Reviews

The USG LITE 60AX is Zyxel’s latest secure small business router. As with other Zyxel appliances, the hardware and software setup is straightforward. The device includes two 2.5G Ethernet ports, four 1G ports, and a 4x4 Wi-Fi 6 radio. It connects seamlessly to the Nebula mobile app through the WAN, providing control and status of the network over the cloud.

Under the hood, a Quad-core ARM CPU with one gigabyte of RAM guarantees excellent packet processing times even with multiple clients connected to the unit. The firewall does not provide a serial console port, while status LEDs at the back hinder troubleshooting as they are hidden. The plastic unit can topple easily when many connections are made to the backports. The lack of mounting holes and heat dissipation vents means the firewall can only be placed on a flat surface.

Zyxel USG LITE 60AX: Price and Availability

The USG LITE 60AX costs $199 and comes with a five-year warranty. For this price, the user gets the basic Zyxel firewall package, including remote access from the cloud. Enterprise features such as SSH access require a premium license, which costs $456 annually. The smaller firewall version, the SCR 50AXE, supports Wi-Fi 6E for the same price but features a weaker processor.

Zyxel USG LITE 60AX: Design

The Zyxel 60AX ships in a large box with only one RJ45 cable and a 12V AC power block. The white plastic case is recycled and has a red front tab to match Zyxel’s colors. It measures 16 cm by 6.5 cm by 2.3 cm for a weight of 700 g. The case lies flat or upright on a table, with no mounting hole. A small plastic tab at the bottom rotates to become the router’s stand, keeping it stable when cables are plugged into the back. A multicolor LED hiding beneath the red plastic tab shows the router's state.

The built-in switch offers two 2.5GbE ports for WAN and LAN connections and four gigabit LAN ports. Each port has a pair of LEDs to show link status and speed. A recessed button enables resetting the unit if it becomes unstable or slow. The router's power consumption maxes out at 31W. An AX6000 class access point with speeds up to 1.2 Gbits/sec on the 2.4GHz radio and 4.8 Gbits/sec on the 5GHz channel makes accessing the Internet a breeze, even with multiple clients connected simultaneously.

Under the hood, the 60AX features one application processor for the firewall and router. The design is based entirely on Mediatek’s chipsets and includes an MT7986 ARM-based quad-core CPU, two radio transceivers, and a high-performance seven-port switch. A one-gigabyte DRAM provides data storage for the processor while 512MB of NAND flash holds the router application and supporting software.

(Image credit: Future) Zyxel USG LITE 60AX: In use

The 60AX offers protection against hackers and ransomware beyond what a regular router typically provides. The subscription-free software includes an intrusion blocker and a firewall that filters access based on ports and IP addresses. The device also consists of the ever-useful ad blocker and cloud accessibility, allowing control from anywhere with an internet connection.

The installation is simple and allows the router to be used in minutes. Thanks to a Bluetooth interface, the setup is done with a smartphone, similarly to any Zyxel appliance. The mobile app, available on Android and iOS phones, scans a QR code at the bottom of the case. The router is then ready to be used with a few clicks. A firmware upgrade step might be necessary at the end of the setup.

The 60AX acts as a security router between the Internet provider’s modem and the LAN, actively monitoring and filtering inbound and outbound packets with a throughput of up to 2 Gbps, decreasing to 300 Mbps when used as a VPN. The router offers up to four VLANs, which is somewhat limited compared to competitive products. The 60AX consumes about 25W under normal load, with four devices actively surfing the net, which increases to a maximum of 31W when the CPU is under stress.

(Image credit: Future) Zyxel USG LITE 60AX: Competition

The Zyxel 60AX security router competes directly with firewall products like the Firewalla Gold. Zyxel's advantage is the router’s seamless integration into the Nebula cloud. The price is also competitive, at less than $200. The 60AX has a built-in Wi-Fi 6 4x4 radio, which the Gold does not have. This firewall not only filters out unwelcome access but also acts as an Ethernet switch and a Wi-Fi access point, which makes $200 look like a bargain.

Zyxel USG LITE 60AX: Final Verdict

The 60AX bundle features that cost several times more than the unit. First, the firewall goes beyond content and attack filtering with additional extras such as a built-in AdBlocker. A Wi-Fi 6 access point and a multi-gig Ethernet switch are also included. The user eventually saves on the electricity bill and space compared to having multiple items to do what the 60AX is doing.

On the negative side, Zyxel could have chosen a newer Wi-Fi standard, such as 6E. We also are not a fan of the round casing, which topples over more than the average switch.

Buy the Zyxel 60AX if ... you need an all-in-one router with a built-in firewall and priced reasonably well.

Don’t get the 60AX if ... you want a speedy Wi-Fi 7 connection or three or more 2.5 Gb ports.

We've listed the best secure routers.

When you think of big PlayStation games, The Last of Us, God of War, Uncharted, or Sony's plethora of lauded franchises may pop into your head. Bend Studio's Days Gone is probably an afterthought.

While many loved the open-world zombie survival game, which sold over eight million copies, it was released in 2019 to a mixed critical reception. According to a report by Bloomberg, despite being profitable, this and its lengthy development process resulted in Sony rejecting the studio's pitch for a sequel in 2021.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5
Available on: PS5, PC (as Broken Road DLC)
Release Date: April 25, 2025

However, six years after Days Gone's release on PS4, there's been a resurgence brewing. Not only is a Days Gone movie in the works, but Bend Studio has taken another bloody swing at bringing Days Gone to the hungry hordes with the release of Days Gone Remastered on PS5 – a good time to do it, given its zombie cousin The Last of Us' TV success.

Back in the saddle

(Image credit: Sony)

Days Gone Remastered certainly makes this survival adventure look better. Its enhanced lighting and shadow quality make the nights eerier and the sun-kissed days brighter and the improved graphical fidelity means the zombie-like Freakers are considerably more detailed.

Though, it's hard to appreciate the realistic faces of those Freakers when you're sprinting from this remaster's impressively huge Hordes in the new Horde Assault mode, which offers a serious challenge for those who just want to kick zombie ass. If you're a real glutton for punishment, you could always try the new Permadeath mode, which puts you back to the beginning of the game (or the second act) when you die.

The most welcome addition to this remaster, however, is the new accessibility features, which have become a staple of Sony's first-party offerings in recent years. Alongside options to customize the game's contrast, toggle on quicktime event autocompletion, remap your controller, and add UI narration, there are also options to adjust the game speed (giving you more time to react) and enable an audio cue that beeps when you're near a collectible.

Best bit

(Image credit: Sony)

The Collectible Audio Cue is a dream come true for Platinum Trophy hunters. When enabled, you will hear beeps when you're near a collectible. As you get closer to the collectible, the beeps get louder and faster. Essentially, it's like playing the Hot and Cold game.

What this remaster cannot fix are the core issues some (including me) had with the original. The story is still tedious, with clunky pacing, and some cringeworthy, inauthentic dialogue. It's like someone who watched Sons of Anarchy decided "this is what a biker would say."

The missions also become very repetitive the more you play: go to the job giver, ride your chop-shop motorbike to the place where the baddies are, kill baddies, go back to the mission giver.

I had reservations about playing Days Gone again, but actually, I enjoyed it this time. At least, for a while. Sure, it's pretty generic, and the story is nowhere near as gripping or well-told as The Last of Us or God of War, but there's something satisfying about riding the roads, forests, and mountains of Oregon on a Frankenstein bike I've been working to buy parts for, feeling the subtle rumble of my bike through my DualSense Wireless Controller.

I tried to enjoy the ride, embrace the tedious, and not set my expectations too high – but even then, my enjoyment of Days Gone Remastered ran out of gas before the finish line.

Bugged the hell out

(Image credit: Sony)

Days Gone Remastered begins with Mongrels MC member Deacon St. John desperately trying to get help for his wife, Sarah, who's stabbed amidst a chaotic evacuation in post-apocalyptic Oregon. With not enough room in the helicopter to take him and his best pal, Boozer, Deacon opts to stay with the "Boozeman" and regroup with Sarah later.

We then fast forward two years, and Boozer and Deacon are Drifters, outlaw bikers running jobs for nearby (somewhat questionable) camp leaders to make credits and survive in "The Shit." There's no sign of Sarah, but as you progress, a picture of what happened to her and how she and Deac got together becomes clearer.

Uncovering the story of Deacon and Sarah should be heart-warming, and at times it is, but the story's pacing and the many other story threads mean it gets a bit lost and doesn't get room to breathe. This isn't helped by the awkward writing, which can be downright cringeworthy and boring. The story does become more interesting as you progress, but often it feels like a slog, and the structure is inconsistent.

What's more, you're constantly bombarded with radio calls from others while riding, reminding you of what you're doing and repeating the same information in different ways. It ruins the joy of exploring the world when Boozer's constantly calling you up like a helicopter mom to ask what you've been up to.

It's a shame because the world is beautiful. The enhanced graphical fidelity means the flora and fauna of Oregon's forests, mountains, and lakes look much better than ever before. The nights are darker, too, thanks to enhanced lighting, which makes it particularly eerie when exploring abandoned houses and shacks at night, praying a horde doesn't descend upon you.

When the day comes, the blazing sun peaks around the mountains, casting realistic shadows through the trees and making you hope Deacon's got some sunscreen in his inventory. More impressive still is the rain and snow, which impact your riding and vision (and encourage more Freakers), but the snow flurries and rainstorms are so immersive that you can let that go.

(Image credit: Sony)

While the map is big, it's manageable and full of (mostly) abandoned houses, caves, gas stations, and more to investigate and collectibles to find. Exploration provides some relief from the repetitive missions, which become particularly frustrating the further into the game you get. Many of those aforementioned radio calls are camp leaders asking you to drop by to pick up a job, which typically involves hunting down someone, clearing a Marauder or Ripper camp, or getting rid of Freakers holed up somewhere.

Initially, these missions feel like they have a story purpose, but eventually, it feels like a violent game of fetch. The main story missions can be similar, but usually have more depth to them or task you with sneaking and not hurting anyone. You learn more about the character you're with and maybe visit a new area, but they can seriously drag on.

The sluggish pacing of some of these quests is frustrating, especially when you have to just walk with a character or ride with them as they talk for several minutes. While some of what they say provides context and helps with character development, it feels like you're a hostage being force-fed background; it's shoehorned information that could be integrated more naturally.

The main issue is that it doesn't feel like there's an overarching story here. There are lots of quest lines, but it's unclear if Days Gone is mainly about Sarah, the camps and their survival, or Deacon himself. That lack of direction means it can feel like you're floating in the wind at times, unsure of what your actual aim is, except for riding all over the map, completing jobs, and trying to align your moral compass.

Riding the open road

(Image credit: Sony)

While the story is lacklustre, Days Gone Remastered's combat is thoroughly satisfying. There are plenty of weapons and skills to unlock to improve your combat capabilities, but there's nothing quite like embedding an axe (or any hand-crafted melee weapon) in a Freaker's head, or burning them to cinders with a Molotov.

The types of Freakers don't vary greatly; you mainly deal with scrambling Swarmers who become bounty fodder as you progress, or savage marauders and Rippers.

The real challenge comes in taking out Hordes. These huge groups of Swarmers work as one entity, and there's nothing like the pure fear (and adrenaline) of attracting one's attention and then legging while the brutal mass chases you down. Hordes are Days Gone's niche, and thanks to the remaster's Horde Assault mode, you can take on even bigger ones.

The Horde Assault mode tasks you with gaining a set amount of points to unlock new maps and increase your level. Increased levels give you access to Injectors with negative or positive effects: positive ones help you in the game, but negatively impact your final score, while negative ones do the opposite.

Once let loose on the map, you can take out fodder Swarmers and other Freakers to gain points, allowing you to unlock supply cases to get better supplies and weapons. In the corner, however, is a timer that counts down to when a Horde is unleashed on you, so you better be ready. Taking out Hordes gives you more points, but becomes increasingly difficult over time, and these Hordes are way bigger than the ones in the story mode.

If you're after a challenge and want to skip the biker runs, Horde Assault will satiate you. If you're a true sadist, you can always try the story mode's Permadeath mode too, which puts you back to the start of the game (or the second act) if Deacon dies.

It couldn't be that easy

(Image credit: Sony)

Days Gone Remastered comes with two visual options: Quality mode and Performance mode. Performance mode means the game can run at up to 60fps (as opposed to the 30fps of the PS4 version), at the cost of some visual quality.

Quality Mode allows for greater resolution (up to 4K), but at the cost of framerate. Both run well, with the Quality mode better suited to exploring and the Performance mode worth putting on during combat, especially with Hordes.

Days Gone Remastered isn't always a smooth ride, however. The game has some serious audio balance issues, even with audio settings adjusted for my setup. NPCs' voices are muffled and quiet, or dialogue is almost entirely drowned out by background noise. This is particularly noticeable early in the game and when rescuing hostages, but occurs during some cutscenes, too. I'm not the only one who has had this issue, either.

Other, minor, but annoying bugs include Deacon and his bike falling through hills and his struggles to line up with and talk to an NPC when you hold Square as instructed.

The DualSense Wireless Controller compatibility, however, is pretty good. I enjoyed the subtle implementation of haptic feedback from the DualSense when riding my bike and the varying resistance of the adaptive triggers, which allow for more control over acceleration.

What I found most useful, however, is the ability to swipe the touchpad to easily open menus and the map. I just wish it were as easy to navigate the crafting/quick menu on the go, as it can be fiddly, especially in combat.

Should I play Days Gone Remastered?

(Image credit: Sony) Play it if…

You love The Walking Dead and Sons of Anarchy
Days Gone is pretty much The Walking Dead meets Sons of Anarchy. If you enjoy those shows, you'll likely love this.

You enjoy horror, but not the scares
If you like the idea of horror in your games but haven't the nerve for serious scares, you can handle Days Gone Remastered. While the Hordes can be frightening, there are few jump scares or overtly terrifying elements in this game.

Don’t play it if…

You want a riveting narrative
Days Gone's story isn't the most gripping, and its pacing is pretty poor, so don't expect the usual riveting PlayStation first-party offering. If you're mainly after some zombie-smashing fun, this is probably the game for you, but if you want a story that will stay with you, you'll likely be disappointed.

Accessibility

Days Gone Remastered boasts a heap of accessibility options that weren't available in the original.

Some highlights include a High Contrast mode, the ability to adjust Game Speed (a huge help with Hordes), UI Narration, subtitle customization, controller remapping, a collectible audio cue, and a field of view slider.

During this review, I had a wrist and thumb injury, so I found several of the QT event options particularly helpful. I set button-bashing QT events to a hold option instead, and enabled the auto-complete QT events option when needed.

How I reviewed Days Gone Remastered

I played Days Gone Remastered for over 35 hours on PlayStation 5 on a Samsung Q80T QLED TV using the DualSense Wireless Controller.

During that time, I played most of the main story campaign, completed several side jobs and quests, and spent some time with the Horde Assault Mode.

At launch, I played 2019's Days Gone, so I was able to make comparisons between the original game and this remaster.

First reviewed May 2025

Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack: review

The Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack is a power bank perfectly designed for charging smartphones, tablets, and other small devices, thanks to its multiple ports, 45W of power, and a large 20,000mAh capacity.

It certainly looks stylish for a power bank, with its pebble-like finish adding an element of organic chic. The rather prominent seam between the two panels is a little jarring, though, and detracts from the overall smoothness of the Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack.

It’s also quite large, even for a power bank with this kind of capacity. Some of the best power banks with similar or even higher capacities are smaller than this. Build quality is good – there’s some flexing to the panels, but not to the extent that I’d be concerned.

The Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack has three charging ports, all of which are USB-C, which is somewhat unusual for a power bank, as many incorporate other connector types. This may deter users who’d want more versatility and concessions made for older devices in the form of a USB-A port or two, for instance.

However, given the increasing ubiquity of USB-C, I’m quite happy with this configuration. All ports are positioned on one end, which may be a little restrictive for some; a more even distribution around the entire unit may have improved flexibility, but this isn’t a major issue.

Despite its large size, the Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack has no digital display: all you get are four LED dots to indicate the battery life of the bank itself. These are quite small and placed next to the ports, which obscures them from view somewhat.

What’s more, the LEDs don’t activate at all when charging devices, either to indicate charging or remaining battery life (you’ll have to press the power button every time to reveal the latter). This lack of interface is particularly disappointing on a premium power bank such as the Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack.

At least it has super fast charging, and can charge three devices simultaneously. It managed to charge my Google Pixel 7a, which has a 4,385mAh battery, from empty to full in about two hours, which is a decent performance.

After charging, all four of the bank’s LEDs remained lit, indicating that at the very least, the battery didn’t deplete by more than 30%, which is impressive and means you should get about 3-4 charges out of it.

The Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack is one of the more expensive power banks with this spec, although we have seen it on sale for considerably less. The JUOVI J2621, for instance, is cheaper, but has the same power and capacity, and even has four ports instead of three, two of which are USB-A. It’s similarly hefty, though, which might deter ultra-light travelers.

Ultimately, if you want plenty of USB-C ports in a stylish package, the Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack is a solid choice – but perhaps wait for a sale to maximize its value.

(Image credit: Future) Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack review: price & specs

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack? Buy it if…

You want something stylish
The smooth texture and mottled design is quite attractive, and the beige colorway makes it less austere than other power banks.

You mainly have USB-C cables
With three USB-C ports, the Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack is great if all your devices come with USB-C-to-C cables, as they increasingly do.

Don't buy it if…

You want a slim power bank
The Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack is still quite big relative to other similarly capacious power banks and not ideal for pocket carry.

You have older devices
If you’ve got older devices with USB-A cables or other aging connector types, you’ll need USB-C cables or adapters to get them connected (the Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack comes with a USB-C-to-C cable).

Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack review: Also consider

JUOVI J2621 20000mAh 45W Power Bank
If you’re after a power bank with the same power and capacity, then the JUOVI J2621 is another viable option. This has similar dimensions to the Samsung 45W 20000mAh Battery Pack, but it has four ports instead of three, two of which are USB-A, which offers more versatility. What’s more, it’s cheaper, too. Read our full JUOVI J2621 20000mAh 45W Power Bank review.

Printique photo book: review

The Printique photo book service offers a great option for whipping up a personal gift for a loved one or presenting your photography portfolio in its best light. It offers a wide range of pre-formatted themes, while allowing you all the flexibility you need to design a truly custom photo book from scratch.

If you’re just looking for quick and easy results, Printique’s photo books offer plenty of templates to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a clean and classy wedding photo book, a striking photography portfolio, or a photo album of your pet pupperino, there are a good number of options – although at 88 themes, its options are dwarfed by the more than 500 options listed by Mixbook. Just select a template and Printique will apply it to your whole project, then all you need to do is drag and drop your chosen snaps into the provided frames.

For those who want a little more customizability, Printique also provides layouts you can drag into individual pages and spreads in your photo book. From full-bleed images that span both pages to inset grids of thumbnail-size pics, these make it easy to include more variation in layouts and really adapt your book to fit your photos, rather than the other way around.

But what if you don’t want to color within the lines? What if you want to make a completely original photo book from scratch? Well there’s good news: building my own DIY Printique photo book was a snap, easily rivaling the best photo book services.

Placing images is simple: I just dragged my photos onto the page and they’d be added as image frames. On top of this, Printique’s built-in snap functionality made it easy to align them with each other or clip them to each spread’s margins. It even allows for really granular control over the size and position of image frames: the pop-up menu’s Properties section let me manually set images to specific dimensions and XY coordinates, as well as checking the DPI of each one to ensure it would print at a decent resolution.

There was the occasional bug here though – some images stubbornly insisted on defaulting to weirdly specific decimals like 4.97 inches, and resisted all of my attempts to set them to a whole integer. Odd behavior, but ultimately not a deal breaker.

Recreating the colored blocks and ribbons from TechRadar’s photo book test template was also pretty painless. Printique offers a range of shapes that you can add to your projects, and these are all super-flexible: I could precisely control their dimensions, add borders, and apply drop shadows from the properties menu. I was also able to change their color by entering a HEX code, setting RGB values or dragging a cursor to set saturation or brightness. However, the latter exhibited some odd behavior – changing either value would cause the color I’d chosen to creep away from my chosen hue, which occasionally proved irritating when I had a specific tone in mind.

(Image credit: Future)

Adding captions and credits to my photo book was also easy. Once I’d dropped a text box onto the page, I quickly was able to choose the font, size, styling and alignment. A small time-saver I especially appreciated is the ability to save chosen font settings as a style, which made it easy to achieve a consistent look for text throughout my photo book.

Thanks to some extra settings, it’s possible to get really creative with your layouts. First, Printique provides a wide range of shaped frames that allow you to show off your pics in rounded, slanted or even letter-shaped frames. While some of these are potentially a bit cheesy – star-shaped frames anyone? – they do add a high degree of flexibility that allows you to create some sleek, professional-looking designs.

You can also add extra flourishes and detail to your photo book using Printique’s background and sticker tools. Backgrounds offer everything from customizable block colors to a wide array of illustrations and patterns. Meanwhile, the stickers allow you to add pre-formulated text and illustrations to your photo book, from inscriptions about love to holiday iconography. Personally, some of the stickers aren’t to my tastes, giving things a distinctly clip-art vibe, but there are still a lot of choices there that could make useful ornaments to your text.

You will have to pay a premium for such powerful tools, however. Printique’s photo books were marginally more expensive than some of the other services we've tested. A 12 x 12 inch photo book cost $145.78 including delivery (roughly £112), whereas Shutterfly cost $132.5 (roughly £102) and Mixbook cost $133 (£102.25). It’s only a tiny price increase though, and I would argue one that’s more than worth it, given the flexibility of Printique’s platform.

(Image credit: Future) Printique photo book review: performance

The printed photo book we received from Printique offered very high-quality results, with extra-thick pages and consistently good color and accuracy. Hues looked excellent throughout, whether it was a bright, sunny photo or more nuanced fog with creamy bokeh.

All of the photos were arranged perfectly, exactly as we set them, with no printing errors or unexpected margins. The book excels at photos that cross the binding, with a consistent look that feels mostly unbroken, allowing for very large spreads. I especially liked the brightness of the print and paper on our magenta TechRadar signature cover pages. Branding from Printique was minimal, but still present.

The heavy feel of the Printique photo book adds a nice bit of gravity to photos with the weight of the paper. I was almost worried that I would tear the heavy paper as I turned the pages, but the book held its binding nicely, and the photos feel even more special on such a thick presentation. This would make a fine photo book for wedding photography, very special occasions, or to highlight the best shots in your portfolio.

The pages may be a bit too thick if you're printing a large volume of work, and I still worry about those thick pages tearing with constant turning over the years. But for making a selection of photos feel extra premium, Printique’s photo books are a great choice.

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Printique photo book? Buy it if…

You want a high degree of customizability
Whether it’s precisely controlling image dimensions, adding shaped image frames, including shapes in every color of the rainbow, or stamping your book with illustrations, you’re free to customize your photo book your way.

You want a polished final product
With quality tactile paper, vivid colors and unerringly precisely alignments, Printique's photo books are finished to an excellent standard, making them a gorgeous gift for loved ones.

Don’t buy it if…

You want big savings
There are cheaper photo book services out there. While Printique offers one of the best services we’ve tried, you can absolutely save some money elsewhere.

You want a huge array of ready-to-go templates
Printique has a decent number of templates for you to start plugging your photos into, but if you don’t care about customizability and just want the most prefabricated options, services like Mixbook offer many more.

Printique photo book review: also consider

Mixbook
With over 500 templates locked and loaded, Mixbook is a great choice if you want a no-hassle layout without needing to get into the nitty-gritty of creating your own designs. However, during our Mixbook photo book review we did find there were a few marks left by the printing process, so it’s worth bearing this in mind if you’re considering it for a gift.

Mimeo
For sheer simplicity, Mimeo can’t be beat – its stripped-back offering allows you to just get on with the design without having to wade through too many options. However, it is pricey. Creating a 10 x 10-inch layflat photobook – the closest you can get to the 12 x 12 inch one we created here – will set you back $169.51 (£133.11) and that’s not including the $13.99 (around £10.80) shipping fee. Read our full Mimeo photo book review.

How I tested the Printique photo book

• I exactly recreated TechRadar’s photo book test template
• I spent many hours using the platform and experimenting with templates
• I have over a decade’s experience working in print and design

At TechRadar, we use a set photo book template that we attempt to recreate using every photo book platform we review. I followed this as closely as possible, sizing images according to precise measurements, adding colored shapes in specific hues and shades, and recreating captions and credits in specific fonts and styles, allowing me to assess how easy it was to recreate specific designs that users might have in mind.

Our US Mobiles Editor Philip Berne then assessed the final product, analyzing its overall quality and finish, and comparing it to the template to identify any potential errors in the printing process.

Additionally, I spent several hours playing around with the platform’s templates, layouts, shaped frames and illustrations to see how effective its off-the-shelf design elements were.

I’m an experienced photographer, having spent many years shooting both on my Canon DSLR and my iPhone 16 Pro. I’ve also spent many years working in print, creating layouts for magazines and doing post-production on images, meaning I've spent a lot of time using design tools for producing printed products.

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

Sony Inzone M9 II: Two-minute review

As someone who uses a single monitor for both PC and PlayStation 5, the Sony Inzone M9 II really feels like it was made to meet my specific needs.

A follow-up to the popular Sony Inzone M9, the II eschews the white PlayStation look and bulky tripod stand design. Although I did like the unique appearance of the original M9, the stand of the II is undeniably more practical, with a more generous tilt adjustment range and full 360-degree pivot that makes finding the perfect angle a breeze.

The refreshed aesthetic does help emphasize that this is a monitor intended for use with a PC, too, and ensures that it no longer seems out of place on your desk.

Despite coming in a little cheaper than its predecessor at $799.99 / £899, the II also packs some small, but nevertheless appreciated, spec upgrades. This includes slightly better brightness (which now peaks at 750 nits rather than 600) and a boosted 160Hz refresh rate.

(Image credit: Future)

As the PS5 can only output at a maximum of 120Hz, this latter change was clearly made with PC players in mind, and helps this model hold its own against some of the best gaming monitors aimed at the PC audience right now.

This faster refresh rate, paired with the 1ms GtG response time, and not to mention built-in 24.5-inch mode, could also make the Sony Inzone M9 II a great pick for those who enjoy high-intensity PC esports titles like Counter-Strike 2 or Valorant.

Thanks to a wealth of console-specific features, it’s also one of the best monitors for PS5 and PS5 Pro - full stop. It’s got full variable refresh rate (VRR) support, plus Auto HDR Tone Mapping to automatically calibrate brightness for your PS5 during setup. There’s even an Auto Genre Picture Mode that detects the title that you’re playing and dynamically adjusts the picture to match the likes of FPS titles or RPGs.

The built-in speakers lack bass and can be a little tinny at higher volumes, but they are surprisingly decent overall. That means console players used to the generally superior sound systems of a gaming TV won’t have to run out to pick up an extra pair right away.

It’s easy to lament the use of an IPS LCD panel, especially when OLED options are available from competitors at around the same price, but I don’t have any practical complaints about the 27-inch 4K display here.

It’s bright and responsive, with accurate colors and HDR10. Everything from Assassin’s Creed Shadows to Forza Horizon 5 and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered looks absolutely stunning, cementing the Sony Inzone M9 II as a superb all-rounder.

(Image credit: Future) Sony Inzone M9 II: Price and availability

• Retails for $799.99 / £899
• Slightly worse value in the UK
• Expect occasional sales

The Sony Izone M9 II retails for $799.99 / £899. This pricing means that it is slightly worse value in the UK, which is a little disappointing and could weigh on your decision if you’re buying in that market.

Although early Inzone products were marked by their eye-wateringly bad value prices (I’m looking at you, Sony Inzone M3), the Sony Inzone M9 II is actually reasonably priced given its spec.

It comes in a bit more expensive than similar options like the Gigabyte M32UC, though it benefits from a significantly more premium overall design that makes the added cost worthwhile in my book.

If you’re after a 4K screen on a tight budget, alternatives like the Asus TUF Gaming VG289Q could prove tempting as they come in at less than half the price of the Sony Inzone M9 II. Just bear in mind that there are noticeable compromises, including significantly higher response times and noticeably lower refresh rates.

The Sony Inzone M9 II is quite good value, then. I recommend it at full price, but, judging by the discount patterns of other Inzone products, I would expect occasional sales to come along and make it an even better proposition.

The monitor is readily available via the Sony website, in addition to the usual retailers like Amazon, Best Buy, and Walmart in the US and Amazon, Argos, and Very in the UK.

Sony Inzone M9 II: Specs Sony Inzone M9 II: Design and features

• Easy assembly process
• Low profile base
• Plenty of adjustment options

I’ve never had a bad experience putting together a Sony Inzone monitor and the Sony Inzone M9 II is no exception.

It’s well packaged, with the monitor, stand, and its base secured separately in plenty of polystyrene foam. To assemble, you simply screw the bottom of the base onto the bottom of the stand and clip it all into the back of the monitor. It took me about fifteen seconds overall and did not require the instruction manual.

As I’ve already mentioned, the Sony Izone M9 II has a radically different design compared to the original M9. It’s black instead of white and has an entirely redesigned stand. Rather than a tripod, the Sony Inzone M9 II is held up by a single thick column on a circular base. It’s quite similar to the design of the stand on the Sony Inzone M10S, which was released at the same time, after all, though a bit chunkier on the whole.

With a radius of just under 3.5in / 9cm, the base is still rather compact for a monitor of this size, which makes it easy to fit on a desk - even if you have limited space. The stand can also pivot, offering a smooth 360 degrees of rotation. This is surprisingly handy, ensuring that you can quickly rotate the monitor to show something to a friend or simply adjust it slightly to better suit your current position.

The monitor can be tilted downwards by five degrees or upwards by 25, so you won’t have any trouble finding the right viewing angle either. The height can also be adjusted by 5.1in / 13cm, which is more than enough leeway to raise or lower it to a healthy height in most setups.

(Image credit: Future)

On the back right-hand side of the monitor is the power button, alongside a well-sized thumbstick for accessing the on-board settings menu.

The menu here is well organized and easy to navigate, but I’d still recommend installing the compatible Inzone Hub PC app, which offers a slightly more in-depth level of tuning.

There’s also a small white power indicator LED built into the side of the display. It is completely invisible from the front, which is a good thing as it stops it from becoming distracting in the corner of your eye, though can still be disabled in the software if you prefer.

You will find all the expected ports at the bottom of the monitor. There’s a DisplayPort 2.1 connector, 2 HDMI connectors, a USB Type-B input (for enabling the USB hub functionality), and two corresponding USB Type-A outputs.

A Type-C port would certainly be a bonus, but given how many peripherals still use USB Type-A, its absence is not that big of a deal. There’s also a third USB Type-A port that’s clearly labelled as being used for software updates via a USB stick only. Lastly, you get a 3.5mm headphone jack for hooking up any compatible audio devices.

In terms of features, you get pretty much everything that you would expect from a premium gaming monitor. It supports Full Array Local Dimming for enhanced contrast, in addition to meeting the VESA Certified DisplayHDR 600 standard.

(Image credit: Future)

On PC, you benefit from a speedy 160Hz refresh rate via a DisplayPort connection, in addition to Nvidia G-Sync support. On PS5, you have VRR and Auto HDR Tone Mapping. The monitor also automatically detects when a PS5 is detected, enabling a pre-tuned PS5 profile.

This is all on top of the usual array of display modes (I’d recommend turning off Auto Picture Mode and sticking to the DisplayHDR profile for the most life-like look in most situations), plus optional settings for on-screen frame rate counter, crosshair, and timer.

Sony Inzone M9 II: Performance

• Brilliant for PC, perfect for PS5
• A bright, smooth picture suited to a range of genres
• An ideal all-rounder

Out of the box, the monitor was in its Power Saving mode, which unfortunately looks rather dim and makes for a lacklustre first impression.

Still, when you turn that off and enable HDR, the resulting picture is fantastic. Despite not being an OLED panel, colours are bright and blacks are surprisingly deep. 4K video is absolutely stunning, while general web browsing and office work benefit from the 160Hz smoothness and highly detailed image.

You likely won’t pick up the Sony Inzone M9 II purely for productivity, though, and gaming does not disappoint. As I used the Sony Inzone M9 II for multiple months, I experienced an extremely wide range of games on it. Highlights on PC include Counter-Strike 2, which is delightfully smooth at 160Hz, in addition to lots of Sid Meier’s Civilization 7, where the detailed models in its diorama-like world come through with excellent clarity.

Hitman World of Assassination benefited hugely from the crisp 4K and cheerful brightness in the sunny stadium of the fictional Miami Global Innovation Race, while the moodier aesthetic of the Dartmoor map showcased the monitor’s strong contrast. Again, this is not an OLED panel, but it still delivers colors that are just as vivid as some of the OLED models that I’ve tried.

(Image credit: Future)

It was a similar story over on PS5, where I played through the bulk of Assassin’s Creed Shadows, sunk hundreds of hours into the latest Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 season and tried out Forza Horizon 5 and Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered in addition to many other games. The VRR support was a gamechanger in Assassin’s Creed Shadows in particular, where its Balanced preset appears significantly smoother than on monitors without it.

It’s plenty smooth, but on PS5, you are still constrained to a maximum of 120Hz. If you’re buying purely for use with a console, do bear in mind that you won’t benefit from the true refresh rate capabilities of the Sony Inzone M9 II.

Unlike the more expensive Sony Inzone M10S, the Sony Inzone M9 II also packs some built-in speakers. Will they blow your mind? No, but they’re certainly good enough. At 50% volume, sound is clear and accurate with a decent level of detail. It lacks bass, but acceptable audio still puts them in the upper echelons of gaming monitor speakers. They can go impressively loud, which is good, but as you begin to crank that volume up, the sound becomes a bit more tinny.

If you are viewing the Sony Inzone M9 II as quite a significant investment, you can take comfort in knowing that you won’t need to run out to buy an expensive separate set of speakers to experience your favorite games in an enjoyable fashion right away.

Should you buy the Sony Inzone M9 II? Buy it if...

You want an all-round gaming powerhouse
The Sony Inzone M9 II is a superb all-round option, delivering excellent performance in a wide range of game genres. It’s got plenty of features and even some decent built-in speakers.

You play on both PS5 and PC
The Sony Inzone M9 II is at its best when you own both a PC and PS5 and use them both on the same display, as it supports a range of features for both platforms. If that’s you, then this monitor is well worth its asking price.

Don't buy it if...

You want to save some cash
Although it is a fair price, the Sony Inzone M9 II is still quite an expensive monitor. There are cheaper 4K options out there, especially if you don’t mind skimping on the overall design and build.

Also consider

Not convinced by the Sony Inzone M9 II? Keep these alternatives on your radar.

Sony Inzone M10S
If you’re more of a PC player, then I’d recommend the Sony Inzone M10S. It’s one of the best monitors that I’ve ever tested, with a beautiful but functional stand and a blazing-fast 480Hz OLED panel. It is 1440p, however, so intended for competitive shooter players first and foremost.

Read our full Sony Inzone M10S review

Gigabyte M32UC
A titan of affordable 4K monitors, the Gigabyte M32UC frequently goes on sale and is the one to choose if you want to save some cash. It has loads of features and a speedy 144Hz refresh rate, though it definitely lacks the premium materials and design of the Sony Inzone M9 II.

