Reviews

Capsule CRM is an intuitive and affordable customer relationship management (CRM) solution designed for small to medium-sized businesses. Its user-friendly interface and gentle learning curve make it approachable even for non-technical users.

Despite its competitive pricing, Capsule provides a robust set of core features for managing contacts, identifying opportunities, tracking communications, and overseeing sales pipelines. Standout capabilities include the ability to store up to 30,000 contacts for just $18/month, a simple "projects" feature that can function as a basic helpdesk, and useful integrations with popular apps like Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Mailchimp, and Xero.

In my experience, Capsule excels at delivering the best CRM platform performance in a streamlined package. The well-designed layouts and intuitive workflows can help small teams quickly get up to speed. However, some advanced features like marketing automation are limited compared to pricier competitors. But for small businesses seeking an affordable and capable CRM without unnecessary complexity, Capsule is well worth considering.

Capsule CRM core capabilities

(Image credit: Capsule CRM)

Capsule CRM is a streamlined solution designed to help small businesses efficiently manage their customer interactions and sales processes. Its core capabilities revolve around simplifying the most essential aspects of CRM.

It allows users to easily store, organize, and access customer data in one centralized location. Beyond basic info, it enables linking contacts to relevant opportunities, cases, and notes, providing a complete view of each customer relationship.

Sales teams can take advantage of visual pipeline tracking to monitor the progress of deals. Drag-and-drop functionality makes it simple to move opportunities from one stage to the next. Customizable sales pipelines ensure they fit the unique sales processes of each business.

Opportunity records give a snapshot of key data like value, win probability, and expected close date. This rolls up into sales forecasting reports and analytics to predict revenue and identify trends. The reporting features are a bit basic compared to higher-end CRMs, but they cover the essential needs of small businesses.

Where it really shines is in its ease of use and mobility. The interface is clean and intuitive, with a minimal learning curve to get a team up and running. And it gets full marks for its mobile-friendliness — a fully featured mobile CRM that makes it a breeze for sales reps and account managers to work on the go - something that's particularly important in the era of hybrid work.

Integration options ensure the CRM isn't isolated but connected to the other systems businesses rely on. It hooks into popular small business tools for email, ecommerce, marketing automation, customer support, and productivity.

With a robust feature set yet simple interface, Capsule CRM checks all the boxes small businesses need in a tool at a very affordable price point. The core capabilities are there, without a lot of extra bells and whistles that tend to bog down other systems. If complex and fine-grained customization isn't a requirement, Capsule CRM is an excellent option.

How easy is Capsule CRM to use?

(Image credit: Capsule CRM)

Capsule CRM is widely praised for its user-friendly interface and intuitive design that makes it easy for new users to navigate and quickly become proficient with the platform. The simple layout focuses on the core CRM features small businesses need most, without unnecessary complexity.

I found the straightforward dashboard a breeze to use from the get-go. Key functions like contact management, opportunity tracking, task scheduling, and reporting are easily accessible. The visual sales pipeline is also simple to understand at a glance.

Capsule offers a good degree of customization to tailor the tool to your specific needs and processes. You can create custom fields, tags, filters, and views to track the exact information you need for contacts, opportunities, cases, and more. It's quick to set up dropdown menus, checkboxes, and date fields. You can also customize your sales pipeline stages and milestones.

The platform makes onboarding painless with a wide array of self-service training resources. These include tutorial videos, step-by-step guides, webinars, and an extensive knowledge base. The intuitive UI and wealth of educational content make it realistic for most users to get up and running in a couple of hours.

Capsule CRM also has an active user community for Q&A, best practices, and feature suggestions. For more hands-on help, email support is responsive and thorough in my experience. All plans include customer support at no extra charge.

If your small business needs an affordable CRM without a steep learning curve, Capsule is well worth considering. Its thoughtfully designed interface, customization options, and strong support make it one of the most user-friendly CRMs that I've tried. Most teams should be able to deploy it quickly and see rapid user adoption.

Integrations

When it comes to integrations, Capsule CRM really shines. The system offers an impressive array of pre-built integrations and connectors that make it easy to sync data with other business apps. There are official integrations for popular tools like Mailchimp, Xero, FreshBooks, and Google Workspace. So if you're already using those in your workflow, getting them connected is a breeze.

But the integration options don't stop there. Capsule also supports leading iPaaS vendors like Zapier and Make. This opens up a world of possibilities, allowing you to connect Capsule with thousands of other web apps without needing any coding skills. You can automate data syncing, trigger workflows based on events, and much more. Zapier integration, in particular, is very well done.

For those with more technical needs, Capsule provides a robust API. This allows developers to integrate the system more deeply with custom or third-party applications. In my experience, the API is well-documented and reliable.

I've found the data syncing to be fast and seamless. Once you have an integration set up, you can count on your data always being up-to-date across all tools. The system also handles data conflicts gracefully.

Little touches, like being able to easily map custom fields when setting up an integration, make the whole process very user-friendly. And if you ever run into issues, Capsule CRM’s support team is very knowledgeable about integrations and quick to help.

How good is Capsule CRM customer support?

(Image credit: Capsule CRM)

Capsule offers some customer support options, though it may not be as comprehensive as larger competitors. Users can access live support via email, with the friendly customer service team typically responding within one business day, Monday through Friday. However, phone and live chat support do not appear to be offered at this time.

Where the CRM really shines is in its self-service support resources. The company provides an extensive knowledge base filled with helpful articles and step-by-step guides covering everything from getting started to more advanced features and use cases. The Capsuleblog and YouTube channel are also fantastic resources, offering insightful tips, video tutorials, and customer success stories to help users make the most of the platform.

While researching CapsuleCRM's support, I was impressed by the largely positive customer reviews and high ratings the company has earned on third-party sites like G2, Capterra, and TrustRadius. Many users praise the responsiveness and helpfulness of the support team, noting that they received prompt and effective assistance despite the lack of live support options. However, a few reviewers did mention that the lack of phone support could be an issue for some customers.

It's worth noting that Capsule doesn't have a dedicated user forum or community at this time. While the knowledge base and tutorials are undoubtedly valuable, having a space for customers to connect, share ideas, and help one another could further enhance the support experience.

Capsule CRM plans and pricing

Plan

Free

Starter

Growth

Advanced

Ultimate

Price

$0/user/month

$18/user/month

$36/user/month

$54/user/month

$72/user/month

Best For

Individuals testing CRM functionality

Small businesses needing basic CRM tools

Growing businesses requiring more contacts and automation

Larger teams needing extensive features

Large teams needing premium support and advanced CRM features

Features

2 users and 250 contacts

Single sales pipeline

Email sending

30,000 contacts

AI email assistant

Shared mailbox

60,000 contacts

Workflow automations

Multiple pipelines

120,000 contacts

Contact enrichment

Multiple project boards

Everything in Advanced

Premium onboarding

Dedicated account manager

Limitations

Limited contacts and users

No advanced reporting or automations

Limited project boards and contact enrichment

Higher cost, requires setup

Higher cost, best suited for larger organizations

Capsule CRM employs a per-user per-month pricing model with five tiers ranging from a limited free plan up to $72 per user monthly. The free version supports up to 2 users, 250 contacts, and 10 AI content assists, but lacks workflow automations, project management features, and advanced customizations.

In my view, Capsule's pricing is fairly standard for a CRM, with the per-user monthly cost increasing as more robust features and higher usage limits are unlocked. The Starter plan, at $18 per user per month, should suffice for small teams just needing core CRM functionality. However, growing businesses will likely need at least the Growth plan at $36/user/month to access workflow automation capabilities that can significantly boost productivity.

For full corporate deployments, the Ultimate tier ($72/user/month) tops out the ecosystem by unlocking a 240,000-contact ceiling, custom roles/permissions, premium system onboarding, and a dedicated account manager.

One downside is that many features SMBs would want, like sales pipeline management, email templates, and custom fields, are limited or unavailable on the free and lower-tier plans. Capsule does offer a free plan and trial to test out the software, but the free version is quite limited compared to some competitors.

Capsule's data storage caps should be another important consideration. Capsule limits file storage strictly by tier, which is a major factor for teams uploading sales decks or client PDFs. The Free plan is capped at a tiny 50MB total, Starter gives you 10GB per user, Growth bumps this up to 30GB per user, Advanced provides 50GB per user, and Ultimate tops out at 100GB per user.

On the plus side, Capsule's pricing is transparent and straightforward, without any hidden fees or required add-ons. Discounts are provided for annual billing and new customers. The monthly price maxes out at $72 per user for the Ultimate plan, which is reasonable compared to enterprise tiers of many other CRMs.

How we tested Capsule CRM

At TechRadar Pro, our software reviews are driven by objective, real-world testing rather than fluffy vendor demonstrations. To evaluate Capsule CRM’s promise of a minimalist, zero-bloat sales environment, our testing analysts subjected the platform to a rigorous evaluation process that simulated the daily operational workflows of a lean, rapidly growing service team.

From storage thresholds to pipeline customization and AI functionality, every aspect of Capsule CRM forms part of our CRM testing methodology. We took the platform's searchable knowledge base and step-by-step video setup guides into account when making our assessment, but ultimately, our hands-on appraisal determined our final score.

Capsule CRM review: Final verdict

Capsule CRM effectively achieves exactly what it sets out to do: provide a beautifully uncluttered, zero-learning-curve workspace for small teams, independent agencies, and relationship-based service businesses. Its greatest asset is its sheer simplicity - it avoids the overwhelming technical bloat of major market competitors, slotting seamlessly into small tech stacks without requiring a dedicated software administrator.

However, its simplicity is a double-edged sword. While the entry-level pricing is highly competitive on paper, the severe limits placed on lower tiers mean that teams looking for a true set-and-forget CRM will outgrow them fast.

HoneyBook is a comprehensive client management platform that helps small businesses streamline their operations. It combines the functionality of a CRM with invoicing, contract management, scheduling, and more into one easy-to-use package.

The CRM platform is designed to handle the full client lifecycle, from initial contact through project completion and payment. You can manage all client communication, share files and proposals, get contracts signed, send invoices, and collect payments without leaving HoneyBook.

Where this CRM really shines is its powerful automation features. You can set up customized workflows to automatically move projects forward, send reminders, and follow up with clients. This allows small teams to operate efficiently and stay on top of all their client relationships.

HoneyBook CRM core capabilities

(Image credit: HoneyBook)

HoneyBook is an accounting tool with a basic CRM, designed to enhance business operations for small businesses and solo entrepreneurs. It offers essential CRM functions like contact management, an intuitive sales pipeline, and automated workflows to reduce manual tasks.

HoneyBook also offers user-friendly contact forms, which effortlessly capture lead information and create new contacts and projects in your pipeline. Plus, it provides tools for important administrative tasks such as invoicing, contracts, and scheduling.

Its interactive smart files let you combine actions like service selection, contracts, and invoicing for a smooth client experience. Automated payment reminders help ensure timely payments. You can create professional invoices, set custom payment plans, and collect payments online through credit card or bank transfer - all within HoneyBook.

Legally vetted contract templates are customizable with project details, pricing, and e-signature options. Scheduling is managed through a personalized client portal that syncs with your Google or iCloud calendar, preventing double-bookings. All client communications are organized within the relevant project for easy reference.

While not as advanced as specialized solutions, HoneyBook offers basic tools for tracking performance insights. You can monitor key metrics like conversion rates, project value, and payment status. However, I hope that future updates will enhance the reporting functionality with more CRM-specific KPIs.

But, HoneyBook focuses primarily on client projects. It lacks traditional CRM features such as lead scoring, opportunity tracking, territory management, or sales forecasting. However, for service-based businesses, HoneyBook's workflow is ideal for managing client engagements from start to finish.

I’m also impressed by HoneyBook's mobile apps for iOS and Android, which provide full functionality for working on the go. You can send invoices, receive payments, and manage projects from anywhere. Desktop users will benefit from Gmail and Calendly integrations.

How easy is HoneyBook CRM to use?

(Image credit: HoneyBook)

HoneyBook provides an intuitive and user-friendly interface that makes it easy to get up and running quickly, even for those without prior experience using a CRM. The clean, modern design is simple to navigate, with features logically organized in the left sidebar and settings accessible from the top menu.

To help new users get started, HoneyBook offers a helpful 30-minute Quick Start onboarding session that covers the key areas to focus on for setting up your account. There are also on-demand video courses available with over 50 step-by-step lessons.

I really like how the drag-and-drop pipeline tool makes it a breeze to customize your sales stages and client flow. You can easily create custom contact fields, email templates, questionnaires and contracts to streamline your processes. The visual pipeline view provides a great snapshot of where each lead/client is at.

HoneyBook also provides strong accessibility options, including a high contrast mode and the ability to navigate most of the interface using just a keyboard. The forms and client portal are mobile-responsive and look great on smaller screens.

While the breadth of features may seem overwhelming at first, most users report feeling comfortable with the core functionality after just a few hours of exploring and watching tutorials. The average time to get fully up and running seems to be around 2-4 weeks, factoring in time to thoughtfully configure your account, import data, and test your workflows.

Overall, HoneyBook is one of the most user-friendly CRM options I've come across for small businesses and freelancers. The modern design, strong customization options, and well-produced help resources make it accessible to a wide range of tech comfort levels. While it may take a few weeks to fully optimize your account, the core features can be learned in a matter of days, enabling you to start seeing the benefits quickly.

HoneyBook CRM integrations

When it comes to integrations, HoneyBook offers a solid set of capabilities that allow it to connect with the other tools small businesses rely on.

The CRM provides several pre-built integrations out of the box, including ones for QuickBooks accounting, Gmail for email, Calendly for scheduling, Facebook, and the popular automation platform Zapier. These native integrations make it easy to sync data and automate workflows between HoneyBook and these key external systems.

For custom integrations, HoneyBook also provides a full-fledged API. Developers can use the API to build integrations that allow reading and writing data between HoneyBook and virtually any other application. The company provides comprehensive API documentation and code samples to help with the integration process.

In testing out some of HoneyBook's built-in integrations, I found the data syncing between apps to be fast and reliable overall. Connecting a new app is also a straightforward process from the integrations settings page.

One potential downside is that, while HoneyBook offers a Zapier integration, it does not appear to directly integrate with some other popular iPaaS (Integration Platform as a Service) vendors like Make. However, Zapier alone enables support for thousands of integrations.

HoneyBook also provides some nice features to make managing integrations easier for non-technical users. The ability to retrieve your API key and manage 3rd-party app connections from the integrations dashboard is convenient.

Overall, HoneyBook covers the bases well in terms of supporting integrations. The combination of key direct app integrations, Zapier support, and a full API provides ample options for connecting data and workflows with external tools. While a few more iPaaS integrations would be nice to see, HoneyBook still offers solid capabilities for most small business integration needs.

How good is HoneyBook CRM support?

When it comes to customer support, HoneyBook has received mixed reviews.

The company offers live chat and email support channels, but does not provide phone support, which some customers find frustrating. Response times can vary, with some users reporting prompt and helpful replies while others have experienced delays of hours or even days to hear back, especially on weekends.

On the plus side, many users praise the friendliness and attentiveness of HoneyBook's support team when they are able to connect. The live chat tends to be the quickest way to get answers. I also found out that HoneyBook provides a fairly robust library of self-service resources, including a searchable knowledge base, tutorials, and webinars to help users troubleshoot issues on their own.

However, the quality and consistency of live support seem to be hit or miss. In my research, I came across a number of complaints about "pass-the-buck" responses and difficulty getting timely help with urgent problems. One reviewer even called it the "worst customer experience ever." Yet others rave about how HoneyBook's excellent support has made their lives easier.

Overall, HoneyBook appears to be working to provide solid customer service, with a capable and caring support staff. But the lack of live phone support and inconsistent response times are definite drawbacks compared to some other CRMs. The company could improve by expanding real-time support options and ensuring more reliable follow-up.

For many satisfied HoneyBook users, the support is good enough, and the product's benefits outweigh any frustrations. But if reliable and always-available customer service is a top priority for your business, it's worth carefully evaluating the support limitations before committing to the platform.

HoneyBook CRM pricing and plans

Plan

Starter

Essentials

Premium

Price

$29/user/month

$49/user/month

$109/user/month

Best For

New businesses, low client volume

Growing businesses, increased efficiency

Established businesses, advanced needs

Features

Unlimited clients/projects

Invoicing and payments

Basic reporting

All features from Starter plan

Automations

Scheduling tool

All features from Essentials plan

Priority support

Advanced reporting

Limitations

No automations or scheduling tool

Limited reporting capabilities

May be costly for very small businesses

HoneyBook offers three main pricing plans to fit the needs and budget of different types of businesses. The Starter plan at $29 per month, billed annually, provides the core CRM features like unlimited clients and projects, invoicing, contracts, and a client portal. This is a great entry-level option for solopreneurs just getting started with a CRM system. However, it's worth noting that HoneyBook heavily restricts the backend on this tier: it limits the system to a single user profile and completely disables native automated workflows and interactive scheduling widgets.

For growing businesses that need more advanced features, the Essentials plan at $49 per month (billed annually) adds a lot of valuable capabilities. Automated workflows, scheduling, QuickBooks integration, and support for up to 2 team members can really streamline operations. Plus you can remove HoneyBook branding and access more robust reporting.

Larger teams will appreciate the Premium plan at $109 per month annually. It supports unlimited team members for collaboration and introduces priority technical support, advanced profit-and-loss reporting frameworks, and multi-company account toggles, letting you run entirely distinct brands out of a single centralized administrative dashboard.

You can start with a 7-day free trial to test out if the platform is a good fit before committing. While this is still less than the industry standard, having a free trial at all is a welcome feature that new users will appreciate.

Across all plans, you'll pay less on a monthly basis by choosing annual billing, which effectively gets you two months free compared to the month-to-month prices. Keep in mind the listed prices don't include applicable sales tax. But overall, HoneyBook's pricing is very competitive and transparent, without a lot of confusing add-ons or upcharges that some other vendors tack on.

My take is that HoneyBook provides a lot of value for the cost, especially for small businesses and self-employed professionals looking for an intuitive all-in-one system to manage their clients and business. While it may lack some of the deeper customization of pricier CRMs, the thoughtful feature set and interface you get for the price make it a compelling option in my book.

How we tested HoneyBook

At TechRadar Pro, our business software assessments go significantly deeper than simply summarizing marketing spiel. To truly evaluate HoneyBook's capabilities as a unified client relationship and cash-flow engine, our analysts put the platform through a practical testing process designed to replicate the day-to-day operations of an independent, service-based business.

Our CRM testing methodology looks at the platform's end-to-end client lifecycle tracking, smart file architecture and document stitching, workflow automation, AI efficiency loops, and the mobile ecosystem. Altogether, we try to assess more than just the core capabilities - but niche features and new developments too.

HoneyBook CRM review: Final verdict

After thoroughly evaluating HoneyBook, I've found it to be an excellent all-in-one CRM solution for small service-based businesses, freelancers, and independent professionals. The platform shines in its ability to streamline the entire client lifecycle, from initial contact to invoicing and payment.

HoneyBook's intuitive interface and robust feature set make it accessible to entrepreneurs and small teams without extensive technical expertise. And while larger enterprises with complex sales cycles may require more advanced CRM capabilities, HoneyBook is perfectly suited for small service providers looking for an affordable, user-friendly system to nurture leads and manage client engagements from start to finish.

Launched in 2013, Agile CRM is a comprehensive platform built for small and medium-sized businesses. By combining sales, marketing, and customer service into one integrated system, it aims to simplify operations and boost efficiency across various business processes.

When I first looked at Agile CRM, I was struck by its affordability and the range of features it offers. The CRM platform provides a free plan that supports up to 10 users, which is more generous than many of its competitors in the small business space.

However, as I dug deeper into Agile CRM's capabilities, I found that its user interface and overall user experience could be seriously improved. While the platform offers a lot of features, it's not always easy to find what you need, and the experience can feel a bit clunky compared to established CRMs.

Agile CRM core capabilities

(Image credit: Agile CRM )

Agile CRM offers a complete set of core capabilities that cover the essential functions of customer relationship management. I found the contact profiles to be quite detailed, allowing me to store and organize a wealth of information about customers and prospects. 360-degree contact views provide a holistic picture of each relationship, including communication history, deals, tasks, and more.

When you're managing leads, Agile CRM includes a lead scoring feature that automatically rates contacts based on their interactions and attributes, helping prioritize follow-ups. I appreciate the ability to create custom deal milestones and stages to match my specific sales process. The visual pipeline view makes it easy to drag and drop deals between stages and get a quick overview of the sales funnel.

I can easily see the value and probability of deals in each stage, which aids in forecasting. The system also allows for multiple pipelines to be created, which is useful for managing different products or sales processes.

Sales forecasting is adequate but not exceptional. Agile CRM's system provides basic revenue projections based on deal values and probabilities. However, I found the forecasting tools to be somewhat limited in the way they handle recurring revenue and deal probability. For small businesses with straightforward forecasting needs, it should suffice, but larger organizations may find it lacking.

Reporting in Agile CRM shows both strengths and weaknesses. The platform offers a good selection of pre-built reports covering sales, marketing, and service metrics. I also appreciate the ability to create custom reports and dashboards to track specific KPIs. However, the depth of data analysis and visualization options falls short of what some competitors offer.

Agile CRM's mobile app, available for both iOS and Android, provides a seamless experience for managing contacts, deals, and tasks on the go. I found the app to be responsive and well-designed, offering most of the core functionality of the desktop version. The ability to access and update CRM data from anywhere is very useful for field sales and remote work.

Unlike some CRM systems that treat marketing as an afterthought, Agile CRM offers robust tools for email marketing, landing page creation, and campaign management. I was impressed by the drag-and-drop campaign builder, which allows for the creation of multi-step marketing workflows. The system includes ticketing, knowledge base, and customer feedback tools, allowing businesses to manage customer support directly within the CRM.

But perhaps most interestingly, Agile CRM offers gamification features to motivate sales teams. While not a core CRM function, I found this to be an interesting addition that can help drive engagement and performance among sales reps. The system allows for the creation of contests and leaderboards based on various sales metrics.

How easy is Agile CRM to use?

(Image credit: Agile CRM)

Agile CRM balances functionality and simplicity, mainly targeting small businesses. I found the dashboard clean, intuitive, and minimalistic — which avoids overwhelming new users. There's a prominent left-side menu for quick access to contacts, deals, and marketing, pretty standard for a CRM.

A drag-and-drop interface makes navigation even easier. It's particularly impactful when using the marketing automation module, where creating multi-step workflows is made significantly easier through visual campaign builders.

But the learning curve for Agile CRM can vary depending on your familiarity with CRMs. There are lots of customization options, so you can tailor the interface to your specific needs. This includes the ability to create custom fields, modify layouts, and set up personalized dashboards with custom KPIs. But while these options enhance flexibility, they can also add complexity for users who are less technically inclined.

For accessibility, Agile CRM supports keyboard navigation and has readable font sizes. But, I didn't find any mentions of screen reader compatibility or advanced accessibility options in the documentation.

Onboarding and training resources are available, though they may not be as comprehensive as those offered by some larger providers. Agile CRM provides a knowledge base, video tutorials, and webinars to help users get started. However, I also found that the depth of these learning resources varies from one topic to another.

I like how Agile CRM aids in the learning process with context-sensitive help. As users navigate through different sections of the software, relevant help articles and tips are often displayed, providing guidance at the point of need. This can reduce the time spent searching for information, accelerating adoption.

Despite the positives, however, many users have reported that certain aspects of the software feel clunky or dated compared to more modern CRMs. Agile's attempt to pack a wide range of features into a single platform sometimes results in a less polished user experience.

Agile CRM integrations

Agile CRM offers solid integration capabilities, allowing users to connect the platform with a wide array of third-party applications and services. There are three ways you can do this: using pre-built connectors for various applications, through an iPaaS vendor like Zapier or Make, or by building custom integrations using the API.

Agile offers direct connections to popular business tools across various categories, including email services like Gmail and Microsoft 365, social media platforms such as Twitter and LinkedIn, and ecommerce solutions like Shopify and WooCommerce. These are quick to set up and easy to modify.

Agile CRM integrates with web tracking and form integration tools, which is great for improving customer engagement. You can also plug into various telephony services, including Twilio and RingCentral.

For users requiring connections beyond the native integrations, Agile CRM provides support for multiple iPaaS vendors. Through Zapier, users can connect Agile CRM to over 1,000 more SaaS applications, enabling complex automation workflows across multiple platforms. Support is also available for Make (Integromat) and Webhooks.

Agile CRM also offers an open API, which provides developers the ability to create custom integrations to extend the platform's functionality. API documentation appears comprehensive, allowing for deep integration with external systems and powerful custom widgets within the interface.

During my testing, I found that data syncing with third-party platforms was mostly reliable. Agile CRM supports real-time and scheduled syncing options for most integrations, allowing users to choose the most appropriate method for their needs.

But while Agile CRM's integration features are generally strong, I did notice some limitations. The depth of integration can vary significantly between different connected apps. Some integrations offer solid two-way synchronization, while others may be more limited in scope.

How good is Agile CRM support?

Agile CRM provides a varied approach to customer support, combining live assistance with self-service options. Email support is clearly the main live support channel. Plus, there's a strong self-service resource ecosystem to help new users get acclimated to the CRM.

Email support system is fairly responsive, although response times can differ. In my research, I found that most users claim to receive initial replies within 24 hours, which is acceptable but not outstanding in the industry. More complex issues often take longer to resolve, sometimes requiring several days of communication.

Phone support is also available, even if not easily accessible. Usual support hours are 09:00 am to 05:00 pm EST, with additional scheduling options also available. But the real problem is the availability of agents, which can make it difficult to get urgent assistance.

Agile CRM makes up for limited live support options with a strong self-service ecosystem. The knowledge base is comprehensive and well-organized, covering topics from basic setup to advanced features. Articles are generally clear, often enhanced with screenshots or step-by-step guides.

In addition to the knowledge base, Agile CRM provides video tutorials and webinars. These resources are especially helpful for users who prefer interactive learning. The tutorials cover various platform aspects, from initial setup to advanced features, offering a solid foundation for new users and a reference for experienced ones.

A community forum enables users to engage with each other, share experiences, and offer solutions to common problems. While evaluating Agile CRM, I observed active participation from both users and staff on the forum, which seems to serve as a feedback channel and a support resource.

User testimonials about support quality are mixed. Some users commend the helpfulness and patience of support staff, especially for complex issues. However, other testimonials indicate inconsistencies in support quality, with some users frustrated by response times or the depth of assistance.

Agile CRM pricing and plans

Plan

Free

Starter

Regular

Enterprise

Price

$0/user/month

$8.99/user/month

$39.99/user/month

$64.99/user/month

Best For

Individuals or very small teams just getting started with a CRM.

Small businesses looking for an affordable all-in-one CRM solution.

Growing businesses that need advanced marketing automation and customer support features.

Large enterprises requiring unlimited contacts, custom reporting, and dedicated support.

Features

Basic contact management

Deal tracking

Email campaigns

2-way email integration

Marketing automation

Helpdesk

Custom deal tracks

Advanced automation workflows

Social media monitoring

Unlimited contacts

Custom reporting

Dedicated account rep

Limitations

Limited to 1,000 contacts and 1 campaign workflow.

Caps at 10,000 contacts and 5 campaign workflows.

Supports up to 50,000 contacts and 10 campaign workflows.

Higher price point may not be suitable for smaller businesses.

Agile CRM employs a tiered subscription-based pricing model, offering four distinct plans to cater to businesses of varying sizes and needs. The pricing structure is designed to scale with the growth of a company, starting with a free plan and progressing through increasingly feature-rich paid tiers. Even so, navigating their pricing sheet requires drawing a sharp line between long-term annual contracts and standard month-to-month agreements, as skipping the annual commitment forces a steep price hike of up to 40% across all paid tiers.

At the base level, Agile CRM provides a remarkably robust Free tier that accommodates up to 10 users and 1,000 contacts. While it provides core utilities like contact databases, deal pipelines, lead scoring, and appointment scheduling link structures, it is heavily restricted behind the scenes. Free users are locked down to exactly one plugin integration and are barred from building automated, multi-step marketing campaign workflows.

The Starter plan, priced at $8.99 a user per month, marks the beginning of the paid offerings. It increases the contact limit to 10,000 and introduces additional features like two-way email integration, custom deal milestones, and social monitoring. This plan provides good value for small businesses looking to expand their CRM capabilities beyond basic contact management.

Moving up the ladder, the Regular plan is priced at $39.99 per user per month with annual billing. This tier supports up to 50,000 contacts and includes more advanced features such as marketing automation, custom deal tracks, and mobile marketing. The plan seems to strike a balance between functionality and cost, making it suitable for growing small to medium-sized businesses.

At the top end, the Enterprise plan is offered at $64.99 per user per month with annual billing. This plan provides unlimited contacts and access to the full suite of Agile CRM features, including call recording, custom reporting, and role-based access control. While the Enterprise plan is the most expensive, it offers the most comprehensive set of tools for businesses with complex CRM needs.

