TechRadar Reviews

As far as Taylor Sheridan shows are concerned, nothing is topping Landman. We all know that the Yellowstone creator is most at home in the Western genre, and we seem to want that from him just as much as he yearns to give it.

But Lioness season 3 is an outlier, and with new episodes dropping from August 2, I can't help but feel it remains that way. Closer in tone to the likes of Tulsa King and Mayor of Kingstown, viewers are thrown into the governmental deep end, following an off-the-books special operative group of the titular name, which is led by hot-headed Joe (Zoe Saldaña).

In season 3, Joe's working life has gone from bad to worse. By the end of season 2, she looked to jack her perilous and secretive lifestyle in for the sake of her husband Neal (Dave Annable) and their two daughters, but a leopard can't change its spots.

Credit where credit is due: without giving anything away, the stakes have been raised fatally high as season 3 takes off. The emotion feels a lot more genuine, and now that there are finally no new team members to contend with, we've got the space and breadth to fully invest in everyone present.

But as always, the bombardment of military jargon and circumstances that a civilian will never understand — and will hopefully never have to — feels incredibly alienating.

I'm also often taken out of the moment when Cody, a character played by Sheridan, is featured in episodes. Does this entire IP exist purely to indulge his fantasies of playing soldier? The answer frequently feels like yes.

Lioness season 3 raises the dramatic stakes — and takes aim at AI along the way

But let's get back to the action. Unlike seasons 1-2, which involved different Middle Eastern conflicts at their centre, Lioness season 3 pushes the focus to the brooding tension between Russian operatives and domestic US forces.

Interestingly, Sheridan wastes no time at all addressing real-life crises, including Gaza-Israel and Ukraine-Russia. It's the latter that gets the most expansion, with war on Ukrainian land forming the backbone of the storyline that will send Joe to the brink... and beyond.

It also allows for us to fully consider how AI and technology are shaping how fights are fought on the ground. Within minutes, Errol (Martin Donovan) is seen telling Kaitlyn (Nicole Kidman) that AI is an undoubtedly bigger threat to us all than the potential end of democracy — and that's just the start of Sheridan's blatant takedown.

Much like we've seen across endless social media clips and news reports, the introduction of drones into a warzone also becomes a point of contention. None of this is an angle to modern warfare that I'd even considered, and I'm both impressed and pleased that Sheridan has created the space for that conversation. The Lionesses are raging, and so should we be.

Even amidst the backdrop of change, our team is as strong as ever, and I continue to be bowled over that the busiest working woman on Earth, Nicole Kidman, has made time for such a heavy screen presence. Personally, I think that speaks volumes about the level of craft Sheridan is operating at, and what Kidman thinks of him in turn.

The action itself is fast-paced and unflinching in who or what it takes prisoner. Deaths happen from the get-go, and Joe quickly finds herself reckoning with two different realities. Things feel elevated from what we've seen in the past, which could often become monotonous and inconsequential.

Sheridan really is his own hero, and I applaud that

(Image credit: Paramount+)

You know how watching enough episodes of Grey's Anatomy starts to make you feel like you could be a doctor just through absorbing so many medical terms? Lioness season 3 somehow has the opposite effect.

I don't think there's been one season of the show yet where I've been able to confidently and succinctly explain the overarching narrative of the show. I've never once watched one of the many CIA boardroom scenes and properly been able to follow along with the plan, strategy, or off-the-books mission.

Partly, I wonder if this is down to my levels of practical intelligence, in the same way you sometimes panic during test conditions. But mostly, I think this is a script issue. The dialogue is (rightly) peppered with so much military terminology, but there's rarely a let-up in it. How is the average person supposed to relate to this, unless they've played a lot of Call of Duty?

But my favorite part of Lioness — which is either a positive or negative, depending on how you look at it — is how the show seems to exist simply to fulfil Sheridan's own desires. Once again, episode 1 contains a hefty dose of Delta Force operator Cody, but this time, he's the indisputable hero.

Again, no spoilers here, but Cody essentially leads a mission that is successful almost solely thanks to his own conspiring, and I think of the little boy who must have played with Action Man figures and wanted a slice of combat for himself.

Sheridan has won just as much as we all have with season 3 (except for the many onscreen casualties), in spite of its flaws. The man is allergic to making outright terrible TV, and for that, we should always be thankful.

Australian office furniture company Desky offers some competitively priced chairs to pair with its standing desk range, and the CoilFlex Ergonomic Office Chair is no different. It sits below Desky’s Pro and Pro Plus chairs, but it also features a spring-reinforced cushioned seat aiming to provide responsive, floating support.

Rounding out the seat technology is a mesh backrest for breathability, easy-to-adjust lumbar support, adjustable armrests and an optional headrest. The CoilFlex includes features you’d expect from many of the best office chairs in Australia, but at a mid-range price that’s lower than some of its competition.

I tested the Desky CoilFlex Ergonomic Office Chair at TechRadar’s Sydney office for over two months to find out if it truly offers good bang for buck, as well as all-day comfort and support.

(Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda)Desky CoilFlex Ergonomic Office Chair review: Price and availability

Aside from its Australian store, Desky also has local stock in the US. While Desky sells through Amazon UK, the CoilFlex isn’t currently listed at the time of writing.

The CoilFlex is available for $499 / AU$599, and the optional headrest costs an extra $50 / AU$50. Easy-glide caster wheels are also available as another add-on for $39.90 / AU$49.90. US and Canadian customers get free shipping, while Aussies pay an extra AU$39.95 for delivery.

Desky rarely offers discounts on its products, save for maybe major sale events like Black Friday, but the discounts aren’t typically too much, which is something worth considering when compared to brands that are more generous with their offers.

Desky CoilFlex Ergonomic Office Chair review: Unboxing and first impressionsDesky CoilFlex specs

Material: Mesh (backrest) and fabric (seat)

Colors: 7 (black, wheat, dark green, blue, peach, yellow and yellow/grey)

Max load: 136 kg / 200lbs

Seat height: 445mm - 530mm / 17.5” - 20.8”

Seat depth: 420mm - 470 mm / 16.5” - 18.5”

User height range: up to 200cm / 6’7”

Adjustability: 6 (8 with headrest)

This isn’t our first Desky rodeo and getting one of the company’s products delivered has always been a seamless experience. Like other Desky chairs we’ve reviewed previously, the CoilFlex came unassembled, but where other brands have neatly packaged parts, everything inside the Desky box looked like they were just thrown in. Thankfully, bubble wrapping and plastic sheets kept scratches and tears at bay, as movement during transport would definitely have left some damage to the parts.

The assembly instructions are also bare minimal and, if this would be your first DIY project, or you’ve never assembled an office chair before, you’ll likely be left scratching your head. There are Desky videos online you can watch to get the chair assembled, but I think a proper manual would have been very helpful indeed.

However, the CoilFlex can be put together without instructions, but it will take some brain power to do so without help from the online video, which also offers insights into adjusting the chair to suit your body — another thing the tiny instruction pamphlet doesn’t provide.

Future | Nico ArboledaFuture | Nico Arboleda

Assembling the CoilFlex can be handled alone, although having someone to help with the seatpan would be ideal, as it’s the heaviest part. Full assembly can take about 15-20 minutes, even if you’re working solo.

We were sent the Wheat color variant for this review and, at first glance, it looked rather lovely. However, the grey wheels and arm pads stand out like sore thumbs, taking away from the overall aesthetic.

If the mismatched color scheme doesn’t bother you — and this does seem to be the case with the other variants of the CoilFlex as well — then you’ll end up with a solidly built chair that looks inviting enough to plonk onto immediately.

Desky CoilFlex Ergonomic Office Chair review: Design and build quality

As I’ve already mentioned, the Desky CoilFlex ain’t bad at all to look at… until you notice mismatched parts which is most evident in the Wheat colorway. While the mesh backrest and optional headrest look stylish enough to stand out from more affordable office chairs, grey wheels and armrests ultimately detract from what is an otherwise solid mid-range office chair.

It’s a strange design choice, and it’s not unique to the one color — all the variants have either black armrests and wheels or grey ones. This doesn’t look too bad on the darker CoilFlex options, like the Black or Blue, but it sure stands out on the others. I would have preferred to have most of the frame in a consistent colour throughout, or at least better contrasting or complementary colours. It makes the chair look like it was made out of spare parts left over from other seats, even though it’s well put together.

(Image credit: Future | Sharmishta Sarkar)

There are some considered design choices, though, and I particularly like that the seat-depth release panel being part of the frame, though it may be a little too subtle and users may not know it exists. It doesn’t help that there’s no mention of it anywhere in the instructions leaflet and I only found out about it from Desky’s promo video. It’s a nice touch to have one less lever to fiddle with underneath the seat.

Overall, I think the CoilFlex looks nicer than the more expensive Desky Pro Plus Ergonomic office chair, but nowhere near as aesthetically pleasing as offerings from some other, more premium brands.

Another aspect the CoilFlex does better than the Desky Pro Plus is in its overall build quality, which I think is superior. The latter’s plastic frame looks cheaper in comparison (we still have the chair in TechRadar’s Sydney office), and the headrest and arms sound and feel rattly when adjusting them, which is not the case at all with the CoilFlex, despite the lower price point. The plastic appears to be of excellent quality and the adjustments are smooth, which makes the chair feel more premium than it looks.

(Image credit: Future | Sharmishta Sarkar)

This chair takes its name from what Desky calls the Dynamic CoilFlex seat cushion technology, a multi-layered design that uses wave springs to provide extra support under a high-density shaping foam. Desky claims the system eliminates pressure points, absorbs movement and maintains alignment, so users can stay energized and focused throughout an 8-hour workday.

Personally, I’d say the claims check out — the seat feels comfortable and responsive as I shift my weight, and I never felt any pressure points developing in my lower back over the two-month testing period. That said, I have no pre-existing back issues, so your mileage may vary. For example, my colleague Sharmishta Sarkar, who has previously reviewed a fair few office chairs, found that the CoilFlex seat didn’t provide the kind of ergonomic support she needed, but she suffers from back issues.

It’s been only a few months, though, so the verdict’s still out on whether the seat’s foam will hold its shape or if the cushion will eventually compress and harden in the process. For reference, the Desky Pro Plus we’ve previously tested now has a flattened cushion seat after two years of use.

Desky CoilFlex Ergonomic Office Chair review: In use

Having tested more expensive office chairs in the TechRadar Sydney office from the likes of ErgoTune and Steelcase, I had low expectations from the Desky CoilFlex with its cheaper price tag and mostly plastic frame.

I was, however, pleasantly surprised at how comfortable it was when I began to use it. The cushion immediately felt comfortable and it felt far better than a lot of other chairs I’ve used previously. That said, it does fall short in terms of comfort and ergonomics compared to the ErgoTune Joobie and the Herman Miller Aeron, both of which I’ve used previously, but credit where credit is due — both the aforementioned chairs cost more, a heck of a lot more when it comes to the latter.

(Image credit: Future | Sharmishta Sarkar)

Even though one of my colleagues wasn’t keen on the minimal lumbar support, I found it to be just right, and a few adjustments to suit my height and body made the CoilFlex feel very good indeed. After two months, my back is still well supported, but potential users with pre-existing musculoskeletal issues might want to look elsewhere.

The adjustments are easy to do with levers under the seat within reach, and pulling or pushing the lumbar support and headrest into position doesn’t require you to get off the chair — just reach and fiddle with either of them until you find the setting that works best for you. The release panel I mentioned earlier for adjusting the seat depth was effective, but I do wish there were better instructions on where to find them as hidden under the cushion and not in an obvious or intuitive spot. The only way you can tell something is under the seat is because of the thin slits on one side of the seat’s plastic frame.

In total, there are 8 points of adjustment, or 6 without the headrest, which is fewer than on the ErgoTune Joobie with its 15 points, allowing for a more finely tuned setup. These 8 adjustment points are more than enough for the average user, though.

(Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda)

The CoilFlex’s mesh backrest and adjustable lumbar support did an OK job of keeping my posture in check, although I wouldn’t say it fixed my slouching habit. If, like me, you too tend to not mind your posture, again, I would recommend you look elsewhere.

The optional headrest is wide, especially when compared to the much narrower one on the Desky Pro Plus, supporting my neck whenever I shifted, turned or tilted my head throughout the workday.

The mesh backrest is breathable and is of good quality that’s more fabric than plastic (which also makes it more absorbent), but the cushioned seat means your derriere might still be too warm when the mercury’s up.

(Image credit: Future | Sharmishta Sarkar)Desky CoilFlex Ergonomic Office Chair review: Final verdict

If you want a comfortable office chair but don’t want to spend four figures on a Steelcase or Herman Miller, and you also don’t want something cheap and flimsy, Desky’s CoilFlex is a strong mid-tier option that punches above its $499 / AU$599 price tag.

While the seat width is more conventionally sized and may not fit broader body types, the armrests and optional headrest can accommodate taller users (up to 200cm or 6’7”) well. The relatively low 6-8 points of adjustment mean your fit may not be as fine-tuned as more premium chairs that have at least 11 or more, but that’s to be expected at this price point.

The CoilFlex also outperforms its more expensive sibling, the Desky Pro Plus Ergonomic chair, thanks to the new spring-supported seat and a more premium-feeling plastic frame that doesn’t feel as rattly when making adjustments. It still isn’t as good as some of our best office chairs, especially the likes of the ErgoTune Joobie and Vesby that cost a little bit more when discounted, but the CoilFlex is still a solid choice for the price.

First reviewed: July 2026

Q Acoustics 3040c review: Two-minute review

The 3040c is the smaller of two floorstanding speakers in Q Acoustics' celebrated 3000c range — it’s the fifth and final 3000c model, and it’s arguably the best of the lot.

For £599 or equivalent, depending on where you reside, you'll receive two reasonably compact, elegant and nicely finished cabinets (available in four different finishes) with optimised point-to-bracing inside and a three-strong driver array on the outside.

Two 120mm mid/bass drivers sandwich a 22mm soft-dome tweeter that’s decoupled from the rest of the cabinet — and with some input from a rear-firing bass reflex port, a claimed frequency response of 43Hz - 30khz is the result.

Sensitivity of 88dB means you don’t need all that burly of an amplifier to drive these Q Acoustics speakers effectively.

And when they’re being driven effectively, there’s plenty to like in ultimate terms and even more when you keep the price of these speakers uppermost in your mind. They’re a balanced, poised and expressive listen, good at soundstaging, better at maintaining a convincing tonal balance, and best of all when it comes to detail retrieval.

Some of the best stereo speakers on the market? Yes. OK, they could do with a touch more dynamic headroom and a slightly more assured method of expressing rhythms, but really I’m tempted to ask what more you might realistically hope for when listening to a pair of compact, well-made floorstanders for this money…

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Q Acoustics 3040c review: Price & release date

• $1,099 / £599 (around AU$1,140, based on UK pricing)
• Released July 30, 2026

The Q Acoustics 3040c passive floorstanding loudspeakers are on sale now, and in the United Kingdom a pair will cost you £599. This translates to €899 in the Eurozone and £1099 in the United States (yes, a little pricier in the States) while prices for other territories, including Australia, are yet to be confirmed.

Competition? You'd really be looking at bookshelf speakers for anything as affordable as this from a trusted name — and let me be clear, Q Acoustics is one such name. So, it's a lot of speaker (and speaker tech) for the price.

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Q Acoustics 3040c review: Features

• 22mm soft dome tweeter
• 2 x 120mm Continuous Curved Cone mid/bass driver
• 43Hz - 30kHz frequency response
• 88dB sensitivity

No one’s expecting a whole lot of features when it comes to reasonably affordable passive loudspeakers, which is just as well given the Q Acoustics 3040c have just the essentials.

As is the company’s standard operating proactive, though, these few features are completely fit for purpose.

On the inside, Q Acoustics has used its targeted ‘point-to-point’ bracing technology — having identified those areas of the cabinet that are prone to low frequency vibrations, ‘P2P’ reinforcement seems to minimise those vibrations and produce a cleaner, better focused soundstage as a result. It’s also deployed ‘Helmholtz Pressure Equalisers’, a series of tubes that minimise internal pressure; this reduces the build-up of standing waves inside the cabinet and keeps sonic colouration to a minimum as a result.

At the rear of the cabinet there are a couple of very low-profile speaker binding posts, positioned just below a fairly large bass reflex port. Q Acoustics provides foam bungs for the ports — so feel free to experiment with the position of the speakers and the effect of the bungs too.

Up front there are three drivers that are familiar from some of the more expensive model ranges in the Q Acoustics line-up. Here, a decoupled 22mm soft-dome tweeter is positioned between two 120mm mid/bass drivers — these are of the ‘continuous curved cone’ design that made its debut much further up the Q Acoustics loudspeaker range.

‘‘C³’ is designed to combine the low-frequency response of a straight conic cone with the control and clarity more commonly associated with a flared cone design. It’s a straightforwardly impressive design with, at this point in time, nothing to prove.

• Features score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Q Acoustics 3040c review: Sound quality

• Full-scale sound with drive and poise in equal measure
• Great facility with detail retrieval
• Could use greater dynamic impetus

Every audio product reviewed at TechRadar (and there are myriad options) has be put into proper context, of course — and so while I’m going to open this section with a couple of mild-ish criticisms, it’s important to remember that these are relatively affordable floorstanding loudspeakers that are likely to form part of a relatively affordable stereo system. Agreed? Good.

So when playing a copy of Phoebe Bridger’s Lost Boys the 3040c don’t have quite the dynamic potency to track the changes in volume or attack quite as fully as they might. They can do more than allude to changes in intensity, of course, but they don’t put quite as much distance between ‘minimum’ and ‘maximum’ as is absolutely ideal.

And while I’m finding fault, there’s no denying the Q Acoustics don’t quite have the instinctive flow that’s required to fully express a rhythm or manage a tempo. Control of low-frequency activity is never in any doubt, and there’s no suggestion the speakers can drag at the rhythm of a recording — but there’s no denying the 3040c could sound more fluent, especially when asked to play overtly rhythm-based material.

But with this griping out of the way, I can concentrate on all the ways the 3040c is straightforwardly impressive.

It’s a very nicely balanced listen where tonality and frequency response are concerned, for starters. Previous Q Acoustics loudspeakers have tended to err on the warm-ish side of neutral when it comes to tonality, but the 3040c is not at all inclined to stick its oar in — any heat (or lack thereof) in the sound you’re experiencing is there before it reaches the speakers, either in the recording or in the source equipment that’s delivering it.

The speakers are poised and even from the bottom of the frequency range to the top; there’s no overstating of any part and no underplaying, just a smooth and balanced representation. The integration of the drivers is first class, and the point at which handover from the bigger drivers to the tweeter takes place is imperceptible.

As well as the low-frequency punch and substance I mentioned, the Q Acoustics deal with the attack and decay of bass information fairly confidently — and they’re just as adept when it comes to midrange resolution. The 3040c are a detailed listen in every respect, and this manifests itself particularly where voices are concerned. There’s plenty of information about timbre and texture made apparent. At the top end there’s similar alacrity, and more than a hint of bite and shine — but with the substance to ensure treble sounds are never hard or edgy.

Despite the lack of ultimate dynamic headroom, the Q Acoustics do good work with the more minor, but no less significant, dynamics of tonal and harmonic variation. They can identify and reveal even very fleeting and/or subtle occurrences in a recording, and coherently lay them out as part of the overall presentation. If there are details embedded in a recording, the 3040c do their utmost to get them to you.

• Sound quality score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Q Acoustics 3040c review: Design

• 942 x 285 x 281mm (HxWxD)
• Magnetically attached grilles
• Choice of four finishes

You have to hand it to Q Acoustics: the 3040c look, and even to an extent feel, like much more expensive loudspeakers than they actually are.

The standard of build and finish is excellent, and even the vinyl wrap that covers the MDF cabinets of my ‘Claro’ walnut review sample is a cut or two above the norm — and I am confident that is also the case if you prefer the ‘pin’ oak, satin white or satin black alternatives.

The 942 x 285 x 281mm (HxWxD) dimensions mean the proportions of the cabinet are harmonious. That ‘width’ measurement includes the small aluminium stabilisers that fit to the back of each cabinet and make it less susceptible to rocking or, heaven help us, toppling. The look of the cabinet is further enhanced by the crisply rendered curves along each horizontal edge.

Q Acoustics supplies magnetic grilles, but for my money you’re better off leaving them in the packaging and enjoying the sight of the driver array instead. The satin nickel brightwork that surrounds them is a confident touch, and another little flourish that suggests the 3040c might cost a fair bit more than they actually do.

• Design score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Q Acoustics 3040c review: Usability & setup

• Attach the stabilisers and spikes
• Connect to an amplifier using appropriate speaker cable
• Toe in just a little towards your listening position

Well, they’re passive loudspeakers and so setting them up and using them is hardly rocket science.

You’ll need to attach the little outrigger stabilisers to the bottom of each cabinet, and then attach the floor spikes. These can be adjusted from the top, so getting the cabinets level is no hardship.

Then, connect the speakers to the amplifier that’s driving them with speaker cable — ideally two identical lengths. And then try to make sure the speakers are toed in, just a fraction, towards the spot from where you do your listening.

• Usability & setup score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Q Acoustics 3040c review: Value

• You'll struggle to find decent floorstanding speakers for this money
• Q Acoustics is a trusted name — and the 3040c are worthy of that heritage

This money won’t even get you on the ladder at some loudspeaker companies, but Q Acoustics first made a name for itself by redefining what ‘entry level’ ought to mean where booth sonic performance and build quality are concerned.

It almost goes without saying that the 3040c does nothing to spoil this reputation — and as a result, it represents prodigious value for money for anyone who wants a fairly big sound from a fairly compact and unarguably affordable floorstander.

• Value score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Should I buy Q Acoustics 3040c?Q Acoustics 3040c scorecard

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

One cannot expect a plethora of features with passive speakers, but Q Acoustics' proprietary audio architecture is beautifully made and finished

5 / 5

Sound quality

I have minor gripes with dynamic impetus — borderline churlish for this money, but it's my job to notice

4.5 / 5

Design

They look and feel far more expensive than they are

5 / 5

Setup & usability

Simple and easy, and not just because they're passive speakers (although that helps)

5 / 5

Value

This money won't get you on the ladder with most trusted speaker brands. Here, it gets you floorstanders…

5 / 5

Buy them if…

Your room is on the smaller side
These are compact towers, and while they need a bit of space in which to operate they don’t need loads

You want a speaker capable of surviving an upgrade or two
The 3040c will work happily with entry-level amplification, but are able to punch above their weight if you try something a little more capable

You appreciate a bit of stealth design
There’s nothing showy or try-hard about the industrial design language Q Acoustics is dealing in here

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Don’t buy them if…

You listen to lots of rhythm-centric music
They don’t have two left feet or anything, but the 3040c aren’t the most fluid when it comes to rhythmic expression

You have boisterous pets (or boisterous friends)
Those stabilisers are a good idea, but it doesn’t mean the Q Acoustics are topple-proof…

You like a bit of shock and awe in your music
The 3040c are just fractionally inhibited when it comes to large-scale dynamics

Q Acoustics 3040c review: Also consider

Part of the appeal of the 3040c, in addition to the way they look and sound, is the money Q Acoustics wants in exchange for a pair. It’s genuinely hard to find a pair of floorstanding loudspeakers from a brand anything like as credible as this one for anything like the money — even brands such as DALI, Fyne Audio or Monitor Audio (to name just three) start their floorstanding ranges with models costing several hundred of your chosen currency more than this.

If you're happy to consider bookshelf models however, look to the Dali Sonik 1 or even Cambridge Audio L/R S. But again, they're not floorstanding speakers.

How I tested the Q Acoustics 3040c

I connected the 3040c to a WiiM Amp Pro using a couple of lengths of QED loudspeaker cable, and then connected a preamplified Technics turntable to the WiiM’s single analog input.

I used a Rega CD player, connected to the amplifier’s digital optical input, and also streamed via Bluetooth and Tidal Connect using an Apple iPhone 15 Pro. Which meant I was able to listen to music in lots of different formats, and at lots of different resolutions, more-or-less non-stop for a week or so.

• Read TechRadar's Reviews Guarantee
• First reviewed: July 2026

DJI Osmo Pocket 4P: One-minute review

The Pocket 4P marks a big moment in DJI’s hugely popular series of compact vlogging cameras, being the first model with two lenses, even if Insta360 stole its thunder with the Luna Ultra, which it released in June.

I’ve already reviewed the single-lens Pocket 4, and it’s a brilliant handheld 4K camera. The ‘P’ version is largely identical but for its dual-lens array and a ‘refined’ 1-inch sensor that's equipped with LOFIC tech, plus a new D-Log 2 color profile.

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For the most part, you can discover all you need to know about the Pocket 4P's design and performance in my Pocket 4 review. In this write-up, I'll focus on the new features of the bulkier model, and the real difference they make.

And I can say this right now: now that I’ve tried the Pocket 4P, it’ll be hard for me to return to single-lens models like the Pocket 4. That additional 3x telephoto lens unleashes a wide variety of shooting options to complement the highly capable ultra-wide main camera. On-the-go sequences with DJI's superb subject tracking in play, for example, can be particularly dynamic. It really is like having two cameras in one tiny device.

Two lenses means twice the camera (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

That being said, there is an inevitable design compromise: twin lenses make for a bulkier camera unit, with inexplicably no protective housing currently available, and a top-heavy design. If you already own a Pocket, and are wondering if the new Pocket 4P is worth it, or if it’s worth jumping ship from DJI to the Insta360 Luna Ultra, check out my Pocket 4 vs Luna Ultra article.

For me, the first-generation Luna Ultra is a compelling alternative with its 8K video and detachable module, but I can also tell that the Pocket 4P is a fourth-generation product — it feels more polished overall. It has neat accessories of its own, too, such as the magnetic fill light and remote module. As such, DJI's dual-lens Pocket 4P is now my top compact vlogging-camera pick.

DJI Osmo Pocket 4P: price and release date

• Announced on May 14 2026 at Cannes Film Festival, available from July 30
• Available in black or white versions, priced from £529 / AU$959. No US availability at launch
• Variety of bundles available, including a Vlog Combo kit for £605 / AU$1,099

With twin sensors / lenses, the Pocket 4P's mark-up over the single-lens Pocket 4 is justified. The 'P' version is excellent value. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Despite essentially having no competition in markets such as drones and, previously, gimbal vlogging cameras, DJI has always priced its products competitively. It usually undercuts rivals where actual alternatives exist, too, such as GoPro and Insta360 action cameras.

Insta360 outright said it wasn’t going to compete on price, but rather on features when speaking about its Luna Ultra, and that has turned out to be the case. Where the Luna Ultra starts at $770 / £650 / AU$1,230, the Pocket 4P comes in at £529 / AU$959 — though it's not available in the US at launch. Meanwhile, the single-lens Pocket 4 costs from £429 / AU$749.

Considering that the Pocket 4P has the extra camera with its own sensor, that price increase over the Pocket 4 feels completely justified, and in my book the Pocket 4P is excellent value, especially when you consider the quality of the 4K video footage it's able to produce.

The Pocket 4P is available in Black or White versions, and there are bundles available. The Vlog Combo, for example, includes the DJI Mic 2 Mini wireless mic, remote controller, fill light, tripod stand and tripod grip, and costs £605 / AU$1,099 — that's the bundle I'd go for.

• Price score: 5/5

DJI Osmo Pocket 4P: specsDJI Osmo Pocket 4P specs

Lens(es):

20mm f/2.0 (1-inch sensor), 60mm f/1.8 (1/1.28-inch sensor)

Video:

4K and 1080p up to 60fps, plus slow motion up to 240fps

Photo:

Up to 9.4MP in RAW & JPEG, up to 37MP in SuperPhoto mode

Storage:

107GB internal, microSD card slot

Battery:

1,545mAh, up to 3.5 hours Full HD record time

Charger type:

USB-C / optional fast PD charger

Weight:

8.1oz / 230g

Dimensions:

159.5 x 63.3 x 33.5mm (L x W x H)

DJI Osmo Pocket 4P: Design

• Dual 20mm f/2.0 and 60mm f/1.8 lenses
• Otherwise the same design as the Pocket 4, with rotating screen and gimbal-mounted camera
• USB-C charging and 107GB of internal storage in addition to micro SD

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Save for the bulkier dual-camera system and a total weight of 8.1oz / 230g, the Pocket 4P’s design is identical to the Pocket 4; it’s extremely compact, features a 2-inch touchscreen which rotates 90 degrees between vertical and horizontal formats, and a customizable five-button array, with a joystick that controls gimbal movement or zoom.

The extra two buttons, revealed when the screen is rotated to horizontal, help speed up access to various settings. For example, the C button can be assigned for direct access to two custom profiles — handy if you regularly switch between, say, color settings such as D-Log and shooting modes such as slow motion.

It certainly pays dividends to spend time customizing the camera to suit how you use it, so that you’re not fussing with settings when you're out and about.

For me, the single-lens Pocket 4 feels perfectly balanced, and it’s notably smaller than Insta360’s Luna cameras. The 4P, however, somewhat sacrifices that advantage on the alter of dual-camera versatility — it’s a little top-heavy, and I found it more comfortable to use with a tripod grip and mini tripod attached. The Luna Ultra feels more balanced because its handle is bulkier (see the Pocket 4 / 4P / Luna Ultra comparison photos, below).

Gimbal movement still feels smooth, and the shots steady and smooth, despite the extra weight of the cameras.

DJI Pocket 4 (left), DJI Pocket 4P (right)Tim ColemanDJI Pocket 4 (left), DJI Pocket 4P (right)Tim ColemanDJI Pocket 4P (left), Insta360 Luna Ultra (right)Tim ColemanDJI Pocket 4P (left), Insta360 Luna Ultra (right)Tim ColemanDJI Pocket 4P (left), Insta360 Luna Ultra (right)Tim Coleman

At launch there's no hard-shell protective case for the Pocket 4P, as there is for the Pocket 3, nor a slimline gimbal protector, like you get with the Pocket 4. This means the bulkier camera module remains somewhat unprotected, which is something DJI needs to be rectify ASAP.

There are also no dedicated ND filter kits from DJI at launch, though I fully expect that situation to change very soon through third parties (it might even have done so by the time you read this).

As with the Pocket 4, there’s the fill-light accessory, which attaches magnetically to the gimbal’s arm and is powered by the camera, and which lets you choose between three brightness levels and three color temperatures.

The light won’t make much of a difference to your images in bright daylight, but in low light and for indoors, it’s game changing for vlogging. I found the warm setting at the medium brightness level was a sweet spot for the times I wanted to use the light.

The Pocket 4P turned off, where its lenses sit out horizontallyTim ColemanAnd turned on, the lenses sit verticallyTim ColemanThe main 1-inch ultra-wide 20mm f/2.0 camera (bottom), and the new 3x telephoto f/1.8 camera (top)Tim ColemanThe screen rotates 90-degrees between vertical and horizontal formats. When shooting vertically, two control buttons are hidden by the screenTim ColemanBut they are revealed in horiztonal formatTim ColemanNote the top gimbal arm is magnetic and accepts a fill light accessory, which is powered by the camera and has three brightness settings, and three color temperature settingsTim Coleman

Then there’s the tiny remote control, borrowed from the Osmo Mobile 8P. This easily connects to the Pocket 4P over Bluetooth, and can be used to remotely view and control the camera. It’s a neat answer to Insta360’s modular controller in its Luna cameras, though the DJI module doesn’t feature a built-in mic, as Insta360’s does.

For occasions when you're taking hands-free shots with the Pocket 4P rested on a surface or support, the remote controller is super-handy. The controls are slightly stripped back versus the camera’s control layout, but the key controls, such as touch subject-tracking, record, and gimbal movement / zoom are there.

• Design score: 4.5/5

DJI Osmo Pocket 4: Performance

• Improved subject tracking
• 107GB of built-in memory added
• Higher-capacity battery extends record times

A major feature in Pocket cameras is subject-tracking autofocus. You really don’t want to be messing around moving the gimbal manually with the joystick, which can be fiddly and jerky. Thankfully, subject tracking, the latest version of which DJI calls ‘ActiveTrack 7.0’, is super-reliable — you double-tap on the subject, and the camera does the rest. For me, it performs slightly better than Insta360 Luna’s tracking, even if it does at times feel like its ‘keeping up’ with fast-moving subjects rather than keeping them central.

Battery life is solid, though you will notice it drop quicker with certain modes, such as 4K 60fps video recording, hyperlapse, and slow-motion 240fps. The camera also gets pretty warm pretty quickly when using these modes, though I’ve not had it overheat and shut down during my testing.