Read our full Gigabyte M32UC review

(Image credit: Future) How I tested the Sony Inzone M9 II

• Tested for multiple months
• Evaluated with both PC and PS5
• Tried with loads of different games

I tested the Sony Inzone M9 II for more than two months, using it as my primary monitor for the entirety of that time.

I used it extensively with both PC and PS5, in addition to some light Xbox Series X gaming. During that time, I used it for hours of web browsing, office work, and playing countless games.

On PC, highlights included Counter-Strike 2, Resident Evil 4, Split Fiction, Cities Skylines 2, Sid Meier’s Civilization 7, Persona 3 Reload, Hitman World of Assassination, and Inzoi.

Even some smaller indie games like Monster Prom 4: Monster Con looked great, with the monitor’s vivid colors really complementing the expressive art style.

On PS5, games tested included Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, Horizon Zero Dawn Remastered, Days Gone Remastered, The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, Forza Horizon 5, Zenless Zone Zero, and Assassin’s Creed Shadows.

Throughout my time with the monitor, I compared my experience to my hands-on testing of other gaming monitors, including the more premium Sony Inzone M10S.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed May 2025

Nike Vomero 18: Two-minute review

(Image credit: Future)

The Nike Vomero 18 is new for 2025 and is Nike's new king of cushioning. Replacing the Invincible 3, the Nike Vomero 18 combines ZoomX and React X foam, as well as the largest stack height we've ever seen in the Vomero line, 46mm.

They take their place as the third shoe in Nike's recalibrated road running line-up, alongside the Structure range for runners who overpronate, and the popular Pegasus 41 as an everyday trainer.

The Nike Vomero 18 is absolutely a high-mileage shoe designed for slower runs, recovery, and long distances. You won't be setting any track records in them, but as a big, squishy shoe, they're definitely some of the best running shoes out there.

(Image credit: Future)

The Nike Vomero 18 contends with another recent shoe I tried, the Under Armour Infinite Elite 2. Whereas the Elite 2 is a really disappointing package from a style standpoint, the Vomero 18 looks exquisite. We picked them up in the new Men's Barely Green/Hyper Crimson/Barely Volt/Metallic Silver, and I have to say they're absolutely stunning.

The colors are electrifying, although there are more neutral tones available if these look a bit much. The overall silhouette is really impressive, and once on they really stand out. If you want a head-turning trainer for the gym or road, this is a prime contender.

The upper is extremely soft and cushioned, and the whole trainer screams quality. Another gripe of mine with the Elite 2 was the rather cheap-feeling foam. By contrast, the Nike Vomero 18 shoes feel much more premium and exude build quality.

(Image credit: Future)

Stepping into the Vomero 18 for the first time, I was immediately struck by how cushioned and soft the interior felt overall, however, there's one standout catch. Compared to other shoes I've used – including Nike's own Pegasus 41 – the Vomero 18 feels extremely snug.

During all my testing, I found the Vomero 18 to be ever-so-slightly too small at my standard size 10, and on reflection, I would recommend sizing up to pretty much everyone. Coupled with the pronounced arch, the fit is extremely close and feels ripe for going up .5 on the size charts.

(Image credit: Future)

Built with long, slow, steady-state runs in mind, the Vomero 18 has a pronounced 10mm heel-toe drop and an enjoyable rocker design. That's more than the aforementioned Elite 2, and might put some folk off, but I've generally found the rolling motion of the Vomero 18 to be extremely pleasant.

(Image credit: Future)

The combination of the ZoomX and React X foams serves the Vomero 18 extremely well. Compared to the Elite 2, they're still squishy and soft (possibly moreso), but are much more stable by contrast.

I've had absolutely no wobbles or complaints despite the elevated stack height, and the Vomero 18 is very pleasant to run in, mile after mile. With the enormous heel stack, these will naturally favor heel strikers, however, there's so much cushioning on the shoe in general that they'll suit pretty much everyone.

While on the slightly heavier and bulkier side, the Vomero 18 shoes don't feel overly cumbersome, and I've had no concerns with overheating.

Nike Vomero 18: price & availability

• $150 / £135 / AU$220
• Men's and women's options, six colors
• Size up

The Nike Vomero 18 running shoes are available from Nike.com and a host of third-party resellers in the US, UK, Australia, and beyond.

Priced at $150 / £135 / AU$ 220, they have been extremely popular since their launch in February 2025 and are often sold out on Nike's website. As such, they're extremely difficult to find at a discount.

As noted, the Vomero 18 is too snug to be described as true to size. I'd recommend sizing up half a size. If you can, be sure to test these out at your local running store, or buy them from somewhere you can return them if the size isn't right. Most retailers will let you return shoes within two weeks, provided you haven't used them outdoors.

• Value score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future) Nike Vomero 18: specifications Nike Vomero 18: scorecard Should I buy the Nike Vomero 18?

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

You want a striking long-distance shoe

The Nike Vomero 18 is definitely one of the most stylish long-distance options on the market.

You want brilliant cushioning

The Vomero 18 offers some of the best cushioning I have experienced in a running shoe.

Don't buy it if...

Your feet are on the larger side

The Vomero 18 are very snug; for some, even sizing up may not be enough.

You want a lighter, speedier shoe

The Vomero 18 shoes are fairly weighty and won't see you setting record times.

Also consider

(Image credit: Future)

Altra FWD Via

Our current favorite for long-distance, slow runs, also with a rocker.

Read our full Altra FWD Via review

Under Armour Infinite Elite 2

A slightly more comfortable, but far less stylish alternative.

Read our full Under Armour Infinite Elite 2 review

How I tested

I used the Nike Vomero 18 as my primary running shoe over a number of weeks, testing them at a variety of speeds and distances.

First reviewed: May 2025

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation: two-minute review

The latest version of the Beosound A1 by Bang & Olufsen is the best yet – and when you consider how well-regarded the previous two versions were, it follows that this 3rd Gen is something special.

As you might expect from this brand (and as you’re likely to demand at this price), the A1 3rd Gen looks and feels like a high-end product. There's a heated debate among TechRadar's US and UK staff over whether the A1 Gen 3 looks more like a muffin, a crumpet or a bombolone, but whichever baked (or fried) breakfast (or teatime) treat works best for you also works for us. Yes, it looks like that, but in the most premium way. The materials used in its construction are relatively lavish, and build quality is unarguable. Its modular design means it can be repaired, and its battery can be replaced – both of which are good things and certainly help it all the way into our roundup of the the best Bluetooth speakers at its size and weight.

And between multipoint connectivity, aptX Adaptive compatibility, 60 watts of power, an IP67 rating (meaning it's up there with the best waterproof speakers too), plus a USB-C socket that can be used for data transfer as well as for charging, the A1 3rd Gen is pretty well-specified too. Only a lack of Auracast compatibility sounds a mildly false note.

Best of all, though, is the sound. The Beosound is a robust but deft listen, detailed and dynamic in equal measure, and able to present recordings with a nice open character at the same time as ensuring they sound unified and together. It’s short of ultimate scale, of course – a product of this sort of size is almost bound to be – but in every other respect it’s an engaging, revealing and thoroughly entertaining listen.

(Image credit: Future) Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation review: price and release date

• $349 / £299 / AU$639
• Launched on May 6, 2025

The Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Gen is on sale from today (7th May 2025) and in the United Kingdom it’s priced at £299. It’s $249 in the United States, and in Australia it goes for AU$639. Which means that no matter the territory in which you’re shopping, it’s priced like a premium device – which, in turn, means it’s Bang & Olufsen business as usual.

(Image credit: Future) Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation review: specs Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation review: features

• Bluetooth 5.1 with aptX Adaptive compatibility
• 60 watts of Class D power
• USB-C can be used for data transfer

The Beosound A1 3rd Gen uses Bluetooth 5.1 for wireless connectivity, and it’s compatible with SBC, AAC and aptX Adaptive codecs. That Bluetooth standard means it won’t support Auracast, though multipoint connectivity means your speaker can be connected to two sources at the same time. Once your digital audio information is on board, it’s dealt with by a digital-to-analogue converter of unspecified type and resolution, and then served up by a two-driver array. A 15mm tweeter and 83mm mid/bass driver each receive 30 watts of Class D power, in an arrangement Bang & Olufsen claims is good for a frequency response of 54Hz - 20kHz.

The adoption of aptX Adaptive is a step forward for the A1, but this 3rd Gen model dispenses with Amazon Alexa voice control and wider smart-control integration you'll find in the 2020-issue Beosound A1 Gen 2. Whether or not you consider this to be a backward step depends almost entirely on how much you enjoy the sound of your own voice.

Battery life is a very creditable 24 hours from a single charge (provided you’re operating at reasonably modest volume), while from ‘flat’ to ‘full’ takes a rather leisurely three hours. Charging happens via the USB-C slot on the edge of the speaker, and for this 3rd generation this input can also be used for data transfer – so the Beosound can be hard-wired to a source of music. It can also form a stereo pair with another A1 3rd Gen or, happily, an A1 2nd Gen should you have one.

• Features score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future) Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation review: sound quality

• Impressive low-frequency extension and substance
• Consistent and balanced even at volume
• Great detail retrieval and midrange resolution

With one or two fairly minor caveats, there’s an awful lot to like about the way the Beosound A1 3rd Gen goes about things. So minor are these caveats, in fact, I may as well get them out of the way right now before piling into all the things the Bang & Olufsen excels at.

It’s probably an inevitability given the physical size of the speaker, but the A1 3rd Gen isn’t an especially large-scale listen. The soundstage it creates is properly organised and quite open – but where out-and-out scale is concerned, there’s no getting around the fact that this speaker doesn’t sound especially big.

Its tonal balance isn’t, strictly speaking, all that neutral either. There’s a hint of warmth and richness, a kind of sonic luxuriousness, about its presentation that’s not in any way unpleasant but that is most definitely a characteristic. This can be mitigated a little in the control app – but given that the best overall balance comes from leaving the EQ setting at ‘optimal’ (the clue’s in the name, really) it’s probably best to accept your Bang & Olufsen speaker sounds, as well as looks and feels, deluxe.

From here on out, the news is all positive. The A1 3rd Gen can summon frankly unlikely low-frequency presence and substance - it hits remarkably hard for a speaker of its size, and the claim for frequency response down to 54Hz seems perfectly plausible. The low end is properly controlled, too, which means rhythms during Thin Air by Floating Points are confidently expressed – and the Bang & Olufsen is a front-foot listen as a result. At the opposite end of the frequency range it attacks with polite determination, bringing a reasonable amount of bite and shine to treble sounds without ever threatening to become unruly. There’s a fair amount of substance to offset the brilliance, too, which helps the overall balance of the sound no end.

In between, the A1 3rd Gen communicates through the midrange in the most uninhibited manner. Voices as dissimilar as Joni Mitchell’s and Alex Turner’s emerge with all of their character intact, and the midrange is nudged forwards just a little to help with intelligibility. The crossover between the mid/bass driver and the tweeter is smooth to the point of imperceptibility, and though the tonal balance here has a very definite flavour, it is at least consistent from top to bottom. The Bang & Olufsen sounds unified and of a whole, no matter the sort of content you’re listening to.

What else? Well, detail levels are high across the board – and even when it comes to the most minor harmonic variations or transient events in a recording, the A1 3rd Gen does good work in identifying and contextualising them. And despite its relative lack of outright scale, it can put appreciable distance between the quietest and the loudest moments in a recording too. As long as you’re not expecting to fill a medium-sized room with sound, the A1 3rd Gen is a great option – and you can at least be assured that if you do wind up the volume to the point the Bang & Olufsen is giving you everything it’s got, it doesn’t alter its sonic character in the slightest. It simply gets louder.

• Sound quality score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future) Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation review: design

• 46 x 133 x 133mm, HxWxD
• 576g
• Built to a high standard from premium materials

As both the asking price and the manufacturer’s reputation demands, the Beosound A1 3rd Gen is little short of a masterclass where materials and their deployment are concerned. It’s tricky for a product of such modest dimensions (this speaker is just 46 x 133 x 133mm, HxWxD) to look overtly premium, but this Bang & Olufsen manages just fine.

The lower half of the spheroid is of hard-wearing polymer, and it’s seamlessly connected to an upper portion made of tactile, textured pearl-blasted anodised aluminium. A carry-strap made of waterproof leather is threaded through the polymer, and it’s here you’ll find the only visible bit of branding. The look is understated and sophisticated, no matter which of the three available finishes you choose – take your pick from ‘natural aluminium’ (which is ‘silver’), ‘honey tone’ (‘gold’) and ‘eucalyptus green’ (‘green’). And the 576g weight seems purposefully judged to strike a balance between ‘portability’ and ‘reassuring heft’. The overall standard of construction and finish is basically flawless, and the IP67 rating means it will be fine in any realistic environment.

This is, says the manufacturer, the first ever Bluetooth speaker with ‘Cradle-to-Cradle’ certification (at the bronze level). So it’s made with sustainable practices in mind, and is modular to the point that it has a replaceable battery and can, in certain circumstances, be repaired rather than scrapped. This is something Bang & Olufsen has long been known for; just see the company's modular Beosound Theater soundbar and reissued vertical CD player for starters…

• Design score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future) Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation review: setup and usability

• Some physical controls
• Excellent B&O control app
• Swift Pair and Fast Pair

It’s a very simple device to operate, the A1 3rd Gen – the options you have are very tidily realised indeed. Along with that USB-C socket, the polymer edge of the chassis features a few physical controls, all very positive in their action – you can take care of ‘power on/off’, Bluetooth pairing, ‘volume up/down’, ‘play/pause’ this way. There’s also a button to mute the mics that are used for telephony. Microsoft Swift Pair and Google Fast Pair are available, while a single LED on the top surface indicates what the speaker might be up to, and another next to the USB-C input lets you know about charging.

There’s also the B&O control app that’s free for iOS and Android – and it remains one of the best examples of its type. Here’s where you can check for software updates, form that stereo pair using another A1 3rd Gen or your A1 2nd Gen, integrate your favourite music streaming service (as long as it’s Deezer, Spotify or TIDAL) and access music on a HomeMedia server. It also gives internet radio access via the entirely admirable ‘B&O Radio’. It’s where you can access some EQ presets, or define your own using a graphic ‘target’ control that’s about as gratifying an EQ adjustment mechanism as I’ve ever seen.

• Setup and usability score: 5/5

(Image credit: Bang & Olufsen) Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation review: value

This is far from the most affordable Bluetooth speaker around – although when judged by the standards Bang & Olufsen has long since established, it’s actually within touching distance of many credible alternatives.

The usual B&O selling points of premium materials, indulgent design and impeccable build quality are all present and correct, too – and the Beosound A1 3rd Gen is a match for any price-comparable rival where pure sound quality is concerned. So for once here’s a Bang & Olufsen product that doesn’t require all that “yes, but..” when it comes to value for money.

• Value score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future) Should I buy the Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation? Buy it if...

You like nice things
The Beosound A1 3rd Gen looks and feels every bit the Bang & Olufsen product.

You know a good control app when you see one
The B&O control app is comprehensive, easy to use and features the most gratifying EQ adjustment around.

You enjoy a hint of sonic luxuriousness
The A1 3rd Gen is slightly less than neutral in its sound, but in a quite expensive-sounding way.

Don't buy it if...

You intend to fill the great outdoors with sound
The A1 3rd Gen has a degree of grunt, but it’s not the biggest-sounding speaker around.

You want to just ask
There’s no Alexa integration for this latest model.

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation review: also consider

JBL Flip 7
The March 2025-issue seventh Flip is also a five-star Bluetooth portable speaker. And it also looks good, thanks to a new switchable carabiner detail. The battery won't last quite as long as the B&O Beosound A1 Gen 3, but the audio is special for a speaker of its size, and it's hard to ignore the price difference… 
Read just how good it is in our full JBL Flip 7 review.

Bose Soundlink Flex Gen 2
It's a September 2024 release, so still a relative newbie to the game, and although the Bose Soundlink Max is closer in price to the B&O option you came here to read about (at $399 / £399 / AU$599), the Flex Gen 2 is a better size match – and a lot cheaper. How often can you say that of Bose products? It's not quite as gifted sonically, but it does give you punchy output in a relatively bijou design. Get the full scoop in our Bose Soundlink Flex Gen 2 review.

Bang & Olufsen Beosound A1 3rd Generation review: how I tested

I connected the A1 3rd Gen wirelessly to my Apple iPhone 14 Pro and my FiiO M15S digital audio player, and also made a hard connection via USB-C to my Apple MacBook Pro. So I was able to listen to lots of different content from lots of different platforms, of various file-types and sizes.

And having done so for well over a week, I realised the A1 3rd Gen is the best yet – which is saying something…

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

The biggest issue with sci-fi sequel Revenge of the Savage Planet is that, despite subjecting you to a barrage of offbeat humor, it’s just not particularly entertaining. There’s not a lot here that’s necessarily bad per se, but I would describe my journey through its five alien worlds as merely “good enough” at best.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PC
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X and Series S, PC
Release date: May 8, 2025

This mainly stems from the fact that none of its constituent elements are anything that I haven’t already experienced in countless other games. It’s a third-person 3D Metroidvania action-adventure title, where all the trappings of the genre are present and accounted for.

It’s got an open world that you progress through in a steady, linear fashion by unlocking new abilities that grant access to new areas, platforming challenges that see you zipping between high up ledges, and basic puzzles where you need to mess with the environment to open up doors or reveal hidden passageways.

Even its predecessor, 2020’s Journey to the Savage Planet, seemed a little bit more unique despite following a similar formula, thanks to the use of the more uncommon first-person perspective.

Planet hopper

(Image credit: Raccoon Logic)

Revenge of the Savage Planet kicks off with the protagonist, an unnamed employee of a recently bought out space colonization firm Kindred Aerospace, getting unceremoniously laid off mere moments after setting foot on a previously uncharted planet. To make matters worse, a rocky landing has damaged your ship and strewn capsules containing some of your valuable equipment across the world. Stranded with no support on the way, it’s up to you to recover your gear and escape.

