Reviews

1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51: two-minute review

The 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 are a pair of budget-friendly over-ear headphones that set out to do it all. They aim to serve up adept audio, noise-crushing ANC and an eye-catching design – all for less than $100 / £100. I must confess, that’s quite the tall task, and I did have my reservations at first. But after two weeks of testing, I’m pleased to report that these 1More cans do all of those things… and more.

Before we really drill into things, let’s take a glance at the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51’s headline info. These headphones come in with a modest list price of $89 / £99 / AU$130 and offer ANC and transparency mode, LDAC for ‘hi-res’ Bluetooth streaming and up to 100 hours – yes 100 hours – of battery life.

Let’s zoom in on the area that matters most – sound. Now, you’re not going to get audio quality that competes with the more premium options in our guide to the best headphones, nor indeed the more aspirational models in our best noise-cancelling headphones roundup, but they still perform commendably for the money. You get clear audio that’s free of tinniness, even at higher volumes. Also, these cans certainly have a more bass-heavy sound signature, which is ideal for fans of dance music, for example, but you can temper low-end output with the 1More Music app’s EQ settings if you so please.

You also get a fairly detailed listen, especially when using the aforementioned LDAC option (if your source device supports it) – or wired connectivity. And sound quality is solid with ANC turned on or off – though I preferred to keep this on for the most part. That ANC is pretty effective too – chatter on public transport, keyboards clacking away and cars zooming past were severely dulled – if not muted when listening to my favorite tracks.

I mentioned that excellent 100 hour battery life, but that’s only if you have LDAC and ANC turned off. But still, even with ANC on, you get 65 hours out of these cans – that’s more than enough for the money! These over-ears are also super comfortable thanks to their generous use of padding on the headband and earcups. So rest assured, the Sonoflow Pro have the battery and design for high-comfort, long-lasting listening sessions.

In addition, these headphones are awesome-looking when in-use. They’re angled forward slightly, giving them a curved, sleek look. They also have a tidy matte finish – there’s style and substance on tap here. The only real downside is that the button controls are a little plasticky and the headband feels a touch feeble – but that’s perhaps to be expected for cans in this price range.

There aren’t too many other downsides to note, luckily. One small thing: the app situation is a little unclear. I could only connect these headphones to the 1More Music platform, rather than the typical 1More app, which was a little frustrating. 1More Music is a little dated, with certain features such as multi-point connectivity (why would you not want this?) hidden in a sub-menu, which made for a less-than-ideal user experience.

But all in all, I’d certainly recommend the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51. They nail the basics: impressive audio, plenty of playtime and a ruthless approach to external noise. And to do all of that at such a low cost is really worth shouting about. If you want truly premium sound and have a more generous budget to spend on headphones, they might not be the best option in the world – perhaps consider some headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM4, but the quality on offer from 1More’s Pro cans is more than good enough for anyone on a tighter budget.

(Image credit: Future) 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review: price & release date

• $89 / £99 / AU$130
• Launched in 2024

The 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 – sometimes just listed as the 1More Sonoflow HQ51 – have a list price of $89 / £99 / AU$130. They launched in 2024 in three colorways: Black; Blue; and Silver.

Price can vary slightly by color variant, but typically, these are in the same kind of ballpark. And good news – I’ve already spotted the Sonoflow Pro on sale with retailers like Amazon US and UK, where they’ve dropped to around $70 / £70 in the past.

(Image credit: Future) 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review: Specs 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review: features

• Up-to-scratch ANC
• Phenomenal battery life
• Companion app could use some work

The Sonoflow Pro come through with all the features you’d hope to find from some modern day Bluetooth headphones – and then some. You get Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity, multi-point and a handy companion app too.

A quick note on that companion app, though. I downloaded the 1More app – as advertised on the webpage for this model – but had no joy on my Samsung phone. Instead, I found that I needed to use the 1More Music app, which seems a bit more old-fashioned and clunky to navigate, but works fine.

Anyway, when I finally got things working, I wanted to explore the ANC options. You get three settings: ANC off; ANC on; or passthrough. Now firstly, I have to say that I was surprised by how successful the ANC was here. That’s meant to be one of the key areas of improvement over the original Sonoflow, and 1More pulled it off. When I was in the office, I could barely hear anything aside from my music when listening at 50% volume. Even when out and about or on public transport, external noises were pleasingly kept to a minimum.

Sure, you’re not going to get the best-in-class ANC you’d expect from the Bose QuietComfort Ultra, for instance, but that’s to be expected given these are a fraction of the price. And the passthrough mode works well too – you’ll hear a few more sounds from your surroundings, which can be handy for when you’re walking in a busy area and want to keep your whits about you.

As well as toggling between ANC, you can activate hi-res music streaming and adjust EQ – there’s a tidy selection of genre-specific presets as well as a custom option. There’s also an indicator to show battery levels. Speaking of, these cans are seriously long lasting – you’ll get days, if not weeks of use from one single charge. They boast a playtime of 65 hours with ANC on or 100 hours with it off. That will vary if you have hi-res streaming active and listen at top volumes – but still that’s an exceptional amount of listening time.

On top of all of this, there are a few less common features that I unearthed in the 1More Music app. The first is smart burn-in, which is essentially meant to ‘break in’ the drivers and optimize sound quality. I didn’t pick up on any real difference and the whole burn-in deal is a controversial one in the audiophile community, so its inclusion was neither here nor there for me. The second is Soothing Sounds, which plays noises like ‘Waterfall’, ‘Volcano’ and ‘Medium Fire’. This one’s a dud. Sound quality is poor and the audio files stop pretty abruptly, then replay – but you can always just leave it alone.

• Features score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future) 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review: sound quality

• Clear quality with rich bass
• Solid detail levels with wired and LDAC listening
• Customizable sound thanks to EQ options

I’ll be honest, reader, I wasn’t expecting much from these 1More headphones in the sound department. But they only went and blew my expectations out of the water! OK, you’re not going to get that premium, beautifully balanced, neatly separated and layered sound that some more premium cans can deliver, but what’s on offer here is pretty tasty for the humble outlay.

Like a lot of budget-friendly headphones out there, the Sonoflow Pro certainly lean into a more bass-heavy signature – ideal if you’re a lover of dance music or hip-hop for instance. If you want a more balanced sound, just head into the 1More Music app and adjust EQ with the five-band equalizer or included presets – nice and easy.

So, let’s start with bass. Unlike a lot of budget options, the big bass doesn’t sound overly cluttered or lethargic here. For instance, when I tuned into Black Eye by Allie X, the punch of the drum machine was rapid and didn’t overstay its welcome. And there’s impressive depth on offer too. When tuning into tracks with imposing sub bass – like The Boys Are Back In Town by Yung Gravy – the low-end boom rumbling through the track hit with massive impact, but was still clear and controlled.

But booming bass output doesn’t have to come at the expense of quality. In I Want You by Moloko – a busy, layered track – breathy, grand vocals maintain admirable presence and clarity, even alongside the punchy bass and flurry of strings, keys, percussive elements and more.

Even when listening to more mellow tracks like I Remember You by Masayoshi Takanaka, rhythmic guitar was tonally accurate, sweet harp trills never sounded tinny and smooth bass, though prominent, never overstepped its remit. Instrument separation isn’t bad at this price point, but I did feel some of the string and guitar elements could’ve sounded a little more spaced out, for a more airy, nuanced listen.

Having said that, you will get to pick out some neat details with the Sonoflow Pro – that’s thanks to the inclusion of both a 3.5mm headphone slot for wired listening and higher-resolution Bluetooth audio via LDAC. Delicate synths that gradually build are audible early in Kolter’s Overflow and light samba drums in SAMBA DO MARCOS by Sadao Watanabe add some added seasoning to an already groovy tune.

All in all, you get surprisingly good sound from these budget-friendly 1More headphones. General audio isn’t as crisp as I’ve heard from cans like the Sony WH-1000XM5 and you won’t get stunning spatial audio like the Sonos Ace. But if you want clear, decently detailed sound, the Sonoflow Pro have you covered.

• Sound quality score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future) 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review: design

• Sleek on-ear look
• Comfortable fit for long listening sessions
• A little flimsy

Something I really appreciate about the 1More Sonoflow Pro is their curved on-ear look. They’re angled slightly, which gives a more defined, sharp look to them in use – something I already liked about the original Sonoflow model. On top of that, the Black model I tested had an attractive matte finish, making for a very attractive pair of over-ears.

But they’re more than just a pretty face. The Sonoflow Pro are also pretty comfortable to wear – even for longer listening sessions. They might not quite have the cushion-like comfort of the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro, but there’s still plenty of padding on the headband and plump earcups and so I was happy to listen with these for hours on end. They’re also foldable, making them a compact option for on-the-go use.

The only thing I didn’t really love design-wise is that these cans don’t feel the most durable. The headband is pretty thin and the buttons appear and feel quite plasticky. There’s also no waterproofing or dustproofing here – but that’s pretty common for over-ears. This is no dealbreaker, just don’t expect premium build quality.

Back to the positives though: I loved the hard carry case which is included in the box. It will keep your headphones damage free if you want to throw them in a bag when traveling – that’s an enticing bonus. There’s also a USB-C charging wire and 2.5mm to 3.5mm cable with an attached mic, which offers relatively clear, albeit not ultra-crisp quality for phone calls.

• Design score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future) 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review: value

• Awesome all-round budget package
• Included case makes for staggering overall value
• Similar price to original Sonoflow, but some key improvements

It will come as no surprise that the category these cans perform best in is value. Their list price of $89 / £99 / AU$130 is already great, but again, these are available on sale semi-regularly, meaning you’re getting a lot of bang for your buck. Solid sound, sleek design and even a carry case – not bad at all!

Not only that, but these are priced exceptionally closely to the original 1More Sonoflow cans, while still offering some significant improvements. You get enhanced ANC, longer battery life and faster charging – specifically, the Pro give you ten hours of playtime with a five minute charge, double as fast as the standard model.

There are some amazing cheap headphones out there, like the Earfun Wave Pro, for instance. But these 1More cans have better battery life, a more distinct on-ear look and color options. It's a case of several smaller improvements adding up to one big uptick in value. You really can’t ask for much more from some sub-$100 headphones.

• Value score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51? Buy them if…

You want capable ANC
I found that the Sonoflow Pro offered better-than-expected ANC, which kept me focused on my music at all times, even when in busier, more chatter-filled areas. There’s a passthrough mode if you want to keep some ambient sounds, too, which is a nice touch.

You’re not looking to spend your life savings
With a list price of $89 / £99 / AU$130, the Sonoflow Pro are certainly on the more budget-friendly side of the spectrum. They’re also available at a cut-price from time to time, meaning you’re getting up-to-scratch audio and a sleek design at a more than reasonable price.

Don’t buy them if…

You want S-tier audio
The Sonoflow Pro have a pleasingly customizable sound and given their price, you’re getting very solid audio quality too. But they’re not going to offer that immersive, carefully separated, premium sound that audiophiles will be looking for. If you’re looking for peak performance, you’ll be better served by cans like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra or the Apple AirPods Max.

You want phenomenal build quality
Now don’t get me wrong, I like the way the Sonoflow Pro look on, but there’s no denying they’re still pretty plasticky. The headband and button controls aren’t the sturdiest, so if you’re looking for premium build quality, you’ll need to look elsewhere.

(Image credit: Future) 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review: also consider

Earfun Wave Pro
For some time, the Earfun Wave Pro have held the title of best budget option in our guide to the best over-ear headphones. And it’s easy to see why. These cans supply stupendous battery life, above-average sound and a neat design all at a temptingly low price. You can’t ask for much more than that! Read our full Earfun Wave Pro review.

Sony WH-CH720N
I’ve personally owned the Sony WH-CH720N for well over a year and can comfortably recommend them. They offer great sound for the price you pay, as well as upscaling technology for lower-quality music files. On top of that, you get effective ANC, a handy companion app and a classy set of color options to choose from. Read our full Sony WH-CH720N review.

1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review: How I tested

• Tested for two weeks
• Used at home and on public transport
• Predominantly tested using Tidal

I tested the 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 over the course of two weeks. I used the over-ears in a variety of environments, including at home, on walks near built-up roads and on public transport. Typically, I connected the headphones to Tidal on my Samsung Galaxy 24 FE with the LDAC codec enabled for the best quality audio.

When listening to music, I went through the TechRadar testing playlist, which includes tracks from a number of genres, before expanding to a wider music selection. I also tested the headphones with my Windows laptop to test out quality using a wired connection. When appropriate, I also compared the Sonoflow Pro directly to the Soundcore Space One Pro.

• First reviewed: March 2025
• Read more about how we test

• View or buy at Shark US

Shark TurboBlade: two-minute review

My 105-year-old house lacks insulation and has a sub-par air-conditioning system, so often I suffer from a stuffy hot home – which is why I was excited to test the Shark TurboBlade. Launched in January 2025, the Shark TurboBlade improves on the tower fan design thanks to two multi-directional blades with vents that can be adjusted in height, direction and angle to push air in all directions for complete cooling coverage.

On test, I found it very effective. It could cool a room in no time at at all, with the blades of air shooting up to around 28ft from the fan (a little short of Shark's 30ft claims, but very respectable nonetheless). There are 10 speeds, a timer, and the option to oscillate airflow, but I was most enamored by the speciality modes.

Sleep Mode kept me at the perfect temperature overnight, with the quieter operation mimicking soothing white noise. Natural Breeze Mode was my favorite though – the gently fluctuating airflow felt a cool breeze, outside in the fresh air, rather than the blast of a fan.

While I was surprised – given the premium price – that the Shark TurboBlade doesn't come with app control. It does, at least, come with a remote, even if you're slightly limited by what you can adjust remotely.

The Shark TurboBlade is without a doubt a pricey fan but it's stylish, somewhat compact, and does an exceptional job at cooling thanks to its versatile and innovative design. It's well worth the price in that regard. Keep reading to see exactly how the Shark TurboBlade performed during testing and whether or not it might be the best fan for you.

(Image credit: Future) Shark TurboBlade review: price & availability

• List price: $249.99
• Launch date: January 2025
• Availability: Currently only available in the US and Canada

The Shark TurboBlade launched in January 2025 with a $249.99 price tag. As of now, it's only available in the US, to buy direct from Shark. No word as to if / when the TurboBlade will become available in the UK or Australia, but Shark has a presence in both of those territories, so we're hopeful. It may also come to third-party retailers like Amazon.

There's not really another fan on the market similar to this one. However, the best comparison are tower fans which can cost as little as $40 and as much as $370.

While $249.99 seems like a high price for a fan, its ingenious design, which allows customers to adjust the angle of the fan and push air up to 80 feet at 360-degrees, is well worth the premium price. You get far more coverage with this fan and a lot more customization in terms of the speed, air bursts, and air flow angle. Shark is also no stranger to sales, so if you buy at the right time you could avoid paying full price.

• Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

Shark TurboBlade specs Shark TurboBlade fan review: design

• Multidirectional blades pivot and twist for 360-degree coverage
• Tower oscillates 180 degrees on adjustable telescopic pole
• Remote control can only adjust speeds and modes

Upon removing it from its packaging, I found the Shark TurboBlade was a bit larger than I expected (it's worth scrolling through the press photos to ones with people in to get a feel for the size of this fan – it's easy to assume it's more compact than it really is). That said, its adjustable and versatile design can make it feel more compact in your home. Specifically, you can turn it into one tall tower, which can sit in a corner, with a relatively small footprint.

It took me about five minutes to set it up. I really didn't need to use the instructions to assemble it, though I was thankful that everything was clearly labeled, and an instruction pamphlet was provided in case of confusion.

(Image credit: Future)

The Shark TurboBlade is similar to tower fans in that it has a base and a vertical design (here's more on tower fans vs pedestal fans, if you're not sure). This is in fact a bladeless fan – there's no visible, spinning section, but the 'Blade' in the name refers to the blades of air emitted by the two pivoting arms.

These arms sit atop the main pole, which is telescopic, so it can be raised or lowered. You can move the blades to the right or left, until they lie horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Both vents can be directed in the same direction, or you can move one of the vents in the opposite direction.

(Image credit: Future)

That means you can direct blasts of air in specific directions, and they can be focused on two different areas at once. It's an especially clever design when you consider that fans don't actually lower the temperature in a room; it's the feel of the moving air that makes you feel cooler.

You'll have to plug the Shark TurboBlade into a power outlet for the fan to work. The base is designed to oscillate 180 degrees. This can be done with the remote control. Shark provides two batteries so you can use the remote immediately.

(Image credit: Future)

The remote control is compact and can be stored on the top of the fan, with a magnet to hold it in place. Instructions are printed there as well, so that you don't need to have the manual to hand at all times.

With the remote, you can adjust the fan speeds, oscillation, set a timer, change the horizontal angle of the base, and choose one of the three specialty modes – Sleep Mode, BreezeBoost, and Natural Breeze Mode. On the front of the base, there are five blinking lights that indicate the fan speed. One of the biggest drawbacks to the design is that you can't adjust the vents or the blades with the remote.

