Reviews

The Eureka Ergonomic Ark EL Executive is just one example of the California-based brand's many items of home office furniture, and it's a striking beast indeed. Sitting (or should we say, standing) near the top of Eureka's desk food chain, it's the third-most expensive single-level standing desk—behind the Ark X and the monumental Zen Pro.

It's undeniably a statement piece, although despite its dominating stature, I feel like it would suit almost any formal environment. That said, compared to some rivals that appear in our rundown of the best standing desks, the Ark EL comes with a hefty price tag that may put off those looking to deck out the home office on a budget.

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(Image credit: Future)Eureka Ergonomic Arl EL Executive: Specs

Height range

29.5-48 inches (75-122cm)

RRP (USD$)

$1,299

Max load

220lb (100kg)

Desktop size

60x26 inches (152x66cm)

Finish material

PU Paper Laminate

Built-in connectivity

1x wireless charging pad, 2x USB A, 1x USB C

The Ark EL's sticker price is $1,299—it's certainly not the cheapest standing desk around. However, Eureka Ergonomic runs one of those perpetual sales, so you're likely to be able to grab it for less than a $1,000 most of the time. It's currently available direct from Eureka Ergonomic by clicking here.

With a generous maximum height of 48 inches, the Ark EL will be able to accommodate all but the tallest of beanpoles. At a modest 5'10", I find 39 inches perfect for my standing sessions. Those up to 6'8" should be perfectly comfortable.

(Image credit: Future)

The 220lb capacity should be more than enough for all your home office needs—that's the equivalent of one prime Mike Tyson sat daintily on your Ark EL Executive. However, some rivals outdo it here. For example, our top choice of standing desk, the FlexiSpot E7, can take up to 355lb—one Iron Mike, plus a Floyd Mayweather thrown in for good luck.

Elsewhere, connectivity is good, but in 2025, I'd prefer a couple more USB C ports. That said, many standing desks omit these completely, so having a wireless charger and a few ports is a big green checkmark in my book.

(Image credit: Future)Eureka Ergonomic Ark EL Executive: Shipping & unboxing

The Ark EL ships in two very large, very heavy boxes, one of which is more than six feet long—so I recommend making room beforehand, and avoiding the need to shift the boxes around too much once they've been set down. The largest contains the weighty desktop and drawers, while the smaller (in comparison only) box contains the leg mechanisms.

If you're handling the delivery yourself and need to move the boxes a considerable distance, I'd recommend opening them up and moving the desk piece by piece to its final destination. Thankfully, my burly housemate was on hand to share the load, so we moved each box whole to the home office for construction.

The packaging did a great job of protecting the desk, but there's a lot of polystyrene, and disposal can be troublesome. (Image credit: Future)

When I finally broke into the boxes, the quality of packaging was truly impressive. Both were a box within a box, and although the swathes of polystyrene won't win any awards from being green, they certainly protected the contents on their travels.

Bear in mind that no standing desk is an easy affair to haul. They're invariably far heavier than regular desks, and often come in multiple packages. Overall, the unboxing experience was excellent, and I wouldn't change a thing about how it the Ark EL was packed (except, perhaps, using some greener packing materials).

Eureka Ergonomic Ark EL Executive: Assembly

If you've been scarred by impenetrable flat-pack instructions before, don't fret—Eureka Ergonomic provides a very clear, step-by-step manual on how to assemble the Ark EL. Each piece is labeled within the booklet, but more usefully, all the fixings come packaged in a single large blister pack.

This both helps keep everything tidy when you're assembling the desk, and also leaves no confusion over which bolt is an "A" and which is a "B," despite their similarities.

You're provided with a couple of Allen keys as well as a double-ended screwdriver. However, I must confess I broke out my trusty DeWalt impact driver to save some time. If you do the same, it's critical not to over-tighten anything. Don't hammer away at the bolts—hand-tight is plenty.

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Assembly took me a couple of hours. However, I've built a lot of flat-packed furniture in my time, so I'd recommend budgeting around four hours from opening to completion. I found it quite a sprawling build, too, so make sure you've got enough room to work.

In all honesty, I had very few, if any issues during the build. Probably the most challenging part was sliding the weighty legs over the lifting mechanisms while the desk was upside-down. However, even this wasn't too difficult, and I managed the whole build solo without any assistance.

Eureka Ergonomic Ark EL Executive: First impressions

When I finally completed the desk, I stood back and marvelled at its stately presence. Its bold design and chunky legs give the Ark EL Executive a reassuring plantedness, and in no way does it appear flimsy.

Despite "only" being PU paper, the finish is convincing, and the pattern is unique all over. There are no noticeable "copy and paste" sections of grain that repeat and give away its artificialness.

(Image credit: Future)

However, when I first got up close and started using the during one of my work-from-home days, I noticed the whole finish had a sort of roughness to it—rougher than you'd expect any real wood to be finished.

To remedy this, I took a cleaning spray and a microfibre cloth, and really went to town scrubbing the surface of the desk. After a good few minutes, I was much happier with the texture—although I'd prefer not to have to break out the elbow grease to improve the finish of a $1,000+ desk myself.

That said, the finish wasn't damaged by my scrubbing, which I was worried might be the case.

Overall, it immediately improved the feel of my home office, and if you're looking for a statement desk, it's one to consider.

(Image credit: Future)Eureka Ergonomic Ark EL Executive: Design & build quality

The Ark EL Executive desk only comes in "Natural Oak," which is a little disappointing. While it's a great finish, I can imagine many people might prefer a darker walnut-style color, or even plain white or black.

The size and shape of the desk provides ample legroom, and plenty of possibility to move side to side—perhaps between multiple displays and devices. The buttons are also very pleasant, with a gloss black finish and white text that illuminates when the desk is woken up.

I haven't noticed any wear on the buttons in my short time using the Ark EL, but over the years I'm sure they'd see a little scratching. Admittedly, though, they're much prettier than the matte black physical buttons found on lower-end standing desks.

Their positioning is sensible, but I have noticed my elbow activating them once in a while when I drift over to the right of the desk. Thankfully, the lock button does what it says on the tin—a 5-second long press locks and unlocks the controls to avoid any inadvertent movements.

The wireless charger and ports are nestled in the right-rear corner of the desk, and this is the perfect place for them. They're in reach, but far enough away that they won't interfere with your day-to-day.

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Finally, having drawers is a massive bonus, because many standing desks omit these. Admittedly, they're quite small to accommodate all the electrics that sit behind them, but at 22 x 12 inches, the middle drawer is capacious enough for more home-office essentials.

Overall, the Ark EL feels supremely sturdy—as it should, considering its weight—and gives the impression it'll last for long time.

Eureka Ergonomic Ark EL Executive: In use

Spending a day sat at the Ark EL working is a pleasant experience. In the couple of weeks I've been using it for, I've found it to accommodate all my trinkets and tech nicely. I'm very much prone to clutter, so having good square-footage is a must—and the Ark EL delivers.

I've moved the desk a couple of times due to moving into a new apartment, and it really is a beast. It needs at least two people to lift it fully assembled, and if you're heading up any stairs, I'd recommend part disassembly.

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A slight concern I have is over how "sharp" the edges of the desk are. While there's a pleasing 45-degree angle around the bottom edge of the desktop, the upper edge is pretty much a right angle. When I first saw this, I worried that it'd dig into my forearms, but thankfully this hasn't proved to be the case so far. I'm sure it would take a ding quite prominently too, but I've been careful enough not have experienced that.

When using the desk as intended—raising and lowering every day for a variation in working position—I've found it works seamlessly. Rather than use the Up and Down buttons, I've found setting the H1 and H2 memory buttons to my preferred heights very useful. When changing the desk's height manually, I found myself forgetting my optimum setting, leading to inconsistent heights between sessions.

Eureka Ergonomic Ark EL Executive: Final verdict

As the centerpiece to my new home office, the Eureka Ergonomic Ark EL Executive is eye-catching and—most importantly—very functional. Although it's extremely heavy, once it's in place it's the perfect item to build the room around.

The addition of built-in drawers, a wireless charger, and integrated USB ports edges it above cheaper rivals in terms of day-to-day usefulness, and in general, it feels very well-built.

Of course, the price will put some people off, and there admittedly very good desks—some of which have better specs—available for less.

However, if you're looking for a statement piece for your work environment that's a pleasure to use day-in, day-out, the Ark EL Executive is an excellent choice.

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

There's no denying this is a gorgeous desk.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Material quality

The use of PU Paper Laminate instead of hardwood veneer (or even solid wood) introduces a few doubts in terms of how long the finish will last.

⭐⭐⭐

Assembly

Beyond the huge packaging and heavy components, assembly couldn't be easier. The instructions are very good.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ease of use

No confusing design choices make it incredibly easy to use.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Practicality

Good maximum load and drawers are a nice addition. However, cupboards around the legs could increase practicality is aesthetics were sacrificed.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Customer support

Phone lines and live chat open 8-5 PST, Monday-Friday, which is good. However, short one-year motor warranty is disappoiting.

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Price

The Ark EL Executive is an expensive desk, although there are few better looking alternatives for less.

⭐⭐⭐

For more workspace furniture, we've tested the best office chairs you can get right now.

Dell has been in the game for quite some time for the business professional, so when I got word of their newest 18-inch flagship, I knew I’d have to get my hands on it. Most of the high-powered laptops that get the flashy marketing are focused on video and photos.

But there is an entirely different type of power needed for coders, developers, engineers, QA teams, and those who have to be able to bounce in and out of all of this as a hands-on PM to make sure everything that needs to get done gets done. Not everyone lives in a wonderful world where they can have dedicated machines for everything they need to manage; some only get a single machine.

Still, there are others who prefer the single machine that can do it all method, myself included, as then anything I need to do at any given time is accessible with a few keystrokes.

That’s where the best mobile workstations like the Dell Pro Max 18 Plus come into play. One machine with remarkable power that can dive into whatever, whenever, wherever. It’s designed very clearly for business professionals working in the engineering and development space, but could be used by people with similar needs. Just know that this is not the laptop for everyone, but it is the perfect laptop for those that need sort of desktop performance in a portable frame.

Dell Pro Max 18 Plus: Price and availability

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

As with most computers, the pricing varies drastically between base or entry model laptops and higher configurations. The base model of the Dell Pro Max 18 Plus starts at around $3500, and jumps up to over triple that. It's available from Dell US and Dell UK.

My model specifically is priced at $9,245, boasting an Intel Core Ultra 9 Processor, 128GB of RAM, a NVIDIA RTX Pro 5000 Blackwell with 24GB, 2TB of Storage, the 18-inch QHD+ 2560x1600 Display, and Wi-Fi 7, all with 96Whr battery life. It’s a tank.

If desired, you can upgrade even beyond what I have, with options to expand storage up to 16TB and 5G. I have pretty much every other feature in this setup, though.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Dell Pro Max 18 Plus: Unboxing and First Impressions

No matter how you slice it, 18 inches in a laptop is not a small machine. With most portable laptops measuring around 13 inches and the standard “large laptop” at 16 inches, this machine feels massive even next to my fleet of other workstations I have in for review.

The laptop, aside from its monstrous proportions, has a comfortable keyboard, a full-size numpad, a fingerprint reader, a robust port selection, and a full and helpful function row. The touchpad is responsive and easy to use, and the screen is sharp enough for all of the work I do.

The port layout is great as well. The Thunderbolt 5 ports are on the left, along with the RJ45, the HDMI, the Smart Card, and the SD Card slot. On the right, there is a Kensington Lock (not shocking with how valuable this laptop can be, not only in retail price but value of content being created and managed on the device), both USB-A’s, the other Thunderbolt Port and the Headphone Jack.

Personally, I really like how Dell doesn’t put any of their ports on the back of their machines, even their workstations. Making it easy to grab and go whenever needed.

The last thing I’ll mention is that it’s nice to see a physical camera shutter, which is always a mark of the best business laptops. In a world where I am getting increasingly paranoid, it’s nice to have a physical way to block that eye staring at me at all times.

All in all, the aesthetic is clean, professional, and business first. It’s a powerhouse but it looks like any other laptop at a quick glance. No RGB, no flashy or gaudy badging, no loud branding. Just a sleek machine that means business, and one you won’t be ashamed to bring to the board meeting.

Dell Pro Max 18 Plus: Design & Build Quality

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The 18-inch display is the first thing that needs to be discussed with the Pro Max 18 Plus. It’s 18 inches for crying out loud. That’s not just a version number, that’s how big this thing is. It’s so big that it barely fits in my Nomatic Backpack. Meaning, that you’ll have to keep things like that in mind, most bags are designed to fit 16-inch laptops, not 18-inches.

However, with that added screen real estate, the odds of needing a portable monitor to bring with you probably drops, depending on what you do of course. Granted, you may still have a docking station at your main workstation with a monitor, but working on the go gets a lot easier with a screen like this always with you.

While this screen is good, even really good, it’s not great for photo editing or video editing. But, it’s not supposed to be. So, instead of Dell wasting engineering dollars and materials on making a nice screen for something this machine will most likely not be used for, they used those funds for making a more powerful, efficient, and power-hungry machine.

Perhaps that’s where they got the audacity to add not just one but two Thunderbolt 5 ports. And for that, I thank Dell. This display is more than enough for coding, project management, writing, database management, development, and related tasks. It’s spectacular for multitasking, and it’s snappy, really snappy.

Dell Pro Max 18 Plus: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Specs

CPU: Intel Core Ultra 9 285HX
GPU: NVIDIA RTX Pro 5000 Blackwell w/24GB
RAM: 128GB
Display: 18" QHD+ LCD
Resolution: 2560x1600
Brightness: 500 nits

The Dell Pro Max 18 Plus is not a laptop you casually use. It’s not one you “toss” in your bag or gingerly bring with you around the house. You can, but just as people are complaining that the 12.9-inch iPad, one of the thinnest technological advances in our computing history, is too large, cumbersome, and not portable enough, there is no way this computer will be considered ultra-portable. Portable, yes. But ultra portable or pleasant to carry around all day? Absolutely not. This is the kind of machine you bring to a place, and park it.

In real-world use, running large repos on GitHub, pulling up records in DBeaver, running projects in VS Code, working in Notion, responding to Slack, having an embarrassing amount of Chrome Tabs, PM’ing in Jira, Asana, Basecamp, and Trello, and taking virtual meetings all in sequence have not even made the fans spin up.

This machine is a beast. An absolute powerhouse. It’s got enough headroom that I don’t even think or wait for things to load anymore.

In my day-to-day, I wear many hats at the same time. In a given hour, I am working alongside four companies at a high level. I could be in a virtual meeting for one company, managing their data, responding to messages from a second, and physically talking to a third. All while loading data or a project for a fourth.

The Dell Pro 18 Plus is the kind of machine that can not only take on a massive project but also several at a time if needed. Again, I wouldn’t pick this as my laptop to carry around one-handed while walking between in-person meetings, but having a machine this powerful that could be brought out if needed is still mind-boggling to me sometimes.

Dell Pro Max 18 Plus: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

If you are the kind of person who needs a machine that can handle whatever codebase you’re working in, and you want it to be semi-portable, this is your machine. If you want a laptop that can tackle whatever project you throw at it, no matter how many projects at a time, this is your laptop.

If you are a graphics person, a video editor, a photo editor, or a 3D modeler, this machine could do it, but there are probably better options. If you are a commuter, I can say right now this machine is perhaps not one you want to tote around more than necessary, for many reasons.

But if you want high-powered desktop-level power in a laptop, then step right up and swipe that card.

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For more models, we've tested the best Dell laptops.

Razer Kishi V3 Pro review: Two-minute review

The Razer Kishi V3 Pro is a very capable mobile controller that comes with reliable and remappable inputs, a comfortable form factor, great software, and a very high price tag. It’s a top choice for those who want a console-style experience on the go thanks to its great analog triggers, full-size thumbsticks, and intuitive design, but doesn’t quite feel as sturdy as a dedicated standalone controller.

With that said, the Kishi V3 Pro is reliable enough that it disappears into your hands once you get a game going, either from the home screen or the brilliant Razer Nexus app, which serves as a launcher as well as a home base for settings and calibration. It’s precise enough to give you a real edge in games like Fortnite and Call of Duty: Mobile, and also works well in platformers like Dadish 3D as well as 2D classics like Jetpack Joyride. It also supports a variety of remote play, streaming, and emulation solutions, so however you like to play the Kishi V3 Pro has you covered.

The Kishi V3 Pro costs as much as the outgoing Razer Kishi Ultra did at launch – that is to say more than most mobile gaming controllers and nearly as much as a Nintendo Switch Lite. That said, the Kishi V3 Pro is a way to access a console-like gaming experience for less than a dedicated gaming handheld, so long as your phone is powerful enough to run your favorite titles.

Razer Kishi V3 Pro review: Price & availabiltiy

(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

• $149.99 / £149.99 / AU$269.95
• Available from Razer and third-party retailers
• More expensive than many mobile and standalone controllers

The Razer Kishi V3 is a rather expensive bit of kit. In fact, it’s more expensive than any of the options on our list of the best mobile controllers except the outgoing Razer Kishi Ultra, which comes in at the same RRP. With that said, the Kishi V3 Pro offers more functionality than many of its rivals, with additional shoulder buttons and paddles on the grips.

The Kishi Ultra has been relegated to the ‘Classic Models’ section of Razer’s website, but can still be had at a discounted price in the UK and US as stock is cleared to make way for the new Kishi V3 Pro, and considering that the two controllers offer nearly the exact same functionality, it could be worth checking for deals on the older model before looking for the Kishi V3 Pro.

You should have no issues getting your hands on the Razer Kishi V3 Pro, as Razer is one of the most popular and widely distributed gaming brands - it just depends on how much money you’re willing to spend. As was the case for the Kishi Ultra, the Nintendo Switch Lite comes in at just $50 / £50 / AU$60 more than the Kishi V3 Pro, which offers a more dedicated handheld gaming platform with a large library of exclusive games.

However, I’d argue that the Kishi V3 Pro unlocks handheld-style gaming for the phone you probably already have, for a bit cheaper than a dedicated console. Through this lens, I think the Kishi V3 Pro offers decent value for money.

Razer Kishi V3 Pro review: Specs

Price

$149.99 / £149.99 / AU$269.95

Dimensions

110.8 mm X 244.8 mm X 64.3 mm

Weight

0.59lbs / 268g

Connection type

Wired (Type-C)

Compatibility

iPhone, iPad Mini, Android

Software

Razer Nexus App (iOS / Android)

Razer Kishi V3 Pro review: Design and features

• Resembles the Razer Kishi Ultra
• Extends up to eight inches
• Can fit small tablets

The Razer Kishi V3 Pro is an extending mobile controller that closely resembles a Razer Kishi Ultra, just without the RGB light strips in the handles.

It’s composed of a regular controller that’s been split down the middle by a spring-loaded extending spine with a maximum length of eight inches. That means it can accommodate any phone, so long as it has a USB-C port to connect to the controller, as well as the iPad mini. The controller comes with three pairs of rubber cushions which you can mix and match between to suit your handset, or eschew entirely if your phone is too bulky.

The two controller halves use the asymmetrical design that Xbox and Nintendo Switch fans will be used to, but even as a PS5 player I found the Kishi V3 Pro very comfortable to hold and use. The grips are rounded but substantial, and while the whole thing is made of plastic the textured panels on the grips themselves are a welcome addition and add valuable traction to what is overall a compact control surface – with that said, the Kishi V3 Pro is large enough to need a bag if you’re taking it out and about.

(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

The construction of the Kishi V3 Pro isn’t quite as robust as a standalone controller, though, and the controls themselves are a mixed bag in terms of feel.

I love the resistance in the adaptive shoulder triggers (an impressive feature on its own), but the adjacent bumpers have no travel at all – similarly, I love the dish-like design of the D-pad but not its clicky action. I was, however, impressed with the smoothness of the full-sized thumbsticks and encountered no sticking or drifting in my 10 or so hours with the Kishi V3 Pro. The sticks are reasonably tall and feel very precise during gameplay.

On that note, the best thing about the Kishi V3 Pro is just how much control it offers. As well as your standard layout, the Kishi V3 Pro sports assignable back and shoulder buttons, which can be mapped to mirror any other button on the controller via the free Razer Nexus app. These buttons are thoughtfully placed and genuinely useful, allowing you to, say, reload without having to stop aiming in Call of Duty: Mobile, or quickly open the map in Fortnite. I never experienced any issues in-game that I’d blame on the controller – it’s very reliable and responsive. There are also some bespoke controls in the small hom escreen, screenshot, and Razer Nexus buttons, all of which are welcome additions.

As mentioned, the Razer Kishi V3 Pro connects via USB-C, and sports a handy LED that lights up when a connection is made. As well as connecting your phone or tablet to the controller, this USB-C connection allows for pass-through charging via another USB-C port and audio via a dedicated 3.5mm jack – a rare sight on any phone accessory and holy grail for headset users. That USB-C port can also be used to connect the Kishi V3 Pro to a PC to use as a standalone wired controller.

And if you’re an Android user, you’ll get to experience Razer’s Sensa HD haptics. The Kishi V3 Pro offers an impressive amount of rumble, with more precision than I expected to feel from a mobile controller – but because the haptics respond to in-game audio, there is a bit of a delay between on-screen action and feeling the aftershock. This feature is unavailable on iOS, but since most of the best gaming phones are Android models anyway, I’m sure this feature will find many fans.

(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)Razer Kishi V3 Pro review: Performance

• Console quality gaming on the go
• Fantastic Nexus software
• Hit and miss virtual controller mode

As someone who has only gamed seriously on dedicated consoles up until this point, I was surprised by just how immersive using the Kishi V3 Pro felt.

The frame holds your phone in place sturdily and lets you focus on the important stuff – the games themselves. Like all the best controllers, the Kishi V3 Pro is so reliable that it disappears into your hands and makes you feel connected to the game – inputs are always accurate and responsive.

That unlocks a lot of potential for mobile games like Red Dead Redemption, which is playable on a touch screen, but offers a much better experience when you can aim accurately and take in the gorgeous visuals with an unobstructed view. Having spent a good amount of time riding through the deserts of New Austin in Red Dead Redemption 2 for PS4, I was surprised at how similar the two experiences felt.

(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

I spent plenty of time with the Kishi V3 Pro in the newly released Fortnite: Chapter 7, running and gunning in Zero Build Battle Royale. I was able to get a competitive edge thanks to the precision of the thumbsticks for moving and aiming, as well as the mappable multi-function buttons (I assigned the map and pickaxe to the shoulder bumpers and slide and weapon select to the back buttons).

Again, I was quite amazed at how close the experience felt to playing on an actual console, and was clocking up Victory Royales like it was nobody’s business. What’s more, I was able to play for hours at a time without so much as a sign of cramp – if you’re looking for a mobile controller that’s comfortable enough for marathon sessions, the Kishi V3 Pro is a great pick. I’d even suggest that it’s more comfortable than my original Nintendo Switch.

(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

The Kishi V3 Pro, like other Razer mobile controllers, supports and is supported by the Razer Nexus app, a launcher and hub for your compatible mobile games. Nexus also lets you toggle XInput and audio haptics before jumping into your game of choice, set favorite games, and browse popular Kishi-compatible titles, with easy links to the Google Play Store or App Store.

The app also offers the inventive Virtual Controller mode, which allows you to overlay controls on unsupported titles, effectively allowing you to play games that don’t support the Kishi V3 Pro natively.