There’s a significant discount offered for annual billing across all paid plans. The savings range from 33% to 40% compared to monthly billing, which could be a substantial incentive for businesses to commit to longer-term subscriptions. Agile CRM also offers volume discounts for businesses requiring a large number of user licenses, though the exact terms of these discounts are not publicly disclosed.

As for trials, Agile CRM provides a 14-day free trial of their paid plans, allowing users to test the full feature set before making a purchase decision. This trial period, combined with the free plan, gives potential customers ample opportunity to evaluate the system's fit for their business needs.

How we tested Agile CRM

At TechRadar Pro, our business software evaluations are built on extensive, hands-on stress testing rather than just vendor feature lists. To truly understand Agile CRM’s balance of advanced automation and legacy interface design, our analysts subjected the platform to rigorous testing criteria that mirrored a real-world multi-channel marketing and sales drive.

Our CRM testing methodology is built on evaluating Agile’s advanced automation engine, auditing the platform’s connectivity options and integration functionality. We assessed the platform's UI layout across daily workflows and looked at Agile's support channels. And for every factor, we looked at how they performed across different pricing tiers - and whether we think users get value for money.

Agile CRM review: Final verdict

Agile CRM remains a highly compelling option for budget-conscious small to medium-sized businesses looking for heavy-duty functionality without a premium price tag. Its primary strengths lie in its exceptional affordability and strong scalability, offering a highly capable free tier for up to 10 users alongside intensely competitive paid plans. For a lower-tier CRM, it packs a surprisingly robust punch, featuring advanced tools like multi-step marketing automation and sales gamification that you normally have to pay a premium for elsewhere.

However, the platform's biggest bottleneck is its user experience. The interface is undeniably dated, sluggish, and clunky, which robs those powerful automation features of some of their appeal. Additionally, live support is notoriously limited, leaving you heavily reliant on their self-service knowledge base to navigate the UX hurdles.

Two years ago, Netflix dramatically let me down. As a massive anime fan, I tuned into the first season of their live-action Avatar: The Last Airbender remake and was horrifically disappointed within minutes. In fact, the most positive critique you could give it is that it was better than the live-action movies, which are widely considered to be garbage.

Why? The action was all there, but the heart of Aang's story wasn't. Spectacular VFX tried to cover up the hollow, mundane narrative underneath. In fact, to quote a fantastic jaw-dropping writer called Jasmine Valentine: "There’s little room to learn, with life-changing realizations made in a ridiculously short amount of time. If a tale can’t be paid its due diligence in a certain remit, should we even bother at all?"

In 2026, my excitement for Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 is non-existent. I've approached its seven-episode run with complete trepidation, honestly wondering if there is anything better that I could be covering this week. However — while a long way from being a masterpiece — the hit Netflix show has clearly been listening.

Now that all of the exhausting worldbuilding is out of the way (for the most part), fans can finally focus on the character relationships that they want to invest in. There's a lot of tenderness and vulnerability on display, which is the most fulfilling part of our cast having grown up so much between seasons.

But there's still something obvious that's really bothering me... and it comes back to Netflix's "cookie-cutter" mold that none of its programs can escape.

Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 has finally learned its lesson about the importance of heart

Read it and weep (for joy), kids — Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 actually has heart. If we're being honest, nobody had to put any effort into achieving this, with the mere fact that the lore of the Four Nations is fully established meaning there's now room for bigger, better things.

A mature Aang (Gordon Cormier) now straddles his inner struggles of legacy and constant imposter syndrome even more effectively, with the likes of Katara (Kiawentiio), Sokka (Ian Ousley), and Suki (Maria Zhang) now all settled into their selves, wants and needs.

If anything, Zuko (Dallas Liu) is going through it the most. After deserting his family and retreating into hiding at the end of season 1, we've got a lot more sympathy with him this time around as he grapples with his supposed destiny of capturing Aang for the Fire Nation's glory. Unlike Lord Ozai (Daniel Dae Kim), he's no longer a villain, but a victim.

The standout character of season 2 is easily Toph (Miya Cech), who has finally been introduced after not appearing in season 2. Coming from a complicated family background that routinely dismisses her Earthbending, she comes into her own sassy self after teaming up with Aang to teach him the next element.

Collectively, the team is now firing on all cylinders, and it's nothing short of a joy to watch. Now we understand who they are and what the bigger picture looks like; intimacy, fun, and genuinely satisfying friendships are now flourishing. The jokes land, the serious moments stab you in the heart, and whimsy is flying around like Appa the sky bison.

Netflix makes season 2 look exactly like The Witcher — just with different lore

(Image credit: Netflix)

Everything else in Avatar: The Last Airbender season 2 feels like more of the same — and that's a huge problem when it comes to the visuals. Broadly speaking, the Four Nations are jaw-droppingly gorgeous, and the detail that the creative team has packed into the landscapes is nothing short of impressive.

The immediate VFX, such as the bending that our characters use, leave a lot to be desired. It's obviously not a usual thing for people to have fire and water shooting out of their hands, so we're suspending a great deal of belief anyway... but being in the moment doesn't help when seeing it happen looks so fake.

This lumps season 2 into the same visually poor category as The Witcher, which is another comparison I made during season 1's debut. Cover the faces of the actors, stick them in the woods for a combat scene, and you'd be hard-pressed to tell the shows apart. Netflix is determined to make all of its genre programs look exactly like one another, and I'm baffled as to why.

Then there's the ultimate ending, which we already know without including spoilers. Much like other long-running anime series like One Piece (with its Netflix adaptation also guilty of this), we've known about the final endgame from its first five minutes. Here, it's for Aang to learn his bending skills, become all-powerful, and defeat Lord Ozai and the Fire Nation.

With a third series already confirmed, this is being drawn out for as long as humanly possible. It was obvious that none of the above was going to be achieved by the time season 2 wrapped up, so we've made little substantial progress from when Aang's goal was first introduced.

For me, the constant theme of "Oh no! Danger is on the horizon, and the Fire Nation must be stopped" is going to wear thin quickly. I'd really like to see season 3 mix things up, but I'm guessing that it won't.

Did I enjoy seeing Aang and the gang in 2026 more than in 2024? Absolutely. Has it renewed my interest in seeing them again at the end of 2027 (season 3's assumed release window)? Far from it.

Light spoilers follow for Supergirl.

Supergirl marks the eponymous character's return to the limelight after 42 years. Okay, the DC superhero has starred and/or appeared in numerous TV shows and small-screen movies in the decades since; however, her only previous big-screen outing came in the form of the much-maligned 1984 Supergirl film featuring Helen Slater, so another cinematic adventure is long overdue.

Unfortunately, as incredibly excited as I've been for the second DC Universe (DCU) flick's arrival, it gives me no satisfaction to say that Kara Zor-El's latest silver-screen project is DC Studios' first misfire. It's not terrible by any means, but I left my screening with a tangible pang of what could have been if the movie had actually done right by its source material.

Kara, Krypto, Krypton, and Krem

Supergirl's latest film is based on a very specific comic-book story (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

Following her scene-stealing cameo in 2025's David Corenswet-led Superman movie, Supergirl reunites us with Kara (Milly Alcock) and her superpowered pup Krypto as they embark on an interstellar bar crawl to celebrate Kara's 23rd birthday, which Kara simultaneously uses to try and forget the destruction of her and Supes' home world Krypton by getting blackout drunk.

However, it isn't long before last orders are called. Indeed, when the sadistic Krem of the Yellow Hills (Matthias Schoenaerts) and his criminal gang — aka The Brigands — murder the family of a young woman named Ruthye (Eve Ridley) on her home planet, the latter tracks down Kara to help Ruthye get her revenge.

Supergirl doesn't soar to the heady heights that its main character can reach with ease

Initially reluctant to help, Kara changes her mind when Krem not only steals her spaceship, but also critically injures Krypto with a poisoned dart. With only 72 hours to find Krem and retrieve the antidote that'll save her dog's life, Kara and Ruthye set off on a character-defining journey that's as much a sci-fi adventure and space western as it is a superhero movie.

Kara and Krem only occasionally clash throughout Supergirl's 108-minute runtime (Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios)

Tonally, Supergirl takes as much inspiration from genre films like True Grit, Mad Max, and Guardians of the Galaxy as it does from Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow, aka the 2021 graphic novel that this movie is based on.

The occasionally egregious editing of some set-pieces doesn't do justice to Supergirl's fight choreography

Those comparisons aren't a negative but, while Supergirl's grimy, washed-out aesthetic might seem like a good fit for its modern pulp plot, I yearned for the vibrant, eye-popping color palette and visual flair of its comic-book inspiration, which last year's Superman film had in spades.

On the action front, Supergirl expands on the set-pieces spread across Woman of Tomorrow's pages, while adding a couple of new ones to the mix.

Some Supergirl flight sequences look better than others (Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios)

And, honestly, I had no problem with the inclusion of these new sequences, nor the creative liberties taken with pre-existing ones. The Woman of Tomorrow comic book is a slow-burning, pensive read that's lightly seasoned with thrilling, high-stakes action, so I fully understand why its film adaptation dials up the spectacle.

That said, the occasionally egregious editing of some set-pieces doesn't do justice to Supergirl's fight choreography.

Spoilers notwithstanding, at the start of the film's climactic battle, I counted at least 20 quick-fire cuts across what must have been a 40-second period. That's far, far too many and, while it isn't the only example I could give where jump-cuts make it difficult to follow the action, I wouldn't be shocked if, once Supergirl has fully launched worldwide by June 26, fans have plenty of negative things to say about this specific sequence.

Woman of Tomorrow, problems for today

Supergirl isn't a 1:1 translation of Tom King and Bilquis Eveley's Woman of Tomorrow comic book series (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

That's far from my only issue with Supergirl — and a lot of my grievances stem from the crucial fact that it dismisses aspects of what makes Woman of Tomorrow such a great read.

When its second trailer arrived in April, I expressed concern that Supergirl wouldn't be the comic book movie adaptation I was hoping for. Two months later, Supergirl's final trailer did little to assuage those fears. Nevertheless, I clung to the hope that my worries would be unfounded once I saw the full film.

Supergirl reinterprets its source material for the worse

Color me disappointed, then, that the DCU Chapter One flick reinterprets its source material for the worse.

For starters — and this might sound baffling to some — Supergirl tells its story from Kara's perspective. I know, how blasphemous of it to focus on its titular protagonist.

But hear me out. One of the comic book's biggest strengths is that Ruthye is our point-of-view character, so we witness Kara's heroic actions through the eyes of her young ally. To re-use True Grit to illustrate my point: in the 2010 western, we see events through teenager Mattie's eyes, not her world-weary and flawed albeit honorable chaperone Rooster Cogburn. To me, there's no reason why Supergirl couldn't have done likewise, especially when there's already a precedent for it in Woman of Tomorrow.

Kara and Ruthye's relationship isn't fully explored in Supergirl (Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios)

Supergirl similarly squanders another of its best elements by regularly neglecting Kara and Ruthye's complex dynamic

Supergirl similarly squanders another of its best elements by regularly neglecting Kara and Ruthye's complex dynamic.

Again, I appreciate that this is a movie about the eponymous Kryptonian, but the original Woman of Tomorrow story works so well because it's a two-hander. Apart from giving Ridley's Ruthye a belated chance to shine as the film's third act begins, Supergirl relegates her to the sidelines; and, in what I consider to be a huge misstep, doesn't examine the full extent of the complicated yet sincere relationship that exists between her and Kara in Tom King and Bilquis Eveley's comic-book series.

Considering that Supergirl clocks in at a breezy one hour and 48 minutes, there's really no excuse why this team-up wasn't explored more acutely. To me, a few more scenes based around more intimate character moments from Woman of Tomorrow would have gone a long way to fixing this without impacting the film's flow.

Supergirl satisfyingly expands on the titular hero's backstory that's outlined in Woman of Tomorrow (Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures/DC Studios)

To give credit where it's due, Supergirl is at times as emotionally engaging, if not more so, than its literary influence — and that's mainly down to Alcock's poignantly potent performance.

Last September, in comments that could have been viewed as being exceedingly biased, DC Studios co-chief James Gunn said Alcock's take on Kara was "absolutely stunning" — and he's absolutely right.

Alcock captures the morally complex, sassy, and traumatized metahuman with the right amount of poise, petulance, and emotional precision

Whether it's her juggling of Kara's conflicting emotions in the present, or scenes depicting Kara's tragic backstory that act as well-placed storytelling touchstones peppered throughout, Alcock captures the morally complex, sassy, and traumatized metahuman with the right amount of poise, petulance, and emotional precision. Suffice it to say, I can't wait to see how her fellow superpowered beings deal with her punk rock attitude in 2027 Superman sequel Man of Tomorrow.

Jason Momoa has the time of his life playing Lobo in this DCU project (Image credit: DC Studios/Warner Bros. Pictures)

As for the film's supporting cast, Jason Momoa is arguably the standout as the immortal, interstellar mercenary Lobo.

Ridley does well with the screen time she's afforded, while Corenswet repays Alcock for her cameo in last year's DCU big-screen curtain-raiser with a couple of memorable appearances of his own. However, it's Momoa — a self-confessed Lobo superfan — who shines brightest in a role that's an integral part of Supergirl's story, and which allows him to play to his obvious acting strengths.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said of Krem. Schoenaerts is fine as the movie's central antagonist, but I'm simply not a fan of the changes — physical or otherwise — made to turn him into a disappointing, one-note villain. A bit more substance and — you know, giving us the Krem portrayed in Woman of Tomorrow — would have gone a long way to keeping me onside.

My verdict

Taken at face value, Supergirl is a pretty good film. Its heartfelt story, good-to-great cast performances, occasionally funny moments, applause-worthy practical effects, and tentpole action sequences will appeal to anyone who simply wants to be entertained by a traditional superhero flick.

However, those hoping for a more accurate adaptation of its literary works, and/or looking for a different kind of comic book movie, will likely deem it a somewhat underwhelming watch — especially if their expectations were sky-high like mine. I really wanted to like this film more than I did; but, ultimately, it doesn't soar to the heady heights that its main character can reach with ease.

Oura Ring 5: Two minute review

I've been going around in circles writing this Oura Ring 5 review. On the one hand, I find the health insights equally fascinating and motivating just like the best smart rings, and its discreet design is without a doubt comfortable to wear all day long.

But it's worth noting that Oura has been facing increasing backlash after deepening its partnership with the Department of Defense in the US last year, which is something ethically-conscious buyers may want to look into before purchasing.

That said, its ability to track more than 50 health and wellness metrics, such as sleep quality and stress levels, is undeniably enticing for anyone wanting to be more aware of their body — and the launch of this newest model brought a whole host of new insights.

What I will say is that the Oura app does try to include a lot of context about how these measurements can be interpreted and how they contribute to‚ for example, determining how prepared your body is for the day ahead based on a range of metrics, which Oura calls your 'Resilience Score'. But, again, this only scratches the surface of understanding how your body actually functions.

The best example of these assessments triggering misguided concern was when I got warnings from a feature called 'Symptom Radar', which tracks your respiratory rate and body temperature to flag signs of strain. What it didn't take into account was that a woman's body temperature naturally rises after ovulation, making its assessment unnecessarily worrying for anyone who didn't know that.

I can't deny that its claim to be the world's smallest smart ring at launch really does hold up — its lightness makes it disappear on your finger, making it ideal for everyday wear. With six stylish finishes and an even more scratch-resistant titanium surface, it's no wonder it's made headlines in the wearable tech space, with plenty of influencer reviewers fawning over the all-new Oura Ring 5.

By now you've definitely noticed my to-ing and fro-ing as I work through every side of the Oura Ring 5 to reach an honest and fair review. I won't say it's the most perfect smart ring on the market — that would be ignoring too much — but I will say it comes close. I can't argue with its premium build and the level of tech packed into those tiny sensors, which manage to achieve high levels of accuracy. That's impressive in itself, and

Oura has been facing increasing backlash after deepening its partnership with the Department of Defense in the US last year, although it doesn't use data from any of its users other than specific military personnel as part of this arrangement. It's also worth keeping in mind that there have been studies raising concerns about 'health data anxiety', and Oura's attempt to bring new biomarkers into play have given us a whole new category to worry about. But at the end of the day, I'm a sucker for brilliant tech — which the Oura Ring 5 definitely is.

Oura Ring 5: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• $399 / £399 / AU$649 (each) for two base finishes
• $499 / £499 / AU$799 (each) for four premium styles
• $5.99 monthly subscription (priced in USD across all regions)
• $99 / £99 / AU$159 for the Oura Ring 5 travel case

The Oura Ring 5 costs an extra $50 / £50 / AU$80 — or $100 / £100 for a premium finish — compared with the Oura Ring 4, which launched in 2024. (Australian pricing doesn't appear to carry the same premium finish gap.)

Beyond the high-gloss gold and silver finishes, you're paying an extra $100 / £100 / AU$150 for any of the four premium styles: a softer gold, brushed silver, matte black, and — the color I tried — deep copper rose.

Add the $5.99 monthly subscription, and you're looking at up to $670 / £670 / AU$1,029.88 to own an Oura Ring 5 for a year, if you go for the most expensive finish plus the travel case.

That's no small sum when most smart rings on the market cost less and many don't require a recurring subscription. There are also plenty of wearable alternatives that track the same health vitals, which makes this very much a luxury purchase.

• Value score: 2/5

Oura Ring 5: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• The closest a smart ring has come to looking like luxury jewellery
• Extremely low-profile and light, making it comfortable to wear all day
• An easy-to-use companion app with a clean UI

By far the best justification for the Oura Ring 5's high price tag is that it could easily pass for a piece of jewellery. That's largely down to a 40% decrease in size from the previous model, the result of Oura redesigning the entire core.

That freed up space to drop multiple sensors, but it hasn't made the Ring 5 any less accurate — Oura has increased the efficiency of the remaining sensors to offset the loss. The titanium surface is also more scratch-resistant; I can't compare it directly to a previous model, but it hasn't picked up a nick yet.

What I can say is that the Oura Ring 5 is significantly smaller than the Ring 4. Holding it up against a previous-generation ring (admittedly the bulkier ceramic finish), I was shocked at how noticeable the size difference is. It's lighter and far more comfortable to wear, since it doesn't protrude — and therefore doesn't rub against — my finger as much.

That same design ethos carries through to the Oura app, which has a minimalist interface that isn't cluttered with numbers and graphs. Instead, data is presented as scores with percentages and ratings for each health vital. It's easy to use, though it's worth noting that the app needs a certain amount of data to establish your health baseline, so you won't have access to every feature right away.

• Design score: 5/5

Oura Ring 5: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• Tracks vitals including body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate
• AI wellness assessments for sleep, stress, resilience, and more
• Activity tracking lags behind more dedicated fitness wearables

After two weeks of wearing the Oura Ring 5, I've unlocked most features — sleep, resilience, and activity scores — which now populate what was once a fairly bare home screen.

The Oura app works best with more data, so it's constantly prompting you to add new "tags" to your day's timeline. Some are automatic, like detecting exercise, while others — what you ate, or what kind of activity you did — require manual logging.

The app's other three main sections cover your vitals, a health assessment area, and an LLM chatbot you can talk to about your data. That last part matters, because as I mentioned above, there's plenty of room for misleading interpretations if you don't understand the many factors behind your body's vitals.

I got a lot out of learning more about my sleep quality and general heart health (the app has a neat feature that lets you feel your heartbeat throughout the day via your phone's haptic feedback), but what I'm most interested in unlocking next are the new women's health features, such as Hormonal Birth Control, which builds on the existing Cycle Insights dashboard with what Oura calls a "first-of-its-kind" view into how biometrics shift across hormonal and hormone-free days.

While I find the wellness insights genuinely useful, the ring is nowhere near as practical as a dedicated fitness tracker. Without GPS — it relies on a paired device for location — and limited to activities compatible with wearing jewellery on your hand (so no weightlifting without a third-party silicone band over the top), it falls short, even with the addition of real-time tracking — which, again, you can only view through a paired device).

• Features score: 4/5

Oura Ring 5: Performance

(Image credit: Future)

• Battery life has increased to seven days
• Automatic activity tracking has been accurate
• Sleep and heart rate tracking data is in line with our benchmark device

One of the biggest improvements that the Oura Ring 5 brings over the Ring 4 is that has managed to squeeze out a whole extra day of battery life, despite the ring itself being redesigned to be 40% smaller.

During my testing, I found it lasted a whole seven days on one full charge. But I was more impressed with was how quickly you can charge the smart ring. From a fully drained battery, it took less than an hour until it was all way back up to 100%, which means it's very easy to top it up throughout the week whenever you're, say, washing dishes or having a shower.

For the most part, I kept the Oura Ring 5 on throughout the day, allowing it to track my vitals as I moved from home to work to seeing friends, exercising and cooking, which it does very well. Most of the automated tracking suggestions were accurate, allowing me to quickly confirm all of the day's activities when I next checked into the app.

This same accuracy extends to the sleep data, which is the absolute highlight of the Oura Ring 5's feature set. I found the insights both enlightening and motivating, especially after getting my first sleep score as (like any gamification effect) I began trying to reach a new higher level. My testing also confirmed this when my readouts for my average heart rate managed to be within 3 BPM of the Polar H10 chest strap, which is the gold standard for consumer heart rate and workout accuracy as it uses actual ECG (electrocardiogram) technology.

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color: #374151 !important; text-align: center !important; font-style: normal !important; font-weight: normal !important; line-height: 1.7 !important; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important; display: block !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-chart { display: flex; flex-direction: column; width: 100%; margin-top: 1rem; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-header { display: flex; justify-content: space-between; align-items: center; margin-bottom: 1.5rem; padding: 0 1rem; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-select-wrapper { flex: 1; min-width: 0; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-left { text-align: center; padding-right: 1rem; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-right { text-align: center; padding-left: 1rem; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-select-container { position: relative; display: inline-block; max-width: 100%; width: 100%; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-chevron { position: absolute; top: 50%; transform: translateY(-50%); pointer-events: none; width: 16px; height: 16px; flex-shrink: 0; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-left .fv-versus-chevron { right: 0; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-select-wrapper.fv-right .fv-versus-chevron { right: 0; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-select { background: transparent; border: none; border-bottom: 2px solid; font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; padding: 0.25rem 0; cursor: pointer; outline: none; appearance: none; -webkit-appearance: none; -moz-appearance: none; max-width: 100%; width: 100%; text-overflow: ellipsis; overflow: hidden; white-space: nowrap; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-select.fv-select-left { text-align: center; direction: ltr; padding-right: 1.25rem; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-select.fv-select-right { text-align: center; padding-right: 1.25rem; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-select option { font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-weight: 400; font-size: 14px; color: #374151; direction: ltr; text-align: left; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-vs { font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; color: #374151; letter-spacing: 0.1em; padding: 0 1rem; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-body { display: flex; flex-direction: column; gap: 1.5rem; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-row { position: relative; height: auto; padding-top: 20px; margin-bottom: 0.25rem; display: block; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-bar-container { position: relative; height: 32px; display: flex; align-items: center; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-bar-left-wrapper { flex: 1; height: 100%; display: flex; justify-content: flex-end; align-items: center; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-bar-right-wrapper { flex: 1; height: 100%; display: flex; justify-content: flex-start; align-items: center; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-bar { height: 32px; width: var(--target-width); transition: width 0.8s ease-out; animation: fv-grow-max-width 0.8s ease-out forwards; display: flex; align-items: center; overflow: hidden; color: #ffffff; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-bar-left { border-radius: 4px 0 0 4px; justify-content: flex-end; padding: 0 8px; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-bar-right { border-radius: 0 4px 4px 0; justify-content: flex-start; padding: 0 8px; }@keyframes fv-grow-max-width {from { max-width: 0; }to { max-width: 100%; }}#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-center-line { position: absolute; left: 50%; top: 0; bottom: 0; width: 4px; background-color: #ffffff; transform: translateX(-50%); z-index: 1; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-inside-left { white-space: nowrap; flex-shrink: 0; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-inside-right { white-space: nowrap; flex-shrink: 0; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-val-text { font-family: 'Poppins', sans-serif; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-pct-diff { font-size: 12px; font-weight: 600; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-versus-label { position: absolute; left: 50%; transform: translateX(-50%); top: 0; background-color: transparent; border: none; box-shadow: none; padding: 0; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif; font-weight: 700; font-size: 14px; color: #374151; white-space: nowrap; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .sr-only { position: absolute !important; width: 1px !important; height: 1px !important; padding: 0 !important; margin: -1px !important; overflow: hidden !important; clip: rect(0,0,0,0) !important; white-space: nowrap !important; border: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-bottom-bar { display: flex !important; flex-direction: column !important; align-items: center !important; margin-top: 0.5rem !important; gap: 1rem !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-footer-content { text-align: center !important; width: 100% !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-logo {display: block !important;margin: 0 auto !important;width: 120px !important;min-width: 120px !important;max-width: 120px !important;height: auto !important;object-fit: contain !important;flex-shrink: 0 !important;}#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-dropdown-wrapper { text-align: center !important; margin-bottom: 16px !important; margin-top: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-dropdown-title-container { position: relative !important; display: inline-block !important; max-width: 100% !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-dropdown-title {appearance: none !important;-webkit-appearance: none !important;-moz-appearance: none !important;background: transparent !important;border: none !important;font-size: 18px !important;font-weight: 600 !important;color: var(--riv-primary) !important;padding-right: 28px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;cursor: pointer !important;text-align: center !important;text-align-last: center !important;width: auto !important;max-width: 100% !important;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important;line-height: 1.3 !important;margin: 0 !important;text-overflow: ellipsis !important;overflow: hidden !important;white-space: nowrap !important;}#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-dropdown-title:focus { outline: none !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-dropdown-title::-ms-expand { display: none !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-dropdown-chevron {position: absolute !important;right: 0 !important;top: 50% !important;transform: translateY(-50%) !important;pointer-events: none !important;color: var(--riv-primary) !important;display: flex !important;align-items: center !important;}#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-carousel-title-controls { display: flex !important; justify-content: space-between !important; align-items: center !important; margin-bottom: 16px !important; width: 100% !important; gap: 12px !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-carousel-nav-btn {background: transparent !important; border: 1px solid #d1d5db !important; border-radius: 6px !important; padding: 6px 10px !important;cursor: pointer !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; gap: 4px !important; font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important;}#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-carousel-nav-btn:hover { border-color: #9ca3af !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-carousel-counter { font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; text-align: center !important; margin-top: 1rem !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-legend { display: flex !important; justify-content: center !important; flex-wrap: wrap !important; gap: 8px 16px !important; margin: 0 !important; padding: 0 !important; margin-top: 1rem !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-legend-item { display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; gap: 6px !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-legend-color { width: 12px !important; height: 12px !important; border-radius: 3px !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-multi-value-legend {display: flex !important;justify-content: center !important;flex-wrap: wrap !important;gap: 12px 24px !important;margin-bottom: 1.5rem !important;padding: 0 !important;}#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-multi-legend-item { display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; gap: 8px !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; font-weight: 500 !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-multi-legend-swatch { width: 16px !important; height: 16px !important; border-radius: 3px !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-benchmark-group { margin-bottom: 1rem !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-benchmark-title {font-size: 18px !important; font-weight: 600 !important; margin-bottom: 16px !important; margin-top: 0 !important; padding: 0 !important;text-align: center !important; color: var(--riv-primary) !important; flex: 1 !important; min-width: 0 !important;font-family: 'Open Sans', sans-serif !important; line-height: 1.3 !important;text-transform: none !important;white-space: normal !important;overflow-wrap: break-word !important;word-wrap: break-word !important;max-width: 100% !important;}#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-bar-row, #fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-stacked-product { display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; width: 100% !important; margin-bottom: 0.75rem !important; position: relative !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-bar-label { width: 150px !important; flex-shrink: 0 !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; padding-right: 10px !important; text-align: right !important; font-weight: 500 !important; display: block !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-bar-container { flex-grow: 1 !important; background-color: #E5E7EB !important; border-radius: 4px !important; min-height: 25px !important; border: 1px solid #D1D5DB !important; position: relative !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-bar-commentary-inline { display: none !important; position: absolute !important; left: 150px !important; top: 0 !important; bottom: 0 !important; right: 0 !important; width: calc(100% - 150px) !important; margin: 0 !important; padding: 0 8px !important; font-size: 13px !important; color: #fff !important; background: rgba(0,0,0,0.8) !important; border-radius: 4px !important; line-height: 1.4 !important; font-weight: normal !important; text-transform: none !important; word-wrap: break-word !important; z-index: 10 !important; align-items: center !important; overflow-y: auto !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y.preview-wrapper .fv-bar-row:hover .fv-bar-commentary-inline, #fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y.preview-wrapper .fv-bar-commentary-inline:focus, #fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y.preview-wrapper .fv-bar-commentary-inline:focus-within, #fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y.mobile-view .fv-bar-row:hover .fv-bar-commentary-inline, #fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y.mobile-view .fv-bar-commentary-inline:focus, #fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y.mobile-view .fv-bar-commentary-inline:focus-within { display: flex !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-bar { height: 100% !important; border-radius: 3px !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; transition: opacity 0.2s ease, width 0.8s ease-out !important; min-height: 23px !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-bar:hover { opacity: 0.8 !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-bar-inner-content { display: flex !important; justify-content: space-between !important; align-items: center !important; width: 100% !important; height: 100% !important; padding: 0 8px !important; font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: bold !important; overflow: hidden !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-bar-inner-label { white-space: nowrap !important; overflow: hidden !important; text-overflow: ellipsis !important; padding-right: 8px !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-bar-inner-value { flex-shrink: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-bar-value-outside { padding-left: 8px !important; font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: bold !important; color: #374151 !important; white-space: nowrap !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-bar-label.fv-primary-product { font-weight: bold !important; color: var(--riv-primary) !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-multi-bar-container { flex-direction: column !important; padding: 4px !important; align-items: stretch !important; gap: 4px !important; height: auto !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-multi-bar-item { display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; height: 25px !important; width: 100% !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-stacked-bar { display: flex !important; overflow: hidden !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-stacked-segment { height: 100% !important; display: flex !important; align-items: center !important; justify-content: flex-end !important; padding-right: 8px !important; border-right: 1px solid rgba(255,255,255,0.3) !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-stacked-segment:last-child { border-right: none !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-segment-value { font-size: 14px !important; font-weight: bold !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-grouped-bar-product { display: flex !important; flex-direction: column !important; width: 100% !important; margin-bottom: 1.25rem !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-grouped-product-title-wrapper { padding-left: 150px !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-grouped-product-title { width: 100% !important; text-align: left !important; padding-right: 0 !important; margin-bottom: 0.5rem !important; font-weight: 700 !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; text-transform: none !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-bar-cluster { width: 100% !important; flex-grow: 1 !important; display: flex !important; flex-direction: column !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-bar-cluster .fv-bar-row { margin-bottom: 3px !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-bar-cluster .fv-bar-container { height: 20px !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .riv-grid line {stroke: #D1D5DB !important;stroke-dasharray: 3 3 !important;}#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-x-axis-wrapper { display: flex !important; width: 100% !important; margin-top: 0.5rem !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-x-axis-label-space { width: 150px !important; padding-right: 10px !important; flex-shrink: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-x-axis-chart-space { flex-grow: 1 !important; padding-right: 8px !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-x-axis-wrapper.fv-grouped-x-axis { margin-left: 0 !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-x-axis-line { border-top: 1px solid #D1D5DB !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-x-axis-ticks { display: flex !important; justify-content: space-between !important; padding-top: 4px !important; font-size: 13px !important; color: #374151 !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-x-axis-ticks span { position: relative !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-x-axis-ticks span::before { content: '' !important; position: absolute !important; top: -6px !important; left: 50% !important; transform: translateX(-50%) !important; width: 2px !important; height: 4px !important; background-color: #D1D5DB !important; border-radius: 1px !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-x-axis-unit { text-align: center !important; font-size: 14px !important; color: #374151 !important; margin-top: 8px !important; display: block !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-x-axis-title { text-align: center !important; font-size: 15px !important; color: #374151 !important; margin-top: 8px !important; margin-bottom: 16px !important; line-height: 1.5 !important; padding: 0 1rem !important; display: block !important; font-weight: bold !important; }#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y .fv-y-axis-title {font-size: 15px !important;color: #374151 !important;line-height: 1.5 !important;text-align: left !important;padding-left: 5.83% !important;margin-bottom: 4px !important;display: block !important;font-weight: bold !important;}#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y.mobile-view .fv-pie-container,#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y.labels-on-top .fv-pie-container {flex-direction: column !important; gap: 1rem !important;}#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y.mobile-view .fv-grouped-product-title-wrapper,#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y.labels-on-top .fv-grouped-product-title-wrapper {padding-left: 0 !important;}#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y.mobile-view .fv-bar-row,#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y.mobile-view .fv-stacked-product,#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y.mobile-view .fv-grouped-bar-product,#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y.labels-on-top .fv-bar-row,#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y.labels-on-top .fv-stacked-product,#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y.labels-on-top .fv-grouped-bar-product {flex-direction: column !important; align-items: flex-start !important; margin-bottom: 1.25rem !important;}#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y.mobile-view .fv-bar-label:not(.fv-grouped-product-title),#fv-chart-1782232373550-lbuegnd1y.labels-on-top .fv-bar-label:not(.fv-grouped-product-title) {width: 100% !important; text-align: left !important; padding-right: 0 !important; margin-bottom: 0.25rem !important; 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• Performance score: 5/5

