are readability issues, as you'll find with a wide variety of OLED displays with fringing around text, but this has never been a major issue for me, and it wasn't the case with this display either.

While my review unit didn't come with a remote control, the addition of one is a godsend, and another aspect I don't see nearly enough monitor manufacturers considering. I haven't got my hands on the remote control at all, but I don't need it, as I know that anything other than constantly reaching for the power button and OSD control behind the display is significantly more convenient.

The OSD itself is serviceable with numerous tabs on settings for Ambilight (in the Ambiglow tab), SmartImage, and other input and audio options. Besides the option of a remote control or the OSD control on the monitor rear, the Philips Evnia Precision Center software works wonders as a replacement, allowing you to change settings via mouse and keyboard.

Should you buy the Philips Evnia 49M2C8900 QD-OLED?

(Image credit: MMD)Philips Evnia 49M2C8900 QD-OLED Scorecard

Value

While the initial retail price would have knocked some points off here, the price drop makes all the features across the board much better.

4 / 5

Design

The Ambilight (or Ambiglow) feature can be frustrating to use sometimes with a some glitches and inconsistencies in color accuracy, but for the most part, it gets the job done and is great for a boost in immersion

4 / 5

Performance

The 49M2C8900 is easily one of the best gaming monitors on the market, providing exceptional quality with its 240Hz refresh rate, 32:9 aspect ratio, and a 1,500,000:1 contrast ratio, thanks to the QD-OLED panel.

4.5 / 5

Productivity

With a 32:9 aspect ratio at 49 inches, there is so much that can be simultaneously with this monitor, despite any case of text smearing.

4 / 5

Final Score

It's not perfect, specifically due to issues with brightness limitations under certain conditions, and some Ambilight inconsistences, but there's hardly any major issues to be had, and it certainly provides an experience many will love.

4 / 5

Buy the Philips Evnia 49M2C8900 QD-OLED if...

Like many similar super ultrawide monitors, the Philips Evnia 49M2C8900 fits the bill for a widened, immersive gaming experience, and it excels with its QD-OLED panel.

There aren't many gaming monitors on the market that use this feature, but the Philips Evnia's Ambilight feature takes game entertainment a step up, by syncing RGB LEDs with colors on screen.

Don't buy it if...

If ABL was a reason you moved away from another OLED monitor, you're not going to find it any less frustrating here.

The 49M2C8900 will take up most of your desk space if your desk isn't big enough, so if you're unwilling to upgrade on desk space, you'll have trouble making room for other components alongside the display.

Philips Evnia 49M2C8900 QD-OLED: also consider

The LG Ultragear GX9 45GX950A-B is a very expensive gaming monitor, but its price is close to the 49M2C8900's retail price, and it is possibly the best gaming monitor you can buy right now. It's a 45-inch display with an 800R curve, running at 5120x2160 resolution, which many would label a '4K ultrawide'.

Read the full LG Ultragear GX9 45GX960A-B review

How I tested the Philips Evnia 49M2C8900 QD-OLED

I used the Philips Evnia 49M2C8900 QD-OLED for just over a month, for both work and play, testing numerous games and movies to grasp the performance of the screen and the Ambilight color capabilities.

This is a 32:9 display, so multiplayer shooters like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 were tested to take full advantage of the screen estate and enhanced perspective of action on screen. It's incredibly ideal for games that rely on instant reactions and better views of peripherals, and it's one of the highlights that I noticed consistently.

After using a handful of displays now (particularly QD-OLED), I've been able to differentiate the pros and cons of these displays compared to regular LEDs or mini-LED, which is why I'm certain that this is among the best you'll ever find on the market.

Categories: Reviews

Tired of espresso machines you have to micromanage for great results? I tested one that satisfies coffee snobs with minimal effort

TechRadar Reviews - Sat, 11/08/2025 - 09:30

Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro: one-minute review

The Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro is a manual espresso machine that allows you to channel your inner barista. Naturally won’t get automatic bean grinding or one-touch drinks brewing; this is a machine designed for those who like to get hands-on when crafting their coffee.

As espresso machines go, the E24 Evo Pro is a bit of a beast. This isn’t going to slip discreetly among your kitchen appliances; it'll dominate your worktop and, honestly, I’m not the biggest fan of its boxy, industrial design. On the flipside though, this bulky frame makes room for one of most capacious water tanks we’ve ever tested, at a whopping 2.2qt / 2.1 litres.

One element of its design I’m less forgiving of though is Gaggia’s stinginess when it comes to providing accessories. Packaged with the E24 Evo Pro you’ll get three filter baskets – a single-shot filter, a double shot filter, and a dual-walled filter – a steam wand with no elbow joint, and a pretty flimsy plastic tamp. That’s it: there’s no milk jug, no cleaning kit – none of the extras you might expect from an espresso machine that costs this much.

Given these design gripes, why have I rated the Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro so highly? Because it makes it possible to consistently pour quality shots of coffee like many of the best espresso machines without needing to fuss too much over the details. Once I’d finely ground some beans and tamped the puck with medium pressure, the Gaggia expressed a beautiful double espresso for me without having to endlessly tweak the variables to achieve the right pressure. And it wasn’t just beginner's luck: lightning struck twice with my second shot, which was just as rich and smooth as the first.

I also found the steam wand easy enough to use, although it perhaps isn’t quite as forgiving as the rest of the machine. Finding the right angle was harder than it tends to be with an elbow joint, but once I’d got the optimum orientation and depth, I was able to foam up a beautiful dairy cloud to add to my coffee. Watch your fingers though: the steam wand doesn’t have a cold-touch design, so it gets seriously hot during operation.

While the Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro isn’t exactly a budget banger – its list price of $549 / £549 / AU$999 puts it firmly in the mid-market category – its performance definitely makes it good value for money. Even without professional barista skills, I was able to pull shot after shot of consistently great coffee, and didn’t need to endlessly tweak variables to get the perfect espresso. Yes, I feel that at this price, Gaggia could afford to be less stingy with its accessories but, all in all you’ll get a very reliable coffee companion with the E24 Evo Pro.

(Image credit: Future)Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro review: price and availability

List price: $549 / £549 / AU$999

The Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro is available now and it has a list price of $549 / £549 / AU$999. For your spend, you get a wide variety of choice: the E24 Evo Pro comes in a wide range of colorways, whether it’s Polar White, Cherry Red or Sunshine Yellow. Unfortunately, what you don’t get is a lot of accessories: it’s missing a milk jug, backflush disc or any kind of cleaning kit, which all feels a bit stingy.

Still though, when it comes to value, the above pricing puts the Gaggia somewhere in the middle of the pack. It’s neither a budget brewer like the surprisingly capable De'Longhi Dedica Duo nor is it as ludicrously luxe as something like the Smeg Mini Pro Espresso Coffee Machine. But for what you’re paying, it’s a pretty sound investment, despite the dearth of accessories – I found it easy to create consistently delectable coffee in a way even many of its mid-market rivals struggle to manage.

Value score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro review: specs

Name

Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro

Type

Manual espresso machine

Dimensions (H x W x D)

9 x 15 x 9.4 inches / 230 x 380 x 240mm

Weight

17.6lbs / 8kg

Water tank capacity

2.2qt / 2.1 liters

Steam wand

Yes, manual

Max pressure

15 bar

(Image credit: Future)Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro review: design

Large-capacity water tank
Froths milk effectively
Missing some key accessories

The design of the Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro is a little brutalist for my taste. At 9 x 15 x 9.4 inches (230 x 380 x 240mm) it’s not the smallest machine, and I’d say I prefer the sleeker shape of Breville or De’Longhi machines personally. But I appreciate that for some people the solidity and presence of the Gaggia will be part of its charm, and at least it comes in a wide variety of colorways, from Lobster Red to Jungle Green.

At 2.2qt / 2.1 litres, the Gaggia’s water tank is substantial, offering a capacity that even outstrips many of the candidates on our list of the best espresso machines. Its drip tray is also pretty capacious, allowing it to catch quite a lot of spilled coffee, but its depth does cause some issues. It’s tall enough that it was genuinely difficult for me to squeeze even relatively squat mugs under the portafilter, and there’s no way to adjust its height, meaning a lot of the time you’re going to want to extract straight into espresso cups.

The range of accessories supplied with Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro is pretty weak, with a few items conspicuous by their absence. Three filter baskets cater to most eventualities, with single-shot and double shot filters, while the ‘perfect crema’ filter makes it easy to pull easy shots even with coffee pods or coarser grinds. There’s also a tamper included, but no milk jug, so this is something to factor into your budget.

(Image credit: Future)

Frankly, the tamper that comes with the Gaggia is pretty flimsy and plasticky. Personally, I want a tamper with some substance and heft behind it to make it easier to get an even tamp on your grounds. While it’s possible to get the job done with the tamper that comes in the box, I think you’ll likely want to upgrade to a better-quality option pretty soon after purchase.

The steam wand is a little better built, and its dual-steam-outlet design frothed the milk pretty effectively. It did take me a little while to find the right angle, as the arm merely swivels rather than using a ball-joint system, but once I did I was able to whip up a frothy cloud of foam fairly easily. One thing to watch out for though is that there’s no cool-touch design here. If you’re careless – which I am – it’s easy to catch your bare skin on the hot wand, which I did.

As an espresso machine, the Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro naturally doesn’t come with quite as many features as some of its bean-to-cup rivals. It’s focused on pulling spot-on shots and foaming consistently frothy milk, not automated drinks dispensing and custom profiles, so you won’t be getting those kinds of innovative capabilities here. Aimed squarely at caffeine addicts who like to tinker with their grind and tamping to achieve the perfect extraction, it also doesn’t offer an integrated grinder, so be prepared to pick one up if you don’t already have one to hand.

Design score: 3.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro review: performance

Easy to pour really consistent coffee
Pretty quiet running
Drips a little after pump switches off

I’d been forewarned about the Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro's leisurely warm up cycle, which is almost zen-like in its unhurriedness. But it’s not quite as long as some people make out. It took around 60 seconds to hit its target temperature when I first started using it – admittedly that’s slower than many machines, including my home machine, the Breville Bambino Plus, but not quite as bad as the five or 10 minutes I’d heard bandied around. And it takes less than 10 seconds on subsequent shots, which really isn’t that bad.

Once the Gaggia was up to temperature, I blitzed some beans to a fine espresso ground, tamped it with a medium firmness and stuck the filled portafilter in the machine. I honestly wondered if there might be some trial and error required to get used to the machine’s pressure and temperature. But right out the gate it expressed pretty evenly, with the espresso neither rushing out incontinently nor dribbling out in fits and starts.

I also tested how load its pump was using a sound level meter, clocking it at 66dB, which is seriously quiet. By way of context, the Smeg BCC13 is Quiet Mark certified and tops out at 67dB max. Admittedly our testing environment might not be quite as rigorous Smeg’s, but still the Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro is quieter when running than many competing espresso machines.

The espresso itself was spot-on. It came out with a sturdy, persistent crema that was the perfect buff tone with the odd hint of caramel running through it. And the taste was genuinely pretty impressive: even on that first pull, I was able to produce something rich and refined, with just the right balance of bitterness and acidity, while there was none of the astringency you’d get from an over-expressed shot.

(Image credit: Future)

Wanting to be sure that I hadn’t just lucked out on my first cup, I ran it again, using the same fineness of grind and trying to tamp and run the machine at the same temperature as I had the first time. The second espresso was identical to the first, meaning you should be able to achieve fairly consistent results with this machine.