However, Virtual Controller didn't always respond well when I tested the mode on Brawl Stars, despite Razer Nexus highlighting the game as a great candidate, and I couldn't figure out how to get Alto's Adventure (also highlighted) to respond either. TechRadar's Gaming Editor Dashiell Wood had Virtual Controller up and running during testing for our Kishi Ultra review, so I know the potential is there, but I didn't find it too effective.

As someone who typically avoids tacked-on software, I’m happy to report that Nexus is anything but an afterthought – in fact, it’s a thoughtfully laid-out and feature rich companion that helps you get the most out of the Kishi V3 Pro.

I used its settings to remap the multi-function buttons and increase the polling rate of the thumbsticks, but there are also settings for things like the input range for the triggers or setting thumbstick deadzone size. It’s a great app that elevates the Kishi V3 Pro from a peripheral to an experience of its own.

(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)Should I buy the Razer Kishi V3 Pro?Buy it if...

You want all the controls
With a full-size standard layout and four assignable bonus buttons, the Kishi V3 Pro is adaptable and responsive in all gameplay scenarios. View Deal

You want to play on a small tablet
Unlike some controllers, the Kishi V3 Pro supports the iPad mini and smaller Android tablets, making it a great choice for these users. View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a budget
The Kishi V3 Pro is mighty expensive, even considering its expansive feature set. If you’re looking to save, most every other mobile controller is cheaper. View Deal

You want something super-portable
While you’ll have no problems fitting the Kishi V3 Pro in a backpack, it’s far from pocketable – its large size means travel will require more forethought than some care to give. View Deal

Also consider

Consider these alternatives if the Razer Kishi V3 Pro isn't quite the right mobile gaming controller for you.

Razer Kishi V3 Pro

Backbone One 2nd Gen

Asus ROG Tessen

Price

$149.99 / £149.99 / AU$269.95

$99.99 / £99.99 / AU$179.99

$109.99 / £109.99 / AU$179

Dimensions

110.8 mm X 244.8 mm X 64.3 mm

6.93 in x 3.70 in x 1.34 in / 176mm x 93.98mm x 34.03mm

7.5 in x 3.6 in x 1.5 in / 191.5 mm x 92 mm x 40 mm

Weight

0.59lbs / 268g

0.30 lbs / 138 g

0.29 lbs / 136 g

Connection type

Wired (Type-C)

Wired (Type-C / Lightning)

Wired (Type-C)

Compatibility

iPhone, iPad Mini, Android

iPhone 15 Series, Android / iPhone 14 series, and earlier

Android

Software

Razer Nexus App (iOS / Android)

Backbone App (iOS / Android)

Armoury Crate (Android)

Backbone One 2nd Gen
For about $50 / £50 / AU$90 cheaper than the Kishi V3 Pro, the Backbone One offers a great mobile gaming experience for iOS users.

Read our full Backbone One 2nd Gen reviewView Deal

Asus ROG Tessen
The Asus ROG Tessen is our pick for the best mobile controller for Call of Duty Mobile, and it’s a great choice for other shooters too. If you’re looking for a controller to go to battle with, it’s worth a look.

Read our full Asus ROG Tessen reviewView Deal

How I reviewed the Razer Kishi V3 Pro

• Tested for approximately 8 hours of game time
• Tested on Android and iOS with a range of games

• Almost ten hours of game time
• Tested with a variety of games
• Tried a range of devices too

Though I wasn't counting closely, I estimate that I clocked in for approximately 8 hours of game time with the Razer Kishi V3 Pro across a variety of games.

I tested the controller with an iPhone 15 and Oppo Find X9 Pro to ensure it works well across both iOS and Android, as well as with the Xiaomi Pad Mini Android tablet. I played a variety of games, from demanding console ports like Fortnite and Red Dead Redemption to staples like Call of Duty: Mobile and Jetpack Joyride. I also tried out platformer Dadish 3D and horror side-scroller Carrion, and tested the Virtual Controller mode with Brawl Stars.

I focused on first and third-person games to get a good sense of the thumbsticks’ performance, and played competitive online games to test how the controls held up in high-pressure scenarios. I also tested the 15W pass-through charging and headphone jack, and dove deep into the Razer Nexus app to activate features like the multi-function buttons and audio haptics.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed December 2025

Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra: two-minute review

The Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra is a feature-packed combination robot vacuum and mop, paired with a comprehensive base station. In theory, it should deliver an almost completely hands-off cleaning experience; everything you could want from one of the best robot vacuums. However, the performance was somewhat mixed during testing.

Narwal Robotics has been around since 2016, with a primary focus on developing innovative robot vacuums. The Freo Z10 Ultra is the latest flagship model of the Z-series lineup. It's an updated version of the Freo Z Ultra, which offered impressive mopping but struggled with carpets. The Z10 Ultra delivers higher suction power (18,000Pa) and adds edge-reaching technology to the mops. For a slightly more affordable option, there's the Freo Z10.

I tested the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra over a couple of weeks, and when it comes to everyday vacuuming tasks, I was impressed. It did a solid job of clearing most particles – including dog fur, pine needles, and excessive amounts of crumbs – from both hard flooring and carpet in my home. However, edge vacuuming wasn't a strong suit (which was especially apparent under my kitchen cabinets) and it also struggled to clear larger spillages, even when using the highest suction level.

Mopping on the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra was up there with the best I've seen. There's no water tank on the robot itself; instead, the two triangular, microfiber mops are loaded with hot water and detergent at the base before being sent out to clean. Admittedly, this made the cleaning longer and required the water tank to be refilled more often, but the results were worth it.

Beyond consistently mopping up mud puddles left by my dog and small food spills, the mops successfully cleaned a large, dried ketchup spill when using the wettest mopping level. With the Freo Z10 Ultra's edge-reaching technology, the mops even extended right up against walls, getting into places other robots often miss. The dock's mop maintenance features also worked extremely well.

I was equally impressed with the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra's navigation and obstacle avoidance. Dual AI cameras and a LiDAR sensor enable it to avoid furniture, cables, shoes, and other clutter.

Unfortunately, the Freo Z10 Ultra is far from the most reliable bot to control. On many occasions, I would send the robot to complete a task, and it would either skip entire selected rooms or roll out of the base and return without doing anything at all. A "smart" AI cleaning mode, which should adjust cleaning settings based on dirt levels and floor type, only exacerbated the problems.

No matter which settings I used, I couldn't get the bot to auto-empty consistently. I suspect this issue is to do with a unique feature where both the onboard dustbin and the dust bag in the dock are dried to prevent bacterial growth. I'd argue this feature is unnecessary in the first place.

The Narwal Freo app isn't the most intuitive, either, due to the excessive number of settings and customizations. I've tested numerous robot vacuums, and still had to resort to Reddit on several occasions to figure out how to adjust certain settings, such as getting the robot to do basic things like vacuum carpets.

Clearly, not everything on the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra is perfect, but when I got it to do what I wanted, the results were very solid. If you have the patience and experience, this robot vacuum is great for larger homes with average cleaning needs. Some flaws could even be overlooked if you're able to snag it on sale, which it often is.

(Image credit: Future)Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra review: price & availability

• List price: $1,299.99 / £1,299 / AU $2,499
• Launch date: September 2025
• Availability: Widely, including US, UK, and Australia

The Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra launched in September 2025. It's available in the US, UK, and Australia, with a list price of $1,299.99, £1,299, or AU$2,499. While the initial price tag might seem eye-watering, I've never seen this robot vacuum available for full price, at least in the US. In fact, it's often $400 or more off. Unfortunately, I haven't seen these deals in the UK or Australia. Chances are good you'll find decent savings during seasonal sales like Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day.

Even with a discount, the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra sits on the premium end of the robot vacuum market. However, with features including dual AI cameras and mops equipped with edge-reaching technology, plus a base station that self-empties and hot water washes the mops, its price aligns with other higher-end robot vacuums. Based on the feature list it seems like solid value for your money, but unfortunately not all those special features behave as they should in practice.

Beyond the robot vacuum, base station, and a couple of replacement parts that come in the box, Narwal also offers the option to purchase the "Advance Kit". For an additional $259.99, you'll receive all the accessories needed to use this vacuum for years, including an extra main brush roller, side brushes, mopping pads, floor detergent, dust bags, and more. It's not cheap, but buying these items separately can add up quickly, too (just two mopping pads will set you back $20, while the kit comes with six). The UK and Australia offer similar accessory packs for £119.99 or AU$399.99, respectively.

• Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra specs

Max suction:

18,000 Pa

Robot size:

14 x 13.8 in / 35.5 x 35 cm

Robot height:

4.3in / 11cm

Dock dimensions (W x D x H):

17 x 18.2 x 15.2in / 43.1 x 46.2 x 38.8cm

Mop type:

Dual spinning triangular discs

Max threshold clearance: 

Not stated

Dust bin volume (onboard):

0.48L

Dust bin volume (base):

2.5L

Water tank volume:

4.5L (clean) / 4.1L (dirty)

Base functions:

Charge, empty dust, wash mop pads with hot water, dry mop pads, dry dust bag

Runtime:

~2.5 hours (tested)

Recharge time:

~3 hours (tested)

Sensors:

Dual AI Cameras, LiDAR 4.0, and side sensor

Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra review: design

• Stylish but bulky base station with a wide range of features
• Spinning mop pads deliver up to 8N of pressure and extend to reach edges
• Anti-hair wrap technology on the main brush and side brushes

Like most robot vacuums with an auto-cleaning base station, the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra arrived in a massive box that weighed over 44lbs (20kg); it's best to have an extra set of hands to help get it inside.

After lifting out all the box's contents, including the bulky base station, which had handles to make life easier, I found that there were absolutely no instructions aside from the plentiful stickers on the different components. I've set up my fair share of robot vacuums before, so it's second nature to me, but for those new to robot vacuums, it was a glaring omission. You can find instructions online, but it's still not ideal.

(Image credit: Future)

The lack of instructions aside, the setup was fairly straightforward. All I had to do was install the side brushes, add the included detergent for the mops, fill the clean water tank, and connect to Wi-Fi. Also, be sure to remove the cover on the front camera sensor of the robot vacuum. I missed this step, and as a result my floor map on the app wouldn't save. I eventually resorted to Reddit to figure out the problem. Again, physical instructions would've prevented this problem.

Robot design

Once I had everything together, I was impressed with how well this bot blended into my room. Most robovacs / docks come in white or black, but this model is a stylish gray. This was a nice change of pace and it happened to perfectly match the walls in the room.

The circular design is typical of most robot vacuums, while on top is your traditional LiDAR puck, which spins inside its casing to help with mapping. Unfortunately, that sensor makes the robot vacuum a little too tall to fit under lower furniture, something other robot vacuums have addressed – models like the Roborock Qrevo Slim and Dreame X50 Ultra have retractable pucks that tuck in when the bot enters low-height areas. Within Narwal's own range, the higher-end Narwal Flow has its LiDAR module mounted within the body of the robot rather than sitting on top.

Other sensors include dual 136-degree cameras with dual AI chips, located at the front of the robot. These cameras also take pictures of obstacles or can be used to scan your space, similar to a security camera. The bot also comes kitted out with a bright light that automatically activates for navigation and obstacle avoidance in darker spaces. There's a further sensor on the side for even more assistance in navigating spaces.

(Image credit: Future)

Flip the robovac over and you'll find the main roller, with rubber fins and short bristles suitable for both carpets and hard flooring. This also incorporates anti-hair wrap technology – given that I have a fluffy Keeshond constantly leaving clumps of hair around, this is a huge boon. The side brushes also feature detangling technology and have more movement than typical side brushes.

However, the most notable feature is the two triangular microfiber mops that velcro on. These mops spin at 180RPM, applying up to 8N of mopping pressure, and can also extend out to get into corners, edges, and hard-to-reach places.

Controls on the robot vacuum are minimal: on the top you'll find Start/stop and Return to dock buttons. Voice control can also be used to manage cleaning – Alexa, Siri, and Google Home are all supported. But like all robovacs, you'll probably be mainly controlling it using the Narwal app.

(Image credit: Future)

An easily liftable magnetic cover hides the onboard dustbin. This is an average size for robot vacuums and can easily be removed for manual emptying if required. Rather unusually, it features a special insert to separate wet and dry debris.

Also unusual is the fact that this robot vacuum doesn't have a water tank on board. Instead, the mops are loaded up with warm, soapy water at the base station, and a consistent amount of water is spread about the floor during the cleaning.

Base station design

Moving on to the base station. This is large, occupying a considerable amount of space, but I loved the space gray finish and soft, rounded edges. A special ionized water feature bubbles and illuminates a little bar when cleaning the mops, adding a nice space-age touch.

The Freo Z10 Ultra base station is packed with features. On top is a flip-to-open hinged lid featuring a tiny LCD that allows you to send the vacuum out without using your phone. It can turn the AI-powered "Freo Mind" mode on/off, recall, start/stop, and start mop washing/drying. However, I reviewed the Narwal Freo in 2023, and that older model's touchscreen was easier to use and allowed you to do far more. I was disappointed by the downgrade, but it's still a unique feature that I've only ever found on Narwal's robots.

(Image credit: Future)

Once you open that lid, the clean and dirty water tanks with handles are revealed and simple to take out for filling or emptying. Around front is an easy-to-remove magnetic cover that reveals the dust bag and detergent mopping solution (you can still use the mops without the detergent installed).

(Image credit: Future)

In the bottom compartment, where the robot vacuum resides and charges, is a mop washing station. AI detects the type of dirt on the mop and cleans it at different temperatures. After cleaning the mops, hot air drying helps prevent bacterial growth. Another unique feature is pre-drying, where the vacuum's dustbin content is dried before being emptied into the dust bag in the base station, preventing odors and bacterial growth. The dust bag in the dock can also be dried. It's a cool addition, but not a feature that I personally care about (or even think about) when it comes to my robot vacuums.

• Design score: 4 out of 5

Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra review: performance

• Sold vacuuming for everyday use, but struggles with large spills
• Excellent mopping but uses a lot of water
• Doesn't reliably follow instructions, and "smart" features make things worse

Similar to just about every robot vacuum I've tested, you must start by mapping your space. That means connecting to the Narwal Freo app and Wi-Fi. The app guided me through the connection process, and although it failed to connect on the first attempt, the robot was ready to proceed after the second try.

I sent it out to create a map of my space, and it took about 10 minutes. However, upon return, the map wouldn't save. It appeared to navigate my space with ease, avoiding furniture, obstacles, and even a step into the family room. I did the process over and over again. Eventually, resorting to a handful of problem-solving techniques, like restarting it, changing base station positions, and more.

Little did I know that a cover over the dual cameras with AI chips would prevent the map from saving. After finally coming to this realization (with some research help from Reddit), the robot vacuum went out for a final time; it took about 15 minutes, and the map was finally saved.

I was impressed by how accurate the map was. While it didn't divide all the rooms perfectly, almost every space in the lower floor of my home was included, noting some furniture, obstacles, and even floor types. It missed a small bathroom, but I believe that was due to a fluffy rug blocking its path. The family room was also not included, as a step down was required to access it. Luckily, you can save multiple maps, so in addition to the lower level, I created maps of the upper level of my home and the family room. To clean these spaces, I had to move the robot vacuum to a specified starting point since the base station was inaccessible.

I learned the hard way about an extremely frustrating setting regarding the maps: you must adjust settings to vacuum on carpeting and rugs. I failed to do this, and the robot would literally just go over the carpet or rugs during vacuuming tasks without vacuuming them. Even massive area rugs and the carpet that covers nearly the entirety of the upstairs would be ignored during vacuuming. I had to go through and individually change the settings on all the rugs and carpets on the app's map to actually get them vacuumed. This is not something I've experienced with any other robot vacuum.

The Narwal Freo app has a menu of different cleaning options: Mop, Vacuum, Mop & vacuum, or Mop then vacuum. With each of those cleaning options, it's possible to select a specific mode. "Freo Mind" intelligently adjusts the cleaning parameters based on the floor type and dirt levels, while "Customize" allows you to fine-tune suction levels, mopping water levels, coverage precision, and more myself. You can either select rooms or highlight zones for the robot to clean.

Navigation and obstacle avoidance

During my average, everyday cleanings, the Narwal Z10 Ultra easily navigated my space. The lower level of my house consists of hardwood, tile, and laminate flooring, along with numerous medium-pile rugs, as my dog is afraid to walk on hard flooring.

Even on rugs that were accidentally lifted, the robot managed to move around the obstacle and continue the task. Rescuing was only required a couple of times, which is impressive given the clutter in my home. The map on the app even noted the obstacles encountered during a cleaning, taking pictures of items in the way. I have shots of shoes, cables, and a few hilarious candids of my dog being a little too curious.

(Image credit: Future)

I also ran a special test for object avoidance. During these, the vacuum successfully went around a sock, but then managed to vacuum up a shoelace and a charging cable simultaneously, despite having already noted these obstacles on the map. I'm not sure what happened, and I was disappointed by the results.

This test was likely a fluke. I never had a problem during my regular cleaning tasks, during which the bot successfully avoided multiple shoes, cables, and a whole host of other items. The Freo Z10 Ultra also navigated around larger furniture and bigger obstacles like a champ.

In fact, my only real complaint about the obstacle avoidance was that it was sometimes a little too meticulous. Specifically, I had an issue with mopping around rugs. The robot consistently lifted its mops when going over a rug and never got any rugs wet, but it also left a large, unmopped margin around the perimeter of each rug. If two rugs were situated close together, it wouldn't mop the area between them at all.

Also, the robot struggled to detect when a rug had been removed. So even when I wanted it to mop an area where the rug used to be, it would still skip that spot and leave it uncleaned.

Mopping performance

Aside from being over-zealous about avoiding rugs, in general the mopping performance was surprisingly good, and especially effective when it came to tackling cleaning edges and corners. The lack of edge mopping was a notable issue on the Narwal Freo Z Ultra that TechRadar reviewed in 2024. However, the new extension feature managed to get into those harder-to-reach places, such as under kitchen cabinets.

Due to the lack of an on-robot water tank, the robot would frequently return to the base station for mop cleaning, adding to the total cleaning time. Luckily, the vacuum had an impressive battery runtime; it lasted nearly 2.5 hours before reaching 15% power and needing to return to the base station to recharge. That was plenty of time to vacuum & mop the bottom floor of my house. Recharging back to 100% only took about 3 hours, which is far faster than other robot vacuums I've tested.

The mops really had their work cut out for them, too. During my review period it was snowy where I live in western New York, and my dog was constantly traipsing mud and snowballs all around the house. The mops easily picked up the muddy spots and wet puddles left in her wake. It also had no trouble tackling everyday messes including coffee drips, dried yogurt, and other smaller food spills. When emptying the dirty water tank on the robot, I could see just how well the mops were doing their job.

(Image credit: Future)

I also put the mops through more intensive testing. I poured a big puddle of water on the tile in my corridor, and sent the robot out to 'Vacuum & mop' that exact zone using the Freo Mind mode. Unfortunately, the robot didn't detect the water and simply ran right through the puddle, failing to activate the mops and instead spreading the water all around.

Sending the robot out to just 'Mop' rather yielded much better results, as the water was spread evenly around the floor, allowing the puddle to dry faster than it would have done. However, this wouldn't be ideal if the spillage had been, say, milk rather than water.

For a second test of the mops, I spread ketchup on the kitchen laminate and allowed it to dry. Using the Freo Mind and 'Mop' settings, I sent the vacuum out to clean up. While Freo Mind mode is meant to detect messes, analyze dirty water at the base station, and adjust accordingly, it didn't seem to notice the ketchup, mopping up only a small amount before calling it quits and returning to the base station after just one pass.

I sent the robot out a second time, but this time I used 'Customize' mode rather than Freo Mind, and selected the highest mopping level – 'Wet mopping'. The result was significantly better. Almost all the ketchup was removed in the first pass-through, while the second pass got the rest of the ketchup off the floor.

Vacuuming performance

After I'd figured out how to get the bot to actually clean my rugs, the Freo Z10 Ultra's everyday vacuuming performance was generally great. It did a solid job of clearing most light debris, such as dog hair, crumbs, and pine needles, from both hard floors and medium-pile rugs. Not every speck of dirt was gone every time, but it definitely performed better than some other robot vacuums I've tested.

The main brush and side brushes feature anti-tangle technology, and it worked wonderfully. All the brushes had virtually zero hair wrap at the end of my testing period. That's a huge feat considering my dog and my own long hair.

(Image credit: Future)

It's not quite perfect, though. When traversing rugs on its way back to the base station, the Freo Z10 Ultra would occasionally spit out some of the debris it'd just cleaned.

I also found it wasn't amazing at vacuuming the edges of rooms, especially around the kitchen cabinets, where the robot was just a little too tall to fit under the overhang. Those spots were still littered with crumbs and debris even after multiple cleanings.

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(Image credit: Future)

Just like the mops, I performed more intensive testing of the vacuum functionality. One test used a mix of ground-up biscuits and flour to represent dust and fine particles, and another used oats to represent larger debris. I spread the messes out in a one-meter area of the hard floor and on medium-pile carpet, setting each area as a 'zone' for the vacuum to clean using the app.

The vacuum struggled to pick up the biscuit and fine particle mess from the hard floor. At the lowest setting, 'Quiet', it picked up about half, and spread the rest of the mess around, causing it to end up well beyond my outlined cleaning area. Even with three passes using the highest setting ('Vortex'), the mess wasn't completely removed. That's not great – you don't need much suction to clean hard flooring.

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(Image credit: Future)

Luckily, the robot vacuum's performance with oats on hard flooring was much better – even in 'Quiet' mode, it picked up almost all the oats. I noticed that the side brushes weren't moving, which helped keep the mess contained. However, the smaller, dust-like oat particles weren't as easily cleaned up. Still, after deploying the most powerful suction level, nearly everything was cleared up.

These same tests yielded similar results on carpeted floor, except here the fine biscuit and flour mixture ended up ingrained into the rug. The side brushes also kicked the oats around more than they had on hard flooring, which was a surprise.

In the end, I had to grab my upright vacuum to clean up the mess on both types of floors. While these test results might not seem ideal, a robot vacuum would rarely be required to vacuum up such a concentrated level of debris. When it came to general vacuuming performance, I still found it to be above average for robot vacuums, particularly when cleaning rugs and carpeting.

Dock performance

When it comes to maintenance, upkeep is effortless. The base station washes and hot dries the mop to prevent bacteria and odor. Even after a couple of weeks of use, the mopping pads had no odor and looked almost as good as new. Just note that this base station appeared to guzzle water, and I regularly had to empty the dirty water tank and top up clean water.

(Image credit: Future)

Like many robovacs, the Freo Z10 Ultra has the ability to auto-empty its onboard bin into a larger bag in the dock (which should hold around 120 days' worth of dust). To start with, I used the "Smart empty" mode where the robot should figure out when it needs to empty itself.

However, in practice the bot didn't always empty when it needed to. In fact, even after toggling settings in the app so it would empty after every clean, it remained hit-or-miss whether the auto-empty would kick in.

This could be due to the – in my opinion, unnecessary – dustbin/bag drying and disinfecting happening in the base station. Bacterial growth has never even been a concern when using robot vacuums, and this disinfecting process took more than five hours to complete. At least when the self-emptying did happen, it worked efficiently, with all the contents of the onboard bin being removed.

(Image credit: Future)Smart feature performance

Overall, I've found the Freo Z10 Ultra's 'smart' features to be more of a hindrance than a help. Beyond the not-so-smart auto-emptying, the Freo Mind mode would often lead to entire rooms or zones being skipped during cleaning, even when I specifically selected to have these spaces mopped and/or vacuumed. I also found that bigger messes didn't get the extra attention required, even though this mode is designed specifically for that situation.

