Reviews

Motorola Edge 70 two-minute review

The Edge series from Motorola has been one of the most consistently interesting lines of Android phones for cost-conscious buyers; they’re not always the best smartphones around, but they look classy and get you unrivaled value for money in the Android world. But I’m not so sure about the Motorola Edge 70, which has fallen in with the wrong crowd by trying to follow the new thin-phone ‘trend’.

Super-thin smartphones are starting to feel like a new bandwagon that tech companies are leaping on, apparently after having noticed the huge lack of interest buyers had in the last bandwagon: AI. This bandwagon’s turning out no better: we didn’t love the Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge, and the iPhone Air was lambasted online, and so the Motorola Edge 70 has a lot to prove.

Before testing the Edge 70, I thought Moto would be preaching to the choir; I gave the Edge 60 a glowing review (I think it's my favorite phone of the year), and was fond of the Edge 60 Pro too. Perhaps it should have been telling that the previous generation of Edge mobiles came out only six months prior, because this new Edge is nothing to write home about.

Yes, it’s thin, and yes, it’s light, but it’s still just as wide and tall as your average Android smartphone, so these two tweaked specs don’t exactly amount to a revolutionary redesign.

Beyond its chassis, this is another solid mid-range Android phone. There’s a decent processor and enough RAM to blast through games, a good-looking screen, a classy color scheme, and a competent camera array (albeit with a few downgrades from the Edge 60 Pro in certain areas).

However, the huge price jump up from the Edge 60 – and the solid increase on the Edge 60 Pro too – throws my ‘mid-range’ argument into disarray; this is an expensive mobile which doesn’t go nearly far enough in justifying that price.

Bear in mind the number of downgrades from the still-very-fresh Edge 60 line: the new Edge 70 loses a camera from the 60 and 60 Pro, and also misses out on the fast charging and strong performance of the latter. And remember: the 60 Pro is a cheaper phone.

That’s doubly painful when you consider how much bloatware there is on this newer device; it's a symptom of a cheap phone that feels out of place when you’re buying a phone that’s only a little less pricey than the Samsung Galaxy S25 or iPhone 17.

Generally speaking, the Edge 70 runs smoothly, and there are a few things to like. I like how the Water Touch feature makes the phone easy to use when your hands are wet, the screen looks good, and the amount of on-board storage and RAM is great. And there's no denying that the Edge 70 is cheaper than its thin-phone rivals, even if that's simply because they're even more ludicrously priced.

A slightly-thinner-than-average body doesn’t make the price make sense, though, especially when the Motorola Edge 60 is basically half the price. Even though it’s a solid phone all around, the cost makes it hard to recommend the Edge 70 over its six-month senior.

Motorola Edge 70 review: price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• Released in November 2025
• £699.98 (roughly $920, AU$1,400)
• No US release expected; AU possibly

Motorola announced the Edge 70 on November 5, 2025, and put it on sale shortly afterwards.

You can buy the Motorola Edge 70 for £699.98 (roughly $920, AU$1,400). The phone won’t be released in the US, as Moto has a different Edge strategy there, but I’m expecting it to come out in Australia at some point in the near future based on precedent.

That’s a massive price increase from the £379 (roughly $520, AU$700) asking price of the Edge 60, but also more than the £599 (around $800, AU$1,250) of the Edge 60 Pro.

The Edge is, at least, cheaper than its rivals: the Galaxy Edge (Samsung’s phone, not the Star Wars theme park) begins at $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849, while the iPhone Air goes for $999 / £999 / AU$1,799. Yikes.

Motorola Edge 70 review: specsMotorola Edge 70 specs

Dimensions:

159.9 x 74 x 5.9 mm

Weight:

159g

Screen:

6.7-inch FHD (1220 x 2712) 120Hz P-OLED

Chipset:

Snapdragon 7 Gen 4

RAM:

12GB

Storage:

512GB

OS:

Android 16

Primary camera:

50MP, f/1.8

Ultra-wide camera:

50MP f/2.0 120-degree

Front camera:

50MP, f/2.0

Audio:

Dolby Atmos stereo speakers

Battery:

4,800mAh

Charging:

68W wired, 15W wireless

Colors:

Gadget Grey, Lily Pad, Bronze Green

Motorola Edge 70 review: design

(Image credit: Future)

• Thin (5.9mm) and light (159g)
• Comes in three Pantone colors
• Military-grade protections

I spent the introduction to this review comparing the Moto Edge 70 to its thin-phone contemporaries; it’s 5.9mm thick, and you can feel how svelte it is just by picking it up. It's so thin, in fact, that I felt duty-bound to protect it with the rigid plastic in-box case, thereby mitigating the benefits of a slender mobile in the first place.

The rest of the dimensions are more in line with your standard smartphone: it's 74mm wide and 159.4mm long. Mind you, in weighing 159g, it feels lighter in the hand than the average mobile.

Color company Pantone continues its quest to paint all the Edge phones in various distinct hues; this time around, we’ve got Gadget Grey (a mostly-boring grey but with some blue highlights), Lily Pad (olive green with some orange highlights), and the one I used, Bronze Green (dark green with lighter-green highlights – there’s no bronze to speak of).

As always, the use of some interesting colors immediately makes this Moto one of my favorite-looking phones of the year, and the textured back just adds something to the panache. I do wish that Motorola had given the Edge 70 a curved-edge screen like in some of the past generations, but presumably, this wouldn’t work with the thin body. The lack of it means that, visually speaking, the Edge 70 is ‘one of’ my favorites, but the Edge 60 family pips it to the post.

Let’s talk about ports and buttons. There’s a USB-C port on the bottom edge (no 3.5mm jack for audio), a power button and volume rocker on the right edge, and, right out of reach on the left, the AI button.

The Edge 70 is IP68/69 protected against dust and water submersion, and is also compliant with the military MIL-STD-810H standard, which means it’s tough against the knocks and bumps that a military-grade piece of kit would need to be.

If you decide to use the in-box case to protect the phone, you're not making a bad decision because it's nice and solid (not a cheapie silicon thing that many phone makers put in the box). But it's also incredibly hard to get onto the phone, and nearly as hard to remove, so you're going to need some good luck and brute strength. If you're buying this phone for your grandma, you should stick around to help her get the thing on!

• Design score: 4 / 5

Motorola Edge 70 review: display

(Image credit: Future)

• 6.7 inches, 2712 x 1220 resolution
• 120Hz refresh rate, 20:9 aspect ratio
• Water Touch adds some extra usability

The Motorola Edge 70 has a 6.7-inch screen, which is roughly the average size for an Android smartphone. The resolution (2712 x 1200) is also what you’d expect from such a mobile.

A few other specs and features help the phone’s display stand out, though. It has a nice high max brightness of 4,500 nits, a 120Hz refresh rate, support for HDR 10+, and some optimizations from Pantone.

A feature I really appreciate is Water Touch, which basically just means the screen will pick up your touches better if you’ve got wet hands or if the display has droplets on it. No longer does bathtime prohibit the use of screens.

Breaking up the display at the top is a punch-hole cut-out for the front camera, but it’s so small and unobtrusive that you’ll easily forget it was there.

• Display score: 4 / 5

Motorola Edge 70 review: software

Here are the apps pre-installed on the Edge 70 (although I can excuse Ecosia, since that's the one I picked as my browser on load-up). (Image credit: Future)

• Android 16 with four guaranteed updates
• Bloatware (pre-installed apps) abounds
• Moto's AI app has yet to prove itself

While Motorola phones have long used stock Android as their operating system, the company has slowly been tweaking the formula in myriad ways over successive generations of Edge. So, while the Edge 70 technically has stock Android 16, it’s not exactly the same as the stock Android software you’d see on Pixel phones – mostly for the worse.

The worst is that, at least on first start-up, Motorola has opted to copy some cheap Chinese phone makers in plastering its devices with bloatware. When you first boot up the Edge 70, it’s already full of apps like Amazon Music, TikTok, and Booking.com, and while you can delete them all, it doesn’t help but make it feel like your own mobile is one walking billboard.

Most of these apps are innocuous, at least, but some raise eyebrows. Perplexity is one – an AI search engine with myriad active lawsuits and accusations against it – and controversy-laden e-retailer Temu is another. It bears repeating that this phone isn’t that different in price from the iPhone 17 – seeing pre-installed apps at all, especially ones of this caliber, leaves a bad taste in the mouth.

Motorola’s also pushing harder into its own AI tools than most other companies, mostly with its Moto AI, an assistant that’s slowly gaining skills and tools with each new Moto phone I test.

However, its feature list is still quite eclectic (note-taking, playlist generation, and file organization seem to be its main tools, according to Moto’s website), and none of them really solve problems I’d otherwise have on my smartphone. I used Moto AI when I was testing the Edge 70, but I no doubt would have ignored it if I were using the phone normally.

Not all the changes to stock Android are terrible, and I’ve long liked Motorola’s customization and navigation features. And if you ignore the AI and delete the bloatware, the phone runs decently well. It’s set to get four years of security updates (presumably up to Android 20), and five years of security updates.

• Software score: 3 / 5

Motorola Edge 70 review: cameras

(Image credit: Future)

• 50MP main and 50MP ultra-wide cameras
• 50MP front-facing
• Some odd over-brightening issues

Motorola’s marketing materials make a point of how the Edge 70 has three 50MP cameras; this is technically true, but don’t imagine for a moment that the Edge 70 has three rear cameras like the Edge 60 members did. Instead, it only has two, with that third high-res snapper being the one on the front, and I’m disappointed that Moto opted to drop the telephoto lens that made the last generation surprisingly solid camera phones.

On the back, then, we’ve got a 50MP main snapper with OIS and a 50MP ultra-wide with a 120-degree field of view. Nope, no telephoto lens.

I've previously been quite negative about the cameras on Motorola phones, as the optimization software doesn't match that on rival mobiles, making pictures look a little dull. Usually, the low price of the phone justifies these shortcomings, but that's obviously not the case here. Thankfully, I wasn't too put out by the snaps either.

With sufficient lighting, pictures have a fair amount of color and detail, and autofocus was fairly quick to find objects. Manual focus was a bit of an issue, though; usually, I find tapping on an object in the viewfinder does the job, but when I tried it in the Edge 70's camera app, it also changed the brightness of the shot... quite dramatically.

Look at the two snaps of cookies in the camera sample section; the first one is default, the second is when I pressed on the snack. I like a bright picture as much as the next guy, but it's a little too much in that particular case.

(Image credit: Future)

I took quite a few low-light photos with the camera; it's that period of the year where we have about three minutes of sunlight, after all. The camera held up well, presumably thanks to a solid sensor that takes in lots of light.

Around the front, the selfie camera uses pixel binning to ensure snaps have enough light; you can see the results on a pretty gray day below.

Taking a stroll through the rest of the phone app, you'll find most of the standard options you've come to expect on a smartphone: night vision, panorama, portrait photography, slow-mo and time-lapse videography, and so on.

You can record video at 4K at 30fps or FHD at 60fps, and slow-mo switches between 120fps at FHD or 240fps at HD.

• Camera score: 3.5 / 5

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(Image credit: Future)Motorola Edge 70 review: performance and audio

(Image credit: Future)

• Mid-range Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset
• 12GB RAM and 512GB Storage
• Dolby Atmos-tuned stereo speakers

Looking under the hood, the Motorola Edge 70 has a Snapdragon 7 Gen 4 chipset, which is a mid-range piece of kit we’ve seen in a handful of Androids, including the Realme 15 Pro and Vivo V60. While seeing ‘mid-range’ may cause you to be wary, let me win you back over: there’s 12GB RAM and a hearty 512GB storage. Now those are specs I like to see!

I took the Edge for a whirl (well, many whirls over two weeks) playing Call of Duty: Mobile and Northgard, and was impressed by how close the performance was to that of phones with top-end chipsets or more RAM. Playing hectic online games, I never felt like I was lagging or dropping behind in a way that affected my performance, and the phone seemed fine to render loads of assets or enemies at once.

When I put the Edge 70 through the Geekbench 6 multi-core benchmark test, it returned an average score of 4,115 (though, notably, with a bigger variation in results than I normally see with this test). That reflects the mid-range status of the mobile, with Snapdragon 8 Gen chipsets scoring in the 5,000-6,000 range (or even higher), though it is a little way behind the Edge 60 Pro, which used a top-end chipset from a different company.

Honestly, though, when you get to a certain point, these numbers are just numbers. I never felt that the Edge 70 lacked performance when I was gaming, and that’s what matters.

Audio-wise, the Edge 70 has dual stereo speakers, which were tuned with some Dolby Atmos magic. Otherwise, for listening to music, you can use the Bluetooth 5.4 to connect wirelessly, or via a wired connection if you can find an adaptor to plug your cans into the USB-C port (there’s no headphone jack).

• Performance score: 4 / 5

Motorola Edge 70 review: battery life

(Image credit: Future)

• 4,800mAh battery
• 68W wired charging
• 15W wireless powering

Despite being a thin smartphone, the Edge 70 has a battery that’s roughly average in capacity: 4,800mAh, which a few years ago we’d have called positively huge.

I’m not going to pretend it grants the Edge a miraculously long battery life, as it’s powering a pretty big display, but it ensures the handset will easily last a full day of use. During my testing, the Edge 70 reliably waltzed through half of day two before needing to be powered up.

Charging is done at 68W, which is the same as most past Moto Edge phones, and 15W wireless charging has been thrown in for good measure. You’re getting from empty to full in about 40 minutes if you charge with a compatible cable.

• Battery score: 3.5 / 5

Motorola Edge 70 review: value

(Image credit: Future)

Thin phones are, unfortunately, exceedingly expensive devices. When you consider that, in the Edge 70, you’re getting one for substantially less than the iPhone Air, perhaps you can convince yourself that you’re getting a good deal.

But if you look at the Motorola Edge 70 as the sum of its parts, it’s hard to deny that it doesn’t offer great value for money. Its specs are mostly all mid-ranged, with much cheaper alternatives from various rivals beating it six ways from Sunday.

So, if you absolutely need a smartphone that’s a few millimeters thinner than your current one, no matter the price, at least this is getting you better value than the iPhone or Samsung. But if you’re happy to consider all your options, no matter their thickness, skipping the Edge 70 is a no-brainer.

• Value score: 3 / 5

Should you buy the Motorola Edge 70?Motorola Edge 70 score card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

From another brand, a phone with the same specs would have a price tag that's half of the Edge 70's.

3 / 5

Design

Pantone wins again, but the slender body helps too.

4 / 5

Display

It's just as good-looking as the last time we saw this screen on a Moto phone.

4 / 5

Software

The bloatware's getting worse, and Moto's more preoccupied with its AI tool than fixing it.

3 / 5

Camera

The cameras are fine for the price, though I miss the better hardware of the Edge 60.

3.5 / 5

Performance

You get a solid set of power specs for the price.

4 / 5

Battery

Any kind of reliable battery is a miracle in a thin phone like this.

3.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You must have a thin phone
If you're looking at the iPhone Air or Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge with envy, then the Moto Edge 70 is your way to get a thin phone without breaking the bank.

You need lots of storage
With 512GB of on-board storage, you're never going to need to choose which photos you need to delete to get more space, or pick and choose the apps that take up that space.

You like the look
Honestly, all of Moto's Edge phones have a little extra pizzazz thanks to Pantone's decorations; they're a splash of color in a monochromatic market.

Don't buy it if...

You don't care about your phone's thickness
All thin phones are expensive... but if thinness isn't an important thing for you, your money will go a lot further with a different device.

You're on a budget
Many people associate Motorola with cheap phones, because it makes some of the best. But the Edge 70 is certainly a premium model.

You're not an AI fan
Moto's been very gung-ho about its own AI tools, but the Edge 70's bloatware includes lots more, like Copilot and Perplexity. If you're on the righteous anti-AI train, this isn't the right phone for you.View Deal

Motorola Edge 70 review: Also consider

Let's take a proper look at those phones I've been comparing the Motorola Edge 70 to:

Apple iPhone Air
Apple's thin phone is 0.3mm more slender than the Edge 70, but a little heavier. It's the one to buy if you want an Apple phone, although it's not the strongest specs-wise.

Read our full Apple iPhone Air review

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge
This is a powerful phone with top specs across the board, and it's also thinner than the Moto, though not as light. It's super slow to charge, though.

Read our full Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review

Motorola Edge 60
It's cheaper and it's weaker, but otherwise this slightly older phone matches or exceeds the specs of its newer relative. So, it's certainly well worth keeping on the wishlist.

Read our full Motorola Edge 60 review

Motorola Edge 70

Apple iPhone Air

Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge

Motorola Edge 60

Starting price (at launch):

£699.98 (roughly $920, AU$1,400)

From $999 / £999 / AU$1,799

From $1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,849

£379 (roughly $520, AU$700)

Dimensions:

159.9 x 74 x 5.9mm

156.2 x 74.7 x 5.6mm

158.2 x 75.6 x 5.8mm

161.2 x 73.1 x 7.9mm

Weight:

159g

165g

163g

179g

OS (at launch):

Android 16

iOS 26

OneUI 7, Android 15

Android 15

Screen Size:

6.7-inch

6.5-inch

6.7-inch

6.67-inch

Resolution:

2712 x 1220

2736 x 1260

1260 x 2736

2712 x 1220

CPU:

Snapdragon 7 Gen 4

A19 Pro Bionic

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite for Galaxy

Mediatek Dimensity 7300

RAM:

12GB

Unconfirmed

12GB

12GB

Storage (from):

512GB

256GB / 512GB / 1TB

256GB / 512GB

512GB

Battery:

4,800mAh

Unconfirmed

3,900mAh

5,200mAh

Rear Cameras:

50MP main, 50MP ultra-wide

48MP main

200MP main, 12MP ultra-wide

50MP main, 10MP telephoto. 50MP ultra-wide

Front camera:

50MP

18MP

12MP

50MP

How I tested the Motorola Edge 70

• Review test period = 2 weeks
• Testing included = Everyday usage, including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
• Tools used = Geekbench 6, Geekbench ML, GFXBench, native Android stats

I used the Motorola Edge 70 for two weeks in order to write this review. That's the usual TechRadar test period, and a figure I use as an absolute minimum in order to ensure I've given every gadget a fair shake.

In that time, I used the Edge 70 as my normal smartphone for tasks like social media, photography, and gaming. Outside of full testing, I also took it for a few camera tests to collect more samples for the gallery. Alongside experiential use, I used a few lab tests to gauge certain metrics of the phone.

I've been reviewing mobiles at TechRadar for over six years now. I tested both members of the Edge 60 family, and have used most previous Moto Edge devices, as well as countless other handsets made by the company (and, of course, non-Moto phones too!).

Read more about how we test

First reviewed November 2025

Lavazza Assoluta: two-minute review

The Lavazza Assoluta is a fully automatic espresso machine with an interesting selling point: when you scan the barcode on a pack of Lavazza beans using the smartphone app, the machine automatically optimizes its own brew settings to deliver optimally extracted, well-balanced coffee.

I was somewhat skeptical about how well this would work, particularly since the Assoluta only has two grind sizes (most machines have 15 or more. In practice, however, it does seem to work well. I tested two very different types of Lavazza coffee, and both times the machine extracted a shot of espresso in 30 seconds, which is pretty much ideal.

The downside is that brewing coffee using your own beans will be hit-and-miss (as Lavazza itself warns), so this isn't a machine for anyone who wants to delve into the world of speciality coffee from independent roasters.

(Image credit: Future)

The Assoluta also has an unusual milk-frothing system, consisting of a large glass cup with a lid containing a steam wand and motorized whisk. Fill the mug with milk to the appropriate measuring line, push it under the coffee dispenser, choose a drink, and two minutes later you'll have a latte or cappuccino topped with rich, creamy foam. It works very well, but the lid can't be used with your regular cups. If there's more than one coffee-drinker at home, you might want to pick up another Lavazza cup so you can both enjoy a drink at the same time.

The Assoluta is advertised for £699.95 (about $920 / AU$1,400), but that price drops to £349.95 (about $460 / AU$700) when you also subscribe to Lavazza's coffee delivery service. Since the machine is specifically designed to work with Lavazza's branded coffee, this is a good option for regular coffee-drinkers.

Lavazza Assoluta: specifications

Name

Lavazza Assoluta

Type

Fully automatic bean-to-cup espresso machine

Dimensions (W x H x D)

8.7 x 14 x 17.1 inches / 22 x 35.8 x 43.5cm

Weight

22lbs / 10kg

Water reservoir capacity

1.6 quarts / 1.5 liters

Milk frother

Yes (in cup lid)

Bars of pressure

Not stated

User profiles

n/a

Lavazza Assoluta: price and availability

• Available now in Europe
• Australian release expected in early 2026
• Not expected to launch in the US
• Half price with a Lavazza coffee subscription plan

The Lavazza Assoluta is only available in Europe at the time of writing (November 2025), but is expected to arrive in Australia in early 2026. Lavazza currently has no plan to release the machine in the US.

The Assoluta has a list price of £699.95 (about $920 / AU$1,400) when bought alone, or £349.95 (about $460 / AU$700) when you also sign up to Lavazza’s coffee subscription service.

The subscription price is very reasonable, and cheaper than anything in my roundup of the best bean-to-cup coffee machines, but Lavazza’s website doesn’t actually seem to let you buy the machine alone at full price. I’ve enquired about this with Lavazza, and will update this review when I have more information.

• Value score: 4.5/5

Lavazza Assoluta: design

• Attractive and solidly made
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Fold-out tray for espresso cups
• Glass cup has milk frother in lid

The Lavazza Assoluta is a large, but good-looking automatic espresso machine with a bronze-colored plastic case and bright LED control panel.

When the Lavazza Assoluta is switched on, a light on top illuminates to show its current status (ready to brew, brewing, connecting to Wi-Fi, or requiring attention). Turning the top of the bean hopper left or right will adjust the "aroma", changing the dosage of coffee for a stronger or milder drink.

Turn the dial on top of the machine a few degrees to adjust the "aroma" (or dosage) (Image credit: Future)

The bean hopper has a control for adjusting the grind size, but there are only two settings: fine and coarse. The finer you grind your beans, the longer it takes for water to pass through. Most espresso machines offer at least 15 settings so you can get exactly the right extraction time for your particular beans, so the fact that this machine offers only two is surprising.

The water tank is solidly made with a sturdy handle, but it’s worth bearing in mind that it lifts out of the back vertically, so you’ll need plenty of space above the machine. If you place the Assoluta under a cabinet, be prepared to slide it out whenever it’s time for a refill.

The left-hand side of the machine has a large panel that provides easy access to the Assoluta’s brewing group for cleaning, and the drip tray pulls out to reveal the dump box for used coffee grounds. The machine won’t warn you when this needs emptying; personally, I recommend doing this at the end of each day, cleaning the box and drip tray, and leaving them out overnight so everything has a chance to dry out.

The Assoluta has a small flip-down drip tray for espresso cups (Image credit: Future)

The Assoluta has a small fold-out tray to hold an espresso cup, but if you want to make a milky drink then you’ll need to use the large Lavazza Trasparenza Collection mug supplied in the box.

Unlike most automatic espresso machines, which dispense foamed milk from a carafe, the Assoluta requires you to fill your mug with milk, then place a special lid on top. This lid contains a steam wand and electric whisk, which foam the milk for your lattes and cappuccinos before the Assoluta pours a shot of espresso on top.

The milk-frothing system works well, but can only be used with Lavazza's own large glass coffee cup (Image credit: Future)

I’ve never seen a system quite like it before, and although it works (read on for more details), it means you can’t use your favorite mugs with the machine, and all your milky drinks will end up being quite large. The cup has minimum and maximum fill lines to indicate how much milk to add.

The fact that the machine only comes with a single mug also means that you’ll be drinking your lattes alone unless you purchase a second Trasparenza cup for $22.70 / £15 (about AU$30).

• Design score: 3.5/5

Lavazza Assoluta: performance

Before using the Assoluta for the first time, you’ll need to install the Piacere Lavazza app on your phone, and connect it via Bluetooth. Many of the best espresso machines I’ve tested have their own apps, but these are usually pretty limited. They might allow you to update your machine’s firmware and view its instruction manual, but that’s usually it.

The Piacere Lavazza app is different. Once set up, give it permission to access your phone’s camera, scan the barcode on your bag of Lavazza espresso beans, and it will transmit the optimal brew settings to the Assoluta. The machine will then configure itself accordingly, selecting the ideal dosage and brew temperature. The only thing it can’t adjust itself is grind size, so you’ll need to do that by turning the dial inside the bean hopper as instructed.

Scan the barcode on your coffee with the Piacere Lavazza app to configure the machine (Image credit: Future)

As mentioned above, the Assoluta has just two grind sizes, so I was a bit skeptical about how well it would be able to cope with different bean types. After all, dialling in a coffee grinder is often one of the trickiest parts of making a well-extracted espresso, with even small adjustments making a big difference. However, when I tried it out with different Lavazza beans, I was pleasantly surprised.

The machine I tested came with a pack of Lavazza Espresso Barista Gran Crema coffee beans, and I bought an extra pack of Lavazza Espresso Italiano Classico to see how well it coped with both types. The Barista Gran Crema is made using a blend of light roasted arabica and robusta beans, while the Italiano Classico is 100% arabica and more similar to the coffee I usually choose at home.

Brewing a double-shot of espresso took 30 seconds with both Lavazza blends I tested (Image credit: Future)

I timed how long it took the Assoluta to extract a shot of espresso, and in both cases it took exactly 30 seconds from the moment the pump started, which is pretty much ideal. Although it was lightly roasted, I found that the robusta beans in the Barista Gran Crema gave the coffee a slightly more bitter, traditionally Italian flavor, while the Italiano Classico (which required the finer grind size) was fruitier and sweeter.

I’d have liked to try Lavazza’s whole range with the Assoluta if my budget allowed, but I was impressed at how well the machine dealt with these two very different coffees. The downside is that results with your own coffee are likely to be hit-and-miss. You might find that one of the two grind sizes works reasonably well, but if not, you’re going to be left with a disappointing shot of espresso - and Lavazza does warn you that this might happen. You can’t use your own grinder either, because unlike some bean-to-cup coffee makers, the Assoluta doesn’t have a chute for pre-ground coffee.

The milk-foaming system works particularly well with full-fat dairy milk (Image credit: Future)

During my tests, the Assoluta’s unusual milk-frothing system worked best with full-fat dairy milk, and I attained the best results using the thick foam setting. You're instructed to place the lid on the cup so that its steam spout is opposite the handle. The lid never looks like it’s sitting completely flush with the rim of the cup, but in practice this doesn’t seem to matter; I never had any trouble with milk splashing out, even when using the maximum recommended quantity.

It will take about two minutes to foam your milk, after which the machine will pour your coffee through the top and bleep to let you know your drink is ready. Removing the whisk and steam pipe from the cup disturbs the foam and makes the top of your drink look a little untidy, but that’s a very minor quibble. Despite the long steaming time, the milk isn’t overheated, and the Assoluta creates consistently creamy, sweet-tasting foam.

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Creating custom drinks in the Lavazza app is much easier than using a tiny touchscreen (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 2

You'll find various hot drink recipes in the Lavazza app, which will help you make them using the Assoluta (Image credit: Future)

Steaming and whisking the milk directly in the cup is unusual, but it means that you’re not limited to making coffee with the Assoluta – you can also use it to prepare hot chocolate following the instructions provided in the app, which is packed with recipes. They’re well worth perusing, and work in a similar way to the Cookidoo app for the Thermomix all-in-one cooker, taking you through preparation of your preferred drink step-by-step.

You can also use the app to create custom drink recipes from scratch, adjusting the coffee volume, temperature, aroma (coffee dosage), and milk thickness. The machine itself offers quite a small menu of presets, but the app makes it easy to tinker with brewing options, walking you through the process one step at a time.

Worried you might be overdoing the caffeine? The Lavazza app keeps track of how much you're drinking (Image credit: Future)

If you're concerned that you might be drinking too much caffeine, the app even keeps track of your consumption over the past day, week, month, and year, with a breakdown of the type of coffee you tend to drink most often. It's a nice extra feature (and potentially eye-opening).

• Performance: 4/5

Should you buy the Lavazza Assoluta?Lavazza Assoluta score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

Very affordable if you also subscribe to Lavazza's coffee subscription service, but not available in the US.

4.5/5

Design

Good-looking and easy to clean, but milk can only be frothed using Lavazza's large lidded mug, plus the grinder has just two settings.

3.5/4

Performance

Brews consistently good coffee with Lavazza's own beans, and customizing drinks using the app is a breeze. You may not be able to achieve good results with other beans. Foamed milk is thick and creamy.

4/5

Buy it if

You like long, milky drinks

You can only prepare lattes and cappuccinos using the Trasparenza Collection Lavazza Mug, which is pretty huge. Great if you want to be able to wrap your hands around a big, warm drink for cozy nights in.

You want simplicity, but don't like pods

If you like the idea of using fresh coffee beans, but don't want the hassle of setting up a coffee machine perfectly to use them, the Assoluta does the calculations for you.

You want to make more than coffee

The Lavazza Assoluta's unusual milk-frothing system is ideal for making hot chocolate drinks, or making milky drinks infused with syrup.

Don't buy it if

You love experimenting with speciality coffees

The Assoluta is designed to be used with Lavazza's own espresso beans, and although you can use your own, the machine only has two grind sizes, so you have very little control when dialling it in.

You're attached to your own coffee cups

The Lavazza Assoluta's milk-frothing system only works with the large glass mug supplied with the machine.

Lavazza Assoluta: also consider

If you're not completely sold on the Lavazza Assoluta, here are two other espresso machines to think about:

Ninja Prestige DualBrew System

This machine gives you both, with a full-size filter coffee maker, a Nespresso machine, and a pull-out milk frother. It's extremely convenient, and particularly handy if you're bleary-eyed and sluggish in the morning.

Read our full Ninja Prestige DualBrew System reviewView Deal

Philips LatteGo 5500 Series

An excellent little bean-to-cup espresso machine for small households, and particularly easy to keep clean and fresh. It brews hot and cold, and offers an impressive menu of 20 different coffee drinks.

Read our full Philips LatteGo 5500 Series reviewView Deal

How I tested the Lavazza Assoluta

I tested the Assoluta with the Lavazza Espresso Barista Gran Crema beans that came packaged with it, as well as Lavazza Espresso Italiano Classico beans, which I bought myself. I made sure that all the beans in the hopper were finished before changing beans, to prevent mixing.

I installed the Piacere Lavazza app on my phone, and used it to choose the correct brewing profile for each type of coffee, then timed how long it took the Assoluta to brew a shot of espresso with each one.

(Image credit: Future)

I tested the milk frother with both plant-based and dairy milk, and used both regular and thick milk texture settings. I also tried different drink recipes from the Piacere Lavazza app, and used it to make custom beverages.

First reviewed November 2025.

SwitchBot S20: two-minute review

The SwitchBot S20 is a hybrid robot vacuum with a particularly impressive mopping setup. While most robot vacuums feature flat mop pads that tend to spread spillages around, the S20 is equipped with a roller that's fed a continuous stream of fresh water, while any dirt is scraped off as it goes. The model also arrives with a comprehensive dock that not only empties the bot's onboard bin, but drains its dirty water tanks, refills the clean water tank and dries the mop pads, too.

