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Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Connections puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Connections hints and answers for Saturday, May 3 (game #692).

Good morning! Let's play Connections, the NYT's clever word game that challenges you to group answers in various categories. It can be tough, so read on if you need Connections hints.

What should you do once you've finished? Why, play some more word games of course. I've also got daily Strands hints and answers and Quordle hints and answers articles if you need help for those too, while Marc's Wordle today page covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Connections today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Connections today (game #693) - today's words

(Image credit: New York Times)

Today's NYT Connections words are…

• CHEWY
• NOODLE
• CARS
• DARTH
• JAM
• ВОВА
• TOUGH
• SHRED
• SOLO
• DRY
• SUGAR
• BLUTO
• TEA
• GENUS
• STRINGY
• MILK

NYT Connections today (game #693) - hint #1 - group hints

What are some clues for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: (Very) well done
• GREEN: Grab your plectrum 
• BLUE: Syrups optional
• PURPLE: Altered space

Need more clues?

We're firmly in spoiler territory now, but read on if you want to know what the four theme answers are for today's NYT Connections puzzles…

NYT Connections today (game #693) - hint #2 - group answers

What are the answers for today's NYT Connections groups?

• YELLOW: QUALITIES OF OVERCOOKED MEAT 
• GREEN: PLAY SOME ELECTRIC GUITAR 
• BLUE: INGREDIENTS IN BUBBLE TEA 
• PURPLE: PLANETS/ DWARF PLANET WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Connections today (game #693) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Connections, game #693, are…

• YELLOW: QUALITIES OF OVERCOOKED MEAT CHEWY, DRY, STRINGY, TOUGH
• GREEN: PLAY SOME ELECTRIC GUITAR JAM, NOODLE, SHRED, SOLO
• BLUE: INGREDIENTS IN BUBBLE TEA BOBA, MILK, SUGAR, TEA
• PURPLE: PLANETS/ DWARF PLANET WITH FIRST LETTER CHANGED BLUTO, CARS, DARTH, GENUS

• My rating: Moderate
• My score: 1 mistake

I’m not sure I would describe CHEWY, DRY, STRINGY, and TOUGH as “QUALITIES”, but it was thinking about eating something unpleasant that led me to linking them together. It just wasn’t OVERCOOKED MEAT that I had in mind.

I used to work in the meat department at a large supermarket and it was the animals I worked alongside that put me off meat for 15 years, rather than the thought of erm, eating animals.

Lab-grown meat, untouched by humans and farmed by robots, cannot arrive quickly enough as far as I’m concerned.

My mistake came in thinking that we were looking for the elements of a classic English teatime, rather than the INGREDIENTS IN A BUBBLE TEA – so I had JAM (like one spreads on one’s scones) instead of BOBA.

Having eliminated this, I was able to put another meaning of jam, along with some other things people who enjoy butchering music like doing with their electric guitars.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Connections answers (Saturday, May 3, game #692)

• YELLOW: AWESOME DOPE, FIRE, LIT, SICK
• GREEN: DEFEAT SOUNDLY CREAM, LICK, PASTE, SMOKE
• BLUE: "WILL" CONTRACTIONS WITHOUT THE APOSTROPHE HELL, ILL, SHELL, WELL
• PURPLE: URL ENDINGS PLUS A LETTER COMP, MILK, NETI, ORGO

What is NYT Connections?

NYT Connections is one of several increasingly popular word games made by the New York Times. It challenges you to find groups of four items that share something in common, and each group has a different difficulty level: green is easy, yellow a little harder, blue often quite tough and purple usually very difficult.

On the plus side, you don't technically need to solve the final one, as you'll be able to answer that one by a process of elimination. What's more, you can make up to four mistakes, which gives you a little bit of breathing room.

It's a little more involved than something like Wordle, however, and there are plenty of opportunities for the game to trip you up with tricks. For instance, watch out for homophones and other word games that could disguise the answers.

It's playable for free via the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

Looking for a different day?

A new Quordle puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: Quordle hints and answers for Saturday, May 3 (game #1195).

Quordle was one of the original Wordle alternatives and is still going strong now more than 1,100 games later. It offers a genuine challenge, though, so read on if you need some Quordle hints today – or scroll down further for the answers.

Enjoy playing word games? You can also check out my NYT Connections today and NYT Strands today pages for hints and answers for those puzzles, while Marc's Wordle today column covers the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about Quordle today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

Quordle today (game #1196) - hint #1 - Vowels How many different vowels are in Quordle today?

• The number of different vowels in Quordle today is 4*.

* Note that by vowel we mean the five standard vowels (A, E, I, O, U), not Y (which is sometimes counted as a vowel too).

Quordle today (game #1196) - hint #2 - repeated letters Do any of today's Quordle answers contain repeated letters?

• The number of Quordle answers containing a repeated letter today is 1.

Quordle today (game #1196) - hint #3 - uncommon letters Do the letters Q, Z, X or J appear in Quordle today?

• No. None of Q, Z, X or J appear among today's Quordle answers.

Quordle today (game #1196) - hint #4 - starting letters (1) Do any of today's Quordle puzzles start with the same letter?

• The number of today's Quordle answers starting with the same letter is 2.

If you just want to know the answers at this stage, simply scroll down. If you're not ready yet then here's one more clue to make things a lot easier:

Quordle today (game #1196) - hint #5 - starting letters (2) What letters do today's Quordle answers start with?

• P

• S

• S

• C

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

Quordle today (game #1196) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle, game #1196, are…

• PINCH
• SMOKE
• SCARY
• CANNY

A total of 15 percent of five-letter words begin with the letter S, so it’s no surprise that today’s Quordle featured two of them.

It is also a good reason to use one of them as a start word, which helped me no end today, giving me a headstart with SMOKE and SCARY.

Despite roaring through today’s puzzle pretty quickly I still tripped up by guessing SCARF – a case of going with a bad hunch, instead of the data.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Daily Sequence today (game #1196) - the answers

(Image credit: Merriam-Webster)

The answers to today's Quordle Daily Sequence, game #1196, are…

• GRASS
• CURIO
• EMBER
• SWILL

Quordle answers: The past 20

• Quordle #1195, Saturday, 3 May: PLUSH, VERGE, WROTE, CONDO
• Quordle #1194, Friday, 2 May: CAUSE, RISEN, MACAW, SMELT
• Quordle #1193, Thursday, 1 May: IDIOM, EXILE, SPOOF, DRAPE
• Quordle #1192, Wednesday, 30 April: BATON, TORSO, ANNEX, DROWN
• Quordle #1191, Tuesday, 29 April: HOVER, HENCE, OCTAL, COPSE
• Quordle #1190, Monday, 28 April: JAUNT, ALLOW, FRUIT, BURNT
• Quordle #1189, Sunday, 27 April: PRIOR, YOUTH, CREDO, CHIDE
• Quordle #1188, Saturday, 26 April: LINGO, LOCUS, THROW, CLICK
• Quordle #1187, Friday, 25 April: SHALT, WRATH, MAMBO, HUMPH
• Quordle #1186, Thursday, 24 April: CHOKE, COLOR, FRAME, CAIRN
• Quordle #1185, Wednesday, 23 April: VALET, PUPAL, CREEP, DRIFT
• Quordle #1184, Tuesday, 22 April: POUTY, CHEST, BROOM, TEPEE
• Quordle #1183, Monday, 21 April: SHARD, PRINT, SUMAC, LEACH
• Quordle #1182, Sunday, 20 April: DINER, HORDE, SHONE, FUGUE
• Quordle #1181, Saturday, 19 April: GRADE, LAUGH, RAINY, EXULT
• Quordle #1180, Friday, 18 April: DEBUT, GLADE, BASTE, PESTO
• Quordle #1179, Thursday, 17 April: SPRAY, RAMEN, SHELF, COURT
• Quordle #1178, Wednesday 16 April: STUMP, GRAFT, CHORD, INPUT
• Quordle #1177, Tuesday 15 April: SLEET, MERIT, HARSH, FORAY
• Quordle #1176, Monday 14 April: DRAWL, CROOK, ACTOR, LANCE

Looking for a different day?

A new NYT Strands puzzle appears at midnight each day for your time zone – which means that some people are always playing 'today's game' while others are playing 'yesterday's'. If you're looking for Saturday's puzzle instead then click here: NYT Strands hints and answers for Saturday, May 3 (game #426).

Strands is the NYT's latest word game after the likes of Wordle, Spelling Bee and Connections – and it's great fun. It can be difficult, though, so read on for my Strands hints.

Want more word-based fun? Then check out my NYT Connections today and Quordle today pages for hints and answers for those games, and Marc's Wordle today page for the original viral word game.

SPOILER WARNING: Information about NYT Strands today is below, so don't read on if you don't want to know the answers.

NYT Strands today (game #427) - hint #1 - today's theme What is the theme of today's NYT Strands?

• Today's NYT Strands theme is… Star Wars: A New Hope

NYT Strands today (game #427) - hint #2 - clue words

Play any of these words to unlock the in-game hints system.

• POLE
• NINE
• REIN
• NAME
• REAL
• WARBLE

NYT Strands today (game #427) - hint #3 - spangram letters How many letters are in today's spangram?

• Spangram has 12 letters

NYT Strands today (game #427) - hint #4 - spangram position What are two sides of the board that today's spangram touches?

First side: top, 1st column

Last side: bottom, 8th column

Right, the answers are below, so DO NOT SCROLL ANY FURTHER IF YOU DON'T WANT TO SEE THEM.

