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• Exchange Server and Skype for Business support extended on October 14, 2025
• One final ESU will then be available for just six months
• Customers are being urged to upgrade ASAP to stay safe

Microsoft has confirmed a series of welcome updates which will see older versions of its Exchange Server and Skype for Business retain support for a little longer, to give customers time to continue to migrate to newer options.

Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, and Skype for Business 2015 and 2019, will both lose support on October 14, 2025 – the same day that Windows 10 also loses support – but a new Extended Security Update (ESU) will be offered in its place.

Unlike operating system ESUs, Exchange and Skype will only be available with a one-time, six-month ESU program covering critical and important rated security updates, but it's still a welcome move for those in need of some extra time.

Microsoft offers a six-month ESU on Exchange and Skype

The ESU period will run from October 14, 2025, to April 14, 2026, with no further extensions possible.

Customers can contact Microsoft from August 1 to get pricing and purchase details, as ESUs will not be available via Windows Update or public downloads – just to those who have enrolled in the program.

"This ESU is not an 'extension of the support lifecycle'," Microsoft added. "This ESU is a way for customers who might not be able to finalize their migrations to Exchange SE before October 14, 2025." Redmond made the same comments for Skype in another post.

As such, the company is urging customers to complete migrations to Exchange Subscription Edition (SE) or Skype for Business SE ahead of the end of support.

It's unclear how many users remain on older, soon-to-be-unsupported versions of Exchange of Skype, but if the Windows 11 migration is anything to go by, it could be a lot. It was only in June 2025 that the number of Windows 10 and Windows 11 installations reached near-parity – before then, the number of people running Windows 10 was far higher.

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• Windows 10 might be at death’s door, but Microsoft hasn’t finished trying to force Bing and Edge on its users

• Exchange Server and Skype for Business support extended on October 14, 2025
• One final ESU will then be available for just six months
• Customers are being urged to upgrade ASAP to stay safe

Microsoft has confirmed a series of welcome updates which will see older versions of its Exchange Server and Skype for Business retain support for a little longer, to give customers time to continue to migrate to newer options.

Exchange Server 2016 and 2019, and Skype for Business 2015 and 2019, will both lose support on October 14, 2025 – the same day that Windows 10 also loses support – but a new Extended Security Update (ESU) will be offered in its place.

Unlike operating system ESUs, Exchange and Skype will only be available with a one-time, six-month ESU program covering critical and important rated security updates, but it's still a welcome move for those in need of some extra time.

Microsoft offers a six-month ESU on Exchange and Skype

The ESU period will run from October 14, 2025, to April 14, 2026, with no further extensions possible.

Customers can contact Microsoft from August 1 to get pricing and purchase details, as ESUs will not be available via Windows Update or public downloads – just to those who have enrolled in the program.

"This ESU is not an 'extension of the support lifecycle'," Microsoft added. "This ESU is a way for customers who might not be able to finalize their migrations to Exchange SE before October 14, 2025." Redmond made the same comments for Skype in another post.

As such, the company is urging customers to complete migrations to Exchange Subscription Edition (SE) or Skype for Business SE ahead of the end of support.

It's unclear how many users remain on older, soon-to-be-unsupported versions of Exchange of Skype, but if the Windows 11 migration is anything to go by, it could be a lot. It was only in June 2025 that the number of Windows 10 and Windows 11 installations reached near-parity – before then, the number of people running Windows 10 was far higher.

You might also like

• Need to be more cost-aware? Check out the best free office software
• We've listed the best productivity tools and best online collaboration software
• Windows 10 might be at death’s door, but Microsoft hasn’t finished trying to force Bing and Edge on its users

Ensuring that your network and your computer are safe from cybercriminals is of paramount importance. To do this, the two most often used tools are the best antivirus software and a firewall.

While they work great in combination, both have different roles and functionalities, often leading users to ponder which one is more important or whether both are needed. There are numerous technical definitions for both terms, but in a nutshell, a firewall represents a software and hardware-based system that tracks incoming and outgoing network activity on a machine.

Conversely, an antivirus is a software product that removes threats from our system or recovers it from viruses.

• Looking for even more protection? Grab the best VPN
• We've rounded up the best password managers
• See why we rate Bitdefender so highly in our testing

What is a firewall?

Think of a firewall as a security barrier that stands between your computer (or network) and the wide expanses of the internet. It keeps an eye on all incoming and outgoing traffic, blocks unwanted traffic, as well as malicious attacks.

Average users usually see a firewall in the form of a software program, however, there are hardware-based firewalls, which are more often seen in corporate surroundings and less among average home users.

Firewalls operate on a set of rules that help them determine which packets (traffic) are allowed to pass through and which will be blocked. Here is a quick list of features you should look for in a good firewall:

1. Packet filtering - Traffic is filtered based on IP addresses, protocols, and ports
2. Intrusion prevention system (IPS) - Offers real-time protection
3. Deep packet inspection (DPI) - Each packet is analyzed for potential threats
4. VPN support
5. URL filtering
6. Ease of use
7. Cloud integration
8. Reputation

Firewall: the types of firewall

There are numerous types of firewalls, all used to protect networks. While for most users, a software firewall is usually enough, there are more complex variants that are usually found in enterprises or small businesses that need higher levels of protection.

1. Packet filtering - each packet (in and out) is checked against a predetermined set of rules; if a packet meets the rules, it is allowed to pass through, otherwise it is blocked
2. Stateful - all connections that pass through it are logged
3. Application-level gateway - an intermediary between a client and a server, inspecting traffic based on application-specific rules
4. Hardware - a physical device installed between a network and the internet
5. Software - installed on the user’s machine, the most common form of firewall, used both in the home and business

Firewall: Limitations

Firewalls are not perfect solutions and can only do a few things, so here is a quick list of their limitations:

• Cannot prevent internal attacks
• Cannot identify authorized attacks
• Can slow down a system significantly if not optimized properly
• Cannot defend a system if you download a virus

What is antivirus?

Antivirus is a software solution that focuses on preventing malicious software (malware) from being executed on your PC.

When talking about what an antivirus protects against, you will usually hear these terms: viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware. An antivirus usually detects viruses via scans, either real-time ones or ones triggered by the user.

When detected, viruses are either deleted or quarantined. Real-time protection ensures that threats are quarantined before they can do any real damage.

Here is a quick list of features you should look for in a good antivirus:

1. Strong threat detection validated by independent testing labs
2. Real-time protection
3. Performance - doesn’t slow down your PC and has minimal effect on your laptop battery duration
4. Constant updates
5. Ease of use
6. Reputation
7. Packaged features - newer variants come packaged with a VPN, password managers, etc.

Antivirus: Types of antivirus

Similar to firewalls, there are different types of antivirus’ as well. While most users just one an antivirus installed on their PC to stay protected, it is important to distinguish which types are out there, to be able to choose the best one for your needs.