Future / Tim ColemanTim Coleman

With compact vlogging cameras such as the Pocket series, the battery is non-removable, so you are relying on that USB-C rechargeable internal unit. I found myself conscious of having to charge the camera on heavy use days — that’s life with a Pocket. There is, however, an optional battery grip available to extend shot life.

In addition to a microSD card slot, DJI includes a generous 107GB of built-in storage. That’s enough for a lot of 4K clips, even when utilizing the maximum 200Mbps bit rate.

Recording internally, you'll need to transfer files either over Wi-Fi or wired USB-C. Thankfully, there’s next-gen Wi-Fi 6 and USB 3.1 support on board, delivering fast transfer speeds and making for an efficient workflow on the move.

As with other Pockets, the 4P can get a little warm when you're using its more power-hungry features, such as 4K 60fps and hyperlapse. I've not had any overheating issues to the point where the camera shuts down, but I was aware of the camera warming up while holding it.

• Performance score: 5/5

DJI Osmo Pocket 4: Image and video quality

• 1-inch sensor ultra-wide camera, and a new 3x telephoto, up to 12x zoom
• D-Log2 profile with up 17EV dynamic range
• Low-light further boosts the improved 14 stops dynamic range

There is one minor difference between the Pocket 4P and Pocket 4’s ultra-wide 20mm f/2.0 camera: the ‘refined’ 1-inch sensor, which unleashes a new log color profile, D-Log 2.

DJI says the refined sensor features LOFIC tech — which in simple terms is like super HDR, only it works in real time, which differs to HDR. I first came across the term LOFIC when reviewing the Oppo Find X9 Ultra phone.

The fruit of LOFIC and D-Log 2 is an expanded 17 stops of dynamic range, while the regular Log profile has around 14 stops. D-Log 2 is only available with the ultra-wide camera because it’s linked to the sensor tech, whereas the new 3x telephoto camera uses a separate 1/1.28-inch sensor.

D-Log 2 also isn’t available in every shooting mode, such as Slow Motion 240fps, although like the Pocket 4, that 10x slo-mo is available in 4K, or up to 200fps when using the 3x telephoto camera.

I’ve shot the same clips in D-Log 2, D-Log and ‘Normal’ color profiles (all 10-bit) to make quality comparisons, especially regarding dynamic range, and to see how easy it is to grade the footage for a consistent look. I’ve also shot using some of the built-in color profiles, such as ‘NC film’ and ‘Movie’.

The level of detail that the Pocket 4P is able to hold, especially in D-Log 2, is majorly impressive, especially for such a small and affordable camera. For me, outright 4K image quality is where DJI has the edge over Insta360, and most leading smartphones.

Is D-Log2 enough reason to upgrade from the Pocket 4? Not for me, but there is a more compelling reason: the second camera. The 60mm f/1.8 telephoto optic is essentially a 3x portrait lens, with a pleasant shallow depth of field for upper-body vlogging and shooting closeup details. It’s limited to D-Log or Normal color profiles, but the overall quality is really, really nice, and the footage gives a totally different perspective to the ultra-wide camera's.

Where that 3x lens really shines is when it’s coupled with some of the Pocket 4P’s major features, such as active tracking. With the tighter perspective, creative camera movements tracking a subject on the move can look particularly dynamic, especially where there are other objects in the foreground.

The zoom capabilities are further extended — where the Pocket 4 was limited to a 2x lossless zoom and 4x digital zoom, the Pocket 4P again has the 2x lossless zoom with the ultra-wide lens, plus 6x lossless with the telephoto lens and up to a 12x digital zoom.

The quality of that 12x zoom is okay at a pinch, but if quality is your main concern, I wouldn’t go beyond the 6x setting.

I don’t like the way the heavier dual-camera setup impacts how the camera feels in the hand, but it’s a game-changing feature for this type of camera, and for me it now feels impossible to return to the single-lens format.

The Luna Ultra goes one step further for resolution, with 8K video recording. Personally, I’m happy with a camera that is limited to 4K recording, but whose quality at this resolution, especially regarding dynamic range and color, is more pleasing on the eye. That's the Pocket 4P.

• Image and video quality score: 5/5

DJI Osmo Pocket 4P: testing scorecardDJI Osmo Pocket 4P

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

Pricier than the Pocket 4 but cheaper than the Luna Ultra. You're getting a lot of camera for your money

5/5

Design

The dual lenses are a success, but in otherwise keeping the same body design, the Pocket 4P feels top-heavy

4.5/5

Performance

Industry-leading image stabilization and subject tracking, decent battery life and generous internal storage

5/5

Image and video quality

Yes it's 'only' 4K, but the Pocket 4P can shoot gorgeous footage up to that resolution, especially with the second lens

5/5

Should I buy the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P?Buy it if...

You want more from your Pocket
The dual lenses are a revelation, broadening the kind of shots you can make versus the single-lens models that are restricted to an ultra-wide field of view.

You want the most polished and feature-rich compact vlogging camera
Sure, the Luna Ultra comes with innovative features, but the Pocket 4P has its own unique tricks, and overall it feels like the more polished camera.

Don't buy it if...

You don't need the second lens
Many people have happily been vlogging with a single-lens Pocket camera for years. If you only need that ultra-wide angle, it's wiser to stick with the Pocket 3 or opt for the Pocket 4 instead — they're physically smaller, and cost less.

You want the smallest possible Pocket
The dual-camera setup wins for versatility, but it does result in a bulkier, top-heavy design when compared to the regular Pocket 4.

DJI Osmo Pocket 4P: also consider

DJI Osmo Pocket 4

Don't need the second lens? You'll save a packet by opting for the Pocket 4 instead, which otherwise has essentially the same features, and get a more streamlined camera, with a neat gimbal protector to boot.

Read our in-depth DJI Osmo Pocket 4 review

Insta360 Luna Ultra

Love the sound of dual lenses in a compact vlogging camera? The Luna Ultra is a compelling and strikingly similar alternative, but with 8K video recording and a neat detachable module which comprises the screen, key control and built-in mic. The Luna Ultra arguably wins on innovation, but the Pocket 4P wins by being more polished. The Luna Ultra is pricier than the 4P, too.

Read our in-depth Insta360 Luna Ultra review

How I tested the DJI Osmo Pocket 4P

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

• DJI loaned me the Pocket 4P Vlog Combo kit for a couple of months ahead of the July 30 release
• I shot plenty of 4K footage with the various color profiles, and used the various accessories
• I compared it to the single-lens Pocket 4 and dual-lens Insta360 Luna Ultra

I used the DJI Pocket 4P for almost two months ahead of my review embargo, during which time I regularly shot 4K video using the 20mm and 60mm lenses, the various frame rates up to 240fps, and the range of color profiles, including the new D-Log2. I tried the various shooting modes too, such as hyperlapse, and took photos in the regular and SuperPhoto modes.

In the Vlog Combo kit was a DJI Mini 2 Mini, remote module and fill light, and I tested both those accessories. I generally recorded onto the camera's internal memory, transferred files through USB-C and checked transfer times, ran the camera battery down, and checked recharge times using the supplied USB-C cable.

During my review period I also had the Pocket 4, enabling me to assess the key differences between the single- and dual-lens models. I also had the rival Insta360 Luna Ultra, again allowing me to make direct comparisons.

• First reviewed: July 2026
• Read more about how we test

KitchenAid KF3: Two-minute review

The KitchenAid KF3 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine is the middle child of the company’s 2026 release of a trio of compact bean-to-cup coffee machines, sitting below the KitchenAid KF4 and above the KF2. Because of its slim build, it’s a great option for smaller kitchens, but it can easily service a larger household thanks to four customizable user profiles and a solid selection of over 15 coffee-based drink recipes.

It benefits from KitchenAid’s IntelliGrind system — also featuring on the company’s larger machines like the KF8 and KF6 — that automatically determines the best grind size depending on the beans you pour into the top-mounted hopper. During my testing, I found it consistently delivered a well-extracted and tasty espresso.

The KF3’s automatic milk system uses a hose that you need to place into your own container (the KF4 uses a similar system but includes a container), letting you make a variety of drinks including lattes and cappuccinos. Despite not claiming to work with non-dairy milks, I found it delivered a good level of foam when using a barista-style oat milk.

KitchenAid has given the KF3 a couple of iced coffee recipes too. As with the KF4, and other machines I’ve tested such as the Philips LatteGo 4400 Series, you need to put some ice cubes in your glass or cup first, and KitchenAid claims that the machine will brew espresso at a lower temperature. However, when checking the temperature of a regular shot at 'medium' temperature and an iced-espresso shot with a food-grade thermometer, both registered at around 40ºC / 104ºF, meaning the iced espresso was still hot enough to melt the ice, resulting in a lukewarm and diluted drink.

The other slight niggle I have with the KF3 is that it goes through water quite quickly as it performs a rinse cycle on startup and shutdown. I can understand the latter process to clean out the internals, and the rinsing of the milk hose to keep everything hygienic, but the start-up rinse cycle seemed unnecessary. Fortunately the rear-mounted water tank is quite large at 1.8L, but if you have a larger household or you drink a lot of coffee each day, you'll be refilling it regularly.

Overall, however, the KitchenAid KF3 is a fantastic mid-range automatic espresso machine that’s well made, brews delicious drinks and is ultimately easy to maintain. In fact, I'd say that it does more than enough to compete with the best coffee makers.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)KitchenAid KF3: Specifications

Name

KitchenAid KF3 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine

Type

Bean-to-cup

Dimensions (H x W x D)

14.2 x 7.7 x 18.5 inches / 361 x 196 x 470mm

Weight

19.8lbs / 9kg

Water reservoir capacity

1.9 quarts / 1.8 liters

Milk frother

Yes (automatic)

Bars of pressure

15

Noise level

72dB grinding, 60dB brewing

User profiles

4

KitchenAid KF3: Price and availability

• Launched in UK and US April 2026, Australia in July 2026
• List price $999.99 / £749 / AU$1,349

The KitchenAid KF3 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine launched first in the UK and US in April 2026, and eventually made its way to Australia in July 2026. It has a list price of $999.99 / £749 / AU$1,349, meaning it’s one of the company’s more affordable machines, while being classified a mid-range option in the grand scheme of things.

Only the lower-spec KF2 is cheaper at $799.99 / £699 / AU$1,099 if you want an automatic machine, while the Semi Automatic Espresso Machine is cheaper still, although that naturally requires a bit more hands-on involvement.

The top-tier model in this latest series, the KF4 ($1,299.99 / £899 / AU$1,599) offers much of the same functionality as the KF3, albeit with a wider selection of recipes, a bigger touch display and ships with a milk carafe.

The similarly specced Philips LatteGo 4400 Series is also worth considering in this price range, with its list price of $799.99 / £599.99 / AU$1,199.

• Value score: 4 / 5

KitchenAid KF3: Design

• Compact size makes it great for smaller spaces
• Milk system is simple to use and clean
• No dishwasher-safe components

At first glance, the KitchenAid KF3 looks very similar to other models in the company’s lineup, from the KF4 and up to the KF8 (there’s currently no KF5). It’s more compact than the KF6-8, but the same size as the KF4 and KF2, at 14.2 x 7.7 x 18.5 inches / 361 x 196 x 470mm (H x W x D), making it easy to slide onto a kitchen counter. And slide it you can, as there are two small wheels on the bottom at the rear, so you can lift from the front and move it forwards and backwards with ease.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Looks-wise, it adopts a similar aesthetic as the rest of its siblings. It’s boxy, with rounded corners, and is available in either Porcelain White or Matte Black. To cut manufacturing costs, KitchenAid has ditched the predominantly metal build of the larger models, replacing it with plastic. It still looks and feels very much a premium product though.

The clearest indicator that lets you know this is the KF3 is the small 2.4-inch / 6cm color display. The KF2 doesn’t have one at all, while the KF4’s color screen is larger and touch enabled. It’s a relatively low-resolution screen compared to the likes of the Philips Café Aromis, but is still bright and clear, and the use of color helps to identify the drink you want to make.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

The KF3's display is flanked by 10 touch buttons: four that provide quick access to user profiles, drinks menu, rinsing cycles and machine settings; two to initiate and cancel brewing; and four to cycle forward and back through menu options, return and select.

The top-mounted hopper is large enough to accommodate 250g of coffee beans and, as with the other compact machines in the series, it features a removable opaque lid with a silicone seal. This means you can’t easily see the amount of leftover beans (there’s a clear audible indication if it doesn’t have any to grind) but, then again, the beans aren’t exposed to light and air, keeping them fresher for longer.

Future / Max LangridgeFuture / Max LangridgeFuture / Max Langridge

Furthering its benefits for smaller kitchens, the lid is removable rather than hinged means it’s easy to fill the hopper if you have the KF3 positioned under a wall cabinet. There’s also a small chute for pre-ground coffee, and a scoop is included in the box.

The 1.8L water tank slides in and out the rear of the machine and has an integrated handle to make the process simple, although I personally prefer the side-mounted tank on the Philips LatteGo 4400 as it makes refilling a little bit easier. However, the KitchenAid’s tank features a hinged lid, so more often than not I would leave it in place and pour water in from a jug.

KitchenAid supplies a water filter with the KF3 that it says is good for around two months of use. It was initially a little fiddly to install, but the included coffee scoop doubles up as a tool that clips onto the filter, giving you the extra length needed to screw it into place.

The drip tray is deep and extends virtually the full depth of the KF3, and has a large spout at the back for easy emptying. Used coffee grounds are deposited into a removable bin in the center that can be tipped out when full — you'll see a notification on the display when it's time to do so.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

The KF3’s milk system uses a silicone hose that connects to the side of the dispenser located on the front of the machine. You need to insert one end of the hose into a small socket, while the other end drops into a tall glass or bottle. KitchenAid offers a sealed container with a double-ended hose as an optional extra for $59.99 / £39 / AU$59, which is included with the KF4 by default.

The KF3 features a thorough rinsing cycle for the hose to ensure it’s kept clean, but note that none of the removable parts are dishwasher safe.

Lastly, the height of the coffee dispenser can be adjusted to suit a variety of cup sizes, including large mugs and tumbler glasses. I found I needed to use a little bit of force to move it, but this is a minor niggle.

• Design score 4.5 / 5

KitchenAid KF3: Performance

• Well-extracted espresso time after time
• Good, but not great, milk foaming
• ‘Iced’ drinks still hot
• Four customizable user profiles

The best thing about the KitchenAid KF3 Fully Automatic Espresso Machine is that you can confidently rely on it to deliver an excellent espresso with every use. The IntelliGrind system automatically determines the best grind size depending on your chosen beans to ensure it brews a tasty shot with good crema. I used medium-roast and dark-roast beans during my testing period and I was more than satisfied with the results in each case.

The fact that you don’t have to worry about grind size makes this a fantastic option for coffee novices who aren’t sure how to get the best results. If you're not entirely satisfied, then you'll find a lever hidden behind the side compartment (which provides access to the brewing unit) that you can use to adjust grind size to a finer or coarser level. I ultimately left it at the default setting in the middle.

That being said, the KF3 does give you the option to adjust the strength and body of the espresso. Strength is denoted on a scale of one to three, with the difference being the dose of coffee that’s ground into the brewing head — 7g being the lightest strength and 14g being the strongest.

Future / Max LangridgeFuture / Max LangridgeFuture / Max LangridgeFuture / Max LangridgeFuture / Max Langridge

You can also select light, medium or strong body, which relates to the rate at which water flows during extraction. A strong-bodied coffee, for example, takes the longest, as the water flows through slowly to extract the most amount of flavor.

You’re also able to adjust the volume of coffee delivered for each drink and the water temperature.

Auto Milk is KitchenAid's milk-foaming system and it works well, although I’m of the opinion that a steam wand will always produce superior results. I was, however, pleased to find that it worked well with plant-based milks, despite not having a dedicated option. Coffee machines that cater specifically to plant-based options, such as the KitchenAid KF8, will heat it to a lower temperature compared to dairy for optimal results.

When I made a cafe latte using a barista-style oat milk, I found the KF3 produced a good level of foam with a silky texture, and at a drinkable temperature. I achieved similarly good results with full-fat dairy.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

There are four user profiles on the KF3 for you and your household to store their own drink preferences. While the KF4 lets you name them, they’re fixed at User Profile 1, 2, 3 and 4 here.

KitchenAid understands that iced drinks are popular, even at home, and has given the KF3 dedicated presets for cold coffees. In theory, the shot the machine dispenses is brewed at a lower temperature, although you do still need to put ice in your cup or glass, but that didn't seem to be the case in reality.

I used a thermometer to measure the temperature of both a regular espresso shot and an iced espresso shot and found them to be similar. The regular shot was around 50ºC when brewed at a medium temperature, while the iced shot was around 45ºC. I conducted this test twice, with the same results both times.

As such, the iced espresso shot was still too hot and melted the cubes in my cup relatively quickly, resulting in a diluted drink. If you like your cold coffees, you'd be better off considering other machines like the De’Longhi Dedica Duo and the Jura J10 that offer proper cold-extracted espresso.

The KF3, like other KitchenAid espresso machines, is QuietMark-certified, indicating it should be whisper-quiet in use. That’s something I can certainly attest to, as I recorded around 70dB while grinding and 60dB when brewing, using the decibelX app on my iPhone and standing next to the machine in a relatively quiet space. That puts it on par with the KF4, although we found the flagship KF8 to be quieter still with an average of 44dB during the entire coffee-making process.

Future / Max LangridgeFuture / Max Langridge

Keeping the KitchenAid KF3 clean is incredibly simple. Not only does it automatically complete a rinse cycle on startup and shutdown (which, as I mentioned does mean the water tank can empty relatively quickly), but it will also prompt you when it’s time to empty the ground container and drip tray. It will also ask you to rinse the milk system after every use. You can skip this process at first, but when you turn the machine off — or it automatically shuts down after a predetermined amount of time — it won’t do so until the hose has been flushed.

There are further and more thorough cleaning procedures within the settings menu for washing the brewing unit with special cleaners, and a couple of tablets are included in the box. You will need to buy descaler and a milk system cleaner separately.

There’s also an option to evaporate all the water from the system entirely, which my colleague Cat Ellis has previously expressed as being a feature she wishes all automatic espresso machines had. This is particularly useful if you know you’re not going to be using the machine for an extended period of time and keep it hygienically dry for the duration.

Future / Max LangridgeFuture / Max LangridgeFuture / Max Langridge

• Performance score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the KitchenAid KF3?KitchenAid KF3 score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

Well-priced considering the features and functionality.

4/5

Design

An attractive design that’s compact enough to suit all kitchens.

4.5/5

Performance

Excellent performance for hot coffee-based drinks, and milk foaming is good. Iced options aren’t quite up to scratch, however.

4/5

Buy it if...

You have a smaller kitchen

The KitchenAid KF3 is compact enough that it should fit into most homes, especially those that are short on space.

You want fuss-free coffee

The KF3 does virtually all of the work for you. All you need to do is select your preferred drink and it will be delivered perfectly each time.

You want value for money

The KitchenAid KF3 is well priced considering its features and the fact it’s from a premium, well-known brand.

Don't buy it if...

You want to really fine tune your coffee

The KF3 has options for adjusting various aspects of a coffee, but if you want to get really hands on, then you’ll need to look elsewhere.

You want authentic cold brew

The KitchenAid KF3’s iced coffee options aren’t as cold as they should be, with brewed espresso being hot enough to quickly melt ice.

KitchenAid KF3: Also consider

If you're not sure whether the KitchenAid KF3 is the right espresso machine for you, here are three other options to keep in mind.

Philips Cafe Aromis

This machine is more expensive than the KF3, but the investment is worth it. It brews delicious espresso, has a more legible screen, can brew proper cold-extracted coffee and foam cold milk, and has a genuinely useful app. It’s not available in Australia, however.

Read our full Philips Cafe Aromis review

Philips LatteGo 4400 Series

I’ve mentioned this Philips machine several times in this review for good reason. It performs similarly to the KF4 and is equally compact. It too falls short where iced coffee is concerned, and there are only two user profiles, but it can often be found at a cheaper price.

Read my full Philips LatteGo 4400 Series review

Ninja Luxe Café

This bean-to-cup espresso machine can not only make hot coffee drinks, but it can even do drip filter coffee and cold brew. It’s super easy to master and is regularly discounted.

Read our full Ninja Luxe Cafe review

KitchenAid KF3: How I tested

I used the KitchenAid KF3 for two weeks, and having already spent time with the KF4, I was well versed with what to expect from the slightly lesser-specced machine. I prepared a wide range of drinks with and without milk, and used two different styles of coffee beans to test the IntelliGrind feature on the KF3.

I used a barista-style oat milk and full-fat dairy milk to test the automatic milk-foaming system, and ran the machine’s recommended cleaning cycles.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2026

Light spoilers follow for Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day was meant to signal a fresh era for Tom Holland’s Peter Parker. With 2021’s Spider-Man: No Way Home effectively clearing the narrative slate and stripping away his safety net, this latest chapter had a golden opportunity to chart a bold, unburdened new course for a character whose cinematic journey now enters its 24th year.

And yet, tripped up by familiar Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) shortcomings and weighed down by my own sky-high expectations, Brand New Day yields a final product that is undeniably fun, but ultimately falls short of greatness.

Web of lies

"What's going on with you, Spider-Man?" (Image credit: Sony Pictures/Marvel Entertainment)

Four years have passed in-universe since No Way Home, whose ending saw Doctor Strange cast a multiverse-saving spell to make everyone, including Parker's girlfriend M.J. (Zendaya) and best friend Ned (Jacob Batalon), forget that he was Spider-Man.

Since then, our friendly neighborhood hero has fully committed to cleaning up the streets of New York City. While that mission has been incredibly successful, it's come at a cost — that being said, the webslinger is practically shedding his civilian identity and becoming a social recluse.

Brand New Day yields a final product that is undeniable fun, but ultimately falls short of greatness

That long-term, self-imposed isolation has seemingly dire consequences for Spider-Man, whose world is not only upended after he sees M.J. with a new man, but also by a sudden metamorphosis — one that super-charges his arachnid-like abilities — that he struggles to control.

Throw in the emergence of a powerful and invisible new threat that only Spidey can apparently stop, and the Marvel icon must turn detective, determine if this new superpowered being is as bad as he's been led to believe, and once again realize that with great power comes great responsibility.

Brand New Day's action is well worth the entry fee (Image credit: Sony Pictures/Marvel Entertainment)

That infamous slogan is one that Holland and director Destin Daniel Cretton hung their proverbial hats on throughout development.

The pair have spoken at length about making a Spider-Man movie unlike anything we've seen before, and that's especially true from an action spectacle standpoint. Whether it's the fights that Spidey's involved in — the Hulk and The Hand battles deserve special mention for being intense and imaginative — or simply giving us a first-person view of him swinging through his hometown, Spider-Man 4 is the webslinger at his acrobatic, wily, and inventive best. Full credit to Cretton, stunt co-ordinator and second unit director Peng Zhang, and his team for delivering some of the best action in a Spider-Man film to date.

I was disappointed that Spider-Man 4 didn't examine Parker's hermit lifestyle more thoroughly

Brand New Day isn't as adept at depicting loneliness and other mental health issues, mind you. Indeed, for all of the talk that Brand New Day puts Peter Parker in a mental and emotional echo chamber, that's not entirely accurate.

Sure, Parker spends much of the first two acts lying to himself about why he has to maintain his lone wolf status, a storytelling quirk that allows Holland to further tap into Parker's guilt complex and the volitional burden of responsibility he carries. Even so, he still interacts — and characteristically quips — with everyone who appears in the Marvel Phase 6 flick, and, while it would be a puzzlingly dialog-light film for a usually extroverted character if he didn't, I was disappointed that Spider-Man 4 didn't examine Parker's hermit lifestyle more thoroughly throughout its 142-minute runtime.

M.J. and Ned have slightly smaller rolls in Spider-Man 4 compared to their previous MCU film outings (Image credit: Sony Pictures/Marvel Entertainment)

In fact, the movie's broader emotional impact didn't hit me as hard as I'd hoped.

Yes, there are myriad moving moments — particularly in the third act — where Holland, Zendaya, and MCU newcomer Sadie Sink deliver emotional gravitas aplenty. Sink, whose much-discussed mystery character in Spider-Man 4 I’ll come back to shortly, gives a performance that easily leaves a lump in the throat

Nevertheless, Thunderbolts* tackles its weightier themes — particularly around mental health — with a sensitivity that Spider-Man 4 lacks. Heck, I'd even say No Way Home and another of Holland's previous MCU outings in Spider-Man: Far From Home hit me much harder emotionally than this fourth entry; a take I certainly didn't expect to have prior to my Brand New Day screening.

Lost souls

Spider-Man and The Punisher's crowd-pleasing odd-couple dynamic is a sight to behold (Image credit: Sony Pictures/Marvel Entertainment)

Its action notwithstanding, Spider-Man: Brand New Day does a much better job at making New York feel like a city populated by more than one hero and villain at any given time.

It's no coincidence that sequences involving Bernthal and Holland are some of the funniest and most memorable

That might sound silly for a shared universe like the MCU and for a film franchise that's seen the wallcrawler mingle with other Marvel characters. Still, the fact that he shares the screen with individuals who haven't operated in his orbit before is a positive, especially when, the Avengers movies aside, Marvel appears determined to keep its heroes apart despite their situational proximity.

It's an ingredient characterized best by Spider-Man's quarrelsome, sibling-like dynamic with Jon Bernthal's Frank Castle, aka The Punisher.

Ordinarily, Bernthal's foul-mouthed, unhinged anti-hero would have no place in a family-friendly MCU flick. However, his inclusion in Brand New Day allows Bernthal and Holland's incredibly natural chemistry to shine, and it's no coincidence that sequences involving the pair are some of the funniest and most memorable that Spider-Man 4 has to offer.

Test yourself with our Tom Holland Spider-Man movie quiz!

Think of yourself as a Tom Holland Spidey super-fan? See if you have what it takes to be crowned by the best of the best by tackling our extremely tough Tom Holland Spider-Man movie quiz!

The film’s self-contained, 'pick-up-and-read' comic book vibe further extends to Spider-Man: Brand New Day's full cast of characters.

Returning favorites like Mark Ruffalo's Bruce Banner/The Hulk alongside newcomers in Tramell Tillman's Bill Metzger and Liza Colón-Zayas' Jean DeWolff add to its narrative flavor. However, its overstuffed roster leaves a slight aftertaste as few of them get the necessary development or screentime they require.

Who are you under the hood, Ms. Sink? (Image credit: Sony Pictures/Marvel Entertainment)

Among the supporting cast, Sink gets the most substantial character arc. Brand New Day waits until the 70-minute mark to finally confirm who she's playing, but it compensates for the inevitable reveal by soon putting the Stranger Things alumnus at the heart of its tale, albeit with mixed results.

On the upside, Spider-Man 4 thoughtfully draws parallels between Holland and Sink's characters. Driven by opposing worldviews rooted in personal tragedy, their dichotomous dynamic fuels the second act, and I'll readily admit I was completely engrossed by their superhuman tango.

I was completely engrossed by Holland and Sink's superhuman tango

The problem that Brand New Day runs into is that, by placing Sink at its narrative center, it quickly succumbs to the classic MCU pitfall: setting up future storylines instead of concentrating on its actual protagonist.

Indeed, by act three, Spidey becomes something of a passenger in his own film, and it isn't until its admittedly poignant climax that the focus shifts back to the wallcrawler. That's no slight on the talented Sink's performance, but, not for the first time, it's hard to watch another Spider-Man solo movie and not think that the titular hero has, at times, been overshadowed in his own story.

My verdict

From a recency bias viewpoint, it would be easy — and arguably lazy — to label Brand New Day as the best Spider-Man movie of all-time.

In some ways, you can argue that's true. This is the most relatable Peter Parker has ever felt in a live-action capacity; it ditches the weary multiversal shenanigans in favor of returning to the character's classic street-level roots, and is Holland's most mature outing yet as the legendary webslinger.

That said, while its ending strikes an optimistic note for an all-but-confirmed fifth solo film, Brand New Day is an ironic title for a movie that — much like its protagonist for large parts of this flick — refuses to move on from the past. Its sentimental attachment to legacy characters like Ned and M.J., paired with obstructive MCU world-building, reveals a franchise that hesitates to be as progressive as it could and should be. It’s an endlessly entertaining, ground-level Spider-Man story — it just can’t quite bring itself to let that brand new day truly dawn.

Spider-Man: Brand New Day is out now in the UK, and hits theaters in the US and other regions on Friday, July 31.

HP Omen 16 Slim: Two-minute review

In these strange times where PC memory prices seemingly double by the day, an affordable gaming laptop is a tantalising prospect. But is it actually realistic? Enter the HP Omen 16 Slim, HP's latest mainstream gaming portable.

There are two core variants of the Omen 16, a standard-sized model and this so-called "Slim". Long story short, this Slim model is a little skinnier but still isn't exactly super compact for a 16-inch laptop, thanks to not only a fairly hefty lower screen bezel, but also a chassis that sticks out beyond the base of the display. At least the slightly tanky proportions translate into a tanky chassis with a solid feeling keyboard bed.

Anyway, it's the value proposition that matters and that means getting into the specs. CPU-wise, we're talking Intel Core Ultra 7 255H, which is a pretty modern 16-core chip from Intel's Arrow Lake generation. Here it's configured with 24GB of DDR5 in dual 12GB SoDIMMs. But various configs are available, including 16GB and 24GB.

There's also 1TB Gen 4 SSD, but with any gaming laptop surely the most important single component is the GPU and it's no surprise to find an Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 8GB doing the pixel pumping duties.

(Image credit: Future)

It's one up from the bottom of Nvidia's RTX 50 Series laptop GPUs, but it gets the full feature set, including all the latest DLSS upscaling bells and whistles. It outputs to a 165Hz 16-inch LCD display with a native resolution of 1,920 by 1,200 pixels, making it a 16:10 aspect panel rather than the usual 16:9 ratio.

The battery is a pretty generous 70Wh item, meanwhile, and networking includes WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4 and Ethernet. Slightly less impressive is the physical connectivity. Not only are you limited to just one USB-C port (plus three USB-A), it can only do a measly 10Gbps. So, the only video out is the single HDMI 2.1 port.

Of course, gaming performance is the key metric here, and the results are pretty good, albeit with one major caveat. This skinnier Omen 16 Slim makes do with 110W of Total Platform Power (TPP) and 80W maximum for the GPU, where the full-sized Omen 16 cranks that up significantly to 170W TPP. Given premium gaming laptops can supply as much as 175W and more just for the GPU, you can see how 110W for everything, including CPU, RAM and storage, can be a limiting factor.

That said, the RTX 5060 GPU is pretty efficient and well matched with the 1200p (near-enough 1080p) 165Hz display. You'll need to use DLSS upscaling to get slick frame rates in the most demanding games. But, broadly, you'll get fairly smooth results at very high detail settings. What's more, the chassis doesn't get too hot and the fan noise is moderate.

All of which means HP has done a nice job with the HP Omen 16 Slim. It's well built, mostly well specified and delivers a pretty sweet gaming experience. Whether it makes sense as a buy comes down to pricing. As configured here with 24GB of RAM, it's a little spendy. But there's an otherwise identical 16GB model that we just spotted for a whisker under $1,200. Right here in 2026, that's a very decent deal.

HP Omen 16 Slim review: Price & availability

(Image credit: Future)

• Available for £1,499 in the UK with 24GB of DDR5
• The closest US config rocks 16GB of DDR5 for $1,599
• Looks out for deals on sites like Newegg

In this precise configuration with 24GB of DDR5 RAM, the HP Omen 16 Slim weighs in at £1,399 in the UK. That's actually very good given current memory prices, right now. Indeed, you could argue it would make sense to knock that back to 16GB, keep everything else the same, and save some money.

Indeed, in the US, just that configuration is available, while the 24GB option is not. With 16GB, you're currently looking at $1,599, which is a fair bit less appealing. Currently, an otherwise identical version but with an RTX 5050 instead of the RTX 5060 can be had for $1,198 on Newegg, which implies you might be able to bag one with the 5060 and 16GB for around $1,400 at some point if you hang around and wait for a deal. At that price point, the HP Omen 16 Slim would start making a lot of sense.