This time I did notice there was a little dribbling from the machine after the pump clicked off. It wasn’t immediately clear if it was just dripping from a slightly overtamped, waterlogged puck, so I ran the Gaggia again without the portafilter in place and it still seemed to drool when switched off. This only lasted for a few seconds, so it isn't a huge issue, but it does imply the Gaggia doesn’t have perfect control over its pump.

Scrubbing down the machine after use was more straightforward than I was expecting. Cleaning the steam wand requires you to give it a firm wipe down with a cloth and unscrew the tip before washing it under running water. Meanwhile, to clean the mesh screen, all I had to do was run the machine without a portafilter then wipe it down. Once you’ve switched off the machine, you can then wash out the water tank and wipe down the rest of the machine. All in all, while it sounds like a lot of steps, getting the machine spotless doesn’t take much of an investment.

Performance score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro?Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

While it’s not exactly budget priced, having tasted the coffee it produces I’m surprised it doesn’t cost a fair bit more.

4/5

Design

It has a slightly utilitarian design and few automated features, but its steam wand works reasonably well and it has some useful accessories, although also it's missing a few.

3.5/5

Performance

Takes a while to warm up but once it does, you can pull consistently excellent shots without much tinkering required.

4.5/5

Buy it if…

You want rich, refined coffee every time
Rather than having to tweak pressure, grind and tamping endlessly, it’s really easy to pull quality, consistent decent shots with the Gaggia without too much fuss.

You want a machine that’s nice and quiet
Not every coffee machine has to sound like a diving compressor. If you want caffeine on the QT, the relatively quiet 66dB Gaggia has got your back.

Don’t buy it if..

You want loads of automatic features
As this isn’t a bean-to-cup machine, you won’t get loads of fancy automatic drinks settings and customizable profiles. Instead it’s designed to help you craft your own coffee like a pro.

You want your caffeine hit quick
Given it takes 60 seconds to heat up and you’ll need to grind your beans yourself, the Gaggia might not be the best choice if you don’t want your latte to be late.

Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro review: also consider

Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro

Breville Bambino Plus

Smeg BCC13

Type

Manual espresso machine

Automatic espresso machine

Dimensions (H x W x D)

9 x 15 x 9.4 inches / 230 x 380 x 240mm

7.6 x 14.3 x 12 inches / 194 x 362 x 304mm

336 x 180 x 433mm

Weight

17.6lbs / 8kg

10.8lbs ‎/ 4.9kg

19.8lbs / 9kg

Water tank capacity

2.2qt / 2.1 liters

2qt / 1.9 liters

1.5qt / 1.4 liters

Steam wand

Yes, manual

Yes, hands free

No, automatic

Max pressure

15 bar

19 bar

Breville Bambino Plus
If you want an espresso machine that’s more economical in terms of both space and cash, yet offers just as sophisticated shot-pulling, Breville’s diminutive machine is a worthy alternative. Despite costing just $499.95 / £399.95 / AU$649, it makes great espresso while offering plenty of customization options with different milk temperature and textures. Read our full Breville Bambino Plus review.

Smeg BCC13
Should grinding beans, tamping grounds and frothing cow squeezings all feel like a little too much hassle, this bean-to-cup machine brews wonderfully consistent coffee and foams deliciously thick milk for cappuccinos and lattes. It’s not quite as adept at steaming non-dairy milks, and it does cost a fair bit more at $1,200 / £799.95 / AU$1,199. But as our full Smeg BCC13 review explains, it offers "perfectly brewed coffee and sweet, creamy foamed milk" every time.

How I tested the Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro

I spent several days testing it
I poured multiple coffees in a row to see how consistent it was
I used the steam wand to foam multiple batches of milk

I used the Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro regularly over a period of several days. To test the quality and consistency of its coffee, I poured multiple double espressos in succession, so I could assess how well the machine maintained its quality from drink to drink. I also used the steam wand to foam milk on several occasions, to test how well the boiler maintained its heat and how effectively the steam wand worked.

I also made sure I timed how long it took the Gaggia’s boiler to heat up initially and on subsequent runs, as well as using a sound-level meter to check how much noise it generated. Once I was done with testing, I also ran through the Gaggia Classic E24 Evo Pro’s daily and long-term cleaning routines, to see how easy it was to clean and maintain.

When it comes to my own personal experience, not only have I spent years testing and writing about gadgets, I’ve been making and drinking coffee from espresso machines daily for more than two decades. I'm really only a fan of drinking coffee made of freshly ground beans – I'm not a pod person.

For more details, see how we test, review, and rate products at TechRadar.
First reviewed: October 2025

Categories: Reviews

I tested the Hisense U75QG mini-LED TV, and it’s the best value Hisense TV

TechRadar Reviews - Sat, 11/08/2025 - 06:00

Hisense U75QG: Two-minute review

The Hisense U75QG is a solid performer that packs a lot of features in for the price. Typically, flagship TVs are the ones that get the most attention, but people usually aren’t buying the best of the best from any brand. Instead, buying considerations usually fall to midrange TVs like this one.

The Hisense U75QG is a mini-LED display that delivers brightness we generally don’t see from TVs in this price range – I measured over 3,000 nits in HDR Filmmaker Mode, a level that exceeds many of the best TVs from most manufacturers. That makes the U7 an excellent choice for bright spaces where ambient light is difficult to control, such as a living room with large picture windows.

Accuracy with SDR sources is impressive, so while watching broadcast TV or non-HDR streamed shows, the U75QG will deliver nice, accurate colors. HDR has a few issues in color temperature and accuracy, but they’re not drastic enough to distract and pull you out of the viewing experience. They can also be mostly corrected with a professional calibration, if you’re up for spending extra for that.

The U75QG’s Google TV OS is, as expected, quick to use and easy to navigate. Google has been the top built-in smart TV platform for a few years now, and Hisense uses it well. Picture adjustments are easy to find and change, especially with a Settings button on the backlit remote, and the Google Store offers hundreds of apps for download, including all the major streamers and smaller ones as well. And for those that want over-the-air broadcasts, the U75QG includes a built-in ATSC 3.0 tuner.

The Hisense has great gaming support, with the ability for high refresh rate up to 165Hz on all four HDMI 2.1 ports, with VRR and AMD FreeSync Premium, Dolby Vision gaming, and a game bar to easily access gaming settings. There are some issues with image smearing when using VRR that can detract a little, but casual gamers should be more than happy with the features and performance.

Hisense TVs always see an almost immediate dip in pricing after release, and the same has happened with the U75QG. Those discounts make it an even better value, and it stacks up well against the TCL QM7K – its primary competitor. When everything is taken into account, the Hisense U75QG stands as one of the best value midrange TVs I’ve seen in 2025.

Hisense U75QG review: Price and release date

The Hisense U75QG's picture is bright enough to even watch in well-lit rooms (Image credit: Future)

Release date: May 2025
55-inch: $1,300
65-inch: $1,500
75-inch: $1,999
85-inch: $2,499
100-inch: $4,999
116-inch: $21,999

The U75QG is Hisense’s midrange mini-LED TV, falling between the Hisense U8QG and U65QF (a model that uses the Amazon Fire TV OS) in its lineup. The series ranges in size from a 55-inch to a massive 116-inch model – the largest Hisense mini-LED TV available. As is typical for Hisense TVs, prices for all models, apart from the 116-inch, have fallen significantly since the series was released in May. The 55-inch TV can now be found for as little as $698, with prices ranging to just under $3,000 for the 100-inch.

The U75QG pricing is similar to the TCL QM7K, the midrange competitor from that manufacturer. Although the Hisense is currently $100 to $700 more expensive than the TCL, depending on screen size.

Hisense U75QG review: Specs

Screen type:

QLED with mini-LED

Refresh rate:

Up to 144Hz

HDR support:

Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10+ Adaptive, HLG

Audio support:

Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X

Smart TV:

Google TV

HDMI ports:

4 x HDMI 2.1

Built-in tuner:

ATSC 3.0

Hisense U75QG review: Benchmark resultsHisense U75QG review: FeaturesImage 1 of 2

The U75QG's ports are split between side-mounted and rear-mounted input sections (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Future)

Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support
Hi-View AI Engine Pro processor
VA panel with good anti-reflection

The U75QG is a mini-LED TV with an anti-reflection VA panel, which does a great job handling ambient room light reflections. The VA panel does not provide it with wide viewing angles, however, with desaturated colors and raised black levels easily visible starting at around 30 degrees off-center.

Hisense upgraded last year’s Hi-View Engine Pro found in the U7N to the Hi-View AI Engine Pro, which is the same processor the company is using in its step-up U8QG model. Hisense claims improved performance over the previous chip with a 1.6x faster CPU, 2.2x faster GPU, and 1.5x faster NPU, all to deliver a better optimized image.

The Hisense U75QG includes wide-ranging HDR support, including both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ dynamic formats. Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive modes use the TV’s processing power to automatically adjust the picture based on the ambient light viewing conditions in your room. Dolby Vision Gaming is included, and, of course, the TV supports HDR10 and HLG.

Console and PC gamers will be happy with the included features on the U75QG. All four HDMI 2.1 ports support a refresh rate up to 165Hz with a Game Booster 288Hz (at 1080p), VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, Hisense Game Bar, and the aforementioned HDR gaming modes. Although, as we’ll get into below, there are some minor clarity issues with gaming on the U75QG.

The U75QG runs the Google TV OS, which allows access to thousands of streaming apps. It also has an ATSC 3.0 tuner for those in areas that are broadcasting NextGen TV signals.

Features Score: 4/5

Hisense U75QG review: Picture quality

The U75QG's picture displays good color accuracy (Image credit: Future)

Incredibly bright for a midrange TV
Impressive SDR color accuracy
HDR benefits from a pro calibration

Hisense has been a leader over the past few years in pushing display brightness to its limits, so there’s no surprise that the U75QG gets nice and bright, especially for a midrange TV. With local dimming and peak brightness set to High, and using Portrait Displays’ Calman color calibration software, in Filmmaker Mode from a 10% window, the Hisense blasts out 3,126 nits. That’s more than double what its predecessor, the Hisense U7N, was capable of, and more than the flagship Sony Bravia 9 mini-LED TV. A fullscreen white measurement tops out at 780 nits.

With local dimming on, the Hisense also delivers deep blacks even when there are some bright images on screen. During starfield shots — the opening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi or many scenes in Gravity — there’s excellent separation between the stars, especially for a mid-tier mini-LED TV, and there isn’t a significant amount of blooming along the edges of the Shuttle Explorer against the darkness of space. When bright objects are moving, the blooming is exacerbated a little bit, but overall performance is still great for the price of the TV.

Measurements in Filmmaker Mode out of the box show the U75QG tracks the target EOTF (gamma for HDR) beautifully, so the TV isn’t overbrightening the midtones at all. HDR color accuracy also leaves a little to be desired, with things like grass being a little yellow and skin tones slightly undersaturated. None of this takes away from the overall enjoyment of a movie or TV show, though.

The U75QG excels with SDR content. Grayscale tracks D65 across the range incredibly well, with an average dE of 0.8 and 2.4 gamma. Colors are also impressively accurate for a midrange TV, with skin tones in particular looking exactly as they should.

