Reviews

If you’ve spent any time researching the best parental control apps, then you will have heard of Qustodio – it’s one of the most prominent names in the sector. It’s been around for over a decade, it’s been trusted by over seven million parents, and the app’s systems have averted over three billion threats.

That’s an impressive resume and, on paper, it’s backed by an impressive slate of features, too. But can Qustodio earn your vote ahead of big rivals like Bark, Norton Family or MMGuardian?

(Image credit: Qustodio)Plans and Pricing

The Qustodio experience starts with a refreshingly straightforward look at pricing, with two paid tiers available.

The Basic package offers core functionality and costs $43.37/£33.95 a year – the equivalent of just $4.25/£3.33 per month.

With the Basic package, you get daily time limits, web filtering, location monitoring, game and app blocking and the ability to pause internet access for your children’s phones. It’s a solid core product with a more generous offer than the basic package you’ll find elsewhere.

The Complete product, at $89.36/£69.95 annually, adds AI-powered alerts, social media monitoring, custom routines, app time limits and additional monitoring, and allows parents to add unlimited devices to the account.

It’s a decent offer, especially when many premium products restrict how many devices you can monitor.

Bark and MMGuardian are both pricier than Qustodio, but Norton Family is even cheaper.

There’s a free version of Qustodio, too, that offers web filtering, daily time limits, 7-day activity reports and the ability to pause the internet, but it only protects one device, so it’s understandably limited.

Features

Qustodio offers good value, then, and it also serves up a good range of features.

It’s possible to filter out inappropriate apps, games and websites easily, and pick categories for whitelisting, alerting or total blocking. Parents can access alternative recommendations to apps that kids aren’t allowed to access, and even deploy conversation starters, approved by child psychologists, to start conversations about web browsing and internet use.

With Qustodio you can block unknown websites, automatically enable safe searches in common browsers, and receive alerts if your child searches for inappropriate content.

Qustodio offers more than 25 web filtering categories, but there’s no option within the app for kids to request access to particular websites – a feature you’ll find on Norton Family.

Qustodio allows parents to set screen time allowances for every day of the week, and also set time limits for individual apps – and use the in-built app monitoring and detection to automatically sort over 25,000 apps into categories for easier blocking or accessing.

It’s easy to create different routines and switch between them and, if you need to step in quickly, there’s an option to pause internet access on child devices or block the device completely.

And if parents want to reward their children or be a little more lenient, it’s easy to add screen time and see a new limit once that extra time has been granted.

Different rules can be used to govern screen time use between browsers and apps, there are varying “modes” that alter access for bedtime, leisure time and study time, and custom schedules are very easy to build.

(Image credit: Qustodio)

A straightforward map allows parents to spot child locations, geofencing is supported – albeit with a tiny 200m radius – and you can see location histories.

Call and SMS tracking and reading are supported on both Android and iOS, with full message details available, and parents can block phone numbers on child devices. You’ll get alerts for suspect content.

When it comes to reporting on all of this, Qustodio is similarly comprehensive. A real-time dashboard provides easy access to each child's digital activity, including an activity timeline, screen time and browsing history, and parents can access more detailed daily or weekly reports.

Qustodio is also forging ahead with some AI-based content, too, with AI-powered alerts that notify parents of any worrying searches, conversations or social media activity based on chosen topics or categories. That’s great, but it’s worth noting that Qustodio is a little weak on social media monitoring – it monitors messages on WhatsApp, Instagram and LINE, but that’s it.

In terms of other features, Qustodio allows parents to limit social media use, get app-based insights, and add additional parents or guardians to the software.

The app is also comprehensive when it comes to device support. As well as working on Android and iOS, which is a given for parental control apps these days, it works on Windows and Mac OS tech, Chromebooks, and Kindles. Additionally, parents can monitor child devices using Qustodio’s web interface.

As usual, though, be prepared that not every feature works on every platform. You don’t get WhatsApp alerts on iOS, for instance, and there’s no location, call or SMS monitoring on Mac OS or Windows. Android is the only platform that features a panic button.

Interface and in use

Qustodio has one of the best interfaces we’ve seen on any parental control app. As well as having a straightforward layout that places everything where you’d expect, Qustodio packs its apps and web interfaces with helpful tips and explanations about features and how they work.

A selection of Quick Actions provides fast access to common tasks, and the activity summary does a fantastic job of presenting key data in an attractive and intuitive format.

(Image credit: Qustodio)

Child apps are simple enough for even the youngest children to understand what’s going on, and if you’re a parent who wants to dive deeper into the settings, you won’t get lost – the effective UI continues here.

It’s typically easy to get started, too: download the app, register an account, set up child profiles and tick all of the permissions, and you’re ready to start building schedules, monitoring devices and protecting your kids.

Customer Support

Qustodio makes a big deal about ensuring that its service is easy to use for busy parents who may not have a deep understanding of technology, and this attitude extends to its support functionality.

There are loads of helpful articles in the FAQ section, many of which have screenshots, and the guides that illustrate how to set up the app, use basic features and manage your account are particularly good.

If you need support and you use the Basic package, it’s managed through a contact form – sadly there’s no phone support, chatbot or live chat available here, but users report that they always receive helpful, polite form responses within 24 hours.

If you’re a Complete user, you get access to Care Plus. This adds phone support, personalized guidance and ongoing check-ins for parents who want more from their parental control app. And, impressively, Care Plus has an average resolution rate of 97% and an average resolution time of 15 minutes.

While it’s included for free with the Complete package, it costs $10.21/£7.99 to add it to the Basic product.

The Competition

As a big name in the parental control space, Qustodio has some big rivals – but it does a brilliant job of competing.

Norton Family, for instance, is more affordable than Qustodio but not as good at call or SMS monitoring. And MMGuardian isn’t as easy to use as Qustodio and is a bit more expensive, too.

Bark is probably Qustodio’s best competitor. It’s far better with social media, but is more limited on iOS and doesn’t provide a full web history, and it’s also a little more expensive.

Final Verdict

Those factors leave Qustodio looking like a particularly strong parental control option. It has superb filtering, scheduling and screen time options, AI-based additions, solid location features and excellent design, reporting and platform support.

Its customer support is great if you have the Complete product, the apps are all easy to use, and the pricing is fair, too – either competing or undercutting many rivals. The only downside is weak social media monitoring and a relatively small geofencing zone.

That social media monitoring drawback could be a dealbreaker for many families but, in almost every other area, Qustodio is a winner – it’s one of the best parental control apps on the market.

• We've also featured the best free parental control software

Our series on identity theft protection apps will evaluate the features, pricing options, competition, and also the overall value of using each app. However, these are not full hands-on reviews since evaluating identity theft protection apps is almost impossible. It would require several months of testing, purposefully hacking accounts to see if the protection app works, handing over personally identifiable information, performing multiple credit checks, and risking exposure of the reviewer’s personally identifiable information.

The Internet includes a hazardous element that functions as a major danger. Trolls persist in using social media platforms to conduct humiliating activities against users, but more dangerous threats exist beneath the surface. Criminal groups engage in illegal activities that involve trading stolen personal information, including credit card details, home addresses, and birth dates.

The stolen information is distributed to the highest bidder at black market prices. The criminal activities span a broad spectrum, including attacks against retirement accounts through compromised 401(k) logins and social media account hijacking. Hackers continuously explore new strategies to destroy people's financial assets to pursue monetary benefits.

According to expert studies, the Dark Web generates an estimated 5% of worldwide internet traffic. This remarkable measurement reveals the extent of the issue. Various apps provide security measures through e-commerce website credit card protection and connection security alerts, but others help people review their credit reports to measure their online visibility.

The most effective solution requires a comprehensive answer that satisfies various needs. IdentityForce is one of the most complete identity theft protection solutions with its broad range of features, including VPN protection, which forms the fundamental basis of online security.

IdentityForce exceeds standard credit card and Social Security number protection because it actively prevents data breaches instead of merely reviewing them. The program provides strong evaluation tools that enable you to access 24/7 phone or chat support from an identity theft protection specialist. The premium plans from this provider are more expensive than standard identity theft protection applications, including LifeLock and Experian IdentityWorks.

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The price of IdentityForce's UltraSecure plan has increased quite a bit since our last review (Image credit: IdentityForce)IdentityForce: Plans and pricing

IdentityForce offers multiple service plans that cater to different customer requirements so that every person can select a suitable option. The service provides special annual discounts to customers who choose this payment method. The top-tier plans come with a higher cost, but customers can access premium services at a lower price through annual payment options. The 30-day trial period enables potential customers to test the complete service benefits without financial risk before subscribing to a long-term plan.

The UltraSecure Plan represents the most affordable option at $19.90 per month. Customers who opt for annual subscriptions at IdentityForce can reduce their monthly costs to $16.66. The annual payment for this plan amounts to $199.90, which provides an affordable identity protection solution. The UltraSecure Plan offers budget-friendly identity protection through its complete feature set, which includes dark web and social media monitoring. The digital world demands constant personal information monitoring because it remains at risk.

(Image credit: IdentityForce)

To enhance your financial security, consider upgrading to the UltraSecure & Credit package, a premium offering. The monthly fee is set at $34.90, with an annual payment option of $349.90, effectively reducing the monthly cost to just $29.16. This plan not only includes all the features of the standard tier but also provides additional benefits. These enhancements encompass comprehensive credit monitoring from three bureaus, detailed credit reports, up-to-date credit scores, a credit score tracker, and a credit score simulator, giving you a total view of your credit standing.

In addition to individual plans, there are two tiers of family plans with identical services but a $5 monthly surcharge. Each family plan includes coverage for two adults and up to 10 children for this modest price increase.

Alerts, protection and credit monitoring are all easy to find in IdentityForce's mobileapp (Image credit: IdentityForce)IdentityForce: Interface and mobile app

Selecting the right software for theft prevention is essential for safeguarding personal information. A key component of this selection process is the website associated with the identity theft protection service. The website not only provides insights into the range of features offered but also reflects the company's professionalism and reliability. Regrettably, some identity theft protection organizations fall short in this area, presenting poorly designed and confusing websites that create a negative first impression. In stark contrast, IdentityForce stands out as a beacon of clarity and functionality, featuring a well-organized site that presents an extensive list of services in an easily navigable format.

The centerpiece of IdentityForce's offering is its innovative dashboard, which transforms the user experience in identity theft protection through its intuitive and visually appealing design. This dashboard ensures that all vital information is presented in an easily digestible manner, facilitating users' efficient management and safeguarding of their identities.

Upon logging in, users are greeted with a dashboard adorned with a row of clearly labeled icons, each representing a different facet of identity protection. This thoughtful layout allows for quick navigation to essential sections, including credit checks, banking details, car loans, retirement plans, and more. The spacious sections are designed to accommodate personal data comfortably, providing ample room for users to input all relevant information without feeling cramped.

To further enhance the user experience, IdentityForce's dashboard provides streamlined data entry options. Fields are clearly labeled, and the dashboard incorporates helpful prompts and tooltips to guide users through the process of entering sensitive information. Whether they need to input their driver's license number, passport information, or Social Security details, users can do so with peace of mind, confident that IdentityForce's robust security measures will protect their data from potential breaches.

One standout feature of the dashboard is a dynamic progress bar that tracks the user's completion status of their identity protection profile. This visual indicator urges users to complete their profiles and ensures they provide all necessary information for comprehensive protection against identity theft. The progress bar motivates users and gives them a clear visual representation of their preparedness, reinforcing the importance of safeguarding their identities.

Overall, IdentityForce's dashboard sets a new benchmark in identity theft protection, combining user-friendly interface elements, well-structured sections, clear prompts, and motivational features like the progress bar. This seamless navigation empowers users, allowing them to control their identities proactively and effectively guard against potential threats.

However, users who wish to utilize IdentityForce's services on mobile devices face a stark contrast between the experiences provided by iOS and Android applications. The Android version of the app struggles with a moderate rating of 2.6 out of 5 stars, indicating a significant level of dissatisfaction among users. Commonly reported issues include unreliable performance, frequent crashes, and frustrating login challenges, which can severely hinder users’ ability to access their accounts and utilize the app's extensive features for identity protection.

Conversely, the iOS version of the app fares slightly better, earning a rating of 3.0 out of 5 stars. This suggests that while the iOS app may provide a more stable experience than its Android counterpart, it still grapples with its own set of issues. Users have reported instances of credit scores failing to update, encountering persistent "Server error messages," and experiencing account lockouts due to login difficulties. Although these problems may occur less frequently than in the Android app, they can still prove to be inconvenient and frustrating for users seeking reliable identity protection.

In summary, while IdentityForce offers an impressive array of features and a user-centric approach through its dashboard, significant differences in the mobile app experience highlight the need for continuous improvement, particularly for Android users. By addressing these challenges, IdentityForce can further enhance its service and reputation in the competitive landscape of identity theft protection.

IdentityForce offers all of the features you'd expect from one of the best identity theft protection services (Image credit: IdentityForce)IdentityForce: Features

IdentityForce is renowned for its extensive identity protection services, but what might surprise some users is that it also offers a VPN (Virtual Private Network) tool within its Mobile Defense Suite. This integrated VPN, available exclusively through the mobile app, enhances security by alerting users to numerous online threats, including rogue applications, spyware, and unsecured Wi-Fi connections. However, it’s important to note that this VPN is limited to mobile devices and does not protect PC users.

Regrettably, key details about the VPN remain somewhat ambiguous. Essential information, such as the server locations, the presence of a “no logs” policy, and whether or not there’s a built-in “kill switch” to protect your data in case the connection drops, has yet to be disclosed. Given these uncertainties, users looking for robust VPN functionality may want to explore more established VPN services for anything beyond casual browsing.

One of the standout features of IdentityForce is its proactive monitoring of "Payday loan" hacks, a specific form of identity theft where individuals fraudulently obtain loans using another person's identity. With this feature, users receive timely notifications, allowing them to address potential issues rapidly with their financial institutions. This immediacy can be crucial in mitigating financial loss and preventing further fraud. Furthermore, IdentityForce takes its commitment to user safety further by tracking sex offenders who may have obtained personal information to elude local identity registration laws, thereby enhancing community security.

The premium plans offered by IdentityForce are equipped with a robust suite of features to deliver comprehensive protection against identity theft and online threats. Central to these plans is a strong theft protection guarantee of up to $1 million. This provision ensures that members have access to crucial financial assistance and a dedicated resource network in the unfortunate event of identity theft. Members also gain access to lost wallet assistance, which expedites canceling and replacing lost or stolen credit cards, driver’s licenses, and other vital documents, making a potentially stressful situation much more manageable.

To further bolster security, IdentityForce’s premium plans include advanced Dark Web data analysis. This feature continuously scans the dark web for indications of compromised personal information, such as passwords, credit card details, and social security numbers. Users are promptly alerted if any sensitive data is detected and receive guidance on mitigating the risks and securing their accounts effectively.

IdentityForce includes a mobile password manager in its premium offerings to improve convenience and maintain security. This invaluable tool enables members to securely store and manage their passwords across multiple devices, promoting the use of strong and unique passwords for all online accounts. It also features a robust password generator, which creates complex, random passwords to enhance overall account security.

Moreover, IdentityForce extends its protection to social media by offering identity monitoring services. This feature actively scans social media platforms for unauthorized usage of members' personal information, helping to identify potential identity theft attempts before they escalate. By detecting these threats early, users can take swift measures to safeguard their online reputations and prevent further reputational harm.

In summary, IdentityForce’s premium plans combine a suite of essential features—including $1 million in theft protection, lost wallet assistance, Dark Web data monitoring, a mobile password manager, and social media identity surveillance—into a singular solution designed to address the multifaceted challenges of identity protection. Together, these elements offer users peace of mind, knowing their personal information is being vigilantly monitored and safeguarded against the continuously evolving landscape of identity theft and online threats.

IdentityForce: The competition

IdentityForce is a strong contender in the identity theft protection market, but it faces significant competition from several other highly rated services. One of its primary rivals is Aura, which is often praised as a top overall choice due to its comprehensive monitoring. This includes dark web monitoring, public records checks, and financial account surveillance, which are usually competitively priced. Aura also offers higher identity theft insurance coverage options and additional cybersecurity tools, such as a VPN and antivirus software.

Another major competitor is LifeLock, a well-known name in the industry that is now part of Norton 360. LifeLock provides extensive monitoring, including social media, home title monitoring, and substantial identity theft insurance. However, its pricing structure can sometimes be less transparent, with introductory rates that increase significantly after the first year.

IDShield distinguishes itself with a strong focus on identity restoration. It often guarantees the restoration of your identity or the provision of your money back, and it offers access to licensed private investigators for complex cases. Additionally, IDShield has competitive pricing for its features.

Other notable competitors include Identity Guard, which is known for its AI-powered threat detection and often provides good value for families, and ID Watchdog, which offers solid credit monitoring and recovery services. Services like Experian IdentityWorks also compete directly by leveraging their connection to one of the major credit bureaus for enhanced credit monitoring.

Ultimately, the best choice for a consumer depends on their specific needs concerning features, pricing, and the desired level of insurance and restoration support.

IdentityForce: Final verdict

IdentityForce offers a robust suite of identity protection services that goes beyond the standard offerings of many competitors. While it does provide essential features like malware blockers, identity theft insurance, and credit monitoring, its premium plans offer a standout benefit: $1 million in identity theft insurance. This substantial coverage provides significant peace of mind during a breach. Additionally, including a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service for smartphones is a valuable extra, helping to secure your mobile data.

However, potential users should be aware of some drawbacks. Several reports indicate that mobile applications can be buggy and offer a less-than-satisfactory user experience. Furthermore, IdentityForce's pricing is generally higher than that of some comparable products in the market. Another critical consideration for families is that child protection features come with additional fees, rather than being included in the base subscription.

Despite these points, one significant advantage of IdentityForce is its unified dashboard. This central hub consolidates all identity protection features, meaning users don't need to download and manage multiple applications for various security aspects. This streamlined approach offers a definite benefit, simplifying identity management and making comprehensive protection more accessible.

We've also highlighted the best identity theft protection services

Jurassic World Rebirth is the latest entry into the beloved dinosaur film franchise, following its revival in 2015 where we were introduced to Jurassic World for the first time. The first movie was great and I loved being back, but since then, it's definitely gone downhill.

By far the worst installment to date is Jurassic World Dominion, which has so far received a very low Rotten Tomatoes score of 29% from the critics, making it the lowest rated film in the franchise.

With audiences left frustrated by the direction that movie went in, there was a lot of pressure on filmmakers to restore it to its former glory, ironically, not unlike their efforts to revive a jurassic theme park as seen in the movies, following the collapse of the original.

It may be reassuring for me to begin by saying Jurassic World Rebirth is nowhere near as bad as Jurassic World Dominion, and is a much better made movie, even though I'm not sure if it really adds much to the story, as it seems to go off doing its own thing once again.

I'm likely not alone in missing the original Jurassic World cast, even though the stars in Jurassic World Rebirth were very strong. With so many big names attached to the project like Scarlett Johansson, Mahershala Ali and Jonathan Bailey, if you're after star power, you're definitely going to get it here. They give it their all, even with a script that doesn't have much substance.

Having said that, it does feel strange not following the characters we're used to seeing in the Jurassic franchise and with no returning faces from older movies, this may come as a disappointment for fans wanting to see some familiar names.

An entirely new cast was a gamble I'm not sure was worth taking, though there's likely going to be some division here from fans. Some may argue that it's nice to see a fresh set of characters, but they didn't grip me the way Chris Pratt and Bryce Dallas-Howard did when they dominated the screen in the very first Jurassic World movie.

Still, if you're looking for a fast-paced, loud, exciting trip to the cinema you'll definitely get it here. The action set pieces, when they happen, are great and make good use of a cinema sound system. The sound design is epic as are the visuals, so it's a real bit of escapism.

The T-Rex gets disappointingly little screen time in Jurassic World Rebirth. (Image credit: Universal Pictures)

One thing that disappointed me was that the dinosaurs felt underused. Audiences are flocking to a movie called Jurassic World to be thrilled by the dinosaurs, so it's frustrating when we don't get to see a lot of them. I've had similar criticisms of monster movies like Godzilla v Kong, which took entirely too long for the big monsters to start punching each other. While I'm not asking for a movie devoid of any plot, it's sad when the dinosaurs do seem to take a back seat, when they should be front and center of a movie like this.

The best action movies are ones that don't hold back. These movies don't lull in the middle, whereas I did struggle with some of the pacing issues throughout Jurassic World Rebirth. The script felt weak in places and it's a real shame – I suppose trying to fix the mistakes of Jurassic World Dominion was no easy task, I'm sure.

It's certainly not the worst in the franchise, but for me, even something like Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, which received divisive reviews, entertained me more than Jurassic World Rebirth.

I liked the way Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom leaned into darker topics and borrowed from the horror genre, for example, and there was nothing quite that memorable here, save for one stand out scene involving a T-Rex and a raft, but even then they could've done so much more.

There are worse ways to spend an afternoon at the movies, though, and this one will help you switch off and escape into some beautiful visuals and a good score, but it does make me worried for whether or not this franchise has a future, or if its at rapid risk of extinction just like its subject matter.

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WiZ Gradient Light Bars: two-minute review

WiZ Gradient Light Bars are a clear dupe of the Philips Hue Play Light Bars (in fact they're produced by the same parent company, Signify), and like their Philips counterparts, they’re mainly designed to be used alongside a HDMI Sync Box to extend its screen-mirroring light effects.

Alongside the light bars themselves, the kit includes two variants of bracket (standing and mounting), and a separate USB-A plug. That second inclusion won’t mean a whole lot to most people but as someone who is constantly hurting for spare outlets on my power strip, being able to connect the bars’ wire to my TV or games console is a godsend.

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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

Both the mounts and the light bars themselves are light but hardily-constructed, delivering impressive quality considering the $60 price tag. Really, the only qualm I had with the design was the placing of the light bars’ wires: they jut out from one end of the bar and the standing mounts don’t provide a gap for the wire to go through. As a result, you have to bend the wire at quite a sharp angle and press the bar against it. This is fine for now (albeit a little unsightly) but I am a tad concerned about what impact this might have on the longevity of the wire insulation.

This is a small oversight in what is otherwise a cleverly-designed mounting system. The centre of each WiZ Gradient Light Bar is magnetized, allowing them to slot securely into the mount without worry of it falling out. Because of this magnetization, you could even mount them on the top of a TV niche for some effective downlighting. Fair warning: these lights are really versatile, so when you first unbox them, you’ll likely spend a good while experimenting with different placements to find your favorite.

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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

A placement that works best in one layout might not work so well in another. For example, my TV unit isn’t a great deal wider than the TV itself and as a result, the WiZ Gradient Light Bars’ inclusion alongside the HDMI Sync Box Kit’s LED strip felt a tad redundant. Without sufficient spacing between the two light sources, they sort of just blended into each other in a way that made them feel lost in the layout. In that same vein, mounting them on the back of the TV didn’t make much sense either.

For my purposes, I found lying the light bars under my TV a better fit; this also had the added benefit of making up for the slight gap in light caused by the lack of LED strip on my TV’s bottom edge. That said, popping them on a bookshelf nearby produced a truly lovely effect too. Which is a nice reminder that if you don’t have the HDMI Sync Box Kit or just don’t fancy making your WiZ Gradient Light Bars part of your media setup, you really don’t have to.

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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

Alongside the screen-mirroring effects made possible by the HDMI Sync Box, the light bars are capable of all the usual static and dynamic light effects found in the WiZ app, and can even be programmed independently of each other. In each lighting mode, the light bars output a beautifully smooth and vibrant gradient glow that looks wonderful diffused against your wall or enjoyed directly. They can also be used for WiZ’s very rudimentary Music Sync mode (you’ll have to check out my review of the WiZ Gradient floor lamp to catch up on the beef I have with that).

Another activation you (theoretically) can set up in the app is SmartSense, WiZ’s motion detection function. Given that SmartSense requires two Bluetooth-enabled WiZ lights, I assumed that the Gradient Light Bars were the perfect candidate for testing this feature. Unfortunately, as far as SmartSense is concerned, the bars count as one single entity. This is a bit of a shame given they can be placed far away enough from each other to meet the setup requirements, but they likely have a shared Wi-Fi receiver that would make SmartSense impossible and the app recognizes that.

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

If you’re picking up the WiZ Gradient Light Bars, I’m not sure I’d recommend buying a third light source solely for the purpose of using SmartSense. In my testing (using the Gradient Floor Lamp as my third light), I found the motion detection disappointingly unreliable. After a good deal of troubleshooting, jumping up and down like an idiot, and four recalibration attempts, I resigned myself to the fact that there were a lot of things these versatile little light bars could do — and do very well— but motion detection was not one of them.

WiZ Gradient Light Bars: specifications

Connectivity

Wi-Fi (2.4GHz only), Bluetooth

Smart home compatibility

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant & Matter

Brightness

Not specified

Light temperature

2,200-6,500K

Dimensions (with standing mount)

12.6 x 4.3 x 9.6in / 32 x 11 x 7.5cm

Dimensions (without mount)

11.8 x 1.9 x 1.2in / 30 x 5 x 4cm

WiZ Gradient Light Bars: price and availability

• Price: $59.99 / £54.99 (not sold in Australia)
• Where to buy: WiZ (US only), Amazon

The WiZ Gradient Light Bars have an MSRP of $59.99 in the US, and are available to purchase on WiZ’s site and on Amazon. However, at time of writing, the bars are sold out at WiZ and are 10% off at Amazon – that certainly makes for an easy decision on where to pick them up.

If you’re in the UK, you’ll be able to check out WiZ’s product lineup on their site but when it comes to actually ordering them, you’re better off heading to Amazon. There, you can purchase the light bars for £54.99.

Should you buy the WiZ Gradient Light Bars?Buy them if

You want a smart light that’s versatile and doesn’t take up too much space

These little light bars are small but mighty, delivering a powerful glow in a compact package. They can also be placed standing, lying down, or mounted wherever you fancy putting them.

You have a WiZ HDMI Sync Box

While it’s definitely not a prerequisite, the WiZ Gradient Light Bars pairs really well with the HDMI Sync Box and can be used to deliver even more screen-mirroring ambient light around your living space.

You’re on a budget

At $60, the WiZ Gradient Light Bars are a fairly low-cost lighting fixture that offers double the bang for your buck thanks to the fact that it includes two bars in one kit.

Don't buy them if

You want to place your light bars in separate rooms

While the wire linking the WiZ Gradient Light Bars allows for over 7ft of distance between each bar, they are still connected to a single power supply. If you’re hoping for a two-for-one deal that helps you pop a smart light in every room of your house, look elsewhere.