Oura Ring 5: Scorecard

Category

Comment

Score

Value

An extremely luxury smart ring compared to others on the market.

2/5

Design

The most discreet and comfortable smart ring to wear all day.

5/5

Features

Stacked on the wellness front, but not when it comes to fitness.

4/5

Performance

A whole week's worth of battery, with accurate sleep tracking.

5/5

Oura Ring 5: Should I buy?

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

You want wellness tracking
From stress to sleep, you can turn your health vital's raw data into useful insights.

You want a smart ring that looks like jewellery
The smart ring manages to be stylish, small and light, and comfortable.

Don't buy it if...

You don't want to spend more than you need to
You can find smart ring alternatives that deliver the same benefits for a lot less.

You want a fitness tracking wearable
There are far more feature-rich fitness trackers available at a more affordable price.

Also consider

Component

Oura Ring 5

Samsung Galaxy Ring

Price

From $399 / £399 / AU$649

$399 / £399 / AU$699

Colors

Gold, Silver, Brushed Silver, Premium Gold, Stealth Black, Rose Gold

Black, Titanium Gold, Titanium Silver

Material

Titanium

Titanium

Weight

Between 2 (size 6) and 2.6g (size 13)

2.3g (size 5) 3.0g (size 13)

Battery life

Up to 7 days

Up to 7 days (ring), up to 6 charges (cradle)

Connectivity

Bluetooth 6.0

Bluetooth 5.4

Sensor array

Updated Smart Sensing array

PPG, accelerometer, skin temperature

Water resistance

IP68

IP68

GPS?

No

No

How I tested

I wore the Oura Ring 5 for two weeks, draining the battery completely (despite the app advising against letting it go below 30%). I have some gaps in my data from forgetting to put it back on, but I mostly didn't take it off. I tested the ring's heart rate monitoring accuracy against the Polar H10 chest strap, and compared its design to a ceramic Oura Ring 4.

With protagonist Fox McCloud appearing in a surprise cameo in the recent Super Mario Galaxy Movie, it’s clear that Nintendo wants to bring its niche on-rail space shooter series to a wider audience. To that end, this new Star Fox makes a lot of sense. It’s a remake of the 1997 title Star Fox 64, which is beloved by fans and a good starting point if you’ve never played one of the games before.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: Nintendo Switch 2
Release date: June 25, 2026

The problem for me is that this is far from the first time that Nintendo has brought Star Fox 64 back. I grew up with the Nintendo 3DS, and experienced it as Star Fox 64 3D. This was followed by some hands-on time with the Wii U reimagining Star Fox Zero, and then finally a playthrough of the original release when it came to Nintendo Switch via Nintendo Switch Online.

Every single mainline Star Fox game that’s come out since I was about eight years old has been a version of Star Fox 64, and now, as an adult, I’m getting yet another one in Star Fox for Nintendo Switch 2.

I really wish the gaming giant had been a little bolder with this release, adding even just a smidge of new gameplay to freshen up the old campaign. Still, Star Fox 64 is a cult classic for a reason, and thanks to its strong base, this remake is still plenty of fun to play through for what is, hopefully, one last time

Into the Lylat Wars

(Image credit: Nintendo)

The premise is simple, if a little unconventional. You’re a dashing fox in a universe populated by anthropomorphic animals where civilization has managed to crack space colonization despite an apparent lack of opposable thumbs.

Rather than rooting through sci-fi bins, you’re the leader of a mercenary squad (staffed by you, the bird-like Falco, the lagomorphic Peppy, and slimy Slippy toad) that lends its services to the highest bidder — in this case an intergalactic army that’s waging war against the evil scientist dictator Andross.

Fully voiced and animated cutscenes to convey all this information are one of this remake’s biggest new additions, and they feel like a natural inclusion. They’re not super long or expansive by any means, but all flow well and are decently acted throughout even if there are a few moments where the animation can look a bit cheap.

They provide some much-needed downtime in between each of the levels, which are hectic, high-score challenges that see you steering your ship, the Arwing, through intense battles. The action unfurls in a largely on-rails format, but that doesn't mean that this isn’t a degree of strategy to it.

(Image credit: Nintendo)

You can swerve all across the screen, hitting barrel rolls to deflect incoming fire and blasting your laser canons. Your craft very much exists in a 3D space, so enemies often come up behind you, requiring evasive maneuvers like somersaults or hitting the brakes.

There's a boost too, which, deployed at the right time, can see you zooming under falling debris or through closing gaps — often picking up a power-up or two in the process. It’s all remarkably smooth to control, and sections where you pilot other vehicles keep the stages feeling fresh.

Each campaign is extremely short, taking just over an hour to complete, and has you working your way through a map of the galaxy littered with 16 unique planets.

Best bit

(Image credit: Nintendo)

The challenge mode lets you replay all of the levels from the campaign but with some new tricky objectives. These reward you with unlocks like profile badges and lore to read, and I can already see it being a huge hit with completionists.

You can’t visit all of them in one playthrough, which, alongside the two main story paths, gives you plenty of reasons to replay it at least a couple of times. That said even when you bear that in mind, the experience is still pretty fleeting and doesn’t feel befitting of the $49.99 / £41.99 / AU$84.95 digital (or $59.99 / £44.99 / AU$99.95 physical) asking price.

This is especially true if you’ve played all the other versions of Star Fox 64, as you’re basically just paying for a new, admittedly quite pretty, coat of paint.

There is thankfully a new battle mode to try out, and it’s pretty good on the whole. It’s in an online 4v4 player versus player (PvP) format, with one team playing as the Star Fox squad and the other cast as their rivals Star Wolf. Each of the three maps has its own associated game mode, ranging from simple control point capture to fighting to drag limited space cargo back to base.

I’ve had a great time with it so far, though I can imagine that online populations will quickly dwindle given the small map pool. Hopefully a post-launch update will add some more.

Should I play Star Fox?Play it if...

You’ve never tried Star Fox 64
If you’ve never experienced Star Fox 64 before, then Star Fox is the best version that’s readily available right now. The updated graphics are pleasant, and it feels fantastic to control.

You find it on sale
My main issue with Star Fox is its high asking price. If you can find it heavily discounted, then it’s well worth picking up.

Don't play it if...

You’re sick of the Nintendo 64 game
If you’ve played the previous Star Fox 64 remakes, then I would recommend skipping Star Fox. It looks pleasant, sure, but it really doesn't add much new beyond its cutscenes.

Accessibility features

As with most first-party Nintendo releases, the accessibility features here are thin. Subtitles are used throughout the game, though their appearance cannot be customized. You can invert the axis of the control scheme and disable features like controller rumble, but that’s basically it.

How I reviewed Star Fox

I played Star Fox on Nintendo Switch 2 for roughly eight hours, experiencing all of its major campaign routes, unlocking every planet, and trying out challenge mode.

I also dived into its multiplayer offering, using my earlier hands-on experience with other players when trying it at Nintendo HQ and testing matches against bots. I mainly played the game in handheld mode using the Joy-Con 2 controllers, though I did briefly test it in docked mode on a 4K Samsung TV to ensure the performance and Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller support is up to scratch.

First reviewed June 2026

Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal review: Price & release date

• List price: $1,299.99 / £999.99
• Released March 2026

The Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal comes in at $1,299.99 / £999.99 — while it’s far from cheap, it’s pretty good value for what it offers. That being said, there are other robot vacuum cleaners with equally impressive features and better software at a similar price point.

Plus, you’ll need to maintain some parts of the vacuum; in particular, refills for the multi-floor cleaner ($13.99 / £14.99) and the odor-neutralizing puck ($9.99 – $14.99 / £7.99 – £15.99), as well as the usual replacement for things like side brushes and mop pads. Over time, these can add up, but you’ll scarcely find a robovac that doesn’t come with added costs at similar prices these days.

• Value: 4/5

Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

Out of the box, you’ll find the vacuum, base, power chord, an anti-odor puck, one refill bottle of Shark’s multi-floor cleaner, two side brushes, plus the usual array of instructions and warranty documents.

The base stands at 17 x 18 x 14 inches / 43.2 x 45.7 x 35.6 cm, and comes in either black or white — mine was the latter, and I think it looks a lot more premium than the tackier black colorway. Enclosed in the lid of the base are the 2.74-litre / 96.65oz clean and 1.18-litre / 41.62oz waste water tanks, which lift out easily thanks to the retractable handles, as well as the bagless dirt compartment — I really appreciate that Shark opted for this so there’s one less thing to routinely replace.

(Image credit: Future)

You can remove the container with the press of a button situated on the side of the dock, and it’s also HEPA-filtered. There’s also a set of two filters you’ll need to clean every 1-2 months, depending on how often you use your robot vacuum, and a slot for one of Shark’s anti-odor pucks should dusty smells be an issue for you.

(Image credit: Future)

The vacuum itself is a fairly standard, rounded 2-in-1 robot vacuum, but a little tall and hefty at 5.35 inches / 13.6cm tall. The top houses its raised puck for LiDAR sensing, which works in tandem with the front of the device, where the cameras and other sensors, including a camera as well as LED and UV lights, to navigate your home and spot messes ripe for cleaning.

If you’d rather not use the app, you can use the four touch-sensitive buttons to activate mop and vacuum modes, send the vacuum home and connect to the Wi-Fi. A soft bumper surrounds the edges of the vacuum to prevent damage from any collisions, which are remarkably rare thanks to its top-tier obstacle avoidance, and you can remove its dust bin and mop plate from the rear of the device.

(Image credit: Future)

On the underside, you’ll find the wheels, brush bar, side brush, and a singular, flat mop pad. These aren’t my favorite type — a rondel will typically offer a deeper clean, better post-clean drying and less water waste. However, Shark has designed the robot vacuum to wiggle this mop pad to agitate dirt, which goes some of the ways to make up the difference.

Of note is that the vacuum seems to be a total dust magnet. I have mine placed beneath a desk, where I wouldn’t expect excessive levels of dust — however it’s constantly lined with a thick layer of the stuff.

• Design: 4/5

Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal review: Performance

Setup for the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal is pretty simple; using the app, you’ll connect the vacuum to your Wi-Fi, give it a name (I loved some of the suggestions like Clean Latifah), and after that, the robot vacuum will run its first mapping pass. Broadly, mine was accurate; my apartment has a slightly tricky layout for robot vacuums, including a half-tiled, half-carpeted kitchen-living room, and lots of doors to dodge.

After this first pass, the app will offer you a second mapping run, this time to detect flooring types. If you plan to regularly mop hard floors and have carpets or rugs to avoid, make sure to get this out of the way during setup; I couldn’t find any way to update this map after the fact.

FutureFutureFutureCleaning tests

I performed my standard pickup tests using oats, cornflour and brown rice to compare performance to other robot vacuums I’ve tested, and the results were a mixed bag. When setting the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal off for a standard, vacuum-only clean, I was immediately impressed as it zig-zagged across my floors, leaving them visibly refreshed — plus, it’s pretty quiet in action.

On hard floors, it excels thanks to a combination of its side brush, solid suction and the jet of air it blasts at hard-to-reach debris, ensuring floors are spick and span post-clean. On carpet, it’s slightly less impressive, especially in the edge cleaning department, but it still does a decent enough job. Its pickup of larger debris was very impressive on carpet, leaving little to nothing behind, but there was a small amount of powdery debris left behind on my medium-pile rugs — hair, however, is no problem, be it human or pet.

(Image credit: Future)

Next up, I tried a regular combination clean with vacuum and mopping, and that’s where my experience with the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal became a bit more mixed. The robot vacuum first fills its water tank at the base, proceeding to concurrently vacuum and mop your floors rather than splitting out the tasks. This helps to save time and battery; however, it does increase the risk of soggy carpets.

To avoid this, the robovac will lift its hind to keep the mop pad from drenching carpets — this reduces its effectiveness on carpets, though, as it crushes the side brush, and sometimes, while navigating, it will spin round and spit water across the floor, too. However, once it reaches hard floors, the results are pretty impressive; the mop pad agitates spills and stains with a back-and-forth scrubbing motion, and will reach into corners to make sure every spot is well-cleaned.

Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal lifting its mop padFutureShark PowerDetect UV Reveal lifting its mop padFuture

It does use a lot of water, though, and especially if you’re cleaning up larger spills, that means the PowerDetect UV Reveal can leave a streaky mess in its wake. I noticed this even more so when there was lots of debris to vacuum up during the clean; the PowerDetect UV Reveal left a clump of soggy oats behind like an owl pellet as well as white streaky marks across the floor, but I wouldn’t typically recommend regularly using your robot vacuum to collect large volume spills anyway. I have especially reflective kitchen tiles, so I noticed this a lot; on my less shiny bathroom tiles, it wasn’t as much of a problem.

Powering up to a higher suction or mopping setting does result in a more thorough cleaning job, especially on carpets, but it’s worth noting that this seems to make the excess water usage more noticeable.

Some smeared oats, milady? I wouldn't advise using the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal, or indeed most robot vacuums that mop and vacuum concurrently, to clear up high volumes of debris. (Image credit: Future)Object detection and navigation

When the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal works, it really works, but I encountered a fair few bugs and limitations that do impact its overall effectiveness — for example, when doing a combination clean, it sometimes skips cleaning certain areas and rooms, or neglects to clean areas I’ve specifically asked it to.

Its LiDAR scanner makes accurate room maps, though they’ll be a bit odd-looking if you have lots of furniture at floor level. That’s unavoidable, to a degree, but I wish it had investigated those areas more closely to find the real edges of the walls; that way if furniture moves around your home, you wouldn’t need to remap.

Its object detection is incredible — perhaps too good, as the robot vacuum avoided my low-hanging (but not floor-length) curtains like the plague, giving wide berth to even the most inconsequential of obstacles. Generally, it’s not too much of a problem, but improved smarts would mean there’s slightly less preparation required pre-clean to ensure your entire floor gets cleaned properly. I was also massively impressed by the ease with which it lifted itself over and cleared thresholds, chair legs, and the like, leading to quicker cleans.

UV detection in action, as well as some rugs the vacuum fought (and defeated)FutureUV detection in action. FutureUV detection

After its standard cleaning cycles, the robovac will return to its base, but the cleaning isn’t over quite yet. It’ll issue an ominous warning once it’s refreshed itself: "I detected stains. I'm heading back out to aggressively attack them."

Here’s where the magic of the PowerDetect UV Reveal is really on show; as it cleans, it flares a blue UV light, with which you can see for yourself the stubborn and sometimes invisible stains on your floor, which it will then return to after a standard cleaning run. It was pretty cringe-inducing to watch it navigate areas I hadn’t cleaned recently and see just how much grime was there.

(Image credit: Future)Dock

After the job’s complete, it’ll return for a final time to the base and begin the mop pad maintenance process quietly in the background with just a low humming noise, washing it with hot water before drying it to reduce contamination. In my testing, the robovac lived up to its estimated 3-hour battery life; a 45-minute clean on standard settings dropped the battery by 25%. A full recharge takes roughly 4 hours, and the vacuum won’t perform new tasks when at less than 20%.

• Performance: 4/5

The first of these three screenshots shows my completed floor map; as you can see from the very odd shapes, the LiDAR scanner can be quite assumptive with obstacles and won't investigate around the sides to find where the wall truly starts and ends. The second and third screenshots show two seperate occasions where I asked the robot vacuum to clean specific rooms and it elected to clean a completely different one. (Image credit: Future)Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal review: Software and app

The app is quite restrictive when it comes to home and schedule customization; you can only have one map, so multi-floor cleaning isn’t possible, no-go zones are always rectangular and you can only create two schedules per day.

I also noticed that the robot vacuum would often get confused when it initiated a clean, forging straight to the corner of my living room and spinning there for a good few minutes before figuring out its path to the hallway. On closer inspection, this happened most frequently when I sent it to clean somewhere other than its home room; for some reason, it wanted to head straight through my wall instead of around and through the doorway.

I couldn’t find a quiet mode, either, meaning if you ever wanted to use the vacuum at night or when little ones are sleeping, they might awaken to an ominous threat from your robovac.

These issues, among other software quirks, make for the primary complaint I have surrounding the Shark PowerDetect UV reveal; its app and on-board smarts hold back an otherwise high-performance robot vacuum.

• Software: 2.5/5

Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal review: SpecsSpecs

Wattage (robot):

65W

Robot diameter:

13.2 inches / 34cm

Robot height:

4 inches / 10.2cm

Cleaning path width:

Not specified

Dock dimensions (H x W x D):

17 x 18 x 14 inches / 43.2 x 45.7 x 35.6 cm

Dock cord:

3.9ft / 1.2m

Weight (robot + dock):

26.9 lbs / 12.21 kg

Should I buy Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal?

Section

Notes

Score

Software and app

There are lots of features I’d expect as standard in a robot vacuum, especially at this list price, that Shark just hasn’t added. That and the litany of odd bugs drop the overall score significantly.

2.5/5

Performance

Great for vacuuming carpets, and while the mop pad is a bit of a hazard, with UV sensing in tow it offers a truly deep clean.

4/5

Design

Neutral, bag-less and easy to maintain, the only thing I could ask for would be a slightly more premium feel in its black colorway. Plus, it’s a dust-magnet.

4.5/5

Value

Given its innovative features and thorough cleaning, it’s sitting pretty at its list price compared to the competition, but loses points for the in-app experience.

4/5

Buy it if…

You value well sanitized floors
With its UV detection, the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal offers peace of mind and broadly great results, especially in the mopping department… if you can handle slow-drying floors.

You have pets
Again, the UV detection comes in clutch here for invisible pet messes, but it’s also a deft hand at hair collection.

You have a large home
With its great battery life and efficiency, the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal is unlikely to run out of juice before finishing the job even in larger homes.

Don’t buy it if…

You have lots of wooden floors or shiny tiles

While it’ll clean these floor types within an inch of their life, the residual water and cleaning solution could warp or damage wooden floors and leave streaky marks on particularly reflective ones.

You have lots of carpet
Don’t get me wrong, this is an accomplished vacuum for carpets, but if you want to do combination cleans, you might end up with a few soggy spots left in its wake.

You want to vacuum multiple floors — or other smart features

I liken the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal to a power washer in the hands of a caveman; it’s only as good as the software allows it to be, and with frustrations like single-floor mapping, ignored instructions and

Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal review: Also consider

Eufy X10 Pro Omni

Another two-in-one robovac with excellent cleaning on all floor types, plus strong mapping and navigation.

Read our full Eufy X10 Pro Omni review

Roborock Qrevo Curv

A robot vacuum and mop that delivers superb suction and great wet floor cleaning. It's the best robovac we've tested to date.

See our full Roborock Qrevo Curv review

How I tested the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal

I tested the Shark PowerDetect UV Reveal for two weeks in my home, completing my standardised pickup, edge cleaning and mopping tests in addition to simulating tests for features like UV detection. I used the app, making a map of my home and testing various features like scheduling and room-by-room cleaning tasks, closely observing the vacuum when in use to note any navigation or performance issues during testing.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed June 2026

Insta360 Luna Ultra: One-minute review

Despite being Insta360’s first vlogging camera with multiple Insta360 firsts, the Luna Ultra, overall, feels like a polished and bold product. Its triple chipset ably supports powerful features — especially the gimbal-stabilized 8K 30p video with 10-bit color depth and 4K 120p slow motion video recording, Log color profile, autonomous subject tracking autofocus and 32-bit float audio.

With dual 20mm f/1.8 and 60mm f/2.0 lenses, each with its own sensor, you truly are getting two cameras in one. And having enjoyed the Luna's ultra-wide and impressive 3x telephoto versatility for a month, it will be hard for me to go back to a single-lens compact vlogging camera.

The detachable remote module — which features the two-inch OLED touchscreen, main camera controls and built-in microphone — has, understandably, won many admirers. It's such a clever and well-implemented design feature that truly enhances the user experience, especially for solo vlogging.

Here the module has been removed. It has a 20m transmission range and when removed it functions just as if it's attached to the camera (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

Initially I had a few minor niggles navigating various camera settings, and it certainly paid dividends to spend time customizing the Luna Ultra to the way I like to shoot. It's also notably bulkier than DJI's Pocket 4 vlogging cameras, and pricier than single-lens alternatives.

Despite its infancy in this space, Insta360 has to its credit already produced crucial supporting accessories — including tripod and battery grips, plus the Insta360 Mic Pro wireless mic for top quality audio — meaning you can stick within the Insta360 ecosystem and enjoying the best possible user experience and compatibility, including full Bluetooth support.

Yes, DJI has been in the compact vlogging camera space for much longer and has refined its Pocket series with every iteration, but the Luna Ultra enters with a bang and is an impressive alternative.

Two lenses in one device, with an additional zoom — an approach familiar to smartphone users (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)Insta360 Luna Ultra: price and release date

• Full release on June 12 2026
• Available in black or white with prices starting at $769.99 / £649 / AU$1,229.99
• Multiple bundles to choose from, including the Creator Bundle

The Titanium Gold version comes with a matching auto lens cap (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

"We're not going to compete on price" is what Insta360's co-founder Max Richter told me at a pre-launch event for the Luna Ultra, the company's first vlogging camera and DJI Osmo Pocket series rival.

And the Luna Ultra is much pricier than previous Pocket cameras. However, those were single-lens models and, like DJI's most recent Pockets, the single-lens Pocket 4 and dual-lens Pocket 4P, the Luna comes in two varieties: the single-lens Pro and the dual-lens Ultra.

Prices for the Ultra start at $769.99 / £649 / AU$1,229.99. That’s a fair whack more than the latest single-lens models, but you are truly getting two cameras in one device.

Insta360 sent me the Creator Bundle to review, which includes multiple extras such as the Mic Pro transmitter and battery grip and costs $969.99 / £829 / AU$1,549.99. I expect the dual-lens Osmo Pocket 4P to cost less than the Luna Ultra, but it won't be available in the US because of the DJI ban.

Both Luna models are available in black or white versions, and in a further variety of bundles that cater for various use cases; Standard, Essential, Endurance, VLOG, POV and Creator.

• Price score: 4/5

Insta360 Luna Ultra specsInsta360 Luna Ultra Specs:

Type:

Compact video camera

Lenses

20mm f/1.8 and 60mm f/2.0

Sensors:

1-inch and 1/1.3-inch

Video:

8K up to 30p / 4K up to 120p / FHD up to 240p

Photo:

9MP JPEG & RAW / 37MP UltraPhoto mode / panorama

LCD:

2-inch OLED, detachable

Memory:

47GB internal, 1x micro SD (up to 1TB)

Battery

1,550mAh, rated up to 4 hours of 1080p

Dimensions

2.1×6.7×1.5in / 52.4×169.9×38.5mm

Weight:

8.2 oz / 233g (black)
8.3oz / 235g (white)

Insta360 Luna Ultra: design

• First compact vlogging camera to land with dual lenses, ahead of the Pocket 4P
• Similar design cues to the DJI Pocket series (but a little larger), with stick-like form factor and camera supported by a three-axis gimbal
• Unique detachable controller which includes a two-inch OLED screen and built-in mic

The chunky protective caseFuture / Tim ColemanThe wind guard attached to camera's mic pickupsFuture / Tim ColemanThe dual-lenses tuck away vertically when the camera is turned off.Future / Tim ColemanOne way to power up the camera is rotating the screen, but there's also a power buttonFuture / Tim ColemanHorizontal video is available in 8K, 4K and 1080pFuture / Tim ColemanThe profile of the camera — the lowest part is pronounced to accommodate the detachable moduleFuture / Tim ColemanOn the right side is a micro SD card slot, behind a fiddly rubber coverFuture / Tim Coleman

The Luna Ultra’s form factor is familiar — it's a bit like the compact, stick-like design of DJI’s Pocket series. DJI isn’t happy about it, by the way; it has filed a lawsuit accusing Insta360 of patent violations (which Insta360 has responded to with a countersuit).

However, there are some key design differences. Lunas are slightly larger than Pocket models. Not majorly so, but the difference is clear when you hold them side by side as I did (albeit the dual-lens Ultra alongside the single-lens Pocket 4).

In practice, I didn’t really feel that the Luna’s extra weight and size negatively affected its handling — it’s easy in the hand for on-the-go vlogging. If you want the absolute smallest option, however, DJI is your best best. Even the dual-lens Pocket 4P is smaller.

There’s a good reason why the Luna cameras are bigger, and that’s for a super clever and unique feature: a detachable remote control, which is a module that packs the camera's main controls and rotatable two-inch OLED screen. Simply squeeze the red buttons on either side of the Luna, and the module pulls away from the body.

