Reviews

LG xboom Grab: Two-minute review

There are only so many ways you can design a Bluetooth speaker. Sonos has done the Toblerone look. Ultimate Ears has mastered the rounded cube. And JBL pioneered the rugged cylinder. Is there any room left for innovation? LG thinks so. And the answer is straps.

The xboom Grab is far from the first speaker to feature built-in carry straps, but its two elasticated loops are unique among the best Bluetooth speakers. Subtle enough when not in use, they’re a neat addition that means you can easily lash the Grab to a bike frame or handlebars. Release one end from the metal bracket and you can also hook the speaker to just about anything.

More than a novelty, the straps are useful for users on the move. So are the Grab’s dimensions, which mean it fits neatly in a cup or bottle holder. It might not be the lightest at 700g, but this is a speaker that lives up to its portable promise. It’s also one that feels built to survive a beach party, even if its buttons are easy to press accidentally.

Straps aren’t the only standout feature. To distinguish the Grab in a crowded market, LG has packed it with tricks. A pulsing light strip adds a sliver of color at the foot of the unit. Whether that’s a welcome addition will depend on your taste for ambient flair, but the saturation is bold and the execution slick – as is the option to control, sync or disable its hues in the app.

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Strangely, the Grab connects to the ThinQ app, rather than the LG xboom one. This requires you to create an account, a step that feels both unnecessary and lengthy. Still, it’s worth the effort: the app is where you gain access to a range of configuration options, including AI room calibration and the ability to power the speaker on and off remotely. It’s also where you can adjust sound settings.

You’ll want to do that. By default, will.i.am – with the help of LG’s sound engineers – has set the xboom Grab to Bass Boost. This gives it plenty of low-end energy, at the expense of clarity elsewhere in the range. Switch to Standard mode and separation improves dramatically. There’s still weight to the lower frequencies, but it’s balanced with detailed mids and expressive treble, which are given more space to breathe.

A 10W tweeter and 20W racetrack woofer, plus a pair of passive radiators, deliver a dynamic listen, creating a soundstage that’s surprisingly full and spacious for a portable speaker. The Grab certainly has no trouble being heard, indoors or out, with distortion only creeping in when you really crank up the volume.

Longevity isn’t lacking either. Switch off the lights and the Grab’s 20-hour battery rating stacks up. That puts it at the head of the field, with a several-hour lead over its primary rival: the JBL Flip 7.

In truth, the challenge for most people will be choosing between the Grab and the Flip 7. Both speakers have compact proportions and stellar sonic performance. Both also offer app connectivity and adaptive AI tuning. Design is likely to be the deciding factor. If clean lines, bright lights and carry straps do it for you, the LG xboom Grab won’t leave you disappointed.

LG xboom Grab review: Price and release date

• Announced at CES in January 2025
• Officially priced at $149.99 / £129.98 / around AU$175

LG unveiled the xboom Grab at CES in January 2025. Part of the ‘xboom by will.i.am’ range, it debuted alongside the larger xboom Bounce and party-ready Stage 301. All three hit shelves in April.

Ticketed at $149.99 / £129.98 (around AU$175), the Grab is pitched directly against the JBL Flip 7, which currently occupies the top spot in our list of the best Bluetooth speakers.

At that price point, the Grab enters a crowded and competitive market. The Sonos Roam 2, another portable speaker that sits happily in our best wireless speakers roundup owing to its Wi-Fi streaming capability, has recently been discounted to a similar asking fee.

Because it doesn’t undercut its rivals, the Grab instead needs to deliver a superior experience to win listeners. And, as you’ll read below, it does a thoroughly good job of trying, offering a plethora of features for the money.

LG xboom Grab review: Specs

Weight:

700g

Dimensions:

211.0 x 71.6 x 70.0mm

Battery life (quoted):

20 hours

Connectivity:

Bluetooth 5.3

Multipoint:

Yes

Drivers:

16mm tweeter, 80 x 45mm woofer, 2x passive radiators

Aux-in:

No

Charger port:

USB-C

Microphone:

Yes

Waterproof rating:

IP67

App:

Yes

LG xboom Grab review: Design

• Built-in elasticated straps
• IP67 waterproof and dust-proof
• Seven-button interface with customizable shortcut

In many ways, the LG xboom Grab borrows from every Bluetooth speaker that’s gone before it. It’s a solid cylinder clad in fabric mesh, with reinforced ends where the passive radiators reside. It combines the clean lines of the Ultimate Ears Boom 3 with the tidy dimensions of the JBL Flip 7. That’s a strong starting point, which LG has embellished with neat details and a dash of flair.

It wouldn’t look out of place in a modern apartment, yet the Grab is also ready for the beach. Like most of its contemporaries, it benefits from an IP67 water-resistance rating. LG’s also had it certified to military standard 810H. If you’re not up to speed with military testing codes (that's absolutely fine, by the way), that means it can easily shake off shocks, sand and salt water spray. In short, the Grab is built to last.

It certainly feels that way. At 700g, the Grab is weightier than other speakers of a similar size, which gives it a real sense of solidity. From the grooves on the bumpers to the metal plate where the straps attach, its construction is sturdy. The aesthetic might channel urban understatement, but there’s no cause for hesitation when lashing it to a bike or stashing it in a bottle holder.

In fact, the built-in straps mean you can mount the Grab just about anywhere. Far from a gimmick, they give you real flexibility for positioning the speaker outdoors. One end of each strap can unhook from the mount, allowing you to thread them through gaps in a fence, over handlebars and bike frames, even around tree branches. Or you can just hook one for a dangling disco.

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Because they’re elasticated, you can stretch the straps for a secure fit and tighten things up by threading the bands back through their brackets. When not in use, they loop neatly around the compact body of the speaker. It’s a simple but clever setup that’s genuinely useful, whether flat surfaces are in short supply or you want to mount the Grab on the move.

If you do position the Grab on a shelf or table, little feet underneath will stop it rolling, while the light strip casts an ambient glow. This sliver of saturation runs in a thin line along the front of the speaker, pulsing in sync to your music with hues you can choose in the app. This won’t be to every taste, but it’s less naff than it sounds. As integrated lighting goes, it’s the subtlest and slickest I’ve seen. You can also turn it off entirely, if you prefer a low-profile approach.

Along the top of the cylinder sits a row of seven buttons. Complementing the standard set of power, volume and play/pause controls is a dedicated key for Auracast pairing, plus a heart button which can be set as a shortcut for Apple Music or LG Radio+. In practice, this last button feels unnecessary. Omitting just one key would’ve made the interface that bit simpler to navigate at a glance.

It doesn’t help that the buttons aren’t illuminated. The black outline design means they fly under the radar, but you have to feel your way around the shapes after dark. The buttons are also easy to press accidentally when handling the Grab or looping the straps. I unintentionally turned the speaker off several times. It’s a minor niggle, but the one that stands in the way of a five-star rating for the design.

• Design score: 4.5/5

LG xboom Grab review: Features

• 20-hour battery life, USB-C charging
• ThinQ app connectivity for light and sound control
• Full-color adaptive lighting strip

In an arena that’s bustling with Bluetooth speakers, LG’s pulled off a rare feat with the xboom Grab: packing a product with features and making almost all of them feel like meaningful additions. Look past the will.i.am tie-up – although I’m sure the Black Eyed Pea leant a helpful hand in the Grab’s development – and you’ll find a speaker that offers a lot of substance for the money.

Admittedly, I didn’t get off to a flying start with the Grab’s app connectivity: I downloaded the wrong one. You’d be forgiven for assuming the xboom Grab would use the xboom app, but it’s actually the LG ThinQ one you need to install. That’s followed by a mandatory sign-up process which demands too much time and information for pairing with a Bluetooth speaker.

A faff? Yes. It’s worth the effort though. Connecting the app unlocks a catalog of control and configuration options, including the ability to remotely turn the speaker on and off. It’s where you’ll find the settings for the light strip (see above), with a palette of pulse and color modes to choose from. And it’s also where you can fine-tune the sound output to suit your ears and space.

Part of that toolkit is AI room calibration. This analyzes the area where you’re listening and adjusts the audio accordingly. It would take a keen ear to detect the exact changes made to the output, but recalibrated from living room to bathroom to back garden, the Grab never sounded out of place. There are sounds modes to choose between too, but more on that below.

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According to LG, will.i.am’s influence isn’t limited to the sound signature. He’s also had a hand in shaping the sound UI – the beeps and noises you hear when using the Grab. Now, this might sound like more marketing schtick, but it does actually make a difference over time. If you’ve ever used a speaker with low-grade sound effects, you’ll know how budget audio design can cheapen the experience when used every day.

That’s not a problem which besets the Grab. From powering on to establishing a Bluetooth connection, the xboom’s noises are rich, weighty and well-defined. It’s a small touch but one that makes a difference the longer you spend with it. As with other components, this attention to sonic detail gives the impression that every element of the speaker has been thought about. And crucially, they don’t start to grate after a fortnight.

Neither does the battery life. After two weeks with the Grab, I came away hugely impressed with its staying power. Rated at 20 hours without lighting, trips to the wall were pleasingly infrequent. On a full charge, you’ll be covered for days of casual listening before you have to worry about charging it. It’s not the quickest to refill when you do, but that’s a small price to pay for longevity.

• Features score: 4.5/5

LG xboom Grab review: Sound quality

• 16mm tweeter, 80 x 45mm woofer, 2x passive radiators
• AI calibration and adaptive sound
• Party link pairing with xboom speakers

LG’s equipped the xboom grab with a promising sonic architecture. An 80 x 45mm racetrack driver does woofer duties, while a 16mm dome tweeter from Peerless handles the higher stuff. These both pump out from the front, with passive radiators at each end to help distribute the sound. It’s a setup that translates into a very engaging listening, once you’ve done some tweaking.

Out of the box, the LG xboom Grab is set to Bass Boost. This gives it plenty of low-end energy, as befits a will.i.am party banger. But it also has the effect of dominating the sound signature and crowding the mids. Fine if you you want a bit of boom in the room, but not the most refined performance.

Things are significantly enhanced by switching to the Standard setting. There’s still no shortage of bass, but it exists in much better balance with the mids and treble. Oomph from the lower frequencies is paired with brightness and detail higher up the range. The soundstage offers a surprising amount of separation, resulting in a dynamic and engaging listen.

Fed with Maribou State’s latest album, the Grab dealt deliciously with many layers of electronica, balancing rich synthesized bass with clarity in the mids. Vocal reproduction is expressive too, whether it’s Hozier and his backing choir or Phil Collins doing some Disney-sanctioned crooning.

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Yes, the xboom Grab is still a portable Bluetooth speaker, so the pickiest audiophiles shouldn’t expect a miracle. But for its size, it gives a hugely impressive account of itself. Details are perhaps easier to detect indoors, but the fullness and warmth of the Grab’s output isn’t lost in an outdoor setting either. Only at the top end of its volume level does distortion risk creeping in, a level that few will ever have cause to explore. This really is a unit fit for all occasions.

Besides Bass Boost and Standard, there’s also a Voice Enhance mode that you can select in the app. Alternatively, you can leave it to AI to analyze the genre and choose a setting to suit. But to my ears, there’s little reason to stray from the Standard setting. This gives the most balanced rendition, whatever’s on your playlist.

I haven’t listened to the LG xboom Grab back-to-back with the JBL Flip 7, but based on what I’ve heard, I’d say it’s a close-run thing between the two. Given how highly the Flip 7 scored in our review, that’s praise indeed. Both use drivers of the same dimensions, so at least internally there’s little to differentiate between the two. It’s fair to say that buyers of the xboom Grab won’t be disappointed with what greets their ears.

• Sound quality: 4.5/5

LG xboom Grab review: Value

Value is a relative concept. In 2025, $150 / £130 / AU$175 has become the standard price for a portable Bluetooth speaker of this size. For that money, the LG xboom Grab offers a lot: you’re getting a product built for portability, with the added bonus of solid battery life, synchronized lighting and genuinely useful app connectivity. It sounds great, too.

But $150 / £130 / AU$175 isn’t small change. In pure value terms, there is an obvious argument that the xboom Grab would be more compelling if it came in cheaper than its rivals. And there are plenty of people who’d prefer to sacrifice some of its clever features and lighting frills for a saving of 20%.

The Ultimate Ears Wonderboom 4 is a good example of a speaker that takes a simpler, more affordable approach without compromising on audio quality or performance. Its value offering is one of the main reasons we rate it so highly. The xboom Grab might sound bigger and better, but it also costs a chunk more. There’s definitely a gap in the market for a simple, solid and reliable mid-size speaker that costs $130 / £100 / AU$150.

As it is, the LG xboom Grab justifies its price by maxing out on features. It gives a solid performance that ticks the key boxes, complemented by extra tricks that will feel like real benefits to the right buyer. Whether that’s you will depend on how much you appreciate carry straps, light strips and an app with AI sound calibration.

• Value score: 4.5/5

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Should I buy the LG xboom Grab?LG xboom Grab

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Tidy dimensions, built-in straps and IP67 water-resistance

4.5/5

Features

20-hour battery life, adaptive lighting and app connectivity

4.5/5

Sound quality

Full sound and decent bass with AI calibration and in-app EQ

4.5/5

Value

A solid build and plenty of features at a competitive price

4.5/5

Buy it if…

You want a super-portable picnic speaker
With dimensions that fit in a cup-holder and built-in straps which attach to your handlebars, the xboom Grab is a Bluetooth speaker that’s built to grab and go. IP67 water-resistance means it can survive a shower, too.

You appreciate decent sound quality
As Bluetooth speakers go, the Grab offers full sound with decent bass, good detail and impressive separation. AI can tune output to suit the room and genre, while the app lets you adjust the EQ to suit your listening tastes.

You want a feature-packed speaker
The Grab offers a lot for the money, including ThinQ app connectivity, AI audio analysis and Auracast party link pairing with other xboom speakers. Battery life is also top of the class at 20 hours with the lightstrip turned off.

Don’t buy it if…

You don’t need app connectivity
The xboom Grab’s smart features are part of its appeal. If you don’t need AI sound calibration, adaptive lightning or the option to adjust the EQ, you can pick up a simpler Bluetooth speaker without app connectivity for less money.

You won’t use the built-in straps
Built-in elasticated straps let you attach the xboom Grab to hooks, handlebars and just about anything. If you think they’ll get in the way, the JBL Flip 7 has similar dimensions, matching performance and a smaller, detachable carry strap.

You want Wi-Fi connectivity
Besides a 3.5mm aux input, another connectivity feature missing from the Grab’s spec sheet is Wi-Fi. For multi-room audio via your home network, you’ll need a speaker like the Sonos Roam 2, which now costs a similar price.

LG xboom Grab review: Also consider

LG xboom Grab

JBL Flip 7

Sonos Roam 2

Dimensions:

211.0 x 71.6 x 70.0mm

182.5 x 69.5 x 71.5mm

168 x 62 x 60mm

Weight:

700g

560g

430g

Battery life (quoted):

20 hours

14 hours

10 hours

Connectivity:

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.4

Bluetooth 5.2, Wi-Fi

Drivers:

16mm tweeter, 80 x 45mm woofer, 2x passive radiators

16mm tweeter, 80 x 45mm woofer, 2x passive radiators

1x tweeter, 1x mid-woofer

Aux-in:

No

No

No

Charger port:

USB-C

USB-C

USB-C

Microphone:

Yes

No

Yes

Waterproof rating:

IP67

IP68

IP67

App:

Yes

Yes

Yes

JBL Flip 7
Winner of a rare 5-star TechRadar rating, the JBL Flip 7 sets the bar for portable Bluetooth speakers. Similar in size to the LG xboom Grab, it’s lighter by 140g but loses out on battery life by 6 hours. Its drivers are the same size as the Grab’s and offer an equally entertaining listen, with adaptive AI Sound Boost. The choice probably comes down to design preference.
Read more in our in-depth JBL Flip 7 review

Sonos Roam 2
A premium speaker that’s now been discounted, the Roam 2 offers a sleek alternative to the xboom Grab. Despite its minimalist build, it also benefits from an IP67 rating for rain-proof listening. You also get support for Sonos multi-room smarts, with Wi-Fi connectivity complementing Bluetooth when you’re at home. Battery life is underwhelming at 10 hours, but the reward is rich, balanced audio with a wide soundstage.
Read more in our in-depth Sonos Roam 2 review

How I tested the LG xboom Grab

• Tested for a fortnight, indoors and out
• Streamed extensively via the Spotify app
• Played music spanning a range of genres

To test the xboom Grab, I used it as most listeners would: by living with it. LG only had a review sample available on a two-week loan, so I had to make the most of my time with it. That meant using the speaker for shower singalongs every morning, ambient background during the day and kitchen bangers in the evening.

Because the Grab’s designed for alfresco audio, I also spent plenty of time listening to it outdoors. Beyond the garden, I strapped the speaker to my bike and stashed it in my beach bag, to see how well it held up as a picnic companion – and how useful those elasticated straps are in the real world.

Musically, I challenged the Grab with a genre-spanning catalog of tracks, covering everything from Maribou State’s soulful electronica to the grungiest alternative rock that BBC Radio 6 Music had to offer. The test playlist also included the Phil Collins tracks on Disney’s 1999 Tarzan soundtrack, courtesy of a certain five-year-old.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed: June 2025

Glorious Model I 2: Two-minute review

The Glorious Model I 2 is a wired gaming mouse with some useful features and pro-level tweaks, making it ideal for all kinds of play styles and genres.

There’s no mistaking the Model I 2 for anything other than a gaming mouse, thanks to its brash but tasteful design. Its profile is sleek, while the honeycomb back portion allows for the RGB lighting underneath to shine through in all its glory. The thin RGB strips on both edges are also a nice touch.

It has quite a long profile, longer than many of the best gaming mice. It also slopes away to the side, adopting a slightly ergonomic form. The thumb slot has a prominent floor, which fitted my thumb rather well – although I can well imagine some users not finding it to their liking – while the central hump was ideally placed for my palm. What’s more, that aforementioned honeycomb texture is pleasant to grip on to.

The scroll wheel on the Model I 2 has prominent spikes and a soft rubber material, both of which make it very tactile. However, it’s placed further forward than usual compared to other gaming mice, making it slightly more of a stretch for me than usual.

Another untypical feature of the Model I 2 is the DPI selector, which is split across two topside buttons rather than one. This makes adjusting the sensitivity much more convenient.

(Image credit: Future)

It also has three side buttons, all of which are conveniently placed; I found them easy to actuate with the various parts of my thumb. Additional button caps are included for the side button closest to the back: one has a more prominent poke, while the other is a blank to block off the switch altogether if you don’t plan on using it.

The Model I 2 features a sniper button as well, which is likewise well-positioned and can be swapped out for other caps included in the box, each of which have varying profiles.

The construction of these buttons – and the rest of the mouse for that matter – is quite solid. However, I found the skates a weak point in this regard, as, on my unit at least, they weren’t installed with as much care as I would’ve liked. Some of the corners weren’t adhered to the underside fully, resulting in them spiking upwards. Thankfully, this was my only grievance in terms of build quality.

The Model I 2 comes with customization software, called Glorious Core. Here you’ll find many of the usual gaming mice tweaks. There are a few performance-related settings to tinker with, including lift-off distances and debounce times, as well as a Motion Sync toggle.

The polling rate can be increased up to 1K, while there are five stages of DPI to configure, with a range between 100 and 26,000. There are also some rebinding options available, although these lack the selection of system and media shortcuts of other software. I also found the UI too small for optimal viewing, which made it harder to use.

(Image credit: Future)

In action, though, the Model I 2 performs better. The clicks are snappy but have a relatively long travel, as well as a little more dampening than usual, which provides more cushioning than I was expecting.

Glides are a little rougher compared to other gaming mice I’ve tried, though. This is perhaps at least partly due to the aforementioned installation issue with the skates. However, I still found them smooth enough to be usable, helped by the fact that there are quite a lot of them, so they cover a wide surface area.

At 66g, the Model I 2 is hardly the lightest gaming mouse around, but the weight is distributed so evenly that you don’t really feel it ever weighing you down. The integrated USB cable is also light and malleable enough to not cause any dragging issues.

I was also quite fond of the scroll wheel, as I found its notching provided plenty of security and precision when moving it slowly, yet was quick and light when performing fast flicks. The scroll click is also very satisfying, providing plenty of dampening and feedback with an incredibly sturdy feel, so I had no concerns about triggering misscrolls.

For the outlay, however, I’m not sure the Model I 2 performs significantly better than its cheaper rivals, such as the Asus TUF Gaming M4 Air and the Cooler Master MM311. It’s a solid choice, and it has some unique features that make it more practical, but ultimately there are better value alternatives if you can live without these.

(Image credit: Future)Glorious Model I 2 review: Price & availability

• $64.99 / £59.99 (about AU$101)
• Available now in black and white
• Expensive for wired gaming mouse

The Model I 2 costs $64.99 / £59.99 (about AU$101) and is available now in two colorways: black and white. It comes with various spare caps for the sniper and rear-most side buttons. A wireless variant is also available.

This is reasonably expensive for a wired gaming mouse. It’s more expensive than the Asus TUF Gaming M4 Air, for instance, which we reckon is the best lightweight wired mouse for gaming at the moment. This does lack the feature set of the Model I 2; it doesn’t even have RGB lighting. However, at just 50g, it's quite a bit lighter than the Model I 2.

The Model I 2 is also more expensive than the Cooler Master MM311, which even has the added benefit of being wireless, and that's partly why we rate it as the best budget gaming mouse around. It doesn’t have a rechargeable battery, though, nor does it have as many buttons as the Model I 2.

Glorious Model I 2 review: Specs

Interface

Wired (USB-C-to-A)

Ergonomics

Right-handed asymmetrical

Buttons

9

DPI

Up to 26,000

Switches

Glorious Switches

Weight

2.3oz (66g)

Should I buy the Glorious Model I 2?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

The Model I 2 is expensive for a wired gaming mouse – you’ll have to decide whether its extra buttons are worth it.

3 / 5

Design

The Model I 2 looks good and is comfortable in the hand. The software has some nice tweaks, but it's limited in terms of remapping.

4 / 5

Performance

All the buttons and scroll wheel perform very well, and glides are quite smooth. However, it doesn't exactly exceed the competition when it comes to precision and speed.

4 / 5

Overall

The Model I 2 is a competent gaming mouse that’s comfortable to use with some nice features. However, the software lacks versatility, and the performance isn’t outstanding, so its relatively high price might not be justified.

3.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want some handy buttons
There are three side buttons and two DPI buttons, all of which are convenient and easy to use. Additional caps are included for some buttons, too.

You want a great scroll wheel
It might not be a standout feature of many gaming mice, but the one here deserves mention given its tactility and security.

Don't buy it if...

You want a symmetrical design
This is a hardcore asymmetrical mouse, thanks to the prominent thumb slot and offset sloping design.

You want plenty of rebinding options
While there are some remapping options available, the selection is very sparse compared to what other gaming mice offer.

Glorious Model I 2 review: Also consider

Glorious Model I 2

Asus TUF Gaming M4 Air

Cooler Master MM311

Price

$64.99 / £59.99 (about AU$101)

$49.99 / £39.99 / AU$76

$39 (about £31 / AU$59)

Interface

Wired (USB-C-to-A)

Wired (USB-C-to-A)

Wireless (2.4GHz), wired (USB-C-to-A)

Ergonomics

Right-handed asymmetrical

Right-handed symmetrical

Right-handed asymmetrical

Buttons

9

6

6

DPI

26,000

16,000

30,000

Switches

Glorious Switches

Kailh GM 4.0

Razer Optical Mouse Switches Gen-3

Weight

2.3oz (66g)

1.8oz / 50g

2.2oz / 64g

Asus TUF Gaming M4 Air
The TUF Gaming M4 Air is another wired gaming mouse, but it’s a lot cheaper than the Model I 2. It’s also lighter by a significant amount, which may make all the difference to serious gamers who are sensitive to such things. It doesn't have many bells and whistles, but for pure gaming performance, the TUF Gaming M4 Air is more than up to the task. Read our full Asus TUF Gaming M4 Air review.

Cooler Master MM311
Not only is the MM311 cheaper than the Model I 2, it’s also wireless. Coupled with its excellent gaming performance, this makes it one of the best value gaming mice around. You don’t get a rechargeable battery, but it’s an acceptable sacrifice given the low cost. Read our full Cooler Master MM311 review.

How I tested the Glorious Model I 2

• Tested for a full day
• Used for gaming and working
• Extensive gaming mouse experience

I tested the Model I 2 for a full day, during which time I used it for gaming, working, and general browsing.

I played Counter-Strike 2, a good test for gaming mice given the demands it places on quick and accurate movement and aiming.

I’ve been gaming on PC for over a decade, and during that time I have experienced a large number of mice. I’ve also reviewed a broad range of models from multiple brands, with varying price points, designs, and feature-sets.

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

Roku Streaming Stick: Two-minute review

The Roku TV interface is easy to navigate, but we experienced some lag when making selections during our testing of the Roku Streaming Stick (Image credit: Future)

The Roku Streaming Stick is cheap, compact, and easy to use. As the cheaper of Roku’s two newest streaming sticks, the other being the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, it has its limitations – specifically, no 4K or HDR support – but the value proposition here is very good. If you’re trying to save money, it might be among the best streaming devices out there.

As far as competition goes at this price point, there’s really only the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD, which is slightly more expensive. Of course, if you care about getting the best performance and features and are willing to pay for it, I suggest going for the Roku Ultra (2024) instead.

The Roku Streaming Stick is literally just a stick with an HDMI port on the end, and is small even by streaming stick standards. When I reviewed the Amazon Fire TV Sticks that came out in 2023 ( still current models), I had trouble fitting their bulky bodies into the HDMI slots behind my TV, so the svelte design of the Roku Streaming Stick is welcome.

The only visual difference between this and the Streaming Stick Plus version is that the Roku logo is purple as opposed to an etched design, making it look just a bit cheaper than its big brother. Otherwise, it’s identical, with the same somewhat convex case, with the HDMI male jack on one end, and the USB-C charging port on the other. There’s also a reset button, and that’s it.

It’s worth noting that Roku only provides a USB-C to USB-A cable for charging – there’s no power supply or adapter. When I first saw this on the Roku Streaming Stick Plus (again, they’re identical in this regard), I was a little upset that I was expected to pay extra for an adapter. But then I realized there was a good reason for the lack of an adapter, since you’re expected to use the USB port on your TV to power the streaming stick.

Because you’re powering the stick from the TV’s USB port, which is usually just a few slots over from the HDMI connections, there are no hanging cables from the device. This means you’ll end up with a cleaner-looking setup using the Roku Streaming Stick.

The Roku Streaming Stick comes with a USB cable and a remote with a voice control option (Image credit: Future)

The included remote control is Roku’s voice remote. It has a slightly bulky body with a little bit of weight that makes it nice to handle while still being fairly compact. The buttons include dedicated play/pause buttons – a feature I appreciate over the navigation wheel layout that most remotes have. And there’s also a voice assistant button, which lets you make voice commands when holding it down. It’s not Roku’s best remote – that would be the one included with the Roku Ultra – but it’s good enough and about what one would expect at this price point.

