Reviews

When Final Fantasy Tactics was released in 1997, it was lauded as a masterful tactical role-playing game (RPG), mixing impressive visual effects with depth-filled combat and a stellar narrative. But now, this beloved title has been reborn, affording longtime fans as well as new players the chance to experience it all. Enter Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles – Square Enix’s remaster of a true classic.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, Nintendo Switch (physical and digital); Nintendo Switch 2, PS4, Xbox Series X and Series S, PC (digital only)
Release date: September 30, 2025

This expanded remaster brings plenty of shiny new stuff to the table. It’s fully voice-acted, has considerably upgraded visuals, and a fair few quality-of-life updates. All of these are available in the ‘Enhanced’ edition of the game, but you can also play through the original if you’d prefer, which uses the translation from War of the Lions – an updated version of the game which launched on the PlayStation Portable (PSP) back in 2007.

Anyway, I’ve played through the entirety of the Enhanced version of Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, and I’ve got plenty of thoughts – most of which are positive, fans will be delighted to hear! Let’s take a closer look at this remaster, then, and find out if it can do justice to a real fan favorite.

An adventure like no other

(Image credit: SQUARE ENIX)

If you’re new to Final Fantasy Tactics, I’ll give you a quick rundown of the game’s premise. Ramza Beoulve is a highborn young man, who is thrust into a deeply political, brutal conflict – one that centers around two nobles vying for the throne of Ivalice.

Ramza – alongside his allies – will play a gigantic part in the war’s trajectory…though his actions will later be obscured in the history books. It is up to you, the player, to uncover the truth behind this conflict – and the importance of Ramza’s role within it.

You’ll control young Ramza and his allies across various battlefields, which use a tile configuration – something that fans of the Fire Emblem series, for example, will be well familiar with. You’ll have to level up your characters, recruit increasingly powerful units, and make use of the renowned job system – one of the best parts of the game, hands down.

You can switch between a number of jobs – spell casters like Black and White Mages, sword users like Squires and Knights, and a whole lot more. A key difference in the Enhanced version is that there’s a fully-fledged Job Tree, which makes it easy to understand how to unlock each class, and lets you track your progress in doing so.

Best bit

(Image credit: SQUARE ENIX)

I had a huge amount of fun creating an army-crushing squad in The Ivalice Chronicles. Creating a monk, who could heal and hit-hard, while also using the Ninja’s dual wield skill for 2x the power, made for a truly devastating combination.

As had previously been the case, you earn job points in battle to increase a unit’s proficiency in a particular class, through which you can earn new abilities and passive skills. Mixing and matching skills from different jobs is great fun – and optimizing your skillset will be crucial if you want to make it through the main story, which is by no means a breeze…more on that later.

Some jobs do take ages to unlock – but it doesn’t always feel worth your time, given that some of the classes further along the tree have skills that seem a little situational. Still, you don’t have to make use of these jobs. One of my main units, for reference, was a monk – a melee fighter class you unlock pretty early. I just ensured that he had secondary skills from the Ninja class to keep him primed for late-game combat.

If your beloved monk unit dies in battle, for example, it may well be gone forever…devastating, I know. When a character faints, a display with three hearts will appear above it, and one heart will deplete for each turn a character remains unconscious. If you don’t revive it or complete the battle objective within this time, it will be gone forever.

New auto-save slots have made it easier to go back to before your unit dies – which is a very welcome inclusion. I used this a fair amount in my playthrough. After all, do you really want to spend hours on end re-training a new unit? Personally, I don’t have time for all that!

There’s one more thing I’d like to note about perma-death. In Fire Emblem titles, your units typically have a unique appearance and personality – something that can leave you feeling attached to them, and this causes deaths to feel that little bit more gutting.

In Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, though, a lot of characters have identical appearances and no personality beyond their brief vocal soundbites. This meant I wasn’t particularly attached or interested in my standard units – I often replaced them with special ones that play a more direct role in the plot, have unique costumes, and join your party as you progress through the story. By the way, Cloud from Final Fantasy VII (one of my favorite games, and one of the best RPGs of all time) is one of these…how cool is that?!

Not for the faint of heart

(Image credit: SQUARE ENIX)

Speaking of special units, some of these are going to be extremely helpful – and sometimes almost feel necessary – to get through story battles. There’s one in particular who will join you late on, who is seriously powerful. I won’t spoil who it is for newcomers, but without them, I’d have been toast on a number of occasions.

Yes, I’ll be honest, I found The Ivalice Chronicles to be hard. At times, very hard. I’m an RPGs guy, and have finished some pretty punishing titles – yes, even Shin Megami Tensei III: Nocturne. But the thing that caught me off guard in this game was its severe difficulty spikes.

Some of these, especially early on, forced me to better my understanding of the title’s impressively deep battle mechanics – stuff like zodiac compatibility, faith, and bravery elements require close attention.

Difficulty spikes later on, though, could feel pretty frustrating. I went from reconsidering my team’s build and strategy early on to reconsidering whether my sanity was still intact by the end. These spikes can make progression feel a little uneven, it has to be said, although there are ways to push through the most challenging encounters.

For instance, you can hop into random battles on the world map to grind up your levels and earn job points to get better healing skills, spells, and combat abilities. And these are entirely at your own pace – don’t fancy a random encounter? Just press flee and you can skip it. Need some EXP? Run around for a bit and prepare for battle. I love that you’re not forced into fights – something that can make some RPGs feel repetitive and relentless.

In addition, you can complete errands, which give you gil (the game’s currency) to spend on better armor, weapons, headgear, and accessories. They can also give you experience points and job points. These are entirely optional and are a useful way to earn experience for any backup units you want to use in the event of a character dying, for example.

Anyway, after you’ve been struggling in a fight and you’ve taken some time to train up, you’ll likely find a route to victory. And when you do, you’re going to feel very satisfied – I know I did. The endgame especially was pretty rough for me, but I got there in the end. It's worth noting that I played the whole game on Knight difficulty – the sort of ‘normal’ level. However, the Enhanced version adds an easy mode, Squire, and a hard mode, Tactician – that one’s for the show-offs.

A message more potent than ever, for a new generation

(Image credit: SQUARE ENIX)

Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles has a stellar narrative – one that plays to themes that are arguably even more timely now than they were almost 30 years ago.

The conflict I mentioned earlier takes place after a separate 50-year-long war, which has left much of the kingdom in economic turmoil. Distrust in the ruling class is at an all-time high, with the masses left to struggle in a ruined kingdom while nobles indulge in luxury. The world was, and remains, incredibly designed, with a new ‘state of the realm’ page that clarifies story details and can refresh your memory of character names, among other things.

State of the realm is one of many additions – most of which make for a much more refined experience. Personally, I love the revamped graphics – the game remains true to its roots, visually speaking. Battle animations are incredibly fluid, backdrops are beautifully composed, and colors really pop, injecting a ton of character into this complex world. The incredible score also adds so much texture to the world, and even random encounter tracks, like Apoplexy and Desert Land, had my head bopping mid-battle.

Functionally speaking, one of the best new features is fast-forward, which makes the pace of battle so much more palatable. A lot of movement and combat does feel pretty sluggish, so being able to speed through your enemy’s actions is most welcome. This also helps if you’re sitting through dialogue you’re already familiar with, and I made extensive use of it.

I already mentioned stuff like difficulty options, the job tree, and auto-save – and these all feel like considered, user-friendly inclusions – but despite that, there was some stuff I wasn’t loving about the Enhanced version.

(Image credit: SQUARE ENIX)

This might be controversial, but I think the voice acting is, at best, just OK. Some characters are well represented. Ben Starr – who was phenomenal as Verso in Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 – does a good job with the cunning and crafty Dycedarg. The personalities of other characters, including Agrias, Cidolfus, and Ramza himself, are also communicated well – but the same can’t be said for others.

Some performances feel a little restrained, non-special characters occasionally have inconsistent accents or tones of voice, and some non-player characters (NPCs) have voices that don’t match their sprites whatsoever. I mean, am I really meant to believe this teenage-looking soldier sounds like a 50-year-old geezer from the east end of London?

Furthermore, I was frustrated by the game’s camera on numerous occasions. Sometimes, it would pan to a bizarre angle that prevented me from seeing the on-screen action. A new overhead tactical view did remedy this at times, but I would’ve liked some further improvements here. Otherwise, performance is fantastic on the PS5 version, no notes.

There's one more thing that didn’t bother me too much, but will be a concern for others. Content from War of the Lions is largely missing in this remaster. That means that its side content and drawn cutscenes have been mostly left out – something that will upset fans of the well-regarded PSP version, I’m sure.

Still, though, I have to say that I had a great time with Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles. Yes, I have some minor gripes – severe difficulty spikes, a sometimes flawed camera, and imperfect voice acting, above all. But those things are certainly not enough to get in the way of an unforgettable adventure, packed with satisfyingly deep combat, a timely, well-written story, and a great score. The quality of life upgrades and enhanced visuals make this the ultimate way for new players to explore Ivalice, and if you’re a fan of tactical RPGs, this remains easy to recommend.

Should you play Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles?

(Image credit: SQUARE ENIX)Play it if...

You want to revisit a 90s classic
If you’re a new player, or you were a fan of the original Final Fantasy Tactics, this expanded remaster is the perfect way to play it. With fast-forward, a tactical view, and graphical refinements, it’s a far more fluid and fast-paced adventure than ever before.

You want to sink your teeth into some deep lore
Ivalice is a kingdom that has long been marred by war and political disorder. Seeing how this climate influences the ideology of various actors from a range of factions is engrossing. The plot itself is densely layered, and the new ‘state of the realm’ menu provides an impressive level of context and information around Ivalice’s characters and conflicts.

Don't play it if...

You’re expecting an action RPG Final Fantasy experience
If you’re expecting the action-focused combat of more recent Final Fantasy titles – or even the active time battle system from others, The Ivalice Chronicles may catch you off guard. It’s a tactical RPG which shares a lot of similarities with games like Fire Emblem, so if you’re not into strategic tile-based titles, you may want to give this a miss.

You’re not digging the pixel style
The Ivalice Chronicles uses an Enhanced version of the pixel style used for the original PS1 title. But if you’re not really a fan of that, and want a full-blown 3D adventure more akin to Final Fantasy XVI, then again, you may be better off skipping this one.

Accessibility features

There are a few useful accessibility settings in Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles. For instance, there’s a sound visualization option, which displays in-game sounds on the edges of the screen, as well as the choice to show speaker names during spoken exchanges.

There are also sound effect subtitles, volume sliders, multiple text languages (Japanese, English, German, and French), and both English and Japanese voice language options. Unfortunately, there is no colorblind mode or similar.

How I reviewed Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles:

(Image credit: SQUARE ENIX)

OK, so I spent more than 50 hours playing Final Fantasy Tactics: The Ivalice Chronicles, battling through the entire main story, a healthy portion of side content, errands, and random encounters. I played the Enhanced version of the game in order to assess the remaster’s quality of life upgrades, graphical improvements, and voice acting.

I played the PS5 edition of the game, with my console connected up to the Sky Glass Gen 2 television and the Samsung HW-Q800D soundbar. When I was out and about, I’d also occasionally dip into the game via remote play on my Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, but this was pretty rare.

Personally, I’ve reviewed a variety of games here at TechRadar, including recent releases like Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army and Drag x Drive. I've also played a number of tactical RPGs, such as Fire Emblem: The Blazing Blade, and a range of Final Fantasy titles.

First reviewed September 2025

Spoilers follow for all four episodes of Marvel Zombies.

Marvel Studios has a patchy record when it comes to its animated projects. Sure, there have been hits like X-Men 97, but other productions – in the main – like Eyes of Wakanda and What If...? have flattered to deceive.

It's the latter that Marvel's latest animated show, Marvel Zombies, takes its cue from. A continuation of the story told in What If...? season 1 episode 5, titled 'What If... Zombies!?', the comic giant's first adult animated TV series is undeniably its most mature offering to date.

But, for all of its delightfully gory action and focus on the next generation of Marvel superheroes, it's weighed down by the same storytelling issues that have plagued many of the studio's other recent animated works.

The new avengers

Marvel Zombies opens five years after What If...? season 1 episode 5's cliffhanger ending (Image credit: Marvel Television/Disney Plus)

A four-part miniseries, Marvel Zombies is set five years after the initial zombie outbreak. A cataclysmic event caused by a virus that Dr Hank Pym brought back from a trip to the Quantum Realm in 'What If... Zombies!?', the planet Earth of this universe, one that sits adjacent to the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), has become a dystopia overrun by the undead.

Pockets of humanity remain, though, including a desperate groups of superpowered individuals who cling to survival against the odds. But, when a trio of heroes – Kamala Khan/Ms Marvel, Riri Williams/Ironheart, and Kate Bishop/Hawkeye – discover a key that could end the zombie scourge, the group embark on a dangerous, globetrotting journey to save their world.

It's highly satisfying to see the next generation of Earth's Mightiest Heroes take center stage

Marvel Zombies opening with the aforementioned triumvirate is intentional. Khan is arguably the protagonist of this story, with the optimistic and empathetic New Jersey-hailing hero being the center point that the plot is built around, as she reluctantly and then boldly leads the charge to end the zombie plague.

In Williams, Bishop and Khan, though, Marvel Zombies immediately sets out its stall to primarily focus on the new wave of superpowered beings who have begun to populate the MCU post-Avengers: Endgame.

Zombies doesn't solely rely on that intrepid trio, either. From Shang-Chi and members of the Thunderbolts* to Moon Knight and Blade – the latter pair are admittedly spliced together to form a new yet incredibly cool individual called Blade Knight – it's highly satisfying to see the next generation of Earth's Mightiest Heroes take center stage.

Marvel Zombies puts the next generation of Earth's Mightiest Heroes at the center of its narrative (Image credit: Marvel Animation/Disney+)

That said, it's somewhat bittersweet that animated projects, such as What If...? and its zombie-based spin-off, mark the first time we've seen some of these popular heroes since their live-action MCU debuts – or, in Blade's case, who's only 'appeared' via an off-screen cameo in Eternals, at all.

An indictment of Marvel's scattergun approach post-Endgame that's seen the comic titan throw stuff at the wall and see what sticks with audiences, it's a great shame that many of Marvel Zombies' leading lights are only now getting another chance to shine, albeit via an animated Disney+ production.

It's surreal that Marvel Zombies is the first time Blade has actually appeared in a Marvel Studios project (Image credit: Marvel Animation/Disney+)

Irksome though that is, I will admit it was really fun to see interactions between characters who are yet to cross paths in the MCU.

While all-too-brief to be emotionally impactful, the Khan-Bishop-Williams dynamic is incredibly likable, as is the broader team-up between Khan, Red Guardian, Yelena Belova, Blade Knight, Shang-Chi and the latter's bestie Katy that becomes the core collective for much of Marvel Zombies' run. I regularly revelled in seeing these individuals bounce off each other and re-demonstrate that whip-smart humor that Marvel projects are renowned for.

For all of the fun-filled rapport on display, though, Marvel Zombies was a bit too quippy and corny for my tastes on occasion. I wasn't expecting the Marvel Phase 6 TV series to be a wholly miserably affair. Nonetheless, seeing Red Guardian and Zombie Captain America duke it out in what I can only describe as a slapstick showdown, or listening to eye-roll inducing jokes from FBI agent Jimmy Woo, just didn't fit the mood or tone of the post-apocalyptic horror reality that Marvel Zombies takes place in.

The walking dead

Marvel Zombies pays tribute to some great horror-fuelled episodes of television (Image credit: Marvel Animation/Disney+)

Speaking of the hair-raising universe that Marvel Zombies exists in, Marvel doesn't hold back in making its first TV-MA project as gruesome as possible.

Marvel Zombies' first trailer teased its brutality and, while I had hoped for a bit more in the way of ultra-violence, it goes harder than any other Marvel Studios movie or TV show to date. I cannot stress this enough, but it's absolutely not family-friendly, nor is it for those who are squeamish or of the faint of heart.

Some of Marvel Zombies' best set-pieces and scenes add real cinematic flair to proceedings

If you can stomach its hyper-violent tendencies, though, Marvel Zombies will reward horror fans through its clear homages to some fan-favorite genre fare. Indeed, whether it's the dread-inducing 'Hardhome' episode of Game of Thrones, or scenes that reminded me of similar sequences in World War Z and Train to Busan, some of Marvel Zombies' best set-pieces and scenes add real cinematic flair to proceedings that occasionally conceal the mid-tier art style it retains from What If...?.

Parts of Marvel Zombies' story, as well as its action sequences, leave a lot to be desired (Image credit: Marvel Animation/Disney+)

However, all the horror genre references in the world, nor positive things I've said about Marvel Zombies, can disguise my frustration with its wider narrative, though.

I'll preface my criticism by saying there's the skeleton of an engrossing story here. Indeed, its plot makes some interesting revisions to the world-building aspect of the MCU. The recycling of certain MCU technology to try and thwart the threat posed by the undead is put to good use, too.

Add in the previously discussed new-look Avengers team, the camaraderie that exists between them, and the prospect that none of them are immune from becoming the zombie horde's next victim, and I actually appreciate some of the creative and narrative swings that Marvel Zombies takes.

Spider-Man's appearance in Marvel Zombies is the main reason why it was turned into a TV show (Image credit: Marvel Animation/Disney+)

Nevertheless, Marvel Zombies is hamstrung by irritating storytelling components.

Whether it's the rudimentary MacGuffin positioned as the answer to our heroes' prayers, the decision not to pick up the story immediately after the cliffhanger ending in 'What If... Zombies!?' or a spate of character deaths that are significantly lacking in the gut-punching and/or tear-jerking department, at times Marvel Zombies can feel as emotionless as the reanimated corpses that inhabit its world. That's before we even get onto my biggest gripe about a major narrative inconsistency that occurs in its final episode, which not only changes a key moment near the end of 'What If... Zombies!?', but is practically waved away without explanation.

Marvel Zombies is hamstrung by irritating storytelling components

Part of Marvel Zombies' plot-based problems might be the fact it's a glorified TV show. Originally, it was designed to be a two-hour movie but, due to the complexities of the rights surrounding Spider-Man – don't worry, the lead of 'What If... Zombies!?' plays a part of proceedings, albeit in a reduced role – that prohibits Marvel from using him in a feature film capacity without Sony's consent, Marvel Zombies was turned into a limited series.

As a Spidey fanboy, I'll always take any webslinger-based storytelling and action where I can. However, there's no denying that his ongoing inclusion in this What If...? spin-off upsets Zombies' narrative rhythm.

My verdict

I really wanted to like Marvel Zombies more than I did. That doesn't mean it's another average or poor offering from Marvel – indeed, there's frightful fun to be had with its gratuitous violence, unexpected team-ups and universe-altering stakes. Based on its ending, there's clearly an appetite to continue its story, too.

Nonetheless, if X-Men 97 is the high bar with which we judge projects developed by Marvel Animation, Zombies is something of a let down. That might be overly critical of me to say, especially when I also consider Zombies to be a better and more enjoyable Marvel TV Original than What If...? and Eyes of Wakanda.

Given my high expectations and excitement for Marvel's first adult animated show, though, I can't mask my disappointment for Marvel Zombies as an overall package. If its creative team gets another bite at the cherry with another season, I'd love nothing more for them to cure Zombies' narrative ailments. For now, though, Marvel Zombies is another project from the comic giant that'll shuffle onto Disney+ and likely be forgotten about within a week or two.

Marvel Zombies is out now in full on Disney+.

Laifen Wave SE Toothbrush: One minute review

The Laifen Wave SE is the second electric toothbrush from the Chinese manufacturer. This Special Edition variant is a follow-up to the original Wave which looks – and is in most ways – very similar.

The standout difference in the SE over the Wave is that this offers what the company calls a more "cozy" brushing experience. How? It vibrates less. Yup, while the original Wave pushed out a brain buzzing 66,000 vibrations per minute, this variant is a far more gentle 26,000. There are also a few more color variants available in the SE, too.

So while this might make the best electric toothbrush list alongside sonic and traditionally oscillating models, this brush both oscillates and vibrates, carving its own niche in electric toothbrush options.

One other big shift in the SE is that this model has been certified by the American Dental Association. That makes this the first dual-action toothbrush to achieve this accolade, helping this unique offering stand out even more.

The battery life is another area this manages to perform very well in thanks to a 50-hour top-end, possibly due to its lower power. The brush can be charged to full in only three hours using a standard USB-C port, meaning you may only need to take one cable when travelling.

Most Laifen replacement heads will work with the SE, and you get two with the unit including travel cases for each. But you can also use Philips SonicCare heads, which is great if you need to pick one up in a physical shop, where you likely won't find Laifen anytime soon.

Laifen Wave SE review: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• Priced at $90 in the US
• £90 in the UK
• AU$200 in Australia

The Laifen Wave SE follows up the original, which arrived earlier in 2025, and is priced at $89.99 in the US, £89.99 in the UK and AU$199.99 in Australia.

That price gets you the brush unit, two replacement heads with their own travel cases, and a USB-A to USB-C charger cable. You also get an impressive two-year warranty and a 30-days "no hassle" guarantee.

Usefully, depending on your region, you can buy via Amazon for a quick and secure delivery – which can be free for Prime members.

You can buy a set of three replacement heads in various designs and levels of stiffness, including Super Clean, Gum Care, or Ultra-Whitening. In all cases, the price is the same at US$15.99 / £15.99 / AU$14.99 for a set.

• Value score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Laifen Wave SE review: Specifications

Component

Value

Battery life

50 days

Sonic vibrations

26,000 per minute

Charger

USB-C

Timer

Yes, two minute with 30-second haptics

Noise

55 dB

Charge time

3 hours

Laifen Wave SE review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Two colors
• IP68 waterproof
• Cushioned heads

At first glance you'd struggle to spot the difference between the Laifen Wave SE and the original model. That's because they're almost identical, only this version comes in two new colors: the Matte Yellow you see in these photos, plus a Meadow Green option.

In both cases, the outer is a soft matte PU coating that gives it a gentle feel but also adds plenty of grip, even when wet. At the top is a soft-to-touch power button topped by three LED lights to show which of the three settings you are using.

At the base is a cover which can be lifted to access the USB-C charging port. When closed, this creates a flat base so the brush can be stood up effectively. Up top is a metallic connector allowing you to swap heads with an easy slide on-and -off action. This is thanks to what the company calls an "advanced copper-free tufting process" which apparently prevents rust while keeping the heads in place.

The heads themselves are coated in soft food-grade TPE. The bristles themselves are ultra-fine to ensure they give the most accurate clean. Everything is IP68 waterproof which should mean you can give this a rinse under the tap without any worries.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Laifen Wave SE review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• 50-day battery life
• Fast 3-hour charging
• USB-C port

Despite this offering both 60-degree oscillation movement and sonic vibrations at 26,000 per minute, this manages to deliver an impressive 50-day battery life, providing it's kept on the softer setting. Then, when it comes to charging, the brush reaches back up to full in less than three hours. Crucially, the USB-C connection means you can use any old charging cable – a great feature when traveling, as you could use your phone charger if needed.

The oscillations themselves are a big part of the appeal: oscillating brushes are slightly higher by dentists, as you can see in our rotating vs sonic toothbrush examination. The oscillation mimics the kind of up and down action your dentist may have told you to do.

The app offers setting variations so you can find the ideal brush setup for you, including adjusting the level of vibration intensity, oscillation range and oscillation speed. These are presets available, so you can set up three separate presets on the brush and jump between them depending on what you want that day.

Brush heads are available from Laifen, but if you're stuck out you can always pick up a Philips Sonicare head from a shop and that will also fit on the brush. It's nice to see it's not entirely proprietary.

(Image credit: Future)

• Features score: 4 / 5

Laifen Wave SE review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Powerful top-end
• Long battery life
• Highly adjustable

This brush offers a quiet setting at just 55db and an impressive 50-day battery life. But that's on the gentle mode, which I found it to be far too weak. With the settings pumped up, I noticed the battery life did drop, and that noise jumped quite a bit louder. However, neither was to the point of being a problem and this will still get you more than a month of use – and the noise isn't annoyingly loud – it brings the toothbrush more in line with its high-power contemporaries. What you have here, essentially, is a toothbrush with a low-power option.

The power button won't allow you activate with a long hold or double-tap to change mode. So while you can have three preset modes, you'll need to dig out the app to change them, which is frustrating, and it reset after charging. I had to dig out the app to get back to how I like it. Not ideal.

The brush handle did a great job of absorbing vibrations while the head still delivered a powerful brush to your teeth. It strikes that perfect balance of being comfortable in the hand while giving your teeth a good, deep clean. Changing heads was easy, charging was fast and simple, cleaning was a doddle and the brush packed a soft, grippy outer that makes using this a pleasure.

• Performance score: 4/5

Laifen Wave SE: Scorecard

(Image credit: Future)

Category

Comment

Score

Value

A decent price for what you get

4.5/5

Design

Clean, easy to hold and effective

4/5

Features

That oscillation angle and battery performance

4/5

Performance

Great cleaning, top battery and excellent comfort. Some minor frustrations.

4/5

Laifen Wave SE: Should I buy?Buy it if...

You want soft cleaning

The actions are dual so you will get a good clean, but you can reduce the power for a gentle clean to protect your gums if you need.

You don't want to think about charging

The 50-day battery life combined with three-hour charge time make the thought of battery life one you needn't often concern yourself with.

You want oscillating power

This brush oscillates for improved cleaning, at the price of a decent sonic brush.

Don't buy it if...

You don't like oscillating heads

To be clear this moves a lot, up and down, so expect action even if on the gentle setting.

You don't want to buy heads online

At time of publishing you can only get replacement heads online for delivery, so if you like the option of picking yours up in-store, this might not suit you. There's always the Sonicare options though.

Also consider

Component

Oral-B iO Series 6

Colgate Hum Smart Rhythm

Battery life

20+ days

90 days

Movement

8,800 oscillations+ 20,000 pulsations per minute

30,000 vibrations per minutes

Charge time

12 hours

AAA batteries

Modes

Five

Two

Oral-B iO Series 6

An affordable way to get all the power of the iO Series with its pulsations and oscillations combination, to get the ultimate clean as well as that display for helpful feedback and mode selection.

Read our full Oral-B iO Series 6 review

Colgate Hum Smart Rhythmic

For a well-price sonic toothbrush, that offers replacement batteries as an option, this is a powerful pick with 30,000 vibrations per minute and two modes for decent brushing control.

Read our full Colgate Hum Smart Rhythmic review

How I tested

I used the Laifen Wave SE multiple weeks in order to test the effectiveness of the brush itself, along with battery performance. I used this for travel, overnight, and in various bathrooms with multiple chargers.

