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I’d recommend this Switch 2 all-in-one case over Nintendo’s official version having tested them both — and there’s one clear reason why

TechRadar Reviews - Sun, 08/09/2026 - 11:00

Turtle Beach PlayTrek 2-in-1 Case for Nintendo Switch 2: review

The Turtle Beach PlayTrek 2-in-1 makes a good first impression. It’s quite sleek for a large Switch 2 carrying case, and also rather stylish. This is thanks to the dark grey color and the surprisingly elegant suede strip that runs around it, offset to the right. It features subtle blue and orange stitching, a nice detail and a nod to the color coding of the Joy-Con 2 controllers.

(Image credit: Future)

The material of the entire unit also impressed me with its ruggedness. The shell of the main compartment feels solid, too, with only a slight amount of flex. As for the detachable travel case on top, I appreciated the small rubber strip that runs along its back edge, as it provides a little more durability and protection when opening it up. What’s more, the entire case is pleasingly light and slender, which is all the more impressive considering what it’s designed to carry.

The zips are similarly well-made, with a reasonably long string and a thin plastic topper that’s easy to grip. However, I did find them a little awkward to open at times, as the lids of both the travel case and main compartment have a tendency to sag inwards, slightly obscuring the teeth. This is a minor issue, though, and not one that’s likely to frustrate.

(Image credit: Future)

It’s quite versatile in terms of storage. As mentioned, and as the name suggests, there are two elements to the PlayTrek 2-in-1. The first is the travel case, which is attached via hook-and-loop fastening. This feels quite strong, so I wasn’t worried about it detaching unintentionally. The case houses the console and up to 14 game cards, courtesy of the elastic slots attached to the screen protector flap. The inner part of the lid features zipped netting for storing other accessories, such as cables and the like. There’s no carrying handle, though, which is an oversight.

The fit for the console is very snug, and the case itself is thin all over with next to no extraneous bulk. This makes it great for tucking into a backpack, like the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories. However, it isn’t a hard shell; it flexes quite readily, so I wouldn’t be confident stacking anything heavy on top of it.

By contrast, the main compartment feels sturdy. The sides can bend inwards quite easily, but the same isn’t true of its corners, so I wouldn’t be concerned if it were subjected to outward forces.

(Image credit: Future)

Inside there are inserts for the console, the dock, the Joy-Cons, the charger, and a large gamepad, such as the Switch 2 Pro Controller. I managed to fit the GameSir G7 Pro here instead, which is one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers you can buy, with ease. The fit was snug and secure, as it was for all the other parts. Nothing moved out of place when I threw the loaded case up and down and spun it upside down several times.

The mold material is also just about soft enough to prevent scratching or marking the items within. However, during the course of my test, the glue adhering one side of the mold base to the bottom of the case failed, coming loose.

(Image credit: Future)

Obviously this was disappointing, although it’s possible I got unlucky with my particular unit. Regardless, it at least suggests some quality control issues. Despite the failure, I wasn’t too concerned that this would compromise the security of my contents: the other side of the base remained affixed, and since it sits tightly within the compartment, I wouldn’t be worried if all the glue came unstuck.

There are two straps adorning the main compartment. There’s a small carrying handle with a soft neoprene cover that’s very soft and comfortable in the hand. It provides just enough slack, although it's quite tight, which makes it awkward to move out of the way when accessing the main compartment and detaching the travel case; the handle slid out of one of its buckles accidentally on numerous occasions. On the other hand, this tightness does help to pin down the travel case on top, adding an extra layer of security to the hook-and-loop fastening.

(Image credit: Future)

The shoulder strap is a typical affair, with its nylon design and plastic karabiners. It's a small shame these and the buckles aren’t made of metal, but I guess this helps to keep the weight down. Fortunately, the karabiners are very solid, which can make them a little tough to remove, but this is a price I’m willing to pay for the security they offer in return.

The length of the strap is adjustable to a reasonable degree, although it could perhaps offer more slack to more easily accommodate taller users. The padded cover over the adjustment buckle is a little thin and lacks the cushioning of the neoprene carrying handle, but I still found it sufficient to prevent the strap digging into my skin.

At $50, the PlayTrek 2-in-1 is a reasonable price for such a feature-filled carrying case. It also has the quality to match, aside from the aforementioned issue with the inner mold. And since it’s cheaper than Nintendo’s own counterpart, it’s a compelling alternative.

Turtle Beach PlayTrek 2-in-1 Case for Nintendo Switch 2 review: Price & specs

Price

$49.99 / £39.99 (about AU$70)

Dimensions

5.83 x 12.60 x 7.99in / 148 x 320 x 203mm

Weight

1.78lbs / 809g

Number of game card slots

Compartments

Handle

Yes

Color

Grey

Should I buy the Turtle Beach PlayTrek 2-in-1 Case for Nintendo Switch 2?Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Light and bulk-free, while still providing enough protection. The travel case is a bit too soft, though.

4 / 5

Storage

There’s plenty of room for your entire gaming setup, which is all the more impressive given its slender form.

5 / 5

Value

It’s not exactly cheap, but it’s cheaper than Nintendo’s equivalent, yet has more features and storage space.

4.5 / 5

Buy it if…

You want versatility
With its detachable travel case and space for your Switch 2 and its accessories, this really is the all-encompassing solution for transporting your setup.

You want to keep the bulk down
It’s relatively slender and pleasingly light without being too flimsy.

Don't buy it if…

You want a tough travel case
The detachable travel case isn’t as solid as many others, which is a shame.

You want an unfussy handle
The strap handle is awkward to move out of the way when opening the main compartment.

Turtle Beach PlayTrek 2-in-1 Case for Nintendo Switch 2 review: Also consider

Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case
As Nintendo’s official carrying case, you’d imagine the quality would be high here. And indeed it is, but it’s more expensive than the PlayTrek, yet less solid and with fewer features. There aren’t as many game card slots, and there’s no detachable travel case. Read our full Nintendo Switch 2 All-In-One Carrying Case review.

How I tested the Turtle Beach PlayTrek 2-in-1 Case for Nintendo Switch 2

(Image credit: Future)

I tested this case for a few days, storing the Switch 2 in the travel case compartment, as well as in the main compartment along with the dock, Joy-Cons, and a large controller.

I carried the case around, via both the handle and the shoulder strap, and regularly removed and replaced the handle to test how easy this was. I also tested the zips thoroughly by opening and closing them repeatedly.

I threw the case up and down and spun it upside down several times to test both the hold of the detachable travel case and the hold provided by the inner molds of the main compartment.

Read more about how we test
First reviewed: July 2026

Categories: Reviews

TP-Link Roam 7 review: I tested this travel router at my local café, and it turned public Wi-Fi into a secure private network

TechRadar Reviews - Sun, 08/09/2026 - 01:20

TP-Link Roam 7: 30-second review

The TP-Link Roam 7 is a compact travel router that lets you connect to whatever internet you can find and turns that into your own private network. This helps reduce the need to reconnect all your devices in each new location; just connect the router and all other devices will connect automatically through it.

The Roam 7 differs from a mobile router insofar as there's no internal SIM or battery; power is supplied through a USB source such as a power bank, and the internet connection comes from a range of available options, including Ethernet at a hotel or business, public Wi-Fi, your phone tethered or a USB modem.

The size and weight are compact, so it’ll fit easily in a backpack or travel bag. The design is simple with a vented front: two fold-down aerials, and a customisable button on the side.

Setup is quick with the mobile Tether app, which lets you use the QR code on the base of the box to complete setup and configure logins. If you want anything more involved then once your device is connected to the router you can access the full web admin at 192.168.0.1.

This is all very clean and while it looks a little dated next to the app, it goes far deeper on the options and settings enabling you to manage the primary and guest networks, assign clients to 2.4GHz or 5GHz, configure Multi-Link Operation so one device takes priority over another, and monitor live CPU and memory usage. Considering this is a travel router, the amount of control is impressive.

There’s also a good level of built-in protection, which is helpful when connecting to public Wi-Fi or hotel networks. While the more advanced protections, including VPNs, are all paid options, there’s a good basic level of security and parental controls built in. The Web interface also gives you a huge amount of options.

Through the test, the one feature that really stood out as I wrote this review was the failover; with the router connected to the Netgear Nighthawk M7 through LAN and public Wi-Fi in a café. The café Wi-Fi was initially good, but as the hour progressed and the place filled, the speed dipped, and the router automatically switched over to the stronger SIM connection.

Overall, this is a well-balanced product that, at the price, offers far more than most, especially that Wi-Fi 7 connection speed. The internal hardware is, however, mid-range, and with only three devices connected, the web admin showed a CPU load of 40-60%. However, as a few more devices were added, the figure remained around the same.

If you work in different locations with multiple devices, then an option like the TP-Link Roam 7 makes absolute sense. Connect the router to the internet, then connect all other devices to it; no need to reconnect each. It offers a balanced set of security features, including VPN support, making it a great solution at a lower price than most mobile routers.

TP-Link Roam 7: Price and availability

How much does it cost? From $139 / £99
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? Directly from tp-link and online retailers

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Roam 7 is available directly from TP-Link here for $139.99 / £99.99. In the US, it's also available for $130 at Amazon (down to $90 at time of review). In the UK, it's priced at £99.99 at Amazon.co.uk. Outside of that, it's widely available from online retailers.

Value: 4.5 / 5

TP-Link Roam 7: Specs

RAM: 512MB
Rear Ports: One 2.5Gbps WAN, one 1Gbps LAN, one USB-A 3.0, one USB-C power input
Connectivity: Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 at 2.4GHz and 5GHz, Ethernet, public Wi-Fi, USB phone tethering, 3G/4G/5G USB modem
Wireless Speed: 2,882Mbps at 5GHz and 688Mbps at 2.4GHz
VPN: OpenVPN, WireGuard, PPTP and L2TP, client and server
Size: 126 x 93.5 x 36mm
Weight: Approximately 250g
Power: 5V/3A USB-C, no built-in battery
Accessories: Power adapter, Ethernet cable, USB cable, quick-installation guide and Wi-Fi information card

TP-Link Roam 7: Design

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Roam 7 is a relatively compact black box that measures 126 x 93.5 x 36mm and weighs in at 250g. It features a large front vent and two aerials that fold flat against the sides when transporting. One thing to note about the design is that it’s noticeably larger than a pocket hotspot but still small enough to slip into a backpack or bag easily.

It’s also worth noting that while the Roam 7 is relatively small, it requires a power supply, and an AC plug is included in the box; alternatively, you can plug it into a power bank, and in this review I’ve used the Ugreen 145W. On top of the power supply, you’ll also need a way to connect the router to the internet, and this is where the clever bit of this device comes into play.

You can either connect directly to a WAN or LAN via the two ports at the back, hardwire a phone via a USB cable and piggyback off the phone's cellular network or use it as a pass-through for a Wi-Fi network, say, if you’re in a café.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Once plugged in, a simple status LED on the front illuminates to indicate connections or activity. While the design is simple, with most options and settings being controlled through the app or web interface, there is a physical toggle button on the side that can be configured to control power, the status LED, or the VPN connection.

The rear panel houses all the connections: a 2.5 Gbps WAN port, a 1 Gbps LAN port, USB-A 3.0 for storage or tethering, and USB-C for power.

As this is a travel router, it would have been great to see a carry case supplied as well. Unfortunately, aside from the power supply, USB-C-to-USB-A adapter, and network cable, there are no other accessories.

Design: 4.5 / 5

TP-Link Roam 7: Features

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Taking a look at the feature set, it really highlights how the Roam 7 differs from a standard router or mobile router. In the case of the first, the compact size and weight mean it can be taken anywhere, and the build and design are robust and highly portable, with power supplied via USB-C rather than the standard barrel-style connector to mains power, which is more common.

Unlike a mobile router, it has no built-in battery or SIM card, so it relies on other devices for both. I’ll come on to why this can be a great option in the performance section.

The Roam supports dual-band BE3600 Wi-Fi 7 with Multi-Link Operation, 4K-QAM, and four wireless streams, rated at 2,882 Mbps on 5GHz and 688 Mbps on 2.4GHz. Those are link rates rather than throughput figures, and there is no 6GHz band, so this is Wi-Fi 7 in its dual-band form rather than the full tri-band specification.

Looking through the different operating modes, there are seven in total: cover router, hotspot or WISP, USB tethering, USB modem, access point, range extender and client. Switching between Ethernet, USB tethering, USB modem, and hotspot occurs through the web interface, and in testing, it took around 45-50 seconds to switch between each. USB tethering to an iPhone was slower, occasionally up to a minute, but on Android it was far faster.

One of the modes I was pleased to see was Failover, as it lets you connect to a mobile router and a tethered phone at the same time, and the Roam 7 prioritises whichever provides the better connection.

There’s also VPN support for major brands, including OpenVPN, WireGuard, PPTP, and L2TP, as both client and server. A VPN connection can run alongside ordinary traffic rather than being on all the time; the physical switch on the side can be allocated as a quick on/off for the VPN, so for general browsing you can switch it off, and for financials, shopping, etc you can switch it on for that additional protection.

The device management is also well thought out, with two options tailored to the type of user, or you can switch between them, as I find myself doing. For most people, the Tether app, which enables initial setup via a QR code, provides access to most of the settings.

During the test, there were a couple of occasions when I was unable to find the settings I wanted through the mobile app, such as assigning the connection type. The Web Admin, however, made this easy and offered a more traditional approach to router and network settings along with many advanced options, including what I was looking for, which was an easy way to switch between inputs.

The web admin panel can be located once you have connected to the router through 192.168.0.1 in your browser, and once you log in, you have all the primary and guest network management, assigning clients between 2.4GHz and 5GHz, Multi-Link Operation configuration to give one device priority over another, and a live view of CPU and memory load, which is interesting especially as more devices connect.

The best way to look at the two options is that the app is for consumers and the web client is for businesses, so actually having both is a good balance.

Another point about this router is that, as it doesn’t have its own power source, it will be a drain on whatever it’s plugged into. However, a check of the power usage shows it is extremely low at less than 4W; still, TP-Link do offer three power modes. Boost is the default and the option I used in the test to maximise performance; below it are Balance and Eco for managing speed, heat, and power draw. The MLO mode that I mentioned earlier will increase power use, but again, this power usage is extremely well managed.

Alongside the hardware admin, there’s a good level of software support, including HomeShield, which adds a network scanner, parental controls, and device-level quality of service. For each of these features, there is a Free tier, but the more robust parental controls and Security+ features require a paid subscription.

Features: 4 / 5

TP-Link Roam 7: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)Benchmarks

Boot time: 1 minute 52 seconds, plus roughly a further minute to connect a client and get online
Time to internet from cold, MacBook Air M3: 2-3 minutes
Mode switching time: 45 seconds; up to 1 minute when switching to iPhone USB tethering
Power consumption, three clients connected: 3.8W with MacBook Pro, iPad and iPhone attached
Router load, three devices connected: CPU 40-60%, memory steady at around 50%

Throughput over a public café connection
One device: 87.3Mbps down / 98.5Mbps up
Two devices, device 1: 46.6Mbps down / 101.8Mbps up
Two devices, device 2: 61.3Mbps down / 27.3Mbps up
Three devices, device 1: 11.5Mbps down / 9.08Mbps up
Three devices, device 2: 75.4Mbps down / 44.4Mbps up
Three devices, device 3: 17.0Mbps down / 72.5Mbps up

These figures measure results via the cafe’s internet connection through the router, not the router's own wireless capability. The three-device total of 103.9 Mbps down exceeds the single-device figure of 87.3 Mbps, highlighting the influx of people into the cafe and the effect on bandwidth.

Initial setup is relatively straightforward, as there’s nothing to install. Or charge. Once unboxed, the AC adapter of a power bank can be plugged in, and the front light glows orange. You then go to the Tether Mobile App, scan the QR code, complete the rest of the process, and you’re set.

After that initial setup, I took the Roam 7 to a café, plugged it into a power bank, joined the venue's Wi-Fi via the Tether app, connected my MacBook to the router's network, and enabled the VPN. The whole sequence took between two and three minutes depending on the connection type and strength. It required no laptop configuration at all, having already connected to the router at home; likewise, the same for the connection to my phone and iPad, which were all previously connected.

One issue that struck me early on was the number of wires and gadgets I had suddenly accumulated around the MacBook; I had my phone, the power bank, and the router all connected along with wires. While it didn’t take up a huge amount of space, it was more than I’m used to.

One point about the connection speeds is that the public Wi-Fi connection was faster than connection tethered through my mobile phone. During testing on location, the 4G connection showed as full, however connected to the Wi-Fi without a VPN, I saw speeds of around 150 Mbps, down to around 120 Mbps with VPN on.

Through a series of checks to see how long it takes to connect in the café location from cold, it I found it took just under two minutes to boot, and connecting and getting the computer online added another minute. There’s also time to unpack the three devices you need to make that connection: the router, the power bank, and the mobile device.

The average connection time in the test was just under three minutes from nothing to a working connection on a public Wi-Fi network. OK, it’s faster to connect directly, but a public Wi-Fi, isn’t secure and the cost saving of the Roam 7 compared with a mobile router is huge.

Through the test, I was interested to see how long it would take to switch between connection types, say, from Wi-Fi to a tethered mobile connection. To do this you need to dip into the web interface, not the app, and the switchover took around 45-50 seconds.

As highlighted, there is no internal power, so the draw from the host machine is an important factor for travel, and surprisingly it’s very low. With a MacBook Pro, an iPad and an iPhone all connected, the router pulled 3.8W. This is really nothing, and my 145W power bank essentially ran through a working day without issue. It was also good that I was able to set up a local network, and the colleagues were also able to connect as guests, again all easily set up through the web interface.

For the most part, I was piggybacking off the wireless network in the café, and, interestingly, a single device connected, I saw 87.3 Mbps down and 98.5 Mbps up. With three connected, the individual figures ranged from 11.5 Mbps to 75.4 Mbps down, but their combined total came to 103.9 Mbps, more than that first single device. The issue is that the café's internet is open to the public, so there will be some fluctuation due to other users.

Internet speed is part of the picture, especially as more devices connect. One of the features I liked was that, through the web admin, you can see live CPU and memory usage. With only three devices connected, CPU load averaged 40-60%, while memory sat at around 50% of the installed 512 MB.

TP-Link states that it supports up to 90 devices, which I think may be a little bit hopeful. Still, for the three I had connected during the test, all checking the internet speed, then watching a 4K YouTube video and uploading files to an ftp this speed generally felt stable and fast.

A travel router like this has a very focused job and won't be for everyone; however, if you connect multiple devices to an internet connection away from home and need something lightweight and portable, this is a great solution that balances features, performance, and cost.

Performance: 4 / 5

TP-Link Roam 7: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

At first it may be difficult to see why you would want the Roam 7 over just connecting directly to your mobile phone or the public Wi-Fi. But then, in the workplace, where you may have multiple devices you use while travelling, or you’re dubious about using public Wi-Fi, this well-priced travel router makes sense.

Setup is easy, and whatever connection mode you use, once you’ve run through the process a few times, it all makes sense. Essentially, arrive, plug in, order a coffee, and by the time you’ve unpacked and set up your computer you’ll be ready to go.

Overall, the connection seemed robust, especially with the failover. While the router can only be as good as the local connections, the test proved it was a solid option, switching from mobile to Wi-Fi to enable the fastest connection without issue.

I had to ask: with mobile routers also available, who is this best for? The Roam 7 is an ideal solution if you travel and use multiple devices. It essentially lets you connect all devices to it, and you just need to connect it to an internet connection. When you arrive at your destination, you connect to the router, and everything else follows suit, without you needing to log in to every device individually.

While you can do this with your mobile, the added network features and the ability to turn your phone into a mobile router are definitely appealing and much cheaper than a dedicated mobile router.

Then there’s the price, which at a fraction of dedicated mobile routers and with all the additional features suddenly makes this very appealing as an option to use anywhere, be that travelling or in a location that you just want to set up a private network, such as in an office, studio or workshop where a separate network can be useful.

Should I buy a TP-Link Roam 7?

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Value

Excellent value at around £90, although you’ll need power and internet connection in addition

4.5/5

Design

Compact, design perfect for slipping into a backpack, though no case is supplied

4.5/5

Features

Seven modes, including full VPN support, storage sharing and decent web admin

4/5

Performance

Quick to set up and low power consumption, balanced by the mid-range hardware

4/5

Overall

A flexible, business travel router that will keep you connected and safe as you travel

4/5

Buy it if...

You travel with several devices.

No need to log in with multiple devices to hotels, airports, cafés and other open networks; connect the router and then all devices through the router, far easier.

You need to work from wherever you land.

With a range of connection options and VPN support, you can connect to the internet, public Wi-Fi, phone tethering, and USB modems, all of which can feed into the same private network.

Don't buy it if...

You want maximum range and speed.

A full-size home router will offer far better long-distance signal and speed; the Roam 7 is designed for smaller areas.

You want an all-in-one.

To get this to work, you need extras, and at the basic level that’s your mobile and a power bank. So while the device is small, the mound of tech you need can quickly accumulate.

For more connectivity solutions, we've reviewed the best Wi-Fi routers.

Categories: Reviews

I tested the RingConn Gen 3 for two weeks and it's the best choice if you don't want to pay Oura prices

TechRadar Reviews - Sun, 08/09/2026 - 00:00

RingConn Gen 3: One minute review

RingConn has always been a solid challenger to Oura in the smart ring space, and after spending two weeks testing it, I can safely say the new RingConn Gen 3 continues that trend. You’ll get most of the same health, sleep and recovery tracking features as rivals in our best smart rings guide here, but without the monthly subscription that puts some people off buying a smart ring altogether.

The Gen 3 tracks heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), blood oxygen levels, skin temperature, respiratory rate, stress, activity and sleep. New additions include a haptic motor for some alerts and reminders, improved battery life and new vascular health trend insights, which are designed to give you a picture of your cardiovascular wellbeing over time.

However, this version does feel similar to the Gen 2 that came before it. The design and app experience feel largely unchanged and many of the core features will already be familiar to anyone thinking of upgrading from a RingConn Gen 2.

Although that's not necessarily a bad thing. The lightweight titanium design is still incredibly comfortable to wear and the app is simple to navigate. RingConn also continues to stand out by offering useful features like sleep apnea monitoring, something that still isn't standard across the smart ring market.

(Image credit: Future)

The experience here isn't perfect. During my testing, I found that some health insights can feel generic, certain wellness scores lack meaningful context and some of the messaging around features like vascular insight trends can be confusing. And, while the app is clean and easy to use, it still doesn't feel quite as refined or polished as Oura's.

But RingConn continues to occupy a compelling middle ground. It isn't the cheapest smart ring you can buy, but it undercuts premium competitors while delivering a similar experience overall.

The RingConn Gen 3 may not be the most exciting smart ring launch of the year, but for anyone looking for comprehensive health tracking without an ongoing subscription, it's shaping up to be one of the easiest smart rings for me to recommend.

RingConn Gen 3: Specifications

Component

RingConn Gen 3

Price

$426 (silver, gold, matte black) / $454 (brushed silver and brushed rose gold); £322 / £343 (approx)

Dimensions

2.3mm thick

Weight

2.5g to 3.5g (depending on size)

Finish

Silver, gold, matte black, brushed silver, brushed rose gold

Sizes

6 to 15

Material

Titanium body, medical-grade epoxy interior with a PVD coating

Battery life

10 to 12 days (with vibration on), 11 to 14 days (with vibration off)

Sensors

Optical Heart Rate Sensor, Temperature Sensor, 3-Axis Accelerometer and Vibration Feedback Motor

Connection

Bluetooth 5.0

Water resistance

IP68 / 10ATM

(Image credit: Future)RingConn Gen 3: Price and availability

Priced at $426 / $454; £322 / £343 (approx)
Rolled out from late May 2026
No subscription needed

Pricing starts at $426 for the silver, gold and matte black versions. That rises to $454 if you’d like the new brushed silver and brushed rose gold finishes.

I only tested the standard silver, but the brushed effect is really appealing. At least what I can see from promo shots, it makes the ring look a little more refined and if I was buying one myself I’d probably pay extra for that finish.

UK pricing hasn’t yet been confirmed at the time of writing, but that US pricing works out at approximately £322 to £343, depending on the finish you choose.

That places the RingConn Gen 3 firmly in the premium smart ring category. It's not cheap by any means. You can now find more affordable smart rings, like the Circular Ring 2, which starts at $349 / £280 / AU$497.

