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Portable power stations are useful for everything from keeping your broadband running during a power cut to powering equipment away from a convenient socket. The Anker Solix S2000 fits both roles, combining a substantial battery with a relatively compact upright design.

What impressed me most, though, was how little fuss it involved. It handled repeated sessions with a 1,200W wet/dry vacuum straight out of the box, while the accompanying app was easy to set up and refreshingly clear about what its settings actually do.

Anker Solix S2000: specifications

(Image credit: Future)

Specification

Details

Battery capacity

2,000Wh

Battery chemistry

Lithium iron phosphate, also known as LFP or LiFePO₄

Continuous AC output

1,500W total

UK mains outlets

Four Type G sockets: two front, two rear

USB-A

One port, up to 12W

USB-C

Two ports: up to 15W and 100W

Shared USB limit

USB-A and 15W USB-C share an 18W maximum

Standard AC charging

Up to 1,150W

Solar charging

Up to 400W through the XT60i input

UPS transfer time

Approximately 10ms, manufacturer-rated

Dimensions

208 × 282 × 323.3mm

Weight

16.2kg

Warranty

Five years

Specifications are manufacturer figures; socket layout and port labels were also checked against the UK review unit.

Design and connections

The S2000 has an understated appearance: a dark grey enclosure, rounded edges and a glossy front panel. It looks perfectly at home beside a desk, although mine was soon earning its keep around DIY equipment.

Its upright shape gives it a reasonably small footprint. At 16.2kg, however, “portable” still involves a deliberate lift. Moving it between rooms or taking it out to the garden is one thing; carrying it a long distance is another.

The UK version has four proper Type G sockets, split evenly between the front and rear. That arrangement makes sense. You can keep regularly connected equipment plugged in behind the unit, leaving the front sockets available for things you connect occasionally.

There is a trade-off: you’ll need access to both sides if you want to use every socket. Bear that in mind before squeezing it into a tight space, and leave the ventilation clear.

The USB connections sit above the display. The 100W USB-C port is the one to choose for a compatible laptop, while the other USB-C connection is limited to 15W. They look similar, so it’s worth checking the labels.

The screen puts the remaining battery percentage front and centre, alongside input and output wattage and an estimated remaining time. That gives you the information you need without reaching for your phone.

Performance: a proper day’s work

My S2000 arrived with a 59% state of charge. Rather than charging it fully before doing anything useful, I put it straight to work powering a 1,200W wet/dry vacuum.

Between approximately 10am and 5pm, I used the vacuum repeatedly in sessions lasting around five to ten minutes. The Anker handled those sessions without any problems, and by the time I finished, it still showed 13% remaining.

To be clear, that was intermittent use across a seven-hour working day, rather than seven hours of continuous vacuuming. Even so, it was a useful practical test: repeated use of a fairly demanding appliance, starting with little more than half a battery.

The benefit was simple. I could get on with the job without running an extension lead back to a mains socket, and the power station had enough charge to cover the work I needed to do.

This wasn’t a controlled capacity test. I didn’t record the vacuum’s total running time or measure the energy delivered at the socket, so it wouldn’t be fair to calculate an efficiency figure from the percentage drop.

What I can say is that it coped comfortably with this particular vacuum and pattern of use.

The main limitation is the 1,500W continuous output. Battery capacity tells you how much energy is stored; output determines which appliances it can run. A large battery doesn’t automatically mean it can power a typical high-wattage UK kettle or several demanding tools together.

Check appliance ratings, allow for starting demands, and remember that the output limit is shared across the AC sockets.

Charging options

(Image credit: Future)

For everyday charging, the S2000 connects directly to the mains using the supplied AC cable. There’s no separate external power brick to find space for.

During one charging session, the front display showed approximately 1,068W going in. An app screenshot taken during charging showed around 1,077W, with UltraFast charging switched off. These are snapshots rather than a timed charging test, but they show a substantial charging rate in normal use.

There’s also an app-controlled UltraFast option when a quicker turnaround matters.

Away from home, the S2000 supports compatible solar panels and vehicle charging, provided you have the correct cables and accessories. Solar input is capped at 400W, with Anker specifying a maximum open-circuit voltage of 60V. Panel compatibility matters as well as the connector.

Those alternatives add flexibility, although a normal car accessory socket will be much slower than mains charging. Think of it as a way to replenish charge while travelling, rather than expecting a quick refill of a 2kWh battery.

The app: easy to set up, easy to understand

(Image credit: Future || Anker)

The app was one of the nicest surprises.

Finding it in the Google Play Store was straightforward, as were signing in and getting started. The S2000 was detected straight away, added without difficulty and ready to control. An iPhone version also appears to be available, although my experience here was with Android.

The main screen presents the battery percentage, temperature, charging estimate and power flow clearly. You can see what’s happening at a glance.

More useful still is the depth of control. There are multiple UPS and power-management modes, charging timers, adjustable AC charging power and battery charge limits. You also get AC output scheduling, a countdown to switch the sockets off, screen controls and power-usage history.

Crucially, the explanations are good. Rather than leaving you to decipher a vaguely named mode, the app helps you understand what a setting does and decide whether it suits your needs.

Some power-station apps make configuration feel like educated guesswork. Here, the guidance makes the extra features more approachable, particularly if this is your first battery system.

Backup power and everyday use

The UPS function adds another potential role: keeping suitable equipment powered when the mains fails. Anker quotes a transfer time of around 10ms, although I haven’t independently measured that or tested compatibility with individual computers.

For a home office, the combination of rear sockets, battery monitoring and configurable operating modes is appealing. You can leave equipment connected and manage the unit without constantly handling it.

FutureFutureFutureFutureFuture

For more off-grid essentials, we've tested the best portable power stations.

Portable power stations are useful for everything from keeping your broadband running during a power cut to powering equipment away from a convenient socket. The Anker Solix S2000 fits both roles, combining a substantial battery with a relatively compact upright design.

What impressed me most, though, was how little fuss it involved. It handled repeated sessions with a 1,200W wet/dry vacuum straight out of the box, while the accompanying app was easy to set up and refreshingly clear about what its settings actually do.

Anker Solix S2000: specifications

(Image credit: Future)

Specification

Details

Battery capacity

2,000Wh

Battery chemistry

Lithium iron phosphate, also known as LFP or LiFePO₄

Continuous AC output

1,500W total

UK mains outlets

Four Type G sockets: two front, two rear

USB-A

One port, up to 12W

USB-C

Two ports: up to 15W and 100W

Shared USB limit

USB-A and 15W USB-C share an 18W maximum

Standard AC charging

Up to 1,150W

Solar charging

Up to 400W through the XT60i input

UPS transfer time

Approximately 10ms, manufacturer-rated

Dimensions

208 × 282 × 323.3mm

Weight

16.2kg

Warranty

Five years

Specifications are manufacturer figures; socket layout and port labels were also checked against the UK review unit.

Design and connections

The S2000 has an understated appearance: a dark grey enclosure, rounded edges and a glossy front panel. It looks perfectly at home beside a desk, although mine was soon earning its keep around DIY equipment.

