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After a few weeks with the HP OmniBook 7 Aero, I was impressed by its performance and portability

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 02/26/2026 - 09:08

HP OmniBook 7 Aero two-minute review

There’s a lot to like with the HP OmniBook 7 Aero, from its portability and somewhat unique look to its surprisingly robust performance. I would definitely recommend it as one of the best laptops out there for anyone wanting a lightweight Windows laptop to take on the road.

I also appreciate the port selection offered, as the best Ultrabooks typically come pretty limited in this department, usually limiting you to two USB-C ports. Digital nomads will like the quality of the webcam as well as the fact that it has a physical shutter. Really, it doesn’t feel like the thin and light nature of the HP OmniBook 7 Aero compromises on too much to get to its size or price point.

That said, there are a few things I'm not overly fond of. The keyboard is adequate, but with its low travel, it can get fatiguing during long writing sessions.

(Image credit: Future)

And even though the port selection is pretty good, HP decided to put both USB-C ports on one side, which is a little annoying when you need to plug into the wall on the other side. That might be a nitpick, but it's something that’s been a concern for many a laptop, including some iterations of the MacBook Air, and it’s a concern here.

Still, the pros make the HP OmniBook 7 Aero a good laptop to recommend for those looking for a lightweight, Windows laptop that works well, and it isn’t trying to look like a MacBook.

HP OmniBook 7 Aero: Price and availability

How much does it cost? Starting at $949.99 (about £710 / AU$1,420)
When is it available? Available now
Where can you get it? Available in the US and Australia

The HP OmniBook 7 Aero’s price tag is reasonable, if a little high, for what’s on offer. If I weren’t impressed by its light weight and solid performance, I would think this would be more of a $600 computer, but a starting price of $949.99 (about £710 / AU$1,420) seems appropriate. Upgrading the CPU, RAM, storage, and screen ends up with a slightly harder to stomach $1,399.99 / AU$2,998 (about £1,040) price tag.

Looking at the competition, these prices aren’t outrageous, though it’s worth noting that, first, HP will regularly discount their laptops so it’s worth waiting for a sale (it’s 44% off the base configuration at the time of writing, for instance), and that, second, other comparable laptops are around the same price or even a little less, not to mention also regularly discount their laptops.

The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus, which impressed me with its solid performance and portability, starts at $949.99 (about £760 / AU$1,470). That’s a laptop with a better battery life and higher resolution at the lowest configuration that I actually felt was a little overpriced.

And if you’re not married to the Windows ecosystem, the Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) is not only a strong choice thanks to its strong performance and great battery life, but the fact that at its base configuration is just a better computer than the base configuration of the HP OmniBook 7 Aero. Apple, however, does not offer quite the same discounts that HP does.

Value: 4 / 5

HP OmniBook 7 Aero: Specs

Internally, the HP OmniBook 7 Aero only offers a few options for customization. You get either a six core AMD AI 5 340 CPU with integrated AMD Radeon 840M graphics or an eight core AMD AI 7 350 CPU with integrated Radeon 860M graphics.

The choices for RAM are either 16 or 32 GB (and you can only choose the higher RAM with the higher CPU), while the storage also comes in just two flavors: 512GB and 1TB (though there are a few different choices in terms of specific type of SSD).

There’s also a choice between Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E wireless configurations, though the latter, more expensive option comes with Bluetooth 5.3 instead of 5.4.

HP OmniBook 7 Aero base configuration

HP OmniBook 7 Aero review / max configuration

Price:

$949.99 (about £710/ AU$1,420)

$1,399.99 / AU$2,998 (about £1,040)

CPU:

AMD AI 5 340

AMD AI 7 350

Graphics:

AMD Radeon 840M Integrated graphics

AMD Radeon 860M Integrated graphics

RAM:

16GB

32GB

Screen:

13.3-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS, micro-edge, anti-glare, 400 nits

13.3-inch diagonal, WQXGA (2560 x 1600), IPS, micro-edge, anti-glare, 400 nits

Storage:

512GB M.2 SSD

1TB M.2 SSD

Ports:

1 USB Type-A 10Gbps signaling rate; 1 USB Type-A 5Gbps signaling rate; 1 HDMI-out 2.1; 1 headphone/microphone combo; 2 USB Type-C 10Gbps signaling rate (USB Power Delivery 3.1, DisplayPort 2.1, HP Sleep and Charge)

Wireless:

Realtek Wi-Fi 6 (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.4

Realtek Wi-Fi 6E (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.3

Camera:

5MP IR camera with temporal noise reduction and integrated dual array digital microphones

Weight:

<2.2 lb

Dimensions:

11.70 x 8.31 x 0.65 in (front); 11.70 x 8.31 x 0.69 in (rear)

The only spec-related option externally comes in terms of two screen options. Both displays are 13.3-inch anti-glare 400 nit screens, but one has a 1920x1200p WUXGA resolution while the other has a sharper 2560x1600p WQXGA resolution. You can get this laptop in either Ceramic White or Glacier Silver.

HP OmniBook 7 Aero: Design

Attractive, light, and petite
Keyboard has a pretty short travel
Good port selection, though placement could be better

I have to say… I really like the way the HP OmniBook7 Aero looks. The Ceramic White colorway of my test unit is attractive in a way that doesn’t automatically make it look like HP was trying to copy Apple.

While the material is not machined metal, it is a very durable-feeling plastic that is still sturdy, and probably helps with the cost of the laptop. I can’t comment on the silver colorway other than to mention that HP does not mention that it uses machined aluminum for it, so it might look a little more like a MacBook, but it will still feel different.

I also appreciate how absolutely petite this laptop is. It has a 13.3-inch screen, weighs in at just over two pounds, and is a little over half an inch thick at its thinnest. Throwing it in a backpack to cart around doesn’t put any pressure on my back, not to mention it’s often the lightest device in my backpack.

(Image credit: Future)

Speaking of the screen, it has a very impressive accuracy of 0.29 delta E (closer to zero is better and under 2 is considered accurate) as well as a 112% sRGB color coverage. Its 79% DCI-P3 color coverage is not quite as good, though, so keep that in mind if you plan on doing any photo editing with HDR.

As such a diminutive laptop, I do find that the keyboard is more serviceable than amazing. This is particularly true for the keyboard as it has a fairly short travel – short enough that I notice it when typing out more than just an email. The trackpad is at least a little better as it is as responsive as one could ask. It handles gestures well as well.

With a 5MP IR camera, I do find the webcam to reproduce a sharp, smooth image – I don’t get any choppiness as long as I have a strong internet connection – plus it has those useful effects on hand, such as blurring the background, reorienting the eyes so that they seem to look at the recipient and not the camera, and automatically reframing when one moves their head. More importantly, it comes with a physical privacy shutter.

(Image credit: Future)

One thing that smaller laptops like the HP OmniBook 7 Aero often sacrifice are the ports, usually offering just a handful of USB-C. Luckily, this laptop bucks that trend. There are, of course, two USB-C ports that support power delivery and DisplayPort 2.1, though they are unfortunately on just one side of the laptop. But there are also two regular USB-A ports, a headphone jack, and an HDMI port. Not bad for such a little guy.

Design: 4.5 / 5

HP OmniBook 7 Aero: Performance

Surprisingly robust performance
Has enough power for AI
Audio quality is just okay

Despite the fact that the HP OmniBook 7 Aero fits more into the light and portable category of laptops, aka Ultrabooks, its performance is surprisingly robust. There’s no discrete graphics, but the integrated Radeon Graphics were enough to run some computer games, not that you should really consider this for a gaming laptop.

I managed to run Indiana Jones and the Great Circle off Game Pass at low settings without any latency, lags, or stutters. I also managed to run Cyberpunk 2077, though that got low enough frame rates to not want to use this laptop to play it.

HP OmniBook 7 Aero: Benchmarks

Here's how the HP OmniBook 7 Aero performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

3DMark: Fire Strike: 6078; Time Spy: 2732; Night Raid: 24031; Steel Nomad: 396

GeekBench 6.5: 2825 (single-core); 12137 (multi-core)

25GB File Copy: 13.26

Handbrake 1.9.2: 6:08

CrossMark: Overall: 1837 Productivity: 1695 Creativity: 2141 Responsiveness: 1477

Sid Meier's Civilization VI: Gathering Storm (1080p high): 25.368 fps; (2560x1600p high) 15.895 fps; Storm (1080p medium): 42.843 fps; (2560x1600p medium) 26.997 fps

Web Surfing (Battery Informant): 8:51:07

Of course, the fans go full blast when running any demanding task, and the keyboard does pass on some of the internal heat. But again, this really isn’t a laptop meant for these kinds of heavy-duty tasks, even if there’s more power here than expected.

Also, be aware that it can get a little hot if pushed hard. This is a fairly thin laptop after all. We registered temperatures of up to 103.8F between the G and H keys when really pushed into overdrive.

For productivity work, this means that the HP OmniBook 7 Aero can keep up with internet hounds and research junkies. If you need 20 tabs open at once, you won’t have to worry about slowing this laptop down. I found it to switch tabs instantaneously even with that many tabs open.

(Image credit: Future)

On the AI side of things, whether you find CoPilot+ useful or not, it’s here and works relatively quickly. I was more limited by the speed of the server the laptop was engaging with more so than the laptop itself when generating an AI image thanks to the CPU’s 50 NPU TOPS.

Lastly, the audio quality is not bad for a lightweight laptop like this, though nothing to write home about. There’s no low-end so audio can come off as a little thin, but the detail is decent. I do recommend using some headphones for any serious listening.

Performance: 4.5 / 5

HP OmniBook 7 Aero: Battery life

Battery life is long enough for a full day’s work, but just barely
Fast charging capabilities make up for smaller battery

With a battery life of 8:51:07 (according to our battery benchmark), the HP OmniBook 7 Aero is both underwhelming compared to many of the light and thin laptops out there – some are reaching times of over 15 hours – and still more than enough battery life for most people.

Since it can reach almost nine hours on a single charge, it still has plenty of juice to get one through an entire day of work without needing to find an outlet.

(Image credit: Future)

Once you do find an outlet though, its fast charging capabilities make up for that small 3-cell, 43 Wh battery. If turned off, the laptop will recharge up to 50% of its battery in 30 minutes. That’s pretty impressive.

Battery life: 4 / 5

Should I buy the HP OmniBook 7 Aero?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

The price is about what one would expect for this kind of laptop, though its value goes way up when on sale.

4 / 5

Design

It’s thin, light, comes with a privacy shutter, and, most importantly, looks a bit unique.

4.5 / 5

Performance

This lightweight laptop can somewhat overdeliver when it comes to performance.

4.5 / 5

Battery

The battery life is good enough, but underwhelming when compared to the competition.

4 / 5

Average rating

Its portability and performance set it apart from the more middle-of-the-road act-like-a-MacBook laptop that comprise its competition.

4.5 / 5

Buy it if…

You want a very portable laptop

The HP OmniBook 7 Aero is so light and thin that when I throw it in a backpack, I barely notice that it’s there. If you want a laptop that travels easily, this one will more than do.View Deal

You want robust performance in small package

While this isn’t going to go head-to-head with a gaming laptop for any kind of heavy-duty performance, it does better than one would expect on what looks to be a lightweight laptop (in terms of specs).View Deal

You want a laptop that looks a little different

The white version of this laptop at the very least is a somewhat unique-looking laptop, making it attractive for anyone tired of the machined metal laptops all trying to look like but not be a MacBook.View Deal

Don’t buy it if…

You want a really long battery life

The almost nine hour battery life is enough to get through the day, but it’s underwhelming compared to the other options out there.View Deal

You type all day

The shallow keyboard does fine for basic use, but if you’re typing up reports or articles all day long, it can get fatiguing. There are other portable laptops with better keyboards.View Deal

Also Consider

If our HP OmniBook 7 Aero review has you considering other options, here are two laptops to consider...

Dell Inspiron 14 Plus

The Dell Inspiron 14 Plus is a little bigger than the OmniBook 7 Aero with its 14-inch screen, but it’s just as portable. It also comes with a 1600p screen, snappy performance thanks to its Snapdragon CPU, and quite the long battery life.

Read our full Dell Inspiron 14 Plus reviewView Deal

Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4)

The Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) is, like just about every MacBook Air before it, the trendsetter for Ultrabooks, setting the standard in laptops trying to strike a balance between performance and portability. It also has a very long battery life and is cheaper than its previous iterations.

Read our full Apple MacBook Air 13-inch (M4) review View Deal

How I tested the HP OmniBook 7 Aero

Tested for a couple weeks
Used it for work, gaming, and streaming
Messed with its AI capabilities

I used the HP OmniBook 7 Aero for a couple weeks. I used it for work, including typing up this review (along with the requisite online research). I used it to stream video. I even did some semi-serious gaming. I played around with the AI as well.

After spending time with the HP OmniBook 7 Aero, it’s clear that this is meant for those that want a Windows laptop that works great on the road.

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

First reviewed February 2026

Categories: Reviews

I’ve spent 40 hours exploring the seas with Velvet and crew in Tales of Berseria Remastered, and I can’t get enough

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 02/26/2026 - 09:00

The 30th anniversary of Bandai Namco’s acclaimed role-playing game (RPG) series, Tales of, has been going quite smoothly.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
Release date: February 26, 2026

With titles like Tales of Xillia and Tales of Graces f getting the remaster treatment, newcomers can experience the series’ rich past on recent consoles. The latest arrival is Tales of Berseria Remastered, an updated game which originally released in 2016 and marked a new direction for the series in more ways than one.

Its drama, charm, and thrill hit just as hard as they did back then, making it an apt title worthy of remastering.

Leaning on the edge

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)

Despite being a prequel to Tales of Zestiria, the game takes on a rather different tone. Following Velvet Crowe, a hellbent half-human half-Daemon, as well as a ragtag team of misfits, you’ll travel the many islands of Midgand to hunt and kill those who wronged you. The game is a revenge story through and through.

Here, those darker elements are on full display, with monstrous beings, death, and wanton destruction around every corner. It can be a bit overbearing, especially if coming off titles like Xillia or Graces f, but it still keeps that signature charm.

Best bit

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)

The combat here works extremely well, as it evolves the LMBS system into a more open action experience. Being able to move around freely and customize your moves makes a world of difference and gets you more involved. Plus, letting you switch between characters more easily gives you more room to explore gameplay styles.

As a newcomer, it was very surprising just how well a darker tone fits the Tales series. Usually one for bright colors and adventure over adversity, Berseria highlights a much more twisted tale, not straying away from killing or violence.

Even still, the cast of characters, like the tactful Eizen to the ever-frustrating-yet-lovable Magilou, bring levity to situations, albeit with underlying brooding beneath it. The party does rank among the franchise’s best, as the chemistry and dynamic mesh extremely well, both feeling like a well-oiled machine and separate entities all their own.

While returning fans know the story beats, newcomers will enjoy the direction the story takes and the journey they’ll go on. It can be a bit heavy with its edgy themes, but underneath it all is a tale of trust, family, and emotion. The many twists and turns will get you on the edge of your seat and are paced out quite well, so there are rarely any dull moments.

One of the highlights for me was a surprising one: the performances from the game’s cast. With the material being as deep as it is, the cast does a fantastic job. Much praise goes to lead Christina Vee, who brings the broken Velvet to life with finesse and grace. Other standouts include Erika Lindbeck’s hilarious Magilou, Benjamin Diskin’s adventurous Rokurou, and Taliesin Jaffe’s determined Eizen.

In open waters

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)

Fortunately for fans of long RPGs, Berseria Remastered has got you covered. With its story taking roughly 35-45 hours, not counting grinding or side missions, it covers a lot of ground. Lots of that time is spent exploring the many regions, fighting enemies, and diving into its intense story. Luckily, it’s time well spent, as what’s on display is entertaining and gripping, especially the skits towards the middle and end of the title.

Like Tales of Arise, the game allows you to walk freely on the battlefield, not restricted to a single line like past titles. The Linear Motion Battle System (LMBS) is still present, as when you attack, you run towards the highlighted opponent. However, you can walk around and avoid attacks more easily. As someone who enjoys that style, Berseria’s combat was a joy to play and explore. Crafting attack sequences with simple button presses also allows you to string some great combos for you and your party.

As always, the Tales series excels in crafting intricate landscapes, with Berseria doing just that. Many of the regions, like Loegres and Maclir Beach, look incredible and showcase the game’s great artistic direction. Plus, with Motoi Sakuraba’s impeccable score (much love to Velvet’s Theme), the world comes to life beautifully.

Smooth sailing

(Image credit: Bandai Namco)

Despite Berseria being released in 2016, the many quality-of-life improvements this remaster brings help it shine much brighter. Many of the additions go to the game’s map, which is more maneuverable thanks to better movement speed and easy-to-find guide markers. Autosave and quick save are also lifesavers when a save point is nowhere to be found.

Graphically speaking, the updated framerate and fidelity really make some of Berseria’s landscapes and cutscenes shine. It can still feel like a mid-budget 2016 game, with blocky textures or unvaried backdrops, but when it shows its creativity it looks great. Bringing in a lot more polish than Xillia, characters and battles look and feel great to interact with.

Unfortunately, character customization, especially with skills and upgrades, feels bare-bones and inflexible. Compared to Xillia’s Lillium Orb or even Arise’s upgrade system, there’s not much wiggle room to craft characters the way you’d like to. While characters are well-tuned to combat, with some more magic-based and others physical-based, it does feel like it can go deeper.

In short, Tales of Berseria Remastered took risks that, since 2016, have paid off, and we see that with this remaster. From open combat to a mature tone, it wasn’t afraid to go in a different direction. While it isn’t perfectly done, seeing it in a new light thanks to the remaster is a great way to see the versatility of the franchise and what may hold the key to future installments.

Should I play Tales of Berseria Remastered?Play it if...

You love a good revenge story
Vengeance is a dish best served cold, and Tales of Berseria Remastered does so with style. The rage and determination Velvet has are all on display, and it fuels every inch of the narrative. Fortunately, it’s a plot you can get behind and one not afraid to make you question things.

You enjoy your RPGs with long stories
A long RPG isn’t rare, but when you have it done as Berseria does, it’s a blessing. Its vast open world and gripping storytelling keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time.

Don't play it if...

You’re looking for something more light-hearted
While Tales of Berseria Remastered has some nice and fun moments, it does tend to lean towards mature subjects like death and killing. It’s not overt most of the time, but it relies a lot on focusing on the dark side of humanity and religion.

Accessibility features

Much like other remasters in the series, there are a few accessibility functions to adjust and tune, like difficulty. You can customize your playthrough via button mapping and the addition of map markers, as well as switching between English and Japanese audio at any time. Despite that, the lack of colorblind modes is a bit disappointing.

How I reviewed Tales of Berseria Remastered

I played Tales of Berseria Remastered for around 40 hours, finishing the main story with some side content. I also explored many of the islands and beat some of the optional bosses.

There is multiplayer available for battles, although I did not test it out for the review. I played the game on a base PS5 with the DualSense Wireless Controller and HyperX Cloud 3 wired gaming headset, all on a Roku 4K TV. If you played the recent Tales of remasters like Xillia and Graces f, you’ll find a lot of similarities in the upgrades here.

First reviewed February 2026

Categories: Reviews

GetResponse Email Marketing Review: Pros & Cons, Features, Ratings, Pricing and more

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 02/26/2026 - 08:45

GetResponse was founded in 1998 by an entrepreneur named Simon Grabowski, making it one of the oldest email marketing software in existence. For reference, Google was founded in that same year and popular apps like FaceBook and Instagram didn’t even exist back then.

The company formed out of Grabowski's need to send emails to multiple subscribers and started as Bizmaker, later renamed Implix, and again, GetResponse. By 2003, the company employed 6 people and by 2010 employed 100 people. In 2012, the company released mobile apps for iOS and Android, which helped boost its popularity.

Today, GetResponse has grown well beyond basic email marketing into a capable all-in-one platform, with solid automation, a website builder, and a growing suite of AI tools. It's especially well-suited to small businesses and content creators who want multiple marketing channels under one roof. Pricing scales up quickly once you need advanced features, but there's genuine value at every tier.

(Image credit: GetResponse)GetResponse: Plans and pricing

Plan

Starting Rate (Billed Annually)

Starting Rate (Billed Monthly)

Free

$0/month/1000 contacts

Starter

$15.58/month/1000 contacts

$19/month/1000 contacts

Marketer

$48.38/month/1000 contacts

$59/month/1000 contacts

Creator

$56.58/month/1000 contacts

$69/month/1000 contacts

MAX

Custom pricing

GetResponse offers a free plan alongside three paid tiers — Starter, Marketer, and Creator, plus an enterprise-level offering called MAX. All plans are scaled by contact list size, with options ranging from 1,000 up to 100,000 contacts.

