TechRadar Reviews

Dali Sonik 1: Two-minute review

Dali’s new Sonik series of speakers is the Danish brand’s re-introduction to the global hi-fi market — and these, the Dali Sonik 1, are a set of versatile, broad-appeal passive bookshelf speakers aimed squarely at the entry-level audio enthusiast. They enter a saturated market at this size and price, rubbing shoulders with about every major speaker brand you can name; still, they stand apart and more than hold their own.

Clever driver and cone designs, refined from Dali speakers past, provide a surprising quality of sound, from clear and distortion-free articulation to smooth, natural-sounding mids and highs. Everything shines through these, but vocals benefit perhaps the most.

Transient performance is nothing short of delicious, and the low end is surprisingly supple for the size of the units (helped along by some very enthusiastic bass reflex ports). There’s a chance that the Sonik 1 are a little over-eager with respect to high end, but it’s marginal — and minimal against the robustness and throat on display in denser mixes.

Being a curmudgeonly sort, I tried my best not to love these speakers at first listen. I failed. It’s love. From the clear attention to detail shown in their design and build to the stunningly versatile sound performance, the Dali Sonik 1 are an overperforming pair of almost-budget bookshelfs. And definitely among the best stereo speakers on the market.

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)Dali Sonik 1 review: Price & release date

• Released February, 2026
• Priced $900 / £449.99 / AU$849

Do you ever feel like the Scandinavians just do it better? From my distant and semi-ignorant perch in deepest West Yorkshire, in the UK, I can’t help but feel like it’s true. Whether its education, taxation, or straight-up happiness, the concept of Nordic exceptionalism is very real indeed – and we’ve got even more proof right here in the land of domestic hi-fi audio, thanks to the landmark Danish audiophile loudspeaker industry frontrunner, Dali. Which stands for, er, Danish Audiophile Loudspeaker Industries.

Dali has been designing speakers from the ground up since the early 80s, and has established a well-earned reputation in that time. Its speakers touch every point of the hi-fi market, from budget-friendly fare to audiophilic bucket-list bookshelfs and beyond. Its roster of speakers is broad, deep and a little intimidating to reckon with — which is, in part, why it came out with this in February 2026: the Sonik series of passive speakers.

The Sonik series is Dali’s full and formal self-introduction to a global audience, taking everything it’s learned in its 40-ish years of loudspeaker development and cramming the best into a budget-spanning set of new flagships. There are seven different sets in the Sonik series, a comprehensive spread encompassing standmount, floorstanding and home cinema-friendly models. Whatever it is you want or need, chances are you’ll find it here.

Of these, the Dali Sonik 1 are proudly the smallest and cheapest of the bunch: a set of bookshelf standmounts that are dinkier than they look, and also much more powerful than that deceptive dinkiness would suggest. At $900 / £449.99 / AU$849, these aren’t the cheapest bookshelf speakers money can buy (especially in the US!), but they’re more or less in direct competition with entry-level bookshelf fare from practically every other hi-fi brand going; from Klipsch’s RP-600Ms to KEF’s Q1 Metas to Bowers and Wilkins’ 607 S3s to umpteen other austere offerings.

It’s a tough crowd, but one that Dali’s been quietly besting in a few key areas for a long time. In this competitive loudspeaker arena, will Nordic exceptionalism prove itself again?

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)Dali Sonik 1 review: Specs

Type

Bookshelf

Active or passive?

Passive

Bi-wirable

No

Woofer

5.25-inch Clarity Cone wood fiber; SMC driver

Tweeter

29mm soft dome

Impedance

6 ohms

Dimensions

274 × 162 × 231mm

Dali Sonik 1 review: Features

• Small-format bookshelf speakers with two-way crossover
• Patented cone design for smoother mids
• Remarkably low distortion, via proprietary driver composition

The Dali Sonik 1 are a pair of passive bookshelf speakers, with a two-way crossover involving a 29mm soft-dome tweeter and a 5.25-inch woofer, and a ported bass reflex chassis. They’re single-wire connectable, as opposed to bi-wirable; unless you have grand and arcane plans of driving tweeters and woofers separately, I don’t consider this in any way a shortcoming — and if you actually do have such plans, you are surely looking in the wrong price range.

Being passive, the Sonik 1’s features are almost entirely found in their clever composition, which hides some smart proprietary bits and pieces behind those optional magnetic cloth grilles. For instance, the whole Sonik series, Sonik 1 included, benefits from Dali’s trademarked Clarity Cone technology (taken from the Kore range that came before), wherein the speaker cones are made using a proprietary paper/wood-fiber blend, said to improve mid-range smoothness among other things.

There’s another trademarked feature, too, in the “SMC” (Soft Magnetic Composite)-assisted magnet systems that constitute the driver. Dali’s patented composite sits in the voice coil, significantly reducing distortion in the process. Collectively, these in-house divinations deign to create a fulsome, highly natural-sounding set of standmounts.

The Sonik 1 are the smallest of the Sonik series, and quite slender even for their size. It’s a small surprise settling them in to their respective homes and having some room to spare — but still, there’s a sense that they’re certain to punch above their weight class as soon as you take them out of the box.

Speaking of which, there’s not much here in the way of box candy (no speaker cables, either). That said, they do ship with two sets of stick-on rubber feet: small, squashy black ones for standing them on your shelf of choice, and some thick, translucent ones for sticking on the back if you intend to wall-mount them. I’m not one for wall-mounting them just yet, but I was nonetheless touched that Dali elected to send clear stand-offs so as not to cause unsightly shadows if you do hang them.

That particularly small-beers inclusion is, for me, a perfect crystallization of Dali’s approach with the Sonik 1, and a reflection of its journey to this point. Small things, offered without ceremony, that add up to a thoughtful and gratifying whole.

• Features score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)Dali Sonik 1 review: Sound quality

• Smooth, dulcet vocal reproduction
• Deep, reflex-assisted bass
• Transparent treble and tactile transients

Dali talks a big talk about the natural sound of the Sonik series. As someone that also works on the other side of the mixing desk from time to time, it’s hard to describe what makes something sound ‘natural’ as anything other than a neutral approach to representing exactly what was recorded. Hi-fi devices are not typically designed to do this, either; they’re designed to flatter. They accentuate the bits that gratify us, giving us more to grab onto than a flat-response set of monitors would dare to. And yet...

To reach for a sense beyond natural, the Sonik 1 do some marvelous things, from delicate treatment of higher highs to a round, robust treatment of reedier sounds. It’s the voices, really, that shine, with no undue thanks to those Clarity Cone woofers; my household’s vinyl copy of Mitski’s Nothing Is Happening To Me has been on heavy rotation, and rendered in disturbingly effective heartbreaky three-dimensionality each and every time, since I installed the Sonik 1 pair.

Cats is a long, soft-silk ribbon, pulled deftly through my left ear and out the right. If I Leave’s brief crescendo of deep-gritted guitars and chest-voice urgency is a weighty presence in the room. B-side opener and second single, I’ll Change For You, is an honest-to-god tearjerker with thanks to an exceptionally tangible rendering of that stunning lead line – Mitski’s voice honestly feeling as if it floats forward through the mix, drifting airily on its own delusive train of thought. Brain-scratchingly good stuff.

Spinning the 10th anniversary repress of Adult Jazz’s Gist Is, I got a real feel for the Sonik 1’s handling of space. The richness of that midrange lends itself to roomy sounds, in which Gist Is, a patchwork of heres and theres, readily revels. Sparse, clever instrumental arrangements are articulated with fullness — illustrating some tactile transient responsiveness just as much as a natural, earnestly flattering representation of timbre.

The cheeky-swung drums on opener Hum are a bright, effervescent presence; cymbal crashes and open hats fizz in Am Gone. Slow-burner Spook is a highlight, rendering powerful dynamic shifts and slow-developing ambiences with a sense of unbothered expertise. Palm-muted guitars spike through like football cleats through turf, and legato lead lines skate sharply across the crescendo as if on six feet of ice.

Dali commits to harnessing low end wherever and however it can, leading to some extremely impressive bass performance from speakers that have neither the stature nor the right. There’s a little weight missing, and the bass reflex port is doing a lot of heavy lifting to replace it (aided, no doubt, by the sub-optimal listening position in which the Sonik 1 lived for most of my testing), but even without that telltale pumpy bluster, there’s a lot to love about the structure of the heft they possess.

If I were to find anything to complain about with the Dali Sonik 1, it would end up being a slight high-end over-presence. The treatment of trebly sources is delicate, considered and even fastidious, but sometimes, to the point of clear preference over other elements of a mix. This is emphasized further by that slight lack in the low end, countered by an eager bass reflex.

But here’s the thing: I feel like I’m reaching. Putting on one of the more chaotic records in my vinyl collection — My Bloody Valentine’s Loveless — I’m greeted with unexpected clarity and cohesion. Everything’s resolved as it was, is and should be, from brain-swallowing yet still-punchy lows to screeching uber-compressed wall-of-guitar highs. It’s a high-performing pair, through and through.

• Sound quality score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)Dali Sonik 1 review: Design

• High attention to detail
• Clever attachable grille
• Cool, understated looks

Dali’s full-spectrum approach to design and manufacture means the same care and attention is given to the development of each product in their roster, as gamely demonstrated by the quality on display with the Sonik 1.

There’s attention to detail wherever you look, be it the chunky brass terminals at the rear or the tastefully radiused face-plates at the front. Really, these are tasteful-looking through and through. The pair under review are the natural oak variant version, but you can also pick these up in white, black ash or walnut. With mine, a cream front face is gamely disrupted by bold black driver surrounds, accentuating the presence of that cool burgundy woofer cone.

The included cloth grilles are a mottled off-white, and attachable (as is becoming increasingly common) with magnets; this leaves a smooth face on the speakers, and makes for a posh-feeling set overall. With the grilles on, the Dali Sonik 1 become coolly understated; they fade amenably into the figurative milieu of your living room, and shine all the more prominently on their acoustical merits.

• Design score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)Dali Sonik 1 review: Value

• A familiar price for entry-level audiophile fare
• Incredible performance for budget
• Impossible not to like

Generally speaking, and whichever way you slice it, $900 / £449.99 / AU$849 is a lot of money to ask someone to pay for something. But it’s the de facto floor price (excepting that tariff-y US-import price) for something good in the audiophile hi-fi space. When big numbers get bandied around for confoundingly clever loudspeakers further up the chain, it’s easy to lose sight of the real ask here for the average consumer.

Every brand that puts out an entry-level artefact of posh loudspeaker design at this price, then, has to be able to justify it. And most of the heavy hitters do, pulling down top-flight innovations to an affordable price and walking the walk on sound quality (Bowers and Wilkins’ 607 S3 being a chief competitor and major example). And just as most of the heavy hitters do, so too does Dali.

The Sonik 1 are as smart a pair of bookshelf speakers as you could ask for. They’re deeply versatile, deep-sounding despite their stature, and delightful to listen to. The frequency response reflects a hyper-natural richness, without overrepresenting anything too nakedly. They fill small and medium spaces capably, handle loud signals with minimal distortion, and deliver gratifying performance from wherever you sit or stand.

These speakers are an excellent example of what investing in hi-fi can actually mean for someone. The articulation and fidelity on display is demonstrably far, far better than cheaper fare you come across. The Sonik 1 may be the entry-level pair in a large family of new broad-appeal loudspeakers, but they’re as refined as you could ever want in a mid-range listening setup. They look the part, yes, but they feel the part, too.

To be blunt, I went into this review with a harshly critical eye. It was softened instantly, by a self-assured set of speakers that elevated my home hi-fi without ceremony. Dali is doing some incredible work reinstating the importance of attention to detail, of pride in a product, via a seamlessly well put together set of speakers that actually exceed their expectations.

• Value score: 5/5

(Image credit: Future / James Grimshaw)Dali Sonik 1 review: scorecard

Comment

Rating

Features

A 29mm soft dome tweeter and a 5.25-inch woofer with a proprietary driver and cone design, plus a diminutive footprint.

5/5

Sound quality

Speakers that have no right sounding how they do. Full articulation, with impressive clarity of vocals; rich and robust low end; dynamics handled naturally.

5/5

Design

Understatedly gorgeous, with a seamlessness that reflects build quality as well as aesthetic nice-ness.

5/5

Value

Even though the cheaper end of the spectrum for 'decent' hi-fi passives is quite pricey, they represent nothing but value for money.

5/5

Should you buy the Dali Sonik 1?Buy them if...

You want capable, versatile performers
The Dali Sonik 1 are broad-appeal bookshelfs, with a decidedly ‘natural’ sound profile. They work well wherever you put them, whatever you put through them and whatever volume you like (within reason). They’re low distortion, high fidelity and hard to flap!

You like crooners
Voices are articulated with astonishing accuracy and presence, alongside strings and reedy things. Your heartbreaking Americana records will never sound better below $1000 (just).

Don't buy them if...

You’re a bass-hunter
The low end is certainly remarkable with the Dali Sonik 1, but that’s with respect to their size. They rely (sometimes overly) on their thick, pumpy bass reflex ports to build out the subby stuff, so you may want to size up if that's your bag.

The price makes you think twice
Nothing’s worth stretching a budget hard for, and the Dali Sonik 1 are no different. Dali has cheaper, more accessible bookshelfs that offer tantalizing glimpses at the very same quality on display here — if money is an object, consider going for the Kupid instead.

Dali Sonik 1 review: Also consider

Dali Sonik 1

Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3

Kanto Ren

Price

$349.99 / £279.99 (approx AU$570)

$369.99 / £329.99 / AU$449

$599 / £599 (around AU$1,199)

Type

Passive bookshelf

Passive bookshelf

Passive bookshelf

Bi-wirable?

No

Yes

No

Woofer

5.25-inch Clarity Cone wood fiber; SMC driver

130mm Continuum mid/bass driver

114mm wood-fiber/paper mid/bass driver

Tweeter

29mm soft dome

25mm titanium double-dome

26mm soft dome

Impedance

6 ohms

8 ohms

4 ohms

Dimensions

274 × 162 × 231mm

300 x 165 x 207mm

245 x 150 x 198mm

Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3
The Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 are the vaunted speaker brand’s new flagship for entry-level audiophilia, and an excellent set of passive bookshelfs in their own right. They share some things vaguely in common with the Sonik 1, from a preference for high end to a slightly demanding price point — but they’re bi-wirable, too.
Read our full Bowers & Wilkins 607 S3 review here

Dali Kupid
If $900 / £450 is a little rich for your budget, Dali has you covered. The Dali Kupid passive bookshelf speakers are even budget-ier, and carry a lot of the same DNA. Concessions are made, of course, but these entry-level standmounts still got full marks from us.
Read our full Dali Kupid review here

How I tested the Dali Sonik 1

• Tested for 6 week(s)
• Used as main living-room listening speakers
• Predominantly tested using vinyl records, played on Vestax turntables; also with CDs and hi-res streaming from Qobuz

The Dali Sonik 1 bookshelf speakers found their home at the epicenter of my living-room listening station, where they were hooked up to my Cambridge Audio A2 integrated amplifier, and received audio from a variety of sources — most commonly, vinyl records played through Vestax PDX-D3 turntables (outfitted with Audio-Technica AT-VM95E cartridges) and a Vestax preamp and mixer.

I listened to CDs using a FiiO DM13 CD player, and I threw some hi-res streaming from Qobuz in there for good measure, too, via a 3.5mm jack from my laptop to the Vestax mixer.

First reviewed: April 2026

Read more about how we test at TechRadar

Oppo Find X9 Ultra: Two-minute review

The Oppo Find X8 Ultra was one of the best camera phones to launch in 2025, but there was one big problem: you could only officially get it in China. Now, its successor has landed, and thankfully, this one's launching globally.

To make matters even better, the Find X9 Ultra has been upgraded in just about every conceivable way. It features the latest Snapdragon SoC, a bigger battery, a fresh Hasselblad-inspired design, and a faster screen with a new shape.

Really, though, it's the cameras that are the main attraction, and this is no small upgrade. The phone's main camera has been bumped up to 200MP, as has the 3x periscope telephoto lens. Meanwhile, the ultra-wide gets a significantly larger sensor, and the 6x telephoto has been replaced with a 10x unit.

The Find X8 Ultra was already amazing, but the X9 Ultra takes smartphone imaging to new heights. It has the best zoom of any phone I've tested, and captures stunning shots in all lighting conditions.

Plus, it benefits from Hasselblad-approved film simulations and stunning portrait mode effects. And that's before we get into its video chops, where the Oppo Find X9 Ultra boasts up to 4K 120fps recording with Log and Dolby Vision, with the ability to bake in LUTs.

(Image credit: Future)

If you want to take your video and photography capabilities even further, there's an amazing photography kit and teleconverter lens available for the Find X9 Ultra — but it doesn't come cheap. At the time of writing, I haven't put this kit through its paces, but the 300mm-equivalent teleconverter looks to be one of the most impressive offerings so far.

The Oppo Find X9 Ultra has been an absolute delight to live with, and I find myself with almost zero complaints. The software is brilliant, the battery life is solid, the performance is top-notch, and the cameras may be the best of any phone yet.

The only things that might deter some people are the physical size and weight of this phone, as well as its price. But if you want the best camera phone on the market, those are the sacrifices you have to make. In my eyes, the Find X9 Ultra is absolutely worth it.

Oppo Find X9 Ultra review: Price and availability

(Image credit: Future)

• 12GB + 512GB for £1,449
• Launched 'globally' for the first time
• Not available in the US

The Oppo Find X9 Ultra is available to pre-order now in both the UK and Europe, along with most other regions globally — excluding the United States. The phone will be available at retail starting May 8, 2026, and it comes in two colours, either Tundra Umber (vegan leather) or Canyon Orange.

In the UK, the Oppo Find X9 Ultra is only available with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, but select markets will also be able to purchase a 16GB+1TB variety. The 12GB+512GB model will cost you £1,449, which is exactly the same price as the 512GB Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra.

It's a pricey phone, but with a stacked spec sheet and the most advanced camera hardware on the market, that was to be expected. You couldn't call it a bargain, but if you're a photography and video enthusiast, I think the cost of entry is well justified.

• Value score: 4 / 5

Oppo Find X9 Ultra review: Specs

Here’s a look at the Oppo Find X9 Ultra’s key specs:

Oppo Find X9 Ultra

Dimensions:

163.16 x 76.97 x 9.10mm

Weight:

236g

OS:

ColorOS 16, based on Android 16

Display:

6.82-inch OLED, 144Hz

Resolution:

3120 x 1440 pixels

Chipset:

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

RAM:

12GB

Storage:

512GB

Battery:

7,050mAh

Rear cameras:

200MP (f/1.5) main, 50MP ultra-wide (f/2), 200MP 3x telephoto (f/2.2), 50MP 10x telephoto (f/3.5)

Front camera:

50MP (f/2.4) AF

Oppo Find X9 Ultra review: Design

(Image credit: Future)

• Hasselblad X2D-inspired design
• Tundra Umber and Canyon Orange options
• IP68 + IP69 dust and water-resistant

The Oppo Find X9 Ultra is available in two distinct and bold color options for the global market. I opted for the Tundra Umber version, which takes design cues from Hasselblad's X2D medium format camera.

It has a brownish finish with a metallic sheen, covered by two panels of black vegan leather that mimic the look of a camera grip. The camera control button (or Quick Key) has Hasselblad's signature orange finish, and there's a subtle orange ring around the camera island, too.

The Canyon Orange version makes even more of a statement. It foregoes the vegan leather panelling in favor of a smooth glass back with a subtle swirling pattern. They both look stunning, but if you're a camera nerd, Tundra Umber is the obvious choice.

The X9 Ultra has a large circular camera module, just like its predecessor, but this one looks a little different. While the base platform is a circle, the glass lens covering is now a curved hexagonal shape. It's a somewhat unusual decision that I'm not entirely sold on.

(Image credit: Future)

I'm not sure of the exact reasoning behind it, but if I had to guess, I think Oppo is attempting to mimic the shape of the aperture opening on a high-end lens.

Taking clear inspiration from Apple's latest iPhones, and following in the footsteps of the X9 Pro, the X9 Ultra has its version of both an Action Button and Camera Control button. Of course, you get the usual volume rocker and lock button, as well.

I’m a big fan of these buttons on the iPhone, so I’m happy to see them here, too. Oppo could have done something a little more original, but there's no arguing with the utility.

The Action Button (or Snap Key, as Oppo calls it) has all the same functionality as Apple’s equivalent, but Oppo’s version of the Camera Control (Quick Button) is more limited.

(Image credit: Future)

You can still use it to open the camera app with a double tap, swiping it zooms in and out, and pressing it takes a photo. However, it's not customizable like Apple’s version. You can't use it to adjust your EV compensation, switch filters, or half-press it to focus. These features seem like they'd be easy enough to implement, but for some reason, Oppo hasn't done so.

The Oppo Find X9 Ultra has both IP68 and IP69 certifications. This means it’s effectively dust and waterproof, and it’ll even survive blasts from jets of hot water. Handy, if you ever accidentally run it through the dishwasher.

• Design score: 4 / 5

Oppo Find X9 Ultra review: Display

(Image credit: Future)

• 6.82-inch 144Hz OLED display
• Similar shape to the S25 Ultra
• 3,600 nits peak brightness

The first thing that struck me about the X9 Ultra’s display is that the corners have a much sharper radius than other phones in the Find X9 family.

It reminds me of the screen on the Samsung Galaxy S25 Ultra. It occupies a middle ground between sharp 90-degree corners and a softer, more iPhone-like curve.

The result is a display that feels noticeably larger than that of the Find X9 Pro, without actually taking up much more pocket space.

The downside is that it doesn't benefit from the same razor-thin bezels as the Pro model. They're still slim, but they're nowhere near as impressive.