1. Malware signature - the antivirus compares patterns in programs that match those in malware; if found, programs are flagged and quarantined
2. Heuristic - monitors unusual behavior in apps, and if noticed, the apps are scanned for malware
3. Monitoring - the system is monitored for malware, any change in file size, or unusual file creation triggers the removal of potentially infected files
4. Machine learning (ML) - a newer type of antivirus, using AI to learn patterns used by malware and virus programs

Antivirus: Limitation

Like firewalls, antivirus solutions are not perfect, no matter how reputable or advertised it is. Here is a quick list of its limitations:

• Antivirus cannot be run on read-only files
• Supports only the Common Interface File System (CIFS)
• No new virus or malware will be spotted unless updated
• Files that are being read and written simultaneously cannot be protected by an antivirus software

Note that cybercriminals are constantly developing new malware and viruses.

Cybersecurity experts are trying to keep up, so there are times when new viruses are causing havoc and no new virus definitions are available, so you need to rely on common sense and other methods of staying safe.

Antivirus vs firewall: how do they differ?

Firewall

Antivirus

Can be implemented as both a software and hardware solution

Implemented as a software-only solution

Firewall deals with external threats

Antivirus deals with external and internal threats

Firewalls allow for counterattacks (IP spoofing, routing attacks, etc.)

There are no counterattacks via an antivirus (not counting virus removal)

Firewalls monitor and filter

Antivirus scans files and software

Firewalls check incoming packets for threats

Antivirus checks threats from software and executables

Firewalls, in theory, protect you from any type of threat

Antivirus protects you from viruses

A firewall's source code is more complex compared to an antivirus

An antivirus's source code is more complex compared to a firewall's

In essence, the differences between the two focus on three main areas:

• Focus - antivirus focuses on internal threats (virus, malware); firewall focuses on external threats through traffic management
• Location - an antivirus is installed locally on a PC; a firewall can be installed on a PC or at the network level
• Method - an antivirus scans for malicious code; a firewall creates a barrier to block access

Firewall vs antivirus: Similarities

While there are differences between the two, due to constant evolution of both of these tools, they’re increasingly becoming similar since companies now bundle their antivirus solutions with a firewall, VPN, password manager, etc. Here is a quick list of the similarities between the two:

• Goal - both have the goal of protecting you from threats, filtering malicious agents, and protecting data
• Adaptation - firewalls can be adapted via the help of rules, while antiviruses can be customized with the help of lists, alerts, and scheduled activity
• Cloud native - with the recent evolution of both tools, we can safely say that both are equally cloud native
• Integral - they work well together, and both are considered essential tools for a proper cybersecurity strategy

Example: Windows Defender Antivirus

A larger portion of users are on Windows machines, and by default, they get a firewall and virus protection included in their OS called Windows Defender Antivirus (WDA). Since it's “free” and comes included, they may rightfully ask if WDA is enough to stay protected in 2025. If you’re a more advanced user who can spot phishing sites and emails easily, then we would say, yes, WDA is more than enough for your needs.

Independent antivirus testing laboratories gave WDA the highest grades across all of their tests that focus on protection, performance, and usability. The tests used over 11,000 malware files, and WDA flagged each one correctly, and overall did not throw out any false positives. European Institute for Computer Antivirus Research (EICAR) also tested WDA and gave it a 2 out of 3, failing it in the area of phishing protection.

(Image credit: Future / Sead Fadilpašić)

WDA also comes with a built-in firewall, which is among the better options that you have on Windows machines. From the Firewall & network protection page, you can perform simple actions pertaining to your built-in firewall, but you can also access the advanced firewall configuration settings.

It comes well-adjusted out of the box, and in conjunction with the SmartScreen filter, it will prevent you from venturing too far into the dangerous waters of the internet. If you understand exploit prevention technologies that are abbreviated under CFG, DEP, and ASLR, you can configure them under the advanced settings; if you don’t know what these mean, then we would recommend leaving everything at default and not touching anything.

Finally, WDA comes with parental controls, and if you pay for a Microsoft 365 subscription, you get access to additional security features from Microsoft. It’s by no means perfect, but for the average user, it offers a great starting point.

Firewall vs antivirus: Do I need both?

The answer to this question will, first of all, depend on the machine you’re using. If you’re on a Mac, the answer would be no; if you’re running a Linux machine, the answer is a bit more complicated. Finally, if you’re on Windows, then the answer is probably yes.

As you can see from the short overview of WDA, even Microsoft thinks you need both, as it comes built into the Windows OS itself.

We would recommend getting a robust antivirus solution to complement WDA’s firewall component, as for most users, the firewall from Microsoft is good enough to keep most, if not all, threats at bay.

If you’re considering what to get for a small or medium-sized business, then a recommendation would go more towards a bundled solution from one of the premium providers in the market. Such bundled solutions usually come with both antivirus and firewall, but also add a VPN, a password manager, and much more.

Firewall vs antivirus: Best practices

Considering that most users could fall under the umbrella term of “average users”, fine-tuning your firewall and antivirus settings can help you stay protected in more challenging situations. Here is a quick list of what you should do to keep your system running smoothly.

Firewall best practices:

• Default settings - if you’re relying on WDA, leave everything at default; it's a great starting point
• Update - regularly update your system
• Sift through the logs - watch for any suspicious activity
• Advanced settings - block specific traffic (advertising, malicious links, etc.), but be cautious since adding your own rules can break features

Antivirus best practices:

• Update - keep your antivirus software updated at all times, new threats are emerging by the hour, so never turn off automatic updates for your antivirus
• Regular scans - run or schedule regular scans to ensure no malware is residing on your system
• Be mindful - watch your actions, check links, and don’t open suspicious emails

To all of these, we would also add that you should use strong passwords that will be unique for all of your accounts. Education about safe computing practices and potential threats is always welcome, and if you’re worried or using your home PC for gig work, a hybrid approach of software and hardware firewalls should be considered to stay on the safe side.

Firewall vs antivirus: Conclusion

Whether a firewall or an antivirus is right for you is typically no longer a decision that needs to be pondered, mostly because they have distinct roles.

Firewalls act as barriers, shielding networks from external threats. They check data, enforce rules, and prevent access. On the other hand, an antivirus detects and removes malicious content from a system. It is worth also noting that firewalls have now evolved to a stage (next generation firewalls) where they often have antivirus functionalities. Though this does not mean that it replaces dedicated antivirus functionality.

Ideally, you would use both for a layered approach, but the notion of choosing between the two is becoming less plausible due to the complementary nature of security architecture and modern offerings targeting the security niche.

So, which is right for you? Both would be the answer, since they serve different functions.

If you’re on a Windows machine, you can save some money by using WDA and layering a free or paid antivirus that fits your budget and needs.

For a more comprehensive approach, layering a hardware firewall and a bundled antivirus premium offering would ensure you stay safe while performing almost any activity on your computer.

Ensuring that your network and your computer are safe from cybercriminals is of paramount importance. To do this, the two most often used tools are the best antivirus software and a firewall.

While they work great in combination, both have different roles and functionalities, often leading users to ponder which one is more important or whether both are needed. There are numerous technical definitions for both terms, but in a nutshell, a firewall represents a software and hardware-based system that tracks incoming and outgoing network activity on a machine.

Conversely, an antivirus is a software product that removes threats from our system or recovers it from viruses.