However, it still manages to undercut some of its biggest competitors, making a tempting value proposition. For context, the new Oura Ring 5 starts from £399. Which, granted, isn’t that much more expensive. But you do need to factor in the ongoing monthly subscription, which you’ll need to unlock all of the Oura’s features. That costs $5.99 / £5.99 per month. So paid monthly, that’s around an additional $70 / £70 per year.

What makes RingConn stand out is that there are no subscription fees here. Once you've bought the ring, you get access to all of the core health and wellness features without any additional monthly costs.

It’s worth mentioning that other smart ring brands are offering their devices without a monthly subscription too. And the gap between RingConn and its premium competitors isn't quite as large as it once was, especially as smart ring prices continue to rise across the board. But when you factor in the lack of subscription fees and the breadth of features on offer, the RingConn Gen 3 still represents good value.

Value score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future)RingConn Gen 3: Design

Lightweight and comfortable design
Distinctive squared circle shape
New finishes and expanded sizing options

The first thing you'll notice about the RingConn Gen 3 when you take it out of the box is its unusual shape. Rather than being perfectly round, it has a subtle squared-off design. It looks a little unusual at first, but I really liked it. Plus it seemed like a refreshing choice in a market where so many smart rings are almost indistinguishable from each other.

At between 2.5g and 3.5g depending on which size you get, and measuring 2.3mm thick, the ring is light and discreet enough to forget you're wearing it. I wore it day and night when I was testing it, including while sleeping, without any issues.

That weight and thickness are both fairly standard compared to other smart rings. The only notable exception is the new Oura Ring 5, which has been designed to be slimmer and lighter than previous generations and almost all rivals.

The Gen 3 ring is made from titanium with a medical-grade resin interior and is rated IP68 and 10ATM for water resistance. In practical terms, that means you can wear it in the shower, while swimming and during workouts without worrying about taking it off. During testing, I rarely had to think about removing it, whether I was washing up, showering or exercising — though I did remove it when lifting weights to avoid any scratching.

RingConn has also expanded its sizing range this time around, now offering up to size 15. Many competing brands don't go beyond size 14. One thing to be aware of here is that RingConn says the Gen 3 sizing may differ slightly from standard ring sizing and other smart rings. Which means it may be worth using the sizing kit first just to be safe. Although I tested my usual size without any issues.

There are several new finishes available, including brushed silver and brushed rose gold. I tested the glossy silver model, which held up surprisingly well during testing. After more than a week of daily wear, there were no visible scuffs or scratches, even on close inspection.

That's really notable because when I’ve tested many smart rings in the past I've found that some finishes, particularly matte black ones, can start showing signs of wear after only a few days.

That said, if I were buying this ring myself rather than reviewing it, I'd probably choose one of the new brushed finishes, even though they cost a little more. After years of testing smart rings, I've come to think that the super glossy finishes are often what make them look like gadgets rather than jewellery. So if making sure a smart ring blends in is important to you, the brushed options are probably worth considering.

My only real criticism is that there isn't an obvious external marker showing which way round the ring should be worn. That's really nit-picking, but it's something some competitors have added. While it's easy enough to identify the correct orientation from the sensor placement inside the ring, a small external indicator, like a tiny notch, would make it quicker and easier to position correctly for the most accurate readings.

The charging case is handy. It's compact, easy to throw into a bag and feels more refined than previous versions. Unlike some competitors, it's also not tied to a specific ring size, which might be useful for you if you know someone else who has a RingConn ring.

Design Score: 4/5

RingConn Gen 3: Features

(Image credit: Future)

Subtle haptic alerts
Comprehensive health and wellness tracking
Sleep apnea monitoring and vascular insights

You’ll find all of the health and wellness features you'd expect from a premium smart ring here. The Gen 3 continuously tracks heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), blood oxygen saturation (SpO2), respiratory rate, skin temperature, stress, activity levels and sleep. There's also menstrual tracking and a Baby Prep mode to support ovulation prediction.

Alongside these core features, RingConn offers a few more advanced tools that are designed to help it stand out from rivals. One of the most useful is sleep apnea monitoring. Once enabled, it monitors for the core signs of sleep apnea and provides short-term risk indicators alongside longer-term trends.

Like any wearable health feature, it's not designed to diagnose a medical condition. But I think it could be useful if you're concerned about your sleep quality or breathing patterns and want some additional information before you speak to a doctor.

New for the Gen 3 is a built-in haptic motor, which means the ring can now vibrate for health alerts, inactivity reminders and low-battery warnings.

At first, I was conflicted about this addition. Part of the appeal of smart rings for me is that they collect data in the background without demanding attention in the way a smartwatch can. Fortunately, RingConn has taken a restrained approach. The vibrations are subtle, focused on health-related notifications rather than phone alerts and can be disabled entirely if you'd prefer that.

Another notable addition is RingConn's vascular health tracking. Rather than attempting to estimate blood pressure directly, the feature combines overnight vascular load data with blood pressure readings and lifestyle information to provide longer-term cardiovascular insights.

To use it, you'll need to periodically enter blood pressure readings from a traditional blood pressure cuff. Initially, I wasn't convinced of the value of this feature. Wouldn’t you just use a cuff instead of the ring if you have one? But it became clear during testing that the goal here isn't to replace a blood pressure monitor. Instead, it's designed to help identify broader patterns over time.

One reason for the confusion is likely that in the app this section is labelled as 'blood pressure trends', which RingConn tells me is out-of-date copy and will be changed to 'vascular insights' soon to make it clear this isn't just a blood pressure reading feature.

Because the data you get here is about circulation stress tracking, which RingConn describes as a measure of how effectively your body moves between activity and recovery. Results are then also broken down into areas such as day-night rhythm, sleep breathing, post-exercise recovery and stress response.

The insights aren't especially deep, and if anything is flagged you'll need to go and search for what it means, but they're among the most detailed explanations available in the RingConn app and provide useful context without becoming overwhelming.

Features Score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future)RingConn Gen 3: Performance

Clean, easy-to-use app
Excellent battery life
Strong sleep and wellness tracking

As with any smart ring, the Gen 3 relies heavily on its app, and RingConn gets a lot right here. While it doesn't feel quite as polished as Oura's software, I found it easy to navigate through the different menus. I also liked the flower-like Wellness Balance graphic at the top of the dashboard, which provides a quick visual snapshot of your overall health.

The app makes it easy to check key metrics at a glance, while more detailed charts, historical trends and explanations are there if you click through into each dedicated section, including sleep, activity and stress. Stress tracking was a particular highlight, making it easy to spot recurring patterns and periods of higher pressure throughout the day.

Some of the written insights can feel a little generic though, as daily summaries occasionally surfaced observations that felt obvious or lacked enough context to be genuinely useful. Sleep insights tended to be more helpful, with more detailed explanations and recommendations.

Sleep tracking is one of RingConn's strongest areas. The app presents sleep duration, efficiency, stages, overnight heart rate and movement data clearly without overwhelming you with information. During testing, it also handled my occasionally unusual sleep schedule surprisingly well, which meant that on nights when I woke up for an hour in the early morning before falling back asleep, RingConn correctly identified this as a brief 'awake' period rather than ending the sleep session entirely.

In terms of accuracy, I wore the RingConn Gen 3 alongside a Whoop 5.0. The two devices produced very similar results. Whoop measured a 84% sleep performance, 6 hours and 31 minutes of sleep and a 49bpm average overnight heart rate. RingConn gave me a 77 sleep score, recorded 6 hours and16 minutes of sleep with a 48bpm average overnight heart rate

Sleep stage breakdowns also aligned closely, with only minor differences in deep and REM sleep estimates. No wearable tracks sleep perfectly, but the results were broadly consistent.

I also appreciated how RingConn handles unusual readings. Rather than generating alarming warnings whenever a metric moves outside of its normal range, the app generally presents changes with reasonable context. I'd still like more explanation in some areas, particularly when a metric is flagged. I was often felt feeling a little frustrated at the lack of context and additional information as to why a reading deviated and what that really means. But the overall approach feels useful and sensible.

Sleep apnea monitoring is well implemented here. The feature presents trends clearly, includes some useful explanations and feels more mature than some of the app's other health insights. It's worth noting though that monitoring won't function properly once battery levels drop below 30%.

Exercise tracking is more basic than what you'll get from a dedicated sports watch, although that's true of most smart rings. During testing, the ring automatically detected walking, running and strength-training sessions without requiring manual input. You just need to acknowledge it’s identified your activity correctly and there are a wide range to choose from.

In the activity section you’ll find useful information like activity intensity, active time, calories burned and step count, which should be enough for most users.

Step tracking was accurate, although RingConn did seem to slightly under report compared to other devices. On one test day it recorded 5,167 steps versus 5,500 on the Whoop, a pattern I noticed in a few other comparisons.

Battery life is still one of RingConn's biggest strengths. The company claims between 11 and 14 days per charge, and in my testing the ring lasted nearly 12.5 days with both vascular insights and haptic alerts enabled.

That comfortably exceeds most rivals these days. For comparison, the Oura Ring 5 offers up to 7 days, the Samsung Galaxy Ring up to 7 days, while the Ultrahuman Ring Air and Circular Ring 2 both offer around 6 days.

For me, this is one of the RingConn's biggest selling points. The less often you need to remove a wearable for charging, the more likely you are to wear it consistently and collect uninterrupted data. RingConn also displays both remaining battery percentage and an estimate of days remaining in the map, which is a small but useful touch.

Overall, the RingConn Gen 3 delivers a strong experience. The app isn't quite as refined as Oura's, and some insights could go further, but the combination of comprehensive health tracking, clear data presentation, excellent battery life and a subscription-free model makes it one of the most compelling smart rings currently available.

Performance score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future)RingConn Gen 3: Scorecard

I watched the behind-the-scenes documentary Disney Worldbuilders and it's inspiring — but I wish they had turned it into a Disney+ series instead

TechRadar Reviews - Sat, 08/08/2026 - 19:00

After falling in love with Disneyland Handcrafted, I was excited to dive into the studio's latest documentary movie, Disney Worldbuilders. Directed by Leslie Iwerks, the new movie has a tiny runtime of 58 minutes and call me greedy, but I really wanted more.

Disney Worldbuilders gets up-close-and-personal with some of Disney's most influential voices, where we learn about creative processes and their lasting impact on both cinema and the Disney Parks around the world.

Even though I loved what I saw, I did feel as though Worldbuilders tries to squeeze too much into its runtime. Unlike Handcrafted, which solely focuses on Walt's vision for Disneyland in Anaheim, this jumps around between subjects, and I wish we'd had an episode for each person interviewed so we could've taken a deeper dive.

The stacked line-up is made up of Bob Iger, James Cameron, Jon Favreau, Kevin Feige, Jennifer Lee, Pete Docter, Dave Filoni, Jared Bush, and Josh D’Amaro. That's a lot of people to talk to in under an hour, so I really wish we'd had more time with all of them!

Bob Iger in particular deserves a documentary of his own, and I hope we get one so we can properly examine the huge impact he's had on the Walt Disney Company, because it's not to be sniffed at. His segments didn't seem to fit with the rest of the interviews.

Still, that doesn't mean Worldbuilders is not worth your time. Far from it, in fact; I think it gives some really valuable and inspiring insights from some of the biggest names across Disney properties like Pixar, Star Wars, and Marvel, and it's hard not to smile when you're greeted with this footage.

Jennifer Lee and her sister have an emotional scene in Disney Worldbuilders. (Image credit: Disney)

The scale of the Disney Parks really is fascinating, and I liked how we were able to see the early days of areas such as Hollywood Studios' Galaxy's Edge and Animal Kingdom’s Pandora, especially how the directors of those movies responded to seeing their creations come to life. Now, fans get to walk through the worlds we see on screen, and the constant innovation going on across the global parks is jaw-dropping.

I found myself getting emotional during certain parts, particularly Jennifer Lee's reaction to World of Frozen at Disneyland Paris. Seeing her wandering around with Olaf and reflecting on her relationship with her sister is incredibly touching, given how Anna and Elsa are such inspirational figures to a lot of people out there.

Even though the interviews with each subject are short, we do get a lot of heartfelt anecdotes which I found to be very interesting. As someone who has been enamored with filmmaking from a young age, it's inspiring to see how these amazing creatives can help shape future attractions for all ages. In Worldbuilders, they reflect on their own childhoods and how they ended up working for one of the biggest media companies in the world.

Ultimately, this would have worked so much better in an episodic format because I could have happily watched eight hours of this, as opposed to the one hour we did get. I am hopeful that Disney will do more long-form Parks-focused documentaries like this, especially ones that talk to the creatives responsible for writing these worlds we know and love.

Disney Worldbuilders comes to Disney+ on August 20. While you wait, why not check out the best Disney+ movies and best Disney+ TV shows to stream right now.

Categories: Reviews

‘A capable controller with plenty of adjustments’: while this Nintendo Switch 2 and PC gamepad looks like an Xbox controller, it hides some serious upgrades — but there are a few sticking points you need to know about

TechRadar Reviews - Sat, 08/08/2026 - 12:00

Gulikit KK3 Max: One-minute review

The GuliKit KK3 Max might look like a standard controller, but it has plenty of extras and features on board.

Adopting the familiar form of the Xbox’s gamepad, the KK3 Max doesn’t exactly push the boundaries in terms of design. But given how comfortable and convenient the shape and layout are, it’s hard to complain about its lack of originality.

There are also a few extra flourishes that add some interest. The matte white finish of my review unit was rather fetching, while the front panel is incredibly smooth, smoother than any other I’ve felt before. Its construction also feels quite solid, rivaling the builds of the best PC controllers.

This premium feel extends to the buttons, since there’s very little wobble to any of them. The same can be said of the various sets of levers for the four back buttons, although a fair amount of force is required to insert them.

(Image credit: Future)

Despite the lack of software, there are still plenty of input-related customizations and settings available via various button combinations. These range from basic adjustments, such as the vibration intensity and stick sensitivity, to more advanced features, such as motion control and macro recording.

The overall performance of the KK3 Max is pretty good. Most of the buttons are responsive and satisfying to press. The triggers offer a fair amount of control, although I found their travel distance a little too short for my preferences. The sticks also lack the precision of the best, although they move easily and quickly. Motion controls are also inconsistent: I found they performed well with Nintendo Switch games, but were less effective on PC and mobile titles.

I’m happy to report that I had no issues with connectivity on any system I tried the KK3 Max with. Whether it was to my PC via the USB dongle or to my Switch and Android tablet via Bluetooth, the KK3 Max connected quickly to them all and I didn’t experience any dropouts or lag. Hotswitching between devices is also easy thanks to the dedicated button for this purpose, although it can take several presses for the button to respond.

The current multiplatform controller market is certainly a competitive one, with an increasing number of entrants offering increasingly better value. At $79.99 / £65.99 / AU$113.95, the KK3 Max is dangerously close in price to some real standouts, such as the Steam Controller and the GameSir G7 Pro 8K, and more expensive than the 8BitDo Pro 3, another highly capable controller. It mightn’t quite match up to its cohort, but the KK3 Max is still a gamepad to consider if you prefer onboard adjustments and like to have plenty of back buttons.

(Image credit: Future)Gulikit KK3 Max review: Price & availability

$79.99 / £65.99 / AU$113.95
Available now in various colorways
Premium pricing puts it against big hitters

The GuliKit KK3 Max costs $79.99 / £65.99 / AU$113.95 and is available now from Amazon. Three colorways are available: black, white, and grey.

This pricing places the KK3 Max at the premium end of the market. It comes close to some big names in this space, such as the new Steam Controller. This has the advantage of touchpads for controlling the mouse cursor, and we found its gyroscope controls performed very well, unlike the KK3 Max’s. It isn’t compatible with the Switch or Switch 2, though.

The KK3 Max is also more expensive than the 8BitDo Pro 3, which has class-leading performance. We particularly loved its smooth analog sticks and triggers, as well as its phenomenal D-pad. It’s very customizable, too, thanks to its accompanying software — something the KK3 Max lacks.

Gulikit KK3 Max review: Specs

Gulikit KK3 Max

Price

$79.99 / £65.99 / AU$113.95

Weight

9.7oz / 275g

Dimensions

6 x 4.3 x 1.3in / 154.7 x 108.1 x 32.4mm

Compatibility

PC, Switch, Switch 2, Android, iOS

Connection type

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

Battery life

15-28 hours

(Image credit: Future)Gulikit KK3 Max review: Design and features

Super smooth surface
No extra D-pad hats or stick caps
No software

The KK3 Max has a simple and conventional design, replicating the form and layout of the best Xbox controllers. This is no bad thing, though, since such gamepads are among the most ergonomic and comfortable out there. Along with many others, I’m also particularly fond of the asymmetric analog sticks, since this moves the D-pad to a position that makes it easier to use with either thumb.

What may prove more divisive, however, is the relatively small size of the entire unit. I don’t have particularly large hands, but both my thumbs and forefingers tended to overhang the sticks and triggers respectively. I was able to adjust my grip to compensate without sacrificing comfort or security, but others might find this more of a problem.

There are some extra touches to the KK3 Max’s design that set it apart from the crowd. The brilliant white matte finish of my review unit is quite eye-catching, as is the subtle yet effective RGB lighting around the sticks, which also has a practical function that I’ll come to later.

(Image credit: Future)

The front plate is incredibly smooth to the touch, smoother than any other controller I’ve experienced. However, this plate isn’t magnetically attached as it is on other gamepads, allowing for easy removal for the sake of customization and reordering or replacing buttons.

You can still remove the KK3 Max’s face buttons — you’ll just need to use the included puller to do so, which is thankfully easy to use. You can’t directly swap the X with the Y button or the A with the B, though, since they have different depths and curvatures. Rather, duplicates of each button are included in the box with the appropriate depth and curvature for swapping their position. This seems like a rather inefficient solution to me, and just means you have more bits of plastic in your life than you otherwise would.

I can’t complain about their quality, though. They’re pleasantly smooth and stable, with only a marginal amount of play, while their transparent design is quite fetching. The D-pad also feels stable, although it’s a shame you can't replace the hat, as different designs can make a real difference to feel and performance, and would cater to more preferences. Fortunately, I found it quite ergonomic; even though it adopts the traditional four-point shape, its rounded edges make it better for rolling between directions.

(Image credit: Future)

The triggers are also comfortable. They have rounded outside edges, which makes them soft on the finger, as well as a dotted texture to provide grip. The analog stick caps are reasonably small but have an ergonomic shape and a soft finish. Their edges are slightly textured, although this is less prominent than other examples, so those with sweaty thumbs might slip off them. They are removable, but GuliKit doesn’t provide any extra sets in the box, which is a shame. The sticks themselves are quite tall and suitably planted, with a negligible amount of play.

More solid are the back button levers. Despite how they look, they’re not made from metal, but they are reassuringly sturdy. They actually require a fair amount of force to insert in their slots, but once in place, I felt pretty confident that they weren’t going to come loose. They come in different shapes, with two sets of paddle-like levers and a set that looks more like bumpers.

(Image credit: Future)

There’s no software for customizing the inputs of the KK3 Max, which is a shame. However, there are still plenty of adjustments you can make and features to enable using various button combinations. You can alter the sensitivity of the analog sticks, with three levels to choose from, as well as toggle Dead Zone mode for them. You can also enable the Motion Aim Assist mode, letting you assign gyroscopic controls when either the left stick or the left trigger is held. Again, there are three levels of sensitivity to choose from here.

Other settings include a toggle for the D-pad between four- and eight-direction modes, A and B and X and Y swaps, and a Rapid Trigger function with two modes to choose from: one where the chosen input triggers repeatedly when held, and the other when it’s merely pressed. An autopilot mode and a macro recorder are available, too.

All these adjustments are quite easy to make, and there are some useful indicators that let you know what settings have been selected. For instance, the sticks light different colors depending on which of the three sensitivity levels is set, and the pad rumbles once, twice, or thrice depending on which of the three sensitivities of the Motion Aim Assist is set. However, I still would’ve preferred software for convenience's sake; it’s always nice to see your settings represented graphically, and having to remember all the button combinations is a hassle I could do without.

(Image credit: Future)Gulikit KK3 Max review: Performance

Solid button feel
Slightly imprecise sticks
Motion controls are mixed

In action, the KK3 Max acquits itself rather well. The face buttons are tactile and well-damped, and only require a light touch to press, which makes them feel snappy. However, they don’t provide the best feedback, and there are times when it can be difficult to feel them actually being pressed. Thankfully, however, this didn’t result in presses failing to register, in my experience.

The bumpers are more clicky, but still have enough dampening to make presses satisfying. However, I found their position a little too high, which can make reaching them a little difficult. I should say that I encounter this problem on quite a few gamepads, but here it’s particularly acute.

In fact, I found the back buttons more usable than the bumpers, which isn’t something I can say about a lot of other controllers with back buttons. Their travel might be shallow, no matter which lever you decide to attach, but there’s enough dampening and feedback to make them viable as replacements for other inputs. I didn’t accidentally trigger them when gripping the KK3 Max tightly, either. The shapes of the various levers are easy to use, although I did find that the lower paddles were best used with two fingers rather than one.

(Image credit: Future)

The triggers are resistant enough to provide adequate control when performing graduated presses, something I especially appreciate when playing racing games such as Assetto Corsa that require precise acceleration and braking inputs. Their relatively shallow travel does negate this aspect somewhat, but I still found them just about up to the task. They’re also light enough to perform rapid inputs when needed, and to prevent fatigue from setting in during prolonged holds.

The sticks move freely and quickly, with a fast rebound that makes them feel snappy. Aiming was quite accurate when I played 007 First Light, although they don’t offer the smoothest motion, with small but frequent jumps and unexpected accelerations affecting my accuracy. Thankfully, their aforementioned height didn’t pose a problem when moving them around, although it did cause some instability when pressing in the L3 and R3 buttons, with accidental directional movements often accompanying them.

The gyroscopic motion controls are mixed in terms of their performance. When I played The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on my Switch, they were smooth when aiming the bow, and on a par with the best Nintendo Switch controllers. However, with games on other platforms, such as First Light on PC and Hitman Blood Money — Reprisal on Android, they were jerky and restrictive in terms of movement. No matter how many times I recalibrated them using the onboard function to do this, they didn’t improve on these systems.

I had no issues connecting the KK3 Max to my Windows 11 PC, Switch, or Android tablet via Bluetooth or the USB dongle. The handy button for hot-switching between devices is also useful, and hot-switching itself proved quick in my experience. However, the button doesn’t operate that well, taking a few too many presses to actually respond.

Should I buy the Gulikit KK3 Max?Buy it if…

You want a comfortable gamepad
The ergonomic shape of the KK3 Max, combined with the super smooth front panel and rounded triggers, make it comfortable to use — although those with particularly large hands might struggle with it.

You want plenty of back buttons
With four back buttons and three different kinds of lever attachments for them, the KK3 Max is great for those who like to trigger inputs with their fingers rather than their thumbs.

Don't buy it if…

You want software
Even though you can customize the inputs of the KK3 Max, you’ll need to do this with button combinations, as there’s no companion app.

You want the best stick performance
The sticks aren’t quite as smooth or precise as those in the best gamepads.

Gulikit KK3 Max review: Also consider

GuliKit KK3 Max

8BitDo Pro 3

Valve Steam Controller (2026)

Price

$79.99 / £65.99 / AU$113.95

$59.99 / £40 (around AU$84)

$99 / £85 / AU$149

Weight

9.7oz / 275g

8.5oz / 242g

10.3oz / 292g

Dimensions

6 x 4.3 x 1.3in / 154.7 x 108.1 x 32.4mm

6.1 x 3.9 x 2.6in / 154 x 101 x 65mm

4.4 x 6.3 x 2.2in / 111 x 159 x 57mm

Compatibility

PC, Switch, Switch 2, Android, iOS

Switch, Switch 2, PC, Android, iOS

PC, Mac, Android, iOS

Connection type

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

Steam Controller Puck, USB, Bluetooth

Battery life

15-28 hours

15-20 hours

35+ hours

Valve Steam Controller (2026)
Valve’s latest iteration of the Steam Controller was highly anticipated, and in our view it didn’t disappoint. We found it offered great all-round performance, thanks to its TMR analog sticks and excellent gyro controls. Unlike other controllers, it also features touchpads for controlling cursor movement, making it a real boon for PC players. It doesn’t have the wide-ranging platform support of others, though.

Read our full Valve Steam Controller (2026) review.