Its upright shape gives it a reasonably small footprint. At 16.2kg, however, “portable” still involves a deliberate lift. Moving it between rooms or taking it out to the garden is one thing; carrying it a long distance is another.

The UK version has four proper Type G sockets, split evenly between the front and rear. That arrangement makes sense. You can keep regularly connected equipment plugged in behind the unit, leaving the front sockets available for things you connect occasionally.

There is a trade-off: you’ll need access to both sides if you want to use every socket. Bear that in mind before squeezing it into a tight space, and leave the ventilation clear.

The USB connections sit above the display. The 100W USB-C port is the one to choose for a compatible laptop, while the other USB-C connection is limited to 15W. They look similar, so it’s worth checking the labels.

The screen puts the remaining battery percentage front and centre, alongside input and output wattage and an estimated remaining time. That gives you the information you need without reaching for your phone.

Performance: a proper day’s work

My S2000 arrived with a 59% state of charge. Rather than charging it fully before doing anything useful, I put it straight to work powering a 1,200W wet/dry vacuum.

Between approximately 10am and 5pm, I used the vacuum repeatedly in sessions lasting around five to ten minutes. The Anker handled those sessions without any problems, and by the time I finished, it still showed 13% remaining.

To be clear, that was intermittent use across a seven-hour working day, rather than seven hours of continuous vacuuming. Even so, it was a useful practical test: repeated use of a fairly demanding appliance, starting with little more than half a battery.

The benefit was simple. I could get on with the job without running an extension lead back to a mains socket, and the power station had enough charge to cover the work I needed to do.

This wasn’t a controlled capacity test. I didn’t record the vacuum’s total running time or measure the energy delivered at the socket, so it wouldn’t be fair to calculate an efficiency figure from the percentage drop.

What I can say is that it coped comfortably with this particular vacuum and pattern of use.

The main limitation is the 1,500W continuous output. Battery capacity tells you how much energy is stored; output determines which appliances it can run. A large battery doesn’t automatically mean it can power a typical high-wattage UK kettle or several demanding tools together.

Check appliance ratings, allow for starting demands, and remember that the output limit is shared across the AC sockets.

Charging options

(Image credit: Future)

For everyday charging, the S2000 connects directly to the mains using the supplied AC cable. There’s no separate external power brick to find space for.

During one charging session, the front display showed approximately 1,068W going in. An app screenshot taken during charging showed around 1,077W, with UltraFast charging switched off. These are snapshots rather than a timed charging test, but they show a substantial charging rate in normal use.

There’s also an app-controlled UltraFast option when a quicker turnaround matters.

Away from home, the S2000 supports compatible solar panels and vehicle charging, provided you have the correct cables and accessories. Solar input is capped at 400W, with Anker specifying a maximum open-circuit voltage of 60V. Panel compatibility matters as well as the connector.

Those alternatives add flexibility, although a normal car accessory socket will be much slower than mains charging. Think of it as a way to replenish charge while travelling, rather than expecting a quick refill of a 2kWh battery.

The app: easy to set up, easy to understand

(Image credit: Future || Anker)

The app was one of the nicest surprises.

Finding it in the Google Play Store was straightforward, as were signing in and getting started. The S2000 was detected straight away, added without difficulty and ready to control. An iPhone version also appears to be available, although my experience here was with Android.

The main screen presents the battery percentage, temperature, charging estimate and power flow clearly. You can see what’s happening at a glance.

More useful still is the depth of control. There are multiple UPS and power-management modes, charging timers, adjustable AC charging power and battery charge limits. You also get AC output scheduling, a countdown to switch the sockets off, screen controls and power-usage history.

Crucially, the explanations are good. Rather than leaving you to decipher a vaguely named mode, the app helps you understand what a setting does and decide whether it suits your needs.

Some power-station apps make configuration feel like educated guesswork. Here, the guidance makes the extra features more approachable, particularly if this is your first battery system.

Backup power and everyday use

The UPS function adds another potential role: keeping suitable equipment powered when the mains fails. Anker quotes a transfer time of around 10ms, although I haven’t independently measured that or tested compatibility with individual computers.

For a home office, the combination of rear sockets, battery monitoring and configurable operating modes is appealing. You can leave equipment connected and manage the unit without constantly handling it.

FutureFutureFutureFutureFuture

For more off-grid essentials, we've tested the best portable power stations.

The world's biggest cryptocurrency exchange reported Thursday that approximately $6.3 billion was impacted in an apparent hack.

(Image credit: Matt Slocum)

• Garmin's CEO Cliff Pemble mentioned the components crisis during Garmin's quarterly earnings call with investors
• Garmin had a cache of components and memory bought cheaply before the crisis hit, but now it's buying memory at "significantly higher" prices
• Pemble said pricing is "one of the things [Garmin] can look at", referring to increasing device costs

If you want to pick up the best Garmin watch, you'd be wise to do it soon, because the company's CEO Cliff Pemble has revealed that pricing changes aren't off the table due to the rising costs of electronic components.

During the company's quarterly earnings call, in which Garmin's C-suite speaks to its investors, CEO Cliff Pemble said that while the company is having a good year, he sees some headwinds in its near future.

The RAM crisis is a shortage of memory, as most of the available stock is being bought up to cope, in part, with the massive expansion of AI and the drive to build data centers. This leaves a shortage of memory for consumer devices such as computers and phones, which is driving up costs for device manufacturers.

Wearables, which use comparatively little memory compared to a phone or a computer, have so far largely escaped unscathed. Even when Apple raised prices across the board, it didn't do so for the Apple Watch Series 12 and Apple Watch Ultra 4. However, that reprieve appears to be over.

According to the transcript of Garmin's Q3 earnings call, as published on The Motley Fool investment website, Pemble said that Garmin has been spared because it bought a lot of surplus stock at the old prices, but the company is now buying components at prices "significantly higher than last year".

"Our results will soon reflect the higher cost of memory and other raw materials which have increased significantly since last year, driven by both high demand and limited supplies."

Does this mean price increases?

Later in the call, Pemble said: "Definitely pricing is something that, you know, when I mentioned the mitigations that we can use, it is one of the things that we can we can look at.

"It is one of the tools that we have, but we do not overfocus on one particular thing, and we try to get the best balance of all the different ways that we can mitigate cost increases in our supply chain in order to achieve an outstanding result.

"I would probably just remind people that a little more than a year ago now, everyone was faced with higher supply chain costs really driven by tariffs. And that was something that we were able to navigate because of the diversity of our business and our vertical integration and our ability to create products that people want."

It sounds like Pemble is hoping that Garmin's diverse portfolio of products and services can offset an Apple-style price increases for its smartwatches and other gadgets, but he stopped short of ruling it out. We'll have to wait and see what 2027 brings.

Are you looking for a Garmin watch, but not sure what to get? Take our quiz below to find your perfect smartwatch.

Most mini PCs we test have the same sort of look. Little black boxes or Mac mini-style silver designs. Acemagic's X3 does things a little differently: styled like a Nintendo Entertainment System, it's quick enough for work and light gaming, while bringing a big dose of nostalgia.

For a very limited time, the Acemagic Retro X3 is $509 (was $799) at Acemagic when you use the code RETRO40. That's the cheapest I've ever seen this mini PC, which comes equipped with an eight-core AMD Ryzen 7 H255 chip, 16GB LPDDR5 RAM, and 512GB SSD.

