Reviews

Revamp Tri-Care Infrared: two-minute review

The Revamp Enigma Tri-Care Infrared Ionic Hair Dryer is a mid-range dryer with an ambitious spec sheet. Alongside three speed and heat settings and a cold shot, it uses constant infrared heat to dry hair from within as well as switchable red (625nm) and blue (440nm) LED modes, designed to stimulate scalp circulation and support hair growth over time. Three magnetic attachments, a curl diffuser, wide concentrator and slim concentrator, are then included in the price.

On high speed and high heat, my medium-length, fine hair went from wet to dry in around four minutes with a surprisingly sleek finish — smooth enough that I stopped having to reach for my straighteners. The lower heat settings feel genuinely gentler too, with the infrared seemingly doing a lot of the work rather than compensating with more surface heat. Hair felt noticeably softer across my testing period.

The light therapy modes are easy to switch between: one button on top of the barrel cycles between off, red and blue, but as with any light therapy device, the real benefits take months of use to show up. It's also worth noting that fitting any of the attachments blocks this light, so getting the full benefit means spending most of your routine nozzle-free.

Where the Tri-Care falls down, though, is in the handling. The weight sits in the barrel rather than the handle and this makes it tiring to hold even in short styling sessions. The heat and speed buttons sit exactly where your fingers naturally rest, which means they're always in reach, but also means you accidentally change settings mid-style.

At £199.99 (about $270 / AU$380), the Tri-Care sits at the upper end of the mid-range of the best hair dryers, but it fills a gap that nothing else currently occupies. If you want a dryer that takes hair health seriously without spending in excess of £300, the Tri-Care makes a strong case, ergonomic frustrations and all.

Revamp Tri-Care Infrared: price & availability

• List price: £199.99 / €149.99
• Availability: UK / EU

Revamp's Tri-Care dryer, or to give it its full, long-winded name, the Revamp Professional Enigma Tri-Care Infrared Ionic Hair Dryer, costs £199.99 in the UK and €149.99 in Europe and is sold at Revamp, Amazon and Boots.

For this price you get the dryer plus three magnetic attachments: a curl diffuser, wide concentrator and slim concentrator.

At £199.99 the Tri-Care sits at the upper end of the mid-range. The mdlondon BLOW is on par, price wise, but it ships with two attachments and lacks the infrared, red and blue light therapy found on the Revamp model. The most direct infrared comparison in the UK is the Nicky Clarke Infrared Pro at £129.99. It uses far-infrared technology to dry hair from within but, again, lacks the red and blue light options and ships with only one nozzle.

To come closer to the range of features and attachments of the Revamp Tri-Care, you're looking at paying £399.99 for premium dryers like the Dreame Miracle Pro. In Dreame's favor, you do get an essence mister to soften you hair, extra attachment and storage case but you're paying twice the price for those privileges.

The included diffuser and nozzles give the Revamp Tri-Care flexibility for both curls and smooth finishes (Image credit: Future)

At the time of writing, the Revamp Tri-Care isn't available in the US so the closest rival if you're in the States, in terms of features and attachments, is the L'Oreal AirLight Pro. At $475 it uses infrared rather than red light therapy, with the focus on faster drying rather than scalp health, but it comes with an app for precise heat and airflow controls. A novel and welcomed extra.

This means, at £199.99, the Tri-Care sits in a gap in the market that nothing else currently fills and while £200 isn't an insignificant amount of money, you are getting great value for your money.

• Value score: 4.5 / 5

Revamp Tri-Care Infrared: specs

Model:

Revamp Enigma Tri-Care Infrared Ionic Hair Dryer

Wattage:

1,600W

Weight (without cord, approx):

1lb / 460g

Size (H x W x L, approx):

11.5 x 5.5 x 4.1 in / 29.2 x 14 x 10.5 cm

Airflow settings:

3

Temperature settings:

3 + Cold shot

Extra modes:

Infrared (constant), red LED, blue LED

Noise level

72dB average

Attachments:

Curl diffuser, wide concentrator, slim concentrator

Cord length:

9.8ft / 3m

Revamp Tri-Care Infrared review: design

• Matte black finish with wide circular barrel
• Two sliders on the handle for heat and speed
• Button on top switches between red and blue LED modes
• Three magnetic attachments: diffuser, wide concentrator and slim concentrator

The barrel and easy-to-reach, albeit overly sensitive controls (pictured) make the Revamp Tri-Care simple to use. There are three heat settings and three speed settings (Image credit: Future)

The Revamp Tri-Care looks like a cut-price Dyson Supersonic and for the most part, that's exactly what it is.

Its barrel-over-handle shape has a black matte finish with silver accents around the front of the barrel, and on the filter that sits at the base of the handle. In a sea of increasingly funky colorways from rivals — Dyson, I'm looking at you with your Apricot Topaz and Jasper Plum models — there's something classy about this muted design. Even if, from a distance at least, the dryer errs on the side of looking cheap.

Once you hold the Tri-Care, its weight and soft plastic give it much more premium feel. As do the heat, speed and Cold shot buttons that sit flush with the handle. There's an extra button on the top of the barrel, used to switch between red and blue LED modes, and the On/Off slider sits on the rear of the handle.

Looking at the Tri-Care face-on and you can then see the central infrared beam sitting in the middle, a ring of alternating red and blue LEDs around it, and the four ionic emitters at the outer edge.

At 1lb / 460g, Revamp's dryer is noticeably heavier than most rivals — the Dreame Miracle Pro, by comparison, is 0.9lbs / 420g – and it's not well balanced. A lot of the weight sits in the barrel, which makes sense when you consider how much tech has been crammed in, but it also makes it uncomfortable to use for long periods. In fact, this heft is noticeable during short styling sessions too and while, size-wise, it's not unwieldy, you will feel the difference in your arms and wrists.

Looking at the Tri-Care face-on (pictured) and you can then see a ring of alternating red and blue LEDs around it, and the four ionic emitters at the outer edge (Image credit: Future)

The three attachments are all magnetic and swap over in seconds. Just align the pin and they click into place.

The slim concentrator is for working through sections precisely, the wide one for faster general drying and the diffuser for curls and volume.

Sadly, it's missing the attachment recognition feature (which knows which nozzle is attached and remembers your previous heat and speed settings) but this is a small complaint. Selecting settings manually each time is hardly a major inconvenience.

A much bigger inconvenience, though, is how easy it is to accidentally switch between settings. The buttons sit exactly where your fingers naturally rest and while this means they're in reach should you want to change them mid-style, they're too sensitive.

The Revamp Tri-Care hair dryer has clearly positioned controls on the handle, including an on/off switch on the rear (pictured) (Image credit: Future)

There wasn't a single styling session throughout my whole Revamp Tri-Care review period where I didn't accidentally change the speed or heat. Similarly, because of the relatively short handle, I wasn't able to shift my hand's position without blocking the filter or without the poorly balanced weight aching my wrists further.

Beyond these largely standard dryer design features, the standout addition for me is the use of infrared and LED modes:

• Infrared
• Red light (625nm)
• Blue light (440nm)

The infrared light runs constantly and is invisible. Its job is to dry the hair from within, rather than just blasting heat at the surface. This results in less exposure to heat and, eventually and with consistent use, healthier hair and scalp.

The red LEDs sit at 625nm and work on the scalp rather than the hair itself. Red light causes blood vessels to widen, which increases blood flow and the delivery of nutrients in this blood to the hair follicle. There's decent clinical evidence behind this. Stanford Medicine, among others, published a report that showed consistent use (over months) can help your hair grow longer and stronger.

The blue LEDs, at 440nm, are less well known about but still validated. A University of Bradford study found that blue light at 453nm can prolong the anagen phase – the active growth stage of the hair cycle — and there's also evidence it reduces scalp inflammation, which is a more common driver of hair loss than many people realize. It should also be noted that one report said the effects are stronger on Asian and caucasian hair and less effective on African hair. Other research suggests the two wavelengths work better together than either does alone.

Fitted with the diffuser (pictured), the Revamp Tri-Care is more unwieldy to use but it defines curls well (Image credit: Future)

Both the blue and red light are visible in use, without being distracting, but as is also the case with the Dreame Miracle Pro, as soon as you use an attachment, large portions of this light are blocked.

If the light therapy is the main reason you're buying this, you'll want to spend part of your routine without a nozzle attached.

• Design score: 3 out of 5

Revamp Tri-Care Infrared review: performance

• Dries hair quickly with a smooth, frizz-free finish
• Quieter than most dryers at this price
• Light therapy modes easy to switch between but benefits hard to assess short-term

For all my complaints about the Revamp Tri-Care's design, its a fast and incredibly capable dryer.

The three speed settings and three heat settings give you enough combinations to work with most hair types. High speed and high heat are great for a fast rough dry; medium heat and speed is good for everyday styling; and low heat is ideal for fine or damaged hair. The cold shot is then quick and does a good job of setting a style in place.

On high speed and high heat, my medium-length hair went from wet to dry in around four minutes with a surprisingly smooth finish. So much so, I've stopped reaching for my straighteners after use to knock out the last evidence of frizz.

The concentrator nozzle (pictured) helps the Revamp Tri-Care focus the airflow more precisely for sleek, polished results (Image credit: Future)

On the mid and lower heat settings, drying took longer but felt noticeably gentler, which is where the infrared technology likely earns its place – you're not compensating for the slower dry with more heat, the infrared is seemingly doing a lot of the work from within. My hair was noticeably softer across the board too.

Switching between the red and blue LED modes takes one button press on top of the barrel and is simple enough. As with any light therapy device, it's hard to quantify the true impact because they require consistent use over months to make a difference, and even then the difference is unlikely to be so stark that it's fully noticeable.

The magnetic attachments click on and off quickly and stay secure in use. The curl diffuser works well for enhancing natural curls without disrupting it too much, and the slim concentrator gives enough precision for working through sections. That said, while the attachments don't add a lot of extra weight, they do change how and where you hold the dryer in relation to your head. This highlights the poor balance and bulk of the dryer even more.

Elsewhere, the filter twists off the base of the handle for cleaning, which is easy enough to do weekly.

Noise-wise, the Tri-Care is on the quieter side for a 1600W dryer at this price, with an average of 72 dB. The Dyson Supersonic Nural at the same wattage measures around 79 dB (and has a more shrill, annoying motor noise).

In my tests, the average readings for each of the modes were:

• Cool: 70 dB
• Low speed: 73 dB
• High speed: 77 dB

• Performance score: 4 out of 5

How I tested the Revamp Tri-Care Infrared

I used the Revamp Enigma Tri-Care as my main hair dryer for four weeks, replacing my usual dryer daily on my fine, mid-length hair.

In the first week I worked through each heat and speed combinations, all three attachments, and both LED modes systematically. I then settled into more natural everyday use to get a realistic sense of how it performed over the remaining three weeks.

I timed sessions across the different settings and tracked decibels using the DecibelX app. I also compared the results to other dryers I've tested at similar and higher price points, including the £399 Dreame Miracle Pro.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed March 2026

Creative Pebble Pro: Two-minute review

For budget computer speakers, the Creative Pebble Pro punch way above their weight with decent sound and an attractive, petite design. I would even say they belong among the best computer speakers in their price range. You won’t find anything at the Pebble Pro’s price point nearly as good, not to mention most of the alternatives at this price point are other entries in Creative’s Pebble lineup of speakers.

There are some expected compromises, of course, and once you start looking at options above $100 / £100, the competition looks more interesting. The Creative Pebble Pro does come with some features, notably Bluetooth connectivity and RGB lighting, plus they can be powered directly off a computer. But any support for high-res codecs, Dolby or DTS anything, or even EQ controls, are just not here. That said, you would have to look at the best gaming headsets under a hundred bucks to find those kinds of features at the same price point.

While the Creative Pebble Pro isn’t as small as an actual pebble, the speakers are fairly petite, at a little over four and a half inches tall. As the name suggests, they’re spherical, though they have a flat, angled face oriented toward the listener’s ears to compensate for their short stature.

Since they’re so small, there’s only room for one 2.25-inch driver per speaker, so Creative supplements it with a bass port on the back to help fill out the low end. There's also an opaque ring that lines the bottom and lights up when the speakers are turned on.

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

The right speaker is a little heavier, at the hefty weight of 415 grams (versus 365g for the left) because it’s the one with the power amp inside, as well as controls and ports. The controls consist of a pressable dial, a source button indicated by a Bluetooth symbol, and a button for the RGB lighting. Each control can be used for a variety of functions, so short presses and long presses garner different results. For instance, pressing down on the volume dial mutes the mic input when using the headset port.

Speaking of, the ports are situated in two places near the base of the right speaker. The aforementioned headset input and headphone are on the side, while two USB-C ports and an Aux port are on the back next to the non-detachable cable (which I would consider more of an issue if these speakers weren’t so cheap).

You might be wondering why there are two USB-C ports. Even if you’re not, there’s a reason. One of them functions only for power delivery and doesn’t actually transmit audio. When using this port plugged into a power adapter (not included, though you can use any spare one), the Creative Pebble Pro has a power rating of 15 watts RMS. When just powering the speakers via the other USB-C, which does transmit audio, the speaker system has a more limited power rating of 5 watts RMS.

Frankly, I couldn’t hear much of a difference between using the Creative Pebble Pro in the 5 or 15 watt mode, but it’s really not a big difference in power. Because of that, I typically just powered the speakers directly off a computer.

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

As far as the sound quality itself, I was impressed considering the price. They didn’t blow me away and they probably won’t blow you away, either, but at seventy bucks, they’re a good and affordable upgrade over laptop speakers.

Having tested these speakers with all sorts of media, I’ve found there to be two takeaways. The first is, of course, that I found them surprisingly decent-sounding with a strong mid-range performance and clear, if slightly dull, high-end. The second is that there’s very little in the way of bass. I almost wish there was a sub-out instead of one of the headphones jacks to bring back some low-end.

You’re not going to feel explosions, whether it’s in films or when playing games due to the limited bass. But, the audio is clear with decent sound imaging, as long as you position the speakers properly. I’m able to easily place where an audio element is in the sound stage, whether it’s a fighter jet flying by or enemy combatants yelling in the distance.

The last thing I’ll mention on the sound front is the fact that the speakers do tend to distort a little bit when turned all the way up on the 15W mode, so these are best used at regular volume levels. If you want really loud speakers for whatever reason, these are not it.

Though I consider the Creative Pebble Pro to be light on features (there are no EQ controls or app), they do at least offer the basics. Bluetooth Connectivity is on hand so that you can either connect your computer wirelessly or switch inputs to stream from your phone. During testing, I had no issues with connectivity or differences in sound quality since the speakers use the newish but not newest Bluetooth 5.3 standard.

The speakers also work with the Smartcomms Kit (requiring an additional download) to automatically mute or unmute your voice as well as introduce background noise cancellation when talking.

Probably the more notable and unique feature here, though, is the inclusion of RGB lighting. Since there’s no app, various presses on the controls are used to turn on and off, as well as cycle through and fine-tune the RGB lighting. The amount of effects and colors are somewhat limited compared to other RGB-enabled devices I’ve tested, but they do offer a nice ambient effect to a computer setup. And, as with everything else with these speakers, the RGB lighting looks good for the price.

Creative Pebble Pro: Specifications

Frequency range:

80–20,000 Hz

Drivers:

2 x 2.25-inch mid-range drivers

Supported Connectivity:

AUX, USB-C, Bluetooth 5.3

Audio Inputs:

AUX, USB-C

Outputs:

Headphone out, mic out

Creative Pebble Pro: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

• How much does it cost? $69.99 / £69.99 / AU$99
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

While the Creative Pebble Pro is a solid pair of speakers, the one place that they really shine over the competition is in price. In fact, at $69.99 / £69.99 / AU$99, you'll be hard pressed to find a new set of computer speakers for cheaper that aren’t a different model in Creative’s Pebble lineup.

In fact, the only real issue regarding their price is that they don’t come with a power adapter, which goes for an extra $39.99 (about £29.90 / AU$56.51). But before you calculate that into a potential purchase, you really don’t need to buy one for two reasons. First, as mentioned above, these speakers can be powered directly off a computer, though with lower power efficiency. And if you do want them at full power, you can just use any adapter with a USB or USB-C port, such as one of the many you probably have lying around like me from multiple years of smartphone ownership.

Also worth keeping in mind is that the green colorway is only available in the US, while the black and white ones are available everywhere.

Now, the Creative Pebble Pro aren’t the only cheap speakers out there. Edifier has become a recognizable name in the more affordable end of the speaker market and something like the Edifier MR4 are a worthy upgrade. They don’t have RGB lighting, but they sound better. And though their price tag of $129.99 / £109.99 / AU$179.99 (at the time of writing… they look to have gone up in price, possibly due to tariffs) is very good, that’s still double the price of the Creative Pebble Pro.

The Logitech Z407 is also a wonderful option in the more affordable range, with a going rate of $119.99 / £119.99 / AU$249.95. Again, that’s double the Creative Pebble Pro, so Creative wins out on price, but the Z407 does come with a subwoofer and wireless puck for control.

Price: 5 / 5

Creative Pebble Pro: Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

You’ll be hard pressed to find a decent set of new computer speakers for less. Plus, these sound pretty decent.

5 / 5

Design

While there can be a tangle of wires, this system is fairly discreet thanks to its diminutive size.

4.5 / 5

Performance

The sound quality punches above its weight considering the price tag, but it does lack in the low end and is a bit on the dull side.

4 / 5

Average Rating

The very attractive price tag is made even more attractive by the fact that the Creative Pebble Pro are a decent pair of computer speakers.

4 / 5

Creative Pebble Pro: Should I buy?Buy it if...

You’re on a budget
The price tag on the Creative Pebble Pro is only matched by other Creative Pebble speakers. If you’re looking for decent sound under a hundred bucks, these speakers are an attractive option.View Deal

You want RGB lighting
It might be a bit limited, but the addition of the RGB lighting for some ambiance is a nice touch that budget gamers especially will appreciate.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You’re looking for the best sound possible
The Creative Pebble Pro sound good for the price, but if you’re will to spend a little more (well, at least double), you’ll find plenty of options with more robust sound.View Deal

You want a lot of features
These speakers have Bluetooth, USB-C connectivity, and RGB lighting. But you won’t find EQ controls, optical connectivity, or support for high-res codecs or any kind of spatial audio or surround sound.View Deal

Also consider

Edifier MR4

The powered Edifier MR4 sound great for the price (and have a fairly affordable price tag) and come with a decent amount of inputs, punching well above their weight. Of course, being a budget-friendly model, there are some compromises such as limited bass and too-subtle EQ controls.

Read our full Edifier MR4 reviewView Deal

Logitech Z407

The Logitech Z407 are not as cheap as the Creative Pebble Pro (they cost almost double), but they’re still affordable, especially when considering the fact that they come with a subwoofer and wireless puck. Plus, the sound quality is very good. Considering they’ve been around for a little while, there’s no USB-C on hand. Instead, you’re stuck with micro-USB for a wired digital connection.

Read our full Logitech Z407 reviewView Deal

How I tested the Creative Pebble Pro

• Tested over a week
• Listened to different genres of music, shows and movies, and games
• Tested the RGB lighting and various forms of connectivity

I spent a week testing the Creative Pebble Pro 2.0 Computer Speaker System including using them with all sorts of media, from shows and movies to music and computer games. I played around with the RGB lighting as well as the different inputs.

I’ve spent the last few years reviewing audio equipment and have spent even longer using my critical ear as a listener and musician to understand what does and doesn’t sound good.

• First reviewed March 2026

Having played a bit of Capcom’s space action-adventure game Pragmata at Summer Game Fest last year, its AI-infused story and lunar setting, and its original combat that mixes hacking and gunplay at the same time, had its hooks in me.

I now know the game has delivered on those intriguing themes — and more.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
Release date: April 24, 2026

The combat is a true success, and the combination of simultaneous hacking, weapons, and the need for nimble movement and to be constantly aware can make for some excellent encounters, full of flow and sequence, and high-stakes danger. Almost without exception, balancing the hacking and weapons works completely too — yes, it forces you to multitask in the heat of battle, but somehow you quickly learn to look at both enemy and hacking screen like an Apache pilot, and execute a swift combo of both. It’s incredibly satisfying.

The setting and story provide the perfect capsule for the combat, too, and Diana and Hugh’s journey together is a memorable one. There’s a depiction of AI that feels rather timely, the moon base is exquisitely designed, featuring some extremely cool areas, and while not wholly unique, the relationship between the central pair is warm and sweet, and grows over the course of the game.

Hacked off

(Image credit: Capcom)

Visiting the Deplhi Corporation’s moonbase to investigate what happened after its communications ceased, astronaut Hugh is rescued from peril by young android girl Diana and soon learns that she’s not someone to just be protected, but someone who he can work with during every combat scenario to gain the upper hand against hostile security bots.

With Diana perched on your back, taking down foes involves completing a little on-screen matching puzzle (representing the girl’s hacking abilities) alongside traditional third-person shooting with Hugh’s arsenal of futuristic guns. Not only does Diana’s hack make enemies more susceptible to Hugh’s weapons in a bit of a one-two punch, but there are also status effects and extra boosts to damage that can be gained from each successful hack — though that often means spending a few more vital seconds navigating your way through a tricky matrix to hoover up some extra points.

Getting Pragmata’s action right is always incredibly satisfying — pulling off a tricky manual hack, quickly dodging an attack, and then following up with a rain of damage with a proton laser or shotgun to the head just feels great. Once you factor in the level of awareness you need, and the ability to quickly dodge to slow time at the right point, the complexity grows, but never overwhelms.

From low-grade walker bots through the ranks of tougher specimens all the way up to some pretty bombastic boss fights, there’s a deep satisfaction to be had from concentrating on combos, hacking nodes, and learning moves and weak points of enemies. The latter on bosses reminded me a lot of the Horizon games; identifying and learning weak points to target while dodging attacks around an arena.

Something else to consider is that Hugh’s guns are disposable and thrown away when empty. This means you constantly have to think on the fly and adapt to whatever weapons are around once your favorite is depleted. For example, I hated a chargeable laser weapon in the beginning, but grew to like it and rely on it as a result of necessity demanding I use it in times of need.

You can tailor your methods to your preferences, too, with a range of upgrades, abilities, and augmentations for combat, ready to be applied in a central hub once you’ve gathered enough resources. However, it’s worth noting that you won’t get to enjoy the full suite of weapons and gear until you venture back into a New Game Plus adventure, which is slightly saddening as I would have liked to experience everything in one go, trying out all the weapon types, and building fully personalised loadouts from all the options to master the game’s adventure, and its climax, in one sitting.

Lunar vibes

(Image credit: Capcom)

The lunar base provides the perfect backdrop for these enemy encounters, too.

It’s incredibly well done and fantastically realised. featuring several highly cool environments from an M.J. Escher-like 3D-printed, AI-generated New York cityscape to a nature-filled biome as standouts. All of the zones look spectacular and are full of nooks and crannies to explore and design quirks to enjoy. These contrast well with the clinical, almost NASA-looking aesthetic of the rest of the base, with its massive domes and towers and skywalks.

There are some almost metroidvania in the world, too: opening up shortcuts, having strategically placed save and fast travel points, and even a little bit of Dark Souls in the return of enemies once killed in areas when you go back to them.

Best bit

(Image credit: Capcom)

There's nothing more satisfying than when you nail a combat sequence in Pragmata, successfully utilising all the different bits and adeptly multitasking between them. Nailing a dodge, hack, and weapon strike all in quick succession makes you feel like the bots have no chance.

The narrative is not outrageously new or unique, and it starts off a little slow, but among all the bots and AI and sci-fi, there's a very human throughline. There’s a particular sequence in the second half of the game where Hugh and Diana slowly explore a series of rooms and offices; a nice change of pace, with a slow reveal of information through found files, an accompanying chill soundtrack, a noticeable change in the mood of our protagonists as they understand more, plus the uncovering of events that had occurred before Hugh’s arrival. Magic.

The relationship between Hugh and Diana works and pleasantly changes over time. At first, Diana’s playful innocence offsets the gruffness of Hugh — not totally unlike elements in The Last of Us, for example — but soon they want to spend more time together, and start making plans. Hugh begins teaching Diana about Earth and human ways of life, and it’s all quite sweet and parental. Both characters are wonderfully voiced, and by the end, I couldn’t help but come to care about both of them.

(Image credit: Capcom)

Pragmata is a wonderful, compact, space adventure with heart and soul. But that’s not to say it’s completely without a few things that stain the sheen, such as Diana’s and Hugh’s in-game, moment-to-moment commentary getting a little tiresome, some lazy enemy encounters in the back half that just lock you into smaller and smaller areas for mandatory multi-enemy fights, and a last section that does drag on a little too long.

But, all in all, Pragmata has been worth the long wait, and worthy of its place in Capcom’s pantheon of action games. Even though it’s over in a flash, its combat and hacking mix is exciting enough to pull me back in for another adventure via New Game Plus.

Should you play Pragmata?Play it if...

You’re a fan of puzzles and satisfying combat — simultaneously
The combat in Pragmata is excellent and, even though you’ll feel like you’re learning to play the piano on a unicycle in the beginning, mastering it is incredibly satisfying.

You’re after a short but sweet space adventure
Pragmata isn’t a long game, but it’s a good one. If you’re after a compact space adventure with solid storytelling, a wonderful setting, and compelling action, then this is for you.

You’re a sci-fi fan keen for a new story
While not hugely unique, Pragmata’s narrative, combat, setting, and premise do combine really well to make a wonderful addition to the sci-fi action-adventure game pantheon.

Don't play it if...

You get frustrated with slightly repetitive enemy encounters
There’s a host of different enemy types, but at times the game’s insistence on locking you into smaller and smaller areas with enemies to fight your way out of gets a little repetitive.

You’re looking for a massive, deep space adventure
Pragmata is a short, linear game that does mix things up well with different zones to explore, but keeps everything compact — if you’re hoping for a massive game, then this isn’t it.

Accessibility features

Pragmata has several grouped accessibility settings that can be adjusted in sets, though there are no colorblind options, which is a shame. These include a visual accessibility preset which changes language, subtitle size, and background; an audio accessibility set which changes subtitles, speaker display, and closed captioning; and a motion sickness accessibility set of features which includes center reticle display, motion blur, lens distortion, and depth of field.

How I reviewed Pragmata

I played Pragmata on a PS5 Pro teamed with a Samsung Q6F 55-inch 4K QLED TV and Samsung soundbar for about 10 hours, completing the main story and doing some exploring to boot.

I used a standard DualSense Wireless controller, and I also played for a bunch of hours on my PlayStation Portal. When using a headset, I relied on a SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite or an Audeze Maxwell 2.

First reviewed April 2026

Zvox AccuVoice AV855 review

The Zvox AccuVoice AV855 is not my favorite soundbar, but it does something unique for the hard-of-hearing that will make it the ideal buy for some people. Just about every other soundbar has a dialog mode that can help boost that part of a movie or show, but none does it quite to the extent of Zvox.

It’s not the first soundbar I’ve come across for this purpose. The smaller Zvox AV157 that the company put out last year worked to achieve similar results, though the AV855 is better in every way (unless you want a smaller soundbar). Of course, it’s pricier, too.

As a regular soundbar, the Zvox AccuVoice AV855 checks most of the boxes, incorporating things like HDMI ARC (missing from that AV157 I reviewed last year), but comes a little short for those that don’t care about its voice-boosting “AccuVoice” feature. There’s no Bluetooth or WiFi Streaming, the spatial audio feature isn’t all that impressive, and, most importantly, the audio can sound a bit boxy.

But if you have trouble hearing dialog in your desired media, this soundbar may be the most extreme or robust solution out there. It may not be the best soundbar overall, but it’s tough to beat for vocal intelligibility.

(Image credit: Future)

On the aesthetics side of things, the Zvox AccuVoice AV855 is fairly utilitarian looking. Basically, it’s a black, rectangular box with minimal curves, notable mostly for the durable metal housing it’s in. That’s okay in my eyes, because this is a soundbar with a purpose (which I’ll get to in a bit).

Its height is a bit lower than some soundbars, measuring at just under two inches, making it slot under a TV a little easier than some other models I’ve tested.

What is somewhat exciting about its design is the fact that, along with its four front-facing drivers (two for the center channel), it has two upward-facing ones for adding height to spatial audio — though this comes with a major catch that we'll return to in just a moment. There also are bass ports on each side to help improve the low-end response.

Another thing I appreciate on the AccuVoice AV855 is the fact that it has an LED display hidden behind the grill, so that every time I make any kind of adjustment, it will actually display whatever level it’s at or adjustment that’s been made. This is something that’s often missing on soundbars that are double the price.

The port selection here is pretty good. Having HDMI ARC is typical — though was missing from the smaller AV157 I reviewed last year — but it also has optical, line-in, line-out, and USB connections. There’s no wireless or Bluetooth connectivity, unfortunately, so it doesn’t quite double for listening to music off any source other than your TV.

Interestingly enough, there are no controls on the soundbar itself. All the manipulation comes via the remote (so don’t lose it). Thankfully, the remote enables you to adjust the AccuVoice for dialog boosting, the PhaseCue for spatial audio, bass, treble, and volume, along with things like changing input and muting.

Since the AV855’s focus is mainly on providing a robust dialog mode for those that have trouble hearing speech in media (or just want it clearer), the feature list outside of that is a bit muted. There’s no Bluetooth or Wi-Fi streaming, as I mentioned, and it can’t be paired with other speakers.

It does, however, come with spatial audio. Now, it doesn't support Dolby Atmos or DTS:X, so the results are notably less pronounced than I was expecting. Audio just sounds a little bigger when using this feature, which is called ‘PhaseCue’, but not as distinct as when I’m using full-fat Atmos. At least it has three levels to select from, though.

(Image credit: Future)

The star of the show is Zvox’s dialog booster. It's not like Zvox is the only company offering this, but the way the company implements it is much more aggressive than you'll find elsewhere.

Most dialog modes just do a minor boost to the mid-range where voices typically sit. AccuVoice does that, but boosts it significantly more than any other dialog mode I’ve used. Dialog modes on other soundbars typically have three levels. The AV855 has 10. But there’s more to it, as this soundbar also attenuates or reduces the high and low frequencies at the same time, and in more and more extreme fashion as you go up the levels.

Now, if you don’t have any issues with hearing (let’s exclude Christopher Nolan movies), then the AccuVoice mode gets increasingly unpleasant to listen to, with the sound increasingly resembling listening through an old phone with its boxy-all-sharp-mids results. But this feature, at least at its most extreme settings, is not for you.

Those that do have hearing issues will find it incredibly helpful, as it does a fairly good job at isolating voices. In this respect, AccuVoice does its job well – and it's far cheaper than the Sonos Arc Ultra and its AI-aided dialog-boosting modes, which are also designed with the hard of hearing in mind.

The overall sound of the Zvox AccuVoice AV855 seems influenced by the AccuVoice feature, and always has a little bit of boxiness to it. It’s not something that really gets in the way when I watch a TV show (and I feel most people won’t notice), but is more noticeable when watching movies that typically have more audio elements, like a more filled out soundtrack. Music is similarly affected.

The low-end is actually fairly pronounced — something I was quite surprised by considering soundbars typically lack in this category when not paired with a subwoofer. It doesn’t go as low as a system with a sub, but it still had some rumble.

Ultimately, it does what it's designed for very well, but what it's designed for just isn't what everyone necessarily needs. I'd happily recommend this to people who find they need speech made clearer to follow movies and shows, and it does offer the added benefits of better bass and directionality than the built-in speakers of most TVs.

(Image credit: Future)Zvox AccuVoice AV855 soundbar review: price and release date

• How much does it cost? $369.99 (about £290 / AU$570)
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US

At $369.99 (about £290 / AU$570), the Zvox AccuVoice AV855 is among the more expensive of the best cheap soundbars out there. The Zvox AVV157 I mentioned before was initially released at $249 / £159 / AU$458 but is now about $200. It certainly comes with more limitations, such as worse sound and no HDMI ARC, but it’s quite a bit cheaper.

When it comes to other cheap soundbars, the Majority Naga 60 can be bought five times over for the price of the AV855. And it sounds a bit better, too. However, it doesn’t touch the power of the dialog mode of this soundbar.

If you really need that dialog boosting mode, then the price is a relative drop in the bucket. The Zvox AccuVoice AV855 is only available in the US at the time of writing.