8BitDo Pro 3
If you want to spend less on a controller but still want great performance, look no further than the 8BitDo Pro 3. We loved the performance of its sticks, triggers, and D-pad, and we found its shape supremely comfortable, while still staying faithful to the old SNES gamepad it’s keen to emulate. It also has great software with plenty of customizations.

Read our full 8BitDo Pro 3 review.

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Gulikit KK3 Max

Tested consistently for a few days
Played a variety of games on multiple devices
Plenty of controller experience

I tested the Gulikit KK3 Max for a few days, during which time I played a number of games on most of the platforms the controller is compatible with. I used it on my Windows 11 PC via the 2.4GHz wireless USB dongle, and on my Switch and Samsung Galaxy Tab S11 tablet via Bluetooth.

I made sure to play a variety of games across these platforms to test every facet of the controller’s performance. I played 007 First Light on PC, which is a good test for the accuracy and precision of analog sticks, as well as Hitman: Blood Money — Reprisal on my tablet for the same purpose. I also played Assetto Corsa, which is not only a good test for the sticks but also for the control offered by the triggers. I also played The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on Switch, primarily to test the motion controls, as the game and console handle such controls very well.

I’ve been gaming for decades, and have used numerous gamepads with numerous systems in that time. I’ve also reviewed a number of other controllers, from budget offerings to high-performing premium models.

Read more about how we test
First reviewed: July 2026

Categories: Reviews

I wanted to love this weird foldable mouse from Logitech, but its underwhelming ergonomics and performance left me feeling disappointed

TechRadar Reviews - Sat, 08/08/2026 - 08:00

Logitech Mobi Fold review

The Logitech Mobi Fold is, without question, the weirdest mouse I have ever used in my life.

This tiny, foldable travel mouse is focused on one thing above all: portability. Just like a clamshell phone from the noughties, it can fold in half, allowing you to easily slip it into your pocket if you’re working on the go. But even though the Logitech Mobi Fold’s exceptional portability is its clear USP, I have to ask… is it actually that necessary?

After all, a lot of mice are already highly compact, and if you’re working on the go, you’ve probably got a bag to hold your laptop or tablet, right? I’d bet that your bag can fit a laptop and a mouse, so arguably, the thing that makes this mouse so special isn’t actually that game-changing.

Still, the Mobi Fold has a few interesting features to run through, and you’re surely curious as to how such a strange model feels in use. So, after using the Logitech Mobi Fold as my main mouse for a few days, here’s how I’d rate it — and whether I think it can compete with the best mice around.

First things first, the Mobi Fold is incredibly easy to get set up. There’s a sync button on it that makes linking up to a windows laptop, Mac, or Android device incredibly seamless. There’s also an easy switch feature, making it incredibly speedy to flick between a range of devices.

But after I got set up with the Mobi Fold, and started using it to get some work done I have to say… it wasn’t amazing.

The Mobi Fold exhibits a few key issues that make it feel inferior to a standard compact or productivity mouse. First of all, it has a slightly bizarre build. Its V-shape form makes it feel awkward to grip, and when using it for extended periods, this caused me to feel some discomfort in my hand. It lacks the ergonomics of my everyday mouse, the Razer Viper V3 Pro, and even lacked its fluidity, meaning moving it across my desk felt clunky.

In addition, the touch-controlled scrolling is a bit inconsistent. It doesn’t provide the same tight control of a traditional mechanical scroll wheel, and again feels a bit lacking in terms of fluidity. Don’t get me wrong: it’s totally functional, but if you want the smooth, precise scrolling of a traditional mouse, the Mobi Fold may leave you wanting more.

My final critique is on the feel of the left and right buttons. While these are serviceable, they felt more stiff than I expected them to, especially towards the back and middle of the model. I did appreciate the muted sound of clicking the left and right buttons, but I wish they felt a bit more sensitive.

(Image credit: Future)

Despite all of this, there are some clear positives worth pointing out. First of all, the mouse offers great battery life. It supplies about 22 hours of continuous use, which easily got me through the work week, meaning I didn’t need to charge it at all during the testing period. Having said that, Logitech says that you can get an extra three hours of use from just one minute of charging, making it exceptionally practical for someone like me who often forgets to juice up their devices.

In addition, the Mobi Fold features customizable button controls through the Logi Options+ app. This enables you to adapt pointer speed, set the central touch panel to different functions (like paste, volume controls, or a keyboard shortcut), and more.

In terms of design, I’m also a fan of the rubbery texture of the mouse, which is very pleasant to the touch. It’s also worth noting that 36% of the plastics used in the Graphite colorway of the mouse I used are made from recycled materials. It’s 29% for the Lilac and Off-White variants, which look pretty stylish in my opinion.

Look, the Logitech Mobi Fold does well to stand out from the crowd. Its lightweight and foldable design undoubtedly makes it easy to travel with — even though I’d argue that standard mice are probably portable enough as they are. In addition, the customizable buttons, long battery life, and satisfying feel of the mouse are clear positives.

But for $79.99 / £69.99 / AU$129.95, the Mobi Fold ends up feeling like a relatively poor value for money option. Really, that comes down to one thing: its lackluster performance. With underwhelming ergonomics, as well as slightly stiff scrolling and buttons, the Mobi Fold feels like an idea that’s far more impressive in concept than it is in practice.

(Image credit: Future)Logitech Mobi Fold review: price & release date

$79.99 / £69.99 / AU$129.95
Released in June 2026
Available in four colors

The Logitech Mobi Fold released in June 2026, carrying a list price of $79.99 / £69.99 / AU$129.95. That price means it’s competing in the same price bracket as great models we’ve tested, such as the Keychron M6 8K, but a lot more than our favorite ultra-compact mouse, the Logitech Pop Mouse. It's available in four colors, including Graphite, Off-White, Lilac, and Sand.

Logitech Mobi Fold review: specs

Interface

Bluetooth 5.1 LE

Battery life

22 hours (continuous use)

Buttons

DPI

4,000

Switches

Not stated

Weight

2.8oz / 79g

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Logitech Mobi Fold?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Design

Lightweight and foldable for travel, nice material and color options, but poor ergonomics.

3/5

Performance

Functional, though clicking feels a bit stiff, touch scroll panel isn’t most precise, and uncomfortable for longer usage sessions.

2.5/5

Value

Simply too expensive for the quality on offer.

2.5/5

Buy it if…

You want something ultra-portable
Perhaps the main attraction of the Mobi Fold is its ultra-compact form factor. If you want something you can slide into your pocket for on-the-go use, it doesn’t get much more convenient than this.

You want a stylish mouse
One thing I won’t deny about the Mobi Fold is that it's pretty stylish. Its foldable design, its enticing color options, and its appealing silicone exterior all work in its favor.

Don’t buy it if…

You want top-tier ergonomics
The slightly odd shape of the Mobi Fold can make it a little awkward to grip and use for longer periods, meaning it's not the best option if you value great ergonomics and comfort.

You’re looking for precise performance
The Mobi Fold uses a touch sensor for scrolling, and it just doesn’t feel as precise as a typical mechanical scroll wheel. Pair that with slightly stiff left and right buttons and its unorthodox feel, and it falls short of some major competitors in its price range.

Logitech Mobi Fold review: also consider

Logitech Pop Mouse
Logitech knocked it out of the park with the Pop Mouse, which is one of our favorite compact models you can buy. With satisfying clicks, good customization options, and easy switching, it's a certified hit — especially when you consider its modest asking price.

Keychron M6 8K
This one’s a little different, but if you have the budget to grab the Mobi Fold, then you may want to consider a model like the Keychron M6 8K instead. It boasts a lightweight feel, 8K polling, fantastic ergonomics, and a feature-rich companion app, making it a brilliant all-rounder.

How I tested the Logitech Mobi Fold

Spent days using it as my main mouse
Tried out its various features
Took on the go to test its travel credentials

I spent multiple days testing the Logitech Mobi Fold, using it as my main mouse in the office and when working from home.

During my time with the Mobi Fold, I used it for general productivity, exhausted its various features, and even took it on the go to assess its on-the-go credentials. I typically had the mouse connected to my Windows PC, but I also tried it out with an Android phone.

More generally, I’ve spent years testing gadgets here at TechRadar, where I serve as an in-house Senior Reviews Writer. I’ve tried out a wide array of computing accessories, such as the Turtle Beach Command Series KB7 keyboard, as well as gaming gear, premium wireless headphones, power banks, and more.

Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
First reviewed: August 2026

Categories: Reviews

Kensington Expert Mouse Pro TB900 review: I swapped my mouse and trackpad for the new TB900 trackball, and ran a head-to-head video edit against my usual setup — the trackball won.

TechRadar Reviews - Sat, 08/08/2026 - 01:15

Kensington Expert Mouse Pro TB900 EQ: 30-second review

The Kensington Expert Mouse Pro TB900 EQ follows a long line of large-ball control devices that rethink the standard computer mouse entirely. This latest version is a relatively large unit that sits where your mouse would, with a big central trackball with controls neatly arranged around it.

Setup on the Mac took a little longer than expected, requiring a couple of restarts and some security authorisation in System Settings. Everything is guided and reasonably straightforward, and where something did not work first time, a restart sorted it. On Windows 11 it was considerably simpler: install Kensington Konnect and the applications and integration were ready to go.

Once running, you can start customising it per application. I tested both wired and Bluetooth connections, and both were fast and responsive for video and photo editing, as well as for Word and Excel.

Kensington Konnect is where everything happens. You add applications to the list on the right, and the presets for the TB900 EQ swap automatically as those applications come to the front. Switching between Photoshop and Final Cut Pro during this test, I had a different set of presets waiting for each. I could not find any pre-configured application profiles supplied, though this is a pre-release unit and maybe they’ll arrive as downloads later.

In Final Cut Pro, most of the defaults were close to what I wanted. I changed the dial around the main ball to scrub, the lower-left button to blade, and the right button to select. With those three, plus the ball tracking left and right, the four most common movements were all within reach without moving my hand.

The test that convinced me was a head-to-head edit. I edited the same footage once with keyboard and mouse as I normally would, then again using the TB900, and the trackball was quicker despite years of muscle memory pointing the other way.

If you work in the creative sector, or simply find a mouse annoying, this is worth a look. Having used many control boards over the years and trackballs, I am genuinely surprised by how much I like the TB900 EQ and how quickly it improved my video editing.

Kensington Expert Mouse Pro TB900 EQ: Price and availability

How much does it cost? TBC
When is it out? Coming soon
Where can you get it? Directly from Kensington

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The Expert Mouse Pro TB900 EQ is at pre-release and not yet available in stores. The previous TB800 EQ is widely available from major retailers and directly from Kensington, so I expect the new TB900 to follow suit.

Value: TBC

Kensington Expert Mouse Pro TB900 EQ: Specs

Connectivity: USB-C wired, Bluetooth and 2.4GHz USB dongle
Size: 125 x 165mm, approximately 60mm high with the ball fitted
Weight: Just under 450g
Ball diameter: 55mm, removable
Tracking: Kensington Diamond Eye optical tracking
Controls: Four buttons around the ball, 360-degree scroll ring, two side scroll dials, four top buttons, mode button, three underside toggle switches
OS Installed: Kensington Konnect software, macOS and Windows

Kensington Expert Mouse Pro TB900 EQ: Design

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

The TB900 is a great-looking device, though far larger than an average mouse, with a desktop footprint of 125 x 165mm and a height of roughly 60mm with the ball fitted. At just under 450g, it is also considerably heavier, which in practice means it stays exactly where you put it rather than wandering across the desk.

The point of the design is that it takes up little room and you never move it. Your cursor travels because the ball turns, not because your hand travels. Around the 55mm ball sit four buttons and a rotating scroll ring. Across the top are four additional buttons and a mode button; on the left are two rotary dials with a connectivity switch and button; and on the right are two quick-access buttons.

Underneath there are three toggle switches that turn off the two side scroll dials and the top button. That makes more sense the more you use it, because those controls are easy to knock accidentally. Moving between Word, Excel, and creative applications, I found myself flicking the side dials off and on, and having physical switches for that rather than a menu is something I really liked.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Build quality is excellent and this review sample is the black-and-grey option, with a matt black body in good-quality plastic and a silver-grey ball that has a satisfying weight.

A red version is also available with a red ball but the same body. It’s also worth noting that while the device is relatively small, there’s no carry case in the box, so if you’re thinking of portability, that is something to consider. Placed into my kit bag, the ball would come loose.

That one oddity to anyone new to the system is that the ball lifts straight out. It’s held only by the cradle's light grip and its own weight, making it quick to swap in a different-coloured ball, although less well designed for portability as mentioned.

Design: 4.5 / 5

Kensington Expert Mouse Pro TB900 EQ: Features

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Compared with a standard mouse, the TB900 EQ is surprisingly feature-packed. Reading the movement of the ball is Kensington's Diamond Eye optical tracking that moves the cursor across the screen as the 55mm ball is rotated. In use, this instantly feels far more accurate than using a mouse, with plenty of control over interaction speed accessible through the Konnect software. The ball's own weight also means that it’s smooth to move but feels tactile rather than loose.

Around the ball is a fully adjustable scroll ring with 360-degree rotation, and it is superb for scrubbing through video footage. On the sides sit two customisable scroll dials which, by default, are both set to zoom in whichever application you are in. That proved annoying, and I reassigned them quickly because I kept catching one with my little finger. Likewise for some of the speed settings, the vertical scroll set at slow was actually the perfect balance; however, I did switch off the inertia scroll.

Every button and control is customisable through Konnect, which lets you create presets for each application. For this review, I configured Photoshop, Premiere Pro and Final Cut Pro. Aside from the zoom assignment, the defaults were fine for most productivity work.

Konnect splits into Buttons, Pointer, and Scrolling tabs, with Easy Mode and Advanced Mode, and settings are stored under named profiles. Pointer speed runs on a slider with optional acceleration, and a custom speed can be bound to modifier keys so a Cmd or Shift press temporarily changes tracking speed.

Alongside the dials, the buttons around the ball take what is possible on a standard mouse a good deal further. At the same time, there are plenty of mice with multiple buttons and customisation software. It’s only when you start using a trackball like this that you realise how much more intuitive the arrangement is, particularly for creative work.

Features: 4.5 / 5

Kensington Expert Mouse Pro TB900 EQ: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

I tested the TB900 EQ on both macOS and Windows 11. The majority of the work was done on a MacBook Pro M1 Max, with part of the test carried out on an ASUS ProArt desktop to similar effect. Installation on the Windows machine was extremely straightforward: install Konnect, and the applications and integration were set and ready.

On the Mac it was more involved. Security authorisation is needed from within System Settings. While the setup process opens the relevant window directly rather than leaving you hunting for the toggle switches, I still hit a few connectivity issues. These were resolved with a restart of the machine, after which everything was resolved, and every connection after that initial setup was instant, with my configured presets remaining intact.

What struck me when I started was how intuitive the trackball felt. A dip into Konnect to reduce sensitivity, so the cursor was less jittery, showed how much more control you have than with a mouse. I found that resting two fingers on the ball gave the greatest control for the cursor with my thumb on the dial.

It also didn’t take long for the ball and surrounding buttons to feel natural, essentially mimicking a mouse layout. Once normal operation was established, I then moved on to per-application customisation, starting with Final Cut Pro, then Photoshop, and finally Premiere Pro.

What I was keen to address is the problem with any video edit of scrubbing control with a mouse. Essentially, scrubbing through footage both quickly and accurately to find the exact frame where an edit is needed. With the use of the ball, this all changes and what I liked here was that the four buttons around the ball and the scroll ring let me assign all the most common functions.

The ball itself scrubs the timeline. The scroll ring around it handles precise scrubbing, one frame at a time. The left button selects, the right blades, and the two top buttons move to the previous and next cut. All of it is assigned through Konnect.

Once those basics were set, everything else fell into line. After about five minutes of editing, it was clearly faster than the mouse-and-keyboard setup I am used to, and it felt far more like being back in an edit suite than at a desk.

The comparison I ran was a straight head-to-head. Stating a three-minute edit with the keyboard and mouse took around 20 minutes, consisting of a soundtrack edit then B-Roll. I then took a look at another similar video and repeated the process, and the second edit took around 15 minutes with a definite speed increase due to the button layout.

What really made the difference was the precision, being able to assign the dial around the ball to scrub, so a quick spin would speed through the footage while a smaller turn would go frame-by-frame, giving absolute control

Moving to Word, I assigned the features I use most to the buttons, with the scroll ring handling accurate movement through the text. Having the control dial skip a line at a time, with the left button for selection, again felt more intuitive than mouse and keyboard.

The TB900 however does not work in isolation. I still use the keyboard for typing and for shortcuts, but I was able to move far more of the control function away from the mouse and onto the trackball. Individually, those are a couple of seconds in savings. Over a half-day, edits add up to a considerable difference.

Performance: 4.5 / 5

Kensington Expert Mouse Pro TB900 EQ: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Thinking about who this is for, office workers get the simplest benefit: quick navigation around the screen without the faff of moving a mouse across the desk. The trackball stays fixed and close, so you never need to clear a path for it.

Then there is the customisation. Once you start assigning buttons to different applications and functions, and spend serious time in a piece of software, it is not difficult to tune it to exactly what you need.

Where it really comes into its own is the creative sector. The analogue feel of the two side dials and the main ring around the ball makes a genuine difference, and the texture and weight of the ball add a lot when working with creative media, giving fine and precise control. That is the real difference between this and a mouse: you feel fully in control of both cursor navigation and the edits you are applying.

It does take a little time to bed in and to get the right customisation assigned. Once you do, this is as close to a perfect trackball design as I have come across, especially when working across several applications rather than treating it as a dedicated video controller.

If, like me, you are not that keen on a mouse and often fall back to a trackpad instead, the Expert Mouse Pro TB900 EQ will be a pleasant surprise. And if you have tried trackballs before and struggled to get your head around them, my experience across this review is that this one is quick and easy to pick up.

Should I buy a Kensington Expert Mouse Pro TB900 EQ?

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Value

If priced along the same lines as the previous version then this again should be great value, but I’ll update when the official price is confirmed

Design

Excellent build and weight, ergonomic control layout, but unfortunately no carry case

4.5/5

Features

Fully customisable per-application track ball and button assignment through Konnect

4.5/5

Performance

Easy to use becoming faster than mouse and keyboard within minutes, minor Mac setup friction

4.5/5

Overall

Absolutely outstanding, easy to use and far more intuative than using a mouse, especially for creative applications and video editing.

4.5/5

Buy it if...

You edit video or work in creative applications.

The scroll ring scrubs a timeline while the ball tracks and the surrounding buttons blade and select put the four most common editing movements under one hand, without reaching for the keyboard.

You dislike using a mouse.

The trackball never moves, so it needs no clear desk space, and one finger on the ball covers the whole screen. If you already prefer a trackpad, this will feel like a considerable upgrade.

Don't buy it if...

You want something to use straight from the box.

The defaults work fine, but the value lies in customisation, and setting up per-application profiles in Konnect takes time before the speed benefit kicks in.

You need to work away from a desk.

At 125 x 165mm and just under 450g, with no carry case supplied, this is a device that lives on a desk rather than one that travels in a bag.

Categories: Reviews

I tested Turtle Beach’s newest controller, and I can’t imagine using anything else for GTA 6 — it’s got an illuminated skyline and tropical vibes; what more could you want?

TechRadar Reviews - Fri, 08/07/2026 - 11:09

Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline Wireless Controller: One-minute review

The Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline is the best-looking Xbox controller that I’ve ever tested. The face plate, complete with its illustration of a San Diego skyline dripping with inviting tropical vibes, is gorgeous and pairs wonderfully with the contrasting baby blue buttons and bright pink thumbstick caps.

The Pacific Skyline has a hidden trick up its sleeve as well — stunning RGB lighting that illuminates the city’s major buildings when the controller is turned on and can be customized with a variety of colours and presets without the need for any companion software. It’s genuinely a beautiful bit of hardware, and there’s nothing else quite like it on the market.

I’m sure the look was also closely inspired by Grand Theft Auto 6 as it’s very reminiscent of the game’s bright promotional art, and I already know that this will be my go-to gamepad when I venture into the neon-soaked streets of Vice City on Xbox Series X.

The aesthetics are great, but the controller also performs well overall — even if it’s not particularly feature-rich. The TMR thumbsticks are responsive and smooth, the rear buttons are easy to remap on the fly, and the built-in audio controls are genuinely useful and effective, giving you some compelling reasons to choose it over the stock Xbox Wireless Controller aside from just the look.

Yes, there are some controllers with even more features available for around the same price, just look at the GameSir G7 Pro, but you simply won’t find anything that’s this visually appealing elsewhere.

FutureFutureFutureTurtle Beach Pacific Skyline Wireless Controller: Price and availability

Available in the US and UK
Costs $89.99 / £79.99 / around AU$150
You’re paying a premium for the design

The Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline Wireless Controller is readily available in the US and UK via the Turtle Beach website, where it costs $89.99 / £79.99 (that’s roughly AU$150). This model does not seem to have made its way to Australia yet.

It’s a solid price given the feature set, but you’re definitely paying a bit of a premium for the design, and alternatives like the GameSir G7 Pro deliver more features for the same cost.

Still, it’s worth it if you're considering the likes of the standard Xbox Wireless Controller but are willing to splash out for a nicer and more unique design.

Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline Wireless Controller: Specs

Price

$89.99 / £79.99 / around AU$150

Weight

7.04oz / 200g

Dimensions

6.22 x 4.09 x 2.36in / 158 x 104 x 60mm

Compatibility

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

Connection type

Bluetooth, Wired (USB-C), 2.4Ghz wireless dongle

Battery life

~20 hours

Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline Wireless Controller: Design and features

Stunning tropical aesthetic
Standard Xbox controller form factor
Rear inputs and on-board controls

Out of the box, the first thing you’re going to notice about the Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline Wireless Controller is its beautiful design. Turtle Beach says that the pink and baby blue look was inspired by the ‘Xbox pastel project’ — which saw a selection of third-party gamepads with pastel aesthetics hit the market a few years ago.

I think there’s another clear inspiration, though: GTA 6. Covered in palm trees, with views of a beach and a city skyline (in this case, San Diego, the home of Turtle Beach), it’s a perfect match for the highly anticipated upcoming open-world game.

I imagine this pad is Turtle Beach’s way of getting in on the GTA 6 hype, but that’s certainly not a complaint as I think the result is stunning. The bright colors really pop, and the design is detailed enough to pore over without being too distracting.

(Image credit: Future)

There is also some brilliant RGB lighting when you turn on the pad, which lights up to reveal an otherwise hidden skyline. It looks truly brilliant and surprisingly tasteful, especially if you set it to a static illumination in a custom color.

In terms of layout, the Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline Wireless Controller is very close to the standard Xbox gamepad.

The overall shapes are extremely similar, though side by side you will notice that the Pacific Skyline has slightly softer corners and fatter grips. The Turtle Beach pad does have three extra buttons: a microphone mute button (which can also be pressed to access on-board functions) and two customizable rear paddles.

If you look at the D-pad, you will notice a few small markings. Hold the microphone mute button and tap up or down to raise or lower the volume of your connected headphones, while left and right adjust game chat balance. The controls are intuitive and easy to remember, and genuinely quite useful as it means that you don’t have to fiddle around with system menus to adjust game volume if you’re playing with wired headphones connected via the controller's 3.5mm jack.

The controller doesn't feature any removable batteries, and is instead charged via a USB Type-C cable. A generous roughly 10ft / 300cm one is included in the box along with a USB dongle. Sadly, neither the cable nor the dongle are pink or blue to match the controller — a missed opportunity to make them stand out against those of other pads.

(Image credit: Future)Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline Wireless Controller: Performance

Delivers well-rounded performance
Basic but functional software
Very lightweight

The Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline Wireless Controller delivers basically everything you could want from a basic Xbox Wireless Controller alternative. The thumbsticks are smooth and responsive, the buttons are satisfying to press and well-sized, and additional features like the volume mixing and rear inputs work just as you would expect.

It certainly doesn’t reinvent the wheel in any respect, but the performance is exactly what you would want and expect at this price. There are more versatile options out there, though I think this is reasonable when, realistically, you’re mainly buying this particular controller for its looks.

The controller is compatible with two pieces of companion software: the Swarm II mobile app and the Turtle Beach - PDP Control Hub. Both offer similar options and are rather basic, mainly there for adjusting vibration strength, remapping buttons, and tweaking thumbstick dead zones.