NYT Strands today (game #427) - the answers

(Image credit: New York Times)

The answers to today's Strands, game #427, are…

• PLANET
• EMPIRE
• SPACE
• LONG
• TIME
• GALAXY
• REBEL
• SPANGRAM: OPENING CRAWL

• My rating: Easy
• My score: Perfect

I was wondering about the reason behind this edition of Strands and then I noticed the date on my laptop screen.

Fortunately, you didn’t have to be a Star Wars fanatic to enjoy today’s search, which instead pays tribute to the OPENING CRAWL, the introductory piece of floating text that became a signature of all the Star Wars movies.

In the 1977 original version, the text, which begins “A LONG TIME ago, in a GALAXY far, far away…”, was designed to sync with John Williams’s main theme, with each new paragraph timing with a new section of music.

Sadly, this subtle effect was lost when the movie was retitled “A New Hope” and subsequently became chapter four of the nine-part Luke Skywalker saga and the insignificant seed of the sprawling 99-part franchise.

For all the hooplah that was to follow, that opening crawl was a reminder of the power of words to set the imagination flowing and transport us to another dimension. May the fourth be with you.

How did you do today? Let me know in the comments below.

Yesterday's NYT Strands answers (Saturday, May 3, game #426)

• GAUZE
• TAPE
• SYRINGE
• STETHOSCOPE
• THERMOMETER
• SPANGRAM: DOCTORS KIT

What is NYT Strands?

Strands is the NYT's not-so-new-any-more word game, following Wordle and Connections. It's now a fully fledged member of the NYT's games stable that has been running for a year and which can be played on the NYT Games site on desktop or mobile.

I've got a full guide to how to play NYT Strands, complete with tips for solving it, so check that out if you're struggling to beat it each day.

The Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 6 is the newest model of the ThinkPad E14 lineup, and it's the budget offering to get into this popular lineup of business computers.

It's not the very best ThinkPad around - I didn't find it the most powerful or possessing the best battery life; it's not the sleekest or the most featured. But what it is well noted for is that it is a good budget laptop. It's an excellent price for a computer, especially one with one of the most well-known badging on it.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 6: Unboxing & first impressions

Unpacking this computer was pretty straightforward. It came with standard Lenovo packaging and minimal accessories. It had the charger, some documentation, and the laptop, that is all.

The charger Lenovo sent is a 65W USB-C Charger, which was a lovely thing to find. Instead of a specific barrel connector or those odd proprietary and unique chargers, forcing you to always carry a second charger. With USB-C, all of the newest devices and cables can work; this charger can also charge my phone and other devices.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Upon first impression, I was able to note pretty quickly that this is a budget laptop. While it is clearly a ThinkPad laptop, it is also clearly a budget version. It looks like a very basic and very generic laptop overall, which, for this tier of laptop, was expected. It's a tad heavier than I expected it to be at first glance, but not in any way that is unbearable or odd.

The keyboard looks like a ThinkPad, it has the little red dot TouchPoint in the middle, with a left and right click button positioned at the top of the touchpad. For a budget laptop for writers, it's a decent model. Lastly, the display is about what I expected, being good enough to get some work done, but nothing remarkable at all.

Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 6: Design & build quality Specs

Processor: Intel Core Ultra 7 155U (12 cores, up to 4.8 GHz)
Graphics: Integrated Intel Graphics
Memory: 16GB DDR5, 5600MHz
Storage: 512GB M.2 PCIe SSD Gen 4
Display: 14″ WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS, anti-glare, 300 nits, 45% NTSC
Ports: 2x USB-C (one Thunderbolt 4), 2x USB-A, HDMI 2.1, Ethernet RJ45, headphone/mic combo
Wireless: Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.1
Camera: 720p HD webcam with privacy shutter
Audio: 2 x 2W stereo speakers, Dolby Atmos
Battery: 47Wh, supports Rapid Charge (80% in 60 minutes)
Weight: 1.44kg / 3.17lbs

The laptop looks like a business laptop; I'll give it that. It looks like a model that you'd see if you're in a professional workspace, in a business class at the local university, or even a library. It looks like something used in a professional scenario, albeit one where high performance is unnecessary.

It has a sturdy chassis with ports on the left and right sides, though I wish there were a Thunderbolt port, or at least the USB-C, non-Thunderbolt port, on the right side. The keyboard is comfortable enough to write a lengthy email or use for basic daily tasks, especially for the money. The TrackPoint and touchpad are responsive and can be adjusted easily to be more or less sensitive based on your needs.

Lastly, speaking of IO, there is an ethernet port, an HDMI port, and the USB-C, USB-A, and headphone jack, giving this computer more ports than most modern laptops.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 6: In use

By now, this is not my favorite laptop, but I will say it's a known budget laptop. If you're looking for the dream machine that can power through it all, this isn't it. But if you are looking for a cheap machine that passes all of the tests that Lenovo does so well, then by all means, this computer is worth considering. But, know that opening programs are a tad laggy; the webcam is pretty cheap, too, and the speakers are rough.

During testing, my team and I noticed that, especially in comparison to faster laptops, we frequently double-click on the E14 due to a lack of responsiveness, resulting in unintended clicks once the first page loads. Granted, we are used to high-end, flagship computers, but this one can still be slow for some applications.

Another thing we noticed is that while this did have great port offerings, we didn't love the location of the ports; we would have much rather had one of the USB-C ports be on the right side.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 6: Final verdict

The Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 6 is a budget, entry-level, basic business laptop that serves as an accessible entry point into the otherwise popular ThinkPad Ecosystem. It looks, feels, and works like a ThinkPad, but the performance, display, and abilities trade-offs show that this is not the regular ThinkPad you see and read about.

Looking to save? We've rounded up more of the best budget laptops you can get right now.

With the proliferation of clip-on earbuds, Shokz is getting in the game with its premium priced $200 OpenDots One buds. I went hands-on with them to see how they stack up against Bose's top-rated Ultra Open Earbuds.

Full spoilers follow for Thunderbolts* and various other MCU projects.

"Marvel has a villain problem". It's a criticism that's been hurled at the comic book giant's cinematic juggernaut for years.

And with good reason. Between 2008 and 2017 (or, rather, from Iron Man to Thor: Ragnarok), the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) was as much of a graveyard for its supervillains as it was a multi-billion dollar-spinning franchise.

Aside from the odd Big Bad who survived due to their fan popularity (Loki) or status as an anti-hero rather than a full-blown villain (Bucky Barnes/The Winter Soldier), Marvel Studios didn't think twice about killing those who opposed some of the best superhero movies' protagonists.

That all changed with Thanos' arrival. Not only did the Infinity Saga's primary nemesis actually live to fight another day by the end of Avengers: Infinity War – a film he was arguably the main character of – but he also did the unthinkable: he won. Indeed, he bested Earth's Mightiest Heroes and successfully carried out his plan to wipe out half of all life in the known universe.

Thanos was the first real Big Bad who not only survived the events of an MCU movie, but also achieved his goal (Image credit: Marvel)

Okay, he met his end a year later in Avengers: Endgame, but Thanos' introduction was a watershed moment for the MCU because it proved Marvel villains didn't need to be one-and-done scenarios.

Since then, Marvel has been far more selective with the villains it kills off. Spider-Man: No Way Home, WandaVision, Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Captain America: Brave New World... more villains have survived the events of these MCU movies and Disney+ shows, as well as other Phase 4 and 5 projects, than those in Phases 1, 2, and 3.

Now, when someone from the comic titan's never-ending rogues gallery bites the dust, there's a valid excuse to bump them off. Take Deadpool and Wolverine's Cassandra Nova, for example. If the titular odd couple hadn't killed her, she would've destroyed the multiverse, so she had to be disposed of. Nonetheless, these days, Marvel villain deaths are the exception rather than the norm.

Marvel's Thunderbolts* film continued the comic giant's recent trend of not killing its primary villain (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

All of which brings me to Marvel's Thunderbolts* movie and the two feature films – The Fantastic Four: First Steps and Avengers: Doomsday – that'll come after it.

The final Marvel Phase 5 movie, which has just landed in theaters worldwide, Thunderbolts* follows in many of its recent forebears' footsteps by not killing its primary antagonist. Though The Void, aka the darker half of Lewis Pullman's Bob Reynolds/Sentry, is more of an antagonistic force – one who Reynolds and his fellow misfits must nonetheless overcome to save the day – than the outright villain of Thunderbolts*. The fact that Pullman was one of the initial 27-strong cast confirmed to appear in Doomsday also spoiled how this film would end. After all, Reynolds wouldn't be part of Doomsday's cast if he and his superpowered alter-egos perished in Thunderbolts*.

But I digress. The point is, Marvel's latest big-screen offering is another example of its desire to keep villains and/or antagonistic figures around who can still serve a purpose.

Predictably, Marvel is keeping schtum on the plot of Avengers: Doomsday (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

That gives me hope, then, that the bad guys due to appear in First Steps and Doomsday – Ralph Ineson's Galactus and Robert Downey Jr's Doctor Victor von Doom – might not be unceremoniously dumped soon after their MCU debuts.

The chances are that one or both antagonists won't make it out of these movies alive. Somehow, The Fantastic Four might find a way to beat the planet-devouring cosmic being. According to The Fantastic Four: First Steps' official trailer, Galactus has marked this version of Earth – remember, Marvel's First Family will exist in a different universe for much of this film – for destruction, but that doesn't mean he'll succeed in his endeavor.

Meanwhile, Avengers: Secret Wars, which is expected to bring down the curtain on the Marvel Multiverse Saga, will likely see a seemingly infinite number of MCU heroes, plus legacy characters from Fox's defunct X-Men film franchise and previous Sony Spider-Man movie series, work together to defeat Doom. That could lead to the reinstallation of the MCU in its current form or, as some fans have predicted, a hard reset that reboots Marvel's money-printing franchise for a new generation of heroes, villains, and viewers alike.