Future / Tim ColemanFuture / Tim ColemanFuture / Tim ColemanFuture / Tim Coleman

The module has a 20m transmission range and operates exactly the same way as if it’s on the camera, with the touch display offering a remote view, and the main camera controls on hand, including gimbal, zoom and record. Transmission range is impacted by the surroundings — I found the feed froze inside 15 meters when other people passed in front of me in a busy urban space — but I could see it happening on the screen in my hand and could rectify the situation.

What’s really neat is that the module has a built-in microphone, so you can easily check your frame and present to the camera. It’s certainly better than using the on-camera mic, though a wireless mic such as Insta360’s own Mic Pro with its customizable E Ink display is an even better pick for audiophiles. The camera has direct Bluetooth support for this mic and Insta360’s Mic Air. The video below gives an idea of what the module is like to use remotely.

I really appreciated how much easier it was to frame my shots with the controller module in hand. There’s also smart subject tracking and autofocus (more on this in the performance section), meaning the camera can track you as you move around, within the gimbal’s range, keeping you or your subject centered in the frame. Controlling the Luna using the module and tracking is like having your own cameraperson filming you, provided you can find a secure surface to rest the camera on or a support to fix it to.

On that note, the Luna Ultra can stand freely on flat surfaces, while the battery grip, which extends battery life plus the physical height of the camera, features tiny flip-out tripod feet for extra stability.

The battery grip is larger than the regular tripod grip and extends the battery life of the camera, which was already impressive being rated at up to four hours of 1080p filming. Not bad for a 1,550mAh unit that can be recharged to 80% in just 23 minutes.

At first I had a few niggles with the handling of the Luna Ultra from how it comes straight from the box. Beyond finding it physically clunkier than the Pocket 4, I needed to change various settings to taste, such as its behavior when rotating the two-inch touchscreen.

Overall, however, I can't find much fault with the Luna Ultra's design, which is seriously impressive for a first generation product.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Insta360 Luna Ultra: Performance

• Triple chipset, with 4nm and AI chips ensures smooth operation
• Smart subject tracking and autofocus, but it's not perfect
• Can get a little warm when using the most powerful features

The Luna Ultra is equipped with a triple chipset, comprising powerful 4nm and AI chips. As such, I never really experienced any performance issues, even shooting a lot of 8K video (though never for more than 10 minutes at a time).

The camera does get a little warm when using power-hungry features such as 8K video, and I did see a lag when switching from the 12x zoom back to 1x using the stepped zoom control on the touchscreen. However, those were my only issues.

In addition to regular 8K video, the Luna Ultra has a range of shooting modes, including; Slow Motion up to 240fps (in Full HD), Timelapse, TimeShift and Barrel Roll. I've included some slow motion clips in a sample video below.

Both Luna cameras accept a micro SD card up to 1TB, and include 47GB internal storage — less than DJI’s Osmo Pocket 4 / 4P, which have more than double the capacity. I shot plenty of video clips and photos directly onto the internal memory, and still had plenty of space left over — the maximum 120Mbps bitrates of video files are fairly low and don't take up too much memory.

And there’s plenty more for audiophiles, namely a decent wind guard for the camera’s internal four-mic array, plus 32-bit float audio. This pro-level setting avoids clipping, and is ideal for unpredictable and noisy environments, but for simpler audio edits, the 24-bit setting is probably your best bet.

The quality of the detachable module's built-in mic impressed me, though for the clearest pickup it's pretty fussy about how close you hold it and the angle it's pointed in.

Subject tracking is impressively sticky, though I did find that it switches to a new subject a little more easily than the DJI Pocket 4. In one situation, I was walking with the camera tracking me when other people came between me and the camera and tracking stopped.

In another scenario as I held a product up to the camera for it to focus on, the camera focused back on my face in the background all too keenly when I came back into view. In such a scenario, I think DJI's tracking performs better.

• Performance score: 4.5/5

Insta360 Luna Ultra: Image and video quality

• Dual 20mm f/1.8 (1-inch sensor) and 60mm f/2.0 (1/1.3-inch sensor) cameras are effectively like having a decent zoom
• 8K 30p and 4K 120p video with color grading-friendly I-Log profile — a first for Insta360
• 9MP photos are decent enough, especially in RAW format, and can be upped to 37MP in UltraPhoto mode

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

The Luna Ultra ups the ante in this camera category with 8K video — double the resolution of the Osmo Pocket 4, which shoots in 4K. It’ll shoot 8K up to 30fps, complete with Dolby Vision (aka HDR) and I-Log color profile.

This is the first Insta360 camera with Log, a flat color profile that pros like to use to maximize the color grading potential and for the most dynamic range possible from their camera, which in this case is up to 14 stops.

DJI has billed the Pocket 4P as having 17 stops dynamic range with its new D-Log2 profile — I look forward to comparing the footage of both cameras to see which is better once I have my hands on the Pocket. 4P.

Insta360 thinks its night mode is superior to DJI, with its PureVideo mode boosting dynamic range in 4K 60p videos. That’s another comparison test I’m looking forward to conducting. From the shots I've taken at night in this mode, detail looks impressively sharp, though of course no match for the quality of daytime footage.

Insta360’s Leica partnership goes beyond the Luna’s Leica-branded lenses and into various Leica color profiles. If you like the simplicity of attractive color profiles with no need for color correction, then the Luna has some great alternatives to Log.

I was impressed with the 3x telephoto camera — provided the subject isn't too far away, it's possible to throw depth of field for punchy portraits. I'm talking upper body shots with notable shallow depth of field.

The zoom of that lens can be further extended with a 6x 'lossless' zoom, a term that suggests you shouldn't notice a drop in image quality — I certainly didn't. I can't say the same for the 12x digital zoom setting, which looks a little more pixelated on close inspection. Still, that 12x zoom is a handy addition should you really need to zoom closer.

Honestly, having enjoyed the variety of two lenses in such a small camera, and how impressive the quality of the telephoto camera is (the sensor is bigger than the main sensor in most smartphones), I know I'll struggle if I have to go back to a single-lens compact vlogging camera.

Video is, of course, the primary use for the Luna Ultra, but it shoots decent-quality 9MP photos too, in JPEG and RAW format, albeit with just eight-bit color depth. I've included a couple of scenarios below, taking JPEG and RAW (DNG format) photos simultaneously at night and in daylight, with the 1x and 3x lenses.

I haven't edited the RAWs so you can see the kind of processing that takes place for JPEGs. All the photos are 9MP, but there is also an UltraPhoto mode which quadruples resolution to 37MP.

Insta360 Luna Ultra photo galleryAn unedited RAW DNG file. Note the vignetting (dark corners) and muted colorsFuture / Tim ColemanThe standard color profile, JPEG format. This gives an idea of the kind of camera corrections that take place during JPEG processingFuture / Tim ColemanAnother example. Interestingly, the RAW files use a lower ISO value than JPEGs when shooting. in RAW+JPEG simultaneously. Future / Tim ColemanThe previous RAW image was ISO 180, this JPEG is ISO 360. All of the four dragon photo were taken with the 1x ultra-wide camera.Future / Tim ColemanAgain, a RAW file. There's more detail in this photo than the corresponding JPEG, and I haven't even played with exposure corrections or shadow / highlight recoveryFuture / Tim ColemanI tried the 'Fresh' color profile here, which is bright and airy. The intensity for any color profile can be adjustedFuture / Tim ColemanThe RAW DNG format again and, like the previous portraits, taken with the 3x telephoto camera.Future / Tim ColemanThe corresponding JPEG to the previous imageFuture / Tim Coleman

• Image and video quality score: 5/5

Insta360 Luna Ultra: testing scorecardInsta360 Luna Ultra

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

Considering you get two cameras in one, a detachable touchscreen module and high-end video features, the Luna Ultra is decent value, but it does cost a lot more than single-lens alternatives and DJI almost always costs less

4/5

Design

Slightly clunkier than the rival Osmo Pocket 4 / 4P, but the detachable control is well implemented and seriously useful

4.5/5

Performance

Triple chipset ably supports high-end features, subject tracking works well and gimbal performance is decent

4.5/5

Image and video quality

Twin camera versatility for different shots, sharp 8K footage, I Log and Leica color profiles. You'll struggle to find better image quality in this camera format, though I haven't directly compared footage with the Osmo Pocket 4P yet

5/5

Should I buy the Insta360 Luna Ultra?Buy it if...

You want a versatile compact vlogging camera
Dual lenses are a revelation for this camera format. You're no longer restricted to ultra-wide shots, but dynamic portraiture and b-roll details are entirely possible.

You're a solo vlogger
The detachable remote with two-inch touchscreen, camera controls and built-in mic aid solo vlogging, in terms of the range of shots you can easily get, especially with subject tracking on board.

Don't buy it if...

You want the smallest possible vlogging camera
The Luna Ultra is clunkier than the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 / 4P. Not hugely so, but DJI's cameras are even more pocketable.

You don't need two lenses
For me, having used the Luna Ultra, it's now hard to go back to a single-lens compact vlogging camera, but if you don't need that second telephoto camera, the single-lens Pocket 4 / Luna Pro alternatives cost much less.

Insta360 Luna Ultra: also consider

DJI Osmo Pocket 4 / 4P

At the time of writing, I've only reviewed the single-lens DJI Osmo Pocket 4 which isn't a fair comparison especially with the dual-lens Pocket 4P on the horizon and the direct rival to the Luna Ultra. However, if you'd like to know how the cameras compare, check out my Luna Ultra vs Pocket 4 article.

Read our in-depth DJI Osmo Pocket 4 review

Fujifilm X-M5

If we're going on price, there beginner mirrorless cameras enter the picture, and for me the Fujifilm X-M5 is the best-equipped hybrid for the money. It has a bigger APS-C sensor, shoots 6K video recording (with Full HD vertical vlogging mode) and 26MP photos and it's a stunning camera. The drawback is that there's no in-body stabilization, so you'll probably want an additional gimbal to smooth out on-the-go clips.

Read our in-depth Fujifilm X-M5 review

How I tested the Insta360 Luna UltraFuture / Tim ColemanFuture / Tim Coleman

• Insta360 supplied me with the Luna Ultra Creator Bundle, which includes 2x grips, Mic Pro transmitter, soft carry case and more
• I tested the camera regularly for a month shooting day and night, mainly focusing on video content. I've tried the monitor in various configurations
• I was testing the DJI Osmo Pocket 4 simultaneously, and could draw comparisons

I had early access to the Luna Ultra Creator Bundle ahead of its launch, and tested the kit out over the following weeks before writing this review. During this review period, I also had the single-lens DJI Osmo Pocket 4, meaning I was able to make comparisons.

The camera shoots decent still photos with RAW format editing flexibility, but my main focus video performance. I've shot horizontal and vertical vlogging-style videos in the various resolutions and frame rates available in each format, and experimented with various color profiles.

I've made sure to try out all of the accessories supplied to me and the various configurations of the detachable monitor. I've checked the camera and detachable monitor's audio quality, and how easily and reliable it pairs with an Insta360 Mic Pro wireless mic.

• First reviewed: June 2026
• Read more about how we test

Cloudzy isn’t your run-of-the-mill web hosting provider. It specializes in cloud infrastructure and fairly bare-bones Virtual Private Server (VPS) plans. That means you get reasonably priced access to excellent hardware and resources, provided you have the technical skills to handle them.

The good news is that many things can be pre-configured, and you have a broad choice of options in everything from the choice of operating system (OS) to web apps. We’re not just talking about WordPress, but also advanced options like Forex platforms.

You also have an excellent range of server location options, though perhaps not as comprehensive as Google Cloud or AWS, which are on a different pricing tier altogether. What we didn’t like, though, was the discounts Cloudzy offers based on your location choice, which we felt was a bit unfair to customers who might require specific regions for efficiency and localization.

Be warned, though - Cloudzy is not really aimed at casual users building their first website. While you can technically host anything here, the core audience appears to be users who need virtual servers for web apps, trading bots, VPN setups, and the like.

Plans and pricing

(Image credit: Cloudzy)

Cloudzy primarily focuses on VPS hosting rather than traditional shared hosting packages. At the bottom of its offerings are Cloud VPS plans similar to those offered by hosts like DigitalOcean, Linode, and VULTR.

(Image credit: Cloudzy)

At Cloudzy, though, you get a broader range of pre-deployment options. For example, you can decide to go with a pure OS-only deployment, or get your server started with a full LAMP-stack supported web app, or almost anything else.

Cloud VPS plans start at 1 vCPU with 512MB RAM, 20GB of NVMe storage, and 1TB bandwidth/mo. This scales up to a whopping 16 vCPU, 64GB RAM, 1.5TB NVMe storage, and 16TB of bandwidth for $199.97/mo.

While there is no additional charge for pre-deployment options, your final price may be adjusted depending on server location. It’s likely that Cloudzy does this to help balance their location loads, but it’s unfortunate for customers who may be penalized because of their requirements for where their servers are located.

Aside from Cloud VPS, Cloudzy also offers more specialized solutions like high-performance GPUs, GPU-optimized servers, AI servers, and dedicated servers. Again, all of these options are fairly technical, especially their dedicated bare-metal servers.

Ease of use

(Image credit: Cloudzy)

The Cloudzy dashboard is a straightforward way to manage your servers. However, it’s more practical than informational. You can use it to deploy, rebuild, or configure instances. Server monitoring isn’t in the cards, though, and you’ll have to deploy any of those solutions on your individual servers if you need them.

When we initially discussed the pre-deployment option, it might have been misconstrued as saying Cloudzy is easy to use. That isn’t really the case. Once the deployment is made, you’ll still have to manage the stack on your own. For example, you have to keep your server OS and applications up to date and security-hardened, not just manage your web app.

This is typically done via SSH into the server (root access is provided). If you know what you’re doing, it’s easy-peasy. If not, you’re probably going to face an oncoming disaster.

Again, we don’t recommend Cloudzy as a first hosting provider for someone completely unfamiliar with VPS environments. If you’re looking for a first entry to the Cloud, try something with more management features like Cloudways. That, however, will cost a bit more, so be mentally prepared.

Speed and reliability

Cloud providers are always thought to be all-powerful, but keep in mind that much of it still depends on the hardware and configuration. For example, on the surface, Cloudzy offers some pretty good standard cloud VPS plans. However, the processing power on these compared to their high-performance options is very different. For example, the 2GB standard cloud VPS plan we tested includes a 2.25GHz AMD processor, while a comparable high-performance plan includes 4.2GHz processors.

The biggest surprise, though, is that Cloudzy is using AMD Ryzen 9 processors for their Cloud VPS plans. Servers typically run AMD EPYC chips, which are the dedicated server versions commonly used in web hosting. The Ryzen family is intended more for regular consumers or enthusiasts.

It’s possible that this led to the slightly disappointing test results below.

WordPress benchmark test

The standard WordPress benchmark test was run on our prebuilt WordPress site to maintain consistency. Results at Cloudzy were a letdown, with initial results showing worse performance than some budget shared hosting alternatives we’ve seen.

Siege test

On our load test, Cloudzy performed like a champ, acing results with increasing loads of 5, 9, and 15 concurrent users. It ran rock-solid and completed all transactions quickly. If we were to use this as a comparative factor against the easier benchmark test, Siege results should take priority as a more realistic indicator.

Customer support

Cloudzy offers customer support via tickets (for existing customers), a knowledge base, and, more interestingly, WhatsApp. Don’t be fooled by the WhatsApp chat support option, though. You don’t get an instant response.

Their knowledge base is also quite Spartan, with only 73 guides available. These articles are very straightforward and relatively technical, so you may have to know what you’re doing just to follow the language. It can be a challenge, but those are the preconditions for this type of hosting anyway.

Overall, the vibe you get from customer support is very corporate. We felt a notable disappointment here, especially coming off our recent Freehostia review. That was a free hosting plan, yet it came with near-instant customer support that was both polite and effective.

The competition

DigitalOcean is one of the most popular cloud infrastructure providers for developers and startups, and is similar in product offerings to Cloudzy. Compared to Cloudzy, DigitalOcean has a more mature ecosystem and a more professional customer dashboard. However, Cloudzy may appeal more to users looking for simpler pricing and lower-cost VPS deployments.

Linode has built a strong reputation among developers for reliability and straightforward cloud hosting services. Compared to Cloudzy, Linode offers more enterprise-level polish and documentation, though pricing can sometimes be higher for equivalent resources.

For those who want a fully hands-off approach, Hostinger is a beginner-friendly choice. Although primarily cheap for shared hosting, you can also get VPS hosting and other plans. Hosting is priced aggressively and offers strong localization expertise for ideal customer support.

Final verdict

To be honest, Cloudzy is a fairly run-of-the-mill cloud hosting provider. We don’t feel that it excels in any particular area, even though the host itself seems professional enough. What really turned us off was their slow customer support, even for sales queries.

Performance-wise, Cloudzy runs fine, even with Ryzen chips instead of enterprise-grade EPYC chips. It’s just that the choice left us feeling disappointed that they would cut corners in that way. We recommend considering one of the many cloud alternatives if you’re in the market for a budget, hands-on hosting plan.

Gigabyte MO32U24: Two-Minute Review

Gigabyte’s gaming monitors have been hit and miss lately, but I had high hopes for the 32-inch, 4K, 240Hz MO32U24, which uses a 4th-generation QD-OLED panel and has a new, HDR-boosting feature called HyperNits.

Is this the one?

Like Gigabyte’s other non-Aorus-branded gaming monitors, the MO32U24 has a sober design that eschews RGB and geometric flourishes for a basic-looking stem and stand. That’s no bad thing, as many buyers will want a monitor that suits gaming, multimedia and work.

It’s easy to assemble (one clip and a thumbscrew), there’s a generous amount of adjustment in every direction and the small-footprint stand will suit competitive gamers who sit right up close to the screen.

(Image credit: Future)

QD-OLED screens banished spidery text a generation ago and this fourth-gen version is no different. Even fine fonts look sharp and the UHD resolution means you can comfortably work with four windows or large spreadsheets all day without straining your eyes.

The screen also uses Gigabyte’s ObsidianShield coating, which ‘boosts true-black performance’ and improves scratch resistance. It has a semi-gloss finish and does an impressive job of reducing reflections.

However, I was particularly interested to see how the HyperNits brightness enhancement affected the 1,000-nit HDR performance. Gigabyte says it “intelligently enhances overall brightness… while preserving highlight details.” In reality, it makes the MO32U24’s excellent HDR a bit better.

While some details still get lost in large, bright areas, an impressive amount of detail simultaneously remains visible in highlights and shadows: bright lights (fire, lightning, candles, windows and torches) shine piercingly out of true-black backgrounds without blowing out.

This noticeably improves multimedia immersion (especially in open-world games). I also liked that I could leave it activated when working without going blind.

Meanwhile, colors are bright and saturated and transitions are smooth and noise-free. The 240Hz refresh rate and the rapid 0.03ms pixel response banish blurriness around rapidly moving objects and only god-tier pro-FPS players might complain. G-Sync prevents image tearing.

(Image credit: Future)

Gigabyte’s OSD is intuitive, responsive and all the usual presets and gaming features are easily accessed via a joystick button. Gigabyte’s Game Assist features include an on-screen timer and refresh rate display, on-screen crosshairs, a sniper-zoom box, green-screen night vision and flash dimming. Some are useful, but others feel gimmicky.

Potentially of more interest to FPS players is the customizable Tactical Switch button, which drops the display area to 24 or 27 inches, sets the resolution to 1440p, Full HD or HD and/or changes the aspect ratio to 4:3 or 5:4.

Beyond that, there are considerable automated OLED care options that don’t get in your way, a full set of ports (including a two-port USB hub) and two 5-watt speakers, which provide useful audio for day-to-day multimedia use (but have very little bass).

In more recent years, Asus has dominated in this space, but no longer. It has a few quirks, but the Gigabyte MO32U24 has the chops where it matters.

Gigabyte MO32U24: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $1,000 / £800 / AU$1,499
• When is it available? The Gigabyte MO32U24 is out now
• Where can you get it? It’s available in the US, UK, Australia and other regions

The Gigabyte MO32U24 is available now in most regions. It’s a premium model, so it’s not cheap. Furthermore, the global price spread is quite wide and it sits in a crowded segment where prices for rivals and previous-gen models are changing frequently (and significantly) in sales.

This means the value proposition is hard to pin down. Nonetheless, you do get a lot of gaming monitor for your money and it’s currently one of the very best on the market.

• Value: 4 / 5

Gigabyte MO32U24: SpecsGigabyte MO32U24 specifications

Screen size

31.5-inch

Aspect ratio

16:9

Resolution

3840 x 2160 (UHD)

Brightness

300 cd/m² typical SDR at 100% APL; 1000 cd/m² typical HDR at 3% APL

Refresh rate

240Hz

Response time

0.03ms GTG

Viewing angle

178°(H)/178°(V)

Contrast ratio

1.5M:1

Color coverage

99% DCI-P3

Inputs

2x full-bandwidth HDMI 2.1, 1x DisplayPort 1.4, 1x USB-C with DisplayPort Alt Mode, upstream and up to 18W power delivery, 2x USB 3.2 downstream, 1x USB 3.2 upstream, 1x earphone jack

Dimensions

71.9 x 61.0 x 24.0cm with stand (28.3 x 24.0 x 9.4in); 71.8 x 41.8 x 6.5cm without stand (28.3 x 16.5 x 2.6in)

Weight

7.95kg with stand (17.5lb); 6.00kg without stand (13.2lb)

Gigabyte MO32U24: Design

• Utilitarian design with small base footprint
• Responsive and intuitive OSD controls
• Generous amount of tilt, swivel, pivot and height adjustment

Some gaming monitors have over-designed, spiky stands that take up more space than is necessary on your desk in order to make a statement — often with RGB lighting to hammer home the point.

The Gigabyte MO32U24 is more sober (unlike siblings from its Aorus sub-brand) in that its no-nonsense stem, base and bezel are relatively plain-Jane in their appearance, but are arguably better for it.

The stem easily clips onto the screen and the small-footprint base attaches to it via a single thumbscrew. You’re left with a solid stand that doesn’t wobble unless you shake the whole desk.

The whole monitor doesn’t look flashy, which will suit those who want to use it for office work in an office environment. However, esports players can still sit right up close to it with their keyboards.

(Image credit: Future)

I’m not quite sure what happened to the Gigabyte Control Center app. It used to be very good at adjusting all your monitor settings from the Windows desktop.

The latest version is barely functional, so you need to access settings using the joystick button at the base. Mercifully, it's intuitive and responsive and you can set up multiple (one- or two-click) shortcuts to your most commonly used features.

To its left is the off switch. To the right is the ‘Tactical Switch’ which can instantly change the display size, resolution and aspect ratio to suit esports players or activate one of the monitor’s other Game Assist features.

Those Game Assist features include multiple styles of on-screen crosshair that can be moved around the screen. These are particularly useful for games like Hardcore CoD (even though it feels like it’s close to cheating).

There’s an Eagle Eye zoom ‘sniper’ box which can magnify an area of the screen (it’s adjustable but sits in the middle by default). I’d say this really was cheating if I found it usable in any way whatsoever, but my testing found it to be little more than annoying.

There’s also Night Vision mode which changes the whole display to ‘night vision green’ for people who want to pretend they’re in real-life special forces, or something.

Flash dimming is provided to stop virtual flash-bangs combining with the high, peak brightness and burning your retinas. Not everything is available when HDR is selected, though.

You can also use Game Assist to simply show a Timer, Counter or Refresh Rate (and move this information around the screen).

(Image credit: Future)

The Resolution Settings can drop the screen to 27 or 24 inches to suit FPS players who sit right up close. The available resolutions range from 1440p to 1024 x 768, with aspect ratios ranging from 16:9 through 5:4 to 4:3.

Other gaming adjustments include numerous image presets that are all adjustable. There's also AI Black Equalizer, which flattens contrast to stop enemies hiding in shadows and highlights. There are also VRR and Anti-Flicker modes to smooth out motion for console players. The monitor also supports G-Sync and FreeSync Premium Pro to prevent image tearing.

Other features include Picture-in-Picture and Picture-by-Picture, which can make use of all four inputs (2x HDMI, DP and USB-C) plus KVM settings that let you use the same peripherals on multiple connected devices.

Also included is an extensive collection of OLED Care options that are mostly automatic and unobtrusive. You can easily check on the screen’s status, manually activate pixel cleaning cycles and select settings that automatically dim logos and static images.

Ultimately, there’s nothing notable missing and even the most demanding tinkerers should be able to easily find display settings to suit their needs.

• Design: 5 / 5

Gigabyte MO32U24: Performance

• Outstanding HDR performance
• Fine text and low-reflection coating make it great for work
• Bright, vibrant colors and contrast boost game immersion
• Fast refresh rate and pixel response time suit FPS players

The Gigabyte MO32U24 has so many settings that every type of user should be able to quickly find a combination (by choosing a single preset or manually adjusting multiple settings) that suits their needs, whether they’re gaming or working.

Office workers will warm to sharply rendered fine fonts, a low-reflection, semi-gloss coating and a resolution that affords comfortable work with four windows at once.

(Image credit: Future)

When it comes to multimedia, the semi-gloss screen reduces reflections without dulling the impact of the panel’s bright colors, true blacks and outstanding contrast like a matte screen would.

Its HDR performance, which is augmented with Gigabyte’s ObsidianShield coating and HyperNits brightness enhancement, is outstanding as it can simultaneously display details in very bright and very dark scenes at once. While some details can get lost in particularly large, bright areas, it's rarely a problem.

Top tip — I recommend using the Windows HDR Calibration tool (in the Microsoft Store) to set it up, but I also recommend not following its instructions entirely — don’t make the black and white boxes disappear into each other — you’ll get a much better image if you leave the two reference images visible.

The 240Hz refresh rate and fast QD-OLED pixel response time ensure that rapidly moving objects are rendered nearly pin-sharp. I’ve seen even better performance on even faster screens, but those rarely offer the all-around graphical attributes that are also available on the MO32U24.

I never expect much from built-in monitor speakers and the two 5-watt speakers didn’t challenge this view. It’s handy to have them for casual social-media video watching but don’t expect great musical fidelity or punchy bass.

• Performance: 5 / 5

Should you buy the Gigabyte MO32U24?Gigabyte MO32U24 scorecard

Value

Expensive but worth it.

4 / 5

Design

Utilitarian, intuitive, useful but not flashy.

5 / 5

Performance

Sublime HDR image quality. Fast for FPS players. Great for office work too.

5 / 5

Final score

One of the very best all-around monitors on the market.

5 / 5

Buy the Gigabyte MO32U24 if...

You want a monitor for work and play

The Gigabyte MO32U24’s fine resolution and low-reflection coating can make you more productive when working. Its HDR graphical capabilities improve game immersion and its speed can satisfy competitive FPS gamers.

You want a premium gaming monitor that doesn’t cost the earth

It’s not cheap, but the Gigabyte MO32U24 costs less than many flashier S-tier rivals while matching (and even beating) them for performance.

Don't buy it if...

You don’t have much money

The Gigabyte MO32U24 offers the best of everything, but you can buy functional monitors that suit specific needs for far less money.

You want a flashy gaming monitor that makes a statement

If you want a spiky gaming monitor that’s dripping in RGB and looks great in Instagram pictures of your battle station, this isn’t the gaming monitor for you.

Also consider

LG UltraGear GX9

LG’s UltraGear GX9 has a larger, curved panel that offers potentially greater gaming and productivity benefits. But it costs much, much more.

Read our LG UltraGear GX9 review

MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24

MSI’s rival uses the same panel and offers similar performance and features. It costs a bit more on paper, but it could be significantly cheaper when on sale.

Read our MSI MPG 322UR QD-OLED X24 review

Are you after something else? Check out our guide to the best monitors.

BenQ MA270S: Two-Minute Review

With Microsoft seemingly intent on turning Windows into malware, Macs are increasingly appealing. But while the Apple tax is increasingly diminishing in the consumer laptop space, it’s rife when it comes to compatible monitors.

PC-focused alternatives have different colors, pixel densities and features that rarely play well with Macs, meaning users frequently fight losing battles matching what they see on their MacBook screen with a third-party monitor. But BenQ has taken note.

There are several models in BenQ’s new specialist Mac range. Most have 4K resolutions, are 27 or 32 inches in size, have 60Hz refresh rates and offer glossy or matte finishes.

There are two outliers: the 120Hz MA320UG and this, the glossy, 5K-resolution MA270S.

(Image credit: Future)

Setup is simple, with the clip-on stem affixing to the base with a single thumbscrew. There’s a generous amount of adjustment (including 150mm (5.9in) height and 90° bi-directional pivot) which, unlike Apple, BenQ doesn’t charge extra for.

There’s also an unApple-like plethora of ports including two HDMI, two Thunderbolt 4 and four USB 3.2 Gen 2 ports (two USB-C and two USB-A), with up to 96 watts of USB-C power delivery — so one cable can connect and charge a laptop.

The USB-A ports also offer 7.5W charging. They also facilitate KVM functionality to connect multiple devices. Apple’s monitors don’t.