The Roku Streaming Stick is intended to be an entry-level HD device, so there’s no 4K or HDR support. I tested it on a 65-inch TV, and the picture quality was still pretty good. If you’re getting this for a guestroom TV, it’s probably worth saving the few extra bucks.

The Roku Streaming Stick’s biggest sticking point is its performance. Given the stick’s low price, you shouldn’t expect the world, but it’s still worth noting. The actual streaming experience is fine and without interruption, but the Roku Streaming Stick has a slight delay when interacting with it, with the onscreen cursor moving just a fraction of a second after a button press, so you feel like it’s catching up.

It’s worth noting that the Roku Streaming Stick uses the old 802.11b/g/n Wi-Fi standard, which is even slower than the 802.11ac (Wi-Fi 5) one used by the Roku Streaming Stick Plus. You probably don’t need the latest Wi-Fi standard for a streaming device, but the Streaming Stick’s slower and older WiFi standard is a potential reason why it runs a little slower.

The Streaming Stick’s interface is the usual intuitive one I expect from Roku. There are a few watch suggestions at the top, but the home screen is otherwise just a series of tiles for different apps. I appreciate its simplicity compared to the more congested interfaces used by Google TV, Fire TV, and other smart TV platforms. If you prefer that type of layout, Roku has a similar setup when you click on the “What To Watch” tab on the homescreen.

There’s a good amount of free content available to stream directly through the Roku interface. There’s also a Sports tab, but you still need a subscription to whichever service has the rights to your favorite sport. Otherwise, Roku’s interface here is its usual rock-solid self.

Roku Streaming Stick: Price and release date

The super-compact Roku Streaming Stick is powered by your TV's USB port (Image credit: Future)

• $29.99 / £29.99 (about AU$50)
• Released April 2025

Thirty bucks or quid for a streaming device is impossible to beat. The closest to that is probably the Amazon Fire TV Stick HD that I mentioned earlier at $34.99 / £39.99 / AU$69.

The question you need to ask yourself is whether it’s worth saving ten bucks for this version over the Roku Streaming Stick Plus, which goes for $39.99 / £39.99 (about AU$70). The design of both sticks is the same, and so are the limitations in performance. If you’re trying to just get the cheapest streaming stick with 4K and HDR support (but not Dolby Vision), the Plus version is the one you’ll want. But if you have an older TV that doesn’t support those features, the basic Roku Streaming Stick will be ideal.

The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2023) is also a good streamer to look at as it’s regularly discounted to the same price as the Roku Streaming Stick Plus. And unlike Roku products, that model is available for purchase in Australia.

Roku's remote control sits nicely in the hand and features a mic button for voice search commands (Image credit: Future)Should you buy the Roku Streaming Stick?Roku Streaming Stick

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

HD streaming with Dolby Atmos but no 4K or HDR support

3/ 5

Performance

It’s fine when streaming, but it lags when interacting with the interface and menus, possibly due to using an older Wi-Fi standard

3.5 / 5

Design

It’s slim and is designed to get power from the TV it’s connected to, helping provide a cleaner, more tangle-free look

4.5 / 5

Value

Streaming doesn’t get cheaper than this. You just have to decide if you can forgo 4K and HDR support

5 / 5

Buy it if...

You’re on a strict budget
Getting the Roku Streaming Stick is on par, pricewise, with dinner for two from a fast food chain. You can’t really get cheaper than this

You want to hide the cables
The ability to draw power from a TV’s USB port is a nice touch that allows for a cleaner-looking setup, especially if you plan on wall-mounting your TV.

You want a Roku device
There are other almost as cheap options. But if you like the Roku smart interface, then this is the perfect entry-level device for it.

Don't buy it if...

You want top performance
The slight lag while navigating is a performance-related concern, as it can be frustrating to feel like you’re always a quarter step behind.

You want 4K and HDR
The Roku Streaming Stick does have features like Dolby Atmos, but you’re missing out on the 4K resolution and HDR support that pricier models have.

Roku Streaming Stick review: Also consider

Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2023)

If you’re an Amazon Prime Video subscriber and/or own Alexa smart home products, then the Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2023) is the way to go. It has faster Wi-Fi6 support, not to mention 16GB of onboard storage and Dolby Vision and HDR10+ support. It is very Prime-centric, however, and shows ads for Prime content every time it’s idle.

Read our full Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K (2023) review

Roku Ultra (2024)

If you want both speedy performance and the Roku ecosystem, The Roku Ultra (2024) is your best bet. Sure, it can’t tuck behind the TV discreetly like the Streaming Stick or Streaming Stick Plus, but the Ultra is the company’s best and most robust streaming device. It supports just about every feature, including 4K and Dolby Vision HDR, and it comes with Roku’s best remote.

Read more about the Roku Ultra (2024)

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Roku Streaming Stick

• Used regularly for a week
• Tested with various apps
• Tested the remote

I used the Roku Streaming Stick regularly for a few days to evaluate everything it can do. I used it to stream Roku content and movies and shows from apps like Max. I also spent time using the remote and testing its various functions.

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.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed June 2025

Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro: one-minute review

The Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro is a wireless mechanical keyboard with numerous connectivity options for great flexibility. It has a rather restrained aesthetic, although the vibrant RGB lighting and various colorways help make it stand out. It lacks the pomp of many gaming keyboards, and it’s all the better for it in my view.

In terms of build quality, the Rainy 75 Pro is dense and very heavy, while the aluminum casing makes it near impossible to dent or damage. The double-shot PBT keycaps also feel premium, with their smooth texture and subtle indentations.

The board is also quite thick, especially at the back, and there are no adjustable feet. Thankfully, the stock angle allows for a good typing position, although I still would’ve welcomed some form of wrist support, since I did find the Rainy 75 Pro uncomfortable after long periods.

Customizations are available courtesy of the VIA web app. Here you’ll find a macro creator and RGB lighting adjustments, with plenty of effects to choose from. There are also myriad shortcuts available for remapping, rivaling many of the best keyboard options around, although the interface doesn’t do a great job of presenting them in the cleanest manner.

There are other issues with this web app: it requires you to download JSON files to work, while profiles have to be saved as files on your PC, both of which feel outdated and clunky. What’s more, there aren’t any performance-related tweaks, and sometimes it would lose connection to the keyboard altogether.

Thankfully, in action, the Rainy 75 Pro provides a mostly enjoyable experience. The linear Cocoa switches in my unit were snappy and responsive, with a light actuation and a very satisfying feel, which made for fast typing. However, beware that they are quite loud.

Connectivity is mostly great, and switching between Bluetooth and 2.4.GHz devices is easy. However, I did experience momentary lagging in one particular instance when connected via the latter method to my PC, which is obviously disappointing, but thankfully only occurred once.

Despite how solid and pleasurable it is to use, the Rainy 75 Pro is still an expensive keyboard and it faces some stiff competition, such as the Razer Pro Type Ultra and the MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra, the latter of which is cheaper but performs equally well. If you’re looking for the sturdiest board around with effortless typing, the Rainy 75 Pro is hard to beat on these fronts. But all things considered, it's hard to justify its expense in a market full of great value alternatives.

(Image credit: Future)Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro review: price and availability

• $139 / £159 / AU$239
• Available now in multiple variants
• High-end of the market

The Rainy 75 Pro costs $139 / £159 / AU$239 and is available in multiple colorways and switch types. Wired and non-RGB versions are also available with lower prices. It comes with a keycap puller, USB cable, 2.4GHz USB dongle, and three spare switches.

This places it at the premium end of the space, although when you consider its high build quality, mechanical switches and multiple connectivity modes, it makes a little more sense. It’s close to the same price as the Razer Pro Type Ultra, although that board is full-size, making it a better choice for productivity purposes.

However, the Rainy 75 Pro is more expensive than the MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra. That board has analog switches, which allow for various actuation adjustments to be made, an aspect shared by some of the best gaming keyboard options. It also features multiple wireless modes, although it has a 60% layout, which means it lacks quite a few useful keys present on the Rainy 75 Pro.

Value: 3 / 5

Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro review: specs

Layout

75%

Switch

Mechanical

Programmable keys

Yes

Dimensions

12.6 x 5.4 x 1.8 inches (32 x 13.7 x 4.6cm)

RGB or backlighting

Yes (customizable)

(Image credit: Future)Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro review: design and features

• Exceptionally heavy
• Well made
• Not the most convenient software

The Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro has a somewhat muted appearance, especially in the white colorway I had on my review unit. It looks modern enough, and the lack of gamer touches is something I welcome, while the RGB lighting does enough to add vibrancy.

It’s also one of the heaviest keyboards I’ve ever used. It feels extremely dense and sturdy as a result, and if you’re prone to gamer rage, be careful of venting your frustrations out on this one. The aluminum casing feels very premium and hard wearing too.

The Rainy 75 Pro is also quite thick, although mercifully it has a fairly steep tilt angle, so the front end is lower to the ground than the back. This makes getting a comfortable position easier, although I found that my wrists still had to bend noticeably to reach the keys.

The double-shot PBT keycaps have a smooth texture and feel high quality, as you would expect. They also have minimal indentation, but it’s enough to secure your finger tips in place.

There are some useful default shortcuts on the Rainy 75 Pro, including the ability to hot-switch between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz devices using the Fn and Tab keys. However, it’s a shame that none of the keys have their Fn shortcuts labelled on them.

(Image credit: Future)

However, what’s more inconvenient is the switch for activating the wireless capability, since it’s located underneath the Caps Lock key, meaning you have to remove it to access it – a baffling design choice and one I’ve seen before on the MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra.

Thankfully, it’s rarely needed as it can be left in the on position, even when using the board with a wired connection. The only time I needed to switch it to the off position was when installing a firmware update.

The Rainy 75 Pro makes use of the VIA web app for its customization abilities. This provides the usual tinkering options, with macro creation, RGB settings, and plenty of remapping options.

However, the web app isn’t the most user-friendly interface, requiring you to download and then upload JSON files manually to get working. You also have to save your custom settings as files to your computer, which is also inconvenient and outdated.

I encountered other usability issues, too. There were occasions where the key remapping function wouldn't work, and sometimes the board lost connection to the web app, requiring me to refresh the page to remedy.

The layout of this web app also leaves a lot to be desired, as the scattergun approach to listing all the remaps isn’t the best presented, making it hard at times to find the shortcuts you need.

Design & features: 3.5 / 5

Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro review: performance

• Light and snappy
• Great for typing
• Can get uncomfortable

The performance of the Rainy 75 Pro is excellent, whether you’re gaming or typing. The linear Cocoa switches in my unit had a very light and snappy actuation, with plenty of rebound and a relatively short travel, all of which made for quick taps and fast typing. Their lubed yet clicky feel also provided plenty of feedback, resulting in a tactile feel to match the best mechanical keyboards.

However, typing is quite loud, and while the Rainy 75 Pro is comfortable to use for the most part, that aforementioned thickness and the wrist bend required to access the keys did cause me some discomfort after a while. This is yet another keyboard where I would’ve appreciated a wrist pad.

Connectivity is seamless in the main, and I found switching between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz quick and easy. Battery life also seems reasonable, if not exceptional, dropping to 80% after several days of varied use between Bluetooth and 2.4GHz.

However, I did experience some serious lag on one occasion when playing a game, causing a severe delay to my inputs. My mouse inputs were unaffected, so I don’t believe it was an issue with the game.

This is obviously concerning, but I should stress this only happened once during my several days with the Rainy 75 Pro, and what’s more, it was fleeting. Still, it’s worth mentioning all the same.

(Image credit: Future)

Performance: 4 / 5

Should I buy the Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro?Gamakay TK75HE V2 Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

The Rainy 75 Pro is quite expensive, and although it offers a lot, there are plenty of competitors at this price point – and below.

3 / 5

Design and features

The Rainy 75 Pro is exceptionally solid and heavy, and it uses double-shot PBT keycaps. The customization web app isn’t the best, though, and it’s a little too thick for long-term comfort.

3.5 / 5

Performance

Light and snappy, the Rainy 75 Pro is great for typing and gaming, with a satisfying feel. I did experience a brief connection issue on one occasion, though.

4 / 5

Overall

The Rainy 75 Pro is very enjoyable to use, and the build quality is very impressive. However, the lack of wrist support, awkward software, and high price hold it back somewhat.

3.5 / 5

Buy it if…

You want easy typing
The snappy actuation and fast rebound make this a very tactile and easy board to type fast on.

You a sturdy unit
The sheer weight of the Rainy 75 Pro alone is testament enough to its build quality, but the aluminum material further consolidates this.

Don’t buy it if…

You want the best software
The VIA web app isn’t the easiest or most convenient to use, and there are no performance-based tweaks available for hardcore gamers.

You want to save money
The Rainy 75 Pro isn’t exactly cheap, and there are plenty of keen competitors around at this price.

Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro review: also consider

Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro

MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra

Razer Pro Type Ultra

Layout

75%

60%

Full size

Switch

Mechanical

Analog (TMR magnetic)

Mechanical

Programmable keys

Yes

Yes

Yes

Dimensions

12.6 x 5.4 x 1.8 inches (320 x 137 x 46mm)

Not stated

17.28 x 5.16 x 1.57 inches (439 x 131 x 40mm)

RGB or backlighting

Yes (customizable)

Yes (customizable)

Yes (customizable)

Razer Pro Type Ultra
If you’re looking for a similarly premium experience, the Razer Pro Type Ultra is a great alternative, especially if you plan on doing a lot of typing. It’s about the same price as the Rainy 75 Pro, but has a full-size layout. However, like the Rainy 75 Pro, we found its angle a little steep for optimum comfort levels, but in all other regards, it’s an excellent keyboard for work and play. Read our full Razer Pro Type Ultra review.

MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra
Another formidable slab of a keyboard, the FUN60 Ultra has a 60% layout, so it lacks some keys useful for productivity and certain games. However, it’s great for typing with, and its TMR analog switches make it a boon for gamers. What’s more, it’s remarkably cheap considering its premium feel and performance, so it’s certainly a board worth considering if you can live with the compromised layout. Read our full MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra review.

How I tested the Wobkey Rainy 75 Pro

• Tested for several days
• Used for gaming and typing
• Plentiful keyboard experience

I tested the Rainy 75 Pro for several days, during which time I used it for gaming and typing. I used all of its connectivity modes on both Windows 10 and Windows 11 systems. I played Counter-Strike 2, a good test for keyboards since it requires fast and accurate inputs.

I have been PC gaming for over a decade and have plenty of experience with keyboards of all kinds. I have also reviewed a large number of them, with different connectivity methods, switch types, layouts, and price points.

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

Meze Audio Poet: One-minute review

The Meze Audio Poet are a posh pair of ‘phones. At this price point, you deserve nothing less than ‘posh’, and the Poet deliver in spades – from an impressive quality of build to a lagoons-deep listening experience. Smart touches like magnetically attached earpads and a nifty adjustment mechanism exemplify the thoughtfulness with which the Poet were designed, like many of the best wired headphone available.

A narrow soundstage and an eventually fatiguing listening experience serve to slightly dull these premium cans' shine to sit easily among the best over-ear headphones on the market – but only because of the increased scrutiny such premium prices invite. For those with the budget and inclination, the Poet are a hard set to turn down.

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)Meze Audio Poet review: Price and release date

• Released February 20, 2025
• $2,000 / £1,899 / AU$3,550

Meze Audio is a relatively young headphone company – at least, young against the years held by the generational heavyweights that tend to claim column inches such as these. Yet in a relatively short period of time, this underdog has curried a not-so-relatively high level of consumer trust and goodwill, thanks to an ever-expanding range of headphones both accessible and incomparable.

These are the Meze Audio Poet, a recent entrant into their range of upper-crust audiophile headphones. They continue the tradition of posh Meze units past, coupling forward-thinking driver design with rarefied aesthetic design to make something as fun to look at as they are to listen through.

The Poet aren't the most expensive pair on Meze’s audiophile-range docket, but at $2,000 / £1,899 / AU$3,550, nor are they 'cheap". How, then, do they fare?

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)Meze Audio Poet review: Features

• State-of-the-art planar drivers
• Smart, musical acoustic design
• Earpads easy to detach

The Meze Audio Poet are a serious piece of audiophile-listening kit. This fact is borne out, in part, by the abject lack of anything that conventionally constitutes a ‘device feature’. If you, as someone new to this echelon of listening device, are looking for consumer-grade bells and whistles, such as wireless connectivity, active noise cancelling or aggressive digital EQ sculpting/bass-boosting, you’ll come up mercifully short.

The features that stand the Poet apart are those that make their listening experience worth the outlay – starting with its drivers.

The Poet have planar magnetic drivers, designed and manufactured exclusively for Meze by Rinaro. This is a partnership that goes back a way, and which has produced special fruit – both in the form of a unique diaphragm design (found here, and in other audiophile Meze-mezze like the Elite and Meze Empyrean), and in a new MZ6 driver design, which combines incomparable fidelity with incomparable compactitude. Planar drivers have their own USPs, including (among many other attributes) extensive upper-range detail and smoothness. Here, you’re getting the cream of the crop.

Meze Audio has also licensed proprietary Acoustic Metamaterial Tuning System (AMTS) tech from Dan Clark Audio – a clever system of physical frequency-damping that serves to tame fatigue-inducing high-end. Since these babies have a fidelity of up to 96kHz, you can see the appeal of such high-end control.

On the practical side of the equation, a somewhat-novel feature presents in the complete removability and replaceability of the ear pads with incontestable ease. They’re held in place magnetically, and can be plucked off for cleaning or replacement without the demented and destructive picking and tugging that the same events can often require in other headphones.

This kind of modularity is a vote of confidence in the headphones, too. Meze expects you to go the distance with the Poet, so much so that it wants you to be able to take the best possible care of them, thereby maintaining the best possible listening experience. It may be a bare-minimum expectation for something so priced as the Poet, but in the world we live in, and with the unscrupulous design decisions undertaken by other consumer brands, a win is very much a win.

• Features score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)Meze Audio Poet review: Sound quality

• Excellent depth of sound
• Voices, woodwinds and transients are glorious
• Soundstage a little narrow

Though the Poet are open-back headphones, they still have some interesting closed-back-y isolation created by the ear cups – with partial thanks to the snug fit they create around your ears. The ear cup cushioning is plush and deep, and docking into them feels like closing an airlock around your face. It’s pleasantly uncanny, hearing a quieter, still-clear outside world while your ears feel like they’re in a different space altogether.

Listening to my digital copy of Pile’s luminary album All Fiction is disarming for the impressive attack these cans possess; this is one of the more convincing translations of the album I’ve heard, insofar as feeling like Rick Maguire is frustratedly plucking those guitar strings in real space, close by my ears.

The soundstage isn’t the most three-dimensional I’ve heard – more on which shortly – but the depth and separation between instruments is highly commendable. For instance, in Pile’s Blood, auxiliary strings thrum through its emotional climax. I usually perceive them as a searing block; a unit. Through the Poet, though, they’re the multitudes they were recorded as – strands, vibrating apart, and catching one another’s air.

Alabaster DePlume’s work was a particular high point for me with these headphones. Not Even Sobbing, from Come With Fierce Grace, is a sparse elegy that fills in from the outside, its endless swells and dwells between saxophone, voices, violins and bass that seem to gain volume by mitosis, crowding in close around your ears like you’re the fire they’re singing round. The Poet hear them beautifully.

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)

This is the Poet’s strength. They can readily resolve disparate instruments within an arrangement, in a way that highlights the figurative space between performances, musicians, and takes. Lesser headphones have a tendency to glue, smear, and otherwise daub, often imperceptibly – which can render the background more as an oil painting than a relief.

Hearing a creak in the piano at the start of Andy Shauf’s I’m Not Falling Asleep, from The Bearer Of Bad News, sealed the deal with this line of enquiry. The rendering of a space and time with open clarity and tangibility gives you new angles from which to feel close to something special.

The Poet are dynamite with transients, too. Everything’s whip-crack sharp and responsive. This is a particularly cathartic demeanor when it comes to the dead drums and plucky electric piano of Demon Fuzz’s Afreaka!, or the delicate, tentative textures of The Books’ collage-folk The Lemon of Pink.

All this said, the Poet do tend to prefer vocals – simultaneously a strength in one sense, and a weakness in others. The prominence of that upper-mid range over the lower-mids can make for an occasionally imbalanced experience, but also gave another high point in listening to Dirty Projectors and Bjork’s When The World Comes to an End, from the phenomenal, voice-led EP Mount Wittenberg Orca.

The open-back design doesn’t bring as much width as other headphones, and many of the albums I listened to across multiple devices and formats felt ‘closer’ than I felt they ought to. That said, they do seem to do the trick with respect to low end, which feels quite bloomy, but in a plush and rich way (as opposed to the boomy, indistinct way many closed-backs ultimately provide).

I thought this, plus the tighter soundstage and V-shaped frequency response, would make heavier tracks like those of Queens of the Stone Age’s Songs For The Deaf a little lacklustre. Boy, was I wrong. The vocals are a little floaty, but that grinding muffled-guitar core is everything you’d hope for and more – and the bass a silky undercurrent enjoying newfound fidelity and focus. Ultimately, these headphones are an indulgent listen.

• Sound quality score: 4.5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)Meze Audio Poet review: Design

• Impeccably put-together
• Satisfying practical design flourishes
• Robust enough to assuage your worry

The Meze Audio Poet are premium kit, so it should come as no surprise that there’s some pristine design in and around them. It’s hard not to start with the case – a foam-lined ABS hard-case with an unnecessarily neat pleather-clad hinge. It’s not the most opulent outer shell in the world, but opening it does feel like unwrapping a gift every time (particularly with a well-chosen, pleasant-to-use clasp at the front).

The headphones themselves, more importantly, are a veritable work of art. Precision-milled backplates catch the light in intoxicating ways via their contemporary art-deco-ish patterning, and feel hugely solid against my hands' light compressive force.

On the connectivity front, the cables are thankfully discrete from the ear cups. Each ear cup jack receives its respective TS connector with a stiff and reassuring click. I’m confident that, in the unlikely event you comedically wrap your Poet cable around a nearby hatstand while in transit, the hatstand would follow you for the ride.

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)

Something I absolutely love about the Poet’s design is their complete embracement of simple solutions over flashy tech. Ear cup adjustment isn’t some encapsulated, easy-to-break ratcheting system, but rather a simple friction-based push-fit system – it moves slowly and surely up and down, but freely in rotation. Exceedingly simple, and exceedingly well executed.

That lean to simplicity does create a fun potential pitfall or two in places, though. For instance, the titanium bars that host the earcups are resonant, and all too eager to transmit their gong-like overtures through to your ears with the slightest bang or brush. Meanwhile, the headband is a single length of suede leather, which promotes ease of fit to your bonce but doesn’t play as nice with headphone stands.

Minuscule gripe aside, these headphones are self-evidently designed with careful thought – and with something of a reverence for those people that’ll be spending their hard-earned on grabbing a pair. I’m a fan!

• Design score: 5 / 5

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)Meze Audio Poet review: Value

• Price not to be sniffed at, even if cheaper than other audiophile headphones
• Justify their price point well...
• … but minor shortcomings stand out more

With a pair of headphones as, frankly, luxuriant as these, two key issues present.

For one, they will handily reveal the shortcomings of practically any sound source you put before them. For another, they will wear their own shortcomings all the more prominently, if only for the increased scrutiny that such a high asking price places on them.

It’s an easy trap to fall into with something as good, and as expensive, as the Meze Audio Poet. And bear in mind, too, that this is still the ‘budget’ end of the audiophile spectrum, one which, at the other extremity, straight-facedly asks you to spend tens of thousands. I love these things, but the threshold for unequivocal endorsement gets exponentially higher against cost, just as returns tend to diminish.

It is with this line of thinking, and these resulting caveats, that I say the Meze Audio Poet do a great job of justifying their expense, but that certain behaviors – from a narrower-than-expected soundstage to the unexpected fatigue of longer listening sessions – stand out more for that expense. Your money is paying for cutting-edge planar drivers, meticulously designed and stunningly beautiful earcups, effortless ergonomics and quality materials; it also needs to buy you an experience greater than the sum of its parts, which the Poet readily do. With some small asterisks.

• Value score: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)Meze Audio Poet review: Should you buy them?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Free from the tyranny of consumer-grade bells-and-whistles; cutting-edge drivers and acoustic design are triumphs.

5 / 5

Sound quality

Bright, clear, deep, reedy – the Poet are a rich set, friendly to vocals but incredibly adept with transients.

4.5 / 5

Design

Beautifully made, with some well-executed minimal mechanisms; a joy to behold and to wear.

5 / 5

Value

The research, design and commitment to quality justify the price, but the little things, stand out against that price all the more.

4 / 5

Buy them if...

You value your hi-fi
Audiophile headphones are the haunt of the discerning listener. The Poet are here to render your records and audio files in the clearest, deepest light – and will perform all the better when placed after quality sources.

You’re an active listener
These headphones dock over your ears like visiting spaceships. Though open-back, they create a remarkable distance between you and the world around. This, coupled with the three-dimensional rendering the Poet are capable of, make scrutinizing your faves for new discoveries all the more thrilling.

Don't buy them if...

You’re risking your credit score to do so
Impeccable as the Poet sound, they're only worth investing in if you’ve the money spare. You’ll find more bang-for-buck, and near-equivalent enjoyability, in cheaper Meze Audio cans!

You’re choosing open-backs for the soundstage
Despite their open-back nature, the Poet do not quite ‘breathe’ the same as other open-backs this writer has tried and enjoyed. I’m reminded more of closed-back headphones by the fit and feel, as well as the dimensionality of sound.

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)Meze Audio Poet review: Also consider

Meze Audio Poet

FiiO FT5

Edifier Stax Spirit S5

Type:

Over-ear

Over-ear

Over-ear

Open-back or closed-back:

Open-back

Open-back

Open-back

Driver:

Planar magnetic

Planar magnetic

Planar magnetic

Frequency range:

4Hz to 96kHz

7Hz to 40kHz

10Hz to 40kHz

Impedance:

55 ohms

36 ohms

18 ohms

Connector:

Dual mono TS 3.5mm to 6.3mm TRS

Dual mono TS 3.5mm to 3.5mm TRRRS

Wireless (Bluetooth, LDAC/aptX Lossless)

Weight:

405g

465g

347g

Extras:

ABS hard case, dual TS to 6.3mm stereo cable, dual TS to 3.5mm stereo cable

Carry case, Dual mono TS 3.5mm to 3.5mm TRRRS cable, x4 TRRRS adapters (3.5mm TRS; 4.4mm TRRS; 6.3mm TRS; mini XLR)

Carrying case, 3.5mm TRS cable, USB-A to USB-C cable, ear pads

FiiO FT5
FiiO’s FT5 over-ear headphones are, if anything, disruptive. FiiO has done some incredible things with its position in the hi-fi market, including bringing stunning leaps in planar magnetic driver tech to the mid-range much quicker than anyone else has dared. Do they sound better than the Poet? No. Are they four times cheaper and still Actually Very Good? Yes.
Read the full FiiO FT5 review here

Edifier Stax Spirit S5
If you actually want those high-tech gubbins I was so gleefully celebrating the absence of before, try the Edifier Stax Spirit S5 on for size. Wireless tech and app connectivity collide with planar magnetic driver design in this Actually Quite Affordable pair of quality listening ‘phones.
Read our full Edifier Stax Spirit S5 review here

Meze Audio Poet review: How I tested

• Tested for five weeks
• Used as listening headphones at home
• Mainly tested with digital music sources, via my computer and a Universal Audio interface
• Also listened to vinyl on a Victrola Stream Sapphire, via the headphone out of a Cambridge Audio amplifier

Headphones are a daily fixture for me. As a freelance writer often in need of ‘locking in’, as a music lover with an ever-expanding library of too-cool-for-school records, and as a freelance musician reliant on headphones for recording, monitoring and mixing.