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But, what if Marvel does the unthinkable? What if it doesn't just keep Galactus and Doom around for the long haul but, in a world-first for its cinematic franchise, also delivers back-to-back films where the villains win?

Alright, it's highly probable that Doom will be victorious by the time Avengers 5's end credits roll. Much like Infinity War and Endgame, Doomsday and Secret Wars are being approached as a two-part tale, with directors Joe and Anthony Russo seeking inspiration from both of Marvel's 'Secret Wars' comic book storylines.

The third and fourth Avengers movies are proof that if Earth's Mightiest Heroes are divided, they will fail to stop an existential threat. Based on what Thunderbolts* post-credits scene suggests – read my Thunderbolts* ending explained piece for more details – plus rumors that Doomsday will be an Avengers vs X-Men film in all but name, it's possible Doom will conquer all because its heroes are too busy fighting among themselves to unify and take him down.

How much of a shock would it be if The Fantastic Four were defeated in their first MCU movie? (Image credit: Marvel Studios)

First Steps' narrative outcome is less certain. Again, thanks to Thunderbolts* end credits stinger, we already know that The Fantastic Four will appear in the MCU by the end of one of 2025's most anticipated new movies. How and why they traverse the multiverse to get there, though, is a mystery that First Steps will solve.

Right now, the prevailing theory among fans is that the iconic quartet will regrettably flee their utopian universe because they can't save it. Some MCU devotees believe they'll be forced to run because of Doom, who may destroy their reality to prevent the spread of Incursions – a cataclysmic event where two universes collide and one destroys the other – that were first introduced in Doctor Strange 2.

Other observers predict Galactus will follow through on his plan to consume the Earth that The Fantastic Four call home. The group will try to stop him but fail. Knowing they can either escape with their lives or perish alongside their world, they make the difficult but selfish decision to disappear into the night.

Will Downey Jr's Doctor Doom adopt this pose if and when he wins the day in Avengers: Doomsday? (Image credit: Walt Disney Studios/Marvel Studios)

I'm hoping for the latter outcome. Indeed, it makes an incredibly tragic backstory for Reed Richards and company upon their MCU arrival; one they could try to redeem themselves with by helping the MCU's current hero roster defeat Doom. Not only that, Galactus' victory would also be a better fit for the direction I want Marvel to go in with First Steps and Doomsday – i.e. releasing two movies in relatively quick succession where the bad guy triumphs.

We've already had a situation where a villain wins the day in one film but is ultimately defeated in the next with Infinity War and Endgame. In my view, it would be baffling if Marvel played the same card with Doomsday and Secret Wars as it did with the aforementioned pair.

Despite the recent turbulence the MCU has been buffeted by, fans will turn up in their droves to watch the next Avengers movies. Wouldn't it be even more fantastic, then, if they did so knowing that, having watched The Fantastic Four lose in First Steps, they witness Downey Jr's Doom similarly be victorious?

Neither the MCU nor its fanbase would have seen the likes of villains securing victories in back-to-back movies. Your next two films are a golden opportunity to surprise us all and do just that, Marvel. My advice? Don't mess it up.

You might also like

• Thunderbolts* is an electrifying and emotionally impactful Florence Pugh-front Marvel movie that defied my expectations of what an MCU film can be
• Get the lowdown on everything to do with Spider-Man: Brand New Day
• See if you agree with my ranking of the best Marvel movies

Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X: One-minute review

The Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X is a new take on the classic gaming joystick with a very specific job to do. A three-axis joystick supported by a plethora of buttons and inputs, this Xbox and PC-compatible accessory feels at home on a worksite, not a runway, and more specifically, it’s heading straight for the farmyard.

That means a large multifunction joystick with a mini-stick, thumbwheel, and dual triggers, 33 mappable action buttons, and a hand throttle. Plus, there are Hall effect sensors powering the ambidextrous joystick, so there should be plenty of precision control and longevity on offer.

Pre-mapped for Farming Simulator 25 out of the box, it’s here where I spent most of my time with the FarmStick X, and while I’m an admittedly very amateur farmer, I had a pretty good time. I’ll admit the benefit of the joystick itself wasn’t always immediately obvious, and there were a few teething hiccups, but in the right machinery it proved a total gamechanger.

Common actions were physically and metaphorically closer to hand and not needing to manually bind these, saw me near enough jumping straight from the main menu to fishing a skid-steer loader out of a river - more on that later.

It’s clear the FarmStick X is targeting die-hard Farming Sim enthusiasts, but with manually configurable inputs it’ll work as a button-rich joystick across a wide range of other simulation games too. So while this agricultural controller sits nearly alone in the market for its primary function, it’s up against some stiff competition from more generic HOTAS accessories and Logitech’s Farm Simulator Heavy Equipment Bundle.

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry) Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X: Price and availability

• List price: $129.99 / £99.99 / €119.99
• Limited retail availability outside US or Canada
• Requires additional hardware purchase for Xbox compatibility

A familiar-looking device, the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X is the second generation of the joystick that first arrived at the end of 2023. Fast forward to the start of 2025, and the new iteration maintains all of the original FarmStick’s features while welcoming Xbox console compatibility. The X on the end probably gave that away.

That X will cost you $30 more than the previous PC-only edition and sees the FarmStick X rise to $129.99/£99.99/€119.99. While on its own, that price is reasonable and slots it neatly in just below more flight-focused HOTAS hardware and joysticks, that’s not quite the full story. On PC, there’s no extra purchase required; you can pair the FarmStick X with keyboard controls or additional hardware like a wheel.

On Xbox, however, Thrustmaster makes quite a strong point of noting that you’ll need one of its wheels for the console to accept the FarmStick X, plus you’re limited to Farming Simulator 25 as the only compatible game. That skews the value proposition quite heavily for console players and raises the realistic minimum cost to somewhere north of $300.

In testing, however, I was able to use the FarmStick X without a wheel and in partnership with a standard Xbox Series X controller. This was expectedly awkward, and I certainly wouldn’t recommend this setup, but it seemed possible.

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry) Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X: Specs

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry) Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X: Design and features

• Hall effect three-axis joystick with mini thumbstick and triggers
• 33 mappable buttons and throttle control
• Xbox Series and PC compatibility (requires extra hardware on Xbox)

While it may be destined for the farmyard, there’s something distinctly fighter jet about the design of the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X. The gunmetal grey base and electric orange accents are striking, and I got a real old-school vibe as soon as I took it out of the box. This, unfortunately, wasn’t a case of old-school cool for me though; it all seemed a bit dated and lacked any sort of premium feel.

Most of this is down to material choice more than color; the FarmStick X is almost entirely plastic, and the base is noticeably hollow. Now I’m not suggesting this needed a full carbon fibre chassis and titanium accents, but not all plastic is the same, and I can’t help but feel Thrustmaster cut back a little in this area. Even a wafer-thin metal shell over the base would have made a huge difference.

The buttons on either side of the base also suffer as a result of material choices; the hard molded plastic buttons are nothing more than fine. They do the job, but would have been better with rubberised caps in my opinion. The smaller buttons on the FarmStick X’s joystick are rubber and feel much better to use as a result. More of those next time, please, Thrustmaster.

The SimTask FarmStick X’s main event is the large joystick, and once again, it’s all plastic, and I can only call it fine as a result. I won’t go as far as to say it feels like a toy, but a little rubberisation would have been far more comfortable, provided more grip, and felt more high-end in your hand.

The ambidextrous shaping is nice to see (shout out to the lefties), and I found it comfortable to hold for extended sessions. It is quite thick, however, I have reasonably large hands, so this worked out well for me, but younger or smaller wannabe farmers might not be as pleased.

Tucked away on the rear of the base is an array of connections, including the all-important USB-C port for connecting the FarmStick X to your PC or console. You’ll also find a couple of ports for expanding your ecosystem - a DIN port and an RJ12 port for a TFRP rudder. Finally, a toggle switch for flicking the FarmStick X between Xbox and PC compatibility mode.

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry) Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X: Performance

• Hall effect, three-axis joystick offers great control
• Button mappings often need manual configuration
• More suited for experienced players than beginners

Like many people, I’ve dabbled in Farming Simulator a few times in the past, taking inspiration more from Jeremy Clarkson than Kaleb Cooper, however. I tend to jump into a fresh multiplayer session with a friend, mess around causing mischief in the field, try as many machines as possible, and that’s that.

It’s great fun, and those past experiences made me curious of what the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X would bring. Racing games are made immediately more enjoyable for even the most casual players by adding a wheel and pedals, but is the same true of adding a joystick to Farming Simulator 25? After a few hours of messing around causing mischief in a field and trying as many machines as possible, the answer is: yes, sort of.

I started on PC, and it wasn’t as smooth an introduction as it should have been. The Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X is only pre-configured for one game, Farming Simulator 25, and from my experience, this still needs polishing up. Some keybinds didn’t do anything, others that claimed to do one action but actually did another, and some buttons I struggled to find at all.

A lot of the difficulty here comes down to a mismatch in labelling, the game refers to each button with a number, and while some of these are printed on the physical device, most aren’t, meaning I had to have the PDF manual open on my second screen. I’m sure you’d get used to it pretty quickly, particularly if you take the time to map your own buttons, but as a casual gamer, this was frustrating.

On Xbox, initially things felt much more polished, though I quickly realised it’s a far shallower experience in the long run. Here, the keybinds that were mysteriously mismatched or missing entirely on PC were present and correct, which I was thankful for, as there’s no ability to adjust or manually change keybinds on console. Again, you’re left to navigate which button is which by yourself; those slightly helpful number labels are now gone entirely, however, so it’s really a case of press and hope until you get your bearings.