The Free plan supports up to 500 contacts and allows 2,500 newsletter sends per month. It includes a basic website builder, signup forms, and limited landing pages (capped at 1,000 unique visitors per month). Emails sent from the free plan carry GetResponse branding, which you can only remove by upgrading. You also get a 14-day free trial of all premium features when you first sign up.

The Starter plan starts at $19/month (billed monthly) for up to 1,000 contacts, with unlimited email sends, autoresponders, AI email generation tools, and unlimited landing pages. It's a strong entry point for solo marketers and small businesses getting their feet wet with automation.

The Marketer plan, starting at $59/month for 1,000 contacts, is where GetResponse's full automation power becomes accessible. You get advanced event-based workflows, contact scoring, web push notifications, ecommerce integrations, and multi-user access for up to three team members.

The Creator plan starts at $69/month and is aimed at content creators and online sellers. It adds webinars for up to 100 attendees, an AI course builder, paid newsletters, and support for up to five users — all on top of everything in the Marketer plan.

For larger businesses, GetResponse MAX (enterprise) offers dedicated support, SMS marketing, single sign-on, unlimited users, and transactional email. Pricing is custom and requires contacting the sales team directly.

You can save 18% by paying annually for a 12-month plan, or 30% by committing to 24 months.

(Image credit: GetResponse)How does GetResponse use AI?

GetResponse has integrated AI tools across several areas of its platform, making it one of the more AI-forward options in the email marketing space. The most prominent is its AI email generator, which can produce both copy and design in one go.

Rather than starting from a blank canvas, you describe your campaign and it drafts a complete email with layout, images, and text included. We found the AI a useful starting point, even if you'll want to refine the output before sending.

But the AI Campaign Generator goes a step further. Give it a business description and a goal, and it can spin up a full marketing funnel, including landing pages, email sequences, and calls to action. It's not a magic button, but for marketers short on time or ideas, it meaningfully speeds up the setup process.

For ecommerce users, GetResponse offers AI-powered product recommendations that analyze each customer's browsing history, preferences, and purchase behavior to surface relevant products automatically in both emails and on your website. It's worth noting this feature is only available on the MAX plan however, putting it out of reach for most users on standard tiers.

Content creators on the Creator plan also get access to the AI Course Wizard, which can transform your existing content like blog posts, documents, and other materials into a structured online course in roughly 30 minutes. There's also an AI website builder that generates a personalized website for you to customize.

Across the board, AI in GetResponse is practical and production-focused rather than experimental, which feels like the right fit for its core audience.

GetResponse: Features

GetResponse has grown far beyond a straightforward email tool. Today it bundles email marketing, marketing automation, landing pages, a full website builder, webinar hosting, sales funnels, ecommerce integrations, and an AI course creator into a single platform. For a solo entrepreneur or small team, that kind of consolidation is a genuine time-saver.

The email marketing toolkit remains a standout. You get a drag-and-drop email editor, a library of hundreds of responsive templates, unlimited autoresponders on all paid plans, and a range of segmentation options to personalize your messaging. Automation workflows let you build branching sequences triggered by user behavior, purchases, link clicks, or custom tags.

GetResponse also earns points from us for its conversion funnel tools. Unlike most email platforms, it ships with pre-built funnel templates for lead magnets, product launches, and webinars, tying landing pages, emails, and checkout flows into a single system. Webinar hosting for up to 100 attendees (Creator plan) is still a relatively rare feature in this price range.

The platform's integrations cover popular ecommerce and CRM tools, including Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, Stripe, and PayPal, with Zapier extending the reach to thousands of third-party apps. The one notable gap for power users is the absence of a full-featured CRM with pipeline management, though. GetResponse handles contact scoring and segmentation well, but it's not a replacement for a CRM.

(Image credit: GetResponse)GetResponse: Interface and in use

Getting started with GetResponse involves simply creating a new account by entering your name, email address and a new password. Complete a short questionnaire about your marketing goals and land in the main dashboard — no credit card required for a free account. New users also unlock a 14-day trial of all premium features, giving you time to explore the full platform before committing to a paid plan.

The dashboard itself is clean and easy to navigate, with a left-side menu that lets you jump between modules divided into campaigns, automations, landing pages, and more. The drag-and-drop email editor is the centerpiece: you can add blocks, preview on mobile, and test links without having to leave the editor.

There's a slight learning curve if you want to build complex automations, but the visual workflow builder helps considerably. But one design choice worth flagging: some advanced features like the full automation builder or webinar tools are tucked away in plan-gated areas, which means you might not discover them until you upgrade.

GetResponse: Support

GetResponse offers support through live chat and email, and both channels are accessible to free and paid users alike. Chat is available in English during extended hours (7 AM–11 PM on weekdays and 7 AM–9 PM on weekends, GMT+1), with a 24/7 chatbot covering off-hours queries. Email support is available round the clock in English, Polish, German, Spanish, Portuguese, French, and Italian for an international user base.

There's no phone support, which remains a notable omission, especially for users running time-sensitive campaigns. That said, GetResponse's Help Center is well-stocked with guides, tutorials, and API documentation covering most common scenarios. Live webinars run regularly and often include hands-on demos for platform features, which we find more useful than static documentation for complex tasks like automation setup.

MAX plan subscribers get an elevated support experience: a dedicated Customer Experience Manager who acts as a single point of contact, familiar with your business and marketing goals. For enterprise users managing large lists or complex workflows, that kind of personalized support is a meaningful differentiator.

GetResponse: The competition

An industry leader in the email marketing space, but that doesn’t mean that GetResponse is the right option for all.

Constant Contact remains a popular competitor, which is quite ideal for those needing a simple, beginner-friendly platform without being overwhelmed with a ton of advanced features. Prices start at a competitive $12 per month, with the email marketing tools complemented by the platform’s excellent landing page builder.

Another option worth considering is MailChimp. For over two decades, it has been providing industry-leading email marketing solutions, with its service continuing to improve every year. It has an excellent “free forever” plan with streamlined integrations such as a creative assistant, marketing CRM, and a website builder.

GetResponse: Final verdict

Putting this all together, there’s plenty of reasons that GetResponse gets lauded as the number-one email marketing platform worldwide. This is because it is affordable, offers a great free trial, and has excellent customer service.

The drag-and-drop email builder is great for novices, while still remaining a powerful option for creating highly customized emails. The free forever plan is also worth mentioning for a smaller business just starting out.

The bottom line is that if you’re looking for a competitively priced email marketing program that’s backed by a suite of other tools, GetResponse easily makes it to the short list of contenders worth looking at.

We've listed the best online marketing services.

Categories: Reviews

Bluehost VPS review

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 02/26/2026 - 08:36

If you feel it is time to upgrade your shared hosting to one of the best VPS providers, Bluehost looks like a good place to start. With its managed VPS offering, you potentially get the benefit of the performance boost that comes with a VPS without the headache of supporting the website software yourself.

To find out if Bluehost’s managed VPS option is as attractive as it looks, we’ve evaluated it, comparing the plans and pricing options, the server infrastructure, and features. We also assessed performance of Bluehost VPS hosting with benchmark tools, and spent some time with its site building tools, which are aimed at anyone launching a small business website.

How does a managed VPS differ?

(Image credit: Christian Cawley)

A Virtual Private Server plan typically comes in two flavors: managed, and self-managed. The former means the host will provide assistance with issues such as setup or implementing updates of security software, while the latter leaves everything up to you.

If you have experience of managing web servers on a day-to-day basis, the self-managed option is probably more appropriate. For everyone else, a managed VPS is the smart alternative, particularly if you’re scaling up from shared or cloud hosting.

NOTE: Bluehost offers self-managed VPS and managed VPS plans. These are closely positioned on the site’s menu, so be careful which one you select!

Bluehost plans and pricing

(Image credit: Christian Cawley)

Three managed VPS plans are available from Bluehost: Standard NVMe 4, Enhanced NVMe 8, and Ultimate NVMe 16. Each plan is more expensive than the previous, with a growing server hardware spec. The names relate to the spec – for example, Standard NVMe 4 reflects a server with 4GB RAM. All servers have virtual CPU cores (as expected with a VPS) and NVMe storage.

Plans are available as a monthly rolling deal, or for 12 or 36 months with appropriate discounts. These plans come with free cPanel (depending on selected term), and Let’s Encrypt SSL is included. A premium SSL certificate is available, but at extra cost, as is Sitelock security. Unmetered bandwidth, and two dedicated IPs are included in the price, and all plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Building a website with Bluehost

Creating a website means first manually attaching the domain with the hosting, something that may seem unfamiliar if you're used to shared hosting, as it doesn't typically require customer input.

(Image credit: Christian Cawley)

Two options are available for building a website. You can install WordPress and use the included WP builder, or employ Sitejet. This is a cPanel-based solution that is useful for a quick start, but (certainly based on its implementation at Bluehost) results in somewhat generic sites. However, the website editor offers good control over the layout, and compared with WordPress, Sitejet is a simpler solution for quickly creating an attractive website for your business.

Speed and performance

We installed a WordPress site on our Bluehost VPS and ran a couple of benchmarking tests, first with WordPress Benchmark (a plugin you can install in WordPress) and then with YABS (Yet Another Bench Script).

WordPress

CPU & Memory

Operations with large text data

7.87

Random binary data operations

9.15

Recursive mathematical calculations

8.92

Iterative mathematical calculations

Floating point operations

Filesystem

Filesystem write ability

8.54

Local file copy and access speed

8.77

Small file IO test

9.95

Database

Importing large amount of data to database

8.44

Simple queries on a single table

Complex database queries on multiple tables

Object cache

Persistent object cache enabled

WordPress core

Shortcode processing

8.19

WordPress Hooks

WordPress option manipulation

9.84

REGEX string processing

8.92

Taxonomy benchmark

9.8

Object capability benchmark

9.78

Content filtering

5.7

JSON manipulations

Network

Network download speed test

Overall

8.8

Bluehost support for VPS customers

Various support options are available, from a dedicated telephone team to live chat. There is also an AI-powered chatbot, although I found this didn’t provide accurate information regarding Bluehost’s VPS plans.

I ran into some problems with the hosting. The instructions for this did not match what I was seeing, so I spoke to a support assistant (following a brief and fruitless chat with the BLU chatbot, which left a lot to be desired when I asked it about setting up a website, too). Unfortunately, the agent seemed too concerned with delivering cookie cutter answers than delivering a swift answer to my specific concerns.

Bluehost also provides a searchable knowledge base and a free WordPress course in conjunction with Yoast, the SEO company that is part of “the Bluehost family.”

Final verdict

Bluehost’s features and helpful customer support make its Managed VPS plans extremely attractive. I’ve used VPS hosting several times over the years, and seen it evolve from the self-managed options to the state where more hosting companies offer managed options.

Meanwhile, the testing demonstrates that Bluehost’s Managed VPS is ideal for WordPress hosting. While there is a considerable difference in price between the two options, its Managed VPS is priced as a logical progression from its higher performance WordPress shared hosting for their business. That makes it a smart option for anyone looking for first-time VPS hosting.

Categories: Reviews

Kinsta review

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 02/26/2026 - 08:22

When it comes to best web hosting and website management, there is no shortage of options. The vast majority of companies out there offer affordable services that are good enough to get the job done. For us, Kinsta is the standout choice for agency hosting.

Kinsta is a cloud-based hosting solution providing services for WordPress websites. They provide access to high-performance servers and features such as staging environments, automatic backups, enterprise-level Cloudflare integration, and more.

Kinsta also includes quality security features such as DDoS protection, SSL certificate with wildcard support, and malware scanning and removal.

Want to try Kinsta? Check out the website here

From the main website, you can access Kinsta’s official blog. It’s easy on the eye and filled with a myriad of articles, most of which are related to WordPress and software development. In addition to this, Kinsta offers a fresh and video-packed YouTube channel and relatively active presence on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.

(Image credit: Future)Kinsta features

Kinsta offers high-end CPUs, as well as global availability, thanks to its infrastructure built on a powerful cloud network. By using these top-of-the-line CPUs, you are guaranteed that your website will be up and running faster than ever before.

To further improve your website's speed, Kinsta also offers a global content delivery network with over 300 locations worldwide. This allows Kinsta to deliver fast pages and serve cached assets from your visitors’ closest location.

Kinsta also comes with built-in application performance monitoring (APM), a custom-designed tool specifically for WordPress sites. We used this feature to identify potential issues or bottlenecks slowing our site during our hosting service test.

Kinsta's DevKinsta feature provides a comprehensive development environment that makes it easy to develop applications locally on your computer. DevKinsta includes many helpful features, such as version control that allows developers to roll back to previous versions of their code if needed, easy debugging with Xdebug integration, and deployments to production servers with just one click.

With the new Kinsta Cloudflare integration, we leveraged a wildcard SSL certificate to secure our subdomains with a single certificate. A wildcard SSL certificate secures both a root domain and its subdomains. This contrasts with other certificate types, which require listing each subdomain on the certificate.

As part of its Cloudflare integration, Kinsta offers customers a unique benefit - reserved IP addresses. Reserved IPs are unique IP addresses assigned to each Kinsta customer site. These IP addresses are reserved exclusively for that customer and ensure that other sites on Cloudflare's network will not share the DNS A-record IP address. In some cases, this can cause problems if a service blocks a spam site that shares the same Cloudflare IP address as your site.

We were also impressed by the Kinsta Brotli Compression Tool (a lossless compression format supported by all major browsers that achieves higher compression ratios than gzip).

Kinsta also released a tool called Edge Caching. This is an incredibly powerful tool for WordPress websites that can significantly reduce the time it takes to serve cached HTML to site visitors. Edge Caching is included free with all Kinsta plans, and no additional plugins are required.

Kinsta’s Edge Caching works by saving your website/page cache to Cloudflare’s global network of over 260 data centers. When site visitors load your website, cached responses are delivered from the location closest to them, helping reduce latency and improve loading times.

With the help of the Early Hints, you can further enhance site speed. Early hints is a modern web standard that defines a new 103 HTTP status code. Enabling this web standard on your site gives your site visitors’ browsers the chance to download certain resources in advance or in parallel with others. This results in faster page rendering.

A curiosity of Kinsta’s hosting, but one that we found made sense, is the apparent lack of a temporary URL for checking that the site runs accurately. However, this feature can be easily turned on and off and lasts around 60 minutes when enabled. Given that a site doesn’t need to be seen by the public or crawlers before launch, this is useful.

For web hosting services in Australia, Kinsta CDN is available in six Australian cities, namely Adelaide, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Perth, and Sydney.

(Image credit: Future)Is Kinsta easy to use?

We find Kinsta easy to use - from signing up to navigating through the dashboard. The web host provides you with an intuitive dashboard that makes hosting your website easy. The dashboard let us quickly access all the features and settings in one place, which makes it simple to manage our website’s performance and security.

With Kinsta, you can set up and manage multiple websites from one account. Kinsta also has a number of helpful features that make managing your website easier. All these features are designed so that even those who aren’t tech-savvy can easily manage their website without too much hassle.

As a fully managed WordPress hosting provider, Kinsta's prices are higher than other web hosts (Image credit: Future)Kinsta plans and pricing

Kinsta offers plans ranging from $35/month to $ 1,700/month. All plans include free wildcard SSL, CDN, staging, and unlimited migrations. Kinsta offers two pricing models for its plans: visit-based and bandwidth-based. In visit-based plans, the plan is defined by the monthly sum of unique IP addresses seen each 24-hour period. While bandwidth-based plans are defined by the amount of data in gigabytes (does not include content served by CDN and Edge Cache, and does not count bandwidth used by staging sites)

But what do you get when you purchase one of these plans? The Single plan starts at $35/month and includes 1 WordPress site, 10 GB of storage, 125 GB of free CDN, and 35,000 visits per month or 20 GB server bandwidth. The Single plans scale with each step up, providing more site visits or server bandwidth, storage, and CDN bandwidth. Each Single site plan denotes the support amount of visits or bandwidth . The plans go up to 1,250,000+ visits or 500GB+ server bandwidth, 15 GB+ storage, and 1,000 GB CDN bandwidth.

Multiple-site plans support multiple WordPress installs. Each plan name denotes the number of WordPress installs supported. Each multiple-site plan supports multisite network and site cloning. For WP 2 ($70/mo), you get 2 WordPress installs, 70,000 visits or 40 GB server bandwidth, 250 GB of CDN bandwidth, and 20 GB of storage. As the plans increase in price, so do the resources, site visits, and number of WordPress installs. The WP 40 plan ($450/mo) supports 40 WordPress installs, 60 GB of storage, 1,500 GB of CDN, and 75,000 monthly visits or 500 GB server bandwidth.

Kinsta also offers an Enterprise Plan for multiple sites, which starts at $675/month and includes 60+ WordPress installs, 100+ GB of space, 1,250,000+ visits or 750GB+ server bandwidth, and a 30-day backup retention.

All the above plans come with unlimited free migrations and a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you are not satisfied with the service, you can request a refund. Select plans on Single and Multiple-site tiers also include a one-month free trial.

Agency Hosting

Kinsta’s Agency program is targeted, price-wise, at established digital agencies. The Agency 20 plan ($284/month with annual billing), which we tested, offers support for 20 WordPress installs, so potentially 20 clients. It also includes an extra site, for your agency. 500,000 visits or 250GB server bandwidth , 50GB of storage, and 1,000GB CDN storage make this an attractive starting point, but Agency 40 ($375/month with annual billing) and Agency 60 ($563/month under the same terms) are also available, with corresponding increases in installs.

These plans also include white labelling and access to beta tools. Backups, advanced caching, and migrations are also included with these packages, along with that all-important developer support. Several tools are available here, from easy site cloning to Git integration and access to the Kinsta API.

Kinsta speed and experience

Kinsta argues that users will almost certainly see “faster page load times, along with back-end (WordPress dashboard) speed” when hosting with them. Faster than what, we asked ourselves. Faster than the average speed, faster than lightning, or faster than Superman?

In any case, we ran tests on Kinsta's Single plan and Agency 20. One test was to create a benchmark of core WordPress performance metrics, and the other was to measure their performance under load.

Omnisend Review: Pros & Cons, Features, Ratings, Pricing and more

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 02/26/2026 - 07:37

Omnisend is a platform for e-commerce business owners to market to their customers. You can use it to send bulk messages via email or SMS to entice subscribers to buy your product.

Omnisend began in 2014 as an email marketing platform named Soundest. Three years later, it changed its name, and in 2018, it added SMS marketing features. In 2019, Omnisend became one of the top-five marketing apps on Shopify and in 2020, the company opened a U.S. office.

This platform serves over 100,000 customers worldwide and employs over 180 people at three offices.

Omnisend: Plans and pricing

Plan

Starting Rate

Free

$0/month

Standard

$16/month

Pro

$59/month

Custom

Contact sales

Omnisend offers four tiers: Free, Standard, Pro, and Custom. The Free plan lets you send up to 500 emails per month to a maximum of 250 contacts, and includes access to the full Omnisend feature set — a generous offering for new or small stores. However, all outgoing emails carry the Omnisend branding until you upgrade.

The Standard plan starts at $16/month for up to 500 contacts and scales automatically as your list grows. It gives you 12x your contact count in monthly email sends, unlimited web push notifications, and live chat support. The Pro plan starts at $59/month and unlocks unlimited email sends, a monthly SMS credit equal to your plan cost (e.g., $59/month gets you roughly $59 in SMS credits), advanced reporting, and priority support. Larger teams with high-volume needs can also reach out for a custom enterprise quote.

Pricing at Omnisend is contact-based rather than email-volume-based, which means your monthly cost will rise automatically as your subscriber list grows. New subscribers can save 30% on their first three months by paying upfront at signup.

How does Omnisend use AI?

In 2025, Omnisend launched a comprehensive AI suite aimed at reducing the manual workload of email marketing while improving personalization at scale.

Their centerpiece is the AI Email Writer, a generative tool that drafts complete, branded email campaigns based on a short prompt. The system draws on your brand's tone of voice, logo, fonts, and colors to produce output that feels consistent with your existing marketing without requiring manual style configuration.