My experience with headphones of all types, purposes and budgets puts me in a fun position to evaluate the Meze Audio Poet – a pair of audiophile cans which became my resident listening headphones at home, spending time between my living room and attic studio space.

In the attic, the Poet were used to listen to digital copies of records from my collection and via streaming, through a Universal Audio Volt 4 audio interface. In the living room, the headphones were plugged into my Cambridge Audio Azur 540r receiver, which received the sound of my record collection via a Victrola Stream Sapphire turntable (outfitted with an Ortofon 2M Blue cartridge).

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

Llano V10 Gaming Laptop Cooling Pad: review

The Llano V10 Gaming Laptop Cooling Pad is a relatively high-end option for keeping your gaming or productivity laptop cool. At $89.99 / £116.26 (around AU$140), it certainly costs a pretty penny; but in return you get a cooling pad with a giant 4.72-inch turbo fan capable of spinning at up to a ludicrous 3,500rpm.

Unlike more shy and retiring options, the Llano V10 isn’t scared to announce its presence – in fact, it’s a little bit of a loudmouth. To benchmark this laptop cooling pad, I ran a 3DMark stress test on our Acer Predator Helios 300 testing laptop with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 GPU testing laptop, while running the Llano V10 at max power for 15 minutes. Using a sound level meter, I measured the noise it was kicking out 10 minutes into the test; it registered 69dB from a few inches away, and 57.5dB at my head height. This makes the Llano the second-noisiest cooling pad I’ve tested, right after the Llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad, which clocked 79dB and 64dB respectively.

But the one thing you can count on from this little blowhard is that it blows – hard. I measured our gaming laptop’s peak temperature before benchmarking, and again at the conclusion of the 15-minute stress test. With the Llano running at max, its temperature rose from 81.5ºF (27.5ºC) to 103ºF (39.5ºC), a rise of just 21.5ºF (12ºC). This performance is right up there with the best cooling pads, with the only one I’ve tested that could beat it being the Llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad. So, you’re getting pretty icy cooling here.

(Image credit: Future)

When it comes to design, the Llano V10 looks decent enough, treading just on the right side of cyberpunk styling without looking too conspicuously edgy or brutalist. The polygonal RGB lighting bars along the sides and back are tastefully done, allowing you to choose between a range of shifting hues. Unlike some laptop cooling pads, it isn't available in an array of colors; but the black offered looks just fine to my eyes.

The Llano also feels pretty ergonomic in use. It offers only a single height setting, which may not suit everyone, but I did find the 10-degree angle at which it held my laptop pretty comfortable for long-term use. However, its build does feel a little more insubstantial than products such as the Llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad – the V10's materials and buttons feel a little more plasticky and clicky than I’d like.

Probably the biggest question when it comes to the $89.99 / £116.26 (around AU$140) Llano V10 is down to value. On the one hand, you’re absolutely getting the cooling you’re paying for – the fact that it prevented our laptop from warming more than 21.5ºF (12ºC) is the second-best result from any laptop cooler I’ve tested.

The only issue is the best result: the Llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad trimmed that warming back to 8ºC and yet costs only $119.99 / £129.99 (around AU$188.33), which isn't much more. Plus, it's often available for even less – for example, costing $95.99 at the time of writing in the US. That slightly weakens the Llano V10’s value in comparison.

(Image credit: Future)Llano V10 Gaming Laptop Cooling Pad review: price & availability

• Launched on May 17, 2024
• List price of $89.99 / £116.26 (around AU$140)

Having launched on May 17, 2024, the Llano V10 Gaming Laptop Cooling Pad is available now. It can be purchased from Amazon at a list price of $89.99 / £116.26 (around AU$140). While that’s at the higher end of the market, it's still its lowest ever price in the UK, and only a few dollars off the $87.99 it briefly dropped down to in May 2025. As such, it represents a decent deal.

Unfortunately, though, the fact that this is a premium product means it has quite a few rivals nipping at its heels. From one end of the market, the budget-priced $19.99 / £20.99 / AU$66.91 Liangstar Laptop Cooling Pad offered disproportionately frosty cooling for its mild price, seeing our test laptop rise by 27.5ºF (15.3ºC). Conversely, if you catch it on sale then you can pick up the Llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad from as little as $95.99 / £129.99 – it stopped our testing rig from warming any more than 14.5ºF (8ºC), which is a substantial performance boost for comparatively little extra spend.

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Llano V10 Gaming Laptop Cooling Pad?Buy it if…

You want exceptional cooling
This is one of the most chill laptop cooling pads I’ve ever had my hands on. It stopped our laptop from warming any more than 21.5ºF (12ºC) during our stress test, which is seriously impressive.

You want an attractive, comfortable cooling pad
Sitting at an ergonomic 10-degree angle, the Llano V10 is comfortable to use over long stretches of time. And its restrained use of RGB lighting means its looks aren’t too in your face, either.

Don’t buy it if…

You want the best cooling for your cash
With the Liangstar offering only marginally weaker cooling for much less money, and the Llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad offering superior cooling for not much more, the V10 probably isn’t the best value option out there.

You hate noise
The Llano V10 isn’t the loudest laptop cooling pad I’ve ever tested, but it isn't far off. Both the pad and our testing laptop registered at a combined 69dB during tests, which is nearly as loud as highway traffic, according to the Center for Hearing and Communication.

(Image credit: Future)Llano V10 Gaming Laptop Cooling Pad review: also consider

Llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad
The higher-end stablemate of the V10, the Llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad offers the best cooling performance I’ve encountered in tests so far. Even during our 3DMark stress test, this cooling pad kept our laptop's temperature from rising any more than 14.5ºF (8ºC), which is seriously arctic chilling. That’s a pretty impressive step up from the V10, given its list price is just $30 / £13.73 (around AU$48.33) higher. Read our full Llano RGB Laptop Cooling Pad review.

Liangstar Laptop Cooling Pad
If you can’t stretch to premium prices, the Liangstar Laptop Cooling Pad is your best shot for glacial cooling. During tests, it kept our laptop from rising by more than 27.5ºF (15.3ºC) – that’s pretty decent cooling in its own right. But it’s rendered far more impressive when you factor in its list price, which at just $18.99 / £23.59 / AU$63.33, means it costs less than a quarter of the price of the V10. Read our full Liangstar Laptop Cooling Pad review.

(Image credit: Future)How I tested the Llano V10 Gaming Laptop Cooling Pad

• Tested over the course of multiple days
• Measured its cooling while running a stress test on our testing laptop
• Recorded the combined volume of the cooling pad and laptop’s fans

I tested the Llano V10 Gaming Laptop Cooling Pad over the course of several days, using the standard TechRadar testing process I designed. First, I recorded the baseline temperature of our Acer Predator Helios 300 with an Nvidia GeForce RTX 3080 testing laptop using a thermal camera. Then I ran a 3DMark stress test on the laptop for 15 minutes while setting the cooling pad to its highest setting, recording the laptop’s temperature again at the end of the test to measure the impact the cooling pad had on the laptop's warming.

In addition, I measured the peak volume of the laptop and cooling pad to assess how much noise they kicked out. When the stress test had been in progress for 10 minutes, I checked the volume of the combined fan noise using a sound level meter, both from a few inches away and at my head height (21 inches from the surface of the laptop).

I also tested how the Llano V10 Gaming Laptop Cooling Pad felt in use, while working and playing games, to assess its overall build quality and ergonomics. In terms of additional experience, I’ve been using a gaming laptop and using creative workflows for decades, meaning I’m very familiar with the struggle of keeping a laptop cool.

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

MSI Raider A18 HX: Two-minute review

The MSI Raider A18 HX is a high-end, premium gaming laptop with a price point to match. Featuring some of the absolute best specifications on offer on the market right now, there’s no need to worry about low frame rates or poor game quality when sporting this titan of a machine.

You do get absolutely brilliant gaming performance on the MSI Raider A18 HX, however this is the expectation when it comes to a laptop at this price point. This device is by no means an option for those who are budget-conscious, however, but you get gaming performance like no other, a stunning 4K display, and a laptop which is future-proofed for years to come.

It does, however, come with some big flaws. Of course, you’d expect an 18-inch gaming laptop to be large, but this device really and truly is on another level in terms of both size and weight.

It’s a behemoth of a device which does have its perks, such as an immersive screen size and lots of ports, but on the other hand, it's so large to a point I wouldn’t necessarily consider it portable. It also only features a 2TB SSD, which despite sounding large, will easily be filled with the size of AAA titles in this day and age.

MSI Raider A18 HX: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $5,609.99 / £4,799
• When is it available? Available now
• Where can you get it? UK and US

The MSI Raider A18 HX is a top-of-the-line laptop in terms of performance and of course that comes with a matching price point. Coming in at over $5,000 for the highest specification edition of this laptop, this price point is not for the faint of heart. Considering the specifications of the laptop, the price point does make sense as similar options are around the same price point.

The Asus ROG Strix Scar 18, which also features a RTX 5090 graphics card and a larger SSD, will set you back $4,499.99 / £5,099.

You can currently get this laptop in the UK, US and other select regions across the world. However, it’s currently not available in Australia.

• Value: 4 /5

MSI Raider A18 HX: Specs

(Image credit: Future)MSI Raider A18 HX: Specs

Base configuration

Review configuration

Model

Raider A18 HX A9WIG-003

Raider A18 HX A9WJG-002

Price

$4,499.99 / £3,999

$5,609.99 / £4,799

CPU

AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D Processor

AMD Ryzen 9 9955HX3D Processor

GPU

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5080

NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090

RAM

64GB DDR5

64GB DDR5

Screen

Mini LED, 18inch, 3840 x 2400p, 120Hz refresh rate

Mini LED, 18inch, 3840 x 2400p, 120Hz refresh rate

Storage

2TB SSD

2TB SSD

Ports

3x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x SD Card reader, 1x HDMI, 1x Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack

3x USB-A, 2x USB-C, 1x SD Card reader, 1x HDMI, 1x Ethernet, 1x 3.5mm Audio Jack

Wireless

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Wi-Fi 7, Bluetooth 5.4

Camera

HD Camera (30fps, 1080p)

HD Camera (30fps, 1080p)

Weight

3.6kg

3.6kg

Dimensions

404 x 307.5 x 24-32.05 mm

404 x 307.5 x 24-32.05 mm

The MSI Raider A18 HX is a top-end gaming device where you can either opt for the Nvidia RTX 5090 or Nvidia RTX 5080 graphics cards. While both of these provide high-level graphics performance, if you really want the best of the best in terms of specifications then of course the Nvidia RTX 5090 is the clear option.

All the other specs between these two devices are identical, so no matter which option you pick up, you’ll be getting a mighty processor as well as an almost excessive amount of RAM with 64GB at your disposal.

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Future)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Future)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Future)MSI Raider A18 HX: Design

• Large and heavy
• 18-inch screen looks fantastic
• Plenty of ports

When first unboxing the MSI Raider A18 HX, all I could think was… woah. Weighing in at 3.6kg, this definitely isn’t the lightest of laptops, and pair this with the absolutely massive size measuring at 404 x 307.5 x 32.05 mm, this device is almost certainly too big for most laptop backpacks.

Being an avid collector of laptop bags, I tried it in a whole load of different bags, and the only thing I could fit this device in was a suitcase. This is definitely something to take note of if you’re planning to use a gaming laptop on the go.

Size aside, the laptop itself is very traditionally gamer-y in terms of style. You get red accents around the edge of the device as well as RGB on the logo and along the bottom bezel. Contributing to this aesthetic is the font of the keyboard, which is quite aggressive.

You get a stunning 18-inch screen with this laptop with a 3840 x 2400 resolution, perfect for playing AAA titles in 4K. However, for those who play competitive titles where frames win games - you also get a 120Hz refresh rate, ensuring you have the best of both worlds with this display.

The MSI Raider A18 HX features 3 USB-A ports, 2 USB-C ports and a headphone jack. You also get an ethernet port and HDMI port on the back of the device. While this is more than enough ports for a standard set up of gaming peripherals, you’ll likely need extenders if you’re hoping to run a full streaming setup.

• Design: 3 / 5

(Image credit: Future)MSI Raider A18 HX: Performance

• Can become unstable when battery drops too far
• Top-tier gaming performance
• Fans get loud

MSI Raider A18 HX: Benchmarks

3DMark: Night Raid: 80877 ; Fire Strike: 42898 ; Time Spy: 18448
GeekBench 6: 2867 (single-core); 12285 (multi-core)
CrossMark: Overall: 1578 Productivity: 1532 Creativity: 1851 Responsiveness: 1067
Total War: Warhammer III (1080p, Ultra): 203 ; (1080p, Low): 454
Cyberpunk 2077 (1080p, Ultra): 167 ; (1080p, Low): 198
Dirt 5 (1080p, Ultra): 306 ; (1080p, Low): 204
PCMark 10 Battery Life: 1hr 27mins
TechRadar movie test: 1hr 45mins

I did have some teething issues when first booting up the MSI Raider A18 HX. At first it was freezing frequently and at one point in the middle of benchmarking it completely froze and I needed to hold down the power button to shut it off. I realised the main issue was when the battery dropped below 10% - it became practically useless, even when I adjusted power saving settings to ensure the best performance.

I resorted to using the laptop plugged in the majority of the time because of the power draw, and risking dropping below 10% battery and having the entire system shut off was not a gamble I was willing to take - especially when playing online. However, when the laptop did work as intended, it was absolutely fantastic, I got top-tier performance from every single title I booted up in Ultra.

Whether I was running lower-intensity titles or AAA games, which did send the fans of the laptop into orbit, I was able to get amazing quality graphics and high frames every time.

It’s worth noting that - as with a lot of gaming machines of this calibre - it did get very hot and very loud quite quickly, with fans going full throttle as soon as I would boot up a game in 4K.

The speakers on the laptop are pretty good, while they of course don’t match headset-level quality, they are perfectly fine for gaming with.

However, if you're looking for pinpoint-accurate directional audio, you won’t really find that from laptop speakers in general anyway, and should in vest in the best PC speakers.

• Performance: 4 / 5

MSI Raider A18 HX: Battery life

The battery life was the biggest let down of this laptop. Of course, most gaming laptops have a very high power draw since they contain some pretty intense components, but the MSI Raider A18 HX really was unbelievably low.

When playing AAA games at 4K, I got less than an hour out of the laptop before it would shut itself off. Considering the performance issue I experienced when reaching low battery levels, this rendered the device even more useless for portability.

In tune with the size of the laptop, you get an absolutely gigantic 400w charging brick which also contributes to the lack of portability. However, the perk of having such a big charging brick is that your laptop will charge back to full battery very quickly with mine going from 10% back to 100% in around an hour.

It’s clear that this laptop was designed to remain plugged in at all times, whether it's due to the size of the device itself, the size of the charger or just the battery life in general. While it is a gaming laptop, it’s clearly one intended to remain stationary.

• Battery life: 1 / 5

Should you buy the MSI Raider A18 HX?

(Image credit: Future)MSI Raider A18 HX: Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Value

Value

4 / 5

Priced appropriately based on specs, the one downside here is the lack of availability in certain territories

Design

3 / 5

Despite coming with a gorgeous chassis, it’s hard to look past just how big this laptop is which takes away from its portability.

Performance

4 / 5

You get fantastic performance here which is let down when you get to lower battery percentages.

Battery

1 / 5

The battery is a major letdown when it comes to this laptop to the point I wouldn’t even consider using it unplugged.

Average rating

3 / 5

The MSI Raider A18 HX is huge and chugs through its battery, but there's no faulting the level of performance for the price, even if it comes at the (literal) cost of everything else.

Buy it if...

You want top-of-the-line performance
The specifications of this laptop are some of the best on the market right now, which deliver top-tier performance

You want something with the traditional gamer aesthetic
You get a traditional gamer-y style with this laptop including RGB and aggressive font

You want a built-in 4K display
You get a stunning display on this laptop which makes for a beautiful gaming experienceView Deal

Don't buy it if...

You want a portable gaming solution
Despite being a laptop, this device is so large that it means portability is essentially non-existent.View Deal

You need something with good battery life
All that power comes at the cost of (expectedly) woeful battery life. You'll need to keep a wall socket handy for this oneView Deal

MSI Raider A18 HX: Also Consider

Razer Blade 14

If you’re looking for a powerful gaming laptop which provides you with immaculate performance regardless of if you’re looking for stunning visuals or high frame rates all packed into a compact and stunning chassis, then the Razer Blade 14 is a great option.

MSI Katana 15

The MSI Katana 15 is a great budget option for those who are looking for a powerful gaming laptop without having to fork out too much cash. You can pick it up at less than £1,000 and still get decent AAA performance in 1080p.

How I tested the MSI Raider A18 HX

I spent two weeks using the MSI Raider A18 HX as my everyday laptop for work and leisure. I was sure to use the device all day for my typical work day, and then also used it for gaming in the evening. I took it on the go with me to different locations where I needed to work to see how it would feel outside of my workstation. As well as using it every day I also benchmarked the laptop using a range of different benchmarking software.

• First reviewed: June 2025

Insta360 Link 2C: review

The Insta360 Link 2C is a webcam that has pretty large shoes to fill. When the Chinese camera company released its predecessor a few years back, it was lauded as a top-tier, premium option, thanks to its excellent 4K video and smart use of AI. So now comes the Insta360 Link 2C, which aims to offer even more AI capabilities and superior noise cancellation among other things. So, does it deliver?

Well, before I answer that definitely, I want to start by exploring picture and video quality on the Insta360 Link 2C. Now, whether I was taking a video call on Google Meet or simply messing around with the camera app on my Windows laptop, I always looked ultra clear, with finer details – including individual hair strands, facial hairs, and markings on my face all bubbling to the surface.

That’s largely thanks to the Insta360 Link 2C offering up 4K resolution – something we always look for in our hunt for the best webcams. Of course, that premium quality isn’t going to come through on all video calling software, but if you’re a content creator or simply want top-tier performance, 4K support is going to be a must-have. For reference, this webcam also supports lower resolutions, such as 1080p, 720p and 360p, at varying frame rates.

Yes, if you’re taking a video in 4K, for example, you’re going to get 30fps – more than enough for some, but 4K 60fps is available on models like the pricey Elgato Facecam Pro. 60fps is available on the Link 2C, though you’ll have to drop the resolution to 1080p or 720p.

When holding up objects like an earbuds charging case or a piece of paper, the webcam was also excellent at shifting focus onto them. That’s thanks to enhanced Phase Detection Auto Focus, which speedily captures details on anything you want to highlight to your colleagues, students, or family on a video call.

And there are so many more features to uncover too, many of which can be found on the free-to-download Insta360 Link Controller software. Here, you’re able to mess around with a range of picture settings like exposure and white balance, as well as try out different filters – stuff like blur, bokeh, and even a makeup tool. I felt that the Link 2C could be a bit better in low-light conditions, but this doesn’t have to be the case if you drill into the settings in this companion. Simply jump in and activate HDR while also flicking brightness up and you’ll see a big improvement.

Insta360 Link Controller also lets you toggle gestures on and off – something I was really looking forward to using. If you hold your hand up – you know, like those big red hands on crossing lights – you can frame the shot to you. There’s also a whiteboard option, which will keep whatever you’re writing on squared and in focus. Both of these work well, and I found them useful when making a video call or just having a bit of fun in the companion software.

But one option that didn’t work so seamlessly for me, was the zoom in and zoom out gesture. You have to make an ‘L’ shape with your hand, which will make the webcam’s green LED light flash. After this, you can move that L shape up or down to zoom in or out respectively. But I found this to work a little more sporadically than I’d hoped. A good amount of the time, it worked well, but I often found that I had to make the L shape multiple times before it was registered, or the zooming would end a little prematurely.

Still, the vast majority of features worked without question on a very consistent basis. Stuff like auto-framing and AI tracking followed my movements with ease – ideal for an especially fidgety person like myself. Meanwhile, the 2C adds pause-track areas, which help the webcam to recognize areas that it shouldn't track you – perhaps if you don’t want to show under your desk, say.

(Image credit: Future)

One of the improvements that the Link 2C is intended to bring is superior noise cancelling. That’s something you’re gonna want if you’re taking calls in a busy office environment, for example. I asked a colleague to make some noises while I called my friend and the results were decent, all things considered. Clapping, for instance, was still very much audible, but stuff like typing and light chatter was dulled nicely.

There are three modes: Voice Focus, Voice Suppression, and Music Balance – but none of these are going to offer the clarity you’ll get from the best microphones for streaming. Ultimately, my voice didn’t sound ultra-crisp on the 2C, but it will plate up clear enough quality for more casual users.

Still, audio is handled pretty well by webcam standards. But something that’s truly fantastic about the Link 2C is its design. It has a real premium metallic feel and finish, diminutive magnetic clip-stand and discreet detailing around the lens. It’s also ultra practical thanks to its compact size, slider for covering the camera and USB-C connectivity. There’s no gimbal or tripod for the 2C model, but if you’re after that, you can grab the standard Link 2 model.

There’s only one way I can tie all of this together and that’s by talking about price. Now, my mind was genuinely blown by the price of the original Insta360 Link – it was almost $300 / £320 / AU$570! But the Link 2C is far more affordable, while still offering some improvements over its predecessor, including better noise cancelling and a sleeker look. This newer webcam will set you back just under $150 / £150 / AU$250, and given the overall performance and quality of the product, I’d say that’s strong overall value for money.

So, at the end of it all, would I recommend the Insta360 Link 2C? Yes, definitely! You get super sharp video, responsive auto-frame adjustment, decent audio (well, by webcam standards), and really neat companion software for fine-tuning everything to your liking. In honesty, the Link 2C has given my setup the facelift I didn’t even know it needed – I’m seeing more detail and fluidity than ever, in each video call. And that’s something I’ve really grown to appreciate.

Sure, the zoom in/out gesture could be a little more reliable and I’d still be inclined to purchase a separate mic for the best speech clarity. But from the upgrade I’ve seen to my work the Insta360 Link 2C is still a fantastic all-round package.

(Image credit: Future)Insta360 Link 2C review: price & availability

• $149 / £149 / AU$249
• Launched in September 2024

The Insta360 Link 2C launched alongside the Link 2 in September 2024, two years after its predecessor. The Link 2C carries a list price of $149 / £149 / AU$249, which is drastically, and I mean drastically, cheaper than the original model cost at launch. Yep, the original Insta360 Link released with a list price of $299 / £319 / AU$569 – woah. But don’t be fooled: the 2C has made some improvements over its predecessor, with better noise cancelling, AI features and a prettier build. I know which one I’d pick!

It’s worth noting, by the way, that the Link 2C comes in two color variants: Arctic White; or the version I tested, Graphite Black. The version you pick should have little to no bearing on the price you pay.

Insta360 Link 2C review: specs

Supported resolutions

4K at 30fps, 1080p / 720p at 60fps, 360p at 30fps

Sensor

1/2-inch

Lens

Not specified

Focal length

26mm

Aperture

f/1.8

Focal length

26mm

Field of view

79.5 degrees

(Image credit: Future)Should you buy the Insta360 Link 2C?Insta360 Link 2C webcam report card

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Design

Practical, diminutive and premium-feeling build, sleeker than original.

5/5

Performance

Great video quality, plenty of settings to play with, some gesture issues.

4/5

Value

Huge price-cut over original, not too pricey against competition.

4.5/5

Buy it if...

You need quality video for online work or education
I found picture quality to look detailed and lifelike throughout my entire time testing the Insta360 Link 2C. If you’re an online teacher, content creator, or someone that takes a lot of video conference calls, this webcam can take your on-screen presence to the next level.

You want a highly customizable user experience
If you download the Insta360 Link Controller software, you’ll be able to adjust all kinds of picture settings, use filters and toggle gestures on and off. If you want a highly tuneable webcam experience, the Link 2C offers just that.

Don't buy it if...

You need 4K at 60fps video
OK, so I was impressed by the 4K at 30fps video offered by the Insta360 Link 2C. But for some, that may still not be enough. If you’re a content creator, for instance, who wants to unlock true peak performance, it could be worth checking out a webcam that supports 4K at 60fps video, such as the Elgato Facecam.

You’re on a tight budget
Although the Link 2C is great value, especially considering the launch price of its predecessor, its still fairly pricey at $149 / £149 / AU$249. If you’re on a budget but want to improve video on your setup, I’d recommend checking out the Osbot Meet SE, which I’ll discuss a little more down below.

Insta360 Link 2C: also consider

Insta360 Link 2C

HP 960 4K Streaming Webcam

Obsbot Meet SE

Price

$149 / £149 / AU$249

$219.99 / £180 / AU$295

$69 / £65 / AU$119

Supported resolutions

4K at 30fps, 1080p / 720p at 60fps, 360p at 30fps

4K at 30fps, 1080 / 720p at 60fps

1080p at 100fps, 720p at 150fps

Sensor

1/2-inch

Not specified

1/2.8-inch

Lens

Not specified

18mm

Not specified

Focus range

0.1m to ∞

0.1m to ∞

0.1m to ∞

Aperture

f/1.8

f/2.0

f/1.8

Focal length

26mm

Not specified

26mm

Field of view

79.5 degrees

78 / 90 / 100 degrees

78 degrees

HP 960 4K Streaming Webcam
The HP 960 4K Streaming Webcam currently stands as the number one pick in our guide to the best webcams. Why? Well, you get incredible image and audio quality, a premium design and top-tier software features. It’s fairly pricey and may be a little heavy for smaller laptops, say, but it’s a great webcam all the same. Read our full HP 960 4K Streaming Webcam review.

Obsbot Meet SE
Meanwhile, our top overall pick is the Obsbot Meet SE, which is a fair bit cheaper than the Insta360 Link 2C. You’re not going to get 4K video – though a huge portion of video calling platforms won’t support that anyway. So, what you do get is fluid 1080p, 100fps video and a cute, compact design at an excellent low price. Again, gesture controls aren’t perfect and this isn’t the most high-end option, but we love what the Meet SE has to offer. Read our full Obsbot Meet SE review.