Zvox AccuVoice AV855 soundbar review: specs

Dimensions

33.7 x 5 x 1.85 inches / 856 x 127 x 47 mm (soundbar)

Speaker channels

3.1.2

Connections

HDMI ARC, optical digital audio, USB, Line-in (Aux), Line-out

Dolby Atmos / DTS:X

No

Sub included

Built-in

Rear speakers included

No

Other features

AccuVoice, PhaseCue, Output leveling

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Zvox AccuVoice AV855 soundbar?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

The dedicated dialog modes are the star, and upfiring speakers are nice, but it lacks of a lot of other mod cons.

3 / 5

Sound quality

The AccuVoice feature works wonders for intelligibility, but the soundbar itself can be a bit boxy.

4 / 5

Design

The design is good if utilitarian, but the built-in display is very welcome.

4 / 5

Value

The price might seem high for a cheap soundbar, but it’s worth it for the AccuVoice feature if it's what you need.

4 / 5

Buy it if…

You have trouble hearing dialog
The AccuVoice feature works extremely well at its stated function. If you have issues with hearing, this is the best bet for focusing audio on the dialog of your chosen media.

You want all the fine tuning at your fingertips
The remote, as utilitarian as the soundbar, enables you to adjust all the AV855’s settings in one place — no need for an app or anything complicated.

You need a short soundbar
Its height may not seem like a huge deal, but many soundbars can end up blocking the receiver on the TV, or even the bottom of the picture. So the AV855’s short stature (though it’s fairly wide) is a consideration for getting it.

Don't buy it if…

You care about audio quality above all else
Its features, particularly the AccuVoice one, are nice, but they don’t make up for sound quality. If this is your top priority, I suggest looking elsewhere.

You don’t need dialog boosting
The AccuVoice feature is the main reason to get this soundbar. If you don’t feel like you’re having trouble hearing dialog, there are other soundbars to consider instead.

Zvox AccuVoice AV855 soundbar: also consider

Majority Naga 60
The Majority Naga 60’s biggest asset is its low, low price. Even though it is a single unit, it does have a built-in subwoofer and ability to project 3D audio. Of course, both are a bit limited and the soundbar itself has a habit of distorting at higher volumes.
Read our full Majority Naga 60 review

Zvox AV157
The Zvox AV157 is a cheaper option for getting that dialog boosting feature. It’s not quite as robust with that boosting and skips the spatial audio (as well as the HDMI ARC), but it is quite a bit cheaper.
Read our full Zvox AV157 review

How I tested the Zvox AccuVoice AV855 soundbar

(Image credit: Future)

• Used regularly for a week
• Tested with all sorts of media
• Tested the different modes

I used the Zvox AccuVoice AV855 soundbar regularly for a week, streaming all sorts of media from movies to shows and music.

I pressed every button on the remote to check out the different modes as well as EQ settings. I also spent some time with the AccuVoice and PhaseCue features.

I’ve tested a lot of tech gear over the years from laptops to keyboards and speakers, and so have been able to use my expertise towards giving an honest and fair opinion, not to mention a critical eye, to any product I test.

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

Exit 8 is the latest horror game to screen adaptation, joining A24's Backrooms in championing liminal spaces and how terrifying they can be. Fans of the short game by Kotake Create will likely be surprised by just how effective Exit 8 is, bringing the story to life on screen.

Unlike the Exit 8 game, the movie does have more of a plot to give it some substance, and we immediately become invested in our protagonist, known simply as The Lost Man (Kazunari Ninomiya).

As he gets off a train, he receives a phone call from his girlfriend to tell him she is pregnant, something that fills him with anxiety as he is unsure if he is fit to be a father. He plans on meeting her at the hospital, so he advances through subway tunnels to get there. This is where he remains trapped for the majority of the movie.

It doesn't take long for The Lost Man to realize he is stuck in a loop, and learns he must identify "anomalies" if he wants to escape. If he sees an anomaly, he must turn back. If none are present, he can continue on until he reaches Exit 8. It sounds simple enough, but it's anything but.

The Lost Man sometimes struggles to tell what is an anomaly and what isn't, and this also becomes a fun task for us as an audience. Can we spot the anomaly before he does? Are we sure it is one? This can be anything from an incorrect sign to a fellow commuter standing motionless and grinning, instead of walking on by. If you've played the game, you will recognize many of them.

Yamato Kochi plays The Walking Man in Exit 8. (Image credit: NEON )

Yamato Kochi makes an impression here as a commuter turned terrifying horror character. This anomaly is particularly memorable from the game, and he goes on to play an even bigger role here, with a backstory of his own.

Director and co-writer Genki Kawamura, along with his writing partner Kentaro Hirase, have really expanded on the game's concept across the board. This gives the story more substance instead of just watching a character loop around and around; we really get more insight into who these people are and how they got here.

The movie does not rely heavily on jump scares; there are perhaps four or five, instead, it plays on feelings of dread and uncertainty. Mirroring the way first-person camera moves in video games, we follow The Lost Man as he peeks around corners and turns around, and it's not knowing what the camera will pan to that's the scariest thing of all.

There are, sadly, some pacing issues. The game has a short play time, with some streamers finishing it in 30 minutes, so some viewers may feel that there are moments where the movie drags on a bit too much. But its effective set design and interesting characters do make up for that.

Exit 8's ending may not stick the landing. I can see it being quite divisive, but I personally did enjoy how it drew to a close. This is one of the most faithful game adaptations I've seen, and it's going to have me looking at subway tunnels in a whole new way.

This movie will leave a lasting impression on you and is a welcome addition to this influx of liminal space horror movies. Long may they continue, if you ask me.

Asus ROG Kithara: one-minute review

There are a number of gaming headsets available that support high-res audio, such as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite, but the new Asus ROG Kithara is one of the first we’ve seen that really takes the plunge into the challenging waters of the specialist hi-fi market.

Named after a stringed instrument in ancient Greece, the Kithara takes its old-school approach seriously, with a wired-only design that turns its back on modern digital features such as Bluetooth, noise-cancellation, and spatial audio. The focus on wired audio may well be a deal-breaker for some people, but in return, the Kithara provides outstanding sound quality that works a treat both for gaming and listening to lossless and high-res music on modern streaming services.

Although it carries the Asus name, and is part of the company’s popular Republic Of Gamers (ROG) brand, the Kithara was developed in conjunction with HiFiMan, a New York-based manufacturer of seriously expensive hi-fi equipment (founded by the fabulously-named Dr Fang, who really sounds like he should be the villain in a Bond movie).

HiFiMan is known in the audiophile market for its focus on ‘planar-magnetic’ headphones, which provide a more precise and detailed sound than the less expensive ‘dynamic driver’ designs used by most mass-market headphones. And, like many audiophile headphones, the Kithara also employs an ‘open-back’ design, which allows sound to pass freely through the earpieces.

Again, this could be a problem for some people, as background noise can leak right through the earpieces while you’re wearing them, while people nearby can also hear every note of your music, and every zap, ker-pow, ka-boom of your gaming action. However, the advantage of open-back headphones is that they provide a spacious, atmospheric soundstage that really immerses you in sound, whether it’s a concert performance or an alien planet crawling with zombies.

(Image credit: Future/Cliff Joseph)Asus ROG Kithara: Price and Availability

• List price: $299.99 / £284.99 / AU$569
• Less expensive than many high-end gaming headsets
• Focus is on sound quality, with few additional features

The planar-magnetic drivers used by the Kithara represent the high end of the hi-fi market and are normally more expensive than conventional headphones and headsets. Even so, the Kithara’s price of $299.99 / £284.99 / AU$569 isn’t wildly high when compared to high-end rivals such as the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro, SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro, or Audeze Maxwell 2 headsets.

Remember, though, that most gaming headsets also provide additional features, such as Bluetooth for wireless connectivity, noise-cancellation, or spatial audio. In contrast, the Kithara is a wired-only headset that spends its entire budget on producing the best possible sound quality, with little in the way of added extras.

Asus ROG Kithara: Specs

Asus ROG Kithara

Price

$299.99 / £284.99 / AU$569

Weight

14.8oz / 420g

Drivers

100mm Planar Magnetic

Compatibility

PS5*, PS4* Nintendo Switch*, Nintendo Switch 2*, PC, Mac, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One (audio only via audio jack on Xbox)

(*Microphone requires USB-C adaptor)

Connection type

Wired only: 3.5mm audio jack, balanced 4mm, 6.3mm, USB-C

Battery life

N/A

Features

Frequency response of 8Hz – 55KHz; 1.8m gaming cable with boom mic; 1.8m hi-fi cable with 3.5mm, balanced 4mm, 6.3mm, USB-C adaptors (USB-C supports 24-bit/96KHz)

Software

N/A

Asus ROG Kithara: Design

• Bulky 100mm drivers
• Separate cables and adaptor for a gaming rig and hi-fi system
• Limited console compatibility

This is one instance where form and function go completely hand-in-hand. The outstanding feature of the Kithara is its use of HiFiMan’s 100mm planar-magnetic drivers, which puts them in an entirely different league to conventional headsets, such as the 40mm drivers used in the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite. The precision of the planar-magnetic technology also provides an impressive frequency range of 8Hz – 55KHz, which goes beyond any gaming headset I’ve used, including my trusty Master & Dynamic MG20, and only rivalled by hi-fi headphones such as Sennheiser’s HDB 630.

The downside of those humungous drivers is that the Kithara is also one of the biggest and heaviest headsets that I’ve ever used. Wearing the Kithara for the first time, I was taken aback at the sheer size of the earpieces, which cover my ears with so much room to spare that the Kithara initially slid right down over my ears and almost ended up dangling around my neck. It’s heavy too, weighing in at 14.8oz / 420g, which is considerably heavier even than Apple’s metal-clad AirPods Max at 13.6oz / 386g.

Fortunately, HiFiMan’s experience comes to the rescue, managing to make the Kithara more comfortable than I might have expected. The headband provides plenty of room for adjustment, so I was quickly able to find a comfortable position for the earpieces, and the well-balanced design ensures that the Kithara doesn’t feel oppressively heavy when you’re wearing it. One nice touch is that there are two sets of removable earpieces included in the box – one set with thick memory foam padding and a leatherette finish, or a slightly smaller set of earpieces covered with a lighter mesh material. The open-back design of the earpieces also provides good ventilation, so your head shouldn’t get too swampy during long gaming sessions. You will, however, end up looking like a Cyberman from Dr Who, due to the sheer size of the headset.

The connectivity options are a little complicated, though. Wired headphones are normally relatively straightforward – you just plug them into your PC, console or mobile devices, and off you go. However, the Kithara is attempting to satisfy both gamers and audiophiles, so it provides an extensive set of cables and connectors for use with different types of devices.

There are two separate cables in the box – one cable that includes a flexible microphone boom for gaming, and a second cable designed for listening to music with hi-fi equipment, such as an external DAC or amplifier. Each earpiece on the Kithara has its own 3.5mm audio socket, so both cables have a double-ended connector that plugs into the 3.5mm connectors on the Kithara earpieces (having removable cables like this also allows audiophiles to use their own specialist cables if they prefer).

(Image credit: Future/Cliff Joseph)

As mentioned, the gaming cable includes a microphone, and there’s an inline control for adjusting volume or muting the microphone as well. This cable has two 3.5mm audio jacks on each end, and the two jacks attached to the inline control plug into the 3.5mm connectors on the Kithara’s earpieces.

The other end of the cable plugs into your PC or gaming console, with one 3.5mm jack handling microphone input while the other handles the audio from your gaming rig. Some PCs do combine the microphone and audio into a single 3.5mm connector, but the Kithara also includes a USB-C-to-dual-3.5mm adaptor, which you can use with any device that has an available USB-C port. Asus states that a USB-C interface can provide a little more power and volume for the headphones, so it recommends using the USB-C adaptor whenever possible. The USB-C adaptor also supports high-res audio formats up to 24-bit/96KHz, so it can handle most of the high-res audio available on Spotify, Apple Music, and other services.

Unfortunately, this does raise some compatibility issues for console users. Asus states that when using a PlayStation 4 or PS5, the microphone on the Kithara only works via the USB-C adaptor included in the box. However, the microphone doesn’t work with the Xbox at all, and audio input requires the 3.5mm audio connector on an Xbox controller, so console owners should pay close attention to the compatibility info on the Asus website to make sure the Kithara will work with the console you own.

The second cable is designed for use with a variety of hi-fi and audio devices and has a slightly different design. It does have two 3.5mm jacks on one end for connecting to the Kithara’s earpieces. However, the other end has a special ‘3-in-1’ connector that can be used to connect any of the 3.5mm, balanced 4.4mm, or 6.3mm audio adaptors that are included in the box. Most computers, consoles, and mobile devices will work fine with the standard 3.5mm adaptor, but audiophiles may prefer to use the 4.4mm and 6.3mm adaptors with a DAC, amplifier, or other hi-fi equipment.

(Image credit: Future/Cliff Joseph)Asus ROG Kithara: Performance

• Planar-magnetic drivers provide superb sound quality
• Open-back design creates a relaxed, open soundstage
• USB-C adaptor supports high-res audio (24-bit/96KHz)

The Kithara arrived just in time for the new season of Diablo 4, and the first thing I notice as I zone into the capital town of Kyovashad is the sheer clarity and detail of its sound. The Kithara creates a real sense of a lively, bustling town around me, clearly picking out the sound of clanking metal from the blacksmith, and the bubbling cauldron of the alchemist when I stop by to stock up on some potions - details that I never really notice when I'm using my normal set of external speakers with my gaming laptop.

I'm not sure I'd call Diablo 4 a true open-world game, but the soundscape really opens up as I head out through the town gates. A crow squawks as I pass by, and I hear the sound of flapping wings panning over my head as it takes to the air. I also notice - for the very first time - the rattling armour and shield of my trusty companion, Raheir, as he jogs along behind me. The Kithara doesn't have the spatial audio features of more expensive rivals such as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro Wireless, but the open-back earpieces are highly effective at creating a sense of space as I run along the road, including the crashing sound of a waterfall over to the left of me.

I get my first taste of combat as a band of Rogues pops up out of nowhere, and the first thing I notice is the power of those chunky 100mm drivers as I fire off a couple of lightning bolts. I only have the game volume set to 50%, but that's more than enough as the chaos of combat erupts all around me. And there's clarity as well as power, capturing the satisfying fizz of energy as my bolts swirl around, bouncing from enemy to enemy. My sorcerer is a typical glass canon, so I trigger my Earthen Bulwark magical shield, and it sounds like a slab of concrete being dragged along the ground as it swirls around me.

I've got to hand it to the sound design team on Diablo 4, as they've done a great job of keeping all the clashing sounds clear and balanced, and the Kithara is a great fit for the game as it has the precision needed to pick out all the sonic details of swords and shields, and the mystical energy of my spells as they all clash in combat.

Editor's note - PS5 performance

Alongside Cliff's extremely thorough and deep testing of the Asus ROG Kithara on a host of platforms, I have also been able to put the headset through its paces on PS5. Performance on Sony's current-gen console looks to be a big deal to Asus, with a dedicated badge adorning the Kithara's box - and largely it performs brilliantly. The audio quality is excellent and gives excellent, crisp, and detailed audio that's a joy to experience. However, the connectivity, cable setup, and the fact that you can only use the headset's microphone when plugged into the PS5's USB-C port hold it back and make the logistics of using the headset a bit of a challenge, especially in 'traditional' under-the-TV setups.

Rob Dwiar, Managing Editor, TechRadar Gaming

The sound design on Doom: The Dark Ages is, admittedly, a little less subtle, but the Kithara digs deep for the opening music, landing the grinding sound of fuzz-drenched guitars with real weight, while the martial beat of drums sets the mood for the mayhem to come.

I'm more of a role-playing games (RPG) guy these days, but the gonzo adrenaline rush of the Doom games is hard to resist, and I enjoy the metallic thud of the shield charge that softens up my enemies as I return to the game's opening section in Khalim. I decide to get some target practice in the Ripatorium mode, picking Unchained Predator by Finishing Move from the Jukebox. It's not my favourite musical genre, but the track's chugging guitar riffs cleverly sync with the bullets spewing from my pulse rifle, and the sheer gritty power of the guitar and drums will satisfy even the most die-hard metal-heads. And, as mentioned, the Kithara's oversized drivers have enough power to really make your ears bleed.

But, of course, the Kithara is designed for audiophiles who will enjoy a range of different musical genres, so I grab my iPad with Apple Music and switch to the hi-fi cable that is also included in the box. I start with the bouncing bass of Billie Eilish on Bad Guy, powered by an iFi Go Link Max DAC with a balanced 4mm connector.

The deep electronic bass that opens the track is firm and precise, but the rhythm is relaxed enough to bounce along like a playful puppy, and it immediately gets my feet tapping. The bass isn’t overwhelming, though, and there’s a really crisp sound to the finger-snaps that lead through the chorus, and a smooth, whispery quality on Billie’s vocals. Planar-magnetic headphones are sometimes criticized for weak bass, but the Kithara can hold its head up with planar-magnetic rivals such as the Audeze Maxwell 2, as it lands the final section of the song with a slow, juddering bass pulse that hits like a pile-driver.

A new high-res mix of Queen’s Seven Seas Of Rhye recently turned up on Apple Music, and the Kithara proves that it can match the power and precision of traditional hi-fi headphones such as the Sennheiser HDB 630 as it really lets rip on Brian May’s swooping power chords. It can handle Queen’s multi-tracked harmonies too, catching all the different layers of sound, and making room for Roger Taylor’s shrieking falsetto as it leads into the guitar break.

The old-school approach of the Kithara won’t suit everyone, and the lack of Bluetooth and noise-cancellation features means that it will mainly appeal to wired-only purists. But, if you’re an audiophile who really prefers the quality of traditional wired headphones, then the clarity, precision and spacious sound of the Kithara are hard to beat at this price.

(Image credit: Future/Cliff Joseph)Should you buy the Asus ROG Kithara?Buy it if...

You're chasing premium gaming audio in a wired set
I always prefer wired headphones, but I also like gaming, so the Kithara hits the sweet spot for me. It provides separate cables for gaming (with a mic boom) and high-res music, with adaptors for a range of hi-fi gear.

You’re an old-school Hi-Fi buff
he Kithara is totally old-school, with a 100% wired-only design. But it earns its keep thanks to those chunky 100mm drivers and planar-magnetic design that delivers high-end sound quality.

You have an isolated gaming setup
The porous open-back design of the Kithara leaks sound – both in and out – so it will work best in a snug man-cave where you can play games and listen to music in privacy.

Don't buy it if...

You want your gaming headset to offer everything
If you want Bluetooth for wireless audio, or noise-cancellation when you’re travelling, then look elsewhere. The Kithara is all about sound quality and simply ignores modern digital features (other than USB-C).

You want a gaming headset for travel
That open-back design really isn’t suitable for outdoor use or away from home. Wear the Kithara on the train to work in the morning, and you’ll be lynched by your fellow commuters.

You have a small head
The 100mm drivers are a sonic delight, but they mean that the Kithara is bigger and heavier than just about every rival headset we’ve come across.

Also consider...

If the Asus ROG Kithara might not be quite for you, then check out these fine alternatives as excellent audiophile options.

Asus ROG Kithara

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite

Audeze Maxwell 2

Price

$299.99 / £284.99 / AU$569

$599.99 / £599.99 / AU$1,349

$329 / £319 / about AU$450

Weight

14.8oz / 420g

13.4oz / 380g

17.3oz / 490g

Drivers

100mm Planar Magnetic

40mm carbon fiber with brass surround

90mm Planar Magnetic

Compatibility

PS5*, PS4* Nintendo Switch*, Nintendo Switch 2*, PC, Mac, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One (audio only via audio jack on Xbox)

(*Microphone requires USB-C adaptor)

PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Mobile

Playstation or Xbox, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, PC, Mac, Mobile

Connection type

Wired only: 3.5mm audio jack, balanced 4mm, 6.3mm, USB-C

Hi-Res wireless (2.4Ghz via dongle), Wired (audio jack), Bluetooth 5.3 (LE Audio, LC3, LC3+)

Wireless (2.4Ghz via dongle), Wired (USB-C & audio jack), Bluetooth 5.3 (LC3plus /

LC3 / LDAC / AAC)

Battery life

N/A

Up to 60 hours (2 x fully-charged batteries), Infinite Power System

80+ hours

Features

Frequency response of 8Hz – 55KHz; 1.8m gaming cable with boom mic; 1.8m hi-fi cable with 3.5mm, balanced 4mm, 6.3mm, USB-C adaptors (USB-C supports 24-bit/96KHz)

Certified Hi-Res audio (96kHz/24-bit), 40mm carbon fiber, brass ring surround drivers, ClearCast Gen 2.X - Retractable Boom Mic and Smart-Switching On-Ear Beamforming Microphone with AI noise rejecting, ANC, Omniplay GameHub (connect four devices simultaneously)

Detachable hypercardiod mic, beamforming mic with physical and AI reduction, FILTER™ Noise Reduction Technology, embedded Dolby Atmos license (Xbox),

Software

N/A

SteelSeries GG/Sonar (PC), SteelSeries Arctis Companion App (iOS & Android)

Audeze HQ (PC)

SteelSeries Arctic Nova Elite
The Nova Elite is a real high-end option, costing almost twice the price of the Kithara. However, it provides excellent sound quality that will satisfy audiophiles, whilst also providing Bluetooth, ANC, and other digital features that the Kithara lacks.

Read more in our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova Elite review.

Audeze Maxwell 2
The latest iteration of Audeze's Maxwell will appeal to audiophiles tempted by its chunky planar-magnetic drivers and imposing sound quality. It’s a little more expensive than the Kithara, but it provides a wider range of digital features.

Read more in our full Audeze Maxwell 2 review.

How I tested the Asus ROG Kithara

• Tested over two weeks, gaming and streaming audio
• Used on PC, Mac and mobile devices, on a variety of games and listening to high-res music on Apple Music
• Compared directly with the Master & Dynamic MG20 and Sennheiser HDB 630, as well as other gaming headsets and headphones

I’m lucky enough to test hi-fi quality headphones on a fairly regular basis, so I was able to compare the Asus Kithara with gaming headsets such as the Master & Dynamic MG20, as well as more conventional headphones from Sennheiser and Bowers & Wilkins.

As mentioned, I was eager to test the Kithara by jumping into the new season of Diablo 4 on my Alienware gaming laptop. Diablo has taken up most of my gaming time in recent weeks, but I also paid a return visit to Doom: The Dark Ages. And, believe it or not, I also spend a fair amount of time reviewing games on the Mac, allowing me to revisit Baldur’s Gate 3 and the zombie hordes of Resident Evil 3. And I was able to cover both bases with Death Stranding, which has a wonderfully eerie and atmospheric ambient soundtrack, alongside the beautiful, melancholy song-writing of Low Roar.

I also use a Mac for work all day long, so the Kithara was often plugged into my Mac mini in order to stream music from Apple Music, ranging from the high-res bombast of Queen to the classical elegance of Max Richter.

First reviewed March 2026

Read more about how we test

LG G6 OLED TV: Two minute review

The LG G6 OLED TV is the successor to the excellent LG G5 elite OLED, and it's a worthy follow-up. It uses a new-gen Primary RGB Tandem 2.0 OLED panel with a new Alpha 11 AI Gen 3 processor to help it deliver better picture quality and performance. Feature packed and able to handle anything thrown at it, the G6 sets the standard for OLED in 2026, in more ways than one.

Picture quality on the G6 is excellent. It delivers punchy, vibrant colors that appear more natural and accurate than its predecessor, while also delivering powerful contrast with rich blacks and refined brightness.

The real game changer is its reflection handling, which does a fantastic job of limiting mirror-like reflections while maintaining better black levels than the Samsung S95F, which we rated as the best OLED TV for bright-room viewing… until now.

Detail is exceptional, with crisp textures, while motion handling is smooth and natural. The G6 is a truly impressive TV to look at.

The G6’s built-in sound has had some big changes, with a drop in the number of sound modes available for the 4.2-channel speaker system. I preferred using the AI Sound Pro mode, which has had its sound profile altered compared to the G5’s version of this mode.

It’s more direct, punchier and more accurate now. But ultimately, while the G6’s sound is solid, I’d still add one of the best soundbars for the full cinematic experience.

LG’s OLEDs are always among the best gaming TVs on the market and the G6 is no different. With four HDMI 2.1 ports supporting a full suite of features — 4K 165Hz, FreeSync and G-Sync variable refresh rate certification, HGiG HDR, Dolby Vision gaming — plus a new ultra-low measured input lag of 8.9ms, the G6 is a fantastic gaming set.

LG's webOS continues to be one of the better smart TV platforms available, and webOS 26, the latest iteration, is another great instalment. There's a rich suite of picture settings, the navigation and layout is intuitive, and actually useful AI tools for content recommendations and user quality-of-life. It’s not perfect, with bulky ad space on the home screen, but there’s little else to complain about here.

At $3,399 / £2,999 / AU$4,999 for the 65-inch model I tested, the G6 is a premium-priced TV. Its US launch pricing is consistent with the G5’s launch pricing last year in the US, and is a little cheaper in the UK — and I don’t expect it will stay at these prices for long, because TVs always start dropping soon after launch. It delivers good overall value thanks to the performance you’re getting for the price, but it remains at the top end of the TV market.

If your priority is having the deep cinematic dark tones that OLED is known for, but viewable in as many lighting conditions as possible, the LG G6 is elite.

LG G6 review: Prices & release date

(Image credit: Future)

• Release date: March 2026 (US/Aus) / May 2026 (UK)
• 48-inch price: $N/A / £TBC / AU$N/A
• 55-inch price: $2,499.99 / £2,199 / AU$3,999
• 65-inch price: $3,399.99 / £2,999 / AU$4,999
• 77-inch price: $4,499.99 / £3,999 / AU$7,499
• 83-inch price: $6,499.99 / £TBC / AU$9,999
• 97-inch price : $24,999.99 / £TBC / AU$29,999

The LG G6 is one of LG’s flagship OLED TVs for 2026, alongside the ‘Wallpaper’ LG W6. It sits above the mid-range LG C6 (and new LG C6H, which is the version of the C6 at larger sizes) and entry-level LG B6. It is widely available in 55, 65, 77 and 83-inch sizes.

There is also a smaller 48-inch model in the UK, and a larger 97-inch model in the US and Australia (though you should expect different performance results from these panels — especially the 97-inch model, which uses a much older OLED panel rather than the Primary RGB Tandem 2.0 panel in the other sizes).

Prices have remained consistent with the G6’s predecessor, the G5, in the US and Australia, but in a surprising turn of events, the G6's launch prices in the UK are cheaper than the G5's were in three key models: 55, 65 and 77-inches, with all three coming in £200-500 cheaper than their predecessors.

LG G6 review: Specs

Screen type:

OLED

Refresh rate:

Up to 165Hz

HDR support:

Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG

Audio support:

Dolby Atmos

Smart TV:

webOS 26

HDMI ports:

4x HDMI 2.1

Built-in tuner:

ATSC 1.0 (USA)

LG G6 review: Benchmark results

The above EOTF graphs show the accuracy of the LG G6 for hitting different HDR brightness levels in grayscale. The closer to the yellow line, the more accurate a TV is. As with all our tests, these results are out of the box, without calibration, to demonstrate the performance most people will see. (Image credit: Future)

Spectral power distribution refers to the intensity of light that a source will display at various wavelengths of color. It can reveal how accurate a source can show color at different light levels, and can be instructive to understand how a TV is handling color. (Image credit: Future)LG G6 review: Features

• Primary Tandem RGB OLED 2.0 panel and Alpha 11 Gen 3 AI Processor
• 4K 165Hz for PC gaming with full VRR support
• New LG webOS adds more AI features and tweaks some settings

The G6 comes with four HDMI 2.1 ports, perfect for those with multiple gaming devices and a soundbar (Image credit: Future)

The LG G6 is equipped with the Primary RGB Tandem 2.0 OLED panel, the second generation of the redesigned OLED panel first introduced in the G6’s predecessor, the G5. It delivers higher brightness, and LG has added better reflection handling on top of that.

The G6 also features the new Alpha 11 Gen 3 AI Processor, which features Brightness Booster Ultimate, a ton of AI features including AI Search and AI Chatbot, and faster processing speeds.

New features also include 12-bit color processing and 13-bit output (the final 1-bit is a brightness boost), Dual AI Super Resolution, Dynamic Tone Mapping Ultra and enhanced AI Sound features including Object Enhancement.

The G6 supports Dolby Vision HDR, but as usual does not support HDR10+. It also supports Dolby Atmos sound, but again there is no DTS support. It also supports Chromecast and Apple AirPlay 2. LG says there are currently no plans for Dolby Vision 2 support.

Gaming is well supported on the G6, with 4K 165Hz, full variable refresh rate options including AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync, HGiG HDR, auto low latency mode, and Dolby Vision Gaming all supported across four HDMI 2.1 ports. Game Optimizer mode features as usual with plenty of settings available to tailor the gaming experience.

For audio, the biggest change is the reduction of available sound modes — from eight to four — with more of a focus on AI sound modes. The TV comes with the same 4.2 channel speaker system as last year’s G5 and again supports the AI Sound Wizard first debuted in last year’s Alpha 11 Gen 2 processor.

As before, there's no support for DTS decoding in the TV, so it's best if your source device or soundbar can handle this.

As for the latest iteration of LG’s own smart TV platform, webOS 26, there have been alterations to the AI features from last year, such as a more refined AI Concierge which can use Generative AI as well as a new layout for major settings in menus that prioritize users more.

The Quick Menu can also be customized to add more personal features such as Game Optimizer. Quick Cards return, and more have been added such as Home Office and Music.

• Features score: 5 / 5

LG G6 review: Picture quality

• Rich and especially natural color reproduction
• Excellent contrast and shadow detail, even by OLED's standards
• Surprisingly effective reflection handling that's a big step up

The G6 delivers excellent colors which appear both rich and accurate, shown here in The Wild Robot (Image credit: Universal Pictures / Future )

Beginning with some brightness measurements, the LG G6 hit 2,471 nits HDR peak brightness in Filmmaker Mode and 2,454 nits in Standard mode. While the Filmmaker Mode number is roughly a 200-nit increase from the G5, the Standard mode figure is a massive 604 nits increase (the G5 measured 1,850 nits), which is far higher than the 20% increase LG had promised.

Fullscreen HDR brightness has received the most meaningful boost, with the G6 hitting a measured 455 nits in Filmmaker Mode compared to the G5’s 331 nits. In Standard mode, it measured in at 373 nits, again a nice jump from the G5’s 297 nits in the same mode, meaning pictures should appear far brighter overall.

Color reproduction is arguably the G6’s greatest strength, though. Although colors don’t appear as 'bright' on the G6 compared to its predecessor, the LG G5, LG told me this was "by design" and I think the tweak has paid off: colors are simply stunning on the G6 while looking totally natural.

Watching the market scene from The Sound of Music, where orange, yellow and fruits sit front and center on screen, all these colors looked rich, refined and still packed plenty of punch, while also appearing true-to-life. Other scenes which feature green hills and blue skies, such as the ‘Do Re Mi’ scene, also demonstrate the G6’s excellent color accuracy.

Switching to an animated movie, The Wild Robot, the G6 again delivers gorgeous hues. A scene where Roz is surrounded by multi-colored butterflies shows excellent color balance between neutral and bolder colors, but crucially still delivers the richness you’d want from an animated movie.

Measuring the G6’s HDR color gamut coverage, it hit 99.3% of the DCI-P3 color space and 82.7% of the BT.2020 color space. These are both superb results and help explain why the G6’s color reproduction stands out — it's capable of showing pretty much everything that HDR video has to offer. It also registered a 1.4 delta-E SDR color accuracy in Filmmaker Mode: another brilliant result, meaning its colors are indistinguishable from 'perfect' to the human eye out of the box.

The G6 delivers strong contrast, with a good balance between dark and light tones, allowing subtle shadow detail to still break through (Image credit: Future / Warner Bros. Discovery)

The G6’s contrast is another high point. Watching various high-contrast scenes from The Batman, such as the investigation in Mayor Mitchell’s house and the subway fight scene, the G6 delivers powerful contrast with deep, rich dark tones of the dark wood surroundings balancing with punchy highlights from light sources.

This is also true in Alien: Romulus, where shots of space show ‘perfect’ blacks mixed with refined highlights of stars and suns. Next to the G5, these shots are not only more balanced but more controlled, demonstrating minimal clipping in the lights.