My only real complaint using the controller is that the materials simply don’t feel as premium as the Xbox Wireless Controller. I think a lot of that comes down to the weight: the Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline Wireless Controller is very light, making it comfortable in the hands but meaning it lacks that reassuring heftiness. The back of the grips is also completely smooth, and I found myself missing the more grippy texture of the original pad.

The Pacific Skyline controller gains back the upper hand with its built-in battery. It lasts for about 20 hours per charge — roughly on par with Microsoft’s pad, all without the need to fiddle with pricey AAs every time you need to top it up.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline Wireless Controller?Buy it if…

You love the aesthetic
There’s simply no controller out there that looks like the Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline. It’s a must-have if you’re enamoured with its appearance like me.

You want a no-nonsense Xbox gamepad
The Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline Wireless Controller has fewer features than some alternatives, making it very easy to use.

Don’t buy it if…

You want maximum value
The stock Xbox Wireless Controller is cheaper than this model and could be a better choice if you’re on a budget. Performance is similar, and you only miss a few extra features.

Also consider...

Not keen on the Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline Wireless Controller? Here are two alternatives to weigh up.

Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline Wireless Controller

Xbox Wireless Controller

GameSir G7 Pro

Price

$89.99 / £79.99 / around AU$150

$59.99 / £54.99 / AU$74.99

$79.99 / £89.99 (around AU$114)

Weight

7.04oz / 200g

9.76oz / 275g

9.6oz / 272g

Dimensions

6.22 x 4.09 x 2.36in / 158 x 104 x 60mm

6.02 x 4.01 x 2.40in / 153mm x 102mm x 61mm

6.9 x 6.8 x 3.7in / 177 x 173 x 94mm

Compatibility

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

Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, PC, Android, iOS

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC

Connection type

Bluetooth, Wired (USB-C), 2.4Ghz wireless dongle

Wireless (Xbox, Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)

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

Battery life

~20 hours

20-40 hours

Around 12 hours

Xbox Wireless Controller
The stock Xbox Wireless Controller is a decent alternative if you're after a cheaper Xbox or PC controller. You lose the remappable rear buttons and the lovely design, though.

Read our full Xbox Wireless Controller review

GameSir G7 Pro
The GameSir G7 Pro shows that you can get even more features for the price of the Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline Wireless Controller. It offers a 1000Hz polling rate and dual-mode triggers

Read our full GameSir G7 Pro review

How I tested the Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline Wireless Controller

Tested for multiple weeks
Used as primary controller for Xbox and PC
Compared to other gamepads

I tested the Turtle Beach Pacific Skyline Wireless Controller for more than two weeks, using it as my primary gamepad for both Xbox and PC play.

During that time, I experienced a wide range of games with it, including driving titles such as Sonic Racing: CrossWorlds, Forza Horizon 3, and Forza Horizon 6, plus shooters like Gears of War Reloaded.

Throughout my time with the controller, I compared it to my hands-on testing of other Xbox controllers, including the standard model and those by competitors like GameSir and PowerA.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2026

Categories: Reviews

My whole family used the RunStar 4e Body Scale, and this affordable scale is great for weight — but let down by inaccurate body composition

TechRadar Reviews - Fri, 08/07/2026 - 10:58

RunStar 4E Body Scale: One minute review

The RunStar 4E is an affordable smart scale that costs little more than a standard set of electrical scales. Considering it measures more than 20 different body composition metrics, the low price becomes even more impressive. As you’d expect at this price, there are limitations though, with the inability to measure composition accurately (fat-to-muscle ratios and so on) being the most glaring one.

Despite these shortcomings, everything, from app setup to using the scales, is smooth, straightforward, and wonderfully intuitive. Connecting the scales to the companion app is quick and easy thanks to a robust Bluetooth signal, and the option to create multiple users within the app is a nice touch for a family of my size and stage.

The weight measurement consistently measured around 0.4% more than the pricier RunStar 8E SmartScan Pro, which isn’t a massive deviation. For almost all the other measurements, the RunStar 4E adopts a bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) measuring method through four metal sensors located on the top panel of the scale.

BMI measurements were almost identical every single time compared to the 8E SmartScan Pro (probably because it's a mathematical calculation not dependent on the electrodes), but almost all other composition measurements offered up a deviation of between 3 and 30%. For these reasons, it’s not likely to make it into our best smart scales guide. That said, for the price, the RunStar 4E is a respectable set of scales for weight and quick BMI calculation.

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)RunStar 4E Body Scale: Specifications

Component

RunStar 4E Body Scale

Price

$33.54 / £31.00

Dimensions

11.02 x 11.02 x 0.78 inches

Weight

3.17 pounds

Material

6 mm tempered glass

Display

LCD

Battery

3x AAA

Connection

Bluetooth

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)RunStar 4E Body Scale: Price and availability

$33.54 / £31.00
Not available in Australia
Budget-friendly smart scale

At $33.54 USD / £31.00 GBP, the RunStar 4E Body Scale is incredibly affordable as far as smart scales go. It might lack full body measurements for fat loss and fitness and muscle gain, but for that pleasure you’ll have to part with a lot more money and shoot for something like the RunStar 8E SmartScan Pro, Withings Body Scan series, or Wyze Scale X.

A comparable option in terms of price and features would be the Vitafit Smart Bathroom Scale, which scored a respectable four stars in our testing. Positives included the easy connection, extremely fast results, and the comprehensive app. Our reviewer had some concerns over accuracy, but overall it’s a solid choice.

The scales are FSA and HSA eligible, which means US users are able to use them in conjunction with designating pre-tax money to be taken from pay and put towards paying medical expenses.

Value score 4.5/5

Future / Paul HattonFuture / Paul HattonFuture / Paul HattonRunStar 4E Body Scale: Design

LCD display with color graphics
Compact and lightweight design
Powered by 3x AAA batteries

At the heart of the RunStar 4E is a bright LCD display that provides an easy-to-access readout of six metrics: weight, body fat, BMI, muscle mass, body water, and bone mass. The display cycles through these with a few seconds given over to each stat. Unfortunately there’s no way to move to a specific metric using on-device controls, although the full list is available in the accompanying app.

At 11.02 x 11.02 x 0.78 inches and 3.17 pounds, the smart scale is both compact and lightweight. As a result, finding a suitable spot for it in a bathroom or bedroom shouldn’t be a problem. It can also be easily stowed on its side in a cupboard while not in use.

The scale is covered in 6mm tempered glass, which protects against scratches and cracks, neither of which I suffered despite my children doing their accidental best to inflict a dent or two. Underneath you’ll find four anti-slip silicone feet.

Quick and effortless connectivity is via Bluetooth, and power is delivered courtesy of three AAA batteries. USB-C charging would have been better for the environment, but with minimal power required, I don’t envisage getting through too many batteries.

Design Score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)RunStar 4E Body Scale: Features

22 reportable metrics including weight, BMI, and muscle mass
App supports multiple users

The RunStar 4E boasts an impressive feature set for such an affordable scale, or at least it would be if the extras were more impressive. At its core, the scale is capable of measuring over 20 metrics, including weight, BMI, body fat percentage, body mass, muscle mass, body water rate, bone mass, and visceral fat. Six of these are visible on the smart scale itself, while the full set is reported in the Starfit RunStar app.

To accommodate families, the Starfit app enables users to set up multiple profiles, one for each family member. By entering the height and target weight of each person, the app is able to provide more accurate and informed reporting. The app also tracks measurements over time and plots them on a chart for trend analysis.

Features Score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)RunStar 4E Body Scale: Performance

Quick results on-device and in-app
Accurate weight, BMI, and metabolic age
Some inaccuracies consistently reported

The first thing to note is that the RunStar 4E is quick. In a matter of seconds the scale is able to measure over 20 different body composition metrics and display them instantly in the app. There’s no waiting around for calculations to be made and zero lag when the display is cycling through the six core metrics.

Weight, as you’d expect, is measured prior to all the body composition elements. Having measured myself hundreds of times, I found that the 4E regularly mismeasured my weight by around 0.4% compared to the RunStar 8E SmartScan Pro and, indeed, my rudimentary pair of digital weight scales. It would be unfair to judge the scales too harshly for this small deviation, especially given the price.

According to research published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research, one study conducted on smart scales shows a median margin of error of around 0.3kgs, so I can forgive it some small deviation. That said, if you’re requiring absolute accuracy, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

BMI was also consistently measured more or less accurately, with deviations of only 0.5%. If you’re only concerned with quick measurements such as weight and BMI, then the RunStar 4E won’t cause you any problems.

(Image credit: Future / Paul Hatton)

Getting into the specifics, musculoskeletal-related measurements using BIA include muscle, muscle mass, and skeletal muscle rates. The first two measured around a 3% deviation from the 8E SmartScan Pro, but it was the skeletal muscle rate which was most concerning, measuring a deviation of nearly 15%.

Unfortunately variable results continue with fat-related metrics. Compared to the SmartScan Pro, body fat percentage, subcutaneous fat, and body fat mass all reported a massive 30% deviation.

Despite comparably poor results on some metrics, it’s worth remembering that most of these are specialized measurements, and to expect too much from a smart scale that costs $33.54 / £31.00 might be a little unreasonable.

That said, it would be preferable for consumers if smart scale manufacturers would only include metrics that they could report on accurately. The RunStar 4E also measures consistently with itself, which means it can still be trusted as a weight loss tool assuming you allow for the margin of error.

Performance score: 3.5/5

RunStar 4E Body Scale: Scorecard

Norton VPN review: serious upgrades but not without its limits

TechRadar Reviews - Fri, 08/07/2026 - 09:01

Norton has long been a household name for antivirus software but, despite launching its first VPN, Norton WiFi Privacy, back in 2017, it's never achieved the same pedigree in this space. Enter Norton VPN, with its Standard, Plus and Ultimate tiers, now back on the scene, revamped, and on a mission to impress.

This is our second full test of what has been the most improved VPN in the space over the last 12 months. It's fast, very user friendly and has the kind of array of features you’d expect from a top VPN service.

Styled as the VPN that everyone can use, we've put it through its paces, once again, both in day-to-day scenarios and more rigorous, lab tests to see how far its come since last time.

Features

Norton VPN’s revamp has seen the arrival of a host of features across several platforms, and it continues to improve its fundamentals – even if some areas still require work.

As far as VPN protocols go, Norton offers OpenVPN, WireGuard, IPSec, and Mimic, its proprietary protocol designed for obfuscation.

iOS and Mac users had previously been limited to only IPSec and Mimic, which was disappointing given OpenVPN and WireGuard’s improved capabilities. Luckily, Norton announced that WireGuard is available across all Apple platforms in March, 2026. This is a huge win for iOS users, since although IPSec can be fast, WireGuard offers a faster, less device-intensive experience.

Users on iOS and macOS had previously been limited to only IPSec and Mimic protocols — making WireGuard a more than welcome addition (Image credit: Future)

As for extra features, we like Wi-Fi detection which allows you to auto-connect to the VPN when connecting to public Wi-Fi. On macOS, it also auto-connects on “compromised networks” but it’s unclear how Norton decides if a network is compromised. All wireless networks are considered public by default.

Norton also offers ad and tracker blocking. Tracking is blocked at a DNS level to reduce the risk of your data being used for targeted ads while you browse online, and can be turned on by simply toggling the option.

Although the tracker appeared to work, its ‘Trackers Blocked’ counter seems to run on a delay, rather than in real time, so while we know 50 trackers were blocked across a period of our testing time, we don’t have any indication of when each was blocked.

Ad blocking is undertaken by a browser extension. Although this means another download and sign-in process, it's well worth. This ad blocker is excellent! In our latest test it scored a staggering 96% of adverts blocked which puts it ahead of dedicated ad-blocker uBlock Origin (91%).

A key area of improvement has been in Norton VPN’s security-focused features. Firstly, Norton VPN offers a simple-to-use kill switch, ensuring your internet traffic stops immediately when you lose connection to the VPN, preventing you from broadcasting unencrypted traffic over public Wi-Fi networks.

If you’d prefer, you can choose whether you’d like to keep your access to local devices over a LAN even when the kill switch is active. The kill switch isn’t enabled by default and requires you to dig through a few menus to set it up, but if you’re on macOS, Norton gives you an easy set of guidelines to follow so you can quickly set it up.

It is also worth noting that, despite the addition of WireGuard to the iOS app, it won't work with a kill switch in that mode on iPhone just now.

The new Norton VPN app houses all of its improved features in an easy-to-use design resemblant of other Norton products (Image credit: Future)

Norton VPN has added features at a rate of knots since 2025. In April 2025 alone, Norton VPN gained Double VPN, IP Rotation, Pause VPN capabilities, and the ad-blocking browser extension mentioned above.

Double VPN is available across 8 servers. While your connection options are fixed, for example, USA via Canada, they are bi-directional, and give you access to Australia, Canada, Germany, Japan, New Zealand, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States. While it’s not completely customizable, like Surfshark’s Nexus technology allows, its 8 locations put it only two behind NordVPN, which offers 10.

Norton VPN has IP rotation, something not even NordVPN does. Only Surfshark also offers IP rotation among the best VPNs.

While Norton’s version isn’t quite as expansive, it does work in the US, Japan, Canada, Australia, United Kingdom, and Germany. What’s more, it's much simpler to access and connects in almost no time at all, no matter the server you pick. In our testing, our IP seemed to change every few seconds, meaning it should be good enough to give you a new IP for every website you visit.

Pause VPN is the final feature worth mentioning. Overlooked by the likes of PIA and ExpressVPN, pause VPN gives you the choice to temporarily end your VPN connection for a set time. The VPN reactivates once the time ends.

This is a great tool if you just quickly want to search for something or use an app outside of the connection without risking forgetting to turn your VPN back on.

Norton VPN’s Pause VPN system is extremely simple, and easily accessed, though it’d be good to see a minimum pause time shorter than 15 minutes. Most times when we’ve needed it, we’ve been finished in five minutes pretty comfortably.

Again, the only complication with Pause VPN is on the iOS app where you can't activate the feature if you choose the IPSec protocol.

Features score: 8/10

Server Network

Norton VPN’s server network isn’t up there with the very best VPNs quite yet but it's getting there. It's up to 140 worldwide locations, compared to 116 when we last tested. That puts it just above the likes of Windscribe (126 locations), CyberGhost (124), PureVPN (120), and Hotspot Shield (116). NordVPN expanded to 211 server locations in April 2026.

In terms of actual nations covered, Norton VPN has servers in 102 different countries. Again, that's up from last time (72) and better than Le VPN (80), Windscribe (71) and NymVPN (70). The latest additions to Norton's network are Brunei, Canada (Toronto), Germany (Berlin), India, Indonesia, Laos, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Spain (Zaragoza).

We're pleased to see a number of these new countries are in Asia. Norton VPN's network, like many VPNs, is very much skewed towards the US and Europe which account for 69% of its locations.

Its 27 Asian locations still leave it a fair bit behind market leaders Proton VPN (48 Asian locations), NordVPN (41) and ExpressVPN (36).

Of course, not all of these locations are physical servers. Many, as is the case with most VPNs, are virtual servers located in different countries. That's absolutely fine. You'll still get an IP address of the right country when you connect to them.

Norton VPN's online server locations list is pretty faithful to what we found in our tests. The only slight oddities are when the actual locations of the virtual servers are, in fact, a very long way from where you think you're connected to. That's a problem if you're looking to get the best speeds.

So, for example, the new virtual Brunei location is, in fact, a server in London, which is on the other side of the world. Why not put it in Singapore instead where Norton VPN already has some servers? That would make for a far better performing connection to Brunei from, say, neighbouring Malaysia, or even Brunei itself.

Other than that, we really have few complaints. Norton VPN has done, and is continuing to do, an excellent job of expanding its server network, and we look forward to it catching up with the market leaders in the future.

Server network score: 8/10

Apps

Norton’s VPN app is available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. It’s also available on Apple TV and Android-based smart TVs. For Android TVs, you need version 10 or later, whereas Apple tvOS requires version 17 or later.

Notably, there’s no Linux support, so if you need to cover your Ubuntu or Linux Mint install, Norton won’t cut it quite yet – there’s not even support for a command-line VPN. Norton does not offer configuration files for OpenVPN or WireGuard either, so there’s no way to use Norton with an unsupported device.

Thankfully, Norton VPN announced support for Fire TV devices (running FireOS 8 or later) in March 2026.

It’s worth mentioning that Norton VPN’s apps have several instances of feature disparity. As highlighted already, iOS and macOS users already lack OpenVPN, but these platforms also don't have auto-connect functionality, though Pause VPN, another feature previously omitted, was added to iOS in recent months.

Otherwise, there’s nothing really to dislike about Norton VPN’s apps on any platform. They’re simple to use, easy to navigate, and are so unapologetically Norton-like that anyone new to VPNs who’s familiar with its antivirus tools will feel right at home.

Apps score: 8/10

Ease of use

Norton VPN is a breeze to install. You can put that down to the years of experience the company has with its other products in making complex systems simple to introduce.

Once you’re in, the experience is simple, though at the expense of a couple of handy extra tools. The menus aren’t overcomplicated with features, settings, and data.

The option to set favorites or see the best servers at any time would be nice.

All the settings are all explained in simple enough terms for beginners, and there’s easy access to any extra tools you might have in your plan. There are also plenty of guides to help set up your VPN connection according to your needs.

In true Norton fashion, the experience you have is as close to identical as possible across any device you might have, too. This makes Norton VPN a superb choice should you be new to VPNs.

Even Norton VPN’s Advanced Servers, meaning its P2P-optimized, double VPN, and IP rotation optimized servers, are easily accessed. With dropdown menus giving you the information you need to understand where you’re connecting to, and any additional routing your connection might take.

The piece of usability that feels very buggy, though, is that the VPN disconnects when you enter the settings menu on the iOS app. That's unusual. It would be easy to take a look at the settings, not change anything, and then not notice that your iPhone or iPad doesn't actually have a VPN connection anymore. That feels more than a little insecure and it's surely an easy fix?

Ease of use score: 8/10

Speed and performance

Norton’s speeds have shown steady improvement since our last re-test, and we've got no problem with that at all given they were already very good.

We recorded an average speed of 1010 Mbps over WireGuard from our East USA set-up to the nearest Norton VPN server.

There were six VPNs with higher peak speeds in this round of testing – PrivadoVPN (2334 Mbps), Proton VPN (1475 Mbps), NordVPN (1249 Mbps), ExpressVPN (1177 Mbps), and Surfshark (1021 Mbps) – and only the first few were significantly faster.

Norton VPN's long-distance speeds have also improved since last time. We recorded an average of 782 Mbps when connecting to a UK location from our US East base. That's a lot better than the 463 Mbps from the previous test.

How we perform speed tests

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

We test from a virtual PC in an East USA location. These servers have a 10 Gbps connection. You can find out more in our VPN testing methodology.

Norton VPN came out fourth overall when using the slower but more secure OpenVPN protocol. With scores of 514 Mbps (local) and 307 Mbps (long distance) it's around double what we saw at the last Norton VPN test, so that's great.

It was ExpressVPN (1038 Mbps / 703 Mbps) that topped the OpenVPN charts, and Surfshark (825 Mbps / 851 Mbps) that wasn't too far behind. But Norton can be rightly proud of its results here.

It will be interesting to see if it can push its way into the top tier next time.

Speed and performance score: 8/10

Unblocking

Norton VPN is pretty consistent at unblocking your favorite streaming services. As far as the majors go, it's got you covered. So, whether that's unblocking Netflix libraries for the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan; or picking up Disney Plus, US YouTube, or Amazon Prime Video, you can watch what you want, when you want it, and from anywhere in the world with Norton.

It was equally comprehensive when it came to unblocking free regional streaming services. Norton VPN successfully streamed British services BBC iPlayer, Channel 4 and ITV from outside the UK but we had to try a few different servers when we went to watch Australian services 7Plus and 9Now.

Norton VPN was able to unblock them eventually, but it wasn't the first-time experience that we were hoping for. It was better news for 10Play (Aus) and TVNZ+ (NZ), which it unlocked straight away, though.

These results are certainly good but still behind NordVPN which we rate as the best streaming VPN. NordVPN did fail when it came to US YouTube in our most recent tests, though, so do bear Norton in mind if accessing specifically US YouTube videos is important for your needs.

Norton VPN is also good for torrenting. It has five P2P-optimized servers – three more than when we last tested but it doesn't support port forwarding – something that many might demand of the best VPNs for torrenting. (That's a title that currently belongs to ExpressVPN.)

It’s a fair bit short of the full P2P connectivity of a VPN provider like PIA, but even Avast’s competing SecureLine VPN offers eight P2P servers.

On the plus side, Norton does allow you to connect automatically when you boot up a supported P2P app, but you’ll have to enable this option from the settings menu first.

Unblocking score: 8/10

Privacy and security

Norton has taken the necessary steps to ensure its VPN is secure and private. Its no-logs policy is extensive but clear. It outlines the data collected by the VPN app at any instance.

Your browsing data is never stored on their servers. That includes DNS requests, which are instead served by a private DNS server run by Norton, which prevents ISP spying. Norton has had its no-logs policy audited by a third party to ensure that all of this is up to standard.

In August 2024, VerSprite audited Norton’s policy, noting two issues that could result in sensitive user information being disclosed. Norton addressed these issues, and once remedied, VerSprite agreed that the no-logs policy was both accurate and implemented correctly.

However, Norton does collect some anonymized information from the VPN client. This includes timestamps (connection dates from the past 12 months), platform details such as OS and timezone, and crash logs. It keeps other general application events for 18 months. These include installs, uninstalls, updates and ‘interaction’, and errors.

Norton also aggregates overall data transmission for network planning, which, on its own, is fairly standard.

But, if you are extremely concerned about your privacy, Norton might collect a little too much information for comfort.

Norton is certainly private enough for day-to-day browsing, but you might consider Proton VPN instead if you need even deeper privacy guarantees.

Norton is clearly taking the necessary steps to ensuring its VPN is secure and private."

Rob Dunne - VPN Editor, TechRadar

Something that may ease some privacy concerns would be if Norton VPN implemented RAM-only servers. These servers wipe when rebooted, meaning you cannot store any data on them.

This solves any issues of data requests from the authorities. They can demand all they like but, if it's RAM-only severs, then there's simply is no data to hand over. Many of the best VPNs have a RAM-only infrastructure.

Given its privacy focus, we wanted to know more about Norton VPN’s proprietary Mimic protocol. In addition to offering obfuscation, Mimic is powered by TLS 1.3 ciphers (AES-256 and ChaCha20), as well as ML-KEM-1024 for post-quantum cryptography. It’s good to hear that Norton is already thinking ahead when it comes to quantum security, which puts them significantly in front of most of the VPN industry.

Meanwhile, Norton's standard VPN protocols, OpenVPN and WireGuard, use AES-256-GCM and ChaCha20-Poly1305 encryption, respectively. These are considered the top encryption methods used by all of the best VPNs, a strong demonstration, therefore, of Norton’s intent to found its service on strong privacy staples.

Privacy and security score: 8/10

Track record

Gen Digital, Norton’s parent company, is headquartered in the USA and the Czech Republic. It’s the result of a merger between Avast and Norton in 2022, and it now owns other big-name brands, including Avira, AVG, and CCleaner.

Despite the merger, Norton continues to be run as a separate company with its own range of products. Norton has decades of experience in providing digital security products, but until 2024, the VPN offering has lagged behind the industry standard. That's not the case anymore.

The merger with Avast seems to have been a kickstarter. Norton claims the merger has prompted progress that “combines our ‘best of breed’ technologies to provide safer, faster, and more reliable performance for the customer,” with Norton VPN being the first product to benefit from this work.

The current iteration of Norton VPN is a substantial upgrade from versions we’ve seen in the past."

Rob Dunne - VPN Editor, TechRadar

In the past, Norton VPN had suffered from DNS leaks and a nearly non-existent feature set, both of which have been fixed since. The current iteration of Norton VPN is a substantial upgrade from versions we’ve seen in the past.

It should be noted that the service has now also undergone a no-logs audit, and users can read the in-depth executive summary report at their leisure.

Plus, if you’re concerned about the kinds of requests no-logs policies help protect against, Norton now publishes transparency reports. These reports, updated twice a year, outline all the requests Norton receives from authorities for user data, and explain why Norton is unable to comply with them since its no-logs policy means there’s nothing to provide.