Alongside the Email Writer, Omnisend introduced a Subject Line Generator that produces multiple high-converting subject line options based on historical performance data from millions of campaigns. There's also a Preheader Generator that works in tandem, helping you optimize the short preview text that appears alongside subject lines in email clients. Both tools support A/B testing.

On the personalization side, Omnisend added an AI-Powered Product Recommender that analyzes each subscriber's browsing and purchase history to automatically insert relevant products into emails. Initially available for automation workflows, the feature is being extended to standard campaign sends. It works with Omnisend's existing Dynamic Content Personalization system, which already supported showing or hiding content blocks based on subscriber attributes.

Perhaps the most useful AI addition for growing teams is the AI Segment Builder, currently in beta. Rather than building audience segments by manually configuring filters, you can describe the audience you want in plain language. For example, "customers who bought jeans last winter" or "subscribers who haven't opened an email in three months" will generate the corresponding segment automatically.

AI tools are available across all plans, including the free tier.

Omnisend: Features

(Image credit: Omnisend)

Omnisend is one of the more feature-complete marketing platforms in the ecommerce space, covering email campaigns, SMS, web push notifications, automation workflows, segmentation, forms, and landing pages — all from a single dashboard. Its depth is especially apparent for Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce users, who benefit from native one-click integrations that automatically pull in product catalogs, order data, and customer behavior without any manual setup.

Email marketing sits at the core of the platform. You get a drag-and-drop builder with roughly 350 pre-made templates, a Product Picker that lets you insert store items directly into emails, and built-in discount code generation that syncs automatically with your connected store. Omnisend also supports campaign A/B testing, a Campaign Booster that automatically resends to non-openers with a fresh subject line, and a click map that visualizes engagement by geography.

Moreover, Omnisend ships with a solid library of pre-built workflows like welcome series, cart abandonment, browse abandonment, post-purchase follow-ups, birthday messages, and more. All of these workflows can be customized via a no-code editor. Each workflow also supports multi-channel branching, so a single automation can send an email, wait for a response, then trigger an SMS or push notification depending on how the subscriber behaves.

But the platform could stand to improve its reporting flexibility for Standard plan users, who have less access to segment-level analytics and historical data compared to higher tier subscribers. The template editor also has some design constraints that more experienced marketers may find limiting.

Omnisend: Interface and in use

(Image credit: Omnisend)

Getting started with Omnisend is straightforward. You can register using an email address, a Shopify account, or a Google login. Then the onboarding flow walks you through connecting your ecommerce store right away. Once connected, Omnisend begins pulling in your product catalog and customer data automatically, so you can start building campaigns without any manual data entry.

This platform also received a notable interface refresh in May 2025, with a redesigned sidebar, updated icons and typography, and a general reduction in the number of clicks required to complete common tasks. Now, the experience feels cleaner and more modern than it did at launch.

Navigation is divided into logical sections like Campaigns, Automations, Audience, Forms, and Reports — with most features discoverable without consulting documentation. That said, the email editor can still feel a little rigid for users who want to build highly custom layouts, as some content blocks limit design flexibility.

For new users, the learning curve is fairly gentle. Pre-built automation templates and guided setup flows do most of the heavy lifting, and the platform's help documentation is thorough.

More advanced features like dynamic content personalization and custom segmentation take a bit more time to master, but they don't require technical skills. Overall, Omnisend strikes a reasonable balance between being approachable for beginners and capable enough for growing ecommerce teams.

Omnisend: Support

One of Omnisend's most frequently praised qualities is the accessibility of its customer support. Unlike many competing platforms that restrict live support to paid subscribers, Omnisend offers 24/7 live chat support to all users, including those on the free plan. This is a meaningful differentiator for small stores or early-stage businesses that want a safety net while they're learning the platform.

For paid users spending $400 or more per month, Omnisend assigns a dedicated Account Expert who can assist with onboarding, migration from other platforms, and ongoing campaign strategy. This tier of support is primarily relevant to larger operations, but it's a reassuring option to know exists. Standard and Pro subscribers also get priority access to the support queue and access to a growing library of on-demand video training, live workshops, and email marketing guides.

Beyond direct support, Omnisend maintains a comprehensive help center, an active community forum, and a blog that frequently covers best practices, platform updates, and ecommerce strategy. User reviews across platforms like G2 and Capterra consistently highlight the support team's responsiveness as a standout feature, which is a useful signal for businesses that depend on fast resolution when something goes wrong.

Omnisend: The competition

There’s no shortage of email and SMS marketing platforms competing with Omnisend, but two notable examples are MailChimp and Klaviyo.

MailChimp is an effective email marketing platform tailored for broad usage, while Omnisend is designed primarily for e-commerce users. Klaviyo is built primarily for e-commerce businesses like Omnisend and offers similar features, but it's more expensive.

Omnisend: Final verdict

(Image credit: Omnisend)

If you own an online store and want to market products to existing customers or potential customers as easily as possible, Omnisend is an ideal tool. You can create different types of campaigns and send them using email, SMS, or push notifications. Afterward, you can get detailed reports to monitor the performance of your campaigns and make adjustments where needed.

Yet while the 2025 update helped modernize the interface, we still think Omnisend's editor needs some UI improvements to compete with other modern no-code tools in this space.

We've listed the best online marketing services.

Categories: Reviews

HostMetro review

TechRadar Reviews - Wed, 02/25/2026 - 21:36

HostMetro is quite a novel player in the web hosting market. Although the founders of the company had a significant amount of prior experience in this business, HostMetro was launched in 2012 in the US. Not surprisingly, their main office is situated there, in Chicago specifically. Curiously, they specialized in shared hosting solutions only. Their main aim (as they claim) is to provide affordable, easy to create, manage and maintain websites and hosting accounts. Apart from the US, HostMetro has managed to develop a considerable customer base in the UK, India and Taiwan.

Their one-and-only data center is deployed in Elk Grove Village (near Chicago) and, according to them, it offers network connectivity, redundancy in power and day-and-night security monitoring. To provide all of its users with a consistency of high speed, HostMetro’s network infrastructure features 10GB per second connections, which is always good to see. In addition, to further guarantee reliability and speed, their servers are run by dual quad-core Intel processors that possess 96GB of RAM and support RAID-protected storage and SSD drivers on their MySQL database servers.

Want to try HostMetro? Check out the website here

HostMetro’s main website feels modern, refreshingly original in its visual design and (as you'd expect) user-friendly. All information about the company and their products are presented in a clear manner, and while it doesn’t go into details at times, it does provide a decent amount of information on everything required.

Even though HostMetro lacks an official blog, their social network accounts (Facebook and Twitter) seem to be doing well, creating new content on a day-to-day basis.

Also check out our roundup of the best shared hosting

HostMetro keeps things simple with just two shared hosting plans (Image credit: HostMetro)Plans and pricing

When HostMetro declared it will provide affordable pricing, it seems they weren’t exaggerating, since their hosting plans start at quite attractive $2.95 per month. Additionally, the prices are fixed from the moment of sign up, so there are no additional (nor hidden) fees nor price hikes upon renewal to shake you up. In addition to the basic shared hosting plan labeled as “Mega Max”, there is an advanced one called “Super Max',' as well as one for those who want to try out email hosting.

All of these plans share a number of common features including: unlimited email hosting and email accounts; a plentiful of disk space and bandwidth; a domain registration and website builder, both of which are charge-free.

The billing cycle is somewhat flexible and users can choose to be charged on an annual, biennial or triennial basis, and they can do it by using all major credit cards or PayPal.

If HostMetro’s services don’t meet your expectations, there is a money-back guarantee which can be granted upon request within 30 days from the original purchase.

Yes

Small business hosting

Managed WordPress Hosting

Ease of use

Users moving from another host should know that HostMetro provides charge-free website migration services, but with certain limitations. First, the size of the website mustn’t exceed 3GB, which is needlessly inflexible although it is above the average website size. Second, all site transfers need to be requested within 30 days from creating an account with HostMetro, which is another thing you should bear in mind.

Creating an account with HostMetro is rather refreshingly uncomplicated in terms of one’s user experience. The first decision you’ll have to make is related to your domain: do you want to register a new one (which is free of charge for new users), transfer an old one (given that you have it) or update your nameservers while leaving it with your current manager. After this, you’ll be asked to choose a billing cycle and, if you didn’t intend to commit for a year at least, you might be bummed out by the lack of option for monthly billing. On the bright side, whatever you decide, the price will be locked (due to price lock guarantee), so you won’t have to worry about unpleasant cost-related surprises.

Two additional features you can choose while on this page are Anytime backup (which will cost you $19.95 annually) and an SSL certificate. This might be a letdown if you, like many of us, are used (i.e. being spoiled rotten by other providers) to getting this completely free of charge even with the cheapest plans. With HostMetro it will take $20 for each year, which is good to have in mind in advance. However, ID Protection is cost-free, for a year at least.

To finish creating your account you’ll be required to provide a considerable number of personal information, create a password and select a method of payment, after which you’ll proceed to apply it.

HostMetro allows you to manage your site using the industry standard cPanel (Image credit: cPanel)

Since industry standard cPanel is provided with all (and when we say “all”, we mean “both of”) HostMetro’s shared hosting plans, you won’t have much choice in the matter. Nevertheless, because there is a consensus that cPanel is one of (if not the one) most user-friendly option out there, this is a bright spot. From there, WordPress is one-click away, as well as other helpful applications. Alternatively, HostMetro includes a website builder with all of its plans.

We used GTmetrix to measure the uptime and response time of our HostMetro site (Image credit: GTmetrix)Speed and experience

Although HostMetro doesn’t promise much about the speed, GTmetrix, a test that monitored speed performance of their main website, has presented us with remarkably promising results. What is more, GTmetrix conclusively rated the performance with an A (97%), which is something we seldom see. The time it required to complete load the page, the requests, total blocking time, largest contentful paint and all other core web metrics were all above the average. Hence, the positive results we got were hardly surprising.

As for uptime, HostMetro offers a 99% guarantee (which is not much), and has a policy to grant one free month of hosting to every customer, provided that their annual uptime falls below the guaranteed percentage. However, after observing the uptime of HostMetro’s main website for a month, UptimeRobot failed to record any downtime at all, presenting us with a flawless performance. Fortunately, those with no such luck can still get a free month as an apology.

Support

Looking for help on HostMetro’s website will introduce a couple of options and, more importantly, cartoonishly cute Mega Man’s long lost brother, which is (we assume) their incomprehensibly underutilized mascot. On the other hand, HostMetro’s support team is available round-the-clock and can be reached in a number of ways: by email, support ticket, live chat and telephone. The latter is, however, open during the working days only and from 8AM to 8PM (CST).

You can find answers to common web hosting problems in HostMetro's knowledgebase (Image credit: HostMetro)

As an alternative, all are invited to visit HostMetro’s knowledgebase, which features more than 200 articles on various subjects divided into 18 different categories (cPanel, database questions, e-commerce, FTP, security and so on). Among these, there is a category entitled “Video Tutorials” and it provides more than a 100 step-by-step video guides covering many important issues related to cPanel and website management, which is quite commendable. Whether you are a complete beginner or a veteran webmaster, we are sure you’ll find HostMetro’s knowledgebase pretty handy.

The competition

Dedication to shared hosting is one of the traits that HostMetro shares with its fellow US-based host known as PowWeb. While HostMetro offers two plans of different sizes, PowWeb puts forward its one-and-only hosting plan. Although PowWeb includes an SSL certificate with the plan, the price hike after the initial phase might catch you off guard. No such problem should occur when dealing with HostMetro, since the prices are locked following the sign up process.

Like many of its competitors dedicated to shared hosting, One.com tries its best to provide everything to meet the needs of its customers. Despite that, when it comes to customer support One.com falls short in comparison to HostMetro. In addition, while One.com aims to be newbie-friendly, they don’t offer free domain registration, while HostMetro does.

In comparison to HostMetro, HostGator has much more to offer, both to individual bloggers and various sized businesses. Both hosts are beginner-friendly and offer several self-help options, but HostGator adds a free SSL certificate even with the cheapest plan and a 45-day money back guarantee to boot.

Bluehost is another US-based host and one that can offer the same and more in comparison with what HostMetro can. Both of them are beginner-friendly and entry-level shared hosting plans with both hosts being uncannily similar together with their available billing cycles. Even so, more ambitious users are more likely to find a permanent home for their websites with Bluehost, since it offers more hosting types and definitely more than two different-sized hosting plans.

Final verdict

HostMetro is among the very few web hosting providers that offer a price-lock guarantee, so their customers wouldn’t have to suffer an unpleasant surprise of facing a price spike after the initial period. Even popular hosts like Bluehost might strike you with the price spike that doubles the amount you originally paid, if you happen to forget about that fact. HostMetro’s hosting solutions are somewhat limited, but they are also feature-packed and can provide everything that is necessary for a simple website or a small business. Those who are trying to find something more ambitious will have to keep searching and (perhaps) take a look at hosts such as HostGator, Bluehost or Dreamhost.

We've also highlighted the best web hosting

Categories: Reviews

HostRocket review

TechRadar Reviews - Wed, 02/25/2026 - 21:25

HostRocket might not be as famous as some of the bigger companies in the industry, but they have been around for more than two decades, which presents a considerable experience in the field. Founded in 1999 and located in an area known as New York’s Tech Valley (Clifton Park) today they provide web hosting services to approximately 50,000 websites from their US-based data centers. On top of that, HostRocket offers services such as dedicated server, reseller, collocation, e-commerce and application hosting to a large number of customers from all parts of the world.

Being a private company, HostRocket has certainly come a long way from its humble beginnings, and all without usage of venture capital, funds from outside investors or bank loans. Right from the start, they put a great emphasis on achieving a perfect balance between quality and affordability of their services. Although it all sounds good, HostRocket’s main website in its current state doesn’t inspire much confidence. Its layout, bleak color palette and overall style, together with a rather rough presentation of their services, feel outdated, uninspiring and not very user-friendly.

Want to try HostRocket? Check out the website here

HostRocket’s customers are able to choose between four data centers, of which three are in the USA (each in New York, Chicago and San Jose), and the last one is found somewhere in the Netherlands.

The “About” section of the website provides a decent amount of information regarding the company and its data centres. However, HostRocket doesn’t have an official blog at the moment.

Unless you sign up for an annual or biennial plan, there will be extra setup fees included (Image credit: Future)Plans and pricing

In comparison to other international providers, HostRocket’s prices for most of its plans are well above average. Fortunately, pricing of the most basic entry-level plan doesn’t fully fall into this category and will get you a free domain name as well. However, as the website is not intuitive enough nor is the presentation of their services linked to hosting, you might find yourself disoriented more often than not.

The monethly shared hosting plan costs $12.56, but the charge will drop significantly if you choose an semi-annual plan ($9.43 per month) or even more so with an annual one ($8.38 for each month). As if this wasn’t enough, all plans shorter than the annual have additional setup fees, which can considerably drive up the price.

With each of these you will gain unlimited website storage, bandwidth and websites as well as unlimited e-mail accounts, all of which sounds pretty good.

All of HostRocket’s hosting plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee, which will give you plenty of time to make a final decision.

As for the types of payment, HostRocket accepts credit cards exclusively.

Yes

Shared hosting

Website builder

Small business hosting

Managed WordPress Hosting

Ease of use

After selecting a hosting plan and its billing cycle, you’ll need to register a new domain (which is free for the first year) or to transfer an existing one to HostRocket. After this, you can check out the details regarding your plan and confirm the billing cycle once more, before proceeding to their shopping cart. If you have selected anything below the annual billing, this is where you notice that setup fees can cost one a small fortune, $29.99 at this point. If you’re lucky enough to have a promotional code, you may validate it here and apply it to your order.

Creating an account with HostRocket is a simple yet needlessly lengthy procedure when taken with the checkout process as a whole. After providing HostRocket with your personal data and coming up with a password, you can go ahead and select a card type with the required information, as it is the only available method of payment. In addition, if you want to receive marketing notifications via SMS, you may choose so by leaving a checkmark.

Once the entire process is finalized, you’ll have to wait an hour or two before being able to enter your newly-created website. After finally logging in to HostRocket's site, you’ll find yourself in a completely standard account management from where you can see your plans, domains and tickets, among other things.

You can manage your HostRocket site using cPanel and install additional apps using Softaculous (Image credit: cPanel)

Clicking on your hosting account will make a simplified control panel pop up. This panel will allow you to manage e-mail accounts and fire up a dedicated File Manager which is used to upload files for the website you want to create. As an alternative, if you are somewhat accustomed to cPanel, you can log into it and manage all aspects of your website from there. Using Softaculous you can have more than 250 applications installed without a hitch (such as WordPres, PrestaShop, Drupal, Joomla, Magento and more) and get things moving.

We used GTmetrix to measure the uptime and responsiveness of our HostRocket site (Image credit: GTmetrix)Speed and experience

As usual, we monitored the performance speed of HostRocket’s main website with the help of a test made possible by GTmetrix. And, to our satisfaction, it showed rather positive results. To completely load the page, it required merely 3.7 seconds, which looks even better in comparison to the average result of 8.1. Additionally, it took 51 requests, which is, again, pretty good in contrast to the average of 89. In the end, GTmetrix concluded that HostRocket’s website is worthy of a firm B (82%).

HostRocket promises a modest 99.5% of uptime and, according to UptimeRobot, is likely to deliver on its promise. The above mentioned test run for more than a month and recorded just one instance of downtime that lasted for 4 minutes. Thereby, the uptime in general was 99.98%, which is a bit better than promised. As for response time oscillations, there were barely any except for the referenced one, leaving an impression of stability.

Support

When customer support is concerned, HostRocket's landing page features a “Support” menu which can take you to account management, knowledgebase, an option to submit a ticket and a choice to “contact them”, which is essentially the same as submitting a ticket. In addition to this, customers who choose a dedicated, reseller or colocation hosting type may get in touch with the support team via telephone which is available from 9 AM to 9 PM. However, there is a personnel at your disposal day-and-night in case of emergency. Additionally, there is a so-called “FAQ System”, but going for it will merely take you to their knowledgebase.

HostRocket's knowledgebase has loads of tutorials on common web hosting issues (Image credit: HostRocket)

HostRocket’s knowledgebase is well organized into ten relevant categories and all of them are packed with a number of articles. However, if you can’t see what you’re looking for among them, there is an option to browse through the base by using the search box. The articles themselves are written in straight-to-the-point manner and seem to be helpful enough. Five of them are highlighted as the most popular ones and they cover some important topics for newcomers, such as creating an index page using .htaccess files, domain registry, creating e-mail accounts, using control panel and uploading files to one’s website.

Overall, HostRocket’s customer support seems to be very informative and helpful, so the only thing that is really lacking in that department (apart from the official forum) is the absence of live chat feature.

The competition

TMDHosting is one of HostRocket’s US-based competitors and an ambitious one to boot. Both of them offer free domain registration for first-time users, but each additional domain registration with HostRocket will cost as much as $20 for each year, which is twice the amount than what is found with most providers, TMDHosting included.

Hostgator includes all the essential features with all its plans, such as: SSL certificates, SpamAssassin and automatic backups, which isn’t something HostRocket will provide you with. Another good thing is HostGator’s website builder, which all users are entitled to without any charge. On the other hand, HostRocket does provide virtually unlimited everything (storage, bandwidth, websites and e-mail accounts) with its hosting plans.

While HostRocket tries to target all businesses regardless of their size, HostDime is more geared towards larger businesses and their needs. Although the latter can also supply a small business with everything, too much of a good thing might not be equally good for the budget.

Bluehost is another well-known host which offers a whole array of services, features and options in general. However, it doesn’t provide a monthly billing for its plans (which HostRocket does) although, honestly, these plans tend to be on the expensive side.

Final verdict

Truth be told, having in mind the fact that HostRocket hosts over 50,000 websites at this moment is a testament to their reliability and good performance. Their plans, for the most part, include many unlimited features and offer a decent value for money, yet there are exceptions. Their shared hosting isn’t bad in itself, but customers who go for a monthly or semi-annual billing system, will be taken by surprise with the charge for additional setup fees.

Although HostRocket represents a pretty fair price-performance ratio, there aren’t many things that make them stand out among competitors like Bluehost, Hostgator or DreamHost. All of them can get you this and better without breaking the bank.

We've also highlighted the best web hosting

Categories: Reviews

GL.iNet Slate 7 portable Wi-Fi 7 travel router review: A brilliant travel router with a few strategic flaws that the makers need to fix

TechRadar Reviews - Wed, 02/25/2026 - 16:34

GL.iNet Slate 7: 30-second review

GL.iNet has a good reputation for router technology, and its mainstream home-office products, like the Flint 3, are widely revered. Alongside the Flint 3, GL.iNet has the Slate 7, a travel router that takes the best aspects of its larger brother and condenses them into an easy-to-carry portable access point.