Shadow detail is also excellent on the G6. In The Batman’s many dark scenes, details such as Batman’s armor, the panelling of a column on the subway platform, and even the portraits on the walls of Mitchell’s house are all visible without the need for raised brightness.

One area where the G6 really impressed was its reflection handling. Playing dark movies such as The Batman, Nosferatu and Alien: Romulus with overhead lights in our testing lab turned on, I was surprised by how much of the picture was visible and even how few mirror-like reflections there were. Not even the ‘torture test’ of The Batman was muddied on the G6.

It’s the black retention that also impresses, as I found when testing the G6 next to the Samsung S95F, with its anti-glare matte screen. While the S95F can cut out mirror-like reflections totally, its black tones can end up looking gray compared to the G6 in some lighting conditions, while the G6 manages to balance both reflections and black accuracy.

The G6’s motion handling is fantastic. Testing various sports including basketball, tennis and football, pictures are smooth and responsive throughout with no signs of motion artefacts such as ghosting. Either the Cinematic Movement or Natural motion settings, located in the TruMotion menu, worked well during my testing, though I did find motion settings necessary as some mild judder would occur with these settings turned off.

Motion handling for movies was also great. I personally found that my preferred setting was the Cinematic Movement setting, which did a good job reproducing a panning scene of a rocky hillside from No Time To Die with only minimal judder (which is expected). Throughout the succeeding chase scene, fast motion camera shots appeared smooth.

A DVD of The Amazing Spider-Man shows just how impressive the G6’s upscaling is. The picture on the 65-inch model was bright, clean and had crisp textures compared to some cheaper TVs I’d seen. I already knew how impressive LG’s OLEDs were at upscaling based on the G5’s performance in this area in last year’s four-way OLED showdown I did, but the G6 took it a step further, adding even more detail.

• Picture quality score: 5 / 5

LG G6 review: Sound quality

The G6's built-in speakers deliver accurate, punchy sound but ultimately a TV with this picture deserves a soundbar. Perfect for scenes like the Batmobile chase from The Batman (pictured). (Image credit: Warner Bros. / Future )

• 4.2 channel speaker array with four sound more options
• Great accuracy, good detail and solid power
• Soundstage isn't that wide compared to a soundbar

Testing the G5 last year I found myself drawn to the AI Sound Pro mode as well as the Cinema setting. With the removal of the latter in the G6 this year, I settled on AI Sound Pro as my favorite after testing the G6’s built-in 4.2 channel speaker system. AI Sound Pro upmixes sound to an 11.1.2-channel configuration with the aid of the Alpha 11 Gen 3 Processor. Dolby Atmos is supported, but there’s no DTS support of any kind.

LG has altered the AI Sound Pro profile for the G6 and it results in a more direct, bassier sound than last year’s G5. The sound profile itself also focuses on more mid-range tones, which I found more appealing than last year’s brighter G5.

Using the Batmobile scene from The Batman, the G6’s speakers deliver punchy bass, capturing the rumble of the Batmobile’s engine during ignition accurately. Mapping between sound and the action on screen is precise, with the swerving tyres and car horns of passing cars sounding authentic. This is also true during The Mask. As The Mask himself tornadoes around, the G6 does a good job with the directionality of the sound.

While the G6 also delivers a respectable soundstage, with sound sometimes extending beyond the screen, it all still feels quite contained. The speakers don’t have the punch of a soundbar or of TVs with larger speaker systems such as the Sony Bravia 8 II or Panasonic Z95B. The G6 is good for general movie and TV viewing, but its sound doesn’t match the sheer brilliance of its picture.

• Sound quality score: 4 / 5

LG G6 review: Design

The LG G6 has both a stand (pictured) and wall-mounting options for some sizes in some regions (Image credit: Future)

• Wall-mount and stand options for some sizes
• Premium, sturdy build on the whole TV set
• Remote still feels cheap in comparison

The LG G6 carries a lot of the same design over from the G5. It still has a metal frame that looks premium and feels reassuringly sturdy, along with a heavy, gray and metal pedestal stand that can be placed at two heights to make room for a soundbar. There’s a cable-tidy option at the back of the TV as well.

The G6 also comes with a slim-fit wall-mount in the box in some sizes (depending on region) for those that want to wall-mount their TV. The G6’s screen itself has a near-bezelless design, meaning the picture takes up basically all of the front — something that's not so true with Samsung's new 2026 flagship OLED TV.

LG’s Magic Remote returns here, and while the US remote benefits from a somewhat slimmer build with a more streamlined button layout, the UK is stuck with the old-style magic remote with a wheel.

The latter still feels light and cheap: not something you want for a TV at this price. LG could take some lessons from brands such as Philips and Hisense, whose remotes feel far more premium.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

LG G6 review: Smart TV & menus

LG's webOS 26 is still one of the best smart TV platforms available, with excellent quick card options and menu navigation. The large banner ad is a frustration however (Image credit: Future)

• Uses LG's webOS 26 smart TV platform
• Expanded Quick Cards and customizable Quick Menu are useful
• More and enhanced AI features are actually welcome

The G6 comes with webOS 26 as its smart TV platform, which is the latest iteration of LG’s own smart TV. Some of the returning highlights features include the Quick Menu, which is a handy tool for easily changing picture and sound presets, and the Quick Cards feature, where apps can be organized into a relevant category 'card' on the home screen. For 2026, these cards have been expanded to include even more options.

The system also has an excellent array of accessibility options, which are also in their own quick card.

The AI Concierge, which previously helped you find tailored content recommendations based on searches and watch history, can now use Generative AI for other tasks, such as making travel plans.

Other AI tools introduced last year, such as Voice ID (which can activate a person’s profile with their customized settings simply by recognizing a voice), AI Search (for AI-assisted content search) and AI Chatbot (for troubleshooting) all return. There’s also an AI Art feature, where artworks can be generated, though you'll have a limited number of credits.

As for menus, webOS 26 is easy to navigate, clearly laid out and has enough options to customize picture and sound settings without being overwhelming. One downside is that the webOS 26 homepage has over a third of its top space taken up by banner ads, which can be an eyesore, but it's far from alone in this. It still remains one of the best smart TV platforms on the market.

• Smart TV & menus score: 5 / 5

LG G6 review: Gaming

The G6 is a superb gaming display, expertly handling fast-paced games such as Battlefield V (pictured) and offering a full suite of features (Image credit: Future)

• 4K 165Hz, AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync all supported
• Ultra-low 8.9ms input lag time measured using a Leo Bodnar 4K meter
• Four HDMI 2.1 ports with full support for all gaming features

Following in the footsteps of LG’s previous OLEDs, the G6 is a phenomenal gaming TV. It comes with four HDMI 2.1 ports that have all the features gamers will be looking for: 4K 165Hz, VRR with both AMD FreeSync and Nvidia G-Sync supported, HGiG, Dolby Vision Gaming and auto low latency mode.

It also features the Game Optimizer menu where settings can be tweaked, including an 'Input delay' option. Activating Boost mode (for lower input lag), the G6 registered an 8.9ms measured input lag, beating the years of 9.2ms in its predecessors.

Playing Battlefield V, gaming performance on the G6 is razor-sharp and responsive. Whether it was a fast-paced mission driving a tank around war-torn Berlin or running from enemies in France, movement felt smooth and targeting was snappy and easy. There was never any stutter or delay during the most chaotic moments.

Gaming also looks gorgeous on the G6, with the rich contrast, bold colors and crisp detail it delivered for movies translated over to gaming. Once again, the G6 has set the bar for a gaming TV in 2026.

• Gaming score: 5 / 5

LG G6 review: Value

LG's 2026 Magic Remote for the UK — fine, but should be more premium at this price (Image credit: Future)

• Good overall value compared to other flagship OLED TVs
• Consistent pricing with predecessor in the US, and cheaper in the UK
• Still very much a premium TV

The LG G6 is a premium-priced OLED TV, with the 65-inch version I tested costing $3,399 / £2,999 / AU$4,999 at launch. It delivers the premium experience OLED fans will want, with excellent picture quality and superb gaming performance, but it is undoubtedly a top-end TV.

While it also is an improvement over the G5 in terms of picture quality, the G5 is better value at the time of writing, as it nears the end of its first year of life. You can pick up a 65-inch G5 for $2,199 / £2,249 / AU$3,199, so if you’re desperate for a new G-series, the G5 is your best bet in terms of value for money. If you can wait, the G6 is the better TV to go for once prices drop.

Still, the G6 is a fantastic TV, really showing what flagship OLED can do. If you have the budget, the G6 is worth the investment.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the LG G6 OLED TV?

(Image credit: Future)LG G6 OLED TV scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

A full suite of smart and gaming features that cover all the bases you could need.

5 / 5

Picture quality

Superb picture quality with accurate colors and contrast, plus improved reflection handling for bright room viewing

5 / 5

Sound quality

Solid built-in sound with a more direct and punchy AI Sound Pro mode, but can feel limited in its width at times. Fewer sound modes than last year too.

4 / 5

Design

Premium design with wall-mounting and stand options, Uk remote could feel more premium though…

4.5 / 5

Smart TV and menus

Intuitive smart TV platform with easy to navigate menus, Quick Cards and AI tools. Fewer quirks and ads than most platforms.

5 / 5

Gaming

A complete suite of gaming features including 4K 165Hz and full VRR support. with very low input lag. A gaming powerhouse.

5 / 5

Value

Delivers good performance and features for the money, but is at the pricey end of the market.

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You want excellent picture quality
Delivering colors that are both vibrant and authentic, with rich contrast, crisp detail and great reflection handling, the G6's picture is truly brilliant.

You want a truly great gaming TV
As with all of LG's OLEDs, the G6 is a gaming powerhouse with a full suite of features and responsive performance to match.

You want an intuitive smart TV platform
LG's webOS 26 continues to be one of the best smart TV platforms on the market with an easy-to-use menu system and plenty of personalization options.

Don't buy it if…

You're on a budget
The G6 is a flagship OLED TV and as such, it comes with a big price tag. If you're looking for cheaper, you may be better off with the mid-range LG C6.

You don’t want to use a soundbar
The G6 delivers decent built-in sound, but its speakers don't offer the same quality as its picture. A TV like this deserves a soundbar.

You want HDR10+ or Dolby Vision 2 support
Like all LG TVs, the G6 doesn't support HDR10+, a format you'll find on some 4K Blu-rays and streaming services. LG also has says it has no plans to support Dolby Vision 2, so that's arguably a knock to the future-proofness of this set.

LG G6 review: Also consider...

LG G6 OLED TV

LG G5

Samsung S95F

Price (65-inch at launch)

65-inch price: $3,399.99 / £2,999 / AU$4,999

$3.399 / £3,399 / AU$5,299

$3,399 / £3,399 / AU$5,295

Screen type

OLED (Primary Tandem RGB 2.0)

OLED (Primary Tandem RGB 1.0)

OLED

Refresh rate

165Hz

165Hz

144Hz

HDR support

Dolby Vision/HDR10/HLG

Dolby Vision/HDR10/HLG

HDR10+/HDR10/HLG

Smart TV

webOS26

webOS25

Tizen

HDMI ports

4 x HDMI 2.1

4 x HDMI 2.1

4 x HDMI 2.1

LG G5
The LG G6's predecessor. The LG G5 is a fantastic TV in its own right with the same superb gaming performance and picture quality. While the G6 does improve on the G5 in some ways, namely reflection handling and Filmmaker Mode accuracy, the G5 is significantly cheaper right now over a year into its life — while it lasts, it's a great deal.

Read our full LG G5 review

Samsung S95F
2025's Samsung flagship OLED, the S95F is a fantastic TV with brilliant picture quality, a sleek design and superb gaming features. While it's great for bright rooms, we actually found the G6 the better experience for bright room viewing when we put them side-by-side. Still, the S95F is a lot cheaper right now.

Read our full Samsung S95F review

How I tested the LG G6 OLED TV

The testing setup for the G6, with Klein K-10A colorimeter, Murideo Six G 8K Metal test pattern generator and laptop with Portrait Displays Calman software connected (Image credit: Future)

• I tested the LG G6 over three weeks, watching streaming, 4K Blu-ray, regular Blu-ray, and DVD
• Tested in various lighting conditions in our TV testing labs
• Measurements taken using Portrait Displays Calman color calibration software

I first tested the LG G6 OLED TV with some casual viewing to establish its best picture modes, settling on Filmmaker Mode for SDR, HDR and Dolby Vision sources.

I then conducted real-world viewing tests using both SDR (DVD and broadcast TV) and HDR (4K Blu-ray and 4K streaming) where I analyzed the G6's picture quality. I focused on color, contrast, shadow detail, motion and upscaling (for lower resolution sources such as DVD).

I also tested the G6's built-in sound by using reference scenes to test its sound performance, such as The Batman and The Mask, on top of other viewing.

Once these subjective tests were completed, I did some objective testing by taking measurements suing specialized equipment. I used the Klein K-10A colorimeter (after meter profiling with the Jeti 15VA spectroradiometer), Murideo Six G 8K Metal test pattern generator and recorded results using Portrait Displays Calman color calibration software.

I measured the G6's brightness in both Filmmaker Mode (its most accurate mode) and Standard picture modes, in both SDR and HDR. I used white window test patterns ranging 1-100%, focusing on 10% (peak brightness) and 100% (fullscreen brightness).

I also measured its HDR color gamut coverage, using both BT.2020 and UHDA-P3 color spaces, hoping for a result of over 95%. I also measured its SDR color and grayscale accuracy by taking the average of the Delta-E results (the margin for error between the test pattern signal and what's shown on screen), hoping for results below 3 (anything below can't be distinguished by the human eye).

I then measured the G6's EOTF in 1,000, 4,000 and 10,000 nits brightness, which shows the accuracy at which the G6 displays in both dark and light areas.

I also measured the G6's Spectral Power Distribution using the Jeti spectroradiometer, which shows the G6's color performance.

Finally, I measured the G6's input lag using a Leo Bodnar 4K HDMI Input Lag Tester, measuring this is milliseconds (ms).

• First reviewed: April 2026
• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

H20 Audio Ript Ultra: Two-minute review

Our list of the best workout headphones is largely populated by earbuds, and there are scant over-ear options that are designed specifically for exercise. Enter the H20 Audio Ript Ultra, which are very very exercise-oriented.

These over-ear headphones come from a dedicated exercise audio brand, which also gave us the likes of the Tri Run bone conduction headphones and Sonar 2 Pro swim buds, and it generally focuses on simplicity and affordability.

Check one for the Ript Ultra, but cross the other. These are headphones that fix a few big pain points for gym-goers or runners, but at a high cost that non-exercise cans can easily undercut.

The selling point here is that the Ript Ultra are totally sweatproof: their silicone ear cushions are enclosed so no liquid can get to the drivers, and they can also be removed to be cleaned easily. Not to be sniffed at, that.

I also liked how tight and reliable a fit the H20 Audio cans provided: on runs and at the gym, they stuck reliably and resolutely in place, without slipping or falling as other headphones, even workout-specific cans, have. They rarely became uncomfortable, though my ears did get quite hot under the thick cups, so they might not be suitable for long summer runs (which is probably precisely what you'd want them for. Sorry).

As exercise cans go though, these do a great job at fixing the problems that make the best headphones poor tools for the task. But they also miss off several key perks that their 'standard' brethren too.

The audio quality is nothing to write home about sadly, and the noise cancellation is good but not great. The cans feel a little bit cheap in the hand, due to their using the same kind of hardy plastic regularly seen in budget tech, and there's no companion app for your phone to let you fine-tune the sound or enjoy extra features.

None of these is categorically a deal-breaker, especially in headphones designed for use when you're on the go in workout gear. But ultimately the rather high price of these headphones can, and should, have you asking for a little more.

H20 Audio Ript Ultra review: Price and release date

(Image credit: Future)

• Released in mid-2025
• Debuted for $249 / £244 / AU$410
• Cheaper now

The H20 Audio Ript Ultra are priced akin to some pretty premium non-workout headphones. Debuting for $249 / £244 / AU$410, they ain't cheap.

Since their mid-2025 release, they've dropped in price a little bit. In the US they've dipped towards the $200 mark at times, and in the UK they're reliably below the £200 bar. But even with price cuts, they're still pricey against direct rivals — see for instance the workout-specific Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active, with bass slider, which also launched in summer 2025, but at a cheaper $209.99 / £169.99 / AU$349.99. Oh, and they too are now also seeing discounts here and there.

The default models of Ript Ultra are black or gray, but two other models are available if you hunt around. There's a pink Betty x RIPT model, with a skull-and-butterfly logo on the cup (I couldn't work out who, or what, Betty was), and an orange Zwift x RIPT model themed around the cycling app. These versions seem to only differ in design colorways, not feature set.

H20 Audio Ript Ultra review: Specs

Drivers

45mm

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Battery life (ANC off)

50 hours

Weight

304g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.2

Frequency response

Not specified

Waterproofing

Not specified

H20 Audio Ript Ultra review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• 50 hours of battery life
• Slight ANC complements the PNC
• No extra features from app (because there is no app)

The quoted battery life of the H20 Audio Ript Ultra is 50 hours (presumably with ANC off, lower with it on). With cans often pushing the 100-hour mark these days, that's far from best-in-class, but I'd imagine it's still more than enough juice for most users. You'd have to forget to charge for quite a few marathons to run dry.

It's a little tricky to know how much battery you actually have, though, as the headphone voice simply says "battery: high" or similar. Luckily my Android phone can tell me the charge of paired accessories, so I could see the Ript's percentage, but others might need to rely on this vague reportage.

Because of the thick silicone cups, the Ript Ultra has pretty solid PNC, or passive noise cancellation, which can strip out loud background sounds without taking up any of your battery charge. There's ANC too; turning this on made a small impact on noise, and it's probably worth leaving off if battery is a concern.

There's no smartphone app to give you extra controls over the Ript Ultra: what you see is what you get. No equalizer, no 'find my' function, no listening tests. None of these are mandatory on headphones, but when you're paying a high price, you'd hope for a little more than 'zilch'.

• Features score: 3/5

H20 Audio Ript Ultra review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Solid clamping force — secure, not uncomfortable
• Sweatproof & cleanable, removable ear pads
• They do get hot during workouts

The entirety of H20 Audio's sales pitch rests on its design, and I must say: job well done. Immediately, I noticed a workout cans pet peeve of mine was fixed: these things clamp on your head tight, and in all my hours of running and gym-going with them, they never fell off.

The main draw is their sweatproof design. While there's no IP rating, they're meant to be totally immune to perspiration: the silicone ear cups won't disintegrate like leather ones will, and can be removed to be cleaned easily. I found all these sales points to be totally accurate.

Silicone isn't the most comfortable material to wear, though, as it gets very warm. Frequently on runs, my ears would heat up and the area would get quite sweaty. The pads are also a bit thicker, and heavier, than alternatives I've used, but looking at the grand picture, these are also some of the most reliable workout headphones I've used because of the ear pads.

In the box, you do also get some other ear pads: they seem like leather to me, and they're softer. I wanted to test the default, more sweatproof option, so I didn't use these much, but it's a nice move that H20 is giving you regular alternatives.

On the left cup, there's an ANC button and USB-C port, and the right one has a power button, volume up and down buttons plus, perhaps surprisingly, a 3.5mm jack. That's right, you can plug these puppies in if you want better audio quality.

The Ript Ultra fold down, and come in a carry case for extra protection. According to my kitchen scale, they weigh 304g, but I'd say they fall in the general category of 'slightly heavier than normal over-ears'. The plastic they're made from feels a little cheap, and creaks a little in the hand, which initially made me worry that they were real cheapies. I was wrong those; having tested them for days now, I'm quite sure this plastic was actually used deliberately as it's more durable than other solutions.

• Design score: 4.5/5

H20 Audio Ript Ultra review: Sound quality

(Image credit: Future)

• Custom 45mm driver
• Decidedly flat, occasionally muddy audio
• Lacking the crisp bass injection I'd have liked for workouts

Since H20 Audio packed the Ript Ultra with a custom 45mm driver, I was expecting a pretty unique sonic experience. But it was unique in the way a weekend at Glastonbury is: muddy.

The headphones have a pretty flat audio output, not offering scooping (or overdriven) bass as many many exercise fans would like, or treble to offer something a little different. Audio lines sound a little indistinct, smushed together, and music has... whatever the opposite of an expansive soundstage is. A congested presentation? Yes, a little.

The overall sound profile is generally warm, with lower-frequency sounds given prominence, but not clarity. Bass blends and bleeds into the rest of the mix: in Kasabian's Underdog, I couldn't tell what was bass and what was kick-drum.

If the planets align, you can get some lovely shaking bass with the headphones; Niko Moon's Paradise To Me offered a really lovely sub-bass. But the few exceptions made the rule even clearer. In the chorus of Sam Fender's Hypersonic Missiles, you'd think every instrument was recorded from the exact same microphone, for how even they sound.

Now, the great caveat: do people care about clarity and detailed audio in exercise headphones? I have no doubt that many will ignore this section. But some gym-goers or runners will want that extra bit of bass to help them knuckle down, or the sparkling treble to underpin that fantastic chorus that gets you to the finish line. I don't think muddy audio like this will inspire people to greatness or shave any time off your 10k PB.

The headphones connect via Bluetooth 5.2 — not 5.4, as H20's website lists — and there's no support for additional high-resolution codecs. What you hear is what you get. And if that's OK with you given the sweatproofing, fine. But it's not better than fine.

• Sound quality: 3/5

H20 Audio Ript Ultra review: Value

(Image credit: Future)

• Mid-range price for headphones
• Other options get you more for your money

I've referred to the H20 Audio Ript Ultra as being a pricey pair of headphones; they certainly are, but it's worth noting that workout cans tend to be a little pricier than their standard counterparts. That's what you're getting for longevity.

Despite that note, though, the Ript Ultra do feel a little expensive for what you're getting. The lack of tie-in app, middling audio and ANC are all a little hard to swallow when you're paying a premium.

So what price would you put on protected headphones? If price is no concern, then these are fine for you, but there are alternatives that offer you more for your money. I've seen some reports online that this model is prone to breaking — although do note, that was not my experience — but it's always worth thinking about how you'll use them before spending the cash.

• Value: 3.5/5

Should I buy the H20 Audio Ript Ultra?H20 Audio Ript Ultra score card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

The battery life is solid enough, but the ANC isn't and the lack of an app or extra features hurts.

3/5

Design

They may be a little bulky, but they'll tick every box that an exerciser could want checked.

4.5/5

Sound quality

The audio isn't fantastic, with a lack of clarity and soundstage underlining an indistinct sonic offering.

3/5

Value

Beyond the exercise-proof design, you're really not getting much extra for your cash.

3.5/5

Buy them if…

You get sweaty when exercising
These things are supremely sweat-proof, and I see them lasting literal years of workouts if you treat them right. You can't say that about your Sonys!

You need headphones that stay in place
The tight lock of the Ript Ultra means they're great if you'll be doing press-ups, laying on a training bench or squatting and extending repeatedly. View Deal

You want headphones with a carry case
Headphone carry cases are surprisingly rare, yet useful if you want to protect them on the go. The Ript Ultra comes with one, as well as a few other in-box extras like back-up pads and an audio cable.View Deal

Don’t buy them if…

You like customizing your sound
No app and no equalizer means you're stuck with H20 Audio's default sound mix, and it's not amazing.

You want something lightweight
Between the thick silicone cups and heavy weight, you'll feel these when using them. If you want something comfortable and light, earbuds are a better pick.

H20 Audio Ript Ultra review: Also consider

H20 Audio Ript Ultra

SkullCandy Crusher 540 Active

Raycon Fitness Headphones

Drivers

45mm

40mm

Not specified

Active noise cancellation

Yes

No

Yes

Battery life (ANC on)

50 hours

40 hours

38 hours

Weight

304g

312g

Not specified

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.2

Bluetooth 5.0

Bluetooth 5.0

Waterproofing

IP54

NA

IPX4

Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active
These workout headphones have softer ear pads that are also easy to remove and clean, as well as loads of sound customization thanks to a bass slider. However, they didn't stick on my head at the gym — and the Ript Ultra did…
Read our full Skullcandy Crusher 540 Active review

Raycon Fitness Headphones
Raycon has a reputation for somewhat hit-and-miss audio quality, but these headphones are much more affordable than the Ript and have a similar sweatproof, removable-pads design. So while we haven't tested them, on paper they're a reasonable budget alternative…

How I tested the H20 Audio Ript Ultra

• Tested for a month
• Tested at gym, on runs of various lengths, on walks and on public transport

I used the H20 Audio Ript Ultra for the best part of a month in order to write this review. They mostly saw use during my exercise (gym or runs around my borough), several times per week, but on occasion I used them in other settings like public transport and trips to the shops.

For the testing process, the headphones were paired to my smartphone, listening to music on Spotify Lossless, Tidal or installed media, as well as watching videos on YouTube and Prime Video, as well as making calls.

I've tested a plethora of exercise headphones for TechRadar in the past, as well as other audio products and fitness tech. These include some products cited in the competition section.

• First reviewed in April 2026

• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Dreame Z20 Station two-minute review

The Dreame Z20 Station has completely changed my home cleaning habits, thanks to a combination of terrific suction power, useful cleaning modes and a self-empty docking station that makes vacuuming an absolute breeze.

While its 250AW of suction power can be beaten by some newer models from Dyson and even Dreame itself, it’s still impressive and utilizes a well-designed floorhead that ensures dust and debris is effectively collected from both hard floors and carpets.

As the name implies, the Dreame Z20 Station reviewed here includes a self-emptying charging dock and is only available in the US and Australia.

A model without the docking station, known simply as the Dreame Z20 is available in the US and UK, but not in Australia. The number of attachments included with either model also varies depending on where you live.

Called the Illumination Omni-Brush, this floorhead features a built-in LED light beam to help reveal dust that’s otherwise invisible to the eye. It’s a similar feature to Dyson’s Detect technology which, it must be said, is a bit more effective than Dreame’s implementation, but only in the sense that Dyson’s version is brighter and covers a slightly broader area of the floor. Dreame’s CelesTect technology, as it’s known, does still show up dust on hard floors and after the initial shock of realizing just how much was on mine, I found it to be an invaluable feature.

Unlike the top-of-the-line Dreame Z50, whose floorhead can automatically detect floor types and adjust its inlet to maintain good suction and reduce damage to carpets, the Omni-Brush requires the user to manually flick a front-mounted switch as you move from hard floor to carpet and vice versa for the optimal clean.

Speaking of cleaning, I found the Auto mode to be the best of the three suction settings on offer — the other two being Eco and Turbo — as it’s the only mode that dynamic suction comes into play and the Z20 would function perfectly well if you never changed settings. Whether that was to clean up dirty floorboards or remove hair from my carpet, it handled it in one pass quite effectively.

The LCD display on the top of the handheld unit shows a graph of dirt sizes that the vacuum detects during cleaning, much like on a Dyson, but it’s a lot more animated than its competitor. I initially found this feature a bit superfluous and an excuse to use up the display real estate, but it ultimately enabled me to carry out a more thorough cleaning of my home, as it shows when all dust and debris under the floorhead has been vacuumed.

Using the Dreame Z20 day to day is a simple process, with the power and mode select buttons falling nicely under the thumb. There’s decent manoeuvrability in the Illumination Omni-Brush cleaning head too, but the vacuum is top heavy, which makes it tiring to use for longer cleaning sessions. The wand is also a bit too short for my liking, which caused some lower back pain from having to bend slightly during every clean, and it’s sadly not extendable like in the Z50.

The Z20 comes with a few additional attachments, although the exact number and type varies by country, with the US getting a broader set compared to Australia. Changing attachments is easy thanks to large press-in buttons.

The main feature that differentiates the Z20 Station from the standalone Z20 available in the UK is the former coming with an auto-empty docking station. This is a freestanding charging base for the vacuum that automatically empties the dust cup into a 3L bag every time you place it on the stand. The dust bag is accessed via a magnetically attached side plate. Dreame says the bag is big enough for up to 100 days of dust and debris, although that will depend on the amount of dirt that’s collected each cleaning run and how often you clean, but a spare is supplied in the box to help save on initial costs of buying extras.

Other than its weight and height, there’s really not a lot to complain about here — with excellent suction and performance, plus the ease of having a self-emptying feature, the Dreame Z20 Station represents good value for money, especially if you can pick it up during a sale.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)Dreame Z20 Station: Price & availability

• Announced at CES 2025, available since early-2025 in US, mid-2025 in Australia
• Station model not currently available in UK
• List price: $799.99 / AU$799 (standalone vacuum costs $299.99 / £299)

The Dreame Z20 Station was announced at CES 2025, so it’s not exactly ‘new’, but it then had a staggered rollout worldwide, arriving in the US first, followed by an Australian launch in July of that year.

With a list price of $799.99 / AU$799.99 — and with it seemingly never far from a big discount — the Dreame Z20 Station is well priced, especially when compared against direct competitors. There is arguably greater value in the US, as the Dreame Z20 Station is supplied with a few extra attachments compared to the Australian variant. These include a rotating soft dusting brush and a flexible adapter that allows the vacuum cleaner to get underneath chairs and tables for example, without you having to bend down.

The Station model on review here, which includes the auto-empty dock, isn’t currently available in the UK. A standalone Z20 cordless model (so without the dock), is available in the US and UK at a lower price point of $299.99 / £299 — and again, never far from a discount — but isn’t available in Australia at the time of writing. The vacuum itself is the same no matter which version you get.

Perhaps the closest competitor to the Z20 Station would be the Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Lite, which offers 280W of suction power compared to the Dreame’s 250AW, along with an auto-empty docking station. However, this Samsung model costs $899.99 in the US, and nearly double that of the Dreame in Australia at AU$1,499. The Dyson Gen5detect also offers 280AW of suction power, but can’t self-empty, and will set you back $1,049.99 / £799 / AU$1,599.

While Shark has a few auto-empty options in its vacuum range at a similar price point to the Z20 Station that don’t incur the ongoing cost of purchasing replacement dust bags, the Dreame manages to outdo them in terms of pure power.

• Value score: 4.5/5

Dreame Z20 Station: Specs

Weight (handheld unit):

2.2kg

Weight (with wand and floorhead):

3.3kg

Dock weight:

5kg

Bin capacity:

0.6L

Dust bag capacity:

3L

Suction power:

250AW

Maximum runtime:

90 minutes

Turbo mode runtime:

up to 10 minutes

Charge time:

up to 4 hours

Dreame Z20 Station review: Design

• Sleek, premium look for vacuum and dock
• Can feel heavy after long periods
• Separate stand for attachments

The Dreame Z20 Station is made up of two components: a cordless vacuum cleaner and a docking station that’s used to both automatically empty the vacuum’s dust canister and to recharge its battery. The standalone Z20 cordless vacuum looks (and performs) identical to the Station model reviewed here.

It’s part of a wider Z-series of cordless vacuums in Dreame’s lineup — with up to five sold depending on where you live — and is positioned as the mid-range option. The highest-spec variant available in most territories is the Z30, while the even more powerful Z50 Station is currently only available in Australia.

Other than the white Dreame Z10, the other Z-series models are mostly all-grey affairs, but with subtle differences to tell them apart. In the case of the Z20, Dreame has given the predominantly gray color of the vacuum and the docking station some copper/brass accents that are a lot more prominent than on the Z50. In my opinion, this is the best-looking Z-series Dreame vacuum as the copper/brass color gives off an added sense of luxury.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

The Dreame Z20 ships with one main floorhead called the Illumination Omni-Brush. As the name implies, this floorhead features a built-in illuminating LED light to help reveal dust and debris on floors that are invisible to the naked eye. It’s a similar feature to Dyson’s ‘Detect’ floorhead and shines out over 140º. I haven’t used a Dyson myself, but my colleague and vacuum expert Sharm has. She confirms that the green beam used by Dyson is brighter and has a broader beam, but adds the Dreame’s interpretation of the technology is still incredibly beneficial.

A small comb is integrated into the floorhead to prevent hair from tangling, and there’s a small switch on the front that adjusts a movable lip on the brushroll housing — you’ll need to flip it when moving from hard floors (lowered for close suction) to soft floors or carpets (raised to maintain optimal clearance between the roller and fibers, preventing carpet damage).