It’s possible to get similar performance with HDR content. The U75QG has an autocal feature in Calman, the software TechRadar uses to measure TVs, so the TV can be easily calibrated within just a few minutes by a TV calibration professional. And after calibration, the TV’s accuracy is significantly better. Some color temperature issues remain in brighter grays, but if you’re able to make it happen, a calibration is worth it to get the most out of the U75QG.

Picture quality score: 4/5

Hisense U75QG review: Sound quality

A rear-mounted subwoofer adds some low-end heft to the U75QG's sound (Image credit: Future)

2.1.2-channel speaker system
Clear dialogue
Would benefit from a soundbar

The back of the U75QG features an oval subwoofer, part of the TV’s 2.1.2-channel speaker system. Along its edges are speakers to handle the left and right channels, as well as two up-firing speakers for height. In my room, I didn’t find that the up-firing speakers accomplished much, and there isn’t a room calibration system to make them work better.

Overall sound performance is above average for a TV. There’s a decent amount of bass and vocal clarity is good, but it’s still worth pairing the TV with one of the best soundbars for a more immersive experience.

Sound quality score: 3.5/5

Hisense U75QG review: Design

The U75QG's "pedestal stand" is actually two support feet with a plastic plate mounted on top (Image credit: Future)

Center pedestal is really two feet with a plastic plate
High enough lift for soundbar
Backlit remote control

The Hisense U75QG has a slightly redesigned stand over last year’s U7N. It still utilizes a center pedestal, but instead of a trapezoidal design, the U75QG consists of two feet that are covered by a rectangular plastic plate. The TV feels sturdy on its stand, although the plastic cover is a bit flimsy – which is honestly to be expected at this price point.

While the stand lifts the TV a little over three inches to accommodate a soundbar, the front sticks out a bit, so some extra space on your credenza or table will be needed to put the soundbar in front of it. The 100- and 116-inch models use two separated legs instead of the pedestal base.

The TV is a bit on the thick side, and more so than the comparable TCL QM7K by about half an inch. Connections are split between two panels. The majority are side-facing — including four 165Hz-capable HDMI 2.1 ports (one eARC), the ATSC 3.0 coax inputs, a USB 3.0 port, a 3.5 mm audio out, and an AV in (which requires an adapter). An additional USB 2.0 port, optical digital audio out, and Ethernet port are in a rear-facing cutout. If you plan to use wired Ethernet and wall-mount the TV, this could cause some mounting issues and require the TV to be slightly out from the wall to keep the Ethernet cable from bending and putting stress on the connection. The U75QG supports a Wi-Fi 6E wireless connection as well.

The remote is the same as the one that was introduced with 2024 Hisense TVs. It’s a long silver handset with backlit buttons, which include settings and input buttons (these are sadly absent from some competitors’ remotes). Because of its length, reaching all the buttons – at least for my average-sized hand – required some jostling of the remote, but overall the design is comfortable and easy to use.

Design score: 4/5

Hisense U75QG review: Smart TV and menus

The U75QG's Google TV smart interface (Image credit: Future)

Google TV OS
Loads of streaming apps available
Some ads on the home page

Google TV is the OS of choice for the U7 series, and it runs well on the TV. The OS is one of the best built-in options when it comes to the combination of usability and streaming app support. On the U75QG, home page navigation is quick, and menus are intuitive. There are thousands of apps available for download – including the major streaming ones such as Netflix, Prime Video, and Apple TV – as well as more niche options not included on all platforms, like F1 TV and Dropout.

The gear button on the remote pulls up the menus for adjusting any TV settings. There’s a selection of quick access menus for things like Picture and Sound, or you can call up the full settings menu. It’s pretty easy to navigate and find what you’re looking for — different settings are sensibly placed instead of hidden under a multitude of submenus.

Smart TV & menus score: 4/5

Hisense U75QG review: Gaming

Hisense's Game Bar onscreen menu (Image credit: Future)

Four HDMI 2.1 ports with 165Hz support
9.8ms input lag time
FreeSync Premium Pro

The TV has lots of features meant to satisfy gamers, and for the most part, gamers will be happy with the U75QG. The four HDMI 2.1 inputs accept high refresh rate signals up to 165Hz from a computer in 4K, and Game Booster allows for 1080p/288Hz gaming. Consoles will be able to play games at 120Hz with VRR (including HDMI Forum VRR, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, and G-Sync compatibility) and Dolby Vision gaming.

The U75QG has the Hisense Game Bar, where adjustments can quickly be made to settings like Dark Detail, Brightness, the Game Genre, and for adding a crosshair for aiming. It also displays your current frame rate, HDR, VRR, and ALLM status.

When in Game/PC picture mode, the input lag on the U75QG with a 4K 60Hz signal is a very low 9.8ms. It’s excellent for gamers who regularly play against others, or for reaction-based games. I played a good amount of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which requires some button timing for dodges and parries, and didn’t feel any lag.

While I found gaming on the U75QG to be an overall good experience, there’s some smearing when VRR is on, particularly with bright objects across a darker background, that can be a bit distracting. I saw this more when using my PC (from an RTX 4070 Ti Super) than on console, so if you’re a PC gamer, you might also see this more.

Gaming score: 4/5

Hisense U75QG review: Value

The U75QG's backlit remote control (Image credit: Future)

Excellent picture quality for the price
Really needs a soundbar for best experience
Four HDMI 2.1 ports and backlit remote

Hisense has been delivering significant value from its televisions for years now, and that continues with the U75QG, which might deliver the best performance-to-price ratio of any Hisense TV. Hisense historically lowers its TV pricing after release by a good bit, and the TVs are always on sale during shopping events, so that increases its value proposition even further.

The midrange TV market is fierce, though. The U75QG’s primary competitor is the TCL QM7K, another solid performer with high value. It’s not nearly as bright as the Hisense, and it also has some HDR inaccuracies (overly blue grayscale and some color issues) out of the box. Only two of the TCL’s HDMI ports are version 2.1, as well, although I prefer its overall design.

It gets interesting when we compare against the next tier up. The TCL QM8K has had some deep discounts recently, putting it within a couple of hundred dollars of the Hisense. At that price, the TCL is an absolute steal. Not only is it a much better TV than both the U75QG and QM7K, I think it's one of the best TCL TVs ever made – although the TCL QM9K likely takes that title.

Value score: 4.5/5

Should I buy the Hisense U75QG?

(Image credit: Future)Hisense U75QG

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Good HDR support and gaming features

4/5

Picture quality

Excellent brightness and great overall picture quality for the price

4/5

Sound quality

2.1.2-channel speakers deliver clear dialogue but limited height effects with Atmos soundtracks

3.5/5

Design

Good overall design with backlit remote and plentiful connections

4/5

Smart TV and menus

Google TV is a solid smart interface with plenty of apps

4/5

Gaming

Four HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 165Hz support but some picture smearing with VRR, particularly with PCs

4/5

Value

A great overall value given the TV's picture quality and features

4.5/5

Buy it if...

You want a good all-around TV
While the U75QG isn’t without flaws, its overall performance is impressive for the price.

Your TV room is bathed in ambient light
Brightness output from the Hisense is more than other comparable TVs and stands up well against uncontrollable ambient light.

You have multiple gaming consoles/PCs
The Hisense U75QG has four HDMI 2.1 165Hz-compatible inputs, while its main competitor, the TCL QM7K, only has two. If you have multiple consoles and a PC to connect, the U75QG is the pick.

Don't buy it if…

You’re looking for top-tier gaming performance
The U75QG has decent gaming performance and a nice game bar option, but its VRR performance doesn’t match competitors.

You want amazing sound from a TV
The sound performance is okay, but you’ll really want to add a soundbar for a better sonic experience.

You watch events with big groups
Picture quality degrades pretty quickly as you move from off from center screen, so any friends that are over and have to sit to the side will see a lower-quality image.

Also consider...

Hisense U75QG

TCL QM7K

Hisense U8QG

Samsung QN90F

Price (65-inch)

$1,500

$1,499

$2,199

$2,499

Screen type

mini-LED w/ QLED

Refresh rate

Up to 165Hz

Up to 144Hz

Up to 165Hz

165Hz

HDR support

Dolby Vision IQ//HDR10+ Adaptive/HLG

Dolby Vision IQ/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG

HDR10+/HDR10/HLG

Smart TV

Google TV

Tizen

HDMI ports

4 HDMI 2.1

4 (2x HDMI 2.1)

3x HDMI 2.1

4x HDMI 2.1

TCL QM7K
The TCL QM7K is another great mid-range mini-LED TV with an affordable price tag. It has a better design than the Hisense, but its picture isn't as powerfully bright and its gaming flexibility is limited by having only two HDMI 2.1 ports.

Read our full TCL QM7K review

Hisense U8QG
The Hisense U8QG has a similar feature set to the U75QG but a better overall design with a sturdy aluminum pedestal stand. Its picture brightness is about the same, although the U8QG's 4.1.2-channel speaker array provides more immersive sound. It's a bit more expensive than the U75QG but not by much.

Read our full Hisense U8QG review

Samsung QN90F
The Samsung QN90F is the best mini-LED TV on the market when you take into account picture quality, design, and gaming features and performance. It's notably more expensive than the Hisense U75QG but has much better off-axis picture uniformity and is also available in a wide range of sizes, including 43- and 98-inch models.

Read our full Samsung QN90F review

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Hisense U75QG

The U75QG was my main TV for a couple weeks
Tested with Calman color calibration software
Used a variety of test material from streaming and discs

I watched a wide range of content on the Hisense U75QG, including movies and TV shows streaming from the built-in Google TV OS on Disney+, HBO Max, and Hulu. I also used a Kaleidescape Strato V for high-quality movies, along with 4K UHD Blu-ray discs played on an Oppo UDP-203 disc player. Games were played on an Xbox Series X.

For grayscale and color accuracy testing, I used a Portrait Displays C6 HDR5000 colorimeter profiled to an X-rite i1 Pro 3 spectrophotometer, Murideo Seven-G 8K pattern generator, Konica Minolta LS-100 luminance meter, and Calman calibration software by Portrait Displays. I used a Leo Bodnar 4K lag tester to check input lag.

I’ve been testing TVs, monitors, and projectors for a few decades, and am an ISF Level III certified calibrator.

You can read an in-depth overview of how we test TVs at TechRadar at that link.

First reviewed: November 2025
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Categories: Reviews

Topping's new DAC, headphone amp and preamp just toppled a few key players to sit with the top of the class

TechRadar Reviews - Sat, 11/08/2025 - 04:30

Topping DX5 II: Two-minute review

The DX5 II is the product that Chinese specialist Topping hopes is going to force its name into the ‘affordable desktop audio’ conversation – and so it’s specified it accordingly and then priced it in the most aggressive manner imaginable.

A selection of digital inputs and a wider selection of balanced and unbalanced outputs mean the DX5 II can function as a DAC and headphone amp, like many of the best portable DACs we recommend can, but it can also become a preamp for use with a traditional stereo system or a pair of powered speakers – which your average portable DAC definitely can't do. So, this is new ground for many a headphone amp-owner.

ESS Sabre digital-to-analogue conversion with a native resolution of 32bit/768kHz and DSD512 means the DX5 II is as high-resolution a device as these things ever get. A variety of finishes, each one tidily realised and each one complementing an impeccable standard of build and finish, means the DX5 II won’t lower the visual tone of your system or your desktop. A selection of desktop Topping technologies designed to maximise sonic performance act as the cherry on top.