You’re joined by Eko, a floating AI companion that loosely guides your progress and dispenses a near-constant stream of quips. These, in addition to plenty of full-motion video (FMV) cutscenes, comprise the bulk of the humor here. The jokes are often passé, with dated jabs at everything from consumer culture and the world of cryptocurrency to the infamous Call of Duty ‘press F to pay respects’ blunder that occurred more than a decade ago, but aren’t impossible to sit through like the agonizingly unfunny monologues of a game like High on Life.

I may not have laughed, but I did at least find the high degree of effort evident in some of the wacky props and costumes from the FMV scenes quite charming. I never felt the need to use it, but you do also get the option to reduce (or even entirely disable) chatter from Eko if you wish. I could see this coming in handy if you intend to play lots in co-op, which lets one other player accompany you at any point in the campaign.

Despite the strong co-op focus of much of the marketing, the mode honestly seems like a bit of an afterthought. I played it for a few hours and the experience was ruined as it's practically impossible to talk to your partner while any dialogue is occurring, which is most of the time. You either have to speak over the non-playable characters (NPCs), which is inevitably going to impact your ability to follow objectives and understand the already somewhat forgettable overarching narrative, or just awkwardly play in silence.

Many of the missions are clearly not designed for co-op either, practically requiring one player to take the lead while the other sits back and tries not to get in the way. In fact, it was often more effective for my partner to run off to the other side of the map to complete other tasks and, at that point, why would you even want to play with someone else at all?

Odd jobs

(Image credit: Raccoon Logic)

As for what you’ll be doing most of the time, the core of Revenge of the Savage Planet follows a fairly predictable loop. You arrive in an environment that requires a new ability to progress, for example a respirator to protect from toxic gases or a powerful ground pound to smash through fragile surfaces.

The materials needed to obtain this are located in another area of the map, so you follow an objective marker and complete a fun platforming segment and puzzle or two using your handy power hose (which can harvest a range of goos from the environment and spew them out to create conductive surfaces for makeshift circuits or burn through flammable barriers), to get them.

You then head back to the hub area, your spawn point and home to a few amenities like a 3D printer for creating upgrades and an outfit cupboard to customize the look of your explorer, to craft the ability using resources harvested from glowing ore veins littered throughout the map.

Some abilities also require research to obtain, which is accomplished by stunning and capturing a creature with your sci-fi lasso and then waiting around at the base for a few minutes while a progress bar fills up in real time.

Best bit

(Image credit: Raccoon Logic)

The hub area is home to your living quarters, a few rooms that can be extensively customized by spending a currency obtained on your travels. Placing objects to make the space your own is quite satisfying. Most can also be interacted with to see unique animations.

Pokémon, this is not, but die-hard completionists will probably get a kick out of hoovering up one of every possible creature or pursuing the many side objectives and collectibles on offer to pad out the runtime.

For others, it might begin to feel like a lot of busywork at times, especially if you go after those optional missions, which I would recommend given the substantial upgrades that some of them reward, but the modest length of about 12-15 hours means that it never becomes too monotonous.

It’s broken up by combat sections, too, which are unfortunately nothing to write home about. You’re equipped with a basic laser blaster, which you can outfit with engaging upgrades like a powerful charged shot or active reloading, but most fights simply involve strafing around foes and peppering them with shots until they explode into a pool of brightly colored goo.

Violently reducing some of the cuter critters that litter the brightly colored worlds into a pile of slime is actually quite funny, though, as is watching your character slide around on it, which does add to the overall enjoyment at least.

This cycle repeats itself across five total planets, each with its own unique look, population of creatures, and distinctly middle-of-the-road boss fights to round things off. A little more variety in how everything plays out would have gone a long way, but as it stands, while Revenge of the Savage Planet isn’t going to blow your socks off, I can definitely think of worse ways to spend an afternoon or two.

Should I play Revenge of the Savage Planet?

(Image credit: Raccoon Logic) Play it if…

You love Metroidvania progression
If you’re a big fan of Metroidvania progression, then the loop at the heart of Revenge of the Savage Planet should provide enough entertainment for its modest runtime.

You’re a completionist
It can feel like busywork at times, but there’s still plenty to do in Revenge of the Savage Planet. Pick it up if you love poring over an open world for collectibles or completing lots of side quests.

Don’t play it if…

You intend to go co-op
With its constant NPC chatter, Revenge of the Savage Planet is poorly suited for a co-op setting. Consider other games if you want something to play with a friend.

Accessibility

The build of Revenge of the Savage Planet that I played has a disappointingly barren accessibility menu. It offers the option to disable controller vibration and motion blur, but that’s literally it.

Subtitles are enabled by default, though there is no way to adjust their size or presentation. There are no dedicated options for colorblind players and very limited customization when it comes to the control scheme.

How I reviewed Revenge of the Savage Planet

I played Revenge of the Savage Planet for just under 15 hours on PC before hitting the credits. I predominantly experienced the game in its solo mode, though I also endeavored to test out the co-op features for a few hours.

In addition to completing the main story, I was careful to experience plenty of the side content on offer, taking the time to pursue collectibles and try out the majority of the available upgrades.

First reviewed May 2025

For years now, I’ve heard many The Elder Scrolls fans proclaim that Oblivion is a better game than Skyrim. After nearly 80 hours spent exploring the diverse and fantastical land of Cyrodiil in The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered, I couldn’t agree more.

I’m floored by how well the core of Oblivion holds up almost 20 years after its release. This is a beautifully crafted RPG game with a true heart of gold, a wicked sense of humor, and a deceptively deep well of things to do and places to explore. Despite its name, Oblivion Remastered is closer to a full remake, with smart updates while keeping the core untouched. It’s just about perfectly executed, if just a touch too careful in its approach to modernizing certain systems.

I missed The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion the first time around, having jumped aboard the Bethesda RPG train with Fallout 3 and then sinking my teeth into Skyrim around the time I should have been studying to get into University.

In the years since, I’ve learned to understand Oblivion’s reputation as a classic, but one that’s been made somewhat irrelevant by the juggernaut success of it’s sequel. Pair that thinking with my lack of interest in diving into RPGs of a certain age, especially ones as notoriously buggy as Bethesda’s, and it’s really no wonder I’d largely written Oblivion off until now.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5 Pro
Available on: Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, PC, PS5
Release date: April 22, 2025

With Oblivion Remastered being perhaps the worst kept secret in gaming ever, I can’t say I was excited at the idea of a remaster of a 2006 fantasy RPG. Slap the word remaster onto a project, and I think we’ve all learned what to expect. A higher resolution, all of the DLC tied up into one neat package, maybe some re-recorded VO for good measure. Great for fans of the original, fairly unexciting for those that never played it.

But Oblivion Remastered isn’t what you would expect. This isn’t a simple facelift, it’s a meticulously crafted reconstruction, meshing old and new in ways that I don’t think we’ve really seen up to this point.

The visual upgrades are stunning, additional voice lines add new depth to character class choices, and combat is now just the right mix of Skyrim jank and contemporary action. This is the upgrade Oblivion always deserved, giving it the chance to finally step out of Skyrim’s shadow.

That old Bethesda charm

(Image credit: Bethesda Softworks)

Whatever your opinions are on Starfield, Fallout 76, and Fallout 4, Bethesda’s modern RPGs are undeniably a bit of a mixed bag, with wildly different approaches to open-world design when compared to The Elder Scrolls series.

Still, I’ve found myself liking something about each, after digging deep to find the parts that prove the studio’s pedigree is well-earned, and ongoing. Oblivion might well be where Bethesda’s unique brand of game design is best showcased.

There are bugs and jank, oh the jank, but it’s all completely outweighed by excellent writing, an almost impossibly detailed world, and RPG systems that reward you for actually roleplaying. You can be a thief, an assassin, a mage. You can specialize in alchemy, go out into the world and clear fortresses for loot, and even run Guilds as the big boss in charge.

Best bit

(Image credit: Bethesda Softworks)

The Dark Brotherhood questline in Oblivion Remastered is perhaps my favourite from all the Bethesda RPGs I’ve played. It rewards you for completing assassinations in specific ways, more akin to something found in Hitman rather than a fantasy RPG. Every single member of the Brotherhood is a standout, from the pale, vampiric leader Vicente Valtieri (who, in my playthrough, would sometimes appear completely bald due to what I’m assuming to be a glitch), to the obnoxious Khajiit sorcerer M'raaj-Dar. There’s a murder-filled escape room quest too that’s one of the best side quests I’ve ever played.

NPCs talk over each other, camera angles switch wildly in conversation, and picking up the wrong item can send the game into a hard crash, but it’s worth the trade off for moments that only Bethesda games can offer. Moments where you walk into a tavern and witness an argument that you have to intervene in, and before you know it you’re helping a man fake his own death to avoid paying his debts.

Moments like accidentally discovering a vampire lair and contracting Vampirism, which then must be cured if you’re ever to travel during daylight hours again. I can count the memorable quests and moments from the last few Bethesda RPGs I’ve played on one hand, but have no doubt that there’ll be twenty plus that’ll stay with me from my first Oblivion playthrough.

Best of both worlds

(Image credit: Bethesda Softworks)

I’ve mentioned that Oblivion Remastered sits somewhere between a traditional remaster and a remake, but what does that mean exactly?

Well, in many ways, the team at Virtuous have Skyrim-ified Oblivion, bringing systems like levelling and player physics more in line with that of The Elder Scrolls 5. You now level up both major and minor skills just by doing that particular skill - e.g. improve lockpicking by picking more locks, get better at persuasion by attempting to persuade NPCs.

It’s a simple but elegant solution that helps remove some of the barriers that previously punished players for behaving out-of-character. You’re constantly improving your build as you go, whether that’s by sprinting between cities, or blocking attacks with a shield. These are very minor changes to the original formula, but offer a big enough quality of life improvement to make Oblivion feel like a game from 2016 (and a forward-thinking one at that), not 2006.

Then there’s the graphics, and oh boy, does Oblivion: Remastered look fantastic. By switching over to Unreal Engine 5, the developers have applied all new lighting tech. At night, this means moonlight dances across the surface of lakes, adding depth and vibrancy to even the darkest of settings. Wall-mounted torches flicker and cast shadows, filling cold sewer tunnels and deep subterranean caves with dynamic oases of light.

The game’s brilliant environmental design is left to provide the backbone here, but high-tech extras have been layered atop to accentuate and compliment, rather than remake completely.

You can tell Oblivion Remastered is a new version of an old game, absolutely, but it also gives some contemporary open world RPGs a run for their money in terms of presentation, art direction and atmospheric effects. It’s a strange mix - part old, part new, part something else entirely - but it works.

Moving forward, Oblivion Remastered should be a reference point for how to update an old game for new audiences, while keeping the magic of the original intact.

"Oblivion Remastered should be a reference point for how to update an old game for new audiences, while keeping the magic of the original intact."

As someone who had only played the latest instalment of The Elder Scrolls series until now, I’m impressed to find that Magic plays a deeper, more complex role in Oblivion. Mage builds are not only more viable, but easier to put together thanks to the superior Guild quests found in major cities. You can cast spells with your weapons out, and Conjuration can be used to truly kit yourself out as a versatile battlemage.

Like many players, I’ve tended to slip into a stealth archer build when playing these sorts of games, but in Oblivion I’m being constantly rewarded for experimenting with play-styles, and sampling from all aspects of the game’s build-mechanics. In general, this all feels more in-line with my experience with Dungeons & Dragons, in that regardless of the situation I’m in, there’s probably a stat change, an enchantment, a spell or consumable that can help me tip the scales in my favor.

There’s certainly room to roleplay if you want to stick to one defined path and character, but for those looking for more of a comprehensive experience of the game, there’s very little punishment for trying out something new.

Almost too faithful?

(Image credit: Bethesda Softworks)

Remastering a game like Oblivion is no easy task, given that the original’s inherent bugginess and unpredictability are big reasons as to why players still bring it up to this day.

The memes are ancient at this point, the slightly wonky line deliveries and erratic camera snaps now heavily ingrained in internet culture. To remake Oblivion completely would be to snuff out its originality and heart, but just how faithful can you be before you simply offer up what amounts to the same game just on newer platforms? Well, Oblivion Remastered is just about as close as I think it’s possible to get to while walking this particularly precarious tightrope.

As a modern way to play a historically significant game, this is perfect for new players, preserving the spirit of the original while making it as pain-free as possible to experience. The developer has definitely erred on the side of caution with Oblivion Remastered, choosing to leave things the way they were back in 2006 instead of switching them out for elements that would probably be better to play in 2025.

This devotion to the source material, while admirable and ultimately the right call, does lead to a few downsides. The difficulty settings are all over the place, not quite managing to bridge the gap between simplified levelling systems and the newly updated combat mechanics.

I was constantly switching between two settings, finding one too easy and the other tough as nails. There’s also stability issues, where the new atmospheric effects and lighting slow things down in the open world. Whether these are new issues, or remnants of ancient bugs, I don’t know. But really, it’s disheartening to run into so many inconsistencies in what is an otherwise beautiful game.

Throughout my 80 or so hours of play time, I’ve actually run into fewer bugs than I’ve come to expect from a Bethesda RPG. That’s not to say it’s been smooth sailing, with strange visual glitches, quest-halting bugs, and straight hard-crashes being semi-frequent.

What’s really disappointing is that after looking up fixes for the issues I was experiencing, I found that they were predominantly issues that were rampant in the original version. This is unfortunately a consequence of choosing to remaster rather than remake, likely unavoidable with the level of care put into preserving the original’s more charming blemishes.

Still, I’d rather deal with twenty year old bugs than play a sterilized, over-polished remake that’s missing what fans loved about Oblivion the first time around.

On the whole, Oblivion Remastered is a triumph. A carefully considered love-letter to a game that’s been somewhat overshadowed in the years since its successor’s launch. By skating the line between remaster and remake, Bethesda and Virtuos manage to offer up a worthy modernization that finally gives more players the chance to weigh Oblivion up as the best game in The Elder Scrolls series.

It’s so good in fact, and I can’t believe I’m about to say this, but perhaps just one more version of Skyrim wouldn’t be so bad? Okay, maybe we should settle for Morrowind first.

Should I play The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered?

(Image credit: Bethesda Softworks) Play it if…

You want to experience Oblivion for the first time
This has been my very first Oblivion experience, and I haven’t been able to put it down. I tend to struggle playing older RPGs, but found this one to be modern enough, and good enough, to ignore some of the dated design.

You’re a fan of colorful, whimsical fantasy like Baldur’s Gate 3 and Fable
Oblivion’s world is much more colorful, varied and silly than the one found in Skyrim or even Fallout 4 or Starfield. It’s more Lord of the Rings than Game of Thrones, with rolling green hills, larger than life characters and a dark but whimsical sense of humor.

There’s a part of you itching for more of what you loved about Skyrim-era Bethesda
While I found something to enjoy in Starfield, Fallout 4, and Fallout 76, I have been itching to recapture the magic I felt playing Skyrim for the first time. Oblivion is Bethesda at its best, warts and all.View Deal

You need something to tide you over until The Elder Scrolls 6 finally comes out
Look, I know you don’t want to hear it, but The Elder Scrolls 6 is likely years off at this point. Still, with Oblivion Remastered being so good, it’s like we’ve gotten a new game anyway. This is plenty to keep you busy until we hear more about what’s next for the series.View Deal

Don’t play it if…

You’re expecting an excellent main story or cinematic cutscenes
Oblivion is quite bare-bones in its presentation, with a main quest that’s solid, but unspectacular when compared to modern RPGs. There’s no sprawling narrative, no lengthy cutscenes, and no real set-pieces. Instead, there are brilliant side quests, character-driven dialogue and choices, as well as a world that’s fun to explore and teeming with things to do.

Accessibility

Oblivion Remastered features expanded accessibility options when compared with the original.

Aim Assist, five difficulty settings, and the option to turn off blood splatter are the only gameplay features on offer.

Sound is broken down into multiple categories that can be tweaked to personalize the experience, and FOV can be changed for both the first and third person viewpoints.

Text size and subtitle text size can be increased, though I found the largest options to be on the smaller size, especially when playing on a TV. There’s full button mapping, meaning the game should be compatible with accessibility controllers like the PlayStation Access.

Overall, this is a pretty standard suite of accessibility features. It would have been nice to see more resources put into further expanding the options, given this is a remaster, with gameplay-specific contrast modes and colorblind options being missing at present.

How I reviewed The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered

I played Oblivion Remastered for 80 hours on the PlayStation 5 Pro. During that time I completed Guild Quests for Fighters Guild, Thieves Guild and The Dark Brotherhood.

I played around half of the campaign, choosing instead to focus on thievery to get myself a house in Anvil, which did end up being haunted. I’m planning to continue playing the game, leveling up my lockpicking, Heavy Armor and Blocking, hoping to set off clearing Forts around the map. I played in Performance Mode throughout, which prioritizes frame rate over graphical resolution.

On PlayStation 5 Pro, I played the game using a 4K LG gaming monitor (LG UltraGear 4K Gaming Monitor 27GR93U). I used a DualSense Edge controller, with the Razer Blackshark V2 gaming headset connected via the controller jack.

Occasionally, I’d move the game onto PlayStation Portal to play on the go. I found Oblivion Remastered to be the perfect PS Portal game, with great presentation and stability throughout.

First reviewed May 2025

Nobody that I know likes clutter. That could be in their house, in their office, in their vehicle, or on their desk. My workspace is one of the few things I have autonomous control over, meaning I can keep it exactly how I want it (and not have it messed with by my kids, co-workers, etc.) I usually run a laptop, but when I get the opportunity to run desktop units, I prefer them to be the smaller platform size because then I can hide them somewhere in my workstation rather than have a giant tower on, under, or around my desk.

The Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny is a mini PC workstation that can be tucked away and hidden out of sight, making for an incredibly smooth workspace. On top of the size benefit, the P3 Tiny is also a decently powerful machine, making it a potential secret powerhouse for some.

One of the secrets of a small machine in the business world is for workstations you don't want to see, for example, digital signage, front desks, doctors' offices, classroom digital setups, projectors, and so on. They're great if used the right way, and if they are powerful enough. And this one might be one of the best mini PC workstations for that.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny: Unboxing & first impressions

Lenovo is one of those brands with consistent unboxing for their gear. Granted, they are not recognized worldwide for their unboxing experience, like Apple, but they have a decent unboxing experience every time. Nothing will be misplaced, damaged, or in weird boxes in boxes; it just makes sense.

I noticed right away that there is a VESA mount included, making it super easy to do exactly what I would do with this computer and mount it away. For a lot of mini PCs, the goal is to keep it tucked away out of sight as much as possible.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Right off the bat, I want to compare this TechRadar's top mini computer, the Mac mini. Compared to the older generations, anything before the M4, it's comparable. It has a more squared-off shape, but it's similar in size. Now, if you compare it to the new M4 Mac mini, the P3 Tiny does not look so tiny, but compared to the vast majority of desktop PCs, this computer holds to its name consistently.

Outside of just sizing, the ThinkStation P3 Tiny has great ports overall and is relatively robust for its size. The port layout lends itself to easy access, and it's great to see that Lenovo has included both HDMI and DisplayPort on the back. Sadly, there is no Thunderbolt or USB4 support, but the more I think about it, the less it is necessary for a business computer like this to have those high-speed transfers, so maybe that's not a massive loss.

Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny: Design & build quality Specs

Processor: Up to Intel Core i9-13900T (24 cores, 32 threads, up to 5.1 GHz)
Graphics: Up to NVIDIA T1000 with 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
Memory: Up to 64GB DDR5-4800MHz (2x SO-DIMM)
Storage: Up to 2x M.2 PCIe Gen 4 SSDs (up to 2TB each)
Ports: Front: 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 1x 3.5mm audio jack; Rear: 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x RJ-45 Ethernet
Networking: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.1
Dimensions: 179 x 183 x 37 mm
Weight: Approximately 1.4 kg
Operating System: Windows 11 Pro

The Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny meets MIL-STD-810H durability standards in a small little frame with great ports and an included Vesa bracket to toss on the back of a display. The tool's free access for easy upgrades and maintenance sets this computer apart from sealed computers like the Mac mini. The P3 Tiny has a modular design, allowing for component upgrades and customization to fit each user's needs.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny: In use

My team and I tested this machine for the last few weeks and were impressed. It handled benchmarking software like UL Procyon and others without an issue, it can support up to six displays with the proper discrete GPU configuration, it can be VESA mounted behind a display, it has great ports, and it can run Windows 11 Pro allowing for super easy native remote desktop (if not, Google Chrome Remote Desktop, Teamviewer, or others) making this an excellent computer for AVL systems, tucking the laptop away and running a large display for signage, projectors, customer interfaces, and so on. This machine can run up to six displays with discrete GPU configurations.

All around, this machine is impressive for its size. Consider the ThinkStation P3 Tiny for a front desk setup, a doctor's office, a display system, a minimalist workstation, and many more. This computer can get 90% of jobs done well, without much frustration or issue.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny: Final verdict

The Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny is an impressive compact workstation with enough power, ports, and performance to shine in most scenarios. It's excellent for those who need to save on space while maximizing their output (both workload and visual). If you're looking for a computer that can tuck away and be out of sight or help expand what you can see with up to six outputs, consider the Lenovo ThinkStation P3 Tiny for your next purchase.

For more high-powered PCs, we've rounded up the best workstations and the best mobile workstations.

Depending on your role in the professional world, your day-to-day routine could change quite a bit. If you're like me, your daily tasks vary from admin to project management, emails, web work, AI work, contract signing, spreadsheets, and beyond. When my days are this well-rounded, having a machine that can adjust to my needs is helpful. In one meeting, I could be typing up a document for a team; the next, I could be drawing out a mind map for a team brainstorming, and so on. With the ThinkPad X13 2-in-1 Gen 5, my one machine can do it all -- at least in theory. But does it rank among the best Lenovo ThinkPad laptops we've reviewed?

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 2-in-1 Gen 5: Unboxing & first impressions

In my time, I've unboxed quite a few Lenovo ThinkPads, let alone Lenovo machines. All of them look about the same. This one was no different. It has good packaging with protective materials; it includes a 65W USB-C power adapter and an integrated stylus with a home within the computer.

I have owned and heavily used iPads for years, so the idea of an integrated stylus, not one magnetically hanging off the end, is a nice change-up. Another piece I just mentioned is that Lenovo chose to use the popular USB-C connection for this computer, not a proprietary charger or an awful barrel connector.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Right off the bat, this business laptop looks and feels like a professional ThinkPad model. At the same time, I do like the matte black finish. It looks stylish and accessible, and I can take this to whatever meetings I may have that day or in whatever job I may have. It's compact and lightweight, making it super easy to carry around, meaning that I would take it around, unlike some super hefty computers I have tested.

The keyboard is functional, comfortable, and familiar, reminding me of every other ThinkPad keyboard in a good way. It's responsive and reliable, and it has good key travel for what it is, allowing for high accuracy levels.

The hinge mechanism is one of the most vital for a 2-in-1 machine. If this hinge is stiff, it will directly detriment the 2-in-1 features. Thankfully, the hinge works great and is easy to use, flying back around without a problem.

Lenovo ThinkPad X13 2-in-1 Gen 5: Design & build quality Specs

Processor: Up to Intel Core Ultra 7 165U
Graphics: Integrated Intel Graphics (4-core iGPU)
Memory: Up to 64GB LPDDR5x-6400 (soldered)
Storage: Up to 2TB M.2 PCIe 4.0 x4 SSD
Display: 13.3" WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS, 300 nits, 16:10 aspect ratio
Ports: 2x USB-C (Thunderbolt 4), 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1, HDMI 2.1, 3.5mm audio jack, optional Nano SIM slot
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, optional LTE support
Battery: 41Wh or optional 54.7Wh, Rapid Charge support
Dimensions: 301.7 x 210.8 x 16.4 mm
Weight: Starting at 1.2 kg (2.65 lbs)

The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 2-in-1 Gen 5 has a sleek design, as mentioned; it's got a sturdy magnesium alloy construction, a 360-degree hinge to allow for the 2-in-1 features of folding around and turning into a tablet form, an integrated stylus, an excellent keyboard, and a quality touchpad. It's a great machine in specs.

However, the two main areas I wish it were a little better would be the screen and the battery. The screen is mediocre, but sadly, as most would think of it, it's still good enough for the professional business world. Most of the business world is still rocking 1080p monitors, and they don't think twice. So this monitor is more than satisfactory.

The built-in stylus feels solid, though I'm sure there are going to be plenty of people who lose this stylus, regardless of just how secure this is in the stylus garage.

The hinge works well, though I am nervous about it breaking. But for everyday use, it feels quite lovely to fold this device around and use it as a tablet or back around as a tent for displays or as normal as a laptop.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 2-in-1 Gen 5: In use

The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 2-in-1 Gen 5 is an easy device to take from the office, home, coffee shop, and back to the office again.

It's excellent at handling everyday tasks, though I wouldn't be too far away from any outlets or without one of my portable power stations. Another reason for needing multiple daily charges may be for those heavy users or those who run a large program.

My team benchmarked this machine, and it did not score very well. But that doesn't mean it's automatically a bad machine.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Lenovo ThinkPad X13 2-in-1 Gen 5: Final verdict

The Lenovo ThinkPad X13 2-in-1 Gen 5 is a highly portable and flexible machine that can adapt to whatever working mode you need, whether you need to write, mark up a document, draw, present, or read. For an office professional, that flexibility could make a huge difference.

However, this laptop isn't perfect. The screen is nothing special, and the battery life is not the best. So, as long as you don't need an incredibly long battery life or a high-resolution screen, this device is a good one to consider.

We've tested out the best 2-in-1 laptops for the best of both worlds

Honor Watch 5 Ultra: One minute review

The Honor Watch 5 Ultra is, from a hardware standpoint, a very good smartwatch indeed. It’s got a lovely 1.5-inch 466 x 466px AMOLED display, which is bright and butter-smooth; its case is made of titanium and its screen from Sapphire glass; it looks like a classic dress watch in the black aesthetic of my test model, but the fluoro band keeps things sporty – you could wear this for anything from wakeboarding sessions to weddings, and it wouldn’t be out of place.

It’s got a 480mAh battery that lasts around five days based on our tests – an impressive performance. The screen is pretty and the watch is intuitive to navigate, with health features that stand up to scrutiny. The digital crown, a feature often missed in non-Apple offerings, allows for easy scrolling.

So, will I wear it again? Unfortunately, no.

I love the watch’s design, I love its low price point, and I like the simple layout of its UI. I found it very useful, from the Find My Phone option to the sleep tracking. I think it’s a great watch, but ultimately undeserving of its Ultra moniker.

It tracks 100 sports, but most of these modes are very basic in their metric collection. There are no third-party apps, essential to customizing your smartwatch experience; you’re stuck with what's installed on the watch out of the box. There’s no Strava, no Spotify, no WhatsApp, although you can view messages with the notifications functionality. The watch does have an NFC chip onboard, but it’s not designed to support banking payments. Customization options are limited to an (albeit generous) selection of free watch faces.

The end result is a watch that looks well designed from the outside, but which feels strangely hollow inside. In many respects it’s a high-performing and great-value device, but the lack of features makes it hard to recommend.

Honor Watch 5 Ultra: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• Priced at €279 in the EU (around $300 / £235 / AU$480)
• Around the same price as the cheaper Samsung and Apple watches
• When and where you’ll be able to buy it is yet to be confirmed

The Honor Watch 5 Ultra is priced at €279 in Europe Union countries, which converts to around $300 / £235 / AU$480. That’s a great price for a watch with this build quality; it’s only a little bit more expensive than the Apple Watch SE.

However, Honor hasn’t yet confirmed when, or where, outside of the EU, you’ll be able to buy the Honor Watch 5 Ultra, due to international restrictions imposed on the brand similar to those on Huawei. We do know that it’ll be compatible with handsets running Android 9.0 and iOS 13.0, as well as the best Honor phones.

• Value score: 3/5

Specifications Honor Watch 5 Ultra: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Titanium and Sapphire glass
• Simple UI
• Digital crown

The Honor Watch 5 Ultra is, as mentioned above, an extraordinarily well-designed smartwatch (from a hardware standpoint) for its price. As well as high-quality innards like that great battery and powerful processor, the watch has a pleasant, unique octagonal shape with a grade 5 titanium case and bezel.

Sapphire glass protects the touchscreen, and together with the casing and fluoroelastomer band (leather is also available) this is certainly a watch that can withstand knocks, bumps and scrapes. I wore it non-stop for a week, and I was never worried about dinging it.

It looks like a premium dress watch, and the metal casing feels exceptionally premium – it’s certainly a better-looking watch than the otherwise comparable, and more expensive, Samsung Galaxy Watch Ultra.

The watch has just one button, and the user experience has been vastly improved with the addition of a digital crown, which allows for easy scrolling. The Honor Watch 5 Ultra’s all-in-one button allows for an easy snapshot of your health, among other things, similar to Samsung’s body composition feature.

The fact that the magnetic charger is USB-A rather than the more powerful USB-C is a slight disappointment, but the fast-charging still works fine. Another disappointment is that there’s only one size; like many of its contemporaries, Honor is not taking into account those with smaller wrists.

• Design score: 4/5

Honor Watch 5 Ultra: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• 100 workout modes
• 8GB of storage
• No third-party apps or NFC payment

Things are a little more limited in the features department. With no third-party apps – which elevates the likes of the OnePlus Watch 3 from a nice curiosity into an essential wrist assistant – you miss out on deep interactions with everyday apps like Gmail, your maps service of choice, Keep Notes, Spotify, Strava, Komoot, your Wallet of choice, and so on.

The basic feature set is all you’re going to get. It’s not awful; you get notifications, call dismissal, on-phone music controls, 8GB storage for your music, which you can control with Honor’s native MagicOS Music app, but nothing terribly exciting.

The watch does have an NFC chip, but without a Wallet app you can’t really use it. I can view my WhatsApp messages on my wrist via the basic notifications service, but I can’t reply to them. You can see how my frustrations with the Honor Watch 5 Ultra were mounting during the week I wore it.

Things look a lot better from a health perspective. Honor’s suite of health and fitness features are good, with the new Health Scan feature first on the docket. It takes heart rate, blood oxygen and stress readings, collating them with sleep stats and your height and weight (which you input into the app) to check for outliers that could point to potential issues.

Sleep tracking is also great, with your sleep stages broken down in a similar manner to competitors such as the Samsung Galaxy Ring. The Watch 5 Ultra offers a Sleep Score with some additional insights based on how much sleep it believes you’ve had.

Workout support is solid, with over 100 sports modes, but very few of them offer more sophisticated metrics than heart rate and estimated calories burned. Running and swimming do offer specialized metrics, however, tracking pace per kilometer, stride length and stride frequency on the roads, while counting strokes and taking pool length into account during swimming.

• Features score: 3/5

Honor Watch 5 Ultra: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Some UI frustrations
• Good battery life
• Accurate workouts

I wore the Honor Watch 5 Ultra for a full week, testing it on runs, in the pool, and during sleep. The watch accurately estimated my steps, coming within a few hundred steps of my Samsung Galaxy Ring, and tracked sleep stages with similar accuracy.

I got a Healthy Morning Report and Sleep Score in the Honor Health app breaking everything down for me, with the usual insights – drink less caffeine during the day for better sleep, and so on – but Honor’s metrics and context are nowhere near as sophisticated as Samsung’s sleep animal chronotypes feature.

Run tracking served me well over the week, with all the usual pace, stride and speed features as well as GPS maps and elevation. A nice touch was a ‘fat reduced’ metric, telling me in one instance that my 8km run burned approximately 4g of fat. Swim tracking was also good, and the watch successfully identified my dominant stroke as ‘mixed’ as I swapped from front crawl to breaststroke during the workout.

The battery performed as described, lasting through around four and a half days of near-constant wear.

I’m happy with the performance here, but it would have been nice to be able to add to the limited features on offer with third-party apps. The frustration of not being able to use so many basic smartwatch functions with my phone made the device less useful, overall, than its competitors.

• Performance score: 4/5

Scorecard Honor Watch 5 Ultra: Should I buy?

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

You own an Honor phone

If you own an Honor phone, this is the perfect accompanyment, and probably Honor’s best smartwatch to date.

You don’t need third-party apps

If you don’t need WhatsApp and the like on your phone, this makes for a great fitness tracker.

You want a good-looking watch

There’s no denying it: this watch, with its titanium casing, looks fab.

Don't buy it if...

Money is no object

If you’ve got a bigger budget, you could go for a top-end Garmin watch or Apple Watch Ultra.

You’re on Google or Apple

You’ll be better served with a Wear OS or Apple Watch for better ecosystem integration.View Deal

Also consider

Apple Watch Series 10

A much better option for iPhone users.

Read our full Apple Watch Series 10 review

OnePlus Watch 3

Similar in design, but a lot better for Wear OS users.

Read our full OnePlus Watch 3 review

How I tested the Honor Watch 5 Ultra

I wore the Honor Watch 5 Ultra for a full week, draining the battery down completely and monitoring runs, swims and strength workouts. I spent time using the UI to its fullest extent, testing the digital crown and button functionalities, and wore it as my daily driver. I also wore it to bed to examine its sleep tracking capabilities and tried the health monitoring metrics such as the new Health Scan feature.

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next: Two-minute review

The De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next is an upgraded version of the Magnifica Evo we reviewed back in 2021, further expanding the Italian brand's range of Magnifica automatic bean-to-cup coffee machines. As a brewer of coffee, it’s excellent, delivering a delicious espresso with a lovely crema.

It can make a comprehensive selection of coffee-based drinks, each of which can be personalized and saved to profiles to ensure you get your perfect cuppa each and every time. It also uses De’Longhi’s LatteCrema milk frothing technology for making cappuccinos, macchiatos and other milk-based coffee drinks. But, despite an increasing percentage of the world’s population turning to plant-based milks, there aren’t any separate profiles for these dairy alternatives.

Day-to-day use of the Evo Next should be simple for most people, particularly those who are familiar with how fully automatic coffee machines work, although anyone new to coffee making might have to overcome a steep learning curve to get to grips with it. I was coming to the Evo Next as a user of either Nespresso pod machines or manual espresso machines, so it took me a few uses to figure out exactly how to extract the best from the Evo Next. If you’re in a similar position or have never used an automatic bean-to-cup machine before, let it be known you’re likely going to pour a few bitter espressos before you find your ideal cuppa.

The combination of the machine’s clearly laid-out buttons and bright, colorful display, however, made navigating through menus and settings a piece of cake. The only setting that did cause me some initial trouble was adjusting the grinder. I assumed I could adjust it whenever I wanted, but De’Longhi says it should only be moved when it’s in motion, which is counter to previous machines I've tested. I would have liked this instruction to have been a bit clearer. I also think the user manual could be a little clearer with regard to the effect changing the grind setting even just one increment can make on the resulting espresso. Those well-versed in coffee machines will likely already know this, but newcomers may struggle.

It’s not the smallest nor the quietest automatic coffee machine ever, nor is it even the quickest to pour an espresso shot, but once you’ve learned your way around it, the results and generous selection of available drink choices go some way to making up for these foibles, putting in contention with the best bean-to-cup coffee machines currently available.

Also helping its cause to be your next coffee machine is its low cost in comparison to similar models from other brands – although, perhaps not in the US at the time of writing.