With two 2.5 GbE LAN ports, you can connect this device to a hotel's wired network and then get up to 2.1 Gbps of wireless bandwidth on the 5 GHz band to connect phones and laptops.

If that seems like a security nightmare, the Slate 7 offers options for WireGuard VPN or OpenVPN, protecting your systems from local intrusions. The firmware on the Slate 7 is OpenWRT 23.05 (customised), which supports up to 5,000 plugins, allowing you to tweak the router for specific purposes.

Where most travel routers aren’t suitable for wider applications, the Slate 7, with its dual 2.5GbE LAN ports, could be a quick fix for a small office that needs WiFi, as it can easily connect to a cable router and the internal network without compromising the speed of either.

The limitations of this design are that it doesn’t support 6GHz bandwidth, which is part of the full WiFi 7 experience, and it can’t work as a MESH router with the Flint 3.

But unless those technologies are part of your network plans, then the Slate 7 is an inexpensive solution that ticks plenty of other useful boxes, making it an obvious candidate for our best Wi-Fi routers collection.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)GL.iNet Slate 7: price and availability

How much does it cost? $170/£151/€174
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? You can get it directly from GL.iNet, and it is also available from Amazon and other online retailers.

Direct from the maker, the GL.iNet Slate 7 costs only $169.99/£150.99/€173.99, and is currently offering a bundle deal if you buy it alongside the Flint 3 router in Europe or the USA. That bundle costs $358.99 in the USA, and €347.98 across Europe.

Alongside the Slate 7, GL.iNet has a travel pouch for the router that’s only £11.99 in the UK, and a SIMPoYo uFi (SP-N150C4) Plug & Play 4G USB Dongle for just €23.52/£21.89, but that’s not offered in the USA.

It can be bought via Amazon.com and other online retailers, and the prices are remarkably close to those of the maker. However, GL.iNet is currently offering the Slate 7 on Amazon.co.uk for only £117.29, which is a fantastic deal.

For those buying in bulk from GL.iNet, some cost reductions can be had. As an example, buy ten of these, and you can get a 6% saving, and smaller discounts are available for 3 and 5 packs.

Considering the cost of some travel routers that only offer Wi-Fi 6, the Slate 7's price seems reasonable, especially since it can operate as a standard AP, a wireless bridge, repeater or a wired bridge.

However, TP-Link has released the remarkably similar TL-WRR3602BE portable travel router, which sells for $99 on Amazon.com. But that router only offers a single 2.5GbE LAN port, and its second port is only 1GbE.

Netgear also offers the Nighthawk M7 Pro Mobile Hotspot, which provides 5G or 4G LTE service, but it costs £900 in the UK and, while cheaper in the USA, doesn’t work with all 5G or 4G carriers.

Overall, there are cheaper options, especially if you reduce expectations by using WiFi 6, but for a Wi-Fi 7 solution, the Slate 7 can justify its asking price.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Value score: 4/5

GL.iNet Slate 7: Specs

Feature

Specification

Model

GL-BE3600 (Slate 7)

CPU

Qualcomm Quad-core @1.1GHz

RAM

1GB DDR4

Storage

512MB NAND Flash

WiFi Bands

688 Mbps (2.4GHz)

2882 Mbps (5GHz)

WiFi Standard

IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be (Wi-Fi 7)

Ethernet Ports

1x WAN 2.5GbE
1x WAN/LAN 2.5GbE

USB Port

1x USB 3.0

Antennas

2x Foldable External Antennas

Operating System

OpenWRT 23.05 (customised)

VPN Support

WireGuard (490 Mbps) & OpenVPN-DCO (395 Mbps)

Modes

Routing, AP, Wireless Bridge, Wired Bridge

Power Input

5V/3A, 9V/3A, 12V/2.5A over USB-C

Power Consumption

Less than 8W (without USB demands)

Dimensions

130 x 91 x 34 mm

Weight

295g

GL.iNet Slate 7: design

Simple but elegant
Highly portable
Lots of useful modes

We’ve seen other Wi-Fi hardware makers go to extremes to make their products stand out in a remarkably competitive market. But the GL.iNet stuck firmly to the practicality proposition with the Slate 7, making it effectively a small 130 x 91 x 34 mm box with a gullwing antenna at either side and all the ports on the rear. The front has a small touchscreen that you can use to navigate a basic menu and view the router's status.

Power comes via USB-C, and it can be powered by a laptop since it draws only about 8W when no USB devices are attached. A small 30W PSU is included in the box, and on the EU model, adapters for four different power outlets are included: USA, UK, Europe, and Australia.

Since this PSU is similar in spec to those most people use for phones, a hardcore traveller could reduce the number of these devices they carry. Even with the PSU, this solution is less than 400g, and can easily fit alongside a laptop in hand luggage.

On the rear of the Slate 7 are two 2.5GbE LAN ports, and these, combined with the wireless capabilities, allow it to be an access point, a bridge, a Wi-Fi repeater, or even a controlled failover between two broadband providers.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

There is also a USB 3.0 port, though I never got the full 5Gbps performance I expected when connecting storage to it. What this port is useful for is adding a 5G or 4G dongle, expanding the capability to include distributing a mobile comms connection to multiple devices. When you consider how expensive some dedicated 5G routers are, and how inexpensive a 5G dongle can be, this might be the optimal combination.

From a hardware perspective, the only thing missing here is a battery, as we saw on the Puli AX, also by GL.iNet. But, as the designers chose to power this using USB-C, it can steal power from a laptop, a phone or a small power station easily.

One clever, but almost hidden feature is that when you push the antennas into their upright position, underneath the left one is a ‘Mode’ button, which you can set to toggle VPN services or other network functions quickly. That’s far more convenient than having to open up a phone or computer to switch modes. That’s something that some users will be doing on a regular basis, and the button could become a massive time saver.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Design score: 4/5

GL.iNet Slate 7: In use

Easy install
OpenWRT
No Mesh

Using the device is purely a matter of plugging in the power and any Ethernet connections you need, if any, and selecting the mode you want from the touchscreen. Once the router is configured, the screen can display QR codes for phones, tablets, and laptops to connect without having to enter complicated passwords. It’s exactly as straightforward as you might expect, and there is a phone app if you want to be taken through the configuration process with some support.

Like the Puli AX and Flint 3, this router is built on a customised version of OpenWRT, a Linux project for embedded devices. This tailored version of OpenWRT 23.05 with support for over 5,000 plug-ins makes it ideal for advanced users who want granular control over routing, VPNs, and network behaviour.

The only blot on this landscape is that you can’t install vanilla OpenWRT on this router, as the firmware has been configured specifically for this hardware platform, making it markedly less Open in the process.

What this firmware does offer is the ability to failover in various ways, enabling the two 2.5GbE ports (one each of WAN and LAN) to support two broadband services to handle the failure of one of them. In addition, although I didn’t test this, I’m confident it can failover to a 4G or 5G service via a USB dongle if the wired connection goes down. Many of these features are normally on desktop routers but rarely on travel hardware.

Internet access is also possible via a Wi-Fi repeater mode with an existing service, or via USB tethering to a phone or laptop with mobile comms capability.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

And, like the Flint 3, this router doesn’t mesh with other GL.iNet routers. This was a complaint I made about the Flint 3, and the Slate 7 has exactly the same problem.

If you don’t think this is a big deal, consider a common scenario: you have a Flint 3 or another router running most of your Wi-Fi, but you use the Slate 7 to create a local hotspot in your office. In an ideal world, the two would Mesh, so that devices would seamlessly move between them as you moved around the building, but that’s not an option.

Then, if you took the Slate 7 on a road trip, it wouldn’t impact the local Wi-Fi network, and it would slot back in when you returned. Why GL.iNet didn’t implement Mesh on these devices is a mystery, and it would be a huge story for those covering Wireless networking if they fixed this.

According to resources, OpenWRT does support mesh via 802.11s or batman-adv, but this isn’t implemented in the GL.iNet interface. This isn’t a new issue, as neither the original Slate AX or Beryl AX had Mesh either, and the Flint 3 also lacks it.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

In Use: 3.5/5

GL.iNet Slate 7: Performance

Lacks 6GHz
Lacklustre USB 3.0

Performance results are consistent, and present the Slate 7 as a workmanlike travel router that makes the most of the technology stuffed in it.

On 5GHz, real-world wireless speeds reach a limit of about 2.1 Gbps, which is strong for a travel router, given the theoretical bandwidth of 3400 Gbps across all bands.

If you use a VPN, that amount can be significantly reduced, with as little as 100 Mbps on OpenVPN, but WireGuard VPN throughput typically sits just above 500 Mbps, a trade-off that most travellers would live with to be safe on the road.

The performance of WireGuard and OpenVPN channels on routers is heavily determined by the SoC's speed. Many desktop routers built around OpenWRT 23.05, but with a more powerful SoC, can hit 1,000MB/s or better. But, since this router might be battery-powered, the chip in it was chosen for power efficiency and not breakneck WireGuard performance.

This hardware supports Multi-Link Operation (MLO), but since it lacks support for the 6GHz band, using it doesn’t tend to provide much in the way of speed gains, though it does enhance stability somewhat. Those operating this router in a hotel room wouldn’t notice the difference, I’m confident.

There is a good argument that selling the Slate 7 as a Wi-Fi 7 router when it doesn’t support 6GHz is, at best, overselling and, at worst, misleading. I’d temper that position by saying that this platform does support 4K QAM and Multi-Link Operation (MLO) for improved efficiency and speed over older standards, though if this router had a 6GHz band, it would be rated much higher than the BE3600 that it is currently.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

One place it doesn’t perform well is with the USB 3.0 port, which doesn’t deliver the bandwidth it should. File transfers from storage devices stalled at 132MB/s in my tests, even with external SSDs rated for 1,000MB/s or higher.

Since USB 3.0 should be at least 500MB/s, being a 5Gbps technology, but on this hardware, it looks like it's capped at closer to 1Gbps, which is disappointing. It’s worth saying that I’ve reviewed desktop routers with ‘Blue’ USB 3.0 ports and discovered they only support USB 2.0 transfer speeds (40MB/s), so the performance on this router is better than some.

Overall, the Slate 7 performs well with Wi-Fi 5 and 6 clients, but without 6GHz support, it can’t match the performance of a proper Wi-Fi router.

Performance score: 3.5/5

(Image credit: GL.iNet)GL.iNet Slate 7: Final verdict

I like the Slate 7 more than some other products I could mention, mostly because it focuses on its core functionality and offers the features and flexibility that frequent travellers are looking for.

Being easy to carry and deploy is important for those on the move, and by using WireGuard VPN, you can keep communication secure even if the local hotel network is compromised.

If this design has weaknesses, many of them are the same that I noticed on the Flint 3, and as they share a firmware platform, that’s not a huge surprise. Ironically, if the Flint 3 supported Mesh, so would this router, and that would be a major selling point for both. For whatever reason, GL.iNet didn’t include Mesh, and it makes the Slate 7 slightly less useful for those who want to use one in the office to extend their network. You can still use it as a range extender, but that’s not the same as the smooth handover connections that Mesh can give you.

Of the eight travel routers GL.iNet currently sells, this is the one I’ve been most impressed with so far. However, I’ve yet to see the Mudi 7 (GL-E5800). a 5G NR Tri-band Wi-Fi 7 Travel Router, as it's only due to be released later this year,

There are cheaper options around that work perfectly well, but the thinking and functionality that’s in this one make it worth the extra cost when you are far from the office and need equipment that works.

Should I buy a GL.iNet Slate 7?GL.iNet Slate 7 Score Card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Agressively priced for the specification of this small device

4/5

Design

Compact, solid build with handy touchscreen

4/5

In Use

Easy to use and highly flexible but lacks Mesh

3.5/5

Performance

Strong on 5GHz & WireGuard; 'Wi-Fi 7' branding oversells it

3.5/5

Overall

Best-in-class travel router with a few caveats

4/5

Buy it if...

You want Wi-Fi 7
There are better Wi-Fi 7 routers available, most of it costs much more than this, and it isn't portable. However, you might find that those clients who are Wi-Fi 5 or 6, don’t get substantially more performance. And, Wi-Fi 7 clients can’t use 6GHz.

You want dual 2.5GbE in a travel package
No other travel router at this price point offers two 2.5GbE ports with failover, and you need to spend much more than this on a desktop router that offers more than one 2.5GbE port.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t have Wi-Fi 7 clients
Without the right hardware on the client end, there is little point in going with a Wi-Fi 7 router. However, if you intend to upgrade at some point, then it might be worth the investment.

You want to use Mesh
The lack of proper Mesh support in this design is a showstopper for many. It can work as a repeater, but that’s not the same in a crowded wireless environment.

For more connectivity solutions, we've reviewed the best business routers

Categories: Reviews

'I'm loving the audio and design upgrades, but one huge problem remains' — after using Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro for one week, there's still an issue

TechRadar Reviews - Wed, 02/25/2026 - 12:00

While the launch of the Samsung Galaxy S26 series has the phones world abuzz, it’s the unveiling of the company’s new audio products which is turning earbuds fans’ heads. The flagship new 'Buds' vying to feature in our best earbuds guide are the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, which have just been released alongside their non-Pro counterparts. They are, depending on your persuasion, the follow-up to the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, or the latest rival to the AirPods Pro 3.

As early leaks all-but confirmed, these buds have seen a design change, using a new version of what Samsung calls its ‘blade’ design to create a sleek and understated-looking model. I don’t know how much Marvel’s sword-wielding vampire-fighter had to do with the change, but it’s just the most readily-apparent of the several changes and upgrades coming to this new iteration.

At an early event I got to test the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro, as well as their non-Pro sibling, and since then I’ve been listening to them non-stop for the past week. That’s not enough time to write a full review (though rest assured one is coming), but below you’ll find my early impressions on this new pair of premium earbuds.

@techradar

♬ original sound - TechRadar Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro review: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

Announced on February 25, 2026
Selling for $249 / £219 / AU$399
Matches AirPods Pro 3 in price — which is likely deliberate

The Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro were unveiled on February 25, 2026, and they’re due to go on sale at the beginning of March.

To buy the new buds, you’ll have to shell out $249 / £219 / AU$399. That’s certainly a high price for earbuds, marking them as premium options, though it’s worth noting that this is the same launch price as the previous model.

Let’s put that in context: the latest AirPods Pro 3 cost $249 / £219 / AU$429 so it’s a similar price in most places, but Samsung undercuts Apple in Australia. The standard Galaxy Buds 4 go for $197 / £159 / AU$299, so they’re naturally cheaper, but you’re getting an open-style bud for that price.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

New 'blade' look, old 'blade' traits gone
Feel solid in the ear
Annoying eartip problem returns

Changes to the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro are evident from the outset: they come in a clamshell-style charging case which is transparent in its lid, so you can admire the buds at will – it’s much easier to slot the buds into than the 3 Pro’s case was. It feels a little smaller but thicker, from my recollection of the last buds, though I can’t confirm that – either way, it was easy to slot into my trouser pockets.

The buds themselves have seen a redesign, and now have a brushed-metal edge which is lovely and understated. I’m personally a big fan of earbuds that aren’t bedecked in the company’s logo, and could proudly walk around without feeling like a Samsung billboard.

(Image credit: Future)

Some more changes: Blade Light? Gone. Color-coded buds so you know at a glance which side of the case to put them in? Gone. Proprietary eartip-locking system which stops you using third-party tips, and makes them incredibly hard to remove? Sadly not gone, despite this finickity system causing so many problems in the Buds 3 Pro that they were delayed. I needed to switch the tips when I first received the buds, and was fearful of doing so given how easily I could have accidentally broken them. I can't understand why Samsung has left this big problem in place.

I switched out the tip because the buds’ fit didn’t feel solid, and changing to the biggest option didn’t remedy that. However, the only times they've actually fallen out is when I took them on a run; I'd say they're fine for everyday use, then, but aren't runners' buds.

Other than that, they’ve felt pretty reliable, even when I walked around with the buds at weird and irregular angles to test out one of their features (don’t tell my editor, who threatened to write a column calling out all the people who wear earbuds wrong). I was surprised by how much much I liked the on-stem touch controls too: swipe for volume, pinch for play/pause. Nice and convenient, and with a responsive ‘click’ for the latter too, reminding me of the Nothing Ear (a) which have a gold star in this department.

@techradar

♬ Straf (Theme) - Weval Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

Solid ANC
App is chock-full of features
New live translation and head gestures

I remember being blown away by the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro’s ANC, and from early tests, it’s just as strong here. I’ve mostly been listening on the standard ANC mode, at full power, but there’s an Adaptive mode that I’m getting ready to try next. If there’s a flaw, it’s that Ambient mode seems weaker than on other buds I’ve tested, in that it lets through too much.

Like any good premium earbuds, there are plenty of app features in the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro. I spent a good long while playing around with tools like an earbud fit test, a 5-band equalizer with various presets, an Ultra High-Quality mode, 360 audio and setting up neck stretch reminders.

(Image credit: Future)

The app also offers an adaptive sound mode, which offers a hearing test to create a bespoke sound profile – it’s simpler than the alternative offered by many rivals, and didn’t have an audible impact on my music. I must say, I’m not convinced by this one.

New features to the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro include head gestures to answer or reject calls, however I didn’t get to test this, due to no-one calling me in the test week (it’s 2026 – I don’t get many calls full stop). AirPods Pro-style Live Translation is also here, and thanks to an upcoming trip, it’s something I hope to test soon for the full review.

There's also the feature I referred to earlier in the article: adaptive casting, so the buds will recognize how you're wearing them and adapt playback accordingly. In short, if you're wearing the buds wrong, they'll play music slightly differently to atone for it. Perfect for all those people you see on the train who have the stems vertical (or horizontal).

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro review: Sound performance

(Image credit: Future)

Driver improvements offer better-defined bass
Support for high-quality music
Sounds great, with refined V-shaped audio

There's an audible change afoot in the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro; they have a slightly bigger driver, and according to Samsung this brings bass boosts. In my testing, this doesn’t mean more bass, but better bass.

Lower-frequency instruments don't dominate the other tracks as much as in rivals, but sit better alongside them, with better definition and timbre. It feels more natural, and less like a filter slapped over music.

Beyond that, these sound similar to the previous-gen model: really, really good, with a gentle V-shaped sound. Sharp treble, wide sound stage, high quality of tracks supported. Expect a more detailed and nuanced analysis when the novelty has worn off, but to praise them simply: I used them for hours on my return trip from covering the Bristol Hi-Fi show, and didn’t find them as much of a sad comedown as I expect any other earbuds would be (to clarify, I'd spent the days listening to speakers and hi-fi systems that cost hundreds of thousands, in any currency you like).

I should note, I did much of my listening on a Samsung phone, which allows for the company’s Ultra High Quality Sound feature – it compresses then decodes music up to 24-bit/96kHz. This made music sound distinctly better than it might on another device, as illustrated by the fact I also tested alongside a different Android phone which also sounded great, but not quite as high-quality.

Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro review: Value

(Image credit: Future)

The big question for expensive earbuds like these, is how well they justify that high price tag. I can't deny that the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro sound great, but the earbuds world is a competitive one, and you can get a great pick without paying much.

I think it's the feature department that'll sway me either way: it's what set many buds apart, and if the Galaxy Buds 4 Pro tools prove useful over the coming weeks, it'll help make the price make sense.

How I tested

(Image credit: Future)

So far, I've been listening to the Samsung Galaxy Buds 4 Pro for the best part of a week, mainly using it for music streaming. I tested it for a time on my Realme phone, listening to Spotify as I would any other pair of headphones. I also spent a few days with it paired to a Samsung Galaxy S25 Plus, listening to high-res music and testing its various features. I will repeat this split for the remainder of the testing process, to see how well the buds work for Samsung and non-Samsung users.

I've tested plenty of other earbuds in the past, including options from Samsung and its companies including the Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, original Galaxy Buds and some picks from AKG, Bowers & Wilkin and JBL (yes, all owned by Samsung).