You’re buying WiZ Gradient Light Bars hoping they alone can be used for SmartSense

Technically when you buy the WiZ Gradient Light Bars, you fit SmartSense’s requirement of having two Bluetooth-enabled smart lights that can be placed 6.6ft apart from each other. However, the two light bars count as one unit for the purposes of SmartSense.

WiZ Gradient Light Bars: also consider

If you’re still shopping around, why not consider these alternatives: Govee Table Lamp 2 and Philips Hue Play Light Bars offer very similar functionality at differing price points.

WiZ Gradient Light Bars

Govee Table Lamp 2

Philips Hue Play Light Bars

Price

$59.99 / £54.99

$69.99 / £69.99

$79.99 / £59.99

Number of units included

2

1

1

Smart home compatibility

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Matter

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant & Matter

Amazon Alexa, Apple HomeKit, Google Assistant (via Philips Hue app)

Brightness

Not specified

500 lumens

500 lumens

Color temperature

2,200-6,500K

2,700-6,500K

2000-6500K

Dimensions (without mount)

30 x 5 x 4cm / 11.8 x 1.9 x 1.2in

4.7 x 11 x 4.7in / ‎12 x 28 x 12cm

10 x 1.7 x 1.4in / 25.3 x 4.4 x 3.6cm

How I tested the WiZ Gradient Light Bars

• I installed the WiZ Gradient Light Bars in my main living space
• I used the lights for two weeks, both independently and synced with my TV
• I tested various settings and customization options

I tested the WiZ Gradient Light Bars for two weeks, while paired with the WiZ HDMI Sync Box Kit. I used them while they were synced to content from my TV and as standalone smart lights. During periods where they were not synced to the TV, I controlled them via the WiZ app and through voice controls made to my Amazon Alexa. For more details, see how we test, rate, and review at TechRadar.

First reviewed June 2025

Sony ULT Field 3: two-minute review

The Sony ULT Field 3 is one of the latest portable Bluetooth speakers to enter a market stuffed to the gills with options. This one promises “impressive power”, “easy portability” and a build quality that'll play your music “anywhere, in any weather”. But with rivals such as JBL and Ultimate Ears going all-in on the whole rough-and-ready portable speaker thing, it begs the question… can Sony outdo its red-hot rivals?

At a glance, you may well think so. This speaker is packed with a ton of features. We’ve got multi-point, customizable EQ, environment optimization and, of course, ULT mode for enhanced bass output. That’s all very neat, and as always, Sony has done a great job with its Sound Connect app, which enables you to access all of these features and more.

This is also a highly durable speaker, with excellent build quality, IP67 dust and waterproofing and an adjustable strap, meaning it’s easy to transport and play in any environment. But, in order to outdo the best Bluetooth speakers around, the thing that truly matters in my book is sound quality.

Unfortunately for the Field 3, this is the one key reason that it fails to stake its claim as a class-leading option. Even with ULT mode on, which plays to the speaker’s strengths – beefy low-end output – you’ll notice significant compression at higher volumes, some harshness in the treble range and a slight lack of nuance.

Even if you want a more balanced listen, the ULT-off tuning simply didn’t cut it in my experience. You can achieve decent audio using the Sound Connect app’s seven-band equalizer, but still, you can’t expect well-separated, perfectly balanced audio.

And given the list price of this speaker – just under $200 / £180 / AU$330 – I think that middling sound quality is pretty disappointing. Some issues, like limited bass extension and mono-only sound (unless you pair to a second Field 3 model) are typical for a speaker of this size – but I’d still expect clearer, more controlled audio from a Sony product at this cost.

Again, a serviceable listen is certainly achievable on the Field 3. But some aspects are more than serviceable. More than anything, that includes battery life, which is very good for a speaker in this weight class. You get up to 24 hours with ULT on – admittedly not playing at high volume, though. Still, the Field 3 should have plenty of juice to last a long listening session, and it can even charge external devices with its USB-C port – which is a most welcome inclusion.

When all’s said and done, the Sony ULT Field 3 has some strong qualities, but just doesn’t have enough sauce to stand out in a talented crowd. Perhaps if it gets a juicy price cut in sales events I’d be able to say it’s worth checking out. But for the moment, I’d suggest looking elsewhere for a summer-ready Bluetooth speaker. Other models, such as the JBL Charge 5 or even the smaller, yet Wi-Fi-enabled Sonos Roam 2 would be better picks, just to name a couple.

(Image credit: Future)Sony ULT Field 3 review: price and release date

• $199 / £179 / AU$329
• Launched in April 2025

The Sony ULT Field 3 launched alongside its sibling, the Sony ULT Field 5 in April 2025. It has a list price of $199 / £179 / AU$329, but there’s good news – I’ve already seen it on sale for less through various online retailers. In the UK, for instance, Sony has already run a slashed-price offer, which allows you to pick the ULT Field 3 up for less than £160, so keep your eyes peeled for a bargain buy.

You can grab the ULT Field in three different colorways: Black; Forest Gray; and Off White. The variant you chose should have little to no impact on the price you pay for this model.

Sony ULT Field 3 review: specs

Drivers

1x 86 x 46mm woofer, 1x 20mm tweeter

Dimensions

10.1 x 4.4 x 3.1 inches / 256 x 113 x 79mm

Weight

2.6lbs / 1.2kg

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.2

Battery life

24 hours

Waterproofing

IP67

(Image credit: Future)Sony ULT Field 3 review: features

• ULT mode for enhanced bass output
• Sound Field Optimization
• Great battery life

As is typically the case with Sony, you’re getting a solid suite of features on the ULT Field 3. You get the standard stuff like multi-point connectivity, fast-pairing and multi-speaker pairing – which unlocks stereo mode – but there’s so much more to uncover.

Perhaps the main attraction is the ULT mode, which gives bass a gigantic boost. It’s well worth having this on if you want the most powerful, party-ready sound available, but I’ll drill into that a little more later. You can also listen with ULT mode off or set your own custom EQ using a seven band equalizer.

Another audio-related feature that interested me was Sound Field Optimization. This essentially detects noise from your surroundings and fine-tunes audio output to be as clear as possible for your environment – something that’s particularly useful in busier outdoor areas.

But if you dive into the Sony Sound Connect app, there’s a little more at your fingertips. There’s STAMINA (yep, in all caps) mode, which provides a boost to battery life while restricting elements like different sound modes. There’s also an option to prioritize connection quality over sound quality or control playback from your music apps.

One more feature that you don’t always find is an integrated mic that enables hand-free calling. I tested this out and found that my voice came through clearly and my friend's speech on the other end of the line never had any noticeable tinniness or distortion.

Does the ULT Field 3 have the most fleshed out feature-set I’ve ever seen? Well, not quite. There’s a distinct lack of EQ presets, no LED lights or similar, no Auracast over Bluetooth LE audio and omission of wired listening.

Still, there’s plenty overall – even a USB-C charging port that can juice up external devices or serve as a medium to charge the speaker itself. While we’re here, let’s talk battery life too. I was impressed with the ULT Field 3’s playtime – in fact, it’s one of the best things about this speaker. You get up to 24 hours of battery life – of course, if you’re listening at high volumes with ULT mode on, that’s gonna be lower. But still, this speaker is more than capable of keeping the tunes bumping well into the early hours.

• Features score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future)Sony ULT Field 3 review: sound quality

• Standard ULT-off tuning sounds poor
• But with it active, you get improved, bass-heavy audio
• No advanced codecs, not even LDAC

OK, to be frank, I was initially pretty disappointed with the audio performance of the Sony ULT Field 3. I started off by listening with ULT switched off and tuned into Black Eye by Allie X which sounded… underwhelming. The meaty drum machine lacked its bite, taking the rhythmic bounce of the track down a peg. At higher volumes, the vocals had a slightly tinny edge to them too. But much of this could be rectified.

Yes, I simply pressed the ULT button and things vastly improved. The deep bass of that drum machine reared its lovely head, finally giving the track some much needed uplift in the low end and, in turn, I was gifted a more full-sounding delivery. In addition, dance tracks like Last One Standing by Kolter and Sidney Charles sounded better this way, with strong low-end output and decently crisp vocal sections.

But even with ULT mode on, I did encounter some issues. All songs sounded noticeably compressed as I gradually pushed the volume higher and higher. By the time I’d reached 80-100%, there was little breathing room for each instrument, resulting in quite a muffled, narrow sound. Treble especially could get pretty harsh with loudness pushed to the max. At medium volume, I’d argue that vocals, percussion and strings were all relatively clear, and the audio can just about fill a medium-sized room. But don’t expect phenomenal separation or microscopic levels of detail even here.

On that note, you won’t get any ‘hi-res’ Bluetooth codecs with the Sony ULT Field 3. Even Sony’s proprietary LDAC has been left out. Then again, this is more of a fun and convenient party speaker rather than a device pitched at audiophiles. And there are a ton of great alternatives if you want a more revealing listen – just look at the Bose SoundLink Max (or newer, smaller, cheaper SoundLink Plus) for instance.

There are a couple of other issues I ran into that are worth noting. Even with ULT mode on, the speaker didn’t quite have the might to handle dark sub bass. For example, The Boys Are Back In Town by Yung Gravy – marked by imposing deep bass running throughout – wasn’t replicated all too well. The speaker just didn’t quite have that extension in the low-end to make every boom sound ultra-clear, with the deepest notes tailing off a bit, even in ULT mode. For a speaker of this size, that’s fairly common – but it’s worth considering if you want the ultimate bass-heavy audio companion.

Speaking of that, there’s a seven-band equalizer that you can access via the Sound Connect app, which does enable you to forge a better sound than the standard ULT off tuning. But that’s it. There aren’t any other presets, which is pretty disappointing if you just want a swift way to adjust the sound to you. There’s also no EQ test, as seen on Sony’s recent smash hit headphones, the Sony WH-1000XM6.

Still, with a custom calibration, I did find that tracks with more emphasis on vocals – rather than big booming bass – could sound fairly clear. Rains Again by Solji had solid balance across the frequencies, with expressive vocals and soft strings coming through with enhanced clarity. And for tracks like this, where ULT mode will afford too much emphasis to the low-end, that quality is most welcome. All in all, decent audio is achievable with the ULT Field 3, but it’s far from the best-sounding speaker I’ve tested.

• Sound quality score: 3/5

(Image credit: Future)Sony ULT Field 3 review: design

• IP67 dust and waterproof rating
• Adjustable and detachable strap
• Looks-wise not my fave, but fairly compact and durable

The Sony ULT Field 3 is certainly designed to be a rugged, outdoorsy speaker and it serves that purpose nicely. That’s largely thanks to its up-to-scratch IP67 rating, which means it's both dustproof and able to survive 30 minutes of underwater submersion, up to one meter – something I’d expect from any of the best waterproof speakers.

On top of that, there’s a really solid feel to the Field 3. It has a robust, durable, and fairly chunky build – if you dropped it I think it might break the ground rather than the other way round. Weighing in at 2.6lbs / 1.2kg, it’s got some serious weight for its size. Overall, it really does feel as if the ruggedness of this speaker is its selling point, rather than sound quality.

No matter the environment, you’ll be able to take the Field 3 around with ease, thanks to a fabric strap that’s pre-attached to the speaker (it can be removed). Some models like the Tribit Stormbox Lava come with a handle that you can swap in for transportation over shorter distances – something I would’ve liked to have seen here – though you can adjust the strap to make it shorter for handheld use if you’d prefer.

In terms of looks, I wasn’t loving the Field 3, though that’s fully down to personal preference. I just didn’t quite dig its rounded brick-like aesthetic and the color options were a bit on the bland side for me, but you might love it. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder...

And there’s certainly stuff here that I do like, including simple yet effective button controls, a tab hiding the USB-C port, and a decently compact build. So yes, plenty to admire about the Field 3 as far as design goes – especially if you want something that’s ready to brave any setting, from living room through to the beach.

• Design score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future)Sony ULT Field 3 review: value

• Audio not good enough for the price
• A lot of rivals can still offer the ruggedness too
• Ultimately overshadowed in a tough market

The Sony ULT Field 3 is by no means an inexpensive speaker. At $199 / £179 / AU$329, it’s not quite in the premium tier, and its sibling the ULT Field 5 will come at a substantially higher price. But there are tons of similarly sized rivals offering great sound, build quality and features at a similar – or even lower price.

Value for money is simply not the ULT Field 3’s strong-suit. That's mainly because audio quality is pretty disappointing. You can definitely achieve a decent listening experience with ULT on for bass-heavy tracks, or custom calibration for softer genres and podcasts, but still – there are some issues, like underwhelming sound with ULT off and prominent compression at high volumes that hold this model back.

When you have rivals like the JBL Charge 6 on the market that offer impressive audio, an even higher IP rating and the same battery life, there simply aren’t many reasons to recommend the Field 3.

Is this a bad speaker? No, no it’s not. The ULT mode is the key draw, offering solid bass response for a speaker of this stature. You also get a ton of playtime and great protection against the elements. But I’d argue that’s not enough given the competition from, of course JBL – but also the Sonos Roam 2 (below), Ultimate Ears Everboom, and Tribit Stormbox Lava.

• Value score: 2.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Sony ULT Field 3?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Some omissions, but great battery life, environment optimization is a nice touch.

4/5

Sound quality

Needs ULT on to sound its best, at high volumes compression is noticeable.

3/5

Design

It's not the sleekest, but the Field 3 is rugged and ready for any environment.

4/5

Value

Average audio at a not-so-cheap price makes the Field 3 a tough sell.

2.5/5

Buy it if...

You want a speaker capable of handling any environment
I have no doubts that the Sony ULT Field 3 is capable of enduring almost any setting, thanks to its brilliant IP67 dust and waterproof rating. That means it can even survive being dunked underwater for 30 minutes – pretty impressive. If you want to bring your music anywhere and everywhere, the Field 3 has you covered.

You need a speaker with plenty of battery to go around
One of the best things about the ULT Field 3 is undoubtedly its battery life. You can get up to 24 hours here, which is enough to keep the tunes blasting throughout a beachside bash or house party for the ages. You can also use the Field 3 to charge external devices via its USB-C port, so when it comes to power, this really does have it all.

Don't buy it if...

You want great all-round audio
In terms of sound quality, the Sony ULT Field 3 is unlikely to wow you. Without ULT mode on, bass sounds too thin, but even when it is active you’ll notice a lot of compression at high volumes and treble especially can get quite harsh. I’d recommend checking out our guide to the best party speakers if you want a more sonically talented alternative.

You’re on a budget
The ULT Field 3 simply isn’t great value – particularly when it’s not on sale. You can do better for $199 / £179. But you don’t even have to spend that much. If you want a great speaker without having to spend all too much, I’d recommend checking out options like the five-star JBL Flip 7, or for something a little larger, the Anker Soundcore Boom 2.

Sony ULT Field 3 review: also consider

Sony ULT Field 3

JBL Charge 5

Sonos Roam 2

Price

$199 / £179 / AU$329

$179.95 / £169.99 / AU$199.95

$179 / £179 / AU$299

Drivers

1x 86 x 46mm woofer, 1x 20mm tweeter

1x 30W woofer, 1x 10W tweeter

1x tweeter, 1x mid-woofer

Dimensions

10.1 x 4.4 x 3.1 inches / 256 x 113 x 79mm

8.7 x 3.76 x 3.67 inches / 221 x 96 x 93 mm

6.6 x 2.4 x 2.4 inches / 168 x 62 x 60mm

Weight

2.6lbs / 1.2kg

2.1lbs / 960g

1lbs / 440g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.2

Bluetooth 5.1

Bluetooth 5.4, Wi-Fi

Battery life

24 hours

20 hours

10 hours

Waterproofing

IP67

IP67

IP67

JBL Charge 5
If you’re looking for a great-value rival to the Sony ULT Field 3, the JBL Charge 5 is right up there. You get well-balanced, clear audio, plenty of power and a highly durable design. Its battery life is very good, but not quite as high as Sony’s speaker and we still noticed distortion at peak volume. But overall this is a great speaker. With the Charge 6 recently arriving (review coming soon, and we’re expecting great things), you’re also able to pick the Charge 5 up at a massively cut price right now. I’m talking $139 / £119 – that’s amazing value! Read our full JBL Charge 5 review.

Sonos Roam 2
This one’s something a little different, but well worth checking out. Yep, the Sonos Roam 2 is a fair bit smaller than the ULT Field 3, weighs less than half of Sony’s speaker and can’t come close in terms of battery life. But still, I’d choose it over the ULT Field 3, personally. You get surprisingly powerful, yet rich sound quality, Wi-Fi connectivity for seamless streaming, and the same IP67 ruggedness. We’ve also seen it on sale for less than $140 / £140 in 2025, so keep an eye out for juicy deals if you’re sold on this Sonos speaker. Read our full Sonos Roam 2 review.

Sony ULT Field 3 review: how I tested

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested for one week
• Mainly used in our music testing facility at Future Labs
• Predominantly tested using Tidal

I put the Sony ULT Field 3 to the test for a one week period (after a thoroguh run-in of 15 hours), tinkering with all of its features, blasting hours worth of tunes and assessing all aspects of its design. I predominantly tested in our music testing room at Future Labs in order to judge audio quality in an isolated, controlled environment.

When listening to music, I mainly used Tidal, but I occasionally played songs via Spotify too. I initially streamed tracks from our carefully curated TechRadar reference playlist, but I also listened to music from my own personal library.

I’ve tested all sorts of audio gear during my time here at TechRadar, from flagship headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM6 through to home cinema products like the Marshall Heston 120. I’ve reviewed a large array of speakers along the way from brands like Sony, LG and JBL, so I have a strong understanding of the ULT Field 3’s rivals, as well as what it takes to stand out as a strong candidate in a highly competitive market.

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

Redtiger F77: One-minute review

The Redtiger F77 is a two-channel dash cam that, almost uniquely among its rivals, records 4K video to the front and rear of your car at the same time. Both cameras have a Soy Starvis 2 imaging sensors, and both record smooth, colorful footage that is packed with detail.

Although bulky, the F77 feels well made, and its extra size means the 4-inch touchscreen on the rear is more useful than those of smaller dash cams, especially when it comes to navigating the intuitive menu system and viewing recordings. Footage is saved to the F77's 128GB of internal storage, then can either be transferred to a microSD card or sent to your phone via a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection.

If high-quality 4K video is what you want, the Redtiger F77 delivers exactly that – and at a competitive price.

(Image credit: Future / Alistair Charlton)Redtiger F77: Price & availability

At the time of writing, the F77 has been reduced in the US from $400 to $250, making it feel like excellent value for money. Sure, it isn’t the cheapest two-channel dash cam around, but it’s good value when you consider the dual 4K recording, wide lenses and 128GB of storage. In the UK the F77 is priced at £260 – although was reduced to £220 at the time of writing – and in Australia it retails for AUD$389.

Unlike some other dash cams, like the Nexar One and Nextbase iQ, there is no 4G connectivity or cloud storage, so there's no ongoing subscriptions or fees to worry about.

Redtiger F77: SpecsRedtiger F77 specs

Video

4K (3840 x 2160) HDR, front and rear

Field-of-view (FoV)

170 degrees (front and rear)

Storage

128GB (integrated eMMC, non-expandable)

GPS

Yes

Parking mode

Yes (hardwiring required)

App support

Yes, RedTiger app

Dimensions

4.5 x 2.0 x 1.75 inches / 115 x 50 x 40 mm (front), 3.5 x 1.5 x 1.5 inches / 90 x 35 x 35 mm (rear)

Weight

6.7oz / 190g (front), 2.8oz / 79g (rear)

Battery

No

Redtiger F77: Design

• Front camera with 4-inch screen
• Bulky design might not suit smaller vehicles
• 128GB of eMMC internal storage

The Redtiger F77 is a chunky dash cam, but for good reason. This is one of the first dash cams to record 4K video forwards and rearwards. We’ve seen the former for a while now, but to shoot continuous 4K footage at 30 frames per second through two cameras at once is no mean feat. It takes a fair bit of processing power and, naturally, creates a lot of heat – hence the bulky design.

This could be annoying for drivers of especially small cars, or those with shallow, steeply raked windshields. Ideally the front-facing camera fits neatly behind the central mirror, mostly out of sight, but this won’t be possible in every vehicle. Even the screen on the back is massive, for a dash cam, at 4.0 inches. That’s 15 percent larger than the display of the original iPhone, and on par with many smartphones from just a few years ago.

(Image credit: Future / Alistair Charlton)

Redtiger has leaned into the bulky aesthetic, and the F77 is all straight lines, blunt edges and blocky. It looks fine and feels well made, but the many vents show the design was led by a need for cooling. The rear camera is much smaller, but still quite large compared to non-4K rivals, and mirrors the same industrial design as the main unit.

Both cameras attach to your windshield with an adhesive pad and there’s enough vertical adjustment to suit most vehicles. There's no horizontal movement though, so you’ll want to install them as close to the center of each windshield as possible.

The main unit is powered by an included USB-C cable and lighter socket adaptor. The rear camera then plugs into the front camera with another USB-C cable. These cables are quite thick, especially the one powering the main unit, so aren’t as easy to tuck behind interior panelling than others.

Redtiger has fitted the F77 with 128GB of eMMC internal storage. And, while there’s a microSD card slot on the side, this is for transferring footage to a card, not recording directly to one in the first place.

Once saved to the internal storage, videos can be viewed on the touchscreen, or in the smartphone app, then transferred to your phone via Wi-Fi, or copied to a microSD card. Transferring them to an SD card can only be done from in the app. I'd prefer an option to do this from within the dash cam's own interface.

(Image credit: Future / Alistair Charlton)Redtiger F77: Performance

• Both front and rear cameras shoot very sharp 4K video
• Both cameras have a wider-than-average 170-degree field of view
• Smooth recordings even when driving on bumpy surfaces

The F77 uses its dual Starvis 2 imaging sensors and 4K resolution to incredible effect. It produces some of the sharpest footage I have ever seen from any dash cam system, while also benefiting from both cameras shooting through wide, 170-degree lenses.

Colors are a little artificial, with the sky and greenery looking particularly saturated. But this footage isn’t intended for the movie theater; it’s to prove your innocence after a crash, so detail is the most important factor. The Redtiger F77 performs well here, thanks to shadows being raised, helping to bring details out from darker parts of the frame.

Footage is also pleasantly smooth, with none of the horizontal shuttering exhibited by some other dash cams, especially when fitted to firm-riding cars driven over poor road surfaces. The F77’s video stayed nice and smooth throughout my testing, even over London’s sizeable speed bumps and lunar-like potholes.

(Image credit: Future / Alistair Charlton)

While the Redtiger’s sharpness is welcome, I’d actually go as far as to say footage is overly sharp. I spotted this more with the rear-facing camera than the front, and the result was a curious white outline appearing around passing vehicles. This was more apparent on sunny days, and made cars pop so much that they looked superimposed onto the background. This isn’t a deal-breaker, but I’d like Redtiger to add a setting for turning sharpness down to a more realistic level.

That aside, the footage is still very impressive for a dash cam. Key details like vehicle license plates, road markings and street signs are pin-sharp.

I was also impressed by how quick the F77 was to set up, and how the large touch screen makes it easy to navigate through the intuitive menu system. Adjusting settings, like turning the microphone off and telling the display to go blank after 10 seconds, instead of being constantly on while driving, is the work of a moment.

(Image credit: Future / Alistair Charlton)

Less straightforward is transferring footage off the F77. Because it has internal storage, you can’t just pop out a microSD card and slot that into your computer. Instead, you’ve to either insert a blank memory card and transfer files to it off the dash cam, or connect your phone via 5GHz Wi-Fi and move recordings that way. Redtiger says the 128GB of storage is good for five hours of 4K video (from both cameras) before the oldest content is overwritten. As with other dash cams, footage captured after a collision, or after you press the red manual record button, is saved in a separate folder where it can’t be overwritten.

A parking mode is available, but that’s only enabled when using Redtiger’s hardwiring installation kit, sold separately. Like other parking modes, this constantly draws power from the car’s 12-volt battery via the fuse box, allowing the camera to spring into life and start recording when a collision is detected.

I like how Redtiger has kept things relatively simple with the F77, and instead of fitting the dash cam with lots of driver assistance systems – like inaccurate speed camera warnings and misfiring lane-departure alerts (that's my experience with many other dash cams, at least) – it has focused on providing excellent video quality. There’s a driver fatigue function, but that merely suggests you take a break after a predefined length of time, rather than actively monitor your driving and alertness.

Redtiger F77: Sample video Should you buy the Redtiger F77?

(Image credit: Future / Alistair Charlton)Buy it if...

You want excellent video quality
The dual Starvis 2 sensors of this dash cam produce excellent results. Both cameras record in 4K resolution at 30 frames per second. The sharpness is arguably cranked up too high but, as dash cam footage goes, it’s still impressive.View Deal

You need wide lenses
As well as a high resolution, the F77 records in both directions through a pair of 170-degree lenses. These are wider than most other dash cams, producing a broader field-of-view but without too much fish-eye distortion.View Deal

You’ve got the space
The F77 is a chunky dash cam, and as a result it might take up too much space on small or particularly shallow windshields. The rear camera is smaller, but still on the big side compared to non-4K rivals.View Deal

Don’t buy it if…

You have an especially small car
As outlined above, the F77 is a fairly big dash cam. As well as the main unit being quite bulky, even the cable connecting the rear camera to the front is thicker than some others I’ve encountered, and is trickier to install behind interior trim panels.View Deal

You’re on a tight budget
Although good value for a dual 4K system, the F77 is still an expensive dash cam. There are plenty of cheaper options out there, especially if you only want a front-facing camera, from brands like Viofo and Miofive.View Deal

You prefer the flexibility of memory cards
I get what Redtiger is trying to achieve with its use of internal storage instead of microSD cards. But some convenience has been lost, as you have to transfer footage off the camera and onto your phone via the app, instead of simply popping out the memory card.View Deal

How I tested the Redtiger F77

• I installed the Redtiger F77 in my own car
• I used the dash cam on several journeys, taking in a variety of roads
• I transferred the footage to my phone and computer for a closer look

I installed both the front and rear cameras of the Redtiger F77 and used it as my own dash cam on multiple drives. Although it can be used without the company's smartphone app, I installed that onto my iPhone and connected it to the F77. From there, I was able to adjust settings (instead of using the dash cam's own touchscreen), view recordings, and transfer video either to a microSD card or directly to my phone.

