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The new Alienware Area-51 (2025) delivers incredible performance, but at an obscene cost

TechRadar Reviews - Wed, 05/28/2025 - 08:30

Alienware Area-51 (2025): Two-minute review

Alienware has a reputation among system-building enthusiasts for being, well, a little odd, a little out of the ordinary. As premium brands go, there's a certain air about it, a je ne sais quoi, so to speak. Iconic? Perhaps, but it also doesn't know quite what it wants to be. Whether it's a company that's dedicated to the teenage gamer from yesteryear or the modern-day millennial professional is still up for debate, and its products show that. None more so than the Alienware Area-51 (2025), I've been testing over the last few weeks.

Built for a gamer who's not interested in the finer details, yet equipped with enough hardware to simulate the sun, it has a professional workstation price tag but a physical appearance that'd be more at home in 2009 than 2025. It's got a top-tier spec sheet, yet lacks some of the fundamentals that would make it a more pro-grade workstation. In short, who it's for is kind of a mystery.

The unit I tested comes with an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K processor, Nvidia RTX 5090 GPU, 64GB of DDR5, and a 2TB PCIe 5.0 SSD, so this is not going to be a budget gaming PC, that's for sure. The configuration I tested comes in at $5,700 in the US (although that's with a 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, not the 5.0 SSD in review), £5,469 in the UK, and an obscene AU$12,320 in Australia. That is a staggering cost, particularly when you consider similar-spec'd DIY machines can be built for a lot less.

That, of course, comes with some fairly major caveats. If you do want to build your own machine, you have to know what you're doing, put in the research, and be comfortable buying all those individual parts and putting it all together. There is some justification for skipping all of that and picking one of these up. Particularly if you're dead set on the hardware and have the budget for it.

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)

What you get is otherworldly performance, as you'd imagine. Computational tasks absolutely crumble before the Area-51, and gaming, particularly at 4K, is outstanding with even the most intense titles out there landing north of 100 fps on average without AI upscaling or any of the more modern frame generation shenanigans. Slap those settings on top of that stock performance, and that RTX 5090 just runs away with it, hitting frame rates well into the 200s.

The Area-51 keeps its components nice and cool too, thanks to twin 180mm intake fans in the front, two 120mm fans in the PSU floor, plus a 360mm AIO in the roof, exhausting upwards. That's all backed up with a rather curious 1500W platinum-rated PSU delivering power to the lot.

Aside from the premium pricing, problems also arise when you begin to dig under the surface. The rear I/O on that custom Alienware motherboard is sub-tier at best, with an overreliance on USB-C and very little USB-A at all, and the rest of the I/O is equally as lackluster, with minimal ethernet support and little in the way of integrated HDMI/DisplayPort or other features all too commonplace on even the cheapest of modern-day Z890 boards.

Then there's the case itself. It's big, bulky, and far too heavy. The dimensions are massive, and on delivery, the entire thing weighs 88 lbs (or 40 kg), requiring either one strong PC gamer or a two-person team to lift it and chuck it on your desk. That's surprising given the exterior of the chassis feels particularly dull, mostly composed of an unemotive satin plastic, rather than the thick, girthy steel you'd likely expect, given the heft.

Yes, there are those signature Alienware curves and lines and enough RGB lighting dotted around to keep that 15-year-old kid in you happy, but it just lacks the finesse that the best gaming PCs of this price and caliber should come with, and that's a problem.

Alienware Area-51 (2025): Price & Availability

How much is it? Starting at $3,749.99 / £3,799 / AU$7,271
When is it available? You can pick one up today
Where can you get it? Directly from Dell's webstore

Let's be fair, we all knew the price tag for this thing was going to be ridiculous; after all, it's without a doubt Alienware's signature party trick and is loaded down with top-tier specs from the best graphics cards, best processors, best RAM, and best SSDs you can find on the market right now.

The Area 51 starts at $3,749.99 / £3,799 / AU$7,271 in the US, UK, and Australia, respectively, which is still pretty premium as far as gaming PCs go. That's especially true considering you're getting a Core Ultra 7 system with an RTX 5080, 32GB DDR5 (or even 16GB DDR5 in Australia), and fairly modest 1TB or 2TB storage. The RTX 5090 configuration I tested (with Core Ultra 9 285K, 64GB RAM, and 2TB PCIe SSD) comes in at $5,699.99 in the US, £5,469 in the UK, and a frightful AU$12,320 Down Under.

If I'm honest, we've not tested much like this PC at TechRadar to date, largely because of the RTX 5090 at its heart. And while it's an unabashed monster that delivers exceptional performance, compared to last gen's RTX 4090, it's seen a significant price increase—and that was before Nvidia's low availability and stock issues that it's suffered since its release.

Put this against the best price possible on a DIY rig, though, with the same component tier as my review unit, and the price difference is substantial. According to PC Part Picker, a DIY build would set you back just $4,842.91 in the US, £4,267.64 in the UK, or AU$9,914.60 in Australia. It's up to you whether you want to pay a roughly 18-28% premium to have a prebuilt system like this, but you can likely get the same performance for cheaper.

Value: 3 / 5

Alienware Area-51 (2025): Specs

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)

Solid starting configurations in the US and UK
Easy to upgrade later down the line
Configuration options vary greatly by region

Alienware Area-51 (2025) Base Specs

Region

Australia

Price

$3,749.99 at Dell.com

£3,799 at Dell.com

AU$7,271 at Dell.com

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 7 265

GPU

Nvidia RTX 5080

Memory

32GB DDR5-6400

16GB DDR5-5600

Storage

1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD

2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD

1TB SSD

Cooling

240mm AIO

360mm AIO

240mm AIO

PSU

1500W 80+ Platinum

850W 80+ Gold

All configurations come with a custom 02JGX1 E-ATX Z890 motherboard and vary from there based on region. Additionally, all models feature a bespoke PSU, with the US and Australia starting with an 80+ Gold 850W power supply, while the UK only has an option for a 1500W 80+ Platinum PSU.

The US and Australia start with 1TB PCIe 4.0 SSD storage, while the UK starts with a larger 2TB PCIe 4.0 SSD. The US and Australia also start with a smaller 240mm AIO cooler, while the UK only has a 360mm AIO option.

There are also a total of eight fans included: two 180mm intakes, two 120mm intakes in the PSU floor, and three 120mm exhausts hidden above the topmost radiator.

Starting memory options come in the form of a dual-channel kit of Kingston Fury DDR5, ranging from 16GB all the way up to 64GB capacity, depending on your region.

Alienware Area-51 (2025) Max Specs

Region

Australia

Price

$6,099.99 at Dell.com

£6,299.02 at Dell.com

AU$14,120.70 at Dell.com

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K

GPU

Nvidia RTX 5090

Memory

64GB DDR5-6400

Storage

4TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSD

4TB + 4TB PCIe 4.0 NVMe SSDs

Cooling

360mm AIO

PSU

1500W 80+ Platinum

When it comes to max spec configurations, there's not much difference between regions, other than the US maxing out at just one 4TB PCIe 4.0 SSD, while the UK and Australia come with two 4TB PCIe 4.0 SSDs for a total of 8TB of storage.

For the top-tier configurations, you get an Intel Core Ultra 9 285K CPU, an Nvidia RTX 5090 GPU, 64GB DDR5-6400 memory with XMP overclocking, a 1500W Platinum-rated PSU, and a 360mm AIO cooler.

Alienware Area-51 (2025) review configuration

Price

$5,699.99 at Dell.com / £5,469.01 at Dell.com / AU$12,320 at Dell.com

CPU

Intel Core Ultra 9 285K

GPU

Nvidia RTX 5090

Memory

64GB DDR5-6400

Storage

2TB PCIe NVMe SSD (PCIe 4.0 in the US, PCIe 5.0 in UK and Australia)

Cooling

360mm AIO

PSU

1500W 80+ Platinum

The configuration I'm reviewing here is towards the higher end, featuring a Core Ultra 9 285K, RTX 5090, 64GB DDR5 RAM, and a 2TB SSD, though the closest US config to my review unit has a PCIe 4.0 SSD, rather than a PCIe 5.0. It also has a 360mm AIO cooler and the beefier 1500W PSU.

Specs: 4 / 5

Alienware Area-51 (2025): Design

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)

Oversized case leaves much to be desired
Internal industrial styling is intense
External shell a bit dull in the modern era

The Alienware Area-51 desktop is big. Seriously big. Its monstrous size will likely keep it off most desks. Even on my own test bench, at three meters long and 60cm deep, it could easily hang off the edge if I had situated it like I do my normal machine.

It's heavy too; that nearly 90 lbs/40kg weight is nothing to snort at—it's the kind of heft I'd expect from a custom liquid-cooled machine, not a pre-built system like this that's mostly comprised of plastic and a single AIO cooler.

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)

The overall design is alright. It's got that Alienware chic, with the curves and the alien head logo on the front. Fonts are tidy, and cooling is for the most part well implemented across the board. The internal layout is massive, and there are QR codes littered everywhere for you to scan if you ever need a handy guide on how to update the graphics card or install new memory in the future. It still looks better suited to a launch a decade ago by modern styling standards.

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)

What's less impressive is Alienware cutting some corners to bring this machine to market. Cable management internally is less than stellar. There are no braided cables here, and although the rear of the case is tidy, neat, and well-managed, there's a lot of extra cable around the front jutting out that's quite unsightly, or it's bound together awkwardly, pushed into headers on that bespoke motherboard.

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)

There's even a massive chunk of metal strapped to the right-hand side of the GPU, solely to help cable-manage that 12VHPWR cable going into the RTX 5090, which not only feels massively overkill but also kind of doesn't work, as it's still draped along the top of it anyway. I mean, yes, technically it is acting as an anti-sag bracket as well here. The RTX 5090 isn't the lightest of cards out there, but there are so many better, more elegant solutions out there these days than just a large block of rectangular metal. It's a real shame.

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)

Then there's that custom Z890 motherboard, the adorably named—hang on, let me check my notes here—ah yes, the 02JGX1. A bizarre-looking thing, complete with two DIMM slots for your RAM, three M.2 ports, and, well, that's about it.

It does look like Alienware has attempted to lean into that industrial aesthetic here, but there's so much exposed PCB, wireless cards, and ports just littered everywhere, combined with that poor cabling, it's seriously distracting.

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)

Power phase setup is fairly tame too (which directly translates to CPU performance, which I'll speak to momentarily), with a 14-phase design, and the rear I/O is practically nonexistent, with only a smattering of USB Type-A and far too many USB Type-C.

You get one Ethernet port and WiFi support (weirdly running as a passthrough all the way at the bottom of the chassis), and that's kind of it. No Clear CMOS, BIOS flashback, HDMI or DisplayPort out, and no 5.1 audio either.

I bring this up very specifically because this is a $5,700 machine, and motherboards at $235 deliver far more for far less.

Design: 3 / 5

Alienware Area-51 (2025): Performance

(Image credit: Future / Zak Storey)

Incredible 4K gaming framerates
PCIe 5.0 SSD rips
CPU relatively sluggish

Alienware Area-51 (2025) Benchmarks

Here's how the Alienware Area-51 (2025) performed in our suite of synthetic and gaming benchmarks:

Cinebench R24 (Multi-core): 2,186; (Single-core): 136
Geekbench 6.4 (Multi-core): 21,786; (Single-core): 3,148

CrossMark Overall: 2,500
CrossMark Creativity): 2,872
CrossMark Productivity: 2,256
CrossMark Responsiveness: 2,242

3DMark Fire Strike: 44,342
3DMark Time Spy: 36,886
3DMark Fire Strike Ultra: 30,352
3DMark Time Spy Extreme: 22,215
3DMark Speed Way: 14,285
3DMark Steel Nomad: 13,707
3DMark Port Royal: 34,020

Black Myth: Wukong (1080p, Cinematic): 102 fps; (4K, Cinematic): 59 fps
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 120 fps; (4K, Ultra): 57 fps
Metro: Exodus (1080p, Extreme): 149 fps; (4K, Extreme): 90 fps
Monster Hunter Wilds (1080p, Highest): 102 fps; (4K, Highest): 79 fps
Shadow of the Tomb Raider (1080p, Highest): 244 fps; (4K, Highest): 169 fps
Total War: Warhammer III Battle (1080p, Ultra): 291 fps; (4K, Ultra): 150 fps

When it comes to performance, the Area-51 delivers, although you probably expect it to with top-line specs like it has.

Cinebench R24 performance was well into the two thousands, with a multi-core count of 2,186, on average, and an average single-core score of 136. That's not too shabby at all. In fact, the multi-score number is around 91 points per thread, making it wildly efficient. Similarly, Geekbench 6 also had a pretty good outing, with 21,786 points scored on the multi-core and 3,148 in single-core performance.

That SK Hynix PCIe 5.0 drive in my system, though, is the real winner, and although its sequentials were relatively low for a modern-day PCIe 5.0 drive (averaging just 12.3 GB/s on both read and write), the random 4K performance absolutely decimates pretty much every drive I've seen this year. Its random 4K read performance hit a relatively speedy 113 MB/s, with random writes coming in at 350 MB/s. You're going to see some seriously quick load times with this drive.

Temperatures and power draw were well within parameters, too, with the CPU topping out at around 92°C and the GPU at 75.8°C. Nothing out of the ordinary there. And while it is power-thirsty, the max power draw I saw during testing hit 840.8 W from the wall at peak, which isn't great, but isn't the worst either.

On the gaming side, in my 1080p testing, pretty much every title was well into the 120+ fps range or higher without the help of DLSS or Frame Gen, and a 4K, I saw upwards of 150 fps in Total War: Warhammer III's Battle benchmark, while Cyberpunk 2077 averaged 57 fps at 4K with ray tracing and no DLSS support at all.

The only mild problem I have with this setup is the slight discrepancy against an equally kitted-out rig I built earlier this year. Complete with an RTX 5090 plus Intel Core Ultra 9 285K, my own DIY rig beat out the Area-51 in practically every graphical and computational test.

At a guess, this is likely down to that CPU performance being heavily limited by the 14-phase VRM design, as it just couldn't produce enough juice to keep that Ultra 9 running at full speed for as long as its DIY counterpart.

The odd element about that, though, is that the DIY machine only featured a $220 Gigabyte motherboard, yet temps were at 100°C for the chip (and stable), but performance, both computational and in-game, was around 5-10% higher, depending. For a system that's $1,500 cheaper, that's not a good look.

Performance: 4 / 5

Should You Buy The Alienware Area-51 (2025)?Alienware Area-51 (2025) Scorecard

The Ring Outdoor Camera Plus is tough and versatile, but its advanced security features come at a price

TechRadar Reviews - Wed, 05/28/2025 - 08:19

Ring Outdoor Camera Plus: two-minute review

Keeping an eye on your property remotely has become an obsession for many of us. No matter where you are in the world you can see exactly who is in your house and who has come to the front door. You can even use your camera to monitor the miserable weather back home while you are abroad enjoying sunshine.

Now owned by retailing behemoth Amazon, Ring was originally set up by US entrepreneur Jamie Siminoff as ‘Doorbot’ in 2013, but has since gone on to become one of the biggest names in the home security industry. As the name suggests, the Outdoor Cameras (previously known as Stick-Up Cameras) are designed for outdoor use, though there is no reason why you couldn’t use it indoors too – it can be just as easily placed on a table or desk as on the wall outside.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

The Outdoor Camera Plus is certainly a versatile model with several mounting options, including a wall bracket (with wall plugs) as well as a rechargeable battery pack if a power cable isn't feasible (this wasn’t provided). Plastic covers stop water getting into the USB-C power port and the model is ‘weather-resistant’, not waterproof, so shouldn’t be submerged in water!

As with most home security cameras, set up is straightforward. Simply download the Ring app and scan the QR code with your phone’s camera to add the device to the app (several Ring devices can be viewed within the app, including cameras, video doorbells, chimes and alarms). You will then be taken through a set of voice-based instructions for syncing the camera to your home’s Wi-Fi, naming the device and updating its firmware. Usefully this new model features dual-band support so you can add it to either your 2.4GHz or 5GHz network as well as Amazon Alexa compatibility. For added security, two-factor authentication is also now provided.

When it comes to features, the Ring Outdoor Camera Plus doesn’t disappoint. You can set motion detection zones to avoid the camera capturing footage from, say, the swaying of tree branches. And it’s also possible to set up privacy zones that allow you to block out certain areas of the frame, even in ‘live view’. Instead, all you see on the screen is a black rectangle. It’s an unusual feature but one which is quite useful if you have neighbours concerned your camera can view/capture recordings from their property.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

Another unusual feature in the menu is Smart Responses. This enables you to send out a warning message to people to tell them they are being recorded. However, it isn’t live on this device – at least yet. Other more conventional features include motion sensitivity for adjusting the amount of footage you capture (useful if you want to preserve battery life) and motion schedules for setting the times of day you want to record movement.

But that’s not all. For those who subscribe to Ring’s monthly subscription plans, other functions are available too. These include ‘smart alerts’ which filter different types of motion into categories – ie parcel, person and vehicles. Providing you pay for the £15.99 per month Ring Premium service, there’s also an AI-driven smart video search tool that can identify certain objects in your device's recorded motion events.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

For example, just enter ‘dog’ into the search bar you can see all the times your dog has been captured by the camera while ‘red top’ will bring up footage of anyone wearing a red top in the recorded events. Particularly useful is that you can log into your Ring account on the web so you can view footage of all your cameras while working on your laptop, something which isn’t possible with more basic models.

Ring Outdoor Camera Plus: price and availability

Prices start at $69 / £69 / AU$179
Additional solar panel costs extra
Launched March 2025

Ring security cameras certainly aren't expensive to buy compared to some of the best home security cameras. At the time of writing, you can pick up the Ring Outdoor Cam Plus for £69 / $69 / $179 (considerably cheaper than the launch price). However, just like printer companies make their money from selling expensive printer cartridges, home security companies make theirs from selling costly subscriptions.

And really you don’t get too much more expensive than Ring’s monthly subscriptions. Whereas some companies, such as Blink, charge under $5 / £5 / AU$10 a month for a subscription, with Ring you are looking at double that – and that’s just the entry level subscription. If you want all the bells and whistles, such as the Smart Video Search outlined earlier, it will set you back a hefty $19.99 / £15.99 per month (and this top-tier subscription isn't even available in Australia).

In my opinion that’s simply far too much money, unless you are using the Ring for professional purposes such as monitoring, say, high street shops (in which case there are more advanced video surveillance systems available). Far better if you need to keep the recordings is to choose a security camera which provides the option of recording footage locally on a USB stick or MicroSD card.

Value score: 3/5

Ring Outdoor Camera Plus: subscription options

Ring Home Basic:

$4.99 / £4.99 / AU$4.95 per month

$49.99 / £49.99 / AU$49.95 per year

Subscription for a single device. Includes up to 180 days of video event history, person and package alerts, video preview alerts, and 10% off Ring.com purchases.

Ring Home Standard:

$9.99 / £7.99 / AU$14.95 per month

$99.99 / £79.99 / AU$149.95 per year

Includes everything in Basic, plus all devices at one location, doorbell calls, extended live view, alarm cellular backup, and daily event summary.

Ring Premium:

$19.99 / £15.99 per month

$199.99 / £159.99 per year

Not currently available in Australia. Includes everything in Standard, plus 24/7 recording, continuous live view, and smart video search.

Ring Outdoor Camera Plus: design

Upgraded from Ring Stick Up Camera
Versatile mounting
Flexible power options

With the Outdoor Camera Plus, Ring has made a few improvements over its predecessor, the third generation Ring Stick Up Camera (now called the Outdoor Camera). Most notable is its improved design, particularly the versatile mounting options. The Ring Outdoor Cam Plus can be mounted on a desktop/table, on a wall or roof eave using the screws and wall plugs provided. It can be mounted on the ceiling with an additional accessory (not provided as standard) and easily angled for optimum use.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

Power is provided via the USB-C connector in the middle of the camera (a power cable wasn’t provided with our sample). Alternatively, you can take the Lithium-Ion battery out by swivelling the base to the unlock icon and removing it (ensuring you remove the card covering the charging points). You can then charge it via the orange Micro-USB cable provided until it’s ready for installation. Spare batteries are also available to buy online at Amazon of course.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

Available in black or white, the Outdoor Cam Plus features a lens on the front which provides a 160-degree diagonal, 140-degree horizontal, and 80-degree vertical field of view. Underneath is a speaker while above there’s a small microphone for two-way conversations with visitors. When movement is recorded a solid blue light is displayed at the top of the unit while during set up this flashes blue.

Design score: 4/5

Ring Outdoor Camera Plus: performance

2K image quality
Stable video connection
Overly sensitive camera

Ring claims the Outdoor Camera Plus offers ‘brilliant 2K video quality’ but in all honesty there’s not a massive leap in quality between this model and its predecessor, the Ring Stick Up Camera. Whereas the previous model offered 1,920 x 1,080 resolution, this one boasts 2,560 x 1,440 (2K). In other words, an increase of 360 horizontal pixels and 640 vertical pixels – enough to see the difference when you zoom in to an image, but probably not otherwise.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

That said, I didn’t have any complaints about picture quality at all. Images are sharp even at night thanks to the ‘low-light sight’ feature (although colour is limited in low light) and the field of vision is also quite wide: 140-degree horizontal compared to 115 degrees on the Ring Stick Up Camera.

Another benefit is having dual-band Wi-Fi support (2.4GHz and 5GHz) which ensured images recorded on the camera and viewed in Live View were extremely stable even though the camera was mostly located in the back garden, a significant distance from my broadband router.

(Image credit: Chris Price)

One thing worth noting is that the Ring Outdoor Camera Plus isn’t as sensitive as some models which record every bit of motion detected, even moving branches. Instead, you will probably need to turn the motion sensitivity option up a little bit just to capture all the footage you want. This will in turn use up more battery power so it’s worth considering either using the mains or a solar panel as a power supplement.

After nearly two weeks our sample model was already down to 50% so you will probably have to take the battery pack out for charging once a month – not the worst we’ve ever tested, but not the best either.

Performance score: 4/5

Should you buy the Ring Outdoor Camera Plus?Ring Outdoor Camera Plus score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

While the actual camera itself is relatively cheap, the subscription which gives you most of the added functionality is very expensive.

3/5

Design

Available in black or white, the Ring Outdoor Cam Plus looks OK and is both compact and reasonably well designed. Suitable for a number of locations (indoors or outdoors) it can be powered by mains, battery or even solar power.

4/5

Performance

Offering 2K video quality, the Ring Outdoor Camera Plus provides stable, good quality, images in record mode and live view. However, battery life isn’t the best and the motion sensor isn’t particularly sensitive.

4/5

Overall

A decent home security camera, but the Ring Outdoor Camera Plus loses points for its expensive subscription packages and so-so battery life. Performance isn’t that much better than its predecessor, the Ring Stick Up Cam

3.5/5

Buy it if

You need a versatile home security solution

With support for battery, solar and mains power, the Ring Outdoor Camera Plus is particularly flexible. It can also be used indoors and outdoors.

You want the latest features

There’s no shortage of handy features including Amazon Alexa compatibility and different motion and privacy zone settings, as well as smart video search (if you subscribe).

Don't buy it if

You already have the Ring Stick Up Camera

While picture quality and design are slightly better than the Ring Stick Up Cam there aren’t too many other benefits to justify the upgrade

You don’t want to pay for a subscription

Unfortunately Ring charges more than most other home security camera manufacturers for subscriptions, and you'll need one to get the most out of the Outdoor Camera Plus.

How I tested the Ring Outdoor Camera Plus

I used the camera both indoors and outdoors
I installed it myself
The camera was integrated into my home system with other Ring cameras

Like most manufacturers, Ring makes adding new cameras to its app very simple indeed. Because I already had several Ring security cameras and doorbells connected to my existing app, I simply added another using the QR code at the back of the device. However, starting from scratch would have been just as straightforward.

I started off using the device mostly indoors to get the feel of it and then moved it to my garden where I mounted it on top of the shed focused on the back door. There it has remained ever since (about 12 days at the time of writing), capturing people and pets who go out into the garden. Ring provides a 30-day trial for all the advanced features, such as smart video search and person/package/video alerts, but after this runs out you will need to subscribe online at Ring.com (you can’t do this via the app).

First reviewed May 2025

Categories: Reviews

IMSI Design FloorPlan Pro 2025 review

TechRadar Reviews - Wed, 05/28/2025 - 01:47

Home design apps and tools are plentiful these days, and you’ll find loads f options for designing interior and exterior spaces online, on your desktop, and on mobile devices. IMSI Design FloorPlan Pro offers high end options for your desktop.

I was keen to see how this professional design tool compared to the best interior design software I've tested - especially considering the company behind it is also responsible for the excellent TurboCAD.

Interested in FloorPlan Pro? Check out the website here

FloorPlan Pro; Pricing & plans

It's not the cheapest 3D home design software out there, but it promises to offer a wealth of features, which you can try free for 15 days

As for this writing, although FloorPlan Pro is available for both Macs and PCs, the former hasn’t been updated in years, and we’ve been told a brand new version is just round the corner. As such, we’ll be focusing our attention on the Windows version.

FloorPlan Pro is the high-end version of IMSI Design’s 3D home design family, the other two being “FloorPlan Deluxe”, and “FloorPlan Instant Architect”. As such it bears the highest price at just under US$280.