Once I’d got the hang of which buttons did what, however, my experience did improve. I paired the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X with the brand’s T128 SimTask wheel and pedals across both PC and Xbox, and as a combo, they work well. I did find uses for the FarmStick X’s joystick somewhat limited, however, and while it lends itself well to cranes and front loader machinery, for general farming activities, I found myself more focused on the wheel.

The FarmStick X itself felt like a niche add-on rather than a necessity, and it wasn’t an immediate gamechanger like a steering wheel and pedals are.

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry)

That said, having found myself with an urgent need to retrieve a skid-steer digger from a river (how it got there isn’t important), the FarmStick X came into its own. Controlling the various functions of an excavator's arm with the three-axis joystick was wonderful, and I don’t think I could have replicated this experience with other devices. The Hall effect sensor offered precise and responsive control in all directions, with just enough resistance in the stick itself to feel like I could hold position without needing to fight it.

For experienced farmers with existing wheel setups they know like the back of their hand, the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X will likely offer plenty of extra value and add a new dimension to gameplay. This is definitely a die-hard’s accessory for those who have moved well beyond the basics of farming and are not one for the masses.

In an attempt to unearth a little more value for a casual gamer, I swapped out of Farming Simulator and over to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 to see if the FarmStick X could hold its own as a generic joystick option, too. Again, the answer is sort of. The stick was immediately recognized by the game, but unsurprisingly needed every single button action and joystick axis to be manually configured.

After a few minutes of fiddling, I’d bound throttle and basic rudder controls and was able to take to the skies. Much like my river escapades, the FarmStick X’s joystick felt responsive and offered a great level of control. I’ve no doubt if you can invest the time in properly mapping every button, the FarmStick X would work just fine across any number of joystick-suited simulation games.

Sadly, this option only exists for PC players as the FarmStick X refuses to play nice with other titles. I’m curious as to why, though, having been told I needed a wheel to use the joystick, only to discover it worked happily with just a controller, I couldn’t help but push my luck. Full of hope, I fired up Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 on Xbox too, and to my surprise, the game immediately recognized the FarmStick X as a generic joystick input. I was able to select it in menus and manually bind inputs, I even used the in-game tools to validate it was capturing input data correctly, it was working - until it wasn’t.

Having cobbled together a couple of basic binds, I jumped in a plane to find that while the FarmStick X was sending commands to Flight Sim 2024, and the game happily knew what they meant, it then did nothing with them. I don’t know why it works in menus but not in the game itself, and I’m aware it’s not officially meant to, but I can’t help but feel there are some licensing executives in expensive suits stopping this from happening rather than any genuine compatibility problems.

It’s a shame because it makes the FarmStick X harder to recommend for console players, being limited to preset binds in a single game is a far tougher sell, and means Xbox users are paying more to get less than their PC-only friends in the next field over.

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry) Should you buy the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X? Buy it if...

You’re an experienced sim farmer
If you regularly play games like Farming Simulator 25 and already have a wheel and pedals, the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X is a helpful companion that makes it far easier to control certain vehicle types.

You love a simulation game
While it’s designed for Farming Simulator 25, the FarmStick X can be manually configured to work with just about any joystick-compatible game. You’ll need to invest a little time to get your mapping right, but there’s definitely value here away from the farm.

Don't buy it if...

You’re a casual Farming Simulator player
This is quite a niche piece of hardware that only improves certain aspects of the game in a relatively limited set of machinery. It’s also only pre-configured for Farming Simulator 25, and even then, those results are mixed.

You don’t have a wheel and pedals
The FarmStick X is an add-on to an existing wheel system rather than a controller capable of holding up on its own. Despite what Thrustmaster claims, you could technically bodge together a control scheme with keyboard and mouse or a controller on PC or Xbox, but this is awkward and a setup I wouldn’t recommend it.

Also consider...

Not sure if the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X is the right choice? Here are a couple of other flight stick options you might consider instead.

Note: The FarmStick X is quite a unique and specific device, so there aren’t a plethora of truly like-for-like options to explore. Instead, these alternatives are more flight-focused, and while they will require manual keybinding in-game, each offers the same core joystick and button functionality.

However, we are in the process of reviewing farming-sim specific gear from the likes of Logitech and Hori, and will update this section when those reviews are live.

Also consider Thrustmaster Sol-R Flight Stick
More sci-fi than soybean, the Sol-R flight stick could be a good choice if you’re looking to play more than just Farming Simulator 25. It offers the same Hall effect technology for precise joystick controls with a slightly different array of secondary inputs, plus it’s available in a dual pack, which could suit certain farm machinery well.

For more information, check out our full Thrustmaster Sol-R Flight Stick reviewView Deal

Also consider Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flight Stick
While again it’s designed primarily as a flight stick, you could manually bind the VelocityOne as an alternative to work the fields. There are fewer mappable buttons here, but onboard HOTAS controls alongside a multi-axis joystick could prove useful for controlling some farm machinery.

For more information, check out our full Turtle Beach VelocityOne Flight Stick reviewView Deal

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry) How I tested the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X

I primarily tested the Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X as part of a gaming PC setup with an Intel Core i9 14900k CPU, AMD Radeon 9070XT GPU, and the Thrustmaster T128 SimTask wheel and pedal set. I initially jumped into Farming Simulator 25 to test the out-of-the-box button mappings before making manual tweaks and binds via the in-game menu where necessary in order to fully utilize the FarmStick X’s features. I often test products by streaming games on Twitch, and if you want to see how I got on with using the FarmStick X to operate a crane precariously close to a river, well, I’ve got you covered.

After around 10 hours of configuration and play, I swapped over to Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 to see how it would perform out of its comfort zone. Throughout my time using the FarmStick X, I paid close attention to how the joystick in particular responded to inputs, as well as attempting to trigger false or missed button inputs.

I then moved to the living room and fired up my Xbox Series X and Samsung S90C. Again, I spent the majority of my time in Farming Simulator 25, this time paying close attention to differences in button mapping and experience between console and PC. I pushed my luck here, officially the FarmStick X requires a wheel for Xbox compatibility, but I ran tests with both the stock Xbox wireless controller and no additional controller inputs connected. I also attempted to use the joystick to play the unsupported Microsoft Flight Simulator 24 via Xbox Game Pass, unsuccessfully.

First reviewed April 2025

Read more about how we test

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Epson QL7000: two-minute review

The Epson QL7000 is a projector designed for situations where you normally wouldn’t use a projector: well-lit rooms free of the dark furniture and gray walls typical of home theater environments.

What makes the Epson QL7000 uniquely qualified for such situations is its brightness, which goes far beyond what you get with the best projectors and even matches some of the best TVs. The QL7000 has a specified 10,000 lumens brightness, where a typical home theater projector tops out in the 2,500 to 3,000 range. That’s one of the reasons why the QL7000 costs $29,999 (around £22,400 / AU$47,000), though there are other good reasons as well.

The QL7000 is a 'body-only' projector that needs to be outfitted with a separate lens. Epson offers a range of special lens options, including long-throw ones that let you position it far from a screen, and ultra-short-thow ones that let you install it super-close. This level of installation flexibility is unique for a consumer-grade projector, especially one as small and lightweight as the QL7000. It also has an attractive case design that will let it fit in with your living room’s decor.

The QL7000 uses a laser 3LCD light engine, along with pixel-shifting, to display 4K images. Epson’s 32-bit QZX Picture Processor is used for upscaling and other types of processing, and it supports the HDR10 and HLG high dynamic range formats (but not HDR10+, a format we’re seeing increasing support for in projectors).

A pair of HDMI 2.1 ports on the QL7000 support 4K 120Hz and ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), making Epson’s projector, which also has a low 19.6ms input lag, a great option for gaming. But the real draw of the QL7000 is watching sports – its super-bright picture can easily hold up in rooms with the lights on, and games of all sorts have an incredibly immersive quality on a big screen (up to 300 inches max, in this case).

The QL7000 also looks great when you dim the lights for movie time, and with a variable laser light output adjustment, you can create a separate picture mode optimized for more traditional theater-style viewing. Epson’s high-lumen projector lacks the black level refinement seen in some of the top 4K projectors, but with such powerful brightness reserves aided by a dynamic contrast feature, movies watched on the QL7000 pack a strong visual punch.

Ultimately, the QL7000 is a specialized projector designed for multi-use environments, and it serves that purpose brilliantly. Between the projector itself and the separate lens, you’ll pay quite a bit to experience its stunning brightness in your home, but for some, it will be well worth the cost.

Epson QL7000 review: price and release date

• First available: March 2025
• Price: $29,999 (around £22,400 / AU$47,000)
  

The QL7000 has a specified 10,000 lumens light output, and its laser light engine has a 20,000-hour lifespan (Image credit: Future)

The flagship model in Epson’s Q Series projector lineup, the QL7000 lists for $29,999 (around £22,400 / AU$47,000). Prices for Epson projectors generally remain consistent over time, though discounts are occasionally tied to sales events. This price is for the QL7000 projector body only, with four lens options available at extra cost.

Other Q series models include the Epson QL3000 (6,000 lumens, $14,999) and Epson QB1000 (3,300 lumens, $7,999).

Epson QL7000 review: Specs

(Image credit: Future) Epson QL7000 review: design and features

The QL7000 has a stylish case with angled corners, and it's available in black or white (Image credit: Future)

• Compact and stylish for a high-lumen projector
• Multiple lens option, including ultra-short-throw
• Dual HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 120Hz and ALLM support

The Epson QL7000 represents a departure from the massive, industrial look of typical high-lumen projectors. It’s not only smaller and lighter than such models, but it has a stylish, angled case that’s available in black or white. This sets it apart as a projector that can blend in with a living room setting rather than dominate.