• Looking for even more protection? Grab the best VPN
• We've rounded up the best password managers
• See why we rate Bitdefender so highly in our testing

What is a firewall?

Think of a firewall as a security barrier that stands between your computer (or network) and the wide expanses of the internet. It keeps an eye on all incoming and outgoing traffic, blocks unwanted traffic, as well as malicious attacks.

Average users usually see a firewall in the form of a software program, however, there are hardware-based firewalls, which are more often seen in corporate surroundings and less among average home users.

Firewalls operate on a set of rules that help them determine which packets (traffic) are allowed to pass through and which will be blocked. Here is a quick list of features you should look for in a good firewall:

1. Packet filtering - Traffic is filtered based on IP addresses, protocols, and ports
2. Intrusion prevention system (IPS) - Offers real-time protection
3. Deep packet inspection (DPI) - Each packet is analyzed for potential threats
4. VPN support
5. URL filtering
6. Ease of use
7. Cloud integration
8. Reputation

Firewall: the types of firewall

There are numerous types of firewalls, all used to protect networks. While for most users, a software firewall is usually enough, there are more complex variants that are usually found in enterprises or small businesses that need higher levels of protection.

1. Packet filtering - each packet (in and out) is checked against a predetermined set of rules; if a packet meets the rules, it is allowed to pass through, otherwise it is blocked
2. Stateful - all connections that pass through it are logged
3. Application-level gateway - an intermediary between a client and a server, inspecting traffic based on application-specific rules
4. Hardware - a physical device installed between a network and the internet
5. Software - installed on the user’s machine, the most common form of firewall, used both in the home and business

Firewall: Limitations

Firewalls are not perfect solutions and can only do a few things, so here is a quick list of their limitations:

• Cannot prevent internal attacks
• Cannot identify authorized attacks
• Can slow down a system significantly if not optimized properly
• Cannot defend a system if you download a virus

What is antivirus?

Antivirus is a software solution that focuses on preventing malicious software (malware) from being executed on your PC.

When talking about what an antivirus protects against, you will usually hear these terms: viruses, worms, trojans, ransomware, and spyware. An antivirus usually detects viruses via scans, either real-time ones or ones triggered by the user.

When detected, viruses are either deleted or quarantined. Real-time protection ensures that threats are quarantined before they can do any real damage.

Here is a quick list of features you should look for in a good antivirus:

1. Strong threat detection validated by independent testing labs
2. Real-time protection
3. Performance - doesn’t slow down your PC and has minimal effect on your laptop battery duration
4. Constant updates
5. Ease of use
6. Reputation
7. Packaged features - newer variants come packaged with a VPN, password managers, etc.

Antivirus: Types of antivirus

Similar to firewalls, there are different types of antivirus’ as well. While most users just one an antivirus installed on their PC to stay protected, it is important to distinguish which types are out there, to be able to choose the best one for your needs.

1. Malware signature - the antivirus compares patterns in programs that match those in malware; if found, programs are flagged and quarantined
2. Heuristic - monitors unusual behavior in apps, and if noticed, the apps are scanned for malware
3. Monitoring - the system is monitored for malware, any change in file size, or unusual file creation triggers the removal of potentially infected files
4. Machine learning (ML) - a newer type of antivirus, using AI to learn patterns used by malware and virus programs

Antivirus: Limitation

Like firewalls, antivirus solutions are not perfect, no matter how reputable or advertised it is. Here is a quick list of its limitations:

• Antivirus cannot be run on read-only files
• Supports only the Common Interface File System (CIFS)
• No new virus or malware will be spotted unless updated
• Files that are being read and written simultaneously cannot be protected by an antivirus software

Note that cybercriminals are constantly developing new malware and viruses.

Cybersecurity experts are trying to keep up, so there are times when new viruses are causing havoc and no new virus definitions are available, so you need to rely on common sense and other methods of staying safe.

Antivirus vs firewall: how do they differ?

Firewall

Antivirus

Can be implemented as both a software and hardware solution

Implemented as a software-only solution

Firewall deals with external threats

Antivirus deals with external and internal threats

Firewalls allow for counterattacks (IP spoofing, routing attacks, etc.)

There are no counterattacks via an antivirus (not counting virus removal)

Firewalls monitor and filter

Antivirus scans files and software

Firewalls check incoming packets for threats

Antivirus checks threats from software and executables

Firewalls, in theory, protect you from any type of threat

Antivirus protects you from viruses

A firewall's source code is more complex compared to an antivirus

An antivirus's source code is more complex compared to a firewall's

In essence, the differences between the two focus on three main areas:

• Focus - antivirus focuses on internal threats (virus, malware); firewall focuses on external threats through traffic management
• Location - an antivirus is installed locally on a PC; a firewall can be installed on a PC or at the network level
• Method - an antivirus scans for malicious code; a firewall creates a barrier to block access

Firewall vs antivirus: Similarities

While there are differences between the two, due to constant evolution of both of these tools, they’re increasingly becoming similar since companies now bundle their antivirus solutions with a firewall, VPN, password manager, etc. Here is a quick list of the similarities between the two:

• Goal - both have the goal of protecting you from threats, filtering malicious agents, and protecting data
• Adaptation - firewalls can be adapted via the help of rules, while antiviruses can be customized with the help of lists, alerts, and scheduled activity
• Cloud native - with the recent evolution of both tools, we can safely say that both are equally cloud native
• Integral - they work well together, and both are considered essential tools for a proper cybersecurity strategy

Example: Windows Defender Antivirus

A larger portion of users are on Windows machines, and by default, they get a firewall and virus protection included in their OS called Windows Defender Antivirus (WDA). Since it's “free” and comes included, they may rightfully ask if WDA is enough to stay protected in 2025. If you’re a more advanced user who can spot phishing sites and emails easily, then we would say, yes, WDA is more than enough for your needs.

Independent antivirus testing laboratories gave WDA the highest grades across all of their tests that focus on protection, performance, and usability. The tests used over 11,000 malware files, and WDA flagged each one correctly, and overall did not throw out any false positives. European Institute for Computer Antivirus Research (EICAR) also tested WDA and gave it a 2 out of 3, failing it in the area of phishing protection.

(Image credit: Future / Sead Fadilpašić)

WDA also comes with a built-in firewall, which is among the better options that you have on Windows machines. From the Firewall & network protection page, you can perform simple actions pertaining to your built-in firewall, but you can also access the advanced firewall configuration settings.

It comes well-adjusted out of the box, and in conjunction with the SmartScreen filter, it will prevent you from venturing too far into the dangerous waters of the internet. If you understand exploit prevention technologies that are abbreviated under CFG, DEP, and ASLR, you can configure them under the advanced settings; if you don’t know what these mean, then we would recommend leaving everything at default and not touching anything.

Finally, WDA comes with parental controls, and if you pay for a Microsoft 365 subscription, you get access to additional security features from Microsoft. It’s by no means perfect, but for the average user, it offers a great starting point.

Firewall vs antivirus: Do I need both?

The answer to this question will, first of all, depend on the machine you’re using. If you’re on a Mac, the answer would be no; if you’re running a Linux machine, the answer is a bit more complicated. Finally, if you’re on Windows, then the answer is probably yes.

