Reviews

Zoho Books is just one small part of a much greater business concern based in India that offers all manner of software for anyone and everyone. With its clean and simple cloud-based interface Zoho Books makes a great cost-effective accounting option if you’re a freelancer, sole trader or someone running a small business.

The benefit with Zoho Books is that it’s also quite scalable, so therefore offers beefier versions for those with larger business concerns, or anyone intent on expanding their operations. While the desktop route is a solid one, Zoho Books also has an impressive app presence, making it a good mobile bet too especially if you're constantly on the move.

It's a tax and accountancy software package that sits alongside the likes of competitors FreshBooks, QuickBooks, Xero, Sage Business Cloud Accounting, Kashoo and Kashflow.

Zoho Books: Pricing

Zoho Books has, it explains, a pricing plan for everyone and the service has actually become a little cheaper than it used to be for each of the current packages

It all starts with the Free plan, which includes access for one account holder and another accountant. It, along with the paid plans, has its own restrictions, for example you won't be able to use more than 1,000 invoices or 1,000 expenses within a year.

Standard costs £12 per organization per month, with space for up to three accounts holders, more invoices and expenses, recurring expenses and invoice generation without Zoho's branding.

Professional (£24), Premium (£30), Elite (£99) and Ultimate (£199) plans are also available, raising the limits even further and adding in features like multi-currency invoicing, vendor management, purchase orders and stock tracking.

Incidentally, sign up to pay annually rather than monthly and savings can be made on all packages. Zoho does offer additional add-ons, more about which you can glean from its website.

Zoho Books: Features

Zoho Books might be an affordable cloud-based accountancy solution, but that doesn't make it any less feature-laden. In fact, taking a tour of the package we found that it has a pretty formidable arsenal of tools and options.

That includes invoicing estimating, a client portal, the ability to track expenses, carry out billing, track your banking movements, manage projects and keep an eye on your levels of inventory.

Sales orders, purchase orders, VAT and online payments are all in there too, making Zoho Books fully featured by anyone's standards. Adding additional value is a solid reporting area, the ability to automate your workflow and, finally, enjoy the convenience of having all your documents stored in one place.

Most importantly for upcoming regulations, all plans can submit MTD-complaint VAT returns directly to HMRC, with MTD compliance also available for Income Tax via quarterly updates and SA103 summary reports.

The reality is that the Free package contains most of the features self-employed individuals are likely to need, so anything included in paid plans is either a bonus or designed for larger companies operating six-figure incomes (or at least high-two-figure turnovers).

Zoho also offers a broad spectrum of integrations, such as with PayPal, Stripe, Shopify, Mailchimp, Office 365, Slack and more, as well as its own comprehensive range of products.

(Image credit: Zoho Books)Zoho Books: Performance

During our time using Zoho Books we found the software-as-a-service solution excellent. There are a lot of tabs, menus and other options available and, with a decent internet connection, we could zip around the site without any issues whatsoever.

Connecting to financial institutions, which you’ll want to do to bulk up the appeal of your accountancy package, is fast and efficient.

There’s also the capacity for using any one of many Zoho add-ons to increase the potential of your package. These can be found via the Integrations menu. Performance is further boosted if you choose to dip into the Automation area of the interface, which Zoho Books provides to streamline workflow more efficiently.

Automations can cover recurring expenses, invoices, or bills; convert quotes to invoices; send out payment reminders and trigger workflows to help you keep tabs on your progress, so with the right setup, you can have an extremely powerful ecosystem that does the heavy lifting for you.

In addition, items called Web Tabs add extra usability within the interface if you want to create and use them to access frequently called-upon features and functions.

Zoho Books: Ease of use

Setting up Zoho Books could not be simpler. As with all cloud-based services you’ll need to create an account, pick a password and then work your way through the steps. Input your organization’s details, opt in or out of VAT and then pick down through the features checklist. These can be enabled either on or off depending on what suits your needs.

We think Zoho does a sterling job of making what can be a tedious and complex task relatively simple, and that's largely thanks to its uncluttered user interface and strong explanations.

Usefully, Invoices, Credit Notes, Expenses, Bills, Recurring Invoices and more are available by default in Zoho Books. Press the ‘Get Started’ button and you’ll be read to go. Once you’re inside the dashboard area everything is very self-explanatory, with core menus down the left-hand side and more along the top. Another bonus with Zoho Books is the extensive list of available templates for creating everything from invoices through to customer statements and all points in-between.

The mobile apps score well for usability and functionality, but more importantly they look great which takes some of the stress and dread away for new users who might be struggling to get their head around MTD requirements.

Still, it can sometimes feel a bit disjointed jumping between different apps, portals and websites to access different areas of Zoho's ecosystem if you're using more than just Books.

Zoho Books: Support

Zoho Books comes complete with its own free support infrastructure, which arrives via numerous avenues. There’s 24-hour unlimited support 5 days a week and this can be accessed via email, or by using the built-in live chat options. Failing that, Zoho Books issues can be tackled over the phone via a toll free hotline.

Note that free plans only get reduced email support.

We’re also impressed with the beefy selection of supporting options that can be found via the website. There’s help documentation, FAQs, business guides and forums too, which all add extra weight to the overall support structure.

Zoho Books: Final verdict

Zoho Books is a fine pay-as-you-go cloud-based accounting option that provides you with many if not all of the tools you’ll need to keep your business accounts in good shape. While the cloud-based desktop route is a great one to take we’re also really impressed with the level of detail applied to Zoho Books range of apps. These have been nicely put together and deliver everything you need to keep tabs on your accounts on the move.

The ecosystem represents outstanding value for money already, but when you combine it with other apps in Zoho's ecosystem, you begin to unlock mighty interoperability that could really improve administrative productivity.

We also like the way that Zoho seems more than amenable to helping you scale your accounting package too, with larger users being encouraged to contact the company in order to get a solution more accurately tailored to their needs. However, as it stands in any of the more off-the-shelf guises Zoho Books still has plenty to commend.

• We've also highlighted the best accounting software

Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 Enhanced is the version of the game I’ve been wanting to play ever since I completed the original release of the third-person narrative game last year on Xbox Series X.

Review info

Platform reviewed: PS5 (and PS5 Pro)
Available on: PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC
Release date: August 12, 2025

Developer Ninja Theory’s sequel to the powerful Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice from 2017 has been enhanced and added to for this release, and the game shines on PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro, feeling right at home on Sony’s console.

The adventure is, of course, identical to the original release, and my main gripes with the game remain on the whole, but the upgrade in graphics in particular means this is a game worthy of revisiting, and one that excels technically.

It’s a miserable and bleak exploration of the human psyche once again, but it’s a powerful one that features exquisite performances, an intriguing story, and a level of immersion that wasn’t quite there on the first release.

(Image credit: Ninja Theory)A familiar journey

For those unfamiliar with the Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 game, you play as Senua, an Orkney warrior who allows herself to be captured by Icelandic slavers in order to confront them and put an end to the abduction of her people. However, things soon take a turn, and a grim and bleak story unfolds.

I once again found the narrative of giants, misery, and mystery a deeply compelling one, with an overarching storyline that constantly intrigues, while each particular beat provides memorable moments and background context.

The voice acting, motion performances, and realism of the people in the game further invest you in the story once again, and the character models have never looked better, with each expression captured in beautiful detail, and every line delivered with power.

One of my absolute favorite parts of the initial release remains, as good as ever, and perhaps even more so given the graphics boost. The world of Viking Iceland is one of the best of recent times in games - it’s a true spectacle, and I’ve not been able to stop taking screenshots and exploring the beefy photo mode to capture my favorite vistas.

Each topography and landscape is captured beautifully, and, from the miserable rain-soaked coast at the beginning, right through to the open, lush-green vistas, carved through by rivers and waterfalls, everything is brilliantly represented.

(Image credit: Ninja Theory)

Also, while some places in the game are overly empty and quiet, the landscapes and vistas never fail to wow and absorb; exploring every nook and cranny to find new views, and indeed the game’s lore in the form of faces in rocks, and the totems and trees which tell their own stories bit by bit, is a joy.

The above factors combine successfully, once again, to make a setting that is rich in atmosphere and sense of place, and one that brings its own power and character to the game.

Familiar grievances remain, however; after all, in terms of gameplay and content, it is the same game. Combat is still the same simplistic set of repeated moves (though I feel I was less bored with enemies and their variety this time around), and some of those aforementioned places in the landscape, and thus, the story, really are a bit too empty, too.

(Image credit: Ninja Theory/Xbox)

A new minor issue, however, is the vibration in the DualSense when Senua focuses on one of the trees or totems. It’s far too intense and harms the immersion, sadly. This is especially the case when revisiting the first game, as there, the vibration is more measured, and ties into Senua’s feeling of concentration more.

(Image credit: Ninja Theory)A new take

Familiarity aside, this is still a re-release, so what of the new stuff?

In brief, I'd say that this is the kind of re-release that hits all the right notes. The boost to the game’s graphics is certainly worthwhile, the extra play modes add depth and new experiences, the developer commentary enriches your knowledge of the game and its creation, and the wonderful photo mode and update to the first game (if you get the deluxe version) are all sterling.

I particularly enjoyed the excellent graphical updates to the game and playing it at 60 frames per second in the new performance mode. Said mode is also - and I tested this repeatedly, over and over in different places - near identical to the quality or resolution mode. Upon each inspection and comparison, the sacrifice on particles, light, and reflections in the performance mode compared to the quality mode, on both PS5 Pro and PS5 Slim, was negligible.

The update to the first game’s graphics (included in the Deluxe Edition or free for existing owners) is also incredibly well executed. Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice now has three graphics modes - performance, resolution, and enriched - all of which are extremely close in terms of quality - and ran identically at 60 frames per second on my Samsung Q6F QLED TV. The enriched mode looks extra fantastic, mind, and has definitely earned a replay of the first game, a place in my 2025 to-play plans.

Elsewhere, the developer commentary is deeply interesting, and the aforementioned photo mode offers an awful lot of features too that are worth getting stuck into if you’re keen on digital photography.

Best Bit

(Image credit: Ninja Theory)

Reliving the awesome fire and lava section tied to one of the game’s giants was a particular standout moment and joy on PS5 Pro, and the superb nature of the game’s Performance mode made it all the smoother and immersive.

The Dark Rot Challenge Mode is a very on-brand and perfectly fitting inclusion, however. Introduced in Senua’s first adventure, this mode has its own level of high difficulty and offers a permadeath challenge for players looking for the most punishing test. Simply put, with each death, a dark rot will make its way up Senua’s arm, and if you die too many times, all your progress will be lost. It’s such a Hellblade game mode that it makes sense that it’s there, but I am sad that the PS5 platinum trophy is locked behind it.

(Image credit: Ninja Theory)

All in all, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 Enhanced, as a game, is still just as powerful, gripping, and harrowing as I remember. It is, perhaps even more so than ever, a video game demonstration of excellence in misery, bleakness, and sorrow.

Much like parts of Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 and its somber storytelling or The Last of Us Part 2 and that game’s exploration of hatred and the cycle of violence, for me, the heavy themes and bleakness of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 Enhanced are done so well that it’s constantly engrossing and creates something truly memorable, and one of the best PS5 Pro games you can play now.

Should you play Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 Enhanced?Play it if...

You’re a fan of the game and series, eager to replay an enhanced version of the game
It’s an easy answer to give, but if you’re a huge fan like me and were looking for a reason to dive back in, then this is the perfect way to do so. The game is the same powerful experience, and the new experiences

You want to play one of the technically best games on PS5 Pro
Technically, in its audio and visual presentation, Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 Enhanced on PS5 and PS5 Pro feels like the definitive way to play the game, offering a brilliant, beautiful, and immersive audio-visual experience, augmented by the new graphics modes available. This then also extends to the first game’s upgrades, too, which you’ll get with the Deluxe version of Hellblade 2.

You want to embrace the misery and immerse yourself in one of the best game worlds of recent years
As I’ve said above, there is a distinct attraction in sombre games such as Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 Enhanced, and if bleakness and darkness are your thing, as well as an incredibly powerful sense of place, then you’ll be right at home here.

Don't play it if...

You value speed and dynamism in your action and combat
One of my small criticisms of the original release was some pacing in the game where it’s very quiet and limited, as well as the simple combat. Both are present in this version of the game again, and while they broadly feel at home for this particular game, if you desire multi-faceted action from your games, then you still won’t find it here.

You rarely revisit games you’ve already finished
As much as I personally loved revisiting this game, for those who have strong memories of the original release, you won’t find much new here aside from the Dark Rot mode and the upgraded visuals.

You’re looking for a cheery or chill game
Relaxing, happy, and cheerful, this is very much not - arguably even more so now with the graphical enhancements on show that give its violence in particular another edge. Elsewhere, it is still the same harrowing, bleak, miserable - yet incredibly engrossing and absorbing tale - that touches on many dark and deep themes of the human psyche.

Accessibility

The same bank of accessibility features in the original release remain present in Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 Enhanced. These include three color blind modes - Deuteranope, Protanope, and Tritanope - as well as other graphical features such as motion blur and camera bob. In audio, you can alter menu narration settings, make adjustments to the audio presentation and device you’re using, while you can once again change text size, some animations, and UI color schemes.

The excellent gameplay accessibility options remain, too, with settings enabling you to change overall combat difficulty, as well as initiate auto-input for Senua’s offensive and/or defensive combat actions.

How I reviewed Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 Enhanced

I played Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2 Enhanced for roughly 10 hours, replaying the entire main story, finding each and every collectible, and watching each and every absorbing cutscene. I played the game on my PS5 Pro on a Samsung Q6F 4K QLED TV using a Samsung sound bar and a Drop + EPOS PC38X and Sound BlasterX G6 sound card for audio. I was also able to briefly test the game on my PS5 Slim and Acer Predator X32QFS 4K gaming monitor, using a DualSense controller, and my Sennheiser HD 550 headphones, and Creative Sound Blast X4 sound card.

I spent several minutes in almost every chapter checking the differences between the game’s quality and performance modes, and I also tested all the game’s various extras and modes, ensuring I explored all of what this release of the game has to offer. I tried to engage in the enhanced version of the first one that is included in the deluxe edition of the game, but, unfortunately, I could not get this to work or even find it at the time of writing.

First reviewed August 2025

Annual sports game releases tend to get their fair share of stick across all platforms, and wrestling game series WWE 2K is no exception. Just a few years ago, the response to the buggy mess that was WWE 2K20 was so bad, the team behind the franchise went back to the drawing board and skipped 2021’s release altogether.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch 2, PC
Release date: July 23, 2025

Since then, the WWE 2K franchise has gone from strength to strength with just enough polishing every year to warrant an annual release. This year is no different, with my colleague Scott McCrae calling WWE 2K25 “the best wrestling game of the modern era.”

Now, if you’re reading this review, it’s likely that you’ve not only been burnt by the annual sports title release in the past (2K isn’t the only culprit, EA’s sports franchises like FC suffer a similar fate), but you’ve also been burnt by continuously poor ports of sports games to Nintendo platforms.

It brings me great joy to write that WWE 2K25 is the wrestling experience Nintendo fans have wanted for a very long time, offering an almost identical experience to WWE 2K25 on PS5 and Xbox Series X, albeit with some small caveats.

In this review, I’m going to focus on the core experience of playing WWE 2K25 on Nintendo Switch 2. While I’ll be discussing aspects of the game, I’d also advise you to read TechRadar Gaming’s full WWE 2K25 review from earlier this year, as I’m going to touch less on gameplay mechanics and modes than the original write-up.

Time to play the game

In our original review, we praised the improvements to the core gameplay mechanics, such as chain wrestling, as well as the long-anticipated addition of intergender wrestling matches. Some of the Game modes have received lots of love this year, such as the best 2K Showcase to date, based on the Samoan wrestling dynasty, The Bloodline. For fans of Roman Reigns and co, the documentary-style game mode is a genuine blast to play, giving you a history lesson in wrestling while offering fans the chance to relive the moments themselves.

(Image credit: 2K/WWE)

Universe mode, which lets you direct a wrestling show from start to finish, now has in-ring promos, and while still fairly limited, it adds much-needed depth to what I think is the best game mode for a handheld device. Being able to take your fantasy-booked show on the go adds a whole new dimension to the way fans can experience WWE 2K25, and because of it, this Nintendo Switch 2 version of the game might just be my favorite way to play.

You see, while the negatives mentioned in our original review still stand, such as a heavy focus on trying to get players to spend more of their hard-earned cash on unlockable items in the brand new online mode, The Island. Or buying downloadable content (DLC) to access wrestlers that probably should’ve been in the roster to begin with, the Nintendo Switch 2 version of WWE 2K25 unlocks the ability to take a fully-fledged wrestling game on your next vacation, on your next long-haul flight, or even just to the couch while your significant other watches TV.

(Image credit: 2K/WWE)

In terms of the game itself, the best praise I can give it is that it’s essentially identical in content and gameplay to the PS5 and Xbox Series X releases of the game, and that’s not been something sports fans have been able to say about Nintendo ports for a very long time.

Where the Nintendo Switch 2 version does fall short, however, is in graphical fidelity. WWE 2K25 looks like a PS4 game, and while that’s impressive on the go, it feels like you’ve gone back in time when you try to play in docked mode. Considering just how gorgeous WWE 2K25 is on home consoles, the Nintendo Switch 2 version feels a bit lifeless, lacking textures, and in general just not up to par graphically with the game wrestling fans have been enjoying since March.

Pocket combat

If docked mode on Nintendo Switch 2 is your preferred way of playing, and you have access to another current-gen console, I’d advise you to buy this game elsewhere. If, however, you only have access to the Nintendo Switch 2 or you want to take Wrestlemania on the go, WWE 2K25 hits all the right notes.

I’ve been waiting since the Stone Cold Steve Austin glory days for a wrestling game that’s as good in handheld as it is on a big screen, and with WWE 2K25, developers Visual Concepts have nailed it.

Best bit

(Image credit: 2K)

Handheld mode shines, giving wrestling fans the portable fighting game they've always dreamed of. Universe mode is the perfect way to delve into the ring, allowing you to fantasy book shows on the go.

There’s something quite magical about being able to take a sports video game on the go, and I hope WWE 2K25 is a sign of the future for Nintendo Switch 2. While it might not be on par graphically with the competition, it is gameplay-wise, and ultimately, that’s the most important thing for fans of any gaming series.