I tested it out and was generally impressed, although a few quirks prevent me from recommending it as one of the best robot vacuums on the market right now. The mopping works as advertised, providing a more thorough clean than I've seen with most bots. Vacuuming is solid, too, while object detection and avoidance are perhaps the best I've encountered.

However, the S20 gets into a pickle if set to vacuum after it has completed a mopping run, when its roller is still a bit damp. In this situation, any debris on the floor is spread around, and no discernible vacuuming takes place. That's okay if your home's layout makes it easy to keep vacuuming and mopping completely separate (with the mopping last on the list), but I wouldn't recommend the S20 as a bot that can transition smoothly between the two tasks.

It's also rather noisy. I'd say it's louder than average in every cleaning mode, but the sound of it auto-emptying is especially alarming. For navigation the bot performed well, but did prove occasionally erratic – perhaps down to that ultra-sensitive object avoidance – and the app could be improved with a few tweaks.

At full price, this bot sits in the premium bracket, but hefty discounts are common and deliver much better value for money. If mopping is your priority and you spot a decent deal, the S20 could be a great buy.

A final note before I begin with my full SwitchBot S20 review. If you're here because you heard that SwitchBot makes mini robot vacuums, be advised that the S20 isn't one of those bots. The robot itself and the dock are full-sized, and also a little chunkier than average. Check out the SwitchBot K11+ if you're after a tiny home-helper that can tuck into tight spaces.

(Image credit: Future)SwitchBot S20 review: price & availability

• List price: $799.99 / £799.99
• Launched: September 2025
• Available: US / UK

The SwitchBot K20 launched in September 2025, with a list price of $799.99 in the US and £799.99 in the UK. At time of writing, there was a voucher on the SwitchBot US site to activate a 44% discount (taking it to $448) and one for 39% off on the UK sites (taking it down to £488). Given the availability of big discounts so close to launch, it seems likely that this bot will not be sold at full price very often.

There's also an "Auto-Fill & Drain System" version of this model, which you plumb into your home's water supply. It costs the same at ticket price.

At full price this is a premium robot vacuum, but those chunky discounts see it sit more middle of the pack. On paper, at the discounted price it's a decent value proposition, but just make sure you're happy to live with the various quirks before you take the plunge.

• Value for money score: 3.5 out of 5

SwitchBot S20 specs

Max suction:

10,000Pa

Robot diameter:

14.4in / 36.5cm

Robot height:

4.5in / 11.5cm

Dock dimensions (W x D x H):

14.9 x 8.5 x 18.1in / 38 x 21.5 x 46cm

Dust bin volume (dock):

4L

Water tank volume:

2.5L clean; 2.5L dirty

Base type:

Charge, auto-empty dust, empty dirty water, refill clean water, dry mop

Max threshold clearance:

0.8in / 2cm

Smart home compatibility:

Matter (Apple Home, Alexa, Google Home)

Mop:

Roller

SwitchBot S20 review: design

• Rather large, hybrid robot vacuum and mop
• Roller mop that's continually cleaned as it mops
• Dock empties dust, dries roller and drains/refills the onboard tanks

SwitchBot is known for making tiny little robot vacuums, such as the dinky SwitchBot K11+, so I was quite surprised when I unpacked the K20 to find that it wasn't small at all. In fact, far from being scaled-down, this bot is on the chunkier side for a modern robot vacuum.

By way of example, the Roborock Qrevo Master (a not especially swish or streamlined robovac) measures 13.9in / 35.3 cm in diameter and 4.1in / 10.3 cm tall, whereas the K20 is 14.4in / 36.5cm wide and 4.5in / 11.5cm tall.

The SwitchBot S20 (right) next to the brand's dinky K11+ (Image credit: Future)

The headline feature is the mop setup. The K20 has a roller mop that applies 1kg of pressure to scrub dirt from your hard floors. The roller is continually fed with clean water as it rolls across your floor, while a scraper siphons off the grime and dirty water and holds it in a small secondary water tank. While the roller can't kick out to the side of the machine for edge cleaning, as some premium models offer, it's still a very modern mop setup.

(Image credit: Future)

The suction stats are good, too, topping out at 10,000Pa. Until recently, that was about the maximum you'd find anywhere. Nowadays, there are premium bots that can manage twice that; but 10,000Pa should still be ample for most people's needs. There's a fixed side-sweeper brush and a single rubber roller.

Many modern robovac brands are exploring ways to help their bots scale tall room thresholds, but not so much SwitchBot. The chunky wheels should enable the S20 to make its way over steps up to 0.8in / 2cm – and perhaps a bit over that, based on my tests – but beware if your home has thresholds beyond that figure.

(Image credit: Future)

On the top side of the S20 you'll find three physical buttons. One is your on/off, another sends the bot back to its dock, and the third I'm not quite sure about. In any case, you'll generally be controlling your bot using the companion app. It's also Matter-compatible, so you can control it using Alexa, Google Assistant and so on.

(Image credit: Future)

There's also the LiDAR turret – or rather the LiDAR SLAM, as a label informs me. SLAM is an older, less-efficient method of robovac navigation (here's more on LiDAR vs SLAM in robot navigation), but there's no mention of it anywhere else in the literature. This is bolstered by an AI camera mounted at the front, for object identification and avoidance.

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(Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 4

(Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 4

(Image credit: Future)Image 4 of 4

(Image credit: Future)

The dock is designed to be able to take care of a number of maintenance tasks for you. It sucks the dust from the small onboard bin into a larger dust bag, drains the bot's dirty water tank and refills its clean one, and washes the roller and dries it with warm air (122ºF / 50ºC).

Unlike other similar models I've tested, the bot here docks only a short way into the base station, rather than driving right inside. I'm not sure exactly how it dries because the roller is hidden under the bot, away from the dock.

• Design score: 4 out of 5

SwitchBot S20 review: performance

• Excellent mopping and solid vacuuming, but a little noisy
• Sensitive object avoidance; occasionally erratic navigation
• Vacuuming with damp mop disastrous

Setup for the S20 was fairly standard. I performed a "quick mapping" run, where the bot ventured into all the rooms it could find, looked around a bit (without trying to clean them) and started to put together a map. No major issues here, although the bot did miss a room (I was confident it would find it later, and it did). I then edited the map and we were ready to start cleaning.

In terms of cleaning options, you can vacuum and mop together, just vacuum, or vacuum then mop. There are four suction modes (Quiet, Standard, Strong and Max) and Moist or Wet mopping modes.

Vacuum performance

To kick things off, I sent the bot off on a whole-floor vacuum, using the Strong suction mode, to get a general feel of its performance. My initial reaction was that it seemed noisier than other bots I'd used, with a vacuuming pitch that was a little irritating.

On the plus side, though, I could hear it ramping suction up and down as it moved from hard floor to carpet. When I paused and checked the onboard bin, I found plenty of dust and dog hair in there. The following auto-empty process was the loudest I've experienced in all my time reviewing robot vacuums.

(Image credit: Future)

Now on to TechRadar's standard suction tests. I sprinkled a mix of dry oats, lentils (to represent chunky debris) and dry tea leaves (to represent fine debris) on a carpeted floor, and asked the bot to clean the area twice, in Strong suction mode.

It performed fairly well, sucking up the lentil/oat mix efficiently, and clearing a good amount of the tea as well. I followed up with an area clean in Max mode, which removed even more tea, leaving only a light sprinkling. This is a solid result – it's a purposefully tricky test.

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Dry tea and oat / lentil mix on carpet before the suction test (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 3

After two passes in Strong mode (Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 3

And the final result after a further pass in Max mode (Image credit: Future)

On hard floor, the test didn't go quite as smoothly. I ran my first hard floor test after I'd used the S20 for some mopping, and it was a disaster – by the time the S20 made its proud "Cleaning complete" announcement, there was tea, oats and lentils all over my kitchen floor.

Repeating the test on a different day, with the mop roller completely dry, yielded much better results. Although the bot flicked some particles about and left some in the grouting between tiles, it cleared most of the mess on the first pass.

With most robovacs, the mop pad(s) can either be removed entirely or will lift to traverse hard floors, but there's no such option here. It isn't the end of the world – you just need to make sure you save the mopping for the last task of the day.

Mop performance

I was dismayed and confused to see there isn't a "mop only" mode here, especially since it looks like this bot can do both things separately ("Vacuum then mop" is an option). The mopping here is more involved than usual – the bot isn't just feeding water onto the mop pads, it's also scraping them clean as it goes. Perhaps for that reason, the S20 emits a rather grating, droning noise when it's mopping.

It also takes quite a while for the roller to completely soak through – in my test, I found it had almost completed mopping my whole (quite large) kitchen before the striped track marks became solid. It isn't unusual for hybrid robot vacuums to take a while to get their mops properly wet – I usually like to remove the pad and wet it down myself before setting any bot out on a mopping run. That's more of a hassle here, though, due to the way it's attached to the bot.

(Image credit: Future)

While mopping tests didn't go completely smoothly, I got good results in the end. First, I drizzled soy sauce and soy milk on a tiled floor, and asked the bot to do an area clean in Wet mode.

The first area clean was scuppered by the fact the bot seemed to identify the milk as an object to avoid. It skirted carefully around the puddle, smearing the soy sauce in the process, but not really achieving any actual cleaning.

After spreading the puddle of milk around a bit to blur the edges, it was more successful on the my second run (shown in the video below). It delivered on its promise of clearing the spillage rather than spreading it about, as can happen with flat mop pads.

Buoyed by my success, I also ran a test to see if it could clear smeared ketchup from the floor. Unfortunately, it didn't manage to make much of a difference to the mess after one pass in Wet mode. That's not unusual – it's a difficult test – but I had gone in with quite high hopes for the roller mop.

xxxx does the dock dry the roller successfully?

Navigation and object avoidance

Moving on to navigation. Again, my experience was a little hit-and-miss. The SwitchBot S20 generally followed a logical up-and-down pattern, but there were plenty of occasions where it decided to – in the words of Fleetwood Mac – go its own way. It also had a little trouble clearing taller room thresholds, but managed them all in the end.

To test object avoidance, I placed a tissue box, shoe and charging cable on the carpeted floor in my lounge, and asked the bot to conduct an area clean. As you might have suspected from the its behavior in the mopping test, the S20 certainly has some object avoidance skills.

(Image credit: Future)

It successfully avoided both the cable (unheard of) and the shoe, and after deciding it wouldn't fit between them, took a long route around the coffee table to complete cleaning on the other size of the requested zone. I've never seen that before. It wasn't quite perfect – it did push the tissue box right across the room – but it is still very solid performance.

• Performance score: 3.5 out of 5

SwitchBot S20 review: app

• Fairly easy to navigate
• Some frustrating quirks
• Part of a general SwitchBot app, for all the brand's products

The app is generally fine, with all the key adjustment options presented in a logical way. However, there are a few annoying quirks that stop it from being perfect.

I had a seriously frustrating time trying to divide the hall from the toilet, with the app refusing to give me the solid line required for an acceptable room division; it repeatedly bumped my adjuster off to elsewhere on the map. I managed to create a divider eventually, but it's on the slant, and not at right angles to any wall (to be clear, this is not the situation in real life).

(Image credit: Future)

Maps and rooms have an eight-character limit so you can't, for example, create a "Top floor". Oh, and there's no "Hall" or "Corridor" option within the room defaults – you can make one (just about, in the case of "corridor", and that pesky character limit) but I'm baffled as to why it isn't there in the first place.

Finally, because it's part of a general SwitchBot app for all the brand's products, you'll have to click through a couple of screens before you reach the robovac options. It's fine if you've bought into the SwitchBot ecosystem and have multiple products to control, but a bit annoying if you're using the robot vac on its own.

• App score: 3.5 out of 5

Should you buy the SwitchBot S20?

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

Premium at list price but regular large discounts deliver decent value.

3.5 / 5

Design

Larger than average, with an advanced roller mop setup and comprehensive clean station.

4 / 5

Performance

Above-average mopping and decent vacuuming, but don't try to vacuum with a damp roller. Excellent object detection. Rather noisy overall.

3.5 / 5

App

Includes all the key information, presented logically, but there are a few annoying quirks.

3.5 / 5

Buy it if...

Mopping is your priority

The mopping here is a cut above average, and this bot will come into its own in homes with lots of tiled or lino floors that need regular upkeep.

You have other SwitchBot products

SwitchBot has a whole bunch of smart home products – if you're already in the ecosystem, it makes sense to stick with the brand for your robovac. The app is designed for all SwitchBot gadgets.

You spot a good deal

I wouldn't pay full price for the S20, but I've seen some strong discounts that make it much better value – especially if you want the roller mop, because these are generally only found on pricier models.

Don't buy it if...

You have a mix of hard floor and carpet

This bot operates best when the mopping and vacuuming are kept completely separate. If you want something that will switch seamlessly between the two tasks, there are other bots that will suit your needs much better.

You want a tiny robovac

If you're here expecting for one of SwitchBot's tiny robovacs, you're in for a shock – this one is not only full-sized, but it's actually chunkier than average.

You're sensitive to noise

This is one of the noisier bots I've tested, with the self-empty mechanism especially loud. One to avoid if you're noise-sensitive, or live with someone who is.

How I tested the SwitchBot S20

I used the SwitchBot S20 as my regular robot vacuum for a fortnight, to get a feel for how it performs day-to-day. I also ran a series of standardized vacuuming and mopping tests, to see how it would cope with spillages of all kinds. I dug into the app and assessed the different options there, as well as gauging how easy it would be to use and if things are presented in an intuitive way. I compared my findings to other robot vacuums I've tested, and weighed everything up against the cost to ascertain if the bot delivered good value for money.

Read more about how we test robot vacuum cleaners

• First reviewed October 2025

Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002: two-minute reviewProduct info

This is the vacuum on review:

Shark Stratos DuoClean PowerFins Hair Pro Upright Vacuum AZ3002

Shark can be erratic with its naming, so check the product code to make sure you're buying the model you think you're buying. There are similar but slightly different models available in the UK and Australia (I tested a US vacuum).

The Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 is a corded upright vacuum that packs plenty of cleaning power. Although bulky and heavy compared to a stick vacuum, it has a modular design that means you can remove the bin and hold it in your hand, while you use the wand on a flexible hose to tackle cleaning tasks off the floor. In floor mode, it will propel itself forwards when switched on, making it easier to drive (although at times it did feel like it was running away from me).

I've been using this vacuum on-and-off for a little over a year, so I've had plenty of opportunity to try it out on different floor types and see how it copes with different cleaning challenges. I'd rate it amongst the best upright vacuums around. It sucks up large and fine debris with ease, and handles hair well, too. It comes with a range of tools that are useful for tackling detail work, and with the pod removed it's easy to slide the wand under furniture and clean thoroughly in tight corners and right up against baseboards.

The main floorhead is kitted out with headlamps to help you spot dirt and fluff in dark corners, as well as an odor-neutralizing puck to keep things smelling fresh. Underneath are two rollers that work in tandem to tackle different floor types – a softer roller helps polish hard floors, and a firm roller with rubber fins helps agitate carpet fibers.

It's not the most advanced Shark Upright, and lacks some of the special features of newer models like the Shark PowerDetect Upright – including an Auto mode, which I missed here. However, it's still an excellent all-rounder, and worthy of consideration if you're hunting for the best vacuum for your needs.

(Image credit: Future)Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 review: price & availability

• List price: $529.99
• Launch date: Unknown
• Availability: US

The Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 launched several years ago, and is available to buy in the US. There are similar models in the UK and Australia, but with slightly different product codes.

At list price, this vacuum costs $529.99 on the SharkNinja website. It's also available to buy via third party retailers like Target, Walmart, and Best Buy.

That price puts it in TechRadar's mid-range bracket for vacuums in general, but is rather expensive in the context of corded uprights. It's a high-quality vacuum cleaner that works really well and comes with plenty of accessories, so I think the price is justified. There are cheaper, still capable, uprights on the market if it's out of your budget, though.

• Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 specs

Type:

Corded upright

Weight:

22.7 lbs / 10.3kg

Bin size:

1.5 qts / 1.4 L

Size (H x W x L):

46.5 x 11 x 12.2 in / 118.1 x 27.9x 31cm

Filter:

HEPA, felt and washable foam

Max suction:

Not provided

Modes:

Hard floor, Carpet/low pile, Thick carpet/area rug

Cord length:

25 ft / 7.62m

Flexible hose length:

3 ft / 0.9m

Product code:

AZ3002

Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 review: design

• Modular design – can remove the motor section and hold in your hand
• Floorhead for any floor type, and fitted with odor-neutralizing cartridge
• Three suction levels to choose from but no auto mode

The first thing I noticed when unboxing the Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 is the plethora of accessories. My review model came with a Crevice tool, Upholstery tool, and HairPro self-cleaning pet power brush for detail cleaning, plus an odor-neutralizer cartridge to slot into the floorhead. I found everything relatively easy to put together without needing to consult the manual.

As is almost always the case with upright vacuums, the Stratos AZ3002 is relatively bulky and heavy – especially compared to the best cordless stick vacuums on the market. However, here you can detach the pod that contains the dust cup and hold it in your hand while you use the wand on a flexible hose, which makes things like cleaning the stairs far easier.

This model is corded, so you'll need to deal with the relative inconvenience of having to unplug and re-plug as you clean. The cord is also shorter than I'd like, at just 25 ft / 7.62m.

(Image credit: Future)

One design feature I like is the ability to choose from three suction levels: one for hard flooring, one for low-pile carpet and one for thick carpet. A lot of corded uprights just have one setting, but I appreciate that I can customize the cleaning based on floor type here.

However, it's not the most advanced of the Shark uprights – the Shark PowerDetect Upright has an Auto mode whereby it'll increase or decrease suction based on how much dirt is on the floor. This vacuum will also amp up power when the vacuum nears the edge of a room, and has a floorhead that's designed to be able to pick up chunky debris when it's pulled backwards over it. None of those features are included on the Stratos Upright.

(Image credit: Future)

The main floorhead contains two motorized brushrolls that work in harmony to clean different flooring types. In the front is the soft roller, which picks up dust and helps polish hard floors. In the back is the PowerFins roller, which has rubbery fins to agitate carpet fibers, as well as helping to scoop up chunkier debris on hard floors.

One special feature which crops up on a number of the best Shark vacuums is an odor neutralizer cartridge. Here, it sits directly in the main floorhead, and can be rotated to raise or lower the intensity. I'm sensitive to some fragrances, but fortunately, on a low setting, the scent is not overpowering. It's a mild and clean fragrance. If you don't like this feature, the cartridge can be removed and won't affect the vacuum's actual performance.

The dustbin can hold 1.5 quarts / 1.4 liters of dust and debris at a time, which is far more than you'd fit into a cordless stick vacuum, but not as generous as you'll find on some upright models. However, it's nice and easy to empty: simply press the release button on the top of the pod and then push the level on the back to open the lid.

There are two types of filters in the vacuum: the HEPA filter, and the pre-motor filters (foam and felt filters), both of which will need cleaning semi-regularly and eventually replacing.

• Design score: 4 out of 5

Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 review: performance

• Great suction on both hard floors and carpet
• Cleans under low furniture (sofas and beds)
• Reaches into tight spaces and above floor places

I was impressed with the powerful suction of the Shark Stratos Upright Vacuum. The company does not specifically list the suction power, but it's strong enough to easily remove debris on both hard floors and carpeted surfaces. While relatively weighty, it also propels itself forwards when turned on, which makes it easier to drive – although sometimes, when steering, it seems like the vacuum is almost going to topple over.

On hard floors, the brushroll is so strong that sometimes, during my tests with instant grits, a few specs would scatter or fly away. This did not happen on carpet, or with heavier types of debris – and I'm not deducting any points for the few scatters.

Throughout my time using the Stratos AZ3002, I never had any issues with hair getting tangled in the brushroll system. I don't have pets, but this vacuum pulled up my own short hairs with ease, and in general I think it'd make a good vacuum for pet hair – corded uprights like this one almost always have more suction than cordless stick vacuums, and I was certainly impressed with this model's cleaning power.

(Image credit: Future)

To get a more objective view of the AZ3002's performance, I ran a series of suction tests. In my first test, I opened a packet of dry apple cider tea and scattered it on the floor. I chose the hard floor mode, and the Shark Stratos easily removed it in a single pass.

In the next test, I sprinkled some instant grits on the floor. Still in hard floor mode, the vacuum also removed most of the debris in a single pass. However, in the left side of the photo above, you can see that the vacuum also scattered some of the grits on the floor.

In the third test, I poured some of the instant grits along the edge of the floor to test how closely the Shark Stratos cleans there. The vacuum cleaner removed the vast majority of the grits when vacuuming sideways and those left were picked up when I vacuumed head-on.

On carpet, I performed the same tests with dry apple cider vinegar tea and instant grits. This time, I poured the tea and grits side by side. I switched the setting to carpet/low pile cleaning. The Shark Stratos made easy work of picking up both the tea and grits – one pass is all that was needed for both types of spillage.

I must admit that I don't always remember to switch modes when vacuuming, and I missed having an Auto mode where the vacuum cleaner would adjust itself automatically when going from one type of flooring to the other.

(Image credit: Future)

One of my favorite features is the ability to remove the pod and use the vacuum cleaner almost like a stick vacuum. In this configuration, I found it easy to clean under my sideboard as well as under my sofa, and the floorhead was able to clean right up to the baseboards. Such thorough cleaning isn't always a given with an upright vacuum, and I appreciated it here. I also found the vacuum's headlights helped me spot dirt in dark spaces.

I also tried adding the Crevice tool to the end of the main wand. This setup was great for cleaning dust from the HVAC vent covers on the ceiling, as well as in tight spaces like under and on the side of the refrigerator. I found the Upholstery tool very effective for cleaning throw pillows and curtains, as well as any upholstered furniture. Finally, I used the Pet power brush to clean my carpeted stairs.

In all of these scenarios, the Shark Upright Stratos did an excellent job of removing dust and debris in just one forward motion (although I tended to go forward and backward when cleaning anyway).

• Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should you buy the Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002?

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value

Top of the mid-range bracket, but sometimes discounted. Great features help justify the price.

4 / 5

Design

Bulky, but modular design makes it versatile and it comes with lots of detail tools. Lacks advanced features of other Shark uprights and cord is a bit short.

4 / 5

Performance

Strong suction on hard floors and carpet. Cleans under low furniture, and with attachments, it reaches into tight places and can be used on steps and upholstery.

4.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You only plan to have one vacuum

The Shark Stratos Upright is equally effective on both carpet and hard floors, unlike some vacuum cleaners that do better on one or the other type of surface. With the attachments, you can also clean stairs, as well as upholstered items, and in tight places.

You worry about your hardwood floors

The soft roller head is gentle on hard floors so you don't have to worry about the vacuum cleaner being too rough and scratching the surface. As a bonus, the soft roller head also helps to buff the floors.

You don't like emptying the dust bin

The Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 has a large dustbin so you'll likely never have to stop in the middle of a cleaning session to empty it. The push button mechanism means you don't have to touch the bin's contents, either.

Don't buy it if...

You struggle with bulky or heavy appliances

All in, this vacuum cleaner weighs 22.7 lbs / 10.3kg. Even with the self-propulsion and fact you can remove and hold the bin pod, it's rather heavy. If you struggle with heavy appliances, a stick vacuum might be a better fit.

You want low-effort cleaning

There are three suction modes here, but you'll need to toggle them manually. More advanced Shark Uprights have an Auto mode that'll do it for you.

You need to vacuum a lot of stairs

While the pod is removable, making it easier to clean stairs, the cord and hose can only stretch so far. A cordless stick vacuum is a better option for stairs.

How I tested the Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002

I've had the Shark Stratos Upright AZ3002 for over a year, and used it on-and-off for months at a time in my two-bedroom home, which has a mix of carpet and hard floors.

For this review I used the Shark Stratos Upright as my primary vacuum cleaner for a couple of weeks, so I could determine cleaning effectiveness in the three modes. I also gauged how easy it was to maneuver the vacuum, and how easy it was to empty and maintain.

To measure performance more specifically, I conducted several tests on both hard floors and carpet, using dry tea and instant grits. I also tested how well the vacuum cleaner was able to clean up against baseboards, and how well it worked with the various attachments to clean stairs, upholstery, and in tight spaces.

Read more about how we test vacuum cleaners

• First reviewed November 2025

Pexar Starlight 15.6-inch digital photo frame: review

The Pexar Starlight 15.6-inch digital photo frame is an innovative photo frame built on the third-party Frameo platform. While its premium styling and large, glare-free display are undoubtedly a visual treat, the feature most likely to draw admiring comments from visitors to your home will be the rear-facing wall light, described by the manufacturer Lexar as the ‘world’s first’.

If you’ve read any of my past reviews of digital photo frames built on the Frameo platform, you’ll be familiar with how easy the app is to use. Adding users is a cinch. You simply tap ‘Add Friend’ on the frame, and it generates a code. Once you or your loved ones have downloaded the app, you can enter the code, and you’re good to go.

Sending photos to the frame has been improved since I last used the Frameo app. You can still select up to 10 photos to send at a time or upgrade to the Frameo+ app for $1.99 / £0.99 a month or $16.99 / £7.99 a year to unlock unlimited sends. Once you’ve selected which frame you want to send the photos to, you can add captions and adjust their alignment. In a marked improvement over earlier versions of the app, you can now manually select the positioning of images in both landscape and portrait orientation, ensuring your snaps are cropped exactly how you want them.

Once my snaps were loaded on it, I was generally impressed. It certainly gives some of the best digital photo frames a run for their money. From a decent viewing distance, my black-and-white shots of the Puente Romano in Córdoba look crisply detailed. Up close, though, it doesn’t always look quite as precise – that’s an inevitable side effect of that larger screen size, which gives it a pixel density of 141 PPI, rather than the staggering 212 PPI of the Pexar 11-inch Digital Picture Frame.

(Image credit: Future / Josh Russell)

Another area where it falls a little short of the excellent example set by its predecessor is color balance. One of the things that blew me away about the older Pexar frame was its impressively vibrant hues, but the Starlight looks more muted to me. Even compared to the screen of my iPhone 16 Pro – not a device notorious for its hyper-saturated colors – the Barbie pink of camellias or blazing gold of rhododendron blooms look more conservative and less exuberant. It’s not miles off the mark, but it’s just enough that photos look a little more subdued than I’d like.

Despite these slight missteps, the Pexar Starlight’s performance is still impressive, giving your photos plenty of pop. In a large part, this is thanks to the frame’s bright display and super-dynamic, contrasty pictures – even if the colors look a little duller from time to time, photographs I’ve uploaded still look bold and assertive, making for an impressive focal point in my living room.

Naturally, this is helped by the design of the Pexar Starlight 15.6-inch digital photo frame, which is flat out gorgeous. That 15.6-inch screen is bright and almost entirely glare-free – honestly, it’s so unperturbed by all the artificial light in my office that it’s like it’s subject to some kind of quantum tunnelling effect where the light just passes straight through it.

(Image credit: Future)

The frame is a bit of a stunner as well. Its wood grain finish is beautiful and feels delightfully tactile, while the bezels around the screen are nicely textured to mimic a proper mount. Admittedly, the plastic this is made from doesn’t feel quite as authentic as the paper-like effect on the Aura Aspen but the overall effect still gives it a more premium feel than the Pexar 11-inch Digital Picture Frame before it.

Given its name, you probably won’t be surprised to hear that the biggest new feature of the Starlight is backlighting. I didn’t notice it a whole lot when viewing the frame stand-mounted or under bright light, but mounted on the wall or in the evening, it looks picture perfect. Honestly, it makes the frame a statement piece in its own right. I do wish there was an option to change the warmth of the backlight, though, as it can look a little cool for the kind of soft amber light I prefer after dark.

Ultimately, I feel like the Pexar Starlight 15.6-inch is the difficult sequel to Pexar’s breakthrough album, the Pexar 11-inch Digital Picture Frame. It’s more ambitious, more innovative and yet it compromises on a few of the things that made its predecessor such a hit. It still features pretty highly on my list of favorite digital photo frames but for $159.99 / £149.99 you can snap up its stablemate instead.

(Image credit: Future / Josh Russell)Pexar Starlight 15.6-inch digital photo frame review: price & release date

• Launched November 6, 2025
• Retails for $349.99 / £349.99

Released on November 6, 2025, the Pexar Starlight 15.6-inch digital photo frame is available in both the US and UK for a list price of $349.99 / £349.99.

While that’s not exactly cheap, it’s still reasonably priced. For example, the Aura Aspen costs $229 (around £175) for a smaller 11.8-inch display, though it does offer better pixel density and color reproduction. By contrast, the huge 27-inch Netgear Meural Canvas II will set you back a whopping $599.99 / £649.99 – for that spend, you get great features and better color, yet it has a much lower pixel density as a result of its bulk.

(Image credit: Future)Pexar Starlight 15.6-inch digital photo frame review: specs

Dimensions

7.1 x 10.2 x 1 inches (180 x 259 x 25mm)

Display size

15.6-inch

Resolution

1920 x 1080, 144 pixels per inch

Aspect Ratio

16:9

Touch Screen

Yes

Sound

Built-in speaker

Orientation

Portrait or landscape

Storage

64GB

Connectivity

Wi-Fi, SD card, USB-A, USB-C

(Image credit: Future / Josh Russell)Should I buy the Pexar Starlight 15.6-inch digital photo frame?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

The Frameo app is easier to use than ever, thanks to new settings for cropping your photos.

4/5

Design

The Pexar Starlight is stunningly designed, with a gorgeous wood-grain frame, textured white bezels and that classy backlight.

5/5

Performance

Impressively bright and glare-free, the Starlight offers crisp, contrasty images – it’s just a shame its colors can occasionally look a little more subdued than other frames.

4/5

Value

With an increased price and build quality, the Pexar has also lost some detail and color accuracy, which is a real shame. But it’s still not a bad frame for this kind of spend.

4/5

Buy it if…

You want a bright, expansive screen
Not only does the Pexar Starlight offer a generous 15.6-inch screen, it’s also pleasingly bright, looking bold and eye-catching even in bright daylight.

You want a truly gorgeous looking frame
With its wonderfully tactile wood-grain finish and textured mount, this frame looks very close to its analog counterparts. But add that innovative backlight and you’ve got something that almost no frame currently offers.

Don’t buy it if…

You want the absolute crispest photo frame you can get
While the Pexar Starlight looks reasonably sharp, its 141 PPI pixel density is dwarfed by that of some frames on the market, such as the 212 PPI Pexar 11-inch Digital Picture Frame.

You’re looking for striking, true-to-life color
The Pexar Starlight handles earth tones well enough but it’s a bit of shrinking violet when it comes to primary and secondary colors, lacking the vibrancy of some rival digital photo frames.