At 15lbs, it's easy enough to move the Shark TurboBlade between rooms. As of now, there are no Bluetooth or Wi-Fi connectivity options, though I hope to see Shark offer that option in the future. I'd much prefer to control the fan with my phone than a remote.

• Design score: 4 out of 5

Shark TurboBlade fan review: performance

• Airflow detectable from around 28ft, but best at <20ft away
• Fast and efficient at cooling a room, thanks for adjustable vents
• Natural Breeze mode is a revelation – brings the outdoors in

After running a variety of tests, I can say that the Shark TurboBlade is very easy to use and will keep you cool on hot days. Most of the time, I used the remote control to adjust the settings of the fan. However, for the sake of testing, there is a button on the front of the base. I could use it to turn the fan on or off and adjust the fan speeds by holding down the button. The fan speed is indicated by a chime and five flashing lights above the power button. (I preferred disabling the chime.)

Unfortunately, there were a few things I could not adjust with the remote control. If I wanted the blades to be vertical, horizontal, or diagonal, I had to move them by hand. I also could not adjust the direction of the vents with the remote.

(Image credit: Future)

I was able to turn the fan on and off and adjust the settings with the remote from about 30 feet away. Shark advertises that the fan can push air up to 80 feet, however, when I set the TurboBlade on the highest fan speed of 10 (the speed can be adjusted between 1-10), I could barely feel the airflow at 30 feet. The airflow was more noticeable at 28 feet. If you want to feel the breeze of the fan on your skin, it's better to be 0-20 feet from the Shark TurboBlade.

Though my house was a bit warm during testing, I didn't usually need to adjust the fan speed any higher than five. Most of the time, I set it at 3 as I found this level quite sufficient in circulating the air and blowing a cool breeze on me. The lowest fan level has a 39 dB sound rating, while the highest fan level comes in at 65 dB.

(Image credit: Future)

The fan can oscillate at 45, 90, or 180 degrees. It's also possible to use the remote to adjust the direction of the blades by small degrees. So if I moved from one side of the room to the other side, I could use the remote to 'move' the fan to face my new position in the room. Be mindful that when the blades are placed in the horizontal position, they can hit the wall or furniture. There aren't sensors in this product that will stop the blades from hitting an object.

Most of the time, I had the vents facing the same way so I could maximize the airflow toward me when I was sitting in a room. However, my kitchen can warm up quickly when I'm using the oven and the stove, so when I placed the Shark TurboBlade in there, I adjusted the blades vertically or diagonally and then moved the vents so they were facing opposite directions. From there I would oscillate the fan 180 degrees, which allowed the air to flow in all directions at the same time. The kitchen stayed exceptionally cool when I did this. No more sweating over the stove for me!

(Image credit: Future)

I should mention that if the blades are horizontal, you can adjust one of the vents toward the ceiling and keep the other facing forward. I'm not sure in what situations such angles would be beneficial, but at least you have the option. It would be nice to be able to place the vents in opposite directions (forward and backwards) in the horizontal position, but unfortunately, you can't.

With the timer, I was able to set the fan to run for 1, 2, 4, 8, and/or 12 hours. Sometimes I would set the timer so that it would cool the room down and then turn off around the time I planned to go to the gym so I could save some energy when I was out of the house.

Special modes

There are three specialty modes – Sleep Mode, BreezeBoost, and Natural Breeze Mode. BreezeBoost is the highest fan setting you can choose and has a dB rating of 66 dB. The amount of cool air that blows through on this setting is significant. I don't think I'll need BreezeBoost except during triple-digit (Fahrenheit) temperatures in summers.

My favorite setting is the Natural Breeze Mode. The fan randomizes the airflow to simulate natural winds. As someone who loves to sit outside and enjoy a breeze, it was really amazing to have this wind simulation indoors. I don't particularly love air blowing directly on me but appreciate the natural ability of a breeze to cool me down, which is why Natural Breeze Mode is my favorite mode.

(Image credit: Future)

Sleep Mode is, as the name implies, best used at night while you're sleeping. In Sleep Mode, the chime is muted, the lights on the front of the machine are dimmed, and the fan speed is lowered. The lower speed was perfect for me: I don't like to be cold at night, but I also appreciate some air circulation. While I could hear the fan, it's not very loud in Sleep Mode (about 49 dB), and almost sounds like comforting white noise. It's no louder than my ceiling fan.

The Shark TurboBlade can be tucked away into a corner when the blades are positioned vertically. The charcoal color is fine, though the white color option that is expected to drop next would definitely look better with my house's color palette. There really isn't much maintenance required except occasionally dusting the dust defense panel that covers the motor.

(Image credit: Future)

My only real complaint with the design is that I found the cord a little short. It's six-foot long, and I wish it was closer to 10 feet. My outlets in my historic home are in odd places, like halfway up a wall, so a six-foot cord isn't as long as I need it to be to move the fan into the best position.

Overall, the Shark TurboBlade is a really fantastic fan, one that will keep you cool thanks to all the ways in which you can adjust the direction and speed of the airflow. I hope in the future Shark might release a new version that can be controlled via an app, but as a first iteration, the TurboBlade is excellent.

• Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Shark TurboBlade fan? Buy it if...

You want to cool a large space

You can not only adjust the direction of the vents but also the direction of the blades, so that you can actually feel the airflow without having to stand two feet in front of the fan.

You want a fan for nighttime

Set the Shark TurboBlade on Sleep Mode, and you'll barely hear the fan as you fall asleep at night. Best yet – it'll keep you cool as you sleep. You might even opt for the Natural Breeze Mode which simulates natural breezes, making it feel like you're sleeping outside.

You struggle with overheating

With the remote, you can turn the Shark TurboBlade on and off, change the speeds, set specialty modes, and make the fan oscillate. This allows users to move around their house and adjust the fan at far distances.

Don't buy it if...

You want app control

The Shark TurboBlade is not a smart fan that can be controlled via an app on your phone. Considering its versatile design and the price, you might expect it to have some Bluetooth or Wi-Fi capabilities, but alas, it does not.

You want to do everything remotely

The remote can control a lot of things – the speed, modes, oscillation, timer, and even the angle of the airflow. Unfortunately, it can't adjust the directions of the vents or the angle of the blade (in terms of being horizontal, vertical, or diagonal). This is something you have to do by hand.

You're on a budget

The Shark TurboBlade is one of the most expensive fans on the market with a price tag of nearly $250. If you don't want the innovative features, you could probably find a cheaper alternative that keeps your space equally as cool and comfortable.

How I tested the Shark TurboBlade

I tested the Shark TurboBlade for one week in my 105-year-old home in Texas. Testing occurred in March, that in-between time when my heater and air-conditioning weren't being used. On particularly warm days, my historic home became pretty warm (about 75 degrees F / 24 degrees C). I tested the Shark TurboBlade mostly in my living room, kitchen, and bedroom. This included using the Sleep Mode overnight, to get a sense of how well the fan circulated air and kept me cool as I slept.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed March 2025

Canon PowerShot V1: two-minute review

There's been a buzz surrounding the PowerShot V1, principally because the compact V-series vlogging camera is like a bigger sibling to the trending (and dated) PowerShot G7X Mark III, with an all-new 1.4-inch sensor and 16-50mm lens.

Put the two cameras side by side and the design / control layout similarities are clear (see below) – these are pocketable compact cameras, with the PowerShot V1 being the bigger of the two, and both offer impressive suites of video features.

The PowerShot V1's most obvious rival is the Sony ZV1-II, while the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is a gimbal-stabilized alternative, and in many regards the well-rounded PowerShot V1 is a clear winner, even if there's a strong case to be made for DJI's take on the format.

Headline features include that 22.3MP, 1.4-inch sensor. That's a rare sensor size – it's essentially the same as Micro Four Thirds, but in 3:2 aspect ratio rather than 4:3. It measures 18.4 x 12.3 mm – much bigger than the 1-inch type used in the aforementioned rivals, which measures 13.2mm x 8.8mm.

A bigger sensor size in general means better image quality, but there are caveats. The notable PowerShot V1 drawback for me is the f/2.8-4.5 maximum aperture of its 3.1x optical zoom lens. Compare that to the ZV-1 II's f/1.8-4, and the PowerShot G7X Mark III's 4.2x zoom with a f/1.8-2.8 maximum aperture, and the V1 comes up short for light-gathering capabilities, which in some respects counters the image-quality advantage of its larger sensor.

Still, it's the widest lens of the bunch, with a 16-50mm range that's ideal for vlogging. Even with digital image stabilization active and the consequent image-area crop applied, the framing is plenty wide enough for vlogging with the camera at arm's reach – that extra 2mm at the wide end goes a long way.

Image 1 of 2

Here's the Canon PowerShot V1 compact (left), alongside the PowerShot G7X Mark III (right) (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 2

From left to right: Canon PowerShot V10, Canon PowerShot V1 and Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

The comprehensive suite of video features includes cooling vents and unlimited 4K 30fps video recording times, a built-in ND filter, Canon's best-ever autofocus for a PowerShot compact, plus mic and headphone ports.

Photographers are well catered for too, with a hotshoe accepting an external flash (but not 5-pin ones), and a rapid 15fps burst shooting speed that's doubled when using the electronic shutter, ably supported by that reliable subject-tracking autofocus.

Image stabilization is unavailable when shooting 4K video at 60fps, plus there's a 1.4x crop using this setting – I'm sure I'll discover a few more drawbacks when I have the camera back in for in-depth testing.

However, the PowerShot V1 makes a strong first impression. As a complete package with Sony-beating features and a relatively decent price, it looks set to be a vlogging star.

Canon PowerShot V1 specs

(Image credit: Tim Coleman) Canon PowerShot V1: Price and availability

• £959.99 (US and Australia pricing TBC)
• Available from early April, exact date TBC

The Canon PowerShot V1 costs £959.99, with US and Australia pricing to be confirmed, and is due to hit the shelves in early April, with an exact release date also yet to be confirmed by Canon.

That starting price is less than what the older G7X Mark III currently goes for, with scalpers are capitalizing on the smaller model's popularity. However, the Sony ZV-1 II costs around 20% less than the V1, while the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is about half the price.

Canon PowerShot V1: Design

• 16-50mm f/2.8-4.5 lens with customizable ring and 5EV optical stabilization
• Similar design and control layout to the PowerShot G7X Mark III
• Includes hotshoe, tally lamp, headphone and mic ports

Canon has created a well-rounded and solid compact camera with a focus on video, but which also packs a solid suite of photography features.

Its design and control layout are strikingly similar to the PowerShot G7X Mark III's (see below), but on a larger scale that has enabled extra features such as a hotshoe, vari-angle screen, plus of course that larger sensor.

The camera sits nicely in the hand thanks to a generous handgrip, and is adorned with a number of customizable buttons and controls, with special mention going to the lens ring, which is ideal for making quick changes to aperture or your desired setting.

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From left to right: Canon PowerShot V1, Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 4

From left to right: Canon PowerShot V1, Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 3 of 4

From left to right: Canon PowerShot V10, Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III, Canon PowerShot V1 (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 4 of 4

From left to right: Canon PowerShot V10, Canon PowerShot G7X Mark III, Canon PowerShot V1, Canon EOS R50 V (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

With the camera off and the lens retracted, I'd call the PowerShot V1 pocketable, which is impressive given the decent-size 1.4-inch sensor within.

A vari-angle touchscreen is pretty much the norm in 2025 for video-focused cameras – it can be flipped out and tilted upwards for easy viewing from awkward angles when shooting horizontally, and flipped around for vlogging.

Another handy feature for vlogging is a tally lamp, which lights up red to confirm when you're recording. You can also opt for manual focus peaking and zebra display, plus timecode – again, all handy video features.

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(Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Cooling vents are found on the top and left-hand side of the camera, and these effectively enable unlimited 4K video record times. This isn't the sort of feature I'd expect in a camera at this level and price point, so kudos to Canon for that.

There's a decent internal mic, and Canon provides a wind muff with the camera that slots into the hotshoe to be positioned over the mic for clearer audio on breezy days.

When using the internal mic, the wind muff feels like a must, even if it somewhat obstructs some of the camera controls, such as the on/ off switch.

Still, if you're a serious creator you'll be using an external mic instead, and these can be connected using the 3.5mm mic input, with sound monitoring possible through headphones and on-screen.

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The lens is equipped with optical image stabilization (OIS) that's rated up to 5EV. That's a decent performance for photography, though it's of little use for video. For that, there's digital (or electronic) image stabilization (DIS). There's a small crop of the image area with DIS active, and even more with the enhanced DIS option, and that's where the V1's wider-than-most 16mm wide focal length is particularly handy – you'll still be able to frame yourself nicely in the shot with stabilization active.

Canon PowerShot V1: Performance

• Canon's best-ever autofocus for a PowerShot
• Digital image stabilzation only for video
• 4K video 30fps, 4K 60fps with a 1.4x crop, Full HD 120fps

I haven't had enough time with the PowerShot V1 to run full tests, but during my two-day hands-on time I have been able to use the various video record modes, snap a few photos, check image stabilization performance and shoot a few short vlogs using the internal mic.

In the sample footage below, I cover 4K 30fps, 4K 60fps, image stabilization, and the 3.1x optical zoom among other things.

Overall, 4K video footage is crisp, and subject-tracking autofocus is reliable – and that's something that's not to be taken for granted. Canon says it has put its best-ever autofocus for a PowerShot compact in the V1, and it really does perform well.

Usually, the camera's exposure metering and color are linked to the focus area. When focus was locked onto me, exposure looked fine with the help of an auto ND filter, although I have seen shifts in the color of my skin in vlogs – some look spot on, others a little green, others too magenta. It's a good practice to set white balance manually, rather than rely on auto white balance.

4K 60fps video looks great too, although you'll lose out on the option for Digital Image Stabilization at this setting, while there is also a 1.4x crop of the image area.

I don't mind the crop so much, as it effectively extends the lens for close-up B-roll. There's also a crop when you employ enhanced DIS (not available with 4K 60fps), but the V1's widest 16mm focal length gives a lot of scope for cropping into the image area for vlogging. Lens focal length might sound like a small thing, but Canon has been smart with its choice of 16mm focal length for the wide setting.

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General detail in this selfie is really sharp, plus subject-tracking autofocus has delivered pin-sharp focusing on the eyes (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 2 of 6

Close focusing capabilities are impressive (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 3 of 6

There's a trippy feeling to this image when the focal length is at the widest setting and the focusing is close-up. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 4 of 6

Taken at the 50mm focal length and maximum f/4.5 aperture, there's still a reasonable focus fall off here (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 5 of 6

This close up at 50mm f/4.5 shows what the 1.4-inch sensor is capable of (Image credit: Tim Coleman)Image 6 of 6

Here's the same subject but with the aperture set to f/11 – this depth of field is what you could expect from a standard smartphone. (Image credit: Tim Coleman)

Canon's 22.3MP 1.4-inch sensor is new, but we get Canon's familiar color science, and that's a good thing. Full-size photos look natural and are packed with detail – my skin and facial hair are super-crisp in the selfie above.

The PowerShot V1 also has decent close-focusing skills, so you can create photos and dynamic video cutaways for vlog footage – check out the flower closeups, again in the sample gallery above.

Would I have preferred a faster maximum aperture, say f/1.8-2.8? Yes, but that wouldn't be possible within the same compact lens dimensions. In any case, with the lens set to its maximum aperture (f/2.8-4.5) and when the focus distance is close, it's possible to get a lovely shallow depth of field.

I'll share more findings in my upcoming in-depth review.

How I tested the Canon PowerShot V1

• Tested for two days, full production model
• I shot various handheld video clips using a range of resolutions and frame rates, and with stabilization active and off.
• I recorded vlogs using the in-camera mics only

I've not had long enough with the PowerShot V1 to give a definitive verdict. However, the two days over which I tested the compact vlogging camera gave me enough time to have a play with the various video modes on offer, including 4K and Full HD videos, and 60fps and 30fps frame rates, make short vlogs using the in-camera microphone, and shoot comparison videos with the stabilization active and turned off, to see how effective digital stabilization is for video. I've also made several photos in full quality.

• First reviewed March 2025

Creative Pebble Nova: One-minute review

Like any decent work of art, the new Creative Pebble Nova will mean different things to different people. TechRadar's audio editor Becky Scarrott said they looked like Magic 8-Balls, or lawn bowls with audio credentials – and she meant that as high praise. My partner thought they looked like an overly-elaborate microphone set up. I saw them more as delightful flotsam from an alien spacecraft, which had found its way to my desk.

However you look at it, the Pebble Nova speakers are a novel-looking new audio set-up fitting to strut their way onto our list of the best desktop speakers (and possibly even the best stereo speakers) on fashion chops alone.