(Image credit: Future)

Another standout is the fact that this phone has a 144Hz adaptive refresh rate, rather than 120Hz. I’d be lying if I said I could tell the difference, but if you're in the upper echelons of competitive gaming, you might appreciate it more.

Otherwise, the screen on the Find X9 Ultra gives you exactly what you'd expect from a top-tier flagship phone.

The colors are vibrant and accurate, the contrast levels are impeccable, and it gets more than bright enough to compete with strong sunshine.

If you're sensitive to flicker, you'll be pleased to learn that the Find X9 Ultra has a speedy 2160Hz PWM dimming frequency, too.

• Display score: 5 / 5

Oppo Find X9 Ultra review: Cameras

(Image credit: Future)

• 200MP main (f/1.5)
• 50MP ultra-wide (f/2)
• 200MP 3x telephoto (f/2.2)
• 50MP 10x telephoto (f/3.5)

The Oppo Find X9 Ultra is almost more camera than phone, and with such significant hardware changes, there's a very good chance that this will be the most advanced camera phone of 2026. Every single camera has been upgraded over the Find X8 Ultra, which was already one of the best camera phones we'd ever tested.

On the rear, there are four cameras. The main camera has a 1/1.2-inch 200MP sensor with an f/1.5 aperture, the ultra-wide is 50MP f/2.0 with a larger 1/1.95-inch sensor, and the first telephoto is a 200MP 3x periscope f/2.2 with a massive 1/1.28inch sensor.

Arguably, it's the second telephoto that's the most exciting of the bunch. It's a 10x lens, the first we've seen on a flagship since Samsung ditched its own 10x lens on the Galaxy S24 Ultra. Don't make the mistake of thinking this is an equivalent lens, though. Oppo says the Find X9 Ultra's second telephoto lens has 306% better light-gathering capabilities than that of the Galaxy S23 Ultra.

(Image credit: Future)

It's a 50MP unit with a 1/2.75-inch sensor and an f/3.5 aperture. Oppo is so confident about the performance of this new lens that it says it's like having the external teleconverter for the X9 Pro built in.

Of course, we can't forget about the selfie camera. This camera has also been upgraded, although the changes aren't quite so drastic. It's now 50MP, up from 32MP, and Oppo says the autofocus has been optimized, as has the image processing.

I won't beat around the bush; this is likely the best smartphone camera system I have ever used. The Vivo X300 Ultra provides some stiff competition, but without a dedicated 10x lens, it's easy to argue that the Find X9 Ultra is more versatile.

Regardless of which lens you use, and in all lighting conditions, you can expect exceptional detail and clarity. The combination of high-resolution sensors and optical reach means that this phone outclasses just about everything with its digital zoom — and if you want to go even further, you can add the external teleconverter lens.

(Image credit: Future)

The phone's default image processing gives you vibrant, sharp, and contrasty images, but if you want photos that look more like they were shot with a DSLR, you can switch to the Hasselblad Master mode.

Master Mode removes the HDR effect, has less digital sharpening, and uses zero generative AI in its processing. For this model, Oppo has added nine new film simulations that work in this mode, and each can be customized to your preference. I found that a lot of the film sims leaned too heavily on the cooler tones for my liking, but that's no issue, as I can just increase the color temperature myself.

There's also a new addition called Soft Light, which essentially mimics the effect of a Pro Mist filter. There are two strengths available, and both add some bloom to the highlights. It makes photos look like film stills, or like they came from a vintage camera, and I immediately fell in love with the effect.

The Oppo Find X9 Ultra is just as ambitious when it comes to professional video features. Every lens can shoot at up to 4K 60fps in either Dolby Vision or Log, while the main and 3x telephoto can do so at 4K 120fps. You can preview your video with real-time LUTs or burn them into the final recording. There are three stylised LUTs as standard, but you can also import your own.

• Cameras score: 5 / 5

Oppo Find X9 Ultra review: Camera samplesFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureFutureOppo Find X9 Ultra review: PerformanceFutureFuture

• Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset
• 12GB RAM
• 512GB storage

The Oppo X9 Ultra is powered by one of the fastest processors money can buy: the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5. The global version only comes in one variety, with 12GB of RAM and 512GB of storage as standard.

Oddly, the Ultra model has less RAM than the X9 Pro, which has 16GB. Oppo hasn't mentioned the reason, but I think it's safe to assume that current RAM prices are to blame. Regardless, this disparity didn't seem to have a negative impact during my testing.

It probably won't shock you to learn that the Find X9 Ultra performs like the best of them. It feels super snappy, no matter what you're doing. That's partly thanks to the optimization and animation style of the ColorOS platform, and partly due to the amount of raw horsepower under the hood.

I played a few hours of Wuthering Waves on the highest graphical settings, and the Find X9 Ultra handled it perfectly. The phone's frame got quite toasty after a while, but it never became uncomfortable to hold, and the framerates remained rock steady.

Of course, if you're more interested in productivity than gaming, the performance of the Find X9 Ultra will help there, too. I was able to combine multiple clips of high-bitrate 4K video in Luma Fusion, and the phone barely broke a sweat.

It's also worth mentioning the speakers, as they're quite impressive. There's an audible improvement compared to the previous model, with better clarity at the top end and almost zero distortion at max volume.

• Performance score: 5 / 5

Oppo Find X9 Ultra review: SoftwareFutureFutureFuture

• ColorOS 16, based on Android 16
• New AI features
• Styling updates and Mind Space

ColorOS has been my favourite Android skin for a while now, and Oppo continues to improve it with new features. The basics remain the same, so if you used a recent Oppo, OnePlus, or Realme device, you'll have a good idea of what's in store.

Recent versions of the software have some very Apple-like touches, which seems to be a trend with Chinese brands of late. There are Liquid Glass-looking elements, a Dynamic Island clone, depth effects, and stretched clocks for the lock screen; even the UI for the Action Button looks identical to Apple's.

Again, no awards for originality, but I can't help liking what Oppo has done here. These features all look fantastic, and the Dynamic Island-like cutout is as useful as ever, allowing me to quickly get to my media playback, timers, and more.

As for what's new, there's a lock screen feature called Live Space, which looks very similar to Samsung's Now Bar. It's found in the same place at the bottom of your screen, but this one just displays notifications, rather than AI updates.

(Image credit: Future)

Oppo has also been hard at work on its AI Mind Space app. It's still in beta, but it basically works like Nothing's Essential Space or the Screenshots app on a Samsung or Pixel phone. It collects screenshots of important information and uses AI to organize them, summarize them, and make them searchable.

Oppo differentiates itself with the features it adds on top. If you often take photos or screenshots of your receipts, for instance, the new AI Bill Manager can help you keep track of your finances.

There's also a new feature called Mind Pilot, which lets you chat with Gemini, Perplexity, and Deep Seek, all from a single app. The idea is that Mind Pilot will match your query with the AI that's most suited to help.

It could be handy if you're a chatbot hopper, but unfortunately, on my prerelease software, Mind Pilot wasn't working correctly. It would match my query with an AI, but then the answer would never materialize.

FutureFuture

There are some other features that aren't quite as new, but are still worth mentioning. I love O+ Connect, which is a piece of software that lets me control my Mac or PC with my phone, and vice versa. It even lets me copy and paste between the two, which is super handy.

There's also a feature called AI Speak, which reads websites aloud in a natural-sounding voice, no matter which browser you use. It's nothing new, but it's just as handy as ever.

When it comes to long-term support, Oppo pledges five years of major OS upgrades and six years of security patches to the Find X9 Ultra. That's behind the likes of Samsung and Google, but it's not a bad offering.

• Software score: 4 / 5

Oppo Find X9 Ultra review: Battery

(Image credit: Future)

• 7,050mAh silicon-carbon battery
• 100W wired charging
• 50W wireless charging

The Oppo Find X9 Ultra has a 7,050mAh battery, which is big, but bizarrely, it's significantly smaller than the 7,500mAh pack found in the Pro model. I suppose all of these giant camera sensors take up space that would otherwise be filled with a battery.

Still, that battery will last you a long time. I couldn't consistently squeeze two days of use from this phone like I could with the Find X9 Pro, but a day and a half was pretty typical with my usage.

Of course, your mileage with the Find X9 Ultra will vary depending on how you use it. The camera system seems to be the most power-hungry, followed by high-end mobile games, but that's not too surprising.

When it's time to charge, the Find X9 Ultra won't have you waiting for long. It supports speeds of up to 100W with the right charger, but you don't get one in the box, just a USB-C cable.

Just half an hour on the charger was enough to take this phone from zero to over 70%. However, that's with Oppo's official wall adapter; third-party chargers take far longer.

Wireless charging is also rapid. This phone can charge at 50W with one of Oppo's AirVooc chargers, which is incredibly convenient, but those chargers don't come cheap.

• Battery score: 4 / 5

Should you buy the Oppo Find X9 Ultra?

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Value

The Oppo Find X9 Ultra is a pricey phone, but it's also one of the best, so I think the price is justified.

4 / 5

Design

The Find X9 Ultra impresses with its Hasselblad-inspired design, but the not-quite-circle not-quite-hexagon camera module won't appeal to everyone.

4 / 5

Display

It's big, it's bright, it's speedy. What's not to like?

5 / 5

Cameras

Simply put, these are some of the best cameras on any phone.

5 / 5

Performance

With the Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 inside and solid thermal performance, the Find X9 Ultra goes toe-to-toe with the best.

5 / 5

Software

ColorOS is one of the most full-featured and aesthetically pleasing Android skins, but the support terms aren't the longest.

4 / 5

Battery

The battery life is really good, but it can't match the Find X9 Pro's.

4 / 5

Buy it if...

You want the best camera phone on the market

If photography and video shooting are your top priorities, there are few phones that can compete with the Find X9 Ultra. It might be the best camera phone of 2026.

You're looking for a zero-compromise flagship

Outside of the cameras, the Oppo Find X9 Ultra isn't lacking in any department. The software is excellent, the performance is top-notch, it has a big battery, speedy charging, and it looks nice, too.

Don't buy it if...

You're on a tight budget

It might be one of the best phones around, but the best never comes cheap. This phone is a significant investment, and bargain hunters need not apply.

You want something lightweight and compact

With a massive screen and giant camera bump, the Oppo Find X9 Ultra is a bit of a unit. If you have smaller hands, it might be difficult to manage.

Oppo Find X9 Ultra review: Also consider

The Oppo Find X9 Ultra is one of the best phones we've ever tested, but it's important to consider the competition, too. Here are a couple of competitors worth looking at.

Vivo X300 Ultra

The Vivo X300 Ultra is the Find X9 Ultra's closest competitor. It offers some more advanced video options than the Oppo, but without a second periscope, it struggles to match its zoom. It's difficult to get hold of outside of China, too.

Read our hands-on Vivo X300 Ultra review

Xiaomi 17 Ultra

The Xiaomi 17 Ultra is another top camera-focused Chinese flagship that shouldn't be ignored. I don't think it outperforms the other options here, but it competes well, and might not sting the wallet quite so much.

Read our hands-on Xiaomi 17 Ultra review

Oppo Find X9 Ultra

Vivo X300 Ultra

Xiaomi 17 Ultra

Price:

£1,449

€1,999

£1,299 / €1,429 / AU$1,799

Display:

6.82-inch OLED

6.82-inch OLED

6.9-inch OLED

Cameras:

200MP main; 50MP ultra-wide; 200MP 3x telephoto; 50MP 10x telephoto

200MP main; 50MP ultra-wide; 200MP 3.7x telephoto

50MP main; 50MP ultra-wide; 200MP 3.2x-4.3x telephoto

Chipset:

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5

Battery:

7,050mAh

6,400mAh

6,000mAh

How I tested the Oppo Find X9 Ultra

• Review test period: Two weeks
• Testing included: Everyday use, including web browsing, social media, photography, video calling, gaming, streaming video, music playback
• Tools used: Geekbench 6, 3DMark, native Android stats

I used the Oppo Find X9 Ultra as my main phone for around two weeks. I used it exactly as I would any other phone, taking lots of photos and videos, gaming, messaging, working, streaming video, and navigating with Google Maps.

I also compared the experience of playing graphically challenging games like Wuthering Waves to my experience on other Android flagships like the Samsung Galaxy S26 Ultra and Oppo Find X9 Pro. I ran lots of benchmarks on the handset, including 3DMark and Geekbench, to confirm my performance findings.

I tested the battery performance based on my real-world usage, and charging times were measured using an official Oppo charger and cable.

First tested April 2026

The last few years have been absolutely mind-blowing for Richard Gadd. 2024 saw the release of the hit Netflix series Baby Reindeer, catapulting Gadd to global stardom virtually overnight.

What followed was record-breaking success and a tumultuous legal case involving the alleged inspiration for Martha (Jessica Gunning), Fiona Harvey. Two years later, he returns to TV with Half Man, his first fully fictional series launching on HBO Max and BBC iPlayer.

If you thought Baby Reindeer was uncomfortable to watch (especially episode 4), Half Man makes it look like child's play. The series follows brothers Niall (Jamie Bell) and Ruben (Gadd) through 30 years of their lives, exploring why their relationship is so toxic in Ruben's hands.

Where I've repeatedly binged Baby Reindeer since it first released — Gunning's performance and Gadd's script are just too captivating not to relive — I don't think I could ever stream Half Man again in my life. In short, it dredges up the worst of social masculinity in the most ruthlessly vulnerable of ways.

Despite being an exceptional series, I still feel it will linger in Baby Reindeer's shadow, largely because of how Gadd handles his first completely fictitious subject matter.

• How to watch Half Man online and for free – from anywhere

Half Man is a brutal evisceration of the worst kind of toxic masculinity

Before we get to the negatives, let's explore how Gadd has made vomit-churning evil into remarkable television. Half Man is a no-holds-barred look at the effects of excused toxic masculinity, with a lack of repercussions pivotal to understanding how reality is reflected in what we're seeing.

While meek Niall is our focal point across the six episodes, brutish Ruben is the one the story really sits with. We first meet him as a troubled teen in the 1980s, freshly out of juvenile detention and home to a mother who chalks his violent outbursts down to him being "unwell."

He quickly controls Niall with the most disturbing mental mind games I've ever seen portrayed on television, indoctrinating every part of his sexual, platonic, school and family life. This continues to get worse as Niall attends university, before their adult lives disperse and convene back together like crashing waves out at sea.

For a woman or vulnerable person, Ruben is a very real, living nightmare thrust into the faces of those who refuse to acknowledge the abominable behaviour of not all men, but some.

He's the one we fear while we're walking down the street, exercising at the gym or trying to enjoy a night out with our friends. It's almost no wonder why I don't want to see Half Man again — to an extent, many of us live it.

The more severe end of the violence scale is handled incredibly well, and I hope it will prompt some Adolescence-style dialogue and change. Gadd has such a shrewd knack for taking the dregs of global society and turning them into grotesquely real television, even if it's not always palatable.

It's Gadd's commitment to warts-and-all storytelling that will undoubtedly make Half Man one of the standout TV shows of 2026. No matter what he represents to us, no matter what we already think we know, we're metaphorically punched in the gut until we can no longer bear to look.

So why is Baby Reindeer the "better" show then?

Jamie Bell as Niall and Richard Gadd as Ruben. (Image credit: HBO)

Let me start by saying that Baby Reindeer and Half Man are two entirely different concepts, but it's the comparison that viewers are bound to make (and frankly, already are).

If we're really nitpicking, I think there's room for improvement in the structure of the story — and my best guess is that this is largely down to confidence. With Baby Reindeer, Gadd was using events from his actual life to craft something that he'd lived, beginning, middle, and end. Half Man has no bearing on reality, and thus is a storytelling shot in the dark.

This naturally leaves a greater room for error, which I think is displayed in what we're not seeing. The creative choice to time jump between episodes is, for the most part, incredibly effective, but it means that a lot of detail is unaccounted for. One of Niall's most significant romantic relationships is solely left to the imagination, as are many of the family unit's most significant milestones.

On top of this, Gadd is the weakest link in the show's otherwise strong ensemble performance. I realize I've spent the entire first half of this review relaying the importance of Ruben as a character, but we really absorb these effects of this through Niall.

Young Ruben (Stuart Campbell) is pumped up on machismo and Lynx, spouting absolute misogynistic and homophobic nonsense through a thick Scottish brogue. Gadd's version uses his normal voice, which is jarring even if it is an intentional plot point. Rather than feeling like two halves of a whole, our Rubens are connected by a string too faint to make out.

Campbell and Mitchell Robertson (who plays Young Niall) are our standout stars in Half Man. Their version of the fraught brotherhood hits the hardest, is the most emotionally explicit, and is the most exploitative in its manipulation. Emmys and BAFTAs all round, if I had my way.

My review comes with a word of warning: stream Half Man with caution. It probably ticks every trigger warning in existence, along with an alarmingly liberal use of the C word that US viewers will likely be annoyed by. But consumed correctly, Half Man could easily be 2026's TV moment of change.

In today’s hiring landscape, speed and accuracy can make or break your recruitment process. HireRight, one of the world’s most established background screening providers, helps businesses verify candidates efficiently while staying compliant with complex global regulations. Trusted by thousands of mid- to large-sized organizations, it combines advanced technology with decades of industry experience to deliver secure, fast, and reliable results.

This review examines how HireRight operates, its pricing structure, key strengths and limitations, and its integration with the leading HR and applicant tracking systems that businesses rely on daily.

HireRight: Pricing & plans

(Image credit: Future)

The cost structure of HireRight depends on multiple factors, including business size, screening volume, and the specific services required by each organization.

Small businesses can initiate their screening process at $39.95 per check for basic screening, while Advantage packages range from $69.95 to $79.95 per check for comprehensive background checks. The service offers various pricing plans, starting at $39.95 per month for individual users and progressing to more advanced plans that support multiple users.

Meanwhile, the cost of enterprise-level contracts falls into a direct pricing model, which exceeds $17,000 per year for businesses of this size. The company maintains its pricing information confidential because clients must request personalized quotes through HireRight.

You can view the full services offered by clicking here.

HireRight: How it works

(Image credit: Future)

HireRight provides comprehensive cloud-based background check and screening solutions to organizations of all sizes, helping them streamline their hiring processes. Their offerings encompass a wide range of services, including criminal background checks, educational verification, employment history checks, drug screening, and thorough identity verification for job candidates.

The integration features of HireRight allow users to connect their system with multiple HR software platforms and applicant tracking systems (ATS). The system provides users with a simple way to initiate background checks, displaying real-time progress information and complete results through an accessible dashboard. The centralized system reduces time requirements while delivering improved efficiency in the recruitment process.

HireRight’s platform offers customized solutions through packages tailored to the specific requirements of various business sectors and their corresponding regulatory needs. Businesses operating in healthcare, finance, transportation, or retail sectors must select screening options that align with their industry-specific regulations. HireRight’s worldwide presence makes it an ideal solution for organizations that operate across multiple countries or have employees based in various locations.

The candidate journey primarily occurs through digital channels, enabling both hiring managers and job seekers to manage document collection and screening operations more efficiently. The digital method enables faster verification operations while providing candidates with improved access to the verification process.

HireRight: Pros and cons

(Image credit: Future)

HireRight offers several key advantages that make it one of the leading background screening solutions for businesses. Its strong integration capabilities allow seamless connections with major Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and Human Resource software platforms. This setup streamlines background check initiation and monitoring, helping organizations reduce hiring delays and save time.

HireRight’s global screening functionality makes it particularly valuable for companies operating internationally or subject to stringent regulatory standards. The platform delivers comprehensive reports that employers rely on for accurate background information, giving them confidence and peace of mind. Its thorough coverage is essential for organizations with complex hiring needs that must meet multiple layers of local, national, and international compliance requirements.

That said, some businesses and candidates encounter significant challenges with HireRight. The most common drawback is slower processing times compared to more automated background check providers. Applicants with international experience or diverse work histories often face extended wait periods, which can reduce overall hiring efficiency.

Customer support is another frequent point of concern. Many clients and job candidates report difficulties reaching responsive service when clarification or documentation corrections are required. This lack of timely support can cause frustration and uncertainty during critical hiring stages.

The screening process itself can also be confusing for applicants. Repeated requests for documentation or verification are especially challenging for self-employed workers or those educated abroad. While these strict requirements are in place to protect employers, they often result in a negative experience for applicants.

Finally, HireRight’s enterprise-oriented pricing model poses barriers for small businesses. Companies that conduct background checks infrequently may find the service too expensive and instead seek more flexible alternatives that better fit their needs.

Overall, HireRight delivers robust and reliable screening capabilities. However, organizations must weigh their strengths against potential implementation hurdles to determine whether it aligns with their hiring processes and operational goals.

HireRight: Who would benefit the most using this

While HireRight offers solutions for small businesses and provides basic screening packages, user reviews and expert analysis suggest that it is best suited for medium and large enterprises with recurring and/or international hiring needs. Small businesses that need to conduct limited background checks annually should select cost-effective solutions that deliver fast results. The system provides complete solutions for organizations operating in regulated sectors (transportation and healthcare) that need to follow strict compliance rules.

The company delivers comprehensive solutions and system integration, but its pricing system and complex design make it unsuitable for businesses with simple needs. The system offers business owners both peace of mind and regulatory support, as well as workflow efficiency, but requires a premium cost and sometimes leads to reduced customer service.

HireRight integrates with many of the most widely used HR and applicant tracking platforms, making it easy for organizations to streamline their hiring and screening processes.

The most well-known solutions with direct HireRight integration include Workday, Oracle Cloud HCM, SAP SuccessFactors, UKG (Ultimate Kronos Group), Ceridian Dayforce, iCIMS, Greenhouse, and Cornerstone OnDemand.