My brushing was twice daily with its two-minute timer and haptic half-minute guidance vibrations used to get a full and fair brush. I was also testing other brushes from Oral-B, which allowed me to see the difference between features like extra modes, oscillations versus sonics, battery life, apps and more.

Established by a group of digital marketing experts, Storm Proxies has existed since 2016 and has grown to become a leading proxy service provider catering to individuals and small businesses. It currently runs a modest network of only 700,000+ IPs compared to some competitors that surpass 100 million. Those IPs are mainly concentrated in the United States and Europe, as opposed to the competitors that cover virtually every country in the world.

That said, where it lacks in the IP spread, it certainly makes up for it with the affordability of its proxies for basic activities. Unlike major competitors, Storm Proxies isn’t there to cover your every proxy requirement, marketing itself as a simple proxy provider and meeting expectations in this matter.

Plans and pricing

Storm Proxies provides access to three IP categories: residential rotating proxies, private dedicated addresses, and backconnect rotating proxies, each with its own distinct pricing options.

The company charges a monthly fee for private dedicated datacenter IPs according to the number of proxies. For $10/month, you can get 5 private IPs with unlimited bandwidth at 1 Gbps speed. At $20/month, you can get 10 IPs; $40/month gets you 20 IPs, $60/month provides access to 30 IPs, $90/month is guaranteed 50 IPs, $160/month means 100 IPs, $320/month is 200 IPs, and for $640/month, you can get 400 data center proxies. In other words, the higher the number of IPs, the lower the cost per IP.

Where residential rotating proxies are concerned, you pay according to the number of ports, or ‘proxy gateway’ IPs, that change every 5 minutes. Hence, access to one residential IP port costs $19/month, 5 ports are charged $50/month, 10 ports are $90/month, 20 ports are $160/month, 50 ports are $300/month, 100 ports are $550/month, 200 ports cost $900/month, and 500 ports can be yours for $1,600/month.

For reverse rotating backconnect proxies, you pay according to the number of ‘threads’ or simultaneous connections from one device. The pricing starts at $39/month and includes unlimited bandwidth for up to 40 simultaneous connections. To get 80 connections, you’ll pay $59/month, and $97/month will get you 150 connections.

There’s no free trial, but the 24-hour money-back guarantee is supposed to give you a taste of what Storm Proxies has to offer.

Features

Storm Proxies focuses on proxy IPs and lacks complementary features you’ll find on other proxy providers, such as web scraping APIs. However, it performs its core function well. Let’s explore the features users can access on this platform.

Residential rotating proxies

Residential proxies are real IP addresses sourced from physical devices. The device owners agree to add their IP address to Storm Proxies’ network in exchange for a benefit, e.g., VPN usage. Storm Proxies pools these IPs and offers them to its users.

Storm Proxies offers a roughly 700,000-strong pool of rotating residential proxies. Rotating means your IP address changes frequently, switching to a new one randomly selected from the pool. Constant rotation makes it harder for websites to detect the proxies, providing better anonymity and security.

What are residential proxies used for? Web scraping is a good use case. Suppose you run a website showing users the best sports and concert ticket deals. This website requires frequent data scraping from ticket sites like StubHub and Ticketmaster. However, these sites dislike data scraping and institute geographical and IP restrictions to block it. Storm Proxies’ residential proxies help counter these blocks.

When you use a residential proxy to visit a website, the website thinks the traffic comes from a typical device. With IP rotation, the website thinks the traffic comes from different devices visiting the site as usual. Some ticket websites block traffic from entire countries, usually those they aren’t serving. But you can simply bypass this geo-restriction by choosing a US or EU proxy.

Storm Proxies' residential proxies have unlimited bandwidth, so you don't need to worry about the volume of data being scraped. It uses encryption to hide your actual IP address from websites. During our test, Storm Proxies’ IPs offered fast speeds and performance, with little slowdown compared to accessing sites normally. The drawback is this platform’s limited proxy pool, with servers concentrated in the US and EU and negligible in other regions.

Datacenter IPs

Datacenter IPs are IP addresses tied to physical servers. These servers are sourced from secondary corporations, and Storm Proxies gives users easy access. Unlike residential proxies, which rotate every 3 to 5 minutes, datacenter IPs are static. You'll get one IP for a long time, but you can request up to two replacements monthly.

(Datacenter IPs are IP addresses tied to physical servers. These servers are sourced from secondary corporations, and Storm Proxies gives users easy access. Datacenter IPs offer rapid speed and performance. In this case, a physical server with a stable connection sits as an intermediary between you and the Internet. This is much better than relying on an end user’s PC or mobile phone (residential IP), which might have an unstable connection.

If you’re scraping massive data volumes, datacenter IPs are the best choice because of their better reliability and speed. The drawback is their limited reach, with Storm Proxies offering datacenter IPs only in the US (Cheyenne, Los Angeles, and New York City). If you need a datacenter IP in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and other continents, Storm Proxies can’t fulfill this need.

Backconnect rotating proxies

Backconnect proxies are a type of proxy server that dynamically routes traffic through a pool of rotating IPs. Storm Proxies lets you choose proxies that change every 3 minutes or 15 minutes. A 3-minute proxy is suitable for regular browsing or account creation, while 15-minute proxies are suitable for longer browsing sessions. You can also get a fresh IP address with every new HTTP request, enhancing your anonymity.

Storm Proxies gives you one or several "proxy gateway" IPs that you'll enter inside your proxy management software. With this connection set up, you'll receive a new proxy IP on every HTTP request, every 3 minutes or every 15 minutes (depending on what you choose). You don't need to manually change IPs in your proxy management software: everything works automatically on Storm Proxies' side.

The maximum number of backconnect proxy connections you can open depends on your proxy plan. Storm Proxies offers different plans ranging from 40 to 150 simultaneous connections. The lowest plan provides one IP address, and the highest includes 3 IP addresses for different computers. Users get unlimited bandwidth, so there’s no need to worry about your data scraping volumes.

Storm Proxies’ backconnect proxies were reliable during our test. We liked that the pools rotated automatically while we surfed the web seamlessly. We chose the option for a new IP address with every request, enabling us to bypass geo-restrictions more effectively, although we encountered a few request failures. The main drawback remains Storm Proxies’ limited 700,000-IP pool, unlike many competitors that give access to tens of millions of global IPs.

It’s worth noting some features that Storm Proxies lack. The first is a web scraping API, which many competitors provide. Web scraping is the most common use case for proxy servers, so many proxy providers offer APIs to assist users. This feature lets people kill two birds with one stone: getting reliable proxies and the APIs to leverage those proxies for data scraping.

Web scraping APIs let you automate massive data scraping tasks. You’ll choose the website you want to scrape from and select your data type, and the API fetches the data. The timing depends on the volume of data being scraped. APIs let you automate scraping tasks ahead of time. Unfortunately, Storm Proxies doesn’t provide this feature.

We don’t like that Storm Proxies doesn’t offer bandwidth-based pricing plans, which can be more economical for small users. If you need just a few GB of proxy bandwidth, it’ll be more cost-effective to pay for precisely that rather than subscribe to a monthly plan you won’t fully utilize. We also don’t like this platform’s limited geographical reach, with servers primarily in the US and EU. But if you’re looking for reliable proxies in these regions, Storm Proxies is an excellent choice.

Ease of use

Storm Proxies offers a simple dashboard that we found easy to use. Setting up your proxies is as simple as it gets, helped by its limited features (there's not much to navigate). Creating an account requires your full name and email address. Then, you'll be asked to select a plan, although you can register without paying initially. After registration, you’ll be taken to the dashboard to access the proxies you paid for.

(Image credit: Storm Proxies)

The user interface is simple, with all options at the top and the main dashboard below. From this menu, you can renew your plan, deploy new proxies, change credentials, and whitelist IPs. However, we noticed a user interface-related drawback: the lack of usage reports.

(Image credit: Storm Proxies)

Most proxies we've tested provide extensive usage reports, letting users know how much bandwidth they've consumed over time. But Storm Proxies doesn’t have this feature, which we consider a disadvantage. On the bright side, Storm Proxies offer unlimited bandwidth, so you don’t need to monitor your usage rigorously.

Customer support

Customer support is an area where Storm Proxies needs considerable improvement. It claims to offer "24/7 Premium Support, but this support is only available via email. There's no live chat or telephone option to communicate with support staff in real-time. You can wait up to 24 hours to get a response to a support email. Storm Proxies’ support system isn’t the best when you need solutions to urgent issues.

There's an official Knowledge Base with solutions to common user challenges, e.g., “How do I start using proxies?” You can consult this Knowledge Base after encountering any issue, then seek direct support if you don’t find a solution to it.

(Image credit: Storm Proxies)The competition

The proxy server industry is very competitive, meaning we can give Storm Proxies an endless list of formidable competitors. We’d like to highlight Bright Data and Oxylabs as the main rivals.

Bright Data is a stellar proxy provider that offers residential, datacenter, ISP, and mobile proxies from its gargantuan network of 72 million+ IPs. It also offers sophisticated web scraping APIs, letting users kill two birds with one stone. Overall, we consider Bright Data a better proxy service than Storm Proxies, albeit a more expensive one.

Oxylabs has a massive pool of 175 million+ proxies, compared to Storm Proxies’ minuscule 700,000+. It provides residential, datacenter, ISP, and mobile proxies, plus web scraping APIs and pre-built datasets. Oxylabs is a more sophisticated proxy provider than Storm Proxies. However, unlike Storm Proxies, which offers unlimited bandwidth, its residential IPs are bandwidth-limited.

Final verdict

Offering only residential and dedicated datacenter proxies, limited customer support, and a tiny number of accessible IPs compared to many competitors, Storm Proxies is far from being a very sophisticated proxy provider. Still, it’s one of the best budget proxy platforms in the industry. If you need a bit of data scraping from US and EU websites, then Storm Proxies is the way to go. This means it’s best suited for individual and small business users and not enterprises seeking a solution for massive data scraping tasks.

We've also highlighted the best proxy and best VPN

Originally named Luminati Networks, Bright Data traces its beginnings back to 2014, when it was established as a division of a renowned VPN service called Hola. In 2017, it was sold separately from Hola and rebranded under its current name in 2021 to highlight its goal of helping users scrape data with its proxy services.

Today, Bright Data provides access to its 150 million-strong collection of proxy IPs, including to more than 20,000 enterprises. Alongside individual users, they rely on its residential, datacenter, and mobile proxies to circumvent geographical restrictions and scrape important information.

• Want to try Bright Data? Check out the website here

Plans and Pricing

Due to offering different types of proxies and related services, Bright Data has several pricing options.

Users pay for residential proxies according to the bandwidth they consume. Bright Data offers three standard plans, currently at a 50% discount for the first three months: $499 monthly for 141 GB, $999 monthly for 332 GB, and $1,999 monthly for 798 GB. Alternatively, you can choose the pay-as-you-go option starting at $4 per GB. The drawback is that the pay-as-you-go plan is slightly more expensive in the long run ($4 per GB compared to $3.5 per GB on the standard 141 GB plan). If you need more than 1 TB, you can reach out to the company for customized pricing.

For datacenter proxies, users can pay according to the number of IP addresses they require. The standard plans are 10 IPS at $14 per month ($1.4 per IP), 100 IPs at $100 per month ($1 per IP), 500 IPs for $475 per month ($0.95 per IP), and 1,000 IPs at $900 per month ($0.9 per IP). As with residential proxies, if these plans don’t meet your needs, you can contact the company for tailored pricing above 1,000 IPs. Users can also pay for datacenter proxies according to bandwidth. The standard plans are $499 monthly for 1 TB, $999 monthly for 2 TB, and $1,999 monthly for 5 TB. The pay-as-you-go option with no monthly commitment costs $0.6 per GB.

Dedicated datacenter proxies are pricier.

If you need ISP proxies, Bright Data has four standard plans to offer you: $18/month for 10 IPs ($1.8 per IP), $145/month for 100 IPs ($1.45 per IP), $700/month for 500 IPs ($1.4 per IP), and $1,300/month for 1,000 IPs ($1.3 per IP). You can also pay for ISP proxies according to bandwidth. The standard plans are $499 monthly for 39 GB, $999 monthly for 88 GB, and $1,999 monthly for 190 GB. The pay-as-you-go option with no monthly commitment costs $15 per GB.

Dedicated ISP IPs are a bit more expensive but follow the same structure. Similarly to residential and datacenter plans, should you require over 1,000 IPs or 1 TB, you’ll need to check in with the Bright Data team directly.

Mobile proxies are priced similarly to residential proxies, $499/month for 71 GB, $999/month for 166 GB, and $1,999/month for 399 GB, with the possibility to get the pay-as-you-go, no commitment option at $8 per GB.

Bright Data offers sophisticated web access APIs with its Web Unlocker API pricing coming in three standard versions: Growth for $499 monthly ($1.3 per 1,000 results), Business for $999 monthly ($1.1 per 1,000 results), and Premium for $1,999 monthly ($1 per 1,000 results). The higher your plan, the greater the scraping requests available each month. If you don’t want a monthly commitment, you can choose the $1.5 per 1,000 results pay-as-you-go plan.

It also has a similarly priced Web Scraper API, at $499/month for 1K records under the Growth subscription, $999/month for 1K records included in the Business plan, and $1,999/month for 1K records as offered by the Premium pricing tier. These are currently available at a 25% discount. As expected, there’s a pay-as-you-go option at $1.5 per 1K records.

SERP API has the same pricing structure as the Web Scraper API, except that it’s currently available at a 50% discount for the first six months of use. The Browser API pricing follows much the same sentiment, costing $499/month for 71 GB, $999/month for 166 GB, and $1,999/month for 399 GB. The no-commitment option is charged $8 per GB.

Alternatively, you can run your scrapers as serverless functions at $500/month + compute time of $0.095/hr under the Growth plan, $1,000/month + $0.09/hr compute time as part of the Business option, and $2,000 + $0.085/hr compute time included in the Enterprise subscription.

Finally, Bright Data offers pre-built datasets, a unique feature that many proxy platforms don’t have. Starting at $250 per month for 100,000 records, these datasets allow businesses to access ready-made data instead of scraping it from scratch at higher costs. Available datasets include Amazon products, Yahoo Finance stock market data, Zillow real estate listings, LinkedIn profiles, and much, much more.

There’s no free trial available per se, but you do get $2 in credits when first signing up. Bright Data also offers a 7-day free trial for registered companies. This trial period is short, but it helps users test the features before committing to a monthly or pay-as-you-go plan.

Features

Accessing Bright Data’s features starts with registration. To sign up as a new user, you’ll need a work email address, but the platform also supports logging in with Google and GitHub accounts. You'll receive a verification email after signing up and creating a password.

Residential Proxies

Bright Data offers proxy IP addresses sourced from physical devices worldwide. People agree to add their devices to the network for a benefit, such as a VPN subscription. Bright Data’s users can then choose one of the IPs to bypass geo-restrictions and scrape data.

This platform offers over 150 million ethically sourced residential proxies from 195 countries, with the most popular locations being Brazil, India, the U.S., the U.K., Germany, Russia, and China. Residential proxies rotate IP addresses, i.e., change with each browsing session.

(Image credit: Bright Data )

During our test, the residential proxies had excellent speed and reliability. Both static and rotating proxies allowed us to surf the web seamlessly and bypass strict website geo-restrictions. You can manage all proxies from your user dashboard, deploying new ones or removing existing ones at will.

Bright Data gives you significant control over your proxies. You can choose proxies from specific cities, states, and countries. The robust IP network, especially in Europe and North America, makes it easier to bypass geo-restrictions. If an IP address can’t successfully bypass the restriction, Bright Data rotates different IP addresses until it succeeds.

ISP Proxies

ISP proxies are static residential proxies sourced directly from Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Unlike residential IPs that rotate with each browsing session, a static ISP proxy is assigned only to you. You can keep this static IP for as long as your subscription lasts.

Bright Data offers a network of 1,300,000+ fully compliant static IPs, with the most popular locations being the U.S., U.K., Germany, Italy, and France. The U.S. has the highest number of static IPs - 1,173,705 - while all other countries have fewer than 15,000 each. This smaller number is expected because of the higher costs and difficulty of obtaining IP addresses directly from ISPs.

The static ISP proxies offered excellent speed and reliability during our test. Bright Data lets users manage static IPs directly from their Control Panel or an external API. The user-friendly Control Panel makes it easy to deploy and organize a large number of proxies.

ISP proxies are more reliable than typical residential proxies because they don’t change frequently. Using one IP address for a long period makes it easier to browse anonymously and break through geographical and IP website restrictions. Once you bypass a site’s restriction with a static IP, you can continue accessing the site with that IP. In contrast, rotating proxies mean you can bypass a site’s restriction today and struggle to bypass it tomorrow with a new IP address. Expectedly, Bright Data’s static IPs cost more than rotating IPs.

Datacenter Proxies

Datacenter proxies are sourced from secondary corporations rather than ISPs. A server (in a datacenter) with a unique IP acts as the intermediary between your device and a website you want to access. You can request a shared or dedicated datacenter IP: a dedicated IP is more reliable in circumventing site blockades.

(Image credit: Bright Data)

Bright Data offers 770,000+ datacenter proxies in 98 countries, unlike residential proxies available in 195 countries. You can select your datacenter proxy by specific city or country. These proxies are fast because your browser request is sent directly from the proxy server to the target website, unlike residential proxies that can bounce through several devices before reaching the target site.

The drawback is that datacenter proxies are more vulnerable to detection because of their less diverse IP range. They are cost-effective but less efficient at bypassing geo-restrictions than residential and ISP proxies.

Mobile proxies

Bright Data’s pool includes over 7 million mobile proxy IPs from 195 countries. These residential IPs are sourced from mobile devices across the globe, with India, the U.S., and Brazil having the largest share in Bright Data’s pool. You can use these IPs to surf the web from the eyes of real mobile users. You can choose IPs from 3G, 4G, or 5G networks.

During our test, Bright Data’s mobile proxies provided top-notch browsing speed. We tested IPs from different countries, and they worked reliably. Usually, mobile IPs are more expensive than residential IPs from PCs, but Bright Data charges the same amount for both.

Web Scraper API

Web scraping is one of the most common use cases for proxy servers. Some businesses need to scrape massive amounts of data from a website, e.g., pricing data from retail sites. However, many websites discourage scraping by implementing geographical and IP restrictions. Proxy IPs let businesses bypass these restrictions and scrape their desired data.

(Image credit: Bright Data)

As a first-rate platform, Bright Data doesn’t stop at providing proxy IP addresses for web scraping. It also provides APIs that let businesses automate data scraping. It has ready-made scraping APIs for websites like Facebook, Amazon, LinkedIn, Zillow, X, ChatGPT, and TikTok. Several websites, such as Facebook, have filed lawsuits to block these scraping APIs, but Bright Data has countersued and prevailed.

Suppose you run a price comparison site that helps people find the best e-commerce deals. You can use Bright Data’s APIs to automate data scraping from Amazon, Walmart, eBay, and other popular e-commerce sites. You’ll then clean the scraped data and display it on your price comparison website.

Bright Data's APIs can handle bulk scraping requests, convert raw HTML into structured data, and validate data automatically. Pricing depends on the number of API requests you make.

Dataset Marketplace

You don’t always have to scrape data from scratch. Bright Data offers an alternative: ready-made datasets sourced from different websites. It provides pre-built datasets from many websites, like LinkedIn, Pinterest, Crunchbase, Amazon, and Redfin. You can also get categorical datasets, such as car prices, housing prices, crime rates, NBA players' stats, etc.

(Image credit: Bright Data)

Pre-built datasets reduce headaches for businesses. Instead of scraping data from scratch and waiting a while to access it, you can access datasets already scraped by others. Pricing starts from $250 monthly for 100,000 records.

Ease of Use

Bright Data has an intuitive interface you’ll likely enjoy using. The left menu has all the features you need to access, and the right side is the main dashboard. Many features are neatly arranged across the dashboard to make them easy to find. With a white background and a few contrasting colors, Bright Data’s interface looks visually pleasing.

(Image credit: Bright Data)

You can access this proxy software primarily from the desktop interface. There’s also a Google Chrome extension that lets you seamlessly change proxy locations. Bright Data's user-friendliness is unmatched by most rivals.

Customer Support

One of Bright Data’s strengths is its top-notch support. You can contact its support team 24/7 and receive a response in less than 30 minutes. It offers support via live chat and email, but there’s no telephone support.

Bright Data also provides extensive documentation and user manuals to help users figure out solutions to their problems. The website’s Docs section contains detailed guides for all features and an API reference that helps users write effective data scraping commands.

We found Bright Data’s documentation easy to follow and helpful for our test. For instance, we followed the web scraping tutorial to harvest data from an external website.

The Competition

The proxy software market is very competitive. There’s no shortage of rivals to Bright Data, and the ones we’d like to highlight are Decodo (formerly Smartproxy), Oxylabs, and Webshare.

Decodo is an excellent proxy provider offering residential, ISP, and datacenter proxies. It's a cost-effective alternative with a large pool of 125 million+ IPs across 195 countries. However, Bright Data has a larger IP pool across the same number of countries and offers more features and customizability.

Oxylabs offers a slightly larger IP pool, with 175 million+ addresses compared to Bright Data’s 150 million+. Both platforms have similar offerings, but Bright Data provides some features not available in the other, such as a dataset marketplace and a web IDE. Bright Data also has a more responsive support team than Oxylabs, according to our experience when testing both.

Webshare is one of the best alternatives that go head-to-head with Bright Data. It’s a more affordable tool, which is crucial for small businesses. It offers effective APIs to scrape data en masse, just like Bright Data. However, Webshare has a much smaller pool of IP addresses: roughly 80 million compared to Bright Data’s 150 million.

Final Verdict

Bright Data is a comprehensive provider of proxy and proxy-related services. It offers not just tons of IP addresses covering the entire world, but also throws in quite a few extras for good measure. These include different kinds of web scraping APIs and even pre-built datasets. Thanks to these features, it’s well equipped to provide you with anything you need to bypass website restrictions and scrape any required data. There are a few drawbacks here and there, primarily its higher cost compared to the competition, but it might well be worth it, especially for high-volume needs.

We've also highlighted the best proxy and best VPN

GoPro Max 2: two-minute review

The GoPro Max 2 is GoPro's long-awaited return to the 360 camera arena, and it arrives with the rugged build quality and intuitive design philosophy that has made the brand synonymous with action cameras for over a decade.

It's a compact, square-bodied camera that takes clear design inspiration from its predecessor while incorporating lessons learned from rivals like the Insta360 X5 and DJI Osmo 360. The Max 2 is built tough – waterproof to 5m without additional housing and ready to handle the kind of punishment that extreme sports can dish out. What sets it apart from the competition is GoPro's decision to make the lenses fully user-replaceable without tools, a smart move given how vulnerable 360 camera lenses are to damage.

At $499.99 / £449.99 / AU$849.95, the Max 2 is priced between the DJI Osmo 360 and the premium Insta360 X5, offering a middle-ground option that should appeal to GoPro loyalists and newcomers alike.

The standout feature here is what GoPro calls “true 8K” recording; the Max 2 delivers genuine 8K capture with at least 3840 active pixels on each axis, and the results are undeniably sharp and vibrant in good lighting conditions.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Design-wise, there's plenty to appreciate too: a bright 1.82-inch touchscreen, GoPro's famously simple two-button control scheme, built-in GPS, and compatibility with three separate mounting systems: the classic GoPro fingers, standard tripod threads, and the newer magnetic latch system. The camera feels reassuringly solid and well-balanced, whether in your hand or mounted on some other part of your body.

Video tops out at 8K 30fps in 360 mode, with 5.6K 60fps and 4K 100fps options for slow-motion work. The Max 2 also captures 29MP 360-degree stills and supports 10-bit color recording plus GP-Log flat profile for post-production color grading.

Performance is strong in daylight, delivering the punchy, colorful footage GoPro is known for, with minimal distortion, effective automatic stitching and selfie stick removal. However, the camera struggles more noticeably in low-light conditions compared to rivals that offer dedicated night modes, and thermal management can be an issue during extended recording sessions.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

The Max 2 pairs with GoPro's established Quik mobile app for quick editing and sharing, plus the updated GoPro Player desktop software for more comprehensive post-production work. Both offer solid 360 video editing tools, though at present neither quite matches the sophistication of Insta360's software suite.

Ultimately, while the Max 2 doesn't revolutionize the 360 camera market, it delivers exactly what I’d expect from GoPro. This is a well-built, user-friendly camera that produces excellent results in the right conditions, and it’s backed up by an ecosystem of accessories and editing tools that make the whole experience relatively painless. GoPro is well truly back in the 360 camera game.

• Look out for my in-depth GoPro Max 2 vs Insta360 X5 comparison, based on real tests, coming soon

GoPro Max 2 specsDJI Osmo 360 specs

Type:

360 camera

Waterproof depth:

5m / 16ft

Screen:

1.82-inch touchscreen

Storage:

microSD

Connectivity:

USB-C, Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth

Dimensions:

64 x 69.7 x 48.7mm / 2.4 x 1.4 x 3.2 inches

Weight:

195g / 6.88oz

The Max 2 mounted on GoPro's selfie stick (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)GoPro Max 2: Price and availability

• Launched worldwide on 23 September 2025
• Pre-orders shipping 30 September 2025
• Priced at $499.99 / £449.99 / AU$849.95

GoPro officially launched the Max 2 on September 23 2025, and it’s available to pre-order right away, with orders shipping from September 30.

It’s priced at $499.99 / £449.99 / AU$849.95 in a bundle that includes the camera and a single battery. At the time of writing I’ve not been informed of any bundles including accessories such as selfie sticks, microSD cards or extra batteries, but this section will be updated if that becomes the case.

This list price, which sits between the pricier Insta360 X5 and more affordable DJI Osmo 360, feels just about right to me. The Max 2 is a quality product and while being any cheaper would be a surprise, it’s clearly priced to compete with its closest rivals.

The GoPro Max 2 in the midst of its two main rivals, the DJI Osmo 360 and Insta360 X5 (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

• Price score: 4/5

GoPro Max 2: Design

• Waterproof to 5m / 16ft plus replaceable lenses
• Mountable via tripod, magnetic latch or mounting fingers
• 1.82-inch rear touchscreen

The GoPro Max 2 looks similar to the original Max, favoring a squat, square design over the narrower candybar shape used by some 360 cameras. Constructed from tough plastic, it’s pretty discreet and unassuming, with the bright blue flashes of the GoPro logo and “Max 2” the only deviation from all-business dark grey. It’s slightly smaller than its closest recent rivals, the Insta360 X5 and DJI Osmo 360, but not to what I’d consider a significant degree.