HP Omen 16 Slim review: Specs

Base spec

Review config

Price

$1,189 / £1,100 (estimated UK price)

£1,399 / $1,799 (estimated US price)

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 7 255H

Intel Core Ultra 7 255H

Graphics

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU

Nvidia GeForce RTX 5060 Laptop GPU

RAM

16GB DDR5

24GB DDR5

Display

16-inch 1200p (1,920 x 1,200), 144Hz, IPS, 300 nits

16-inch 1200p (1,920 x 1,200), 165Hz, IPS, 400 nits

Storage

1TB NVMe SSD PCIe Gen4

1TB NVMe SSD PCIe Gen4

Ports and Connectivity

1x USB Type-C 10Gbps (USB Power Delivery, DisplayPort 1.4), 3x USB Type-A 5Gbps, 1x ethernet, 1x headphone/mic combo jack, 1x HDMI 2.1, Wi-Fi 76E Bluetooth 5.4

1x USB Type-C 10Gbps (USB Power Delivery, DisplayPort 1.4), 2x USB Type-A 5Gbps, 1x ethernet, 1x headphone/mic combo jack, 1x HDMI 2.1, Wi-Fi 76E Bluetooth 5.4

Battery

70Whr

70Whr

Weight

5.35lbs / 2.425kg)

5.35lbs / 2.425kg

Dimensions

14.1 x 10.6 x 0.9 inches / 35.75 x 26.9 x 2.27 cm

14.1 x 10.6 x 0.9 inches / 35.75 x 26.9 x 2.27 cm

HP Omen 16 Slim review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Not actually that "Slim"
• Solid, well-built chassis
• Connectivity is only OK
• Cooling is well executed

The HP Omen 16 Slim is mostly plastic, just the bottom cover is metal. But it still feels very solid and durable. The Keyboard is nice and stable, with only a touch of flex when pushed hard. The keyboard, while we're on the subject, has four configurable RGB lighting zones, but at this price point, you're not going to get per-key lighting.

HP has done a nice job with the cooling, too. The twin fans draw air from the bottom cover and push it out the back and do so without making too much noise. However, despite the "Slim" branding, this is not a super compact laptop.

(Image credit: Future)

Coming in at 1.99cm to 2.27cm thick, where the standard Omen 16 measures between 2.39cm and 2.54cm, the 16 Slim is thinner than its sibling. But it's still not that compact.

Thanks to a rather large chine bezel and the way the rear of the chassis sticks out beyond the screen hinge, the Omen 16 Slim actually has a larger footprint than many laptops that trade on pure performance rather than portability and also tips the scales at 2.42kg. So, it's no featherweight.

In that context, the somewhat limited connectivity is a touch disappointing. You get three USB-A ports, but just one USB-C and even the latter is limited to 10Gbps, though it does at least support video out and charging the laptop itself.

HP Omen 16 Slim review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Decent frame rates at 1200p with DLSS
• Seriously quick SSD
• Fan noise is reasonable

HP Omen 16 Slim benchmarks

3DMark: Night Raid: 57,311; Fire Strike: 25,198; Time Spy: 10,454; Port Royal: 6,372
Geekbench 6: Multicore: 14,468; Single-core: 3,114
Cinebench R24: Single Core: 134; Multi Core: 2,713
Crossmark: Overall: 1,992; Productivity: 1,888; Creativity: 2,182; Responsiveness: 1,783
Passmark Overall: 10,817; CPU: 38,631; 2D Graphics: 819; 3D Graphics: 17,174; Memory: 3,094; Disk: 36,232
CrystalDiskMark: Read: 7,025MB/s; Write: 5,895MB/s
Shadow of the Tomb Raider: (1200p, High): 132fps; (1200p, High, DLSS Quality): 139fps
Total War: Warhammer III: (1200p, Ultra): 83fps; (1200p, Low): 205fps
Cyberpunk 2077: (1200p, Ultra, no RT): 70fps; (1200p, RT Ultra, DLSS Balanced): 51fps
Doom: Dark Ages: (1200p, Ultra): 57fps; (1200p, Ultra, DLSS Quality): 83fps
Battery Life (TechRadar movie test): 12 hours and 32 minutes

Intel's Core Ultra 7 255H is very much a known quantity, what with its eight Performance and eight Efficient CPU cores. It's all you need for gaming in CPU terms, so the HP Omen 16 Slim's critical gaming component compared with the competition among the best gaming laptops is that Nvidia RTX 5060 GPU and how well it's been implemented.

This thinner HP Omen 16 Slim model does suffer slightly in the wattage department, with the Total Platform Power shared across the GPU, CPU, memory and more capped at 110W. But that doesn't absolutely hobble gaming performance.

For instance, running at the 16-inch display's native 1,920 by 1,200 resolution, you can crank Cyberpunk 2077 right up, with Ultra RT settings and Quality DLSS scaling and still get 44fps average frame rate.

(Image credit: Future)

OK, that's not spectacular. But it is acceptable for a single-player title. Switch off the ray tracing and you'll be looking at frame rates nearer 100. Moreover, in less demanding games, let's say something a little older like Shadow of the Tomb Raider, you can hit over 130fps even without DLSS upscaling and really make the most of the 165Hz refresh rate of the 16-inch display.

Speaking of the screen, the 16:10 aspect is a little odd and adds a little GPU load versus a vanilla 1080p panel. But it's reasonably vibrant, with nice-ish colours and contrast and decent 3ms response times. It's nothing special, but probably what you'd expect at this price point.

Just note the panel reviewed here is the upgrade 400 nit option. The base display is only 300 nits, runs at 144Hz and has much less colour fidelity. Avoid that if at all possible.

(Image credit: Future)

The 16 Slim's thermal performance is pretty impressive, too. It doesn't get too hot under load and the fan noise is reasonable. Well, it is unless you enable "Unleashed Mode" in the Omen Gaming Hub app. That cranks up the fans, but doesn't do much for frame rates.

Elsewhere, the SSD is particularly nippy, clocking over 7GB/s for reads and nearly 6GB/s for writes. For what is pitched as a value-orientated system, that's impressive. As for other elements, the sound quality from the speakers is tolerable at this price point, but the volume could be a little higher, and the webcam quality is OK.

In terms of physical performance, the chassis feels robust, even though only the bottom cover is made of metal, and the keyboard base is nice and solid with minimal flex. As for the trackpad, it's mechanical and doesn't have niceties like a glass cover. But it's large and works well enough. It's also worth noting that the memory, storage and Wi-Fi cards are all upgradeable, which is welcome in an age where too many laptops have everything soldered on.

HP Omen 16 Slim review: Battery life

(Image credit: Future)

• Surprisingly good for a budget gaming laptop
• USB-C charging is supported
• Not actually all that portable

Undoubtedly one of the HP Omen 16 Slim's more impressive aspects is battery life. OK, you're not going to get more than a couple of hours of light gaming off the mains, but for watching video, this laptop has some real legs.

Our local video playback test netted over 12 and a half hours with the screen at half brightness. That's a realistic setting for use on, say, a plane, albeit you might want to wind the screen up a little in bright daylight.

Whatever, that's a very impressive result for a gaming laptop and makes this portable much more plausible as an all-round computing device to take with you on trips and outings. The caveat to that is that the fairly large proportions and relatively hefty 2.4kg kerb weight mean this isn't a laptop you're going to sling into a small shoulder bag and forget about.

Should I buy the HP Omen 16 Slim?HP Omen 16 Slim: Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Prices are pretty variable depending on spec and location. But certain Omen 16 Slim configurations do look appealing. You may need to keep your scanners peeled for a good deal, however.

4 / 5

Design

The "Slim" branding suggests something very compact, but this is actually a fairly beefy 16-inch laptop. That said, it is solidly built with a decent keyboard. It's just a pity the connectivity isn't a touch more comprehensive.

4 / 5

Performance

This is a value-orientated gaming laptop, so expectations should be kept in check. But the RTX 5060 GPU matches well with the 16-inch display and you can run pretty much any title at high detail settings with the aid of DLSS upscaling.

3.5 / 5

Battery life

If there's one metric where the HP Omen 16 Slim delivers beyond expectations, it's battery life. You can expect over 12 hours of video playback, which is well beyond what most affordable gaming laptops can manage.

5 / 5

Total Score

Much depends on the price you can bag on the HP Omen 16 Slim. But if you can find a good deal, you'll get good performance, solid build and a nice all-round package.

4 / 5

Buy the HP Omen 16 Slim if…

You want decent value in today's weird market
Nothing's cheap when it comes to gaming PCs, these days. But the HP Omen 16 Slim is definitely decent value in the current context of spiralling memory prices.

You want good battery life
Most gaming laptops struggle away from the mains. But the HP Omen 16 Slim will do 12 hours-plus of video playback on the battery.

Don't buy it if…

You're looking for great portability
Despite the "Slim" branding, this is not a particularly compact or light 16-inch laptop. But it is solid and feels built to last.

You need cutting-edge performance
The HP Omen 16 Slim puts out decent frame rates for a mainstream laptop. But its RTX 5060 GPU is limited to 80W and this is not a high-end machine.View Deal

HP Omen 16 Slim review: Also consider

Asus V16
If you're looking for something even cheaper, try the Asus V16. It uses older Nvidia RTX 30 and 40 Series GPUs to achieve a few savings. But it's surprisingly well built and very portable for a gaming laptop. Read our full Asus V16 review.

Medion Erazer Major 16 X1
If you want more performance without breaking the bank, try the Medion Erazer Major 16 X1 and its RTX 5070 Ti GPU. It's heavy, feels and bit cheap and the battery life is poor. But it'll kick out some very impressive frame rates. Read our full Medion Erazer Major 16 X1 review.

How I tested the HP Omen 16 Slim HX

(Image credit: Future)

• Used as my daily rig for two weeks
• Threw my Steam library at
• Got forensic with the screen and build quality

I've been round the block when it comes to gaming laptops. My first portable ran a GeForce 2 Go, if you can remember back that far. My current lappie runs an RTX 4080, and there have been plenty more in between. ANd those are just my personal machines. I've long since lost count of how many gaming laptops I've reviewed. There are always a few knocking around.

Over the years, I've learned a lot about what makes a good gaming laptop and I applied that to the HP Omen 16 Slim over a couple of weeks. That means throwing everything in my Steam Library at it, from classic strategy titles like Total War to graphics fests including Cyberpunk 2077. All round performance, including the SSD, is also important, as is battery life for what is, ultimately, meant to be a portable machine.

I'm also very picky when it comes to screen quality and keyboard feel and have something of a forensic obsession with laptop build quality. You have to be realistic at this price point, but build quality is particularly important to gaming laptop longevity. Bendy chassis usually end up in flakey performance, eventually.

• First reviewed: July 2026
• Read more about how we test

A relative newcomer in the industry, DataImpulse has grabbed a slice of the proxy pie thanks to its wallet-friendly, high-performing service. From more than 90 million ethically-sourced residential IPs across 195 locations to mobile and datacenter proxies, users gain access to a speedy and reliable global network.

The company specializes in creating custom proxy services for businesses, though individual users who aim to access data from anywhere and collect the information they need will have no problem finding something for themselves.

Arguably, the biggest selling point is a highly competitive, pay-as-you-go pricing model with traffic that never expires. DataImpulse throws in free country-level targeting for every plan (more granular targeting options are also available), and full support for HTTP, HTTPS, and SOCKS5 proxy protocols across all of its proxy networks.

Plans and Pricing

DataImpulse operates on a transparent pay-as-you-go model where traffic never expires. In case you’re unfamiliar with the concept, the bandwidth you buy here is yours until your scrapers actually consume the bytes, whether that takes days or months.

The price structure is based on the type of proxy and the amount of traffic.

For instance, residential proxies start at a flat $1 per GB for a 5GB starter block, and go up to 50GB at the same dollar-to-gigabyte ratio. If you ramp up your scraping to the Advanced tier, the cost drops down to $0.80 per GB for an 800GB package, with custom enterprise pricing scaling down even further for terabyte-scale deployments - though you’ll have to pony up at least $4000 for the option.

Datacenter proxies start at a mere $0.50 per GB for new users, slipping down to $0.45 per GB when upgrading to a larger $450 volume pool. Once again, you can get a custom price per gigabyte.

Gaining access to mobile proxies kicks off at $2 per GB for the entry-level 5GB option. The price goes down to $1.6 per GB for bulk operations, with custom pricing available for truly massive projects.

Finally, premium residential proxies will set you back $5 per GB via 1GB and 10GB plans. And yes, there is a custom option too with a $20k starting point.

It’s worth mentioning that DataImpulse doesn’t play favorites with its plans. Each includes free country-level geo-targeting, rotating and sticky sessions, HTTP(S) and SOCKS5 support, full programmatic API access, 24/7 support, and unrestricted concurrent threads. There are no overage penalties or hidden connection fees, which means your infrastructure bill will match your actual code execution down to a T.

Features

If you decide to give DataImpulse a go, your first step will be to register, either the old-fashioned way or through your Google, GitHub, or LinkedIn profile. A classic dashboard layout will greet you, where all the important stuff is located in the left sidebar.

(Image credit: DataImpulse )

The usage chart and details will be your starting point. Once you settle on a plan, you can begin with the proxy configuration by setting the targeting options down to the ASN (Autonomous System Number) and IP rotation interval, which you can save altogether as a dedicated configuration.

You have to choose between a sticky or rotating proxy, as well as the protocol in charge. Sticky proxies are port-based (IP addresses are bound to a specific port for a specific timeframe), and the rotation interval can range from 1 to 120 minutes. Rotating proxies change the IP address automatically with each new request.

From here, it’s also possible to top up your balance by choosing the number of GBs you want to add in the event you need more traffic.

Here’s a more detailed look at DataImpulse’s offering:

Residential proxies

Arguably the workhorse of the platform, the standard residential proxy pool provides on-demand access to a sizable footprint of over 90 million active IP addresses across 195 countries. DataImpulse proudly markets its pool as entirely ethically sourced, which means all nodes join the network legally and transparently.

As a result, the IPs maintain a pristine reputation score and are drastically less likely to be blacklisted by major CDN platforms. In other words, when your script routes data through these nodes, target web servers view the connection as an ordinary home user browsing a site, rather than an automated bot. In our tests, residential proxies delivered a consistently high scraping success rate.

Premium residential proxies

DataImpulse labels these as ultra-responsive IP addresses with minimal latency that deliver better reliability and security compared to regular residential proxies. So, you should see faster connection speeds and more precise geo-targeting, especially considering you get full customization options to tweak your scripts.

Moreover, upgrading to the premium residential line significantly reduces the risk of encountering unexpected access blocks or sudden CAPTCHAs. Since this is a premium offering, it includes additional operational perks, such as a dedicated account manager to help optimize your efforts and resolve any doubts or issues.

Datacenter proxies

When targeting open public directories or basic landing pages (basically, anything that isn’t buffed up with sophisticated anti-bot frameworks), residential IPs can be an expensive overkill. To that extent, DataImpulse offers 20 million datacenter IPs in 195+ countries to tide you over in a cost-efficient manner.

With a response time of less than 100 milliseconds and the fact that these IPs connect directly to high-speed enterprise data systems, this tier is built for pure speed and instances where you need to process thousands of requests per second. You can also configure your IP address to be active for up to 30 minutes.

Mobile proxies

For the most challenging anti-bot systems, like social networks or review platforms, DataImpulse provides rotating and sticky mobile proxies. Pulling from a pool of over 16 million real 3G, 4G, 5G, and LTE cellular towers across 195 locations, these carry a distinct security advantage due to the same public-facing IP to thousands of mobile devices simultaneously.

Hence, web firewalls seldom block a mobile IP address outright since doing so would mean blocking hundreds of legitimate human users on that cell tower network. The largest pool of DataImpulse’s mobile IPs is in India (1.57 million), Saudi Arabia (444k), Italy (257k), Morocco (239k), while the United States is covered with 129k IPs. You can have a single address remain active for up to two hours.

Traffic that never expires

Perhaps the defining USP separating DataImpulse from a chunk of its competitors is the fact that your purchased pay-as-you-go traffic never expires.

In most cases, you’ll wind up with monthly billing subscriptions or restrictions on how long your traffic is valid for. If you have unused bandwidth, it’s gone for good. With DataImpulse, it remains completely active until your crawlers actively consume the bytes. Having peace of mind that you can use data as long as you need without worrying about losing access makes the model a great fit for small businesses and dev teams with limited budgetary and operational width.

Scraping

Unlike some of its peers, DataImpulse leans heavily into a developer-first, DIY network architecture. This means there is no web scraping API, as the vendor’s focus is solely on providing raw proxy connections, rather than managed scraping tools. You must write your own code to manage requests, parse the HTML, handle retries, and bypass CAPTCHAs.

On the plus side, such a model brings financial and structural flexibility for teams writing custom data collectors. By routing scripts through DataImpulse’s proxy layer, they can plug the proxies directly into any automation framework or headless browser engine using basic credentials or token structures.

(Image credit: DataImpulse)

In that regard, DataImpulse provides a Gateway API to programmatically manage, authenticate, and automate the provisioning of their global proxy pools. From there, you can dynamically generate proxy lists, rotate IP addresses, track bandwidth consumption and request volumes, programmatically set advanced targeting filters, and more.

There are also comprehensive integration blueprints for popular developer frameworks and third-party apps. Some of these include Scrapy, Puppeteer, Selenium, Shadowrocket, Multilogin, AdsPower, Playwright, and Zapier, to name a few. The platform also provides short code snippets for Python, Node.js, PHP, C#, Go, Ruby, and cURL to set up proxies. All of the above is neatly documented with built-in support and code examples.

Advanced geo-targeting and session controls

Country-level geo-targeting across all 195 covered regions is built natively into the base $1/GB price floor with zero add-on activation fees. For more accurate data parsing, there are State, City, ZIP code, and ASN filter toggles.

When it comes to rotating sessions, the DataImpulse gateway dynamically inserts a randomized IP address on every network request your scraper submits. For standard HTTP/HTTPS traffic, you simply point your scripts to gw.dataimpulse.com on port 823. In case your stack relies on the more robust SOCKS5 protocol to handle raw TCP tunnels or high-performance scraping, you use port 824.

For situations where your code requires session continuity (like managing a social profile or handling account-tied logins), you can bind your traffic to a dedicated port range anywhere from port 10000 through 20000. Doing so locks a single IP address to your active thread for up to 120 minutes, though the system gracefully defaults to a 30-minute window if no interval is set.

Ease of Use

There’s not much to say here. Most importantly, the dashboard allows you to move effortlessly around via a single-page command center tailored for fast deployment. That said, the arrangement of certain sections could be better.

For starters, the section ‘Resources’ that features the onboarding guide is tucked away in the upper right corner of your respective plan, instead of being the first thing you see. The same place holds the links for documentation and tutorials.

Then, the ‘Proxy Locations’ section provides a table overview of supported countries for each of the four types of proxies available on DataImpulse. There’s no additional functionality or details to it, which feels like a missed opportunity.

(Image credit: DataImpulse)

Acting as a de facto homepage, there is a filterable real-time line chart that plots your request volume across custom date ranges and breaks down traffic metrics by total requests, charged traffic, and total spend.

The dashboard also logs individual session activity in an audit table showing the timestamp, targeted host, consumed traffic, and error/success states, with the option to export this data directly to a CSV report.

In terms of generating your target connection parameters, the dashboard provides a straightforward copy-paste system where you can grab your master username and password strings.

You can also manage whitelisted IPs via a simple menu. Just save your scraping server's public IP address within your dashboard profile, and the gateway will automatically recognize your incoming traffic tunnels, thus shaving valuable milliseconds off your script's execution times.

Customer Support

One of the things DataImpulse singles out is its 24/7 personalized, human support. The company proudly mentions that you’ll get an answer in under 3 minutes, courtesy of an ever-present chat icon in the lower right corner. Our experience was no different - we got a tidy reply in less than a minute.

If you prefer self-service support, the company provides a thorough Documentation page. Here, you’ll find various technical reference materials, API endpoints, authentication methods, and basic proxy setup instructions.

(Image credit: DataImpulse)

Covering the more practical elements is the Tutorials page. It acts as an extensive step-by-step engineering handbook, packed with detailed screenshots, videos, configuration blueprints, and copy-pasteable code snippets for integrating proxies across dozens of operating systems, scraping frameworks, and headless browsers.

For customers deploying huge data operations at the custom enterprise level, DataImpulse boosts its support to include dedicated account managers and custom feature engineering tailored specifically to the customer’s unique data requirements.

The Competition

Truth be told, proxy services are tough competition. DataImpulse has robust providers like Bright Data, Oxylabs, and Decodo playing in the same field, though its unexpiring pay-as-you-go traffic and a highly disruptive $1 per GB residential proxy baseline certainly make it stand out. Nonetheless, the main problem is a lack of out-of-the-box software tools or any sort of target templates, leaving all the coding execution to your team.

Final Verdict

If anything, DataImpulse proves you don’t have to pay a premium to get access to a reliable and ethically sourced proxy network. In no small part thanks to its price tag and data that never expires, the company has created an accessible, developer-first platform that is finely tuned to the needs of individual developers, startups, dev squads, and growing small businesses.

So, if you have the know-how and are looking to drastically slash data collection costs, DataImpulse will more than suffice. But, if you’re not much of a technical user and require a fully managed, hands-off scraping solution, it will likely be too bare-bones for your liking.

• Take a look at our guide to the best proxy services

When I first caught a glimpse of The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales, it sparked a great sense of anticipation within me. After all, Square Enix and Claytechworks were collaborating to bring a brand new HD-2D RPG to the table, which appeared to combine sprinklings of classic Zelda titles with the visual, sonic, and environmental grandeur from series such as Mana and Dragon Quest.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, Nintendo Switch 2, Xbox Series X and Series S, PC
Release date: June 18, 2026

I’m a huge fan of the HD-2D graphical style, and massively enjoyed recent releases such as Final Fantasy: The Ivalice Chronicles and Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake, but I still wasn’t quite sure if I’d love The Adventures of Elliot. Was the action combat going to be polished and engaging enough? Was the world going to deliver the spectacle and appeal conjured up with other series? Would the narrative have me hooked?

Well, after playing the game for more than 25 hours now, I have an answer to all of those questions. Here’s what I made of The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales.

The good: combat that exceeds expectations

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Let’s start by addressing my curiosity surrounding combat in The Adventures of Elliot — just how good is it? Well, I’m pleased to report that I had a lot of fun with the action in this game. It clearly pulls on 2D Zelda, with real-time combat that challenges you to use a variety of weapons to overcome your foes.

You can equip two weapons at once, and while I typically used my sword for close range attacks and bow for projectiles, I found genuine utility in a lot of equipment, be that bombs, a hammer, spear, and more. Combat feels fluid, responsive, and well balanced. You can also defend or parry with a shield, and using this to avoid big damage can be crucial.

There’s a pretty fast, high-octane feel to battles, big or small, and by defeating multiple foes in a row, you can build up a streak to obtain better drops. This adds a layer of fun to combat, and gives you a genuine reason to seek out and destroy random creatures in your vicinity — I had a lot of fun pushing myself to get that streak as high as possible.

Combat is absolutely at its best during boss fights, though. These can offer genuine challenges, and often require you to switch up attacks, defend with care, and employ a variety of weapons to get the win. The satisfaction I got when evading a robotic titan’s assault and slashing it to smithereens with my blade was nothing short of exhilarating.

Best bit

(Image credit: Square Enix)

The highlight of this game is without question its majestic boss battles. Whether I was taking on Minister Kaifried or a bunch of deadly robotic guardians, I enjoyed making use of my full arsenal of weapons in order to emerge victorious.

What’s more, you can customize weapons with something called Magicite, which imparts specific abilities to help you wipe out the opposition with greater ease. This is executed very well, and helps you to raise attack power, unlock elemental attacks, and extend the reach of your attacks, for instance.

By spending more Tul (the in-universe currency), you can use more Magicite, and this helps you scale in terms of power as the game unfolds, making progression feel natural and well-paced.

Other gameplay elements are solid too. Platforming isn’t a massive part of the game, but feels precise and smooth. Your companion for most of the journey, Faie, also has abilities such as dashing and warping, which make traversing environments and taking down enemies even more varied and seamless, and you can unlock more of — and improve on — said abilities as the game progresses.

The not-so good: a narrative missing its spark

(Image credit: Square Enix)

So, the gameplay in The Adventures of Elliot is a hit, in my book. The brilliant bosses and close contests against frogs, robots, slugs, and more kept me coming back for more. But unfortunately, some things made me feel reluctant to indulge in long, uninterrupted play sessions — namely, the game’s narrative and dialogue.

Simply put, the story in The Adventures of Elliot lacks the spark that I was looking for. It often feels flat, lacking moments of surprise and suspense, and its largely predictable plot points paired with sluggish and dull dialogue meant that I was tempted, at times, to skip through a few scenes — something I never do with story-driven RPGs.

On top of this, the cast of characters is surprisingly weak for a Square Enix game. The protagonist, Elliot, feels somewhat hollow, and spends much of the game telling people to follow their heart, chase their dreams, and to believe in themselves. To be blunt, it feels a bit sappy, and despite his striking appearance, he’s actually quite an uninteresting lead.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

A lot of the other characters are written in a slightly wooden way, too. Elliot will meet them, they’ll reveal something that troubles them — be that isolation, missing a loved one, or seeking connection with others — the hero will do something to assist them, and then you move on. As a result, characters often lack nuance or depth, and it feels hard to care about the various individuals involved.

Like a lot of other players have pointed out online, your companion, Faie, is also rather irritating. She speaks up…a lot…and her hand-holdy, pointless interjections can feel grating. You can mute your companion, thankfully, which is a good thing given that the fairy’s high-pitched tone is still haunting me.

Much of the game is centered around time travel, another element that could’ve been handled more effectively in my view. A lot of the environments look identical across different eras, and enemy variety can be pretty limited across time as well.

I did like the discoveries you could make across different ages, though, and hunting for new weapons in the various dungeons, and general exploration, was pretty enjoyable. My critique here, however, is that the puzzles within various areas are very easy, and require little effort to overcome. Therefore, anyone seeking out the ingenious design of classic Zelda dungeons may be left wanting more.

Final thoughts: a new IP with growing pains

(Image credit: Square Enix)

The Adventures of Elliot still nails a lot of the fundamentals, with a beautiful soundtrack, gorgeous HD-2D visuals, and a neat UI. But when I look at the full package, I’m left feeling conflicted.

While the combat is slick and enticing, the underwhelming story and lack of variation in environments and enemies slightly disappointed me.

Although I still had a decent time with The Adventures of Elliot, and I enjoyed its delicious HD-2D graphics and high-octane battles, it’s clear that the new IP has gone through a few growing pains. And unfortunately, its forgettable characters and lacking dialogue bring the overall experience down a touch, meaning it doesn’t quite hit the highest of heights.

Should you play The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales?

(Image credit: Square Enix)Play it if...

You love classic Zelda combat
If you’re a sucker for combat in 2D Zelda games, then this title will surely hit the spot for you. The pace of battle and numerous weapon types keep combat feeling varied and exciting throughout the game’s runtime.

You’re a fan of the HD-2D visual style
If, like me, you’ve enjoyed the HD-2D visual style before, you'll almost certainly love it again here. The game is full of beautiful backdrops and environments, and the expressive 16-bit style sprites really pop.

Don't play it if...

You’re expecting a gripping story
The biggest weakness of this title is its underwhelming story, with dull dialogue and an uninspired cast of characters holding the overall experience back from greatness.

You want tough puzzles
Although in-game dungeons hold some highly entertaining boss fights, reaching them can often feel like a formality. That’s largely because puzzles are very straightforward, with little challenge involved.

Accessibility features

There are a number of ways to customize the experience in The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales. There are a handful of text languages, and you can swap between English or Japanese voices. You can alter text display speed, and set dialogue to auto if you want to watch scenes unfurl naturally.

There are a range of difficulty modes too, and you can remap controls to your liking for a more custom experience. Unfortunately, there’s no colorblind mode, or similar.

(Image credit: Square Enix)How I reviewed Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake

(Image credit: Square Enix)

I spent more than 25 hours playing through the main story and side quests in The Adventures of Elliot: The Millennium Tales. I played on Normal difficulty in this instance.

For the most part, I played the game on my PS5, which is connected up to my Sky Glass Gen 2 TV and Marshall Heston 120 soundbar. However, I occasionally dipped into the title on my PS Portal, and used the Sennheiser CX 80U to enjoy in-game audio while on the go.

More generally, I’ve reviewed a wide range of games here at TechRadar, though my main focus has been on RPGs, including Square Enix titles like Final Fantasy: The Ivalice Chronicles and Dragon Quest 1 & 2 HD-2D Remake.

First reviewed: July 2026

Honor Magic V6 review: Two-minute review

Chinese phone giant Honor has been on a bit of a roll recently. In 2026, it’s already given us the exceptional Honor MagicPad 4 and the compelling Honor Magic 8 Pro flagship, not to mention the impressive (albeit slightly pricey) Honor 600 Pro. Its latest foldable, the Honor Magic V6, keeps up this formidable streak and is easily worthy of being considered one of the best foldable phones today.

The big draw here is the Magic V6's market-leading durability. I’ve taken plenty of foldables for a spin, from the clamshell Motorola Razr Plus to the tablet-style Oppo Find N5, but I’ve always maintained that I would never actually buy one. Why? Because these devices are often simply too fragile. I’m pretty clumsy with my phones and regularly use (and I must admit, sometimes drop) them in the shower or bath, and there’s no way that I’m going to splash out on a premium foldable only to see it turned into a damp paperweight.

The Honor Magic V6 is the first foldable I’ve tested that truly bucks that trend.

(Image credit: Future)

In its review documentation, Honor recommended not to baby the phone — I was encouraged to take it out and about without a case, use it in the rain, and so on. I’ve been doing exactly that and, after multiple months of use, it still looks brand new. With its IP68 and IP69 ratings, it offers the highest level of water protection that I can find on the market right now, comparable to most regular high-end flagships.

Its fold is smooth, quiet, and, after being unfolded multiple times a day for weeks, is still as good as new. Honor says that the inner screen is layered with tough UTG flexible glass and has an SGS Imperceptible Crease Certification, and it really shows. The fold is near-invisible head-on, and only really shows if you hold the phone at very specific angles. This is the first foldable I’ve used where you can truly forget that it’s even there.

All of this is underpinned by a premium design that’s impressively slim. The folded phone is about as thick as an iPhone 17 Pro Max, so it feels great in the hands. Unfolded, it becomes just 4.00mm — the same incredible slimness that we loved with the previous Honor Magic V5. On that note, it’s a shame that Honor hasn’t really changed the design that much for this new iteration, though.

The look is practically identical and, on a more serious note, the V5 often ran hot, and that’s still an issue this time around. It’s especially apparent when you’re putting the top-end Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 SoC through its paces, so be prepared for some thermal throttling if you’re spending hours in the most demanding games.

Despite these minor shortcomings, the Magic V6 is a winner and another impressive showing for Honor. I’m eager to see what the company has planned next.

Honor Magic V6 review: Price and availability

• Priced at £1,999.99 / AU$2,999 (around $2,700)
• Already discounted by £500 thanks to a voucher
• Available in the UK and Australia, but not the US

The Honor Magic V6 is priced at £1,999.99 (AU$2,999), which is a pretty hefty sum, but roughly in line with competing devices like the $2,099.99 / £1,899 / AU$2,999 Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra.

Honor gains a major edge when you consider that the V6 offers 512GB of storage as standard (the Z Fold 8 Ultra starts at just 256GB) and factor in the brand’s frequent promotions and freebies.

At the time of writing, for example, the phone is already £500 off on the official Honor website thanks to a voucher, and comes bundled with your choice of an Honor Pad 10 tablet, projector, or AI voice recorder in addition to some earbuds — you can’t really argue with the value there.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Honor Magic V6 review: Specs

Here's a look at the Honor Magic V6's spec sheet:

Dimensions

156.7mm x 74.5 mm x 8.75mm (folded) / 156.7mm x 145.6mm x 4.1mm (unfolded)

Weight

219g

Screen

Inner: 7.95-inch 2352 x 2172 foldable OLED

Outer: 6.52-inch 2420 x 1080 OLED

Chipset

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

RAM

16GB

Storage

512GB

OS

Honor MagicOS 10 (Android 16)

Rear cameras

50MP ultra-wide, 50MP wide, 64MP telephoto lens (3x zoom)

Front camera

20MP wide, 20MP wide

Audio

Stereo speakers with Honor Sound

Battery

6,660mAh lithium polymer

Charging

80W Honor SuperCharge, 66W Wireless Honor SuperCharge

Colors

Red, Gold, White, Black

Honor Magic V6 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Very similar to the V5
• Smoother, more premium hinge
• Still a large camera bump

The design of the Honor Magic V6 is practically identical to that of the V5. It is incredibly thin when unfolded, coming in at just 4.1mm, with a durable aluminium chassis. The back material depends on your choice of colorway, with the Red version using vegan leather and the Gold, Black, and White featuring a smooth fibre composite.