• Best for: Retro gaming fans and home users who want a compact, capable Windows PC with a design that stands out.

• Why we like it: We're big Nintendo fans here at TechRadar Pro. So of course, this classic retro-themed "console" one catches the eye. On top of some good specs for the price, the mini PC also features Radeon 780M graphics, a fast USB4 port, two M.2 slots for adding storage, and Wi-Fi 6E connectivity.

• What you need to know: While you can expand storage, memory is soldered to the board here. And if you're more of a SNES fan, check out the higher-spec but higher-priced Acemagic X5.

The Retro X3 pairs an eight-core, 16-thread AMD Ryzen 7 H 255 with Radeon 780M integrated graphics, 16GB of LPDDR5 memory, and a 512GB SSD, with a second M.2 slot for more storage. Ports include USB4, HDMI 2.1, DisplayPort 2.0, 2.5G Ethernet, and six USB-A ports, and it ships with Windows 11 Pro. The step-up Retro X5 has a 10-core Ryzen AI 9 365, Radeon 880M graphics, 32GB of memory, a 1TB SSD, and dual 2.5G Ethernet.

Use promo code RETRO40 to get $40 MORE off. View Deal

Why we recommend it

Acemagic has built a following for affordable mini PCs - we included the K1 as our top mid-range pick in our guide to the best mini PCs we've tested. But the Retro X3 is its most eye-catching yet, with a gray shell and red power button that’ll take anyone who grew up with an NES straight back.

We haven’t tested it ourselves, but we previously covered the initial launch and welcomed the hardware boost inside its retro casing when it launched. In Notebookcheck’s review, it delivered solid, stable performance with low case temperatures, though the fan got clearly audible under heavy load and the 16GB of memory is soldered, so you can’t upgrade it later.

Price Context & Historical Value

At $509 with code RETRO40, the Retro X3 is cheaper now than it was the last time we checked back in September, where it was priced at $539. For comparison, it's discounted at Amazon right now for $575 (was $639).

The Retro X5 is a different story, since $1,099 is a lot to pay for a mini PC, even one with a faster Ryzen AI 9 chip and 32GB of memory. Unless you need the extra power, the X3 is the better buy.

Should you buy it?

✅ Buy the Acemagic Retro X3 if... you want a compact Windows PC for everyday work, streaming, and light or retro gaming, you love the retro console look, or you’d like to add storage later through the spare M.2 slot.

❌ Skip the Acemagic Retro X3 if... you need more than 16GB of memory, since it’s soldered and can’t be upgraded, you want a near-silent PC under heavy load, or you’d rather not wait for a pre-order to ship.

• See all mini PCs at Acemagic.

Following just behind Currys earlier this week, the Argos Black Friday sale has also just started, promising a whole month of deals across tech, gaming, appliances, homeware, toys, and more. I've done my usual thing and taken a look through to bring you all of the biggest offers and the best deals — check out my 14 top picks from Dyson, Shark, Garmin, Samsung, and more.

• Browse the full Argos Black Friday sale

One standout offer at this early point in the sale is this JBL Charge 6 for £129.99 (was £169.99). That's a solid saving on the portable speaker we awarded a full five stars for its booming sound and easy-to-carry design. It's so good, in fact, that we gave it a top spot in our best speaker buying guide.

Just like other retailers, Argos is also offering a 'Price Guarantee' on select products throughout its Black Friday sale. It means that any item displaying that badge will not fall any further in price before December 25. If for some reason it does, you will receive an Argos voucher for the difference.

Given that Argos has said its Black Friday sale will run for a whole month, there will almost certainly be more deals added over the next few weeks. I'll keep an eye on the sale and will add more recommendations from myself and the TechRadar team as we spot them.

Argos Black Friday sale — quick links

• Appliances: up to 20% off fridges & dishwashers
• DIY: up to 30% off tools & outdoor
• Fitness: up to 50% off exercise equipment
• Furniture: up to 50% off
• Gaming: up to 50% off games & accessories
• Headphones: from £19.99
• Health & Beauty: up to 50% off GHD & Philips
• Kitchen: up to 50% off small appliances
• Laptops: from £149
• Phones: up to £250 off Samsung & Honor
• Toys: up to 50% off
• TVs: from £149
• Vacuums: Shark & Dyson from £99.99

My 14 top deals from the Argos Black Friday sale

We awarded the JBL Charge 6 five stars, and it currently sits atop our list of the best speakers, so I definitely want to shout out this deal you can nab right now at Argos. With booming sound and an easy-to-carry design, you really can't go wrong if you're shopping for a powerful and capable portable speaker.View Deal

It's not every day that we see such a massive discount on a top-rated Garmin smartwatch. The Venu 4 is the ideal all-rounder, excelling in usability, performance, and design. What's better than all of that? Well, it's our pick for the best Garmin smartwatch at a record-low price.View Deal

Galaxy Buds 4 Pro: was £219 now £169
The latest Pro version of Samsung's earbuds lineup is a real step up according to our 4.5-star review — and this is a new lowest-ever price. I have a pair and agree, as they offer fantastic sound quality, impressive noise cancellation, and a classy design. Features in the app are genuinely useful if you want to customise the sound and level of noise cancellation to your liking. As far as premium buds for Android users go, these are tough to beat.View Deal

20,000mAh Power Bank: was £27.99 now £18.67
A power bank is always a handy item to have — and this is a low price for a large-capacity and easily portable one from Belkin. The brand makes a lot of portable chargers, cables, and other related equipment, so you can expect good quality and performance, all for this super-cheap price in the Argos Black Friday sale.View Deal

IY143HUK Vacuum Cleaner: was £229.99 now £150
You get a lot for your money with this affordable stick vacuum from the top brand Shark. It has a runtime of up to 40 minutes, an anti-allergen complete seal, and comes with a crevice tool attachment. It's a good choice of cordless vacuum for most users and multiple floor types, so if you need a capable vacuum, I'd recommend it at this discounted price.View Deal

U8000H 58-inch 4K TV: was £419 now £329
Here's a good low price for a basic TV. This 58-inch Samsung display supports high-quality 4K resolution and offers an easy-to-use interface for accessing all the major streaming apps. You can expect competent yet not exceptional image quality and performance, but that may be all you need for general everyday viewing – especially if you're on a tighter budget.View Deal

For homes where small spills and stains are a regular problem, this Vax SpotWash could be a smart buy while it's half-price at Argos. You get a handful of useful attachments included to tackle different types of problems and pet messes in your home or car, as well as a small bottle of cleaning solution to get you started.View Deal

Quantum 650: was £129.99 now £89.99
The JBL Quantum series is an impressive lineup of gaming headsets, and this is a solid deal for one of the mid-range options. You get 50mm carbon dynamic drivers for powerful audio quality, a detachable mic with excellent background noise filtering, a lightweight design to ensure comfortable gaming sessions, multi-compatibility, and all the handy customisation and sustainability features that Quantum gear is known for.View Deal