These integrations allow recruiting teams to order background checks, track real-time results, and manage screening tasks directly within their existing HR workflow. As a result, companies can automate candidate vetting and improve hiring efficiency without needing separate systems or manual data re-entry. HireRight’s robust partnerships with these major platforms help ensure a smooth and efficient background screening experience for both employers and candidates.

HireRight: Final verdict

In conclusion, HireRight is a robust and widely adopted background screening provider, particularly well-suited for medium- to large-sized enterprises with recurring, international, or regulated hiring needs. Its strengths lie in comprehensive service offerings, strong integration with major HR and applicant tracking systems, and regulatory compliance across industries.

However, the platform faces significant criticism for its slow processing times, especially with international checks, repetitive and confusing documentation requests for candidates, and notably poor responsiveness to customer support. These issues can cause frustration and delays, potentially impacting hiring outcomes and candidate experience. Additionally, HireRight’s pricing model is geared toward larger organizations, making it less accessible or cost-effective for small businesses with limited screening needs.

Organizations considering HireRight should weigh its powerful screening capabilities and global reach against its operational challenges and premium costs to determine if it is a fit for their specific requirements.

BackgroundChecks.com is a cloud-based background screening platform designed to streamline the hiring process by making it faster, safer, and more organized. Previously known as ClearChecks, the platform automates time-consuming verification tasks, helping employers confirm candidate details while maintaining legal compliance.

In a hiring landscape where speed must balance with accuracy, BackgroundChecks.com aims to deliver both efficiency and reliability.

This overview examines how the platform operates, its pricing model, key advantages and disadvantages, and the types of organizations that benefit most from its features.

BackgroundChecks.com: Pricing & plans

(Image credit: ClearChecks)

BackgroundChecks.com uses a tiered pricing model that scales with the depth of the screening. Basic checks start around $24.99 per individual report. More comprehensive searches—including multi-county criminal checks, professional license verifications, and drug screenings—typically cost between $49 and $ 100.

Standalone or à la carte options are also available, such as a basic arrest record search for about $7 or a sex offender registry search for around $5. These can be combined to create customized screening packages tailored to specific hiring needs. The “Elite” plan, the platform’s most comprehensive option, costs approximately $49 per report and includes all key checks from lower tiers, plus additional verifications for roles that require greater trust or clearance.

Despite clear starting rates, some users have raised concerns about pricing transparency. Employers occasionally encounter undisclosed county-level court access fees, which vary by jurisdiction and can increase total costs. These hidden fees make budgeting for large screening batches difficult, and some users report challenges in obtaining refunds or resolving billing issues in a timely manner. Prospective buyers are advised to review each plan carefully and confirm pricing details before proceeding.

You can check it out by clicking here.

BackgroundChecks.com: How it works

BackgroundChecks.com is an all-in-one screening hub for both small businesses and large employers. Setup is straightforward: after registering, employers can log into a secure dashboard accessible from desktop, tablet, or mobile devices. The interface is designed for ease of use, enabling administrators to select screening types, invite candidates to complete digital consent forms, and track progress in real-time.

The platform offers a wide range of background checks, including multi-jurisdictional criminal searches, scans of state and county court records, motor vehicle record lookups, and drug testing panels. Employers can also verify education credentials, employment history, and professional licenses—essential for positions requiring specialized certifications or regulatory compliance.

BackgroundChecks.com: Performance

(Image credit: BackgroundChecks.com)

Speed is one of BackgroundChecks.com’s standout features. Automated workflows consolidate data from multiple databases and official repositories, providing results in minutes for many checks. More complex verifications, such as education or employment history, may take longer since they rely on responses from third parties.

Compliance is another priority. The platform adheres to Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) guidelines, ensuring responsible handling of consumer data while protecting applicants’ rights to dispute inaccuracies. Data transmission and storage use encrypted servers in line with data protection standards. Employers can also utilize audit logs and permission controls for enhanced oversight of report access.

For organizations managing high volumes of hires, batch processing enables multiple screenings to run simultaneously—a significant benefit for staffing agencies, seasonal employers, and rapidly growing businesses. Integration with HR systems and applicant tracking platforms enhances its flexibility, allowing screenings to begin directly within existing workflows without requiring a switch between platforms.

BackgroundChecks.com: Strengths and weaknesses

User feedback on BackgroundChecks.com highlights both strong performance and points for improvement. The platform’s intuitive interface and streamlined dashboard make initiating and monitoring screenings simple, even for first-time users. Many customers praise its speed, noting that standard checks often process within hours—an essential advantage for industries with constant hiring demands like retail or staffing.

The company’s focus on compliance and data security further enhances its reputation. Employers appreciate FCRA adherence, strong encryption, and customizable screening packages that avoid unnecessary costs. Many users also report positive experiences with customer support for resolving technical issues or account setup questions.

However, the recurring complaint surrounds inconsistent pricing transparency. Unexpected county-level fees and occasional billing discrepancies have led some employers to view the service as less predictable in terms of cost. Customer support experiences also vary: while some describe helpful, prompt service, others cite long response times—especially for billing disputes. A minority of users report occasional inaccuracies or incomplete results, which can delay hiring and require manual verification, thereby reducing the time-saving benefits.

Overall, BackgroundChecks.com offers a strong combination of efficiency, compliance, and convenience, though its transparency and support consistency leave room for improvement. For businesses focused on affordability and predictable pricing, these issues may outweigh their advantages. Still, for organizations seeking a fast, compliant, and secure screening solution, it remains a competitive option worth consideration.

BackgroundChecks.com: Who would benefit the most using this

BackgroundChecks.com caters to a diverse range of employers seeking an automated approach to background screening. It suits small business owners, HR departments, and large enterprises alike.

Industries with rapid hiring needs — such as hospitality, retail, and staffing — benefit most from its quick turnaround times. Highly regulated sectors, such as healthcare, education, and financial services, also benefit from its compliance-focused architecture and enhanced verification options.

For HR teams managing multiple candidates, batch processing and ATS integration help standardize workflows while minimizing manual data entry. This reduces administrative effort and potential errors.

The platform is equally useful for start-ups and small to mid-sized businesses without dedicated compliance teams, offering guided workflows that simplify legal adherence. However, employers conducting complex criminal background checks or operating across multiple jurisdictions may prefer supplementing their automated system with manual reviews to ensure accuracy.

BackgroundChecks.com stands out as a dependable screening solution that strikes a balance between automation, compliance, and accessibility. Its cloud-based design simplifies the complexities of background verification, enabling employers to complete checks quickly while maintaining compliance with FCRA regulations.

BackgroundChecks.com: Final verdict

By offering customizable screening packages and integrations with HR systems, the platform adapts well to a range of business sizes and industries. However, inconsistencies in pricing transparency and responsiveness to customer support may limit its appeal for organizations seeking absolute cost predictability. For most employers, though, its speed, data security, and compliance-driven structure make it a valuable tool for maintaining trust and safety throughout the hiring process.

Philips Baristina Milk Frother: Two-minute review

The Philips Baristina milk frother is designed to be partnered with the company’s Baristina bean-to-cup espresso machine, and it works an absolute treat. As it’s available as an optional extra for the Baristina machine, I’ve been using it for a couple of weeks alongside my Philips LatteGo 4400 Series espresso machine, and have found it to deliver much more pleasing results compared to my machine where milk foam is concerned.

It has three modes: hot milk foam, hot milk and cold milk foam. It’s incredibly easy to control, with just a single button that you press for no more than one second for hot milk foam, or you can hold it for three seconds to activate the cold milk foam mode. If you want hot milk, you need to remove the coil from the whisk before starting up the machine. Once the button is pressed, the Philips Baristina Milk Frother will spring into action to deliver you a foamy result. There’s no audible beep to let you know it’s finished, but the light on the button will go out.

In use, I found the Philips Baristina Milk Frother to be extremely quiet, measuring around 40dB using the decibelX app on my iPhone, and standing right next to it while it was working. It’s much quieter than using a steam wand on a coffee machine, or the automatic LatteGo system on my Philips machine.

The good thing about the Philips Baristina Milk Frother is that it’s been designed to work with any type of milk, including non-dairy varieties. This can’t be said of all milk frothers, including the Smeg Mini Milk Frother, which is intended to be used only with chilled full-fat dairy milk, and is a feature I find particularly appealing, being an oat milk drinker.

In tests, hot milk foam was very thick, making it well-suited for topping a cappuccino or even an espresso macchiato. Realistically though — and if you’re particularly specific about milk in your coffee — it’s just too thick to make a caffe latte or flat white. For me, personally, whose regular order is an oat milk flat white, I didn’t mind the thickness of the foam, especially as some other milk-foaming systems I’ve used aren’t as effective.

The exact results you achieve will depend on the specific milk you put in. I tried a couple of different oat milk brands and achieved similar results each time — this being a high level of foam, but without much gloss.

With that being said, if you want to be able to adjust the foam texture when frothing milk using a device such as this, the Dreo Baristamaker or Smeg Multi Milk Frother give you the option. It’s a similar story with cold milk foam too, with the Philips Baristina Milk Frother returning a thick, stable foam that is ideal for iced cappuccinos.

The carafe itself has a non-stick coating that helps your milk pour out easily, and it makes washing up as easy as possible. All it took during my use was a rinse under the tap to remove any leftovers. The whisk is removable to help ensure nothing is caught in it, and this, along with the lid, are both dishwasher safe.

While I was consistently pleased with results, given the fact you can’t specify the level of foam you’d prefer, and you can find more affordable options that do have such function, I have to dock some points from the Philips Baristina Milk Frother.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)Philips Baristina Milk Frother review: Price & Availability

• List price: $99.99 / AU$149 (£79.99)
• ‘Coming soon’ in the UK as a standalone unit

The Philips Baristina Milk Frother has a list price of $99.99 in the US and AU$149 in Australia. In the UK, it’s currently only available when bundled with the matching Baristina bean-to-cup coffee machine.

At the time of writing, the Black set including the milk frother can be had for the same £299.99 as the Baristina coffee machine on its own. The White set is currently selling for £359.99. Given the fact the Baristina coffee machine doesn’t have a built-in milk frother, adding the matching one makes total sense. There is a listing on the Philips UK website for the milk frother as a solo unit, but it currently says “out of stock”.

Its list price places the Philips milk frother in mid-range territory. The Nespresso Aeroccino 3, which has previously been the milk frother I’ve used at home and which offers the same limited range of features, retails for $99 / £79 / AU$109, making it cheaper only in Australia.

If you want a milk frother that offers more features, Smeg Multi Milk Frother, which has six functions and is also suitable for making drinks like hot chocolate, costs $249.95 / £179.95 / AU$299 and is available globally.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)Philips Baristina Milk Frother review: Specs

Dimensions (H x W x D)

195 x 112 x 112mm

Maximum capacity

4 fl oz / 120ml

Modes

3

Noise

50dB

Philips Baristina Milk Frother review: Design & performance

• Attractive matte finish in two colors
• Non-stick lining for simple cleaning
• Thick milk foam from all milk types

The Philips Baristina Milk Frother has been designed to perfectly match its recently released Baristina bean-to-cup espresso machine. My colleague, Cat, has already reviewed that machine, where she awarded it a full five stars, claiming it to be the best budget espresso machine currently available.

One of the only negatives she could find was that there was no built-in steam wand for frothing milk, making this standalone milk frother a necessity for milk-based coffee drinkers. It comes in the same two color choices of white or black, and adopts the same ribbed aesthetic as the main body of the matching machine.

It comprises a cylindrical carafe, a translucent plastic lid, a removable whisk that’s held in place magnetically and a base that powers the frother. The carafe has a non-stick lining, with raised markings indicating the maximum fill level. There’s no minimum fill level marking, and Philips doesn’t list one on its website — it just mentions a capacity of 4 fl oz / 120ml — but I rarely filled up to the maximum fill line, and was still able to return a large amount of milk foam.

To activate the milk frother, you just need to press the button once to activate hot milk foam, or hold it for roughly three seconds for cold milk foam. You’ll know you’ve activated cold milk foam mode correctly because the ring light around the power button will turn blue. If you just want hot milk with no foam, you can unclip the coil from the whisk handle.

There’s no dedicated pouring spout on the Baristina Milk Frother, you’re free to pour out wherever you want. However, do note that the lack of spout, combined with the sheer thickness of milk foam produced does mean you can forget about creating latte art.

Future / Max LangridgeFuture / Max LangridgeFuture / Max LangridgeFuture / Max LangridgeFuture / Max Langridge

I found the Philips Baristina to be relatively quick to finish foaming milk, taking around 90 seconds with oat milk filled to the maximum fill line. The Nespresso Aeroccino 3 that I’ve previously used takes closer to two minutes to heat at full capacity, and the level of foam isn’t always as consistent.

While I primarily used oat milk during my testing, I did also use full-fat dairy milk and, as expected, the results were similarly impressive. Full-fat dairy milk is higher in protein, which is essential when frothing milk to achieve the desired results. Non-dairy milks don’t always have similar levels, so for the Baristina Milk Frother to deliver the level of foam it did with oat milk, is mightily impressive.

I was also impressed by the machine's ability to consistently heat milk up to around 140ºF / 60ºC, which is ideal for most milk varieties.

Cleaning up is an absolute walk in the park, as the non-stick lining means you only need to rinse the milk frother under the tap to remove any leftovers.

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)Philips Baristina Milk Frother review: Should you buy it?Buy it if…

You don’t have a steam wand

If you’re a milk-based coffee drinker but your machine doesn’t have a steam wand, then the Philips Baristina Milk Frother will help you prepare milk in minutes.

You drink non-dairy milk

The Phillips Baristina Milk Frother doesn’t discriminate against non-dairy milk varieties, and is capable of producing consistently good foam no matter what you pour in.

Don't buy it if...

You want to create latte art

While the foam results are consistent, they’re very thick, making it unsuitable for latte art — or lattes and flat whites for that matter.

Philips Baristina Milk Frother review: Also consider

Smeg Mini Milk Frother

This stylish Smeg milk frother is just as simple to use and produces consistently good results. Similarly to the Philips Baristina, it’s not great if you want to create latte art, and it’s more expensive. Read our full Smeg Mini Milk Frother review for more details.

Dreo Baristamaker

Unlike the Philips Baristina Milk Frother, the Dreo Baristamaker can create milk foam of differing consistencies, including an option suitable for latte art. A steam wand is ultimately still better at such tasks, but the Dreo machine is a viable alternative. Read our full Dreo Baristamaker review for more information.

Philips Baristina Milk Frother review: How I tested

(Image credit: Future / Max Langridge)

I tested each of the Philips Baristina Milk Frother’s modes using chilled oat milk and fresh full-fat milk, in accordance with Philips’ instructions.

As part of my testing, I used an oat milk that I’ve previously had trouble generating froth with when using a Nespresso milk frother. The Philips machine fared much better.

I cleaned the non-stick carafe under a tap and used a cloth to wipe away any stains, as per the instructions in the user manual.

First reviewed April 2026

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

Veremark is a global background screening and verification platform designed to streamline pre-employment checks for HR professionals, recruiters, and small business owners. It provides a scalable, secure, and easy-to-use solution that helps organizations verify candidate credentials while maintaining compliance with international data protection and privacy regulations such as GDPR and ISO 27001.

Operating in more than 180 countries, Veremark supports a wide range of checks, including identity verification, criminal record screening, employment and education verification, professional license validation, credit and financial integrity checks, and right-to-work documentation. The platform integrates seamlessly with popular HR systems, applicant tracking software, and API-based workflows, allowing recruiters to automate and manage the entire screening process from a single dashboard.

Known for its modular approach, Veremark allows organizations to customize screening packages tailored to specific roles, industries, or regulatory requirements. Its transparent pricing model eliminates hidden fees, while built-in digital consent tools enhance candidate experience and compliance. The system’s blockchain-backed verification framework also ensures data integrity and auditability, providing employers with tamper-proof reports they can trust.

With a strong focus on speed, accuracy, and reliability, Veremark’s global network of verification partners and advanced technology infrastructure enables fast turnaround times without compromising on compliance or data security. Its responsive customer support team and dedicated account management further make it a preferred choice for enterprises, startups, and global staffing firms seeking a modern, trustworthy background check solution.

Veremark: Pricing & plans

(Image credit: Veremark)

Veremark offers flexible pricing that suits companies of all sizes — from startups needing occasional checks to global corporations running hundreds each month.

• Pay-as-you-go plans: Ideal for smaller organizations or those hiring sporadically.
• Subscription plans: Provide discounted rates for consistent hiring needs, available in monthly or annual formats.
• Per-check pricing: Starts around $6 per check, depending on the verification type and geographic location.
• Basic plan: Begins at about $15/month, allowing access to the platform without a long-term contract.

Enterprise clients can request custom quotes, particularly for high-volume or industry-specific screening packages. Free demos and limited trial access are also available.

Veremark integrates with leading HR tools, including Lever, Greenhouse, Workable, BambooHR, and Zapier, enabling organizations to embed background checks directly into their hiring workflows without separate logins or manual data entry.

You can see the full services by clicking here.

Veremark: Features

(Image credit: Veremark)

Veremark centralizes every step of the background check process on one intuitive platform. Users can select from an extensive list of verification types, including employment history and professional reference checks; criminal records and global sanctions checks; identity and address verification; education and qualification validation; and right-to-work and visa checks.

Each check is automated where possible, leveraging integrations with global databases, institutions, and regulatory bodies. HR teams receive real-time progress tracking and automatic notifications as results become available.

Final reports are displayed in a clear dashboard format — complete with digital audit trails and export options — to support compliance, audits, and recordkeeping.

Veremark: Setup

Setting up Veremark is straightforward, designed to have teams operational within hours rather than days. The process typically involves:

1. Creating an account and choosing the desired pricing plan.
2. Adding team members or assigning permissions within the admin console.
3. Selecting required check types (e.g., ID or employment) via menu templates.
4. Integrating with HR tools for automation through API or prebuilt connectors.

Candidates receive a secure invitation where they can provide consent and upload necessary documents. From there, Veremark's system takes over the coordination with external data sources and referees.

The company also provides onboarding guidance and training videos to help HR teams tailor settings, notification preferences, and report formats from the start.

Veremark: Ease of use

Veremark’s interface is widely praised for its user-friendliness and efficiency. The centralized dashboard gives recruiters a complete view of candidate progress across multiple checks, helping reduce time spent on manual follow-ups or chasing references.

Key features that simplify workflows include real-time candidate status tracking, instant alerts when checks are completed or delayed, batch processing for high-volume hiring, and downloadable, customizable reports for easy record management.

HR professionals often note that the navigation feels intuitive, even for users with limited technical experience. The design strikes a balance between simplicity and depth, allowing users to access detailed verification data without feeling overwhelmed.

Veremark: Security and privacy

Veremark prioritizes data protection and candidate privacy, aligning its infrastructure with GDPR, SOC 2, and ISO 27001 standards.

All data is encrypted both in transit and at rest, and users' access is controlled through role-based permissions. Candidate consent is mandatory for every check to ensure ethical and legal screening practices.

The platform's transparency around data handling and regulatory compliance helps organizations maintain trust and meet evolving regional privacy obligations, especially when conducting international checks.

Veremark: Support

Customer support is one of Veremark's best-reviewed strengths. Clients consistently highlight the responsiveness and professionalism of the support team. Available channels include live chat, email, and scheduled video calls for enterprise clients.

Support offerings include:

• Onboarding assistance and account setup help
• Knowledge base and documentation for troubleshooting
• Proactive updates when reports or integrations change

While most feedback is positive, some users report that credit usage can add up faster than anticipated and suggest greater clarity around balance tracking. Others note that notifications to candidates could benefit from more customizable timing to prevent premature contact with current employers.

Veremark: Competition

Veremark competes with leading background check platforms such as Checkr, Goodhire, and Certn. What sets Veremark apart is its global reach across more than 190 countries, transparent pay-as-you-go pricing with no volume minimums, and self-service setup complemented by automation tools that reduce the need for account manager intervention. It also offers seamless integrations with modern HR systems, making implementation straightforward for employers.

However, competitors like Checkr often provide deeper analytics and more comprehensive U.S.-focused compliance tools, while HireRight stands out for its enterprise-level reporting customization. Veremark’s strength lies in serving as a modern, scalable alternative that combines international coverage and flexibility, particularly appealing to small and medium-sized enterprises.

Veremark: Final verdict

Veremark stands out as a comprehensive, automation-first background screening solution tailored to modern, distributed hiring needs. It combines speed, transparency, and compliance in one secure, globally connected system.

SMBs appreciate its affordability and self-service flexibility, while international enterprises benefit from its diverse check coverage and integration options. The platform's design, support, and robust privacy controls make it a reliable choice for fast-growing teams that want to streamline background checks without sacrificing accuracy or candidate trust.

In short, Veremark is a forward-looking option for HR teams seeking efficient, compliant, and scalable background screening — all within a clean, user-friendly interface.

Accurate Background, often called Accurate, has become one of the most trusted and established names in the employee background screening industry. Over the years, it has built a reputation for delivering fast, compliant, and secure background checks for businesses of all sizes. Its client base includes both mid-sized companies and global enterprises that require reliable and legally defensible hiring processes.

Accurate sets itself apart by offering a balance of efficiency, compliance, and seamless digital experience. Employers can manage screenings entirely online through a centralized cloud platform. When a candidate is up for a position, an invitation link is sent through Accurate’s secure system, allowing the candidate to submit information and consent to the background check. Employers can then track every step of the progress in real time, viewing results organized by category and risk level.

What really distinguishes Accurate is its strong adherence to compliance regulations, including the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and privacy regulations such as the GDPR. Its automation ensures that required steps, such as adverse action notifications, happen without manual oversight. Combined with integrations across more than seventy popular applicant tracking systems, the platform provides one of the most comprehensive screening solutions available to modern HR departments.