Track record score: 9/10

Customer Support

Norton’s customer support staff are very helpful. There’s a community forum where you can post issues you’re having with Norton VPN, where other members and support staff can pitch in with their own advice. It's a little quiet, though, and responses are slow.

The Norton VPN Android and iOS forum had only five questions posted in the past month when we checked. The Windows forum was even slower with four posts. Two of those hadn't received a single reply.

The dedicated on-site support materials, however, are a different matter. When you search for help topics on Norton’s website, you’re immediately given an AI prompt for your search, which looks like it’s powered by Gemini.

It’s not totally useful when you’re trying to find specific help on a topic, and you have to scroll past it to get to the actual results.

We asked it, "Does Norton VPN support obfuscation?"

The AI could only say, "Norton VPN does not explicitly support obfuscation as a named feature," before going on to talk about IP rotation and Double VPN, instead.

But, then we asked, "What is the best Norton VPN protocol to use in China?" It delivered.

"When using Norton VPN in China, the Mimic protocol is generally recommended as it is designed to bypass VPN restrictions."

So, there's definitely something in there, just not quite a feature to rely all the time.

As for the knowledge base, it’s not particularly in-depth – most of the articles consist of bullet point lists and some are thinly-disguised marketing material.

If you want help with Norton, we’d stick to contacting their customer support directly through the forum or over the phone. There’s also a 24/7 helpdesk upgrade if you need around-the-clock customer service.

Customer support score: 7/10

Pricing and plans

Norton offers three tiers of pricing. The Standard VPN package starts at $59.76 for the first two years, which works out at roughly $2.49 per month. After the introductory offer is over, it renews at $99.99 per year. Avoid the auto-renew and that's a good price for 24 months of VPN service.

What's more, this now includes 10 device connections depending on the plan you choose. This is up from its previous limit of 5, which put it far below the likes of NordVPN and Proton VPN.

Surfshark and PIA do both go even further, offering unlimited device connections on their cheapest subscription plans, though for most 10 connections should be more than enough.

That said, it should also be clarified that Norton’s device limit isn’t a traditional simultaneous connections limit. Instead, Norton’s device limit refers to the number of devices with the VPN installed. Should you wish to install on an 11th (or 21st) device, you’d instead be asked to remove one of the previous devices, rather than simply disconnecting from the VPN.

The next price tier up is Norton VPN Plus. It costs roughly $24 more over two years, making your subscription $3.49 per month, initially, and $119.99 every year after that if you let auto-renew kick in.

Plus brings no meaningful change to the VPN, but you get extra features from Norton’s security suite, including virus protection, password management, dark-web scanning, 10GB encrypted cloud storage, and AI-powered scam detection.

The Ultimate subscription package will again set you back around $24 extra over two years, making it $4.49 per month initially and $149.99 per year after the first.

In addition to extra family-safety features for monitoring your child’s devices, the device count is bumped up to 20. That means you can take full advantage of Norton’s security features on most of your household’s devices, and you get 50GB of secure storage (or 150GB should you activate auto-renewal).

To its credit, Norton offers an above-average 60-day money-back guarantee and a true 7-day free trial when you sign up. We love 7-day free trials as an entry point into VPNs, as they offer a ‘try before you buy’ solution, without some of the hassles caused by a 30-day money-back guarantee. For us, that makes Norton one of the best VPNs for beginners.

Pricing and plans score: 7/10

Should you use Norton VPN?

Norton VPN is a rapidly improving VPN. Since its rebirth in 2024 it’s brought in a spread of features you’d expect to see in a top VPN, alongside some features some top VPNs don’t think to include. Its performance has risen to a point where it can rival top VPNs like Surfshark and NordVPN, it has apps simple enough for anyone to use, and it brings Norton-pedigree security and trust.

That said, there are areas it still needs to address. Sorting the device install limit will add to its already high-value package by reducing connection roadblocks for users. Outside of this, expanding the feature pool, adding Linux support, and eradicating the remaining feature disparities for macOS and iOS users will quickly put Norton VPN among the best value VPNs available if done right. A shade more on speed and unblocking performance wouldn't hurt either.

For many, now might not be the right time to pick up Norton VPN due to any one of the limitations mentioned. That said, it’d be wise to keep an eye on Norton VPN over the coming year or so, as, from what we’ve seen already in 2025 and 2026, it looks as though the provider could quickly become a high-value, high-security VPN from a name well renowned.

Total score: 79/100

Norton VPN alternatives

1. NordVPN – The best VPN overall
NordVPN combines security, speed, and usability in a single VPN package that can’t be beat on value. In addition to lightning-fast servers, NordVPN offers some unique features like Threat Protection Pro, which integrates anti-virus, anti-phishing, and ad-blocking capabilities into a single product. Try it today with a 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal

2. Surfshark – get the 7-day free trial
When you buy a Surfshark subscription, you get unlimited simultaneous device connections, 100+ countries to connect to, and advanced IP rotation features powered by their own Nexus software-defined network. It's perfect if you need to cover a household full of devices. Try Surfshark risk free with a 30-day money-back guarantee or a 7-day free trial.View Deal

3. ExpressVPN – The best secure VPN
ExpressVPN consistently ranks as our most secure VPN thanks to its forward-thinking security features, like quantum-resistant encryption. It's all thanks to its proprietary Lightway VPN protocol, designed from the ground up for mobile-first support. The ExpressVPN app is perfect for beginners with a simple interface across all platforms, plus 24/7 support on hand to walk you through setting it up. Express also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.View Deal

Categories: Reviews

ON1 Photo RAW (2026) review

TechRadar Reviews - Fri, 08/07/2026 - 08:05

Sorting, managing, editing, and sharing your photographs is a job and a half, often requiring multiple apps just to get on top of the workflow.

I’ve tested several software packages that do a very good job at merging practically every tool you need into a single app, but what’s bugged me is they only cater to Windows users.

Which is why my interest was piqued by ON1’s Photo RAW’s multi-platform capabilities (well, for Windows and Macs - sorry Linux users). So let’s take a look at it.

ON1 Photo RAW 2026: Pricing & plans

(Image credit: Future)

No subscription model
You purchase the software outright
Generous trial period, money back guarantee, what's not to like

The ON1 Photo Raw has a flash sale ending today (August 7), with 50% off - you can check it out by clicking here.

More and more companies have jumped to subscription plans - I'm never a fan of this.

Well, ON1 are having none of that, and its Photo RAW app is only available to own outright. Full price, it costs a very fair $100.

When you consider you can use Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop for $20 a month, not only will you be saving money with Photo RAW after only 5 months.

The software also comes with a very generous 30-day free trial (email address required, but not your credit card details). If you purchase it and conclude it’s not for you, there’s also a 30-day money back guarantee. That means ON1 want to be certain you’ll only buy their software if you’re delighted with it.

You can see what's on offer here.

Pricing & plans: 5 / 5

ON1 Photo RAW 2026: Interface

(Image credit: Future)

Plenty of tools
When all on display, you’re not left with much space for photos
But thankfully you can hide sidebars at will

I found Photo RAW’s interface to be very well thought out, polished and designed. Perhaps a little too polished, as some actions and concepts weren’t immediately obvious to me.

Like a little hollowed out blue circle being a tick box, or clicking on a menu’s header would collapse or expand its content. But it just takes a few seconds to figure it out and then you’re flying.

There are numerous sidebars on either side, the thinnest one furthest to the left is contextual, depending on the module you’re in. Selecting ‘Home’ shows you some recent photos you’ve worked on, along with those available in recently opened folders. You’ll also find links to helpful tutorial videos.

‘Browse’ reveals the guts of your local hard drives, with every single folder you’ve ever created ready to be accessed, and also offers access to online storage from Dropbox, Google Drive and OneDrive

‘Edit’ is where you’ll work on your photos, and selecting that icon will also reveal additional icons down that sidebar.

If you’re ever puzzled about what a particular icon does, hover over it for a few seconds to reveal a tool tip popup window, complete with a short audioless video illustrating what it does.

When a tool is selected, a toolbar at the top of the interface will offer specific parameters for that selected tool. The other three sidebars can be customised - you can choose if some tools are displayed in the left or right one, or you can remove them from view altogether offering more space to the shot you’re working on.

By default, the large sidebar on the left is for your presets and layer work, while the one on the right is for your regular color correcting tools, and similar. A small sidebar on the far right contains options to share your work either online or by printing it.

Interface: 4 / 5

ON1 Photo RAW 2026: Editing

(Image credit: Future)

Tools are easy to use
Many are made better with the clever use of complex algorithms designed to improve your work rather than supplant it

Now, to start, I downloaded a series of free RAW files from Signature Edits (check out the website here).

If you’ve done any color correction you’ll recognise all the sliders present in the ‘Tone and color’ section on the right, which allow you to make satisfying alterations to an image in next to no time.

But if that just takes too long for you, just above those sliders is a ‘Brilliance AI’ button. Activate it, and complex algorithms will do the necessary changes for you. But unlike many other AI features from competing software, this doesn’t need to be the be all and end all of the process.

Expand Brilliance AI to reveal sliders to enhance or tone down those automatic changes, including some very clever masking options to focus your changes on specific sections, such as people, animals, the sky, and more. You can also just go back to Tone and color sliders to make any further alterations yourself.

Adding Filters is as easy as selecting one you’d like and using one of its preset ‘Styles’. As before you’re also free to make manual changes thanks to the available sliders, if you’re after a more unique look. It’s good to know you can add as many filters as you’d like to an image.

(Image credit: Future)

When it comes to masking, Photo RAW has some complex algorithms ready and waiting to work for you, in the shape of Super Select AI. Clicking on that tool (in the thin left sidebar) lets the software analyze your image. This should only take a couple of seconds. You can then isolate a specific area of an image, modifying it while leaving the rest untouched.

The level of precision you can have with masks is quite extreme. For example, adding to your selection, solely focussing on small sections of your image such as a subject’s eyes, adding a filter to the entire shot, and then removing it for one or two specific areas. You can get amazingly detailed with your alterations.

And if that isn’t enough, you’re able to work with layers, just like you can with Photoshop, superimposing photos on top of others, masking areas, revealing others, adding text. Although to be honest, being used to Photoshop and the like, that section did feel a little too bare in comparison.

What you can do with Photo RAW is remarkably intensive, and it uses those complex algorithms it calls AI in a way that enhances your creativity rather than take over the process, and that can only be lauded.

Should I buy ON1 Photo Raw? FutureFutureFutureBuy it if...

You’re looking for software to organize, manage, alter and share your photos, love the idea of a perpetual licence, and appreciate AI being used as a clever and intricate tool rather than a replacement for your actual vision.

Don't buy it if...

You are too wedded to Adobe’s suite of creative software, or your editing needs are too casual to take advantage of the level of complexity and precision Photo RAW offers.

For more creative tools, we tested the best photo editors.

Categories: Reviews

GHS Wireless InfinitePlay isn’t just a marketing name — I’ve used this Glorious gaming headset for weeks and the battery life really is (almost) infinite

TechRadar Reviews - Fri, 08/07/2026 - 06:54

Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay: one-minute review

There’s something deeply satisfying about the way Glorious goes about speccing its gaming peripherals. The company has a sharp eye for nonsense, and ruthlessly strips it out of the mice and, now, the headset that it brings to the gaming market. Behold, then, the GHS Wireless InfinitePlay, a wireless gaming headset featuring precisely zero RGB, built around normal-sized 40mm drivers, just quietly getting on with giving you multiplatform audio with infinite battery life and two mic options for $230.

With one swappable battery pack placed in the base station, it’s charging ready for use while you have the other one of the pair in your headset. Each one offers 85 hours of use from a full charge, and in case that wasn’t enough, a ‘guardian’ 45mAh built-in battery handles the changeover so you don’t need to turn the headset back on again after you swap. Handy.

That same ‘you won’t need it, but just in case…’ ethos is evident in the mic spec. You’ve got a detachable 70Hz-10KHz noise-cancelling mic for when you’re seated, locked in and ready to absolutely bellow at your team-mates away from prying eyes, and a built-in mic to use when you’re out and about using the Bluetooth connection to a mobile device or Nintendo Switch, and don’t fancy looking like an air traffic controller. Yes, it has 2.4GHz and Bluetooth 5.4 connections, swappable with one button press.

(Image credit: Future)

And that’s a very impressive feature set at any price, but especially for $229.99 / £199.99 / AU$239.99. It’s not even super clear where the concessions have been made to hit the price point. The audio quality is simply good rather than audiophile-grade, but that’s totally in line with what this headset is for: gaming. It’s trying to articulate useful audio cues, not trick your ears into thinking they’re in the expensive seats at an IMAX cinema.

Similarly, the construction materials are almost exclusively lightweight, brushed black plastic rather than anything showier, but that serves the sprightly 360g headset weight.

One area of that headset build and design I did run into issues with is the headband. Your experience will vary depending on your head size, but I found a degree of pressure that becomes slightly uncomfortable during longer sessions. This being an elasticated suspended band design, it’s possible that this may ease as the band slackens over time, but during the month I’ve been using my unit I do still notice discomfort.

Besides that, there’s very little to grumble about. The power button isn’t clearly labelled, and the Bluetooth button can easily be confused for it, but this is a one-time issue. Once you know what’s what, that moment of unintuitive design becomes moot and you can enjoy the fantastic feature set of these cans.

Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay: Price and availability

List price: $229.99 / £199.99 / AU$239.99
Swappable batteries like the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, for less
Packed with useful extras

The extremely competitive pricing of this package is certainly one of its biggest assets. Packing a dual swappable battery design for less than Steelseries’ Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is a great way to announce one’s presence in the headset market, and Glorious backs that head-turning spec up with a number of handy additions that justify the price point.

Namely, a choice of mics (detachable or built-in) and a ‘guardian’ built-in battery that kicks in when you swap between the rechargeable packs, along with some serious configuration flexibility offered by the base station and dongle.

In this challenging economy, to put it mildly, you’d simply expect to see this package priced higher. The construction materials aren’t comparable with ultra-high-end models like the Audeze Maxwell 2 or the Logitech Astro A50 X, but they’re sturdy and finished to a high standard.

Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay: Specs

Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay

Price

$229.99 / £199.99 / AU$239.99

Weight

360g / 0.8lbs

Battery life

85 hours per pack

Compatibility

PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Android, iPhone

Connectivity

Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, USB-C wired

Microphone

16-bit/48KHz

Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay: Design and features

Black and orange design is Valve-esque
Prioritises light weight over looks
Battery packs look like retro FPS keycards

There’s a duality here to Glorious’ headset stylings. On the one hand, it's extremely restrained with the brushed black plastic on the base station and headset, an elegant amount of orange contrast trim on the whole package, and battery packs that look like they’d unlock a door in a ‘90’s shooter.

On the other hand, the company’s fundamental branding is based on a joke that got old quite a while ago. The brand's name references the glorious PC gaming master race meme and subreddit, which worked as a self-aware joke about PC gaming elitism in 2008 and 2011, but in 2026 works… less so. Look, this could just be an age thing, but to me the GabeN-like brand logo and ‘GGWP’ text on the lower-left earcup feel just a few steps away from a ‘Keep out mom, I’m gaming!’ poster. Given that this headset works with PS5, PS4, Switch and mobile devices (there’s no Xbox version), it’s also just confusing branding at this point.

With that chiding out of the way, I do like the look of this headset. The orange trim feels Valve-esque in the right way, like someone very clever sat and thought about this for a long time. The base station is compact and smart, with indicator lights to show when it’s connected to your headset and the charge status of the battery pack slotted into it. Two USB-C ports to the rear connect to a wireless dongle which sits flush with the base station when connected, and a USB-C-to-USB-C cable to connect to your PC or console. A USB-C to A adapter is also provided.

(Image credit: Future)

The base station, dongle, cables, and Bluetooth connection create tons of setup configurations. You can ditch the base station and just use the dongle if you like, although that does mean you don’t have a spare battery charging while you use it. You can even ditch the dongle too and connect the headset with the USB-C cable, although I haven’t found a use case yet where that makes sense, since the built-in battery has a few hours of life even when both swappable packs are depleted.

The headset itself is pretty lightweight for a wireless model with a battery pack, eschewing flashy finishes for an all-plastic body with a fabric headband on suspended elastic, and breathable fabric earcups covering reasonably plush memory foam cushions. If you love that pulsing, sealed-in feeling of closed-back headphones like the HyperX Cloud, these aren’t your cans. They’re certainly closed-back, but the fabric around the earcups does affect the way you experience the audio from its 40mm drivers, producing a flat, detailed but not very low-end heavy response that’s reminiscent of Steelseries’ excellent Arctis Nova 7 and upwards.

I don’t get on with the physical control layout here, though. The location of the (unmarked) power button on the upper-left earcup threw me initially, and I think this control and its right-hand earcup mate are trying to do too much. Both are rotary dials as well as buttons, and while the left controls chat mix, profile swapping and battery status, the right controls volume and media controls. I’m all for minimalist design, but try navigating that while you’re concentrating on something in-game. It took me a couple of weeks to memorise how to perform all those actions.

Just one more gripe – the battery status readout would be much better if it gave you a percentage rather than simply an ‘ok’ or ‘charge now’. Maybe one for a future firmware update.

(Image credit: Future)Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay: Performance

Tuned for gaming performance
Good suite of software tweaks
Battery life true to claims

We all know by now that buying a mouse, keyboard, or headset doesn’t turn you into a Faze Clan member, and the gaming performance gains in the headset vertical are especially marginal. That said, if you’re listening out for footsteps in PUBG Battlegrounds and your 2014 cans with their 60mm grotesquely tuned drivers are too busy making a far-off gunfight sound like a drum and bass gig, you might notice a bit of an advantage when you update your audio hardware.

That’s why it’s important that these drivers are tuned with a nice flat EQ response. That means that they don’t strongly emphasise one particular area of the EQ spectrum, unlike the aforementioned early 2010s models with their ‘scooped’ profiles that boosted the lows and highs like a sound engineer at a Metallica gig.

Sticking with a roughly even volume distribution along the spectrum means that the GHS Wireless InfinitePlay gives all frequencies space to voice and be heard. It might not sound mind-blowing like Audio-Technica or Audeze drivers, but it’s well-suited to games that reward a keen ear, from competitive shooters to singleplayer titles.

I find headsets tuned this way really useful in racing sims too, where I need to hear brake lockups and tire squeals as early as possible, and as prominently in the mix as I can.

Over in Glorious Core, the accompanying software, there’s a welcome and well-judged suite of options including a sidetone toggle, EQ tuning including some basic provided profiles, mic settings like noise cancellation toggling, and several options to tweak the headset behaviour, like when it auto-powers down and whether it gives you voice prompts. I don’t love that it’s taking up 0.99GB of my SSD space to do that, though, and would much prefer a browser-based tuning app.

The battery life really is as long per pack as Glorious states, and swapping them out is easy while you’re mid-session. Just take the spent one out, let the ‘guardian’ battery take over until the end of the round or the next quiet moment, then swap in the other pack.

I didn’t run into any setup issues when I used this with PC, PS5 or Switch, and found that the dual-wireless is pretty rock solid. It’s less suited as a console headset, particularly the Switch, since it really needs the base station to be connected in order to keep a battery pack charged and ready. But as a multiplatform solution (marketing types like to call these ‘battle station’ setups), it offers a no-fuss means to switch between devices.

(Image credit: Future)Should you buy the Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay?Buy it if...

Running out of charge = death
This is a hilariously extreme three-battery solution to the age-old wireless dilemma, and it works.

You play on a few devices
The base station and dongle configuration options make this ideal for multiplatform use.

You’ve got a thing for retro shooter keycards
These battery packs are unspeakably satisfying to swap in and out. You’ll feel like Doomguy every time.

Don't buy it if...

You need Xbox compatibility.
There’s a long list of devices this headset supports, but Xbox isn’t one of them. If that's what you need, you should look at other models by.

Tighter headbands tend to dig in and cause you discomfort
There’s some adjustability to this headband, but not loads. If this is a frequent issue, try before you buy.

The old PC master race meme makes you cringe
When you build your brand on a meme that predates Skyrim, high cringe levels in 2026 are inevitable.

Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay: Also consider

Not feeling like swapping in this wireless headset? Consider these premium wireless alternatives.

Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay

Audeze Maxwell 2

Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

Price

$229.99 / £199.99 / AU$239.99

$349.99 / £329.99 / AU$520

$349 (£329, AU$649)

Weight

360g / 0.8lbs

490g / 1.1lbs

0.75lbs / 339g

Battery life

85 hours

80 hours

36 hours

Connection type

PC, PS4, PS5, Switch, Android, iPhone

2.4GHz wireless, digital wired (USB-C), analog wired (3.5mm audio jack), Bluetooth

Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless

Compatibility

Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless, USB-C wired

PC, Xbox (Xbox version only), PS5 (PlayStation version only), Switch, MacOS, iOS, Android

Playstation 4/5, PC, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android

Steelseries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
Featuring Steelseries’ unique dual-battery charging solution, premium looks, plus ANC implementation, the Nova Pro Wireless is a premium headset option with few faults. No Xbox version, though, sadly.

For more information, check out our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless review

Audeze Maxwell 2
Goodness, these headphones sound great. The raw audio fidelity out of the box is benchmark-setting and the build quality is audiophile-grade, but Glorious’ model is in the same conversation for a lot less.

For more information, check out our full Audeze Maxwell 2 review

How I tested the Glorious GHS Wireless InfinitePlay

One month of use on PC, PS5, Switch and mobile.
All configurations tested
Tested with shooters, battle royales, racing games and more

Something about the black and orange design of this headset and base station gave me an overwhelming urge to replay Half-Life 2 episodes 1 and 2, so that is where I began. Hearing those familiar audio files through new drivers is a good reference point, actually, which helps to suss out how good the GHS Wireless InfinitePlay is at positional audio.

I’ve also been playing PUBG Battlegrounds, Counter-Strike 2 and F1 25 with this headset, and putting the mic through its paces with amateur found footage horror simulator, Content Warning.

Since it offers an array of connection types – with or without the base station, wired connection – I’ve spent some time playing on all of them, across my PC, Switch, and PS5.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed April 2026.

Categories: Reviews

ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate (2026) review

TechRadar Reviews - Fri, 08/07/2026 - 06:07

Photo Studio Ultimate 2026 is seen as ACDSee’s competitor to Adobe Lightroom and Photoshop, combining many image editing tools of both into a single package.

For those looking for one of the best Photoshop alternatives, it's definitely up there. Although not quite as powerful as Adobe's dominant software or photo organizer Lightroom, it's a good place for those that want loads of advanced features without the pro-grade complexity found in Adobe's suite.

I took the latest version for a spin to see what the newest features bring for photo editors.

ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2026: Pricing & plans

(Image credit: Future)

Good value for one-off purchase and subscriptions
Windows-only

First off, the bad news: in a move that feels quite atypical in this day and age, Photo Studio Ultimate is Windows only, so if you run a different type of computer, you’re stuck looking for alternatives.

Now for the good news: unlike an increasing number of companies who only allow you to rent their software, ACDSee give you a choice: subscribe to Photo Studio Ultimate for $8.90 a month or $89 a year, or buy it outright for $150 (discounted to $69.95 as of this writing).

There are restrictions with the latter: you can only install it on a single machine, and once a new major version is released, you’ll be stuck with the old one until you choose the upgrade (just like the good old days).

Subscribing has additional perks, such as recording and video editing software, the ability to install the program on up to 5 machines. You also get free software upgrades, but once you stop paying, you lose it all.

There are positives and negatives for both options; it just depends which you’re more happy to live with. But kudos to ACDSee for actually offering customers a choice.

As a comparison, Adobe offers Lightroom for $12 a month on a yearly contract, making it $55 more expensive than ACDSee’s option.

If you’re curious, a free 16 day trial of the software is available, so you can be sure it does exactly what you expect it to do.

Pricing & plans: 4.5 / 5

ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2026: Interface

(Image credit: Future)

Lots of features inside a single application
Intuitive once you’re used to it
Initial tutorial should not be skipped

Photo Studio Ultimate doesn’t copy your photos into a new library for you. Instead, it enables you to access all the shots you have stored on your computer. You also have the option of getting the software to focus on a default folder, where you can organize your images as you please.

However, that won’t prevent you from accessing stills stored elsewhere - that default link is just there for your convenience, to avoid you having to navigate to that folder each and every time you launch the app.