The proposition doesn't need to rely on its good looks to get by, though. These speakers sound great, with defined bass, a high max volume and selection of enhancement features that make a marked difference to the norm for the money. They're elevated from your desk to create a much more immersive surround-sound effect and use coaxial drivers to refine the audio they deliver.

You'll find, though, that they cost a fair amount of aforementioned money. As the newest in Creative's line of affordable Pebble computer speakers, you'd think they might adhere to the affordable end of the market, but they're fairly premium in price. Not bank-breaking, but definitely enough to think twice about.

Maybe not twice actually, perhaps thrice. The Pebble Nova take a fair amount of set-up, with Creative channeling its inner Ikea with how much construction is needed. They also require a fair bit of space due to their design, so you'll need to make sure your desk is relatively large and uncluttered for them.

All that said, if you do decide you have the space, money and patience for them, the Creative Pebble Nova are a great set of computer speakers, regardless of what kind of audio you need them to play.

Creative Pebble Nova review: Price and release date

(Image credit: Future)

• Announced in December 2024
• Mid-range at $279.99 / £239.99 / AU$499.95

The Creative Pebble Nova were released in December 2024, as the latest entry in Creative’s Pebble line-up of desktop speakers. They are, by a significant margin, the most expensive.

You can pick up the Creative Pebble Nova for $279.99 / £239.99 / AU$499.95 (although fair warning: they’re out of stock in several of the regions I checked). That ain’t cheap, especially when you consider that the next most expensive members of the Pebble family, the Pebble X, cost $89.99 / £84.99 / AU$169.95.

At that price, there’s no doubt that these are premium speakers. There are only a few entries on our list of the best computer speakers that cost more, although admittedly those cost a lot more, so if you want premium speakers but don’t want to hand over your life savings for them, these could be a good option.

As audiophiles will know, though, you can spend a lot more on high-spec speakers, up to ten times as much.

Creative Pebble Nova review: Specs Creative Pebble Nova review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• USB, Bluetooth and AUX connections
• Creative App brings ways to customize audio
• Acoustic Engine brings some useful features

The Creative Pebble Nova offer three ways to connect to your chosen device. First up is with a 3.5mm jack, which will let you play music but won’t let you customize it via the Creative App (more on that later). Second is Bluetooth, with the Nova supporting Bluetooth 5.3 to various devices including phones, computers and games consoles. Thirdly is with USB, which is what I did for the majority of this review. In the box is a USB-C to USB-C cable but if, like me, your PC only has USB-A ports, you can buy cheap adaptors online.

If you connect via Bluetooth or USB, the Creative App (available on mobile and PC) is a no-brainer. It offers the ability to change the Nova’s LED lighting effects, an equalizer along with loads of presets, the ability to switch which of the speakers is the left and right one and the promisingly-titled Acoustic Engine.

Take my advice: when you first set up the Pebble Nova, go to the Acoustic Engine page and turn everything on. It includes features like audio upscaling, dialogue enhancement and virtual surround-sound, all of which have marked improvements on the way the speakers sound. I regret that I was already weeks into the testing process before I bothered to open this page!

• Features score: 4.5/5

Creative Pebble Nova review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Bowling balls on stalks
• Takes up lots of space
• Time-consuming set-up process

How do you describe the design of the Creative Pebble Nova? Are they eyeballs on stalks? Alien command consoles? Magic 8-Balls? If you’re able, check out the review pictures because they’ll do better justice to the odd look of the Nova than my Creative Writing degree ever could. If you can’t see them, then… they’re basically giant spheres, held up from a circular base by a thin dowel.

It’s certainly a unique look taking the spherical-ish looks of other Pebble devices and literally elevating it. But it has a second advantage: the speakers themselves are higher than computer speakers generally are, which means ‘surround sound’ audio actually does surround you, as it’s at ear level (with the 45-degree point of the speakers also helping).

You can pick the Novas up in black, as you see in the images, and in a chic white-and-bronze model too.

I can see this design being a bit divisive but I didn’t mind it (I also spent lots of the review period with them hidden by my second screen). However there are two issues too.

(Image credit: Future)

Firstly, these take up a lot of space. Said space is at a premium when it comes to the desk upon which I use my desktop computer, and I found it quite hard to accommodate the Pebble Nova given the dimensions of both the speakers and my London apartment – it’s why the images accompanying this review are of my laptop, because my desk was too cluttered with the Creatives on it!

The second thing to note is that the Pebble Nova take quite a bit of setting up: not only do you need to go through all the usual cable rigamarole of desktop speakers, but you also have to attach the dowels to the stands and those to the speakers. This was admittedly easier than your average Ikea project, but it still took a little while to accomplish (I should note, you don’t have to elevate the speakers if you don’t want, and can attach them straight to a stand).

On the primary– ‘orb’? – you get several ports: the USB-C power delivery port, another USB-C port to connect to your computer, and the 3.5mm headphone jack, as well as the cable which runs to the other speaker. You also get a range of buttons for volume, power, connection and more.

The speakers have LED lights which you can program using the app, although they’re not huge or bright and I didn’t really notice them during everyday PC use.

• Design score: 4/5

Creative Pebble Nova review: Sound quality

(Image credit: Future)

• 1-inch driver + 3-inch woofer
• Exuberant, clear bass and mids
• Unnecessarily-high max volume

Each of the Creative Pebble Nova speakers packs both a 1-inch tweeter with a 3-inch woofer in a coaxial set-up.

I'm used to PC speakers being good for certain tasks and struggling with other ones (a set-up that's great for music might struggle for the range of sounds needed for gaming, or be poorly-tuned for YouTube videos, for example) but I was pleasantly surprised at how the Creative was a jack of all trades.

I say 'pleasantly surprised' because it wasn't necessarily expected. The presence of a woofer gives away that the Pebble Nova has a distinctly energetic sound profile, with plentiful bass. However these lower tones are well-defined and clear, instead of being overpowering and thumping like some bassy speakers can be.

This meant I could enjoy different kinds of music but then could listen to spoken-word audio without low voices having an unnatural rumble to them, an issue I've faced before.

(Image credit: Future)

Treble is a little less bright than it could be, but I quickly fixed this in the Creative App with some quick equalizer tweaking.

The Creative Pebble Nova is great for the kind of sound stage or surround-sound audio that really benefits immersive gaming. This is because the elevated height of the speaker poles, plus their being angled upwards at 45 degrees, means that audio is a lot closer to ear-level than your standard desktop speakers.

The result is a marked improvement in immersion: the tweeting of birds, the sound of wind in trees, the repeated taunting of a dangerous bandit I was unsuccessfully trying to run away from, all felt well-placed around me during gaming sessions. The effect was definitely more pronounced than on other desktop speakers I've tried, which sit lower than your ear level.

According to Creative, the Pebble Nova has a whopping 100W power output for high volumes. Since I have neighbors, I didn't test quite how loud it goes, but it definitely reached (and could easily exceed) my needs. Why you'd need incredibly-loud speakers for your desktop, presumably within half a meter of you, isn't quite clear, but it means that they can double as general party speakers if you prefer.

• Sound quality: 4.5/5

Creative Pebble Nova review: Value

(Image credit: Future)

• Not a viable option for people on a tight budget
• Other Pebbles may appeal to money-conscious buyers

While the overall Pebble line of Creative desktop speakers is known for offering great value for money, that's naturally less true of the Nova, as premium equipment always offers incremental returns for the price.

The Nova are good, but you're paying for it, as they're not cheap (at least, by Creative standards, although you can easily find countless pricier alternatives). They're not poor value for money, but they're not as much an obvious bargain as other Pebbles. That said, if I had the expendable income, I'd buy them – so take from that what you will.

• Value: 4/5

Should I buy the Creative Pebble Nova?

(Image credit: Future) Buy them if…

You like the look of them
Fan of the way the Novas look? Then you should go for them, as you'll be hard-pressed to find anything quite as distinctive.

You're particular about your audio
The Creative app's equalizer, and Acoustic Engine options, will let picky listeners fine-tune the way the speakers sound more so than some rivals.

Don’t buy them if…

You think they look silly
If you prefer your desktop speakers to speak only through the drivers instead of the fashion statement, you best check out other options.

You've got limited space
I have a medium-sized desk and I had to remove some decorations to fit the Pebble Nova, so if you're short on desk real estate, these might not fit.

Creative Pebble Nova review: Also consider

Creative Pebble Plus
There are plenty of cheaper Creative Pebble desktop speakers on the market including the Plus, which we said will give you "more than your money’s worth".

See our full Creative Pebble Plus review

Vigilant Audio SwitchOne
Of the two options in our best desktop speakers round-up that have a similar price to the Pebbles, the Vigilants are the most recent. They have a pretty 'standard' design but sound great to listen to.

See our full Vigilant Audio SwitchOne review

How I tested the Creative Pebble Nova

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for one month
• Tested at home connected to phone and windows PC

The testing process of the Creative Pebble Nova was over a month.

For most of that time, I tested the Nova alongside my Windows desktop PC, with the speakers on my desk. I also tested it paired via Bluetooth to my phone and, for a short while, connected to my Windows laptop (as pictured).

I used my PC as normal during the month which includes my day job, various other types of work, watching TV shows and YouTube videos, streaming lots of music and playing video games.

I have over six years' experience testing gadgets for TechRadar which includes other desktop speakers, audio products (including from Creative) and other types of tech.

• First reviewed in March 2025

• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

This review first appeared in issue 351 of PC Pro.

Finnish company WithSecure offers a complete suite of security solutions all easily managed from its Elements Security Center cloud portal. Its Endpoint Protection (EPP) module provides a firm foundation and a modular approach allows you to enhance it with other WithSecure components as required.

In this review, we test EPP and take a closer look at the Endpoint Detection and Response (EDR) module. EDR takes a proactive stance on cyberattacks, providing advanced threat detection capabilities, full attack analysis and automated responses for isolating compromised systems.

EPP offers great platform support, too: it protects Windows and macOS workstations, Android and iOS mobiles and Windows and Linux servers, and includes patch management for Windows OSes as standard. Workstation deployment is swift; we used our portal’s EPP dashboard to email a download link to users, with the agent taking three to four minutes to install and link up with the portal account.

Protection starts immediately. The agent grabs a predefined profile that enables essential security functions such as real-time malware scanning, a firewall and browsing protection. Customizing profiles is simple: you clone the read-only ones provided, tweak their settings as desired and use the devices page to assign them to multiple endpoints.

Automated features include rollback after a ransomware attack (Image credit: Future)

There’s a lot to play with: profiles enforce web protection with a list of 32 URL categories, can stop users interacting with the agent and control access to all kinds of local hardware such as USB sticks, optical drives, and wireless and Bluetooth devices. An EPP Premium subscription enables application controls and WithSecure’s DataGuard, which uses behavioral rules to detect potential ransomware activity.

Rollback is a smart new feature that provides instant ransomware protection for Windows systems. It tracks apps classed as unknown and, if they exhibit any dubious behavior, it closes them down and automatically rolls back all the file and Registry changes they made.

Don’t worry if the app turns out to be legit, as all changes are stored in local protected quarantine areas and can be restored by users. It can also initially run in safe mode, where it only reports on unauthorized changes.

You can keep a close eye on the action using the security events view and set up email alerting for multiple recipients. EPP has fast reaction times: when we introduced malware to our test clients events were posted in the portal almost immediately, with alert messages winging in three or four minutes later.

The cloud portal provides a clear status dashboard (Image credit: Future)

EDR provides deep analysis of detected threats and uses the same agent as EPP, so adding this module later on automatically activates it for all endpoints. It features WithSecure’s broad context detection (BCD), which cuts through alert avalanches by highlighting suspicious events so you can see clearly if an attack is taking place.

BCD shows a filtered view of all detected threats. Selecting one takes you to a threat analysis page, with a process tree showing how the potential malware developed and what it interacted with. If you don’t like what you see, you can isolate all affected devices with one click.

An EPP/EDR subscription also enables the new outbreak control feature. The modules team up to track device changes, and if anything occurs to critical areas such as IP addresses and reverse DNS or new malware is detected, a stricter rule is applied automatically to affected devices.

Its high levels of automation make WithSecure a great choice for SMBs that want endpoint protection on a plate. It’s simple to deploy, offers a wealth of security features, and all modules are easily managed from the Elements cloud portal.

We also rated the best secure smartphones.

Kiwi design H4 Boost Halo Battery Strap: One-minute review

At $99.99 / £82.00 / AU$161 this Kiwi design H4 Boost Halo Battery strap is not cheap. But if you use your VR headset frequently it could be a worthwhile upgrade to your Meta Quest 3 or Meta Quest 3S – it’s already become my favorite Quest 3 accessory.

The built-in battery – the main reason to buy this strap – boasts a 5,300mAh capacity, which is a little more than the battery life of either the Quest 3 or Quest 3S. This doubles your VR and MR sessions, an advantage anyone who has ever had to cut a session far too short because their battery ran out will appreciate.

Beyond direct utility, the battery strap helps improve your Quest setup’s comfort to some degree as it serves as a counterweight to the headset proper and includes front and back padding. With its adjustable hard plastic mechanism, the strap will also remain comfortably attached to your head providing a more stable fit than the strap you get with your Meta Quest 3.

The only downside is that the strap weighs 446g, which is about 60g shy of what the Quest headsets weigh on their own. So while the battery is useful, a non-battery-equipped head strap like the H4 Halo Comfort (which is otherwise identical to the H4 Boost Halo) could be a better pick if you find your headset is heavy enough as it is.

(Image credit: Future) Kiwi design H4 Boost Halo Battery Strap: Price

• Normally costs $99.99 / £82.00 / AU$161
• Regularly on sale for less

At $99.99 / £82.00 / AU$161 this Kiwi design H4 Boost Halo Battery strap is not cheap. But if you use your VR headset frequently this cost could be worthwhile as the strap effectively doubles how long you can use your Quest 3 for between charges.

What’s more, Kiwi design’s accessories are frequently on sale on Amazon and its store. We’ve seen it drop as much as 40% during sales so it’s worth waiting for a discount unless you’re desperate for a Quest 3 upgrade.

• Value score: 4

Kiwi design H4 Boost Halo Battery Strap: Design

• Comfy and secure Meta Quets 3 or 3S headstrap
• Doubles your Quest headset's battery life

(Image credit: Future)

The Kiwi design H4 Boost Battery Halo head strap can easily replace the base head strap included with your Meta Quest 3 or Meta Quest 3S – just unclip and unloop the original, and attach the H4 in its place – and it’s a near-total upgrade.

First, the hard plastic strap is adjustable and has cushioning on the back and front of your head which combine to create a more secure and comfy setup than the basic Quest head strap. Second, and more importantly, it comes equipped with a battery that increases how long you can use your Quest 3 between charges and can be easily connected to your headset via a built-in USB-C cable.

The battery – which is housed at the back of the head strap and serves as a counterweight to the headset proper, improving comfort – boasts a 5,300mAh capacity.

This is just over the battery capacity of both the Quest 3S (4,324 mAh) and Quest 3 (4,879 mAh) so your headset’s battery life will more than double; if you got 2 hours of usage out of your Quest you’ll now get 4 hours.

Best of all, with your headset hooked up to the battery pack you can use a USB-C cable to charge the pack and headset simultaneously, and fairly quickly, too. Kiwi design promises that a 45W charger can restore 60% charge to your headset and 65% to the strap in an hour.

(Image credit: Future)

In my experience, the setup does recharge fairly speedily, and the extended battery is more than enough to game for a whole evening without needing to take a break for my headset to recharge – which is a frustration I’ve dealt with in the past.

The only notable downside is that at 446g this head strap is just 60g lighter than either the Quest 3 or Quest 3S on their own, doubling your setup’s weight as well as its battery life. If you already find your headset is too heavy as is then adding this strap could be a bad idea.

However, during my testing, I never had trouble wearing the H4 Boost Halo Battery strap for an extended play session, so I expect many VR users won’t struggle too much with it either.

• Design score: 5/5

Should you buy the Kiwi design H4 Boost Halo Battery Strap? Buy it if…

You wish your headset could go the distance
If two hours of battery life per charge is never enough, then this battery strap will go a long way to solving your Meta Quest 3 or Meta Quest 3S woes.

You want comfort
If the regular Quest 3 head strap isn’t comfy or secure enough for you then you’ll appreciate the cushioning and adjustable design of the Kiwi design H4 Boost Halo Battery Strap.

Don’t buy it if…

You use your headset infrequently
The H4 Boost Halo Battery Strap is excellent, but it’s not good value if you use your VR headset infrequently. If you’re new to VR wait and see how often you use it before upgrading to this head strap.

You find your headset too heavy already
This strap effectively doubles the weight of your Quest 3 setup. The battery acts as a counterweight to keep it from feeling too uncomfortable, but it’s something to consider if headset weight is already an issue for you.

How I tested the Kiwi design H4 Boost Halo Battery Strap

To put this strap through its paces I used it for a few weeks with my Meta Quest 3 and made sure to swap back to the base strap every so often to get a sense of the advantages and disadvantages of each design. I also compared it to the Razer head strap and the K4 Battery strap from Kiwi to judge its effectiveness against other third-party headsets.