• First reviewed June 2025

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus: Two-minute review

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus, the latest mid-range big tablet from Samsung, puts a huge screen in your hands for $649 / £649 / AU$1,099. For some users, that could be reason enough to buy one, but while the display is genuinely excellent for the tablet’s price, there are some caveats to consider when it comes to performance.

But first, let’s talk about that beautiful screen: the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus’ 13.1-inch, 16:10 aspect ratio, 2880 x 1800 resolution display is this midrange tablet’s best feature, well-suited to watching videos, reading articles, and multitasking. Most will use the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus indoors, but I can report that the display holds up in direct sunlight with colors that look great across the brightness slider, and the 90Hz refresh rate feels very fluid on a display of this size.

That large display, plus the 16:10 aspect ratio, makes the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus a compelling choice for those who want a tablet that goes further than the typical media consumption. There’s plenty of space for multiple windows in Samsung’s Dex environment, which is still the best multitasking system on any tablet. As usual, Samsung has loaded the settings app with deep and extensive customizations that allow you to tool the tablet to your liking. However, a lack of external monitor support hampers productivity potential.

With that said, the performance of the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus does give me some pause. I rarely saw any slowdown within apps, whether gaming, browsing, or drawing with the included S Pen, but the Android 15-based One UI 7 operating system did sometimes stutter at basic things, like swiping up to see open apps. It’s not too slow to use whatsoever, but can’t keep up with Apple’s mid-ranger, the iPad Air.

As for internal hardware, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus runs on Samsung’s own Exynos 1580 chipset, with 8GB of RAM and either 128GB or 256GB of storage. Compared to the competing iPad Air’s M3 chipset, the Exynos 1580 is pretty underpowered. Externally, though, the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus is built like a tank – an all metal chassis with an unusually strong IP68 dust and water resistance rating.

These trade-offs define the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus experience. If you want a great display and flexible software, this is one to consider – but it lacks the raw power and outstanding value you’ll find elsewhere.

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus: Price and availability

(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus starts at $649 / £649 / AU$1,099 for the model with WiFi connectivity and 128GB of storage, which is certainly a premium price point. With cheaper tablets like the base-model iPad and Lenovo IdeaTab Pro offering comparable performance, and in the latter case similar screen real estate, Samsung is banking on its brand name here, as well as unique features like the Dex multitasking system and included S Pen stylus.

In fact, putting a stylus in the box might be Samsung’s best move when it comes to the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus. For comparison, Apple now charges $79 / £79 / AU$139 for the Apple Pencil with USB-C, and while the S Pen Samsung’s offering here is smaller and lighter than Apple’s stylus, and never needs charging thanks to a digitizer in the screen.

Increasing the storage to the 256GB option bumps the price up to $749 / £749 / AU$1,249, and adding 5G connectivity adds another £100 / AU$200 – the 5G model is unavailable in the US.

I think the value here is just about reasonable, especially against the competing 13-inch iPad Air which starts at $799 / £799 / AU$999, for 128GB of storage. Apple’s mid-range tablet greatly outpaces the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus when it comes to performance (more on that later), but if you just want a premium-feeling tablet with a 13-inch screen the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus is a cheaper option.

As for availability, as a Samsung tablet the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus is widely available in the US, UK, Australia, and a plethora of other countries worldwide.

Value score: 3 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus: Specs

(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

Starting price

$649 / £649 / AU$1,099

Operating system

One UI 7 / Android 15

Chipset

Samsung Exynos 1580

RAM

8GB

Storage

128GB / 256GB

Display

13.1-inch, 2880 x 1800, 90Hz

Cameras

13MP rear camera, 12MP selfie camera

Battery

10,090mAh

Connectivity

USB-C, MicroSD, WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 5G

Weight

668g

Dimensions

300.6 x 194.7 x 6 mm

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus: Design

(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 Plus follows Samsung’s no-frills design philosophy, with a solid build and simple aesthetic. Personally, I think it looks great – sticking with a clean rear panel and straightforward all-screen front makes aesthetics hard to mess up. I’m also a fan of the fetching blue color on the all-metal rear panel and side rails – other options include silver and gray.

As for ports and buttons, it’s standard fare – a volume rocker, power button with fast and accurate fingerprint scanner, and USB-C port for data and charging. The selfie camera is mounted on the long edge of the device, which cements it as a landscape-first design, though the screen is large enough that my thumbs only just reach the middle when holding it at each end.

That all-metal frame also hints at the tablet’s durability – as well as feeling tanky, with a reasonably hefty weight of 668g, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus boasts an IP68 rating against dust and water ingress, meaning this tablet can be totally submerged in fresh water and supposedly come out unscathed. That’s a rare quality that Samsung’s premium tablets offer, and though it's not really a selling point it does offer peace of mind.

Size-wise the tablet is close to a small laptop, and while I found it weighty in-hand it’s no bother to carry around in a backpack. At 6mm thick the tablet finds a nice balance between slim and solid.

Design score: 4 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus: Display

(Image credit: Roland Moore-Colyer / Future)

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus’ display is its biggest and best asset. It’s a 13.1-inch LCD panel with a resolution of 2880 x 1800, 90Hz refresh rate, and up to 800 nits of brightness. Also, it sports an aspect ratio of 16:10, meaning videos and movies take up most the available space. It’s a fantastic screen – I was never left wanting more from this bright, high resolution 13.1-inch panel, even if it wouldn’t match up to an OLED-equipped Galaxy Tab model in direct comparison.

I was grateful for that wider aspect ratio when it comes to watching videos and playing games. You feel like you’re getting the most out of that large screen size watching videos on YouTube or playing games like Asphalt 8. It even holds up in direct sunlight, and colors feel vibrant and consistent across the full range of the brightness slider.

Samsung’s in-depth approach to device settings pays dividends for the display experience, too. You can calibrate vividness (seemingly a combination of saturation and contrast), change font and UI zoom independently of each other, and even adjust the default aspect ratio for each individual app. It’s a level of control that you just don’t see on other tablets.

A 120Hz panel would have been nice to see at this price point, and would have given the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus a bit more leverage over the iPad Air, which is stuck at 60Hz. However, this is certainly the next best thing – it's a great display and the tablet's best feature.

Display score: 4 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus: Cameras

(Image credit: Roland Moore-Colyer / Future)

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus comes equipped with a 13MP main camera and 12MP selfie camera, and both are serviceable for scanning documents, video calls, and taking the odd snap – which for a tablet, and especially one of this size, is all you really need them to do.

The 12MP selfie camera is placed horizontally, which cements the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus as a landscape-first device. It takes pretty lackluster photos but will do fine for video chats and the odd snap here and there.

As for the rear camera, I found the 13MP lens similarly captured a reasonable amount of light, with more vibrant colors than its front-facing counterpart – but still produced images that were very lacking in detail. The Galaxy Tab S10 Plus FE’s cameras are, like most tablet cameras, auxiliary in nature, as most people will reach for their phone for photography needs. But even in this context, the cameras on the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus aren't great.

Camera score: 2.5 / 5

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(Image credit: Jamie Richards / Future)

Shot at the maximum 8x digital zoom

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus: Software

(Image credit: Roland Moore-Colyer / Future)

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus runs One UI 7, which is built on Android 15. Samsung’s latest mobile operating system is full of personality and features, so many that using the tablet can feel genuinely personal without even heading to the Google Play Store. There’s just so much of everything – you could easily spend an hour tweaking the homescreen widgets or testing out the display options. The settings app is absolutely full of personalization and functional options for both the tablet and included S Pen stylus.

As for the UI itself, I like how One UI 7 adapts to the large screen. With that said, One UI 7 certainly feels a little less fluid to swipe through than some other implementations of Android, and I found that the UI would stutter quite frequently when swiping between homescreen pages or exiting apps. Whether that's down to software optimization or hardware deficiencies, the result is still disappointing.

Samsung also offers the best multitasking of any tablet maker. As well as the ability to put apps into split-screen in its normal mode, the Galaxy Tab S10 Plus FE supports not one, but two versions of Samsung Dex – the classic laptop-style format as well as a modernized look that feels like a more customizable version of Apple’s Stage Manager.

I was able to organize apps in a way that felt natural and flexible. I could type up notes on one side of the screen while browsing through articles on the other, or throw a YouTube video on in a floating window via Dex.

Free floating windows and the ability to open multiple apps simultaneously pairs very well with the huge screen, making using the Tab as a light all-in-one device pretty seamless, especially when paired with a keyboard and mouse over Bluetooth. No external monitor support, as well as an underpowered chipset, means potential as a true productivity device is limited, but Dex remains impressive.

The Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus also serves as a gateway to Samsung’s recently expanded Galaxy AI suite. Bixby and Google Gemini are both available as AI assistants, with tools that are integrated into One UI 7 but not always clearly signposted. For example, the AI object eraser tool – one of Samsung’s most impressive software tools – is hidden behind a tiny Galaxy AI logo in the photo gallery.

Software score: 3.5 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus: Performance

(Image credit: Roland Moore-Colyer / Future)

When it comes to performance, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus' Exynos 1580 chipset is fine for day-to-day browsing, media consumption, and even gaming – I didn’t clock any slowdown in Call of Duty Mobile. I also rarely felt the need to close apps when multitasking, 8GB of RAM seemingly enough to handle several everyday processes at once. I also enjoyed using the responsive S Pen to jot down notes and try my hand at drawing in the pre-installed PenUp app.

I also used CapCut to edit some video and made liberal use of Dex for multitasking, both of which the tablet handled well. With all that said, the tablet does seem to suffer from some stuttering and slowdown when navigating the UI, though, even during basic tasks like opening the app drawer or closing an app, which is a real let-down at this price point.

Another issue lies with how the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus fits in to the rest of the market.

Future Labs test results found that the rival iPad Air was twice as fast in single-core processing and two-and-a-half times as fast in multi-core processing than the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus. The 2025 base-model iPad is also about twice as fast in single core processing and 50% faster in multi-core processing for a starting price of $349 / £329 / AU$599

In fact, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus scored worse in our performance tests than the Lenovo Idea Tab Pro, which offers a 12.7-inch screen for $349.99 / £379.99. It is plainly ridiculous that Apple and Lenovo can outpace the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus for around $300 / £300 / .AU$500 less.

Even though Android tablets aren't known to support many intensive professional workflows, at this price point I'd want to see Samsung at least keeping up with the competition.

Performance score: 2.5 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus: Battery and connectivity

(Image credit: Roland Moore-Colyer / Future)

The battery life of the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus is one of its most impressive aspects. It almost seems reductive to measure the longevity of this tablet in hours – with moderate mixed use I typically managed two days without a recharge. Samsung quotes up to 21 hours of video playback on the official specs sheet, which seems reasonable based on my experience – even blasting through gaming sessions on full brightness doesn’t eat up the battery life too quickly.

When it does come time to recharge, the tablet supports charging speeds of up to 45W over USB-C, but does not support wireless charging – that’s pretty quick for a tablet. As the tablet doesn’t ship with a charger in the box, I topped up with a 25W charger from another manufacturer, taking around 4 hours to charge the 10,090mAh cell from empty to full.

When it comes time to top up, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus connects to power via a single USB-C port, which doubles as the tablet’s only data transfer port. As for wireless connectivity, the tablet supports WiFi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and 5G cellular connectivity (an optional spec available in the UK and Australia).

A three-pin adapter on the bottom of the device provides connection to first-party keyboards and accessories. The tablet also has a tray for storage expansion via microSD card.

Battery and connectivity score: 4 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus: Score card

Attributes

Notes

Score

Value

The Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus offers a fair amount of utility and features. It's cheaper than the 13-inch iPad Air, but is undercut by more powerful rivals.

3 / 5

Design

Samsung minimalism, a sturdy all-metal build, and a surprising IP68 rating.

4 / 5

Display

The 13.1-inch display is beautiful, and by far this tablet's best feature.

4 / 5

Cameras

Tablets don't need great cameras, but these still feel subpar.

2.5 / 5

Software

One UI 7 is full of customization and Dex is the best multitasking system on a tablet, but the stuttery UI is a letdown.

3.5 / 5

Performance

Handles most apps well enough, but One UI 7 is prone to stuttering. At this price point we'd want to see more impressive results.

2.5 / 5

Battery

A huge battery that lasts days with mixed use, offset by long charging times.

4 / 5

Should I buy the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE PlusBuy it if...

You want a great, large screen

The Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus has a fantastic screen – one of the best you’ll find on a tablet for this price. It’s by far the tablet’s best feature.

You want something well-built

With an all-metal frame, solid build, and rare IP68 dust and water resistance rating, the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus is about as sturdy as tablets come.

Don't buy it if...

You want something simple

One UI 7 feels less cramped on a tablet than it does on a phone, but Samsung’s mobile OS is still a step up in complexity versus Apple’s market leading iPadOS.

You’re on a budget

All things considered, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus is pretty expensive - there are cheaper and more powerful rivals out there.

Also consider

iPad Air 13-inch (2024)

Apple's large mid-range tablet is more expensive than Samsung's offering, but has access to a much wider range of professional apps, some of the best accessories around, and the profoundly greater power of the M3 chipset.

Read our full iPad Air 13-inch (2024) reviewView Deal

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE

If you're set on getting a Samsung tablet but want to save a bit more money or want a smaller screen, the Galaxy Tab S10 FE is the way to go. At a starting price of $499 / £499 / AU$849, the smaller Tab S10 FE offers better value performance wise. View Deal

Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus: How I tested

I spent five days testing the Samsung Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus, putting the tablet through a number of specific use cases designed to make use of the tablet’s full feature set. The model I tested had 128GB of storage and WiFi connectivity, and came in the Blue color option.

I watched videos and listened to music on YouTube, browsed articles on Google Chrome and the Samsung Internet browser, played games, typed notes and documents with a keyboard and mouse connected, and doodled with the included S Pen on the pre-installed PenUp app. I edited video on CapCut and made liberal use of Dex mode for multitasking.

I also ran the battery to zero and measured the time taken to fully recharge, and dove deep into the settings app to tune the display, UI, and S Pen to my liking.

I then applied my knowledge of mobile hardware and journalistic training to offer a balanced assessment of the Galaxy Tab S10 FE Plus’ capability and value for money.

Reviewed May 2025

Mild spoilers follow for Foundation season 3 episodes 1 to 5.

Foundation is a show I've championed ever since its first season debuted in September 2021. Admittedly, it took a season to find its footing but, with Foundation season 2 righting the wrongs of ifs forebear, the sci-fi epic hasn't looked back since.

Foundation season 3 continues the space opera's upwards trajectory. Exhilarating and intellectually stimulating, the under-appreciated Apple TV Original ups the ante in spectacular and engrossing fashion, with a season that further cements my view that the show should be held in a higher regard.

Empires always fall

The Imperium, which is ruled by the Cleonic Dynasty, is now a shadow of its former self (Image credit: Apple TV+)

152 years have passed since the end of Foundation season 2. The Foundation now rules the entire Outer Reach and is slowly expanding into the Middle Band, a group of independent planets once ruled by Empire – also known as The Imperium – which has become a shadow of its former self. The Cleonic Dynasty, which rules Empire, still controls large portions of the galaxy, but no longer holds dominion over its own Galactic Council, and is subsequently positioned as something of an underdog this season.

Pilou Asbaek is a delightfully wicked, chillingly commanding, and unpredictable on-screen presence

Things are about to worsen for both parties, though. The next Seldon Crisis – events predicted by psychohistorian Hari Seldon (Jared Harris) that will test the entire galaxy – is fast approaching. Furthermore, The Mule (Pilou Asbaek), an incredibly powerful and dangerous Mentalic – individuals born with psychic abilities – aims to bend the galaxy to his will. If The Mule succeeds, and if his arrival and The Third Seldon Crisis aren't connected, humanity won't successfully navigate the latter.

The threat posed by The Mule is so great that it forces The Foundation & Imperium to work together (Image credit: Apple TV+)

Season 3 wastes no time introducing the demonstrably evil new player on the proverbial chess board. First teased in last season's finale, The Mule demonstrates his seemingly unmatched superhuman abilities by singlehandedly destroying an entire fleet of warships and killing numerous soldiers on the Middle Band world known as Kalgan.

It's a shocking sequence that proves how menacing this Machiavellian character is, and that menace is embodied in Asbaek's eye-catching performance. Asbaek only replaced Mikael Persbrandt as The Mule in a season 3 cast shake-up last February, but he's a delightfully wicked, chillingly commanding, and unpredictable on-screen presence. If you thought he couldn't play a character more monstrous than Euron Greyjoy in Game of Thrones, think again.

Season 3's early entries also do a largely good job of getting us up to speed on Foundation's wider universe, and the galactic checkerboard's current arrangement.

Seeing these millennia long-feuding groups temporarily set their differences aside... makes for a captivating watch

The biggest surprise – one hinted at in Foundation season 3's official trailer – is that a fragile peace now exists between The Foundation and Empire. Yes, they're still staunch adversaries, and events in this season's explosively epic fifth episode suggest that later chapters will pit them against each other once more. Nevertheless, seeing these long-feuding groups temporarily set aside their differences makes for a captivating watch as they navigate the galactic geopolitical minefield and try to combat a common enemy in The Mule.

Civil wars and familial frailties

Hari Seldon is criminally underused in season 3's first five episodes (Image credit: Apple TV+)

The Apple TV+ show's latest installment also continues to explore key relationships that have defined its overarching story so far, albeit with varying degrees of success.

Gaal Dornick's (Lou Llobell) student-teacher dynamic with Hari has been an integral cog in the machine since Foundation premiered. I was disappointed, then, that this oft-fraught surrogacy-like relationship is given short shrift in season 3's first half.

Gaal and Hari's oft-fraught surrogate-like relationship is given short shrift

In fact, I'd go as far as to say Harris is criminally underused. Hari and his digitized counterpart Doctor Seldon (Harris), the latter of whom dwells in The Foundation's mysterious artifact known as The Vault, exist on the periphery of storylines concerning Ignis and New Terminus, i.e., the worlds that The Foundation and its secret sibling Second Foundation are based on. I hope season 3 rectifies this oversight in its latter half.

At least Llobell gets more to do. As Second Foundation's self-assured yet flawed leader, she spends her time juggling the demands of Ignis' Mentalic colony, a romance with newcomer Han Pritcher (Brandon P. Bell), a hyper-fixation on tackling The Mule, and using her own psychic abilities to infiltrate Trantor to form a clandestine pact with one the Imperium's Cleonic rulers.

Gaal's obsession with The Mule is the primary driving force of her season 3 journey (Image credit: Apple TV+)

Speaking of the Cleonic Dynasty, this season's iterations of Empire's monarchic trio – Dawn (Cassian Bilton), Day (Lee Pace), and Dusk (Terrance Mann) – are dazzling and disturbing in equal measure.

It's interesting to see this triumvirate operate with a fraction of the power they've previously wielded, but it's even more compelling to see each actor infuse their respective characters with different personalities. Indeed, Foundation season 1 episode 9's revelation that Cleon I's genetic code was irrevocably damaged by rebels means each clone's DNA and personality become more distinct with every generation. Season 3's cocksure but naive Dawn, and outwardly pacifying yet internally sinister Dusk, then, allow Bilton and Mann to shine in ways they haven't before.

The season 3 version of Brother Day is a scene-stealing delight (Image credit: Apple TV+/Skydance Productions)

Pace benefits most from the diverging Cleonic bloodline, though. In what I can best describe as Pace's channeling of The Dude from The Big Lebowski, this season's neo-nihilistic, brutally honest, drug-addicted, and wisecracking Day is a scene-stealing delight. He's still got a nasty side, and an arrogance that offer reminders of the uncompromising and warmongering Day we've previously seen, but I was nonetheless enchanted by Pace's wildly different take on the character.

I was enchanted by Pace's wildly different take on Brother Day

The variance is particularly visible when the Cleons gather for meetings with each other and/or alongside Empire's robotic majordomo Demerzel (Laura Birn), which often exude melodrama amid power struggles between the trio, and their individual and collective confrontations with Demerzel.

The final scene of this season's premiere is a perfect illustration of this. Not only does it reveal an unexpected inflection point in Hari's psychohistory calculations – remember, Demerzel (and, by proxy, Empire) came into possession of one of the two Prime Radiants in the season 2 finale – it also predicts humanity's total annihilation. Cue a tense debate as the quartet propose solutions to this calamity (or, in Day's case, choose to ignore it completely) and an existential crisis-fueled arc for Demerzel that Birn captures with dazzling nuance and heart-aching complexity.

Demerzel is consumed by an identity crisis in Foundation's first five episodes (Image credit: Apple TV+)

Foundation's primary cast is aptly aided by Asbaek's fellow season 3 newcomers. The charismatic couple Toran Mallow (Cody Fern) and Bayta Darell (Synnøve Karlsen), whose influence steadily grows despite their initial reluctance to get involved in events, and Bell's swashbuckling Foundation operative in Pritcher, who's trying to prevent a group known as The Alliance of Traders from breaking away from The Foundation and exerting its influence on Foundation-ruled worlds, are standouts at this season's midpoint.

If I have one major gripe about season 3's first five episodes, it's that they spend an inordinate amount of time focusing on The Imperium storyline. It's certainly entertaining, but there's plenty of cat-and-mouse politicking and gripping subplots, and new characters to get to know, all of which deserve more screen-time. I hope they're not neglected as much in episodes 6 through 10 as Harris has been so far.

My verdict

Foundation season 3 proves that the sci-fi extravaganza not only deserves its spot on our best Apple TV+ shows list, but also confirms its position as the best show you're not watching right now. Its ability to constantly evolve from a narrative perspective, and keep me engaged through its seasonal time jumps, plus its capacity to maintain a high level of consistency in all areas of its production, make it an unrivaled spectacle in the genre space.

If episodes 6 to 10 can build upon the thrills that season 3's first half contains and address the problems I've outlined in this review, it might threaten Severance season 2 as my favorite Apple production of 2025. Foundation season 4 is only a rumor at this point but, based on the show's latest installment, it's a matter of when, not if, this space odyssey's next entry is confirmed by one of the world's best streaming services.

Foundation season 3 launches worldwide with a one-episode premiere on Friday, July 11. New entries will air weekly until its finale is released on September 12.

WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp: two-minute review

First impressions account for a lot, and I think I was expecting far less from the Wiz Gradient Floor Lamp based on its freshly out-of-the-box appearance. As its shaft and base are composed entirely of relatively lightweight plastic, the build has a feel that almost borders on flimsy. Undisturbed, the lamp stands perfectly fine, but if you have a pet or a little one tearing through your living space, it’s not difficult to imagine them sending the lamp toppling. So, keep that in mind when deciding where to place it.

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While it may not feel premium, the lamp doesn’t feel so cheap that I’d worry about its lifespan. I reckon the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp could withstand years of clumsy folks knocking it over. So, unless you particularly value the feel and finish of metal, a plastic smart lamp gets the job done just fine. Actually, it does a lot better than just fine: the seven-segment RGB LCD creates a fabulous wave of color across the room that transforms the mood of the space surprisingly well.

In terms of brightness, the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp lags behind equivalent products from its competitors. For reference, the Govee Floor Lamp Pro is 2,100 lumens, whereas the Philips Hue Gradient Signe sits at 2,500. Your initial instincts might tell you ‘bigger means brighter means better’, but that’s not strictly true. Given that this variety of floor lamp is meant to be placed in a corner and used as ambient light that washes across the walls, you’re not necessarily going to be looking for an output that’s particularly blinding.

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I respect that it’s actually quite difficult to conceptualize exactly how bright 1,000 lumens are, so I'll try to give you some point of reference: it’s enough to provide solid task lighting for an entire medium-sized room. Given that a WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp is very unlikely to be granted the role of ‘big light’ and is instead mainly for localised mood lighting, I’d say 1,080 lumens is perfectly adequate. Maybe those other lamps are compensating for something.

Historically, I’ve not been a big fan of operating smart lights with their associated apps. Obviously, I’ll hop on to do day-one setup and to tweak settings, but by and large, I much prefer importing devices into the Home app or controlling them using my Alexa. But after using WiZ’s app, I was struck by how few ‘smart home app sins’ it actually committed. The UI is clean and easy to navigate, and there aren’t any obtrusive popups, unsubtle attempts to get you to buy more products, or superfluous social features.

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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

In fact, the sole problem I had with the app was when trying to pair my device for the first time. When you set up a device manually, it prompts you to define your device type. Apparently, the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp falls under the category of a luminaire. Listen, I’m big enough to admit it: I had no idea that luminaire was just a synonym for light fixture. And so, when I saw that category on the app, I assumed it referred specifically to the WiZ Luminaire Mobile Portable Light – and I feel like the icon of a stout little table lamp just led me further astray. This might be a me-specific problem, and maybe I just should pick up a thesaurus more often, but I really wouldn’t be surprised if you also spend 10 very confused minutes trying to register your lamp as a LED strip.

Alongside the usual combination of static and dynamic light displays, the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp also has a music sync feature. Well, it does with a little help. The device doesn’t have a microphone of its own, so it relies on you to open your app and use your phone’s mic instead. Crucially, that means that your music has to be coming from another audio source than your phone. Placing my phone beside a speaker to control my lamp felt a tad too much like a Rube Goldberg machine for my liking, and frankly, the whole process felt a bit silly.

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But if I’m being honest, I think music sync can afford to be silly. After all, it – at least in my experience – is a sort of novelty that you might pop on during a house party or to be particularly annoying to the people you live with.

WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp: specifications

Designed for

Indoors

Connectivity

Wi-Fi (2.4GHz only), Bluetooth

Smart home compatibility

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Matter

Light color

RGBIC

Height

4.7 feet / 1.4 meters

Brightness

1,080 lumens

Color temperature

Color segments

7

WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp: price and availability

• Price: £79.99 / $92.26 (not available in Australia)
• Where to buy: WiZ website (available in the UK only), Amazon

You can pick up the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp on Amazon US for about $90. Unfortunately for stateside folks, it seems like the gradient version isn’t available on the WiZ site at the moment (don’t get it confused with the dual-tone floor lamp!). In the UK, the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp is available to purchase directly from WiZ and on Amazon for £79.99.

If you’ve been in the market for smart lights for any amount of time, I’m sure you’ve come across products from Philips Hue. After all, the brand delivers a premium ecosystem that consistently tops best smart lights lists. However, forking out $50 for a single colored smart bulb really isn’t for everyone.

As a more budget-friendly alternative to Philips Hue, I’m well familiar with Nanoleaf and Govee products – they’ve taken up some serious real estate in my apartment up to this point – but they aren’t the only company developing cut-price options for folks who love smart lighting. In fact, WiZ (whose products are made by Signify, the same parent company as Philips Hue) sits one rung further below those competitors in terms of price, dropping the barrier of entry to having a beautifully illuminated, smart living space impressively low.