The tube connecting the handheld unit to the main floorhead isn’t telescopic, which may put taller people off. Indeed, I felt some pain in my lower back as I had to bend ever so slightly to ensure the cleaning head remained in contact with the floor, and I’m roughly 177cm tall.

With the main vacuum unit, the tube and floorhead combined, the total weight is 3.3kg, making it one of the heavir cleaners we’ve tested at TechRadar. As a result it did cause my arm to become tired, even during shorter cleaning stints of around 10 minutes.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

There are two buttons on the main vacuum body — one for power and one to switch between cleaning modes. Both are placed where your thumb naturally falls, resulting in easy control. Above the buttons is a color display that shows which cleaning mode you’ve selected, both via a temporary image that shows up when you select a mode, and then a color theme to indicate the mode you’re in. The default automatic mode is yellow, Eco is green while Turbo is red.

When particularly dirty areas are detected, a graphical representation is shown on the LCD display. Particles are divided into four categories depending on their size, with a rising bar for each indicating the number of particles detected. While Dyson also offers a similar feature, I much prefer Dreame's design.

At first I thought it was a bit gimmicky, but the more I used the Dreame Z20, the more I found the graph to be beneficial when cleaning. Before I would usually pass the vacuum over my floors quickly, but thanks to the graphical display, I spent more time moving around my home to ensure the graph levels returned to 0 before moving to the next spot of floor.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Like many of the best cordless vacuum cleaners, the Dreame Z20 can be converted into a handheld cleaner by removing the main wand and attaching any of the other tools. Exactly which tools you have at your disposal will vary depending on where you live and which version of the Z20 you get.

As already mentioned, the Z20 Station ships with a single main floorhead, along with a motorized mini brush and a combination crevice tool. The US version adds a flexible adapter and an extra extension piece for the main rod.

The standard Z20, available in the US and UK, includes two main floorheads — a multi-surface brush and a soft roller brush for hard floors, both are illuminated — along with a motorized mini brush, rotating soft brush and some extension pieces.

No matter which variant you choose, the extra attachments all store on a separate docking station that sits on the floor. It’s not particularly big and each attachment has a dedicated spot, but it is an extra thing you’ll need to make space for.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

The onboard dust canister is rather a standard 0.6L, and given the fact it’s automatically emptied every time the Z20 is returned to the docking station — which itself utilizes a three liter dust bag — it’s unlikely you’ll ever actually fill it!

Speaking of the auto-empty docking station, it looks just as sleek as the Z20 vacuum cleaner, decked out in a matching grey color finish. You’re able to adjust the orientation how you see fit and depending on where the nearest power point is, as there are four available outputs for the cable in the base. A magnetically attached side panel conceals the 3L dust bag inside, and requires just a small amount of pressure to remove.

Battery life is rated at up to 90 minutes of runtime in the Eco power mode, which should be plenty even if you have a large home. Switching modes does have an effect on battery life and recharging to full can take a few hours (more on that later). The battery on the Z20 is swappable, but is naturally an extra added expense.

• Design score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)Dreame Z20 Station review: Performance

• Good suction on carpet and hard floors
• LED light beam reveals dust that’s invisible to the eye
• Auto mode is a great set-and-forget option

The Dreame Z20 Station offers an impressive 250AW of suction power. However, compared to the likes of the Dyson V16 Piston Animal with its 315AW and Dreame’s own Z50 Station which offers a staggering 330AW of suction, the Dreame Z20 could look underpowered but don't let that put you off.

I think Dreame has done a great job optimally harnessing that power with a floorhead design that cleans with both front and back movements. As you'll read below, I found that I could clean the majority of messes in one pass on any kind of flooring.

The Dreame Z20 has three power modes, and to test them all, I sprinkled flour, rice and hair (separately) on both carpet and hard floor.

Hard floor performance

Hard floors are objectively easier to keep clean compared to carpet and most cordless vacuums will be able to keep them dust-free even with low suction power.

To test how well the Dreame Z20 Station could handle different sizes of dirt and debris, I concocted a mixture of cacao powder, long-grain rice and coffee beans. I sprinkled this mixture on wooden floorboards and it took one forward movement in Auto mode to clean up the mess. There was a small amount of the mixture left in front of the floorhead that had been pushed forward, but this was easy to clean up with a second going over. And, as expected, the vacuum did boost its suction power automatically when it detected this mixture on the floor.

I was just as impressed with the performance in Eco mode, as even with the lower suction, my mixture was removed off the floor without any issues. I did need to switch to the Turbo setting however, as a few of the coffee beans did become stuck within it.

Future / Max LangridgeFuture / Max Langridge

I don’t have a pet, but for the purposes of this review, I was prepared to take some clippers to my own hair. With a decent chunk of hair available to sprinkle on my floor, the Dreame Z20 Station once again proved it had no trouble cleaning it up on both Auto and Eco modes.

The laser on the Illumination Omni-Brush tool does a good job of highlighting dust and debris on hard floors that is invisible to the naked eye, either illuminating a bright aquamarine or creating visible shadows. It’s not as bright as the light on Dyson’s Fluffy floorhead, nor is the beam as broad.

Indeed, when using the Z20 during the day when my home was filled with natural light, it was a little tricky to see the effects of the CelesTect technology. When ambient light levels are lower, it naturally performs far better. And, unlike the Dyson Fluffy Optic tool, the Dreame beam can’t be switched off, making it superfluous when cleaning carpets.

Still, l ultimately found it to be invaluable when cleaning my home. In fact, my partner messaged me from home one day when using the vacuum, claiming he was experiencing “trauma” from the amount of dust that was now visible on the floor.

Carpet performanceFuture / Max LangridgeFuture / Max Langridge

I used the same mixture of cacao powder, long-grain rice and coffee beans on a relatively low-pile carpet and found that performance wasn’t quite as effective as it was on hard floors.

By this I mean that in both Auto and Eco modes, I needed to pass over the mess with two front and back movements to ensure everything was cleaned up. Given the fact it took these two passes in Auto mode, which automatically kicked into Turbo mode when it first detected the spill, I expected Eco mode to either require more passes, or just not succeed at all. However, as you’ll see from the images above, both modes only required a double pass (forward and backwards twice), which I found impressive.

It was a similar story with hair. The Z20 Station did effectively remove my trodden hair trimmings from the carpet, but needed a couple of passes in order to do so, which is still pretty darn good compared to other cordless vacuums we’ve tested here at TechRadar.

Handheld and accessories

As I’ve already mentioned in this review, the Z20 Station comes with a varying number of tools depending on where you live, and a separate cradle to store them. US customers receive a few more tools compared to Australia — these being a Rotating Soft Dusting Brush, a Flexible Adapter and an Extension Hose — and since I’m based in Sydney, Australia, I was unable to test them.

However, my colleague Sharm has recently reviewed the Dreame Z50 Station (an Australia-only model at the time of writing) which comes with these attachments, and found the rotating soft dusting brush did an admirable job of keeping shelves dust-free.

Future / Max LangridgeFuture / Max Langridge

The set of attachments that come with the Z20 Station in both countries include a motorized mini brush, a combination tool and a soft brush tool.

Converting the vacuum to handheld mode and back again is a simple process as the buttons to disengage pieces are large and work as intended. Simply remove the extension rod, clip on your desired attachment and you’re away. However, given the main unit is quite large and the battery makes it relatively heavy, I found myself using two hands to hold onto it when vacuuming upholstery, for example.

Cleaning performance when in handheld mode is just as good as its regular mode and I was pleasantly surprised to find the dynamic suction adjustment carries over too. However the graphical display doesn’t function, i.e. when the vacuum applies some boost to the suction power, the bars don’t indicate what type and how much of a particular particle type has been detected.

Dock performance

Emptying the Z20’s dust canister is easy thanks to the free-standing charging dock. Just place the unit on the dock to trigger the auto-empty function. Whether you have the vacuum in handheld mode or the full unit, the function will trigger, although the additional weight of the wand and floorhead makes for a more seamless experience by providing the right amount of pressure inside the dock to force the self-empty to take place. You can also manually get this feature to come on by pressing a button on the dock.

While auto-empty works well, I should note that some dust and debris could occasionally remain stuck towards the handle end of the canister. I found that I needed to knock these around with my palm to dislodge them and trigger the auto-empty functionality again.

One final performance metric worth mentioning are the noise levels. I used the decibelX app on my iPhone to measure sound levels in each mode. Eco returned a result of around 63dB, similar to a washing machine, and Turbo mode saw it increase to 79dB, similar to heavy traffic. That’s quite standard for a vacuum of this caliber.

• Performance score: 4.5/5

Dreame Z20 Station review: Battery

• Up to 90 minutes on Eco mode; 10 minutes in Boost
• Battery takes up to 5 hours to fully recharge
• Swappable battery reduces interruptions and life cycle

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

When using the lowest-powered Eco setting, Dreame claims the battery will last up to 90 minutes. That’s impressive and puts the Z20 up there with some of the longest-lasting runtimes and on par with our current-favorite cordless vacuum cleaner, the Dreame R20 — clearly Dreame knows how to eke the most out of its vacuum power units.

On test, with the crevice tool attached, I managed 1 hour 38 minutes, which is in line with Dreame’s claims. However, with the Omni-Brush cleaning head attached, which is motorized, the battery life in Eco mode dropped considerably to 42 minutes.

Using a vacuum cleaner’s Boost mode comes with the expectation that battery life will take a considerable hit and that is indeed the case for the Z20, as I managed just 10 minutes before it completely died.

I got around 60 minutes of runtime when in Auto mode, but given the fact that suction power is dynamically adjusted in this mode, runtime will depend a lot on the area being cleaned and how dirty it might be. A countdown displaying the remaining battery percentage is shown on the digital display, which changes to just “Lo” when it drops below 10%.

If you want to be able to clean for longer, or to ensure you maximize the runtime of your Dreame Z20, then you’ll need an additional battery pack. An official power unit is available from the Dreame store in the US for $69.90, but at the time of writing I am unable to find one on either the UK or Australian stores. Third-party power packs are available from the likes of Amazon, but these should be used with caution as they can void your machine’s warranty or damage the unit if overheated.

• Battery score: 4/5

Should I buy the Dreame Z20 Station?Scorecard

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

Great build quality and features, and the fact it regularly receives heavy discounts makes the Dreame Z20 Station a good-value option.

4.5 / 5

Design

Sleek and easy to use, but feels heavy during prolonged use. Plus the CelesTect light is better than the usual white headlights on other floorheads to reveal hidden dust.

4 / 5

Performance

Excellent suction even in Eco mode. Auto mode works as intended to make cleaning a fuss-free process.

4.5 / 5

Battery

It’s possible to get well over an hour from a single charge, although most users will get less than that, which is still a great result.

4/5

Buy it if...

You want an efficient, low-effort clean

The Dreame Z20’s Auto mode dynamically adjusts suction power to ensure all floor areas are cleaned effectively. It’s a great set-and-forget option that takes the guesswork out of cleaning.

You want a more hands-off experience

The Z20’s auto-empty docking station makes emptying the onboard dust canister as easy as can be. And with the bag being large enough for up to 100 days worth of dust and debris (possibly longer if you don't have pets or don't vacuum every day), you won’t have to replace it that often.

Don't buy it if...

You want something easily maneuverable

Due to the weight distribution, the Z20 can be uncomfortable to use for long periods, and with the extension rod not being that long, taller people may feel it in their back.

You don’t want to incur ongoing costs

The auto-empty dock is undoubtedly useful, but you’ll need to pay for dust bag replacements.

Alternatives

Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra

This Samsung also comes supplied with an auto-empty docking station, but offers a staggering 400AW of suction, resulting in superb cleaning performance. It’s roughly double the price of the Dreame, however.
Read our full Samsung Bespoke AI Jet Ultra review to learn more

Shark PowerDetect Clean & Empty

It’s cheaper than the Dreame Z20 at full price and it also comes with an auto-empty docking station that doesn’t require dust bags, resulting in excellent value for money.
Read our in-depth Shark PowerDetect review for more info

How I tested the Dreame Z50 Station

I used the Dreame Z20 Station in my own two-bedroom apartment as the test space, which includes a variety of flooring — carpet in the bedrooms, tiles in the bathrooms and hardwood floors in the kitchen and living areas.

While I used it mainly for regular cleans, I also decided to cut my own hair (to mixed result) so that I could tread it into the carpet to determine how well the vacuum would perform.

I also created a mixture of pantry items to test cleaning of different dirt sizes — this included cacao powder, rice and coffee beans — which I sprinkled over both carpet and hard floor.

I also used all three attachments to see how well they work with the handheld unit, including using the motorized miniature brush on my bed head and sofas, while the crevice and brush tools were used to clean drawers and skirting boards.

To measure battery life, I used a stopwatch to time when the machine powered down on its own during different suction settings and with different attachments. I also ensured that I only tested the battery on mixed flooring when it was particularly dirty and with the main floorhead, to see how long it would run with dynamic suction.

Read more about how we test vacuums at TechRadar

[First reviewed April 2026]

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Privacy

10 / 10

Based in Panama, with an airtight, audited no-logs policy, secure, proprietary protocols, and a host of privacy-focused settings, you can't dislike NordVPN in this regard. Read more ▼

Read all of NordVPN's review scores ▼

Security

10 / 10

NordVPN scores top marks here thanks to its commitments both now and in the future. Threat Protection Pro is top notch, post-quantum encryption is already in place, and it has top-grade encryption for the current generation too. Read more ▼

Speed

9 / 10

Good speeds, superb latency and jitter, a top performer all-around for whatever your needs are. Read more ▼

Unblocking streams

10 / 10

NordVPN performed flawlessly in our unblocking tests. Zero issues, zero blocks, on every service, top marks! Read more ▼

P2P & Torrenting

4 / 5

Despite not offering port-forwarding, NordVPN offers near complete P2P optimization coverage on its servers and offers a suite of guides to help users get going if they need them, Read more ▼

Apps & Compatibility

4 / 5

NordVPN has apps for every platform, which all look great and work flawlessly no matter your device. Its only limitation is its feature imparity across platforms which, while improved in recent years, still has room for improvement. Read more ▼

Usability

5 / 5

Dropping the interactive map and honing in on quick access to tools has made NordVPNs apps easy to use no matter your VPN experience, plus the experience is near identical everywhere. Read more ▼

Accessibility

2 / 5

NordVPN's accessibility is good enough but by no means perfect. It has an average spread of languages, some amount of keyboard support, and some contrast issues. But, for the most part it comfortably among the most accessible VPNs. Read more ▼

Customer support

4 / 5

NordVPN's customer support is among the best available. Several options to find a solution, responsive live chat, and well considered conversations with email agents all help a user greatly. Its only area for improvement is usability in terms of its FAQ navigation. Read more ▼

Track record

4 / 5

NordVPN for the most part has a shiny clean track record to be admired. However a breach in 2019 and its ongoing legal battles surround auto-renewals leaves a level of doubt available for some. Read more ▼

NordVPN price plans

• Prices start from $3.39 per month with NordVPN Basic.
• NordVPN Plus offers the best value balance of features and price.
• Auto-renew fees are eye-watering – remember to opt-out, please.

NordVPN per month price

NordVPN Basic

NordVPN Plus

NordVPN Complete (US-only)

NordVPN Prime (US-only)

1-month

$12.99

$13.99

$14.99

$17.99

1-year

$4.59/month

$5.49/month

$6.49/month

$8.49/month

2-year

$3.39/month

$3.89/month

$4.89/month

$6.89/month

NordVPN is a relatively expensive product – pricier than the like Surfshark and PIA, but similar to ExpressVPN and Proton VPN – but it's very much worth the extra spend.

NordVPN’s price plan structure varies depending on the country you reside in. Most countries get 3 or 4 plans to choose from. Basic and Plus are standard across all nations; it’s the upper-tier plan options that differ.

Read more about NordVPN's price plans ▼

In the US, for example, you can also choose either Complete or Prime. Canadians have the choice of Complete and Ultra. Folks in the UK only get Ultimate, and Australia only gets Complete. It can be quite confusing.

What isn't confusing, however, is the device limit. NordVPN offers 10 simultaneous connections, much like Proton VPN and ExpressVPN, regardless of which region you pick up a plan from.

Thankfully, no matter your region, you can only choose between three plan lengths: 1-month, 12 months, and 24 months. What’s more, no matter the plan, you pay for the total duration upfront, as with any VPN. This means that while NordVPN’s price per month starts from $3.39 a month, you’d pay around $81 upfront rather than a traditional monthly fee.

Something you should consider with NordVPN’s pricing is that, unlike many other VPN companies, NordVPN adds local tax to the advertised pricing. So, it can come off a little more expensive than you think once you get to checkout.

It's also worth noting that NordVPN's pricing will fluctuate throughout the year. NordVPN Basic, for example, can be anywhere between $2.99 – $3.39 per month. Black Friday is usually the best time to buy.

NordVPN total price (pre-tax)

NordVPN Basic

NordVPN Plus

NordVPN Complete (US-only)

NordVPN Prime (US-only)

1-month total price

$12.99

$13.99

$14.99

$17.99

1-year total price

$68.85

$82.35

$97.35

$127.35

2-year total price

$81.36

$105.03

$132.03

$186.03

The total prices you face emphasize the importance of choosing a plan you'll make the most of. The $50-plus jump between the Complete and Prime 2-year plans is a big one. The only difference between the two is the NordProtect cyber-insurance service. So, make sure that's something you really need if you're going for Prime.

The $25 jump from Basic to Plus, however, is arguably among the best value choices available. Basic doesn't offer much beyond the VPN product itself, as we'll cover in the features section, whereas Plus provides some of the most useful additional features of NordVPN such as the excellent Threat Protection Pro.

And if you really do want that 1 TB of encrypted storage, or NordVPN's new Scam Call Protection, then an extra $27 for NordVPN Complete is a good idea.

Do beware, though, and we cannot stress this enough, that NordVPN enforces some big price hikes after your two-year plan discount runs out. You can avoid it by remembering to cancel your subscription or by resubscribing. Just don't let it automatically renew. It's very easily done given customers are opted-in by default.

NordVPN is currently involved in several legal battles with customers over "deceptive" auto-renewals. These price rises aren't hidden by any means, but they are certainly much steeper many other VPN providers.

NordVPN auto-renewal prices

Basic

Plus

Complete

Prime

1-year (pre-tax)

$139.08

$224.85

$274.35

$464.85

2-year (pre-tax)

$278.16

$404.73

$493.83

$836.73

If these prices prove anything, it's that the first thing you should do after signing up is turn off auto renewals.

Score: 8/10

Features: What can NordVPN do?

• NordVPN Basic and Plus plans are the same across the world.
• Full NordProtect cyber-insurance only available in the US.
• NordPass password manager included with all plans apart from Basic.

NordVPN Basic

The Basic plan from NordVPN does exactly what the name suggests. The main feature is the VPN product itself and not too much more. It's the same full VPN software as available on all NordVPN plans.

Also included with Basic is the Threat Protection system – rather than the superior Threat Protection Pro offered on Plus plans and above.

Threat Protection on NordVPN Basic plans works by filtering your online traffic through NordVPN’s DNS servers to block ads and malicious sites.

It’s nowhere near as effective at blocking malicious sites as Threat Protection Pro, though you get a respectable level of ad-blocking capability no matter which version you have.

All of the best features available with NordVPN can be swiftly accessed via its redesigned home screen. (Image credit: Future)NordVPN Plus

Read more about NordVPN features ▼

The Plus plan is my favorite NordVPN plan. Available in any region, it strikes a good balance between value and power by incorporating what I think are NordVPN’s most essential tools and features.

Most notably, you’re given Threat Protection Pro. This takes the Basic plan’s Threat Protection package up a notch by adding malware protection via file scanning, improving ad-blocking capabilities (including the addition of tracker blocking), and introducing further measures to protect against phishing and other malicious websites.

NordVPN also recently announced that Threat Protection Pro was to be bolstered thanks to a team-up with CrowdStrike. We haven't seen the true impact of this new partnership yet, but it promises to take Threat Protection Pro to the next level by integrating aspects of CrowdStrike's Threat Intelligence technology.

Threat Protection Pro is an effective protective solution, even if you can only access it on desktop at the time of writing. (Image credit: Future)

Unfortunately, these improvements can only be seen on NordVPN’s desktop apps, which is great if your home PC is the device you’re most concerned about, but leaves you short-changed across all of your mobile devices.

This is especially unfortunate since Surfshark, for example, offers its complete protective toolkit for mobile too – including antivirus on Android, which NordVPN doesn’t have whatsoever.

Something included across almost any device, however, is NordPass. We rate NordPass as the best password manager available right now, so getting it thrown in alongside your VPN package is some serious value.

It’s compatible across all major desktop operating systems, as well as popular web browsers such as Chrome, Brave, Firefox, Edge, and Opera, and of course, iOS and Android mobile devices.

Compare NordVPN plan availability

Basic Plan

Plus Plan

Complete Plan

Ultimate Plan

Prime Plan

Ultra Plan

US

✅

✅

✅

❌

✅

❌

UK

✅

✅

❌

✅

❌

❌

Canada

✅

✅

✅

❌

❌

✅

Australia

✅

✅

✅

❌

❌

❌

NordPass encrypts your passwords using XChaCha20 but also secures password generation, passkey support, and easy synchronization of data between platforms, so you’re never stuck without the details you need.

What's more, you can use NordPass' data breach scanning – which is traditionally kept for premium NordPass plans. That said, we found it only worked through the NordVPN app, which could be confusing if you're using it alongside NordPass.

NordVPN Complete

Entering the upper echelons of NordVPN is where things get complex since, as mentioned, no one country gets the same premium plans. For the moment, we’ll stick with what the US gets.

NordVPN Complete adds two features to the spread offered by a Plus Plan: firstly, 1 TB of end-to-end encrypted storage. For an extra dollar a month, that may initially seem to be a great deal, but first, consider whether the added storage is actually going to be used.

If, like me, you’ve already pushed the limits of your free storage allowances on systems like Google and iCloud, then maybe it will, but will the added storage outweigh the convenience these services offer? The value for money for that 1 TB of storage is good, but, if you won’t use it, why pay more?

In terms of the value, it’s definitely worth mentioning that among the top VPN providers, only Proton VPN currently offers encrypted storage with any of its packages.

Though to get 500 GB of storage with Proton, you pay $3 per month more than you’d pay for a NordVPN Complete plan. And that makes NordVPN Complete comparatively better value if storage with your VPN is a priority.

Next up is Scam Call Protection. This is NordVPN's latest feature addition, offering potential scam detection, caller identification, and caller categorization (such as telemarketers). For now, this is an Android-only feature, NordVPN has confirmed it's planning to bring the functionality to iPhone users soon.

NordVPN Prime

Prime only brings one new thing to the party, though this time it’s a biggie – NordProtect.

NordProtect is an all-in-one package aimed at protecting your identity at all costs. Firstly, Dark Web Monitoring searches for your social security number, phone number, and email on the dark web 24/7, with immediate notifications should anything be found.

Your credit card also gets similar protection. 1-Bureau credit monitoring notifies you about changes, including inquiries into your credit file, new accounts, and unauthorized use. You can also make use of VantageScore credit scoring, should you wish for insights into how to improve your credit.

TransUnion, the company behind VantageScore, also provides credit freeze assistance as part of NordProtect. This not only helps to prevent credit card fraud, but also ensures your credit score isn’t impacted if you fall victim to it.

If that wasn’t enough, you’re also provided with identity theft insurance up to $1M in coverage, and cyber extortion insurance up to $100K in coverage.

All this protection does come at a hefty cost, however, as Prime Plans start from $6.99 per month on the two-year plan.

That takes your total payment to $50 more than Complete, and your cost on renewal rises to around $340 before tax. So, make sure you really need NordProtect before signing up.

Compare NordVPN features

Basic Plan

Plus

Complete

Ultimate

Ultra

Prime

VPN

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

Threat Protection

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

Threat Protection Pro

❌

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

Ad and tracker blocker

❌

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

Password manager

❌

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

Data breach scanning

❌

✅

✅

✅

✅

✅

1TB encrypted cloud storage

❌

❌

✅

✅

✅

✅

Cyber insurance (up to £5,000)

❌

❌

❌

✅

❌

❌

Identity theft insurance (up to $1M)

❌

❌

❌

❌

❌

✅

Cyber extortion insurance (up to $100k)

❌

❌

❌

❌

❌

✅

Incogni personal data removal

❌

❌

❌

❌

✅

❌

A surprising omission from almost all NordVPN plans worldwide is Incogni. Developed by Nord Security, NordVPN and Surfshark’s parent company, Incogni is a data removal tool that removes your personal information from company databases and people search sites, helping reduce the risk of scams, fraud, and identity theft.

Only Canada’s Ultra plan includes Incogni. Though, much like the US Prime plan, you’ll be forking out a fair sum for it, with prices starting from CA$8.19 per month.

If there’s one constant piece of advice we can give about picking a NordVPN plan, it’s this: know what you want. They all offer value, but only if you actually use the features you're buying.

Score: 10/10

Server network and locations

• Second most countries covered of any tested VPN (137).
• Most locations overall with 211.
• Approximately 8,000-strong network of RAM-only servers.

NordVPN offers the largest selection of server locations of any VPN we test. Nobody beats NordVPN's 211 locations, while only Proton VPN's 145 beats NordVPN's 137 countries.

The spread of these locations also earns it top marks. 74 locations in North America is the most of any VPN, 54 locations in Europe is only usurped by NymVPN (63), and 21 locations in Africa is only topped by Proton’s 31.

NordVPN is also top for locations in South America and Oceania, while its 41 Asian locations keeps it second to Proton VPN's 48.

The provider now offers 79 virtual locations in regions where physical servers are not possible. This is perfect if you're travelling to regions with tight internet restrictions and require a stable, secure connection.

Much like other top VPNs, NordVPN’s network runs on RAM-only servers. This is now reasonably standard practice, since RAM-only servers not only ensure no user data is accidentally stored (since they wipe on reboot) but they are also more efficient in terms of speed, latency, and power consumption.

Read more about NordVPN's server network ▼

This ensures the servers are capable of handling NordVPN’s various server uses, be that P2P, multi-hop, or Meshnet, without noticeable drops in performance.

Earlier in 2025, NordVPN threw a challenge to the VPN industry, claiming that the exact number of servers across its locations isn’t important. This means we no longer have a precise figure to use to compare NordVPN with its competitors.

NordVPN

Surfshark

ExpressVPN

Proton VPN

North America

74

34

71

39

South America

11

10

9

10

Europe

54

54

58

53

Asia

41

32

36

48

Oceania

9

6

8

7

Africa

21

6

6

31

Surfshark, a VPN also owned by Nord Security, uses around 4,500 servers currently, while Proton VPN uses over 15,000. Our latest research suggests NordVPN's figure is somewhere over 8,000 servers, which is above average, but by no means the most.

Realistically, however, we rarely see VPN servers reach absolute maximum load, and, frankly, with the spread of locations NordVPN has, you'll never be short of another place to connect to. There's really nothing we can complain about here, loads of locations, RAM-only servers, top marks!

Score: 10/10

Privacy

• Strong, privacy-focused protocol choices – NordLynx and NordWhisper
• Double VPN and Onion over VPN boost privacy and anonymity
• Tapjacking protection is a handy bonus for Android users

NordVPN’s privacy is founded on its no-logs policy. Not only is the policy in depth, but it has been audited six times, most recently by Deloitte at the end of 2025.

That depth doesn't make for good casual reading but it does successfully cover every important topic, and in enough detail that we’re comfortable with saying that nothing is amiss.

The closest NordVPN comes to recording data is its enforcement of the 10 device limit. As it explains, username and timestamp information is “used to limit the amount of concurrent active user sessions and is automatically deleted within 15 minutes after a session is terminated”.

Read more about NordVPN's privacy measures ▼

In-app, NordVPN’s primary privacy focal point is its NordWhisper protocol.

Introduced in January 2025, the protocol is based on the Tor Project’s WebTunnel technology. It wraps your encrypted VPN traffic in a standard HTTPS connection to hide it from detection. This disguises it as standard web traffic and makes NordWhisper especially effective in regions of high internet censorship and places where people found to be using VPNs can be punished.

For everyday connectivity, you’re not short of options either. OpenVPN is available in both its TCP and UDP forms. The former provides a more stable, reliable connection for emailing, browsing, and the like. The latter is more focused towards speed for gaming, streaming, or similar.

Alongside this, you also get NordVPN’s other proprietary protocol, NordLynx. NordLynx uses a ‘double NAT’ system to remove privacy vulnerabilities you’d be at risk of by using traditional WireGuard.

By combining double NAT technology and WireGuard, NordLynx allows you to experience the speed benefits of WireGuard, without any identifiable information being stored, even temporarily, in a server.

NordVPN's privacy and no-logs policies can be easily accessed via the NordVPN website. (Image credit: Future)

NordLynx is also NordVPN’s first post-quantum encrypted VPN protocol. It ensures that your data remains secure even once quantum computing arrives with its enormous boost in code-cracking, number crunching power.

NordVPN has chosen to use ML-KEM, an approved quantum-resistant cryptographic standard, with NordLynx.

NordVPN’s use of RAM-only servers helps too. Since RAM-only servers don’t store any data permanently. That means you’re never at risk of being personally identifiable should Nord’s servers be seized, since there’s no data to be found.

Connecting to NordVPN offers several privacy-centric options. Double VPN works as the name suggests, routing your connection through two VPN servers rather than one. In other words, your data is encrypted twice.

That makes your connection twice as difficult for cybercriminals to crack, your IP address is further protected (since the second server doesn’t have any information about it), and your ISP knows nothing about where you end up on the web.

This makes Double VPN perfect for those needing greater protection in regions where governments attempt to intercept messages or surveil online activities.

NordVPN currently offers 12 Double VPN locations, including 2 locations in the US and Canada. This is far fewer than the likes of Proton VPN and Surfshark.

Proton VPN offers 64 locations that utilize its Secure Core technology, while Surfshark’s Nexus network allows you to make any two server connections you want from its entire server network.

NordVPN's selection of server types can be quickly accessed whether you're on mobile or desktop. (Image credit: Future)

Another option for concealing your VPN connection is NordVPN’s obfuscated servers. These servers differ from NordVPN’s NordWhisper protocol as they obfuscate your connection via more traditional means – for example, hiding certain data packets using additional SSL (Secure Socket Layer) encryption.

It makes your internet connection faster, due to the simpler obfuscation methods being used, but you are more likely to be detected by anti-VPN technologies than if using NordWhisper.

If you’re looking to access the darker corners of the web securely, NordVPN also offers Onion Over VPN connections. Available via its Amsterdam, Stockholm, and Zurich server locations. This connection routes your traffic through both a VPN server and the Tor Network.

As a result, since the Tor Network’s servers are volunteer-operated, you are secured by a VPN before entering it in case a bad actor has planted servers intent on tracking your online activity and stealing your data. This added security when using Tor is something only offered by a few top VPNs, the most notable of which are NordVPN and Proton VPN.

Depending on the platform you’re using, NordVPN also offers several handy privacy settings you can use to further affirm your privacy. Android users get arguably the biggest spread. Notably, NordVPN’s ‘Tapjacking protection’ is something you won’t find on any other NordVPN platform, or offered by any other VPN for that matter.

The system aims to protect users against malicious overlays and is as simple to use as toggling on and forgetting about it. Having had the protection turned on for a matter of months now, I can comfortably say I've never found an instance where an overlay has slipped through the net, and I've never noticed it adding unwanted strain to my phone’s performance either.

Score: 10/10

Security

• Strong encryption and post-quantum encryption standards already live.
• Threat Protection Pro performs well against malware and phishing sites
• Lots of options for granular security customization.

NordVPN’s security is top-notch.

We tested its claims of strong AES-256-GCM encryption on OpenVPN using a 4096-bit Diffie-Hellman key, and we saw exactly that. Our tests registered AES-256-GCM-SHA384 encryption with 4096-bit certification using TLS 1.3. This makes NordVPN’s OpenVPN protocol as secure as possible, ensuring you needn’t worry about your connection, no matter your location.

On NordLynx, you’re similarly protected. Since the protocol is based on WireGuard, it uses the same ChaCha20 encryption you’d expect to see, using Poly1305 for authentication. This means you’re using the latest and greatest encryption capabilities across both of NordVPN’s primary protocols.

Post-quantum encryption has also already reached NordVPN. While providers such as Proton VPN and Surfshark are yet to implement it or are in the early stages, NordLynx is already post-quantum ready, with the future-proof encryption method available at the switch of a toggle.