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next review: Price & availability

• List price $999.95 / £499.99 / AU$1,149
• Cheaper than comparable competitor models
• Can already be found with discounts

The price of the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next varies across the globe. In the UK, its list price is £499.99, in Australia it costs AU$1,149, but in the US it’s more expensive than a currency conversion or tariffs would suggest at $999.95.

It’s not the first time we’ve seen an inflated price for US customers, with the De’Longhi Eletta Explore – also an automatic coffee machine – priced higher in the US than its UK and Australian equivalents would suggest, and that’s from long before any tariff announcements were made.

When compared to the similarly specced KitchenAid KF6 ($1,199 / £1,299 / AU$1,799) though, the Magnifica Evo Next still represents remarkable value. The KF6 is much quieter in use and offers some extra maintenance features akin to professional espresso machines, but doesn’t include a milk carafe as standard, instead leaving you to place a tube into a jug or cup (or pony up for the official optional one).

• Value score: 5/5

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next review: Specs De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next review: Design

• Side water tank for easier refilling
• Color display helps with navigation and setting changes
• Space needed above for pouring coffee beans

The De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next is a smart-looking coffee machine in a matte silver-and-black colourway. It’s the same size as other models in the Magnifica Evo range, including the Magnifica Evo, at 44 x 36 x 24cm (W x D x H), making it pretty big by espresso machine standards. I had it set up next to my trusted Nespresso Vertuo Pop pod coffee machine throughout the testing process and the difference in size was, well, sizeable, even on my relatively large kitchen counter. You will, therefore, need to make sure you have the space on your countertop to accommodate it.

The De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next is significantly larger than the Nespresso Vertuo Pop. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

As with other models in the series, the beans container is on the top, so you’ll need to allow for a bit of extra space above to comfortably pour in coffee beans. With wall-mounted cabinets sitting directly above the machine in my setup, there was just enough clearance to pour a 1kg bag into the hopper. Ultimately though, as the machine's hopper isn’t airtight, I settled on storing my coffee beans in a separate container and scooping them in as needed. If you’re only making a few (or less) coffees a day, I’d recommend putting in just enough for each use to preserve freshness.

There is also a small chute that accepts ground coffee, if you don't have access to whole beans – although freshly ground beans make such a huge difference that using pre-ground with a machine of this caliber is, frankly, a huge waste.

A manual control wheel for the 13 grinder settings is nestled within the beans container. It’s labelled 1 to 7 – 1 being the finest and 7 the coarsest – with increments going up by 0.5 in between. De’Longhi says the default setting of 5 should be fine for most users, but if you want to adjust the grind setting, you should only do so when the machine is grinding to avoid damage to the burrs. De’Longhi adds that you should pour at least two coffees after you’ve made any changes to make sure that they’ve taken effect.

This, coupled with the five intensity settings available for each drink (which I’ll talk about more in the performance section), can make finding the perfect combination for your own tastes quite tricky and will likely require some experimentation during your first few days of use.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

If you want a home espresso machine that reduces the grinding guesswork, the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch’s Bean Adapt Technology system recommends ideal settings based on your chosen drink, although the machine on the whole requires more manual input than the Evo Next.

I experimented a fair amount with grind settings and found that when I had it set to the finest setting of 1, the machine wasn’t able to pour coffee. Instead it displayed an error message and then dumped out the ground coffee into the internal waste container. Returning the dial to its default setting of 5 gave me much better results.

Coffee is poured from two nozzles that can be physically raised or lowered to accommodate a variety of cup or mug heights, and it can be used to pour two espresso shots at once. The drip tray that sits underneath your cup(s) slides out smoothly, and also pulls out the separate internal waste bin where used coffee pucks are collected.

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The spout can move up and down to accommodate a range of cup and mug sizes. (Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

The Magnifica Evo Next comes with a large 60.9 fl oz / 1.8L water tank on its right-hand side, and slides in and out of the front of the machine like a book from a bookcase. This makes refilling the tank incredibly easy when compared to models from other brands that put the tank on the rear of the machine.

However, I have also used manual coffee machines such as the Sage/Breville Oracle Jet which has an integrated water tank that you simply fill up using a jug of water via a hole in the top at the front, a method I ultimately prefer.

De’Longhi also supplies a water hardness testing strip so you can determine which water hardness setting to choose during the initial setup, as well as a water filter that screws into the bottom of the tank.

The Magnifica Evo Next comes with both a hot water spout and a 9.4 fl oz / 280ml milk carafe to froth milk using the company’s LatteCrema system. Both of these attach to a small connection slot on the front left of the machine, and you can only use one at a time. If you want to make a milk-based drink or a tea, for example, you’ll need to factor in time to swap the attachments around.

The milk carafe and its various parts are easy to remove and clean. They’re dishwasher safe, too, to make things even easier.

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(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

You control the machine via an array of soft-touch buttons along the top, each of which has a symbol for a specific drink. There are also a couple of arrows that are used to adjust the size and intensity of your drink and an OK button to confirm your selections.

If you want to customize a drink, your options are extensive. Not only can you set a preferred intensity, but you can override the standard volumes poured for each style and size of coffee, including milk. This feature is accessed by pressing the ‘my’ button on the touch panel, and allows for three user profiles per drink.

When creating a custom profile, the machine will begin and continue pouring coffee until you tell it to stop when it reaches the desired level. The same goes for milk. With your settings saved, the next time you come to make the same drink, you’ll see ‘my’ listed next to the size. Press OK and the Evo Next will pour to your exact specifications.

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(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)Image 2 of 3

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(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Your selections are displayed on a clear, central 2.4-inch TFT screen that provides a good range of information, including color images of what your coffee can expect to look like once it’s finished pouring. It also gives you remarkably polite written feedback, including telling you you’re becoming a pro after you’ve poured a large number of drinks.

As I’m based in Australia, I found some of the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next's drink names slightly unfamiliar, as they reflect the brand’s Italian heritage. For instance, my usual choice of a flat white isn't a standard Italian coffee and so isn’t an option. The closest alternative available is the Cappuccino Mix, which provides frothed milk, though it's less foamy than a traditional cappuccino.

• Design score: 4.5/5

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next review: Performance

• Extensive selection of customization options
• Delicious espresso with good crema
• Noisy in use

As I’ve already mentioned, the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next will consistently produce great-tasting coffee, but only after you’ve figured out which settings are best for you. I experimented a fair amount with grind and intensity settings – initially with poor, unusable results – but once I found the best settings for my taste, there was no stopping me from making excellent coffee after coffee.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

I was happy with the thickness of the crema produced, and I think it will suit most coffee drinkers. If, however, you like a particularly thick crema on your espresso or coffee, then you may want to check out the KitchenAid KF6 instead.

The Magnifica Evo Next can make 11 different coffee-based drinks, each with its own options for customization, such as the strength, temperature and volume. The options offered are:

• Espresso
• Cappuccino/Cappucino+
• Coffee
• Long
• Americano
• Doppio/Doppio+
• Latte Macchiato
• Cappuccino Mix
• Espresso Macchiato

You can also dispense hot water and hot milk from the machine; however, unlike some other newer espresso machines we've tested, there’s no option for cold brewing.

During my testing, I found the default settings for my preferred cappuccino mix drink weren’t as strong as I would have liked – the intensity was set to 3, on a scale of 1 to 5. I had to increase it to the maximum 5 and this returned a much more flavorful brew.

The higher intensity setting refers to the fact that more beans are ground and packed into the internal puck, resulting in a stronger, more potent espresso.

There aren’t any settings to adjust the foam level or milk temperature, although the type of milk you use will dictate the level of foam returned. For example, I drink oat milk in my coffees and found that attempting to use standard (i.e. non-barista) oat milk produced disappointing results.

That’s not to say the results weren’t foamy – in fact I was impressed with what the Evo Next could muster – but it produced a thicker foam when I switched to a barista brand with higher fat content.

While I’m quite easygoing when it comes to milk, users who are particular will likely need to experiment with different milk types and brands yo achieve the desired results.

I was less enthused with the way the milk comes out the spout, though. It’s more a ‘spit out’ than a ‘flow out' – not something I’d expect from a more premium machine like this.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

For time-conscious coffee drinkers, you’ll want to know that pouring an espresso at intensity level 5 – which grinds the largest amount of beans – took around 40 seconds. Larger drinks, such as my cappuccino mix, took longer at nearly 1 min 30 seconds, including dispensing milk. This time is on par with the Magnifica Evo automatic coffee machine, but there are faster machines that are cheaper, so it's a slight shame that De’Longhi hasn’t been able to speed up the brew time with this model. If you want your coffee fast, a Nespresso machine can cut those times down considerably – my Vertuo Pop, for example, takes around 30 seconds to pour a 150ml pod.

I also found the Magnifica Evo Next quite noisy in use. It bothered me so much that I took a reading with the Decibel X app on my phone and, when placed next to the machine, it reached 82dB when grinding beans (nearly 20dB louder than the Quiet Mark-certified KitchenAid KF6), 72dB when tamping and emptying the coffee puck, and 66dB when pouring a coffee.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

Where the Magnifica Evo Next makes less of a fuss is maintenance. After each milk-based drink, the machine asks you to run a quick-rinse cycle, which uses water from the tank to flush any buildup from the carafe’s spout. You’ll also be notified on the display when it’s time to empty the drip tray and grounds container.

For more thorough cleaning, a dedicated Maintenance menu can be found in the settings, with options to run water through the machine to rinse it and run a descaling cycle (the machine will let you know if a descaling is necessary). You can also check the status of the water filter, run a more thorough cycle for the milk carafe when it’s connected, and drain any water from the system if you’re planning to transport it.

Finally, a panel on the right-hand side of the machine, accessible when you remove the water container, houses the brewing unit. This detaches easily with a pinch of the two red-colored clips and can be run under a tap to remove any buildup of coffee.

• Performance score: 4/5

Should you buy the De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next Buy it if

You want some control over your coffee

While it’s automatic, the Magnifica Evo Next still gives you plenty of options for personalization, which can all be saved to multiple user profiles.View Deal

You enjoy a variety of coffee-based drinks

With 11 drinks to choose from, most coffee connoisseurs should be catered to, or it can even help you discover something new. View Deal

Don't buy it if

You’re short on counter space

The Magnifica Evo Next isn’t the biggest automatic coffee machine ever, but it certainly can’t be called compact.View Deal

You drink plant-based milk

This machine doesn’t discriminate against plant-based milks, but there aren’t any specific foaming or temperature profiles for dairy alternatives either.View Deal

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next: Also consider

Smeg BCC13

This is our favorite bean-to-cup espresso machine due it being a joy to use. It’s truly automatic, delivers tasty coffee and looks the absolute business.

Read our full Smeg BCC13 reviewView Deal

De’Longhi La Specialista Touch

If you’re tempted by a manual bean-to-cup machine instead, the La Specialista Touch from De’Longhi is a great option, especially for beginners. It’s semi-automated but with the option for better manual control and helps guide you through the more complex processes of espresso brewing. Plus, it’s cheaper than the Evo Next.

Read our full De'Longhi La Specilista Touch reviewView Deal

De'Longhi Magnifica Evo Next: How I tested

I used the De’Longhi Magnifica Evo Next at home with the same supermarket-brand coffee beans that we use in the TechRadar Australia office (in a Breville Oracle Jet), so I’m already familiar with the flavor. I followed the setup instructions by first testing the water hardness (hard) and configured the machine accordingly, which included needing to insert the supplied water filter.

I used the machine to pour a variety of the available drinks to assess the crema, flavor and time required. I also used the LatteCrema carafe to froth fridge-cold oat milk, of both the barista and non-barista varieties.

First reviewed May 2025

I remember seeing this monitor on the front step of my home/studio. I don't know how a mortal could have carried this alone. Perhaps the poor Fed-Ex driver had a buddy that day. Regardless, this monitor is massive, making the box much larger. Once I had my wife help move the monitor inside, I got to testing this 49in curved business monitor as soon as possible.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Lenovo ThinkVision P49w-30: Unboxing & first impressions

I'll admit it: I couldn't carry this monitor on my own, not without risking damage to the monitor or my home. So, I grabbed my wife to help carry this monitor down to my home office. I got it set up and added it to my testing desk and immediately realized how large this was and how nearly impossible it would be to get a fair test in this space.

So, I reached out to a friend, and we finished the unboxing session in his home studio. The box had all the cables expected, including DP cables, USB-A to USB-B cables, a Thunderbolt cable, and the proper documentation. Much like mine, getting the box into his house took two people, assuming you wouldn't want to scrape up your home or workspace. But, once unboxed, we could have one person unpack the rest of the monitor. The assembly was straightforward to work with.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

At first glance, this monitor would be super gimmicky and poor. There was no way in my head that a monitor with these specs would work well, or at least not in a way that would make me want to use it.

However, I was proven wrong after using this for the first few minutes. This monitor is fantastic. It's high quality, minimalist, and has great ports. I have come to love it all around. The build itself is high-quality, including the base, the casing for the monitor, and the little bump-out port pieces.

If you choose to use the stand, it has pretty smooth adjustments for tilt, swivel, and height and does a good job holding up this behemoth of a display.

Lenovo ThinkVision P49w-30: Design & build quality Specs

Size: 49” IPS
Resolution: 5120 x 1440
Aspect Ratio: 32:9
Brightness: 350 cd/m²; Contrast Ratio: 2000:1.
Color Gamut: 98% DCI-P3, 100% sRGB, 100% REC.709.
Ports: 2x HDMI 2.1, DP 1.4, 2x Thunderbolt 4, USB-C, 4x USB-A, Ethernet, Audio out.
Features: HDR10, KVM switch, PIP/PBP support, built-in 2x 5W speakers.

Though this monitor is huge, it's huge in all the right places. It's also quite slim when it comes to monitor depth, which is precisely what you want in a rather expensive monitor in 2025. The build quality, paired with this display's overall weight and size, make it feel like it's made well. It's heavy enough to feel like it's a quality display, but not so heavy that it's a burden to have it.

The sleek design has narrow bezels, which help give it a more modern, minimalist look; though calling something this large a minimalist item feels wrong, the styling is minimalist. In addition, the included stand provides good ergonomic adjustments while holding this beast of a display up.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Lenovo ThinkVision P49w-30: In use

The first time we set up this display, we were very weary of it. It's massive; how can it still be worth having for business and productivity? It took about 5 minutes or less for us to change our opinion on this display and fall in love with it. The color accuracy and consistency are excellent for any creative task we tested, whether video editing, photo editing, music production, or whatever else we could throw at it. When switching out your device and running the display, the built-in KVM switch is an absolute dream. You won't need to go around switching displays or unplugging something. Instead, you can plug multiple devices into the built-in switching ports and easily swap between devices.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Another way that this monitor has been incredible is for productivity. Because I can fit so much on the screen, I can have an entire project's worth of reference material simultaneously and at a size I can read. It makes my otherwise 13-16-inch screen (depending on the laptop I am using that day) feel super restrictive. With the ThinkVision P49w-30, I have two decent-sized monitors in one; without dealing with bezels or managing multiple desktops, I can keep everything simple.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

For creative tasks, the colors are great. Still, they may not be the most accurate, so if you are strictly a photo editor or color grader, this is probably not your display. Still, for music producers or video editors, there is so much timeline screen real estate that this could give you a view of most of your project's timeline at once, again with a decent-sized preview and controls window, too.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

Just for kicks and giggles, mainly because some of my team and I are really into Formula 1, we tried a racing simulator on this, and when I say it made playing any other way feel cheap and pathetic, I mean it. We were able to see side mirrors off to the side like we should, have a full visor in front of us, and feel more immersed in the game than we ever had before.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Lenovo ThinkVision P49w-30: Final verdict

The Lenovo ThinkVision P49w-30 stands out as a top-tier ultra-wide monitor tailored to professionals who wish for extensive screen space and versatile connectivity.

Its premium features and performance make it a worthy investment for enhancing productivity, and its connectivity options make this an excellent solution for Mac, PC, programmer, project manager, music producer, video editor, online marketer, administrative assistant, and so on.

The only downside is the price and the fact that I wish it could be more than 60Hz, but I barely even notice that it's only 60Hz, and if I were using this for business, as intended, I wouldn't notice. In short, all I have to say about this monitor regarding the professional/business workspace is, yes, please.

For more content creation essentials, we've reviewed the best monitors for photo editing and the best monitors for video editing.

Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer: two-minute review

The Revlon Airflow Control Dryer sports an innovative design and comes in at an extremely affordable price, but on test proved a bit of a disappointment. The USP is a head that rotates 90-degrees, enabling you to twist between locked vertical or horizontal positions to help you reach tricky angles. This head is then tapered, meaning it acts like a built-in concentrator – albeit an overly large one. With its bright red color, this dryer stands out but, in my opinion, not in an especially classy way.

At the rear of the dryer is a removable lint filter and a hanging loop, which make it easy to maintain and store. Inside, there's a 2000W motor and ceramic tourmaline technology that it promises to reduce frizz and add shine – although not very effectively, based on my tests.

Even with its powerful and directed airflow, this dryer left my long, naturally curly hair consistently frizzier than normal. In fact, I was repeatedly disappointed with how my hair looked and felt when using this dryer, and this was the case regardless of which of its three heat settings, or dual speed options, I tried. Some marketing materials position it as a travel dryer, in which case the fact it doesn't fold up for easier packing feels like an oversight.

On the plus side, the dryer's cold shot button – which actually feels cold, not just cool – is great at setting styles. And the inclusion of a diffuser attachment makes the Airflow Control dryer more versatile, opening it up to a wider range of different hair types.

Price-wise, it sits firmly in the budget price bracket, although I do feel you get what you're paying for – it really can't compete with the best hair dryers on the market right now. If you want something affordable and quick for everyday use, it’s a decent choice, but for anything more involved you'll need to invest a little more. Read on for my full Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer review.