As you’d expect from a GoPro camera, the Max 2 feels rugged and ready for adventure. While there’s no specific IP rating, GoPro says it’s waterproof to a depth of 5m and able to operate in cold temperatures. While the waterproof depth isn’t quite as impressive as on some rival cameras, GoPro told me a dive housing accessory offering more robust underwater protection is currently in development.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Crucially, GoPro has also made its lenses fully user-replaceable – and without the need for a tool, either, in a move that beats even the Insta360 X5’s lens replacement system. With 360 cameras’ lenses protruding so far out of the body, they’re highly vulnerable to damage, so making them simple (and relatively cheap) to swap out if something goes wrong is a great move from GoPro.

That being said, I did notice some condensation inside the lens when I went from indoors to outdoors, and it affected image quality (you can see it in the cycling sections of the videos embedded below). This could be fixed by removing the lens and wiping it with a microfiber cloth, then replacing it, but I found it an annoying issue to deal with. It’s not something I’ve encountered on other 360 cameras, and I suspect it might be due to the removeable lens design.

The pop-out mounting fingers make attaching the Max 2 to hundreds of existing mounts very simple (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

The Max 2 is small and lightweight enough for easy mounting on everything from helmets to bikes to selfie sticks, and GoPro has thoughtfully made it compatible with three mounting options. You have classic GoPro mounting fingers, a rock-solid way to fix the camera to a huge range of first- and third-party mounts, as well a standard tripod thread and the newer GoPro magnetic latch mount.

Controls are beautifully simple. There are two large rubber buttons – one for power and switching shooting modes, another for image capture – and a bright and sharp 1.82-inch touchscreen for everything else. The Max 2’s UI is extremely simple and easy to get to grips with, even for someone (like me) who doesn’t shoot on GoPro cameras particularly often, and I doubt anyone even slightly familiar with action camera menu screens will struggle to master it quickly.

• Design score: 5/5

GoPro Max 2: Performance and features

• Editing via Quik and GoPro Player apps
• Built-in GPS
• 1,960mAh battery offers around an hour of 8K 30fps capture

With no built-in storage, footage and photos captured on the Max 2 are stored on microSD card, and can be quickly transferred wirelessly to a mobile device running the Quik app for editing and sharing.

I think Quik’s 360 video editor is pretty good, and I was able to swiftly reframe clips using manual keyframes or AI-assisted object tracking, plus tweak the image settings to achieve the look I wanted. Finished videos and photos can be saved to a phone’s camera roll, directly shared to social media or exported to other devices.

It’s also possible to edit on desktop, of course, and the updated GoPro Player app supports keyframe reframing but not, interestingly, AI-assisted tracking or image tweaking. GoPro says it’s getting a new denoise setting too, but this was greyed out and unavailable when I tested the app due to my M2-powered MacBook Air being not quite up to the task.

GoPro has informed me that both Adobe Premiere and DaVinci Resolve will be getting plug-ins allowing users to directly import the Max 2’s 360 files. Premiere support is due to be live by the end of 2025, with Resolve to follow later on.

One thing the Max 2 has that its DJI and Insta360 rivals don’t is built-in GPS, enabling users to embed location data in their footage and photos. Most other cameras either require an optional module or tethering to a smartphone for geotagging, so the Max 2, like the original Max, offers an edge there.

The battery, microSD slot and USB-C port are all located inside a single well-sealed compartment (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Despite the large vent on one side, the Max 2 does get warm during use. When I left it recording video, it turned itself off to avoid overheating with both 8K 30fps and 5.6K 30fps recording. With the 8K footage, it recorded just under 30 minutes of footage before shutting down; it lasted almost 58 minutes when recording 5.6K footage. This was indoors at room temperature, and I did find that setting it up outdoors on a chilly autumn day allowed it to record for longer, as would actual outdoor pursuits scenarios.

GoPro doesn’t specify battery life from the 1,960mAh battery, but I managed to get just over an hour of 8K 30fps footage recorded when leaving the camera running outdoors. I think this performance is quite good given the bit rate and resolution of the videos being recorded, but those planning a long day of 360 shooting might want to invest in one or two extra batteries.

The camera features six built-in microphones – more than either of its main rivals (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

The Max 2, like the original Max, features six separate built-in mics, but here they offer directional audio capture. Neither the DJI Osmo 360 or Insta360 X5 offer six mics, but despite this I wouldn't necessarily say the Max 2 outright beats its rivals here: audio sounds absolutely fine in good conditions, but when the wind picks up the built-in wind reduction tech can't do much to suppress the noise.

GoPro says the Max 2 can be used with Apple AirPods and other Bluetooth earbuds for wireless mic input, and this may help avoid the wind issue, but bringing out a dedicated DJI Mic-style wireless mic may be the best solution the company could offer further down the line.

• Performance score: 4/5

GoPro Max 2: Image quality

• Captures 10-bit 8K 30fps / 5.6K 60fps / 4K 100fps video
• 29MP 360 photos and 12MP single-lens photos
• Up to 300Mbps video bit rate with GoPro Labs

GoPro has been keen to point out that the Max 2 is the only 360 camera that records what it calls “true 8K” resolution 360 video. The company claims rivals like Insta360 and DJI are essentially fudging the numbers in order to claim 8K capture – either by counting unused or overlapped pixels, or by upscaling output to 8K from lower resolution sources – whereas the Max 2’s 360 output is truly 8K with at least 3840 active pixels on each axis for both sensors.

Video can be shot at up to 10-bit quality and in either a standard color profile or the flat GP-Log mode for post-shoot grading, and the maximum video bit rate is 120Mbps, or 300Mbps for users of GoPro Labs. For the purposes of this review, I stuck with 120Mbps. I did try out GP-Log, but GoPro has yet to release a LUT at the time of writing and I found grading the footage more of a slog than I'd like. Once the LUT is out things should get a lot easier there.

Video quality is generally very strong, whether recording in 8K (which is capped at 30fps) or 5.6K (which can go up to 60fps, offering users the potential to use 2x slow-motion; a 4K 100fps option is also available for those who want even more slow-motion potential). GoPro has established itself as delivering colors that look good straight out of the camera, as well as minimal distortion and flare.

Mostly that’s the case here, although I found that some of my 360 videos looked a touch overexposed and washed out in bright skies – likely as a result of having to set exposure for a full 360º view rather than in a single direction. User intervention, by setting the exposure manually, could improve things here, but in general the results are strong.

Still photos are similarly good-looking, and while I tweaked the below example slightly using the Quik app, it’s basically fresh out of the camera.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

At night, the Max 2 isn’t as impressive. Both the DJI Osmo 360 and Insta360 X5 have dedicated low light modes for 360 video, but with the Max 2 you’re left with the standard mode, and it’s noisy and smeary after dark. It’s possible that using GP-Log and some clever settings before editing in post could yield better results; I didn’t have time to delve into this, so I can’t say for sure – but what I can say is that both the Osmo 360 and X5 make capturing usable low light footage very easy, while the Max 2 doesn’t.

So, if low light footage is a priority for you, the Max 2 may not be the ideal 360 camera. If, however, you're capturing footage in daylight and want the very cleanest, sharpest 8K around, I think it's the best at doing it.

The camera includes a wide range of capture modes besides standard 360 videos and photos: time lapse modes, dedicated single-lens shooting modes and more. I've included a quick clip I captured using the Night Lapse mode in the sample video above.

• Image quality score: 5/5

GoPro Max 2: testing scorecard GoPro Max 2

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

Cheaper than the Insta360 X5, slightly pricier than the DJI Osmo 360.

4/5

Design

Great mounting options, rugged build and easily replaced lenses. Just watch for the condensation.

5/5

Performance

Good apps and battery life, but can overheat.

4/5

Image quality

Beats the X5 and Osmo 360 in broad daylight, but can't match either in challenging after-dark conditions.

5/5

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Should I buy the GoPro Max 2?Buy it if...

You're invested in the GoPro ecosystem
Got boxes of GoPro mounts and a subscription? The Max 2 slots right into the GoPro range, so if you're already a fan you'll be at home immediately.

You're a risk-taker
The Max 2 is small and rugged, making it ideal for extreme sports. Its lenses are also very easy to replace in the field – no tool required.

You like things simple
The Max 2's minimal controls, simple app and great out-of-the-camera image quality make it one of the easiest 360 cameras to use.

Don't buy it if...

You shoot after dark or indoors
While it shines in broad daylight, the low light performance of the Max 2 just can't match that of its DJI and Insta360 rivals.

You want built-in storage
A small thing, but the Osmo 360's built-in storage means you don't need to fumble for microSD cards – with the Max 2, you do.

Also consider

Insta360 X5

The X5’s rugged build, replaceable lenses, low-light performance, ease of use and battery life have made it our top pick ahead of the Max 2's arrival. Its weight and profile aren't as wearable as the Max 2, however, and I think the Max 2's daylight image quality is slightly better.

Read our full Insta360 X5 review

Akaso 360

A cheap and cheerful alternative to the GoPro Max 2, Akaso's first 360 camera is surprisingly capable. Like the Max 2, it's designed with outdoor daytime use in mind, but its overall image quality level is several notches below.

Read our full Akaso 360 review

How I tested the DJI Osmo 360

• Tested camera running v01.09.71 firmware for four days
• Camera mounted on invisible selfie stick, helmet, bike and chest harness
• Recorded videos day and night on foot and cycling

GoPro sent me a review sample of the Max 2 a week ahead of the launch date, and it was updated to run v01.09.71 firmware. This meant full launch features, as far as I'm aware, enabling me to test all the shooting modes and image quality – which I did by taking the camera out in the field mounted to various things (bike, head, helmet, chest, selfie stick).

I tested it in various lighting and weather conditions, editing the resulting videos and photos using both GoPro apps: the Quik mobile app and the GoPro Player desktop app (the latter on my M2 MacBook Air, which sadly wasn't powerful enough to make use of the app's Denoise feature).

• First reviewed September 2025

DJI Osmo Nano: two-minute review

The DJI Osmo Nano is the latest in the brand's line of action cameras. Rather than building on a predecessor it's a whole new concept in its own right, although it shares the same-sized 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor as the DJI Osmo Action 5 Pro, which landed at the end of 2024.

The range of best action cameras is more diverse today than it was even just a few years ago. The one-block shops of design like the GoPro Hero 13 Black are still popular, for sensible reasons like ruggedness and extended battery times, but modular designs like the Osmo Nano and the new Insta360 Go Ultra are becoming more common.

Why? We don't just want to hold our action cams or use a fiddly mount to attach them to our bike handlebars anymore. The content creation universe is continuing to grow, and so is the number and variety of places where we need our cameras to go.

In a nutshell, the Osmo Nano is a light, wearable action camera. You can wear it around your neck, on your head, on a hat or helmet, plonk it on your car, bike, or even attach it to your dog. It's remarkably small, and at 52g it's a gram lighter than its main competitor, the Insta360 Go Ultra, released a month before it.

The product is modular in design and built as a two-piece system, with a tiny, standalone camera unit that pairs with the Multifunctional Vision Dock underneath. The dock acts as a remote, screen, and charging station, with a small but bright 1.9-inch display to help you compose shots and adjust settings.

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

These two parts join together via two clips and a strong magnetic system, and it's this magnet that also allows the camera to snap onto DJI's various accessories, for a wide range of hands-free, wearable mounting options.

Although the camera is a fully IPX8-rated unit that's waterproof down to 10m, the dock is only IPX4-rated for splash resistance, which limits its use in heavy rain or near a body of water – a totally rugged design this is not.

Inside the camera is a 1/1.3-inch CMOS sensor, which captures a dynamic range of up to 13.5 stops according to DJI. I haven't done any calculations with my test images on this, but I did find great levels of detail and color in bright sky highlights as well as darker, shadowy areas like tunnels. I was genuinely impressed by the level of detail and tone the camera could capture, particularly for a sensor this small (in full-frame terms).

• Check out our DJI Osmo Nano vs Insta360 Go Ultra write-up to see how the small action cams compare

For me, DJI has always been a brand for what I'd call 'serious' creators, and that's something I'm pleased to see the brand has leaned into with the Osmo Nano. There aren't any 'fun' filters or gimmicks in the menus. Instead, the settings are pared back to sensible and helpful options; voice controls and gestures to start recording all work very well to make hands-free shooting that much easier.

A big draw for professionals is the color performance. I was surprised to discover that the Osmo Nano can record in 10-bit color with D-Log M and HLG profiles – a pro-level feature that gives you more leeway for color grading in post-production, if you want to edit manually rather than relying on the automatic outputs from the DJI Mimo app. In 10-bit, I found videos were punchy but still well-balanced.

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

Performance-wise, the Osmo Nano delivers exceptionally well in some areas but underwhelms in others. The promise of rapid file transfer holds up, with the 128GB version clocking transfer speeds of up to 600MB/s over a USB 3.1 connection. This is a huge time-saver.

Battery life, however, is a clear limitation. While DJI claims up to 90 minutes from the camera and 200 minutes with the dock, I found that shooting at 4K/60fps got me closer to just 60 minutes of continuous recording. On the upside, the dock's ability to fast-charge the camera to 80% in about 20 minutes means you can be back to shooting in no time.

The RockSteady 3.0 and HorizonBalancing stabilization features work well for walking or light activity, and even when I tried recording star jumps and high-intensity workouts, the footage was stable in sports mode. Audio quality is good all-round too, and two built-in microphones capture immersive stereo sound, with decent but not brilliant wind reduction. Another plus for more advanced creators is the ability to pair the Nano with two mics separately, and you won't need receivers if they're from DJI.

While the image quality is good for a camera this small, it’s still bound by the limitations of its form factor. The fixed 143-degree ultra-wide field of view is great for first-person shots, but obviously lacks the versatility of a more zoomed-in lens. And while DJI's SuperNight mode for low-light shooting is better than ever, it's limited to 30fps and 8-bit color.

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

The Osmo Nano is pricing is really aggressive, coming in much cheaper than the Insta360 Go Ultra and the GoPro Hero 13 Black – and that's with built-in storage too, meaning you can start shooting straight out of the box.

It's not necessarily the most charming camera I've tested, but it's thoroughly dependable and sensible, and for that reason I found it growing on me, while the low price sweetens the deal. The DJI Mimo app is less intuitive than Insta360's, and AI edits are a little less exciting, but it's smart and stable, and puts a clear live feed with access to settings at your fingertips on your smartphone.

DJI isn't marketing the Osmo Nano for family users, and it lacks some of the fun features of the Insta360 lineup, plus Toddler Titan mode for capturing kids. While charging is fairly speedy it doesn't charge as quickly as its main competitor, the Insta360 Go Ultra, either, but the camera does last longer.

If you need a fully rugged and all-in-one device for more extreme sports or environments, the GoPro Hero 13 Black or the DJI Action 5 Pro might be a better choice. But this is a well-thought-out, truly wearable action camera for creators who want to experiment with unique perspectives, and need a B-camera for places their main camera can't go, for a B-cam price.

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)DJI Osmo Nano: specsDJI Osmo Nano specs

Sensor

1/1.3-inch CMOS

Max Resolution

35MP (6880 x 5160) photos
4K, 60fps footage

Weight

Camera: 2.54oz / 53g Vision dock: 3.8oz / 72g

Dimensions

Camera: 57 x 29 x 28mm
Vision Dock: 59 x 42 x 22mm

ISO Range

100–25600

Lens

FOV: 143 degrees
Aperture: f/2.8
Focus: 0.35m to ∞

Operating Time

Camera: 90 mins*
Camera + Multifunctional Vision Dock: 200 mins*

Connectivity

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, USB-C 3.1

Storage

64GB/128GB built-in
microSD card, up to 1TB

Waterproofing

Camera: 33ft (10m)
Vision Dock: IPX4-Rated

DJI Osmo Nano: Price and availability

• Launched worldwide on September 23 2025, except US
• Osmo Nano Standard Combo (64GB) costs £239 / AU$529
• Osmo Nano Standard Combo (128GB) costs £259 / AU$589

The DJI Osmo Nano was announced on August 23, 2025, and is now shipping from DJI’s online store and authorized retailers, including Amazon. It won't be available officially in the United States at launch. A DJI Spokesperson told TechRadar that "DJI remains dedicated to the US market and is optimizing our strategy to best serve our customers amidst evolving local conditions."

There are two standard combos to choose between, broken down by the internal storage capacity: the Osmo Nano Standard Combo at 64GB (£239 / AU$529) or 128GB (£259 / AU$589).

Each combo comes with the same content, including the Osmo Nano Camera, Multifunctional Vision Dock, Magnetic Hat Clip, Magnetic Lanyard, a protective case, USB-C cable (USB 3.1), and a Dual-Direction Magnetic Ball-Joint Adapter Mount. The protective case is more just a plastic sheath rather than substantial padded protection.

That price puts it way below the Insta360 Go Ultra Standard Combo ($449.99 / £369 / AU$759), which is more impressive given that you get built-in storage too. It's also less than the GoPro Hero 13 Black (now available for around $359.99 / £315).

• Price score 5/5

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(Image credit: Lauren Scott)DJI Osmo Nano: Design

• Standalone camera is waterproof, dock is splashproof
• Magnetic base connects easily to mounts
• The camera weighs 1.83oz / 52g

The DJI Osmo Nano camera is oblong-shaped, about half as wide as it is long. It sits comfortably between your thumb and forefinger in either portrait or landscape mode, but I didn't find it as pocketable as the Insta360 Go Ultra because of its extra depth.

Without the dock, the Osmo is a light, wearable action camera at just 52g. Adding the dock, by way of two secure mounting clips and a magnetic, adds another 72g and turns the camera into a more complete action companion. It's small, but I found the combo top-heavy on uneven surfaces, making low-level shots without a mount more difficult.

There's just one built-in OLED HD touchscreen on the dock, rather than a screen at the front and back, or a flippable design like the Insta360 Go Ultra. This means you have to detach and remount the camera every time you want to go from shooting your environment to talking to the camera (if you want to see yourself, that is). Unlike the Go Ultra, which simply plops back into place with strong magnets, flipping the Osmo Nano around is a bit fiddly.

The design is gray and plastic, which is familiar territory for both DJI and action cams in general. The body is subtly textured though, meaning it's easy to grab onto with cold, wet or sweaty hands. Ruggedness is key for an action camera, but only the wearable part of the Osmo Nano is waterproof. The camera is IPX8-rated for submersion up to 10 metres underwater.

The dock is only splash, rain and likely sweat resistant, and I wouldn't fancy its chances in a heavy rain shower. This is a shame, because it limits potential usage and introduces a little caution to creativity when shooting. It's also a far cry from DJI's Action 5 Pro, which is verified down to 20m / 65ft.

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

While the dock isn't waterproof, you can use the whole product in temperatures of -20C to 45C (-4F to 113F), so you're good for everything from winter sports to desert treks. A lens cover screws over the main lens, so if you damage or scratch it a replacement costs a fraction of buying a whole new unit.

The Osmo Nano has just two physical controls: there's a big red record button on the top of the camera and another on one side of the dock. These also act as power switches, and they require some force to push down so that you're not likely to press them accidentally. That's it, other than a small flap that opens up on the other side of the dock to reveal the USB 3.1 port for charging and transferring files, plus the microSD slot, which takes up to a 1TB card.

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I didn't find the DJI Osmo Nano as enjoyable or easy to navigate as other action cameras I've tested. You swipe up to access video settings, down for the main menu, and left to change the shooting mode. To toggle Pro Mode on or off, you tap the slider icon on the right side of the screen.

It's not rocket science, but at 1.96 inches the small screen means you need to be extra precise with your touch gestures to bring up menus and dial in settings. My partner – who has bigger hands and fingers than I – sometimes had to tap the screen a few times to activate settings.

The menus are mainly black and white with yellow accents, and I found this less eye-catching than the GoPro or Insta360 ecosystems, although that may be more a matter of personal preference. Some settings are also overlaid on the live picture and can be difficult to read. The camera doesn't have the same detailed tutorials and guides that you get when you start using the Insta360 Go Ultra, although I'm sure DJI fans will have no trouble finding their way around.

• Design score: 4/5

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(Image credit: Lauren Scott)DJI Osmo Nano: Performance and features

• Quick-edit videos on the DJI Osmo Mimo app
• Standalone camera charges 80% in about 20 mins
• In-built storage and takes microSD cards up to 2TB

The performance of the Osmo Nano is hard to pin down. In some areas I felt it delivered exceptionally well, but in others it was a bit underwhelming. The rapid file transfer ended up being surprisingly helpful, and in my tests with the 128GB version DJI's claim of up to 600 MB/s transfer speed over USB 3.1 holds up, and I found it a huge time-saver compared to sending lots of files wirelessly.

The camera's battery life is a limitation, though, particularly when shooting at higher resolutions like 4K/60fps. I got closer to 60 minutes of continuous recording here – rather than the 90 minutes that DJI claims at 1080p/24fps – which isn't bad for its size, but lags behind the multi-hour endurance of larger cameras like the Osmo Action 5 Pro. The dock can top up the battery on the go, and I was also impressed by its ability to charge to 80% in just 20 minutes, especially if you're as bad as I am at remembering to charge your gear before a shoot.

You then get up to 200 minutes of 1080p/24fps video from the dock, but in reality, I found this closer to two hours once the screen and Wi-Fi are on and you've powered the camera up and down a few times.

If you tend to record short clips throughout a longer day, it's nothing to worry about. If you're the type of shooter to record continuously, you may lament the fact that there aren't replaceable batteries to swap out when you run out of juice. I left the camera running for my battery tests during a particularly warm day, and although it felt hot to the touch during, it never overheated to the point of turning off.

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

The Osmo Nano is equipped with DJI's RockSteady 3.0 stabilization and HorizonBalancing. It handles a fair amount of shake, but it's not on the same level as a dedicated gimbal like the Osmo Pocket series. In footage of fast-paced, high-impact activities like running on trails you'll still see some micro-jitters, but for walking shots it's pretty impressive.

Using different mounts will dictate how stable your results are. Using the pendant seemed to cause me more wobbles than handholding the camera, for example, but the head mount gave me super-smooth footage when running. It's worth noting that there are different levels of stabilization, with daily, sport, or anti-motion blur options. You can also turn off image stabilization to save battery, or if you're using a secondary DJI product to keep things stable.

The DJI Osmo Nano performs really well in remote shooting scenarios without a phone. The voice commands, like 'start recording', work almost instantaneously in a quiet environment, but require you to shout when it's loud (not a great look in a city center). I found that gestures worked well too, and I liked being able to pat the camera when it was powered off to start recording, or nod my head when it was mounted on my head. Much more subtle.

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

The Osmo Nano has two built-in microphones for stereo sound, and I found the audio straight out of the camera surprisingly immersive. It picks up sound from a variety of directions when you're shooting in a public place, but still hones in on your voice when you're speaking to the camera clearly.

Like all action cameras, the audio quality sounds muffled underwater, but the clarity returns more quickly than others I've tested when you pull the camera back out into fresh air. There are lower and stronger wind reduction modes, and both did a decent job of reducing disturbance when I captured some clips on a blustery countryside walk, without removing the noise entirely (see the clips below). My voice was clear and free from distortion, but it's not the perfect solution for clean audio; for that, you'll need a separate mic.

A major draw is the ability to connect the Osmo Nano directly to DJI's wireless microphones without needing a separate receiver. I haven't been able to try this yet, but I can see it being convenient for creators who want to capture high-quality audio, especially those already with DJI mics.

• Performance score: 4/5

DJI Osmo Nano: Image quality

• 1/1.3-inch sensor
• Video up to 4K/120fps and 35MP photos
• 10-bit D-Log M and HLG color profile options

The Osmo Nano has a 1/1.3-inch sensor, the same size as you'll find in the Osmo Action 5 Pro and just a fraction smaller than the one in the Insta360 Go Ultra. Video headlines include 4K at 60fps in 16:9 format, and 4K 120fps slow-mo footage, which expands to 1080p 240fps.

The specs are one thing, but the proof is in the pudding; or in this case, in the videos and shots you get from the camera. Overall, I think the image quality is good for an action camera of this size. As ever, it won’t completely replace a full-sized or full-frame camera, but that's not the expectation here. The fixed 143-degree ultra-wide field of view is perfect for first-person POV shots, and I could fit a whole wedding group in the frame (I don't have permission to include the sample shot in the review, sadly), but it's not easy to zoom in on the scene should you want to get closer in.

I tested the Osmo Nano in all weather and lighting scenarios. DJI touts the wide dynamic range of the Osmo Nano, but in direct sunshine I noticed some banding where the highlights had been clipped. You can see this in the video above, which was a test of the one-tap editing feature in the DJI Mimo app.

4K resolution is sharp and punchy, and even in 8-bit color mode the camera seems to capture vibrant blue skies and leafy greens, and handles quick changes in light (coming out of a dark tunnel, from indoors to outdoors) well; however, while I like a bit of lens flare, this is one area that could be handled better. It tended to keep my face exposed when I was talking to the camera, but this wasn't set up anywhere in the camera. If I were to generalize, I'd say footage comes out darker than Insta360's Go Ultra, possibly for greater leeway when editing, where the Insta option is designed for near-automatic use.

DJI's SuperNight mode does a decent job of reducing noise in low light, but it only works at up to 30fps and with 8-bit color, which might limit its utility for serious cinematographers. It’s the best night image quality in a wearable camera I’ve seen, but it’s still bound by the laws of physics – a smaller lens and sensor will always have certain limitations compared to a larger, more dedicated camera. There's some AI-smoothing being applied to reduce noise in low-light footage, but this is less obvious to the untrained eye, and less muddy than some night modes I've seen on earlier action cameras.

DJI's automatic horizon leveling (which can be calibrated) is pretty flawless, and the RockSteady image stabilization is most impressive in sports mode. To really test it out, I wore the camera on DJI's headband mount and recorded the first five minutes of a high-intensity workout. Throughout a gruelling round of burpies, star jumps and squats, the footage was stable and smooth (almost unnaturally so). Trail runs, dog walks, and cycle clips were all just as usable, but the handheld results are slightly more jittery than using a dedicated mount.

Photos from the camera have a medium-range megapixel count (the maximum resolution is 35MP and you can shoot in a 16:9 or 4:3 ratio), and as to their quality, I said the same thing about Insta360 Go Ultra's photo results: they're good enough to insert into videos, but I probably wouldn't use them for standalone social posts or prints as a creator. Consider them as an additive rather than a standalone feature, and you won't be disappointed.

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Impressively, the Osmo Nano gives you the option of recording footage with a flat color profile (DJI's D-Log M setting), designed to preserve the maximum color and brightness info in the video file, especially in lights and darks.