Accurate’s overall mission is to simplify background screening without compromising on precision or compliance. The need for digital efficiency in hiring has grown rapidly, and Accurate’s cloud-based approach replaces outdated systems of paperwork, calls, and manual verification. Instead, the entire screening process can be completed in a secure, organized, and trackable digital space.

For HR professionals, this means reduced administrative delays and stronger confidence in hiring accuracy. For candidates, it provides transparency and a fair, consistent process. Accurate serves businesses across multiple industries, but thrives particularly in regulated sectors such as healthcare, finance, transportation, and staffing—industries where legal accuracy and data protection are essential.

Accurate: Plans and pricing

(Image credit: Accurate)

Accurate’s pricing model is custom-built for each client. Rather than offering a one-size-fits-all subscription, the company tailors costs based on volume, screening depth, and specific client needs. While this approach benefits large companies, it can feel opaque for smaller businesses that prefer published, predictable pricing tiers.

Although the company does not list official pricing on its website, various client and industry reports indicate that basic pre-employment checks average $30 to $45 per candidate. More comprehensive packages that include employment and education verification, as well as federal and state-level background checks, typically range from $60 to $100 per report. Employers that require additional services, such as drug or health screenings, can expect costs of about $30 to $70, depending on the test type. Manual verifications, such as confirming degrees or employment history, add roughly $7 to $21 per verification.

Larger organizations with high screening volumes typically receive negotiated rates under custom contracts, while smaller employers submit quote requests individually. This flexibility allows enterprise clients to fully customize processes, but smaller businesses may find the lack of clear pricing a disadvantage compared to more transparent competitors such as Checkr or GoodHire.

You can check out the full services by clicking here.

Accurate: Features

Accurate offers an extensive range of screening services, covering nearly every major component an employer may require in the hiring process. Employers can conduct detailed criminal history searches at the county, state, and federal levels, and verify work experience, education, and professional credentials.

The platform also supports drug and medical testing and includes motor vehicle record checks, identity verification, and global background checks in more than two hundred countries. One of its strongest selling points is its automation of compliance steps. Every background check automatically follows FCRA and EEOC obligations, with required disclosures, consent tracking, and notification handling built directly into the system.

Automation extends beyond compliance. Employers can integrate Accurate into existing hiring systems so that background checks launch automatically when a candidate reaches a specific stage in their applicant tracking system. Integrations with over seventy different software platforms—including Greenhouse, Workday, and iCIMS—make workflows nearly seamless. This integration advantage ensures consistency across departments and reduces administrative workload for large hiring teams.

Accurate: Setup

(Image credit: Accurate)

Setting up Accurate is generally straightforward but can vary depending on the organization’s size and technical structure. For smaller companies, setup may be quick, with configuration taking only a few business days. Larger corporations often go through a brief onboarding phase, during which Accurate’s implementation team helps fine-tune permissions, custom forms, and data policies.

During the setup process, employers collaborate with an Accurate representative to select screening package types, set up access controls, and configure candidate communication templates. Integration settings also come into play here, as HR teams determine how background checks should integrate with existing workflows.

Training during setup is often praised by users for its thoroughness and clarity. Once the configuration is complete, the system minimizes manual effort, allowing future screenings to be launched and monitored with minimal input.

Accurate: Ease of use

(Image credit: Accurate)

Accurate’s cloud-based platform is intuitive and well-organized. The dashboard provides clear visibility into the status of each background check, letting employers see whether reports are pending, completed, or awaiting candidate consent. Each report presents easy-to-read results organized by risk category, and notifications alert HR teams when documents need review or action.

Candidates also benefit from consistent communication. Once invited to participate, they receive a mobile-friendly link to complete forms and securely upload identification. The process is transparent, allowing candidates to track their progress so they aren’t left wondering about the status of their background check.

Users frequently highlight Accurate’s simplicity. Reports load quickly, and dashboards are customizable without becoming cluttered. Some advanced administrative functions, such as managing complex adjudication workflows, may require additional training or initial support. However, once familiar with it, the interface functions smoothly for teams of all sizes, even those conducting hundreds of checks per month.

Accurate: Security and privacy

Because background screening involves storing and transmitting sensitive personal data, Accurate applies strict measures to protect every stage of the process. All data is encrypted at rest and in transit using modern encryption protocols. Role-based access controls restrict who within an organization can access specific information, reducing internal risk.

The company also enforces multi-factor authentication for employer accounts and conducts independent SOC 2 Type II audits on a regular schedule. These audits verify that Accurate’s systems meet high standards for operational security and data management. Regular penetration testing and compliance certifications ensure continued adherence to evolving privacy laws.

Accurate is fully compliant with major regulatory frameworks, including FCRA, GDPR, and the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). Employers can customize how long background data is retained before automatic deletion, and candidates always have access to consent forms and dispute processes. With these safeguards, Accurate demonstrates a proactive approach to protecting candidate and employer information alike.

Accurate: Support

Accurate provides customer support through multiple channels, including phone, email, and an online support center filled with resource articles and training materials. Larger enterprise clients typically have direct account managers who assist with workflow optimization and compliance questions. Smaller organizations are supported through shared help desks and online communication tools.

Response times are generally positive for enterprise clients, often within the same business day. However, smaller users sometimes report slower response times or limited communication on more complex inquiries. The help center is comprehensive, with detailed documentation that helps mitigate these concerns by allowing users to troubleshoot issues independently.

Accurate also runs training programs and webinars for HR teams to stay current on compliance and system updates. While support quality is generally highly rated, clients occasionally note that support resources should be more accessible to non-enterprise clients seeking faster answers.

Accurate: The competition

Accurate competes in an industry with several strong players. Companies such as Checkr, GoodHire, Sterling, and HireRight hold significant market share in the background screening market. Checkr stands out for its developer-friendly interface and transparent pricing model, which attracts startups and gig-economy employers. GoodHire appeals to small business owners with prepackaged, easy-to-understand pricing and simplified reporting dashboards. Sterling, meanwhile, is a direct competitor to Accurate in the enterprise space, offering similar international screening capabilities and a deeply configurable compliance structure.

Where Accurate differentiates itself is in its balance of technology, reliability, and compliance automation. Its integration strength with HR tools makes it ideal for medium-sized and enterprise organizations managing consistent hiring flows across departments. Smaller companies seeking a lighter, self-service experience might find greater convenience with competitors, but Accurate’s breadth of features and wide regulatory coverage make it difficult to match for more demanding operations.

Accurate Background: Final verdict

Accurate Background remains a top-tier solution for organizations that prioritize compliance, thoroughness, and reliability in their hiring process. Its combination of comprehensive screening options, automatic compliance handling, and integration with the industry’s best HR and ATS platforms make it one of the most complete background screening solutions available today.

While Accurate’s lack of transparent pricing and occasional inconsistencies in customer support may frustrate smaller users, these drawbacks are outweighed by its performance, automation capabilities, and commitment to data security. It is ideally suited for employers running frequent or large-scale hiring campaigns, particularly in regulated industries where even minor compliance issues can lead to costly consequences.

For larger HR departments seeking speed, consistency, and legal precision, Accurate stands as one of the strongest players in the market. Its advanced platform delivers the right balance of technology and trust, ensuring that every hire meets the highest standards of compliance and verification integrity.

The Bluetti Elite 30 V2 is a fantastic compact offering with an impressive 600W inverter that can lift up to 1500W in Power Lift High Demand Mode. This unit is great for camping, travel, and other times when you may need power on the go.

I’ve used it for several storms to recharge key devices, blow up inflatable mattresses, and recharge tool batteries while installing cameras on a job site.

For this size, the power output is pretty notable. It also recharges quickly and has a fantastic port offering, making it a jack-of-all, master-of-none kind of machine.

This is the kind of power station you want to recharge something, not necessarily keep something running that needs to be plugged in. Or, perhaps, you simply need a decent amount of power, but only in spurts.

Bluetti Elite 30 V2: Price and availability

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Bluetti Elite 30 V2 has an MSRP of around $300, though it's currently on sale for $219 on Bluetti's site, and it's also available at other online retailers for around the same discounted price. Availability is good in the US, UK, Europe, and elsewhere.

The port selection is wonderful for most users, the output is high enough to handle emergency needs, and Bluetti brand’s reliability makes it a solid investment when discounted.

There are a multitude of colors to choose from, giving you the option to feel like you’ve at least had the chance to customize, which is very important for some. Or, if you’re more subtle and don’t want your power station to scream color, you can pick a more neutral color.

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )Bluetti Elite 30 V2: Unboxing and First Impressions

Within the box, Bluetti sends the power station, of course, the AC charging cable that matches the region (US for me), and then some basic documentation. With a quick app download, you can pair and get more control over this device, or simply power it on and use it as is, without any app connection.

One thing worth noting is that when you first press the power button, it turns on the device itself, not any of the ports. You’ll need to select DC or AC to route power from the main battery to the ports. Don’t be like me and forget to do that, walk away thinking something is charging, and then walk back to zero charging happening, all because you forgot to press a silly button.

Outside of the button-pressing (or lack thereof) mishap, this is a super simple grab-and-go machine, great for just about anything. Small enough to bring with you in a road trip, around the house, camping, and so on, while having enough power and ports that it would be worth it to bring this over a standard portable battery. That’s a pretty fantastic bit of kit if I do say so myself.

One more thing worth mentioning is that Bluetti also includes a cable to recharge from a car socket, and one to connect to solar (XT60-style) in case you have solar panels already or if you pick some up. For the few times I’ve recharged this from my Jeep, the car socket cable has been super helpful — or you could pick up Bluetti’s newest alternator charger, the Charger 2, for faster vehicle charging.

Bluetti Elite 30 V2: Design & Build Quality

The Elite 30 V2 has a great form factor for power stations, especially this size. There is an integrated handle, which is highly beneficial; it’s got all front-facing ports for power output, two full-size, three-prong AC outlets, two USB-C ports, one at 140W and one at 100W, two USB-A ports at 15W, a DC car socket, two 12V barrel plugs, and a special inlet port for the DC Car socket or solar input. On the right side is the IEC power connector for standard charging.

Bluetti Elite 30 V2: In use

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

As I mentioned, I used this in the back of my Jeep to recharge tools, keep it as a backup during colder months, always topped off and ready, and help recharge tools while I was on job sites while testing this power station. It worked great to use the included DC socket charger to top off, without having to run through a different converter or pay extra for Charger 2, for my simple use cases.

Also, during my testing phase of around 130 days, we had a few power outages due to winter storms. The Elite 30 V2 is the perfect size to bring around and knock out the quick little things that I need to take care of, such as blowing up air mattresses, powering up some iPads for the kids, perhaps recharging or topping off a backup light, or maybe even the modem/router if really needed. While this isn't the kind of power station I’d want to rely on for my fridge or anything like that, I can trust it to recharge some smaller electronics.

One thing I do wish is that this power station, designed for emergency or backup power, which would not be uncommon to happen at night, would have a built-in light, even if just a small one. I have noticed this becoming increasingly popular among other brands, and I have come to really appreciate it in times of need. Having that as an added element to this Swiss Army Knife of power stations would be a super nice addition.

Bluetti Elite 30 V2: Final verdict

(Image credit: Collin Probst // Future )

The Bluetti E30 V2 is a compact, easy-to-use jack-of-all-trades power station. An all-rounder for general usage with spectacular port options, impressive output, and even more impressive lift.

I especially like that it's all in a box that's very easy to use and has a built-in handle. It’s not perfect, it doesn’t have the largest battery, but the inverter is impressive to say the least.

If you’re looking for a powerful machine to handle all of your quick one off needs at a great price point, then make sure you check out the E30 V2.

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For more top-performers, see our guide to the best portable power stations we've tested.

SAP is one of the largest enterprise software providers in the world, and its suite of products includes SAP SuccessFactors – a flexible suite of AI-powered tools that’s designed to help you manage teams, grow your headcount, tackle payroll, and scale HR operations.

SuccessFactors promises a broad array of features and use cases in one app, but if there’s one company that could handle the complexity it should be SAP, with global reach and enterprise-level customers on every continent.

Unsurprisingly, this tool places a big emphasis on managing global teams and complex HR operations with plenty of depth and scalability. We've previously reviewed the Core HR and Payroll module (read it here), so this review will look at the wider ecosystem that makes up SuccessFactors.

With a steep learning curve and a feature set that may prove too much for more modest businesses, though, read on to discover if SAP SuccessFactors is right for you – and if it's a suitable pick from the best HR software we've tested.

SAP SuccessFactors: Plans and pricing

(Image credit: Future)

As with most HR providers, SAP doesn’t share much pricing for SuccessFactors because it’s determined on a case-by-case basis. Pricing will depend on a variety of factors, including licensing volume, the number of solutions required, and the length of the contract.

Typically, an SAP SuccessFactors solution is built from several modules: SAP offers Core HR and Payroll, Team Management, Workforce Management, and Sales Performance Management – companies can build a combination of these to create a well-rounded product that suits their needs.

While SAP doesn’t share extensive pricing details, some basic pricing information is available on the SAP website. The cloud-based SuccessFactors system is available on a per-user, per-month basis, with SAP SuccessFactors Core HR available for $6.30 per user. A more extensive Core HR system is listed as costing $18 per user per month.

Further modules will add cost, and pricing will vary on a case-by-case basis – so prices could rise significantly based on the package that you need.

You can see the full Human Capital Software solutions by clicking here.

SAP SuccessFactors: Features

(Image credit: Future)

The central SAP SuccessFactors product combines global reach with extensive AI capabilities. It’s designed to simplify people management, improve employee performance, adapt to changing workforce conditions and work easily with systems throughout your organization.

The central HR module supports personalized employee profiles, global benefits administration and easy employee absence management thanks to an extensive self-service option.

It covers time and attendance tracking across desktop, mobile, and integration with third-party time and attendance tools.

Employee documentation is fully searchable, templates can automatically create new documents, and compliance is supported through retention rules and employee completeness checks.

The system supports local regulations, laws, and policies to ensure compliance and integrates with SAP payroll systems to enable easier financial planning and execution. It’s secure, too, thanks to robust encryption and adherence to ISO and GDPR policies, with more details found on the dedicated SAP Trust Center.

Payroll processes are united on a single automated platform, which makes management easier, and the tool offers pre-configured localization frameworks for over 100 countries and payroll support for over 50 countries.

Elsewhere, SuccessFactors provides employees with a central self-service portal, and your HR teams can get the job done more effectively with collaborative workspaces.

It’s a great start, and you get even more capability if you add one of the optional modules to your SuccessFactors package. The Talent Management option includes extensive ATS and candidate management options, AI-enabled customized onboarding, and skills-based career development and learning. The system provides tailored growth opportunities for employees, learning experiences, skills development, and a system to track employee goals and performance, including reviews and evaluations.

The Workforce Management section serves up time and absence administration, external worker tracking and compliance, real-time employee analytics, and worker profile management. And the Sales Performance Management module includes incentive management, territories and quotes, real-time insights, and external agent management.

The mobile app is also impressive, with feature parity between Android and iOS, access to common tasks, a useful to-do list, and extensive options to manage employees, tackle compensation tasks, handle benefit claims, and provide employee self-service.

SAP SuccessFactors lacks little, though its sheer scale and modular architecture may prompt some users to seek alternatives for a different experience.

Tools from competitors like HiBob, BambooHR, or Gusto are easier to navigate and deploy thanks to their all-in-one design, for instance, and you could look towards a tool like Workable if you want an app with a greater focus on recruitment.

SAP SuccessFactors: Ease of use

(Image credit: Future)

SAP SuccessFactors uses a functional, enterprise-style UI that provides quick links to common tasks and easy access to those that require immediate attention. At the top-left of the app, you can access a menu to open major modules within the software.

The UI looks plain and businesslike, and it generally does a great job of presenting analytics and data – this is where you’ll find a little more color used, which makes trends and alerts easier to spot. The Recruiting module makes it easy to see your current progress through hiring tasks, and the Career Development section is a highlight thanks to its graphical design and effective presentation of employee information.

SAP SuccessFactors also adds functionality through integrations with SAP Access Control and Concur, as well as payroll tools from companies like Strada and iCIMS.

This isn’t the easiest UI to navigate, though, and it’s not the most attractive either. The design is both plain and complex, so the learning curve will be steeper than with many other HR systems.

During our testing we also spotted some design inconsistencies. Sometimes you’ll open a module, like Goals, Continuous Feedback, or Continuous Performance, and get a list of employees on the left side – but in other modules, like Development, that disappears, and you’ve got to click an employee name to switch to another team member.

We’ve seen reports online of implementations being lengthy and complex, especially if you need to do most of the work yourself or deploy many integrations and customizations. Bear in mind that your implementation may also be supported by a third-party SAP implementation partner rather than by SAP directly.

SAP SuccessFactors: Support

(Image credit: Future)

SAP SuccessFactors’ support offerings are collected together in a Portal with an extensive Knowledge Base and product documentation, a busy user community, and a fully-featured dashboard that enables you to log, track, and manage your support tickets.

There are extensive reporting options, a maintenance planner, a KPI catalog, a SAP Readiness Check tool, information about SAP’s product roadmap, and a section filled with alerts and diagnostics.

If you do need to get in touch, 24/7 phone support is available alongside live chat and email support, with the latter only available on weekdays. Also bear in mind that operational hours and support methods may vary by region.

SAP SuccessFactors: Competition

Sage HR’s ease of use and fast implementation are both welcome in the SMB market, but this product faces strong competition from a host of accomplished rivals.

If you’re not keen on payroll being handled by another product, even if it’s from the Sage family, then RUN Powered by ADP and Gusto are both strong choices that include native payroll functionality.

Sage HR’s interface is clean and effective, but HiBob has more modern visuals paired with deeper employee engagement and experience features, and BambooHR is a good choice if you need a clean interface and in-depth onboarding functionality.

For recruitment, we’d recommend Workable with its extensive, dedicated features, and Rippling is an excellent choice if you want to experiment more with automation.

SAP SuccessFactors: Final verdict

SAP SuccessFactors is at its best when managing diverse, global teams with complex structures and HR operations, and it’s got plenty of scalability, depth, and customization. If you’re in a larger organization, that’s ideal, though it means this software may be too much for smaller businesses unless you’re planning rapid growth.

It’s got great analytics, impressive reporting, good talent management features, and robust, secure central data management, too.

Negatively, the depth of SuccessFactors means a steep learning curve, the app’s integrations can be complicated, and the UI isn’t always consistent. We’ve also seen reports of lengthy, complex implementations, especially if your organization requires extensive customization – this tool will work best in businesses that already have dedicated HR teams in place.

SAP SuccessFactors stands out as a robust solution tailored for organizations with global, complex HR requirements thanks to its extensive customization and powerful analytics.

With a history steeped in accounting and financial software and a reputation for accuracy and reliability, it’s no wonder that Sage is a big contender in the HR software space.

Its Sage HR solution promises a no-nonsense set of capabilities that could save you time, cut down on admin, and accelerate recruitment, and is designed for businesses with up to 250 employees.

Sage HR makes it refreshingly easy to get started thanks to a straightforward interface – and your accounts department will be pleased, too, because Sage HR uses a modular pricing structure that makes it easier to see where you stand.

With features designed around SMBs and straightforward pricing, is Sage HR your next human resources solution?

See other options in our guide to the best HR software.

Sage HR: Plans and pricing

Lots of HR solution providers are not transparent about their pricing, so it’s refreshing that Sage provides plenty of financial detail upfront about its HR products alongside a free 30-day trial.

Sage HR starts at $6 per user per month, and for that investment you get access to the Core HR and Leave Management modules.

The Performance, Shift Scheduling, and Timesheets options each cost $3 extra per user per month, and the Expenses module costs $1.50. The Recruitment module, which is not priced on a per-employee basis, costs $200 per month, and you can pay $100 per month for an HR Advice Essentials package.

That refreshing transparency is paired with a straightforward pricing calculator that combines all of those modules with your headcount. Be aware that pricing can rise significantly if you start adding modules - and that, as always, pricing will vary by region.

(Image credit: Future)Sage HR: Features

Sage’s Core HR module provides a centralized employee database, onboarding, a workflow builder to automate key tasks, and an electronic signature tool. It also provides an organization chart, the option to store custom employee data, and a self-service employee portal for accessing company details.

Leave Management is included alongside Core HR and includes a shared calendar for scheduling and planning, a self-service employee portal for leave administration, and custom approval flows for your HR staff.

Reporting is solid for an SMB tool, and managers can approve time off from the Sage HR system, the mobile app, their email inbox, or even in Slack. You can also create custom time-off policies.

The Sage HR mobile app is one of the most helpful you’ll find anywhere, with options for managers to handle vacation requests, expenses, schedules, and calendars from their smartphones. Employees can use the app with single sign-on to book vacation, browse directories, and share feedback - and they can submit expense claims by simply taking photos of receipts.

Sage HR’s onboarding system is designed to be customizable and seamless thanks to a powerful workflow builder, and managers can access extensive reporting to track the progress of new hires.

When they’re integrated into the business, Sage’s Performance module enables goal and OKR setting, tracking, and management alongside 360-degree feedback, surveys, 1-1 meetings, and fast recognition options.

Elsewhere, the Sage HR Recruitment module includes end-to-end pipeline management, unique talent landing pages, interview scheduling, and custom scorecards.

Unsurprisingly, Sage HR integrates well with products across the Sage ecosystem, which makes this a more effective choice if your organization already uses the company’s products. In terms of third-party integrations, Sage works with Slack, Google, Zapier, Microsoft tools and products like Find My Shift, and it’s got API support.

There’s one thing missing in Sage HR: payroll. It’s not included natively, so you’ll need to sign up for one of Sage’s payroll solutions and integrate it with your HR system.