Once connected, BenQ’s factory-calibrated screen instantly resembled the display of the MacBook sitting next to it. Like Apple’s own monitors, the MA270S has a native 5K resolution of 5120 x 2880, giving it a much higher pixel density (218 PPI) than 27-inch, 1440p PC equivalents (~109 PPI).

By default, macOS scales the interface to look like 2560 x 1440, which keeps text crisp without making everything tiny.

(Image credit: Future)

The IPS screen is very impressive with near-OLED levels of color saturation and LED-backlight-derived (almost completely) true blacks. Multimedia looks good at default settings (vibrant colors, respectable contrast and minimal noise in gradients), but turning on HDR significantly improves everything: more details simultaneously show up in shadows and highlights and all transitions become smooth.

The brightest highlights can blow out (with no easy fix), though, and note that the glossy coating can turn into a black mirror when displaying dark content.

A common curse of Retina displays is their sluggish speeds and the MA270S is no different. The slow, 5ms response time marries with a 60Hz refresh rate (it actually goes up to a Spinal Tap-esque 70Hz) to smear fast-moving objects across the screen, so forget about eye-friendly, fast-and-frantic gaming.

There’s no integrated webcam, but the two 3-watt speakers (surprisingly for a monitor) have well-rounded fidelity and sound good, despite not getting loud.

Despite having a joystick button, most advanced image settings are controlled by BenQ’s impressive DisplayPilot 2 app. The customizable options can easily swap between color modes and toggle settings like Low Blue Light.

Its FocuSync settings match Mac Focus adjustments and enable you to change core monitor settings using Mac settings. You can also auto-sync different color modes with different applications.

(Image credit: Future)BenQ MA270S: Price & availability

• How much does it cost? $900 / £1,000 / AU$1,699
• When is it available? It’s out now
• Where can you get it? It’s available in the US, UK, Australia and other regions

While it’s not a cheap monitor, the BenQ MA270S is significantly cheaper than Apple’s own Studio displays and, therefore, serves as a much-needed, more affordable, third-party alternative in a monopoly market.

• Value: 4 / 5

BenQ MA270S: SpecsBenQ MA270S specifications

Screen size

27-inch

Aspect ratio

16:9

Resolution

5120 x 2880 (5K)

Brightness

450 cd/m² typical

Refresh rate

70Hz

Response time

5ms GTG

Viewing angle

178°(H)/178°(V)

Contrast ratio

2,000:1

Color coverage

99% sRGB, 99% P3

Inputs

2x HDMI 2.1, 1x Thunderbolt 4 (96W PD), 1x Thunderbolt 4 out (15W PD), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (35W PD), 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (15W PD), 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 2 (7.5W charging), headphone jack

Dimensions

43.0-58.0 x 61.4 x 22.0cm with stand (16.9-22.8 x 24.2 x 8.7in); 36.8 x 61.4 x 7.6cm without stand (14.5 x 24.2 x 3.0in)

Weight

8.64kg with stand (19.1lb); 5.7kg without stand (12.6lb)

BenQ MA270S: Design

• Simple, adjustable, three-part stand
• Impressive number of ports
• No built-in webcam

Apple users have always been an aesthetically appreciative bunch, and so they’ll warm to the color scheme of the BenQ MA270S, which apes that of a standard silver MacBook.

The stand is simple to assemble and offers a generous amount of movement in every direction. It's remarkable that Apple charges more for a feature like this — it’s standard on many PC displays.

The multiple ports (which offer different degrees of charging power) mean multiple devices can be simultaneously connected. Furthermore, a single keyboard and mouse can be shared across them using KVM functionality — unholy magic in the eyes of some Apple users.

FutureFutureFuture

The joystick button at the base of the screen only provides access to brightness, volume and input selections. To access more comprehensive settings, you’ll need the BenQ DisplayPilot 2 app and the OSD handily provides a QR code to locate it on BenQ’s own website (it’s not in the App Store).

It provides access to basic brightness settings, eye comfort and HDR, but also FocuSync settings on your Mac.

Another feature is the rubberized pad on the base of the stand. It provides slightly superior softness and friction compared to the plastic stand, so you may be more tempted to rest your phone on it.

(Image credit: Future)

The only element that some users might miss is a built-in webcam. Apple’s own monitors have them, but purchasers of the BenQ MA270S will have to buy a separate unit or use the one in their MacBook.

• Design: 4 / 5

BenQ MA270S: Performance

• Bright, sharp, Retina display
• Glossy finish that can become reflective
• Slow response time and refresh rate

The best thing you can say about the BenQ MA270S is that it just works. Just connecting it to your MacBook provides you with a matching image of your MacBook’s screen without having to fiddle with countless settings.

The screen displays very sharp text, colors are very bright and vibrant, and contrast is generally impressive. However, bright areas and highlights can blow out rather easily when HDR is engaged.

The big drawback is that the 70Hz refresh rate is nowhere near enough to stop the sluggish 5ms pixel response time from smearing most moving objects across the screen. As such, it’s not good for gaming.

(Image credit: Future)

Unusually for a monitor, the two 3-watt speakers offer well-rounded fidelity with a modicum of bass. They don’t get particularly loud, though.

• Performance: 4 / 5

Should you buy the BenQ MA270S?BenQ MA270S scorecard

Value

In terms of monitors, it’s not cheap. In terms of Apple monitors, it represents extraordinary value.

4 / 5

Design

The MA270S looks and feels like it belongs in Apple’s world — and that’s hard to achieve for third parties.

4 / 5

Performance

The colors, brightness, sharpness and contrast are everything we’d expect from an Apple monitor. Unfortunately, the sluggish speed is too.

4 / 5

Final score

At last, MacBook users can afford a compatible external monitor without breaking the bank.

4 / 5

Buy the BenQ MA270S if...

Apple’s homegrown alternatives are unaffordable

While the Apple tax isn’t what it once was, it still exists in monitor land. BenQ has provided some much-needed third-party competition.

You want multiple ports

Apple loves the simplicity of USB-C ports, but the real world often requires more, and BenQ provides them.

Don't buy it if...

You need a built-in webcam

It’s the one glaring omission. It’s worth highlighting its absence, as some long-time Apple buyers would simply expect it to be there.

You want it to play games

The 5ms pixel response time and 70Hz refresh rate make it one of the slowest monitors on the market.

(Image credit: Future)Also Consider

Philips 27E3U7903
This expensive, third-party alternative can even beat Apple at its own game.

Read our Philips 27E3U7903 review

BenQ GW2486TC
BenQ’s smaller, older alternative can save you even more money.

Read our BenQ GW2486TC review

Want more options? Check out our guide to the best monitors for MacBook Pro.

Ninja AutoBarista Pro: two-minute review

The Ninja AutoBarista Pro makes crafting coffee and espresso drinks easy. The espresso is the real deal, a true 9-bar espresso brew with crema. It also brews regular drip coffee and a kind of rapid cold brew for iced drinks. From there you can froth your milk of choice, dairy or non-dairy, hot or cold, to create the beverage you get out of bed for.

A dozen pre-sets give you one-touch simplicity. Grind iQ chooses the grind size and dose based your beans. But if you prefer to tweak your settings to your personal taste (strength, grind, temperature, size, froth type,) you can save up to two separate user profiles. The Ninja AutoBarista Pro comes with two bean hoppers so you can easily swap out two different kinds of beans in seconds. Plus there is a chute just for pre-ground coffee, so you always have that option.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

I tested out all 12 of the espresso and coffee drinks on the pre-set menu: Espresso, Lungo, Americano, Latte, Cortado, Cappuccino, Flat White, Drip Coffee, Over Ice (coffee), Iced Latte, Cold-Brew (coffee) and Cold-Pressed (espresso). They all came out great, though I noticed that the hot coffee drinks aren't super hot. I'd say they are immediate drinking temperature, not blow-on-it-and-sip temperature.

There is some simple cleaning and maintenance involved, but the machine does perform automatic rinses and has an interior fan to keep things as clean as possible before you have to do anything.

Wake up and have an incredible barista-style coffee drink with just the touch of a button or two. I don't know about you, but this is all I can manage before having coffee in the morning!

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)Ninja AutoBarista Pro: price and availability

• Available at Ninja's website and Best Buy
• Retails for $949.99 (£718 / AU$1,354)
• Will come in several color options

As of this writing, you can buy the Ninja AutoBarista Pro on Ninja's own website and third-party stores for $949.99/ £899.99. That works out at about AU$1,350, but at the time of writing it's not yet available in Australia. The color shown in my photos, stainless steel, is the only color currently available, but three other colors are coming: Midnight Blue, Oat Milk, and Bronze.

Ninja AutoBarista Pro: specs

Name

Ninja AutoBarista Pro

Type

Automatic

Dimensions (L x W x H)

17.8 x 10.7 x 15.82 inches / 45.3 x 7.1 x 40.2cm

Weight

39.44 lbs / 17.9kg

Water reservoir capacity

80 fl oz / 2.37 liters

Milk frother

Yes

Bars of pressure

9

Ninja AutoBarista Pro: design

• Professional barista look
• All-inclusive machine
• Touch screen

The Ninja AutoBarista Pro looks like what its name would suggest: an automatic professional barista. Which is pretty much exactly what it is. It's designed to be simple to use and the most efficient way to get the coffee or espresso drink you crave.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman Future)

The coffee hopper clicks into place on top of the machine. The Ninja AutoBarista Pro comes with two hoppers, so you can keep two different kinds of coffee on hand and easily swap out the hoppers as needed. Each time you put new beans in the hopper, you can run a "Grind iQ" cycle, which allows the machine to automatically dial in the perfect grind size for your beans. There is also a pre-ground coffee chute.

From the top, you can access the water reservoir if you prefer to add water that way as opposed to removing the whole tank and bringing it to your water source.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

A large 80-ounce water reservoir sits on the right side of the machine. Inside the reservoir is a water filtration tablet, which should be changed out every two months. The tablet holder has a dial you can set, visible from the outside of the tank, as a reminder of when to change out the filtration tablet.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

The left side of the machine has a removable door; inside the door is the brew unit. About once a month, you'll need to pull out the brew unit and give that a thorough rinse and the machine interior a wipe-down.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

On the front of the machine is a large touch screen where you make your selections. Underneath that are the dual dispensing spouts, adjustable coffee cup platform, milk wand, and milk jug. The machine does rinse itself regularly, and the milk wand purges itself after use, but you'll need to empty out the drip tray once every few brews. Of course you need to clean the milk jug, steam wand, puck bin, and bean hoppers as needed. Periodically, you'll also need to run a cleaning cycle and descale cycle.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

Before using the machine for the first time, you'll need to test your water's hardness with the included test strip. You'll have the opportunity to enter your water's hardness level during setup.

(Image credit: Karen Freeman / Future)

• Design score: 4.5/5

Ninja AutoBarista Pro: performance

• Create just about any hot or cold coffee or espresso drink
• Froth your hot or cold dairy or non-dairy milk
• Very easy to create custom beverages

When I wake up in the morning, what gets me out of bed is the thought of that first cup of coffee. The last thing I want to do is have to go through a multi-step process to get that caffeine kick. The Ninja AutoBarista Pro makes it so easy to get an excellent cup of joe quickly. There are 12 preset coffee and espresso drinks, but each one can be customized to your preferred bean strength, brewing temperature, and drink size. I tried all 12 of the drinks at least once and they were all very good. I used a dark roast coffee for my testing and started with the default settings on everything.

The temperature on the hot drinks was not what I'd call super hot. I found it immediately drinkable, but if you like your coffee to come out hotter than that, you might be disappointed.

I started with just a standard espresso using the default settings, which is a 2.5:1 water to grounds ratio. This was very strong, as expected. The Ninja AutoBarista Pro does produce a crema on its espresso drinks. I made a cold-pressed espresso, which you brew over ice. It brews at a lower temperature and does take longer than brewing a standard espresso, which makes it taste a bit smoother and less bitter. It's still a very strong espresso drink. I tried a lungo, which is a longer pull than the standard espresso, but still a very strong drink with the default settings. I made an americano, which is an espresso with extra water added. This was still strong but good.

Cold-Pressed espresso brewingKaren Freeman / FutureCold-Pressed espressoKaren Freeman / FutureLungo brewingKaren Freeman / FutureLungoKaren Freeman / FutureAmericanoKaren Freeman / Future

When you make milky drinks, you pour your milk of choice into the jug, choose dairy or non-dairy, and the Ninja AutoBarista Pro properly steams and/or froths your milk for your selected beverage. Then it's up to you to actually pour the milk into your espresso.

I made a cortado, which is espresso plus enough steamed milk to cut the bitterness. It does indeed do that, it's very good even with the almond milk I used. I made a flat white, which is an espresso plus steamed milk, more milk than a cortado but less than a latte. I also made this with almond milk and it was good. Then I made a latte, which has a bit more steamed milk plus a bit of froth. I used skim dairy milk this time with great results.

The cappuccino, which is espresso plus equal parts steamed milk and froth, was foamy and amazing. I used the default settings and skim dairy milk. This might have been my favorite hot beverage. I also made an iced latte, which is cold-pressed espresso plus lightly frothed milk. This turned out slightly foamier than I expected for an iced drink, but it was delicious.

Milk frothingKaren Freeman / FutureLatteKaren Freeman / FutureCappuccinoKaren Freeman / FutureFlat White brewingKaren Freeman / FuturePouring steamed milk for Flat WhiteKaren Freeman / FutureBrewing LatteKaren Freeman / FuturePouring milk into LatteKaren Freeman / FutureBrewing a CappuccinoKaren Freeman / FutureBrewing a CortadoKaren Freeman / FutureBrewing an Iced LatteKaren Freeman / FutureIced Latte - more foam than I expected!Karen Freeman / FuturePouring milk into a CortadoKaren Freeman / FuturePouring milk into a Iced LatteKaren Freeman / Future

In addition to the espresso-based drinks above, the Ninja AutoBarista Pro also makes drip coffee. The standard size cup is eight ounces, but you can make it larger or smaller as you like.

The default drip coffee setting was a little weak to my tastes, but that was easily adjusted and I made a stronger brew the next time.

The Ninja's AutoBarista Pro's cold-brew setting isn't a true cold brew. That would take hours. It does, however, brew at a lower temperature for a smoother, sweeter taste and a still-warm-but-cooler brew. The first time I tried this, I thought I selected 4 ounces but it seems to have been 40 ounces. I just stopped it before my mug overflowed. The taste was very nice and smooth. I did it again and brewed six ounces, which came out great.

I made an Over Ice coffee and it wasn't bad, but kind of weak compared to the Cold-Brew.

Coffee Over IceKaren Freeman / FutureDrip CoffeeKaren Freeman / FutureCold BrewKaren Freeman / FutureBrewing Coffee Over IceKaren Freeman / FutureBrewing Drip CoffeeKaren Freeman / FutureBrewing Cold BrewKaren Freeman / Future

• Performance score: 5/5

Should you buy the Ninja AutoBarista Pro?Ninja AutoBarista Pro score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

While not a cheap machine, if it replaces a daily coffee run it's worthwhile.

4/5

Design

Well-designed to make so many different beverages with ease.

4.5/5

Performance

Everything I made was great; you can tweak the default settings to your taste.

5/5

Buy it if

You want coffee-shop quality coffee and espresso drinks

If you've had it at a coffee shop, you can make it at home with this machine. What else can I say?

You don't want to make that daily coffee shop run

While a thousand-dollar machine may not sound like a bargain, it might save you money in the long run if you eliminate that daily coffee run and brew your coffee at home.

You want coffee quick and easy

You literally just press a button to get your coffee made in the morning. Sure, you'll need to pour in some milk if you want a latte, but seriously, it's so easy.

Don't buy it if

It's not in your budget

Yes, it may save you money in the long run, but it is indeed a large up-front cost.

You don't have much counter space

This is a big machine that takes up a lot of counter space. Plus, it's too heavy to take on and off your counter to store away each day.

Ninja AutoBarista Pro: also consider

De'Longhi La Specialista Touch

Less automated but smaller and less expensive, this one might be just right for you. Like the Ninja, the frothing wand and coffee bean grinder are built in. And it has a touch screen so you can easily make nine different drinks.

Read our De'Longhi La Specialista Touch review

Terra Kaffe TK-02

Want even more automation? Hook up your milk of choice and this machine steams, froths, and pours just the right amount into your beverage. Plus, you can control it from your phone or via Alexa.

Check out my Terra Kaffe TK-02 review.View Deal

How I tested the Ninja AutoBarista Pro

I spent a couple of weeks in a very caffeinated state. I brewed and drank every beverage on the touch-screen menu at least once: espresso, lungo, americano, latte, cortado, cappuccino, flat white, drip coffee, cver ice (coffee), iced latte, cold-brew (coffee) and cold-pressed (espresso). I performed standard maintenance on the machine, such as emptying the drip tray every few brews, cleaning the milk wand and frothing jug after every use, and removing and rinsing the brew unit.

First reviewed June 2026

Horipad for Steam: One-minute review

The Horipad for Steam is a dedicated PC controller built with Steam integration in mind. This means that Valve's monolithic game launcher recognizes the controller immediately, granting quick access to Big Picture Mode and various settings like deadzone and gyro calibration.

I went into my time with the Horipad for Steam thinking it could be a worthwhile cheap Valve Steam Controller (2026) alternative with that in mind. But after nearly two weeks of testing, I'm thinking I'd recommend almost any other PC-compatible controller over this one.

(Image credit: Future)

The Horipad for Steam is awful; an alarming step-back for a brand that typically delivers solid (if rarely spectacular) budget-friendly controllers and accessories. From its flimsy build quality to the bizarre lack of even Hall effect stick tech, this is a shoddy controller that isn't built to last in the same way many of its competitors are.

Before I get too negative, there are things to like here. For one, it's ergonomically sound and sits in the hands rather comfortably. I also really enjoy the pressure-sensitive triggers, which worked surprisingly well in supported games like Forza Horizon 6. A trigger lock option for digital presses is welcome, too.

That's about where the praise ends, though, because the Horipad for Steam ultimately provides a poor-feeling play experience. The face buttons, d-pad, and bumpers all somehow feel both stiff and mushy simultaneously. The included Bluetooth adapter also isn't fit for purpose - sometimes taking forever to pair and prone to disconnections.

Yet most baffling of all are what Hori calls the 'touch capacitive' thumbsticks. You can assign an input to these in your Steam launcher's controller settings, and they literally activate on touch. By which I mean, the simple act of placing your thumb on the stick will activate your chosen input. At best, this is completely useless, and at worst, it renders your games unplayable as your assigned input will go off if you so much as brush your thumb against the stick. I have no idea why Hori thought this was a worthwhile feature, especially as the controller already has four dedicated buttons for secondary input assignment!

There is practically no scenario where I can confidently recommend the Horipad for Steam. It's not cheap enough to be a legitimate budget choice, especially when rivals like the tremendous 8BitDo Pro 3 are offering a much better experience for even less. I would also strongly consider buying the Valve Steam Controller (2026) instead if you're able to do so. As far as the best PC controllers are concerned, there's no shortage of excellent options.

(Image credit: Future)Horipad for Steam: Price and availability

• Costs $59.99 / £54.99 (around AU$85)
• Available to buy now at Hori's store page
• More desirable options match or beat this controller on price

You can get the Horipad for Steam now from the brand's website, where it's available for $59.99 / £54.99 (around AU$85). This puts it roughly in the same ballpark as other excellent PC controllers like the 8BitDo Pro 3 and the Xbox Wireless Controller.

And 'excellent' sort of is the keyword here, but not for the Horipad for Steam. The fact is that this controller's price is something of a sweet spot, at least in the PC space. You'll be able to find similarly-priced controllers from brands like 8BitDo, GameSir, Victrix, and more, all outperforming the Horipad for Steam by basically every metric.

Horipad for Steam: Specs

Price

$59.99 / £54.99 (around AU$85)

Weight

6.5oz / 185g

Dimensions

6.1 x 4.3 x 2.3in / 155 x 110 x 60mm

Compatibility

PC

Connection type

Wireless (Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)

Battery life

Around 12 hours

Horipad for Steam: Design and features

• Integrated Steam functionality
• Extremely lightweight
• Hollow, plasticky build

I've tested countless controllers in my time at TechRadar, and I would recommend almost all of them over the Horipad for Steam. But to give the brand a bit of credit, this controller does set itself apart from the crowd with its official Steam integration.

The PC gaming launcher recognizes the controller instantly, and the bulk of its customization options (more so than the official Hori Device Manager software) can be tweaked within Steam. That includes stick deadzones, trigger and gyro sensitivity, and ancillary features like those capacitive touch thumbsticks.

The central Steam button grants immediate access to Big Picture mode, and a dedicated Quick Access button to its right opens a handy sidebar where you can check out your notifications, friends list, and quick settings like game recording. It's all pretty nice and convenient.

(Image credit: Future)

I don't hate the Horipad for Steam's overall design, either. It's incredibly lightweight and sits very comfortably in the hands. Referencing the Hori Fighting Stick Alpha and Hori Mario Kart Racing Wheel Pro Deluxe (yes, it really is called that), the brand has always been good at delivering solid look and feel on tighter budgets.

I also quite like the LED display on the Horipad for Steam, wrapping around the d-pad and right thumbstick, and showing things like battery life and Steam connectivity. There are some neat ideas here.

The issue is everything else. That overly lightweight build isn't down to some ingenious engineering. The Horipad for Steam is made from cheap parts, and feels cheap as a result. That extends to the bumpers, face buttons, and d-pad especially, which all feel simultaneously stiff and listless; a feat I didn't know was possible until now.

8BitDo Pro 3: Performance

• Lovely, customizable triggers
• Thumbsticks feel nice, though the lack of drift resistance is concerning
• Inclusions like touch capacitive thumbsticks are baffling at best

It's a similar story on the performance front; the Horipad for Steam has some nice ideas, but is ultimately ruined by the execution. Firstly, I will say that Hori has done a fantastic job with the triggers here. You can swap between a true digital press or pressure-sensitivity via a switch on the rear of the pad. The latter feels surprisingly solid for racing games, especially when applying more force depending on how firmly you hold the triggers down. It's a genuinely cool solution that you just don't see in the modern controller market anymore. So props for that.

It's a shame that everything else feels so shoddy. I mentioned the buttons in the previous section, but I truly hate the Horipad for Steam's d-pad. Somehow feeling both stiff and mushy at the same time, it's among the worst I've ever used. And as mentioned, that feeling extends to the face buttons and bumpers, which offer annoyingly clunky presses during play.

Your wireless connectivity options are also alarmingly limited here. A Bluetooth receiver is included in the box, and it's a tiny thing that I can see being easily lost. Bluetooth connectivity is spotty at best, too, as I experienced bouts of input lag and the odd reconnection while playing games on Steam. Bizarrely, gyro functionality can't be used during wireless play, so you'll need to hook up via USB-C if you want to use that. And I'm sure you can imagine how awful that feels with a cable weighing the pad down slightly.

Battery life is another swing-and-miss. You're getting around 12 hours here, which isn't horrendous. But on average, contemporary PC controllers are putting up 15-20 hours, sometimes more.

Yet by far the worst thing about the Horipad for Steam is its 'touch capacitive' thumbsticks. You can activate these in the controller's Steam settings, and essentially activate an input of your choosing via a quick tap of the thumbstick's top.

The problem here is the input activates no matter what, whether you quickly tap the stick or hold your thumb down. This essentially means that your chosen input is going to go off every single time your thumb meets the top of the stick. In my testing, this renders the controller unusable for normal play, and I couldn't find a single use-case where such a feature would be worthwhile. It's annoying at best, game-breaking at worst.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Horipad for Steam?Buy it if…

You want a dedicated Steam controller for less
The built-in Steam functionality is useful here, providing quick access for Big Picture Mode and various settings within the Steam launcher quickly and easily.

Don’t buy it if…

You want better battery life and wireless options
The lack of 2.4GHz connectivity hurts, and could have saved the Horipad for Steam from its Bluetooth woes. A measly 12 hours of battery life doesn't really help either.

You want something that feels more premium
Build quality is a real letdown here. There are cheaper or similarly-priced controllers out there, like the 8BitDo Pro 3, that are built with more care and polish. And of course, there's always the official Steam Controller at a slightly higher markup, if you've the budget.

Also consider...

You don't have to settle for the Horipad for Steam controller if you're looking for a dedicated PC pad. Consider the following alternatives.

Horipad for Steam

Valve Steam Controller (2026)

8BitDo Pro 3

Price

$59.99 / £54.99 (around AU$85)

$99.99 / £84.99 / around AU$149

$59.99 / £40 (around AU$84)

Weight

6.5oz / 185g

10.3oz / 292g

8.5oz / 242g

Dimensions

6.1 x 4.3 x 2.3in / 155 x 110 x 60mm

6.3 x 4.4 x 2.2in / 159 x 111 x 57mm

6.1 x 3.9 x 2.6in / 154 x 101 x 65mm

Compatibility

PC

PC, Mac, iOS, Android

Switch, Switch 2, PC, iOS, Android

Connection type

Wireless (Bluetooth), Wired (USB-C)

Steam Controller Puck, USB, Bluetooth

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

Battery life

12 hours

Around 35 hours

15-20 hours

Valve Steam Controller (2026)
Currently my go-to PC controller, Valve's second go at a gamepad is a triumph. Excellent build quality meets superb performance via TMR thumbsticks, handy touchpads, and world-class 35 hour battery life. The included Puck doubles as a charger and wireless connectivity device, too.

Read our full Valve Steam Controller (2026) review

8BitDo Pro 3
I think the 8BitDo Pro 3 is perhaps the best budget-friendly controller I've ever tested. It costs the same as the Horipad for Steam in the US (and is much cheaper in the UK), while offering better build quality and a metric ton of customization options. Just buy this instead and thank me later.

Read our full 8BitDo Pro 3 review

How I tested the Horipad for Steam

• Tested for two weeks
• Primarily tested on PC with a variety of games via Big Picture Mode
• Used features like capacitive touch thumbsticks and gyro aiming

For this review, I tested the Horipad for Steam for around two weeks, utilizing a mixture of wired (USB-C) and wireless (Bluetooth) connectivity. I played a wide variety of games with the controller, including Street Fighter 6, Final Fantasy 14 Online, Dark Souls Remastered, and Forza Horizon 6. I also made sure to test features like those capacitive thumbsticks, trying and failing to find a decent use-case for them with a variety of inputs.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2026

Ecovacs Deebot X12 OmniCyclone: two-minute review

The Ecovacs Deebot X12 OmniCyclone arrives in an increasingly crowded robot vacuum market, yet it still manages to stand out thanks to a handful of genuinely innovative features. Chief among these is the OmniCyclone docking station, a bagless dust collection system that uses Dyson-style cyclonic technology to capture detritus without relying on pricy disposable dust bags. As a result, it's a great system for anyone with molting dogs or cats, as long as the bin is emptied on a fairly frequent basis.

The X12's floor sweeping credentials aren’t exactly anything to write home about, mind, especially its performance on hard floor.And while its navigation is mostly precise and systematic, I have seen evidence of it occasionally missing some areas.

However, it's the mopping system that really sets this machine apart. Rather than dragging two damp spinning pads around the floor and potentially smearing dirt all over the floor, the X12 employs an extendable roller mop that is continuously supplied with clean water, while simultaneously collecting dirty water into a separate tank. The result is a far more hygienic clean, particularly on hard floors where conventional robot mops can often leave a thin film of grime in their wake. This model also has a unique FocusJet system that squirts water on deep stains before mopping them up, but I simply couldn’t get it to function as it should.

No question, the X12 OmniCyclone is extremely well engineered and packed with clever technology, but me thinks it might be worth a trip back to the drawing board to fix some of its frustrating anomalies.

Ecovacs Deebot X12 OmniCyclone: price & availability

• List price £1,249 / €1,399 / $1,499.99
• Launch date April 2026
• Availability Worldwide

In the UK, the Ecovacs Deebot X12 OmniCyclone’s retail price is £1,249 but you can purchase it right now direct from Ecovacs or Amazon for a knockdown £949. At this price, the odd glitch in its performance makes it a lot more justifiable. However, if you mainly want a robot vacuum to collect dry debris from hard floors, the X12 still remains difficult to fully recommend, even at this lower price point.

As of writing, US buyers don’t get the same rosy deal as those in the UK – it sells direct from Ecovacs or Amazon for the full price of $1,499.99 – though you can be sure that big discounts will be applied in the not-too-distant future. The same applies to most of Europe, too, where the X12 OmniCyclone is retailing at a quite considerable €1,399.

If the Ecovacs Deebot X12 OmniCyclone feels too specialized for your needs. or you’ve been put off by some of my reported performance issues, there are several strong alternatives on the market. For instance, the Roborock Saros 20 (£1,249) offers a much more balanced blend of hard-floor vacuuming, carpet performance and premium mopping. Likewise, the Dreame X50 Ultra Complete is also an excellent all-rounder with particularly strong obstacle avoidance and cleaning coverage. Finally, don’t discount this model’s predecessor, the Deebot X11 OmniCyclone, which delivers much of the X12’s roller-mop appeal and bagless convenience for a lot less money (£699 to be precise).