The Commodore 64 Ultimate takes me back to my very first days with a computer and I loved nearly every moment

TechRadar Reviews - Wed, 02/25/2026 - 10:00

Commodore 64 Ultimate: One-minute review

The Commodore 64 Ultimate is a modern recreation of the classic home computer from the 1980s. It’s a tremendous achievement, taking me straight back to my childhood with glee, and also making me wonder how on earth seven-year-old me had the patience to truly figure it out. Using it is wondrous and occasionally frustrating and slow, but for fans of that era, it’s hard to resist (assuming money isn’t an issue).

It’s so much more than just an emulated machine like if you’ve Nintendo Classic Mini or the PlayStation Classic. It provides compatibility with most of your old Commodore 64 hardware if, like me, you’ve kept a huge box of cassettes, cartridges, and joysticks, but you can also go online to download some games too.

Capturing that nostalgia has some downsides that are only truly apparent now that we’ve moved forward. Loading times are slow, albeit not as slow as back in the day, while knowing what commands to hit on the keyboard isn’t as intuitive as it once felt. However, a comprehensive manual goes some way to helping you remember how you used to do things, and ensures newcomers aren’t left in the dark.

Think of this as like a project rather than a brief flirtation, and you should be delighted with the Commodore 64 Ultimate. I enjoyed rediscovering how to complete simple routines in BASIC, but also playing old favorites, even if they weren’t exactly games I’d still play for dozens of hours anymore.

It’s a fantastic love letter to the computer that sent me down a lifelong path of loving technology, but it also reminds me how far we’ve come. At times, you’ll find yourself a little frustrated by a system that doesn’t feel as logical as it once did, but if you were here back at the start, you’ll always return for more. Just be ready for a bit of a learning curve.

(Image credit: Future)Commodore 64 Ultimate: Price and availability

List price: $349.99 (around £260 / AU$524)
Currently available for preorder for March / April 2026
Beige and Starlight variants available

The Commodore 64 Ultimate is currently available for pre-order directly from Commodore. At the time of writing, it’s expected to ship in March or April 2026. The standard Beige variant is $349.99 (around £260 / AU$524) while the more futuristic-looking Starlight model is an extra $50, and the Founder’s Edition with 24K gold-plated badges is $549.99.

I went with the Beige version as it looks nearly identical to the one from my childhood (more on that in a moment), but even that model is pretty expensive compared to other retro games consoles and machines.

Of course, it’s far more than just an emulator, given it works with your original hardware, but this isn’t impulse buy territory. I’d think carefully about whether this is a novelty product for you or something that you truly plan on using for a long time to come.

Fortunately, if you’re like me and kept your old collection, you won’t have to worry about buying new games, joysticks, or a cassette deck. If you’re starting from scratch, there’s a USB stick full of games included, and an extra supply of games is available online via the computer’s storefront for free.

Commodore 64 Ultimate: Specs

Commodore 64 Ultimate

Price

$349.99 (around £260 / AU$524)

Weight

5.6lb / 2.56kg

Dimensions

16 x 8 x 3in / 400 x 200 x 70mm

Extras

Integrated Ultimate-II+ functionality with tape emulation and DMA loader, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, 2 x Game Controller Ports

CPU

AMD Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA

RAM

128MB DDR2 RAM

Video

HDMI 1080P at 50Hz PAL or 60Hz NTSC Analog via DIN-8: CVBS, S-Video, or RGB

Compatibility

Commodore 64 cassettes, disks, cartridges, ROMs

Controllers

Serial Port Joystick/DB9 controller

Commodore 64 Ultimate: Design and features

Matches the original aesthetic well
Traditional interface paired with more modern menu system
Works with original accessories and games

The Commodore 64 Ultimate is an instant nostalgia trip if you owned the original. Even the box design is similar. Open it up, and you’re presented with a USB drive disguised as a cassette tape along with a wire-bound User Guide which looks a lot like the one I gazed over in wonder as a kid. The computer itself also looks nearly identical to the original, right down to the power switch on the side and all the ports possible.

Such ports include the modern essentials like USB and HDMI, but also older connectors for adding your original cassette deck, your joysticks, or a disk drive. It also works with C64 cartridges if you have any of those lying around.

It’s all plug and play, which is great if you’ve got an old collection ready to try out again, tapping into a similar model as the Atari 2600+. It also even sounds like the Commodore 64 from what I remember, with a bit of a creak as anything loads coming from the sound chip.

(Image credit: Future)

The Commodore 64 Ultimate’s user interface is just like how you might remember, too, which is both good and bad. Back in the day, there was no drag-and-drop, and everything was done through a keyboard with arrow keys that needed the shift key to switch between directions. That’s replicated here, and it takes a hot minute to remember the old ways.

To offset that aged way of doing things, there are menus to navigate. It’s still a little awkward, but it opens up more functionality, such as being able to go online to download community-made games or access bulletin board forums.

There’s a ton of depth to these menus, so if you like to tweak and adjust settings, you’re in luck. This is a far more feature-rich model than the original it’s taking after. How far you want to go mostly depends on your enthusiasm. It can still be a relatively plug-and-play device if you just want to download games.

(Image credit: Future)Commodore 64 Ultimate: Performance

Loading times are faster than the OG but still slow
Overclocking options
BASIC is just how you remember it

Remember when the Commodore 64 would take 10 minutes or more to load a cassette, then sometimes simply fail? Those days are gone with the Ultimate! That doesn’t mean it’s fast, though. The processing power is there, but presumably, waiting around for a game to load is there to remind you of the simpler times.

That goes for whether you’re loading a tape image from USB or online, so this isn’t an old media issue. In the long term, I plan on adding a Tapuino to make it easier to load my original cassettes, but you don’t actually need anything extra besides what’s in the box.

Going online is as simple as connecting any other device to your network, and in no time, you can search for games or browse bulletin boards. While I never found my new favorite game through these methods, it was fun to take a look.

Curiously, you can dive into a menu and activate turbo boost to improve performance from 1MHz to 64MHz with a RAM expansion unit, increasing RAM to 16MB, which feels mind-boggling for a Commodore 64 machine.

My favorite part about using the Commodore 64 Ultimate actually has nothing to do with gaming performance, though. I loved coding in BASIC again. It was my first time programming anything, and also arguably when my programming knowledge peaked. The wire-bound manual guides you through the early stages of BASIC, and digging out a few old books and magazines with programs was a ton of fun.

Variety is where much of the joy comes from with the Commodore 64 Ultimate. It’s truly a whole home computer rather than a restrictive games emulator. Being able to switch between playing some old games and discovering new ones online, or simply coding something, gives it tremendous depth compared to something like the C64 Mini that came before it.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Commodore 64 Ultimate?Buy it if…

You loved the Commodore 64 the first time around
The nostalgia factor is huge here, but made better. It has everything you’d expect from the original, but with improvements like an HDMI port and internet connectivity for downloading new games.

You want a fun new tech project
The Commodore 64 Ultimate has enough depth that you won’t spend one afternoon with it. You can work on some coding projects, play a huge number of games, and track down old but compatible hardware.

You want to escape the modern world
The Commodore 64 may go online, but there are no notifications, no ads, no distractions. This is still a very purist experience, and it’s rather nice to leave the digital world behind for a time.

Don’t buy it if…

You’ve never used a Commodore 64 before
Without the nostalgia, I’m not convinced this would be a very exciting passion project. It’s hard to go back to the old days if you don’t remember them from before.

You want simplicity
The moment you reach for the escape key and realise there isn’t one is when you remember how much has changed. It’s a little daunting at first, so it won’t be for everyone.

You want a cheap project
This isn’t a cheap piece of hardware, and that shows in the quality of it. Throw in the need for joysticks and other original hardware to get the most out of it, and the Commodore 64 Ultimate could end up pretty expensive.

Also consider...

Not sure if the Commodore 64 Ultimate is the retro hardware for you? Here’s how it compares to two similar products.

Commodore 64 Ultimate

Atari 2600+

Commodore 64 Mini

Price

$349.99 (around £260 / AU$524)

$129.99 / £129.99 / AU$269.95

$79.99 / £69.99 / AU$149.95

Weight

5.6lb / 2.56kg

1.3lb / 0.59kg

0.82lb / 0.38kg

Dimensions

16 x 8 x 3in / 400 x 200 x 70mm

10.6 x 7 x 2.8in / 269 x 178 x 71mm

9.8 x 7.9 x 2in / 250 x 200 x 50mm

Extras

Integrated Ultimate-II+ functionality with tape emulation and DMA loader, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB, 2 x Game Controller Ports

CX40+ Joystick with DB9 connector, USB-C, Light-up Atari logo

USB flash drive with disc, cartridge, and casette ROM file compatibility, Dual USB-A ports, THE Joystick (microswitch joystick)

CPU

AMD Xilinx Artix-7 FPGA

Rockchip 3128 SOC

ARM A20 SoC

RAM

128MB DDR2 RAM

256MB DDR3 RAM

64KB

Video

HDMI 1080P at 50Hz PAL or 60Hz NTSC Analog via DIN-8: CVBS, S-Video, or RGB

HDMI (widescreen support)

HDMI (720p 60Hz output; full width/4:3/CRT filter options)

Compatibility

Commodore 64 cassettes, disks, cartridges, ROMs

Atari 2600 and 7800 game cartridges

Games on board, plus games via USB port

Controllers

Serial Port Joystick/DB9 controller

CX40+ JoystickS

THEJoystick

Atari 2600+
If your childhood was all about the Atari 2600, check out the Atari 2600+ model which is a lot cheaper than the Commodore 64 Ultimate and still allows you to use old cartridges as well as new. The latter can get quite expensive but it’s more plug and play friendly than the C64.

Read our full Atari 2600+ review

C64 Mini
The C64 Mini is a great alternative if you simply want to play some old, curated games in ROM form and maybe dabble in some programming. It’s less complete than the Commodore 64 Ultimate, but it’s more accessible for the less tech-savvy amongst us.

Read our full C64 Mini review

How I tested the Commodore 64 Ultimate

Tested for about 20 hours
I used it solely out of the box, and I also added my own original joystick and cassette deck to play games
I also spent time using it to code simple programs in BASIC

I used the Commodore 64 Ultimate after digging out my old collection of C64 games and hardware. Unfortunately for me, not all the cassettes survived their time untouched, and one joystick was temperamental at best, but it gave me an opportunity to see how well the new and old hardware worked together.

I also went online with the Commodore 64 and browsed through seemingly every menu within the original user interface. I downloaded new games to play to see how well that experience worked, and I spent substantial time typing out BASIC programs and reveling at how easy it was, and feeling some lovely nostalgia to child me who thought they could rule the world because they knew a little BASIC.

The Commodore 64 Ultimate is very different from other retro machine comebacks, so I mostly focused on comparing it to the original machine.

Resident Evil Requiem is a blast, but after 30 years it's time the series' narrative let go of the past

TechRadar Reviews - Wed, 02/25/2026 - 09:00

Resident Evil Requiem is quite literally a game of two halves.

Its dual protagonists, newcomer Grace Ashcroft and series veteran Leon S. Kennedy, both represent disparate aspects of the long-running survival horror franchise brought together to appease fans of tense first-person exploration and resource management and bombastic third-person action, respectively.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2 / PC
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, PC, Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: February 27, 2026

An intriguing formula which, on paper, should offer something for all kinds of Resident Evil lover and this is certainly true throughout the game’s strong first half. Navigating wonderfully designed, interconnected environments filled with mysterious puzzles to scrounge for resources while dodging prowling horrors, as Grace is a consistent delight, punctuated by the refreshing moments where you can briefly let loose as Leon and tear through zombie hordes with an almost unlimited supply of guns and ammunition.

Unfortunately, this careful balance is upset by the overwhelming number of sequences in the action camp later on. They’re still a blast to fight through, even as the plot becomes increasingly bizarre, but I still found myself hoping for more of the serious scares experienced early on.

Spencer Mansion memories

(Image credit: Capcom)

It’s clear that Resident Evil Requiem is intended to be a celebration of the series, smartly blending elements from almost every entry thus far. Grace inherits not only the first-person perspective of Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, but also the classic puzzle-solving of the original Resident Evil and its immediate follow-ups. The Rhodes Hill Chronic Care Center, the first section where you play as Grace, is a showstopping example of this formula at its best, with some of the greatest level design in Resident Evil history.

The whole area is an unsettling blend of tight corridors and small rooms, with objectives that require you to carefully scour your surroundings as you match keys with their respective locks, decipher secret codes, or collect other important items. Moving forward is always intuitive, and I never found myself scratching my head, wondering what to do next, in part because there are often multiple possible ways to progress with what you have on hand.

Rooms like the ornate banquet hall and the facility's expansive main foyer also echo the iconic design of the Spencer Mansion, a tasteful throwback for long-time fans, while a barrage of new enemy types keep things feeling fresh and prevent you from ever getting too comfortable. The new viral strain at the heart of this game's outbreak gives us some of the most intelligent zombies yet, repeating phrases that often hint at ways to counter their unique behaviours.

(Image credit: Capcom)

A zombie obsessed with turning off the lights, for example, can be lured out of your path by the flicking of a distant switch in order to preserve valuable ammo. Even if you do choose to go guns blazing, a handful of powerful horrors like the kitchen's huge, mutated chef can only be taken on with ample reserves of equipment. Successfully down them and you're treated to a deluge of goodies, namely collectible coins that can be spent on useful upgrades, appropriately rewarding those players prepared to take the risk.

Saving is restricted to set points where you can access a typewriter in dedicated safe rooms, adding an extra layer of tension even if, in reality, their plentiful nature means you're never really short of opportunities to use them.

Despite this safety blanket, as Grace, you're never really out of harm's way, as you’re perpetually on the run from an invincible foe. A terrifying, long-limbed woman, she appears in both scripted scares and more dynamic moments where she stalks you through the building.

She has a good range of possible behaviors, like suddenly reaching under tables to grab you if you make too much noise, or prowling towards your path after catching a whiff of your scent as you creep by. The creature is easy to outsmart if you make liberal use of distraction items like glass bottles, but the persistent dread that she might appear around any corner is hard to shake.

Your fear is reflected in Grace, who is an incredibly relatable protagonist compared to the emotional brick wall that was 7 and Village’s Ethan Winters.

Her trembling hands and haggard breaths are a brilliant contrast to Leon’s quippy confidence, and she’s endearingly awkward in the many stunningly animated cutscenes, too. Her desire to discover the truth of her mother’s grisly murder eight years ago is also a compelling hook that drives you to push on in spite of the horrors that you face.

Back in '98

(Image credit: Capcom)

It’s a shame, then, that she practically vanishes from the story at the halfway mark as the focus turns almost entirely towards Leon. Returning to the ruins of Raccoon City in some surprisingly hefty semi-open-world sections, it’s an unrelenting bombardment of combat gauntlets, boss fights, and cinematic action sequences.

Some moments, like a rocket launcher motorbike chase that extends up the side of a collapsed building, are certainly reminiscent of the much-derided over-the-top events of Resident Evil 6, while others feel like something you’d watch stone-faced in one of the franchise’s many terrible live action movies.

(Image credit: Capcom)

Throw in heaps of gratuitous fan service and an unsatisfying ending that leaves loads of unanswered questions (presumably for the sake of setting up future sequels or DLC), and it left me yearning for a tighter, more self-contained, and emotionally impactful experience.

That’s not to say that these moments are ever dull, though. To developer Capcom’s credit, while events may veer unapologetically into the camp and ridiculous, I was practically on the edge of my seat, wondering what on Earth could possibly happen next.

It definitely helps that Resident Evil Requiem is never boring to look at. This is a visually stunning game that really pushes the envelope with environmental fidelity, beautiful ray-traced reflections, fluid animation, and even subtle character details like strands of hair or droplets of blood and sweat. Yes, even on Nintendo Switch 2, despite some noticeable cutbacks to resolution and the odd framerate stutter.

I enjoyed my playthroughs thoroughly, but I can’t help but wish that Capcom was a little bolder with the plot. After more than 30 years, surely now is the time to be moving the series forward decisively rather than constantly harking back to the past?

Should I play Resident Evil Requiem?Play it if...

You love classic Resident Evil
If you love the classic trilogy, or even newer entries like Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, then the Grace segments of Requiem make it well worth playing. You’re getting a decent chunk of old-fashioned puzzle solving and survival horror exploration here, even if it does skew towards action near the end.

You prefer the more bombastic action
If you loved the action-packed events of Resident Evil 4, the Leon sections here feature some of the best third-person combat in the series so far.

Don't play it if...

You’re not up to date with the story so far
The strong reliance on fan-service and call backs is going to really diminish the experience for those that aren’t long-time Resident Evil fans. If that’s you, my recommendation is to start with Resident Evil 7: Biohazard or the Resident Evil 2 remake and then play through the rest of the series before reaching this one.

Accessibility features

Resident Evil Requiem has multiple difficulty levels, including a Casual mode that’s designed to be more forgiving as well as Standard (Modern) and Standard (Classic). Standard (Classic) restricts your ability to save during Grace sections, requiring a consumable ink ribbon item each time.

The game has a dedicated accessibility menu with a suite of available options geared towards visual, auditory, motion sickness, and physical accessibility. On the visual front, you can customize the HUD and text size, plus subtitle presentation and size.

For auditory needs, you can enable closed captions with optional speaker name display, while motion sickness settings allow you to adjust camera wobble, motion blur, and turn on a dot in the middle of the screen to focus on.

Physical accessibility options include the options to disable repeated inputs in favor of holding a button, turn of vibration, and configure your controller layout.

(Image credit: Capcom)How I reviewed Resident Evil Requiem

I played more than 20 hours of Resident Evil Requiem on Nintendo Switch 2, my primary platform for review, in which time I completed the game and then began a second run. I tested it almost exclusively in handheld mode, relying on the Joy-Con 2 controllers and the system’s built-in speakers.

I then tested the PC version on my system from retailer Scan. It features a compact Corsair 2000d RGB Airflow case, Asus ROG Strix B860-I Gaming Wifi motherboard, Intel Core Ultra 7 265K CPU, a 2TB WD Black SN770 SSD, 32GB of DDR5 Corsair Vengeance RAM, and an Nvidia 5070 Ti manufactured by Asus.

This proved more than capable of running the game on maximum graphics settings with full path tracing enabled at 1080p 60fps. On PC, I relied on my Razer DeathAdder V3 Pro mouse and Cherry XTRFY K5V2 keyboard, plus an Astro A20 X gaming headset for audio.

I’m a long-time Resident Evil fan and have played almost every entry (most on more than one occasion). Yes, I’ve even subjected myself to the likes of Operation Raccoon City and Umbrella Corps.

Throughout my time with Requiem, I compared my experience to the other games (particularly Resident Evil 7: Biohazard, the remakes of 2, 3, and 4, Village, and the original three games) plus the wider survival horror and action horror genres.

First reviewed February 2026

Categories: Reviews

Synology DS725+ review: a compact NAS with powerful performance, and perhaps one flaw

TechRadar Reviews - Wed, 02/25/2026 - 05:15

The Synology DS725+ is an odd placement. It is a great device for most, don’t get me wrong, but with a seemingly downgraded Network port, the same CPU as a past model, no PCIe expansion port to upgrade to a 10GbE network port, and still an expandable storage option, it makes this a hard device to suggest, even while it’s a great device on it’s own.

As a device, not looking at models from the same company or family, this would probably score a bit higher. But knowing that other models exist at a similar price point from the same reputable company with better features, this score gets knocked a bit.

But with that said, the last thing I will say, with other products in mind, is that the DS723+ may be the better option for you if you need the 10GbE option or want it in the future; however, not everyone will want or ever really need that kind of speed. So, it depends on what you are going to use this NAS for.

Synology DS725+: Price and availability

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Synology DS725+ without drives sells for $499, giving you an empty case ready for whatever drives you want. You can choose to add just one drive, or fill both bays, and you can also fill the M. 2 NVMe slots. If you want more storage, you can grab an expansion DX525 unit and add 5 more bays, bringing the total to 7.

It's widely available right now direct from Synology and online retailers like Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.

Synology used to require Synology-branded drives for compatibility, but they have recently opened this up to allow for non-Synology drives, just noting that not all will function the same.

For example, I have 2 Synology M.2 drives in my NVMe slots for caching, and for my main drives, I have 2x 8TB Seagate IronWolf NAS Internal Hard Drives, giving me a total of 16TB of storage, plus the 800GB of caching. This option was cheaper than the Synology-branded drives, and so far, I have had no issues.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Synology DS725+: Unboxing and First Impressions

Synology is one of those companies that has simple packaging, and at this point in my life and professional career, I appreciate that. No need for flashy packaging, just let me get to the product and let the product speak for itself. There are some nice foam inserts to help ensure the enclosure doesn’t get damaged, along with the power brick and cable, some RJ-45 LAN cables, drive bay screws, a key, and the guide.