How I tested the Insta360 Link 2C

(Image credit: Future)

• Tested in a one-week period
• Made video calls and experimented with photo and video independently
• Exhausted range of features and settings in companion software

I had the Insta360 Link 2C connected to my work setup across a one-week period, testing out its various features and functions. Well, actually, I’ve kept it in my setup beyond initial testing – I’ve enjoyed using it that much!

In order to assess the Link 2C’s quality I tried making a number of video calls, taking photos, and playing around with picture settings in the Insta360 Link Controller software. I compared it to my laptop’s inbuilt camera, tried out gesture controls and also tested quality in both natural and low-light conditions.

Speaking more generally, I’ve tested a huge quantity of products here at TechRadar as a resident Reviews Writer. That covers everything from the latest TVs through to electric shavers – I’ve got experience right across the board.

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

Billingham Hadley Pro 2020: two-minute review

Billingham began making bags in 1973. The world’s changed a lot since then, but its satchels have stood the test of time. Known for their premium materials and classic style, Billingham bags are the kind you can use for years, then gift to the next generation.

So it is with the Hadley Pro 2020. A gently updated version of the established Hadley Pro, it’s a camera bag built in the British tradition of leather and canvas craftsmanship. It’s also one that’s perfectly sized for most photographers on the go. Combining field-ready functionality with rugged good looks, it’s easy to see why the Hadley Pro is a best-seller.

Granted, it demands a pretty significant up-front investment. In our list of the best camera bags, you’ll find options that cost half the price of the Hadley Pro which can carry the same amount of gear (or more). But what you’re paying for here is enduring quality. Read around online and you’ll find praise from users who’ve carried a Hadley for decades.

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Unboxing the bag, it’s immediately clear why. From the straps to the reinforced handle, every inch of the Hadley Pro 2020 gives a sense of durability. You can spec the bag with a cotton canvas or synthetic FibreNyte shell. Either way, you get three-layer waterproofing. That’s complemented by solid brass fittings and full-grain leather edging. It’s all got a hard-wearing, workhorse quality.

So much so, that I initially found the leather quick-release straps not so quick to release. I’m assured that these will ease up with use over time. In fact, the whole bag feels like one that will wear well. It’s certainly one that’s designed to adapt to your gear. Those buckles on the front allow you adjust how tightly the lid straps shut. You also have the option of looping extra accessory pockets onto each end.

Most users won’t need to do that. What appears at first glance to be a modest messenger bag actually turns out to be something of a Tardis. With the padded insert slotted into place, the capacity of the Hadley Pro 2020 is surprisingly cavernous. Thanks to its flexible sides, the satchel can swallow a lot of kit. You also get two vertical and two horizontal dividers which can be arranged using velcro tabs to help you manage the space.

It can comfortably accommodate an APS-C system with a trio of mid-sized lenses. Equally, I had no trouble fitting an enthusiast DSLR body with a nifty fifty attached, plus wide-angle and telephoto zooms. Those velcro dividers give you the flexibility not just to separate lenses, but also to create shelves which suspend smaller accessories closer to the top of the bag. The insert also has a padded lid piece as well, which can be folded back out of the way for easier access.

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Longer lenses are where you’ll find the limits of the Hadley Pro. The bag isn’t exactly shallow, but bigger body and glass combinations will need to be laid sideways to fit in. If you want all of your kit stacked vertically, you’ll need to divide camera and barrel in the name of neatness. This is really the only compromise to speak of: the Billingham is bigger than you think.

The padded insert is complemented by front pockets that are similarly roomy. These are ideally placed for quick access to accessories. The 2020 version of the Hadley Pro also benefits from a weatherproof zip pocket for storing documents on the rear. What you don’t get is a dedicated laptop slot, although you can unofficially fit a 13-inch MacBook Air between the padded insert and the back wall of the bag.

In short, the storage capacity of the Hadley Pro is limited more by the weight you can bear than by space in the satchel itself. The advantage of a messenger bag is that you can keep your gear within arm’s reach, but the single-strap setup means the burden falls on one shoulder. You can also haul the Hadley Pro using its reinforced carry strap or sling it over a suitcase handle using the built-in retainer. But most users are going to rely on its removable shoulder sling.

And if you do, you’ll want to shell out for the optional SP40 shoulder pad. This clip-on leather strip is as beautifully made as the rest of the bag and ships in four colorways to match. For the price of the pack, it should really be included as standard. Without it, the cotton webbing can cut into your shoulder when the bag is heavily laden.

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Still, in for a dime, in for a dollar. Adding the shoulder pad makes an already expensive camera bag that bit more costly. But it’s hard to feel hard done by. If you’re serious about photography, either as a hobby or a profession, this is a camera bag that will see you through. Count up the cost per use over the many years you’ll be toting it and the equation soon becomes a more reasonable one.

The Hadley Pro is certainly at home on the job. Its traditional aesthetic might not be to every taste, but the classic approach is both professional and versatile. It can go from wilderness to wedding and not look out of place. Plus it’s robust enough to survive both, a hundred times over.

If you really need room for more gear, the Hadley One is an even larger version with a proper laptop sleeve. But for my money, the Billingham Hadley Pro 2020 gets it just right. It’s a fantastic daily satchel for photographers. Practical to the core and well-crafted in every respect, it’s hard to find fault. If you like the look, this is a camera bag that’s very much worth the investment.

Billingham Hadley Pro 2020 review: price

Billingham released the Hadley Pro 2020 camera bag in August 2019. It’s a slightly updated version of the company’s best-selling Hadley Pro. New features for the 2020 edition include a reinforced carry handle, built-in suitcase retaining strap, removable shoulder strap and weatherproof document pocket.

The Hadley Pro 2020 is officially priced at $383 / £308 (around AU$625). It can be found for less from some online camera equipment stores. There’s no escaping that this is a premium camera bag, but you get what you pay for. Use it for decades and the real cost per use becomes very reasonable.

Every Hadley Pro 2020 has leather detailing and can be ordered with a canvas or FibreNyte exterior. The bag comes in eight standard color and material combinations:

• Navy canvas / chocolate leather (chocolate lining)
• Black canvas / tan leather (olive lining)
• Black FibreNyte / black leather (olive lining)
• Khaki canvas / tan leather (olive lining)
• Khaki FibreNyte / chocolate leather (olive lining)
• Burgundy canvas / chocolate leather (chocolate lining)
• Sage FibreNyte / chocolate leather (olive lining)
• Sage FibreNyte / black leather (olive lining)

Billingham Hadley Pro 2020 review: specs

External dimensions

41 x 16 x 28cm

Internal dimensions

34 x 80 x 21cm

Weight

1230g

Total volume

8.5L

Carry-on friendly

Yes

Laptop sleeve

No

Waterproofing

3-layer waterproof fabric

 Should I buy the Billingham Hadley Pro 2020? 

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Buy it if...

You want a bag for life
Thanks to rugged materials and quality craftsmanship, the Hadley Pro 2020 is a camera bag that’s built to last. Three-layer waterproofing keeps your gear dry, while leather and brass detailing will last for decades.

You appreciate classic style
With roots in fishing and shooting, Billingham bags have a timeless style. This aesthetic looks the part everywhere from city streets to safari shoots. It’s also got the polish to work events as a professional.

You want flexible storage
The Hadley Pro is surprisingly spacious. Its padded camera insert is easily divided, with large front pockets for stashing accessories. There’s space inside to squeeze a laptop, while optional end pockets offer bolt-on storage.

Don't buy it if...

You prefer a contemporary look
The traditional appearance won’t be to every taste. For a camera bag with cleaner lines and a more contemporary look, you’re better off choosing a backpack with a modern design. There are plenty out there.

You want a two-strap solution
Messenger bags like the Hadley Pro give quick access to camera gear, but put all the weight on one shoulder. Backpacks distribute the weight more evenly, making them more comfortable to use on longer shoots.

You use a lot of large lenses
The Billingham has impressive capacity, but larger lenses will find its limits. You’ll need to detach longer glass from your camera body and lay it flat. Even then, some might need to stay at home.

Billingham Hadley Pro 2020 review: Also consider

Billingham Hadley Pro 2020

Peak Design Everyday Messenger 13 V2

Gomatic McKinnon Camera Pack 35L

External dimensions

41 x 16 x 28cm

39.5 x 36 x 19cm

56 x 34 x 23cm

Internal dimensions

34 x 80 x 21cm

35.3 x 31 x 9.5cm

53 x 32 x 13cm

Weight

1230g

1210g

2600g

Total volume

8.5L

16L

35L

Carry-on friendly

Yes

Yes

Yes

Laptop sleeve

No

Yes

Yes

Waterproofing

3-layer waterproof fabric

Water-repellent coating, waterproof bottom liner

Optional rain cover

Peak Design Everyday Messenger 13 V2
A modern messenger bag with an adaptable design, the Peak Design Everyday Messenger 13 V2 is a contemporary alternative to the Billingham Hadley Pro 2020. Its semi-rigid design limits capacity, but FlexFold dividers keep things organized inside. It also benefits from a separate laptop/tablet pocket. A neat and versatile alternative for those who like to shoot on the commute.
Read more in our in-depth Peak Design Everyday Messenger 13 V2 review

Gomatic McKinnon Camera Pack 35L
If you’re happy to spend a similar amount on a modern bag, the Gomatic McKinnon Camera Pack is a high-end backpack for traveling photographers. It offers space for camera kit and personal items, with clever touches to keep things neat. It’s comfortable to carry and the build quality is superb, although access isn’t quick and useful accessories are costly.
Read more in our in-depth Gomatic McKinnon Camera Pack 35L review

How I tested the Billingham Hadley Pro 2020

• Carried around every day for two weeks
• Packed with a DSLR plus three lenses
• Used in different settings and conditions

If you’re buying a camera bag that promises to last for years, you’ll want it to perform in all kinds of shooting scenarios. So that’s exactly how I tested the Billingham Hadley Pro 2020. My aim was to get a first-hand impression of its durability and utility, working in a range of environments.

To test its carrying capacity, I loaded it up with all the gear I’d want to carry on a standard shoot. That included a DSLR body, a 50mm prime, a 70-300mm telephoto and a 10-24mm wide-angle zoom. I also packed out its pockets with accessories, including battery chargers, lens hoods and a compact flashgun.

I then took the Hadley Pro out and about, walking extensively through streets and fields alike. I tried carrying the bag both with and without the optional shoulder pad fitted, to see how much of a difference it made in terms of comfort. I also switched lenses from bag to body, to get an idea of how easy the Billingham would be to work with on the fly.

While the relatively brief duration of my test means I can’t give long-term feedback, a fortnight was enough time to form a detailed impression of the build quality and usability of the Billingham Hadley Pro 2020. It helps that I’ve been working with cameras – and carrying them around – for more than a decade, so I know what to look for in a good camera bag.

First reviewed June 2025

Synology DiskStation DS925+: Two-minute reviewSpecs

(Image credit: Nick Ross)

CPU: AMD Ryzen V1500B
Graphics: None
RAM: 4GB DDR4 ECC SODIMM (Max 32GB)
Storage: 80TB (20TB HDD x4), 1.6TB (800GB M.2 x2)
Ports: 2x Type-A (5Gbps), 1x Type-C (5Gbps), 2x 2.5GbE Ethernet ports
Size: 166 x 199 x 223mm (6.5 x 7.8 x 8.8 inches)
OS installed: DSM 7
Accessories: 2x LAN cables, 2x drive-bay lock keys, AC power cord

Synology has been producing network attached storage (NAS) technology for over 20 years, and its devices have maintained a consistent look and feel. In that time, the company has developed a highly polished operating system that’s packed with a wide variety of bespoke and third-party apps that do everything from simply backing up files on a home or office network, through managing a household’s multimedia requirements, to running a business’s entire IT stack. The latter includes enterprise-grade backup, all kinds of server functionality, email and web-hosting, virtual machine management, surveillance camera management and much, much more.

In more recent years, Synology has hunkered down in its own segment of the NAS market – eschewing broad compatibility with third-party hardware providers and a Wild-West application community in favor of a more closed and professional operating environment, where you have to buy expensive Synology drives to populate the boxes. While these compatibility changes have driven some users away, what remains is still an incredibly robust, well-supported and well-documented ecosystem that has a huge community following.

The new DiskStation DS925+ is something of a popular, sweet-spot size that can suit new users and network admins alike. At a glance, it looks exactly like several generations of its predecessors and it operates very much like them. Its most significant features include four bays that support both 3.5-inch and 2.5-inch drives and two M.2 NVMe SSD slots. Its tool-less design and simple setup wizards make it quick and easy to build, and you can be up and running in less than 15 minutes. It runs quietly and can be positioned on top of a desk or hidden away (in a ventilated location) discreetly. To casual users (with deep pockets) who want access to Synology’s apps and need only basic NAS functionality, we could stop there. Enthusiasts will want to know more.

(Image credit: Nick Ross)

The list of compatible drives is now smaller than ever. While Synology has kicked certification of third-party drives over to vendors like Seagate and WD, it doesn’t appear to have resulted in more choice… yet. At the time of writing, you’re still limited to Synology’s latest Plus Series consumer drives (which go up to 16TB), its Enterprise drives (up to 20TB), its 2.5-inch SSDs (up to 7TB) and its Enterprise-level M.2 NVMe drives (up to 800GB). All of them are considerably more expensive than incompatible third-party counterparts.

The DS925+ comes with one of its two SO-DIMM slots populated with 4GB of DDR4 ECC RAM. You can upgrade to two sticks of Synology’s own 16GB ECC RAM (for 32GB total) if required, but not if you’re looking to save money. The introduction of error-correcting (ECC) RAM at this level is a boon, nonetheless.

It should be noted that if you’re looking to the DS925+ as an upgrade for an older Synology NAS, it will allow third-party drives if it recognizes an existing DSM installation. However, you’ll get constant drive compatibility warnings in return.

Positive new hardware features include a beefed-up, quad-core, eight-thread AMD Ryzen V1500B processor (note that there’s no integrated GPU) and its two network ports are finally 2.5GbE. There are both front and rear-mounted USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports plus a new, slightly controversial, USB-C port for connecting an external, 5-bay extension unit (replacing old eSATA-connected options). What’s most bothersome, though, is the lack of a PCIe network expansion for upgrading to 10GbE connectivity, which limits the possible network transfer speeds.

Ultimately, the initial outlay for a DS925+ can be enormous compared to rivals on the market. However, if you’re going to make use of the vast libraries of free software applications and licenses, it’ll represent great value.

Synology DiskStation DS925+: Price & availability

Synology’s DiskStation DS925+ only recently launched and has limited availability in only a few markets. It’s listed at $830 / £551 / AU$1,099.

Overall, it's well priced compared to its closest competitors such as the TerraMaster F4-424 Max, as well as other Synology NAS devices.

• Value score: 4.5 / 5

Synology DiskStation DS925+: Design & build

While the DiskStation DS925+ looks like its predecessors, I felt that it was somewhat more robust and less rattly than some of its forebears. Regardless of that, it’s still a small and discreet black box that will not draw attention to itself, wherever it’s located.

(Image credit: Nick Ross)

The tool-less design makes adding hard drives simple. For 3.5-inch drives, you just lift up the drive bay door, pull out the drive tray, unclip the tray’s side bars, put the drive in the tray, clip the bars back on (they use rubber grommets to reduce sound and vibrations) and slide it back in. If you want, you can ‘lock’ each drive bay with a key to deter opportunistic thieves.

Adding RAM involves removing the drive bays and adding SO-DIMMs to the internal slots on the side. Adding the M.2 NVMe drives involves simply unclipping the covers on the base and sliding them in. Adding six drives takes less than five minutes.

A fully populated DS925+ runs very quietly – Synology says just 20dB – and I can attest that there’s only a very quiet whooshing noise made by the dual 92mm fans, and the drives only make occasional, very low clicking and popping sounds.

Installing the operating system is also simple. A QR code in the box provides access to an online setup document with a link that automatically finds your NAS on the network before offering to install everything for you. After a quick firmware update, it reboots and you’ll be looking at the DSM desktop, in a web browser, just a few minutes later. The NAS will then prompt you to sign into a Synology account, set up SSO and MFA log-ins and install some basic apps.

Newcomers might struggle at first with the terminology surrounding the initial setup of the drives, but (at the basic level) the NAS walks you through the process. It involves organizing the drives into a storage pool, then creating a volume and then adding folders. You’ll also be prompted to list which users can have View, Read or Write access. At this point you’ve got functional network-attached storage that can be accessed across your network.

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The operating system is well-polished and installing bespoke and third-party apps is simple thanks to the Package Center application which operates like a free App Store. It’s also simple to enable remote access using Synology’s QuickConnect ID short-web-link system.

An interesting change with the DiskStation DS925+ is the removal of the (6Gbps) eSATA port for connecting Synology’s optional, legacy, external drive bays and its replacement with a single (5Gbps) USB-C port which connects to a Synology DX525 5-bay expansion unit. I didn't have an expansion bay on hand to test this, but the performance difference should be minimal.

While there are only two 2.5GbE network ports, you can combine them in various ways, with the easiest (load balancing) becoming operational in just a few clicks. It’s more suited to multiple connections rather than improving top speed, though.

Finally, it’s worth noting that compatibility with third-party drives is now strictly limited. At the time of writing, the DS925+ was only compatible with its own (up to 16TB) prosumer Plus Series hard drives, its (up to 20TB) Enterprise Series hard drives and (up to 7TB) SSDs, plus its 400GB and 800GB M.2 NVMe drives. All of these cost considerably more than third-party equivalents. Synology is blunt about why it has limited compatibility so much – it got sick of dealing with support requests that often boiled down to conflicts and crashes caused by drive failures and subsequent arguments with third-party drive vendors. While it’s annoying, I can sympathize with that.

• Design & build score: 5 / 5

Synology DiskStation DS925+: Features

(Image credit: Nick Ross)

It’s tricky to know just where to start with the numerous features that are available with the DiskStation DS925+. It performs just about every business and consumer task you can imagine. For many smart-home users, the various multi-device backup utilities, multimedia organization tools and media-server functionality (including Plex, Emby and Jellyfin) will be used more than anything else.

For prosumer and business users, it can be your full-stack IT service provider. There are apps that can transform your NAS into an enterprise-grade backup solution with off-site (third-party and Synology C2) cloud capabilities; email server; web server; Synology Office application provider; surveillance camera manager; anti-malware protection; virtual machine manager and a VPN server.

In all of these applications, multiple user licenses are included, which boosts the value proposition through the roof.

There’s a multitude of third-party applications and high-quality documentation (covering just about everything) that has been created by a large and mature Synology-enthusiast community.

Network admins will also like the numerous drive-formatting options, granular user permission management and SSO and MFA security options.

Storage capacity can be increased via a USB-C connected, five-drive-bay expansion unit.

The two USB-A ports (front and rear) have had many functions removed so they can no longer be used to connect potential security nightmares like printers, media devices, or network adapters, but they can still be used for connecting external USB storage devices.

The twin 92mm fans are quiet and, in conjunction with well-designed vents, do a good job of cooling the NAS. That said, be sure to place it in a location where airflow isn’t impeded and the vents won’t get clogged with dust.

• Features score: 5 / 5

Synology DiskStation DS925+: Performance

(Image credit: Nick Ross)

To test the DiskStation DS925+, I installed four Synology 3.5-inch, 4TB hard drives and formatted them with Synology’s own RAID-5-like Btrfs file system which offers striped performance boosts, disk-failure redundancy protection and numerous enhancements that work with Synology’s backup utilities. It left me with a 10.4TB volume and meant I could lose/remove any one drive without suffering data loss.

I also installed two 400GB M.2 NVMe SSDs as a single Btrfs storage volume (they can also be used for caching) which gave me a usable capacity of 362.4GB.

I transferred files from one volume to the other and hit sustained transfer speeds that peaked at 435MB/s, but most people will be moving data externally.

I subsequently performed multiple tests to find its real-world limits, see what doing without a 10GbE port option meant and discover what benefits the two (configurable) 2.5GbE LAN ports offered. I did this by connecting the NAS to a high-end, TP-Link Deco BE85 Wi-Fi 7 Router (with 10GbE LAN ports) via Ethernet and downloading large video files using various wired and wireless configurations.

I compared the DS925+’s performance to that of an older, two-bay Synology DiskStation DS723+ that has a 10GbE wired connection, a dual 3.5-inch hard drive volume and a newly fitted, single, 800GB Synology M.2 NVMe SSD-based volume.

I tested using a high-end Asus ROG Strix Scar 17 X3D gaming laptop with a 2.5GbE LAN connection and Wi-Fi 6E, as well as a new Core Ultra (Series 2) Asus Vivobook 14 Flip with Wi-Fi 7.

I started with the DS723+ which I’ve been using for testing Wi-Fi routers. With the Scar’s 2.5GbE Ethernet port connected by wire to the Deco router, I saw sustained transfer speeds that hit 245MB/s for both the DS723+’s HDD volume and its NVMe volume. Over a 5GHz Wi-Fi 6E wireless connection, this dropped to 194MB/s for both volumes. Over a 6GHz Wi-Fi 6E wireless connection, it achieved 197MB/s using the HDD volume and 215MB/s for the NVMe volume.

Switching to the Wi-Fi 7 VivoBook, on the 5GHz wireless connection, it managed 180MB/s for both the HDD and NVMe volumes. However, when using the 6GHz Wi-Fi 7 network, it achieved 244MB/s for the HDD volume and an astonishing 347MB/s for the NVMe volume. That right there is the power of having a 10GbE-equipped NAS (with an NVMe drive) connected to a Wi-Fi 7 network. Cables, schmables! That’s more than enough for editing multiple streams of UHD video at once.

(Image credit: Nick Ross)

So, how did the newer DS925+ compare? When it was connected to the Deco via a single 2.5GbE port, the 2.5GbE LAN connected Asus laptop reached 280MB/s for the HDD volume and 282MB/s for the NVMe volume – a good 35MB/s quicker than the two-bay DS723+. Over 5GHz Wi-Fi these scores both dropped to 190MB/s which is similar to the DS723+, illustrating a likely 5GHz Wi-Fi bottleneck. Interestingly, performance was consistently slower during the Scar’s 6GHz tests, where it hit 163MB/s (HDD volume) and 172MB/s (NVMe volume), but this is again likely caused by the network, not the NAS.

When the VivoBook connected via the 5GHz network, it managed 186MB/s transfers for both volumes. Over Wi-Fi 7 this jumped up to 272MB/s for the HDD volume and 278MB/s for the SSD volume. So, thus far, the file transfer performance benefits of having NVMe storage on the DS925+ aren’t significant when passing through the bottleneck of its 2.5GbE LAN port.

Consequently, I bonded the two 2.5GbE connections together to form a ‘single’ 5GbE connection in an effort to boost performance. This takes just a few clicks in DSM’s control panel. I opted for the basic Adaptive Load Balancing option, but there are several other configurations for various types of network topology.

(Image credit: Nick Ross)

So, with the DS925+’s two Ethernet cables forming a single 5Gbps connection to the Deco router, I ran the tests again. The 2.5GbE-connected ROG Strix Scar saw transfer speeds (to both the HDD and SSD volumes) only reach 168MB/s, which is around 120MB/s slower than when the NAS was connected via a single 2.5GbE wired connection. Over 5GHz Wi-Fi this boosted (slightly) to 188MB/s for both volumes and over the 6GHz network, it dropped back to 170MB/s for both volumes. It’s fair to say that combining the DS925+’s two 2.5GbE ports is better suited to handling multiple network streams rather than boosting performance of a single connection.

Nonetheless, I repeated the test with the VivoBook. Over 5GHz Wi-Fi, both volumes saw transfer speeds of 176MB/s. Over 6GHz Wi-Fi 7, it hit 283MB/s.

So, what have we learned about the DS925+’s file transfer-speed potential? Using a 2.5GbE wired connection to and from the router, it tops out at 280MB/s. Connecting the laptop via 5GHz Wi-Fi typically sees transfer speeds of between 160MB/s and 185MB/s, but over 6GHz Wi-Fi 7, up to 283MB/s is possible. This means that, in the right circumstances, Wi-Fi 7 can match 2.5GbE connection speeds.

We also learned that combining the DS925+’s two 2.5GbE connections (at least, in my particular setup) reduces the top transfer speed. Most importantly, that means losing the option for a 10GbE upgrade stops us hitting insane 347MB/s speeds over Wi-Fi 7, and 283MB/s is the reduced ceiling. As such, it’s straight-up not worth using the M.2 drives for file transfer performance boosting as the 2.5GbE connection(s) act as a bottleneck.

That all said, the M.2 drives can still improve performance through caching functionality and Synology notes it can give a 15x improvement to random read and write IOPS. This will be a much bigger deal in situations with multiple connections occurring simultaneously.

While some high-end users will miss the option to upgrade to a 10GbE performance ceiling, I found it’s still more than enough to facilitate very high bitrate, 60FPS, UHD+ video playback (and multiple UHD video stream editing) in addition to having multiple simultaneous connections performing numerous lesser tasks.

• Performance score: 4.5 / 5

Should you buy the Synology DiskStation DS925+?

It has become normal to gripe about the design decisions and limitations that Synology imposes on each generation of its prosumer NAS boxes. However, if we eliminate the potential purchasers it won’t suit – i.e. those who need a 10GbE connection and those who cannot afford all the expensive Synology hard drives required to populate it – it’s absolutely worth buying.

Its highly evolved chassis is deceptively well built in terms of tool-less access, rigidity, cooling and airflow. Its operating environment remains secure, robust and intuitive and is packed with features. Its software library will satisfy casual and demanding consumers plus network admins alike and almost all of it is free.

While it’s lost the hodgepodge, stick-your-old-hard-drives-in-a-box-and-hack-a-NAS-together old-school vibe, it’s now a reliable (and scalable) professional backbone for any business or smart-home.

As an all-around package, it’s the best on the market for its target audience. Yes, it can be expensive to populate with drives, but the subsequent total cost of ownership borne through reliability, software licensing and built-in security features help offset the burden of the initial outlay. This means that the DS925+ is, once again, a highly desirable winner from Synology.

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

A closed market makes buying drives expensive. But, the free software library can make it a bargain, regardless.

4.5

Design

It’s incredibly simple to put together thanks to its tool-less design. The software is voluminous, polished, mature, secure and reliable. It also runs cool and quiet.

5

Features

Whether you’re an undemanding consumer or a network admin, the DS925+ can do it all. 

5

Performance

The lack of an upgrade option to a 10GbE port limits peak performance, but it’s still not slow.

4.5

Total

Synology’s latest 4-bay NAS is as attractive as its predecessors, which is high praise indeed.

5

(Image credit: Nick Ross)Buy it if...

You want a one-stop box that can support your smart home

Its ease of setup, friendly multimedia apps, security, reliability and ability to operate almost every facet of a smart home make it a winner.

You want a one-stop box that can support your entire organization

Whether it’s enterprise-grade backups, hosting web or email servers or virtual machines or even providing free office software, this one box can do it all.

Don't buy it if...