While the footage out of the camera is desaturated in this mode, I found you had far more wiggle room to adjust the colors, contrast, and saturation to achieve a specific, cinematic look without losing any of the detail captured in the original scene. This is also going to benefit creators shooting a project with the Osmo Nano alongside other cameras who want their edited work to look consistent.

• Image quality score: 4/5

DJI Osmo Nano: testing scorecard DJI Osmo Nano

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

Much cheaper than the Insta360 Go Ultra, and that includes helpful built-in storage.

5/5

Design

Unexciting but functional, and it's a shame the dock is only splash-proof. The lens replacement adds ruggedness.

4/5

Performance & features

Fewer filters and modes than the Insta360 Go Ultra, but you get the option of manual controls. The DJI Osmo app makes quick, clever edits.

4/5

Image quality

In daylight, colors are vivid and dynamic range is good. Stabilization is excellent, and low light footage is fine. Slow-mo could be crisper.

4/5

Should I buy the DJI Osmo Nano?Buy it if...

You want a camera that 'disappears'
The Osmo Nano is small enough to be worn on a pendant, hat, or headband, thanks to its small size and weight. The magnetic mount allows for quirky mounting solutions like lamp posts, cars, and even washing machines.

You already own DJI products
To boost the sound quality, you can connect the Nano directly to two DJI microphone transmitters without needing a receiver. If you've already got a DJI mic, gimbal or camera, sticking with the brand also means greater familiarity with the app.

Don't buy it if...

You like a roomy LCD screen
At less than two inches, I found the Osmo Nano's LCD touchscreen a little small for composing shots and reviewing footage. You can use your phone for a larger live view, but this isn't always convenient.

You want a fully waterproof solution
The Nano's Vision Dock is only splashproof, and this made me uncomfortable while shooting in the rain or near water. If you're a real action lover, I'd recommend a camera with a more rugged build.

Also consider

Insta360 Go Ultra

The Insta360 Go Ultra has a similar form factor, with a separate camera and action pod. The flip-up screen is more vlog-friendly and bigger at 2.5 inches, while the camera weighs the same as the Osmo Nano but is more square and shallow (which I found easier to mount). Pricing and image quality are similar, but it's a slightly more fun action camera that's great for the whole family.

Read my full Insta360 Go Ultra review

GoPro Hero 13 Black

The GoPro Hero 13 Black is still the flagship of action cams and one I'd recommend for serious filmmakers. It's chunkier than the Osmo, but it also has magnetic mounting. GoPro also has the widest range of mount accessories to open up creative shooting opportunities, and it's possible to squeeze 1.5 hours of 5.3K video from the battery, for recording with fewer interruptions.

Read our full GoPro Hero 13 Black review

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)How I tested the DJI Osmo Nano

• I tested the camera for two weeks pre-embargo
• I wore it on walks and runs, and mounted it for drives
• I recorded videos at all settings and in all modes

DJI sent me a full-production Osmo Nano for review around two weeks before its release date, and I used it at least once a day – often much more – during this period. I always like a camera to become a natural part of my workflow, rather than carrying out one intense period of testing, so that I uncover the nuances for a more informed and helpful review.

I tried all the camera's modes, used it with and without the dock, and mounted it on the magnetic pendant and headband. I mainly used the DJI Mimo app to edit footage right from my iPhone 15 Pro.

• First reviewed September 2025

Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K: two-minute review

Founded around 15 years ago, Shenzen-based Baseus Security is one of a number of Chinese brands whose products are now available across the world. Under review here is a new model, the Baseus Security S2 - an outdoor camera with a twist (quite literally). It’s the follow up model to the 2024 Baseus S1 Pro which was billed as the world’s first 4K security camera with a sun-powered tracking system.

Like its predecessor, the S2 also features an innovative twisting solar panel above the main camera unit to maximize power from the sun. However, the big difference is that the video resolution of this latest model has been improved from 2K to 4K. Rather than 8GB of local storage, the S2 upgrade also features a MicroSD card slot capable of storing up to 256GB local storage.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

That’s particularly useful in avoiding costly monthly cloud storage fees and reducing a potential cybersecurity risk (hackers have been known to access video footage from security cameras stored in the cloud). Unfortunately, however, the memory card isn’t provided as standard so you will have to buy it separately.

Designed to be installed on the outside of a property with an unhindered view of the sky, the S2 comes with a reasonably sturdy mount complete with wall plugs and screws. Once installed, a process that takes around 20-30 mins, it’s simply a case of downloading the iOS/Android app and adding the camera via the QR code on the side of the device.

Whereas some outdoor models are dual-band Wi-Fi compatible (some will even work on 4G/5G cellular networks), the S2 is only compatible with the 2.4GHz, not the 5GHz, band. That said, we didn’t have any issues connecting the camera at the end of the garden to the broadband repeater at the back of the house. With an IP67 waterproof rating, the Baseus Security S2 can, claims the manufacturer, be used in temperatures from -20 degrees centigrade to 50 degrees centigrade – though it never got above 25 degrees centigrade during my testing.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

Once the app is installed, it’s simply a case of tailoring the camera’s settings to suit your setup. This includes naming the camera depending on where it’s located (eg backyard) and checking to see if it captures all the areas you need it to.

The field of view of the Baseus camera is 145° which should be wide enough for most applications. You can set up privacy zones to exclude certain areas (handy to prevent accidentally capturing your neighbour’s property) as well as activity zones to detect motion in certain parts of the frame.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

Whereas many outdoor security cameras are overly sensitive capturing footage of passing cars, even swaying tree branches, this doesn’t seem to be an issue with the Baseus Security S2. Although it is possible to adjust sensitivity between 1 and 5 we found on the standard 3 setting the camera it didn’t trigger any false positives. Baseus claims the inclusion of radar detection in addition to standard PIR (passive infra-red) detection, reduces false alerts by 99% so you only get relevant notifications.

Best of all are the facial recognition settings which enable you to add the images and names of family members or house mates on the app. It will then detect when it sees these faces on the camera and send you an alert telling you who it has spotted. It’s a feature that is now available on other outdoor security cameras but you usually have to pay a monthly subscription fee for it. With the Baseus, you can even set up motion alerts if the camera spots a vehicle or a pet. Alternatively, these can be excluded if you want to reduce the number of notifications you receive.

Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K: price and availability

• How much does it cost? Baseus Security S2 £199, $US129, $AU129
• When is it available? Available since July 2025
• Where is it available? UK/US/AUS

Generally, outdoor security cameras and video doorbells are fairly cheap to buy. That’s because manufacturers can subsidize the price of them with monthly subscriptions, costing anywhere between £2.50 and £15 a month.

Not so the Baseus Security S2 outdoor camera. Rather than being stored in the cloud for a monthly fee, your footage is stored locally on a MicroSD card. And while you will have to buy a MicroSD card if haven’t got one already (I paid £10.99 for a 128GB Samsung EVO Select with SD adaptor), this is still a far cheaper option than being locked into an expensive subscription.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

What’s more, the camera offers smart detection/facial recognition features as standard which are normally only available to premium users paying a subscription fee. Plus of course another bonus is the inclusion of solar panel.

That said, the Baseus Security S2 certainly isn’t the cheapest model on the block, particularly in the UK where prices are significantly more expensive than in the US and Australia. It’s also a lot more expensive than its predecessor, the Security S1, which you can currently get for £59 from Amazon. Like the S2, the S1 also features a rotating solar panel. However, the key differences are that it is only offers 2K resolution and 8GB of built-in storage rather than up to 256GB via a MicroSD card.

• Value score: 4/5

Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K: design

• Simple installation
• Flexible battery/solar power options
• Sleek design

Looking more like a Bluetooth speaker than a conventional security camera, the all-white Baseus Security S2 is long tubular design with an innovative rotating solar panel mounted on top. Screws and wall plugs are provided for mounting the bracket on the wall and the camera can be angled easily to obtain the optimum view.

I had worried that the long and narrow design might make the camera a little unstable when mounted on my wooden summer house, but actually this wasn’t a problem at all. Set up didn’t take too long either (less than half an hour), though obviously if you are mounting on a brick wall you will need to use a drill and wall plugs for installation, which will take longer.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

Underneath the device is a USB-C socket for charging the camera up via the mains (a 7800mAh rechargeable battery is built in), as well as a slot for a MicroSD card. Up to 256GB is supported but we used a 128GB card for recording. There’s also a sync button for use during set up and a modest-sized speaker underneath.

On the front of the camera there are PIR and radar sensors for detecting movement more accurately, a small microphone for two-way audio and a powerful spotlight capable of illuminating the night at distances of up to 12 meters.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

Next to the circular radar sensor is a similar shaped camera lens, giving the impression of two eyes on a face! Capable of recording in 4K and providing a 145° Horizontal field, the camera displays a flashing blue light on the front of the camera when recording footage. Finally, there’s the solar panel on top of the camera which auto tracks the sun moving 40° to the left or the right from the horizontal position depending on the sun’s location.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K: performance

• Excellent 4K image quality
• Stable video connection
• Smart detection is still work in progress

Never having tested a Baseus security camera before I didn’t really know what to expect. However, I was more than pleasantly surprised. There are really two main issues with outdoor security cameras.

Firstly, images can sometimes be a little unstable because of the longer distances between the router and the camera. Secondly, when you do eventually get a stable image, the onboard sensors are usually so sensitive that they end up recording far too much, draining the battery and creating lots of false alerts.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

Not so the Baseus. On both counts, performance was flawless. Despite it only being compatible with 2.4GHz and not the 5GHz Wi-Fi frequency I didn’t have any signal problems at all.

What’s more, it also triggered fewer false alerts than other cameras I’ve tested, in part because of the combination of PIR (passive infra-red) and radar technologies to detect movement. Images are superbly detailed during the day and the spotlight is excellent for illuminating the garden at night to ensure high quality footage in the dark.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

That’s not to say everything was perfect. When testing the camera’s two-way audio talking to my wife in the garden, I didn’t think the speaker was the best. Also it’s fair to say that the smart detection/facial recognition system (billed as being in beta) is still a work in progress.

During testing I added images from my phone’s camera roll of family members and friends to see if it recognzsed them when it saw them on camera. Sometimes it did, especially when standing right next to the camera, but often it didn’t. One on occasion it even mistook me for my dog which was a little odd (we don’t look much alike).

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(Image credit: Chris Price)

Undoubtedly, what’s really good about the Baseus device is the rotating solar panel. While living in the UK and testing at the beginning of Autumn/Fall wasn’t ideal for testing, we had enough sun to get a pretty good idea of the panel’s performance. After a week of rainy days, power had dropped to 85% but just four days of sunshine was enough to bring it back up to 96%.

Considering I installed the camera practically under the eaves of a summer house and it only received around three hours of direct sunlight a day it really wasn’t bad at all. Usefully, a solar panel image appears on the display to show you when the camera is being powered by the sun and with the detection statistics option in the app you can see how much solar is contributing to the device’s overall power – a nice touch.

• Performance score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K?Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

In the UK, the camera isn’t particularly cheap (although it works out cheaper in the US and Australia). However, the main bonus is you don’t have to pay an expensive monthly subscription so it does work out better in the long run.

4/5

Design

A white tubular design, the Baseus Security S2 is a pretty classy looking security camera. Best of is the solar panel above that rotates towards the sun to maximize power.

4.5/5

Performance

Picture quality is excellent and thanks to the inclusion of radar there are far fewer false alerts than with many cameras. However, facial recognition technology is still a work in progress.

4.5/5

Overall

An excellent outdoor security camera with an innovative rotating solar panel. Though it’s a little more expensive than some models, the lack of a monthly subscription fee means in the long term it’s much better value.

4.5/5

Buy it if

You want to maximize power from the sun

A large rotating solar panel means that this outdoor camera is able to maximize power from the sun so you shouldn’t need to charge it very often especially if you live in sunny climes.

You want high quality images

Boasting 4K resolution, the Baseus device provides some of the sharpest images I’ve ever seen from an outdoor camera. Connectivity is very good too.

Don't buy it if

You want to locate it in a shaded area

Of course you can still power the security camera from the mains via the USB-C socket if you are located in the shade. But where this device really comes into its own is with the solar panel.

You just want a cheap solution

Costing nearly £200 in the UK, there are simply much cheaper options out there. However, always bear in mind that you may need to pay a monthly subscription fee with some devices.

Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K: also consider

Camera

Baseus Security S2 4K

Reolink Altas PT Ultra

Eufy 4K S330 Security Camera

Ring Outdoor Cam Plus

Subscription price

None

From £3.49 a month

None

From £4.99 a month

Viewing angle

145 degrees horizontal

355-degree pan / 90-degree tilt camera view

360-degree view

140 degrees horizontal

Network connection

Wi-Fi (2.4GHz)

Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5GHz)

Wi-Fi/4G

Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5GHz)

Audio

Two-way audio

Two-way audio

Two-way audio

Two-way audio

Video

4K video resolution

4K video resolution

4K video resolution

2,560 x 1,440 (2K)

Power

Battery, solar

Battery, solar

Battery, solar

Mains, battery, solar

Hardware price

£199 (with built-in solar panel)

£229 (with solar panel)

£189 (with solar panel)

£69 (£99 with solar panel )

Reolink Altas PT Ultra

A very advanced home and business security solution boasting a large rechargeable battery and solar panel. Can record footage 12 hours a day for over a week with colour night vision facility.

Read our full Reolink Altas PT Ulta review

Eufy 4K S330 Security Camera

An extremely innovative battery and solar-powered camera, the Eufy can be used with the supplied 4G Sim card to capture recordings - ideal for those who live in areas with poor Wi-Fi/broadband.

Read our full Eufy 4K S330 Security Camera review

How I tested the Baseus Security S2 Outdoor Camera 4K:

• I used the camera outdoors
• I installed it myself
• I tested the facial recognition technology with family and friends

To test any outdoor security camera you really need to use it regularly over a period of time to get used to its quirks and idiosyncrasies. I decided to use this camera for a period of two weeks in the back garden. It was placed on my summer house at a height of about 2.5 metres and connected to a wireless repeater in my kitchen around 13 metres away.

During this period, we experienced a range of weather conditions to challenge the IP-67 rating of the camera. This included heavy rain and cloud followed by a period of around 4 to 5 days of sunshine. It was during this sunny period that the solar power really came into its own, charging the battery back to nearly 100% despite regular daily alerts via the app.

Levoit LVAC-300 cordless: two-minute review

The Levoit LVAC-300 is a simple, cordless stick vacuum designed to deliver effective cleaning for an affordable price. I tested it out for three weeks and while its cleaning powers aren't up there with the best cordless vacuums on the market, it's still a solid performer for the price. California-based (Chinese-owned) Levoit may be best known for its purifiers and fans, but this cordless proves it knows what it's doing on floors, too.

In my tests, the LVAC-300 was strong on hard floors and low-pile rugs, quieter than expected, and was especially good at cleaning the edges of rooms. It's also lightweight and easy to maneuver – in fact, it can even stand upright on its own. There are are few compromises, however. It's not great at cleaning thicker rugs, the floorhead gets in a tangle when faced with long hair, and the filter clogs quickly too.

It won't be the best vacuum cleaner for everyone, but the LVAC-300 is perfect for frugal shoppers who have mostly hard floors are aren’t easily wooed by fancy frills or cutting-edge tech. That's the short version; read on for my full Levoit LVAC-300 review.

The black, bronze and silver livery is easy on the eye, if not swoon-worthy (Image credit: Future)Levoit LVAC-300 cordless review: price & availability

• List price: US $349.99/ GBP £249.99
• Launch date: March 2025
• Availability: US and UK

In the US, the Levoit LVAC-300 hit shelves in Spring 2025, following an official debut at CES in Las Vegas. It has a list price of $349.99, but the good news is you’ll almost never pay that. Levoit’s own site, Amazon and Best Buy regularly kick it down to around $269.99, and I even spotted it for $249 in a recent Prime Day sale.

The LVAC-300 went on sale in the UK a few months later, with an RRP of £249.99. Again, it’s worth digging around – you can find it closer to £199 if you know where to look (spoiler, head to Amazon). Discounts aren’t quite as plentiful as in the States, but it’s worth keeping an eye out around major shopping events.

Either way, you're getting a bit of a steal for a cordless that promises 60 minutes’ runtime, comes with a motorized floor head, mini brush, crevice tool and wall mount in the box. Filters and spare batteries are extra, but that’s standard practice, even when you shell out twice as much. At this price point it sits in the lower-mid range; not a bargain basement buy, but without the wallet-burning tag of a Dyson.

All told, the LVAC-300 seems fairly priced for what you’re getting. It’s not going to out-muscle a top-end Shark or Dyson (especially on thick carpet), but for everyday cleaning it’s quietly capable. It feels well pitched for anyone wanting a competent cordless without the bling of flashier brands.

• Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Levoit LVAC-300 cordless specs

Weight:

6.6 lbs / 3kg

Dimensions (H x W x D):

43.3 x 9.8 x 7.7in / 110 x 24.9 x 19.6cm

Floorhead width:

10in / 25.4cm

Filter:

HEPA

Bin capacity:

0.8 quarts / 0.75L

Battery:

21.6V 3.0Ah

Max runtime:

60 minutes

Charge time:

3.5-4 hours

Levoit LVAC-300 cordless review: design

• Light and easy to swing about, though the grip position is odd at first
• Aesthetics not exactly premium, but inoffensive
• Small info screen, and buttons to scroll between the 3 power modes

Unboxing the Levoit LVAC-300 cordless was a total delight. It arrived in the tiniest box imaginable – I genuinely thought half the vacuum was missing. Turns out Levoit has cleverly shoehorned it in to save on packaging waste. Slot the pieces together, give it three hours to charge, and you’re good to go. Easy.

The Levoit LVAC-300 cordless is also refreshingly lightweight. The handle is angled slightly oddly, which threw the ergonomics off for me, but I got used to it quickly enough. Looks-wise, I’d describe this as 'utility chic'. I’ve certainly tested uglier vacuums, but this one won’t be winning any design awards. The plastics felt a smidge cheap, especially when swapping out tools, and the buttons have all the glamour of an office photocopier (showing my age there).

Carbon footprint-friendly compact packaging (mug for scale!) (Image credit: Future)

And then there’s the quirky design choice of perching the bin above the main wand – rather than tucking it neatly underneath in the more familiar style. It looked a bit back-to-front to my eye – although, to be fair, this is the configuration used in the best Dyson vacuums these days. On the plus side, you do get an unfiltered view of the dust, hair and fluff collecting, which is always satisfying, not to mention useful for avoiding overfilling.

Because the bin is on the top size, it can get very low to the floor (Image credit: Future)

The control panel is pretty basic. A little lozenge-shaped screen, a chunky on/off button right under your thumb, and two smaller buttons to scroll between Eco, Mid and Turbo modes. The screen also shows battery life, mode, and warnings for blockages – though you’ll need good eyesight to notice them. That’s it. No apps, no smart integrations – refreshingly simple.

The 2-in-1 nozzle is a nifty bit of multitasking design (Image credit: Future)

The LVAC-300 only ships with two extra tools: a 2-in-1 crevice nozzle with a slide-down brush and a mini motorized brush. That doesn’t sound like much, but in practice, between them, these tools handled everything I threw at them.

Some vacuums ship with a wide variety of random detail tools, but I think that's unnecessary – they'll generally end up cluttering my utility cupboard, never to be used. The main floorhead here is the real workhorse anyway, with a powered multi-surface brush, rubber fins and an anti-tangle roller designed to shrug off hair-wrap.

• Design score: 3.5 out of 5

Levoit LVAC-300 cordless review: performance

• Maneuvers like a dream – light, nimble and even stands up on its own
• Filters clogged quickly and occasionally dirt made it past them
• Cleaning power is solid, but it's not great with hair and larger debris

Using the Levoit LVAC-300 cordless day-to-day was a breeze. It’s light enough that my RSI-riddled wrist didn’t complain (even on the staircase), and it corners beautifully, picking up right to the edges. I loved that it stands upright on its own and reclines with a little nudge of your foot, which meant I could steer it one-handed while my other hand shoved chairs and pets out of the way.

The freestanding design is far easier than resting on the floor while you move obstacles. (Image credit: Future)

Because the bin sits above the hose, you can also get it completely flat to the floor and reach right under sofas. On the downside, it defaults to Eco mode every time you turn it on, which drove me a bit bonkers. I always had to ramp it up manually, and I really missed my Miele DuoFlex’s Auto mode, which adapts to different floor types so I can vacuum while listening to my audiobook rather than paying attention to the task in hand.

It also clattered noisily over my reclaimed terracotta tiles, though suction didn’t seem affected. Noise-wise, I measured it between 61-68 decibels, which is actually quieter than most cordless vacs I’ve tested. Eco is almost gentle on the ears, and even Turbo never reached eardrum-spitting territory.

The 0.75L bin is relatively generous for this type of vacuum (Image credit: Future)

Emptying the bin was blissfully mess-free. No dust clouds, no digging about with a wooden spoon handle or kebab stick. Plus, every component is washable, which makes maintenance straightforward.

The only downer is that the filters clogged quickly during testing. They’re simple enough to rinse under the tap, but with no spares included, the vacuum had to sit idle while they dried. Worryingly, some dirt and dog hair somehow managed to get past the two filters and were gathered around the motor entrance. At this point I did need my trusty kebab stick to clear it away.

(And don’t get me started on the sticky residue left behind when I tried to peel the maintenance instruction sticker off the bin canister. Very upsetting.)

The double filters should have stopped this debris getting through (Image credit: Future)

Hair proved quite the challenge for this cordless, despite promises of a no-wrap roller. I dumped an entire brush’s worth of my daughters’ long locks onto the floor (yuck) and set the LVAC-300 loose. It managed a fair amount, but the roller inevitably clumped up. In good news, the Levoit’s brush bar pops out in seconds, so a quick snip with the scissors and I was back in business.

I wasn't impressed by the no-wrap roller (Image credit: Future)Suction tests

Now for the fun bit: the tests. I started with fine dust; a teabag’s worth scattered across my wooden engineered flooring. On eco, the LVAC-300 gobbled it up in a single pass, even from the grooves between planks. On carpet, Eco barely made a dent, so I cranked it to Turbo. Better, but a faint smudge of tea leaves still lingered, like my husband’s five o’clock shadow – and I am afraid I had to reach for my Miele to get the carpet fully clean again.

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(Image credit: Future)

Next came 30g of oats to represent bigger debris. On hard floors, the LVAC-300 struggled at first because the floorhead acted more like a snowplough than a vacuum, pushing the oats into little drifts. Lifting the head slightly and hovering over the oats worked, but it’s not ideal. Turbo helped, but I still had to chase some strays.

Again, this isn’t unique – even Dyson vacuums sometimes bulldoze big debris across tile – but the best Shark vacuums tend to have edge here, with heads that are better designed to funnel large bits straight into the suction path. Switch to carpet, however, and the LVAC-300 was surprisingly effective, scooping up oats cleanly even on Eco.

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(Image credit: Future)

The edge cleaning test was genuinely impressive. I lined a corner with tea leaves, expecting to need the crevice tool, but the LVAC-300 slurped up every last bit in Eco mode. Honestly, it matched my Miele here, which is high praise – so many cordless models leave frustrating crumbs in the corners. I also tried it over the sheepskin rug in our spare bedroom and it did an admirable job of fluffing up the fleece without the rollerbrush getting blocked and stopping rotating, which made a refreshing change.

The edge cleaning test was a complete success (Image credit: Future)

In summary, the LVAC-300 did what it promised and offered reasonable suction, easy handling and quieter operation than many. It doesn’t quite topple the big names in every test, but it put up a very respectable fight at a far friendlier price. Fine dust removal on carpet could have been better, but for everyday cleaning it got the job done with minimal fuss and zero arm ache.

• Performance score: 3.5 out of 5

Levoit LVAC-300 cordless review: battery

• 41 minutes in Eco, 22 minutes in Mid, 14 minutes in Turbo
• Just under 4 hours to recharge, with flexible charging options
• Easily enough juice for a decent clean on one charge

Levoit reckons you’ll get 60 minutes out of the LVAC-300 in Eco mode, but that figure is with the nozzle attachment, not the powered floorhead, which is a little misleading. I have never spent an hour vacuuming with a nozzle in my life.

The fine print in the User Manual promises 40 minutes with the floorhead attached, which was pretty accurate. My stopwatch recorded 41 minutes in Eco mode with the floor head, which was good enough for me. I’d actually run out of things to vacuum and left it buzzing on the floor just to see it die.

Turbo gave me 14 minutes, which doesn’t sound like much but was plenty to whip round the ground floor and staircase of my four-bed family home. For a cordless at any price point, that’s seriously respectable.

Recharging takes around four hours, which is par for the course. I like that you can either click it onto the dock or pop the battery out and plug it in elsewhere, so you’re not at the mercy of having a wall socket in the perfect spot.

Despite the 60 minute 'fake news' on Levoit's marketing, the battery life impressed me. I got through a full clean on a single charge without breaking a sweat, and that’s really all most people will need. However, there are models – even in this budget-friendly bracket – that offer longer runtimes if you need them.

• Battery life score: 3.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Levoit LVAC-300 cordless?

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

Strong mid-range pricing with regular discounts. Offers features you’d usually pay more for, though can’t quite match pricier rivals on power.

4/5

Design

Lightweight and easy to maneuver, though the styling is a bit basic. Simple controls and easy setup win it back points.

3.5/5

Performance

Excellent on hard floors and edges, but struggles with fine dirt on carpet, and long hair in general. Overall solid cleaning results.

3.5/5

Battery

40 minutes in Eco with the main floorhead is decent but other models give you longer. A solid 16 mins in Turbo mode.

3.5/5

Buy it if...

You have mostly hard floors

The LVAC-300 performed very well on hard floors, and is especially impressive at clearing dirt from the edges of rooms. It's also lightweight and very easy to wrangle.

You're on a budget

At list price the LVAC is mid-range, but big discounts are rare and can deliver very strong value for money.

You appreciate a simple life

If the thought of downloading an app to run a vacuum makes you want to lie down in a dark room, take note. Big on/off button, three modes, no Wi-Fi pairing fails. Even your nan could suss it out.

Don't buy it if...

You have lots of carpet

This vacuum struggled a little with cleaning carpets. Turbo helps, but it’s still not great at dragging dust out of thicker pile, no matter how much time you spend dragging it back and forth.

You're obsessed with high-end tech

If you want a vacuum that looks like it belongs in an Apple Store, step away. The LVAC-300 is more functional than fantasy.