Ninja's space-saving air fryer is down to a good price ahead of Black Friday, so now's the time to buy the popular and well-rated appliance — especially if you have minimal space on your countertop. We loved it at TechRadar, scoring it full marks in our Ninja Double Stack Air Fryer review and even putting it in our best air fryer buying guide. Well-built and great-looking in any kitchen, it offers five cooking levels across two drawers and two racks, while the 7.6L capacity is ideal for medium to big families.View Deal

The JLab Go Air Pop Plus are small and incredibly cheap but pack in a lot of key features and surprisingly strong sound for the price. There’s a long battery life of over eight hours, while the charging case adds an extra 24 hours. On-ear controls are reliable and they sound better than anything else in this price range. If you’re on a tight budget, these are a great buy.View Deal

Argos has slashed £250 off the latest Samsung Galaxy S26 for Black Friday. This flagship Android smartphone scored an impressive four stars in our review thanks to its stellar screen, excellent battery life, and strong all-around performance. It's a great buy if you want a capable all-around smartphone.View Deal

V8 Cyclone: was £379.99 now £229.99
Designed to be simple to use yet powerful and versatile, the Dyson V8 is well-suited for all homes – even if you have pets shedding hair around your living space. It has two different power modes with fully sealed filtration, which traps 99.99% of microscopic particles as small as 0.3 microns. A de-tangling motorbar easily removes ground-in dirt too. If this is your first Dyson, you’ll be amazed and alarmed at how much dirt it sucks up. This offer is a good price for one of the manufacturer's more affordable models that also comes with a selection of handy accessories.View Deal

Display - 14 inches
Processor - Intel i5
RAM - 8GB
Storage - 256GB

If you want a good value Windows laptop, then this configuration of the Lenovo IdeaPad Slim 3 is a strong buy. It features an Intel i5 processor, 8GB of RAM and a 256GB SSD to ensure good performance for general home use. I'd say it's a good option if you're on a budget and need a basic laptop for everyday use, college, admin tasks and light work.View Deal

P6L 65-inch 4K TV: was £429 now £399
If you want a cheap big-screen TV, then this TCL P6L is a good choice from the latest Argos sale. Expect decent, if unspectacular, picture quality and performance, but with all the handy smart features and streaming apps you might need within easy access. It's a reasonable price for a large TV from a solid budget brand like TCL.View Deal

• Attackers allegedly stole $6.36 billion from Binance in a record-breaking cryptocurrency exchange breach
• Investigators linked the attack to North Korea’s Lazarus Group, exploiting access from a compromised engineer
• Binance said customer funds remain safe, while authorities and partners froze billions in stolen assets

Cybercriminals, allegedly from an infamous North Korean hacking organization, have gained access to one of the biggest cryptocurrency exchanges on the planet - Binance - and in less than half an hour withdrew $6.36 billion worth of different tokens.

Security researchers TRM Labs said the attack was carried out by a group called TraderTraitor, which it describes as “North Korea’s premier hacking unit”.

“We base this assessment on robust on and off-chain intelligence sources,” TRM Labs said in a report, noting that TraderTraitor is part of Lazarus Group, North Korea’s state-sponsored threat actor blamed for some of the biggest crypto heists in history, with the FBI blaming it for the $1.5 billion Bybit hack that took place on February 21, 2025.

Gone in 20 minutes

Binance’s experts, as well as independent researchers, are still piecing together what happened, so information might change throughout the day(s). What we know so far is that a DevOps engineer had their laptop compromised, which was confirmed by Richard Teng, Binance co-CEO, in a LinkedIn post.

“That gave an attacker access to a service container, where they submitted unauthorized withdrawal transactions,” he said.

Right now, no one really knows what exactly happened and what it means that a DevOps engineer’s laptop was compromised. However, we do know that Lazarus is famous for running operations DreamJob and Contagious Interview, in which they set up fake companies and fake jobs, and then approach software engineers working on crypto projects. They entice them with lucrative job offers and exciting opportunities, and sneak malware during the multiple interview rounds.

But Binance’s security measures are more robust than that, and simply installing malware on one device could not have sufficed. Teng confirmed that, too, saying “the attacker did not simply use one engineer's permissions, and this was not a single "one-click" action. It involved a more complex attack process.”

Funds are SAFU

TRM Labs said the attackers pulled funds from 10 different chains, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Tron, Solana, Arbitrum, Optimism, Base, Avalanche, and Polygon. The Ethereum chain was the hardest one hit, losing roughly $3.79 billion. It could be because of the chain’s smart contracts feature, which allowed the attackers to keep withdrawing funds as they were landing into the wallet.

Binance is one of the biggest and most popular cryptocurrency exchanges on planet Earth, and as such it holds billions of dollars in user funds. This attack, however, did not target user funds, but rather Binance itself. This was confirmed by both Teng and TRM Labs, with the co-CEO saying “your funds are safe”, and “Binance will cover all losses from the SAFU fund and company funds.”

In response to the attack, Binance temporarily restricted deposits and withdrawals. Numerous users took to X this morning to say their transaction requests were denied. The police and other relevant entities were notified, and around $3 billion were already frozen on-chain, apparently.

Tether, Circle, Ripple and World Liberty Financial froze about $2.67 billion in stablecoins, TRM Labs confirmed, while Arbitrum's Security Council froze 8,426 ETH and 74.6 million ARB on its network, for a total of roughly $2.7 billion.

What’s particularly interesting about this incident is how the market responded. In 2013, when Mt.Gox (at the time the biggest crypto exchange in the world) got hacked for $450 million, it was considered a “black swan” event, sending bitcoin down by more than a third (35%) in a few weeks. The 2025 Bybit hack sent BTC down approximately 7.5%. In response to the Binance hack, BTC dropped a measly 6.7%, which is just another Friday in the crypto world.

Phishing incoming

Trouble always comes in pairs, and this Binance hack will most likely be no exception. Security researchers NordVPN are warning users that other hacking groups might try to take advantage of the news to target users with phishing emails.

“Another risk is criminals exploiting the confusion and fear among crypto owners on other platforms. An email claiming your funds are at risk, a fake support account offering help or a message urging you to move your cryptocurrency to a ‘safe wallet’ could be an attempt to steal from you,” said Marijus Briedis, Chief Technology Officer at NordVPN.

“Check updates through the Binance app or a website address you already trust. Avoid links in unsolicited messages, and never give anyone your password, verification codes or wallet recovery phrase. Pressure to act immediately should be a reason to pause and verify the request.”

“These steps can reduce the risk of someone taking over your account, but they cannot prevent a breach of the platform itself. Cryptocurrency firms typically have watertight cybersecurity, as they are digital-first businesses, so if one can be involved in the biggest hack in history, it shows just how lucrative a single flaw can be.”

• T-Mobile has rejected the idea of sharing its network with Starlink
• The company's CEO argues that satellite is an "inferior" technology to what T-Mobile currently uses
• Verizon and AT&T have also turned Starlink down

For all its lofty ambitions, Starlink Mobile doesn’t seem to be getting anywhere fast. SpaceX recently announced plans to build “the world’s most advanced mobile network” using its Starlink satellites, but satellites alone won’t cut it — the service also needs ground-based infrastructure and enough spectrum to power it, neither of which Starlink really has.