Even without Freo Mind mode activated, the vacuum would sometimes fail to complete tasks. On multiple occasions, I sent the vacuum to clean a room, and it would only clean a small area before returning and claiming the "task completed". Sometimes, it would just roll out of the base station and immediately return. It was extremely frustrating to deal with.

(Image credit: Future)

Not all the added features were flops. I appreciated the video mode that lets you use those dual AI cameras like a security camera. The robot vacuum can be controlled similarly to a remote control car, traversing your space, and allowing you to spy on your home. It was great for checking in on my dog when I was out of the house.

Noise levels

As someone sensitive to noise, I found the sound levels on the robot vacuum to be tolerable, averaging 60dB when vacuuming and mopping. It's significantly quieter than an upright vacuum, sounding more like a wall unit air conditioner. However, the base station's emptying is much louder and always surprised me when it happened, reaching nearly 80 dB. Luckily, when drying/cleaning the mops and dustbin/bag, the base station was extremely quiet, blending with other house noises.

• Performance score: 3 out of 5

Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra review: app

• Ample customization options can be overwhelming
• Some basic features are hard to find, even for an experienced user
• Saves multiple, easy-to-edit maps for multi-story homes

The Narwal Freo app has a lot to offer, but it isn't as intuitive as I would've liked. I found all the different functions, features, and customizations overwhelming – and I imagine even more so for robovac novices. Even after several years of testing robot vacuums, I still had to resort to Reddit to figure out how to change certain settings (like carpeting vacuuming) – some features are buried deep within the app and easy to miss.

As I noted, the combination of a LiDAR scanner and AI cameras on the vacuum created a decently accurate map of my space. Within the app, it's easy to merge rooms, split rooms, rename rooms, update floor material, set no-go zones, and more. Other furniture, rugs, and obstacles can be marked, but it's hard to get the position of these items 100% accurate – and not really necessary. A 3D map is available, but I've never found these maps useful. I also saved multiple maps for different levels of my home, a huge boon for those in multi-story houses.

(Image credit: Narwal / Future)

Adjustments to cleaning parameters, such as suction level, mopping humidity, coverage precision, and the number of passes, are all fairly straightforward. Theoretically, the Freo Mind mode should take care of making those decisions for you, but in testing, this mode didn't perform as expected, and I found manual selection was by far the best option.

It's possible to create cleaning schedules or provide shortcuts on the main homepage. I loved setting the cleaning sequence of rooms or specific zones to be cleaned – I could ask it to target the areas my dog likes to hang out in while we're out, and then focus on rooms like the study or dining room. During cleaning, the map on the app shows real-time updates of where the vacuum is in the cleaning process and notes obstacles in its path (with photos). It's even possible to receive phone notifications. Cleans are logged so you can check out the full cleaning history.

(Image credit: Future / Narwal)

If you're looking for smart home integration, Siri, Google Home, and Amazon Alexa are all supported. The app features a dedicated 'Third-Party Controls' section to set the robot vacuum to respond to voice commands. There are plenty of other settings too, including accessory management, base station adjustments, and a 'Family with pets' toggle for extra caution when navigating, and that's just scratching the surface.

• App score: 3.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra?

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

Premium-tier, and packed with features to justify the higher price tag – although they don't all work as intended. Often significantly discounted.

3.5 / 5

Design

Stylish yet bulky base station packed with features. Bot has extendable mopping pads, anti-hair wrap, and dual AI cameras. Strangely, no onboard water tank.

4 / 5

Performance

Solid vacuuming, great (if water-intensive) mopping, and strong obstacle avoidance. However, often fails to do as it has been told, and the "smart" features make things worse.

2.5 / 5

App

Overwhelming app filled with all the functions, settings, and customizations one could ever need or want. Allows for easy editing of multistory mapping.

3 / 5

Buy it if...

You have mostly hard floors

The mopping here is a cut above average, with especially good edge cleaning. Beware, though, it does use a lot of water.

Your house is cluttered

This robot vacuum reliably avoided my dog, cables, furniture, shoes, and decor that were littered throughout my home during testing.

You spot a great deal

The unreliable behavior might be a deal-breaker, but if you spot a big discount you could potentially get a strong featureset for your money.

Don't buy it if...

Your home is mostly carpet

A highlight feature of the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra is its mopping abilities, and you're paying for the impressive 8N pressure, edge reach technology, and hot mop washing base station. If you don't have many hard floors that require mopping, you'll get much better value from a vacuum-only robot.

You're a first-time robovac owner

This robot vacuum has numerous settings and customizations, making it a bit overwhelming. Additionally, certain features don't always work as intended or are difficult to adjust within the app. These quirks will be extremely frustrating.

You're tight on space

If you live in a smaller apartment or house, this robot vacuum will likely be overkill for your cleaning needs. The base station is also bulky, occupying a significant amount of valuable wall space.

How I tested the Narwal Freo Z10 Ultra

I tested the Narwal Freo Z10 in my family home for just over two weeks during the holiday season. It's a two-story home with a sunken family room and almost fully carpeted upstairs. Most of the testing was conducted on the bottom floor, which consists of hardwood floors, vinyl, tile, and tons of medium-pile rugs. A fluffy Keeshond also resides here, leading to excess amounts of fur, debris, and snow in my home.

Beyond sending the robovac out to do everyday vacuuming and mopping tasks, I put it through more rigorous tests. For the vacuum, I spread oats and a flour/biscuit in a one-meter area on both hard flooring and carpet, observing the pickup at different suction levels. To test the mops, I spread a generous amount of ketchup on the floor, letting it dry before sending the robot out to clean. I also observed the mop's ability to pick up a bigger water spill. As for obstacle avoidance, I placed a small charging cable, a floor-matching sock, and a sneaker in a room to observe how well the vacuum navigated around them.

I also experimented with the Narwal Freo app, adjusting settings on both the robot and base station. A decibel meter app on my phone was used to measure noise levels.

Read more about how we test robot vacuum cleaners

• First reviewed December 2025

JBL Bar 1300MK2: two-minute review

Two years after its predecessor came to town, the JBL Bar 1300MK2 has landed, aiming to deliver tons of power, awesome Dolby Atmos, and immersive surround sound. With a price of $1,699.95 / £1,299.99 / AU$2,299.95, I had very high expectations for JBL’s new flagship model. Luckily, it more than delivered.

This model stands out from the rest thanks to its detachable, battery-powered rear speakers, which can also be attached to the main bar or act as standalone Bluetooth speakers. These have 10 hours of battery life each, and can even be charged while in use, making them ideal for just about any user.

But even when it comes to the basics, this model can go toe to toe with the very best soundbars around. Dolby Atmos performance is excellent all-round, with incredibly expansive, almost three-dimensional sound on offer. This model also supports the DTS:X format, streaming over Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, as well as Auracast connectivity.

One key difference this model has over its predecessor is its incredible leap in power output. This 11.1.4 soundbar system has a maximum power output of almost 2,500W across its 29 drivers, which is almost ludicrously high. Will most users require this much might? No, but it’s there if you want to get really loud!

Beyond Atmos, you’re also going to experience crystal-clear dialogue, seismic bass, and precise treble, which makes for great listening experiences whether you’re watching movies or listening to music.

Pair that with an incredibly easy setup and a broad set of features – most of which are accessible via the JBL One app – and you’re looking at a near-perfect offering from JBL.

But the word ‘near’ is important here. There’s 4K passthrough – but only at 60Hz. That’s a shame for gamers who want to enjoy newer titles in 4K at 120fps. And even though I’m a fan of the detachable speakers, the system itself isn’t the most beautiful looking – it’s fairly standard stuff from a brand that usually likes to incorporate unique colorful elements into its designs.

Still, it’s fair to say that the JBL Bar 1300MK2 is an excellent soundbar system overall. It's costly, but pretty well priced against rivals. It sounds absolutely fantastic, and its versatile build helps it stand out in a highly competitive market. As a result, it’s more than worthy of my recommendation.

(Image credit: Future)JBL Bar 1300MK2 review: price & release date

• $1,699.95 / £1,299.99 / AU$2,299.95
• Launched in September 2025

The JBL Bar 1300MK2 was launched in September 2025. It’s worth noting that in the US consumers get the JBL Bar 1300XMK2 instead, which has a slightly larger subwoofer. Typically, you’ll pay $1,699.95 / £1,299.99 / AU$2,299.95 for this bar’s services. That’s pretty similar to the launch price of the original JBL Bar 1300X.

(Image credit: Future)JBL Bar 1300MK2 review: specs

Dimensions

Soundbar: 40.6 x 2.3 x 5.4 inches / 1030 x 58 x 136mm; subwoofer: 12.4 x 10.9 x 10.8 inches / 315 x 277 x 275mm; surround speakers: 8 x 2.3 x 5.4 inches / 202 x 58 x 136mm

Speaker channels

11.1.4

Connections

1x HDMI eARC, 3x HDMI in, digital optical, USB (playback US-only), Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3 (surround speakers use 5.4)

Dolby Atmos / DTS:X

Yes / Yes

Sub included

Yes

Rear speakers included

Yes

JBL Bar 1300MK2 review: features

• Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
• 11.1.4 configuration with detachable rear speakers
• 4K passthrough, but not at 120Hz

The JBL Bar 1300MK2 is equipped with just about everything you could want from one of the best Dolby Atmos soundbars. Of course, there’s support for expansive audio formats like Dolby Atmos and DTS:X, with up-firing speakers on board for an added sense of verticality.

On top of that, this 11.1.4 channel system makes use of MultiBeam 3.0 technology. This uses beamforming and digital processing to supply a “wide, cinema-like soundstage”, according to JBL – and I’d be inclined to agree. You get a beautifully expansive listen from JBL’s new flagship soundbar system, but I’ll speak more about that in the performance section.

Another key feature is the inclusion of AI Sound, which has featured on some Bluetooth speakers like the JBL Xtreme 4. This enables the large, dual-driver subwoofer – which can reach down to 33Hz – to deliver improved dynamics.

There are a number of settings you can play around with in the JBL One app too, which is an easy-to-use and well laid out piece of companion software. Something that instantly springs to mind is room calibration. This optimizes sound to your living space incredibly well, and even plays a sound demo after so you can experience the true three-dimensional sound of the Bar 1300MK2.

On top of that, there’s an AI-enabled dialogue enhancement setting, an ambient audio playback option, and various sound modes like Movie, Music, and Standard. There’s even a new Night mode, which only uses the two detachable wireless speakers to supply more mild audio with softer bass.

Speaking of those wireless speakers, you can even use them as standalone Bluetooth listening devices, and they can link up to other JBL models that have Auracast enabled. Of course, they won’t deliver the kind of performance you’d expect from the best Bluetooth speakers around, but the option is very nice indeed.

You get 10 hours of battery life from the wireless rear speakers, which is plenty for a day of movie watching or gaming. And whenever you’re taking a break, you can simply whack the detachable speakers back on the main bar to charge them. You can even keep them charging while in use via USB-C, so JBL really covered every base here.

Something I also appreciated about the Bar 1300MK2 was its solid array of connectivity options. These include: HDMI eARC; digital optical; Bluetooth 5.3 (though the rears use version 5.4); Wi-Fi; USB (playback on the US model only); Ethernet; and three – yes three HDMI inputs.

Here’s the thing though. Although there are three HDMI in slots, none of them offer 4K 120Hz passthrough or auto low latency mode (ALLM). That’s a little disappointing for gamers who want to enjoy titles in performance mode. Sure, you still get 4K passthrough from JBL’s new soundbar, but only at 60Hz I’m afraid.

Given that a lot of 4K TVs are restricted to only two HDMI 2.1 ports – one typically being eARC, which would be used for this soundbar – I think this ends up being a fairly important miss for gamers, especially when rivals like the Samsung HW-Q990F bring 4K 120HZ to the table.

• Features score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future)JBL Bar 1300MK2 review: performance

• Incredible power output from 29 drivers
• Earth-shaking bass, clear dialogue, expressive highs
• Very strong Dolby Atmos and surround sound capabilities

To absolutely no surprise whatsoever, the JBL Bar 1300MK2 is a phenomenal performer in the audio department. It harnesses the power of 29 – yes, 29 – drivers, across the main bar, detachable surround speakers, and sub. All of that combines to offer a maximum power output of almost 2,500W. That’s more than double the power of its predecessor. Is it excessive? Arguably yes, but I’d rather have too much rather than too little.

And that raw power was incredibly striking when I tested the 1300MK2 out, proving to be ideal for grandiose movie soundtracks and immersive Dolby Atmos experiences. When I tuned into The Boy and the Heron, a scene with frogs and fish roaring ‘JOIN US’ at the protagonist, is meant to have imposing rumbling bass throughout. And the 1300MK2 replicated this with outstanding vigor. The regimented, deep, and moving low-frequency output was room-enveloping and grasped every last inch of my attention.

Even in spite of this, the soundbar system retains balance. The bass didn’t overwhelm dialogue, which remained clear throughout. And when the heron snapped a wooden sword in half, the high-pitched snap came through with a wonderfully natural crack. The whistle of an arrow was also expressive and bright, and I was generally really impressed by the treble performance of this soundbar.

Let’s focus on Dolby Atmos for a second, which is excellent once more. In The Mask, the frantic and cartoonish movement of the titular character was tracked with impeccable accuracy, voices sounded as if they were flowing well beyond the confines of the speakers themselves, and the overall expansiveness of the presentation was top-notch.

Over in Top Gun: Maverick, I made sure to test out the scene with a jet flying up and over the head of Ed Harris – a must-watch reference scene for soundbar testing. The verticality of this move was pretty good – definitely more believable than a lot of premium rivals. Sure, I wasn’t blown away by the sense of the jet flying above me, but this bar is using upward-firing drivers as opposed to overhead speakers, which can provide an almost tangible sense of height.

Every other aspect of audio was as good as I’d hoped. Dialogue – both with or without PureVoice active had exceptional clarity. More sudden moments in tense movie scenes hit with serious impact, showcasing the soundbar’s great handling of dynamics. And the cohesiveness of the system was great too – the rears had the perfect sense of subtlety, while the sub didn’t overshadow the clean and concise sound emerging from the main bar.

Something we appreciated about the original JBL Bar 1300 was its strong musicality. And I’m glad to report the MK2 also hits the target in this regard. Dolby Atmos music, like Dream of Arrakis by Hans Zimmer is spacious and engrossing, with ambient electronic elements and backing vocals escaping the confines of the bar itself. The heartbeat-like deep bass was dark and low-reaching too, resulting in a hypnotic listen.

Even stereo music sounds very good on the Bar 1300MK2. With Space Cowboy by Jamiroquai, spacey synths were given plenty of room to breathe, smooth percussion was expertly weighted, and bass was intent-filled once more. Vocals sounded a little recessed in my view, but that was nothing a little bit of EQ tweaking couldn’t fix.

Overall, the JBL Bar 1300MK2 is an exemplary performer in the audio department, and its raw power is truly something to behold.

• Performance score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future)JBL Bar 1300MK2 review: design

• Convenient detachable surround speakers
• Strong build quality
• Overall look not spectacular, but sub is sleek

The most captivating aspect of the JBL Bar 1300MK2’s design is undoubtedly its detachable surround speakers, which are battery powered and can assume a number of roles. They can be used as part of the main bar, serve as rear channels, or just play music as standalone Bluetooth speakers.

That versatility is wonderful, and really helps this model stand out. JBL also includes slide-on end-caps for the main bar if you’ve detached the surround speakers, ensuring it looks sleek at all times.

As you’d expect, the Bar 1300MK2’s build quality is high. This is a durable, well-finished model and there’s a neat LED display that will indicate volume or input change as well as when Atmos content is being played.

In terms of looks, I’d argue that this bar is pretty much on-par with most of the competition. It’s a wide model that’s best suited to a TV sized 65-inches or more, and comes in plain black. Personally, I prefer the aesthetic of the Marshall Heston 120 and KEF XIO – models that have gone the extra mile to stand-out from the crowd with intricate details and multiple colorways.

Still, if you prefer a more understated approach, the Bar 1300MK2 will suit you just fine.

JBL describes the included sub as “compact” and even “small” on its website, but I’d say that’s a bit of a reach. Sure, it’s a very powerful unit, packing a huge 1,200W of power on its own, and you could certainly argue that it’s well-sized with that in mind. But small it is not. Having said that, it is a good-looking piece of kit, with a beautifully rounded exterior making it easier on the eye than some of the blockier models out there.

Something I really liked to see was the inclusion of L- and U-shaped brackets, as well as screws. That means that anyone hoping to wall mount the soundbar and rear speakers has the necessary tools to do so. Some rivals charge a fair amount for that privilege, so kudos to JBL!

• Design score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future)JBL Bar 1300MK2 review: setup & usability

• Plug and play setup
• Responsive physical and digital remote
• Easy-to-use companion app with user-friendly features

Setting up the JBL Bar 1300MK2 is as easy as you’d expect. Simply hook the main bar and sub up to a power source, link the soundbar to an HDMI or digital optical cable, and you’re off. There’s no complex pairing required after this either, everything is already synced up.

There’s an included remote that you can use to adjust channel levels, bass power, volume and the like. Alternatively, you can use the digital remote on the JBL One app to control the soundbar. Both of these methods are responsive, and I never experienced pesky input delays when issuing commands.

The user-friendly app also takes you through network connection, calibration, and has a digital manual that can be referenced if needed.

More generally, this model packs in a bunch of integrated music apps for Wi-Fi streaming, an inbuilt mic for voice assistant functionality, and effective physical controls on the main bar and surround speakers. Pair that with an easy-to-read LED display and easy to detach surround speakers, and you’re getting top-tier setup and usability.

• Setup & usability score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future)JBL Bar 1300MK2 review: value

• List price is undoubtedly on the premium end
• But you still get plenty of bang for your buck
• Well priced against rivals

Let’s not beat around the bush here. The JBL Bar 1300MK2 is an expensive piece of kit, with a list price of $1,699.95 (for the 1300XMK2, which has a slightly larger sub) / £1,299.99 / AU$2,299.95. In fairness, though, that’s about the same as the original Bar 1300, which launched more than two years ago now.

Also, when you consider the raw power and caliber of performance offered by the Bar 1300MK2, it competes pretty well against rival soundbar systems. The Samsung HW-Q990F, for example, is regularly selling for $1,599 / £1,499 / AU$1,599, and although it offers 4K 120Hz passthrough, it does lack the battery-powered detachable speakers and has a smaller array of speakers.

I’ve also started to see the 1300MK2 go on sale in some territories, with its price standing at AU$1,599.95 on JBL’s Australian store at the time of writing, for example. JBL is also selling the model for less in the US, and so you can expect to see sales pop up here and there in coming months and years.

Combine all of that with the bar’s impeccable performance and versatile design, and it actually ends up being a great value-for-money option, even in spite of its typically high asking price.

• Value score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the JBL Bar 1300MK2?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Broad feature set with plenty of sound optimization options, 4K passthrough but not at 120Hz.

4.5/5

Performance

Incredible Dolby Atmos effects, awesome bass, clear dialogue, and expressive treble.

5/5

Design

Convenient detachable speakers, sleek sub, great build quality although fairly plain looking.

4.5/5

Setup & usability

Simple plug and play setup, highly responsive.

5/5

Value

Despite high cost, you get plenty of quality, well priced against rivals.

4.5/5

Buy it if…

You want awesome Dolby Atmos performance
There aren’t many soundbar systems out there with better Dolby Atmos performance than the JBL Bar 1300MK2. Its speakers all combine to deliver three-dimensional audio with very decent verticality.

You’re looking for some serious power
If you’ve got a very large room that needs filling with top-class cinematic sound, then this model is an awesome choice. It offers almost 2,500W of power in total from 29 drivers, delivering almighty all-round sound.

Don’t buy it if…

You’re short on space
The main bar itself is pretty wide here, and you’ll need a good amount of room for the dual-driver sub and rear speakers too. If you’re short on space, there are some nice slim one-box options, though, like the Marshall Heston 60 and Sonos Beam Gen 2.

You’re a gamer
With no 4K 120Hz support, the JBL Bar 1300MK2 is a slightly harder sell to gamers. If you’ve only got a couple of HDMI 2.1 ports on your 4K TV, having an extra one on your soundbar is always very handy. Sadly, the ports on this soundbar only support 4K passthrough at 60Hz.

JBL Bar 1300MK2 review: also consider

JBL Bar 1300MK2

Samsung HW-Q990F

LG S95AR

Price

$1,699.95 / £1,299.99 / AU$2,299.95

$1,999 / £1,699 / AU$2,099

$1,699.99 (about £1,260 / AU$2,610)

Dimensions

Soundbar: 40.6 x 2.3 x 5.4 inches / 1030 x 58 x 136mm; subwoofer: 12.4 x 10.9 x 10.8 inches / 315 x 277 x 275mm; surround speakers: 8 x 2.3 x 5.4 inches / 202 x 58 x 136mm

Soundbar: 48.5 x 2.8 x 5.4 inches / 1232 x 70.8 x 138 mm; subwoofer: 9.8 x 10.0 x 9.8 inches / 249 x 251.8 x 249 mm; surround speakers: 5.1 x 8.0 x 5.5 inches / 129.5 x 201.3 x 140.4mm

Soundbar: 49.2 x 2.5 x 5.3 inches / 1250 x 63.5 x 134.6mm; subwoofer: 7.9 x 16 x 15.9 inches / 200 x 406 x 404mm; surround speakers: 6.3 x 8.8 x 5.6 inches / 160 x 223.5 x 142mm

Speaker channels

11.1.4

11.1.4

9.1.5

Connections

1x HDMI eARC, 3x HDMI in, digital optical, USB (playback US-only), Ethernet, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3 (surround speakers use 5.4)

1x HDMI eARC, 2x HDMI 2.1 in, digital optical, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.3

1x HDMI eARC, 1x HDMI in, digital optical, USB

Dolby Atmos / DTS:X

Yes / Yes

Yes / Yes

Yes / Yes

Sub included

Yes

Yes

Yes

Rear speakers included

Yes

Yes

Yes

Samsung HW-Q990F
This five-star soundbar system is an incredible option, boasting awesome Dolby Atmos, phenomenal dialogue clarity, and tightly controlled bass. It’s incredibly easy to set up, has a boatload of features available via the SmartThings app, and has HDMI passthrough with 4K 120Hz support. It’s also regularly on sale for a good chunk less than its initial launch price. Read our full Samsung HW-Q990F review.

LG S95AR
We really liked the LG S95AR, heaping praise on the model for its impressively immersive sound, its incredibly easy setup, and its dense feature-set. Again, there’s 4K 120Hz passthrough on this rival, but only one HDMI input port. Read our full LG S95AR review.

How I tested the JBL Bar 1300MK2

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested across the space of a week
• Used at our TV testing space at Future Labs
• Played 4K UHD Blu-Rays and streamed music over Wi-Fi

When testing out the JBL Bar 1300MK2, I had it hooked up to the LG C5 OLED TV via HDMI eARC. I made sure to use the detachable speakers attached to the soundbar, but usually kept them separated as rear channels. I also made sure to try them as individual Bluetooth speakers.

During my testing time, I watched and listened to a variety of content. This included a number of movies on both Netflix Premium and on 4K UHD Blu-Ray via the Panasonic DP-UB820. I also connected up my phone to the Bar 1300MK2 and listened to music via Tidal Connect, in both Dolby Atmos and stereo formats.