And no matter if you use it as a DAC, a preamp or a headphone amp, the DX5 II has an awful lot to recommend it where sound quality is concerned. It creates a big, open soundstage and organises it carefully. It’s detailed and dynamic in equal measure, and it controls low-frequency information to the point that rhythms are delivered with real positivity. It’s eloquent through the midrange, and its top-to-bottom frequency response is smooth too. In fact, there’s only a suggestion of overly bright treble response that represents a tiny fly in a great big vat of sonic ointment.

Topping DX5 II review: Price and release date

(Image credit: Future)

Launched on June 10, 2025
Priced $299 / £299 / AU$499

The Topping DX5 II is on sale now, and in the UK it goes for £299. Those numbers apply in the United States too, where it sells for $299 (subject to tariff fluctuations) while in Australia it will set you back AU$499.

A quick comparison then: it's a fair amount of product for the money. FiiO's pocketable BTR17 portable Bluetooth DAC/headphone amplifier sells for just a little less, at around $219 / £179 / AU$329 – but it's a portable little beast rather than a 'desktop' option.

The USB DAC iFi GO Bar Kensei is more, at $499 / £449 / AU$769, while the five-star iFi hip-dac 3 is less, at $199 / £199 / AU$349. All of which is a roundabout way of saying, there's certainly a market for the Topping DX5 II at this price, if it can take care of business.

(Image credit: Future)Topping DX5 II review: Features

ESS Sabre 32bit/768kHz and DSD512 DACs
Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX Adaptive and LDAC compatibility
Balanced and unbalanced outputs

If Topping has attempted to build the DX5 II down to a price, it’s in no way obvious from the way the device is specified. There are similar products costing a fair bit more than Topping is asking that don’t tick as many spec boxes.

Consider the array of inputs and outputs, for instance. The DX5 II can accept digital audio information via coaxial or optical (which both top out at 24bit/192kHz), USB-B (a giddy 32bit/768kHz and DSD512), or Bluetooth 5.1 with SBC, AAC, several aptX standards (up to and including Adaptive) and LDAC. It’s worth mentioning that Windows PC users will need to install a driver to make use of that USB-B socket. Once the digital audio information been converted to the analog equivalent (which I’ll get to in a moment) it can come out again via single-ended stereo RCAs or balanced stereo XLRs (for connection to powered speakers or the amplifier of a traditional stereo system), or via a trio of headphone outputs – balanced XLR, balanced 4.4mm and single-ended 6.3mm.

Conversion to analog from digital is handled by a couple of ESS Sabre ES9038Q2M two-channel DAC chips – one attends to the left channel, the other to the right. They include ESS Sabre’s latest ‘Hyperstream IV’ architecture that’s intended to suppress noise and deliver optimal dynamic range – and their native 32bit/768kHz and DSD512 resolution is about as hi-res as hi-res ever gets out in the real world. To further suppress noise and distortion, Topping has developed a bespoke current-to-voltage conversion module that should also make the DX5 II compatible with a very wide selection of headphones and powered speakers.

And on top of this, Topping has included its own ‘X-Hybrid’ headphone amplification technology. It’s a fully balanced four-channel design with three stages (discrete input, op-amp -based gain stage, discrete output). This optimised circuit topology is designed to offer extended dynamic range, optimum efficiency and low distortion – and it should mean the DX5 II has no problem driving even the most uncooperative and power-hungry headphones.

Now, the free ‘Topping Tune’ software: it was only available for Windows PC at the time of testing, but it’s now also available for Mac OS users and provides access to Topping’s new ‘PEQ’ (parametric equaliser) algorithm that allows control of bandwidth, frequency and gain across ten definable bands. It means multiple audio profiles can be created, saved and uploaded to the DX5 II, target curves can be defined and imported – and different profiles can be applied to specific inputs, so the ultimate sound of headphones or speakers can be individually tuned by the Topping.

Features score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Topping DX5 II review: Sound quality

Great sense of space and detail
Dynamic and punchy when required
A hint of top-end brightness

In virtually every respect, the Topping DX5 II does straightforwardly impressive work. So much so, in fact, that I might as well deal with the one aspect where it doesn’t outright excel – which should leave plenty of space for me to explain just what’s so likeable about it.

The top of the frequency range is just a little flimsy and bright when compared to everything else that’s going on underneath it. There’s an overly bright quality to the treble reproduction here, a sort of latent edginess that means the DX5 II is just slightly pickier about partnering equipment than it otherwise would be.

And with that out of the way, let’s get to all the good stuff.

The DX5 II is an open, detailed and considered listen, with the sort of soundstaging ability that makes even a complex recording like The Birth and Death of the Day by Explosions in the Sky easy to follow on a granular level. This recording also allows the DX5 II to demonstrate its considerable dynamic headroom – the distance between the moments of greatest intensity and attack, compared to the quietest and most contemplative moments, is significant.

The Topping is also alert to the dynamics of harmonic variation, too – and, in fact, shows a great facility for detail retrieval in every circumstance. It can identify, reveal and quite carefully contextualise even transient or minor details in a mix. And this goes a long way towards creating the sensation that you’re in full receipt of everything a recording has to offer.

The tonality of the low frequencies and the midrange is tidy and naturalistic, and the frequency response from the very bottom to the very top is smooth and even. Low frequencies are deep and textured, and carry a huge amount of information along with very pleasing tonal variation – and they’re controlled at the point of attack, too, so rhythmic expression is assured. The DX5 II punches into bass sounds, rather than slurring, and it observes the decay of those same sounds very carefully too.

The midrange is equally well-realised. The voice during a 24bit/96kHz FLAC file of Ghostpoet’s Off Peak Dreams is characterful and attitudinal, and there’s a tremendous amount of fine detail regarding technique and tone revealed at the same time as information about intention and emotion. The Topping communicates through the midrange in the most articulate manner, and as a result voices always sound direct and positive.

All of the above is true no matter what you’re asking the DX5 II to do. As long as you take a moment’s care with your choice of headphones, as long as the system you’re introducing it into doesn’t share the same latent treble tendencies, it’s a deft and remarkably accomplished performer.

Sound quality: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Topping DX5 II review: Design

44 x 190 x 155mm (HxWxD)
Black, silver or white finishes
Properly built and finished

It’s become apparent lately that ‘desktop’ is a relative term – but Topping really means it when it describes the DX5 II as a desktop device. At a neat 44 x 190 x 155mm (HxWxD) it isn’t going to get in the way, even if your desktop is as untidy as mine.

The standard of build and finish is exemplary, and the DX5 II even feels good in a matte-finish, square-edged kind of way. The little indent around the rear of the fascia adds a tiny hint of visual interest, and the Topping looks very presentable in any of the black, silver or white finishes that are available.

Design score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Topping DX5 II review: Usability and setup

2-in full-colour display
Remote control handset
Legible and sensible on-screen menus

There are some physical controls on the fascia of the DX5 II – they’re grouped to the right of the crisp, full-colour screen that occupies the centre. Three rectangular buttons take care of input selection, accessing set-up menus, and cycling through the various display options for that screen, while a larger turn/press dial takes care of volume and menu navigation.

Options for the screen consist of a ‘spectrum analyser’ (which is sure to remind readers of a certain age of a graphic equaliser from back in the day), a readout of volume level, file format and file resolution, or a virtual VU meter (which is one for readers of an even more certain age). There’s a choice of colour and adjustable brightness, but in every circumstance the display is legible and crisply rendered, so navigating menus is always straightforward.

The Topping is also supplied with a little remote control handset that is, predictably, a lot less visually interesting and a lot less tactile than the control interface on the device itself. And unlike the DX5 II itself, there’s no choice of finish available – it comes in traditional black.

Usability and setup score: 4.5 / 5

Topping DX5 II review: Value

Judge it on the physical size of the product and the DX5 II can seem quite expensive. Consider it in terms of its specification and it suddenly seems much more realistically priced. And then think about its functionality, its flexibility and the highlights of its performance and the Topping starts to look like a bit of a bargain.

Value score: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the Topping DX5 II?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Comprehensively specified – it'll even work as a preamp

5/5

Design

Small, svelte and useful enough to slip onto even the untidiest of desks

5/5

Sound quality

Dynamic, punchy and detailed, if just a tad bright on occasion

4.5/5

Value

It would be wrong to argue with the sound-per-pound value here

4.5/5

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

You want to up your desktop audio game
The difference the DX5 II can make to the sound of your laptop really needs to be heard

You have a traditional audio system that could do with some digital smarts
High-quality Bluetooth streaming can be yours, no matter how old-school your stereo system

You have some nice headphones that need the best bringing from them
The Topping is ready and able to drive the most demand and/or most high-achieving headphones around

Don't buy it if...

You have headphones that are lively at the top of the frequency range
The resulting sound could easily be interpreted as ‘too much of a good thing’

Topping DX5 II review: Also consider

It’s pretty plain that the iFi Zen DAC 3 is the product the DX5 II needs to topple – or, at the very least, compete hard with if it’s going to be a viable option.

The iFi is a nice-looking, properly built and handily specified device, and it’s capable of extremely clean, confident and full-bodied sound. Which, of course, are all things that equally apply to the Topping machine…

How I tested the Topping DX5 II

I tried a bit of everything, basically – I used the DX5 II on my desktop, connected it to my laptop via USB, and plugged in a pair of high-end IEMs via the balanced 4.4mm headphone output.

I connected it to my reference stereo system using its single-ended RCAs and its balanced XLR outputs – this way I was able to use it as a DAC for my CD player and, with it wirelessly connected to my smartphone, as a Bluetooth receiver. And I tried out these various roles and functions for a working week or more.

First reviewed: November 2025
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Categories: Reviews

I took the awesome Dwarf III smart telescope on vacation and captured some of my favorite space photos ever

TechRadar Reviews - Sat, 11/08/2025 - 04:00

DwarfLab Dwarf III: Two-minute review

The Dwarflabs Dwarf III smart telescope is a mini marvel. My first astrophotography set-up 10 years ago weighed more than 20kg / 44lbs – but this excellent little self-contained device comes in at a mere 1.3kg / 2.8lbs and is small enough to fit in airline carry-on luggage.

In fact, that's exactly what I did with it a few months ago, taking it with me on vacation to Greece. I've also used it extensively in my garden in the UK and compared it thoroughly to another smart telescope, the ZWO Seestar S50. And as you can see from my verdict and score above, I love it.

But I'm getting ahead of myself, so let's start with the basics.

The Dwarf III is one of the new breed of smart telescopes which simplify and automate the process of astrophotography to bring it to within easy reach of those without the time or money needed for a 'proper' set-up of mount, telescope and camera.

As with smart telescopes from rivals ZWO, Vaonis and Unistellar, the Dwarf III doesn't have an eyepiece you look through, and doesn't in any way resemble a classic telescope such as a reflector or refractor. Instead, it tracks objects in the night sky then takes photos of them and 'stacks' them.

This process increases the faint signal being captured in order to bring out details – because if you just looked at a single shot, you'd see very little beyond a few stars. The resulting image can be viewed in real-time as it develops on your phone's screen, which is essentially your eyepiece.

You can see it in action below, with the fuzzy object that's barely visible after five frames eventually becoming the recognizable Crescent Nebula after about 60 frames:

The Crescent nebula appearing in real time on my phone (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)

The Dwarf III has two lenses to capture its targets, one 35mm telephoto and one 3.4mm wide-angle – although the latter is mainly used for finding objects rather than shooting them.