As you can see from the short overview of WDA, even Microsoft thinks you need both, as it comes built into the Windows OS itself.

We would recommend getting a robust antivirus solution to complement WDA’s firewall component, as for most users, the firewall from Microsoft is good enough to keep most, if not all, threats at bay.

If you’re considering what to get for a small or medium-sized business, then a recommendation would go more towards a bundled solution from one of the premium providers in the market. Such bundled solutions usually come with both antivirus and firewall, but also add a VPN, a password manager, and much more.

Firewall vs antivirus: Best practices

Considering that most users could fall under the umbrella term of “average users”, fine-tuning your firewall and antivirus settings can help you stay protected in more challenging situations. Here is a quick list of what you should do to keep your system running smoothly.

Firewall best practices:

• Default settings - if you’re relying on WDA, leave everything at default; it's a great starting point
• Update - regularly update your system
• Sift through the logs - watch for any suspicious activity
• Advanced settings - block specific traffic (advertising, malicious links, etc.), but be cautious since adding your own rules can break features

Antivirus best practices:

• Update - keep your antivirus software updated at all times, new threats are emerging by the hour, so never turn off automatic updates for your antivirus
• Regular scans - run or schedule regular scans to ensure no malware is residing on your system
• Be mindful - watch your actions, check links, and don’t open suspicious emails

To all of these, we would also add that you should use strong passwords that will be unique for all of your accounts. Education about safe computing practices and potential threats is always welcome, and if you’re worried or using your home PC for gig work, a hybrid approach of software and hardware firewalls should be considered to stay on the safe side.

Firewall vs antivirus: Conclusion

Whether a firewall or an antivirus is right for you is typically no longer a decision that needs to be pondered, mostly because they have distinct roles.

Firewalls act as barriers, shielding networks from external threats. They check data, enforce rules, and prevent access. On the other hand, an antivirus detects and removes malicious content from a system. It is worth also noting that firewalls have now evolved to a stage (next generation firewalls) where they often have antivirus functionalities. Though this does not mean that it replaces dedicated antivirus functionality.

Ideally, you would use both for a layered approach, but the notion of choosing between the two is becoming less plausible due to the complementary nature of security architecture and modern offerings targeting the security niche.

So, which is right for you? Both would be the answer, since they serve different functions.

If you’re on a Windows machine, you can save some money by using WDA and layering a free or paid antivirus that fits your budget and needs.

For a more comprehensive approach, layering a hardware firewall and a bundled antivirus premium offering would ensure you stay safe while performing almost any activity on your computer.

Plugging the new glasses into Viture's mobile dock has given me a super-vivid, bright mobile display. But you may want to wait for the Beast.

It’s difficult to be shocked by entertainment news anymore, but waking up to Stephen Colbert’s announcement that his late night talk show was being canceled had me unable to go back to sleep in the middle of the night. The Paramount and CBS show has been on the air for 33 years, and while CBS has cited “financial reasons” for the decision, the internet is convinced there are alleged political undertones that might have fuelled the final fire.

Speculation aside, what we know for certain is that we’re about to lose one of the greatest TV shows of all time, due to be drawn to a close in May 2026. As more and more networks and streaming services are being impacted by production costs, AI and a general lack of profit, the cancelation is another sorry reminder that the industry feels like it’s on a downward spiral it can’t properly control.

But does it all have to be bad news? The more I had time to think about it, the more I remembered what Netflix said in the last few weeks about its plans to expand unscripted content. If The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is leaving a gap in the talk show market that audiences don’t want it to, the time is perfect for Netflix to fill up the space it already wants to.

Could Netflix take the ultimate unscripted inspiration The Late Show with Stephen Colbert?

Stephen Colbert on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. (Image credit: CBS)

In my mind, there’s two moves Netflix could potentially make in the aftermath of the cancelation news. The first is the likeliest scenario: the streamer creates its own ‘rival’ show that exists on a permanently weekly basis. It’s already experimented with Everybody’s Live With John Mulaney, though it was pre-recorded on a 12-week order. Reviews were generally favourable, and the TV show supposedly had a two-season order before its debut, so surely the best way to upscale what you’ve already started is to go the whole hog with a weekly live late show.

According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, we know this is exactly the direction Netflix wants to head in. An increase in celebrity interviews seems likely, while a pilot with The Daily Beast is reportedly being developed, leaning into “buzzy, non-political” events rather than fully-fledged news programming. It’s probable that a Netflix late night talk show would shy away from the political content that network shows typically branch out into, and that’s got equal chance of being a help or a hindrance.

The second move Netflix could make is to offer Colbert a brand-new show of his own on the platform. It’s a slum dunk choice in many respects, with audience demand and sympathy for Colbert now sky high. Netflix would quite literally be the hero of the hour, generating positive PR, natural intrigue and potentially a few new subscribers for good measure. The traditional structure for a TV talk show could also be ditched, meaning something much more creative could open us up to new ways of being entertained. Who doesn’t want that?

No decisions have been made as of yet, but if Netflix makes any announcements about their unscripted plans in the not-too distant future, I won’t be surprised. Late night talk shows are in desperate need of a comeback (or at the very least, a refresh), and Colbert could now be an unexpected vehicle for change.

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It’s difficult to be shocked by entertainment news anymore, but waking up to Stephen Colbert’s announcement that his late night talk show was being canceled had me unable to go back to sleep in the middle of the night. The Paramount and CBS show has been on the air for 33 years, and while CBS has cited “financial reasons” for the decision, the internet is convinced there are alleged political undertones that might have fuelled the final fire.

Speculation aside, what we know for certain is that we’re about to lose one of the greatest TV shows of all time, due to be drawn to a close in May 2026. As more and more networks and streaming services are being impacted by production costs, AI and a general lack of profit, the cancelation is another sorry reminder that the industry feels like it’s on a downward spiral it can’t properly control.

But does it all have to be bad news? The more I had time to think about it, the more I remembered what Netflix said in the last few weeks about its plans to expand unscripted content. If The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is leaving a gap in the talk show market that audiences don’t want it to, the time is perfect for Netflix to fill up the space it already wants to.

Could Netflix take the ultimate unscripted inspiration The Late Show with Stephen Colbert?

Stephen Colbert on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. (Image credit: CBS)

In my mind, there’s two moves Netflix could potentially make in the aftermath of the cancelation news. The first is the likeliest scenario: the streamer creates its own ‘rival’ show that exists on a permanently weekly basis. It’s already experimented with Everybody’s Live With John Mulaney, though it was pre-recorded on a 12-week order. Reviews were generally favourable, and the TV show supposedly had a two-season order before its debut, so surely the best way to upscale what you’ve already started is to go the whole hog with a weekly live late show.

According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, we know this is exactly the direction Netflix wants to head in. An increase in celebrity interviews seems likely, while a pilot with The Daily Beast is reportedly being developed, leaning into “buzzy, non-political” events rather than fully-fledged news programming. It’s probable that a Netflix late night talk show would shy away from the political content that network shows typically branch out into, and that’s got equal chance of being a help or a hindrance.