Read more about how we test.

• First reviewed March 2025

Kiwi design K4 Boost Battery strap: One-minute review

This battery-equipped head strap might not be as impressive as Kiwi design’s H4 Boost Halo Battery Strap from a design perspective, but it still ticks many boxes.

It boasts a 5,300mAh battery capacity – effectively doubling the battery life of your Meta Quest 3 or Quest 3S – and the padding and adjustable plastic deliver a secure yet comfortable fit that’s an upgrade on the default fabric strap that would have arrived with your VR headset.

Best of all, it costs only $69.99 / £57 / AU$113. As such, it’s a relatively affordable option and the perfect choice for first-time or more casual Meta Quest users who aren’t ready to splash out on top-of-the line upgrades, but still want something worthwhile.

The only negative of note is that at 358g this strap weighs about 70% of what the Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S each weigh on their own. So, if you’ve been struggling with the headset’s weight already then this will add over half as much weight again and could make your VR system unmanageable.

(Image credit: Future) Kiwi design K4 Boost Battery strap: Price

• Usually costs $69.99 / £57 / AU$113
• Typcially discounted during sales like Black Friday and Prime

You can pick up the Kiwi design K4 Boost Battery Strap from Kiwi design’s official store or Amazon for $69.99 / £57 / AU$113 – although it can regularly be found at a discount through both outlets.

At this price, the K4 is a more affordable battery strap for your Meta Quest 3 or Meta Quest 3S – being cheaper than Kiwi’s own H4 strap, and Meta’s official Elite Strap with battery.

• Value score: 5

(Image credit: Future) Kiwi design K4 Boost Battery strap: Design

• Like an upgraded version of the official Meta Quest 3 Elite strap with battery
• Just over doubles your Meta Quest 3 headset's battery life

The K4 Boost Battery Strap shares several design similarities with the official Meta Quest 3 Elite Strap with Battery. It’s a hard plastic strap with a battery at the rear, which can be adjusted to fit the size of your head. The hard plastic with padding ensures the design delivers a secure yet comfortable fit on your head; it feels significantly more solid on the head over the fabric strap the Quest 3 headset comes with in its box.

There are some differences between this and the official plastic battery strap, however. The first is that the head strap is padded for additional comfort, and the other is the Kiwi design has a hinge half way along each side.

Not only does this hinge help you to find a better position for the strap on your head; it means you can more easily put on and take off the headset without putting stress on the arms as it just folds up.

I had previously used an official Elite Strap with my Meta Quest 2, but it snapped on one side – roughly where the K4’s hinge is positioned – following just a few months’ use. Based on the K4 Boost Battery Strap’s design then, I expect it to be more durable.

As for the battery itself, beyond serving as a counterweight to the front of the headset, helping improve the comfort of your setup, the 5,300mAh unit will more than double the length of time for which your Meta Quest setup can be used. The Quest 3S features a 4,324mAh capacity battery and Quest 3 a 4,879mAh battery, so with the K4 supplying an extra 5,300mAh, you can expect to run each device for just over double the time.

(Image credit: Future)

What’s more, while the K4’s battery pack is hooked up to your Quest 3 using the built-in USB-C cable, you can use your Quest’s USB-C charger to refuel both the headset and strap simultaneously. Kiwi design promises that a 45W charger can restore 60% charge to your headset and 65% to the strap in an hour – just like its H4 battery strap – by dividing 22.5W of power between the battery and headset.

The only downside to consider here is that the battery isn’t light. At 358g, the K4 strap weighs about 70% of the Meta Quest 3 or Meta Quest 3S on their own. It’s lighter than some battery straps, and from my experience makes up for the weight with added comfort. However, if you already struggle with the weight of either headset then you may prefer Kiwi’s K4 Comfort Strap (which is identical except it lacks the built-in battery).

In addition, the K4 Boost Battery Strap doesn’t offer as much in the way of adjustments as more high-end options such as the H4 Boost Halo Battery Strap – which includes an adjustable front cushion, for example. However, the latter is also more expensive, so this is to be expected.

• Design score: 4/5

Should you buy the Kiwi design K4 Boost Battery strap? Buy it if…

You’re on a budget
If you want an affordable but capable battery strap then this is one of the best options we’ve tried.

You want to stay in VR for longer
This battery strap effectively doubles the battery life of a Meta Quest 3 or Meta Quest 3S, meaning you’ll be able to play VR and MR games for longer.

Don’t buy it if…

Your Quest 3 feels too heavy already
This battery strap weighs about 70% of a Quest 3 or Quest 3S headset alone, so you may prefer the K4 Comfort instead, which comes without the battery.

You demand something high-end
This strap lacks some of the adjustability of slightly more high-end VR headset straps.

How I tested the Kiwi design K4 Boost Battery Strap

To test the Kiwi design K4 Boost Battery Strap thoroughly, I attached it to my Meta Quest 3S and used it as my primary head strap on that headset for a few weeks. I also made sure to swap between the K4 and the base strap to compare, while also pitting against the Razer head strap and the Kiwi design H4 Boost Halo Battery strap (which was attached to my Meta Quest 3) to contrast different third-party options.

Read more about how we test.

• First reviewed March 2025

Kiwi design G4 Pro Performance Controller Grips: One-minute review

I’ve fallen in love with the Kiwi design G4 Pro Performance Controller Grips since outfitting my Meta Quest 3’s controllers with them (they’re also compatible with the identical Meta Quest 3S handsets). They offer a thorough improvement over the naked controllers – especially for fitness apps and more active VR games like Beat Saber – and I don’t think I could ever go back to standard controllers.

The textured silicone surface is easier to grip than the bare plastic, the side strap more securely attaches the controllers to my hands, and the battery hatch ensures it’s easy to replace the controller’s battery as and when needed.

(Image credit: Future)

That said, for all my praise I’m well aware that these grips fall into that luxury add-on category. Not because they’re particularly pricey – they’re just $39.99 / £29.99 / AU$65 – but because I don’t think these grips are something everyone with a VR headset needs to own.

If you use your Meta Quest 3 or Quest 3S fairly regularly and have already upgraded it with a silicone facial interface (and maybe a battery head strap too), then the G4 Pro Performance Controller Grips are a solid next step. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a gift that isn’t just Meta Quest Store credit for someone you know who loves their Meta Quest 3, then these grips are an ideal purchase.

Otherwise, while the grips are great, people who use their headset infrequently would be better served spending their money on great Quest 3 software instead.

Kiwi design G4 Pro Performance Controller Grips: Price

• Normally cost $39.99 / £29.99 / AU$65 for a pair
• Often discounted during sale events like Prime Day

(Image credit: Future)

The Kiwi design G4 Pro Performance Controller Grips are available in the US, UK and Australia for $39.99 / £29.99 / AU$65 from Amazon or Kiwi’s own store, although they’re regularly available for less with discounts and limited-time vouchers. It’s worth checking both sites as you might find one has the accessory for a lot cheaper than the other.

This means they’re not overly pricey, but are in the same ballpark as an AA VR game – or a couple of indie titles. I’ll get into why the G4 Pro Performance grips are fantastic in a minute but at this price, I believe people who are complete newcomers to VR or only wear their Meta Quest 3 every so often would generally be better off buying software instead of these grips.

• Value score: 3

Kiwi design G4 Pro Performance Controller Grips: Design

• Effective Meta Quets 3 or 3S controller grips
• Perfect for active games like Just Dance VR or Supernatural

The main design advantage of Kiwi’s G4 Pro Performance Controller Grips is that they make it much easier to, well, grip your controller securely during a VR session. The silicone covering provides more friction between your hand and the controller, so you’re less likely to accidentally let go when swinging your arms around compared to the naked plastic. The adjustable side strap replaces the flimsy cord you get in the Meta Quest box to more securely attach the handsets to your hands.

I’ve found this is especially useful for active fitness games and apps with a lot of movement like Just Dance VR or Supernatural.

(Image credit: Future)

What I particularly like is that you can completely let go of the controller and the strap will still keep it pressed against your palm. So if you’ve ever found it awkward or slightly strange immersion-wise to let go of a virtual object without completely letting go of your controller, this grip’s design could help you out a lot.

An issue I was anticipating with the grips is that the silicone would make it significantly harder to access the Quest controllers’ batteries whenever they need replacing. Thankfully, Kiwi design thought ahead with a built-in battery hatch. A custom plastic battery cover replaces the default Quest controllers’ covers to add a window and pull cord – if you run this cord under the battery you can later tug it to easily free the cell from its cage – then a hatch built into the silicone can be peeled back to reveal the battery without removing the grip.

These simple yet effective design features make the grips a delight to use and a complete upgrade on the base Meta Quest controllers.

• Design score: 5/5

Should you buy the Kiwi design G4 Pro Performance Controller Grips?

(Image credit: Future) Buy it if…

You love VR
If you use your Meta Quest 3 or Quest 3S regularly then these grips are worth picking up.

You’re getting a Meta Quest 3 user a gift
I think these G4 Pro grips might be the perfect gift for a Meta Quest 3 user as they’re something I can’t see someone buying for themselves, but they’ll love using them when they get a pair.

Don’t buy it if…

You’re a VR newbie
You don’t need to get the perfect VR setup right away. Use your Quest 3 for a bit, see how often you put it on, and if you’re convinced you still need to upgrade, then consider picking these grips up.

You don’t own a Quest 3 or 3S
These grips are designed to fit Meta Quest 3 or 3S controllers. So even if your handsets look really similar you’ll probably find these grips don’t fit and will be a wasted purchase.

How I tested the Kiwi design G4 Pro Performance Controller Grips

To test these Kiwi design G4 Pro Performance Controller Grips I put them onto my Quest 3 controllers and used them for a few weeks in a wide variety of different VR games. I’d also make sure to swap between my Quest 3 and Quest 3S – which still uses naked controllers – to compare the experience.

Read more about how we test.

• First reviewed March 2025

RIG M2 Streamstar: One-minute review

The RIG M2 Streamstar is a baffling product. Despite being billed as a premium microphone for streamers and more general gaming, it’s about as simple as they come with plug-and-play functionality and no included software.

You just need to slot the included cable into a free USB port, select it as your preferred recording device in the likes of OBS or Audacity, and you’re ready to go in a matter of seconds.

This, on top of its impressively compact size, could make it a decent pick if you’re looking for a portable microphone that you can easily use with a gaming laptop to keep up with your streams when on the move.

Sadly, its actual feature set is highly limited with just a basic gain dial, mute functionality, and sidetone to play around with. On top of a standard 3.5mm headphone jack it does offer the option of Bluetooth 5.4 connectivity for that side tone monitoring, with Qualcomm aptX HD codec compatibility for 24-bit hi-res audio.

This is quite innovative, and the world's first in a wired microphone according to Nacon, but ultimately doesn’t seem like the most useful thing to have. It works very well and is extremely responsive overall with no noticeable delay, but I can’t imagine that most streamers wouldn’t already have a decent pair of wired gaming earbuds, or similar, on hand for microphone monitoring.

With a unique angular appearance, the design of the microphone is quite striking and refreshingly subtle for a gaming product and this helps set it apart. Unfortunately, though, the materials used feel disappointingly cheap for the price.

It’s plasticky in the hands, with flimsy dials that even wobble slightly while being turned. This is hard to stomach when you’re dealing with a $129.99 product and when countless other options all the way from the cheaper Blue Yeti and HyperX DuoCast to more expensive SteelSeries Alias are considerably more premium and better built.

As for the performance, it’s decent but nothing to write home about. The microphone offers a 24-bit resolution with sample rates of up to 192kHz, so is proper studio quality, but can sound rather muffled and is hard to position properly without a boom arm.

The lack of software also means nothing in the way of any substantial noise cancellation, so avoid this model unless you already have a quiet recording space or software solution in place.

(Image credit: Future) RIG M2 Streamstar: Price and availability

• Priced at $129.99
• Available via Amazon
• Value is questionable

The RIG M2 Streamstar costs $129.99 and is available via Amazon in the US. This price puts it towards the more premium end of the market, but, beyond its 24-bit audio and 192kHz sample rate, it really doesn’t have much to show for it. The HyperX DuoCast is just one example of a cheaper competitor that benefits from a robust set of included software, great audio performance, and a more premium design.

As for more expensive options, the JBL Quantum Stream Studio and SteelSeries Alias offer significantly more features. Thnd play compatibility, plus more strong optioe JBL Quantum Stream Studio has a variety of pickup patterns to choose from, making it a better fit for many setups, and, again, some great software. As for the SteelSeries Alias, you get a comparatively luxurious design, equally good plug and play software.

The sample rate of the RIG M2 Streamstar is considerably higher than the competition though (with most models capping out at 48 or 96kHz), so might make that high cost a little easier to stomach if that’s important to you. There’s also the unique Bluetooth side tone functionality which, depending on your peripherals and setup, could prove useful and perhaps worth the price of admission.

RIG M2 Streamstar: Specs RIG M2 Streamstar: Design and features

• Unique look, but feels cheap
• Very basic set of features
• No included software

The RIG M2 Streamstar has quite an attractive design. The capsule has an angular shape, with a distinct blend of smooth rectangles and trapezoids. It looks almost futuristic and is very compact to boot, coming in at roughly 6.5in / 165mm tall when using its included stand.

The front of the microphone is dominated by a large metallic grille, which sits just above two dials. The top dial controls your headphone settings when a compatible pair is connected via the 3.5mm jack or Bluetooth. Twisting the dial increases or decreases the overall headphone volume, while pressing it once mutes the headset. Holding the button enables Bluetooth paring mode, indicated by a flashing ring light around the base of the button.

The other dial controls the microphone gain, though it’s a little tricky to adjust. It’s hard to tell your current level unless you’re using the side tone. Normally, I would simply boot up a microphone’s software to change my current settings to the precise level that I wanted - but as there isn’t any of that here you just need to do it by ear.

The lack of software also means that simple actions like enabling the side tone or changing the sample rate are convoluted and require you to fiddle around in your system settings. The included Quick Start Guide is filled with screenshots of an older version of the Windows sound settings tab, which makes it unhelpful for those on Windows 11. Simplicity is a good thing and I generally love plug-and-play functionality, but there comes a point where not having quick access to important settings is just annoying.

Pressing the gain dial quickly mutes the microphone, which is standard at this price but nevertheless a handy feature to have. Both dials are constructed from plastic and feel very cheap, even wobbling slightly when they’re being adjusted. The action of rotating the dial also leads to a lot of audible feedback, which is going to be a problem if you’re used to using a model where you can quickly adjust your settings on stream.

The included stand is basic and underwhelming, effectively a two-part lump of plastic with a rubberized underside that doesn't feel particularly sturdy and is held together by cheap screws. The microphone is compatible with most boom arms via a standard 5/8 thread though, which is good and gives you more options to work with.

One little detail I do appreciate is the fact that the microphone has a small plastic panel on its rear that is held in place by magnets and can be removed easily. This is intended to be a place where you can display your own branding, which is a cute and novel idea.

(Image credit: Future) RIG M2 Streamstar: Performance

• Easy to get set up
• Sounds good when properly positioned
• Prone to background noise

The setup process is very easy, but I quickly found that the RIG M2 Streamstar tends to sound quite muffled unless you’re careful about positioning. I'm used to testing lots of different cardioid mics, but my usual spot just didn’t seem to work this time around. Instead, the microphone needed to be right below mouth in order to pick up speech reliably so it’s definitely worth investing in a boom arm if you don’t already have one.

Everything that I did manage to record once I found that position sounded good, at least. The high-fidelity recordings I produced in Audacity were very detailed and captured my voice well - at least when there wasn’t any background noise. On that note, the RIG M2 Streamstar picks up background noise easily, with everything from the click of my mouse to passing cars coming across in life-like detail.

This wouldn’t be an issue in a studio environment, but if you’re a streamer or content creator you’re going to need a separate software solution for noise cancellation in the likes of OBS. This isn’t the end of the world, but almost every gaming model from major brands at this price comes with its own noise-cancellation features out of the box.

The side tone features perform well when the microphone is connected to either a wired or wireless audio device. There’s no noticeable latency at all over Bluetooth, which is very impressive. I tested the microphone with a few different pairs of wireless headphones (both gaming and more general consumer models) and every model paired easily. As connected headphones can be used as audio output devices, this could double as a way to enable Bluetooth 5.4 audio on your PC if it doesn’t support it.

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the RIG M2 Streamstar? Buy it if...

You want strong specs
The RIG M2 Streamstar has very strong specs on paper, boasting a leading 192kHz sample rate. It also has Bluetooth 5.2 support, with support for the low latency aptX HD codec.

You need a compact mic
The RIG M2 Streamstar is impressively small and could easily be used with a laptop when you’re on the go.

Don't buy it if...

You want a more premium design
There’s no avoiding the fact that this microphone just feels cheap for the price. If you shop around you can easily find models with more premium materials.