The telephoto has a 2.9x1.7-degree field of view, which can fit the moon in it about six times and which has space for almost every galaxy and nebula you might want to capture. I go into this in more detail below, but this wide FOV is one of my favorite things about it.

Inside, there's a 4K IMX678 Starvis 2 sensor, which is on the budget end compared to that found within dedicated cooled astronomy cameras but which delivers excellent results, helped also by the fast f/4.3 f-ratio; this captures light more quickly than some rival smart scopes.

It's all controlled by the DwarfLab app, which gives you everything you need to take photos of the night skies without the need for you to do much more than choose your target and set it going. Even if you've never used a smart telescope – or any kind of telescope – before, you should be up and running within a few minutes.

In fact, roughly 20 minutes after taking it out of the box you could be viewing your first shot of wonderfully named objects such as the Elephant's Trunk nebula or Sombrero galaxy – the Dwarf III really is that easy to set up and use.

And when you do so, I'm pretty sure you'll be impressed, because the Dwarf III takes excellent photos given its small stature and low-ish price. It's truly one of the best ways into this fascinating hobby.

DwarfLab Dwarf III: price and availability

The Dwarf III is competitively priced for what it does – note you'll need to buy a tripod separately (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)

The DwarfLabs Dwarf III was released in May 2025 and is competitively priced, coming in at $549 / £459 / AU$849. Depending on where you are in the world, that's either slightly cheaper or the same price as one of its main rivals, the ZWO Seestar S50, which costs $549 / £539 / AU$949. Compared to the Seestar S30, which is a comparable size to the Dwarf III, it's more expensive though; that model comes in at $399 / £419 / AU$699.

It's also worth noting that unlike the two Seestar models, the Dwarf III doesn't come with a tripod. Many keen photographers and stargazers will already own one, but if not you can buy one with the telescope for an additional $89 / £73 / AU$149. Or, of course, you can add your own; we have plenty of good options in our list of the best travel tripods. Either way, that might bump up the price a little.

DwarfLab Dwarf III: Specs

Aperture (tele)

35mm

Focal length (tele)

150 mm (737mm equivalent)

Aperture (wide)

3.4mm

Focal length (wide)

6.7mm (45mm equivalent)

Sensor

Sony IMX678 STARVIS 2

Resolution (stills)

Telephoto: 3840x2160 (4K); wide-angle: 1920x1080 (FHD)

Resolution (video)

Telephoto: 4K @ 30fps; wide-angle: 1080p @ 30fps

Filters (built in)

VIS, Astro, Dual-band

Mount type

Alt-azimuth and EQ mode

Accessories

USB-C cable, carry case, solar filter

Battery life

10,000mAh / 4 hours

Charging

USB-C

Storage

128GB

Dimensions

222x142x65mm

Weight

1.3 kg / 2.87 lbs

DwarfLab Dwarf III: DesignImage 1 of 3

The included carrying case is a nice addition (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 2 of 3

Small but mighty (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 3 of 3

The Dwarf III weighs only 1.3kg (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)

Looks-wise, the Dwarf III is about as far from a traditional telescope as you could get. Powered off, it resembles a beefy external hard drive from about 2010, but turn it on to reveal the twin lenses and it's more like some kind of futuristic security-camera-robot hybrid.

It's actually pretty cute, with a certain Wall-E charm about it (or maybe that's just me). Either way, it's well built: solid, with a smooth plastic finish and an IP54 rating that keeps it safe from dust, moisture and dew.

It's also impressively small – like, how-did-they-fit-all-that-in-there small, a feeling that only grows after you see what it's capable of. It's relatively light, too, at 1.3kg / 2.87lbs; that's almost half the 2.5kg of the Seestar S50 and a little less than the S30.

There's not a lot to look at, externally. Beyond those two lenses and the DwarfLab logo, there's the main power button – a big circular affair that's very easy to find in the dark and which has a glowing green ring around it – plus a battery status indicator of four green dots, and a single USB-C charging port. On the bottom, meanwhile, there's a 1/4-inch tripod thread.

Image 1 of 4

The Dwarf III's twin lenses (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 2 of 4

The power button is easy to find at night (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 3 of 4

Battery life is not the best (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 4 of 4

Charging is via USB-C (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)

It comes with an excellent carrying case, plus a couple of accessories: a USB-C charging cable, lens wipe cloth, plus a solar filter. The latter snaps on magnetically in a pleasing fashion, and comes with a pouch to keep it safe.

Design is all very well thought out and though it's a shame it doesn't come with a tripod, that's the only minus point in this regard. It's not a massive problem, either, because many of the telescope's intended customers will already have one, and it helps keep the price low.

I've been using either the Seestar S50's tripod or a K&F Concept 64in/163cm model which costs $49 in the US, £45 in the UK and AU$150 in Australia. This is light, sturdy and has a 360-degree ballhead which makes it very easy to angle the Dwarf III for EQ mode (of which more later).

DwarfLab Dwarf III: Features and performance

The included solar filter snaps on magnetically (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)

The Dwarf III is a feature-rich device, with a multitude of abilities and use cases.

Obviously the first of those is to take photos of the night skies, and it does that very well thanks to its 4K Sony IMX678 Starvis 2 sensor – the same type as used in some of the best dash cams, including the Thinkware U3000 Pro. Starvis 2 is particularly strong in low light, while the IMX678's 4K resolution gives you more pixels to work with when cropping in on small and distant objects.

The twin lenses are very helpful. The telephoto is what you'll take most of your images with, while the wide-angle one is mainly for locating objects in the first place; you can take photos with it too, but it has a much lower resolution.

I've got a full gallery of astro images taken with the telescope below, but for now here's just one, my favorite that I've shot with the device. It shows the Eagle Nebula, Messier 16, and if you zoom in on the middle you'll see the famous 'Pillars of Creation', the swirling clouds of dust and gas that wowed the world when the Hubble telescope shot them two decades ago.

The Eagle Nebula, processed in Pixinsight, and showing the Eagles of Creation in the center (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)

The Dwarf III has three internal filters. The most important is the dual-band filter, which targets the OIII (sulphur) and H⍺ (hydrogen) wavelengths – in layman's terms, this means it can capture more of the faint details in nebulae and reduce the impact of light pollution. There's also an astro filter, which extends into the infra-red range and which works best on galaxies and star clusters, and a 'VIS' filter which is used for daytime photography. All are easily selected within the Dwarf III's app; you don't need to physically attach anything.

Speaking of daytime photography, DwarfLabs make a big pitch around the telescope's usefulness around bird watching, and theoretically you could use it instead of a mirrorless camera and telephoto lens for any subject – just don't expect it to rival an expensive chunk of glass from Canon, Nikon or Sony.

The daytime photography ('General') mode includes burst and timelapse options, plus object tracking which I found to be a little hit and miss. 4K video can be recorded at up to 30fps, or 60fps if you switch to 1080p.

There's also a solar system mode for snapping the sun, moon and (theoretically) planets, plus a panorama mode. In Astro mode, meanwhile, you can shoot in either alt-azimuth or equatorial mode.

Performance-wise, the Dwarf III is pretty snappy to turn on and off, and slews to targets quickly and reasonably quietly; it makes less noise than the Seestar S50, for instance, although neither would be likely to wake even the lightest of sleepers next door.

In use, it's unerringly accurate in finding targets, zipping about the sky when you tell it where to go via the built-in star atlas.

It's also incredibly reliable when shooting. If the tracking on a motorized telescope is even a tiny bit off, you'll get star trails and the individual frame will be rejected and not included in the 'stack', potentially reducing detail in the final stacked image. With the Dwarf III, this almost never happened – I generally got around an 80-90% success rate, so if I shot a target for an hour, I'd get around 50 minutes' worth of photos. This is way better than my experience than shooting with the Seestar S50, where it can be more like 50% at times.

Plus, that's when shooting with 15-second exposures in alt-az mode; put it in EQ mode and you can get 30s shots with a similar success rate. This all makes it very easy to capture a lot of data on a target in a short time.

One of the few downsides is that the battery is not the biggest – only 10,000mAh, which is good for about 5 hours in astro mode when tracking and shooting a target, according to DwarfLab, and which was about right in my experience. You almost certainly won't get through a full night's shooting with it.

That said, I didn't put it to the test often, preferring instead to leave a much bigger power bank connected to it to ensure I got a full night's shooting. I tend to use Iniu power banks, which I've found to be very reliable and extremely well priced; the model below is well worth checking out and will triple the Dwarf III's capacity.

DwarfLab Dwarf III: Software

Scheduling on the Dwarf III is very simple (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)

The nature of a smart telescope means that all of your interactions with it will be via an app – it's not like you can look through as you can with an old-school reflector or refractor.

That puts a lot of pressure on the device's software to be slick and simple to use, and fortunately the Dwarf III's is just that – with a few caveats.

I began using the Dwarf III several months ago, and on my first few nights shooting with it found the interface to be a little confusing. It wasn't a horror show by any means, but it wasn't as intuitive as ZWO's Seestar app. For instance, I'd click on the big 'Photo' button front and center to start shooting a galaxy or nebula, then would realize that I'd have to go back in and select the 'Atlas' option to actually choose my target.

Settings for options such as exposure time, meanwhile, were hidden within a menu called 'Function' – which really didn't (to me) suggest 'Settings'. I got used to it all after a few nights, but it was a little more confusing than it could have been.

The good news is that DwarfLabs is continually updating the platform, and a recent update has massively improved the experience. Those settings are now within a menu named 'Parameter, which is far more sensible, and the Atlas is available from within the shooting screen. There's a simple toggle between the wide and telephoto cameras, whereas before you tapped the small one to change between them, but again without labelling. It's all much more slick and easy to use.

(Note that most of my images in this review are using the old version of the software, because there's not been a clear night in the UK for me to take further screenshots for what feels like about 15 years now. I'll update them soon.)

There's a scheduling feature within the app, which works as you'd want it to and which is better than the one in ZWO's app. This is a vital inclusion, because most people won't want to stay up all night – they'll want to set the Dwarf III running with a list of targets, then wake refreshed in the morning to a lovely collection of images.

It's very easy to get polar alignment in EQ mode via the Dwarf III app (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)

Switching to EQ mode is also pretty trouble-free. For the uninitiated, this lets the Dwarf III rotate fully in sync with the skies, meaning you can take longer exposures than in standard alt-az mode. Anything longer than 30 seconds will need to be in EQ mode (the maximum exposure is two minutes) and in my experience it's best for 30 seconds too; alt-az mode is fine for 15s exposures.

The Dwarf III app guides you through the process of setting the telescope into EQ mode, telling you exactly which direction and what amount to adjust the tripod head by, and the whole thing only takes about five minutes, less if you haven't moved the tripod since the previous session.

The Stellar Studio processing suite can get great results with very little effort (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)

The included Stellar Studio software is also great. This lets you carry out basic processing actions on photos via the cloud, rather than needing to download them to your computer.

It's not exactly stacked with options, but does a really good job of reducing noise, sharpening stars and bringing out details. You can also remove stars entirely if you want that lovely clean view of a galaxy or nebula.

The Dwarf III's wide-angle and telephoto cameras work well in General/Daytime mode (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)

Finally, in 'General' mode the app works pretty well to let you zoom in on a target. You can use the wide-angle view to get an overall view of your surroundings, then click on the screen to adjust where the telephoto lens is pointing. Another click switches to the telephoto view and you can start snapping away.