Should you buy the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp?Buy it if

You need a smart light that’s kinder to your wallet

It’s a little too easy to rack up a hefty bill when putting together your smart light setup. Thankfully, WiZ products are a more economical choice that allows you to add more goodies to your basket while still staying on budget.

You want ambient lighting

The WiZ floor lamp delivers intense luminescence up close, but that’s not really its intended use. It does its best work when faced up against a wall or a corner, where it fills your living space with a cozy, diffused glow.

You’re looking for a large light source

WiZ also has a number of smart lights that can be mounted on your wall or planted on your table, but if you want something that’s going to make a real impact in your living space, bigger is better.

Don't buy it if

You’ve committed to another ecosystem (without Matter integration)

Mixing and matching products is thankfully easier than ever, thanks to the Matter standard. However, you might own devices that aren’t Matter-enabled. In that case unless you plan to upgrade your entire set-up – buying a new smart light outside of your chosen ecosystem is probably not worth the trouble.

You really value a premium finish

While the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp is a pretty top-notch product for under $100, WiZ had to cut corners somewhere. Thankfully, that’s mostly resulted in superficial downgrades; but still, some folks really appreciate the look and feel of the finer things in life.

WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp: also consider

While you’re shopping around, you’ll probably want to check out some alternatives. The Philips Hue Gradient Signe and Govee Floor Lamp Pro are sort of like the bougee cousins to the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp: sporting very similar features and form factors, albeit at a more premium price.

WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp

Govee Floor Lamp Pro

Philips Hue Gradient Signe Floor Lamp

Price

$92.26 / £79.99

$199 / £219

$329 / £279

Designed for

Indoors

Indoors

Indoors

Connectivity

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

Bluetooth, Wi-Fi

Bluetooth, Zigbee

Smart home compatibility

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant & Matter

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant & Matter

Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant & Apple HomeKit (Matter compatible if used with Hue Bridge, sold separately)

Height

1.4m / 4.7ft

1.7m / 5.5ft

1.4m / 4.7ft

Brightness

1,080 lumens

2,100 lumens

2,500 lumens

Color temperature

2,200K-6,500K

2,200K-6,500K

2,000K-6,500K

How I tested the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp

• I trialled both automatic and manual setup methods
• I operated the lights using voice commands, Apple’s Home app, and the Wiz app
• I tested the device’s music sync and automation functions

For three weeks, the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp sat pride-of-place in my home office, where it illuminated my walls with both dynamic and static light effects almost daily. My primary means of operating the lamp was through voice commands to my Amazon Alexa, but I also activated it using the WiZ app and Apple Home app.

In evaluating the WiZ Gradient Floor Lamp, I made a direct effort to compare it to other floor lamps on the market, as well as to the broader array of experience I had with smart lights in general. For more details, see how we test, rate, and review at TechRadar.

First reviewed June 2025

 The Opera web browser has included a simple free VPN for a very long time, but it only protects your browser traffic, has almost no features and is generally very slow.

Opera has now unveiled Opera VPN Pro, a true system-wide VPN which allows you to protect all your app traffic on up to six Android, Windows or Mac devices.

The service is accessed from the Opera browser rather than a standalone app, in much the same way as the free VPN: tap a button on the address bar and connect. But it's an entirely different service underneath.

• Want to try Opera VPN Pro? Check out the website here

You can now select countries (and sometimes cities), with 33 countries available. You're able to choose OpenVPN or IKEv2 protocols, depending on the platform. And rather than route your traffic through Opera's overloaded free servers, Opera VPN Pro uses the same network as NordVPN, delivering much better speeds (more on that below).

There still aren't a lot of features (more on that below, too), and there's no iOS app yet, but the price is certainly right. Opera VPN Pro is $5.99 billed monthly, around half the price of some monthly plans. It drops to $2.99 a month on the six-month plan, and only $1.99 billed annually, a tiny $23.88 for a full year's protection.

Opera doesn't keep any logs on its users (Image credit: Opera)Privacy

Most VPN providers make huge efforts to convince you of their bullet-proof privacy, and that you'll be entirely safe with their service. Opera is, well, a little more cautious. Here's the relevant part of its privacy policy:

"VPN Pro is provided by a third-party service provider... Data communicated through VPN Pro will be encrypted and routed through one of thousands of servers... However, we do not promise that the service is absolutely secure. Despite our best efforts and the best efforts of our provider, criminals or other bad actors may still be able to access your data."

Is that worrying, unusually honest, or both? We're not quite sure, but it's something to bear in mind: Opera VPN Pro doesn't offer any big privacy promises, and it's probably not the best choice for privacy-critical tasks.

Opera says VPN Pro is a no log service, explaining: "We do not collect or store records of web pages you visit or links you click on in the servers dedicated for this Service."

Sounds promising. And as Opera VPN Pro is based on NordVPN's much-audited servers and network, we'd be reasonably sure that there's nothing harmful going on here. But Opera hasn't put its own apps or infrastructure through any audits of their own, so right now there's no evidence to back this up. We're left to take the company's words on trust.

To get started using Opera VPN, you'll just need to download the latest version of its browser (Image credit: Opera)Windows app

While Opera VPN Pro can now protect your entire Windows device, it's still accessed entirely from the Opera browser. You must download and install Opera, launch it whenever you need protection, and click a VPN icon in the address bar to control the app.

That's a relatively heavyweight solution (installing an entire browser requires far more resources than a simple standalone client), but once you've launched the app, it looks and feels much like any other VPN offering.

The location list is very barebones and basic (Image credit: Opera)

Opera VPN's dashboard is simple and free from clutter, which is just what we like to see. There's a connect button, and tapping the location option displays a list with all of your recent connection points at the top, as well as Opera VPN's server list. This is where you can pick and choose where you'd like to put your pin in the map.

There are no city-level locations, however, and no favorites system. This isn't a massive red flag, but it is a small quality of life feature that most top-rated VPNs include as standard, these days.

You get some settings to play with, but hardly any and it's very basic stuff (again) (Image credit: Opera)

The only other feature is a Settings icon. Tapping this displays a VPN Pro section in Opera's general Settings page. This is even more basic than the location list, with little more than a couple of account management options and a reconnect feature (which automatically restarts if the VPN fails).

The app doesn't make any mention of protocols. Our investigations revealed it used a standard Windows IKEv2 connection, slower than WireGuard, but properly configured for maximum security.

Opera VPN Pro doesn't have a kill switch, but does use a reconnect feature – although that's bugged, sadly (Image credit: Opera)Kill switch

The Opera VPN Pro website has no mention of a kill switch, and our tests showed why: it doesn't seem to have one. When we forcibly closed our Windows VPN connection, Opera displayed a 'Disconnected' message and reconnected within seconds, but it didn't block our internet and our device traffic wasn't protected.

This reconnect feature is welcome, and reduces your data exposure. It's no substitute for a working kill switch, though, and our tests revealed it had an odd 'feature' (or bug) of its own.

Suppose you've finished with Opera VPN, closed the browser, and you're connected to something else via a different Windows network connection – maybe a secure login for a work system. We’ll call this service X.

We noticed that if we forcibly closed X’s connection, then Opera VPN Pro acted like this was a failure in its own service, popped up a warning and tried connecting to its own network. But X was trying to reconnect, too. Sometimes Opera connected first, sometimes X, and sometimes that connection failed after a few seconds, presumably because the two systems were fighting over who was in charge, and they’d both try reconnecting again.

This may not happen much in real life. If you’re not using a second connection, it may never happen at all. But just the fact that the app can make such a fundamental mistake is a concern, and we’re left wondering what other issues might be lurking somewhere in its code.

We use a number of different speed tests to determine the performance of each VPN we review (Image credit: Ookla)Performance

We tested Opera VPN Pro's speeds with Windows systems in both UK and US locations, using multiple speed tests, over several sessions. That's a minimum of 120 individual checks, and it's often considerably more.

The results were relatively ordinary at 230-280Mbps. That's about what we expect for an IKEv2 connection (Atlas VPN also managed 230-240Mbps in recent testing, Hotspot Shield 220-260Mbps). However, WireGuard-equipped VPNs are typically two to three times as fast, and Surfshark and TorGuard reached 950Mbps+ in their last tests.

Opera's VPN has always been about privacy and security more than accessing geoblocked content, so we didn't expect much from our unblocking tests. And sure enough, it gave us very mixed results in both the UK (unblocked BBC iPlayer, couldn’t even access ITV or Channel 4) and Australia (succeeded with 9Now, failed with 10 play).

But the service went on to surprise us everywhere else, unblocking Netflix in the US, UK, Australia, Canada and Japan, as well as Amazon Prime Video and Disney Plus: a very capable record.

If you’re looking for even more, though, ExpressVPN, Hide.me, Ivacy, NordVPN, PureVPN and Surfshark all unblocked 100% of our sample sites in their last tests.

Opera's Help Center is distinctly underwhelming (Image credit: Opera)Support

The Opera Pro VPN support site is just about as basic as we've seen, with a tiny number of extremely short articles containing almost no useful details at all.

We opened the article 'Can I use Opera VPN Pro on my Laptop/Desktop computer?' hoping to find step-by-step guides to setting up the service, for instance. ExpressVPN has seven in-depth tutorials on Windows alone, but Opera's article was 58 words long, and said little more than 'it's available for Windows 8 and MacOS 10.15 or later, just download Opera Browser to use it.'

Live chat is available, but only Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm (CEST). You can leave a message and the support team will respond by email, but officially this could take up to 48 hours.

We posted a test question explaining that Opera VPN Pro connected for us, but then we weren't able to access the internet on any apps until the connection was closed. That's typically a DNS-type issue, but would the agent give us any kind of detailed response to help figure that out?

The good news is the reply arrived quicker than expected, in around 18 hours. The bad news is it included nothing but the most generic advice that anyone with more than five minutes VPN experience would figure out for themselves: uninstall and reinstall, or try it on another device.

Opera VPN Pro has too many shortcomings to recommend the service (Image credit: Opera)Final verdict

Opera VPN Pro is a nice extension of the free Opera VPN service. It's capable of unblocking Netflix, thanks to a decent spread of servers, but dedicated streamers will be disappointed with its overall unblocking power. Opera VPN is somewhat basic when it comes to features, too, especially compared to our top-rated services. If you're looking for an all-rounder, you'll be happier elsewhere.

• We've highlighted all the best VPNs

Mozilla VPN: quick menu

1. Features
2. Mozilla VPN pricing
3. Privacy and logging
4. Audit
5. Apps
6. Settings
7. Kill switch
8. Mac app
9. Mobile apps
10. Performance
11. Mozilla VPN review: Final verdict

Mozilla VPN might've been a standalone Firefox browser extension once upon a time but, since then, it has become a full-blooded VPN service capable of giving your online security a significant boost.

The network has expanded recently and now offers 600+ servers across 73 locations in 43 countries.

• Want to try Mozilla VPN? Check out the website here

Mozilla VPN is powered by Mullvad's speedy and secure network. Some companies keep quiet about the fact that they're reselling someone else's service, not Mozilla. Click the 'see our full list of servers' link on the Mozilla VPN website, for instance, and it takes you to the server list on Mullvad's site. 

You can elect to use ad or tracker-blocking DNS servers (Image credit: Mozilla)Features

Mozilla VPN's feature list has grown considerably since launch. Now, the service competes well with many big VPN names. The network is P2P-friendly, for instance (we torrented successfully on three test locations), support for the speedy WireGuard protocol optimizes performance, and there's a kill switch to protect you if the VPN drops. Multi-Hop VPN enables connecting to the VPN from one location and exiting from another, making it even more difficult for others to track your activities. There is also split tunneling support (called App Exclusions here) that allows you to decide which apps are protected by the VPN and which use your regular internet connection.

Other highlights include IPv6 support, and the ability to choose an ad or tracker-blocking DNS server, or to use your preferred DNS.

Firefox users get an unusual bonus in support for Multi-Account Containers. Each Firefox tab can be connected to a separate VPN location, so instead of forever connecting, changing location, and disconnecting, you can just switch to whatever tab you need. This Mozilla blog post has more details.

There are still weaknesses. Mozilla VPN only supports the WireGuard protocol, so if that won't connect on your network, you're out of luck. There's no support for manually setting up the service on routers or anything else. Additionally, you still can't set up the apps to automatically connect when you access public Wi-Fi, either.

There's no live chat support, but Mozilla does have a decent number of support articles. You can also send questions to the support team from the website if you're in serious trouble.

Only five devices can be registered to use the VPN at one time (Image credit: Mozilla)

We spotted one potential annoyance. Although Mozilla VPN says it works with up to five devices, that means specific, registered devices. If you use the service on two mobiles, two laptops, and a tablet, for instance, you can't use it on a new device until you've signed out of one of the others.

• How does Mozilla VPN shape up with the best Firefox VPN extensions

Payment methods include PayPal as well as cards (Image credit: Mozilla)Mozilla VPN pricing

Mozilla VPN is priced at a reasonable $9.99 for its monthly billed account, dropping to $4.99 on the https://vpn.mozilla.org/.

Although that's not expensive overall, keep in mind that you're paying for access to Mullvad's servers. Sign up for Mullvad instead and you'll pay a flat rate of €5 a month (around $5.50), whatever the length of your subscription.

Payments are accepted via card and PayPal only.

If you sign up and the service doesn't work for you, no problem, you're protected by a 30-day money-back guarantee. There are no sneaky catches or exclusions, as far as we can tell and we spent quite some time looking. If you're unhappy, just tell the company within the first 30 days, and you'll get a refund.

Mozilla VPN puts user privacy first (Image credit: Mozilla)Privacy and logging

Mozilla sells its VPN partly on being from 'a name you can trust' and that's a major plus. Even if you think Mozilla's reputation comes largely from not being Google or Microsoft, it's still way ahead of many VPNs in the trustworthiness stakes, and its partner, Mullvad, is one of the most privacy-focused providers around.

The Mozilla VPN website makes its general approach very clear – ''Your privacy comes first'', ''We don't store your online activity logs on our servers'' – and the company provides more information in a brief Privacy Notice.

The firm collects your IP address when you sign up and use the service, along with technical information about the setup such as the app version, operating system, hardware configuration, and interaction data. Interaction data includes the time that you log in, when the app requests the server information, and other stuff. Mozilla says the IP is only held temporarily, although it doesn't explain how long 'temporary' might be.

If you're unhappy with this, you can disable some of it. Our Windows app installer asked us whether we wanted to send usage data to Mozilla, making it clear what was going on, and giving us a chance to say 'no, thanks'. If you don't notice the installer option, you can also turn this off later in the settings.

Mozilla points users to the Mullvad Privacy Policy for more detail and that explains there's no logging of traffic, DNS requests, IP addresses, session times, or bandwidth used.

Mozilla VPN was given a thorough audit by Cure53 (Image credit: Mozilla)Audit

Mozilla says all the right things about privacy, but users shouldn't be left to take any provider's words on trust. We like to see some independent evidence that a VPN is living up to its promises.

In August 2021, Mozilla provided just that by publishing the results of a second Cure53 audit into its service.

This didn't look at the servers, but Cure53 did have an in-depth look at the apps, including the source code.

Cure53's report was positive overall, saying that only a single medium scale vulnerability was uncovered, and that the apps had 'grown significantly in security' since its last review.

Overall, we think the audit is positive news in a number of ways. The scope was significant, covering all Mozilla's apps; the company shared its source code; the audit results were reasonable, and it published the report in full. We give Mozilla a lot of credit for putting itself under that level of scrutiny, something which most VPNs still haven't done.

Mozilla VPN is available across a number of platforms (Image credit: Mozilla)Apps

Signing up with Mozilla VPN begins by providing your email address and age to create a Firefox account. Although most providers also ask you to register with your email address, Mullvad doesn't need any personal details at all, which could be another reason to just buy it from Mullvad directly.

With the account set up, we handed over our cash and the website directed us to the Downloads page. We grabbed a copy of the Windows app, which was downloaded and installed within seconds.

This is the user interface of Mozilla VPN's Windows app (Image credit: Mozilla)

Mozilla VPN's Windows offering has a straightforward and very standard interface. A small console displays your default location, and you can click this to select another. A big On/Off switch connects and disconnects you as required, and icons plus a status display make it clear when you're protected, and when you're not.

The client doesn't have an 'Automatic' setting where it chooses the fastest server for you, and there's no Search box, filtering, or Favorites system to quickly find your most-used locations. Getting connected takes a little more scrolling and clicking than we'd like. There's some compensation in Mozilla's use of the ultra-speedy WireGuard protocol, which typically got us connected in 1-2 seconds.

Our connection stress testing caused the app to get stuck at this point (Image credit: Mozilla)

The app didn't perform as well in our connection stress tests, where we see how a VPN can handle awkward network situations like no internet connection, when another VPN is connected, and so on. It occasionally hung on ‘Connecting' or ‘Disconnecting' screens for so long that we had to restart to recover.

If you're only ever accessing the same few very standard Wi-Fi hotspots, you might instantly connect each time, and this won't matter at all; however, if you're traveling more widely, you could find Mozilla VPN has the occasional connection issue. If you're signing up for the trial, use your time to test the service on as many different networks as you can to see how it works for you.

Unfortunately Mozilla VPN has very few settings (Image credit: Mozilla)Settings

We started by looking at Mozilla VPN's Windows split tunneling system. This enables setting up specific apps to use your normal internet connection rather than the VPN, which can be handy to improve performance or fix problems like banking apps not running if you seem to be in another country.

A DNS Settings screen allows you to choose DNS servers that block ads, trackers, or both, and you can also enter a custom DNS server of your own.

A 'Privacy features' page allows selectively blocking ads, trackers, and malware. We turned everything on and tried accessing 156 common trackers. Mozilla VPN blocked a very acceptable 115, including all the most important such as Google and Facebook.

Switching to malware, we tried accessing 379 very new malicious websites and watched as Mozilla VPN blocked 99.2% (it missed only three.) Even ad blocking worked better than we expected, with our VPN-enabled connection scoring 90% protection in one test (that's better than uBlock Origin.)

A Notifications page includes an option to display an alert if you connect to an unsecured Wi-Fi network. That's useful, although more powerful apps can automatically connect to the VPN as required, too.

A handful of more technical features include the ability to use port 53 for connections, which might help you use the service in countries or on networks where a VPN is normally blocked. 

As we mentioned above, there's no option to change protocol but otherwise, there's a fair amount of configurability here and Mozilla VPN certainly outperforms many competitors.

Mozilla VPN's Windows client has a kill switch but there is no option to turn it on or off (Image credit: Mozilla)Kill switch

While Mozilla's Windows client has a kill switch, there's no option to turn it on or off or tweak how it works. That's good for security, as there's no way you can accidentally disable it. Still, this could be bad news if the kill switch causes some problems on your device, as there's no way to try and fix that.

We ran a few tests and found the kill switch correctly blocked our internet if the VPN connection dropped.

We did notice problems in some extreme situations. If one of Mozilla's Windows services fails, for instance, protection is lost but the kill switch doesn't kick in. The app warns the user about the disconnection but there's a chance their identity and some traffic will be exposed.

Problems like this aren't common and while you may never encounter them in real-world use, they suggest Mozilla's Windows app isn't the best at handling unusual network conditions. We're left wondering what other issues might be lurking under the hood.

The Mac app looks like the Windows build, and offers some useful touches (Image credit: Mozilla)Mac app

Mozilla VPN's Mac app looks and feels almost identical to the Windows version and that's both good and bad. On the plus side, it's exceptionally consistent. Learn how the app works on one platform and you'll have no problem using it on the other. On the downside, it means the Mac inherits all the same Windows limitations. There's no 'Fastest server' option to automatically choose the best location, no Favorites system, and no choice of protocol, for instance. It's also missing Mozilla's 'App Exclusions' split tunneling feature.

The app does have a few interesting touches. It also includes Mozilla's effective ad, tracker, and malicious website blocking DNS. It can also give you notifications if you connect to unsecured Wi-Fi. Other apps go further – the best VPN software can automatically connect when you access untrusted networks – but these are still features worth having.

Put it all together, and although it's not exactly powerful, this is a decent Mac app. It's simple to use and worked well for us. It connected quickly and delivered decent performance all-round.

Mozilla VPN's Android app is very much built the same as the Windows client (Image credit: Mozilla)Mobile apps

The Mozilla Android and iOS apps are near clones of the desktop builds, easy to use but with few features.

Browsing the menus, we managed to spot some differences between the desktop clients. For example, the Android app supports the split tunneling feature which isn't supported on Mac, allowing you to choose specific apps that won't have their traffic routed through the VPN.

The iOS app doesn't have split tunneling (not Mozilla's fault, it's not supported on iOS), but you do still get ad, malware, and tracker blocking DNS and some basic notification settings.

Mozilla's mobile apps aren't exactly exciting then, but like the rest of the range, they're not bad either. They all do a reasonable job of the VPN essentials, and if that's all you need, they might be good enough.

Mozilla VPN put in an okay performance in our speed testing (Image credit: Speedtest.net)Performance

Mozilla VPN focuses primarily on its privacy-boosting tools and, unfortunately, our hands-on unblocking tests made this crystal clear. We were unable to access popular platforms, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+.

We managed to check out ITV and Channel 4 however, as well as Australia's 9Now, but this is a pretty disappointing spread of sites.

This means that Mozilla VPN just doesn't cut it as a streaming VPN – which could be a massive red flag for prospective users looking for a well-rounded service. NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark all aced our unblocking tests, able to access virtually every streaming site we threw at them.

Our performance tests found Mozilla's WireGuard-powered download speeds peaked at 360Mbps. That's far behind the likes of NordVPN, Surfshark, and Windscribe. All these VPNs reached 950Mbps+ in their last tests. If your regular internet connections only ever reach a fraction of that speed, or you're using a VPN to protect normal browsing or streaming, Mozilla VPN is fast enough.

The company ended on a positive note in our final privacy checks, as multiple test sites found Mozilla VPN blocked all DNS and WebRTC leaks.

Mozilla VPN review: Final verdict

Mozilla VPN benefits from a well-known and trusted brand, but it can't quite compare to our top-rated services when it comes to features, unblocking power, and value for money. Ultimately, unless you're a die-hard Mozilla fan, you'll be better off looking elsewhere.

• We've also highlighted the best VPN providers of 2025

Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine: one-minute review

Founded in 2020, Casabrews hasn’t been around for very long, and so, it really hasn’t had its chance to shine among some of the best espresso machines. That said, it has cultivated some buzz on platforms like TikTok, thanks to the brand’s mix of affordability and aesthetics.

The Casabrews Ultra takes things one step further and provides additional options for refining your espresso. I appreciate the approach of Casabrews developing a low-cost semi-automatic espresso machine that’s a kind of gateway into making great coffee at home. However, the espresso it yielded quite literally left a bad taste in my mouth.

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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

It’s true that a bad workman blames their tools, but ultimately, when I found myself about five hours deep in searching through subreddits and forums for a solution to my awful coffee, I realised that I was likely at the point where any actual customer would’ve sought out a new machine.

All in all, the Casabrews Ultra sits in a bit of an odd no-man’s-land, given that it asks for far too much of a casual, beginner user but delivers far too little customization and control for a hardcore coffee hobbyist. With some upgrades and a good deal of experimentation, the Casabrews Ultra could be someone’s espresso machine of choice, but I encountered far too many insurmountable problems during my testing period to be able to recommend the machine wholeheartedly. After the unfortunate loss of my old espresso machine, I’ve been on the hunt for a worthy replacement. But I can’t say the Casabrews Ultra will be inducted into my daily coffee routine anytime soon.

Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine: price and availability

• List price: $249.99 / £199.99
• Available in the US and UK
• Discounts available at the Casabrews website

Like the rest of Casabrews’ product lineup, the Casabrews Ultra is a pretty budget-friendly option. The machine will set you back less than $250, which is definitely on the low end of things for a semi-automatic espresso machine with a steam wand attachment.

You can purchase the Casabrews Ultra directly from the Casabrews website, often with a welcome discount to make it an even more affordable option. For example, at the moment, you can pick it up for $215. Third-party retailers like Walmart and Target are worth checking out for deals, too.

If you’re based in the UK, you can take advantage of the savings on Casabrews’ website too. In terms of third-party retailers, your main option is Amazon.

• Value score: 4/5

Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine: specificationsCasabrews Ultra Espresso Machine

Type

Semi-automatic espresso machine

Drink options

2 (single and double espresso)

Pump pressure

20 bar

Water tank capacity

2.3 quarts / 2.2 liters

Steam wand

Yes, manual

Size (H x W x D)

12.99 x 12.2 10.31 inches / 330 x 310 x 262mm

Weight

13.55lbs / 6.15kg

Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine: design

• Large, but attractive machine
• Stiff steam wand articulation and portafilter
• Useful floater in drip tray to indicate water level

When compared to other models from the brand, the Casabrew Ultra has a wider footprint, which is not great for tiny kitchens, but it certainly helps it look the part of a fancy espresso machine. Atop the machine is a little cup warming setup. Despite being a handy addition in theory, the cup warmer doesn’t actually transfer enough heat to achieve its one and only function. I found it much more effective to just use the machine’s hot water dispenser to prepare my cups.

The articulation on the steam wand is stiff, but it was nothing compared to the portafilter. I found it unusually difficult to twist it into place on the group head, even without any grounds in the basket. In fact, during my first few uses, I started to think that there may have been some debris on the shower screen or a warped O-ring gasket, causing the level of resistance I was getting.

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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

After doing some investigating and disproving this theory, I just kind of resigned myself to accepting that the whole thing was just threaded really bloody tight, and so, making my coffee in the morning would be an unwitting workout for the rest of my test period. All that said, as long as I planted my non-dominant hand on the machine for leverage and let out a little grunt (yes, I’m almost certain that makes me stronger), I could mostly overcome that problem.

Outside of these stiff components, I have very few complaints about the build quality of the machine. Included with the Casabrews Ultra are baskets for one-cup and two-cup espresso: two pressurized and two unpressurized. The light plastic tamp/scoop tool serves far better as a scooper than it does as a tamper, so thankfully, a sturdier tamper is included as well.

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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)Image 2 of 2

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

Another feature I appreciate is the floater in the drip tray. This buoyant little nugget of red plastic provides a clear indicator of when to empty liquid in the tray. Admittedly, it’s pretty bad form not to give the machine a cleanout daily, but who hasn’t forgotten to empty their drip tray for a week and discovered what looks like the contents of a petri dish? Just me?