You rely on included software
The lack of software is also frustrating and could be problematic if you don’t already have your own solution set up.View Deal

Also consider...

After some other options? These two models give the RIG M2 Streamstar a run for its money.

HyperX DuoCast
The HyperX DuoCast is cheaper than the RIG M2 Streamstar but still sounds good out of the box. It offers one more polar pattern and a pleasing design with RGB lighting that would look great as part of any streamer’s setup.

For more information, check out our full HyperX DuoCast review

JBL Quantum Stream Studio
If you’re willing to pay a little bit more, you can get this high-end option from JBL. It’s got the same high 192 kHz sample rate, plus more pickup patterns and a robust suite of software to experiment with.

For more information, check out our full JBL Quantum Stream Studio review.

(Image credit: Future) How I tested the RIG M2 Streamstar

• Tested for a week
• Compared to other gaming microphones
• Used in a variety of scenarios and use cases

I tested the RIG M2 Streamstar for a week, putting it through its paces in a number of scenarios using my home PC with an RTX 3060, I5-11400F, and 32GB of RAM. This time included a number of work meetings and gaming sessions with friends, in addition to testing its compatibility with popular streaming software OBS. I also evaluated its audio quality with a number of recording tests, most notably recording several samples in Audacity in a variety of different conditions.

Throughout my time with the microphone I compared my experience with my hands-on testing of countless other models ranging all the way from reliable budget options such as the Blue Snowball to more premium alternatives like the Blue Yeti and Steelseries Alias and SteelSeries Alias Pro.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed March 2025.

Notability review

Notability is a note-taking app from Ginger Labs that was launched back in 2010. It’s available for iOS but not on Android. Upon installing the app, a seven-day free trial is offered, so I was able to test out the premium features for free. Some other note-taking apps offer longer trial periods, so seven days felt a little short for me, as I like to make sure that an app is compatible with the way I work before committing to pay a subscription, but it may well be plenty of time for others.

Notability plans and pricing

Notability Starter
Without a paid subscription, you can create multi-media notes with a limited number of edits, import and annotate PDF documents, sync audio recordings to your notes, access the Gallery and its templates, scan documents, make use of presentation mode, view notes side by side, plus access free stickers, themes, and other content.

Price: Free

Notability Lite
For those who don't need the full suite of features, a Lite subscription provides everything in Notability Starter, along with unlimited edits, iCloud syncing across devices, and auto-backup.

Price: $17.99 / £12.99 per year

Notability Plus
Includes all of the benefits of Notability Starter, but notes and edits are unlimited, you can convert handwriting and math equations into text, use search to locate specific entries in written notes, sync to iCloud, plus your notes can be automatically backed up.

Price: $24.99 / £17.99 per year

A limited version of Notability is available for free, offering only a set number of edits, but more features can be accessed with a subscription to Notability Lite, and full access to all features with a subscription to Notability Plus. Prices vary depending on region, but in the US and the UK, a subscription to Notability Lite costs around $17.99 / £12.99 per year, and a Notability Plus subscription costs $24.99 / £17.99 per year, a similar price to many of the apps listed in our selection of the best note-taking apps, at the time of writing.

When it came to features, there were no complicated tools or settings menus. The handwriting-to-text and math equation features worked really well, even when tasked with converting my untidy scrawlings. There were two handy notes available to me detailing how to get started and the tools available to me.

It was easy to sync my notes between my Apple devices by popping into settings and enabling iCloud Syncing, so I could view, edit, or delete my notes from any of my devices effortlessly. In order to share my notes with others, I had to go into Manage Accounts via the settings and log in to my Notability account. Doing this also meant that I could have my notes in the gallery – for example if I’d made a template that others might want to use – and meant I could follow other publishers too.

(Image credit: Notability)

The app could be used by professionals, but only for note-taking and to share work with others, as it’s not the ideal app for collaboration. It’s a pretty nifty app for personal use, however, with plenty of free planner and to-do list templates that helped me get organized, not to mention the huge variety of colorful stickers available that made it super easy to jazz up my pages or help to add a visual cue next to certain entries.

This plethora of free stickers plus the easy-to-use tools made it easy for me to create bullet journals and planner spreads from scratch. One tool that worked well but proved frustrating was the eraser, which, for some reason, is set to revert to the previous tool I used once I'd lifted my Apple Pencil from the screen.

Although the large variety of templates supplied by Notability was a big plus, it was a shame that the templates I tried were applied to all pages within my note, so if I found I couldn’t swipe through the pages and apply a different template to each page. This would be fine if I wanted several pages of to-do lists or shopping lists, but was disappointing when my aim was to create a planner for my week with notes, lists, and goals.

(Image credit: Notability)

It only took a couple of taps to share notes as a PDF document via channels like email, and social media messaging, by clicking on the options button from within my note. There was also another option to select allowing me to customize the format, including PDF, Note, JPEG, and PNG file types. I could also decide which pages I wanted to send, as well as if I wanted to include the background paper, add page margins, attach my audio recordings, or password-protect the document.

Sharing documents with colleagues or family members is easy to do: within the note options there are buttons to create and share a link, or stop sharing. If your intended recipient has the Notability app, it can be downloaded as a note and, if not, they can open up the document as a PDF in their browser.

As there's a button in the app to update the linked note from the source account, I assumed real-time collaboration would be possible. As it happened, however, any changes made did not sync to the downloaded note in the Notability app, but would instead update the PDF, which would need to be redownloaded to have the up-to-date note available. This way of working still has its uses, of course, but real-time collaboration would have been more efficient.

In summary, this isn't an appropriate app for streamlined collaborating. But it's very simple to get started with Notability, and there are enough tools and free content to help organize and keep track of projects or personal goals, making this a good option for students, or anyone working solo or on personal projects.

Should I buy Notability Buy it if…

You want simplicity
If you want a straightforward note-taking app that's not boring, then Notability would be a good fit. The tools and settings are easy to master, and every element is satisfyingly uncomplicated.

You want to share documents easily
It only takes a couple of taps to share a PDF of your notes, and just a couple more to adjust the file type, page range, and more if required.

Don't buy it if…

You want to collaborate in real-time
The process to share a link to some of my notes was simple, but the linked content only updates in an uneditable document, as syncing stops when the file is downloaded, even as a Notability note. As a result, this means collaborating with colleagues would be a long-winded process.

You want to create all-in-one planners
It was very useful to have access to a broad range of templates, but it's frustrating that the template applies to every page within the note, rather than individually.

Notability review: Also consider

Evernote
At the time of writing, Evernote is rated as the best dedicated option in our selection of the best note-taking apps. You can create up to fifty notes and one notebook on one device for free, or a subscription can be paid to get access to more features, such as unlimited devices, Adobe Acrobat, 20GB of uploads per month, and features tailored specifically for team working.

How I tested the Notability app

• I used Notability for a week
• I used it to write notes, plan, and create a bullet journal
• I tested out note sharing and all of the features available

I spent a week using Notability as my main format for note-taking and for planning out my week. I also used it to create my own bullet journal.

I reviewed how straightforward it was to get started on the app, and how user-friendly and easy to navigate the interface was. I experimented with the different tools, exploring their different settings and assessing how well they performed. Finally, I tested how easy it was to share files, and how easy it would be to work collaboratively using Notability.

• First reviewed: March 2025
• Read more about how we test

Belkin BoostCharge Pro GaN Dual Wall Charger 45W review

OK, let me take a deep breath… the Belkin BoostCharge Pro GaN Dual Wall Charger 45W… whew… is a two-port model that can get your phone and a second device back to life in no time. That is if they’re not too power hungry.

This model supports 45W single-port charging, or up to 25W via Port 1 and 20W through Port 2 in double-charge mode. That’s enough to activate fast charging on devices like the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE, which I personally own, but won’t be enough to charge more demanding alternatives – like the Honor Magic V3 or modern MacBook models, for instance – at their maximum allowed wattage.

But if that 45W is going to be enough for you, then you’ll likely be satisfied by performance here. I tried charging the Samsung Galaxy S24 FE alongside the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro and my phone got back to 100% from 0% in less than 80 minutes – very impressive. That’s the sort of speeds I’d expect from the best iPhone chargers and best Android phone chargers.

Something that’s worth noting, however, is I did have to use my own USB-C cables for testing. There’s nothing in the box – at least for those of you that, like me, reside in the UK. Sure, it’s not always a given to get a cable in the box, but this would have added a lot of value points for this charger. It is still moderately priced overall, in fairness though, coming in at $34.99 / £29.99 (about AU$55).

Something that was more disappointing for me was the lack of foldable prongs on the UK edition of this charger. If you want to slip the charger into your pocket, it’s impractical to have the prongs poking out. But having said that, this is a super-compact, diminutive model that will easily slot into a bag. It should be able to slot into tight spaces as well, although the ports being positioned on the outward-facing side of the charger does mean that USB-C cables will stick out a bit.

Another thing I picked up on during testing was that this model could get fairly warm when pushed to its limits – perhaps unsurprising given its limited size. It wasn’t getting dangerously hot or anything, but some may wish for the added security of more heat-resistant models like the UGreen Nexode Pro 65W.

But that’s enough moaning. This is a decent looking charger with a glossy white finish. But it’s also available in Black if you want to change things up a bit – that optionality is something I welcome, even if it’s two relatively basic-looking variants. Its solid design, minuscule size and solid performance given power restrictions do make this a tempting option. Of course, it's not without flaws and won’t have enough juice for some of you out there, but if 45W sounds about right for you, this model may well be worth your consideration.

(Image credit: Future) Belkin BoostCharge Pro GaN Dual Wall Charger 45W review: Price & specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Belkin BoostCharge Pro GaN Dual Wall Charger 45W? Buy it if…

You’re short on space
If your power socket is close to, say a bedframe or desk, this tiny Belkin charger could be a neat charging companion. It’s very diminutive, meaning it will likely slot into those tight spaces. It’s worth noting, though, that the ports are positioned on the outside of the charger rather than on its underside – so the USB-C connectors may stick out a little – worth keeping in mind.

You want to charge multiple devices simultaneously
One of the big benefits this model offers is dual-port charging. You can take advantage of both ports at once, with a maximum of 25W in Port 1 and 20W in Port 2, which should be enough to get fast charging on a lot of handsets released in recent years, like the iPhone 15.

Don't buy it if…

You have a more power hungry phone or laptop
One issue this charger faces up to, is that it doesn’t have enough power to enable some modern smartphones and laptops to charge near their maximum levels. For instance, the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra can manage 45W wired charging and the OnePlus 13 can go as far as 80W. Of course, you can get 45W out of this model – but only in single-port mode. If you want a bit more power, I’d recommend going for the excellent value UGreen Uno 100W charger.

You want to use your old USB-A cables
In some regions, like my native UK, there’s no USB-C cable included in the box – which is a shame. And you may not have one of these lying around – though I’d expect you have some old USB-A ones kicking about. But unfortunately, you can’t use these here. Having said that, USB-C is more efficient, and if you really want to use your USB-A cables, there are alternatives that support them, like the Anker 323 Charger (33W) or Anker 335 Charger (67W).

Belkin BoostCharge Pro GaN Dual Wall Charger 45W: Also consider

UGreen USB-C 40W
The UGreen USB-C 40W may not be as powerful as this Belkin model, but I prefer it overall. It looks a bit more premium, has foldable prongs on the UK model and didn’t get particularly hot during testing. Again, this model has two USB-C ports and there aren’t any cables included in the box, but it’s cheaper than this Belkin alternative, meaning it's a great value rival. Read our full UGreen USB-C 40W review.

Under Armour Infinite Elite 2: two-minute review

(Image credit: Future)

New for 2025, the Under Armour Infinite Elite 2 is UA's second crack at the Infinite Elite, a cushioned, comfortable shoe for long distances.

The second iteration features a softer HOVR+ foam underfoot that's also a lot lighter. On the flip side, the upper has been engineered to be more lightweight and breathable.

So how does the Infinite Elite 2 stack up as a longer-distance shoe that's great for slower runs, recovery, or even a daily trainer for those who want a bit more cushioning?

(Image credit: Future)

Out of the box, my feelings about the Infinite Elite were a little mixed. I was really enticed by the prospect of adding a larger, more comfortable shoe for long distances to my rotation, but I have to say these won't be winning any design awards anytime soon.

Flashier options from the likes of Nike might scream form over function to some, but I still really value a good design in a pair of trainers. Under Armour's aesthetic generally is a bit divisive, but I'm not sure anyone could describe these as head-turners.

The stack looks imposing, but the overall vibe is pretty bland and uninspiring. This is a shame because, as we'll see later, they perform well. The colorway reviewed here is the Ares Red / Castlerock, which is probably one of the nicer options on offer.

I also didn't love the feel of the materials. While not too disconcerting, the foam that makes up the sole feels uncannily like the polystyrene you'd find in the box of your new OLED TV. The mesh upper is more pleasant and feels more quality, but generally, the Under Armour Infinite Elite 2 isn't the most stylish option out there.

(Image credit: Future)

Slip the Infinite Elite 2's on, however, and things start to pick up quickly. The Infinite Elite 2 has a 3D-molded sock liner to help cradle your foot, and I found the shoe overall to be extremely comfortable.

The edges of the shoe around the heel took a little softening up (the collar is high and firm), so it wasn't until my third or fourth run that the experience was blister-free, but overall the on-foot experience was extremely pleasant.

I'm happy to report that Infinite Elite 2 runs true-to-size, while the toe box is generous and comfortable, without feeling too roomy or too tight. Those looking for a comfortable fitting shoe are well-catered for here, with no slippage or movement as you run.

The Infinite Elite 2 is all about that big heel stack, an impressive 36mm (the forefoot is 28mm, giving an 8mm heel-to-toe drop) allowing the HOVR+ foam to absorb impacts with ease.

From the first stride, I was impressed with how soft the landing was on concrete terrain and sidewalks, especially given my larger frame.

The feel underfoot is delightful, especially on smooth ground, and they deliver mile after mile in terms of caring for your joints and reducing fatigue.

(Image credit: Future)

While you don't get carbon-plated energy return, the rocker motion gently propels you forward. 8mm is quite generous, so the rocker is more pronounced than you'd find on the likes of the Altra FWD Via, but I loved it. Naturally, these generally aren't a shoe for tempo runs or breaking your PBs, and while you can push the pace in them, you'll find a lot of your energy going to waste.

Best to stick to the longer, slower runs Under Armour is targeting here.

(Image credit: Future)

Thanks to the massive stack, heel strikers will love these, but there's also a generous amount of forefoot cushioning that should see nearly all running styles served well.

Naturally, these are a little on the unsteady side when it comes to stability. If you tend to overpronate or you're running over a lot of broken or uneven ground, the very large stack might betray you on occasion.

I had to catch a couple of wobbles that wouldn't have caught out my Nike Pegasus 41 shoes. As such, I definitely wouldn't recommend this as a shoe for runners who over-pronate, or anyone looking to kick up the dust around tight bends.

The stability isn't bad by any stretch, but the extra give simply comes with the territory of having such a larger, comfortable underfoot structure. If you stick to the slower, comfortable miles, however, the stability is commendable.

Overall, I've been really impressed with the Under Armour Infinite Elite 2. They're extremely forgiving over pretty much any distance, and after a little breaking in are extremely comfortable to wear. These are now my go-to for longer, slower runs, I just wish they were a bit more stylish.

Under Armour Infinite Elite 2: price & availability

• $160 / £145 / AU$220
• Men's and women's options, limited colors

The Under Armour Infinite Elite 2 running shoes are available from Under Armour's website and a host of third-party retailers. Prices start at $160 / £145 / AU$220, although I've seen this discounted in Australia to as little as $132, almost half price. Depending on the territory, you can find up to nine colorways for men and seven for women, with sizes from 7-15 (US) and 5-12 (US) respectively.

That puts the Infinite Elite 2 almost squarely in the bracket of our current long-distance favorite best running shoes, the Altra FWD Via, which retails at $160 / £145 / AU$249.

(Image credit: Future) Under Armour Infinite Elite 2: specifications Under Armour Infinite Elite 2: scorecard Should I buy the Under Armour Infinite Elite 2?

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

You want a cushioned shoe for long distance

The Under Armour Infinite Elite 2 is very forgiving over long distances, perfect for slower runs and recovery.

You run on more even ground

With its larger stack height and squishy cushioning, the Elite 2 excels over more even terrain

Don't buy it if...

You want a stylish running shoe

There are definitely more enticing designs out there when it comes to long-distance shoes

You're an unstable runner

If you over-pronate or generally struggle with stability, or you're running over more uneven terrain, these might be a little on the soft and wobbly side.

Also consider

(Image credit: Future)

Altra FWD Via

Our current favorite for long-distance, slow runs.

Read our full Altra FWD Via review

How I tested

I used the Under Armour Infinite Elite 2 as my primary running shoe for multiple runs of varying pace and distance, but primarily for longer, slower runs. I tested them on a variety of outdoor terrains.