You live with Rapunzel

Although it had no problem with pet hair, long human hair wrapped around the roller like a clingy baby koala that isn’t ready to leave its mum.

How I tested the Levoit LVAC-300 cordless

I lived with the Levoit LVAC-300 as my main vacuum for nearly three weeks, putting it through its paces in our four-bed home, which is home to our family of four, plus two dogs and a budgie. That meant daily whizzes around the kitchen and hallway (the main crumb/fluff zones), plus regular runs up the stairs, rugs and on the wool bedroom carpets to see how it coped. I timed battery life in each mode with my Garmin watch and used a decibel app on my phone to check out noise levels.

I also made sure to test all the attachments: the mini motorized brush was drafted in for sofas and pet beds, while the crevice tool was sent hunting for dust bunnies under radiators and cobwebs along the curtain rails. The main floorhead got the biggest workout, smashing through a mix of pet hair, school-run debris and general family chaos. I played around with setup, docking and charging too, trying both the wall mount (admittedly not screwed to the wall but I recreated the effect just fine propped against the wall) and popping the battery out to plug it in elsewhere.

In short, I didn’t just whizz it round the house for 10 minutes before hitting the keyboard, both set tests and real-life use was long and thorough, and I really got to know this impressive little vacuum during the process.

Read more about how we test vacuum cleaners

First reviewed September 2025

Editor's Note

• Original review date: Jan 2024
• Update – Sep 2025

Geekom has now released an updated 2025 Edition Mini IT12. The only change compared to the model reviewed below is a switch to the Intel Core i7-1280P CPU, rather than the original Core i7-12650H. The 1280P is still a 12th Gen CPU, but has a slightly higher clock speed and more efficiency cores. It also has a lower base and maximum turbo power, so performance is very similar.

Where it does improve things is the inclusion of Intel Iris Xe Graphics, which is slightly more powerful than the Intel UHD Graphics in the i7-12650H. While both these CPUs were launched back in 2022, they were flagship mobile processors, and still offer punchy performance today.

Included below is a quick spec and benchmark comparison of the CPUs. The Core i7-1280P gives very similar results in typical CPU focused benchmarks, but thanks to the more powerful iGPU, is around 20% faster in graphics related workloads.

While not a huge change, this means the 2025 IT12 is now slightly better value.

Geekom Mini IT12 2025 Edition

Geekom Mini IT12 (as originally reviewed)

CPU

Core i7-1280P

Core i7-12650H

Generation

12th gen Alder Lake

12th gen Alder Lake

Launch

Q1’22

Q1’22

Cores / threads

14 cores (6P + 8E) / 20 threads

10 cores (6P + 4E) / 16 threads

Max turbo frequency

4.80 GHz

4.70 GHz

P-core max turbo

4.80 GHz

4.70 GHz

E-core max turbo

3.60 GHz

3.50 GHz

Processor base power

28 W

45 W

Maximum turbo power

64 W

115 W

Integrated graphics

Intel Iris Xe Graphics

Intel UHD Graphics

iGPU execution units

96 EUs

64 EUs

iGPU max dynamic freq

1.45 GHz

1.40 GHz

Benchmarks

PCMark 10 - Overall

5862

5253

Geekbench 6 - Multi-core

9551

9386

Geekbench 6 - Single-core

2500

2323

Geekbench 6 - GPU

14731

11065

Fire Strike

4653

3730

Time Spy

1577

1331

Wild Life

12009

9511

CrystalDiskMark Read/Write (MB/s)

5196 / 4747

5096 / 4474

Geekom Mini IT12: 30-second reviewSpecs

CPU: 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i7-12650H (10 Cores, 16 Threads, 24MB Cache, up to 4.70 GHz)
Graphics: Intel UHD Graphics for 12th Gen Intel Processors
RAM: Dual-channel DDR4-3200 SODIMM, 32GB, expandable up to 64GB
Storage: 1 x M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4 x4 SSD 1TB onboard, expandable up to 2TB, 1 x M.2 2242 SATA SSD slot, expandable up to 1TB, 1 x 2.5" SATA HDD (7mm) slot, expandable up to 2TB
Rear Ports: 1x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 1 x USB 2.0 Type-A, 2 x USB4 Type-C ports, 2 x HDMI 2.0 ports, 1 x 2.5GbE LAN port, 1 x DC jack
Front Ports: 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A ports, 1 x SD card reader (side), 1 x 3.5 mm headphone jack, 1 x Power button
Connectivity: Ethernet: Intel 10/100/1000/2500 Mbps RJ45, Wireless LAN: Intel Wi-Fi 6E AX211, Bluetooth Wireless Technology: Bluetooth 5.2
Audio: Not specified
Camera: N/A
Size: 117 x 112 x 49.2 mm
OS Installed: Windows 11 Pro
Accessories: 1 x VESA Mount, 1 x Power Adapter, 1 x HDMI Cable, 1 x User Guide

Considering the size and price, the Geekom Mini IT12 is a high-performing, compact mini PC designed for a range of applications, from office tasks to moderate gaming, with a real focus on creatives using processor-intensive applications such as Adobe Photoshop and DaVinci Resolve. There are several variants of the machine, such as with an i5 or i9 CPU, but in this test, we're looking at the 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12650H.

The processor ensures that this mini PC packs power. At the same time, the RAM allocation is impressive, with 32GB of dual-channel DDR4-3200 SODIMM, which is expandable up to 64GB, catering well to heavy workloads. Storage is also versatile and generous, featuring a mix of M.2 and SATA SSD slots and a 2.5" HDD slot, expandable up to 2TB.

We've tested many of the best mini PCs, and in our experience, the Mini IT12 also offers a decent volume of connectivity and expansion options. It has a range of ports, including USB 3.2, USB4, HDMI 2.0, and a 2.5GbE LAN port, making it adaptable for various peripherals and network setups. Intel's Wi-Fi 6E AX211 and Bluetooth 5.2 ensure a fast wireless connection.

While the IT12 lacks a dedicated GPU, the integrated Intel UHD Graphics are good enough for everyday tasks and some gaming; it will also handle light image and video editing up to 4K as long as the edits aren't to complex.

When it comes to physical size, it measures in at 117 x 112 x 49.2 mm, which makes it easy to position when desk space is tight or if you need it to be portable in say a studio environment. The system arrives pre-installed with Windows 11 Pro, which provides excellent reliability and speed and is ideally suited to professional users.

The Geekom Mini IT12 is a decent all-round mini PC that balances performance, size, and connectivity, which will make it suitable for a wide range of users, from professional office workers to casual gamers and creatives. What makes this small machine stand out, especially for creatives, is the good selection of ports that enable the connection of external control desks and hard drives. There's the fact that it has a built-in SD card reader so you can directly download images and video to the internal or connected external drives.

Considering the size and price, this is an incredibly powerful machine that will suit creatives looking for a compact computing solution that also offers portability.

Geekom Mini IT12: Price & availability

(Image credit: Ali Jennings)

• How much does it cost? From $699 / £599 / AU$899
• When is it out? Available now
• Where can you get it? Directly from Geekom US, UK and Australia, as well as other online retailers such as Amazon.

The Geekom Mini IT12 12th Gen Intel Core i7 model is currently priced at $699 MSRP (£599 / AU$899) but often has further discounts. However, there's a promotion available in the US and UK where an extra $30 discount can be applied using the coupon code techradar30 during checkout, saving a bit of extra money. Availability is widespread, including through the official Geekom website and Amazon. Right now, you can save with these exclusive TechRadar offers.

• Official link (USA): $30 off with code techradar30
• Official link (UK): £30 off with code techradar30

• Score: 4/5

Geekom Mini IT12: Design & build

(Image credit: Ali Jennings)

The Geekom Mini IT12 Mini PC is housed in a stunning metallic green casing made of high-quality plastic that looks and feels as though it should be metal. This gives the machine a feel that is solid and well made, although not quite premium. Measuring in at 117 x 112 x 45.6 mm means that the IT12 will fit almost any work surface, and if there's no space, then there's always the VESA mount. The small size and quality build also mean that it's highly portability, making it a great choice for a variety of settings, from studio work to mobile offices.

The build quality, while not premium, is well made, and the layout of ports and power button is easily accessible, all adding to a generally user-friendly design. One of the nice features about the machine is that the internal components, including RAM slots, M.2 slot, and a 2.5" HDD drive slot, are easily accessible after removing the base, which is secured with cross-head screws.

As the base is removed, the cooling and ventilation system can be seen, and this has been well integrated into the design. Vents and fans are compactly arranged, helping to ensure that heat is drawn away from the components while keeping noise levels low. Side grills offer additional airflow, further helping to keep the inner workings cool even when the machine is running under load.

Port placement is pretty standard, with two USB Type-A ports on the front and a variety of connections on the back, including two HDMI ports and two USB Type-C ports, which combined will support up to four displays. The inclusion of an SD card slot on the side is a superb additional touch, especially for creative professionals and photographers.

The Mini IT12 is designed with the needs of creatives in mind. It features a powerful 12th Gen processor, 32GB of RAM (expandable to 64GB), and extensive storage options, including an ultra-fast M.2 slot and a 2.5" HDD slot, allowing for the expansion of up to 5TB of internal storage. These features make it well-suited for demanding applications like Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve.

• Design: 4.5/5

Geekom Mini IT12: Features

(Image credit: Ali Jennings)

The Geekom Mini IT12 Mini PC offers a set of features that will appeal to content creators or anyone looking for a compact machine that offers more power than a simple office machine. At its core is the 12th Gen Intel Core i7-12650H processor, which, with its multitasking ability, makes it a great choice for more demanding applications such as Premiere Pro or Photoshop. Complementing the processor is Intel UHD Graphics, which, although not a dedicated card, is still decently powerful and capable of handling complex graphics and multiple 4K or one 8K video stream.

Another feature that will really appeal to creatives or any user who needs plenty of expansion options is the huge selection of ports. These include two ultra fast USB4 ports that enable high-speed data transfer as well as the ability to run multiple high-resolution displays. When it comes to networking and connections, the machine features the latest Intel Bluetooth 5.2 and Wi-Fi 6E.

For any machine of this type, especially when it comes to high performance Mini PC's storage and memory are important, and with dual-channel DDR4-3200 SODIMM expandable up to 64GB and a range of SSD options, including an M.2 2280 PCIe Gen 4 x4 SSD, there are plenty of options for internal upgrades and expansion as and when you need. Of course with high powered machines comes heat, and to help ensure that everything stays cool, the machine has an integral cooling system that features a built-in fan that maintains a balance between performance and thankfully low noise levels.

The Mini IT12 also has the ability to support multiple displays, including one at 8K resolution, making it ideal if you like to split your tool pallets from your workspace or have a separate monitor for admin, web browsing, and email.

Pre-installed comes Windows 11 Pro, which you would expect from a machine pitched at this level, and this also means that you can get up and running in around 10 minutes from the time you unpack and connect the machine to the moment you write your first email.

• Features: 3.5/5

Geekom Mini IT12: Performance

(Image credit: Ali Jennings)Benchmarks

Crystal Disk Read: 5096 MB/s
Crystal Disk Write: 4474 MB/s
GeekBench CPU Single: 2323
GeekBench CPU Multi: 9386
GeekBench Compute: 11065
PC Mark: 5253
CineBench CPU Multi: 11560
CineBench CPU Single: 1660
Fire Strike Overall: 3730
Fire Strike Graphics: 4093
Fire Strike Physics: 18843
Fire Strike Combined: 1301
Time Spy Overall: 1331
Time Spy Graphics: 1167
Time Spy CPU: 6670
Wild Life: 9511
Windows Experience: 8.1

The Geekom Mini IT12 Mini PC puts in a decent all-round performance across a variety of applications, from Photoshop to Microsoft Word, making it a great machine for both professional and home use. When it comes to handling creative applications such as Photoshop, Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve, the Mini IT12 absolutely excels. Its high GeekBench Compute and CineBench scores reflect its capability to manage intensive processing tasks, while the impressive Crystal Disk Read and Write speeds show just how fast the SSD is and how that speed ensures fast data handling, which is crucial for video editing and image processing.

During the test, the machine's ability to handle creative software smoothly and without crashes or glitching is impressive considering the small size. The Intel UHD Graphics, though not a dedicated GPU still puts in an impressive performance for 3D rendering as well as high-resolution cuts in the top video editing software, is more than sufficient for running any of the best graphic design software and video editing tasks in Premiere Pro. This makes the Mini IT12 a great choice for creative professionals who require a balance of performance and price.

When it comes to using the machine for general office work, the Mini IT12 runs all Microsoft Office applications and Google Docs without issue. The real world use of these applications are reflected in the PC Mark score that indicated that typical office applications such as the Microsoft Office Suite will run smoothly, as the bench marks highlight in use you can quickly switch from one application to another without any issue. Working in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint are handled with ease by the machine, and there are no worries about this machine's abilities with any office tasks.

Gaming on the Mini IT12, while not its primary focus, is possible. The test scores from Fire Strike and Time Spy suggest that while it can run graphically demanding games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Red Dead Redemption II although we did find that the quality settings needed to be reduced in order to have smooth game play. The machine is more suited to less graphics-intensive games or older titles, which is highlight by the Wild Life score.

The Geekom Mini IT12 is a well-rounded mini PC with an ability to handle a range of tasks, from creative software to everyday office applications, and for the most part you can also get a pretty decent gaming experience. This makes it a great choice for anyone looking for a compact yet powerful computing solution.

• Performance: 3/5

Should you buy the Geekom Mini IT12?

For creative professionals or anyone who needs a PC with a bit of power, the Geekom Mini IT12 is an excellent choice. Its powerful processor, coupled with upgradable and expandable memory and storage options, makes it ideal for applications like Photoshop and Premiere Pro, and any of the best Adobe Premiere Pro alternatives. However, if you're a hardcore gamer looking for a compact machine to handle the latest high-end games at maximum settings, you might want to look elsewhere and at something with a dedicated graphics card. For general office work, multimedia, and casual gaming, the Mini IT12 offers great value, making it a great purchase for anyone looking for a compact yet capable PC.

Value: Solid performance at a reasonable price. 4/5
Design: Compact, efficient, unobtrusive design. 4/5
Features: Versatile, with comprehensive connectivity and expansion options. 4/5
Performance: Strong in multitasking, moderate in gaming. 4/5
Total: Well-rounded, efficient for professionals and casual users. 4/5

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

You're a creative professional

If your work involves graphic design, video editing, or other creative tasks, the Mini IT12's powerful processor and high-speed storage make it a suitable choice for demanding applications.

You value compactness and versatility

Ideal for users who need a space-saving PC that doesn't compromise on performance, offering a range of ports and upgradeable memory for various uses.

Don't buy it if...

High-end gaming is a priority

If you're seeking a PC primarily for the latest AAA gaming titles at high settings, the Mini IT12 might not meet your expectations due to its integrated graphics.

You need ultra-high-resolution video editing

For professionals in 3D rendering or working with ultra-high-resolution video, the machine's graphical capabilities might fall short.

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro: Two-minute review

You may not realise it, but your phone and your wireless headphones don’t always agree on how good your music should sound. It’s a question of compatibility, and it can be a thorny issue.

Bluetooth audio codecs are the invisible lines of code that translate your music (whether streamed from a subscription service or stored locally on your phone) into something that can be transmitted wirelessly to your headphones, earbuds, or portable speakers.

All Bluetooth products support SBC, a codec that provides basic 'vanilla' audio quality, but when it comes to high-quality advanced codecs, like LDAC and aptX Adaptive (which preserve far more of your music’s detail), it’s the wild west out there. Some Android handsets support both. Some just support one. iPhones (in fact, all Apple devices) support neither. Support on the headphones/earbuds side of the equation can be equally messy – and it doesn't always follow that the more you pay, the more codecs your buds (or cans) will support.

So wouldn’t it be nice if there were a tiny, simple (yet powerful) gadget you could plug into any phone, tablet, computer, or game console that would assure you’ve always got support for these codecs? Behold – the Questyle QCC Dongle Pro.

Plug it in, open the app, and pair your headphones. Done. You’re now listening wirelessly at the highest possible quality (perhaps even losslessly) and you didn’t even have to mess around in Android’s Developer Options.

All of this makes the Questyle QCC Dongle Pro a very attractive little accessory for anyone who wants to maximize their listening experience.

One of the best portable DACs around – and more specifically, one of the best wireless Bluetooth DACs we've tested? Let's get to it.

Oh, it's red and no mistake (Image credit: Future)Questyle QCC Dongle Pro review: Price and release date

• Release date: August 29, 2025
• Price: $99 (around £70; AU$150)

$99 may seem like a lot for what you get. After all, it is tiny – and this device doesn’t make music or even play music; it just makes the music you already have access to sound better, with no guesswork.

I’ve also tried the $50 FiiO BT11, a nearly identical-looking product that, on paper at least, does all the same things. But it’s so maddeningly difficult to use, I’d happily pay the difference for the QCC Dongle Pro.

Still, there is another option. If you don’t need LDAC (perhaps because your Android phone already supports it), you can get the aptX-family-only QCC Dongle for $69 and save yourself some cash.

Elsewhere (and if you've got hard-to-drive headphones and a little more to spend), we love the FiiO BTR17 for its amplification powers on top of its codec mastery, and TR's audio editor still uses the FiiO BTR7 – both around $200 / £175 / AU$279.

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro review: SpecsQuestyle QCC Dongle Pro: specs

Dimensions

25mm x 10mm x 15mm

Weight

2.5 grams

Supported codecs

SBC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive (including aptX Lossless), LDAC

Supported interfaces

USB-C, USB-A (UAC 1, UAC 2)

System compatibility

WinXP/Vista/Win7/Win8/Win10/Win11/Linux/Android/HarmonyOS/macOS/iOS/iPadOS

Bluetooth version

5.4

Power draw

37mA

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro review: Features

• Excellent codec support
• Easy, intuitive app
• Works with almost all USB-equipped devices

A helpful app lets you control the dongle’s two main functions: getting it paired with your headphones and picking which codec and optional settings you want to use. An LED on the QCC Dongle Pro gives visual feedback on its pairing status as well as which family of codec is currently in use – a reassuring feature.

Better yet, as long as your headphones or earbuds support Bluetooth Multipoint, it’s possible to connect them to the dongle and your phone simultaneously. Doing so maintains your ability to adjust the headphones’ settings via their mobile app (if any).

Oh, and one more thing: the dongle also supports USB Audio Class 1 (UAC 1), which is a spec-speak way of saying you can use it as a wireless audio transmitter with gaming consoles like Nintendo Switch and PlayStation families – devices that don’t play nicely with run-of-the-mill USB Bluetooth dongles. Full disclosure: I didn’t test this feature.

You can use it as a transmitter for a PC or Mac, too, though with one caveat: there’s no Windows or macOS app, so you’ll need to initially pair your preferred headphones using the mobile app on a phone, then move the dongle over to your PC. It will automatically re-pair with your headphones and then you simply need to choose the Dongle Pro from your computer’s sound output menu.

Worried about the Dongle Pro sapping your phone’s battery life? Don’t be. With a 37mA draw, Questyle estimates that even if you used it intensively (e.g., with LDAC) for 10 hours straight, you’d only dent an iPhone 16’s full battery capacity by about 10%. Using aptX Adaptive would consume less juice. I didn’t notice any impact on my day-to-day use of my iPhone.

The bulk of my testing was done with the Sennheiser IE900 or the Austrian Audio 'The Composer' (Image credit: Questyle)

The QCC Dongle Pro is so easy and effective that it’s hard to find flaws. But if I were to nitpick, I’d point to the fact that the Questyle app doesn’t give audio nerds as much control over codec behavior as, say, Android’s Developer Options, or the uber-handy Bluetooth Codec Changer app.

For instance, purists often want to avoid additional resampling between their source of digital music and the output that gets to their headphones. With the apps/settings I mentioned above, you can set LDAC’s bit-depth and sampling rate to match that of your source. The QCC Dongle Pro doesn’t provide this level of control. The same goes for LDAC’s bitrate; however, you can nonetheless choose to favour sound quality over connection stability, which should accomplish the same thing.

I might also note that the dongle can’t support simultaneous Bluetooth connections. So if you were hoping to connect a set of wireless earbuds using LDAC and a set of headphones using aptX HD so you can hear the difference, I’m afraid you’ll have to find another way of satisfying your inner scientist.

Features score: 4.5 / 5

Note the 'wings' (Image credit: Future)Questyle QCC Dongle Pro review: Design

• Tiny and featherweight
• Fits most phone cases
• Might block adjacent ports

The QCC Dongle Pro can plug directly into any device that can output audio over USB. At 2.5 grams, it weighs less than half as much as a single AirPods Pro earpiece. On its own, it will snap into USB-C ports, and a small ledge lets it protrude about two millimeters, making it compatible with many 3rd-party protective phone cases. It also comes with an adapter for gadgets that are still rocking USB-A ports. The only devices it can’t support are older iPhones/iPads with Lightning ports.

It’s a phone-friendly design, as long as you don’t mind using wireless charging while it’s plugged in. For laptops, especially those like the Apple MacBook Air with just two, closely spaced USB-C ports, the Dongle Pro forces the same choice, but without the fallback of wireless charging: You can have better Bluetooth audio or you can charge your computer, but not both.

Design score: 4.5 / 5

Everything in its right place… (Image credit: Future)Questyle QCC Dongle Pro review: Sound quality

• Perfect match for LDAC/aptX devices
• Lets you choose which codec to use when more than one will work

How does it perform? Brilliantly. Which is to say, when I use it on an iPhone 16 in either LDAC or aptX Lossless mode, with a compatible set of headphones, and then compare it to a phone with these codecs built in (e.g., Motorola ThinkPhone), they sound the same to me. I’m not sure I could ask for anything more.

Sony’s WH-1000XM6 (LDAC) revealed the subtle details in Dire Straits’ You And Your Friend that tend to go missing when listening via AAC. Similarly, Sennheiser’s aptX Lossless compatible Momentum True Wireless 4 Earbuds were able to tame the blurry bass notes and crunchy highs that I typically hear when playing Bob Dylan’s Man in the Long Black Coat.

Given how convenient it is to pop the Dongle Pro into the bottom of my iPhone, I can easily see it becoming a permanent fixture in my daily listening life.

Sound quality score: 5 / 5

This white light (for aptX Lossless) was oddly hard to come by when using sources able to handle it… (Image credit: Future)Questyle QCC Dongle Pro review: Value

• Pricey compared to other transmitters
• Unmatched codec support
• Perfect size/shape for mobile use

Though a pricey little device, you need to look at the QCC Dongle Pro in the context of your other options.

Most companies that make USB-C Bluetooth transmitters that sell for between $25-$55 on Amazon come with one or more compromises. They’re primarily intended for PC use, so they’re often equipped with a USB-A interface. Even the ones with USB-C tend to stick out too far and could easily snap off during portable use. The Dongle Pro’s one direct competitor, the $50 FiiO BT11, is a bargain by comparison – but I found it much harder to use.

Value score: 4/5

Note the new 'rails' on the casework to help with cooling (Image credit: Future)Should you buy the Questyle QCC Dongle Pro?

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Features

Gives any phone or PC the most popular hi-res Bluetooth audio codecs.

4 / 5

Sound quality

Works as well as any phone with these codecs built in.

5 / 5

Design

Tiny, lightweight, and elegant. If only it were a tad narrower, it would be perfect.

4.5 / 5

Value

Pricey, but worth it.

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You’re the kind of person who wants to maximize sound quality
For now, wired connections are still better than Bluetooth, but with the Questyle QCC Dongle Pro (and compatible headphones), you may not hear the difference.

You own a recent iPhone
iPhones don't come with LDAC or aptX baked in, and this is arguably the easiest (and smallest) way to get those onboard. View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You don’t know (and don’t care) about codecs
If you're not bothered about lossless/hi-res audio, or compression – as long as your headphones just work –
the QCC Dongle Pro isn't for you. Its only reason to exist is to serve those who care deeply about sound. If that’s not you, great! You’ve got one less device in your life.

You’re an iPhone 14 (or older) owner
Without Lightning compatibility, the QCC Dongle Pro only works with USB-C-equipped iPhones (and iPads).

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro review: Also consider

Product

Questyle QCC Dongle Pro

FiiO BTR11

Dimensions

25mm x 10mm x 15mm

28mm x 9mm x 21mm

Weight

2.5 grams

3 grams

Supported codecs

SBC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive (including aptX Lossless), LDAC

SBC, aptX, aptX HD, aptX Adaptive (including aptX Lossless), LDAC

Supported interfaces

USB-C, USB-A (UAC 1, UAC 2)

USB-C, USB-A (UAC 1, UAC 2)

System compatibility

WinXP/Vista/Win7/Win8/Win10/Win11/Linux/Android/HarmonyOS/macOS/iOS/iPadOS

WinXP/Vista/Win7/Win8/Win10/Win11/Linux/Android/HarmonyOS/macOS/iOS/iPadOS

Bluetooth version

5.4

5.4

Power draw

37mA (LDAC)

22mA (static)

FiiO BTR11
On paper, this very affordable ($50) dongle is a carbon copy of the QCC Dongle Pro, so why wouldn’t you just buy it instead? Well, if you’re only interested in using it with an Android phone, it’s definitely worth considering.

That’s because, unlike the QCC Dongle Pro, the BT11 isn’t Apple MFi certified. I’m not saying a product has to be MFi certified to work with iPhones, but in this case, it seems to make a big difference.

Whereas the QCC Dongle Pro just works when you plug it into an iPhone, I found the BT11 suffered from lag and, at times, couldn’t communicate with its companion app at all.

This is unfortunate since the BT11 has one skill the QCC Dongle Pro lacks: the ability to connect to two or more audio devices simultaneously.

Its construction and design aren’t as nice as the Dongle Pro, nor is it as sleek (it sticks out further from the USB-C port). Still, for half the price, maybe that doesn’t matter.
Read more about FiiO BTR11 and FiiO's other DACs

iFi makes strong design choices and you love to see it (Image credit: Future)How I tested the Questyle QCC Dongle Pro

• Tested for 2 weeks
• Used it at home and while at the gym
• Predominantly tested using Apple Music on an Apple iPhone 16, but also: Google Pixel 7 Pro, Apple MacBook Air M1

Testing the Questyle QCC Dongle Pro was primarily a case of comparisons. In other words, how easy was it to use, and how did the sound quality compare to a smartphone with the same Bluetooth Codecs built in?

To do this, I paired the Dongle Pro first with the Sony WH-1000XM6 (to test LDAC performance) and then with the Sennheiser Momentum True Wireless 4 Earbuds (to test aptX Adaptive/Lossless), with the Dongle Pro plugged into an iPhone 16.