While that might seem superfluous right now, it's a key differentiator given the existence of harvest now, decrypt later attacks.

Read more about NordVPN's security features ▼

OpenVPN and NordWhisper aren’t post-quantum-equipped quite yet. It's worth knowing that if you turn on post-quantum encryption, it'll turn itself off if your automatically selected protocol isn't NordLynx. This can be fixed in a matter of clicks by turning automatic protocol choosing off, instead selecting to always use NordLynx

You also won’t be post-quantum-protected when using Meshnet or NordVPN’s obfuscated server connection; the same goes if you add a dedicated IP to your plan.

If you’ve turned on post-quantum encryption before using Meshnet, beware that this automatically turns Meshnet off, making you choose between your secure local network and a super-secure VPN connection.

Meshnet is a superb, unique NordVPN feature, though it doesn't benefit from post-quantum encryption as yet. (Image credit: Future)

NordVPN also, of course, a more standard suite or security options in place.

Auto-connect jumps straight to mind, since you can fully customize exactly when and how NordVPN auto-connects you to a server.

It covers both the server type, and the instances in which it connects. This includes options for Double VPN, Obfuscated, Onion-Over, and P2P servers, and connecting when on Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or mobile networks. You can even create lists of trusted networks that are excluded from auto-connect parameters.

I use this kind of customization to make sure that I'm always protected and I particularly like it to my ensure my connection on-the-go.

If you want to continue the granular levels of security tailoring, you can also control the DNS server address you connect to, your visibility over LAN, and, on desktops, whether your computer can still be accessed remotely when connected. It’s worth noting, with LAN invisibility especially, toggling these settings can impact performance.

For example, with LAN invisibility turned on, iPhone, iPad, and Mac users won’t be able to use AirDrop. You may also experience significant performance impacts due to how Apple integrates the relevant API parameters in its hardware. If you want to know more, NordVPN released a complete breakdown you can read here.

Something that continues to impress is NordVPN’s kill switch. It's often the downfall of less secure VPN providers. In our security testing, a kill switch is key to ensuring your connection is never inadvertently exposed to bad actors, governments and the like.

We tried to break NordVPN’s kill switch in various ways, including uninstalling NordVPN’s network adapter driver while connected. Not only did NordVPN disconnect us successfully without any IP leaks, but it recognized the issue, reinstalled and activated the driver, and reconnected us, all within seconds.

NordVPN has an array of effective security settings, which can all be found in one place whether you're on desktop or mobile. (Image credit: Future)

If we could wish for one thing to improve NordVPN’s kill switch, it would be moving away from the native kill switch system on Android devices.

Across all platforms aside from Android, you can turn the kill switch on and off as you please. On Android, the native kill switch forces you to use the VPN at all times and disconnects you completely from the internet should the connection fail.

While this is super-secure, it’s frustrating should you only require a VPN connection in certain situations.

Something we’ll cover in more depth in the compatibility section is NordVPN’s feature parity across platforms. Split tunneling, another of NordVPN’s security capabilities, is a notable victim of some of NordVPN’s variations by device.

Windows users can create either a list of apps that must use the VPN or a list of apps that must not. Android users can only choose which apps won't use the VPN, and Mac and iOS users don’t get split tunneling at all – though this is reasonably common among VPNs owing to the security systems in place on Apple devices.

Our testing showed no reason to doubt NordVPN’s split tunneling capabilities, though it would be great to see its Android apps gain the same capabilities as Windows. Lacking the choice in this way puts NordVPN behind the likes of Surfshark and Proton VPN, which offer both choices on their Android apps.

We’ve mentioned NordWhisper already, but NordVPN also offers traditional obfuscated servers too. This is helpful since, at the time of writing, NordWhisper isn’t quite available on all platforms as yet – though Windows, Android, Linux, Mac, and iOS all have it already.

These servers, however, have one big problem: accessibility. Not only does NordVPN only offer obfuscated servers in 16 of its 127 countries, but also, depending on the app and protocol you’re using, you may not even see the option. NordVPN’s obfuscated servers only work over OpenVPN, which is understandable given the added security it brings, even if at a huge speed deficit, but if you’ve not manually selected OpenVPN as your protocol choice, your app may not show them.

Our testing on Apple devices showed the option simply doesn’t exist in the app unless you go into your settings and change to OpenVPN.

Windows and Android users don’t face the same issue. The option appears in the ‘Specialty Server’ section, no matter the protocol chosen, which makes much more sense and begs the question of why it isn’t this simple across all devices.

What’s more, the lack of locations means those in regions distant from a server will face even greater performance drops than you’d expect anyway from obfuscated servers.

Another feature lacking in locations is NordVPN’s Onion-over VPN capabilities, though in this instance, this is less of a problem since many providers don’t offer this at all. Onion-over VPN allows you to connect to sites on the Tor Network while secured by a VPN connection, something only offered by Proton VPN among other top VPN providers. In NordVPN’s case, it offers three countries to connect to: the Netherlands, Sweden, and Switzerland.

By comparison, Proton’s six locations include Sweden and Switzerland, but the additions of France, Germany, Hong Kong, and the US give the VPN provider not only wider EU coverage but broader coverage worldwide.

As with any VPN connection, reduced locations often mean worse speeds, either due to distance to the server or the load the server is under, and NordVPN’s Onion-over VPN servers prove no different.

Onion-over VPN connections (otherwise called Tor-over VPN) always require greater processing. That makes a dent on performance straight away, no matter the location, but the 741 Kbps download speeds we saw in testing demonstrate just how limited you can be, yes, that was Kbps by the way!

Finally, Double VPN. This is NordVPN’s version of a multi-hop connection, though its simpler than some competitor alternatives. This is because NordVPN doesn’t allow you to choose your entry and exit server, unlike Surfshark.

Even Proton, whose Secure Core Technology limits the choices you have, gives users a few choices. We won’t directly compare NordVPN and Surfshark here, since Surfshark’s Nexus technology gives users complete freedom to multi-hop between every Surfshark server, something no other VPN provider offers.

Outside of the VPN itself, NordVPN also offers Threat Protection and Threat Protection Pro. As mentioned already, Threat Protection only works at a DNS level to filter out ads and malicious websites.

This means it doesn’t offer much from a security standpoint, though we can’t fault it as a nice addition to the Basic plan, especially given the popularity of effective ad-blocking.

Threat Protection Pro works at a deeper level, protecting your desktop devices from phishing and malicious URLs, as well as ads and trackers. It can even scan for and block malicious downloads.

While this is nice, there are several downsides. Firstly, Threat Protection Pro isn’t actually an antivirus. It can’t scan files already on your computer for malware, nor can it remove them. Secondly, the full Threat Protection Pro suite is only available on desktop devices, while mobile users only get Threat Protection.

That limitation puts NordVPN behind Surfshark here. Surfshark includes a full antivirus with its Surfshark One plan – and it works on mobile as well as desktop.

That said, you can hardly fault Threat Protection Pro’s results.

Phishing Sites Blocked

Malware Sites Blocked

Ads blocked

NordVPN (Threat Protection Pro)

92%

80%

21%

Proton VPN

88%

0%

88%

ExpressVPN

76%

0%

86%

Surfshark

48%

28%

44%

We tested Threat Protection Pro against 50 brand-new malware-hosting and phishing pages, and it was the top-performing software of anything similar we tested among VPNs. It blocked 92% of phishing sites and 80% of malware sites.

By comparison, Surfshark Antivirus achieved only 48% and 28% in these same tests, putting a stretch ahead.

While these results do impress when compared to VPNs, a dedicated antivirus software performs far better than even Threat Protection Pro.

The likes of Avast, Norton, and ESET achieved equal or greater success in phishing protection tests carried out by AV-Comparatives in 2025. This is why we normally recommend picking up one of the best antivirus software in addition to your VPN of choice.

It's also worth mentioning that Threat Protection Pro's remit is constantly expanding. In recent months, Email Protection, hijacked session and double extension alerts, search result safety indicators, and crypto wallet checks have all joined the mix. While many of these are niche solutions, they're a handy addition should they fit your everyday needs.

Score: 10/10

Speed

• NordVPN is still among the fastest VPNs using WireGuard.
• Minimal latency and jitter make the best VPN for gamers.
• Struggled over OpenVPN in latest speed tests.

We recently completed our second round of testing using a 10 Gbps line with an increased number of data points.

This time around, NordVPN's NordLynx speeds remained relatively consistent, recording 1249 Mbps, having previously achieved 1256. Despite its consistency, this means NordVPN remains slower than Proton VPN and Surfshark using WireGuard and ExpressVPN’s Lightway Turbo protocol.

Take ExpressVPN’s results with a pinch of salt, though, since Lightway Turbo is only available on its Windows app, and ExpressVPN has warned that it might cause issues with some websites and games.

None of that is true for NordLynx and, although Lightway Turbo’s 1479 Mbps speeds put it a margin ahead of NordLynx on paper, most users won’t see this difference in day-to-day usage.

Instead, you’ll likely benefit more from the added compatibility of NordLynx.

Read more about NordVPN's performance ▼

NordLynx’s results do, however, put it among the best VPN protocols for gamers, since in our testing, it recorded only 7.2ms latency and 2.4ms jitter when connected to our nearest server.

High latency results in laggy gameplay, and high jitter can lead to unstable gameplay and stuttering, so recording latency and jitter at low result is key when choosing the best gaming VPN.

NordVPN is bested for latency only by ExpressVPN's Lightway Turbo, and, along with Surfshark, it's the best for jitter among the top VPNs. Across the board, it's NordVPN that we recommend for gamers.

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Latency and jitter are two key measures when considering VPNs for gaming. Here's how the very best VPNs stack up right now

< Prev Latency comparison Next > NordVPN (NordLynx) 17.2 Surfshark (WireGuard) 21.7 Proton VPN (WireGuard) 21.7 ExpressVPN (Lightway Turbo) 14.8 07.51522.530 ms Latency comparison Data ProductValue (ms) NordVPN (NordLynx) 17.2 Surfshark (WireGuard) 21.7 Proton VPN (WireGuard) 21.7 ExpressVPN (Lightway Turbo) 14.8 NordVPN (NordLynx) 2.4 Surfshark (WireGuard) 2.3 Proton VPN (WireGuard) 5.2 ExpressVPN (Lightway Turbo) 5.3 01.534.56 ms Jitter comparison Data ProductValue (ms) NordVPN (NordLynx) 2.4 Surfshark (WireGuard) 2.3 Proton VPN (WireGuard) 5.2 ExpressVPN (Lightway Turbo) 5.3 1 of 2 Second only to ExpressVPN's Lightway Turbo protocol, NordVPN holds a sizeable gap over Proton VPN and Surfshark for latency (function() { function initialize() { var chartWrapper = document.getElementById('fv-chart-1763666452723-onirmpmkn'); if (!chartWrapper) { console.error('Chart wrapper with ID fv-chart-1763666452723-onirmpmkn not found.'); return; } function animateBars(chartElement) { if (!chartElement) return; var bars = chartElement.querySelectorAll('.fv-bar, .fv-stacked-segment'); bars.forEach(function(bar, index) { var targetWidth = bar.dataset.targetWidth; if (targetWidth === undefined) return; // Bars start at width: 0% in HTML, so we just animate them setTimeout(function() { bar.style.width = targetWidth + '%'; }, index * 50 + 100); }); } function animateLineChart(chartElement) { if (!chartElement) return; var lineSvg = chartElement.querySelector('svg'); if (!lineSvg) return; var paths = lineSvg.querySelectorAll('.riv-line-path'); paths.forEach(function(p, i) { if (typeof p.getTotalLength === 'function') { var len = p.getTotalLength(); p.style.transition = 'none'; p.style.strokeDasharray = len; p.style.strokeDashoffset = len; p.getBoundingClientRect(); setTimeout(function() { p.style.transition = 'stroke-dashoffset 1s ease-out ' + (i * 0.1) + 's'; p.style.strokeDashoffset = '0'; }, 100); } }); var dots = lineSvg.querySelectorAll('.riv-dot'); dots.forEach(function(dot, i) { dot.style.opacity = '0'; setTimeout(function() { dot.style.transition = 'opacity 0.3s ease'; dot.style.opacity = '1'; }, 500 + i * 10); }); } var charts = chartWrapper.querySelectorAll('.fv-chart-item'); // Animate initial view if ("Carousel" === "All Charts") { charts.forEach(function(chart) { var chartType = chart.dataset.chartType; if (chartType === 'Line') { animateLineChart(chart); } else if (chartType !== 'Pie') { animateBars(chart); } }); } else if (charts.length > 0) { var firstChart = charts[0]; var firstChartType = firstChart.dataset.chartType; if (firstChartType === 'Line') { animateLineChart(firstChart); } else if (firstChartType !== 'Pie') { animateBars(firstChart); } } if (charts.length > 1 && "Carousel" !== "All Charts") { var currentChartIndex = 0; var subheadEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.fv-chart-subhead'); var captionEl = chartWrapper.querySelector('.rv-chart-caption'); var placeholderSubhead = "Subhead to describe the test and what's being measured and why"; var placeholderCaption = "Add your caption to explain the data, the learnings and the key takeaways of the data being visualized"; var globalSubheadJSON = "Subhead to describe the test and what's being measured and why"; var globalCaptionJSON = "Add your caption to explain the data, the learnings and the key takeaways of the data being visualized"; var globalSubhead = globalSubheadJSON === placeholderSubhead ? 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Connecting to US NordVPN servers from the UK proved less effective. NordLynx achieved only 688 Mbps when connecting across the Pond. This makes it half as slow as Proton VPN in this scenario (which achieved 1242 Mbps), and even slower compared to ExpressVPN’s Lightway Turbo, which managed 1374 Mbps. Only Surfshark proved slower with a lowly 355 Mbps.

NordVPN did still hold up well for latency and jitter over long distance, proving, again, that it's a great gaming VPN choice – perfect, in this instance for avoiding unwanted lag while connecting to servers abroad for gaming, streaming, or other high-intensity tasks.

It was also great to see NordLynx's results become far more consistent, having been notably irregular last time round.

The figurehead speeds we mention in our reviews come from a series of tests taken in the morning and evening that we then take an average of, and this time round, these results bore far more similarities to each other than previously.

Our last round of testing saw NordLynx drop around 200 Mbps of average speed from morning to evening. This time around, our results ranged only by 70 Mbps – a big improvement in the consistency you can expect. The same was true for our US testing, where the variation dropped to only around 50 Mbps.

Unfortunately, NordVPN's OpenVPN performance has yet again dropped off. Previously registering 974 Mbps, it now only achieved 688 Mbps, much lower than Surfshark (978 Mbps) and ExpressVPN (1038 Mbps).

Again, though, while Surfshark and ExpressVPN are fractionally quicker in this sense, in real world scenarios you may rarely notice this difference.

Score: 9/10

Unblocking streaming services

• Only struggled with two streaming services we tested.
• Never encountered unwanted CAPTCHAs, or dropouts.
• All servers are streaming optimized.

NordVPN was the clear winner in our latest unblocking testing. It struggled with the fewest streaming services of every VPN we've tested.

We test Netflix, across the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan, Prime Video, Disney+, and YouTube. We also tested NordVPN at unblocking local free streaming services, including BBC iPlayer, ITVX, C4, 9Now, and 10Play.

Only YouTube US and Prime Video Australia proved inaccessible. Aside from these, we never encountered VPN detection, unwanted CAPTCHAs during login, or any dreadful lag, buffering or connection dropouts to ruin our streaming experience. This was the same whether we were attempting to watch something live or catching up on demand.

So, while there are now some small blips on NordVPN's record, most won't be heavily impacted.

Read more about NordVPN's unblocking capabilities ▼

Proton VPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark all equally struggled with US YouTube. Proton also struggled with Disney+ USA alongside ITVX and Channel 4 in the UK. Surfshark suffered a spread of issues across platforms worldwide, a big change from a near-flawless performance last time out.

What was even more impressive was the lack of impact of NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro ad-blocker. Normally, we find that the ad-blockers of VPN services disrupted the streaming capabilities of local, ad-based services like Channel 4 and ITV, but we saw no such issues with NordVPN. The same cannot be said of Proton VPM and Surfshark.

NordVPN never found itself unable to load services due to their advert reel requirements, even when connecting to ad-based services abroad, such as Peacock. Top marks.

Something certainly playing into this success is that all of NordVPN’s servers are streaming-optimized. This move not only means you never have to scroll through to find those with the correct optimization, but it also means you’re never short of another server to connect to if one struggles to connect to the streaming service you’re trying to access.

Score: 10/10

P2P and torrenting

• Most servers are P2P optimized.
• Lots of guides to help beginners get started.
• No port forwarding support.

Nothing summarizes NordVPN’s torrenting capabilities more than the fact that all but four of its countries offer P2P-optimized servers – sorry to those looking to torrent connected to Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Moldova, and North Macedonia!

What’s more, finding the server you need is super simple. NordVPN’s P2P-optimized locations can be found in its Specialized Servers section on any app, and you even get the option to quickly connect to the fastest server if you’re not after somewhere specific and would rather sheer performance.

Thankfully, NordVPN’s speed capabilities mean your torrenting experience is likely to be more limited by your peers than your VPN. What’s more, its security measures meant we never found ourselves receiving warnings from our ISP when testing its capabilities with uTorrent, no matter if we were using NordLynx or OpenVPN.

As is standard among top VPNs, NordVPN doesn’t support port forwarding due to the security risks posed. A full blog article outlines their reasons for this, which you can read here.

If you’re new to torrenting, it’s also great to see NordVPN has a whole variety of guides for setting up proxies with popular torrenting services, including BitTorrent, uTorrent, and qBittorrent. They’re easy to digest and come with all the information you need packed in, too.

Score: 4/5

Compatibility

• Apps for every platform – including Linux GUI and routers.
• A similar look across almost every app.
• No Threat Protection Pro on mobile.

NordVPN has apps across every platform out there, including a GUI Linux VPN and router VPN capabilities, alongside the expected web extensions and smart TV apps.

The majority of NordVPN's apps share a similar feel and consequently enough regularity that the features you can access will be found where you’d expect them. Smart TVs are, as expected with most VPNs, the platform with the most differentiation in layout, but that change brings added simplicity and makes it easy to use.

Windows

Mac

iOS

Android

Protocols

NordLynx, NordWhisper, OpenVPN (TCP and UDP)

NordLynx, NordWhisper, OpenVPN (TCP and UDP)

NordLynx, NordWhisper, OpenVPN (TCP and UDP)

NordLynx, NordWhisper, OpenVPN (TCP and UDP)

Kill switch

3-mode kill switch including VPN and application specific settings

Application-level kill switch

VPN connection failure killswitch

Android-native kill switch only

Split tunnelling

Disable or Enable based split tunnelling

❌

❌

Disable only

Auto-connect

WiFi, ethernet, or mobile network settings. Plus custom or fastest location choice

Can be set to auto connect when using untrusted WiFi networks. Plus location choice

Can be set up for all networks, no networks, or WiFi only. Plus location choice

All networks, Wifi, or mobile networks settings. Plus location choice

Threat Protection Pro

✅

✅

Basic Threat Protection only

Basic Threat Protection only

Read more about NordVPN's compatibility ▼

I mentioned already that NordVPN isn’t stellar in terms of its feature-parity across platforms, but for the most part, NordVPN’s compatibility is nothing to be concerned about.

As you can see, in the table below, like most VPNs, Windows gets everything, and iOS users get the least. In amongst this, though, are several key differentiators.

NordVPN users on iOS and Mac don't get to enjoy split tunneling. In the past, that proved difficult for all VPN providers on iOS and Mac due to Apple's security infrastructure, but now the likes of IPVanish and Surfshark are beginning to roll the feature out. NordVPN users have no such luck.

It’s not often that we see Android users facing big feature shortfalls as well but, most frustrating, of the absentees is that there's no Threat Protection Pro on any mobile devices. That's a real loss.

Threat Protection Pro is the best-performing VPN security add-on we've tested, and is a notable step up from the results we saw basic Threat Protection, which mobile users do get.

By comparison, Surfshark's full antivirus capabilities are available across any platform, including the regular file scanning feature – something not offered by NordVPN.

Score: 4/5

Usability

• Simple set up – but ensure you disable auto-renewals.
• Similar user experience across most apps.
• Reducing the use of the map has improved functionality hugely.

Set up

Setting up NordVPN is simple enough. Once you’re signed up, you can download the VPN directly from the website (unless you’ve signed up within the iOS or Android app, in which case you’ll have already installed it to do so). From there, you’re almost on your own.

Loading the installer gives you the option of also adding NordPass and the NordVPN browser extension to your device. Both are great tools and super handy to have – and then you’re straight into the NordVPN app.

Something we recommend doing as soon as you’re in is stopping your auto-renewals. This will stop you getting a nasty and very expensive surprise when your initial NordVPN agreement runs out.

Stop auto-renewal by heading to the Account section of your Settings menu. It takes almost no time at all.

Read more about NordVPN's usability ▼

You can find the quickest ways to download each of NordVPN's apps via its website, including web extensions. (Image credit: Future)User Experience

NordVPN is as close to identical as it can be across the majority of its apps nowadays, which is only a good thing for sure.

The only times you’ll see anything especially different is on smart TVs, as is expected with most VPNs, and streaming devices such as Fire TV Sticks.

Older Fire TV Sticks, especially, will be in for a shock, as, depending on your device generation, you can be hit with a much older-appearing UI than anywhere else.

Even NordVPN's Chrome extension shares a similar feel. While you can't use it to access VPN protocols or specialist servers, you're never left wondering where anything is.

What's more, you're still equipped with everything from the kill switch, auto-connect, and split tunneling, to otherwise hidden features such as location spoofing, which is only available via the web extension and sets your browser to the location and time zone of your VPN server. It's by no means perfect, but you have all the essential tools in a familiar package.

One of NordVPN’s quirky inclusions in its desktop and mobile apps used to be an interactive map interface you could use to select your server. While this did look rather pleasing, we’ve never found ourselves using it in all the years it’s been there, nor did it ever do anything to make the connection process quicker. So, we’re glad to see it getting phased out on desktop devices in favor of more screen space for features such as Threat Protection Pro.

This change makes it supremely quick and easy access to almost every tool, whether on mobile or desktop.

The home screen brings quick access to every VPN country available, each of NordVPN’s specialty server types, Meshnet, Dark Web Monitoring, and the three key aspects of Threat Protection Pro – anti-malware, advanced browser protection, and ad and tracker blocking.

Accessing these features in more detail is as simple as clicking the corresponding icon on the side-nav, and once you’re where you want to be, you’re greeted by explainer after explainer giving you everything you need to know to understand the tool and how it’ll benefit either your VPN connection or your online security.

I do have two gripes with the desktop version however:

Firstly, the search bar isn’t the most advanced. While some VPN providers will allow you to search for a location and choose between its specific capabilities, for example, P2P or obfuscated, Nord’s shows you the location as though you were connecting normally.

If you’re after, say, a P2P server, you’d have to search P2P, and then choose a server from the icon that appears – a method slower than simply choosing P2P in the specialty servers section you’re greeted with on the home screen.

Secondly, the desktop app no longer offers both choices of pausing your connection or disconnecting entirely. Instead, you now get a pause button which, once clicked, becomes a dropdown with a series of pause durations alongside a disconnect button.

While I understand adding steps to the disconnection process reduces the chance someone will, thus improving their security, for those of us who know when we do and don’t want to be connected, it’s an unnecessary added step. Still, it's a pretty minor beef.

Mobile users get a similarly efficient experience, which we love. While it retains the interactive map, you can access every country, Meshnet, and all of Nord’s Specialty Servers from your home screen – though, understandably given screen restraints, there’s no room for Threat Protection or Dark Web Monitoring this time round.

You still get the same detailed explanations of each feature and setting throughout the app, though you’re still stuck with the same limited search capabilities and pause button that the desktop app uses.

Oddly, something omitted from the main screen across desktop and mobile is any reference to key features, such as protocols or the kill switch. To set up or change these, you need to head into the settings instead. What’s more, while on desktop you can click one button to set the server you’re connected to as your auto-connect, you’re given no such convenience on mobile – though for many this won’t be so useful.

Aside from the minor gripes, NordVPN’s apps are the best they’ve been in years – efficient, clean to look at, and easy for beginners.

The few issues we’ve found, and their minor impact show just how much thought has gone into NordVPN's usability across the board.

Score: 5/5

Accessibility

• NordVPN's website is among the most accessible VPN websites.
• Not a huge amount of language support.
• Keyboard-only navigation could be better.

We put NordVPN.com through an AccessibilityChecker audit, and its score of 83% puts it among the most accessible VPN websites out there. It scores higher than Proton VPN (35%), Surfshark (41%), and ExpressVPN (21%) and PIA (10%). This makes it the most accessible VPN website of all our best VPNs.

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AccessibilityChecker audit of the home pages of each VPN website

Accessibility score NordVPN 83 Surfshark 41 ExpressVPN 23 Proton VPN 35 PureVPN 35 Mullvad 89 IPVanish 71 CyberGhost 17 AdGuard VPN 17 PrivadoVPN 10 Hotspot Shield 23 TunnelBear 74 Accessibility score Data ProductValue (Percent) NordVPN 83 Surfshark 41 ExpressVPN 23 Proton VPN 35 PureVPN 35 Mullvad 89 IPVanish 71 CyberGhost 17 AdGuard VPN 17 PrivadoVPN 10 Hotspot Shield 23 TunnelBear 74 NordVPN offers a very easy to navigate website for those with visual accessibility needs. The apps could have better keyboard-only support, though. 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The site passed all interaction and navigational checks. One element failed a screenreader test due to a prohibited ARIA attribute, and 36 elements failed visual and structural accessibility tests because of poor contrast between foreground and background.

Read more about NordVPN's accessibility ▼

On investigating the contrast issue, it turned out it referred to text that became clearer when scrolled over.

Looking at NordVPN on desktop, we found it supports 13 languages, including options including English, French, German, Italian, Polish, Portuguese, Japanese, Korean and Chinese (Simplified and Traditional.)

However, much like Surfshark, it lacked others, including Arabic, Turkish, and Swedish. This seems a simple enough area both NordVPN and Surfshark can improve on, especially since providers such as Norton VPN and Proton VPN have 26 and 28 languages supported, respectively.

Keyboard support on NordVPN is also not the best. Disconnecting our mouse for a second, it quickly became apparent that doing anything other than actually connecting to a VPN server wasn't easy enough.

Unless you’d happened to connect to where you wanted to recently – so it’d appear in your ‘Recent Connections’ list – it was nearly impossible to get a connection going. Using Meshnet, Threat Protection Pro, or anything else, however, was simple.

An easy comparison to make here is with PIA, whose app allows you to scroll its country list, highlight a country, and connect within a few taps of the keyboard – it really should be this simple.

Score: 2/5

Customer support

• 24/7 live chat and email support available alongside a support site
• Easy access to support via the apps
• Excellent online user guides.

NordVPN offers several customer support options, including a support site, 24/7 live chat, and a 24/7 email ticketing system.

Usefully, the app gives you easy access to raising a ticket or accessing the support site if you need help.

We found running diagnostic testing from within the app when you encounter a problem helps speed up the support process, as it reduces the number of additional questions agents need to ask. You can even include a list of apps installed on the impacted device in case any of them may be a contributing factor that the support agent can identify.

Putting its Live Chat service to the test, we found it sufficiently responsive, with an agent responding typically after 2-3 minutes. Its email service wasn’t so hasty. We had to wait around 18 hours before receiving a response to our test question.

Despite its sluggishness, the email system was effective. Our agent solved our test issue by asking a selection of relevant questions at once, collecting our responses, and using them to diagnose the problems.

Read more about NordVPN's customer support ▼

It was also refreshing to avoid the typical customer support responses of “have you reinstalled the app?” or “have you cleared your cookies?” since the questions we were asked required detailed enough responses that there was no need. This also reduced the amount of back-and-forth required to resolve our test issues.

NordVPN’s customer support page is also very helpful. It doesn't bombarded the reader with category options to click between straight away, as is expected nowadays. Instead, you’re greeted by five overarching categories, one of which is about exploring other Nord Security products. So, in reality, four categories, and a search bar.

There is a trade-off for usability, though. For example, entering any of the categories removes the search bar from your screen, forcing you instead to use the breadcrumb trail at the top of the page to return to the main screen and search from there.

This leaves you doing a lot of unnecessary navigation if you’re merely looking for a quick fix, especially if you’ve clicked through several options in the categories already to try and find your answers that way.

To NordVPN's credit, once you find the article you need, it's usually extremely helpful.

For example, Nord’s proxy setup guide for uTorrent not only gives you the super-clear steps you need, but it also tells you how to then check that what you’ve done is working.

This is great for any kind of VPN user and typically of how strong NordVPN is on customer support.

Score: 4/5

User reviews

Although all review sites should be approached with a level of skepticism, they do offer a good enough gauge of how trustworthy a VPN is and how well it performs if you’re looking at a quick glance.

Across Google Play and the App Store, NordVPN has ratings equal to the very top VPNs. Its rating on TrustPilot is lower than most at only 4.2 out of 5, with 12% of the 44,000+ reviews being 1-star too.

Google Play

App Store

Trustpilot

NordVPN

4.6

4.7

4.2

Windscribe

4.6

4.6

4.7

Surfshark

4.5

4.7

4.5

PIA

4.6

4.7

4.3

ExpressVPN

4.4

4.7

4.2

The majority of negative reviews on Trustpilot surround NordVPN’s auto-renewals, which, should you be worried about it, can be turned off in a matter of clicks. We recommend doing this early on in your subscription to ensure you’re not stung down the line.

Track record: can you trust NordVPN?

• Reasonably spotless reputation throughout its history.
• 2018 breach is only notable blot on its record.
• Currently facing some lawsuits around its auto-renewal practices.

NordVPN’s history is, for the most part, positive, though 2018 proved to be a tricky year.

A breach in March 2018 saw NordVPN’s reputation tarnished, in part due to the obvious security concerns, but mainly since it didn’t admit to the breach for another 18 months, with the announcement coming only in October 2019.

The breach was only to one VPN server in Finland, and NordVPN explained in the belated announcement that none of NordVPN’s own servers were compromised, claiming the breach “was made possible by poor configuration on a third-party data center’s part”.

NordVPN was supposedly only made aware of the issue in April 2019, prompting a review and the consequent delay in announcing the breach to customers.

It’s not thought that any identifiable data was stolen in the breach, due to its small scale and the fact that it didn’t breach Nord’s central infrastructure, and all 5,000 servers NordVPN used at the time were audited on the breach’s discovery to remove further vulnerabilities.

Read more about NordVPN's track record ▼

NIST’s vulnerability database also has three weaknesses on record from that same year, though thankfully, none in the seven years since, suggesting that there’s little to worry about now.

In 2019, NordVPN would become one of the founding members of the VPN Trust Initiative (VTI), an industry-led consortium focused on “improving digital safety for consumers by building understanding, strengthening trust, and mitigating risk for VPN users”.

This consortium also consists of ExpressVPN, StrongVPN, Surfshark, and encrypt.me, and aims to improve public trust in VPNs and help users make informed decisions.

While this bears no direct impact on its reputation, it’s a clear sign of good intent from NordVPN that has shown little reason to be doubted since.

NordVPN would go on to experience around five years with its reputation out of the spotlight, but a lawsuit against its auto-renewal practices would abruptly end this.

Wittels McInturff Palikovic (WMP) filed a $100m lawsuit against the VPN provider, alleging that it "uses deceptive and illegal auto-renewal practices" in August 2024. In May 2025, a second action was filed on similar grounds.

While this case remains ongoing, the topic of auto-renewals remains on the lips of almost all VPN users, with many of the best VPNs adopting similar practices.

This has lead to similar instances across the industry of users facing unexpected payments for subscriptions and getting pretty upset about it.

If you’re concerned about getting stung, we recommend turning off auto-renewal once you’re logged into NordVPN. You can do that as soon as you've installed it in a matter of a few clicks.

NordVPN's latest headache came in January 2026, when a hacker claimed to have breached a NordVPN development server. No sensitive user information was compromised in the alleged breach, and NordVPN has continuously denied its success.

Score: 4/5

Final verdict

(Image credit: Future / Gemini)

NordVPN is the best VPN for most people. While it’s more expensive than Surfshark, it has superior streaming performance, comparable speeds, and a suite of features, including the best password manager available, depending on the plan you choose.