The QL7000 is a “body-only” projector that requires a separate lens. Epson sells a range of lenses, which allow for everything from long-throw to ultra-short-throw installation options. For this review, the company sent me a middle-throw option with a 1-1.6 zoom, +56 to -56 vertical shift, and +16 to -16 horizontal shift.

A laser 3LCD light engine in the QL7000 uses separate red, green, and blue imaging chips and employs pixel shifting to display a 4K image. Light output is specified at 10,000 lumens (white and color), around four times as high as typical home theater projectors, and the QL7000 also supports Epson’s contrast-enhancing UltraBlack technology.

The QL7000 uses Epson’s proprietary 32-bit QZX Picture Processor for upscaling, frame interpolation, and dynamic HDR tone mapping. HDR support includes HDR10 and HLG, but not the HDR10+ format supported by some home theater projectors, including the Epson QB1000.

Gaming features on the QL7000 include two 40Gbps HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 120Hz support and Auto Low Latency Mode (ALLM). A 3.5mm audio output is also provided (like other high-end projectors, the QL7000 lacks built-in speakers), along with dual USB-A, Ethernet, and RS-232C ports. There is also support for Crestron, Control4, and other home automation systems.

The QL7000’s setup features include horizontal and vertical lens shift, keystone correction, and point correction. Since I installed the projector on a table for my testing, the setup was simple, with the trickiest part being inserting the lens into the projector’s front. Four adjustable feet are provided for leveling the projector during setup, though most QL7000 installations will use a ceiling mount.

A full-size, fully backlit remote control comes with the QL7000. The buttons are large and well arranged, but the functions seem mainly aimed at installation, with no controls to make quick adjustments to basic picture settings like brightness and contrast.

• Design and features score: 5/5

Epson QL7000 review: picture quality

The QL7000 demonstration I attended at CEDIA Expo 2024. Note how bright the picture looks on the 200-inch screen in bright lighting conditions (Image credit: Future)

• Incredibly bright HDR images
• Impressive HDR tone mapping
• Very low input lag for gaming

First, let’s look at some measurements. With the QL7000 set to Natural mode (the most accurate picture preset) and a 100% laser light output setting, it measured 1,005 nits on a 10% white HDR pattern. It also measured 1,340 nits in Dynamic mode, which is the one I ended up using for most of my picture evaluation after calibrating the grayscale and color points. For the sake of comparison, the DCI (Digital Cinema Initiatives, a theater industry trade group) digital cinema specification calls for 300 nits brightness for projectors to properly display HDR.

Contrast ratio in Dynamic mode with Dynamic Contrast on and the laser light output set to 30% was 68,000:1. With laser light output set to 100%, that number was boosted to 253,600:1, an excellent result that many competing projectors, particularly DLP-based ones, would struggle to match.

The QL7000’s UHDA P3 color space coverage was 83.7% in Natural mode, and BT.2020 coverage was 61.8% in the same mode. Those numbers aren’t nearly as impressive as high-end home theater projectors like the JVC DLA-NZ800, which is capable of full P3 coverage, or certain triple-laser ultra-short-throw models like the Hisense PX3-Pro that can fully cover BT.2020. Even so, colors looked punchy on the QL7000.

Input latency tested with a Bodnar 4K Input Lag meter was 19.6ms with the QL7000’s Image Processing menu option set to Fast. That’s an excellent result for a projector, and combined with the QL7000’s ALLM feature, it sets the QL7000 apart as a great option for big-screen gaming.

The most exceptional aspect of the Epson QL7000’s picture is its stunning brightness. Even when watching in a bright room with light streaming in from windows, the crisp, clear 4K image beamed by the QL7000 had a true window-on-reality quality.

A main benefit to all that brightness is getting to watch sports on a very big screen. When I first saw a demo of the QL7000 at the 2024 CEDIA Expo, Epson had paired it with a 200-inch screen in a well-lit room, and the football games they were showing looked clear and bright. For my setup, I used a much more modest-sized 92-inch matte white, 1.1 gain Stewart Filmscreen Cima screen, with the projector’s lens surface situated at a 10-foot distance.

As luck would have it, both the NBA playoffs and the Stanley Cup playoffs were happening during my time with the QL7000. No shortage of sports to watch! Viewing in the daytime with room lights on, the QL7000’s exceptionally bright picture made a Pacers vs Bucks match look incredibly realistic, with the Pacers players' bright yellow uniforms retaining their rich yellow hue even in my brightly lit room. With a typical home theater projector, the same image would have had washed-out-looking colors, but that was not at all the case with the QL7000.

The same held for a Capitols vs Canadiens match, with the large, bright projected image giving me a rink-side seat. The red hue of the Montreal players’ uniforms popped against the rink’s icy, white surface, and the QL7000’s excellent motion handling made fast-action plays look completely solid.

With the lights in my room dimmed for movie viewing, the projector’s picture benefited from reducing its laser light output to 30%, which provided more balanced contrast. Watching a 4K Blu-ray of Dune, in a scene where Paul Atreides is tested by the Reverend Mother, her veil came across as a solid black, and there was good overall detail in the dark background.

The projector’s somewhat elevated black level – not unexpected in a model designed for high light output – caused some shadow details to be obscured. However, both lowering the gamma setting to -1 in the Advanced menu and setting black level to 0% in the Dynamic Contrast menu helped somewhat in this regard.

Watching a reference scene from the Bond film No Time to Die that I use to test motion handling, a panning shot across a craggy hillside cemetery showed only minimal judder and motion blur. With the QL7000’s Frame Interpolation mode set to Low, those artifacts completely disappeared, and there was only a slight motion smoothing penalty seen in the picture.

As a final test, I watched a few scenes from The Elephant Man on 4K Blu-ray. The QL7000 presented the film’s black-and-white image with excellent uniformity – there was no sign of tinting or variable brightness across various sections of the screen.

• Picture quality score: 4.5/5

Epson QL7000 review: value

The QL7000's fullly backlit remote control makes it easy to adjust settings in a dark room (Image credit: Future)

• Provides a larger picture than biggest-screen TVs
• Picture brightness a match for some TVs
• Unique option for bright-room viewing

At $29,999 (around £22,400 / AU$47,000), the Epson QL7000 crosses over into the money-no-object realm for projectors, making value almost a moot point. Its main benefit is in projecting a 4K image onto screens as large as 300 inches, and with a level of brightness that’s so powerful you can watch during daytime hours with room lights on.

You can now buy super-bright mini-LED TVs in the 100-inch range for substantially less, a reality that would put something of a dent into any consideration of the QL7000’s value. But 100 inches pales in comparison to 300 inches, and yes, people actually exist who want screens that big.

• Value score: 4/5

Should I buy the Epson QL7000?

(Image credit: Future) Buy it if...

You want to watch in a bright room
The QL7000 aces the task of beating daylight and overhead lights, making it a unique option for bright room viewing.

You want a great projector for sports
With a specified 10,000 lumens brightness, you’ll feel like you’re watching sports on a huge-screen TV and not a projector with the QL7000, and its excellent motion handling means fast-action plays look crisp.

You want a great projector for gaming
The QL7000’s dual HDMI 2.1 inputs support 4K 120Hz and ALLM. Input lag is also a low 19.6ms, which is excellent for a projector.

Don’t buy it if… 

You want the best projector for movies
The QL7000’s exceptional brightness makes it ideally suited for sports. Movies look great on it as well, but there are other projector options that do a better job handling 4K movies with high dynamic range.

You don’t want to buy a separate lens
The QL7000 is a “body only” projector that requires a separate lens. The lenses are easy to install, but they add to the cost of an already pricey projector.

You don’t need ultra-large screen support
If you don’t need a projector that can support a 300-inch screen size, there are plenty of other good options available, though they won’t match the QL7000’s brightness.

Also consider...

JVC DLA-NZ800
JVC’s 8K projector is a top choice for home theater enthusiasts and features special processing to get the best from 4K movies with HDR. It’s not nearly as bright as the QL7000, and at around $19,000, it’s far from cheap, but if you want the best projector for dark room viewing, look no further.

Read our full JVC DLA-NZ800 review

Epson QB1000
The QB1000 is the current pick as best projector for sports in our best 4K projectors guide because its 3,300 lumens specified brightness is higher than most models. If you can provide some level of dimming in your viewing space, you’ll save a substantial amount of money by opting for the QB1000 over the QL7000.

Read our full Epson QB1000 review

Sony Bravia Projector 8
The Bravia Projector 8 is another high-end home theater option that costs less than the QL7000 but doesn’t come close to matching its brightness. It uses Sony’s new XR processor for projectors, a tech derived from the company’s TV lineup that makes images look crisp and clean on the big screen.

Read our full Sony Bravia Projector 8 review

A ceiling-mount QL7000 installation (Image credit: Future) How I tested the Epson QL7000

• Tested at home, in a room with controlled lighting
• Measurements were made using Calman color calibration software
• A 1.1 gain Stewart Filmscreen Cima matte white projection screen was used for evaluation and measurements

When I test projectors, my first step is to use them for casual viewing to assess the out-of-box picture presets. The next step is to select the most accurate-looking preset (typically labeled Movie, Cinema, or, in the Epson QL7000's case, Natural) and measure the white balance (grayscale), gamma, and color point accuracy using Portrait Displays’ Calman color calibration software. The resulting measurements provide Delta-E values (the margin of error between the test pattern source and what’s shown on-screen) for each category, and allow for an assessment of the projector’s overall accuracy.