You need the fastest file transfers

The lack of 10GbE connectivity means that top transfer speeds are no longer available.

You're on a tight budget

Getting access to Synology’s incredible value and mostly free software library now involves an even heavier initial outlay for compatible drives.

For more network-attached storage options, we've also tested the best NAS & media server distro.

Designed for jet-setting business professionals and travelers, Timekettle’s new AI translator is an update on the original T1 but now includes - you guessed it - artificial intelligence. Where the older model ran AI translations in the cloud, it’s now happening on the device thanks to the AI Edge model.

Beyond the updated internals, it’s largely the same device in size and design, and even specs like the 0.2-second translation time. Still, it’s incredibly well-designed, feels great in the hand, and I had no problems with the translations, which cover everything from two-way conversations to taking photos, letting you translate signs, documents, websites, and so on.

Timekettle T1 AI translator: Price and availability

The Timekettle T1 AI translator retails for $300 / £300 by clicking here. It’s widely available, with the official Timekettle website letting you change to your chosen currency. I’m not yet seeing the latest model on sites like Amazon, but given the non-AI model is available elsewhere, it’s only a matter of time before they reach other online retailers.

The included eSIM gives you two years’ free data. After this, you can continue connecting the handset via Wi-Fi, insert your own SIM card, or sign up for a new eSIM contract - although I’ve struggled to find exact costs for this on Timekettle’s website, which is never a good sign. Information elsewhere for other Timekettle units suggest a price of around $50 a year.

Timekettle T1 AI translator: Unboxing and first impressions

(Image credit: Timekettle )

Everything you need to get started is included in the box, including a USB-C cable, SIM tray eject pin, and a manual for easy set-up.

Then there’s the device itself. And my word, it’s pleasantly small and light. Measuring 4.59 x 2.30 x 0.44in / 11.68 x 5.86 x 1.12cm and weighing 0.25lb / 115g, you’ll have no trouble taking this with you around the world.

This new model also addresses a small but important issue we had with the previous model - there’s now a lanyard included in the box.

Ok, it might not seem like much, but this sort of extra is absolutely essential for business professionals carrying this from meeting to meeting (or holidaymakers while on vacation for that matter). A phone already takes up enough space in the pocket, and now there’s no need to jam another device in there with it.

Timekettle T1 AI translator: Design and operationImage 1 of 4

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(Image credit: Timekettle )Specs

Connectivity: 2G, 3G, 4G, Wi-Fi, Nano-SIM, e-SIM
Offline languages: 31
Online languages: 40
Translation speed: 0.2 seconds
Camera: 8MP
Operating system: Android 10
Storage: 4GB RAM / 32GB ROM
Dimensions: 4.59 x 2.30 x 0.44in / 11.68 x 5.86 x 1.12cm
Weight: 0.25lb / 115g

Design-wise, this is pretty much identical to the original FluentTalk T1 translator (you can see our review here). There’s a 4in HD screen, dual-speakers, and three function buttons to the left. On the right, you’ll find the SIM tray and a volume rocker. And at the bottom, a USB-C port for charging and a lanyard loop.

Operating the T1 is very simple - after all, it’s functionally a touchscreen mobile device running Android 10. Even without reading the instructions, I had no difficulty figuring out all the necessary swipes and taps as I made my way around the handset, opening up apps, and testing out what was on offer.

Everything runs relatively smoothly, I didn’t experience any noticeable slowdowns and translations were about as quick as Timekettle suggests.

Timekettle T1 AI translator: In useImage 1 of 4

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The T1 AI translator is absolutely loaded with tools, and I really liked how useful they all are, in a range of settings.

First, I switched the ‘to’ and ‘from’ languages - it’s the main action, centrally placed, on the home screen, and very to sort. From there, I was also able to download language packs for use during offline translations. There’s a little blue download button next to each, and although I wouldn’t say I have sausage fingers, I still found it tricky to punch the button to begin the download first time. It took a couple of attempts for each one I tried. Once installed, however, they worked well.

After that, I could begin translations. I started with the One Click translation. This opens up a new screen where pressing the top red button lets you speak in your native tongue or the lower blue button for the foreign language. There’s also a dual drop-down menu at the top of the screen for changing to new languages. Once you press the button and begin talking, the device will begin translating, delivering both on-screen text and audio. I found it notably slower using offline language translation than online, but the results are the same.

Next, I tried Photo Translation. Here, select the appropriate language, then simply point the rear camera at foreign language text and take the photo. Usefully, images can be taken in portrait and landscape mode. During my tests, it took around two seconds to fully process the translation of a text document, but accuracy was spot-on.

Swipe left on the home screen and you’ll see a few more options, like Voice Memo (which can’t be translated) and Listen Mode. This recording option is aimed at those in foreign language meetings, events, webinars, that sort of thing, where you want live text translations as you listen to the speaker. Again, it works well - it’s quick and precise - but I would’ve liked to see the option to actually save these recordings or even just the transcripts.

My favorite feature on the T1 AI handset, though, is Chat Translation. Place the handset in between two people, and with languages set, it will automatically listen to both speakers and translate, bisecting the screen so both users can read and hear what’s being said by the other. The microphones admittedly struggled to hear what was being said when the handset was too far from a speaker, but again, I couldn’t fault the execution here. It’s a clever way of letting two people conversing in a fairly natural way - or, at least, as natural as can be with a small handset sitting between them.

Swipe right, and you have a host of useful tools for travelers. This includes two clocks, which can be set for different time-zones, a currency converter, and an SOS app that displays the numbers of emergency services in your chosen location.

There are also two translation apps here, too. Ask for Directions lets you set custom questions - for example, ‘wo ist der Flughafen? - and display them on screen for those you’re asking. If you’re asking a lot of people the same question, it’s handy. However, I found it a lot easier to just use the One Click Translation here.

Finally, there’s Common Expressions, which serves up a list of - you guessed it - common expressions, ordered by categories like Bank, Restaurant, and Shopping. Click into these and you’ll see a longer list of translations that can be played over the speakers or, by pressing a separate button, fill the screen for easy reading.

Timekettle T1 AI translator: Final verdictImage 1 of 2

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I really like the Timekettle T1 AI translator - it’s a super-portable device that’s light, feels good in the hand, and its translations are accurate and fast. It may not be a significant upgrade to the older T1 - it’s fundamentally identical in design - but the inclusion of on-board AI will be welcomed by those who want slight improvements on translation speeds.

What I particularly like, though, is how useful it is in a range of settings, thanks to the inclusion of photo translation, a listening mode, and two-way conversations.

Operationally, the Android 10 OS isn’t the quickest, and I did have some issues tapping the right area to download offline language packs. Nor is it a budget pick, with a $300 price-tag, and I would’ve liked to see more transparency over eSIM contract prices once the two years’ free data plan ends.

But in terms of function, it’s easily one of the best around and whether you’re a global business professional or an irrepressible holidaymaker, this is going to be a life-saver.

Should I buy the Timekettle T1 AI translator?Buy it if...

✅ You travel a lot
I really like the size and design of this translator - it feels incredibly lightweight and small in the hand. So, it’s ideal for travelers and business professionals working on the go. The lanyard is a welcome addition for those who want easy access any time.

✅ You want translations in a variety of settings
There are loads of translation options on-board, like photo translations, conversational tools, and listening mode when attending meetings. That these translations can be conducted offline is the icing on the cake for me.

Don't buy it if...

❌ You want a budget translator
With the price-point set at $300, this is on the upper-end of translators, costing about $100 more than others on the market. I still think it’s arguably the best of its class around, especially given its feature-set, but it’s in no way a budget pick.

❌ You only occasionally need translations
Given the cost, it’s a pretty expensive device for those who don’t need extensive translation options. If your translation needs are modest, a cheaper alternative or even your phone will be more than adequate.

For more language solutions, we've rounded up the best translation software you can download right now.

Razer Joro: one-minute review

The Razer Joro is a wireless gaming keyboard designed for easy portability thanks to its small form factor and light weight. Its looks are understated, with the all-black finish helping it to remain inconspicuous – although the RGB lighting is vibrant enough to make it stand out a little more.

It’s also built to a high standard that's typical of many peripherals made by Razer. The aluminum face plate is perhaps the highlight on this front, while its smooth planes lend a sense of elegance and class.

True to its portable nature, the Joro is very light and small across all of its dimensions. It’s slightly raised at the back, which naturally tilts the keys but only by a small degree. What’s more, this angle is set in stone, since there are no adjustable feet, meaning it might not suit everyone’s ergonomic preferences.

Razer Synapse can be used to customize the Joro, with the usual settings and features available for tweaking that you'd expect from the best gaming keyboards. There are plenty of remapping options, and there’s also a Snap Tap feature for those with more serious performance concerns.

However, the performance of the Joro itself is something of a let down. The keys don’t feel particularly great, as they are slow to rebound, as well as lacking dampening and feedback. The layout can also feel a little cramped when typing, although I was glad of the large keys.

The Joro can only connect wirelessly via Bluetooth; there’s no 2.4GHz dongle here, which is a shame. However, connections are easy to establish and switch between, helped by the practical shortcut keys for hot-switching.

The battery life isn’t particularly impressive, especially for a keyboard designed for portability. After a few days it dipped to 4%, although this was with the backlighting on constantly, which Razer does state will drain the battery much faster.

The Joro would be expensive even for a full-size board, but for a compact one with merely adequate performance and lacking multiple wireless connections, it's ultimately overpriced compared to the competition.

(Image credit: Future)Razer Joro review: price and availability

• $139.99 / £129.99 / AU$249.95
• Available now in black only
• Expensive for what you get

The Joro costs $139.99 / £129.99 / AU$249.95 and is available now in one color: black. It comes with a braided USB cable.

This is an expensive gaming keyboard, dearer than some larger models with more features and better performance, such as the MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra, which has analog switches and provides plenty of adjustability. The board itself is quite heavy, so it’s not exactly portable, but it does show just how much keyboard you can get for a cheaper price than the Joro.

If you want a more premium experience in a similarly small package to the Joro, the Apex Pro Mini is a great alternative. It has an even more upmarket design, and boasts incredible performance thanks to its analog keys, which also offer a wealth of customization options. All of this makes it a strong contender for the best keyboard of its kind.

Value: 2.5 / 5

Razer Joro review: specs

Layout

Compact 75%

Switch

Razer Ultra Low-Profile Switches

Programmable keys

Yes

Dimensions

11.7 in x 4.4 in x 0.65in / 298 x 112 x 16.5mm

RGB or backlighting

Yes (customizable)

(Image credit: Future)Razer Joro review: design and features

• Well-made
• Small form factor
• Lacks adjustable feet

The Joro has a functional form that eschews many of the ostentatious stylings of your typical gaming keyboard, opting for a more mature and functional approach. It’s all the better for it in my view, as it cuts quite a smart and elegant figure.

As you would expect from a keyboard designed for portability, it’s small across all its dimensions and light in weight. However, it still feels solid and well-made, helped in part by the aluminum top plate, falling in line with Razer’s high build-quality standards.

This extends to the keycaps, which feel soft and premium to the touch. Despite its small size, there are a surprising number of keys included as well, such as arrow keys, navigation keys, and an F row. What’s more, there are some handy Fn shortcuts, all labelled on the keys themselves, as well as three Bluetooth hot-switches on keys F1-F3 that are very convenient.

The sloping chassis provides a minimal tilt angle, and since there are no folding feet, this can’t be adjusted according to preference, which is a shame and limits its ergonomics, at least for some gamers.

(Image credit: Future)

Packaged with the Joro is a braided USB cable that again feels premium. It’s quite short, which makes sense for a portable keyboard as you’ll likely be close to whatever device you’re gaming on, but desktop users might struggle to use it with their setup. What’s more, it’s USB-C-to-C, with no USB-A adapter included, which also limits its usage.

The keyboard can be customized using Razer Synapse, which features all the usual gaming peripheral customizations, including RGB tweaks and macro creation. There are also plenty of remapping options, with copious amounts of media and system shortcuts to assign. There aren’t too many performance based tweaks, although there is a Snap Tap feature, which lets you give priority to one of a pair of keys (of your choosing) when both are pressed at the same time.

Design & features: 4 / 5

Razer Joro review: performance

• Adequate gaming performance
• Better for typing
• Disappointing battery life

Despite its small and portable nature, the Joro still prioritizes gaming performance, with properties such as N-Key Rollover and Anti-Ghosting testifying to that fact.

However, in action I found the keys a little too slow for fast WASD movements, lacking the snappiness I usually prefer. Also, this position can feel a little cramped: although the keys seem generously spaced horizontally, they feel compromised vertically, which can result in discomfort after long sessions.

I found typing with the Joro better, with the aforementioned spacing helping with accuracy and ease of use. I also preferred their low profile, emulating laptop keys.

However, the keys lack dampening, which makes them feel a little harsh when hammering away at them. They certainly don’t provide as much feedback or satisfaction as the best mechanical keyboards in this department.

(Image credit: Future)

What’s more, the small layout did give me some issues when using the Joro for productivity. For instance, the right Shift key is very small, so I often hit the keys above when reaching for it. The enter key is similarly truncated, which also took some getting used to. I was at least glad to see the arrow keys are full-sized, though.

After long sessions, I lamented the lack of adjustable feet as well, since the near-flat layout created a somewhat uncomfortable angle for my hands to reach down to.

The Bluetooth connectivity works well, and I didn’t experience any lagging issues or stuttering. Switching between multiple devices is quick and easy too, thanks to the shortcut keys.

After several days of use, and with the backlighting on, the battery dropped to from full to 4%, which isn’t a great performance, and is an especial shame for a keyboard purpose built for portability. Thankfully, the wired connection lets you use and charge the Joro at the same time.

(Image credit: Future)

Performance: 3.5 / 5

Should I buy the Razer Joro?Razer Joro Scorecard

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

The Joro is an expensive board, and its limited performance and features struggle to justify its cost.

2.5 / 5

Design and features

The Joro is well made and has some useful shortcut keys and customizations available. The lack of a 2.4GHz connection is a shame, though.

4 / 5

Performance

The Joro doesn’t feel particularly great in action, and the lack of adjustable feet can make it less than ideal from an ergonomic perspective.

3.5 / 5

Overall

The Joro is a reasonably competent gaming keyboard with a good design, but ultimately it's priced beyond its means.

3 / 5

Buy it if…

You want to game on the go
The Joro is genuinely small and light enough to make it easy to travel with.

You want great build quality
True to many of Razer’s peripherals, the Joro looks premium and feels durable.

Don’t buy it if…

You want the best performance
If you’re after the utmost snappiness and satisfaction, you better look elsewhere.

You want to save money
The Joro is expensive for a keyboard, period – let alone one that lacks 2.4GHz connectivity and high-performing switches.

Razer Joro review: also consider

Razer Joro

SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3

MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra

Layout

Compact 75%

60%

60%

Switch

Razer Ultra Low-Profile Switches

Analog (Hall-effect magnetic)

Analog (TMR magnetic)

Programmable keys

Yes

Yes

Yes

Dimensions

11.7 in x 4.4 in x 0.65in / 298 x 112 x 16.5mm

11.5 x 4 x 1.6 inches / 293 x 103 x 40mm

14.7 x 7.4 x 3.1 inches / 372.9 x 187 x 79mm

RGB or backlighting

Yes (customizable)

Yes (customizable)

Yes (customizable)

SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini
For a seriously premium gaming experience in a small package, look no further than the Apex Pro Mini. It’s built just as well as the Joro, if not better, while the analog switches are a dream to use for gaming and typing, with plenty of actuation adjustments. It’s more expensive than the Joro, but considering what’s on offer here – which includes both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz connectivity options – it’s better value. Read our full SteelSeries Apex Pro Mini Gen 3 review.

MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra
The FUN60 Ultra shows just what you can get for a relatively small outlay into today’s keyboard market. Featuring top-draw TMR analog switches and a durable design with premium materials and features, the FUN60 Ultra is great for both gaming and typing. It also supports both 2.4GHz and Bluetooth connectivity – and, what’s more, it’s cheaper than the Joro. Read our full MonsGeek FUN60 Ultra review.

How I tested the Razer Joro

• Tested for several days
• Used for gaming, working, and browsing
• Plentiful gaming keyboard experience

I tested the Joro for several days, during which time I used it for gaming, working, and general browsing.

I played games such as Counter-Strike 2 and Atomfall, the former of which is good for testing accuracy and responsiveness, while the latter uses a wider selection of keys, which helps to assess the ease of navigation around the board.

I’ve been PC gaming for over a decade, during which time I’ve experienced a number of keyboards. I’ve also reviewed plenty of them, ranging in their size, feature-sets, and price points.

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

Samsung Galaxy Fit 3: One minute review

Samsung isn't a brand I immediately associate with affordable smart tech, but the Galaxy Fit 3 is one of the cheapest proprietary fitness trackers on the market. Even Google's Fitbit Inspire 3 band, which a few years ago seemed like a sensible entry point to the best fitness trackers, is double the price.

Samsung launched the Fit 3 in several territories in early 2024, but its US debut only came this January. It replaces and builds on the Galaxy Fit 2 – a good-looking budget band that we found had questionable heart rate accuracy – with some noticeable improvements to design and tracking.

The Fit 3 has a refined design with a bigger, brighter screen to accommodate wider stats viewing. It can now monitor blood oxygenation levels and also has a decent swim stroke counter. But while the Fit 2 worked with some iPhone models, the Fit 3 does no such thing. This tracker is only compatible with Android 10 or above, which I've already seen complaints about in some online reviews: Samsung doesn't make this super clear when you shop online.

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

While Apple hasn't focused any effort on serving up its own entry into the best cheap fitness trackers game, it seems Samsung wants to tap into this underserved corner of the market alongside its premium Galaxy Watch range. In short, the Fit 3 records and displays your steps walked, calories burned, heart rate, stress levels, sleep, and more, with just a few swipes and taps on its touchscreen.

As a runner, I was frustrated that the Fit 3 didn't have GPS, but at such a low price, I'm not sure you can expect it to. It's a simple, accessible device that monitors your everyday health data without costing a fortune.

It offers smartwatch-style notifications and music controls, plus weather info and the usual collection of customizable watch faces to choose from on the Samsung Galaxy Wearable app. Navigating through screens is easy and enjoyable thanks to a responsive touchscreen and very clear menu design. As someone used to Garmin's convoluted settings and screens, the Fit 3 was a breath of fresh air.

Samsung says that the battery should last 13 days, and I found I'd get at least 10, while tracking at least three short runs and wearing the band overnight during that time. Having worn many of the more advanced fitness devices on the market, I didn't feel shortchanged by the Fit 3's everyday health metrics, but I did sometimes question the accuracy of its heart rate during intense workouts.

It's simply brilliant value, though, with a lovely screen, clear stats and encouraging insights to help you improve your everyday health. Without on-board GPS, I wouldn't recommend it to anyone serious about running, but if it's your first fitness tracker or you don't have a lot to spend, the Fit 3 is a brilliant option.

Don't look at it if you've got an iPhone – but if you're a Samsung user, I'd still question whether investing all that money in a premium Galaxy Watch would give you greater accuracy and health features.

Samsung Galaxy Fit 3: Price and availability

• Priced at around $59 / £49 / AU$139
• The cheapest Samsung Galaxy fitness device
• Made available in the US from January 2025

The Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 was released in Asia, Europe, and Latin America in early 2024. It didn't launch in the US until January 9, 2025. There are three colors to choose from (Gray, Silver and Pink Gold), all with the same RRP, but the Gray option, which is actually black in real life, gets reduced most often.

The device is easily Samsung's cheapest Galaxy fitness device, costing around $59 / £49 / AU$139, but even less if you pick up a regular Samsung or Amazon deal. Few devices can compete with the Fit 3's super-low price point, aside from the Google Fitbit Inspire 3, HUAWEI Band 9 and all those non-proprietary options on Amazon.

And unlike Fitbit, you don't have to pay for a premium membership to access all of the Galaxy Fit 3's features. Meaning the price you pay upfront is all you'll have to pay. The Samsung Health app is free, although it's worth noting (and I will again) that it only works with Android devices, pushing out the option for Apple users to buy the Fit 3.

• Value score: 4.5/5

Samsung Galaxy Fit 3: Specifications

Dimensions

42.9 x 28.8 x 9.9 mm

Weight

18.5 g

Case/bezel

Aluminum

Display

1.6-inch 256 x 402px AMOLED display

GPS

No

Battery life

Up to 13 days

Connection

Bluetooth v5.3

Sensors

Accelerometer, Barometer, Gyro Sensor, Optical Heart Rate Sensor, Light Sensor

Waterproofing

5ATM/IP68

Samsung Galaxy Fit 3: DesignImage 1 of 1

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

• Responsive 1.6-inch AMOLED display
• Flexible silicone strap
• Water resistant to up to 50 meters

The Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 looks very different to its predecessor. Its 1.6-inch display is 0.5 inches bigger, with a wider, rectangular view in comparison, which allows you to see more stats without having to open your phone. I'd say the Fit 3 looks more like a smartwatch than the long, thin Fit 2, and with a 2.78x higher resolution on the display (now 256 x 402 px), it's a lot crisper too.

You can set up the screen to be always-on (which will drain the battery faster) or to illuminate when you move your wrist upwards. I went for this option to save power, but sometimes had to raise my arm multiple times to turn it on. On the plus side, the screen was easy to see in bright sunlight, and the auto-brightness feature worked well to adapt to different environments.

Where the screen was integrated into the band of the Fit 2, the Fit 3's tracker is easily detachable with a press of a button on the back. I love the ease of customization here. With the old Fit 2, you were stuck with the color of the band. But the 3's design is more similar to the Apple Watch, and you can swap out the silicone strap if you want to change your style.

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

I think it's vital that fitness trackers are comfortable enough to wear for long periods – ideally overnight if you're going to use the sleep tracking features. At 18.5g, the Fit 3 is lightweight, and half the weight of my usual Garmin running watch, but I found wearing it uncomfortable sometimes.

Because the sensor sticks out from the back of the device, it doesn't sit flush with your skin. When I tightened the strap during workouts to get an accurate heart rate, or when my wrists got hot in warm weather, I'd get a deep imprint and have to take the Fit 3 off to give my skin a breather.

Overall, though, the Fit 3 feels well-made, and durable enough to withstand the elements, sweat and tough workouts. Its 5ATM waterproof rating provided peace of mind when swimming and showering.

The AMOLED screen is big and bright enough for those still wanting a smaller fitness band, and you soon get used to the basic touch gestures for moving across the settings and screens. A swipe-down brings up the home menu and settings, or a hold-down lets you change the watch face. The new button on the side brings you back to the home screen with a press or to the exercise with a double-press.

You'll need the Samsung Galaxy Wearable app and Samsung Health app to use the Fit 3. Once set up, the Wearable app lets you customize the view and order of tiles on the device and add more watch faces. Thankfully, it's also easy and intuitive to use, with fun themes and color coding to make information easy to scan.

• Design score: 4/5

Samsung Galaxy Fit 3: Features

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

• Music playback and phone notifications
• Tracks over 100 workouts (although not all are useful)
• Records sleep stages

Being a budget tracker, it's no surprise that the Fit 3 omits many of the key features seen in Samsung's watch range. To keep the price down (and presumably battery life up), the Fit 3's smartphone connectivity is based on Bluetooth, and there's no Wi-Fi. The main benefit of Wi-Fi is a longer range for syncing data (helpful if you're exercising outdoors without a phone), but it makes no difference to the experience here.

Where the best Samsung watches offer impressive GPS for runners, the Fit 3 relies on being connected to a phone for route tracking. In short, you can't run (or cycle) phone-free and expect to record a truly accurate distance and pace.

Compared to the previous Galaxy Fit 2, though, the Fit 3 does have notable new features, including blood oxygen and heart rate variability sensors, a route tracker, and a barometer. A new light sensor also enables the optional always-on display mode I mentioned in the Design section.

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

The Fit 3 doesn't have a built-in speaker or microphone, but you can answer calls directly from the screen and control your music or podcast playback when in range of your phone. The customizable vibration alerts are also useful for setting alarms.

The Fit 3 runs on a simplified FreeRTOS operating system, but you can’t access the Wear OS app store or connect to any third-party apps (such as Strava and Spotify). While the Fit 3 works with phones on Android 10 or later, certain features are only available on the best Samsung phones.

These include snore detection, which uses the phone's microphone to record and analyze audio, plus the ability to trigger the phone's camera with a button on the Fit 3. I used a Google Pixel phone to test the Fit 3, so I wasn't able to try either of these features, but they feel like gimmicks rather than dealbreakers for most enthusiast exercisers.

Given that the Fit 3 is destined for those early on their fitness journey, it makes sense for Samsung to have left out GPS tracking and ECG readings, which would have pushed the price up and perhaps been ignored by beginners anyway. What's left is a feature set worthy of the Fit 3's price tag – albeit too basic for certain users. There are over 100 workouts to choose from, although many of these are nothing more than a calorie counter, which I'll come to next.

• Features score: 3.5/5

Samsung Galaxy Fit 3: Performance

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

• Sleep scores missed data
• (Mostly) accurate heart rate readings
• Smooth and glitch-free use

This is a tracker designed for simplicity, so I hoped the Fit 3 setup would be straightforward. It comes in a small box with its band already attached, a USB-C charging cable (with no plug, which feels standard in a plastic-saving 2025) and a few booklets I mostly ignored.

First, I discovered I need two apps – Samsung Health and Galaxy Wearable – to set up the Fit 3, but it didn't take longer than five minutes to unbox and connect it to my partner's Pixel rather than my own incompatible iPhone. It took some more faff through permission screens, and another five minutes, to set up a Samsung account, but I suspect this is a step you could skip if you've had a previous Samsung device.

Once set up, I found navigating the tracker was smooth in every situation. Even when I had wet or sweaty hands, the touch response was accurate, which is a great result for a tracker you want to use while swimming and pushing yourself.

The Fit 3's 208mAh battery is around 30% bigger than the Fit 2's, and while I was impressed during testing, I never quite made it to the company’s 13-day maximum. I enabled the always-on display (taking it off during sleep) and got just over 5 full days before it conked out.

Putting the display back to a normal 15-second timer, and recording a 30-minute workout each day, it lasted 8 days. A dull charge took me 68 minutes, which is far shy of the Apple Watch 10 but half the time it takes me to charge up my older Garmin Forerunner 265S. So what? Well, you get much more juice than the majority of smartwatches, which is great if you don't want to be recharging constantly.

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

The Fit 3 has over 100 workout options, and you can set your favorites so they're easy to find. I certainly didn't test every one, but I did cover the basics – walking, running, swimming – plus some more rogue options like crunches, dancing and burpees. I expected a movement like crunches or bicep curls to capture repetitions, but you get a similarly generic screen to walking with duration, calories and average heart rate. It's not particularly useful.

To test the Fit 3's fitness and sleep tracking accuracy, I wore it alongside the Garmin Forerunner 265 constantly. When I checked at the end of each day, I found that my steps were different by about 500 steps higher on my Garmin, but over 17,000 steps, that didn't feel unreasonable.