We recommend a NordVPN Plus plan over its other alternatives. It provides tools, including premium password management and ad and tracker protection, as well as malware blocking and data breach alerts, all alongside its full VPN capabilities.

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If you’re looking for the best value NordVPN plan, you should pick up a Plus plan. Available in every region, you can find NordVPN, the Plus plan, which gives you a strong mix of security features in addition to the VPN. These include NordPass, Threat Protection Pro, and data breach alerts. All NordVPN plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you don't like it. We've tried the guarantee for ourselves and it works.View Deal

Who should try a different VPN instead?

❌ Those wanting full antivirus protection included: While Threat Protection Pro offers solid security capabilities, it is by no means a fully-fledged antivirus. Providers such as Surfshark offer true antivirus protection in their more premium plans, alongside features included with NordVPN such as ad and malware protection.

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Surfshark is the second-best VPN we’ve tested overall, offers P2P optimization on all its servers, and even offers full antivirus protection on its One and One+ plans. What’s more, it’s over $1/month cheaper than NordVPN, and comes with unique features including Alternative ID, which enables you to spoof your name, address, and email – you can even spoof your phone number if you’re located in the US!View Deal

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NordVPN does offer a free trial; however, it’s only available on its Android and iOS apps. Signing up to NordVPN from anywhere other than Apple’s App Store or the Google Play Store will only give you access to NordVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee.

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NordVPN testing methodology

Throughout this review, I'll refer to things either 'I' or 'we' have seen. Whenever I say 'I' have seen something, this means it is something I, Rob Dunne, and I've seen it in hands-on testing of NordVPN.

When talking about things that 'we' have seen, this refers to anything uncovered during our technical lab testing. This is performed by VPN Technical Editor, Mike Williams.

We test each VPN every six months. These tests cover speed, ad-blocking, anti-phishing and malware, streaming service unblocking, and local IP address leaks. Plus, the server networks are spot-checked to confirm that the VPN server locations are accurate. We also check through each VPN provider's security credentials, privacy policy, and executable files.

You can take a look at our VPN testing methodology to see the full measures we put each VPN through.

The TechRadar VPN team fact-checks every VPN review we write, using our own research and knowledge alongside information provided by NordVPN. We update this review regularly to include any new features or information about the product, ensuring that what you’re reading is 100% up to date and as you would find the product if you downloaded and used it today.

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Ooma Office stands out as a reliable, no-contract VoIP solution crafted specifically for small businesses that prioritize simplicity and affordability in their communication needs.

As of early 2026, its pricing structure remains competitive, starting at $19.95 per user per month, and recent updates have expanded features, including advanced analytics, deeper CRM integrations, and enhanced security options, to better support modest growth.

This comprehensive review covers every key aspect—from an introductory overview to detailed comparisons—drawing on the latest available information to help business owners determine whether Ooma Office aligns with their operations.

Ooma Office VoIP: Plans and pricing

(Image credit: Ooma)

Ooma Office maintains a straightforward, tiered pricing model that scales with small teams without locking users into long-term commitments, a major draw for startups and SMBs wary of hidden fees.

The entry-level Essentials plan costs $19.95 per user per month (billed monthly) and packs over 50 essential features, such as unlimited domestic calling to the US, Canada, Mexico, and Puerto Rico, a virtual receptionist for professional call greeting, seamless mobile app access for on-the-go communication, and even one complimentary toll-free number with 500 included minutes (overages billed at roughly 3¢ per minute). Taxes and regulatory fees are bundled into the quoted price, simplifying budgeting.

Stepping up to the Pro plan at $24.95 per user per month unlocks significant productivity boosters, including a dedicated desktop app for computer-based calling, 250 SMS text messages per month (with additional texts at $0.0095 each), videoconferencing for up to 25 participants via Ooma Meetings, one-touch call recording, and automatic voicemail transcription sent directly to email. This tier appeals to teams that need more than basic telephony, such as quick video huddles or message logs for follow-ups.

The top-tier Pro Plus plan, priced at $29.95 per user per month, caters to slightly larger or more feature-hungry operations with 1,000 monthly texts, videoconferencing scaled to 100 participants, robust CRM integrations (e.g., Salesforce, HubSpot), hot desking for shared extensions, advanced call queuing, team chat functionality, and an auto dialer for outbound campaigns. For enterprises eyeing SIP trunking, multi-site management, custom analytics dashboards, and dedicated call center tools, a bespoke Enterprise plan is available through direct sales quotes, often tailored for 50+ users.

Add-ons keep costs predictable: extra phone numbers cost $9.95 per month; toll-free minutes beyond the bundle incur low per-minute rates; and hardware such as IP desk phones starts at a one-time $59.99 purchase (with bring-your-own-device support). Number porting remains free, though some initial setups may include a $29.95 activation fee. Compared to legacy phone systems, Ooma's model eliminates the hefty upfront hardware investments and maintenance contracts, making it a cost-effective pivot for businesses in rural areas where reliable VoIP is essential.

Ooma Office VoIP: Features

(Image credit: Ooma)

Ooma Office's feature set emphasizes reliability and core business tools, with over 100 capabilities distributed across tiers to avoid overwhelming small users.

Universal access points include Ooma-enabled IP phones, the cross-platform mobile app (iOS/Android), and softphone options, supporting crystal-clear HD voice calls, SMS/MMS messaging, and fax-to-email conversion.

Ring groups allow simultaneous or sequential ringing across extensions—ideal for sales or support teams—while music-on-hold, call forwarding, and virtual extensions ensure no call drops during off-hours.

Pro and higher tiers elevate the experience with call analytics tracking duration, volume, and outcomes; dynamic caller ID that displays team-specific info; enhanced call blocking powered by Nomorobo (flagging over 2 million spam numbers daily); and Ooma Meetings for video calls with screen sharing, recording, and participant controls.
Integrations have matured significantly, now linking with Salesforce and HubSpot for Pro Plus (contact sync, logging), QuickBooks for billing tie-ins, and Google Workspace/Microsoft 365 for calendar-based availability routing.

Pro Plus exclusives such as shared voicemail pools, online appointment booking widgets, HIPAA-compliant mode (with a Business Associate Agreement for handling protected health information), and performance leaderboards foster team accountability.

Multi-site support lets distributed teams (e.g., a PA headquarters with remote reps) manage unified directories, while bulk user imports streamline onboarding. Recent 2026 enhancements focus on AI-driven insights, such as call sentiment analysis previews in Enterprise, positioning Ooma as more than just a phone system but a lightweight UCaaS platform.

Ooma Office VoIP: Getting set up

(Image credit: Ooma Office)

Getting Ooma Office operational typically spans 15-30 minutes, starting with a quick online signup, number selection or porting (free, processed in one to seven days), and app downloads. Bulk CSV imports handle user provisioning for teams, auto-assigning extensions and devices; compatible IP phones plug into Ethernet for instant provisioning via Ooma's cloud.

For analog holdouts, Ooma adapters bridge existing handsets at low cost. Multi-location setups involve assigning site-specific prefixes and failover rules through the portal—no on-site servers required. Optional white-glove activation ($29.95+) includes expert walkthroughs, ideal for first-timers. Post-setup, firmware auto-updates ensure uptime, with 99.99% reliability SLA on higher plans.

Ooma Office VoIP: Ease of Use

Navigating Ooma Office feels intuitive from the first login, thanks to a clean web-based admin portal that prioritizes speed over complexity—perfect for non-technical owners juggling multiple roles. Adding users, extensions, or ring groups takes just minutes via drag-and-drop interfaces, with customizable ring timers (e.g., 20 seconds per phone before failover) and unlimited virtual receptionist greetings that are recordable directly in the browser.

The mobile app mirrors desktop functionality for calls, texts, and presence indicators (busy/available), enabling field reps to stay connected without lugging hardware.

Pro users rave about the desktop softphone's company directory, one-click video launches, and speed dial groups, which scale decently up to 20-30 seats before feeling crowded. Overall, its low learning curve minimizes training time and earns high marks in user reviews for "set-it-and-forget-it" reliability.

Ooma Office VoIP: Support

(Image credit: Ooma Office)

Ooma delivers round-the-clock support via phone (US-based reps), email ticketing, and live chat, resolving 90% of issues same-day per user feedback. A self-service knowledge base brims with 100+ video tutorials on ring groups, integrations, and troubleshooting, plus a community forum for peer tips.

Enterprise clients access white-glove onboarding, custom SLAs, and a dedicated account manager. Response times average under 2 minutes for chat, making it responsive for urgent outages—strong for the price point.

Ooma Office VoIP: Security and privacy

(Image credit: Ooma Office)

Ooma prioritizes end-to-end encryption for all voice, video, and text traffic (SRTP/TLS protocols), safeguarding data in transit and at rest against intercepts.

Pro/Pro Plus tiers amplify protection with intelligent spam screening (Nomorobo integration blocks robocalls proactively) and password-locked meetings, while HIPAA mode on Pro Plus enforces audit logs, data retention controls, and a signed BAA for healthcare compliance—crucial for PA clinics handling PHI.

The privacy policy outlines data collection limited to service delivery (call logs, billing), with no-sale assurances but legal disclosures permitted. Account access relies on strong passwords, though multi-factor authentication is absent as of 2026 reviews—a noted gap relative to enterprise peers. Regular vulnerability scans and SOC 2 compliance underpin trust for SMBs.

Ooma Office VoIP: The competition

While Ooma Office excels in simplicity and value for small teams, it faces stiff competition from more feature-rich UCaaS platforms at similar prices.

Nextiva's Essential plan starts at $19-$25 per user per month (annual billing), delivering superior call reporting, unlimited SMS/video, and unlimited international minutes to 40+ countries, though it caps advanced AI on base tiers and requires annual commitments.

RingCentral starts at $20 per user per month, with 90+ native integrations (including AI transcription and bots as standard), robust analytics for mid-market scaling, but costs rise for premium video or global expansion.

GoTo Connect, at $27 per user per month for five-plus users, excels in hyper-flexible routing (skills-based queues), deep Salesforce syncing, and granular origin-based reports—ideal for sales-heavy firms—but its interface can feel busier for absolute beginners.

Budget-conscious options like Dialpad undercut at $15 per user per month, bundling AI real-time coaching and transcription across plans, yet skimp on video conferencing depth and toll-free allotments. Finally, 8x8 matches Ooma's $24 entry with 100+ global calling features and contact center add-ons, but its steeper learning curve and setup complexity better serve established enterprises over scrappy startups.

Ooma Office VoIP: Final verdict

Ooma Office remains a top pick for small businesses, those that crave plug-and-play VoIP with virtual receptionist polish and affordable upgrades. Its 2026 refinements in analytics, HIPAA support, and integrations close prior gaps, offering solid mileage without bloat.

That said, if your team anticipates rapid scaling, heavy reporting, or 50+ users, competitors such as Nextiva or RingCentral offer deeper tools at comparable costs, making a trial comparison warranted.

Grasshopper provides a simple, affordable VoIP service ideal for small businesses and solopreneurs seeking professional phone features without the complexity of hardware.
Acquired by LogMeIn (now GoTo) in 2018, it serves over 400,000 customers with unlimited users on flat-rate plans, emphasizing remote work flexibility. Its core appeal lies in the ease of setup on existing devices, business texting, and call management tools tailored for growth, with no per-user fees.

Pricing and plans

Grasshopper VoIP offers three main plans tailored to different team sizes, starting at $14 per month with annual billing and including a seven-day free trial.

The True Solo plan costs $14 per month when billed annually ($18 per month) and includes one phone number and one extension for a single user.

Solo Plus steps up to $25 per month annually ($32 monthly), supporting one number with three extensions and unlimited users. For larger teams, Small Business costs $80/month on an annual plan ($92/month) and includes five numbers, unlimited extensions, and unlimited users.

All plans feature unlimited calling and texting in the US and Canada, voicemail transcription, virtual fax, mobile and desktop apps, and 24/7 support. Higher tiers add multi-user call routing, simultaneous ringing, and advanced options such as call recording to Small Business. Add-ons such as extra numbers cost $9 monthly; extensions range from $3 to $5 monthly; professional recordings are $75 one-time; and Ruby receptionist integration starts at $160 monthly.

Additional fees apply for business SMS setup ($19 one-time plus $1.50 monthly TCR fee) and international calls (up to 95¢ per minute with a $500 deposit). Service focuses on the US/Canada market, with no native integrations or video features.

Features

(Image credit: Grasshopper)

Core features include mobile/desktop apps, unlimited business texting/MMS, voicemail transcription, virtual receptionist, call forwarding/routing/transfers/blasting, custom greetings, phone menu, virtual fax, business hours control, and instant response auto-texts.

Higher plans include call recording, analytics, and multi-number support; add-ons include a professional voice studio ($75/order), call blasting ($10/month), and international calling.

Video conferencing relies on third-party integrations and focuses instead on essential calling and SMS for small teams.

Getting set up

(Image credit: Grasshopper)

Setup takes minutes: select a plan and a local/toll-free number (or port an existing number), download the mobile/desktop app, configure greetings/extensions, and start calling/texting over WiFi/VoIP.

No hardware is needed as it overlays existing phones; extensions support time-based forwarding and announcements for quick customization. Users report seamless activation, with temporary numbers during porting (1-2 weeks).

How easy is Grasshopper to use?

Grasshopper prioritizes simplicity with intuitive apps for calls/texts from any device, masking personal numbers for professionalism.

Extensions and routing handle team coordination effortlessly, suiting remote/hybrid workers in healthcare, real estate, franchises, and consulting. Custom schedules, screening/blocking, and shared access reduce missed calls, though advanced users may find analytics basic.

Support

The company offers US-based phone support 24/7.

You can also reach the company by email or live chat, and there’s a comprehensive online knowledge base with FAQs/videos.

A beta chatbot aids quick resolutions; social media and security-specific emails enhance access. Users praise responsive, knowledgeable agents for billing, setup, and features.

Competition

Grasshopper offers virtual phone numbers, call forwarding, and basic VoIP features for small businesses and solopreneurs. Competitors offer more advanced options, such as AI tools, video conferencing, and team collaboration, often at comparable or higher price points. Key players include Nextiva, Dialpad, RingCentral, and emerging options like Quo and MightyCall.

Nextiva stands out with plans starting at $15/user/month, featuring unlimited calls, video meetings, IVR, and low international rates, surpassing Grasshopper's basic capabilities.

Dialpad, from $15/user/month, emphasizes AI-driven real-time transcription, post-call summaries, and global numbers in 70+ countries, unlike Grasshopper's US-only focus.

RingCentral delivers enterprise-grade tools, including AI summaries, MMS, and 300+ integrations, but at higher costs and greater complexity than Grasshopper's simplicity.

Grasshopper's flat-rate plans (around $25/month for small teams) appeal to budget-conscious solos, offering a better value than per-user models like Nextiva's $75 for five users. MightyCall ($20/month) and Talkroute ($19/month) target growing teams with call recording and modern UIs, while Google Voice ($10/month) is well-suited to Google Workspace users. Larger providers like GoTo Connect and Aircall cater to call centers with analytics

Grasshopper review: Verdict

Grasshopper suits small businesses, prioritizing affordability, simplicity, and scalability over advanced compliance or video.

Larger firms may prefer competitors with broader features, but its low entry price and ease make it a strong starter VoIP option.

If your business depends on reliable, high-quality voice communication for customer calls and team collaboration, a robust phone solution is essential.

As organizations across industries continue transitioning from traditional PBX setups to modern voice-over-Internet-protocol (VoIP) systems, Microsoft Teams Phone has emerged as one of the most natural options—especially for companies already embedded in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem.

Microsoft Teams Phone extends the familiar Teams interface into a full-fledged business phone system, streamlining internal and external communication.

But while its integration and scalability make it attractive, the platform isn’t without trade-offs. In this review, we cover everything from plans and pricing to usability, features, support, and how it compares against rivals like RingCentral, GoTo Connect, and Zoom Phone.

Microsoft Teams Phone: Plans and pricing

(Image credit: Microsoft)

To use Microsoft Teams as your business phone system, your company must subscribe to one of three Microsoft 365 enterprise plans—E1, E3, or E5. The Microsoft 365 E1 plan costs $10 per user per month and includes web access to Microsoft apps, but it requires an additional Teams Phone license of about $8–$10. The E3 plan, at $23 per user per month (rising to $26 on July 1, 2026), includes desktop apps and the same requirement for an additional Teams Phone license.

The Microsoft 365 E5 plan, currently priced at $57 per user per month (rising to $60 on July 1, 2026), explicitly includes Teams Phone functionality. Businesses can enhance their setup through additional calling plans, such as a domestic calling plan priced at $12 per user per month that provides 3,000 minutes, or a combined domestic and international plan at $24 per user per month that includes 3,000 domestic minutes and 600 international minutes.

Conference rooms and shared devices require separate licenses at around $8–$15 per month, or $40 for Teams Rooms Pro. While these prices may seem high—especially with the upcoming 2026 increases—the value extends beyond telephony to include Microsoft’s core productivity apps, cloud storage, and email, making the total package appealing to organizations already using Microsoft 365 as their digital backbone.

Microsoft Teams Phone: Features

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft Teams Phone includes most of the core features expected in a premium VoIP solution.

Businesses can set up call queues, forwarding, voicemail, auto-attendants, and customized call routing based on business hours or holidays. Other tools, such as call parking, delegation, transfer functions, and real-time presence indicators, make day-to-day communication more efficient.

However, Teams Phone is less suitable for organizations that require complex call center functionality.

Advanced routing options and detailed ring group configurations are limited, and there is no native support for call recording. Despite Microsoft’s broader software ecosystem, there is still no direct CRM integration with Microsoft Dynamics or other leading CRM platforms, preventing automatic logging of call data.

Reporting tools exist, but they focus mainly on network and call quality rather than on performance indicators such as response times or call-handling efficiency. Because of these limitations, Teams Phone serves smaller and mid-sized businesses more effectively than large-scale call centers that demand higher customization.

Microsoft Teams Phone: Set up

Setting up Microsoft Teams Phone is relatively intuitive, particularly for companies that already use Teams.

Administrators can plan user roles and call routing in the Teams admin center, and provisioning new accounts takes only a few minutes. The system integrates with existing Microsoft services such as Azure Active Directory, making it easy to sync users and permissions. Businesses migrating from older phone systems can port numbers directly, though this process may take extra time depending on the complexity of their network.

The key to a smooth setup lies in preparation. By auditing teams, departments, and workflows before launch, administrators can efficiently configure user groups and call distribution methods. Teams Phone is also highly scalable, allowing organizations to add new users or branch offices with minimal disruption as they grow.

Microsoft Teams Phone: Ease of use

(Image credit: Microsoft)

The user experience is one of Teams Phone’s strongest aspects.

The interface mirrors the Microsoft Teams environment, making it instantly recognizable for employees who already rely on Teams for chat and meetings. For new users, the layout is intuitive and consistent across devices, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android.

Microsoft also supports device flexibility, allowing calls to be transferred seamlessly between desktop and mobile devices. Integration with Apple CarPlay makes it easier for mobile workers to manage calls safely while traveling.

Importantly, users do not necessarily need to install the Teams mobile app to receive forwarded calls, which can simplify deployment for organizations that prefer minimal device management. Nonetheless, new adopters should plan training sessions to help staff get comfortable with call routing, queue management, and group settings.

Microsoft Teams Phone: Support

Microsoft offers an extensive library of help resources, including tutorials, troubleshooting guides, and community forums within the Microsoft 365 support portal.

Unfortunately, not all service tiers receive access to live 24/7 technical support. Most users must log tickets through the online portal and then wait for a response, which can vary from a few hours to longer, depending on the issue. The inconsistency in response time and quality is one of the platform’s weakest points, especially for businesses that depend on uninterrupted communication.

For faster help, companies can subscribe to Microsoft’s premium support tiers or work with certified partners that provide managed services and real-time assistance. While these options add cost, they can significantly reduce downtime.

Microsoft Teams Phone: Security and privacy

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Security has long been a strength of Microsoft’s enterprise offerings, and Teams Phone benefits from the same protections.

All data is encrypted with SSL both in transit and at rest, while audio and video traffic use SRTP protocols to safeguard media streams. Businesses that subscribe to E3 or E5 plans also gain access to Microsoft Advanced Threat Analytics, which includes behavioral monitoring and compliance enforcement tools.

Although Microsoft has experienced several security vulnerabilities in the past, the company has maintained a consistent record of addressing them quickly. Teams Phone’s security infrastructure evolves with regular patches and updates.

However, some industries may find Microsoft’s layered licensing model challenging when aiming for full compliance with specific regulations such as HIPAA or GDPR, since additional add-ons may be required.

Microsoft Teams Phone: The competition

The VoIP space is full of strong competitors, and several alternatives offer capabilities that Microsoft Teams Phone lacks.

RingCentral MVP provides a robust feature set, including built-in call recording, CRM integrations with platforms such as Salesforce and Zendesk, and reliable 24/7 customer support. It also integrates directly with Microsoft Teams, offering the best of both ecosystems.

GoTo Connect stands out for its straightforward pricing model and comprehensive feature suite, which includes SMS messaging, fax capabilities, and geolocation-based call routing. Zoom Phone has become increasingly popular among small and medium-sized businesses for its simplicity, pay-as-you-go pricing, and seamless integration with the broader Zoom platform. Other noteworthy options include 8x8 and Vonage Business Communications, both of which deliver advanced analytics, broad global coverage, and a variety of third-party integrations.

While these competitors outperform Microsoft in some areas, none match the native integration that Teams Phone delivers within the Microsoft 365 environment.

Microsoft Teams Phone: Final verdict

For those who already use Microsoft Teams, the ease of moving over to the VoIP offering is a big plus, and it’s also ideal for businesses that are looking to scale up in the future, as purchasing additional user licenses can be completed in minutes.  

The system does come with its flaws, though, and is not a good fit for businesses that require more complex phone configurations. In addition, the cost of purchasing the licenses and call plans can quickly add up if your business has heavy telephone usage, or if you want to use different solutions for other aspects of your business operations which means paying for multiple subscriptions. 

The lack of 24/7 support from Microsoft is also a concern when it comes to troubleshooting and potential downtime. Businesses that want 24/7 support with the system can however get this through a third-party supplier.

Finally, unlike some of its rivals, Microsoft is an incredibly well-established company, and so if you go to the effort of setting up Teams Phone – and buying into the Microsoft ecosystem more generally – the service won't disappear one fine day. 

Xiaomi 17: Two-minute review

There are plenty of amazing flagship phones on the market, but these days, they all have pretty massive screens. If you prefer a smaller phone, but you don't want to compromise on specs, then your options are more limited.

Of course, the iPhone 17, Google Pixel 10, and Samsung Galaxy S26 fit the description, but what if you wanted to try something different? In that case, you might find yourself looking at the Xiaomi 17. It has a 6.3-inch screen, just like the other devices I mentioned, but the specs are much more appealing.

The Xiaomi 17 boasts the speedy Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, a massive 6,330mAh battery, 100W charging and 50W wireless charging, and a triple 50MP camera array with Leica color tuning. On paper, it's the best of the bunch.

(Image credit: Future)

After testing the phone for a couple of weeks, I wasn't left disappointed. This is an all-rounder that doesn't fall short in any area. It's fast, the battery lasts well over a day, and it charges extremely quickly.

A solid display and speakers make for a great gaming experience, as does the thermal management. The cameras are easily among the best in their class, too.

My main complaints with the Xiaomi 17 are the lack of autofocus on the ultra-wide camera, which limits its utility, and the fact that it can't zoom as well as its Ultra sibling — but that's none too surprising.

In the past, the best Xiaomi phones have been seen as budget-friendly alternatives to the best iPhones and best Samsung phones, but that's no longer the case. The Xiaomi 17 is on the upper end of the price spectrum. It's certainly not cheap, but considering what's on offer, I think its price tag is justified.

If you're looking for a do-it-all flagship with a smaller footprint, the Xiaomi 17 is very easy to recommend. It's not a massive improvement on its predecessor, but it's still one of the most enticing options around.

Xiaomi 17: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• 256GB model costs £899 / AU$1,399
• 512GB model costs £999 / AU$1,599
• Not available in the US

The Xiaomi 17 is available to order now in most regions globally, but as always, that list excludes the US. In the UK and Australia, the base model (with 12GB RAM and 256GB storage) will cost you £899 / AU$1,399, rising to £999 / AU$1,599 for the 512GB version.

This pricing puts the Xiaomi 17 in direct competition with heavy hitters like the iPhone 17, Samsung Galaxy S26, and Google Pixel 10. In fact, it's on the more expensive side of that list, but there's a good reason for that.

The Xiaomi 17 has a larger battery, faster charging, and better camera specifications than most of its direct competition. So, while it's certainly not a bargain, the Xiaomi 17 doesn't seem overpriced, either.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17: Specs

Here’s a look at the Xiaomi 17’s key specs:

Xiaomi 17

Dimensions

151.1 x 71.8 x 8.1 mm

Weight

191g

OS

Hyper OS 3, based on Android 16

Display

6.3-inch OLED, 120Hz

Resolution

2656 x 1220 pixels

Chipset

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

RAM

12GB

Storage

256GB / 512GB

Battery

6330mAh

Rear cameras

50MP (f/1.7) main, 50MP (f/2.4) ultra-wide, 50MP 2.6x telephoto (f/2)

Front camera

50MP (f/2.2)

Xiaomi 17 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Aluminum frame and glass back
• Black, Venture Green, Alpine Pink, and Ice Blue options
• IP68 dust- and water-resistant

One of the defining features of the Xiaomi 17 is its size. It's not a tiny phone, but it's similar to the base-model iPhone 17 or Samsung Galaxy S26. If you have smaller hands or hate carrying a big slab in your pocket, but you still want flagship specs, the Xiaomi 17 will suit you well.

This year, Xiaomi has ditched its usual black rectangular camera island in favour of a much more iPhone-like camera configuration. This design is unlikely to turn heads, but it looks decent enough, and you get an extra camera compared to the iPhone 17.

To be clear, I'm not complaining. The phone looks and feels premium. I've always been fond of Apple's hardware, and it's no surprise that I like this, too.

The biggest design difference between the Xiaomi 17 and the latest iPhones is that Xiaomi's base model lacks the Camera Control and Action Button. All you get here is the volume rocker and a power/lock button. On the other hand, Xiaomi includes a basic clear case in the box, and a factory-applied screen protector; I can't imagine we'll ever see the same from Apple.

(Image credit: Future)

When it comes to color options, the Xiaomi 17 is available in Black, Blue, Green, and Pink. I have the green version in for testing, and I'm very fond of the shade. The color is matched on the side rails, no matter which one you pick.

The Xiaomi 17 is IP68 rated, which means you don't need to worry about dust, and it'll even survive brief dips in fresh water. It doesn't quite match the IP69K rating of its Ultra sibling, but it's likely to be water-resistant enough for most people's needs.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17 review: Display

(Image credit: Future)

• 6.3-inch 120Hz OLED display
• 2160Hz PWM dimming
• 3,500 nits peak brightness

The Xiaomi 17 has a 6.3-inch 1220 x 2656 OLED display with an adaptive refresh rate of up to 120Hz. The specs aren't too dissimilar to those of last year's Xiaomi 15, but the display on the Xiaomi 17 has a higher peak brightness of 3,500 nits (up from 3,200 nits), as well as superior 2160Hz PWM dimming (up from 1920Hz).

The extra brightness is appreciated, but the Xiaomi 15 was no slouch in that area, either. In any case, the phone is very easy to see outdoors in direct sunlight. I'm not sensitive to flicker, so I can't say I noticed the higher PWM frequency, but some users will certainly appreciate it.

(Image credit: Future)

The Xiaomi 17's screen looks excellent straight out of the box, with vibrant, accurate color reproduction and the deep, dark blacks that high-end OLED panels are known for. Of course, if you prefer to tinker, there are plenty of color options in the settings menu, too.

The main thing that sets this display apart is that it's more compact than most. It's large enough so as not to feel cramped, but it's small enough that reaching the top of the display doesn't feel like a chore. If you have smaller hands, I think you'll really appreciate it.

• Display score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17 review: Cameras

(Image credit: Future)

• 50MP main (f/1.7)
• 50MP ultra-wide (f/2.4)
• 50MP 2.6x telephoto (f/2)
• 50MP selfie camera (f/2.45)

The Xiaomi 17's rear cameras have the same specs as those on the Xiaomi 15. This means you get a 50MP resolution on every camera, with a 17mm-equivalent ultra-wide, a 23mm main camera, and a 60mm telephoto.

My main complaint about the Xiaomi 15 was that the ultra-wide camera lacked autofocus, which meant you could only use it for wide landscape shots. Unfortunately, that hasn't been addressed here, so don't expect to use the ultra-wide for close-ups or group photos.

Otherwise, the cameras on this phone are quite impressive. I especially enjoyed using the 2.6x telephoto, which has macro focusing capabilities and can focus on objects that are just 10cm away from the lens. Funnily enough, the Xiaomi 17 is actually better than the Xiaomi 17 Ultra for telemacro shots, because that clever optical zoom technology in the latter phone increases the minimum focus distance.

(Image credit: Future)

The Xiaomi 17's main camera has a respectable 1/1.3-inch sensor size. It's easily the best performer in low-light conditions, and it's capable of producing some authentic background blur when your subject is close enough.

The selfie camera is the only lens that benefits from a spec bump. It's 50MP, up from 32MP, and it now has autofocus. The difference is measurable. Selfies look much sharper and more detailed on the newer model.

In the past, I've found Xiaomi's image processing to be a little hit-and-miss, but that's changing rapidly. The Xiaomi 17 is very consistent, with natural-looking colors and a gently boosted contrast that makes images look eye-catching and exciting.

There are loads of great filters to play with, and portrait mode has excellent subject detection and convincing bokeh effects. You can take some stunning images with this phone.

Video performance is strong, too. The native camera app allows you to shoot in Log at up to 4K 60fps on all of the rear lenses, and gives you full manual controls, if you want them.

• Cameras score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17 review: Camera samplesFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureXiaomi 17 review: PerformanceFutureFutureFuture

• Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
• 12GB of RAM
• 256GB / 512GB of storage

The Xiaomi 17 is powered by one of the most powerful mobile chips on the market, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5, and it's paired with 12GB of RAM and either 256GB or 512GB of storage.

With specs like these, it's no surprise that the phone is a powerful beast. From complex video editing to high-end gaming, no matter what I threw at the Xiaomi 17, it handled the task with ease.

Being a smaller phone, I was a little concerned about the thermals, but I needn't have been. Even after a solid hour of playing Genshin Impact on the highest graphical settings, the Xiaomi 17 had barely started to warm up.

A decent game overlay and really solid speakers add to the experience as well. The phone's speakers have a better bass response than most rivals', and plenty of clarity, which makes getting immersed in a title easy.

• Performance score: 5 / 5

Xiaomi 17 review: SoftwareFutureFutureFutureFuture

• HyperOS 3, based on Android 16
• New iOS-inspired makeover
• 6 years of updates and security patches (EU)

The Xiaomi 17 runs the latest version of HyperOS, which is a very heavily customized version of Android 16.

If you've used a recent device from Xiaomi, Redmi, or Poco, you won't be in for too many surprises, as the basic layout and functionality remain the same.

Aesthetically, though, there are quite a few changes. The OS feels more iOS-influenced than ever, complete with its own version of the Dynamic Island, a very familiar-looking quick settings panel, and lock screen options with depth effects and oversized clocks.

Personally, I quite like HyperOS 3, and I also appreciate how customizable it is. If you find something that doesn't look or act in the way you would prefer, there's a good chance you can change it.

(Image credit: Future)

It's 2026, and no flagship is complete without a healthy serving of AI features. Here you'll find all the usual tools like translation, transcription, writing assistance, and more.

The features I actually found myself using on the Xiaomi 17, though, were the AI image editing tools. Xiaomi includes all the favorites, like outpainting, object removal, upscaling, beautification, and so on. Everything I tried worked excellently.

Overall, I find HyperOS 3 very easy to live with; my only major complaint is that the battery optimization measures are a little heavy-handed. You might need to tweak some settings to make sure your notifications arrive promptly.

When it comes to long-term support, Xiaomi promises six years of updates and security patches. That's not a bad offering, but it's slightly behind the updated terms committed by Samsung and Apple.