Whether you’re using it folded or unfolded, this is a very good-looking phone that feels great in the hands. I took it with me to Los Angeles on two business trips during my testing, and multiple people complimented the device completely unprompted and were eager to learn more about it — something that I can’t say has happened with any other mobile I’ve used.

Like most Chinese flagships, the rear of the phone features a large octagonal camera bump which isn't going to be to everyone’s taste. I do quite like how it looks, though, and appreciate the subtle tactile texture on the ring around it. The bump is also a bit smaller than that of the Honor Magic 8 Pro, which means that it’s less likely to rest under your fingers and get covered in smudges.

Although the aesthetic hasn’t changed, there have been some big improvements compared to the Honor Magic V5 when it comes to the hinge. It’s much quieter and smoother this time around, helping the phone feel more premium and sturdy. When opened, the phone’s inner display looks totally flat, and the crease is totally invisible in most situations. It only shows up at specific angles and when the screen is displaying lighter colors like grey or white.

Honor keeps things refreshingly simple when it comes to buttons with the Magic V6. There’s a small volume rocker and a power button on the right-hand side, and that’s your lot. They’re well placed for one-handed operation and feel pleasantly clicky. My only real gripe is the fingerprint reader built into the power button, which sometimes feels unresponsive and requires a few attempts to successfully unlock.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

Honor Magic V6 review: Display

(Image credit: Future)

• Both screens are bright and attractive
• Crease is barely visible
• Comes with pre-applied screen protectors

Both of the displays found on the Honor Magic V6 are excellent. The 6.52-inch OLED outer screen has a 2420 x 1080 resolution, with a fantastic 2,000 nits peak brightness (or up to an absurd 6,000 nits with HDR) that ensures that it stays visible in even the harshest lighting conditions. It uses Honor’s Anti-scratch NanoCrystal Shield coating, which is decently scratch-resistant and has managed to keep the screen pristine throughout my testing.

It certainly helps that the outer screen also comes fitted with a screen protector out of the box, though I opted to remove it early on as it picked up a lot of marks very quickly. (The inner display also comes with a screen protector, though be warned that this is an integral part of the display that should not be removed by the user. It thankfully seems much more durable than the outer one). Despite the rectangular candy-bar shape of the folded phone, the outer screen uses rounded corners, presumably to give it symmetry with the inner one.

That inner display is a 7.5-inch foldable OLED panel, surrounded by impressively thin plastic bezels. It’s almost as bright as the external one, with a 1,300-nit peak brightness (or up to 5,000 nits with HDR). It’s decently high resolution at 2352 x 2172 and doesn’t look noticeably less sharp than the external one in use, so you can transition between them seamlessly. Honor also deserves some credit for just how closely calibrated both of the displays are: they’re practically identical in terms of color and together just feel like a natural extension of the same panel.

Both the inner and outer screens feature an adaptive 120Hz refresh rate, too (avoiding a jarring transition between different refresh rates when switching between the two), which is fantastic for smoothly scrolling apps and social media websites.

Lastly, you absolutely don’t need to worry about an ugly crease spoiling your view with the Honor Magic V6. There is still a fold that you can feel if you really examine it with your fingers, but it’s practically invisible in regular use unless you hold your phone at specific side-on angles or look very closely on a totally blank screen.

I’ve been folding and unfolding the phone constantly throughout my testing, and it hasn’t become more visible either, which is a great sign for long-term durability.

• Display score: 4 / 5

Honor Magic V6 review: Cameras

(Image credit: Future)

• Good camera setup
• Not quite as strong as the Magic 8 Pro
• Plenty of software features

The cameras of the Honor Magic V6 aren’t quite as strong as those of the Honor Magic 8 Pro, but they’re still very capable compared to the rest of the wider foldable category. The rear camera offers a three-lens setup, with a 50MP ultra-wide, 50MP wide, and 64MP telephoto lens.

Photos are bright and poppy by default, which is great for capturing the mood of summer days, and they offer a good level of detail — even when dealing with busy scenes and foliage. The main sensor offers 3x optical zoom, which works fantastically, alongside a much less consistent 100x digital zoom. This setup performs well in low-light conditions and those with challenging lighting setups, like concerts with bright strobe effects.

There are plenty of software features to try out on the Magic V6, including AI-powered color filters and different photo watermarks. The ability to display the photo that you’re taking on the front screen is also brilliant for group settings.

Both the front and inner display have the same 20MP wide sensor, which does a good job with selfies, even if the results are a little overprocessed. The Honor Magic V6 also has strong video shooting capabilities and can capture 4K video at 60fps.

As good as it all is, though, I do think the results are overall less impressive than the images I’ve taken with the Honor Magic 8 Pro and its 200MP main lens.

• Cameras score: 4 / 5

Honor Magic V6 review: Camera samplesDashiell WoodDashiell WoodDashiell WoodDashiell WoodDashiell WoodDashiell WoodDashiell WoodHonor Magic V6 review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Flagship chip
• Can run hot
• Good RAM and storage

The Honor Magic V6 is powered by the flagship Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, the same chip found in the Honor Magic 8 Pro, Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra, Xiaomi 17 Ultra, and other high–end smartphones. With this SoC, it should come as no surprise that the performance of the Honor Magic V6 is incredibly strong across the board.

In daily use, you’re not going to notice any hitches or slowdown when navigating system menus, browsers like Google Chrome or Firefox, and social media apps. It’s paired with 16GB of RAM, which is more than enough for serious multitasking. I normally rely on my phone for productivity tasks like note-taking, transcribing, and document editing while I’m out on business trips, and my flow was never broken by sudden reloads when flicking between multiple apps — even ones that I hadn’t opened for some time.

Gaming performance is also excellent. It almost goes without saying that casual titles like Plants vs Zombies 3 or Warhammer Combat Cards - 40K (two games I must admit I’ve been spending an embarrassing amount of time playing recently) are totally flawless. More demanding titles, like my go-to Zenless Zone Zero, will run beautifully at the maximum settings preset as well.

The Honor Magic V6 does have a problem with temperatures, though. Extended gaming sessions will cause the phone to heat up quite a bit, leading to eventual slowdown. I also found that it struggled massively during the recent UK heatwave, feeling red hot in my pocket and struggling to run even Google Maps smoothly in direct sunlight. Given the phone’s thinness, I think it’s reasonable that it runs hot at times — but if you want a dedicated gaming device, you would be better off looking outside the foldable market.

Only one configuration of the Honor Magic V6 is available, offering 512GB of storage out of the box. It’s a bit of a shame that there’s no 1TB model for proper power users, but this 512GB capacity will be more than sufficient for the vast majority of buyers. I still have almost 300GB of free space after multiple months of use.

The stereo speakers of the Honor Magic V6 are decent, but hardly going to blow your socks off. There’s more bass than you might expect given the phone’s slight profile, and they can get fairly loud. Just make sure that you run to the ‘Sound quality and effects’ menu in the settings app and disable the various effects that are, for some reason, enabled by default. They just make everything sound washed out.

• Performance score: 4 / 5

Honor Magic V6 review: Software

(Image credit: Future)

• Transitions between screens seamlessly
• MagicOS 10 is still a winner
• Sleek, iOS-inspired design language

I’m a big fan of MagicOS 10, Honor’s Android 16-based operating system. The design is certainly Apple-inspired, but as an ex-iPhone user, I find it both visually appealing and easy to use. It has a liquid-glass-like aesthetic, with sleek, semi-transparent menus and rounded buttons.

You get all the visual flair of using an iPhone, but with all the additional customization options that you would expect from the Android ecosystem. New icon packs, themes, and a range of pre-set options can be selected from the in-built themes app. You can even disable the transparency effects throughout the OS if you want something that looks a bit more like traditional Android.

Smart features, like an AI tool to recommend images that would be well-suited for your lock screen and AI-powered widgets that use context to suggest the app that you’re most likely to want to use, make daily operation smooth.

Other AI software elements include the ability to generate or rephrase text and a surprisingly good translation feature. They’re not all winners though. The AI Settings Agent (which allows you to type or speak sentences like ‘Turn off Bluetooth’ in order to change key settings) is laughably useless, while the so-called AI Memories App is literally just a screenshot tool with the word AI slapped on it.

But compared to other foldables that I have used, the Honor Magic V6 is by far the smoothest when transitioning between the two displays on the software front. You will get the odd moment where things freeze up, or apps fail to resize properly, but the vast majority of the time it works exactly as you would expect. I soon found that being able to seamlessly access the larger screen made it much easier to compose apps in Gmail, or edit documents in Google Drive.

• Software score: 4 / 5

Honor Magic V6 review: Battery

(Image credit: Future)

• 6,660mAh lithium polymer cell
• Best in class battery life
• Easily lasts for more than a day

The battery life of the Honor Magic V6 is superb. The 6,660mAh lithium polymer cell offers more than enough juice for a full day of use, even if you play graphically demanding games or stream video content. I use my phone constantly throughout the day and regularly go to bed with about 25% of juice left. With light use, you could easily stretch multiple days out of a single charge, particularly if you enable one of the power-saving modes.

6,660mAh is the largest battery capacity you will find across the entire foldable category, and it shows in real-world use. The Honor Magic V6 can comfortably outlast both the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold and Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 7 (we’re yet to test it against the new Galaxy Z Fold 8 Ultra), as well as traditional flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.

Honor devices are already known for their serious battery chops, but cramming this much battery life into a device so thin and light is extremely impressive.

• Battery score: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Honor Magic V6?Honor Magic V6 scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

The Honor Magic V6 isn’t cheap, but it does offer significantly better value than key competitors.

4/5

Design

A sleek, stylish, and durable design with a smooth hinge. It’s great, but draws heavily on the winning formula of the Honor Magic V5.

4.5/5

Display

The Honor Magic V6 offers two great screens which feel like a natural extension of each other.

4/5

Software

Honor MagicOS 10 is a capable and attractive operating system that’s well optimized for foldables.

4/5

Camera

A compelling camera setup, only lagging slightly behind regular flagships.

4/5

Performance

Extremely fast and ready for gaming, but prone to overheating during extended play sessions.

4/5

Battery

The Honor Magic V6 excels with leading battery life in the foldable category

5/5

Buy it if...

You want a foldable with serious battery chops
The Honor Magic V6 offers the best battery life in the entire foldable category. It’s the one to choose if you need serious battery performance.

You want a great-looking phone
The Honor Magic V6 doesn’t stray too far from the design of the Honor Magic V5, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s still a fantastic-looking phone.

You need a durable foldable
The Honor Magic V6 is incredibly durable for a foldable phone. It has some of the best water resistance on the market, and feels sturdy enough to last for years.

Don't buy it if...

You are a hardcore gamer
The Honor Magic V6 has the technical specs for high-level gaming, but it often runs hot under heavy load, which does hamper performance. Consider a conventional flagship or a dedicated gaming phone if you want to play the latest and greatest titles for hours at a time.

Honor Magic V6 review: Also consider

Not so keen on the Honor Magic V6? Here are two alternatives to weigh up, one folding and one not.

Honor Magic 8 Pro
The Honor Magic 8 Pro is a fantastic alternative if you want a conventional flagship with similar specs in a non-folding format. It’s cheaper, but features a larger battery, better cameras, better cameras and faster charging among other upgrades.

Read our full Honor Magic 8 Pro review

Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold
The Google Pixel 10 Fold also offers a strong level of water resistance and durability. It’s the alternative to go for if you would prefer something running a more vanilla version of Android.

Read our full Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold review

Honor Magic V6

Honor Magic 8 Pro

Google Pixel 10 Fold

Starting price

£1,999.99 / AU$2,999 (around $2,700)

£1099.99

$1,799 / £1,749 / AU $2,699

Dimensions

156.7mm x 74.5 mm x 8.75mm (folded) / 156.7mm x 145.6mm x 4.1mm (unfolded)

161.15 x 8.4 x 75mm

155.2 x 150.4 x 5.2 mm

Weight

219g

219g

258g

Screen

Inner: 7.95-inch 2352 x 2172 foldable OLED

Outer: 6.52-inch 2420 x 1080 OLED

6.7-inch 1256 x 2808 OLED, 120Hz

Inner: 6.4-inch OLED

Outer: 8-inch OLED

Chipset

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

Google Tensor G5

RAM

16GB

12GB

16GB

Storage

512GB

512GB

256GB / 512GB / 1TB

OS

Honor MagicOS 10 (Android 16)

MagicOS 10, based on Android 16

Android 16

Rear cameras

50MP ultra-wide, 50MP wide, 64MP telephoto lens (3x zoom)

50MP main + 50MP ultra-wide + 200MP telephoto (3.7x zom)

48MP, f/1.7, 0.5-inch sensor

Front camera

20MP wide, 20MP wide

50MP

10MP

Audio

Stereo speakers with Honor Sound

Stereo speakers with Honor Surround Subwoofer

Stereo with spatial audio

Battery

6,660mAh lithium polymer

7,100mAh (tested), 6270mAh (EU)

Up to 30 hours

Charging

80W Honor SuperCharge, 66W Wireless Honor SuperCharge

120W wired, 80W wireless

39W wired charging, 15W wireless

Colors

Red, Gold, White, Black

Sunrise Gold, Sky Cyan, Black

Moonstone, Jade

How I tested the Honor Magic V6

• Tested for multiple months
• Used as a daily driver
• Compared to flagship devices

I tested the Honor Magic V6 over a period of multiple months, using it as my daily driver. I relied on it for a wide range of tasks, from listening to music and browsing social media on my commute to watching my favorite series on a plane and trying out the latest game releases.

Throughout my time with the phone, I frequently compared its performance to other flagship devices, including those from Honor and its major competitors.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2026

TP-Link Tapo C660 Kit: One-minute review

The TP-Link Tapo C660 Kit is a feature-packed 4K outdoor security camera that delivers many of the perks usually reserved for pricier models, including solar charging, pan-and-tilt coverage, color night vision and local microSD storage.

That last feature means you won’t need to pay for a subscription for video playback and download, but there are still some great (but non-essential) features in the paid Tapocare subscription, especially if you plan to expand your home's security with more than a single camera.

The Tapo app is also easy to use, and the C660 Kit will slot in alongside other Tapo smart home gear like lights, plugs and more to form its own smart home ecosystem. On the other hand, if you have other smart devices in the mix and would prefer a hub to control them all, Alexa has the strongest support, while Google Home only works with voice commands and video streaming to smart displays and TVs. There’s no native support for Apple HomeKit.

While it doesn't necessarily stand out in a crowded market with its design, the white casing looks sleek and stylish, and the IP65 waterproof rating means the C660 Kit is dust-tight and can withstand low-pressure water jets from any direction (aka rain, splashes or hose spray).

(Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda)TP-Link Tapo C660 Kit review: Price and availability

• Starts at $169.99 / £179.99 / AU$299 for a single camera unit
• Available in multipacks of 2, 3 and 4-camera bundles
• Optional Tapocare subscription plans start at $3.49 / £2.99 / AU$3.99 per month

The Tapo C660 Kit costs $169.99 / £179.99 / AU$299 for a single camera unit, although multipacks of 2-, 3- and 4-camera kits are available either as set bundles or as part of a build-your-own package option directly from Tapo as well as through third-party retailers like Amazon.

While you may not need a subscription package, especially if you use a single camera unit, Tapocare might well be worthwhile for some users. It offers cloud storage, extended video clip history for up to 30 days and enhanced notifications, with plans starting at $3.49 / £2.99 / AU$3.99 per month for one camera on the Basic Tapocare tier. Prices increase as you add more cameras.

You can also buy the camera on its own without the solar panel under the TP-Link Tapo C560WS name for $99.99 / £109.99 / AU$199.

• Value: 5/5

TP-Link Tapo C660 Kit review: Specs

Price

$169.99 / £179.99 / AU$299

Megapixels

8MP

Resolution

4K / 3840 x 2160 pixels

Field of view

105º

Pan/tilt

360º horizontal rotation, 90º vertical

Storage

microSD up to 512GB (not included)

Smart home

Alexa, Google Home, Siri Shortcuts; no HomeKit

Battery

10,000mAh

Connectivity

2.4GHz / 5GHz Wi-Fi 4

IP Rating

IP65

TP-Link Tapo C660 Kit review: Design and installation

• Sleek black and white color scheme
• Straightforward installation with easy-to-follow instructions
• Recommended mounting height is between 2.5m and 3m (8-10 feet)

The Tapo C660 Kit has a sleek white plastic body with black accents around the lens, with IP65 rating for dust ingress protection and resistance to low-pressure water jets from any direction. This means water from rain, splashes or hose spray will be fine, but it won’t withstand immersion and pressure washing.

The solar panel is just the right size relative to the camera — it isn’t small and subtle by any means and it’s definitely noticeable once installed, but it isn’t too imposing either. As mentioned above, there is a rubber flap underneath the camera lens concealing the power button, a reset button and a microSD card slot.

Installing the Tapo C660 Kit is straightforward thanks to the easy-to-follow instructions included in the box. You start by drilling holes where you want to mount the base plate, then slot the camera in. The solar panel is screwed on top, then plugged into the camera’s USB-C port located on the bottom.

(Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda)

It’s worth taking some time to think about where you want the camera placed before you install it, though. While the Tapo C660 Kit can pan and tilt the camera, getting the full view of an entire space isn’t guaranteed if it’s mounted too low since it doesn’t tilt upward. TP-Link recommends mounting it between 2.5m and 3m (8-10 feet) and in a location where the solar panel gets the most sunlight throughout the year.

TP-Link also recommends that the camera shouldn’t point at swaying trees and other moving objects like vehicles and pedestrians to prevent an avalanche of notifications, but if it’s unavoidable, the C660 lets you set motion detection zones via the app to reduce or minimize notifications of movement within those zones.

(Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda)

One thing to note about the installation is that the camera has a manual power button tucked away beneath a flap under the lens. Unlike other security cameras that power up automatically when plugged into a power source (like the solar panel or a USB-C cable), this button needs to be switched on before mounting (especially when it's in a hard-to-reach height) and pairing with the Tapo app.

Pairing the camera to the app is quick and straightforward, with only a few setup options at the beginning, like Wi-Fi connection type (2.4GHz for longer range or 5GHz for better video streaming quality, both using the Wi-Fi 4 standard), assigning the camera’s location and even the icon you want displayed in the Tapo app home screen.

• Design: 5/5

TP-Link Tapo C660 Kit review: Software and smart home support

• Tapo app is intuitive and easy to use
• Alexa has full support, while Google Home is limited
• Motion detection zones move with the camera instead of a fixed area

TP-Link’s Tapo C660 Kit natively integrates with the Tapo smart home app, allowing the camera to slot into any existing Tapo smart home ecosystem that might include lights, plugs, switches, robot vacuums, door locks and more.

If you have devices from other brands and use a smart assistant to consolidate them into one interface, the camera supports Amazon Alexa and Google Home. Alexa supports both live footage playback and voice commands, while Google Home only supports voice controls and video streaming on select devices. Apple HomeKit isn’t supported, but alerts and automations can still be done through Siri via iOS shortcuts enabled through the Tapo app.

(Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda)

The app works well, with an intuitive interface using tiles to show all your Tapo devices, with dedicated tabs for the different gadget categories (like cameras, vacuums and 'Smart' for automations). You can play the live feed and adjust settings by tapping on the tile for the camera (or cameras if you have more).

Camera settings include two-way audio, a toggle for the built-in spotlight and adjustments for panning and tilting the camera. There’s also an option to 'save' a set camera position via 'Viewpoints' and easily access those positions without manually adjusting each time. Those views can be used for automations, too.

To try out the feature, I set the camera to monitor the rear of the house instead of the driveway and front stairs for just a few hours during the day, and it would activate as scheduled each time. Patrol Mode also lets you move the camera between those set positions, but the Tapo app warns that this mode may impact the camera motor’s longevity.

(Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda)

One annoyance I found with the Viewpoints feature was that the motion detection zone that I set also moved with the camera and there’s no option to lock it to a specific spot. Thankfully, I didn’t have to move my camera too often for that to personally impact me, but I can see it being inconvenient for some users.

Adding to the motion tracking is a setting subject detection like person, pet or vehicle, and it can also be set for different motion detection zones as well.

• Software: 4/5

TP-Link Tapo C660 Kit review: Performance

• Crisp 4K image quality from 8MP lens
• Built-in spotlight provides color at night
• Solar panel keeps the unit running 24/7

The Tapo C660 Kit captures videos through its 8MP lens with 4K (3840 x 2160 pixels) resolution, with a frame rate of 15 or 20 frames per second. The recorded video clips were crisp and detailed when viewing live or when playing back previously recorded footage. It was clear enough for me to see details like faces, vehicle license plates and larger text from further away, while the 18x digital zoom provided more detail than lower-resolution cameras.

It managed to retain detail in brighter areas and the video wasn’t washed out, like when direct sunlight was hitting the driveway. There’s built-in wide dynamic range to prevent overexposure in bright sunlight or underexposure in dark shadows.

Motion tracking was responsive, and the C660 Kit could track me moving when I was walking quickly, running or cycling (although I wouldn’t necessarily call myself a fast runner or cyclist to try and avoid the tracking). I also liked that the camera automatically reverts to the original position after detecting movement, so I didn’t have to adjust it manually as some security cameras require you to do.

At night, the f/1.6 aperture takes in enough light to provide a clear image, and the built-in spotlight adds more low-light visibility. There’s also an infrared sensor as an alternative to color night vision. While I found both modes were able to detect movement almost instantly, the image quality isn’t as crisp as daytime mode, but it was still decent enough to be clear and fully visible.

The built-in microphone produced clear audio and was loud enough for a conversation even when I wasn't at home.

(Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda)

The solar panel kept the battery topped up, with the camera almost always running at 100% apart from some overcast days. It was only when I switched on 24/7 Capture (which frankly most people won’t need) that the solar panel struggled to keep the camera charged, and I eventually had to bring it indoors (it can be removed from its base plate easily) for a top-up via a USB-C cable.

In a different test, I tried running the camera without the solar panel plugged in, and the camera ran uninterrupted for just over 2 weeks before it needed charging.

(Image credit: Future | Nico Arboleda)

The Tapo C660 Kit isn't necessarily the cheapest 4K security camera, but having local storage via a microSD card makes it a great value option compared to others that require a subscription to access cloud storage for recorded footage. It supports up to 512GB, though you'll need to purchase the microSD card separately as it doesn't come with one in the box.

TP-Link says that’s enough for around 16 complete days of recording, which is plenty for most people. Local storage means you can also back up those recordings to your home computer or another drive for redundancy. The Tapo app also lets you password-protect the microSD card for an extra layer of security.

Accessing footage from the card is easy through the app, and notifications reliably link to recordings with almost no delay after the camera detects motion. Video playback is also very smooth in the app. If you prefer cloud storage, you can opt for the aforementioned Tapocare subscription and choose a plan based on the number of connected cameras you plan to have.

Other features in Tapocare include 30 days of encrypted video storage for events, rich notifications and video summaries.

• Performance: 4/5

Should I buy the TP-Link Tapo C660 Kit?TP-Link Tapo C660 Kit report card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

You get some premium features like 4K resolution and 360º views for an affordable price, while on-device storage means you don’t have to pay for a subscription.

5/5

Design

It features a clean, sleek white design that’s relatively sturdy, and the solar panel that helps to extend its battery life is a proportionate fit.

5/5

Software

The Tapo app is clean and intuitive, with plenty of adjustments to fine-tune the settings. Alexa has the strongest support for smart home integrations, with Google Home at a distant second.

4/5

Performance

It captures crisp 4K footage well, and also performs reasonably well in low-light situations thanks to a built-in spotlight.

4/5

Buy it if

You need to cover a large area

With a field of view up to 105º and 360º horizontal rotation, a single camera can cover a building’s full side, although you'll need multiple units if you want even better coverage.

You don’t want to recharge a security camera frequently

When placed in a sunny spot, the solar panel will keep the camera running long enough for infrequent charging, but it can even be further optimized with the right settings.

You don’t want to pay for a subscription

On-device storage via a microSD card means most of the essential functions aren’t locked behind a paywall.

Don't buy it if

You live somewhere that doesn’t get much sun

A wired security camera may be more suitable if you don’t get enough sunlight to benefit from the included solar panel.

You want better smart home integration

Alexa has the strongest support, but the camera doesn’t support live footage with Google Home, while Apple HomeKit is not supported at all.

How I tested the TP-Link Tapo C660 Kit

I installed the Tapo C660 Kit to a porch post on my property for a few months to get a sense of both its recording capabilities and whether its solar panel would keep the camera’s battery charged.

I tested all the settings, but had the alarm and spotlight mostly turned off to avoid disturbing neighbors, only doing one-off tests to see if they perform as advertized. I would also check captured footage whenever I got a push notification.

The smart home integrations were tested with smart displays (a 2nd-gen Google Nest Hub and an Amazon Echo Show 5) in addition to the Alexa and Google Home mobile apps.

First reviewed July 2026

GameSir G8+ Bluetooth: One-minute review

The GameSir G8+ Bluetooth is the wireless mobile controller in the G8 family and bolsters compatibility from being simply mobile, to the Nintendo Switch, tablets, and PC. The same full-size grips, Hall effect joysticks and triggers, and programmable back buttons that made the wired versions of the G8 so impressive remain, and at $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$129, so does the price.

On paper, you’d think it’s a no-brainer to go wireless, particularly with the addition of a six-axis gyroscope adding to that strong core experience, but the wireless freedom you gain comes with meaningful trade-offs. Noticeably, the lack of passthrough charging and the lack of a headphone jack, both obvious casualties of the move to Bluetooth.

More importantly for iPhone gamers, the GameSir iOS app doesn't recognize the controller, which means the stick calibration, dead zone tuning, hair-trigger configuration, and back button mapping that make the G8 Plus so compelling as an option on other platforms go completely to waste. The Bluetooth connection itself also feels less locked-in than the wired experience on iPhone, with small stick movements occasionally getting lost along the way.

On Android and PC, the experience is significantly better. The app works, the back buttons are configurable, and there’s haptic feedback on offer as well (albeit with patchy support, particularly on mobile). For the first time, you can even use the G8 Plus with your Nintendo Switch. But if an iPhone is your primary device, the wired GameSir G8+ MFi delivers a more complete, more reliable experience for the same money.

(Image credit: Future)GameSir G8+ Bluetooth: Price and availability

• List price: $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$129
• Available from GameSir and major retailers
• Same price as the rest of the G8 range

The middle sibling, the GameSir G8+ Bluetooth launched in mid-2024 at $79.99 / £79.99 / AU$129, matching the rest of the G8 family.

Each variant has pros and cons, so the consistent price puts the onus firmly on the buyer to decide which set of trade-offs works best for their setup. GameSir has also released a couple of special edition color variants in some regions, including a Hulk and a Thanos Edition, which will set you back slightly more.

At this price, it remains highly competitive against the Backbone One 2nd Gen and is significantly cheaper than the Razer Kishi Ultra, though the Bluetooth limitations on iPhone mean it's not the straightforward recommendation the wired models are.

GameSir G8+ Bluetooth: Specs

GameSir G8+ Bluetooth

Price

$79.99 / £79.99 / AU$129

Dimensions

9.06 x 4.21 x 2.17 in / 230 x 107 x 55mm

Weight

0.69 lbs / 314g

Connection

Bluetooth 5.3, Wired USB-C (PC), Wireless Dongle (sold separately)

Compatibility

iOS, Android, Nintendo Switch, PC, macOS

Software

GameSir App (Android only)

GameSir G8+ Bluetooth: Design and features

• Comfortable, console controller-like ergonomics shared with the rest of the G8 range
• Bluetooth versatility across five platforms, but mode switching is a hassle
• Special edition designs are only available in certain markets

The G8+ Bluetooth is the first and only member of the G8 family that cuts the cord entirely. Wireless freedom and the versatility it brings are the entire pitch, and it helps broaden the G8’s platform compatibility too.

Unlike the original G8 Galileo and the G8+ MFi, which are limited to mobile only, this controller works with iOS, Android, the Nintendo Switch, PC (via wired USB-C or Bluetooth, with a wireless dongle sold separately), and macOS. Console gaming aside, in theory, that means the G8+ is ready to follow you anywhere on your gaming journey.

The reality, unfortunately, is a little more complicated. Each platform requires its own Bluetooth pairing mode, triggered by holding different button combinations on the controller. If you're a one-device person, this is a simple pair-once-and-forget situation, and you can skip to the next paragraph.

If you're hopping between platforms, as I was during testing, it gets tedious fast. Switching modes caused regular reconnection failures with devices the controller had previously been paired with, and keeping track of which mode goes with which platform isn't intuitive. It's workable, and we’re in first-world problem territory here for sure, but it's not the seamless experience it should be.

FutureFuture

On the plus side, turning it on couldn’t be simpler because stretching the controller open automatically powers it on and letting it close fully again powers it down. This isn’t a life-changing feature but certainly a nice convenience that worked reliably throughout testing.

A 1000mAh battery sits split across both grips, charging via USB-C. The GameSir app tracks each side independently, which is how I discovered the left and right grips drain at slightly different rates despite charging as a single unit. I saw a couple of percent drop over half an hour of active use, and the rated eight-hour battery life seems about right based on that.

The black colorway is a clean, classic look that feels more like a traditional controller than the grey and grey-and-white of its wired siblings. GameSir has also released rather jazzy Hulk- and Thanos-themed special editions in some regions, making this the only G8 variant with cosmetic variety, though they’ll set you back a little more for the paint job.

The build quality and overall shape match the rest of the family; it’s well designed and well built with the same full-size, Xbox-like grips, textured backs and a solid chassis. It’s comfortable to hold for extended sessions, and while at 11oz/314g it's the heaviest of the three on paper, the balance is good, and the weight didn't register during testing.

Case compatibility is a mixed bag, as is often the case with mobile controller grips. Without a USB-C connector going into the phone, there's no port angle to stress about, thankfully, but the physical cradle can still be tight.

My iPhone 17 Pro fit with a slim case on but sat at a noticeable angle towards the left side, which saw it protrude more than I’d like. There is a rubber pad on the phone deck that appears to serve the same purpose as the G8+ MFi's removable magnetic panel for camera bump clearance, but this one is glued down rather than magnetically attached.

GameSir’s marketing suggests this is still meant to be removed to accommodate camera bumps, but it really didn't feel like it wanted to come off, and I wasn't willing to force it. If you do take it off, don’t expect it to go back on neatly and expect to trap plenty of dust in the residue.

The D-pad shares the same feel as the rest of the G8 family: slightly mushy initial movement but with a clicky, short-travel feel once you commit to an input. Swappable ABXY caps and thumbstick caps carry over, too, as do the three alternate stick options, and they’re easily adjusted by popping off the magnetic faceplates.

Once again, however, GameSir only includes one of each of these replaceable sticks, so you can’t run the same option on both sides. One annoyance that cropped up here for the first time on any G8 I’ve tested: on iOS, the controller connects as a DualShock controller, so all on-screen UI elements in compatible games display PlayStation button labels.

GameSir doesn't include any PlayStation-legended alternative keycaps in the box, so you’ll need to remember that triangle is Y, for example.

(Image credit: Future)GameSir G8+ Bluetooth: Performance

• Hall effect inputs are excellent and responsive, but Bluetooth feels a step behind wired
• iPhone users lose app support, back buttons, and customization entirely
• Vibration motors remain largely a spec-sheet feature with no real-world use

As you’d expect, the core gameplay experience with the G8+ Bluetooth mirrors the other options in the G8 range. The Hall effect thumbsticks and triggers are smooth and precise with a high level of sensitivity.

Resistance in these is just right for my taste; I found I was able to confidently hold the sticks at a midpoint for fine adjustments without the sense that the stick was itching to return to its starting point. The triggers offer full analog travel with a responsive hair-trigger mode (assuming you can enable it, more on that shortly). In analog mode, I felt like I had a nice level of control and was able to modulate the throttle in Forza Horizon 6 with plenty of detail.

That said, the Bluetooth connection introduced a subtle but noticeable difference in feel I hadn’t experienced before with a GameSir G8. I couldn’t quite quantify it, but I didn't feel as locked-in using the G8+ Wireless as I did with the wired equivalents.