(Image credit: Future) Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer review: price & availability

• List price: £35 / $38
• Available: UK, US
• Launched: August 2024

With a list price of £35 in the UK, and $37 in the US, the Revlon Airflow Control dryer sits firmly in the budget hair dryer category.

Within this category, the Airflow Control's closest rivals include Conair's $40 InfinitiPro dryer and the $35 BaByliss Pro Nano Titanium.

The Conair model ships with a concentrator and diffuser and is the classier, but larger, of the three, with its matte black finish and gold accents.

The BaByliss Pro Nano is closer to the Revlon in terms of its size, making it a good option for traveling, but it only ships with a concentrator and is missing the diffuser. It's also half as powerful (1000W vs 2000W) as Revlon's model.

All things considered, the Revlon Airflow Control dryer is good value, especially when you factor in the rotating head, built-in concentrator and diffuser included as standard. Other touches like the removable lint filter help too, yet you largely get what you pay for in terms of performance, as I'll get to shortly.

• Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer specs Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer review: design

• Rotating head helps direct airflow, but feels gimmicky
• Built-in concentrator is a nice touch but limits styling flexibility
• Powerful, yet bulky and bold design

The Revlon Airflow Control Dryer has a number of features that make it stand out from the crowd, but having used it for the past month, I have mixed feelings about most of them. The headline is its rotating head, which lets you switch the nozzle between vertical and horizontal positions by sliding a small lock button near the base, and twisting the head into place.

It’s a feature that's designed to reduce wrist strain and make it easier to style at different angles. It also doubles up as a built-in concentrator, which means there are no loose parts to clip on, or lose. For the most part, I like this feature. It definitely helps when you're drying the back of your head or using a brush, and its tapered design helps deliver a strong, focused airflow thanks to the 2000W motor.

However, in practice, it feels over-engineered for what it does. The concentrator is wide and fixed in size, and you can’t swap it for a narrower nozzle when you want extra precision for smoothing or root volume. As a result, once the novelty wears off, it starts to feel more like a design flourish than a game-changer. Especially when most detachable concentrators can be twisted and achieve similar results with less bulk and limitations.

(Image credit: Future)

Speaking of bulk, the dryer measures 22.8cm x 27.9cm x 8.9cm, and the proportions make it feel larger in the hand than necessary. It's sometimes pitched as a travel dryer, and while it's not overly heavy (30.6oz / 870g) the fact it can't fold means it'd be rather cumbersome to pack. All this, combined with the sporty design, means the Airflow Control doesn’t feel as premium as I’d hoped.

The diffuser snaps easily to the front of the barrel using magnets, although this attachment is huge and adds to the overall bulk. Elsewhere, the removable filter on the rear is a nice touch for keeping the dryer working to its best, the 1.8m (5.9ft) cord is a decent length too– although many models come with longer cables, I felt I still had enough freedom to move around the room.

Controls & modes

In addition to the lock button on the side of the barrel, there are two slider switches on the handle of the Airflow Control dryer – one to control its three temperature settings (cool, warm, hot), and one for its two speed settings (low, high).

These are well-positioned and easy to reach without knocking accidentally. More premium dryers will tend to offer more setting options, but this range and combination of controls is fairly standard, and well suited to a range of different hair types and styles.

Above these slider switchers is a cold shot button that also works well to set styles at the end of a blow-dry. Like with the slider switches, you can't accidentally activate this mode; you have to make a deliberate long press to turn it on, and this is welcomed.

(Image credit: Future)

CONTROLS

Aesthetically speaking, I'm not sold on this dryer. The red and black colorway gives it a bold, sporty look. This may appeal to some, but I personally prefer something more minimalist, or neutral.

In summary, the rotating head and built-in concentrator sound great on paper but fall short due to their bulk and lack of flexibility. If you blow-dry your hair a lot and want a comfortable grip with no attachments to juggle, it could work well. But if you’re looking for a sleeker, classier design, customisable attachments, or a more travel-friendly option, the design of this dryer won't be the best fit.

• Design score: 3 out of 5

Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer review: performance

• Dries hair quickly, even on low settings
• Cold shot works well for setting styles
• Finish was consistently disappointing and frizzy

Performance-wise, I was pleasantly surprised by the Revlon Airflow Control Dryer. At least at first.

On the highest heat and speed settings, it dried my hair impressively fast. I could get my long hair about 80 per cent dry in under three minutes, before taking around a minute more using a blow-dry brush to attempt to smooth out the top. Even on the lower settings, the airflow feels strong and consistent, and the built-in concentrator helps direct this power and airflow well. You can't fault the dryer for its efficiency, and it does its main job – getting moisture out of the hair – as well as any.

The cold shot button is another feature that performs well. Unlike some dryers where the cool setting just feels lukewarm, this one gives a genuine blast of cold air. With its button positioned conveniently above the sliders, you can easily press it with your thumb while styling, and it works quickly to cool down sections and lock in shape.

(Image credit: Future)

With extended use, though, things started to fall apart for me. While the drying time was quick, the finish just wasn’t there. At all. No matter what combination of settings I used – hot then cool, low speed for control, brushing in sections, even towel-drying beforehand – my hair always ended up looking frizzy and undefined. Even with the promise of the built-in concentrator and ceramic tourmaline coating, and even if I followed my drying session up with the cold shot, the result was consistently disappointing.

So much so, the time I saved on drying was lost by needing to go back over everything with straighteners or a hot brush just to get a polished finish.

(Image credit: Future)

Similarly, when using the magnetic diffuser on my natural curls, I was hoping for a soft, voluminous finish, but again the results were underwhelming. It dried my hair quickly, but didn’t enhance definition or reduce frizz. If anything, it made my hair puffier.

Given its budget price I wasn't expecting miracles with the Airflow Control, but considering the marketing specifically says it'll reduce frizz and boost shine, I couldn't help but feel disappointed.

• Performance score: 2.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer? Buy it if...

You want fast drying time

With a powerful 2000W motor and strong airflow, the Airflow Control dryer will get your hair dry nice and quickly.

You're on a tight budget

Not everyone can (or wants to) spend a small fortune on a hair dryer. This is one of the cheapest options around, and if you have basic styling needs it'll do the job just fine.

You struggle with wrist strain when styling

The rotating head helps adjust airflow angles without needing to twist your arm or strain your wrists. The built-in concentrator is also convenient and means there’s nothing to lose or clip on.

Don't buy it if...

You want a sleek, frizz-free finish

Despite its ceramic tourmaline coating, the Airflow Control dryer consistently left my hair frizzy.

You need styling flexibility

The concentrator is built-in and oversized, so you can’t swap it for more precise nozzles.

You prefer compact or folding tools for travel

The dryer is bulkier than expected and doesn’t fold, meaning it's not the best choice for slinging into a suitcase or backpack.

How I tested the Revlon Airflow Control hair dryer

For a month, I used the Revlon Airflow Control Dryer as the main dryer for my long, naturally curly and fine hair. During testing, I used all the different heat and speed settings, timed how long it took the combinations to rough-dry my hair from wet to dry, and I tested how well the cold shot and diffuser performed. I paid close attention to how easy it was to use day-to-day, including how it felt to hold, button placement, and whether the rotating head actually made a difference.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed March 2025

Philips Barista Brew: two-minute review

The Philips Barista Brew is an espresso machine that can either hand-hold you through brewing espresso by automating part of the process, or leave you to do everything manually once you’ve built up your confidence. It’s a nice idea that should help smooth out the typical learning curve.

The machine heats quickly, and has a useful pressure gauge on the front that lets you see whether you’ve achieved the optimal pressure while pulling a shot of espresso. The controls are simple to understand and use, and although the Barista Brew takes longer to master than some other machines I’ve tested recently (such as the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch), once accustomed to its idiosyncrasies, you’ll be able to create consistently good coffee with minimal fuss (and only a scattering of grounds on your kitchen worktop).

For me, the Philips Barista Brew had two main drawbacks: the automatic dosing and the tamper. Both issues are solvable, though; but they do mean that this is a good coffee machine rather than a great one.

On its default settings, the Barista Brew ground far too much coffee for a double shot of espresso, and I needed to reduce the grind time by half to get an appropriate dose. Changing settings isn’t too difficult using the instruction booklet, but I can’t help but feel that the presets should be better configured, since making big changes to the standard settings may be outside the comfort zone of people new to coffee-making.

I found it hard to achieve the optimum pressure using the Philips Barista Brew with its "calibrated" tamper, and my coffee tended to extract too quickly – even when very finely ground. Swapping to a conventional solid tamper solved the problem, however. (Image credit: Future)

My other issue was the tamper, which is spring-loaded and limits the amount of pressure you can put on the coffee puck. Despite the coffee being finely ground, my shots often poured too fast, and the pressure gauge on the front of the machine showed that it was failing to reach the optimal nine bars.

I found a few solutions. Grinding the coffee more coarsely means it takes up more space (imagine the difference between a bucket full of sand and one full of rocks), with it usually resulting in a faster pour because water will find its way through the grounds more quickly. But here, if you dial the grinder just right, you may be able to tamp hard enough to cancel out that effect.

Another option is to simply grind more coffee, so there's more for the tamp to compress; but this feels like a waste of beans. As with any espresso machine, add too much to your basket and it will make contact with the brew head when you insert the handle, which will stop the water passing through properly.

(Image credit: Future)

Finally, you can stick with your preferred grind size and dose, and use a simple third-party tamper to compress the puck rather than Philips' spring-loaded unit. While this one feels nice in the hand, I can’t help but feel it’s over-engineered.

Nevertheless, it’s important to bear in mind the price of the Barista Brew when you’re comparing it to others in the same category. Although I found the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch easier to master, the Barista Brew is much cheaper at its currently reduced price when you buy direct from Philips. If you don’t get along with the "calibrated" tamper, you can buy a good-quality unit separately and still pay a lot less.

It’ isn't perfect, but the Philips Barista Brew is very good for the price, and is definitely one to consider if you’re looking for a compact, all-in-one espresso machine that won’t break the bank.

Philips Barista Brew: price and availability

• List price $649.99 / £580.99 (about AU$1,000)
• For sale in US and Europe
• Dual-hopper version also available

The Philips Barista Brew launched in January 2024, with a list price of $649.99 / £580.99 (about AU$1,000). However, it can often be found at a discount if you shop around – for example, at the time of writing, it’s available direct from Philips for £449.99. You’ll find all today’s best prices below.

That’s about average for a semi-automatic espresso machine of this type, and is almost exactly the same price as the similarly specced De’Longhi La Specialista Arte Evo. If you want a machine that will hold your hand with features such as automatic milk texturizing or a color touchscreen (like the De’Longhi La Specialista Touch), for example, you should expect to pay a little more.

This version of the Philips Barista Brew comes with a single bean hopper, but there’s also a model with a dual hopper that can hold two different beans at once and switch between them on-the-fly. That model is slightly more expensive at $699.99 / £624.99 (about AU$1,100) before discounts.

• Value score: 4.5/5

Philips Barista Brew: specs Philips Barista Brew: design

• Stylish-looking and compact
• Easy-to-use controls for coffee and milk
• Grinder is messy to use

The Philips Barista Brew is quite compact compared to most of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines, and surprisingly light, too. This is largely down to its chassis, which is made mostly from black plastic, with brushed stainless steel only on the front. It’s a stylish appliance, and will look quite at home in a modern kitchen.

The machine is operated using a series of buttons found along the front, with a dial on the side for dispensing hot water and steam. There are three drink options (single espresso, double espresso, and americano), and you can adjust the brew time and coffee dosage manually by following the clear guidance in the instruction booklet.

(Image credit: Future)

The version of the Philips Barista Brew I tested comes with a single bean hopper, but there's also a version with a two-part hopper that allows you to switch between different beans on-the-fly – a welcome feature for those of us who prefer decaf in the afternoon. The dual-hopper version is only a little more expensive, and is well worth considering.

The hopper sits on top of a ceramic burr grinder that offers 15 grind settings, which are adjusted by rotating the hopper. The burrs move smoothly, and dismantling the grinder for cleaning proved straightforward. The machine comes with a small cleaning kit that includes a brush for this purpose.

Even with the powder ring fitted on the handle, coffee tended to fly out of the grinder (Image credit: Future)

The grinder can be set to dispense a timed dose of coffee, or operated manually by pushing the portafilter handle against the back of the machine (tilting it slightly upwards to hit a switch).

The water tank sits on the back of the Philips Barista Brew, and is easy to lift off using its robust handle. Some other reviewers have called it narrow and difficult to clean, but it’s actually wider than those of many other coffee machines I’ve tested this year, and it was perfectly possible to get my hand inside with a cloth and towel. The only downside is that it isn't supplied with a water filter.

Look behind the drip tray to find a nicely designed pin tool for clearing the steam wand (Image credit: Future)

The steam wand has a good range of motion, and can be adjusted using a cool-touch silicone handle. Should it become clogged, you’ll find a double-ended pin tool for clearing any blockages tucked away behind the drip tray, where it’s unlikely to be found by children, or become lost. The sharper end of the pin even has a safety cap to protect your fingers.

The Barista Brew comes with a 48mm portafilter and four filter baskets – single and double-walled, for single and double shots. The double-walled (pressurized) baskets are more forgiving if you haven't quite nailed your coffee-making technique just yet, and make it easier to make a consistently well-extracted shot.

The calibrated tamper feels nice and weighty in the hand, but limits how much pressure you can put on the puck (Image credit: Future)

The portafilter handle has a rubberized area at the front of the basket, which makes it easy for you to stabilize it on the edge of your kitchen counter while tamping, without the need for a separate mat. It also has a powder ring that twists onto the basket that’s intended to keep things tidy during grinding, although I found it didn't prevent grounds flying out.

You also get the usual stainless steel milk pitcher, which is perfectly well made, and a "calibrated" tamper that only lets you compress the ground coffee a certain amount. It's an interesting idea, but in practice I struggled to get a properly extracted coffee because it wasn't tamped down hard enough.

Finally, the Barista Brew has a cup-warmer on top – something I always appreciate, but which is usually missing from espresso machines in this price bracket.

• Design score: 3.5/5

Philips Barista Brew: performance

The Philips Barista Brew is fundamentally a very good coffee machine, and once you’re familiar with its quirks you’ll be able to make consistently good espresso. However, its guided brewing features aren't quite as straightforward as it might first appear – and in some cases, it’s easier to do things yourself.

The Barista Brew heats quickly, and its set of clearly labelled buttons are intuitive to use once it’s up to temperature. The standout design feature is the large central pressure gauge, which lets you see how well your coffee is extracted before you even taste it. Some higher-end coffee makers I’ve tested will determine whether the pressure was too high or too low and offer feedback on a color touchscreen, but the analog pressure meter does the job just as well.

The machine’s pump is quiet in operation, too, averaging 60dB during use (about the same as a dishwasher or normal conversation). Some coffee makers can reach up to 70dB, so the Barista Brew definitely sits towards the more comfortable end of the scale.

The powder ring is a nice addition, but doesn't fully prevent coffee spraying out during grinding (Image credit: Future)

My main issues with this machine involve grinding and tamping. The Philips Barista Brew offers a grind time setting to help with dosing. Just turn a dial on the front of the machine to decide how much coffee to dispense, hold the grind button to toggle between single and double shots, and tap it again to start grinding. Unfortunately, even when turned down to one of the lowest settings, the machine ground far more beans than I actually needed – even though I was using one of the finest grind sizes. I had to scoop out a good portion of grounds before I could consider tamping them down.

It was much easier to ignore the dosing button and do things the old-fashioned way: use a digital scale to weigh the handle, zero the scale, push the handle against the back of the machine until the dosage looked right (about 18g for a double espresso), weigh it again, and make any tweaks to achieve the correct weight.

The Barista Brew can pull a well-balanced espresso, once you're used to its quirks (Image credit: Future)

The grinder was also a bit messy. The Philips Barista Brew has a powder ring that twists onto the top of the basket before grinding, which should direct ground coffee inside. However, in use I found that ground coffee still had a tendency to shoot out onto my work surface and the rest of the machine. Coffee grounds were particularly prone to accumulating on the funnel directly below the grinder, which needed wiping after every use. It seems this issue is likely caused by static electricity.

According to Philips, the spring-loaded tamper is calibrated to help you create a perfect puck; but during my tests, I found it didn’t apply as much pressure as I'd like. As a result, water ran through the grounds too quickly, and the machine failed to reach the optimum nine bars of pressure, even with very finely ground coffee (as shown on the pressure gauge).

Therefore, the resulting drinks were often under-extracted and a little sour-tasting –something verified by my colleague Peter Berenski, the resident coffee-buff at TechRadar’s sister site, Tom’s Guide. The video below shows a typical under-extracted double espresso pouring in just 15 seconds rather than the ideal 28 seconds.

You can get around this issue by using a third-party 58mm tamper; the "calibrated" unit supplied with the machine feels like a solution in search of a problem. The machine would be better with something simple. You can also try grinding your coffee more coarsely, so that the same weight of grounds take up more space, or simply use more beans – but this feels like a waste.

On a happier note, the machine’s steam wand is excellent. You don’t have precise control over the pressure (the dial on the side of the machine simply lets you choose between steam and water), but once it’s up to temperature, it maintains good pressure for the length of time it takes you to texturize your milk.

Automatic milk systems can be a nice touch for new users, but a manual wand delivers more flexibility, letting you adjust your technique for dairy or non-dairy milks.

• Performance score: 3.5/5

Should you buy the Philips Barista Brew? Buy it if

You’re looking for an affordable espresso machine

The Philips Barista Brew is often available at a healthy discount, and is one of the most affordable bean-to-cup machines you can buy.

You’re already comfortable with the fundamentals

If you already know how to dose, tamp and steam, the Philips Barista Brew will be a piece of cake to use.

Don't buy it if

You’re intimidated by manual controls

The Philips Barista Brew offers guided brewing features, but in my experience it works best when you take coffee-making into your own hands. If you want more assistance, a model such as the Ninja Luxe Café may be a better option.