I also made extensive use of each listening mode: Movie; Music; Standard; and Night. Of course, I also made sure to try out the various other settings in the JBL One app too, including the voice enhancement, ambient sound, and calibration options.

On a more general level, I've tested dozens of soundbars here at TechRadar, and have tried out everything from ultra-cheap options like the Hisense HS214 through to premium alternatives like the Marshall Heston 120. My extensive experience with the Bar 1300MK2’s rivals mean that I know exactly what it takes for a soundbar to stand out, in what is ultimately a highly competitive market.

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

One-minute review

No, it’s not a Garmin. The Coros Nomad may look ever so slightly like the Instinct 3, but in many ways it’s more exciting, since it boils that excellent smartwatch down to a less feature-packed but still compelling alternative that’s considerably cheaper.

It’s strictly in fitness tracker territory, with features like NFC payments not making the cut, but it does have the advantage of offering locally stored maps. Add to that more than three weeks of battery life on a single charge, a handy action button, and a really nice, lightweight design, and there’s an awful lot to like about this upstart.

Memory in Pixel displays aren’t for everyone as they’re duller than most smartwatches’ AMOLED screens, but they do conserve battery as a result. If you’re happy with one here, you’re getting excellent value for money and fantastic battery life.

Coros Nomad: Price and availability

(Image credit: Coros)

• Starts at $349 / £319 / around AU$640
• Considerably cheaper than rivals
• Available in three color options

The big pull for the Coros Nomad is how favorable it compares to the Garmin Instinct 3 price-wise. It starts at $349 / £319 / around AU$640, compared to the Garmin model’s $449 / £389 / AU$829, and it comes in Dark Grey, Green, and Brown finishes – I tested the green version.

• Value score: 5/5

Garmin Venu 4: Specifications

Component

Coros Nomad

Price

$349 / £319

Dimensions

47.8 x 47.8 x 16.4mm

Weight

49g with band

Case/bezel

Polymer Case

Display

1.3 inch Memory-in-Pixel display (260x260 resolution)

GPS

Dual frequency GPS

Battery life

22 days of standard use, 34 hours in GPS mode

Connection

Bluetooth

Water resistant

50M

Coros Nomad: Design

(Image credit: Coros)

• Durable, but fairly lightweight
• Action button

Given that this is billed as a rugged smartwatch, there’s a good chance the first thing you notice when picking up the Coros Nomad is that it’s not all that heavy at all.

The Polymer case feels strong (although you won’t catch me hurling my review unit at a concrete floor), but it’s also nice and light. That’s particularly helpful given that this is a device you can wear for up to three weeks without taking it off for a charge, and the strap is comfortable, too (albeit I’m not a big fan of the pin-based method of attaching them).

The case envelops the display, and provides plenty of clearance to keep it from being dinged if you were to drop the watch or swing your arm into something, although Coros says it’s a mineral glass display that should be tough to crack anyway.

Controls-wise, there are two buttons for interacting with the UI, as well as an action button that can be programmed to perform different functions such as the backlight, adding a voice pin along a route, or switch between activity data and map view. Charging is handled via a small proprietary port on the back.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Coros Nomad: Features

(Image credit: Coros)

• Offline maps
• No smartwatch features

Where Garmin’s Instinct 3 doesn’t offer map functionality, the Coros Nomad does, making it an attractive choice for trail runners who may not know a route very well. This works with Coros’ companion app, allowing you to store routes and save them to quickly check conditions before you head out the door.

There’s dual-band GPS for tracking, too, and it proved exceptionally accurate in my testing, whether I was out for a wander in the countryside or standing amidst London’s largest buildings.

It’s really built for the great outdoors, as the name suggests. As well as all the usual maps and GPX routing functionality, you can drop voice pins using the onboard mic during walks and runs, which will replay thoughts that occur to you at specific points during routes, such as descriptions of landmarks. You can add photos in the app too, creating an adventure journal.

Fishing modes, which don’t normally get a lot of love, get a digital anchor, putting a pin in a spot so you can see if you’re drifting during the activity. Niche, but eminently useful to the right person. Health-wise, you get an ECG sensor, SpO2 monitor, and Safety Alerts allowing you to send your location to emergency contacts. However, this is more like Garmin’s LiveTrack than SOS messaging, as it’s done on your phone rather than satellite, and thus requires phone signal. Still, a nice-to-have.

The only real downside is that some smartwatch features are lacking. To be clear, Coros is marketing the Nomad as a fitness watch, but I’d have liked NFC payments and maybe some music options here for the days when I want to leave my phone at home.

• Features score: 4.5/5

Coros Nomad: Performance

(Image credit: Coros)

• MiP display
• Up to 22 days of battery
• Heart rate accuracy is up there with the best

The Coros Nomad’s performance is pretty fantastic across the board. A single charge can last you a whopping 22 days, while you’ll get around 50 hours if you’re using GPS mode for more intensive location tracking, or 34 hours for dual band. I found this was accurate during testing.

Unfortunately, I didn’t get to go fishing with the watch during my testing period, but I did use its headline feature: maps.

This is something many similarly-priced rivals don’t offer, and it’s great to have offline maps downloaded if you’re unsure of where you are and you’ve left your phone at home. It’s nice and easy to get them downloaded via the companion app, and the maps themselves are easy to read with color-coding for route types.

You can zoom in and out with the crown, too, making it easier to get context for your current route.

Another nifty feature, I’ve not seen anything like Voice Pin on a watch before. The idea is relatively simple, letting you leave an audio note on a run or hike tailored to a location. In theory, this could mean you could create curated audio cues for a route you’re sharing with a friend, or provide additional notes on how to get home.

Heart rate tracking matches up to the current gold standard in my experience – the Apple Watch Ultra series. Despite the Coros Nomad costing less than half the price, it pretty much matched Apple’s most rugged watch beat-for-beat. We’ve independently tested the Ultra against a Polar H10 heart rate monitor, finding it very accurate, so to have Coros match this is very encouraging.

• Performance score: 5/5

Coros Nomad: Scorecard

Attribute

Comments

Score

Value

Undercuts a Garmin while offering additional features.

5

Design

Easy to use, comfortable, and rugged.

5

Features

Plenty of health monitor features, but lacking in terms of NFC payments.

4.5

Performance

Offline maps and voice pins are great.

5

Coros Nomad: Should I buy?

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

You want a Garmin, but don’t want to pay Garmin money

The Coros Nomad certainly pushes Garmin’s Instinct lineup into a corner, offering many of the same features for much less than the Garmin Instinct 3.

You want to wear it for weeks without charging

More than three weeks of battery is great, even without any Garmin-esque Solar charging.

Don't buy it if...

You’re a gym person

The Coros Nomad is wasted during indoor workouts, operating best outdoors.

You’re looking for a watch to take off-grid

There’s no satellite SOS messaging unlike the Google Pixel Watch 4, Garmin Fenix 8 Pro and Apple Watch Ultra 3.

You want a communication-based smartwatch

Don’t expect much in the way of smartwatch features – there’s no NFC for payments, notifications are basic, and no option to run third-party apps.

Also consider

(Image credit: Future)

Component

Coros Nomad

Garmin Instinct 3 (45mm) AMOLED

Apple Watch Ultra 3

Price

$349 / £319

$449 / £389 / AU$829

$799 / £749 / AU$1,399

Dimensions

47.8 x 47.8 x 16.4mm

45 x 45 x 14.9mm

49 x 44 x 12 (mm)

Weight

49g with band

53g

62g

Case/bezel

Polymer Case

Fiber-reinforced polymer / aluminum

Titanium

Display

1.3 inch Memory-in-Pixel display (260x260 resolution)

AMOLED, 390 x 390px

Liquid retina LTPO3 OLED

GPS

Dual frequency GPS

GPS, GLONASS, Galileo, SatIQ

L3 dual-band GPS

Battery life

22 days of standard use, 34 hours in GPS mode

Up to 18 days (smartwatch), up to 32 hours (GPS)

42 hours smartwatch mode

Connection

Bluetooth

Bluetooth, ANT+

Bluetooth, LTE

Water resistant

50M

10ATM

WR100

Garmin Instinct 3

The closest thing to a Coros Nomad, except within Garmin's excellent ecosystem.

Read our full Garmin Instinct 3 review

Apple Watch Ultra 3

An ultra-premium adventure watch with all the Nomad's missing communication tech.

Read our full Apple Watch Ultra 3 reviewView Deal

How I tested

I wore the Coros Nomad in daily life, during sleep and workouts. I went rucking with the Coros Nomad a handful of times, comparing its GPS and biometric information to both the recently-reviewed Suunto Race 2, the Apple Watch Ultra and Apple Watch Series 11. I also visited some cities to test its GPS system amid larger crowds and buildings during workouts.

HP has a longstanding history of making powerful portable workstations packed with superb performance, solid battery life, and robust port offerings.

The ZBook X G1i is not only a continuation of that tradition, but it's also touted as the most mobile ZBook ever, still with high performance and a great battery.

It's a bold claim, and HP has successfully pulled it off. As an all-rounder, it's one of the best mobile workstations I've tested, performing very well in my tests and well-suited to business professionals, creators, and power-users.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )HP ZBook X G1i: Unboxing and First Impressions

Given how powerful this machine is, I'm still shocked by how lightweight it is. Granted, it is a 16-inch unit, so it's not something you'd want to toss into a daypack or a shoulder sling, but it's still pretty portable for a workstation. As I always do, I left the charger in the box and will use my UGREEN or Anker power bricks, or one of the several docking stations I have set up across my different workspaces.

The next thing I do is log in to my Windows account and allow my sync to run, along with logging in to my proper accounts. I like using Windows Hello with both fingerprint and face recognition for easier, more secure sign-in. Once I got that taken care of, I made the proper updates and minimized my desktop to fewer apps, creating a clean workspace.

The HP ZBook X G1i is a very sleek and professional-looking laptop. It fits right into the business-tier design language, without being boring. It's got an elegant silver finish, it's easy to toss in a backpack, and it's got enough ports to power you through your day. This laptop is portable yet packs a full-size HDMI port, an RJ45 Ethernet port, two Thunderbolt 4 ports, a USB-C port, a headphone jack, a USB-A port, and an optional Nano SIM Card and/or a Smart Card Reader.

All of that in a portable workstation is wild. To add to the insanity, there is a full-size numpad as well. While this isn't unbelievable to see on 16-inch laptops, it's definitely not so standard that it's not worth mentioning. For those who spend all day entering numbers, a number pad can absolutely cut down on that time and make it faster and easier.

Speaking of the keyboard, the standard QWERTY side is comfortable to type on; it has good key travel and resistance without feeling like I am working too hard. It's a keyboard you can type on all day without discomfort or the urge to swap it out, unless you are a keyboard fanatic or mechanical keyboard lover.

HP ZBook X G1i: Design & Build Quality

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The overall design of the ZBook X G1i is clean. It's business professional. It fits the look you're going for as a business pro with a laptop that can hold its own. You're not looking for something that flashes RGB, but you also need a machine powerful enough to handle your hefty workload. I get it.

The HP ZBook X G1i gets it too. With powerful components under the hood, this laptop still looks unassuming enough that you can take it into a conference room or a coffee shop without looking like a gamer while getting serious work done.

Another big thing that I look at for workstation laptops is port selection. A computer can be wildly powerful, but if you always need to plug into a dongle, that's worth noting, especially for a computer that claims to be a workstation. A workstation is not just another term for a laptop, but a tier, or class of laptop in its own right.

The workstation passes that test with flying colors. Offering not only a good number of ports but also a good spread and distribution, helping enhance working with them rather than just slapping ports wherever they fit.

HP ZBook X G1i: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Specs

as tested

CPU: Intel Core Ultra 7
GPU: Intel Arc Pro 140T (32GB) / NVIDIA RTX Pro 2000 Blackwell
Memory: 64GB
Storage: 2TB
Display: 2560×1600 120Hz DreamColor (500 nits)
Ports: 2× Thunderbolt4 (USB-C), 1× USB-C 20Gbps, 1× USB-A, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x RJ-45, 1x Audio jack
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, 5G
Battery: 62Wh
Weight: 3.19 lb

For day-to-day work on this machine, I have found zero problems or qualms. It's excellent at basic productivity tasks, administrative tasks, and pulling up information in DBeaver or other database tools. It's fantastic with VSCode or other coding applications.

I haven't had any issues with 3D printing software or with elementary video and photo editing. It may not be the very best video editing laptop for creative professionals, but I would rank it as one of the best laptops for photo editing and general content creation.

I used this computer as my primary machine for a full day of work, and then used it on and off for a few weeks as my secondary. In that time, I barely felt the ZBook X G1i even take a deep breath. It's an excellent machine for AI work, front-end and back-end development, and even full-stack development and coding.

It's great for project managers who need to QA software features and pull everything up for testing before pushing to production, and it's also great for 3D modeling, CAD, and related work. All while being in a portable 16-inch laptop shell with one of the most beautifully sleek logos on the market.

The HP ZBook X G1i is an excellent choice for this kind of work. Plus, to add a little extra to a great package, HP offers a 5G antenna along with Wi-Fi 7. Meaning that you can get the best connection available while it's around and you're in buildings that have Wi-Fi.

When you are out and about or don't want to trust the sketchy Wi-Fi at an airport, you can hop on a Cellular 5G connection rather than having to pop out a travel router or jump on a VPN to keep your information secure. Or perhaps you're someone who isn't worried about sketchy Wi-Fi, but rather about the lack of a connection while working remotely. That's where the 5G option comes into its own, letting you hop on whenever you need to, even if that's poolside, between laps, or at a resort.

HP ZBook X G1i: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The HP ZBook X G1i continues a great legacy of ZBook machines from HP. It's a powerful mix between a portable powerhouse and a lean mean computing machine, all while retaining that professional style.

It's ideal for, quite honestly, people like me. Project managers, side hustlers, system architects, hybrid professionals, the kind of people who have their hands in everything and anything at all times.

It's not the machine I'd choose to run my powerful app servers on, but if you need a machine that has workstation power in a form factor you're not dreading to take with you, then the HP ZBook X G1i is an option worth considering.

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For more productivity machines, we've tested the best business laptops.

The MSI Pro MP165 E6 is a budget portable monitor that fits the bill if you need a simple display to extend or add to your current setup.

I found it slim and lightweight, and a good way to get a bit more screen real estate without breaking the bank. The USB-C connection means you can hook it up to plenty of other devices, from laptops to games consoles.

While the specs aren't dazzling, the price certainly catches the eye, making it one of the best portable monitors for business travel.

MSI Pro MP165 E6: Price and availability

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The MSI Pro MP165 E6 is an affordable portable display, retailing for $95 at Amazon.com and £90 at Amazon.co.uk.

I'm also seeing it available from other retailers, too, for around the same price. There aren't many sub-$100 portable monitors worth your money, but this is one of them.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )MSI Pro MP165 E6: Unboxing and First Impressions

The MSI Pro MP165 E6 shows off its lightweight frame right out of the box. Something was missing when I was opening everything up because the entire package was so light. The packaging was minimal, with only a USB-C and HDMI cable and a protective sleeve in the box —no frills, just the basics. I appreciate that MSI chose a sleeve rather than a case/folio. It comes off easily, allowing me to plug in the monitor and set it up semi-permanently without needing to store the cover.

I have tested many portable monitors and found a wide range in quality, usability, and functionality. The MSI Pro MP165 E6 sits beautifully in the budget category, offering good value for a great price. It ticks most of the boxes in terms of functionality without knocking it out of the park in quality, but that is where the budget-friendly nature comes into play. But, more on that later.

MSI Pro MP165 E6: Design & Build Quality

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Specs

Panel: 15.6-inch IPS (16:9)
Resolution: 1920 × 1080 (FHD)
Brightness: ≈ 250 nits
Ports: USB-C (power + display), HDMI
Mounting: 75 mm VESA, ¼-inch tripod mount
Dimensions: 362.26 × 233.84 × 18.8 mm
Weight: 0.78 kg / 1.72 lb

Picture the top half of a budget laptop, no keyboard, just the display. Now you've pictured the MSI Pro MP165 E6. It's a simple display, with simple inputs: no battery, no heft, no fuss.

MSI did choose to add some innovative features, even for a budget item, such as VESA mounting screws, a stand, and 90-degree cables in the box. These are all really little, simple things that go the extra mile.

Even though this panel could be used for an abundance of different use cases, MSI positioned the ports at the bottom edge of the display, making them super accessible, while still allowing you to tuck cables away if and when necessary.

MSI Pro MP165 E6: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

Given this display's nature, I have many uses for it in the professional world. I've used this in my IT professional world as a display for some desktops I was working on, so I could keep them in my tech area without needing to remote in or connect a larger display. I have also used this display to set up an Apple TV and to check a camera's output.

The monitor was used quite a bit on a VESA-mountable stand for a camera playback feature, and then moved to a custom upright piano casing. This monitor still lives in that upright piano casing, serving as a display for a Mac mini plugged in and running all the tracks for a Music Director rig. This display was great for that, as it's quickly deployable, lightweight, only needs a USB-C port, and offers standard 1080p resolution, making it larger than 4K and easier to see.

For those who are not in the niche music industry, this panel is great to throw in your backpack and take with you to board meetings to display content to those across the table from you, for productive work in a co-working space or coffee shop, or even for photographers who need a reference display to make sure their camera shot is lined up.

The USB-C connectivity makes this display super accessible to most devices made in the last few years, and if that doesn't work, there is always an HDMI too. In my testing, I found no issues between macOS and Windows, nor did I encounter any problems with Chromebooks, Apple TVs, or Nintendo Switches.

While this is a fantastic display for the price, it is in no way a tremendous display panel. It's standard 1080p, it's got mediocre brightness, and the speakers that should have just been skipped.

But, if you are looking for something to get you into portable monitors, or if you want a backup, or if you just need a basic panel to display some information, and you don't care if it's the best quality, you should check out this display, but for those who need something a bit higher-tier, check out my guide to the best portable monitors.

MSI Pro MP165 E6: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The MSI Pro MP165 is a solid choice if you're looking to get into the world of portable monitors and don't have any specs in mind. It's a great entry point into this world, and it won't hurt the budget too badly, coming in under $100.

If you're in the market for a portable monitor, I'd recommend starting out with this one and see how you like having that second screen before you go off and spend absurd amounts of money on the more expensive ones.

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For more options for your workspace set-up, we've tested the best business monitors.

Meze Audio 99 Classics 2nd Gen: Two-minute review

The Meze Audio 99 Classics 2nd Gen are some stunners. These walnut-cupped beauties are an upgrade not just on their predecessors, but also on any bona fide entry-level listening headphones in your roster.

Improved earcup and baffle design adds up to better bass control, giving these headphones a controlled oomph above and beyond most closed-backs. High end is crisp without being sharp, and voices sit gloriously in the top end with all the air and throat you could ever want. The 2nd Gens handle most sources admirably, but shine especially bright with vinyl.

A sometimes-obvious scooped middle and a tendency to distort slightly at high volumes – a function of the low impedance, which allows them to work with just about any audio source – leads me, unfortunately, to conclude that they look better than they sound. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t sound good. They sound great. They just look phenomenal.

With the amount of effort that Meze puts into what is, effectively, their step-up set of over-ear headphones, it’s clear that this is a matter of passion as opposed to sheer profit. The design principles on display here are so listener-focused that it’s hard not to be charmed by them, even if basic things such as a tuning-fork headband can sometimes interfere with that listener experience.

In the following paragraphs, I get a bit nitpicky about these things – but it's only because I’m working back from a position of absolutely loving them. And there’s a lot to love about them. Between their excellent build quality, user-friendly part replaceability and a versatility of sound difficult to find in some less-expensive listening options, these close-backs are a great prospect and are among the best wired headphones on the market.

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)Meze Audio 99 Classics 2nd Gen review: Price & release date

• Released October 29, 2025
• Priced $349 / £319 / AU$649

As the name implies, the 99 Classics 2nd Gen are a redux of Meze’s timeless 99 Classics over-ear headphones. Ten years on from the latter's launch, the 2nd Gens arrive on the scene, with a broad smattering of listener-forward tweaks that build on the enormous goodwill already fostered by this particular line of cans.

Hearteningly, the 99 Classics 2nd Gen are on the cheaper end of Meze’s price spectrum, too, at $349 / £319 / AU$649 – bringing some exceedingly tasteful design (both in sound and aesthetics) in below the brand's mid-range 105 Silvas I reviewed so favourably back in October.

This might be a little on the rich side for wired headphones more generally, unless you’re already of a mind to buy some more audiophilically focused big-budget fare. Even so and for what you’re getting, the Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen are a compelling prospect indeed. Let’s find out if they’re a compelling purchase, too!

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)Meze Audio 99 Classics 2nd Gen review: Specs

Type

Wired over-ear, closed-back

Drivers

40mm dynamic

Weight

290g

Connectivity

Dual 3.5mm TS output

Frequency response

15Hz - 25kHz

Impedance

16 ohms

Extras

Dual-TS to 3.5mm TRS cable; 3.5mm-to-6.35mm TRS adapter; USB-C DAC/AMP dongle; carry case

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)Meze Audio 99 Classics 2nd Gen review: Features

• Wired over-ears, dual 3.5mm TS inputs
• 16 ohm input impedance
• Mini tweaks for improved balance and performance

The Meze Audio 99 Classics 2nd Gen, much like the first-gen model, are a set of wired headphones with little in the way of modern jiggery-pokery. There’s a lot of familiar stuff here, from the closed-back design to that fabled aesthetic thrust. But, as a serious 2nd Gen update, there’s been some serious performance-improving changes.

One of their more obvious improvements is the provision of bigger earcups, for better low-end control. This is part of a general movement towards a more balanced overall frequency response, something also aided by the addition of a new bass port in each ear cup. Within each earcup, small, iterative changes to shape and construction have made for a wider soundstage, too.

The newly ultra-low 16 ohm impedance of the drivers (down from 32 ohms in the OGs) encourages you to use these with ultra-modern listening devices, like laptop or smartphone outputs, as opposed to hi-fi amps and mixers. Depending on who you ask, this is a genius leveler of a move, enabling these headphones to sing wherever you put them – for me, it’s a bit of a shame, simply for the distortion potential at louder volumes.

The hard-ish case in which these headphones are delivered is trustworthy enough, with a water-resistant inverted zip and some comforting phone-protecting rigidity. Within this case is another, smaller, case – a soft, cylindrical affair, into which the 99 Classics 2nd Gens’ cable and gubbins safely nestle. Whether you trust yourself to take these out on the daily commute is another thing entirely, of course.

Speaking of gubbins, the 99 Classics 2nd Gen come not just with the requisite wiring, but nice requisite wiring in the form of a hefty, braided dual-core cable. There’s also a 3.5mm-6.35mm jack adapter for mating with phone-plug-toting home hi-fi stuffs, and a new USB-C DAC/AMP dongle, so you plug into smarter, non-jack-plug-toting stuffs (i.e.: your phone, tablet or analog-challenged new computer).

• Features score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)Meze Audio 99 Classics 2nd Gen review: Sound quality

• Phenomenal low end; butter-smooth highs
• Balancing act of volume, soundstage and saturation
• Excellent passive sound isolation

Meze knows exactly what it’s doing with the low end in the 99 Classics 2nd Gen, working with the boomy confines of the closed cup to create some seriously controlled wub. Domenique Dumont’s Amants ennemis is a bulging burlap of bass, helped along by the ported earcups in its delivery of blubbering synth-bass and chicken-picky guitars.