This enclosure is super minimal, and with the NVMe slots under the device, the overall footprint is pretty small. I was able to add this to a small rack pretty easily, even though this is a desktop model, not a rack-based model. For this current setup, a rack system works well, but for the future, I want the flexibility of putting this on a desktop, making this formfactor perfect for me.

I was able to get things set up pretty quickly, not having to follow any instructions other than confirming the best way to connect to the NAS for the first time. Setup all occurs over at find.synology.com, which I've also used for my other Synology drives, and I was good to go.

For this setup, I have the Synology DS725+ 2.5GbE network port plugged into a Zyxel network switch that also has two media computers connected, and that switch is connected to my LAN. I also have a redundant network line for any potential failover running from the 1GbE port directly into the building.

Once I got that squared away and installed all four drives, I plugged in power and booted it up, then visited find.synology.com to install DSM and set the parameters I wanted. The setup was pretty straightforward, and there were no spots where I felt confused or unsure about what to choose. It probably took about 15-20 minutes from unboxing to using and syncing files.

Synology DS725+: Design & Build Quality

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The physical design of the Synology DS725+ is pretty simple, and I like that. It’s not trying to be flashy. I do wish Synology would adopt more ports on the front for file transfer, as other companies like UGREEN do, but it’s not the end of the world by any means.

For this kind of storage, I understand why they don’t make it the primary focus, as the user base would probably be those who are not in the media space or have other ways of ingesting footage. Though I was able to easily ingest SD cards via an adapter, which was a fun surprise.

This is the kind of NAS you can, of course, tuck away if desired or keep on your desk, and you won’t feel bad about it at all, as it looks clean and sleek with its matte dark grey/black colorway and minimal lighting and badging.

Speaking of the looks, the build quality is great on this; there are no loose pieces or elements that feel cheaply designed. Everything feels quality without feeling so nice that I shouldn’t use it. Sadly, again, there is no expandable PCIe Gen 3 port, but there is an expandable USB-C port on the back for an expansion bay if desired down the road.

One thing that was updated since I received this unit and started testing is that Synology now allows all drive types again. While I do understand the backlash Synology was getting for this move, I see it as a lot like Apple's walled garden.

Yes, there may be part of it that is for trying to make users spend more on their products, but Apple is very particular about what can and will go into their devices, so they can have more control of the outcomes, producing a reliable experience which they could not ensure with products they do not design.

I think Synology was trying to ensure the best performance by only allowing its drives that meet its standards and performance expectations, not just any drive. However, now you can add just about any drive. Synology just notes that it may affect your performance, so make sure you do some research before choosing a non-Synology drive.

Synology DS725+: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

I’ve had this drive up and running in my team’s media area for several weeks now. Its primary use is as a media server, hosting RAW video and photo files, communicating with a DaVinci Project Server, and working as a sync between Macs and Google Shared Drives, as well as other media folders scattered about. We rely on the cloud sync functionality to keep everything in check, uploading and downloading as needed.

Synology’s DSM 7 software is so easy to use that I can connect to it and work from my iPhone, my iPad, my Mac, or just interact with the file server through Finder. It is incredibly easy to set up and work on.

Right now, I have one volume containing all 16TB of my storage drives, and then both of my NVMe drives are set to cache that volume, making for one big drive that can work as fast as I need it to. I may add another set of drives through the expansion bay in the future and set up another volume, or I may split this volume over time depending on usage, but what’s great is that Synology makes that super easy.

If media storage is not what you need this for, this is even better as a file server, acting as your source of truth, a RAID server that can backup your critical files, or even work as a hybrid with a cloud service, backing up your cloud files, your computer files in the field, or perhaps taking what you store on a more expensive, but sometimes more convenient cloud service, pulling it down to your cold storage Synology backup, and freeing up your more convenient cloud service storage. Either way, this system is fantastic for all types of storage management.

Synology DS725+: Final verdictCollin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future Collin Probst // Future

I’ve only touched on the DS725+'s capabilities, which speaks to just how capable it is. However, circling back, its product placement is a bit odd. So, if you are looking for a great NAS for your business professional use, then you should probably check out the DS725+ as well as some of the other DS systems that Synology offers, but if you find a great deal, and you are ok with a 2.5GbE max port, then you should absolutely consider grabbing the DS725+ for your business or use case.

As most things do, this purchase comes down to the right deal and the right use, but at the end of the day, Synology is still highly respected in this space, and for good reason. They make great gear, even if some of it is oddly positioned against its brothers and sisters.

For more storage solutions, we've tested and reviewed the best NAS devices you can get.

Categories: Reviews

StableHost review

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 02/24/2026 - 22:55

Based in Arizona (USA), StableHost was established in 2009 by a rather small but passionate team that has since grown to some 15 people today. Privately-owned and with more than a decade of experience, StableHost has specialized in providing powerful, reliable and secure web hosting solutions in all shapes and sizes. They can help you create a personal blog or start a small business all the while supporting much larger enterprise-level businesses. StableHost’s products run from domain registration and basic shared hosting to dedicated servers, VPS and reseller hosting. At the moment, they have multiple data centers in the US, Europe and Asia.

Back in 2018, they became a part of Miss Group, one of the fastest growing hosting companies on the market and a driving force behind many providers and hosting-related brands, such as Miss Hosting, 4 UK Host, Professional Hosting and Funio, among others.

Want to try StableHost? Check out the website here

StableHost’s main website design is quite simple (but not simplistic), user-friendly and predominantly colored green, which makes it easy on the eyes. Apart from English language, users are able to select German, Spanish, Swedish and Vietnamese, and as far as we could see the translation is done fully and in a professional way. The only thing that does not meet this criteria is customer feedback at the bottom of the page, but to be fair, pointing out this as a flaw is basically nit-picking.

The official blog stylistically resembles the rest of StableHost’s website and it seems that its only use over the past few years amounted to advertising the company’s products and offering occasional holiday discounts beyond a few updates about the company itself. It appears the blog has been gathering dust since April 2018, so we hoped to find better results in other aspects of their website.

StableHost has affordable plans and the company also frequently offers discounts (Image credit: Future)Plans and pricing

All of the available hosting options are reasonably priced, meaning they are affordable enough without the need to compromise on quality. This is particularly true for the shared hosting Starter plan, which offers 50% off the price during the first year of use. This plan starts at $6 (regular price is $11.99) and gets you unlimited disk space and bandwidth, plus a website builder.

If this doesn’t suit your needs, there are more ambitious plans and other hosting options. Reseller hosting starts at $10.99 per month and includes 20GB of disk space and the ability to host up to 10 clients. VPS pricing starts at $11.49 and is recommended as a step up from shared hosting.

StableHost offers a 45-day money-back guarantee, which is longer than we usually see. However, this goes for no more than 7 days for a dedicated VPS.

You can pay for StableHost’s products with credit cards or PayPal.

Ease of use

Creating a new account and purchasing a plan with StableHost consists of four rather straightforward stages. The first thing to do after choosing a plan is to create a new domain (some names are free for the first year) or transfer an old one. If you want, you can add AlphaSSL for a few extra bucks. The second thing you might notice is that there are more than a few data centers to choose from: Chicago and Phoenix (USA), Frankfurt (Germany), Stockholm (Sweden), Amsterdam (the Netherlands), Valencia (Spain) and two servers in Singapore (Singapore).

ID Protection is listed as an additional free-of-charge service, which you’ll enjoy, they promise, for a lifetime. Additionally, SSH (Secure Shell) access can be yours for additional $2.50 (for life). It should be pointed out that it will come pre-selected, so if you don’t want it, make sure you deselect it before proceeding.

After this, you can select a payment method and continue with providing StableHost with the expected personal information (name, e-mail address, phone number and so forth). The only thing that sticks out is a possibility to choose a preferred currency: USD (US Dollar), EUR (Euro) or KR (Swedish Crown), which is a nice touch.

After making a payment, you’ll enter the fourth (and last) stage of the process, after which your newly-created website should appear (at least in 10 to 20 minutes).

You can manage your website with cPanel and install popular one-click apps using Softaculous (Image credit: cPanel)

All of StableHost’s plans go with the popular Linux-based cPanel, so you’ll be able to manage all aspects of your website at ease, even if you don't have much prior experience with this control panel. Softaculous comes pre-integrated, so many useful applications such as WordPress, PrestaShop and Joomla are just mouse-click away. And if you prefer, you can use a user-friendly Site.Pro website builder with a drag-and-drop interface that will provide you with tons of themes and templates and an ability to change and customize the design as much as you please.

We used GTmetrix to test the uptime and performance of our StableHost site (Image credit: GTmetrix)Speed and experience

Speed test provided by GTmetrix and performed on StableHost’s main website presented us with pretty average results. The time it took to completely load the page was 6.7 seconds, which actually looks a bit better when compared to the average result of 8.1. What's more, it required 75 requests, which surpasses the average of 87. However, the conclusive performance score was C (74%), which is exactly the average result.

Considering that StableHost promises 99.9% uptime, we had no choice but to put it to the test. After monitoring StableHost’s main website for more than a month, all with the help of UptimeRobot, we got a stable result. Not a second of downtime was recorded and although there were a few major oscillations in response time, this is unlikely to escalate into a problem.

StableHost's knowledgebase provides simple and to the point solutions to common web hosting problems (Image credit: StableHost)Support

As far as we can tell, StableHost’s knowledgebase has a decent amount of articles on various topics from technical support to politics. Since technical support is mostly related to the topics of our interest, we inspected further and found an additional division into subcategories covering a broad range of essential topics and potential issues. Most of these articles go directly to the point and offer step-by-step solutions. Some of them offer links to video tutorials as well.

Speaking of these, we should mention that there should be a self-help option on StableHost’s website titled “Video Tutorials”. However, choosing that option will get you nowhere since the link appears to be dead.

When customer service is concerned, StableHost offers all of the expected contact channels: e-mail, ticket, live chat and telephone. The e-mail based support is available around-the-clock for all the users, while the 24/7/365 telephone is reserved for those with high-end plans.

After reading a couple of customer reviews and then trying our own luck with the live chat support, we’ve got an insight into the disreputable reputation it has gained in the recent years. The agent we’ve got in touch was kind in every way, but we didn’t get a straight answer to our question. Instead, we were presented with a link to their article, which we could probably find ourselves. When all is said and done, the live chat support isn’t bad in itself, but it didn’t help us save time.

The competition

StableHost is a smaller company than Hostgator, and yet it manages to offer a whole range of hosting choices, customizations and features. Both present a great value for money, offer good performance and a decent (although far from perfect) customer service and feature a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. However, if you are trying to save a buck, Hostgator might be a better option.

Krystal Hosting is a fellow independent host, yet from the UK. Much like StableHost, they offer a free website builder with all of their plans and Let’s Encrypt SSL certificate, but they go a step further with the refund policy. While StableHost’s money-back guarantee is valid for 45 days, Krystal Hosting allows its customers to change their minds for up to 60 days after the purchase.

Bluehost is the master of ease of use and is a difficult web host to compete with. In all fairness, StableHost does give beginners everything they need for a good start. Still, what Bluehost adds to the mix is its enhanced cPanel with an extremely newbie-friendly interface and this should make a buyer’s choice a bit easier.

Just like StableHost, HostRocket is a US-based host offering a variety of hosting-related services, good performance and industry standard cPanel with access to many popular apps. Despite this, its above-average prices and ridiculously expensive “additional” setup fees might take you by surprise, and not in a pleasant way.

Final verdict

StableHost is more than a capable web hosting provider in its own right but it’s hardly a match for bigger hosting companies like Bluehost, Hostgator or Hostinger, which can offer similar plans at more attractive prices. However, if you want to support an independent, honest and quite likeable host with a decent variety of products, enough data centers to choose from and guaranteed stability, give StableHost a chance.

We've also highlighted the best web hosting

Categories: Reviews

HostNoc review

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 02/24/2026 - 22:49

HostNoc is headquartered in Ontario, Canada, but has offices in the US, the UK and the UAE as well. It has been serving individual customers and businesses of various sizes all over the world. Being founded in 2016, HostNoc is a rather young company, and yet it managed to become one of the more popular web hosting options out there. Next to basic shared hosting, they offer cloud hosting, VPS and dedicated servers, all packed with numerous features and first-rate cyber security.

HostNoc’s main website features a nice-looking intuitive interface and feels user-friendly at first, but fails to provide more relevant information about the host itself. In addition, information on locations of HostNoc’s data centers are not available at the moment. There are a decent number of languages to choose from, but the translation is only partial, so the users who are not familiar with the basics of English language at least may feel slightly deceived.

Want to try HostNoc? Check out the website here

On the other hand, HostNoc has an official blog and a pretty good one to boot. You’ll be able to search the blog using the search box, or browse articles sorted by date of publication or by topics. In addition, the archive is also available, in which all the articles are classified by the month of their publication. The oldest one dates back to August of 2018, so we can safely conclude that’s the time the blog was created. These articles appear to be informative enough and the blog seems to be updated on a weekly or biweekly basis at the very least.

When it comes to social networks, HostNoc is present on Facebook and Twitter and both accounts appear to be active.

HostNoc routinely offers steep discounts on its hosting plans (Image credit: Future)Plans and pricing

HostNoc’s pricing system appears to be pleasingly transparent. Users are able to choose between a few pre-made plans (their number depending on a hosting type) or create a custom plan, whichever suits their needs. With shared hosting plans, as an example, the price will vary depending on whether you choose Windows or Linux as an operating system. The Windows Essential shared hosting plan packs more extra features, so it will cost you a bit more.

It is important to note that HostNoc frequently offers hosting at discount prices that go up to 50% of the original price. Even though there is no free trial, the money-back guarantee is valid for 30 days after the purchase, so you’ll have enough time to make a final decision.

As for paying methods, HostNoc accepts credit cards and PayPal.

Yes

Managed WordPress Hosting

Small business hosting

Reseller hosting

Managed hosting

Ease of use

The plan you choose will appear in the View Cart section, where you’ll be able to go through all the specifications and details before proceeding to checkout. Before that, if you want a new domain name, you can check its availability and add it to the cart as well. It’s necessary to note that the price for a new domain, although reasonable, will be calculated for the whole year.

Before finalizing the purchase you’ll be required to add your personal information (albeit pretty regular ones), generate a password and select a paying method. In addition, you may leave any further notes related to your purchase and choose if you want to join HostNoc’s mailing list.

If you want to use cPanel to manage your site, you'll have to choose from one of HostNoc's shared Linux hosting plans (Image credit: cPanel)

The shared hosting plan will provide its users with a standardized control panel: Plesk for the Windows users and cPanel for Linux. If you have any prior experience with either of these, you’ll have no trouble finding your way around. Even with unmanaged plans, the script installation is automated, and by using Softaculous, you’ll be able to install software like WordPress, Joomla, Magento, Drupal and Prestashop, among others, with a single click.

Websites you need to host are run on SSD storage which is supposed to offer top-notch performance. Failures and breaches involving data stored on disks should be prevented by the provided RAID configuration. To offer additional safety, the provider will give you around-the-clock infrastructure for monitoring paired with security mechanisms that feature antivirus protection and a shield against DDoS attacks.

We used GTmetrix to measure the performance and uptime of our HostNoc site (Image credit: GTmetrix)Speed and experience

As reported by the speed test run through GTmetrix, HostNoc should offer a reasonably good service, at least judging by their main website. It took 10.2 seconds to fully load the page which doesn’t look too good in comparison to an average of 8.1, but it’s nothing too extreme. Additionally, the loading of the site required mere 39 requests which looks outstanding compared to an average of 89. In conclusion, GTmetrix rated the speed of HostNoc’s official website with an A (93%) which is an excellent result, especially when compared to the average grade, which is C (77%).

As expected, HostNoc offers an uptime guarantee of 99.9%. During our uptime test of their main website which ran for two weeks, we did not manage to record any downtime at all. However, there were a few oscillations in response time, but nothing worth worrying about.

HostNoc has an extensive knowledgebase but you will need to be a registered user to access it (Image credit: HostNoc)Support

If you get stuck somewhere along the way, you can always consult HostNoc’s first-class and well-documented knowledgebase which will provide you with thorough step-by-step guides and solutions for issues you may encounter, pictures included. From there, you are able to search the knowledgebase with the help of the search box, by one of the categories, or by selecting one of the most popular articles (if the issue you have is a common one).

However, to enter HostNoc’s knowledgebase you need to be a registered user, which may be a reasonable decision on their part, but doesn't seem to be a necessary one.

As an alternative, you are able to contact HostNoc’s customer support via telephone, live chat, ticket, e-mail or online contact form. The support is available round-the-clock and is responsive once you are registered on the website.

At the moment, HostNoc doesn’t appear to have a support forum.

The competition

When comparing the two, the first difference you’ll notice is that Tsohost is a UK-based provider while HostNoc’s main office is in Canada. Both offer a whole variety of options and customizations at budget-friendly prices, with plans often offered at a significant discount. However, Tsohost throws a free domain name in the bundle, while HostNoc doesn't.

When it comes to being beginner-friendly, both HostNoc and Hostgator both pass the test without any doubt. They offer good value for a quite affordable price and have enough hosting options for most customers. At the same time, each Hostgator’s plan includes a free website builder which might be decisive for some users.

Similar to HostNoc, Certa Hosting provides relatively cheap hosting options with a wide range of features and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Another similarity they share, and not a good one, is not providing any information regarding the location of their data centers.

Bluehost is another big competitor to HostNoc, offering everything HostNoc does and even more at pretty much the same prices. In addition, Bluehost offers a free SSL certificate with all of its plans to ensure the safety of visitors to your site, which is a good thing to have.

Final verdict

HostNoc claims their goal is to lower the burden on their customers while providing them with maximum service at a budget-friendly cost. Based on what we saw, we can conclude with certainty that they are well on their way to achieving that. Although they offer a good value for money (particularly for small to medium-sized businesses), some aspects of their offer as well as their main website could be improved. If you are not sure if HostNoc is the right choice for you, you can’t go wrong with Hostgator or Bluehost as more than suitable alternatives.

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Categories: Reviews

I reviewed this delightfully retro DAC dongle and at this price, it's a punchy and talented no-brainer

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 02/24/2026 - 16:00

FiiO KA15: Two-minute review

Is this little teal DAC one of the best headphone DACs around? You bet it is. The FiiO KA15 is the successor to the popular FiiO KA13, and it adds a small color display with a fun audio cassette-style animation during playback. It has high power output in desktop mode that enables it to drive even fairly demanding headphones, and it has both 4.4mm balanced and 3.5mm headphone outputs. The 3.5mm can also be used as an audio output.

One of the big pluses here is wide compatibility with smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop PCs and handheld games consoles. For some devices such as iPhones you'll need to borrow a computer to configure the 10-band equalizer as FiiO's iPhone app doesn't connect to the KA15, but this is a relatively minor snafu.

I really, thoroughly enjoyed listening to all kinds of music with the KA15. It has a wide soundstage and delivers plenty of detail; it's warm without overly coloring the sound and there are tons of options to sink your teeth (read: ears) into, including switchable amplification modes and digital filtering.

FiiO KA15 review: Price and release date

(Image credit: Future)

Released September 2024
Priced $99.99 / £99.99 / AU$189.99

The FiiO KA15 was released in September 2024 with a retail price of $99.99 / £99.99 / AU$189.99. It sits just below the flagship KA17 in FiiO's portable DAC line-up.

This is an exceptionally competitive part of the market: it's where iFi has its also five-star GO Link Max DAC, for example. But the combination of low cost and high power output makes the FiiO KA15 very attractive. (As does the fact that it looks like a tiny cassette Walkman. And I stand by that.)

FiiO KA15 review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

DSD256 and 768kHz/32-bit PCM support
Dual Cirrus CS43198 DACs and SGM8262 op-amps
Unbalanced 3.5mm and balanced 4.4mm outputs

The KA15 features dual Cirrus CS43198 DACS and dual SG Micro SGM8262 op-amps. It supports decoding of PCM audio up to 768kHz/32bit and DSD256 and has both 3.5mm and 4.4mm balanced outputs designed for headphones with impedances of up to 150 ohms and 300 ohms respectively.

You can toggle key settings such as EQ presets and amp modes via the display and physical buttons, but EQ is best left to the Android app or web control panel where you can also set a 10-band parametric EQ. I've written more about that in the "ease of use and setup" section.