You want to keep your kitchen pristine

The Philips Barista Brew’s grinder has a tendency to propel coffee across your worktop, and grounds accumulate around the chute. A barista towel will be invaluable.

Philips Barista Brew: also consider

De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685

If you’re on a tight budget, this little manual coffee maker is one of the best you can buy. You’ll need a separate grinder, but that will deliver greater flexibility because you can choose one with a wider range of grind settings.

Read our full De'Longhi Dedica Style EC685 review

Breville Barista Touch Impress

Want an espresso machine that offers more of a helping hand than the Philips Barista Brew? The Barista Touch Impress (branded as Sage in the UK) will assist you in creating the perfect puck, with a lever-operated smart tamping system. It’s much pricier than the Philips machine, though.

Read our full Breville Barista Touch Impress review

How I tested the Philips Barista Brew

I put the Philips Barista Brew through its paces for a week, using both the pressurized and single-wall baskets to compare the results. I dialled in the grinder to achieve good extraction, and used both the automatic dosing system and manual grinding options. I used fresh arabica beans from a local coffee roaster, and chilled whole milk bought immediately before testing.

I compared coffee made using the Philips Barista Brew to coffee made with my own Gaggia Classic manual espresso maker and Dualit ceramic burr grinder.

For more details, see how we test, review, and rate products on TechRadar.

First reviewed May 2025

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2: One minute review

The Shokz OpenFit Air are probably the best running headphones for people in the 5k to half-marathon distance bracket who want to be able to hear their surroundings when they train and race. Offering a very reasonable 6 hours on a full charge, the battery life will get most people through a full marathon, too, although more expensive Shokz options give double the playtime.

Open-ear headphones like the OpenFit Air sit around and over your ears rather than in your ear canal like the best wireless earbuds. This pair is particularly light, at just 8.7g per bud, and you barely feel them on when you're jogging along a bumpy country lane or doing burpees in a virtual class. The design incorporates a flexible silicone ear hook, and this holds them securely in place without creating any pressure or discomfort during long listening sessions.

While they fit a wide range of ears and sit alongside glasses, the open design won't be for everyone. Music is brought to a confusing backdrop when you're near heavy traffic or crowds, and some people will still want active noise cancellation. Of course, many professional running and cycling races have rules on the type of headphones you can use. For safety, you need to be able to hear other runners, marshals, and cars, and the OpenFit Air allow you to do this.

Unlike Shokz's best bone-conduction headphones, open-ear options like the OpenFit Air use tiny speakers to transmit sound. Shokz calls it Air Conduction via DirectPitch, which is a fancy way of saying that sound waves move through the air to hit your ear, as is sort of the case with the best earbuds anyway.

It feels like Shokz has carefully considered its target market with OpenFit Air. The headphones were released in June 2024 as a more affordable open-ear option compared to the original Shokz OpenFit and the Bose Ultra Open earbuds. With IP54 water and sweat-resistance, they're not just for runners either, but yogis, walkers, and cyclists. Other key features include touch controls and multipoint pairing for switching been a phone and a desktop or smartwatch.

Given that the more expensive OpenFit 2 headphones were released in January with almost double the battery life and physical buttons, and that the Shokz OpenRun Pro offer such fantastic bass for runners, are the Shokz OpenFit Air too much of a Goldilocks option? Over more than three months of testing, I've loved wearing them and loved hearing them. They don't suit all my listening needs, but they've been hooked around my ears more than I ever imagined.

Shokz OpenFit Air: Specifications Shokz OpenFit Air: Price and availability

• Cost $119.95 / £94 / AU$199
• More affordable than the OpenFit
• Well-priced for the quality and design

At $119.95 / £94 / AU$199, these headphones are cheaper than the Shokz OpenFit 2 ($179.95/£129.95) by some way. It's fair to say that those offer better waterproofing and more than double the battery life on a single charge, but not everyone needs 11 hours of juice in one go. Contrasting with other options from the brand, the OpenRun Pro2 bone-conduction headphones come in at $179.95/£169, and they give you up to 12 hours of audio.

The OpenFit Air headphones are cheaper than other brands targeting runners and fitness fanatics. The Beats Fit Pro at $199 / £199 / AU$299.95, give up to 6 hours of playback. But they're an in-ear bud, making it a harder comparison. Then there's the premium Bose Ultra Open earbuds at $299 / £249.95 / AU$449.95, which aren't marketed for runners in quite the same way but offer a similar fit and premium audio.

You'll always be able to find cheaper options, of course. The Soundcore V20i by Anker also keep your ear canal bud-free and cost around $40 / £50 / AU$89.99, with four mics to chop out surrounding noise on calls. Without testing, it's hard to say how they compare, but they're marketed for everyday use and light running.

Personally, if I'm going to put a pair of headphones through a lot of wear, tear, and sweat, I'm just not sure I can justify a very expensive option. I think the OpenFit Air are brilliant value when you balance the design, battery life, and functionality they give the average runner.

• Value: 4 / 5

Shokz OpenFit Air: Design Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

• Memory alloy core with a silicone outer
• Super light: only 8.7g per earbud
• Resist dirt and sweat, even in white

The way that Shokz approaches design and packaging for the OpenFit Air feels sleek. The buds, which are made from a mixture of a flexible, matte silicone surface and a metallic ring, come in a solid snap-shut charging case with a USB-C port at the back.

Of the three colorways for the OpenFit Air—white, black, and pastel pink—I reviewed the white pair. While I love white tech, I was worried they’d get grubby with regular wear in sweaty workouts. Three months in, however, and they still look as good as new. Unlike in-ear headphones, they don’t trap sweat, so I wager they’ll last longer even under heavy use. It's worth noting that the IP54 water resistance rating is okay for light rain and sweat, but below the IP55 rating of the Shokz Open Run Pro.

The OpenFit Air are my first pair of open-air headphones, and when I first tried them on, I was amazed at their lightness (just 8.7g each). They fit neatly around my small ears, whereas other headphones can dwarf them. But I was dubious about them staying on during exercise. The flexible silicone ends wrapped around my ears snugly, and I felt confident about taking them for a run. To see how well they'd fit a wider range of ears, I asked my partner, who has larger lugs than I do, to try them too, and the adaptable ear hook gave a good fit and sound without putting pressure on the ear (below).

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

• Design: 4.5 / 5

Shokz OpenFit Air: Features

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

• Touch controls are easy to press accidentally
• A few equalizer options within the app
• Four microphones for clear voice calls

Unlike the Shokz OpenFit, the Air has a multi-point pairing mode feature. This means you can connect them to your phone and say, a Bluetooth running watch, then switch between the two quickly. I paired them with Android, iOS, and Windows, plus a Garmin Forerunner watch, and found a seamless transition between them. There's no ear detection, so if you take the buds out, they keep playing, and you'll need to cut the audio off at the source.

By design, given that the OpenFit Air are meant to keep you aware of your surroundings, there’s no noise cancellation feature. But there are four microphones on the left bud, with a Qualcomm cVc 8.0 voice recognition algorithm designed to filter out background noise. I tested the mics for voice calls as a listener and a talker, and the sound was clear on both ends, apart from in very heavy wind. The mics are only in the right earbud, so obviously you'll need to wear that one to be heard.

The OpenFit Air has no physical buttons for the volume, pausing, or skipping tracks. Instead, there’s a touch-sensitive interface on the main body of each headphone, which presents a few problems. Although the design keeps the headphone exterior smooth (where buttons would likely gather dirt or sweat), it’s easy to touch these controls accidentally.

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

Reaching up to adjust my ponytail or removing a layer would brush them enough to create a loud, confused beep. By default, you have to hold down your finger on the side of either headphone to raise or lower the volume. And when running at even a moderate speed, this feels awkward. You can change which gestures do what in the Shokz app, but the clunky control lets down an otherwise seamless feature set.

Otherwise, the free Shokz smartphone app is satisfyingly simple. It also offers basic info about the buds and case battery levels, and there are five preset EQ settings for changing the audio balance. For the most part, I kept the buds on Bass Boost and enjoyed the richer sound it offered.

• Features: 4 / 5

Shokz OpenFit Air: Performance

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

• 6 hours of battery and 28 hours from the case
• A 10-minute gives 2 hours listening time
• Leaks sound at high volumes, as open-ears do

I wasn't expecting the Shokz OpenFit Air to deliver the same bass and immersive listening as my Bose QuietComfort Over-Ear headphones, but I did want to be able to enjoy my eclectic library of tunes while running. I started using the headphones while training for a half marathon, and although it took me a while to get used to the open-ear design and the ambient noise that was intentionally let in, I learnt to love them.

Sound comes from custom 18 x 11mm dynamic drivers that Shokz has engineered for balanced bass, mid, and treble frequencies. I felt there was a decent amount of bass on pumping tracks like The Veldt by deadmau5, but I also enjoyed quieter, minimalist piano from Ludovico Einaudi when I wanted my runs to take on a more soulful vibe. During podcasts, with multiple people talking, I often had to crank up the volume to hear exactly what was being said.

The headphones let in background noise to keep you safe on runs and walks, lest you get into a spot of bother when crossing roads or tracks. When I was running in the city centre, the music was hard to hear, rather than the main event, but that's sort of the point here. It's not a flaw with the headphones, just something to bear in mind if you're not sure you always want to hear your surroundings. In a busy hipster gym, for example, I still don my over-ear headphones to block out distracting noises and focus on my own workout. But for HIIT classes at home, the OpenFit Air are again the ideal, lightweight companion.

There's noise leakage from the headphones, but it's not obtrusive until you get to three-quarters of the full volume. I'd never wear the OpenFit Air in my open office, or on the bus or train, but for walks around the countryside where I wanted to listen to a podcast and keep my ears open to birdsong, wildlife, and farm machinery, the balance of both was perfect.

Traditional in-ear buds can give me an earache after a few hours, and over-ear headphones neckache. By contrast, the Shokz OpenFit Air are the most comfortable headphones I’ve ever worn, so much so that I often forget they’re there. I can wear them with sunglasses arms sitting on top, and I've also seen several users reporting comfort when wearing a helmet, although I haven’t yet tested this.

I've worn the Shokz under a bandana or woolly hat during colder runs and found no more discomfort from having them slightly pressed to my head. Whether it's to be recommended or not, when pottering on a day off, I often wear the Airs for as long as the battery lasts.

Speaking of battery, I've found that impressive too. Shokz says you'll get up to six hours of battery life from the buds and a further 28 hours by popping them in the case to charge them up. This is close to what I've experienced; on one day when I wore the OpenFit Air from a full charge, I timed 5 hours 45 minutes of use. Similarly, the buds lasted me a full weekend of travel with top-ups from the case on the go.

• Performance: 4.5 / 5

Shokz OpenFit Air: Scorecard

(Image credit: Lauren Scott) Should I buy the Shokz OpenFit Air? Buy it if...

You want to hear your surroundings

As a regular city runner and race-goer, the fact I could hear traffic and situational noise while running was one of my main reasons for getting the Shokz OpenFit Air. Even at full volume, you can hear your favourite audio while still being aware of your surroundings - and that helps to keep you safe.View Deal

You want a comfortable fit

I have small ears and have always found traditional earbuds uncomfortable. The OpenFit Air rest gently on your ears and don't cause any discomfort after long listening periods or intense workouts.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You want noise isolation

Obviously, the open-ear design of the OpenFit Air lets in ambient noise like traffic and talking. If you’re after something that blocks out sounds from the outside world, that’s not what these are designed for.View Deal

You're a swimmer

The OpenFit Air are sweat and splash-resistant, but not definitely aren't designed for water submersion. If you’re a triathlete or keen swimmer who needs proper waterproofing, look for headphones with an IP67 rating instead.View Deal

Also consider

Shokz OpenSwim Pro

These are specifically designed for swimmers and are fully waterproof. With 32GB of built-in MP3 storage, you can access around 8,000 songs when bobbing about underwater (where Bluetooth can't reach). And the open-ear design gives situational awareness out of the water.

Read our Shokz OpenSwim Pro reviewView Deal

Shokz OpenRun Pro 2

While the OpenFit Air aren't specifically for runners, the OpenRun Pro 2 are. The difference is in the wraparound headband design that's super stable during intense runs, and the buttons, which you'll probably find easier to use than touch-sensitive controls when you're moving at pace.

Read our Shokz OpenRun Pro 2 reviewView Deal

How I tested

• Used daily for over three months
• Listened to podcasts, music and phone calls
• Ran two half marathon races wearing them

I've spent more than three months wearing the Shokz OpenRun Pro 2, and during that time have used them for all my outdoor runs – including two half-marathon road races and a rainy 10k on bumpy terrain.

I wore them on daily dog walks in the countryside when I still wanted to hear wildlife and farm machinery. I also used them for at-home HIIT workouts, to test how well they stayed on while I was star-jumping, doing burpees, and generally moving around erratically. I didn't use these buds in the gym or the office as I need heavier noise cancellation there.

I connected the earphones to my iPhone 15 Pro and Garmin running watch to see how easy it was to connect and switch between the two devices. I listened to all sorts of audio, from classic music on the radio, to voice calls with my family, to podcasts and audiobooks, and the indie rock from my teenage years. I also tried all four EQ settings available in the Shokz app.

Lastly, to test the microphone, I took several calls both at home and in a city centre with background traffic, noting both how it performed for me and asking the person on the other end to tell me how they found the sound quality.

Branch is known for its simple elegance regarding office hardware. They have some great chairs, some fantastic desks, and so on. The Four Leg Standing Desk is no exception to this rule. Much like the Branch range of office chairs and desks I have reviewed, this model is done well and done right.

It's minimalist, elegant, easy to set up, easy to use, and has stood the test of time as my team and I have been putting this desk to the real-world test for the past 173 days.

When I say putting to the test, I genuinely mean it. This standing desk has been the primary and nearly everyday workstation for one of my team members for over four months (at the time of writing this), and so far, there have been zero complaints other than his height. This team member is 6'4" tall, well above the average height. His only complaint is that he wishes it would get taller, but that would not be the problem for most people. Outside of that, this desk has worked without error or stutter.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Branch Four Leg Standing Desk: Unboxing & first impressions

The Branch Four Leg Standing Desk came in a secure and well-protected package, with parts precisely packed away in clearly labeled and organized bags making every bolt and screw easy to find and assemble. I could build this desk by myself in about 37 minutes, and since I got a slightly smaller size, I could flip it over without any problem whatsoever.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

The desk surface feels premium, durable, and easy to clean, all necessary in a quality desk setup. The frame is made of metal and has some openings in the pipes, so grouping cables to feed into the frame itself is easy and painless. The frame components are also quite heavy-duty -- even with the cutouts -- adding to the stability and reliability of the desk.

The controller sits within the desk on the bottom right of the desktop. This is different from what we usually see with the controller on the face of the desk, mounted underneath with a small faceplate. Nevertheless, it's a welcome adjustment, helping keep the front of the desk clean and allowing for easy access.

This desk is elegant and simple enough to easily add into nearly any room of your home or apartment, whether that is your dining room, guest room, bedroom, or living room. It could also fit beautifully in a co-working space or private office at an office building or company.

Branch Four Leg Standing Desk: Design & build quality Specs

Desktop Size: 48 x 27 inches, 59 x 27 inches

Frame Material: Powder-coated steel

Desktop Material: High-density MDF core with laminate finish

Height Range: 27.3 to 44.6 inches

Weight Capacity: 225 lbs

Warranty: 10 years structural, 5 years mechanical

Most of the best standing desks I have tested have a two-leg design, either in a T-Shape or a C-Shape. This desk, however, is a four-legged design. It reminds me of the ultra-premium-priced Beflo Tenon but at a fraction of the cost. The overall build quality of the desk is high. It feels premium, like it will last for a while and withstand some damage without a premium price tag.

I opted for white legs with a light wood top because I wanted something more modern and timeless, and I am happy that I did. Because of this choice in the colorway, this desk can fit just about anywhere, thanks to its modern and minimalistic design.

The desktop is smooth to the touch, easy to clean, and scratch-resistant, though I won't take a knife or sharp edge to it soon to prove that. The desk changes position smoothly, quietly, and quickly, all without a wobble and at the ease of pressing a button.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Branch Four Leg Standing Desk: In use

As I mentioned, my team has used this desk nearly daily for the last 173 days while writing this article. Over time, we have noticed that this desk fits perfectly; it works seamlessly, is clean and straightforward, and has been consistently reliable. Even at max height, there is no noticeable wobble, which is wild to think about, and even if we get into an intense typing session, we don't notice any rocking or wobble.

Even after being used heavily, this desk still looks as good as new without a desk mat. It's held up to daily mouse movements, keyboard movements, coffee cups, soda cans, water bottles, etc. Over the last few months, the only complaint my team has made is that since he is so tall, he wishes it could get a bit taller at maximum height.

Set up as a true work from home desk (Image credit: Collin Probst // Future) Branch Four Leg Standing Desk: Final verdict

The Branch Four Leg Standing Desk is a wonderful choice for professionals who need a reliable, stable, functional, and widely usable desk option. This desk, as mentioned, works great in a professional setting or for a home office thanks to the colorway options, the sleek design, and the modern taste. The motors are quiet, the shape is rounded, and the design is clean enough to fit into any space you may need to outfit. If you are looking for a quality desk to add to your arsenal, start a home office for the first time, or outfit a workspace, this standing desk is a great option to consider, especially if you prefer the elegant four-legged style.

To help you get comfortable in your workspace, we've reviewed the best standing desk mats you can get.

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

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

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

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

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

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

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

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

Lenovo ThinkPad E14 Gen 6: Design & build quality Specs

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Thrustmaster SimTask FarmStick X: One-minute review

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Image credit: Future/Alex Berry)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Don't buy it if...

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

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

Also consider...

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

First reviewed April 2025

Read more about how we test