Since both devices support Bluetooth Multipoint, I was able to pair them simultaneously with a Motorola ThinkPhone, which supports both codec families.

While using the same Apple Music Playlist on both the iPhone and the ThinkPhone, I swapped back and forth between these two sources, listening for any perceptible differences. I couldn’t detect any.

For additional testing, I swapped the dongle over to my MacBook Air and a Google Pixel 7 Pro. Both performed without issue.

• Read more about how we test

First reviewed September 2025

Silent Hill f is one of the most imaginative, compelling, and striking experiences I’ve had this year. Neobards has also made one of the most tedious, infuriating, and badly designed survival horror games I’ve ever played. We’ve all seen fascinating ideas mired by flawed mechanics countless times in the past, but it’s been a long time since I’ve wanted to completely walk away from a game just as much as I want to press on to see what revelations it has for me.

It’s this back-and-forth that I’m struggling to reconcile when settling on what I really think about Silent Hill f. Some will despise it for its dire combat, inconsistent atmosphere, and poor execution. To others, this will be a game of the year contender, with its beguiling mythology, gorgeous cinematic direction, and audacious design choices. I support the argument from both sides.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
Release date: September 25, 2025

We play as Hinako, a young adult in 1960s Japan. She’s dealing with an abusive alcoholic father, a despondent mother, and a previously tight-knit friendship group that’s starting to show some cracks as emotions and hormones run high. The game’s themes are heavy, with gender, puberty, marriage, motherhood, family, friendship, and maturity just some of the topics that cult-favorite writer Ryukishi07 engages with throughout the story. I don’t have enough praise for the daring and uncompromising ways it engages with these big ideas.

Beautiful nightmare

(Image credit: Konami)

It helps that the outstanding performances, stellar cinematic presentation, and moody music elevate many of the game’s biggest story beats and give them the weight they deserve. Silent Hill f may sometimes look a bit plain, but it certainly knows how to frame some grotesque and gorgeous imagery or give a performance the time and attention it needs to shine, especially in the game’s original Japanese dub.

Best bit

(Image credit: Konami)

It's hard to talk about my favorite part of Silent Hill f because it's all to do with the game's ending. Obviously, I won't spoil anything here, but the strong writing, excellent performances, and big story revelations in the final few hours do so much to rescue the game from the drudgery of its repeatedly tedious combat sections. So much so that I was compelled to start a second playthrough to seek out what I'd missed.

It’s a shame the same can’t be said for all of the game’s environments, which swing from the signature foggy alleyways and disgusting visera-covered hallways of the series, to places that are too bright, too mundane, and too, well, clean.

There were brief moments where I was creeped out by the atmosphere (those scarecrows are pure nightmare fuel), but mostly I felt like a tourist taking a casual stroll through a town or temple in some inclement weather. That's a shame for a series that has mastered creating a feeling of dread with every step so many times in the past.

Silent Hill f also mixes up the exploration with a smattering of puzzles that we’ve come to expect from these games. These range from neat little brainteasers to cryptic nonsense, sometimes actually making less sense than what’s supposed to be the easier puzzle difficulty.

What also doesn’t help with the pacing is the way the game jumps between what is ostensibly the real world and a mystical otherworld throughout. Naturally, the two are intrinsically linked, but the transitions between the two are often contrived or completely unexplained, giving the game an inelegant and disjointed structure.

But these disappointing missteps are nothing in comparison to the one element that Silent Hill f gets severely wrong: the combat.

Lost in the fog

(Image credit: Konami)

The majority of Silent Hill protagonists have (intentionally) never been adept at fighting, which has led to a series of awkward and cumbersome combat systems. Most of them, though, are serviceable. Silent Hill f’s is one of the worst I’ve experienced.

It’s all melee-based and a basic light and heavy attack affair, but it layers on unnecessary system after unnecessary system to try and stretch out of its terrible combat mechanics. There’s stamina, there’s a sanity bar, there are focus attacks, there’s weapon durability, there’s perfect dodges, and counterattacks. All of this mess just to try and bolster the simple act of whacking a horrific manifestation with a lead pipe.

None of it helps. It’s painfully slow and frustratingly sludgy, like Hinako is always trying to swing through mud. Hits have no satisfying impact unless you charge up attacks every time, which you will have to do continuously, because it's the only consistent way to stun and kill enemies with any speed.

Enemies, meanwhile, are such jittery and erratic nightmares that it’s impossible to read them, and the dodge is so janky or the window to counter so small that by the time you realise an attack is coming in, it’s too late, you’ve already been slashed or spat on or lunged at. The dodge is the most hilarious and out-of-place choice, which sees Hinako dart about six feet in a straight line in any direction in a split second, like she’s borrowed powers from Goku.

(Image credit: Konami)

Some sections thankfully make the combat far more trivial in some unique and utterly bonkers ways that I won’t spoil. Ultimately, that’s still not much better, as it’s just as unsatisfying as it’s always been; it just requires less thought to get through it.

Every time I had to deal with the game’s combat, I thought it would be better just to let the Silent Hill fog take me. It wouldn’t be quite as bad if you could simply run past all enemies, but the game regularly forces you to engage with it, with creatures that block your path, walls that only drop once certain enemies are killed, and entire combat gauntlets that are thematically interesting but mechanically horrid.

And that brings me back to the dichotomy that makes Silent Hill f a curiosity that’s so hard to judge. There will be staunch defenders of this game for all of the incredible work it does with characters, story, and presentation. Others will be quick to trash it as a clunky, poorly designed, and maddening experience.

As is always the case with these things, I feel that the truth is somewhere in the middle. At times, it filled me with rage, but I’d be lying if I didn’t admit that it captivated me in equal measure.

Should you play Silent Hill f?Play it if…

You want a thematically rich story
Silent Hill f takes the same approach as other greats in the series by telling a remarkable, complex, and gruelling personal story through the lens of psychological horror, with multiple layers to uncover.

You want to play something unique
For all of its flaws, there's little else out there quite like Silent Hill f, and for that reason, I'm glad that it exists. If you want to experience something different from the norm, creatively ambitious and uncompromising in its vision, you owe it to yourself to give it a go.

You miss the PS2 era
At times, Silent Hill f feels like it comes from an entirely different generation of gaming, where bold ideas and creative risks led the way over things like, well, precise and well-refined game design.

Don’t play it if…

You can't look past janky combat
I know I'm going on about this a lot, but the combat in Silent Hill f is so monotonous and unwieldy that it almost put me off the game entirely. If the issues sound too frustrating for you to look past, then you may find it too aggravating to play.

You don't enjoy repeat playthroughs
The story of Silent Hill f does offer a conclusion after you complete the game for the first time, but like Nier Automata and other works by Ryukishi07, there is still much more to uncover after the credits roll.

Accessibility

Silent Hill f doesn't have an extensive list of accessibility options. There are three filters for green, red, and blue color blindness, as well as subtitle customisation options to change the font, size, and color. There are also three different controller layouts to choose from on console, but you cannot create your own custom layout or edit specific button bindings.

The game has separate difficulty settings for the combat and puzzles, ranging from a standard 'Story' option, a more difficult 'Hard' mode, and the most challenging 'Lost in the Fog' setting. These cannot be changed once you begin the game.

How I reviewed Silent Hill f

I played Silent Hill f for around 14 hours on a PlayStation 5 Pro on a Samsung S90C OLED TV using a DualSense Wireless Controller and playing audio through a Samsung HW-Q930C soundbar. In that time, I completed the game twice, with my first playthrough clocking in at a little over eight hours.

The game does not have different graphics modes to choose from, but performance was excellent throughout, although I got the impression that cutscenes were disappointingly locked to 30 frames per second (fps).

Although Wix is best known as one of the best website builder platforms on the market, it also offers a host of other helpful business tools to its users, including an easy to use logo maker.

The Wix Logo Maker is an AI-powered tool that helps businesses and individuals create professional logos without needing graphic design skills. By answering a few quick questions about your brand, the tool generates logo options that you can customize to match your vision.

Accessing the Wix Logo Maker is easy — you can find it on the official website and the mobile app. The tool is free to try, so you can make unlimited edits before purchasing. Plans range from basic logo downloads to full branding kits that include extras like business cards and social media assets - you may be able to save when you buy by using one of our Wix promo codes.

Features

Wix Logo Maker offers a range of features that make logo design easy and efficient. Its standout feature is the AI-driven design process, which generates logo suggestions based on your business name, industry, and style preferences. This ensures logos are tailored to your brand, though the initial designs can sometimes feel generic and may require extra customization to stand out.

The platform’s customization options are another strong point. With a drag-and-drop editor, you can easily adjust fonts, colors, icons, and layouts. You can even upload custom fonts or images to give your logo a personal touch. It's a really versatile tool, especially compared to competitors like Tailor Brands, which offer fewer editing tools.

Another key feature that I really liked is the ability to download high-resolution files, including scalable vector formats (SVG), perfect for both digital and print use. Wix also provides mockups that show how your logo will appear on merchandise or marketing materials before finalizing it. Recent updates have made SVG files available in basic plans, a significant improvement and not something I expected to see.

The tool also integrates seamlessly with the broader Wix platform, allowing you to align your logo with websites, social media kits, and business cards. This all-in-one approach helps create cohesive branding. But the AI recommendations could be improved by offering a wider variety of icons and style options upfront to give users more diverse starting points.

Ease of use

Wix Logo Maker is easy to use, making it a great choice for beginners or those with no design experience. The onboarding process is straightforward: answer a few questions about your brand’s name, industry, and style, and the platform generates logo suggestions for you. But while quick and efficient, the initial designs often need some tweaking to fit specific needs.

The drag-and-drop editor is intuitive and offers plenty of customization options without being too complicated. Features, like undo/redo buttons and side-by-side comparisons, make it easy to experiment with different styles. However, some users may feel overwhelmed by the number of design options at first, especially if they’re new to design principles.

For accessibility, Wix includes features like keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility, ensuring the platform is usable for people with different needs. While these tools are mainly aimed at website design, they demonstrate a commitment to inclusivity and ease of use.

Overall, Wix Logo Maker strikes a good balance between simplicity and functionality. It’s user-friendly enough for beginners to create polished designs while offering enough tools for those who want more control over their logos.

Wix Logo Maker strikes a good balance between simplicity and functionality. (Image credit: Wix.com)Customer support

Wix Logo Maker offers a solid range of customer support options to help users resolve issues quickly. Self-help resources include a detailed Knowledge Base, covering common topics like logo creation, customization, and file downloads. Step-by-step guides and FAQs are also available through the Wix Support Center.

For personalized help, Wix provides live chat support in multiple languages during set hours and a callback service for more complex issues. These support options can be accessed directly from your Wix account dashboard for a smooth experience.

Wix also has active social media channels where users can ask questions or get advice. The community forum is another useful tool, allowing users to share tips and solutions. However, one downside is that making edits to a purchased logo comes with an extra fee, which some users may find frustrating.

Compliance

Wix Logo Maker provides full commercial usage rights once you purchase and download your logo files through any paid plan. This means you can legally use purchased logos for all business applications, websites, marketing materials, merchandise, and print advertising without any additional licensing fees.

However, there's an important caveat that sets Wix's tool apart from traditional design services. Logo elements (icons, fonts, colors, and other design components) are provided on a non-exclusive basis to all users of the platform. According to Wix's terms of use, that means the company cannot guarantee that your Wix Logo will not be similar, or even identical, to other companies using the tool.

Multiple businesses could theoretically end up with nearly identical logos if they select similar design elements during the creation process, which could pose challenges for brand differentiation and potential trademark registration. Wix also explicitly states that users "may or may not be able to register or use your Wix Logo as a trademark." It's always better to consult with an attorney regarding trademark availability.

Moreover, using the tool means you waive the right to legally challenge the validity or registration of similar logos created by other users using the same logo elements. Also, purchased logos cannot be modified after download (creating a derivative work requires purchasing a new logo), and individual logo elements cannot be used independently outside of the complete logo design.

All of this stuff is pretty standard for any similar logo generator you find on the internet, including most competitors. That said, you might want to do some research and consult an attorney if you want to use your generated logo for legal purposes.

Competition

Wix Logo Maker competes with other popular tools like Looka, Tailor Brands, and Canva.

Compared to Looka, Wix offers more customization, allowing users to adjust fonts, colors, and layouts in greater detail. Tailor Brands offers an all-in-one branding suite but doesn’t match Wix when it comes to customization.

Canva is another strong competitor with its beginner-friendly interface and huge library of templates. While it is better for creating a wide variety of marketing materials, Wix stands out for its seamless integration with its website builder and branding tools.

Generally speaking, Wix offers more control than most other logo designers, which is ideal for users who want to fine-tune their logos. However, the associated learning curve may confuse new users, which is especially perilous given that edits cost extra.

Pricing

Plan

Price

Payment Type

Key Features

Just Logo Plans

Basic Plan

$49

One-time fee

High-resolution PNG files, commercial usage rights, standard logo files

Advanced Plan

$99

One-time fee

Everything in Basic, plus scalable SVG files, 40+ social media formats, brand guide, favicon

Logo + Website Bundles

Value Plan

$11/month

Annual billing

Logo design, commercial usage rights, free domain (1 year), Wix Combo website plan

Professional Plan

$16/month

Annual billing

Everything in Value, plus resizable logo files, social media assets, business cards, Wix Unlimited plan

Deluxe Plan

$24/month

Annual billing

Everything in Value, plus priority customer support, optional graphic designer touch-ups

Wix Logo Maker has two main pricing options: Just Logo plans and Logo + Website bundles.

Just Logo Plans:

- Basic Plan ($49 one-time fee): Includes high-resolution PNG files for online use.

- Advanced Plan ($99 one-time fee): Adds scalable SVG files and formats for social media and print.

Logo + Website Bundles:

- Value Plan ($11/month): Includes a logo design, commercial usage rights, one free domain for a year, and Wix Combo website features.

- Professional Plan ($16/month): Adds resizable logo files, social media assets, and business cards.

- Deluxe Plan ($24/month): Includes priority support and optional graphic designer touch-ups.

Wix's plans are competitively priced compared to platforms like Looka or DesignEvo. However, extra fees for post-purchase logo edits can be a drawback unless you upgrade to a higher-tier plan, like "Brand Plus." Additionally, subscription plans renew automatically each year, so users should keep an eye on renewal dates to avoid unexpected charges.

Final verdict

Wix Logo Maker is an AI-powered tool that helps individuals and small businesses create professional logos easily. It offers customization options, high-resolution files, and seamless integration with Wix’s branding tools. While its initial designs can feel generic and some pricing aspects may be restrictive, it’s a great option for startups and entrepreneurs seeking an affordable, quick, and professional branding solution.

Terra Kaffe TK-02: two-minute review

Who knew excellent coffee could be so easy? Fill up the water tank and pour your bag of whole coffee beans into the hopper. If you like milk-based drinks, put your milk of choice into the milk carafe and attach it to the machine. The Terra Kaffe TK-02 will craft your favorite drink that rivals your local coffee shop with just a tap.

Choose from a limited menu on the Terra Kaffe TK-02's screen, or select from a longer list in the app. Create custom beverages to suit your personal taste. You can also teach (Amazon assistant) Alexa to brew your drink of choice on your voice command.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

While it's certainly not perfect, this is the be-all, end-all coffee maker that replaces the two Nespresso machines, drip coffee machine, and coffee grinder I had in my coffee nook. The Terra Kaffe TK-02 is an expensive machine, though one could argue that if this gets you to eliminate your daily coffee shop runs it could pay for itself in a couple of years or less. The footprint is pretty large, though not nearly as big as the four machines it replaces for me. And like any coffee machine, it does require regular cleaning and maintenance, though none of it is difficult.

The bottom line is this: I've tested a lot of coffee machines in my personal and professional life, but I have never made better-tasting coffee and espresso drinks more quickly and easily than I have with the Terra Kaffe TK-02.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)Terra Kaffe TK-02: price and availability

• Available at Terra Kaffe and several high-end online and brick-and-mortar retailers
• Retails for $1,995 (£1,461 / AU$2,991)
• Terra Kaffe has a rental program

You can purchase the Terra Kaffe TK-02 directly from Terra Kaffe's website, where it retails for $1,995 (£1,461 / AU$2,991). Currently, there is a $300 discount offer if you pair the machine with a coffee subscription. You can also rent the machine from Terra Kaffe for $119 per month.

Other places you can purchase the machine include high-end retailers like Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, CB2, and Seattle Coffee Gear. The Terra Kaffe TK-02 is available in two colors: black and white.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)Terra Kaffe TK-02: specs

Name

Terra Kaffe TK-02

Type

Automatic

Dimensions (D x W x H)

17.5” (D) x 10.4” (W) x 14.3” (H) / 44.45 cm (D) x 26.42 cm (W) x 36.32 cm (H)

Weight

29.5 lbs / 13.38 kg

Water reservoir capacity

75 fl oz / 2.22 liters

Milk frother

Yes

Bars of pressure

9

Terra Kaffe TK-02: design

• Modern, sleek design
• Everything you need except coffee and cups included
• So easy to use

The Terra Kaffe TK-02 is sleek and modern, basically a giant rectangular cube with a drip tray sticking out the front. It's not immediately identifiable as a coffee machine, on looks alone. I tested the white model, but it also comes in black. I'd recommend the black version if you don't have a strong preference, since white shows the coffee spatters. The touchscreen on the top left front of the machine comes awake when you tap it.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

The Terra Kaffe TK-02 is pretty big and heavy, at 17.5” (D) x 10.4” (W) x 14.3” (H) / 44.45 cm (D) x 26.42 cm (W) x 36.32 cm (H) and weighing in at 29.5 lbs / 13.38 kg. Still, it easily fits into my coffee nook with plenty of room to spare. And it takes up a lot less room than the four machines I had in there previously. My husband likes to use his own beans, so his coffee grinder and drip machine, plus my two pod machines (both coffee and espresso) were previously filling up that entire nook. The Terra Kaffe TK-02 eliminates the need for all the other machines.

It comes with a milk carafe that hooks up to the Terra Kaffe TK-02 to make lattes and other milk drinks, a wooden spoon for measuring ground coffee, a water filter, cleaning solution, and descaling solution.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

There are two coffee compartments on top. The main hopper holds up to 16 ounces (a typical bag) of whole bean coffee. A smaller, secondary compartment is for pre-ground coffee. If you use this option, add just one scoop of ground coffee and select the pre-ground coffee option from the brewing menu. Note that Terra Kaffe does not recommend using oily or flavored coffee beans.

A dial on the right side of the machine adjust the amount of steam you get in your milk. Dial it to the top to just heat your milk, or dial it to the bottom marker to froth.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

The water tank sits behind a door on the front of the machine. As with all maintenance, the Terra Kaffe TK-02 will alert you when the water is running low, though the water level is visible even with the door closed.

The touch screen is the brain of the machine, and it will also let you know when the grounds container (which holds nine pucks) or drip tray needs to be emptied, when you need to descale or deep clean the machine, and when you need to refill the coffee hopper.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

• Design score: 4.5/5

Terra Kaffe TK-02: performance

• Crafts amazing coffee and espresso drinks
• Steam or froth your milk of choice
• Could not be easier to use

What you really want from a coffee machine is delicious coffee, and the Terra Kaffe TK-02 delivers. You probably also want flexibility to create different kinds of beverages, easy/quick brewing, and easy clean-up. You get all of that with this machine. There are definitely some quirks, but overall, this machine's performance is excellent.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

The Terra Kaffe TK-02 has lots of pre-set coffee and espresso settings, but any of them can be altered to your tastes. You can adjust the grind size, the amount of coffee, the amount of water, and the amount of milk. When making espresso, you can choose between "TK Standard" and "TK Specialty" brew. The TK Specialty tastes slightly stronger to me, so I reached out the company and they confirmed that it is indeed a stronger brew.

You can create your own custom beverages to your exact specifications, so the possibilities are nearly endless. You can only put 10 drinks at a time on the machine's touchscreen menu, but it's easy enough to add and remove your favorites in the Terra Kaffe app.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

I brewed an iced coffee, which comes out at a slightly lower temperature and is specially designed for drinking over ice. I found it a bit weak, so I just changed the recipe, reducing the amount of water and increasing the amount of coffee. That made it perfect for my tastes. I also created a drink just for my husband, which is basically a standard Americano with an extra two shots of espresso. You can literally create anything and make it an option on your touchscreen menu.

The touchscreen menu is limited to ten drinks, so put your ten favorites there. You can still access plenty more (or create more anytime) easily with the Terra Kaffe app. You can teach your Alexa Amazon Assistant to work your Terra Kaffe TK-02, but I found that connection to be rather inconsistent.

The machine has to be on already; Alexa won't turn it on. Then you have to ask Alexa to launch the machine, because if you just ask to brew right away, she won't get it. Even then, sometimes she doesn't do what you ask. And she keeps asking you questions when you're done brewing, which is kind of annoying. Frankly, I found myself not really using Alexa much; both the touchscreen and the app are so easy to use. I open the app and wake the machine while I'm still in bed; by the time I get downstairs, the Terra Kaffe TK-02 is ready to brew.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

Though I'm not really a milky coffee drinker, I did test out a number of milk-based drinks such as latte, cappuccino, macchiato, and flat white. They were all quite good, the milk frother heats and froths the milk as you'd expect. How much foam you get can also depend on the sort of milk you use. I used 2% dairy milk.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman /Future)

The Terra Kaffe TK-02 automatically grinds your beans to the correct size for the type of coffee you're brewing. For drip coffee, the beans will be ground on the coarser side. For espresso, you'll get a finer grind. Both of those can be adjusted to your preferences. Like all the best espresso machines, the Terra Kaffe TK-02 brews espresso at 9 bars of pressure.

If you prefer to use pre-ground beans, you put them in a separate designated hopper and select the pre-ground beans option before brewing. This is helpful for the occasional cup of decaf or using gifted grounds, but otherwise I'd stick to fresh whole beans.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

Cleaning is pretty simple, but the machine does require regular attention. The Terra Kaffe TK-02 self-rinses frequently. I got in the habit of keeping a cup under the spout when not in use to catch the majority of rinse cycles. You can expect the machine to rinse out a few ounces of water when warming up, and again when shutting down. It also just rinses itself at random times.

We drink four cups a day on average, and even with the cup under the spout, I still have to empty the drip tray roughly daily. This is because water comes out directly into the drip tray sometimes too. If you froth milk, you'll need to run a rinse of the milk system right after. As you might expect, the water tank needs to be refilled pretty frequently as well.

Cleaning up the grounds couldn't be easier. All of the grounds end up as pucks in the grounds bin, you just have to pull it out and dump it roughly every nine brew sessions.

At some point, I'll need to do a deep clean and a descale. But in several weeks of use, it has not come up yet. You do not have to guess when to do any of this maintenance, as the machine will let you know when to do it and offer guidance if you're not sure how to go about it.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

• Performance score: 5/5

Should you buy the Terra Kaffe TK-02?Terra Kaffe TK-02 score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

It's expensive, but is it cheaper than your daily coffee shop runs?

4/5

Design

It's cleverly designed and looks sleek on your countertop.

4.5/5

Performance

There's no learning curve. Brewing amazing coffee and espresso drinks is so easy.

5/5

Buy it if

You want delicious coffee and espresso drinks

Both the coffee and espresso are just delicious. Drip coffee, iced coffee, espresso, Americano, latte, cappuccino, macchiato, flat white: all amazing. I have no notes.

You want to kick the daily coffee shop habit

I can't imagine wanting to pay for a drink in a shop when the Terra Kaffe TK-02 is at home. Other than buying your whole coffee beans of choice, you might not even go to the coffee shop anymore.

You want easy

It literally couldn't be easier to make coffee from whole beans. Touch a button or tell Alexa to make your drink of choice in seconds. It's no harder than a pod machine but offers so many more options and produces excellent results.

Don't buy it if

You don't have it in the budget

If you have an expensive coffee shop habit and do the math, you might find that the Terra Kaffe TK-02 pays for itself—eventually. But this machine is quite pricey, even if you do a monthly rental.

You don't have space

While the Terra Kaffe TK-02 fits quite nicely in my coffee nook, it's not a small machine by any means. If you have a smaller kitchen, you'll need to decide how much counter space you can give up.

Terra Kaffe TK-02: also consider

Jura J10

In a similar price range but slightly cheaper, the Jura J10 makes all the espresso drinks you'd expect. But its specialty is incorporating your favorite flavored syrups into your milk foam.

Read our full Jura J10 review

De'Longhi La Specialista Touch

Looking for something smaller and cheaper? A semi-automatic espresso machine like this one might be for you. It has a built-in frothing wand, coffee bean grinder, and touch screen. It makes nine different drinks with ease.

Read our full De'Longhi La Specialista Touch review

How I tested the Terra Kaffe TK-02

Over the course of two weeks, I brewed multiple variations of coffee, espresso, iced coffee, and Americanos. I also made espresso-based milk drinks such as latte, cappuccino, macchiato, and flat white using cold 2% dairy milk. I performed maintenance on the Terra Kaffe TK-02 as directed by the machine: emptying the drip tray, refilling the water, emptying the coffee grounds, and adding new coffee beans.

First reviewed September 2025

The Chat Wireless from Creative is a lightweight Bluetooth headset designed for business use. It doesn't seek to reinvent the wheel, but instead deliver exceptional comfort and crystal-clear audio at what I'd consider to be a very fair price.

As a chap who lives inside his headphones - for everything from conference calls to music playback and gaming sessions - I was keen to see how well they performed.

Spoiler alert: they're definitely worth a look if you're a professional. Yes, I have issues with the buttons, but the design, price, and overall quality of the audio and noise-canceling mic are excellent.

Creative Chat Wireless: Price & availability

The Creative Chat Wireless headset is currently priced at $70 from Creative’s official US site - while in the UK, it’s retailing for £50 via Creative.

I’m also seeing it available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk for the same price.

Compared to alternatives, it’s priced pretty much at the low- to mid-range - it’s certainly not as pricey as offerings like the Jabra Evolve 2 65 Flex I’ve reviewed, which far surpasses the $150 mark.

Creative Chat Wireless: Design & featuresImage 1 of 3

(Image credit: Creative // Future)Image 2 of 3

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(Image credit: Creative // Future)

The design of the Chat Wireless headset is par for the course and in line with what I’d expect from a unit at this price. Inside the box, there’s the headset itself, a USB cable, the USB dongle, and a quick start manual.

In hand, the headset is impressively lightweight with plenty of give to fit a range of head sizes. The band is made of a firm plastic, neatly rounded on one side, which I think gives it an attractive, premium style compared to bland, budget headsets. Encompassing the top is padding for a more comfortable fit. As an accent, there’s bronze-colored metal connecting it to the pads.