The second move Netflix could make is to offer Colbert a brand-new show of his own on the platform. It’s a slum dunk choice in many respects, with audience demand and sympathy for Colbert now sky high. Netflix would quite literally be the hero of the hour, generating positive PR, natural intrigue and potentially a few new subscribers for good measure. The traditional structure for a TV talk show could also be ditched, meaning something much more creative could open us up to new ways of being entertained. Who doesn’t want that?

No decisions have been made as of yet, but if Netflix makes any announcements about their unscripted plans in the not-too distant future, I won’t be surprised. Late night talk shows are in desperate need of a comeback (or at the very least, a refresh), and Colbert could now be an unexpected vehicle for change.

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Premiere Pro is Adobe’s high end video editor, so it’s not for everyone. Heck, even regular old Premiere Elements can feel too powerful to some.

Isn’t there something incredibly simple that can work on both computers and mobile devices? Enter Adobe Premiere Rush.

As the name implies, it's all about cutting content quickly. It's ranked among our best video editing apps, with its emphasis on ease-of-use and simplicity for creating social media or marketing content. I took a look at the latest version to see how it fares.

Adobe Premiere Rush: Pricing & plans

• An app that’s free to use, is multi-platform, and easy to download and install. Can’t get much better than that

Getting your hands on a simple video editor is one thing, but everyone will ask, “how much will this cost me?”

And there’s good news here too: Adobe Premiere Rush is actually free. You do need to set up an Adobe ID in order to use it (if you don’t already have one), but this is free too. It also comes bundled free with other Adobe apps if you're already a subscriber.

You can download Rush for your computer via the Creative Cloud app, and for your mobile device via its app store or by clicking here.

Clean, simple and effective.

• Score: 5/5

Adobe Premiere Rush: Interface

(Image credit: Adobe // Future)

• Premiere Rush’s interface remains very similar on various devices, and although icons may be located in different areas, it will take you seconds to transfer your skills from one machine to another

We were pleasantly surprised to see that the interface is remarkably similar whether you’re working on a computer, phone or tablet. It’s not identical, mind, as the aim is to play to each platform’s strengths, but at least the tools are grouped together.

For instance, those to control and manipulate Graphics. Effects, Colour correction, Speed adjustments, Audio and Cropping can be found top right on a computer, but at the bottom of the screen on a phone. Icons to control expanding the audio layers, revealing control tracks, cutting, deleting and duplicating a selected clip, are all on a sidebar lower left of the interface on a computer. Those tools will also be at the bottom of a phone’s screen, separated from the others by a divider line.

This may feel like the interface is different, but such changes are actually minor, and as the icons are identical, it will take you seconds to recognise what you’re after and learn where they are positioned when moving from one device to another.

Perhaps the biggest difference between devices is how the playhead behaves. On a computer, it acts as you would expect a video editor’s playhead to: click and drag it to another location to skim through your footage, or click on another location on your timeline for it to jump to that point. On a mobile device, that playhead remains fixed at the centre: the project itself moves left or right as you place your finger on the screen and drag left or right.

This plays to each device’s strengths, as a limited screen real estate demands compromises. One thing to bear in mind: you can only edit in the portrait orientation for a phone.

• Score: 4.5/5

Adobe Premiere Rush: Editing

(Image credit: Adobe // Future)

• Rush’s way of editing is similar to CapCut or Final Cut Pro, and if you’re used to that, you’ll feel right at home, otherwise it will take you a few minutes to get used to it. But this is undeniably a powerful way to edit precisely and with speed

The aim of Premiere Rush is to help you create a project very quickly and with that in mind, it uses what Final Cut Pro and CapCut users would recognise as a ‘magnetic timeline’, which means when you alter the length of a clip in your project, you don’t end up with a gap between it and any clip that you’d added further along the timeline. Instead, they all move to fill that gap. Extend a clip and they’re all pushed forward. You can easily swap the order of the clips and no gap is ever left in your timeline. This actually helps you build an edit incredibly quickly.

By default, it looks like you can only work with a single layer of audio and video, which also helps give a user the impression that this is a simple app. Although you can certainly work with it like that, Premiere Rush actually supports up to 4 layers of video and 3 of audio, allowing you to place clips over others, thereby creating much more complex projects.

Incidentally, this magnetic timeline we described above, only works on the first layer. When you add a clip above another, that upper clip will actually attach itself to a lower one. Delete the lower clip and that upper clip will be gone too. Move that lower clip to another location, and this will also move the upper clip(s) connected to it. This is something worth bearing in mind as it could easily confuse a novice editor or one not used to this way of working.

• Score: 4.5/5

Adobe Premiere Rush: Effects

(Image credit: Adobe // Future)

• An acceptable range of effects, with some useful features, although some, like ‘Speed’ feel very primitive by today’s standards

Premiere Rush comes with a handful of effects, such as animated overlays, be they text layers, lower thirds, or animated transitions, and they are all applied on a second layer (meaning if you didn’t already know you could work with multiple layers in Rush, that would’ve been a big clue!) Each graphic is fully customisable with changeable parameters appearing when you select it (to the right on a computer, at the bottom on a phone).

Aside from those animated transitions, you’ll also find a handful of ‘standard’ ones in the Effects section, along with Pan and Zoom, and Reframe tools. We were somewhat disappointed the Pan and Zoom tool only worked on photos.

We quite liked that you can make colour adjustments, either based on filters or through manual alterations, and save those changes as new presets you can use and apply on other clips.

Sadly, we found the speed alteration tool to be very basic. We couldn’t detect any frame blending. Instead, the slower the clip became the more the video stuttered, as frames were simply copied to accommodate for the increased length.

• Score: 3.5/5

Adobe Premiere Rush: Sharing & syncing

(Image credit: Adobe // Future)

• You can upload your project to various social media sites, as well as saving a copy to your hard drive, but the loss of syncing between devices is puzzling and sorely missed

When it comes to sharing, you can export your project to your local drive, or upload it to YouTube, Facebook, Instagram or Behance. You even have access to some advanced format settings if you need them, which is great for pro users.

There is however a feature that is no longer present and feels like a great loss: you used to be able to sync your project between various devices, as long as they were all logged in to the same Adobe ID. This allowed you to work on your phone, and continue editing on your computer, and vice versa, giving you great flexibility. Sadly, Adobe nuked that functionality in 2024.

We could understand that this would’ve been seen as an advanced feature for a free app, but why not preserve it for those who pay for one of Adobe’s various subscription packages? Killing it for all was very disappointing.

• Score: 3/5

Should I try Adobe Premiere Rush?

(Image credit: Adobe // Future)

Try it if...

You’re looking for a video editor that’s easy to use, which is compatible across multiple devices, and is free

Don't try it if...

You need more powerful effects tools, don’t like the concept of a ‘magnetic timeline’, and don’t like the loss of functionality.

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(Image credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

The Hinomi H1 Pro has more adjustability than I know what to do with. There are adjustments for nearly every portion of the chair. It's the kind of chair that if you need a chair, period, this one can solve what you need it for. The arms can fold up and away, or be dialled in to exactly what you may want, the backrest can be fine-tuned to fit your needs, the piston itself can be swapped for a taller one to suit all heights, and even if you don't have storage for a chair at your desk you can fold this chair in half, something I have never seen before, and you can then tuck it away under your desk space to save on that room.