So its initial plan seemed to be to launch an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) by partnering with T-Mobile, Verizon, or AT&T and gaining access to their infrastructure.

However, all three of those names have rejected SpaceX’s proposition, with T-Mobile’s CEO, Srini Gopalan, recently going so far as to say in an earnings call (via WCCFTech) that "satellite is an inferior version of FWA with even more constraints in terms of things like what is the size of the beam."

No need for satellites

(Image credit: SpaceX)

FWA, or fixed wireless access, is what carriers often use to bring broadband to homes and other static locations in rural areas, combining a router with a 5G or 4G signal, rather than using fibre optic cables.

FWA exists in urban areas too, but it’s particularly useful where conventional broadband struggles. So, essentially, Gopalan is arguing that satellite connectivity is a worse option, even in many rural and hard-to-reach areas, than FWA.

On top of that, Gopalan claims that “two-thirds of our FWA customers come from dense urban areas. We see huge growth opportunities in those areas still, all under the fallow capacity model. So we don’t really see a synergistic opportunity with satellite providers.”

All of which could be a big problem for SpaceX, as it’s likely the company will have to rely primarily on its satellites for now. Though with its plans to launch 15,000 new satellites, lease 80,000 cell tower sites, and possibly install cellular base stations on existing Starlink dishes, it could still deliver a viable mobile network — and a threat to the big three — eventually.

I’ve been playing Final Fantasy Resonance for the past few weeks, and it is a delightful love letter to the Final Fantasy series — a beautiful turn-based role-playing game (RPG) that blends new and old across its gameplay and aesthetics to create an adventure I have adored every second of.

While it might have its roots in a now defunct mobile gacha game — Brave Exvius — don’t hold that against it. The only holdover is the core story. Everything else, from the gameplay to the wide world map to explore to the visual style, has been overhauled — the pay-to-play elements are gone too; all unlocks are completely free

Review info

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

The end result of this total rebuild is a classic-feeling RPG that is somehow just as at home among 2026’s gaming lineup as it would have been among one from decades ago.

There are some tweaks I’d make here and there: mostly to Visions, and to the story that’s a little predictable, but neither of these issues has sapped the joy from what is easily among the best Nintendo Switch 2 games I’ve played this year (it’s also releasing on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PS5 and PC).

(Image credit: Square Enix)Back to basics

After spending decades finding ways to mix up the turn-based action it popularized, Final Fantasy Resonance returns the series to a much more classic interpretation of it. When it’s their turn to act your party and enemies get to make a basic Attack, spend MP to perform some kind of special Skill action like casting a spell, Summon a powerful esper to fight by their side, or use an item from the party’s bag — with the order characters go determined by their speed.

It facilitates a slower and more tactical approach to engaging enemies than the action-focused gameplay of more modern Final Fantasy entries, which pairs nicely with Resonance’s less traditional combat mechanic: Stagger.

Dealing enough damage to your foes that’s a flavour they’re weak to will fill their meter and Stagger them — they’ll lose their go that turn if they haven’t acted yet, will take more damage until the next round, and whoever staggered them will get a second action.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

If you Stagger every enemy at once, you enter a Sweeping Stagger — your whole party will get a second action, and you’ll be able to deliver a powerful Resonance attack. This sees one of your equipped Visions rush forward to deliver a cinematic finishing blow — showcased by a 3D cinematic that briefly takes you out of the game’s HD-2D style.

Resonance isn't just Final Fantasy meets Octopath Traveler. It might seem that way based on my description so far — seeing as it borrows Octopath’s visual identity and a core aspect of the series’ Break and Boost system

Best bit

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Exploring the game world to find secret items or hidden bosses always feels so rewarding. Especially later on, when you unlock the airship. There are several secrets I found out of pure curiosity, and it felt so fulfilling to be rewarded for hunting around.

But besides the nuances of Resonance’s Stagger system, which make it different from what Octopath offers, you’ll also find this game’s plot is quintessential Final Fantasy — more on that in a moment — and it takes a different approach with its Job / Class system through Visions. They feel more like weapons you swap in and out than a Class you’ll want to perfect and stick with.

Visions are (mostly) manifestations of the core Final Fantasy games’ protagonists which aid your party in combat: performing the Resonance attacks I mentioned earlier, but also unlocking a separate list of actions and abilities for the party member they’re equipped to. Most skills you’ll only have access to while the Vision is actively deployed, but there are also permanent unlocks to earn by mastering a Vision — letting you mix and match aspects of Visions on a single party member to craft your ideal champion.

As I mentioned, this will feel a lot like Jobs from other Square Enix titles, but because so much of a Vision’s identity is lost from your character when you unequip it — most permanent Mastery unlocks are more generic, yet still useful, abilities like improving stats — I’ve found it better to see Visions as Equipment. Before entering a tough fight, you might want to swap out your loadout to best suit the challenge ahead — such as equipping your party with water attack dealers when facing off against a fiery foe.

(Image credit: Square Enix)A medley or overstuffed buffet?

Taking everything I’ve said so far, you might fear Final Fantasy Resonance would turn out to be a mess.

It combines aspects of several games (Octopath Traveler, Brave Exvius, and classic Final Fantasy). It jumps between 3D and HD-2D visuals across different cinematics. There’s just over two dozen Visions to master, each their own skills to augment the base abilities your party develops. You can call forth powerful Summons to deal even more damage to your foes. There’s a giant map to explore, bursting with secrets to discover in every corner. There are main quests and side missions to complete over tens of hours, as well as secret boss fights and a coliseum to become the champion of.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

It’s a lot, yet Final Fantasy Resonance never felt like a mess.

Square Enix shows a mastery of the HD-2D art style. The world's environments are stunning, character sprites are expressive, and there are some amazing 2D spectacle across the game’s cutscenes and attack animations. The animatics feel fan-made in a good way — full of expression, and getting as much as possible from the medium.

The flashes of 3D work surprisingly well to augment special moments. Rather than feeling incongruous, the 3D Vision Resonance attack and Esper Summon cinematics give these abilities an appropriately otherworldly aspect.

Games which let you throw everything and the kitchen sink at your enemies have a habit of feeling too easy. However, playing on Expert difficulty, I found fights (especially boss fights) were a challenge — one I could overcome, but not without playing tactically. Button mashing and praying won’t save you here.

These different abilities also built up gradually over time. This let me get to grips with systems before some new aspect was thrown into the mix.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

And when the gameplay is so engaging, and the visuals so beautiful, I had no problem adventuring back and forth to complete side quests and seek out every secret hiding in the world.

Close to perfection

If I must find fault with Final Fantasy Resonance, it would be in two areas.

The first is that while I love a lot of the Visions system, it struggles for much of the mid-game because it focuses too much on the main Final Fantasy protagonists who are (let’s face it) pretty samey. This is showcased by the fact that the majority of them are classified as Commando or Breaker types.

The precise builds and abilities do change, but for example there aren’t many supportive Healers amongst them — meaning building out a dedicated support character in your party is a little tough at times as you’ll either need to stick with a Vision you’ve mastered, or accept your party will be multi-classing early on.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Given how useful some Mastery abilities are, you’ll want to multiclass to some extent (Tronn’s ability to halve MP costs is one you need to unlock for as many characters as possible as soon as possible), but given the game says the Vision system offers you the freedom to customize the party however you want, I was a little disappointed that the reality doesn’t quite match this.