I found the earcups well-cushioned, with a foam interior covered with a synthetic material. They fit nicely over the ear, but don’t envelope them in the way casual consumer headphones do. These also swivel inward for easier storage - although they aren’t foldable and don’t come with a case.

On the left earcup is a USB-C port for charging and separate volume up and down buttons. I particularly like how they’re positioned on either side of the band, so I wasn’t blindly fumbling for the correct one.

It’s also home to the stowable microphone, which rotates both ways and features a physical mute button. At the base of the mic is a Call button, used to turn the unit on and off or entering Bluetooth pairing mode.

All in all, the headset boasts a simple and efficient design with all the core features you’d expect.

Creative Chat Wireless: PerformanceImage 1 of 3

(Image credit: Creative // Future)Image 2 of 3

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(Image credit: Creative // Future)

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: the Chat Wireless is light, tipping the scales at 0.3lb / 137g when I weighed them. It’s the sort of headset you can easily wear all day (and I did) without discomfort. If you’re taking a lot of calls, they’re pitch-perfect in this regard.

When wearing the headset, it’s surprisingly firm on the ears - and while there’s no noise-cancelling on the earcups, the snug fit did prevent extraneous background noise filtering in.

I found audio quality to be excellent, with just the right amount of bass and treble, while voices had the correct timbre. I used these for video calls using both Bluetooth and the USB dongle, as well as hooking up via Bluetooth to my phone to listen to music and podcasts, and a Nintendo Switch 2 while playing games. Each time, I experienced no tinniness here, which I sometimes find from cheaper devices.

Microphone quality came out incredibly clear. There is noise-canceling on the mic and in my own tests, this worked well. Which is useful, as I have an especially vocal cat that likes to make its presence known during calls. I experienced absolutely no issues throughout my use, and yes, the mute button on mic works instantly and well (a perennial fear of mine). A discrete voice will whisper in your ear to let you know when it’s muted or unmuted, and the LED simultaneously switches from blue (unmute) to white (mute), too.

All button presses feel soft and pleasant - neither too clicky nor too mushy, but somewhere in between. However, I did find when attempting to adjust the volume, I had to be quite firm in order for it to register. Light taps just won’t work here.

This wasn’t the case with the Call button, which was immediately responsive when answering calls and hanging up. Other features like holding the volume buttons to skip tracks during playback or tapping the Call button to play or pause worked well.

Where I did run into problems, though, was when hitting this button multiple times to activate the various functions, like redial or opening my AI assistant. It took some time to figure out the appropriate amount of time between each click. It needs to be neither rapid nor too drawn out. Experimentation is recommended.

But where it really counts - audio and mic quality - I was highly impressed, and confident I was being heard. Never once did I have to ask “Can everyone hear me?” or “Is this thing on?”

Creative Chat Wireless: Final verdictImage 1 of 3

(Image credit: Creative // Future)Image 2 of 3

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(Image credit: Creative // Future)

Whenever I’m reviewing a device like this, I ask myself: Would I buy this with my own hard-earned cash? And, considering the cost and the overall audio experience, this one is a resounding yes. It’s impressively lightweight, and ideal for professionals in an office or home office setting.

I do have some issues with the buttons, which could be more responsive - but to some degree that might be user error on my part - and some may wish for extra features like a foldable design or a storage case. And if you prefer a wired connection, these aren’t the ones for you, as they’re wireless-only.

But for a low- to mid-range wireless unit that makes meetings more bearable, especially if you're using them all day, they’re one of the best Bluetooth headsets I’ve used.

Should I buy the Creative Chat Wireless?Buy it if...

✅ You wear a headset all day: The Chat Wireless is pleasantly lightweight for all-day use, and the earpads feel snug over the ear without pressing against them too hard. I found them to be very comfortable, even after wearing them for hours at a time.

✅ You want a well-priced headset with all the core features: It’s not overloaded with unnecessary features or expensive technology, but audio quality is great and the buttons deliver a multitude of additional functions for navigating calls and playback.

Don't buy it if...

❌ You need wired and wireless connection: As the name suggests, this headset is wireless only using Bluetooth 5.4 or the USB dongle. Creative does sell the Chat USB, which has a slightly thicker design but near-identical price with - you guessed it - a wired USB connection.

❌ You want noise-canceling audio: While the mic does have noise cancelation, the earcups don’t have this feature. I didn’t find this to be an issue even in somewhat active rooms, but it may be a deal-breaker for those in noisy workspaces.

For more top picks, we've reviewed the best headsets for conference calls.

Skullcandy Method 360: One minute review

As my editor at TechRadar well knows, I’ve spent the last year enamored with the Nothing Ear (a) as the best earbuds you can buy for a relatively affordable price, and nothing has come close to toppling these svelte and low-cost buds.

That’s all changed now though, because the Skullcandy Method 360 give their year-and-change older rivals a run for their money. And I see them being the new big buds that, going forward, I shall compare all contemporaries too.

These buds from American audio company Skullcandy are dead ringers for the brand’s cheap Dime Evo buds, coming in the same novel carry case, but I’ve already got to correct myself: these aren’t just from Skullcandy, but from another key player too.

In a big partnership, top audio dog Bose contributed to the sound of the Method 360, and it shows. These have the energy of Skullcandy buds but the audio precision of Bose ones, and the fantastic audio quality shows that the Method 360 benefits from the best of both worlds.

While Skullcandy boasts that the Method 360 have ‘Sound by Bose’, the design of the new buds also bears more than a passing resemblance to recent Bose earpieces too, especially with a gel fin around the buds to help them stick in your ear. Whether this was another case of the Bose helping hand or just a total coincidence, it’s welcome, with the Method 360 staying in the ear reliably even during workouts. They’re comfortable too, letting you listen for long bouts without your ears getting achy.

Design of the buds may be great, but the carry case itself provides problems: namely, that it’s absolutely huge. It’s a massive long tube which hides an inner shell that you slide out to retrieve the earbuds, and it’s far too big to easily fit in trouser pockets. According to promotional images Skullcandy sees you using the O-ring to strap the case to your bag, or perhaps your trousers, but the sheer size would make that about as unwieldy as walking about with a scabbard.

A few rough edges show their face in the feature set too: the app often failed to connect to the earbuds, even when they readily connected to my phone without issues, which was irritating when I wanted to change ANC mode. Plus, the voice announcer on the buds is both terrifyingly loud and surprisingly low-res, making me wonder if I’d accidentally been sent a pair of Method 360 which had been cursed by the Babadook.

Are these flaws enough to ruin the Skullcandy? Not by any means, they’re just minor gripes, and ones that give me something to write about to seem even-handed too. But they do little to counteract the real strengths of the Method 360: its reliable fit, its fantastic sound and its affordable nature.

Skullcandy Method 360 review: Specifications

Component

Value

Water resistant

IPX4

Battery life (quoted)

11 hours (earbuds), 29 hours (total)

Bluetooth type

Bluetooth 5.3

Weight

11g / Charging case: 77g

Driver

12mm

Skullcandy Method 360 review: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• Announced in April '25
• RRP $119 / £99 / AU$189
• Priced against mid-range rivals

Skullcandy announced the Method 360 in April 2025 and put them on sale straight away afterwards.

The official price of the buds is $119 / £99 / AU$189, although they were cheaper for their first few weeks of existence thanks to introductory pricing. When considering their value, though, we’ll consider this official price.

At that price these can be considered mid-range buds, with the aforementioned Nothing Ear (a) costing more or less (depending on region) at $99 / £99 / AU$192. Their other big rival at that price is the WF-C710N which has an RRP exactly the same as the Skullcandy and we’ll get more into the differences in our comparison section below.

Skullcandy Method 360 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Huge case that's fiddly to insert buds into
• Buds are comfortable and fit reliably
• Range of color options

The worst part of the Skullcandy Method 360 is its case. It’s absolutely huge – you’ve got no chance of fitting this thing in your trouser pocket and it was even a squeeze fitting it into the folds of my jacket. It’s significantly bigger than the case of any other earbud I’ve tested recently, making it a pain for portability.

That’s a shame because it’s a bit more interesting-looking than your generic clamshell earbud case. It uses what Skullcandy calls ‘Clip It and Rip It’; this means that there’s an internal column holding the earbuds which you reveal by sliding it out of a protective tube. There’s an O-ring which lets you clip the case to a bag or, according to Skullcandy, trouser belt loop, which also makes it easy to do this sliding action.

It’s an interesting design which Skullcandy has used before, but two extra things beyond the size damn the case. Firstly, the charging port is on the bottom of the internal column so if you slide this column up, the charging port is hidden by the external case – it’s quite a procedure to keep charging while you remove the buds. Secondly, the buds only fit in their respective slots if you insert them at just the right angle, and it’s hard enough to tell which bud goes in which slot, let alone which angle to put them in at (there are a faint ‘L’ and ‘R’ to solve the first problem but it could be made more clear). These are the single most frustrating earbuds I’ve ever tested in terms of returning them to the case after use, and I constantly wasted time trying to rotate the buds to work out how to get them into their gap.

It’s not just me on this latter point: Skullcandy’s listing for the Method ANC has an FAQ question and one query is “How do I put my Method 360 ANC earbuds back in the case?” complete with a surprisingly in-depth 5-point answer. Skullcandy: if earbud users need to go through five steps to put an earbud in the case, perhaps there’s a better way of doing things. I also presented my much-smarter girlfriend with the buds and the case and she too found it akin to solving a Rubix cube.

Evidence of how easily-bendable the hook is. (Image credit: Future)

At least Skullcandy has done something I love in earbuds: offered multiple color options. As well as the standards of black and white there’s bright red, a sandy hue which Skullcandy calls ‘Primer’ and your grandma’s favorite option: leopard print.

Now onto the buds themselves: they seem to work as a medley of the two core types of in-ear buds with large bodies which stay in your ears with a silicon ridge, but they also have a slight, dumpy stem. Whatever color of case you fit, affects the buds too, though in the case of leopard print it’s just on one surface.

The buds weigh 11g so they’re among the heaviest earbuds I’ve tested, but in the grand scheme of things a couple of grams doesn’t make much difference on the ears. And that tells – not once in my testing did the buds fall out of my ears, even though I went on runs with them and took them to the gym. I’m going to point towards their fin as the reason for this, with the material of the tip also making them stay in my ear snug. In the box you get an array of sizes for both too.

Both buds have touch controls, activated if you tap the right spot on the body of the bud (if you look at the picture, it’s just below the slight ridge, around where the LED light is). This worked fine in picking up fingertips but I found it quite hard to reliably tap the correct spot when I wanted to pause music.

The buds both have an IPX4 rating making them protected against splashes of water, which essentially means they’re safe against sweat or a light drizzle of rain but nothing stronger (or wetter).

• Design score: 3.5/5

Skullcandy Method 360 review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• Good on-bud battery life
• ANC is strong, but not competition-beating
• Skull-IQ app for extra features

With a case of its size, you’d expect the Skullcandy Method 360 to have a battery life longer than creation. And it’s definitely good, though set your expectations a little lower than ‘forever’.

According to Skullcandy, the bud battery life reaches 11 hours with ANC off or 9 hours with it turned on, with the case providing an extra 23 or 29 respectively. From my testing I’d say Skullcandy’s figures are, if anything, a touch conservative – either way those are respectable figures

You’re offered the two standard noise cancellation modes we often see: standard ANC and ‘Stay-Aware’, both with a slider letting you change intensity mode (before you ask the same question I did: higher intensity affects the strength of ANC, not of background noise allowed through).

Regardless of which option you pick, the ANC is strong and capable, and you’ll struggle to find better at this price point. It’s so effective, however, that Stay-Aware often failed to let through the kinds of loud nearby sounds that these ambient modes are designed to do. In fact I didn’t notice a huge difference between ANC and Stay-Aware most of the time.

You can download the Skull-IQ app on your phone or tablet to get extra features for the earbuds. Some of these are ability to toggle ANC and change what tapping the buds does, but there are a few more.

(Image credit: Future)

One of these is nigh-on mandatory at this point: an equalizer. You get several presets here but there’s also a five-band custom option. While that’s not as complex as we normally see in equalizers, I honestly don’t mind, as it’s a lot more simple for the average earbud user to get their head around.

Beyond that we’ve got features for low latency audio (useful for gaming), multipoint pairing to connect to multiple devices at once, the ability to use your earbud as a remote trigger for your smartphone camera and Spotify Tap, which lets you press and hold an earbud to instantly play from a certain Spotify playlist.

A few features I like to see are absent like Find My Earbuds, listening tests or earbud fit tests, but the features you do get work well… unlike the way you control them.

One thing that I’d love to see Skullcandy fix with the app is its reliability. A fair few times I’d boot it up while listening to music only to be told that the earbuds weren’t in use – one time this incorrect message was ironically covered up by my phone system’s own notification telling me the buds’ battery life. I’d have to either refresh the app, or give up on plans to change the EQ or noise cancellation.

On the topic of annoying features: the voice announcer, which tells you when the buds are connected when you put them in as well as when you change ANC modes, is both incredibly low-res and incredibly loud. Calm down please, announcer!

• Features score: 4/5

Skullcandy Method 360 review: Sound performance

(Image credit: Future)

• 12mm drivers
• Bose tuning pays off
• Energetic sound with meaty bass

As I said in the introduction, Bose helped with the tuning of the Skullcandy Method 360 (though possibly not in lending the 12mm drivers, which are actually bigger than the ones we normally see Bose use in its earbuds).

This helping hand shows because the Method 360 are some of the best-sounding earbuds I’ve ever tested for their price. And, more obviously, they faintly resemble the tone of the Bose QuietComfort Buds from last year, in that music sounds rich, meaty and full (which I doubled down on by activating the bass booster EQ repeatedly through testing, though it’s far from necessary).

That’s not to say that the buds are just for bass-heads, as mids were just as energetic and electric as lower-frequency sounds. I found the audio profile perfect for punchy and fast-paced rock music which fits well with the Skullcandy branding. Treble could have been a little more glistening though and, while not audibly falling behind in the mix, it did lack a little zest when other parts of a song were going full-force.

If you like listening to high-velocity music, you’ll be glad to know that the Method 360 gets very loud, and I didn’t even test it at its top volume.

The Skullcandy also has a fairly pronounced sound stage, perhaps not as dramatic as the aforementioned Bose buds, but still great compared to many same-priced rivals. Instruments aren’t just panned left or right but to varying degrees around you, and audio was clear enough that I could hear the sound of fingers on guitar glissando or the type of drumstick a drummer would use.

Here’s where I’d discuss audio codecs or connection types but neither Skullcandy’s website nor the Skull-IQ app make any mention of them, so I’ve got to presume that high-res music isn’t supported.

• Sound performance score: 4/5

Skullcandy Method 360 review: Value

(Image credit: Future)

The Skullcandy Method 360 are great value for money because in two big ways, they rival alternatives which you'd be spending twice the price on.

Both the sound quality and precision-designed fit feel like features you'd normally have to pay way more for. Yet here you go, finding them at a mid-range price. Good job!

• Value score: 4/5

Skullcandy Method 360 review: scorecard

Category

Comment

Score

Value

They hold a candle to some pricier rivals with aplomb.

4/5

Design

Some of the best-designed earbuds you can find, marred by one of the most annoying charging cases out there.

3.5/5

Features

The Method 360 has a range of features, and most of them work pretty well.

4/5

Sound

An energetic sound which stands apart from other similar-priced rivals.

4/5

Skullcandy Method 360: Should I buy?

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

Ear fit is important

The Skullcandy fit the bill if you find that other earbuds keep falling out, or you need something reliable for running.

You like fast-paced rocking music

The Method 360's audio balance lends itself well to energetic music that gets the blood pumping (although it's great for other genres too).

You need to listen for long periods of time

It's not a headline feature but the Method 360 battery life is quite a step above average, for the buds at least, making them solid options for long-term listening.

Don't buy them if...

You need a svelte carry case

If you want a carry case you can easily slip in a trouser pocket, the Skullcandy will disappoint.

You want a detailed equalizer

If you like tinkering with the minutiae of your audio, the Skull-IQ 5-band equalizer might not give you enough control over how music sounds.

Also consider

Component

Skullcandy Method 360

Nothing Ear (a)

WF-C710N

Water resistant

IPX4

IP54

IP54

Battery life (ANC off)

11 hours (earbuds), 29 hours (total)

9.5 hours (earbuds), 42.5 hours (total)

12 hours (buds); 30 hours (case)

Bluetooth type

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.3

Weight

11g (buds) 77g (case)

4.8g (buds) 39.6g (case)

5.2g (buds) 38g (case)

Driver

12mm

11mm

5mm

Nothing Ear (a)

These ever-so-slightly-cheaper alternatives to the Skullcandy have equally powerful bass and a lovely slender carry case. The fit isn't as solid as the Method 360's though, nor is the battery life as good.

Read our full Nothing Ear (a) review

Sony WF-C710N

These newer mid-rangers from Sony cost the exact same as the Skullcandy with a similar feature set too. The design is the main difference.

Read our full Sony WF-C710N review

How I tested

I used the Skullcandy Method 360 for about two weeks before writing this review.

For the most part of the review, the headphones were paired with my Android phone for Spotify streaming as well as the occasional gaming and Netflix. I listened to music at home and in quiet environments, but also took the buds for a spin at the gym and on runs.

I've been reviewing products for TechRadar since the beginning of 2019 and have tested countless headphones amongst other gadgets. I've also used past Skullcandy options not for review purposes, but simply through having bought them myself.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed: September 2025

Genki Aegis Shield: review

The Genki Aegis Shield has a pretty sublime namesake. In Ancient Greek mythology, Aegis sometimes refers to the shield of a deity, such as the thunder god, Zeus, or the goddess of wisdom, Athena. It is, then, a word that symbolizes protection of the highest order. And so, in comes the Genki Aegis Shield – a screen protector for the Nintendo Switch 2. Can it really offer divine levels of protection? I tested it to find out.

Out of the box, there was a lot going on. You get two screen protectors, an application frame, screen wipes, a microfiber cloth, and even a squeegee (great word, isn’t it). The application frame is pretty large compared to some others I’ve used, and it wasn’t the firmest around our Switch 2 – but it was still perfectly able to get the job done. There’s a lot of plastic here, with elements like a D-pad frame and play button etched into the application tool.

The application was fairly straightforward overall. The instructions weren’t as comprehensive as I’ve seen on other models, but the steps are accompanied by pictures to support your installation. I simply had to slot the frame onto the Nintendo Switch 2, pull a release tab out, swipe across the protector, and remove the frame.

(Image credit: Future)

After a bit of squeegee action, I was able to get all of the air bubbles out from under the Aegis Shield, ensuring a clean, well-aligned application.

At some angles, I could see a little bit of inconsistency on the left edge of the screen protector, but otherwise, the end result was fairly discreet. Of course, you may not encounter this minor hiccup, but it’s worth flagging.

(Image credit: Future)

Next came the damage test, and the Aegis Shield nailed it. I tried scraping a key across the protector, applying increasing pressure over time. But even when pressing pretty hard, the key glided across the surface with almost no resistance, and never left a single mark. Genki itself claims to have tested a drill on the screen, so this thing should be able to withstand all kinds of action.

Image 1 of 2

Before... (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

...and after! (Image credit: Future)

One thing that I picked up on is that the Aegis Shield was pretty prone to picking up obvious fingerprint marks – even when I compared it to the DBrand Prism 2.0 screen protector for Switch 2. However, all it takes is a quick wipe with the microfiber cloth, and you can cast those pesky marks away.

Elsewhere, this is a strong performer. When playing Mario Kart World, the protector didn’t inhibit display clarity whatsoever. No parts of the Switch 2’s screen were obscured, foggy, or discolored, which was very pleasing indeed. When picking at the corners of the protector, it also remained comfortable in place, so it’s safe to say that it’s a secure pick.

(Image credit: Future)

And when you consider this model is only $19.99 / £17 / AU$35, it’s great value for money. It’s considerably cheaper than that DBrand model I referenced, and in the same ballpark as the impressive Belkin TemperedGlass screen protector that we tried out during batch testing.

Yes, the application frame may seem a little overkill. I could see a small inconsistency on one edge of the screen, and you will notice fingerprints fairly easily. But still, you get a clear display and plenty of toughness at a reasonable price. For that alone, this is a model worth checking out.

Genki Aegis Shield review: price & specs

Price

$19.99 / £17 / AU$35

Number of screen protectors

2

Material

Tempered glass

Application type

Drop-in-place frame

Additional items

Microfiber cloth, screen wipes, squeegee

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Genki Aegis Shield?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Ease of application

Instructions could be a touch clearer, but fairly straightforward, tiny inconsistency on the left edge of the screen post-application.

3.5/5

Design

Application tool is quite large, but easy enough to use, fingerprints picked up easily, but cleaning tools work well.

3.5/5

Toughness

Easily withstood key scraping, with no signs of scratching or wear.

5/5

Value

Despite a couple of quirks, you’re getting a tough, low-priced protector.

4.5/5

Buy it if...

You’re looking for reliable protection
After scraping the screen protector with a key, I didn’t see even a spec of damage. And believe me, I pressed pretty hard. Genki itself claims to have put the Aegis Shield through a drill test, so I think it’s safe to say you won’t have to worry all too much about scratches.

You’re on a budget
At just $19.99 / £17 / AU$35, the Aegis Shield is a great budget-friendly option. You get two screen protectors in the box and all the cleaning tools you could possibly need, so this model offers plenty of bang for your buck.

Don't buy it if...

You want the most seamless application possible
During testing, the application frame was a little larger and clunkier than some other models I’ve used. Meanwhile, the instructions are fairly easy to follow, but not the most detailed. So, if you want the most seamless application possible, the Aegis Shield may not quite hit the spot.

You’re looking for something fingerprint-proof
This screen protector picked up fingerprints a little easier than the DBrand Prism 2.0, for example, which may frustrate some. Having said that, there is a microfiber cloth included in the box if you ever need to give the surface a quick clean.

Genki Aegis Shield review: also consider

Belkin TemperedGlass Screen Protector for Nintendo Switch 2
During batch testing, we were really impressed with the Belkin TemperedGlass screen protector. There’s no chunky plastic mechanism, just a basic frame. On top of that, the instructions are easy to follow, the application feels smooth, and the end result looks great. It's even cheaper than the Aegis Shield too – what’s not to like?

How I tested the Genki Aegis Shield

(Image credit: Future)

• Applied the screen protector using the written instructions
• Tested its effect on display, fingerprint resistance, and how easy it is to damage
• Tested by a lifelong gamer

For the Genki Aegis Shield, I used TechRadar's standardized process for testing Nintendo Switch 2 screen protectors. First off, we apply the screen protector using the included instructions. Then, we test the protector's impact on the console's display by assessing aspects like brightness and viewing angles.

After this, we test how the surface copes against fingerprints, before scratching the model with a set of keys and attempting to peel at the edges. Ultimately, all of this helps us to judge ease of application, durability, and general build quality.

But let's talk about my experience. I've tested more than a hundred products at TechRadar – everything from gaming accessories, such as the Hori Piranha Plant Camera for Nintendo Switch 2, through to other screen protectors, like the DBrand Prism 2.0.

On top of that, I'm a lifelong gamer with a massive love for Nintendo. I own a Switch 2 personally, and have reviewed a number of games for the platform, including Drag x Drive and Raidou Remastered: The Mystery of the Soulless Army.

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

The Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition is a convertible two-in-one laptop well-suited to both business and creative tasks.

It’s a highly portable machine, measuring 0.31 in - 0.64 in x 12.31 in x 8.57in and with a starting weight of 2.97lb (1.35kg). As I’d expect from a true ThinkPad - even a 2-in-1 model - it’s robustly built and ideal for home and office working.

As an Aura Edition laptop, it’s an AI PC running on an Intel Core Ultra chip which, according to Lenovo “accelerates your AI experience” without being a drag on the battery. Whether that’s a plus or a minus in your book will vary. In my experience it was…fine. But I’m not the world’s biggest AI user anyway.

But as a self-confessed ThinkPad fan, I was excited to check out the overall feel and performance.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition: Price & availability

Prices for the laptop start from $1892 / £1820 (currently discounted from £2250 at time of review).

At that price, the US version of the machine comes loaded with Windows 11 Home running on the Intel Core Ultra 5 226V, 16GB RAM, and 512GB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen4 SSD.

In the UK, the base model runs W11 Home on the Intel Core Ultra 7 258V chip, 32GB RAM, and 512GB M.2 2280 PCIe Gen5 SSD.

You can also spec-up the machine with up to an Intel Core Ultra 7 268V vPro processor, 2TB SSD, and Windows 11 Pro operating system.

Either way, the base model 14in IPS touchscreen display panel has a resolution of 1920 x 1200, with Anti-Glare. It hits 100% sRGB, has a brightness of 500 nits, and a 60Hz refresh rate.

There are two other screen options, too - either the business-oriented display with its ePrivacy filter, which is otherwise identical to the base model. Or the more complex 2.8K OLED Low Blue Light display with HDR 500 True Black with 100% DCI-P3, 500 nits, VRR 30-120Hz, making it the better pick for creators.

The ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition is available from Lenovo US and Lenovo UK, as well as online retailers.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition: Design & features

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)Specs

As reviewed:

CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7 258V
RAM: 32GB
GPU: Integrated Intel Arc 140V GPU (16GB)
Storage: 1TB
Display: 14in OLED
Brightness: 500 nits
Refresh rate: 30-120Hz
Color gamut: 100% DCI-P3
Ports & connectivity: 2x USB-A, 2x USB-C Thunderbolt 4, 1x Nano SIM, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x audio jack, 1x Kensington Nano Security slot, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi 7
Operating system: Windows 11 Pro

The look and feel of the X1 2-in-1 is distinctly ThinkPad - I found it robust in hand thanks to its aluminum chassis, which boasts MIL-STD-810H construction. Not exactly a true rugged laptop, then, but durable enough for the most hardened commuters. Besides the silvery accents, the main body is a stylish space grey that I thought looked professional without being boring.

The 14in screen has a thin bezel that sits behind the glass, with an elevated notch where the camera sits. The camera itself is 5MP, comes complete with physical privacy shutter, and supports Windows Hello for a passwordless sign-in.

Along the right-hand side is a USB-A and two USB-C Thunderbolt 4 ports, and a Nano SIM slot. To the left, there’s another USB-A port, as well as HDMI 2.1 port, audio jack, a Kensington Nano Security slot, and a discrete power button that sits flush with the frame. In a world where laptop makers are gradually stripping back connectivity, I find this array generous enough, and I didn’t feel the immediate need to hook up a laptop docking station. Another bonus here is the support for Wi-Fi 7, perfect for future-proofing connectivity.