Of all of the features that this chair packs into a reasonably priced chair, the folding is by far the best for me - it's a feature not even found on most of the best office chairs around.

While most people adjust the chair to fit the arms under the desk, others may adapt the desk to raise it slightly to accommodate the arms (if they have a standing desk). But, a third option arises with the H1 Pro: you can keep your desk exactly as is, and you can fold the chair completely away underneath the desk, making room for whatever else you may have planned in that space.

This is a fantastic solution if you're crammed for space, if your office is multi-purpose, or if you're particular about your workspace and want to ensure that others don't try to sit at your desk out of sheer confusion about what's happening to your chair.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Hinomi H1 Pro: Pricing and Availability

The Hinomi H1 Pro retails for around $580, with the ability to ship globally directly from Hinomi's website. You can also find this chair widely available on third-party sites, such as Amazon.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Hinomi H1 Pro: Unboxing & first impressions

The chair arrived nearly fully assembled, requiring only about 5 minutes of effort on my part to set it up. The build overall feels solid, though I was a bit weary of the abundance of plastic parts.

It may be because the grey color is a bit dull, since I opted for the flagship Ice Green colorway, or maybe it's just my mind playing tricks on me, but at first glance, the grey looks a bit cheap, though it feels fine.

The Ice Green mesh feels comfortable, neither too rough on the skin nor too soft, yet firm enough to provide support as needed.

Hinomi H1 Pro: Design & Build Quality

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Specs

Weight Capacity: 300 lb
Adjustments: 3D lumbar (height + tension), 5D armrests, recline to 136°, seat depth, headrest
Tilt Angles: recline to 136°

The Hinomi H1 Pro also features a unique design. I don't know what it is. It does everything at once, but in doing so, it looks a tad gimmicky. However, the features it offers are helpful. That's where I can land; this chair may look different, but its functionality makes up for it. This is the chair that won't be in an executive's corner office, but it could be in their home office, providing the comfort they want.

The plastic design helps keep the weight down on the chair; however, under load and stress, I have occasionally heard a squeak, which I don't love. But, again, the flip to that statement is that this chair is rated for up to 300 lbs, and even when I put the chair to the test and had a friend of mine who is 305lbs sit down in this chair, there were no issues, no damage, no failures in functionality, nor discomfort. My friend asked if he could keep the chair, as most are not as comfortable, especially for people of his size.

I mentioned it briefly above, but another element that makes this chair interesting is its highly adjustable, nearly modular nature. The armrests can fold away entirely, the chair has a leg rest, and it has the option to fold flat. This is quite impressive for a single chair to accomplish all of this at once.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Hinomi H1 Pro: In use

I've had this chair in my ever-so-robust rotation of chairs for 123 days now. In that time, I've put in plenty of hours working in this chair, even for hours on end. So far, the chair has performed wonderfully. I haven't noticed any issues with the features, the adjustments, or the previously mentioned folding mechanism.

Although I was concerned that the plastic pieces would break easily, I have yet to experience any damage to the chair. With that being said, I've had some team members sit on this chair and mention that the lumbar support is not comfortable for them, no matter how many times I try to adjust everything for them.

Speaking of adjustments, the footrest has been great, the recline has been smooth and easy, the armrests have been pretty good as well, sometimes coming in clutch with needing to push an arm back and out of the way entirely for specific occasions.

I've used the folding feature more often than I expected. I thought I'd use it from time to time, to move things around or try it out. However, even in my home office/studio space, where I have plenty of room, I have found it highly convenient to fold this chair down and push it out of the way under a desk I'm testing, so I can bring in more gear to test. This ability would be invaluable for smaller home offices, guest rooms, condos, apartments, and other similar spaces.

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Sleek and minimal

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ease of use

Very easy to use

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Practicality

Practical for some

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Price

Highly priced

⭐⭐⭐⭐

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Hinomi H1 Pro: Final verdict

The Hinomi H1 Pro is a highly adjustable ergonomic chair featuring comfortable mesh, a convenient folding ability, a legrest, and an excellent warranty. However, it may not look like the fanciest chair, but once you sit in it, you'll see just how comfortable and adjustable it is. If you're in the market for a chair that saves space while offering high levels of adjustability, check out the H1 Pro.

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Happy Plugs Pro: Two-minute review

The budget headphones market is becoming increasingly competitive. As more manufacturers cut the cost of their cans, it’s now relatively easy to snag yourself a decent pair of over-ears for well under $100. And the Happy Plugs Play Pro definitely fit into this savings-conscious category.

These cans may not quite compete with the very best cheap headphones out there, but they still provide relatively strong audio and okay(ish) ANC (active noise cancellation). The Play Pro also rock an unfussy yet attractive design that looks classier than you’d expect at such a reasonable price. As for comfort, these are some of the most comfy headphones I’ve ever worn. Really.

Despite housing five internal mics to assist with the ANC, the Play Pro aren’t great at shielding your ears from external sounds. Getting any noise-cancelling features in a cheap pair of cans is obviously welcome, no question. Still, there’s no disguising that there are far better options out there – like the superb Earfun Wave Pro, which are actually a little cheaper than Happy Plugs’ headphones.

Battery life with the Play Pro is borderline stellar. Switch off ANC and you can squeeze 50 hours of juice out of these cans, which is more than respectable. It’s just a pity there’s no idle mode on show here, meaning you have to remember to switch them off manually or they’ll stay paired to your smartphone/tablet.

Whatever device you’re planning to pair the Play Pro with over Bluetooth, you should know Happy Plugs hasn’t provided any software to let you tweak or set custom audio profiles. With no app available, you’re stuck with the default audio experience the company has created. To the Swedish firm’s credit, the Play Pro actually sound pretty good, with these over-ears’ potent bass being a particular highlight.

I spent the better part of a month with these cheap – but, crucially, not “cheap-feeling” – cans and I’ve been pleasantly surprised by how much I’ve enjoyed listening to them. If nothing else, I’ll always remember them for being the headphones I was wearing during the last walk I took my beloved husky on before I had to reluctantly rehome him.

The Play Pro’s reasonably well-balanced audio brought tears to my eyes as I was listening to my all-time favorite song – Sonnet by The Verve – thanks to their loud, fairly punchy soundscape. Here come the waterworks again.

Moving past my doggo sadness, I’ll also give props to the Play Pro for being excellent for hands-free calls. Happy Plugs claims its headphones have a radius of around 50ft, and I experienced no distortion or break up when talking on calls even when I was several rooms away from my phone.

If you don’t want to break the bank on your next set of headphones, the Happy Plugs Play Pro are a solid option that are well worth a look. There’s no denying the likes of the fantastic 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 are superior, though, while the Panasonic RB-M600 are also worth considering, along with the best over-ear headphones on the market.