Pexar Starlight 15.6-inch digital photo frame review: also consider

Pexar Starlight 15.6-inch digital photo frame

Aura Aspen

Pexar 11-inch Digital Picture Frame

Dimensions

7.1 x 10.2 x 1 inches (180 x 259 x 25mm)

12.7 x 10.1 x 1.1 inches (323 x 257 x 28mm)

7.4 x 11.2 inches (18.9 x 28.4cm)

Display size

15.6-inch

11.8-inch

11-inch

Resolution

1920 x 1080, 144 pixels per inch

1600 x 1200, 170 pixels per inch

2000 x 1200, 212 pixels per inch

Aspect Ratio

16:9

4:3

5:3

Touch Screen

Yes

No

Yes

Sound

Built-in speaker

Built-in speaker

Built-in speaker

Orientation

Portrait or landscape

Portrait or landscape

Portrait or landscape

Storage

64GB

Unlimited cloud storage

32GB

Connectivity

Wi-Fi, SD card, USB-A, USB-C

Wi-Fi

Wi-Fi, SD card, USB-A, USB-C

Pexar 11-inch Digital Picture Frame
If you care most about performance over style, Pexar’s previous digital photo frame is the one to go for. Thanks to its huge 2000 x 1200 resolution display crammed into a 11-inch screen, this Pexar rocks a whopping 212 PPI pixel density and is also capable of truly glorious color, with pinks, reds and yellows positively glowing in my photos. Read my full Pexar 11-inch Digital Picture Frame review for more.

Aura Aspen
Alternatively, the Aura Aspen offers a fantastic sweet spot between both form and function. Its build is exquisite – its bezels have a matte, textured-paper effect that feels like real mount, while its body and stand are satisfyingly sturdy. Meanwhile, it still has an impressive display, rocking a 170 PPI pixel density and some of the best color accuracy I’ve ever seen. Read my full Aura Aspen review.

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Pexar Starlight 15.6-inch digital photo frame

• Tested over several weeks
• Uploaded a range of color and monochrome photos
• Have many years of experience working with photography

I spent several weeks testing the Pexar Starlight 15.6-inch digital photo frame. To test out how easy it is to use, I first set up the frame and added several users to it. I then sent over a range of photos using the Frameo app, both individually and in large batches to see how easy the transfer process is, before tweaking the fit and alignment of each image.

I made sure I uploaded a significant variety of photos to test out how the frame’s display performed against different criteria. To test its resolution and contrast, I used a variety of black-and-white photographs, from mountains in the Scottish Highlands to Spanish architecture. When assessing its color performance, I used vibrant shots of blossoms, flowers and fireworks, comparing its color reproduction against the screen of my iPhone 16 Pro.

Not only have I tested over half a dozen of the best digital photo frames released over the last 18 months, I’m also a keen photographer, having snapped over 40,000 images on my Canon SLR and iPhone 16 Pro. On top of this, I spent over a decade working in print publishing, meaning that I have a keen eye for managing photography and assessing how it’s translated to another medium.

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

Roku Pro Series TV (2025): One-minute review

The original Roku Pro Series TV impressed me when I reviewed it in 2024, and I remain impressed with this updated version Roku released in 2025. The differences between the two, ultimately, are somewhat minor – you can’t really tell a difference at a glance, other than it having larger support feet – but the improvements in audio and picture quality make it worth it.

I actually appreciate that the Roku Pro Series (2025) is mostly the same in a lot of ways. Its shadowbox design might seem strangely thick for TVs these days, but it has benefits when it comes to wall-mounting and sound quality. The port selection is the same, though at least the HDMI ports that support a faster refresh rate are visibly marked this time around. The Pro Series (2025) comes with Roku’s best remote control as well.

Just like last year, I consider the Roku Pro Series to be among the best TVs in this price range. It’s certainly a step up from the still good Roku Plus Series. Now, it doesn’t have quite the brightness and deep contrast of really premium TVs, but it does support Dolby Vision and HDR10+ high dynamic range, not to mention uses a mini-LED backlight with local dimming.

Roku Pro Series (2025) review: Price and release date

The Roku Voice Remote Pro allows for hands-free voice support (Image credit: Future)

• Release date: June 2025
• 55-inch: $899.99
• 65-inch: $1,199.99
• 75-inch: $1,699.99

The Roku Pro Series TV (2025) is a refresh of the Roku Pro Series TV (2024) I reviewed last year, with just a few (but welcome) upgrades. Even so, the Pro Series TVs are priced the same as last year's models at all screen sizes.

Launch prices for the Roku Pro Series TVs sit between the TCL QM6K and TCL QM7K, two other value-priced series of mini-LED TVs. They are also comparable to the launch prices for the Amazon Fire TV Omni Mini-LED series TVs. All three of those TV lineups have seen discounts in 2025, and we expect to see the same for the Roku Pro Series (2025) as we head into the holiday shopping season.

Roku Pro Series (2025) review: Specs

Screen type:

QLED with mini-LED

Refresh rate:

120Hz

HDR support:

Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, HLG

Audio support:

Dolby Atmos

Smart TV:

Roku TV

HDMI ports:

4 (2x HDMI 2.1)

Built-in tuner:

ATSC 1.0

Roku Pro Series (2025) review: Benchmark resultsRoku Pro Series (2025) review: Features

Connections include two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 120Hz support (Image credit: Future)

• Smart home support
• Hands-free voice control
• Roku Smart Picture Max

The feature-filled Roku Pro Series (2025) offers much of what you would expect from a TV these days, such as Apple AirPlay support and the ability to connect Bluetooth headphones and speakers. It also works with multiple smart home ecosystems such as Roku Smart Home, Apple HomeKit, Alexa, and Google Home.

HDR support includes Dolby Vision IQ and HDR10+ Adaptive. The TV’s Hands-free voice control, accessible through the remote, is also pretty nifty, especially since you just have to be in the remote’s vicinity and don’t have to press the microphone button for it to hear you.

One key upgrade from last year’s Roku Pro Series is the addition of Roku Smart Picture Max. This feature, like Dolby Vision, adjusts the picture quality on a scene-by-scene basis. It will also change picture modes as well as color, sharpness, and contrast on a scene-by-scene basis. That’s pretty cool, and, interestingly, one of those things you don’t really notice the benefits of until it’s turned off.

Also worth mentioning is the fact that you can set it to automatically turn on when powering up an external source, such as a gaming console or Blu-ray player.

• Features Score: 4/5

Roku Pro Series (2025) review: Picture quality

Adjusting the TV's settings to the Brightest option in the Picture setup menu will more than double its brightness to an impressive 1,700-1,800 nits (Image credit: Future)

• Improved color accuracy with good brightness
• Good contrast and motion handling
• Very minor vignetting

Having tested several TVs in this budget price range, it’s hard to get too impressed with the results. And when I got the Roku Pro Series TV (2025), it felt like more of the same. But my main TV is last year’s version, and the performance is very similar.

The Pro Series (2025) TV’s Peak HDR brightness, measured on a white window pattern covering 10% of the screen, was 821 nits in Filmmaker Mode and 841 nits in Standard mode. And it hit 375 and 390 nits, respectively, in those same modes when we measured fullscreen brightness.

Those results were at the default settings for those picture modes, and would be considered average for a budget mini-LED TV. We ran a second round of measurements with the Brightest setting selected for each mode, however, and the peak HDR brightness results more than doubled to 1,752 nits in Filmmaker Mode and 1,818 nits in Standard mode. That’s a significant difference, and a big benefit when viewing in a room with bright lighting.

The TV’s color gamut coverage of 96.9% UHDA-P3 and 80.6 BT.2020 is also quite good, although we’ve seen similar results from mid-range mini-LED TVs such as the TCL QM8K. One improvement, revealed by our benchmarks, is the new Pro Series’ color accuracy: Last year’s model sat at 3.9, while this year’s is 2.6 (the closer to 0 the better).

In terms of actual viewing, the images that this screen produces are crisp and vibrant. Roku has worked to minimize blooming and it seems to have paid off as images looked clean and defined even with very strong contrast and color. And the TV does a good job with motion handling: While watching NFL games, I could clearly make out all the players and how they moved across the field.

The colors pop the way they should when watching something like Coco (a favorite animated movie for testing color). And the TV’s handling of high dynamic range allows for wide contrast levels, including being able to make out details in the shadows.

Now, I can’t say that the picture quality is any better than the TCL QM6K I recently reviewed, though it does have less vignetting at the corners than that TV. Of course, that’s to also say that the Roku Pro Series does suffer from very minor vignetting, although it’s so minor that I would have to point it out for most other people to notice it.

• Picture quality score: 4/5

Roku Pro Series (2025) review: Sound quality

Larger speaker chambers on the Pro Series (2025) allow for higher volume levels and a greater sense of spaciousness (Image credit: Future)

• Good, soundbar-level audio
• Lacks bass
• Decent audio fine-tuning features

I’ve spent a bit of time not only listening to the audio from shows and movies but also plenty of music on this TV. Like the previous version, the Roku Pro Series TV (2025) has very good audio for a TV. It’s good enough that you probably won’t feel the need to get a soundbar unless you want surround sound, spatial audio, or a subwoofer. It’s as good as a basic soundbar, and that’s high praise for a TV.

The internal chambers for the speakers on the new Roku Pro Series are actually bigger than the previous version, allowing for a little higher volume and a greater sense of space to the sound. They’re also pushed out a little wider for a better soundstage. It’s not night and day, as last year’s version was very good, too, but I appreciate that Roku is constantly trying to improve the TV’s audio.

As far as the frequency range goes, there’s a lot of good and some bad. The high end is decent enough that I feel like I can hear plenty of detail whenever I’m listening to music, while the mid-range has a richness to it that not only gives music and background scores a fullness, but also helps highlight dialogue.

The low end, unfortunately, is very lacking, though this is far from a surprise. When I watched an action scene in a movie with lots of explosions (or anything where there’s a lot of bass), it felt a bit lacking since that low-end information is basically missing. Batman punching through an explosion in his Batmobile in The Batman just doesn’t hit the same when you don’t feel the 18-wheeler turn off or explode.

The soundstage does have good imaging, meaning I could clearly hear where the audio is intended to be (left or right, close or far away). It doesn’t quite have the width of an external home theater sound system, but, for something built into the back of a TV, it’s fairly impressive.

Lastly, I do want to mention that there are some solid audio-related settings available. For one, you can adjust its audio output based on whether it’s mounted against the wall or not. There are also treble and bass EQ sliders.

On top of that, there are various sound presets, including a dialog and night mode, both of which I feel are important. The former boosts where the human voice sits to make dialogue more intelligible (looking at you, Christopher Nolan) and the latter flattens the dynamic range so that there aren’t any unexpected loud or quiet parts when watching at night.

• Sound quality score: 4.5/5

Roku Pro Series (2025) review: Design

No tools are required to install the TV's support feet (Image credit: Future)

• Shadowbox design allows for flush mounting
• Cable management in the back with marked HDMI 2.1 ports
• Remote has hands-free voice support

When I reviewed last year’s version of the Roku Pro Series TV, one of my favorite aspects was its shadowbox design. Since the 2025 version is virtually identical, the shadowbox design remains. Looking at its side profile, it’s thicker than most TVs these days. That might sound like it looks unwieldy, but it’s still an attractive TV.

More importantly, when hung, this shape sits flush against the wall the way a picture frame would, making for a more attractive installation. Compare that to most TVs that are tapered in the back and look like they’re hanging off the wall. It’s a design choice that I really appreciate.

From the front, you have very thin bezels around the TV except along the bottom, where it’s around half an inch in height, enough to showcase the Roku logo. The screen itself does have some reflectivity, but it’s not any worse than any other mid-range or budget TV I’ve seen.

Design-wise, the back of the TV is a little more interesting. First, the lower back is indented in such a way to allow you to run all the cables from the ports and power down the middle while still keeping the TV flush against the wall if mounted. Plus, there are strategically placed straps to keep the cables from sticking out.

As far as ports go, there are four HDMI connections, two of which are version 2.1 that allow 120Hz refresh rates from external sources such as a gaming console. And, unlike last year’s version, they’re marked. There are also USB-A and USB-C ports, LAN (for a wired Ethernet connection), optical digital audio out, and an antenna input. Besides the marked HDMI ports, I appreciated the extra USB so I could keep the charging cable for the remote plugged in.

Speaking of the remote, it’s the same second-gen Roku Voice Remote Pro that not only allows for hands-free voice support – you can talk to it with a wake word (“Hey Roku”) like you would an Amazon Echo – but has two reprogrammable buttons so you can have a shortcut for an app that you might open all the time that isn’t already on the remote.

• Design score: 5/5

Roku Pro Series (2025) review: Smart TV and menus

Roku has one of the cleanest and easiest to navigate smart TV interfaces on the market (Image credit: Future)

• Tile interface layout
• Plenty of free or Roku-specific content
• Lots of picture settings available for fine-tuning

Smart TV interfaces generally come in two flavors: a grid of tiles and a banner plus mixed content. The former basically organizes the home screen around an arrangement of app tiles, and you navigate to the app you want. The latter generally has a rotating banner that highlights a specific movie or show, along with rows of different content including app tiles but also specific media from within your subscribed apps.

Roku uses the tile layout, and I like it. It’s a little less busy and has a cleaner look, though you do have to open the apps to browse. However, Roku does have some suggested content at the top now, as well as a “What to Watch” tab that showcases rows of specific media, including a “Continue Watching” row.

Like most smart TV makers, Roku offers free, ad-supported content. Of course, there’s the Roku Channel, but there’s now also the Howdy by Roku app that is paid for ad-free viewing, but is very low-priced. There’s also a Sports tab with some free content available.

As far as the actual TV settings go, I appreciate that all settings are integrated into the Roku OS, though that’s not unusual these days.

Even better is the fact that I can adjust settings for different inputs, even renaming them, as well as connect different Bluetooth devices like headphones. There are plenty of settings that one can play with for picture quality to adjust HDR (or turn it off entirely), different motion-related settings for sports, local dimming and micro contrast, and all sorts of color and color-temperature settings. You can do quite a bit of fine-tuning.

• Smart TV & menus score: 5/5

Roku Pro Series (2025) review: Gaming

An ultra-low 9.3ms input lag in Game mode results in smooth and responsive gaming (Image credit: Future)

• 4K 120Hz support
• Automatic switching to console input and gaming picture mode
• No FPS counter

Roku has not forgotten about gamers with the Pro Series. There isn’t a special TV menu when in game mode like I see on some other TVs, but there is support for 4K 120Hz input on two of the TV’s HDMI ports.

When turning on a next-gen console, the TV can automatically switch to that input (a setting you have to enable). The TV will also automatically switch to Game mode, which adjusts the picture settings.

The things that make the Roku Pro Series TV (2025) good for gaming are mostly what make it good for other types of media. The TV does well with sports, so it’s no surprise that it can handle fast-moving objects on the screen, whether it’s playing a sports game like NBA 2K25 or a shooter. Even something like Dead Island 2, where you’re running around and trying to dodge zombies, requires good motion handling.

The TV’s good brightness, along with solid HDR and color, really helps games to pop. Measured input latency is also an ultra-low 9.3ms in Game mode, which results in highly responsive performance.

• Gaming score: 4.5/5

Roku Pro Series (2025) review: Value

The Roku Pro Series (2025) accessories kit (Image credit: Future)

• Good price for what’s offered
• Plenty of solid competition
• Cheaper Plus series mini-LED model available

At around $1,200 for the 65-inch model I tested, the Roku Pro Series is affordably priced, although it faces stiff competition from other budget and mid-range mini-LED TVs.

For instance, the TCL QM6K is a stellar option for a mid-range TV and you can find it on sale for under $700 in the same size. The QM6K has great color and contrast, but just okay brightness and the audio is lacking.

Of course, if you like the idea of the Roku Pro but not the price, the newer version of the Roku Plus Series will get you most of the way there for a little less cash. Spending around $650 for the 65-inch version will get you a 4K mini-LED TV with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support, though you’re not going to have the same audio quality, shadowbox design, or 4K 120Hz support.

The Roku Pro Series is a good value compared to the competition, though part of that is the improved audio as well as some of Roku’s unique design choices. It’s also what makes it a better value than the Roku Plus models.

• Value score: 4.5/5

Should I buy the Roku Pro Series (2025)?

(Image credit: Future)Roku Pro Series (2025)

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Roku Smart Picture Max, smart home, and hands-free voice support are just some of what this TV has on offer

4.5/5

Picture quality

The color accuracy is improved over last year’s model. The overall picture quality is very good, though there is some minor vignetting

4/5

Sound quality

The audio quality is good enough to skip getting a soundbar, though there’s not much bass

4.5/5

Design

The shadowbox design might be bulky, but it is ideal for mounting the TV flush on the wall

5/5

Smart TV and menus

Navigating the interface and menus is straightforward

5/5

Gaming

Supports a high refresh rate, though there are limited gaming-related menu options

4/5

Value

Improves on last year’s model, while selling for the same price

4.5/5

Buy it if...

You want a TV that looks good on the wall
The shadowbox design allows this TV to look good when mounted, almost like a picture frame with a TV in it. If you plan on mounting your TV, this one sits flush against the wall and does a good job of hiding the cables in the back.

You don’t want to buy a soundbar
The audio quality is good enough that you won’t feel the need to get a soundbar. It does lack some low-end, but Roku sells wireless subwoofers that can pair with the TV.

Don't buy it if…

You want a next-level picture
The Roku Pro Series TV looks very good, but it’s not quite a premium TV. You’ll have to spend a bit more, but there’s still a level of image quality above this model.

You’re on a serious budget
This model punches above its weight, but if you’re on a budget, you’re better off sticking with the Roku Select or Plus Series, which are still pretty good TVs.

Also consider...

Roku Pro Series (2025)

TCL QM6K

Roku Plus Series

Hisense U75QG

Price (65-inch)

$1,199

$999

$649

$1,499

Screen type

mini-LED w/ QLED

mini-LED w/ QLED

mini-LED w/ QLED

mini-LED w/ QLED

Refresh rate

120Hz

Up to 144Hz

60Hz

Up to 165Hz

HDR support

Dolby Vision IQ/HDR10+/HDR10

Dolby Vision IQ/HDR10+/HDR10

Dolby Vision IQ/HDR10+/HDR10

Dolby Vision IQ/HDR10+/HDR10

Smart TV

Roku TV

Google TV

Roku TV

Google TV

HDMI ports

4 (2x HDMI 2.1)

4 (2x HDMI 2.1)

4

4 HDMI 2.1

TCL QM6K
The TCL QM6K is just as good a value and even a little cheaper than the Roku Pro Series TV, though it doesn’t have quite the audio quality or its unique shadowbox design. What it does have is a great picture quality with vibrant colors, good contrast, and minimal backlight blooming.

Read our full TCL QM6K review

Roku Plus Series
You’ll be locked to a 60Hz refresh rate and you won’t have the precision of the Pro Series, but the Roku Plus Series TVs are still an excellent value as they’re mini-LED TVs with full-array local dimming. It’s still as convenient as any other Roku device, though you won’t have the automatic picture switching, shadow box design, or updated remote of the Pro Series.

Read our full Roku Plus Series review

Hisense U75QG
Hisense's mid-range mini-LED TV is near the same price range as the Roku Pro Series, and it offers much higher picture brightness and better gaming features. Its design isn't as eye-catching as the Roku TV, however, and audio quality isn't as good.

Read our full Hisense U75QG review

How I tested the Roku Pro Series TV (2025)

(Image credit: Future)

• I used the Roku Pro Series TV (2025) for a month
• Tested with both TV, movies, music, and games
• Benchmark measurements conducted by Future US testing lab

I used the Roku Pro Series TV (2025) regularly for a month. I used it with TV, movies, music, and games. I tested the various features to see if they work as advertised. I also spent time listening to the audio as well as paying attention to the picture quality.

After spending some time with this TV, it’s my opinion that this TV is ideal for those who want a premium TV without the premium price tag as well as those who want to wall-mount a TV but hate how they look when mounted.

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

You can read an in-depth overview of how we test TVs at TechRadar at that link.

• First reviewed: November 2025
• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

Fluance Ri71: Two-minute review

If you’ve looked into mid-range speakers from Fluance like the Fluance Ri71 powered speakers reviewed here, you’ll see people talk about how they’re good for the price. There have been plenty of caveats and plenty of hedging since, after all, the speakers are manufactured in Taiwan. Never mind that they’re designed in Canada or the fact that, regardless of where they’re from, they’re just good speakers.

Having reviewed these speakers, I can honestly say that the Fluance Ri71 sound great and not just for the price. Yes, they may not quite reach the heights of something from Dali or KEF, but they still have a fairly neutral, detailed sound that works for all genres. The price tag is an added bonus as they’re among the best stereo speakers out there for anyone not wanting to spend over $500.

I do wish there were also USB or USB-C port to connect to a computer and the placement of the volume wheel is not ideal. Though I like the look of a naked speaker (and therefore don’t count it as a negative), they don’t come with a grille for those who care. There’s really not much to complain about here.

Really, the Fluance Ri71 speakers are an easy recommendation for anyone looking for powered bookshelf speakers. And though there’s no spatial audio or surround sound, they work pretty well for TV, too.

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)Fluance Ri71 review: Price & release date

• Released March, 2025
• Priced $399.99 / £333.32 / AU$620 (approx.)

With a price tag of $399.99 / £333.32 / AU$620 (approx.), the Fluance Ri71 sits right in mid-range territory.

You can certainly find some powered bookshelf speakers for triple the price (and not necessarily triple the performance) – you can also spend quite a bit less. Fluance’s own Ai41 powered speakers come in at $249 (£255, AU$471), but those are smaller with less power and a less refined sound.

The Fluance Ri71 are available in the US and in the UK (via Amazon). Though Fluance maintains a presence on Amazon AUS (for Australia), the Ri71 don’t seem to be available Down Under at this time.

Fluance Ri71 review: Specs

Weight

6.4 kg (active speaker); 5 kg (passive speaker)

Dimensions

310 x 185 x 199 mm

Subwoofer

No (has sub out)

Frequency response

46 Hz - 30 kHz

Dolby Atmos / DTS:X enabled?

No

Maximum output

120 watts

Fluance Ri71 review: Features

• Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX HD and AAC codecs capable of almost lossless streaming
• Included HDMI is ARC-enabled for use with a TV
• No spatial audio or Wi-Fi streaming

Powered bookshelf speakers such as the Fluance Ri7 bridge the gap between a traditional speaker setup and what people want out of a modern sound system. That means there are some great quality-of-life features on hand, while some things a casual listener might expect or hope for are just not here. So, neither spatial audio, surround sound nor Wi-Fi streaming are part of the package, but that’s generally the case with this type of speaker setup and not really a knock against them in my opinion.

What is on hand, however, is a decent amount of connectivity including Bluetooth 5.3 with aptX HD and AAC codecs for close-to lossless streaming. In the past, there’s been a noticeable difference in quality between Bluetooth audio and that sent through a wired signal because the latter doesn’t have to compress the sound. But that’s no longer the case. There’s a small difference but, in my opinion, it’s very hard to notice.

There’s also an HDMI port on hand, meaning these speakers can be used with a TV. The built-in offerings on most TVs generally suck, so having a good pair of speakers is always a welcome upgrade. And while they might not be as feature-filled as some of the best soundbars around the same price tag, they still offer a better stereo soundstage. And (usually) better sound. Since the HDMI connection is ARC-supported, you can control the volume with one remote.

• Features score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)Fluance Ri71 review: Sound quality

• Decent low end without subwoofer
• Impressively detailed high end
• Immersive, if polite-sounding

While you shouldn’t rely too much on a speaker’s frequency range as a gauge of sound quality, the range of 46 Hz - 30 kHz does tell us a few things. At 46Hz, the low end is not all that low, but is comparable to other powered bookshelf speakers, with many having a higher cutoff.

The Fluance Ri71 also has bass ports at the bottom of the speaker cabinet to accentuate what it can reproduce. That means that, while you don’t quite have that very low rumble you might hear in electronic dance music or an action scene in a movie, you still get a well-balanced if slightly restrained bass response. Listening to anything with heavy 808 usage (that deep bass you hear in hip-hop and EDM) is going to lack a little oomph.

On the high end of that aforementioned range, 30kHz is pretty impressive, with that extended high end potentially coming from the AMT tweeters. Either way, that’s much better than the 20kHz range around which many speakers sit. Now, many of us probably can’t hear up to 30kHz but what this extended range, plus the fast response of those tweeters, mean is that there’s not only an immediacy to higher-end sound but a clarity to themtoo.

It’s almost as if someone pulled a blanket off the band I’m listening to and all of sudden I can hear intricacies of the ride and the sweetness of the strings. Or, if you prefer the more boring way of saying it, the music feels less compressed and less filtered.

The midrange feels a little pulled back, which makes everything sound more polite. It can make rock music sound just a little aggressive, for instance. Unfortunately, you can only boost or cut the high or low end.

As far as soundstage goes, the Fluance Ri71 sound good wherever you place them but really benefit from spending the time to actually adjust them to your ears. You’ll know it’s right when you can hear the “center channel” in the middle as if there were a speaker there.

They also do a good job with sound imaging. I feel that I have a solid grasp of where an aural element is in the mix beyond just left, right, and center, which makes the listening experience all the more immersive.

• Sound quality score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)Fluance Ri71 review: Design

• New AMT tweeter is the most unique design choice here
• Unusual placement of controls
• No digital connectivity beyond HDMI

The Fluance Ri71 have a look and general design much like any other active bookshelf speakers. There are two of them standing at about 12 inches (310mm) in height. Each speaker cabinet is fairly rectangular in shape, though they do taper near the back.

And they come in the kind of “looks good in an office” colorways one would expect. Specifically, they’re available in white, walnut, and black. One thing I do appreciate is the fact that the white and black (reviewed here) still have noticeable wood grain. Of course, these are made of MDF wood, but that’s most bookshelf speakers these days for you.

As far as the actual drivers go, each speaker cabinet comes with a 5.25-inch (133.3 mm) woven glass fiber driver and an AMT (air motion transformer) tweeter, along with a long, thin bass port beneath to emphasize the low end. Besides any upgraded internal bracing, the AMT tweeter is the new star of the show. These tweeters are different than the regular tweeters insofar as they offer a faster response and more detail, though placement is a bit more precise.

Since these are powered bookshelf speakers with 120 watts coursing through them via a Class D amp, there are some on-unit controls on the right speaker. There’s a volume wheel on the back at the top, a strange place considering these dials are usually more accessible on the front. You can press the volume wheel to change inputs (an LED indicator on the front changes color depending on the input). Then, there’s a treble and bass wheel on the back along with the power and a Bluetooth pairing button.

Port-wise, I was disappointed to not see any digital connectivity such as USB or USB-C, since I do a lot of my listening through streaming services via my laptop, but it does at least have that aforementioned ARC-supported HDMI, allowing me to change the volume using the TV remote. There’s also the typical RCA inputs as well as a sub-out port.

Because of the placement of the various wheels, the remote is quite handy. Besides power and volume, you can change input, adjust the treble and bass, mute, and turn off the LED on the speaker.

• Design score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)Q Acoustics 3020c review: Setup and usability

• Basically plug and play
• Bluetooth will automatically look to pair
• Placement is important, like any bookshelf speakers

Since the Fluance Ri71 are powered bookshelf speakers, they’re very easy to set up. The active speaker with all the ports goes on the right and the passive one goes on the left. Then you just have to connect the passive speaker to the active with the included speaker wire that’s helpfully color-coded red and white. The tips on each side are soldered solid so you don’t have to worry about little pieces of speaker wire splintering off.

While it would have been even more convenient for the tips to have banana plugs, you just have to insert the appropriate tip in the exposed hole and screw down the top. Keep the colors the same on both sides and it will take less than a minute to connect the two speakers. Then plug in the power cord and turn it on.

From there, you just need to plug in the desired source or connect via Bluetooth – pairing is simple as the speaker will automatically start the process if it’s not already done so – and you’re good to go.

Of course, remember that bookshelf speakers do require a little bit of finesse in their placement for the best sound, but that goes for all bookshelf speakers and is something I’ve covered in another article in greater detail. You want a précis? Basically, just have them an equal distance from each other, and you, with them pointed at you. You're welcome.

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

• Setup and usability score: 5/5

Fluance Ri71 review: Value

• More than a few alternatives have USB
• HDMI is a bit rarer on bookshelf speakers
• Well-priced, but not a steal

Since the Fluance Ri71 are firmly in mid-range territory, you’ll probably end up comparing them to models from Q Acoustics, Audioengine, and Kanto. Take the Q Acoustics M20 HD for instance, which at $499 is a little pricier yet is considered one of the better affordable powered bookshelf speakers here at TechRadar. It has full, uncompressed sound and has the ability to flip which speaker is left or right. It also comes with a USB port, though lacks an HDMI.

A step up from that, at least financially, is the Kanto Ren, another excellent alternative. It goes for $599 / £599 / €719 and comes with all the connectivity one could want, whether it’s Bluetooth 5.3, HDMI, or USB-C. It also sounds great, with excellent clarity, though its bass can get a little flabby.

The point in comparing the Fluance Ri71 to these other speakers that these are excellent speakers and you’ll be happy with them, if you’re looking to stay under a certain price point. But the ones that are just a little pricier are justifiably so, even if it’s mostly on account of having a special feature or extra port. The Fluance Ri71 are a good price, but they’re not a steal.

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)

• Value score: 4/5

Should you buy the Fluance Ri71?Fluance Ri71 Score Card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

With HDMI ARC and Bluetooth aptx HD, there’s not much more one could ask for, outside of Wi-Fi streaming.

4.5/5

Sound quality

Neutral sound, plenty of detail and still a surprising amount of low-end, the Fluance Ri71 sound a treat.

4.5/5

Design

Awkward controls, and no USB connectivity; the AMT tweeter is a nice design upgrade.

4/5

Setup and usability

Despite the control placement, very easy, especially with the remote.

5/5

Value

Despite the connectivity quirks, a wonderful-sounding speaker for a reasonable price. Has competition at the price.

4/5

Buy them if...

You want detailed, almost neutral audio
The Fluance Ri71 have a clarity that feels almost polite, but is always a pleasure to listen to. These are the kind of speakers that make you feel like you can hear every detail.

You need HDMI
If you also want to use your bookshelf speakers for TV, having an HDMI port is critical, especially one that supports ARC, meaning you can use your TV remote to control the volume.

You want to stay under $500
Appropriately but well priced, the Fluance Ri71 don’t quite offer what more expensive speakers do, but they sound good enough that you won’t care. And you can put that extra cash back in your pocket.

Don't buy them if...

You need USB-C connectivity
If your main way of listening to music is connecting your laptop directly to powered speakers, then you’ll be disappointed having to use an old school RCA adapter. A lot of laptops don’t have an HDMI out (and some don’t even have an AUX port).

You want easy on-unit access to the volume
The volume wheel is awkwardly placed. That’s mostly a non-issue with the remote, but if you care or happen to lose all your remotes, you won’t like the fact that the volume wheel is at the back of the speaker.

Fluance Ri71 review: Also consider

Q Acoustics M20 HD
The Q Acoustics M20 HD are excellent bookshelf speakers at a slightly higher price point. They offer USB connectivity, but not HDMI. The left and right speaker configuration can also be reversed. They also have a detailed, uncompressed sound.
Read our full Q Acoustics M20 HD review

Kanto Ren
The Kanto Ren has it all in terms of connectivity – USB-C, HDMI, Bluetooth 5.3 – and it comes in interesting colors, though it will pick up every fingerprint. It’s lovely with a full, robust sound but the bass can get a little flabby.
Read our full Kanto Ren review

How I tested the Fluance Ri71

• Used regularly for a few weeks
• Listened to all sorts of audio
• Used the various controls and ports

I used the Fluance Ri71 for a few weeks, listening to all sorts of genres of music like hip-hop, EDM, Top 40 pop, rock, and folk to get a better feel for these speakers. They were also tested with some TV shows and computer games. I tested the various controls and ports as well.