• Design score: 3/5

Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine: performance

• Recommended coffee dosage is much too high
• Strange metallic taste (even when just used to heat water)
• Steam wand works well once you're used to it

I was willing to accept that a $250 machine wouldn’t produce the kind of coffee worth swishing around your mouth and plotting on one of those coffee taster flavor wheels. What I wasn’t prepared for were quite so many shots that were ‘spit-it-in-the-sink’ bad.

My very first shot with the Casabrews Ultra was under-extracted, with minimal crema and a taste that wasn’t at all what I had come to expect from my chosen beans. Knowing that these tell-tale signs might mean that my water was travelling through the grounds too quickly, my first instinct was to up the dose of coffee loaded in the basket.

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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

The problem with that was – despite my leaning on the lower end of what the manual recommended for a double espresso – my basket was already basically overflowing. With each shot I had pulled so far, the puck touched right up against the shower screen and, in most cases, even stuck to it. Thankfully, the Casabrew Ultra allows for reprogramming shot volume and temperature, so I could play around with those variables in the hopes of achieving something drinkable (or even tasty, if I’m lucky).

Unfortunately, while the quality of my extraction improved, shot after shot, I was presented with a pretty foul battery-like taste that I couldn’t totally camouflage with milk or by diluting into an americano. Light roasts are notoriously difficult to dial in, so I started to think that maybe I was presenting the Casabrews Ultra with too steep a challenge.

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(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

However, with payday too far off on the horizon, I couldn’t quite justify another bag of specialty coffee that I likely wouldn’t actually drink. As a compromise, I picked myself up a bag of Lavazza Rossa, a cheap but reliable medium roast that I used to chuck in my espresso machine as a teen prior to having adult money. It’s a sort of rich, chocolatey, everyman’s coffee that doesn't require too delicate a touch.

The Lavazza beans were pre-ground, which didn’t bode well for me achieving anything professional barista level, but at this point, I just wanted some coffee I could get through a full cup of without wincing. Besides, thanks to the pressurised basket, I could produce a shot with a nice faux crema even with beans that were technically a little stale.

The results were a familiar taste marred by an awful chemical, metallic note. I swapped in bottled water just in case the problem was Bath’s hard tap water, but it did very little to resolve the issue. Cleaning the shower screen, flushing, descaling – nothing seemed to do the job.

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

At one point, I served my partner cooled water that had run through the Casabrews Ultra to gauge his reaction (yes, I did this without warning; I never said my test process was ethical.). Lo and behold, he wanted to know why it tasted so metallic. It’s funny you’d ask, James. I was wondering about that exact thing.

Finding myself over 220g of beans down and yearning for a good coffee, I have to admit I was feeling pretty bitter. Given the 75% five-star reviews on Amazon, I can only assume this was an issue specific to the unit I tested or that the majority of customers use enough sugar and milk to hide any strange aftertastes. Obviously, the espresso-making part of the Casabrews Ultra is the main event, but it’s not all doom and gloom; the steam wand performed a whole lot better.

(Image credit: Abigail Shannon)

I first learned to make microfoam using a knob-operated steam wand, and honestly, I had no experience using one that was controlled via a button until I tested the Casabrews Ultra. Its steam wand has a couple of seconds of delay after you activate it, and given you aren’t in control of how quickly the steam output ramps up, it can be a real learning curve getting used to the rhythm of the machine. What’s more, the delay makes purging the steam wand just that bit more of a pain.

After some experimentation (and a refrigerated pitcher to make it harder to scald my milk), I managed to adapt my technique to create a microfoam I was reasonably happy with, which sported a silky mouthfeel and a pleasant sheen. A few visible bubbles lingered, but I’d say a lot of that was down to me being out of practice. Besides, there’s always the option to go full rip and make some dry foam when I’m in the mood for a cappuccino …I just needed to make sure I got my espresso elsewhere.

• Performance score: 2/5

Should you buy the Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

A low-cost machine with discounts available.

4/5

Design

A sturdy setup for the most part, but has some flaws.

3/5

Performance

For the most part, the Casabrews Ultra underperformed. Its espresso is a particular low point.

3/5

Buy it if

You’re big on milky coffees

Once you get the hang of it, the Casabrews Ultra’s steam wand is a solid performer that produces good microfoam.

You’re happy to give it a shot

Casabrew’s 30-day return window means that you’re not stuck using the Ultra if it just isn’t for you. View Deal

Don't buy it if

You want a machine from a legacy brand

Casabrews is something of a new kid on the block, and so there’s less information out there on troubleshooting, upgrades, or servicing.

You’d like a high-performing espresso machine

If you want a coffee that’ll get you out of bed in the morning, treat yourself to a machine that performs consistently and helps you get the most out of your beans.

You want a bean-to-cup machine

If you don’t fancy the hassle of seeking out a separate grinder, you’ll want to buy a machine that performs all those functions in one.

Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine: also consider

Not sure if the Casabrews Ultra is the right espresso machine for you? Here are two others to consider.

De'Longhi Linea Classic

Despite setting you back $50 less, the De’Longhi Linea Classic delivered far better results than the Casabrews Ultra. Its reviewer even said it might be the “one of the best espresso machines for new and experienced baristas”-- that’s some high praise.

Read out full De'Longhi Linea Classic review

De'Longhi Dedica Style

The Delonghi Dedica Style is another great option for an espresso machine under $200. What’s more, if you want to save yourself the mess and trouble of puck prep, the Dedica Style also takes ESE pods.

Read our full De'Longhi Dedica Style review

How I tested the Casabrews Ultra Espresso Machine

My testing period for the Casabrews Ultra lasted three weeks, and during that time, I regularly made espresso and steamed milk to create drinks. Throughout this process, I alternated between using freshly-ground light roast beans from a local specialty coffee shop, and pre-ground medium roast commercial coffee. While operating the steam wand, I used chilled whole dairy milk, semi-skimmed dairy milk, or almond milk.

The main points of reference I had to compare the Casabrews Ultra to were the De'Longhi Scultura and the Breville Bambino.

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

First reviewed June 2025.

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: June 5, 2025

The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild is one of my favorite games of all time, so I fully expected the sequel, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, to capture my heart too.

Unfortunately, I never clicked with Tears of the Kingdom when it launched in 2023, despite loving the concepts at play that gave players an endless sandbox to experiment with and an incredible physics engine.

Why, you might ask? Well, unlike when its predecessor, launched in 2017 on magical new hybrid hardware, Tears of the Kingdom not only chugged along at 30 frames per second (fps) with a lower resolution than the games I had become accustomed to playing on other consoles, but I also felt it lacked the feeling of new that made Breath of the Wild so magical.

Fast forward to 2025 and the launch of the Nintendo Switch 2, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition has completely revitalized my love for open-world games, and thanks to a huge performance boost, it’s now poised to sit on my Mount Rushmore of this decade’s video game releases. Read on to find out why it's one of the best Nintendo Switch 2 games, but let it be known: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition is one of the best video games ever made.

A breath of fresh air

(Image credit: Nintendo)

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom launched to rave reviews, cementing it as one of the best sequels of all time when it launched two years ago. There’s nothing else I can say about the game’s mechanics and story that haven’t already been said, so I want to specifically focus on the upgrades the Nintendo Switch 2 brings to Hyrule.

Back when I first played Tears of the Kingdom on the original Switch, I couldn’t help but feel like I’d played the game before. And despite running impressively on an underpowered handheld console, the experience was jarring, and it just never clicked for me.

As a massive fan of the series, I was incredibly disappointed; it almost felt like I had outgrown my childhood, and the magic had disappeared. Thankfully, I can confidently say today that’s not the case; I just needed a boost from 2025 hardware to make Tears of the Kingdom look and feel like it should’ve back in 2023.

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition is a paid upgrade to the original, available for free for Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pass subscribers, a paid upgrade if you already own the game, or by buying the full Nintendo Switch 2 version.

The game itself has no new content, per se; instead, it brings buttery smooth 60fps, a beautifully sharp resolution, and HDR, which makes the colors absolutely pop. I can’t emphasize enough just how much this version of the game feels like a total facelift compared to the outdated original version.

(Image credit: Future)

My biggest gripes with the game when it originally came out were all related to the magic of Hyrule’s expansive world feeling limited due to performance bottlenecks, and now on Switch 2, it plays like the definitive version of this absolutely incredible game.

Think of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition like wearing glasses for the first time, it’s as if the blurriness is gone and you can finally experience what you’d dreamt of as a kid exploring Hyrule for the first time, whether that was playing Ocarina of Time or Twilight Princess.

Throughout my 70-hour playthrough, I haven’t encountered one performance hiccup, and on many occasions, I’ve had to pause to just stare in awe at the beautiful contrasting colors of the sky - I don’t think I’ve ever seen such a beautiful sunset in any game, ever.

The definitive way to experience Hyrule

(Image credit: Nintendo)

If, like me, you couldn’t click with the original game, not to any fault of it own, but rather a fault of the hardware limitations it was confined to, then not only should you run out and buy this game, but it’s enough to justify a Nintendo Switch 2 console in itself.

While I haven’t played Breath of the Wild Switch 2 Edition, reading the review of that game on Switch 2 hardware tells a similar story to my experience with its successor. These Zelda games are just so good that an improvement to the experience by bringing them up to date for 2025’s standards makes them must-play, even if you experienced the land of Hyrule on Switch before.

Not only have I loved exploring Hyrule on my OLED TV in 1440p upscaled to 4K, but the performance upgrades here make the game a delight on Switch 2’s handheld mode. Running at 1080p with HDR enabled, it’s just the perfect experience to take your adventure on the go and not feel like you’re compromising.

Best bit

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Gliding through the world of Hyrule on Switch 2 feels like you're experiencing freedom for the first time. Now with a crisp resolution and steady framerate, exploration has never felt so good.

Eight years ago, when I first experienced that feeling of continuing my adventure on my commute to work, in the park, or on vacation, it was the best gaming experience I had ever had in my life. Now, thanks to the Switch 2’s hardware, that experience is amplified to a whole new level, and all I want to do is finish writing this article so I can delve back into the land of Hyrule.

While some fans of the series will be disappointed at the lack of new content in The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition, I think the game can already feel a little overwhelming with just how much it offers.

At no point in my playthrough did I wish for new experiences; I was just happy to relive one of the best games of all time, but better. And, truth be told, while there’s not really any new content, despite an option for a second save file (Thank you, Nintendo!) on the Switch 2 itself, do not underestimate just how good the Zelda Notes companion app is.

The cherry on topImage 1 of 4

(Image credit: Nintendo)Image 2 of 4

(Image credit: Nintendo)Image 3 of 4

(Image credit: Nintendo)Image 4 of 4

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Zelda Notes, an exclusive feature to the Switch 2 Edition of this game, can be found in the iOS or Android Nintendo Switch app. It’s almost an app within an app, bringing a whole new extra element to your adventure.

Not only can you navigate the map in real-time on your smartphone or tablet, but the app also unlocks dozens upon dozens of Voice Memories, which makes Hyrule feel even more alive. While I would’ve preferred Voice Memories, audio clips you can stumble upon in different locations in the world, to be included in the game, rather than in the app, the added lore has made me want to explore every nook and cranny to try and uncover the hidden details of the adventure.

The Zelda Notes app also gives you access to your full playthrough data, which is a lovely addition considering Nintendo still doesn’t give you detailed playing stats on the Switch 2 console, as well as the ability to share items and building concepts for Autobuild via QR codes.

One of my favorite additions to the game via Zelda Notes, however, is the Daily Bonus, which lets you spin a wheel every 24 hours to unlock a nutritious meal or other stat boost that might help you explore the deepest depths or highest skies of Hyrule. I found myself playing the game more regularly just to experience my Daily Bonus, and it was just the incentive I needed to keep venturing on with my journey.

Should you buy The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Switch 2 Edition?Buy it if...

You’ve never played Tears of the Kingdom before, or are looking to replay it
This version of the game is the definitive way to play one of the best video games of all time. If you've never played Tears of the Kingdom, couldn't vibe with the less-than-stellar performance when it launched, or love the game and want to delve back in, the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is worth picking up.

You’re looking for a reason to buy the Nintendo Switch 2
Yes, Mario Kart World is awesome, but after a while, it becomes your go-to party game rather than a reason to pick up your Nintendo Switch 2 after work. If you're looking for a reason to purchase a Nintendo Switch 2, this upgraded version of one of the best games of all time might be the perfect opportunity to do so. I don't say this lightly: Tears of the Kingdom in full 60fps is a system seller.

Don't buy it if...

You didn't enjoy the game the first time around
While I've just written over a thousand words on why this version of Tears of the Kingdom makes me love the game despite not enjoying it the first time around, my reasons for not clicking with the game were never related to the gameplay itself. If you don't enjoy open-world adventure and didn't click with Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom in the past, this new version of the game won't change your mind.

Accessibility

The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Switch 2 Edition doesn’t have much going on with it, accessibility wise. While you still have access to gyro aiming and the ability to rebind your controls from the Switch 2 menu (which won’t translate to the correct button prompts in-game), there’s nothing much to write home about.

You can't increase the text size, turn off motion blur, or make any other adjustments to help with playing the game. There's also no difficulty setting, so if you find the nature of an open world with breakable weapons too difficult, tough luck.

How I reviewed The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

I played over 70 hours of The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom on Nintendo Switch 2, venturing throughout the main story as well as completing a variety of side quests dotted around Hyrule.

I had previously played the game on Nintendo Switch 1, but was never able to complete it. Combined, I must have over 150 hours of gameplay in Tears of the Kingdom, and I've also played and completed every other mainline Zelda game.

I played The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom Switch 2 Edition in a mixture of handheld mode on the Nintendo Switch 2 itself and on one of the best OLED TVs, the Samsung Q90D, using the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.

First reviewed June 2025

Acer Chromebook Spin 312: Two-minute review

The Acer Chromebook Spin 312 is the smallest device in the brand’s line of 2-in-1 Chromebooks, measuring just 12.2 inches. Despite this, it’s not the sleekest Chromebook around, with its sharp angles and juts spoiling the otherwise elegant design, which is aided by the quality of the materials used in its construction.

It’s quite thick and heavy for its size, so it’s perhaps not ideal for using as a tablet, despite its convertible nature. But thanks to that solid hinge for the lid, it can be propped upside down and used exclusively in touchscreen mode with ease.

It’s not just the hinge mechanism that’s well made – all aspects of the Spin 312 feel as solid and sturdy as any of the best Chromebooks, including the keys and trackpad, which feel premium to the touch as well.

Port selection is reasonable, too, although I would’ve liked to have seen more than just one USB-C port, and the lack of an SD card slot might be detrimental for some. Thankfully, there are two USB-A ports to improve connectivity options, and the HDMI port and audio jack are further additions I welcome.

The review unit I had came equipped with an Intel N100 processor and 4GB of RAM. Despite these underwhelming specs, the Chromebook Spin 312 performed admirably, handling many typical Chromebook workloads quite well. However, slowdowns can occur when pushed a little too far.

(Image credit: Future)

Such cases include gaming, where the Chromebook Spin 312 struggled to run even fairly modest mobile games on high settings during my testing. However, lowering these did improve matters to the point where games such as Asphalt Legends Unite were playable to an enjoyable extent.

More pleasing on the performance front is the display. The resolution looks especially sharp on the 12-inch screen, although colors aren’t rendered as vibrantly as they are on some rival Chromebooks. The bezels also encroach quite considerably on the allotted real estate for the screen, and the display can be quite reflective under certain conditions. In most cases, though, it makes for a pleasant viewing experience.

The touch inputs are also quite responsive, tracking well with swipes to make drawing and handwriting a realistic option, although it can be a little grabby at times. You’ll also need to provide your own stylus if you want to make the most of your creative time with the Chromebook Spin 312.

I found the touchpad disappointingly inaccurate by comparison, as it failed to track with what I was expecting from my movements, leading to a lagging and stuttering, which in turn made it imprecise.

Thankfully, I had a better time typing on the Chromebook Spin 312, thanks to the generous spacing of the keys and their satisfying dampening. Their lack of indentations and grip, however, can lead to slipping and mispresses on occasion.

Its battery life is impressive, lasting just over 11 hours in our test. This places it near the higher end of the Chromebook spectrum – the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook performs significantly better on this front, although admittedly this is somewhat of an outlier.

The Chromebook Spin 312 sits somewhere in the middle of the convertible Chromebook market. Some rivals are better performers, while others have a sleeker design. But, overall, if you won’t be demanding too much from it in terms of performance, the Chromebook Spin 312 is a good 2-in-1 Chromebook for those who prize portability and a sharp image.

Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Price and availability

• Starts from £329.99 (about $450 / AU$690)
• Various CPU, RAM, and storage options
• Middle of the market

The Chromebook Spin 312 starts from £329.99 (about $450 / AU$690). It can be configured with 64GB or 128GB of storage, 4GB or 8GB of RAM, and an Intel Core i3 or Intel N100 CPU.

This places the Chromebook Spin 312 somewhere in the middle of the market considering its spec. It’s considerably cheaper than the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360, which it bests in terms of performance, although its display isn’t quite as sharp or as vibrant, and lacks its premium design (although it isn’t too far behind in this regard).

However, the Chromebook Spin 312 is more expensive than the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook, which is one of the best budget Chromebooks in our view. This lacks the compactness of the Chromebook Spin 312 and the performance isn’t exactly impressive either, but it makes up for these deficiencies with its great build quality and enduring battery life.

• Value: 3.5 / 5

Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Specs

These are the specs of the particular Acer Chromebook Spin 312 I reviewed:

Price

Starting from £329.99 (about $450 / AU$690)

CPU

Intel N100 (4 threads, 3.4GHz)

Graphics

Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics

RAM

4GB LPDDR5

Screen

12.2-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS LCD, 16:10, 60Hz touchscreen

Storage

64GB eMMC

Ports

2x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm audio

Wireless

Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2

Camera

1280 x 720

Weight

2.84lbs (1.29kg)

Dimensions

11.4 x 8.1 x 0.8in (29 x 20.5 x 2cm)

Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Bulky for the size
• Solid lid hinge
• Only one USB-C port and no SD card slot

The Chromebook Spin 312 takes a somewhat utilitarian approach to design, with its sharp angles, large vents and lid hinges appearing quite conspicuous. However, it's still a compact device, and has enough flat sides to help impart some sleekness.

This is further aided by the steely grey colorway and look of the chassis materials, which have a subtle shine to them. What’s more, the quality of these materials seems high, feeling solid and fairly premium to the touch. This extends to the lightly textured keycaps and silky smooth touchpad.

The hinge mechanism is also reassuringly solid. There’s no wobble at any angle, yet it’s smooth and easy to open and adjust. This stability also helps when tenting the Chromebook Spin 312 to use it in touchscreen mode.

However, it can’t compete with the best tablets for usability. Despite its small 12-inch size, the Chromebook Spin 312 is a relatively thick and heavy slab, which can make it awkward to hold in the hand when folded back all the way.

The screen has a large bezel around it, which somewhat compromises the already limited real estate for the display. On a more positive note, it's made from Corning Gorilla Glass, so it should prove resistant to wear and tear when taking the Chromebook Spin 312 on your travels.

Port selection is reasonable for a Chromebook this small, although it’s a minor shame there’s only one USB-C port and SD card slot, as you’ll find two on many modern Chromebooks. Still, you do at least get two USB-A ports, and I also welcome the inclusion of a dedicated HDMI port and a 3.5mm audio jack.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Capable of light work
• Sharp but reflective display
• Struggles with intensive tasks

Benchmarks

These are the results of our benchmarking tests for the Acer Chromebook Spin 312:

TechRadar Battery Life Test: 11 hours and 12 minutes
Jetstream2 Benchmark: 179.327
Kraken Benchmark: 1309.3ms
Speedometer 3.0: 9.52 (±0.52)

The Chromebook Spin 312 offers capable enough performance for everyday tasks, meeting the demands typically placed upon Chromebooks. Apps load fast and light productivity and general browsing are handled well. Despite its somewhat limited 4GB of RAM, it’s even capable of some degree of multitasking, coping well with multiple browser tabs open, for instance.

However, it can come a little unstuck when those tabs are running more complex activities, or when multiple apps are in play. The Chromebook Spin 312 can also generate a fair amount of heat underneath, which is bothersome when on your lap.

Gaming performance isn’t particularly impressive, either. It can handle some mobile titles, but you’ll likely have to play with modest graphics settings. When I played Asphalt Legends Unite, for instance, high settings caused stutters and considerable slow downs, rendering the game almost unplayable. However, it ran much better on lower settings, if not quite as smooth or as fast as some rivals can manage – and certainly the Chromebook Spin 312 isn’t a match for the best gaming laptops in this regard.

When it comes to video playback, the Chromebook Spin 312 can handle streaming content in 4K, although it’s not always the smoothest experience. The WUXGA display at least provides a sharp image: the 1920 x 1200 resolution might sound a little low compared to other laptops and some Chromebooks on the market today, but due to its small screen size, it looks sharper than you might imagine.

(Image credit: Future)

It’s also quite bright when displaying lighter shades. However, while colors are rendered well enough, they don’t appear quite as vibrant as those on the displays equipped in the best laptops or best MacBooks, looking slightly washed-out by comparison.

The screen is also quite reflective, which, combined with its somewhat lackluster backlighting, makes darker scenes hard to view at times. However, the effect isn’t too troublesome, and compared to many other Chromebooks, the Chromebook Spin 312 is still great for viewing content.

The touchscreen capability is impressive, too. It responds well to all sorts of swipes and gestures, making for smooth doodles and handwriting, even if it's a little grabby at times. It’s also a shame no stylus is included to unleash the full potential of its functionality.

Unfortunately, the touchpad is less responsive, and I experienced issues with its tracking: many times it felt as if it was either dragging or jumping ahead, lacking the smoothness I was expecting. As a result, I struggled to use it accurately, which can really hamper productivity.

By contrast, typing with the Chromebook Spin 312 is a largely pleasant experience. The keys are satisfyingly damped and are spread surprisingly wide for a Chromebook this small. The keycaps also feel nice under the finger tips thanks to their texture, although they lack grip, which is made worse by the lack of indentation as well. This made the keyboard feel less secure in use, but overall I still found it amenable for typing quickly on.

• Performance score: 3.5 / 5

Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Battery life

(Image credit: Future)

The battery life of the Chromebook Spin 312 is quite impressive. During our tests, where we ran a movie on a continuous loop, it managed to last over 11 hours. This makes it much better than the Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360, which could only manage six and a half hours. It also beats the Acer Chromebook Spin 314 (2023), one of the best Chromebooks around in our view, which managed over 10 hours.

However, it can’t outlive the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook, which, when we tested it, endured for a remarkable 16 hours and 20 minutes. However, this is rather exceptional in the Chromebook world, and the Chromebook Spin 312 can still lay claim to having one of the best battery lives in the market.

• Battery life: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the Acer Chromebook Spin 312?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

The Chromebook Spin 312 sits somewhere in the middle of the market given its design and spec, being cheaper than some rivals but more expensive than others.

3.5 / 5

Design

It’s solidly made and small enough to make it portable, although it’s a little bulky for tablet-style use.

4 / 5

Performance

The Chromebook Spin 312 can handle basic tasking, while the display is pleasingly sharp, if not the most vibrant and a tad too reflective.

3.5 / 5

Battery life

It may not have the very best battery life of a Chromebook, but its 11-hour performance still places it in the upper echelons.

4.5 / 5

Total Score

If you’re looking for a Chromebook you can use with touch inputs and doesn’t take up much space, you shouldn’t be disappointed with the Chromebook Spin 312 – so long as you don’t demand too much from it.

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You want something compact
The 12-inch size makes the Chromebook Spin 312 easy to travel with, and yet it doesn't feel compromised when typing or getting work done.

You want a 2-in-1 device
The 360-degree rotating touchscreen makes the Chromebook Spin 312 versatile, although it’s perhaps not best suited for full-on tablet-style use.

Don't buy it if...

You want the fastest Chromebook
Although it's surprisingly capable, those with more demanding workloads should seek more powerful models.

You want the sveltest device
Despite its small size, the Chromebook Spin 312 is fairly bulky and weighty, which impairs its tablet-style credentials.

Acer Chromebook Spin 312 review: Also consider

Acer Chromebook Spin 312

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook

Price

Starting from £329.99 (about $450 / AU$690)

$429.99 / £419 / AU$707

$339 / £299 / AU$499

CPU

Intel N100 (4 threads, 3.4GHz)

Intel Celeron N4500 1.10GHz (2 threads, 2.80GHz)

1.1GHz Intel Celeron N4020 (dual-core, 4MB cache, up to 2.8GHz Burst)

Graphics

Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics

Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics

Intel UHD Graphics 600

RAM

4GB LPDDR5

4GB LPDDR4x

4GB DDR4

Screen

12.2-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS LCD, 16:10, 60Hz touchscreen

12.4-inch WQXGA LED Display (2560 x 1600), touchscreen

11-inch IPS touchscreen, 1,366 x 768 pixels

Storage

64GB eMMC

64GB eMMC

64GB eMMC

Ports

2x USB-A, 1x USB-C, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm audio

1x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x microSD, 1x 3.5mm audio

2x USB-C with charging, 2x USB-A 3.1 Gen1, microSD

Wireless

Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.2

Wi-Fi 6, LTE (Option), Bluetooth v5.1

802.11AC (2 x 2) WiFi, Bluetooth® 4.2

Camera

1280 x 720

720p / 8MP

720p

Weight

2.84lbs (1.29kg)

2.82lbs (1.28kg)

2.64lbs (1.2kg)

Dimensions

11.4 x 8.1 x 0.8in (29 x 20.5 x 2cm)

11.3 x 8.1 x 0.7 inches (28.8 x 20.7 x 1.7cm)

0.7 x 11.41 x 8.18 inches (17.8 x 290 x 207.8mm)

Here are some alternatives if the Acer Chromebook Spin 312 doesn't sound right for your needs:

Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360
The Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 is about the same size as the Chromebook Spin 312, but it has a thinner and lighter construction, as well as a more upmarket design, which is one of the best in class. The display is even sharper and more vibrant, too. It’s a shame that its performance fails to live up to its looks, but if you only have very light workloads, it’ll make a pleasant companion. Read our full Samsung Galaxy Chromebook 2 360 review.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook
The IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook boasts great build quality and excellent battery life. However, it’s let down by unremarkable performance and uninspiring looks. Still, it’s powerful enough for light productivity and schoolwork, hence its inclusion on our best Chromebook guide. Read our full Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook review.

How I tested the Acer Chromebook Spin 312

• Tested for two days
• Used for work and for entertainment
• Chromebook reviewing experience

I tested the Chromebook Spin 312 for a couple of days, during which time I used it working, gaming, and general browsing.