(Image credit: Future)Sage HR: Ease of use

Some HR solutions opt for ultra-modern, friendly designs with lots of color. Unsurprisingly, Sage HR takes a more mature approach, pairing an unfussy, effective layout with smart, mature visuals.

The dashboard gives you an immediate overview of tasks that require your attention alongside key information about your employees, from upcoming time away to 1-1 meetings and goals. The dashboard is fully configurable, so it can be tweaked to match your organizational requirements.

The calendar makes it easy to see employee activity and can be filtered by team and location, and the timesheet and scheduling modules are similarly intuitive and easy to understand. The company directory has impressive filtering and a straightforward organization chart, and the reporting module provides data that’s easy to understand thanks to uncomplicated visuals.

Some apps do go further when it comes to reporting and analytics. While that can increase complication, it could also prove more powerful and insightful, especially in larger organizations.

At the top of the window is a list of handy quick actions, there’s a search bar at the top left of the app, and the user interface is consistent throughout – something that isn’t always the case on many rival HR solutions. Sage also pairs this system with a mobile app that’s just as easy to use for both managers and employees.

The sensible, consistent interface means that Sage HR has a gentle learning curve, which should make integration into your business easier. Online user sentiment suggests that Sage is easy to use for everyday HR tasks.

Two of the only minor complaints we’ve seen online are that the interface looks a little dated and that some workflows are basic compared to deeper products.

(Image credit: Future)Sage HR: Support

Sage HR’s support starts with a help center that’s packed with guides and FAQs. The size and popularity of the wider Sage ecosystem mean there’s a huge amount of information available for troubleshooting common issues. You’ll also find a community forum and a wealth of training materials.

As with most HR solution businesses, Sage now provides an AI chatbot that connects to human agents if you need immediate advice. Users can file support tickets and manage them from within the help center, too.

(Image credit: Future)Sage HR: Competition

Sage HR’s ease of use and fast implementation are both welcome in the SMB market, but this product faces strong competition from a host of accomplished rivals.

If you’re not keen on payroll being handled by another product, even if it’s from the Sage family, then RUN Powered by ADP and Gusto are both strong choices that include native payroll functionality.

Sage HR’s interface is clean and effective, but HiBob has more modern visuals paired with deeper employee engagement and experience features, and BambooHR is a good choice if you need a clean interface and in-depth onboarding functionality.

For recruitment, we’d recommend Workable with its extensive, dedicated features, and Rippling is an excellent choice if you want to experiment more with automation.

Sage HR: Final verdict

Sage HR competes well in the SMB space: it’s easy to deploy and use, it’s packed with helpful features, and its mobile app and leave management functionality are both best-in-class.

The modular pricing structure lets you easily evaluate costs and gives your organization the flexibility to scale its HR solution as business needs evolve.

The lack of native payroll and a slight lack of reporting and analytics depth are negatives, but neither is a dealbreaker. If your organization needs an HR solution that prioritizes simplicity, functionality, and transparency, start with Sage.

Lots of big-name HR apps have had to adapt as the world has leaned more towards remote and hybrid work – but HiBob has been built from day one to support that kind of flexible employment.

With scalability and agility baked into the platform, HiBob claims to help organizations of all sizes be more productive and boost employee engagement and retention.

The company was founded in 2015 and began by offering HR solutions to SMBs, and HiBob has since expanded to cater for businesses of all sizes, including over a dozen enterprise clients. The company now serves over 1.4 million employees.

Unsurprisingly, HiBob is packed with features that prioritize employee recognition and performance alongside tools designed to promote and grow company culture. On paper it sounds great, but can HiBob compete with the big names?

Take a look at other options in our guide to the best HR software.

HiBob: Plans and pricing

As with many other HR solutions, HiBob doesn’t publish pricing publicly – so if you want to find out HiBob costs, you’ll need to request a quote and build your own package.

While that means you’ll get a personalized price that’s closely aligned with what you need in your business, it can make initial research and evaluation difficult.

And while the modular approach is undoubtedly useful, it can also mean that your costs grow as your business expands, especially if you need to add more functionality.

(Image credit: Future)HiBob: Features

HiBob’s features promise to simplify complexity, boost agility, and lead with data so HR teams can make confident decisions, all with a design ethos that’s focused on modern ways of working. At the top level, the company’s HR solution is divided into three areas – operations, culture, and strategy – with every module falling under one of these designations.

Unsurprisingly, HiBob is packed with custom automation and workflow options that enable HR teams to save time by accelerating repetitive tasks. Workflows, tasks, and timelines can be easily adjusted to reflect changes within your organization, and those workflows can be further personalized for different departments or teams. You can build customized task lists, too, and permission groups for the various teams in your organization.

HiBob’s homepage looks more like a social media feed than a data-rich dashboard, which immediately helps it stand out against other HR solutions. It’s a brilliant way to keep up with what’s going on in the business, and it does a great job of balancing culture-first updates about your staff with notifications about pressing HR issues that need your attention. HiBob’s core HR offering includes a visual organization chart with plenty of customization options.

The app supports electronic signatures, centralized document storage, and analytics dashboards with visual representations of key company data, lots of filtering, and options to create reports. Those dashboards are excellent: there are 12 pre-configured options to choose from, including a dedicated DEI dashboard, and they all offer deep customization – you can drag, drop, and resize modules, change colors and appearance, and more. They all have extensive data export options, too.

HiBob’s payroll hub includes visual tracking, notifications, and automatic updates to help make the process easier, and HiBob’s payroll modules include dedicated tools for US, UK, and global functionality with compliance, flexible pay types, and tax regulations included. Employee self-service includes access to payslips, too.

If you don’t opt to include one of HiBob’s payroll modules in your HR package, third-party integrations are supported, too. HiBob supports software from ADP, Dayforce, Paylocity, Trinet, Xero, and more.

There are more financial features in HiBob beyond the payroll module, too, thanks to in-depth compensation management. You can create, standardize, and adjust pay bands, make decisions based on updated salary, tenure, and performance data, and use charts and sliders to allocate base pay, bonuses, and equity plans. Salary reviews are bolstered by recommendations, alerts, and guidelines.

Employees can request PTO and managers can respond to them in the HiBob app or in Slack and Microsoft Teams, and you can create custom vacation policies and view team schedules with calendars.

Clocking in and out is as easy as employees clicking a button, and managers can adjust working time from the app or via third-party integrations.

To help your employees perform at their best, HiBob offers customizable performance reviews with AI-powered insights and 360-degree feedback. Managers can use calibration worksheets to evaluate teams, create individual, team, and organizational goals, and enhance 1-1 meetings with templating, follow-up reminders, and more.

Employee data from across the system is collated in a KPI dashboard that covers headcount, retention, growth, and more, and managers can build custom reports. Employee surveys include opportunities for anonymous feedback and there’s a full succession planning suite included in HiBob.

Hiring is covered in HiBob, too. Customizable hiring pipelines, AI-powered CV summaries and candidate self-scheduling make the start of the recruitment journey easier. The app provides AI-generated job descriptions and can post to over 2,300 global job boards, and you can build your own branded career page.

Interviewing is easier thanks to native Outlook and Google Calendar integration and automated reminders. Candidates can access their own portal, and managers can analyze hiring data in a dashboard that’s packed with analysis options.

When you’ve hired, you can build your own onboarding process, create tasks for your colleagues to ensure a smooth arrival for the new employee, and provide the new hire with materials about the company culture to help them get started.

As with most modern HR solutions, HiBob offers API support so companies can develop their own integrations alongside hundreds of third-party integrations that are ready to deploy with less technical knowledge.

As well as the payroll tools we mentioned earlier, HiBob integrates with software from Culture Amp, Deel, Google, Jira, Oracle, PWC, Slack, and more. Microsoft integration comes from Azure Active Directory, Entra ID, Microsoft 365 calendar integration, and Teams, but you’ll find more elsewhere if you’re really committed to working with Microsoft tools.

Unsurprisingly, HiBob has already begun to deploy AI tools throughout its software, and the options available here are already more extensive than many you’ll find elsewhere. The AI assistant pops up throughout HiBob to assist with common tasks, like writing.

HiBob provides more transparency than most rivals when it comes to AI usage. Dive into the settings menu and you can see the guiding principles based around permissions, data privacy, and security, alongside settings to tweak AI functionality – including options to only allow AI usage in certain areas of the tool, and a toggle to turn it off entirely.

Data never leaves HiBob when you’re using AI, which improves security, and a cross-platform tool called Bob Companion is currently in beta testing. It’ll read documents and give responses based on company policies, analyze your data to answer your questions, and assist with more complex tasks.

(Image credit: Future)HiBob: Ease of use

HiBob is one of the best-looking HR solutions you’ll find on the market. The central dashboard is set out like a social media feed, with the latest updates, notifications, events, and even birthdays – and you can use a handy panel on the right-hand side to access your integrations, which is a smart piece of design we’ve not seen anywhere else.

The organization chart is attractive and well-designed, too: you can click an employee’s name to bring up a panel with key information, click down to see their direct reports, and use easy filtering options.

Employee profiles are another highlight: people’s pages contain a vast amount of information in an effective layout, there are color-coded attrition indicators, a menu of handy quick-actions, and a huge amount of depth.

HiBob’s colorful, detail-packed, customizable dashboards are a highlight, with key information made easily available, smart and imaginative charting formats, and loads of filtering.

The only downside is that it’ll take you a little time to build dashboards and use this feature effectively – and that initial implementation can take a little while, too, especially if you want to make the most out of HiBob and use plenty of customization.

To access different modules, users can click the navigation button in the top-left of the app – you’ll find links to switch to the Talent, Workforce Planning, Hiring, Learning, Payroll, and Compensation tools, depending on what’s included in your package.

No matter the module you use, you’ll find the same clever UI throughout, with a keen balance struck between data and design. HiBob’s Workforce Planning tool displays useful analytics about your employees, including onboarding updates, and the Payroll hub makes complex information easy to understand.

A sandbox mode is available for testing new functionality. There’s always a help button available in the bottom-left corner, and you don’t have to mess around with different versions of the tool – HiBob only ever uses one version of the software.

You can tell that HiBob is a modern HR system that’s designed for modern ways of working thanks to its clever design, handy features, and rock-solid mix of depth and functionality – it’s certainly not a legacy system that’s struggled to keep up with the times.

(Image credit: Future)HiBob: Support

As well as the in-app support widget that uses AI to triage issues, HiBob offers email-based support to users alongside a Help Center that’s packed with articles, guides, and videos that are useful to administrators, managers, and employees.

If you file a support ticket, you’ll be supported by a team that offers global coverage across multiple time zones, and you can flag issues with varying priority levels depending on their status to your business.

During implementation, HiBob customers can work with a dedicated manager and a success manager to support product functionality once the solution has been deployed.

(Image credit: Future)HiBob: Competition

There’s no shortage of competition for HiBob in the mid-market HR space, but this tool does a fantastic job of standing out thanks to its design, engagement tools, and focus on employee culture.

That said, if you want something that’s more straightforward, perhaps for a smaller business, then BambooHR is a common alternative, and Rippling generally provides more automation and even more features to support IT teams.

If you’d like to step up to an enterprise-grade product, then SAP SuccessFactors and Workday deliver more power alongside a proportionate step up in complexity.

HiBob: Final verdict

HiBob is an HR standout if you want your software solution to feel modern, engaging, and effective – especially when it comes to employee culture and performance.

Its interface is excellent, the social feed home page is one of the best around, and the entire platform is extremely configurable and scalable. Its reporting is excellent, too, and it’s excellent for hybrid, remote, and geographically disparate workforces.

It can take a little time to implement and learn HiBob properly, though, and costs may rise as your business grows and you add more modules.

Those are relatively minor issues, though, and HiBob remains one of the best HR solutions on the market. If you want to prioritize employee wellbeing and engagement, HiBob should be at the top of your shopping list.

Factorial is a Barcelona-based HR software provider that already serves over 15,000 businesses, and its array of features sounds impressive – it covers most of the bases for core HR capabilities and promises to tackle project management, IT management, and procurement, too.

Combine its extensive range of abilities with a transparent structure, and you’ve got the starting point for an effective piece of HR software.

An AI agent has recently launched and promises to further streamline workflows while allowing humans to handle more important tasks, and the company says it will be particularly useful to SMBs across Europe and Latin America.

See more options in our guide to the best HR software

Factorial: Plans and pricing

Factorial’s plans start at $8 per user per month, although, as with most HR solution providers, the company will tailor quotes and packages on a case-by-case basis.

Indeed, creating a tailored experience is a key part of the Factorial solution. Every organization that signs up gets access to Factorial Core, which provides a broad range of conventional HR functionality. Beyond that, you can choose from Time, Talent, and Finance Management options depending on your needs.

Unfortunately, the prices for these modules are not listed on Factorial’s website. That’s not particularly unusual in the HR solutions market, but prices could easily accelerate once you start building a package, and you’ll need to talk to sales to get a personalized quote.

That can make it harder, at least initially, to weigh up potential investment against rivals that are more transparent about pricing.

Before you dive in, also check if Factorial is supported in your country. At the time of writing, the website offers localization for the UK, Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, Poland, Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, and Chile - alongside a global site aligned with the US.

(Image credit: Future)Factorial: Features

Factorial Core includes a comprehensive selection of HR features, from contract and legal management to approvals, permissions, and custom workflows - all designed to keep your business moving.

Task management is included alongside document management, and you get an employee directory, organization chart, onboarding, scheduling, and more. The entire Core module includes accessible reporting and data presentation, which makes it easier for HR teams to spot potential opportunities and issues, and you get mobile access and reasonable customization.

Financially, you can use Factorial Core to get in-depth and real-time insights on company performance, and the platform can guide you through the payroll process.

Step up to the Enterprise product, and you get more customization, from template and report creation to API keys, fillable PDFs, and support for multiple currencies.

The Time Management platform, available as an extra module, adds loads of functionality. If you opt to expand with this, you’ll get an in-depth time-off system that supports overtime and additional flexibility, along with geolocation-powered employee time tracking in the complete working and productivity module. There’s a shift management tool, too, if that’s how your people work, as well as employee self-service for documents, scheduling, and vacations.

The Talent Management solution offers tools for tracking and improving performance, including 360-degree reviews, analysis, and a recruitment suite. Factorial provides employee engagement features like goal-setting, OKR tracking, training management, onboarding, offboarding, and evaluations.

Choose the Finance Management module to add project management, expenses, and procurement tools. Add the payroll module for automated bonuses, custom agreements, and overtime support.

One of Factorial’s newer features is IT management, which allows your teams to support staff with zero-touch device deployment and instant SaaS access. Your teams can track hardware, licenses, and compliance across multiple operating systems and environments, apply policies, lock devices, and generate reports. You can even handle procurement here, with pre-configured devices available for shipment to employees in over 60 countries.

Factorial now includes a new AI agent that promises to streamline processes and save time. It’s the kind of addition that’s being rolled out across many HR solutions at the moment, and Factorial’s AI tool can generate meeting summaries and handle research tasks, reporting, and employee surveys.

There are more than eighty third-party integrations available for the Factorial system, including Zapier, Workable, Slack, WhatsApp, Jira, and software from Apple and Google. Microsoft support is also extensive and includes Power BI, Dynamics 365, Outlook, and more. The system offers an API, although you’ll find more pre-built, third-party integrations elsewhere.

This is all very impressive, but there’s a caveat: you’ll only get all of these features if you sign up for every module, which can increase cost. Also consider that Factorial’s payroll settings are good, but you’ll get stronger abilities here if you opt for a dedicated payroll product or an HR solution that places more emphasis on this area, like Paylocity.

(Image credit: Future)Factorial: Ease of use

Factorial’s design is brighter and more engaging than many other HR solutions – the dashboard is immediately colorful, with bold alerts reminding you of urgent tasks and events, color-coded indications of employee locations, and photos used frequently for staff profiles.

One inbox handles every request in Factorial, and most requests include quick-action buttons so HR managers can easily reject or approve common requests. It’s a smart bit of design that speeds up workflows across the system.

As with many other HR solutions, a menu bar on the left-hand side contains links to the product’s various modules, including analytics, recruitment, and performance.

The organization chart is packed with photos, just like those employee profiles, which makes it easier to navigate. The profiles are well laid out, with timesheets, details, current status, and alerts all foregrounded.

A color-coded calendar makes time off easy to manage, and more colors are used to help HR managers tackle recruitment, with bold graphics used to illustrate the funnel of candidates for open positions.

Our impressions of Factorial were bolstered by broad user sentiment. Real-world users of the system praise Factorial’s clean user interface and the breadth of features available for SMBs. That said, some users mention that more customization can be found elsewhere and that you’ll get deeper analytics and reporting with other HR solutions, too.

(Image credit: Future)Factorial: Support

The first port of call for Factorial support is the Help Center, which includes quick-start guides, FAQs, and helpful articles.

If you need to get in touch, you can file a support ticket, use live chat, or rely on phone support. The latter is advertised as being the best option for urgent support, and phone and live chat support options are available between Monday and Friday from 9am to 6pm in European and Latin American time zones.

Live chat is only available to Factorial users with administrator permissions, and it’s best used for urgent or fast clarifications. The system uses an AI assistant for initial triage.

(Image credit: Future)Factorial: Competition

The SMB HR market is extremely competitive, which means that Factorial has no shortage of rivals that bring something different to the table.

If you need strong core HR functionality with a concentration on onboarding in a growing business, then BambooHR could be your best option – and if you want to explore an alternative that matches Factorial’s strong UI and employee engagement options, then consider HiBob.

Rippling could be a compelling option for an SMB that wants to prioritize automation and integration with IT systems.

Factorial: Final verdict

Factorial is a strong option for SMBs that want to streamline HR tasks and deploy one app with a huge range of core HR functionality – with everything covered from time and performance management to recruiting, devices, and learning, there’s a huge amount of capability here inside an excellent interface.

The main issue, though, is cost and modularity. You’ll need to add several modules to get the full Factorial experience, and that could drive costs up to a potentially prohibitive degree. Also bear in mind that integration and payroll depth are stronger elsewhere.

Factorial is a polished and scalable SMB platform that will be easy to use for most HR teams and professionals, but make sure you’ve done your research into features and pricing before taking the plunge.

UKG is a global HR solutions provider on a mission to take its clients beyond individual software solutions by providing a “Workforce Operating Platform” that combines HR, payroll, and workforce management.

The organization aims to combine a deep understanding of people, HR processes, and AI to turn insights into confident decisions, and UKG provides a huge array of modules that span core HR functionality, payroll, data centralization, employee connectivity, and more.

For SMBs, UKG Ready is the all-in-one HR and payroll solution that gathers several of those modules together in a platform that’s built to guide and empower growing businesses.

For more options visit our guide to the best HR software

UKG Ready: Plans and pricing

It’s not uncommon to find HR solutions providers that are frustratingly unclear about pricing, and UKG doesn’t provide pricing information about UKG Ready – you need to request a quote.

UKG Ready pricing is devised on a case-by-case basis, and you’ll have to talk to the business to get a personalized quote. Positively, that means you’ll get numbers that are designed around your organization and its needs. Negatively, that makes initial research and comparison difficult.

UKG Ready is available in three plans: Essentials, Plus, and Premium. Different features are available at each level, and Essentials and Plus are restricted to businesses with less than 200 employees – so if you scale past that number, you’ll have to upgrade to the Premium option.

All three of those UKG Ready packages include core HR functionality like compliance, reporting, dashboards, graphical displays, and a mobile app. Each tier supports pre-built technology integrations, employee self-service, and the UKG Bryte AI system.

This new AI addition helps you streamline processes, reduce administrative burdens, and deliver personalized solutions to your employees. It can help you create job descriptions, uncover performance insights, manage shifts, improve engagement, analyze your organization, and more.

If the SMB-focused UKG Ready product isn’t going to be suitable for your business, then UKG Pro Workforce Management is the company’s enterprise-level solution.

(Image credit: Future)UKG Ready: Features

The Essentials plan is just that – a basic HR offering suitable only for smaller organizations.

It includes employee directory and record management, HR actions and checklists, all-important customizable workflows, and new-hire onboarding. Essentials also offers timesheet and time-off management and employee schedule creation.

On the financial side, Essentials includes direct-deposit payroll runs, garnishments and vendor payments, tax deposits and filing, and automated state and local tax identification. This package also includes benefit deductions and integrations with third-party benefit administration tools.

The entry-level product rounds out its feature set with new-hire reporting, payroll comparisons, compliance analysis, and a dashboard with exporting options.

This is a basic offering that you can expand with more benefits and staff engagement features for an extra cost. If you pay more, you can add benefit plan designers, employee enrollment, automated carrier and financial connections, and year-end processing.

If you’d like an add-on product to enhance your employee engagement capability, you’ll get annual trust surveys, staff benchmarking and analytics, certification badges, and AI-assisted leadership recommendations.

Those benefit and employee engagement add-ons are included by default in the Plus tier, and this improved option also enhances the time and attendance module with support for shift differentials, pay premiums, and overtime pay.

Opt for the Plus package and you also get performance tools, including employee reviews, a rating builder, goal-setting and 90-day review functionality. You get recruitment features in this tier, too, including applicant tracking and reporting, an interview question generator, and modules to build external career sites and job requests.

The Plus tier adds learning management functionality and expense tracking, and you can pay extra to add leave tracking, pay grades, budget modeling, sentiment analysis, benchmarking, and employee burnout detection.

Invest in the Premium package and you get everything we’ve already mentioned here alongside some extra top-level features.

Premium enables position management in the employee directory, expanded checklist and workflow capability, the option to run global and certified payroll processes, project costing, and union management features.