With EA FC 26 set to release in the coming months, Madden 2026 already available on the Nintendo eShop, and more annual release sports games coming to the Switch 2, I really hope these other developers have taken a page out of WWE 2K25’s book. Give me the same game with less graphical fidelity for small bursts of action while travelling, and the Nintendo Switch 2 might just become my favorite console of all time. Please, developers, don’t let WWE 2K25 be the outlier.

Should you play WWE 2K25?Play it if...

You want to immerse yourself in wrestling
WWE 2K25 is the best wrestling game I've played in years, and despite some game modes being cash grabs, you can opt to focus on the complete experiences, such as 2K Showcase, MyRise, and Universe mode.

You want to play on the go
The game really shines in handheld mode, where it gives players the opportunity to take the full WWE 2K25 with them wherever they go. It's just as good on the Nintendo Switch 2's 7.9-inch LCD panel as it is on a 60-inch OLED TV.

Don't play it if...

You care about graphics
If you're looking for the best-looking wrestling game, then you should look elsewhere, as WWE 2K25 on Nintendo Switch 2 doesn't come close to the fidelity of other consoles on the market. Ultimately, the trade-off is worth it for handheld gameplay, but the flat textures can take away from the experience in docked mode.

How I reviewed WWE 2K25

I played 25 hours of WWE 2K25 between handheld and docked modes on Nintendo Switch 2. Around 15 hours were spent playing the game on the go during a week of travelling across Europe, connected to my SteelSeries Arctis GameBuds.

During this time, I played all of the game modes on offer, comparing them to my experience of playing WWE 2K25 on PS5 Pro. On the PS5 Pro, I have over 100 hours on the game this year with my Samsung S90D, one of the best OLED TVs on the market. With over 125 hours played of WWE 2K25 combined between Nintendo Switch 2 and PS5 Pro, I have a deep understanding of how the Nintendo Switch 2 version compares to the other consoles on the market.

First reviewed August 2025

Logitech G522 Lightspeed: Two-minute review

The Logitech G522 Lightspeed is a very strong contender in the mid-range price bracket, delivering impressive audio performance.

Sound is crisp and clear, which makes it a good fit for everything from competitive shooters like Marvel Rivals and Counter-Strike 2 to more immersive single-player experiences à la The Last of Us Part 1. The headphones also support DTX Headphone:X on PC, provided you install the separate DTS Sound Unbound app, which offers very strong spatial audio.

My one complaint is that the bass is quite flat out of the box. It’s not bad by any means, but makes punchier music sound a little lifeless. Luckily, this is easily fixed with a quick trip to the expansive Logitech G Hub software which offers in-depth EQ customization with the option to select from a number of preset profiles, download settings from the community, or create your own.

The removable microphone is also no slouch, with high-quality sound to rival some of the best microphones for streaming. Whether you’re chatting with friends, communicating with your online team, or sending a quick voice message, it offers pristine, professional recordings that mean you won’t ever struggle to come through clearly.

It’s all wrapped up in a stylish design with a soft, adjustable headband and comfortable memory foam earcups. There are even two attractive RGB lighting zones on the outside of each earcup, both offering four LEDs that can be adjusted with a wide range of colors and animations. The headset feels good to wear, but does tend to look quite big and bulky on camera - and might be a poor fit if you have a particularly small head.

In spite of this, it’s easy to recommend the Logitech G522 Lightspeed. It manages to rival some of the best PC gaming headsets right now and, thanks to its PlayStation compatibility, is up there with the best PS5 headsets too.

(Image credit: Future)Logitech G522 Lightspeed: Price and availability

• Costs $159.99 / £139.99 / AU$229
• Available via Logitech
• Also at Amazon and other retailers

The Logitech G522 Lightspeed costs $159.99 / £139.99 and is available via Logitech. It can also be purchased from a wide range of retailers including Amazon and Best Buy in the US and Amazon, Currys and Argos in the UK. In Australia, it can be purchased at Amazon.

At this mid-range price point it comes in significantly cheaper than more premium wireless models like the Astro A50 X or Turtle Beach Stealth Pro, but more expensive than budget wired options such as the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 1.

Its biggest competitors are the likes of the Razer BlackShark V3 or SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Wireless - which both deliver similarly good audio performance. The stronger microphone and unique look of the Logitech G522 Lightspeed make it a good alternative, however, and give you a compelling reason to choose it instead.

Logitech G522 Lightspeed: Specs

Price

$159.99 / £139.99 / AU$229

Weight

10.23oz / 290g

Compatibility

PC, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Android, iOS

Connection type

Bluetooth, Lightspeed Wireless, Wired USB-C

Battery life

40 hrs (default lighting), 90hrs (RGB off)

Features

Detachable 48kHz / 16 bit omni microphone, Lightsync RGB

Software

Logitech G Hub (PC) / Logitech G app (mobile)

Logitech G522 Lightspeed: Design and features

• Attractive white or black colorways
• Comfortable, soft earcups
• Looks a bit bulky

Like other Logitech G headsets, the Logitech G522 Lightspeed is primarily constructed from plastic.

Despite this it doesn’t seem particularly cheap in the hands, though alternatives like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 do feel slightly more premium thanks to the incorporation of metal elements.

It’s not the lightest headset around at 10.23oz / 290g, but still manages to be extremely comfortable thanks to its large, cushioned over-ear earcups and adjustable cloth headband.

All of the expected controls are present, which is to say a power switch (accompanied by a small LED indicator), Bluetooth pairing button, a volume rocker, and microphone mute switch. I really appreciate the simplicity of this setup in a world of gaming headsets filled with extraneous features.

They’re all in one convenient location on the outside of the left earcup and the buttons are well spaced out with a variety of different tactile feels, like ridges on the microphone mute button, that make the controls easy to operate without looking.

There’s also a standard USB Type-C port for both charging and wired play, plus a small 3.5mm to attach the removable microphone. It’s made of a flexible, rubbery material that can be twisted into your desired position and even features a small red LED on its tip that illuminates when the microphone is muted - a convenient way to check its status at a glance

(Image credit: Future)

The headset offers Bluetooth connectivity, ideal if you want to use it with your phone or a Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2, and comes with a USB dongle to enable Logitech’s proprietary Lightspeed wireless connectivity.

The headset is available in both white and black colorways. Each offers customizable RGB lighting on the outside of the earcup, with a total of eight light zones that you can tweak. It’s a great looking headset on the whole, but definitely on the larger and more bulky side when worn.

It looks massive on my head, which is fine for gaming but makes it a bit awkward to wear to video meetings. Thankfully this doesn't affect the comfort.

(Image credit: Future)Logitech G522 Lightspeed: Performance

The Logitech G522 Lightspeed offers good performance out of the box, whether you’re playing on PC or PS5. It’s quick and easy to set up and delivers clear and crisp sound with an impressive level of depth. My only real complaint is that the bass is on the flatter side, but this is only really noticeable when you’re listening to music or playing a game with a particularly punchy soundtrack.

Thankfully, this is easy to remedy in the compatible Logitech G Hub software as it offers an impressive number of customization options including the ability to create your own detailed equaliser (EQ) setting. I’d personally recommend cranking the low frequencies (20Hz, 50Hz and 125Hz) up by 3dB, 2dB, and 1dB respectively then adding 0.5dB at the higher end for a well-rounded sound profile that excels no matter what you throw at it.

There are also a number of presets available, including a bass boost mode, gaming mode, dedicated FPS mode, and a media mode, plus the option to browse and download a number of community creations. You can save up to three profiles directly on the headset too, so once you’ve found your favorite setup you can carry it across to any platform with ease.

The headset is also fully compatible with DTS Headphone:X spatial audio, which is turned on through the separate DTS Sound Unbound PC app. Turning it on leads to a slightly sharper and louder sound, but the trade-off is accompanied by a much more immersive sense of depth that’s ideal for atmospheric, single-player gaming.

This level of fine tuning also extends to the microphone, which is an impressively high-fidelity 48kHz beast. It picks up your voice clearly and cleanly, though tends to let in background noise. Enabling the noise reduction features in the Logitech G Hub software cleans this up tremendously though, and leaves you with stellar results suitable for chatting on a call or even streaming.

(Image credit: Logitech)

In terms of battery life, the Logitech G522 Lightspeed isn’t shabby but certainly not as strong as market leaders like the absurd 300+ hour battery of the HyperX Cloud Alpha Wireless. Logitech promises up to 90 hours with RGB disabled, or 40 hours with it on, but these estimates seem on the conservative side.

I generally managed well over 40 hours of use (with RGB enabled) which is going to be more than enough for most. I’ve only needed to charge this headset a few times in the multiple months that I’ve been using it, so I’ve got no complaints here.

Should I buy the Logitech G522 Lightspeed?

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

You want a strong performer
With clear and crisp sound right out of the box, the Logitech G522 Lightspeed is an excellent choice if you’re after great performance. A few tweaks to its audio profile in the compatible software makes it sound even better, too.

You need a killer mic
The microphone delivers fantastic, high-fidelity recordings. It’s really excellent, especially at this price, and would be a good fit for those that love chatting with friends or streaming.

You crave the spatial audio
The Logitech G522 Lightspeed is fully compatible with DTX Headphone:X spatial audio so is worth getting if you’re keen to get into the immersive world of spatial sound.

Don't buy it if...

You’re after more features
The Logitech G522 Lightspeed has a no-nonsense feature set, but if you’re after something more adventurous or the likes of active noise cancellation (ANC), you need to look at other options such as the more expensive Razer BlackShark V3 Pro.

Also consider...

Not sold on the Logitech G522 Lightspeed? Here are two other options to weigh up.

Logitech G522 Lightspeed

Razer BlackShark V3 Pro

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5

Price

$159.99 / £139.99 / AU$229

$249.99 / £249.99 / around AU$510

$129.99 / £129.99 / AU$139.95

Weight

0.63lbs / 290g

0.81lbs / 367g

9.5oz / 266g

Compatibility

PC, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2, Android, iOS

PC, Xbox Series X, PS5 (Xbox version), PC and PS5 (PC/PS5 version), iOS, Android

Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PS5, PS4, Nintendo Switch, PC, Mac, Mobile

Connection type

Bluetooth, Lightspeed Wireless, Wired USB-C

Bluetooth, 2.4GHz wireless (HyperSpeed dongle)

Wireless (2.4GHz via dongle), Wired (USB-C), Bluetooth 5.3

Battery life

40 hrs (default lighting), 90hrs (RGB off)

70 hours

Up to 60 hours

Features

Detachable 48kHz / 16 bit omni microphone, Lightsync RGB

Detachable microphone, hybrid active noise cancellation

360-degree spatial audio, retractable ClearCast 2.X mic

Software

Logitech G Hub (PC) / Logitech G app (mobile)

Razer Synapse

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 Companion App (mobile), SteelSeries GG

Razer BlackShark V3 Pro
The Razer BlackShark V3 Pro is more expensive than the Logitech G522 Lightspeed, but offers Active Noise Cancellation. There’s also a dedicated Xbox version, which is compatible with every major platform.

For more information, check out our full Razer BlackShark V3 Pro review

SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5
Coming in at roughly the same price as the Logitech G522 Lightspeed, the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 is the mid-range headset to beat. The G522 has a better microphone, but the Nova 5 is more widely compatible and lighter.

For more information, check out our full SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5 review

How I tested the Logitech G522 Lightspeed

• Used for multiple months
• Tested with PC and PS5
• Tried the Logitech G Hub software

I tested the Logitech G522 for multiple months, using a sample provided by Logitech at a pre-reveal product briefing. I tested the headset extensively with both PC and PS5, using it for the vast majority of my gaming. Most recently this included my full playthrough of Mafia: The Old Country, plenty of Call of Duty: Black Ops 6, and more.

Throughout my time with the headset, I compared my experience to that of my hands-on testing of a wide range of other audio products. This included similarly priced options like the SteelSeries Arctis Nova 5, plus more expensive alternatives such as the Razer BlackShark V3 Pro and Astro A50 X.

I took full advantage of the compatible Logitech G Hub software, experimenting with all of the available settings and customization options in order to assess their performance.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2025

I think it’s fair to say that when April’s hotly anticipated Nintendo Direct swung around, Drag x Drive wasn’t on anyone's bingo card. Yes, one of the initial first-party releases on the Nintendo Switch 2 isn’t only a sports title – but one that’s based on wheelchair basketball.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: Nintendo Switch 2 only
Release date: August 14, 2025

Drag x Drive is, at its core, a game intended to show off the enhanced capabilities of the Joy-Con 2. In particular, their mouse controls are used to move your player around the court. It’s also massively centered around online play, almost positioning it as Nintendo’s rival to the hugely successful Rocket League.

So, a couple of major questions arise. Is Drag x Drive just a glorified tech demo? Or is it a fully-fledged Nintendo Switch 2 sports title with enough depth to hold down a loyal playerbase? I spent hours playing this unorthodox new release to find out.

A real workout

(Image credit: Nintendo)

From the moment you open Drag x Drive, you’re thrown into a tutorial that teaches you all the basics of movement, hooping, and tricking. You can place the Joy-Con 2 controllers on a flat surface or even on your legs, and use mouse controls to mimic pushing wheels on a wheelchair.

The controls are intuitive and fairly easy to get to grips with, in my view. HD rumble also makes every turn and push feel a bit more true-to-life. There’s been some debate online about the best way to control your baller, but I found that holding the Joy-Con 2’s on top of my legs was the most comfortable, natural-feeling method.

However, after a few minutes of wheeling around as well as a couple of practice matches, I identified – well, felt, really – one of Drag x Drive’s key limitations. My arms were feeling beat.

Yep, this game’s a real workout, though I did wonder if this was intentional. Is Drag x Drive meant to immerse the player in the high-exertion reality of wheelchair basketball? Maybe. But the facts are, I felt pretty achey after a few back-to-back matches, which did make playing for longer than around 30 minutes feel tiring.

Aside from that, though, movement is solid. You can easily build up speed with long, relaxed strokes, and wheel up on-court halfpipes to dunk or obstruct a shot. The ZL and ZR buttons enable you to brake, and you can also use them to bunny hop, giving you some extra elevation when blocking or shooting.

On the topic of shooting, it’s also quite consistent. The more lined up you are with the basket, the more likely you are to score, which can be performed with a flick of the wrist – no buttons needed. I did find, on occasion, my baller would raise their hand to shoot, even when I hadn’t performed this motion. But most of the time, shooting is responsive.

Best bit

(Image credit: Nintendo)

I wheeled up the court’s half-pipe, flung myself into the air, and hit a gnarly dunk to help my team declare victory in the final seconds of a match.

I’d argue that the most underwhelming element of Drag x Drive’s core gameplay, however, is defending. In order to steal the ball, you must charge into an opposing player while facing them. But, when playing matches online during the game’s Global Jam trial event, I found that this didn’t always work – I’d clash into an opponent, but the ball would remain firmly in their grip.

On top of that, blocking didn’t feel very reliable. Ultimately, my games were rarely won by good defense. They were typically won by aggressively attacking. Speaking of, you can bag extra points with trick shots – think dunks and mid-air throws. And I have to say, winning a match with a mid-air 3-pointer is very satisfying!

Oh, and one final note on gameplay – I often found myself in 2v2 matches when playing online via Global Jam. Scrolling on Reddit, I discovered that other players encountered a similar occurrence, though games were still generally balanced, and I barely ever experienced any delays or performance issues.

I’m hoping 2v2s are a little less common when the full game is on general release, though, for the most action-packed experience possible.

Where’s the Nintendo magic?

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Let’s take a break from gameplay to chat about design. Now, I'm gonna be frank. I am not a fan of the way Drag x Drive looks. The world – or should I say, the courts – is too bland. Colors aren’t very vibrant, and there’s a generally dingy look to the environment, which is a real shame.

Given this is a Nintendo-developed title, you expect the vivid, character-filled presentation that so many of the best Nintendo Switch 2 games – and indeed, the best Nintendo Switch games – thrive off of. In addition, character models lack polish, meaning the game doesn’t really look like it was made for a flashy new console.

Not only is it visually underwhelming, but the overall Drag x Drive experience is pretty thin – perhaps to be expected given its low price tag. 3v3 online matches are generally competitive and entertaining to hop into, though, as I mentioned, a few games left my arms feeling lethargic. And other than those online matches, there’s not all too much to do.

There are a few minigames littered around the courts – stuff like cone courses and sprint time trials. If you complete these within a certain amount of time, you can earn a trophy. But after I did this, I didn’t feel particularly keen to return to them. Variety could be better, too, given that many of the minigames are variations of each other – there are a number of cone courses to finish, for instance.

(Image credit: Nintendo)

Something that’s undoubtedly positive, though, is that the trophies you obtain by clearing minigames help you unlock new customization options. For example, you can get new helmets – including one with a mohawk, which I took a liking to. Other than that, you can alter the texture and colors of your armor, frame, and wheels.

Combine this with the opportunity to switch between a speedy yet lightweight guard, a bulky yet slow center, or an all-rounder forward, and Drag x Drive ends up being a pleasingly personalizable time.

So, how about we go back to that question of ours: is Drag x Drive just a glorified tech demo? Well, that might be a touch harsh. But the finished product does feel a little underbaked. The core experience – the 3v3 online matches – is decently tense and end-to-end, and I can see myself dipping in from time to time for a quick game.

But a quick game is all I would really want from Drag x Drive. It’s a workout on the arms, minigames aren’t massively engaging, and the environment isn’t visually stimulating enough to draw me in for the long run.

Much like it did with Arms on the original Switch, Nintendo took a long shot early with Drag x Drive. And honestly, I appreciate the decision to create an original gaming experience based on wheelchair basketball – it’s refreshing to see more representation of sports such as this. But in the end, its tiring controls and unappealing aesthetic hold Drag x Drive back from being a total slam dunk.

Should you play Drag x Drive?

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

You want an online game you can quickly dip in and out of
Drag x Drive is solid fun if you’re willing to just hop on for a couple of games. You can take on friends or global competitors for a few minutes without feeling fatigued, and just enjoy flexing your 3-point shooting or dunking skills.