I used word processing and spreadsheet applications, streamed 4K content on YouTube, and played games such as Asphalt Legends Unite. I also connected various peripherals via Bluetooth.

I have been using Chromebooks for a while, and have reviewed a number of them as well, ranging in price, form factor, and spec. I have also reviewed plenty of Windows laptops.

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

Acer Chromebook Plus 516: Two-minute review

The Acer Chromebook Plus 516 is a large device with a reasonably strong spec, making it ideal for various productivity and entertainment needs. It might not look terribly auspicious, and the color is a little dour, but it's surprisingly thin for a Chromebook this size, which helps to make it more sleek.

It’s also a well-made machine, with materials that feel durable yet light. What’s more, the lid hinges allow for easy opening and offer stability at any angle all the way up to 170 degrees.

It also has one of the best Chromebook keyboards in terms of layout, with plenty of keys included, such as a number pad, without compromising spacing. This makes typing easy, and the snappy nature of the individual keys makes them satisfying, too.

The touchpad is equally capable, providing responsive inputs and plenty of accuracy, which, combined with its large size, makes for easy navigation. It also manages to keep out of the way while typing.

(Image credit: Future)

Port selection on the Chromebook Plus 516 is quite good, and I was pleased to see the inclusion of two USB-C ports. However, it’s a minor shame both are on the same side, which may limit your options when plugging into an outlet. Still, the two USB-A ports, HDMI port and audio jack are all welcome additions.

In terms of performance, the Chromebook Plus 516 handles most tasks well. It loads apps quickly and multitasks very well. Even mobile gaming on high settings is viable. It also takes Ultra HD content in its stride, streaming it without a hitch for the most part. Viewing such content is made all the more enjoyable thanks to that large, crisp, and vibrant display, which also does an admirable job of keeping reflections at bay.

Unfortunately, the battery life of the Chromebook Plus 516 isn’t particularly impressive relative to its rivals. During our movie playback test, it failed to break past eight hours, a threshold many modern Chromebooks can exceed.

With a starting price of £399.99 (about $540 / AU$830), the Chromebook Plus 516 sits somewhere in the middle of the market. However, it's good value when you consider its performance, display, and productivity credentials.

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 review: Price and availability

• Starts from £399.99 (about $540 / AU$830)
• Available from August in the UK
• Mid-market pricing

The Chromebook Plus 516 starts from £399.99 (about $540 / AU$830) and is available in the UK from August in one colorway. Multiple storage, CPU, RAM and graphics options are configurable. A backlit keyboard can also be specified, as can a touch screen.

It’s about the same price as the equally capable but slightly smaller Acer Chromebook Plus 514. Like that model, the 516 sits somewhere in the middle of the market, but perhaps represents slightly better value owing to the larger screen size and extra keys.

However, if you still want great performance but at a lower price, the older Acer Chromebook Plus 515 remains a great pick, and its 15.6-inch measurement is still big enough to please those who prefer large displays; there’s a reason we think it’s one of the best student Chromebooks, after all.

If you’re after something cheaper still, we think the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is the best student laptop for those on a budget. Its performance is no match for the mightier Chromebook Plus 516, and it’s also much smaller, but it has the advantage of being a 2-in-1 device, thanks to its 360-degree rotation and touchscreen.

• Value: 3.5 / 5

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 review: Specs

These specs pertain to my review unit of the Acer Chromebook Plus 516:

Price

£399.99 (about $540 / AU$830)

CPU

Intel Core 3 100U (8 threads, 4.7GHz)

Graphics

Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics

RAM

8GB LPDDR5

Screen

16-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS, 16:10

Storage

128GB UFS

Ports

2x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm audio

Wireless

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3

Camera

HD 1080p

Weight

3.75lbs (1.7kg)

Dimensions

14.1 x 10 x 0.8 inches (359 x 253 x 19mm)

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Smart and well made
• Plenty of keys
• Both USB-C ports on same side

The Chromebook Plus 516 adopts the fairly typical Acer aesthetic, with a sleek but understated appearance. There’s nothing particularly spectacular about its looks, but it’s at least free from too many fussy details.

Despite its large size, it’s pleasingly thin and not quite as heavy as you’d expect it to be. It’s no match for smaller Chromebooks in terms of portability, but all sides are quite flat and smooth, which helps when sliding it into your bag.

The build quality is on par with the best Chromebooks. Certain materials look more premium than others, but all feel solid and durable. The keycaps are perhaps the least impressive visually, but they’re tightly fitted.

The hinge mechanism is similarly well-engineered. The lid is easy to open and move into any position, and its maximum recline angle of 170 degrees makes it versatile for various setups. What’s more, it remains stable in any position; there’s next to no wobble, which is all the more impressive given its thinness and lightness.

The keyboard features numerous shortcut keys on the F row, all of which are quite useful. Highlights include one for taking screenshots, one for dictation, and one for opening a menu containing various accessibility functions.

Being a Chromebook Plus, you also get a Quick Insert key, used for accessing files, opening recent documents or creating new ones, inserting links, using AI tools, and other productivity-based functions.

The keyboard even includes a navigation cluster and number pad, both of which I welcome. More impressively, these don’t compromise the layout spacing, thanks to the width of the device itself. The touchpad also manages to not get in the way while typing, despite its relatively large size.

I was pleased to see the Chromebook Plus 516 features two USB-C ports, although unfortunately they’re both the same side, which somewhat limits versatility when plugging into an outlet. Still, it’s nice to have more than one, and the further ports – two USB-A ports, an HDMI port, and a 3.5mm headset jack – are all welcome additions. There’s no SD card slot, though, which might be a problem for some users.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 review: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Fast and capable multitasker
• Can handle light gaming
• Sharp display

Benchmarks

These are the results of our benchmarking tests for the Acer Chromebook Plus 516:

TechRadar Battery Life Test: 7 hours and 35 minutes
Jetstream2 Benchmark: 295.772
Kraken Benchmark: 398.5ms
Speedometer 3.0: 18.8 (±1.0)

The Chromebook Plus 516 is quite a capable performer. Creating and editing documents and spreadsheets is no problem for it, while switching between apps and multiple tabs is taken in its stride.

Gaming performance is also admirable. I managed to play Asphalt Legends Unite on high graphics settings without issue, running smoothly with little stutter. This was especially impressive given that the game recommended I play on lower settings based on the specs, but you’ll still want one of the best gaming laptops if you plan on playing more intensive games.

It can stream ultra HD content with relative ease as well. During my testing, I encountered little in the way of buffering or stuttering, making for seamless viewing in the main.

(Image credit: Future)

The experience is made even better thanks to the surprisingly vibrant display, which also avoids the washed-out appearance that afflicts some Chromebooks. Reflections do reveal themselves somewhat in darker scenes and unfavorable lighting conditions, but generally they’re kept at bay quite well.

Moreover, the 1920 x 1200 resolution is suitably sharp for its large size, which makes the UI very clear, while the thin bezels ensure that the most is made of the allotted real estate.

Typing on the Chromebook Plus 516 is also a pleasure. Despite the inauspicious looking keys, they perform well, with their light actuation and just enough dampening to make them tactile. Despite the inclusion of a number pad and other extra keys, I didn’t find the layout cramped, which made for an accurate and comfortable typing experience.

The trackpad is brilliantly smooth and very precise, tracking perfectly with my finger movements and gestures. As with the keys, it only requires a light touch, which makes it easy to use.

• Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 review: Battery life

(Image credit: Future)

The Chromebook Plus 516 doesn't have a terribly impressive battery life, posting a below-average score during our test. We ran a movie on a continuous loop, and it gave up the ghost after seven hours and 35 minutes.

The Acer Chromebook Plus 514 we tested fared better, managing to last almost an hour longer. The much smaller Chromebook Spin 312 also eclipsed it, running all the way past 11 hours before total depletion.

However, the Chromebook Plus 516 still did better than the older Chromebook Plus 515, which only managed five hours. However, if you’re after a device that can really go all day, the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook is perhaps your best choice, as this lasted over 16 hours in our movie playback test.

• Battery life: 2.5 / 5

Should I buy the Acer Chromebook Plus 516?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

The Chromebook Plus 516 has a price you might expect for a Chromebook Plus, although its size and keyboard impart extra value.

3.5 / 5

Design

The Chromebook Plus 516 is pleasingly thin for such a large device, and the build quality is respectable. The keyboard is great for productivity, too.

4 / 5

Performance

The Chromebook Plus 516 can handle all sorts of tasks, including light gaming, while the sharp and vibrant display is great for viewing Ultra HD content.

4.5 / 5

Battery life

The Chromebook Plus 516 is far from the best in class when it comes to battery life, with many others capable of outliving it.

2.5 / 5

Total Score

The Chromebook Plus 516 is a great performer with a vibrant display and a useful keyboard. If you’re after a large Chromebook for work and play, it fits the bill quite well – so long as you don’t plan on using it unplugged all day long.

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You want a large display
At 16 inches, the Chromebook Plus 516 is one of the larger Chromebooks on the market, and the resolution is sharp enough to match.

You want fast performance
The Chromebook Plus 516 can handle most productivity tasks and even light gaming, thanks to its relatively strong spec.

Don't buy it if...

You want a convertible device
The Chromebook Plus 516 isn’t a 2-in-1 device, so it can’t be used like the best tablets.

You want the best battery life
Seven and a half hours is all you’ll get with continuous movie playback, which ranks in the lower half of the Chromebook league.

Acer Chromebook Plus 516 review: Also consider

Acer Chromebook Plus 516

Acer Chromebook Plus 514

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook

Price

Starts from £399.99 (about $540 / AU$830)

$399 / £399 (about AU$560)

$399.99 / £399.99 (around AU$633)

CPU

Intel Core 3 100U (8 threads, 4.7GHz)

Intel Core 3 100U (8 threads, 4.7GHz)

1.1GHz Intel Celeron N4020 (dual-core, 4MB cache, up to 2.8GHz Burst)

Graphics

Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics

Integrated, Intel UHD Graphics

 Intel UHD Graphics 600

RAM

8GB LPDDR5

8GB LPDDR5

4GB DDR4

Screen

16-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS, 16:10

14-inch WUXGA (1920 x 1200) IPS, 16:10

11-inch IPS touchscreen, 1,366 x 768

Storage

128GB UFS

128GB UFS

64GB eMMC

Ports

2x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm audio

2x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x HDMI, 1x 3.5mm audio

2x USB-C with charging, 2x USB-A, microSD

Wireless

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.3

Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth

Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.2

Camera

HD 1080p

HD 1080p

720p

Weight

3.75lbs (1.7kg)

3.15lbs (1.43kg)

2.64lbs (1.2kg)

Dimensions

14.1 x 10 x 0.8 inches (359 x 253 x 19mm)

12.9 x 8.9 x 0.8 inches (32.7 x 22.5 x 2cm)

0.7 x 11.41 x 8.18 inches (17.8 x 290 x 207.8mm)

Here are some alternatives to the Chromebook Plus 516:

Acer Chromebook Plus 514
An almost-equally large Chromebook Plus, the 514 boasts a similar performance and spec, although I would say the 516 has a slightly better display quality. The 514 also lacks the extra keys of the 516, which might deter those interested in extracting the maximum productivity from their machine. Read our Acer Chromebook Plus 514 review.

Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook
If you want something smaller, cheaper, and more versatile, look no further than the Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook. It’s convertible, so you can use it like a tablet, and it has an excellent battery life to boot. However, it’s not the quickest performer, but it's still sufficient, which is why it makes the best student laptop for those on a budget in our view. Read our Lenovo IdeaPad Flex 3 Chromebook review.

How I tested the Acer Chromebook Plus 516

• Tested for two days
• Used for a variety of tasks
• Abundant Chromebook reviewing experience

I tested the Chromebook Plus 516 for a few days, during which time I used it for a variety of tasks, including productivity, gaming, and browsing.

I edited spreadsheets and documents, used multiple tabs when browsing in Chrome, and streamed 4K content. I also played Asphalt Legends Unite, and connected various peripherals via Bluetooth.

I have used various Chromebooks and other laptop devices for decades, and have reviewed a number of them too (including other Acer models), varying in their price points, form factors, and performance.

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

Our latest Duda review takes a deep dive into a new yet unique website builder offering, offering you insight into all the pros, cons, features, and tools, helping you make an informed choice.

Duda comes with a wide range of features including drag-and-drop editing capabilities, access to hundreds of templates and widgets, and an advanced AI. This makes it easier to build attractive websites and manage them at scale without any of the usual hassle.

Wix remains our pick for the top website builder of 2025. But this website builder has been built specifically with professionals in mind, offering agency-level functionality and white labeled tools. This makes it one of the best website builders for agencies and freelancers who want to build great websites for their clients.

Duda: 2-minute review

Duda positions itself as a premium website builder designed specifically for agencies, freelancers, and professional web developers. The platform excels at creating responsive websites that look great across all devices, with particularly strong mobile optimization tools that set it apart from competitors like Wix or Squarespace. Its drag-and-drop editor is intuitive yet powerful, allowing users to create professional websites without coding knowledge while still offering advanced customization options for those who need them.

What makes Duda so appealing to agencies is its comprehensive white-label capabilities and client management features. You can customize the platform with your own branding, give clients controlled access to their sites, and manage multiple projects efficiently. The platform runs on Amazon Web Services hosting, ensuring fast loading times and reliable performance. However, Duda's focus on professional users means it comes with a higher price tag than many competitors, and it lacks the free tier that makes other builders accessible to beginners.

What is Duda?

Duda is a cloud-based website building platform that lets you create professional websites without needing to write code. It provides everything you need to build a website — templates, design tools, hosting, and management features, all in one place.

Instead of hiring a team of web developers who specialize in complex programming, you can use the visual editor to drag and drop elements like text, images, and buttons exactly where you want them.

Duda adjusts your website's layout to look great on any screen size, but it also gives you granular control to customize how your site appears on each device type. It also includes built-in features for online stores, contact forms, photo galleries, and other common website functions.

Features

The Duda App Store lets you easily install apps from over 25 different categories. (Image credit: Duda)

The Duda App Store lets you easily install apps from over 25 different categories. Whether you’re looking for ecommerce tools, membership options, or website personalization options, there's plenty of options to choose from.

In more recent updates Duda has focused on rolling out better connectivity. Connectors are a new category available within the Duda App Store. They allow data transfer between Duda and other platforms such as ERPs, the best CRM software, and more. This allows agencies and freelancers to drastically expand the platforms to which they can connect client sites. Since launch Duda has released integrations with ActiveCampaign, MailChimp, Hubspot, Slack, and Facebook Conversions.

Duda has also added Blog APIs to its library. This addition will help agencies boost productivity by allowing the automatic import and push of blog content not created on the Duda platform to the sites they build. This will be especially useful to agencies using external writers or AI for blog writing.

If you’re running an online store, then you need an ecommerce solution. With Duda, we were able to easily set up an online store with its built-in ecommerce tools. We also took advantage of additional features such as payment processing integration and customer management tools.

Duda also provides membership options so that your customers can access exclusive content on your site. Whether it’s videos or podcasts, your site visitor can register for a paid membership to access this content without needing to leave your site. This is a great way to generate additional revenue for your business while offering your visitors more value.

Creating a website from scratch can take a lot of time and effort – but not with Duda. We were able to create a professional-looking website with Duda’s templates. These templates have been carefully crafted by industry experts so that they look great on any device or browser – regardless of size or resolution. Plus, all templates are fully customizable so that you can make them look exactly how you want them to be.

Mobile devices are becoming increasingly popular among web users – and if your site isn't optimized for mobile devices then it won't be seen by these potential customers. Fortunately, with Duda's mobile-friendly sites feature, creating mobile websites is easier than ever before. Not only does this feature allow visitors to view your site on any device or browser – but it also allows them to take advantage of features such as click-to-call buttons which give visitors direct access to contact information such as phone numbers and addresses right from their phones.

Widgets are small pieces of code snippets that add extra functionality and features to websites without needing any coding knowledge whatsoever. During our test, we were able to create custom widgets with drag-and-drop functionality. This can also be used by beginners to customize their sites in no time at all.

Keeping track of client payments is essential if you're offering services through your website - and luckily with the client billing feature in Duda, we were able to keep track of payments with ease. This feature allows you to easily set up invoicing systems through which you can keep track of clients' payments seamlessly - ensuring that all payments are made promptly and accurately every time.

Tools

Click on an object to be presented with numerous customising options… (Image credit: Duda)

Despite being an AI website builder, Duda offers to its credit a powerful platform that has everything that a small-to-medium design or development agency would need. Here are some standout features that we thought were worth highlighting:

Accessibility

Everyone deserves to experience an accessible website regardless of their disability or technology. With the AudioEye tool, businesses get peace of mind knowing the product they are providing meets WCAG 2.0 AA standards for website accessibility in just a few clicks. Duda’s AudioEye tool allows visitors with visual impairments to access your site’s content in Audio format.

Ecommerce

With the Omni-channel ecommerce tool, you can easily drive sales from both your online stores as well as across the web. All products are synced with the store catalog and managed from one convenient platform.

This feature enables customers to shop from anywhere; whether it’s on a computer or mobile device and pay for purchases seamlessly without ever having to leave your site. This helps create a seamless shopping experience that customers will appreciate and come back for again and again.

Member management

The Simple Member Management & Reporting tool makes it easy for you to manage members directly from the Site Overview tab or the side panel of the editor. You can add, edit or remove members quickly while also keeping track of user interactions such as past purchases and more in one convenient place. This simplifies member management while also giving you valuable insight into how people are interacting with your website so you can adjust accordingly.

White labelling

If you are a web developer or web designer working with clients, then hiding your platform is essential for maintaining credibility and professionalism. With Duda’s white-label website builder & preview tools, you can place your client’s entire site-building process under your brand. That way your customers will never know that you are using Duda until you tell them yourself. This tool also includes preview tools so that your customers can get an accurate view of how their site will look before it goes live.

Dynamic pages

The Dynamic Pages tool is one of Duda’s most powerful tools as it allows you to design a single page once and then use it over and over again for different purposes without having to manually enter new information each time. This tool uses collections of text, images, business information, video, and more to automatically populate pages with relevant data based on user input or preferences. You can even sync these collections with Google Sheets or Airtable for even faster results.

Search engine optimization

Duda also leverages AI to help make creating and growing your website easier. All plans come with access to their AI content assistant, which will automatically generate and edit site content for you. Those on the Team plan and higher also get access to the AI SEO assistant. This tool makes following SEO best practices easy by generating metadata for all site pages in just one click.

Along with AI tools, Duda offers users a powerful SEO overview. This tool provides, at a glance, an overview of your site’s search engine optimization, helping you find and fix issues quickly. It also provides insight into optimization opportunities and delivers a simple way to give clients an up-to-date SEO snapshot. Working behind the scenes, this tool will identify and alert you of any issues with essential SEO requirements including external and internal links, page meta tags, image alt text, etc.

Ease of use

It’s incredibly easy to locate the theme you’d like from Duda’s long list. (Image credit: Duda)

When you start your trial, and after you’ve verified your email address (par for the course these days), you’ll be asked about your business — are you a freelancer, a design agency, are you a web designer, or developer, that sort of thing. You’re then promptly sent to Duda’s template selection.

It’s incredibly easy to locate the theme you’d like from Duda’s long list. It’s even possible to preview its look on any type of device with just a click. Once you’ve found the template that’s right for you business, Duda will start setting it all up for you.

Duda has several features that make it easier for you to build the website you want without having to go through a complex process. For instance, you can drag and drop elements wherever you need them on your site. This makes it easy if you don’t have coding knowledge to add images, videos, and text boxes wherever you need them.

The dashboard is also designed in such a way that makes it easier for you to manage and edit your sites. The tools are all clearly labeled and easy to access – which means you don’t have to waste time figuring out how each tool works or where they’re located in the dashboard. This makes it possible for anyone with no web design experience at all to quickly and easily create a beautiful website that looks professionally done.

All of these features combine in such a way that makes Duda an incredibly user-friendly platform that anyone can use.

Pricing

Duda's pricing structure reflects its positioning as a professional-grade platform. (Image credit: Duda)

Plan

Starting rate (paid annually)

Renewal rate (paid annually)

Basic

$25/month

$12.50/month

Team

$39/month

$19.50/month

Agency

$69/month

$34.50/month

White Label

$199/month

$99.50/month

Custom

Contact for pricing

Contact for pricing

Duda's pricing structure reflects its positioning as a professional-grade platform. It has no free tier but a 14-day free trial to test the service. The Basic plan at $12.50 monthly covers single users building one website, while the Team plan at $19.50 monthly adds collaboration features and white-label client access.

The Agency plan at $34.50 monthly includes four websites and advanced features like widget building, making it ideal for growing web development businesses. For larger agencies, the White Label plan at $99.50 monthly provides enhanced branding options and priority support.

Ecommerce functionality requires separate add-ons regardless of your main plan, with three tiers ranging from $8 to $49 monthly per site. While this initially seems expensive, it actually makes Duda more competitive since you only pay for eCommerce features when you need them. Additional websites beyond your plan's allocation cost extra too.

Support

Duda offers comprehensive and up-to-date information through its Knowledge Base & Documentation section. (Image credit: Duda)

Duda offers comprehensive and up-to-date information through its Knowledge Base & Documentation section. This section contains detailed step-by-step instructions on how to use various features on Duda, as well as frequently asked questions (FAQ) about common issues that may arise when using the platform. Additionally, this page also contains links to other helpful resources such as user guides, tutorials, and videos that can help you get started quickly with your website.

If you require more personal help with your website or need assistance troubleshooting something specific, Duda has you covered in this area too. With live chat, you can get quick answers from knowledgeable customer service representatives when needed. Plus, Duda even offers priority support for businesses that need immediate solutions or have urgent requests for their websites.

In addition to having access to direct customer service representatives via live chat or phone calls, Duda also provides users with access to its online forum and community support networks. This is great for users who are looking for advice from fellow web developers or want to learn from others who may have encountered similar challenges as they work on their websites.

However, it is important to note that the level of support you receive depends on the package you choose. Those on Basic or Team plans can only access support via email, whereas those on the more expensive Agency and White Label plans get full access to priority email, live chat, and phone support.

Security

Duda offers an optional SSL certificate for all websites hosted on its platform. (Image credit: Duda)

Duda offers an optional SSL certificate for all websites hosted on its platform. An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate is a security protocol that encrypts data sent between a web server and a browser. This ensures that any personal information entered into your website is kept secure and protected from any potential hackers or malicious actors. The SSL certificate also adds an extra layer of protection against data breaches and other cyberattacks.

Finally, Duda also provides a Password Manager feature which allows you to store their passwords securely within the platform itself. This means that even if someone does get access to your account, they won't be able to view or use your passwords unless they have the correct login credentials for the Password Manager. This added layer of security further protects your account from malicious actors looking to gain access without authorization.

Alternatives

Squarespace has an intuitive drag-and-drop interface that makes it simple to design a beautiful website from scratch. Squarespace also offers dozens of templates that can help you get started quickly if you don’t have time to build your site from scratch.

If ease of use is what you're looking for in a website builder, then Wix might be the solution for you. Wix doesn't require any coding knowledge - just point and click. It has hundreds of templates available so you can easily create a stunning website in minutes without having any prior design experience. Additionally, Wix offers powerful features like customizable forms and ecommerce solutions so you can easily manage customer orders on your site.

Duda: Summary

Duda offers a complete package of features that make it easy to build and maintain a website. It includes everything from template designer tools, customization capabilities, content management tools, e-commerce integrations, SEO optimization options, and more. All of these features work together to give you control over how your website looks and functions.

In addition to having lots of features that make it easy to customize your website, Duda also offers several helpful support resources. From getting started tutorials to detailed user guides and FAQs, there are plenty of resources available that can help you design the perfect site for your business or organization in no time.

FAQsCan I try out Duda before purchasing?

Yes. Duda offers a 14-day free trial with all the features available in the Team plan so that you can play around with the platform and make sure it fits your needs before making any commitment.

Does my website have to be hosted with Duda?

All websites built on the Duda platform are hosted on servers via Amazon Web Services (AWS). This guarantees your sites maintain a 99.999% uptime. However, if you’re on an Agency or Custom plan, you can export code from Duda - but importing code from an external source isn’t allowed.

What CDN does Duda use?

All websites created with Duda are served via Amazon's Cloudfront CDN for lightning-fast loading speeds. This makes sure visitors have quick access to your website no matter where they are located and that your content is delivered quickly and reliably across all devices.

This latest Webflow review examines one of the most sophisticated website builders available in 2025. Unlike traditional drag-and-drop platforms, Webflow generates clean HTML, CSS, and JavaScript code while maintaining an intuitive visual interface. The platform has evolved significantly since its 2013 launch, now offering comprehensive features for everything from simple portfolios to complex e-commerce stores.

Techradar reviewers have spent thousands of hours testing 140+ website builders to understand what works best for different users. Webflow competes in an increasingly competitive market with many tools featured in our best website builders roundup. Yet while Wix remains our top pick for most users, Webflow targets a different audience entirely with its advanced feature set.

Webflow appeals to designers, agencies, and businesses that need precise control over their website's appearance and functionality. We found Webflow delivers exceptional creative freedom, but this comes with complexity that may overwhelm beginners.

Webflow: 2-minute review

Webflow positions itself as the professional's choice for visual web development. Our testing confirms this reputation, reviewing a unique platform that combines the accessibility of drag-and-drop builders with the precision of hand-coded websites. You get clean and production-ready code without writing a single line yourself.

This company has built a strong reputation among web professionals since 2013, attracting designers and developers who need advanced tools to bring their visions to life. Webflow's market position is unique — it's more complex than Wix or Squarespace but more accessible than pure development frameworks like HTML5 and PHP. Recent updates in 2025 have also added AI-powered tools, improved CMS capabilities, and better team collaboration features.

What is Webflow?

Webflow is an all-in-one web development platform that lets you design, build, and launch websites without touching code. Think of it as a visual interface that automatically writes professional HTML, CSS, and JavaScript as you design. You drag elements, adjust layouts, and customize styles - while Webflow handles the technical implementation behind the scenes.

The platform consists of four main components: Designer for visual website creation, CMS for content management, e-commerce tools for online stores, and hosting services. Unlike simple website builders that limit your design options, Webflow embraces web development principles like flexbox, CSS Grid, and responsive breakpoints — making them visual and accessible to non-coders.