Once you’ve set that, you’ll be graced with a pretty busy interface. There are sidebars on both sides of the interface, a series of menus top left, a set differentiated with a larger font size top right, with the central section reserved for your shots. That’s a lot to handle, and it’s much busier than Photoshop and Lightroom, but that doesn’t mean it’s hard to find your way around.

The first time you launch the software, you’ll be taken through a series of labelled screenshots explaining what most of the interface does, and it’s well worth spending a few minutes with them to familiarise yourself with the software. After that, you’ll get comfortable with where everything is in next to no time.

Photo Studio Ultimate is essentially divided into 5 sections, represented by the larger menu top right of the interface. Put simply, ‘Manage’, ‘Media’ and ‘View’ are three ways to see and organize your portfolio, ‘Develop’ focuses primarily on color correction, and image fixing (such as lens correction and straightening), while ‘Edit’ offers more Photoshop-like tools, such as sky replacement, image repair, and even allows you to work with multiple layers.

Interface: 4 / 5

ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2026: Tools

(Image credit: Future)

Well-stocked feature-set
Comparable to Photoshop and Lightroom

So everything’s pretty well organized. That’s good. But what’s more important is what you can do with this software.

For instance, ‘Manage’ is there for you to search for specific images based on their metadata, oh and speaking of, the Properties tab on the right is where you get to add as much information about your selected image, or groups of images, making the search tool more accurate as a result.

‘Media’ is designed to explore specifically selected photos in greater detail. You can group them by date or based on specific properties, and also have a couple of viewing options.

Meanwhile, ‘View’ focuses on one selected image at a time (you can bring in multiple ones, but these will appear as a filmstrip at the bottom, as a single shot takes up most of the interface at any one time. Interestingly enough you can also view PDFs and Microsoft Office documents in this mode.

So that’s the cataloguing and organising sorted. But what’s more interesting would be the tools at your disposal to make alterations and improvements. And in its next two modes, ‘Develop’ and ‘Edit’, Photo Studio Ultimate has got them in spades.

All alterations are non-destructive, and range from the basic yet detailed color correction to more advanced features. That includes reducing noise, tuning skin tone, or applying masks with either the Brush, Gradient, Luminance, and color Range tools. You’ll also be able to correct lens distortion, correct red eye or other blemishes too.

One feature I particularly liked is the ability to save Snapshots of your work as you go, allowing you to go back to any saved state at any time, and going in a different direction from there.

‘Edit’ is where you’ll find the more Photoshop-like tools. We all know how gargantuan Photoshop is, and ACDSee’s product doesn’t go anywhere near that level of complexity.

But what’s included enriches the portfolio of available features greatly. You’ll be able to apply edits to specific areas, or even add objects, like circles and arrows, to your image, as well as be able to work with multiple layers.

Tools: 4.5 / 5

ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2026: AI

(Image credit: Future)

AI tools work well
But they were slow in my experience

Now these days, an image editing software package wouldn’t be worth its salt without some AI-branded tools, and so Photo Studio Ultimate has you covered on that front as well. Some of the new features for the 2026 version, include AI Denoise, Hair Masking, Face Edit and a few Presets available in the ‘Develop’ section.

And let’s not forget those that were already available, such as AI Sky Replacement, which does exactly what it says on the tin, and comes with a wealth of different skies for different feels, such as blue sky, sunset, storm, and more.

In my experience, these worked very well, although the newest AI tools felt like they took forever to do their job, but that might be more due to the age of my trusty PC than anything else.

There’s one last thing I’d like to mention: ACDSee has a mobile app known as ‘ACDSee Mobile Sync’. With it, you can link your phone to your copy of Photo Studio Ultimate, to transfer files from your device to your computer.

Once the very simple setup was done, moving files over was essentially effortless, and an excellent companion to an app stuffed to the gills with features.

AI: 4 / 5

Should I buy ACDSee Photo Studio Ultimate 2026?FutureFutureFutureFuture

Buy it if...

You’re on the lookout for a photo editing app crammed with features, including a sprinkling of very useful and powerful Photoshop-like tools, and a useful assortment of AI.

Don't buy it if...

What comes bundled with your computer is sufficient for your needs, or you are wedded to Adobe’s subscription plans, or you own something other than a Windows PC.

For more creative tools, we tested the best photo editors.

Categories: Reviews

The Shards review: Ryan Murphy and Bret Easton Ellis are a match made in heaven in Hulu's stylish, blood-soaked new show about privileged teenagers stalked by a serial killer

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 08/06/2026 - 21:00

The Shards is guaranteed to have audiences talking, for better or for worse, as Bret Easton Ellis' controversial semi-autobiography comes to the small screen.

But, in my opinion, Ryan Murphy teaming up with Ellis has given him the chance to shine once again. Fans of Murphy's work were left disappointed and baffled in recent months after his abysmal Hulu series All's Fair aired, which has a seriously low Rotten Tomatoes score of just 6%.

Thankfully, The Shards feels closer to what Murphy was doing with the anthology series American Horror Story, and the result is an addictive, bloody and over the top series which shows that Murphy and Ellis are an excellent creative duo.

The Shards is certainly not for everyone, but I'm sure it will find a dedicated audience among Hulu subscribers. Those who can put up with intentionally insufferable protagonists are rewarded with a stylish, tasty peek into life as a privileged student in the 1980s, set in a sunny LA neighborhood.

The nine-part series follows a fictionalized version of Bret Easton Ellis, who is 17 and in his final year at the elite Buckley prep school. Igby Rigney, known for his work on Netflix's Midnight Mass, plays this version of the thriller author.

We open with Bret going to see The Shining, smoking a cigarette and driving a convertible, as he narrates all the luxury clothing he's wearing. Rigney's almost bored-sounding narration would feel out of place anywhere else, but here it fits perfectly as he talks about his life, one that many viewers will never have and might desperately covet. Despite having everything, there's no enthusiasm to his voice at all.

Opposite Rigney, Homer Gere stars as Robert Mallory, a new arrival at Buckley whose unsettling presence coincides with the activities of a serial killer known as The Trawler. Gere is fantastic in The Shards, dominating every scene he's in, and making us feel very uncomfortable from the moment we see him.

The unsettling dynamic between Bret and Robert forms much of The Shards, supported by an equally good cast playing fellow students around them. Susan Reynolds (Kaia Gerber), is a popular girl and cheerleader who soon develops a thing for Robert, much to the annoyance of her long-term boyfriend Thom (Graham Campbell).

Bret's girlfriend, Debbie (Hayes Warner), is a teen rebelling against her movie director father, adding to the already complex layers of this dysfunctional friend group.

The first two episodes were released together, but unfortunately it's a weekly release from then on. I have a feeling some people might be gutted they can't binge-watch it because it's easy to become invested in what's happening. The Shards is a dazzling experience where you feel like a fly on the wall watching these spoiled teens, wondering what's going to happen to them next, even if you probably should look away.

It's a visceral, no-holds-barred look into this 80s society which finds itself rapidly torn apart, sometimes literally. Indeed, those looking for Bret Easton Ellis' brand of gratuitous violence will find it here, making The Shards an interesting blend of teen drama and horror movie, with some grisly results.

Even if you haven't read The Shards, if you know you're a fan of Ellis' other works like American Psycho, I think this will be right up your alley. It ticks all the right boxes for what we'd expect from him, after all.

At the time of writing, The Shards season 2 has not been confirmed, which means the season finale's ending will prove frustrating if we don't get more. Though Ellis' book has a similar ending, I'm hopeful that The Shards will choose to take the story further as it feels like it's been written with a second season in mind.

As a standalone season though, it's entertaining and shocking in equal measure. The Shards is a welcome addition to Ryan Murphy's filmography, and I hope he does more like this because I have certainly missed him when he's at his bloody best.

Categories: Reviews

I didn't think the Inzone M10S gaming monitor could get much better, then I tried the new Inzone M10S 2

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 08/06/2026 - 18:30

Sony Inzone M10S 2: Two-minute review

The Sony Inzone M10S was one of the best gaming monitors of 2024, offering uncompromising performance and a suite of practical tournament-ready features that made it the perfect choice for both professional and aspiring esports players.

Now Sony is back with the Inzone M10S 2, a successor that delivers a number of small but nevertheless impactful upgrades while maintaining everything that made the original so good. It’s the same 2560 x 1440 resolution, but feels even snappier thanks to an increased 540Hz refresh rate and a lower 0.02ms response time. There’s even a dual mode, letting you bump the resolution down to 720p for a staggering 720Hz picture — invaluable for Counter-Strike 2 or Rocket League.

If that wasn’t enough, it’s now even brighter, coming in at up to 1,500 nits rather than 1,300, with the same rich colors and impressive contrast. There’s a new anti-glare coating on this model as well, which does a fantastic job of keeping glare at bay. You barely see any kind of reflections, even in a brightly lit room with ring lights and lamps pointed directly at the screen, preventing possible distractions in a tournament setting.

I did note that the matte texture makes it prone to smudging and quite hard to clean, though, which might be a little frustrating if you accidentally touch the panel while setting up.

(Image credit: Future)

Like its predecessor, the Inzone M10S 2 is packed with handy esports features like a dedicated 24.5-inch display mode, the ability to set up on-screen timers and crosshairs, or an option to display a frame rate counter to check your performance.

They’re all accessible via the monitor’s options menu, or the easy-to-use Inzone Hub software. The software even lets you import and export your setup, meaning you can take your at-home profile to a competition and access the exact same settings every time.

As this is a Sony product, it shouldn't come as much of a surprise that it also has a dedicated PlayStation 5 mode, which is activated automatically when the system is plugged in and optimizes the picture for console play.

It’s all brought together by a market-leading stand. The base included with the original Sony Inzone M10S is one of the best I’ve ever used, with a low-profile disc-shaped base that fits underneath your keyboard, plenty of vertical adjustment, and a full 360 degrees of rotation. The version that comes with the Inzone M10S is even better, benefiting from an additional few degrees of tilt to ensure a comfortable viewing experience no matter how you’re seated.

(Image credit: Future)Sony Inzone M10S 2: Price and availability

Costs $1,099.99 / £1,199 / roughly AU$2,300
Same price that the original M10S launched at
The older model is now cheaper, though

The Sony Inzone M10S 2 is far from cheap, but it’s not really competing with most other gaming monitors. You can easily find capable 4K screens for far less than this price, such as the Gigabyte M32UC, which is going to be a better fit for those seeking to play cinematic games like Horizon Forbidden West or The Last of Us Part 1 on PC or console.

The Inzone M10S 2 is instead positioned as an alternative to models offered by dedicated esports brands such as BenQ Zowie. The Zowie XL2586X+ is a good point of comparison, as it’s very similarly priced at roughly $1,000 / £1,150 / AU$1,799. That model features a 600Hz 1080p TN panel designed for the best possible motion clarity. While technically faster, you lose out on the higher-resolution picture, more vibrant OLED colors, and stylish design of the M10S 2.

If you’re looking at the Inzone M10S 2, then the original Sony Inzone M10S, which is still sold alongside this newer model, is also a viable alternative. The M10S is now easy to find around $900 / £990 / roughly AU$1,600, so it comes in a decent chunk cheaper — though you do lose the spec upgrades.

Sony Inzone M10S 2: Specs

Sony Inzone M10S 2

Price

$1,099.99 / £1,199 / roughly AU$2,300

Panel size

26.5in / 67.3cm

Panel type

OLED

Resolution

2560 x 1440

Brightness

1,500 nit

HDR

HDR10

Pixel response

0.02 ms gray-to-gray

Refresh rate

540Hz (or 720Hz HD)

Sony Inzone M10S 2: Design and features

Sleek and attractive
Brilliant included stand
Wealth of ports

The design of the Sony Inzone M10S 2 hasn’t changed that much from the original M10S — but that’s certainly not a bad thing. This is a sleek and attractive-looking monitor that comes bundled with a fantastic stand. Its base is a low-profile, 4 mm thin metal disk that fits comfortably underneath a keyboard and connects to a robust stand that keeps the monitor impressively stable.

You get the same full 360-degree rotation too, so you can freely show your screen to teammates in a match. The large power button and the thumbstick used to edit settings are still as intuitive and easy to use as before, and it retains smart design features like a power indicator LED that’s set off to the side so that it doesn’t shine in your eyes as you play.

The ports are identical to the original M10S as well: DisplayPort, two HDMI 2.1 ports, an upstream USB Type-C alongside two downstream USB Type-A ports for peripherals, a 3.5mm audio jack, and a single USB Type-A port reserved for software updates (accomplished with a USB stick). Its major software features are also unchanged, so you still get support for Nvidia G-Sync, HDR, and a suite of visual modes including an FPS Pro+ mode developed in collaboration with esports team Fnatic.

This isn’t the best looking aesthetically, but it makes it far easier to see key visual cues like the red dots that indicate rival players in a match of Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 or even obscured enemies in Valorant.

In terms of what’s actually new, it’s a subtle distinction but the M10S 2 benefits from a wider -5 to 35 degree tilt range (its predecessor tilted at -5 to 25 degrees), which allows for even more flexibility in your seating position (the monitor also supports a 100 x 100 mm VESA mount, if you would prefer to use a third-party arm).

The Inzone M10S 2 is also coated with a new ‘Super Anti-glare Film’. It’s incredibly effective, and means you can play unimpeded with a literal torch pointed at the display. The matte texture does make it very prone to picking up smudges, though.

FutureFutureSony Inzone M10S 2: Performance

540Hz refresh rate is incredibly smooth
Beautiful, vibrant colors and strong brightness
Perfect for competitive games

The Sony Inzone M10S 2 looks pretty dim and unimpressive out of the box. The culprit? The power-saving mode is on by default. Once you turn that off and crank the brightness up to about 80%, the vibrant OLED colors are absolutely lush and look gorgeous. The sRGB profile is a good choice if you want color accuracy, and is usually my preference when using monitors, but I found the slightly poppier appearance of the standard preset very appealing.

The enhanced brightness of this model is immediately noticeable compared to the original M10s and, along with the effective anti-glare coating, ensures that the picture remains visible in even harsh lighting conditions like direct sunlight or with the display positioned next to a desk lamp.

In games, the performance is simply perfect. The 540Hz refresh rate is beautifully smooth, and motion is impressively clear. It elevates titles like Counter-Strike 2, where the enhanced smoothness genuinely helps with target tracking. The 0.02ms GtG response time certainly helps everything feel snappy, and sits among the fastest on the market.

(Image credit: Future)

Although my Nvidia RTX 4080 Ti-powered rig didn’t break a sweat achieving a stable 540fps frame rate at 1440p, you can comfortably lower the resolution to 1080p and maintain a decent level of picture quality — especially in the dedicated 23.5-inch display mode. Things feel even better if you take advantage of the dual-mode feature and crank it up even further to 720Hz at 720p, though this does come at a noticeable cost to picture quality.

Competitive first-person shooter titles are what this monitor was made for, but that doesn’t mean that it delivers poor performance in other genres. The grim world of Warhammer: 40,000 Space Marine 2 looked absolutely gorgeous with expressive colors and strong contrast, while Forza Horizon 6 benefitted hugely from the smoothness of VRR.

Even if I wouldn’t recommend buying the Inzone M10S 2 exclusively to play those kinds of games when cheaper 4K options are available, it’s good to know that you will still be able to enjoy a wide range of titles if you’re an aspiring esports player who picks one up for both practice sessions and home use.

Should you buy the Sony Inzone M10S 2?Buy it if...

You need the best esports performance
The Sony Inzone M10S 2 is perfect for competitive play thanks to its smooth 540Hz refresh, excellent motion clarity, and suite of tournament-ready software features.

You want a versatile display as well
When you’re not practicing for your next tournament, the Sony Inzone M10S 2 is still a capable display with vibrant OLED colors that benefit a wide range of genres.

You’re after top-tier design
Although the design of the Sony Inzone M10S 2 is almost identical to its predecessor, that’s not a bad thing. Its stand is still one of the best on the market

Don't buy it if...

You’re not serious about competitive play
When you’re spending this amount of money on a display, you need to be serious about competitive play. Otherwise, there are cheaper 4K options available that are better suited to general use.

Also consider

Here’s how the Sony Inzone M10S 2 stacks up against the original model, plus a 4K alternative for those that want something for more general use.

Sony Inzone M10S 2

Sony Inzone M10S

Gigabyte M32UC

Price

$1,099.99 / £1,199 / roughly AU$2,300

~$900 / £990 / around AU$1,900

$799 / £681 / around AU$1,500

Panel size

26.5in / 67.3cm

32in / 81.3cm

Panel type

OLED

LCD

Resolution

2560 x 1440

3840 x 2160

Brightness

1,500 nit

1300 nit

350 nits

HDR

HDR True Black 400

Pixel response

0.02 ms gray-to-gray

0.03ms gray-to-gray

1 ms

Refresh rate

540Hz (or 720Hz HD)

480Hz

144Hz

Sony Inzone M10S
The original Sony Inzone M10S is now available for a bit cheaper than the M10S 2. You lose a few key upgrades, but it’s worth considering if you want to spend a little less on an otherwise capable esports display.

Read our full Sony Inzone M10S review

Gigabyte M32UC
The Gigabyte M32UC is the monitor I point to when I recommend something for general use. It’s 4K at 144Hz and perfect for PS5 and PC. It’s not a good fit for esports, but it’s much cheaper than the Inzone M10S 2.

Read our full Gigabyte M32UC review

How I tested the Sony Inzone M10S 2

Tested for over two weeks
Used as primary display
Evaluated with a wide range of games

I tested the Sony Inzone M10S for more than two weeks, using it as my primary monitor for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X. Throughout my time with it, I tested a wide range of titles, ranging from esports favorites Counter-Strike 2, Rocket League, Fortnite, and Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege to popular shooters such as Battlefield 6 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 7.

I also tried a selection of more traditional games, such as Assassin’s Creed Shadows and Stellar Blade, to elevate its more general performance. During my time with the monitor, I endeavored to test each of its available features using both the built-in settings options and the compatible Inzone Hub software.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2026

Categories: Reviews

Chuwi UniBook review: New Intel silicon makes it an affordable laptop, but it comes with a few caveats

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 08/06/2026 - 16:50

Chuwi UniBook: 30-second review

The Chuwi UniBook is a 14-inch Windows laptop built around Intel's newly launched Core 3 304 processor, part of the Wildcat Lake family and the first Series 3 chip to appear in a laptop at this price. It weighs a claimed 1.2 kg, comes housed in an anodised aluminium chassis, and pairs a 16:10 IPS display with 8GB of memory and a 256GB SSD.

Positioning this model directly against Apple's MacBook Neo, undercutting it by around $250 while offering a larger screen, the same memory and storage as the base Neo configuration, and a far wider set of ports. Early benchmarks of the Core 3 304 from other devices suggest genuinely strong single-core performance for a chip this cheap, which makes the UniBook one of the more interesting budget launches of the year on paper.

The critical caveat is that macOS runs reasonably well with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, where Windows 11 is a singularly less spectacular experience.

While you can upgrade the storage to any Gen 3 or 4 NVMe 2280 drive, the amount of RAM isn’t able to be expanded.

Price is therefore the trade-off, which means the UniBook isn’t ideal for substantial tasks, even if it's acceptable for light work. One side benefit of not being especially powerful is that the battery will last easily more than a working day, and it might even stretch to two.

From a value perspective, the Chuwi UniBook looks like an excellent deal, but the specification precludes it from being one of the best business laptops.

Chuwi UniBook: Price and availability

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

How much does it cost? From $450
When is it out? Available now
Where can you get it? Direct from Chuwiretailers

Chuwi initially opened pre-orders for the UniBook at $449 US dollars, positioning it as the cheapest laptop yet built around Intel's Wildcat Lake platform. At the time of writing, using the Global Chuwi store, it's priced at $449 for US customers, £335 for the UK and €449 for Europeans.

Given that this is a fully functional laptop with RAM and storage, and new processor technology, that price seems remarkably good.

However, there is only a single SKU that offers one processor, the Intel Core 3 304, 8GB of RAM (not upgradable) and only 256GB of storage.

I’m only aware of two other laptop makers with products built around this platform. They would be HP with the OmniBook 3 AI 14" Laptop and Lenovo’s ThinkPad E16 Gen 4.

The HP is available in the UK through Currys for £799, for a model with 8GB of RAM and 512GB of storage.

The version of the ThinkPad E16 Gen 4 that uses the Intel Core 3 304 costs £954.60 in the UK direct from Lenovo, but does come with 16GB of RAM and Wi-Fi 6E. At the time of writing, both these models have yet to be launched in the US.

The UK pricing we have strongly hints that Chuwi's pricing is remarkably competitive, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it were raised in the coming months.

It will be interesting to see how other brands price hardware based on this platform.

For those wondering, Apple's MacBook Neo sells for £699 in the UK and $699 in the USA, for a machine with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, without a charger.

Value: 4.5 / 5

Chuwi UniBook: Specs

Laptop:

Chuwi UniBook

CPU:

Intel Core 3 Processor 304, Series 3 Wildcat Lake (5 Cores, 5 Threads, up to 4.3 GHz, Intel 18A process)

GPU:

Intel Graphics, Xe3 architecture, up to 2.3 GHz, 9 TOPS

NPU:

Intel NPU 5, 15 TOPS

RAM:

8GB LPDDR5, 6400 MT/s not upgradable

Storage:

256GB PCIe 3.0 SSD, single M.2 2280 slot rated up to PCIe 4.0 x4

Screen:

14.0-inch IPS, 1920 x 1200 (16:10)

Ports:

2x USB C (5 Gbps, PD, 4K@60Hz video), 2x USB A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x USB A 2.0, 1x HDMI 1.4b (4K@30Hz), 1x Gigabit Ethernet, 1x TF card slot, 1x 3.5mm audio

Camera:

720p webcam with physical privacy shutter

Networking:

Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.2

Dimensions:

314.5 x 221 x 16.4 mm

Weight:

1240g

OS:

Windows 11 Pro, pre-installed

Battery:

53.38Wh Lithium Polymer

Power supply:

65W USB-C PD charger

Chuwi UniBook: Design

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Anodised aluminium alloy chassis
Lightweight and thin
Lots of ports

The chassis on the UniBook is made from anodised aluminium alloy, and Chuwi quotes a weight of approximately 1.2 kg and a thickness of 16.4 mm. Those figures put the UniBook among the lighter 14-inch Windows laptops at this price, assuming they hold up on a scale. The hinge opens to 180 degrees, and the marketing page states an 88% screen-to-body ratio thanks to narrow bezels around the 16:10 panel.

The specification lists two full-function USB-C ports, two USB-A 3.2 ports, one USB-A 2.0 port, HDMI, Gigabit Ethernet, a TF card slot, and a 3.5mm jack, which, on paper, is a generous selection for a budget machine. What’s odd, when I think about it, is that more expensive laptops tend to have fewer ports, forcing the owners to consider using docking stations to add those connections.

The inclusion of a LAN port is a definite advantage, especially in that awkward new Windows PC phase where Microsoft attempts to download all of human knowledge in the full knowledge that it needs almost none of it.

The USB-C and two USB-A ports are only 5Gbs, which is slightly disappointing not to have one that is 10Gbps, but there is HDMI out and a MicroSD card reader.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The keyboard is full-size and has two-level backlighting. It’s not ideal for creating dissertations, but for small input jobs it’s fine. The provided review hardware was a US layout, which I assume is the one most buyers will get.

Since I know how the UK layout maps to the US one, this wasn’t a huge problem for me, except that this keyboard annoyingly doesn’t have a PrtScn key. That made screen capture slightly more convoluted.

As trackpads go, this one is on the smaller side, measuring approximately 120 mm by 70 mm, and it uses the flexible-click methodology.

Overall, considering the low cost of this device, its construction is much better than I’d anticipated. The use of metal skins and a simple but effective style works well. What it lacks is a fingerprint sensor or a Windows Hello camera. But with so many USB ports, it could easily use a security fob if you want to add extra protection.

However, given the specifications and price, I see this device being more oriented towards education than business, and I have some thoughts on its suitability for that in the next section.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Design: 4 / 5

Chuwi UniBook: Hardware

Wildcat Lake Intel Core 3 304
NPU and GPU short of Copilot Plus certification
8GB of RAM can’t be upgraded

Wildcat Lake is Intel's answer to a question that has irked it for years. How do you bring modern chip design to the cheapest laptops without pricing them out of the market they serve? The family was announced quietly at CES 2026 alongside the much bigger Panther Lake launch, and its job is to replace the ageing Alder Lake N and Twin Lake chips that have powered budget laptops, mini PCs and Chromebooks since 2023.