Happy Plugs Play Pro review: Specifications

Drivers

40mm

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Battery life (quoted)

50 hours (ANC off) 35 hours (ANC on)

Bluetooth type

Bluetooth 5.4

Weight

253g

Waterproofing

IPX4

Happy Plugs Play Pro review: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)

• Released in March 2025
• RRP of $59.99 / £59.99 / AU$120 (approx.)

The Happy Plugs Play Pro currently retail for $59 / $59 / AU$120 (approx.) – though at the time of writing, availability is limited on the Happy Plugs store. They first launched after CES 2025, and are available in either no-nonsense White or Black colorways.

Be warned: they’re not all that easy to find. Currently, they’re unavailable on Amazon US or UK, though I did find them in stock from retailers like B&Q and Very here in my native Blighty. Seeing as the Play Pro haven’t been out for long, it’s hardly surprising they haven’t dropped below that initial price tag just yet.

Happy Plugs Play Pro review: Features

(Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)

• Long-lasting battery life
• Middling ANC
• IPX4 waterproof rating

Look up “no frills” in the dictionary, and you’ll see a picture of the Happy Plugs Play Pro. Not literally, of course, but when it comes to features, it's safe to say these headphones are lacking.

Considering there’s no software or app support, these budget cans' biggest selling point has to be their excellent battery life. Once you juice these pups up, you won’t have to give your charger as much as a glance for days at a time.

With ANC turned off, I found the Happy Plugs’ claim that the Play Pro will last for 50 hours pretty much bang on the money. That’s some impressive sonic stamina for a pair of over-ears that cost less than $60. A word of caution, though – the review sample I’ve been testing wouldn’t enter idle mode when I accidentally left them connected to my iPhone 14 Pro.

Instead, you have to manually hold down the power button to send these cans to sleep. This is a flaw I discovered when I forgot my phone while going to see Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning recently, only to be greeted by a blue power light on the Play Pro once I got back to my apartment after 2 hours and 49 minutes of death-defying Tiny Tom stunts. The lack of a sleep mode is a missing feature that could prove annoying if you mistakenly leave them paired with a device overnight.

As for ANC, Happy Plugs’ cans are obviously no match for the best noise-cancelling headphones at such a change purse-friendly price point. They cost just $59, so I’m simply happy ANC makes the cut at all… even if the execution leaves a lot to be desired.

Do these cheap-and-cheerful over-ears keep out distracting indoor sounds? More or less. Once I clicked the noise-cancelling button – which allows you to switch between ANC and Transparency mode – and ramped the volume up to around 50%, my lobes were mercifully spared the din of my upstairs neighbor’s daily attempts to butcher ever last note of Gerry Rafferty’s Baker Street on his saxophone.

The Play Pro’s ANC isn’t anywhere near as effective in outdoor surroundings. During many walks with these over-ears, I was constantly distracted by the rumbling of passing cars and screeches of vexed children, even when my favorite tunes were playing at 100% volume. I appreciate that Happy Plugs has managed to squeeze ANC into these aggressively priced cans, but the end results aren’t impressive.

While I’m giving the firm a pat on the back (albeit not a hearty one), kudos to Happy Plugs for making the Play Pro IPX4 waterproof rated. Granted, it’s been uncommonly warm and dry in my homeland of Scotland recently. Yet the one time I was caught in a brief downpour while wearing these headphones, the passing shower happily didn’t cause any audio distortion.

• Features score: 2.5/5

Happy Plugs Play Pro review: Design

(Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)

• Pleasingly lightweight
• Supremely comfortable to wear
• Fold up design allows for easy storage

Wearing the Happy Plugs Play Pro is akin to giving your cranium a cuddle. These over-ears are light, breathable and come with foam cushions that are oh-so-kind on the lobes.

I’ve worn these affordable ANC cans for dozens of hours and I’m struggling to recall a more comfortable set of headphones I’ve either owned or tested. As much as I love my Apple AirPods Max, I usually find the cups start to irritate my ears after 90 minutes or so. By contrast, I can cheerily wear the Play Pro for hours on end and forget I still have these budget offerings clamped around my ears.

With a minimalist-yet-sturdy design constructed from matte plastics, these cans definitely feel like they should cost more than $59. The foam used on the cups and the middle of the Play Pro’s adjustable headband may attract a little sweat, but I can handle my ears getting a tad moist when the materials feel this comforting wrapped around my dome. I also dig the silver brushed metal that appears on the band should you extend it.

While it might be a slight stretch to describe the Play Pro as “premium”, they certainly don’t feel cheap. Tipping the scales at a svelte 253g, these cans are easy to carry around, and they’re made even more portable thanks to their fold-up design.

• Design score: 4/5

Happy Plugs Play Pro review: Sound quality

(Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)

• Resonant, ear-rumbling bass output
• Vocals can get drowned out
• A lack of software means no EQ tweaks

Unlike Goldilocks, that porridge-stealing scoundrel who had her pick of breakfast options, you’re stuck with the Play Pro’s out-of-the-box audio serving. As there’s no available app, fiddling with EQ settings is off the table. OK, I’ll drop the stupid Three Bears analogy.

At this price, I won’t overly slam Happy Plugs for not providing software options for its sub-$100 over-ears. That’s not just due to the price of the Play Pro; it’s also because these headphones actually sound pretty good even though you can’t tweak their audio profile.

Naturally, the soundscape these cans offer can’t rival the best headphones out there. Yet if funds are tight, you could do way worse than the Play Pro. Bass feels relatively weighty, mostly avoiding that dreaded tinniness often associated with budget headphones, while also stopping short of dominating tracks that rock deeper melodies.

My musical tastes normally run the gamut of old to, well… older. While testing the Play Pro, I forced myself to listen to tracks that were at least semi-contemporary to complement the ageing bangers that prop up my iPhone’s various playlists.

Enter Alex Warren’s Ordinary. The chamber pop mega hit feels like it has dominated the charts for a veritable ice age, even if it was only released this past February.

The stirring percussion of this love song’s chorus is the audio equivalent of the T-Rex’s approaching footsteps in Jurassic Park. And that’s before you get to the singer himself, who has a baritone so deep, it makes the late, great James Earl Jones sound like Alvin or one of his chipmunk bros. I love a lower register and the Play Pro’s bass performance instantly impresses.

Alas, vocals can occasionally get a little drowned out during songs with a lot of instruments. A recent playthrough of Cyberpunk 2077 on my gaming PC inspired me to fire up snappy synthpop melody I Really Want to Stay at Your House by Rosa Walton & Hallie Coggins. Like Ordinary, the Play Pro handle the bass-heavy chorus sections with aplomb, however the song's flatter mid-sections come across as rather flat and muddled.

Not that vocal clarity is something these headphones are incapable of delivering. As someone who obsessively listens to podcasts on a daily basis, I found the Play Pro produced precise audio that was rarely difficult to pick out as long as the voices in question weren’t having to speak over background music.

And no, you spent three hours listening to a movie podcast about surprise ‘80s baby blockbuster, Look Who’s Talking. Don’t ask.

Generally speaking, the Play Pro sound loud and decently punchy. Mid-range audio doesn’t always come across as hugely accurate or detailed, but at this price I’m fairly content with the soundscape Happy Plugs has landed upon with these cans.