• Value score: 3/5

Ecovacs Deebot X12 OmniCyclon:: specs

Robot dimensions (W x H)

13.89 x 3.85 inches / 35.3 x 9.8cm

Cleaning dock dimensions (H x W x D)

18.30 x 14.96 x 19.40 inches / 46.5 x 38 x 49.3cm

Suction

22,000Pa

Cleaning dock bin size

1.69 quarts / 1.6 liters

Clean water tank size

3.7 quarts / 3.5 liters

Dirty water tank size

2.85 quarts / 2.7 liters

Navigation & obstacle avoidance

dToF (direct Time-of-Flight) + RGBD (Red, Green, Blue + Depth) sensors) + TruEdge 3D Edge Sensor 2.0

Carpet detection

Yes, with mop roller cover

Threshold crossing

TruePass Adaptive 4-wheel-drive up to 1 inch / 2.4cm

Mopping functions

Ozmo Roller 3.0 Instant Self-Washing Mopping Technology + FocusJet + hot-air drying

Robot noise level

59dB at five feet

Ecovacs Deebot X12 OmniCyclone: design

• Excellent dock with cyclone emptying
• Impressive roller mop system
• Pre-spray system isn’t reliable

I’ll admit that, in this day and age with so many robot vac brands and models on the market, it’s difficult to get too excited about yet another robot vac-and-mop unless it’s bringing a smorgasbord of new tech to the table. Thankfully this one introduces at least three tantalising features that I personally haven’t seen in a robot vac before, and you can read about these below.

As with all robot vacs, setup was very easy because there are only three items in the box: the dock, the robot and the clip-in ramp for the dock. Everything was self-evident, although I will add that there was a surfeit of protective cellophane wrapping on almost every inch of the dock and robot, and I guarantee you will find a piece of cellophane still lurking somewhere that you completely missed on unboxing a few weeks earlier.

Once it was plugged in and ready to go, I launched the Ecovacs Home app and added the robot to my account and Wi-Fi network. I then sent it out on its first mapping run so it could acquaint itself with its new home, and it took a spritely 10 minutes to map my entire floor space of four rooms. The resulting map on the app looked clean and precise and intuitively layout out, though I did have to merge and split some rooms, which is very common and easy to do.

(Image credit: Future)Robot design

The Ecovacs Deebot X12 OmniCyclone may, at first glance, resemble the vast majority of hybrid robot vacuum leaners, but its engineering sets it apart from much of the competition.

The first thing I should address is that, at 3.85 inches (9.8cm) in height, the X12 won’t be able to scoot under low-slung furniture like the squat Roborock Saros range. However, as is the case with the Saros 10R, this model uses solid-state direct Time-of-Flight LiDAR to navigate so it doesn’t come with an ugly LiDAR turret, and that keeps its height to an acceptable level for most low furnishings.

Aside from its dToF-based navigation system, the X12 also utilises Ecovacs’ AIVI 3D 4.0 which combines an RGB camera and depth sensors with AI processing to detect, identify and manoeuvre around most household obstacles. The camera can also be used to send a live stream to the app and it’s the sharpest image I’ve seen from any robot vac, not that you’ll use it much.

(Image credit: Future)

And then there’s something called TruEdge 3D Edge Sensor 2.0, which combines vertical and horizontal lasers to allegedly detect irregular edges, skirting boards, and recessed areas for improved edge cleaning.

Most robot vacs have a pair of manual controls on top of the robot so you can perform a full clean at the touch of a button or, more importantly, tell it to end its cleaning without having to reach for the app. Sadly, this model only has a single on/off button that you press to continue cleaning after a hiccup in its navigation, and press and hold for three seconds for it to return to dock. I personally prefer having two buttons: one to turn it on and off, or pause it mid clean, and another to end the task and return to dock. Had I not checked the manual, I’d never have know its on/off button served two functions.

Heading to the undercarriage, the X12’s single tapered six-inch brush roller makes a very fair fist of dealing with hair tangles by coaxing it towards the tapered end where it’s sucked into the vacuum path. The roller itself is comprised of four soft rubber paddles for carpet beating and two bristled paddles for hard floors.

(Image credit: Future)

I’ve been watching suction-power stats of robot vacs for some time, and over the past five years they have has exploded from an average of 2,000–2,500 Pascals to between 20,000 and 36,000Pa for today's flagship models. Mind, suction stats are largely a marketing ploy because real-world cleaning relies much more heavily on brush design and airflow. This model boasts 22,000Pa which is about average for its price range.

One of this model’s most distinctive design elements is the extendable roller mop, which automatically extends one inch beyond the robot's chassis to clean along skirting boards and into 90-degree corners that are often left untouched by standard robot mops. I much prefer a roller system like this over twin spinning mop pads because the roller is continually washed during operation, with contaminated water extracted and transferred to a dedicated dirty-water tank while fresh water is supplied to the roller. This ensures that muck is removed rather than redistributed over other sections of flooring.

(Image credit: Future)

The X12’s carpet protection is equally innovative because a protective sleeve rotates beneath the roller, effectively isolating the damp roller and preventing unwanted moisture from transferring to carpet. The mopping system is theoretically further enhanced by Ecovacs’ unique FocusJet Stain Pre-Dissolving technology, which allegedly targets dried-on spills before mopping. This system is said to improve cleaning performance on stubborn messes, but I’ve found it to be very hit-and-miss, which even Ecovacs admits to in a warning written just below the app’s FocusJet setting.

I don’t have any tall thresholds in my home but if you do, you’ll be pleased to learn that the X12 comes with something called TruePass Adaptive four-wheel-drive Climbing System that will, according to Ecovacs, help the robot to scale single thresholds of up to one inch (2.4cm) in height and "navigate continuous double steps of up to 1.57 inches (4cm) with ease".

I wouldn’t say that this model’s battery capacity is especially noteworthy, at least when used extensively. However, Ecovacs says the battery can be restored by 13% in just three minutes to help elongate its operation time if the robot is being pushed to the limits, so that’s a very good thing.

Like quite a few high-end hybrid robotic cleaners, the X12 also uses an AI Agent to "autonomously map your home, identify floor types via intelligent scene recognition, and then schedule and execute a weekly cleaning plan". I personally always turn AI off because I’m human and have a brain capable of setting my own schedules, thank you very much.

Score ref: 3.5/5

Dock design

The Ecovacs Deebot X12 OmniCyclone’s charging dock combines an impressive range of automation features with styling that looks more like a miniature Art Deco skyscraper from Batman’s Gotham City or Fritz Lang’s Metropolis than a household appliance.

Rather than relying on disposable dust bags, which may need replacing on a two-week basis if shedding pets are in the home, the X12’s dock uses cyclone technology to suck dust and debris from the robot’s small bin into a large 1.69-quart (1.6-litre) collection chamber. To empty, simply unclip it, take it to the kitchen bin and slide down the blue lever. Voila, the debris falls out of the bottom just like a Dyson vac.

As a dog- and cat-owner, I’m a big fan of this type of system because it not only reduces ongoing costs — and environmental waste — but it also helps maintain strong suction performance between the robot and the dock while vastly reducing any issues of clogging that can sometimes occur if the robot has collected too much pet hair.

The dock also houses two large clean and dirty water reservoirs (3.7 quarts/3.5L and 2.85 quarts/2.7L apiece) for the roller mop system which minimises the need for frequent refilling or emptying. It also incorporates two cleaning-solution tanks, including a dedicated one that’s used by the X12’s FocusJet system to tackle dried-on spills and stubborn marks before mopping.

(Image credit: Future)

As with most premium hybrid robots, the dock’s maintenance is almost entirely automated so the station washes the roller mop using heated, pressurised water, extracts dirty water into a separate tank and then dries the mop with hot air to reduce rancid odours and bacterial growth. Ecovacs has also equipped this dock with some self-cleaning functions, including automatic cleaning of the washing tray and dirty-water system.

Score ref: 4.5/5

• Design score: 4/5

Ecovacs Deebot X12 OmniCyclone: performance

• Top-notch dock performance
• Very good roller mopping to the edge
• Disappointing hard floor performance

Navigation performance

After a very successful initial mapping run, the X12’s navigation seemed a bit wayward for the first few excursions but improved as the robot seemingly learned the quickest route from room to room.

However, I have been perplexed by some of its behavior in our furniture-cluttered lounge which is a mixture of hard wooden floor and thin rugs. It doesn’t help that the app has so many customizable floor-cleaning options that you’re forced to experiment and the surfeit of carpet settings alone is enough to drive you round the twist as you fiddle and mess about with options like ‘clean carpet first’, ‘avoid fringed carpets’, ‘carpet recognition’, the list goes on.

Possibly as a result of some setting I may have incorrectly adjusted, the X12 has never performed a complete clean of the lounge, at least according to the image of its trail on the app. At first I had ‘AI Agent' turned on, and I never trust AI when it comes to automation because you never know what it’s going to do next. Besides, I prefer to be in control of my gadgets. Anyway, after 15 minutes of online research I noticed a tiny grayed-out ‘exit’ word just below the AI Agent option that had been there all the time. So I turned AI Agent off and breathed a sign of relief. Did it make a difference to its lounge-cleaning navigation? Not much, as far as I can tell.

I’m not really sure what it doesn’t like about my lounge, but for some strange reason it usually misses cleaning the 15 inches of wooden floor gap between two thin rugs and it doesn’t completely vacuum under my sofa, even when I’ve lifted the valence. Instead, it performs one pass under the front edge of the sofa and then leaves.

And another thing… When it started my most recent lounge-cleaning attempt there was a dog bed on the floor, which it deftly skirted around. But when I removed the bed while it was cleaning nearby, I expected it to notice the sudden lack of bed and proceed to clean that area too. But no, it simply went home.

The X12 also has a habit of stalling at the edge of every rug before moving forward. It heads towards the rug at full speed and as soon as a wheel detects a slight incline – we’re talking millimeters here – it stops dead while it assesses the situation before proceeding to cross the rug. No great shakes but it was something I noticed that rarely bothers other bots. Thankfully and despite these slightly confounding anomalies, the X12 has behaved perfectly well in every other room with full clean-ups as one would reasonably expect.

Score ref: 2.5/5

Obstacle avoidance

(Image credit: Future)

If the X12’s overall navigation has room for improvement, there’s no such issue with its obstacle avoidance. For this test I set its AIVI 3D obstacle avoidance to ‘high sensitivity’ and used a number of dog toys but also placed two cigarette lighters and a small remote. I was very impressed by how quickly it negotiated a path between them with no collisions to report. At other times the X12’s obstacle avoidance has been set to ‘standard’ and even in this setting it has never ridden slipshod over anything, so I call that a result.

Score ref: 4/5

Vacuuming

I set up two vacuuming tests, one on hard floor, the other on carpet rug using a mix of rice, oats, icing sugar and granola. Test one was on my kitchen hard floor and unfortunately it was a bit of a failure. While this test was extreme, it was no different to every other robot vacuum test I perform on hard floor. Firstly, the act of creating a zone using the Scenario option was far too complicated, but I got there in the end. I went for the full vacuum power, deep clean and two-passes option to give it a better chance.

When it arrived at the zone, it first drove straight over the detritus with its motor off, which was a strange thing to do. It then proceeded to start its cleaning run and collected some of the debris, but left far more behind than it should have done. It also seemed to work haphazardly and made just one pass along the skirting board without cleaning up any of the ingredients. When it finally left the scene, the floor looked in quite a state so I reached for the Dyson Gen5detect, which cleaned up everything in one pass.

I couldn’t tell if this disappointing result was due to sub-par suction power – at 22,000Pa it should pick up debris much better – or if the brush bar is badly designed, but the results for this hard floor test were unacceptable. However, I should add that, during its day-to-day sweeping, I’ve never had too much cause for concern because it has always vacuumed the kitchen and most other hard floor areas efficiently enough. Perhaps I pushed it too far for this test.

FutureFuture

Thankfully the rug test was more successful, though I wouldn’t say it was exceptional by any means, especially considering that I had maxed out all the settings. The first horizontal pass clearly showed that it had collected most of the crumbly debris, but it took a return pass and another two vertical passes to leave it fairly clean. I say fairly because most robots leave behind some detritus in a test like this, which is why you should never get rid of your cordless stick vac or any other form of manual vacuum cleaner. While robots are great for keeping on top of things, homo sapiens is thankfully still way more advanced than any robot when it comes to household duties.

Score ref: 2.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Mopping performanceFutureFuture

Despite having the X12’s FocusJet activated since installing the product, I have never actually seen it in operation, which has really confused me because I thought that the moment the robot spots a large stain area it jet washes it first to break up the stain and then mops it. But maybe that’s not the case — answers on a postcard please.

For my kitchen mopping test I squirted some tomato ketchup on the floor and adjusted the cleaning settings to Vac and Mop (for some bizarre reason there is no mop-only feature), standard water dispensing, Deep Cleaning, and two passes. As I anticipated given all the mopping tech on this bot, the X12 performed well in this test; indeed better than most spinning mop systems I’ve tested. Yes, it was a bit erratic in its chosen path, but it eventually cleaned the mess up and left far fewer smears than I have normally experienced.

Did it use the FocusJet on this unmissable ketchup stain? No, it simply approached the stain and duly mopped it without once using the squirty jet thing. And yet it did squirt water at least twice on an area with no stains whatsoever.

I personally don’t see a need for this water-spraying function because the task of cleaning a specific stain is a lot quicker if you just grab some kitchen towelling or a proper mop and bucket and do it yourself. The mere fact you need to reach for the app and make an educated guess where the stain is on the map and then wait five minutes while the robot gets ready to trundle over to what you hope is the correct spot, is way too long a process in my opinion. And even when it gets there, there’s no guarantee that it will actually use the water spraying system in the correct place, or even use it at all.

Score ref: 3.5/5

Dock performance

The X12 OmniCyclone's charging dock is among the most capable and innovative docking stations I’ve come across. Its bagless OmniCyclone dust collection system has performed particularly well, emptying the robot's onboard dustbin with no clogging to report, though I will admit that I have set it to empty the bot’s bin several times during its daily routines. Yes, I have had to take the bin to the kitchen bin twice in a month for emptying but even this has been a breeze. In fact, it has a better emptying mechanism than a lot of cordless stick vacs I’ve reviewed.

(Image credit: Future)

The dock also automatically washes the roller mop using heated water, removes the dirty water into a dedicated reservoir and then dries the roller with hot air to help prevent unpleasant smells and mould growth. And like most premium models, the dock’s self-cleaning functions also do a grand job of helping to keep the removable washing tray free from accumulated muck.

Score ref: 4/5

Battery performance

The X12’s 4,000mAh battery has a charging time of around two and a half hours. My lounge is roughly 12m² and, according to the app, the double-pass vacuum test in my lounge took 28 minutes to complete, while missing the space between two rugs that I have already mentioned above. After this run the battery showed 54% remaining, which seemed a bit low to me. Anyway, I then set it off to do two vacuum passes at full suction in the kitchen (around 17m²), after which the battery showed just 15%. As a result it headed back to the dock for a top-up before heading out again 20 minutes later to complete the task.

I’ve also noticed it heading back for a near-full top-up midway through an entire house clean and this suggests that the X12 might not be the best model for larger homes. Granted, one is rarely bothered by how long it takes a robot to clean a whole home, but there will be times when you need a quick cleanup in an emergency only to discover that the X12 is too busy charging itself from an earlier task.

Score ref: 3.5/5

• Performance score: 3/5

Ecovacs Deebot X12 OmniCyclone: app functionality

• Relatively easy to navigate
• Far too many custom options
• Some annoying programming traits

At first I thought the Ecovacs Home app was one of the most intuitive and well laid-out robot app I’d come across – ‘very easy to navigate’, I said in my notes. However, in hindsight I think it’s too complex and confusing for its own good. Don’t get me wrong, I love an app that provides loads of customisation but this app tips it into anorak territory with so many custom options available that it’s difficult to know where to start.

This is especially noticeable when you select ‘Robot Advanced Functions’ because advanced they most certainly are. Yes, some are self explanatory but when you tap ‘Carpet Settings’ you’re met with two pages of settings relating to every carpet-cleaning scenario imaginable. As a result you can find yourself in a rabbit hole of experimentations that take ages to carry out because it’s a robot and robots always do things at their own pace – very slowly.

(Image credit: Future)

On the plus side, the app does cleverly divide all settings into Robot and Dock, and provides instant access to one’s pre-programmed routines, or Scenarios as Ecovacs calls them. However, it might take you a while to find the area where you create them, and when you finally get there and create your series of personalised routines and name them accordingly – like ‘Lounge Vac’, ‘Kitchen Mop’, etc – don’t just click on ‘done’ because there’s also a faint ‘save’ button on top and if you don’t click that, you may be back to square one. Also, as mentioned above, I had issues trying to turn off Agent Mode which I simply don’t trust, especially given the amount of engineered wood flooring in my home.

This is far from the worst robot app I’ve ever used. In fact it’s quite similar to my favourite Roborock app for functionality and personalisation. But as I said above, I think the IT department went a bit over the top when they designed this app and ended up providing too many options.

• App functionality score: 3/5

Should you buy the Ecovacs Deebot X12 OmniCyclone?Ecovacs Deebot X12 OmniCyclone: score card

Section

Notes

Score

Value for money

This model features some very clever innovations, but it’s not the best value when it comes to some elements of its performance.

3/5

Design

The dock's sleek Art Deco design and clever bagless system are this model’s standout features.

4/5

Performance

Decent mopping, but its vacuuming and overall navigation are mostly disappointing.

3/5

App functionality

The X12's Ecovacs Home app is too complex for its own good.

3/5

Average rating

3/5

Buy it if

You have hairy pets

The X12’s unique bagless collection system avoids ongoing dust bag costs for pet-owners.

You want good mopping

The X12 is a sterling mopper, though the pre-spray option is unreliable.

Your kids leave toys everywhere

This model has excellent obstacle avoidance.

Don't buy it if

You want great hard floor vacuum performance

Despite high suction claims, the X12 can struggle with picking up debris on hard floors.

You have a complex layout 

The X12’s room-to-room navigation isn’t the best on the market.

You are swayed by the concept of pre washing

The FocusJet feature is very hit and miss.

How I tested the Ecovacs Deebot X12 OmniCyclone

I tested the Ecovacs Deebot X12 OmniCyclone across a typical mixed UK home environment, combining hard flooring, rugs and high-traffic kitchen areas. The focus was on real-world performance rather than lab conditions, including everyday debris such as crumbs, dust, huge amounts of pet hair and sticky spills. I ran multiple cleaning cycles using the highest levels of vacuum and full mopping modes, observing how well it handled edge cleaning, room transitions and obstacle avoidance. Particular attention was paid to its roller-mop system, water delivery and the behaviour of the Focus Jet and OmniCyclone dock during emptying and refilling.

I also assessed its noise levels, maintenance demands and app control usability over repeated use. The aim was to determine whether its headline mopping innovations genuinely translate into better everyday cleaning performance. It mostly did in this regard but there’s definitely room for improvement regarding its overall navigation and hard floor sweeping.

First reviewed June 2026.

Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S review

The Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S is a device that came to me when I needed it most. It was a sweltering day in the UK — a nation with little in the way of air conditioning, but lots of humidity. But as I sat there at my desk sweating profusely, my editor handed Dreo’s new misting fan to me, and I have to say, it’s been a lifesaver.

But what exactly is the Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S? Well, it’s a device designed to deliver “mess-free cooling,” and is best-suited for desks and tables. I’ve spent the last three weeks with Dreo’s fan, and have used it at my desk, at the kitchen table, and even in a controlled testing space at Future Labs. And for the most part, it’s proved to be quite an impressive performer — though it’s not totally without its flaws. So, here’s how I’d rate my experience overall.

First of all, let’s talk about who this fan is for. In my view, this is best suited for someone who’s sat at their desk and wants a personal fan, but one they can also set on a bedside table on hotter evenings too. I’d not necessarily recommend it to keep the whole family cool on the sofa, though — it’s still pretty compact, and the fan head is relatively small, meaning you don’t get the huge amount of coverage that some of the best fans can provide.

So, how does the 516S fare when used at a desk? In my case, it was great. I found the mist setting to work exceptionally well, and it added a nice degree of coolness without making any mess or feeling too intense. There were 12 speeds to select, and it was easy to switch between the three mist levels depending on how hot I felt. What’s more, it can oscillate 150 degrees horizontally, up to 20 degrees up, and 10 degrees down, making it easy to tailor coverage to your specific space. Dreo states that the 516S can cool a room by 3C / 5.4F at a max speed of 8m/s.

Setting up misting is pretty straightforward too. Simply fill up the detachable 1.3L water tank, slot it into the fan, and you’re good to go. You have to flip the tank upside down before inserting it, and this can lead to a bit of minor leakage, but I never found this to be a big issue. The tank is also large enough to keep misting for hours on end — 12 hours, according to Dreo — and I never felt that I had to refill it too regularly. And if you’re not in a misty mood, then fear not — it’s easy to switch over to a fan only mode, which works nicely too.

Even when using the mist mode, I found the fan to run pretty quietly, which was especially useful when trying it out at night. I didn’t find it difficult to drift off to sleep with the fan at a middling speed, and it certainly couldn’t cut past my Sony WH-1000XM6 headphones when trying it during the workday. One caveat, however, is that the Turbo mode — for those who want maximum power — can get fairly noisy. This could frustrate some when trying to watch TV or listen to music, but the mode did still work well when I needed a thorough blast of cold.

(Image credit: Future)

There are a number of other ways to customize your experience, though, such as a timer, a humidity preference setting, and a child lock system. Such options can be accessed through a number of control methods: touch controls, a remote, voice commands, or a companion app. This level of versatility is always welcome, and the inclusion of Alexa and Google voice assistants is pretty neat, especially given the 516S’s modest price — more on that later.

I will say, however, that the physical touch controls are… a little temperamental. Sometimes I found myself pressing a button over and over again trying to get it to function properly. That’s pretty frustrating, and often pushed me to reach for the remote instead. It’s no dealbreaker, especially with the various alternative control methods, but it’s worth noting all the same.

Before we sum up, let’s talk about design. This fan is decent-looking, with an easy-to-clean plastic exterior, attractive lighting on the control panel, and a transparent water tank, so you always know when it’s time for a refill. There’s also a practical carry handle, and you can easily dismantle the fan if you need to make a fix. The power cable is integrated, and you won’t be able to use this fan wirelessly, but for the cost, that’s understandable.

Speaking of cost, the 516S will typically set you back $99.99 / £99.99 (about AU$140), which in my view, is a very fair price. Sure, there are cheaper options available in this size-class, but you get mess-free and effective misting, a wide range of speeds, and a wide number of control methods, all without having to break the bank. So if you’re looking for a fan to use at your desk, or a personal cooling solution while watching TV for instance, I think the Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S is well-worth considering.

(Image credit: Future)Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S review: price & release date

• List price of $99.99 / £99.99 (about AU$140)
• Released in April 2026

The Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S has a fairly modest price tag for all of the tech it crams in. It’s typically available for $99.99 / £99.99 (about AU$140), although I have seen it discounted with some online retailers. The fan released in April 2026 as part of Dreo’s 2026 summer lineup.

Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S review: specs

Speeds

12

Oscillation

150 degrees horizontal, 30 degrees vertical

Weight

5lbs / 2.3kg

Dimensions

7.9 x 8.6 x 15.7 inches / 201 x 219 x 400mm

Control

Touch, remote, app, voice

Timer

Yes

Additional modes

Fan only, Turbo

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S?

Attribute

Notes

Score

Features

Wide control options, plenty of modes and speeds, mist and fan only options, wired power only.

4.5 / 5

Performance

Mess-free misting works well, decent coverage, usually quiet unless using Turbo mode.

4 / 5

Design

Decent looking, easily detachable water tank, touch controls could be better.

4 / 5

Value

Cheaper options exist, but a good performer at a relatively modest price.

4 / 5

Buy it if…

You want mess-free misting
I was blown away by the effectiveness of this Dreo fan’s misting. It helped cool me down really quickly, but at the same time, it never made any mess whatsoever. Practical and a steady performer? Sign me up.

You don’t want to refill a misting tank too often
Despite the 516S’s relatively small size, it has a 1.3L tank that can keep misting for hours on end without requiring a refill. If you just want to load up and chill out for the rest of the day, this fan has you covered.

Don’t buy it if…

You want the broadest coverage
This is a desktop fan, and so in spite of its wide-angle oscillation, you won’t get the most expansive coverage in the world. If that’s a dealbreaker, I’d suggest picking a larger model in our guide to the best fans around.

You need the quietest fan around
Although the 516S is generally quiet in use, the Turbo mode is a little loud. It may be better to look elsewhere if you want borderline silence for night-time use, for instance.

Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S review: also consider

MeacoFan Sefte Pro 10in
Our ‘best mid-range pick’, the MeacoFan Sefte Pro 10in is so easy to recommend. Unlike this Dreo fan, it's cordless, so you can pick it up and place it wherever you want with ease. It's powerful yet quiet, and pretty compact too, although it skips on the misting effect that you get with this Dreo model. Read our full MeacoFan Sefte Pro 10in review.

Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo
This one is sometimes on sale at a very similar price to this Dreo fan, and we’re big… fans of it here at TechRadar. The HydroGo has misting capabilities, can be used cordless, and is surprisingly lightweight, making it a spectacular all-rounder. OK, it doesn’t oscillate and there’s no remote control included, but it remains an excellent personal cooling solution. Read our full Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo review.

How I tested the Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested across a three-week period
• Made use of all settings and features
• Used at home and in a controlled testing space at Future Labs

I spent three weeks testing the Dreo Smart Misting Fan 516S, using it at home on my desk and the kitchen table, and even trying it in a controlled environment at Future Labs.

During this time, I tested out all of the various features, sifted through the multiple connectivity and control options, and made sure to try the fan both with and without misting activated. During the majority of the testing period, I was using the fan on high temperature days with high humidity, making for a natural and authentic testing process.

More generally, I’ve tested tons of gadgets here at TechRadar across the course of multiple years. I’ve covered home and lifestyle products, audio gear, video games, and more as part of our dedicated reviews team.

• Read TechRadar’s reviews guarantee
• First reviewed: June 2026

Sennheiser Momentum 5: two-minute review

The Sennheiser Momentum 5 are noise-cancelling headphones with lossless connectivity, spatial audio, and a promised battery life of 57 hours of battery life per charge with ANC engaged. They also offer heaps of sound personalization features, a smooth sliding scale between 100% noise cancelling and 100% transparent and customizable Sound Zones that allow you to automatically apply sound profiles and ANC settings when you enter predefined locations.

The Sennheiser Momentum 5’s look is clean overall, even if it’s not that adventurous a design, with a build mostly fashioned from plastic with metal highlights. The cushioned headband and faux leather ear cups do feel super comfortable, although I did find the slight ridge inside the cup made my ear to ache during long listening sessions. Otherwise though, they fit well and feel solidly built.

I’ve got to be honest though: when it comes to performance, I found the Sennheiser Momentum 5’s sound out of the box to be on the disappointing side, compared to the best headphones out there. Bass feels decent enough — I dropped Listen by Pola & Bryson & goddard. and not only did that distorted, snarling bass sound substantial, but the synths felt well rounded and there’s some good sub there, especially if you slip the headphones Bass Boost on.

However, when it comes to higher frequencies, the Momentum 5 too often felt like they were pulling punches. Rosewood by Bonobo sounded unusually muffled in the higher mids, with the usually punchy percussion and hats sounding really inert to me. Meanwhile, treble is similarly milquetoast, with the rhythmic static loops of The Gloaming by Radiohead lacking the crispness I’d expect and feeling unnecessarily rolled off.

Fortunately, this is something you can fix, thanks to the Momentum 5’s powerful EQ tools. There are eight EQ presets to choose from, including everything from Rock to Hip-Hop, but I found I was able to get far better results out of whipping up my own tunings.

(Image credit: Future)

Both Sound Check presets and Sound Personalization started the same way, allowing me to pick my favorite tweak by listening to three alternative tunings five times. Where they diverge is how you tweak the resultant profile, with the former letting you adjust it based on an eight-band EQ and the latter a matrix that lets you independently boost or duck bass and treble. With the latter I was able to get pretty great sound out of the Momentum 5, feeling warm in the low end while feeling crisp and dynamic in the high end — I just wish it didn’t require so much tweaking to get the Momentum 5 to sound their best.

On the plus side, the Momentum 5 offer an excellent soundstage. They give real breadth even to stereo mixes, with each instrument meticulously well positioned in the stereo field. And the headphones deftly handle Dolby Atmos — don’t get me wrong, some masters still feel a little hollow in this kind of spatial format, but Sennheiser’s cans do a fine job of situation each element in the space around you.

Speaking of being surrounded by sound, another area the Momentum 5 didn’t quite live up to my expectations was their noise cancelling. Now, not every set of headphones can quite live up to the Bose QuietComfort Ultra Headphones’ commotion-quashing capabilities but I found Sennheiser’s often struggled to fully hush everyday conversation or completely stifle traffic noise. Sadly, they can’t compete with much of the market on this front.