Secondly, I’d say the plot is Final Fantasy in its purest form. There are crystals, war between ancient mystical powers and new age technology, sacrifice for the greater good, twists and turns that reveal secrets about the characters’ and the world’s past, and an awful lot else that is a little cliché.

The story is certainly good enough to keep me engaged; it's just nothing special.

Though as I’ve said, neither of these gripes kept me from adoring Final Fantasy Resonance. Every time I sat down to write this review I had to force myself to not reach over for my Nintendo Switch 2 to play another five minutes — and like any good game my attempts to set time limits on myself never succeeded in keeping my play sessions shorter than a few hours at a time.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

While it is available on several consoles and PC, my Nintendo Switch 2 has been superb. If you have a choice, this is where I’d recommend playing, as it runs so smoothly, it’s easy to chip away at quests while on the go, and you can still enjoy a beautiful big-picture experience when the handheld is docked.

Should you play Final Fantasy Resonance?Play it if…

You miss classic Final Fantasy
Resonance is the best Final Fantasy game I’ve played in years, in all the best ways. It feels both new and old and is sure to delight long-time fans of the series.

You love Octopath Traveller
There’s a lot of Octopath in this game, yet Resonance still feels unique enough to scratch the HD-2D itch without feeling samey.

You want a long, but not too long, RPG
Unlike some RPGs that can stretch into the hundreds of hours, most players will finish Resonance and its side quests somewhere between 30 and 50. Still long enough to sink your teeth into, but not have it take over your life.

Don’t play it if…

You hate turn-based combat
Not everyone enjoys the tactical ebb-and-flow of a turn-based RPG. If that’s you this game isn’t for you.

You hate exploration
While not as vast as an open-world game, Final Fantasy Resonance is full of hidden secrets to find across its overworld, and dungeons. If you prefer a more linear adventure you might not get as much out of this experience as you could.

You’re tired of cliché fantasy stories
The Final Fantasy Resonance story feels like an amalgamation of every FF game to come before. It’s not bad, but the twists and turns are frequently predictable which can disappoint gamers who love a good story.

Accessibility features

Besides the features built into your console of choice, Final Fantasy Resonance has no accessibility features baked into it.

However, as a turn-based RPG, gameplay can be as slow as you need. It doesn't matter if you take five seconds, five minutes, or five hours to lock in an action, and unlike games such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, there are no active parry or dodge mechanics that require precise timing on the player's part.

(Image credit: Square Enix)How I reviewed Final Fantasy Resonance

I reviewed Final Fantasy Resonance for around 30 hours on my Nintendo Switch 2. Predominantly, this was with base system hardware in handheld mode — plugging away on trips, my commute, and while relaxing on the couch — but I did experience the big-screen docked mode for several hours on my 4K Fire TV (relying on an 8BitDo Ultimate 2 controller for inputs).

In all modes, the game ran smoothly, and I never regretted my decision to play the game on the least powerful system it’s launching on.

First reviewed October 2026

I’ve been playing Final Fantasy Resonance for the past few weeks, and it is a delightful love letter to the Final Fantasy series — a beautiful turn-based role-playing game (RPG) that blends new and old across its gameplay and aesthetics to create an adventure I have adored every second of.

While it might have its roots in a now defunct mobile gacha game — Brave Exvius — don’t hold that against it. The only holdover is the core story. Everything else, from the gameplay to the wide world map to explore to the visual style, has been overhauled — the pay-to-play elements are gone too; all unlocks are completely free

Review info

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

The end result of this total rebuild is a classic-feeling RPG that is somehow just as at home among 2026’s gaming lineup as it would have been among one from decades ago.

There are some tweaks I’d make here and there: mostly to Visions, and to the story that’s a little predictable, but neither of these issues has sapped the joy from what is easily among the best Nintendo Switch 2 games I’ve played this year (it’s also releasing on Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PS5 and PC).

(Image credit: Square Enix)Back to basics

After spending decades finding ways to mix up the turn-based action it popularized, Final Fantasy Resonance returns the series to a much more classic interpretation of it. When it’s their turn to act your party and enemies get to make a basic Attack, spend MP to perform some kind of special Skill action like casting a spell, Summon a powerful esper to fight by their side, or use an item from the party’s bag — with the order characters go determined by their speed.

It facilitates a slower and more tactical approach to engaging enemies than the action-focused gameplay of more modern Final Fantasy entries, which pairs nicely with Resonance’s less traditional combat mechanic: Stagger.

Dealing enough damage to your foes that’s a flavour they’re weak to will fill their meter and Stagger them — they’ll lose their go that turn if they haven’t acted yet, will take more damage until the next round, and whoever staggered them will get a second action.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

If you Stagger every enemy at once, you enter a Sweeping Stagger — your whole party will get a second action, and you’ll be able to deliver a powerful Resonance attack. This sees one of your equipped Visions rush forward to deliver a cinematic finishing blow — showcased by a 3D cinematic that briefly takes you out of the game’s HD-2D style.

Resonance isn't just Final Fantasy meets Octopath Traveler. It might seem that way based on my description so far — seeing as it borrows Octopath’s visual identity and a core aspect of the series’ Break and Boost system

Best bit

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Exploring the game world to find secret items or hidden bosses always feels so rewarding. Especially later on, when you unlock the airship. There are several secrets I found out of pure curiosity, and it felt so fulfilling to be rewarded for hunting around.

But besides the nuances of Resonance’s Stagger system, which make it different from what Octopath offers, you’ll also find this game’s plot is quintessential Final Fantasy — more on that in a moment — and it takes a different approach with its Job / Class system through Visions. They feel more like weapons you swap in and out than a Class you’ll want to perfect and stick with.

Visions are (mostly) manifestations of the core Final Fantasy games’ protagonists which aid your party in combat: performing the Resonance attacks I mentioned earlier, but also unlocking a separate list of actions and abilities for the party member they’re equipped to. Most skills you’ll only have access to while the Vision is actively deployed, but there are also permanent unlocks to earn by mastering a Vision — letting you mix and match aspects of Visions on a single party member to craft your ideal champion.

As I mentioned, this will feel a lot like Jobs from other Square Enix titles, but because so much of a Vision’s identity is lost from your character when you unequip it — most permanent Mastery unlocks are more generic, yet still useful, abilities like improving stats — I’ve found it better to see Visions as Equipment. Before entering a tough fight, you might want to swap out your loadout to best suit the challenge ahead — such as equipping your party with water attack dealers when facing off against a fiery foe.

(Image credit: Square Enix)A medley or overstuffed buffet?

Taking everything I’ve said so far, you might fear Final Fantasy Resonance would turn out to be a mess.

It combines aspects of several games (Octopath Traveler, Brave Exvius, and classic Final Fantasy). It jumps between 3D and HD-2D visuals across different cinematics. There’s just over two dozen Visions to master, each their own skills to augment the base abilities your party develops. You can call forth powerful Summons to deal even more damage to your foes. There’s a giant map to explore, bursting with secrets to discover in every corner. There are main quests and side missions to complete over tens of hours, as well as secret boss fights and a coliseum to become the champion of.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

It’s a lot, yet Final Fantasy Resonance never felt like a mess.