• Sound quality score: 3.5/5

Happy Plugs Play Pro: Value

(Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)

• Quality cups and sturdy plastic
• Travel pouch is appreciated

Like to make a saving without massively compromizing on quality? The Happy Plugs Play Pro hit a pretty good sweet spot between price and performance. Sure, there are better sub-$100 cans out there – the aforementioned Earfun Wave Pro say hello – yet these perfectly decent headphones remain attractive at an alluring $59.

Well-built and with a carry pouch thrown in for good measure, the Play Pro are exactly the sort of affordable, commute-friendly cans you can throw in a bag and not worry about thanks to their price tag.

Sound is solid, their design assured without being garish, and battery performance above and beyond for a cheap pair of headphones. Yes, ANC could perform better, but it can just about get the ambient sound-slaying job done in the right circumstances.

Though I wish Happy Plugs had designed a companion app to allow me to create custom audio profiles, if a lack of such support was necessary to get the Play Pro in at $59 / £59 / AU$120 (approx.), then so be it. On the value front, the Swedish company has done a commendable job with these cheap yet reasonably classy over-ears.

• Value score: 4/5

Happy Plugs Play Pro review: scorecard

Category

Comment

Score

Features

Impressive battery life, but zero software support and subpar ANC drag the score down.

2.5/5

Design

Fairly stylish, extremely comfortable and easy to reach media controls.

4/5

Sound quality

Punchy without hitting premium territory, big bass makes up for muddled mid-range performance.

3.5/5

Value

Sound is decent, materials don’t feel cheap, ANC makes the cut, and battery life excels.

4/5

Happy Plugs Play Pro: Should I buy?

(Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)Buy them if...

You want quality and comfort
Well-built, with foam ear cups that practically feel like cushions once you slip them around your head, these cheap headphones feel like they’ve been made with love. If you frequently go on long trips, you’ll love how comfortable these cans are.

You dig big bass
The Play Pro bring the bass… and then some. If you listen to a lot of R&B or like musicians with a Darth Vader-esque register, you’ll appreciate the audio output of these over-ears, which do a top notch job of emphasizing lower end tones.

Don't buy them if...

Quality ANC is crucial to you
There are so many headphones out there that do noise cancelling more effectively than the Play Pro. While ANC is reasonably effective in quieter indoor situations, go for a walk in a crowded area with these cans and you’ll hear every last bellow, laugh and tire screech.

You like to tweak EQ settings
As someone who constantly fiddles with the settings of his Sony Inzone H9, the lack of an app for the Play Pro really bugs me. If the default audio isn’t to your liking when you first unbox these over-ears, there’s nothing you can do about it.

Also consider

Happy Plugs Play Pro

1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51

Earfun Wave Life

Drivers

40mm

400m dynamic

40mm

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Yes

Yes

Battery life

50 hours (ANC off); 35 hours (ANC on)

100 hours (ANC off); 65 hours (ANC on)

60 hours (ANC off); 37 house (ANC on)

Weight

253g

246g

264g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.4

Bluetooth 5.2; 3.5mm

Bluetooth 5.4; USB-C

Waterproofing

IPX4

N/A

N/A

1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51
The overlord of cheap over-ears sport super-strong sound quality, top-tier ANC for the price and exceptional battery life. For less than $100, you’ll be hard pressed to find a more durable, better-sounding pair of budget headphones. Bravo, 1More.
See our full 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review

Earfun Wave Life
At around $10 / £10 cheaper than the Play Pro, the Earfun Wave Life offer better ANC and longer-lasting battery life than Happy Plugs’ cans. Audio quality between the two is generally on par, though the winning Earfun app gives these over-ears the edge.
See our full Earfun Wave Life review

How I tested

(Image credit: Future / Dave Meikleham)

• Tested for three weeks
• Used at home, outdoors and during commutes

I tested the Happy Plugs Play Pro over a three-week period. During that time I used these over-ears in different environments, spanning my ground-floor apartment, on walks through the center of my city and on public buses. I primarily connected the headphones to my iPhone 14 Pro – and to a lesser extent my iPad Pro 13-inch (2024) – to listen to my favorite tunes and various podcasts.

While listening to music, I ensured I covered a variety of genres, as outlined in the TechRadar testing playlist. I also tried to connect Happy Plugs’ cans to my Windows 11 laptop via a USB-C cable, but this only charges the headphones – you can’t listen to them over a wired connection.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed: July 2025

• The Epic Games Store summer sale is here
• Users can claim a free copy of Sid Meier’s Civilization 6: Platinum Edition
• It's available until July 24, 2025

The Epic Games Store summer sale has landed, with savings on some of this year's top titles like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and Assassin's Creed Shadows. Shoppers can also claim 20% Epic Rewards on purchases made using Epic's payment system, giving you some left over to spend on even more games.

To celebrate, Epic Games Store users can claim a free PC copy of Sid Meier’s Civilization 6: Platinum Edition which usually costs $79.99 / £68.99.

Considered one of the greatest strategy games of all time, Civilization 6 sees you competing to grow a historical civilization in a board-game like world.

Random map generation and countless playable leaders with their own unique perks and abilities make it a highly replayable game, and one that I have spent more than 260 hours in on PC alone.

This Platinum Edition version is also overflowing with included downloadable content (DLC). You get Vikings Scenario Pack, Poland Civilization & Scenario Pack, Australia Civilization & Scenario Pack, Persia and Macedon Civilization & Scenario Pack, Nubia Civilization & Scenario Pack, and Khmer and Indonesia Civilization & Scenario Pack.

These all add new playable leaders or in-game challenges and, if that wasn't enough, you even get the full Rise and Fall and Gathering Storm expansions. These not only introduce new leaders and challenges, but a wealth of new mechanics that make the experience even more enjoyable and realistic.

The game is only available for free for a limited time, so make sure you snap it up before July 24, 2025.

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• Turtle Beach has revealed a new Donkey Kong-themed Rematch controller
• The controller has a unique lenticular design that shifts when the pad is tilted
• Pre-orders are open now for launch on October 12, 2025

Gaming brand Turtle Beach has unveiled - or should I say, unpeeled - a Donkey Kong-themed version of its popular Rematch controller.

Compatible with the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2, this is the latest of many Rematch controllers that sport an officially licensed Nintendo design. This Donkey Kong version differs slightly, though, in that it has a lenticular design with shifting imagery when you tilt the controller. Pretty cool.

Pre-orders are open now for the Donkey Kong-themed Rematch controller on Turtle Beach's website. It costs $59.99 / £49.99, and is currently slated to ship on October 12, 2025. That's a pretty bang average price among the best Nintendo Switch controllers, and something worth considering if you're not up for shelling out $84.99 / £74.99 for a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.

Otherwise, this Rematch controller isn't much different than others in the brand lineup. Other features include wireless connectivity, gyro aim support, two remappable buttons on the rear, and a claimed battery life of up to 40 hours, similar to the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.

While compatible with Switch 2, you unfortunately won't be getting a C button here for quick access to the console's GameChat feature. For that, you'll need to access it from the console's Home dashboard instead. Not a big deal, really, but something to keep in mind when you're playing with pals.

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