Now, I’m a big champion of ThinkPad laptops (I use the T14s on a daily basis, but I’ve been a fan since I first got my trusty old T431s). In my experience, they easily offer the best typing experience compared to other laptop brands. Alright, the new Lenovo models may lack the key travel of the older IBM ThinkPads (1.5mm vs 1.8mm), but even still, they’re a joy to use.

In this regard, I was a little wary of trying out X1 2-in-1 Gen 10, as some older X1 laptops had previously used a keyboard with a stubby 1.35mm travel depth. Lenovo has, thankfully, done away with that - here, you get the same 1.5mm backlit board you’ll find on the T-series ThinkPads. As such, using this for long writing sessions is a total breeze.

However, I spotted a few differences here compared to your more traditional business laptops. Of course, there’s the iconic red Trackpoint, but there’s also a fingerprint scanner for signing in without a password and beside it, a dedicated Microsoft Copilot button - clicking this unlocks the AI assistant, while granting easy access to all the usual Office apps.

Interestingly, Lenovo has switched the Fn and Ctrl keys around here, bringing it in line with most keyboards. Older ThinkPads place the Fn key to the left, rather than the right, and I have to change this using the Lenovo Vantage app.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition: Display

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

My review model featured an OLED screen at 2880 x 1800 resolution with 60-120Hz refresh rate. Colors are vivid and bright, near-perfect in reproduction due to the 100% DCI-P3 gamut. For those looking for a general laptop for photo editing as well as productivity tasks, this is a pretty safe bet, I found.

The laptop operates in four ways - laptop, tablet, tent, and presentation mode, and all four work very well. I experienced no issues here at all, with the screen orientation changing swiftly and without lag when I switched from one configuration to the next. The movement feels sturdy and smooth, and pleasingly there’s no additional play to the 360-degree hinges.

What I didn’t like, however, was how reflective the screen was. Turn off the laptop and it’s like staring into a black mirror. That might not be a deal-breaker for some, but it certainly gave me pause and if you’re going to be using this outside or in direct sunlight, you’ll want to crank up the brightness to mitigate it as much as possible.

As a touchscreen device, this unit also included a stylus, which magnetically clamps to the right side of the screen. Using this in tablet mode was a total joy. Input was instant and the whole experience felt smooth.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition: Performance

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

I experienced no issues when using the laptop - running Microsoft’s Office suite, browsing the internet, opening many, many, many, many tabs in Chrome, at this level, nothing seemed to slow down this machine.

Under heavier workloads, there is a tendency for the X1 to run a little warm, and there, I did experience some minor slowing. But even, the impact felt negligible and it’s unlikely to prove an issue for professionals using this for general business tasks.

For a convertible business laptop, then, I found it well-specced and impressively powerful enough for day-to-day operations. Ok, it won’t deliver the same performance you’ll find from a mobile workstation or gaming laptop, but that’s not what it’s been designed for.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition: Battery life

One of the stand-out areas with the X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition is the battery life. The machine is rocking a 57Whr battery, which is hardly massive, but acceptable. Don’t let that fool you, though, because battery life is surprisingly spectacular.

The device itself is rated for up to 20.2 hours when benchmarked using MobileMark 25, according to Lenovo. But this assumes minimal use. Streaming video playback should net up to 16.3 hours. For those using this laptop on the go, it’s positively perfect.

Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition: Final verdictImage 1 of 2

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Overall, I enjoyed my time with the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition - whether I was using it as a tablet or laptop.

It’s more than capable of handling the usual suite of business apps and software, and here, the laptop performs brilliantly. Everything feels smooth, responsive, and efficient, making it a good pick for those who prize productivity above all else.

True, it’s not the most powerful around, it’s expensive for what it is, and I’m still not a fan of the glossy screen, but all told, there’s little else to complain about.

Couple that durable design with a good port selection, excellent battery life, and a neat, multi-use design, and you have one of the best 2-in-1 laptops for professionals around.

Should I buy the Lenovo ThinkPad X1 2-in-1 Gen 10 Aura Edition?

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Convertible, durable, and distinctly ThinkPad in style

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Performance

Perfect for office duties as well as lighter weight creative tasks

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Price

A steeper cost than I'd like, but par for the course with a business laptop

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Buy it if…

You want a business 2-in-1: As a convertible laptop, this works superbly well in all its configurations. I especially like the smooth efficiency when using it as a tablet alongside the Yoga Pen stylus.

Battery life is a concern: I found the longevity of the battery to be superb here, and if you’re working on the go or away from a mains outlet, it’s perfect.

Don’t buy it if…

You need absolute power: Yes, it’s a powerful little machine, but with these specs, it can’t measure up to the performance of the ThinkPad P-series. This is, after all, a business laptop first and foremost.

You’re on a budget: Arguably the biggest issue with this device is the cost - it’s a pricey number, as business machines tend to be.

For more productivity performance, we tested the best business computers and the best business tablets.

Thrustmaster T248R: One-minute review

It’s not a new racing wheel you’re looking at here, but instead a revamped and thoughtfully tweaked 2025 edition of the existing Thrustmaster T248. The youthful maverick that is the T248R features many small but noticeable improvements, including a visual facelift, upgraded gear shift paddles, and a sharper digital display that offers genuinely useful readouts.

As for the tech powering your driving sensation, that’s a double-edged sword. On one hand, it’s a downside that the T.HD wheelbase is built on a hybrid of gear and belt-driven feedback, which can’t compete with direct drive for smooth, fast, precise feedback.

And with the price of direct drive bundles tumbling down lately into price points not that much more than the price of this bundle, that’s definitely a major consideration for anyone hovering over the ‘add to cart’ button.

(Image credit: Future)

On the other hand, nobody does belt-driven feedback quite like Thrustmaster, so the driving sensation you actually get out of this wheel in your hands isn’t anything as old-fashioned as you might imagine.

It’s plenty powerful for the entry-level sim racer it’s designed for, outputting a peak 3.1Nm of torque, and there’s some subtlety to the feedback too, which doesn’t produce a detrimental amount of cogging (that grindy, stuttering feeling associated with older belt-driven feedback).

Down at your feet, the pedal base is everything you could ask for at this price. It stays where you put it, even on a carpeted floor; the three pedals are well-spaced apart from each other, and the brake has a satisfying amount of stamping force thanks to its stiff load cell.

It’s a wheel to be recommended, ultimately, but it’s a qualified recommendation. If the cheapest direct drive wheels like the Nacon Revosim or the Thrustmaster T598 are out of budget, or you simply don’t race enough to justify the extra outlay for the improved sensation, this bundle makes a lot of sense.

That’s even factoring in the great Logitech G923, a true titan of non-direct drive wheels at the sub-$300 mark. Logi’s wheel offers slightly better build quality, and its TrueForce feedback offers impressive detail, but those are marginal gains over this dependable and well-priced T248R.

(Image credit: Future)Thrustmaster T248R: Price and availability

• List price: $349.99 / £249.99 (around AU$512)
• Priced cheaper than outbound T248 and Logitech’s G923
• It may be old tech, but it still offers great bang for buck

Price is a vital bit of context here. It’s true that direct drive (DD) is becoming much more affordable, with bundles like Nacon’s Revosim and the fantastic T598 from Thrustmaster’s own stable bringing high-quality DD sensation to the masses at a price point below $500. But this T248R’s pricing is so far below that $500 threshold that a belt and gear-driven bundle is still a worthwhile consideration.

That does mean the looks and finish quality do feature some obvious compromises compared to the G923. But with a crystal-clear digital display, nice tactile buttons, quiet shifters, and a high-quality set of pedals, there’s real value here. The build quality and driving experience are more than enough for casual racers and even more committed enthusiasts on a budget.

Thrustmaster T248R: Specs

Weight

12.6lb / 5.7kg

Peak torque

3.1Nm

Features

Digital display, load cell brake pedal, magnetic shifters, cushioned pleather wheel finish

Connection type

USB-A

Compatibility

PC, PS4, PS5

Software

My Thrustmaster

Thrustmaster T248R: Design and features

• Well built, if a little plasticky
• Pleather wheel feels great
• Useful display

Thrustmaster has been making the T248 in its various iterations for long enough to know that its audience isn’t likely to be attaching it to a sim rig, so it’s sensibly built both the wheel and pedals to be used comfortably at a desktop. The pedal base is heavy and grippy, which is absolutely crucial for an enjoyable drive.

The last thing you want when you’re stamping on a load cell brake at 180mph in Assetto Corsa Competizione is to feel the whole base shift position or rotate, and happily, there’s next to none of that with this bundle, despite a relatively stiff load cell on the brake. The aluminium contact points on the pedals are a nice touch at this price, too.

Working our way up, the wheelbase and wheel itself show a few more concessions to the affordable price point. Primarily, all the plastic. Although it’s a definite upgrade versus the outgoing T248 (which will still be on sale in Xbox config, as this new T248R supports PC, PS4, and PS5 only, so is targeting the best PS5 racing wheel market), there is still a lot of quite light, flimsy plastic used on the face, inner wheel, and hub.

Thrustmaster’s done its best to disguise some of this with a carbon fiber-style weave effect, but realistically, it’s fooling no one. Personally, for this price, I can live with it, but it’s worth noting that the slightly pricier G923 does look and feel more substantial and somehow, well, more pro.

Buttons are laid out sensibly around the centre, and at the top there’s a digital display with a sharper resolution now, which can give you some really useful readouts and telemetry – a definite perk for the price.

The biggest weakness in the T248’s overall design comes in the desktop clamp. There’s no major issue here - it does its job in keeping the wheel fixed in position on your desk, but now with the same rigidity or assuredness as the G923, whose two tightening screws at either side of the wheelbase lock it tightly in position. Here, there’s just one central screw, and while it does keep out of the way of your legs, it’s not as secure a contact point as Logitech’s.

(Image credit: Future)Thrustmaster T248R: Performance

• Plenty of power
• A pleasing sensation considering the older tech
• Buttons, shifters, and pedals all feel great while driving

How does it feel to drive a lap with this updated model?

Well, firstly, it’s pretty straightforward to get onto the track in the first place, since most games recognise this as either the older T248 or the TGT wheel. That means you’ve got default assignments for inputs across the wheel, and pretty good axis and force feedback values from the off. Every title I tried with this new model was recognised enough that all my mappings were done for me, and I didn’t need to calibrate the wheel axis by axis.

On the track, Thrustmaster’s unique hybrid of belt and gear-driven force feedback shows its merits. It does feel very different to direct drive – it’s nowhere near as smooth to rotate the wheel, for starters. But it’s also not coggy or rough in the way that older traditional belt-driven models (remember the MOMO Force?) used to be.

Instead, you’ve got a happy medium between smooth wheel actuation and rumbly feedback that feels about right for the price point. Does it offer the same variety of feedback types as Logitech’s TrueForce-enabled G29? It does not.

The Logi wheel conveys tarmac rumble a little better and gives a more convincing sense of weight to the vehicle you’re driving, but that doesn't really have a meaningful effect on lap times.

(Image credit: Future)

I noticed how well built the input buttons feel as I was driving, too. It’s common for the face buttons – translated from a traditional console controller and arranged around the wheel – to feel loose and flimsy on a lower-end wheel, but here they feel higher quality. You’re always sure that a button input was registered properly.

It’s a small tweak, but the magnetic paddle shifters have been lavished with some redesign attention to produce a smoother, quieter shift. I’d say more than that, it just feels nicer than it did to change gears on the older T248.

Speaking of, previously the digital display was monochrome and had a limited viewing angle, but it’s much sharper now and thus much more useful. You don’t have a dynamic rev counter, but you do have an RPM light that lets you know when it’s time to upshift. While on the main display, you might have your current lap deltas.

I’m a particular fan of the pedals, and they contribute a lot to the quality of the driving experience in this bundle. It’s great to have a load cell brake that can be adjusted for stiffness by swapping elastomers and springs in, and equally great to feel so planted when you exert a pedal input.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Thrustmaster T248R?Buy it if…

You’re a desktop racer
This bundle is designed to be enjoyed at a desktop rather than fitted to a sim rig, so if that’s your intended use, you’ll enjoy the planted pedals and functional desk clamp

The G923 is out of budget
Logitech’s standard-setting belt-driven wheel offers slightly better feedback, but it’s also pricier. If you can live with that tradeoff, this is a great value alternative.

You race for fun
Seriously competitive racers will look for every advantage that technology can offer, starting with direct drive feedback. If you’re more about the experience than the lap times, though, going with this more modest bundle makes sense.

Don’t buy it if…

You’re looking for the newest tech available
Direct drive is becoming increasingly mainstream, not to mention affordable. This bundle doesn’t offer it. Worth keeping in mind.

You race on Xbox
This revamped ‘R’ version of the T248 supports PC, PS4, and PS5 only, with the older T248 continuing to support Xbox racers.

You’ve got sim racing aspirations
Long-term, if you’re dreaming of competing against the best in serious sim racing titles, racing with this older tech could hamper your competitiveness

Also consider

If the Thrustmaster T248R doesn’t hit your apex, try these similarly priced rivals.

Thrustmaster T248R

Logitech G923

Hori Apex

Price

$349.99 / £249.99 (around AU$512)

$299.99 / £299.99

$119.99 / £99.99

Weight

12.6lb / 5.7kg

4.96lbs / 2.3kg

3.09lbs / 1.4kg

Peak torque

3.1Nm

2.2Nm

N/A

Features

Digital display, load cell brake pedal, magnetic shifters, cushioned pleather wheel finish

TrueForce feedback, dial controls, rev display

Textured wheel grip, simple setup

Connection type

USB-A

USB-A

USB-A

Compatibility

PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5

PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC, or Xbox Series X/S, PC

PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, PC

Logitech G923
Five years since release, Logi’s mid-priced, belt-driven force feedback wheel is still the gold standard at this price range. It doesn’t have as much peak torque as the T248R, but its TrueForce feedback implementation offers more subtlety and immersion.

For more information, read our full Logitech G923 review

Hori Apex
Want to take the price-saving to the extreme? For considerably less than the T248R, Hori’s no-frills Apex wheel will do the job. No force feedback though, and just two – rather flimsy – pedals.

For more information, read our full Hori Apex review

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Thrustmaster T248R

• Tested in F1 24, F1 25, Rennsport, ACC, and AC Evo
• Two weeks with a desktop
• A variety of FF strength settings tried

I loaded up my usual racing titles to test this updated T248R wheel, since I’m already familiar with how they feel with a variety of both belt-driven and direct drive wheels.

Happily, every title recognised the wheel to some degree and offered sensible default mappings and values.

There’s a range of different force feedback strength levels available here via Thrustmaster’s ‘BOOST’ tech, although in practice, that’s no different from adjusting the strength of any other wheel via the in-game settings or manufacturer app. Nevertheless, I adjusted to different strengths during testing.

Finally, and importantly, all testing was conducted at a desktop setup, since this bundle can’t easily be mounted onto a sim rig like my Playseat.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed September 2025

Thrustmaster T98: One-minute review

The Thrustmaster T98 is about as budget as a budget racing wheel and pedals can get, but that’s by design. This entry-level bundle includes everything a young racer needs to get started with a wheel, pedals, and mounting clamp, but does away with plenty of standard features in order to keep costs down.

Feeling more like a racing toy than a piece of sim racing gear, the T98 is made entirely of plastic but still carries an impressive overall build quality. The wheel itself has all the usual buttons and inputs, but the attached wheelbase offers no force feedback or even simple vibration. Instead, the T98’s wheel has a light, linear resistance from what Thrustmaster calls ‘bungee cord technology’ and will always spin back to centre when let go

The pedals are equally simple, just an accelerator and brake with a short travel distance and no real pushback. Remarkably, though, Thrustmaster has managed to include Hall effect sensors here, which almost feels out of place with the rest of the unit but is certainly a welcome addition.

I’ve hit the track in a few different games, and while racing with the Thrustmaster T98 is more fun than with the stock Xbox Wireless Controller, it’s a very superficial experience. The wheel feels floaty and disconnected from your digital car, making it surprisingly hard to achieve any real control, even with three sensitivity profiles to choose from.

It may be targeted at kids and the entry-level market, and I can see such an audience initially enjoying it, but I’d imagine most will quickly outgrow the T98 and soon be wanting a wheel that offers a little more.

(Image credit: Future)Thrustmaster T98: Price and availability

• List price: $109.99 / £89.99 / AU$199.99
• Available direct from Thrustmaster
• Great value for money for an entry level wheel

You’re not going to find many full racing bundles much cheaper than the Thrustmaster T98, and that’s worthy of applause in itself.

It’s a refreshing change to see a genuine, modern, entry-level option around that $100 mark. Perhaps more importantly, it’s nice to see brands starting to fill in options at both ends of the market. Beyond the similarly priced Hori Racing Wheel Apex for PlayStation, the numbers quickly increase until you reach the genre staple Logitech G923 racing wheel.

What’s particularly pleasing is that the T98 is a complete set; there are no asterisks or sold separately disclaimers here. There’s even a desk clamp included, too; one box really is all you need to go from nothing to racing.

This makes shopping easy for parents, just make sure you get the right version, as there are separate Xbox and PlayStation variants with just a single letter differentiating the model names - GTS for Xbox and GTB for PlayStation.

Thrustmaster T98: Specs

Dimensions

10 x 9.6 x 9.8in / 255 x 245 x 250 mm

Weight

2.9 lbs / 1.3kg

Rotation

240 degrees

Force Feedback

No

Platform Compatibility

Xbox/PC or PlayStation/PC

Box Contents

T98 Ferrari 296, clamping system, T2PM pedal set, instruction manual, and warranty information

Thrustmaster T98: Design and features

• Complete set with wheel, pedals, and table clamp
• Three on-board driving profiles
• H.E.A.R.T. Hall effect sensors in pedals

At this price point, it’s really no surprise that every part of the Thrustmaster T98 bundle is entirely made of plastic. Usually, I’d be critical of this; it’s not exactly the most premium material, but this isn’t a premium bit of kit, so it’s understandable. As far as plastic goes, it’s not bad, though.

Pulling it out of the box, I was immediately struck by just how solid the wheel and wheelbase both feel. There’s no flex or creakiness to either of them; they feel reassuringly sturdy. Thrustmaster’s experience in the genre really shows here, even if this is the closest thing to a toy it’s ever made.

The Thrustmaster T98’s 10” wheel is inspired by the one you’ll find in the Ferrari 296 GTS, and it’s not a bad recreation. The overall shape is sporty, and it’s comfortable enough to hold. There’s a little grip texturing embossed into the plastic on either side, which is a welcome addition, and a few faux carbon fibre accents to break things up.

The standard range of controller buttons is neatly spread across the face of the wheel, with a pair of clicky paddle shifters behind. I could easily reach all of them without adjusting my grip on the wheel, and it’s something I not only appreciated but have regularly not been able to do with more expensive options.

Admittedly, I have reasonably large hands, but they all felt close enough that I imagine smaller users would be able to reach them just as easily.

(Image credit: Future)

The Thrustmaster T98’s wheelbase is simple but stylish enough. It’s a compact little unit that takes its design cues from more ‘grown-up’ options, albeit with considerably less going on inside. The included desk clamp took a little fiddling to correctly line up, but eventually held things firmly in place.

With no force feedback and no vibration or rumble motor, it’s left to essentially a rubber band to impose any sort of resistance. It’s not uncommon for wheels to forego force feedback. Logitech’s Heavy Equipment Bundle will set you back nearly three times as much and offers the same experience, but that doesn’t make me miss it any less.

The pedals are the most basic part of the Thrustmaster T98 bundle, though funnily enough feature the most advanced technology. Both the accelerator and brake feel similar underfoot without much travel distance and an equally small amount of resistance. These are definitely designed with junior racers in mind. If you’re pressing it, you might as well floor it; there’s no real in-between.

That makes the inclusion of Thrustmaster’s H.E.A.R.T. Hall effect sensors in each pedal a little unusual. I’m not complaining, it’s great to see this kind of technology in a budget device, I’m just not sure anyone is going to see the benefit beyond some extra lifespan and no chance of stick - I mean, pedal - drift.

Speaking of which, there’s a good chance you’ll find the whole unit drifting across your floor because while there’s a generously sized heel plate with some texturing on top, the bottom of the pedal box is pretty slick.

There’s no spikey carpet gripper bar to keep things still, and while there are four tiny rubber pads, these didn’t achieve a lot when I tested on my laminate floor.

Thrustmaster T98: Performance

• Impressive plug-and-play game compatibility
• No force feedback or rumble
• Bungee cord resistance has quirks and a learning curve

"It's not aimed at sim racers, it's aimed at kids, for first-time steering wheel users”. That’s what Thrustmaster product marketing manager Xavier Pieuchot told us when we got our first look at the T98 at Gamescom in August.

Well, I’m none of those things. I do quite a lot of sim racing, and my usual setup is worth north of $2,000. I know what the top end of the market is like, so I channeled my inner child when I played with the Thrustmaster T98.

Setup was a breeze, and actually an area the T98 performed better than a vast majority of considerably more expensive wheels I’ve tested in recent times.

I plugged in the single, pre-attached cable from the pedals to the wheelbase, and then the USB-C cable from the wheelbase to my Xbox Series X. That’s it. Done. Ready to race. The list of officially compatible games on the Thrustmaster website is surprisingly modest, but pretend-8-year-old Alex doesn’t read product listings, so my first stop was a game not on the list, Forza Motorsport.

Who needs compatibility lists anyway? The Thrustmaster T98 worked perfectly from the moment the game launched. Every button was pre-bound to what I’d have expected it to be, including the pedals, and without even considering an options menu, I was straight out on track and racing.

I can’t overstate how refreshing this was and how many times this hasn’t been the case with ‘premium’ options. It was the same story in almost any other game I tried; Forza Horizon 5, EA Sports WRC, Farming Simulator 25, and even older titles like Wreckfest, everything was fully button-mapped, and the wheel and pedals worked exactly how I’d hoped they would.

(Image credit: Future)

Unfortunately, the actual experience behind the wheel wasn’t quite as positive for either my experienced sim racing side or my childhood alter ego. I can overlook the lack of force feedback; that’s a nice-to-have feature, albeit a basic one, and I remind myself this is a $110 wheel after all. The problem is that while the Thrustmaster T98 was more of a giggle to play with than a controller, even the adult me found the learning curve and overall difficulty much harder than it should have been.

Thrustmaster calls the bungee resistance linear, though I experienced quite a wide physical deadzone before the cord grabbed. For hard corners and aggressive moves, this wasn’t a problem. The 240° max rotation can be a little limiting on some tracks, but I still had a good amount of fun. Across titles, though, it was the gentle, sweeping turns, small adjustments, and overtaking manoeuvres that proved surprisingly difficult.

I’d constantly need to turn the wheel further than I’d like to get the car to respond, and then quickly correct it back the other way when it inevitably went too far. More often than not, this caused me to lose control completely and end up against a wall, even down straights. It was a frustrating experience for me as a 33-year-old; I can’t imagine how much patience a 10-year-old might have before giving up and labelling it dumb and annoying.

There are three ‘driving support profiles’ built into the Thrustmaster T98 that adjust the sensitivity of the wheel. I did notice a clear difference between each setting, and it’s a nice idea to be able to dial down the sensitivity and, in theory, make things easier, though none of them managed to overcome the problem I mentioned before.

It’s also worth noting that these don’t change any physical characteristics of the wheel's behavior, just how your movements are translated into the game.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Thrustmaster T98?Buy it if…

You’re playing a lot of racing games with a controller
It’s light on realism and not without its quirks, but once I’d gotten used to it, I found racing with the Thrustmaster T98 more fun than if I was just sitting there motionless with a controller.

This is the absolute maximum you can spend
This is about the cheapest racing wheel you’ll find from a major brand, particularly one with the expertise of Thrustmaster. If you can hold off a little longer, there are more features to be gained by spending a bit more.

Don’t buy it if…

You’ve used a racing wheel before
If you’ve been to a friend's house and tried a wheel for the first time, even a lower-end option like the Logitech G923, the Thrustmaster T98 is not going to give you the same kind of experience, and you’ll be left disappointed.

You’re looking for a realistic experience
No force feedback, no rumble, and (semi) linear bungee cord resistance make no effort to deliver an immersive or realistic driving feel. This is an arcade toy rather than a simulator.

Also consider

Not sure if the Thrustmaster T98 is your best option? There are plenty of other sim racing wheels available, though not too many at quite such a low price point.

Thrustmaster T98

Hori Racing Wheel Apex

Logitech G920

Price

$109.99 / £89.99

$119.99 / £99.99

$299.99 / £349.99

Dimensions

10 x 9.6 x 9.8in / 255 x 245 x 250 mm

11 x 10.8 x 11.3in / 280 x 275 x 286mm

10.6 x 10.2 x 10.9in / 270 x 260 x 278mm

Weight

2.9lbs / 1.3kg

3.09lbs / 1.4kg

4.96lbs / 2.25kg

Rotation

240 degrees

270 degrees

900 degrees

Force Feedback

No

No

Dual-motor

Hori Racing Wheel Apex
The Hori Racing Wheel Apex offers a similar overall package to the T98. It’s equally basic with no force feedback, though you do gain a companion app to fine-tune driving profiles.

For more information, check out our full Hori Racing Wheel Apex review.

Logitech G920
This has arguably been the entry-level racing wheel for years. The Logitech G920 is a considerable step up from the barebones T98, moving from toy racing wheel to sim racing wheel. It’ll set you back just over twice as much, but this is reflected in the experience with full force feedback and higher build quality.

For more information, check out our full Logitech G920 review.

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Thrustmaster T98

• I used the T98 on my Xbox Series X for a few days
• Tested across a range of titles
• Approached as a complete beginner

I swapped out some of the best Xbox racing wheels and used the Thrustmaster T98 as my primary racing wheel on Xbox Series X for a week. At this time, I reset my expectations, approaching this as a complete novice and casting my mind back to how I’d have felt about this as a child.

I tried a range of different games, including options both on and absent from the official compatibility list.

I jumped into each title blind, avoiding any configuration or settings menus. I aimed for the most plug-and-play experience possible, seeing how the T98 felt in each game out of the box. The only change I made was testing the three on-board driving profiles in each game, often switching multiple times during a single lap to feel the impact this had.

Throughout testing, I had the Thrustmaster T98 clamped to a coffee table with the pedals resting on the floor. Primarily, this was carpeted, though I also moved my setup into the hallway to test movement and feel on a hard, laminate floor.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed September 2025