The USB-C audio is switchable between UAC 1.0 and 2.0 for the widest possible compatibility, enabling the KA15 to work not just with smartphones, tablets and laptops but also handheld games consoles and older hardware.

The KA15 runs in two modes: normal and desktop mode. Desktop mode enables it to deliver considerably more power but, as the KA15 takes all of its power from the device it’s connected to, that mode is best suited to mains-powered devices such as desktop PCs and laptops that aren’t running on battery.

In normal mode the KA15 can deliver 50mW per channel into 32 ohms on the 3.5mm output and 170mW on the balanced output. In desktop mode both increase to 180mW per channel and 560mW respectively.

There are a lot of control options to choose from, including: ten EQ presets (three of which are for FiiO IEMs); Class H / Class A/B switching; channel balance; display brightness; display themes; display rotation; and five filters. The filters are non-OS (non-oversampling), Fast-LL (low latency), Fast-PC (phase compensated), Slow-LL, and Slow-PC. The fast filters are recommended for dynamic music and gaming and the slow ones for more complex listening.

Features score: 5 / 5

FiiO KA15 review: Sound quality

iPhone users will need to turn to their computer to create personalized EQs. (Image credit: Future)

Excellent warmth, detail and clarity, especially in desktop mode
Customizable amplification and filtering
You may need a computer to customize the EQ

If you're currently listening to your computer's headphone output or have a simple headphone dongle on your phone or tablet, the FiiO KA15 is a significant audio upgrade – especially if you use it on a computer and have it set to desktop mode, which massively increases the output power.

The FiiO KA15 has a neutral sound signature with clean, punchy but not overly exaggerated bass, and you can adjust both the amplification mode and the audio filter settings to suit your preferences. I liked it best in Class A/B mode with filtering set to Slow-PC and the EQ off, which I felt was warmer and slightly more spacious than Class H, fast filtering and any of the preset EQs. However, the lack of an iPhone app or on-board EQ customization was an irritant on IEMs, where many vocals were too sibilant as I turned the volume level up.

Despite listening across multiple genres and decades of music I didn't feel the need to change the EQ or filters with my closed- or open-back over-ears: whether it was U2's 30th anniversary remaster of Achtung Baby, Stevie Wonder's Superstition, Little Simz' Point and Kill, Talk Talk's New Grass or Robyn's Dopamine I had tremendous fun listening loud, hearing previously buried elements in every mix and only encountering distortion around the low end at unsafe listening levels.

The FiiO delivered excellent clarity and detail across genres. The aforementioned Little Simz track was a great example, a thrilling mix of snaking bassline and beautifully close voices; when the backing vocals came in in the second verse my goosebumps got goosebumps.

Sound quality: 5 / 5

FiiO KA15 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

Brushed aluminum with small color LCD
152 x 25 x 11mm (HxWxD)
21g and in case I didn't mention, it looks like a tiny cassette Walkman

The KA15 is slightly smaller than its more powerful sibling, the KA17, and it is a little bit smaller than a standard 9V rectangular battery. Its dimensions are 152mm x 25mm x 11mm and it weighs a titchy 21g, and it comes in a choice of two brushed aluminium finishes: black and a silver/turquoise mix.

Both versions have a large black lozenge on the front with a small 0.96-inch rectangular color LCD display embedded in the centre, and both feature a delightful animation that makes the display mimic a cassette tape complete with moving reels. You can change its colours in the KA15's theme menu. It comes with an extremely short USB-C to USB-C cable designed for use with a phone, and there's an optional MagSafe clip that can snap it to the back of one.

The KA15 looks and feels well-made, and its design is very minimal. There are three tactile buttons on top for navigating the screen and a toggle switch for desktop mode that feels solid. The USB port is on the bottom and the 3.5mm single-ended and balanced 4.4mm outputs are on top. The single-ended output is also switchable to S/PDIF.

Design score: 5 / 5

FiiO KA15 Review: Usability and setup

Plug it in and you're good to go
Interface can be a little fiddly
No iPhone app

The stripped-back design does mean the KA15 is a little fiddly to configure: there are just three buttons taking care of everything. If you hold the KA15 upright, the topmost button is volume up, the middle button is volume down and the lower button is play/pause. Tap that button twice to turn the display on and off, and long-press it to go into the KA15's settings. In that mode the volume buttons move you left and right through menu items and the lower button cycles through each section and confirms your selections.

There is one big problem with the KA15 if you're using it with an iPhone or iPad: you can't customize its 10-band equalizer from the on-board menus, and FiiO's companion iOS app doesn't work with the KA15. That means for iPhone/iPad users you'll need to plug your device into a Mac or PC and use the FiiO Control webpage in a browser such as Opera (Safari on Mac doesn't support the necessary hardware control). This web page enables you to create personal EQs and if you wish, to share your creations with others and vice-versa. It also enables you to download any firmware updates in a process that took me less than one minute.

If you're using a Mac and intend to listen to Hi-Res Audio you'll need to enable higher quality USB output via the Audio MIDI Setup app in your Applications > Utilities folder or your KA15 will be limited to 48kHz audio.

Usability and setup score: 4 / 5

FiiO KA15 review: Value

It's cheap and it'll make you cheerful
A significant audio upgrade for smartphones and computers

If like me you have big audio ambitions and a very small budget, the KA15 is excellent value for money. It's a significant upgrade in sound quality for smartphones and computers, and while it's not as powerful as a desktop headphone amp it has more than enough oomph for a wide range of headphones and IEMs so it's fairly future-proof.

Value score: 5 / 5

Should I buy the FiiO KA15?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Lots of customization options and wide compatibility

5/5

Design

Solid and portable with tactile controls

5/5

Sound quality

Warm, detailed and crystal clear. Desktop mode is superb.

5/5

Value

A big upgrade with a relatively small price tag

5/5

Buy it if...

You want to power up your phone
If your main music player is your phone then this is an enormous upgrade over Bluetooth or a USB-to-headphone dongle: it puts out more power to drive your headphones and it sounds much more inviting.

You prize portability
The KA15 is exceptionally small and virtually weightless, so it's not an effort to take it traveling.

You don't need a desktop amp
The KA15 is considerably cheaper than FiiO's K11 entry-level desktop DAC/amp, and comes close to the same power output: 560mW to the K11's 660mW.

Don't buy it if...

You've got heavy-duty headphones
While the KA15 is powerful for such a portable device, very demanding headphones will be better paired with a dedicated desktop amp such as the 2,400mW K13 R2R.

FiiO KA15 review: Also consider

If you don't need a screen or high power output, the iFi GO Link Max is even more compact than the KA15, and it's cheaper too. It puts out up to 241mW of power and features dual Sabre DACs.

FiiO makes plenty of other DACs, and if you need something with a higher spec than the KA15 the next step up is the FiiO KA17. That's roughly 30% more expensive and boasts dual ESS ES9069 DACs, maximum output of 650mW per channel and support for DSD512.

Want something just as small and almost as retro-cute, but wireless? Look to the matchbox-sized iFi Go Blu Air.

How I tested the FiiO KA15

Hi-Res FLAC and multitrack Logic Pro projects
Lossless and lossy streaming
Beyerdynamic and Philips over-ears, Soundmagic IEMS

I tested the iFi KA15 over two weeks with a variety of headphones and IEMs including BeyerDynamic DT990 Pro and Philips Fidelio X2HR open-back headphones, DT770 closed-back headphones, and SoundMagic E11C IEMs.

I tested the DAC with music from multiple audio sources including hi-res FLAC files via the Vox music player on Mac; lossy and lossless streaming on desktop, iPhones and iPad; and my own multitrack Logic Pro X music projects.

First reviewed: February 2026
Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Categories: Reviews

There's no gaming chair quite like the ThunderX3 Core, and after two years, I'm still stuck to it like glue

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 02/24/2026 - 10:00

ThunderX3 Core gaming chair: one-minute review

Having spent the past two years glued to the ThunderX3 Core gaming chair, I can say with confidence that the technology packed into the backrest is not, in fact, a gimmick. Looking at this racer-style gaming chair with its wiggly backrest protruding out, you might think it's undergone some kind of malfunction. But sit down and prepare to be amazed, because the ThunderX3 Core goes above and beyond for the price point, and it does so with impeccable style.

I've always steered away from gaming chairs with a separate lumbar cushion like that of the Corsair TC100 Relaxed; their rigidity does little for me as someone who moves around a lot, and I always feel like there's too much of a gap in the middle of my back. With the majority of racer-style gaming chairs opting for this solution, or some form of adjustable lumbar like the AndaSeat Kaiser 3 XL's practical but not-so-elegant, built-in side dial, I had thought my only other option was to spend over $1,000 on an office-style gaming chair that would adapt and reform itself to my body in motion. Then I spotted the ThunderX3 Core.

This ergonomic gaming chair features Lumbar 360° technology that sees almost the entire backrest deftly responding to your body as you bend and lean in the sitting position. I've felt consistently supported from the lower back right up to the upper back since the moment I started using it, helping me avoid the usual back pain that arises from all those awkward sitting positions I've been warned off.

(Image credit: Future/Katie Wickens)

The gently-bucketed seat can be tilted forward and locked at a slight angle, and the backrest can tilt and lock in several positions up to around 45 degrees. That does mean you don't get the full recline, but all that adjustability adds up, not to mention the four-dimensional armrests that even some mega premium chairs I've tested have omitted. Granted, the ThunderX3 Core doesn't come with an adjustable headrest like more premium ergonomic designs do, but it does include a gorgeous memory foam headrest with winged sides, as well as a footrest with two zippable sections and a non-slip texture on the bottom. All this while oozing premium design, without the premium price tag.

The major drawback for me has always been the armrests, which have always been a little rattly, but more so after a few years of learning. They've also always felt a little far forward for my liking, and don't move back as you recline, so the gap tends to see me leaning forward to reach them with my little arms. Over the years, the back of the armrest has been dented by my elbows while the rest hasn't, but it's still comfy as anything. I can't feel the plastic under the padding even after two years of everyday use.

Even the best gaming chairs will start to rattle a little after a time, and while it does get picked up by my mic every now and then, these little gripes haven't compromised the overall adjustability and comfort of a well-aged chair. If you're looking for refined aesthetics that combine steady comfort with dynamic and highly-adjustable ergonomics, I can wholeheartedly recommend the ThunderX3 Core. Not least thanks to the money saved compared to premium ergonomic chairs like the X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management.

(Image credit: Future/Katie Wickens)ThunderX3 Core gaming chair: price and availability

List price: $399.99 / £249.95 / around $595
Footrest cushion is extra in the US, but totally unavailable in the US
Affordable end of the spectrum and good value for money

Available in the US and the UK from Amazon and other big retailers, the ThunderX3 Core is easy to get a hold of and well worth the price of admission. It only comes with the footrest cushion in the UK, sadly, meaning US citizens will need to pay extra for the privilege, but with the money saved, you could buy two or three of these babies for the price of other premium gaming chairs like the Herman Miller x Logitech Embody.

For the price, it's rare to spy a chair design with no corners cut. That's exactly what we like to see in a gaming chair: zero compromise and exceptional comfort, two things the ThunderX3 Core has in droves, and all at an exceptionally affordable price point. Plus, a three-year warranty is always much appreciated.

ThunderX3 Core gaming chair: specs

Thunder X3 Core

Price

$399 / £339 / around AU$595

Maximum user weight

331lbs / 150kg

Min seat height

18in / 46cm

Seat width

21.7in / 55cm

Recline angle

125 degrees

Warranty

3 years

(Image credit: Future/Katie Wickens)ThunderX3 Core gaming chair: design and aesthetics

Lovely refined colorways
Extra storage in the back
Racer wing shape is a bit much

With several options when it comes to aesthetics and materials, the ThunderX3 Core doesn't pigeonhole gamers looking to live ergonomically enjoyers of the standard gamer aesthetic. While the Core Racer option caters to that with its high-contrast, almost neon blue strips along the back, the Loft and Modern options lean more toward refined colourways. Their ashy greys, muted red and navy give mature gamers the option to go subtle, or even opt for a suede-trimmed weave fabric chair if Pleather isn't your thing. I appreciate not having to peel myself off a Pleather seat in the summer heat, too.

I will say that cleaning a light grey fabric chair has been a minor challenge, but it's worth it for the gorgeous snowy look and plush feeling. Besides, over the years, it hasn't started to bobble, tear, or discolour.

The overall shape is a little over the top, with wings protruding unnecessarily far from either side of the head, but that's the only thing that gives it away as a racer. With the addition of a multifunction footrest, you're getting an extra boost where ergonomics are concerned, either for propping your feet up or leaning your arms on while gaming with a controller. Plus, the little pocket in the back is great for storing anything from a small laptop to a folder, or even a secret love note if that's how you roll.

(Image credit: Future/Katie Wickens)ThunderX3 Core gaming chair: comfort and adjustability

Auto-adapting comfort
Cushioned to perfection
Armrests could be nicer

The Thunder X3 Core nails overall comfort, with oodles of latex foam padding that doesn't immediately deflate. Like our long-term favorite, the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022, the fantastic combination of dynamic ergonomics and versatile adjustability is great for getting awkward sitters like me through long days at my desk without feeling stiff before the week is out.

Since the armrests are a little too far forward for my frame, they have dented slightly due to constant pressure on the back. Still, those with a larger build will be best pleased. The wide, only-mildly-bucketed seat is yet another indicator that this chair caters to larger gamers. It also means I can sit with my legs crossed like an ergonomic heathen, because what's the point of joint hypermobility if you can't exercise it?

(Image credit: Future/Katie Wickens)ThunderX3 Core gaming chair: assembly

Super short assembly time
Simple instructions
Heavy to get it where you need it

It took me under 20 minutes to get this whole chair up and running, though that's discounting the time it took me to lug it up the stairs and get it unpacked. Considering the amount of greebles, I was amazed I hardly needed the instructions aside from figuring out a practical order of events.

Out of the box, the arms are already screwed in place, and with no mechanisms left bare for me to mangle myself in there was no need to have my partner supervise the process either. Sure, it doesn't come fully assembled like the Herman Miller Vantum, but sixteen minutes of time for years of comfort is well worth the effort.

(Image credit: Future/Katie Wickens)Should I buy the ThunderX3 Core gaming chair?Buy it if...

You want dynamic back support
If you shift around in your chair a lot and need constant back support as you move, the Thunder X3 Core has you covered from lumbar to upper back.

You're looking to save a buck
The Thunder X3 Core is one chair that nails that price-to-performance ratio. I've tested chairs with far fewer features and worse comfort being sold at double or triple the price.

Don't buy it if...

You're rocking a smaller skeleton
Smaller gamers might struggle to reach the far-forward armrests. They don't move back enough for children, for example. But larger, heavier frames will have zero trouble fitting into it.

You prefer static ergonomics
If you know what you want and don't tend to shift around much (or prefer not to), then other, more rigid ergonomic designs might be more your speed.

Also consider...

If the ThunderX3 Core isn't quite for you, then consider these two fine alternatives that we think really highly of.

ThunderX3 Core

Secretlab Titan Evo XL

X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management

Price

$399 / £339 / around AU$595

$599 / £514 / AU$869

$879 / around £655 / around AU$1,315

Maximum user weight

331lbs / 150kg

393lb / 180kg

275lb / 125kg

Min seat height

18in / 46cm

15.81in / 40.1cm

Seat width

21.7in / 55cm

22.8in / 58cm (inc. sides)

19.5in / 49.5cm

Recline angle

125 degrees

165 degrees

40 degrees

Warranty

3 years

5 years

15 years

Secretlab Titan Evo 2022
Still our favorite gaming chair, the XL version of the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 is only a little more expensive than the ThunderX3 Core, and comes with a slightly better warranty. Sure, there's no dynamic lumbar, but it ticks all the build quality boxes and offers a much higher weight capacity.

For more information, check out our full Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 review

X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management
The X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management has a lot to offer in terms of ergonomics without breaking the bank. While it's not as adaptable in real-time and takes far longer to set up, it's a much more customizable option. It's also super breathable and comes with an incredible 15-year warranty.

For more information, check out our full X-Chair X2 K-Sport Management reviewView Deal

(Image credit: Future/Katie Wickens)How I tested the ThunderX3 Core gaming chair

Used the chair nearly every day for almost two years
Tested all the mechanisms
Compared long-term wear with out-of-the-box condition

I've been using the ThunderX3 Core almost every day for the past 2 years, and having put it together and dragged its bulk up and down the stairs several times, I've had enough hands-on experience with it to give an informed opinion.

I check the ease of use where mechanisms are concerned, the overall comfort then versus now, and have noted the general wear that's happened over the years.

First reviewed between 2023-January 2026

AFERIY P280 Portable Power Station Review

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 02/24/2026 - 09:21

AFERIY P280 Portable Power Station: Price & Availability

The P280 sits in the mid-to-upper tier of portable power stations, competing with other 2kWh-class systems. The base unit from Aferiy is currently (as of February 2026) priced at £799. Other well-known brands with similar capacities include the:

- EcoFlow DELTA 3 Max (£1199)

- Jackery Explorer 2000 v2 (£899)

- BLUETTI Elite 200 V2 (£1,199)

- Anker SOLIX F2000 (£899), and.

- FOSSiBOT F2400 (£599)

This places the P280 in a competitive position, undercutting some premium brands while offering a higher inverter output than several similarly sized rivals.

(Image credit: Future)AFERIY P280 Portable Power Station: Design & Build

This is not a “throw it in a backpack” power station. With a 2048Wh battery and a high-output inverter, the P280 feels closer to a compact home backup unit than a lightweight travel companion.

Specs & Features - at a glance

Capacity: ~2048Wh

• Battery Chemistry: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO₄)

• Cycle Life: 4,000+ cycles to 80% capacity

• Inverter: 2800W continuous pure sine wave

• UPS: <10ms automatic switchover

• AC Charging: Up to 1800W (0–80% in ~55 minutes)

• Solar Input: Dual MPPT, up to 1200W (2 × 600W)

• Combined Charging: AC + Solar up to ~2000W

• Car Charging: 17–18 hours via 12V

• AC Outputs: 3 × 220–240V (2800W shared max)

• USB-C: 2 × 140W PD, 2 × 20W PD

• USB-A: 2 × QC 3.0

• DC Outputs: 2 × 12V DC, 1 × XT60 (12V), 1 × 12V/10A car socket

• Weight: 21.6kg

• Expandable: Up to 10kWh+ with additional batteries

The design is industrial but clean, with clearly laid-out, front-facing ports, more robust sockets on the sides, integrated carry handles and a large display panel showing battery status, input/output wattage and system alerts. Overall, it feels robust and well assembled, which is reassuring given its intended role in home backup and emergency scenarios.

The P280 also features a small LED light on the front of the unit. It offers steady-on, flashing and SOS modes. While useful in the absence of any other available light source, it does not appear to be as bright as the light found on the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2, making it more of a convenience feature than a serious work light.

However, given its capacity, the P280 is somewhat larger than some rival brands. Take, for example, the Jackery Explorer 2000 v2. While similar in capacity, it has a lower-rated 2200W inverter though still enough to power most household appliances. However the Explorer is roughly 2cm shorter side-to-side, about 2cm shorter in height and approximately 1cm less deep, resulting in a noticeably more compact overall volume. The trade-off, of course, is inverter headroom.

One minor criticism is the power button. It appears to be made from faux-chrome plastic and doesn’t feel as confidence-inspiring as the more rugged, IP-rated buttons found on some of Bluetti’s comparable models.

(Image credit: Future)AFERIY P280 Portable Power Station: Battery & Longevity

The use of LiFePO₄ battery chemistry is a major plus. Compared with standard lithium-ion, it is more thermally stable, safer under stress and significantly longer lasting. With 4,000+ cycles to 80% capacity, you could realistically expect a decade or more of regular use before meaningful degradation — a strong selling point for home backup buyers.

(Image credit: Future)AFERIY P280 Portable Power Station: Inverter Performance

This is where the P280 truly stands out. A 2800W continuous pure sine wave inverter puts it firmly into serious appliance territory. It can comfortably handle full-size fridge/freezers, microwaves, kettles (depending on rating), power tools and multiple devices simultaneously. For many households, 2800W is enough to cover essential circuits during an outage.

In testing, I was able to power a Ninja Double Stack Air Fryer drawing approximately 2400W with both baskets in use. The Jackery Explorer 2000 v2, mentioned earlier, was unable to sustain this load for an extended period, whereas the P280 handled it without issue. That additional inverter headroom makes a tangible difference in real-world scenarios.