You want to get the best out of mouse mode
One of the key missions of Drag x Drive is to showcase the smooth, intuitive nature of the Joy Con 2’s mouse controls. And that’s a mission that it accomplishes – controls are largely responsive, and it will be interesting to see how Nintendo makes use of them in future titles.

Don't play it if...

You’re looking to chill, rather than work out
If you’re hoping to relax after a long day at work or school, maybe even a gym session, say, Drag x Drive might not be what you're looking for. Wheeling around gets pretty tiring after a while, so extended play sessions can feel like quite the workout.

You want to experience the peak powers of the Switch 2
I’d argue that the most disappointing aspect of Drag x Drive is its visual presentation. Colors don’t pop, environments lack polish, and the graphics just generally fail to highlight the power of the Nintendo Switch 2. Want a beautiful title for your shiny new console? Maybe look elsewhere – my recommendation would be the absolutely smashing Donkey Kong Bananza.

Accessibility features

There aren’t all too many accessibility features to note from Drag x Drive. You can adjust the camera distance as well as the X and Y-axis configuration, and choose whether to use mouse or stick controls for menu navigation. But, disappointingly, that’s about it.

How I reviewed Drag x Drive

(Image credit: Nintendo)

I played Drag x Drive for around 10 hours, mainly competing online during the Global Jam event and in matches against bots in single-player mode. I also completed the majority of the available minigames and played around with the customization options available.

For the most part, I played the game in docked mode on my Nintendo Switch 2, which is hooked up to the Sky Glass Gen 2 and a Samsung HW-Q800D soundbar. However, I did also spend some time playing the game in tabletop mode while connected to my Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones.

First reviewed August 2025

OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753: two-minute review

After spending a few weeks parked in the OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 at work, I can confidently say it’s one of the most thoughtfully designed ergonomic chairs I’ve used, and I’ve used many of the best office chairs in my time.

Much like the OdinLake Ergo Max 747 I reviewed last year, the all-mesh FlexBreath material is the major feature of this chair (apart from the design), as it is what you’ll spend all your time interfacing with. Fortunately, it's a much higher quality mesh than a lot of similar breathable chairs, almost like sitting in a comfy hammock. OK, maybe not that comfortable, but it’s not that far off.

Using it in TechRadar’s component testing lab, I was struck by both its excellent ergonomic support and its breathability. I spend a lot of time in that lab with components bleeding off heat into the air like you wouldn’t believe, but the chair kept me cool through most of it.

On the design front, the split-back butterfly spine of the chair isn’t just an aesthetic flourish—it moves with my body, offering targeted support for both my upper and lower back, something you really don’t get elsewhere, and once you feel it, you get it. The dynamic lumbar system also subtly shifts to match my posture, so whether I’m leaning forward to type or reclining to read, my spine stays supported.

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

The WireControl adjustment paddles in the armrests, meanwhile, are very intuitive. Instead of awkwardly fumbling under the seat, I can reach paddles just beneath the armrests to tweak height, tilt lock, and tilt tension. The seat depth is easy to adjust, and the recline range—up to about 135°—lets me shift from focused work to relaxed lounging without losing comfort. The headrest, while firm, provides consistent neck support during long video calls, and the optional footrest adds even more comfort to the mix if you want it.

Assembly was fairly straightforward, with only two large pieces taking up 80% of the work. These pieces, namely the seat itself and the back, are both rather heavy, so make sure you have some help if you need it to put the chair together.

Normally $999, the OdinLake O3 Ergo Butterfly 753 is often on sale for $899 on OdinLake’s website, sans footrest, which definitely puts it into the premium tier for office chairs. It's also available from OdinLake's European storefront, where it's currently discounted from €869 down to €782 at the time of review.

It’s undeniably an investment, but it’s an investment in your comfort and is backed by an impressive 15-year warranty on the frame (5-year warranty for other parts), so if you are tempted to invest in the chair, you’ll at least have some peace of mind about its longevity.

Unfortunately, the chair is only available to ship to the lower 48 states, so Hawaii and Alaska residents, as well as anyone outside the US, are out of luck. For everyone else in delivery range who spends serious time at their desk, the OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 delivers some seriously impressive comfort with durable construction and enough adjustability to set it exactly where you need it.

OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753: Price & availability

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

• How much is it? Currently $899 at OdinLake's website
• When is it available? It is available now
• Where can you get it? Only ships within the continental United States

In the US, the OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753’s list price is $999 for the chair itself (currently discounted to $899), while adding the footrest will cost you extra, setting this in the premium tier as far as office chairs go. You can check it out by clicking here.

OdinLake doesn’t offer shipping to Hawaii, Alaska, or international addresses - those US buyers, though, do get free shipping on their orders.

However, there is a European store for UK and EU users. You can see it by clicking here.

Given all its features—the FlexBreath mesh, dynamic ergonomic support, 4D armrests, and back bar—as well as its robust warranty, this price isn’t out of line with its competitors.

• Value: 4 / 5

OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753: Specs

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

Maximum height

32.7 ins

Weight

75 lbs

Materials

FlexBreath Mesh, aluminum alloy, plastic

Maximum recline

135 degrees

Armrests

4D

Maximum weight load

350 lbs

Warranty

Frame: 15-years | All other parts: 5-years

OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753: Assembly

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

• Assembly took about 30 minutes
• Two people might be required
• Courtesy work gloves are a great touch

One thing I appreciated about the OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 is how straightforward it was to assemble. From unboxing to sitting down for the first time, the whole process took me just under 30 minutes—and I was fairly lackadaisical about it, too.

Every part was individually wrapped and labeled, which meant no guesswork about what went where, and the work gloves included with the hardware to keep my hands clean while assembling it is a fantastic touch that other chair makers really need to copy. The included hardware also came with some extra screws, which is a helpful touch, especially for those of us who are prone to drop and lose sight of the one piece of hardware that keeps everything together.

Instructions were clear and well-illustrated, and you can also watch OdinLake’s short assembly video online, which walks through each step visually. I’ve assembled enough chairs in my time that I barely had to look at the instructions, especially with so few parts to pull together. All this makes it almost impossible to make a mistake. The heaviest lift—literally—was attaching the seat to the base. This chair isn’t light, so lifting and aligning parts by yourself might be difficult. If you’re not comfortable handling bulky pieces alone, having a second person for that step would help.

All the pre-drilled holes lined up perfectly, and the included Allen wrench was comfortable enough to use without causing hand strain. Once assembled, the chair felt rock-solid immediately—no wobbles, no loose elements, no “settling in” period. Even the casters slotted in smoothly without resistance.

Overall, the assembly process reinforced the impression of quality. There was no cutting corners in how the chair was packaged, how the parts fit, or how easy it was to get it from box to office. If you’re going to have to assemble a chair yourself, this is exactly the kind of experience you want.

• Assembly: 4.5 / 5

OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753: Design

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

• Innovative 'winged' design for upper back support
• Rather heavy, even with partial plastic construction
• Clever controls positioning in the arm rests

The OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753’s design balances modern ergonomics with innovative and eye-catching flourishes.

The FlexBreath mesh is the star of the show, in my mind. It’s tightly woven, so it’s supportive, but it never feels rigid or scratchy, which is a major problem with other mesh fabric chairs I’ve sat in. The mesh material also stays cool even when I’ve been seated for hours. From the front, the chair is sleek and professional; from the back, the butterfly-shaped support frame turns it into a bit of a conversation piece, and the optional footrest can really elevate your office game and make your coworkers jealous.

That said, those butterfly ‘wings’ on the back might look like they’re metal, but they are actually plastic, which is a slight letdown compared to the rest of the premium build. Unfortunately, I think a sacrifice had to be made here simply for physics’ sake, as the chair is heavy enough as it is, so adding substantially more metal probably isn’t practical (especially if you plan on leaning all 135 degrees back into the chair).

Another excellent design touch is the horizontal bar at the top of the chair’s back. While it looks like a visual flourish, it’s actually super convenient for moving the chair around while you’re not in it, providing a solid grip to reposition the chair. Given that the chair weighs about 75 lb, this handle makes maneuvering far less awkward.

The aluminum alloy base and internal frame give it a reassuring solidity, with casters that glide smoothly and silently across the hard flooring of our NYC office.

Controls are also incredibly intuitive. Height and tilt adjustments are handled by paddles under the armrests—no bending down and hunting for levers—, as the 4D armrests offer height, width, depth, and angle adjustments. The armrests are on the firm side, so there are definitely those who’ll want to have softer padding, but your mileage may vary.

Overall, the design of the OdinLake O3 Ergo Butterfly 753 feels like it was made by someone who actually uses a chair for 8–12 hours a day, from the comfort of the mesh to the dynamic lumbar and upper back support, delivering practical, stylish ergonomics that make getting through a workday much easier than it would otherwise be.

• Design: 4.5 / 5

OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753: Performance

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)

• Dynamic lumbar support
• Very comfortable FlexBreath mesh
• Well-supported seat for long stretches of work

In daily use, the Butterfly 753 proved itself as more than just a pretty frame—it’s a genuinely high-performance ergonomic tool. The split-back design with its independent upper and lower sections allowed me to change postures frequently without ever feeling unsupported. The dynamic lumbar system was especially impressive.

The tilt function is equally adaptable. With the tilt lock disengaged, I could gently rock while reading, which felt more natural than being locked into a rigid position. The range—up to roughly 135°—is perfect for switching between deep focus and one of those office moments where you just need to lean back, run your closed eyes, and let out some kind of tired sigh. Meanwhile, the tilt resistance is adjustable, so I could fine-tune it to my body weight (it supports up to 350 lbs) and preferred recline position.

The seat comfort is likewise excellent. The mesh offers a slight flex that distributes my weight evenly, avoiding the pressure points I’ve experienced with padded foam seats over long sessions. The seat depth adjustment also let me keep my feet flat, which helps prevent circulation issues in the legs—as evolved hunter-gatherers forced to work long, stationary hours in an office, every little bit helps.

The headrest is supportive during calls and writing sessions, though it’s mesh and relatively firm, so if you’re the type who likes a little pillow or cushion on your chair, you’ll have to source that yourself.

The armrests, meanwhile, are adjustable in four dimensions but are definitely on the firm side. If you’re suffering from elbow pain due to resting them on hard surfaces, you might not like these armrests very much.

• Performance: 4.5 / 5

Should I buy the OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753?

(Image credit: Future / John Loeffler)OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 Scorecard

Value

While not cheap, this isn't the most expensive premium office chair on the market.

4 / 5

Assembly

While the back and seat parts of the chair are heavy enough to require two people to put it together, the chair is otherwise very easy to put together.

4.5 / 5

Design

The Ergo Butterfly 753 offers some excellent features and aesthetics that you won't easily find elsewhere.

4.5 / 5

Performance

At the end of the day, an office chair needs to be comfortable over a long stretch of time, and the Ergo Butterfly 753 has comfort for days.

4.5 / 5

Final score

The flexible mesh fabric of this chair is some of the best I've ever experienced, and the dynamic lumbar and butterfly upper back support make this chair a gamechanger.

4.38 / 5

Buy the OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 if...

You need truly customizable support
The various position settings and dynamic lumbar support make this incredibly comfortable for a lot of body types.

You need something breathable
If you spend a lot of time sitting in your office chair, getting air circulation on your back and legs can mean the difference between comfort and misery, and this chair has the former in spades.

Don't buy it if...

You're on a tight budget
While this isn't the most expensive office chair on the market, it's not cheap.

You need more actual cushioning
If you're someone who needs actual cushions to feel comfortable, especially on your armrests, this chair might not give you what you need.

Also consider

Herman Miller Aeron (Classic)
A trusted mesh office chair with polished adjustability and long-term durability, though it lacks a headrest and has a shorter warranty.

Read the full Herman Miller Aeron review

OdinLake Ergo Max 747
If the OdinLake Ergo Butterfly 753 is slightly too rich for your blood, the also very comfortable Ergo Max 747 is a slightly cheaper alternative.

Read the full OdinLake Ergo Max 747 review

• Originally reviewed August 2025

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360: Two-minute review

There's no denying that the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is a premium laptop. Everything about it screams 'high-end', from the sleek chassis to the fantastic performance. Is it one of the best ultrabooks? Having spent a week using it for this review, I feel confident saying so.

Of course, such premium design quality means a premium price tag to match, with even the base configuration starting at an eye-watering $1,699 / £1,599 (around AU$2,615). That's a high asking price, but the Book5 Pro 360 puts a lot of work into justifying it.

For starters, the overall performance here is strong. The Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor powering this laptop performs admirably across a wide range of workloads, even capable of handling triple-A games with the help of resolution upscaling. The battery life is also truly top-notch.

In terms of build quality, the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 feels like it belongs among the best laptops, with a premium feel to the chassis and a sturdy 360-degree display hinge (making it a prime candidate for one of the best 2-in-1 laptops). With a good range of physical ports and a gorgeous AMOLED display to boot, this is one laptop I was seriously reluctant to send back once my testing was complete.

(Image credit: Future)Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 review: Price and availability

• Starts at $1,699 / £1,599 (around AU$2,615)
• Available now in the US and UK
• Only one configuration available in the US

Starting at $1,699 / £1,599 (around AU$2,615), the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 doesn't have a wealth of configurations to choose from. In fact, US shoppers can only purchase one specific model, which features a 1TB SSD, 16GB of RAM, and an Intel Core Ultra 7 CPU.

If you're in the UK, you can pick up that same configuration for £1,799, or a slightly less powerful version with 512GB of storage and a Core Ultra 5 chip for the aforementioned £1,599 price tag.

It's some pretty steep pricing, especially in the UK - although as always, it should be noted that British pricing includes tax, and there's no telling how the current tariff situation will affect the actual retail price in the States. I've seen costlier laptops, and the Book5 Pro 360 lives up to its price tag, but this isn't one for the faint of heart (or slim of wallet).

Sorry to our readers over in Australia, as it seems that Samsung hasn't seen fit to bring any of the Galaxy Book laptop series to the land down under (at least, not according to its own online store). That means you'll be looking at third-party importers if you want to get your hands on a Book5 model.

• Price: 3 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 review: Specs

Here are the specs for the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360:

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 specs

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 (model reviewed)

Starting Price

$1,699 / £1,799 (around AU$2,615)

CPU

Up to Intel Core Ultra 7 256V

GPU

Intel Arc 140V integrated graphics

RAM

16GB

Storage

Up to 1TB SSD

Display

16-inch WQXGA+ (2880 x 1800) AMOLED 120Hz touchscreen

Ports

2x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, 1x USB-A 3.2, 3.5mm combi audio jack, HDMI 2.1, microSD

Wireless

Wi-Fi 7 / Bluetooth 5.4

Weight

3.73lbs / 1.69kg

Dimensions

14 x 9.9 x 0.5 inches / 35.5 x 25.1 x 1.37mcm

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 review: Design

• Best-in-class build quality
• Excellent display
• Tablet functionality is merely alright

Upon first unboxing it, the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 immediately feels like a high-end piece of hardware. It's just half an inch thick, and there's not an ounce of wasted space here; the chassis is carefully sculpted around the 16-inch display, with a tiny bezel that also houses the 1080p webcam. The whole thing feels durable and well-constructed.

Despite featuring a full-scale keyboard that features a numpad on the right-hand side, typing on the Book5 Pro 360 never felt cramped in my testing. The individual keys are sufficiently spaced and offer a decent amount of travel for a thin-and-light ultrabook. There's a fingerprint reader for more secure logins, and you can also use Windows Hello to unlock the laptop with facial recognition.

The trackpad is very responsive with a robust click and no noticeable flex in the housing, even with firm presses - although as usual, I'd recommend connecting a third-party mouse instead. I didn't notice any issues with the palm rejection while typing, which is always a relief.

The 360-degree hinge that lets you flip into tablet mode is pleasingly sturdy (no annoying wobbles here), though I'd perhaps say that tablet functionality is the weakest feather in Samsung's cap. The Book5 Pro 360 is simply a bit too large and heavy to really work as a tablet device; don't expect this to beat any of the best tablets in that regard.

(Image credit: Future)

That being said, the touchscreen is fantastic; a 3K AMOLED display with excellent brightness, sharpness, and color reproduction. The Samsung S Pen comes bundled with every Book5 Pro 360, and while I'm no artist, it seems to work very well, which could be a potential boon for digital creatives. It would be nice if the S Pen could be garaged or snap magnetically to the chassis, though.

In terms of physical connectivity, the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 features a great selection of ports: two Thunderbolt 4-enabled USB-Cs, one USB-A, HDMI video output for connecting a second screen, headphone jack, and even a microSD card reader - a worthwhile inclusion for photographers. Wireless connectivity is handled by Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4, exemplifying the cutting-edge nature of this laptop.

(Image credit: Future)

I also have to discuss the software side of things, since virtually every laptop manufacturer these days is dead set on cramming as many proprietary apps into their laptops as possible. These can range from somewhat useful to borderline malware, and are often among the first things I uninstall on a new device.

Mercifully, Samsung's integrated software is largely unobtrusive, and can be ignored entirely after the initial setup if you're so inclined. The tools on offer are best employed by users who already own another Galaxy device, with the Multi Control feature letting you access your Samsung phone or tablet directly from the laptop. You can even use a Galaxy Tab as a second screen, although I didn't have one on hand to test this myself.

(Image credit: Future)

• Design: 4.5 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 review: Performance

• Strong all-round performance
• Intel Core Ultra chip gives local AI functionality
• Even capable of triple-A gaming (with some tweaks)

I was seriously impressed with the performance of the Intel Core Ultra 7 256V processor at the core of the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360. Outside of dedicated testing, I found the laptop remarkably fast and responsive, capable of handling multitasking workloads with ease.

Although the lack of a discrete GPU means that it's not best suited for seriously intensive work like video editing or 3D modeling, it can still handle a variety of daily tasks. My usual workload involves keeping a minimum of ten Chrome tabs open at once, usually with Spotify running in the background and the occasional bit of image editing in GIMP, and the Book5 Pro 360 had zero issues with that.