With it, you’ll get over 1,000 3D interior design furnishings and materials, over 4,000 plants for landscaping, foundation and HVAC planning tools, advanced dimensioning tools, the ability to import your own materials, backgrounds and plants, and much more.

This is a big software package and you may feel you need time to explore it and make sure it offers all the features you’re after. Thankfully, IMSI Design allow you to try their program free for 15 days.

Score: 4 / 5

FloorPlan Pro: Quick Start

The Quick Start section helps you design the overall structure of your buildings in minutes (Image credit: IMSI Design )

A great way to quickly and easily create the basic outline of the building you’re about to create

There’s little doubt that FloorPlan Pro is replete with powerful features, and is designed with someone who’s serious about 3D home design in mind. However, despite that, the software is also designed to be as approachable as possible, and this is made exceedingly clear from the outset, thanks to the Quick Start section, which greets you when you launch the software.

This enables you to create the bare bones of your building in next to no time: to the right is a sidebar containing various generic rooms, such as a Kitchen, a Bedroom, a Garage, and so forth. Drag them onto your blank canvas (pretty much the rest of the interface), resize them, place them next to others, and within seconds, you’ll have created the outline of your building.

Now, you can’t do much else with this section - you can’t even add windows or doors - that’s for later on - but it does let you get started at lightning speed. Once you’re happy with the results, click on ‘Continue’ to access the ‘proper’ interface.

Score: 4.5 / 5

FloorPlan Pro: Interface

The interface feels crowded, and a little dated, but everything you need is only a click away (Image credit: IMSI Design )

The interface feels crowded as there are buttons and icons on every edge of the screen, but everything is well organised and it won’t take you long to figure out where everything is and make good use of the available tools

FloorPlan Pro’s main interface is pretty busy, although well organised, despite the fact it looks antiquated and could do with a more modern lick of paint. You have alignment controls at the bottom, a series of cursors offering different functions to the left, and at the top, all the tools you need to design your home, organised by category, with ‘Floor’ being selected by default.

That section contains the tools you need to build walls, add windows and doors, insert stairs, railings, columns, and more. Other categories allow you to work on the foundations, add a roof, design the electrics and plumbing, work on the ventilation and air conditioning, add a deck, landscape the outside, etc. It’s incredibly full featured.

If you’re unsure what a tool does, just hover over it for a couple of seconds, and a detailed tooltip will appear telling you exactly what it does, and how to use it. Some even include a short animation to explain the concept more clearly.

By default, you’ll be working in a traditional 2D view, but you can also add a 3D view to the mix, which you can explore in parallel. You can use it to navigate through your design, select items and such, but you cannot manipulate your work from there.

When it comes to making alterations, the interface is very responsive: click on an object to select it, and drag it to move it around or resize it. We did notice however, that unlike other competing products, when you reposition a wall, adjoining walls aren’t resized and repositioned at the same time to accommodate that wall’s new position: you need to work on each in turn.

It’s cumbersome if you’ve grown used to the other way of working, but it shouldn’t be a deal breaker, especially if you like more precise control over your project.

Score: 4 / 5

FloorPlan Pro: Tools

Hover over a tool for it to reveal what it does. Some even include a short animation to explain how they work (Image credit: IMSI Design )

There’s a lot of tools at your disposal, and once you’re used to the interface’s layout, you’ll start enjoying the creation process

As mentioned above, you can find the tools along the interface’s edges, and once you’ve gotten used to their location, accessing the right tool when you need it becomes second nature. In fact we found designing a project to be pretty easy considering the number of available options - not as easy as the “Quick Start” feature, mind, but still, it can become an immersive experience, as you focus on your design.

Working primarily in 2D to create your project might be viewed as a drawback, but there’s an inherent simplicity to the concept that we ended up enjoying the process, occasionally switching to 3D to see how it was all shaping up. The biggest drawback though is that you need a large screen, especially with the 3D view activated, as it can overlap with the rest of the interface and all too easily gets in the way, especially when you’re furnishing your building.

Altering the topography is done through the 3D view (Image credit: IMSI Design )

When it comes to furnishings and materials, everything is located in a drop down menu to the right. All items are organised by category which you can explore, or just use the search field to quickly find what you’re looking for, which you then click and drag onto your design.

We really liked the landscape feature, and can understand why FloorPlan Pro have so many available plants for you to populate your grounds with. The versatility is immense, even allowing you to create uneven ground, creating a much more realistic look for the surrounding area; you can even build a house, cut into a hill for instance, and turn the garden into a dense forest.

The 3D view truly comes into its own when altering the landscape, as this is where you get to change the topography with the various available tools.

Score: 4 / 5

Should I buy FloorPlan Pro?Image 1 of 3

FloorDesign Pro has thousands of objects you can use to furnish your home (Image credit: IMSI Design )Image 2 of 3

Use the 3D view primarily to explore your design (Image credit: IMSI Design )Image 3 of 3

The landscaping is a big part of this software, allowing you to create complex exteriors (Image credit: IMSI Design )Buy it if...

You’re looking for a professional-grade home design program, with a vast array of features and options, and don’t mind the somewhat dated interface.

Don't buy it if...

You prefer creating, designing and altering your house in a 3D environment, or feel you need an interface that looks a little more modern.

For more design essentials we tested the best landscape design software and the best architecture software.

Categories: Reviews

BeLight Software Live Home 3D review

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 05/27/2025 - 11:03

Do a little search online and you’ll find a plethora of 3D home design software. BeLight Software’s Live Home 3D aims to provide a solution no matter which platform you’re on: the company has apps for your Mac or Windows computer, iOS or Android phones and tablets, and even the Apple Vision Pro.

For the purposes of this review, we’ll be looking at the desktop versions to see how this popular tool measures up to the best interior design software we've tested.

Interested in Live Home 3D? Check out the website here

Live Home 3D: Pricing & plans

A limited free version, a 30-day money back guarantee for the other tiers, with clear information about what’s included in each, and no need to hand over your payment details or email address to check the software out

Live Home 3D comes in three versions. One is free and two must be paid for. The free one has severe limitations: you can only design building with up to two stories, for instance, you can't create custom materials, nor can you edit the terrain outside of your building; your renders and video walkthrough will be watermarked, and limited to 720p for videos, and 2048x1536 for stills.

The Standard version removes many of these limitations: you can now work with an unlimited number of levels, and your renders are no longer watermarked, for instance. This will currently cost you $50 for a lifetime licence.

Pro is worth $100, also for a lifetime licence, and introduces the ability to work on the terrain, alter lighting, change camera settings, edit materials, and increase the resolution of both videos and images.

You’ll also find discounts for students, and members of non-profit organisations.

BeLight also offers a 30-day money back guarantee. One thing worth noting, Unlike Macs who have a dedicated free version, Windows users can download the Standard version for free, and have an in-app purchase to unlock features beyond those available in the free version.

Downloading the software is easy. You’re not asked for any payment information, and you’re not even required to hand over your email address. Can’t really get less obtrusive than that.

Score: 4.5 / 5

Live Home 3D: Interface

Live Home 3D’s interface is simple and well-designed, with icons at the top and sidebars on either side (Image credit: BeLight Software)

A single interface, with icons at the top and sidebars on each side, Live Home 3D also comes with a wealth of templates and canvases of different sizes should you prefer to start working from scratch

Live Home 3D sports a very simple and elegant interface. You have a row of tools at the top, a sidebar on the left, where you get to choose items and materials, as well as seeing a list of objects you’ve added to each floor, and an Inspector to the right, allowing you to access all of a selected object’s parameters.

In many ways, the software looks deceptively simple. You can easily start designing a building in seconds, adding walls, doors, windows, and furniture with ease, but the number of values you can alter is huge, all located in the Inspector section, giving you full control over the look of your creation, should you wish to be meticulously precise.

When creating a new document, you’re given a few options in terms of scale: do you wish to build a single room, an apartment, or a house? Either would work to start with, but this just sets the basic size of the canvas you’ll be working on. You’ll also find a wealth of sample designs for you to explore and get inspired by, be they single rooms, houses, apartments or cottages. All these templates are free, save for the ‘Additional Houses’ which offer more ‘exotic’ designs (who lives in a pineapple house, I ask you), and are available via a separate purchase.

Score: 4.5 / 5

Live Home 3D: Tools

Moving walls is as easy as clicking and dragging, and all adjoining walls are automatically resized to accommodate the new position (Image credit: BeLight Software)

The tools are excellent and extremely easy to use, along with a wealth of parameters you’re free to use or ignore

We’ve explored many 3D home design packages, from simple free ones, to the best architecture software for professionals. Each has their strengths and weaknesses, but it really feels to us that Live Home 3D has combined the best of most of these.

Erecting walls is incredibly easy. Not only is it a simple click and drag to add one, you can also just click on a wall and then drag it to alter its position. Any adjoining wall will be altered as you do this, saving you a lot of time. Even better, if you add a new wall close enough to an existing one, Live Home 3D is clever enough to understand you want those two walls to join, and does this for you automatically.

Doors and windows snap to walls automatically as you drag them near one, and this also works with angled walls. It’s like you’ve got an intelligent assistant just waiting to help make your design work so effortless. Of course, just like walls, you can resize doors and windows by selecting them and dragging their edges inwards or outwards. More precise alterations can be done via the Inspector panel on the right.

Just above the Inspector are the view modes. By default you’ll be working on a top-down 2D view, but you can opt for a 3D view instead, or split your workspace into two to see both at the same time. We really liked that you can alter and manipulate your design in any view, although 2D is where you will be doing most of your work, as that’s where all options are available.

Score: 5 / 5

Live Home 3D: Objects

Live Home 3D has a ton of objects you can add to your projects, from doors to sofas, and everything in between (Image credit: BeLight Software)

Live Home 3D has hundreds of materials you can use to decorate your home and customize its furnishings

Live home 3D offers a wealth of objects you can add to your projects, all located in the left sidebar, and broken down by categories - although there’s also a handy search function, to make finding what you’re after so much easier.

When you’ve found what you’re looking for, just drag it onto your project. You have resize and rotate handles around the item, so you can position it exactly where you need it. You’ll find a ‘Glue by’ option in the Inspector, which is preset for each item (although you can change that should you wish).

This tells the software where to drop the object. A sofa, for instance, needs to be on the floor, whereas a ceiling light will automatically attach to the ceiling.

If you can't find the object you're looking for you have the ability of importing your own files, or get additional ones from the Trimble 3D Warehouse (you’ll have to create a free account there in order to do so).

Adding objects is one thing, but you need the ability to customize them as well, and Live Home 3D definitely has your back there. The left sidebar stores hundreds of different materials, also organised by category, which you can add to any object, wall, or floor, or anything that’s selectable, really. And you’re not limited to using these materials in ‘traditional’ ways. Want a sofa made of grass on a leather floor? Go for it.

Score: 5 / 5

Live Home 3D: Renders

You can create an unlimited number of renders, with a choice of two render engines (Image credit: BeLight Software)

Two render engines to create an unlimited number of images for you at various resolutions. Works well, as long as the ‘Radeon ProRender’ doesn’t crash on you like it did us

One thing we quite liked is, although your renders are watermarked for the Free version, and the size is limited to 2048x1536 for Free and Standard, you can create as many images as you please.

That watermark, it’s fair to mention, is massive and right in the middle of the image - there’s no getting away from the fact this was generated by the free version of Live Home 3D. You also have two render engines to choose from, ‘Radeon ProRender’ and ‘Cycles’.

However, the Radeon option crashed on us every time we tried using the former through our computer’s Radeon GPU. Bypassing the GPU and working solely with the CPU worked without a hitch. We found ‘Radeon ProRender’ took longer to render, but produced finer detail.

Should I buy Live Home 3D?Image 1 of 2

Although you work in 2D by default, you can also switch to 3D and make alterations from there (Image credit: BeLight Software)Image 2 of 2

Customize objects, walls, and everything else, by changing its material covering (Image credit: BeLight Software)Buy it if...

You need a simple to use 3D home design software with a myriad of options at your fingertips, should you need them, and a wealth of customisable objects you can add to your projects.

Don't buy it if...

You’re not into home design, don’t like having so many optional options, and would rather have an interface you can wrestle with.

For more pro-grade design tools, we reviewed the best landscape design software.

Categories: Reviews

F1 25 is a serviceable entry in the Codemasters series, but it’s in desperate need of a shakeup

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 05/27/2025 - 10:00

F1 25 is the latest instalment in the officially licensed EA Sports and Codemasters-developed racing series. And while there are certainly some welcome additions to this year’s game, it gives off the feeling of a more iterative upgrade than we’ve seen for the past few titles.

Review information

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Release date: May 30, 2025

I still very much enjoy these games as a Formula 1 head, and fans of the sport will find plenty to like about this year’s release. The return of the Braking Point campaign mode is a highlight, once again offering a surprisingly compelling story with a roster of charismatic characters.

Changes to the My Team career option are also very welcome. While it’s not quite the major overhaul I was hoping for (and falls short in some regards), it’s absolutely much less of an afterthought now and well worth playing alongside a single driver career.

On top of that, the new decal editor is a lovely addition, giving you even more freedom to customize your car liveries. All welcome features for a series that’s routinely found itself in our best racing games guide.

The game also benefits from current-generation exclusivity, as some tracks have been fully redone via LIDAR scanning. While it’s only a handful of circuits at this time, they undoubtedly appear much more detailed and lifelike than in last year’s game.

But even with these new additions, F1 25 can’t avoid being strikingly similar to the last few games in the series, most notably F1 24 of course. That is the nature of annual releases, sure, especially those in the EA Sports stable. But it leaves F1 25 feeling a little like it’s going through the motions once you’ve experienced the handful of new additions. I’m really hoping that, alongside the sport’s real-world regulation changes in 2026, Codemasters’ next entry can provide a more noteworthy shakeup to the long-running franchise.

A Butler's life

(Image credit: EA)

I think it’s fair to say that F1 25 has plenty of content to enjoy for those who prefer to play solo. And if this is your first time with a Codemasters F1 game, I highly recommend checking out the new Braking Point campaign.

Braking Point follows the trials and tribulations of the fictional Konnersport racing team, which assumes the role of the eleventh outfit on the grid. This latest entry follows the team through the 2024 and 2025 seasons, as they rise from midfield giants to genuine title contenders.

The highlight of Braking Point is its story and cutscenes, which are brought to life by a roster of very talented actors. This third entry is also the most compelling yet, and I found myself consistently rooting for Konnersport as it’s repeatedly hammered by all manner of setbacks and controversies.

Braking Point also doubles as a pretty excellent tutorial. Each chapter focuses on a specific track and introduces concepts like mechanical failures, red flags, pit stops, and team orders in an accessible manner.

There’s some replay value to go around this time, too, as certain story beats will allow you to choose one of Konnersport’s two drivers - Aiden Jackson and Callie Mayer - for certain chapters. Such decisions will have an impact on your team’s reputation, performance, optional objectives and how the team is viewed in the news and on social media.

At around 5-6 hours, it’s a well-paced, compact story mode and does well to get new players up to speed with the game, all while providing a compelling narrative. For me, it’s the best thing about F1 25, and I hope Codemasters explores more story mode opportunities like Braking Point for future games.

Wheel knowledge

(Image credit: EA)

It’s also worth hopping into the My Team career mode this year, as F1 25 has provided it with a much-needed upgrade. It’s not quite the overhaul that you might’ve hoped for, but it does at least make the mode worth playing alongside the Driver Career mode, which had its upgrade in last year’s game.

A somewhat in-depth setup process will have you pick your team principal from a variety of preset avatars. There’s a greater selection of these in F1 25 (for both your principal and player-created drivers, which is great), even if you won’t see them much during the career mode itself.

You’ll then get to pick your starting budget, managerial style, and car development progress, each with three presets. From there, you’ll pick a title sponsor, your engine provider, and your two starting drivers.

Said drivers are where this My Team overhaul shows its first fumble. No matter your starting budget, you’ll only be able to choose two of six F2 drivers, which are seemingly picked at random. If you wanted Victor Martins or Franco Colapinto, but didn’t get them in your list, then you’ll need to back out and start a fresh save. You can’t even poach any F1 talent, instead having to initiate driver talks with them, which take place throughout your first season.

The actual managerial side of things does fare better. Research and development have now been split into two, meaning you actually have to build new upgrade parts after they’ve been researched. You’ll often find yourself having to choose which of your drivers receives these upgrades on their cars, too. Especially if, say, you only have the budget to build one part, or you choose to build two, and one of them gets delayed.

Best bit

(Image credit: Electronic Arts / Codemasters)

I’ve always been a fan of Codemasters’ Braking Point campaign series, and it’s back with a third outing in F1 25. It feels like the end of the trilogy here, and it once again impresses with excellent cutscenes, acting, and a compelling raising of the stakes. There’s even some replay value incentivized this time, as you’re able to choose which of Konnersport’s drivers you control at certain points in the campaign.

Much like Frontier’s excellent F1 Manager 24, you’ll also need to spend money on upgrades that benefit the wider team. These come in personnel, engineering, and financial upgrades and can greatly benefit you in the long run. I personally prioritized getting engineering up to speed, with perks that allowed me to research and develop multiple parts at once. This was crucial in my first year with a backmarking car that was in desperate need of performance upgrades at the tail end of this set of regulations.

The most compelling thing about My Team 2.0 is that the whole thing feels like a balancing act. Even something as simple as deciding which of your two drivers to control for a race weekend has some strategy to it. For example, if one of your drivers has been stuck at the back for a few weeks, it could have a seriously negative impact on their morale. So, taking manual control of them for a better chance at scoring points can do wonders for their mentality and future prospects.

I ended up liking My Team 2.0 even more than the Driver Career overhaul of last year. Especially so in F1 25, where Driver Career remains pretty much exactly the same - even with the same (frustratingly unskippable) introductory cutscene.

Thankfully, racing solo in general feels overall better in F1 25. That’s largely thanks to some AI improvements I’ve noticed in my time with the game. Computer-controlled drivers now seem to get much better launches off the starting grid, meaning you’re less likely to immediately overtake a whole bunch of them before turn one. They also defend their positions better at higher difficulty levels, and aren’t averse to risky overtakes when DRS is enabled down a straight.

Something on the scanners

(Image credit: EA)

F1 25 also benefits from the introduction of LIDAR scanning for a handful of circuits. This is a process that involves the team taking laser scans of some real-world tracks for a heightened level of detail and realism.

Five tracks have been given the LIDAR treatment in F1 25: Albert Park, Suzuka, Bahrain, Miami, and Imola. There is a noticeable bump in visual fidelity on these circuits. Grass, curbs, and road surfaces all appear much less flat. On top of that, there’s a ton more in terms of trackside detail.

There have been more visual improvements with the drivers, too, who now look more like their real-world counterparts than ever before. Smart upgrades like this ensure that the series is well-positioned to improve its graphics over the next few years, and I’m hoping Codemasters keeps the momentum going.

Now, this does mean there is an obvious discrepancy between LIDAR scanned tracks and those that are yet to receive it. Furthermore, I did spot some very distracting visual bugs on some circuits where objects would sporadically flicker in and out of existence. It’s not every track, but it made racing at Circuit of the Americas, Mexico City, and Zandvoort, among a couple of others, more painful than it needed to be.

Should I play F1 25?

(Image credit: EA)Play it if...

You want to see the conclusion of Braking Point
Braking Point 3 is a wonderful addition to the game and puts a cap on the trilogy in a satisfying way. I’m not sure if this will be the last Braking Point campaign, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Codemasters switches gears for its next story-based mode.

You want to properly manage your own F1 team
My Team 2.0 is a welcome upgrade that adds some much-needed life and depth to the mode. It’s not F1 Manager levels of depth by any means, but there’s plenty of decision-making to be had, and taking a team from bottom to top feels immensely rewarding.

Don't play it if...

You’ve had your fill of F1 24
Aside from Braking Point and My Team 2.0, there aren’t that many notable improvements over last year’s game. Unless you’re especially keen to check out the new LIDAR-scanned circuits or keep up online play with friends, you can safely skip this entry.

Accessibility

F1 25 once again has plenty of accessibility and assist options for players of all stripes.

As always, you can set the intensity of steering and brake assists, as well as traction control and whether you want elements like safety cars and pit stops to be automated or not. There are some handy subtitling options here, too, letting you adjust their size and background opacity. Multiple languages are also supported for team radio messages.

Racing wheel players aren’t being left out, either. F1 25’s control settings support many of the best racing wheels. That also includes PS5 racing wheels and PC racing wheels, with options to adjust overall steering sensitivity, force feedback integration and more.

How I reviewed F1 25

I clocked in 25 hours of F1 25 on PS5. That included several hours dedicated to the Braking Point campaign, seasons with My Team and Driver Career, and some time in the challenge-based F1 World mode, which remains largely unchanged in this year’s entry.

I primarily played with a DualSense controller on an LG CX OLED TV, occasionally hooking up my RIG 900 Max HS gaming headset to experience more immersive audio while driving.

First reviewed May 2025

Categories: Reviews

I tested AKG's N5 Hybrid earbuds, and I was so impressed by their noise cancellation and extra features, as long as you find them at the right price

TechRadar Reviews - Tue, 05/27/2025 - 04:00

AKG N5: One minute review

When I’m testing new earbuds, and considering if they deserve a shoutout for our list of the best earbuds, the first thing I do is look at the price to set expectations – but for this AKG N5 review, I found two.

There’s the official list price, which sets you up for these buds to be powerful premium players, but I was also tripping over discounted prices, with the N5 seeing some hefty discounts since launch. So while I’ll test these as top-end earbuds, I’d be remiss not to point out that you can buy them for less – and you should, as they present fantastic value for money with a reduction.

The AKG N5 are the latest pair of wireless earbuds from originally-Austrian audio company AKG (which is owned by Harman, which itself is owned by Samsung). AKG puts out wireless headphones only sparingly, with its website populated almost entirely with professional wired headsets and microphones.

And it’s clear that some of that ‘professional’ DNA is present in the AKG N5 because there are loads of features which are helpful in such a setting: a USB-C dongle included in the case lets you easily (and temporarily) connect to any laptop, tablet or similar device, while call tone settings basically act like an EQ but for incoming voice calls. There are also loads of ANC settings for people who work in busy offices.

Suffice it to say I was impressed by the feature suite of the AKG N5, but not just as someone who himself tries to drown out the infuriatingly-loud team seated next to him – they’re all features that will be handy to regular buyers, not just office-locked ones.

Another strength of the AKG N5 is their audio chops, because the buds offer expressive and clear audio with plenty of detail and texture. A few more in-app modes (sorry to mention features again) let you carry out a sound test or tweak the sonic offering to your pleasure.

Some people may be put off by the AKG N5’s design. It’s true the case is pretty huge, the build quality feels iffy, and the earbud controls are hard to activate when you want to and easy to activate when you don’t. The battery life that won't last a full day of work might also put some people off.

But it’s easy to overlook these issues if, like I said, you’re able to find a good deal on these buds. And that shouldn’t be hard given I found it more of a chore to find their actual original price rather than the current one. The N5 are fine value at their official price – but discounted, they’re a steal.

AKG N5 review: Specifications

Component

Value

Water resistant

IP54

Battery life (quoted)

6 hours (earbuds), 24 hours (total)

Bluetooth type

Bluetooth 5.3

Weight

6g / Charging case: 48.4g

Driver

10mm

(Image credit: Future)AKG N5 review: Price and availability

Announced in September 2024
Priced at $299 / £249 / AU$309
Readily available for under $250 / £199 / AU$250

The AKG N5 were announced in September 2024, at IFA 2024, as the latest entry into the brand’s line-up of earbuds. At the time of writing they're the company’s only competitor for the best wireless earbuds.

At launch, the AKG N5 cost $299.95 / £249 / AU$309, which makes them a premium audio offering. However it’s worth pointing out that I could easily find it sold online for a discount of $60 / £50 / AU$65, so you’ll easily save money if you shop around.

Lowered price or not, these are still premium earbuds and we’ll treat them as such. Included in the box you get the buds, case and dongle as well as a USB-C to USB connector and some bud tips of varying sizes.

(Image credit: Future)AKG N5 review: Features

Poor real-world battery life
Range of ANC options
Useful dongle connector

The AKG N5 connects to your phone via Bluetooth 5.3; initial pairing for me was quick and easy, and during testing there were barely any drop-outs or stutters.

You can also easily connect to new devices via a dongle included in the charging case; plug this into any device, and the N5 will stream audio from that.

The dongle is a USB-C one, though an adapter included in the box lets you plug it into standard USB ports. This is a really handy extra for people who own multiple devices and can’t pair to all of them, or who use unfamiliar devices on occasion. As someone who owns (and tests) too many gadgets, I found it incredibly handy.

9 times out of ten, this dongle worked well, however now and then I’d find the headphones would re-pair with my phone even if the dongle was connected to another device. One thing to note is that it did sap the battery of the device it was connected to: fine for gadgets plugged into an outlet, frustrating for my iPad.

Battery life is a weak spot for the buds. AKG predicts a 10-hour battery life… if you listen to music with ANC turned off, and that drops down to six hours with ANC on, or even lower if you’re talking or using the dongle.

However, in my testing I was lucky to get anywhere near six hours of listening time, and I’d usually have to charge after four and a half or five hours. That's not just below what's promised, it's way below average.

(Image credit: Future)

The case itself contains four full charges for the buds, however long you make that.