The device came unstuck when I went for a five kilometer run without a phone. Because there's no GPS, the Fit 3 has to estimate your distance (I'd guess) based on height and steps. So after finishing the run, where my Forerunner had recorded 5K (three miles) exactly, the Fit 3 was at 2.81 miles. Of course, this deviance would rack up over longer distances.

My heart rate reading was much closer, with the Fit 3 within about five beats per minute (bpm) of the Forerunner at all times. I'm trying to focus on more Zone 2 training, and love how the Fit 3 displays heart rate zones while running or working out. I also tried out machines at the gym with heart rate monitors to cross-reference the Fit 3's readings. Again, it was within 3-8 bpm of a treadmill and stairmaster machine.

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

After all that exercise, I wore the Fit 3 to bed over a few weeks to record my sleep times and stages, blood oxygen, and (most importantly) to find out what sleep animal Samsung gave me.

Every morning, I read my sleep score to see how long and well I slept, but unfortunately, I often found it much lower than the relative scores from my Forerunner. On the night before writing this review, I got an actual sleep time of 6 hours 54 minutes, REM sleep 45 minutes on the Fit 3. On my Garmin, it was 8 hours 12, and 2 hours 26 REM.

Digging into any detailed metrics from the Fit 3 requires you to open the Samsung Health App. There, the sleep data is easy to read and attractively presented, with sleep stages on a color-coded scale. Personally, I can't feel confident that the Fit 3 sleep data is accurate, and I stopped wearing it in bed after a week.

Wearables have a long way to go in general when it comes to sleep, and the same goes for women's cycle tracking. I liked being able to log my period in the Samsung app and seeing my predicted fertile window, powered by Natural Cycles, and I suspect the timings would get more accurate the more input you give it. But again, the initial stats felt too much like guesstimates.

If all that sounds negative, it isn't meant to. The Fit 3 never lagged and never failed to log a workout or connect back to the smartphone. Notifications came through instantly, and while sleep tracking could be more reliable, wearables' data gaps tend to improve over time: Samsung's sleep tracking on devices such as the Samsung Galaxy Ring is highly rated.

• Performance score: 4/5

Scorecard

Category

Comment

Score

Value

An impressively low price for the features and ease-of-use.

4.5/5

Design

Loved the bright screen, but found the band less comfortable than other devices.

4/5

Features

Without GPS the device is more limited, but workout tracking is great.

4/5

Performance

Accurate heart rate tracking, a smooth if not basic app and impressive 10-day battery life.

3.5/5

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)Samsung Galaxy Fit 3: Should I buy?Buy it if...

You've got a Samsung Galaxy phone

The most streamlined experience is achieved by pairing the Fit 3 with a Samsung Galaxy device. It's a great budget tracker if that's the case.

You're a general gym-goer

If you want to track calories from gym classes or common exercise machines, the Fit 3 works well.

You're a beginner to fitness tracking

The Fit 3 makes fitness tracking simple and accessible. It doesn't have advanced metrics, but the stats it records paint a useful health picture.

Don't buy it if...

You’re on an Apple device

You can't connect the Fit 3 to an iPhone at all, which will be a disappointment to many Apple users.

You want GPS

You won't be able to record your location data unless the device is connected to a phone, which is no good for phone-free running, walking or cycling.

Also consider

Fitbit Luxe

It's four times more expensive than the Fit 3, but if you're looking for something more stylish, the Luxe has a gorgeous design. Sadly, it also lacks GPS.

Read our full Fitbit Luxe review

Amazfit Active 2

If you want something that looks more like a watch than a tracker, but at a similarly low price, this sub-$99 option offers excellent health tracking and a long battery.

Read our full Amazfit Active 2 review

How I tested the Samsung Galaxy Fit 3Image 1 of 1

(Image credit: Lauren Scott)

I wore the Samsung Galaxy Fit 3 for over two weeks on one wrist, keeping my usual Garmin Forerunner 265S on the other (for stats comparison). It was linked to my partner's Google Pixel 8 Pro as my iPhone wasn't compatible. I wore the device overnight to test the sleep metrics over a sustained period and how well the battery lasted.

I tracked more than 10 workout types, including a few 5 km parkruns, Fiit workouts at home, aerobics, hikes, and even dancing. I logged heart rate and stress measurements at different times of day during testing and set up the female cycle tracking feature on the accompanying Samsung Health app.

Earfun Tune Pro: Two minute review

Budget audio brand Earfun has continued its foray into the over-ear headphone game with the Earfun Tune Pro, an affordable pair of over-ears which unfortunately don’t live up to Earfun’s usually-impressive track record. Some of the best cheap headphones I've tested, they are not.

Earfun’s first over-ears, the Wave Pro, were some of our top-rated affordable headphones, easily earning (for a while, at least) a place on our list of the best headphones you can buy. And they were always going to be a tough act to follow. The fact that they’re still available to buy now also makes them a big (and honestly, more viable) rival to the Tune Pro.

I won’t beat around the bush: the big problem with the headphones is that they just don’t sound good. Earfun’s typical ability to punch well above its weight somehow didn’t grace the new and rather ironically-named Tune Pro. The cans lack serious bass, endure frequent peaking that ruins percussion, and don’t offer much in the way of an organised, layered soundstage to let you appreciate the separation and detail of instruments.

You can’t expect Bose- or Sony-tier audio in cans that cost under $/£100 but there are plenty of budget headphones for the same price that outstrip the Tune Pro. So as you'll see as we get into the meat of this review, it's hard to recommend the cans.

I also found the Earfuns pretty uncomfortable to wear for long periods of time. The pressure they exerted on my head grew noticeable after only a few hours of use. It’s not great and neither of these are concerns was something I experienced with the Wave Pro.

Why not go lower than 3 stars? Well, the Earfun magic is present in a few other areas. Take, for example, the battery life: these headphones will last a monumental 120 hours (with ANC turned off) before you’ll need to charge them. That’s five straight days of music before they need powering up and I don’t need to tell you how important a long battery life can be for certain subsets of users. There are very few headphones on the market that come even close to this score.

Earfun has also included its usual range of features on its app: multiple ANC modes (perhaps too many – more on this later), an in-depth equalizer and a feature that’s all too uncommon on headphones: a listening test to automatically create your own sound mix. This latter is a lovely little extra that lots of rivals don’t have.

While the audio quality lets things down big-time, I can see the admirable battery life and listening test drawing in some users who prefer functionality over sound quality. It’s just that those are more caveats than I usually have to add in an Earfun review – a brand I usually champion in the ‘cheap and cheerful’ stakes.

Earfun Tune Pro review: Specifications

Component

Value

Water resistant

N/A

Battery life (quoted)

120 hours (ANC off) 80 hours (ANC on)

Bluetooth type

Bluetooth 5.4

Weight

289g

Driver

40mm + 10mm

Earfun Tune Pro review: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• Released in May 2025
• RRP of $89.99 / £79.99 (roughly AU$160)
• Already available at $69.99 / £59.99 (no AU sales)

The Earfun Tune Pro were announced in May 2025 for a retail price of $89.99 / £79.99 (roughly AU$160 though they're not on sale in Australia at the time of writing, unlike many other products from the company).

Don’t tell Amazon that though, because the retailer lists in multiple regions that the cans were released in September 2024. It offers them for the discounted price of $69.99 / £59.99 (at the time of writing) despite them being new.

However much you pay for them, the Earfun Tune Pro are clearly budget headphones. They’re the middle of Earfun’s three over-ear options, sitting equally between the more expensive Wave Pro and cheaper Wave Life.

Earfun Tune Pro review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Chunky cans with 3.5mm jack and physical buttons
• Uncomfortable for long play sessions
• No IP rating for waterproofing

As you can see from pictures, Earfun has kept things simple with the Tune Pro, playing close to the formula for over-ear headphones.

The cans weigh 289g and are made from plastic, so they don’t feel too heavy when you’re wearing them. That doesn’t mean they’re exactly comfortable though, and I could only listen for a few hours before needing to give my head a break.

The ear cups are quite thick, sticking from your head about 50% more than your average pair of over-ears (judging by the few pairs I had on hand). I don’t imagine this is to blame for the comfort issues but it does make the cans look imposing when you wear them.

Evidence of how easily-bendable the hook is. (Image credit: Future)

Earfun has ensured that the Tune Pro have some versatility in size as the band can be extended or retracted quite a distance (if you do have a larger head, check out our roundup feature of headphones with longer extendable arms) while the cups can be rotated around 100 degrees – and they also fold up if you want to put them in a bag.

Onto the buttons. On the right cup you’ve got a volume rocker, power button and 3.5mm headphone jack – yes, the Tune Pro supports wired audio – while the left earpiece has an ANC button and the USB-C charging port.

The buttons don’t stick out that far from the casework and so, despite little knobs to make them a bit more prominent, I still found them pretty hard to locate just with my fingers. Instead, I generally relied on my phone to change volume and ANC.

Earfun’s website makes no mention of any kind of IP rating for the Tune Pro so I’d recommend keeping them high and dry.

• Design score: 3.5/5

Earfun Tune Pro review: Features

(Image credit: Future)

• Incredbly battery life
• Range of ANC modes, all fine
• Equalizer with listening test

Earfun headphones always out-rep the competition in the features department and things are no different for the Tune Pro. The real highlight of these cans is the battery life, which according to Earfun stretches to an incredible 120 hours with ANC turned off and a still-admirable 80 hours with it turned on.

I can count on one hand the number of sets of headphones that beat or match that battery life, and it’s a vital figure for people who rarely get time to charge up their headphones for one reason or another. I would’ve loved cans like these when I last went travelling.

Next up, ANC is… present, I’ll say that much. It’s fine, but far from best-in-class and about what you’d expect for the price. It’s useful for covering up certain annoying background noises like a dishwasher in another room or distant traffic going past your house, but it won’t make your commute near-silent or ensure you can hear your music when vacuuming at home.

A few different ANC presets are available in the Earfun app. Default, which I take to be ‘off’, is Normal but there’s Ambient Sound to allow nearby noises through, Wind noise cancellation which is just designed for the infuriating sound of wind that always baffles headphone ANC, and lastly Comfort ANC and Strong ANC. I take these latter to be ‘medium’ and ‘high’ strengths to Normal’s ‘off’, but this is based purely on the icons in the app and nothing else.

(Image credit: Future)

I’ve complained in past reviews about Earfun’s array of ANC modes being a bit overwhelming. Why? Because it’s hard to know which mode you should be using at any one time, and it’s also a chore to open up the Earfun app to switch if you decide you want to (the ANC button on the cans only cycles through the first three options, not the two full-blooded ANC ones).

A few more features available through the the Earfun app include the ability to toggle low-latency modes for gaming or a wide-soundstage mode for movies and TV, and a way to change what the buttons on the ear cups do. However, the major one to note is an equalizer.

As with past Earfuns, the Tune Pro offers a wide range of EQ modes based on different genres of music or increasing or decreasing bass or treble. There are plenty of options and it’s worth playing around to find your perfect preset, though a 10-band custom EQ mode lets you create your own mix too. A brief test also creates a bespoke equalizer mix for you and I was pretty happy with the mix it created for me.

For call handling, the Earfun Tune Pro feature five mics (presumably per earpiece, although Earfun doesn't express this as such. But anything else would be odd) as well as an algorithm to clear up your voice when others hear you.

• Features score: 4/5

Earfun Tune Pro review: Sound performance

(Image credit: Future)

• 40mm + 10mm drivers
• Distorting sound, lacking bass
• Limited sound stage

Given the price you’re paying for the Tune Pro, you’re probably not expecting the most ear-pleasing audio in the world, and it’s a good thing to set your expectations low because these Earfun headphones don’t sound great, even for the money.

Specs-wise, the headphones pack both a 40mm and 10mm driver in each can which should ostensibly provide extra oomph in the bass department, but theory is a far cry from fact.

Perhaps the biggest issue, noticeable constantly, is the audio peaking through the treble, which crushes hi-hats into mere hisses and devolves powerful guitar lines into crunchy oblivion. At the other end of the frequency scale, the tuning here boosts the bass drum so much that it frequently overrides vocals. It’s hard to enjoy songs without percussion and detail through the mids to provide rhythm, and the Tune Pro don’t offer much of that.

You’re not getting much expansion or detail through the soundstage here either, with music presented as a somewhat homogenous mush instead of a collection of separate, distinct and layered instruments given enough room to be impactful. The confusing mix here also masks the detail and dynamic nuance in my music, while also sapping some of the charm and emotion from vocals. If you care about the musicality within your favorite songs, these sadly aren’t the cans for you.

If there’s anything to be said for the Earfun Tune Pro's audio quality, it’s that the max volume goes pretty loud, so you’re never going to struggle to hear songs even if you turn ANC off.

• Sound performance score: 2.5/5

Earfun Tune Pro: Value

(Image credit: Future)

Usually when qualifying the value of cheap headphones, I simply point to the price and say “yes”, but it’s not quite as easy as that for the Tune Pro.

While the headphones are admittedly very affordable, they’re not the only cheap headphones in existence, and others will get you more bang for your buck. That’s literal, with many other low-cost options getting you better audio quality.

The only other important factor is the feature set, which admittedly is pretty competitive on the Earfun Tune Pro. So if you aren’t that bothered about the sound and care more about longevity and the presence of an equalizer, these claw back some value points.

• Value score: 3.5/5

Earfun Tune Pro review: scorecard

Category

Comment

Score

Value

You get what you pay for, but you're not too far out of pocket for the Earfuns.

3.5/5

Design

The Tune Pro is a bit too big and bulky to be fully comfortable to wear, but it has 3.5mm.

3.5/5

Features

For budget cans, the feature set is solid. The battery life is laudable and the EQ (and its test) are too.

4/5

Sound

A range of issues with the audio quality makes it hard to award many points in this department.

2.5/5

Earfun Tune Pro: Should I buy?

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

You need lots of battery power

With 120 hours in the tank, the Earfun Tune Pro are great headphones for people who can't find themselves to a charging point every day, or simply forget to do so regularly.

The EQ tuner sounds useful

A listening test is a mode we don't often see in budget headphones, so if you want a digital way of improving your music, this may be enough to sway you.

You need headphones that fold down

Not every pair of headphones on the market folds down to be easily transportable, and some are really hard to fit in a bag. Not these Earfuns!

Don't buy them if...

You care about audio quality

It's unfair to say that audio quality is the only important factor of a pair of headphones... but if you prioritise sound-per-pound value, skip these particular Earfuns.

You have a large noggin

People with small heads may not have the uncomfortable wear problem that I did, but if your cranium is medium or large sized, you'll struggle to listen to the Earfuns for a few hours.

Also consider

Component

Earfun Tune Pro

1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51

Earfun Wave Pro

Water resistant

NA

NA

NA

Battery life

120 hours (ANC off) 80 hours (ANC on)

100 hours (ANC off) 65 hours (ANC on)

80 hours (ANC off) 55 hours (ANC on)

Bluetooth type

Bluetooth 5.4

Bluetooth 5.4

Bluetooth 5.3

Weight

289g

246g

268g

Driver

40mm + 10mm

40mm

40mm

Earfun Wave Pro

Everything we wanted the Tune to be: these cheap headphones cost pretty good, feel more comfortable to wear and mostly match the Tune's feature set. The battery life isn't as good though.

Read our full Earfun Wave Pro review

1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 

The cans that displaced the Wave Pro as our top-rated budget headphones. The 1More have good sound and great ANC, with a battery life that's not much shorter than the Earfun. However there are a few build concerns.

Read our full 1More Sonoflow Pro HQ51 review

How I tested

(Image credit: Future)

I used the Earfun Tune Pro for three weeks in order to write this review, and some extra time during the writing process itself.

During testing I used the Earfun alongside a few devices, most frequently my Android smartphone via Bluetooth but sometimes an iPod Classic via 3.5mm. Listening was generally music but I also listened to some some spoken-word, games and TV shows too. Testing was done at home and around my neighborhood.

I've been testing audio products for TechRadar for over 6 years and currently test several headphones or earbuds each month. This has included many past Earfun products – including the slightly older Wave Pro.

Read more about how we test

• First reviewed: June 2025

Lowepro Tahoe BP 150: two-minute review

The temptation for most photographers is to carry as much gear as possible. After all, you don’t want to get caught without the right kit for the situation. Many of the best camera bags will let you do exactly that: pack your entire arsenal of lenses and accessories, so you’ll never miss a shot.

That’s not what the Lowepro Tahoe BP 150 is about. This is a neatly packaged backpack with just enough space for your shooting essentials, plus a handful of extras. That limited capacity means most enthusiasts will need to leave a couple of lenses at home. But the pay-off is a pack that majors in portability.

It’s also one that balances functionality with affordability. One of the cheapest Lowepro backpacks you can buy, the Tahoe BP 150 is a no-nonsense solution for toting a lean photography setup on your travels. Impressively for the money, it’s also one that comes with very few compromises.

Image 1 of 3

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

The main compartment might be relatively modest, but clever division allows you to make the most of the available space. The top third is taken up by a zippered box pocket which is stitched in place, with a flexible base that can be moved using velcro tabs. So can the padded walls which structure the rest of the space.

Depending on what you shoot with, you’ll need to spend a bit of time playing with the position of these dividers to find a layout which best suits your setup. With some experimenting, you’ll discover that the Tahoe BP 150 can carry quite a lot more than you’d first expect, although a couple more of the small dividers would make the space even more versatile.

As it is, the bag can comfortably fit an APS-C mirrorless body with a prime lens attached, along with a telephoto and a standard zoom, plus a charger with room to spare. You could squeeze a pancake lens and a small flashgun in there, too. A larger DSLR body makes for more of an awkward fit, while enthusiasts with top-tier glass will find that the capacity soon evaporates.

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

This might be a backpack for traveling light, but Lowepro has still put thought into optimizing it. There’s an SD card slot on the inside of the main flap, while the front panel is angled slightly to create a usable space in the secondary pocket. That’s where you’ll find a key clip, accessory slots and a tablet sleeve that’s just big enough to fit a 13-inch MacBook Air.

There’s also a solution for traveling with tripods. Elasticated mesh pockets sit on either side of the pack, together with clips for securing tripods in place. Realistically, the shallow depth of the pockets means you wouldn’t want to risk keeping anything taller than a mini-tripod on the outside of the Tahoe BP 150.

The only design blunder to speak of is the position of the tripod clips. These fasten across the zipper for the main compartment, which means you have to undo them every time you want to access your camera kit. This isn’t a quick-access pack at the best of times, with a fair bit of unzipping needed to get at your gear. Having clips in the mix quickly becomes frustrating.

Still, the LowePro Tahoe BP 150 is otherwise a camera bag that hits the sweet spot of practicality, price and protection. Despite its compact dimensions, the shell benefits from padding in all the right places. Granted, I wouldn’t want it chucked around on a baggage carousel, but I never felt that my gear was at risk while wearing it.

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(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Image 2 of 3

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Image 3 of 3

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)

The same goes for the straps and back panel. This is far from a technical pack and you don’t get the kind of support or adjustment found on the Lowepro PhotoSport BP 24L AW III, but there’s enough cushioning to make the Tahoe BP 150 comfortable to carry fully loaded on a journey.

From the zips to the seams, the whole thing feels durable. That’s not a surprise from Lowepro, but it’s a welcome fact for the price. And it’s all the more impressive when you consider that the Tahoe BP 150 weighs just 800g, making it one of the lightest camera bags you can buy.

The one thing missing is a rain cover. The backpack is water-resistant enough to shake off a summer shower, but it’s not fully waterproof. Then again, given how affordable it is, you could always buy a third-party rain cover if you’re worried about downpours.

If you want an unfussy backpack with minimal bloat and travel-friendly dimensions, it’s hard to go wrong with the LowePro Tahoe BP 150. Other camera bags might be bigger and more adaptable, but this one gets the basics right at the right price.

Lowepro Tahoe BP 150 review: price

The Lowepro Tahoe BP 150 has been available to buy since 2015. At launch, it was priced around $95 / £85 / AU$175. The backpack’s price has dropped several times over the last few years and it can now be found online for around $75 / £65 / AU$100.

A quick look at price tracking websites also confirms that the Lowepro Tahoe BP 150 is regularly discounted during sale events, such as Amazon Prime Day. It’s already a great-value camera bag, but if you want an even better deal, we suggest holding out in case it’s reduced again in the next seasonal sale.

The Lowepro Tahoe BP 150 is available in four color variations: blue (as tested here), black, red and green (which features urban camouflage pattern detailing).

Lowepro Tahoe BP 150 review: specs

External dimensions

27.5 x 21.7 x 40.3cm

Internal dimensions

25.5 x 12.8 x 36cm

Weight

800g

Total volume

11L

Carry-on friendly

Yes

Tablet sleeve

Yes

Waterproofing

Water-resistant

 Should I buy the Lowepro Tahoe BP 150? 

(Image credit: Chris Rowlands)Buy it if...

You’re on a tight budget
Reasonably priced and often discounted, the Lowepro Tahoe 150 is the best-value camera bag you can buy. You won’t find a quality backpack with the same features for less.

You have a compact setup
Tidily designed with no wasted space, the Tahoe 150’s internal velcro dividers can be rearranged to fit an APS-C mirrorless camera body, plus a couple of lenses and accessories.

You travel with your camera
Padded straps make the Tahoe 150 a comfortable bag to carry. A lightweight build doesn’t add much to the load, while its compact dimensions meet most airline carry-on restrictions.

Don't buy it if...

You have a lot of gear
The Tahoe 150 is designed for traveling light. Photographers with a lot of gear will find its storage capacity too modest to fit their full setup, especially with larger lenses.

You use large tripods
Mesh pockets and securing clips mean you can stash mini tripods on the outside of the Tahoe BP 150, but this isn’t a practical solution for carrying full-size stands.

You shoot in all weathers
The Tahoe BP 150’s padded body has enough water-resistance to shield your gear from unexpected showers, but it’s not fully waterproof. You’ll need to look elsewhere for total protection.

Lowepro Tahoe BP 150 review: Also consider

Lowepro Tahoe 150

Lowepro PhotoSport BP 24L AW III

Mindshift Backlight 26L

External dimensions

27.5 x 21.7 x 40.3cm

27 x 22 x 50cm

29 x 51.5 x 20cm

Internal dimensions

25.5 x 12.8 x 36cm

26 x 13 x 48cm

26 x 49 x 15cm

Weight

800g

1500g

1800g

Total volume

11L

24L

26L

Carry-on friendly

Yes

Yes

Yes

Tablet sleeve

Yes

No

Yes

Waterproofing

Water-resistant

Rain cover

Rain cover

Lowepro PhotoSport BP 24L AW III
Another lightweight camera backpack from Lowepro, the PhotoSport BP 24L AW III is a premium solution for adventurous photographers. Technical straps and back support mean it’s comfortable to trek with. The padded insert has limited capacity, but packing space and a rain cover make it a good choice for expeditions.
Read more in our in-depth Lowepro PhotoSport BP 24L AW III review

Mindshift Backlight 26L
If you want a camera backpack with more capacity, the Mindshift Backlight 26L is a functional solution for toting your gear. Its main compartment has plenty of space, while a device sleeve, bottle pockets and nine liters of personal storage mean you don’t have to pack light for your trip.
Read more in our in-depth Mindshift Backlight 26L review

How I tested the Lowepro Tahoe 150

• Packed with a DSLR and two lenses, plus accessories
• Carried around daily for a fortnight
• Wore in all weather conditions

When testing the Lowepro Tahoe BP 150, my aim was to assess its real-world practicality for different photographers. That started with loading it up. To get an idea of its true capacity, I played around with fitting both APS-C and DSLR shooting setups into it. I re-arranged the internal dividers several times, to see what combinations of camera body, lenses and accessories it could take.

I also packed out the Tahoe BP 150 with as many accessories as possible, including a mini trip on the side and a laptop in the front sleeve. This was partly to see just how much gear it was realistically able to accommodate, but also to get a feel for how comfortable the bag was to carry when fully laden.

With that in mind, I walked with the Lowepro on my back every day for a few weeks. This first-hand experience gave me a genuine impression of what the Tahoe BP 150 is like to work and travel with, including how easy it is to access the various pockets and compartments on the move. I also wore the backpack in different weather conditions, to put its water-resistance to the test.

First reviewed June 2025

Razer Basilisk Mobile: Two-minute review

The Basilisk Mobile is a wireless gaming mouse in Razer’s line of ergonomically focused peripherals, but with a smaller form factor than usual. Its looks stay true to the brand’s current design language, with minimal gamer stylings, appearing more understated than its past peripherals. There’s a small and subtle logo at the back that allows the RGB lighting to shine through, which is quite inconspicuous compared to other examples.

It has a sleek form that is aided by the matte finish of its soft-touch material, which also makes it pleasant to hold, thanks to the slightly grainy texture it provides. There’s a more prominent texture on the sides, although this doesn’t provide as much traction as some of the best gaming mouse grips.

Although it’s quite short, the Basilisk Mobile is still reasonably wide and tall, especially at the rear, which makes it more of a satisfying handful than I was expecting. This somewhat calls into question its portability credentials, as in reality I didn’t find it any easier to transport than your typical gaming mouse. Still, its smaller profile may well be a boon for those with smaller hands.

It also features a fairly sharp hump at the rear end, which forces a V-shaped grip from your hand, as the mouse buttons rake downwards at a steep angle as well. This may or may not be to your liking; personally, I found it comfortable for my play style.

The Basilisk Mobile can be customized using Razer’s Synapse 4 software. Here you’ll find plenty of tweaks and options to play around with, from RGB settings to button remapping, the latter of which contains an inordinate selection of shortcut functions and features. Unfortunately, there’s little in the way of performance-related settings, which will disappoint those after elite-level tinkering.

(Image credit: Future)

In action, though, the Basilisk Mobile performs with aplomb. It glides effortlessly and smoothly, while clicks are snappy and precise, offering plenty of speed and feedback. They’re also slightly more damped than your typical gaming mouse, resulting in a more satisfying thud when you hammer down on them.

The Basilisk Mobile also has three side buttons, all of which have a surprising amount of dampening and travel to them, which makes them more tactile and therefore better to use than those adorning other gaming mice.

The scroll wheel is similarly proficient. The notching is smooth, which makes it easy to use, although it might be a little too loose for those after more controlled flicks. It also features a button to release the notching altogether and allow for unimpeded spinning, useful when navigating large menus and the like. There’s also a scroll tilt function, but this is a little awkward to use given the minimal protrusion of the wheel itself between the two mouse buttons.

(Image credit: Future)

However, it has an excellent middle click, offering plenty of depth and dampening, while at the same time being quick and effortless to actuate. It’s also stable enough to prevent misscrolling.

Connecting via both Bluetooth and 2.4GHz proved easy, and hot-switching between them is quick thanks to the underside selector. I had no issues in terms of responsiveness or lag in either mode.

The battery dropped to 70% after two days of varied use between 2.4GHz and Bluetooth modes, which isn’t a particularly impressive figure, and seems to undermine Razer’s claimed figure of 105 hours. Still, it’s enough to make wireless play practical.