(Image credit: Future)Samsung Galaxy Book5 360 benchmarks

Here's how the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 performed in our suite of benchmark tests:
3DMark: Night Raid: 17,990; Fire Strike: 8,874; Time Spy: 3,891; Steel Nomad: 1,677
Cinebench R24: Multi-core: 588; Single-core: 124
Geekbench 6.4: Multicore: 10,630; Single-core: 2,635
Geekbench AI: Single Precision Score: 3,165; Half Precision Score: 1,412; Quantized Score: 6,286
PCMark 10: 6,767
Crossmark: Overall: 1,770; Productivity: 1,640; Creativity: 1,996; Responsiveness: 1,558
Sid Meier's Civilization VII: (1080p, Medium, No Upscaling): 34fps; (1080p, High, No Upscaling): 22fps
Cyberpunk 2077: (1080p, Low, No Upscaling): 39fps; (1080p, Ultra, No Upscaling): 23fps
Battery Life (TechRadar movie test): 20 hours, 3 minutes

Over on the test bench, the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 scored well across the board, with good performance in synthetic rendering and productivity tests. It's not world-beating performance (the best MacBooks will give this laptop a run for its money), but it's certainly on par with comparable Windows laptops.

Gaming performance is seriously impressive considering that it's all running on integrated Intel Arc graphics. Cyberpunk 2077 was just about playable at 1080p with the lowest graphical preset, but turn on upscaling (either via Intel's own XeSS tech or AMD's open-source FSR 3.0) and you can easily get a stable 30+ frames per second even on medium settings.

You might notice above that the recorded scores for Civilization VII - a less demanding title than Cyberpunk - look a bit low. Despite multiple attempts with different settings, I couldn't coax any better performance out of that game, and turning on upscaling actually made the framerate worse. Other games (including Borderlands 3 and Alan Wake 2) ran as expected, so it's possible there was a driver issue or similar obstacle I simply didn't have time to properly diagnose and resolve in my testing.

Lastly, the Book5 Pro 360 features a dedicated neural processing unit (NPU) on its Intel Core Ultra 7 chip, designed to handle local AI workloads (like some of the functionality of Microsoft Copilot). The NPU performance is solid, but it's worth noting that for running more intensive AI tasks - like training your own LLM - you'll see better performance on a laptop with a discrete Nvidia GPU.

(Image credit: Future)

• Performance: 4.5 / 5

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 review: Battery life

• Fantastic battery lifespan
• Outlasts many competing laptops
• Charges quickly

Samsung makes some bold claims about the 76Wh battery of the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360, suggesting that it offers up to 25 hours of continuous use. It didn't quite live up to that figure in my testing, but it still delivered a very respectable 20 hours and 3 minutes of looped video playback.

We run our battery test at 50% brightness with Windows 11's 'best efficiency' power preset enabled, so that 25-hour figure actually sounds pretty achievable if you really tried to squeeze every last drop from the battery with minimum brightness and Energy Saver turned on. Regardless, it's an impressive result that comfortably defeats many competing laptops. The only one to beat it in recent memory is the 2025 Intel Core Ultra Dell XPS 13, but that laptop crucially has a much smaller (and therefore less power-hungry) display.

Charging is also fast, with power delivery via Thunderbolt 4 taking the battery from empty to full in approximately 90 minutes. The only downside is having to sacrifice a USB-C port while charging, but with plenty of other ports available, it's a very minor concern.

• Battery: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Samsung Galaxy Book5 360?Samsung Galaxy Book5 360: Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

The bundled S Pen is a nice extra, but the price tag is still fairly high - though not entirely unreasonable for a premium ultrabook like this.

3.5 / 5

Design

Although the tablet mode is a bit unwieldy due to the large screen, this is a fantastically designed laptop overall.

4.5 / 5

Performance

Performance is strong across the board, with good gaming capabilities and a discrete NPU for AI workloads.

4.5 / 5

Battery

20 hours of battery life places the Book5 Pro 360 among the best of the best when it comes to laptop longevity.

5 / 5

Overall rating

If you're looking for a premium Windows device that beats out most of the competition, the Galaxy Book Pro 360 is a strong choice.

4.25 / 5

Buy it if...

You want premium build quality
The Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 feels like an expertly engineered device, with a robust screen hinge and comfortable keyboard.

You want a fast and versatile laptop
With strong all-rounder performance and great responsiveness, plus a fantastic touchscreen, this Galaxy Book can handle almost anything you throw at it.

Don't buy it if... 

You really want a tablet
Although the touchscreen is great, the whole laptop is slightly too large to be practical as a tablet - it's fine for occasional use, but ill-suited as a dedicated tablet device.

You're on a budget
There's no avoiding it: the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 is expensive. If you want an affordable system, you'll be better off checking out our best budget laptops guide.

Samsung Galaxy Book5 360: Also consider

Microsoft Surface Laptop 7
If you can make do with just a touchscreen, rather than a fully convertible laptop, the Surface 7 is an excellent choice. We found its performance very capable across multiple areas, while its design, battery life, and even sound quality are great as well. It uses an ARM processor, though, so beware of possible incompatibilities.
Check out our Microsoft Surface Laptop 7 review

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024)
For those who aren't too concerned about Windows and would be happy to make the switch to macOS, the 16-inch M4 MacBook Pro is the way to go - just bear in mind that it's even more expensive (and even more powerful) than the Galaxy Book5 Pro 360.
Check out our MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4 Pro, 2024) review

Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360

Microsoft Surface Laptop 7

Apple MacBook Pro 16-inch (M4, 2024)

Starting Price

From $1,699 / £1,599 (around AU$2,615)

From $999.99 / £1,049.99 / AU$1,899

From $2,499 / £2,499 / AU$3,999

CPU

Up to Intel Core Ultra 7 256V

Qualcomm Snapdragon X Elite

Up to Apple M4 Max (16-core)

GPU

Intel Arc 140V integrated graphics

Qualcomm Adreno GPU

Up to 40-core integrated GPU

RAM

16GB DDR5

Up to 32GB LPDDR5x

Up to 48GB unified memory

Storage

Up to 1TB SSD

Up to 1TB SSD

Up to 1TB SSD

Display

16-inch WQXGA+ (2880 x 1800) AMOLED 120Hz touchscreen

13.8-inch 2304 x 1536, 3:2 120Hz HDR touchscreen

16-inch 3456 x 2234 Liquid Retina XDR display

Ports

2x Thunderbolt 4 USB-C, 1x USB-A 3.2, 1x 3.5mm combi audio jack, 1x HDMI 2.1, 1x microSD card reader

2x USB 4 Type C, 1x USB Type A Gen 3.1, 1x 3.5mm combo jack, 1x Surface connect port, 1x microSD card reader

3x Thunderbolt 5 (USB-C), 1x HDMI, 1x SDXC card slot, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack, MagSafe 3

Wireless

Wi-Fi 7 / Bluetooth 5.4

WiFi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Wi-Fi 6e, Bluetooth 5.3

Weight

3.73lbs / 1.69kg

2.96lbs / 1.34kg

4.8 lbs / 2.2kg

Dimensions

14 x 9.9 x 0.5 inches / 35.5 x 25.1 x 1.37mcm

11.85 x 8.67 x 0.69 inches / 30.1 x 22.0 x 1.75cm

14.01 x 9.77 x 0.66 inches / 35.6 x 24.8 x 1.7cm

How I tested the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360

• Replaced my usual laptop for one week
• Performed a variety of everyday tasks
• Ran our usual suite of synthetic and gaming tests

As I usually do for any laptop review, I replaced my daily driver (the ever-dependable HP Spectre x360) with the Samsung Galaxy Book5 Pro 360 for one week, using it for both my regular work and a bit of entertainment outside of the nine-to-five.

My day-to-day workload mostly involves editing spreadsheets and text documents, researching online in Chrome, and some light image editing (usually to produce fun pictures for spicy opinion articles). Beyond that, I also used the Book5 Pro 360 for some gaming, playing Borderlands and Stardew Valley with my partner, as well as finally catching up on Dandadan season 2 on Netflix.

I've got plenty of experience in testing laptops, as I've been professionally reviewing them (along with all other sorts of computer hardware) for more than eight years. I've learned what it takes to make a good laptop, and what potential drawbacks to keep an eye out for.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed August 2025

Tribler is a free, open-source torrent client with robust security. It uses an overlay network to search for content, meaning it doesn't need an external indexing service. Unlike some torrenting platforms, its index can’t be taken down, making it a favorite for people seeking to download content.

Although very secure, Tribler isn’t a 100% privacy-proof torrenting platform. It protects your privacy as much as possible, but there’s no perfect guarantee of shielding your identity.

We’re reviewing Tribler to help you decide whether it’s a good choice. We tested the app extensively to provide our readers with a detailed, unbiased review.

Tribler: Versions and platforms

You can download Tribler for free on your PC. It’s compatible with Windows, macOS, and Ubuntu. These are three popular desktop operating systems, with the first two accounting for most of the PC market.

Downloading Tribler is as simple as visiting its official website and clicking the download button. Once the download is complete, install Tribler with a few clicks, and you’re good to go.

(Image credit: Future)Tribler: Features

Tribler is a torrenting platform you can use to find and download free content. It has a simple dark-themed interface that you can quickly understand.

Though a standalone desktop app, Tribler works within your browser. This is merely a technicality. Tribler runs directly on your PC, but the graphic interface is accessed via your web browser.

Users can click the search button in the upper-middle corner to find specific content. As you type a letter in the search bar, you’ll see suggestions, making it easier to find what you want.

To demonstrate, we searched for “Jazz music” and got the results below.

Tribler displays your desired content in a list format. This list shows the size of the file and the date it was created. You can click on the file to download, choose the destination file, and press the download button.

Tribler supports download speeds of up to 100 Mbps. However, the speed you’ll experience depends on the number of seeders present on the network. Seeders are Tribler users who have downloaded a file and are uploading it to the next person, i.e., you.

(Image credit: Future)

If the network has limited seeders during your download, you’ll experience slower speeds. However, if many seeders are present on the torrent network, you’ll get faster speeds.

Your network connection also helps determine the download speed. A slow network will throttle the speed regardless of how many seeders are online during your download.

Users can pause or stop a download that has already started. As a security-focused torrenting app, Tribler lets you choose your anonymity level when downloading files. You can select one, two, or three hops, with a hop referring to a layer of encryption. Note that the higher your hop (encryption level), the lower your download speed.

Tribler uses its internal distributed lookup protocol for file-sharing. By wrapping your downloads in multiple layers of encryption, it prevents third parties from knowing what you’re downloading. Anyone monitoring your network can tell you’re using Tribler, but they won’t discover what you’re downloading.

However, Tribler isn’t immune to large-scale network monitoring efforts. A motivated actor, such as an intelligence agency, can correlate your Tribler traffic to data from other sources. That’s to say, Tribler is secure but shouldn’t be used for illegal activities.

We like the fact that Tribler gives users considerable control over their torrenting activities. For instance, you can limit your file upload and download speeds. You can choose to be a seeder or not, although many recommend seeding to support the torrenting community and provide faster download speeds for everyone.

Tribler has a dark theme by default, but you can change it to a light theme if preferred. It's a multi-lingual tool available in English, Spain, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese, and Korean.

Tribler: Interface and in-use

Tribler has an intuitive interface that any layperson can easily understand. The features are neatly placed on the left side, and the dashboard lies on the right. All features are accessible from three main menus, with the search bar at the upper middle corner and language and theme configurations in the top-right corner.

You can download Tribler on your Windows, macOS, or Ubuntu PC. However, it does not have a mobile app.

Downloading and installing Tribler on your PC is easy. Visit the website, go to the download section, and click on the download button for your desktop operating system.

If you need help, you can check Tribler’s FAQ section and support documents. As an open-source tool, Tribler has detailed documentation that helps users understand its internal mechanisms and troubleshoot errors. There’s also an official forum where you can exchange solutions with other Tribler users.

Tribler: Security and privacy

We recommend Tribler for users who want to download files privately. It encrypts downloads in multiple secure layers, preventing third parties from monitoring what you do.

However, no torrenting solution is 100% secure. Your browsing activity can be exposed due to internal misconfigurations. Tribler shouldn’t be used for piracy or other activities that can invite legal consequences. TechRadar explicitly doesn’t endorse piracy.

Tribler: Final Verdict

Tribler is an intuitive, free, and secure torrenting solution for everyday users. Its intuitive interface makes it easy to find and download your favorite content. Although it’s not 100% foolproof, it provides more security than most torrenting apps. We recommend it to people looking to download files securely over the web.

We've listed the best free download manager and the best file manager.

Also check out the the best VPN service.

BiglyBT is a free torrent client for PCs. It lets users find and download images, music, videos, software tools, and other digital content. This platform is based on Vuze, another popular torrenting tool. It offers basic features for downloading content but not premium ones like DVD burning.

Many torrenting platforms exist, and users often get confused about which to choose. We’re reviewing BiglyBT to help you decide whether it’s the best choice. We’ll dive into its features, user-friendliness, and security, among other factors.

BiglyBT: Versions and platforms

You can download BiglyBT on your PC or mobile phone by opening the website, clicking the download button, and selecting the package for your operating system.

BiglyBT is compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, and Unix PCs. It also has an Android app that can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. Unsurprisingly, it is not available on iOS because Apple has an aversion to torrenting apps appearing on its App Store.

BiglyBT: Features

BiglyBT allows you to find and download content for free. Its intuitive interface is easy to understand. In the upper-middle corner, there is a search bar where you can find your desired content. Type what you want to download, and BiglyBT will search its extensive databases for it.

After completing the search, BiglyBT displays the results in a list format. The list shows the size, age, category, and ratings of the relevant files. For example, if you search for a movie, you’ll see its file size, ratings, and other information to help you decide whether to download it.

Click on the file you want to download and monitor the progress. When downloading torrents, BiglyBT will show you other torrents that people frequently download along with those torrents, similar to a search engine recommending new content for users.

We observed fast download speeds during our test, but your speed can vary depending on the number of seeders on the network. Seeders refers to other BiglyBT users sharing a file after downloading it.

(Image credit: Future)

The more seeders on the network during your download, the faster it’ll be. The fewer the seeders, the slower the speed. Your broadband network speed also determines how fast you can download files.

After downloading a file on BiglyBT, you automatically become a seeder helping other users to download that file. Seeding is recommended because it makes torrenting easier for all users.

Yet, some people don’t like seeding because of the risks of consuming excessive bandwidth. To this end, BiglyBT lets you control your upload speed. You can set a specific limit, e.g., 2 MB/second, to avoid consuming much bandwidth when seeding files for other users.

BiglyBT gives users significant control over their torrenting activities. For example, you can block specific IP addresses to avoid downloading tainted files. You can upload blocklists, and BiglyBT will prevent every IP address on the lists from sending files to your PC or mobile phone.

We like BiglyBT’s anonymous sharing feature, wherein you can securely share files with other users via a chat interface. You can create a chat channel and invite other users to it. Then, you can upload files from your folders or drag and drop them into the chat interface. Every other user in your channel can quickly download these files with no logs of who sent or downloaded them. This feature provides a reliable way to share sensitive files.

BiglyBT lets you monitor your torrenting activities in detail. It keeps logs of all the files you’ve uploaded or downloaded via the network. You can view the size, download/upload speed, and the time taken to download all files. You can view a real-time location graph of all seeders available on the network, helping you know the optimal time to download large files.

(Image credit: Future)BiglyBT: Interface and in-use

BiglyBT's interface is simple and easy to grasp. It has the typical layout of the navigation menu on the left and the main dashboard on the right. The upper part of the interface is dedicated mainly to the search bar.

We appreciate that BiglyBT has a configurable interface. You can place specific menu items above others in the navigation menu, making it easy to access the features you use most. For example, if anonymous sharing is your most used feature, you can make it appear first on the menu.

BiglyBT’s minimalist interface makes it enjoyable to use. The drawback we observed is the lack of a dark-themed interface, but that’s not a major problem in the grand scheme of BiglyBT’s intuitiveness.

BiglyBT: Security and privacy

BiglyBT has sophisticated features to prevent torrenting activities from being exposed to unauthorized parties. For instance, it supports the Invisible Internet Project (I2P) protocol, which lets users share files anonymously and securely. I2P achieves anonymity by routing torrenting traffic through a network of distributed computers. However, I2P makes downloads slower because traffic is routed through multiple layers.

For maximum security, installing a VPN before using BiglyBT and turning it on before downloading torrents is advisable. VPNs encrypt traffic by routing it through remote servers. They prevent third parties, such as your internet service provider (ISP), from snooping on your browsing activities.

Though secure, BiglyBT isn’t flawless. Torrenting tools occasionally have security lapses that can expose users’ activities. BiglyBT shouldn’t be used for illegal activities and piracy. TechRadar doesn’t endorse content piracy.

BiglyBT: Final Verdict

BiglyBT is a decent torrenting platform. It makes finding and downloading torrents easy and facilitates anonymous file sharing with friends, family, and colleagues. However, we feel there’s not much differentiating BiglyBT from competitors. It’s a good, free tool, but don’t expect exceptional features.

We've listed the best free download manager and the best file manager.

Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded: one-minute review

The Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded is a new, upgraded version of the original Victrix Pro BFG, which was originally released back in 2023.

Compatible with PlayStation consoles, an Xbox version hit the market roughly a year later. Thankfully, the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded is immediately available as two versions for either console family, so you won’t be left out in the cold whether you’re Team Blue or Green.

Our original Victrix Pro BFG review (and that of the Xbox version) covers pretty much everything you need to know about the controller. This Reloaded model is a very similar beast outside of some welcome improvements and some slight aesthetic changes, so that’s what this review is primarily going to be focused on.

If you’re in the market for a cream-of-the-crop PS5 controller, then, and you don’t own the original Victrix Pro BFG, then the Reloaded version is definitely the one to go for.

Thanks to the addition of Hall effect sticks and triggers, as well as an improved Fightpad module, it’s easily one of the best PS5 controllers I’ve ever tested, and as premium gamepads go, I vastly prefer it to the likes of the DualSense Edge and Scuf Reflex Pro.

(Image credit: Future)Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded: price and availability

• $209.99 / £179.99 (around AU$322)
• Available from September 28, 2025
• Slightly pricier than the original in the US

At $209.99 / £179.99, the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded is 30 bucks pricier than the launch price of the original Pro BFG in the US, but retains the same price point in the UK. The controller is available to pre-order now at Turtle Beach’s website, and is currently slated to ship on September 28, 2025.