So should you turn off ANC to preserve battery life? Well you can, but it’d be a shame, because the AKG N5 have fantastic noise cancellation – my usual ANC test is how well it drowns out the trains that commonly pass my house, and when testing the N5, I have no idea if it passed because I could never tell if trains had passed.

ANC is complicated here, though. There are three modes: standard, Ambient Aware and TalkThru (as well as off, obviously). TalkThru boosts nearby voices so you can hear people and Ambient Aware does a similar thing for background voices, with a slider letting you fiddle with the intensity of the effect.

In standard ANC mode you can toggle Adaptive ANC, which adjusts the level of noise cancellation based on your surroundings, and turning it off presents you with a slider to change the intensity yourself. There’s also Auto Compensation mode which tweaks with ANC depending on your ‘wearing and ear canal status’, whatever that means.

(Image credit: Future)

Suffice it to say that every time I was presented with the ANC part of the AKG Headphones app I was scratching my head at all the options presented to me – and that’s really the theme of this companion app which bombards you with options. This’ll be pleasing news to tech-heads, but horrifying for technophobes.

Let’s fire through some of the features and settings: SilentNow turns off music and ramps up ANC to help you focus or study; Smart Audio & Video adjusts sound stage based on whether you’re listening to music or watching a video; the equalizer has a load of presets or lets you customize your sound on a 10-band EQ; various call settings let you change how you or a caller sound on the phone; and Right/Left Sound Balance does what it says on the tin.

These are as well as all the standard app modes: gesture control customization, a find-my-buds feature, and a fit test.

The app also gives you the option to toggle Hi-Res Audio, but turning this on precludes you from several other features, including Spatial Sound and Personi-Fi. This latter is a lengthy audio test that presents you with a bespoke equalization fit for your music, and I don’t know any audiophiles who don’t appreciate this kind of feature.

If you’ve skimmed that list you may have noticed something I want to explicitly commend: there are loads of options with small or large accessibility use cases here, which is always great to see.

Features score: 4/5

AKG N5 review: Sound performance

(Image credit: Future)

10mm drivers
Balanced sound profile
Textured audio in high-res mode

Whether you’re listening via Bluetooth or dongle, with Hi-Res Audio on or instead Personi-Fi enabled, there’s one thing that’s hard to deny: the AKG N5 sounds great.

The sound profile is lovely and balanced, with well-defined bass sitting comfortably alongside clear treble and distinct mids. I didn’t feel the need to touch the equalizer as I liked the default mix, and wasn’t losing any instruments to overbearing bass or treble.

It’s easy to hear the texture in each instrument with the N5: I could make out the ripples of reverb on vocal lines to the flick of a bass guitar string being strum, and the audio lines were all spread out enough to make them distinct and clear (although I have tested buds with a better soundstage).

If I have to say one bad thing about the buds, it’s that audio sounds precision-tuned but not very energetic – they helped me really appreciate great songs sonically, but didn’t always make me feel like rocking out to them.

Sound performance score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future)AKG N5 review: Design

Chunky and cheap charging case
Lightweight and comfortable buds
Annoying touch controls

Perhaps because it contains a dongle, the case of the AKG N5 is a little on the larger size, and I’ve seen some people online criticize its bulk. Honestly, it’s not that big, and doesn’t allay the space-saving advantages of earbuds like this over full-on headphones or open earbuds with a a wraparound design – plus they're light at 48.4g.

But I did notice the thing in my pocket when I was walking – it's on the larger end of the scale.

What’s arguably worse about the case is its build: the plastic feels cheap, groans under slight pressure and picks up fingerprints readily. However AKG has it certified at IP52, which protects it from limited fine particles and sprays of water at certain angles. I can’t remember the last time I saw a charging case with an IP rating, so it’s a welcome spec.

Now onto the earbuds: these are buds with stems, but with a bigger bud and shorter, flatter stem than on your generic AirPod doppelgänger. They have an IP54 rating so they’re a little better protected against water than the case.

Evidence of how easily-bendable the hook is (Image credit: Future)

Due to the tips material being quite smooth, when I first started testing the N5, it constantly felt like they were on the verge of falling out of my ear. Two weeks on and that hasn’t happened yet, but I’ve still been too apprehensive to take them on a run, cycle or any kind of activity which might actually cause them to fall to the floor.

At least the buds are lightweight, so when I was sitting still, they were comfortable to wear for long periods of time. They weigh 6g each which is comparable to rivals.

Each bud has a touch-sensitive area over the ‘A’ of the AKG logo, which lets you control music playback; by default the left side toggles ANC and Ambient Aware, while the right one is for play and pause.

It took some time getting used to tapping the right spot when I was wearing the buds, and there’s a noticeable delay in the gesture being picked up – more than once I got caught in a loop playing or pausing a tune, thinking that my touch hadn’t been picked up, and constantly flicking between the two.

An even more annoying issue was that it’s very easy to accidentally press the button when you’re trying to readjust loose buds.

You can pick the AKG N5 up in white or black, and your choice affects both the buds and the case. As you can see from images, I tested the black pair.

Design score: 3.5/5

AKG N5 review: Value

(Image credit: Future)

While it's not easy to make reasonable argument for $299 / £249 / AU$309 earbuds being good value propositions, it does bear repeating that these things have been seeing increasing discounts over their first year of existence.

The AKG N5 aren’t bad value for money by any means, with their top-notch audio and range of useful features justifying the price, but they’re far from bargains either (except in Australia, where they’re much cheaper than elsewhere).

That certainly isn’t the case if you can find them for below about $200 / £180 / AU$300, which would make them a really tempting alternative to earbuds that are usually priced in that area.

Value score: 3.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the AKG N5?

I tested the Thrustmaster T128 and was surprised at just how well it performs for the price

TechRadar Reviews - Mon, 05/26/2025 - 07:00

Thrustmaster T128: One-minute review

The Thrustmaster T128 is a budget racing wheel designed for those after a beginner-friendly experience. Its looks are fairly underwhelming, with its outdated gamer stylings failing to make a great impression. The wheel itself is quite small and has a thin rim, which will suit some hands more than others.

In terms of premium design, the T128 falls short of what some rivals have to offer. While it’s certainly not flimsy, it’s hardly a premium feeling unit, with cost-saving materials employed all over.

It is at least quite light and small, which helps make installation and setup easier compared to some of the best racing wheels. I also found the clamping mechanism much better than those used on other Thrustmaster wheels I’ve tried.

However, installation is hampered somewhat by the awkward placement of the ports, which are inaccessible when the wheel base is clamped down. This means any time you want to remove or reconnect the various cables, you'll have to uninstall the wheel altogether, which is inconvenient.

What’s more, the T128 won’t install on certain dedicated stands, such as the GT Omega Apex I have, since there are no screw holes for fixing the wheel base directly to it.

Once installed, though, the T128 is quick to get going. For Xbox users, it’s a simple case of plug-and-play, although firmware updates do require a PC tool. There’s also a tool for making force feedback and other tweaks, with a generous selection of parameters considering the budget nature of the T128.

The T128 is even better in action. I was pleasantly surprised by just how responsive and connected it feels, making it joy to race with. The force feedback settings, as with other Thrustmaster wheels I’ve tried, are too strong on their highest settings for my liking, although here it’s perhaps a little weaker than usual.

The T2PM pedals are nice and light, which makes them easy to use, although the brake pedal lacks resistance, which can make it difficult to gauge how hard you’re pressing it. It’s still usable enough, though, and I didn’t have an issue with the relatively cramped layout of the pedals either.

All things considered, the T128 offers plenty of fun for the money, undercutting many other wheels and even outperforming some of Thrustmaster’s more expensive offerings. It might not have a standout design, but there aren’t too many wheels at this price that offer such a good time.

(Image credit: Future)Thrustmaster T128 review: Price and availability

$‌199.99 / £149.99 (about AU$312)
Available now
Cheaper than many rivals

The T128 costs $‌199.99 / £149.99 (around AU$312) and is available now. A PlayStation compatible edition is also available. This makes the T128 one of the cheapest in Thrustmaster’s line-up, and one of the best Xbox racing wheels for those on a budget. I was more impressed with it than the T300RS, for instance, which is considerably more expensive yet underperforms by comparison, although its design is more premium.

If you’re looking for another great value racing wheel, the Logitech G920 is another very capable option. It’s still considerably more expensive than the T128, but the build quality is far superior, and the performance is excellent in all aspects.

Thrustmaster T128 review: Specs

Price

$‌199.99 / £149.99 (about AU$312)

Weight

9lbs / 5kg

Peak torque

2Nm

Features

Handbrake buttons, 4 engine speed display RPM LEDs

Connection type

USB-A

Compatibility

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC

Software

Thrustmaster Control Panel

Thrustmaster T128 review: Design and features

Cheap but functional
Light and easy to install
Software tool more advanced than it looks

The T128 doesn't make a great first impression. Its material feels cheap, and the styling is quite outdated, with a few touches that pander to the gaming crowd, harking back to a bygone era.

The wheel itself is small and the rim quite thin, which would make it ideal for younger players and those with smaller hands. As a whole, the unit is also very light, which makes it easy to install and move around, and yet it feels surprisingly sturdy at the same time.

It’s a similar story with the T2PM pedal set, which is also very light and small, meaning the layout might be a little too cramped for some. However, it managed to stay planted on the carpeted surface I used it on, and appears more durable than you might expect.

One gripe I have with the pedal set, though, is its length. It’s too short, which meant I couldn't trail it behind my desk; instead, I had to let it dangle right beside me, which isn’t ideal.

Another drawback of the T128’s design is the poor port placement. When the wheel base is clamped to a desk, the ports are inaccessible, which means you have to attach the various cables prior to installation, making the process a little more awkward. It also means you have to unclamp the wheel any time you want to unplug or reconnect them.

(Image credit: Future)

Fortunately, the clamping system is easy to use, and much better than those of other Thrustmaster wheels I’ve tried. The screw has a plastic handle, which is easy to turn and lock into place, as well as being readily accessible.

There’s a pleasing selection of buttons on the T128 and they’re almost as tactile as what you’d find on the best Xbox controllers. You get a close to full Xbox layout with a few extra inputs thrown in, such as two handbrake buttons and an RSB and LSB buttons, which are compatible with certain games only.

The T128 also features paddle shifters, which are better than I was expecting. They curve slightly to help secure your fingers, and their positioning is ideal, if placed a little too far inwards, which can make them a stretch to reach at times.

Setting up the T128 is a simple process, especially for Xbox users, who only have to plug it into their console. However, as with other Thrustmaster wheels, be sure to keep well out of the way as soon as you power the T128 on, as it immediately fires up its self-calibration feature. Thankfully, this isn’t as violent as with other Thrustmaster wheels, but still worth noting all the same.

To update the firmware, you’ll need to download the PC tool for this purpose. There’s also a tweaking tool, known as the Thrustmaster Control Panel, which looks rather rudimentary and lacks refinement, but is deceptively capable.

It functions well and provides a pleasing amount of tweaks, including multiple parameters for the force feedback. Again, this is all very welcome on a budget racing wheel such as the T128.

Thrustmaster T128 review: Performance

Fun and accurate steering
Plenty of force feedback settings
Brake pedal's a little too light

The T128 acquits itself very well when racing. Steering is accurate and responsive, with plenty of feel and capable of offering smooth and rapid movements in equal measure.

As with other Thrustmaster wheels, the force feedback is very strong – too much so on its maximum setting, although perhaps still less than on other models. But once adjusted appropriately, the T128 provides surprisingly nuanced immersion, although there’s a buzzing sensation that’s a little overbearing at times.

The paddle shifters are solid and snappy, with just enough dampening to make them satisfying to flick. They also provide sufficient feedback, and I was surprised at just how capable they were on this budget wheel.

I was also pleasantly surprised by the T2PM pedal set. I found them quite fun and easy to use, owing to their light actuation. The cramped layout didn’t cause an issue for me either, despite having grievances with similarly tight designs on other pedal sets.

(Image credit: Future)

However, the brake pedal is lacking in feedback somewhat, which can make it hard to judge how much pressure to exert. But overall, both the throttle and the brake provide enough control for modulated inputs.

The T128 also features a gear change indicator in the form of multicolored LEDs, known as the 4 engine speed display RPM LEDs, although I found this quite imprecise in practice. For instance, when playing Forza Motorsport, their progress wasn’t all that smooth, and seemed to reach their peak before the in-game indicator did. Still, it’s a welcome feature to have for a basic visual cue, especially if you like to play with a camera angle that omits the steering wheel from view.

Should I buy the Thrustmaster T128?

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

You want an entry-level racing wheel
Die-hard racers might not get enough from the T128, but for those dipping their toes in, this is a good place to start.

You want to save money
The T128 is on the cheaper end of the market, and its good value considering the performance and features on offer here.

Don't buy it if...

You want a premium design
The materials aren’t exactly luxurious, and the overall aesthetic just looks cheap.

You want better pedals
The pedals perform quite well for the most part, but the brake pedal is perhaps a little too light, and there’s no clutch pedal.

Thrustmaster T128 review: also consider

If you're on the hunt for other budget racing wheels, here are some alternatives to the Thrustmaster T128:

Thrustmaster T128

Logitech G920

Thrustmaster T248

Price

$‌199.99 / £149.99 (around AU$312)

$299.99 / £349.99 / AU$549.95

$399.99 / £299.99 / AU$599.99

Weight

9lbs / 5kg

12lbs / 5.4kg

6lbs / 2.7kg

Peak torque

2Nm

2.3Nm

3.5Nm

Features

Handbrake buttons, 4 engine speed display RPM LEDs

Stainless steel paddle shifters, three-pedal base

Hybrid FF system, 2 dual-position encoders, three-pedal base

Connection type

USB-A

Compatibility

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, PC

Logitech G920
A close rival to the T128 in the budget realm is the Logitech G920. It’s not as cheap as the T128, but it has a much more premium design and performs very well in all areas. For these reasons, we think it’s one of the best entry-level racing wheels on the market right now.

Read our full Logitech G920 review

Thrustmaster T248
Another Thrustmaster special, we think the T248 is the best PS5 racing wheel for those looking for a mid-range experience. Similar to the T128, it’s an easy wheel to use, helped by its stability even when clamped to a desk. We also found its pedal set excellent, which, unlike the T128, includes a clutch pedal.

Read our full Thrustmaster T248 review.

How I tested the Thrustmaster T128

Tested for a day
Played racing sims
Experience reviewing racing wheels

I tested the T128 for a day, clamping it to a desk. Unfortunately, it isn’t compatible with certain racing stands, such as the GT Omega Apex that I have, as there’s no way to affix the wheel with screws or bolts.

It should also be noted that the wheel isn’t compatible with cloud gaming or other streamed games; it only works with games downloaded onto your console or drive.

I played Forza Motorsport on an Xbox Series S, which is a competent racing sim on the console that provides a sterling test for racing wheels. I set the in-game steering setting to simulation mode and turned all driving assists off.

I’ve been gaming for decades and racing sims are one of my favorite games to play. I have experienced a number of different racing wheels and reviewed various models as well, including others made by Thrustmaster.

First reviewed: May 2025
Read more about how we test

Categories: Reviews

I used the Hollyland Lark M2S Combo mic kit to record audio content – and I can’t believe how tiny it is

TechRadar Reviews - Mon, 05/26/2025 - 06:00

Hollyland Lark M2S Combo: two-minute review

Understatement isn’t a common characteristic among content creators, but it’s a winning feature for this wireless mic kit. With two tiny receivers weighing just 7g apiece, the Hollyland Lark M2S is designed to fly under the radar. Hooked over your collar, only a small part of each pick-up is visible. The result is an audio solution that doesn’t distract your audience.

It’s also a versatile one. Available in several variations, the Hollyland Lark M2S Combo kit on test here includes two transmitters, a USB-C mobile receiver and a cold-shoe unit that connects to cameras via USB-C or 3.5mm. There’s also a Lightning cable in the box for connecting to legacy Apple devices. That makes it a pretty complete kit, whatever you choose to shoot with.

Each transmitter is held in place by a rubberized clip, with grips at the tips for extra security. Many of the best wireless mics used magnetic backs to give you more flexibility when positioning. In practise, most users will want the mic on their lapel anyway – and even with the hook on show, the M2S is as subtle as they come.

Despite their discreet size, the omnidirectional pick-ups do a better job than any built-in mic, whether you’re shooting with a smartphone or one of the best video cameras. How the 24-bit audio signal is processed depends on the pre-amp inside your recording device, but voice clips are generally clear and rich enough for the casual listener.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

Blustery conditions can be an issue. The bundled windshields do a good job of buffering against buffeting, though attaching them raises the profile of the mics. You also have the option of enabling noise reduction. This tends to flatten and crisp up the sound slightly, but it’s an effective solution where background noise would otherwise be too intrusive.

Noise cancellation can be activated by pressing the single button found on each transmitter, the button on the USB-C receiver or the dial on the camera receiver. The latter is also used to adjust the output volume, while a long-press switches between mono and stereo recording. That makes the interface sound more complicated than it is. There is a slight learning curve, but once you’ve got your head around the meaning of each indicator light, it’s intuitive enough.

Battery life is far from featherweight, with each transmitter rated for up to nine hours on a single charge. Returning them to the charging case yields a further 18, giving the whole package some serious longevity. Together with its neat proportions, that makes it an attractive solution for creators who need to shoot on the go – even though the case itself feels quite plasticky and the components are prone to rattling inside.

Other wireless mics feel more premium, while the DJI Mic Mini uses a neater single receiver. But if you want a compact and cost-effective way to upgrade your audio quality, the Hollyland Lark M2S Combo kit offers solid value.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Hollyland Lark M2S Combo: price and release date

$149 / £140 / AU$269 for the Combo kit
Includes 2x mics, 2x receivers, Lightning cable and charging case
Several kit versions available for different devices

Launched in January 2025 as a follow-up to the Lark M2, the Hollyland Lark M2S wireless mic is available to buy now in one of several bundle variations. On test here is the Combo kit ($149 / £140 / AU$269), which includes the following:

Transmitters x2
Receiver (camera)
Receiver (USB-C)
Charging case
Windshields x2
3.5mm cable
USB-C to Lightning cable
USB-A to USB-C cable

The Combo kit is designed to give content creators the flexibility to work with both smartphones and cameras. The Lightning cable allows you to connect the camera receiver to older Apple devices. The Combo kit offers good value for what’s included, but other options will be better suited to specific creator requirements.

The cheapest Hollyland Lark M2S option is the barebones USB-C kit ($119 / £110 / AU$219). This includes two transmitters and a USB-C receiver for use with a smartphone. With no option to connect to a camera, it’s the best choice for mobile-only recording.

The next step up is the Mini Combo ($139 / £130 / AU$249), which is the same as the Combo kit, except it doesn’t include a Lightning adapter cable. It’s the best choice if you want the flexibility to connect to a camera and USB-C smartphone.

Top of the pile is the Ultimate Combo ($159 / £150 / AU$289). In addition to the USB-C and camera receivers, this adds a dedicated Lightning receiver to the mix. Given that the Combo kit includes a Lightning cable, there are few people for who this will be a necessity. Unless you absolutely need a physical Lightning receiver, this version is best seen as a legacy option.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Hollyland Lark M2S Combo: specs

Dimensions

24 × 9mm (transmitter), 40 × 16.7 × 9mm (mobile receiver), 40.5 × 25.5 × 13mm (camera receiver), 86 × 39 × 60.5mm (case)

Weight

7g (transmitter), 6g (mobile receiver), 12g (camera receiver), 110g (case)

Range

300m

Connectivity

USB-C, Lightning, 3.5mm

Battery

9 hours, plus 18 hours from the charging case

Audio

24-bit

On-board recording

Noise cancelling

Yes

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Hollyland Lark M2S Combo: Design

Lightweight transmitters with built-in rubber clips
USB-C receiver with two indicator lights
Camera receiver with indicator lights and control dial

Dinky is the order of the day with the Lark M2S. From the tiny transmitters (7g each) to the compact camera receiver (12g), everything in the bundle is ultra-light. The components weigh less than almost every other kit in our list of the best wireless mics, including the DJI Mic Mini and the Rode Wireless Micro.

Despite being housed in plastic, the transmitters and receivers feel well-built and sturdy enough for long-term use. The little orange buttons on each device give satisfying feedback, as does the click-scroll of the control dial on the cold-shoe adapter. It’s only the charging case that lets the side down: the hinge for the lid creaks and moves, while the parts rattle around while charging inside.

Still, for a low-weight, low-cost kit, the Lark M2S feels like it’s been assembled with thought. Effort has certainly gone into the design of the transmitters. Most wireless mic kits have rectangular units held in place by a magnetic back. This gives you versatility when mounting, but means the pick-up is quite visible in video footage.

Hollyland has taken a different approach with the Lark M2S. The transmitters are attached by a U-shaped hook with a titanium arm inside. This clips over a collar, with rubber ridges on either side for extra grip. It’s a foolproof solution: it has enough flexibility to fit over different fabrics, with sufficient resistance to hold firm. No magnets means one less piece to lose – and most users will place the mic on a hem anyway.

The added benefit is that the larger side of the transmitter unit is hidden beneath your clothing. Only part of the arm and the smaller puck sits on the outside. The result is a very subtle setup. With mini dimensions and no branding, the mic could easily go unnoticed in interview footage. It’s a lot less distracting than larger alternatives.

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

That design does mean the button and indicator light on the transmitter are hard to access when you’re wearing it, particularly as the little LED is obscured beneath the hook arm. Helpfully, there are corresponding lights on the receiver units which indicate the mode and connection status.

The user experience differs slightly depending on which receiver you’re using, but the setup is the definition of plug-and-play. Recording on mobile couldn’t be simpler: remove the transmitters and mobile receiver from the case, insert the USB-C unit into your smartphone and the two LEDs will turn solid to show that everything is connected. The single orange button on the receiver toggles noise cancelling on (green light) or off (blue light). You’re good to go.

Connecting to a camera is no more complicated. Take the cold-shoe receiver and transmitters out of the case and they’ll pair automatically. Then simply hook it up to your camera via 3.5mm or USB-C (or both at the same time) and you’ll get an audio signal. You can also use the bundled USB-C to Lightning cable to connect the camera receiver to an older Apple device.

The camera receiver’s interface is a touch more complicated than the mobile one. You get the same LEDs for connection and noise cancelling status, plus an orange button for power. Then there's an arc of three additional lights to indicate the output volume, which can be adjusted by turning the dial. Pressing the dial changes the noise reduction setting, while a long-press switches between mono and stereo.

There’s a slight learning curve when it comes to the meaning of each LED, but it’s intuitive enough to get your head around after a few minutes. What you don’t get is any kind of display for real-time audio monitoring. That’s a luxury reserved for premium mics that cost and weigh more. It’s also one that’s absent from the DJI Mic Mini and Rode Wireless Micro.

Hollyland Lark M2S Combo: Performance

Omnidirectional audio with optional noise cancelling
9 hours battery life (transmitter), 18 hours battery life (case)
Up to 300m range

Rating audio quality is a tricky thing, because it depends on your expectations. If you’re a professional sound engineer, you’ll find things to fault with what the Hollyland Lark M2S produces. But if you’re comparing it to the built-in mic on your smartphone or camera, the M2S is leagues ahead.

The additional caveat here is that results are influenced by the device you’re using and its built-in pre-amp. Send the same signal from the Lark M2S to an iPhone and a DSLR camera, as I did, and you’ll notice differences which result from how each device processes the audio.

The Hollyland Lark M2S has strong foundations. It records 24-bit audio at 48khz, which sets it up well for capturing detail. You can also set the output level to high, giving your device more to work with. Serious users will balk at the lack of 32-bit float recording or on-board storage, but that reflects the target market of the M2S. There’s enough detail and depth here to satisfy content creators and anyone who wants to improve the quality of their voiceovers.

The omnidirectional pick-ups do a decent job of isolating speech against background hubbub. As with many wireless mics, though, wind noise is an issue. The bundled fluffy windshields help to tackle this, but also make the mics more visible.

Your other option is to enable Environmental Noise Cancellation. This is highly effective at limiting the impact of blustery conditions on your recordings. It also works well at reducing traffic noise to a barely audible level. The trade-off is that noise cancelling tends to make vocals sound slightly flatter and more processed – although not as significantly as some wireless mics.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

You can adjust the level of noise cancelling through the LarkSound app, with high and low options. Usefully, the app can also be used to monitor the audio level from each mic in real time, giving you a visual indication of whether the gain setting needs to be changed to avoid clipping. This can be controlled in the app, as can the channel mode, which allows you to switch from mono to stereo recording when using the camera receiver.

Transmission range is rated at 300m. Unless you’re working at telephoto distances, there are few occasions when you’d need to be that far from your recording device. Still, with a clear line of sight from transmitter to receiver, I didn’t encounter any signal drop-out at a distance of about 100 paces. That changed as soon as something came between the two. In reality, most users will work at close range, where clear transmission won’t be an issue.

Longevity is also assured. Despite the miniature dimensions of the Lark M2S, battery life comes in at a competitive nine hours. The case can also recharge the components twice over, giving you a total recording time of close to 30 hours before you’ll need to use a wall charger. The case itself needs around 90 minutes to go from flat to full.