Square Enix shows a mastery of the HD-2D art style. The world's environments are stunning, character sprites are expressive, and there are some amazing 2D spectacle across the game’s cutscenes and attack animations. The animatics feel fan-made in a good way — full of expression, and getting as much as possible from the medium.

The flashes of 3D work surprisingly well to augment special moments. Rather than feeling incongruous, the 3D Vision Resonance attack and Esper Summon cinematics give these abilities an appropriately otherworldly aspect.

Games which let you throw everything and the kitchen sink at your enemies have a habit of feeling too easy. However, playing on Expert difficulty, I found fights (especially boss fights) were a challenge — one I could overcome, but not without playing tactically. Button mashing and praying won’t save you here.

These different abilities also built up gradually over time. This let me get to grips with systems before some new aspect was thrown into the mix.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

And when the gameplay is so engaging, and the visuals so beautiful, I had no problem adventuring back and forth to complete side quests and seek out every secret hiding in the world.

Close to perfection

If I must find fault with Final Fantasy Resonance, it would be in two areas.

The first is that while I love a lot of the Visions system, it struggles for much of the mid-game because it focuses too much on the main Final Fantasy protagonists who are (let’s face it) pretty samey. This is showcased by the fact that the majority of them are classified as Commando or Breaker types.

The precise builds and abilities do change, but for example there aren’t many supportive Healers amongst them — meaning building out a dedicated support character in your party is a little tough at times as you’ll either need to stick with a Vision you’ve mastered, or accept your party will be multi-classing early on.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

Given how useful some Mastery abilities are, you’ll want to multiclass to some extent (Tronn’s ability to halve MP costs is one you need to unlock for as many characters as possible as soon as possible), but given the game says the Vision system offers you the freedom to customize the party however you want, I was a little disappointed that the reality doesn’t quite match this.

Secondly, I’d say the plot is Final Fantasy in its purest form. There are crystals, war between ancient mystical powers and new age technology, sacrifice for the greater good, twists and turns that reveal secrets about the characters’ and the world’s past, and an awful lot else that is a little cliché.

The story is certainly good enough to keep me engaged; it's just nothing special.

Though as I’ve said, neither of these gripes kept me from adoring Final Fantasy Resonance. Every time I sat down to write this review I had to force myself to not reach over for my Nintendo Switch 2 to play another five minutes — and like any good game my attempts to set time limits on myself never succeeded in keeping my play sessions shorter than a few hours at a time.

(Image credit: Square Enix)

While it is available on several consoles and PC, my Nintendo Switch 2 has been superb. If you have a choice, this is where I’d recommend playing, as it runs so smoothly, it’s easy to chip away at quests while on the go, and you can still enjoy a beautiful big-picture experience when the handheld is docked.

Should you play Final Fantasy Resonance?Play it if…

You miss classic Final Fantasy
Resonance is the best Final Fantasy game I’ve played in years, in all the best ways. It feels both new and old and is sure to delight long-time fans of the series.

You love Octopath Traveller
There’s a lot of Octopath in this game, yet Resonance still feels unique enough to scratch the HD-2D itch without feeling samey.

You want a long, but not too long, RPG
Unlike some RPGs that can stretch into the hundreds of hours, most players will finish Resonance and its side quests somewhere between 30 and 50. Still long enough to sink your teeth into, but not have it take over your life.

Don’t play it if…

You hate turn-based combat
Not everyone enjoys the tactical ebb-and-flow of a turn-based RPG. If that’s you this game isn’t for you.

You hate exploration
While not as vast as an open-world game, Final Fantasy Resonance is full of hidden secrets to find across its overworld, and dungeons. If you prefer a more linear adventure you might not get as much out of this experience as you could.

You’re tired of cliché fantasy stories
The Final Fantasy Resonance story feels like an amalgamation of every FF game to come before. It’s not bad, but the twists and turns are frequently predictable which can disappoint gamers who love a good story.

Accessibility features

Besides the features built into your console of choice, Final Fantasy Resonance has no accessibility features baked into it.

However, as a turn-based RPG, gameplay can be as slow as you need. It doesn't matter if you take five seconds, five minutes, or five hours to lock in an action, and unlike games such as Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, there are no active parry or dodge mechanics that require precise timing on the player's part.

(Image credit: Square Enix)How I reviewed Final Fantasy Resonance

I reviewed Final Fantasy Resonance for around 30 hours on my Nintendo Switch 2. Predominantly, this was with base system hardware in handheld mode — plugging away on trips, my commute, and while relaxing on the couch — but I did experience the big-screen docked mode for several hours on my 4K Fire TV (relying on an 8BitDo Ultimate 2 controller for inputs).

In all modes, the game ran smoothly, and I never regretted my decision to play the game on the least powerful system it’s launching on.

First reviewed October 2026

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I review tech for a living, so asking AI for the “best website for tech reviews” came with a small risk of bruised pride. Would TechRadar get a mention, or would the answer send readers straight to the competition? That was one of the questions I put to HubSpot AEO.

HubSpot’s answer engine optimization tool tracks selected questions across ChatGPT, Gemini and Perplexity. It shows which brands appear, which pages the answers cite, and suggests content work based on those findings. What interested me was being able to read the answers behind the score, then check the sources for myself.

I used the free trial to set up TechRadar and track 11 of the 25 available prompts. My hands-on review covers setup and reporting, with product demonstrations and documentation filling in the workflows I didn’t try. One day of results can’t prove long-term gains, but it gave me enough to judge whether the tool helps make sense of AI search or simply adds another chart to the working day.

HubSpot AEO: Plans and pricing

(Image credit: HubSpot)

The standalone price for using HubSpot’s AEO tool is $50 a month, or $45 a month billed annually, which comes to $540 a year before tax. You also get a 28-day free trial that requires no credit card; there’s no need to buy another paid HubSpot product first.

Access

Starting price (USD)

Tracked prompts

Monthly answers

AEO trial

Free for 28 days

25

2,500

Standalone AEO

$50 monthly or $540 yearly

25

2,500

Marketing Hub Professional

$800/month, paid annually

25

2,500

Marketing Hub Enterprise

$3,600/month

50

5,000

HubSpot for Marketers Professional

$900/month, paid annually

25

2,500

HubSpot for Marketers Enterprise

From $3,800/month

50

5,000

The AEO features are also included in Marketing Hub Professional and Enterprise plans. And, the HubSpot for Marketers option bundles Marketing Hub with Content Hub and include AEO too. Those prices cover the wider software package, and not an AEO surcharge.

Now, if you’re just on the AEO plan and want more credits, it costs $20 a month for another 10 prompts and 1,000 monthly answers. A standalone account tracking 45 prompts therefore costs $90 a month on monthly billing. Not to forget, tracking another brand requires a separate AEO instance.