Snapped Ankles’ Smart World, too, is an abrasive, dancy delight, with deep thrumming bass, urgent live drumming and Numan-esque clarion-call vocals, the latter of which do a phenomenal job of illustrating the 2nd Gen’s prowess with upper-mid ranges. I’ll take this opportunity to mention USB-C DAC/amp dongle with which the 2nd Gen ships, too – which is transparent enough to my ears that I noticed no appreciable difference in sound when trying these same songs again.

I did start to notice a vague, middish hollowness in these headphones, that threatened to rob guitarry songs like Queens of the Stone Age’s Everybody Knows That You’re Insane, and Foo Fighters’ Good Grief (forgive me, Father, for I think the Foos’ first album is Actually A Bit Underrated Really) of some key propulsive energy.

Fortunately, this lack seems limited to the rocky stuff, and that at the lower-volume end of listening. The same can also be said of the somewhat-narrow soundstage these headphones possess, which can feel corridor-like in the face of usually-quite-expansive tracks like Amant ennemis. The solution to both is simply to have a little less fear, and whack them up a bit more. Unfortunately, doing this sometimes crowds the soundstage, and can even result in a little distortion thanks to the low impedance of the drivers. It’s a balancing act.

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)

That balancing act, along with the scooped mids, seem a little less obvious when moving over to vinyl, which, as a source, seems a little smoother on the way in. My copy of Alabaster DePlume’s GOLD is an undisputed delight – any sense of ‘lack’ gone altogether, replaced with fulfillingly dense wellsprings of bassy voices, plucked double-basses, throaty saxophones and more besides.

A Gente Acaba (Vento Em Rosa) soars in profound and fulsome brilliance; The World Is Mine is a Nick-Cave-y, almost Tom-Waits-y exploration of staccato instrumentation and monotone spoken word, syncopated snare rimshots. Turning things up, I encountered some unfortunate oversaturation of voices in The Sound of My Feet on This Earth…, a sad reminder of the balancing act in play.

Generally, the 99 Classics 2nd Gen respond well to vinyl records – even the rocky stuff, to an extent. Land of Talk’s Applause Cheer Boo Hiss is a brighter record than anything QOTSA have made, and scrappy to boot, but still a thrilling joy in these headphones. This is a function of some sharp transients, smooth tissy high end and that excellent vocal-forward representation.

I usually focus on the performance of the audio thingies I review from a technical perspective. Sometimes, though, there’s an experiential aspect that muscles its way in. Here, it’s the headbands, which – fetchingly minimal as they are – are quite resonant by nature. Their tuning-fork tendencies mean the slightest of bumps, rubs, taps, or head-nods can set them off. The ringing can even be triggered by light handling of the wires close to where they connect with your earcups.

Thankfully, this ringing doesn’t usually interfere with your listening, provided you’re listening at a moderate volume; still, major moves or cable-rubbings in motion can bring some unwanted “plunk” into your private wig-out sesh.

To make something of a ‘compliment cracker’ out of my experiential experience, so to speak, I will say that the passive isolation provided by the 2nd Gens is outstanding; even if sound isn’t outright canceled, the sound mitigation and separation on display here are massive. When something’s playing even slightly cranked, it’s easy to forget where you are.

• Sound quality score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)Meze Audio 99 Classics 2nd Gen review: Design

• Beautiful walnut earcups
• Pleasingly minimal design
• And everything’s replaceable!

The first-edition Meze Audio 99 Classics were an unusually stunning prospect at launch: a gleaming lighthouse of wood and brass in an unforgiving ocean of bleak gunmetal and bleaker lightweight plastics. When a pair of decently affordable, excellent-sounding over-ears wear walnut earcups with the fullest sincerity, you know you’re looking at something special.

Thankfully, the 2nd Gen 99 Classics have done little to mess with this magic 10 years on. Instead, there’s technically even more of it. The bigger earcup designs, engineered for better low-end control, also mean a greater surface area of delicious (and unavoidably unique) walnut on the exterior, against which the electroplated zinc hardware is set off wonderfully.

As far as comfort goes, though, I have no notes. The self-adjusting headband is a delight here just as it is on Meze's 105 AER, with the newly capacious ear cushions an excellent fit for most ears. Wearing these is like receiving a lightly firm hug, and one you’re happy to receive for hours at a time.

With respect to setting up and using the 99 Classics 2nd Gens, the TS connection points on each earcup are firm enough that I nearly started second-guessing the amount of pressure I was applying to the connectors, before that reassuring ‘click’ told me everything was going to be ok. That is to say, the wired connection is firm enough you’ll never need worry about accidental yankage. The 99 Classics Gen 2 have got you. They’ve got you. It’s alright now. Shhhh, it’s ok.

To revisit my aforementioned experiential gripe, the needlessly ringy headband is a real shame, and something Meze did have an opportunity to fix here. The solution for the user – not banging your head against anything, where possible – is a simple one, but a little inconvenient for, even inconsistent with, out-and-about wear. Especially when the solution for Meze – put some kind of dampener on each band – is even simpler.

More widely with respect to design, though, and to its great credit, Meze’s done something rare – at least, rare in that ocean of bleak gunmetal and bleaker lightweight plastics. The 99 Classics 2nd Gen’s construction is such that parts are easily replaceable, allowing you to keep your headphones keen for as long as you are keen to keep them.

• Design score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)Meze Audio 99 Classics 2nd Gen review: Value

• Great value for great design...
• …though a shame about the resonant headband
• A truly versatile step-up set of listening headphones

So, should you get them? My vote: yes. Despite being closer to the budget end of the price spectrum, the 99 Classics 2nd Gen’s $349 / £319 / AU$649 is a fair bit to put away for headphones. But it gets you some of the most versatile wired headphones on the market.

This is because a great deal of versatile wired headphones end up compromizing quite significantly on something related to build quality, sound fidelity or comfort – and, to my mind, the Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen don’t really compromize all that much on any of these.

There are arguments to be made against that low impedance, and the resulting distortion you can experience when listening at particularly loud volumes, but they’re small against the 2nd Gen’s supreme on-ear comfort, incredible low-end control and general genre versatility. Added versatility from the nicely included USB-C dongle is highly welcomed, as is the better-than-average case design.

Whether all this literally adds up to a good deal for you is something only you can decide. But altogether, and off the back of both the incredible design and design journey made by the 99 Classics, it’s fair to say these are intrinsically worthwhile cans.

• Value score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)Should I buy the Meze Audio 99 Classics 2nd Gen?

Section

Notes

Score

Features

Hefty wires and new USB-C dongle for better connectivity among listener-friendly updates

4.5/5

Sound quality

Stunning bass with excellent control; mechanical ring when headband gets dinged is a shame

4/5

Design

Extremely pleasing to look at, and designed so parts can be replaced with extreme ease

4.5/5

Value

Well-built, with unique wood earcups, great versatility and broad sound profile, they're a great prospect for the price

4.5/5

Buy them if...

You’re a sucker for visual stunners
It’s hard to say anything against the Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen's aesthetic value, because in my opinion there’s nothing to say against the aesthetic value of the Meze 99 Classics 2nd Gen. Look at ‘em!

You listen widely
Low impedance and great all-round sound profile make these a pair of listening headphones that’ll work with practically anything.

Don't buy them if...

You’re a Bluetooth-only household
They’re wired, duh. You could get a dongle, but maybe you want a decent pair of wireless headphones instead, eh?

You want to get the most from your well-curated hi-fi rig
Lovely as the 99 Classics 2nd Gen are, the 16 ohm impedance is extremely low – a boon for listening across a bunch of devices, but not so much for getting the best out of your expensive hi-fi headphone amp.

Meze Audio 99 Classics 2nd Gen review: Also consider

Meze Audio 99 Classics 2nd Gen

FiiO FT13

Sennheiser HD-660S2

Price

$349 / £319 / AU$649

$329 / £269 / AU$499 (approx.)

$599 / £499 / AU$949

Type

Closed-back over-ears

Closed-back over-ears

Open-back over-ears

Drivers

40mm dynamic

60mm 'W'-shaped dynamic

38mm

Weight

290g

365g

260g

Impedance

16 ohms

32 ohms

300 ohms

Connectivity

Dual 3.5mm TS output

Dual 3.5mm TS output

Dual 3.5mm TS output

Frequency response

15Hz - 25kHz

7Hz - 40kHz

8Hz – 41.5kHz

Extras

Dual TS to 3.5mm TRS cable; 3.5mm-to-6.35mm TRS adapter; USB-C DAC/amp dongle; carry case

Dual-TS Y-cable; 3.5mm TRS/4.4mm balanced/6.35mm TRS/XLR cable terminators; carry case

Dual TS to 6.35mm TRS cable; Dual TS to 4.4mm balanced cable 6.35mm-to-3.5mm TRS adapter; carry pouch

FiiO FT13
FiiO’s FT13 closed-back headphones are relatively new kids on the block, but truck in the same surprisingly cheap magnificence as the much of FiiO’s output elsewhere. Similar to the 99 Classics 2nd Gen, these are wood-cupped low-impedance affairs, but with outsized 60mm drivers and some posh cable connectivity. A great budget option.
Read our FiiO FT13 review for the full story

Sennheiser HD-660S2
Though another 2nd Gen upgrade of another set of wired headphones, the Sennheiser HD-660S2 differ from the 99 Classics 2nd Gen in being high-impedance open-backed headphones. If you want something more suited to enjoying your hi-fi stack at home, this could be it.
See our Sennheister HD-660S2 for the full story

How I tested the Meze Audio 99 Classics 2nd Gen

• Tested for 3 weeks
• Used as listening headphones at home
• Predominantly tested on streaming and digital files, heard through a Universal Audio Volt 4 audio interface and a HP laptop’s USB-C port; also tested with vinyl records through a Vestax mixer

Three glorious weeks were spent putting the Meze Audio 99 Classics Gen 2 through their paces at home, as a primary set of listening headphones for work and leisure.

They spent most of their time in my attic office, delivering audio from Spotify and my digital music library via a Universal Audio Volt 4 audio interface. I gave a little time to listening through the provided USB-C DAC/amp. too, using my laptop’s USB-C port.

Lastly and for a little while, I used them on my living room vinyl setup as well – listening through an old-school Vestax PCV-275 turntable mixer.

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

The UPerfect UColor O Lite is a 13.3-inch 4K OLED portable monitor with one cable power and display, a few ports for those who may need them, and the ability to be slightly modified to make a massive difference.

I’ve reviewed plenty of the best portable monitors. I have one or two tucked away in just about every single one of my workspaces. And after testing out this particular model, it's earned a place on my tech cart where I run Systems and IT.

This display is spectacular for those niche workspaces - it's touted by UPerfect as a portable monitor for MacBooks thanks to the high resolutions and and 109% DCI-P3 color coverage. And I get that.

I will say, a 13-inch screen may not be the best for your primary display at your workstation, as it’s the same size as most smaller laptops out there, but for secondary screens or those unique spots, I found the UColor O Lite fits the bill beautifully.

UPerfect UColor O Lite: Price and availability

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

This monitor is usually sold for around $330 / £247 direct from UPerfect - although at the time of review, it's discounted to $280 / £209. It comes with the basic cables you need, and a little folio case that doubles as a kickstand. So, a neat all-in-package.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )UPerfect UColor O Lite: Unboxing and First Impressions

Right out of the gate, this monitor shows off its thinness and portability. It’s lightweight on purpose. Its best use case is a single USB-C to your device. Simple, easy. But there is the flexibility to run a full-size HDMI to a display, or to plug in another USB-C device in a pinch.

I paired this monitor with the Rolling Square Edge Pro - although I suspect any strong mag-lock will be suitable. This little magnetic hinge has made this monitor 10x more valuable in my arsenal. Since it’s so lightweight, these magnetic brackets can hold the portable display on the side of a standard display, hanging from a door frame, mount on the side of a metal cart, mount to the side of a laptop if you want to, or just free-stand at any angle you desire. It unlocks a whole new tier of usability.

UPerfect UColor O Lite: Design & Build Quality

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

Like all good portable monitors, this one is thin and light. It feels like an iPad when you hold it, without Apple's premium build. However, it still feels like it’s a quality display.

Then, you turn it on and realize it’s actually a pretty solid display after all, putting out a good amount of brightness, brilliant colors and 4K resolution, all in a tiny little package. I test a lot of monitors, and I fully expected it to be average across the board. This panel proved me wrong.

It has enough ports to do what it needs to do, it crammed in a full-size, all-grown-up, standard HDMI, and it still managed to stay as small as it is. This is the panel that once you start looking, you’ll be able to find a dozen little ways you could use it.

UPerfect UColor O Lite: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Specs

Panel: 13.3-inch 4K OLED, 3840 × 2160, 16:9
Color & contrast: 109% DCI-P3, 100,000:1 contrast, HDR support
Brightness: up to ~390–500 nits (manufacturer rating)
Response time: 1 ms
Viewing angle: 178°
Ports: 2 × full-featured USB-C (audio + video) 1 × mini HDMI (audio + video), 1 × USB-A OTG, 1 × 3.5 mm audio out
Audio: dual 1 W stereo speakers
Build: aluminum chassis, ultra-thin 3–8 mm body, narrow bezels
Weight: 0.47 kg (1.03 lb)
Mounting: 75 × 75 mm VESA

I've been running the UColor O Lite typically plugged into a Mac mini that I use as a server. This gives me quick access to pop in, control from my phone, and see what I am doing on a bigger screen, or to use a mouse and keyboard.

When not in use, it is mounted on the cart using the previously mentioned magnets. I can pop it off with one tug and use it with my MacBook, another Mac mini, whatever laptop I am testing at the time, or with any number of other devices I may need to test and fix. When I need a little more screen real estate for a big project at my desk, I have a mounting plate on my Dell monitor, so I pop this display over there and immediately add another display to my setup. For quick meetings where I need to showcase something, I can bring this display for whoever is in the meeting.

When I am testing a Mac mini for issues, I can plug right in; the same goes for old laptops, old servers, and Apple TVs. My creative team can even pull this display if needed as a camera output for a photo shoot, or I could use it for digital signage in a pinch. It’s the perfect little display to have on hand for so many things if you’re in that kind of work.

So, it's had a pretty thorough work-out for a portable monitor. I’ve used this display for over 100 days, and I have had absolutely zero issues with it. No qualms, no disappointments. For those who need a little display for anything, this is it.

During this 100+ day stretch, I’ve pushed this display with Mac, Windows, iPads, Cameras, Servers, AppleTV, Switch, iPhone, a PlayStation, an XBOX, and a Nex Playground system. I even used this display for a quick test to make sure that my Eufy POE NVR camera system I was installing for a client was working before tucking the brain away.

In short, if you are the kind of person who does a lot, works in tech, may use a portable display, or just have a lot of gadgets around you or in your life, then you should check out this portable monitor. Don’t just think of it as a portable monitor; think of it as a 13-inch Swiss Army Knife that can do just about anything you may need it to do.

For those who are working out of a backpack, have a lot of portable meetings, work from a coffee shop or maybe just not a dedicated office, this can add to the power of an office in a backpack

UPerfect UColor O Lite: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The UColor O Lite 13-inch display is a spectacular little device that can truly do just about anything you may need a display output for. It’s got a great panel, a beautiful OLED, with a wide color coverage and a high resolution (even if you don't really need 4K on a screen this small).

Beyond the great display, I really liked the hyper-portability. It's thin, light, and perfect for business travel or carrying around the office - which is how I use it. And yes, the screen may be too small for some users, but there are plenty of 15- and 16-inch portable displays out there. At the 13-inch mark, this is one of the best.

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For more options, we've tested the best business monitors.

The Enphase IQ PowerPack 1500 is a unique power station in my army of different options.

It's got a sleek, perhaps even beautiful style - a design that separates it from the best portable power stations I've tested. It proved reliable during my time using it, I appreciated the 1.5kWh capacity And I like the port selection here.

However, what really lets it down is the app. It's difficult to navigate, and I'm hoping that a future update will sort out the issues I experienced, because beyond that, there's a lot to like about this power station.

Enphase IQ PowerPack 1500: Price and availability

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Enphase IQ PowerPack 1500 is available for $ 1549 on their website; however, at the time of writing, it is on sale for $1199. It's also available on Amazon.com, with the base model costing $1299, but also variants bundled with solar panels or the cart.

For those who want the whole experience, make sure you pick up the portable solar panel and IQ Cart as well. While not vital, both add an extra little bit to the PowerPack 1500.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Enphase IQ PowerPack 1500: Unboxing and First Impressions

I've unboxed a lot of power stations. This one was the first to have the box-opening stand out. In a pleasing Apple-esque fashion, the boxes open up, lifting the front panel almost like a Tesla Model X gullwing door. Once open, I can grab out the power station, cables, and documentation, lifting easily out of the front and top of the box rather than just the top.

Upon my first inspection, this unit appears to follow Apple's design language. It has rounded edges, handles that look like Apple could have designed them, a simple yet functional front screen, and functional port covers that can be popped off when helpful.

The box includes the unit, some power cables, and basic documentation. Grabbing the app, installing, and connecting was easy too. After the initial setup, I found the app pretty clunky, but more on that later.

Right off the bat, this power station looked well-equipped to handle what I may throw at it. The interface is a touchscreen, which is unique for the power stations I usually work with, which use a button-first design. Further, the port coverings, handle, and build quality make this feel like a professional-grade power station, not just something you'd bring with you on a camping trip for a few nights of phone charging.

One more nice touch is that this unit has a proximity sensor, so when you get close, a faint light comes on. Small, but it's a nice touch that adds to this unit's premium feel.

Enphase IQ PowerPack 1500: Design & Build Quality

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The IQ PowerPack 1500 is rugged, yet refined. It's built for indoor or outdoor use, and functions well in both environments, though I wouldn't want to keep this out in the rain or freezing weather. The handles are comfortable and make transporting significantly easier.

But, if you want an even easier time toting this hefty piece of kit around, Enphase has an optional cart accessory that the IQ PowerPack 1500 clips into. Sadly, there are no stacking units, but the cart is nice if you are older, have a bad back, don't want to tote it around in your hands, or enjoy an easy way to carry it.

One more thing I will mention about the design is that, in a moment of curiosity getting the better of me, the power port covers pop off super easily and pop back on just as easily. I don't know if this is a feature or just a happy accident, but if you have ports you don't want covered, popping off the rubber flip-down covers is super easy.

Lastly, for those who do plan to run the IQ PowerPack 1500 on a job site, as a battery backup, or in a place they are not going to be, the IQ PowerPack 1500 has both LTE and Wi-Fi, allowing you to stay connected even when you're away.

Enphase IQ PowerPack 1500: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Specs

Ports: 4 × AC 120 V, 1 × USB-C PD 100 W, 4 × USB-A, 1 × 12v car port, 1 × 12 V DC port
Weight: 55.7lbs (with packaging)
Capacity: 1.5kWh
Dimensions: 16.5x9.3x13.7 inches

I have had this in my arsenal of portable power solutions for 104 days now, and in that time, I have gotten several opportunities to get quite a bit out of it. I used this to run a leaf mulcher in my yard for several hours at a time, recharge my drills, test Christmas lights, charge up some review gear, and more.

For the leaf mulcher, I was able to get 5 hours of mulching without going below 50% of my battery, if I remember correctly. I placed the power station in a good central spot and then went to town, mulching as much as I could reach.

For a few months, while I was handling some installation jobs for my business, I kept the Enphase IQ PowerPack 1500 in the back of my Jeep. I used it to recharge my drills, my Hoto Electric Screwdrivers, some lights I was using on the job, and I even used it to test power to some gear before installing it in a hard-to-reach area.

Using the physical unit itself is a great experience. No complaints. The UI is easy, the buttons are sleek. The touchscreen is responsive, and the whole experience makes sense.

The software side of things, on the other hand, is where my frustration kicks in. The software, in my experience is lacking considerably. It's clunky, has only one particular use in mind, not the general pro-user, and it works, but in an odd way.

While the Enphase IQ PowerPack 1500 is so much more, keep in mind it can also serve as a UPS, providing reliable power to essential devices if the power goes out.

Enphase IQ PowerPack 1500: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

All in all, the Enphase IQ PowerPack 1500 is a beautiful unit that is severly hamstringed by it's software, though the software is what can be modified with a simple push update in the future. This power station has LTE, Wi-Fi, fast charging, LFP Cells and a great build, making it a spectacular pro-level option for those who need power on a job site, or somewhere that is not with them at all times.

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The Blacklyte Atlas Lite is a heavy-duty yet straightforward desk with solid adjustability, bold branding, and the ability to transition seamlessly between work and play. The instructions are easy to follow for setting this desk up, the controls are easy to learn, and the desk motors are very quiet.

Blacklyte is well known in the gaming world, but then started making some professional desks as well, or at minimum, desks that gamers could also use for professional desks. The Atlas Lite is a good example of that. It still has some gamer vibes, but is also very much a professional desk, transforming your gamer central to a business professional workspace for your day job as well.

Ignore that branding on the desktop - if you can. If you prefer a more stylish design over the standard metal frame and wood-colored desk, and demand a truly useful cable tray (often lacking on similar models), it's one of the best standing desks I've used for work and play.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Blacklyte Atlas Lite: Pricing and Availability

The Blacklyte Atlas Lite is usually sold for around $700 but is currently on sale for $569 from the official US site and UK site (for £439) at the time of review. It's also available from a handful of other retailers, but availability seems sporadic right now.

There are a handful of sizing and color options. I chose Obsidian Black, but Moonstone White looks gorgeous too. The natural oak to me was a third option, but it didn’t look nearly as good as the Obsidian or Moonstone to me.

Blacklyte Atlas Lite: Unboxing and First Impressions

The Blacklyte Atlas Lite shipped in two boxes, as most standing desks do: the desktop for one and the legs and building materials in the other. These pieces were pretty well tucked into the box with packaging. One thing I couldn’t help but think about while unboxing was that the boxes were super deep black. I had a moment of worry about ink transfer or it rubbing off on my carpet or walls, but that worry quickly dissipated.

A lot of desks are the same main idea for assembly, but most people don't build a plethora of desks; some may build only one ever. So, it’s nice to see Blacklyte including a QR code to a YouTube assembly video for those who are more visual learners, are not familiar with assembling a desk, or perhaps run into issues with assembly.

If you have experience building desks, though, the entire process should be an absolute dream. The bags of screws are labeled, the instructions are actually helpful, and the parts are easy to get together. All in all, this shouldn’t take you more than 30 minutes to assemble from boxes in your living room, office, or wherever you open large boxes into a fully assembled desk.

Blacklyte Atlas Lite: Design & Build Quality

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Blacklyte Atlas Lite feels heavy-duty. I’ve tested a lot of desks. Some feel flimsy but look pretty; some are all-around bad; some are a whole art piece. The Blacklyte Atlas Lite sits in the middle. It’s a functional piece that feels like a real workhorse with a bit more style than most.

The desktop itself is a bit textured, but it feels nice even for long periods of use and work sessions. I also like it as it doesn’t feel like I need to baby the desktop. Granted, I don't plan on beating it up anytime soon, but it’s nice to know that I can use this desk without worry of a scratch from moving something across the desktop.

Another thing worth mentioning in the design is the cable management. The rear notch allows for easy cable drops, especially if you have the back of your desk up against a wall in your workspace, or even to keep things clean, so your cables aren’t draping over the edge of the desk. I also like the built-in cable management tray. While this one isn't a grid or mounting plate like some, the tray is a welcome addition.

Blacklyte Atlas Lite: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Specs

as tested

Dimensions: 47x32-inches
Height Range: 27 to 46in
Max Load: Up to 265lbs
Warranty: 3 years

I've got this desk set up for a simple laptop, podcast, or meeting setup for some of my team. While I haven't added a monitor, there is plenty of room for one here alongside a laptop, with room to spread out your tablet, notes, diagrams, or whatever else you may need.