It's not consistent, obvious latency, or any kind of genuine stutter or interference; it's more that small thumbstick movements occasionally felt like they were getting lost along the way. Everything was perfectly playable, and my skill as a gamer is certainly not high enough for this to be a make-or-break thing, but if you're serious about your gaming, the wired experience is definitely tighter.

(Image credit: Future)

The biggest issue I came across, and the one that separates this controller from the rest of the G8 family, is the iPhone experience. It’s somewhat lacking. Because iOS sees the controller as a DualShock 4, the GameSir app doesn’t recognize the G8+ Bluetooth. That means no stick calibration, no deadzone adjustment, no hair-trigger toggling, and no back button mapping.

The two rear programmable buttons, labeled M1 and M2, ship unbound by default, and there's no way to configure them on iOS. They don't appear in the iPhone's native controller settings either because iOS thinks this is a DualShock 4, which doesn't have back buttons. On macOS, I was able to rebind other buttons through native system options, but back button mapping wasn't available there either for the same reason.

On Android, the picture is much better. The app recognized the controller (though admittedly it took a couple of attempts at first), and once connected, all the usual calibration, deadzone, hair-trigger, and back button configuration options were available. Gaming on the POCO X5 Pro was a smooth experience, with Fortnite and Call of Duty Mobile both running well after the usual game-side controller recognition quirks.

PC gaming was the most pleasant surprise. Connected via either USB-C or Bluetooth, the controller was recognized immediately as a PlayStation 4 controller and was fully mapped out of the box for both local and cloud gaming. Gyro tracking worked here too, which is a nice bonus for games that support it. On macOS, things were less smooth.

The controller initially tried to connect as a "GameSir G8" which required manual Steam configuration and then wasn't recognized in-game. Reverting to DualShock mode fixed the issue, and games worked with automated mapping after that.

Shoudl you buy the GameSir G8+ Bluetooth?Buy it if...

You're an Android user who wants one controller for phone, Switch, and PC
The Bluetooth versatility and full GameSir app support on Android make the G8+ Bluetooth a seriously flexible, wireless option. If you play across multiple platforms and want a single controller to handle them all, this could well be it.

You value wireless convenience over raw precision
No connections mean a simpler experience and fewer points of failure. It also brings a wider variety of devices into play.

Don't buy it if...

You're primarily an iPhone user
While it does work natively for games that play nicely with a physical controller, the lack of GameSir app support, non-functional back buttons, and DualShock workaround make the iPhone experience feel like an afterthought. The wired G8+ MFi is the better choice for the same money and with little drawback.

You want the tightest possible input response
Don’t get me wrong, the Bluetooth connection is perfectly playable, but it doesn't feel as precise and instantly responsive as the wired G8 controllers. If competitive precision matters to you, go wired.

Also consider...

Trying to work out if the GameSir G8+ Bluetooth is the one to get? Here's how it compares to other, similar controller grips.

GameSir G8+ Bluetooth

GameSir G8+ MFi Galileo MFi

Scuf Nomad

Price

$79.99 / £79.99 / AU$129.99

$79.99 / £79.99 / AU$129.99

$99.99 / £89.99 / around AU$179.99

Dimensions

9.06 x 4.21 x 2.17in / 230 x 107 x 55mm

9.02 x 4.20 x 2.13in / 229 x 106.8 x 54.2mm

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

Weight

10.72oz / 314g

10.72oz / 304g

0.5 lbs / 228 g

Connection

Bluetooth 5.3, Wired (USB-C), Dongle (sold separately)

Wired (USB-C)

Wireless (Bluetooth)

Compatibility

Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, macOS

Android, iOS

iOS

Software

GameSir App (Android only)

GameSir App

Scuf Nomad Companion App (iOS)

GameSir G8+ MFi
The G8+ MFi is the wired, Apple-friendly equivalent from the same family. It offers MFi certification, full GameSir app support on both iOS and Android, passthrough charging, a headphone jack, and functional back buttons on every platform. If you don't need wireless or Switch/PC compatibility, it's the more complete package.

For more information, check out our full GameSir G8+ MFi review

Scuf Nomad
The Scuf Nomad is an iPhone-only Bluetooth alternative with a lighter build, 16 hours of battery life, and an app that actually works on iOS. It's more compact, handles phone cases better, and has configurable rear paddles. The trade-off is no Android, Switch, or PC support and a higher price tag.

For more information, check out our full Scuf Nomad review

How I tested the GameSir G8+ Bluetooth

• Tested with multiple devices
• A wide variety of games tried
• Compared to other mobile controllers

I spent several days testing across iOS, Android, PC, and macOS, with a focus on comparing the experience to the wired G8 and G8+ MFi I'd previously reviewed.

I tested on an iPhone 17 Pro and POCO X5 Pro 5G, playing Fortnite, Call of Duty Mobile, and Forza Horizon 6 via Xbox Cloud Gaming on mobile, and Stardew Valley via Steam on PC. I evaluated Bluetooth connectivity, app compatibility, back button functionality, latency feel, vibration motors, and cross-platform mode switching.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June-July 2026

Cherry XTRFY K63W Pro Compact Ultra-Wideband: One-minute review

The Cherry XTRFY K63W Pro Compact Ultra-Wideband is a small gaming keyboard with a few surprises in store.

True to its name, it certainly doesn’t take up much room on your desk. It’s also pleasingly light, which means it’s easy to move around. Despite this and the plastic construction, the build quality seems high.

There are some unique features to the design of the K63W Pro. One is the prominent springiness of the gasket-mounted layout, which is a little strange at first, but ultimately it’s not an issue and the keys still feel just as solid as those in the best gaming keyboards.

Another is the arrow keys. Not only are they much larger than most, but each of the four directions has a second binding to include right control, right shift, menu, and Fn inputs. There’s a shortcut for toggling between the two sets of bindings, as well as activating both at the same time, with the input triggered determined by whether a key is pressed or held.

(Image credit: Future)

There’s also an option to select these modes in Cherry’s companion software. This software has other customizations, but not many. The remapping options are especially disappointing, thanks to their very awkward setup and limited options. There’s barely any performance tweaks here, either.

Thankfully, the K63W Pro is a capable performer as it is. The keys travel further than you might expect given their low profile, but they’re still just about snappy enough for fast gaming and typing. The ergonomic slant of the keycaps, as well as the generous spacing between them, make them easy to use, while the aforementioned thinness of the chassis makes for a comfortable experience, even without a wrist rest.

Cherry makes much of the K63W Pro’s Ultra-Wideband (UWB) wireless technology, which is designed to prevent potential interference. However, I can’t say I noticed an improvement over other wireless keyboards, and the tech isn’t worth the impracticality that comes with the incongruously large wireless puck. It’s also a shame there’s no Bluetooth support.

The K63W Pro is reasonably expensive for a compact keyboard, although the quality and interesting layout help its case in this regard. The performance is good and it's comfortable to use, but I’m not sure every gamer is going to get along with its unique features.

Cherry XTRFY K63W Pro Compact Ultra-Wideband review: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• $169.99 (about £150 / AU$240)
• Available now
• Expensive for a small board

The Cherry XTRFY K63W Pro Compact Ultra-Wideband costs $169.99 (about £150 / AU$240) and is available now. It comes with a USB cable and the UWB USB receiver.

This is a reasonably high price for a 70% keyboard, especially one that lacks Bluetooth support and input customizations. However, there are certainly more expensive mechanical boards out there, such as the Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75. I loved the performance of that board when I reviewed it, and it has a much better selection of input customizations than the K63W Pro.

If you want something more budget-friendly, consider the Monsgeek FUN60 Ultra. This keyboard has analog switches with a heap of performance-related features and tweaks at their disposal. They also feel just as good as mechanical switches in my view.

• Value score: 3.5

Cherry XTRFY K63W Pro Compact Ultra-Wideband review: Specs

Layout

70%

Switch

Mechanical (Cherry MX Low Profile 2.0)

Programmable keys

Yes

Dimensions

12.1 x 5.3 x 1.2 inches (307 x 135 x 30 mm)

RGB or backlighting

Yes (customizable)

Cherry XTRFY K63W Pro Compact Ultra-Wideband review: Design and features

(Image credit: Future)

• Thin and light
• Springboard-like
• Limited input customizations

There's nothing particularly exciting about the way the K63W Pro looks. It keeps things basic, although the rounded edges are a nice touch, helping to relieve its austerity a little.

True to its name, the K63W Pro is indeed compact. In addition to its truncated width, it’s also quite thin, making it comfortable to use even without a wrist rest — which is just as well, since it doesn’t come with one.

Despite its plastic construction, the K63W Pro feels sturdy and built to a high standard. Rather unique is the prominent flex of the keyboard plate. This can be pushed down quite a way when pressing a key, which is a little disconcerting at first, but it still feels perfectly stable and it rebounds fully. I wasn’t concerned about its durability, either.

(Image credit: Future)

The keycaps feel premium, too. They’re pleasingly textured and solid with little play. On top of this, the bright RGB backlighting shines through them very well, and the main legends are large and clear, although those for the Fn shortcuts on the function keys are a little too small.

You get more keys on the K63W Pro than you might think, including some navigation ones such as delete and insert. However, it’s odd there’s a blank key in the top-right corner; a missed opportunity to squeeze in another, perhaps, such as a Home key.

There are quite a few useful Fn shortcuts on the function row, including those for adjusting volume and one for opening your default browser, which are all welcome. However, a few remained a mystery to me. Two look like they adjust some sort of performance-related parameter, but I didn’t notice any action when I pressed them. There’s also one on F9 with Cherry’s logo on it that opens the Windows Run box and enters some kind of address, but again nothing happened when I pressed it. The text was too long and disappeared too quickly for me to read it, but my only guess is that it’s supposed to open some kind of Cherry software.

(Image credit: Future)

The most interesting aspect of the K63W Pro’s layout is the Mod Tap arrow keys. These are larger than your typical set since they have secondary bindings, with control, shift, menu, and Fn inputs mapped to each direction. Pressing Fn+M (there’s another Fn key mapped to the insert key) will cycle between three different modes: one enables the usual arrow key inputs, one enables the secondary bindings, and one enables both sets at the same time, with taps triggering arrow directions and holds triggering the secondary functions. The M key lights up a different color depending on which mode is active.

You can also switch between these modes using the Cherry Utility. This desktop app also features other customizations, although their dearth is disappointing. It has perhaps the worst rebinding mode I've ever seen in peripheral software, requiring you to click a ‘create’ button for every key you want to rebind, in order to bring up the option to rebind it. The layout graph doesn’t display your remapped bindings, which is another baffling oversight, and you can’t alter the Fn layer of shortcuts. There aren’t many performance-related settings here, either; you can adjust the polling rate for both wired and wireless modes, and there’s a SOCD mode with three basic settings, but that’s all you get.

Rather than your typical USB dongle, the K63W Pro comes with a block-shaped puck that requires a USB cable (also included) to connect to your device. This is what facilitates the UWB connectivity, which Cherry claims reduces interference compared to standard wireless connections. It looks sleek, but it’s quite large and takes up more space than I’m happy with, especially when you factor in the trailing cable.

• Design & features score: 3.5 / 5

Cherry XTRFY K63W Pro Compact Ultra-Wideband review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Relatively heavy keys
• Great space bar
• Unnecessary Ultra-Wideband connectivity

I mostly enjoyed my time using the K63W Pro. The keys feel well lubed and reasonably damped, although it still verges on the side of clicky than thocky, which, depending on your preferences, is either a good thing or a bad thing. Personally, I liked the feedback they provided.

I was also fond of the low-profile keycaps, which seem to slant slightly towards the user. This helped me hit keys flush, making up for the somewhat limiting tilt angle of the board, even with the two-stage feet out. This was especially noticeable with the space bar, a key I often hit on its edge but not here. It also feels slightly more damped than the other keys, while still being easy to press, a combination that makes it very satisfying to hammer away at.

The switches themselves are also low profile (specifically, they’re Cherry’s MX Low Profile 2.0). However, they have surprisingly deep travel, which makes them more satisfying than they otherwise would be. Despite this, their actuation point is relatively shallow, which meant I could still type with a reasonably light touch. They strike just the right balance between being snappy and forgiving of minor mispresses.

(Image credit: Future)

Tying accuracy is also aided by the large size of the keycaps, as well as their wide spacing. While this made reaching certain keys a little difficult when touch typing, it made gaming in the WASD position quite comfortable and secure. I could also reach the peripheral keys easily from here, including the space bar, thanks to its aforementioned slant and low profile.

In my experience, the Mod Tap feature works reasonably well, achieving Cherry’s aim of reducing side bulk without sacrificing inputs. However, you have to hold an arrow key for a long time to activate its secondary binding. I found this particularly frustrating when typing, as I required quick and regular access to the right shift key, but I often didn’t hold the Up arrow key long enough to access it. It’s also disappointing that you can’t alter the hold time.

Although Cherry makes bold claims about the UWB wireless connectivity, I can't say I noticed any performance gains over other wireless keyboards I’ve tested. Such models have greatly improved in recent years, to the point where regular-sized USB dongles perform pretty much flawlessly. And if you are an elite player concerned about lags and dropouts, you’ll probably opt for a wired connection anyway. All this is to say that the UWB tech and the outsized puck are ultimately overkill for many. What’s more, the K63W Pro doesn’t have Bluetooth support, as lots of other premium wireless keyboards feature.

• Performance score: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Cherry XTRFY K63W Pro Compact Ultra-Wideband?Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Expensive for a compact board, but the quality and spec is there at least.

3.5 / 5

Design and features

Thin and light, with a solid build and a unique layout. The software is disappointing, though.

3.5 / 5

Performance

The K63W Pro is comfortable for gaming and typing for the most part, but the Mod Tap feature will take some getting used to.

4 / 5

Overall

The K63W Pro is a solid mechanical keyboard that does a few things differently, but not entirely successfully. Still, it’s a reliable and comfortable unit for most gamers.

3.5 / 5

Buy it if…

You want a compact board
The K63W Pro cleverly includes keys usually omitted from such a small layout, although it does take some getting used to.

You want a comfortable board
The thin chassis and ergonomic keycaps makes the K63W Pro a board you can use all day long, although touch typing will test your dexterity at times.

Don't buy it if…

You want the snappiest experience
Despite the low profile keycaps, they have a greater travel than you might expect, which might deter those after lighting-quick taps.

You want the best input customizations
The companion software’s rebinding functionality is quite woeful; there are barely any performance-related tweaks.

Cherry XTRFY K63W Pro Compact Ultra-Wideband review: Also consider

Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75
If it’s superb mechanical performance you’re after, you can’t do much better than the Razer BlackWidow. I love how tactile and satisfying key presses are, and the number of customizations on offer via Razer’s Synapse software is impressive for a mechanical keyboard, greatly eclipsing the K63W Pro on this front. However, the BlackWidow is an incredibly expensive board, so those wanting to save money should look elsewhere. Read our full Razer BlackWidow V4 Pro 75 review.

Monsgeek FUN60 Ultra
For something decidedly more budget-friendly, the FUN60 Ultra offers all the thrills of a great gaming keyboard without the expense. Its analog switches almost feel as good as mechanical ones, and there are plenty of adjustments you can make to alter their performance. Its construction is surprisingly solid for the price, too. Read our full Monsgeek FUN60 Ultra review.

How I tested the Cherry XTRFY K63W Pro Compact Ultra-Wideband

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for a few days
• Used for a variety of tasks
• Plentiful gaming keyboard experience

I used the K63W Pro for a few days, during which time I used it for working, general browsing, and of course, gaming. I used it in both wired and wireless modes.

I played games such as 007 First Light and Counter-Strike 2, which are good tests for the speed and accuracy of key inputs.

I’ve been PC gaming for over a decade, and have used numerous keyboards in that time. I’ve also reviewed a large number of them, ranging widely in their form factors, switches types, feature sets, and price points.

• First reviewed: July 2026
• Read more about how we test

Wireless Horipad Turbo for Nintendo Switch 2: One-minute review

The Wireless Horipad Turbo for Nintendo Switch 2 is far from being one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers, but it gets a lot right, and in my testing I found it to be a solid—if unremarkable—stand-in for the official Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.

After I reviewed the frankly terrible Horipad for Steam, I didn't have high hopes for the Wireless Horipad Turbo. I've been rendered pleasantly surprised, as there is plenty to like about the brand's latest Nintendo-facing controller. There are a decent number of features for the price, and build quality is generally solid. It's just a shame that a few limitations and design quirks stop it short of an outright recommendation.

(Image credit: Future)

Let's frontload the review with the good, though. Hori has opted for anti-drift thumbsticks that feel great and ensure longevity. That's something the Wireless Horipad Turbo has over the Switch 2 Pro Controller, which utilizes traditional analog sticks and is thus more likely to develop stick drift over time.

Build quality is generally nice, too. While larger than the Pro Controller (and thus better suited to big adult hands), it feels solid enough, and a selection of colorways is always really nice to see.

I'm a fan of the feature set, too, with the Wireless Horipad Turbo offering a robust Turbo button option, as well as two remappable rear buttons and a button lock switch that disables utility buttons like Start, Select, Home, and Capture (for taking screenshots). There's even a GameChat button for quick access to social gaming sessions.

It's a shame, then, that the Wireless Horipad Turbo doesn't quite stick the landing in a few key areas. Battery life is paltry, falling well short of the Switch 2 Pro Controller's 40- to 50-hour gold standard. The d-pad and triggers, specifically, aren't the best—feeling incredibly mushy during play, which really isn't something you want for digital triggers in particular.

Lastly, a lack of PC compatibility means this is strictly a Nintendo Switch 2 controller. That's not necessarily a bad thing if that's solely what you're after (and it's likely a result of this being an officially licensed Nintendo product). But it does make it a less versatile controller than the likes of the 8BitDo Pro 3.

(Image credit: Future)Wireless Horipad Turbo for Nintendo Switch 2: Price and availability

• Costs $64.99 / £54.99 (around AU$93)
• Available to buy now at Hori's store page, Amazon, or local retailers
• Cheaper than the Switch 2 Pro Controller, and offers several colorways

The Wireless Horipad Turbo for Nintendo Switch 2 is available to buy now, and you've got options as to where you purchase it from. You can get it directly from Hori, Amazon, or local retailers based on your region, such as Best Buy in the US and Argos in the UK.

It'll run you $64.99 / £54.99 (around AU$93), which is a good deal cheaper than the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller ($89.99 / £74.99 / AU$119.95). You'll also find a healthy amount of colorways to choose from. Hori sent me the standard Black and Frost variants for review, but there's also an Aqua model, as well as special liveries based on Nintendo properties like Kirby and Super Mario.

Wireless Horipad Turbo for Nintendo Switch 2: Specs

Wireless Horipad Turbo for Nintendo Switch 2

Price

$64.99 / £54.99 (around AU$93)

Weight

8.3oz / 235g

Dimensions

5.7 x 4.5 x 2.2in / 145 x 114 x 57mm

Compatibility

Nintendo Switch 2

Connection type

Wireless (Bluetooth)

Battery life

10 hours

Wireless Horipad Turbo for Nintendo Switch 2: Design and features

• Eye-catching translucent design
• Handy Turbo and button lock features
• Generally solid build quality

One way for a controller to win me over is if it sports a translucent design. It's a style I'm happy to see come in vogue again over the last few years, at least when it comes to controllers, and it helps the Wireless Horipad Turbo for Nintendo Switch 2 really stand out. I'm a huge fan of the crystal-clear Frost colorway, especially.

It doesn't just win out in the looks department, though. Build quality is really solid here; a huge step up from the listless Horipad for Steam, which I reviewed prior to this. It's not as premium as the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller, but the Wireless Horipad Turbo feels really solid and secure in the hands, with just the right amount of weight to it.

(Image credit: Future)

The titular 'Turbo' feature is niche; not everyone will find a use for it, but it's a nice-to-have for retro games or ones that require frequent, rapid button presses. Holding down the central Hori logo button in tandem with 'A' will then let you assign a button for the Turbo input. You can also press the Start and Select buttons to adjust the speed of the Turbo setting by three increments, too.

Another feature I quite like (but again, it is probably quite niche) is the button lock switch. It's off by default, but one setting completely disables the Hori, Home, and Capture buttons, while another turns those off in addition to Start and Select.

I know I've accidentally hit the Home button instead of Start more times than I care to admit on the Pro Controller, so this is a thoughtful addition. The button lock switch doesn't extend to the pair of remappable buttons on the rear, but you can just leave these unassigned if you prefer.

Wireless Horipad Turbo for Nintendo Switch 2: Performance

• Performant TMR thumbsticks
• Poor battery life
• Weak-feeling triggers and mushy d-pad

Controllers that make use of TMR (that's tunneling magnetoresistance) thumbsticks are a dime a dozen in today's gaming hardware marketplace. It's more common to find them than not now, but this is the first time I've tested a Hori controller with TMR. And I'm glad the brand has opted for them with the Wireless Horipad Turbo. They feel fantastically smooth during play, and as it's a form of Hall effect technology, it should ensure the pad's longevity for years to come.

Otherwise, this is a fairly unremarkable but inoffensive controller purely from a play standpoint. It lacks things like HD Rumble, an NFC touchpoint for amiibo scanning, and 'press to wake' functionality for the console itself. However, as these are niceties reserved for Nintendo's own hardware, it's hard to leverage this as a complaint at Hori. The lack of a 3.5mm port for wired headphones does irk me, though, because wireless audio via Bluetooth on Switch 2 is shoddy at best.

I'm also not a big fan of the controller's d-pad. It feels rather mushy to press, which at worst can often lead to inputs very occasionally not registering. Much the same is true of the triggers, which are supposed to be digital, but kind of feel like they're made of sponge.

Thankfully, connectivity isn't an issue. The controller paired immediately to my Switch 2 console, and I never experienced dropouts or noticeable input delay. And that's for the best, as this is a wireless-first controller.

You can still plug in the controller via the included USB-C for charging purposes and carry on playing. And you might be doing that frequently, as the Wireless Horipad Turbo tops out at just 10 hours of charge. That's not much better than PlayStation's DualSense Wireless Controller, and falls well short of the Switch 2 Pro Controller's monster 40-hour battery life.

Lastly, it is unfortunate that the Wireless Horipad Turbo can't be used for PC gaming. The Switch 2 Pro Controller can't either, so I suspect this is a Nintendo-issued requirement, as the Turbo bears the company's seal of approval. It just means that it's not as versatile as third-party pads from the likes of 8BitDo and GameSir.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Wireless Horipad Turbo for Nintendo Switch 2?Buy it if…

You want a performant Switch 2 controller that's built to last
TMR sticks will ensure this controller's longevity, and as a result, it shouldn't fall victim to stick drift even after months or years of usage.

You don't have the budget for a Switch 2 Pro Controller
The Wireless Horipad Turbo is significantly cheaper than the console's official gamepad option. And with nice colorways and some neat features, it's really not a bad fallback option.

Don’t buy it if…

You want beefier battery life
At just 10 hours of charge, you'll be topping this thing up very frequently if you regularly play your Switch or Switch 2 in docked mode.

You want something multiplatform
If you like to game on multiple devices away from your Switch or Switch 2 (like PC or mobile), you might want to look elsewhere as this is strictly a Nintendo-facing pad.

Also consider...

If the Wireless Horipad Turbo has a few too many issues for your liking, consider the following alternatives.

Wireless Horipad Turbo for Nintendo Switch 2

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller

8BitDo Pro 3

Price

$64.99 / £54.99 (around AU$93)

$89.99 / £74.99 / AU$119.95

$59.99 / £40 (around AU$84)

Weight

8.3oz / 235g

8.3oz / 235g

8.5oz / 242g

Dimensions

5.7 x 4.5 x 2.2in / 145 x 114 x 57mm

5.8 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 148 x 105 x 60mm

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

Compatibility

Switch 2, Switch

Switch 2

Switch, Switch 2, PC, iOS, Android

Connection type

Wireless (Bluetooth)

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

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

Battery life

10 hours

Around 40 hours

15-20 hours

Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller
Still the premium standard on Switch 2 more than a year on from release. And it's little wonder; Nintendo's official pad has a luxurious feel, and is stuffed with features including HD Rumble, NFC, remappable buttons, and enviable battery life.

Read our full Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller review

8BitDo Pro 3
My favorite Nintendo Switch 2 controller, and one that's very hard to argue with at its budget-friendly price point. Honestly, it does everything the Wireless Horipad Turbo does, but better, and more besides.

Read our full 8BitDo Pro 3 review

How I tested the Wireless Horipad Turbo for Nintendo Switch 2

• Tested for one week
• Tested on Nintendo Switch 2 with a variety of modern and retro titles
• Used features like the Turbo functionality and button lock switch

For this review, I tested the Wireless Horipad Turbo for Nintendo Switch 2 on the console of the same name for about a week. I played a good mix of modern and old-school titles with the controller, including Star Fox, Street Fighter 6, Rhythm Heaven Groove, as well as Ridge Racer 64 and Super Mario 64 via Nintendo Switch Online's N64 library.

During testing, I made use of the Turbo functionality to enable easier, rapid button presses in classic titles like Metal Slug 3. Meanwhile, I went back and forth with the button lock switch, and I can confidently say it stopped me from accidentally backing out to the Home dashboard on a few occasions. I'd love to see this feature make a comeback for future Hori products.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed July 2026

Valve Steam Machine: Two-minute review

It's finally happening! Valve's long-awaited Steam Machine has landed at last, promising to bring gaming-PC-level performance to an ultra-compact console-style device ideal for couch gamers who want to dip their toes into PC gaming for the first time. This is Valve's second run at the console-style PC market, and the gaming giant seems a lot more committed this time around.

And... well, I'm not entirely underwhelmed by it, but it's also not overwhelmingly impressive. I guess you could say I'm distinctly whelmed by the Steam Machine; it's a lovingly crafted piece of hardware that arguably achieves what it sets out to do, but falls down in two extremely important areas.

As you might have already guessed, those areas are performance and pricing. At the default 1080p resolution, it's a capable little machine that should be able to give you a good gaming experience with minimal fuss, but anyone expecting beefy 4K performance on par with the existing slate of top-tier home consoles is going to be disappointed.

Of course, this boils down to what sort of games you want to play. If you've got a 4K TV in your living room and want a compact PC specifically so you can enjoy older games, or the sort of indie game experiences that aren't so freely available on consoles – I'm talking the low-budget viral titles that so frequently dominate TikTok and Instagram Reels – then the Steam Machine might actually be an excellent choice.

Another key aspect of Valve's new console-PC hybrid is SteamOS, the recently updated operating system designed to provide a more console-like experience than conventional platforms like Windows and macOS. It's already available for anyone to put on their own PC, and of course powers Valve's own Steam Deck handheld. In a break from tradition for PC reviews, I've added an extra section to this review to specifically discuss SteamOS, but for now all I'll say is that it gets the job done well.

(Image credit: Future)

Moving on to pricing, it's painfully clear that the ongoing RAM crisis has taken a toll on the Steam Machine's value proposition. Starting at $1,049 / £879 / AU$1,609, it's a fair bit more costly than the PS5 Pro, which my esteemed colleague Rob Dwiar already noted was "too expensive" for the average gamer in his review here on TechRadar - and that was before Sony hiked the price of its home consoles earlier this year.

Considering that the Steam Machine was widely expected to represent an accessible path into the world of PC gaming for those who have previously not ventured beyond the confines of the console market, that price tag is sure to upset some gamers who were eagerly awaiting Valve's return to the console market. Hell, you might even be better off building your own Steam Machine killer.

But it's important to remember that the Steam Machine was probably never going to live up to the price-to-performance ratio of modern home consoles like the PS5 and Xbox Series X, even though it is ostensibly using newer, better hardware. This is due to the game development process and how developers implement platform optimization; if you're making a game for PS5, you're just making a game for PS5. You'll have to take the Pro model's specs into account now too, but at the end of the day you only need to optimize your game's performance for a specific set of hardware components with clearly defined limitations.

On the other hand, optimizing a game for PC means optimizing it for the uncountable millions of possible hardware configurations that exist across pre-built and custom gaming PCs, plus every gaming laptop on the market, plus handheld gaming PCs, and now plus the Steam Machine. It's a wildly different ballgame, and while some developers might skimp on good PC optimization, it's borderline impossible to get a game running consistently well on PC versus a specific console.

Does this entirely excuse the lackluster bang for your buck the Steam Machine offers? No, probably not. It's a mitigating factor that I have taken into account for this review – but quite frankly, I think Valve's second attempt at bringing PC gaming to the masses has slightly missed the mark.

Valve Steam Machine review: Price & availability

(Image credit: Future)

• Starts at $1,049 / £879 / AU$1,609
• Available now in the US, UK, and Australia
• Steam Controller can be added as a bundle

As I mentioned already, the Steam Machine starts at a rather steep $1,049 / £879 / AU$1,609, which gets you the standard configuration with no controller and 512GB of high-speed SSD storage. The actual performance spec doesn't change if you upgrade to the 2TB SSD model for $1,349 / £1,149 / AU$2,109, so you're essentially just paying for the extra storage – and even by current component pricing standards, that's an expensive upgrade.

Whether you pick the 512GB or 2TB model – and despite the price, I'd definitely recommend the latter if you play triple-A PC games, since install sizes have become frighteningly bloated as of late – you get the same semi-custom AMD Zen 4 CPU and discrete AMD RDNA 3 GPU, along with 16GB of RAM and a separate 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM.

Both models can also be bundled with Valve's Steam Controller (which also comes with a charging 'puck' and USB cable), which adds $79 / £59 / AU$119 to the base price of either model. This is actually a pretty decent add-on, since the Steam Controller is a genuinely good gamepad and normally costs $99 / £85 / AU$149 direct from Valve if you buy it separately. Unless you already own one of the best PC controllers, I'd strongly recommend getting the bundle.

It's also worth noting that pre-orders for the Steam Machine sold out almost immediately, so if you want to get your hands on one, you'll have to sign up for the waitlist directly through Steam.

• Value: 2.5 / 5

Valve Steam Deck review: Specs

Base spec

Max spec (review config)

Price

$1,049 / £879 / AU$1,609

$1,349 / £1,149 / AU$2,109

CPU

Semi-custom AMD Zen 4, 6C / 12T

Semi-custom AMD Zen 4, 6C / 12T

Graphics

Semi-Custom AMD RDNA3, 28CUs, 8GB GDDR6 VRAM

Semi-Custom AMD RDNA3, 28CUs, 8GB GDDR6 VRAM

RAM

16GB DDR5

16GB DDR5

Storage

512GB NVMe SSD

2TB NVMe SSD

Ports and Connectivity

4x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x microSD card reader, 1x RJ-45 Ethernet; Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3

4x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x HDMI 2.0, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x microSD card reader, 1x RJ-45 Ethernet; Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3

Weight

5.73lbs / 2.60kg

5.73lbs / ​2.60kg

Dimensions

5.98 x 6.38 x 6.14 inches / 15.2 x 16.2 x 15.6 cm

5.98 x 6.38 x 6.14 inches / 15.2 x 16.2 x 15.6 cm

Valve Steam Machine review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Compact, cubic design
• Tidy internals and front lightbar
• Somewhat limited port selection compared to most PCs

For a product that I found a little disappointing overall, I have to say that I have very little to criticize when it comes to the physical design of the Steam Machine.

Simply put, it looks great. The whole unit is a neat black cube of matte metal measuring roughly six inches along each edge and weighing a little under six pounds, with a thin indentation near the base on the front side, inside which nestles a bright LED lightbar. Beneath this, there's a power button with an additional LED (which stays illuminated while the Steam Machine is in sleep mode) along with two USB-A ports and a microSD card slot for easily adding extra storage. The cube sits atop four small rubber feet, which feel quite durable.

The 17-LED lightbar is more than just a simple power indicator, which I quite like. If your Steam Machine is downloading a game, it 'fills' from left to right to indicate the download's progress, and you can customize it with extra colors and functions in SteamOS too.

(Image credit: Future)

It's significantly smaller than any current-gen home console and the vast majority of pre-built gaming PCs, and certainly a lot smaller than any custom desktop PC the average system-builder could assemble - you'd need to be seriously confident with graphics card disassembly and custom cooling to even get close to something this small.

In fact, it's immediately reminiscent of the Nintendo GameCube I treasured in my teenage years, though I promise I haven't let nostalgia cloud my opinion here. The closest you're likely to get to this sort of compact gaming PC now is probably the Asus ROG NUC that I personally reviewed last year - and while that offers far superior performance, it's also so eye-wateringly expensive that it makes the Steam Machine look cheap.