The Premium tier includes drag-and-drop schedule builders, more flexibility around shift coverage, timecards, and shift-swapping, and the option for peer reviews, continuous feedback, and succession planning. It’s only at this level where you’ll find job board integrations and pre-screening questions for job applicants, too.

UKG Ready provides a great selection of features for SMBs with a particularly impressive slate of payroll, scheduling, and time-tracking capabilities. That said, be aware that many of those features are locked away in the higher tiers or provided as add-ons, so your costs may start to spiral if you want to add extra functionality to the system.

(Image credit: Future)UKG Ready: Ease of use

At the time of writing, UKG wasn’t able to provide access to the software for this review, and the company doesn’t offer free trials.

User sentiment gives a good indication about what to expect, though, and many UKG Ready administrators praise the app’s logical design, its wide support for HR and payroll processes, and its strong option for customizable workflow creation. Users say that its views and filtering are impressive, and that its automated reporting is a strong point for the tool.

Negatively, administrative users say that UKG Ready suffers from a steep learning curve and occasionally complex design.

Employees using its self-service tools regularly say that UKG is a straightforward option for time, schedule, and PTO management, and that the mobile app is a highlight.

(Image credit: Future)UKG Ready: Support

UKG provides customers with the same level of support no matter which UKG Ready package they’re using.

Support starts with training provided to system administrators when they deploy UKG Ready, and the business also offers rapid-response support for mission-critical incidents.

Elsewhere, the company provides access to product domain experts, an extensive HR and Payroll Resource Library, and a customer community forum.

Support requests are handled by a ticketing system, but there’s little indication on the product-facing website about the communication methods available or how long this will take.

(Image credit: Future)UKG Ready: Competition

UKG Ready sits in a crowded SMB marketplace and is surrounded by rivals that excel in different areas.

If you’d prefer a solution that prioritizes payroll, then RUN Powered by ADP is a top choice alongside Gusto, and HiBob is a strong contender for any organization that needs advanced tools for employee engagement.

If the strong automation in UKG Ready is attractive but you want to weigh up your options, then Rippling also goes big on automation. And for simpler setup and a clean UI, BambooHR is a perennial favorite.

UKG Ready: Final verdict

UKG Ready is a rock-solid option for any SMB that needs a centralized platform for core HR, payroll, time tracking, and scheduling. It’s particularly well-suited to businesses with employees who work in shifts – and where compliance is a constant priority.

Positively, the three-tier pricing structure used by UKG Ready gives a logical upgrade path to SMBs looking to expand – but, negatively, it means lots of functionality is locked away behind unclear pricing structures and potentially prohibitive costs.

If you don’t mind talking to UKG Ready to get a quote and you’re prepared to pay extra for a fully-featured product, though, then this is well-suited to SMBs that need broad HR coverage and room to grow.

As this product isn't available, consider this a hands-on, as between now and its release, some of the issues I'll talk about might well be fixed.

Punkt. is a Swiss company that manufactures in Germany, and the MC03, as the name suggests, is the third iteration of its secure, minimalist phone design.

If you like minimalist things, perhaps in black and white, and your Android phone not spaffing your personal data around carelessly, then perhaps the MC03 could be for you.

Comparing it to the MC02 model, the new MC03 swaps up the Dimensity 900 to the newer Dimensity 7300 SoC, more RAM and storage, but largely the same camera.

However, the thing that makes this offering stand out is AphyOS, a fork of AOSP 15, a GrapheneOS-related development, according to Punkt., is inherently more secure and able to keep the user's data from being easily harvested.

However, the AphyOS-specific apps are unique to Punkt. platforms require a monthly or yearly subscription after the first year, on top of the $699 base price of the device.

In terms of the phone's specifications, it's decent, but hardly premium. The SoC is mid-range, 8GB of RAM, and 256GB of storage are hardly pushing the boat out, and a 64MP camera sensor is hardly cutting-edge. And, Punkt. phones have a reputation for bugs that linger over successive patches.

If you, or your business, are invested in the Proton suite the MC03 offers, including Mail, Calendar, Drive, VPN and Pass, alongside Threema for encrypted messaging, then perhaps the high cost and ongoing subscription might be worth it. But for regular Android users, the high cost of mid-range hardware and additional costs to ownership could be deal breakers.

Since this device hasn’t officially launched yet, it's way too early to say whether it is one of the best rugged phones yet.

Punkt. MC03: Price and availability

• How much does it cost? $699/£660/€699
• When is it out? On Pre-order
• Where can you get it? You can order it directly from Punkt.

Based on the most recent information, in Europe, the MC03 is on pre-order from the official site here, with the intention to ship at the end of April 2026. North American customers should be able to see this device in early Summer 2026, hopefully.

The pre-release pricing is $699/£660/€699. When exchange rates are taken into consideration, the most expensive place to buy is the UK, followed by Europe, where it's made, and the least expensive is the USA, which has tariffs on European goods. This makes zero sense, other than perhaps the market for secure phones in the USA is greater than in Europe.

As an alternative, Google's Pixel phones can run GrapheneOS, and a Pixel 10 is around $650 with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. And that phone has an optical zoom on its camera.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Punkt. MC03: Specs

Item

Spec

CPU:

MediaTek Dimensity 7300 (MT6878), octa-core 2.5GHz

GPU:

Mali-G615 MC2

NPU:

MediaTek NPU 655

RAM:

8GB

Storage:

256GB

Screen:

6.67-inch OLED, 120Hz, HDR

Resolution:

2436 x 1080 pixels

SIM:

1x Nano SIM + eSIM + TF

Weight:

240 grams

Dimensions:

163 x 76 x 11mm

Rugged Spec:

IP68

Rear cameras:

64MP Primary Camera + 8MP Wide + 2MP Macro

Front camera:

32MP

Networking:

5G bands, WiFi 6, Bluetooth 5.4

Bands:

GSM 850/900/1800/1900

UMTS B1/2/5/8

LTE B1/2/3/5/7/8/9/18/19/20/28AB/34/38/40/41(194 MHz)/42/43(194 MHz)

5G NR n1/3/5/7/8/20/26/28/38/40/41/77/78 (SA)

OS:

AphyOS (based on Android 15 / AOSP 15)

Battery:

5200 mAh removable (33W wired, 15W wireless)

Colours:

Black

Punkt. MC03: Design

• Minimalist
• By-the-numbers layout
• Internal access and battery replacement

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Punkt has always been a design company that happens to make phones rather than the other way around. The MC03 carries that forward. The aesthetic is stripped back and deliberate, favouring clean lines over the glossy excesses that dominate this market.

This device is assembled at Gigaset's facility in Bocholt, Germany, which Punkt uses as a selling point and rightly so, given that German assembly brings with it a baseline assumption of quality control that assembly lines elsewhere do not always guarantee.

The dimensions are 163 x 76 x 11mm with a mass of just 240 grams. That is a meaningful presence in the hand and not a light phone by any measure, but it’s also significantly closer to a normal phone than those typically marketed as rugged. The IP68 rating for dust and water resistance is where it should be at this price point and covers immersion up to a metre for 30 minutes, which is the standard you would expect.

The frame is aluminium, and I suspect the display is Gorilla Glass protected, though Punkt's own materials are somewhat vague on those specifics.

The button layout is as derivative as it gets, with the volume rocker and power button on the right, and a custom button on the left.

However, due to unresolved beta issues with AphyOS, the fingerprint reading doesn’t currently work, and there is no way to define what the custom key does. By accident, I discovered it takes a shot while using the camera, but there is no tool to adjust what it does at this time. I’m assuming that the fingerprint will be read via the power button, because I don’t see the rear sensor that the phone mentioned when I tried to use this feature.

The bottom edge of the phone has the SIM tray and USB port, which doesn’t require a rubber plug, thankfully. It’s slightly odd that there is an external SIM tray, since the entire back of the MC03 comes off, revealing the replaceable battery and the TF card slot. Since there is only one Nano SIM supported by the external slot, why this wasn’t placed inside is a mystery. You can have a second SIM by eSIM, so you can have two phone numbers and a TF card in place simultaneously.

Having a battery you can replace is certainly a great feature, especially in an IP68-rated phone, although the capacity of only 5200 mAh isn’t huge. On top of the battery is a wireless charging coil that enables the phone to charge at 15W without a cable being inserted if you have a Qi-compatible charger.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

Probably the other standout feature of the MC03 is the screen, a 6.67-inch OLED with a 120Hz refresh rate, a dramatic improvement over the IPS panel the MC02 got. However, I do find a strong sense of irony in putting OLED on a phone that uses monochrome icons as part of its minimalist ethos.

Although not in the Punkt. specs, the peak brightness is around 550 nits, which is workable but not especially impressive for outdoor use in strong sunlight. OLED's inherent contrast advantage helps considerably, and the 120Hz refresh makes the interface feel responsive rather than sluggish in a way the old panel never could. Punkt describes the display as supporting HDR, which should benefit anything streamed from Proton or accessed via the Wild Web environment.

The MC03 certainly has a love-or-hate aesthetic based on how you feel about minimalism as a design concept. While I’m not a massive fan of excessive embellishments, there isn’t much to get excited about here from a style perspective either. Because I have the view that a lack of style isn’t an actual style, in the same way that black isn’t truly a color.

But, you might think differently, and the replaceable battery is something few alternatives can match.

Punkt. MC03: Features

• MediaTek Dimensity 7300
• 5200 mAh battery

The Dimensity 7300 is such a common SoC that I must have written a sixteen-part white paper’s worth of words about this octa-core chip that uses 2x Cortex-A78 @ 2.5GHz + 6x Cortex-A55 @ 2.0GHz.

Technically, it can address up to 16GB of RAM and 512GB of storage, but on this device, you get half of that amount in each case. The issue here isn’t that the Dimensity 7300 is a poor SoC, because it's far from that, but frankly, it’s a mid-range SoC, not something built for a premium design.

That said, I’m wondering if the sort of customer Punkt. is aiming the MC03 at will care, because it’s unlikely they’ll be running the sort of tasks that demand more performance than the Dimensity 7300 has to offer. But it should be clear that if this phone were made in China, and not Germany, the justification for its asking price would be even more contradictory than it already is.

The one advantage of using a 4nm SoC design is that it can make the battery go a long way, and with only 5200 mAh of capacity under the hood, then maybe it was the right choice.

While it is possible to change this battery, this isn’t one of those situations where you would want to buy an extra battery to carry along to swap when you need more power. Replacing the battery requires partially dismantling the phone, and the connectors aren’t designed for repeated detachment and reattachment cycles. Swapping the battery is something you might do when it doesn’t hold a charge reliably, maybe three years from now, not because you forgot to charge it up.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

With a battery of this size and 33W charging, it can be recharged from empty reasonably quickly, I estimate in under two hours.

And using wireless charging, it should take about twice that timeframe. That there doesn’t appear to be a provision for reverse charging is no huge surprise on a battery of this capacity.

Punkt. MC03: Software

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

AphyOS, developed by the Swiss firm Apostrophy, is the entire reason the MC03 exists and the source of its most interesting commercial divergence. The operating system is built on AOSP 15, meaning the Android foundation is familiar and functional, but Apostrophy has replaced the tracking and monetisation infrastructure that normally sits on top of that foundation with its own privacy-first layer.

The most visible expression of that approach is the dual environment. The Vault is the primary home screen and contains only applications that have been vetted and approved by Punkt and AphyOS.

In practice, that means the full Proton suite, including Mail, Calendar, Drive, VPN and Pass, alongside Threema for encrypted messaging and Punkt's own curated app selection. The interface in this environment is intentionally monochrome and minimal, which sounds austere, but the logic here is that it actively discourages the aimless scrolling that characterises most smartphone use.

The Wild Web is the second environment, accessible via a swipe, and it is where the MC03 reveals its pragmatism. Google Play is not installed by default, but users can enable it during the setup process if they wish. Third-party applications installed here operate within sandboxed environments with visible, adjustable permissions. The MC03 does not pretend the wider Android ecosystem does not exist; it simply insists that applications within it be contained and transparent about their data appetites.

Additional AphyOS features include Digital Nomad, a built-in VPN that encrypts traffic, and the Ledger, which gives per-app privacy controls ranging from full access to complete lockdown. The Ledger also includes a Carbon Reduction view showing background energy consumption by application, which is either a genuinely useful tool for the environmentally conscious or a conversation starter, depending on how you look at it.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The snag? The first twelve months of AphyOS are included with the device. After that, continued access to the full feature set costs $9.99 per month, or around $120 per year. Multi-year bundles reduce this significantly: three years of future subscription is priced at $129 (a saving of 45 per cent), and five years at $199 (a saving of 60 per cent).

Without a subscription, the phone reverts to a basic AOSP device, which means losing the Vault environment, the Proton integration, the VPN, and the managed app ecosystem.

Given the device's relatively high cost, is this additional subscription justified?

The honest answer is that value depends entirely on your existing outgoings and your threat model. If you already pay for Proton Mail and a separate VPN service, the MC03 subscription bundles several things you are already paying for into a device-level solution.

Many Proton users pay $9.99 per month for Proton Unlimited on its own, and that does not include device-level hardening or a Threema subscription. From that angle, the MC03 subscription is competitive with the status quo rather than additional to it.

For journalists, legal professionals, medical practitioners, activists in high-risk environments, or anyone handling commercially sensitive communications, the total cost-of-ownership argument is reasonably straightforward. For a general-purpose user who mostly wants social media and a decent camera, the case is harder to make.

Punkt. MC03: Cameras

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• 64MP, 8MP and 2MP on the rear
• 32MP on the front
• Four cameras in total

Rear camera: 64MP Omnivision OV64b40 Primary Sensor, 8MP GalaxyCore GC08A3 Wide Angle, GalaxyCore GC02M1 Macro
Front camera: 32MP GalaxyCore GC32E1

Let’s cut to the chase, some of these sensors are decent, others less so, the thing they all have in common is that they are inexpensive. Evidently, Punkt. doesn’t consider its core audience to be interested in photography, which is why we see Omnivision and GalaxyCore sensors across the board.

While the 64MP Omnivision OV64b40 isn’t a bad primary sensor, it's not something I’d expect to see on a premium device, but rather on a low- to mid-tier device.

It can take some sharp photos in good light conditions, and it has ML-PDAF focusing, but it only has digital zooming, not optical, and its native 0.7μm pixels are smaller than many competitors.

But as I’ve seen more of the results of this sensor, I’ve also noticed that the dynamic range isn’t wide, and it tends to wash out bright areas too easily. Some of its deficiencies can be addressed by post-capture software processing, but I see little evidence of this on the MC03, resulting in missing detail in shadows, for example.

The redeeming aspect of this camera cluster is that it will take 4K video, even if the storage capacity of this phone isn’t ideal for doing that.

One disappointment is that Punkt. wouldn’t pay for the Widevine L1 license, only L3, so if you use the MC03 to watch streams from the likes of Disney or Netflix then the resolution will only be 480p, even if you have an HDR-rated display capable of better than 1080p.

In short, not a photographer's phone, although it can take the odd decent image.

Punkt. MC03 Camera samplesMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavanceMark PickavancePunkt. MC03: Performance

Phone

Punkt MC03

Motorola ThinkPhone 25

SoC

MediaTek Dimensity 7300

Mediatek Mediatek Dimensity 7300-Ultra

GPU

Mali-G615 MC2

Mali-G615 MC2

NPU

MediaTek NPU 655

MediaTek NPU 655

Memory

8GB/256GB

8GB/256GB

Weight

240g

171g

Battery

5200

4310

Geekbench

Single

1013

1050

Multi

2974

2998

OpenCL

2481

2602

Vulkan

2478

2527

PCMark

3.0 Score

13082

15115

Battery

13h 15m

14h 21

Charge in 30 Mins

%

39

55

Passmark

Score

13819

14125

CPU

6912

7077

3DMark

Slingshot OGL

6642

6090

Slingshot Ex. OGL

5188

5037

Slingshot Ex. Vulkan

4905

3676

Wildlife

3184

3185

Nomad Lite

350

349

Originally, I was going to compare this phone to the AGM G3 Pro, since it uses the same SoC, but instead, I went with the Motorola ThinkPhone 25, which also uses that platform. I could have used the Doogee V Max LR, Ulefone Armor 34 Pro or Ulefone Armor 30 Pro, as these all use it too.

As you can see from these numbers, the performance of the Dimensity 7300 is reasonably consistent irrespective of the brand of phone, and it delivers reasonable if unexciting results.

However, what I found genuinely interesting was that with less battery, 20% less, the Motorola managed to run for a little longer. That hints that when you reorganise the OS to be more secure, there might be an impact on power efficiency. And, the Motorola also charges more rapidly, because it can charge at 68W, not 33W.

But the most damning aspect of this comparison isn’t in these benchmark scores. It’s that the ThinkPhone costs only £275 in the UK (not available in the USA), and it comes with a far superior camera platform that includes an optical zoom.

Therefore, if you strip away the AphyOS part of the MC03 offering, it appears to be more than double the price that the hardware can reasonably justify.

Punkt. MC03: Early verdict

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

I can rationalise that some people find minimalist tech attractive, probably because of companies like Microsoft and others that overstuff their products with features their customers never asked for.

However, my experience with the MC03 didn’t make me want to embrace the ringfenced mindset behind this design for numerous reasons.

As a reviewer of this device, along with the device I was provided by the makers with a long list of critical, major and minor known problems with the MC03. Having had the phone for a month, none of these has been addressed so far, and I’ve found additional problems along the way. Considering that this phone is meant to be ready for customers at the end of April, it’s concerning that I haven't seen a rapid succession of updates.

If I do see a bug-squashing firmware release before it is available to purchase, I’ll add a note to that effect below.

But those flaws aside, my first complaint is that this device assumes, probably because the customer bought it, that they’ve entirely bought into the Punkt. ecosystem even before they’ve used the phone.

When you run through the typical question-and-answer system of a phone initialisation, you are told to create an Aphy account, which gives you one year of free use, and then it’s a paid subscription. You don’t get to skip this and come back to it later, which I personally hated.

Then it asks you which Aphy apps you want to install, even if you have no idea which ones you want, and it won’t accept the answer ‘none of them’. Again, the same approach to the customer is blatantly to do as you are told.

I randomly picked Proton VPN, and then I discovered that while you need an Aphy account to access the app, you also have to pay extra to use it.

It’s like at every turn, this device holds its hand up and declares that where you are heading is out of bounds. A personal favourite, and not one of the documented bugs, was that I couldn’t take screenshots of my benchmark results.

It told me that either the app or my organisation had not given permission for that! Yes, that overburdening corporation I work for decided I couldn’t take screenshots, even though I’m self-employed.

I could go on, but it’s all rather tedious to recount, and it made me just want vanilla Android more than ever.

Yes, I’m sure that what Punkt. has been built is technically more secure, and reducing the app model to this form has undeniable benefits. But, as has been the complaint with previous Punkt. phones, they’re expensive and can have significant bugs that the company seems slow to fix.

Others have commented that the security credentials of AphyOS come from companies that Punkt. does business with, where alternatives like Graphene have had independent third-party appraisals. I don’t have the inside knowledge to confirm or refute that view, but it would be interesting to see what the Mythos AI, created by Anthropic, made of this platform from a vulnerability perspective.

The security angle aside, the biggest issue here is asking this much for a phone with mid-tier components and additional subscriptions for the secure apps seems to shrink the number of potential customers for the MC03. But since this company has sold enough MC01 and MC02 devices to remain in business, it must be doing enough right to have brought us the MC03.

For more options, check out our selection of the best business smartphones we've tested.

Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam: two-minute review

Founded in 2009 by a team of engineers in Shenzhen, China, Reolink has grown into a global provider of smart, yet affordable, security cameras. A little while back I tested the Reolink Altas PT Ultra and was really impressed with the 355-degree pan and 90-degree tilt camera, though the design was a little bulky. This recently launched Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam is very different though.

While it doesn’t feature a rotating pan-and-tilt camera (instead it features a fixed lens with 150-degree field of view), it does boast two large LED panels capable of delivering up to 1,000 lumens of brightness. It’s also quite a bit cheaper than the Reolink Altas PT Ultra, currently retailing for around £85. Of course, the cheaper price tag does involve some trade-offs, not least the lower video resolution. Whereas the Reolink Altas PT Ultra offers 4K ultra high definition, the Solar Floodlight Cam is restricted to 2K (1440p) resolution. However, for the vast majority of people, 2K video resolution is more than adequate.

The camera's two extra-bright spotlights resemble 'ears' on either side of the main unit (Image credit: Future)

Designed to be placed on the outside of the property with a clear view of the sky at a height of around 2.5 to 3m, the Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam is reasonably easy to install. In the box there’s a mounting bracket with screws and wall plugs, as well as — unusually — a mounting wrench for tightening up the bracket.

Before installation, you will need to charge the unit using the USB-C cable provided and pair the camera with the Reolink app using the QR code on the back of the unit. Helpfully, the camera supports both 2.4GHz and 5GHz Wi-Fi frequencies and it tells you when it is successfully paired with your home network.

The camera comes with a mounting bracket and screws, plus a mounting wrench to tighten the bracket (Image credit: Future)

Unlike some apps, which can be confusing to navigate, the Reolink app offers everything you need within a reasonably clear interface. You can select the different types of object you want the camera to detect (human, animal, vehicle or other) and set a schedule for when you want recordings to happen (for example, switch off during the day if you know family members are going to be around). You can also exclude certain parts of the frame, which is handy if — like me — you are setting the camera up in a back garden and don’t want to record activity from your next-door neighbour’s property.

Alternatively, if you don’t want to use the Reolink app, the device can be fully integrated with Amazon Alexa, allowing you to view live video feeds on screen-enabled devices such as an Echo Show (though we didn’t test this facility). You can even control the floodlights using your own voice via the Alexa app.