Along with those tests, I make measurements of peak light output (recorded in nits) for both standard high-definition and 4K high dynamic range using a 10% white window pattern. Coverage of DCI-P3 and BT.2020 color space is also measured, with the results providing a sense of how faithfully the projector can render the extended color range in ultra-high-definition sources. The final measurements are contrast ratio, which is the ratio of the brightest white to the darkest black that the projector can display, and input lag, which is measured using a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI input lag tester.

First reviewed: May, 2025

• Read TechRadar's review guarantee

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(Image credit: Shuji Kajiyama/AP)

• References to Galaxy S25 FE firmware have appeared
• The phone could launch in September or October
• It may well come with an Exynos processor inside

As our Samsung Galaxy S24 FE review will tell you, these 'Fan Edition' takes on the flagship models often hit the sweet spot when it comes to price and performance – and it seems we're getting a Galaxy S25 FE model in the not-too-distant future.

The team over at SamMobile has discovered evidence that work has begun on the firmware for the Galaxy S25 FE, the lowest level of software that operates underneath Android (known as One UI on Samsung handsets of course).

Now this doesn't really tell us anything about the phone itself: just that Samsung remains committed to the FE series and should be unveiling the Galaxy S25 version sooner rather than later. The US unlocked variant has the model number SM-S731U and uses firmware version S731USQU0AYDH, according to the digging done by SamMobile.

The thinking is that the phone will run One UI 8 (based on Android 16) out of the box. While One UI 7 is only just making its way out to the majority of Samsung handsets, we've already seen indications that One UI 8 is in testing.

So when will we see it?

The Galaxy S25 launched in January (Image credit: Future)

It's not easy to predict a potential launch date for the Galaxy S25 FE. We know that last year's model launched in September, and that the Samsung Galaxy S23 FE was unveiled in October 2023, so there are some clues there.

Most likely, this upcoming phone will also show up in September or October, but first we're going to have the launches of the Galaxy Z Fold 7 and Galaxy Z Flip 7, which are expected to be happening sometime during July.

We haven't heard many rumors around the Samsung Galaxy S25 FE to this point, but there has been talk that it will come with one of Samsung's own Exynos processors. All the other handsets in the Galaxy S25 series use Qualcomm Snapdragon silicon, but we're still waiting for full details on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge.

Speaking of the Galaxy S25 Edge, that should be the next handset that's launched by Samsung. Most tipsters are predicting that we're going to see the phone unveiled in full on Tuesday, May 13, after we first got a glimpse of it in January.

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• Over 700 Epson projectors transform walls into moving, responsive works of living digital art
• teamLab Phenomena redefines immersive art by blending environmental feedback with human interaction
• Wet and Dry zones let visitors shape, touch, and move through responsive visual landscapes

The largest digital art experience in the world has been unveiled in Abu Dhabi, showcasing a fusion of interactive storytelling, cutting-edge projection, and immersive design.

Over 700 Epson projectors were integrated into the expansive 17,000-square-metre teamLab Phenomena exhibition to create a visual landscape that turns art into a dynamic environment reacting to its surroundings.

The launch event matched the exhibition’s scale, featuring 6,000 synchronized drones lighting up the sky in what is believed to be the region’s largest aerial display, accompanied by a special musical composition from Italian pianist and composer Ludovico Einaudi.

Technology meets environment in living art

The exhibition features two sections: the Wet Zone and the Dry Zone. Through fluid-like digital environments that react to touch and motion, visitors can have up-close, personal experiences with changing landscapes in the Wet Zone.

Conversely, the Dry Zone encourages movement through interactive areas where artwork changes in real time in response to each visitor's presence.

The artworks are not simple static objects but phenomena shaped by the environment itself. This dynamic quality is what makes teamLab’s work unique and places immense demands on the visual hardware powering it.

“Even if people immerse themselves physically into the artwork, the artwork will remain intact, capable of naturally restoring itself even if disrupted,” said teamLab founder, Toshiyuki Inoko.

To meet the technical demands of this exhibition, Epson supplied an array of high-brightness projectors, showcasing not just creative brilliance but also what the best business projectors and best portable projector solutions can achieve when integrated with immersive design.

This effort is not a standalone attraction. It forms part of a larger vision for the Saadiyat Cultural District, which is set to include institutions like the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the future Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, and the Zayed National Museum.

“teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi is a groundbreaking cultural landmark that redefines immersive art experiences on a global scale,” said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak, chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi.

The visual fidelity and real-time responsiveness of teamLab Phenomena could not be realized without advanced projection and display systems. In a digital art space this large and complex, having powerful computer systems is essential for backstage coordination and real-time content control.

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House of Marley Roots Solar: Two-minute review

Competition is fierce among portable, beach-ready speakers. The best Bluetooth speakers offer all-day battery life, enjoyable audio and pool-proof durability, without draining your bank account. It’s in this crowded market that the House of Marley Roots Solar tries to stand out, as a beach-ready speaker with neat features and a unique sustainable design.

Physically, it achieves that goal. Fronted by a facade of renewable bamboo, the Roots Solar looks and feels distinctive. The fabric grille is nicely tactile, while the rubberized body – made from recycled plastics – is robust. There’s a reassuring weight to the whole package, which gives the impression that it’s solid enough to survive several summers.

Clever touches suggest that House of Marley’s design team has put a lot of thought into this speaker. The buttons are simple, well-sized and accessible. Little feet underneath cushion against vibrations. The carry strap is a handy addition. And then there’s the built-in bottle opener on the back: a party trick that bolsters its cookout credentials.

Unfortunately, other features are less impressive. At 14 hours, battery life does stack up well against rival speakers, lasting a full day on one charge. But the solar panel from which the Roots Solar gets its name is ineffective. House of Marley claims that it’s good for up to five hours of extra playing time. In my experience, even after several hours in direct sunlight, it did little or nothing to recharge the speaker. The strip is essentially decorative.

That’s a shame, because the promise of solar-powered listens is a key selling point, and one that ties in with House of Marley’s sustainable ethos. I had to charge the Roots Solar via USB-C like any other speaker, which somehow felt more galling than if the solar panel wasn’t there in the first place. Worse still, it means eco claims can’t save the Roots Solar from its biggest failing: sub-par audio.

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Given the weight of its build and the bass radiator on the rear, you’d expect the Roots Solar to give a bold performance – especially as it’s marketed for outdoor use. Yet, in practice, the sound lacks richness, depth and dynamism. It doesn’t come close to the low-end punch of something like the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4, with a sonic signature that feels thin in comparison.

It can’t boast particularly good balance or clarity, either. The mids are easily muddied on layered tracks and I encountered some significant distortion when listening at higher volumes. Only when playing indoors at a medium level can the Roots Solar come close to a making a good account of itself, and only then with songs that aren’t too complex.

I really wanted the Roots Solar to be a good speaker. I like its design and I salute House of Marley for trying to do things differently, making audio kit that’s environmentally conscious. I’m all for nifty features like bottle openers and I’d love a speaker that can boost itself from the sun.

But with solar charging out of the equation, the House of Marley Roots Solar lets itself down where it matters. You can get a sturdy speaker with similar features and significantly better audio quality for the same money or less. And use the change to buy yourself a bottle opener.

House of Marley Roots Solar review: Price and release date

• Released in September 2024
• Official price: $99.99 / £79.99 / AU$149.95

House of Marley added the Roots Solar to its speaker line-up in September 2024. At launch, it was priced at $119.99 / £99.99 / AU$149.95. That put it at a slight premium compared to other portable Bluetooth speakers with similar specs.

Since then, its official price has been reduced in both the US and the UK, to $99.99 and £79.99 respectively. With that discount, the Roots Solar sits more competitively alongside some of the best Bluetooth speakers, including the splendid JBL Flip 7. OK, the JBL speaker is admittedly a little pricier, but worth it. As you’ll read below, the numbers only tell part of the story.

House of Marley Roots Solar review: Specs House of Marley Roots Solar review: Design

• Made with bamboo and recycled materials
• IP67 water-resistant
• Built-in bottle opener

Sustainability has always been at the heart of House of Marley’s ethos. That comes through in spades with the Roots Solar. Available in black and cream color schemes, both versions feature a facade hewn from renewable bamboo. This wood grain veneer gives the speaker a uniquely natural look and feel among portable Bluetooth speakers.

The whole package is both consciously constructed and satisfyingly tactile. Up front, there’s a fabric grille that’s woven from recycled materials. The body itself is made from House of Marley's own REGRIND silicone, a composite that's a solid step up from virgin plastic. This material's speckled finish feels smooth yet suitably robust, standing out from the cheaper plastics used in some budget speakers.

There are flourishes around the entire speaker which illustrate the thought that’s gone into its design. There’s the solar panel neatly integrated into the top of the unit and the fabric carry strap attached to one end by knurled metal screws. Rubber feet beneath help to insulate the standing surface against vibrations, while a light ring around the grille subtly illuminates when the speaker is powered on or charging.

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Three buttons live on the left side of the rubberized body, controlling power, volume and brightness. It might seem like a minor detail, but these are perfectly weighted with a responsive click. At the back, you’ll find a port cover neatly shielding the aux-in and USB-C ports, along with a bass radiator that’s seamlessly fused in place.

Then there’s the Roots Solar’s party trick: a built-in bottle opener. This consists of a sculpted indent and a metal bar. It certainly does the job of popping tops, although I can’t say how well it would hold up with repeated use. The novelty of opening bottles with a Bluetooth speaker is probably also one that would wear off after a few goes, but it doesn’t hurt to have it as a backup.