The front panel is removable and can be easily swapped out with magnetic faceplates. If you spring for the 2TB model, you get two of these included: a red felt fabric one and a rather nice wood-effect one that matches my TV stand perfectly... it looks right at home there, actually. Wink wink, nudge nudge, Valve.

The power supply is (somehow) built into the breathtakingly compact chassis, meaning there's no chunky adapter brick here either - just a regular cable with a two-pin power connector. This is included in the box, along with an HDMI cable (though the rear I/O also features a DisplayPort 1.4 output, which may be preferable if you're connecting it to a desktop monitor rather than a TV).

(Image credit: Future)

That rear I/O is where you'll find the rest of the ports: the aforementioned HDMI and DisplayPort, along with an RJ-45 Ethernet port, two USB-As, and one USB-C. I'll confess that as a fan of physical connectivity, I find this port selection a little lacking, but it's realistically going to be plenty for the target audience of the Steam Machine. It might be less than a fully-fledged desktop PC, but it's comparable to any modern home console. Wireless connectivity uses Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3 – I would've liked to see Wi-Fi 7 here, but it's not a dealbreaker.

The internals are very tidy, with a large air intake grille behind the magnetic faceplate behind which sits the mainboard. A single large upright fan draws air through and out of the rear exhaust. This is (surprisingly) an upgradable system, though it's more along the lines of a gaming laptop than the average desktop PC; you can swap out the M.2 SSD and the RAM, but that's it.

(Image credit: Future)

Lastly, I'll briefly touch on the new Steam Controller. We reviewed it separately here, so I won't go into too much detail, but it's certainly good (if overpriced, like the Steam Machine itself). Pairing the pad and the 'puck' that doubles as a wireless transmitter and charging dock is a seamless process, and the controller itself feels good to use in games. The lack of an audio jack, as seen on other mainline console controllers, is a bit of a shame, however.

I have to admit that I really, genuinely love the design of the Steam Machine. My only real criticism here (and the only thing stopping me from giving it a perfect score in this section) is that it only has one single USB-C port, and it's on the rear. This is a minor gripe, though; for the most part, this is a very well-designed piece of hardware.

• Design: 4.5 / 5

Valve Steam Machine review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Strong gaming performance at 1080p
• Cracks start to show at 1440p; falls apart completely at 4K
• Runs quietly and doesn't get too hot

Valve Steam Machine benchmarks

Civilization VII: (1080p, AMD FSR 1 + MSAA Balanced, High): 114fps; (1080p, High): 107fps; (4K, AMD FSR 1 + MSAA Balanced, High): 56fps; (4K, High): 50fps
Shadow of the Tomb Raider: (1080p, Highest): 131fps; (1080p, Low): 182fps; (4K, Highest): 47fps; (4K, Low): 91fps
Total War: Warhammer III: Mirrors of Madness: (1080p, Ultra): 58fps; (1080p, Low): 110fps; (4K, Ultra): 24fps; (4K, Low): 35fps
Cyberpunk 2077: (1080p, Ray Tracing: Ultra, Balanced upscaling): 33fps; (1080p, Ultra): 71fps; (1080p, Low): 114fps; (4K, Ray Tracing: Ultra, Balanced upscaling): 10fps; (4K, Ultra): 17fps; (4K, Low): 38fps
Marvel Rivals: (1080p, Balanced upscaling, Ultra): 57ps; (1080p, Low): 82fps; (4K, Balanced upscaling, Ultra): 22ps; (4K, Low): 24fps

No resolution upscaling or frame generation modes are used unless otherwise specified.

Benchmarking the Steam Machine was... interesting, to say the least. I had hoped to mostly stick to our usual suite of tests used for benchmarking the best gaming PCs and best gaming laptops, but the vast majority of those systems are running on Windows 10 or 11. SteamOS, while a very solid platform these days, simply doesn't have the same degree of flexibility as Microsoft's flagship operating system.

For starters, the Steam Machine locks itself to a maximum framerate based on the refresh rate of the monitor it's connected to, which meant I had to seek out a different high-refresh-rate display to get accurate results. Notably, the Steam Deck does something similar with its built-in 60/90Hz screen, so I suspect that this is a SteamOS quirk rather than any hardware-imposed limitation, but I wasn't able to find any way to disable it.

Then I got to the compatibility issues. Half the tests we usually run (most pertinently Geekbench and 3DMark) simply can't be installed and run natively in SteamOS's default Big Picture Mode, so I had to cut down my testing selection fairly significantly. To compensate (and to provide a better idea of how well the Steam Machine can actually handle gaming), I expanded my gaming tests to include more graphical configurations than usual.

Furthermore, you have to dig into the settings of SteamOS itself to uncap the resolution, which is set to FHD 1080p by default. Eagle-eyed gamers clocked prior to the Steam Machine's release that Valve had quietly lowered expectations by adjusting the language used in the product's store page from "4K gaming at 60 FPS" to "Up to 4K gaming with FSR", crushing hopes that it would be a true competitor to the likes of the PS5 Pro. Clearly, 1080p is the ideal target, which will no doubt be a disappointment for some potential customers.

(Image credit: Future)

Anyway, let's talk about the actual performance. At 1080p with graphical settings maxed out, the Steam Machine can handle almost anything you throw at it; the discrete semi-custom AMD RDNA 3 GPU inside this little black box was able to crack 60fps in most games I tested at FHD resolution (sometimes requiring the use of AMD's FSR upscaling tech, though this had virtually zero impact on visual fidelity), with the exception of titles that use ray tracing.

With ray tracing turned off, you'll be fine; turn it on, and you can expect framerates to tank even if you also switch on FSR. Cyberpunk 2077 looked and played great at 1080p Ultra settings with no upscaling, but switching to the Ray Tracing Ultra preset (with AMD FSR 3 set to Balanced) saw my average framerate drop to a little over 30 in the built-in benchmark, while actual in-game performance was even choppier.

Annoyingly, some games don't seem to properly support the most recent version of FSR on SteamOS; while I've been able to use it in games like Civilization VII and Shadow of the Tomb Raider while testing Windows-based gaming laptops and PCs, FSR 3 was conspicuously absent from the settings menu of both games on the Steam Machine - Civilization would only let me select FSR 1, while Shadow had no upscaling options available at all.

(Image credit: Future)

Once I started to crank things up to 1440p and 4K resolution, though, the cracks started to show. Older titles (and 2D games, like my current obsession, Slay the Spire 2) largely run fine at higher resolutions - but unfortunately, I could probably say the same about any home console and plenty of cheaper desktop PCs.

Modern triple-A games start to struggle a little at 1440p, but remain playable provided you're willing to tone down the settings a bit. I've only included the full suite of 1080p and 4K results in the results box above, but to give you a few quick examples: Cyberpunk 2077 remained playable with an average framerate of 68fps at 1440p Ultra with FSR 3 set to balanced (no ray tracing), while Total War: Warhammer III dropped to 45fps at Ultra - but could be salvaged to a stable 63fps with the Medium graphical preset.

At 4K, don't expect to be playing the latest hit games at high framerates; at least, not without some very significant graphical tweaks. The now eight-year-old Shadow of the Tomb Raider was the only game I tested that made it above 60fps at 4K resolution, and that was with the graphical settings turned down significantly.

As for more demanding titles, just don't bother. Total War: Warhammer III barely made it above a 30fps average at Low settings, with frequent drops into sub-30 territory, while Cyberpunk 2077 gave abysmal benchmarking at anything above the lowest possible graphical settings, even with FSR upscaling turned on, and struggled heavily to maintain a consistent framerate during actual gameplay. Turning on FSR frame generation did technically give a stable 30fps at 4K Ultra, but with the added issue of some visual tearing and artifacting, especially during busy scenes.

(Image credit: Future)

I also experienced a small number of crashes during my testing process, specifically in Total War: Warhammer III and Marathon. It's possible that these were merely down to game instability rather than any specific fault with the Steam Machine or SteamOS (I've personally had Marathon crash at least once on my Windows 10 gaming desktop), so I won't mark it down for this, but I've opted to include it for the sake of comprehensiveness.

Lastly, I'd like to briefly discuss the thermal performance of the Steam Machine, which is a shining beacon amidst the otherwise fairly underwhelming overall performance. The large cooling fan at the rear of this little cube was whisper-quiet throughout all my testing, and the casing barely got more than a little warm. Whatever thermal wizardry Valve pulled off here, it clearly works.

• Performance: 3 / 5

Valve Steam Machine review: SteamOS

• SteamOS 3 is a very solid operating system
• Accessible for newcomers, but still packs advanced features
• Optional Linux desktop mode

A bonus section appears! Yes, I'm going to take a moment here to discuss SteamOS, since it's arguably the linchpin of the Steam Machine's whole 'console rival' mission statement. Does it really make PC gaming more accessible? I'm pleased to say yes, it certainly does.

An Arch Linux-based operating system, SteamOS is now in its third main iteration, and it's improved greatly from its humble beginnings as the full-screen version of the Steam desktop app. It's easy to set up and offers a pleasingly straightforward interface that even a gaming rookie should be able to navigate, while also packing the full suite of settings found in the Windows desktop version of Steam.

One nifty feature is the optional Linux desktop mode. It's quite effective, if basic, letting you install Linux-compatible programs like LibreOffice and the Firefox browser. It's neat, but it's a feature that will likely only be used by a small subset of buyers since it doesn't really offer anything for pure gaming users.

(Image credit: Future)

Naturally, you can connect a keyboard and mouse as well as a controller, which is useful for games where typing is necessary, but it turned out to be even more vital. I wasn't actually able to complete the SteamOS setup without first connecting a mouse to select the system language, and when playing some other games after my initial benchmarking process, I found that I couldn't complete the initial setup for Forza Horizon 5 using just the Steam Controller, which was annoying.

As effective as SteamOS is, compatibility issues are an inevitability when dealing with a Linux-based system. While the vast majority of games on Steam are fully compatible, there will be specific outliers, and there are plenty of non-gaming programs that aren't available. And of course, you can't play games from other storefronts like Epic and GOG, unless you decide to go the whole hog and install Windows 11 on it instead - which is an option!

Should I buy the Valve Steam Machine?Valve Steam Machine: Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

The Steam Machine is an expensive product for the specs and experience it offers, to the point where it struggles to compete with mainstream home consoles.

2.5 / 5

Design

A durable, high-quality chassis with an impressively compact design. The port selection is decent for a console-style device, and the swappable faceplates add a bit of visual flair.

4.5 / 5

Performance

1080p performance is great, but triple-A games start to struggle at 1440p and 4K. Considering the price, the gaming quality is decidedly lackluster, and you may encounter some compatibility issues with SteamOS.

3 / 5

Total Score

I really want to love the Steam Machine, and it arguably achieves its goal of competing with living room consoles, but the asking price is just a bit too high for what it offers.

3.33 / 5

Buy the Valve Steam Machine if…

You want living-room PC gaming
The compact design and straightforward functionality of the Steam Machine make it great for a couch gaming setup.

You're looking to make the jump to PC gaming
Want to ditch your PS5 in the wake of Sony's new digital-only game policy? The Steam Machine offers a very accessible way to enter the PC gaming space without the complexities of PC-building.

Don't buy it if…

You're on a budget
While you could easily spend a lot more on a compact gaming PC, the price of the Steam Machine is unfortunately a little too high to be appealing.

You want to play games from multiple storefronts
The best experience you'll get here is by sticking with SteamOS, but that will lock you out of playing games from other storefronts like Epic and Prime Gaming.View Deal

Valve Steam Machine review: Also consider

Alienware Aurora
It's a bit more expensive than the Steam Machine, but if you want a pre-built gaming PC that can comfortably tackle 1440p and potentially even 4K gaming, the more affordable configurations of the Alienware Aurora are a solid choice. Read our full Alienware Aurora review.

Asus ROG NUC
If money is no object, the latest Asus ROG NUC gaming PC is unquestionably the one to pick if you want a compact system for a living-room gaming setup. This NUC probably has the best performance-to-size ratio of any gaming PC on the market right now. Read our full Asus ROG NUC review.

How I tested the Valve Steam Machine

(Image credit: Future)

• Ran multiple PC game benchmarks
• Connected to my TV to use for 'couch gaming'
• 8+ years of experience reviewing dozens of laptops and PCs

My review process for the Steam Machine was a little different from how I'd usually approach a gaming PC or laptop review, due largely to SteamOS's Big Picture Mode not supporting our non-gaming tests.

Still, I ran the Machine through all the usual gaming tests, then took it downstairs to my living room and set it up on my TV stand to use it for some good old-fashioned couch gaming. As someone who was raised on Nintendo consoles but made the jump to PC gaming in my teens, I was keen to get the full intended experience out of the Steam Machine.

In addition to our usual game tests, I played a bunch of other games over a full weekend spent rigorously testing (read: having lots of fun with) the Steam Machine. These included Marathon, Warframe, Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart, and the frighteningly addictive Slay the Spire 2.

I've been testing and reviewing computer hardware for almost a decade, and I've been a gamer for much longer than that. Before joining the TechRadar team, I worked at the PC-building hobbyist magazine Maximum PC, so you can trust that I'm putting every ounce of knowledge and experience at my disposal into bringing you high-quality, insightful, and non-biased reviews.

• First reviewed: July 2026
• Read more about how we test

Nothing Ear (3a): Two-minute review

Sometimes, reviews are written with a heavy heart, and this is exactly that. I've championed Nothing's affordable "(a)" earbuds for well over two years — with the updated pink set for 2026 appearing to be right up my strasse. But all is not as it first appears.

The issues don't concern their cost. Like before, they come in at just under $100 and are therefore a candidate for our best budget earbuds guide.

Bizarrely, for the review star rating, I also have very few bones to pick with audio quality, which is still best pals with LDAC and now with Bluetooth 6.0 for a stronger connection. I recommend you tweak the sound profile from the box, mind — it's overly bassy by default — but that's hardly unheard of for earbuds at this level, and it can be rectified with a little effort.

It would have been lovely if Nothing had allowed its special sonic tests (for personalised EQ profile curation done by Nothing's software, rather than you tweaking sliders or blobs yourself) to be made available here, but the company has clearly decided that its three-minute hearing test is flagship only — although there is a new "Advanced" 8-band EQ tab with "Q factor" (more on this later).

What of the comfort levels and overall build quality? Here you get everything you'd expect of Nothing: rock-solid, colorful, and with just a couple of new flourishes to enjoy. Battery life has taken a knock, but that might possibly be down to having to work a bigger driver.

So what's the main problem? Actually there are two: Call Recording and Audio Snapshot (sometimes referred to as Audio Capture in Nothing's extensive marketing). Nobody asked for these features and, honestly, they're not the USP I wanted — even as a journalist who interviews people regularly.

None of the best noise-cancelling earbuds we recommend come with these features, but that's hardly a problem in itself. Such tech exists in the world, obviously; I point you to the Viaim RecDot, for example. But the Viaim's buds publicise their raison d'etre; there's a visible "record" button on the case, a light for in-person meetings, and a business-class $249.99 / £185 price tag. That's not the case with Nothing's version, where a surreptitious squeeze of the stem kicks off audio capture of your current call (or whatsapp voice note) in a set of buds that otherwise seem to scream "I'm a bit of fun!"

As with the RecDot, Nothing offers tech to transcribe your recordings (and not just on its own phones, either) — to a point. You get three months of its Pro Transcription service for free, with 120 minutes to use each month. And after the trial? Nothing tells me official pricing hasn't yet been finalised, but will be decided in August. If it was hard to recommend such a package before, it's even harder now when one doesn't know how much it will cost.

I can't help but feel that Nothing has taken a wrong turn here. I'd much rather have seen fan-favorite features such as personalised sound profiles and/or wireless charging rather than in-call recording. Some TechRadar team members have suggested I make like Elsa and just Let It Go, but in a year when consumer tech already feels uncomfortably intrusive (Meta, I'm looking at you with those smart glasses), adding call and voice note recording feels like a step too far. It's important to question where these features are taking us.

At $99 / £99, the price is definitely right. I'm just not sure the feature set is…

FutureFutureFutureNothing Ear (3a) review: Price & release date

• Released on July 7, 2026
• Priced $99 / £99 / around AU$192, same as the 2024 Ear (a)

The Nothing Ear (3a) cost the same as their predecessor, priced at $99 / £99.

Although the name might suggest otherwise, these are the direct successors to the excellent, five-star Nothing Ear (a) from 2024 – there was never a Nothing Ear (1a) or Nothing Ear (2a). They also slot nicely alongside the still-current but more expensive Nothing Ear (3), with the shared 3 denoting that they're part of the same generation.

The Ear (a) are some of the best budget earbuds I've ever had the pleasure of testing, and I'd looked forward to their update ever since word was out that it was coming.

Key rivals to the Nothing Ear (3a) include the Apple AirPods 4, which offer gesture control alongside a few other iPhone-exclusive features, or, for a little less, the five-star Cambridge Audio Melomania A100. If you're tempted by open earbuds instead, the Huawei FreeArc or even clip-style SoundPEATS Clip1 can both be picked up for less than the Nothing Ear (3a) right now, making them excellent-value alternatives.

Nothing Ear (a) on the left, Ear (2) on the right. Yes, there are key differences (Image credit: Future)Nothing Ear (3a) review: Specs

Drivers

12mm custom driver

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Battery life

Up to 6 hours (ANC off); up to 4.5 hours (ANC on); up to 25 hours with case (ANC off) or up to 18 hours (ANC on)

Weight

4.53g per earbud

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.0 with LDAC, USB-C

Frequency range

20Hz – 40kHz

Waterproofing

IP54

Other features

Wideband Active Noise Cancellation up to 45dB, 3 MEMs mics per earbuds with AI ENC, Nothing X App support, Custom 8-band EQ, Find My Earbuds, Low Lag mode, auto-off, Dual Connection, extra ear-tip, Audio Snapshot and in-call recording

Hello, yellow! (Image credit: Future)Nothing Ear (3a) review: Features

• Bluetooth 6.0 (15m range) with LDAC support
• Improved ANC (cancellation up to 45 dB, effective to 5 kHz)
• Pinch stems for Call Recording/Audio Snapshot, no Nothing phone required

It would be easy to say, "Look, you don't like the cutesy branding of Nothing's new 'Audio Snapshot' offering? Don't use it — there's still plenty to like for $99!" but let's dig in to see why the take is not so simple.

Firstly, we should get granular on what Audio Snapshot and Call Recording do, and what they cannot do. I mentioned above that as a journalist, I regularly record interviews, often over Zoom, Google Meet or even Microsoft Teams. When set up as an interview, my subjects usually take it as a given that I will be recording — and where I reside in the UK, it is legal to record calls, even without consent from the other party. I still always ask.

In the US, however, the laws on recording phone calls are different, varying from state to state. For calls crossing state lines, the stricter 'two party consent' law (as per the Federal Wiretap Act) applies, where both parties on a call must consent to a recording.

So what is Nothing doing about it? In its reviewers' guide, the company says it "aligns with internationally recognised privacy standards ISO 27001, ISO 27701 and EN 18031". To this end, during setup, the Nothing X app also displays a short tutorial reminding users to obtain permission before recording calls — as shown below.

Interestingly, on a traditional phone call made in the UK, the "prompt" Nothing promises will be played to everyone on the call is a simple beep. On Google Meet, a female voice announces "This call will be recorded in 3, 2, 1", presumably so anyone not OK with that can scream "Oh no you don't!". From smartphone to smartphone, there's no vocal.

Thanks to the Nothing Ear (3a)'s 32MB of onboard storage, you can start recording with just a pinch of the stems, storing up to two hours of audio on the earbuds themselves. You can also record and transcribe voice notes from apps such as Instagram or WhatsApp — and from August, Nothing says it will add summaries of call recordings, speaker identification and the ability to create calendar reminders based on what was discussed.

Nothing (app screen grabs by Future) Nothing (app screen grabs by Future)

What these earbuds can't do is record conversations that take place around you, or indeed your own voice. So, thankfully, there's no scope for eavesdropping around the water cooler.

However, my thoughts on this are clear— I'm not wholly OK with it. It puts the onus on buyers to adhere to laws, and opens the door for flouting rules of consent. I tried muting my mics to see whether the beep could be silenced, but it still plays for the person on the other end of the call to signal that recording has begun. Nevertheless, I think I've made my concerns around this feature clear.

Elsewhere, you get Bluetooth v6.0 and LDAC support for hi-res audio (the Sony-developed codec that lets you stream high-resolution audio up to 32-bit/96kHz over Bluetooth at up to 990kbps, if your device supports it and the file is up to scratch). While the predecessor did also include the latter, it remains a valuable inclusion here.

There's also onboard spatial audio, albeit of the "static" variety rather than head-tracked spatial audio that keeps the sound anchored to your source device as you move your head. It adds a little extra depth and height to the presentation, but for me, the effect is decidedly light-touch compared to what you get from pricier earbuds.

Note that you don't get the Ear (3)'s splendid personalized hearing tests, or the useful "walkie-talkie" Super Mic. That said, there's in-ear detection (to pause music when you remove the buds and resume it when they're in), a low-lag toggle for gaming, seamless pairing, multipoint to two devices, an ear-tip fit test and a Find My Earbuds feature, which emits a rattlesnake-style sound from whichever bud you're trying to locate, to help you find it.

Nothing's Transparency mode is decent. It's a little warm, but it still delivers a more three-dimensional presentation than many buds at this level. I could hear the placement of the TV, voices in my home and a dog outside, rather than all of these sounds appearing tinny, omnipresent and seemingly on top of one another.

When deploying ANC (rather than "Transparency" or "Off"), you can once again select from High, Mid, Low, and Adaptive noise-nixing profiles. High is decent: Nothing tells me performance is up to 45dB (effective to 5 kHz), which equates to a 17.1% improvement compared to the Ear (a), thanks to a software upgrade and improved architecture regarding where the mic sits.

The issue in 2026 is the existence of the AirPods Pro 3 and Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2). Although it would be unfair to compare like for like, owing to the chasm in pricing, you can get better if you're willing to pay for it. That said, the ANC here is no slouch, giving a fairly clean, largely uninterrupted and issue-free neutral background for my music.

If you have a Nothing Phone, the Nothing X app and the ChatGPT app, then you can once again you can also access ChatGPT access via the Ear (3a)'s stem; simply squeeze and talk.

The new EQ tab is now an eight-band offering (up from three in the older buds), as well as the more basic audio splodge Nothing made its own — and which I rather like since it reminds me of Nura True Pro's visual depictions, rather than a mixing desk. You also get five presets in the Advanced tab, and four in the Simple tab — but you can create your custom EQ using whichever system you prefer.

And I think you'll need to get familiar with these, as I'm about to explain…

• Features score: 4 / 5

Voice AI using ChatGPT is coming using Nothing Ear (a) using your Nothing smartphone… (Image credit: Future)Nothing Ear (3a) review: Sound quality

• LDAC support represents value
• Fun, V-shaped sound — if a little quiet
• A little bass-heavy from the box, but you can fix it

As was the case with their siblings, it would be wrong of me to knock Nothing Ear (3a) in the sonic department for this money. The sound quality is easily worthy of the outlay.

That said, there are a few points to bring to your attention.

Those with a Sony or Samsung smartphone (I used a Sony Xperia) will find much to celebrate in LDAC music streaming. In My Chemical Romance's The Ghost of You, guitars snake from my left to right ear in a cohesive mix — with Gerard Way's vocal central, petulant and every bit as emotive as I remember it in the mid-noughties.

Even when I stream Apple Music songs from my iPhone, the Nothing Ear (3a) offer ample width as my playlist continues to Thank You For the Venom and the intro guitars find a spacious home in my left ear. There's room around every stem in the mix to shine, but they're all held properly in check, even in this fast-paced and challenging song.

It's a little bass-heavy at times, though. Fleetwood Mac's The Chain is a good test of a regimented low-end, and alongside the kick-drums, I did lose just a little of Stevie Nicks, Christine McVie, and Lindsey Buckingham in that glorious upper harmony through the chorus. It seems to be Nothing's modus operandi to offer a bassy listen generally, and while I did find that the new Advanced EQ tab helped, I think the enhanced low-end went a little far here.

Nothing offers a "Q Factor" in addition to what you've just tweaked in the 8-band tab, to control the width or sharpness of your adjustment. So, imagine it as a "quality factor" (because that is what it stands for), where the number you select between 0.1 and 10 determines how wide or narrow of a frequency range is boosted or cut — all of this specific to your chosen frequency. Selecting a low Q Factor will generate a wider, more gentle curve to your adjustment, where a high Q Factor will make the change narrower, steeper and more effective around that specific frequency augmentation (or reduction).

I eased off the bass and selected a Q Factor of 3.2, but you must of course play with these things yourself — and sadly, Nothing hasn't included its hearing tests here, to check how perceptive your ears are within this particular tuning.

For dynamics and nuance, the Nothing Ear (3a) are perhaps a shade less engaging and arresting than I'm used to, owing to their volume. Once criticism often levelled at Nothing's budget earbuds is they don't go especially loud, and I frequently found myself listening above 50% volume. Also, since battery life is measured at that volume, it did mean the quoted "4.5-hour battery life with ANC deployed" claims although bang on, were still disappointing.

• Sound quality score: 4 / 5

See how Ear (a) is just slightly bigger than Ear (2), across the board? (Image credit: Future)Nothing Ear (3a) review: Design

• Curvier case
• That 1mm bigger driver is sucks up power
• And the battery life isn't great

Hold the Nothing Ear (3a) earpieces and case next to their older Nothing Ear (a) and you'll certainly struggle in a game of spot the difference. There's the color, obviously — also available in black, white and a slightly different yellow to the hue I love in this older set — and the 50% curvier case. There's also a trio of LEDs on the case that deliver a total of six status indications for battery status, pairing status, charging levels and so on.

For further tweaks, we have to look deeper.

The driver is now 12mm rather than 11mm and features an "aerospace-grade diaphragm". You also get an extra set of ear-tips in the box, four in total, and although the XS will appeal to owners of small ears, the actual earpieces here aren't tiny, despite being lighter in weight than Ear (a), at 4.53g versus 4.8g. The actual design of the tips has been finessed, too: they're a little thicker and more flared across the outer wall. I found the buds very secure, if a little big to accommodate comfortably over my small-ish ears over the course of long listening sessions.

I've said it before now and I'll say it again: I think we've reached a point of diminishing — perhaps even negative — returns when it comes to ever-larger earbud drivers. Every new release seems to tout a bigger driver without adding weight, as if bigger automatically means better. But where does it end? 13mm drivers? 15mm drivers? To my ears, the Ear (3a)'s 1mm larger driver hasn't negatively impacted the sound, but I don wonder if it's contributed to sthe shorter battery life. In my briefing, I was told the buds themselves would last 10 hours — but that turned out not to be the case.

While the battery in each earpiece — along with the larger driver and onboard 16MB flash drive — works hard to power the buds, it's only good for up to 6 hours without ANC, or 4.5 hours with ANC turned on. And remember, I had to pump the volume up higher than 50%, which the level at which those measurements are typically taken. With the case, you'll get up to 25 hours with ANC off, or up to 18 hours with it on.

None of these stats is much to write home about. Take Nothing's own Ear (a), which offered up to 9.5 hours of playback on a single charge with ANC off, and about 5.5 hours with ANC on. Now, consider the very inexpensive Cambridge Melomania A100, which offer 11 hours per charge or up to 39 hours with the case, along with aptX Lossless. I know which I'd rather take on long road-trips…

Again, Nothing's pinch-to-control stems return here, and while volume controls aren't enabled by default, you can assign them in the Nothing X app — provided you're happy to sacrifice another shortcut in the process.

While I'm here, a quick note on call-handling. It's absolutely clear and clean as a whistle, thanks to the 3 MEMS mics per bud.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Rarely have I had so many colleagues strike up a conversation with me over a set of earbuds (Image credit: Future)Nothing Ear (3a) review: Value

• Still very good-looking earbuds
• Decent ANC; not so great for stamina
• LDAC adds value, but call-recording (for me, at least) is a no

Before now, I've always championed Nothing's "(a)" buds — and while the basics in the (3a) are fine, there are a few issues that are hard to ignore.

The Call Recording feature is top of the list here. More than any technical limitation, it's the privacy implications that concern me. Much as seeing someone wearing smart glasses now makes me wonder whether I'm being recorded, these earbuds leave me asking why someone might want to capture our conversations. I appreciate that some readers may see this as an overreaction, but it's a genuine concern for me, informed by my own experiences as a woman and former dancer who had to deal with overly familiar fans.

I think the audio quality here is perfectly acceptable for $99 / £99, but the stamina and feature set can be bettered. Even in the open earbuds market, I'd happily direct you to the cheaper Huawei FreeArc or SoundPEATS Clip1 over these earbuds.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Nothing Ear (3a)?