With a sub-$100 price tag, the Basilisk Mobile is well-priced when stacked up next to its rivals, many of which exceed this threshold. It’s about the same as the Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed, which arguably has better gaming performance, but lacks features and Bluetooth capability.

Considering its button selection, build quality, customization options, performance and wireless connectivity modes, the Basilisk Mobile makes a compelling argument for your next pointer. Just ignore the portability aspect and it makes more sense.

(Image credit: Future)Razer Basilisk Mobile review: Price & availability

• $89.99 / £89.99 / AU$169.95
• Available now in black only
• Cheaper than rivals

The Basilisk Mobile costs $89.99 / £89.99 / AU$169.95 and is available now in black only. It comes with a 2.4GHz USB dongle and a USB cable, but no spare skates.

This is cheaper than many other gaming mice with multiple wireless options. It’s close to the same price as the Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed, which is a full-size mouse that’s more basic and focused on gaming performance rather than features, but in the former department, it excels.

If you’re looking for a considerably more budget offering, though, the Cooler Master MM311 is just about the best wireless gaming mouse in this category. It doesn’t have a rechargeable battery or Bluetooth, but in all other regards it's an incredible pointer for the money.

Razer Basilisk Mobile review: Specs

Interface

Wired (USB-C-to-A), wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth)

Ergonomics

Right-handed asymmetrical

Buttons

10

DPI

Up to 18,000

Switches

Optical Mouse Switches Gen-3

Weight

2.68 oz (76g)

Should I buy the Razer Basilisk Mobile?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

The Basilisk Mobile is cheaper than quite a few rivals with similar specs, making it good value in comparison.

4 / 5

Design

The Basilisk Mobile is built to Razer’s typically high standards, and the soft-touch finish is great in the hand – but I’m not sure it’s any more portable than a standard gaming mouse.

4 / 5

Performance

The Basilisk Mobile glides as smooth as silk, and all the buttons are responsive and very satisfying. Some performance-enhancing features are missing, though.

4 / 5

Overall

The Basilisk Mobile is a good value gaming mouse compared to its rivals, and its terrific build quality and enjoyable performance make it a great choice for any gamer, whether you’re on the go or not.

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You want a high-quality construction
The build quality of the Basilisk Mobile is top drawer, and the free-spinning, tiltable scroll wheel and third side button make it versatile as well.

You want great performance
The Basilisk Mobile glides effortlessly and has snappy clicks, while there’s plenty of tactility from its other buttons, too.

Don't buy it if...

You want a solid scroll wheel
The notching on the scroll wheel might be a little too loose for some, reducing its single-flick effectiveness.

You have large hands
I reckon the Basilisk Mobile is thick and wide enough to accommodate most hands, but its short length might not suit everyone.

Razer Basilisk Mobile review: Also consider

Razer Basilisk Mobile

Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed

Cooler Master MM311

Price

$89.99 / £89.99 / AU$169.95

$99.99 / £99.99 / AU$179.95

$39 (about £31 / AU$59)

Interface

Wired (USB-C-to-A), wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth)

Wireless (2.4GHz), wired (USB-C-to-A)

Wireless (2.4GHz), wired (USB-C-to-A)

Ergonomics

Right-handed asymmetrical

Right-handed asymmetrical

Right-handed symmetrical

Buttons

10

6

6

DPI

18,000

26,000

10,000

Switches

Razer Optical Mouse Switches Gen-3

Razer Optical Mouse Switches Gen-3

Mechanical switches

Weight

2.68 oz (76g)

1.9oz (55g)

2.7oz (77g)

Razer DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed
The DeathAdder V3 Hyperspeed is larger than the Basilisk Mobile, but it’s even lighter and performs brilliantly. What’s more, it's about the same price as the Basilisk Mobile. However, it doesn’t have as many buttons or Bluetooth support, which might be dealbreakers depending on how much you value those aspects. Read our full Razer DeathAdder V3 HyperSpeed review.

Cooler Master MM311
The best budget gaming mouse as far as we’re concerned, the MM311 has performance and a very low price point. It doesn’t have a rechargeable battery or Bluetooth support, but if these two drawbacks don’t bother you, you’ll be hard pressed to find a better value gaming mouse than this. Read our full Cooler Master MM311 review.

How I tested the Razer Basilisk Mobile

• Tested for several days
• Used for gaming and working
• Extensive gaming mouse experience

I tested the Basilisk Mobile for several days, during which time I used it for gaming, working, and general browsing.

I played games such as Counter-Strike 2, which provides the ideal environment for putting peripherals through their paces, as it reveals just how fast and accurate they truly are in battle.

I’ve been PC gaming for over a decade, and during that time I’ve gained experience of using a great number of mice. I’ve also reviewed many across a broad spectrum of brands, form factors, features, and price points.

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

Contour Design Unimouse: Two-minute review

The Contour Design Unimouse is an ergonomic mouse with an adjustable design, allowing users to get the right fit to match their personal preferences.

It has a functional appearance, although it's sleek and inoffensive enough to fit in any environment, whether that’s the office of the home. The materials also feel premium, from the plastic chassis to the texturized padding on outside edge.

The form factor is large: bigger than many of the best mouse options around. This means those with smaller hands may struggle to use it, although I can say that I found it to be the right size for me, and my hands aren’t particularly large.

The split-folding design of the Unimouse means you can adjust the angle of the contact surface between 35 and 70 degrees, which I found to be enough for providing meaningful differences in grip style. However, those looking for a flatter, more traditional position might not find this to their liking; although it might be argued that such users wouldn’t be in the market for an ergonomic mouse in the first place.

The hinge mechanism for adjusting this angle can be quite stiff, meaning it doesn’t operate all that smoothly. Still, it remains completely stable while in place, and I experienced no wobbling at all while using it.

(Image credit: Future)

These two points can also be made of the thumb grip. It rotates on a ball to allow for multiple planes of adjustment, resulting in a wide range of available positions. It also allows you to hold the Unimouse loosely – a feature all the best ergonomic mice share, and results in a more relaxed, strain-free experience.

The mouse buttons are large, and are easy to use as a result. There are three of them, with the one in the center acting as a middle click (the scroll wheel also has this function), although this default binding can be changed in the customization software.

The Unimouse also features two side buttons, although these are placed too far back, which means you can’t easily and quickly navigate between web pages, for example. The placement of the DPI button is also inconvenient, being inaccessible while your hand is on the mouse, since it’s tucked away on the bottom portion of the body.

The Unimouse can be customized using the Contour Design’s software tool, available for Windows and macOS, which allows for a pleasing number of productivity-based tweaks. You can change the DPI setting from here as well, in addition to the cursor acceleration and scroll speed.

There are a generous amount of remapping options too, with a few media and system functions available for assignment, including the ability to run applications of your choosing. You can also create application-specific profiles for your rebinds.

Additionally, keystrokes are assignable, with the option to map multiple keys in combination with modifiers to a single button. Unfortunately, though, the scroll function of the wheel can only be reassigned to control volume.

There are other issues with the software, too. I experienced crashes on a few occasions, and the firmware update for the wireless dongle was plagued with failed attempts and frustrating pop-up notifications.

(Image credit: Future)

Thankfully, the overall performance of the Unimouse is much more pleasant. It glides smoothly despite its relative heft, as it’s lighter than it appears. The buttons are easy to actuate and provide enough feedback, although scrolling is a little too notched for my liking, lacking the precision and effortless action of other mouse wheels I’ve experienced.

It also lacks a free-spin function, so you’re locked in at the rate its notches provide. Even though, as previously mentioned, the software does allow you to alter the scrolling speed, this still doesn’t make it any smoother.

Setting up a wireless connection wasn’t the most seamless experience, either. Having tested it on two separate devices, one Windows 10 and the other Windows 11, the Unimouse failed to connect on first attempt.

To get it working, I had to toggle the power button underneath off and on. I'll admit this is a minor issue, but it’s more bothersome if you plan on using the Unimouse with multiple devices.

On that note, it’s also a shame that there’s no Bluetooth option, which would have made hot-switching between devices all the more amenable. However, I have to say that once I established a connection between the Unimouse and my devices I didn’t experience any lag or issues with responsiveness.

After a full day of use, the Unimouse dropped a single LED on its battery life indicator, meaning it had between 61-80% left (I suspect it was much closer to the latter figure). Losing 20% after a day isn’t terribly impressive, but at least the Unimouse comes with a USB cable for wired connectivity, allowing you to charge and work simultaneously.

At £87, the Unimouse is more expensive than many other ergonomic mice. They may have higher list prices, but can often be found with discounts, so here’s hoping that will also be the case with the Unimouse.

But the ace up the Unimouse’s sleeve is its physical adjustability, which even the best ergonomic mice lack, such as the Lift and the MX Master 3S, for instance. Combined with its software customizations, this elevates the Unimouse to a better value proposition than it otherwise would be, and may make sense for those craving an adjustable mouse. Just make sure you can fit your hand around it.

(Image credit: Future)Contour Design Unimouse review: Price & availability

• £87 (about $100 / AU$170)
• Available now for left and right-handers
• Expensive compared to rivals

In the UK the Unimouse is available now direct from Contour Design for £87, although we have seen it slightly cheaper on Amazon. In the US and Australia it's available from Amazon for around $100 / AU$170. There are right and left-handed variants, and a wired model also exists, but this is only marginally less expensive.

This makes the Unimouse quite expensive relative to other ergonomic mice. It faces plenty of competition, chiefly from Logitech’s various lines of ergonomic mice, such as the MX and the Lift.

While some of these may have a higher list price, they can often be found with strong discounts. However, these lack the physical adjustability of the Unimouse, which might swing it for you depending on how much you value this quality.

Contour Design Unimouse review: Specs

Interface

Wireless (2.4GHz), wired (USB-C-to-A)

Ergonomics

Right or left-handed asymmetrical

Buttons

7

DPI

Up to 4,000

Switches

Not stated

Weight

5oz / 141g

Should I buy the Razer Contour Design Unimouse?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

The Unimouse is expensive compared to other ergonomic mice, although its various adjustments set it apart from the competition.

3.5 / 5

Design

The Unimouse is well made, although a few design choices let the side down. The software is useful, but this also has its sticking points.

3.5 / 5

Performance

The Unimouse does its job admirably and without fuss. The adjustments cater to individual grip styles quite well, too.

4 / 5

Overall

The Unimouse is a capable and comfortable ergonomic mouse. It may be pricey, but its malleability makes a strong case itself – you’ll just have to decide how much this means to you, and whether its size will be a fit for your hand.

3.5 / 5

Buy it if...

You want physical adjustability
One of the unique features of the Unimouse is the ability to alter its angle and thumb grip position, both of which are easy to do and make it more amenable to different styles.

You want to customize inputs
The software tool for the Unimouse offers plenty of useful rebinding options, as well as various motion and movement tweaks.

Don't buy it if...

You have smaller hands
The Unimouse is unquestionably large, so those with smaller hands might have a hard time getting a grip on it.

You want to the best software
The tool for the Unimouse offers a plentiful selection of customizations, but it’s prone to a few bugs and UI issues.

Contour Design Unimouse review: Also consider

Contour Design Unimouse

Logitech MX Master 3S

Logitech Lift

Price

Wireless (2.4GHz), wired (USB-C-to-A)

Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), wired (USB-C-to-A)

Wireless (2.4GHz, Bluetooth), wired (USB-C-to-A)

Interface

Right or left-handed asymmetrical

Right-handed asymmetrical

Right or left-handed asymmetrical

Buttons

7

7

6

DPI

4,000

8,000

4,000

Switches

Not stated

Not stated

Not stated

Weight

1.9oz / 55g

5oz / 141g

4.4oz / 125g

Logitech MX Master 3S
The MX Master 3S is one of the best all-round mice there is. It’s comfortable and performs very well. However, as with the Unimouse, it’s best suited for those with larger hands, and left-handers are left out altogether. It’s nominally more expensive than the Unimouse, but we’ve seen it for a lot less. Read our full Logitech MX Master 3S review.

Logitech Lift Ergonomic Vertical Mouse
Another Logitech pointer, the Lift is a fully-fledged ergonomic mouse, with its totally upright design. Again, though, the angle of its verticality can’t be changed, as it can with the Unimouse. Read our full Logitech Lift review.

How I tested the Contour Design Unimouse

• Tested for a full day
• Used for work and general browsing
• Plentiful mouse reviewing experience

I tested the Unimouse for a full day, during which time I used it for working and for general browsing. I made sure to try out all of its available adjustments, and also used as many functions and features present in its customization software.

I have experience reviewing mice, ranging in size, purpose, and price point. I have used all kinds of mice throughout my life, for work as well as play.

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

Deltarune fans have been waiting over five years for the release of the third chapter in developer Toby Fox's role-playing game, but the wait is finally over. To coincide with the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, Fox has released not one but two more (of the seven total) chapters of the indie gem, with the four chapters releasing as a launch title for Nintendo's long-awaited console.

Review info

Platform reviewed: Nintendo Switch 2
Available on: Nintendo Switch 2, Nintendo Switch, PS5, PS4, PC
Release date: June 4, 2025 (June 5, 2025 for Nintendo Switch 2)

Both were well worth the wait. Fox's charming adventure is the perfect companion for the new console, offering a surreal, personable world (well, worlds) filled to the brim with memorable, chaotic characters, brilliant writing, and tons of heart. Undertale fans will find a lot of familiarity here.

But, thanks to the overhauled battle system, the addition of party members, and a cast of bizarre new (and returning) characters, Deltarune is as welcoming for new players as it is for long-time Fox fans.

After over 15 hours with Deltarune, I'm itching for more – to return to its bewitching world and the characters I've grown to love across its four chapters. The wait for the last three chapters, likely to be released one to two years apart, is going to be excruciating.

Wake up

(Image credit: Toby Fox)

Straight off the bat, Deltarune lets you know this is not a story you have much control over. You begin Chapter 1, creating your "vessel," choosing their arms, head, legs, and... uh... favorite blood type.

It feels a bit fishy, but hey, if it's anything like Undertale, I knew to be prepared for weirdness. And I was right. Upon finishing your character, it's discarded: "No one chooses who they are in this world," a mysterious voice tells you.

Best bit

(Image credit: Toby Fox)

Those who played Undertale will find a lot of references to its universe in Deltarune. From characters like Toriel and Alphys to in-game item references (the sign in Kris' hallways says: "It's you") and even the name "Deltrarune" (an anagram of Undertale), there's a clear connection between the two worlds.

Instead, you're Kris, child of Undertale's Toriel, except the Undertale and Deltarune universes are not directly connected. They're parallel, with characters and references to Undertale appearing throughout Deltarune, but this Toriel is not the same as the one we knew.

This Toriel is Kris' doting mother, ushering him to school, where he's late. The punishment? Being teamed up for a group project with Susie, the class bully/badass monster. Sent on a mission by their teacher, Alphys, to find chalk (Susie ate it), the pair stumble across a closet that leads to the Dark World, where they meet adorable dork (and prince) Ralsei, who tells them they're part of a prophecy. Kris, Susie, and Ralsei are the Lightners, the heroes that will seal the Dark Fountains prophesied to destroy the world (both light and dark).

Across the three chapters, Susie, Ralsei, and Kris make their way through unique Dark Worlds to seal the fountains, meeting peculiar (and often hilarious) characters on their way and uncovering more about the link between the Dark and Light worlds.

Friend or foe?

(Image credit: Toby Fox)

The juxtaposition between Deltarune's Light and Dark Worlds is palpable. The Light World is an idyllic town with a diner, hospital, school, library, and friendly animal-like inhabitants (some of which will be familiar faces to Undertale fans.) Once Kris and Susie enter the Dark World, however, things get much weirder.

Chapter one sees Kris, Susie, and now Ralsei facing off against perhaps the worst bad guy in history – and I don't mean that in a ‘he's so fearsome’ way. Lancer, the young son of a tyrant king, tries his best to intimidate the heroes but spectacularly fails again and again, eventually having to get help from Susie. The writing throughout Deltarune is laugh-out-loud funny, with each character bubbling with personality and acting in unpredictable, unique ways.

For example, grumpy Susie initially hates being a hero and tries to pummel any characters you encounter – regardless of whether you want her to. But, as Ralsei warns you early on, acts of kindness are the most profitable in this game. You're actively encouraged to show mercy to the weird and wonderful ‘enemies’ you encounter. "Nah," says Susie.

(Image credit: Toby Fox)

But, throughout the four chapters, you grow to love Susie as she gradually lowers her walls, learns to be a ‘good’ hero, and awkwardly courts her crush, school nerd Noelle. Likewise, all the returning characters develop through the four chapters, opening up about their backgrounds, insecurities, and more. So, by the end of chapter four, I felt I knew these characters. These bizarre animal-like creatures were friends, I knew how they'd likely respond to something, what they'd say, or how they were feeling in a situation. They felt like real friends – a feeling I've not had with a game before.

So much of that is down to the writing. While there's a lot of it, and an auto-play feature would be helpful rather than clicking a button after each paragraph, the writing manages to capture and present the personalities of every character you meet seamlessly – both friends and foes. It never feels shoehorned, either.

You want to know more about each and every character because they're so interesting and unique, and you know the unveiling will likely have you laughing out loud. That's why you're so taken off guard when an emotional beat hits, like Susie's realization that her Darkner friends, Ralsei and Lancer, can't just go to school with her in the Light World. A tough pill to swallow when her Light World reality is much lonelier.

Alongside the writing, it's the design of Deltarune's characters and world that brings this adventure to life. Across the chapters, you'll go toe-to-toe with water coolers, mice, flamboyant weather people, and a three-headed cat that loves trees, boys, and sports as you traverse various Dark Worlds. In the first chapter, you work through a forest-like setting, the second sees you navigating a cyber world, the third takes you to a TV World (where you're a contestant on a deadly game show), and the fourth sees you working through a church-like setting. These pixelated worlds are stunning, with their atmospheres further boosted by unique, chiptune soundtracks. I dare you not to feel good listening to the Cyber City World tune.

Each of these worlds has its own, eccentric boss that you can't help but love. The bosses in chapters one to three are all pretty bad at their jobs and encounters with them result in some of the game's funniest moments, like chapter two's Queen who is obsessed with her "Sweetie Honey Darling Gravy" Noelle, but continually hides from her adoring peon Berdly. It's absurd, and utterly brilliant.

Acts of kindness

(Image credit: Toby Fox)

Ralsei's emphasis on acts of kindness is pivotal in Deltarune, because, unlike other RPGs, you are encouraged not to fight your opponents. This was a large part of Undertale's unique battle mechanics but is much more apparent here.

While Deltarune's encounters look similar to Undertale's and focus on turn-based combat, the battle system has been overhauled. Now, rather than fighting alone, you fight alongside your party members: Ralsei and Susie.

When you encounter an enemy, you're given several options: Fight, Act, Item, Spare, or Defend. While you can fight enemies, you ideally shouldn't. Not only is that because it's not quite in line with the game's ethos, but also because the foes you are kind to, and ultimately spare, can be recruited (officially in chapters two to four), with recruited allies helping you out in some way in the chapter's endgame. The recruited allies also move to Castle Town, your Dark World town base, with some building new shops you can take advantage of.

So, how do you win? Well, you kill them with kindness. By that, I mean, you use your turn to make each of your party members Act, which can involve flirting, talking, or complimenting your opponent, and increasing the Mercy meter of the enemy until they reach 100, allowing you to Spare and recruit them. Alternatively, you can tire them out and use Ralsei’s Pacify magic ability to spare them.

These enemies won't go easy on you during the encounter, however. They attack using the Bullet Board seen in Undertale. While in the Bullet Board, you must move around your soul (a heart icon) to avoid the enemy's bullet hell attacks. If you can Graze the bullets, and get close to them without getting hit, a white heart icon appears, and you gain TP (Tension Points) that allow you to use more powerful Acts and Magic.

(Image credit: Toby Fox)

The Bullet Board can be hard to get to grips with. While you're encouraged to move bit by bit, avoiding the bullets can be near impossible at times – potentially because the Switch 2’s controls are less accurate than a mouse and keyboard. It's a frustrating mechanic that I disliked in Undertale, too, but a critical aspect of all encounters.

What I do like is the extra mini-games that can crop up in encounters, like an ability that requires you to catch the mouse to increase the mercy bar, or to "knock the socks" off an enemy by shooting its... socks.

In between turns, your opponent will likely say and do ridiculous things, which makes these encounters much more entertaining as, especially in chapter one, they can feel a bit repetitive. Fortunately, unlike Undertale, Deltarune doesn't have random encounters, but chapter one's battles definitely get repetitive after a while. This issue eases up a bit in the following chapters, though, with fewer of the same enemy types and the recruit feature offering an incentive to work toward.

It feels like Deltarune finds its footing in chapters two to four and addresses any concerns about repetition we may have had in chapter one. As you progress through chapters, you come across new tools to use, Magic to utilize, and different obstacles and mini-games to complete, making each chapter feel unique but familiar.

Dark vs. Light

(Image credit: Toby Fox)

I can't sing Deltarune's praises loud enough. Toby Fox has created a refreshing witty, charming adventure that isn't afraid to be tongue-in-cheek and weird. At the same time, Deltarune's full of heart. Its emphasis is on the power of kindness and empathy for others, but its benevolent message is wrapped in a bizarre, coming-of-age RPG that is a joy to play.

There's no denying Undertale is the foundation upon which Deltarune is built, and the memorable pixelated gem Fox is building on that foundation is a stroke of genius. Keeping up that momentum across the next three chapters, however, will be the real challenge. And for fans like me, the years of waiting between them will be just as difficult.

Should I play Deltarune?Play it if…

You love narrative-driven games with interesting characters
Deltarune has some of the best character development I've seen in a game. From the heroes themselves to the random enemy encounters, and bosses, every character is memorable and brimming with personality. If you want to sink your teeth into a story where the characters are the heart of the adventure, you can't go wrong here.

You want a lot of variety
Deltarune's four chapters offer unique characters, bosses, worlds, music, and mechanics, so if you want one game that almost feels like four different ones in a single package, it's well worth picking this up.

Don’t play it if…

You hate bullet hell games
As explained, the Bullet Board mechanic in Deltarune's encounters is tough to navigate. This is a bullet hell game, even if you take the path of kindness, so if you don't like that genre, or prefer unchallenging games, this may not be for you.

You don't want to wait for the whole story
Deltarune is an episodic RPG, consisting of seven chapters. Right now, only chapters one to four are available, with chapter five due to release in 2026 and the remaining chapters' release date TBC. If you want to play the entire thing at once, maybe hold off until every chapter has been released – though you'll be waiting a while.View Deal

Accessibility

Deltarune offers a few simple (but welcome) accessibility options. In the Config menu, you can select 'Controls' to remap the controls to a configuration best suited to your needs.

The Config menu also offers the ability to enable Auto-Run, which I advise for everyone. By default, Auto Run is toggled off, requiring you to hold the run button (B on Switch 2) to run. Kris moves slowly, but this can also prove tricky for those with dexterity issues. Enabling Auto Run means Kris runs everywhere without the need to hold the button.

I would have loved to see more accessibility options, especially for encounters. Some moves during encounters require you to quickly move the left toggle back and forth of the button bash, which proved especially challenging for me due to a recent wrist/thumb injury. The ability to hold a button or auto-complete these actions would be ideal.

How I reviewed Deltarune

I played Deltarune for 15 hours, with each of the four chapters taking around three to four hours to complete.

While I focused on the main story, I made sure to take the time to explore the game's various side routes where possible. Having previously completed Undertale, I was able to compare this game to Toby Fox's previous offering to give insight into the key similarities and differences between Deltarune and Undertale.

I reviewed Deltarune Chapters 1-4 on Nintendo Switch 2 with a Nintendo Switch 2 Pro controller, primarily playing in the console's TV mode with my Samsung Q80T QLED TV. I occasionally switched between the Pro and the Joy-Con 2 Charging Grip but found the Pro controller to be much more comfortable to use.

First reviewed June 2025

Dyson Cool CF1 desk fan: two-minute review

The Dyson Cool CF1 desk fan is the latest generation of the brand’s original bladeless fan, boasting some upgraded features in a desktop format. As one would expect from the brand, the Dyson Cool CF1 is firmly at the premium end of the desktop fan scale, with a list price of £249.99. We’re still waiting on pricing and launch specifics, and will update as we learn more, but so far we know that the Cool CF1 won’t be available in Australia until later in 2025, or in the US until 2026.

Setting up the Dyson Cool CF1 was simple, as it comes in just two parts – though the rotating base made it a little tricky for me to click the loop amplifier into place. I had mixed feelings about whether it makes a suitable desk fan, as the 14-inch / 360mm loop amplifier could prove a tight squeeze on smaller desks or nightstands. That being said, the height and compact diameter of the fan’s base meant I had no issues incorporating it into my workstation.

(Image credit: Future)

The Cool CF1 desk fan has a clean and modern aesthetic, making it instantly recognisable as a Dyson. I liked the combination of the satin silver and gloss white finishes, but found it needed regular dusting, though this can often be the case, even with the best fans.

With 10 fan speeds, sleep mode, oscillation, and a timer, there were plenty of features to play with. The Cool CF1 doesn’t have any smart capabilities, though, so I had to rely on the onboard buttons and the remote control. Both proved simple to use when operating the Cool CF1, but the responsiveness when using the remote was inconsistent, especially if I wasn’t pointing it at the fan head-on.

In terms of the overall performance of the Dyson Cool CF1, it did a great job. The airflow was smooth and proved very efficient as it helped me stay cool as I worked away in a stuffy office. I appreciated how easy it was to adjust the angle of the fan, giving me more control over the direction of the airflow.

(Image credit: Future)

I was very pleased with how quiet the Cool CF1 was, with sound levels ranging from whisper-quiet at speed one to moderate rainfall on the highest speed setting, which is particularly impressive considering how strong the airflow is. While the Cool CF1 sounds a little unusual while oscillating, I had no problem dropping off when using sleep mode.

If you’re a diehard Dyson fan, you definitely won’t be disappointed with the Cool CF1. It has the classic Dyson aesthetic, plus it quickly and quietly delivers efficient cooling. The remote could be better, and I’d have liked to see a companion app for more convenient control at this price point, but the great performance from the fan itself means it’s still a worthwhile investment.

Dyson Cool CF1 desk fan review: price & availability

• List price: $TBA / £249.99
• Launch date: May 2025 (UK)
• Available now in the UK. US and Australia release dates TBA

Released in the UK in June 2025, the Dyson Cool CF1 desk fan has a list price of £249.99 and is available for purchase at Dyson, John Lewis, and AO. In terms of availability in other regions, all we know so far is that the Cool CF1 won’t be available until later in 2025 in Australia and 2026 in the US. I’ll provide an update as soon as I learn more about the specific release dates and pricing.

This is a pretty premium price tag for a desk fan, though this likely won’t come as a surprise if you’re already familiar with the brand. I must admit I’ve found some Dyson offerings to be somewhat overpriced in the past, and I can’t say I’d want to pay this for a desk fan myself, but the build quality and performance of the Cool CF1 are worth the cost if it’s within your budget.