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

First reviewed: November 2025

Read more about how we test at TechRadar

Epson Pro Cinema LS9000: One minute review

The Epson Pro Cinema LS9000 is the latest, and least expensive, member of Epson's LS series of projectors. At $3,999 / £2,999 / AU$7,299, this entry-level dedicated home theater projector is notably cheaper than comparable options from JVC and Sony, yet still comes with a bevy of great features and performance to match.

Epson’s Pro Cinema LS9000 follows in the footsteps of the Epson LS12000 model that currently sits a the top of TechRadar’s Best Projectors list. The Epson Pro Cinema LS9000 aims to continue this excellence, employing the same 15-element glass VRX lens structure, laser light engine, and 3LCD technology as the LS12000.

Similar to the step-up LS12000, the Pro Cinema LS9000 supports 4K 120Hz signals, has relatively low input lag for gaming, and is compatible with the HDR10+ high dynamic range format. Its motorized lens shift, zoom, and focus make setup adjustments easy, and out of the box in Natural picture mode, it delivers accurate colors and a crisp image.

Even with all the great inclusions, some missing features reflect the LS9000’s entry-level status. The most glaring is a lack of dynamic tone mapping, which is also missing from the other LS series projectors that were originally released a few years ago, but is starting to show up in some less expensive home theater models. With a rated 2,200 lumens brightness (white and color), it’s also best suited for a home theater room with decent ambient light control, as opposed to a multi-purpose living space with light streaming in through windows.

Still, the Epson Pro Cinema LS9000 offers incredible performance for the price. It’s a solid projector that’s easy to set up, but still offers the ability to tweak and play with image settings that a new (or frugal) home projection enthusiast is sure to love.

Epson Pro Cinema LS9000 review: Price & release date

The LS9000's 2,200 lumens brightness spec is comparable to many other home theater projectors (Image credit: Future)

• Release date: July 2025
• Price: $3,999 / £2,999 / AU$7,299

The Epson Pro Cinema LS9000 made its debut in July 2025 at the Audio Advice Live show in Raleigh, North Carolina. It’s the least expensive of Epson’s Pro Cinema laser projectors, coming in at $3,999 / £2,999 / AU$7,299. For comparison, the Home Cinema LS11000 retails for $4,499 (up from $3,999 when released) and the LS12000 now goes for $5,999 (up from $4,999 at release).

Epson Pro Cinema LS9000 review: Specs

Screen sizes supported:

50-300 inches

Brightness (specified):

2,200 Lumens

HDR support:

HDR10, HDR10+, HLG

Optical technology:

3LCD laser diode

Smart TV:

N/A

Connections:

2x HDMI 2.1 (one with eARC), 2x USB-A (one 300mA for optical HDMI power, one 5V/2A for power and firmware), Mini USB (service), RJ45 (control), RS-232c, 3.5mm (12V trigger)

Dimensions (H x W x D):

7.6 x 20.5 x 17.6 inches (193 x 520‎ x 447mm)

Weight:

28 pounds (12.7kg)

Epson Pro Cinema LS9000 review: Design & features

The projector's connections include two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 120Hz support (Image credit: Future)

• Motorized zoom, focus, and lens shift
• 4K 120Hz support
• Motorized lens cover

The Epson Pro Cinema LS9000 shares the same look as its bigger siblings, the Pro Cinema LS12000 and Home Cinema LS11000, and the high-lumen Epson QB1000 released in late 2024. The chassis is large and a bit heavy (the Sony Bravia Projector 7 weighs less, but the JVC DLA-NZ5 weighs a little more), but I find the design and its black color to look sleeker than its heft lets on. All connections are on the back panel alongside touch controls if the remote is misplaced.

The look is not where the similarities to the LS11000 and LS12000 end. Inside, the LS9000 uses the same VRX lens with a 15-element glass structure and has Epson’s 4K 3LCD design architecture with three 0.74-inch LCD panels.

As is the case with all Epson projectors, the LS9000 uses pixel-shifting technology to achieve a 4K resolution from 1080p chips. Some enthusiasts complain about this not being “True 4K” and as lesser than the use of native 4K chips, but the 4K image from the LS9000 (and every other Epson that uses pixel-shifting technology) is detailed and crisp, especially from a normal viewing distance. The chip also allows for a maximum refresh rate of 120Hz.

The laser light source is specified for 2,200 lumens of both color (IDMS rated) and white (ISO rated) light output and has up to 20,000 hours of life in all modes. This is where the LS9000’s performance separates from the LS11000 and LS12000, which are rated at 2,500 and 2,700 lumens, respectively, and partially accounts for the difference in pricing. The blue laser diode array emits light through a fixed yellow phosphor (first released with the LS12000), as opposed to a phosphor wheel, to create white light, and the laser light source and fixed phosphor allow it to run silently.

The lower lumen output makes the LS9000 more suitable for a dark room – or at the very least, a light-controlled room — than the more expensive, higher light output projectors. But as I’ll discuss below, it still delivers enough brightness for daytime viewing.

There’s a generous +/- 24% horizontal and +/- 96% vertical powered lens shift on the LS9000, along with powered zoom (a ratio of 1-1.2) and focus that can be controlled from the remote to make setup adjustments easy. The projector’s throw ratio is 1.35-2.84:1. There’s also vertical and horizontal keystone correction (+/- 30 degrees), but with the amount of lens shift available, keystone correction likely won’t be necessary (and should always be avoided, if possible, as it can negatively affect the picture).

The LS9000 is compatible with an anamorphic lens kit (sold separately) and third-party options. A memory feature allows you to save image adjustments and lens positioning for different aspect ratio setups, and the lens is also protected by a motorized lens cover that opens and closes with the power cycle.

The LS9000 supports HDR10, HLG, and HDR10+ high dynamic range, and has two HDMI 2.1 inputs that support 4K 120Hz. While that’s great news for gamers, the projector doesn’t support ALLM, so you’ll need to manually switch the image processing from Fine to Fast for the lowest input lag. HDMI2 also supports eARC, so if you decide to connect a streaming stick directly to the projector, you can send out audio including Dolby Atmos, Dolby TrueHD, DTS Master Audio, and DTS:X formats.

One thing missing from the Epson Pro Cinema LS9000 is dynamic HDR tone mapping. Instead, there’s an HDR Dynamic Range slider that allows you to manually adjust the brightness of the HDR image.

The projector’s remote is a bit chunky, but the keypad is backlit and has all the necessary buttons to make easy adjustments while viewing. There are dedicated buttons to call up features like Fine/Fast (for gaming), different lens memory positions, signal information, lens adjustment, and color modes.

• Design & features score: 4.5/5

Epson Pro Cinema LS9000 review: Picture quality

The LS900 has a sizeable, fully backlit remote control with numerous buttons to make adjustments directly, bypassing onscreen setup menus (Image credit: Future)

• Accurate image in Natural picture mode
• HDR10+ support
• No dynamic tone mapping

The LS9000 has five different picture modes — Dynamic, Vivid, Bright Cinema, Cinema, and Natural — and they are the same for both standard and high dynamic range sources. Each mode produces a watchable image out of the box, although all of them have some degree of blue tint to the grayscale, with Natural being the most accurate choice for both SDR and HDR.

The default color temperature setting of 6500K is still slightly on the blue side, but switching it to 6000K causes the color temperature to be a little too red. If you choose to do a professional calibration, you can use two different picture modes – one for SDR and one for HDR – and save them with the Image Memory setting.

Out of the box SDR measurements in Natural picture mode had an average Delta E of 2.8, with some grayscale reaching above 4 because of the blue bias. A calibration can get all dE down below 2.1, with many under 1. UHDA-P3 color gamut coverage measured 90.25%, while BT.2020 came in at 66.86%.

Brightness in Dynamic mode with my unit was 2,062 lumens, but that’s still within the measurement tolerance of ISO lumens, and due to the positioning of my projector, the image was zoomed in a bit, which causes the brightness to come down. It’s enough brightness for a watchable image in a room with ambient light (even with Natural picture mode, which is visibly less bright than other modes), but there’s a loss of shadow detail due to the light reflecting on the screen.

Where the projector really excels is when the lights are off. Colors look accurate and inviting, detail in both SDR and HDR is sharp, and the projector exhibits great contrast and shadow detail with the Dynamic Contrast setting at High Speed. The contrast isn’t as impressive as on the LS12000, which I evaluated a few years ago, but for the price, the LS9000 does an excellent job.

The LS9000 excels for dark room viewing (Image credit: Future)

The HDR image does require some tweaking at times. Occasionally, bright highlights can cause some clipping — such as when the shark cage is lowered into the water in The Meg, and we can see the bright sun refracting through the ocean water. In this instance, I adjusted the dynamic range slider from its default of 8 to 10 (which slightly backs off the scene brightness).

Through most of my viewing, I played around with the slider, not just to address high brightness clipping, but also to see its effect on image depth. Generally, I found myself setting it between 8 and 10, with the Battle of Pelennor Fields in Return of the King at 8 and day scenes during Mad Max: Fury Road at a 9 for a bit more depth. None of the adjustments were life-altering, and I wouldn’t suggest changing the dynamic range slider mid-movie, but you’ll learn your preferences. This is where dynamic tone mapping is missed.

Home theater projectors have historically struggled to provide input lag low enough for gaming, but with two HDMI 2.1 ports that are capable of 4K 120Hz, the LS9000 is screaming to be used as a gaming projector. The Image Processing menu allows you to select a setting of Fine or Fast (which provides a lower input lag). With the Fast setting and a 4K 60Hz signal, the lag measured at 20ms (it’s 44ms with the Fine setting). Unfortunately, there’s no ALLM (Auto Low Latency Mode), so you’ll need to manually switch the setting when you game or watch content.

Input lag is low enough on the LS9000 to satisfy a non-competitive gamer (my son still enjoyed his time playing Minecraft). During my second playthough of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, which relies on dodge and parry reactions during combat, I was able to still make it through combat without issue. Someone who regularly plays first-person shooter games will likely feel a difference between the LS9000 and one of the best gaming TVs, but for the vast majority of us, the Epson will deliver a great gaming experience.

• Picture quality score: 4.5/5

Epson Pro Cinema LS9000 review: Value

The LS9000's 1.35-2.84:1 throw ratio allows for installations at the rear of the viewing space (Image credit: Future)

• Great performance for the price
• Solid gaming projector
• Missing an important home theater feature

The Epson Pro Cinema LS9000 is not only the least expensive model in the LS series, it’s one of the most affordable premium home theater projectors – the JVC DLA-NP5, which is a lamp-based model, retails for $6,000, as does the Sony VPL-XW5000ES, which came out three years ago.

Not only is the LS9000 brighter than both of those projectors, it also has a collection of features neither of them has, including a high-quality laser light engine, HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K/120Hz and eARC support, an excellent lens with motorized adjustments and lens cover, zoom and image memory, and 2,200 lumens of brightness.

There are still some compromises that must be made. Its biggest flaw is a lack of dynamic tone mapping, which we’re seeing in projectors half the price of the LS9000, like the Valerion VisionMaster Pro2. The LS9000 also doesn’t have 3D support, isn’t as bright as the step-up options from Epson, and is missing ALLM for gaming. But even so, the projector delivers a detailed picture with accurate color, which looks very engaging in a dark room. Also, the 20ms input lag time and 4K 120Hz support make gaming a joy on the big screen.

• Value score: 4/5

Should I buy the Epson Pro Cinema LS9000?

(Image credit: Future)Epson Pro Cinema LS9000

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design and features

Motorized zoom, focus, and lens shift, along with 4K 120Hz and HDR10+ support

4.5/5

Picture quality

Accurate color in Natural mode, along with solid contrast, fine 4K picture detail, and low input lag for gaming

4.5/5

Value

A very good value compared to other 4K home theater projectors, most of which cost several thousands more

4/5

Buy it if...

You’re building your first serious home theater
If you’re making the jump from a basic projector to one truly designed for a 4K home theater, the LS9000 delivers an incredibly pleasing picture that rivals home theater offerings from JVC and Sony.View Deal

You also want a great gaming experience
It might not have ALLM, but the Pro Cinema LS9000 supports 4K 120Hz, and its input lag is low enough for all but the most competitive gamers.View Deal

You want HDR10+ support
Since the LS9000 doesn’t have dynamic tone mapping, watching HDR10+ content (with its dynamic metadata) will deliver the best dynamic content.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You want dynamic HDR tone mapping
The LS9000, like its bigger siblings, doesn’t support dynamic tone mapping, instead relying on a manual dynamic range slider to adjust the HDR image.View Deal

You plan on watching with lots of ambient light
While 2,200 lumens is a good brightness spec, ambient light causes the image to look a bit washed out, which makes seeing shadow detail difficult.View Deal

Watching 3D movies is a priority
3D isn’t supported by the Epson Pro Cinema LS9000 (or by the LS11000 and LS12000), so you’ll need to look elsewhere for your 3D fix.View Deal

Also considerComparison: projectors

Epson Pro Cinema LS9000

Epson Pro Cinema LS12000

JVC DLA-NZ700

Sony Bravia Projector 7

Price:

$3,999

$4,999

$8.999

$9,999

Screen sizes supported:

50-300 inches

50 to 130 inches

30 to 150 inches

90 to 130 inches

Brightness (specified):

2,200 lumens

2,500 lumens

2,300 lumens

2,200 lumens

HDR support

HDR10, HDR10+, HLG

HDR10, HDR10+, HLG

HDR10, HDR10+, HLG

HDR10, HLG

Optical technology:

Laser 3LCD

Laser 3LCD

Laser D-ILA

Laser SXRD

Smart TV:

n/a

n/a

n/a

n/a

Connections:

2x HDMI 2.1 (1 with eARC)

2x HDMI 2.1 (1 with eARC)

2x HDMI 2.0

2x HDMI 2.1

Epson LS12000

The LS12000 is the step-up model in Epson's Pro Cinema projector lineup. Rated for 2,700 lumens, it has a brighter picture than the LS9000 and also supports HDR10+ high dynamic range and a 4K 120Hz refresh rate for gaming. Other than brightness, the LS9000 and LS12000 are mostly similar when it comes to features and performance.

Read our Epson LS12000 review View Deal

JVC DLA-NZ700

The JVC DLA-N700 is a big jump up in price over the LS9000, and it lacks Epson's 4K 120Hz support. At a rated 2,300 lumens, brightness is about the same, but the JVC features a native 4K display chipset and sophisticated dynamic HDR tone mapping to augment its HDR10+ high dynamic range support.

Read our JVC DLA-NZ700 reviewView Deal

Sony Bravia Projector 7

Like the JVC DLA-N700, Sony's entry-level projector is a big step up in price over the Epson, costing around $10,000. Its brightness spec is the same 2.200 lumens and it lacks the Epson's HDR10+ support. What you are getting with the Sony is 4K 120Hz and ALLM support for gaming, along with a native 4K display. It also has dynamic HDR tone mapping and Sony’s XR Processor for projector, which improves detail and clarity of images blown up to a cinematic size.

Read our Sony Bravia Projector 7 reviewView Deal

How I tested the Epson Pro Cinema LS9000

• Evaluated under various viewing conditions
• Measured and calibrated with professional software and hardware
• I am ISF-certified and have years of experience reviewing projectors

The Epson LS9000 laser projector was connected to my ceiling mount, approximately 11 feet from an Elite Screens CineTension 3 ISF-certified CineWhite screen. Using the Epson’s zoom and lens adjustment controls, the image was adjusted to fit the 100-inch diagonal screen.

I watched a wide range of content with both ambient light from the sun and ceiling lighting during the day and a dark, light-controlled environment at night. Movies and TV shows were streamed with an Apple TV 4K from the Disney+, HBO Max, and Hulu apps. I also used a Kaleidescape Strato V for high-quality movie playback, along with 4K Blu-ray discs played on an Oppo UDP-203 disc player. Games were played on an Xbox Series X.

For objective measurement testing, I used an X-rite i1 Pro 3 spectrophotometer, Murideo Seven-G 8K pattern generator, Konica Minolta LS-100 luminance meter, and Calman calibration software by Portrait Displays. Input lag tests were made with a Leo Bodnar 4K lag tester.

I’ve been testing projectors and other displays for a couple of decades, and am an ISF Level III certified calibrator.

• First reviewed: November 2025
• Read TechRadar's review guarantee

Elementor has become a go-to website builder for many WordPress users. It offers a drag-and-drop interface that lets you build WordPress sites visually. It powers over 16 million websites worldwide, from small blogs to enterprise ecommerce stores.​

We’ve tested all of the best WordPress website builders and Elementor consistently comes out on or near the top. This Elementor review draws from our reviewers' years of WordPress experience to help you make an informed decision.​

Elementor pricing and plans

I found Elementor's pricing competitive but potentially confusing.

The free plugin offers basic functionality, but you'll need Pro for serious WordPress design work. Elementor Pro comes in four variants, with prices ranging from $4.99 to $16.99 a month when billed yearly. They also offer WordPress hosting, ecommerce bundles, and custom rates for enterprises.

Plan

Starting rate /mo (paid yearly)

Starting rate /mo (paid every 2 years)

Starting rate /mo (paid every 3 years)

Free

$0.00

$0.00

$0.00

Essential

$4.99

$4.69

$4.49

Advanced Solo

$6.99

$5.99

$5.79

Advanced

$8.25

$7.09

$6.79

Expert (25 sites)

$16.99

$14.99

$13.99

Expert (1,000 sites)

$33.25

$29.99

$27.99

Elementor plans: Explained

Best for trying Elementor out
Starting at: $0.00/mo

Like all of the best free website builders, Elementor’s free plan comes with limitations. It lacks many advanced features such as the Theme Builder, WooCommerce Builder, and premium widgets.

It’s a great way to test Elementor out, but serious users will need to upgrade to a paid plan. View Deal

Best for single websites
Starting at: $4.49/mo

You get one website license with 50+ Pro widgets and the Theme Builder. This plan lacks advanced marketing tools and ecommerce features, making it suitable only for basic sites.View Deal

Best for single stores
Starting at: $5.79/mo

This includes 86 Pro widgets, WooCommerce Builder, and popup builder. I appreciated the form integrations and ACF/CPT support for dynamic content. If you want to sell online, this unlocks the advanced tools you’ll need. View Deal

Best for freelancers
Starting at: $6.79/mo

Three website licenses make this ideal for freelancers. You get all Advanced Solo features plus priority support. I found this the sweet spot for most users.View Deal

Best for agencies and businesses
Starting at: $13.99/mo

25-1,000 site activations to suit growing agencies. You get all Pro features included with premium support. The price jump is significant, though.View Deal

Getting started with Elementor: Reviewer's experience

Step 1: Installation

Go to the WordPress plugin store to download Elementor. (Image credit: Elementor)

I installed Elementor from the WordPress plugin directory.

Once I activated the Elementor plugin, I found a setup wizard with helpful tooltips guiding me through initial configuration. I created an Elementor account and installed the default “Hello Biz” theme as part of the setup process.

After activating the plugin, I also had the option to purchase the Pro version and upload the Pro zip file through the WordPress admin panel.​

Step 2: Choosing a template

You can start with a blank canvas or pick from one of Elementor's clean templates. (Image credit: Elementor)

Next, I wanted to switch up my starting template.

I navigated to Templates > Website Templates in the WordPress admin. Elementor presented me with 100+ pre-made design kits. I could filter by category or search specific designs. A preview function also let me see layouts before importing.​

I selected a simple business template by clicking the Apply button. I had the option to import either the entire template with all placeholder content, or only certain parts of it. It loaded instantly into my editor.

Step 3: Customizing a page

The website editor is intuitive and easy to navigate. (Image credit: Elementor)

To customize my landing page, I navigated to the Pages tab in my WordPress dashboard and clicked on the “Edit with Elementor” option under the page I wanted to customize. This opened the page builder.

For each page, I could add sections and columns to create layouts. The drag-and-drop system felt seamless, with every change appearing instantly on screen.​

Step 4: Adding widgets

Widgets make it easy to add functionality to your website. (Image credit: Elementor)

Elementor's widget panel was nested on my left.

I could drag a widget onto the page and drop it exactly where I wanted it.​ Clicking the widget opened customization options. Three tabs — Content, Style, and Advanced — organized all settings.

Elementor’s contextual settings adapted to whatever element I clicked. I adjusted fonts, colors, and spacing without touching any code.

Step 5: Publishing the site

When you're ready you can launch your website. (Image credit: Elementor)

I clicked "Publish" when satisfied with my design. My site went live immediately. Elementor's revision history was a nice addition, since it could revert to earlier designs anytime if something felt off.​

A built-in caching system optimized my pages automatically. My test site loaded quickly, especially without installing many other plugins.​

Elementor business tools

Elementor gives users access to the following business tools:

• Flexible landing page editor
• WooCommerce store builder
• Advanced form builder with integrations​
• Roll-based access manager

Elementor delivers solid business functionality for ecommerce and lead generation. I liked the deep WooCommerce integration in particular. However, the CRM features felt underdeveloped compared to dedicated platforms.​

Read more about Elementor's business tools ▼

Landing page editor

Landing pages can help you clearly communicate key marketing message. (Image credit: Elementor)

Building landing pages with Elementor felt straightforward. The template library provided conversion-focused designs ready for customization. I modified headlines, images, and call-to-action buttons within minutes.​

The landing page templates integrated seamlessly with form widgets. I connected forms to email marketing platforms for automatic list building. Each template prioritized mobile responsiveness, which saved design time.​

WooCommerce integration

WooCommerce is one of the most popular ecommerce platforms in the world. (Image credit: Elementor)

Elementor's premium WooCommerce integration lets you customize every aspect of your store, from product pages to checkout flows. Its visual editor made styling product grids and single product layouts effortless.​

I could add WooCommerce-specific widgets like product meta, add-to-cart buttons, and customer ratings. It also integrates with popular payment gateways like Stripe and PayPal for direct purchases.

Form builder

Elementor's built in form builder makes it easy to collect essential visitor data. (Image credit: Elementor)

Creating forms felt easy with Elementor's form widget. I built contact, lead capture, and multi-step forms without any additional plugins. The form builder offered unlimited fields with full styling control.​

I could also connect forms directly to Mailchimp, HubSpot, and ActiveCampaign. And the HoneyPot spam protection added security without any extra setup.​

Role-based access settings

Access settings can help larger teams and agencies better manage website workflows. (Image credit: Elementor)

Elementor lets you control who accesses the editor and what they can modify. You navigate to Elementor > Role Manager in WordPress and configure permissions for each user role.​

There are three main permission levels. "No access to editor" completely blocks users from opening Elementor. "Access to edit content only" allows users to modify existing content without adding or removing elements. Full access grants unlimited editing capabilities.

Version 3.19 has also added Element Manager integration, letting me customize which widgets appear for specific roles.​​

Elementor marketing tools

You can promote your business and website with Elementor’s marketing tools:

• Popup design with triggers​
• CRM integrations for HubSpot, ActiveCampaign​, etc.
• Email marketing integrations
• Call-to-action widgets

Elementor's marketing toolkit covers essential lead generation and conversion optimization. The popup builder and landing page features stood out during testing. Email marketing felt limited without third-party integrations, though.​

Read more about Elementor's marketing tools ▼

Popups and notifications

Pop ups are a great way to get key marketing messages in front of potential customers. (Image credit: Elementor)

I could create several popup types using Elementor's Popup Builder. It supports email capture popups, notification bars, and two-step opt-ins. I enjoyed the visual editing experience, which matches the main page builder.​

With display conditions, Elementor lets you have impressive targeting flexibility. I could design popups to trigger based on scroll depth, exit intent, inactivity, and specific page elements. I also tested a two-step opt-in popup combining a yes/no prompt with a follow-up form. It worked exactly as described.

CRM automation

You can use other plugins to massively extend the functionality of your website. (Image credit: Elementor)

I was able to set up connections to HubSpot and ActiveCampaign. Elementor's form submissions triggered automated workflows in both these platforms.

That said, setting up automation required technical knowledge. I had to look up their API documentation and learn Elementor’s webhook configurations. This might challenge non-technical users.​

Email marketing

Although Elementor doesn't offer built in email marketing, you can use plugins from the top email marketing providers. (Image credit: Elementor)

Elementor doesn't include built-in email marketing functionality.

Instead, it integrates with popular platforms like Mailchimp, SEND, and ActiveCampaign. I connected Mailchimp through the form widget settings.​

Integration required API keys from Mailchimp. Once configured, captured leads automatically synced to my email lists. I also used Elementor's design tools to create branded signup forms matching my email campaigns.

CTA widgets

A strong call to action can massively increase website conversions. (Image credit: Elementor)

Elementor offered dedicated CTA widgets for marketing campaigns. I customized button styles, added icons, and set hover effects. The widgets supported internal links, external URLs, and popup triggers.​

The pixel-perfect placement flexibility helps with conversion optimization. But if you want A/B testing, you'll need a third-party plugin for that.

Elementor support

Your support package depends on the plan you choose. (Image credit: Elementor)

Elementor Pro users access official support through ticket submission and live chat. Free version users rely on community forums and documentation. Support operates Monday through Friday with varying response times based on plan tier.​

I submitted a test support ticket during my review. The response came within 24 hours with a detailed troubleshooting guide. But the AI chatbot could answer basic questions instantly before escalating complex issues.​

However, user sentiment reveals mixed experiences.

Reddit threads show frustration with renewal price increases and slow support responses. One user reported opening six tickets with minimal resolution. G2 reviews praise ease of use but note the learning curve. Capterra users appreciate constant updates but mention WooCommerce plugin compatibility issues.​

Test results: Elementor

Attribute

Notes

Rating

Value for money

Competitive pricing initially, but renewal rates increase significantly over time. Pro features justify the cost for agencies.

★★★⯪☆

Ease of use

Intuitive drag-and-drop interface with visual editing. Learning curve exists due to extensive options.

★★★★☆

Design

100+ design kits provide exceptional design flexibility. Responsive controls offer granular customization.

★★★★★

Business tools

Solid WooCommerce integration and form builder. Limited native analytics and CRM capabilities.

★★★★☆

Marketing tools

Excellent popup builder and landing pages. Email marketing requires third-party integrations.

★★★★☆

Support

Responsive ticket system for Pro users. Community sentiment reveals inconsistent experiences and price frustration.

★★★☆☆

Competitor comparison: Elementor

Below we show you how Elementor stacks up against Divi and Beaver Builder:

Platform

Best for

Our overall rating

Free plan

Paid plans start at

Ease of use

Support

Elementor

WordPress flexibility

★★★★☆

Yes

$4.92/month

★★★★☆

Live chat, tickets, community

Divi Builder

Design variety

★★★★☆

No

$19.00/month

★★★★☆

Email, community forum

Beaver Builder

Performance optimization

★★★★☆

Yes

$9.92/month

★★★⯪☆

Email, forums

How we tested the Elementor website builder

Every website builder review on Techradar is based on hands-on testing. I installed Elementor on multiple WordPress sites, built test pages across different niches, and measured performance metrics. Each feature was scrutinized through practical application, not just documentation review.​

We've been reviewing business software since 2012 at TechRadar Pro. For complete details on our evaluation process, read about how we test website builders.

Elementor review: FAQsIs Elementor free to use?

Yes, Elementor offers a free version with basic page-building capabilities.

You get 40+ widgets, 30+ templates, and the drag-and-drop editor. However, advanced features like Theme Builder, WooCommerce Builder, and popup builder require Elementor Pro. The free version limits you to content editing within existing theme structures.​

How do I install Elementor on WordPress?

Navigate to your WordPress Dashboard, click Plugins > Add New, search for "Elementor," then click Install and Activate. For Elementor Pro, download the plugin zip file from your Elementor account at my.elementor.com, upload it through WordPress Dashboard > Plugins > Upload Plugin, then activate your license key.​

What's the difference between Elementor and Elementor Pro?

Elementor Pro includes 100+ widgets and templates versus 40+ in the free version, plus Theme Builder for headers/footers, WooCommerce Builder, popup builder, form integrations, and priority support. The free version limits customization to page content only, while Pro controls every site element including 404 pages.​

Can I speed up my Elementor website?

Yes, activate Elementor's performance experiments including Optimized DOM Output, Improved Asset Loading, and Improved CSS Loading under Settings > Features.

You can also optimize images, enable caching plugins like WP Rocket, minimize unnecessary plugins, and consider a CDN. Reduce sections, widgets, and columns in your designs.​

Does Elementor work with all WordPress themes?

Elementor works with most WordPress themes, though compatibility varies.For best results, use themes specifically built for Elementor or the Elementor Hello theme.

The Theme Builder feature in Elementor Pro lets you override theme templates entirely, reducing compatibility issues. Some themes may conflict with Elementor's styling.​

PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2: one-minute review

The PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 are a simple yet effective way to enjoy handheld gaming sessions in seclusion. These buds are licensed by Nintendo and aim to deliver dynamic sound, ergonomic comfort, and clear mic quality. And they largely deliver on that, though there are some notable flaws to uncover.

For wired buds that typically cost $24.99 / £19.99 / AU$39, and regularly fall to a considerably lower cost, I wasn’t expecting all too much from the PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2. And although they don't do anything special sonically speaking, they still have all the fundamental talents required for solid-sounding in-game experiences.

For instance, they offer up clear dialogue quality – something all of the best gaming earbuds should do. When playing through the spectacular Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, speech-heavy scenes never sounded muffled or obscured, even when the game's imposing orchestral soundtrack entered the fray.

You're not going to experience beautifully separated vocals or a wide open soundstage, but for the price, you still get the clean sound quality required to enjoy the best Nintendo Switch 2 games or beautiful in-game soundtracks.

(Image credit: Future)

The convenient mic mute slider is very handy if you're making use of GameChat via Nintendo Switch Online. Simply flick it up and your pals won't be able to hear you whatsoever.

However, I would've liked the inbuilt mic to sound a bit better, as I could make out static in the background while using it. Don't get me wrong, my words were still easily discernible when performing a quality test – just don't expect above average mic performance.

Looks-wise these wired earbuds aren't all too flashy. They're black and red – much like the right Joy-Con 2 controller, and come with a handy carry case. The build quality of these buds is fairly average given that they're made of plastic, but that's fine considering their extremely budget-friendly cost. And in fairness, I still found them to be pretty comfortable, which isn't always the case for me when searching for the best wired earbuds.

So, at the end of it all, would I recommend the PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2? Well, that would depend. I’ve seen these drop as low as £11 in the UK, so if you’re on a tight budget, they’d give you decent overall audio with equally decent comfort, as well as a tidy carry case. However, there are some notable drawbacks, like a flawed mic and a basic build.

If you’ve got a bit more cash to play with, I’d perhaps check out some more premium wired earbuds, or even a headset from our Nintendo Switch 2 accessories guide. But for low-cost buds that get the job done, these Nintendo-licensed in-ears are still worth a look.

(Image credit: Future)PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 review: price and release date

• Ultra-budget list price of $24.99 / £19.99 / AU$39
• And I've already spotted them going for even less
• Launched in October 2025

These wired earbuds launched shortly after the Nintendo Switch 2 itself, and have a list price of $24.99 / £19.99 / AU$39. However, I've already spotted them on sale for less in some territories, dipping as low as £11 in the UK. It should be noted that any 3.5mm, USB-C, or Bluetooth earbuds should work fine with your console – it's just the inclusion of a mute mic slider that makes these ideal for GameChat use. PowerA’s wired buds are available in a single Black and Red design – the same color scheme as the right Joy-Con 2 controller.

PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 review: specs

Drivers

8mm dynamic

Weight

0.7oz / 20g

Frequency range

20Hz-20kHz

Waterproof rating

Not stated

Connectivity

3.5mm

PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 review: design and features

• Simple yet fairly effective design
• Convenient mic mute slider
• Secure and relatively comfortable fit

Design-wise, these in-ears are basic. They’re black and red, which is on-brand for the Switch 2, and they have the console’s logo on the outside of each bud.

They’re made of plastic and, in honesty, feel pretty cheap – but then again, they are. You get a variety of different-sized ear tips to help find your ideal fit, as well as a drawstring bag to store the buds away – that’s a very nice inclusion considering their moderate price.

These earbuds are quite comfortable, although I did find they were a tad large in-ear. Still, I could keep them in for well over an hour without feeling fatigued, and they had a pretty secure fit – something that’s not always guaranteed with wired in-ears.

Thanks to their secure seal, you also get decent enough noise isolation – just don't expect the silence-inducing effects of active noise cancellation or the passive isolation that pricier foam ear tips provide.

The most significant feature on-board is the inbuilt mic and mute slider. This handy slider is what sets the buds apart from typical wired buds you may have laying around, and makes them ideal for GameChat use on Switch 2. The mic itself is functional but as you may expect at this price-point, nothing particularly special. More on that in the Performance section...

(Image credit: Future)PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 review: performance

• Decent audio with fairly clean dialogue
• Mic performance could certainly be better
• Solid overall quality given modest price-tag

Sonically speaking, I won’t pretend the PowerA Wired Earbuds are anything particularly special. But they get the basics right, with generally clear audio for private gaming sessions.

To find out if PowerA’s in-ears could compete with some of the best gaming earbuds best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories, I made sure to test them out with a variety of games. I started with Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake, a title I’ve been absolutely glued to since its release.

This game is pretty dialogue-heavy, so I was glad to discover that speech was generally well-defined in the mix, ensuring I didn't need to rely on subtitles. When the grandiose orchestral soundtrack swooped through the backdrop, voices still remained clear – sure, it wasn’t as if they were elegantly separated out and thrust to the fore, but that’s something I’d expect from more premium buds.

I wanted to see how they’d cope with a more chaotic Nintendo Switch 2 title, so I switched over to Mario Kart World, and again, I was pretty satisfied with the audio on offer. In Free Roam mode, the hum of my vehicle’s engine was replicated with solid low-end power, and the high-pitched grind of my wheels while drifting didn’t sound tinny or uncontrolled.

Treble could get edgy at top volumes – something I also realized when listening to Phendrana Drifts on the Nintendo Music app. But if you’re listening at medium loudness or lower, that shouldn’t be all too apparent. More generally, soundtracks come through nicely using PowerA’s buds – the jazzy tunes featured in Mario Kart World were always enjoyable, with expressive sax in the mid-range sounding clean and never getting smothered by the fairly impactful bass.

Even if you’re not going to be wowed by a wide soundstage or incredible separation, PowerA’s wired buds perform well enough on the audio front. If you’re looking for a more premium listening experience or want exceptional wired earbuds for music, though, I’d suggest heading over to our best wired earbuds guide instead.

But how about mic performance? Well, this is where things get a little shaky. I used the Test Microphone function on my Switch 2, which allows you to make a brief recording, and the results were about as good as I’d expected. My voice was relatively clear, and every word was discernible. However, there was some noticeable sibilance, and there was obvious static in the background.

Don’t get me wrong: these won’t make you sound like you’re underwater as some cheap buds do, but mic quality is just acceptable. One benefit, though, is that there’s an in-line controller with a slider to disable or enable the mic, which is handy if you need to swiftly silence yourself while using GameChat.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

In-line mic could be better, but they offer a useful mute slider and decent noise isolation.

3/5

Sound quality

Imperfect but generally clean audio for clear dialogue, footsteps, and sound effects.

3.5/5

Design

Basic look, relatively comfortable in-ear feel, convenient carry pouch.

3.5/5

Value

Low price, solid overall quality.

4/5

Buy them if...

You want good value buds for solo gaming sessions
If you want a steady pair of wired earbuds for private gaming sessions, these will certainly do the trick. Even though they do nothing special, you get generally clear audio and a secure in-ear fit, so you can enjoy in-game audio without splashing very much cash at all. The built-in mic and carry pouch also ensure you get plenty of bang for your buck.

You’re looking for a lightweight option to bring on the go
These earbuds only weigh 0.7oz / 20g, and can easily be stored away in the included carry pouch. I’ve kept that pouch in the official Nintendo Switch 2 Carrying Case when I’ve been out and about lately, and they’re a good backup option if my Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones run out of battery life on the go.

Don't buy them if...

You’re expecting great mic quality
Although my voice sounded clear while using the in-line mic here, it was certainly flawed. You’ll notice some sibilance and background static, so for anyone seeking out top-class mic quality, you’ll need to seek a little more. I’d recommend the SteelSeries Tusq gaming headset, which we found to offer excellent mic quality.

You want top-tier audio
As you’d expect for less than $25 / £20 / AU$40, you’re not getting particularly impressive sound quality from PowerA’s Switch 2 earbuds. They supply clear overall sound, but you won’t get that deft separation, wide soundstage, or ultra-detailed listen that more talented models can supply.

PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2: also consider

PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2

Skullcandy Set USB-C

Turtle Beach Battle Buds

Price

$24.99 / £19.99 / AU$39

$31.99 / £29.99 (about AU$50)

$30 / £25 / AU$45

Drivers

8mm dynamic

9mm dynamic

10mm dynamic

Weight

20g

15g

23g

Frequency range

20Hz-20kHz

20Hz-20kHz

20Hz-20kHz

Waterproof rating

Not stated

IPX4

Not stated

Connectivity

3.5mm

USB-C

3.5mm

Skullcandy Set USB-C
These Skullcandy buds have a spot in our best wired earbuds buying guide thanks to their admirable audio output, comfortable in-ear fit, and sleek look. Their lack of volume controls shouldn’t matter for Switch 2 usage, and their USB-C connectivity means they can easily be used with most modern smartphones as well as your console.

Read our full Skullcandy Set USB-C review.

Turtle Beach Battle Buds
Over in our guide to the best gaming earbuds, the Turtle Beach Battle Buds hold the title of best budget choice. They’ve got a handy detachable mic, decent sound quality, and of course, are satisfyingly cheap.

Read our full Turtle Beach Battle Buds review.

How I tested the PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for one week
• Used in the office, while out and about, and at home
• Tried with Switch 2 games and Nintendo Music app

I tested the PowerA Wired Earbuds for Nintendo Switch 2 over a week-long period, taking them out for on-the-go play, as well as using them on lunch breaks at the office, and when working from home.

To assess performance, I made sure to use them with a range of Switch 2 games, including Dragon Quest I & II HD-2D Remake and Mario Kart World. It also felt fitting to use them with the Nintendo Music app and spin a few classic soundtracks. When using the in-line mic, I ensured that I performed a test using the Switch 2’s built-in testing software.

More generally, I’ve been a Switch 2 owner from launch, and I’ve reviewed tons of gadgets here at TechRadar, where I’ve tested tons of audio gear and gaming accessories. I’ve reviewed everything from top-tier wired earbuds like the Sennheiser IE 600 through to cheap models like the JBL Tune 310C. And I’ve also tested a range of Nintendo Switch 2 cases, cameras, screen protectors, and software.

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

Hisense U65QF: Two-minute review

The Hisense U65QF TV joins a growing list of lower-cost mini-LED TVs that provide a striking step up in performance from doorbuster-style sub-$500 TVs.

The Hisense U65QF TV isn’t that different from other budget mini-LED TVs, such as the TCL QM6K or Roku Pro Series. Its benchmarks are mostly in line with the competition, and it also does a good job with sound – a factor I’m seeing addressed more and more in mid-range and budget examples of the best TVs.

One unique U65QF feature that sets it apart from most of its Google TV-using competition is its Fire TV interface and Alexa integration, which lets you use an Amazon Echo speaker to open apps like Netflix and perform other voice-activated tasks. Of course, if you’re not in the Alexa ecosystem, then this isn’t as big a selling point.

Overall, this is a good-performing TV that may win you over due to the simple fact that it typically sells at a lower price than its budget mini-LED TV competitors.

Hisense U65QF review: Price and release date

The U65QF's remote features most controls you'll need on its keypad, but lacks an input selection button (Image credit: Future)

• Release date: June 2025
• 55-inch: $799.99
• 65-inch: $999.99
• 75-inch: $1,299.99
• 85-inch: $1,999.99
• 100-inch: $3,499.99

Pricing on the Hisense U65QF is about what I would expect for a budget mini-LED TV, with the 65-inch model listing for $999.99. Now, that is the TV’s MSRP, and it's already available at a discount at more than one online retailer.

The Hisense U65QF is only sold in the US, as other territories get a different U6 version that uses a different smart TV platform. If you’re outside of the US and reading this review, I would wager that most everything outside of the Smart TV section would still be pertinent to the Hisense U6.

Hisense U65QF review: Specs

Screen type:

QLED with mini-LED

Refresh rate:

Up to 144Hz

HDR support:

Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+, HDR10, HLG

Audio support:

Dolby Atmos, DTS Virtual:X

Smart TV:

Fire TV

HDMI ports:

4 (2x HDMI 2.1)

Built-in tuner:

ATSC 1.0

Hisense U65QF review: Benchmark resultsHisense U65QF review: Features

The U65QF's connections include two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 144Hz support (Image credit: Future)

• Comprehensive HDR support
• Filmmaker Mode picture preset
• Integration with Alexa ecosystem

The Hisense U65QF’s feature set is in line with other TVs at this price point. Its comprehensive gaming support includes the Dolby Vision IQ, HDR10+ Adaptive, HDR10, and HLG high dynamic range formats, along with Dolby Atmos and DTS Virtual:X audio. It also has two HDMI 2.1 inputs with up to 144Hz high refresh support for gaming consoles and PCs.

The U65QF can automatically change inputs when a source is powered on, as well as switch the picture mode if enabled in the menu. Filmmaker Mode is an available picture preset – one that disables post-processing to show a movie as originally intended. There is also some AI implementation, such as AI upscaling, AI smooth motion, and an AI sports mode.

As a Fire TV, the U65QF supports hands-free voice interaction through Alexa, and it can be integrated into the Alexa ecosystem. While I don’t personally have an extensive Alexa ecosystem in my home, I was able to control the Hisense U65QF using an Amazon Echo speaker located in my kitchen.

Also on tap are Apple AirPlay, display mirroring, and Matter Casting, as well as an ambient mode if you want the TV to display artworks and other images when it's in standby mode.

• Features Score: 4/5

Hisense U65QF review: Picture quality

The U65QF has better-than-average picture brightness for a budget mini-LED TV (Image credit: Future)

• Benchmarks in line with the competition
• Good contrast and local dimming
• Very minor vignetting

The Hisense U65QF’s picture compares well with most TVs in its price range. Brightness is impressive for a budget mini-LED TV, with the Hisense outperforming competitors such as the Roku Pro Series and TCL QM6K on that front. If you’re upgrading from a budget TV, you’ll probably be wowed by the picture's brightness and contrast.

Color gamut coverage is about what we expect from TVs at this price point. We measured 95.6% for UHDA-P3 and 71.2% for BT.2020. The U65QF’s 2.6 average color point accuracy (any score below 3 is undetectable by the human eye) is also very good for a budget TV.

Beyond benchmarks, pictures for the most part look great on the U65QF. Detail is impressive, and its local dimming delivers good contrast without much in the way of backlight blooming.

Action generally looked smooth – I watched scenes from Mission Impossible 7 to test, and I could easily make out what was happening on screen. Sports were also a pleasure to watch on this TV.

Similar to other TVs I’ve tested at this price point, there is some very minor vignetting in the screen’s corners, though it’s only really noticeable if you look for it.

• Picture quality score: 4/5

Hisense U65QF review: Sound quality

The U65QF's built-in 2.1-channel speaker system includes a back-mounted subwoofer (Image credit: Future)

• Good dialogue clarity
• Decent bass
• Dialog and leveling modes, five-band EQ

In my experience, most TVs have subpar sound quality, which is why I was surprised by the performance of the Hisense U65QF’s built-in speakers.

To test this, I watched sports (Eagles football, specifically), played video games, and watched movies like Mission Impossible 7. I also did some music-specific testing via YouTube. The first thing I noticed was that there was actually a decent amount of bass. It wasn’t the same as having an external subwoofer, but I still got a bit of that rumble when there were big explosions or action-packed movie scenes.

Dialogue sounded pretty clear as well, though a bit of harshness could be heard with music tracks.

Also worth mentioning is the fact that there’s a five-band EQ in the settings, which is always appreciated. There is a dialog mode that did a good job of boosting voices as well as a leveling mode that compresses the sound so the quiet parts are loud and the loud parts don’t jump up too much in volume – a good choice for watching at night.

• Sound quality score: 4/5

Hisense U65QF review: Design

The U65QF has an appealingly thin screen bezel for a budget TV (Image credit: Future)

• Very thin bezel
• Good amount of ports but placement not great for cable management
• Remote has voice access for Alexa

While the Hisense U65QF doesn’t reinvent the wheel, its design is good considering the price.

The bezel is thin enough that one sees all picture when looking at the TV instead of a thick border around the screen. Turning the TV around, the surface is fairly smooth with mostly just the built-in subwoofer visible. All the ports except for power are located on the lower left side, with most accessible from the side and some from the back. This is a pretty typical placement, but it doesn’t allow for much in the way of cable management.

The port selection here is fairly solid. Along with the four HDMI ports (including two HDMI 2.1), the TV also has an optical digital audio output and USB and RF antenna connections.

The controls, on the other hand, consist of a single button for power that can also be used to change inputs. I do wish there was a little more here, like a find the remote button, but the single on-unit button is fairly standard for TVs these days.

All the real controls, of course, are on the remote, which is standard fare like most of the rest of the TV. Most necessary controls are here, with the exception of an input selection button. The main unique feature is the Alexa button, which works just like the usual hands-free button except that it uses Alexa specifically, meaning that you have access to your Alexa ecosystem through the remote.

• Design score: 4/5

Hisense U65QF review: Smart TV and menus

The U65QF's Fire TV smart interface is serviceable, but features ads on the home screen (Image credit: Future)

• Amazon Prime Video-centric with ads
• Dynamic-looking interface with autoplay by default
• Can’t fine-tune settings unless already watching

The Hisense U65QF’s Fire TV smart TV platform features a large banner cycling through various content at the top, a row with settings and input icons and app tiles that split the screen in half, followed by rows of suggested content. Its defining feature is that the suggested content leans towards the Amazon Prime Video library. Also, there are literal ads for products (I’m looking at a banner for Purina at the bottom of my screen as I type this).

Navigating the Fire TV interface is pretty intuitive. Really, my only gripe with it is that it defaults to autoplaying anything selected in the banner, though this can be turned off in settings.

Fire TV seems to have a few more content categories than I typically see with Smart TVs, which creates some clutter. The only really odd part of the interface is that you can’t access all the advanced settings (brightness, color, motion, clarity and so on) until you’re actively watching something.

For example, if you go into the settings menu from the homepage, you’re limited to just a few options like “Light Sense,” “Light Sense Shift,” “Backlight,” and “Local Dimming,” though you can at least adjust those per input.

• Smart TV & menus score: 3.5/5

Hisense U65QF review: Gaming

Gaming is smooth and responsive on the Hisense U65QF (Image credit: Future)

• Two HDMI ports with 4K 144Hz support
• Gameplay is smooth and clear
• No game-specific settings

Gaming on the Hisense U65QF is a lot like gaming on other TVs in this price range. For starters, it supports a 4K resolution at up to 144Hz refresh rate through two of the HDMI ports, a necessity for next-generation consoles like the PlayStation 5. There’s also HDR support that can be finetuned via the onscreen menu plus FreeSync Premium VRR.

With Dolby Vision enabled, the TV automatically changed its picture mode to “Game Mode” when the input switched to my PlayStation 5 console. Plus, it automatically changes the input to my console when powered up (I did have to turn that setting on in the menu).

When gaming, images look crisp thanks to the 4K resolution and smooth thanks to the TV’s high refresh rate. Its 13.2ms lag time isn’t the best we’ve seen, but it was barely perceptible when killing zombies in Dead Rising 2.

I tested this TV with fast-paced action such as Dead Rising 2 as well as more cinematic fare like Death Stranding. Both played well, with my only real complaint being that there’s no dedicated gaming settings menu.

• Gaming score: 4/5

Hisense U65QF review: Value

The U65QF's included accessories (Image credit: Future)

• High MSRP, but it’s already discounted
• Other mid-range QLED TVs have similar price points
• Take advantage of Hisense’s regular sales

The MSRP for the 65-inch Hisense U65QF TV I tested may be $999, but it’s already available at some outlets for under $600, making it a great value.

The TCL QM6K has a similar MSRP and discount, but also lower screen brightness and not quite as good built-in speakers. If you’re willing to spend a few hundred dollars more, the Hisense U8QG has even better picture quality and a better design, and can be found in the $1,000-1,200 range.

The Roku Pro Series (2025) is another TV with a great picture and design and good built-in sound, and it’s priced roughly between the Hisense U65QF and U8QG.

• Value score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Hisense U65QF

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Along with Dolby Vision and HDR10+ HDR support, the U65QF features Alexa Ecosystem integration

4/5

Picture quality

Good overall picture quality for the price, with better than average brightness

4/5

Sound quality

Surprisingly good sound with clear dialogue and a decent amount of bass

4/5

Design

Thin bezel for an all-picture look, though the port placement makes cable management a bit tough

4/5

Smart TV and menus

The Fire TV OS is easy to use, though I wish advanced picture settings were accessible without playing content

3.5/5

Gaming

Gaming on this TV is a good experience thanks to Game Mode, though there’s no gaming-specific menu

4/5

Value

At MSRP, the price isn’t special, though it’s already getting big discounts

4.5/5

Should I buy the Hisense U65QF?Buy it if...

You want great bang for your buck
The Hisense U65QF is already on sale, making it a very competitive option among budget mini-LED TVs.

You use Alexa
The TV’s Alexa integration is something you can really take advantage of if you’re already bought into the Alexa smart home ecosystem.

You want to skip the soundbar
The audio quality is good enough that if you want to skip a (cheap) soundbar in your setup, you probably won’t miss it.

Don't buy it if…

You want a clean, minimal look
If you have other devices to plug in, such as a console or soundbar, the cables are going to stick out the side. If you want a clean look, there are other TVs with better cable management, such as the Roku Pro Series.

You want a super-bright picture
The U65QF’s brightness is above average for a budget mini-LED TV, but step-up models such as the Hisense U8QG have more than twice as high peak brightness and also an anti-reflection screen for daytime viewing.

Also consider...

Hisense U65QF

TCL QM6K

Roku Pro Series

Hisense U8QG

Price (65-inch)

$999

$999

$1,199

$2,199 

Screen type

QLED w/ mini-LED

QLED w/ mini-LED

QLED w/ mini-LED

QLED w/ mini-LED

Refresh rate

Up to 144Hz

Up to 144Hz

120Hz

Up to 144Hz

HDR support

Dolby Vision IQ/HDR10+/HDR10

Dolby Vision IQ/HDR10+/HDR10

Dolby Vision IQ/HDR10+/HDR10

Dolby Vision IQ/HDR10+/HDR10

Smart TV

Fire TV

Google TV

Roku

Google TV

HDMI ports

4 (2x HDMI 2.1)

4 (2x HDMI 2.1)

4 (2x HDMI 2.1)

3x HDMI 2.1

TCL QM6K

The TCL QM6K is just as good value and sells for around the same price as the Hisense U65QF TV with discounts, though it doesn’t have quite the same peak brightness or audio quality. What it does have is a great picture quality with vibrant colors, good contrast, and a lack of blooming.

Read our full TCL QM6K review

Roku Pro Series
The Roku Pro Series falls into a similar-priced category. Its picture brightness is slightly lower than the Hisense, but it has Roku's wonderfully intuitive smart TV interface and a shadowbox design that not only allows for better sound but flat positioning when mounted.

Read our full Roku Pro Series review

Hisense U8QG

The Hisense U8QG is pricier and comes with a fantastically bright screen with low reflectivity. It also has a 4.1.2 sound system built in for those wanting to skip a soundbar, though its subwoofer has some limitations.

Read our full Hisense U8QG review

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Hisense U65QF

• I used the Hisense U65QF TV for a few weeks
• Tested with TV, movies, music, and games
• Benchmark measurements conducted by Future US testing lab

I used the Hisense U65QF TV regularly for a couple of weeks. I used it with TV, movies, music, and games. I tested the various features to see if they work as advertised. I also spent time listening to the audio as well as paying attention to the picture quality.

After spending some time with this TV, it’s my opinion that this TV is ideal for those who want a premium TV without the premium price tag, and for those locked into the Alexa ecosystem.

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

You can read an in-depth overview of how we test TVs at TechRadar at that link.

• First reviewed: November 2025
• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

OnePlus 15: Two-minute review

If a smartphone genie offered me three wishes for my dream phone, I couldn't have created a device as great as the OnePlus 15. It delivers more than the most demanding smartphone fans could wish for, with priorities that reflect the ways I really want to use my phone.

My three wishes? First, I'd wish for a battery that lasts all day. The OnePlus 15 watches my dream phone fall asleep then parties hard for another day and a half. I let this phone go uncharged for three days during my review and I still had some juice left. And that’s not to mention the incredibly fast charging speeds.

My second wish would be for a durable phone, water resistant with glass that is tough enough it won't break if I drop it. OnePlus makes its flagship phone more durable than any Samsung or Apple phone you can buy. I watched last year’s OnePlus 13 survive a run through a dishwasher, and the OnePlus 15 is even tougher than that. Bring on the hot water jets!

My final wish would be to get back some of the great smartphone features we've lost over the years. I remember when Android phones were about personality and customization. Now you can't even organize your app drawer on a Pixel phone.

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

The OnePlus 15, on the other hand, is the phone for people who love smartphones. You can customize it, but it looks great even if you don't. It has a ton of unique widgets that add functions to your home screen, or you can hide those on a separate shelf.

Oh, and it has an IR blaster. Remember when phones had those? Every Galaxy S6 could change the channel on your TV (or the bar TV playing Fox News), and the OnePlus 15 brings that back. It can act as a universal remote control, a feature I treasure when I lose my TV remote after I turn out the lights.

The OnePlus 15 is great at everything you want to do on your phone. For gaming, it's a next-level handheld. I was able to play games with Settings in the Experimental realm. The OnePlus 15 pushes past limits you never noticed on other smartphones, and there are enough game developers on board to make the advantage worthwhile.

Call of Duty looked as good on my phone as it does running on a console, with an even better frame rate, and I say that as a long time gamer, not a casual interloper.

What's the catch? Well, you might have to explain to people who OnePlus is when they ask about your phone, because most people I talk to have never heard of them.

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

That's because OnePlus doesn't sell its best phones in carrier stores. You won't see the OnePlus 15 available free with a contract and a trade on AT&T or Vodafone. That means you pay more up front, which is a shame. Lots of my friends would love this phone, but don't have hundreds to shell out. At least OnePlus usually has decent trade-in offers when you buy directly from the company.

There are a few other shortcomings, but they don't amount to much when you consider this phone competes with the base model iPhone 17 and Galaxy S25, even though it offers as much as an Ultra or Pro Max.

We used to call this a flagship killer. Now I just call it the best phone you can buy, and the first phone I've tested that deserves a perfect score.

OnePlus 15 review: Price & availability

(Image credit: Blue Pixl Media)

• Black version costs $899.99 / £899 for 12GB RAM and 256GB storage
• Other colors available for $999.99 / £999 with 16GB RAM and 512GB storage

The OnePlus 15 is a flagship smartphone, but it isn’t the most expensive flagship around. It costs more than the iPhone 17 but less than the iPhone Air. It’s more expensive than a Google Pixel 10, but less than the Pixel 10 Pro. The Galaxy S25 Plus is more expensive than the black OnePlus 15 with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage.

Sadly, the best colors are only available on the more expensive model with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage. I’m sure the lower-spec OnePlus 15 performs admirably, but my review sample is the Sand Storm model with more goodness inside. It’s not a necessary upgrade, but even at this $999.99 / £999 price, it’s a great deal for such a powerhouse phone.

OnePlus only makes one flagship – there isn't a Pro or an Ultra or an XL model with better cameras or a faster chip. While Samsung and Apple lure you in with aspirational models that cost more than $1,000 / £1,000 / AU$2,000, the OnePlus 15 is the company's best phone, not a step down.

In the past, OnePlus has offered great trade-in deals that knock at least $100 off the price in the US, but it hasn’t announced similar offers for the OnePlus 15.

I’d still recommend this phone at its full price. You won’t find a more capable phone without paying hundreds more, and even the most expensive phones – the Galaxy Z Fold 7 or Apple iPhone 17 Pro Max come to mind – can’t beat the OnePlus 15 in the things it does best.

OnePlus 15 pricing

Storage

US Price

UK Price

AU Price

256GB

$899

£899

AU $TBD

512GB

$999

£999

AU $TBD

• Value score: 5 / 5

OnePlus 15 review: Specifications

You can use the OnePlus 15 to change channels on a TV (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

The OnePlus 15 features a unique spec list that highlights it's capabilities. It's the first phone most of us can buy with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset inside, and that platform seems to pay dividends in performance and power management.

The OnePlus 15 has a 7,300 mAh battery inside, which should make the phone enormous, but it's actually just as thin as an iPhone 17. That huge battery equates to the best battery life I've ever experienced on a smartphone. The OnePlus 15 also has 80-100W charging (80W on my US review sample), and it can charge wirelessly up to 50W, if you have a OnePlus AirVOOC charger.

The display on the OnePlus 15 can refresh up to 165Hz in gaming mode. It can also force itself to draw 120fps consistently on certain competition games like Mobile Legends: Bang Bang.

OnePlus 15 specifications

Dimensions:

161.42 x 76.67 x 8.1mm

Weight:

211g

Display:

6.78-inch LTPO OLED

Resolution:

2772 x 1272 pixels

Refresh rate:

1-120Hz; 165Hz for select games

Peak brightness:

1,800 nits

Chipset:

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen5

RAM:

12GB/16GB LPDDR5X Ultra/Ultra+

Storage:

256GB/512GB/ UFS 4.1

OS:

OxygenOS 16.0 based on Android™ 16

Main cameras

50MP main; 50MP ultrawide; 50MP 3.5x telephoto

Selfie camera:

32MP

Battery:

7,300mAh

Charging:

80-100W wired; 50W wireless

Colors:

Infinite Black, Ultra Violet, Sand Storm (tested)

OnePlus 15 review: Design

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

• Incredible durability - can withstand more than you’ll encounter
• Restrained colors and design compared to past OnePlus flagships

I’ve tested phones that were as durable as the OnePlus 15, and phones that packed a battery just as large or larger. They were as big as school buses and just as heavy. The OnePlus 15 is a marvel of design because it looks simple and refined – totally normal. It isn’t trying to be gorgeous; it’s just a very nice looking smartphone.

Astonishingly, the OnePlus 15 packs the largest battery of any smartphone I’ve tested, but it’s only a hair thicker than the iPhone 17, which has a battery almost half the size.

Does that mean the OnePlus 15 could have been much thinner with a normal battery? Who cares, apparently nobody wants a thin phone with a small battery. The OnePlus 15 is the phone you’ve been asking for instead of the iPhone Air.

The OnePlus 15 is more restrained than previous OnePlus phones, and while I miss the navy blue curves of the OnePlus 13 and the swirling jade green OnePlus 12, I understand the impulse to be less flashy. Those camera bumps were very large. The phones were downright wobbly.

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The OnePlus 12 design, especially in Flowy Emerald, was gorgeous, but divisive (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)Image 2 of 4

That camera bump is admittedly very large (Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 4

The OnePlus 13 tried for classier color options, but the cameras still stand out (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)Image 4 of 4

OnePlus reps said its own fans were asking for a smaller camera bump on the back (Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

The OnePlus 15 looks like it could descend from the same lineage as the Google Pixel 10. It has a prominent camera bump that feels precisely machined, taking up a square of the corner on the back. The curves of the phone, the camera bump, and the camera lens windows are all symmetrically aligned on the same axis.

The color options for the OnePlus 15 are a bit staid compared to previously flashy hues, but each comes with its own benefits. My review unit came in the Sand Storm color that OnePlus claims is slightly more durable than the rest, owing to the electrified way the color is applied to the frame. The lilac color will be more limited, which only makes me want it more.

• Design score: 5 / 5

OnePlus 15 review: Display

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

• Excellent display for gaming with special features
• Bright, colorful, and incredibly responsive

The OnePlus 15 has a display made for serious gaming. That doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy its benefits if you don’t play hardcore, online multiplayer games. It’s still incredibly bright and colorful. But for gaming it stands out like no other phone I’ve tried.

How fast is the OnePlus 15 display? You’re going to need to find the Experiment settings in Call of Duty Mobile to truly take advantage of what this phone can do. For a number of games, the OnePlus 15 can refresh up to 165 Hz. For the rest of its functions, it refreshes from a 1Hz always-on sleep screen to 120Hz.

I was a big fan of the OnePlus 13 fingerprint sensor, and I’m pleased to report the OnePlus 15 has the most consistent scanner I’ve used on a phone this year. While Samsung phones regularly fail to register my fingerprint, the OnePlus 15 opened the first time I tried, every single time. Only Apple’s FaceID system is this consistent and quick, other Android makers haven’t been able to match this convenience.

Is this the best display around? Our lab tests say the Google Pixel 10 Pro is much brighter, with better color. I definitely preferred the Pixel 10 Pro for taking photos outdoors, but the OnePlus 15 still has a great display, and its fast response time pushes it to the top.

• Display score: 5 / 5

OnePlus 15 review: Software

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

• Oxygen OS 16 is a polished and friendly version of Android
• Plenty of features to reward power users and iPhone switchers alike

OnePlus has its own version of Android 16, Oxygen OS, and it's a very elegant design that takes great advantage of the sharp resolution of the display. You get plenty of tools like a widget shelf and a pop-up sidebar, or you can just ignore all of those an enjoy the uncluttered, effective look.

There are tons of unique features built in that are actually useful and don't require too much digging. If you're daring, try the Zen Space, which will lock you out of your own phone for a minute. No joke, no half measures. Nothing you do can get you back in. Like I said, it's daring.

I like Oxygen OS, it's clearly inspired by iOS without feeling derivative or amateur. It rewards OnePlus owners who know other OnePlus owners with special sharing and communication features that work between devices. If you're an iPhone owner considering a switch, this is the first Android stop I'd recommend on your bus out of Apple town.

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)Image 2 of 3

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(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

There are AI tools on the OnePlus 15, and even a button that will take a screenshots to save to a special AI mind space. This is similar to Google’s Screenshot app on its Pixel phones, and it's an unobtrusive way to let AI collect your personal data on your own terms. The OnePlus AI also did a fine job transcribing my recordings, which is an AI tool I use frequently across my devices for meetings and interviews.