Section

Notes

Score

Features

I can't get behind Call Recording — although the ANC is good enough

4/5

Sound quality

An fun listen that's easy to tweak if the bass proves a bit much. Just a tad quiet overall

4/5

Design

Good-looking buds let down by disappointing stamina

4/5

Value

It's hard for me to write it, but the smart money isn't always with Nothing

4/5

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}to { opacity: 1; }}#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc-slideshow .fv-slideshow-nav-row {position: relative !important;display: flex !important;justify-content: space-between !important;align-items: center !important;padding: 0 0 16px 0 !important;width: 100% !important;z-index: 20 !important;}#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc-slideshow .fv-nav-btn {background-color: var(--riv-primary) !important;color: #ffffff !important;border: none !important;border-radius: 4px !important;padding: 8px 16px !important;font-size: 14px !important;font-weight: 700 !important;cursor: pointer !important;display: flex !important;align-items: center !important;justify-content: center !important;gap: 6px !important;transition: opacity 0.2s, background-color 0.2s !important;height: 36px !important;text-transform: none !important;box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,0.1) !important;}#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc-slideshow .fv-nav-btn svg {width: 18px !important;height: 18px !important;stroke-width: 3px !important;filter: none !important;}#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc-slideshow .fv-nav-btn:hover {opacity: 0.9 !important;transform: translateY(-1px) !important;}#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc-slideshow .fv-nav-btn.disabled {background-color: #E5E7EB !important;color: #9CA3AF !important;cursor: default !important;pointer-events: none !important;box-shadow: none !important;}#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc-slideshow .fv-slide-counter {font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif !important;font-size: 14px !important;font-weight: 600 !important;color: #374151 !important;text-align: center !important;min-width: 40px !important;background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0.8) !important;padding: 2px 8px !important;border-radius: 10px !important;}#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc-slideshow .fv-slideshow-select {position: absolute !important;top: 10px !important;right: 10px !important;z-index: 20 !important;appearance: none !important;-webkit-appearance: none !important;-moz-appearance: none !important;background-color: white !important;border: 1px solid #d1d5db !important;color: #1F2937 !important;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important;font-size: 14px !important;font-weight: 600 !important;padding: 6px 32px 6px 12px !important;border-radius: 4px !important;cursor: pointer !important;box-shadow: 0 1px 2px rgba(0,0,0,0.05) !important;background-image: url("data:image/svg+xml,%3csvg xmlns='http://www.w3.org/2000/svg' fill='none' viewBox='0 0 20 20'%3e%3cpath stroke='%236b7280' stroke-linecap='round' stroke-linejoin='round' stroke-width='1.5' d='M6 8l4 4 4-4'/%3e%3c/svg%3e") !important;background-position: right 0.5rem center !important;background-repeat: no-repeat !important;background-size: 1.5em 1.5em !important;}#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc-slideshow .fv-slideshow-select:focus {outline: 2px solid #2E6E93 !important;border-color: #2E6E93 !important;}#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-chart-title {font-weight: bold !important;text-align: center !important;margin-bottom: 0.5rem !important;color: var(--riv-primary) !important;font-size: 20px !important;line-height: 1.2 !important;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important;text-transform: none !important;white-space: normal !important;overflow-wrap: break-word !important;padding: 0 20px !important;}#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-chart-subhead {font-size: 18px !important;font-weight: 500 !important;text-align: center !important;margin-bottom: 2rem !important;color: #374151 !important;line-height: 1.7 !important;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important;display: block !important;text-transform: none !important;padding: 0 20px !important;}#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .rv-chart-caption { font-size: 15px !important; color: #374151 !important; text-align: center !important; font-style: normal !important; font-weight: normal !important; line-height: 1.7 !important; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important; display: block !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-chart { display: flex; flex-direction: column; width: 100%; margin-top: 1rem; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-header { display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0 1rem; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-select-wrapper { flex: 1; min-width: 0; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-left { text-align: center; padding-right: 1rem; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-right { text-align: center; padding-left: 1rem; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-select-container { position: relative; display: inline-block; max-width: 100%; width: 100%; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-chevron { position: absolute; top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%); pointer-events: none; width: 16px; height: 16px; flex-shrink: 0; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-left .fv-versus-chevron { right: 0; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-right .fv-versus-chevron { right: 0; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-select { background: transparent; border: none; border-bottom: 2px solid; font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; padding: 0.25rem 0; cursor: pointer; outline: none; appearance: none; -webkit-appearance: none; -moz-appearance: none; max-width: 100%; width: 100%; text-overflow: ellipsis; overflow: hidden; white-space: nowrap; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-select.fv-select-left { text-align: center; direction: ltr; padding-right: 1.25rem; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-select.fv-select-right { text-align: center; padding-right: 1.25rem; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-select option { font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-weight: 400; font-size: 14px; color: #374151; direction: ltr; text-align: left; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-vs { font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; color: #374151; letter-spacing: 0.1em; padding: 0 1rem; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-body { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 1.5rem; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-row { position: relative; height: auto; padding-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.25rem; display: block; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-bar-container { position: relative; height: 32px; display: flex; align-items: center; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-bar-left-wrapper { flex: 1; height: 100%; display: flex; justify-content: flex-end; align-items: center; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-bar-right-wrapper { flex: 1; height: 100%; display: flex; justify-content: flex-start; align-items: center; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-bar { height: 32px; width: var(--target-width); transition: width 0.8s ease-out; animation: fv-grow-max-width 0.8s ease-out forwards; display: flex; align-items: center; overflow: hidden; color: #ffffff; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-bar-left { border-radius: 4px 0 0 4px; justify-content: flex-end; padding: 0 8px; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-bar-right { border-radius: 0 4px 4px 0; justify-content: flex-start; padding: 0 8px; }@keyframes fv-grow-max-width {from { max-width: 0; }to { max-width: 100%; }}#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-center-line { position: absolute; left: 50%; top: 0; bottom: 0; width: 4px; background-color: #ffffff; transform: translateX(-50%); z-index: 1; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-inside-left { white-space: nowrap; flex-shrink: 0; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-inside-right { white-space: nowrap; flex-shrink: 0; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-val-text { font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-pct-diff { font-size: 12px; font-weight: 600; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-versus-label { position: absolute; left: 50%; transform: translateX(-50%); top: 0; background-color: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: none; padding: 0; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; color: #374151; white-space: nowrap; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .sr-only { position: absolute !important; width: 1px !important; height: 1px !important; padding: 0 !important; margin: -1px !important; overflow: hidden !important; clip: rect(0,0,0,0) !important; white-space: nowrap !important; border: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-bottom-bar { display: flex !important; flex-direction: column !important; align-items: center !important; margin-top: 0.5rem !important; gap: 1rem !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-footer-content { text-align: center !important; width: 100% !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-logo {display: block !important;margin: 0 auto !important;width: 120px !important;min-width: 120px !important;max-width: 120px !important;height: auto !important;object-fit: contain !important;flex-shrink: 0 !important;}#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-dropdown-wrapper { text-align: center !important; margin-bottom: 16px !important; margin-top: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-dropdown-title-container { position: relative !important; display: inline-block !important; max-width: 100% !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-dropdown-title {appearance: none !important;-webkit-appearance: none !important;-moz-appearance: none !important;background: transparent !important;border: none !important;font-size: 18px !important;font-weight: 600 !important;color: var(--riv-primary) !important;padding-right: 28px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;cursor: pointer !important;text-align: center !important;text-align-last: center !important;width: auto !important;max-width: 100% !important;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important;line-height: 1.3 !important;margin: 0 !important;text-overflow: ellipsis !important;overflow: hidden !important;white-space: nowrap !important;}#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-dropdown-title:focus { outline: none !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-dropdown-title::-ms-expand { display: none !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-dropdown-chevron {position: absolute !important;right: 0 !important;top: 50% !important;transform: translateY(-50%) !important;pointer-events: none !important;color: var(--riv-primary) !important;display: flex !important;align-items: center !important;}#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-carousel-title-controls { display: flex !important; justify-content: space-between !important; align-items: center !important; margin-bottom: 16px !important; width: 100% !important; gap: 12px !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-carousel-nav-btn {background: transparent !important; border: 1px solid #d1d5db !important; border-radius: 6px !important; padding: 6px 10px !important;cursor: pointer !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; gap: 4px !important; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important;}#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-carousel-nav-btn:hover { border-color: #9ca3af !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-carousel-counter { font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; text-align: center !important; margin-top: 1rem !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-legend { display: flex !important; justify-content: center !important; flex-wrap: wrap !important; gap: 8px 16px !important; margin: 0 !important; padding: 0 !important; margin-top: 1rem !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-legend-item { display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; gap: 6px !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-legend-color { width: 12px !important; height: 12px !important; border-radius: 3px !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-multi-value-legend {display: flex !important;justify-content: center !important;flex-wrap: wrap !important;gap: 12px 24px !important;margin-bottom: 1.5rem !important;padding: 0 !important;}#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-multi-legend-item { display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; gap: 8px !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; font-weight: 500 !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-multi-legend-swatch { width: 16px !important; height: 16px !important; border-radius: 3px !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-benchmark-group { margin-bottom: 1rem !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-benchmark-title {font-size: 18px !important; font-weight: 600 !important; margin-bottom: 16px !important; margin-top: 0 !important; padding: 0 !important;text-align: center !important; color: var(--riv-primary) !important; flex: 1 !important; min-width: 0 !important;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3 !important;text-transform: none !important;white-space: normal !important;overflow-wrap: break-word !important;word-wrap: break-word !important;max-width: 100% !important;}#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-bar-row, #fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-stacked-product { display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; width: 100% !important; margin-bottom: 0.75rem !important; position: relative !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-bar-label { width: 150px !important; flex-shrink: 0 !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; padding-right: 10px !important; text-align: right !important; font-weight: 500 !important; display: block !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-bar-container { flex-grow: 1 !important; background-color: #E5E7EB !important; border-radius: 4px !important; min-height: 25px !important; border: 1px solid #D1D5DB !important; position: relative !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-bar-commentary-inline { display: none !important; position: absolute !important; left: 150px !important; top: 0 !important; bottom: 0 !important; right: 0 !important; width: calc(100% - 150px) !important; margin: 0 !important; padding: 0 8px !important; font-size: 13px !important; color: #fff !important; background: rgba(0,0,0,0.8) !important; border-radius: 4px !important; line-height: 1.4 !important; font-weight: normal !important; text-transform: none !important; word-wrap: break-word !important; z-index: 10 !important; align-items: center !important; overflow-y: auto !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc.preview-wrapper .fv-bar-row:hover .fv-bar-commentary-inline, #fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc.preview-wrapper .fv-bar-commentary-inline:focus, #fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc.preview-wrapper .fv-bar-commentary-inline:focus-within, #fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc.mobile-view .fv-bar-row:hover .fv-bar-commentary-inline, #fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc.mobile-view .fv-bar-commentary-inline:focus, #fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc.mobile-view .fv-bar-commentary-inline:focus-within { display: flex !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-bar { height: 100% !important; border-radius: 3px !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; transition: opacity 0.2s ease, width 0.8s ease-out !important; min-height: 23px !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-bar:hover { opacity: 0.8 !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-bar-inner-content { display: flex !important; justify-content: space-between !important; align-items: center !important; width: 100% !important; height: 100% !important; padding: 0 8px !important; font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: bold !important; overflow: hidden !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-bar-inner-label { white-space: nowrap !important; overflow: hidden !important; text-overflow: ellipsis !important; padding-right: 8px !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-bar-inner-value { flex-shrink: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-bar-value-outside { padding-left: 8px !important; font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: bold !important; color: #374151 !important; white-space: nowrap !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-bar-label.fv-primary-product { font-weight: bold !important; color: var(--riv-primary) !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-multi-bar-container { flex-direction: column !important; padding: 4px !important; align-items: stretch !important; gap: 4px !important; height: auto !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-multi-bar-item { display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; height: 25px !important; width: 100% !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-stacked-bar { display: flex !important; overflow: hidden !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-stacked-segment { height: 100% !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; justify-content: flex-end !important; padding-right: 8px !important; border-right: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.3) !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-stacked-segment:last-child { border-right: none !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-segment-value { font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: bold !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-grouped-bar-product { display: flex !important; flex-direction: column !important; width: 100% !important; margin-bottom: 1.25rem !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-grouped-product-title-wrapper { padding-left: 150px !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-grouped-product-title { width: 100% !important; text-align: left !important; padding-right: 0 !important; margin-bottom: 0.5rem !important; font-weight: 700 !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; text-transform: none !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-bar-cluster { width: 100% !important; flex-grow: 1 !important; display: flex !important; flex-direction: column !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-bar-cluster .fv-bar-row { margin-bottom: 3px !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-bar-cluster .fv-bar-container { height: 20px !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .riv-grid line {stroke: #D1D5DB !important;stroke-dasharray: 3 3 !important;}#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-x-axis-wrapper { display: flex !important; width: 100% !important; margin-top: 0.5rem !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-x-axis-label-space { width: 150px !important; padding-right: 10px !important; flex-shrink: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-x-axis-chart-space { flex-grow: 1 !important; padding-right: 8px !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-x-axis-wrapper.fv-grouped-x-axis { margin-left: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-x-axis-line { border-top: 1px solid #D1D5DB !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-x-axis-ticks { display: flex !important; justify-content: space-between !important; padding-top: 4px !important; font-size: 13px !important; color: #374151 !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-x-axis-ticks span { position: relative !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-x-axis-ticks span::before { content: '' !important; position: absolute !important; top: -6px !important; left: 50% !important; transform: translateX(-50%) !important; width: 2px !important; height: 4px !important; background-color: #D1D5DB !important; border-radius: 1px !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-x-axis-unit { text-align: center !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; margin-top: 8px !important; display: block !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-x-axis-title { text-align: center !important; font-size: 15px !important; color: #374151 !important; margin-top: 8px !important; margin-bottom: 16px !important; line-height: 1.5 !important; padding: 0 1rem !important; display: block !important; font-weight: bold !important; }#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc .fv-y-axis-title {font-size: 15px !important;color: #374151 !important;line-height: 1.5 !important;text-align: left !important;padding-left: 5.83% !important;margin-bottom: 4px !important;display: block !important;font-weight: bold !important;}#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc.mobile-view .fv-pie-container,#fv-chart-1784740420126-ma76xl7lc.labels-on-top .fv-pie-container {flex-direction: column !important; 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Solid generally, but with battery concerns and a potentially problematic call recording 'feature'

Features4Sound Quality4Design4Battery Life2.5Noise Cancellation4.5Value4Overall4012345Group 1 DataProductFeatures ()Sound Quality ()Design ()Battery Life ()Noise Cancellation ()Value ()Overall ()Nothing Ear (3a)4442.54.544window.iFrameResizer = {heightCalculationMethod: 'taggedElement'};(function() {window.fvAnimateCharts = function(chartWrapper) {if (!chartWrapper) return;function animateBars(chartElement) {if (!chartElement) return;var bars = chartElement.querySelectorAll('.fv-bar, .fv-stacked-segment');bars.forEach(function(bar, index) {bar.style.setProperty('width', '0%', 'important');bar.style.setProperty('transition', 'none', 'important');var targetWidth = bar.dataset.targetWidth;if (targetWidth === undefined) return;void bar.offsetWidth;var targetMargin = bar.dataset.targetMargin;var baseMargin = bar.dataset.baseMargin;if (baseMargin !== undefined) {bar.style.setProperty('margin-left', baseMargin + '%', 'important');}setTimeout(function() {var marginTransition = baseMargin !== undefined ? 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You want buds that say "look at me"
The pink colorway is super-striking and fun, especially against their black/transparent stems.

You have a Sony or Samsung phone
LDAC support for $99 / £99? That's good stuff.

You want to record your phone calls
These buds do offer the option to record and transcribe up to 2 hours of audio from calls, songs or voice notes — and you don't need a Nothing source device to do it.

Don't buy them if...

You want extra-special spatial audio
Nothing adds its "static" spatial audio profile here, for a slightly more immersive sound profile to your music. For me, though, it's a little bit lightweight.

You have bijou ears
This design just about works for my smaller ears with the small ear-tips (there's even an XS option included now), but if your concha or ear-well is particularly diminutive, then you may still find these earpieces a little big.

The idea of covert surveillance bothers you
As a journalist, I have no issue with recording when everyone has consented. My concern is Nothing's playful marketing if in-call recording as a lifestyle feature, despite the obvious privacy implications.View Deal

Nothing Ear (3a) review: Also consider

Nothing Ear (3a)

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100

Huawei FreeArc

Price

$99 / £99 / Approx. AU$192

$149 / £119 / AU$TBC (but around AU$249) at launch, discounted now

£99 (roughly $130, AU$200) but discounted now

Drivers

12m custom

10mm Neodymium dynamic

17mm x 12mm (open earbuds)

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Yes

No

Quoted battery life

Buds: 6 hrs (without ANC) or 4.5 hrs with ANC; Total with case: 18 hrs with ANC (or 25 hrs without ANC)

11 hours per charge; up to 39 hours with the case

7 hours (earbuds), 23 hours (total)

Weight

4.53g

4.7g

8.9g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.0, LDAC, USB-C (no wireless charging)

Bluetooth 5.4 with LDAC and aptX Lossless

Bluetooth 5.2

Frequency range

20 Hz – 40 kHz

Not stated

Not stated

Waterproofing

Yes, IP54

Yes, IPX5

Yes, IP57

Other features

Audio Snapshot and Call Recording; auto-off, static spatial audio, ChatGPT with a Nothing Phone

7-band EQ, ANC, DynamEQ for optimised tuning, wireless charging, 3 mics per bud

Huawei AI Life app, 10-band EQ, audio presets, find your earbuds

Huawei FreeArc
Up for taking a punt on affordable and great-sounding open earbuds? The FreeArc are available at a generous discount right now — but in all honesty, we loved them even at full price.
Read more on this in our full Huawei FreeArc review

Cambridge Audio Melomania A100
These June 2025-release earbuds didn't get the fanfare they deserved, unless you count our glowing five-star review, of course. They don't look as flamboyant — but oh, do they sound good, and the ANC is great too. Did I mention they've been discounted recently? Highly recommended for their current price.
Learn more in our in-depth Cambridge Melomania A100 review

How I tested the Nothing Ear (3a)

USB-C for juicing up, but there's no wireless charging (Image credit: Future)

• Tested for two weeks, listened against the Ear (a), Bose QuietComfort Ultra Earbuds (Gen 2), Technics EAH-AZ100 and AirPods 4
• Listened in the office, walking along a beach, on a train into London, into Central London and at home
• Listened to Tidal Masters, Apple Music Lossless tracks and Spotify on an iPhone 15 Pro, MacBook Pro and Sony Xperia smartphone

The Nothing Ear (3a) became my primary musical companions for well over two weeks — after a 48-hour run-in period.

They accompanied me to work (walking brusquely to our Paddington office and on the London Underground to various press events) and even walking on a beach at sunset.

To assess comfort levels, ANC and battery life claims, I followed TechRadar's meticulous methodology testing and found much of note — including slightly disappointing stamina.

To check the audio quality across the frequencies, I listened for several hours to my own reference playlists on Apple Music and Tidal, alongside TechRadar's reference tracks, plus podcasts and movies. Additionally, I wore them to watch YouTube tutorials from my MacBook Pro.

I’ve been testing audio products for well over seven years, full-time. As a dancer, aerialist and musical theater performer in another life, sound quality, fit, and user experience have always been a priority for me, but having heard how wonderful ANC can be when done well, I know what I'm listening to here, too.

Read more about how we test earbuds at TechRadar

• First reviewed: July 2026

Shokz OpenDots Air: Two-minute review

I've long pointed to the flagship Shokz OpenDots One as the best open earbuds in the clip-style category, so I'll admit that I watched the release of the brand's budget-grade option with trepidation.

All too often, a brand's wallet-friendly earbuds tend to fit poorly, cut too many features, completely miss the mark sonically, or launch at a price point that doesn't make sense. But I'm happy to report that the Shokz OpenDots Air side-step those issues.

In fact, for most buyers, this pair just makes so much more sense than its sibling, the Shokz OpenDots 2. That's despite the set you're here to read about being an inferior model, on paper.

Like the numbered OpenDots, the Air uses dual 11.8mm drivers; you're only going to be able to hear a difference in sound quality if you really need Dolby Atmos or some of the unique Shokz features (which, I'm guessing, most people don't).

The OpenDots Air take a largely similar design too, which means they're just as reliable in your ear on long runs or gym sessions. Now and then, I did find them to pinch a little, which I take to be the fault of a few design tweaks, but it was nothing that stopped me using them.

There's more: the battery life is great, the carry case is nice and small and the connection was reliable. But some carry-overs are a little less desirable: like other OpenDots, the touch controls are finicky to use. And while Shokz offered some of the best-sounding open earbuds last year, the Air (and 2) launch to a much more competitive market.

What sets the OpenDots Air apart from the 2-suffixed set, making them a better buy, is the price; you can get them for roughly 25% less. For most buyers, I'd say that you should save your money and buy the Air... unless any of the other fantastic cuff-style buds (which typically do undercut any of Shokz' options) pique your interest.

After all, the Shokz premium is still in play, even with its more affordable buds.

Shokz OpenDots Air review: Price and release date

(Image credit: Future)

• Launched on June 4, 2026
• Sells for $129.95 / £129.99 / AU$219
• Cheaper alternative to OpenDots 2

The Shokz OpenDots Air were released on June 4, 2026, alongside the OpenDots 2. That was about 10 months after the original OpenDots One became available.

You can buy the earbuds for $129.95 / £129.99 / AU$219, so they're markedly cheaper than the $199.95 / £179.99 / AU$339 OpenDots 2. The original OpenDots One also went for that price, though a year on they're easy to find at around $150 / £150 / AU$239 (and even less during sales).

Note also the flagship Shokz OpenFit Pro, (more 'traditional' shell-like open earbuds) which include noise reduction and launched in January 2026, at the significant cost of $249.95 / £219 / AU$399.

I'll continue to refer to the OpenDots Air as affordable cuff-style buds, but that's only in comparison to the OpenDots 2 and the other Shokz options listed above. Remember, Shokz is a class-leader in this category, and you pay for that. You can easily find great alternatives for even cheaper (we've even listed a few at the bottom of this review).

Shokz OpenDots Air review: Specs

Drivers

2x 11.8mm

Active noise cancellation

No

Battery life

9 hours (buds), 36 hours (case)

Weight

6.3g (buds), 37.3g (case)

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.1

Frequency response

100Hz-40kHz

Waterproofing

IP55

Shokz OpenDots Air review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• You'll get 9 hours of listening; 36 with case
• EQ has four presets, 5-band custom mode
• App is pretty light on features

You're getting 9 hours of battery life with the Shokz OpenDots Air; at least, that's the cited listening time, and from my testing, I have no cause to doubt it. That's a hair below the OpenDots One / 2's 10 hours, but the difference is negligible, and it's still a solid battery life.

The case rounds that figure up to 36 hours of listening, including recharges. That's more in line with industry standards.

As with most open earbuds, there's no noise cancellation here. It's a shame, because Shokz is one of the few companies to offer ANC-adjacent tech in open-ears (the OpenFit Pro have 'noise reduction', but we tested it and it's the same thing), and I find it's even more useful in earbuds of the like.

(Image credit: Future)

While the OpenDots Air aren't as featured-packed as many other earbuds, downloading the Shokz app lets you play around with what there is.

Possibly the best reason to download the app is the equalizer; there are four presets (standard, vocal enhancement, bass enhancement and an audio leakage reduction mode), as well as a simplistic five-band custom EQ which lets you create your own mix.

The app also lets you turn on Multipoint Pairing, change what the touch controls do, turn on (or off) microphone noise cancellation in calls, and turn on (or off) wear detection.

Admittedly, the list is a little svelte. Beyond review purposes, I only opened the app a single time, and that was to double-check I hadn't accidentally turned gesture controls off (I hadn't, more on that later).

• Features score: 3.5/5

Shokz OpenDots Air review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Svelte carry case
• Attractive blue marbled design
• Not designed to stick in the ear

They ain’t called clip-on buds for nothing – the OpenDots Air are clip-shaped earbuds with a C-shaped band joining a rounded earbud with an ovoid counterweight. The 'dot' goes in your ear-well, the 'egg' sits just behind it, looping around the lower part of the helix.

The earbuds weigh 6.3g each, with silicone and plastic making up the casework of the earpiece. I tested them at the gym, on cycles and on runs (and in other, less-intensive settings) and never had a fit issue; that’s a benefit of this form factor, and I’ve never had a wobbly clipper.

However I did find that the Air could pinch a little during longer wear sessions, and I was surprised by the relief I felt at removing them after an hour-plus run. On the topic of criticisms, the buds technically have touch controls, but I could barely get them to pick up my touch. You have to be incredibly precise to find the right spot, and I quickly gave up on using them. At this level, it's not a deal-breaker in this type of design (at least not yet), but it's my job to notice.

(Image credit: Future)

You can buy the earbuds in black or purple, a choice which carries over to the charging case. They’re IP55 protected, which means they’re safe from dust and jets of water, but you shouldn’t take them swimming.

The charging case is lighter than most I’ve seen, tipping the scales to the tune of 37.3g — that’s without the buds, and you’re looking at a total package that’s under 50g. It’s nice and small too, and I really appreciate case like this that’s lightweight and portable like this: it disappeared in my pockets with no problem.

The simplicity extends to the ports and buttons; you’re getting a USB-C port but no wireless charging, unlike the OpenDots 2, and intriguingly no Bluetooth pairing override. I don’t recall the last time I saw an earbud case without this ‘hope-you-don’t-need-it’ feature, but Shokz apparently thinks you don’t need it at all.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Shokz OpenDots Air: Sound quality

(Image credit: Future)

• Dual 11.8mm drivers
• Well-defined treble and bass
• Some premium features missing

Shokz has found an audio set-up it likes and has stuck with it. As with the OpenDots One and OpenDots 2, the OpenDots Air have two custom 11.8mm drivers providing the music. The company is coy on what each of these drivers are actually handling, but I’m guessing at least one is tuned towards low-end, given how much "Bassphere" is mentioned in marketing.

(What’s Bassphere? Um, a marketing word, by the sounds of it, and Shokz is quite light on specifics. I've done my due journalistic diligence in trying to dig through the fluff to get granular on Bassphere, but have been unsuccessful. It seems to be what the company refers to as its two-driver system.)

The OpenDots Air do miss some features of their pricier stablemates. There’s no Dolby Atmos tuning, for one, and it lacks a few other Shokz-designed features, including MirrorPitch (which aims the sound into your ear) and Bassphere 2.0 (like 1.0, but designed to reduce distortion which could arise from the two-driver system).

Okay, I’ve been dancing around the topic; how do the Shokz OpenDots Air actually sound? They’re rather good, for open-ears — they’re not quite on par with the higher-end OpenDots, or some varied rivals, but I enjoyed listening to music with them.

(Image credit: Future)

It’s clear to my ear that one of the drivers is dialled into the low end, giving bass a clear scooping distinction that’s often missing in open-ears. Songs like Brian Kelley’s Beach Cowboy or Kasabian’s Superpowers offer clean low-end that sit comfortably below higher-frequency sounds, without blowing it out.

The lack of support for better-than-vanilla codecs such as LDAC, or seemingly any higher-quality streaming, means audiophiles might not find these an enjoyable listen. I can’t pretend they’re on par with ‘standard’ in-ear earbuds costing this much, including ones which are geared towards sports users. But for fitness-first listeners who need their ear canals free to hear traffic, they’re all you need.

Naturally, when you’re out and about, the bass will struggle a little bit — it has a harder time cutting through surrounding noise than treble does. That’s par for the course for this kind of earbud, but it bears repeating for those not familiar with the form factor.

• Sound quality: 4/5

Shokz OpenDots Air review: Value

(Image credit: Future)

• Great value for money compared to Shokz roster
• Other cufflinks undercut these

If you’re comparing the OpenDots Air solely to the OpenDots 2, they're great value: you’re basically getting the same earbuds for a sizeable discount. I see the Air being the better buy for most people, out of the two.

But when you look at the wider earbuds market, my recommendation gets a bit more muted. I’ve tested plenty of pairs of clip-style earbuds that hover at, or below, the £/$100 mark, which perform basically the same as the OpenDots Air do. If you’re not married to buying Shokz buds, then you’ll find a few different money-saving alternatives below.

• Value: 4/5

Should I buy the Shokz OpenDots Air?Shokz OpenDots Air score card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

The battery life is great, but beyond it, there aren't many features.

3.5/5

Design

Both the buds and the case are lightweight and reliable to use.

4.5/5

Sound quality

Despite some missing features, the audio quality will tick exercisers' boxes.

4/5

Value

They're the best OpenDots for your money, though some rivals will draw your gaze.

4/5

Buy them if…

You need workout buds
Between the reliable build, the simple and pleasing sound mix and the lightweight chassis, these are great running, cycling or gym companions.

You're tempted by the other OpenDots
I don't mean to downplay the strengths of Shokz' other buds, but these are the best cuff-style options it sells.

You need a case that disappears
I kept losing the OpenDots Air's case in my bag pockets, that's how small it was.View Deal

Don’t buy them if…

You have sensitive ears
While these fit well 99% of the time, now and then my ears grew achy, and people with sensitive ears may have a bad time with them.

You're on a budget
If you've been drawn to the Air as a budget pair of open-ears, I'm sorry that you had to discover that they're only budget by Shokz standards.

Shokz OpenDots Air review: Also consider

The open earbuds market is incredibly competitive. Here are some others that I've tested and would recommend.

Shokz OpenDots Air

Apple AirPods Pro 3

Soundpeats Clip1

Drivers

2x 11.8mm

2x 11.8mm

12mm

Active noise cancellation

No

No

No

Battery life (ANC on)

9 hours (buds), 36 hours (case)

10 hours (buds), 40 hours (case)

8 hours (buds), 32 hours (case)

Weight

6.3g (buds), 37.3g (case)

5.6g (buds), 52g (case)

5g (buds), 55.5g (case)

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.1

Bluetooth 5.4

Bluetooth 5.4

Waterproofing

IP55

IP54

IPX5

Shokz OpenDots One
This older pair matches the Air in most departments, and beat them in one or two. You can find them for only a hair more than the Air now, and sometimes for even less.
Read our full Shokz OpenDots One review

Soundpeats Clip1
For a much more affordable alternative, the Soundpeats Clip1 offer a solid build, some great audio features and great value for your money. If you're not committed to Shokz, it's well worth checking them out.
Read our full Soundpeats Clip1 review

How I tested the Shokz OpenDots Air

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for one month
• Paired with Android phone for Spotify, streaming and games
• Used during multiple kinds of activities

I used the Shokz OpenDots Air for roughly a month to write this review. This ensured they underwent some extensive testing.

This testing included countless runs, several cycles, many gym sessions, loads of walks around my neighborhood, plays on various kinds of public transport, a house move, and a trip to a surf town during a holiday.

During this time, the buds were paired to my Android smartphone. They got most of their use through Spotify, but I also used them for calls, watching some YouTube videos and playing games.

I've tested gadgets for TechRadar since early 2019. Since that time I've reviewed countless earbuds, including loads of open-style ones and the Shokz OpenDots One.

• First reviewed in July 2026

• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Razer Kiyo V2 webcam: Two-minute review

Razer is a household name in the webcam space, with its Kiyo brand being one of the most popular choices for streamers and PC gamers. The latest Kiyo V2 is another sterling example of Razer's commitment to premium build quality and high-end components, and for the most part, it's a great product.

Delivering either 4K recording at 30 frames per second or 1080p at 60, the Kiyo V2 captures quality video with a high degree of customization via the Razer Synapse software. It's fairly pricey (don't expect to see it on our list of the best cheap webcams), but for a 4K webcam with this sort of build quality and feature set, it's actually quite competitively priced.

(Image credit: Future)

Coming in black, white, and pink colorways (mine is the pink 'Quartz' model), the Razer Kiyo V2 is an extremely well-constructed product. It's durable and pleasingly tactile. The base can be extended and rotated to capture the perfect angle, and it easily clasps onto any monitor; I tested it both with the two monitors in my home desktop setup and my laptop, and it snapped into place with no issues. It's a little heavy, however, so laptops with flimsier display hinges might struggle.

The design is a departure from previous Razer webcams, which typically opted for a singular large casing surrounding the lens construction. Instead, it's a smaller lens housing with an oblong body, immediately reminiscent of the Logitech MX Brio 705.

Not everything has been abandoned with this new design, however. The lens housing, like previous Kiyo models, includes a pleasingly tactile rim that can be twisted to close the built-in physical privacy shutter. I'm always a fan of privacy solutions like this, though given the large size of the glass lens face, it would've been nice to see a lens cap included to keep it dust- and scratch-free.

(Image credit: Future)

It would potentially be nice if the webcam could be detached from the attached mount in order to fit it to a different mount; many content creators will have their own video setups and may want to use their own camera stands. However, the mount does have a threaded screw connector on the base, letting you fit it atop most industry-standard camera mounts.

In terms of video quality, it's great. 4K video is sharp and colorful, and even zoomed in, I found I looked perfectly detailed in the footage I recorded. Color reproduction is great, and the camera performed well in a range of light conditions. Low-light performance resulted in some mild oversaturation, but I've seen worse performance in more expensive cameras. It also supports HDR, though only at 30fps even at lower resolutions.

The autofocus works well, but I found it was a little slow to adjust if I quickly moved closer or further from the camera. Having tested quite a few webcams in my time, I feel that a webcam in this price range should be a bit snappier to focus.

That big lens means that the default field of view is huge. A 93-degree FOV means that the Kiyo V2 is liable to capture not just yourself but the entire room you're in, but thankfully it's easy enough to tweak this via the zoom and crop tools in Razer's Synapse software.

(Image credit: Future)

On the topic of Synapse, it's still a frankly rather clunky piece of software, but for webcam users who want granular control over their hardware, it does a solid job. In addition to zoom and crop tools, you can also manually tweak the autofocus, auto exposure, and color balance.

The Kiyo V2's software-side feature set also includes a selection of AI-powered tools, which are covered prominently in the marketing material for the webcam. These include dynamic light correction and noise reduction, but these features already existed in Synapse, and to be honest, I'm not entirely clear on what AI brings to the table here.

(Image credit: Future)

Look, Razer: I get it. I'm sure there's tremendous pressure from your shareholders to make everything AI-powered, because it's the buzzword du jour. But anyone who actually wants AI in their webcam (for whatever inane reason) likely isn't going to be better served by the Kiyo V2 than any other cutting-edge 'AI' webcam, like the Obsbot Tiny SE.

One element that does actually benefit from the involvement of machine learning is the auto-framing feature, which uses AI-powered head-tracking to keep you in the center of the frame even if you move around. However, since the Kiyo V2 lacks a mechanized gimbal, it can't alter the frame while fully zoomed out and can only track you so far; it can keep you in center frame if you move by a foot or two, but it won't follow you around a room.

On the bright side, you don't actually have to use Synapse and the AI features at all. The Kiyo V2 works great straight out of the box; just plug in the bundled cable, and you're off to the races, assuming you're happy with the default wide-angle FOV.

(Image credit: Future)

Now, for the only real problem I have with the Razer Kiyo V2. It comes with a USB-C to USB-C cable in the box (the one with my review unit is pink, like the webcam itself), and as far as I can tell, you have to use this cable to access the full 4K functionality of the camera.

Considering that the cable is USB-C-exclusive, you'll need a free USB-C 3.0 port to make full use of the Kiyo V2. I tested it out with a USB-C to USB-A adapter, as well as using one of my own USB-C cables; no dice. It's frustrating, because USB-C ports can be in short supply for users connecting multiple peripherals, and the bundled cable is a bit short and inflexible.

(Image credit: Future)

Lastly, the built-in microphone is... fine, I guess. It's good enough for video calls, but anyone aiming to produce professional-level video content should definitely use a proper standalone microphone.

It's fair to say that the Razer Kiyo V2 deserves a spot among the best webcams on the market. There are a few niggling issues, but nothing that should ruin the experience for a gamer who wants a high-end webcam. For hardcore content creators, it remains a sound choice, but you should be aware of the downsides.