Where those older chips relied on Gracemont efficiency cores alone, Wildcat Lake borrows directly from Panther Lake's playbook. It pairs Cougar Cove performance cores with Darkmont low-power efficiency cores, adds Xe3 graphics and an NPU 5 neural engine, and builds the whole thing on Intel's 18A process.

In effect, Intel has taken its flagship architecture and squeezed a scaled-down version of it into a chip built for machines costing a few hundred dollars rather than a few thousand.

Well, that’s the promise, and on paper it sounds perfect for the budget consumer. Modern architecture at 18A should bring a genuine efficiency jump over the older Intel 7 process used by the N-series chips, and early single-core benchmarks on Wildcat Lake devices back that up, with some results landing close to flagship phone silicon. For a family aimed squarely at browsing, office work and video calls, single-core strength matters more than raw multi-core muscle ever would.

However, in the time-honoured Intel tradition of grasping potential defeat from the jaws of victory, this series has become more about what Intel chose to cut.

Wildcat Lake uses a simpler organic substrate and flip chip packaging rather than the advanced packaging found on Panther Lake, which keeps costs down but limits how far the platform can scale. Core counts are modest across the board, topping out at six, and GPU configurations are similarly trimmed.

None of that is a flaw exactly, since this was never meant to compete with premium silicon, but it does mean the ceiling was made low by design.

The Core 3 304 sits right at the bottom of that stack. It carries five cores across five threads, just one Cougar Cove performance core paired with four Darkmont low-power efficiency cores, and turbo clocks reaching 4.3GHz. That single performance core is notably light even by Wildcat Lake standards, since every other chip in the family carries two. Graphics come from a single Xe3 core rated at 9 TOPS, alongside an NPU rated at 15 TOPS.

What it lacks is just as telling. There is no second performance core to lean on for heavier multitasking, no multi-core Xe3 graphics block, and no ray tracing.

Combined NPU and GPU output falls well short of Microsoft's 40 TOPS Copilot Plus threshold. The dedicated NPU is rated at 15 TOPS Int8. Combined with the GPU's 9 TOPS, that gives a platform total of 24 TOPS. Microsoft's Copilot Plus certification requires 40 TOPS from the NPU alone, so despite Chuwi's AI Laptop branding, the UniBook does not qualify and will not run Copilot Plus-specific features.

Memory is 8GB of LPDDR5 running at 6400 MT/s, a healthy speed for this class of chip even if the capacity is modest. Is it enough for Windows 11?

The fact is that when you fire up the machine with the default installation, 6.3 GB of RAM has already been eaten before the first app is launched. Launch a browser and open 10 webpages; the system starts paging, and things get jerky from that point onwards. Where it really struggles is multitasking, since there is only a single performance core, alongside the four efficiency cores.

There may be ways to reduce Windows 11's memory usage, and you’ll need to use them all if you intend to run multiple apps and not find yourself waiting on this system. In times long gone, you would open the laptop, find the 8GB SODIMM, and replace it with a larger one, but that’s not possible with this design.

The very week I wrote this review, Microsoft threw a few of its disposable developers at members of the press to talk about changes they intend to make Windows 11 work better with less memory. Technically, the minimum memory requirement is 4GB, but Microsoft have focused apparently on improving the 8GB experience. While these updates are not yet launched, and when they will be is unclear, these are clearly driven by the catastrophic price hikes in RAM cost.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

I need to point out that Windows 11 launched in 2021; therefore, for five years, Microsoft sat on its overly profit-padded backside, ignoring users who complained that their operating system wasn’t an efficient user of memory.

But a few PC makers whine that they need to reduce the RAM complement to 8GB from 16GB on some of their lines, and those in Redmond leap into action? The poor optics of these announcements won’t surprise many.

It’s also interesting to note that this machine was built to compete with Apple's MacBook Neo, and that comes with the same 8GB+256GB entry-level profile, but nobody is complaining that it doesn’t work smoothly with macOS.

This would be less of an issue for laptops in general if the makers all hadn’t chosen to make memory non-upgradable. A choice they made, not the people buying them.

The only upgrades available here are the M.2 Wi-Fi adapter and storage, and getting to them is relatively easy if you remove the 11 screws that hold the underside in place.

If anyone is reading this and has this system, just be aware that 8 of the screws are short and three are long, and getting them mixed up could have dire consequences when you reassemble the system.

There is only one M.2 2280 for storage, so you will need a USB caddy to do a drive cloning, and there isn’t room for a drive with a heatsink inside.

One major disappointment I noticed is that the pre-installed drive is only PCIe 3.0 x4, where the slot is rated for PCIe 4.0 x4. And, as the drive is only 256GB, finding a 500GB or 1TB replacement drive that’s PCIe 4.0 would be a good upgrade.

Overall, this system is cut to the bone in some critical areas, specifically RAM, making it less than ideal for those who like to load multiple apps and multitask between them.

It needed those Microsoft efficiency upgrades yesterday, or it's likely to be a contributing factor in the switch to Linux for those owning this hardware.

Hardware: 3.5 / 5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Chuwi UniBook: Performance

Laptops

Chuwi UniBook

Chuwi CoreBook X 7430U

CPU

Intel Core 3 304

AMD Ryzen 5 7430U

Cores/Threads

5C 6T

6C 12T

TPD

15W

RAM

8GB LPDDR5

16GB DDR4 (1x 16GB)

SSD

HOGE H750L 256GB

512GB Wodposit WPBSNM8

Graphics

Intel UHD Graphics (Gen 12.2)

AMD Radeon Graphics

NPU

Intel NPU (15 TOPS)

N/A

3DMark

WildLife

5,198

4,581

FireStrike

1796

2085

TimeSpy

830

836

Steel Nomad.L

590

716

CineBench24

Single

N/A

Multi

N/A

254

Ratio

N/A

4.05

GeekBench 6

Single

1962

1442

Multi

5338

4848

OpenCL

6006

11015

Vulkan

7304

10122

CrystalDIsk

Read MB/s

2315

3588

Write MB/s

2087

1852

PCMark 10

Office

4351

4676

Battery

20h 26m

9h 30m

Battery

Whr

55.38

46.2

PSU

65W

WEI

Score

8.1

6.6

It was difficult for me to find laptops I’ve reviewed that would make a suitable comparison, since most of them use much more powerful chips than the one in the UniBook.

In the end, I found that the results for the Chuwi CoreBook X 7430U are reasonably comparable, especially with respect to GPU performance. However, one massive advantage that the CoreBook X 7430U had was 16GB of RAM, even if it was DDR4. That allows it to share more with the GPU, which is why the scores for that hardware improve as the graphics challenges increase.

One unexpected casualty of the 8GB memory capacity was the CineBench24 benchmark, which failed to run due to the amount of RAM allocated to the Intel UHD Graphics (Gen 12.2) GPU.

Another disappointing result is the NVMe drive's speed. But this is exactly what happens when you use a cheap Gen 3 drive in a Gen 4 slot. The battery performance is thankfully a more positive story.

Chuwi's own promotional material quotes up to 13 hours of 1080p video playback from the 53.38Wh battery, tested at 50% brightness and volume with Wi-Fi on, Bluetooth off, and Best Efficiency Mode engaged.

However, you can use this machine with the screen much less bright, and in my testing, it lasted over 20 hours at full capacity on its 55.38Wh battery. Easily the best result of these tests.

That’s a couple of busy days at least, or one dawn-till-dusk exercise. That capacity can be replaced on the provided 65W charger in a little over 2 hours, enabling a quarter of the capacity to be recovered in just 30 minutes.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The screen performance levels that Chuwi quotes are 100% sRGB and 300-nit peak brightness. While the 300nit value is reasonably accurate, the colour gamut of the screen on the supplied UniBook sample came nowhere near 100% sRGB. It managed just 63% of sRGB, 43% of AdobeRGB and 34% of Rec2020.

Gamut is certainly a weakness, but contrast, uniformity (brightness and colour) and tone response are all decent. My conclusion was that this isn’t a bad screen, unless you are specifically looking for colour accuracy.

Those looking for a performance laptop won’t be interested in this hardware, which is nailed down by a processor with only five cores and only 8GB of RAM running on a PCIe 3.0 SSD.

When using this system, keep your expectations low, and keep the number of web pages open small.

I was almost tempted to put a PCIe 4.0 SSD drive in the review unit, and put a modern Linux distro on it to see how much better the experience might be, but time was against me.

In short, this system is cheap for a reason, and even with Intel’s new silicon, the performance is undermined on numerous other fronts.

Performance: 3 / 5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Chuwi UniBook: Final verdict

UniBook is a genuinely interesting proposition on paper. It is the first widely available laptop built around Intel's new Wildcat Lake platform; it undercuts Apple's MacBook Neo on price while offering more ports and a bigger screen, and early third-party benchmarks of the Core 3 304 hinted at unusually strong single-core performance for the money.

However, a Windows 11 system with 8GB of RAM that can’t be upgraded and a storage drive that undersells the socket it sits in combine to undermine what could be a much more useful system than it ultimately is. The overselling of its AI capability doesn’t help either.

What is good about this system is the excellent battery life and the wide number of ports, even if the best it can offer is USB 3.2 Gen 1.

None of that rules the UniBook out. It simply means the value case pivots on the purchaser's use case, and it needs to be modest. For that reason, I wouldn’t recommend this to a student, as they’ll discover its limitations on the first day of use.

Should you buy a Chuwi UniBook?

Value

Competitively priced for the specification

4.5/5

Design

Lightweight chassis with plenty of ports

4/5

Hardware

New Intel Wildcat Lake platform but only 8GB of RAM

3.5/5

Performance

Only suitable for light tasks due to Windows 11

3/5

Overall

Inexpensive hardware suitable only for light tasks

4/5

Buy it if...

You need a low cost Windows 11 machine
The best aspect of the UniBook is its price; considering the build quality and screen size, it looks like a bargain. However, there is no ‘free lunch’ with this machine, and it does have some limitations that mean it's only useful for light tasks.

You expect all-day battery life
In a continuous test, the UniBook lasted over twenty hours, and that’s with the screen brightness turned down somewhat. Even the makers quote more than thirteen hours of continuous video playback, making it suitable for a long journey.

Don't buy it if...

You need multiple apps open
With only 8GB of RAM, most of which Windows 11 has already earmarked, running multiple apps or those with high demands isn’t practical on this hardware.

You use external SSDs
The lack of a Gen 2 USB port means the fastest file transfers from the Chuwi UniBook can achieve are capped at 500mb/s. Using 1,000mb/s rated external SSDs or even faster options won’t operate to their full potential.

Categories: Reviews

BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U review: The clue is in the name, this is an affordable and effective 4K monitor for creative professionals

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 08/06/2026 - 11:56

If the clue is in the name, it's not hard to clock who the BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U is aimed at. This is a very well specified 27-inch 4K IPS monitor that's been carefully optimised for creative workflows while hitting an accessible price point.

For sure, there are still much cheaper 27-inch 4K monitors. But not with the suite of connectivity and colour management features offered here.

On the connectivity side, that includes Thunderbolt 4, an integrated KVM switch and display daisy chaining support. If anything, however, the features for creative workflows are even more comprehensive.

That starts with excellent colour coverage given the price point and extends to factory calibration and hardware calibration support, Pantone Validation, Calman certification, specific support for MacOS devices and more. There are also some neat extras, including a wireless control puck that makes it as quick and easy as possible to switch between colour modes and inputs.

The one obvious feature omission is true HDR capability. There is HDR10 support. But without local dimming hardware, the actual HDR performance is very limited. But then this monitor is not intended to replace an HDR reference monitor, which is a very different market with monitors costing upwards of 10 times the price.

On paper, then, the BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U looks set to take its place as the affordable display of choice for creative pros among the best photo editing monitors we've tested. But does it actually deliver?

BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U: Design and featuresFutureFutureFuture

Slick design
Excellent connectivity
Creator-centric feature set

Specs

Panel size: 27-inch

Panel type: IPS

Resolution: 3,840 x 2,160

Brightness: 400 nits

Contrast: 1,000:1 (static)

Pixel response: 5ms

Refresh rate: 60Hz

Color coverage: 99% DCI-P3, 99% Adobe RGB

HDR: HDR10

VESA: 100mm x 100mm

Connectivity: HDMI 2.0 x1, DisplayPort 1.4 x1, Thunderbolt 4 x2 with 90W PD and daisy chaining, USB hub with USB-C x1 and USB-A x3

The BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U looks familiar and that's no bad thing. It sports BenQ's premium design ethic of the last few years and it remains a cut above much of the competition in terms of both visual appeal and overall build quality.

The part metal construction and gun metal colorway is certainly more appealing than the often creaky feeling and anonymous black plastic of much of the monitor market, that's for sure. OK, Apple's displays including the latest Studio Display XDR, feel quite a bit better built still. But then they're much more expensive, too.

If styling is ultimately a subjective call, what can't be objectively denied is the BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U's excellent all-round feature set that's been fully optimised for creative professionals.

First up, there's good color coverage, including 99% of both DCI-P3 and Adobe RGB. Those figures are better than you'll find on cheaper 4K IPS monitors, which tend to be around the 95% to 97% range. The PD2732U also comes factory calibrated with sub-2 DeltaE across the board and further supports hardware calibration.

(Image credit: Future)

What's more, it's Pantone Validated, Pantone SkinTone Validated, and has Calman Verified certification. When you factor in the wide Adobe RGB coverage, this monitor is particularly well suited to digital-to-print workflows and photography, including SDR color grading.

It's also well specified for SDR video workflows, though with a peak brightness of 400 nits and no local dimming, it's far less optimised for HDR content, albeit with HDR10 and HLG support, it can at least accept an HDR signal.

Connectivity is another major part of the PD2732U's appeal, starting with a main Thunderbolt 4 interface and 90 W of power delivery. That's supported by a Thunderbolt out port, allowing for display daisy chaining and dual-monitor setups via a single cable. Incidentally, all of the primary connectors hook up perpendicularly on the rear as opposed to up from the bottom, which is generally a plus in terms of ease of use and access.

There's also Smart KVM, allowing you to use a single keyboard and mouse with two computing devices, handy if you regularly switch between, say, a Mac and PC. Speaking of Apple Macs, BenQ has included its M-Book color space mode, which BenQ says, "minimises the visual differences between the monitor and the connected MacBook series product."

Exactly how it differs from the P3 mode which BenQ also includes and aligns with the default P3 operation of MacOS isn't clear. But the results are good, all the same. With M-Book mode enabled, this display is an excellent visual match for MacBook displays.

Rounding out the main features both physically and figuratively is the BenQ Hotkey Puck. It's basically a wireless controller that simplifies settings access via shortcut functionality. It offers three customisable keys for quick access to Color Mode, Input, KVM, or app launch. It also has a rotary dial for precise control over brightness, contrast, and volume.

BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U: PerformanceFutureFutureFuture

Good color coverage
Nicely calibrated
Limited SDR brightness

If you want a really succinct summary of the BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U's performance, what you're looking at is a 27-inch 4K IPS monitor with some added color coverage and capability.

Out of the box, it's very nicely calibrated, both in sRGB mode on PC or in M-Book mode with a Mac. In both cases, color rendering is accurate and pleasing. The one potential snag is brightness in SDR mode.

For most serious professional SDR content creation workflows, this is not going to be a problem. You'll likely be targeting a brightness level well below 200 nits, which this display will easily achieve. But it won't do the full 400 nits in any of its SDR modes.

If anything, what the capped SDR brightness does is underline that this monitor isn't an ideal choice for generic computing remits, where you might want a bit more day-to-day pop. You can pay less and get more in that regard from what you might call a standard 27-inch 4K monitor.

That said, you can see the full capability, in brightness terms, of the PD2732U in HDR mode. Indeed, if you then crank up the brightness of SDR content in either the MacOS or Windows display settings, the result is actually nicely calibrated SDR colors and plenty of visual punch. But that's ultimately something of an aside given that this monitor lacks local dimming and has very limited actual HDR capability.

It's also worth noting that the refresh rate is limited to 60Hz. Again, for the content creation remit, this is not a technical limitation. It's just that if you are used to 120Hz-plus displays, 60Hz doesn't feel terribly slick or responsive. It's a day-to-day feel issue rather than being relevant to the vast majority of content workflows.

Of course, as a 27-inch 4K monitor, you also get decent pixel density and thus good image detail and crisp text rendering. The pixel density of around 160DPI isn't up to full Apple Retina display standards, which would require something above 200DPI and a native resolution of 5K on this display size. But it's still pretty sharp.

BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U: Final verdictFutureFutureFuture

The BenQ Creative Pro PD2732U is either very sharply priced or not great value depending on what you're looking for. As a general computing display it's both pretty expensive and slightly flawed.

You can get far cheaper 27-inch 4K IPS monitors than this. Indeed, you can have one with 144Hz refresh for under half the price. What you won't get for less money, or arguably even the same price as the PD2732U's $699 / £649 asking, is anything like the same feature set for content creation.

The combination of excellent color coverage, various validation standards, and good factory calibration makes this an excellent choice for a sensible-money monitor for SDR content creation of pretty much any kind.

Sure, it's arguably still more of a prosumer display than, say, a true professional class grading monitor. But even in a really demanding professional context, it wouldn't be at all shabby, which is impressive for the price.

Then factor in some neat touches, like the wireless control puck, and excellent connectivity and you have a recipe for one of the most compelling content creation monitors currently available at an affordable price point. That's very much the remit BenQ was aiming for and fair to say the company has nailed it.

FutureFutureFuture

For more displays, we've tested the best business monitors and the best monitors for video editing.

Categories: Reviews

Zoner Studio photo editor (2026) review

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 08/06/2026 - 10:15

Looking after your photos, cataloguing them, colour correcting them, improving them and all round preserving them is a job onto itself, and you need an excellent application to sort all of this for you, and more.

Thankfully, there are a host of options for you to choose from out there, which creates a whole other problem onto its own: which one should you choose? I’ve looked at a few in the past, but now, it’s time to explore Zoner Studio.

It's effectively a Windows-only take on both Photoshop and Lightroom. An entry-level or intermediate photo editor and organizer that stacks up as one of the best Adobe Photoshop alternatives for those new to this type of software.

Zoner Studio: Pricing & plans

7-day free trial with no card details
Fairly priced subscription plans
Windows-only

You can check out Zoner Studio by clicking here.

First, system requirements. Zoner Studio is a Windows-only program, compatible with Windows 10 and 11, requiring a 64-bit Intel or AMD processor and at least 8GB of RAM, among other specs. Mac and Linux users, I’m sorry, but you’ll have to look for alternatives.

Like most in the creative software space, it has subscription-based pricing, costing $5.99 a month or $59 a year for the Individual Plan. You can also grab a Family Plan license for $9.98 a month or $98 a year.

The website states “everyone in the household”, and since the cost of living means our kids can no longer afford to move out, that Family Plan looks like a pretty good deal.

Compare this with ACDSee’s Photo Studio Ultimate which I reviewed recently, which costs $89 a year for a single licence, or even better, Adobe’s Lightroom, which you can rent for $144 a year, and even Zoner’s individual licence looks very attractive.

Your Zoner subscription guarantees new features twice a year, the ability to order 15 photo prints for free annually, and 20GB of online storage. These last two apply to each member of your Family Plan.

All this sounds good, and there’s a sweetener for those who aren’t sure if they’d want to commit to yet another subscription: you can download the full version, use it for free for 7 days. There isn’t even a need to give Zoner any payment details (so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to cancel an agreement you never wanted to make in the first place, and the company starts charging you regardless).

Zoner Studio: Interface

(Image credit: Future)

Remarkably clean interface
Crammed with features
‘Catalog’ import option is great for RAW users but can be slow

Minimum requirements

Operating system: Windows 10 or Windows 11 64-bit

Processor: Intel or AMD CPU 64-bit with SSE 4.2 support

RAM: 8GB

Storage space: 2GB

Screen resolution: 1280 × 800

If you compare Zoner Studio with some of its competition, like ACDSee’s Photo Studio Ultimate, despite having a similar set of features, Zoner’s interface feels more spacious in the same screen real estate.

Top right, you’ve got a menu for you to access the app’s various modules, you have sidebars on either side of the screen, one to browse through your portfolio of images, be they online or on local physical drives, while the other is your contextual inspector window. The centre of the interface is reserved for your shots.

Each module is dedicated to a specific function: Manage is where you organize and catalog your shots, Develop is for the usual color correction and overall fixing of an image, Editor is for more Photoshop-like alterations, allowing you to work with multiple layers, add text and such like, Print is where you create and have published books, individual prints and other, and Video is to turn your shots or your clips into short video projects.

(Image credit: Future)

As you can see, it’s full-featured, and yet I never felt lost navigating it. All the tools I needed were be easily found. If you do get lost, hover over any tool icon and a large tooltip will appear, offering detailed information about it, with some having a link to an article for a more detailed description. Zoner also has a wealth of tutorials on YouTube.

One thing worth mentioning is ‘Catalog’. Zoner offers two ways to browse through and work with footage: either directly, wherever they are currently stored, or by bringing a copy into its ‘Catalog’. Said ‘Catalog’ is always at the top of the left sidebar. The difference between these two options truly shines when you’re working in RAW.

Once in the ‘Catalog’, these RAW images are processed in a way that makes them accessible much faster, speeding up workflows immensely. That said, it can take a while for them to be ready when you import them into that ‘Catalog’, and the developers do suggest you grab a coffee or go out for a walk while your PC does the necessary computations. I haven’t noticed any speed difference when working with JPGs.

Zoner Studio: Tools

(Image credit: Future)

Massive amount of tools, all well arranged, easy to find and use
Work with layers, order books, create video projects

Such a rich app is hard to describe in a limited amount of space, so allow me to tell you how using the software felt instead, and I’ll also chat to you about some of the features which took me pleasantly by surprise.

All the tools you’d expect to make the alterations you need to a photograph are there, present and correct, from the basic, like straightening an image, to doing standard color correction. You’ll also find some more advanced options for greater precision, including specific AI-based selections, enabling you to work on just part of a shot.

I really liked the advanced ‘color Shift’ tool, which allows you to select a range of color and alter it using a very easy to use and alter color wheel.

This isn’t the first time I encountered Photoshop-like editing options in such a software package, but I increasingly like the idea. You no longer need two apps to manage your collection, and can do it all from one.

Granted you won’t get as many tools as you’d expect from dedicated image compositing software, but if your needs aren’t intricate, you will likely feel quite satisfied by what’s on offer with Zoner.

As for being able to design and order Books, Calendars, Prints and even Magnets and more, that’s a welcome inclusion. Yes, Adobe Lightroom offers something similar, but Zoner has gone into much greater detail here.

(Image credit: Future)

For instance, creating a book offers you 5 different hardcover sizes, you can change the number of pages, choose a format for any text you might wish to apply, you get to see how much the book will cost you upfront, and add it to your cart once you’re ready. Incredibly easy and satisfying.

And finally we have Video, which is an unexpected option for an image editor, but at the same time, why wouldn’t you want to turn your stills into a short animated video complete with background music, keyframe effects and cool transitions?

As a video editor by trade, I wasn’t expecting much, and yet, clips snap to each other making building an edit a breeze, the transitions are impressive looking and easy to add, you can work with multiple layers, and the shortcuts above the playhead (in a blue box) are actually more useful than they look.

You can also add video clips - obviously - and although the default size for any new project is HD, you can work in anything from the tiny 620x480 up to 4K. The only downside I could find was the overly small timeline, making it tricky if you work on a longish project.

Should I buy Zoner Studio?

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

You’re new to photo editing and organization, and you want a versatile, highly capable image cataloguing and editing software with more features than you can shake a stick at, and appreciate its affordable subscription price.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t have a Windows PC, your image editing needs are too light for such a powerful and versatile piece of software, you don’t like subscriptions, or you’re too wedded to the Adobe hegemony.

FutureFutureFutureFuture

Categories: Reviews

Garmin Cirqa review: sorry Fitbit, but this is 2026's best screenless smart band

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 08/06/2026 - 06:24

Garmin Cirqa: One minute review

(Image credit: Future)

I’ve spent a week with the Garmin Cirqa screenless fitness tracker, wearing it constantly during sleep, exercise and rest to determine how comfortable it is in everyday life, and measuring it against an electrical heart rate monitor and other wearables to determine accuracy.