OnePlus says this phone will get four years of major Android updates, hopefully taking Oxygen OS 16.0 all the way up to Oxygen OS 20, though we’ll have to hold OnePlus to this promise. It will get six years of security updates as well, even after the OS updates stop.

• Software score: 5 / 5

OnePlus 15 review: Cameras

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

• Versatile cameras with effective zoom that captures great detail
• Best action camera for fast-moving subjects in any light condition

With the OnePlus 15, you get a versatile camera array that rises to any occasion. For hundreds less than a Pixel 10 Pro XL or Galaxy S25 Ultra, you get a camera with the same capabilities – especially a real 3.5x optical zoom lens.

The photos I got from the OnePlus 15 were usually just as good as pics from the best camera phones, and in some cases the OnePlus 15 shots were the best. Compared to the Pixel 10 Pro and Galaxy S25 Ultra, for instance, the OnePlus 15 camera achieves more clarity edge to edge in most photos.

The OnePlus 15 does have some special tricks up its sleeve. It's the best camera phone I've used when I am shooting a fast moving subject. For my kid’s football games, the combo of zoom plus action mode means I get shots with the ball hovering in mid air, taken from high up in the bleachers. Other phones can manage the same zoom, but not the same speed.

Maybe there are too many modes in the camera, but there are some I'm dying to try, like the underwater mode that balances for the blue light and gives you controls to use when the screen doesn't work. I'll need to wait until it's warmer for that one.

Is the OnePlus 15 the absolute best camera phone? I still think the iPhone 17 Pro is tops, but for the price, the OnePlus 15 offers unique features and excellent quality, and it surpassed my expectations once again.

• Camera score: 5 / 5

OnePlus 15 review: Camera samplesImage 1 of 6

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(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)OnePlus 15 review: Performance

(Image credit: Philip Berne / Future)

• Stellar performance from Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5
• Gaming mode pushes display to 165 Hz for superlative gamers

As one of the first smartphones with the newest Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset inside, I knew the OnePlus 15 would be incredibly fast, but I usually wonder where all that speed goes? Thankfully, OnePlus offers concrete examples for gamers, and if you haven't taken mobile gaming seriously before, maybe it's time.

I usually test phones by playing Call of Duty Mobile with my Xbox controller on Bluetooth. I max out the settings and play multiplayer games to test the frame rate. Not only did the OnePlus 15 play CoD better than any previous phone I've used, I maxed out all the settings, including every option in the Experiment mode, and the game ran just as smoothly. It looked like a current-gen console game running on my phone.

The OnePlus 15 even supports a 165Hz display refresh rate, which means some games will be able to run at a theoretical 165 fps. Those include: Clash of Clans, Brawl Stars, Real Racing 3, Standoff 2, Blood Strike - FPS for all, and of course Call of Duty.

Even if you're not a gamer, you'll still appreciate the smooth performance of the OnePlus 15 in everyday tasks. Oxygen OS offers a variety of visual transitions between your home screen panels, for instance, as well as other pop-up features. All of these respond instantly as you tap and swipe.

We'll probably see a slightly faster version of this chipset when the Samsung Galaxy S26 is launched in early 2026, but the big question will be what Samsung does with so much power. Will the next Galaxy have a high-refresh rate display and a stable of games ready to run fast? Or will that power be squandered on AI? The benchmarks might give Samsung a future win, but the OnePlus manages to put all of its power to use, for once.

• Performance score: 5 / 5

OnePlus 15 review: Battery

(Image credit: Blue Pixl Media)

• Unbelievable battery life - lasted 3 days in my testing
• Super-fast charging, wired or wireless (with a OnePlus charger)

Last year’s OnePlus 13R was my pick for the best phone to buy for battery life, but this year’s OnePlus 15 raises the bar higher than I thought possible. Its battery seems obnoxiously large on paper, but the phone feels no heavier or thicker than any other flagship smartphone. Is there really a 7,300 mAh cell inside? Our Future Labs test say yes, indeed, and it’s more impressive than it sounds.

How long should a smartphone last? A day? Two day? I woke up on Wednesday with a fully charged OnePlus 15. I went to bed on Friday night and the phone still had battery power in the single digits. It lasted nearly three full days of use. You can leave your charger at the office for the weekend without worrying too much.

Even better, bring the charger along, because the OnePlus 15 charges faster than any other phone you’ll find. In 30 minutes of charging with the included 80W charger (it can charge to 100W in regions outside the US) I had more than 80% battery life. In less than 45 minutes I was fully charged.

That means you might get a week of real world use from this phone with just over an hour sitting on the wired charger. Want to go wireless? Like everything else on the OnePlus 15, wireless charging will demolish your expectations. This phone can charge faster on a OnePlus AirVOOC wireless charger than an iPhone 17 Pro can charge with wire.

Too bad it doesn’t have magnets built-in, then, but I highly recommend getting a OnePlus case. All of the new OnePlus 15 cases have magnets that align the wireless charging with your favorite MagSafe accessories, but I highly recommend splurging on AirVOOC. A few moments on a charging stand and you’ll be ready for hours more play time.

• Battery score: 5 / 5

Should you buy the OnePlus 15?OnePlus 15 scorecard

Value

Priced less than competitors’ Pro and Ultra models, with features that blow those flagships out of the water. I wish it were available on a payment plan, but it’s a fantastic value nonetheless.

5/5

Design

A more refined design gives up flashy colors and a ginormous camera bump for extreme durability and classy looks. It’s astonishing OnePlus got so much tech into this phone, especially the huge battery.

5/5

Display

Excellent display is bright and colorful, and capable of extreme gaming performance with the right titles. It can refresh up to 120Hz, or up to 165Hz on select games, and you can really see the difference when you play.

5/5

Software

Smooth and polished version of Android 16 in Oxygen OS, with plenty of useful customization options and features, and just the right touch of AI (that you can also ignore). This phone also has 4 years of updates on the way.

5/5

Cameras

Excellent camera quality beats anything at this price range and aims to be one of the best camera phones you can buy. For action shots and detailed zoom photos, the OnePlus might be the best choice, but all of my pics looked good and there are camera modes I still want to try.

5/5

Performance

Top notch performance makes this phone a benchmark champ, and OnePlus puts all of that power to use in fantastic gaming. Max out the graphics on your favorite title, this phone can defeat whatever monsters you throw its way.

5/5

Battery

Unbelievable battery life thanks to a massive cell hidden inside the svelte design. This phone beats everything by hours and hours - it lasted almost three days in my real world testing. Also it charges super fast, if you ever need to charge it.

5/5

Buy it if...

You want battery that lasts and lasts and lastsThis isn’t just the best battery life, it is so far ahead that it’s practically into next week while the iPhone is still charging today

You play the latest multiplayer mobile gamesGames on the OnePlus 15 look more like current-gen console titles than the mobile games you’ve seen before. The difference is striking

You need durability to survive a volcanic eruption
Exaggeration? The OnePlus 15 is the only phone I’ve seen certified to survive intense, high-temperature water sprays. This phone is Jurassic tough

Don't buy it if...

You don’t have the cash to shell out up frontSadly, OnePlus doesn’t have the best distribution, so you probably won’t be able to pay for this phone on a monthly plan

You love magnets and everything that contains magnets
It’s too bad there aren’t magnets built into the OnePlus 15, but the case options all have magnets, if magnets are your thing

You’re a pro photographer who uses only smartphones for some reason
The OnePlus 15 camera is one of the best, but the iPhone 17 Pro is still better all around for pixel peeping perfectionists who can’t accept less

Also consider...

Apple iPhone 17 Pro
If you want an iPhone that is as powerful with cameras this good, you’ll have to go for a Pro model, and it still can’t match the OnePlus battery.

Read our in-depth Apple iPhone 17 Pro review

Google Pixel 10 Pro
The Pixel 10 Pro is durable with a great design and fantastic software. It just lacks the battery life, performance, and even camera quality of the OnePlus 15.

Read our in-depth Google Pixel 10 Pro review

OnePlus 15

Apple iPhone 17 Pro

Google Pixel 10 Pro

Price:

$899 / £899

$1,099 / £1,099 / AU$1,999

$999 / £999 / AU $1,699

Processor:

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

Apple A19 Pro

Google Tensor G5

Display:

6.78-inch OLED up to 165Hz

6.3-inch 1-120Hz OLED

6.3-inch 60-120Hz OLED

Battery Test Results (HH:MM:SS)

26:25:00

15:21:36

13:43:30

How I tested the OnePlus 15

I have been using the OnePlus 15 for more than two weeks as my primary business phone, with all of my personal and work accounts loaded onto the device. I used the phone on AT&T’s 5G network in the greater New York Area, including around our Times Square offices and my home in Connecticut.

I used the OnePlus 15 as my camera, testing almost every camera feature (I couldn’t test the Underwater mode). I connected the OnePlus 15 to my OnePlus Watch 3, my OnePlus Buds Pro 3, and many other Bluetooth headsets and devices. I used Android Auto in my Kia and my friends’ Acura and Subaru cars, and connected to Bluetooth in an older BMW.

I've been testing phones for more than 20 years, since the days of BlackBerry and Palm OS smartphones and Samsung flip phones. I've tested hundreds of devices myself, and our Future Labs experts have tested hundreds more.

Future Labs tests phones using a mix of third-party benchmark software and proprietary, real-world tests. We use Geekbench, CrossMark, JetStream, WebXPRT and Mobile XPRT, and 3DMark for performance testing. We test a phone's performance on video editing tasks using Adobe Premiere Rush. We also measure display color output and brightness.

For battery testing, we have proprietary rundown tests that are the same for every phone, which we use to determine how long it takes for the battery to run down.

First reviewed November 2025

Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus: Two-minute review

I’ve tested quite a few pairs of Earfun earbuds before, but before I’d even had a chance to get the new Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus into my shell-likes, I’d already seen countless rave reviews of them from other websites. Suffice to say, the press at large finally discovered Earfun (not just audio-savvy types like me) and their impressions are glowing.

I can’t pretend to have reviewed every Earfun proposition – the budget brand puts out far more products than any one person could hope to review – but I’ve used multiple of its in-ears and over-ears, and some of them have made it into TechRadar's list of the best cheap headphones we (and I) have tested.

So what about the Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus, so good that Earfun had to name it four times (then add a 'Plus' moniker, to make things a bit more confusing)? They’re – drumroll please – absolutely fine. More of the cheap-and-cheerful same that I’ve come to expect from the brand, but with a few rough edges that mean they’re not the best earbuds I’ve ever used. No, not even at this low price.

The 'Plus' presumably signifies a more advanced model of the Earfun Air Pro 4 I tested in late 2024, although with more titles than a character from Downton Abbey it’s hard to be sure. Those were decent and cheap headphones with a few too many EQ modes for their own good and a lack of refinement in the audio department, and the Plus has added a few things – but not fixed any of those issues.

As with other buds from the brand, my favorite thing about the Air Pro 4 Plus is the stand-out feature list, which rivals alternatives that’d cost you twice as much. There’s a stellar battery life, a listening test, dual-device connectivity and multiple other options. When you put some Earfuns in, the ball’s in your court.

The things is, loads of features can also become a problem – there are six different ANC modes (counting ‘off’, I’ll admit), one of which has its own slider. How to tell which mode you should be using at any one time is anyone’s guess (unless you want it ‘off’, which is a pretty easy pick).

The buds are nice and lightweight, surviving long listening periods as well as gym workouts and runs well, and the case is pretty svelte too. These are solid picks for your commute or while you’re sitting in the office.

If you’re an audiophile, though, these won’t tick your boxes; they’re not the best buds in terms of sound, even for their price. I’ll get to some better-sounding options below, but the feature set makes a great case for why you should consider buying these anyway.

Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus review: Price and release date

(Image credit: Future)

• Released on September 26, 2025
• Costs $99.99 / £89.99 (around AU$280)
• Slight price increase over non-Plus model

The Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus – I’m going to get really sick of writing that whole title out across this review, I can tell – were released on September 26, 2025, and could be bought on that day.

The official price of the earbuds is $99.99 / £89.99 (around AU$180) . Amazon lists those costs as the discounted price, and $119.99 / £109.99 (around AU$220) as the original price, but as far as I can tell they’ve never been sold for that higher price, making it look like a bit of an underhanded method to present the usual price as discounted. On Earfun’s website, the cheaper price is presented as the normal one, and so I’m taking that as my guide price for the purposes of context and comparison.

That price puts them as a hair pricier than the $89.99 / £79.99 (roughly AU$140) Air Pro 4, and roughly the same as the Air Pro 3. They’re among the priciest buds for Earfun but that’s not saying much, as the brand specializes in affordable audio.

At that cost, I’d still call the Air Pro 4 Plus ‘cheap earbuds’, although they’re toeing the border and bumping up against some real heavyweight rivals in the triple-figure-price-tag camp.

Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus review: Specs

Drivers

Balanced Armature driver + 10mm dynamic driver

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Battery life (ANC off)

12 hours (buds) 54 hours (case)

Weight

5g (buds) 54g (case)

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6

Frequency response

Not listed

Waterproofing

IP55

Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• 8-hour buds battery, 54-hour with case
• Confusing ANC modes
• Loads of handy features in app

I love a meaty battery life in earbuds, and Earfun clearly concurs. With 54 hours of listening time in the tank, you’re not going to need to worry about powering the buds daily (or even weekly, depending on your listening habits).

That’s the figure for the case, and the buds themselves last 12 hours if you’re listening with ANC turned off or 8 hours if it’s turned on. Both are great figures, slightly better than on the non-Plus model, that’ll assuage any battery anxiety you might have.

You get a few extra features with Earfun Audio, the tie-in smartphone app. You can toggle wear detection, customize the buds’ touch controls, choose which Bluetooth codecs are in use, change some microphone settings, find your headphones if you’ve misplaced them, and set up dual device connection.

I’m always surprised by the number of features Earfun offers in its earbuds, with many premium alternatives having half as many. Sometimes that gets a little overwhelming though, like in the case of noise cancellation. Not counting ‘off’ or a useful Ambient mode, there are four different modes: Ear Adaptive, Environment Adaptive, Wind and Manual Adaptive (which lets you use a slider to choose its intensity).

(Image credit: Future)

Even after having read the descriptions multiple times, and having used other Earfun products with these modes, I can’t tell the difference between Ear and Environment, or Environment and Wind, and have no idea how to choose which of these modes to use. Even if I could work out the use case for each mode, there’s no way you’re going to catch me going into the app to change modes every time the wind picks up a little bit.

The app offers an equalizer with myriad presets, a ten-band custom mode or a sound profile test to create a personalized mix. This latter isn’t quite as accurate as rival modes, but generally speaking you have to spend a lot more money on alternatives with listening tests, so it’s a welcome presence in this budget option.

Through the entire testing process, I never once had any Bluetooth drop-out issues with the buds, and it was reliably quick to pair. You can probably thank the use of Bluetooth 6 for this, which is a much more advanced version of wireless connection than most rival buds have.

• Features score: 4.5/5

Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Understated purple hue
• Lightweight case and buds
• IPX5 rating

It’s in the name: the ‘Air’ part of Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus describes the case. It’s lovely and light, weighing 54g, and the ‘clamshell’ style of opening means it’s easy enough to open and remove the buds. No fiddling involved.

Now onto the buds; they’re nice and lightweight too, hitting the scales at about 6g, although they seem a little bit bigger than the non-Plus models (at least, based on my recollection, and I’m sure a justification will be clear when we get to the sound quality section).

The Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus are stem-style buds, with the earbuds attached to your ear via a tip, and a stem dangling down, just like AirPods.

(Image credit: Future)

Each bud has a touch control, which you can trigger by tapping the circle at the top of the stem. I found them easy to press, albeit a little too sensitive when I was readjusting the buds in my ears.

The buds have an IP55 rating, which means they’re protected against limited dust ingress and jets of water. This latter means they’re not suitable for water submersion, so don’t take them for a swim. One of the benefits of a plastic build material ensures that the buds are hardy against drops and knocks.

I took the Earfuns to the gym a few times and they never fell out, and while they felt a little loose when they accompanied me on a run, they never actually did fall out. This was with the default tips, but the box comes with a few alternatives to account for various ear sizes. They were comfy to wear too, and I didn’t face any aches or strains after extended listening periods.

• Design score: 4/5

Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus review: Sound quality

• BA driver + 10mm dynamic driver
• Range of codecs supported
• Treble and mids still miss some pizzazz

(Image credit: Future)

Perhaps the biggest advances the Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus brings over its siblings – and other cheap buds – is in the audio specs department.

There are two drivers: a 10mm composite dynamic driver which handles the bass and midrange, alongside a balanced armature driver which focuses on providing high-frequency response and high audio detail.

If that wasn’t enough, the Earfun supports a range of audio codecs and features that you’d expect from pricey buds: LDAC, aptX Lossless, aptX Adaptive Snapdragon Sound and Hi-Res Audio Wireless Certification to be precise.

The spec improvements certainly bring some benefits over past Earfun buds I’ve tested, with well-defined bass and a slightly more pronounced sound stage, but the augments don’t do enough to make these sonic equals to some of the other budget buds on the market.

(Image credit: Future)

Treble remains somewhat dampened, with vocals missing that sparkly energy and depth that you’d want from a song, and mids still hopelessly lost in the mix. As I mentioned before, the bass improvements ensure it’s tactfully-tuned, and doesn’t drown out other parts of a song as much as in the non-Plus pair, but that also makes these buds less tempting for bass-heads.

Using the equalizer, you can pull out some strings to improve the sound – I liked Vocal Enhancement which added some force to the sung word and expanded the sound stage, but it increased the risk of peaking on certain instruments and made sibilant lines sound tinny. For certain other sounds I went for Bass Boost 1, which doesn’t send the bass into overdrive as you’d expect, but adds clarity and dimension to low-frequency lines. As a bass player myself, it got surprisingly close to replicating the sound of actually playing a bass guitar.

I don’t want to be too down on the Air Pro 4 Plus – it sounds perfectly fine, and I don’t imagine many people will be disappointed by how it sounds. But as someone that’s tested plenty of rivals, I’d be remiss not to point out that it’s not the top dog.

• Sound quality: 3.5/5

Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus review: Value

(Image credit: Future)

• Feature set is great for price
• Audio quality is more what you'd expect

As with its many past earbuds, Earfun has packed a great number of features and some impressive specs into a relatively low-cost set of buds.

Perhaps not all of those features are as fleshed-out as they would be on a pricier pair of buds, but their very presence in the first place is great for people who don’t want to pay more.

My only caveat would be that you could get even more bang for your buck by buying one of Earfun’s other, cheaper options.

• Value: 4/5

Should I buy the Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus?Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus score card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

You're getting loads of features for the price, and a fantastic battery life, even if the ANC situation is confusing.

4.5/5

Design

They're nice and light, and reliably stick in the ear.

4/5

Sound quality

There are a few issues, but nothing that you can't overlook with the price.

3.5/5

Value

You're getting an impressive feature set for the price you're paying.

4/5

Buy it if…

You need buds for the long haul
Thanks to the case offering 54 hours of listening time, these buds will be great for people who can't regularly get to a charging point.

You like tweaking with your music
There are loads of presets, a 10-band equalizer and your own personal sound thanks to the listening test. Great for people who like their own music.View Deal

You need something lightweight
I liked how easy it was to forget about the Earfun; when the buds were in my ears, and while the case was in my pocket.View Deal

Don’t buy it if…

You need fine-tuned music
I didn't mind listening to the Air Pro 4 Plus, but they're not my favorite cheap buds ever, at least when it comes to audio quality.

You need the best noise cancellation
The ANC was fine, but due to the myriad options and my confusion on which to pick, it's hard to say how to get the best of the buds.

Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus review: Also consider

Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus

Skullcandy Method 360

Sony WF-C710N

Drivers

Balanced Armature driver + 10mm dynamic driver

12mm

5mm

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Yes

Yes

Battery life

12 hours (buds) 54 hours total (with case)

11 hours (buds) 29 hours total (with case)

12 hours (buds) 30 hours total (with case)

Weight

5g (buds) 54g (case)

11g (buds); 77g (case)

5.2g (buds); 38g (case)

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.3

Waterproofing

IP55

IPX4

IPX4

Sony WF-C710N
These top-rated and similarly-priced earbuds from Sony have fantastic noise cancellation and a great range of the company's features. A few of the Earfun's features are missing, like LDAC, but it's still a top-rated pick (and it looks funky too).
Read our full Sony WF-C710N review here

Skullcandy Method 360
These are perhaps my favorite sub-$100 earbuds of the year so far. They've got a lovely bassy sound, a funky look (both for the buds and the case) and a snug fit that kept them safe in the ear. The case is absolutely huge, though.
Check out our full Skullcandy Method 360 review here

How I tested the Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for 2 weeks
• Tested at home, on walks, and the gym and on runss

I used the Earfun Air Pro 4 Plus for about two weeks to write this review, which is about enough time to write that entire name.

During the test process, the buds were mostly paired to my Android smartphone. I used them in a wide variety of environments including at home, at the gym, on walks around my borough, on runs and to the shops. I played games, listened to Spotify, Tidal and Qobuz and watched YouTube videos as the main ways to test, but used them as my daily blowers too, so there are a plethora of other tasks I used them for.

As mentioned in the introduction, I saw quite a bit of coverage on the Earfun before writing my review, however I never read into reviews beyond the positive headlines in order to avoid their biasing my opinions.

Also as mentioned, I've used other Earfun earbuds in the past, as well as plenty of other cheap alternatives in my six-plus years testing tech for TechRadar.

• First reviewed in November 2025

• Read TechRadar's reviews guarantee

DJI Neo 2: one-minute review

The DJI Neo was a cheap beginner drone that represented a push in a new direction for the brand: it was designed primarily for shooting very short clips and photos for social media, and its size and simplicity (it could be flown without a controller) made it a carry-anywhere device.

A year on, the DJI Neo 2 is here, and I'm happy to report that it retains the core appeal of the original model – affordable, simple and small – while also packing some meaningful improvements.

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

For me, the headline upgrade is the addition of an omnidirectional obstacle avoidance system. One of the Neo's weaknesses was a tendency to crash, particularly when you were using one of its automated flight modes, but the new setup, with combined vision and LiDAR sensors, makes collisions a lot less likely.

The camera has also been improved, with better image stabilization thanks to a new two-axis gimbal, higher frame-rate options for 4K video, and slightly improved sensitivity. And there's now almost 50GB of onboard storage, up from 22GB on the original model.

For automated flight modes I liked the new onboard screen, which is much more informative and useful than the icon-based indicators on the Neo.

Aside from these tweaks, things are much the same as on the Neo, for better or worse. Flight time is still a little on the short side, so investing in multiple batteries is recommended, while on the control front, the option to supplement autonomous flight with manual control from a smartphone running the DJI Fly app or a full-blooded twin-stick controller makes the Neo 2 far more than a simple selfie drone.

DJI Neo 2: release date and price

• Released November 13 2025
• Base kit costs £209 / AU$409, Fly More Bundle costs £349 / AU$709
• Not officially available in US

DJI announced the Neo 2 on November 13 2025, a little over a year after the launch of the original Neo. It's available to order immediately in most of the world, in the following options:

DJI Neo 2 (drone only) from £209 / AU$409; DJI Neo 2 Fly More Combo, which includes the drone plus three batteries and a charging hub, from £289 / AU$549; DJI Neo 2 Fly More Combo, which includes the above plus an RC-N3 controller, from £349 / AU$709; and DJI Neo 2 Motion Fly More Combo, which includes the batteries and hub plus a motion controller and FPV headset.

When the original Neo arrived last year, it was priced from £169 / AU$299, so the Neo 2 is a slightly pricier prospect. However, given its extra features and functionality, I think the extra cost is justified, and it's still one of the cheapest non-toy drones on the market.

As with all recent DJI products, the Neo 2 is not coming to the US market. DJI has released the following statement: "The DJI Neo 2 will not be officially available in the US market through official websites following the global launch on November 13. DJI remains committed to the U.S. market and is optimizing our strategy to best serve our customers amidst evolving local conditions."

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)DJI Neo 2: specsDJI Neo 2 specs

Camera:

12MP 1/2-inch CMOS sensor

Video resolution:

4K

Frame rates:

4K up to 60fps (100fps when using remote control)

Video transmission range:

04 for 10km (FCC), 6km (CE/SRRC/MIC)

Flight modes:

Manual Control, Follow, Skiing Follow, Cycling Follow, SelfieShot, Dronie, Helix, Rocket, Circle, Boomerang, Dolly Zoom, Spotlight

Storage:

49GB on-board

Battery:

1606mAh / up to 19 minutes flight time.

Charger type:

USB-C / Battery charging hub

Weight:

5.6oz / 160g (inc. transceiver)

Dimensions:

167 x 171 x 54mm (inc. transceiver)

DJI Neo 2: design and handling

• Non-folding design with enclosed propellers
• 160g weight with Digital Transceiver fitted (151g without)
• 49GB of built-in storage

The overall look of the Neo 2 is similar to last year's original – this is a small, non-folding 'whoop'-style quadcopter with integrated propeller guards and a nose-mounted camera. But on closer inspection there are some key differences.

One major departure is an extra pod on the back, complete with rabbit-ear antennas. This is a Digital Transceiver, which comes pre-installed on certain versions of the drone and allows it to connect to DJI accessories like controllers and headsets. Without it, the Neo 2 can only be flown with a smartphone or completely controller-free.

For me, the most welcome change is the inclusion of a small display on the front, which indicates which flight mode the drone is in. It's a big improvement on the Neo's light-up icons, which I always found confusing. This display, along with the three buttons arranged along one side of the drone, makes controller-free flight much simpler this time around, and meant I didn't feel the need to pull out my phone and connect to the DJI Fly app so often.

Image 1 of 5

The Neo 2's tiny screen is a major upgrade over the original's icon indicators (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Image 2 of 5

These buttons are used to choose the flight mode and begin an automated flight. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Image 3 of 5

The transceiver allows you to fly the Neo 2 with a controller. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Image 4 of 5

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Image 5 of 5

The battery charging hub makes topping up multiple batteries a much easier process. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

These changes haven't greatly affected the shape or weight of the drone compared to the original, and at around 160g with the transceiver or 151g without, it falls well under the key 250g threshold. In the EU, it's a Class 0 model, and with these classifications coming to the UK soon it means the Neo 2 can be flown in most locations, closer than 50m to uninvolved people and over people (but not over crowds).

The build quality is what you'd expect from a DJI drone: despite the lightweight plastic, it feels solid and well built. An included plastic cover fits on to protect the camera when it's not in use, and extra prop guards come pre-installed to protect both the propellers and the fingers of users from harm. These can be removed, should you need to replace the propellers.

I had no fears about tossing the Neo 2 into my backpack when travelling, although I was a little surprised that the Fly More Combo DJI sent me to review didn't come with some kind of carrying bag or case.

The Neo 2's batteries pop in and out easily, and can be charged either inside the drone or using the optional three-battery hub. The drone has its own USB-C port for both charging and data transfer, and like the original model there's no microSD card slot for storage expansion. The built-in storage has been upgraded though, from the Neo's 22GB to 49GB. That's enough for about 105 minutes of 4K 60fps footage or 175 minutes of 4K 30fps footage.

DJI Neo 2: features and performance

• Range of built-in flight modes and QuickShots
• Also compatible with DJI controllers
• 49GB of built-in storage space

The Neo 2 is first and foremost a selfie drone, designed for capturing quick shots of you and yours for your holiday album or social media. To that end, it comes with a range of built-in automated flight modes, plus QuickShots, which is designed to record a video or take a photo while flying in a preset and predictable manner. To see some of these in action, check out the video embedded in the next section of this review.

The Neo 2 also features pretty impressive tracking capabilities, allowing it to follow the user using just its camera, filming as it does so. It can do this while you're on foot, on a bike or even skiing, and having tested the first two methods I can say it's very adept at doing this.

You can set it to follow you at various angles and distances, and I found it easiest to set these using the DJI Fly app, connected to the Neo 2 via Wi-Fi. The drone's own screen and buttons can be used for this too, but it's just simpler and more reliable to do it using your phone in my experience.

The Fly More Combo comes with a DJI RC-N3 controller, which allows you to fly the Neo 2 like a 'standard' DJI camera drone (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

I also flew the Neo 2 using touchscreen controls and the DJI Fly app on a smartphone, and the RC-N3 controller. The app flight controls are quite rudimentary, but the drone responded well to them, and I think they're fine for getting it into a particular position for a photo or video.

With the controller, the flight experience becomes much more like a traditional DJI camera drone, and the drone flies nimbly and responsively here – albeit with less wind resistance and speed than a fully-fledged Mini, Air or Mavic drone.

As with the Neo, the Neo 2 is also suitable for FPV flying, if you have a set of compatible DJI Goggles and RC Motion Controller. I wasn't able to test this out personally, unfortunately.

The Neo 2 can stay airborne for around 18 minutes in ideal conditions, but in real-world use, this tends to be closer to 10 minutes (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

Perhaps the biggest flight upgrade on the Neo 2 is the addition of omnidirectional object sensing, which prevents the drone from crashing into trees, fences and the like during its automated flights. It even uses LiDAR for the forward-facing sensor.

Given that the original had essentially no object avoidance at all, it's a game-changer, and in my tests it worked well. For example, rather than flying into tree branches behind it, I noticed it dropped in altitude to get underneath them – impressive stuff from such a small, affordable drone.

Battery life is about the same as the original Neo: 18 or so minutes in ideal conditions. In real-world use, I found it to be closer to 10 minutes, so if you're planning on flying for extended periods then the Fly More Combo, with its extra batteries and charging cradle, feels like a sensible option.

DJI Neo 2: image and video quality

• 1/2-inch image sensor
• 4K video capture up to 100fps
• 12MP JPEG photography

The camera is mounted on a two-axis gimbal and includes electronic image stabilization. (Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)

The Neo 2 offers a modest image quality upgrade, but uses what appears to be the same 12MP 1/2-inch sensor as its predecessor. The camera is now mounted on a new two-axis gimbal which, partnered with the RockSteady electronic image stabilization brought over from the original Neo, manages to keep the horizon level while shooting.

In higher winds, there's a little less stability to the camera than I'd expect from a full-blooded DJI camera drone – but then this isn't one of those, and it performs excellently for a drone in this price bracket.

The camera provides a 119.8-degree field of view, with a full-frame equivalent focal length of 16.5mm, which is wide without adding too much corner distortion. The aperture is fixed at f/2.2, making the camera slightly faster than the Neo's f/2.8 lens. ISO range has been improved too, and now runs from 100 to 12800 in most shooting modes.

The Neo 2 isn't a "serious" camera drone in the same way as many of its DJI stablemates, but can still manage 4K capture at up to 60fps (or 100fps when using a controller). I think the footage and 12MP photos look more than acceptable straight from the camera, but if you're expecting pro-level quality you're going to be disappointed. There are no options to shoot in anything other than the Standard color profile for video, and no RAW option for photos. There's no way to fit ND filters on the camera either.

If you can live with these limitations and take the Neo 2 for what it is, you should be more than happy with its camera performance. I know I was – for such a small and simple drone, it delivers results that are ideal for social media sharing.