• Software score: 4 / 5

Xiaomi 17 review: Battery

(Image credit: Future)

• 6,330mAh silicon-carbon battery
• 100W wired charging
• 50W wireless charging

One of the most surprising things about the Xiaomi 17 is that, despite being a smaller phone, it actually packs a larger battery than the Xiaomi 17 Ultra.

Using the latest silicon-carbon tech, Xiaomi has somehow managed to cram a 6,330mAh cell into this phone, while the Ultra only gets a 6,000 mAh equivalent (at least in Europe).

With my normal use, I found myself going to bed with about 40% battery remaining. I wasn't able to get two days on a charge, but the battery would get me well into the second day. So, if you use your phone sparingly, a full two days might be achievable.

Charging is rapid, too. The Xiaomi 17 supports wired speeds of up to 100W, and wireless charging up to 50W. There's no charger included in the box, but thankfully, Xiaomi supports the PPS charging standard, so you won't need an official Xiaomi charger to make the most of that impressive wired speed.

My Sharge HyperTower 170 powerbank, for instance, was able to deliver the full 100W, which took the phone from fully dead to around 65% charged in just half an hour.

When it comes to wireless charging, you'll need the official Xiaomi charging stand to get the maximum 50W speed. The phone will still work with Qi2 accessories, but you'll have to wait much longer to get to 100%.

• Battery score: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Xiaomi 17?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

The Xiaomi 17 is priced similarly to its competition. It's not an outright bargain, but it's fairly priced.

4 / 5

Design

While it might not be the most original design, the Xiaomi 17 looks and feels premium throughout.

4 / 5

Display

It's bright, sharp, the colors are accurate, and best of all, it's not massive.

4 / 5

Cameras

Not a massive upgrade over the last gen, but an improved selfie camera and refined processing keep things appealing.

4 / 5

Performance

It's super quick, and it doesn't get too hot.

5 / 5

Software

HyperOS is super customisable and looks nice, too.

4 / 5

Battery

This mammoth battery will get you well over a day of use, and it charges in a flash.

5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want a smaller phone without the usual compromises

With a massive battery, powerful performance, and top cameras, the Xiaomi 17 gives you a full-on flagship experience in a more pocketable size.

You're looking for excellent cameras

While this isn't the only flagship with a 6.3-inch screen, its cameras make it stand out from the pack. In my opinion, these are the best of the bunch.

Don't buy it if...

You already have the Xiaomi 15

The Xiaomi 17 isn't dramatically different from its predecessor. Sure, there are a few upgrades here, but Xiaomi 15 owners can safely skip this one without feeling like they're missing out.

You want a super long-range zoom

The zoom on the Xiaomi 17 is decent, but it can't compare with the likes of the Xiaomi 17 Ultra.

Xiaomi 17 review: Also consider

The Xiaomi 17 is an excellent compact flagship, but it's important to consider the competition, too. Here are a couple of competitors that are worth looking at.

iPhone 17

The iPhone 17 is the most compelling non-Pro iPhone in a long time. It sports a massively upgraded screen, powerful performance, and great cameras — but it still lacks a dedicated telephoto camera.

Read our iPhone 17 review

Samsung Galaxy S26

Samsung's smallest flagship phone didn't benefit from many upgrades in 2026, but when it comes to software features, it's still on top. Personally, though, I don't think the cameras can keep up with Xiaomi's.

Xiaomi 17

iPhone 17

Samsung Galaxy S26

Price:

£899 / €899 / AU$1,399

$799 / £799 / AU$1,399

$899 / £879 / AU$1549

Display:

6.3-inch OLED

6.3-inch OLED

6.3-inch OLED

Cameras:

50MP main; 50MP ultra-wide; 50MP telephoto

48MP main; 48MP ultra-wide

50MP main; 12MP ultra-wide; 10MP telephoto

Processor:

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

Apple A19

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

Battery:

6,300mAh

3,692mAh

4,300mAh

How I tested the Xiaomi 17

• Review test period: One week
• Testing included: Everyday use, including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
• Tools used: Geekbench 6, 3DMark, native Android stats

I put my SIM card into the Xiaomi 17 and used it as my main phone for around two weeks. I used it exactly as I would any other phone, taking lots of photos, gaming, messaging, working, streaming video, and navigating with Google Maps and Waze.

I also compared the experience of playing graphically challenging games like Genshin Impact to my experience on other Android flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Oppo Find X9 Pro. I ran lots of benchmarks on the handset, including 3DMark and Geekbench, to confirm my performance findings.

I assessed the battery performance based on my real-world usage, and charging times were measured using PPS-supported chargers from Ugreen and Sharge, along with the included charging cable.

First tested April 2026

San Francisco-based Dialpad is a leading name in the VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) communications industry, offering cloud-based phone systems designed for modern businesses.

Known for its emphasis on artificial intelligence and cross-platform collaboration, Dialpad stands out as a flexible, scalable tool for companies of all sizes. As businesses increasingly move away from traditional phone systems, Dialpad faces competition from major providers like RingCentral, Zoom, Nextiva, and 8x8.

Choosing the right platform depends on several factors, including company size, calling patterns, and the importance of advanced AI features within your workflow.

Dialpad VoIP: Plans and pricing

(Image credit: Dialpad)

Dialpad structures its VoIP service across three main tiers: Standard, Pro, and Enterprise. Each plan includes unlimited domestic calling within your country, the US, and Canada, as well as unlimited text and multimedia messaging. Additionally, all plans offer unlimited video calling, though group meeting capacity is limited to 10 participants.

The Standard plan costs $27 per user per month, or $15 when billed annually. It includes AI-driven features like real-time call transcription, automated voicemail summaries, and integration with Google Workspace. This tier best suits smaller teams seeking a streamlined, intelligent calling solution with minimal integration requirements.

The Pro plan increases flexibility and is priced at $35 per user per month or $25 annually, and adds compatibility with apps such as Microsoft Teams, Slack, Zendesk, and HubSpot. It supports 10 office locations and offers 24/7 customer support, making it a strong fit for mid-sized organizations.

The Enterprise plan is customized for larger corporations. It includes unlimited office support, a 100% uptime guarantee, advanced analytics, and single sign-on with identity services such as Okta. Pricing is available only by contacting Dialpad directly.

Businesses can try Dialpad with a 14-day free trial, slightly shorter than the 30-day period offered by some rivals but still sufficient for most teams to evaluate the service in full.

Dialpad VoIP: Features

(Image credit: Dialpad)

Dialpad distinguishes itself with advanced AI-powered voice intelligence technology. This system automatically transcribes calls in real time, creates detailed post-call summaries, and identifies actionable insights for customer service or sales teams. Such functionality transforms basic VoIP communication into a productivity-enhancing tool.

Beyond AI tools, Dialpad’s VoIP platform offers robust telephony features, including call recording, forwarding, three-way calling, and voicemail management. Hold queues are available on all but the Standard plan, making team collaboration smoother during high call volumes. For video communication, Dialpad provides reliable web conferencing with features such as screen sharing, conference controls, and customizable hold music.

Companies seeking extended conferencing capabilities can subscribe to the separate Dialpad Meetings plans. These are available in both free and paid versions, priced at $20 per user per month or $15 per user per year. Dialpad also supports virtual faxing directly from the desktop dashboard, available as an add-on at an affordable price based on the chosen plan.

Dialpad VoIP: Getting started

Setting up Dialpad is straightforward thanks to its cloud-based nature.

New users can port existing phone numbers or create new ones during account setup. The administrative dashboard provides step-by-step guidance for adding team members, assigning extensions, and setting up voicemail and routing preferences.

Because Dialpad operates entirely online, there is no need for traditional PBX hardware or on-premises installation. Integrations with business tools such as Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, or popular CRM platforms can be enabled with minimal technical effort. Most small teams can go from sign-up to first call within a few hours.

Dialpad VoIP: Ease of use

(Image credit: Dialpad)

Dialpad’s design emphasizes simplicity and intuitive control.

The web application offers quick access to calling, messaging, voicemail, and contact management, while the desktop software for Windows and Mac provides a richer interface with advanced analytics and configuration settings.

Users can easily review recordings, transcripts, and activity logs within the app. The admin dashboard includes a detailed analytics panel that tracks call volume, duration, and activity trends over time. Overall, Dialpad’s interface is modern, responsive, and approachable for both technical and non-technical employees.

Dialpad VoIP: Support

(Image credit: Dialpad)

Customer support for Dialpad is reliable and well-organized.

Assistance is available via live chat, phone, and online ticket submission. A detailed Help Center offers hundreds of tutorials, guides, and video walkthroughs, complemented by an active community forum for peer support.

Standard plan users receive access to support on a 24/5 basis, which is adequate for most small businesses operating during standard work hours. Higher-tier Pro and Enterprise customers benefit from 24/7 support, ensuring technical help is always available. Overall response times are prompt, and support quality is consistent with Dialpad’s premium positioning.

Dialpad VoIP: Security and privacy

(Image credit: Dialpad)

Dialpad maintains a rigorous approach to data security and privacy management.

All calls and messages are encrypted in transit using Transport Layer Security (TLS), and stored data is protected by AES 256-bit encryption. These measures meet industry best practices and minimize exposure to potential breaches.

Administrators can define user permissions, assign access levels, and manage integrations to maintain control over account activity. Dialpad complies with SOC 2 Type II and GDPR standards and offers audit logging to track administrative changes. The company’s transparency about its privacy practices inspires confidence, particularly for regulated industries that rely on secure communications.

Dialpad VoIP: The competition

While Dialpad offers one of the most comprehensive business VoIP experiences, it faces significant competition.

RingCentral remains a feature-rich option with broader integrations and higher participant limits for video conferencing. Zoom Phone appeals to organizations already using Zoom’s video tools, offering seamless adoption.

Nextiva delivers strong overall value for larger meetings, while 8x8’s X Series packages are affordable for small startups. Aircall, meanwhile, stands out for its CRM-focused integrations and clean user experience, although its monthly costs can rise quickly for growing teams.

Dialpad’s combination of AI innovation, competitive pricing, and clean interface makes it an especially appealing option for companies seeking a balance among simplicity, intelligence, and functionality.

Dialpad VoIP: Final verdict

Dialpad continues to demonstrate why it ranks among the best VoIP providers in 2026. Its AI-infused call management, user-friendly design, and flexible pricing structure make it an outstanding choice for small and mid-sized businesses. The service scales effortlessly, integrates cleanly with leading business tools, and offers automation that genuinely improves productivity.

Although its video call participant cap is more restrictive than some providers', Dialpad’s powerful voice technology and security features more than compensate. With strong reliability, transparent pricing, and a free trial, Dialpad is one of the most well-rounded modern VoIP platforms for professional communications.

Despite its “home” branding, Vonage for Home remains a reliable and affordable VoIP service that appeals to both residential users and small business owners.

Originally designed to replace traditional home phone lines, Vonage for Home has evolved into a capable communication solution for freelancers, sole traders, and small businesses that want professional-grade call quality without hefty enterprise fees.

While the Vonage Business Cloud caters to larger organizations with complex CRM and collaboration integrations, Vonage for Home strikes an impressive balance between cost, simplicity, and robust telephony features.

Vonage for Home: Plans and pricing

(Image credit: Vonage)

Vonage for Home offers straightforward, contract-free pricing plans suitable for different calling needs.

The Vonage North America Plan typically ranges between $9.99 and $14.99 per month, offering unlimited calls to the U.S., Canada, Puerto Rico, and Mexico, along with competitive international per-minute rates.

For users who frequently make global calls, the Vonage World Prime Plan, priced around $19.99 per month, expands unlimited calling to more than 60 countries, including many landlines and select mobile numbers.

All plans come with over 20 standard calling features and access to the Vonage Extensions app, which lets users make and receive calls on smartphones using their home number.

Promotional deals often include free shipping, no activation fees, and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Vonage requires a high-speed broadband internet connection, and emergency 911 calls are routed differently from traditional landlines, requiring users to provide their physical location for accurate emergency responses.

Vonage for Home: Basic features

(Image credit: Vonage for Home)

Despite being marketed for households, Vonage for Home includes an impressive feature suite that makes it a suitable option for small businesses.

Some of the most widely used tools include Voicemail Plus, which lets users access voicemail via phone, email, or an online dashboard, and Caller Display, which shows detailed caller information.

Other helpful features, such as Call Divert and Call Forwarding, allow incoming calls to be redirected to different numbers, while International Call Barring prevents unauthorized international dialing.

Additional capabilities like Do Not Disturb, Anonymous Call Blocking, and SimulRing — which makes multiple phones ring simultaneously to reduce missed opportunities — elevate Vonage for Home above basic VoIP services. These features empower small businesses to manage calls more effectively and maintain a professional image without investing in a high-cost commercial system.

Vonage for Home also includes several advanced capabilities useful for business owners and distributed teams. Three-Way Calling enables quick conferencing between multiple parties, ideal for small businesses adopting hybrid work models. Call Hunt and Ring Lists intelligently distribute incoming calls across multiple lines, ensuring no customer is left waiting. For organizations that still rely on fax, there is an option to add a dedicated fax line.

Although Vonage for Home does not include CRM integrations or the deep business analytics available in Vonage Business Cloud, it delivers the core reliability and control most small organizations need. This focus on simplicity ensures that essential communication functionality remains accessible to users without requiring complex IT infrastructure.

Vonage for Home: Installation and setup

(Image credit: Vonage for Home)

Setting up Vonage for Home is quick, simple, and user-friendly.

Users only need to activate their Vonage account, connect the Vonage Box to their router, and plug an existing phone into the device. No technician visits or special wiring are required, and users can transfer their existing numbers at no additional cost.

Once connected, users can immediately start making and receiving calls from landlines, softphones, or the mobile app. The Vonage Extensions mobile app also allows calls to be placed over Wi-Fi or mobile data, providing convenient access for remote workers and traveling professionals.

This easy plug-and-play setup and high portability make Vonage an excellent fit for modern hybrid and home-based work environments.

Vonage for Home: Security

Vonage employs several protective measures to secure communications and maintain user privacy.

All VoIP traffic is transported over encrypted connections and secure routing protocols, protecting against interception and unauthorized access. The company follows industry-standard data handling practices in line with U.S. privacy regulations, including the requirement for registered E911 address information to ensure emergency response accuracy.

While Vonage for Home may not be tailored for heavily regulated sectors such as healthcare or finance, its security framework is more than adequate for most small businesses and home-office users. The combination of encryption and dependable infrastructure provides peace of mind for those seeking affordable yet trustworthy communication services.

Vonage for Home: Support

Vonage provides around-the-clock customer support through multiple channels, including live chat, phone service, and a comprehensive online knowledge base. Its support portal features tutorials, setup videos, troubleshooting guides, and community forums that help users resolve issues quickly.

Customer feedback highlights the responsiveness of Vonage’s technical and customer care teams, especially during account activation and device setup. While the service does not include dedicated account management for small-business users, the available support resources are well-suited to the platform’s target market.

Vonage for Home: The competition

Vonage for Home faces competition from several top-rated VoIP providers that serve both individuals and small teams.

Services such as Zoom Phone, 8x8 X Series, RingCentral MVP, Aircall, and Dialpad each deliver unique benefits. Zoom is favored by businesses that frequently rely on video meetings, while 8x8 provides integrated team messaging across global locations.

RingCentral stands out for its CRM and workflow integrations; Aircall offers simplicity for customer support teams; and Dialpad leads with AI-driven features such as live call transcription and analytics.

Compared to these, Vonage for Home stands out for its low price point, robust feature set, and straightforward setup. It may lack some advanced analytics or app integrations, but its overall cost efficiency makes it particularly appealing to independent professionals and microbusinesses.

Vonage for Home: Final verdict

Don’t let the name fool you, Vonage for Home is a great VoIP option for small businesses. With its affordable rates, simple installation, and impressive list of features, SMBs across the UK and world will find a VoIP platform that ticks all the boxes. The free mobile apps and Vonage Extensions are also a nice bonus, allowing companies to take calls on the go, wherever they are.

Aircall provides a cloud-based VoIP phone system designed for sales, support, and customer management teams across small businesses to enterprises.

It emphasizes simplicity, integrations with over 100 tools, and features such as call routing and AI enhancements to support efficient communication.

This updated 2026 review covers its plans, features, usability, security, support, competitors, and overall value.

Aircall VoIP: Plans and pricing

Aircall structures pricing around three tiers—Essentials, Professional, and Custom—billed per license with a three-user minimum for the first two and 25 for Custom; annual plans start at $30/user/month for Essentials, $50 for Professional, and custom quotes for enterprises.

Essentials includes unlimited US/Canada calls, one number, basic IVR, call recording (up to 1 year), and 6 months of basic analytics, while Professional adds a power dialer, advanced analytics, voicemail drop, and deeper CRM integrations, such as Salesforce.

Custom offers unlimited analytics, SLAs, expanded international calling, and personalized onboarding. Add-ons such as AI summaries ($9/user/month) or Analytics+ ($15/user/month) apply across plans, and promotions include two free months with annual billing through January 2026.

Aircall VoIP: Features

(Image credit: Aircall)

Aircall supports desktop and mobile app calls with unlimited concurrent calls, IVR, call queuing, ring groups, and real-time routing based on time or skills.

Key tools include a power dialer, call recording with pause-and-resume, AI transcription and summaries, SMS/MMS, click-to-dial, after-call work, tags, and over 100 CRM integrations with HubSpot, Slack, and Pipedrive.

Conferencing limits to five participants without video, but analytics track volume, wait times, and performance; international calls and extra SMS incur fees beyond domestic bundles.

Aircall VoIP: Set up

Initial setup involves downloading the app, logging in, and configuring numbers, IVR, Teams, and integrations via the dashboard, often taking minutes and requiring minimal IT support.

Users port numbers or purchase new local/toll-free ones, set preferences, and sync contacts from Google or CRMs; mobile apps for iOS/Android enable on-the-go management.

A free trial allows testing before commitment, with guides for quick onboarding.

Aircall VoIP: Ease of use

(Image credit: Aircall)

The minimalist dashboard centralizes dialer, contacts, search, calls, and analytics, praised for its intuitiveness and minimal training needs.

Mobile and desktop interfaces reduce clutter, with features such as desktop notifications and speaker ringing that enhance accessibility for remote or hybrid teams.

Users report quick adaptation, straightforward call handling, and efficient workflows.

Aircall VoIP: Support

(Image credit: Aircall)

All tiers have access to a knowledge base, onboarding guides, live chat, chatbot, email, and phone (e.g., US: 888-240-6923). English support runs 24/5; French support runs 9 AM-6 PM CET.

Professional and Custom get dedicated managers and SLAs; website contact form aids quick resolutions.

Aircall VoIP: Security

(Image credit: Aircall)

Aircall secures all calls and data with strong encryption and AWS cloud protection. It’s SOC 2 Type 2 compliant and supports 2FA, SSO, role-based access, and spam blocking. Regular security tests, GDPR compliance, and multi-zone backups help guard against threats such as eavesdropping, DDoS, and vishing.

Data protection

Aircall also operates a vendor management program that is designed to protect sensitive information and complies with all relevant laws. The VoIP provider evaluates all new vendors to ensure they meet internal security and privacy standards. 

Integration security

For many  VoIP services, having a large number of integrations with third-party services is essential. For Aircall, this means having partnerships with big-name CRM players like Salesforce and HubSpot, as well as integrations with smaller players like transcription platform Jiminny and recruitment service Bullhorn. 

While the larger players are likely to already be adhering to the highest security standards, smaller third-party services are more of an unknown quantity. That’s why it’s reassuring that Aircall vets all its integrations before approval. 

Given that the number of cyberattacks targeting VoIP platforms have risen significantly recently as more companies resort to Internet-based communications following the boom of the hybrid working routine, Aircall’s security standards should provide businesses with a little more peace of mind.

Furthermore, Aircall regularly performs penetration testing and operates a generous bug bounty program to ensure that any vulnerabilities that are present are discovered and patched before the bad actors become aware of them.

Security expertise

In addition, Aircall runs a blog examining certain issues related to VoIP technology - including existing security issues. The company walks through some of the main attack vectors, including vishing, DDoS attacks, eavesdropping and phreaking. 

As well as cyberattacks, VoIP users will also be keen to ensure that they select a reliable VoIP service. Again, Aircall scores highly here, regularly backing up customer data and using AWS as a hosting provider to ensure a resilient service.

Aircall VoIP: The competition

Aircall competes with RingCentral, which starts at around $20/user/month and includes video support plus robust enterprise features; Nextiva, at $ 15+/user, offers a unified customer experience and high reliability.

Dialpad provides AI coaching from $15/user, while CloudTalk at $25/user adds custom reporting and more CRMs; options like Ooma or Phone.com suit tighter budgets but lack Aircall's extensiveness.

Aircall stands out for customizability and integrations in sales/support scenarios.

Aircall VoIP: Final verdict

Aircall suits SMBs and teams needing flexible, integrated VoIP with strong analytics and ease of use, despite higher pricing and add-on costs.

Its security, support, and call tools impress for customer-facing operations.

Intermedia Unite is a cloud-based Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) platform designed to consolidate business telephony, team messaging, video conferencing, and file sharing into a centralized interface.

Engineered for hybrid work environments, the solution facilitates seamless collaboration across distributed teams by providing a consistent communication experience regardless of location. The platform is notably distinguished by its high reliability, offering a financially backed Service Level Agreement (SLA) that guarantees 99.999% uptime to ensure enterprise-grade continuity and minimize service disruptions.

Positioned primarily for small- to mid-sized businesses, the service offers tiered pricing structures starting at approximately $22.99 to $27.99 per user, per month. These plans are designed to replace fragmented legacy hardware with a scalable, cloud-powered infrastructure that reduces administrative overhead.

By integrating advanced features such as AI-driven meeting recaps and extensive CRM compatibility, Intermedia Unite serves as a comprehensive alternative to competitors like RingCentral and Nextiva, prioritizing service stability and ease of deployment for organizations transitioning to modern communication workflows.

Intermedia Unite: Plans and pricing

Intermedia Unite webpage (Image credit: Intermedia)

Intermedia Unite offers a clear, tiered structure with three primary plans: Teams at $22.99 per user/month, Pro at $27.99, and Enterprise at $32.99, all billed monthly, with custom pricing available for larger deployments. Each plan includes unlimited domestic and international calling to more than 33 countries, free business SMS, team chat, mobile and desktop apps, and one complimentary desk phone or device.

The For Teams Advanced plan caters to smaller organizations using Microsoft Teams, providing essentials like 10GB of storage and basic video meeting capabilities. The Pro plan builds on that foundation with an AI assistant, 50GB of storage, unlimited video meetings for up to 100 participants, and seamless CRM integrations — making it a strong choice for growing SMBs focused on collaboration. The Enterprise plan further expands capacity with enhanced storage, advanced integrations, and contact center functionality for high-volume operations.

Optional add-ons, such as additional phone numbers for $7.49 per month, provide added flexibility. Intermedia’s month-to-month pricing model means there are no long-term contracts or hidden fees — offering customers the transparency and predictability they value.

Intermedia Unite: Features

(Image credit: Intermedia)

At its core, Intermedia Unite delivers a robust telephony experience with advanced features such as professional-grade auto-attendants, call queues, hunt groups for up to 10 lines, call forwarding, parking, recording, and visual voicemail with built-in transcription.

Its video conferencing capabilities are equally strong—supporting unlimited, AI-enhanced meetings for up to 100 participants, complete with seamless screen sharing and one-click meeting launches directly from chat.

Collaboration is dynamic and intuitive. Team messaging includes real-time presence indicators, emojis, GIFs, @mentions, and secure file sharing or backup through SecuriSync, which supports up to 10GB of storage.

Envision analytics provides actionable insights into performance metrics, while native integrations with popular CRMs such as Zendesk, Zoho, SugarCRM, and Microsoft Teams — without additional licensing costs — ensure a connected workflow. Combined with spam protection, internal intercom functionality, customizable hold music, and compliance-ready data archiving, Intermedia Unite offers a comprehensive communications suite that balances powerful functionality with user-friendly collaboration.

Intermedia Unite: Setup

Getting started is simple.

Log in to the admin portal to provision users and port numbers, and to configure devices—typically completed within a few days, thanks to the dedicated concierge migration team. Download the desktop or mobile app, sign in with your email and password, grant microphone and contact permissions, and you’re ready to make calls through an intuitive drag-and-drop interface with no on-site IT support required.

Managing call routing is just as straightforward. Use calendar-based scheduling, set up hunt groups, or create multi-level auto-attendants with user-friendly menus. Number porting is smooth with minimal downtime, and Active Directory integration ensures new user setup is quick and seamless.

Intermedia Unite: Ease of use

Intermedia Unite excels in ease of use across its desktop, mobile, and web applications.

Users consistently praise the intuitive interfaces, with prominent keypads, straightforward contact displays, and easy navigation for messaging, video calls, and phone functions. The apps work seamlessly on multiple devices, allowing quick access without steep learning curves, and updates install with minimal disruption.

The admin portal simplifies management for IT teams and administrators. Key features appear on a single screen, with reporting, analytics, and call quality summaries accessible with a single click, reducing the need for extensive digging. Reviewers highlight clean, simple designs and self-setup capabilities using context help, making it suitable even for small businesses handling their own configurations.

Intermedia Unite: Security and privacy

(Image credit: Future)

Your data is fully protected with end-to-end security—encrypted in transit using TLS and at rest with AES-256. This applies across all communication channels, including calls, voicemails, recordings, chats, SMS, and file storage.

Intermedia’s platform meets major industry compliance standards, including HIPAA (with an available BAA), GDPR, SOC 2, FINRA, SOX, GLBA, CPNI, and Privacy Shield, making it ideal for organizations that manage sensitive or regulated information.

Advanced protection features, such as spam filtering, Do Not Disturb, and secure archiving, safeguard PHI and other confidential data from unauthorized exposure.

Intermedia further enforces strict access controls through comprehensive security policies, supported by SOC 3 audit reports available upon request, demonstrating the company’s commitment to transparency and trust across regulated industries.

Intermedia Unite: The competition

(Image credit: Nextiva)

In the UCaaS market, Intermedia Unite competes with several established platforms, each with distinct trade-offs:

RingCentral RingEX

Starts at $20/user/month (Core plan, annual) with plans up to $35/user/month (Ultra). It provides extensive hardware support like SIP paging adapters and desk phones, plus deep integrations with HubSpot, Salesforce, and Zendesk. However, the interface feels more complex for basic users, and premium add-ons like AI Receptionist or advanced analytics drive higher costs.

Nextiva

Offers a lower entry at $15/user/month (Core plan, likely annual). It excels with robust AI-powered call routing, voice analytics, and CX tools like unlimited dashboards in higher tiers. Video capabilities remain limited compared to rivals, and upselling occurs for secondary features like advanced integrations or international calling.

Zoom Phone

Pricing starts at $15/user/month for US/Canada Unlimited, which bundles well with Zoom Workplace at $18/user/month (Pro Plus). High user familiarity stems from its seamless video integration, making it easy for teams already in the Zoom ecosystem. It lacks the depth of telephony features, such as advanced PBX routing and flexible SMS options, found in dedicated solutions.

GoTo Connect

Pricing starts at $26/user/month (Phone System), optimized for contact centers with custom quoting for CX plans up to $80/user/month. Features include auto-attendant, call queuing, and free international calling to 50+ countries, plus integrations like MS Teams. The feature set often proves overly complex and costly for smaller SMBs due to add-ons and tiered unlocks.

The bottom line: While larger enterprises may prefer the scale of industry-leading RingCentral, Intermedia Unite distinguishes itself through all-in-one value and consistent reliability.

Intermedia Unite: Final verdict

In summary, Intermedia Unite stands out as a well-rounded UCaaS solution that merges enterprise-grade reliability with SMB-friendly simplicity. Its combination of 99.999% uptime, tiered affordability, and AI‑enhanced collaboration tools positions it as a strong contender for businesses seeking to modernize communications without adding IT complexity.

The platform’s seamless integrations, secure framework, and transparent pricing model underscore Intermedia’s commitment to providing flexible, scalable connectivity for today’s hybrid workforce.

For organizations balancing cost, performance, and ease of management, Intermedia Unite offers one of the most dependable and comprehensive unified communications experiences available.

DJI Romo P: two-minute review

On the face of it, it’s a perfectly logical step for a highly established drone manufacturer like DJI to venture into the smart-home world of automated floor cleaning. After all, the Chinese company’s drones have been boasting autonomous navigation since 2016 and successful robot vacuuming is much more about accurate navigation and successful obstacle avoidance than it is about raw suction power.

The Romo P marks an ambitious first step for DJI into the world of smart-home floor cleaning and I think the company’s tech bods have mostly hit the nail on the head. The Romo P’s key feature is its sophisticated navigation system combining dual fisheye cameras with solid-state LiDAR to enable precise obstacle detection — even for items as thin as 0.08 inches / 2mm. Believe me, this model truly impresses when it comes to avoiding obstacles of most sizes.

(Image credit: Future)

With a whopping 25,000Pa suction and extendable cleaning brushes and mops for edge coverage, the Romo P delivers flagship-level performance on hard floors and it’s not bad on carpet either; at least no worse than the majority. The ROMO P's self-cleaning dock is equally impressive, offering dust collection, automated mop washing and decently long maintenance intervals of ‘up to 200 days’ according to DJI.

Smart features like remote monitoring through the robot’s front camera, app control and voice assistant integration enhance convenience, although these have also introduced some privacy considerations which are typical of connected home devices.

Overall, I’d say that the Romo P is one of the most technologically advanced models I’ve seen to date. It vacuums hard floors exceedingly well, isn't bad on carpet and its navigation and obstacle avoidance is second to none. However, its dock’s dust bag is on the small side which isn’t great for pet owners and the air intake when emptying the robot’s bin could easily clog with pet hair if you don’t run enough cleaning schedules. Otherwise this is a brilliant opening salvo from DJI in an arena that it is already chock full of very competent autonomous robot cleaners.

DJI Romo P: price & availability

• List price £1,299 / €1,899
• Launch date April 2026
• Availability UK, Germany, Netherlands

The DJI Romo P has finally been launched to market in the UK, Germany and Netherlands. As of writing, the ROMO P model we are reviewing here is available to pre-order in the UK from DJI Retail at a price of £1,299, with dispatch from 15 April. However, it is also available to buy right now in Germany and the Netherlands for €1,899.

These figures put the Romo P firmly in the upper bracket of robot vacs, along with premium models from Roborock and Dreame. For instance, Roborock’s new, to-be-reviewed Saros 20 retails at £1,129 in the UK which is roughly in the same ball park as the Romo P. However, the Saros 20 is slim enough to venture under low furniture and mount thresholds up to 8.8cm, which the Romo P can’t compete with. But on the other hand, the Romo P’s navigation and obstacle avoidance is more impressive than the Saros 20 and much more suited to very cluttered households. Swings and roundabouts spring to mind.

According to research, the entire Romo series is currently rolling out region by region rather than globally all at once. Aside from China, we believe it’s set for a rollout in several European markets, including Germany, France, Spain and Italy.

As of April 2026, availability in the United States and Japan has not been officially confirmed or announced by DJI, so launch dates for those regions remain pending.

• Value score: 4/5

DJI Romo 3: specs

Robot dimensions (W x H)

14 x 3.8 inches. / 35.5 x 9.7cm

Cleaning dock dimensions (H x W x D)

17.7 x 15.8 x 17.3 inches / 45 x 40 x 44cm

Suction

25,000Pa

Cleaning dock bin size

2.5 quarts / 2.4 liters

Clean water tank size

3.7 quarts / 3.5 liters

Dirty water tank size

3.2 quarts / 3 liters

Navigation & obstacle avoidance

High-Performance Binocular Fisheye Vision Sensors and Dual-Transmitter Solid-State LiDARs

Carpet detection

Dynamic Cleaning for carpet pile up to 3cm

Threshold crossing

With optional ramp

Mopping functions

Mop lifting, 140˚F / 60˚C mop washing and hot-air drying

Robot noise level

59.2dB at five feet

DJI Romo P: design

• Unique transparent dock and bot
• A full banquet of navigational aids
• Not squat enough for low furnishings

I’m coming to this review as a big fan of DJI and have reviewed many of its drones and stabilised cameras over the past decade or so. Granted, the company’s first slew of Phantom drones never had any autonomous navigation systems on board aside from GPS receivers and downward-facing sensors but that all changed with the launch of the Phantom 4 in 2016, which was the first DJI drone to feature an advanced obstacle avoidance system and high-level autonomous navigation capabilities.