As far as premium PS5 controllers go, the Reloaded's price point is pretty ballpark. Similar luxury controllers like the DualSense Edge or Nacon Revolution 5 Pro come in at $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$399.95 and $199.99 / £199.99 (around AU$316), respectively.

Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded review: Specs

Price

$209.99 / £179.99 (around AU$322)

Weight

9.3oz / 265g

Dimensions

6.3 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 160 x 105 x 60mm

Compatibility

PS5, PS4, PC (Xbox version sold separately)

Connection type

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

Battery life

Around 20 hours

(Image credit: Future)Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded review: design and features

• Solid build quality
• Some minor aesthetic differences compared to the original Pro BFG
• Includes several accessories, modules, and a carry case

Put the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded side by side with its older sibling, and you may need to squint to see the differences. Size and silhouette are the exact same, and this new pad is differentiated only by some slight aesthetic adjustments. Namely, the grips now have a greyish outline, while the thumbstick base swaps the original’s bold purple for a sleek grey. The ‘Victrix’ text on the right module also sees that color change, but that’s really it.

The similarities extend to the included parts and modules. The controller is still housed in that compact Victrix carry case. And inside that, you’ve got a swappable Fightpad module, two alternate d-pads (in addition to the excellent diamond-shaped one affixed to the pad by default), two swappable thumbsticks, and a pair of octagonal thumbstick gates. A 2.4GHz dongle and 30ft cable are also packed in, giving you two connectivity options.

Just like the first Pro BFG, the unique selling point here is those customizable modules. In brief, these can be taken out or slotted in using the included screwdriver.

There are plenty of use cases for such a feature, including choosing between symmetrical or asymmetrical stick layouts, opting for a southpaw layout for left-handed players, and, of course, using the included Fightpad module for play with the best fighting games.

The Fightpad module here is a definite improvement. The ‘Fightpad’ logo has been pushed to the bottom, with the six buttons now higher up. It’s a small change, but one that I found to be more comfortable and gave my thumbs a bit more room during gameplay.

(Image credit: Future)Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded review: Performance

The Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded is, largely, aimed at competitively-minded players. All the hallmarks of such a pad are here: four remappable buttons on the rear, adjustable trigger stops, and a handful of swappable accessories as mentioned above. As with the original pad, these can all be customized on the fly, and you can even swap between profiles for different games.

Every multiplayer-focused controller should at the very least have Hall effect thumbsticks, and it was always a confusing omission to me with the original Pro BFG. Thankfully, they’re here now, along with Hall effect triggers, which should make for a much longer-lasting controller now that stick drift shouldn’t be a problem.

While the Pro BFG Reloaded is aimed at the competitive market, it’s still an impressively versatile controller that can be used casually. I tested a wide variety of titles across a broad range of genres on PS5 and PC, including Ninja Gaiden Ragebound, Zenless Zone Zero, Street Fighter 6, Tekken 8, Final Fantasy 14 Online, PUBG Battlegrounds, and Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 3 + 4. Across all games, the BFG Pro Reloaded offered a comfortable and responsive gameplay experience.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded?Buy it if...

You play a ton of online multiplayer
The Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded is designed primarily for you in this case. With Hall effect sticks, remappable buttons, and swappable modules, it’s a pro-minded player’s ideal controller in more ways than one.

You don’t have space for a traditional fight stick
Fighting game fans are likely to get plenty of use out of the Pro BFG Reloaded thanks to its revised Fightpad module. Its six-button is ideal for games like Street Fighter 6 and Guilty Gear Strive.

Don't buy it if...

You already own the original pad or a DualSense Edge
Given the commanding price tag of the BFG Pro Reloaded, it’s hard to justify paying for this one if you already own a similarly premium PS5 controller, especially when the upgrades are welcome but slight overall.

Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded review: Also consider

There are other premium controller options out there for PS5. Consider the following two options if the BFG Pro Reloaded isn’t quite what you’re after.

Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded

DualSense Edge

Nacon Revolution 5 Pro

Price

$209.99 / £179.99 (around AU$322)

$199.99 / £199.99 / AU$399.95

$199.99 / £199.99 (around AU$316)

Weight

9.3oz / 265g

11.4oz / 322g

10.9oz / 308g

Dimensions

6.3 x 4.1 x 2.4in / 160 x 105 x 60mm

6.3 x 4.2 x 2.6in / 160 x 106 x 66mm

7.5 x 7.4 x 3.5in / 190 x 189 x 89mm

Compatibility

PS5, PS4, PC (Xbox version sold separately)

PS5, PC

PS5, PS4, PC

Connection type

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

Wireless (PS5 native), Wired (USB-C)

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

Battery life

Around 20 hours

5-6 hours

Around 10 hours

DualSense Edge
An excellent, if pricey, upgrade over the standard DualSense. The Edge doesn’t offer Hall effect sticks, but includes all the DualSense’s marvelous features while adding some handy remappable buttons, trigger locks, and a set of accessories.

Read our full DualSense Edge review

Nacon Revolution 5 Pro
Developed in tandem with professional Street Fighter player Nathan ‘Mr. Crimson’ Massol, Nacon’s premium PS5 pad impresses with solid build quality and battery life, and is designed from the ground up for competitive play.

Read our full Nacon Revolution 5 Pro review

How I tested the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded

• Tested for a week
• Played a wide range of PS5 and PC games
• Compared directly to the original Pro BFG model

I tested the Victrix Pro BFG Reloaded over the course of a week for this review. In that time, I endeavored to play a smorgasbord of excellent PS5 and PC games, particularly ones with online multiplayer environments.

As I was already familiar with the original Pro BFG, I felt right at home testing this new model. It’s a familiar yet fresh-feeling pad thanks to its welcome upgrades. And as an avid Tekken 8 and Street Fighter 6 player, I had tons of fun playing with the included and improved Fightpad module.

First reviewed August 2025

Read more about how we test

It’s not easy being a Mafia fan. As someone who’s experienced the dazzling highs of the ground-breaking 2002 original and its strong sequel, the devastating lows of the incredibly rocky Mafia 3, and subsequent return to form in the brilliant Mafia: Definitive Edition remake, I know better than anyone that it’s not a franchise without its ups and downs.

Review info

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

In spite of any flaws, however, each entry has always been elevated by brilliant storytelling and strong cinematography that make them feel just like watching a classic mob movie. This is especially true in the case of Mafia: The Old Country, a new prequel from developer Hangar 13.

It delivers some serious narrative goods with a story that’s compelling right from the get-go, thanks to consistently excellent voice acting and well-shot cutscenes that ooze style and flair.

Unfortunately, there are some rough edges that hold the overall experience back - be that the many janky stealth segments or the noticeable lack of opportunities to explore its massive world. The result is an instalment that, while nowhere near the worst, falls short of some of the series’ best.

The old world

(Image credit: 2K)

Set in 1900s Sicily, Mafia: The Old Country is centered around the fictional town of San Celeste - a setting that first appeared in the brief flashback scene at the start of Mafia 2. It’s a great location, with the small handful of areas seen in that older game lovingly recreated. It’s been significantly expanded, too, with a large surrounding countryside, detailed coastline, and a number of small nearby villages.

It all looks incredibly beautiful, with impressively realistic texture work, lifelike lighting, and numerous little details to help sell the period setting. Unfortunately, it’s quite underutilized due to the game’s incredibly linear structure. Don’t get me wrong, the best Mafia titles have never truly been open-world experiences, but the inability to soak in the sights at your own pace is a letdown and a step back.

I loved wandering around Lost Heaven and Empire Bay, either on foot or in a car while travelling between missions, but here you’re forced to turn around if you move even slightly outside the area of your current objective.

Best bit

(Image credit: 2K)

Enzo is one fashionable fella. You can unlock loads of customizable outfits and headwear throughout the game, which presents an enjoyable way to change up your look.

It’s a bit baffling when you consider that there are plenty of collectibles out there to discover, from world-building notes to collectible photographs of key landmarks that you can take with an old-timey camera. There’s even a small store that sells upgrades for your gear, but you’re given few opportunities to actually visit it.

There is still a dedicated free-roam mode at least, where you can sight-see or shop to your heart’s content, but accessing it requires you to exit back to the main menu and choose it from the chapter select screen - a cumbersome and annoying thing to have to do if you just want to buy a new vehicle paint job.

Mafia: Definitive Edition nailed the structure of a modern Mafia game, offering just the right amount of freedom without ever overloading you with pointless busywork, and it’s a huge shame that the same kind of design wasn’t implemented here.

A little too familiar

(Image credit: 2K)

On the plus side, the tightly controlled structure does help the breakneck pacing of the story shine. The main thrust is that it follows new protagonist, Enzo, a young boy sold by his parents to work in a dangerous, mob-operated sulphur mine.

After a dramatic opening that sees you cast out of the mine and become the sworn enemies of the gangsters that control it, you’re put under the wing of the powerful Torissi family.

In classic Mafia fashion, you soon rise through the ranks, gradually transforming from a scrappy laborer into a skilled mafioso. Missions are nicely varied, with plenty of enjoyable third-person shooting segments that have you experimenting with a good selection of ranged weapons, though there are some sore spots.

Chief among these are the mandatory stealth segments, which are incredibly basic and quickly become grating. There’s nothing particularly exciting about crouching behind cover waiting for guards to move, or tossing coins or bottles into corners to lure them out of your path.

Being detected results in an instant game over, which is especially annoying on the odd occasion when it all bugs out and a guard manages to impossibly spot you.

(Image credit: 2K)

There’s a knife-fighting minigame that is frankly overused, too. Blocking and parrying incoming blows is perfectly responsive, and helps break up some of the longer periods of shooting, but it happens so frequently that it verges on ridiculous. Almost every mission culminates in a knife fight, even in moments when its inclusion doesn’t make any real sense.

There are also multiple race sequences, including two major ones that take place on horseback and in a car. They’re well designed but play out in an extremely similar way to the iconic race scene from the original Mafia (albeit significantly less difficult this time around). This is clearly an intentional homage, but it comes across more like an uninspired attempt to capitalize on nostalgia.

In fact, the whole of Enzo’s story arc feels incredibly reminiscent of Tommy’s in the first game. It’s hard to complain too much when it’s still thrilling to experience, but some more adventurous twists would have made some of its rather predictable emotional beats hit that much harder.

It’s a quibble that epitomizes my biggest issues with Mafia: The Old Country. There are the fundamentals of a fantastic Mafia game here, but it lacks the level of fine-tuning and polish needed to live up to the lofty heights of some of its predecessors.

Should I play Mafia: The Old Country?Play it if…

You love a good crime or mob story
The narrative in Mafia: The Old Country is simple, but effective. If you live for movies about mobsters or organized crime, then you’re going to really enjoy this.

You’re craving a linear game
There’s something to be said about the need for more linear experiences in an age of open-world gaming. If you’re seeking a tightly-paced story-driven experience, then Mafia: The Old Country is worth playing.

Don’t play it if…

You’ve not played a Mafia game before
If you haven't tried a Mafia game before, then I’d still recommend starting with Mafia: Definitive Edition. It has an even more compelling story and a more well-realized world to explore.

You want a more well-rounded experience
The narrative and presentation shines, but other aspects of Mafia: The Old Country could do with some more polish. Consider playing something else if you want an experience that's fantastic across the board.View Deal

Accessibility features

Mafia: The Old Country has a dedicated accessibility menu containing options to adjust the size, color, and background opacity of subtitles. The scale of the HUD can also be adjusted, and there are three colorblind modes: deuteranope, protanope, and tritanope.

The game also features multiple difficult levels, the option to enable aim assist on PC, and a feature that allows you to skip driving between objective markers.

How I reviewed Mafia: The Old Country

(Image credit: 2K)

I played Mafia: The Old Country on both PC and PlayStation 5. I played the PC version for more than sixteen hours, hitting the end credits and spending a little bit of time in the free roam mode.

I relied on my Lenovo Q24i-10 monitor, in addition to a Razer DeathAdder V4 Pro gaming mouse and Endgame Gear KB65HE Hall Effect Gaming Keyboard. For audio, I used a pair of Final VR500 earbuds.

I then spent roughly two hours in the PS5 version, comparing the performance my PC build which features a 12GB RTX 3060, an I5-11400F CPU, and 32GB of RAM. I found it satisfactory, but not exceptional, on both platforms.

Throughout my time with the game, I directly compared it to other entries in the Mafia series as a long-time fan. I also stacked it up more generally with other single-player story-based titles, including the likes of The Last of Us, Red Dead Redemption 2, and more.

First reviewed August 2025

I download a lot of content online, and managing it can be hectic. Slow speeds, failing to keep track of files, and unstable connections are just a few of the issues I frequently face when downloading content. That’s why I always try to use the best download manager to mitigate these issues.

One of the best download managers available is Free Download Manager, which has a noticeably direct name. This app was initially proprietary and closed-source, but the developers later made it free and open-source.

It's important to use the website link above (https://www.freedownloadmanager.org/) to download it, as people often mistakenly download botched versions from external sources. Malicious actors can bundle open-source apps with malware programs, so downloading from the official source keeps you safe.

I comprehensively tested the Free Download Manager to give an honest opinion. My review mainly centered on its features and user-friendliness. Read on to learn more about this app and whether it’s a good download manager for you.

Free Download Manager: Versions

The Free Download Manager is compatible with popular desktop and mobile operating systems. You can download it on Windows and macOS directly from the official website. The Windows app is also listed on the Microsoft Store. I used a Mac PC for my test, and installing the app was smooth.

I also downloaded the Android app to test its mobile friendliness. However, there is no iOS app, which I consider a drawback.

Free Download Manager: Features

The Free Download Manager has rich features to help you manage your content downloads. I appreciate that it’s a free, open-source tool with no ads. I’ve encountered a handful of free download managers with excessive ads, and I was happy not to see that here.

I usually download a lot of content via torrents, so I was pleased to discover that this app supports downloads via the BitTorrent protocol. You can upload a .torrent file, and it’ll immediately download the relevant content. The .torrent file contains the metadata of your desired content, which the app reads and immediately fetches from seeders via the BitTorrent protocol.

Apart from uploading .torrent files, many torrenting clients let you download torrents by providing the magnet link or torrent hash. Unfortunately, the Free Download Manager lacks these capabilities. You can only download torrents by adding the .torrent file. However, you can still download standard files (not torrents) by providing a URL.

(Image credit: Future)

I appreciated this app’s download acceleration feature, which let me split files into several sections and download them simultaneously. This technique offers faster speeds than downloading the complete file in one package. With files split into smaller bits, you can download them more quickly on slower connections.

Broken downloads are a significant issue for many users. When downloading content via a web browser, a download can progress halfway and fail because of an unstable connection. Then, you’ll have to redownload the file from scratch.

However, the Free Download Manager solves this broken downloads issue. When downloads are interrupted, you can resume them later from the exact spot where the interruption occurred. You’ll no longer have to curse at your computer for restarting bandwidth-heavy downloads from scratch, or at least I’ll no longer do.

I enjoyed previewing audio and video files while downloading them. For example, if you’re downloading the latest episode of your favorite series and are too impatient to wait for it to complete, you can start watching it while the download is in progress.

I also liked being able to automatically convert files after downloads. I have this frequent issue where I download videos in the MKV format, which my native video player doesn’t support. Hence, I immediately converted all MKV videos to MP4 upon downloading them.

(Image credit: Future)

The Free Download Manager allowed me to organize downloads neatly and place them in specific folders or subfolders. I liked the remote control feature, which allowed me to create new downloads on my PC from my Android smartphone. While at work, I initiated movie downloads on my home PC, and the movies were available to binge once I arrived home.

Having these features for free gave me a lot to appreciate about the Free Download Manager. Most download managers with similar features charge for their software or make money by showing ads.

Yet, I have a complaint. The Free Download Manager didn’t support YouTube downloads, although it did so sometime ago. Understandably, YouTube has taken more aggressive copyright action against download managers, so many apps turn off YouTube downloads to avoid legal tussles. Yet, I wish I could download educational YouTube videos with this tool.

Free Download Manager: Interface and in-use

The Free Download Manager excelled in the user-friendliness criterion. Its simple interface was easy to understand. To download a file, you can copy and paste the URL or add the .torrent file. It's that straightforward.

Users can monitor all their downloads from a single dashboard and pause or stop them anytime. I could view the progress of every download along with the thumbnail for easy identification. Before downloading a video or audio, I was constantly prompted to choose a file name, format, and folder to store it in.

You can choose between light and dark modes depending on your preferences. The desktop and Android apps feel modern and responsive. The same applies to the browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, and Safari.

If you need help with this tool, you can visit the official community forum where users often exchange solutions to their issues. You can also check the official GitHub documentation to troubleshoot problems yourself.

Free Download Manager: Final verdict

I’ll recommend the Free Download Manager any day and anytime. It makes downloads management easy without paying a dime. Most comparable download managers are freemium or premium, but this one is entirely free and easy to understand.

• Ninja Download Manager
• Download Accelerator Plus
• JDownloader

FrostWire is a popular torrent client that gives users access to a broad range of music, movies, software, and other digital content. It was first released as a fork of LimeWire, then a popular but now-shuttered torrenting client. Since then, FrostWire’s developers have added many features, and the app has long emerged from the shadows of LimeWire.

Many people use FrostWire because it’s free and has an intuitive interface. You don’t need to pay any dime to download content with this torrenting tool. As an open-source application, FrostWire is very customizable and has many features that global developers have contributed.

We’re reviewing FrostWire to help you decide if it suits your torrenting needs. We extensively tested the app and considered third-party opinions to give an unbiased review.

FrostWire: Versions and platforms

FrostWire is compatible with Windows and macOS PCs. It also has an app for Ubuntu, a popular Linux-based desktop operating system.

Likewise, FrostWire has an Android app for mobile devices. You can download the app for your relevant platform on the official website. The download button is the first thing highlighted on the homepage. Click on it, and you can immediately download the FrostWire app to your device.

FrostWire is compatible with Windows 10, macOS Big Sur, and Android 8.0 or later versions of these operating systems. Since Windows 10 debuted in 2015, Big Sur debuted in 2020, and Android 8.0 was released in 2017, any modern PC or smartphone should have newer versions of these operating systems, enabling you to download FrostWire without hassle.