Image 1 of 4

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Image 2 of 4

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Image 3 of 4

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Image 4 of 4

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)DJI Neo 2: testing scorecardDJI Neo 2

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

Not quite as cheap as its predecessor, but still superb value

5/5

Design

Small, lightweight and well constructed

4/5

Performance

Lots of control options, now with obstacle avoidance

5/5

Image and video quality

Simple stuff, but gets the job done

4/5

Should I buy the DJI Neo 2?

(Image credit: Future | Sam Kieldsen)Buy it if...

You want a simple, small drone
With the option to fly controller-free, the Neo 2 keeps things beautifully simple – and its obstacle avoidance makes crashing much less likely than was the case with the original Neo.

You’re on a limited budget
The Neo 2 is affordable compared with some of DJI's more advanced drones, especially if you buy the base kit. It's a great way to get into drone flying.

You already own DJI FPV accessories
If you already own a DJI FPV controller (Motion 3 or FPV 3) and DJI Goggles N3 or 3, the Neo 2 gives you a lightweight, restriction-free alternative to the Avata.

Don't buy it if...

You want advanced photo and video capabilities
The Neo 2 is designed with capturing quick shots and clips in mind. Despite its 4K resolution it's not a 'serious' camera drone – you'll need to move further up DJI's range for those.

You want a 'real' FPV drone
While FPV flight is possible by adding a headset and controller, the prohibitive combined cost means you're better off buying a DJI Avata 2 instead. It's better suited to the job too.View Deal

DJI Neo 2: also consider DJI Mini 5 Pro

If you're more interested in image quality than simplicity and affordability, but still want something small, I don't think there's a better 250g-ish drone than the DJI Mini 5 Pro. Its 1-inch sensor delivers incredible videos and photos, and it's a brilliantly easy drone to fly thanks to a raft of safety features.

Read our in-depth DJI Mini 5 Pro review

HoverAir X1

The HoverAir X1 Pro is perhaps a better overall selfie drone than the DJI Neo 2, thanks to its incredible tracking capabilities and clever folding (and highly pocketable) design. However, it's a lot pricier, and in my opinion that makes it a bit less appealing than the cheap and cheerful Neo 2.

Read our in-depth HoverAir X1 Pro review

How I tested the DJI Neo 2

• All main features and functions tested
• Flown with the DJI RC-N3 Controller, direct app control and without app
• Flown outside in dry but breezy conditions

I tested the DJI Neo 2 outdoors during the autumn of 2025 in the UK, in dry but fairly blustery weather conditions. The aim was to test all the functions, features and flight modes of the drone in real-world situations, in order to properly assess its capabilities and limitations.

Of the control options available on the drone I tested voice control, palm take-off without the use of the DJI Fly app, app control, and the DJI RC-N3 Controller. I was not able to test its FPV abilities, lacking the necessary gear to do so.

First reviewed November 2025

Technics SL-1300G turntable: two-minute review

Technics has a new direct-drive turntable, and because it’s part of the company’s upmarket ‘Grand Class’, it’s engineered to within an inch of its life and has a price-tag that will make you swallow hard.

Mind you, it’s not as if the company doesn’t feel like it’s offering value for money with the Technics SL-1300G. Between the twin-rotor ‘cogless’ motor, transformerless power supply, elaborate tonearm arrangement and overall sensation of bank-vault build quality (the platter alone weighs almost 4kg), the SL-1300G is a substantial proposition in every respect. Apart from the small matter of a cartridge, that is – Technics doesn’t provide one and you should probably budget another $500 or so on one of the many reputable brands who will sell you something appropriate.

Once you’ve swallowed this particular pill, there’s a great deal to enjoy about the SL-1300G. It sounds an absolute treat in the right system – its ability to analyze, contextualize and generally peer deep into the grooves of your records in a hunt for information is remarkable. And it balances this attitude with a sort of thrillingly musical, thoroughly absorbing and effortless naturalistic stance that makes every listen as entertaining and engrossing as can be.

In fact, as long as you take a moment to ensure your system isn’t going to goad the Technics into overdoing the high frequencies – it’s right on the edge where treble sounds are concerned, and won’t take much of a push to tip it over – there’s really nothing of any significance to complain about.

One of the best turntables on the market? It's definitely in the conversation.

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Technics SL-1300G turntable review: price and release date

• $3,299 / £2,799 / AU$4,999
• Launched in September 2024

The Technics SL-1300G direct-drive turntable is on sale now, and in the United States it's priced at $3,299. In the United Kingdom it’s more like £2,799, while in Australia it costs AU$4,999.

Not cheap, is it? And it’s not the end of your spending, either – Technics doesn’t supply a cartridge. So what is it offering for what is quite a lot of money (with the need to spend a fair bit more)?

After all, it’s not as if you’re short of high-quality alternatives…

Technics SL-1300G turntable review: features

• 230mm S-shaped aluminum tonearm
• Twin-rotor ‘coreless’ direct drive motor
• Low-noise, high-speed switching power supply

For the feature-set of the SL-1300G, Technics has allowed itself to be influenced by a couple of the more widely acclaimed turntables of the last couple of years: its own SL-1200G and SL-1200GR2. After all, if it ain’t broke etc and so on…

The motor that turns the SL-1300G’s platter is a variation on the one fitted to the SL-1200G, a model that launched in 2018 with a $4,000-plus price-tag attached. It’s based on the ‘coreless’ direct drive principles Technics first introduced in 2016: by removing the motor’s iron core, rotational instability (‘cogging’, as it’s colloquially known) can be reduced to vanishing point. In this implementation, a twin-rotor design reduces rotational vibration and minimizes the load on the bearings too.

The SL-1300G uses the Delta Sigma (ΔΣ) motor control software and drive system from last year’s SL-1200GR2, finessed and optimized for this application. The company’s prowess where PWM (pulse width modulation) is brought to bear in an effort to minimize even minor rotational inaccuracies along with errors in the drive signal. Because if you can deliver smooth, consistent rotation, argues Technics, you deliver smooth, consistent sound.

Further measures have been taken to ensure mechanical and, by extension, sonic accuracy. The SL-1300G uses a low-noise switching circuit that makes the more common transformer power supply redundant, which in turns makes the requirement for vibration-suppressing technologies that transformers tend to require redundant, too. Any residual noise in this transformerless power supply is identified by ‘current injection’ technology that applies inverse phase current to eliminate it. This, suggests Technics, is more effective than the common or garden ‘regulator’ alternative.

On the outside, the SL-1300G uses a rigid and lightweight aluminum pipe tonearm – it’s your classic static-balance S-shape and is 230mm long before the headshell is fitted. Technics supplies a headshell, of course, but what is conspicuous by its absence is a cartridge. The company is prepared to go on, at length, about how this omission allows you to select your preferred cartridge free from its interference, but it seems to me that a sum of money like this spent on a turntable ought to buy you the cartridge the manufacturer thinks is most appropriate. And, what’s more, to find it pre-fitted to the headshell.

The tonearm is connected to the surface of the turntable via gimbal suspension with a high-precision bearing. There’s anti-skate adjustment, a multi-part counterweight, tonearm lock and tonearm lift all incorporated. Getting the signal from the tonearm and out to an amplifier occurs via a pair of gold-plated stereo RCA outputs recessed deep beneath the main body of the SL-1300G. Technics supplies a pair of absolutely bog-standard RCA cables more commonly associated with turntables costing about 10 per cent of the price of this one.

• Features score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Technics SL-1300G turntable review: Sound quality

• Notable clarity, detail and low-frequency presence
• Energetic and dynamic attitude
• As confident at the top end as it dares to be

Some record players have a very specific character or attitude, or a comfort zone out of which they are unwilling to tread. The Technics SL-1300G, it’s safe to say, is not one of those record players. There isn’t a style of music it sounds uncomfortable with – as far as attitude is concerned, “it’s all good” seems to cover it.

During the course of this review I listen to everything from a heavyweight reissue of Ladies and Gentlemen We are Floating in Space by Spiritualized to a ‘pre-loved’ (for which read ‘second-hand’) copy of The Strip Goes On by Orchester Werner Müller and many points in between, and at every turn the Technics covers every base. It’s a vibrant, energetic and engrossing performer, but it’s capable of forensic levels of analysis and insight at the same time.

Its frequency response, from the top of the range to the bottom, is smooth and even. Its overall tonality (with the mild exception of the top of the frequency range, which I’ll come to shortly) is neutral and natural. And its ability to allow music to just flow in the most confident and convincing manner is, even by the vaunted standards of the vinyl format, impressive in the extreme.

It digs deep and hits hard at the bottom of the frequency range, but both where control and insight are concerned it’s a spectacular performer. Bass sounds are solid and varied, with ample detail regarding tone and texture made available, while the SL-1300G controls the attack or decay of individual notes or hits with such purpose that rhythms are expressed in compelling fashion. It’s similarly accomplished in the midrange; there’s no fleeting detail that evades it, no secret of a singer’s technique or emotional state to which it’s not party. It communicates in absolute torrents, and in the most unforced and vivid manner – the balance it strikes between ‘analysis’ and ‘entertainment’ is outstanding.

Despite the significant levels of drive and attack it can summon, it never sounds stressed or uncontrolled. Though it can create a large and spacious soundstage, it presents music as a tightly unified whole, a singular event – the impression of performers operating in symphony, as opposed to a collection of individuals, is palpable.

Really, it’s only at the top of the frequency range that there are any noteworthy issues, and they can be mitigated without too much difficulty. The SL-1300G is a forthright and assertive performer where treble response is concerned, demonstrating as much confidence as is practical. Unlike the rest of the frequency range, though, the top end here is provokable – inserted into a system that’s similarly uninhibited where treble sounds are concerned, it’s possible that high frequencies could become a little edgy or strident.

So, a degree of system-matching is in order. The Technics won’t thank you for pairing it with speakers and/or amplification that share its high-end enthusiasm. Once you get over that particular hurdle, though, there’s nothing much else you need to do except sit back and revel in the sound this turntable produces.

• Sound quality score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Technics SL-1300G turntable review: Design

• Black or silver finish
• 173 x 453 x 372mm (HxWxD)
• 13kg

Broadly speaking, the SL-1300G looks like a record player. More specifically, it looks like a Technics turntable. Whether or not you think that’s a good thing is a matter of taste, but there’s no denying that the company’s turntables have a reasonably strong visual identity.

From top to bottom, there’s no mistaking the SL-1300G as the product of any other company. Its 173 x 453 x 372mm (HxWxD) includes a sturdy Perspex dust cover, and its two-part chassis stands on four equally sturdy, extremely pliant and frankly over-engineered silicone rubber insulators – because Technics deals in nothing as straightforward as ‘feet’, of course.

The chassis itself is a rigid and profoundly vibration-resistant construction. The base is made of bulk molding compound and is topped by a die-cast aluminum plate, and further vibration damping is achieved by reinforcing ribs deployed between the tonearm assembly and the motor.

As is usual with Technics turntables, the SL-1300G features a ‘power on/off’ button above a ‘start/stop’ button on the bottom left of the top plate. There are also a pair of speed-selection buttons for ‘33.3’ or ‘45’ – press them at the same time and your turntable will be able to turn at 78rpm.

All in, the SL-1300G weighs a chunky 13kg - and a full 3.6kg of this is accounted for by the platter. It’s a three-layer item, with an aluminum main body, a 2mm layer of brass across the top and a hefty quantity of deadening rubber covering the whole of the rear surface. It offers considerable vibration damping, impressive resonance rejection, smooth rotational stability and significant inertial mass. In essence, it’s the same as the platter fitted to the (appreciably more expensive) SL-1200G.

Every SL-1300G is balanced after it’s assembled – because if the weight distribution of the turntable is uneven, the rotation of the platter can cause noise and vibration. How do you know your SL-1300G has been balanced in the Technics factory before it’s packaged up? By the little ‘BALANCED’ sticker on the underside of the platter.

• Design score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Technics SL-1300G turntable review: usability and set-up

• Source and fit a cartridge
• Bin the supplied RCA cables in favor of something more appropriate
• Do the usual stuff regarding counterweight, anti-skate and so on

Unusually for the ‘usability and setup’ section, I’m going to have to talk about the need for you to spend yet more money. Because if you don’t, the SL-1300G is nothing more than an elaborate (and good-looking) doorstop.

If you want to get a sound out of your SL-1300G, you’ll need to research, source, purchase and fit an appropriate cartridge. I’d suggest something in the region of $500 will buy you something that will do this record player some justice. Cartridge fitting and setup are among the most fiddly things you can do (in life, let alone in the context of your audio system), so try to be patient. And then when you’ve done that, you really should consider binning the freebie RCA interconnects Technics so graciously supplies in favor of something that’s actually up to the job.

Once that’s done, though, usability is a doddle. The direct drive motor gets the platter up to speed in well under a second, and the tonearm lift operates with precision. ‘Putting a record on’ has never been any less painful than it is here.

• Usability and setup score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Technics SL-1300G review: Value

• Superb build quality and materials
• Real longevity
• But you have to spend even more money to get it working

It depends how you look at it, I suppose. In terms of engineering prowess, the quality of materials and the way they’re put together, in terms of longevity and simple pride of ownership, the Technics SL-1300G represents very good value indeed. And that’s before you factor in the many admirable aspects of the way it sounds.

But given that this record player doesn’t actually function until you’ve spent quite a lot more money on a cartridge, plus a fair few bucks upgrading the cables connecting it to your amplifier, it’s perhaps not the cast-iron value for money it at first appears…

• Value score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)Should I buy the Technics SL-1300G?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Twin-rotor ‘coreless’ direct drive motor reduces rotational vibration and minimizes load; high-precision aluminum tonearm.

5/5

Sound quality

Notably clear and detailed; energetic and dynamic; confident at the top end.

4/5

Design

Gorgeous styling and perfectly balanced out of the factory. What's not to like?

5/5

Usability and setup

No cartridge supplied is a problem; RCA cables could also do with changing.

4/5

Value

High-quality materials and finish, but having to pay even more on top of a hefty price tag grates.

4/5

Buy it if...

You admire uncompromizing engineering
The engineering rigor that’s been brought to bear here is almost enough to make you want an SL-1300G before you hear what it can do.

You’re in any way careless
It’s not difficult to damage a stylus, of course, but you’ll have to go some if you want to damage any other part of this Technics.

You like sound quality that’s big on both insight and entertainment
The SL-1300G’s ability to pore over your records in the hunt for information at the same time as sounding uncomplicatedly musical never gets old.

Don't buy it if...

You’d like Technics to select (and fit) the most appropriate cartridge
I really don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect your $3,299 turntable to come with an optimized cartridge pre-fitted to the headshell.

Your system is treble-happy to start with
As part of an unsympathetically toppy system, the SL-1300G will only exacerbate things where treble response is concerned.

Technics SL-1300G review: also consider

Cambridge Audio Alva TT v2
For approximately half the price of the Technics SL-1300G you can buy a direct drive turntable with a switchable pre-amp and pre-fitted cartridge, and that can wireless transmit an aptX HD Bluetooth signal to any wireless receiver – yep, it’s the Cambridge Audio Alva TT v2, and these days it represents corking value for money.
Read the full Cambridge Audio Alva TT v2 review.

Rega Planar 10
Or you could go to the other extreme and drop $5,999 on a Rega Planar 10 with Alpheta 3 cartridge. It’s a fully manual belt-driven design that makes almost as big a deal of what it leaves out as it does the stuff it includes but, when it comes to sonic fidelity and veracity, nothing else at anything like the price can touch it.

How I tested the Technics SL-1300G

(Image credit: Future / Simon Lucas)

• Tested over the course of one week
• Listening to various types of music

I connected the Technics SL-1300G up to my home system using the supplied RGA cables. Then, I spent well over a working week listening to as many different types of music as I could, of many different genres, and varying qualities of pressing to give the SL-1300G as much of a workout as I could. And, to be honest, I enjoyed doing it.

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

Two weeks ago, I had a minor interest in the new game from Embark Studios. Fast forward to the middle of November, and Arc Raiders has quickly become one of my favorite multiplayer experiences ever.

That might sound like hyperbole, but this excellently crafted world with near-perfect sound design, very fun action, and the ability to make every moment feel like a movie has truly elevated Arc Raiders as one of the best PS5 games.

Review info

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

2025 is one of the best years for video game releases in recent memory, from incredibly thought-provoking and beautiful experiences like Sandfall Interactive’s Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, the gorgeous hand-crafted world of Team Cherry’s Hollow Knight: Silksong, or the chaotic fun of Donkey Kong Bananza.

In a year where it’s almost impossible to select a shortlist for Game of the Year at the upcoming Game Awards, I’m absolutely shocked to say that an extraction shooter stands above the rest, and truly warrants your attention.

A world worth climbing up to

If you’ve not heard of Arc Raiders yet, it’s a new multiplayer PvPvE (player versus player versus environment) game from the developers of the hugely popular game-show style first-person shooter, The Finals.

On paper, Arc Raiders is an extraction shooter, an increasingly popular video game genre pioneered by titles like Escape from Tarkov and Hunt: Showdown. The difference is that, while extraction shooters pride themselves on unforgiving gameplay (die and you lose everything you’ve looted during your session), Arc Raiders captures the widespread appeal and console player base that few, if any, of the genre have been able to.

(Image credit: Embark)

The premise is simple: Earth has fallen to an alien mechanical force called the Arc, pushing humanity underground. As a raider, you need to venture “Topside” to salvage materials amongst rusted towns and shattered highways, and lands inhabited by very dangerous drone-esque robots.

Arc Raiders thrives in its atmosphere. I’ve been playing the game on PS5 Pro in my living room with a soundbar and on my gaming PC connected to open-ear headphones; in both environments, the game grabs all my attention - the world design is just absolutely ace.

Whether you’re hearing other players get attacked by drones across the map, the sound of car alarms going off in the near distance, or slowly crouching through claustrophobic corridors, Arc Raiders makes you feel part of the world, and because of that, the last thing you want to do is die.

(Image credit: Embark)It’s ok to be alone

(Image credit: Embark)

My biggest worry with online multiplayer games is feeling excluded because, as I grow older, I have fewer and fewer friends who want to team up after a long day at work for some intense online shooter action. In fact, the older I get, the more I avoid multiplayer games altogether, opting for tranquility and emotional connection with story-driven games instead of the thrill from explosions and gunshots.

But Arc Raiders is different; it tries to match solo players with other solo adventurers, and the instilled fear from the AI means other players are often more valuable alive than if you were to choose to kill them. On my first adventure as a solo raider, I experienced the magic of the game and instantly knew I would fall in love with it.

Crawling around corners in Dam Battlegrounds, one of the four maps at launch (each has different events that cycle throughout the day, and evening raids that make things feel more like a horror movie than a heist adventure), I could hear players conversing through the game’s proximity chat.

As soon as I popped my head out, one guy screamed, “FRIENDLY? ARE YOU FRIENDLY?” I paused, frantically looked for the button to toggle my microphone, and just before he started to shoot, I screamed back, “DON’T SHOOT, I’M NICE”.

(Image credit: Embark)

Both players, who had just met each other in the game mere minutes before I arrived, were super friendly, insisting we team up and help each other find rare weapons and other essential materials to kick-start our Arc Raiders journey.

As we breached containers, opened lockers, and fought enemies ranging from robotic spiders to loud Snitches that alert other Arc to your location, we stumbled on a fourth player. “FRIENDLY? ARE YOU FRIENDLY?” my newfound friend screamed again. No sound, but the player standing in front of us, like a criminal on trial, nodded their head and started to jump on the spot.

Best bit

(Image credit: Embark Studios)

Arc Raiders social interactions are complex and often intense, but sometimes you spend time wandering the world with a complete stranger for no other reason than to protect each other - it's social multiplayer at its finest.

In the midst of the commotion, the other player we’d been exploring with unmuted their mic and said “NO VOICE? NO LIKE!” and started spraying bullets into the mute custodian. In a split second, I had decided I wanted to instill humanity and fairness into my Arc Raiders experience and gunned down my comrade, protecting the microphone-less player and choosing fairness over all.

My friend turned foe said, “I didn’t hear them speak, but I’ll die a warrior’s death. I love you all, goodbye.” In that moment, I punched them in the face, knocking them out for good, and I never played with them again. If any moment needed to convince me that Arc Raiders was special, it was that, and from there I made sure to tell every single one of my friends to fork out the cash and join me Topside.

The best heist movie ever. Every single time

The best thing about the anecdote I just shared is that if you were to ask any one of the 4 million plus people who have purchased and played Arc Raiders for a similar moment, they’ll all have their own stories.

From dancing in a group, being betrayed by your best friend you only met for the first time 23 minutes ago, or crawling to an extraction point to make it back to safety with your last dying breath, every single time you play Arc Raiders, there’s a new plotline and new chapter added to the story.

Arc Raiders is one of those special moments in multiplayer video game history. It feels like the Fortnite moment for extraction shooters, where a more accessible product captures the hearts of a mainstream audience, and we all start to wonder how we managed without it.

Back in 2017, Fortnite took over the world, and for many, many people, we all remember the first time experiencing the cartoon battle royale. Whether you love or hate Fortnite, its impact cannot be understated, but before its existence, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds was already offering an excellent battle royale experience.

The same could be said for Arc Raiders, while other extraction shooters offer more intense combat, more unforgiving repercussions, and a higher skill level, none provide the polished experience that Embark has created here. Many of my friends who are casual gamers or even those, like me, who love video games but are sick and tired of online multiplayer, have all fallen in love with Arc Raiders. And, best of all, every single one has a blast playing solo or in a squad.

You don’t need friends who play video games to get the most out of Arc Raiders, if anything, the most impactful moments I’ve experienced have come from solo play, from meeting random looters and teaming up, from fighting dangerous robots, and from getting betrayed by the people who claim their friendly but rob your dead body after attacking when you least expect it.

(Image credit: Embark)

Arc Raiders has well and truly rekindled my love for multiplayer video games, and after 60 hours, I’m still itching to play more. The gameplay loop just hits the spot; you don’t want to die, but you want to take the risk for the big reward. Rinse and repeat.

If you’ve not played Arc Raiders yet, this review is your sign to get on board. Embark is a studio that listens and respects its players, and because of this, there’s a thriving community growing around this game.

Arc Raiders will get even better with time, and Embark has promised years of content updates to keep the gameplay fresh. After the beta, I wasn’t sold, purely because extraction shooters need to make a player fear the loss of equipment, and with the knowledge that nothing would carry over to the main game, I kind of just didn’t care. That said, after playing the full game for two weeks, Arc Raiders is now my vote for 2025’s game of the year, and I’m honestly shocked that I’m even thinking that.

2025 will go down as one of the best years ever for video games, and what better way to cap it off than with a multiplayer game for the ages, engulfing what made us fall in love with gaming in the first place: The ability to capture our imaginations.

Should you play Arc Raiders?Play it if...

You've been craving a new online multiplayer experience
Arc Raiders offers one of the most unique multiplayer experiences I've ever played, and as someone who's been waiting for a game to capture my attention, Arc Raiders truly fits the bill.

You love great atmosphere
The world feels lived in, strange, and dangerous. The sound design alone is worth the price of admission, turning every abandoned highway and rusted rooftop into a set piece that keeps you on edge.

You want a game with a long future
Embark has committed to ongoing support, new content, and community-driven updates. If you like jumping into a game at the start of something bigger, now is the time.

Don't play it if...

You hate PvPvE tension
Even if Arc Raiders is approachable, the constant push and pull between AI enemies and human players won’t appeal to anyone who prefers to explore in peace. The world is always out to get you; this is no cozy game.

You struggle with high-stakes loops
Extraction shooters naturally create stress. Losing your gear can sting, especially if that final sprint to safety goes wrong. If you prefer to switch your brain off and play without pressure, this might feel too intense.

Accessibility

Arc Raiders is filled with accessibility features to set the game up exactly as you want it. With multiple control schemes and basic controller remapping, there are different ways to play depending on your needs and preferences. You're able to change your gun's crosshair and color to make sure that you get the best experience for your needs.

Voice chat is quite an important aspect of Arc Raiders; however, if you don't want people to hear you speak, you can opt to mask your voice using one of Embark's AI-powered filters. There are also options for multiple text sizes as well as options to help those who are colorblind.

How I reviewed Arc Raiders

I played over 60 hours of Arc Raiders on PS5 Pro connected to my Samsung S90D, one of the best OLED TVs, as well as on an Nvidia RTX 5090-powered gaming PC connected to a Samsung OLED gaming monitor. Both experiences have been truly excellent, with near-perfect performance regardless of your hardware. Graphical fidelity and frame rate are the only differences I noticed when playing on my high-end rig, but I didn't feel like the PS5 version was a slouch by any means.

I tested Arc Raiders solo, with a friend, and in a group of three. At launch, I had some very minor disconnection issues, but this appears to be fully rectified at the time of writing. I used the microphone on the PS5 DualSense Controller as well as my Sennheiser HD490 Pro open-ear headphones connected to a Fosi K7 DAC.

I've played a whole host of multiplayer shooters over the years. While I'm a novice to extraction shooter video games, I've done my research and watched lots of gameplay to understand the genre.

First reviewed November 2025

Harkening back to the golden age of the eerie indie horror boom in the mid-2010s, Little Nightmares 3 is a puzzle platforming adventure that sees one of the era’s most successful franchises return to our screens, but this time under new management.

Although the first two games were developed by Tarsier Studios, Little Nightmares 3 is the first to be developed by Supermassive Games instead, and it unfortunately shows. Finding your footing with a new IP is one thing, but building on one with a dedicated following makes for a challenge that Supermassive just couldn’t face.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Xbox Series S
Available on: PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X and Series S, PC, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: October 10, 2025

The tell-tale sign is how similar Little Nightmares 3 is to its predecessors, and in that it lacks originality. Puzzles are repetitive and often overly simplistic, and many of the mechanics added to the game feel underutilized and can even affect the pacing. That’s especially true if you’re playing single player.

Rather than any true innovation, Little Nightmares 3 is Supermassive adding co-op, dusting off its hands, and serving you an uninventive, repetitive rehash of the older games.

This sounds harsh, but there is still some good in what’s been taken from the previous entries; it’s still plenty atmospheric, delivering gorgeously haunting visuals and sound design, as well as some great (albeit sparingly few) moments of tension and excitement. It just lacks a lot of the same creativity and represents a missed opportunity to do something new.

On the road to nowhere

(Image credit: Supermassive Games)

Little Nightmares 3 has players plunging once again into the gloomy liminal space between sleeping and waking, this time with two new protagonists: Low and Alone. These two can be played in online co-op (though frustratingly, not local co-op), or you can pick one of the two to lead through the adventure solo.

But what does this look like in practice? In short, a lot of running, climbing, and unending tunnels to crawl through. At times, Little Nightmares 3 can be likened to a trick question in a school exam. Puzzles are broadly pretty easy and repetitive, and there were several times I was entirely stuck just because I was looking for more complicated answers to my problems.

Once in a while, that’s fine; and many games cleverly play on that experience, but here it just feels lazy and uninspired. Very few moments offer any real challenge, and while I’ve never found Little Nightmares puzzles particularly difficult, it takes the first three of the game’s four acts before a puzzle genuinely makes me stop to think.

Best bit

(Image credit: Supermassive Games)

Little Nightmares 3 finds its footing as it enters its final chapter. Here, puzzles feel narrative-driven, and particularly I enjoyed the time-hopping that allows you to see The Institute in its former glory.

It’s especially frustrating that it takes so long to bring the heat, given how short the game is, too. With only four acts and the first two feeling especially brief, I’d have hoped to see as many rooms as possible brimming with obstacles, scares, and action, but the vast majority just involve pushing and or mounting a box, pulling a switch, or opening a hatch and pootling along to the next room for more of the same.

This slow pace is doubly frustrating in single-player mode, wherein you spend a fair chunk of time waiting for your companion to catch up and join you in moving an otherwise impassable object or trying to figure out if you need to command them to interact with their weapon to progress.

Low and Alone are also armed with a bow and arrow and a wrench, respectively, with which the heroes must navigate through the treacherous landscape of the Nowhere, avoiding and defeating enemies to find the mirror portal and escape the nightmare. The game doesn’t really utilize these tools particularly well; every now and then, Low will need to smash through a doorway or Alone will shoot down something suspended mid-air by a rope, or there’ll be a short combat sequence where the greatest challenge is working around the game’s depth of field to nail the enemy.

Alone in the world

(Image credit: Supermassive Games)

While navigating levels often errs on tedium, there’s certainly plenty to look at. This goes a great length to increase the appeal of the game, but if you’re here for great scares, you might be disappointed. Again, that’s something that gets better as the game continues, with enemies becoming progressively more creatively creepy.

The bond between Low and Alone is another highlight, though it’s a fairly low bar. Their wordless, evolving companionship through the nether opens new avenues for gesture and emotion, and puts its individual stamp on the franchise. It takes a while to flourish, though – by which I mean there’s next to no story development or emotional tension between the two until the final chapter.

In a game this short that reduces the impact of the intended gut-punch ending, which fell quite flat for me when compared to Little Nightmares 2’s diabolical ending.

(Image credit: Supermassive Games)

As far as world-building and narrative go, Little Nightmares 3 would have done well to lean more on its predecessors. It makes total sense for Supermassive to err on the side of caution when it comes to the established lore, but when there’s just so much great material to build on, and next to none of it connects with Low and Alone’s adventure, barring some Easter eggs here and there.

The biggest let-down for me, however, is certainly the enemies and bosses. Part of what made enemies in older games feel so haunting was that these surpassed childlike imagination; well-realized and challenging horrors we’d hope no child would ever dream of. In Little Nightmares 3, they feel much more derivative; a giant, decrepit baby doll, a miserly old hag with extra arms to grab you with, a ventriloquist, and a giant facility manager don’t exactly scream “otherworldly horror” to me.

Overall, there’s enough to like about Little Nightmares 3 to recommend it to the casual player, and if you missed the first two, it’s no bad way to be introduced to the core concepts underpinning the franchise. If, however, you’re a big fan like me and want something that evolves upon Tarsier’s hard work, you’ll find it difficult to settle in. It’s by no means a bad game; it’s just not a great one.

Should you play Little Nightmares 3?Play it if...

You want a co-op adventure
Introducing co-op mechanics makes the game a whole lot more playable, and while not utilized to its full potential, there’s plenty of fun to be had.

You like the Little Nightmares aesthetic
Little Nightmares 3 broadly captures the look and feel of the previous games, so if atmospheric spookiness is your priority, you’ll have a lot of fun with this sequel.

Don’t play it if…

You like a good puzzle
Puzzles in Little Nightmares 3 aren’t terribly challenging or inventive, especially once you figure out the basic formulas from earlier levels.

You want the true next chapter to Little Nightmares
Low and Alone’s adventure is an entirely different narrative thread to Mono and Six, the protagonists from the last two games.

Accessibility features

There’s decent coverage for accessibility needs in Little Nightmares 3; from configurable controls to highlight toggles for characters and interactive elements.

There are also separate volume sliders for sound effects, music, playable characters and enemies, toggles for color-blind mode, axis inversion, camera shake and also indicators for when a character is off-screen.

How I reviewed Little Nightmares 3

I played the game to completion (circa. 8 hours) playing on my Xbox Series S with an Xbox Wireless Controller. I tested it using standard settings on my Sony KD-49XH8096 TV using Logitech Multimedia Z200 speakers.