The Reolink app has a refreshingly clear interface (Image credit: Future)

In addition to two powerful spotlights, a very loud 110dB siren is provided to help deter burglars. Alternatively, it’s possible to set your own custom audio tone if the alarm is triggered such as whispering ‘pssst’ to get intruders to look at the camera for better facial recognition.

Not only can the brightness of the LED spotlights be adjusted depending on your preferences, it’s also possible to adjust color temperature depending on whether you want your intruders to be bathed in a cold ‘blue-ish’ light or a much warmer yellow light.

You can adjust the brightness of the camera's twin spotlights, and even their color temperature (Image credit: Future)

Two-way audio is provided for communications with sound coming from a large-ish speaker on the bottom of the unit next to the PIR sensor and waterproof connections for the USB-C cable and Micro SD card.

Footage can be recorded either to the MicroSD card (up to a maximum of 512GB) or you can subscribe to Reolink Cloud to store footage in the cloud – see details below. This facility also includes AI Video Search so you can quickly find footage using natural language. For example, type ‘man wearing a red T-shirt’ and in the UK it will bring up the postman coming to the door and anyone else wearing a red T-shirt!

Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam: subscription options

Reolink Cloud, Single Device Plan: Up to 30-day cloud video history, one camera, 16GB cloud storage, AI video search. £2.71 (about $3.50 / AU$5) per month.

Reolink Cloud, Standard Plan. Premier Plan: Up to 30-day cloud video history, up to 5 cameras supported, 30GB cloud storage. £2.87 (about $4 / AU$6) per month.

See https://cloud.reolink.com/cloud-plan for further details

Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam: price and availability

• How much does it cost? Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam £85 UK, $US99, $AUD169
• When is it available? Since March 2026
• Where is it available? UK/US/Australia

First announced at CES 2026 in early January, the Solar Floodlight Cam is one of a number of devices Reolink is planning to release this year. Others include a 24MP triple lens outdoor camera (the OMVI X16 PoE) and an interesting Reolink AI set-top box designed to add AI functionality to non-AI cameras.

What’s more, the Floodlight Cam is also one of the cheapest outdoor cameras you can buy with local storage (although you will have to fork out for your own Micro SD card). Whereas some companies keep hardware prices relatively low by tying you into a subscription even for basic functionality, the Reolink offers a best of both worlds’ solution - cheap hardware combined with local subscription-free storage.

Nor is just about the money. For those worried about the security of cloud-based storage, local storage is a far safer option (providing the burglar doesn’t steal the camera with the MicroSD card inside, of course). However, there is always the option of taking out a monthly subscription if you so choose.

Whereas some manufacturers will charge you over £10 a month for basic functionality, at least Reolink Cloud is relatively cheap. Subscription prices have even come down since I last reviewed a Reolink product around 18 months ago. You can now get 30-days of recordings stored in the cloud for less than £3 a month. The cloud subscription also includes AI video search for finding recordings using short descriptions.

• Value score: 4.5/5

Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam: design

• Unique triple cube design
• Fixed solar panel
• IP66 waterproofing

Most outdoor security cameras comprise either one or maybe two main elements. There’s usually the camera itself plus a solar panel which is either mounted on the camera or housed in a separate device and connected via a USB-C cable. The Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam is unusual in that it really comprises four elements of similar size and shape.

First there’s the main cube where the fixed camera lens and PIR are located. Then there are the two flexible LED lights that sit either side like big flappy ears. Finally, there’s the solar panel, which sits on top of the main unit.

The solar panel is in a fixed position, so you need to be careful to mount the camera in a place where it will catch the sun (Image credit: Future)

Usually if the solar panel is integrated it can be moved manually towards the sun (or in the case of the innovative Baseus Security S2 the panel actually rotates with the movement of the sun). But that’s not the case here. Instead, the solar panel is fixed which means you will need to install the camera somewhere that is relatively sunny to ensure additional power.

Initially I had worried that the unusual cube design might make the Solar Floodlight Cam feel a bit more flimsy than some of the more conventional tubular shaped models. However, this white unit feels well-built and comes with IP66 waterproofing.

The camera is equipped with a dome-shaped motion sensor and a large speakerFutureThe camera is equipped with a dome-shaped motion sensor and a large speakerFuture

Underneath the camera are two weatherproof sockets (one for external power from a USB-C cable and one for power on/off and a MicroSD card slot). Also provided are a PIR dome motion sensor and large speaker. Finally at the back of the camera sits a metal ball joint that connects to the mounting bracket to provide ultimate flexibility when it comes to angling the camera.

• Design score: 4/5

Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam: performance

• Powerful 1,000-lumen illumination
• 2K resolution
• Color night vision

When it comes to performance it’s fair to say that the Reolink is solid rather than spectacular. Images from the 2K (1440p) camera lens aren’t the sharpest I’ve seen, certainly nowhere near as good as those from its stablemate, the Reolink Altas PT Ultra. However, where it comes into its own is its ability to capture footage in near total darkness. Virtually every night I tested the camera it captured wildlife in my garden, including several foxes and even a hedgehog! Thankfully no human intruders though.

Reolink's app is easy to use, and clips are neatly ordered for quick referenceFutureYou can schedule times when the camera should and shouldn't watch for activityFutureAdjusting the battery mode can extend the time between chargesFutureThe time lapse setting is unusual, but helpful for things like tracking the process of a building projectFuture

Whereas some security cameras have apps that are very difficult to navigate, Reolink’s are generally very easy to use. Underneath the main image there’s a timeline where you can scroll through captured footage — useful if you missed the push notifications on your phone. Each of the clips is categorized for easy reference with an image of a running person for an intruder, pawprint for animal or a circle for other sighting. This makes it much easier to find relevant footage.

As with many security cameras, I found the lens on the Reolink Solar Floodlight camera a little too sensitive at its default setting of 80. For example, sheets hanging on a washing line were routinely triggering alerts. As a result, I found it necessary to reduce the sensitivity to around 50 so it didn’t capture every minor movement.

The Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam doesn't capture the sharpest images in daylight...Future...but it really comes into its own after darkFuture

Alternatively, if you want to use the camera for creative, rather than security purposes, there’s an innovative time lapse setting. This can be set up to capture images at set intervals of between 10 seconds and six hours and also includes different pre-sets including one for construction — handy if you are tracking the progress of a building project.

• Performance score: 4/5

Should you buy the Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam?Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value

Costing around £85, the Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam is excellent value for money considering it offers two large spotlights and a built-in solar panel.

4.5/5

Design

An unusual cube design, the Reolink is surprisingly sturdy with decent IP66 rating.

4/5

Performance

The Reolink produces solid rather than spectacular images. However, its menus are easy to navigate and it incorporates some useful features such as time lapse.

4/5

Average rating

If you want a decent security camera with powerful spotlights that you don’t have to keep recharging every few months then the Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam is a good option, especially given the competitive price tag.

4/5

Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam: also consider

Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro (Solar)

IMOU Cell 3C

MP

Subscription price

None. Optional Reolink Cloud From £2.71 a month.

From £4.99 a month

None required. optional IMOU Protect from £3.49 a month)

Viewing angle

150° ultra-wide (diagonal)

140° view horizontal, 80° vertical

120° horizontal

Network connection

Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5GHz)

Wi-Fi (2.4GHz/5GHz)

Wi-Fi (2.4GHz)

Audio

Two-way audio

Two-way audio

Two-way audio

Video

2K (1440p) video resolution

2K Video, HDR, Live View, Color Night Vision

2K (3MP) video resolution

Power

Battery/Solar

Battery/Solar (mains option also available)

Battery/Solar

Hardware price

£85 (with built in solar panel)

£199 (with separate solar panel)

£49.99 (with built in solar panel)

If you're not sure whether the Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam is the right device to protect your home, here are two other options you should consider:

Ring Spotlight Cam Pro (Solar)

Available in black or white, this outdoor security camera from Amazon-owned Ring comes in battery, solar and mains versions. Great functionality but relatively expensive, especially with monthly subs.

Read our full review of the Ring Spotlight Cam Pro

IMOU Cell 3C

A decent outdoor security camera with integrated solar panel. What it lacks in image quality the IMOU more than make up for in functionality and the price is extremely competitive.

Read our full review of the IMOU Cell 3C

Should you buy the Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam?Buy it if

You want to flood your property with light

One of the main benefits of the Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam are the two powerful spotlights providing up to 1,000 lumens of illumination.

You don’t want to have to recharge the device’s battery

The Reolink features a built-in solar panel so you don’t have to recharge the built-in lithium ion battery so often.

How I tested the Reolink Solar Floodlight Cam

• * I used the camera outdoors for 10 days
• * I set it up myself using the fittings provided by the manufacturer
• * The security camera was installed on the outside of my summer house

I installed the Reolink camera on the front of my summer house which also serves as a small gym and an office during the summer. Because the building is made of wood it makes it simple to install cameras using the screws provided, whereas if it was on a brick wall I would have to use a drill and the wall plugs provided for installation.

As the solar panel is fixed and the ideal location for the camera is under the eaves of the summer house I had worried that the solar panel would be ineffective. But, remarkably, after 10 days of testing (admittedly many of them actually sunny for a change), the camera’s battery is still at 100% charge. Part of the reason is that I turned the sensitivity of the camera down to reduce the number of false alerts. I also reduced the brightness of the spotlights so as not to annoy the neighbours with too much light pollution every time an alert is triggered.

QLVR ENDVR: Two minute review

Most running shoes feel familiar for a reason: the formula has barely changed in millennia. We have archaeological evidence of shoes being fastened with “shoelaces” as far back as around 3,500 BC, yet the basic lace-up running trainer remains the default.

QLVR (pronounced “clever”) set out to challenge that. Its debut shoe, the ENDVR, is a laceless “running slipper” built around a women-specific mechanical structure, with a slip-on Wing Fit system inspired by the way a bird’s wing opens and closes around movement.

The brand’s core argument is blunt: most athletic shoes are designed on men’s lasts (the mechanical devise used by manufacturers to create the foot shape) and scaled down for women, even though women’s feet tend to have different shapes and pressure points. So, they decided to literally break the mould and design something specifically for women’s feet.

It sounds like a noble ambition, although it didn’t necessarily start out as one. Originally the company was focused on doing away with laces. But co-founder and footwear designer Martin Dean soon realised this would be impossible with a unisex shoe.

“We were tweaking the design but we couldn't get it to work. The unisex fit system means it would just be too loose on the back of a woman's foot,” said Dean.

“That's when we realised that the majority of footwear is made to fit a man's foot. So we thought ‘let's launch this for women’.”

As a runner who often struggles with shoe fit, I could immediately relate to Dean’s explanation. I spend an inordinate amount of time fiddling with laces trying to get the fit around my ankle just right. I don’t want the laces to dig in, but I also don’t want my ankles rocking around. I also struggle with the width of running shoes finding that the toe box shape is never quite right. Typically, a lot of running technology, not just shoes but also some of the best running watches, are male by default.

When I heard about the QLVR ENDVR I was keen to try them out. Maybe, finally, this shoe would fit! Over the past couple of months, I’ve been testing the shoe on a range of activities. Treadmill intervals, 10k easy road runs, gym sessions and as an everyday trainer for trips around the shops.

As soon as I slipped the pair on they immediately felt different. But were they the shoe I was ultimately looking for?

(Image credit: Lily Canter)What makes it different?

The 'women-first’ part is not just a marketing line. QLVR is designed around a more 'triangular' female foot shape, with a narrower heel, wider toe area, and higher arches, rather than shrinking a men’s shoe and relying on laces to make up the slack.

The laceless part is the standout: the Wing Fit system is designed to sit in a closed, ‘laced-up’ position, flexing as you step in and then holding the rearfoot securely once your heel drops. In practice, it’s the first slip-on I’ve tried that feels like it’s meant to be run in. There is an immediate locked-in feel, and the foot is held snugly inside with minimal slippage. Being able to slip on a shoe and have the perfect heel fit straight away is a revelation.

Then there’s sustainability. QLVR leans hard into bio-based materials: a dandelion-derived foam it calls Dandelite, a Pebax Rnew polymer (from castor beans) for the Wing Fit system and propulsion plate, and a Tencel yarn upper made from eucalyptus fibres.

What it’s like to run in

The fit is the first shock. I used QLVR’s sizing guidance and went down to a UK 6.5 (I usually size up to a 7 in running shoes). Straight out of the box, they felt very snug: secure around the ankle and heel, with noticeably more arch presence than I’m used to.

But that sense of the arch’s prominence faded fast. Once I started moving, the shoe relaxed into something closer to a slipper-like comfort, without the wobbly, overly soft feeling some max-cushioned shoes can have. For easy treadmill miles, it’s been especially pleasant: quiet, stable, and easy to forget about.

The laceless convenience is not a gimmick, either. If you’re popping out for a short run, going from work to gym, or fitting training into the cracks of a day, sliding in and heading off is genuinely freeing. No lace bite across the midfoot, no fiddling to get heel lockdown just right. The rearfoot hold is simply “there” every time.

QLVR positions the ENDVR as a shoe that can handle everything from intervals to cross-training. Based on my testing, that checks out. It feels comfortable and controlled for steady running, and supportive enough for gym sessions where you’re moving laterally or lifting lightly.

But that doesn’t mean it’s perfect. For me, the snugness may be a limiter. On longer distances, feet swell and I like a little more room up front. With my toes close to the end of the shoe and a hint of heel rub developing, I’d be cautious about taking these beyond half marathon territory. But then again, they are designed as an all-round training shoe rather than a long distance running pair.

Grip has been mostly fine on roads, but on icy patches I felt less confident than in some of my regular winter-friendly trainers. And, subjectively, the look will be divisive: the Wing Fit silhouette is unapologetically bold, and personally I think they’re pretty ugly.

One extra practical win: QLVR says you can machine-wash the shoes cold after removing the insoles and using a laundry bag.

(Image credit: Lily Canter)Price and availability

The QLVR ENDVR costs £165 ($233, AUS $311) and is sold direct from the QLVR website. QLVR says it ships worldwide, although its FAQ notes US shipping is temporarily on hold while it assesses the impact of new import tariffs. The pricing is pretty much on-par with mid-range running and gym shoes.

QLVR ENDVR: Specifications

Type

Neutral multi-training

Drop

9mm drop with 35mm rear / 26mm forefoot stack height

Weight

270g (women’s size 6)

Sizing note

QLVR’s current guidance is worth considering carefully, as it is a little contradictory. The product page and FAQ suggest the shoe can size up a bit small, recommending going up half or a full size if you’re between sizes. But the size chart says if you follow its guide you don’t need to go up in size, as toe wiggle-room is built in. This is why I opted for a 6.5 after measuring my feet according to their metrics. If I wanted to run longer distances in these shoes, I would definitely size up to 7.

QLVR: Scorecard

Category

Comment

Score

Value

Appropriate for mid-range shoes

4/5

Design

Innovative and interesting

4/5

Performance

Great for mid-distance

4/5

QLVR ENDVR: Should I buy?Buy it if...

You're interested in new running tech

Been running in the same kind of shoes all your life? The QLVR is for runners interested in the experimental.

You care about the environment

The bio-based materials mean the shoe manufacturing process is eco-conscious.

Don't buy it if...

You're male

The QLVR ENDVR is specifically biomechanically designed for women's feet

You're a marathoner

If you’re a long-run purist or ultra runner who needs toe-box space when your feet puff up and a little more slack at the heel, then this might not be the solution you are seeking.

First reviewed: March 2026

InnoCN GA27S1Q: 30-second review

On paper, the GA27S1Q is a remarkably well-specified monitor at a price that seriously undercuts the established names. Whether InnoCN can deliver on those specifications in the real world is what I set out to establish in this review, and spoiler alert, it largely hits its marks.

This design was originally pitched as a gaming platform, but it’s impossible for businesses to ignore a 27-inch QD-OLED panel running at 280Hz with an ergonomically adjustable chassis and a $400 price tag.

Especially as that cost puts it some distance below the usual asking price for this class of display from the likes of LG, Samsung, and Asus.

The headline numbers are certainly striking. A 2560 x 1440 resolution, a 0.03ms GtG response time, dual HDMI 2.1 ports, dual DisplayPort 1.4, a 1,500,000:1 contrast ratio, and coverage claimed at 98% DCI-P3 all look very good on paper. The panel supports a 48 to 280Hz adaptive sync range, covers AMD FreeSync and is G-Sync compatible, and includes VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400 certification.

Where OLED always gives with one hand and takes with the other is brightness. The GA27S1Q is rated at 250 nits typical in SDR, which is a long way south of the figures that premium IPS and Mini-LED panels advertise. Therefore, this isn’t the screen for a brightly lit office, but it would work fine in a darker environment.

The design carries over the approach seen on other recent InnoCN monitors, with a flat panel, a three-sided frameless bezel, and a stand that offers height adjustment, tilt, swivel, and 90-degree pivot. RGB lighting sits on the rear cover, which can be switched off for those who would rather not have a light show behind their desk.

What the GA27S1Q offers for the business user is a highly affordable 27-inch panel with decent colour accuracy, low power consumption and sufficient input flexibility, all at a significant price reduction over branded options.

It might not be 4K or have enough nits of brightness for a premium HDR experience, but it ticks enough other boxes that it’s worthy of consideration for our best business monitors on value alone.

InnoCN GA27S1Q: Price and availability

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• How much does it cost? $449.99
• When is it out? It available now
• Where can you get it? Direct from InnoCN

The GA27S1Q launched in late January 2026 with a price of $549.99. At that level, it sits in very interesting territory, undercutting well-known 27-inch QD-OLED competitors by a meaningful margin.

It's listed on the official website here - although at the time of review, it's sold out. However, it is available for $400 at Amazon.com.

InnoCN ships to the US, the UK, Canada, and EU countries directly, with free shipping included and a 30-day return window. A 12-month warranty covers manufacturing defects, with lifetime technical support promised beyond that.

UK and European pricing in local currencies had not been formally confirmed at the time of writing. The direct site prices in USD and the company's existing shipping infrastructure to this region suggest the GA27S1Q should be accessible to UK buyers, though it may need to be ordered directly from the InnoCN website rather than through a local retailer.

• Value: 5 / 5

InnoCN GA27S1Q: Specs

Specification

Detail

Model

GA27S1Q (also known as 2780s)

Panel size

27 inches (flat)

Panel type

QD-OLED

Resolution

2560 × 1440 (QHD / 1440p)

Aspect ratio

16:9

Pixel density

108.8 PPI

Refresh rate

280Hz (adaptive sync range 48–280Hz)

Response time

0.03ms GtG

Brightness (typical)

250 nits (SDR) / 200 nits minimum

Contrast ratio

1,500,000:1

Colour depth

10-bit (1.07 billion colours)

Colour coverage

98% DCI-P3, 99% sRGB, 94% Adobe RGB, 78% BT.2020

Colour accuracy

Delta E < 2 (factory claimed)

Viewing angles

178° horizontal / 178° vertical

HDR

VESA DisplayHDR True Black 400

Surface treatment

Non-glare (matte)

Bezel

Three-sided frameless

Connectivity

2× HDMI 2.1, 2× DisplayPort 1.4, 1× 3.5mm audio out

Adaptive sync

AMD FreeSync, G-Sync compatible

Speakers

2W × 2

Stand adjustment

Tilt -5° to +20°, swivel ±22.5°, pivot 90°, height 120mm

VESA mount

100 × 100mm

RGB lighting

Yes (rear cover)

Power supply

External adapter (DC 19V, 4.74A)

Power consumption

65W typical / 100W max

Dimensions (with stand)

611.1 × 513.5 × 221mm

Weight

5.7kg

Scaler

MT9802QDQTBX

Special features

Low blue light, flicker-free, PIP/PBP, anti-burn-in, Game Plus

InnoCN GA27S1Q: Design

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• Thin and elegant
• Power brick
• Lacks a USB hub

The GA27S1Q follows a design language that InnoCN has been refining across its recent monitor range. The flat panel sits behind a three-sided frameless bezel, with only a thin chin visible at the bottom of the screen. The overall silhouette is clean and modern, without chasing the aggressive gamer aesthetic that dominates the other side of this market.

The stand is a genuine highlight at this price point. It offers 120mm of height adjustment, plus or minus 22.5 degrees of swivel, a tilt range from minus 5 to plus 20 degrees, and a full 90-degree pivot for portrait mode. There isn’t an orientation sensor, so if you switch, you will need to make some changes on the computer to output in portrait mode.

While hardly a business requirement, RGB lighting is present on the rear panel, but this can be switched off entirely via the OSD for those who prefer a calmer desk. VESA mounting is supported at the standard 100 x 100mm pattern, which means swapping to an arm is straightforward.

Connectivity is two HDMI 2.1 ports, two DisplayPort 1.4 inputs, and a single 3.5mm audio out. The dual HDMI 2.1 ports are useful for anyone running both a high-end PC and a console, with both capable of supporting 1440p at high refresh rates without an adapter.

The omission of a USB hub is notable at this price level, and the external power brick, rather than an integrated PSU, adds a small amount of cable-management friction, though this is common across OLED-class panels to better manage heat.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

The OSD is navigated via a rear-mounted joystick, a far superior experience to the guess-the-button game that some monitors still embrace. However, you don’t need to use this at all, since a downloadable app is available which provides all the functionality of the OSD from the desktop.

Overall, this is a well-considered design that shows off how thin the QLED panel can make a monitor. It’s lightweight, enabling it to be easily moved around, and the OSD provides a wide range of configuration options for those who like to calibrate their screens.

There are some caveats to do with HDR and how that locks many features down, which I’ll talk about later, but there isn’t much about the GA27S1Q that makes it immediately identifiable as a low-cost option.