(Image credit: Future)FrostWire: Features

FrostWire is a torrenting tool that lets you download extensive content, such as your favorite movies and music. Upon launching this app, the first thing you’ll notice is its user-friendly interface. Unlike many torrenting tools with mangled graphical elements, FrostWire has a minimalistic and straightforward interface.

If you have specific content to download, you can search for it in the bar prominently displayed on the homepage. There’s also a search bar in the top-left corner, which makes it easy to find content.

We like that FrostWire provides suggestions as you type your query. Type the first two or three letters of the content you want, and you’ll likely see it suggested by FrostWire.

FrostWire is connected to the database of many torrent search engines. It also connects to other data sources to let users find freely downloadable files. Hence, FrostWire has one of the largest file databases we’ve encountered. Think of any fairly popular content, and you can find it on FrostWire.

The built-in music player is a unique feature we liked about FrostWire. When you search for music, you can stream it first before hitting the download button. This built-in music player lets you preview songs and ensure they fit your taste before downloading them.

With FrostWire’s music player, you can organize and easily access your music from one place. Users can create playlists and listen to music on the go, similar to music apps like Spotify. FrostWire has an Android app, so you can integrate the music player with your car's radio and listen to your favorite jams.

You can filter search results by source and size. For example, when you search for specific content, you can filter the results to only include files of less than 100 MB. You can do this by clicking the “Search Tools” button in the top-right corner to open the filtering box.

(Image credit: Future)

Though we appreciate FrostWire's filtering options, they are not as sophisticated as those of many torrenting apps. Some platforms let you filter search results by video resolution, audio quality, language, file format, and other factors.

We observed swift download speeds during our test. However, download speeds can vary depending on the availability of seeders on FrostWire’s network. If many seeders are present during your usage, you'll get very fast download speeds from the torrent swarm.

Sometimes, the network does not have many seeders, causing slower download speeds. Your internet connection also affects the download speeds you experience on FrostWire.

You can choose a specific folder to store FrostWire downloads. During the download, you can monitor the progress and speed from your dashboard. If necessary, you can pause or cancel the download.

FrostWire: Interface and in-use

User-friendliness is a criterion wherein FrostWire outshines many competitors. It has a simple, easy-to-understand interface that many rivals lack.

The features are neatly arranged into distinct tabs (Search, Transfers, and Library), making it easy to find what you need. Configuration options are placed neatly at the bottom.

FrostWire’s interface stands out in a niche where many tools are known for having complex interfaces. Its interface strikes an ideal balance between simplicity and functionality.

FrostWire can be accessed from a desktop or mobile app. However, the mobile app is only available for Android. Apple is famously unfriendly to torrenting apps being hosted on its App Store, so FrostWire’s lack of an iOS app is expected.

You can download FrostWire on your device directly from its official website. Downloading and installing the app took just a few clicks during our test.

FrostWire: Security and Piracy

Torrenting clients carry non-trivial security risks. Malicious actors often hide malware within torrent files for unsuspecting users to download. You can also expose your IP address to other users or inadvertently download pirated content. TechRadar doesn’t endorse content piracy or illegal downloads.

FrostWire is a trustworthy torrenting client, but it’s an open-source tool that doesn’t control the seeders on its network. Before torrenting, it’s advisable to use a VPN service to hide your IP address and encrypt your internet traffic.

FrostWire: Final Verdict

FrostWire is a reliable, free torrenting solution for downloading your favorite content. It has an extensive file library and an intuitive interface that makes finding files easy. FrostWire has some drawbacks, such as limited content filtering options, but its pros outweigh the cons.

We list the best file manager.

UPerfect is one of those brands that continues to surprise me, not only with what's produced, but also with the quality of the releases. I've tried quite a few from the company at this point, ranging from basic travel monitors to complex multi-screen units, as well as large and small panels.

So far, I've been rather impressed. UPerfect seems to understand what consumers want, and it's built a panel for it. Moreover, I tend to find solid panels at a decent price.

The UColor O2 is no different. This is a 16-inch, 3K, 16:10, 120Hz, 1ms OLED panel with USB-C ease of use, a functional stand/folio, all while staying ultra-lightweight and thin. It's great for those who need a little extra display at their dedicated desk setup, of course, but it's also fantastic for those who are on the go and want to bring a display with them for extra productivity away from a desk setup. Regardless of your reasoning, I've reviewed many of the best portable monitors out there, and the UColor O2 is one of them.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )UPERFECT UColor O2: Pricing & Availability

The UColor O2 is available on the UPerfect website by clicking here. I'm also seeing it available from a few other retailers.

Currently, the display is priced at $630 / £469, and at the time of review, it's discounted down to $350 / £261.

For an OLED panel, even though it's only truly 3K resolution, that price is pretty incredible. Especially when you consider that the display is a full 16 inches, which is comparable to the larger laptops on the market, and features a 120Hz refresh rate, a 16:10 aspect ratio, a 1ms response time, and excellent color representation for those looking for a display for gaming.

UPERFECT UColor O2: Unboxing & first impressions

The unboxing for UPerfect's displays is always interesting to me. The boxes are so understated for what is inside, but perhaps that's a part of the plan.

Inside the box, you will find the monitor, folio cover/stand, a mini-HDMI to full-size HDMI cable, two USB-C cables, a USB-A to USB-C cable, VESA Mount Screws, and a 33W power adapter. Nothing crazy, but it's just enough to get you started.

Personally, even though this device can run mini-HDMI, I will probably never use it, so I kept that cable tucked away, along with the USB-C to USB-A Cable and power brick, leaving me with the monitor, the folio, and the USB-C to USB-C Cables. With this, I went straight to work setting it up for an on-the-go panel I could take with me everywhere.

While reviewing this panel, I just finished reviewing a Samsung smartphone with DEX capabilities, which gave me the excellent idea of trying to get some work done while out and about, utilizing just the phone, a keyboard, and this panel.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )UPERFECT UColor O2: Design & build qualitySpecs

Display: 16″ OLED
Resolution: 2880×1800 (3K)
Aspect Ratio: 16:10,
Color: 100% DCI‑P3/ sRGB, 500 nits brightness
Refresh/Response: 120 Hz (USB‑C), 1 ms response
Ports: 2× USB‑C (full‑featured), 1× Mini‑HDMI
Weight: ~720 g

This panel is delightfully sleek. It's thin and lightweight, and the folio doesn't add much bulk, making it worth carrying around and not like a burden in the slightest. The bezels are minimal, the buttons are premium-looking, and the stand makes the panel usable in its most basic form, eliminating the need for a third-party stand.

One thing I have grown to like about the company's offerings is the lack of branding. I dislike it when companies plaster their branding all over their beautifully made products, making them look cheap.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )UPERFECT UColor O2: In use

As I mentioned, I wanted to try this panel out with my Samsung phone, which I have just finished testing. I was able to set this up with a single USB-C cable. Although I didn't want to drain the phone's battery, I also added a power cable to charge the phone via passthrough charging from the second USB-C port on the monitor.

This compact setup, paired with a keyboard, was something I considered trying after seeing it promoted on the UPerfect website, following my recent review of the Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro. For this simple setup, the panel was fantastic and helped me get some real work done on the go. Once I had finished testing the legitimacy of that setup, I tried out this display with my iPad, MacBook Pro, Dell Precision, and some of my Lenovo devices.

On every test, the panel performed well, giving me extended workspaces to complete whatever I was working on.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The clarity on the 3K display is sharp and vivid, but what I appreciate is the 16:10 aspect ratio. Personally, every time that I have tried a 16:10 aspect ratio, I fall in love with it over and over. 16:9 is standard, and I understand it, but just that little extra to get to 16:10, I feel like there is so much more vertical space available to spread out my research, project management, chats, and so on.

Thanks to the device's light weight, I can carry it in a backpack with ease, without worrying about adding extra weight or making my bag feel uncomfortable. I wish that this petite folio could somehow accommodate portrait viewing. Still, I understand that not every display can have that option. Additionally, the display has an integrated VESA Mounting spot on the back of the panel, allowing you to add your stand on the go or mount this panel to your desk or workspace.

UPERFECT UColor O2: Final verdict

All in all, the UPerfect UColor O2 is a great portable monitor. It's got an excellent refresh rate, a spectacular response time, a brilliant OLED panel at 3 K resolution, and it has the ever-popular USB-C capabilities. If you are looking for an ultra-light display with USB-C, this is a great option to consider, especially if you are like me and enjoy the 16:10 aspect ratio a bit too much.

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Highly Portable, great design

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ease of use

Easy to use

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Practicality

Practical for portable / nomatic users

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Price

Decent price for what it is

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripods: two-minute review

When you think of the humble tripod and all of the variations available, it’s difficult to imagine that a slightly different take on the classic three-legged design is possible. But Ulanzi has done just that with the Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripod and GlideGo Video Tripod.

Before getting into specifics, these two tripods are exactly the same, except for the head, with both being built around the same legs and basic ball head design; it’s the video model’s fluid pan and tilt movements alongside the handle that differentiate.

Oh yeah, and there's even a craftily hidden tool kit in the handle for adjusting the tripod. This head makes the video model slightly taller and heavier than the standard model, but the movements it allows for are impressive.

Both tripods also feature an articulating center column, which is rare for travel tripods, and this provides the opportunity for you to position the camera at many different angles. Further to this, the video version can achieve gimbal-like movements thanks to this feature, alongside 360-degree pan mechanisms on both the centre column and the head.

I love this feature and the creative camera angles and movements it allows for, which is something I’ve not seen with a tripod before, especially a video travel tripod. The head on this tripod features a fluid pan and tilt design that provides smooth movements without judder, which is essential for video.

One video tripod feature that is missing, however, is a levelling base; these are used to level the tripod head without the need to level the legs.

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The way around this simply comes down to the fact that the video features of the head are built onto a ball head with the pan mechanism above the ball joint. This cleverly and effectively mimics the effect of a levelling base, while also providing fast set-up in a lightweight and highly portable travel tripod. Then there are some 1/4in and Arri mounting threads for attaching accessories.

These are tripods where the head itself is an integral part of the overall package and can’t be changed. It’s essential to be aware of this because the head becomes an even more important part of the purchasing decision than a tripod where the head can be changed. That said, the two head options do work extremely well and avoid camera slippage thanks to the clip lock that secures the ball joint perfectly.

I’ve not seen this design on a ball head before, and it’s more effective than low-end and mid-range ball heads that use the traditional locking knob/dial. The GlideGo tripods use Ulanzi Uka and F38 tripod plates rather than Arca Swiss, so you can’t use L-brackets with the heads unless the L-bracket has a 1/4in screw thread. There is, as with most ball heads, a notch allowing you to position the camera in portrait format, so you can shoot vertically.

The tripod plate uses a locking system where you push it into the head to engage the lock, push the button to the side to lock the button and then slide and push the button to release. This is admittedly much quicker and easier to use than a knob-style lock, although I can’t say whether it’s better or worse – it’s simply another approach that works and is a pretty neat way of locking and releasing.

The overall build quality of the two tripods is excellent, with four carbon fiber leg sections that provide an impressive level of rigidity and support, especially considering the narrow diameter of the thinnest bottom section. Legs are secured by clips rather than twist locks, and I found them to be fast, reliable and positive in use when working with both tripods.

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The standard ball head version offers a height range of 16.1x72.4in / 41-184cm and weighs 3.44lbs / 1.56kg. The video version provides a height range of 17.3x73.6in / 44-187cm and weighs 3.88lbs / 1.76kg. Let’s just forget the numbers for a second and put it into context. This means that you can position your camera at over six feet with these tripods, which is high for compact travel tripods.

Both tripods have a max payload of 39.68lbs / 18kg, which is slightly misleading because this figure refers to the legs, while the head has a maximum payload of 11lbs / 5kg. This is still a commendable payload that can comfortably support the vast majority of camera and lens combinations, but a far cry from the headline figure.

Moving back to the articulating centre column, which is one of the defining features of the tripods, this also offers a telescopic function. This is where the articulating section is hidden within a vertical section until lifted out, and the outer section can then be left in position or raised to increase the height of the tripod.

There’s a useful hook at the bottom of the outer section of the tripod to add weight and stability when required, alongside a smaller hook on the inner column to add counterbalance if and when required.

While this is all great when finding angles, viewpoints and increasing the height of the tripods, it does mean that you can’t splay the legs to articulate the centre column at a low angle. Instead, you can keep the legs at their ‘standard’ angle and articulate the inner section of the centre column downwards. This means the camera is upside down, but you can shoot at low angles. It’s strange, but to be fair, it works.

Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripods: key specs

JJ05

JJ06 (video)

Head

360-degree pan, 90-degree vertical switch

360 degree pan, 90 degree vertical switch -50 to -60 degrees tilt

Leg sections

4

4

Height

16.1-72.4in / 41-184cm

17.3-73.6in / 44-187cm

Weight

3.44lbs / 1.56kg

3.88lbs / 1.76kg

Max Payload

39.68lbs / 18kg

39.68lbs / 18kg

Material

Carbon fiber

Carbon fiber

Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripods: Price and availability

The Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripod and GlideGo Video Tripod were announced on 28 July 2025 and can be ordered directly from Amazon, the Ulanzi website and online photographic retailers, so they’re easy to get hold of.

Ulanzi is a photo accessory company you’ve probably come across, since there are many Ulanzi products available on Amazon. The company is well-known for its low-cost accessories that are manufactured to a high standard, and although the GlideGo tripods are priced similarly to bigger brands, they are still fairly and reasonably priced based on features and quality.

The JJ05 GlideGo Travel Tripod costs $269 / UK£300 /AU$359, while the JJ06 GlideGo Video Tripod is slightly more expensive at $299 / £320 / AU$389. The tripods come with carry cases, and the video tripod even has a handy toolkit hidden away in the tripod handle.

Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripods: Also consider

Heipi 3-in-1 Travel Tripod

The Heipi 3-in-1 Travel Tripod is a small and lightweight travel tripod you may not have heard of. But with a lower cost than its Peak Design rival and innovative design, this is a tripod that can support multiple camera types, including phones. Plus, it incorporates a mini tripod into the overall design, so as the name suggests, this is an impressive 3-in-1 option.

Read our Heipi 3-in-1 Travel Tripod review

Peak Design Pro Tripod

The Peak Design Pro Tripod is available in three variants and is considered an exceptional tripod with a similarly high price to match. Their leg design allows them to be folded down to an impressively small size, plus their optional ‘mods’ allow you to increase the video functionality as well as some spiked feet if you need a little extra grip on location.

Read our Peak Design Pro Tripod review

Should I buy a Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripod?

(Image credit: James Abbott)Buy it if...

You need a high-quality travel tripod

With excellent build quality, an innovative design and excellent features, this is a pair of tripods that can deliver something new.

You need a lightweight video tripod

If you’d like a lightweight video tripod with unique movements that mimic gimbal shots, the video version is the tripod for you.

Don't buy it if...

You need a larger and heavier tripod

Sometimes larger and heavier tripods are the best option for maximum stability, so if you don’t need a travel tripod, a full-size tripod might be more suitable.

You want to use multiple heads

Some photographers have different tripod heads for different jobs, and the heads on this tripod are fixed, so you can only use the included head.

How I tested the Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripods

• Tested for several weeks
• Handling, stiffness and rigidity tested
• Ball head operation and features

The Ulanzi GlideGo Travel Tripod and GlideGo Video Tripod were tested over several weeks for stills photography and videography to test the specific features and functionality of each.

This was with several different camera and lens combinations, shooting subjects including landscape, cityscape and for video, the focus was on B-roll capture to test the movements possible with the GlideGo Video Tripod.

With nearly 30 years of photographic experience and 17 years working as a photography journalist, I’ve used many of the cameras and lenses that have been released in that time. As a working photographer, I aim to test cameras, lenses and accessories from a photographer’s point of view.

First reviewed August 2025

Shot Scope G6: One minute review

The Shot Scope G6 is a splendid budget-friendly GPS golf watch. Offering a robust feature set, accurate yardages, and an easy-to-use control scheme, it's a GPS watch that's comfortable in its own skin, offering no more and no less than what it does - all for an attractive price.

Sitting firmly in the entry-level end of the best golf watch market, it does have some strong competition for company in the form of the Garmin Approach S12, for example. However, the G6 stands firmly on its own two feet with what it offers over the S12 in the form of colored maps and visual hazard and layup distances, to name but two.

Out on the course, the G6 is easy to use with a simple four-button input system that means you can quickly and cleanly navigate holes and manage your way around courses. Yardages are wonderfully accurate based on our testing, and a robust battery life that gets you comfortably through two full 18 rounds nicely rounds out a strong feature set for a budget-friendly GPS golf watch.

While a proprietary charging system and port, a slightly small display, and a distinct lack of shot tracking and even score recording through the (otherwise decent) companion app do frustrate, this is a fine GPS-only, entry-level golf watch that is easy to recommend if you're shopping in the sub-$200/£200 range.

(Image credit: Future)Shot Scope G6: Specifications

Component

Shot Scope G6

Price

$179.99 / £179.99 (around AU$370)

Dimensions

1.7 x 1.7 x 0.39in/44 x 44 x 10mm

Weight

1.48oz / 42g

Case/bezel

Brushed steel

Display

176 x 176px; Daylight readable MIP

GPS

GPS L1, Galileo E1, Glonass L1

Battery life

GPS Mode: 2+ rounds of golf / Watch Mode: 4 days

Connection

Bluetooth 5

Water resistant?

Not stated

Shot Scope G6: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• List price of $179.99 / £179.99 (around AU$370)
• Entry-level pricing offering good value for money
• Launched in March 2025

The Shot Scope G6’s price point puts it firmly in the entry-level end of the golf watch market. However, it does punch nicely above its price tag with what it offers – as I’ll talk about in the rest of this review.

Generally, though, the Shot Scope G6 is attractively priced in the entry-level end of the market, but still faces some robust competition in the form of the Garmin Approach S12. The latter watch, a budget model in Garmin’s excellent Approach line of golf watches, features a lot of what makes that brand’s devices excellent, and while a few years old now, it still holds its own in the market and sells for the same price as the Shot Scope G6.