It’s unlikely that most users will encounter a shoot where they have to record for 9 hours straight, but it’s reassuring to know that the Lark M2S can live through a lot of takes before it needs returning to the case. Using it as many content creators would – on the move, taking out the components to record clips on location, then storing them back in the case – the M2S simply ran and ran. For such a compact kit, the battery life is seriously impressive. This is a wireless mic that’s easy to live with.

Should I buy the Hollyland Lark M2S Combo?Buy it if…

You want a discreet wireless mic kit

Thanks to a low-profile lapel clip design, the Lark M2S transmitters hide most of their mass behind your collar. Paired with a lightweight build and one-button interface, the mics offer a simple, subtle solution for recording audio content.

You want cleaner audio for your content

Recording 24-bit audio at 48Khz, the Lark M2S can capture voiceovers with more detail than your device’s built-in microphone. Bundled windshields and the optional noise reduction mode help to reduce background sound, too.

You want a plug-and-play setup

The Combo kit comes pre-paired out of the charging case. Connect the mobile or camera unit to your device and you’re ready to go. Lights on the receivers and transmitters make it easy to check mode and connection status.

Don’t buy it if…

You want transmitters to clip anywhere

The clip-on transmitters are neat and tidy, but the rubber hook design means they can only be worn on a lapel or collar. Other wireless mics have magnetic backs that offer more versatility in where you can wear them.

You want bulletproof audio quality

By producing a 24-bit signal, the Lark M2S is capable of decent results. That said, sound quality can be affected by noise cancellation, as well as the quality of the pre-amp in the device that you’re working with.

You only need smartphone audio

This Combo Kit includes a cold-shoe and USB-C receiver, as well as a Lightning adapter cable. If you only create content with a smartphone, you can save money by choosing the standard kit, which ditches the camera module.

Hollyland Lark M2S Combo: also consider

Hollyland Lark M2S

Rode Wireless Micro

DJI Mic Mini

Dimensions

Transmitter: 24 × 9mm (transmitter)
Mobile receiver: 40 × 16.7 × 9mm
Camera receiver: 40.5 × 25.5 × 13mm

Transmitter: 40 x 27 x 17mm
Receiver:
44 x 24 x 9mm

26.55 x 26.06 x 15.96mm

Weight

7g (transmitter), 6g (mobile receiver), 12g (camera receiver), 110g (case)

12g (transmitter, without magnet), 102g for the whole kit

10g (transmitter, without magnet)

Transmission range

300m

100m

400m

Connectivity

USB-C, Lightning, 3.5mm

USB-C or Lightning

USB-C / Lightning, 3.5mm

Battery

9 hours, plus 18 hours from the charging case

7 hours, plus two additional charges from the fully charged case for a total of 21 hours

11.5 hours (transmitter), 10.5 hours (receiver), up to 48 hours with fully charged case

Audio

24-bit

Noise cancelling

Yes

Bluetooth

Yes

Rode Wireless Micro

A simple, reliable solution for recording quality smartphone audio, the Rode Wireless Micro captures 24-bit audio with zero fuss. It’s available in Lightning and USB-C versions, with no camera connectivity. The transmitters are visibly bigger than the Lark M2S, but they do have the flexibility of magnetic mounting.

Read our Rode Wireless Micro review

DJI Mic Mini

The DJI Mic Mini is a compact wireless mic. It comes with just one receiver that works with both smartphones and cameras, meaning there’s less kit to think about. An optional Lightning adapter is available, too. You can even record 16-bit audio directly via Bluetooth, without using the receiver.

Read our DJI Mic Mini in-depth review

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)How I tested the Hollyland Lark M2S Combo

Tested extensively over several weeks
Paired with both the camera and USB-C receivers
Recorded audio in a range of indoor and outdoor settings

Given that the Hollyland Lark M2S is a wireless mic kit that’s designed to let content creators capture quality audio on the go, that’s how I approached this review. I packed the kit in my backpack every time I headed out of the house, then recorded voiceover content wherever the day took me.

That meant I captured audio clips in a whole range of settings and scenarios, from noisy cafes to windy walks along busy roads. I tested the transmitters at all three volume levels, with and without the windshields installed, and with noise reduction enabled and disabled. This gave me a catalog of recordings with which to make comparisons on clarity and quality.

Because the Lark M2S Combo is pitched as a full kit for creators, I tested it with both the USB-C mobile receiver and the cold-shoe camera adapter. With the latter, I wired up to a Nikon D7100 using a 3.5mm cable, as well as using the bundled Lightning cable to connect an iPhone 12.

During my time with the Lark M2S, I tried to use it as someone might do in the real world. That meant clipping the transmitters to different items of clothing. I also purposefully interacted with interface before consulting the instructions in detail, to get a realistic idea of how accessible the system is for beginners.

First reviewed: May 2025
Read more about how we test

Categories: Reviews

The RIG 900 Max HS is easily my new favorite PS5 gaming headset thanks to its impeccable audio quality and comfort factor

TechRadar Reviews - Sun, 05/25/2025 - 08:00

Nacon RIG 900 Max HS: one-minute review

If you’re looking to buy a brand new PS5 or PC compatible gaming headset, then the Nacon RIG 900 Max HS will likely be a notable upgrade over your current peripheral. You’d probably expect that given its premium price tag, but the 900 Max HS still manages to go above and beyond.

Going through the checklist, I found that the RIG 900 Max HS ticks almost every box. It’s remarkably durable, and those plush ear cups are tailor-made for gaming the hours away in comfort - never did the headset begin to chafe the sides of my head or become uncomfortably warm, even during 5-6 hour gaming sessions.

And that’s great, because the RIG 900 Max HS is an incredibly difficult headset to take off. Not in a weird ‘cursed helmet’ kind of way - rather, its audio quality is so pristine that I couldn’t imagine playing immersive single-player games like The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered or Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 without it.

You can expect impressively detailed audio here that accurately picks up on a wide range of sounds - loud, quiet, and everything in between. Its bass profile is also highly satisfying, which can be further enhanced by accessing the equalizer in the wonderfully easy-to-use companion app. Multiplayer gamers are well-served here, too, with an impeccable flip-to-mute mic that - according to my friends and colleagues - sounded much clearer over calls than even some of the best PS5 headsets I’ve used.

If I had to levy any complaints, one would be that the build - like other Nacon products - still relies somewhat on cheap-feeling plastic. The durable metal headband is a notable improvement here, but the sides of the band as well as the cup exteriors are a little hollow. Turning the headset on and off, as well as pairing, also isn’t as immediate as I’m used to with other headsets.

But otherwise, the RIG 900 Max HS is an excellent premium gaming headset that’s well worth the price of admission.

(Image credit: Future)Nacon RIG 900 Max HS review: price and availability

The Nacon RIG 900 Max HS is available now and should retail at $249 / £215, but at the time of writing, stock appears to be quite limited in the US and the UK.

It is widely available in Europe, however, and is listed on Nacon’s website for €249.90.

I will return to update this section as and when US and UK availability becomes more widespread.

Nacon RIG 900 Max HS review: Specs

Price

$249.99 / £215 (tentative while availability is limited)

Weight

10.37oz / 294g

Dimensions

7.6 x 8.0 x 3.7in / 194 x 204 x 94mm

Compatibility

PS5, PS4, PC

Connection type

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

Battery life

20-30 hours

(Image credit: Future)Nacon RIG 900 Max HS review: design and features

Nacon hasn’t done much to bolster the overall build quality of its headset line-up here, but one crucial change does make a big difference. The 900 Max HS features a durable, metallic headband that not only looks nice, but its flexibility makes for a more durable build overall.

This headset line-up has also always featured unbelievably comfy plush ear cups, and that’s the case here, too. These allow the 900 Max HS to sit on your head snugly, remaining comfy and unintrusive for longer gaming sessions. There are no issues with the headset feeling overly warm, nor did it ever start to chafe my ears even during longer stints.

Onboard buttons here are also very simple and straightforward. You naturally have the power button, as well as a USB-C slot for charging purposes (though this can also be done with the included charging dock). A multi-function button lets you quickly pause or unpause videos and music. It also lets you accept calls if also connected to Bluetooth via the supported dual input mode (that’s Bluetooth and 2.4GHz at the same time). Handy.

Lastly is the Mode button, which lets you cycle through different pairing options including a ‘do not disturb’ Game Mode (available through 2.4GHz only), Dual and Bluetooth modes.

On the left of the headset is the flip-to-mute microphone. This unfortunately cannot be removed and feels built from rather cheap plastic, but - as I’ll get into later - it’s nonetheless an excellent mic that’ll serve you well on multiplayer comms.

(Image credit: Future)Nacon RIG 900 Max HS review: Performance

Performance is really where the RIG 900 Max HS shines. As far as gaming headsets go, it has some of the cleanest, most robust audio around. The headset deploys powerful 40mm drivers to produce a rich soundstage, capable of covering an impressively wide range. In Monster Hunter Wilds, for example, I could make out streams of rushing water in the distance even while a vicious Rathalos was trying to make me its next lunch.

There is a dedicated bass boost mode, too, and it’s as strong here as it was on the RIG 600 Pro HS - if not moreso. Once I activated bass boost, I simply couldn’t play without it in single-player games. The added oomph to the explosive soundscapes of the Resident Evil 4 remake and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 only helped make those play experiences to be even more enjoyable.

But as mentioned earlier, multiplayer games aren’t being left out. That’s because the 900 Max HS’s flip-to-mute microphone is incredible. Whether it was gaming online with friends on Discord, or talking during a work meeting, my voice came through crystal clear. My colleagues noted it was a step up from my other go-to headset; the JBL Quantum 910P.

(Image credit: Future)

You can also expect a glorious multiplayer gaming experience thanks to accurate directional audio. That’s a real boon for when you need to call out distant shots or vehicle sounds to teammates in shooters like Call of Duty: Warzone or Fortnite.

Battery life is an improvement over previous RIG models, though I must say I didn’t get Nacon’s quoted 50-60 hours on a single charge here. On a full charge, I managed around 20-30 hours before needing to top up again. That’s still not bad at all, and in fairness I was regularly switching pairing modes across both PS5 and PC, so your mileage may vary here depending on your use case.

I also have to mention the excellent software that is the RIG 900 Max HS companion app. While it does take a few seconds to connect to the app via Dual or Bluetooth modes, the app itself is simple to use yet still quite powerful.

The app lets you create up to three individual sound profiles. There are equalizer presets like the aforementioned bass boost, as well as ones tailored to first-person shooters and overall voice clarity. You can also activate an ‘Expert’ mode here, giving you access to a more robust equalizer with 10 sliders.

You can also adjust mic gain, monitoring, and a volume level protection option that prevents the headset’s audio from becoming overly loud.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Nacon RIG 900 Max HS?Buy it if...

You want immersive, customizable audio
Audio quality is fantastic out of the box, but you can really fine-tune equalizer settings that suit you best via the excellent companion app. Its expert mode also lets you tinker to an even more granular degree.

You’re an endurance gamer
You probably want a comfortable headset for your hours-long gaming sessions and the RIG 900 Max HS absolutely delivers here. The plush ear cups are perfectly suited to lazy weekends or burning the midnight oil with pals online.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on a budget
This is another very expensive premium product from Nacon’s RIG department. I think it’s worth the money if you can afford it, but if all you need is a simple way to chat with friends online or if you prefer gaming without a headset, you’ll be saving yourself a lot of cash.

You’re an Xbox player
Put simply, the RIG 900 Max HS is not compatible with Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S or Xbox One consoles. For that, there is a separate HX model available which you may want to check out instead.

Nacon RIG 900 Max HS review: Also consider

If the RIG 900 Max HS isn’t quite up your alley or out of your price range, you may wish to consider these excellent RIG brand alternatives.

RIG 900 Max HS

RIG 600 Pro HS

RIG 800 Pro HX

Price

$249 / £215

$99 / £89.99

$149 / £199

Weight

10.37oz / 294g

8.47oz / 240g

10.7oz / 308g

Dimensions

7.6 x 8.0 x 3.7in / 194 x 204 x 94mm

7.5 x 7.9 x 3.5in / 191 x 200 x 89mm

7.7 x 7.8 x 3.7in / 196 x 198 x 94mm

Compatibility

PS5, PS4, PC

Xbox, PC

Connection type

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

Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth)

Battery life

20-30 hours

Around 18 hours

18-24 hours

RIG 600 Pro HS
A real mid-range wonder, the RIG 600 Pro HS is my recommendation for those after a PS5 or PC gaming headset without breaking the bank. I prefer this to the official PS5 Pulse 3D gaming headset, and you can expect similar high quality audio and comfort factor here.

Read our full RIG 600 Pro HS review

RIG 800 Pro HX
Essentially an Xbox-compatible version of the above, the RIG 800 Pro HX is slightly older and thus falters relatively in terms of overall build quality. But still, you can expect excellent gaming audio, an awesome mic and comfortable ear cups.

Read our full RIG 800 Pro HX review

How I tested the Nacon RIG 900 Max HS

Tested for one week
Tested across PS5 and PC
Played single and multiplayer games, as well as general music listening

I tested the Nacon RIG 900 Max HS over the course of roughly a week, during which time it’s been my go-to audio device for both PS5 and PC. In my spare time, I typically don’t wear gaming headsets while playing, but I honestly haven’t been able to play without the RIG 900 Max HS whenever I’ve got a free hour or two. It may have converted me.

I played a whole bunch of single and multiplayer games with the headset on. These include recent releases like Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, Monster Hunter Wilds, Blue Prince and The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered. I selected these games because they all have diverse and unique soundscapes that really came alive when passed through this gaming headset.

For multiplayer, I hopped online with friends for Final Fantasy 14 Online, Fortnite, and a few rounds of Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6. This was largely to test out the headset’s immaculate microphone, as well as get a feel for how well it handles directional audio.

First reviewed April 2025

I reviewed Hisense’s top mini-LED TV, and it sets a new standard for bright-room viewing, but with a few key flaws

TechRadar Reviews - Sun, 05/25/2025 - 07:00

Hisense U8QG: Two-minute review

The Hisense U8QG follows in the footsteps of last year's Hisense U8N series mini-LED TVs, which combined exceptionally high brightness with a level of local dimming refinement that well exceeded what we’d seen in previous TVs from the company.

With the new Hisense U8QG series (65-inch model tested here), Hisense has created an even brighter U8 series offering, and also one with better local dimming performance yet again.

It’s not a huge leap in picture quality over the excellent Hisense U8N, a model that found itself on many of TechRadar's best TV lists, but our benchmark tests (see below) all indicate better measured performance, from brightness and color gamut coverage to input lag for gaming.

As with many other new TVs coming out in 2025, Hisense tags several features with the ‘AI’ buzzword, specifically AI modes for picture and sound. You can easily take these or leave them (I chose to leave them), though the AI picture mode can help improve the look of lower-resolution programs on streaming and broadcast TV sources.

The U8QG sports a buffed-up design to contain its built-in 4.1.2-channel speaker array, an upgrade over its 2.1.2-channel predecessor that provides powerful, immersive sound with most programs. Sadly, the built-in subwoofer is prone to distortion on movies with low bass effects, making things a tough listen for bass-craving action movie fans.

Hisense uses Google TV as a smart system in the US, and its own VIDAA one in Europe. Google TV is a reliable, easy to navigate smart interface, and it provides features such as an ambient mode that lets you display photos from your own Google photo library onscreen when the TV is in standby.

One area where the U8QG represents a clear upgrade over its predecessor is gaming. Features here include 4K 165Hz support, along with FreeSync Premium Pro, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ gaming. Disappointingly, the TV has only three HDMI 2.1 inputs, although there’s also USB-C input with DisplayPort support.

Prices for the U8QG series were high out of the gate, but have since dropped to a much more reasonable level in the US. For example, the 65-inch model I tested is currently selling for $1,399, and is an excellent value at that price.

Hisense U8QG review: Price and release date

The Hisense U8QG is notably brighter than 2024's also very bright U8N series (Image credit: Future)

Release date: March 2025
55-inch: $999 / £TBC
65-inch: $2,199 / £TBC / AU$2,999
75-inch: $2,499 / £TBC / AU$3,999
85-inch: $3,499 / £TBC / AU$4,999
100-inch: $4,999

Hisense’s U8QG series TVs are its top mainstream mini-LED models in the US, slotting in only under the Hisense U9N series. The full U8QG lineup is currently available in the US, and the 65-, 75-, and 85-inch models are available in Australia.

UK availability and pricing have not yet been announced, but we'll update this review when we have them.

Although the U8QG series was launched in the US in late March, big discounts are already starting to appear as of this review in May 2025, with the 65-inch model selling for $1,399, the 75-inch model for $1,899 and the 85-inch model for $2,499.

Hisense U8QG review: Specs

Screen type:

OLED

Refresh rate:

Up to 165Hz

HDR support:

Dolby Vision, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG

Audio support:

Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X

Smart TV:

Google TV

HDMI ports:

3 x HDMI 2.1

Built-in tuner:

ATSC 3.0 (USA)

Hisense U8QG review: Benchmark resultsHisense U8QG review: Features

The U8QG has three HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 165Hz support plus a side-mounted USB-C input with DisplayPort support (Image credit: Future)

Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range
Anti-Reflection Pro panel
4K 165Hz gaming support

The Hisense U8QG series is feature-packed and also provides several upgrades over its U8N series predecessor. The TV’s mini-LED backlight provides up to 5,000 local dimming zones (on the 100-inch model, fewer on smaller sizes). It uses the company’s Hi-View Al Engine Pro processor, which offers AI picture and sound optimization, and its HDR support includes Dolby Vision, Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10, HDR 10+, HDR10+ Adaptive, and HLG.

Peak brightness for the series is specified at 5,000 nits, and an Anti-Reflection Pro screen helps to reduce screen glare when viewing in bright rooms.

Audio is one of the U8QG series’ biggest upgrades, with all models featuring a 4.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos speaker array (powered by 72 watts on the 65-inch model I tested).

Like previous Hisense TVs, the U8QG series uses the Google TV smart TV platform in the US and Hisense’s own VIDAA platform in the UK, Europe and Australia. Google TV can be controlled hands-free using the TV’s built-in far-field mics or via the mic on the included fully backlit remote control.

Gaming gets an upgrade on the Q8QG series with support for 4K 165Hz input across the TV’s three HDMI 2.1 ports, and there’s also FreeSync Premium Pro, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ gaming, ALLM, and Hisense’s Game Bar menu for making quick on-screen adjustments.

Features Score: 5/5

Hisense U8QG review: Picture quality

The U8QG's picture looks great in both light and dark room viewing conditions (Image credit: Future)

High brightness and refined local dimming
Rich-looking color
Contrast suffers with off-center viewing

The first thing to discuss about the Hisense U8QG’s picture quality is that it has brightness to spare – and then some. Measured in the default Filmmaker Mode preset, peak brightness on a 10% HDR white window pattern was 3,337 nits, and in Standard mode it was 2,888 nits. That’s a sizable peak brightness bump over last year’s also very bright Hisense U8N.

However, fullscreen brightness in the same modes was below what last year's U8N delivered. In Filmmaker Mode, the new model hits 733 nits, while last year's hit 805 nits. In Standard mode, the difference is slightly more pronounced again, with 744 nits for U8QG and 873 for the U8N.

Also, the U8QG’s SDR peak and fullscreen brightness both measured strangely low in Filmmaker Mode, meaning the Standard (or Theater Day or Night) picture preset will be the better option for viewing standard- and high-definition programs.

The U8QG’s UHDA-P3 and BT.2020 color gamut coverage in Filmmaker Mode were both excellent for a mini-LED, measuring 97.8% and 82.8%, respectively. Once again, this represents an improvement on last year’s U8N.

Color point accuracy averaged out to an impressive 1.8 average Delta-E value (the margin of error between the test pattern source and what’s shown on-screen), which is well into the zone where the human eye can't distinguish it from being perfect (we look for anything lower than 3).

However, the average grayscale Delta-E was a less impressive 4.3, which showed up onscreen as a slightly too warm, reddish color bias.

Aside from calibrating the U8QG’s grayscale, there were certain adjustments I made to the settings in its picture menu that boosted picture performance.

Dynamic Tone Mapping gave images a slightly punchier look, and Dark Detail helped to flesh out shadows in darker movies and TV shows. There is also an AI Contrast setting in the Picture Brightness submenu that I found had a beneficial effect when set to Low or Medium, but that was only for standard and high-definition programs upscaled to 4K by the TV. With 4K HDR content, AI Contrast at all settings gave pictures a too-crisp look.

The U8QG provides better UHDA-P3 and BT.2020 color gamut coverage than last year's Hisense U8N (Image credit: Future)

The local dimming on Hisense TVs gets incrementally better with every year, and the U8QG provides the best example yet. Dark, shadowy scenes in TV shows like The Last of Us, season 2, episode 6 (watched in 4K with Dolby Vision on Max) had powerful depth, and in challenging shots like one of moonlight shimmering on water, there was no sign at all of backlight blooming effects.

For virtually all of my viewing, I left Local Dimming set to High, and the TV’s picture was given its maximum level of contrast punch.

Colors also looked notably rich on the U8QG, confirming the great results I got from measurements. This gave sports such as the NBA basketball playoffs a serious eye candy quality, with the bold colors of the players’ uniforms popping vividly on the screen.

Given the U8QG’s high brightness levels, sports and other TV programs looked very good when watched in bright rooms, and the TV’s effective anti-reflection screen helped reduce screen glare from overhead lights, making even dark shows like The Last of Us viewable in such lighting conditions.

One area where the U8QG’s picture came up short was off-axis uniformity: When viewing from an off-center seat, colors and contrast faded noticeably. This won’t be an issue when viewing from seats spread out across a typical sofa, but a straggler at your NBA finals viewing party sitting in a far-off-center chair won’t experience the same picture quality as those directly in front of the TV.

The U8QG’s motion handling was just average. Even with Motion Enhancement set to Film mode in the TV’s Clarity sub-menu, reference movie clips such as a scene from the James Bond film No Time to Die, where Bond walks across a craggy hillside cemetery, had a blurry and slightly wobbly look.

Selecting the Custom mode in the same menu and adjusting the Judder and Blur sliders to the 3-4 range helps considerably to tone this down, and with only a slight “soap opera effect” visual penalty.

Picture quality score: 4.5/5

Hisense U8QG review: Sound quality

A dual driver subwoofer set in the TV's back panel tends to audibly distort when watching movies with heavy low-frequency effects (Image credit: Future)

4.1.2-channel, 72W speaker array
Room Acoustic Tuning feature
Bass in soundtracks can create subwoofer rattle

The Hisense U8QG’s sound gets a substantial hardware upgrade over last year’s Hisense U8N. Specifically, it has a 4.1.2-channel Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X compatible built-in speaker array (powered by 72W), compared to the U8N’s 2.1.2-channel speaker array.

It also has numerous sound presets, an Intelligent Sound option that automatically optimizes the sound based on the specific program type you’re watching, and a Room Acoustic Tuning feature that uses the mic built into the TV’s remote control to measure and adjust the sound based on your room environment.

While the U8QG’s sound is powerful and provides a good level of immersion – at one point I actually checked to see if my system’s surround speakers were accidentally left turned on – low-frequency effects in movie soundtracks frequently caused the TV’s built-in subwoofer to audibly, and unpleasantly, rattle.

I didn’t experience the same issue with more standard fare, like most TV shows, news, or sports. Also, the noise could be lessened by turning down the Bass Boost level in the Sound Advanced Settings menu, or by turning off the subwoofer altogether in the same menu.

But the U8QG’s rattling built-in sub was nonetheless a disappointment, and I’d recommend instead pairing this TV with one of the best soundbars despite the strong effort put into its sound elsewhere.

Sound quality score: 3.5/5

Hisense U8QG review: Design

The U8QG's sturdy aluminum pedestal stand (Image credit: Future)

Sturdy pedestal stand with cable management
Only three HDMI ports
Full-sized, backlit remote control

The U8QG has a chunky look when viewed from the side due to the frame’s two-inch depth – a necessity to contain the TV’s side-firing left/right and upfiring Atmos speakers. Viewed head-on, it has a much lighter look, with its 0.25-inch thin bezel allowing maximum screen area for the picture.

An aluminum pedestal stand with an angled cut gives the TV sturdy support, and its back-facing section provides ample cable management options for a neat installation.

About the only thing I found off-putting about the U8QG’s design was that HDMI ports were limited to three instead of the usual four, though these were all HDMI version 2.1 with 4K 165Hz support. There’s also a USB-C input with DisplayPort support for a PC connection.

Hisense’s remote control is the same full-sized, fully backlit version provided with 2024’s U8N. It’s easy to handle and navigate menus with, has a built-in mic for the Google Voice assistant, and also provides quick buttons to access apps including Netflix, Prime Video, Disney Plus, and Tubi.

Design score: 4/5

Hisense U8QG review: Smart TV and menus

The U8QG's Google TV homescreen is uncluttered and easy to navigate (Image credit: Future)

Google TV (US) and VIDAA (UK, Europe and Australia)
No broadcast TV data in Live program grid
Some settings buried too deep in menus

The U8QG uses the Google TV smart interface in the US and Hisense’s own VIDAA smart TV system elsewhere. Since I’m located in the US, my comments will pertain to Google TV.

Google TV has a relatively uncluttered interface that’s dominated by program recommendations that are fine-tuned when you sign in with a Google account (a necessity to download streaming apps to the TV).