Content generation has a separate cost too. Generating a piece from an AEO recommendation requires Marketing Hub Professional or Enterprise and uses 1,000 HubSpot Credits. Standard Professional plans include 3,000 monthly credits, while Enterprise includes 5,000. Extra credits cost $10 per 1,000, and unused monthly credits expire. CRM-based prompt suggestions also require Marketing Hub Professional or Enterprise.

There’s one pricing wrinkle, though. Accounts enrolled in HubSpot’s flexible seats-and-credits program have separate terms, including two credits per AEO answer. That is a different model from the standard prompt allowances above. So, do check which model your account uses before budgeting.

HubSpot AEO: Setup

I signed up with my email and answered a question about my role. From there, HubSpot took me through the AEO setup one step at a time.

(Image credit: HubSpot)

Next, I entered TechRadar’s name and website address. That led to the competitor and audience settings, where I could narrow down what I wanted to track.

(Image credit: HubSpot)

I reviewed the suggested competitors and chose TechRadar Streaming, focusing on deal-seeking shoppers in the United States. I wasn’t convinced by every competitor suggestion, though. Some were publishing companies rather than the review sites readers might compare.

(Image credit: HubSpot)

HubSpot used those choices to suggest questions to track. I could edit or remove prompts before continuing. Several asked much the same thing, so I found the suggestions useful for getting started, but too narrow to cover different reader needs on their own.

(Image credit: HubSpot)

I then started the checks and followed HubSpot’s progress as it worked through the prompts. From there, I could open the dashboard and start exploring the answers, brand mentions and cited sources.

(Image credit: HubSpot)HubSpot AEO: Features and specsPrompt tracking

(Image credit: HubSpot)

The panel also separates Answers, Prompt Analysis and Recommendations. I like that structure because a weak score has somewhere to lead like you can inspect the answer, compare the sources, then consider a change. These are repeatable checks of chosen questions, not a log of what every buyer asks.

Brand visibility and competitor analysis

The earlier dashboard screenshot showed 6.67% brand visibility while the account held 10 prompts. Its date range ran from October 27 to October 27, with a single point on the trend chart. That was a baseline, not enough history to judge progress.

(Image credit: HubSpot)

The broader review-site question above comes from the later 11-prompt view. Comparing that single question with the earlier average would be misleading. The contrast shows how much the choice of questions matters, not that visibility suddenly improved.

Visibility measures how often the brand appears in the tracked answers. Share of voice compares its mentions with the selected competitors. Filters for engine, product, audience and buying stage help explain where a gap sits. And, Sentiment adds context about how the brand is described, rather than just whether it appears.

For TechRadar, I also need to separate being named as a recommended review site from having a guide cited in an answer. Both can be useful, but a mention score alone doesn’t capture that difference.

Citation analysis

This is the report I find most useful for planning content. A mention tells me the brand appeared. Citation analysis shows the pages and domains used as sources, including sources owned by other businesses.

My Citations screen splits the results by content type and channel. The first view concerns formats, such as blogs, comparisons, and documentation. The second concerns where the material comes from, with categories including owned, earned, peer, review-site, and user-generated sources.

(Image credit: HubSpot)

Earned and review-site sources occupied large parts of my channel chart, while owned content had a thin slice. I read that as a reason to inspect outside sources before assuming another page on our own site is the answer. These are sources across the tracked prompts, though. They don’t all necessarily mention TechRadar.

The wider report lets you inspect top domains and individual URLs, and compare owned-domain citations with citations whose source pages mention your brand. That helps distinguish if you should improve your own pages or earn coverage elsewhere. Neither count proves that someone clicked through or bought anything.

Content recommendations

HubSpot uses the prompts and cited sources to suggest workarounds for owned content, social amplification, and outreach. Each recommendation has a content type, channel, and priority. Opening it adds a suggested title, summary, audience, and keywords, with the prompts and citations behind the idea.

Suppose a tracked question keeps citing third-party comparisons. Here, updating a relevant comparison page or seeking inclusion in one could be more useful than publishing another broad guide. This is exactly where the source list helps make that choice.

The recommendation can then be marked complete. I see this as a useful brief for a writer or outreach lead, rather than a finished strategy. Someone still needs to check the cited pages, decide whether the suggestion fits the business, and do the work.

Content generation and impact tracking

For eligible Marketing Hub accounts, the Generate asset feature takes an owned-content or social recommendation into Content Agent. It uses the brief alongside brand voice, audience information, and cited pages. The draft appears in the recommendation’s Content tab, ready to open in the relevant editor.

I like the direct handoff because the source research and writing brief stay connected. It still needs an editor. That’s because a draft can follow a useful outline and still remain thin on facts, examples, or a reason to choose that business.

After publication, the Impact tab accepts the page URL and tracks whether it earns citations for the target prompts. This gives the recommendation a follow-up check instead of ending at “published”. It doesn’t prove that the tool caused an increase, and it isn’t sales attribution.

Is HubSpot AEO worth it?

I recommend starting with the trial for one clear product, audience, and set of questions. My setup exposed the main risk early: a tidy dashboard can still rest on repetitive prompts and a questionable competitor list. Fix those inputs before spending time on the score.

For a small team, the standalone plan is a reasonable way to replace repeated manual checks and find useful source pages. Existing Marketing Hub Professional and Enterprise users get more value from the connected content tools. That’s why I don’t see a case for buying the wider suite solely for AEO.

The buying decision comes down to what the reports change. Find a worthwhile page to improve, a source to approach, or a buyer question you’ve missed. Without that next step, more daily data won’t earn its monthly fee.

FAQsWhat is HubSpot AEO tool?

HubSpot AEO is an answer engine optimization tool that tracks how your brand appears in answers from different AI tools. It monitors selected questions, compares brand mentions with competitors, and shows which pages get cited. It also suggests content updates and outreach opportunities based on those findings.

Is HubSpot AEO free?

No, HubSpot AEO is not free, but it offers a 28-day free trial with 25 tracked prompts and no credit card required. Standalone access then costs $50 a month, or $45 a month billed annually. AEO is also included with paid Marketing Hub Professional and Enterprise plans. HubSpot’s free AI Search Grader is a separate snapshot tool.

Is AEO different from SEO?

Yes, AEO differs from SEO in its main goal, though the two overlap. SEO focuses on visibility in search results, whereas AEO focuses on getting your brand mentioned or your content cited in AI-generated answers. Both depend on helpful content and pages that search engines can access. I see AEO as an extension of SEO, not a reason to abandon it.

How to do AEO optimization?

AEO optimization starts with checking how your brand appears in answers to questions your customers ask. I recommend reviewing the brands and sources cited, then improving pages that leave those questions unanswered. Make your content accessible to crawlers and seek relevant coverage on trusted websites. Track the same questions over time to see whether mentions and citations change.

How to write content for AEO?

To write content for AEO, answer a specific question first, then add evidence, examples, and context. I keep each section focused on one topic, with clear headings and tables or lists where they help. Each passage should make sense on its own. Original research, expert insights, and useful FAQs give the page more substance than a rewrite of existing advice.

Anthropic gave a 94-page list of risk factors in its S-1 this week. Two of them stood out.

(Image credit: Kevin Dietsch)

Realme has revealed when 49 phones are scheduled to receive ColorOS 17, with the first Android 17 updates starting October 29 and more arriving through 2027.

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