First reviewed: March 2025

This review first appeared in issue 352 of PC Pro.

Logitech’s traditional Rally Bar video conferencing (VC) room solutions offer an incredible range of features, but small businesses may be put off by their size. Enter the Rally Bar Huddle, which steps in below the Mini model, and is designed for meeting rooms of up to six participants.

Width-wise, the Huddle is 170mm shorter than the Mini and weighs less than half as much. Its 4K UHD camera dispenses with the motorized pan, tilt and zoom (PTZ) functions used by its bigger brothers and goes fully digital.

There’s room for Logitech’s standard six-microphone beamforming array for auto-framing of active participants, while audio output is handled by a single downward-firing ported speaker. The graphite fabric magnetic front cover can be swapped out for an off-white fabric version for £109 or a white plastic cleanable cover, which costs £129.

As with Logitech’s other Rally Bars, the Huddle supports three operational modes, and you can connect it to a dedicated room computer or let users bring their own device (BYOD) and load the VC app of their choice. In appliance mode, Logitech’s on-board Android-based CollabOS turns the Huddle into a standalone system, with it currently supporting Microsoft Teams Rooms and Zoom Rooms.

The 4K UHD camera uses digital pan, tilt and zoom (Image credit: Future)

Deployment is smooth. After connecting the Huddle’s gigabit network port (Wi-Fi 5 is also available) we used its web interface to choose BYOD, Teams or Zoom mode. We could access all audio and video settings, run firmware upgrades and enable Logitech’s RightSight 2 video enhancement technology, although only the Group view was available, with the Speaker and Grid views yet to be implemented.

Load Logitech’s Sync app on the host PC and you can add the Huddle to a Sync cloud account for remote management of all your Logitech room devices and room usage analytics. The Huddle also supports Logitech’s optional Tap IP and Scheduler touchscreen tablets.

BYOD mode is easy to use: we connected a Windows 10 host PC to the camera’s HDMI-in port and an HD monitor to its HDMI-out port and used our local Teams, Skype and Zoom VC apps. Configuring the Huddle in appliance mode is equally swift. We chose Teams from the web console and, after a reboot, used the unique code it presented to assign it to our Microsoft 365 account. The Huddle duly appeared in our Teams admin console as a new Teams Rooms on Android device, while our attached Full HD monitor presented the familiar Microsoft Teams interface.

The Huddle can be cloud managed and supports three operating modes (Image credit: Future)

Connect a PC over USB and the Huddle will swap to BYOD mode and back to Teams when you remove the cable, although we noted that in Teams mode the web console was disabled and returning the Huddle to BYOD-only mode requires it to be reset to defaults.

The camera delivers a sharply focused image with good color balance, and its backlight compensation works very well.

Sound quality from the single speaker is easily good enough for small meeting rooms, and we liked the Huddle’s motorized privacy shutter, which automatically closes when a meeting has finished.

The Huddle’s digital PTZ speaker tracking is much faster than Logitech’s other Rally Bars, which can often take up to eight seconds to respond to movement. During a Teams meeting, we wandered around our room as we spoke and the camera smoothly tracked us with delays of no more than three seconds.

Some features are yet to be added, but Logitech’s Rally Bar Huddle is a good choice for small businesses with equally small meeting rooms. Speaker tracking is the fastest of all the available Rally Bars, audio and video quality are good, and Logitech’s integral CollabOS adds extra versatility.

We've also ranked the best apps for small businesses.

This review first appeared in issue 351 of PC Pro.

It’s hard not to fall in love with the Cherry KW 7100 Mini BT, in part because it’s so wee and in part because you get to choose from two eye-catching pastel colors: Cherry Blossom (pink) or Agave Green as pictured. Or you can opt for boring black. Despite its attractive price, the KW 7100 Mini comes with a travel pouch (made from recycled plastic), although it’s only offered in dark grey.

Build quality is up to Cherry’s usual high standards, with its SX scissor mechanism delivering a shallow but satisfying typing action similar to a good-quality laptop. It isn’t up there with mechanical keyboards, but it’s also much quieter. With big Enter, backspace and space keys, I don’t think you’ll struggle to hit high typing speeds despite its slim 295mm width.

The KW 7100 Mini should look just as good on day 500 as it does on day one, with the key lettering protected by a UV coating to guard against abrasions. Those keys are designed to last for more than ten million hits apiece, which is no doubt why Cherry feels confident enough to offer a three-year warranty.

A row of function keys sits at the top, all of which are customizable using the Cherry Keys software. This is almost charmingly basic, and it will take moments for you to assign actions or favorite websites. You also use the F1, F2 and F3 keys to switch between active Bluetooth connections; there’s no USB adapter here, and Apple devices aren’t supported either (it refused to pair with my iPad).

Aside from the sturdy feet that lift the rear of the keyboard for a better typing angle, that’s it for physical features. Backlighting isn’t present, merely LEDs to indicate which Bluetooth channel is active and if the Fn or Caps lock are active. These will also start flashing when the two AAA batteries run low, which will probably be months; all Cherry says about battery life is that it strongly depends on user behavior.

One final word for those who love matching accessories: you can buy a color-coordinated Cherry Gentix BT mouse, but its clicky keys reflect its low price: £16 from cclonline.com.

The KW 7100 Mini BT isn’t for those who love frills, then, nor is it for Apple fans. For everyone else, though, it’s a superb travel-friendly choice.

We also rated the best eco-friendly travel apps.

This review first appeared in issue 352 of PC Pro.

The Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 4 is the most unusual laptop I’ve ever reviewed. Not only does it have a color E Ink display on its lid, but it also features a hinge that lets you swivel the screen 180°. Note that isn’t 360°, which is a shame – I kept trying to twist it in the wrong direction.

So, let’s address the obvious question: why? According to Lenovo, it offers four modes: laptop, tablet, e-paper and typewriting. It also ships with a stylus – although sadly there’s nowhere for it to be stowed – so you can write, annotate and draw on it. I find the Apple Pencil more enjoyable to write with thanks to its greater heft and girth, and while Lenovo’s stylus is precise it’s still no match for a real pen and paper.

The color E Ink display is meant to make reading books and taking notes feel similar to performing the same acts on real paper. It can show anything the OLED panel can, so you aren’t reduced to viewing content made specifically for e-readers. While a novel feature, I wouldn’t recommend it due to the E Ink panel’s low 12Hz refresh rate. Scrolling web pages or documents is choppy, and a ghosting effect (when traces of a previous image remain on screen) adds to the annoyance.

…but the hinged lid allows you to swivel the display by 180º… (Image credit: Future)

Colors on the E Ink panel also look washed out at best, hitting 0.4% (that is not a typo!) of the DCI-P3 color gamut. Still, it’s better to have some color than none at all.

If all you’re doing is reading or using it as a typewriter, then the E Ink display still has its advantages. For a start, it’s easier on the eyes, but it also cuts down on distractions. Switch on the Lenovo Reader mode and you can devour ebooks, while you can use Lenovo Notebook to scribble notes. If the performance is too sluggish, you can also use Reader and Notebook with the OLED display.

This 13.3in touchscreen panel is as vibrant as you would expect, covering 100% of the DCI-P3 gamut with an average Delta E of 0.21. It’s bright, too, hitting 360cd/m2 in our SDR tests and 480cd/m2 with HDR content.

…to reveal a versatile 12.2in color E Ink screen (Image credit: Future)

You can happily watch films on the ThinkBook Plus without headphones, thanks to clear audio and plenty of volume without distortion. Music lovers won’t appreciate the lack of bass on offer, however.

Bearing in mind that Lenovo is pitching the ThinkBook Plus as a typewriter, it’s a shame that it isn’t part of the ThinkPad range with its deep key travel. Still, I found the keys snappy and responsive, and even though this is a compact laptop it never felt cramped when typing (and I have big hands). The trackpad’s small footprint proved more challenging, not always registering my gestures.

While I say compact, I don’t say light. At 1.4kg, this is substantially heavier than the streamlined 13in laptops we see elsewhere, with many now ducking under 1kg. What’s more, they’ll offer far better battery life than the Plus, which gave up after 6hrs 50mins of our web-surfing rundown test. That’s poor.

Finally we come to speed, which is in line with expectations for a laptop with a Core i7-1355U. It’s extremely fast for day-to-day operations, but those who use heavyweight apps or want to play AAA games should look elsewhere. Only one configuration is on sale, with 16GB of RAM and a 512GB SSD, which also restricts usage, but not as much as the fact that Lenovo UK hasn’t announced a release date or price yet.

(Image credit: Future)

So, should you rush over to the US and spend $3,039 on this machine? For the vast majority of people, the answer to that is a straightforward no. That’s a shame, as I really wanted to love the Lenovo ThinkBook Plus Gen 4. After all, it’s not every day you come across a 2-in-1 with a built-in color E Ink display and twistable hinge. As foldable phones have shown, having a device that serves multiple functions is advantageous. But while the idea behind this ThinkBook Plus sounds great on paper, it doesn’t live up to the promise — especially for a device at this price.

We also rated the best digital art and drawing software.

HP OmniStudio X 31.5: One-minute review

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

With Apple stepping away from larger 27-inch-screen all-in-one iMacs, HP seized the opportunity with the OmniStudio X 31.5—a sleek, powerhouse Windows PC that’s far more than just a pretty display. At its heart is a 32-inch 4K IPS screen (or 27-inch FHD option), but under the hood lies serious performance muscle: an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, 32GB of DDR5 RAM, an Nvidia RTX 4050 GPU and a 1TB SSD.

This makes the OmniStudio X more than capable of juggling everything from dozens of Chrome tabs to high-resolution creative workflows in Photoshop and Premiere Pro.

Its setup is refreshingly straightforward, while the design is both thoughtful and practical.

Multiple ports are neatly placed along the rear panel and adjustable neck, and a cleverly integrated pop-up webcam delivers solid performance for video calls and meetings.

The overall aesthetic and functionality make it a perfect fit for offices, libraries, and creative studios alike.

One disappointing aspect of the design is the included keyboard and mouse combo. The keyboard style does a great job of matching the overall desktop but lacks a lift for better positioning beyond its flimsy feel. On the other hand, the mouse isn’t any better as it's simply not very comfortable; especially during long typing sessions.

Priced at $1,660, the OmniStudio X 31.5 offers impressive value. From its high-end audiovisual features to its streamlined yet sophisticated design, this all-in-one desktop balances everyday productivity with creative performance—making it a compelling purchase. That doesn’t mean this all-in-one isn’t without some problems.

Even though the desktop has an Nvidia RTX 4050, it’s not enough for serious gaming experiences. In the modern AAA space, the 6GB of V-RAM just isn’t enough for most games going as low as 1080p.

You can forget about playing games in native 4K, though DLSS upscaling can help at least match the display’s resolution. Add a 60Hz refresh rate limit to the display itself and it’s only so much it can do in that department.

However, if you're looking more for casual gaming sessions between writing a review like this or editing social media content, you'll likely be satisfied with what the OmniStudio X 31.5 has to offer.

For professionals and creatives seeking a capable, visually striking desktop that handles demanding tasks with ease, this all-in-one makes a strong case.

While it falls short in areas like gaming and peripheral comfort, its overall performance and design still deliver a premium experience. It’s not built to be everything, but it nails what it sets out to do—serve as a stylish, high-powered productivity hub.

For those willing to overlook its minor setbacks, the OmniStudio X 31.5 offers a solid, future-forward option in today’s all-in-one desktop market.

HP OmniStudio X 31.5: Price and availability

• Where can you get it? Available now in the US, UK, and Australian territories
• When can you get it? Available now
• How much does it cost? $830 - $1,715 / £1,599.00 - £2,249.99 / AU$3,399 - AU$4,199

Available now in the United States, United Kingdom and Australian territories, the HP OmniStudio X 31.5 can be purchased in various customization options through HP’s online store.

Potential buyers in the United States have the most options available with choices of a 27.5-inch 1080p or flagship 4K 31.5-inch screen. On the lowest $830 tier, users can get the FHD 27.5-inch display with the Intel Core Ultra 5 processor with integrated Arc Graphics, 16GB DDR5 RAM and 256GB PCIe Gen4 NVMe SSD.

For more money, there are options for giving the display touch capabilities alongside a more powerful CPU, RAM and SSD storage.

Even more flexibility is offered on the 31.5-inch UHD model. Our review model with the specs mentioned above comes out at the price of $1,660. There are a few options to push the storage to 2TB SSD alongside Intel Wi-Fi 7 BE200 (2x2) and Bluetooth5.4 wireless card outside of the standard Realtek Wi-Fi 6E RTL8852CE (2x2) and Bluetooth 5.3 wireless card for $1,715.

The HP OmniStudio X 31.5 only comes in one screen size featuring the Intel Core Ultra 7 with RAM, Storage and GPU options ranging between £1,599 and £2,249. Though more options will be available in the future, there is currently only one version right now in Australia for $3,399. That’ll get users the 31.5 UHD display, Intel Ultra 7, RTX 4050, 32 GB DDR5-5600 RAM and 1 TB SSD.

Value: 4 / 5

HP OmniStudio X 31.5: Specs

The HP OmniStudio X 31.5 currently comes in several configurations based around CPU, GPU, RAM and storage options.

HP OmniStudio X 31.5: Design

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

• Set-up is a breeze
• Ports are well-placed and the pop-up webcam is nice
• Keyboard and mouse could use some work

Design-wise, there’s so much to love about the HP OmniStudio X 31.5. Starting with the relatively easy installation process. All users have to do is connect the base to the neck via a pre-installed screw and snap both parts into the back panel of the desktop via USB-C.

The Meteor Silver colorway blends an aluminum material for the base and neck with hard plastic on the actual all-in-one itself. For the display itself, thin bezels on the right, top and left of the display with a bigger one to showcase the HP logo provide enough screen real-estate.

The all-in-one isn’t just sleek looks but also offers serious functionality through port placement alone.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The right side of the neck features a singular USB-C and two USB-A slots. On the rear panel is a singular USB-C, two USB-A, HDMI-in, HDMI-out, ethernet and power ports besides a 3.5 headphone/mic combo jack. On the right side of that same panel is a power button and clickable thumbstick for in-display menu options.

Popping the top of the OmniStudio X 31.5 reveals a 5MP webcam which feels good to push back in once done with it. Posability is respectable with tilt and height adjustment as well.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

As mentioned previously, the sore spot of the design is the included mouse and keyboard. The mouse tries to be something for all sorts of hand sizes and shapes but ends up being uncomfortable for my medium-sized hand. After long-typing sessions, I definitely noticed a bit of hand cramping.

The keyboard works well enough but holding that back is the lack of a level raiser. Both keyboard and mouse unfortunately also require AAA batteries to work which is a shame considering its biggest competitor in the space features rechargeable batteries.

The OmniStudio X 31.5 nails the essentials of modern all-in-one design with a clean aesthetic, intuitive assembly and thoughtful hardware placement. For users prioritizing performance and style in a streamlined package, this all-in-one desktop makes a confident impression right out of the box.

Design: 4.5 / 5

HP OmniStudio X 31.5: Performance

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

• General tasks and creative software performance is top tier
• Gaming performance is a bit wonky
• Audio/visual and webcam capabilities are great

Over the course of a week with the HP OmniStudio X 31.5, I put the all-in-one through a mix of hybrid work tasks, creative projects, and light gaming. The bulk of my day job involved running Google Chrome with multiple tabs open—everything from Docs, Gmail, and Sheets to Asana, Hootsuite, and Wix—without a single hiccup in performance.

Even while managing those apps, I was able to jump into Adobe Photoshop and Premiere Pro to create high-resolution social media graphics and short-form video content, all without any lag or slowdown. That real-world performance aligns well with its PugetBench scores of 7102 for Premiere Pro and 6085 for Photoshop, making it a solid option for content creators who need reliability and speed.

HP OmniStudio X 31.5: Benchmarks

Here's how the HP OmniStudio X 31.5 performed in our suite of benchmark tests:

Blackmagic Disk Speed Test: Write - 2455.8, Read - 2759.9

GeekBench: Single Core - 2133, Multi-Core - 12128

HandBreak: 1.8.2 - 4:50

PugetBench for Adobe CC: Premiere Pro - 7102 , Photoshop - 6085

3DMark: Fire Strike - 17292, Time Spy - 7582, Speed Way - 1827

Assassin’s Creed Mirage: 1080p - 65fps , 3840x2160 - 26

Borderlands 3: 1080p - 60.69fps , 3840x2160 - 16

DiRT 5: 1080p - 65fps , 3840x2160 - 26

One would think having the Intel Core Ultra 7 and Nvidia RTX 4050 would mean some low-to-mid-range gaming experiences. Because the mobile GPU is throttled to a total graphics power of 60 watts, it can barely handle most modern games even with the 6GB of VRAM.

This means many games released over the past five years are going to struggle on 4K settings without DLSS upscaling which doesn’t help much in this case. This is why it’s imperative for users who want to game stick to around 1080p resolution as many of our benchmarks would suggest.