While not ad-free – the rotating carousel at the top of the screen regularly pushes YouTube Premium subscriptions, movie rentals/purchases on the Google TV store, and Google’s own Freeplay free ad-supported TV portal – sponsored recommendations on the main ‘For You’ homescreen are equally mixed with suggestions from apps that you actually subscribe to.

The U8QG has a built-in ATSC 3.0 tuner for viewing ‘NextGen TV’ digital broadcasts in the US, and while this works perfectly fine in showing enhanced program data for the channel you’ve tuned, the Tuner section of Google TV’s Live TV program grid guide failed to show any info for live broadcast TV channels, and also wouldn’t let me select channels directly from the guide. (The Live guide shortcut button on the U8QG’s remote control was also non-functional.)

This seems like something that could likely be fixed with a software update, because the Google TV Freeplay channel section in the same Live guide worked completely fine.

A menu button on the remote control calls up a quick menu at the bottom of the screen that gives you convenient access to things like picture and sound modes, and even more advanced options like local dimming and Intelligent (AI) settings. A gear button on the remote, and also on the TV’s homescreen, unlocks more in-depth settings, including advanced picture calibration options.

Smart TV & menus score: 4/5

Hisense U8QG review: Gaming

The U8QG's Game Menu in action (Image credit: Future)

Three HDMI 2.1 ports
4K 165Hz, FreeSync Premium Pro, Dolby Vision and HDR10+ gaming support
Low 9.9ms input lag

The U8QG supports an impressive range of gaming features on its trio of HDMI 2.1 inputs, including 4K 165Hz, AMD FreeSync Premium Pro, ALLM, Dolby Vision gaming, and HDR10+ gaming. It also has a Game Bar menu that lets you make a wide range of gaming-related adjustments onscreen while your game plays on in the background.

Latency in Game mode measured with a Bodnar 4K input lag meter was an impressive 9.9ms. That’s the lowest input latency TechRadar has yet measured on a Hisense TV, and it puts the U8QG in the company of the best gaming TVs from Samsung and LG.

Gaming score: 5/5

Hisense U8QG review: Value

The U8QG comes with a large, fully backlit remote control (Image credit: Future)

Performs well compared to pricier competition
The still-available Hisense U8N (2024) is also great
Excellent overall value

At $2,199 for the 65-inch model I tested, the Hisense U8QG wasn’t cheap at launch, though its price has since dropped to $1,399 in the US.

At that reduced price, the U8QG is an excellent value, and it’s bound to give new premium mini-LED competitors like the Samsung QN90F (currently selling for $2,099 in a 65-inch screen size) reason to be nervous.

A main factor affecting the U8QG’s value is that the 2024 Hisense U8N is still available and selling at well under $1,000 for a 65-inch screen. The U8N is a great TV, and one that also offers high brightness, refined local dimming, and a strong set of gaming features.

Having tested both models, the U8QG has better overall picture quality, and it also offers more advanced gaming features. It’s the one I’d choose between the two, but viewers on a budget will be equally happy with the U8N, as long as it sticks around.

Value score: 5/5

Should I buy the Hisense U8QG?

(Image credit: Future)Hisense U8QG

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Feature-packed, with broad HDR support and a wide array of gaming features

5/5

Picture quality

High brightness and refined local dimming and an anti-reflective screen make this a great TV for both sports and movies, though picture quality suffers when viewed from off-center seats

4.5/5

Sound quality

A built-in 4.1.2-channel speaker array provides clear, powerful, and immersive sound, but the built-in subwoofer is prone to rattling on deep bass effects

3.5/5

Design

A sturdy design with a solid pedestal stand and ample cable management options. The large, fully backlit remote control is a nice addition, though three total HDMI ports may not be enough for some viewers

4.5/5

Smart TV and menus

Google TV is an effective and easy to navigate smart TV platform, but there are problems with the Live TV program guide and some advanced settings can be difficult to access

4/5

Gaming

A wide range of cutting-edge gaming features plus very low input lag make this a fantastic gaming TV

5/5

Value

Steep discounts off the initial launch prices make the U8QG series an excellent value, though its value is somewhat affected by the availability of 2024’s also great U8N series

5/5

Buy it if...

You want a TV that can handle bright rooms Few TVs can match the U8QG when it comes to brightness, and that, combined with its effective anti-reflective screen, makes it an excellent choice for daytime or bright room viewing.

You also want a TV that looks great when you dim the lights
The U8QG’s refined local dimming delivers deep blacks along with detailed shadows, and its powerful brightness reserves mean highlights in 4K movies and TV shows with HDR are given maximum punch.

You want a great TV for gaming
The U8QG’s three HDMI 2.1 ports support 4K 165Hz, FreeSync Premium, and both Dolby Vision and HDR10+ gaming. An impressively low 9.9ms input lag also ranks this Hisense among the best gaming TVs.

Don't buy it if…

You don’t want to add a soundbar
The TV’s 4.1.2-channel speaker array delivers powerful, clear, and immersive sound with most content, but its built-in subwoofer is prone to distortion when conveying low-frequency effects in movies.

You watch plenty of broadcast TV
The ATSC 3.0 tuner (US only) is a nice perk, but the Google TV grid guide fails to list any info for tuned channels, and it’s also impossible to navigate.

You like to watch with large groups
The U8QG’s main picture quality weakness is off-axis picture uniformity – images lose both contrast and color saturation when viewed from far off-center seats.

Hisense U8QG: Also consider...

Hisense U8QG

Hisense U8N

Samsung QN90D

TCL QM851G

Price (65-inch)

$3.399 / £3,399 / AU$5,299

$3,299

$2,699 / £2,699 / AU$4,299

$2,999 / £2,999

Screen type

QLED w/ mini-LED

Refresh rate

165Hz

144Hz

HDR support

DolbyVision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG

HDR10+/HDR10/HLG

DolbyVision/HDR10+/HDR10/HLG

Smart TV

Google TV / VIDAA

Tizen

Google TV

HDMI ports

3 x HDMI 2.1

4 (2x HDMI 2.1)

4 x HDMI 2.1

4 (2x HDMI 2.1)

Hisense U8N
The U8N is a 2024 model that offers nearly as high brightness, along with great overall picture quality. It doesn’t have the same high-level gaming features as the U8QG, but while still available, it’s an excellent deal.

Here’s our Hisense U8N review

Samsung QN90D
Samsung’s top mini-LED – a 2024 model – is another picture quality and gaming powerhouse, and it also has a built-in 4.2.2-channel speaker array. Pricing for the 65-inch model we tested currently matches that of the 65-inch U8QG.

Here’s our Samsung QN90D review

TCL QM851G

TCL’s top mini-LED from 2024 is another brightness monster that also performs exceptionally well with movies. It’s only available in the US, where it is now seeing steep discounts.

Here’s our TCL QM851G review

How I tested the Hisense U8QG

Measuring a 10% HDR white window pattern during testing (Image credit: Future)

I spent about 15 viewing hours in total measuring and evaluating
Measurements were made using Calman color calibration software
A full calibration was made before proceeding with subjective tests

When I test TVs, I first spend a few days or even weeks using it for casual viewing to assess the out-of-box picture presets and get familiar with its smart TV menu and picture adjustments.

I next select the most accurate preset (usually Filmmaker Mode, Movie or Cinema) and measure grayscale and color accuracy using Portrait Displays’ Calman color calibration software. The resulting measurements provide Delta-E values (the margin of error between the test pattern source and what’s shown on-screen) for each category, and allow for an assessment of the TV’s overall accuracy.

Along with those tests, I make measurements of peak light output (recorded in nits) for both standard high-definition and 4K high dynamic range using 10% and 100% white window patterns. Coverage of DCI-P3 and BT.2020 color space is also measured, with the results providing a sense of how faithfully the TV can render the extended color range in ultra high-definition sources – you can read more about this process in our guide to how we test TVs at TechRadar.

For the Hisense U8QG, I used the Calman ISF workflow, along with the TV’s advanced picture menu settings, to calibrate the image for best accuracy. I also watched a range of reference scenes on 4K Blu-ray discs to assess the TV’s performance, along with 4K HDR shows streamed from Max, Netflix, and other services.

First reviewed: May 2025
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Categories: Reviews

I tested the DXRacer Craft and was impressed by its build and comfort, but there are a few areas that let it down

TechRadar Reviews - Sat, 05/24/2025 - 10:00

DXRacer Craft gaming chair: One-minute review

The new DXRacer Craft is the latest upgrade in the brand’s line of high-end gaming chairs, promising supreme comfort and ergonomic features. In terms of looks, the Craft shows DXRacer has matured from its previous outings, omitting the typical gamer aesthetic that can plague chairs in this class. It’s even smart enough to furnish workspaces.

The build quality seems to match its sleek appearance. The leatherette upholstery on my unit was taut and neatly stitched, as well as feeling quite durable, although it’s not the most breathable material.

Sitting in the Craft is a comfortable experience for the most part. The seat is on the firmer side compared to what the best gaming chairs have to offer, but I still found it offered sufficient cushioning. It’s also quite wide and deep, which helps to get a comfortable position. What’s more, it adjusts well for height, especially at the lower end.

The backrest is more plush and is easy to sink into. It has built-in lumbar support, which, while easy to adjust for prominence, lacks height adjustment, which isn’t ideal. However, it proved comfortable enough for my back, although I wish it were positioned a tad lower down.

The magnetic head pillow, though, is a standout feature of the Craft. Again, it’s firmer than other head pillows I’ve tried, but it’s still comfortable, while its side bolsters provide additional support when leaning your head to one side.

Assembly was easier than other gaming chairs I’ve put together, thanks to a few convenient touches. These include a slot in the bracket for the backrest, which made one of the most laborious aspects of building a gaming chair a lot less hassle.

For the price, the Craft represents great value for those in the UK, but not so much for those in the US. Still, it's cheaper than some other big-name rivals, including the all-conquering Secretlab Titan Evo 2022, to which it comes close to matching in terms of quality, comfort, and adjustability. If you can handle a firmer seat and don’t mind the armrests, you could do a lot worse than the Craft.

(Image credit: Future)DXRacer Craft gaming chair review: Price and availability

$499 / £368 / AU$759.99
Different size options and finishes
Well-priced compared to rivals

The Craft costs $499 / £368 / AU$759.99 and is available now. It comes in regular and plus sizes and two upholstery options: EPU leatherette and woven fabric. There’s only one stock color to choose from, but there are various collaboration editions with more extravagant finishes.

The price places the Craft at the higher end of the gaming chair market, although those in the UK get a much better deal. Regardless of territory, though, it’s still less than the Secretlab Titan Evo 2022, which we think is still the best gaming chair around. It has better arms than the Craft, and it might just edge ahead in terms of overall build quality, but the Craft comes admirably close.

In the UK, the Craft is priced similarly to the Boulies Elite, which is comparable in many aspects, although that chair does have height-adjustable lumbar support. However, this and its other adjustments are awkward and clunky, which certainly isn’t the case with the Craft.

DXRacer Craft gaming chair review: Specs

Price

$499 / £368 / AU$759.99

Dimensions

52.4 x 27.6 x 22.1in / 133 x 70 x 56cm

Max user weight

275lbs / 125kg

Min seat height

18.5in / 47cm

Seat width

22.2in / 56cm

Recline angle

135 degrees

Warranty

3 years

Material

Leatherette, fabric

DXRacer Craft gaming chair: Design and aesthetics

Great overall build quality
Leatherette not the most breathable
Less than solid arm rests

The Craft adopts the usual gaming chair silhouette, although thankfully, its design is more pared down than DXRacer’s of old. The all-black colorway of my unit imparts a level of elegance and makes for a more professional appearance, so it wouldn’t look out of place in an office environment.

The overall build quality of the Craft is commendable, with a solid frame that is mercifully lighter than you might expect. There are also some neat touches, such as magnetically attachable covers for the backrest brackets.

The upholstery is similarly premium. The stitching is neat and strong, and the EPU leatherette material on my unit appeared hard-wearing and durable. It also lacks the suede accents you often find on other PU gaming chairs, which I find rather pointless anyway. However, the leatherette finish might prove a little too thick to be breathable for those in hotter climes.

The arms, however, aren’t as solid as you might expect. There’s a fair amount of wobble to them, although this isn’t really noticeable unless you move around quite vigorously, but it’s worth mentioning still.

The castors offer a fairly smooth roll, although they do tend to grab somewhat on carpet, but not to a frustrating degree. I was more thankful for the rounded ends of the wheel base spokes, which means less pain if you happen to clip your heels or stub your toe on them, as I’m personally liable to do.

(Image credit: Future)DXRacer Craft gaming chair review: Comfort and Adjustability

Firm but comfortable seat
Built-in lumbar, but not height adjustable
Excellent head pillow

The Craft is a comfortable chair to sit in. The seat is quite firm, which may deter some users, and may cause fatigue after really long sessions, but I personally found it provided enough cushioning.

It also offers plenty of depth, which is something I welcome and is considered a benefit from an ergonomic perspective. It’s quite wide too, which adds to its comfort levels, and the bolstering is largely flat so as not to intrude or encumber various seating positions.

I was pleased with the height range of the Craft as well. It lowered enough for my feet to comfortably touch the ground, which is rare in the various gaming chairs I’ve experienced. The tilt mechanism allows for gentle rocking and locks in place securely when desired.

The 4D armrests are comfortable enough, largely thanks to their width and adjustability. However, the padding is quite hard, which might be a dealbreaker for some gamers, and they don’t move inwards as much as I would like them to. What’s more, some of the adjustments are very stiff and don’t feel as well engineered as those on some other upmarket gaming chairs.

The backrest is very comfortable and offers more cushioning than the seat. It’s also reasonably wide, and the side bolsters curve well out of the way of your arms, so you’re not likely to hit them with your elbow.

(Image credit: Future)

All of these factors help to make the Craft an easy chair to sink into. It doesn’t recline to a full 180 degrees, though, but it still goes back quite far, and the lever to operate it is smooth yet secure.

It also features built-in lumbar support, although oddly, the adjustment dial is labelled as “Resistance”. Regardless, it’s relatively easy to use, and there aren’t too many twists between the two extremes of its range, as I’ve found with other gaming chairs.

Unfortunately, though, this lumbar support isn’t height adjustable, which will be a shame for those who don’t meet its set position. Personally, it was a touch too high for my liking, but it at least covers a wide area, which helps to even out the pressure it exerts on your back. There’s also plenty of adjustment when it comes to its prominence.

Surprisingly, the included magnetic head pillow is one of the highlights of the Craft –rivaling the most comfortable gaming chairs in this regard – with its firm yield offering cushioning and support in equal measure, while its contours fit the back of my head perfectly. I was also fond of its wingbacked design, which offers support for those who like to drift off in their chair.

DXRacer Craft gaming chair review: Assembly

The Craft proved easier to build than other gaming chairs. The instructions were clear, and the box contents were neatly packaged, which helped speed up the process. The chair’s relatively light construction made assembly less onerous than it would’ve been, and a few considerate touches, such as the preinstalled armrests and long double-sided Allen wrench, illustrate DXRacer’s commitment to improving convenience.

Best of all, there’s a slot on the right backrest bracket, which means you can easily slide in and align the backrest before you screw in the bolts. This is a real time-saver, and a feature I wish every gaming chair would adopt.

However, I should mention that the plastic cover for the recline mechanism arrived broken in the box. DXRacer was quick to send a replacement part, but the international shipping (from Europe to the UK) made the dispatch slower than it probably would’ve been domestically.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the DXRacer Craft gaming chair?Buy it if...

You want good height adjustment
I was able to plant my feet firmly on the ground in the Craft’s lowest position, which isn’t something I can say about many gaming chairs I’ve tried.

You want great head support
The magnetic head pillow is firm but very comfortable, and its side bolsters make it more supportive.

Don't buy it...

You want a super soft seat
The Craft has one of the firmer seats in the gaming chair sector which, while still comfortable, might not be for everyone.

You want height-adjustable lumbar support
I found the lumbar support quite comfortable, but it lacks height adjustment, which may be more of a problem for some than for others.

DXRacer Craft gaming chair: Also consider

Here are some alternatives to the DXRacer Craft if it doesn't sound like your kind of gaming chair.

DXRacer Craft

Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 (Regular)

Boulies Elite

Price

$499 / £368 / AU$759.99

$549 / £469 / AU$799

$399 / £339 / AU$594

Dimensions

52.4 x 27.6 x 22.1in / 133 x 70 x 56cm

51.2 x 27.6 x 19.3in / 130 x 70 x 49cm

50.4 x 28 x 18.9in / 128 x 71 x 48cm

Max user weight

275lbs / 125kg

285lbs / 130kg

243lbs / 110kg

Min seat height

18.5in / 47cm

17.7in / 45cm

18.1in / 46cm

Seat width

22.2in / 56cm

18.5in / 47cm

20.9in / 53cm

Recline angle

135 degrees

165 degrees

Warranty

3 years

2 years

Material

Leatherette, fabric

Secretlab Titan Evo 2022
Still the undisputed king of gaming chairs, the Titan Evo 2022 excels in most areas. It’s comfortable, well-made, and has plenty of adjustments. It has a high starting price, though, and certain editions verge on the astronomical, but it’s hard to beat when all aspects are considered. Read our full Secretlab Titan Evo 2022 review.

Boulies Elite
Similar in many respects to the Craft, the Boulies Elite is very comfortable and, while the seat is reasonably firm, it has more give than the Craft’s. However, some of the adjustments are quite poor in terms of operation. It’s still a solid pick, but the Craft might have the edge in certain areas. Read our full Boulies Elite review.

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the DXRacer Craft gaming chair

Tested for full day
Used for gaming and productivity
Plentiful gaming chair experience

I tested the Craft for a full day, during which time I used it for gaming and for working. I made sure to try out all of its various adjustments.

I have been gaming for decades, and during that time, I’ve experienced numerous chairs, from gaming models to those designed for office and productivity. I have also reviewed a number of them previously.

First reviewed: May 2025
Read more about how we test

Categories: Reviews

I tested out the Tribesigns mobile standing desk and its compact minimalism is ideal for small spaces

TechRadar Reviews - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 13:02

Standing desks have become increasingly popular over the last several years, especially as working from home grows. The quality and features have grown along with that popularity. Some of the desks I am testing right now are well into $3,000, and that's not even fully featured or the most expensive that specific desk can get.

The point is that the best standing desks are getting larger in terms of size, feature sets, and price. For those who have one of those and want another workspace, or those who wish to have just a simple, bare-bones workspace that isn't their kitchen table, counter, or slumped over on their couch, the TribeSign Mobile Height Adjustable Desk may be an excellent option for you.

It's designed to be a cart you can roll in front of a couch, for example, to provide a workspace to place your laptop and get some work done without staring down at your lap. It's great for that, but I have actually found use for this desk as a heavily used workspace where I have been able to get some serious work done.

I won't say that this desk compares to some of the premium standing desks, because it doesn't. But what it does well is the bare-bones basics, for a very low cost. With that in mind, and the caveat of budget pricing, I'll give this desk a 4/5. But let me explain further...

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)Tribesigns Mobile Height Adjustable Desk: Pricing and Availability

The TribeSign Mobile Height Adjustable Desk retails at around $129.99 through the company's website by clicking here and a few other retailers like Amazon.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)Tribesigns Mobile Height Adjustable Desk: Unboxing & first impressions

The desk came in compact packaging with the basic tools and components needed. I built this desk in 16 minutes from start to finish, and it was incredibly easy to do.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Once I got this desk together, I could see how simple and lightweight it was. It's minimalistic and has simple controls to raise and lower the desk, albeit manually. It is not easy to do if you have things on the desk weighing it down, but regardless, it has the ability.

I also noticed the simple grommet power solution, and immediately noted how it could be used with an upgraded grommet, if desired or needed.

Tribesigns Mobile Height Adjustable Desk: Design & Build QualitySpecs

Dimensions: 35.4" W x 17.7" D x 27.6"–43.3" H
Materials: 0.6" thick particleboard with a metal frame
Features: Wireless charging grommet, USB ports, sliding keyboard tray, lockable wheels

The TribeSign Mobile Height Adjustable Desk is compact and made for small or multi-use spaces. The materials are budget-grade, though the desk is solid for the price point. The keyboard and mouse sliding tray works well and is easy enough to use. It's pretty shallow, but I can fit a standard Logitech MX Keys and a Logitech MX Anywhere mouse.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)Tribesigns Mobile Height Adjustable Desk: In use

As I mentioned, this desk is designed to roll out in a living room scenario and be a temporary or simple workstation. However, without intending it, this desk has become a heavily used workstation for me in the last month. I set this up upstairs in my house to try it out when my basement office overruns guests.

Since then, I have found myself needing to use this desk quite a bit, so much so that I have added a 32" Dell monitor I am testing (review coming soon), a Logitech MX Keys, Logitech MX Anywhere, a Grovemade iPad Stand I love using with my MacBook, and even a BenQ Laptop Light Bar that I have behind the monitor to bouce light off the wall at night.

I use the monitor as a hub to charge my lightbar, iPhone/iPad if needed, and, of course, my MacBook Pro while plugged in. Occasionally, I will charge my AirPods on the wireless charger, but I'm more tempted to upgrade this grommet with a nicer one that gives me better output.

This desk works even with this setup, as you can see in the pictures. It feels like it shouldn't, but it has been working for months. It's simple. It's minimal, not expensive, nor bougie, but it works. And, sometimes, that's all you need.

I still greatly prefer my fancy desks, which I get to build and use daily. Those are still my primary workstations and the ones I like. But if you are short on space and only have a little room to fit in a workstation, this one is shockingly impressive.

I'll admit, I have yet to mess with the height settings manually I have this desk on right now, but setting the height in the first place has given me a great height to use a mouse and keyboard with the tray and see my monitor at the height I want.
All around, as a secondary desk space, smaller desk space, or even this makeshift minimalist desk, the TribeSigns Mobile Height Adjustable Desk has surprised me.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Minimal, compact

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ease of use

Easy to use

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Practicality

Right for small spaces

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Price

Cheap Price, Cheap material

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Tribesigns Mobile Height Adjustable Desk: Final verdict

TribeSigns Mobile Height Adjustable Desk is a budget-friendly and versatile option for anyone looking for a space-saving workstation. Though it won't replace a full desk for intensive use, its mobility and built-in features make it a great addition to any home or office environment.

Categories: Reviews

I’ve spent weeks with the Sennheiser HD 550 headphones, and I might not be able to go back to a gaming headset anymore

TechRadar Reviews - Fri, 05/23/2025 - 09:51

Sennheiser HD 550 review: One-minute review

The Sennheiser HD 550 headphones are some of the finest audiophile headphones for gaming I’ve ever tested. This open-back model excels in its audio prowess, comfort, and simplicity in every manner of my testing, and I wholeheartedly recommend them to anyone looking for a top gaming headset for console or PC.

While cut from the same cloth as other Sennheiser headphones aimed at those who value audio quality above all else, the HD 550 headphones are very much intended to appeal to gamers who crave high-quality audio. They absolutely succeed in this: across PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC, audio is a dream.

Combine this with the expected excellence Sennheiser has for enhancing music, entertainment, and easy listening, and it really is a winner. It also means the HD 550 is ideal for work and everyday use, too.

Price is perhaps one wrinkle on the score sheet, as it’s a little on the high side when you compare it to the immediate competition.

For example, you could bag a complete premium wired gaming headset like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro if you want more features and a built-in mic. You could even save money compared to the HD 550 while sticking with Sennheiser with slightly cheaper models like the HD 560S or 650 sets. Still, I think anyone buying them at their list price won’t feel any buyer’s remorse, such is the quality here.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

That begins with a simple and elegant design, but one that’s also robust and very comfortable. The open-back cup covers are made of high-grade metal mesh, while the strong plastic frame elsewhere inspires confidence. The synthetic leather of the headband and velour of the earcups are wonderfully soft, providing the right amount of cushioning and support.

Coming in at just 8.35oz / 237g, the HD 550 are incredibly light. You’ll barely notice that you’re wearing them, even after long sessions. There’s simplicity onboard too with only a 6ft / 1.8m cable attached (a 3.5mm to 6.5mm adapter is also provided).

All this comes together to provide an audio experience that I’ve not experienced for a long time - if ever. The HD 550 excels in all that you throw at it, and really can be the audiophile gaming-focused headphones you’ve been looking for. I’ve heard details in games I’ve not heard before, and enjoyed rich, atmospheric, multi-layered audio in game worlds. Combine this with Sennheiser’s established excellence for music, easy listening, and everyday use, and the HD 550 offers it all.

Brilliant for everything, and perfect for immersion-heightening single-player gaming, the HD 550 might be the last multiplatform gaming headset you ever need to buy - even if it’s not a traditional gaming headset.

Sennheiser HD 550 review: Price and availability

List price: $299.99 / $249.99 / AU$479
Premium gaming headset territory
Faces stiff competition from its Sennheiser brethren

At $299.99 / $249.99 / AU$479, the Sennheiser HD 550 headphones are pricey, but not wildly so. At this point, it’s pitched squarely against some great audiophile headphones and gaming headsets.

In terms of the latter, I see something like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro or the Beyerdynamic MMX 300 Pro or 330 Pro headsets as comparable alternatives. These are different propositions in terms of feature set, target audience, and what they're built to do, of course, but if you’re looking for something in this price range that’s focused on gaming, then this is the sort of competition the HD 550 has.