With that being the case, it’s wise to temper ones expectations in terms of what the Shot Scope G6 will offer you as it, as expected, doesn’t feature more premium features that you might see on the likes of the Garmin Approach S70, of course, and even those on its older sibling, the Shot Scope V5.

What it does offer, though, is simplicity in a golf watch that certainly means you get great bang for buck value.

• Value score: 4/5

Shot Scope G6: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• 44mm watch face housing a clear screen, and button labels
• Loads of different straps to choose from
• The screen is smaller than the watch face

The Shot Scope G6 doesn’t throw up any surprises when it comes to its design. It’s a simple circular watch face with two dimensions and four buttons placed on the outer edge equidistantly. Simple. The four buttons are a microcosm of the G6’s simplicity in themselves, operating only one function each: up, down, back, and select, respectively.

One major thing to note is that the display is not the same size as the watch face – in fact, it is comfortably smaller, and a black band runs around the face. This almost acts like an on-screen bezel you’d see on a monitor, and means there’s a chunk of watch face that houses only the G6 model typeset, and the four buttons’ names before the display part actually starts or resides. It’s still clear and crisp when it needs to be, but it’s not a watch that prioritises its screen real estate as a result.

There’s a range of wristbands to choose from if you’re keen to customise your watch, all of which are easy to attach and detach from the watch itself.

Like the Garmin watches I’ve used over the years, the charging point on the G6 is a point of annoyance for me. It’s a proprietary connection, comes with a wire that’s never quite long enough, and the port is on the rear of the face. As a result, you’ll have to charge the watch face down all the time, and at a place sufficiently close to a socket or USB port. While it’s an entry-level watch, it still feels a bit clunky and inelegant for a golf watch in 2025.

• Design score: 3.5/5

Shot Scope G6: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• Robust golf GPS features - but no shot tracking or score recording
• Simple and intuitive on-course features
• Bright and easy-to-view color screen

On board the Shot Scope G6 is a robust feature set that is befitting of its GPS golf watch proposition and entry-level pricing – with a few caveats.

Pre-loaded with 36,000 courses, you’d be hard pushed to find a course not on there (even in the face of competing brands offering 40,000+), and each of the courses’ holes is displayed in crisp and clear colorings, which makes glancing at the watch for navigation easy.

There is a companion app, though it is rather ‘separate’ from the watch, with no sending of data or scores from the watch to the app, which holds back the overall functionality somewhat. However, on a broader note, I have found the Shot Scope app itself to be excellent, particularly in the way you can build your bag using specific brands, models, and lofts of clubs.

Relatedly, having grown used to watches that will track shots and also send back completed rounds to a companion app in order to build a bank of scores for a handicap, or give you data on your clubs for future rounds, the Shot Scope G6 does feel a little lacking in this particular area of its feature proposition. Especially when its competitor, the Garmin Approach S12, does at least offer the ability to send rounds back to its app.

It will keep score for you during the round, don’t get me wrong, but there’s no facility for that score to be sent ‘back’ to the app and for it to be recorded that way. I know we’re swimming in budget golf watch territory here, but in 2025, that seems like a winning feature to include if at all possible.

• Features score: 3.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Shot Scope G6: Performance

• Accurate yardages and hazard maps
• Robust battery life
• No score recording or shot tracking holds it back

In short, the Shot Scope G6 is a simple and robust GPOS golf watch and one that performs to a level on the course that makes it easy to recommend.

Yes, recognising that there’s no shot tracking and score recording is key, but what the G6 does offer you, and what it does do, is excellent. The yardages are accurate, and the presence of distances to hazards, doglegs on holes, and several different layup points is incredibly welcome, and complements the front, middle, and back green distances it offers very well indeed. Golfers can also adjust their own lines on the watch to navigate holes as they see fit.

Across all my rounds, at home and abroad, the Shot Scope G6 was reliable, clear, had really accurate yardages, and was a genuine help around the course from shot to shot. The hazard and dogleg information were particularly useful for course management.

It functioned quickly, too – I found the GPS to find my course and kick into gear to be operating quicker than a Garmin Approach S70 and my Tag Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition, both of which cost upwards of three times the price of the Shot Scope G6.

(Image credit: Future)

It was also easy to use during rounds, even when wearing gloves (I wear two), but the buttons do take some getting used to, especially so when you engage the lock screen as I did regularly to avoid accidental pushes.

As mentioned above, the app doesn’t truly work in tandem with the watch, but it is a nice extra thing to use adjacent to it. It allows me to put in each and every individual club type, brand, model, and loft. However, the lack of a feature that sends back rounds and scores from the watch to the app does hold it back from achieving more in my eyes.

As for battery life, I found it to be pretty much in line with Shot Scope's own assessment, though I was in dire need of charging it after my second round of 18, plus a bit of ‘on time’ before and after rounds. As a result, perfectly acceptable and robust enough to work, and forgiving enough if you forget to charge it after one round.

Within its limitations as a GPS watch only, it is a fine device and one I would happily use again and again. If that’s all you’re after, then it’s a great golf watch to go for.

• Performance score: 4/5

Shot Scope G6: Scorecard

Category

Comment

Score

Price

This is a very attractively priced entry-level golf watch that offers robust bang for buck value if you’re after a GPS watch.

4/5

Design and screen

Intuitive controls and a plain but functional design make for an easy-to-use watch, despite the small screen space.

3.5/5

Features

While it’s a shame there’s no shot tracking or score recording (beyond an in-round scorecard), the GPS accuracy and in-course info, such as hazards, make for a robust feature set.

3.5/5

Performance

Within its limits as a GPS-only watch, the Shot Scope G6 is a great watch that performs very well, and it never let me down in terms of accuracy and on-course assistance.

4/5

Total

If you’re looking for an entry-level watch that’s ideal for on-course assistance and companionship, rather than to analyse data, then the Shot Scope G6 is an excellent choice at its attractive price point.

4/5

Shot Scope G6: Should I buy?Buy it if...

You want an entry-level golf watch that’s great value for money

Coming in safely under the $200 / £200 mark means the G6 begins life at a good value price – but then really emphasises its value with the accuracy and feature set it offers.

You’re after a simple golf course companion for straightforward assistance

The ShotScope G6 is brilliantly simple in its proposition and provides some of the best and simplest – and most accurate – on-course information I’ve experienced.

You’re already in the Garmin ecosystem

The S70 is an ideal step up if you've tested the waters already with one of Garmin’s budget golf watches and want to embrace something more feature-filled.

Don't buy it if...

You crave shot-tracking and score-recording features

With no way to track your shots or your rounds beyond a digital scorecard, even in partnership with the robust app, the G6 is not the best pick for those looking for a device to store yardages for their clubs and build a bank of scores to track a handicap.

You want your golf watch to be a daily driver smart watch

The G6 really is just a GPS golf watch; nothing more, nothing less. As a result, if you’re looking for your first or next golf watch to do anything more, particularly to fill a smart watch void, then this isn’t it.

You want a big display

While the G6’s display is clear and bright enough, there’s no escaping the fact that the display area is pretty small.

Also consider

Shot Scope G6

Garmin Approach S12

Shot Scope V5

Price

$179.99 / £179.99 (around AU$370)

$199.99 / £179.99 / AU$299 (launch prices)

$249.99 / £239.99 / AU$429.99

Dimensions

1.7 x 1.7 x 0.39in / 44 x 44 x 10mm

1.72 x 1.72 x 0.45in / 43.7 x 43.7 x 11.5mm

1.69 x 1.69 x 0.47in / 43 x 43 x 12mm

Weight

1.48oz / 42g

1.2oz/34.1g

1.76oz / 50g

Case/bezel

Brushed steel

Lightweight fiber-reinforced polymer

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

Display

176 x 176px; Daylight readable MIP

175 x 175px; ??????????

240 x 240px; 1.2in / 30mm Daylight readable MIP

GPS

GPS L1, Galileo E1, Glonass L1

Unspecified

GPS 1, Galileo E1, Glonass L1

Battery life

GPS mode: 2+ rounds of golf / Watch mode: 4 days

GPS mode: up to 30 hours / Watch mode: up to 10 weeks

GPS mode: 2+ rounds of golf / Watch mode: around 5 days

Connection

Bluetooth 5

Bluetooth

Bluetooth

Water resistant?

Unspecified

Yes, 5m

Unspecified

Garmin Approach S12
Another excellent entry-level golf watch, Garmin’s Approach S12, is a brilliant alternative that packs in a whole bunch of Garmin’s excellent golf features into an affordable package.

Read our full Garmin Approach S12 review

Shot Scope V5
If you’re looking at the G6 but are after a little more functionality and features, then the Shot Scope V5 adds shot tracking data (including 16 club tags to use), a host of ways to analyse your stats, as well as a great battery life and slick design.

Read our full Shot Scope V5 review

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Shot Scope G6

I used the Shot Scope G6 over the course of a couple of months, using it for a host of rounds at my home course in Somerset, as well as multiple rounds on holiday around the course of Belek in Turkey. I used all of its features, from checking yardages to hazard information, and found it a reliable and easy-to-use watch while on the course.

I was able to directly compare the G6 to other golf watches I had access to, including the Garmin Approach S70 and my TAG Heuer Connected Calibre E4 Golf Edition. While these are much more premium golf watches, the comparison still enabled me to appreciate what the G6 offers for its entry-level price and what could be added to improve it further.

First reviewed May-July 2025

Read more about how we test

The last time I felt a laptop this remarkably lightweight was the last Dynabook I checked out years ago. There's something about holding a laptop this light, especially compared to my 14-inch M4 Pro MacBook Pro and my Dell Precision 5690, as well as some of the other thin laptops I am testing. Nothing comes close to how light the Dynabook Portégé Z40L-N Copilot+PC is.

At first glance, and first feel, the Dynabook feels like it's not even a real laptop. Coming from the world of hefty machines, it's hard to think that a laptop this light can be anything more than a shell or a prop. Nevertheless, it boasts an Intel Core Ultra 7 processor, Intel Arc graphics, excellent ports, great wireless connectivity, and robust AI capabilities built in.

I've been using this laptop in my rotation for over a month, and I'm still amazed by its weight (or lack of it). Just this morning, I double-checked my bag moments after putting this laptop in there, thinking I must have forgotten it.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)Dynabook Portégé Z40L-N: Pricing & Availability

This Dynabook starts at just under $2,000 for a Core Ultra 5 model with 16GB, 512GB, and can run up above $2,000 for the Core Ultra 7 model with 32GB, 2TB. You can pick one up from Dynabook's website globally, but it is available from selected online retailers.

Dynabook Portégé Z40L-N: Unboxing & first impressions

The incredible weightlessness of this laptop began when I first grabbed the packaging. It felt like there was nothing inside the box. Grabbing the laptop from the box, I noticed the texture of the computer.

With so many laptops being made from aluminum and other metallic materials, this one stands out as being made of a lighter plastic. It does, admittedly, make it feel a bit cheaper, but then I noticed the chipset and started utilizing it.

Once I logged in and got to work, responding to emails, handling project management, researching, and going about my workday, I realized that most things were working better than expected. This laptop felt minimal, but was surprisingly capable.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

I was genuinely surprised and impressed by how thin and sleek this phone felt, especially considering its durability on paper. I was also happy to see USB-C -- even though it's now standard practice, it's still good to see.

Dynabook Portégé Z40L-N: Design & build qualitySpecs

Weight: 2.11 lbs
Processor: Intel Core Ultra 5
Display: 14-inch 1920 x 1200
Networking: Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth,
Ports: HDMI, USB-C x2, USB-A x2, RJ-45, Headphone Jack, microSD

The choice of alloy in the Portégé Z40L-N provides ultralight weight, but it also makes this computer feel less than premium. The edges are crisp, the ports are great, the screen is good enough, and other elements are solid. But, coming from someone who usually works with more premium laptops, this one does feel a bit lower quality. However, that is an obvious tradeoff for having something so lightweight -- one that many would be willing to make.

Another interesting feature of this design is the return of a removable and replaceable battery. This not only helps extend the device's longevity but also makes it easier to replace or repair the battery if any issues arise in the future.

The last notable feature of this laptop is that, despite its lightweight and portable design, it still offers more ports than most modern computers. Even some of the most premium, professional-focused laptops have transitioned to almost entirely USB-C or a Thunderbolt port -- that's it. Dynabook chose to completely surprise us all by including an abundance of ports in this laptop, making it even more fantastic for those who are on the go. With the Portégé Z40L-N, you won't feel any weight in your bag, and you won't need to add a dock either.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)Dynabook Portégé Z40L-N: In use

In the last month, the Dynabook Portégé Z40L-N has stood up to pretty much everything that I've thrown at it - surprisingly. Granted, I'm not expecting this machine to be the best video editing laptop or a machine to run local LLMs on, nor am I designing 3D models on it, but for everyday professional business tasks, it works surprisingly well. It's no surprise, though, that the real benefit of this laptop is its portability. I've been able to take this just about anywhere I've gone, tossing this into even my lightest backpack to take with me for the day.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future)

The Core Ultra chip handles basic productivity, messaging, emails, research, and more without any issues. Plus, if you're the person who may need to present or plug into something at some point, having that peace of mind that you won't need a dongle is great.
While the laptop itself is relatively small, you can expand the workspace by plugging into a docking station or selecting one of the top business monitors that feature a USB-C input and a built-in dock.

Dynabook Portégé Z40L-N: Final verdict

The Dynabook Portégé Z40L‑N is a surprising laptop. On one hand, it is an unfathomably lightweight machine that feels so lightweight it's almost toy-like. But, on the other hand, it's also surprisingly capable, boasting impressive ports and a powerful chip. It's shockingly rugged yet also lightweight, it's powerful yet portable, and it's AI-smart yet simple. If you are looking for a new laptop and want something highly portable as a top priority, this laptop is one that you should consider, especially if you stick to standard business-type work.

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Incredibly minimal

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ease of use

Easy to use

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Practicality

Practical for portable / nomatic users

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Price

Pricy for what it is

⭐⭐⭐⭐

For more options, we've reviewed the best business laptops for working on the go.

Even as the world continues to become more and more technically advanced, not everyone wants the most flagship, fancy, and frankly quite delicate smartphone. We've reached a point where it's commonplace for people to have smartphones, but not everyone wants to spend top dollar on the best flagship. Some can't risk the lack of durability of some of the more highly promoted devices, regardless of the company -- whether it's fruit or robot. For those who need rigidity, durability, and reliability without compromising on bulk, the rugged smartphone stands out as a fantastic option to protect your key device and get work done, without the additional cost and expense of an extra case.

The best rugged phones can withstand drops, water, cold, gloves, and more on its own. Something that even the best flagship phones can't always claim. The Samsung XCover7 Pro is a newly released rugged smartphone that features a 6.6-inch FHD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate, outdoor vision booster, Gorilla Glass Victus+. On the rugged side of things, it has an IP68 rating for water resistance and MIL-STD-810H drop rating. Internally, there's a Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 with 6GB of RAM, up to 128 GB internal storage plus a microSD Card slot for expanded storage. It also boasts great connectivity, a removable battery, built in Knox Vault security and all within a compact, USB-C ported device that can comfortably fit in your pocket.

It's engineered from the ground up for rugged use cases, offering durable reliability, enterprise-grade features, and ease of use in the field, thanks to the glove- and wet-hand-enabled touchscreen. Samsung markets this towards frontline workers and other tough jobs, and it's pretty clear why.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro: Pricing & Availability

The Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro was launched for $600 directly from Samsung and other retailers in May 2025. If you are a first responder, T-Mobile can offer priority connectivity. However, different carriers can also work with this phone, as it's frequently purchased unlocked to be compatible with any network.

Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro: Unboxing & first impressions

The Samsung Galaxy XCover7Pro is rated as a rugged phone, but that doesn't mean it feels like a smartphone with a bulky Life case or an Otterbox on it. That's what most people would guess a rugged smartphone would look and feel like. But instead, this Galaxy XCover7 Pro felt like a standard smartphone, just without a glass back.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

I was genuinely surprised and impressed by how thin and sleek this phone felt, especially considering its durability on paper. I was also happy to see USB-C - even though it's now standard practice, it's still good to see.

Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro: Design & build qualitySpecs

Display: 6.6″ FHD+, 120 Hz, 2408 x 1080
Durability: IP68 + MIL‑STD‑810H (1.5 m drops)
Processor: Snapdragon 7s Gen 3
Connectivity: 5G Sub‑6, Wi‑Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.4, NFC, GPS
Battery: 4,350 mAh removable
Security: Knox Vault, 7 years OS/security updates
Weight: ~240 g, glove/wet hands compatible touchscreen

The Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro is a phone built to be rugged, yet also one that you can carry with you every day. It's blocky and easy to grip, but it's not so hefty that you can't take it with you on days that you're not fully kitted out as a first responder, firefighter, construction crew, or the likes. It can be your everyday phone or your work phone if you prefer.

The buttons are easy to access and control, even with gloves on, and Samsung has included an XCover Key that can be programmed to perform a wide range of tasks, including PTT/Scanning mode, allowing for ease of radio-like communication using Microsoft or other software.

Further, the removable battery allows for quick swaps in the field if necessary, keeping one (or several) batteries on charge and then, when your active battery dies, swap it with a fully charged one in a matter of seconds, rather than waiting for even the fastest of chargers to juice up your phone.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro: In use

I've had this phone in my arsenal of tech for the last 67 days at the time of writing this. Throughout that time, I've used this device extensively as a working tool, navigating around town, utilizing Samsung DeX to write portions of this article and several others, multitasking, customizing, chatting with Slack, and researching. While working outside, the display is legible and usable, but it's not as bright as some of my other OLED panels. However, it's still clear enough and bright enough that I can see what is on the screen.

During my time using this phone, I've been generally pleased with the battery performance overall. Obviously, I wish it could last longer, but in my use, even on pretty heavy days, I have seen it last 10-11 hours, sometimes longer, depending on workflow. So, even those that do work on the job for an actual sun up to sun down kind of shift, odds are when you are working on the job all day you are not on your phone all day, or if you are on your phone, you should still be suitable for quite some time, and may have to top off the battery between job sites, on the drive home, etc.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The performance has also been something that I've been happy with. It's no flagship, so it's not the best of the best, but it still held up to my workflow throughout the day. I was able to jump in and out of Google Workspace, respond to Slack, and project manage in Jira, Notion, Asana, HubSpot, and every other project management tool that my consulting business requires. I've been able to multitask (on the same screen) emails, web browsers, and more. I've been able to plug into any of my many desk setups via USB-C and run the phone in DeX mode, connecting to the keyboard and mouse at that setup and then pulling up full browsers to get some writing, research, emails, and project management done without needing another device. The Snapdragon 7s Gen 3 has handled all of this well. And, while I am reminded that this is in no way a full desktop setup, it's not a powerful laptop, and it's not even a powerful productivity tablet. However, it is an impressive feat for the price point and the other features of this phone.