Features

Webflow offers an impressive feature set that rivals professional development tools while maintaining visual accessibility. (Image credit: Webflow)

Webflow offers an impressive feature set that rivals professional development tools while maintaining visual accessibility. The platform's Designer interface provides holistic CSS controls, including advanced layout options like CSS Grid and Flexbox, custom animations, and responsive design tools. You can create complex interactions, manage global design systems, and even add custom code when needed.

CMS capabilities are extremely robust, supporting dynamic content, custom fields, and automated workflows through integrations like Zapier. Content creators can manage blogs, portfolios, and product catalogs through an intuitive interface, while designers maintain full control over how that content appears. The 2025 updates have added nested collection lists and improved localization controls, making content management even more powerful.

E-commerce functionality covers essential online store needs, though it's not as comprehensive as dedicated platforms like Shopify. You can manage products, customize checkout experiences, and integrate with payment processors like Stripe and PayPal. However, advanced e-commerce features like subscription billing or complex inventory management require workarounds or third-party integrations.

AI additions include an AI Assistant for generating page sections, Webflow Optimize for conversion testing, and an AI Site Builder in beta. These tools speed up common tasks without replacing the need for design expertise. The pricing reflects this feature richness. While more expensive than basic builders, the professional capabilities justify the cost for users who need design flexibility and clean code output.

Tools

Anyone can freely access all of the videos in Webflow University. (Image credit: Webflow)

Unlike most website builders, Webflow doesn't hold back when it comes to developer-friendly features, whether you're looking to set up complex A/B testing workflows or create CSS and Javascript-heavy animations. Here are some new features we liked the best during our review:

AI assistant

Like many other AI website builders, Webflow offers an AI assistant to help you get things done. For example, Webflow's AI assistant will allow members of your team to quickly design and generate new styled content by using conversational prompts.

It can also generate a full CMS item with contextually relevant content based on a simple prompt. This will be a huge time saver for agencies and businesses looking to spin up realistic content for new pages.

Personalization and optimization

Webflow recognizes the importance of analytics to agencies and businesses. The Optimize feature offers AI-powered A/B testing and personalization. It works behind the scenes in real-time to ensure a dynamic and personalized user journey every time.

Similarly, Webflow Analyze offers users a unified view of visitor behaviors, helping designers and content marketers to make data-backed decisions.

Third-party apps

You can drastically improve the functionality of your website via tWebflow Apps. These cover everything from analytics and automations to forms and marketing.

A recent addition to Webflow Apps is Adobe Express. This app helps you create advanced AI-generated graphics from within the Webflow platform by integrating Abobe Express' powerful image editing tools.

Webflow university

A solid resource for new users is the Webflow University 101 Crash Course videos.

The videos are designed to teach you how to use Webflow and give you all the tricks to make website building a smooth process. They are organized into different lesson categories, and most of them range from 5 to 15 minutes in length.

Anyone can freely access all of the videos. Even if you’re using the free version or just want to learn more about building a website without deciding on a specific platform, these videos are incredibly helpful.

Ease of use

Here's a picture of a free Webflow template (Image credit: Webflow)

The interface is very easy to navigate - you can access all of the free templates and start using them right away. It’s also easy to find any of the website building tools and features.

Everything on Webflow is very well-organized. For example, if you’re looking at templates and want something for a photography portfolio, all you need to do is select free templates and then start searching by category, the style you want, or by features. Tons of examples will show up for you to look through. The organization and free easy access makes finding a template quick and easy.

Pricing

When you start using Webflow, you’ll have the option to choose between site plans and workspace plans. (Image credit: Webflow)

Plan

Starting rate (paid annually)

Renewal rate (paid annually)

Free

$0/month

$0/month

Basic

$14/month

$14/month

CMS

$23/month

$23/month

Business

$39/month

$39/month

Enterprise

Contact Sales

Contact Sales

E-commerce Standard

$29/month

$29/month

E-commerce Plus

$74/month

$74/month

E-commerce Advanced

$212/month

$212/month

Workspace Freelancer

$16/month

$16/month

Workspace Agency

$35/month

$35/month

When you start using Webflow, you’ll have the option to choose between site plans and workspace plans. Site plans are for personal websites, blogs, and small businesses. Within site plans you will have access to both general site options and ecommerce options. Account plans are targeted more towards professionals, making them ideal for agencies and freelancers.

Webflow offers one of the best free website builder plans. It includes everything you need to try Webflow. There’s no credit card required for setup and you can use it for an unlimited time. It includes access to a Webflow.io domain, 50 CMS items, and 50 form submissions.

The Basic plan costs $14.00 per month when you pay annually or $18.00 billed monthly. This gives you everything from the Starter plan, plus extra site pages (150) and an allowance of 250K visitors. The CMS plan costs $23 monthly (paid annually) or $28 paid monthly, for this you get 3 website editors, site search, and 250GB of bandwidth.

The Business plan costs $39.00 per month when paid annually ($49 paid monthly). It includes everything in the CMS plan, plus extra bandwidth (400GB), extra editors (10), and form file upload. For anything above and beyond the Business plan you can contact Webflow for a bespoke package.

When it comes to ecommerce there are 3 options to choose from. Standard at $29/mo (paid annually) or $49/mo (paid monthly). This comes with 500 ecommerce items, 2000 CMS items, a 2% transaction fee, and all the features of the CMS plan.

Plus is $74/mo (paid annually) or $84/mo (paid monthly). You get 5000 ecommerce items, 10,000 CMS items, and no transaction fee (plus everything from the Business plan). Advanced is $212/mo (paid annually) or $235/mo (paid monthly). This gives you 10,000 extra ecommerce items on top of everything from the Plus plan.

If you need a workspace plan, you have 3 options. The Starter plan is free and comes with access for one user, unlimited paid hosted sites, two webflow.io staging sites (with 2 pages and 50 CMS items), 2 agency guests, and 2 free commenters.

The Core is $19/mo (paid annually) or $28/mo (paid monthly) plan gives you extra users, staging sites, and commenters, as well as page password protection and the ability to use custom code. The Growth plan is $49/mo (paid annually) or $60/mo (paid monthly) - it gives you more users, unlimited staging sites, and publishing permissions.

You can also contact Webflow about personalized packages for any needs which exceed these plans.

Security

Webflow has a high level of security compared to other web hosts (Image credit: Webflow)

Webflow provides enterprise-grade security features that protect both websites and user data. All sites receive automatic SSL/TLS encryption, with the platform having transitioned to TLS 1.3 encryption in 2022 for enhanced security. The hosting infrastructure includes DDoS protection and automatic backups, ensuring your website remains accessible and recoverable in case of issues.

Additional security measures include PCI-DSS compliance for e-commerce sites and two-factor authentication for account access. Webflow's cloud-based architecture means security updates and patches are applied automatically, reducing the maintenance burden on users while keeping sites protected against emerging threats.

Support

Webflow offers multiple support channels, though the quality and availability vary by plan tier. (Image credit: Webflow)

Webflow offers multiple support channels, though the quality and availability vary by plan tier. All users can access the comprehensive Webflow University, which provides detailed tutorials, courses, and documentation covering everything from basic design principles to advanced development techniques. The community forum is active and helpful, with both Webflow staff and experienced users providing assistance.

Paid plan users receive email support, with response times varying based on plan level. Business and Enterprise customers get priority support with faster response times and dedicated account management. However, phone support isn't available across all plans, which some users find limiting compared to competitors.

The platform has also introduced AI-powered customer support tools and help desk integrations, allowing businesses to provide better support to their own customers through Webflow-built sites. While the company's own support is generally helpful, the learning curve means you'll likely need to invest time in their educational resources regardless of your plan level.

Alternatives

Wix, Weebly, and Squarespace, are just a few of the top competitors to Webflow. Wix does offer a free trial for an unlimited time, but it doesn’t even compare to Webflow’s free storage space. Wix includes 50 MB while Webflow offers 10 GB.

But more importantly, not many conventional website builders offer the depth of advanced functionality or the insane amount of educational resources that come with Webflow. If you're looking to switch from a code-intensive workflow to no-code tools without any loss in flexibility, this is the platform for you.

Webflow: Summary

No matter what stage you’re at with building a website, there’s a lot of options on Webflow that could take your website to the next level. The downside is how you can’t export CMS content, however, you will have access to plenty of free materials. Webflow comes with an entire library of video resources, hundreds of free templates, and you can use the free version for an unlimited time. The interface is also very organized - it doesn’t feel like you’re using a cheap web host. Templates look professional and everything is well organized. Overall, Webflow is a great web host, especially if you want to learn new tricks for making website building a lot easier.

FAQsIs Webflow suitable for beginners?

Webflow has a steeper learning curve than traditional website builders like Wix or Squarespace. While you don't need coding skills, understanding web design concepts like responsive breakpoints, flexbox, and CSS properties will help you succeed. The platform offers extensive educational resources through Webflow University, but expect to invest several weeks learning the interface and best practices.

Can I migrate my existing website to Webflow?

Webflow doesn't offer automated migration tools from other platforms. You'll need to rebuild your site using Webflow's Designer interface, though you can import content through CSV files for blog posts and other structured data. The process requires manual work but gives you the opportunity to improve your site's design and performance during the transition.

What are Webflow's main limitations?

Webflow has several notable limitations including a 100 static page limit per project and 10,000 CMS items per site. The platform also requires a stable internet connection since it's entirely cloud-based. E-commerce features, while solid, aren't as comprehensive as dedicated platforms like Shopify. Version control is only available on Enterprise plans, which can complicate team workflows.

Our latest Friday Website Builder review reveals a platform that balances simplicity with powerful functionality, making it accessible to both beginners and experienced developers. While it competes in a crowded market alongside many options in our best website builders roundup, it distinguishes itself through its all-in-one approach and solid feature set.

TechRadar reviewers have spent thousands of hours testing 140+ website builders to bring you expert insights. Friday's single pricing model sets it apart from competitors, though this approach has both benefits and drawbacks. For users seeking our top recommendation, Wix remains our pick for the best website builder in 2025, offering more flexible pricing options.

Friday launched recently as a new player in the website building space, focusing on eliminating the complexity often associated with development workflows. Its approach centers on providing everything users need in a single package, with some impressive tools that cater specifically to developers and pros.

Friday Website Builder: 2-minute review

Friday Website Builder positions itself as an all-in-one solution for users who want professional websites without the brainwork. It offers a rich user experience with its drag-and-drop editor, template library, and developer mode for advanced customization. Other standout features include ecommerce capabilities, AI content assistance, and SEO tools that help websites rank better in search results.

However, Friday's single $50/month pricing plan creates a significant barrier for users, especially when competitors like Wix offer plans starting at $17/month. While this pricing includes all features without restrictions, it may offer poor value to users who only need basic functionality. Also, limited scalability options and a restricted plugin ecosystem pose challenges for rapidly growing businesses.

What is Friday?

Friday Website Builder is a user-friendly platform that allows individuals and businesses to create professional websites without the need for coding knowledge or technical skill.

It provides a range of intuitive tools and templates to streamline the website creation process, enabling you to design and customize your sites according to your unique preferences and requirements.

With Friday, you can add and edit content, incorporate multimedia elements, optimize for mobile devices, and publish your websites with just a few clicks.

Features

(Image credit: Friday)

Friday comes with all the features you would expect from one of the best website builders on the market. This ranges from a full website builder to help you get your site from idea to live, along with dedicated features to help you grow your business including an AI content assistant, photo editor, easy pop ups, the ability to create coupons, and multi-language websites.

During my testing of Friday's website builder, I discovered a wide range of powerful features that enhanced my website building journey. Firstly, the platform provided robust ecommerce capabilities, allowing me to effortlessly set up an online store, manage products, and inventory.

The developer mode feature allows the flexibility to edit and add code and make customizations according to my specific requirements. The built-in blog builder offered a seamless way to create engaging blog posts and share my thoughts and ideas with my audience.

I was also impressed with the comprehensive web analytics feature that provided valuable insights into visitor behavior and helped me optimize my website for better performance.

With the option to use a custom domain, you can choose any name for your website to add a professional and personalized touch. Friday's SEO tools proved to be invaluable in optimizing a website for search engines and increasing its visibility online.

The inclusion of SSL security feature helps to keep visitors' data protected. Friday uses AWS hosting which ensures reliable performance and scalability for your websites.

Moreover, the platform's mobile optimization feature automatically adapted my test website to different devices, ensuring a seamless user experience for mobile users. The unlimited bandwidth feature allows the handling of high traffic volumes without any concerns.

Tools

(Image credit: Friday)

Friday Website Builder provides a comprehensive suite of tools designed to streamline the website creation process. These tools range from basic design elements to advanced ecommerce and marketing features, all integrated into a single platform.

Drag-and-drop editor

The core of Friday's offering is its intuitive drag-and-drop editor that requires no coding knowledge. You can easily add, move, and customize elements by simply dragging them into position. The editor provides real-time visual feedback, allowing you to see changes instantly as you build your site.

Developer mode

For users with coding experience, Friday offers a developer mode that provides access to HTML and CSS editing. This feature bridges the gap between simplicity and advanced customization, letting you fine-tune your website's appearance and functionality beyond the standard editor limitations.

Template library

Friday provides an extensive collection of professionally designed templates covering various industries and website types. Each template is fully customizable and mobile-responsive, giving you a solid foundation to build upon while maintaining design consistency.

Ecommerce tools

The platform includes solid ecommerce functionality with inventory management, automated shipping calculations, and secure payment processing. You can set up product catalogs, manage orders, and create discount codes without needing additional plugins or integrations.

SEO suite

Friday's SEO tools include meta tag management, Google PageSpeed optimization, schema markup support, and AI-generated alt text for images. The platform also features IndexNow integration and automatic sitemap generation to help improve search engine visibility.

AI content assistant

The built-in AI assistant helps generate content suggestions and provides recommendations for website improvements. This tool can assist with writing copy, optimizing content for SEO, and suggesting design enhancements based on best practices.

Ease of use

(Image credit: Friday)

Friday is designed to be user-friendly and easy to use, even for individuals with limited technical expertise. The platform prioritizes simplicity and intuitive navigation, making it accessible to beginners and experienced users alike.

One key aspect contributing to Friday's ease of use is its drag-and-drop functionality. You can effortlessly add and rearrange elements on your websites by simply dragging and dropping widgets, images, text, and other components onto the desired location. This eliminates the need for complex coding or technical knowledge, streamlining the website creation process.

Additionally, Friday offers a visually-oriented interface that allows you to see real-time changes as you make adjustments to your websites. This instant visual feedback provides a clear understanding of how the site will look and function, empowering you to make informed design decisions.

The platform also provides a user-friendly dashboard that serves as a central hub for managing various aspects of the website. From this dashboard, you can access different tools and features, navigate through pages, customize themes, and track website analytics. The organized layout and intuitive controls contribute to a seamless user experience.

Pricing

(Image credit: Friday)

There is a lot to love about Friday's pricing structure. Unlike the majority of website builders that offer host different plans and packages, which often confuse you more than they help you - Friday offers one plan for everything. Plus, you can cancel at any time, so you aren't tied into any expensive contracts.

When you sign up for Friday you get a 7-day free trial. This offers you an opportunity to make sure the website builder does everything you want. Once your free trial is over, you will then be charged $50 a month.

This may seem a little steep, especially when you look at competitors such as Wix offering plans for as little as $17/mo and Squarespace offering plans from $16/mo. Needless to say, if you are looking for a very basic website builder to build a basic website, Friday won't offer you doo value for money.

However, when you consider the fact that Friday offers you an all-in package for $50/mo, whereas Wix's all-in package is $159/mo and Squarespace's is a similar $49/mo, suddenly Friday seems like a fair to good deal.

Ultimately, it will come down to which tools and features you need. If you just want a simple package, Wix or Squarespace is probably better. But if you want an advanced website builder with plenty of powerful features, Friday is certainly worth considering.

Security

(Image credit: Friday)

Friday prioritizes the security of its users' websites by offering two essential security features: SSL certificates and backups.

SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificates are crucial for establishing a secure connection between a website and its visitors. SSL certificates ensure that sensitive information remains confidential and protected from potential hackers or malicious actors by encrypting the data transmitted between the user's browser and the website's server. Friday allows you to install SSL certificates, thus enabling secure communication and instilling trust in visitors who access your websites.

In addition to SSL certificates, Friday provides a backup feature to safeguard your website data. Regular backups are vital in the event of unforeseen circumstances such as data loss, server issues, or accidental changes that may compromise the website's functionality or content. By enabling backups, you can restore your websites to a previous state and recover lost data, minimizing potential disruptions and preserving the integrity of your online presence.

By offering SSL certificates and backup functionality, Friday aims to provide a secure environment for your websites. This contributes to maintaining the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of your data and helps protect against potential security vulnerabilities or data loss incidents.

Support

(Image credit: Friday)

Friday offers customer support through various channels, including a comprehensive knowledge base and email support. These options ensure that you have access to the assistance you need when encountering any issues or requiring guidance while using the platform.

The knowledge base serves as a valuable resource, providing you with a collection of articles, tutorials, and frequently asked questions that cover a wide range of topics. It offers step-by-step instructions, troubleshooting guides, and detailed explanations of features, empowering you to find solutions to your queries independently. The knowledge base serves as a self-help tool, allowing you to access information and guidance at your convenience.

For more personalized support, Friday provides email support through two dedicated email addresses: support@findfriday.com and hello@findfriday.com. You can reach out to the support team with your inquiries, concerns, or technical issues. The support team is committed to providing prompt and helpful responses, addressing your queries, and providing guidance to ensure a smooth experience while using the platform.

By offering both a comprehensive knowledge base and email support, Friday ensures that you have access to the resources you need to overcome challenges and make the most of the platform's features.

Alternatives

With just one (fairly expensive) plan, Friday website builder certainly isn’t for everyone.

As our top rated website builder, Wix is a worthy alternative. With plans starting at just $16/mo, Wix is almost certainly better for those who don’t need the full power of Friday. However, even on the entry level plan, with Wix you get access to a whole host of powerful website building tools, many with AI integration.

Read our full Wix review to find out more.

Squarespace is another good option to consider. Similar to Wix, plans start much cheaper at $17/mo and come with a huge range of website building tools. Squarespace is also known for its stunning website designs, making it ideal for those who want to make a big visual impact with their website.

Our Squarespace review goes into more detail on what the platform has to offer.

Friday Website Builder: Summary

Determining whether Friday website builder is the right choice for you depends on various factors such as your website creation needs, technical expertise, budget, and desired level of customization.

However, if you are looking for a user-friendly platform with drag-and-drop functionality, a range of customizable themes, and tools for adding pages, widgets, and blog posts, along with ecommerce capabilities, then Friday website builder could be a suitable choice that caters to your requirements and empowers you to create and manage a professional-looking website with relative ease.

Friday's comprehensive SEO and settings options and 24/7 customer support through a knowledge base and email assistance could also be the deciding qualities for your choice of website builder.

FAQsWhat makes Friday different from other website builders?

Friday distinguishes itself through its single, all-inclusive pricing model and focus on providing enterprise-level features in a user-friendly package. Unlike competitors that offer multiple tiers, Friday includes all features — from basic website building to advanced ecommerce and SEO tools, in one plan. The platform also provides both drag-and-drop simplicity and developer mode for code editing, making it suitable for users across different skill levels.

Is Friday suitable for ecommerce websites?

Yes, Friday includes robust ecommerce capabilities with features like inventory management, automated shipping and tax calculations, and secure payment processing. However, the platform may not be ideal for large-scale or rapidly growing online stores due to its single pricing tier and limited scalability options. Small to medium-sized businesses will find Friday's ecommerce tools comprehensive and easy to implement.

How does Friday's pricing compare to competitors?

Friday's $50/month pricing appears expensive compared to entry-level plans from competitors like Wix ($17/month) or Squarespace ($16/month). However, when compared to premium plans that include similar features, Friday becomes more competitive - Wix's comprehensive plan costs $159/month while Squarespace's comparable offering is $49/month. The value depends on whether you need all the included features or would prefer a more basic, affordable option.

Garmin Forerunner 570: One minute review

The Garmin Forerunner 570 is a solid, stylish upgrade to what’s long been Garmin’s best running watch. It’s no revelation by any means, but it is a welcome refinement and for the right person, that might be enough.

In short, this is the Forerunner that finally looks the part. It swaps out the safe, functional aesthetic of older models for something bolder and a bit more expressive. Between the colorful two-tone straps and sleek aluminium bezel, the 570 is easily the most fashion-forward Forerunner to date. If you’re not into raspberry and turquoise combos and prefer to play it safe, a plain ol’ black option still exists.

The real highlight, though, is the new AMOLED display. It’s bigger, brighter and sharper than what came before, and makes the whole interface feel slicker and more modern. It’s the kind of screen you’d happily gaze at all day, whether checking your stats, skimming a notification, or seeing what’s playing on Spotify.

Performance-wise, this is still a Garmin device through and through. It tracks over 90 sports, handles GPS and heart rate with accuracy, and delivers all the in-depth training insights you could possibly need. The new Elevate v5 heart rate sensor performs particularly well, even during interval workouts, and feeding into metrics like Training Readiness.

There’s also a subtle push into smartwatch territory. You can now take calls from your wrist, trigger your phone’s voice assistant, and hear alarms or music through the built-in mic and speaker, all of which you couldn’t do on previous Forerunners. These are handy additions for day-to-day use.

The downsides? They’re not huge, but they’re worth noting. Battery life is down slightly from previous models thanks to that power-hungry AMOLED display, and while Garmin’s added polish, it hasn’t added any major new features. There’s no ECG, no offline maps, and nothing particularly game-changing on the software front. And now, Garmin Connect’s richer insights – like advanced sleep and adaptive training plans – are hidden behind a monthly subscription, which stings a bit after paying nearly $549.99 / £460 / AUD$999 for the watch itself.

All in all, the Forerunner 570 is top-notch. It’s not groundbreaking by any means, and it won’t be for everyone – especially if you already own a recent Garmin – but it’s a confident step forward for the series. After almost a month of daily wear, I consider it a strong choice for runners and multi-sport users who want a more stylish training companion that still does the basics exceptionally well.

Garmin Forerunner 570: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• Availability: Buy now worldwide in two sizes (42mm and 47mm)
• Price: From £459.99 / $549.99 / AU$999
• Colors: Multiple colorways

The Garmin Forerunner 570 launched in May 2025 and is available directly from Garmin as well as most major retailers in two case sizes – 42mm and 47mm.

This time 'round, Garmin has injected some seriously snazzy colors, which have never been seen before in the series and are certainly more loud and playful. While my test model is the straight-up black for those who want to keep things minimal, there are some fruitier-named options to choose from, such as a Raspberry Aluminum with a Translucent Bone/Mango band, Amp Yellow Aluminum with a Translucent Whitestone/Turquoise combo, or Indigo Aluminum with Translucent Imperial Purple/Indigo Band.

They’re pretty out-there, and I can imagine they’ll divide opinion among potential customers, but from what Garmin has said, that’s the point.

At $549.99 / £459.99 / AUD$999, it’s firmly into upper mid-range territory. That’s £30 more than the Forerunner 265 cost at launch, and significantly more than competing watches like the Suunto Race S ($349 / £325 / AU$599) or Coros Pace Pro (£349.99 / $450 / AU$690), which offer features like offline maps and longer battery life at lower prices.

There’s also an added consideration now with Garmin Connect’s recently introduced subscription model. Previously free features such as advanced sleep tracking, adaptive training plans and full HRV trend analysis are now part of Garmin Connect Plus; a paid tier costing from £6.99 / $6.99 per month.

While you can still sync workouts, view metrics and access your training history on the free tier, the move has drawn plenty of criticism from long-time users, particularly those paying premium prices for hardware like the Forerunner 570. For many, that monthly fee will be worth it for the richer data and personalized feedback, but it’s still a frustrating shift, especially for new buyers who expect those features to be included as standard after forking out for a very expensive watch!

• Value score: 3 / 5

Garmin Forerunner 570: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Premium-feeling aluminum bezel
• Colourful strap options make it more appealing
• AMOLED screen is bright, vibrant and sharp

It’s fair to say Garmin’s never been one to push the boundaries when it comes to design, but the Forerunner 570 finally dares to break tradition, at least to some extent. In my opinion, this is the most stylish Forerunner to date, thanks to its vibrant color options and new aluminum bezel that upgrades what has traditionally been Garmin’s focus on functionality over form.

Quite ironic, then, that my review device was the smaller 42mm model in the bog-standard black variety, which looks just like any other Garmin watch. Still, the display is the star of the show here anyway.

The Forerunner 570’s 1.2in AMOLED panel is a stunner. Its resolution of 390 x 390 pixels is super crisp, colorful and bright enough to read, even in strong sunlight, and especially when displaying data screens or notification previews.

Despite the big display, the Forerunner 570 stays comfortable for all-day wear. It weighs just 50g (47mm) or 42g (42mm), and the silicone straps feel soft and comfortable on the wrist. Some models also feature slightly translucent straps, a subtle design touch that helps elevate the overall sporty aesthetic.

The traditional five-button Forerunner layout returns, alongside touchscreen controls. The buttons aren’t quite as tactile as those on Garmin’s chunkier Fenix line, but they’re still reliable and work well during sweaty sessions. There’s now also a speaker and mic on board, discreetly integrated into the sides of the case – but more on that later.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

Garmin Forerunner 570: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• No major new software tricks
• Grouped glance folders improve on-watch UX
• Speaker and mic add a lifestyle smartwatch vibe

The Forerunner 570 brings very little that’s new in terms of features and that might disappoint some. Most of its tools and widgets already exist elsewhere in Garmin’s ecosystem, especially on the older Forerunner 265 and 965 devices. But what it does, it does very well.

Glance folders are now enabled by default, giving you smarter access to related stats like Body Battery, HRV, sleep and training readiness, which helps reduce the scroll-fatigue that often plagues Garmin watches. You can create your own, too, which is a handy upgrade.

Somewhat annoyingly, there’s no ECG support, despite the bundled Elevate v5 sensor being physically capable of it (just like the cheaper Venu 3). It feels like an arbitrarily paywalled feature. There’s still no offline mapping - Garmin saves those features for the higher-end 965 and 970 models. I don’t know about you, but I find that pretty tough to swallow considering the watch’s price. Gulp.

You do get some modest smart features, though. With the built-in mic and speaker, you can now take calls from your wrist (as long as your phone is nearby), use voice assistants, and even hear alarms or music directly from the watch. Music playback supports local MP3s as well as streaming service syncing from Spotify, Deezer and Amazon Music.

Notifications, calendar previews and music controls are here too, alongside access to Garmin’s ConnectIQ store, though it remains limited compared to the watchOS or Wear OS ecosystems.