Switching between sitting and standing is rarely timed for me; I usually work, and when my knees start aching, or I get antsy, I'll jump up to stand. For the desks that don't have presets, that takes switching focus to choose where I want the height, then adjusting ever so slightly because it's slightly off, and so on. For desks with presets, such as this one, it's so much easier. Once I decide whether to stand or sit, I can press the corresponding preset button and get to work. And it works flawlessly here.

Another thing that makes switching between sit and stand more enjoyable is that it's smooth and relatively quiet. I don't hear clicking, knocking, creaking, or anything else. Just smooth up and down.

Perhaps that's Blacklyte perfecting the art of quiet motors, especially for their gamer crowd, or maybe that's something else. Still, regardless, the Atlas Lite is noticeably quiet (or is that un-noticeably quiet?).

Blacklyte Atlas Lite: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

This desk is for those who want a gaming vibe and a desk they enjoy, while still looking professional enough for work, before a night of gaming, or for those who want a simple, high-quality standing desk that lifts and lowers smoothly.

Maybe standing desks have become too complex, maybe not, but either way, the Atlas Lite is a solid option for most people. It's solid, quiet, has good lifting capacity, is durable, and offers enough space and options for most users.

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

Checkr is a next-generation background-check platform that accelerates and simplifies hiring through automation and advanced data analysis. It draws from thousands of official databases, including county courts, criminal registries, and motor vehicle departments, to produce timely, accurate reports.

Using artificial intelligence, Checkr standardizes diverse legal terms and classifications, helping hiring teams interpret results quickly and consistently.

The service has become particularly popular among companies handling high hiring volumes, such as gig platforms, retail chains, staffing agencies, and tech firms, thanks to its real-time data retrieval, API-driven integrations, and intuitive dashboards.

Checkr: Plans and pricing

Checkr structures its pricing into tiered packages that scale with organizational needs:

• Basic+ Plan ($29.99 per check): Includes SSN trace, sex offender search, national criminal database screening, and global watchlist monitoring. County verifications, when necessary, add roughly $15 per record.
• Essential Plan ($54.99 per check): Expands on Basic+ by adding searches for all counties tied to a candidate's past seven years of residence.
• Professional Plan ($79.99 per check): Adds employment and education verification to the Essential Plan to provide more complete candidate profiles.

International background checks cost $32 to $124 per report, and add-ons, such as motor vehicle record (MVR) checks or employment verifications, range from $6 to $40. Organizations conducting 300+ checks annually typically qualify for volume discounts.

This transparent, mix-and-match pricing model helps businesses tailor their screening programs to job types while controlling costs.

Checkr: Features

Checkr stands out for its extensive automation and advanced data-handling capabilities:

(Image credit: Checkr)

• AI-powered charge classification: Automatically interprets and standardizes criminal charges from multiple jurisdictions, translating complex terminology into consistent, easy-to-read summaries.
• Extensive data coverage: Accesses county criminal courts, sex offender registries, global watchlists, and other verified government sources for comprehensive results.
• Integration ecosystem: Connects with over 100 HR platforms and applicant tracking systems (ATS), streamlining the hiring pipeline.
• Automated candidate communication: Sends real-time notifications--including check initiation, progress updates, results, and adverse action letters--to both employers and candidates.
• Bulk and batch tools: Ideal for high-volume hiring, allowing employers to process multiple candidates simultaneously and trigger workflows at scale.

(Image credit: Checkr)

Checkr's speed, often delivering results within one or two business days, remains a primary selling point for companies that can't afford delays in staffing or onboarding.

Checkr: Setup

The onboarding process is straightforward. After signing up, administrators can invite team members, configure access controls, and connect Checkr to their HR systems through prebuilt integrations or APIs.

Organizations can choose which screening packages to apply to specific job roles, set compliance notifications, and automate report delivery. For candidates, setup requires little more than completing a brief authorization form and submitting personal details through a secure online portal.

Checkr: Ease of use

Checkr's web dashboard emphasizes visual clarity and efficiency. Reports are organized into collapsible panels covering criminal searches, employment history, and motor vehicle records. Color-coded highlights signal pending charges, clear results, or items needing review.

Because of its automation-first design, HR teams can handle large batches of background checks with minimal manual input. Candidates also benefit from transparency: they can track progress, upload documents, or dispute errors through a 24/7 self-service portal.

That said, customer support primarily operates via a ticket-based system, which can delay responses during peak periods--an area where some competing services still outperform Checkr.

Checkr: Security and privacy

Checkr employs enterprise-grade security measures, including encryption in transit and at rest, strict data access controls, and continuous system monitoring.

The company complies with the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) where applicable, ensuring candidates' data is handled lawfully and privately.

Candidates must provide explicit consent before a background check begins, and all adverse action notices are automatically sent to maintain compliance with federal and state laws. Checkr also allows users to dispute information directly through the candidate portal, providing added transparency.

Checkr: The competition

Checkr's closest competitors include GoodHire, Sterling, and HireRight, all of which offer employment background screening with varying emphases on compliance, support, and global coverage.

Checkr stands out for its automation, real-time data network, and speed, making it especially strong for high-volume, tech-forward employers that care about quick turnaround and HRIS/ATS integrations.

Compared with GoodHire, Checkr offers similar per-check pricing tiers and overlapping core checks. Still, GoodHire offers robust U.S.-based phone and email support and a very low reported error rate, which may appeal to smaller businesses that prefer more hand-holding.

GoodHire also supports very low-volume, pay-per-check use and historically charges a one-time setup fee. At the same time, Checkr leans toward scalable, API-driven workflows with no prominent setup fees, making it better suited to companies that expect frequent or bulk screenings.

When stacked against Sterling, Checkr takes the lead in automation and speed, with a higher percentage of criminal checks completed within an hour and more steps handled without manual review.

Sterling, on the other hand, offers a long-established, compliance-heavy product set, including drug testing, I-9, and specialized packages, making it more attractive to large enterprises or regulated industries that need deeper policy support and more customized verification programs.

Checkr's self-service package customization from the dashboard is generally more straightforward. In contrast, Sterling often routes customization through account managers, which can be helpful for complex but slower for fast-moving teams.

Versus HireRight, Checkr typically delivers faster turnaround times and a higher "hit rate" for specific criminal searches due to its AI-driven data-matching engine and more automated workflows.

HireRight is stronger for organizations with extensive global hiring, offering mature international coverage and compliance tools. Still, it may involve slower processing and more traditional, enterprise-style onboarding and support, which can feel heavier for smaller or more agile businesses.

In practice, Checkr tends to be the better fit for gig platforms, tech companies, and staffing firms prioritizing speed and modern UX. At the same time, HireRight is often chosen by large, globally distributed enterprises that value broad jurisdictional coverage and long-standing compliance expertise.

Checkr: Final verdict

Checkr brings innovation and efficiency to background screening, emphasizing automation, speed, and integration. Its AI classification tools, real-time data retrieval, and candidate transparency make it a forward-looking choice for companies scaling their hiring operations.

Despite its limited human-support options and less robust compliance in highly regulated fields, Checkr remains one of the most compelling solutions for fast-moving organizations that prioritize digital workflows.

For gig employers, startups, and HR teams seeking speed and scalability without sacrificing accuracy, Checkr strikes a smart balance between cost, functionality, and user experience.

The Competitor: one-minute review

The Competitor is an Xbox and PC-compatible controller from manufacturer Hyperkin that adopts a DualSense-like appearance and symmetrical thumbstick layout. While it does feature niceties like drift-resistant Hall effect sticks and triggers, I’ve found it to be a blissfully simple controller.

The Competitor has no fancy RGB lighting, no gyro sensors, no trigger locks, no wireless connectivity options, and no supporting apps or software. It’s also impressively cheap, has a nice design, and a great idea or two of its own. Its straightforward nature serves it well, and it’s one reason why it’s one of the best Xbox controllers I’ve tested in quite a while.

Some of my favorite controllers in recent years have been the likes of the Razer Wolverine V3 Pro and GameSir Tarantula Pro - both gamepads that are stuffed with desirable features that definitely make their price tags trend upward. The Competitor’s stripped-back, simplistic nature is actually quite refreshing in comparison, and is a staunch reminder that controllers don’t need to be a smorgasbord to remain appealing in the contemporary market.

There are some slight missteps. I’ve never been a fan of the PlayStation-style D-pad adopted here, the Menu and Share buttons are rather awkwardly-placed, and - while this is certainly personal preference and not indicative of The Competitor’s quality - it lacks wireless connectivity. Though at its relatively low price point, it’s easy to forgive these shortcomings.

(Image credit: Future)The Competitor review: price and availability

• List price: $49.99 / £39.99 (around AU$74.95)
• Available from most major retailers in the US and UK
• Compares in price to similarly cheap controllers like the GameSir Kaleid

You can get The Competitor today for $49.99 / £39.99 (around AU$74.95), making it one of the cheaper Xbox and PC controllers that’s actually worth recommending. Readily available at Amazon in the US and the UK, you’ll also likely find it at your local retailers of choice, including Best Buy in the US and Argos in the UK.

The cheaper Xbox controller spectrum has gotten broader in recent years, with pads like the GameSir Kaleid ($49.99 / £59.99) and 8BitDo Pro 2 ($44.99 / £39.99) also coming in at similar price points. The Competitor, rather fittingly, has some tough competition in the space, then, but I’d definitely say it’s comparable in quality to those aforementioned pads.

The Competitor review: Specs

Price

$49.99 / £39.99 (around AU$74.95)

Weight

7.1oz / 200g

Dimensions

6.2 x 5.0 x 2.5in / 158 x 127 x 64mm

Compatibility

Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC

Connection type

Wired (USB-C)

Battery life

N/A

(Image credit: Future)The Competitor review: design and features

The Competitor differs from most Xbox controllers in its symmetrical thumbstick layout and design that’s practically identical to that of the DualSense Wireless Controller. You’ll find the same boomerang-esque shape here, with similarly designed D-pad and face buttons.

I wouldn’t say build quality is luxurious, certainly not up to the DualSense standard, but it does the job at its price point. That is to be expected, though, given the lower price. Otherwise, nothing about the controller screams cut corners or lazy design; it’s an extremely tight ship. Usually, you’d expect one or two blemishes to stand out on budget-friendly controllers.

But my only issues, really, are the slightly awkward placement of the central Menu and Share buttons, as well as the spongy-feeling PlayStation-style d-pad. However, the latter comes down to personal preference more than anything else.

The color scheme of The Competitor is quite pleasing, too. It sports a black and white aesthetic in a sort of ‘X’ pattern across the front of the pad. The face buttons and d-pad have a translucent, glossy finish that feels quite nice against your thumbs, too.

(Image credit: Future)The Competitor review: Performance

The Competitor is a strictly wired controller. However, that’s not strange at its relatively low price point, so easy to forgive. That said, if you’d prefer a wireless model, you may be better off checking out similarly priced gamepads like the Xbox Wireless Controller or 8BitDo Pro 2.

What isn’t a guarantee for cheap controllers is the inclusion of drift-resisting Hall effect thumbsticks, but they are here on The Competitor. The sticks themselves feel great, too, with solid responsiveness and a rugged textured finish around the edges.

The Competitor features two remappable buttons on the rear of the controller. And these are easy enough to customize by holding the mapping button on the back, in conjunction with one of these rear buttons and one of the main ones on the front.

These remappable buttons are assigned by default, which I typically find a touch annoying. However, this is alleviated by a handy feature you don’t see on all that many controllers. There are lock switches for both remappable buttons, which can prevent them from being pressed in entirely. It’s arguably a bit of a workaround to keep them unassigned, but I welcome the ability to manually enable or disable them in such a way.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy The Competitor?Buy it if...

You want an affordable, effective controller
The Competitor simply does what it says on the tin (or, um, the cardboard box, I suppose). It’s a straightforward gamepad with no obvious flaws, available at a fittingly competitive price point.

You’re looking for a drift-beating option with light features
Hall effect sticks and two remappable buttons are present here. It’s on the lighter side in terms of features, but it’s really all a controller at this price needs to stand out.

Don't buy it if...

You want a more robust D-pad
Some game genres, like fighting games and platformers, benefit from a more well-rounded d-pad than the one on The Competitor. I actually love the circular design of the Xbox Wireless Controller's d-pad, and would recommend it over The Competitor if that's something that will be important to you.

You’re on PS5
The Competitor isn’t compatible with PlayStation hardware, despite the DualSense-looking design. Consider checking out our best PS5 controllers guide if you’re shopping for a Sony gamepad instead.

The Competitor review: Also consider

If The Competitor isn’t quite competitive enough for you, here are a couple other options very much worthy of consideration.

The Competitor

Xbox Wireless Controller

GameSir Super Nova

Price

$49.99 / £39.99 (around AU$74.95)

$59.99 / £54.99 / AU$74

$44.99 / £49.99 / AU$89

Weight

7.1oz / 200g

8.5oz / 241g

9.3oz / 263g

Dimensions

6.2 x 5.0 x 2.5in / 158 x 127 x 64mm

5.9 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 150 x 105 x 60mm

6.1 x 4.2 x 2.3in / 156 x 106 x 59mm

Compatibility

Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC

Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC

PC, Switch, Switch 2

Connection type

Wired (USB-C)

Wireless (Xbox), Wired (USB-C)

Wireless (Bluetooth, 2.4GHz USB dongle), Wired (USB-C)

Battery life

N/A

Varies, around 20-40 hours

15 hours

Xbox Wireless Controller
Always an incredibly solid choice, the official Xbox Wireless Controller isn’t big on bonus features, but it offers incredible reliability and is available in countless color options these days.

Read our full Xbox Wireless Controller review

GameSir Super Nova
While losing Xbox compatibility, this is a fantastic and affordable wireless controller for PC and the Switch family of consoles. I’d go for this one if you’re after a PC controller and interested in a budget-friendly wireless option. Oh, it comes with a charging dock and some lovely color options, too.

Read our full GameSir Super Nova review

How I tested The Competitor

• Tested for one week
• Primarily tested on PC
• Played a wide range of games

I tested The Competitor over the course of about a week, putting the wired wonder through its paces primarily on a gaming PC with my Steam library. All my go-to games were present here, including Final Fantasy 14 Online, Tekken 8, Elden Ring Nightreign, and Tokyo Xtreme Racer.

Given the shape and feel of the controller, I tried to compare the experience of playing with The Competitor to that of the DualSense Wireless Controller. Obviously, the PlayStation controller is more feature-rich, with bespoke haptic feedback and adaptive triggers, as well as its touchpad. Build quality isn’t quite as strong with The Competitor, in comparison, but it’s certainly not miles off, given the price.

First reviewed December 2025

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Capsule is an intuitive and affordable customer relationship management (CRM) solution designed for small to medium-sized businesses. Its user-friendly interface and gentle learning curve make it approachable even for non-technical users.

Despite its competitive pricing, Capsule provides a robust set of core features for managing contacts, identifying opportunities, tracking communications, and overseeing sales pipelines. Standout capabilities include the ability to store up to 30,000 contacts for just $18/month, a simple "projects" feature that can function as a basic helpdesk, and useful integrations with popular apps like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Mailchimp, and Xero.

In my experience, Capsule excels at delivering the key CRM platform essentials in a streamlined package. The well-designed layouts and intuitive workflows can help small teams quickly get up to speed. However, some advanced features like marketing automation are limited compared to pricier competitors. But for small businesses seeking an affordable and capable CRM without unnecessary complexity, Capsule is well worth considering.

Capsule CRM core capabilities

(Image credit: Capsule CRM)

Capsule is a streamlined customer relationship management system designed to help small businesses efficiently manage their customer interactions and sales processes. Its core capabilities revolve around simplifying the most essential aspects of CRM.

It allows users to easily store, organize, and access customer data in one centralized location. Beyond basic info, it enables linking contacts to relevant opportunities, cases, and notes, providing a complete view of each customer relationship.

Sales teams can take advantage of visual pipeline tracking to monitor the progress of deals. Drag-and-drop functionality makes it simple to move opportunities from one stage to the next. Customizable pipelines ensure they fit the unique sales processes of each business.

Opportunity records give a snapshot of key data like value, win probability, and expected close date. This rolls up into sales forecasting reports and analytics to predict revenue and identify trends. The reporting features are a bit basic compared to higher-end CRMs, but they cover the essential needs of small businesses.

Where it really shines is in its ease of use and mobility. The interface is clean and intuitive, with a minimal learning curve to get a team up and running. And it gets full marks for its mobile-friendliness — a fully featured mobile CRM that makes it a breeze for sales reps and account managers to work on the go.

Integration options ensure the CRM isn't isolated but connected to the other systems businesses rely on. It hooks into popular small business tools for email, ecommerce, marketing automation, customer support, and productivity.

With a robust feature set yet simple interface, Capsule checks the boxes small businesses need in a CRM at a very affordable price point. The core capabilities are there, without a lot of extra bells and whistles that tend to bog down other systems. If complex and fine-grained customization isn't a requirement, Capsule is an excellent option.

How easy is Capsule CRM to use?

(Image credit: Capsule CRM)

Capsule is widely praised for its user-friendly interface and intuitive design that makes it easy for new users to navigate and quickly become proficient with the platform. The simple layout focuses on the core CRM features small businesses need most, without unnecessary complexity.

I found the straightforward dashboard a breeze to use from the get-go. Key functions like contact management, opportunity tracking, task scheduling, and reporting are easily accessible. The visual sales pipeline is also simple to understand at a glance.

Capsule offers a good degree of customization to tailor the tool to your specific needs and processes. You can create custom fields, tags, filters, and views to track the exact information you need for contacts, opportunities, cases, and more. It's quick to set up dropdown menus, checkboxes, and date fields. You can also customize your sales pipeline stages and milestones.

The platform makes onboarding painless with a wide array of self-service training resources. These include tutorial videos, step-by-step guides, webinars, and an extensive knowledge base. The intuitive UI and wealth of educational content make it realistic for most users to get up and running in a couple of hours.

Capsule also has an active user community for Q&A, best practices, and feature suggestions. For more hands-on help, email support is responsive and thorough in my experience. All plans include customer support at no extra charge.

If your small business needs an affordable CRM without a steep learning curve, Capsule is well worth considering. Its thoughtfully designed interface, customization options, and strong support make it one of the most user-friendly CRMs that I've tried. Most teams should be able to deploy it quickly and see rapid user adoption.

Integrations

When it comes to integrations, Capsule really shines. The system offers an impressive array of pre-built integrations and connectors that make it easy to sync data with other business apps. There are official integrations for popular tools like Mailchimp, Xero, FreshBooks, and Google Workspace. So if you're already using those in your workflow, getting them connected is a breeze.

But the integration options don't stop there. Capsule also supports leading iPaaS vendors like Zapier and Make. This opens up a world of possibilities, allowing you to connect Capsule with thousands of other web apps without needing any coding skills. You can automate data syncing, trigger workflows based on events, and much more. Zapier integration, in particular, is very well done.

For those with more technical needs, Capsule provides a robust API. This allows developers to integrate the system more deeply with custom or third-party applications. In my experience, the API is well-documented and reliable.

I've found the data syncing to be fast and seamless. Once you have an integration set up, you can count on your data always being up-to-date across all tools. The system also handles data conflicts gracefully.

Little touches, like being able to easily map custom fields when setting up an integration, make the whole process very user-friendly. And if you ever run into issues, CapsuleCRM’s support team is very knowledgeable about integrations and quick to help.

How good is Capsule CRM customer support?

(Image credit: Capsule CRM)

Capsule offers some customer support options, though it may not be as comprehensive as larger competitors. Users can access live support via email, with the friendly customer service team typically responding within one business day, Monday through Friday. However, phone and live chat support do not appear to be offered at this time.

Where the CRM really shines is in its self-service support resources. The company provides an extensive knowledge base filled with helpful articles and step-by-step guides covering everything from getting started to more advanced features and use cases. The Capsuleblog and YouTube channel are also fantastic resources, offering insightful tips, video tutorials, and customer success stories to help users make the most of the platform.

While researching CapsuleCRM's support, I was impressed by the largely positive customer reviews and high ratings the company has earned on third-party sites like G2, Capterra, and TrustRadius. Many users praise the responsiveness and helpfulness of the support team, noting that they received prompt and effective assistance despite the lack of live support options. However, a few reviewers did mention that the lack of phone support could be an issue for some customers.

It's worth noting that Capsule doesn't have a dedicated user forum or community at this time. While the knowledge base and tutorials are undoubtedly valuable, having a space for customers to connect, share ideas, and help one another could further enhance the support experience.

Capsule CRM plans and pricing

Plan

Free

Starter

Growth

Advanced

Ultimate

Price

$0/user/month

$18/user/month

$36/user/month

$54/user/month

$72/user/month

Best For

Individuals testing CRM functionality

Small businesses needing basic CRM tools

Growing businesses requiring more contacts and automation

Larger teams needing extensive features

Large teams needing premium support and advanced CRM features

Features

2 users and 250 contacts

Single sales pipeline

Email sending

30,000 contacts

AI email assistant

Shared mailbox

60,000 contacts

Workflow automations

Multiple pipelines

120,000 contacts

Contact enrichment

Multiple project boards

Everything in Advanced

Premium onboarding

Dedicated account manager

Limitations

Limited contacts and users

No advanced reporting or automations

Limited project boards and contact enrichment

Higher cost, requires setup

Higher cost, best suited for larger organizations

Capsule CRM employs a per-user per-month pricing model with five tiers ranging from a limited free plan up to $72 per user monthly. The free version supports up to 2 users, 250 contacts, and 10 AI content assists, but lacks workflow automations, project management features, and advanced customizations.

In my view, Capsule's pricing is fairly standard for a CRM, with the per-user monthly cost increasing as more robust features and higher usage limits are unlocked. The Starter plan, at $18 per user per month, should suffice for small teams just needing core CRM functionality. However, growing businesses will likely need at least the Professional plan at $36/user/month to access workflow automation capabilities that can significantly boost productivity.

One downside is that many features SMBs would want, like sales pipeline management, email templates, and custom fields, are limited or unavailable on the free and lower-tier plans. Capsule does offer a free plan and trial to test out the software, but the free version is quite limited compared to some competitors.

On the plus side, Capsule's pricing is transparent and straightforward, without any hidden fees or required add-ons. Discounts are provided for annual billing and new customers. The monthly price maxes out at $72 per user for the Ultimate plan, which is reasonable compared to enterprise tiers of many other CRMs.

BoomTown is a full-featured real estate CRM that provides the marketing muscle agents need to generate and convert leads. The cloud-based platform offers a comprehensive suite of tools spanning lead generation, IDX websites, email campaigns, transaction management, AI business analytics, and more.

What sets BoomTown apart from other CRM platforms is the breadth of its capabilities. While it may not be the absolute best in any one area, few CRMs can match its overall scope. The automated marketing features and lead gen services are particularly strong. You also get a dedicated success manager to help turn those leads into commissions.

BoomTown's slick mobile app puts the power of the CRM in your pocket when you're on the go. Plus, the open API enables integrations beyond the 20+ third-party solutions it natively supports to further extend the functionality. If you're looking for an all-in-one platform to run your real estate business, BoomTown is a solid contender.