For example, trying to play Ninja Gaiden Black II or Forza Motorsport at 4K even on lower settings turned the games into slide shows while other titles known for their visual prowess like Cyberpunk 2077 and Far Cry 6 wouldn’t run at all. In fact some games like Black Myth: Wukong wouldn’t run at all on low settings at 1080p because of VRAM limitations.

It’s unfortunate because the 4K display truly stands out, especially for work tasks and streaming ultra-high-definition content. The IPS panel delivers vibrant, true-to-life colors, sharp text, and solid brightness levels that make everyday use a pleasure.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

For creatives, the color accuracy is especially impressive, with coverage of 100% sRGB, 93% P3, and 85% Adobe RGB—ideal for design and visual work. It’s a display that thoroughly caters to both productivity and creative precision. The dual 5W speakers featuring DTS:X Ultra provide some nice audio too. Though volume levels aren’t necessarily high and even lose audio quality at their highest setting, mid-levels sound pretty great.

Sometimes while testing, I had a meeting with my therapist and nutritionist through various video conferencing software like Zoom. During those times, video quality was excellent in mid-day lighting conditions and I was told by both individuals that they could hear me just fine.

Users can also utilize the webcam as a bio-metric security for log-in but response time may differ depending on lighting conditions as well.

Performance: 4/5

Should I buy the HP OmniStudio X 31.5 ? Buy it if…

You need an all-in-one desktop with fine performance for general and creative tasks

The HP OmniStudio X 31.5 can handle multiple Google Chrome tabs without breaking a sweat while handling large files for creative software like Adobe Premiere Pro and Photoshop.

You want a superb visual/audio experience

A lovely 4K display that’s crispy yet vivid in colors and dual 5W speakers with DTS:X Ultra capabilities sound amazing.

You require a solid design that looks great and has plenty of ports

Putting the all-in-one together is pretty easy allowing set-up to happen in seconds. There are also plenty of ports behind the display and on the side as well. Using the pop-up webcam feels good as well.

Don’t buy it if…

You need better gaming performance in your all-in-one

More serious gamers are going to be a bit disappointed despite the included mobile Nvidia RTX 4060 GPU. There are some AAA games that work well at low-to-mid settings where some are going to have issues on even the lowest graphical settings.

You want a better packed in keyboard and mouse

The keyboard is above average but lacks any lifts but the mouse isn’t the most comfortable for long sessions.

Also Consider

If our HP OmniStudio X 31.5 review has you considering other options, here are two all-in-one desktops to consider...

Apple iMac 24-inch M4 (2024)

If gaming isn’t a priority and you’re comfortable with a compact 24-inch display, the 2024 iMac delivers exceptional performance for everyday tasks and creative work.

Read our full Apple iMac 24-inch M4 (2024) review

The HP Envy 34

While the HP Envy 34 shares similar GPU limitations for gaming as the OmniStudio, it offers a larger 34-inch ultrawide display and slightly more power at its highest configuration, even with older components.

Read our full HP Envy 34 review

How I tested the HP OmniStudio X 31.5

• Tested over the span of a week
• Used for general computing tasks including Chrome and Zoom
• Played a handful of games including Ninja Gaiden Black II, Forza Motorsport and Red Dead Redemption 2 among others

For the review of the HP OmniStudio X 31.5, we tested various features of the all-in-one desktop over the span of a week. For general computing tasks, Google Chrome served as the base to use services like Docs, YouTube, Asana, Hootsuite and Wix. Creative app capability was split between Adobe Suite software including Premiere Pro alongside Photoshop. Zoom conferencing software was also utilized to test the webcam and microphone combo.

In order to test the visuals of the UHD display, I watched several YouTube videos in 4K which also gave insight into the audio quality of the speakers. Meanwhile, to further test the speakers, I played various music on Tidal. Finally, we played various AAA games to test performance. Games included Cyberpunk 2077, Ninja Gaiden Black II, Forza Motorsport, Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Grand Theft Auto V and more.

First reviewed March 2025

Apple Sport Band review

The Apple Sport Band is a basic, albeit high-quality Apple Watch strap that’s ready for all activity, whether that be a stroll in the park or a run around the block. At $49 / £49, it’s not the cheapest Apple Watch band in the world, but its price is very much in-line with other official first-party accessories, like the Sport Loop, for instance.

This band is made of fluoroelastomer – ideal for sports due to its inherently sweat and waterproof nature. When I went on walks and did a home workout, I never found that the band was irritating on my skin or accrued any kind of damage.

On top of that, it’s super comfortable for everyday use. Even fastening the band on is quick and easy – just poke the aluminum pin through one of the strap’s holes and you’re good to go. That combination of comfort and convenience is a must-have for all of the best Apple Watch bands.

Something I would have liked to see, though, is a few more holes in the strap for fitness activity. That’s something that I loved about the Apple Nike Sport Band, for example, because it offers added breathability when you’re working up a sweat. Another aspect of the Nike Sport Band I appreciated was that it is composed of 30% recycled fluoroelastomer, but the Apple Sport Band doesn’t come with this sustainability pledge.

But enough moaning – I want to get back to the positives again. This band is available in a wide array of colorways – seven to be precise. I tested out the Plum variant, but this strap also comes in: Black; Denim; Lake Green; Light Blush; Starlight; and Stone Gray. All of these look fairly understated, making for a more discreet look, if that’s what you’re after.

In addition, this strap is compatible with three different case sizes: 40, 42 and 46mm. You can grab it either in small-to-medium (130-180mm) or medium-to-large (150-200mm).

Even if this band comes in at $49 / £49, you’re still getting value for money. Sure, you could opt for a third-party alternative – like the Yoohoo Adjustable Metal Strap – for less than $15 / £15, but this will be more prone to scuffs and won’t be so easy on the eye. Meanwhile, the Apple Sport Band has a satisfying material, reliable fastening method and classy looks. That makes it well worth the extra spend as far as I’m concerned.

All in all, I think the identically priced Apple Nike Sport Band beats this one out thanks to its more airy design and vibrant looks. But for anyone that likes a more reserved aesthetic, I’d say the Apple Sport Band is a great option for you. It has that real quality feel and it's super simple to slip on if you’re on-the-go. That alone earns it a recommendation in my book.

(Image credit: Future) Apple Sport Band review: Price & specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Apple Sport Band? Buy it if…

You want an understated look
The Apple Sport Band comes in seven color options. None of these are dazzling and vibrant, but all of them play into a smooth, discreet look very nicely. When testing out the plum band, for example, I never felt that it stuck out like a sore thumb against my clothing.

You want to get fastened up quickly and easily
Just poke the aluminum pin through one of the Apple Sport Band’s holes and bam! It will lock into place straight away. There’s no frustrating buckle or unorthodox contraption to wrestle with here, just pop and go. Simple, yet effective.

Don't buy it if…

You want a cheap replacement strap
If you’re on the hunt for the ultimate bargain option, this ain’t it, I’m afraid. The Apple Sport Band will set you back $49 / £49 – by no means cheap for an Apple Watch accessory. Sure, that’s in line with the Nike Sport Loop, for example, but there are some really cheap third-party alternatives, like the CeMiKa Silicone Sport Straps if you’re looking for savings.

You want a super-classy band
If you want a super swanky band, then you’re in luck – there are plenty of premium alternatives to be discovered on the Apple Store. Options like the Milanese Loop or Hermès En Mer, for instance, carry that air of high class that some of you may be craving – but these options will set you back by at least $100 / £100.

Apple Sport Band review: Also consider

Apple Nike Sport Band
This one’s extremely similar – it even comes in at the same price. But if you want a bit more flair in your watch band’s design, the Apple Nike Sport Band is the perfect option. It has more vibrant, loud color options, eye-catching fluoroelastomer flakes throughout and breathable holes when you need to sweat it out. It’s been my go-to band since I started using the Apple Watch SE, so why not give it a try? Read our full Apple Nike Sport Band review.

Billed as a ‘hardcore action RPG’ (role-playing game), The First Berserker: Khazan from developer Neople lives up to its description by offering a back-breaking, taxing, and demanding soulslike game that doesn’t ever let up, for better and for worse.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC
Release date: March 27, 2025

With some impressive combat and progression tweaks to the genre’s formula mixed in, it also has some solid ideas of its own. Dozens of hours of content, optional side missions, and secrets to find are backed up by some excellent voice work - even if the narrative doesn’t quite match the performance quality.

However, for long-running Soulslike fans, The First Berserker: Khazan’s combat feels on par with Lies of P’s quality. We are now at a point in the genre where developers are able to make combat that is on par with FromSoftware’s work on the iconic Dark Souls series, Bloodborne, and Elden Ring, et al. What is even more impressive is that this is Neople’s first soulslike - and you can’t tell at all.

(Image credit: Neople) A familiar formula

The setup of The First Berserker: Khazan is a familiar one for the genre. General Khazan wakes up after narrowly escaping death upon being branded a traitor and mercilessly tortured. Frail and weak, he stumbles upon an entity known as the Blade Phantom), providing him with grand, otherworldly powers, and allowing him to get back to his full strength.

On that journey, he will regain powers and abilities allowing him to use one of three weapon types while meeting a cast of characters that join him in a hub called The Crevice. They can upgrade his gear, improve his stats, and offer equipment to purchase, from weapons to armor pieces and your usual batch of consumables you can find in a soulslike game.

Khazan then journeys from level to level to seek revenge and become The First Berserker. While the game is set within the Dungeon & Fighter (DNF) universe, I have no experience with the other projects in it, but I found the story to be initially intriguing, offering impressive world design and great visuals and environments that grabbed me from the get-go.

(Image credit: Neople)

It also helps that the voice performances from Ben Starr as Khazan and Anthony Hell as the Blade Phantom, the two main characters you are with for most of the game, are fantastic. The rest of the supporting cast, bosses, and human characters you fight are also just as good. Everyone here does the best they can with the writing which often underdelivers.

As the story goes on, the game piles on lore and terminology that makes it a bit hard to follow for newcomers. The world you are exploring and the rules of it just sort of become an amorphous blob of stuff interjected between each level and boss fight. I’m sure it's really cool for fans of the DNF universe to see their world brought to life in a way it never has been before, but The First Berserker: Khazan doesn’t do a great job of keeping new players invested in it past the first few hours.

(Image credit: Neople) A brutal battering

While I wasn’t thrilled by the story, the combat in The First Berserker: Khazan is just exquisite. No soulslike has challenged me this consistently since I got into the genre with Bloodborne. There are so many adjectives I could use to describe the combat’s difficulty but it is simply one of the hardest soulslikes I have ever played. However, I loved every second of getting slaughtered.

The First Berserker: Khazan is heavily reliant on blocking, parrying, and dodging at the right times to avoid attacks, with even one hit doing significant damage. Precise dodge timing is required and parry windows are even shorter. Missing these will also lower your stamina with each block as you take damage, leaving you vulnerable and unable to move for a few seconds as your stamina fully recovers. It is grueling and there aren’t ways to get around these requirements either, unless you opt for the easier difficulty mode which lessens the effects of a lot of these punishing mechanics. You can’t simply out-level a boss or area.

The game also doesn’t opt for the build flexibility and customization that many soulslikes do these days, instead letting you develop and deepen combat with the three main weapon types (dual blades, greatsword, and spear) as you play. As you kill enemies and bosses, you earn skill points that unlock abilities that you can activate that vary up a weapon's moveset, as well as other moves and passive bonuses that are imbued into the weapon once activated.

I opted for a Greatsword in my playthrough and that allowed me to unlock abilities such as Breakthrough which let me charge into an enemy push them back away from a group and then slam down. Other abilities like Inner Fury summoned an explosion underneath where I was standing, dealing area of effect damage to everyone around me acting as a stun, building up an enemy’s stun meter to land a Brutal Attack while they were immobilized. It also helped with crowd control.

Best bit

The best moment in The First Berserker: Khazan came after finally beating Maluca after almost six hours. The fight is one of the best spectacles in the game, and it is a huge challenge to overcome, requiring you to master almost every aspect of combat from managing your stamina, knowing when to stun him, and honing your parries to deflect quick sword combos.

Within the skill tree, there are also additional combat moves that you can seamlessly slot in between attacks, such as being able to use a charged heavy attack with some added reach after performing the first hit in a light combo or being able to guard as you charge your heavy attack. There is even a ranged Spear attack that you can use.

This is the first time I can remember a skill tree and traditional combat abilities working this well in soulslike and I loved the fluid, dynamic nature of fighting in The First Berserker: Khazan as I unlocked more skills with a weapon. There’s an exceptional flow I got into as i combined attacks and seamlessly interweaved moves that became addicting. It’s all supported by excellent sound design and music, with the clink of a parry and the swoosh of a perfect dodge being especially satisfying.

Of course, combat is nothing in a soulslike without enemies, and The First Berserker: Khazan has a wealth of them. Skeletons, humans, demons, dragons, and more litter the game’s 16 levels and many bonus missions. They all have a great, varied selection of attacks and I never had issues with struggling to understand which moves were being telegraphed. The only downside is there are a few too many brown and grey villages and areas where you fight these enemies, that lack the flair seen early on and towards the end of the game.

Bosses, however, are exceptional and always a spectacle. The way their attacks and the visual effects combine together to create grand, herculean challenges is an aspect of the game that never gets old. Each one also challenged me in entirely different ways, requiring different approaches almost every time and forcing me to adapt to new combat styles.

Endure and try to survive

However, the sheer amount of attacks to learn, the parry timing, and the damage these bosses do, combined with the demanding combat is a lot to endure. I spent several hours on every single boss, sometimes spending more than five hours trying to finish them off. For example, Aratra, a giant spider has a number of stabs and swipes it can perform with its legs, a few jumping grab attacks, as well as a charge that requires you to block half-a-dozen successive hits. It also can inflict poison with its attacks, forcing you to manage a poison meter at the same time.

Another boss Rangkus, offers a unique blend of both ranged crossbow atatcks and melee attacks, forcing you to adjust to his constantly shifting moveset that switches between the two styles. You not only have to block, parry, dodge, and close the gap on him, but you also need to manage your position in the arena to stay close to him, preventing him from doing his more punishing area of effect attacksor charged crossbow shots that are almost impossible to dodge.

The First Berserker: Khazan has some of the hardest bosses I’ve ever experienced in the genre because they all ask so much of the player. While it felt like being in the trenches in the moment, the exhilarating jubilation I felt after beating each one is a feeling I haven’t felt in the genre in a very long time. Combat is really quite exceptional and to have something of this quality come from a studio’s first soulslike game is impressive.

(Image credit: Neople) Ideas of its own

While The First Berserker: Khazan definitely borrows a lot from the games that came before it, there are a few interesting twists to the formula, most of which work. For example, you can actually provide larger damage and stamina recovery boosts to Khazan beyond the traditional five stat upgrades you get from the currency enemies drop. By finding Vengeance Points, you can boost these stats universally across the game’s levels which encourages you to explore thoroughly as there is a meaningful reward for doing so.

You can also perform similar upgrades by using items gained from the red enemy summons or spirits to boost your own summon, enhancing their damage and strength during boss fights, giving you a reason to actually fight them and invest in your summon if you want. Although the AI isn’t that great on your summon, they can be used as a punching bag for a boss to let you land some free hits.

There are also a lot of fun twists and optional bonus missions, such as fighting a boss again in a new form or exploring an area from a main level in a new way. There are also a few collectibles to find in these and the main missions that can provide a variety of extra bonuses, armor pieces, or gear. I really enjoyed doing these and chasing these items. Being encouraged to explore in this way for tangible rewards made the linear-level design more intriguing as I scoured every crevice for secrets.

The one area that the game offers a twist on the soulslike formula here - that doesn’t really work - is the amount of gear (weapon and armor) customisation options. You can craft gear, upgrade gear, rework attributes and stat bonuses on gear and entire gear sets, sell that gear for money and buy other gear, and even dismantle gear.

It’s a lot of ways to use your unwanted items, but I never felt the need to engage with any of them meaningfully. I was still just using everything I obtained while exploring and making use of gear sets and the bonuses granted by them. I never felt a need to actually think about crafting a gear set or dismantling gear to save up for a specific item from the blacksmith. It largely just feels tacked on because I got so much gear as I was playing.

Should you play The First Beserker: Khazan? Play it if...

You're a veteran of the genre and looking for a challenging Soulslike
The First Berserker: Khazan is one of the most demanding soulslikes in the genre. There is little room to make mistakes in a fight and you will need to perfect your ability usage, dodges, and parries to survive against tougher enemies and beat bosses.

You're a fan of the Dungeon & Fighter (DNF) universe and keen to see it realized in a whole new way
This is the first big-budget triple-A action RPG in the universe and it offers a brand new way for fans to see the world they love come to life. It also has robust mechanics and gameplay to support that world-building and lore.

Don't play it if...