Another thing worth mentioning, which you don't often see, but that works in the background for you with this device, is the Knox security implementation. Knox security enables a rigid separation between work and personal use, allowing you to use this device for both purposes, from the chipset up. Every element of what you do on this device can be segmented. And, so you can keep an eye on what applications can do, there is an integrated privacy dashboard that will help you see what is what.

Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro: Final verdict

I didn't know what tier rugged phone I was getting into when I grabbed the Samsung Galaxy XCover7 Pro. I didn't know if it was going to be just rugged and slow, or what all I was going to experience. But, after nearly 70 days with this phone, I am genuinely impressed. It's plenty powerful and feature-rich for most, whether you are in the first responder category or not.

If you want a phone that you're not constantly worried about breaking, this is a phenomenal option. However, if you are on the front line, a first responder, or in construction or a similar field, this phone is a remarkable option you should consider as your work device, or even your all-in-one device.

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Rugged, yet sleek design

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ease of use

Easy to use

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Practicality

Practical for rugged users

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Price

Good price

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10: two-minute review

Do you have money to spend and want to save on space? If so, the multi-talented Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10 purifying fan heater is a compact solution for combating chilly days or hot nights, while helping to purify airborne nasties, too.

The Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10 purifying fan heater is available at multiple retailers in the US, UK, and Australia at a list price of $529.99 / £549.99 / AU$899, though I’ve spied the occasional discount in the US from the likes of Dyson and Amazon, who are both offering the HP10 for just under $400 at the time of writing.

(Image credit: Future)

The price is on the steep side, considering you can get a far smarter air purifier like the Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 for a similar price or sometimes less. You can also get the full-sized tower fan version, the Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10, for a whole $100 / £100 / AU$100 cheaper. Neither has a heat function, admittedly, but if I had the budget, I’d be looking to buy the TP09 when it’s on offer, and buy a separate heater.

At just 30.2 inches / 77cm tall, the HP10 is a stumpier, yet slightly chunkier and heavier, version of the TP10. It’s too chonky to sit on a tabletop, and has a relatively short loop amplifier, but it makes up for this with its ability to be tilted, so it’ll cool more than just your knees – happy days.

The HP10 has a lot of skills to its name, with 10 fan speeds, a multi-temperature heating mode, and oscillation of up to 350 degrees. Thanks to its low noise level, I found it easy to sleep with the HP10 next to my bed, and found the tilting element useful for perfecting the airflow angle.

(Image credit: Future)

Auto mode performed well during testing, though it is basic, as it only has the ability to detect and react to PM2.5 and PM10 contaminants. It’s important to note that – as is the case with many other air purifiers on the market rocking a HEPA H13 filter – just because a device may not have the capacity to detect and react to other contaminants like VOCs, it doesn’t mean that it isn’t helping to filter them out.

Overall, I really like the multi-functional format of the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10 purifying fan heater, and was impressed with its performance, so if you’ve got the budget and don’t want a particularly smart air purifier, you won’t be disappointed with the HP10. But personally, if I had the space (and the budget), I’d opt for the smarter TP09 and buy a separate little fan heater for colder days. If you’d like to take a look at other options, I suggest checking out our pick of the best air purifiers and the best fans for options we highly recommend.

Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10 review: price & availability

• List price: $529.99 / £549.99 / AU$899
• Available now in the US, UK, and Australia

The Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10 purifying fan heater is available to purchase at Dyson, Amazon, and multiple other third-party retailers, and has a list price of $529.99 / £549.99 / AU$899.

This isn’t a terrible price if you’ve got your heart set on a Dyson appliance and desperately want all three functions in one small package. But considering you could get the impressively performing Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 purifying tower fan for a similar cost, or even less, or spend $100 / £100 / AU$100 less on the taller Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 purifying fan and just buy a separate heater, I’d recommend thinking over your priorities before buying.

That being said, the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10 purifying fan heater can occasionally be found for less. For example, it’s “Dyson Week” on the Dyson US website at the time of writing, which has knocked the price down to a far more acceptable $399.99, and Amazon US is offering the HP10 for $399 too, so it’s worth checking if any discounts are available.

(Image credit: Future)

The Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10 uses the same filter as many of Dyson’s other purifier models: the 360 Combi Glass HEPA + Carbon air purifier, which has a list price of $79.99 / £75 / AU$99. Dyson recommends the filter be changed every twelve months, based on usage of twelve hours a day, so it’s important to factor this in as an ongoing cost. Most air purifiers need regular filter changes, though some, like the Shark NeverChange or the Blueair Blue Pure 411i Max / Blue Max 3250i, employ helpful washable pre-filters in an attempt to extend the lifespan of their single-use filters.

Overall, if you’re a Dyson fan with the right budget who wants three appliances in one conveniently compact package, you’ll be happy enough with the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10 purifying fan heater. If you’d rather sacrifice a little more floor space over creating a noticeable void in your bank account, however, you may want to consider individual appliances instead.

• Value score: 3.5 out of 5

Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10 review: specs

Type

Purifying fan heater

Fan speeds

10

Oscillation

45, 90, 180, 350 degrees

Timer

Yes, in Night mode

CADR (Clean air delivery rate)

Requested

Filter

HEPA H13 with activated carbon

Particle sizes detected

PM2.5, PM10

Dimensions

9.8 x 9.8 x 30.2 inches / 25 x 25 x 77cm

Weight

11.7 lbs / 5.3kg

Control

Onboard power button, remote control

Additional modes

Auto, Night mode

Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10 review: design and features

• Three functions in one package: cooling, heating, and purifying
• Short in stature, but can be tilted for better airflow position
• No smart features

With its bladeless loop amplifier and metallic details, the Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10 purifying fan heater has the classic Dyson aesthetic we know and love. The white and nickel color of the sample I tested is available in the US, UK, and Australia, but Dyson also offers a white and gold version on their UK site, and a white and silver model in the US.

At first glance, I’d say it’s a little on the short side for a tower fan, and it’s too chunky and heavy to easily fit on a tabletop, but its ability to tilt forward and backward means that the airflow can be easily directed. I think I may actually prefer this format to the taller tower fan loop amplifiers, as the airflow feels a bit more concentrated.

(Image credit: Future)

Weighing 11.7lb / 5.3kg, the HP10 is surprisingly heavy for its size, and I can only assume it must be the heating element that makes it heavier than its taller siblings.

Other than the power button, there are no controls on the HP10 itself. All of the controls are accessible via the slightly curved remote, which sits magnetically on top of the loop amplifier when not in use. It houses buttons to increase and decrease the fan speed or heat level, a button to switch back to cool mode, an info button, and buttons to toggle oscillation, auto mode, or Night mode.

By pressing the info button, I could cycle through the different detail screens on the front of the purifying unit. This includes graphs showing air quality changes either recently or over a 24-hour period, PM2.5 and PM10 readings, filter status, and the ambient temperature.

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(Image credit: Future)

At this price point, it’s a little disappointing that the HP10 doesn’t have any smart features. This means that historical data is limited to the little 24-hour on-screen graph, and control is limited to the remote.

When Auto mode is enabled, the HP10 will react accordingly to rising or falling levels of PM2.5 or PM10 contamination. There’s a timer function that can be used if you don’t want the HP10 running all day if you’re out of the house, but it’s tied in with Night mode, so it can’t be used without the display being dimmed.

The HP10 comes with a 360 Combi Glass HEPA + Carbon air purifier filter, which is an H13-grade HEPA filter and is understood to capture 99.95% of particles as small as 0.2 microns. Though the HP10 only automatically reacts when it detects PM2.5 or PM10 contaminants, it’s worth noting that its HEPA and carbon filter are still capable of capturing other airborne nasties, like VOCs.

• Design score: 4 out of 5

Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10 review: performance

• Easy to operate
• Tilt function proved useful
• Reacted promptly to PM2.5 and PM10 contaminants

It was really easy to use the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10; all the buttons on the remote were self-explanatory, and it was pleasingly responsive and had a good range.

The Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10 reacted quickly when I sprayed dry shampoo toward it from around two feet away. It took just a couple of seconds to detect the contamination, instantly spiking the PM2.5 and PM10 readings, turning them purple to indicate very bad air quality. The readings were lowered to around 30 micrograms in around a minute, which is considered good on Dyson’s air quality scale.

(Image credit: Future)

The strength of the airflow was fine for its size, but noticeably less than the larger tower fan models. I could feel a cooling breeze from two feet away on fan speed one, four feet on speed five, and 10 feet on top speed ten.

I felt the benefit from the heat mode pretty quickly. The screen showed a little thermometer with the current room temperature noted, and I could raise or lower the temperature a degree at a time using the plus and minus buttons on the remote.

(Image credit: Future)

Night mode worked as expected, with the fan speed dropping to four and the display dimming, either permanently or on a timer of up to eight hours. I liked that I could still increase the fan speed in Night mode, as that means no choosing between light pollution or overheating on a hot night. Being able to tilt the HP10 was also really helpful when setting the airflow to the right angle at bedtime.

The HP10 was lovely and quiet, with a volume of just 30dB when running on fan speed one, 41dB on speed five, and 53dB on speed ten when I tested it. These readings were very similar to those recorded from the TP09 and TP10, with the HP10 operating as quietly as a soft whisper on its lowest setting, and about as loud as moderate rainfall at its highest.

• Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should I buy the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10?

Section

Notes

Score

Value for money

The multi-functionality and great performance of the HP10 means you’re getting okay value for money here, but you could get better value for money by purchasing a cheaper Dyson purifying fan and teaming it with a separate fan heater.

3.5/5

Design & Features

The HP10 is a great space-saver, and although it may be a little on the short side, the tilt function makes it easy to direct the airflow. At this price, though, I’d really expect it to have some smart features.

4/5

Performance

All three of the HP10’s functions performed well; it heated up quickly, had strong, cooling airflow, and reacted promptly to contamination during testing.

4.5/5

Buy it if...

You want to save space
One clear benefit of the HP10 is that it packs three efficient functions into one compact appliance. This means you can control the heating, cooling, and purifying with just one remote, and it’ll only take up one power outlet.

You want a good degree of oscillation
The HP10 offers four different oscillation angles of 45, 90, 180, and 350 degrees. This, combined with the manual tilt function, makes it easy to position the airflow where you want it.

You want something simple to use
Thanks to the clearly labelled and responsive remote and the large LCD screen, it’s satisfyingly easy to operate and review data from the HP10.

Don't buy it if...

You want something smart
I’d have hoped for some app support at this price point, but the HP10 has no smart features, sadly.

You want a purifier that’ll react to VOCs
The purifying element of the HP10 works well, but the auto mode’s detection and reaction skills are basic, as it’s only capable of detecting PM2.5 and PM10.

You’re on a budget
It’s no secret that Dyson appliances tend to come with a premium price tag, but you could be getting better appliances for less if you buy them separately.

Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10 review: Also consider

Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10

Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09

Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10

Type

Purifying fan heater

Purifying tower fan

Purifying tower fan

Price

$529.99 / £549.99 / AU$899

$749.99 / £549.99 / AU$999

$429.99 / £449.99 / AU$799

Fan speeds

10

10

10

Additional modes

Auto, Night mode

Auto, Night mode, Diffused mode

Auto, Night mode

Oscillation

Up to 350 degrees

Up to 350 degrees

Up to 350 degrees

Filter

HEPA H13 and activated carbon

HEPA H13 and activated carbon

HEPA H13 and activated carbon

App support

No

Yes

No

Dimensions

9.8 x 9.8 x 30.2 inches / 25 x 25 x 77cm

8.7 x 8.7 x 41 inches / 22 x 22 x 105cm

8.7 x 8.7 x 41.3 inches / 22 x 22 x 105cm

Weight

11.7 lbs / 5.3kg

10.7 lbs / 4.85kg

10.4 lbs / 4.7kg

Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09
Thanks to its smart skills and great performance, I loved the Dyson Purifier Cool Formaldehyde TP09 when I reviewed it. At the time of writing, you can get the TP09 for a similar price, or even less, than the HP10, so if you’re not too bothered about a heater, or have the space for a separate one, I’d highly recommend checking out this alternative.

Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10
If you’ve got your heart set on a Dyson purifying fan and don’t want all the bells and whistles, then the Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 is a great option. Other than the heating element, it’s basically just a larger version of the HP10, and costs $100 / £100 / AU$100 less, giving you plenty of spare cash for a separate fan heater, if you want one. If you’d like to learn more, I recommend checking out my full Dyson Purifier Cool Gen1 TP10 review.

How I tested the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10

• I used the Dyson HP10 purifying fan heater in my living room and bedroom
• I observed its detection and purification skills
• I evaluated the strength of the airflow and the sound levels

I used the Dyson Purifier Hot+Cool Gen1 HP10 purifying fan heater in our photo studio, my living room, and my bedroom for two weeks. I evaluated how easy it was to operate, along with the build quality and aesthetics, and explored the available functions and features.

I tested the strength of the airflow by determining at what distance I could still feel a cooling breeze. I also observed the HP10 purifying fan heater’s detection and purification skills during standardized testing, which included spraying dry shampoo towards it from around two feet away to test how quickly it would react and clear the contamination, and I also used it passively in my bedroom and my living room.

I used a decibel meter app on my iPhone to record the noise levels, taking readings from around two feet away and ensuring the fan wasn’t blowing directly into the microphone.

I checked the timer worked as expected, and tested out the sleep mode to see whether the HP10 was quiet enough for me to be able to sleep well with it running overnight.

• First reviewed: August 2025
• Read TechRadar's Reviews Guarantee

I've reviewed a lot of power stations. My home office has backups on backups on backups. I have power stations to run everything I could need for weeks. So, I had thought I knew every brand of power stations worth knowing as well. I know many, but it turns out I've been missing out on a fantastic brand of power stations, Ampace.

The company's Andes 1500 has been with me for a little while now, and in that time, I've been able to put it through the paces. I've used this portable power station to do everything from run a backup desk of mine to some light camping. I've recharged mowers and tools. I've run computer setups and more.

The Andes 1500 is Ampace's top-of-the-line hybrid unit that sits nicely between massive home backup units and mobile, lightweight power solutions. Ampace utilize the LFP battery type that professionals in the battery space frequently use. These batteries are designed from the ground up to be fast, powerful, and long-lasting, which in something like an expensive power station, is always a plus.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Ampace Andes 1500: Pricing & Availability

The Andes 1500 by Ampace is generally around $1,400 new on the Ampace website, but at the time of writing this, it looks like there is a $600 sale, bringing the price down to $799.00. There are options to bundle this purchase with solar panels if desired, and there's a five-year warranty.

I've also seen it available on Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk for around the same price.

Ampace Andes 1500: Unboxing & first impressions

The Ampace looks Tesla-like. The first thing I noticed when unboxing this unit was the design language, the lights on top, and the port layout. From first glance, this looks like it could be a Tesla-inspired design, and while I cannot get that claim confirmed, I wouldn't be totally surprised.

The design offers two carrying handles, one on either side of the power station (or front and back), and from the beginning, I can tell that it is well-balanced, yet a bit heavier than other power stations I have that are this size.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

When I first turned this power station on, the top of the unit lit up, making what I thought was just a cool design light up with a cool blueish-greenish glow. This is a light in addition to the light bar on the front of the unit, with the ability to be a light if the power goes out, and also light up the ports. I wish there were a bit of light on the back where the AC ports are, but I understand why there is not.

Ampace Andes 1500: Design & build qualitySpecs

Capacity: 1,462 Wh (LFP)
Lifespan: ~6,000 cycle lifespan
Inputs: AC up to 1,800W (A‑Boost), solar up to 600W, 96W car port
Outputs: 4× AC outlets, 2x USB-C, 4x USB-A
Weight: 16.5 kg / 36.3 lb
Warranty: 5-year

The overall layout of this power station is one that I understand, but I'm not sure if I love it. I go back and forth if I prefer the AC ports on the front or the back of the unit; I feel the same way about docking stations.

For some setups, it works well to have AC ports on the back, and in others, it is super helpful to have those ports on the front.

The frame is chunky and easy to grab, which I appreciate, and thanks to a reinforced frame, it doesn't feel like it flexes at all, even when moving it around with one handle.
The display is clean and easy to understand, it is also pretty bright and usable in broad daylight as much as it is usable in the dark.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Ampace Andes 1500: In use

As I mentioned, I have been able to use this power station for various tasks and scenarios. I have used it to back up a desk during a power outage so I could still get some work done without compromise.

I used it to charge up some tools while working on a home project, I've used it to recharge devices on a working road trip, I also used this to run a portable work setup on a rolling cart for a week during some construction at one of my jobsites I was working at. In all of these scenarios, the Ampace held up just fine, without any concern, stress, disconnect, or issue.

The recharge on this device is remarkably impressive. Ampace notes that this can recharge from empty to full in 55 minutes. I've also experienced this in my use.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

Even while running a heavy load, I never heard a fan kick on, nor did I notice any excess volume from the machine getting hot or trying to draw heat. Pair that with the safe ports, and this power station may just be the perfect machine to use while camping, especially if you need a CPAP to breathe while sleeping in the great outdoors under the stars.

Whether you're looking for a power station for your road trip, camping, or battery backup in inclement weather, or to power a semi-permanent setup, this power station is better than it seems. It's one that I'll be reaching for more in the future.

Ampace Andes 1500: Final verdict

The Ampace Andes 1500 portable power station is a powerful solution for those looking to have some serious power in a still very portable unit. This has great ports, excellent output, fun lights, and excellent durability, making this a great option for most. For the size, price, and performance, the Ampace Andes 1500 is hard to beat.

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Clean and simple design with a fun light

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Ease of use

Easy for all to use

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Practicality

Practical for most who need portable power

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Price

Good price

⭐⭐⭐⭐