BoomTown CRM core capabilities Image 1 of 5

Take advantage of powerful automation features and reporting with BoomTown’s CRM. (Image credit: BoomTown)Image 2 of 5

Bring in more leads with BoomTown’s lead gen team, and nurture those leads with its success management team. (Image credit: BoomTown)Image 3 of 5

Build IDX-powered websites and link them together with BoomTown’s site builder. (Image credit: BoomTown)Image 4 of 5

Do everything you can do on the desktop CRM from a clean, mobile-friendly interface using BoomTown’s Now app. (Image credit: BoomTown)Image 5 of 5

Integrate your BoomTown experience with over 20 third-party partners. (Image credit: BoomTown)

BoomTown CRM delivers on all the features aimed at empowering real estate professionals to efficiently manage their contacts, track pipelines, forecast sales, and gain actionable insights through analytics.

A solid contact management system, BoomTown allows users to centralize all their leads and client information in one place, making it easy to navigate and stay organized. I found the ability to add detailed notes, set reminders, and automate follow-ups valuable for nurturing relationships and maintaining communication.

When it comes to pipeline tracking, BoomTown CRM offers a visual and intuitive interface. The pipeline view provides a clear overview of where each deal stands, enabling agents to identify bottlenecks and prioritize their efforts. I appreciate how the system automatically updates the pipeline stages based on predefined criteria, saving time and reducing the risk of manual errors.

Sales forecasting is another area where BoomTown outperforms many competitors. The platform leverages historical data and current pipeline information to generate accurate revenue projections. Very useful for strategic planning and resource allocation. I found the customizable forecast reports especially neat, as they allow for a granular analysis of expected sales by agent, region, or property type.

For analyzing performance, BoomTown offers a wealth of insights and metrics to help agents and brokers measure their success and identify areas for improvement. From lead conversion rates to average time to close, the analytics dashboard provides a comprehensive view of key performance indicators. I particularly like the ability to benchmark individual and team performance against industry standards, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.

The platform's mobile app, available for both iOS and Android devices, provides agents with on-the-go access to their contacts, pipeline, and tasks. I found the app's user interface to be intuitive and responsive, allowing for seamless productivity even when out of the office and in the field.

Beyond the core features, BoomTown CRM offers a range of additional capabilities that enhance its value proposition. The system integrates with popular real estate tools like MLS databases, task managers, and marketing automation platforms, streamlining workflows and eliminating data silos. I also appreciate the customization options, which allow brokerages to tailor the platform to their specific needs and branding.

While BoomTown CRM excels in many areas, there are a few aspects that could be improved. The learning curve for some of the more advanced features can be steep and the initial setup process may require dedicated training. Additionally, the pricing structure may be a bit steep for smaller brokerages or individual agents.

Overall, BoomTown CRM delivers a comprehensive and powerful solution for real estate professionals looking to optimize their contact management, pipeline tracking, sales forecasting, and performance analytics. The platform's mobile access and additional features further enhance its value. Despite some minor drawbacks, I believe BoomTown CRM is a top contender in the real estate CRM space, offering the tools and insights needed to drive success in today's competitive market.

How easy is BoomTown CRM to use?

Coming over to the UX, BoomTown CRM gets mostly positive remarks from users and reviewers. The user interface is frequently described as visually appealing and enjoyable to use. One reviewer noted, "It is by far the most visually appealing real estate software, which makes it incredibly easy to use."

The mobile app also receives praise for bringing the full CRM functionality together in a neat, mobile-friendly format. Generating and managing leads, tracking progress, and automated email marketing are all called out as working smoothly.

However, the learning curve isn't zero. Some reviews mention it takes time to get everything set up and running optimally. At least one user complained about slow response times when seeking support.

BoomTown loses some points compared to competitors for its landing page builder. While functional, it's based on WordPress, which involves more of a learning curve compared to proprietary builders offered by some rival CRMs. That said, WordPress is also known for its outstanding flexibility.

Overall, though, BoomTown appears to be an intuitive platform that becomes easy to use once you're over the initial learning curve. But those looking for more of a "just works" experience with minimal customization may want to evaluate other options.

Integrations

When it comes to integrations, BoomTown doesn't disappoint. The CRM offers a wide range of pre-built integrations and connectors with popular real estate tools and services, allowing agents to seamlessly connect their entire arsenal of apps into one central command center.

Some standout native integrations include Sisu for syncing transaction and lead data, BombBomb for easily embedding video content into marketing materials, Brokermint for transaction management, CallAction for capturing inbound calls as new leads, dotloop for syncing deals, and even Google Calendar for scheduling appointments.

Through Zapier, BoomTown can integrate with a whopping 6,000 other apps, making it incredibly versatile. You can use Zapier to set up automated workflows between BoomTown and apps like Mailchimp, Constant Contact, and countless others with just a few clicks. The possibilities are nearly endless.

BoomTown also offers an API for custom integrations if you have more advanced needs. While I wasn't able to test the API directly, user reports suggest the documentation is comprehensive and that it’s reliable for syncing data across systems.

That said, some users have reported occasional hiccups with the speed and consistency of data syncing between apps using pre-built connectors. However, this seems to be more the exception than the norm. Generally speaking, however, I'm impressed with BoomTown's integration capabilities despite being a niche real estate CRM.

How good is BoomTown customer support?

Booking an appointment with BoomTown’s sales team is easy with BoomBot’s help. (Image credit: BoomTown)

BoomTown offers a solid range of live support channels, including phone, email, and live chat to get help from a real person. They also provide self-service support options like a knowledge base and community forum to let users find answers on their own.

In terms of responsiveness, BoomTown's support team is generally prompt based on my experience and user reviews. While I couldn't find specific data on the CRM support’s average first response and resolution times, most customers seem satisfied with how quickly the support reps get back to them.

The quality of support also appears to be a strength for BoomTown. Their support staff are consistently described as helpful, knowledgeable, and easy to work with in solving issues. That said, support experiences aren't consistent across the board. Some users have encountered slower or less reliable support at times.

So while there's room for improvement, BoomTown delivers responsive support more often than not. The multiple support channels and self-service resources provide flexibility, with most customers having only positive things to say about their support interactions. But as with any vendor, individual support experiences may vary.

BoomTown CRM pricing and plans

Plan

Launch

Grow

Advance

Price

$1000/month

$1300/month

$1500/month

Best For

Small-to-medium enterprises starting with CRM tools

Growing teams needing enhanced features and support

Large-scale organizations requiring dedicated support

Features

Lead management

Smart-drip plans

Mobile app access

More user seats

Dynamic retargeting

Success assurance

Reduced setup fee

Custom integrations

Account manager

Limitations

Limited advanced features, higher setup fee

Higher cost, no custom integrations

Most expensive plan, only for large teams

BoomTown offers a few different pricing plans catered to teams of different sizes, but their main "Advance" plan, aimed at larger teams and brokerages, comes with a hefty $1,500 per month price tag and a $1,500 setup fee. This places BoomTown on the higher end of the real estate CRM price spectrum.

There are no discounts advertised on BoomTown's website, though some agent coaching programs, like Tom Ferry's "Advantage", offer a slight discount on the platform. BoomTown also doesn't provide a free trial of its software, so you'll have to rely on demos to get a sense of the system before committing.

In addition to the base monthly fee, BoomTown requires an advertising budget of at least $1,000 per month to fund lead generation through channels like Google Ads and Facebook. So all-in, expect to pay a minimum of around $2,500 per month plus the one-time setup fee for a standard BoomTown plan.

For that price, you get a relatively full-featured CRM with built-in IDX websites, lead generation and qualification tools, and automated marketing features. But there are certainly more affordable options out there that cover much of the same ground.

The lack of transparent a la carte pricing or a free trial period is a downside in my view. CRMs these days usually offer some sort of try-before-you-buy option, even if it's limited. And the additional marketing spend on top of the base platform fee means your monthly software costs can quickly add up with BoomTown.

Still, for larger teams and brokerages with the budget to match, BoomTown is a proven CRM system used by many top real estate offices. Just make sure you factor in the total costs, including setup fees and ad spend, when comparing the platform to lower-priced competitors. A thorough demo or an agent coaching program discount could help take some of the sting out of the steep sticker price.

BoomTown CRM review: Final verdict

BoomTown delivers an impressive real estate CRM that provides the sales and marketing capabilities agents need to effectively generate and convert leads. What sets BoomTown apart is the scope — while it may not be the absolute best-in-class in any one thing, few competitors can match its feature set.

Its automated marketing tools and lead generation services are particularly strong suits. I was impressed by how the system leverages AI to optimize ad spend and funnel high-quality leads. You also get a dedicated success manager to help turn those leads into closed deals.

While mastering all the features involves a learning curve and the price point is on the higher end, BoomTown is a serious contender for tech-savvy teams and brokerages looking for an all-in-one solution to run their business. If maximizing productivity with a single, streamlined platform is the goal, BoomTown fits the bill nicely.

Cinc is making waves in the real estate CRM space with its feature-rich all-in-one platform. This cloud-based solution equips agents and teams with sleek IDX websites, powerful marketing automation, and intelligent contact management tools — all under one virtual roof.

From my experience demoing the product, Cinc's intuitive interface makes it easy to capture and nurture leads through the sales funnel. The system automatically enriches contact data, enabling highly targeted email and SMS campaigns. AI-powered insights help prioritize the hottest opportunities.

That said, Cinc's wealth of capabilities can feel overwhelming at first. Plan to invest time in onboarding and training to reap the full benefits. Also, smaller teams may find the price tag steep compared to more basic CRM platforms. But for agents serious about scaling their business, Cinc's robust feature set and glowing user reviews suggest it's a worthwhile investment.

Cinc CRM core capabilities Image 1 of 5

In CINC CRM, you can store all your leads, customers, and prospects and sort them by priority. (Image credit: CINC)Image 2 of 5

Take your CRM experience to the next level with three specialized mobile apps. (Image credit: CINC)Image 3 of 5

Use CINC’s ready-made IDX site to save time and money on web development. (Image credit: CINC)Image 4 of 5

Use CINC’s VoIP dialer to call contacts straight from your CRM. (Image credit: CINC)Image 5 of 5

Leverage CINC’s proprietary SMS-based artificial intelligence tool to nurture leads. (Image credit: CINC)

Cinc is an easy-to-use and mobile-friendly real estate CRM platform suitable for teams of all sizes. It has the essential capabilities you'd expect in a CRM system. This includes contact management to organize and store customer information, lead capture to automatically identify and save potential leads, and lead management features to nurture prospects throughout the sales cycle.

But where Cinc shines is its focus on mobile-first access for field agents. The platform offers three mobile apps that allow agents to close deals on the go, gather open house data, and put listings out to the world. Having tested the mobile apps myself, I found them intuitive and convenient for staying productive out in the field. The built-in VoIP phone service is also a nice touch for making calls.

On the sales enablement side, Cinc provides pipeline management to track opportunities and deals. The activity dashboard gives a useful overview of ongoing processes and incidents. Basic reporting and analytics are included to surface key metrics.

One area that could be improved is the website customization. While Cinc does include a premade IDX website for listings, the customization options are limited compared to some competitors. The email marketing tool gets the job done for sending campaigns, but advanced automation would be welcome.

On the plus side, Cinc offers impressive customer support. The company offers phone, email and chat support, plus an extensive knowledge base. From my research, the support team seems to be responsive and helpful.

While it may not have all the bells and whistles of enterprise real estate CRMs, Cinc covers the fundamentals well. For small real estate teams looking for a simple and mobile-friendly CRM they can pick up quickly, Cinc is a compelling option. Just be aware of the limitations around website customization and marketing automation as the business scales.

How easy is Cinc to use?

CINC’s user-friendly interface is constructed around your pipeline, displayed on the main dashboard. (Image credit: CINC )

Getting started with Cinc CRM is a quick and painless process. After requesting a demo, the Cinc team provides an interactive walkthrough of the platform's key features. Since it's a cloud-based solution, no installation is required; you can dive right in.

While the website customization options are more limited compared to some competitors, Cinc makes up for it with extensive training resources. The Cinc Academy knowledge base provides detailed self-serve guides, while periodic live and recorded webinars dive deeper into specific topics. For a more hands-on approach, in-person networking events and intensive classroom training sessions are also available.

Cinc claims that the average agent can set appointments worth over $7,500 in commissions during these training workshops. At the very least, it's clear that it has invested in helping users quickly master the platform and start generating real results.

Every aspect of the CRM is supported by interactive walkthroughs, so you're never left guessing how to accomplish a task. Between the knowledge base, webinars, and in-person training, Cinc provides all the resources needed to get up to speed efficiently, regardless of your learning style.

While Cinc doesn't specify an exact timeframe for reaching proficiency, the breadth and depth of their educational resources should have new users feeling confident navigating the platform's core functions in short order. The intuitive interface also goes a long way in flattening the learning curve.

Cinc CRM offers an accessible and well-supported user experience. What it may lack in website customization, it more than makes up for in its array of practical training resources designed to help agents turn the CRM into a lead-generating machine with minimal ramp-up time. For teams looking to start capitalizing on Cinc's robust feature set from day one, they won't be disappointed.

Integrations

Cinc makes it straightforward to connect its CRM with a wide range of applications. It offers pre-built integrations and connectors for many popular real estate apps, including BombBomb, Callingly, BrokerMint, and Realty.com. If a native integration isn't available, you can still link Cinc with over 6,000 other tools via Zapier.

For situations that require custom integrations, Cinc provides a robust API. Developers can use it to sync data bi-directionally and build tailored solutions. The documentation seems quite comprehensive from what I could tell after perusing their developer portal. That's good news if you have unique integration needs not covered by the pre-built connectors and Zapier.

In terms of data syncing reliability and performance, there isn't a ton of information available online. A few comments I came across in user reviews suggest that Cinc's integrations are generally solid, and data transfers happen quickly without major issues. Personally, I haven't encountered any issues either.

Cinc also incorporates some helpful quality-of-life features for simplifying the integration process. The integration library allows you to explore available connectors and provides setup guides for each. You can also view and manage all your active integrations from a centralized dashboard in the CRM.

How good is Cinc customer support?

Cinc provides multiple channels for customers to access support, including phone, email, and live chat. Its US-based support team is available Monday through Friday from 9:30 am to 7 pm Eastern Time and on Saturdays from 9:30 am to 2 pm ET. The company lists dedicated phone numbers and email addresses to reach their sales and support teams directly.

Live chat reps answer within a few minutes. They are friendly and knowledgeable, more than happy to offer step-by-step instructions to guide you through key tasks.

Cinc also offers a variety of self-service support resources. An online knowledge base, called Cinc Academy, contains detailed articles and video tutorials covering all aspects of using the platform. There's also a community forum where users can ask questions and share best practices.

In reading through reviews on sites like Capterra and G2, I found a lot of praise for their support team. More than a few reviews highlighted the strong relationships they've built with Cinc's support reps and account managers, which shows that the company is willing to go the extra mile for good, long-term customer relationships.

While I wasn't able to find data on Cinc's average first response and resolution times, the general consensus from customers is that their support is prompt, knowledgeable, and goes above and beyond. However, I'd love to see them extend their live support hours and share more specific data on support KPIs, which could help create a more accessible and transparent customer experience.

Cinc pricing and plans

Plan

Solo

Ramp

Pro

Select

Price

Custom pricing

Custom pricing

Custom pricing

Custom pricing

Best For

Individual agents needing basic CRM tools

Small to medium teams seeking collaborative solutions

Large teams requiring extensive features and support

Enterprise teams needing even more user seats

Features

Basic lead routing

CRM tools and functionality

Limited integration options

Many more integrations

Team collaboration

Advanced lead routing

Advanced video messaging

Custom integrations

Dedicated account manager

50+ user seats

Same features as Pro plan

No new additions

Limitations

Limited team tools, higher ad spend required

Higher cost, still limited customization

Requires consultation for pricing

No new feature additions

Cinc offers a variety of pricing plans to accommodate different-sized real estate teams, from individual agents to large brokerages. The details of each pricing tier aren't publicly disclosed, but here's what I was able to uncover.

The Solo plan is designed for an individual agent and includes core features like a CRM, marketing automation, a mobile app, landing pages, seller marketing tools, basic lead routing, and some integrations. Meanwhile, SMBS with up to 4 users can opt for the Ramp plan, which has all the functionality of the last plan with lead routing and additional integrations.

Larger teams of up to 49 agents would look at the Pro plan, while the Select plan handles brokerages of 50+ users. Both come with the full set of Cinc platform capabilities. All plans have access to Cinc's lead generation products, which include paid leads from Google and Facebook, as well as their proprietary List Cast and remarketing tools. Optional add-ons, like a power dialer or artificial intelligence, can raise costs.

I don't love the lack of transparency around pricing. You have to contact Cinc for a custom quote based on your team size and needs. Sources suggest that pricing is also generally quite high compared to other CRMs, likely due to the lead gen features.

Bottom line, Cinc's pricing model offers flexibility for different-sized businesses, but be prepared to spend at least $600 monthly even for the Solo plan. You'll have to crunch the numbers carefully to determine if the platform's lead management, marketing automation, and AI capabilities justify the steep price tag for your business.

Cinc CRM review: Final verdict

After thoroughly testing Cinc CRM, I think it's a feature-rich platform well-suited for real estate teams serious about scaling their business. Cinc takes an all-in-one approach, combining essential CRM capabilities with sleek IDX websites and AI marketing automation. The intuitive interface and strong mobile apps make it easy to stay productive on the go.

That said, Cinc's extensive feature set can feel overwhelming initially. Plan to invest time in their training resources to fully capitalize on everything the platform offers. The price point may also be steep for smaller teams compared to more basic CRMs.

But for established teams ready to level up their lead generation and relationship management, Cinc is a compelling choice. The system automatically enriches contact data, enabling highly targeted email and SMS campaigns. AI-powered insights help prioritize the hottest opportunities. And the responsive customer support team is there to help you succeed.

While areas like website customization and advanced marketing automation have room for enhancement, Cinc nails the fundamentals. If you're a growth-focused real estate team looking for an accessible yet comprehensive CRM to serve as a centralized operational hub, Cinc is well worth consideration.

RealOffice360 is a simple CRM designed to help real estate agents streamline their business and boost productivity. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to get up and running quickly.

Some standout features include automated reminders to keep in touch with clients, the ability to build customized pipelines and processes, and AI-powered communications. Lead capture tools pull in prospect information from various sources to create a centralized database. A mobile app provides agents with fast access on the go.

In testing out the CRM platform, I found it reasonably priced for the functionality, and the interface was very user-friendly. Some areas for improvement are the email marketing capabilities and the limited third-party integrations currently. But overall, RealOffice360 offers a solid set of core CRM features tailored for busy real estate professionals looking to better manage client relationships and grow their business.

RealOffice360 core capabilities Image 1 of 4

The RealOffice360 CRM contact pages highlight associated details, tasks, and properties. (Image credit: RealOffice360)Image 2 of 4

You can edit deal stages and easily add new properties to your pipeline. (Image credit: RealOffice360)Image 3 of 4

Increase your chances of closing deals by setting workflow tasks. (Image credit: RealOffice360)Image 4 of 4

Integrating with real estate lead capture websites can increase your lead pool. (Image credit: RealOffice360)

RealOffice360 provides a robust set of client management capabilities. Its all-in-one contact database lets users easily add and manage real estate clients. Contacts can be imported from various sources like Google, Outlook, iPhone, Excel, or other CRM software. The system also allows categorizing contacts with group labels and favorites to keep the database well-organized.

The client profile in RealOffice360 acts as a central hub, housing notes, communications, files, property details, and even family information all in one place. I particularly like the smart follow-up reminders for important dates like client birthdays, home purchase anniversaries, and wedding anniversaries — this enables agents to effortlessly keep in touch with past clients.

Another strength is the CRM's client communication features. It syncs emails, enables bulk emailing, provides an AI assistant to help craft professional emails, and supports customizable email signatures. Having all client interactions and touchpoints logged in one system is invaluable.

Beyond contact management, RealOffice360 CRM offers capable deal tracking functionality. Users can manage the full sales cycle, from lead capture and follow-up to commission calculations and tax handling. The visual sales pipeline with drag-and-drop controls makes it simple to advance deals to close.

Rounding out the feature set are tools for daily task management and scheduling via the built-in calendar and to-do lists. The system also provides email marketing, note-taking, data storage, and more.

But while RealOffice360 covers the CRM essentials and requirements for real estate quite well, the feature set feels a bit limited compared to some more mature mainstream players that offer deeper customization, extensibility, and third-party integrations.

How easy is RealOffice360 to use?

The drag-and-drop feature easily updates deal stages for contacts and properties. (Image credit: RealOffice360)

RealOffice360 shines in its simplicity and intuitiveness. The software takes a streamlined approach, stripping away unnecessary complexity to provide a clean and modern interface that is easy to navigate. Even users with minimal technical skills can quickly get up to speed and start managing their client relationships effectively.

But RealOffice360 also allows you to tailor the CRM to your specific workflow and preferences. You can create custom fields, views, and pipelines to match how you do business. The flexibility means you're not forced into a rigid one-size-fits-all system. Instead, the CRM adapts to you, enhancing your work style.

The thoughtful UI design carries through to mobile, with a responsive interface that is just as intuitive on a smartphone as on a desktop. Whether you're in the office or on the go, you have full access to your client data, communications, and deal pipeline. Updates sync seamlessly so your whole team is always on the same page.

Onboarding is refreshingly painless thanks to the software's inherent simplicity. RealOffice360 provides a library of concise tutorial videos that walk you through the key features and configuration options. In my experience, most users can dive right in and learn by doing, with the videos there as a fallback for any stumbling points. The time from setup to full productivity is remarkably short compared to more complex CRM systems.

As your business evolves, RealOffice360 scales smoothly alongside you. The well-organized settings allow you to adjust your account as needed, without technical headaches. You can add new users, tweak permissions, and expand your usage while maintaining the same core interface your team is familiar with.

Sure, RealOffice360 may lack some of the advanced features found in higher-end CRM suites. But those bells and whistles often come at the cost of usability. For the vast majority of small to midsize real estate businesses, RealOffice360 delivers exactly what's needed in a package that's intuitive, accessible, and easy to adopt.

Integrations

RealOffice360 has been putting in more effort into making the CRM integrate with other business software, which is important for any modern CRM. The product supports pre-built integrations with popular apps like Gmail, Outlook, Slack, QuickBooks, and more, allowing data to flow seamlessly between systems.

RealOffice360 also has an open API that enables developers to build custom integrations. While the API documentation could be more comprehensive, it does cover the core CRM objects and allows pulling data into 3rd party apps. The API supports both REST and Webhooks for real-time notifications.

For non-technical users, RealOffice360 offers integration with Zapier, a leading iPaaS. This opens up connections to 1000s of apps without needing to write code. Setting up Zaps was relatively intuitive when I tested it. RealOffice360 has provided Zapier triggers for common events like new lead created, deal updated, etc., which can then kick off actions in other apps.

One area I'd like to see RealOffice360 improve is the breadth of its pre-built integrations. Several CRMs that I've reviewed have marketplaces with hundreds of apps that integrate out of the box. RealOffice360's selection is more limited currently. Expanding this, as well as creating more comprehensive docs for the API, could make the platform even more extendable.

How good is RealOffice360 support?

RealOffice360 offers a few key channels for users to get assistance, such as email, chat, and self-service.

Live chat support is available, allowing customers to get quick answers to their questions or concerns directly through the platform. This is a convenient option that can provide more immediate help compared to other methods.

In terms of self-service resources, RealOffice360 maintains a fairly comprehensive online knowledge base. This searchable support hub contains helpful articles, tutorials, and FAQs across a range of topics. It's a good first stop for users looking to troubleshoot issues on their own or learn more about certain features.