Elsewhere, though, the Momentum 5’s features are more impressive. Connectivity is strong — they’re Bluetooth 6 ready, with the standard due to to come to the headphones in a future update, and they offer aptX Lossless, which means those with compatible phones can effectively stream CD quality sound on the go. And Sennheiser's Sound Zones is also a fun feature, allowing you to set the Momentum 5 to switch to certain EQ and ANC profiles automatically based on your location.

One last thing that warrants a special mention is the Momentum 5's battery life. While the Sony WH-1000XM6 offer a decent 30 hours and the AirPods Max 2 offer a pretty disappointing 20 hours with ANC on, Sennheiser's headphones blow right past them, offering up to 57 hours. This was consistent with my testing, meaning you can absolutely rely on these cans to last you days and days without needing a top up.

All told, the Sennheiser Momentum 5 are a solid set of noise-cancelling headphones, with some impressive features, long-lasting battery and spacious high-quality sound. But they’re also frustrating, as without certain missteps like their unbalanced default tuning and weaker ANC, they could be something truly remarkable. As they stand, they’re a good pair of headphones for their price, particularly once you’ve tailored their sound to your taste, but they won’t topple the best noise-cancelling headphones out there.

(Image credit: Future)Sennheiser Momentum 5 review: price and availability

• Launched June 16, 2026
• List price of $399.95 / £329 / AU$749
• Available in Black, White, and Denim

Launched on June 16, the Sennheiser Momentum 5 are available now. They’re available for a list price of $399.99 / £329 / AU$749 — that definitely puts them in the higher-end bracket, although they’re obviously nowhere near as premium as the $549 / £499 / AU$999 AirPods Max 2 or the $649 / £550 / AU$999.95 Sony 1000X The Collexion.

They come in three colorways: Black, White, and Denim. Before you get too worried about having to match that last one to your outfit, don’t: it’s really just a dark indigo hue. All three colorways look decent enough to me, although I definitely think Sennheiser could have given us a little more choice here — at least one stand-out option like mauve or mint might have just helped provide an option for those that like to stand out from the crowd.

Sennheiser Momentum 5 review: specs

Drivers

42mm dynamic driver

Active noise cancellation

Yes (Hybrid Adaptive ANC)

Battery life

57 hours (ANC on)

Weight

290g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.4 (Bluetooth 6 ready), USB-C

Frequency response

6Hz – 40kHz (Wireless/USB), 6Hz – 22kHz (Analog)

(Image credit: Future)Sennheiser Momentum 5 review: features

• aptX Lossless compatible — but no LDAC or ALAC
• Versatile EQ & sound personalization
• Sound zones

First off, let’s take a look at what they’ve got going on under the hood. The Momentum 5 are rocking the same 42mm transducers as their predecessor — that’s a considerable step up compared to something like the Sony WH-1000XM6’s 30mm dynamic drivers and even an improvement over the Bowers & Wilkins Px8 S2’s 40mm. Hopefully that should mean the Momentum 5 can muster up more substantial bass and a broader soundstage.

Connectivity is very strong on the Momentum 5 too, especially if you’re listening from an aptX compatible device. Not only do they currently run Bluetooth 5.4, they’re Bluetooth 6.0 ready, with it due to arrive by a future firmware update. It’s compatible with AptX Lossless, which gives you access to near CD-level quality playback — although sadly not ALAC or LDAC, which means you won’t be enjoying lossless audio on your Apple or Samsung device.

The Momentum 5’s touch controls are easy enough to use and feel pretty intuitive. A single tap to play / pause, swiping forward and back to skip forward and back, up and down to increase / decrease the volume, each control is intuitive and easy to activate… in fact, possibly too easy to activate. As can often be the case with headphones that rely on touch control, it’s really easy to trigger functions on the Momentum 5 when you’re adjusting them or removing them from your head and I’d often pick them up from my desk and realize I’d already set them playing.

The touch controls aren’t the only way to control the Momentum 5 though. Once you’ve paired them with your phone, Sennheiser’s SmartControlPlus app gives you more granular control over many of the headphones settings. As well as switching Dolby Atmos content on and off, you can also use it to tailor noise cancelling to your preferred level — it offers a smooth slider that allows you to gradually shift from 100% ANC to 100% transparency, as well as offering a toggle to turn on Anti-Wind mode in ANC.

(Image credit: Future)

You can use one of eight EQ presets from Dance to Jazz or you can create your own using its eight-band EQ. More unique though is Sennheiser’s Sound Check EQ presets: basically it allows you to pick which you prefer out of multiple different profiles like an eyetest for your ears. After you’ve selected your preferred option five times, it shows you the resultant preset. This feels like a really neat idea, allowing people who aren’t au fait with tweaking audio frequencies to still create their own custom sound.

But even more flexible in my eyes is Sennheiser’s Sound Personalization feature, which has been carried over from the Sennheiser Momentum 4. It runs you through the same setup as the Sound Check EQ but rather than presenting you with a range of EQ bands to adjust after, it instead presents you with a matrix that allows you to independently boost or reduce the bass and treble frequencies to polish your own preferred sound profile. That feels nicely intuitive and seems far easier to tweak on the fly than a standard graphic equalizer.

Lastly, the inclusion of customizable Sound Zones isn’t unique to Sennheiser’s cans — for example, being offered by the last few generations of Sony’s WH-1000 line — but it still feels like a pretty neat feature. Being able to automatically set noise-cancelling to maximum when I hit the office, switch up to a bassier sound profile when I hit the gym or increase the transparency when I’m out of the house saves a lot of effort. While it’s not necessarily trailblazing, it’s useful and really helps to make the Momentum 5 feel very fully featured.

Finally, the Momentum 5’s battery life is seriously impressive, with Sennheiser claiming they’ll last you up to 57 hours with ANC enabled. To test out its claims, I set the Momentum 5 to play music continuously with ANC on at 50% volume for six hours, during which time their battery dropped just 10%. As a back of the envelope calculation, that would put their total life at 60 hours — even though battery discharge curves are rarely linear, 57 hours seems very credible to me.

All in all, the Momentum 5 has a very strong feature set. Perhaps none of them are truly groundbreaking but when taken together, they make these cans feel very well appointed and ensure that you’re getting a great user experience.

• Features score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Sennheiser Momentum 5 review: sound quality

• Disappointing default tuning, with weak treble
• Impressive soundstage and Dolby Atmos
• Ineffectual ANC

As an audiophile, I’ve been a loyal user of Sennheiser’s headphones for years. A good part of the reason for this is that the brand’s cans are known for having a reliably balanced frequency balance, meaning that whether I’m listening to music or producing it, I’ve come to trust that Sennheiser headphones will give me a largely accurate picture of how recordings should sound.

In light of this, I’m a little surprised at how uneven I find the neutral tuning of the Sennheiser Momentum 5. I know preferences vary and some like more bass or more treble, say, but for me this goes beyond simple differences in taste. The default sound here feels like it has some actual deficits, which I find odd from a brand of Sennheiser’s pedigree.

Let’s focus on the most positive stuff first. Bass is pretty creditable here: for example, when listening to No Skin by Frameworks & Mild Minds, I found that the Momentum 5 gave its sustained bassline some wonderful warmth and while there wasn’t quite as much sub as you’ll get from the most premium headphones, it still felt dynamic and punchy enough, especially with the Momentum 5’s bass booster on.

Higher up in the spectrum though, things feel more unbalanced. Playing You Can Call Me Al by Paul Simon, all of the elements are present and correct but feel slightly muffled — particularly the toms and the exuberant brass section feel slightly rolled off, with their upper-mid frequencies feeling like they’ve been sanded off. And this is even more noticeable in the treble range: in 236e jour by Marc Leclair: the bouncing, scrape-edged synths end up feeling far duller than they should, while the shuffling hats just lose a little of their cut through.

Now you can obviously go someway toward ameliorating this using EQ. While I found Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac to be pretty dull in places on the neutral tuning, with the vocals in particular feeling totally enfeebled, I was able to cast around in the EQ settings to improve it. The Rock preset, if anything, made the problem worse, making the sound even more baggy and focused around the middle. But creating a Sound Check EQ profile, I was able to crisp up the high-end a little and reintroduce some of the presence it had lost.

By far the best results I achieved though was when using Sennheiser’s Sound Personalization algorithm. After running through the five steps, sound already felt a little more balanced — but it was during fine tuning that I was able to add a bit more warmth to the bass and a soupçon more brightness to the treble. The difference was like having my ears syringed: Outside (Parra for Cuva Remix) by Henry Green suddenly sounded like the sustained bassline was more resonant and satisfying, while the snare and hats punctured through the mix far better.

So the Sennheiser Momentum 5 can absolutely sound strong for their price, if you’re prepared to put the work in. But I do find it a little frustrating that they require you to spend so much time redressing sonic missteps in their engineered sound when other headphones in this price bracket like the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 put their best foot forward with their default sound.

(Image credit: Future)

Once I’d found a sound profile I was happy with though, my experiences of the rest of the Sennheiser’s audio quality was far more positive.

For example, the audio feels very clear and expressive, even over lower quality connections. Even using the lossy AAC codec via Apple Music on my MacBook Pro and iPhone 16 Pro, the vocal, strings and piano of Wasting My Young Years by London Grammar shared the spotlight graciously, avoiding sounding over-compressed. But when listening to it using aptX Lossless via Tidal, it feels like there’s even more dynamic range, allowing far more space for that gorgeous vocal to rise up above the rest of the mix without smothering the rest of the instrumentation.

The Momentum 5 also have a really impressive soundstage, even compared to headphones like the Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 that are known for their agile handling of mixes. When I listened to Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons: Spring 1 (2012) by Max Richter, Daniel Hope, Konzerthaus Kammerorchester Berlin & André de Ridder, the way the stirring, dancing strings are spread out across the stereo field is stunning. It genuinely does feel a lot like being sat right in front with the orchestra pit spread out in front of you.

And this extends to their handling of Dolby Atmos mixes. For example, Blue Monday (2023 Digital Master) by New Order sounds appropriately immersive, with its drum rolls scattering around you and its riser-style FX before the final drop swirling a full 180 degrees. All in all, its spatial audio effect is probably even more pronounced than that of the AirPods Max, although the latter doesn’t succumb to the one shortcoming of the Momentum 5’s Atmos: a slight void that opens up in front of you, a not uncommon effect on some headphones when elements from a stereo mix are spatialized.

So the Momentum 5 do still have some serious talents when it comes to making noise. However, it’s a shame that they’re not as talented at its antithesis: nixing background sound. Their ANC can just about cope with typing noise or reducing my boiling kettle while I’m streaming content while cooking. But riding the bus home from work a few days ago, I was subjected to every detail of a conversation about the sex lives of some of my fellow passengers’ colleagues. C’mon, Momentum 5: you’re supposed to protect me from things like this.

This isn’t an isolated event either: I can often overhear fellow TechRadarian’s conversations in the office, even with noise cancelling dialed up to 100%. Even the AirPods Max, not known for their unimpeachable noise cancelling, recently totally saved me at a festival by silencing the enormous Funktion-One rig I was camped 100 feet from, whereas the Momentum 5 struggle with conversations some 50dB quieter.

• Sound quality score: 3.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Sennheiser Momentum 5 review: design

• Refined if unadventurous looks
• Super-flat profile
• Wearing for long sessions made my ears ache

Unlike the huge redesign from the Sennheiser Momentum 3 to the Momentum 4, there’s not been a massive revolution when it comes to the Momentum 5’s looks. The oval-shaped groove that ran around the exterior side of the earcups has been banished, giving them a cleaner look. Meanwhile, Sennheiser’s logo has been updated with a circular badge, while the grilles covering the ANC mics have been picked out in metal. But if you’ve spent any time with the Momentum 4, you largely know what to expect here.

Broadly speaking, I really like the look of the Momentum 5. Don’t get me wrong: they’re not going to win any prizes for originality, having a slight whiff of Sony’s WH-1000XM6 about them. But this is a common trope in the headphones space — if you disagree with me, see how you get on with our spot the difference between the Sonos Ace and the Sony 1000X The Collexion. And the Momentum 5 still have the most refined look Sennheiser has given its wireless headphones to date, so I’m definitely here for it.

Both the padded faux leather ear cups and cushioned headband feel pleasantly soft, while they have sufficient clamping force that they felt stable on my head without applying excessive pressure. Adjusting their fit is also super easy, even while they’re on your head — their arms extend smoothly and can cater for a wide range of head sizes, whether you’re more new potato or pumpkin-headed.

(Image credit: Future)

However, an ongoing issue I have with Sennheiser’s headphones is that they tend to make my ear cartilage ache during extended wear, thanks to odd lumps on the inside of the earcup, and the Momentum 5 are no different. None of the mid-range headphones from other brands I’ve used over the last five years have suffered from this issue, so it does make me wonder why Sennheiser continues to stick weird ridges and hard lumps on the inside of its cans.

I have a bit of a love-hate relationship with headphone cases. They seem to veer wildly between the neat — the Sony WH1000XM6’s handy magnetic holder — and the ridiculous — the AirPods Max’s ludicrous handbag. So when I say I’m a big fan of the Momentum 5’s case, know that’s high praise indeed.

Like the AirPods Max, the Momentum 5 don’t so much fold up as fold flat, but, thanks to the earcups’ low profile, that is really rather flat indeed. As a result, even though they don’t concertina up into a compact package, their case has a very slim profile, making it much easier to slip alongside your laptop and tablet in your bag. It doesn’t have loads of padding, so you might not want to be slinging your bag around like it contains a bunch of bricks, but the case should protect your headphones from most damage.

• Design score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Sennheiser Momentum 5?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Crammed with features. Clever EQ and sound personalization tools, as well as really granular ANC / transparency slider. Absurdly lengthy battery. Touch controls easy to trigger by accident.

4.5 / 5

Sound quality

Default tuning feels disappointingly off; although bass is strong, upper mids and treble lack in presence. Flexible sound personalization tools necessary to fix sound. Fantastic stereo field and lossless performance, while Dolby Atmos audio is solid. ANC is surprisingly weak.

3.5 / 5

Design

Streamlined looks, even if they’re not revolutionary. Feel well made and are easily adjustable, although they cause my ears to ache when used over long periods. Fold super flat and case has a very shallow profile.

4 / 5

Value

When properly tuned, they offer great features and very creditable performance for their price. But dodgy default tuning, weak ANC and funky on-ear detection stops them excelling quite as much as they should.

4 / 5

Buy them if…

You want a superb soundstage
Not only do the Momentum 5 present excellent separation of various elements when you’re listening to lossless audio but their stereo field is phenomenal, doing an excellent job of positioning instruments in space.

You want a fantastic feature set
Whether it’s super flexible sound personalization, assignable Sound Zones or lossless connectivity, the Momentum 5 come absolutely crammed with features.

Don’t buy them if…

You want great sound out of the box
Unlike headphones from brands like Bowers & Wilkins that sound great from the get go, these need a lot of tuning to achieve their best output.

You want to banish background noise
For upper-mid tier headphones, the Momentum 5 have underwhelming noise-cancelling. I’m not expecting Bose levels of noise-nixing per se but far too often they failed to hush traffic noise or even conversations.

Sennheiser Momentum 5 review: also consider

Sennheiser Momentum 5

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3

Sony WH-1000XM6

Drivers

42mm dynamic

40mm dynamic bio-cellulose

30mm dynamic

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Yes

Yes

Battery life (ANC on)

57 hours

30 hours

30 hours

Weight

290g

300g

254g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.4 (Bluetooth 6 ready), USB-C

Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, 3.5mm

Bluetooth 5.3, 3.5mm

Frequency response

6Hz – 40kHz

10Hz - 20kHz

20Hz - 20kHz

Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3
Although they originally retailed for a list price much the same as the Sennheiser Momentum 5, the Px7 S3 now go from $429.99 / £319 / $467.76, improving their value proposition — especially as they offer unerringly precise audio even on their out-of-the-box tuning and more convincing noise cancelling. Admittedly, the Momentum 5’s bass is a touch better and the Px7 S3’s features aren’t quite as impressive but these are still great cans given how much they cost. Read our full Bowers & Wilkins Px7 S3 review.

Sony WH-1000XM6
There’s a reason the Sony WH-1000XM6 currently sit at the top of our list of the best headphones out there. It’s not just because they do a lot of things well — although, they do, with fantastic noise cancellation, superb sonic performance and great features like cupping the right earcup to temporarily enable transparency mode. But it’s also because there are very few areas where they fall short, offering above average performance in every area. Read our full Sony WH-1000XM6 review.

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Sennheiser Momentum 5

• Tested over two weeks
• Tried them out with a wide range of genres
• Tested different bit-rates and listened to multiple Dolby Atmos mixes

I tested the Sennheiser Momentum 5 over the course of several weeks. When it comes to sound quality, I made sure to test them out with a range of different quality streams, from aptX Lossless from Tidal to AAC from Apple Music. To get a sense of how they performed with a wide variety of frequencies, I made sure to try them out with a wide variety of genres across the TechRadar testing playlist and my own go-to testing tracks, whether that’s rock, EDM or classical.

To try out the Momentum 5’s features, I spent a lot of time trying out different EQ and sound personalization profiles with different artists. I assessed Dolby Atmos performance by listening to a variety of Spatial Audio tunes from Apple Music, and I tested their noise cancelling in a range of settings, from TechRadar’s chatty offices to walks along busy roads. Finally, I tested their battery by playing music constantly with ANC on for 6 hours and using how much battery they lost to extrapolate how long they could last.

In terms of personal experience, I’ve spent years assessing the performance of audio gadgets, with a particular focus on headphones and speakers. On top of this, I produce music in my free time, which has given me a keen understanding of balancing frequencies and how to assess the dynamic performance of audio.

• Read more about how we test
• First reviewed: June 2026

Sonos Era 100 SL: two-minute review

The Sonos Era 100 SL is a wireless speaker that features nearly all the strengths of 2023’s original Sonos Era 100, but at a cheaper price. While it isn't a surprise that there have been some trade-offs to get that cost down, I doubt they'll be a dealbreaker for most people.

Sonically speaking, there aren’t many sacrifices at all. In the mid-range, the Era 100 SL is capable of impressive detail. When I played I Want You by Moloko, I was impressed by how well its funky guitar noises, strings and acidy synth line cut through the mix, without interfering with the wonderfully polished vocals.

However, I found the high end a little more cluttered on occasion: listening to The Gloaming by Radiohead, I did feel that the rhythmic pulsing static was a bit too forward, treading on the toes of the granular synth. It sounds great for the price, but you do get a finer presentation if you pay more.

Bass was always the original Era 100’s achilles heel. It often tipped into being brash, slightly swamping the rest of the mix. When I played Six Days (Machinedrum remix) by DJ Shadow on the SL, the low-end appeared slightly more dynamic when compared to the original Era 100, leading me to wonder if a software tweak to rein in bass was responsible, or whether it's part of the re-engineering inside that Sonos CEO Tom Conrad told us the company had done, to hit the lower price.

Either way, it still isn't great with sub, though: it falls away just when it hits the drop, that swelling bassline feeling nowhere near as substantial as it sounds on the best wireless speakers that are pricier.

Generally, though, the SL offers a spacious presentation, especially when fed high-quality recordings. Playing Wasting My Young Years by London Grammar from Tidal’s hi-res tier, I was struck by the airiness of the mix, which allowed the silvery vocals to stand apart from the piano and drums.

Unfortunately, this doesn’t quite extend to the speaker’s stereo field — as with its predecessor, I found it hard to differentiate a clear stereo separation unless I was very close. As such, you’re unlikely to get a clear sense of left and right from halfway across the room — but then, at this price, you could actually buy two happily.

So the Era 100 SL is as easy on the ear as its predecessor, albeit with some of the same drawbacks. But how does it look?

Given it’s largely decked out in the same getup as the Era 100, there really are few surprises here. It’s the same dimensions and has the same wraparound grille and matte-plastic top surface. The touch-capacitive control scheme is also largely identical — with the voice control button being the only real omission, because Sonos removed that feature. Otherwise, Sonos has stuck with what works for the SL, and I’d say that was the right instinct.

In fact, probably the only area where the SL makes a real departure from its namesake is in its feature set. Connectivity remains solid, offering Wi-Fi 6, AirPlay 2 and a whole host of built-in streaming services — although the only wired input you’ll get is if you splash extra cash on its USB-C to 3.5mm analog converter. EQ options are identical to those on the Era 100, offering just the option to boost or duck bass or treble.

But there are two significant differences. First off, as I alluded to above, voice control has been stripped out of the SL. This feels like a reasonable sacrifice to lower that price — and I’d rather that than weaker sound quality.

Slightly more an issue for me is the omission of Trueplay room correction for Android users (which is a consequence of dropping the microphones, since the Android solution relies on them). Those with an iPhone can still tailor the SL’s sound to their space using their device to track calibration sound as they walk around the room. Given how well this feature polishes its sound, it is a shame that you'll miss out if you're on an Android device.

Despite this though, the Sonos Era 100 SL is well worth it. You get the quality sound plus classic design of Sonos’s pricier speaker, for the reduced price of $189 / £169 / AU$289. That’s a pretty great bargain and ameliorates our biggest hesitation with its pricier predecessor. Yes, it's a shame that Android users miss out on a great feature but it's still the best home speaker you'll get for this price.

(Image credit: Future)Sonos Era 100 SL review: specs

Category

Specification

Drivers

2 x angled tweeters, 1 x mid-woofer

Amplification

3 x Class-D digital amplifiers

Dimensions

182.5 x 120 x 130.5mm / 7.18 x 4.72 x 5.14 inches

Connectivity

Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C (Line-in via adapter)

Streaming support

Apple AirPlay 2, Sonos app (Spotify, Tidal, etc.), Amazon Music

Voice assistant support

None

Other features

Advanced Trueplay (iOS only), Stereo pairing, Humidity resistance

Sonos Era 100 SL review: price & availability

• Launched on March 31, 2026
• Costs $189 / £169 / AU$289
• Available in black or white

Having launched on March 31, 2026, the Sonos Era 100 SL is available now, at a cheaper price than its predecessor, the Era 100.

The SL comes in at $189 / £169 / AU$289, compared to the Era 100’s now-reduced price of $219 / £199 / AU$319. While not a huge gulf, it still amounts to a decent saving, especially given the near-identical specs.

And, as is usually the case with Sonos gear, for that price you have the option to pick up the speaker in white or black.

(Image credit: Future)Sonos Era 100 SL review: features

• Good connectivity options and streaming service support
• Room correction only compatible with iPhone
• No voice control of any kind

So how does the Sonos Era 100 SL’s featureset differ from its spendier stablemate? Well, on paper, it’s very similar to the Era 100, with only a couple of key differences.

Let’s start with its drivers. The SL offers the same setup as as the Era 100, with a mid-woofer to handle both mid-range frequencies and bass, while two angled tweeters take care of the treble and help form its stereo field. These are all driven by the speaker’s three class D amplifiers, meaning you get decent volume and low-end heft.

Setting up Sonos products has always been a breeze, and the Era 100 SL is no exception. Simply plug it in, download the Sonos app, and select the system you want to add it to. Tap on your speaker when it appears, and it will play an audio pin to connect it to your system. After installing an update via the app, I was good to go.

The last (optional) step is to set up the SL’s Trueplay room-calibration tuning, which is designed to get you the best possible sound from the speaker, and that works much the same as it did on the Era 100.

Essentially, you point your iPhone’s mic toward the speaker, then walk around the room while whirling it around in slow circles with one arm, like a lopsided propeller.

Following calibration, the sound definitely seemed free of obvious acoustic issues — there wasn’t any boom back from the bass, nor any unfortunate reverberations off the surfaces or walls — so Sonos’ room correction seems as effective as ever.

Unfortunately, there’s a pretty major caveat here: unlike on the Era 100, the SL’s Trueplay tuning is only compatible with iOS. And that is a real shame, given it does help unlock the SL's best sound. However, it still offers great performance for Android users, even if the lack of Trueplay does add an asterisk there.

(Image credit: Future)

Trueplay for Android users isn’t the only feature removed to help reduce the SL’s price. The voice control offered by the full Era 100 has been omitted, too, saving you the price of the mic module and controls. Personally, it takes me far longer to horsewhip my thoughts into a spoken command than it does to simply pull out my phone, so I’m not all that bothered about the lack of voice assistant. But if you are, you’ll probably prefer the Era 100.

While I’ve mentioned how much I rate the Era 100 SL’s room-correction tech, I can’t really say the same for its EQ options. The Sonos app only offers the ability to boost or duck the treble or bass by up to 10 levels. While I do think Sonos’s speakers sound a lot better than some wireless speakers out of the box, plenty of rivals now offer nine-band or even parametric EQ — which makes the SL’s bass and treble sliders feel like old hat.

As far as connectivity options are concerned, the Era 100 SL offers a decent range. Using Wi-Fi 6, you can stream tunes directly from your devices using AirPlay 2, or from the speaker using built-in apps including Amazon Music, Apple Music, Deezer, Soundcloud, Spotify, Tidal and a whole heap more. Meanwhile, Bluetooth 5.3 will allow you to hook up all your non-Apple devices, although there’s no support for higher-res formats such as aptX HD.

Sadly, the Era 100 SL is less well equipped when it comes to physical connections. Its USB-C port is only for plugging in adapters, so banish any thoughts of hooking up wired digital audio. So while it does allow you the option for plugging in either a 3.5mm jack for analog audio or an Ethernet cable, each of these requires you to buy a separate adapter. It’s a world away from the wealth of ports that a speaker such as the Bluesound Pulse Flex offers.

• Features score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Sonos Era 100 SL review: sound quality

• Impressive detail
• Rich mids, and bass feels slightly less muddy
• Relatively weak stereo field

My big worry when preparing to test the Sonos Era 100 SL was that in trying to hit the cheaper price point, there would have been a negative impact on the quality of its sound. Fortunately, I’m pleased to reveal this isn't the case — the Era 100 SL happily holds its own against its predecessor and, in some areas, I actually wonder if software tweaks have reined in some of the Era 100’s worst impulses.

First, let’s start with the mid-range. When listening to Venera by George Fitzgerald, I was impressed with how much presence and detail the SL could squeeze out of the track’s vocal, pad washes and synth lines, making them sound like a richly textured whole. Admittedly, some of the percussion felt a little less punchy than I’m used to, but that was more than made up for by how well it balanced the saturated, arpeggiated synth and organic organic woodwind sounds that close out the track.

The original Era 100 came unstuck mainly in the bass — like an overexcitable puppy, it was both enthusiastic and yet lacking in discipline. Here, it sounds like the SL’s software has been tweaked slightly to rein this in.

Comparing Listen by Pola & Bryson and Goddard on both speakers, sustained bass notes sound less reverberant and flabby on the SL, while snarling distorted bass synths seem more tightly expressed. However, not that if you’re expecting super-low bass from either device, you’ll be left wanting: there’s very little in the way of sub from either.

(Image credit: Future)

I tested the SL’s treble by playing Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac — an exam it easily passed, even if it didn’t quite ace it. There wasn’t any unpleasant distortion or oversaturation to it, while the snare and toms had a delicious punch that kept everything moving forward. However, my one reservation was that the rhythmic punch and the polished vocals slightly outshone the twangy rhythm guitar — for me, they’re part of what makes the track so iconic, so it was a shame they didn't get to share as much of the limelight.

Given the Era 100 SL doesn’t exactly sit at the premium end of the market, it also does a good job of separating different instruments in the mix. Playing a hi-res stream of Clair de Lune by Kamasi Washington straight from Tidal, I was impressed by the clarity of timbre of each instrument, especially during the solos. The trumpet beautifully conveys the instrument’s rich harmonics, while the sliding strings of the double bass as the player launches into their solo are brilliantly expressed.

Like its predecessor, the SL is only capable of so-so stereo. Unlike some more premium speakers, it still largely feels like the sound is issuing from a single point. And when I played Manchild by Eels, I could appreciate the stereo separation between elements — with the guitars clearly panned to the right and the vocals to the left — but only when I was sat within a few feet of the device. At least listening angles are pretty consistent, with only a very slight drop off in the treble as you travel toward the speaker’s back.

All in all, my biggest worries going into this were ill-founded. Despite the cheaper price of the Sonos Era 100 SL, it doesn’t demonstrate any significant sonic sacrifices compared to its full-fat sibling. And there may have even been a few software tweaks behind the scenes to slightly rein in the wilder tendencies of the older speaker. Either way, it’s a very decent-sounding speaker for the price.

• Sound quality score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Sonos Era 100 SL review: design

• Almost identical to the Era 100
• Solid, tactile build
• Effective touch-capacitive controls

When it comes to looks, the Sonos Era 100 SL remains almost identical to its older sibling. They share the same cylindrical ellipse shape, are wrapped in the same metallic grille, and arrive in the same black or white colorway. If you’ve ever gawked at the older Era 100, you’ll know exactly what you’re getting here.