Razer Kiyo V2 webcam: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $149.99 / £149.99 / AU$279.95
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? The US, UK, and Australia

At $149.99 / £149.99 / AU$279.95, the Razer Kiyo V2 is significantly cheaper than the brand's own older Kiyo Pro webcam. If you're looking for a high-quality 4K cam, it's not an unreasonable price.

Sure, you could easily get a cheaper 4K webcam, but you'll need to risk it on a less established brand, and you almost certainly won't be getting the same rich feature set seen in the Kiyo V2. Similarly effective models from other premium brands like Logitech and Elgato will cost a comparable amount, so I'm pleased to say that despite its reputation for pricey hardware, Razer got the price right this time around.

Razer Kiyo V2 webcam: Specs

Razer Kiyo V2

Price:

$149.99 / £149.99 / AU$279.95

Supported resolutions:

4Kp at 30fps, 1440p at 60fps, 1080p at 60fps

Sensor:

8.3 MP Sony STARVIS

Field of view:

93 degrees

Connection:

USB-C

Features:

Digital zoom, AI auto-framing, AI autofocus, dynamic color correction, HDR, mechanical privacy shutter

Software Integration:

Razer Synapse

Should you buy the Razer Kiyo V2 webcam?

(Image credit: Future)Razer Kiyo V2 webcam report card

Value

The Razer Kiyo V2 is still fairly expensive, but it's reasonably priced for a high-end 4K webcam and much better value than the previous Kiyo Pro.

4 / 5

Design

A fresh chassis design that retains the excellent physical privacy shutter of older Kiyos, but the forced USB-C is annoying.

4 / 5

Performance

Audio is merely decent, but the picture quality and color balance are fantastic and Razer Synapse packs a ton of extra features.

4 / 5

Avarage rating

A high-quality webcam with a broad feature set and more competitive pricing, the Razer Kiyo V2 is a great product with only a few small flaws.

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You want 4K
At this price point, the Kiyo V2 is competitive within the 4K webcam space - you could find cheaper ones, but only if you're willing to accept a drop in quality.

You need wide-angled recording
If you're aiming to capture a larger space (or multiple video participants), the 93-degree FOV of the Kiyo V2 is perfect.

Don't buy it if...

You're short on ports
Since it needs to use the bundled USB-C cable to access full 4K recording, the Kiyo V2 is a poor choice for anyone who already has lots of ports in use on their PC.

You're on a budget
At $149.99 / £149.99 / AU$279.95, the Kiyo V2 is still pretty darn expensive, even if it's far better value for money than the older Kiyo Pro.

Razer Kiyo V2 webcam: Also consider

Insta360 Link 2C
Our current top pick of the 4K webcams available on the market right now, the Link 2C offers superior low-light performance and autofocus while also offering the same high-quality video and AI features as the Kiyo V2.

Read our full Insta360 Link 2C review

Obsbot Tiny 2
The Tiny 2 from Obsbot delivers 4K video along with AI-powered tracking via its mechanical gimbal mount. For those who want a high-end video experience, this is a great pick.

Read our full Obsbot Tiny 2 review

How I tested the Razer Kiyo V2 webcam

• Tested the webcam in video calls and recording
• Compared image quality to other webcams
• 8+ years of experience reviewing computer hardware

I replaced my usual webcam (the Insta360 Link 2 4K) with the Razer Kiyo V2 for two weeks, using it for all my normal video calls during the workday. I also tested it in various different lighting conditions by recording video separately and comparing the clips side by side. Naturally, I installed (well, reinstalled) Razer Synapse to properly test out all the software-side features as well.

I've been testing and reviewing PC hardware for more than eight years, starting at the PC-building hobbyist magazine Maximum PC before making the leap to TechRadar's computing team. I put all of my knowledge and experience behind each and every one of my product reviews, so you can be assured that you're getting an informed and bias-free judgement.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed July 2026

Filament absorbs moisture as soon as you break the seal of the packaging, and that moisture will affect the quality of your prints, and it’s a problem that until recently no one talked about.

The effect of damp filament, even if it feels dry to the touch, shows up as stringing, popping, weak layer adhesion, and prints that just look slightly worse than they should. Because it creeps in gradually, you usually blame the printer, whereas it’s often the material.

The H1 HT is Elegoo's first dryer. It arrives to tackle one of the major quibbles with the otherwise excellent Centauri Carbon 2 (see my review here). Essentially, the fact that the machine features an open-air spool design, leaving filament exposed to whatever humidity the room happens to have.

In the case of my workshop at some points of the year, that can be high. This drybox is the company's answer. It's designed to take a single 1kg spool, heats to a maximum of 85°C, rotates the spool for even exposure and vents humid air automatically before sealing itself shut again.

The clever part is that you don't have to stop printing to use it and it’s not confined to use with just Elegoo machines. The design features two filament outlets that let you run the dryer as a heated dry box, feeding the printer while it keeps your filaments in prime condition.

ELEGOO H1 HT: Price and availability

The H1 HT is available for $70 from Elegoo's US site, and for £62 from the UK site.

For a single dryer, that's extremely well priced and undercuts most established names while offering a higher maximum temperature and, frankly, better design.

If you’re thinking about this for your Centauri Carbon 2, then you’ll need/want four, so that will set you back $280 / £248.

• Value: 5 / 5

ELEGOO H1 HT: Design

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

I’ve been looking at Elegoo's machines for a few years - most recently the Centauri Carbon 2 - and they have always been well made. Still, there have usually been a few rough edges, and it was only with the Centauri Carbon and Centauri Carbon 2 that I started to see that change, although the sci-fi or quirky graphic remained.

The H1 HT goes further again, and the build quality is one of the best of any dryer box I've seen and used. Elegoo has dropped the sci-fi industrial styling and finally offers something more professional.

In the background, there have been changes in the company, and you get the impression this is the first result of that new influence. There are small design details, such as the lid having a proper latch that closes and seals securely, which sounds trivial until you've used dryers where the lid simply rests in place.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

At 1.53kg empty and 280 x 126 x 257mm, these are weights and measurements that I have measured and not from an official listing; it sits alongside a printer without taking up too much space on the work surface.

However, if you're using it with a multifilament, then you are looking at four of these. Each requires an AC (mains) socket, so while it’s a solution, the power and space requirements do need to be taken into account.

Another point is that units can't be stacked but sit side by side neatly. With the filament inside, it exits the dryer through one of two outlets. The rear outlet is horizontal to the work surface and takes PLA, PETG, ABS, and ASA through a tube into the printer's filament block.

In contrast, the second lid outlet handles TPU and fibre-reinforced materials, where the more direct upward route applies noticeably less friction.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

• Design: 4 / 5

ELEGOO H1 HT: FeaturesSpecs

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Maximum temperature: 85°C
Presets: 11 (PLA, PETG, TPU, ABS, ASA, PET, PP, PC, PA, PAHT-CF, PVA) plus Custom
Capacity: one 1kg spool
Display: 3.5in colour touchscreen, temperature and %RH readout
Outlets: rear horizontal, plus lid outlet for TPU and fibre-reinforced
Drying: rotating spool (switchable), dual automatic vents
Safety: overheat protection, flame-resistant inner shell, lid-open detection, fan fault detection
Connectivity: none - no app, no printer communication
Power: 170-180W average drying PLA (measured)
Dimensions: 280 x 126 x 257mm / 1.53kg without filament (measured)
Noise: 57.2dB running against 32.9dB ambient (measured)
Price: £62 / $70 / €70 / $90 CAD / $149 AUD / ¥10,399

Opening up the box when the dryer arrived, it’s obvious that Elegoo has invested in the development of this machine. Details such as the front-facing touchscreen stand out for their responsiveness and design, but more importantly, it's well thought out, with no multi-layer menu depth and everything exactly where you'd expect it.

The home screen shows chamber temperature and relative humidity alongside set temperature, remaining time and current material. The eleven presets run from PLA up to PC, PA and PAHT-CF, with Custom alongside; the inclusion of PAHT-CF highlights that Elegoo is thinking about the engineering materials that actually need that 85°C drying temperature.

I also like the fact that there’s plenty of customisation, accessed by a setup that lets you adjust almost any setting, and then you can adjust it. For printing from the dryer, I routed the filament into the block on the Centauri Carbon 2 printer, switched off the auto-rotation and set 40°C for PLA, matching the drying time to the length of the print. Unfortunately, there’s no direct communication between the box and the printer.

Rotating Drying and Lid Open Detection have their own triggers; venting simply happens with nothing to hear, and the only safety feature check activates as soon as I leave the lid open, beeping and pausing drying until secured.

It’s also worth noting that there is no app, no connectivity, and no communication with the printer, which, with a Centauri alongside, is a shame. However, this also means that it works with any FDM printer you own.

• Features: 4.5 / 5

ELEGOO H1 HT: Performance

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

To start the test with the H1 HT, I first wanted to check to see if the dryer was actually able to reach the temperature highlight. Setting up is straightforward with the packaging removed, power plugged in, filament tube inserted into the back and then the box boots up, which takes a few seconds, and you’re ready to start. I then set the temperature to 85C and pressed start. What instantly struck me was how easy this was to navigate.

The initial reading from the box was for an ambient temperature of 36°C, and watching that screen show the increase in internal temperature with the H1 HT reaching that 85°C in 8 minutes 25 seconds without a spool inside, then settled back to 77°C and fluctuated between 75 and 85°C.

I then watched it for a while, and it held that variance in temperature over a 15-minute period without issue.

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

I then popped in a spool of PLA that had been in the workshop for a while and ran that through the dryer for the suggested eight hours from the present. Despite the hot weather, humidity out there is higher than you'd expect. I then popped in filaments from Elegoo, Prusa and Fillamentum with no sign of spool deformation.

What was apparent with each as I printed the test models was the uplift in quality, surface smoothness and stringing all improving dramatically once dried. Running the filament, especially PLA from the box, really made a difference and enabled printing that was closer matched to a new spool of material than one that had been sat around for a while.

Printing directly from the dryer worked on the Centauri Carbon 2 with PLA, ASA and PETG, all fed smoothly through the rear outlet with the internal temperature fluctuating slightly as expected but ensuring that 40ºC was kept at the holding point.

Over the test, the quality of the prints really increased and just became part of the printing process, although there is only one, which is a shame. Ideally, I would have four, one for each feed; however, aside from the additional space you need, you also have to consider powering each of the boxes, with each requiring its own AC power in addition to the printer.

I was also interested in the power draw, and checking this showed it utilised between 170 and 180 W drying PLA at40ºC and when it came to noise, it runs at 57.2dB against 32.9dB ambient, audible but not intrusive. Still, again that noise will increase with additional units.

Again, the touchscreen really stands out through the test, with the humidity readout giving a good sense of what's happening in the chamber. When just drying filament, the rotating spool is hard to assess in isolation; prior experience tells me even heat exposure from the rotating spool helps, although you need to switch this off when used in combination with the printer, at which point the strength of the filament feed will rotate the spool.

• Performance: 4.5 / 5

ELEGOO H1 HT: Final verdict

(Image credit: Alastair Jennings)

Elegoo is positioning the H1 HT as the answer to some of the feedback about the Centauri Carbon 2's open-air spool design. And having run one, I can see the potential. Considering what that machine costs, an additional $70 / £62 isn't excessive, although that price elevates as soon as more boxes are added.

While this is a great solution, it isn't as neat as a fully enclosed printer. Still, it offers flexibility and a scalable system, and the difference in print quality does make it worth the cost, especially if you’re an occasional printer and leave filament around for weeks or even months between use.

One issue worth knowing is that while drying rescues filament that's damp, not filament that's already gone brittle, so if spools have sat for months, check them before spending eight hours on a lost cause. You also have the issue of space and power outlets, but again the benefits that these dryers bring kind of outweigh that argument, at least for me.

At the end of the test, what stands out is just how good this thing is: the build, the interface, that latching lid. Something is shifting at Elegoo, and on this evidence it's one to watch.

Should I buy the Elegoo H1 HT?

Value:

$70 / £62 buys 85°C drying and a build that outperforms pricier rivals

4.5

Design:

The best-built dryer I've used, with an excellent touchscreen that’s easy to navigate

4.5

Features:

Eleven easy-to-access presets, dual outlets and print-through, but no connectivity, which is a shame

4

Performance:

Quick to reach temperature and a marked difference to print quality with open filaments

4.5

Total:

A superb first dryer that fixes the Centauri's open filament storage design.

4.5

You own a Centauri Carbon 2 or any open-spool printer.

This is the fix for filament exposed to room humidity, and you can print directly from it. The difference in print quality makes me at least feel I need more.

You print with engineering materials.

The 85°C maximum temperature and presets for PC, PA and PAHT-CF cover materials cheaper dryers can't reach, and the lid outlet gives TPU and fibre-reinforced filaments a low-friction route.

You need several spools dried at once

Each unit holds one 1kg spool, and they can't be stacked, so a four-colour setup means four dryers, and you’ll need an AC socket to power each.

You want an integrated setup.

No app, no connectivity, no communication with the printer. Everything is set manually on the unit itself.

For more top-performing models, see my guide to the best 3D printers I've tested and reviewed

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE: two-minute review

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE is a 10.9-inch tablet that sits between premium flagship slates and more modest mid-rangers. Launched in April 2025, it offers a rich, vibrant display, a robust build, and smart productivity tools. So, a year after its release, is it still worth your money?

Honestly, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE holds up pretty well. Not only is it relatively svelte at 6mm, it feels premium in the hands thanks to the sheer edges and satin finish. It also has a sturdy build, with its IP68 rating meaning it should happily shrug off both dust and dunkings in over 1m of water. The only part of its design I’m a little cooler on is the colorways it arrives in — some primary shades would add some interest in this parade of blues and grays.

Fortunately, the Tab S10 FE’s display doesn’t fall into this trap. While it might not quite knock the best tablets off their podium, its screen delivers sumptuous color — reds and blues, in particular, look super vibrant when sitting side by side. Whites aren’t quite as warm as I’d like, and it isn't the brightest display I’ve ever tested, but blacks feel surprisingly deep for an LED display and overall it achieves solid contrast.

The Tab S10 FE’s charms aren’t all surface level, though — it’s also capable of superb performance, given its Exynos 1580 chipset is less powerful than even some of its rival mid-rangers’. For productivity tasks, I experienced zero noticeable slowdown, even with a heap of apps open and video streaming in one half of multi-window mode. Gaming strained it a little:eh device became pretty warm during play, although mostly at higher graphics settings.

Having since been upgraded from the One UI 7 it was released with to 8.5, the Tab S10 FE’s OS feels light and versatile. Bloat is relatively minimal compared to some tablets, although I did find it a little irritating that a few of the apps that are preinstalled aren’t usable without paying money. But this aside, One UI is definitely one of the smoother Android skins I’ve used, offering effective gesture controls and easy-to-use multitasking functionality.

(Image credit: Future)

The Tab S10 also comes crammed with productivity tools and fun features. "Circle to Search" is an impressive feature that allows you to search images and text on-screen by circling it with the stylus. The "Handwriting Help" feature corrects the alignment and shape of your letters — a massive help if you suffer clumsy penmanship like I do — while the "Solve Math" function is accurate, albeit a little finicky. "Face Effects", like jawline correction and skin-tone tweaking, in photos feel a little bit borderline to me, though.

And you’ll keep getting the most out of all of these productivity tools for a long time, thanks to the Tab S10 FE’s extensive battery life. Even with a capacity of 8,000Ah, my battery test revealed the device should comfortably see you through 20 hours, which is likely to cover you for several days of real-world use. It’s none too shabby when charging, either: thanks to its 45W charging, fully topping up the battery took just 1 hour and 44 minutes, which is pretty speedy.

All told, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE is an impressive tablet for the price. It may not have the most powerful chipset on the market but it’s a fantastic slate for taking notes, sketching, and other productivity tasks; the display is bold and beautiful, and its battery will comfortably last twice as long as that of the similarly priced iPad Air. As long as you’re not looking for something to game on, you’re unlikely to be disappointed.

(Image credit: Future)Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE review: price & availability

• Launched on April 10, 2025
• List price from $549.99 / £539 / AU$849
• Available with 8GB / 12GB RAM and 128GB / 256GB storage

Launched on April 10, 2025, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE is available now. The list price for the Wi-Fi-only version sits at $549.99 / £539 / AU$849, or it costs $649.99 / £639 / AU$1,049 for the 5G version.

The Tab S10 FE’s base spec offers 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage, but you can also pick it up with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It comes in three colorways: Silver, Blue or the Gray version I tested here. Regardless of which version you opt for, you’ll get Samsung’s S Pen as part of the package — which is a great bonus, given how much functionality it unlocks.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE review: specs

Dimensions

254.3 x 165.8 x 6.0 mm (10.01 x 6.53 x 0.24 inches)

Operating system

Android 15 (One UI 7), upgradable

Chipset

Samsung Exynos 1580

Weight

497g (Wi-Fi) / 500g (5G)

RAM

8GB / 128GB model, 12GB / 256GB model

Storage

128GB / 256GB (up to 2TB expandable via microSDXC)

Display

10.9-inch IPS LCD, 2304 x 1440 pixels, 90Hz, 16:10 aspect ratio

Cameras

13MP rear camera, 12MP ultrawide front camera

Battery

8,000mAh (45W wired charging support)

Connectivity

Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, USB Type-C 2.0, 5G (cellular model only)

(Image credit: Future)Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE review: design

• Thin and light
• Solid build with IP68 rating
• Unadventurous colorways

First off, there’s something about the Galaxy Tab S10 FE's flat, unbevelled design that feels pleasingly tactile in my hands. Those chiseled edges make it feel more sturdy and substantial, while the satin finish to its metal feels wonderfully tactile beneath your fingertips. Despite its mid-market price, it definitely has a premium feel to it.

Having said that, Samsung is hardly lighting the world on fire with the range of colors the Tab S10 FE comes in. As I’ve mentioned above, your options are Gray, Silver and Blue — with the latter definitely the most standout of the three, and the Gray I tested here a little too safe. I do think it’s a shame Samsung didn’t offer the device in some more adventurous hues, especially given the Apple iPad 11-inch (2025) includes vibrant shades like yellow and pink in its lineup.

The Tab S10 FE isn’t the most expansive slate I’ve ever used, with an area of just 6.53 x 10 inches / 165.8 x 254.3mm — for reference, that’s just a little shy of the iPad 11-inch at 9.79 x 7.07 inches / 248.6 x 179.5mm. But, on the plus side, the S10 FE is pretty slight, measuring in at just 17.64 oz / 500g and 0.24 inches / 6mm thick. That’s not quite as slim as the 0.2 inch / 5.1mm Apple iPad Pro 13-inch or the 0.22-inch / 5.6mm Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus, but it’s still trimmer than a lot of tablets out there.

Despite this dainty build, though, the Tab S10 FE is no delicate flower. In fact, it offers an IP68 rating, which means it should happily shrug off dust and grit, as well as survive an accidental dunking in at least a meter of water — something that is far from a given with many tablets. Keen to put this to the test, I gave it a dunking in 6 inches / 15cm of water in TechRadar’s testing tank for several minutes, and it emerged thoroughly soaked yet fully functional.

• Design score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE review: display

• Vibrant colors
• Strong contrast
• Could be brighter

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE doesn’t necessarily offer IMAX-scale viewing. Its display measures 10.9 inches and you lose a tiny bit of that to its rounded corners, so if you’re after something more expansive, the 13.1-inch Tab S10 FE+ might suit you better. However, its screen still performs impressively, with only a few small caveats.

To test what the display could do, I streamed some Blue Planet II in 4K. I was immediately impressed by the level of detail it was capable of: for example, the black-and-white lines flashing across a scintillating cuttlefish felt super sharp and well defined. While the Tab S10 FE’s 249.26ppi pixel density isn’t quite as detailed as the Apple iPad 11-inch (2025)’s 264ppi, the majority are unlikely to spot a huge difference in most scenarios.

Contrast also feels impressive, especially for an LCD panel. Even when side-by-side with the dappled sunlight, the depths of the ocean appeared inky black and well defined. Whites are also strong, although they run a little cooler than I’d expect — for example, the plumage of a wandering albatross and its fledgling chick looked a touch too blue for my tastes.

Fortunately, the Tab S10 FE’s hues are incredibly true to life elsewhere. Against the cobalt blue of the water, the bright red innards of a Lion’s mane jellyfish looked breathtaking, with the image not looking all that different to the Super Retina XDR OLED display in my flagship iPhone 16 Pro. For a mid-range tablet, Samsung’s Tab S10 FE sure offers some vibrant color performance.

Aside from those slightly cool whites, the only other area where the Tab S10 FE’s performance is less impressive is in terms of brightness. It offers 800-nit peak brightness outdoors in High Brightness mode, but its usual peak is 600 nits, meaning it isn't blazingly bright. That would be less of an issue if the S10 FE’s display wasn’t so reflective, but I did find it occasionally struggled to compete with the shine of the fluorescent lights overhead in TechRadar’s testing labs.

Despite this, the Tab S10 FE’s display is undeniably solid for its price, offering tantalizing viewing for a mid-market slate.

• Display score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE review: software

• Clean, agile OS
• Great Circle to Search and Handwriting Help tools
• Some slightly questionable Face Effects

Running One UI 8.5 built upon Android 16, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE feels light and easy to navigate. And compared to some tablets I’ve tested in recent months, it’s not crammed with bloat — I’m glad not to see Temu preloaded onto my device for the umpteenth time.

Which is what makes it all the more frustrating that some of the handful of apps that are preinstalled on the Tab S10 FE — such as LumaFusion and Clip Studio Paint — you have to pay for before using. Pre-loading my device with apps that are essentially just adverts for services you want me to sign up for just feels a bit grimey.

That’s a shame, because elsewhere Samsung’s OS feels light and offers decent productivity tools. Loading two apps in multi-window view is as simple as dragging two fingers from the side of the screen and loading the second app you’d like to use. Meanwhile, you can create multiple desktops to keep discrete workflows separate, making it a solid tool for working on the go.

Some of Samsung’s native apps are also pretty powerful. Using the drawing app Penup and the S Pen, I whipped up a sketch of my cat in an ukiyo-e style. Not only did the app make downloading and customising multiple watercolor and ink brushes straightforward, it quickly allowed me to add layers and a reference photograph to use. It even offers built-in functionality for exporting live drawing videos, which is a neat function for digital artists.

Baked into One UI 8.5 are multiple image manipulation tools. Removing irksome objects from your photographs is a pretty common feature these days, but Samsung’s Circle to Erase tool largely works well. It quickly removed an errant seagull and a hot-air balloon from a sunny evening selfie I'd snapped — although for reasons I can’t quite understand, it also half-mangled the corner of our blanket for no reason that I could fathom.

Some of Samsung’s built-in Face Effects are a little bit more dicey in my book. though. While I understand why you might want to fix blemishes or slightly smooth out complexions, tools for "fixing" people’s jawlines and lightening / darkening people’s skin tone honestly feels borderline for me in an era when looksmaxxing and colorism are very real trends. Meanwhile, the Reshape tool for tweaking facial and body features is horrifying in pretty much every sense — ethics aside, all I could really achieve with this feature was transforming myself into a Cronenbergian monster, which I’m not sure people are clamoring for on social media.

Fortunately, Samsung offers some other tools that are less contentious. Circle to Search stumped me at first, as I couldn’t seem to trigger it using the stylus or any context menus. Eventually, I worked out that you have to hold down the Home button to trigger the context-aware AI — and the results were then genuinely impressive, allowing me to quickly identify a weedy seadragon from a video or a bumblebee crawling across a rhododendron.

Samsung’s Handwriting Help tools are also pretty impressive. They deftly aligned my drifting script to the horizontal, although I found the claims that they'd "correct my letter shapes" to be a little overblown. Although, given that my handwriting looks like it was produced by a five-legged spider after too many espressos, I’ll admit this was a pretty boss-level challenge. And, more impressively, Samsung’s handwriting recognition almost invariably translated my jittering chicken scratch perfectly, something my own family can’t even do.

One of the more unique features the Tab S10 FE offers is its ability to solve calculations and equations for you. Write out a problem you’re struggling with, stick an equals sign after it and ping: an answer appears like magic. Or doesn’t. About half the time, the rabbit resolutely refused to pop out of the hat, leaving me to erase and rewrite functions over and over until it recognized them. And some sums proved more unreliable than others — root functions, in particular, seemed to throw up a lot of incorrect answers, although there’s a chance either my heinous handwriting or 25-year-old math knowledge is letting me down here.

For the most part, using the Galaxy Tab S10 FE’s software feels smooth and practical. I could just do without the paid bloat and the creepier of the photo-editing features.

• Software score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE review: performance

• Great productivity performance
• Games run well, for the most part
• Gets warm under heavy loads

Underneath the hood, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE runs the Exynos 1580 chipset and comes with either 8GB of RAM (on test here) or 12GB. That chipset will net you similar performance to, say, the Snapdragon 7 Gen 3, but it won’t really rival any of the Snapdragon 8 series or the current generation of Apple silicon chips.

When handling everyday productivity tasks, this still translated to pretty credible performance. While browsing the Internet with multiple tabs open, I never noticed any substantial slowdown or unusual behaviour. Typing this section of this review, the Tab S10 FE didn't show any noticeable lag or hanging, even with multiple apps open in the background. Always one to push things to their most absurd extreme, I even tried streaming Louis Theroux’s My Scientology Movie in multi-window mode as I typed, and — blow me down — both Google Docs and iPlayer continued to run as smooth as a frog slathered in peptide face cream.

This stable performance extends to gaming as well. Loading up Call of Duty: Mobile, I was generally impressed with how stably it ran, even with the hi-res graphics packs downloaded. Even if there was the tiniest hint of jitter on the odd occasion, I never found it impacted my gameplay all that much — I was still able to click heads consistently enough to pick up multiple MVP awards in a row.

Unfortunately, playing Genshin Impact proved a bumpier ride, though. Defaulting to the lowest graphics setting, the game looked pretty awful on the Tab S10 FE, rendering everything with blocky, jagged visuals. Yet switching the graphics settings even to Low threw up a warning I was overclocking the tablet’s CPU. I was expecting this would make the game unplayable on Medium settings, but actually it still ran pretty slickly.

Which leads me to suspect that the issue lies more with the Tab S10 FE’s cooling than that medium-range chipset. Even while playing Call of Duty: Mobile, I found the device warmed up considerably after about three matches back-to-back, while playing Genshin Impact the device started to get a touch toasty after just 10 minutes. This means that you’ll probably be fine if you nerf the graphics settings, but you might not want to red-line it quite as much as I did if you’ll be playing for extended periods.

• Performance score: 3.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE review: battery

• Lengthy 20-hour battery life
• Fast 45W charging

According to Samsung, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE’s battery should last you around 20 hours, which was pretty much spot on according to my tests. After continuously streaming a video in 2K for five hours, its battery had dropped to 74%. Even allowing a little wiggle room for how uneven battery discharge curves are, Samsung’s estimates seem pretty on the money, so you should happily be able to use this tablet for several days running without it dying on you.

Even when it does run out of juice, it shouldn’t take long to top up using that 45W charging. During my testing, I found it took 1 hour and 44 minutes to go from 0% to 100% — given its 8,000mAh battery capacity, that’s really very decent.

Taking all of this into account, the Tab S10 FE’s battery life is pretty competitive. While 8,000mAh is far from the largest capacity you’ll find out there, its diminutive display and efficient chipset means it can outlast more premium tablets such as the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus. It might not quite be able to rival the Honor MagicPad 4, our pick for the best tablet for battery life, but it’s still seriously long-lived.

• Battery score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

Good price for a gorgeous tablet that’s great for work, studies and streaming content. Perhaps not the best pick for gamers, though — especially given its specs are more modest than some similarly priced Android tablets.

4 / 5

Design

Slim and light, yet feels seriously well built. The IP68 rating means it will shrug off dust and accidental dunkings in water with ease. But a few more playful colorways would be welcome.

4 / 5

Display

Wonderfully vibrant colors, bold contrast and decent resolution. Whites are a little cool, though, and more brightness would help it overcome its shiny screen.

4 / 5

Software

Smooth, easy-to-use OS not too troubled by bloat and packed with productivity features. Some very smart tools such as Handwriting Help and Circle to Search. Not a fan of the preloaded apps you’d have to pay to use or the slightly creepy Face Effects.

4 / 5

Performance

Exynos 1580 chipset isn't top-of-the-range but enjoys excellent power for productivity, and decent if unexceptional gaming performance. Warms up quickly when playing demanding titles, though.

3.5 / 5

Battery

Lasts for 20 hours, despite its modest 8,000mAh capacity. And can be charged from empty to full in just over 100 minutes, thanks to 45W charging.

4.5 / 5

Buy it if…

You want a great slate for work and study
Whether it’s multitasking tools, drawing apps, handwriting polishing and recognition or automatic math formula solving, the Tab S10 FE is absolutely crammed with features for making your work easier.

You want a battery that lasts and lasts
Although its 8,000mAh battery doesn’t sound like much, it’ll comfortably last 20 hours before you have to charge it. That means it’ll happily outlast a lot of tablets on the market.

Don’t buy it if…

Gaming is your number one priority
The Tab S10 FE will comfortably run most games you throw at it. But you won’t be able to max out the graphics settings, and it can get pretty warm during intense sessions.

You’d be using it in bright sunlight
While the Tab S10 FE’s display is far from dull, its 800-nit peak brightness isn’t quite enough to overcome the reflective screen. If you want to watch shows in the garden, the iPad Pro’s 1600-nit peak brightness will serve you better.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE review: also consider

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE

Honor MagicPad 4

OnePlus Pad 3

Dimensions

10.01 x 6.53 x 0.24 inches / 254.3 x 165.8 x 6.0mm

10.76 x 7.04 x 0.19 inches / 273.4 x 178.8 x 4.8mm

11.40 x 8.25 x 0.24 inches / 289.61 x 209.66 x 5.97mm

Operating system

Android 15 (One UI 7)

Android 16 (MagicOS 10)

Android 15 (OxygenOS 15)

Chipset

Samsung Exynos 1580

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 5

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite

Weight

497g (Wi-Fi) / 500g (5G)

450g

675g

RAM

8GB / 12GB

12GB / 16GB

12GB / 16GB

Storage

128GB / 256GB

256GB / 512GB

256GB / 512GB

Display

10.9-inch IPS LCD, 2304 x 1440 pixels, 90Hz, 16:10 aspect ratio

12.3-inch OLED, 3000 x 1920 pixels, 165Hz, 15.6:10 aspect ratio

13.2-inch IPS LCD, 3392 x 2400 pixels, 144Hz, 7:5 aspect ratio

Cameras

13MP rear camera, 12MP ultrawide front camera

13MP rear camera, 9MP front camera

13MP rear camera, 8MP front camera

Battery

8,000mAh (45W wired charging)

10,100mAh (66W wired charging)

12,140mAh (80W wired charging)

Connectivity

Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, USB Type-C 2.0, 5G (Cellular model only)

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 6.0, USB Type-C 3.2

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4, USB Type-C 3.2

Honor MagicPad 4
The Honor MagicPad 4 has a more powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 5 chipset, a larger, higher-res OLED display, an even longer-lasting battery, and faster charging than the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE. It’s also slimmer and lighter, while costing a similar price. So what’s the catch? It isn't available in the US or Australia, meaning this tablet is strictly for British eyes only.

Read our full Honor MagicPad 4 review

OnePlus Pad 3
There’s a reason the OnePlus Pad 3 is our pick for the best Android tablet for most people. It rocks the Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset — the most powerful included in any of the tablets mentioned here — that makes it great for productivity and gaming. Meanwhile, its display has a higher resolution than its rivals here, and a 7:5 aspect ratio that makes it great for watching movies.

Read our full OnePlus Pad 3 review

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE

• Tested it over a week
• Tried out a wide variety of tasks, from work to games
• Used specific tests to assess screen, performance and battery life

I tested the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE over the course of a week. During that time, I used it for a range of purposes, whether that was productivity tasks such as writing this review, playing games, or watching TV and movies. I also tried out a range of the tablet’s pre-loaded software —for example, using the Notes app for taking notes or Penup for drawing.

When it comes to specific tests, I assessed the Tab S10 FE’s display by streaming Blue Planet II to see how its display delivered brightness, color, contrast and resolution. I tested performance by playing multiple games and using various apps in multitasking mode. Finally, I tested the battery by streaming 2K video at medium brightness for 5 hours to see how much it was depleted during that time.

In terms of personal experience, I’ve been reviewing phones and tablets for TechRadar for several years now and writing about tech for far longer. I’ve also tested a wide range of drawing tablets, giving me a lot of experience in commenting on color fidelity and stylus performance.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: July 2026