RealOffice360's documentation doesn't specify average first response or resolution times, which would be helpful to know. Responsiveness and the speed at which issues get resolved are important factors in evaluating support quality.

From the user reviews I came across, it seems that support does earn some praise. Several customers mentioned that the support team was helpful and ensured their problems were solved. Of course, a broader set of testimonials would paint a clearer picture.

One potential limitation is that live support via chat and email is only available on weekdays from 11 am-7 pm EST. Round-the-clock coverage would be better for users in different time zones or those who need assistance outside regular business hours.

The free plan also has a slower 48-hour maximum response time, compared to higher tiers. While understandable, it's something for free users to keep in mind.

RealOffice360 pricing and plans

Plan

Essentials

Premium

Team

Price

$12/user/month

$25/user/month

$50/user/month

Best For

Solo agents starting with CRM tools

Agents needing advanced marketing features

Teams requiring collaboration and shared data

Features

Unlimited contacts

Task calendar

Deal tracking

Customizable workflows

Bulk email

AI assistant features

Collaborative calendars

Team management

Shared pipelines

Limitations

Limited to basic CRM functions

Advanced features at higher cost

Additional users cost extra

The first thing that stands out to me about RealOffice360 is their very generous 14-day free trial, which doesn't even require a credit card to get started. This makes it easy and risk-free to fully test drive the platform before making any financial commitment.

Once you're ready to upgrade, their paid plans start at a very reasonable $12 per month for solo agents on the Essentials plan. This gets you access to their core CRM features for managing your contacts, properties, and transactions.

Stepping up to their Premium plan at $25 per month unlocks some powerful automation capabilities, like email syncing and customizable workflows, that can really streamline your business. For an individual agent, this tier likely provides the best bang for your buck.

Small teams will appreciate the affordability of RealOffice360's Team plan, which supports 2 users for $50 per month, with additional seats at $30 each. So a team of 5 could get everyone up and running for around $140 monthly. The inclusion of team-oriented features at this level, like shared calendars and pipelines, adds a lot of collaborative value.

Larger brokerages with many agents have access to volume pricing starting at $125 per month for unlimited users. This allows bigger firms to take advantage of RealOffice360's capabilities at scale.

Other factors that enhance RealOffice360's pricing attractiveness are the lack of any long-term contracts or cancellation penalties, and the ability to save up to 20% by opting for annual billing. All in all, RealOffice360 delivers robust CRM functionality at price points that should fit comfortably within most real estate businesses' budgets.

RealOffice360 CRM review: Final verdict

After an in-depth evaluation, RealOffice360 emerges as a solid CRM contender purpose-built for real estate professionals. Its intuitive interface and streamlined feature set make it easy to adopt and use on a daily basis to manage contacts, properties, and deals.

A major strength lies in RealOffice360's ability to facilitate collaboration among real estate teams. The software allows assigning properties, tasks, and commissions to specific team members, ensuring clarity and accountability. The visual deal pipeline is also a standout, enabling agents to easily track and advance sales opportunities.

RealOffice360's customer support is another bright spot. The company offers live chat and phone support on weekdays, along with a searchable online knowledge base for self-service.

However, RealOffice360 does have some room for improvement in terms of customization and integration. The platform provides limited ability to personalize data fields, reports, and pipeline views. Additionally, while it offers essential integrations with email and calendar tools, the breadth of third-party app connections trails some competitors. Security-conscious firms may also find the lack of two-factor authentication problematic.

As a realtor-focused customer relationship management (CRM) platform, Chime, now known as Lofty, aims to streamline the entire lead-to-deal process. Its intuitive interface and all-in-one feature set make it a compelling option for realty businesses looking to grow their pipelines and close more sales.

Chime's key capabilities span lead generation, contact management, and deal tracking. The platform offers an IDX website builder, AI-powered marketing automation, and a mobile app for on-the-go access. While these comprehensive features may come with a learning curve, they enable realtors to qualify leads, prioritize follow-ups, and gain visibility into team performance metrics.

During my review, I found it to be a robust CRM platform for realty teams wanting to consolidate their tech stack. Regular product updates, good user feedback, and a niche focus provide strong evidence of Chime's customer-centric approach. For growing realtor businesses, Chime warrants strong consideration.

Chime CRM core capabilities Image 1 of 4

You can easily navigate across Chime CRM’s extensive feature list from desktop and mobile. (Image credit: Chime CRM)Image 2 of 4

Chime CRM’s ad targeting tool works across many major platforms, including Google and Facebook. (Image credit: Chime CRM)Image 3 of 4

To increase your close rate, let Chime CRM’s Smart Suggestions recommend the next best step. (Image credit: Chime CRM)Image 4 of 4

Conveniently, your IDX website builder is in the same place as your customer data. (Image credit: Chime CRM)

Chime's core CRM capabilities strike me as quite robust, well-suited for the needs of most real estate businesses. It covers all the essential features you'd expect in a comprehensive CRM system.

For contact management, Chime offers solid lead generation and capture tools. The AI Assistant can automatically match new leads to appropriate listings and set up customized property alerts based on their behavior. This intelligent lead nurturing helps keep prospects engaged.

I was impressed by Chime's pipeline tracking capabilities as well. The platform provides a good overview of your sales pipeline, with visual reports on the status of deals. You can create customizable "Smart Plans" to automate workflows and keep transactions moving smoothly.

Another standout is Chime's forecasting algorithm, which uses agent performance data and historical trends to predict future sales. As an analyst, I always appreciate a CRM that offers strong reporting and analytics. Chime lets you monitor key metrics like volume, closings, and revenue in real-time.

For agents frequently in the field, Chime's mobile app is indispensable. It provides access to critical CRM features on the go, including the ability to contact leads and use the built-in Power Dialer.

If I had to critique Chime, I'd say the depth of its sales analytics could be stronger compared to some enterprise-grade CRMs. But for most real estate teams, it likely provides ample insights to optimize performance.

Overall, Chime appears to be a well-rounded CRM platform. By combining essential contact management, deal tracking, and reporting capabilities with industry-specific features, Chime positions itself as a solid contender in the real estate CRM space. While it may have some room for improvement, Chime's core functionality is more than enough for most agencies.

How easy is Chime CRM to use?

Having the property market at your fingertips with the IDX website builder can help win deals more quickly. (Image credit: Chime CRM)

Chime CRM shines with its clean and intuitive UI that even CRM novices can navigate with little training. The well-organized layout and ample white space make it simple to find the tools and data you need. Performing essential tasks like updating contacts or placing a call only requires a few clicks.

Chime's mobile app brings the desktop version's core functionality to your smartphone, enabling agents to work efficiently on the go. This accessibility is a huge plus for busy real estate professionals constantly juggling client meetings and property showings.

The CRM offers a solid range of customization options, letting you tailor dashboards, reports, and workflows to match your unique business processes. However, it may take some time to fully explore and configure these features to optimize your setup.

To smooth the onboarding process, Chime provides helpful training videos that walk new users through the basics of the platform. These resources can significantly reduce the learning curve and help your team hit the ground running.

That said, given its extensive capabilities, it's realistic to expect an adjustment period as you get acquainted with all the bells and whistles. Mastering advanced features and fine-tuning automated sequences will likely require some trial and error.

In my experience, most users can become comfortable with Chime's core functions within a couple of weeks. But reaching peak proficiency and fully customizing the system to your needs may take a month or two of consistent use.

While not without a learning curve, Chime CRM's thoughtful design and educational resources make it an accessible, user-friendly choice for real estate teams. With a bit of practice and exploration, you'll be leveraging this powerful tool like a pro in no time.

Integrations

Chime offers several pre-built integrations out of the box with popular real estate tools and services. This includes lead capture and parsing integrations with Zillow, Trulia, and Realtor.com, email integrations with Gmail and Exchange, calendar sync with Google Calendar and Outlook, and transaction management tie-ins with Brokermint, Dotloop, and Skyslope.

The CRM also integrates with marketing automation and video tools like BombBomb, MailChimp, Cloud CMA, and Dubb. Based on my experience, most of the key applications real estate teams would need seem to be supported natively.

For more custom integrations, Chime does offer an API. However, documentation on its full capabilities is limited. The main use case highlighted is accessing queue and agent availability data from the Chime support desk. While useful, this is a fairly narrow integration scenario.

Where Chime really shines is its support for iPaaS tools like Zapier. Using Zapier, you can connect Chime with 1000s of other web apps and automate data syncing and workflow steps between them. I found several examples of real estate teams using Zapier to integrate Chime with tools like ClickFunnels for lead capture and Roomvu for lead qualification.

So while Chime's custom API is lacking, the combination of pre-built integrations with key industry tools and extensive Zapier support make it a very extensible platform overall. It should meet the integration needs of most real estate businesses without heavy technical lifting.

How good is Chime CRM support?

Chime CRM provides several live support channels, including phone and email, but it seems to lack a live chat option based on my research. While they do offer a knowledge base with articles and tutorials, there doesn't appear to be an active user forum or community for peer-to-peer support.

Where it really struggles is in the quality and responsiveness of the customer service. Many user reviews mention slow response times, with support agents often just reading from scripts rather than providing personalized assistance. Some customers report waiting weeks to get critical account issues resolved.

Chime touts a 96% customer satisfaction rate on its website, but that figure seems suspect given the numerous complaints I came across on sites like TrustRadius and G2. On TrustRadius, Chime's support is ranked poorly compared to other major CRM brands. One reviewer called their service "awful" and said it made the platform nearly impossible to use.

Reddit contains several threads with users venting frustrations about Chime's "atrocious" and "joke" of a support experience. Agents apparently say anything to get people off the phone without actually resolving problems. Tax issues and account lockouts are cited as common issues that linger unaddressed.

I think Chime has built a powerful CRM product, but they have seriously dropped the ball when it comes to backing it up with quality customer service. For a tool that is so critical to a business's operations, I would have major concerns about relying on Chime based on these support shortcomings.

Response and resolution times are clearly well below industry standards, and the lack of live chat and community forum options is disappointing for a modern SaaS company. Until Chime makes major investments in expanding and upleveling their customer service, I would be hesitant to recommend them over competing CRM platforms with better reputations for support.

Chime CRM pricing and plans

Plan

Core

Premier

Business

Price

$499/month

$700/month

$1500/month

Best For

Individual agents starting with CRM tools

Small teams needing enhanced collaboration

Larger teams requiring comprehensive features

Features

Basic lead management

Email marketing

Mobile app access

API access

Advanced reporting

Team collaboration tools

Dedicated customer support

AI-driven insights

Custom integrations

Limitations

Basic features only, limited support

Limited advanced features, higher cost

Complex setup, requires training

Chime offers three main pricing plans to suit different types and sizes of real estate teams. The pricing model is subscription-based, with a monthly fee that varies depending on the plan and number of users.

The starter "Core" plan is priced at $499 per month and is designed for solo agents and small teams just getting started with a CRM. It includes core CRM features like lead management, marketing automation, and reporting.

The most popular "Premier" plan starts at $700 per month for up to 15 users. Additional users can be added for $25 each per month. This plan unlocks advanced capabilities like custom dashboards, API access, and dedicated support.

For larger teams, the "Enterprise" plan starts at $1500 per month for up to 100 users, with each additional user costing $12/month. It offers the full suite of Chime features plus extras like white-labeling and a dedicated success manager. The Enterprise plan also has a one-time $2000 setup fee.

On top of the base subscription fees, there can be additional charges for certain premium add-ons and integrations, like advanced analytics or third-party data enrichment services. The costs for these extras are not openly published.

Chime does not offer a free plan but does provide a 14-day free trial on all plans so potential customers can test drive the platform before committing. Discounts may be available for annual contracts paid upfront, but the details are not public.

Overall, while not the cheapest option on the market, Chime's pricing seems reasonable given the comprehensive feature set and strong track record with real estate professionals. The tiered plans provide flexibility to accommodate different team sizes and budgets. But the lack of transparent pricing for enterprise-grade features and add-ons is a bit disappointing.

Potential buyers will definitely want to take advantage of the free trial and get a custom quote to determine the true long-term costs for their specific needs before signing up. For smaller teams and solo agents, there may be more affordable alternatives to evaluate as well.

Chime CRM review: Final verdict

Lofty, also called Chime, is a robust real estate CRM platform that combines essential contact and deal management features with advanced marketing automation and analytics tailored for the industry.

In reviewing it firsthand, I was impressed by the breadth and depth of its feature set. The platform offers all the core CRM functionality you'd expect, like contact management, task assignment, and pipeline tracking. But it really shines in its real estate-specific tools, such as the ability to create IDX websites, intelligently match leads to listings, leverage targeted online ads, and automate personalized lead nurturing.

Chime's interface is clean and intuitive, with solid customization options to adapt it to your workflow. The built-in onboarding and training resources also help flatten the learning curve. Integrations are another strength, with an extensive library of pre-built connections and a flexible API. However, customer support gets mixed reviews on responsiveness.

That said, Chime (or Lofty) is best suited for growth-focused real estate teams and brokerages seeking a fully-featured industry-specific CRM to manage their businesses. Budget-conscious solo agents may find it a bit overkill.

Brivity is a real estate-focused CRM and marketing automation platform that aims to streamline the daily workflows of agents and brokerages. Its integrated suite of tools covers lead generation, contact management, transaction management, and team collaboration.

Brivity enables agents to efficiently manage client relationships with customizable action plans, mass emailing, unique single property websites, a client portal, and more. The CRM platform also includes a built-in dialer and texting functionality to facilitate client communication.

In addition to the CRM, Brivity provides a customizable IDX website, text-to-lead capture, CMA reports, and even open house automation. While this breadth of functionality is impressive, it may come with a learning curve for users. Customer reviews praise Brivity's feature set, but adopting the full platform requires a commitment to learning the system.

Brivity CRM core capabilities

(Image credit: Brivity)

Brivity is a comprehensive real estate CRM that provides agents with a centralized hub to manage their contacts, transactions, marketing, and productivity.

The platform makes it easy to keep track of leads from various sources in one place. Lead details, behavior insights, and communication history are readily accessible. You can set up custom filters, tag,s and alerts to stay on top of hot prospects.

I found the messaging center quite useful for client engagement. It allows you to send personalized texts and emails using templates, and even set up auto-responses. The email sync with Gmail is also very handy.

Where Brivity really shines is transaction management. It provides a clear pipeline view of all your deals, with quick access to contacts, documents, tasks, and key dates for each transaction. I like how it automatically notifies clients of status updates.

Another standout is the customizable dashboard. At a glance, you can see how many new leads you've gotten, upcoming appointments, messages that need a reply, and priority tasks. It's a great way to plan your day.

While not groundbreaking, the MLS search and property pages are well-integrated into the CRM. You can easily add listings and share them with clients. The built-in comparative market analysis tool is also nice.

Other notable features include drip campaigns, single property websites, virtual tours, social media marketing, and team collaboration tools. There's no built-in dialer, but Brivity makes up for it with a wide range of integrations and an app marketplace for the CRM.

Brivity covers all the essential functions of a real estate CRM and adds quite a few extras. The interface is modern and intuitive, though the sheer number of features can feel overwhelming at first. But once you get the hang of it, Brivity can be a massive time-saver and productivity booster for a busy agent.

How easy is Brivity to use?

Brivity makes ease of use a top priority for its CRM. Upon signing up, you provide some basic details about your team and intended usage, then dive right into the platform as soon as billing is verified. While the array of tools and features may feel a bit overwhelming at first glance, Brivity's interface is thoughtfully designed to be easy to navigate on both desktop and mobile.

The main dashboard is divided into six core tabs that provide quick access to key functions like your calendar, contacts, transactions, and marketing tools. I found it simple to move between these areas and locate the specific features I needed. The Brivity Go mobile app is also well-designed, allowing agents to stay productive on the move - responding to messages, tracking web activity, finding prospects, and more.

What really impressed me was the level of user support Brivity provides to help new users get up to speed quickly. There's a dedicated support phone number and email address for any questions that come up. The Help Center is packed with detailed video tutorials and FAQs covering essential topics like initial setup, key features, and CRM best practices. You can also tap into the knowledge of the Brivity community by joining the Brivity Masterminds Facebook group to connect with other users, share tips and tricks, and stay updated on new feature rollouts.

While it offers an array of customization options to tailor the platform to your specific needs and workflow, Brivity’s essential functions are very approachable and don't require extensive setup to start using them effectively. Common tasks like logging contact interactions, setting up email campaigns, generating market reports, and managing transactions are quite straightforward.

The learning curve comes with exploring more advanced capabilities and optimizing your configuration. But overall, I'd estimate that a new user could get comfortable with the core day-to-day functions within a few hours, thanks to the intuitive design and breadth of learning resources. More advanced users will appreciate the ability to set up custom dashboards, data fields, pipelines, and more to suit their needs.

Integrations

Brivity offers a number of ways to sync data and automate workflows with external applications.

First, Brivity connects natively with Gmail, allowing users to send and receive emails directly within the CRM interface. This eliminates the need to switch back and forth between separate email and CRM apps.

Additionally, an in-app store provides access to multiple pre-built integrations that can be enabled with just a few clicks. Popular options include syncing contacts and events with Google, automating email campaigns via MailChimp, posting video updates with BombBomb, and importing leads from Zillow.

For more advanced use cases, Brivity supports integration with iPaaS tools Zapier and Make (formerly Integromat). This opens up possibilities to connect the CRM with hundreds of other SaaS apps and create custom automated workflows.

Real estate-specific integrations are available too, such as RealSynch for syndicating listings data and Callingly for automating lead follow-up calls. Clicking a lead capture form on a website can instantly trigger a call that connects the lead with an available agent, with the call data saved to Brivity.

Under the hood, Brivity provides a REST API that enables developers to programmatically insert and update data within the CRM. So companies with development resources can build fully customized integrations if needed.

In my testing, setting up basic integrations was simple and worked smoothly. Zapier automations reliably added or updated records without any noticeable sync delays. The breadth of turnkey integrations with common real-estate and productivity tools is impressive.

On the downside, API documentation is quite limited and hasn't been updated recently. So, more complex custom integrations may require some trial and error to implement. The interface for managing active integrations could also be improved; it's not always clear which integrations are enabled and how to troubleshoot issues.

How good is Brivity customer support?

Brivity offers solid customer support options to assist users with any questions or issues they may encounter while using the CRM platform.

In terms of live support channels, Brivity provides a dedicated support phone line that users can call to get help from a real person. The support number is 855-427-4848, staffed during regular business hours. Email support is also available by contacting support@brivity.com. While live chat doesn't appear to be offered, the phone and email support should meet the needs of most customers.

For those who prefer to troubleshoot issues on their own first, Brivity maintains a knowledge base with FAQs, how-to articles, and video tutorials. This self-service resource library enables users to quickly find answers and solutions without needing to contact a support rep. However, discussion forums where customers can interact with each other don't seem to be available.

Details on Brivity's average first response and resolution times are not readily published. But many user reviews praise the CRM provider for its prompt and helpful customer service. While response time data would provide a clearer picture, the glowing customer testimonials suggest most users are very satisfied with the speed and quality of support they receive.

As someone who has tested dozens of CRM systems over the years, I'm impressed by how Brivity's executives make themselves personally accessible to customers who need support. That level of leadership involvement and commitment to customer success is rare.

So while it may not have every support channel or resource one could want, Brivity still delivers high-quality customer service overall. Between the live phone support, email assistance, self-help knowledge base, and responsive team that even includes the company's leaders, most customers should feel well taken care of. The rave reviews from real users further boost confidence in Brivity's support.

Brivity CRM plans and pricing

Plan

Growth

Accelerate

Expand

Mega

Custom

Price

Custom pricing

Custom pricing

Custom pricing

Custom pricing

Custom pricing

Best For

Individual agents needing basic CRM functionality

Small teams up to 5 users seeking collaborative tools

Medium teams up to 10 users requiring enhanced capabilities

Large teams up to 25 users needing comprehensive solutions

Teams over 25 users with specific needs

Features

Core CRM

High converting drip campaigns

Unlimited texting and dialer

All the Growth plan features

Lead ponds

Advanced lead routing

All the Accelerate features

Transaction Auto Plans

Client portal access

All the Expand plan features

Dedicated success manager

Extensive reporting tools

Tailored features and support

Scalable solutions

Custom integrations

Limitations

Limited to 2 users, fewer advanced features

Limited to 5 users, additional costs for some add-ons

Limited to 10 users, requires setup time

Limited to 25 users, higher cost structure

More expensive than some competitors

(Image credit: Brivity)

Brivity takes a tiered subscription approach to pricing its CRM platform, with the cost and features steadily increasing across its plan lineup. The plans — Growth, Accelerate, Expand, Mega, and Custom — scale from 1 user up to 25+ users. Exact pricing is no longer provided since Brivity revamped its pricing, so you'd just have to request a demo to get those details.

On the low end, Brivity’s Growth plan provides core CRM functionality for up to 2 users. This could work for a solo agent or small team just getting started. Stepping up, Brivity Accelerate ups the user limit to 5. For larger teams, the Expand plan supports 10 users. There’s also a Large plan for 25 users and a Custom plan for more than 25 users.

While the features across the plans appear to be similar, higher prices get you more user seats. That said, a few features like lead capture, lead pricing, and dedicated success manager support aren’t available on the entry-level plans. And, if you need more than just a CRM, Brivity offers three additional tools: Virtual Assistant, Lead Generation, and Recruiting. These are available as add-ons on top of the base plan.

Unfortunately, I didn't see any discounts advertised beyond the savings from paying annually instead of monthly. And it doesn't look like Brivity offers a free plan or even a free trial to test the software first. Contacting the sales team for a custom demo without any idea of the pricing can be frustrating, but consider that Brivity’s entry-level plan used to be priced at $99.90/month for 2 users before the revamp.

Overall, Brivity's pricing seems reasonable if you just need a basic CRM for a small team. The entry-level plan should suffice for most independent agents or small agencies. But costs can add up quickly if you require more users or additional features beyond the core CRM. And not having transparent pricing or a trial for its more robust plans makes it hard to evaluate the full value you'd be getting.

Brivity CRM review: Final verdict

Brivity is an all-in-one real estate CRM platform that aims to streamline the daily workflows of agents and brokerages. In my experience testing the software, I found that it covers all the core functions needed to manage client relationships and transactions.

The platform is thoughtfully designed to be approachable for new users, with key tools organized into six main tabs. Helpful video tutorials, detailed guides, and a responsive support team make it easy to get up and running quickly. That said, being a real-estate CRM, Brivity’s interface is not as modern as some mainstream competitors.

Brivity also offers an impressive set of features for its price point. Agents can efficiently manage contacts, automate email and text communication, collaborate on transactions, build custom websites, generate market reports, capture leads, and more. The mobile app and Gmail integration are especially useful for staying productive on the go.

While the sheer breadth of functionality is powerful, it may feel a bit overwhelming for some users at first. The main learning curve comes with leveraging Brivity's more advanced marketing and customization capabilities. But overall, most agents should be able to adopt the core CRM tools with ease.

Brivity's pricing is reasonable for small teams, starting at $99/month for up to 2 users. However, costs can add up for larger teams or those needing add-on features beyond just the CRM. The lack of a free trial makes it difficult to fully assess the value before buying.

All in all, I see Brivity as an excellent choice for agents and small brokerages seeking an affordable yet comprehensive platform to orchestrate their daily operations. It checks all the boxes for core CRM functionality, while offering some compelling extras for marketing and productivity. If you're willing to invest a bit of time learning the ins and outs, Brivity can be a big asset for efficiently managing and growing your real estate business.