All in all, the Era 100 SL is decently stylish, feels solidly built, and the matte plastic of its top surface is pleasingly tactile. While I’ve poured scorn on quite a few wireless speakers lately for defaulting to this same basic format, I’ll give Sonos a pass here. First off, it was largely the brand that coined this look in the first place — and, more importantly, the Era 100 SL is principally a cheaper speaker wearing its spendier brother’s clothing, meaning it was never going to break the mould of existing speakers.

In light of this, so not surprisingly, the Sonos Era 100 SL is the same size as its full-fat sibling, measuring 7.19 x 4.72 x 5.14 inches / 182.5 x 120 x 130.5mm. However, it's ever so slightly lighter — presumably thanks to its shedding of voice control mics — weighing in at 4.3lbs / 1.95kg compared to its predecessor’s 4.45lbs / 2.02kg. That makes it a pretty average size in the grand scheme of things, neither Lilliputian like the 0.96lbs / 0.44kg Sonos Roam 2, nor Brobdingnagian like the hulking, 3 lbs / 14.5kg Cambridge Audio Evo One.

(Image credit: Future)

With one notable exception, the erstwhile voice control button, the buttons on the Era 100 SL are the same. And that’s very much a plus: there’s no need to fix the Era 100’s control scheme since it definitely isn't broke. Its touch-capacitive controls are easy to activate, allowing you to play, pause and skip tracks, while swiping its touch bar lets you tweak its volume. Sure, it could offer light-up symbols for use in darker rooms or customizable shortcut keys, but it covers the core functions well.

Fundamentally, the Era 100 SL is the spitting image of the Era 100 before it. So if you were a fan of the older model, you can be sure you’ll like its younger sibling.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Sonos Era 100 SL review: value

In our review, one of our criticisms of the original Sonos Era 100 was its increased cost. Its initial list price of $249 / £249 / AU$399 presented a chunky markup on the Sonos One at $219 / £199 / AU$319 , but even more so when compared to the Sonos One SL's $199 / £179 / AU$289. Even though the Era 100 has now come down in price to $219 / £199 / AU$319, that’s still only roughly comparable to the Sonos One.

Conversely, the Era 100 SL has a list price of $189 / £169 / AU$289, making it the same price or even cheaper than the Sonos One SL but with many of the same features and the exact same sound quality as the Era 100. That’s not to be sneered at.

In fact, if you’re an iPhone user, the only real thing you’re losing here is voice control, something I’m personally happy to sacrifice for a bit of a bargain. And even if you’re an Android user, this price is still well worth it as you're unlikely to get much better performance by investing your spend elsewhere. Access to Trueplay is a definite bonus but that shouldn't detract from the fact the SL still offers great sound for its price.

• Value score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Sonos Era 100 SL?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Good range of connectivity options, but weaker EQ settings. No voice control. Room correction not available on Android

4/5

Sound quality

Well-expressed mids and highs, and excellent clarity and separation; bass seems slightly less doughy.

4.5/5

Design

Near-identical to its predecessor, with the same classy looks and effective touch controls.

4/5

Value

Much better price than its predecessor for much the same performance, even if one or two features were dropped to get it there.

4.5/5

Buy it if…

You want very decent sound
While the Era 100 SL isn't audiophile-grade per se, it offers very creditable sound for a speaker for its price, with bold bass, detailed mids and punchy yet not overdone treble.

You want better value
Given it comes in at $30 / £30 / AU$30 less than its older sibling, but without any significant sonic differences, the SL offers a more affordable way to get the Era 100’s sound into your home.

Don’t buy it if…

Lack of room-correction is a deal-breaker
If you're running Android and you can't bear to miss out on Sonos's most polished sound, it may still be worth you picking up the Era 100 instead.

Voice control is a necessity
The main way Sonos has achieved the SL’s lower price is by excising its mics and voice control. If you hate using your fleshy digits to control devices by hand, you’ll also want to opt for the pricier Era 100.

Sonos Era 100 SL review: also consider

Sonos Era 100 SL

Sonos Era 100

WiiM Sound Lite

Drivers

2 x angled tweeters, 1 x mid-woofer

2 x angled tweeters, 1 x mid-woofer

2x 1-inch silk-dome tweeters, 1x 4-inch paper-cone woofer

Amplification

3 x Class-D digital amplifiers

3 x Class-D digital amplifiers

100W (50W woofer, 2x 25W tweeters)

Dimensions

7.19 x 4.72 x 5.14 inches / 182.5 x 120 x 130.5mm

7.19 x 4.72 x 5.14 inches / 182.5 x 120 x 130.5mm

7.6 x 5.7 x 5.7 inches / 193 x 146 x 146mm

Connectivity

Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C (Line-in via adapter)

Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.0, USB-C (Line-in via adapter)

Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, Ethernet (100Mbps), 3.5mm Aux-in

Streaming support

AirPlay 2, Sonos app (Spotify, Tidal, etc.)

AirPlay 2, Sonos app (Spotify, Tidal, etc.)

Chromecast, Spotify/Tidal/Qobuz Connect, DLNA, Roon Ready

Voice assistant support

None

Amazon Alexa, Sonos Voice Control

Works with Alexa/Google (via external device)

Sonos Era 100
The OG Era 100 is identical to the SL in many ways. It looks almost exactly the same, delivers very good sound, and comes with all the same smarts built into its app. The extra cost comes from the inclusion of voice control. On top of this, it also offers Trueplay for Android users, something the SL unfortunately omits. Read our full Sonos Era 100 review.

WiiM Sound Lite
While the WiiM Sound Lite can’t keep up with either Era 100 speaker in some areas, it absolutely outstrips them in others. I found its bass to be somewhat lacking, its room-tuning less smart than Sonos’, and it has an even narrower stereo field. However, it’s capable of hi-res 24-bit/192kHz playback, offers gorgeously spacious and expressive mids, and its parametric EQ is a quantum leap ahead of Sonos’s bass / treble tweaking. Read our full comparison of the WiiM Sound Lite vs Sonos Era 100.

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Sonos Era 100 SL

• Tested it over four weeks
• Compared it to the Era 100 using a wide range of tracks
• Have decades of experience using audio hardware

I tested the Sonos Era 100 SL over the course of about a month. I made sure to utilize many of its key features, including room-tuning and EQ, and tried connecting to it through a range of options from direct streaming on the device through to connecting discrete devices using AirPlay 2.

To assess its sound quality, I played a wide variety of music, from classic rock to liquid drum & bass. I also compared the sound, side by side, with the Era 100 to see whether I could perceive any significant differences between their sound signatures. In addition, I compared each version’s stereo field and angle drop-off to see whether either revealed any issues with their soundstage.

As well as spending at least the past six years reviewing wireless speakers for tech publications, I have decades of experience using audio hardware in my home environment, including a range of wired and wireless speakers and headphones. I’ve also spent 20 years producing music from home, which has given me a firm understanding of how to assess the balance of frequencies and stereo elements.

• First reviewed: June 2026
• Read more about how we test

Polaroid Go Gen 3: Two-minute review

Cards on the table: I love Polaroids. I’m of the right generation to have grown up with these instant-film wonders on holidays and at parties, and I was thrilled when the brand was properly revitalised in 2017 under new ownership. From the early OneStep cameras to more recent efforts like the Polaroid Flip (which I currently own), I’ve used a lot of nu-Polaroid’s offerings, and I was thrilled to try out the Polaroid Go Gen 3.

The Go series are Polaroid’s range of super-small instant cameras. They use their own dedicated ‘Go’ film, producing prints measuring 66.6mm x 53.9mm with an image area of 47mm x 46mm (for context, a full-size I-Type print measures 107mm x 88mm with an image area of 79mm x 77mm). They still have that Polaroid look, that lo-fi charm, that iconic square format. They’re just smaller.

The Go Gen 3 is the smallest camera the series has yet produced. It is clearly pitched at a younger crowd — festival-goers, beach-enjoyers, selfie-takers, and it has a selfie mirror to facilitate this. Its controls are extremely simple; you can’t control settings, you just point and shoot.

Most of this was also true of previous Go cameras, such as the Go 2, so what exactly is new here? Well, as well as the reduced size, Polaroid has outfitted the Gen 3 with a boosted flash and a redesigned lens sporting a narrower focal length of 63.75mm, compared to 51.1mm on the Gen 2. This gives you a slightly tighter perspective, gets you closer to your subjects, and makes your selfies that little bit more flattering.

(Image credit: Jon Stapley)

So, it's a much simpler offering than the Flip, which has a fancy four-zone focus system and offers full settings control via the Polaroid app. The Polaroid Go Gen 3 does have a shutter speed range of 1/500–1sec and aperture settings of f/14.4 and f/32, but it will be selecting those for you. However, that’s not to say you’re completely without agency. You can turn the flash on and off via the flash control button, which also activates a self-timer mode and a double exposure mode — meaning you can expose the same frame twice for surreal, creative effects.

I used the Polaroid Go Gen 3 for about a week, mostly capturing shots on photo walks outdoors, but also making use of the selfie mirror to shoot some self-portraits indoors. I’ve been very impressed with the level of quality those little prints are able to display — when the light’s been right, I’ve found myself absolutely poring over images, appreciating all the subtle details that are conveyed in these tiny prints. Even in the smaller size, you still get the feeling of Polaroid’s signature lo-fi tones.

It’s not perfect. I found ultra-bright sunlight to be a problem, with the prints easily becoming blown out and overexposed on sunny days — which also seem to me like the days you’re most likely to want to use the camera. However, the relative affordability of Go film compared to I-Type makes me much more willing to play, experiment and have fun with the Go Gen 3, and not sweat my mistakes too much. Which as far as I’m concerned, is what instant photography should be all about.

(Image credit: Jon Stapley)Polaroid Go Gen 3: price and availability

Polaroid has been cannily stalking the Instax market share with the Go series, and part of that has been keeping the cameras nice and cheap. The Go Gen 3 comes at a reasonable launch price of $89.99 / £79.99 / AU$150, which is about the same as the comparable Instax camera, the Instax Mini 13, and similar to cheap lo-fi digital cameras like the Camp Snap.

However, as it’s a film camera, you have ongoing costs to factor in. Polaroid Go cameras use dedicated Polaroid Go film, which costs around $21.99 / £18.99 / AU$39 for a pack of sixteen shots (two cartridges of eight). Again, this is similar to Instax mini, which is slightly cheaper at around $20.99 / £14.99 / AU$34.95 for a pack of twenty.

Happily, it’s much more reasonably priced per shot than full-size I-Type film. As much as I love proper Polaroids, $18.99 / £16.99 / AU$32 for just eight shots is really quite brutal, and makes the experience a bit less fun. You don’t kick yourself for a fluffed Go shot in quite the way you do for a fluffed I-Type shot, and it makes the Polaroid Go Gen 3 a more realistic option for kids and families.

Polaroid Go Gen 3: Design

• Super small, trop mignon, fits in the palm of your hand
• Very simple operation with just three buttons
• No tripod thread, but there are lugs for a strap (and one is supplied)

Polaroid Go cameras have always been cute — it’s practically their key USP — and the Go Gen 3 is the cutest yet. The makers call it the world’s smallest instant camera, and I certainly can’t think of a challenger. This thing is tiny, sitting comfortably in the palm of a hand. It measures 106.5 x 83.8 x 64.6 mm and weighs just 8.9oz / 251g.

As such, there isn’t a whole lot of room for bells and whistles, and operation of the Polaroid Go Gen 3 is no-frills. There are just three buttons — power, shutter, and flash control, the latter of which also activates self-timer and double-exposure modes. The entire bottom of the camera is taken up by the film door, meaning there’s no tripod screw thread — best find a flat wall if you actually want to use that self-timer. There also isn’t any of the app-based camera-trigger functionality that you get with the likes of the Polaroid Flip, which also means you won’t be capturing long exposures or anything like that.

The viewfinder is small but lovely. I really enjoy looking through it; I just love that square frame. It really fires my imagination compositionally, and if I hadn’t been limited by how much film I had on hand, I would have been firing off shots left and right. Flip the camera around, and you’ll see that the front of the viewfinder is reflective. This is the selfie mirror, and I have to say, it works exactly as intended.

Jon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyJon Stapley

On the side, there’s a USB-C port for charging, and at the back are two lugs on the right and left for attaching straps, and a rope-style wrist strap is included in the box. And, well, that’s pretty much it! This is a very simple offering, something that works in its favor as a lo-fi camera for fun, friends and family. It’s a camera so simple a child could use it, something I tested by giving it to a three-year-old, who — with a little coaching — did indeed manage to capture a photo. If you’re looking for a camera with kid-appeal, I can attest that the Go Gen 3 has it in abundance.

It’s available in five stylish colorways: white, black, teal blue, ice blue and purple. As you can see, I had the white version, and as I took it out and about, it did draw a few comments and compliments from passers-by. This is a nice-looking camera.

(Image credit: Jon Stapley)Polaroid Go Gen 3: Performance

• Lovely detail and tonality in prints, even with small size
• But ultra-bright sun can easily overwhelm images
• Flash is always on, so you need to remember to turn it off every time if you don’t want it

When a Polaroid works, there’s nothing like it. Even in the smaller Go size, I’m really impressed by the level of detail and tonality you can get out of this thing. For me, it beats Instax any day of the week. In good light, with a well-chosen subject, you can make images that absolutely sing, and I genuinely adore some of the shots I’ve captured with this camera.

I'm really impressed with the level of depth and detail here. The reflection is gorgeous and there are some lovely hints of blue in the sky. (Image credit: Jon Stapley)

One thing that really impressed me was the selfie-taking capability. The Polaroid Go Gen 3’s reworked lens and powerful flash are designed to facilitate just that, and using the mirror as a compositional aid, I was able to capture selfie images that were vivid, detailed and true-to-life, the flash comfortably illuminating the scene without blowing it out.

The flash automatically adjusts by distance for a balanced image. (Image credit: Jon Stapley)

Out in the big wide world, of course, you can and will run into issues. While I was testing the Gen Go 3, we were blessed with several days of glorious sunshine, and in very bright conditions — you know, the exact kind of conditions where you might find yourself saying something like, ‘Darling, it’s lovely out, shall we bring the Polaroid?’ — it’s easy for those little frames to just be overwhelmed.

For all these frames, conditions were just a bit too bright, even with the flash off. (Image credit: Jon Stapley)

More than a few of my images were quite significantly bleached by very bright sunlight, even when I remembered to turn the flash off — and you have to do this manually every single time, because the camera will always turn it back on. Even, as I discovered, halfway through a double exposure.

This worked better than I expected, but that blast of flash probably wasn't needed. (Image credit: Jon Stapley)

I’m generally a bit wary of double-exposure modes on instant cameras; I feel like most of the time, I’m likely to end up wasting a frame on a blurry, muddled mess. However, the lower cost of the Go film made me much more willing to give it a try than I ever am with my Polaroid Flip, and I ended up with a decent image — though I think it would have been better without that unexpected blast of flash halfway through.

Jon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyJon StapleyJon Stapley

Ultimately, as with any Polaroid camera or indeed any instant camera, the Polaroid Go Gen 3 is solid knockabout fun. You’ll get some images you like, and some that feel like a bit of a waste of film. That’s just the game, and it’s a much easier game to enjoy when the film is more reasonably priced than full-size I-Type.

Polaroid Go Gen 3: Should you buy?

(Image credit: Jon Stapley)Buy it if...

You want an instant camera to take travelling
With its tiny dimensions and relatively cheap film, the Go Gen 3 is a great option for trips.

You want simple, point-and-shoot operation
The Polaroid Go has minimal controls and is very straightforward to operate.

You want an all-analog experience
No screens, no apps — at the core, the Polaroid Go is just chemicals and light.

Don't buy it if...

You want a high level of image quality.
While I like the look of the little prints, there are limits to what they can manage. Bright sunlight in particular posed a problem.

You don’t want ongoing costs
While Polaroid Go film is cheaper than I-Type, it still represents an ongoing cost that you won’t get with, say, a digital Camp Snap.

How I tested the Polaroid Go Gen 3

(Image credit: Jon Stapley)

• I received a sample camera from the manufacturers, along with some Go film
• I took the camera on several photo excursions, mostly shooting outdoors
• I shot with and without flash, and tested the double-exposure mode

I’ve had the Polaroid Go Gen 3 with me for the past couple of weeks, and I’ve taken it on excursions around London, as well as on a trip to Bradford-upon-Avon. During that time I’ve gone through a double pack of Polaroid Go film, and have tested out the camera in different scenarios and lighting conditions, with a particular focus on seeing how it renders different colors.

I have shot outdoors and indoors, both with and without the flash. I also gave the double-exposure mode a whirl, using it to create a composite image of my own face from different angles. I shot selfies with flash using the selfie mirror as a compositional aid.

First reviewed June 2026

Klipsch The Nines II: Two-minute review

The Klipsch The Nines II are a tough pair of small speakers to beat for a large room. The amount of power and the clean, slightly overly bassy, sound are just some of what make these speakers special. There's also a ton of features on offer, including virtualized spatial audio (which is admittedly limited) Wi-Fi streaming, and even Dirac Live (though I couldn't seem to get it to work during my testing).

In fact, the buggy nature of the Dirac Live is my only real gripe with Klipsch's The Nines II (well, that and their cumbersome name if you're writing a review…), and the Dirac issue could be more due to environmental factors than a fundamental problem. My other issue — the fact that the speakers are heavy — is more just inconvenient than a real flaw.

Whenever I listen, I’m convinced that The Klipsch The Nines II are among the best stereo speakers to come out this year. And the amount of connectivity and features make them a nice alternative to the best soundbars, especially if you still want a bit of that more traditional stereo speaker setup.

Just be aware that these are quite a bit more expensive than the original Klipsch The Nines. That said, The Klipsch The Nines II offer a lot more than the first version as well.

(Image credit: Future / James Holland)Klipsch The Nines II review: Price and release date

• How much does it cost? $2,399 / £2,249 / AU$4,999
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? Available in the US, UK, and Australia

The original Klipsch The Nines have been out for a few years now, so the Spring release of the Klipsch The Nines II in 2026 is perfect timing. Speakers may not benefit from the yearly iterations of something like phones or TVs, but it’s about time for the upgrade considering the improvements in Bluetooth technology and W-iFi streaming over those last few years.

Interestingly enough, the Klipsch The Nines II are more than an iterative upgrade. Dolby Atmos (even if it’s a virtualization) and Dirac Live support are on offer in the new version, along with support for more Hi-Res codecs and a wider frequency range, which is why this newer version also comes with a much higher price tag — they're $700 / £700 more than the originals. That’s quite a price hike.

Klipsch The Nines II Powered Stereo Speakers: Specs

Dimensions

18.13” (460.38mm) H x 9.62” (244.5mm) W x 14.75” (374.65mm) D

Weight

Active speaker: 32.8lbs (14.9kg); Passive speaker: 31.7 lbs (14.43kg))

Active or passive

Active

Subwoofer

No (has sub out)

Frequency response

31Hz-25kHz +/- 3dB

Dolby Atmos / DTS:X enabled

Yes (virtualized)

Maximum output

107dB

Klipsch The Nines II Powered Stereo Speakers: Features

• Virtualized Dolby Atmos, and Dirac room correction
• Wi-Fi streaming for a bunch of different music apps
• App has a lot of functionality, including custom EQ

The Klipsch The Nines II speakers may be limited in terms of features just by their form factor compared to a soundbar system like the Klipsch Flexus Core 300, but they have the right amount of options for a pair of bookshelf speakers.

Dolby Atmos and DTX:S is available on these speakers, though the spatial audio support is virtualized due to the fact that there aren’t any upward-facing speakers, and obviously limited width. Still, the virtualization does give a sense of height to the audio that works decently with a blockbuster movie.

Along with Bluetooth connectivity (5.4 specifically), the Klipsch The Nines II also support Wi-Fi streaming, specifically Google Cast, Apple AirPlay 2, Spotify Connect, Tidal Connect, Qobuz Connect, and more. Since they work with Google Cast, they can be set up with Google Home for smart home users.

There’s a tiny bit of a lag between source and speaker when going wireless. However, there is a Lip Sync setting in the app to better synchronize when using the speakers with a wireless source with visuals, such as watching a video on a laptop with the audio coming through the Klipsches.

There will still be a lag between play, pause, etc. but that’s not something that I found to really affect my experience of the speakers.

The Klipsch app's front page is intuitive to useFuture / James HollandAll the inputs are selectable from the app's front pageFuture / James HollandThe Klipsch The Nines II have a number of audio adjustments on offer in the appFuture / James HollandThe Klipsch app has a five band EQ along with some presets availableFuture / James Holland

Speaking of the app, this is the central place for any deeper fine tuning. If you want to tweak the audio, there’s a five-band EQ in the app along with some presets. If you want to set up or use Dirac Live, you do that through the app — by the way, the speaker comes with a limited license that will adjust the audio between 200 and 500 Hz (the full frequency is paywalled).

Lastly (well, I’m leaving a few less consequential things out), you can turn on a few different modes: Dynamic Bass, Dialog mode, and Night Mode, and they all work decently enough with the latter being the most effective at its purpose (bringing up quiet sounds and bringing down loud ones).

• Features score: 4.5 / 5

The controls on the Klipsch The Nines II are fairly minimalist (Image credit: Future / James Holland)Klipsch The Nines II Powered Stereo Speakers: Sound quality

• Weighty, robust sound
• Lots of bass, mid-bass a bit too full
• Lots of dynamic headroom

Klipsch's The Nines II are really good sounding speakers, and they might be the most weighty sounding speakers I’ve heard for the size, too. Despite not having a subwoofer (or maybe because of it and still providing a lot of bass), every element seems to have a thickness or robustness to it that I usually don’t hear with a lot of audio equipment.

Listening to music the low end is there in spades, whether I was listening to pop, hip hop, or even Counting Crows. The massive bass gives a boominess to the mid-range that is not unpleasant, but is far from neutral or accurate. Using the app to bring the 400Hz slider down one or two notches does clean up the sound a lot, but know that this is fundamentally built into its audio profile.

The high end is slightly on the warm side due to that weightiness I spoke about. Boosting the 8kHz slider in the app does brighten the affair though, if you prefer. Regardless, the Klipsch The Nines II did retain all the detail in the high-end in elements such as the strings in Radiohead’s Pyramid Song or Joni Mitchell’s higher register in A Case of You.

The soundstage, while dependent on correctly setting up the speakers, is not only nice and wide but has good separation thanks to the amount of headroom on these speakers. After all, I never really had them higher than halfway up in volume and they filled a good sized room full of distortion-free, clean audio.

• Sound quality score: 4.5 / 5

Klipsch The Nines II: Design

• These speakers are big for bookshelves
• Few physical controls, lots of inputs
• There's a subwoofer output

The Klipsch The Nines II are big at over 18 inches tall, over nine and a half inches wide, and almost 15 inches deep, weighing up to 33 lbs per speaker (the one without all the controls is two measly pounds lighter). They’re also attractive, thankfully, coming in three colorways: walnut, red oak, and black (reviewed here).

In terms of controls, the active speaker only has a volume dial and a single power / input cycle button. There’s also an LED indicator above the power button that changes colors depending on the input selected and, while there may only be two physical controls (there’s also a pairing button on the back of each speaker labeled Utility), there are quite a few inputs.

There’s HDMI eARC, optical, phono, USB, Bluetooth, coaxial, and ethernet. It’s easier to select them through the app, because remembering which color corresponds to which port isn't easy to remember.

All the ports are situated on the back of the primary speaker. Besides the physical ports for the channels listed above that need them, there’s also a sub out and a mic in, the latter of which is for the Dirac Live feature.

Also included are speaker covers that attach magnetically, along with a matte black remote, the aforementioned wired mic, an HDMI cable, power cable, and cable to connect the two speakers to each other physically, if you don't want to have them speaking to each other wirelessly (they’re automatically paired with each other out of the box, so going wireless is no hassle).

• Design score: 4.5 / 5

It's a good thing these are large, because there's a lot you can connect (Image credit: Future / James Holland)Klipsch The Nines II review: Setup and usability

• Setup is made more difficult by the speakers’ weight
• App is intuitive to use for the most part
• Dirac Live is difficult to set up

The Klipsch The Nines II are both easy and not easy to set up, entirely based on their weight. The primary and secondary speakers are automatically paired out of the box and just need to be plugged in to power. Pairing via Bluetooth requires just being on the Bluetooth input and connecting via your smart phone.

And the physical connections just need their respective cables and possibly a settings change — changing a TV’s audio output to eARC, for instance. In terms of functionality, that’s all you have to do to use them.

That said, each speaker is heavy at over 30 lbs each (or over 14.5kg). That’s cumbersome to move. Even if that weight is not a problem for you, these are big boxes. Add in speaker stands, which I believe are ideal for getting the best sound out of these speakers (an additional $475 for a pair if you want Klipsch's own…) and setup becomes more of a physical challenge than it might be for some speakers.

The stand just takes time to assemble: connect the proper rubber feet based on flooring, the base to the stand, and the stand to the speaker. But if you connected the stand to the speaker upside down like I did, you’ll encounter my least favorite part… flipping the speaker over while connected to the stand, which weighs an additional 24.1 lbs (10.9kg), by the way.

Each complete 57 lbs unit was unwieldy, to say the least, and I felt like I had to be careful so as not to let these fairly pricey speakers accidentally fall and get damaged.

Outside of that, adjusting the speakers for placement is similar to any other pair of bookshelf speakers, if heavier, and it didn't take me long to get them situated for a listening sweet spot on the couch.

Using the speakers is likewise a slightly mixed bag. Using the remote is easy and I appreciate the ability to remap the two bottom buttons to my favorite inputs. The app is generally intuitive as well.

However, as much as I enjoy the difference Dirac Live can make with speakers, I had an incredibly difficult time getting the calibration test to run even though I had the upgrade for the full frequency range (an additional $99).

I know that the microphone is very sensitive so needs as much quiet as possible, but no matter how hard I tried, that degree of quiet threshold I just could not reach.

• Setup and usability score: 3.5 / 5

The Klipsch The Nines II do come with a number of accessories. Cat not included… (Image credit: Future / James Holland)Klipsch The Nines II Powered Stereo Speakers: Value

• Comes with a premium price tag
• A lot of very good speakers available for much less
• Much more expensive than the original Klipsch The Nines

When the original Klipsch The Nines came out, they were priced similarly to the KEF LSX II LT, one of the most popular active stereo speaker systems out there. The Klipsch The Nines II are not only seven hundred bucks more than the original, but the KEF speakers have come down to $999 / £899 since they came out. That’s a massive price difference.

That said, the KEF LSX II LT are compact so are not able to really fill a room the way The Nines II can. Plus, there’s no analog connectivity or the extensive set of features the Klipsch The Nines II have.

When it comes to being a complete and yet powerful stereo system in two (reasonably) compact boxes, The Nines II are good value — but no one's going to claim they're a bargain.

• Value score: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy the Klipsch The Nines II speakers?Score card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Dolby Atmos, Wi-Fi streaming, Dirac Live and a huge suite of connectivity options.

4.5 / 5

Sound quality

You might want to do some minor EQing, but they sound immersive and full, with enough bass to skip adding a subwoofer.

4.5 / 5

Design

They look good, the controls are nicely done, and the connectivity is well-handled.

4.5 / 5

Setup and Usability

Setup is easy but does take some muscle or a second person to do properly. Dirac Live calibration has issues.

3.5 / 5

Value

The price hike from the previous version may seem too much, but it’s worth it with the added features.

3.5 / 5

Buy them if…

You want a robust, immersive sound
The audio quality is so good, it makes you want to just turn up. It has a certain weight to it that makes you forget there’s no subwoofer.

You want all the features
Spatial audio, Wi-Fi streaming for just about every app, and a bunch of other features are about all one could ask for in a pair of stereo speakers.

You want stereo speakers at the heart of an entertainment system
With all the inputs available, one could switch between a TV, turntable, smart phone, and more with just a few presses of a button.

Don’t buy them if…

You’re on a budget
If you’re looking at The Nines II, you probably know that Klipsch is pricey (and there are certainly more expensive powered speakers out there). However, if you’re tight on cash, you can get some good audio for much less.

You want full Dolby Atmos
While the Klipsch The Nines support spatial audio formats such Dolby Atmos, the speakers themselves do not reproduce full height or, obviously, rear sound. If you’re looking for a quick way to spatial audio, this is not it.

Klipsch The Nines II review: Also consider

KEF LSX II LT
The KEF LSX II LT don’t work as well for large rooms, but if you’re looking for a wonderful sounding set of speakers for a smaller listening room and want to save some money, the KEF LSX II LT might be the best option out there.

Read our full KEF LSX II LT review

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

Read our full Kanto Ren review

How I tested the Klipsch The Nines II

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

I used the Klipsch The Nines II for a few weeks, listening to all sorts of genres of music, such as hip hop, EDM, pop, rock, jazz, and folk to get a better feel for these speakers. They were also tested with some TV viewing and computer games.

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

• First reviewed: June 2026
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