After all my testing, I can confirm the Whoop and Google Fitbit Air have got serious competition. While some people will still want the AI-powered coaching from Whoop and Google Health, and others will want the screen-based interaction and notification features available on the best smartwatches, most users looking for a simple but high-quality screenless fitness tracker will be just fine getting the Cirqa.

If you’re reading this review wondering how it compares to the likes of the Whoop MG and the Google Fitbit Air, you’ll already know what to expect from the design: a fabric band that stretches over the fitness tracker’s plastic puck to create a solid-color screenless wearable. The idea is that you can use it for working out, sleeping, rest and work, get accurate metrics all day, and not glance at it all the time or be distracted by notifications on your wrist.

Where it differs is in the design specifics. It’s quite a large fitness tracker, sitting more obviously on the wrist compared to its rivals, and thus people with very small wrists might want to try it before they commit. However, I like the design overall, especially the inclusion of an actual button on the side of the device. This button is used to start a workout, signified by a strong vibration, and stop a workout, at which point it vibrates again. You can also use it to turn off its vibrating smart-wake alarm. It’s so much easier than tapping the Whoop’s puck, and provides certainty and security when tracking an activity, so you're not just hoping the device picks it up. It’s the perfect level of minimalist interaction for a tracker like this.

I generally found it accurate over my testing period, apart from a single outlier workout in which the heart rate sensor showed a 10BPM difference compared to my electrical heart rate monitor, the Polar H10 — my accuracy benchmark. The other workouts I recorded were within 1-2bpm of accuracy, and Garmin Connect correctly showed my wake-up times when recording sleep.

I found myself enjoying running more than I have in months by ‘vibe running’: ditching my watch with its pace and heart rate metrics updating me every kilometer and allowing the Cirqa to track in the background, leaving me to focus on my form, the trees, my music and my thoughts. It’s no good for specific training for timed runs, new courses, intervals and the like due to the lack of on-wrist information, but for wellness tracking, it works nicely.

It’s going to be a real boon for cyclists using Garmin’s Edge series of cycling computers. Many of the best Garmin watches double-up on the cycling computer's GPS features, so the Cirqa allows cyclists to add wellness metrics without a more expensive watch.

Watch our video review of the Garmin Cirqa here:Garmin Cirqa review: Price and availability

(Image credit: Garmin)

$199.99 in the US
£179.99 in the UK
AU$299.99 in the AU

The Garmin Cirqa fitness tracker costs $199.99 in the US, £179.99 in the UK and AU$299.99 in Australia. There’s no subscription fee — at least, no mandatory one — but Garmin Coach features are locked behind the Garmin Connect+ paywall in the app, which costs an extra $6.99 / £6.99 / AU$12 per month or $69.99 / £69.99 / AU$120 annually. A bicep band for the Cirqa comes at an added extra too.

You can get along just fine without the subscription, if you don’t want the coaching features. Live heart rate broadcasting was also originally locked behind this paywall, but Garmin rolled that back after an outcry. The free tier of Connect is an excellent training aid, and isn’t as stripped-back as the free tier of the Google Health app you use with the Google Fitbit Air. However, the Cirqa is also twice the price of Fitbit, so this is reflected in the price, and Connect (being Garmin’s app for all its devices) lists some stats you don’t get access to via the Cirqa if you dig a little deeper, leading to some annoying friction moments.

However, for most people, it’s better value than Whoop, which requires an annual subscription starting at £169 / $199 / AU$299 and going up from there. With Whoop, you never actually own either the device or the data you collect, merely rent it. With two years of the cheapest Whoop subscription, you could also buy a cheap Garmin running watch like the Garmin Forerunner 165 as well as a Cirqa and alternate between the two of them for many years.

While serious athletes such as CrossFit and Hyrox enthusiasts will want Whoop’s vast swathes of unique metrics such as the Strain score and AI-powered workout building features, the Cirqa’s subscription-free tier is much more affordable and better value for most, despite the relatively high price of the tracker itself compared to some of Garmin's more feature-rich running watches.

Value score: 3.5/5

Garmin Cirqa review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

Choice of four colors
Screenless form factor
Tactile button

The Garmin Cirqa is a simple design. A fabric band with four color options — Mauve, French Grey, Captain Blue and Black — wraps around a plastic puck with Garmin’s Elevate V4 heart rate sensor array. The puck is slightly curved to mimic the wrist’s shape, and as previously mentioned, it includes a ridged button on the side to start and stop workouts.

The design is very simple, and the button is the only way to interact with the puck. It’s very comfortable to wear, weighing only 21g, and light enough and comfortable enough that I often forgot I was wearing it during the week. That made wearing it for sleep and exercise a frictionless experience, and the band is soft to the touch.

It’s quite large for a ‘discreet’ band due to the size of Garmin’s Elevate V4 sensor, but not uncomfortable — at least, for my wrists. Those with very thin wrists may struggle, but I was told the more up-to-date Elevate V5 sensor would have made the puck even bigger.

I’ve always been a fan of the Garmin Connect app, and its design is really comprehensive. It can be difficult to navigate at first due to the breadth of information on offer, meaning some stats and features get lost in the mix, but once you’re used to it, it’s easy to access a lot of detail along with community features such as challenges.

Design score: 4.5/5

Garmin Cirqa review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

Deliberately hardware feature-light
Plenty of detailed metrics
Not as many as a full Garmin watch, or Whoop

There are very few interactive features on the Garmin Cirqa puck; you can start and stop workouts, or stop an alarm, but that’s more or less it. However, the information the Cirqa collects and shows you in the app aren't lacking in detail.

The Garmin Cirqa tracker collects data on sleep stages, heart rate variability (HRV), pulse ox and provides Garmin’s Training Readiness and Body Battery scores. Garmin’s Sleep Coach feature can recommend bedtimes and sleep length, letting you know if you’re in a sleep deficit, and smart wake alarm using the device’s haptic sensors buzzes on your wrist in a light sleep stage to wake you within a pre-prescribed window.

Automatic activity detection means the Cirqa quietly records activities lasting longer than 15 minutes, such as walks, which become more accurate if you amend the detected activities in the Garmin Connect app, including extending or trimming the duration. Alternatively, you can simply press the button to start a timed activity, and again amend in-app.

While you won’t get advanced running features like many Garmin watches, such as cadence, stride length, Hill Score (based on elevation) and so on, you still get generic training information like heart rate, VO2 Max and Training Load, which can help you tell you if you’re under or overtraining. Garmin also carries features like Fitness Age, which uses heart rate and activity data to tell you how well your body performs compared to its actual age. Whoop has a similar feature named Whoop Age — another example of the Cirqa eating Whoop’s lunch here.

You get quite a lot for your money. There's a small value issue, though: it’s not packing quite as many features as the premium Whoop subscriptions, nor a watch like the Garmin Forerunner 165, which gets you all of the above plus dedicated GPS, running and notification features for the same price. But it also comes with a screen, which you might not want. The Cirqa avoids bloat, prioritising the fitness and recovery metrics users want to see and eliminating the interactive features that screenless wearables fans don't want at all.

As well as the Garmin Coach features, AI-powered photograph-based nutrition tracking and AI-generated training insights are also available as part of Garmin’s premium Connect+ tier.

Features score: 4/5

Garmin Cirqa review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

Accurate workout metrics, aside from one outlying workout
Sleep tracking was competent
Comfy and easy to wear

I tested the Garmin Cirqa for around nine days, performing several workouts compared against a Polar H10 heart rate monitor, tracking my sleep, and draining the battery. If you’re working out three to four times a week and enabling auto-detection for walks and other activities, it lasts a solid week between charges — I topped mine up on day seven of testing.

It recorded my sleep well and correctly identified wake-up times in the middle of the night and in the early hours of the morning. If I slept well or went to bed early, the Cirqa correctly identified this and the numbers matched my energy levels and perceived sleep quality. If I got up in the middle of the night (which I often do several nights out of the week), the Cirqa clocked it. Its sleep stages graph is easy to parse, while Sleep Score and HRV are sortable by the last week, month or year to show trends.

When it comes to measuring workout accuracy, while there’s no GPS to draw from other than piggybacking off my phone, the Cirqa closely matched my Polar H10 heart rate monitor during workouts. There was one instance in which it was an average of 10bpm off during a 40-minute strength session in the gym, but other workouts cleaved very closely to the HRM, within 2-3bpm accuracy (as you can see below). My guess is that if that particular workout was longer, the readings would have evened out.

Like other Garmin devices using the Elevate V4, the Cirqa is generally accurate enough for anyone who doesn’t need elite-level metrics, at which point they’d be using a heart rate monitor or Garmin’s Elevate V5. But even record-breaker Sebastian Sawe was spotted using a Garmin Forerunner 55, which uses a V4, during his sub-two hour London Marathon run.

I can’t overstate how nice the Cirqa is to wear. I found it a better daily driver than the Whoop band, despite its size, largely due to the Whoop’s often-detaching clasp. The tactile button gave me a sense of certainty in my recording, and I didn’t have to open the app to manually start a workout like the Google Fitbit Air if I wanted to be accurate. The haptics are nice and strong too.

Polar H10 electrical heart rate monitor readingFutureGarmin Cirqa readingFuture

Performance score: 4.5/5

Garmin Cirqa review: Scorecard

Category

Comment

Score

Value

Sits comfortably between the super-cheap Fitbit Air and the recurring-sub Whoop.

4/5

Design

Thoughtfully designed, albeit a little large for some.

4.5/5

Features

Enough to keep you focused while avoiding unnecessary feature bloat.

4/5

Performance

Accurate and comfortable to wear with great battery life.

4.5/5

Garmin Cirqa review: Should I buy?

(Image credit: Future)Buy it if…

You’re an existing Garmin user
Don’t want to wear a chunky Garmin watch constantly, or do you use a Garmin Edge? This is the perfect way to track wellness and fitness discreetly and remain in the Garmin ecosystem.

You’re after holistic metrics
Readiness, recovery, and basic workout stats are enough for most people. This does the job without getting in the way.

You want to own your device
Although the product is great, Whoop’s membership model means the device reverts to an inert hunk of plastic if you stop subscribing. Buying the Cirqa at least means you own your tracker, improving it as a value proposition.

Don’t buy it if…

You need a screen
Want updates during your workout? Just get a running watch instead.

You’re on a tight budget
If you’re not invested in the Garmin ecosystem or you’re looking for something cheaper, you might be persuaded by the Fitbit Air or Amazfit Helio Strap.

Money is no object
For those who don’t mind paying annually in perpetuity, Whoop is a more tightly-engineered product from a software standpoint, tracking a wider variety of metrics.

Also consider

Google Fitbit Air

The screenless Fitbit weighs just 5g and tracks the basics, with an intelligent do-it-all AI chatbot tier.

Read our full Google Fitbit Air review

Amazfit Helio Strap

We called it 'a terrific value, generally very accurate fitness tracker with great battery life and no subscription required'.

Read our full Amazfit Helio Strap review

How I tested

I tested the Garmin Cirqa for over one week, draining the battery down and wearing it constantly during sleep, work, exercise and rest. I undertook multiple workouts, comparing them to a Polar H10 electrical heart rate monitor for accuracy, and compared its featureset to its peers in the screenless fitness tracker market.

First reviewed: August 2026

Categories: Reviews

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni offers a souped-up, 2026 upgrade for my beloved Nova Pro Wireless and is perfect for multiplatform gamers

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 08/06/2026 - 04:00

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni: One-minute review

The most succinct way to describe the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni gaming headset is that it feels like a 2026-ified version of its excellent predecessor, the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless — one of my favorite gaming headsets ever.

The Omni is a fantastic wireless gaming headset and offers a whole heap of improvements and enhancements over its older brethren, and in its own right, will tick every box most gamers can think of. Each feature that’s been tweaked or upgraded might not be huge in isolation, but every single one adds up, and it absolutely is greater than the sum of its parts when everything’s considered.

The design and build will be very familiar to anyone who’s used any of the Nova line, as it shares identical design language and aesthetics, while retaining a robust build quality you can have confidence in. The GameHub dongle is also identical in form to the one found on the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite and the Nova Pro Wireless, but is boosted to offer an upgraded level of connectivity: you can connect and mix up to four different inputs on the Omni, which is somewhat ludicrous but offers excellent versatility.

The audio quality, microphone, and overall performance of the Omni is spectacular, and can’t really be faulted. I think I might just prefer the bottom-end audio of my Audeze Maxwell 2 over the Omni, but that’s nitpicking as the overall audio experience is fantastic, no matter which platform you're connected to. Being able to change EQ on the fly with the Arctis Companion App is a great boost over the Nova Pro Wireless and an excellent feature of modern Nova headsets.

It’s an excellent headset, no doubt, but its pricing and the fact that Nova Pro Wireless will still be available mean the Omni’s place in the lineup is a little muddy for me. It performs fantastically, offers the full set of gaming headset features you could ask for, but I’m just not totally convinced it’s a great value option right now.

In isolation, however, this is a fantastic multiplatform wireless gaming headset and probably the one to go for if you really want the maximum flexibility and versatility.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni: Price and availability

List price: $399.99 / £349.99 / AU$799
Closely priced to the Nova Pro Wireless, which will inevitably be cheaper
Way under the Nova Elite, but in direct competition to headsets like the Audeze Maxwell 2

In isolation, the Arctis Nova Pro Omni is pretty well placed price-wise at $399.99 / £349.99. However, its position alongside the rest of the Nova lineup raises an eyebrow.

A large part of this is because of the continued availability of the headset that the Omni feels like it was made to replace: the Nova Pro Wireless. With the latter now readily available for far less than the Omni’s list price, I think — as a fan of both — that the value proposition of the Omni is lessened.

Unless you really really want the four-device connectivity (as opposed to two), and really want the latest and greatest in a SteelSeries headset without going for the much more premium Nova Elite, then I still think the Nova Pro Wireless is going to be a better value purchase for you. Especially if you’re on just one platform.

The Omni is also up against formidable competition outside of its own brethren at this price point. My absolute favorite headset right now, and my top pick ever in terms of pure audio quality, the Audeze Maxwell 2 is in the same price territory and would be my recommendation for someone prioritizing that.

Then there’s also the likes of the Turtle Beach Stealth Pro 2, and the Sony Inzone H9 2 in the $300-ish zone, along with the likes of the Fractal Scape and the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro that come in slightly cheaper and all offer incredible wireless gaming headset experiences with a host of features.

Having said all that, the Omni does do a lot in and of itself to justify its price tag as a high-end, brilliantly flexible and top-performing wireless headset. It will definitely be the best wireless option in this part of the Nova lineup when or if the Nova Pro Wireless ceases to be made, but until then it’s not a slam dunk for me.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni: Specs

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni

Price

$399.99 / £349.99 / AU$799

Weight

11.95oz / 339g

Drivers

Custom 40 mm Neodymium Magnetic (Hi-Res)

Compatibility

PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Mobile, Meta Quest 2/3

Connection type

Hi-Res wireless (2.4Ghz via dongle), Wired (audio jack), Bluetooth 5.3 + LE Audio (SBC with MultiPoint support for up to 10 devices; LC3, LC3+ for LE Audio)

Battery life

Up to 60 hours (2 x fully-charged batteries), Infinite Power System

Features

Simultaneous four-source audio via Omni GameHub; certified Hi-Res audio (96kHz/24-bit), ClearCast Pro - Retractable Boom Microphone with onboard AI Noise Rejection, ANC, Arctis Companion App compatibility

Software

SteelSeries GG/Sonar, SteelSeries Arctis Companion App (iOS & Android)

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni: Design & features

Class-leading set of features and connectivity options
Reliable and fantastic build quality and battery solution
Very much from the Nova line of SteelSeries headsets

Straight out of the box, you’d be forgiven for thinking that the Omni really is a Nova Pro Wireless in disguise, as all the parts are there. That isn’t a criticism, as the Omni is simply another SteelSeries headset cut from the Arctis Nova cloth.

It’s a familiar design to anyone who’s seen or held a Nova headset, but it does have a tangible level of robustness and solidity that instils confidence — I’ve already dropped my unit a few times, but you wouldn’t be able to tell. The ear cushions are incredibly comfortable too, and I’ve been able to wear this headset for full work days without ever fully realising it too.

The GameHub is basically the same as on other Nova headsets that use it, but there are a few more options within the OLED display, and the addition of a texture to the navigation wheel is a welcome touch.

It’s this kind of small design change that’s present in a few areas across the Nova Pro Omni too: the multi-function volume wheel on the left cup has a new texture to it, the ear cushions are thicker and more padded compared to the Nova Pro Wireless, the mic is new and improved, and so on.

On top of intuitive controls, Arctis Companion App integration, boosted connectivity (Bluetooth 5.3 features here), greater battery life, and quicker fast charge, and more, all the Omni’s improvements over the Nova Pro Wireless do stand on their own feet, and, importantly, add up to a wonderfully designed and feature-filled wireless gaming headset that will offer everything even those with three consoles and a PC could ever want.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni: Performance

Fantastic SteelSeries audio quality out of the box
Every upgrade feels worthwhile
Audio quality and overall performance still close to its predecessor

In terms of performance, the audio is the least difficult thing to cast an opinion on: it’s fantastic. Once again, this is from the SteelSeries Arctis Nova line so shares in all the excellent out-of-the-box audio quality the series is known for and does not disappoint in any way.

What’s more, the audio is now Hi-Res certified, and on PC you’ll be getting 96kHz/24bit, which is a sheer, immersive joy to behold in games like Cyberpunk 2077, and even the atmospheric noises in Frostpunk 2 are detailed and clear. But even away from that, on PS5 Pro (Sony’s console can’t take advantage of 96kHz audio), the gaming audio delivered by the Omni is, predictably, a treat.

Sea shanties, explosive ship combat, and swashbuckling sword action in Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced are fantastically vivid and rich; the audio in 007 First Light is even more cinematic and bombastic; and even audio in older online games like my go-to, Tom Clancy’s The Division 2, is elevated excellently, with enemy audio presented accurately, and the action and soundtrack mixed perfectly.

The ability to change EQ presets for individual games and preferences via the Arctis Companion App remains a brilliant feature too, expanding the Omni’s already excellent versatility.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

On top of that, being wireless but plugged into a host of different devices as well as Bluetooth on my phone was very handy — in my particular setup. If you do have a multi-device setup and are looking for one headset that can be used on all of them with ease, even if not simultaneously, then this is a quality feature. For others on single-device setups, this is a bit overkill.

Away from games, music and entertainment is superb on the Omni, and using it for work calls - and multiplayer gaming sessions — with its new (compared with the Nova Pro Wireless) omnidirectional ClearCast Pro mic is brilliant. I found the overall quality of the mic to be excellent, though its omnidirectional design did mean a little more background noise escaped to my friends down the line at times, and it’s certainly a big step up over the Nova Pro Wireless’ microphone.

The way the headset feels to use is also a notable step up over the Nova Pro Wireless, and thus feels closer to the Nova Elite too. The wheel on the left ear cup is incredibly pleasing to use, the GameHub that offers more options is intuitive and easy to use, the new ear cushions are thicker and more comfy than the Pro Wireless (but only just), and there’s also improved ANC which I found worked well, as well as a hoist of boosts to Bluetooth (up to 5.3), longer battery life on the batteries and faster quick charge, and a few more to boot.

Each of the improvements over the Nova Pro Wireless do add up to something much greater than each in isolation.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)Should I buy the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni?Buy it if...

You want something close to the complete, multiplatform wireless headset
If you are looking for one of the most complete wireless multiplatform headset options for the money, then the Omni is hard to beat, especially if you want all the features you could need for a one-and-done set.

You’re overdue for an upgrade to a quality wireless gaming headset
If you simply want or need a high-end wireless gaming headset upgrade in the north-of-$300 territory, then the Omni is an absolutely belting wireless set that you simply must consider.

You’re a multiplatform, single-setup gamer
If you’ve got a multi-device gaming setup and are in need of a high-quality wireless gaming headset that has all the trimmings, plus wonderful audio, then the Omni is a no-brainer.

Don't buy it if...

You can find the Nova Pro Wireless on a great deal
As great as the Omni is, I can’t help but feel the Nova Pro Wireless is still going to offer even better value for money for a vast number of gamers, especially when it’s discounted. If the Nova Pro Wireless is still being made and its price dips or drops because the Omni is out, then the Nova Pro Wireless is going to be incredibly hard to beat value-wise.

You simply don’t need a multi-connectivity and feature-rich gaming headset
At $400 / £350, the Omni is still a sizable investment for a gaming accessory, and a lot of its attraction will lie in its versatility and multi-connectivity for some folks. However, it will still be overkill for many, and for the same amount of money, those on one platform or two who might prioritize sheer audio quality instead, for example, could well be better served by others on the market.

Also consider...

If the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni might seem overkill in some departments, then check out these two fine offerings as alternatives.

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless

Audeze Maxwell 2

Price

$399.99 / £349.99 / AU$799

$379.99 / £329.99 / AU$739

$329 / £339 / AU$569

Weight

11.95oz / 339g

9.5oz / 266g

17.3oz / 490g

Drivers

Custom 40 mm Neodymium Magnetic (Hi-Res)

40mm Neodymium

90mm Planar Magnetic

Compatibility

PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Mobile, Meta Quest 2/3

PS4, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Mobile, Meta Quest 2/3

PlayStation or Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, Mac, Mobile

Connection type

Hi-Res wireless (2.4Ghz via dongle), Wired (audio jack), Bluetooth 5.3 + LE Audio (SBC with MultiPoint support for up to 10 devices; LC3, LC3+ for LE Audio)

Wireless (2.4Ghz via dongle), Wired (USB-C), Bluetooth 5.3

Wireless (2.4Ghz via dongle), Wired (USB-C & audio jack), Bluetooth 5.3 (Auracast, LE Audio, LC3, LC3plus, LDAC, AAC, SBC, Multipoint)

Battery life

Up to 60 hours (2 x fully-charged batteries), Infinite Power System

80+ hours

Features

Simultaneous four-source audio via Omni GameHub; certified Hi-Res audio (96kHz/24-bit), ClearCast Pro Retractable Boom Microphone with onboard AI Noise Rejection, ANC, Arctis Companion App compatibility

Companion App, 40mm Neodymium magnetic drivers, 360-degree spatial audio, retractable ClearCast 2.X mic

SLAM acoustic management technology, detachable hypercardioid mic, beamforming mic with physical and AI reduction, FILTER™ Noise Reduction Technology, embedded Dolby Atmos license (Xbox)

Software

SteelSeries GG/Sonar, SteelSeries Arctis Companion App (iOS & Android)

SteelSeries GG/Sonar (PC)

Audeze App (PC & mobile)

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless
While it’s still being made and/or in circulation at retailers, the Arctis Nova Pro Wireless is a quality headset even in the face of the Omni’s advancements. With the Pro Wireless’ price likelyto dip now, it’ll likely offer incredible value for money at the expense of a few features while retaining that SteelSeries awesomeness.

For more information, check out our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless review

Audeze Maxwell 2
The Omni’s price tag puts it squarely in competition with my favorite gaming headset of the day right now, the Audeze Maxwell 2, and the latter could very well be the option to go for if you want to spend big but prioritize audio quality above all else. I simply haven’t tested a better-sounding gaming headset in all my time reviewing hardware.

For more information, check out our full Audeze Maxwell 2 review and my thoughts on why it should have scored even higher

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)How I tested the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni

Used as a daily driver for a few months
Tested on PC, PS5, and mobile
Deployed across a host of games, as well as daily work calls and more

The SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Omni headset has been my sole unit for gaming on PS5 and PC, as well as work tasks and calls, for the best part of three months.

I have used it to play a bunch of 007 First Light, a full review playthrough and subsequent platinum playthrough of Assassin’s Creed Black Flag Resynced, and a whole host of Tom Clancy’s The Division 2 on PS5, and also dived into Cyberpunk 2077, Frostpunk 2, and Crusader Kings 3 on Acer Predator Orion 5000 gaming PC (supplied by Acer) teamed with a productivity monitor and an Acer Predator X32QFS gaming monitor (also supplied by Acer).

For a lot of that game-time testing, the Omni was connected to my PC and PS5 simultaneously on one setup, deploying its multi-connectivity. I was then also able to use it for all my work calls, and listening to music.

During this time, I was able to directly compare the Omni with some other gaming headsets I had to hand, such as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless and Nova Elite, as well as the Audeze Maxwell 2 and Maxwell 2 ANC.

First reviewed May-August 2026

Read more about how we test

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