There are far cheaper options out there that can still help you chill out at your desk, like the bladed MeacoFan Sefte 8in Portable Air Circulator, for those in the UK, though the cheaper price comes with compromises; namely that it’s heavier, only offers 90-degree oscillation, and it’s nowhere near as attractive.

• Value for money score: 4 out of 5

Dyson Cool CF1 desk fan review: specs

Type

Bladeless desk fan

Speeds

10

Oscillation

15, 40, 70 degrees

Timer

Yes

Dimensions

5.9 x 14.2 x 217 inches / 150 x 360 x 550mm

Weight

4lb / 1.8kg

Control

Onboard buttons and remote control

Timer

Yes

Additional modes

Sleep mode

Dyson Cool CF1 desk fan review: design and features

• Sleek and modern aesthetic
• Collects dust and fibers
• Basic but easy-to-use controls

The Dyson Cool CF1 comes in just two parts, so it was pretty straightforward to set up. Assembling the fan was simple in theory, as all I needed to do was push the bottom of the circular loop amplifier onto the base unit and twist anti-clockwise until I heard a click. It proved a little trickier in practice, however, due to the rotating base and the glossy outer finish, but I got there eventually.

Apart from the inside of the ring, which is a satin-finished silver color, the Cool CF1 has a glossy white exterior. I tend to appreciate a gloss surface, as this finish tends to be easy to clean, which was fortunate in the case of the CF1, as it appeared to be statically charged and attracted any dust or fibers that happened to be in the vicinity. As easy as it was to clean, my efforts felt a little futile as it would gather more dust very quickly.

(Image credit: Future)

I’m on the fence about whether the 14-inch / 360mm diameter loop amplifier makes the CF1 a little impractical for a desk fan. I found it to be a bit of a space invader, but as it sits eight inches / 200mm off the tabletop on a base of just 5.9 inches / 150mm in diameter, I was able to fit it on my workstation and my nightstand. It is at least easier to accommodate than the old-school bladed fans I’ve owned over the years, and as it weighs 4lb / 1.8kg, it proved easier to move around, too.

In terms of onboard controls, there are two push buttons and a dial/button combo under the little LCD screen on the front of the fan's base. The two push buttons control sleep mode and oscillation, and the dial can be turned to cycle through the ten fan speeds or pushed to power the fan on or off.

(Image credit: Future)

A remote control is also included, so it was fairly easy to switch up the settings even when the fan wasn’t within reach. It offers the same functions as the onboard buttons, along with a button to cycle through the timer durations, which range from half an hour to eight hours.

The concept of the curved and magnetized Cool CF1 remote control is to stick it to the top of the fan. While this makes it easily accessible, it looks out of place and disrupts the sleek aesthetic, especially as each end of the remote is clear, showing the circuitry within. That being said, I still managed to forget where it was, so it clearly isn’t that much of an eyesore. Speaking of losing the remote, it’s a shame the Cool CF1 isn’t compatible with the MyDyson app, as it’d make life much easier for those times I’ve gotten comfy and realised the remote’s still sitting on top of the fan.

• Design score: 4 out of 5

Dyson Cool CF1 desk fan review: performance

• Satisfyingly strong airflow
• Patchy remote performance
• Quiet enough to fall asleep with

It didn’t take long to feel the cooling effects from the Dyson Cool CF1 on the lowest setting when I had it about 2 ft / 600mm away from me on my desk in our stuffy reviews office. As I’m only 5 ft 2 inches tall, I found that the stream of cold air hit me in the face, even if I adjusted the angle. While this was great for keeping my makeup from melting off my face, it proved a bit of a sensory nightmare for me, so I made good use of the oscillation.

The airflow felt smooth, and it was satisfyingly strong, to the point where I’m pretty sure it gave me brain freeze when I tried it on the highest setting. I tested how far away I could still feel a cool breeze on the lowest, highest, and middle fan speed settings, and found that it was still noticeable when I was 2ft / 600mm away from the CF1 on setting one, 7ft / 2m on setting five, and 11ft / 3.3m on setting ten.

The three oscillation choices were convenient for a desk fan, as I could choose the 15-degree option to keep the cool breeze around me, 70 degrees to circulate the air a little more, or 40 degrees for something in between. I did wish the CF1 could remember my last-used setting, though, as I had to cycle through each time.

(Image credit: Future)

It was really easy to tilt the fan upwards or downwards, even when it was oscillating. This simple angle adjustment proved a real asset, especially when using it next to my bed on warmer nights, as it allowed me to fine-tune the fan’s position for the maximum cooling effect.

The simple onboard controls and remote made it simple to control the Cool CF1. The dial mechanism felt pretty satisfying; there was clear feedback each time I bumped the fan up or down a speed, so I didn’t even need to look at the screen.

The magnetic hold on the remote control felt just right, as the remote would stick to the top of the fan even if I was a bit absent-minded when placing it down, but was still really easy to pick up again. I’ve got to say I wasn’t thrilled with the remote’s operation, however. I found that the fan didn’t respond at times, even at pretty close range, and this worsened if the fan was rotated away.

The timer function worked as expected, and I liked that I could easily view the time remaining at any point by pressing the timer button on the remote. It was easy to cancel the timer by double-clicking the button.

(Image credit: Future)

Noise level is an important consideration, especially at nighttime, which is why I always do a sleep test whenever I’m testing fans or a potential best air purifier. If I happened to be using a higher fan speed setting before toggling sleep mode, the Cool CF1 would drop to speed setting four. I was happy to find that I could still increase the fan speed when in sleep mode, and the display would still turn itself off, which bodes well if I need it on a particularly toasty night.

For context, I have a British king-size bed, roughly the size of a queen, for those in the US, and I placed the CF1 on the nightstand on the opposite side to where I was sleeping. As speed four was the default for sleep mode, I kept the fan at that setting and set the oscillation to forty degrees. I’m quite sensitive to sound, especially repetitive ones, so I picked up on the whirring from the oscillation, which sounded a bit like I was settling down inside a document scanner, but it wasn’t overly loud. In fact, this bedtime setup had a reading of just 35dB, which is the equivalent of a whisper, so I was able to drop off and sleep undisturbed.

I was very impressed with the sound levels in general, with the CF1 giving an impressively quiet reading of 27dB on the lowest setting. Even on its highest setting, which kicks out a lot of air, it was only emitting 45dB of sound, comparable to the sound of moderate rainfall, and just a meagre 5dB louder than the bladed MeacoFan 260c on its lowest fan speed.

• Performance score: 4.5 out of 5

Should I buy the Dyson Cool CF1 desk fan?

Section

Notes

Score

Value for money

This isn’t a desk fan for the budget-conscious, and there are certainly cheaper alternatives out there, but if you’re willing to pay the Dyson price tag, you’ll be more than happy with the overall quality and cooling performance.

4/5

Design & Features

Typically on-brand for Dyson, this fan looks well made, with a pleasingly sleek and modern aesthetic. It offers useful features to help fine-tune the airflow, but it loses a point for the lack of app connectivity and the slightly questionable design of the remote.

4/5

Performance

Aside from the hit-and-miss remote performance, I was really happy with the CF1. It produced a strong and consistent flow of air, which did a great job of cooling me down without making a racket.

4.5/5

Buy it if...

You want fine-tuned airflow
With 10 fan speeds, three oscillation settings, and adjustable vertical angles, it’s delightfully easy to get customized cooling.

You want a quiet night
The CF1 was whisper-quiet when I had it in sleep mode, and measured just 45dB when running full blast, making it a good choice for summer nights.

You love the Dyson aesthetic
With smooth lines and metallic elements, this fan is undeniably Dyson, so you can get a taste of the premium label without shelling out on one of the higher tech models.

Don't buy it if...

You’ve got limited surface space
This fan can’t be considered compact due to the wide loop amplifier. If your desktop and nightstand real estate is taken up by monitors or large lamps, I’d suggest looking at a floor-standing format like the Dreo Smart Tower Fan 519S instead.

You’re on a tight budget
While it’s currently the cheapest model in their air treatment range, this fan's price tag still comes with the Dyson premium. If you’re looking to save some pennies, I’d check out brands like Govee or Meaco, whose offerings won’t make such a dent in your wallet.

You like your products smart
At this price point, I can’t help but find it a little stingy that Dyson didn’t design the CF1 to be compatible with the MyDyson app, especially considering the disappointing remote performance.

Dyson Cool CF1 desk fan review: Also consider

Dyson Cool CF1

Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo

Shark TurboBlade

Price

$TBA / £249.99

$149.99 / £129.99

$299.99 / £249.99

Speed settings

10

5

10

Oscillation

Up to 70 degrees

No

Up to 180 degrees

Timer

Up to 8 hours

No

Up to 12 hours

Controls

Onboard push buttons and dial, remote control

Onboard buttons

Onboard button, remote control

Companion app

No

No

No

Additional modes

Sleep mode

Cordless up to 12 hours, Misting

Natural Breeze, Sleep Mode, BreezeBoost

Dimensions

5.9 x 14.2 x 217 inches / 150 x 360 x 550mm

8.7 x 8.4 x 11.5" / 22 x 21 x 29cm

11.8 x 31.6 x 44.8" / 300 x 800 x 1,120mm (max)

Weight

4lb / 1.8kg

4lb / 1.8kg

15lb / 8.8kg

Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo
Not only is this fan and mister combo compact enough to use as a desk fan, its cordless capabilities mean it can be used on the go, too. The pairing of the built-in battery, which offers up to 12 hours of use, and the misting function makes it a great choice for summer weather. If you’d like to learn more, why not take a look at our full Shark FlexBreeze HydroGo review?

Shark TurboBlade
If you want to save on desk space and would like a bladeless format without the price tag of a Dyson tower fan, then I suggest taking a look at the TurboBlade. It’s height adjustable, offers multi-directional airflow, and can oscillate up to 180 degrees, so you can really customize your cooling. Check out our full Shark TurboBlade review for more information.

How I tested the Dyson Cool CF1 desk fan

• I used the Dyson Cool CF1 in multiple locations
• I judged the setup process and how easy the fan was to use
• I evaluated the strength of the airflow and the sound levels

I used the Dyson Cool CF1 in our reviews office, my home office, and my bedroom for one week. I evaluated the assembly process and build quality closely before using it passively and in specific tests that allowed me to assess the available features.

I assessed the airflow by checking the distance I could still feel a good breeze on different settings. I used a decibel meter on my phone to check the noise levels, taking the readings from around 2ft / 600mm away, ensuring the fan wasn’t blowing directly into the microphone.

I checked the timer worked as expected, and tested out the sleep mode to see whether the Dyson Cool CF1 was quiet enough for me to be able to sleep well with it running overnight.

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

Anker Soundcore Liberty 5: two-minute review

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 are a modestly priced pair of stem-equipped wireless earbuds, aiming to offer “detail-rich” sound and silencing ANC. With a list price of $129 / £99 / AU$169, these buds are hardly short on competition. But they do a decent amount to stand out in what is a congested market.

One of the ways they do that is by offering a broad, rich suite of features. Whether it’s a preference EQ test, low-latency gaming mode, customizable touch controls or environment-specific ANC, there’s plenty to sink your teeth into. Of course, the adaptive ANC is a standout feature here. It’s not groundbreaking and I’ve experienced better noise-nixing capabilities from wireless earbuds, but external sounds are dulled effectively overall and there are lots of customization options.

That said, to compete with the best earbuds on the market, you need to sound good – in fact, the audio needs to be very good. And thankfully, the Liberty 5 do sound pretty solid overall. You can uncover substantial sonic detail – especially with LDAC deployed – plus booming bass and even a fair amount of breadth and separation when using Dolby Audio. Out of the box, the Liberty 5 do lack a modicum of neutrality, showing a clear preference for bass and treble (read: 'excitement' or 'zeal' over a more natural, faithful and integrated balance across the frequencies). The detail in musical passages and layering of instruments are unlikely to impress audiophiles either. However, it's all relative and for the price you pay, these buds meet the mark.

Something that’s not so impressive, though, is the Liberty 5’s design. I’m just not digging the plasticky housing and stem design. Touch controls, which are accessed via the stems, are fiddly and inconsistent too. You do, however, get a pretty cool sliding case and IP55 dust and waterproofing.

Other aspects that could be better include call quality, which is not exactly bad but not quite as “crystal-clear” as advertised. I also experienced a notable amount of sound leakage – though that’s pretty common for earbuds at this level.

Still, there’s a lot to like about the Liberty 5. My testing suggested battery life may not be as long as quoted, but you still get a decent amount of playtime. There’s a fit check option to get the best seal, a range of additional ear tips in the box and multi-point connectivity too.

All in all, I’d argue that the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 make for a decent pair of wireless earbuds, though their design flaws in particular hold them back from greatness. If you want an even cheaper option, I’d go for the similarly stemmed Earfun Air 2 NC which impressed me in the audio and noise cancelling department.

At a similar price you could instead get the Nothing Ear (a) – more on those later. And finally, if you’re willing to step it up a little bit, I absolutely love the Dolby Atmos-enabled LG Tone Free T90S, which you can grab on-sale close to the $180 / £150 mark. If the Liberty 5 see a significant price-slash at any of the upcoming sales events, I’m sure they’d be worth adding to your online shopping cart. But right now, you can do better for the money.

(Image credit: Future)Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 review: price and availability

• $129 / £99 / AU$169
• Launched in May 2025

The Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 launched in May 2025, just over two-and-a-half years after their predecessor, the Liberty 4. They have a list price of $129 / £99 / AU$169, but I wouldn’t be surprised if they were on sale in the not too distant future. Notably, you can grab the Liberty 5 in four different color options: Black; White; Blue; or Apricot. The color you select should have no bearing on price.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 review: specs

Drivers

9.2mm dynamic

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Battery life

Buds: 12 hours (8 hours with ANC on); Total with case: 48 hours (32 hours with ANC on)

Weight

4.6g

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.4

Frequency range

20Hz-20kHz

Waterproofing

IP55

(Image credit: Future)Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 review: features

• Customizable noise cancellation options…
• ...but actual ANC performance isn’t top-class
• Top-tier companion app

I want to start off with a big plus-point: I really love the Soundcore companion app – and as someone who has countless similar audio apps on my phone, it’s rare that I really love something priced at this level. Said app is laid out in a clean, user-friendly manner, with all of the crucial settings listed on a hub page and smaller nuggets up in a separate menu. I find some companion apps to be a bit slow or buggy – not this one.

So, let’s run through all of the key features you can find on the Soundcore app. There’s the classic inclusions like multi-point connectivity, a Find Device option if a pesky bud goes amiss, and customizable touch controls – something I’ll discuss more in the Design section.

But one of the key areas I want to focus on is EQ adjustment. Soundcore has really knocked it out of the park here; there are just so many ways to tailor the Liberty 5’s sound to your tastes. Firstly, there’s all the usual suspects – think Bass Booster and Bass Reducer, as well as genre-specific choices such as Classical and Dance. There’s also a Dolby Audio option (not Atmos) with music, podcast, or movie sub-options. Mobile gamers are in luck too: there’s a low-latency Gaming Mode that enhances the sounds of footsteps and voices – though you won’t be able to use this alongside the ‘hi-res’ Bluetooth codec, LDAC, which is a great inclusion.

And there’s more! You can even take a preference test, as seen on the Anker Soundcore Space One Pro, which presents a series of sound ‘A’ and ‘B’ options, and forges a bespoke sound for you based on the selections you make. Honestly, I think Soundcore is doing this better than all of its rivals – I even like this more than the preference-based EQ function on the Sony WH-1000XM6.

Of course, the main event here is active noise cancellation, but despite the Liberty 5’s admirable report card so far, this is where things take a slight dip. Is ANC bad on the Liberty 5? No, that would be harsh. But is it the best around? Also no: it’s acceptable, but no better.

When walking near a busy road, I could still hear vehicles going by, even in the 60-70% volume range. Sure, sounds were significantly dulled, but there was a touch more extraneous noise filtering in than I would’ve liked. Similarly, while working away in the office, chatter in an adjacent room was easily phased out, but low-level discussions from my colleagues would creep in. If you don’t need silence or near-silence at all times, the Liberty 5 will do just fine. But if you’re looking for S-tier noise-crushing capabilities, you’re gonna have to look some more.

Interestingly, you can adapt noise cancelling between one – the weakest, and five – the strongest, if you want to take a more balanced approach to listening. There’s a transparency calibration too, as well as a wind noise reducer and ANC modes for traveling via plane or car. If you’d like, you can even use Fit Test, to ensure you’re getting the perfect seal for shutting out the world around you.

Finally, Soundcore says that the Liberty 5 can manage eight hours of playtime with ANC on – that is if you listen at moderate volume with basically every extra option switched off. That’s a pretty solid amount, though I did realize that the battery depleted by 20% after one hour of testing. That suggests you may not quite get that full eight hours after all. Still, the case packs plenty of charge, so unless you want to lock in for a super-long session, there should be enough battery life here.

• Features score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future)Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 review: sound quality

• Impressive bass output
• Lack a bit of balance out of the box
• …but there are extensive EQ options and Dolby Audio to fix it

For $129 / £99 / AU$169, it’s rare that you’ll find top-of-the-range sound quality. And the Liberty 5 aren’t going to plate up the kind of perfectly nuanced, beautifully separated sound that audiophiles are hunting down – if the Liberty 5 could do that for this money and without wires, we could all pack up and go home.

All the same, I’m pleased to report that they do sound good overall. When listening to It’s Possible by Piero Piccioni and Catherine Howe, vocals had a pleasing degree of detail, with tongue clicks on the palate and subtle breaths sounding three-dimensional and largely authentic. Audio was particularly revealing with the higher-resolution Bluetooth codec, LDAC, switched on, but even then, the vocals weren’t quite lifted out of the mix for the most expressive, layered listen.

Similarly, when tuning into Black Eye by Allie X, the vocal performance was clear, but felt as if it could be more prominent in the mix. This track did reveal, however, that the Liberty 5 pack some serious low-end punch. The pumping drum machine – though perhaps not as agile as you’d hear on more premium buds like the Technics EAH-AZ100 – offered impressive depth. And again with Breather by Christ Stussy & S. A. M., the Liberty 5 had the talents to replicate the thumping bass at the heart of this track’s energetic, almost hypnotic bounce.

When listening to Breather, I did feel that percussion in the treble range could sound overemphasized, especially at higher volume levels. That may well cause some fatigue during longer listening sessions, so if you’d like to tone things down, it’s going to be worth taking a trip to the Soundcore app. After making use of the custom eight-band equalizer, I was able to largely quash this issue, which really is a testament to the highly tunable sound of the Liberty 5.

Yes, you really can make these earbuds sound your own. There’s a Dolby Audio option, if you want slightly wider, more immersive sound. For reference, you’re not getting Dolby Atmos – something you’ll find on models like the LG xboom Buds, as an example. How does this particular Dolby side-sauce sound? Well, it does what it says on the tin. Bass in particular sounds broader… more encapsulating. But you may find that a touch of detail is lost compared to listening with Dolby Audio off.

One more performance-related element I should discuss is mic quality. Soundcore proudly states that the Liberty 5 are capable of “crystal-clear” call quality, thanks to six mics, a wind-resistant algorithm and a helping hand from AI. But I wasn’t all too impressed in this department. My voice was decently clear, but my surroundings would often get in the way. Similarly on a voice note, I could certainly hear myself, but my voice wasn’t particularly forward and external noises crept in easily.

• Sound quality score: 4/5

(Image credit: Future)Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 review: design

• Stem design won’t be for everyone
• Neat sliding case
• The touch controls just aren’t it

I think it’s only fair that I put my cards on the table here and say that I’m not a mega-fan of the Soundcore Liberty 5’s design. Part of that comes down to personal preference – I like the smaller, more discreet look of stemless rivals like the Sony WF-C710N.

Still, I can put that aside to a degree. But I couldn’t help feeling that the Liberty 5 look like a more plasticky and less sleek pair of AirPods. I would argue that their slightly slanted look is a plus though, that does give them a sharper, more angular edge. And unlike AirPods, you can grab these in multiple color options: Black; White; Blue; or Apricot.

Looks aside, there is one major impracticality about the Liberty 5’s design: their touch controls. Soundcore’s gone for a kind of ‘pinch’ control scheme, which frankly, I found a little awkward. The buds wouldn’t feel very secure when I was pinching at the stems to skip or go to previous tracks. And the effectiveness of my attempts varied. Sometimes I had to make multiple attempts to pause or play a song – it’s just not a massively consistent way to control playback.

So, yes, not a lot of good stuff to say so far. But one thing I do like about the Liberty 5 is their charging case. Simply, slide it open and there you are. Your earbuds, right before you! I prefer this motion to the flip-top motion cases opt for and would like to see a few more manufacturers consider it.

The buds are also fairly comfortable in-ear, so it’s unlikely you’ll feel exhausted after mere minutes of use. You can find multiple sized eartips in the box too, helping you find the most secure fit possible. Despite getting a nice seal, though, a colleague did hear some sound leakage at around 65-70% volume. There’s an adaptive sound leakage compensation toggle in the Soundcore app’s advanced settings but, still, you’re not going to get the perfect isolation that the best over-ear headphones supply.

Waterproofing is also pretty solid. The Liberty 5 are IP55 dust and waterproof rated, which means that they can withstand low pressure water jets from multiple directions. That’s better than a lot of competitors, but you can do even better. The Samsung Galaxy Buds 3 Pro, for instance, are IP57-rated, so they can even survive being immersed under a meter of water for a while.

• Design score: 3/5

(Image credit: Future)Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 review: value

• Fairly moderate list price
• But still, you can do better for the money
• Outperformed by a number of rivals

The Soundcore Liberty 5 are playing in a pretty competitive field, coming in at $129 / £99 / AU$169. It’s a decently modest price tag, sure, but a lot of manufacturers are producing pretty great earbuds for even less.

Now, there are a lot of rivals I could name here. I own the Sony WF-C700N and they sound great while also offering a more low-profile look than the Liberty 5. We also rate the Nothing Ear (a) highly, but I’ll discuss those a little more below. But if you want the ultimate guide to the leading cheap models, then I’d recommend checking out our guide to the best budget earbuds.

Ultimately, $100 / £100 / AU$150 is still a significant spend. And I’m not convinced these are particularly standout – aside from their excellent companion app and decently broad feature-set. In terms of sonic prowess, ANC abilities and design, it’s a more mixed picture. If these are on sale, I wouldn’t count them out, of course. But at the moment, I’d rather grab a pair of buds from Sony or Nothing.

• Value score: 3.5/5

(Image credit: Future)Should I buy the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Features

Awesome companion app, customizable but fairly average ANC, OK battery.

4/5

Sound quality

Good overall sound for the cost with impressive bass, calling could be better.

4/5

Design

Impractical touch controls, divisive stem design, IP55 waterproofing and case.

3/5

Value

Decent price but outperformed by rivals on sound and design.

3.5/5

Buy them if...

You’re looking for a cheaper alternative to AirPods
AirPods are expensive, there’s no getting around it. And there’s no doubt that the Soundcore Liberty 5 are attempting to be a more budget-friendly alternative. With a stem design and a spatial sound option, via Dolby Audio, you can expect a lot of the AirPods’ niceties on the Liberty 5.

You want highly customizable sound
I love the Soundcore app, and one of the reasons for that is its incredibly rich set of EQ options. There’s a preference test that helps you create a truly bespoke sound profile, genre-based presets and even an eight-band custom equalizer. If you want a more balanced listen, it’s definitely worth exploring the options at hand here.

Don't buy them if...

You want class-leading ANC
ANC isn’t all too bad on the Soundcore Liberty 5. External sounds will be dulled fairly effectively and there’s a tasty selection of customization options too. But even at the highest intensity, I wasn’t blown away by the Liberty 5’s noise-crushing skills. I didn’t quite get near-silence in more built up areas and a whisper of noise crept through when I was working in the office, even when blasting music at around 70%.

You’re an audiophile
And finally, these earbuds may not satiate your needs if you’re a true audiophile. Even with LDAC turned on, you won’t get the best instrument separation or perfect control right across the frequencies. With some tuning, they do sound good for the money, but yes, maybe not for the most analytical listeners out there. If that's you, I'd suggest instead checking out our list of the best noise cancelling earbuds.

Anker Soundcore Liberty 5 review: also consider

Anker Soundcore Liberty 5

Nothing Ear (a)

Apple AirPods 4

Price

$129 / £99 / AU$169

$99 / £99 (about AU$150)

$129 / £129 / AU$219

Drivers

9.2mm dynamic

11mm custom

Custom

Active noise cancellation

Yes

Yes

No

Battery life

Buds: 8 hours (12 hours without ANC on); Total with case: 32 hours (48 hours without ANC on)

Buds: 5.5hrs (9.5hrs without ANC) Total with case: 24.5hrs (42.5hrs without ANC)

Buds: 5 hours (official), 7 hours (measured); Total with case: 30 hours

Weight

4.6g (per bud)

4.8g (per bud)

4.3g (per bud)

Connectivity

Bluetooth 5.4

Bluetooth 5.3

Bluetooth 5.3

Frequency range

20Hz-40kHz

Not stated

Not stated

Waterproofing

IP55

IP54

IP54

Nothing Ear (a)
The Nothing Ear (a) are an excellent pair of budget-friendly earbuds that we’ve talked up no end here at TechRadar. And for good reason. They serve up zealous, expansive audio, surprisingly strong ANC and a compact design. Sure, their battery life is nothing special by today’s standards, but all in all, they’re an awesome pair of buds. Read our full Nothing Ear (a) review.

Apple AirPods 4
In design alone, it does feel like the Soundcore Liberty 5 are a direct competitor to the Apple AirPods 4. And I’m comparing Soundcore’s effort here against the ANC-less version of the AirPods 4, simply due to their closeness in cost. Anyway, Apple’s earbuds are, well… OK. They offer decently fun and dynamic spatial sound as well as that classic design. But no ANC at this price-point, combined with middling levels of detail and lackluster cross-platform features, is disappointing. Read our full Apple AirPods 4 review.

How I tested the Anker Soundcore Liberty 5

• Tested for two weeks
• Used in the office and while out in public
• Predominantly tested using Tidal

I tested the Soundcore Liberty 5 over a fortnight, listening to songs and watching videos for hours on end. I used them out at the office, while at home and when on walks to assess the fortitude of ANC across multiple environments.

Typically, I tested these buds using Tidal, but I also tried using them with both Spotify and YouTube. When listening to music, I ran through the TechRadar testing playlist, which features tracks from a wide variety of genres. Of course, I also tuned in to tons of tunes from my personal library.

Where appropriate, I compared these to the LG xboom Buds on metrics such as comfort, audio quality, ANC capabilities and features. And for reference, I’ve tested tons of audio products here at TechRadar. I’ve reviewed flagship over-ear headphones like the Sony WH-1000XM6, wired earbuds like the Sennheiser IE 600 and, of course, other wireless earbuds like the LG Tone Free T90S.

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