You're looking for an accessible and approachable soulslike with a lot of flexibility
The First Berserker: Khazan offers no meaningful accessibility options or gameplay adjustments besides an easier difficulty. However, once you choose that difficulty, you can’t bump it back up to normal. Additionally, you have to learn how to parry, dodge, and master almost every core combat mechanic, you can’t find easy workarounds or broken builds here.

You're looking for a narrative-driven soulslike with an easy-to-follow, quality storyline
Despite some great voice work, the writing and storyline here aren’t anything you haven’t seen before in the genre or other action games. It’s a by-the-numbers revenge tale and the writing often lets down the amazing performances. It’s also hard to follow for newcomers to the DNF universe.

Accessibility features

The First Berserker: Khazan includes aim assist for ranged weapons and an easy difficulty for those who are finding the combat too challenging. However, once you choose easy difficulty, you can’t change the difficulty back to normal, and the game doesn’t have any fine-tuning options for combat such as adjusting the parry window. The combat also doesn’t have much wiggle room to make things easier with upgrades and you can’t customize button mappings outside of the two default templates.

There are also no options for people who are colorblind, visually impaired, deaf, or have motor and reaction time problems besides some very minor adjustments such as hold to sprint, turning screen shake off, and basic subtitle options.

(Image credit: Neople) How I reviewed The First Berserker: Khazan

I played The First Berserker: Khazan for 30 hours completing the majority of the game’s main missions and finishing most of the side content. I played the game mostly in performance mode on PS5 with a DualSense Edge PS5 controller on a Gigabyte M28U gaming monitor and using SteelSeries Arena 3 computer speakers.

The First Berserker: Khazan tested me in much the same way Bloodborne did when I tried the genre in 2015. Since that year I have played almost every game in the genre including Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Elden Ring, Demon’s Souls, Lies of P, The Surge, Lords of the Fallen, Ashen, Darksiders 3, and more.

First reviewed March 2025.

Huawei FreeArc: One minute review

With audio brands and tech companies announcing open-ear earbuds left, right and center, it was only a matter of time before Chinese giant Huawei got in on the action too.

It was only minutes into the testing for this Huawei FreeArc review, though, that I understood these to be some of the best open-ear buds on the market right now. Huawei’s onto something here!

The reason for this is simple: as of their release, the Huawei FreeArc are the best-sounding examples of this form factor, and that’s a really impressive selling point given how earbuds like this work.

For those who aren’t familiar, open-ear headphones like these dangle the earbud over your eardrum, instead of plonking it straight in there; this means you can still hear sounds beyond your music. Useful for people in busy areas or who need to hear announcements, but less useful for audiophiles as having a bud centimeters from your ear can spell doom for well-tuned music.

Not with the FreeArc, though. Music has an impressive soundstage, sounds delicately tuned and maintains bristling energy. The best compliment I can give to Huawei is that I often forgot I was listening to open-ears.

Two enthusiastic thumbs up in the audio department, then, although the FreeArc do struggle just a little in a few other departments. The battery life is one, with the 23-hour lasting power of the case in particular an area that might dissuade certain buyers.

If you’ve got an Android phone, you’ll also find the app install process an absolute pain, as you have to side-load multiple apps through APKs. The process is only suitable for technophiles, or someone who can rope in a tech-savvy relative or friend to help.

OK so great-sounding, just slightly annoying to set up? Yes, but we're missing the big draw. Huawei has priced these buds to sell, making them some of the most affordable open-ears on the market right now.

You can overlook a few of issues in tech with competitive pricing, and the Huawei FreeArc do benefit from that when you consider their feature set. But purely from a sonic perspective, these are an absolute steal at the price.

Huawei FreeArc review: Specifications Huawei FreeArc review: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• Announced in February 2025
• Priced at £99.99 (roughly $130, AU$200)
• Not on sale in Australia or US

The Huawei FreeArc were announced in February 2025, at the same time as a slew of rivals, and went on sale shortly afterwards.

You can pick up the buds for £99.99 (roughly $130, AU$200) so they’re priced competitively against many of these competitors. There’s no US or AU pricing at the time of writing and I don’t expect the buds will go on sale in either region.

There are a few open-ear buds priced around that general area, or a slight amount cheaper, but most competitors cost up to 50% more. So Huawei has put out a really tempting option here.

Huawei FreeArc review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Mid-sized charging case
• Comfortable and reliable bud fit
• Temperamental touch controls

The Huawei FreeArc comes in a square carry case; it’s not the smallest I’ve ever seen from open-ear buds, but it’s definitely at the smaller end of the spectrum.

The case measures 67.8 x 67.8 x 26.5mm and weighs 67g, and it has basically what you’d expect from an earbuds case: place to lay each bud, a pairing button, and a USB-C port for charging.

The buds themselves weigh 8.9g so they’re not the lightest open-ears I’ve ever tested, but the difference is just a gram or so and they are by no means heavy. Like most open-ears (although not ear-clip/cuff designs – see the Bose Ultra Open), they consist of the main body as well as a sports loop that circles and slips behind the ear, which in the Huawei’s case ends in quite a pronounced teardrop shape.

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

I found them reliably comfortable and lightweight to wear, and they didn’t shift much during exercises or runs, a problem some other open-ears have. Instead they’re firmly held pretty close to the ear, so you can hear your music well.

The buds’ body supports gesture controls, but I found them a little bit temperamental in picking up my touch. You’re meant to be able to swipe to change volume, double tap to pause or play songs and triple-tap to skip songs, and while the tapping ones worked well, I had to fight with the buds to pick up swiping.

The charging case doesn’t have any protective certification but the earbuds are IP57, which was a pleasant surprise to see given that most rivals are IP54. The ‘5’ in common means that they’re dust resistant and the ‘7’ means that they’re waterpoof up to a depth of 1m for half an hour, whereas most rivals are simply splash-proof. I don’t think this means that you should swim with the buds, but it still means they’re protected from the elements.

You can buy the FreeArcs in black, white or pale green, and as you can tell from the images, my review sample was the former.

• Design score: 4/5

Huawei FreeArc review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• Battery life is 7 hours (only 23 for case)
• App has convoluted installation process
• Could do with extra features

The feature set is the Huawei FreeArc’s Achilles Heel, so let’s get the criticisms out the way upfront.

Firstly, the battery life isn’t amazing. At 7 hours of listening per bud, it’s not awful, though plenty of other buds (especially open-ears) beat it. But worse is the charging case, which only gets you 28 hours of listening, a stat that’s got to be one of the lowest I’ve seen in buds like this.

My biggest issue was that downloading the Huawei AI Life app, to unlock extra features, was an absolute pain (on Android, at least, but on iOS it’s simple). To get it on my Realme phone I had to download Huawei’s AppGallery (as an APK on my browser, as it’s not on the Play Store), which took some convincing on my phone, then use the AppGallery to download the AI Life, convince my phone to let me side-load apps from this app, and then set it up via this app. It’s a lot of faff and it took me about 10 minutes, which is approximately 9 and a half minutes more than this process generally takes me during reviews.

(Image credit: Future)

I’m not entirely convinced that the process is worth it either. It mainly lets you find your earbuds if you’ve misplaced them, manage which devices your buds are connected to, and change what the gesture controls do.

The main feature of the app is access to four music presets (default, Elevate for workouts, Treble boost and Voices for boosting vocals). You can also make your own, which gives you access to a 10-band equalizer.

Unlike at least one contemporary rival (that would be the Honor Earbuds Open) there’s no active noise cancellation, no low latency mode and no gimmicky AI feature – yes, I’m looking at the Honor Earbuds Open's AI translator here. None of these are ubiquitous in open-ears so I can’t detract points for that, but the FreeArc do feel like they’re missing some kind of USP.

• Features score: 4/5

Huawei FreeArc review: Sound performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Large 17mm x 12mm drivers
• Impressive sound stage
• Could have done with ANC

The core selling point of the Huawei FreeArc is that they’re the best-sounding open-ear earbuds I’ve tested to date. That’s not the biggest compliment in the world, given that the form factor naturally leads to worse audio (the speaker is dangling away from your ear, of course, and bass clout is usually the first casualty), but I was still impressed with how the FreeArcs sound.

The most palpable and immediately-obvious positive of the FreeArcs’ audio is the soundstage: it’s unprecedented for open-ears, and I was surprised to be able to pick out the strums of guitars and range of piano keys when I was listening.

Music is energetic and exciting, zealous and crisp, and it was a joy to listen to my favorite workout songs and actually hear the details in them. Admittedly, lots of my excitement came from the sheer fact that I could make out individual lines in songs (I hate to harp on, but open-ears generally sound pretty bad), but the Huawei’s do sound great.

Each earbud has a single 17mm x 12mm driver, which is bigger than I can recall seeing in past open-ear headphones, and that might go some way in explaining the quality of the Huawei FreeArc's sonic performance.

I would have liked to hear a little more bass in the FreeArc, as it ended up sounding just a touch underwhelming during workouts when I wanted a bassy kick. The aforementioned Elevate mode does improve things in terms of bass clout, but it also makes more complex songs sound oddly ‘crunchy’ and distorted, so I stopped using it.

It was almost a shame to listen to such high-quality audio in open-ears – it sounded amazing when listening in quiet environments, but as soon as I left the house or went somewhere busy, the extraneous noise that can't help but enter your ear makes it hard to appreciate the detail. ANC would be a blessing on these buds.

• Sound performance score: 5/5

Huawei FreeArc review: Value

(Image credit: Future)

Given that Huawei tends to release premium products, I was surprised to see the FreeArcs go for £99, which makes them fairly affordable as open-ears go.

They'd be decent value if they only had 'good' sound quality, but the fact that they sound great really helps cement the Huawei FreeArc as one of the best-value open-ear buds you can buy right now.

• Value score: 4.5/5

Huawei FreeArc review: scorecard Huawei FreeArc: Should I buy?

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

You're an audiophile

If you care about audio fidelity but still need to use open-ear headphones, the FreeArcs are your go-to pick.

You're on a middling budget

While I can't recommend the Huawei FreeArc for people on a low budget, those willing to spend a middling amount will find these a great pick..

You have an iPhone or Huawei mobile

I've waxed lyrical about the app installation pains, but this isn't an issue for people who use iPhones or Huawei devices.

Don't buy them if...

You wait a while before charging

The FreeArcs' battery life isn't awful, but the case charge is. If you don't often get a chance to power up your gadgets, their 23-hour lasting time might not cut it.

You don't listen when it's quiet

Due to their design, you can only make the most of the Huaweis if you listen somewhere quiet. If you only use earbuds in noisy environments, you might not appreciate these buds.

Also consider

Honor Earbuds Open

These buds cost a little more and don't quite match the Huawei buds in sound, but their battery life is better, plus they offer effective active noise cancellation (I know, it shouldn't work, but it does).

Read our full Honor Earbuds Open review

OpenRock Pro

Fitness users should look perhaps to the OpenRock; they have an incredible battery life and a sturdy design – don't expect quite the levels of sonic brilliance as the Huawei or Honor options above though.

Read our full OpenRock Pro review

How I tested

I listened to the Huawei FreeArcs for two weeks before writing this review, and the testing process coincided with that of two rivals: the Honor Earbuds Open and the EarFun Openjump, which helped me better understand all three.

I used the Huawei FreeArc alongside my Android smartphone for most of the review, and also paired them to my Windows laptop at several times. Mostly I listened to music on Spotify but also tested podcasts, games and TV shows. I tested them at home, in the office, on walks around my area and also for various workouts (road cycling, running and gym workouts).

The FreeArcs are the latest of many products I've reviewed for TechRadar; I've been doing so for over six years and have reviewed headphones, smartphones, tablets and more.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed: March 2025

Satechi SM3: Two-minute review

(Image credit: Alex Blake / Future)

Satechi has been making Apple-esque accessories for a few years now, with keyboards, mice, charging docks and more on its roster. But in all that time, it’s never made a mechanical keyboard – until the SM3 came along.

Satechi has opted to kick off its mechanical range with a full-size board that features a numpad on its right-hand edge. It looks great and will fit in neatly with your Apple devices, but it also works perfectly well with Windows PCs.

The key switches feel a little heavy and there’s only one switch choice. Satechi has opted for its own proprietary switch, making it harder to know how the board will feel before you buy. That holds it back, and we’d prefer more choice here. Looking beyond that, it’s got plenty of connectivity options, making it well suited to people who find themselves typing on different devices during the day.

Satechi SM3: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $119.99 (about £93 / $190 AUD)
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available globally

The Satechi SM3 costs $119.99, which is about £93 or $190 AUD. That’s not an outrageous price to pay, especially for a full-length board.

Satechi SM3: Design

(Image credit: Alex Blake / Future)

The SM3 is Satechi’s first full-length, 108-character keyboard. That means it comes with a numpad on the right-hand side, along with a couple of bonus keys for connecting the device to Bluetooth, 2.4GHz, or over a cable.

My review unit came in a simple, attractive gray and white colorway, but there’s also a darker version available. Both come with 14 different backlighting patterns (some of which are a touch distracting) but it only shines in white – there’s no RGB here. That white backlighting was often hard to see in daylight against the white keycaps, making discerning keys with a quick glance trickier than it should have been. There was no issue in low light, though.

Image 1 of 2

(Image credit: Alex Blake / Future)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Alex Blake / Future)

This is a slimline keyboard with low-profile keycaps (there are a few spare Windows ones in the box), and that helps it fit neatly into a bag on your travels, provided your backpack can accommodate the keyboard’s full-size length. The keycaps are removable, but any replacements need to fit Satechi’s proprietary switch stems (more on that later).

The SM3 is also impressively lightweight for a large keyboard, weighing in at 1.42lbs (648g) on my scales. For comparison, my Keychron K8 – with its smaller tenkeyless design – weighs 1.96lbs (889g). The Satechi SM3 comes with an aluminum top and sides, while the underneath is made from sturdy plastic.

Around the back are two pop-out feet to prop the board up. Although there are two height options here, they’re both at a fairly shallow angle. It would have been good to have an option for a higher incline. There’s also no wrist rest, but that’s not a huge problem.

Satechi SM3: Performance Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Alex Blake / Future)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Alex Blake / Future)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Alex Blake / Future)

The Satechi SM3 is a mechanical keyboard, but it only comes with one switch: a proprietary brown tactile option. It’s a little heavy and sluggish in use, and after a few days I noticed some finger fatigue from having to press harder than I’m used to. A more lightweight configuration would have been welcome. The switches are not hot-swappable, either, so if they don’t feel right to you, you’re stuck with them.

This is definitely not a gaming keyboard, but it’s surprisingly viable for this usage. I played a range of titles, including fast-paced shooters and much more sedate games, and in both cases the keyboard stood up reasonably well. You won’t find any gamer-specific features, but the low-profile keycaps were easy to find by touch in the heat of battle. The main issue is the board’s length, and I found my mouse hitting the edge of the numpad at times.

(Image credit: Alex Blake / Future)

I did have occasional issues with certain keys not registering when pressed, and this seemed to mainly affect the space bar and left Shift key. There were no issues with ghosting in my testing, though.

You can connect the SM3 to two devices over Bluetooth, one using the 2.4GHz receiver, and one with the included USB-C cable. Switching over Bluetooth takes about a second and just requires you to press a single button on the keyboard. You can also change layouts between Windows and macOS, and the keys to do this have “Mac” or “Win” helpfully printed on their keycaps.

Disappointingly, there’s no companion app to assign macros and reassign keys, and the SM3 is not compatible with QMK or VIA.

Should you buy the Satechi SM3?

(Image credit: Alex Blake / Future) Buy the Satechi SM3 if…

You like the Apple aesthetic

This board will fit in well alongside Apple’s devices.View Deal

You want a numpad

The extended layout is ideal for numpad users.View Deal

You work on the go

It’s not the smallest board, but its lightweight design won’t weigh you down when it’s in a backpack.View Deal

Don’t buy it if…

You prefer lighter switches

Satechi’s proprietary switches are quite heavy.View Deal

You want more switch options

You only get brown tactile switches here, and they’re not hot-swappable.View Deal

You like customising your keyboards

With no QMK/VIA compatibility and no Satechi-made companion app, you can’t assign macros or customise the device.View Deal

Satechi SM3: Also consider

Logitech Signature K650

Our pick for the best keyboard, the Logitech Signature K650 comes with a full-size layout and low-profile keycaps. It’s not got mechanical switches, but it is very reasonably priced and is packed with extras. Read our full Logitech Signature K650 review View Deal

Razer Pro Type Ultra

One of our favorite mechanical keyboards is the Razer Pro Type Ultra. You get a full-size layout and a superb typing experience, although its lack of low-profile switches means it’s not as lightweight or portable as the Satechi SM3. Read our full Razer Pro Type Ultra reviewView Deal

How I tested the Satechi SM3

I tested out the Satechi SM3 in both work and gaming scenarios, using it to type all day long and game in the evenings. I also paired it with both a Mac and a PC and tried it on both machines to see how well it fared with the different key layouts.

First reviewed March 2025