• Features score: 3.5 / 5

Garmin Forerunner 570: Performance

• Tracking and training tools remain best-in-class
• HR and GPS are reliably accurate
• Battery life is slightly shorter than its predecessor

If there’s one thing Garmin fans care about, it’s performance and, thankfully, the Forerunner 570 doesn’t disappoint. For starters, it tracks just about every sport you can think of, with over 90 activity modes available. Newer additions include gravel biking, squash (the lack of which I always grumbled about), rucking and obstacle course racing, alongside your staple sports like running, cycling and pool swims. As always, these are easy to find, easy to activate and offer you an overview of stats when you’ve finished tracking them.

The Elevate v5 optical heart rate sensor proved impressively accurate throughout my testing. During workouts like easy runs and long indoor rides, readings seemed consistent.

Where it really stood out, though, was in high-intensity efforts. Wrist-based sensors typically struggle with sudden changes in effort, with heart rate often lagging behind. But the Forerunner 570 seemed to keep up well with rapid shifts in heart rate and recovering smoothly in between spikes. This might be down to improved sensor layout and refined algorithms in the Elevate v5, helping it react faster and with more consistency.

Dual-band GPS with SatIQ mode means you get impressively accurate tracking as well, even in tough urban areas with high rises or wooded environments in more rural settings. It held up well in twisty city runs as well as out in the countryside, delivering routes that aligned near-perfectly with those on the ground. You can pair external sensors too, including cycling power meters.

As always with Garmin, training insights remain reliable. You get VO2 max estimates, race predictions, lactate threshold estimates, and newish metrics like Training Load Ratio, which balances your acute and chronic effort, and environmental acclimation (heat and altitude readiness). You can also access Garmin Coach triathlon training plans, create multi-sport custom workouts, and get Morning and Evening Reports that summarise your readiness, recovery and planned sessions. These aren’t entirely new, but their presentation is slicker than ever on the Forerunner 570.

As a result of that gorgeously bright and vibrant display, however, battery life has taken a bit of a hit. With the AMOLED screen always on, I managed just short of four days of regular use, including daily workouts, notifications and sleep tracking. That’s definitely less than the Forerunner 265, which, in our review, lasted about ten days without a charge with intermediate use. However, this does depend completely on how you use it. Daily long-distance runs with GPS versus a few gym workouts per week are going to give you completely different results.

Nevertheless, in GPS-only mode, the Forerunner 570 manages around 18 hours, which will drop to about 14 if using all-systems GNSS plus music. While that’s not so bad, it’s not best-in-class either, especially considering rivals like Coros and Suunto deliver more.

You can squeeze more juice out of the watch by disabling always-on mode or speaker use if you’re desperate, but this is going to impact your experience. If battery life is the priority for you, you might be best off with a watch from Garmin’s Fenix series.

• Performance score: 4 / 5

Garmin Forerunner 570: Scorecard

(Image credit: Future)

Category

Comment

Score

Value

A little on the high end of the scale for value

3/5

Design

Lightweight, comfortable and new colourways.

4.5/5

Features

Good, but more comprehensive options available.

3.5/5

Performance

Excels as a training tool; tracking best in class

4/5

(Image credit: Future)Garmin Forerunner 570: Should I buy?Buy it if...

You want a stylish Garmin

The colorful designs and aluminum bezel give this the flair older models lacked.View Deal

You need great training tools

From accurate HR and GPS to detailed recovery metrics, it’s rock solid for fitness.View Deal

You like smartwatch extras

Taking calls, playing music, and voice assistant access are welcome additions.View Deal

Don't buy it if...

You already own a Forerunner 265

There’s not enough new here to justify the upgrade.View Deal

You want offline maps or ECG

Those features are still locked behind Garmin’s pricier models. View Deal

You’re chasing battery life

The AMOLED screen might be a pull in terms of style, but it hits longevity hard.View Deal

Also consider

Garmin Forerunner 265 (£299)

Still a top performer with most of the same tracking features, and now much cheaper. A smarter buy for many.

Check out our full Garmin Forerunner 265 reviewView Deal

Coros Pace Pro

Lighter on style but bigger on stamina. A top pick for endurance athletes and budget-conscious buyers

Check out our full COROS Pace Pro reviewView Deal

Suunto Race S

A solid mid-range AMOLED sports watch with offline maps, better battery life and competitive tracking performance.

Check out our full Suunto Race S reviewView Deal

How I tested

How I tested I wore the Garmin Forerunner 570 almost daily for three weeks, using it to track a mix of outdoor runs, indoor cycling, strength training and racket sports. I compared GPS tracks and heart rate data against other premium watches, and I also tested its smart features, including music playback, notifications and voice assistant integration. I used the Garmin companion app, Garmin Connect, to review performance and training insights.

First reviewed: June 2025

Sony Bravia 8 II: Two-minute review

The Sony Bravia 8 II is the company’s flagship OLED TV for 2025. Whereas its Sony Bravia 8 predecessor used a mid-range W-OLED display panel, the Bravia 8 II uses a QD-OLED panel, the same type found in the Samsung S95F.

Adding QD-OLED to the Sony Bravia 8 II mix has resulted in a TV with a notably brighter picture than the Bravia 8. It also improved color gamut coverage, with colors looking consistently rich, yet accurate on the Bravia 8 II. The TV’s effective anti-reflective screen lets it carry over those picture quality benefits for bright-room viewing, though the Bravia 8 II’s detailed, refined picture is best appreciated when you dim the lights.

On most of the best TVs, the Bravia 8 II’s slim design might indicate potentially anemic audio –you need to put decent-sized speakers somewhere to get good sound, and slim TV frames don't accommodate that. But Sony provides an ingenious workaround with its Acoustic Surface Audio+ feature, which positions actuators behind the TV’s QD-OLED panel that turn the entire screen into a speaker. As a result, the Bravia 8 II provides relatively full and robust sound for a TV, and its Acoustic Center Sync feature also lets you use it as a dedicated center channel with a compatible Sony soundbar or speaker system.

Google TV is used as the Bravia 8 II’s smart TV platform, and it's an easy-to-navigate system. A built-in mic lets you control the TV using Google Voice Command, and you can also control it using a mic button on the remote or with Alexa speakers if you’re part of the Alexa ecosystem.

PlayStation 5 users unsurprisingly enjoy gaming benefits on the Bravia 8 II, which automatically switches to a preset Game mode and engages auto HDR tone mapping when a connected PS5 console is turned on. The TV also supports 4K 120Hz input, but with only two HDMI 2.1 ports, gamers looking to also connect both an Xbox Series X console plus one of the best soundbars will be disappointed.

The Bravia 8 II is undoubtedly one of the best OLED TVs to be released in 2025, but it has stiff competition from flagship OLEDs such as the Samsung S95F and LG G5, both of which are brighter and more feature-packed. All three sets are currently priced around the same, making the Bravia 8 II a bit of a tough value call, but its charms are many, and its great overall picture and sound quality let it effectively compete with other flagship TVs.

Sony Bravia 8 II review: Price and release date

Google TV's screensaver mode lets you choose images and artworks to display when the TV is in standby mode (Image credit: Future)

• Release date: April 2025
• 55-inch: $2,999 / £2,499 / AU$3,999
• 65-inch: $3,499 / £2,999 / AU$4,999
  

Unlike its Bravia 8 OLED TV predecessor, which was available in 55-, 65-, and 77-inch screen sizes, the Bravia 8 II is limited to 55- and 65-inch models (though the older Sony A95L TV is being kept around in a 77-inch model only, in case you want a larger option).

Since its April unveiling, prices for both sizes have dropped in the US and Australia, with the 55-inch now priced at $3,299 / AU$2,999 and the 65-inch at $2,999 / AU$3,999.

The Bravia 8 II’s reduced price more closely aligns it with other flagship OLED TVs such as the Samsung S95F ($3,399 / £3,399 / AU$5,295 at launch) and LG G5 ($3,399 / £3,299 / AU$5,299 at launch). Both those models have also seen early discounts in the US, with the S95F dropping as low as $3,099 and the G5 to $3,199.

Sony Bravia 8 II review: Specs

Screen type:

QD-OLED

Refresh rate:

120Hz

HDR support:

Dolby Vision, HDR10, HLG

Audio support:

Dolby Atmos, DTS:X

Smart TV:

Google TV

HDMI ports:

4 (2x HDMI 2.1)

Built-in tuner:

ATSC 3.0 (US)

Sony Bravia 8 II review: Benchmark resultsSony Bravia 8 II review: Features

The Bravia 8 II has four HDMI 2.1 ports, including two inputs with 4K 120Hz support (Image credit: Future)

• QD-OLED display panel with strong anti-reflection layer
• Acoustic Surface Audio+ sound
• Perfect for PlayStation 5 gaming tech, but limited other features

The Sony Bravia 8 II features a QD-OLED display panel – an upgrade over the standard W-OLED panel used by its Bravia 8 predecessor. It also uses Sony’s XR Processor, which provides AI-based scene recognition to enhance pictures, along with a bunch of picture processing features that come under the XR umbrella, such as Contrast Booster, Clear Image, and OLED Motion. The Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG high dynamic range formats are supported, but not HDR10+.

A glossy screen with an anti-reflective coating helps to reduce screen glare from indoor light sources on the Bravia 8 II. There’s no Filmmaker Mode, but a range of custom presets, including IMAX Enhanced, Netflix Adaptive Calibrated Mode, and Prime Video Calibrated Mode, are available to optimize pictures for movies, TV shows, and sports.

Sony TVs regularly rank among the best TVs for sound, and the Bravia 8 II provides a range of features that help distinguish it from other TVs when it comes to audio performance. The main one is Acoustic Surface Audio+, which positions actuators behind the TV that turn the entire screen area into a speaker.

There’s also Acoustic Center Sync, a feature that accepts an audio input from a compatible Sony soundbar or speakers so the TV's built-in audio system can be used as a center-channel speaker.

Sony’s 3D Surround Upscaling does exactly what its name implies by boosting two-channel and 5.1-channel soundtracks to an immersive audio presentation, while Voice Zoom 3 uses AI to recognize voices in soundtracks and give them an extra volume boost. Both the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X immersive audio formats are supported by the Bravia 8 II.

Sony TVs use the Google TV smart TV platform, and the Bravia 8 II has a built-in mic that lets you use Google Assistant for voice commands. A mic button on the TV’s remote control can also be used for voice commands, which has the benefit of not having to leave the TV’s microphone perpetually on (there’s a mic on-off switch on the TV’s input panel).

You can wirelessly stream content to the Bravia 8 II using Google Cast and AirPlay. And if you’re part of the Alexa universe, with Alexa speakers in your home, you can also control the TV using Alexa voice commands.

The Bravia 8 II’s gaming features include support for 4K at 120Hz, variable refresh rate, auto low-latency mode, and Dolby Vision gaming. It also has a new Gaming Menu 2 for making gaming-related adjustments, and is “Perfect for PlayStation 5,” with an auto HDR tone mapping and auto genre mode features kicking in when a PS5 console is connected.

Unlike the best gaming TVs, which typically provide four HDMI 2.1 inputs, the Bravia 8 II’s HDMI 2.1 input count is limited to two ports out of its four HDMI ports in total.

• Features Score: 4.5 / 5

Sony Bravia 8 II review: Picture quality

The Bravia 8 II has above-average brightness for an OLED TV. Its picture holds up well in brighter room lighting conditions, but looks best with lights dimmed (Image credit: Future)

• Good brightness for an OLED TV
• Inky, detailed shadows and black tones
• Rich, yet natural color

When we tested the Sony Bravia 8 in 2024, it yielded only average HDR brightness levels, topping out at 817 nits peak and 182 nits fullscreen brightness in the Standard picture mode.

The new model’s QD-OLED panel pushes peak HDR brightness levels substantially higher, with the Bravia 8 II measuring 1,439 and 1,067 nits in Cinema and Standard modes, respectively. Fullscreen brightness, on the other hand, is only slightly higher, with the Bravia 8 II measuring 183 nits in Cinema mode and 250 nits in Standard mode.

The Bravia 8 II’s brightness results, while an impressive leap over last year’s model, still fall short compared to other 2025 flagship OLED TVs we’ve tested, such as the LG G5 and Samsung S95F, both of which reach well into the 2,000 nits of peak brightness range, and over 350 nits of fullscreen brightness.

That’s not to say that the Bravia 8 II isn’t sufficiently bright; its picture just doesn’t stand up equally well in bright room lighting conditions as those two TVs.

I measured the Bravia 8 II’s coverage of the UHDA-P3 and BT.2020 color spaces in Cinema mode at 99.9% and 87.5%, respectively. Those are both excellent results and are similar to what we measured on the Samsung S95F.

Color point accuracy in the same mode averaged a 2.6 Delta-E value (which is the margin of error between the test pattern source and what’s shown on-screen, with a result lower than 3.0 being undetectable by the human eye). In contrast, Cinema mode grayscale accuracy was 5.4 – a less impressive result.

(Image credit: Future)

Viewed in dimmed lighting conditions, a 4K Dolby Vision stream of the movie Civil War looked impressively punchy, with the bright highlights from spotlights and bonfires in a nighttime encampment scene contrasting well with the black night sky. Shadow detail was also strong, and the multiple adjustments in the TV’s picture Brightness submenu could be used to fine-tune black levels to bring out even more detail.

I had the same impression when I watched another movie, Alien: Romulus, in 4K Dolby Vision. Blacks in the ship’s shadowy chambers looked inky and deep, and the colored lights of the control panels popped with a high level of brightness.

These and other reference movies I watched with my room's overhead lights turned on lost some of their contrast punch, but black levels remained mostly consistent. The TV’s anti-reflection screen also did a good job of eliminating glare, though lamps positioned across from the TV were reflected in a mirror-like manner.

The Bravia 8 II does an excellent job upscaling older movies and TV shows. Streaming an episode of the detective show Columbo from the 1980s, the picture looked impressively solid and clean, and I could even make out textures in the mullet haircuts of guests in a wedding scene.

Colors in both older and more recent movies looked consistently natural, and the Sony was able to show accurate skin tones while also vividly rendering brightly colored objects, such as a magenta flower bush and a yellow children’s toy, in a scene from Civil War.

Motion handling is very good on the Bravia 8 II. Watching a reference scene from the film No Time to Die, where James Bond walks across a hillside cemetery, there was only a slight degree of judder and blur visible, and it could be easily lessened by setting the TV’s Motionflow Smoothness settings to Film (2) and Camera (2).

• Picture quality score: 5 / 5

Sony Bravia 8 II review: Sound quality

Actuators positioned behind the Bravia 8 II's OLED display panel effectively turn the TV's screen into a speaker (Image credit: Future)

• Acoustic Surface Audio+ turns the screen into a speaker
• Dolby Atmos and DTS:X support
• Acoustic Center Sync lets you connect TV with external speakers
  

Acoustic Surface Audio+ on the Bravia 8 II uses actuators positioned behind the TV’s screen that transform the entire screen into a speaker. This design provides a sense of dialogue emanating directly from the characters on-screen, and it also lets sound effects track accurately with the action.

Both the Dolby Atmos and DTS:X sound formats are supported by the Bravia 8 II, along with IMAX Enhanced. The latter means you can stream the library of movies with DTS:X soundtracks contained in both the Sony Pictures Core and Disney+ apps, and experience them with IMAX Enhanced post-processing, which is intended to deliver the same extended dynamic range you hear in IMAX cinemas.

Dialogue in movies like Civil War sounded clear and well-defined on the Bravia 8 II, and the Voice Zoom 3 feature helped to elevate voices in battle scenes with lots of background noise. The TV’s Acoustic Center Sync feature, meanwhile, let me use it as a center channel speaker by connecting a cable from the TV to Sony’s Bravia Theater Quad wireless speakers, while the Bravia Connect app made it easy to calibrate the center channel level for a smooth blend with the rest of the system.

Once I had that set up, the TV worked very effectively as a center channel speaker, with voices sounding natural and full-bodied. Listened to on its own without the Bravia Theater Quad setup, the TV’s built-in speakers delivered reasonably full sound with movies, with a good sense of ambience, but bass was limited – something to be expected from a TV with such a slim profile.

• Sound quality score: 4.5 / 5

Sony Bravia 8 II review: Design

The Bravia 8 II's two-way support feet can either be set flush or at a 3-inch height level (as shown) to clear space for a soundbar (Image credit: Future)

• Slim One Slate design
• Two-way aluminum support feet
• Full-sized, backlit remote control
  

Sony’s Slim One Slate design for the Bravia 8 II gives the TV a bezel-free 'all-picture' look, and its textured back panel makes things look good even from the back and sides. Sturdy aluminum support feet at the TV’s outer edges can be set for either a flush installation with the screen positioned directly on a stand or an elevated one, with three inches of space cleared for a soundbar.

Connections are located in a side-mounted panel and include four HDMI ports with two HDMI 2.1 inputs providing 4K 120Hz support, a mini-jack speaker input for the Acoustic Center Sync feature, USB-A and Ethernet ports, and an antenna input for the TV’s ATSC 3.0 broadcast tuner (US-only). Sony gives you detachable panels to conceal the input and power cord sections post-installation, which will reduce cable clutter and maintain the TV’s 360-degree good looks.

Sony’s medium-sized remote control sits comfortably in the hand and includes a full enough array of control buttons that you won’t have to visit the TV’s onscreen menus to do something as simple as switch inputs. Direct access buttons are provided for key apps like Netflix and Prime Video, and also for more obscure ones such as the Crunchyroll Anime service.

Oddly, the Bravia 8 II’s remote isn’t the same Eco Remote version provided with last year’s Bravia 8 and Sony Bravia 9 TVs, one that uses a USB-C port for charging. It is made from 79.7% recycled plastic, however.

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

Sony Bravia 8 II review: Smart TV and menusImage 1 of 3

The Bravia 8 II's main For You homescreen (Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 3

The Live TV tab presents a grid guide with live Google Freeplay and broadcast TV channels (Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 3

A broadcast TV-specific grid guide presents both ATSC 3.0 and ATSC 1.0 TV channels (Image credit: Future)

• Google TV
• Live program grid integrates FAST and broadcast channels
• Quick Settings menu provides easy access to adjustments

Sony TVs use the Google TV smart TV platform, one with a homescreen dominated by a big rotating banner up top with ads for shows. Some of those ads, along with the row of ‘Top picks for you’ content suggestions directly below, are based on your viewing and web browsing activity, which is something you give Google access to when you sign in with a Google account.

Google TV offers a complete array of streaming apps, and these are arrayed in a row at the bottom of the homescreen in an order that can be customized. Tabs at the top of the homescreen let you access Live TV and Sony screens, among other options, with the Sony screen providing access to Sony Pictures Core movie streaming selections as well as instructional videos on how to operate the TV.

The Live TV screen is worth commenting upon because it nicely integrates Google Freeplay free ad-supported TV (FAST) channels with broadcast TV ones pulled in by the TV’s ATSC 3.0 tuner. Both FAST and broadcast channels can be browsed in a time-based program grid, with program information provided for each channel.

As with other Google TVs, accessing picture, sound, and system settings on the Bravia 8 II involves pressing the gear icon on the remote, or the same thing on the top right corner of the Google TV homescreen. Sony provides an extensive range of adjustments for dialing in the Bravia 8 II’s picture, although getting to these involves wading deep through menus.

An easier option for making adjustments is to press the wrench icon button on the remote, which calls up the TV’s Quick Settings menu at the bottom of the screen. From here you can scroll through options like picture settings, picture modes, brightness, and various audio adjustments, and you can also edit the menu to add or remove options.

• Smart TV & menus score: 4 / 5

Sony Bravia 8 II review: Gaming

The Bravia 8 II's Game Bar 3 menu overlay (Image credit: Future)

• Two HDMI 2.1 ports with 4K 120Hz support
• Perfect for PlayStation 5 features
• Comparatively high 16.3ms input lag

The Bravia 8 II offers a fair number of gaming features, the most notable being 'Perfect for PlayStation 5' features, which include an Auto HDR Tone Mapping mode when input from a PS5 gaming console is detected to match the dynamic range of the generated images to exactly what the screen is capable of showing.

An Auto Genre Picture Mode feature will also automatically turn on the TV’s Game picture mode for the PS5, and Sony’s Game Menu 2 lets you make onscreen gaming-related picture and other adjustments.

Other gaming features supported by the Bravia 8 II include Dolby Vision gaming, variable refresh rate, and auto low-latency mode. Two of the TV’s four HDMI 2.1 inputs support 4K 120 Hz input for gaming consoles, though nowadays it's becoming more common to see three or more HDMI 2.1 inputs on TVs.

Using a Leo Bodnar 4K meter, I measured input lag in Game Mode on the Bravia 8 II at 16.3ms, a notably higher level than on other TVs we’ve recently tested, some of which measure below 10ms on the same test.

• Gaming score: 4 / 5

Sony Bravia 8 II review: Value

The Bravia 8 II's medium-sized remote control lacks the USB-C charging capability of the Sony Eco Remote provided with 2024 Sony TVs (Image credit: Future)

• Priced roughly the same as top OLED competition
• Lower overall brightness than top OLED competition
• Less extensive gaming features than competition
  

At its $2.999 reduced price in the US, the Bravia 8 II currently costs less than the 2025 flagship OLED TVs from LG and Samsung. But does that make it a great OLED TV value?

The Bravia 8 II has fantastic overall picture quality, with high brightness for an OLED TV. Its picture lacks the mini-LED-rivalling brightness levels of the Samsung S95F and LG G5, however, and it looks best in dimmed lighting conditions, where the TV’s exceptional contrast, rich color, and fine detail can be fully appreciated.

Sony’s top OLED also has impressive sound quality for such a slim and stylish TV, and it provides several features that let it easily integrate with compatible Sony soundbars and wireless speakers for even better sound performance.

The Bravia 8 II’s Gaming features, while good, aren’t as extensive as what you’ll find on top TVs from Samsung and LG, though there are particular benefits for PlayStation 5 console owners.

Looked at in terms of value, the Bravia 8 II is specifically a best bet for movie fans who don’t mind dimming the lights a bit, though its picture is also bright enough to hold up in well-lit rooms. It doesn’t exactly beat this year’s flagship OLED TV competition, but with price reductions having already kicked in, at least it's competitively priced.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Sony Bravia 8 II?

The Bravia 8 II's built-in audio system can be set up to serve as a center channel speaker when paired with Sony's Bravia Theater Quad wireless speakers (shown) or soundbars (Image credit: Future)Sony Bravia 8 II

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Innovative Sony-centric audio features and special capabilities for PS5 owners make this an appealing TV for Sony fans

4.5 / 5

Picture quality

Impressive brightness, color and contrast plus a detailed, accurate picture make this set especially easy on the eyes

5 / 5

Sound quality

Sony's Acoustic Surface Audio+ feature delivers relatively full, spacious sound from a slim TV

4.5 / 5

Design

A slim, elegant design with cable management and two-way adjustable feet that can clear space for a soundbar

4.5 / 5

Smart TV and menus

Google TV is a solid smart TV system and Sony's Quick Settings menu provides easy access to picture and sound adjustments

4 / 5

Gaming

Good features for PS5 owners, but only two HDMI 2.1 ports and comparatively high input lag in Game mode

4 / 5

Value

Pricey, but its impressive picture and sound quality help it to stand up to the premium OLED competition

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You want a great TV for movies
The Bravia 8 II has great overall picture quality, and its picture processing makes everything, even old TV shows and YouTube videos look good, but it really shines with 4K movies on streaming and Blu-ray disc.

You want to use it with a Sony soundbar or wireless speakers
The Bravia 8 II has audio features that let it be used as a center speaker in a Sony surround sound system with compatible Sony soundbars and wireless speakers.

You mainly watch in bright rooms
While the Bravia 8 II has high brightness for an OLED TV, it doesn’t hit the same mini-LED brightness levels as its flagship competition, a quality that makes those TVs a good option for bright room viewing.

Don't buy it if…

You want the best TV for gaming
The Bravia 8 II has a solid set of gaming features, but there are only two HDMI 2.1 ports, and it lacks the same cloud-based gaming options found on LG and Samsung TVs.

You mainly watch in a bright room
While the Bravia 8 II has high brightness for an OLED TV, it doesn’t hit the same mini-LED brightness levels as its flagship competition that makes them a good option for bright room viewing.View Deal

You want to save money
The Bravia 8 II is a premium OLED TV that sells for a premium price. Cheaper mini-LED TV options are widely available that offer very good picture quality at a much lower price.

Sony Bravia 8 II: Also consider...

Sony Bravia 8 II

LG G5

Samsung S95F

Sony Bravia 8

List price (65-inch)

$3,399 / £3,399 / AU$5,295

$3,399 / £3,299 / AU$5,299

$2,699 / £2,699 / AU$4,299

$2,799 / £2,699 / AU$4,495

Screen type

QD-OLED

OLED

QD-OLED

OLED

Refresh rate

120Hz

165Hz

165Hz

120Hz

HDR support

Dolby Vision/HDR10/HLG

Dolby Vision/HDR10/HLG

HDR10+/HDR10/HLG

DolbyVision/HDR10/HLG

Smart TV

Google TV

webOS

Tizen

Google TV

HDMI ports

4 (2 x HDMI 2.1)

4x HDMI 2.1

4 x HDMI 2.1

4 (2x HDMI 2.1)

LG G5
The LG G5’s innovative ‘four-stack’ OLED panel delivers exceptional brightness levels for an OLED TV. It also has a superior set of gaming features compared to the Bravia 8 II, along with a more advanced smart TV platform.

Here’s our LG G5 review

Samsung S95F
Samsung’s flagship OLED TV is another OLED that delivers mini-LED-rivalling brightness levels, and its Glare Free 2.0 screen effectively eliminates reflections when viewing in bright rooms. Like the LG G5, it also has a superior set of gaming features and a more advanced smart TV platform.

Here’s our Samsung S95F review

Sony Bravia 8
The Bravia 8 is still available, and it provides many of the same audio and gaming features as the Bravia 8 II. Its picture has notably lower peak brightness than the Bravia 8 II, but if you’re okay with dimming the lights, you’ll get a great OLED picture at a much reduced price.

Here’s our Sony Bravia 8 review

How I tested the Sony Bravia 8 II

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

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

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

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

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

For the Sony Bravia 8 II, I used the Calman ISF workflow, along with the TV’s advanced picture menu settings, to calibrate the image for best accuracy. I also watched a range of reference scenes on 4K Blu-ray discs to assess the TV’s performance, along with 4K HDR shows streamed from Max, Netflix, and other services.

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