Well what a difference a decade makes because today’s fleet of DJI drones are so insanely adept at self navigation they can follow — and keep up with — a user through pretty dense woodland while avoiding all manner of obstacles in their path.

While I like to think I have my ear to the ground regarding all things DJI, I have to admit that I did not see this hybrid robot coming. And what a bot it has turned out to be. Yes, I’ve read the news about 7,000 or so DJI Romos around the world being accidentally accessed by an early adopter who just wanted to steer his Romo using his PlayStation controller. DJI is said to have fixed this glitch and we can only hope this never happens again.

But truth is, when you opt to have your home filled with smart gear, that’s a risk you take. For all I know my security cameras could be filming my every move and my smart virtual assistants could be listening in to every conversation. After all, we’ve all experienced those weird moments when we spot an advertisement in our social media feeds for a product we were privately discussing within earshot of our phones. Coincidence? Who knows. Welcome to the 21st century.

My editor sent me the flagship Romo P variant with a unique transparent frontage on the dock and the same on the robot’s top shell. However, there are another two Romo variants available: the Romo A with transparent robot top and white base station, and the Romo S which is all white and the cheapest of the bunch.

(Image credit: Future)

Looking at the paucity of specs on the range, all three variants have the same suction power (25,000Pa) and mechanical features, plus cleaning solution and dust box drying ability, but only the P model comes with a floor deodoriser and dust bag UV disinfection. In fact, the only difference between the Romo A and Romo S is that the A has a transparent robot appearance and the S is all white. Finalised pricing hasn't been announced yet but it looks like the Romo A’s transparent top could cost up to £200 (about $270 / AU$380) more, which seems a bit steep.

But I digress. I wasn’t sure what my final thoughts would be on unboxing the ROMO P but I certainly loved the notion of a transparent household product. However, I’ll admit that I was dreading my wife’s reaction on unveiling this machine and its dock in the lounge because she has such impeccable taste in design. Well my jaw hit the floor when she said she loved the look of the entire package. I do too, though, just to prove how subjective style is, my tech-obsessed brother thought it was pug ugly and said it reminded him of Apple’s coloured 1998 range of transparent iMac G3s.

I personally think the Romo P’s futuristic base station looks more like Roborock’s QRevo Curv series, which isn’t my favourite, it has to be said. However, I’m prepared to forgive the bulbous shape of this dock because I love seeing all the gorgeous transparency and, more crucially, the inner parts and workings of both the dock and the robot. To be more accurate, you can’t actually see any moving parts on the dock but you can see its smaller-than-average 2.4-liter dust bag exploding outwards against its clear Perspex-style cover when it’s emptying the contents of the robot’s much smaller dust receptacle. However, you can see some moving parts in the robot unit, most notably the spinning nubs that are attached to the robot’s two spinning mops.

I’ve tested many robot vacs over the years and have seen some pretty poorly built and designed bots moving around my home, but I have to say that the Romo P is easily one of the best built models I’ve ever come across. The plastics look unbreakable, and the fit and finish throughout is exemplary. But then I knew this would be the case because everything DJI turns its hands to is built to well above average standards.

Let’s take a look at both the Romo P robot and its base station in more detail.

Robot design

Unlike the majority of flagship models coming out of the Roborock and Dreame stables that boast a low operating height of just 3.1 inches / 7.98cm, the Romo P clocks in at 3.8 inches / 9.7cm so it won’t scuttle under very low furnishings. Its width, however, is the standard 13.8 inches / 35cm.

Like many hybrid bots these days, the Romo P both vacuums and mops using a split Roborock-style tangle-free roller for the vacuuming function and two spinning mops on the rear that appear to be a little more plush and a tad more absorbent than others I’ve seen. Also like most of it competitors, the right-hand mop articulates outwards by a few inches for cleaning around furniture legs, along skirting boards and, to some degree, in corners. However, unlike some high-end hybrids that either raise their mops on carpet or leave them behind in the dock when vacuuming, this bot’s mopping pads remain fixed in position though they at least raise up when on carpet.

The Romo P struggled to mount the edge of a thin rug during testing (Image credit: Future)

This model also comes with two front-mounted side-spinning brushes instead of just one, and that’s a massive bonus in my mind because, well, two brushes are obviously better than one. What’s more, one of the brushes extends by an inch or two to sweep debris in tight corners and along walls into the path of the robot’s suction.

And speaking of suction, the Romo P sports a whopping 25,000 Pascals of dust-grabbing oomph which is on par with the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro but still shy of the Dreame Matrix10’s 30,000Pa and Roborock’s soon-to-be launched Saros 20, which boasts a whopping 36,000Pa. Where will it end?

Where most of today’s flagship models are able to mount thresholds of between 0.6 inches / 2cm and 1.6 inches / 4cm in height, this one can only manage about 1.5cm at a pinch so perhaps avoid it if you have any protruding thresholds between your rooms.

I also noticed that it can’t scale the edge of a thin, loose rug. I have one such vintage rug on the hard floor in the lounge and the Romo P simply cannot get over the front lip where practically every other bot I’ve tested manages to eventually make it. I’m not sure if it has something do with the twin spinning brushes that are always flush with the floor or if the undercarriage is set low for better suction, but it means I have had to stick the rug’s leading edge down using some sticky rug tape.

The DJI Romo P has extraordinary obstacle detection (Image credit: Future)

When it comes to all-important navigation, this model is on another level. According to the spec sheet, all Romo models are equipped with ‘High-Performance Binocular Fisheye Vision Sensors and Dual-Transmitter Solid-State LiDARs’. DJI emphasises that its drone guidance tech has been adapted for use in this first fleet of robot vacs and I’m inclined to believe every word because, on my evidence, the Romo’s obstacle avoidance is insanely good.

Believe me, I’ve tested dozens upon dozens of robot vacs over the past six years or so and I can’t remember seeing any other model steering through a minefield of obstacles with such elegant precision, with hardly any pausing or spinning around, and with impressive pace, too. But more on this in our Performance chapter.

By the way, for those who like the idea of being able to watch the world through their robot’s camera, you can do just that with this model and, like others on the market, drive it around the house like an RC car. You can also operate it using various voice commands.

Score ref: 4/5

Dock design

As mentioned above, the transparent Romo P’s dock is reminiscent of Roborock’s Qrevo Curv range. I must say I’m rather smitten by it and, despite its sci-fi looks, it seems to magically meld into its surroundings — and that’s more that one can say for many other robot base stations.

As is the norm, this dock comes with the obligatory dust-emptying function from robot to the dock’s smaller-than-average 2.4-liter dust bag via a large 16mm waste port. It also boasts full autonomous mop cleaning using hot water at 140˚F / 60˚C (Roborock’s is nearer 212˚F / 100˚C) and hot air mop-drying. However, unlike Roborock and Dreame’s cleaning basins, which self-clean and come with removable trays for deeper cleaning, the Romo P’s has a fixed base which is much harder to clean by hand.

The DJI Romo P's dust bag (above) is considerably smaller than that of the Roborock 3 (below), and will need emptying frequently. (Image credit: Future)

Unlike every other robot vac I’ve reviewed, the Romo doesn’t empty the contents of its own bin into the dock’s larger bin bag on completing a task. Instead, it starts to dry the robot’s undercarriage and dustbin area for a period of time, along with a blast of UV rays for disinfection purposes. This dust box drying sequence is to prevent moisture from any mopping sessions from mixing with the dry debris and causing caked-on muck on the robot’s undercarriage. Instead, the bin from subsequent clean-ups empties just before its next task. I think it’s a great method and possibly the way forward for all robot vacs. However, I really do think this model’s dust bag should have been bigger because mine is nearly a third full with pet hair after a week or use.

On the mopping front, the Romo P’s dock is also equipped with a sealed bottle of hard floor detergent and, unique to the P model, another sealed bottle of deodoriser which does make the floor smell rather fragrant. Since the bottles are sealed, you can’t fill them with third party solutions, which isn’t great it must be said.

Despite the unit’s transparency, I have seen no evidence of any dust forming on the inside of the Romo P’s dock casing or the robot, and that’s a very good thing because it shows how well sealed everything is. Hope it stays that way.

Score ref: 4/5

• Design score: 4.5/5

DJI Romo P: performance

• Impeccable obstacle avoidance
• Excellent hard floor cleaning
• The dock’s dust bag is on the small side

Navigation performance

DJI has made great claims about this hybrid floor-cleaning robot’s drone-sourced navigation credentials and so far I’ve been extremely impressed by its sure-footed and speedy navigation. Aside from getting stuck trying to climb over my thin vintage rug (now solved), the Romo P’s initial mapping run was extremely successful, even though the final map treated my whole open plan area as one giant room which I had to correct in the DJI Home app — no great shakes.

By comparison, the Roborock Qrevo Curv 2 Pro I tested recently divided the rooms pretty accurately while the Dreame Matrix10 Ultra miraculously mapped and named almost every room correctly, including the kitchen and living room. In DJI’s favour, I’m sure the ROMO’s mapping feature – and the app’s clean but overly-simple map presentation – could be improved with a few software tweaks.

Score ref: 4.5/5

Obstacle avoidance

Clearly quite a large chunk of DJI’s amazing drone navigation tech has been implemented here because I’ve never seen a robot vac negotiate obstacles as quickly and as accurately as the ROMA P. In fact, it’s almost human like in the way it dodges obstacles.

For my main test I programmed a kitchen vac session that entailed a short trip across the dinning area floor. I scattered more dog toys than ever before and complimented them with two really small aromatic oil bottles, two phone cables — one long, the other short — and two dreaded half-inch-high nylon dog chews that have caught out almost all previous robot vacs I’ve tested.

On test number one it shot out of its base and, with no faffing about, quickly started its way to the kitchen through 90% of the obstacles before stopping to think at the last hurdle. It then went the long way round under a dining room chair before arriving in the kitchen — and that was good enough for me. On its return, it had a few thinks at some of the obstacles but continued quickly on its way and proceeded to dock.

Test two — mind blown. This time it took a similar route but, instead of going the long way round under the chair, it made a bee-line straight for the kitchen, twisting and turning like a slalom skier on steroids. It literally dodged all obstacles as if it had learned the best route from its previous run. Its return run was equally successful.

What surprised me was the speed with which the ROMA P navigated a pretty complex assault course, and without knocking anything over. In fact, it was so fast I nearly missed catching it on video.

In a nutshell, I consider this model’s obstacle avoidance to be the best I’ve ever tested – for both accuracy and speed. A high-five to DJI’s clever little sausages for giving us such amazing results.

Score ref: 5/5

Vacuuming

From a day-to-day cleaning point of view, I’ve been exceedingly impressed with this model’s vacuuming performance, especially on hard floor. Also, the twin spinning brushes really make a difference in my opinion. Since their speed is varied during the cleaning process, they don’t scatter debris as much as models with just one side brush. I’ve also noticed that the extendable brush on the right is employed more frequently than other bots.

I should add that my tests have involved setting its suction to Max (there are three levels) and Turbo on carpet, selecting two passes from a choice of three, and opting for the Fine route setting which performs a checkerboard clean (you can also choose Fast and Standard). I always like to go above board on suction and route settings with robot vacs because they’re working in the background and this model’s amazing battery can certainly handle it.

I tested the Romo P's vacuuming with oats, muesli, rice, and crushed cornflakes FutureFutureFuture

For my hard floor zone test I used 0.21oz / 6g of flour plus some oats, muesli, rice, and loosely crushed cornflakes, amounting to 1.27oz / 36g in total. I then set up a zone clean in the kitchen and selected Max suction mode, plus two passes and the Fine route setting. The Romo P collected an impressive 1.2oz / 34g, leaving just 0.07oz / 2g (a pinch) of flour in the floor cracks. During this test I could also hear the suction motor increase in speed when its sensors encountered increased levels of detritus.

I then produced the same vacuum test on a carpeted rug but this time set the suction to Turbo since that is what I would always use on carpet. However, I forgot to set two passes in the app. I used the same set of ingredients, though this time it was 50g worth.

I performed the same test on a carpeted rugFutureFutureFuture

Despite setting only a single pass in Fine route mode, the Romo P collected a pretty decent 1.62oz / 46g. Decent because at least 0.11oz / 3g of missing dirt was the flour still remaining in the carpet. Flour is a notoriously obstreperous substance for robot vacs and I’ve always had some flour remaining on the carpet after a robot test which I then sweep up with a cordless vacuum cleaner. After all, no robot vac on earth can beat a human pushing a vacuum cleaner.

DJI makes great pains to explain that the ROMA is equipped with a ‘three-stage sound suppression system that filters up to 80% of noise during dust collection’ and I’m inclined to agree because this model is much quieter in operation than the vast majority other models I’ve tested over the years. I measured it at 59.2dB from five feet away and that’s a very decent figure.

Score ref: 4.5/5

Mopping performance

I’ve watched the Romo P do a number of general mopping runs in the kitchen and it has been no better or worse than the vast majority of high-end mopping bots. If you set a series of regular mopping schedules, it will keep on top of daily grime and light stains and leave the floor looking relatively shiny and clean. But don’t expect miracles from any of these robot mopping bots because you would be better served by using a little elbow grease with a simple mop and bucket or grabbing a dedicated cordless mopping machine and letting it do the hard work for you. This is because most mopping bots with spinning pads simply drag their mops over a dirty area and then smear the often unseen residue over the rest of the floor. And you only notice this hours later when you walk on a sticky floor.

I’m personally not a fan of robotic floor cleaners that also mop, and wish manufacturers would produce at least one high-end robot that vacuums only, with a dock that forgoes all the mop-cleaning malarky and smelly dirty water containers in favor of a whopping dust bag that I don’t have to change every two weeks. Please, someone do it!

I tested the Romo P's mopping function with tomato ketchup, soy sauce, and milkFutureThe robot cleaned every spill except for a particularly dense blob of ketchup, which it regarded as an obstacleFuture

Rant over, for my main kitchen mopping test I created a small zone and selected two passes, medium water flow, the Fine route for criss-cross cleaning, Degreasing mode, and re-mopping with clean water. This is way more than I would normally use on my engineered wood flooring because too much water is never a good thing for wooden floors.

I then squirted some tomato ketchup, soy sauce and milk on the floor, and set the Romo P on its way. I should add that I would never perform a test like this in the real world, mostly because robot vacs are designed for general day-to-day mopping of footfall marks and light stains and not for cleaning up liquid spills, despite what you might read or see on the internet.

I don't think the fact that the Romo P missed the largest puddle of ketchup was a problem; it meant there was no risk of it being dragged around my floorFutureI wouldn't recommend using the mopping function too regularly, particularly on thin laminate, as it can wear away the protective coatingFuture

Anyway, the Romo P duly went off to tackle the mess I created and, sure enough, it appeared to wipe up most of the mess. However it positively refused to tackle one dense section of tomato ketchup because it thought it was an obstacle. You might consider this a failure, but I consider it a success because, as mentioned directly above, I don’t want my robot getting overly filthy with smelly foodstuffs clinging to its undercarriage. Yes, this model will dry itself after its robust self-cleaning regime but you can bet there will still be residue remaining around the brush head area that will eventually go rancid and require reaching for a toothbrush to clean it. Some Roborocks get around this by lifting the whole brush section when mopping.

Before I leave this chapter — having successfully put you off using your robot to clean up liquid spills — I should add that regular mopping of wooden floors is not a great idea, especially if you have thin laminate flooring. Also, every cleaning session removes a little more of its floor protection coating and this may result in the floor losing its sheen. Well I’m here to the rescue with a shout-out to Bona and its tried-and-tested Wood Floor Polish, which genuinely helps restore tired wooden floors after too many mopping sessions.

Score ref: 4/5

Dock performance

I was considering giving the charging base / cleaning dock a very respectable 4.5 stars for functionality but I’ve dropped it to 4 because of one slightly annoying anomaly that has also affected some Roborocks I’ve reviewed.

Let me explain. When you have pets in the home — I have two labradors and a cat — you have to expect to live with a lot of loose hair floating about. It gets everywhere, even in areas you never thought possible. It’s a fact of nature — most dog breeds molt, especially in spring and autumn when old coats are discarded and new ones grow. This creates an awful lot of hair on a daily basis so to keep on top of it you need to set at least a bi-weekly schedule on your robot vac or the robot’s bin will get so packed with hair that the dock’s strong suction may fail to remove it properly.

The dock has an extra-large dust intake, but it's not infallibleFutureFutureFuture

In its favor, DJI has equipped this model’s dock with an extra large dust intake from the robot’s bin to the dock’s 2.4-liter dust bag. But even this was no match for the amount of Labrador and cat hair the robot had collected in my lounge.

I knew something was wrong when I didn’t hear a whoomp sound during emptying and, sure enough, it had failed to budge any of the matted hair from the robot’s bin. Instead, as my images illustrate, it got halfway out of the robot bin’s outlet before jamming. This has happened a few times with my Roborock Saros 10R and a couple of other models in the past, and I think it’s down to a lack of raw suction power in the base station.

FutureFuture

I now schedule my Saros 10R to perform much more regular runs around the home. And, of course, being a robot that never grumbles, it now goes out on a triweekly basis and I’ve had no problems since. To prove this, I set the Romo P to do another lounge clean a couple of days later and I have no more bin-emptying issues to report. With this model, regular scheduling is clearly key to keep on top of pet hair clogging.

Perhaps more concerning is the smaller size of the Romo P’s dust bag. I’ve only used the Romo for a week and the bag is already a third full. That means a bag change about every two weeks, so bear this in mind if you live with shedding pets.

Score ref: 4/5

Battery performance

It’s no surprise that the Romo’s battery holds such an exceptional charge. After all, I believe DJI incorporated its drone-battery knowledge into this model and any drone pilot will know how impressive DJI batteries are at keeping a surprisingly heavy craft aloft for up to 35 minutes at a time.

I set the Romo P off to clean the entire downstairs area and set the suction to Max and selected one pass and the Fine route for a checkerboard pattern, and it amounted to a cleaning area of 38 square metres which the bot completed in 1 hour 14 mins with 18% of battery remaining. That’ll do.

Score ref: 4.5/5

• Performance score: 4.5/5

DJI Romo P: app functionality

• Excellent layout
• Extremely comprehensive
• No detailed room furnishings

It took a few moments for me to get a handle on the DJI Home app but after using it for a while, I’m pleased to report that it’s almost everything a robot app should be, and not a million miles from the way the Roborock app is presented.

The Home app’s clean, polished and intuitive interface makes controlling the ROMO very straightforward and mostly enjoyable, whether it’s creating custom cleaning zones right on the home page, adding virtual walls and no-go zones or scheduling routines.

It’s incredibly comprehensive, too, allowing the user to customise cleaning routines, suction power, level of moisture on the mops and whether you want to vac and mop, vacuum only or mop only. I personally keep vacuuming and mopping separate from each other to prevent any cross contamination of moisture mixing with dry dust on the undercarriage of the robot. One of this app’s strengths is how clearly it presents its cleaning data – you can track its progress, view coverage history and receive timely maintenance reminders for filters, brushes and water tanks.

However, there is one area I’m not too enamoured of – its map presentation. I guess I’m used to Roborock’s maps which not only illustrate the shape of each room in sharp detail with designated colours for each room, but also the furnishings within it, including sofas, tables, cupboards, etc. DJI’s method is to keep things Scandinavian clean with rooms divided into blocks with just very faint outlines of the rooms’ shapes and no furnishings other than carpeted areas. I have found this tricky to read when selecting a specific zone I want cleaning, especially if it’s directly in front of a specific piece of furniture. With the Roborock app I can place a zone exactly where I need it but with this app there’s a lot more guess work. DJI will hopefully improve this area because everything else about the Home app is extremely intuitive, comprehensive and logically laid out for both beginners and tech nerds like me.

• App functionality score: 4.5/5

Should you buy the DJI Romo P?DJI Romo P: score card

Section

Notes

Score

Value for money

The DJI ROMO P is expensive to buy but, in its favour, it offers strong performance, a smorgasbord of intelligent features and reliable obstacle avoidance.

4/5

Design

The stylish-looking DJI ROMO P offers superb obstacle avoidance and a shedload of smart functions for impressively efficient cleaning. However, it could do with a couple of hardware tweaks.

4/5

Performance

With its extra strong suction, incredible obstacle avoidance, efficient cleaning methods and expert navigation, this bot rocks on all fronts.

4.5/5

App functionality

The DJI Home app is intuitive and extremely comprehensive, but there is a little room for improvement.

4.5/5

Average rating

4.5/5

Buy it if

You have a cluttered home

This bot boasts class-leading obstacle avoidance.

You want good performance

The ROMO P is an expert cleaner, especially on hard floors.

You love futuristic tech

This model will most certainly turn heads.

Don't buy it if

You have many thin loose rugs

The Romo P’s low ride height will cause issues on thin vintage-style rugs.

You have high thresholds

Unlike some flagship models, this one prefers a level floor space.

You have very low furnishings

At over 3.5 inches / 9cm in height, the ROMO P is too tall for low furniture.

How I tested the DJI Romo P

As per usual, I’ve had the ROMA P perform a regular set of schedules over the past week and watched how well it swept a room. I’ve been very impressed. I then set about performing a series of decisive suction tests, weighing the amount of detritus I laid down and then weighing the contents in the robot’s bin. This model has performed exceedingly well in on hard floor and well enough on carpet.

I also ran a few general mopping sequences at which it performed acceptably well, plus an over-the-top liquid spill test which was no worse than the competition but still not a patch on a mop and bucket.

However, the test that really blew me away was the ROMO P’s exquisite obstacle avoidance for which I give it full marks. With just a few small design and software tweaks, I think DJI’s next model could be up for a full five stars.

First reviewed April 2026.

Meze Audio Strada: Two-minute review

Visually, the Meze Audio Strada are more than a little reminiscent of the company’s much more expensive Liric II planar magnetic over-ear headphones. In terms of the most important technical aspects, they share quite a bit with the brand’s 109 Pro open-back model. But despite all this apparent cross-pollination, the closed-back, dynamic driver-toting Strada manage to be a distinct and individual proposition. And not only because they’re only available in a combination of ebony hardwood and a delightfully deep, slightly metallic green.

The materials that have been deployed — magnesium, PU leather and memory foam as well as that good-looking quantity of Macassar wood — feel luxurious and utterly fit for purpose. The standard of build and finish cannot be argued with. It’s even possible to overlook the rather unsophisticated ‘adjustment rod’ mechanism that alters the fit — although it is not possible to overlook the fact that even at their smallest adjustment these are quite large headphones. The smaller-headed music-lover can probably stop reading now.

Those listeners who aren’t physically swamped by the Strada, though, are in for a treat — a spacious, detailed and deliciously informative treat that only the best wired headphones can deliver. By the standards of the closed-back configuration these headphones sound large and airy, and create a well-defined and expansive soundstage. The have plenty of dynamic headroom, great neutrality where both tonality and frequency response are concerned, a proper facility with rhythmic expression thanks to excellent control over the deep and textured low frequencies they generate, and an overall sense of refinement and sophistication that is bound to satisfy a whole lot of customers.

In fact, if they didn’t play the ‘refinement’ card quite so strongly, even when dealing with the most unrefined music, they could conceivably snatch that extra half-a-star.

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Meze Audio Strada review: Price & release date

• Released January 21, 2026
• Priced $799 / £799 / AUS1,499

The Meze Audio Strada (stylised to 'STRADA' in the company's marketing materials) are on sale now, and in the United States they sell for $799 per pair. They’re £799 in the United Kingdom, and AU$1,499 in Australia. Which means they have so very stiff competition, from both inside and outside their parent company, to overcome if they’re going to be a hit…

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Meze Audio Strada review: Specs

Type

Closed-back wired over-ears

Drivers

50mm dynamic

Weight

332g

Cable length

2x 1.8m

Cable terminations

3.5mm to 3.5mm; 3.5mm to 4.4mm

Frequency response

5Hz - 30kHz frequency response

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Meze Audio Strada review: Features

• 50mm dynamic drivers
• 5Hz - 30kHz frequency response
• 111dB sensitivity

There are very few pairs of passive headphones that have a long list of features, and the Meze Audio Strada are not among them. The one significant feature they do have, though, has quite obviously come in for an awful lot of attention.

The 50mm dynamic drivers Meze Audio has used here are derived from the drivers fitted to the company’s open-back 109 PRO model — but naturally it’s been finessed in order to suit its new closed-back environment.

So each driver features a ‘W’-shaped dome made from carbon fibre-reinforced cellulose composite — it’s a combination that offers light weight and durability, and is designed to reject most of the resonances that can cause audible distortion. The torus surrounding the dome is made of semicrystalline polymer that’s been beryllium-coated; the coating adds to the durability of the component, and because it adds stiffness without any knock-on effects where weight is concerned it doesn’t hamper transient response. The torus also features some grooves positioned at carefully calculated angles to further boost its effectiveness. And there’s a copper-zinc alloy stabiliser surrounding the membrane that absorbs unwanted vibrations and reduces distortion yet further.

This painstaking arrangement results in a frequency response, says Meze Audio, of 5Hz - 30kHz, which in real terms means ‘staggeringly deep’ to ‘inaudibly high’. The 4ohms impedance measurement is nothing to be alarmed by, but a sensitivity rating of 111dB (SPL/mW @ 1kHz) seems to suggest a fairly powerful DAC or digital audio player will be required to get the best out of these headphones.

• Features score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Meze Audio Strada review: Sound quality

• Spacious, organised and detailed sound
• Seem comfortable with pretty much any style of music
• Could conceivably sound a little more demonstrative

If you’ve read the words ‘closed-back’ during the course of this review and have assumed the Strada are going to sound intimate, direct and quite, well, closed then I can’t really blame you — that’s how the vast majority of closed-back headphones sound, after all. But what’s most immediately striking about these Meze Audio is how open and spacious their presentation is. They can do ‘direct’ and ‘conspiratorial’, sure — a listen to a nice big FLAC file of Elliott Smith’s Between the Bars lets you know they can communicate on a very one-to-one basis. But switch up to Shabaka’s Ol’ Time African Gods as a 24bit/48kHz file and it quickly becomes apparent the Strada create a big, well-organised and airy soundstage on which pretty much any recording gets the space to stretch out and express itself.

Tonally, the Meze Audio are almost entirely neutral from the top of the frequency range to the bottom. There’s the tiniest suggestion of heat at the lowest frequencies, but it’s not even close to making you want to take your pullover off. And the frequency response they muster is similarly even-handed — though they dig very deep into the lowest frequencies, and have great shine and a polite amount of shine at the opposite end, they neither under- nor overstate any particular area of the range. And in between those two extremes, they communicate in the most unequivocal manner — listen again to that Elliott Smith tune and the eloquence of his voice in unarguable.

These headphones seem able to turn their hand to pretty much any type of music, too. They have the sort of dynamic reach to put huge distance between the quietest and the most intense passage of Bernstein’s rampage through Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue, they are deft enough to tease out the harmonic over- and undertones that exist within the squeal and grind of The Stooges’ I Wanna Be Your Dog, they have the power and the facility with rhythmic expression to make the heavily sedated skank of Dr Alimantado’s Best Dressed Chicken in Town roll by in the most natural and convincing manner.

Really, about the only meaningful criticism I can level at the Strada is not so much about the nuts and bolts of music reproduction but more about attitude. There’s a slightly self-conscious sense of refinement to these Meze Audio headphones, a grown-up and unflappable character that’s very pleasant and welcome right until the moment that it isn’t. If there’s energy in a recording, the STRADA do more than just allude to it, but at the same time, they seem unwilling or unable to properly sink their teeth in. I get the impression they think this sort of behaviour is both juvenile and a bit beneath them — if they could sound a little more demonstrative when it’s absolutely crucial, they’d be holding all the cards.

• Sound quality score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Meze Audio Strada review: Design

• Macassar hardwood ear cups
• Magnesium frame
• PU leather ear pads attach magnetically

The Strada are, at a glance, a dead ringer for Meze Audio’s (much more expensive) Liric II over-ear model. The fact the pricier headphones use planar magnetic technology to produce sound, rather than the dynamic drivers that are fitted here, goes a long way to explaining the price difference — certainly there’s nothing about the way the Strada are designed, built or finished that suggests penny-pinching.

The magnesium frame contributes towards a very acceptable 300g weight (without cables attached), and the carefully considered hanger arrangement and clamping force also helps the comfort quotient. Or, at least, it does if you’re not one of the smaller-headed among us — the Strada, like almost every pair of Meze Audio headphones I’ve encountered, are large.

The rather prosaic ‘adjustment rod’ mechanism that alters the fit of the headphones allows the size to run from ‘quite large’ to ‘very large indeed’.

As well as being quite large, these headphones are quite wide — and the generous nature of the PU leather-covered memory foam earpads makes them larger still. Happily, the broad headband (which is covered on the outside with more PU leather) is much more judiciously padded on its fabric-covered inside, and the layout of the padding allows air to flow and prevents your head from warming up too quickly.

The outside of the ear cups are, just as with the Liric II, made from some handsome and actually quite tactile Macassar ebony hardwood. The lustre of the wood contrasts nicely with the colour of the frame — it’s a mildly metallic variation on British Racing Green, it’s applied by hand (all four coats of it) and it’s your only option when it comes to the colour of the Strada.

The headphones arrive in a fairly large, rigid EVA travel case, and there’s a little pouch inside containing two 1.8m lengths of braided Kevlar OFC cable. Each has two 3.5mm terminations at one end (both Strada earcups must be wired), and at the other end there’s either a single-ended 3.5mm connection or a 4.4mm Pentacon alternative. Plug in both ear cups, plug the other end of your preferred cable into your source of music, and away you go.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Meze Audio Strada review: Value

• Aesthetically very similar to much pricier Meze Audio cans
• …and luckily, they sound very good too

If you’re judging purely on looks, it’s hard to argue against the value that’s on offer here — after all, the $799 / £799 Strada look very, very similar indeed to the $2,000 / £1899 Liric II. If you’re judging on engineering prowess and integrity of construction, it’s similarly tricky to suggest the Strada don’t represent value. And then when you consider the sound quality that these headphones are able to serve up, their case becomes even more watertight.

• Value score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Should I buy the Meze Audio Strada?

Section

Notes

Score

Features

Two cable options in 1.8m, lovely build and finish

4.5/5

Sound quality

Detailed and beautifully accurate, just erring half a star over on 'refinement'

4.5/5

Design

The only issue here is, they're a touch large for some heads

4.5 / 5

Value

They look much more expensive than they are (similar to a lot of other Meze cans that actually are)

4.5/5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Buy them if...

You like things luxurious but not opulent
There’s more than a hint of ‘premium’ about the STRADA, but they don’t shout about it

You enjoy detailed, expansive sound
The amount of detail that available here is predictably excellent, the spacious sound delivered by a closed-back arrangement is altogether less predictable

You like green
Specifically quite dark, slightly metallic green that’s been flawlessly applied in multiple coats

Don't buy them if...

You like the more visceral aspects of music reproduction
Even at their most abandoned the Strada never sound less than refined

You’re one of those smaller-headed people
These are large headphones and you are unlikely to feel comfortable wearing them

You’re a fidget
Keep bumping the cable and it will keep transmitting noise into the headphonesView Deal

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Meze Audio Strada review: Also consider

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

If the closed-back configuration isn’t essential for you, then the Meze Audio 109 PRO are well worth considering — they have much of what makes the Strada so compelling, and they’re not green.

You can also consider the five-star Grado Hemp — great sound, interesting materials and a decent saving over the Strada, but hardly the last word in luxury.

If closed-back is your thing, though, then the Audio Technica ATH-W1000 (for a little less money than the Meze Audio) and the Audeze LCD-2 (for more-or-less the same price) should be on your radar.

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)How I tested the Meze Audio Strada

I use the cable with the 4.4mm termination to connect the Strada to an iBasso DX340 digital audio player, and also (although obviously not at the same time) to an iFi iDSD Diablo 2 headphone amp/DAC that’s hooked to an Apple MacBook Pro via USB-C. Additionally, I connect them to the 6.3mm headphones socket of an Eversolo DAC-Z10 pre-amp/DAC (using a 6.3mm adapter on the 3.5mm cable) — this way I get to hear music delivered by a Technics SL-1300G turntable, a Rega Apollo CD player, and an Arcam ST25 network streamer.

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

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