On the other hand, the HD 550 does face a lot of competition its own Sennheiser brethren. For example, the HD 560S is a tremendous set of headphones that can still very much hold their own in the gaming sphere. In the US, these are around $20 cheaper than the HD 550, but in the UK, they are a staggering £99, which is extraordinarily good value and hard to ignore if saving cash is one of your top priorities.

Overall, the value the HD 550 offers is still superb. However, when price cuts inevitably come, the HD 550 are going to be very hard to beat and extremely attractive as a pair of top audiophile headphones for gaming.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)Sennheiser HD 550 review: Specs

Sennheiser HD 550

Price

$299.99 / $249.99 / AU$479

Weight

8.35oz / 237g

Drivers

38mm

Compatibility

PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, mobile (where audio jack is present)

Connection type

3.5mm audio jack; 6ft / 1.8m cable (3.5 to 6.5mm adapter provided)

Battery life

N/A

Features

38mm transducer, 150 Ω nominal impedance, 6Hz – 39.5kHz frequency response, synthetic velour ear pads

Software

N/A

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)Sennheiser HD 550 review: Design and features

Open back design
Lightweight and wonderfully comfortable
No onboard controls or mic

The design of the Sennheiser HD 550 headphones is incredibly stripped back and sleek - there’s no overcomplication here, and if you’re familiar with Sennheiser’s style, then it’ll look satisfyingly recognizable.

It’s a symphony in black with metallic accents offered by the Sennheiser logo on the cups, and metallic edging adjacent to the ear cups punctuating that sleek look. The headband is made of faux leather and has a good amount of padding across almost its entire length to ensure head comfort, while the plush synthetic velour earbuds are delightfully soft and comfy around the ears, with the headphone’s clamping force being just right.

The ratchet on the headband for finding the right fit is also perfect, offering a good amount of resistance and hold, and you’ll also get a neat drawstring bag for the headset, too.

Under the hood, you have the 38mm, 150-ohm transducer (driver) offering a dynamic range of 6Hz to 39.5kHz. The driver is, of course, Sennheiser’s own, made in Ireland, and I’m told by the brand in terms of construction that “the diaphragm is made of a laminate plastic foil material. The voice coil is made of copper, and the chassis is made of plastic.”

Feature-wise, the HD 550 are equally simple and stripped back: there are no onboard controls here like you’ll find on gaming headsets, and there’s no microphone present either. All you have is the 6ft / 1.8m (non-braided, non-detachable) cable that ends in a slightly chunky 3.5mm audio jack connection, and that can also be fitted with a screw-on 6.5mm adapter.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)Sennheiser HD 550 review: Performance

Superb Sennheiser quality audio for games
Exceptional for music and entertainment
Perfect for immersive single-player gaming

In short, the Sennheiser HD 550, as a set of gaming and entertainment-focused headphones, are nothing short of spectacular. The headphones may well have killed off using a gaming headset for single-player games for me, and I have nothing but praise for the gaming audio it’s given me throughout my testing.

On PS5, the booming soundtracks and sound effects of Doom and Doom Eternal have never been given to me so fulsomely and richly, with each heavy metal riff and combat finisher move sounding as raw and dense as they should. In Indiana Jones and the Great Circle and Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, character dialogue was crisp and clear without ever being scratchy, and environmental noises were a joy.

Even the busiest of combat encounters in both translated well through the HD 550 headphones. The same was true for Halo: The Master Chief Collection and Botany Manor on Xbox, but also the delicate and detailed audio in games like Frostpunk 2 on PC, and Control, with its atmospheric and spooky audio that emanates from the FBC building and its tenants.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)

The audio jack connection made it the easiest headphone set to use across all the platforms, too, which is a dream. Of course, you’ll be relying on your devices or an amp to really push the headphones as there’s no onboard volume dial, but simply managing them in such a way has provided me with some real excellence and memorable audio moments in games.

Using the HD 550 for work meetings and video calls is great too, though you’ll naturally have to team it with a standalone, separate mic. I did that with my SteelSeries Alias Pro, and the combination worked like a dream. There’s a warmth to ‘real life’ voices from the HD 550, and there were never ever any piercing peaks or rough troughs.

When I wasn’t in meetings, I kept the HD 550 on to soak up music, and I was treated to a truly fantastic experience here. Playing tunes from my usual playlists on Spotify, but also using hi-res audio on Tidal, and even down to browsing tracks and videos on YouTube, the HD 550 kept providing me with some of the finest audio I’ve experienced.

The excellent bass response is brilliant and almost gave me a new appreciation for Tool’s back catalog, and the mids and highs dealt beautifully with modern country and punk pop music, and even classical music such as Allegri’s Miserere and Jan Garbarek’s Officium record.

Taking all this sheer audio excellence and putting it in a sleek, comfortable, and lightweight headset like the HD 550 means Sennheiser has a real winner on its hands that is fantastic to wear and use at all times, and for a long time.

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)Should you buy the Sennheiser HD 550? Buy it if...

You want that sweet, sweet Sennheiser audio quality for games and everything else
The star of the show with the HD 550 is, unsurprisingly, the awesome Sennheiser audio. It’s so good that it’s easy to recommend the headphones for that reason alone.

You want a lightweight and supremely comfortable set of headphones for gaming
If you’re sick and tired of gaming headsets overcomplicating things, offering too much, or being focused on features rather than audio in your view, then the Sennheiser HD 550 will offer a simple yet fantastic and premium gaming audio solution.

You mainly play single-player games and are looking for immersive audio
Focusing on offering an audio-only experience, and not being a gaming headset with a mic, the HD 550 is absolutely perfect for those who almost solely play single-player games - or for those looking to add a dedicated single-player game device to their setup.

You want your next gaming headset or headphones to be multi-platform
It doesn’t get much more multiplatform than a simple audio jack connection, and if you’re looking for something that can be a one-and-done solution for all your gaming devices, as well as audiophile and easy listening needs, then the HD 550 has you more than covered.

Don't buy it if...

You really want a microphone for the price of admission
It’s an easy one to point out, but if you’re dropping more than $200 / £200 on some headphones and really want a mic too, then the HD 550 headphones won’t be for you.

You want Sennheiser audio, but the most bang-for-buck value
If I’m being ruthless, the HD 550’s price tag could be a bit of a hurdle, and at list price, you may find better value in other Sennheiser audiophile sets like the HD 560S or HD 650.

Sennheiser HD 550 review: Also consider

Still not sold on the Sennheiser HD 550? Here are two competing headsets for comparison.

Sennheiser HD 550

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro

Sennheiser HD 560S

Price

$299.99 / £249.99 / AU$479

$249.99 / £179.99 / AU$405

$229.95 / £169 / AU$339.95

Weight

8.35oz / 237g

16.08oz / 456g

8.46oz / 240g

Drivers

38mm

40mm

38mm

Compatibility

PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC, mobile (where audio jack is present)

Connection type

3.5mm audio jack; 6ft / 1.8m cable (3.5 to 6.5mm adapter provided)

USB, 3.5mm audio jack

3.5mm audio jack; 6ft / 1.8m detachable cable (3.5 to 6.3mm screw-on adapter provided)

Battery life

N/A

Features

38mm transducer, 150 Ω nominal impedance, 6Hz – 39.5kHz frequency response, synthetic velour ear pads

40 mm Neodymium drivers, Bidirectional microphone polar pattern, ClearCast Gen 2 microphone, GameDac Gen 2 control panel

38mm transducer, 120 Ω nominal impedance, 6Hz - 38kHz frequency response, velour ear pads

Software

N/A

SteelSeries GG

N/A

SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro
A premium wired gaming headset, the Arctis Nova Pro is one of my favorite tethered sets and the sibling of my favorite gaming headset ever made. The wired Nova Pro sports glorious sound quality, a host of attractive features, and a top microphone, and comes in at the same price range as the HD 550, so it is a direct gaming headset competitor to consider.

For more information, check out our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro reviewView Deal

Sennheiser HD560S
Cut from the same exquisite Sennheiser cloth as the HD 550, the HD560S might be a few years old now, but it’s an incredibly attractive option and offers exceptional value for money - particularly in the UK. Similarly priced to HD 550 in the US but often coming in cheaper, the HD560S offers wonderful sound quality in a similarly simple, lightweight, and comfortable design. You could even consider the Sennheiser HD650, too.

For more information, check out our full Sennheiser HD 560S reviewView Deal

(Image credit: Future/Rob Dwiar)How I tested the Sennheiser HD 550

Tested over the course of several months
Used in conjunction with PS5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X, and PC
Compared directly to the premium gaming headset competition

I have used the Sennheiser HD 550 headphones as part of my work and gaming setup for a few months now, integrating them into my setup and using them alongside a host of other gear to test them out.

On my two PlayStation 5 setups, I plugged the headphones into a standard DualSense Wireless controller to test them with my PS5 Pro and PS5 Slim. I used them on both consoles for hours at a time, and also plugged them directly into my PlayStation Portal, too.

On PS5, I played Doom 2016 and Doom Eternal, almost my full playthrough of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, and all of my Indiana Jones and The Great Circle playthrough. I also gave the headphones a test on Xbox Series X, plugging them into a Victrix Pro BFG for Xbox controller or a Thrustmaster eSwap X2 controller to play games like Botany Manor and Halo: The Master Chief Collection.

When testing on my RTX 3090 gaming PC, I plugged the HD 550 directly into the machine to play Frostpunk 2, Control, and Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War III, and then also teamed the HD 550 with a SteelSeries Alias Pro mic for work and video calls.

Putting the HD 550 set to test with music and entertainment, I used them as I normally would with the likes of Spotify and YouTube, but also hi-res audio providers like Tidal to really hone in on the audio offerings.

During my testing, I was able to compare the HD550 directly to the SteelSeries Arctis Nova Pro wired headset, the wireless variant, an Arctis Nova 7, and an Audeze Maxwell.

I spent a week testing the Honor 400 Pro, and it's a powerful almost-flagship with some fancy AI tricks

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 10:00

Honor 400 Pro: Two-minute review

‘Flagship killer’ would perhaps be too strident a term to apply to the Honor 400 Pro. Rather, it seeks to subtly undermine the premium crowd with competitive specifications and a slightly lower asking price.

This is a well-built phone made of flagship-grade materials, with the kind of IP68/IP69 dust and water resistance rating that puts many a full-priced handset to shame. Its 6.67-inch OLED display, too, is about as bright, sharp, and accurate as you could reasonably expect.

While you won’t be getting the absolute best performance the smartphone market has to offer, you simply won’t notice that Honor has opted for last year’s top processor unless you take a glance at the spec sheet. The 400 Pro performs very smoothly indeed.

The headline feature here is an all-new 200MP main camera, which captures good photos in a range of lighting conditions. You also get a decent dedicated 3x telephoto camera, which can be further boosted through the use of AI.

(Image credit: Future)

Another impressive AI camera trick is Image to video, though its ability to turn stills into brief videos is a party trick that probably won’t see much practical use beyond showcasing the latest artificial intelligence gimmick.

No matter – the Honor 400 Pro is a thoughtfully balanced phone built on solid specifications, which includes a larger-than-average 5,300mAh battery and speedy 100W wired charging support. You also get 50W wireless charging, though both speeds are reliant on you having the necessary charger to hand.

Honor’s Magic OS 9.0 continues the brand's slightly tiresome obsession with iOS, and it remains a somewhat busy UI. However, it’s also fast and flexible, and Honor’s new six-year update promise is one of the best in the business.

All in all, the Honor 400 Pro is part of a compelling group of in-betweener smartphones, offering less compromise than even the best mid-range smartphones while still costing much less money than your average flagship.

It’s not unique, nor is it without its flaws, but it’s a very accomplished option for those willing to leave the usual suspects behind in pursuit of a bargain.

Honor 400 Pro review: price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

Costs £699.99 in the UK
Released May 2025
No availability in the US or Australia

The Honor 400 Pro was launched globally, alongside its brother, the Honor 400, on May 22, 2025. It won’t be receiving a launch in the US, as is customary from the brand, and there are no plans for Australia at the time of writing.

Pricing for the sole Honor 400 Pro model stands at £699.99 (around $930 / AU$1,450), which isn’t a figure we see all that often. This pitches it well above the Google Pixel 9a and the Samsung Galaxy A56 (both £499), and just short of the Google Pixel 9 and Samsung Galaxy S25 (both £799).

This isn’t quite a full-on flagship phone, then, but it’s also far too expensive to be classed as a mid-ranger. It’s one of those ‘affordable flagship’ phones like the OnePlus 13R, the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, or the Nubia Z70 Ultra.

Incidentally, an even cheaper version of the Honor 400, the Honor 400 Lite, launched on April 22 at a cost of £249.99.

Value score: 4 / 5

Honor 400 Pro review: specsHonor 400 Pro specs

Dimensions:

160.8mm x 76.1mm x 8.1mm

Weight:

205g

Display:

6.7-inch 1.5K (2800 x 1280) up to 120Hz AMOLED

Chipset:

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3

RAM:

12GB

Storage:

512GB

OS:

Android 15 with MagicOS 9.0

Primary camera:

200MP (f/1.9)

Ultra-wide camera:

12MP (f/2.2)

Telephoto camera:

50MP with 3x zoom (f/2.4)

Front camera:

16MP

Battery:

5,300mAh

Charging:

100W wired, 50W wireless

Colors:

Lunar Grey, Midnight Black

Honor 400 Pro review: designImage 1 of 2

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Silky matte glass back
Unusual curved-trapeze camera module
IP68 & IP69 dust and water resistance

With the Honor 400 Pro, Honor has dropped the distinctive Casa Milá-inspired camera module of the Honor 200 Pro in favor of a kind of rounded trapezium shape (a trapercle?). It’s a little wonky-looking, though I quite like the unorthodox camera configuration.

Otherwise, Honor has retained the basic look of its affordable flagship range – unlike the regular Honor 400, which has contracted a serious case of the iPhones.

This means that the Honor 400 Pro retains its gently rounded look, with 2.5D glass to the front and back – the latter in a pleasingly silky-to-the-touch finish. The aluminum frame, too, curves around gently, resulting in a phone that sits comfortably in the hand.

These curves also serve to disguise the fact that the Honor 400 is a fairly big phone, with a thickness of 8.1mm (the Honor 400 is 7.3mm) and a relatively heavy weight of 205g (vs 184g).

This time around, Honor has fitted its almost-flagship with both IP68 and IP69 certification. That’s quite an advance on the Honor 200 Pro, which only managed an IP65 rating.

The Honor 400 Pro is available in just two colors: Lunar Grey and Midnight Black. Not the most inspiring selection, it has to be said, but they do look nice and professional, which is kind of the name of the game here.

Design score: 4 / 5

Honor 400 Pro review: displayImage 1 of 2

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6.7-inch quad-curved 120Hz OLED display
3,840Hz PWM dimming
5,000 nits peak brightness

Honor has really knocked it out of the park with the displays in the Honor 400 range this year. In the Honor 400, you’re getting a 6.7-inch OLED with a just-so 2800 x 1280 resolution and a 120Hz peak refresh rate.

That’s fractionally smaller than last year’s 6.78-inch screen, but I defy anyone to portray this as meaningful. Not when the peak brightness has been boosted from an already-excellent 4,000 nits in the Honor 200 Pro to 5,000 nits here.

This top-end figure applies to limited HDR scenarios, of course. With autobrightness switched off, I recorded a maximum brightness of around 600 nits. That’s decent enough, though it’s about half what the Pixel 9 can manage.

Color accuracy is superb, at least when you drop the slightly over-the-top Vivid color mode and select Normal instead.

The Honor 400 Pro display also supports an elevated PWM dimming rate of 3840Hz, just like the Honor 200 Pro before it. This helps reduce eye strain by lowering flicker at lower brightness levels. That's something Samsung and Google continue to overlook.

The main differences between this screen and the Honor 400’s relate to small aesthetic choices. The Pro Display curves away at the edges, though this didn’t interfere with content in any way, nor did it lead to any unintended presses.

Slightly more bothersome is the longer display notch, which crams in depth-sensing capabilities at the expense of a little real estate. If you like to take your video content full screen, you’re more likely to be bothered by this, but it didn’t trouble me too much.

Display score: 4 / 5

Honor 400 Pro review: cameras

(Image credit: Future)

200MP main (f/1.9)
50MP 3x telephoto (f/2.4)
12MP ultra-wide macro (f/2.2)

Honor has really ramped up its camera offering with the Honor 400 series this year. The headline event for the Honor 400 Pro is a new 200MP AI Main Camera, which packs a large 1/1.4-inch sensor, an f/1.9 aperture, and OIS.

We’ll get into the ‘AI’ part of that main camera soon enough, but at a basic level this camera takes sharp, contrasty shots in most situations. You can choose from three basic looks depending on whether you want your shots to look natural, punched up for social media, or to take on a certain artful film camera aesthetic.

Shots from this main sensor are slightly less impressive here on a £700 phone than they are on the £400 Honor 400, which shares the same component. There’s simply a lot more competition at this level. With that said, they’re still more than serviceable.

Unlike the Honor 400, this main sensor isn’t pulling double duty to provide all of your zoomed shots. There's major assistance on that front from a dedicated 50MP telephoto camera, utilizing a Sony IMX856 sensor and aided by OIS, which grabs nice, sharp shots at its natural 3x zoom length and usable shots at 6x or even 10x.

Beyond that, you’ll find too much noise for this to be a viable option, though Honor’s AI image enhancement technology is one of the most impressive around. Stray beyond 30x, and the phone should offer you the chance to activate AI assistance. Head back into the picture after shooting and, after a minute or so of processing time, you’ll be given a much clearer shot.

The results here can vary wildly in effectiveness, and it certainly does no favors to the human face, while it can really miss the target with some fine details, particularly at the 50x maximum range. However, there’s no denying that this can turn out much improved hybrid zoom shots given the right subject and shooting conditions.

What I will say is that this 3x telephoto camera does change the tone of the shots from the main sensor. Moving from 2x (which crops in on the main sensor) to 3x sees a slightly jarring shift from a more natural look to a more vivid, dare I say exaggerated one. It's not ruinous, but you don't get the seamless transition of the truly top-level flagship phone cameras here.

(Image credit: Future)

The 12MP ultra-wide is the weakest camera of the three, bringing with it a marked drop-off in detail and contrast. Still, it remains a viable camera.

Going back to the matter of AI, perhaps the most attention-grabbing – if not exactly useful – feature of the Honor 400 Pro’s camera is Image to video. The Honor 400 series is the first to utilize this Google AI-driven feature, which essentially turns any normal still photo (it doesn’t even need to have been taken on the phone) into a five-second mini-video.

As with so many AI-driven features these days, the results aren’t universally brilliant, but some prove to be alarmingly convincing.

Using one shot that was sent to me of a chicken and a cat facing off under a table, this AI tool caused the chicken to strut forward while the cat casually twitched its ears. Another chicken scuttled in from off camera, while a second cat was revealed to be lying down behind that original chicken. Neither of those last two creatures even existed in the original shot.

It’s undeniably impressive, and even a little scary. But I have to ask myself when I’d use this feature beyond showing off the power of AI to my friends and family. So far, I’ve got nothing.

The 50MP front camera takes decent selfie shots, aided by an additional depth sensor for better portraits with nicely blurred, clearly delineated backgrounds.

Video capture extends to 4K and 60fps, which is another way in which the Pro stands out from the Honor 400 (which only hits 4K/30fps).

Camera score: 4 / 5

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(Image credit: Future)Honor 400 Pro review: performance

(Image credit: Future)

Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset
12GB RAM and 512GB storage

Performance has ostensibly taken an incremental bump over last year’s Honor 200 Pro. Out goes the stripped-back Snapdragon 8s Gen 3, in comes Qualcomm’s full-fat Snapdragon 8 Gen 3.

However, that Snapdragon 8s Gen 3 chip turned out to be much less capable than its name initially suggested, dropping behind Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 in graphical terms.

What we have here, then, is a phone that performs as well as the 2024 flagship crowd. That works out to be a pretty good level for a £700 phone, and indeed, this is the same component that runs the excellent OnePlus 13R. It also means that the Honor 400 Pro comfortably outperforms the entire Pixel 9 range.

Benchmark results are precisely what we’ve come to expect from this well-established chip, as is gaming performance. Genshin Impact will run fluidly on high settings, while demanding console racer GRID Legends speeds by at an appreciable lick.

The existence of the Nubia Z70 Ultra and the Poco F7 Ultra means that the Honor 400 Pro isn’t top of its weight class. Both of those rivals run on the superior Snapdragon 8 Elite chip, and only charge £649 for the privilege. However, Honor's phone remains a very capable runner, backed by 12GB of RAM and a generous 512GB of internal storage.

Performance score: 4 / 5

Honor 400 Pro review: software

(Image credit: Future)

Magic OS 9.0, based on Android 15
Six years of OS updates and security patches

The Honor 400 Pro runs Magic OS 9.0, which is the company’s bespoke Android 15 skin. It’s the same basic software provision as that of the Honor Magic 7 Pro.

I think I can speak for the extended TechRadar family when I say that Honor’s UI isn’t our favorite. Bloatware continues to blight it, with unwanted preinstallations of Booking.com, Temu, ReelShort, and much more besides. Honor itself gives you duplicate App Store and email apps, and a stack of its own tool apps.

While this is a take on Google’s Android, Honor seems to be far more inclined towards Apple’s iOS. Everything from the split notification pane to the Settings menu and the lack of a dedicated app tray (by default) speaks to a fondness for Apple’s mobile operating system. Even the icons and the Settings menu are designed in a way that will be familiar to anyone who’s used an iPhone recently.

(Image credit: Future)

You even get a version of Apple’s Dynamic Island, here called Magic Capsule, which offers little widget-like bubbles of information around the extended selfie notch. With that said, it’s an undeniably useful way of surfacing media controls, timers, and the like, and Honor is far from the only Android manufacturer to follow Apple’s lead in this way.

Indeed, Magic OS, for all its clutter and bloat, remains a very functional and extremely snappy UI. Magic Portal is a power user’s dream, providing an easy way to drag text and images between apps. The knuckle gesture shortcut for circling text in this way isn’t 100% reliable, but you can get used to it.

Topping off Honor's somewhat mixed software provision is a commendably strong commitment to six years of OS updates and security patches. Only Google and Samsung do this better with their respective seven-year promises.

What's more, Honor has committed to providing an Android 16 update before the end of 2025, which isn't something you see too often.

Software score: 3.5 / 5

Honor 400 Pro review: battery life

(Image credit: Future)

5,300mAh silicon-carbon battery
100W wired charging
50W wireless charging

Honor seems intent on pushing battery and charging technology in its phones. The Honor 400 Pro gets a meaty 5,300mAh battery, which falls comfortably north of the 5,000mAh average – if not quite as far north as the OnePlus 13R and the Nubia Z70 Ultra, both of which hit the giddy heights of 6,000mAh.

It’s sufficient to get the Honor through a full day of heavy use with remaining charge to spare. Indeed, a moderate day with around four hours of screen-on time left me with more than 60% left in the tank. Average use in a fairly consistent network environment will get you two days on a single charge, no problem.

Talking of charging, Honor goes harder than it probably needs to here. There’s 100W wired charging support that’s seemingly able to get you from empty to 51% in just 15 minutes.

I say ‘seemingly’ because Honor, like most modern manufacturers, no longer bundles in a charger. Without one of Honor’s SuperCharge chargers to hand, I was unable to put those claims to the test.

Ditto for the claim of 50W wireless charging support. It’s good to see, but you’ll need one of the brand’s own SuperCharge wireless chargers to hit that maximum speed.

Battery score: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Honor 400 Pro?Honor 400 Lite score card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

The Honor 400 Pro isn’t the prettiest phone on the market, but it’s more distinctive than the rest of the range and it’s very well built.

4 / 5

Display

Honor’s display is sharp, bright, and color-accurate, with an appreciable focus on eye health.

4.5 / 5

Performance

It’s not quite a top performer, but the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 continues to do a good job.

4 / 5

Camera

The 200MP main camera takes good shots in all conditions, while the dedicated 3x telephoto is a competent performer. Honor’s AI features are a little hit and miss, but can be very impressive.

4 / 5

Battery

With a large(ish) 5,300mAh battery supplying two days of use, and rapid 100W wired/50 wireless charging support, the Honor 400 is very well equipped.

4 / 5

Software

Honor’s Magic OS remains cluttered and a little too beholden to iOS, but it’s fast and functional, and Honor’s new six-year update promise is very competitive.

3.5 / 5

Value

You're getting a solid phone with some unique features at a low price.

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You want a more affordable flagship
The Honor 400 Pro offers a strong approximation of what the Honor Magic 7 Pro can do, but for hundreds of pounds less.

You’re all onboard with AI working to enhance your photos
With the ability to enhance your extreme zoomed shots and even generate brief videos from stills, the Honor 400 Pro’s camera goes further than most with AI.

You like Apple’s way of doing things
Honor clearly likes Apple’s style even more than Google’s, with Magic OS 9.0 emulating iOS in a number of ways.

Don't buy it if...

You like Android to be Android
With Honor’s iOS obsession, and its insistence on filling its phones out with bloatware, the Honor 400 Pro strays far from stock Android.

You demand the best performance possible for you money
The Honor 400 Pro is a fast phone, but you can get faster for the money in the Poco F7 Ultra and the Nubia Z70 Ultra.