DwarfLab Dwarf III: Image qualityImage 1 of 38

The Eagle nebula, unprocessed (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 2 of 38

The Eagle nebula, processed in Pixinsight (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 3 of 38

The East Veil nebula, unprocessed (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 4 of 38

The East Veil nebula, processed in Pixinsight (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 5 of 38

The Bubble nebula, unprocessed (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 6 of 38

The Bubble nebula, processed in Pixinsight (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 7 of 38

The West Veil nebula, unprocessed (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 8 of 38

The West Veil nebula, processed in Pixinsight (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 9 of 38

The Andromeda Galaxy, M33, unprocessed (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 10 of 38

The Andromeda Galaxy, M33, processed in Pixinsight (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 11 of 38

The Heart nebula, unprocessed (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 12 of 38

The Heart nebula, processed in Pixinsight (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 13 of 38

The Soul nebula, unprocessed (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 14 of 38

The Soul nebula, processed in Pixinsight (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 15 of 38

The M33 galaxy in Triangulum, unprocessed (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 16 of 38

The M33 galaxy in Triangulum, processed in Pixinsight (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 17 of 38

The Omega nebula, unprocessed (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 18 of 38

The Omega nebula, processed in Pixinsight (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 19 of 38

The Pacman nebula, unprocessed (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 20 of 38

The Pacman nebula, processed in Pixinsight (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 21 of 38

M24, the small Sagittarius star cloud, unprocessed (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 22 of 38

M24, the small Sagittarius star cloud, processed in Pixinsight (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 23 of 38

The Iris nebula, unprocessed (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 24 of 38

The Iris nebula, processed in Pixinsight (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 25 of 38

The Elephant's Trunk nebula, unprocessed (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 26 of 38

The Elephant's Trunk nebula, processed in Pixinsight (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 27 of 38

The Crescent nebula, unprocessed (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 28 of 38

The Crescent nebula, processed in Pixinsight (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 29 of 38

The Pelican nebula, unprocessed (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 30 of 38

The Pelican nebula, processed in Pixinsight (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 31 of 38

The Double Cluster, unprocessed (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 32 of 38

The Double Cluster, processed in Pixinsight (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 33 of 38

The Wizard nebula, unprocessed (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 34 of 38

The Wizard nebula, processed in Pixinsight (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 35 of 38

The Dumbbell nebula, unprocessed (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 36 of 38

The Dumbbell nebula, processed in Pixinsight (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 37 of 38

The M39 cluster, unprocessed (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 38 of 38

The M39 cluster, processed in Pixinsight (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)

There's one very important thing that anyone using a smart telescope for the first time needs to understand: you won't be getting Hubble-challenging images straight out of the camera. Well, obviously, you won't be getting Hubble-challenging images at all; this is a $500 smart telescope, not a rig that costs 10 times that.

But even with that in mind, there's a big difference between the photos that the Dwarf III creates for you, and the results that you can achieve with some proper processing.

The easiest way to demonstrate that is with some before and after photos – so check out the gallery above. In every case, you'll see the unprocessed image produced by the Dwarf III first, followed by the version I processed in Pixinsight, the specialist astrophotography software I use.

Image 1 of 3

The unprocessed image of the East Veil nebula (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 2 of 3

The East Veil nebula processed in DwarfLab's Stellar Studio (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 3 of 3

And my version processed in Pixinsight (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)

Now, let's get one thing straight: I'm not an expert when it comes to astro image processing. It's an incredibly complex hobby, with sometimes arcane software to master and a surprisingly large amount of technical knowledge needed to really get the best results. In fact, I think I prefer some of the Dwarf III's images, at least when it comes to color – which is one of the toughest things to get right.

Regardless of what you think of my images (I won't be offended, promise), you can see that processing reduces noise and brings out more detail and color. To really get the best from the Dwarf III, you will still want to do some processing.

Fortunately, as mentioned above, it's pretty easy to considerably improve things within the Dwarf III's Stellar Studio on your phone, with no need to shell out for or learn anything more complicated.

For instance, try the above image of the glorious East Veil nebula – the original, unprocessed image is pretty good, but Stellar Studio turns it into something epic, and my Pixinsight version is only a slight improvement (if anything).

The Dwarf III's wide field of view really shines with this shot of the awesome Bubble Nebula (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)

One of the things I really love about the Dwarf III is its wide 2.9x1.7-degree field of view, even when using the telephoto camera. The Seestar S50 has a much narrower 0.7x1.2-degree FOV, while the S30 is close to the Dwarf at 1.22x2.13-degree.

The net effect of this is that you get a real sense of drama with the Dwarf III. I love the Seestar S50, but with many targets you end up with a close-up of the object. You can get around this by using mosaic mode (the Dwarf also has one of these), but in my experience mosaics take longer to shoot and are harder to process.

The Dwarf, meanwhile, almost always captures the object and its surroundings. Its field of view is wide enough to cover the whole of Andromeda, for instance, whereas the S50 gets only the central section.

Of course you may prefer a closer view of targets, but the Dwarf's 4K resolution means you can crop in anyway and still have a decent-sized image. It's possible that the Seestar S30 will give me the FOV I love from the Dwarf with some of ZWO's advantages too, but I've not used that device yet, so that comparison will have to wait.

Image 1 of 3

The Dwarf III takes decent nature photos, but they're not what you'd buy it for (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 2 of 3

The ability to easily find and then zoom in on targets is one of the Dwarf III's strengths (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)Image 3 of 3

Solar photography on the Dwarf III is easy and produces good results (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)

In general mode, image quality is fine. That's a pretty nice shot of a pigeon on my lawn above, but view the full-size image and you'll see the feathers lack definition. My Fujifilm X-T5 mirrorless camera would do a better job with a good zoom lens.

Solar photography, meanwhile, is easy to do – you simply snap on the filter then move to the target. Admittedly, for some reason the Dwarf finds it much harder to locate the sun than it does a tiny object many millions of light years away, but the Seestar S50 is no different in this regard.

I've only taken a few solar shots with the Dwarf III and was relatively impressed by them, but it's not an area of photography I'm particularly interested in.

Should I buy the DwarfLabs Dwarf III?Buy it if…

You're a beginner
The Dwarf III is one of the easiest, most hassle-free ways to give astrophotography a whirl. Beginners will be taking photos of galaxies in no time.View Deal

You don't have much time
You can pick up the Dwarf III and have it shooting within minutes – which is great if you either have a busy life or are afflicted by cloudy skies. View Deal

You want to travel light
The Dwarf III is small enough to chuck in a bag and take away for a trip – and light enough that it won't break your back.View Deal

Don't buy it if…

You're an upgrader
The Dwarf III is unashamedly a beginner scope. Sure, it can take amazing photos, but after a year or two you may find yourself wanting to upgrade – and as this is an all-in-one device, that means buying a new model. View Deal

You want a tighter field of view
The Dwarf III's wide view is great for big targets, but you'll get a closer vision of small objects such as planetary nebulae with the Seestar S50.View Deal

You want to take photos of planets
As above, the Dwarf III's field of view makes it entirely unsuited to imaging Mars, Jupiter and the rest of the gang. You might see a small Saturn-shaped dot, but not much more. View Deal

Also consider

ZWO Seestar S50

The S50 has a longer focal length and bigger aperture than the Dwarf III, meaning you get a much closer view and a bit more detail. I own the S50 and have taken some wonderful photos with it – choosing between them is tough. Really it depends on which field of view you prefer. View Deal

ZWO Seestar S30

The S30 has the same focal length and a similar field of view to the Dwarf, but a smaller aperture. I've not used it, but I expect it to deliver similar – but probably slightly inferior – results to the Dwarf.View Deal

Unistellar Odyssey Pro

The Unistellar Odyssey Pro is in a different class of smart telescope entirely, with a price tag of $4,500 / £3,500 and far better specs in almost every regard. At this price you could get an impressive mount+telescope+camera set-up, though – so it's probably best suited to those who have more money than time.View Deal

How I tested the DwarfLabs Dwarf III

The Dwarf III smart telescope on a roof terrace in Crete (Image credit: Future/TechRadar)

I took the Dwarf III with me on vacation to Crete, Greece, where I was lucky enough to be staying in an apartment with a roof terrace – and in a country with clear skies every night. I used the smart telescope extensively over the next week or so, taking photos of multiple targets including the Eagle nebula, Omega nebula and Andromeda galaxy.

When I returned to the UK, I used it whenever I could, which unfortunately was not that often due to the clouds which blanket the nation for about three-quarters of every month. Here, I set it up alongside my ZWO Seestar S50, taking photos of the same subjects for the same amount of time so I could directly compare results.

I also tried it in EQ mode, in Solar mode, in General mode for a bit of nature photography and spent many hours processing the photos it produced in all modes.

Categories: Reviews

This cordless upright vacuum blends power and portability – it's perfect for small homes

TechRadar Reviews - Sat, 11/08/2025 - 00:00

Shark Freestyle Max: two-minute reviewProduct info

This model has slightly different names and product codes in different territories:

US: Freestyle Max SV2002
UK: Freestyle Pro / Freestyle Max SV2000UK
AU: Freestyle Max SV2000NV

For this review, I tested the US version. The UK version has also been tested by the TechRadar homes team. The only notable discrepancy between the different versions is that the US version has headlamps, and the UK and AU versions do not.

The Shark Freestyle Max is not your average upright vacuum. It's far lighter and more streamlined, and it's cordless too. After its launch in October 2025, I tested it out to see how it compares to both the best upright vacuums on the market and the best cordless vacuums.

In terms of suction power, I was very impressed. I used this vacuum in my 1600-square-foot home and it did a great job at cleaning fine materials and large debris from both hard floors and carpet-like rugs. It picked up everything in a single pass and got right up close to the edges of rooms, too.

The design is very basic but effective – you use your foot to press down on a big button on the floorhead to turn the machine on and off and switch modes. Charging happens via a dock, but this is about as compact as you can imagine – smaller than even the footprint of the vacuum itself. It's also incredibly affordable – pricing is lower than some of the best cheap vacuums on the market, but the suction power is up there with far pricier stick vacuums.

There are a couple of significant potential drawbacks. Firstly: battery life. The battery doesn't last longer than 20 minutes in hard floor mode and less than 12 minutes in carpet mode. That wasn't enough for me to clean my house in a single go without stopping to recharge (at least recharge is relatively quick at three hours). Secondly: the Freestyle Max is for use on floors only. There are no detail tools, and nor is there a flexible hose that enables you to use the vacuum to clean furniture, stairs, or up high.

If you can handle those drawbacks and are looking for a simple vacuum that packs the power of an upright but without the weight and bulk, the Freestyle Max is a great choice. Keep reading to get deeper insight into its pros and cons.

(Image credit: Future)Shark Freestyle Max review: price & availability

List price: $199.99 / £149 / AU$249.99
Launched: October 2025
Available: US, UK, AU

The Shark Freestyle Max launched in October 2025, and at list price in the US it costs $199.99, though it's often on sale – at time of writing, it was down to $149.99.

There's an almost-identical model in the UK, minus the headlamps, which costs £149.99 but was discounted to £99 at time of writing. Shark doesn't seem to have decided whether to call it the Freestyle Pro or Freestyle Max, so look at the product code (SV2000UK) to make sure you're getting the right one. The AU model doesn't have headlamps either, and costs AU$249.99 at list price.

It's a budget buy on the wider market, and with the typical discount, it's well priced, considering the strong suction power and the shorter battery life.

Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Value for money score: 4.5 out of 5

Shark Freestyle Max specs

Product code:

SV2002 (US) / SV2000UK (UK) / SV2000NV (AU)

Weight:

6.6 lbs / 3 kg

Bin size:

0.7qt / 0.7L

Max runtime:

21 mins

Charge time:

3 hrs 20

Size (H x W x L):

44.9 x 10.2 x 9.8in / 114 x 26 x 25cm

Modes:

Hard floor mode, Carpet mode

Cleaning path:

10.3in / 26.2cm

Headlamps:

Yes (US) / No (UK and AU)

Shark Freestyle Max review: design

Extremely lightweight for an upright, and cordless
Generous dust cup, foot-press button operation, and two suction modes
Basic but effective in design

Shark set out with the intent to create a more compact and lightweight upright vacuum, and it did just that with the Shark Freestyle Max. Aesthetics wise, the vacuum is white and gray with a modern sleek design.

The vacuum is very lightweight, clocking in 6.6 lbs / 3kg, which would be fairly light for a stick vacuum, let alone an upright. Unlike other vacuums, the button to change between the two suction modes is found on top of the vacuum head.

(Image credit: Future)

To shift between the two modes, you press the button with your foot, and a blue or green light indicates which mode you're in. Look extremely closely and you'll see an icon to indicate that the more powerful 'green' should be used on carpet, whereas the lower-powered 'blue' is for hard flooring.

(Image credit: Future)

The vacuum locks in place so it can stand up on its own. Although the vacuum can't lean back 180 degrees, it comes very close. If I had to guess, I'd say the vacuum leans to about 160 degrees, which is not quite as nimble as a stick vacuum, but still very decent. The US version also has a headlight on the front of the vacuum head to help users see in dim spaces. This isn't included on the UK or Australian versions.

The 0.7-quart / 0.7L dust cup can be removed from the vacuum pod and emptied with a lid release button. A debris screen and filter are located inside the dustbin. There are no additional accessories, nor a flexible tube that would allow you to break down the vacuum and use it to clean windowsills or in the corners of ceilings, à la something like the Shark Stratos Upright.

(Image credit: Future)

Rather unusually, there's a dock for charging. This is smaller than even the footprint of the vacuum, but a simple plug-in setup would probably be more convenient.

Setup took only a few minutes. I just had to click the wand into the vacuum pod, and the vacuum pod onto the floor nozzle. From there, I charged the vacuum, and it was ready to go.

Design score: 3.5 out of 5

Shark Freestyle Max review: performance

Very powerful hard floor and carpet suction, with excellent edge cleaning
Picks up fine materials in a single pass
Maneuverable for an upright but not as nimble as a stick vacuum

From the get-go, I was impressed with the Shark Freestyle Max Cordless Upright Vacuum, especially in terms of suction power. It may be a simple vacuum without smart features or app integration, but it did a great job cleaning fine material – like flour – and larger items – like crumbs and leaves. In fact, no matter if I used the bare floor or the carpet mode, it only took a single pass on rugs and hard floors for the vacuum to pick up all material, be it dirt or hair.

I tested both the front edge and edge cleaning of the vacuum and was very happy with the results. It cleans right to the edge. Unfortunately, if I tried to vacuum in reverse, larger debris like coffee grinds got stuck behind the wheels. It was better to do a forward pass over a mess for quick and efficient cleaning.

I've tested many vacuums over the years, and the Shark Freestyle Max Cordless Upright Vacuum feels a lot more powerful than others. With some vacuums, I need to use a Max or a Turbo mode to pick up large debris. The Freestyle Max isn't outfitted with those types of modes, but thankfully, you don't need them. The suction power of this vacuum outshone many cordless stick vacuums that I've tested in the past.

While not as powerful as bulkier, corded uprights, it's right up there with the priciest cordless stick vacuums when it comes to power. TechRadar's Home Editor Ruth tested the UK version side-by-side with the Dyson Gen5detect and found the cleaning power comparable with that model – all the more impressive considering that vacuum costs five times the price.

(Image credit: Future)

The compromise here is that because of the higher suction power, the battery on this vacuum doesn't last very long. I discuss more about the battery in the battery section, but for reference, I wasn't able to clean my entire house switching between bare floor and carpet modes.

I love that the Shark Freestyle Max Cordless Upright Vacuum is outfitted with a headlight, as it made it easier to see dust and dirt in low lit areas. If only the vacuum paused when locked upright. In terms of sound, the hard floor mode has a dB rating of 79. I measured an 83 dB rating during carpet mode. In my opinion, the vacuum isn't any louder than most.

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Future)

The only other thing I should note is that the vacuum felt a little stiff in terms of maneuverability. Turning the vacuum left or right was not as smooth as I would have liked. While it's nimbler than your average upright vacuum, it's not as maneuverable as most stick vacuums I've used. At least it's lightweight, the vacuum head fits in relatively tight spaces, and it can lean back to about 160 degrees, making it easy to reach under my bed and low furniture.

(Image credit: Future)

Maintenance doesn't take long to complete. When the dust cup was full, I removed it from the vacuum pod and placed it over a trash can. Then I pressed the 'lid release' catch and the dust and dirt emptied. I was able to keep my hands clean. The debris screen and the filter – both located in the dust cup – need to be occasionally removed and washed with water, before air drying for 24 hours.

Performance score: 4 out of 5

Shark Freestyle Max review: battery life

11 mins in Carpet mode; 21 mins in Hard floor mode
Takes about 3 hours and 20 mins for the battery to fully recharge
Battery not removable or replaceable

The battery life of the Shark Freestyle Max Cordless Upright Vacuum depends on which mode is being used. In higher-powered carpet mode, the battery lasted almost 11 and a half minutes, and in hard floor mode, 21 minutes.

Since I have both hard floors and rugs in my 1,600-square-foot house, I tested how long the battery lasted when switching between modes. I was able to clean my bare floors in 15 minutes. Then I switched to carpet mode to vacuum my rugs. The battery lasted only three more minutes, which was not enough time to fully vacuum one of my large rugs. The battery took about three hours and 20 minutes to fully charge. I let it charge for an hour, which gave it enough juice to finish vacuuming my rugs.

The Shark Freestyle Max Cordless Upright Vacuum's battery life is far shorter than most cordless stick vacuums – many models can last up to a full hour in their lowest-powered mode these days, and it's rare to see a maximum runtime shorter than 40 minutes. This model won't fit the bill for those with bigger homes or lots of carpet. However, I see it as a strong choice for apartments, small homes, or anyone who just like having a vacuum to do short bursts of cleaning.

One final black mark against Shark here is that the battery isn't removable or swappable, as is the case with most good modern cordless vacuums. That means once the batteries wears out, you'll have to throw the whole machine away.

Battery life score: 2 out of 5

Should you buy the Shark Freestyle Max?

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

Very affordably priced, with performance up there with far more expensive cordless models. The compromise is short battery.

4.5 / 5

Design

Very basic in terms of features, but perfectly functional and well-built. Cordless uprights are very rare, so it fills that niche.

3.5 / 5

Performance

Very lightweight and maneuverable for an upright. Picks up fine and large materials in a single pass and offers impeccable edge cleaning.

4 / 5

Battery life

The battery doesn't last longer than 20 minutes, which is very short.

2 / 5

Buy it if...

You want a powerful vacuum for quick cleanups

The suction power of this vacuum is powerful, so much so that you can pick up small and large debris in one forward pass. It's not as sucky as the bulkiest corded uprights, but packs a real punch for a cordless.

You're on a budget

This vacuum has an extremely wallet-friendly price tag, and it's often discounted further. For the cleaning power on offer, it's a steal.

You have more limited mobility

Upright vacuums are typically heavy and bulky, but the Shark Freestyle Max Cordless Upright Vacuum is far more compact, lighter and easier to maneuver, but it still stands up on its own, making it a strong choice for those with limited mobility.

Don't buy it if...

You have a medium / large house or lots of carpet

The limited battery life – which is even shorter in the higher-powered mode – makes this vacuum a poor choice for larger homes or those with lots of carpet, unless you're only planning to use it for a room or two at a time.

You want to clean stairs or furniture

There's no configuration that lets you clean anything that's not flat floor. Most uprights have a flexible hose and detail tools for cleaning above the ground, but that's not included here.

You can handle a cord or a heavier upright

If you can deal with the extra weight and the inconvenience of a cord, there are uprights that deliver even more oomph, can be used for detail cleaning, and won't run out of juice mid-clean.

How I tested the Shark Freestyle Max

I tested the Shark Freestyle Max Cordless Upright Vacuum for a week in my 1,600-square-foot home, using it to vacuum my hardwood and laminate floors and two large rugs. Everything from how well it suctioned debris to the length of battery life and ease of movement was tested and considered when writing this review.

The UK version was also tested on-team in the TechRadar offices, where it was used on hard floor, mid-pile carpet and deep-pile carpet, and the suction power was compared to that of a premium Dyson stick vacuum.

Read more about how we test vacuum cleaners

First reviewed November 2025

Categories: Reviews

After one and a half playthroughs, Tales of Xillia Remastered has proven that this old RPG was worthy of an upgrade

TechRadar Reviews - Fri, 11/07/2025 - 22:00

The Tales series has been going strong for almost 30 years. From the humble Tales of Phantasia to the recent Tales of Arise, the Japanese role-playing game franchise has shown no signs of slowing down.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, PC, Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: October 31, 2025

In celebration of the anniversary, Bandai Namco has released a few remasters, one of which is Tales of Xillia Remastered. The 2013 original has now been reborn for the next generation of consoles and gamers, and I can safely say it’s well-deserved of it and more.

On the road (Again)

The story of Tales of Xillia follows a group of ragtag heroes on the lam after discovering a secret government weapon.

There’s a lot of depth and nuance laced in the narrative, as simple as it may seem at times. Its tackling of themes like life, neglect, and family rings true throughout. It's not too in your face either, weaving it all in like a fine tapestry for you to unravel as the story progresses. Plus, the action and drama are done quite well, delivering some great scenes and thoughtful moments.

If this is your first time with Xillia, there’s much to enjoy in it. For starters, the cast of colorful characters is among the series’ best. Each is highly memorable and lays the groundwork for future titles. From the shifty Alvin to the budding Leia, you instantly grow attached to them and by the game’s end, don’t want to leave them behind. Also, more games should have cool elders like Rowen. It shouldn't always just be teens hogging the spotlight!

Tales of Xillia Remastered can be played from two perspectives: the kind doctor Jude Mathis or the god-like deity Milla Maxwell. It’s the same story in each one, just told from a different viewpoint. Some plot points are learned earlier in one and later in another, and even holes in one story are filled in the next. Even if most of the gameplay is the same in each, it does boost the replayability a lot.

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)An old dog has learned some new tricks

In terms of updates, there’s a lot of work being done for the remaster. For one thing, it feels extremely approachable compared to other entries.

For example, guide markers for maps help steer players in the right direction, which is extremely helpful for certain maps. An autosave feature has also been added, which helps whenever you are unable to get to a save point or quicksave. All the additions are convenient and helpful, making Remastered the best version to play of Tales of Xillia.

Perhaps the biggest upgrade is the graphics. Seeing as Tales of Xillia is from 2013, it got a noticeable facelift in the remaster. Characters and settings look a lot nicer, and the improved framerate lends way to smoother gameplay. At times, however, the visuals can feel a bit lackluster, with some of the animations being a touch stiff.