It’s all quite smart and tidy. It’s weighty too, in a good way. There’s a reassuring heft to the Roots Solar, which suggests that it’s robust enough to survive a run of seasons by the sea. That’s backed up by an IP67 water-resistance rating. In terms of its physical build, no corners have been cut in the design or assembly departments.

• Design score: 4.5/5

House of Marley Roots Solar review: Features

• Battery rated for 14 hours of playback
• Built-in solar panel for ‘gradual top-ups’
• Stereo and Party Mode pairing

On paper, the Roots Solar has a killer feature compared to its rivals: solar charging. House of Marley claims the built-in solar strip can deliver ‘gradual top-ups’ for up to 5 hours of extra listening time. That’s in addition to a solid 14 hours of battery life when recharged using USB-C.

The reality is different. The standard battery life certainly holds up, easily lasting a full day on a single charge. At 14 hours, that gives the Roots Solar the longevity go toe-to-toe with the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 and go just shy of the Flip 7's 16-hour stamina – and those are two of our favorite Bluetooth speakers.

What it can’t do is eke things out any further. In testing, even when left in bright, direct sunlight for several hours, the House of Marley Roots Solar showed zero or minimal gains from the solar panel. The LED light, which pulses when the speaker is charging, only glowed when connected to mains power. It never once illuminated from exposure to sunlight.

As a result, I didn’t experience any of the top-ups promised by House of Marley. I had visions of the Roots Solar as a speaker that I could leave by the window for passive charging to boost its battery on brighter days. Or at least as one which would last longer away from the wall on beach and camping trips, which is how it’s been marketed.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands / Future)

Instead, I had to charge the Roots Solar using the USB-C cable just like any other Bluetooth speaker. Somehow, the presence of a non-functioning solar panel is somehow more frustrating than if it wasn’t there at all. It doesn’t add to the user experience or substantively enhance the speaker’s eco-friendly chops. The strip is basically redundant.

Without it, the Roots Solar has to rely on other features to compete with other Bluetooth speakers. In that arena, it does offer stereo and party pairing, allowing you to link up with one or more matching speakers for synchronized playback. It also benefits from an aux-in port, something of a rarity in 2025.

I will mention one other small but irksome trait: the Roots Solar is very quick to power off if nothing is playing. Pause your playlist for any reason and you’ll routinely find that, when you come back to the speaker, you’ll need to power it on again to continue listening.

• Features score: 3.5/5

House of Marley Roots Solar review: Sound quality

• Lacks low-end punch, especially outdoors
• Mids sound muddy on layered tracks
• Distortion at higher volumes

Given its solid construction and the presence of a bass radiator on the back, you’d be forgiven for expecting the Roots Solar to give a bold performance. While the radiator does its best, though, the speaker simply lacks oomph. Even indoors, playback feels thin and bland. Take it outdoors, as its waterproofing suggests you should, and this lack of low-end energy really becomes apparent.

Not every speaker needs to be bass-heavy, of course. But the Roots Solar can’t boast balance or clarity as a saving grace, either. The mids feel crowded even on stripped-back acoustic tracks. Challenge the Roots Solar with a busy composition and things quickly get muddy, with little room for the layers to breath.

Crank up the volume and the audio goes from mediocre to unpleasant. Treble distortion quickly becomes apparent, while the bass radiator’s fruitless attempts to give some weight to the lower frequencies only end up clouding the mid-range even more.

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If it sounds like I’m describing a complete cacophony, perhaps I’m being unfair. Playing at a medium volume in a small room, the Roots Solar does a passable job. To the untrained ear, it’s fine for streaming digital radio in the kitchen or bathroom. But the inescapable truth is that you can get a much better listen from other speakers for the same price or less.

This isn’t a speaker that I’d choose to soundtrack a beach party. No portable Bluetooth number is going to satisfy an audiophile, especially not outdoors. But both the Wonderboom 4 and the Flip 7 offer better balance, depth and dynamism for the money. The Roots Solar simply can’t compete.

• Sound quality: 3/5

House of Marley Roots Solar review: Value

On paper, the House of Marley Roots Solar has a unique value proposition. It promises a sustainable construction and a robust, premium build, with the benefit of solar charging to keep summer singalongs going for longer. The built-in bottle opener is just the sweetener.

Because it fails to deliver on several of those promises, the Roots Solar is a hard speaker to recommend. Its eco-friendly approach is one to be applauded, and there’s an argument for supporting House of Marley’s efforts to use renewable materials. But those alone can’t justify the price tag.

When you consider the ineffective solar panel and the sub-par audio quality, the Roots Solar feels like an underwhelming speaker in premium packaging. Perhaps that’s why House of Marley has reduced the price of the Roots Solar in the UK and the US, in quiet recognition of its limitations.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

Even at its new, reduced price, the Roots Solar sits in direct competition with the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 and the JBL Flip 7. Those speakers both offer punchier, richer sound output for the roughly the same money, as well as IP67 water resistance and day-long battery life.

If you’re committed to buying greener gear, the House of Marley Roots Solar is still a contender. But sound is also important and if it's decent audio indoors and out you seek, there’s better value to be found elsewhere.

• Value score: 3.5/5

Should I buy the House of Marley Roots Solar? Buy it if…

You appreciate a sustainable approach
House of Marley kit is environmentally conscious. The Roots Solar uses renewable bamboo and recycled plastics in its construction. Solar charging adds to its eco credentials, even if it’s slow.

You want a speaker to take to the beach
With a robust build and IP67 waterproofing, the Roots Solar is made to withstand life outdoors. Its built-in bottle opener is useful and the battery can last all day.

You want a distinctive Bluetooth speaker
This is a well-designed speaker. Its bamboo facade is unique, while the speckled body, fabric grille and carry strap are all nice touches. It feels built to last, too.

Don’t buy it if…

You want the best possible audio quality
It doesn’t take keen ears to detect the limitations of the Roots Solar. It lacks the dynamism and punch of similarly priced speakers, with muddy mids and distortion at higher volumes.

You want a speaker you don’t have to charge
Solar charging is a neat addition in theory, but top-ups are pretty ineffective. Even with lengthy exposure to sunlight, you’ll still need to charge it regularly via USB-C.

You want a powerful outdoor speaker
The Roots Solar is fine for background sound, but it lacks the punch to start an alfresco party. The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is a better bet for beach beats.

House of Marley Roots Solar review: also consider

Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4
A small, punchy speaker with a similar price to the Roots Solar, the Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is our favorite Bluetooth speaker for picnics. It’s simple, portable and durable, yet capable of impressive sound quality. Like the Roots Solar, it offers a 14-hour battery life. There’s no solar charging, but the output is punchier, with more low-end oomph.
Read our in-depth Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 review

JBL Flip 7
The JBL Flip 7 is our favorite Bluetooth speaker overall. There's no easy way to say this, so I'll blurt it out: it’s just better than the House of Marley speaker. Auracast compatibility also means that as well as forming a stereo pair with a second Flip 7 (albeit not with any of of the previous Flips), you can hook up as many Auracast-enabled products as you like into a single entity for simultaneous playback.
Read our in-depth JBL Flip 7 review

How I tested the House of Marley Roots Solar

• Used it as my main Bluetooth speaker for a month
• Tested it in a number of rooms, as well as outdoors
• Played a variety of genres via Spotify and BBC Sounds

To put the House of Marley Roots Solar through its paces, I used it as my primary Bluetooth speaker for several weeks. I listened to it in a number of rooms around the house, to see how well it performed in spaces of different sizes. I also tested it at different volumes, to see how the dynamics held up at a range of output levels. When the neighbours were out, I cranked it right up.

I also tested it with a range of genres: podcasts while I painted the bathroom; pop hits on BBC sounds while cooking dinner; and the old faithful on a Friday night – Spotify’s Dinner with Friends playlist.

Because the House of Marley Roots Solar is pitched as a beach-ready speaker, I also made sure to test it outdoors. Besides using its built-in bottle opener for its intended purpose, I also tossed the speaker around in my backpack to give its rugged credentials a gentle test.

To see how effectively the solar panel could boost battery life, I used the Roots Solar in both sunny and overcast conditions. And to assess how well its sound carried alfresco, I used it to soundtrack several outdoor afternoons.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed: May 2025

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The TCL A1 projector does things a little differently. Not better, exactly, but different.

Canon EOS R100: two-minute review

The Canon EOS R100 looks like a pretty dated camera in every sense, and it'll feel alien if you've only used a smartphone camera before. However, don't judge a book by its cover – it actually makes perfect sense for people looking for a cheap camera, especially for the family, and in particular for any budding photographers in the family.

This is the cheapest mirrorless camera that you can buy new, and it's one that utilizes the same 24MP APS-C sensor and reliable dual-pixel autofocus as Canon's pricier models, the EOS R50 and EOS R10.

Naturally there are compromises. The build quality is basic, especially the fixed rear screen, which isn't even touch sensitive, and the video specs are dated too.

However, after using the EOS R100 for many months my family has found it to be an excellent little snapper, and a perfect fit for small hands. Furthermore, I actually think the EOS R100's limitations are its strength, especially for first-time photographers.

With its old-school DSLR-style design, a viewfinder, and a rear screen lacking touch functionality the EOS R100 isn't trying to compete with a smartphone, and this has led my kids to explore what each external control does, and consequently pick up some photography basics.

The Nikon Z5 II with the Nikkor 24-50mm f/4-6.3 kit lens (Image credit: Future)

There's been further good news since the EOS R100 launched, too. Canon opened its RF-mount to third parties for manufacturing APS-C lenses, and Sigma has already seized this opportunity, launching RF versions of many of its excellent DC DN Contemporary lenses that enhance the EOS R100's photography chops, where previously lens choice for Canon's mirrorless cameras was severely limited.