When playing Little Nightmares 3, I compared my experience not only to the former two titles but also to other puzzle platform horror games like Limbo and Inside.

First reviewed November 2025

CMF Headphone Pro: two-minute review

Anyone familiar with Nothing and/or its affordable sub-brand CMF (often written as "CMF by Nothing", but the company has seemingly dropped the last two words of its traditional moniker for this particular product) knows that a normal-looking set of headphones was never going to be on the brand's bingo card.

And true to form, the CMF Headphone Pro neither look normal nor behave normally for the level – and I mean that in a good way. They're modular, with the option of buying extra ear pads if you want an even more striking look (pistachio with orange, anyone?) and there are three thoroughly abnormal on-ear controls, too, including an 'Energy Slider', an excellent 'Multi-function roller' and an 'Action button'. All of which I'll get into later.

How's the sound? Actually, really good for the level – easily as detailed, nuanced and energetic enough to skip to the top of our best cheap headphones guide. And while they won't compete with the more flagship models in our best headphones roundup for neutrality or audiophile-grade insight (and the noise nixing won't challenge pricier sets from Bose, Cambridge or Apple in our best noise-cancelling headphones list), there's clarity, a great circumaural delivery, two types of spatial audio, LDAC and hi-res wired connectivity.

And all of this means I can't – nay, won't! – pick too much fault for the money, especially when I've compared them to Nothing's original Headphone (1) and actually preferred the audio in the newer cans…

(Image credit: Future)

Oh, and that's before I get granular on the fact that the CMF Headphone Pro include one of the most detailed hearing tests of any set of cans I've ever tried at the level, which the headphones use to create a remarkable personal profile for your listening. It's something I thoroughly recommend you take soon after buying them.

OK, your EQ is limited to three tabs if you want to create a preset yourself, you don't get a hard-shell case (or even a USB-C charger) in the box and the 'Energy Slider' feels a little surplus to requirements when they're a bit bassy to begin with (although some will love it – particularly grime and drum 'n' bass fans). But the battery life is nothing short of excellent for the money and for me, the sound quality more than atones for these minor drawbacks.

All in all, you could do so much worse for $99 / £79 – and having seen a few healthy discounts already, I find myself recommending them even more urgently…

(Image credit: Future)CMF Headphone Pro review: price & release date

• $99 / £79 / AU$179
• Launched on September 29, 2025

The CMF Headphone Pro launched on September 29, 2025, with a list price of $99 / £79 / AU$179, but in the UK I've already seen them discounted to £49 (at the time of writing, Black Friday approaches). This is huge because for that money you won't regret this purchase, I assure you.

At their regular list price, the CMF Pro Headphone's closest competition is likely the 2024 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 at $89 / £99 / AU$130, which also boast a great battery life and perhaps edge it for ANC efficacy, but the build is a tad flimsier, including the buttons. Also the 1More's app is neither as seamless or enjoyable and to be honest, the design doesn't exactly wow me – not like the CMF Headphone Pro's does, anyway.

Meanwhile, Nothing's own flagship Nothing Headphone (1) launched on July 15, 2025 with asking fees of $299 / £299 / AU$549 – ie. at least triple the price of the CMF Headphone Pro, depending on where you're buying. So, you know, food for thought there…

CMF Headphone Pro review: Specs

Drivers

40mm (nickel-plated diaphragms; 16.5 mm copper voice coil; dual chamber design)

Active noise cancellation

Yes (low; mid; high; adaptive)

Battery life

50 hours ANC on; 100 hours ANC off

Weight

283g

Connectivity

LDAC, AAC, 3.5mm - 3.5mm hi-res certified

Frequency range

20Hz-20kHz

Waterproofing

None

(Image credit: Future)CMF Headphone Pro review: features

• Excellent Personal Sound curation
• Class-leading battery life
• Premium-feel companion app

Here's the thing with the CMF Headphone Pro: they surprise you at every turn. The Nothing X companion app is slick, chic and helpful. Make no mistake, the experience here is thoroughly Nothing, which is to say that it still feels premium, rather than budget-grade.

The excellent hearing test software – which takes roughly three minutes and involves struggling to listen to ever-quieter tones piped first into your left ear, then your right – creates a graph of your hearing in each ear, then one of the best Personal profiles I've had the pleasure of testing at this level.

Aside from support for the more hifalutin LDAC Bluetooth codec, the CMF Headphone Pro also offer wired 3.5mm Hi-Res certified listening, albeit only when they're powered on, rather than passively. I hooked them up to my FiiO M15S (which is a fair bit smaller than the FiiO M23 player) and Teenage Fanclub's Satan was every bit as jagged, petulant and angsty through the ragged intro as I could've wished for, even at 45 per cent volume.

There's a dual connection toggle in the app which essentially means multipoint is on the menu and why you'd ever toggle it off I don't know – it becomes essential very quickly for chopping and changing between music from my phone and team meetings on my laptop.

(Image credit: CMF)

Also here in the Nothing X app, you'll find noise cancellation in low, mid, high, adaptive and off increments, as well as a transparency option. The transparency profile in particular is very good, augmenting nearby voices in a useful way and without making frequencies within my music go tinny and unpleasant.

The ANC is fine rather than fantastic at dulling extraneous noise (the claim is up to 40 dB noise reduction, although that feels optimistic to me), but it does so without upsetting my music's timbre and detail. Ultimately I'd rather have it than not, which is not something I say about all budget noise-nixing software and at this level that's more than good enough. Serious, weapons-grade active noise cancellation really does still require climbing further up the food chain, because I've yet to find anything for this money that offers Bose-grade ANC. OK? OK, good to make that clear.

While I'm on the subject of mics (because these are imperative for the aforementioned ANC), the Headphone Pro come with three of the what Nothing calls "HD microphones" and with that same metallic wind-resistant mesh around each of them, they do look almost identical to those on the Nothing Headphone (1). Aside from ANC, these mics provide Clear Voice Technology in a bid to keep your voice sharp in calls. Now, I've been told my dulcet tones were indeed audible and clear in calls, but perhaps because the cups are quite big and the padding so ample, passive isolation is also good to the point that I could barely hear my own voice when talking. There's no sidetone-adjacent tech to boost your own speech either. Would I expect that at this level? No, but it's my job to point it out as a very minor issue.

Elsewhere, there are two flavors of device- and streaming service-agnostic spatial audio: cinema mode or concert mode. Cinema mode broadens the soundstage a touch, for clear dialog and decent pew-pew bullet effects in movies; concert mode is all about plonking you in the middle of a concert. Neither offers a dynamic, head-tracked presentation with your phone as the source device, mind, but I still enjoyed concert mode for lowering me into the melee a touch more.

• Features score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future)CMF Headphone Pro review: sound quality

• Punchy, expressive and zealous – a true circumaural listen
• Nuance and detail with both wired and LDAC listening
• Limited in-app EQ options; energy slider gives mixed results

I'll talk a lot about the energy slider to amp up the treble and bass in the 'design' section of this review, below (since this unusual button is a key part of the headphones' design) but know this: if you want the most detailed, layered, unadulterated sound, you should probably leave this kind of tinkering alone.

There's a low lag toggle in the app to minimize issues when watching content, but I keep that off to test the sound over LDAC. And here, Billie Eilish's WILDFLOWER is emotive, textured, layered and underpinned by inky-deep and resonant keys.

Uh Oh by Tate McRae is a great test of the CMF Headphone Pro's bass impact and, let me tell you, if you like to feel a beat in your molars, these headphones can oblige. It's a head-nodding, cohesive mix with snap and crisp leading edges of notes, particularly through those zealous bass registers.

Switching to Girls Like You by Maroon 5 and I hear the intentional blurring of the axe in the intro, with Adam Levine's vocal upfront, up-close and central in an expansive and exciting soundstage. It’s Amazing to Be Young by Fontaines D.C. is a similar story – and here I perceive treble elements in the intro that lesser headphones can’t reach, along with oft-overlooked happier inflections is Grian Chatten's voice.

(Image credit: Future)

It's an emotive mix overall, but Nothing has just about stayed on the right side of faithful here, rather than succumbing to parlor tricks to get you in the feels – unless you want to deploy those with the slider. Every Other Freckle by alt-J is a good one to to prove this. I really get the sense that Joe Newman wants every other freckle, even at 50 per cent volume, with certain lines (like ‘let me be the wallpaper that papers up your room’) jumping out more readily in what is a highly complex track.

Did I listen against the original Headphone (1)? I did. And while the presentation is a touch more neutral in the inaugural (and much more expensive) product, I did feel that the CMF opens the audio out just a touch more. It's also a more full-throttle listen to boot.

Could the CMF Headphone Pro offer even more detail – even more nuance through the rise and fall of each musical passage? Yes, of course, but if the ultimate in audiophile sound quality had been achieved for this money we could all go home. There are compromises in terms of true neutrality and an ounce or two of clarity here and there over much pricier options. But know this: for the money, these headphones sound a lot better than I expected.

• Sound quality score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future)CMF Headphone Pro review: design

• Nothing isn't afraid to be different – but no cassettes on your ears here
• Extension arms are silent; comfort is good
• On-ear controls work well, but the Energy Slider is a tad gimmicky

If you'd asked me to sketch what I thought a set of headphones made by Nothing's budget sub-brand CMF should look like, I can confidently tell you that I would not have drawn the CMF Headphone Pro.

Where the CMF Buds Pro 2 are all angular lines, slightly odd circle and grid motifs, brushed matte plastic (available in dark gray, blue, or red and with a silver rotary dial in the corner of the case), the CMF Headphone Pro come in totally different light green, light gray or darker gray glossy finishes with a resoundingly cushioned, polyurethane synthetic leather and memory foam build across the headband and ear pads.

My review sample is giving two tubs of pistachio ice cream and, for me, the build quality is rock solid for the level. The band is comfortable over the crown of my head, extends silently and offers decent clamping force without ever hurting. The ear cups are generously padded and rotate to lie flat (although they don't concertina up into the band for easier storage) and the buttons are not at all flimsy.

So let's explain what's going on with those, shall we? On the left ear cup, in between two mics you'll find power/pairing, your 3.5mm in and an 'Energy Slider'. The function of this solid little slider can be switched between 'Bass Tuning' and 'Treble Tuning' in the Nothing X app.

I cue up Kehlani's Folded to toy with the bass slider and ramping things up does augment the low end, albeit to the point of marginal bloating – but hey, it's a way of replicating that authentic 'standing just a little too close to a big (possibly blown?) sub at a gig' feel. Switching to the treble option and the track does sound a little too sweet and even tinny when moving the slider through its range, but then I know from various hearing tests that my own ear hones in on treble frequencies in most mixes. Having been on the fence about all of this for a week or so, I've decided that it does add novelty and for some grime tracks it might be a winner.

(Image credit: Future)

On the right ear cup and above the USB-C port, there's a little circular button with a red dot at the center. In the X app, this is simply called 'Button' and your options here are a single press or long press. A single press can handle voice assistant access, noise control, spatial audio profiles or even switch the mics on or off (there's another on this ear cup). A long press? That can perform any function from this same menu.

But above this is where I think Nothing has really knocked it out the park, because this brings me to the 'Roller' in the controls menu. And as well as being able to roll this to quickly tweak the volume (seems like a small thing but really isn't – especially when you're on the go) you can press and hold it to scroll through noise-cancellation profiles, single press it to pause and resume playback or answer/hang up on calls, double press to skip a track or triple press to go back.

There's no IP rating for rain or dust ingress, which isn't unusual at the level (or even a rung higher up) but because you also only get a simple fabric bag for transportation, you might want to think carefully about taking these out in the rain.

One other thing: you get a 3.5mm cable in the box, but no USB-C charger cable – much less an actual wall plug for it. In 2025, you almost certainly have one of these already in the wings, waiting for the job, but if you were hoping for an extra (or one in the CMF Headphone Pro's winsome pistachio green, say), you'll be disappointed.

• Design score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Future)CMF Headphone Pro review: value

• An excellent all-round budget package
• No charger or hard-shell case – but these are minor omissions
• As a sound-per-pound proposition, there's top value here

I mean look, for this money I struggle to argue with even basic headphones, provided they sound good for the level. But the CMF Headphone Pro are not basic headphones – just see the hearing test software and extra on-ear controls for that. They're a lot better than basic and a lot better than their fee suggests.

Market saturation does of course drive pricing and here, that's very good for us.

OK, those wanting bubble-of-silence ANC will not find their ideal set of cheap headphones here (the ANC is adequate, it just isn't shutting out the entire world), but those wanting zealous, bass-blasting sound and/or a quirky design that actually is not a case of style over substance just found a great inexpensive option to step out with.

• Value score: 4.5/5

Should I buy the CMF Headphone Pro?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Excellent battery life, LDAC, top-tier app, adequate ANC

4.5/5

Sound quality

Big bass energy and commendable detail, with phenomenal hearing tests for the level

4.5/5

Design

Finessed, yet unusual – even among CMF by Nothing's other audio gear. You love to see it.

4.5/5

Value

Great audio, incomparable design, OK ANC, amazing battery life and a super-low price.

4.5/5

Buy them if…

You’re after a budget buy – but with good sound
With a list price of $99 / £79 / AU$179, but dropping even as I type, CMF by Nothing has aimed these headphones squarely at the budget market and priced them to sell out quickly. And given the audio quality and hearing test software to create a profile just for your ears, you won't find me suggesting you don't buy them…

You love on-ear whistles and bells
I actually really enjoyed playing with the various sliders and rollers on the CMF Headphone Pro – and while they're not exactly a gateway audiophile-grade sonic clarity, they do mean you can tweak the volume easily without grabbing your oh-so-pinchable phone, on the commute.

You like to style your own way
These headphones are not the same as the swathes of Sony dupes out there in the budget sector. And if a striking mint-or-pistachio green hue isn't enough for you, CMF sells alternate ear cups in a striking orange color for a nominal fee ($25 or £19). Mint!

Don’t buy them if…

You want bubble-of-silence ANC
The CMF Headphone Pro's solution is acceptable for the money, but it won't nix jet-engine noise on your next long-haul flight. For that, though, you'll need to climb the ranks a little, with something like the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones (2nd Gen) or the Apple AirPods Max. And by "climb the ranks", I mean that there'll be a surcharge.

You want auto-off when you remove them
No dice here, sadly, but it's perhaps the one area where they're lacking in terms of features I'd hoped to see.

You need to hear your own voice in calls
Certain pricier cans offer tech called 'sidetone' or similar, to pipe the sound of your own voice into your ears as you converse on calls. The CMF Headphone Pro don't have this, but the good news is that it's only an issue when the passive isolation is as good as it is in these headphones… 

(Image credit: Future)CMF Headphone Pro review: also consider

CMF Headphone Pro

1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51

Earfun Wave Pro

Sony WH-CH720N

Price

$99 / £79 / AU$179

$89 / £99 / AU$130

$79.99 / £79.99 (about AU$13)

$149 / £99 / AU$259

Drivers

40mm (nickel-plated diaphragms; 16.5 mm copper voice coil; dual chamber design)

40mm dynamic

40mm dynamic

30mm dynamic

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Battery life

50 hours ANC on; 100 hours ANC off

65 hours ANC on; 100 hours ANC off

55 hours ANC on; 80 hours ANC off

35 hours ANC on; 50 hours ANC off

Weight

283g

246g

268g

192g

Connectivity

Bluetooth version not stated; LDAC, 3.5mm

Bluetooth 5.4, 3.5mm

Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm

Bluetooth 5.2, 3.5mm

Frequency range

20Hz-20kHz

20Hz-40kHz

20Hz-40kHz

7Hz-20kHz

Waterproofing

None

None

None

None

1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51
Head over to our best headphones guide and our pick of the budget cans is the product you see written in bold, above this sentence. They're a bit normal, looks-wise, but after that there's nothing average about their performance – including the stamina. The ANC probably just edges it over the CMF Headphone Pro, too, although the build quality and companion app don't feel as good. Read our full 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review to learn more.

Earfun Wave Pro
For quite some time, the Earfun Wave Pro also held the title of best budget option in our guide to the best over-ear headphones – and it’s not difficult to see why. Think similarly stupendous battery life, above-average sound and a neat design, all at a temptingly low price. Not into the quirky aesthetic of the CMF Headphone Pro? Read our full Earfun Wave Pro review.

CMF Headphone Pro review: How I tested

• Tested for four weeks
• Used at home, on the Eurostar to Paris, at the (blustery) beach
• Predominantly tested using Tidal and Apple Music, or wired to my FiiO DAP

I tested the CMF Headphone Pro over a period of four weeks, using my MacBook Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max and LDAC-toting FiiO M15S as source devices.

I listened to everything from my heavy rotation Three Bean Salad podcast on a long walk on Weymouth's blustery beach, to Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska '82 Outtakes on the Eurostar train to Paris from London. I listened in both wired and wireless modes and found much to celebrate in terms of audio chops across the frequencies and energy.

I maxed out the battery and got 49.5 hours from them using ANC too – which, given their 50-hour claim at 50 per cent volume is no meat feat.

I've been testing audio products full time since 2019, first on TechRadar's sister publication What Hi-Fi? as a lowly Staff Writer, then Senior Staff Writer at TechRadar and, since early 2024, Audio Editor (hey, career progression is gradual sometimes in journalism… and that's fine when you've got music).

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

EDITOR'S NOTES:

Vista has now partnered with Wix to offer a more comprehensive (but still free) website building experience for it's users. To learn more about Wix you can read our full Wix review.

Vistaprint is a popular brand best known for its custom printing products: business cards, calendars, invitations, posters, photo gifts, t-shirts and more. The company also provides some interesting digital services, including what it hopes is one of the best website builder platforms to enable anyone to quickly create their own professional website.  

Vistaprint is designed to help anyone build a simple website and maintains all the basics you need: a drag-and-drop editor, unlimited pages, support for all the regular content types (text, images, videos, maps, contact forms, menus, more), and responsive templates to ensure your site looks good on all device types. 

There's an unusual plus for anyone who already uses Vistaprint to produce other business products. The website builder can access images or logos you've previously uploaded, making it simple to coordinate the website with any other marketing materials.  

Here's a snapshot of Vistaprint's plans and prices (Image credit: Vistaprint)Plans and pricing 

Vistaprint has three main plans available, all of which you must pay for. You can test any of the plans free for up to 30 days, but after that you’ll need to choose a plan and start paying either by month or by year. All plans are cheaper when purchased annually. 

The Get Personal plan costs $2.81 per month when you sign up for the yearly plan. It includes access to a Vistaprint subdomain, free stock images in the library, an SSL Certificate, and access to Google Analytics and Webmaster Tools. This plan works great for building a website to showcase your resume, or sharing a personal portfolio or blog.  

The Get Professional plan is perfect for small businesses who are looking for support with their SEO. This plan costs $10.12 per month when paid annually. It includes better tools for SEO, website activity reports, an email address, and your own domain. 

The Get Paid plan has a lot more features than any of the other plans and is surprisingly affordable. It costs $14.06 per month when you use the yearly subscription. This plan includes everything the other plans have but also has ecommerce capabilities. 

You can create an online store, add shopping carts, and there’s room for a donation area too. This plan has everything you need to sell products and services online or market your business to a wide audience. This plan allows you to add unlimited products to your website. You can change your plans at any time (downgrade or upgrade). 

Here's a few of the templates available (Image credit: Vistaprint)Interface

Vistaprint's interface is clear and simple, and it's easy to compare plans and see what you're going to get. Select the most appealing option and you're prompted to hand over your contact details: name, email and physical address, and your phone number, or simply login if you already have a Vistaprint account.

The Vistaprint design process starts by choosing a template. These are organized into 24 industries, many of which are further broken down into subcategories, which initially looks very impressive. You don't just get an Animals & Pet Care industry, for instance: subcategories include Boarding Kennels & Catteries, Animal Grooming, Dog Breeder, Pet Sitting & Dog Walking, Pet Supply Shop, Pet Training, and Veterinary.

These are some of Vistaprint website builder's key features (Image credit: Vistaprint)Features

The editor enables building sites from pre-formatted content blocks, rather than the more common individual widgets. Select Add Content > Text, for instance, and you're offered no less than 16 layouts, including text with icons, captions, images, as quotes, in boxes, grids and more. Drag your preferred option onto the page, the editor shows where it can be placed, and when you drop it, the block takes up the full width of the page at that point.

Other content blocks include headers, images, videos, a calendar, social links, a contact form, a web store and more. These cover the basics, but little more, and there's very little integration with other services. You can display a bar with links to your social media accounts, for instance, but there's no option to embed content such as a tweet or a Facebook post. 

This block-based approach makes it very simple to build a site. You don't have to drag in a layout widget, set a number of rows or columns, insert whatever text or images you need and set their properties manually, because the content block has everything you need built in. 

Vistaprint also offers many other services (Image credit: Vistaprint)The competition 

There are many other website builders available - Wix, Squarespace, and Webnode are just a few of the options. If you compare Vistaprint (just the website builder) with other web hosts on the market, then it’s definitely a web host for beginners. However, Vistaprint offers many more services besides web building that not many other web hosts do - you can create your own business cards, put your company’s logo on T-shirts, or personalize your website. The wide variety of marketing tools Vistaprint provides for your business makes it very different from other website builders.  

Final thoughts

Vistaprint website builder is great for anyone looking to build a basic site. For anyone still in the learning stage of website building, you can easily get started without taking too much time. You can even use the free 30 day trial to help you decide if it’s the right platform for you.  

• We've featured the best small business website builder

You might also want to check out our other web hosting buying guides:

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EDITOR'S NOTE:

Web.com has now been integrated into the Network Solutions website builder. If you already have a Web.com website, you can login to Network Solutions with the same credentials.

With many of Web.com's features being transferred, you can read our full Network Solutions website builder review to learn more.

Our detailed Web.com review examines a website builder that has undergone significant changes following its integration with Network Solutions. Web.com, which has been helping small businesses create user-friendly online experiences since 1997, has now been reworked for even more ease of use with AI. But for those seeking advanced website building options, check out our guide to the best website builders.

TechRadar reviewers have spent thousands of hours testing 140+ website builders to bring you authoritative insights. Web.com offers a straightforward approach to website creation with over 200 templates and AI-assisted design tools. While it provides solid functionality for basic websites, it faces stiff competition from more advanced platforms like Wix, our top pick for the best website builder in 2025.

Web.com, now the Network Solutions Website Builder, emphasizes simplicity over complexity, making it appealing to users who want to get online quickly without technical expertise. However, its focus on ease of use comes at the cost of advanced customization options that more experienced users might expect.

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Web.com: 2-minute review

Web.com positions itself as a beginner-friendly website builder that prioritizes simplicity. The platform offers a section-based editor rather than true drag-and-drop functionality, which simplifies the building process but limits design flexibility. With over 200 templates covering various industries and AI-powered tools for content generation, Web.com provides a solid foundation for small businesses and individuals looking to establish an online presence quickly.

The company's recent integration with Network Solutions has led to a radical shift in its business model. Founded in 1997, Web.com has built a reputation for serving small businesses. But its acquisition and merger with the Network Solutions brand combines decades of web hosting and domain expertise. Still, this provider occupies a middle ground between ultra-simple platforms and professional-grade tools — though there are better alternatives currently available in each category.

What is Web.com?

Web.com, or Network Solutions Website Builder, is a website building platform designed to help individuals and small businesses create professional websites without coding knowledge. Think of it as a digital toolkit that provides everything you need to build a website — templates, design tools, hosting, and domain registration. The platform uses what's called a "section-based" editor, which means you build your site by adding pre-designed sections (like headers, galleries, or contact forms) rather than placing individual elements wherever you want.

Network Solutions targets website creators who want to get online quickly without dealing with technical complexities. It handles the behind-the-scenes technical aspects like hosting, security, and maintenance, so you can focus on creating content and managing your business. The platform also includes AI-powered tools that can help generate website content and suggest design improvements, making it even easier for beginners to create professional-looking sites.

Features

Web.com positions itself as a complete website building platform with marketing and ecommerce. (Image credit: Network Solutions)

Web.com positions itself as a complete website building platform with marketing and ecommerce, designed for simplicity over flashiness. The platform offers a solid foundation of essential features, including over 200 templates across four main categories, AI-powered content generation tools, and integrated marketing capabilities through SocialBooster, AdSpend, and email marketing platforms.

Its section-based editor, while marketed as drag-and-drop, provides a more structured approach to website building that streamlines the design process for beginners but limits creative freedom for advanced users.

The platform's feature set is clearly geared toward small businesses and beginners who need to establish an online presence quickly without technical complexity. Web.com also includes practical business tools like appointment scheduling, Google Analytics integration, and basic SEO.

The AI copywriting tool helps generate SEO-friendly content for various purposes, while the marketing suite provides social media scheduling and advertising campaign management. However, the platform lacks the kind of app marketplace found in competitors like Wix, which offers over 800 apps compared to Web.com's basic built-in tools.

Tools

Web.com provides a suite of tools designed to help users build, manage, and grow their online presence. (Image credit: Network Solutions)

Web.com provides a suite of tools designed to help users build, manage, and grow their online presence. The platform combines website building capabilities with marketing tools and business features to create an all-in-one solution.

Website builder

The core website building tool uses a section-based editor that allows users to add and customize pre-designed sections. While marketed as drag-and-drop, the interface is more structured, with elements that can be moved within defined parameters to maintain design consistency.

AI-powered content tools

Web.com includes AI tools for generating website content and marketing ideas. These tools can help create text for different sections of your site and suggest improvements to enhance user engagement.

E-commerce features

The platform offers built-in e-commerce capabilities including unlimited product listings, multiple payment options, abandoned cart recovery, and inventory management. Higher-tier plans include marketplace selling and advanced inventory features.

Marketing suite

Web.com provides integrated marketing tools including SocialBooster for social media management, AdSpend for advertising campaigns, email marketing capabilities, and MyLinks for creating custom branded links.

SEO and analytics

The platform includes SEO health checks, Google Analytics integration, and website analytics tools to help users track performance and improve search engine visibility.

Ease of use

Web.com prioritizes simplicity throughout the user experience, making it particularly accessible for beginners. (Image credit: Network Solutions)

Web.com prioritizes simplicity throughout the user experience, making it particularly accessible for beginners. The onboarding process includes an AI chatbot that helps generate a starter website, though some users find its initial setup process underwhelming compared to more sophisticated builders. A section-based editor keeps your design process focused, by providing pre-built sections that can be customized and rearranged to create a unique website.

The interface features a clean, intuitive design with a left-side menu containing essential tools like Pages, Blog, and Appointments. Adding new elements is straightforward — you simply click the blue + icon to access different content blocks like buttons, text, galleries, and Google Maps. The platform shows layout guides at the bottom of the editor, helping users understand how elements can be positioned within each section.

While the simplified approach makes Web.com very beginner-friendly, it does limit design flexibility for users who want more control over their site's appearance. You can't change templates for existing pages, and the selection of blocks and elements is more limited compared to advanced website builders. However, the platform compensates with reliable performance, featuring 100% uptime in testing and fast loading speeds averaging 1.2 seconds for the Largest Contentful Paint metric.

Pricing

Web.com's offers significant new-user discounts, with prices reduced by 67-100% for a 12-month term for every new user. (Image credit: Network Solutions)

Plan

Starting rate (paid annually)

Renewal rate (paid annually)

Website Builder

$1.99/month

$16.99/month

Website + Marketing

$3.99/month

$21.99/month

Ecommerce

$9.99/month

$29.99/month

Web.com's offers significant new-user discounts, with prices reduced by 67-100% for a 12-month term for every new user. But on the flip side of that, you can expect a sharp incline in subscription fees once the initial term has passed.

But while the entry-level pricing is higher than many competitors, Network Solutions' overhauled pricing removes any significant price hikes for those looking to upgrade. Web.com's most expensive plan costs $29.99/month during renewal, even with the upgraded features and hardware needed to support ecommerce.

Security

Web.com provides essential security features including SSL certificates and secure website hosting across all plans. (Image credit: Network Solutions)

Web.com provides essential security features including SSL certificates and secure website hosting across all plans. The platform offers automatic SSL certificate installation and renewal, ensuring data encryption between websites and visitors. However, the company isn't particularly transparent about its comprehensive security measures, and some security features that competitors include for free may require additional payment.

The platform includes basic security monitoring and protection through its hosting infrastructure, though it lacks some advanced security features found in enterprise-grade solutions. Web.com's integration with Network Solutions brings additional security expertise from a company with 45 years of experience in web services, potentially strengthening the overall security posture. Users seeking enhanced security should consider the platform's SiteLock integration, which offers cloud-based scanning and real-time threat detection.

Support

(Image credit: Network Solutions)

Network Solutions offers a wide range of ways to get in touch with its team, including an online chat feature, phone support, and email support. You could reach out at any time of the day or night, which is great if your team is spread across time zones.

Another great thing is the knowledge base articles. These resources are incredibly helpful, especially for newbies who don't know much about building websites from scratch. There are step-by-step tutorials for setting up your account, as well as more general advice on topics such as SEO optimization and social media marketing.

Alternatives

WordPress.com is one of the most popular website building tools in the world today, and for good reason. It's easy to use and completely customizable, making it ideal for businesses of all sizes and types. The platform also comes with plenty of features, including customizable themes and plugins that can help you create an effective and attractive website in no time at all.

Wix is another great alternative to Web.com website builder if you are looking for something that's easy to use while still providing plenty of features and customization options. With Wix, you can create a professional-looking site without any coding knowledge or technical skills at all—all you need is a drag-and-drop interface and a few clicks of the mouse.

Squarespace is another excellent alternative to Web.com if you want something that's both powerful and easy to use at the same time. Squarespace lets users customize their websites quickly and easily with its intuitive drag-and-drop editor as well as dozens of templates designed specifically for businesses in mind.

Web.com: Summary

Web.com serves as a solid choice for beginners and small businesses seeking a straightforward website building experience with AI-powered assistance. The platform excels in ease of use, performance reliability, and customer support, making it particularly suitable for users who prioritize simplicity over advanced customization.

However, its section-based editor limits design flexibility, and the steep renewal pricing structure may deter cost-conscious users in the long term. While Web.com's recent integration with Network Solutions adds credibility and technical expertise, the platform faces strong competition from more feature-rich alternatives that offer better value propositions.

Web.com: FAQsHow do I create a website on Web.com?

Creating a website on Web.com is easy and straightforward. All you need to do is sign up for an account, select the type of website you want to create (such as an e-commerce store or portfolio site), and then customize it with your own design elements and content.

You can even add features like contact forms, galleries, blogs, and more. Once you’re happy with the design of your site, click “Publish” and your new website will be live for everyone to see.

Can I build an online store with Web.com?

Yes, Web.com offers a dedicated plan for those who want to build an online store. The plan comes with a host of dedicated ecommerce features including secure online payments, the ability to sell via platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and marketplaces, as well as promotional tools such as discount codes and abandoned cart delivery.

Does Web.com offer a free trial?

Unfortunately, Web.com does not offer a free trial of its website builder service at this time. However, they do offer several different pricing plans to suit any budget, so if you have some money saved up you can try out its service without breaking the bank.

Can I create a web page with Web.com?

Yes. With Web.com’s easy-to-use tools, you can create a basic web page in no time at all - no coding experience required.