Still, for a remaster, it does translate quite well and plays great on the PlayStation 5. Though some of the audio is a bit glitchy, with character's voices drowned out by mixing issues.

Best Bit

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)

The colorful cast of characters and abundant customization radiate throughout Tales of Xillia Remastered. Plus, with improved graphics and great accessibility, it makes for the most approachable Tales game yet.

If you played Tales of Arise, you may notice the battle system is quite different, but it’s one worth staying with. While the LMBS system does take some getting used to, it feels fluid and fun.

I was a bit intimidated, given I’m used to Arise’s open-air combat, but it does grow on you quickly. Despite an option to walk around freely, I barely used it, as I started to find the groove of the system.

Furthermore, the link system, which connects you with another member on the battlefield, is a lot of fun to use. Crafting combos on the fly and hitting a satisfying move on an enemy never got old.

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)Nostalgic yet new

One of the best parts of Tales of Xillia Remastered, for me at least, is the vast amount of customization at your disposal. While it is in the original, the Lillium Orb is a fantastic system for players to use. It lets you personalize your moves, stats, and skills to your desire. The same goes for your teammates, as you can outfit them however you like. Want your Milla to be magic-focused with Alvin dealing critical? It’s all there and something I hope future Tales titles return to.

For many, this is likely the first time they will play Tales of Xillia, and for others, it’s a return trip. The ones who will benefit the most from the remaster are newcomers, as it gives them a whole new playground to explore. Older fans will get to see the world they know brought back to life for new consoles. Luckily, there’s a lot to love from both perspectives, whether it’s the intuitive new features or the upgraded graphics.

Overall, Tales of Xillia Remastered set out to do one thing and did it right. A classic has been reborn for a new era, and even more fans get to meet Jude, Milla, and the gang and go on the run with them. The improved graphics, while a touch shoddy at times, bring life back to the world and give way to the best version of the title on the market. With tons of replayability, customization, and charm, you can’t go wrong with it.

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)Should you play Tales of Xillia Remastered?Play it if...

You love RPGS with a lovable cast of characters to spend time with
In an RPG the game is as good as the companions you spend it with. Luckily, Tales of Xillia has a great group to follow. Each new member adds a key element in battle and nobody feels out of place.

You enjoy intricate battle systems that allow for customizable builds
The Lillium Orb is a fantastic way to customize and personalize your playstyle. You can make any of your party the way you’d like them to be, like a unstoppable tank or a magic powerhouse. It’s an element that I hope makes a return in future titles, even if Arise moved away from it.

You liked any of the other Tales of games and want a new experience
For those who played Arise and Berseria, this is worth getting into. It’s not as long as those titles, but you’ll find it does all things a Tales game should: great gameplay, fun characters, and a gripping story.

Don't play it if...

You are looking for proper current-gen RPG experience
Unfortunately, while it does look better than the original, Tales of Xillia Remastered is still a bit rough around the edges due to its age. Compared to other remasters it doesn’t have too many updated textures. However, it does feel noticeably smoother thanks to the improved framerate.

Accessibility features

In terms of accessibility, there are a few different options to adjust. The biggest is difficulty, it ranges from easy to unknown, the hardest one. Map adjustments, like the newly added markers, are available, as is turning on/off encounters in the open world. You can also change between English and Japanese audio at any time. Button mapping is also customizable and easy to use.

There isn’t too much on display, though, and it may have benefited from adding colorblind modes. Still, what’s been added definitely helps make Tales of Xillia Remastered a more approachable title for newcomers and fans alike.

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)How I reviewed Tales of Xillia Remastered

I played Tales of Xillia Remastered for around 30 hours, finishing the main story with some side content. My first playthrough was Jude with some time in New Game+ as Milla Maxwell.

There is multiplayer available, but I did not try it for the review. I played the game on a base PS5 with the DualSense wireless controller and Razer BlackShark V2 wired gaming headset, all on a Roku 4K TV. If you played other Tales titles like Symphonia and Vesperia, you’ll find a lot of similarities here.

First reviewed November 2025

Categories: Reviews

This phenomenal smart lamp is giving serious aurora borealis vibes, and I can’t get enough of it

TechRadar Reviews - Fri, 11/07/2025 - 15:00

Govee Uplighter Floor Lamp review

The Govee Uplighter Floor Lamp is a feature-packed smart light that combines practical lighting with vivid and eye-catching visual effects through preset scenes and custom settings.

Since its launch in June 2025, the Govee Uplighter Floor Lamp has been available to buy direct from Govee, as well as Amazon and other retailers. It has a list price of $179.99 / £179.99, which is great value for money considering how convenient and versatile it is.

Better still, at the time of writing, Govee is offering a discount of $30 / £30, taking the cost down to just $149.99 / £149.99, which is a fantastic price considering this is one of the best smart lights I’ve tested. There’s a similar deal at Amazon, lowering the cost to £149.99 in the UK, but it's just $20 off in the US, so it’s worth purchasing from Govee if you’re buying from across the pond.

The process of assembling the Uplighter was straightforward, although I suggest having someone assist with attaching the lamp section to the pole if you have limited shoulder mobility. Alternatively, if you have the floorspace, you can do what I did and prop up the pole with boxes so you can build the lamp on its side, but it’s much more of a faff than assembling it standing up.

While the Uplighter is pretty lanky at 66.9 inches / 170cm, it’s reassuringly stable thanks to its weighted base. It has a simple aesthetic when it’s not in use. The majority of its outer surfaces are plastic apart from the aluminium stand, which appears to have a powder-coated finish.

I can’t help but find the lampshade somewhat uninspiring when not lit up, but that’s simply because I’m obsessed with how pretty it is when the colors are flowing. Nonetheless, it has a nice finish, featuring a combination of clear and smoky black translucent plastics separated by a black band with a matte finish.

(Image credit: Cesci Angell)

A little word of warning: the clear dome of the lampshade is easy to scuff. I accidentally scuffed mine when it gently knocked against the sloped section of my living room ceiling as I was testing the lamp’s stability. It’s not noticeable when the sidelamp is turned on, but I still recommend taking extra care when shifting the Uplighter about.

The Govee Uplighter Floor Lamp had me hooked in seconds with the bright and colorful effects that were projected from its ripple light. The color-shifting sidelight is a satisfying element too, especially for someone as addicted to color as I am. The downlighter proved satisfyingly practical, too, especially with its easy-to-adjust color temperature and brightness settings.

Govee states this lamp can emit up to 1000lm of brightness, and I can confirm that the downlighter makes for convenient task lighting. The uplighter’s brightness means that the ripple effects are beautifully vivid, even during the daytime, and it looks utterly fantastic when ramped up to 100 percent at night.

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(Image credit: Cesci Angell)

At the time of writing, only two of the lamp’s elements can be used simultaneously, though I’ve heard murmurings that we may be able to enable all three in the future. This limitation isn’t really an issue, and I’m sure some may consider using all three lights as overkill; however, I’d love it if I didn’t have to sacrifice one of the colorful elements when using the downlighter.

In terms of onboard controls, there are two buttons located on the front of the pole, one for power and the other for switching between scenes and color temperatures. They work just fine, but I primarily use the Govee Home app or my Echo Dot (5th Gen) to control my Uplighter.

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(Image credit: Cesci Angell)

The Govee Home app is the best app for smart lights I’ve used to date – and I’ve tested a bunch of them. After taking a few moments to sync with the Uplighter, the app gave me access to a range of device settings, including preset features, smart home assistant, and Matter syncing.

More excitingly, there’s a boatload of preset scenes to explore, from multi-colored aurora effects to floating mists from the ripple light, to themed side and downlighter combos. There’s plenty of opportunity to finetune the effects, too, with DIY and AI creation sections, along with adjustable speed settings on many of the existing scenes.

There’s also a super convenient auto-run feature, which is great to have, especially if you don’t own a smart home assistant – it allows you to assign different scenes and settings to specific times of the day.

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(Image credit: Cesci Angell)

In summary, this is a fantastic, multi-functional lamp that makes an eye-catching feature, while also providing adjustable and convenient task lighting. So, if you love the sound of the Govee Uplighter Floor Lamp, I highly recommend purchasing one to experience its mesmerizing and colorful displays for yourself.

If you enjoy getting lost in captivating visuals to help you unwind, but you’re looking for something a little smaller, then I suggest checking out the Govee Table Lamp 2, which offers a huge range of stunning preset scenes, as well as a bunch of customizable settings. Better yet, if you happen to be looking for a smart speaker as well, the Govee Table Lamp 2 Pro comes with built-in JBL sound, and its larger size means there’s more space for all those calming colors to swirl about.

Govee Uplighter Floor Lamp review: Price and specs

Price

$179.99 / £179.99

Model

H60B0

Colors

RGBWW, RGBIC, WW

Lumens

1000lm

Color temperature

2700K-6500K

Dimensions

12.2 x 12.2 x 66.9 inches / 310 x 310 x 170cm

Connectivity

2.4GHz Wi-Fi, Bluetooth

App

Yes

Control methods

App, voice control, pushbutton controls

Additional features

3-in-1 lighting effects, dynamic ripple effect

Should I buy the Govee Uplighter Floor Lamp?Buy it if...

If you love colorful lighting
Whether you’re a color addict like me, or you love unwinding by losing yourself in colorful, sensory-calming visuals, this uplighter will be right up your street.

You want a lamp that’s pretty and practical
With the downlighter’s adjustable temperature and brightness, Govee has struck the perfect balance between attractive lighting effects and practical task lighting with this floor lamp.

Don't buy it if...

You want a subtle floor lamp
While it works well as a task lamp, and the color-changing shade makes for a great feature, the standout feature of this uplighter is its vivid aurora-like projections.

You want a lamp that looks pretty when it’s off
I’ll be honest, I’m scraping the bottom of the barrel a bit here, as I don’t have many negative points on the Uplighter. However, if you’re not into simple, modern lamps, then you might not appreciate the look of this floor lamp when it’s not in action.

Govee Uplighter Floor Lamp review: Also consider

Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp
If you’d prefer to wash your walls with color instead, and would rather be kinder to your budget, then this colorful column is the perfect choice. This easy-to-assemble wall washer was considered pleasingly sturdy by our reviewer, and its slim design makes it a more discreet option. Like the uplighter, there’s a range of scenes and DIY settings to explore, and it’s easy to control via its app and voice control via your smart home system. If you’d like to learn more, check out our full Nanoleaf Smart Multicolor Floor Lamp review.

How I tested the Govee Uplighter Floor Lamp

I used the Govee Uplighter Floor Lamp regularly over a few weeks
I tested the different features and customizable settings
I observed the brightness and visibility of the scenes in light and dark environments

I used the Govee Uplighter Floor Lamp to light up my bedroom and living room ceilings with colorful loveliness for a few weeks. I also used the downlighter as a gentle source of light in the evening, as well as task lighting whenever required.

I explored all of the Uplighter’s features, trying out the different preset scenes, creating my own, and experimenting with various lamp combinations.

I used the app regularly for customization, but I mostly used voice control to power it on and off, via my Amazon Echo Dot.

I used the Govee Uplighter Floor Lamp in my living room most days, and moved it to my bedroom so that I could enjoy the calming ripple effect lighting while lying in bed. I used it on sunny days and at night, so that I could assess how visible the effects were with various levels of ambient light.

First reviewed: November 2025
Read more about how we test

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