I've particularly enjoyed using a quartet of Sigma f/1.4 prime lenses, which are all compact, lightweight, high quality, and an excellent physical match with the EOS R100 – I'd highly recommend the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary as a second lens after Canon's 18-45mm kit lens, which is pretty basic.

There's a part of me that still can't warm to the EOS R100; but I'm an experienced photographer, and it's not designed for me. It's my family that have really taken to it and actually used it – which is more than I can say for some of the dedicated cheap kids camera we've tested, and pricier alternatives that are complicated to use.

I felt like I can trust my kids with the EOS R100, and they've taken some excellent photos with it, taking the experience to another level by (easily) printing some of their favorite shots using a low-cost Canon Selphy printer. It's this sort of positive engagement with creative tech that I've always hoped my kids would have.

Canon EOS R100: price and release date

• The Canon EOS R100 and 18-45mm kit lens launched for $599 / £669 / AU$1,099
• That bundle now sells for as little as $350 / £410 / AU$800
• It's available body-only too, and in a twin lens kit with the 18-45mm and 55-210mm lenses

I often have friends asking me to recommend a first camera for their young kids / tweens, with a budget around $500 / £500, and naturally they'd rather buy new. That leaves few other options besides the EOS R100.

And that's exactly the point of this beginner mirrorless camera. The design is stripped back, it has basic build quality and some of Canon's earliest mirrorless tech, and it's mass produced, readily available, and sold on the cheap. If general photography is your intended use and you don't need flagship power, the EOS R100 still holds up well today.

The camera was launched in May 2023, and with the 18-45mm kit lens it cost $599 / £669 / AU$1,099. However, since then I've seen some incredibly good deals, especially in the US during Black Friday 2024 and other seasonal sales, during which time the camera and lens price fell to as low as $350 / £410 / AU$800. It costs even less body-only – it's quite simply the cheapest mirrorless camera you can buy new.

• Price score: 5/5

Canon EOS R100: specs Canon EOS R100: design and handling

• Canon's smallest mirrorless camera, and an ideal fit for smaller hands
• It features a viewfinder and a fixed rear screen that's not touch sensitive
• Images are recorded onto a single SD card

The EOS R100 feels like a shrunken-down version of Canon's DSLRs of old, only with mirrorless tech under the hood.

It's comfortable to hold thanks to a pronounced grip, and its diminutive proportions are a perfect fit for little hands – my kids, aged between five and 12, could all hold the camera comfortably and easily take photos with it.

A dinky viewfinder provides a clear view of your scene for when it's otherwise tricky using the rear screen, such as in bright daylight.

Personally, I'd rather the rear screen at least tilted for easy viewing from awkward angles – the slightly pricier EOS R50 features a vari-angle touchscreen – although the fixed screen was less of a limitation for my kids, whose knees are rather less creaky than mine.

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At first my kids were thrown that the rear screen didn't respond to touch – they've grown up with tech and are familiar with smartphones, and the camera's screen felt alien to them.

Eventually, however, the lack of touch functionality caused them to turn their attention to the EOS R100's physical controls, and I felt like this encouraged them to they explore the camera more, figuring out what each control and button did.

I initially called the camera 'out of touch' with beginners, precisely because of its old-school design and non-touch screen, but after extended use I've changed my mind – this is in fact an ideal camera with which to learn photography basics.

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The body is built from a sturdy plastic. It's not weather-sealed, but as it's cheap and feels solid I felt comfortable letting my kids get on with using it without intervening too much, although I was also conscious of its potential vulnerability in inclement weather and dusty outdoor areas.

As I'm an experienced photographer, the EOS R100 isn't enough for me – there would be far too many occasions when I'd miss having a certain control or a feature at my fingertips. However, for beginners the EOS R100 makes a lot sense.

• Design score: 3.5/5

Canon EOS R100: features and performance

• Canon's original dual-pixel autofocus is snappy for general photography
• Burst speeds are a fairly average 6.5fps for continuous shooting
• Video specs are basic – this is primarily a camera for stills

As you can imagine, Canon's cheapest mirrorless camera is fairly stripped back when it comes to features, and limited when it comes to outright speed.

It does, though, feature Canon's dual-pixel CMOS autofocus with face detection and human subject-tracking autofocus, which I found to be really sticky and reliable for portraiture.

Should you wish to employ a different autofocus mode, such as spot AF, the convoluted process involves diving into a menu, while there's no joystick for speedily selecting focus points manually.

Canon's latest autofocus system in the pro EOS R5 Mark II is another level, with a range of subject-detection modes for animals and vehicles, sports priority, the option to store specific people to prioritize, plus Eye Control AF – the two cameras are worlds apart. However, for general photography, the EOS R100's autofocus is very good.

The EOS R100 has rudimentary burst shooting speeds of up to 6.5fps, with sequence lengths up to 97 JPEGs or just six raws – an action photography camera this is not.

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Video recording options include 4K up to 30fps, plus Full HD up to 60fps; that's the minimum I'd expect for a video-capable camera launched in 2023. Dig deeper into the specs and you'll find that video recording is in 8-bit color, which is much less color-rich than 10-bit.

The camera has a hotshoe for attaching accessories such as a flash gun. It's the more basic 5-pin type, meaning not all of Canon's flash guns are supported by the EOS R100, so if you're looking to purchase such an accessory check that it's compatible with the camera first.

• Features and performance score: 3.5/5

Canon EOS R100: image and video quality

• Same trusted 24MP APS-C sensor as pricier Canon cameras
• 4K video recording up to 30fps, 8-bit color
• No C-Log color profile or 'recipes'

There's not too much more to say about the EOS R100's image and video quality that hasn't already been covered in our EOS R10 review – it has the same potential for natural-looking photos with Canon's lovely color profiles.

This also means the EOS R100 can grab detail-rich photos of similar quality to the likes of the Sony A6100, Nikon Z50 II and Fujifilm X-T30 II, all of which utilize a sensor with a resolution around the 24MP mark, which is impressive considering that the EOS R100 is a much cheaper camera.

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All of the photos above were taken with either Canon's RF-S 18-45mm or RF-S 55-210mm.

Canon's RF-S 18-45mm kit lens doesn't quite match the quality of Nikon's 16-50mm kit lens, while the RF-S 55-210mm lens, which is available in a twin-lens kit with the EOS R100, is decent without overly impressing; detail is a little soft in the images of ducks, above, while bokeh in the cat portrait has an onion-ring effect.

To truly elevate image quality, I would recommend buying another lens. The photos included in the first gallery directly below are made with some of Sigma's DC DN Contemporary f/1.4 primes – the 16mm , 23mm and 30mm. In the second gallery below, all the photos are made with Sigma's 56mm lens, which is ideal for portraits.

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Video quality is rudimentary. Yes, the EOS R100 can shoot 4K, but only up to 30fps and with 8-bit color depth, which isn't as rich as 10-bit, which cameras like Fujifilm's X-M5 offer.

Flat color profiles for video, which would give color graders more to work with when editing, are missing too, as are custom profiles that can be uploaded to the camera, something that's available with the Nikon Z50 II via Nikon's Imaging Cloud

None of this is surprising given the EOS R100's price point and target user, though, and we're left with Canon's familiar range of color profiles which, thankfully, are better than most.

• Image and video quality score: 3.5/5

Canon EOS R100: testing scorecard Should I buy the Canon EOS R100? Buy it if...

You're looking for a first 'proper' camera
With its small form factor, comfy grip, decent photo quality and changeable lenses, the EOS R100 is an excellent camera for budding photographers.

You want a cheap camera
The EOS R100 is not only Canon's cheapest mirrorless camera, it's the cheapest mirrorless camera from any brand – and there are usually superb deals during seasonal sales that further lower the price.

Don't buy it if...

You want versatile handling
The EOS R100's basic build quality and fixed rear screen with no touch functionality do limit where and how you can shoot.

You shoot photo and video
The EOS R100 has decent photography credentials, but its video specs are limited by today's standards.

Canon EOS R100: also consider Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV

The Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV is arguably the best-value beginner mirrorless camera available, with its retro-styling, a capable 20MP sensor and superb image stabilization. As it's a Micro Four Thirds camera an enviable selection of lenses are available, and despite being launched in 2020 its tech is of a similar era to the EOS R100's.

Read our in-depth Olympus OM-D E-M10 Mark IV review

Fujifilm X-M5

For an additional outlay, the Fujifilm X-M5 is a superb alternative for beginners who want to shoot video and much as photos. The X-M5 is tiny, is supported by a superb selection of lenses, and comes with a 26MP sensor that delivers 6K video. However, like most other beginner mirrorless cameras, it's about twice the price of the EOS R100.

Read our in-depth Fujifilm X-M5 review

How I tested the Canon EOS R100

(Image credit: Future)

• I picked up the EOS R100 more than six months before writing this review
• During that time both I and my children have used it regularly
• I've paired the camera with many lenses, primarily the RF-S 18-45mm kit lens, but also third-party ones

This review is a reflection of long-term testing over many months. And it's not just my thoughts and testing of the camera that have informed my thoughts, as my kids have taken a keen interest in the camera too.

Initially, I used the camera with just the RF-S 18-45mm kit lens, but we've also tried out Canon's RF-S 55-210mm telephoto zoom, plus four Sigma Contemporary lenses – 16mm, 23mm, 30mm and 56mm f/1.4 primes.

We've primarily used the camera for taking photos rather than video, shooting landscapes, portraits, wildlife, pets, closeups and more.

First reviewed April 2025

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