(Image credit: Future)AFERIY P280 Portable Power Station: UPS Capability

The built-in UPS function switches to battery power in under 10ms during a power cut. That is fast enough to keep PCs, routers, network storage and other sensitive electronics running without interruption. For remote workers or home office setups, this adds genuine practical value.

AFERIY P280 Portable Power Station: Charging Performance

(Image credit: Future)

Fast charging is another highlight. Via AC wall charging, the unit accepts up to 1800W, reaching 0–80% in around 55 minutes — excellent performance for a 2kWh system and a significant reduction in downtime. Solar charging is equally impressive, with dual MPPT controllers allowing up to 1200W of solar input (2 × 600W).

This makes it viable for semi-permanent off-grid or van life setups, especially where panels may be oriented differently. Combined AC and solar charging can reach approximately 2000W, dramatically reducing recharge times when both sources are available. Car charging, however, remains slow at 17–18 hours via a 12V vehicle socket and is best treated as a top-up option rather than a primary charging method.

(Image credit: Future)AFERIY P280 Portable Power Station: Ports & Connectivity

The port selection is generous and practical. Three 220–240V AC sockets share the 2800W maximum output. USB provision is strong, with two 140W USB-C PD ports suitable for high-end laptops, two additional 20W USB-C ports and two USB-A QC 3.0 ports. DC options include two 12V DC outputs, one XT60 (12V) and a 12V/10A car socket.

This makes it suitable for everything from MacBook Pros to CPAP machines, routers and portable fridges. It can also be used to charge drone batteries; however, if that is your primary intention, it is worth considering DJI’s Power Stations, which offer dedicated fast-charging outputs tailored specifically for DJI drone batteries.

The P280 can also be controlled via the Bright EMS app. Through the app, you can monitor power flow direction, view input and output wattage and remotely switch AC or DC outputs on and off. However, the app appears to be third-party rather than AFERIY-owned, which may or may not concern some users depending on their expectations around long-term software support and ecosystem integration.

(Image credit: Future)AFERIY P280 Portable Power Station: Expandability

The P280 supports expansion batteries, scaling total capacity to over 10kWh depending on configuration. That is a substantial increase and shifts the unit from “portable power station” towards “modular home energy backup” territory. For users thinking long term, this flexibility is a major advantage.

(Image credit: Future)AFERIY P280 Portable Power Station: Real-World Use

For short outages, the 2048Wh capacity is sufficient to run a fridge for many hours, keep lights and internet active and power a TV while charging essential devices. With expansion batteries, it becomes viable for multi-day outages.

For campers and van lifers, it may be overpowered unless running induction hobs, coffee machines or power tools, but for more demanding setups the inverter headroom is welcome. LiFePO₄ chemistry combined with UPS capability and fast recharge times also makes it a strong emergency preparedness solution.

(Image credit: Future)AFERIY P280 Portable Power Station: What Could Be Better

At 21.6kg, it is not lightweight and portability is relative. Car charging is slow via 12V. Finally, while competitively priced, it competes with established brands in terms of price, availability and ecosystem, and brand reputation may influence some buyers.

(Image credit: Future)AFERIY P280 Portable Power Station: Verdict

The AFERIY P280 is built for people who genuinely need power — not just for charging phones, but for running real appliances. With a 2800W pure sine inverter, fast 1800W AC charging, 1200W solar input, long-life LiFePO₄ battery chemistry,

UPS functionality and expandable capacity, it is a highly capable and future-proof portable power station. It loses a star due to its bulk and the fact that not everyone requires this level of inverter output. However, if you do, the P280 represents strong value and serious performance.

Buy it if

• You need a powerful 2800W inverter capable of running high-draw household appliances.• You want very fast AC charging with minimal downtime.• You’re buying primarily for home backup with UPS protection.• You value long-life LiFePO₄ battery chemistry for long-term use.• You want the option to expand capacity beyond 2kWh in the future.

Avoid it if

• You prioritize lightweight portability and compact size.• You only need to charge small devices and low-wattage appliances.• You plan to rely mainly on 12V car charging.• You prefer buying into a more established brand ecosystem.

We list the best laptop power banks.

Categories: Reviews

The Philips Baristina is the most affordable bean-to-cup coffee maker I've ever tested — and it's seriously impressive

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 02/24/2026 - 08:53

Philips Baristina: one-minute review

With the Philips Baristina, brewing espresso using freshly roasted beans is as easy as using coffee pods. Unlike most of the best bean-to-cup coffee makers, where the entire brewing process takes place within the case, the Baristina uses a portafilter handle much like a manual espresso machine. Push the empty handle into place, select your drink, and the Baristina will grind the right dose of coffee into the filter basket, tamp it down, then move it to the brewing group automatically for the shot to be extracted.

It's a clever design that's unlike any other bean-to-cup machine I've tested, and because the Baristina uses a portafilter, cleaning up is a piece of cake. There's no need to take the side off the machine, empty messy internal bins, remove components, or wipe up stray coffee grounds that have escaped.

It's a good-looking little coffee maker as well. Although its case is plastic, its matt finish and choice of tasteful colors mean it doesn't look cheap or attract fingerprints. The portafilter handle even arrives in a choice of colors and natural wood finishes (the exact options available will depend on where you buy your machine).

(Image credit: Future)

During my tests, coffee was consistently well extracted using my usual freshly roasted beans, with the pressurized filter basket producing a thick layer of crema.

In my opinion, the biggest drawback is that the Philips Baristina doesn't allow you to adjust the grind size, which means you have no control over how quickly your coffee is extracted. You can adjust the volume of your brew, but that's all. If your coffee tastes over- or under-extracted, you'll need to try different beans until you find something that works well with the standard settings.

You should also be aware that the Baristina doesn't have a steam wand or any other means of foaming milk, although it's available bundled with a standalone milk frother if cappuccinos and lattes are your thing.

All in all, it's an excellent beginner-friendly espresso machine that's ideal if you're new to using fresh beans and want to keep things as simple as possible. It's remarkably affordable, too, with a list price of just $299.95 / £279.99 (about AU$600).

Unlike most espresso machines, the Philips Baristina doesn't offer a way to adjust the grind size. (Image credit: Future)Philips Baristina: price and availability

Very cheap for a bean-to-cup coffee maker
Sold in North America and Europe
Often available at a discounted price

The Philips Baristina is the most affordable bean-to-cup coffee maker I've tested to date, with a list price of $449.99 / £299.99 ( about AU$650). You can pick up a good-quality manual espresso machine for around the same price — the five-star rated De'Longhi Dedica Duo for $299.95 / £279.99 (about AU$600), for example — but if you're after an automatic coffee maker, I haven't seen another model that delivers better in terms of value for money.

It's often available at a discount at major retailers, making it even better value. You'll find all today's best deals below.

The Baristina is available in North America and throughout Europe, but isn't currently sold in Australia unless you import it.

Value score: 5/5

Philips Baristina: specifications

Name

Philips Baristina

Type

Bean-to-cup

Dimensions (W x H x D)

7 x 13.6 x 15 inches / 18 x 34.5 x 38cm

Weight

11lbs / 5kg

Water reservoir capacity

47oz / 1.2 liters

Milk frother

Bars of pressure

User profiles

None

Philips Baristina: design

Sleek design with matt finish
Clever "one swipe" portafilter design
No steam wand (although separate milk frother is available)

The Philips Baristina is a compact coffee maker with a smart, minimalist design. It comes in two colors, black and white, with matching portafilter handles as standard. Some retailers also offer a selection of contrasting portafilter shades (including red, green, and yellow), plus light and dark wood options so you can pick something that suits your kitchen décor. Whichever color you choose, the portafilter is fitted with a non-removeable pressurized basket.

All in all, it's a good-looking machine, and although its case is made from plastic, its matt finish means it doesn't appear cheap or attract fingerprints like some more expensive coffee makers I've tested.

The Baristina uses what Philips calls a "one-swipe" system. Push in the portafilter, slide it to the right, and the machine does the rest (Image credit: Future)

The Baristina is controlled using a simple set of three buttons: one for a single shot of espresso; one for a lungo (a longer drink with the same amount of coffee and twice as much water); and one to boost the intensity by increasing the dose of ground coffee.

The bean hopper is quite small, but that isn't a problem unless you're preparing coffee for a crowd; it's best to keep your coffee in a dark, cool, airtight place until you're ready to grind it and refill your coffee machine little and often.

The Baristina's water tank slides onto the back of the machine, and although I'd have liked to see a handle, its ridged surface makes it easy to grip when filling and replacing. It has a robust lid that fits firmly in place to avoid accidental spills, but do note that there's no water filter provided, so if you live in a hard water area then you might want to use a separate water filtration pitcher.

The water tank has no handle, but its ridged surface provides grip (Image credit: Future)

There's a removable plastic drip tray for your espresso cup, which slots into place below the groupset. It's nicely made — but, unfortunately, it isn't designed to accommodate a larger cup if you want to use your espresso as the foundation for a long drink.

The Baristina doesn't have a steam wand or automatic milk-frothing system. However, if you want to make milky drinks such as lattes and cappuccinos, it's available bundled with a standalone milk frother.

The standard Philips Baristina (which I tested here) has a single hopper, but there's also a model called the Baristina Variety, which has a larger dual hopper so you can choose between two different beans or roasts on-the-fly.

Design score: 5/5

Philips Baristina: performance

Super easy to use, with no need to weigh or measure
Produced well-extracted espresso in tests
Easier to keep clean than a typical bean-to-cup machine
Grind size can't be changed

The Philips Baristina is a beginner-friendly espresso machine that combines the convenience of a bean-to-cup coffee maker with the easy cleanup of a manual one. To use it, just fill the water tank and bean hopper, gently push the empty portafilter handle into place, and slide it to the right under the coffee grinder. Choose your drink (espresso or lungo), hit the extra intensity button if you like, and the machine will get to work.

The appropriate dosage of coffee will be ground and dispensed directly into the filter basket, then tamped down evenly. Once it's ready, the machine will slide the handle to the left so it sits under the brew group, and extract your drink into your waiting espresso cup. You never touch the coffee grounds yourself, and there's no need to weigh or measure anything.

The Baristina's pressurized filter basket produces plenty of crema (Image credit: Future)

When the Baristina is done and your coffee is ready, the handle will be unlocked so you can pull it out, knock the puck of used coffee grounds into your food waste bin, and clean the basket. It's a lot easier than cleaning up a conventional bean-to-cup coffee maker, which involves pulling out the drip tray to clean out used coffee grounds, removing a side panel to take out and rinse the brew group, wiping up any stray coffee grounds inside the machine's casing, and leaving the whole thing open to dry so it doesn't grow mold.

The biggest drawback of the Baristina is that there's no way to change the grind size, so if your drink tastes under- or over-extracted (sour or bitter), you'll need to experiment with different types of coffee until you find something that works with the machine's default setup.

During my tests, the used coffee grounds always formed a dry, solid puck, showing that the coffee was properly extracted (Image credit: Future)

It's also worth noting that while manual coffee makers give you a choice of single and double filter baskets, with double (pressurized) and single walls, the Baristina's basket is integrated into the handle and can't be removed. Again, this limits customization, but it's unlikely to be a concern for those looking for their first espresso machine, or upgrading from a capsule coffee maker.

Performance score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the Philips Baristina? Philips Baristina score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

The most affordable bean-to-cup coffee maker I've tested – and one that doesn't skimp on quality.

5/5

Design

Simple, compact and stylish, without the tricky clean-up associated with most automatic coffee makers – although it lacks a steam wand.

4.5/5

Performance

Quick and easy to use, even for beginners, and produces great results with the right beans. Grind size can't be adjusted, but at this price it's tough to complain.

4.5/5

Buy it if

You're on a budget

This is the most affordable bean-to-cup coffee maker I've tested, and Philips hasn't cut corners to achieve its affordable price tag.View Deal

You want to upgrade from coffee capsules

The Philips Baristina is just as convenient as a capsule coffee maker, but without the hassle of having to recycle the pods (which can be difficult, depending on the facilities in your area).View Deal

Don't buy it if

You want to experiment with different beans

The Baristina doesn't offer any way to customize the grind size, so you'll have to stick with coffees that work well with its default settings. There's nothing you can do to change the extraction rate.View Deal

Philips Baristina: also consider

If the Philips Baristina doesn't sound like the right coffee maker for you, take a look at these two highly rated alternatives:

De'Longhi Dedica Duo

If you're feeling a bit more adventurous and want more control over your coffee, this is the best entry-level manual espresso machine I've tested in the past couple of years. You'll need a separate coffee grinder, but this setup provides more scope for experimentation.

Read our full De'Longhi Dedica Duo reviewView Deal

De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo

This semi-automatic coffee maker doesn't have a spring-fired portafilter so you'll come into contact with loose coffee, but it gives you a lot more brewing options than the Baristina, and is a good way to start developing your home barista skills.

Read our full De'Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo reviewView Deal

How I tested the Philips Baristina

I used the Philips Baristina for two weeks with my usual regular and decaffeinated coffee beans, freshly bought from a local coffee roaster. I used fresh tap water, and compared the taste of the coffee with that from my usual Gaggia Classic espresso machine. I used both the regular espresso and lungo options, with and without the "intensity boost" feature. I cleaned the portafilter between each drink, and flushed the brewing group with hot water by pressing and holding one of the control buttons.

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Categories: Reviews

Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 3 review: A spectacular spectacle in the mobile workstation world

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 02/24/2026 - 06:23

The Lenovo ThinkPad Lineups have regularly faired quite well in our reviews. In the real world, outside of testing studios, they also review very well. I’ve had my hands on the Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 3 for the last few weeks. In that time, I’ve found myself grabbing it regularly, even among other laptops I am testing right now. I remember the P16 Gen 2 that I tested almost exactly a year ago.

The Gen 3 is somehow even lighter, has a better battery life, doesn’t seem to run as hot and can charge via USB-C. It’s almost as though Lenovo saw the very notes I made about the last one, and said, “understood” and fixed exactly that. The Gen 3 still has the incredible power, with now an even more powerful offering, it still has a great display, it has the beloved Lenovo keyboard, and everything else that we loved from the earlier models.

I will say, one negative is that Lenovo is going to have a hard time topping this in the future. But hey, that’s future Lenovo’s problem. For now, this laptop has climbed its way to a 5-star rating, offering something that really works in the real world for the business professional, those who need a high-performing Windows machine they can rely on to run their business, without having to compromise.

In 2026 we have some phenomenal options for business laptops. Some are more powerful in graphic capabilities, some at single core performance, some at multi core. Some are better for engineering and some for video editing.

But, as we know with Lenovo since we see them in the real world all over the professional business space, there’s something to be said about compatibility in real-world applications. Lenovo thrives here - this is an easy recommendation for our best mobile workstation round-up. So, to have this powerful of a machine, in an industry that already trusts and relies on previous models, is pretty impressive. Hats off to Lenovo.

Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 3: Price and availability

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The P16 Gen 3 is available from a range of online retailers, as well as direct from the likes of Lenovo US and Lenovo UK.

A base P16 Gen 3 starts at around $2,400, currently priced out using Lenovo’s website. That gives you an Intel Core Ultra 5, Nvidia RTX Pro 1000 Blackwell GPU with 8GB, 16GB RAM, 512GB SSD, a WUXGA 1920x1200 non touch display at 60Hz, fingerprint reader, and a Wi-Fi 7 chip along with Bluetooth 5.4 as well.

For a base model 16-inch workstation, that’s pretty solid. Now, where it gets really impressive is when you climb up and add features.

My review model, for example, has an Intel Core Ultra 9, Nvidia RTX PRO 5000 Blackwell Generation with 24GB, 32GB RAM, a 3.2K (3200x2000) Tandem OLED with Touch, 1TB SSD, and the same Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chips. This unit comes out to $6,998.95 and is a fully spec’d model.

Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 3: Unboxing and First Impressions

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

This Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 3 came in standard Lenovo packaging, a basic brown box with some red badging, some nice packaging for the laptop and then the charger and documentation that I have literally never read more than the cover of, and I think that was even accidental. Nothing too crazy.

Right away, yes, this is a big machine, but it doesn’t feel like I expected it to. It didn’t feel as heavy as I expected, and when I looked into it, yes, it is actually a decent amount lighter than the Gen 2 model. The Gen 2 was 6.5 lbs, and the Gen 3 is 5.6lbs, almost a full pound lighter, while still keeping the 16-inch frame and the powerful internals, plus adding all of the things that I apparently wished into existence.

Of course, there is the matte dark grey frame with the red accents, the touchpoint in the middle of the keyboard I have gotten comfortable using over the years testing these laptops, and a great touchpad/trackpad. Another thing that is expected, but always good to see, is still present: the killer keyboard, the great ports, and the rugged build. That’s not even to mention the fingerprint reader, Windows Hello face recognition, and other features.

A huge thing I noticed right away was actually the ports, as a good tech reviewer does. First up, all of the ports are on the left and the right, as they should be, which is great. No ports on the back, which immediately signals to users “this should stay on a desktop.” For the Gen 3, all ports are on the right and left. Next up, there is no longer a proprietary charger. This version has a USB-C charging port.

Now, let's not get too crazy and think that your little headphone or even smartphone charger will juice this thing up really at all. You’ll need a powerful brick if you aren’t planning on using the one from Lenovo. But regardless, the ability to use my Anker and UGREEN power stations, bricks, and portable chargers on the go has been excellent, greatly improving day-to-day usability.

Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 3: Design & Build Quality

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 3 is a classic Lenovo feel, with some great ports added. Most of the Lenovo laptops I have tested look like they could be brothers and sisters, in that they are very similar in style, materials, and design language.

The P16 Gen 3 is continuing that legacy with fantastic build quality, a strong hinge, and a design that prioritizes getting work done. Some laptops have shifted to focusing on portability, lightweight designs, or other features that are a bit more niche or not focused on the business worker, but the ThinkPad P16 Gen 3 clearly focuses on removing as much friction as possible to getting work done.

This even extends to features like the ThinkShutter, privacy modes, the fingerprint reader, the self-healing BIOS, spectacular port offerings, a comfortable all-day keyboard, and more. All of these things are intentionally thought through by Lenovo to help ensure a smooth workday.

Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 3: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Specs

...as tested...
Processor: Intel Core Ultra 9 HX
Graphics: Nvidia RTX Pro 5000 Blackwell
Memory: 32GB
Storage: 1TB SSD
Display: 3.2K OLED, 16-inch

This laptop is impressively powerful. It’s great for all-day work, no matter what I am working on. I’ve grabbed it for a lot over the last bit of time that I’ve had it in for testing. It’s been wonderful to type on, test some other gear, run virtual meetings, project manage, and so on.

I’ve spent six to eight hours a day working on the P16 Gen 3, jumping in and out of my many roles throughout the day. I’ve even been able to do some heavier lifting, like large-scale database management, light engineering, video conversion, NAS management, and even consolidating other drives onto my NAS.

I’ve been able to knock out everything that's come up without any issues or stutters. One of the projects I worked on in the last few weeks was a large camera system upgrade, and with this machine, I was able to stream dozens of 4K camera feeds simultaneously, all without breaking a sweat on the CPU or GPU.

Another project I have been working on is my newest obsession: human-in-the-loop coding with Replit. I’ve been able to run full preview windows of the apps and webpages I am working on across multiple displays while researching and agentic coding, using other agents too, such as Notion, Slack, Chrome, and more.

Even with my heavy workloads across several companies, I can run them all without having to close anything down in-between context switching. Usually, for lighter weight machine that I am testing and put my workflow on, I have to shut down some of the apps or understand that things will get throttled. But, for this one, I can keep everything open and running, helping for me to jump in and out of everything as needed.

Throughout hours of typing and living on the keyboard, my fingers are still just as comfortable. I can stay in the standard typing position, use the touchpoint to move the cursor around the screen, and even click really easily with the built-in buttons.

Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 3: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Lenovo ThinkPad P16 Gen 3 is a laptop for those who need to be able to get real work done. The previous Gen 2 was my top pick in my guide to the best laptops for engineering students - and this upgrade now capably takes that crown.

It’s not for gamers, it’s not for those who want a budget laptop, nor is it for those who need a specific travel laptop or lightweight machine.

But, if you want a machine that can perform at workstation levels, have a good battery life, be portable enough to take with you anywhere, and also be great to use, look at, and type on, then this is worth considering.

The Lenovo P16 Gen 3 is built for those who do, those who get work done every day, and need a tool to help them get there faster.

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For more professional picks, we've tested the best business laptops.

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