Honor 400 Pro review: also consider

The Honor 400 Pro isn't the only affordable flagship phone on the market. Here are some of the better alternatives to consider.

OnePlus 13R
The OnePlus 13R is another almost-flagship running on Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 power, but it packs a larger battery and cleaner software.

Read our full OnePlus 13R review

Nubia Z70 Ultra
Nubia’s phone is even cheaper than the Honor 400 Pro, but it features superior performance and an even larger battery. It also features a deep 3.3x telephoto camera and a main camera with a novel variable aperture. We haven't tested it for ourselves yet, mind.

Poco F7 Ultra
The Poco F7 Ultra outguns the Honor with its Snapdragon 8 Elite chip for £649, though it’s not as refined or well-rounded.

Read our full Poco F7 Ultra review

How I tested the Honor 400 Pro

Review test period = 1 week
Testing included = Everyday usage, including web browsing, social media, photography, gaming, streaming video, music playback
Tools used = Geekbench 6, GFXBench, 3DMark, native Android stats, Samsung 65W power adapter

First reviewed: May 2025

Categories: Reviews

I tested SysAid and found it offers traditional ITSM features with new AI tools that boost productivity

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 05:51

SysAid is a complete IT Service Management (ITSM) solution. It focuses on ticket management and service delivery for mid-sized teams. Its standout feature is the new SysAid Copilot. This tool uses generative AI to automate tasks like ticket categorization, prioritization, and assignment. The software balances strong features with easy setup, letting IT teams start quickly without much configuration.

The platform excels in IT management, covering incident and problem management, asset tracking, and knowledge base functions. During testing, we liked the customizable workflows. They let us automate complex processes with little effort. The self-service portal was also helpful. It allowed end users to solve common issues independently, which reduced our ticket volume.

While SysAid offers great core features, some areas need improvement. The user interface feels outdated in sections like the admin portal and workflow management. The built-in remote control features are limited compared to specialized remote access tools, leading many users to prefer third-party integrations. Still, SysAid's strong customer support and regular updates show their commitment to improvement.

SysAid's pricing is flexible, with options ranging from basic ticketing to full ITSM features. The platform suits organizations aiming to enhance IT service delivery without added complexity. The implementation process is straightforward, supported by helpful resources and an easy configuration that gets teams operational quickly. Overall, SysAid is a strong ITSM solution that offers a good mix of functionality, usability, and value.

(Image credit: SysAid)SysAid: Plans and pricing

SysAid has three main plans: Help Desk, ITSM, and Enterprise. Each plan fits different organizational needs and IT maturity levels.

The Help Desk plan is for small teams needing basic ticketing and asset management. The ITSM plan offers advanced IT service management features for mid-sized and mature organizations. The Enterprise plan is a complete package with no limits, ideal for larger teams or those needing full customization and advanced analytics.

Exact pricing is not publicly available. It varies based on the number of agents and the number of assets to manage, like workstations, servers, and mobile devices. You have to contact SysAid directly for a custom quote that meets your needs.

All plans come with cloud and on-premises annual licenses. A free trial is available so teams can test all features before deciding. Keep in mind that a one-time onboarding fee is not included in the plan pricing.

(Image credit: SysAid)SysAid: Features

SysAid offers a complete ITSM platform. It covers everything from ticket management to advanced IT automation and AI-driven service delivery. Our tests showed the platform balances functionality and ease of use well. Recent AI upgrades genuinely boost productivity instead of just following trends.

Ticket management

The ticket management system is at the heart of SysAid. It features flexible categorization, automated routing, and customizable SLA management. Both admins and end-users found the interface intuitive. Users can create custom fields and workflows tailored to their processes. The AI-powered ticket categorization and prioritization are especially helpful. They accurately assign incoming requests and suggest knowledge base articles, which cut down resolution times.

Asset management

SysAid's asset management offers clear visibility into hardware and software across the organization. It uses automated discovery and inventory tracking. We were impressed by how it maps relationships between assets and services. This creates a clear view of how infrastructure supports business functions. The software license management features help identify compliance risks and optimization chances. Integration with the service desk links assets to related incidents smoothly.

Automation and workflows

SysAid lets IT teams create complex workflows without needing programming skills. This cuts down on manual work for routine tasks. The visual workflow designer is user-friendly, allowing us to set up approval processes, escalation rules, and notification systems quickly. We appreciated the ability to trigger automated actions based on certain conditions. For example, software licenses can be auto-provisioned when approved, and tickets can escalate if SLAs are at risk.

Self-service portal

The customizable self-service portal helps end-users find solutions on their own. It features an easy-to-navigate knowledge base and a streamlined service catalog. We found it easy to configure with our branding, enhancing user experience and encouraging adoption. The integration with the knowledge base is effective. The system suggests relevant articles based on user queries, often solving issues before tickets are submitted.

(Image credit: SysAid)SysAid: Analytics

SysAid's reporting features give IT managers a clear view of key performance metrics. Users can customize dashboards and choose from pre-built report templates. Our evaluation showed that standard reports included vital metrics like ticket volume, resolution times, and SLA compliance. These reports offer solid insights into service desk performance. The option to schedule automated report delivery helps keep management updated without manual work.

While basic reporting meets needs, advanced analytics feel limited compared to dedicated BI tools. Although dashboard customization exists, it lacks some flexibility in visualization types and data manipulation that power users want.

Organizations needing detailed data analysis may have to export data to other tools. However, SysAid's recent updates indicate that enhancements in analytics are planned for the future.

(Image credit: SysAid)SysAid: Ease of use

SysAid has a user-friendly interface that's easy to adopt. The ticket management system helps with categorization, routing, and customization. The self-service portal is also very accessible. End-users can find solutions on their own, through a simple knowledge base and detailed service catalog. This really cuts down on ticket volume.

However, some parts of the interface, especially in the admin portal and workflow management, seem outdated and need updating.

Overall, the platform balances functionality and ease of use well. IT teams can start operations quickly without needing a lot of configuration. During our testing, we liked the visual workflow designer. It was very intuitive and let us set up approval processes, escalation rules, and notifications quickly.

Yet while the main features are easy to use, some user reviews mention bugs. These include things like login errors and situations where ticket creation freezes when switching tabs.

(Image credit: SysAid)SysAid: Support

SysAid's customer support is one of its best features. It offers several channels, including a helpful helpdesk, biweekly customer care chats, and thorough documentation. We found the support team to be very responsive and knowledgeable. They quickly addressed our questions and escalated complex issues to higher support tiers when needed.

The company also implements user feedback during product development. Many new features come from customer suggestions in the Feature Request Forum within the SysAid Community.

(Image credit: SysAid)SysAid: Security

SysAid uses strong security measures throughout its platform. It meets strict international standards with ISO and SOC2 Type 2 certifications. Their data centers are also SOC2 and ISO 27001 compliant. The platform protects data with AES-256 encryption for data at rest. It uses secure network protocols with SSL/TLS encryption for data in transit. Advanced authentication options include password complexity rules, multi-factor authentication, and single sign-on with SAML 2.0.

For the AI-powered Copilot feature, SysAid takes extra security steps. They use Microsoft Azure OpenAI Services instead of consumer ChatGPT. This keeps all AI-related data in the customer’s SysAid database. They also use advanced PII removal tools to safeguard sensitive information.

SysAid: The Competition

The ITSM market has many strong alternatives to SysAid. ServiceNow, Jira Service Management, and Freshservice are the top competitors.

ServiceNow is an enterprise-grade solution with strong governance and compliance features. It suits highly regulated industries, but its complexity and higher cost may not fit smaller organizations.

Freshservice attracts those wanting automation and a customizable platform. However, some users find its reporting and analytics less effective compared to others.

Other notable options include ManageEngine ServiceDesk Plus, SolarWinds Service Desk, TOPdesk, and BMC Helix ITSM. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses. SysAid provides a comprehensive ITSM solution at a competitive price. However, Jira Service Management may offer better integration with development tools. Freshservice is often praised for its modern interface and ease of use.

Ultimately, the choice depends on specific needs. Factors like scalability, integration capabilities, and pricing will play crucial roles in decision-making.

SysAid: Final Verdict

SysAid offers a complete ITSM solution that balances functionality, usability, and value. It excels in ticket management, asset tracking, and AI features that boost IT productivity.

We think the platform is ideal for mid-sized organizations. It helps improve IT service delivery without adding complexity. Plus, it has flexible deployment options and pricing that grow with the organization.

Still, some interface elements could use a refresh, and features like remote control have limits compared to dedicated tools. However, SysAid stands out with its excellent customer support, regular updates, and willingness to adapt based on user feedback.

We compiled a list of the best software asset management (SAM) tools.

Categories: Reviews

I tested Flexera and was impressed us with its approach to managing software assets across on-premise and cloud environments

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 05:34

Flexera is an enterprise-grade IT asset management software platform that benefits organizations with complex setups.

When we first tried Flexera, we immediately noticed its powerful features for managing software licenses and hardware assets in complex environments. The platform has two main solutions: FlexNet Suite for on-premise and hybrid setups, and Flexera One for cloud-focused organizations. We found that they both excel at optimizing license usage and identifying cost-saving opportunities, leading to substantial ROI.

Flexera stands out for its visibility across the entire IT estate, covering everything from on-premises software to cloud applications. Its customizable dashboards clearly displayed our test environment's compliance status and spending patterns. The self-service portal and automation features could help IT teams streamline service delivery, freeing them to focus on strategic tasks instead of manual work.

Yet configuring Flexera properly requires significant expertise and time. The platform's complexity can hinder smaller organizations without dedicated resources. However, those that manage to navigate the initial setup will find powerful tools for license optimization, cloud cost management, and compliance tracking.

We had a positive experience with Flexera's reporting, which provided actionable insights into software usage and potential compliance risks. Its integration with major ITSM tools, like ServiceNow, enhances its utility in enterprise settings. Still, Flexera could use some improvements where SaaS management is concerned. For mid to large enterprises managing complex software portfolios, Flexera offers a compelling solution despite its initial complexity.

(Image credit: Flexera)Flexera: Plans and pricing

Flexera does not publicly share pricing; it operates on a custom quote model based on organization size and needs. During inquiries, we learned that pricing typically follows a subscription model.

Costs depend on factors like the number of endpoints managed, cloud environments monitored, and specific modules chosen. This enterprise-focused solution generally starts in the five-figure range annually, making it suitable mainly for mid to large organizations.

Customers can choose between FlexNet Suite for on-premise deployments or Flexera One for cloud environments. Modular pricing allows organizations to select only the components they need. While the initial investment is high, organizations managing large software portfolios might achieve ROI in 6-12 months through license optimization and cloud cost savings.

(Image credit: Flexera)Flexera: Features

Flexera offers a full suite of IT asset management tools for optimizing investments across on-premise, cloud, and SaaS environments. But here are the features that impressed us the best:

License optimization

Flexera's license management features give insights into software usage and compliance. The system spots unused or underused licenses, saving money on renewals. It reconciles actual usage with entitlements and creates clear compliance reports, which is very helpful during vendor audits.

Cloud cost management

Flexera One helps you see your cloud software costs across various providers. Its automated recommendations for rightsizing instances and cutting waste are especially helpful. They even offer clear savings estimates for finance teams. We could set budgets, track spending, and get alerts when we approached limits. These features provide governance that many organizations find hard to achieve.

Vulnerability intelligence

Flexera's vulnerability management integrates with its software inventory to identify security risks. We appreciate how it correlates known vulnerabilities with software inventory, prioritizing remediation based on risk levels and business impact. Integration with popular security tools and patch management systems creates a combined workflow for addressing vulnerabilities efficiently.

IT visibility dashboard

The customizable dashboards provide a unified view of assets, licenses, and cloud resources. We were able to configure role-specific views that delivered relevant insights to stakeholders, from technical details for IT admins to cost summaries for C-suite executives. The ability to drill down from high-level summaries to granular details makes it easy to investigate and understand relationships within the software estate.

(Image credit: Flexera)Flexera: Analytics

Flexera's reporting and analytics features stand out as a major highlight, providing actionable intelligence beyond basic inventory reports. We were impressed by its ability to generate detailed license compliance positions, identify optimization opportunities, and forecast future needs based on historical usage.

Pre-built report templates cover common use cases like compliance audits and budget planning. But the custom report builder allows IT teams to create tailored analyses for specific needs.

The analytics dashboard presents key metrics visually, making complex data accessible to various stakeholders. We liked the trend analysis features that help spot gradual changes in resource use and spending patterns.

Automated report distribution ensures decision-makers receive needed insights regularly, while export options can help you integrate this data into broader business intelligence initiatives.

(Image credit: Flexera)Flexera: Ease of use

Flexera has a sleek interface that organizes many features through easy navigation and customizable dashboards. At first, the extensive options can feel overwhelming. But during testing, we loved the contextual help and guided workflows for complex tasks, like reconciling license entitlements or optimizing cloud resources. Still, new users may need formal training to fully use the platform, as many advanced features aren't clear without guidance.

The platform combines power and accessibility, with role-based views for different user types. The self-service portal is easy to use, letting end-users request software without technical help, while automation cuts down manual tasks for admins. The mobile experience works for basic monitoring and approvals but does not offer the depth of the desktop interface, which is needed for advanced features.

(Image credit: Flexera)Flexera: Support

Flexera offers tiered support options. Standard support provides help during business hours. Premium support gives 24/7 coverage with quicker responses for critical issues.

During our research, we found the knowledge base to be quite comprehensive. It includes detailed documentation, implementation guides, and a library of video tutorials for common questions. Customer community forums allow users to share advice. Also, the professional services team offers specialized help and training for organizations needing extra support.

(Image credit: Flexera)Flexera: Security

Flexera demonstrates a strong commitment to security. It achieves this through SOC 2 Type II compliance, regular penetration testing, and solid data protection measures. There are comprehensive role-based access controls that let organizations define who can view and modify data. Detailed audit logs track user activities. The platform offers single sign-on integration with major identity providers. It also encrypts data in transit and at rest. These features provide essential security controls for managing sensitive IT asset information.

Flexera: The Competition

ServiceNow's IT Asset Management competes directly with Flexera. It offers similar features but is part of a larger IT service management platform. ServiceNow has better integration with ITSM processes. However, Flexera usually excels in software license optimization and cloud cost management.

Snow Software is another option. It has an easier entry point for mid-sized organizations but may not compete with Flexera's features for complex enterprises.

For those prioritizing cloud cost management over full ITAM, tools like CloudHealth by VMware or Apptio Cloudability are easier to implement. IBM's License Metric Tool (ILMT) is tailored for managing IBM software licenses. Meanwhile, Microsoft's Endpoint Configuration Manager offers basic software inventory for Windows environments. These alternatives suit organizations with specific needs that may find Flexera's broad approach too much.

Flexera: Final Verdict

Flexera is an enterprise-grade IT asset management tool that benefits organizations with complex setups. This includes on-premise, cloud, and SaaS deployments. Its approach to IT asset management is impressive, especially for license optimization and cloud cost management. While implementation can be complex, larger companies who are able to invest these resources will see significant returns.

We've compiled a list of the best software asset management (SAM) tools.

Categories: Reviews

I tested the Dyson Supersonic r hair dryer and was blown away by how easy it makes precision styling at home

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 03:14

Dyson Supersonic r: two-minute review

The Dyson Supersonic r began life as a professional-only hair dryer, but is now available to the general public. It looks unlike any other hair dryer on the market; there's no barrel to speak of, but instead the handle curves to a right angle, so the whole thing looks like a pipe – or a lower case "r", if you like.

I tested the model to see how it compares to the rest of the best hair dryers on the market, and overall I was impressed. It's lightweight and comfortable to hold, and the unusual shape makes it super-easy to direct the airflow with precision, even in awkward spots such as the back of your head. As I'd expect from Dyson, it's also impressively powerful, making speedy work of rough-drying hair.

The compromise of the design is that in order to achieve the ultra-streamlined shape, Dyson has shifted some of the mechanics into the plug, which in turn is so chunky, it likely won't fit into some sockets. I also found the controls – which are small and positioned on the back of the handle – slightly fiddly to use, and a little too easy to accidentally press while styling. It feels like a design that would work just fine for professionals, who have a clear view of the buttons as they hold the dryer in front of themselves; but it's a little awkward for drying your own hair.

The magnetic attachments are thoughtfully designed and work well. Sensors enable the dryer to recognize which attachment is snapped on, and automatically adjust to your last-used temperature and airflow settings, which helps streamline the styling process.

Price-wise, it will come as a surprise to no one that we're in ultra-premium territory here. While the Supersonic r's build quality is impeccable, and the design innovative, some customers might find themselves more inclined to spend that amount on the Dyson Supersonic Nural, with its hi-tech Scalp Protect mode and ability to auto-pause when it's put down (both of which are absent from the Supersonic r). Most of the Supersonic r's appeal is in that lightweight and streamlined shape, and on that front it really is a standout option, and unique on the market, too.

That's the short version; read on for my full Dyson Supersonic r review.

Dyson Supersonic r review: price & availability

List price: $569.99 / £449.99 / AU$799
Launched: April 2025 (consumer version)
Available: Worldwide

The original version of the Dyson Supersonic r hit the market in February 2024, but it was available to professional hairstylists only. The consumer version reviewed here launched in April 2025.

At list price it costs $569.99 / £449.99 / AU$799. That's firmly in the premium bracket for hair dryers, and one of the priciest on the market right now – possibly beaten only by Dyson's other dedicated dryer, the Supersonic Nural, which comes in at $499.99 / £399.99 / AU$749.

However, the outlay is perhaps a little easier to justify with the latter, because the Nural offers several features not found in other models on the market, whereas the Supersonic r, for the most part, is simply a very efficient hair dryer.

As I'd expect from Dyson, build quality is top-notch, and there's plenty of meticulous research and engineering that's gone into the development of this dryer. It looks and feels premium, and as mentioned, it's incredibly well suited to precision styling. Nevertheless, if the outlay is too much, there are plenty of excellent dryers available for a far lower price.

Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

Dyson Supersonic r specs

Wattage:

1,700W

Dimensions (L x H x W):

9.4 x 1.5 x 3.1in / 24 x 3.8 x 8cm

Weight:

Confirming

Airflow settings:

Temperature settings:

3 + cool shot

Extra modes:

None

Cord length:

9.2ft / 2.8m

Dyson Supersonic r review: design

Lightweight, with a unique, ultra-streamlined shape
Some mechanics have been shifted into the plug, which is enormous
Magnetic attachments with setting memory

The Dyson Supersonic r looks nothing like the Supersonic that helped cement Dyson's status in the haircare market. In fact, it doesn't really look like a hairdryer at all – it looks like a pipe. It's tubular in build, with a top end that curves to a stubby right-angle.

The only difference compared to the professional version is that the cable is shorter. It's now 9.2ft / 2.8m, which is still up there with the longest on the consumer market.

(Image credit: Future)

That diminutive build is made possible by some redesigned mechanics. On the inside you'll find a more streamlined air heater than the one found in the regular Supersonic hair dryers. Ten heater foils follow the curve of the dryer, apparently to offer more consistent temperatures, with no hot or cold spots. That sits alongside a Dyson Hyperdymium motor (unconfirmed whether this is the same / a version of the Hyperdymium motor that powers today's best Dyson vacuums).

(Image credit: Future)

Dyson has also redesigned the plug socket, which now "incorporates primary electronics" that would otherwise have been inside the dryer itself (it looks very similar to the one included with the Dyson Airstrait.) That shifts extra weight away from your arm, but it does mean the plug is now pretty chunky – the main part measures 4.8in / 12.2cm (excluding the wrap at the top of the cord), with a part that protrudes downwards from the pins and lies flat to the wall. If you have power outlets that sit close to the floor or above protruding baseboards, it might not fit.

There's a removable filter cage, with a flashing yellow LED to tell you when it needs cleaning.

(Image credit: Future)

The consumer Supersonic r is one of the first Dyson haircare gadgets to introduce the brand's new colorways (currently being rolled out across the full range). Rather than the tropical tones we're used to seeing, it's available in the more delicate Ceramic Pink and Jasper Plum.

Controls

In terms of settings, there's a rocker switch to increase and decrease temperature, and another for windspeed. There are three levels for each, indicated by lights. There's also a separate power button. All can be found on the rear of the handle. Round the front, beneath the curve of the dryer, is a cool-shot button.

(Image credit: Future)Attachments

In terms of attachments, there's an impressive selection. Compatible attachments include a Professional Concentrator, Powerful Air Attachment, Gentle Air Attachment, Flyaway Attachment, Smoothing Nozzle, Diffuser and Wide-Tooth Comb. Beware, though, what's included in the box varies by region.

Personally, I'm a fan of the way the model is being offered in the UK: just as with the Dyson Airwrap i.d., you can choose between a Curly+Coily Supersonic r and a Straight+Wavy one. Both have a Powerful Air Attachment, Professional Concentrator and Flyaway Attachment, then the one for curls adds a Wide-Tooth Comb and Diffuser, and the other swaps in the Smoothing Nozzle and Gentle Air Attachment. That means you don't end up with a bunch of attachments that aren't suitable for your hair type, gathering dust.

(Image credit: Future)

As is standard for Dyson haircare products, the add-ons attach via magnets. And like the Supersonic Nural, they contain RFID sensors, which means the Supersonic r knows which one is attached. The recommended settings will kick in as default, and if you change them then the hair dryer will remember your preferences next time you snap that attachment back on.

Design score: 4 out of 5

Dyson Supersonic r review: performance

Comfortable to hold and incredibly easy easy to direct airflow
Controls a little fiddly and can be pressed accidentally
Attachment setting memory helps streamline the styling process

Dyson describes the r as being geared towards "fast, precision drying", with the unusual design making it easier to reach areas that would otherwise be tricky to tackle – namely, the back of your head. On test, that absolutely held true. It's comfortable to hold and extremely easy to direct; perfect if you want to be able to dry with precision. My only slight complaint is that I found the handle a touch too short.

Airflow is nice and powerful, drying my hair quickly; a rough-dry won't take long at all. However, the Supersonic r is really geared towards more complex styling tasks, where its light weight and easy-to-direct airflow come into their own.

The Supersonic Nural has a feature where it will automatically drop into low-powered mode if you put it down. That' isn't present here, and I missed it, although I will concede that it's a nice-to-have rather than an essential.

(Image credit: Future)

Moving on to the controls, the design of which I was a little less sold on. The switches to adjust speed and temperature are tiny and a little fiddly to use, and the positioning on the back of the handle means they proved fairly easy to press accidentally. I feel like they're better suited to professional use – where the person drying the hair can easily see the buttons; they're a little fiddly if you're trying to dry your own hair.

I was far more impressed with the cool-shot button, which sits on the inside of the handle, where it's comfortable to depress for setting your style.

(Image credit: Future)Attachment performance

All the attachments are well designed and good quality, and the magnetic connection feels secure in use. Usefully, all the attachments have areas that stay cool, so you can comfortably remove them immediately after using if switching to another, for example.

Attachment memory is a welcome addition. It helps streamline the drying process, and means less fiddling about with controls as you dry. It will prove most useful for people who use multiple attachments throughout their styling routine. I guess it might also help with hair health, if it makes you less likely to default to "hot and fast" for everything.

(Image credit: Future)

Curly haired users might miss the two-part Wave+Curl Diffuser, which was introduced with the Supersonic Nural but is absent here – you're just getting the standard all-in-one option instead.

A special shout-out should go to the Flyaway Attachment, which uses the Coanda effect (the same thing that makes the Airwrap work) to attract and smooth your locks once you've finished styling. It's unique to Dyson's dryers, and it made a noticeable difference to the sleekness of my hair.

Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Dyson Supersonic r?

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

Very much a premium buy, and while the quality is outstanding, the list of special features is relatively short.

3.5 / 5

Design

Lightweight with a unique, ultra-streamlined shape and a wide range of well-designed attachments. Plug is very bulky, though.

4 / 5

Performance

Powerful airflow that's extremely easy to direct, while automatic attachment recognition saves time. Buttons are a little fiddly.

4.5 /5

Buy it if...

You spend lots of time styling
The lightweight-yet-powerful Supersonic r will really come into its own for those with long, thick hair and/or spend a lot of time styling as they dry.

You want precise control
It's incredibly easy to direct the airflow from this dryer, even in tricky areas such as the back of your head.

You want a luxe option
The Dyson Supersonic r looks and feels ultra-premium, and comes with a price tag to match.

Don't buy it if...

Your plug sockets are near to the floor
The scaled-up plug protrudes downwards, which means that depending on the placement of your sockets and what's going on beneath them, you might not actually be able to plug in the hair dryer.

You need something for travel
The voltage of the Supersonic r will match the country of purchase, and Dyson warns that it shouldn't be used abroad.

You're concerned about scalp health
The Supersonic Nural has a Scalp Protect mode that adjusts the temperature based on how close the machine is to your head, meaning you can get right up close without burning your head. The Supersonic r is missing this mode.

Dyson Supersonic r: alternatives to consider

Dyson Supersonic r (reviewed)

Dyson Supersonic Nural

Laifen Mini

Wattage:

1,700W

1,600W

1,100W

Dimensions (L x H x W):

9.4 x 1.5 x 3.1in / 24 x 3.8 x 8cm

10 x 4 x 3.1in / 24.5 x 9.7 x 7.8cm

8.6 x 3. x 2.5in / 22 x 7.7 x 6.3cm

Weight:

Confirming

1.9lbs / 680g (with cord)

0.7lbs / 299g (no cord)

1.1lbs / 482g (with cord)

Airflow settings:

Temperature settings:

3 + cool shot

2 + cool shot

Extra modes:

None

Scalp protect

Child mode, auto-temperature cycle

Cord length:

9.2ft / 2.8m

8.5 ft / 2.6m

5.9ft / 1.8m

Dyson Supersonic Nural

The Nural is Dyson's other dryer option. It's heavier and bulkier, but has an innovative Scalp Protect mode that's absent on the Supersonic r. It will also automatically drop into low-powered mode when you put it down.

Read our full Dyson Supersonic Nural review

Laifen Mini

Laifen's original dryer was a blatant Supersonic dupe, but the newer Mini version is more unique. While not as streamlined as the Supersonic r, it's still super compact and lightweight, with a stylish matte design and some cool specialist modes, including temperature cycling. It's not as widely available as Dyson's dryers.

Read our full Laifen Mini review

How I tested the Dyson Supersonic r

I used the Dyson Supersonic r as my primary hair dryer for over a month. During this time, I tested all the settings and explored the different attachment options. I paid particular attention to how easy it was to use, and how efficient it was at drying and styling my hair. I compared my experience with other hair dryers I've used.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2025

Categories: Reviews

I tested Asset Panda and found it provides powerful customization and mobile app features for all business sizes

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 03:09

Asset Panda is a cloud-based IT asset management software platform. It helps businesses track and manage their physical assets from anywhere. Its standout feature is a customizable interface that adapts to your workflows, so you don't have to change your processes. The platform allows unlimited users on any plan, making it great for organizations that want to boost adoption.

During our testing, we were particularly impressed with its mobile features. Asset Panda includes built-in barcode scanning and GPS location tracking for assets. You can customize fields, workflows, and reports easily, even without coding skills. This empowers non-technical users to tailor the system to their needs. However, we noticed that the website lacks clear pricing. New users must request quotes based on the number of assets they want to track.

The software provides real-time visibility into asset status, location, and lifecycle history. This helps organizations make better decisions about maintenance, replacement, and use. We found the reporting tools to be strong, allowing us to create custom reports on asset depreciation and maintenance schedules. While the initial setup has a learning curve, Asset Panda's customer support and onboarding help ease the transition.

All in all, Asset Panda offers great value. It improves accountability, reduces asset loss, and streamlines workflows. The company claims customers see an average 800% ROI, which seems believable based on our observations. Although the mobile app sometimes has syncing issues and lacks full offline functionality, the platform’s strengths make it a solid choice for businesses wanting to modernize their asset management.

(Image credit: Asset Panda)Asset Panda: Plans and pricing

Asset Panda does not show pricing on its website. Instead, potential customers must contact sales for a custom quote based on their needs. The pricing mainly depends on the number of assets tracked, not the number of users, which is unlimited for all plans. We found that plans usually start at about $1,500 per year for small businesses tracking fewer than 500 assets. Enterprise pricing increases based on asset volume and custom implementation needs.

The company offers a 14-day free trial that provides full access to the platform's features. This allows organizations to try its capabilities before making a commitment. We like that Asset Panda includes unlimited cloud storage, custom fields, and mobile app users in all plans. This avoids the extra charges seen with some competitors. Customer support, training resources, and regular updates are part of the subscription price. However, organizations needing more help can purchase premium onboarding and dedicated support packages for an extra cost.

(Image credit: Asset Panda)Asset Panda: Features

Asset Panda provides a full set of tools for asset management. These tools help organizations track, manage, and optimize their physical assets throughout their lifecycle. The platform is flexible and supports various industries, including IT, facilities management, healthcare, education, and construction. Here are some standout features we found during testing.

Customizable workflows

Asset Panda's flexible workflow engine lets users tailor the platform to fit their processes. We created custom fields, forms, and actions for our test environment without coding skills. The system has role-based permissions that manage what user groups can see and do. This ensures data security while promoting collaboration between departments.

Mobile functionality

The mobile app is one of Asset Panda's best features. It offers almost all the desktop functions in a touch-friendly design. The built-in barcode scanner worked well with different asset tag types. Plus, capturing photos and attaching them to asset records was very helpful for documentation. The GPS tracking feature records location data when assets are scanned or updated. This creates a useful audit trail of asset movements.

Asset lifecycle management

Asset Panda tracks assets from start to finish. It covers procurement, deployment, maintenance, and retirement. The platform lets you schedule maintenance, track warranties, and monitor depreciation in one place. We appreciated the automated alerts for maintenance deadlines and warranty expirations. These alerts help avoid costly mistakes.

Integration capabilities

The platform provides strong integration options via its API and ready-made connectors for popular business systems. We personally tested the integrations with G Suite for user authentication and Zendesk for managing support tickets about asset issues. Plus connecting Asset Panda with accounting systems like QuickBooks and ERP platforms lets asset data move smoothly between key business systems. All of this cuts down on redundant data entry and boosts accuracy.

(Image credit: Asset Panda)Asset Panda: Analytics

Asset Panda's reporting tools offer clear insights into asset use, status, and financial performance. You can access both pre-built and custom reports. The dashboard is user-friendly, making it easy to view key metrics, such as asset distribution by location, maintenance status, and upcoming expirations. You can save reports for quick access and set up automated email delivery to stakeholders. This keeps everyone informed without extra work.

The platform’s filtering and grouping options let users analyze asset data in various ways to spot trends and find optimization opportunities. For example, you can create custom reports on depreciation forecasts, maintenance costs by asset type, and utilization rates across departments. The report builder may have a small learning curve for complex analyses, but even simple reports offer valuable insights.

(Image credit: Asset Panda)Asset Panda: Ease of use

Asset Panda has a clean and modern interface that's generally easy to use. However, the many customization options can be overwhelming for new users. Still, the platform balances power and usability well. It features logical navigation and helpful tooltips for common tasks. Your team can customize dashboards based on their roles, which helps streamline the experience. That way, team members see only the information relevant to their jobs.

The mobile experience is impressive. It offers almost all the features of the desktop version in a touch-friendly format. During our testing, we liked how easily we could switch between devices while maintaining access to key data and functions. The setup process does take time to customize fields, workflows, and permissions, but the implementation team is there to help new customers.

(Image credit: Asset Panda)Asset Panda: Support

Asset Panda provides support through email, phone, and live chat during business hours. We were impressed by their quick response times. Their knowledge base is extensive, with detailed articles, video tutorials, and step-by-step guides for common questions and use cases. We especially appreciated the regular webinars and training sessions. These sessions cover basic functions and advanced features, like custom report building and workflow automation.

(Image credit: Asset Panda)Asset Panda: Security

Asset Panda prioritizes data security. They use industry-standard measures like SSL encryption, regular security audits, and role-based access controls to keep customer information safe. And the platform runs on Amazon Web Services (AWS), which offers strong infrastructure security and compliance certifications like SOC 2 Type II.

We particularly liked the detailed permission settings during our evaluation. These settings let administrators manage what information different user groups can access, modify, or report on based on their roles at the company. This helps organizations maintain data integrity while promoting collaboration.

Asset Panda: The Competition

AssetCloud by Wasp is an affordable option for small businesses needing simple asset tracking. However, it doesn’t offer the extensive customization that Asset Panda does. EZOfficeInventory and Snipe-IT have similar core features at competitive prices. Snipe-IT even has an open-source option for groups that can self-host.

For enterprises using ServiceNow or IBM Maximo, their asset management modules integrate well with IT service management. However, they usually come at a much higher cost.

Organizations focused on IT asset management may prefer Lansweeper or ManageEngine AssetExplorer. These tools offer better automated discovery for networked devices. UpKeep and Fiix excel in maintenance management, which is important for groups prioritizing equipment uptime.

Asset Panda is flexible and serves many purposes, but these specialized tools can provide deeper functionality in certain areas. But they may lack the all-in-one appeal that Asset Panda has for managing diverse asset types.

Asset Panda: Final Verdict

Asset Panda offers a strong and customizable asset management solution. It adapts to many tracking needs across various industries. Its unlimited user model, mobile features, and customization options provide great value. However, pricing is not clear, and it has a steep learning curve. For organizations that rely on spreadsheets or outdated systems, Asset Panda brings a mix of flexibility and structure. This can change how assets are managed throughout their lifecycle.

We've also listed the best software asset management (SAM) tools.

Categories: Reviews

I tried out Ezo, and found it to be a reliable asset management experience with easy-to-use features

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 02:40

Ezo is a surprisingly straightforward IT asset management software for inventory across multiple locations. The platform provides clear visibility into asset lifecycles, from acquisition to retirement. Its clean interface avoids overwhelming users with unnecessary complexity. We were impressed with how quickly we could implement the system during testing and start tracking equipment without extensive training.

The software shines in its asset tracking capabilities. It allows you to assign equipment to users and maintain accountability throughout the organization. During our tests, Ezo's QR code scanning worked flawlessly, making check-ins and check-outs a breeze. The reporting tools offered meaningful insights into asset use, though the dashboard could have been more intuitive for first-time users.

Ezo does have some weaknesses in its mobile experience. We noticed a few performance issues during testing. There was lag when processing multiple items at once, but the mobile interface feels less polished than the desktop version in general. Despite these minor drawbacks, the overall value remains strong. Especially for remote businesses with inventory management needs across multiple locations, Ezo could be a keeper.

Ezo's preventive maintenance features were a point of highlight during testing. They help you schedule and track regular equipment upkeep. We appreciated the automated alerts for upcoming maintenance tasks, which could extend the lifespan of assets. Being able to generate custom reports also helps you analyze inventory data on demand. However, we wish there were more advanced filtering options for different scenarios.

(Image credit: Ezo)Ezo: Plans and pricing

Ezo has a tiered pricing system for businesses of all sizes. The Basic plan starts at $9.99 per user monthly (billed annually). It includes core asset tracking, limited to 500 assets, and basic reporting. But we found that the Professional plan at $19.99 per user monthly offers the best value. It provides unlimited asset tracking, advanced reporting, and maintenance scheduling, which greatly improved our asset management workflow.

Enterprise pricing comes through custom quotes. This includes extra features like API access, dedicated support, and custom integrations with current business systems. Ezo also offers a 14-day free trial for all new users. All plans come with free updates and standard customer support. However, premium support is only available at higher tiers.

(Image credit: Ezo)Ezo: Features

Ezo offers a complete set of asset management tools that can simplify inventory tracking and maintenance scheduling for any organization. We found the platform's easy-to-use interface very helpful quick implementation across departments. But beyond that, here are the features that stood out to us the most:

Asset tracking

The core asset tracking feature lets you document equipment details, location, and user assignments. We were impressed by how easily we could create and attach QR codes to physical assets. This could make check-ins and check-outs much more efficient. The system also retains a full history of each asset, including maintenance records and location changes.

Maintenance management

Ezo's maintenance scheduling feature was a big hit during our testing. You can set recurring maintenance tasks based on time or usage. The system automatically generates work orders and notifies team members. This could help you avoid costly repairs and extend the life of your assets by addressing issues early on.

Mobile accessibility

Ezo has a mobile app for teams working in the field or from different locations, available on both iOS and Android. It manages basic tasks like asset scanning, status updates, and location changes well in most cases. The option to take photos of assets and link them to inventory records could be helpful during equipment audits. But, we noticed synchronization delays in areas with weak connectivity and the app lacks many features available to desktop users.

User management

The platform has a strong user management system in place. It lets administrators assign specific permissions and access levels to team members. We loved the option to create custom roles that fit different organizations. Plus the audit trail feature tracks changes per user, assisting with compliance.

(Image credit: Ezo)Ezo: Analytics

Ezo's reporting features offer detailed insights into asset use, maintenance history, and inventory status. In our tests, the pre-built report templates met most of business scenarios. They provided quick access to depreciation schedules, maintenance compliance, and asset allocation metrics. Being able to schedule automated report delivery via email was a nice touch.

A custom report builder lets you create tailored analyses. You can select specific data points and visualization options to answer specific business questions. We liked the easy drag-and-drop interface. It allowed us to build complex reports without any SQL knowledge. However, we found that generating reports with very large datasets sometimes slowed performance. Some optimization here could help organizations with extensive inventory records.

(Image credit: Ezo)Ezo: Ease of use

We found Ezo's interface very easy to use. We were able to set up quickly and start tracking equipment without much training. QR code scanning worked perfectly during our tests. It made asset check-ins and check-outs much faster than manual methods. However, some user reviews mention an initial learning curve, especially when using the advanced search function.

Ezo's mobile app offers key features for teams in the field, but we noticed some performance issues during testing. We liked being able to take photos of assets and attach them to inventory records during audits. This can be very helpful for keeping accurate documentation.

But despite a few minor UI issues, our overall user experience was intuitive. Most professionals can quickly adapt to the platform's main features, then explore advanced use cases over time.

(Image credit: Ezo)Ezo: Support

Ezo provides various support options: email, phone, and chat. Their team is available on weekdays from 7 am to 5 pm US Eastern time. They also offer after-hours help for urgent issues.

In our evaluation, we found the customer service team very responsive. They typically reply within the same day and focus on finding solutions to our questions. Each license includes up to 90 minutes of onboarding help. This allowed us to quickly learn key features like asset tracking workflows, reporting capabilities, and best practices to optimize our processes.

(Image credit: Ezo)Ezo: Security

Ezo shows a strong commitment to security with several key certifications. These include ISO 27001, SOC 2 Type 2 compliance, and CSA STAR Level 1 certification. Plus the platform runs on Amazon Web Services (AWS), a top cloud computing service known for its strong security measures.

Ezo: The Competition

There are several alternatives to Ezo, like Asset Panda, Sortly, and GoCodes. Each has similar asset tracking features but with different pricing and capabilities.

Asset Panda is a cloud-based platform that excels in warranty tracking and multi-location management. Sortly specializes in inventory management, offering great expiration date tracking and reminder features. GoCodes stands out for its strong equipment tracking and workflow management, appealing to organizations that want to prevent lost or stolen tools.

Ezo's pricing places it in the mid-range compared to its competitors. But ultimately, choosing the right platform depends on specific needs. Ezo generally offers a good balance of functionality and value for most business asset management needs.

Ezo: Final Verdict

Ezo offers a strong asset management experience. It balances ease of use with effective tracking. The platform shines particularly in showing asset lifecycles. Key features include QR code scanning, maintenance scheduling, and reporting tools that give insights into asset use.

We found some limits in the mobile app, plus some user interface areas could use an upgrade. Still, the overall value is high. Especially for businesses facing inventory challenges across many locations or with remote workers.

We've also listed the best software asset management tool.

Categories: Reviews

I tried the Fujifilm X half retro compact, and it reimagines the half-frame film photography experience perfectly

TechRadar Reviews - Thu, 05/22/2025 - 00:06

Fujifilm X half: One-minute review

Every now and then, a refreshingly unique camera hits the market, and the Fujifilm X half retro compact is one of those few examples.

It's a niche, digital alternative to half-frame film cameras such as the Pentax 17, and for most people is the better choice of the two.

Fujifilm has really let loose in designing the X half, and it's a love letter to film photography that offers quirky features such as a touch-sensitive film canister window-like screen, plus a Film Camera mode. Each idea, weird as they might seem for digital, actually make perfect sense in the spirit of film.

There's no other digital camera that comes as close to the film photography experience as the X half, and the beauty is that you can take or leave many of these features, and nor are you hobbled by the ongoing costs that come with using an actual film camera.

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

On a technical level, the X half is pretty basic. The vertical-format 1-inch sensor records JPEG-only photos up to 18MP, while video is limited to vertical Full HD.

To mark the X half down for such reasons, however, misses the point – this camera is a fun creative tool in all the right ways. Those perceived limitations are rightly there, in the spirit of film – the look of your pictures is locked in once you press the shutter.

The X half's compact size and retro looks also appeal. It tips the scales at just 8.5oz / 240g, plus its fixed 32mm f/2.8 lens is tiny, meaning you can fit the camera into a pocket.

I love the unique design touches – that touch-sensitive LCD which emulates a film canister window, and a lever that mimics the film wind lever for diptych composites.

It produces what are actually pretty decent images from its 1-inch sensor, and offers respectable battery life and robust build, all for a not unreasonable price.

I've only spent an hour trying out the X half, but I've already bought into the concept. Fujifilm has clearly had fun designing the X half, and that means I can have fun using it.

Fujifilm X half: Price and availability

Available globally from June 12 in three colorways: silver, charcoal and black
It costs $849/ £699 / AU$1,349
A dedicated app is set to hit iOS and Android stores early June

Fujifilm is launching the X half globally on June 12, and it will cost $849 / £699 / AU$1,349. Considering the build quality and the features on board, it's a reasonable price, even if it hardly makes this an impulse purchase.

There are three colors to choose from: silver, charcoal and black. I think the silver version is most in keeping with the spirit of the X half, but I can also envisage it being produced in additional colors down the line if it sells well, which I expect to be the case.

There are no dedicated accessories at launch – a half-leather case could look the part.

Alongside the camera, Fujifilm announced a dedicated app for the X half, which will be available ahead of the camera, though it wasn't available when I tried the camera out.

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Fujifilm X half: specsQuick Specs

Camera type:

Compact

Lens

10.8mm f/2.8 (32mm equivalent)

Sensor:

Vertical 1-inch, 13.3 x 8.8mm, 18MP

Video:

Full HD, vertical

Battery:

880 shots

Weight:

8.5oz / 240g

Fujifilm X half: design

Unique twin vertical displays
Fixed 32mm (equivalent) f/2.8 lens
Weighs just 8.5oz / 240g with battery and SD card inserted

The X half is unmistakably a Fujifilm camera, while packing unique features and sharing certain similarities with the Pentax 17.

It's a well-built and lightweight retro compact, packing a tiny fixed lens with a 32mm-equivalent focal length and mechanical aperture, which can be manually adjusted between its f/2.8 to f/11 settings using a handy lever.

There's an on-off switch on the top of the camera. When set to on, a lever – which is designed to mimic a film-wind lever – juts out from the camera for easy access. This lever is used to activate the diptych feature, which we'll get into shortly.

The shutter button is set within an exposure compensation dial, and I must say that all of these controls ooze a reassuring quality, with a suitably stubborn resistance.

Also on the top is a coldshoe for mounting accessories, but it's not a hotshoe, so that means no accessories such as a flash gun.

The top plate of the X half, with its film wind lever folded away. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

In the absence of optional flash accessories, a low-powered LED flash sits above the lens to provide some fill light that's particularly handy for indoor close-ups. The flash can be turned on and off using a switch on the X half's left side, while on the other side is a USB-C port for charging the camera.

Battery life is a healthy 880 shots, with the X half utilizing the WP126S battery that's been a long time staple in the Fujifilm X series range, used by cameras like the X100VI.

On the back there's a small and basic optical viewfinder at the top-left, which comes in handy particularly for the Film Camera mode – more on this shortly.

There are no control buttons or dials on the camera's rear, just a photo / video switch and a playback mode. Instead, the action happens through the twin touch displays – and this is where things get really interesting.

The rear of the X half, with its twin touch displays and optical viewfinder. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

First up, I adore the new touch-sensitive LCD which (by default) mimics the film canister window present in many film cameras.

A swipe up or down on this display scrolls through the various Film Simulation modes, with a stripped back selection of 13 looks.

Then there's another unique touch LCD: a vertical display for live view and the X half's four menus, each of which is accessed via a swipe from one of the four sides.

One menu accesses basic camera settings such as exposure mode, another the Film Simulations and picture effects – Fujifilm has added several new film photography-inspired effects, including light leak.

Image 1 of 6

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 6

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 3 of 6

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 4 of 6

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 5 of 6

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 6 of 6

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

With a picture effect active or when in another menu, that second LCD displays the picture effects or camera settings instead of Film Simulations, effectively making it a secondary navigation tool.

Another menu on the main LCD accesses a new Film Camera mode, which is a fabulous concept. Select your 'film roll' – if you're not already familiar with them, Fujifilm Film Simulation color modes mimic the look of actual Fujifilm film stock – and the number of shots you'd like in the film, and start shooting.

Once the Film Camera mode is active, the display is inactive, so your only compositional tool is the optical viewfinder.

You're also locked into the selected Film Simulation and settings such as ISO. And with no raw format available, once you've picked your look, you've made your bed. It's a fun idea which pays homage to film photography.

Fujifilm X half: Performance

18MP JPEG-only vertical photos, Full HD vertical video
13 Film Simulations and new picture effects
Face-detection autofocus

If you take photography seriously, a word of advice – don't write the Fujifilm X half off on the basis of its image-making qualities, which on the face of it are pretty basic.

For one, JPEG-only photos and no raw? That's a bold move by Fujifilm, but I get it. After all, the X half is supposed to be like a film camera, and since when could you work from uncompressed raw film data to make drastic color and exposure adjustments? Locking in the look at the point of capture is in the spirit of film.

The X half's video-making skills are also fairly stripped back, maxing out at Full HD resolution, but once again I don't mind that.

Those vertical photos and videos are recorded using a vertical 1-inch sensor. It's a 20MP 2:3 aspect sensor, but output is 3:4, which means the maximum photo resolution is 18MP.

Just taking the 3:4 portion of the 2:3 sensor also means the lens, which would be a 28mm-equivalent focal length, is actually more like 32mm – that's a suitable perspective for everyday photography.

Image 1 of 9

(Image credit: Tim Coleman / Viktoria Shilets)Image 2 of 9

(Image credit: Tim Coleman / Viktoria Shilets)Image 3 of 9

(Image credit: Tim Coleman / Viktoria Shilets)Image 4 of 9

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(Image credit: Tim Coleman / Viktoria Shilets)Image 9 of 9

(Image credit: Tim Coleman / Viktoria Shilets)

For close-ups, that 1-inch sensor and maximum f/2.8 aperture lens can capture nice blurry backgrounds, especially when you're pushing nearer the minimum 0.1m focus distance.

Fujifilm's Film Simulations number 20 in all, but the X half includes a stripped-back selection of 13 of the supposedly most popular looks.

It also gets some new picture effects, so in addition to the gimmicky mirror and toy-camera effects you have options like light leak, which suit the film photography ethos at play here.

Image 1 of 7

Shoot close and use the maximum f/2.8 aperture, and soft backgrounds are possible (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Viktoria Shilets)Image 2 of 7

The same photo but with the aperture set to f/5.6 (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Viktoria Shilets)Image 3 of 7

Here's the vivid Velvia Film Simulation (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Viktoria Shilets)Image 4 of 7

And the standard Provia (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Viktoria Shilets)Image 5 of 7

The monochrome Astia features too (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Viktoria Shilets)Image 6 of 7

Sepia makes a surprise appearance in the most popular Film Simulations (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Viktoria Shilets)Image 7 of 7

And here's a more filmic look (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Viktoria Shilets)

Fujifilm's tagline in the X half marketing is, 'Half the size, twice the story'. This refers to the half-frame format of the pictures and the diptych-making feature for photos and videos.

The diptych feature is activated using the 'film-wind' lever, and composites two 3:4 images side by side, just as a half-frame film camera does onto a roll of 35mm film.

However, they're not strictly half-sized; the resolution of each photo is preserved, meaning a diptych composite is doubled in width, from the 3648 x 4864 pixels of each photo to a 7296 x 4864 pixel composite with a 3:2 aspect – that's the same aspect as a frame of 35mm film.

Image 1 of 3

Two vertical photos composited into a diptych – just like with half-frame film cameras (Image credit: Tim Coleman / Viktoria Shilets)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Tim Coleman / Viktoria Shilets)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Tim Coleman / Viktoria Shilets)

There's a modest selection of autofocus modes. As far as I could tell, focus locked to the central portion of the frame; however, there's face-detection autofocus too, which is active anywhere in the frame.

If you approach the X half as a fun camera for casual snaps with some creative looks to try out, you'll be wholly satisfied.

(Image credit: Tim Coleman)Fujifilm X half: Also consider Pentax 17

Should you want the genuine half-frame film experience the Pentax 17 is an obvious recommendation, sharing as it does many design similarities with the Fujifilm X half. The Pentax 17 is cheaper as an initial outlay, but remember there will be the ongoing film costs. A super-cheap half frame alternative would be the Kodak Ektar.

Read our in-depth Pentax 17 review

Ricoh GR III

If it's the compact proportions and fixed wide-angle lens that appeal, then the Ricoh GR III is a pricier, high-quality alternative. Photos-wise, however, it's a 'regular' camera, with larger APS-C sensor and 24MP stills.

Read our in-depth Ricoh GR III review

How I tested the Fujifilm X half

I had a brief one-hour hands-on session with the camera ahead of its global announcement
I took a walk through London, snapping street photos and portraits
I tried various Film Simulations and picture effects, plus the diptych mode

Fujifilm briefed me on the X half before I had around one hour to try it out, taking a walk through London's Chinatown. Along the way I tried out the various Film Simulation modes, picture effects, and the diptych feature, both for photos and video.

I also shot a series of images adjusting the lens aperture stop by stop, from its maximum f/2.8 aperture to f/11, and examined those images to compare image quality at each setting. I've also switched between various autofocus modes.

First reviewed May 2025

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I tried the Fujifilm X half retro compact, and it reimagines the half-frame film photography experience perfectly

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