• Design: 4 / 5

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)InnoCN GA27S1Q: Performance

• Under 250 nits
• 100% sRGB
• 99% AdobeRGB

Colour Gamut

Percentage

sRGB

100%

AdobeRGB

99%

P3

98%

NTSC

96%

Rec2020

85%

Gamma

2.2

Brightness/Contrast

Maximum Brightness

232.6

Maximum Contrast

N/A

These numbers show what OLED can offer, and it’s jolly impressive for anyone who works with colour on a regular basis. Those who get one of these and want to show off can send it into HDR mode and run some YouTube HDR demonstrations, and the colours are zinging.

However, it's not perfect, and the brightness limitations of this panel keep it from being ideal for HDR video work, as under 250 nits just isn’t enough to surpass HDR 400 ratings.

For HDR video work, at least HDR 1000 is needed, and this display can’t hit those notes.

But it’s evidence from the AdobeRGB 99% score that for less demanding colour work and photo editing, the GA27S1Q is more than up to the task.

One issue I need to make readers aware of is that this monitor doesn’t come with an excess of documentation. And, when I initially tried to test it using my Datacolor Spyder Pro calibrator, I found that all the optional modes were locked from modification.

While InnoCN didn’t mention this in the paperwork, I eventually discovered that when HDR mode is active on this display, you cannot adjust brightness, contrast, or select any other specific mode. Once HDR is deactivated, it's fully customisable again.

What’s important to understand is that the primary limitation of OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) technology in terms of lifespan is the gradual and uneven degradation of the organic materials used to output light.

Unlike LCDs, which use a separate backlight, OLED pixels are self-emissive; each pixel generates its own light and wears out individually based on how much it is used. In OLED, this eventually causes pixels to wear out, which can cause retained images to burn into the panel and uneven wear, with blue pixels displaying more than red and green.

On paper, an OLED panel could last 10-20 years, but realistically, "real-world" usable life often ranges between 3 to 6 years for high-intensity use cases like computer monitors.

In an attempt to mitigate these issues and give this design the best chance of valuable use, the OSD contains a full spectrum of tricks and options to extend the lifespan of the panel.

These include pixel shifting, the dimming of static icons and the taskbar, boundary detection, and even a care mode. This level of detail is often missing on laptops with OLED displays, so it’s good to see that InnoCN included them here. Though some documentation to explain what all these features do would also be helpful.

The only other issue I have to report is that, for whatever reason, I couldn’t test the contrast ratio, which might have been due to the extreme nature of the contrast ramp on this display.

The quoted contrast is 1.5M:1, which is insane.

Overall, the performance of this OLED panel is the same level as I would expect from a branded monitor, and its only noticeable weakness is brightness. But, using typically around 65W, that lower brightness level does translate into a reduced power consumption.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)

• Performance: 5 / 5

InnoCN GA27S1Q: Final verdict

On specifications alone, the GA27S1Q makes a highly persuasive case. InnoCN has packaged a QD-OLED panel, a proper ergonomic stand, dual HDMI 2.1, and a 280Hz refresh rate at a price that sits noticeably below comparable offerings from established display brands. The 98% DCI-P3 colour coverage and factory Delta E less than 2 calibration suggest this should look excellent out of the box.

The practical caveats apply to the technology rather than to this specific panel. SDR brightness is modest by LCD standards, HDR True Black 400 is a step below the True Black 500 rating seen on some rivals, and there is no USB hub for peripherals. Those are known trade-offs with QD-OLED gaming monitors at this price level, and buyers who are aware of them going in will almost certainly find that the visual quality compensates for some of these issues.

For those looking at this display on the site and seeing the word ‘gaming’ and thinking this isn’t for business are missing the bigger picture, quite literally. This is almost the perfect display for creatives working with colour, as well as for anyone working in animation or game development.

I’m sure you can get exactly the same panel repackaged in black with a business brand logo on it, and pay at least twice the price for that. This is easily the best monitor I’ve experienced from InnoCN, and I’m excited to see what they do next.

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)InnoCN GA27S1Q: Report card

Value

Cheap for this spec

5 / 5

Design

Nothing radical, but its missing a USB hub

4 / 5

Performance

Stunning colour gamut, contrast and refresh rate

5 / 5

Total

Easily worth what the maker is asking

4.5 / 5

Should you buy a InnoCN GA27S1Q?

(Image credit: Mark Pickavance)Buy it if...

You work in a controlled light environment
QD-OLED panels deliver stunning contrast and colour in dim or dark rooms. If your workspace has controlled lighting, the visual payoff versus an IPS or VA panel is immediately apparent.

You need colour accuracy
With 99% AdobeRGB and 98% P3, this screen can show you a gamut that is good enough for most uses where colour is critical.View Deal

Don’t buy if...

You work in a very bright room
At 250 nits typical, the SDR brightness is modest by LCD standards. In a sunlit home office or a room with overhead fluorescent lighting, a bright IPS or Mini-LED panel will be considerably more comfortable.

For more options, we've tested the best business monitors.

Narwal Flow 2: two-minute review

I’ll be the first to tell you that I have had a hate-love relationship with robot vacuums. However, over the years, I’ve watched as the technology has improved, resulting in better mapping, improved object avoidance, and exciting features. This is why I was all too glad to test the Narwal Flow 2 robot vacuum.

Narwal introduced its 2026 flagship robot vacuum in January, which resulted in a lot of buzz. It’s not the first robot vacuum to have dual cameras, but the way they work with the LM OmniVision AI Model feels like a big leap forward.

During testing, I observed the Narwal Flow 2 robot vacuum recognizing the dirtiness of a floor and adjusting the suction and mopping capabilities. Plus, its ability to 'smart clean', or recognize which areas of your house need deeper cleans, and avoid and identify obstacles is next to none. Although I don’t have pets or babies, the Pet Care Mode and Baby Care Mode are quite cool because they let the Flow 2 find your pet (and play with it), switch to quiet mode near cribs, and avoid crawling zones.

The charging dock can wash and dry the roller mop with hot air, and automatically empties the vacuum's dust bim (Image credit: Future)

Overall, I found the Narwal Flow 2 ’s smart capabilities very impressive, and its customization capabilities within the app particularly convenient. Its mopping capabilities are its best feature, and when paired with vacuuming, it does a great job of cleaning all floor types — though it doesn't fare as well with edge or corner cleaning. The suction capability wasn’t strong enough to pull super-fine materials like flour from a thick rug, but it did better than other robot vacuums I’ve tested. I would have also liked it to be half an inch shorter so it could fit under my kitchen cabinets.

The Narwal Flow 2 stands out in other ways too, such as its ability to climb over high thresholds, app and voice controls, and video feeds. The dock automatically empties the dust cup, and washes and dries the roller mop with hot water and hot air. I still think you’ll need a vacuum and a wet-dry vacuum on hand for deeper cleans or to reach spaces the robot vacuum can’t go, but the Flow 2 will do a stand-up job at keeping your home pristine between deep cleans.

The Narwal Flow 2 launched in the US in April 2026, with a premium price tag to match its high-end cleaning features. There are plenty of other great robot vacuums that are more affordable (even ones with cameras), but most don’t have the AI capabilities of this model, which really set it apart from the competition.

Narwal Flow 2: price and availability

• Price: $1,499 (about £1,100 / AU$2,100)
• Special price at launch: $1,099 (about £810 / AU$1,500)
• Launch date: April 2026
• Availability: US

The Narwal Flow 2 launched in the US on April 13, 2026, with a UK release expected at a later date. Although the list price for the robot vacuum and the base is $1,499, those who buy it during the launch can snag this combo for $1,099. It’s available directly from Narwal and Amazon, but may expand to other third-party retailers later.

The price makes sense considering that the Flow 2 is outfitted with high resolution cameras, a roller mop, and superb AI capabilities that lets it recognize shoes, cords, pets, and toys, and adjust the cleaning settings depending on the type of dirt, debris, or spill. The dock also has hot water and hot air-drying capabilities — something that lesser models lack. We consider the Narwal Flow 2 to be a premium buy since it costs more than $800 / £650 / AU$1,000 .

Our review unit came with one extra dust bag (Image credit: Future)

Our review model came with cleaning solution and one extra dust bag. Accessory replacements are available from Narwal.

Now the question remains, is this model worth $1,499? Considering all the features and control users have through the app, I would say yes. I just wish the edge and corner cleaning had matched my expectations. Perhaps an update will improve both settings soon.

• Value score: 3.5/5

Narwal Flow 2: design

• Circular robot vacuum and a self-emptying and self-cleaning base
• Anti-tangle mopping roller brush
• Dual high-definition cameras with a wide view

The Narwal Flow 2 is a black, circular robot vacuum that’s about 13.5 / 35cm inches in diameter and has the capability to lift over thresholds. At 3.7 inches / 9cm, the robot vacuum is relatively tall, and even though it can fit under my couch and baker’s rack, it doesn’t fit under my cabinets.

The Narwal Flow 2 is relatively tall and can't fit under all items of furniture (Image credit: Future)

It has a small rotating brush along the bottom edge that sweeps debris toward the zero-tangling floating brush, where the robot vacuum uses 30,000Pa to suck up debris. The Flow 2 uses a crawler mop for edges; think of it like a roller map that has been flattened so that it’s wide, long, and rotates, using 12N downward pressure to clean floors. The crawler mop can extend 1.8 inches / 5cm from the side.

The robot vacuum comes with a black base that’s 20.5 / 36cm inches tall, 14 inches / 36cm wide, and 17 / 43cm inches deep, and a cord that is 4.8 feet / 1.5m long. Separate clean water and dirty water tanks sit on top of a tank that holds the cleaning solution. Both the robot vacuum and the dock have filters.

The Narwal Flow 2 has a crawler mop that can extend from the side for cleaning close to edges (Image credit: Future)

The dock also features a dust bag that can last up to 120 days, and colored ambient lighting, which can indicate different things like when there is problem with the robot (eg flashing red lights).I

n addition to LED lights on the robot vacuum itself, the Narwal Flow 2 has dual 1080p cameras with a 136-degree field of view. The robot vacuum uses cameras and AI to recognize objects or pets and either avoid them or note them on the map, captures video and photographs, and provides deeper cleanings.

• Design score: 4.5/5

Narwal Flow 2: performance

• Climbs tall thresholds and avoids objects well
• Solid job at vacuuming and mopping
• Truly hands-free experience and easy-to-use app

I had no issue connecting the Narwal Flow 2 to Wi-Fi or the app. The robot mapped my house in 35 minutes. I had to split and merge a few rooms, but that was simple enough.

As part of my testing, I utilized the robot vacuum like anyone else might – letting it clean my entire house multiple times, directing it to specific rooms (like the kitchen after dinner), or to an area where I’d made a mess (like near my sewing machine). In doing this, I found that the vacuuming and mopping capabilities of the Narwal Flow 2 were solid. The water output was perfect, and by that, I mean my floors weren’t too wet and they dried very quickly.

One of my favorite aspects of this robot vacuum is the roller mop. Some brands opt for circular mop pads that spin, however, I always thought such pads just moved wet dirt and other materials around the floor before the robot had a chance to return to the base to wash the pads.

The Narwal Flow 2 has a roller map that’s wide (almost flattened), and as it rotates, the robot sends clean hot water to the mop so that it’s cleaning the mop as it cleans your floors. A 12N downward pressure of the roller mop also aids in removing stubborn or heavy messes. If the robot vacuum recognizes a significant spill, it will also return to the base to clean the roller before returning to clean the floor again.

The Narwal Flow 2 was able to clear door thresholds easily (Image credit: Future)

The robot easily climbed my thresholds – some of which are two inches / 5cm high – and avoided a lot of objects. In fact, I felt like it stayed too far from objects and edges at first, so I adjusted the cleaning to 'meticulous' within the app and was happier with the results.

I also watched it avoid low overhanging areas like my kitchen cabinets. At least the robot vacuum had the ability to extend the roller mop 1.8 inches / 4.6cm under the cabinet. Still, it wasn’t far enough to clean fully under the cabinet, so I had to use a vacuum to reach under there.

The robot vacuum got stuck once on my bath rug, which has fringe, but that was the only object that it ever has any issue with. it avoided cords and shoes, and even noted them on the map.

During testing, the Narwal Flow 2 managed to vacuum up all but one flower petal (Image credit: Future)

While I could customize the suction power of the vacuum, I liked to keep it on Smart so that the suction adjusted based on the floor type and whether the robot sensed dirt or a mess. I liked that the robot vacuum used the LED light in low light areas to clean better. The Narwal Flow 2 didn’t do well with suctioning large objects like medium-sized leaves from my poinsettia plants. This isn’t that big of a deal as most robot vacuums (or vacuums) don’t do well with suctioning larger items.

Although I used the app most of the time to direct the robot vacuum, occasionally, I used one of the 34 voice commands. Sometimes I had to use the app because the commands are limited. For instance, I could tell it to clean my living room, but I couldn’t say, “Clean up the living room and the hallway.” Combining commands wasn’t possible.

The robot vacuum took three hours to clean my entire 1,600-square-foot house, dropping to 31 percent in terms of the battery. In fact, the battery was only at 50% at the 2-hour cleaning mark. It took four hours to fully charge the robot vacuum, which is quick in my opinion.

Overall, I was very happy with how well Narwal Flow 2 kept my house clean of dirt, debris, and kitchen scraps. That said, after running some cleaning tests, there are some areas where it could improve.

Cleaning tests

To begin my testing, I placed ground coffee, flour, and dried flower petals on my kitchen laminate floor and on my living room rug and utilized the vacuum-only feature to see how well the robot could suction different materials. I even made sure to sprinkle ground coffee under my kitchen cabinets, along the edges of my kitchen, and in the corners. Here’s what I observed.

In the kitchen, the robot vacuum increased suction automatically when it went over the flour and the dried flowers, but not over the coffee. It suctioned all of the coffee, all but one flower petal, and most of the flour. Unfortunately, the wheels of the robot vacuum moved a thin film of the flour around on the floor. Where it didn’t succeed was suctioning coffee from the corners, edges, and under the kitchen cabinet.

The robot's wheels moved a thin film of flour around the floor (Image credit: Future)

To be fair, the robot couldn’t fit under the kitchen cabinet. When it came to corners, the robot vacuum suctioned coffee completely in one corner, but not the other. It failed quite miserably with suctioning coffee grounds along the edges.

As for the suction test on the rug, the robot vacuum automatically increased the suction to 'super powerful' when it recognized the material. On the first pass, the robot vacuum picked up some coffee grounds and flour but all of the dried flower petals. I also placed slightly damp poinsettia leaves on the carpet, and the robot vacuum did not pick them up but unintentionally moved them off the rug.

I was disappointed at first, until the robot vacuum went over the coffee and flour three more times – without me instructing it to do so. By the end, 98 percent of coffee grounds had been suctioned. A lot of the flour had been picked up, minus a small amount that had been pushed into the rug. In the end, I thought the suctioning capability on rugs was better than most robot vacuums.

The robovac automatically switched modes when it detected that it was on a carpet (Image credit: Future)

For the final test, I used the vacuum and mop features on my laminate floor. I covered the floor with flour, coffee grounds, a spilled glass of water, chocolate sauce, soy sauce, wing sauce, and creamer. The Narwal Flow 2 cleaned up the wing sauce, soy sauce, water spill, coffee grounds, and flour in a single pass. I was surprised by how smoothly it picked up the chocolate sauce since it’s a tough substance that dries quickly. (I test wet-dry vacuums and even many of them have issues with cleaning slightly dried chocolate sauce in two passes or more.)

When it came to the creamer, the robot vacuum recognized it as a 'spill', which meant it cleaned it up in a single pass then returned to the dock to clean the mop. It then repeated this two more times — cleaning that area and returning to the dock to clean the mop — before it moved on. The floor was not sticky by the time the robot vacuum had finished.

The Flow 2 picked up wet spills with ease, and left no residual stickiness behind (Image credit: Future)

I also placed coffee grounds under the cabinet, in the corners, and along the edges to see if the mop and vacuum combo would result in better cleaning capabilities. When the robot vacuum passed near the cabinets, it extended the mop to the side, and while it picked up a bit, unfortunately, the roller mop couldn’t extend far enough to pick up half of the coffee grounds under the cabinet

When it came to corners, the robot vacuum had the same results using the vacuum and mop as it did during the suction only test. It cleaned edges better with the mop than without it, but the results weren’t as good as I’d hoped. One edge was cleaned very well but a lot of coffee grounds were left along another edge.

The robovac's performance was less impressive when it came to edges and corners (Image credit: Future)

To sum it all up, I’d advise utilizing the vacuum and mop features on hard flooring to maximize the cleaning process. The Narwal Flow 2 does an average job edge and corner cleaning. When it comes to carpets, it can pick up a lot of debris, though for the finest materials like flour, you’ll probably need a more powerful vacuum.

Maintenance

When it comes to the Narwal Flow 2 , there isn’t much maintenance you’ll need to do daily or weekly. It took 16 uses of the robot vacuum before I was informed to refill the water tank and empty the dirty water tank.

I would suggest going through the app when you first start using the Narwal Flow 2 to set up the maintenance how you see fit. Head to the “Dock” section and choose what kind of mop drying intensity you prefer (silent, strong, or smart), as well as how often you want the dust bin to be emptied (every time of execution or when the robot determines it needs to be emptied). You can even choose the noise level of the dust emptying.

The base cleans the roller with 140-degree hot water and dries it completely with hot air. The dust bag holds up to 120 days’ worth of debris. In the future, Narwal may roll out a reusable dust bag. The debris filter is washable and should be cleaned once a month. You’ll need to remove the bottom tray of the base and clean it out once or twice a month as lots of debris and dirt accumulates there.

Within the app, you can keep an eye on which accessories need to be replaced and/or how much longer they will last. For instance, the zero-tangling floating brush on my testing robot is still good for another 144 hours of use.

• Performance score: 4/ 5

Narwal Flow 2: app

• Easy app with fantastic 2D and 3D mapping and insights
• Cleaning customization options (AI clean, vacuum and mop, vacuum then mop, vacuum, mop, and room customization)
• Video features and control through app

I had an easy time using the Narwal app to set up the Narwal Flow 2 . Although there is a 3D mapping option, I preferred using the 2D option and had an easy time labeling the rooms and seeing things like rugs on the map. I ran into some issues trying to split my living room and study on the map. The rooms have a wide doorway with pocket doors, so I understand the robot thinking they are the same room, but when trying to split them, the map says in doing so the rooms are “too small.” This is odd considering that my bathroom is about a sixth the size of each of those rooms and it was considered its own room on the map.

I tried to set up my corridor as a no-go zone (the floors are not sealed and can’t be mopped), but unfortunately, when I did this, the robot vacuum wouldn’t pass the corridor to clean the bathroom. Thankfully I was able to go around this with the room customization feature which allows me to customize the type of cleaning I want for each room. Therefore, I designed the corridor to be a vacuum-only space so that the robot vacuum would be able to reach the bathroom where I have it designated to be vacuumed and mopped.

Within the app, I can choose to clean the whole house, certain rooms, or even specific zones within those rooms. I can also customize this further by informing the robot vacuum to vacuum and mop, vacuum then mop, vacuum only, or mop only.

One of my favorite features is the Navo assistant that sits below the map offering insight on the cleaning or information that’s relevant, like if the vacuum has gotten stuck. If you click it, the assistant shows you the voice commands that you can use with the robot vacuum and lets you adjust the language and voice tone.

The app allows you to select whole rooms for cleaning, or just specific zones (Image credit: Future)

The Dock button informs users of the dust bag status and touch-on-demand features like dock dust emptying, dust bag dry and disinfecting, mop washing, mop drying, and adjusting the ambient lighting effects.

Users can watch a live video from the cameras on the Narwal Flow 2 . You can record or take videos, control the direction of the robot, and direct the robot to clean. There is also a Cruise feature that takes photos on a specific route through your house and stores them in the app.

On top of scheduling cleanings and monitoring the cleaning history, you can also adjust the cleaning settings, from the suction power to the mopping humidity, coverage precision (smart, standard, and meticulous), and set things like intensive corner cleaning, priority cleaning for carpet, intensive carpet cleaning, intelligent room splitting and rewashing of the mop, high altitude mode, child lock, do not disturb feature, obstacle avoidance strategy, and smart object detection. It’s also here where you can set up your Narwal Flow 2 with Alexa, Google Home, or Matter.

The Pet-friendly Mode section is very extensive. Users choose which pets they have (cats, dogs, or both) and designate either easy cleaning in specific pet areas or enhanced cleaning in areas that were missed because pets were present. It also allows you to find your pet and/or “play” with your pet by attracting the pet to the robot with a specific sound.

• App score: 4.5/5

Narwal Flow 2: specs

Wattage (robot):

65W

Robot diameter:

13.14 inches / 33cm

Robot height:

3.7 inches / 9cm

Cleaning path width:

Not specified

Dock dimensions (H x W x D):

17.7 x 14.1 x 20.8 inches / 45 x 36 x 53cm

Dock cord:

4.8ft / 1.5m

Weight (robot + dock):

33lbs / 15kg

Narwal Flow 2: should you buy it?Narwal Flow 3 score card

Attribute

Notes

Score

Value for money

A premium robot vacuum that is accurately priced for all the features you receive, though I expected better edge cleaning for the price.

3.5/5

Design

A black circular robot vacuum with dual cameras that can mop and vacuum at the same time with a wide roller mop that can extend 1.8 inches. The robot can cross tall thresholds and returns to a base that cleans the mop with hot water and hot air.

4/5

Performance

Automatically adjusts suction and water flow when it detects dirt, debris, and stains, and does a superb job with avoiding obstacles and smart cleaning. Edge and corner cleaning are average. Performs better when vacuuming and mopping hard floors. Suctions better on rugs than expected.

4/5

App

The Narwal app offers a dearth of customization and cleaning options. Plus, you can manage the video features and monitor the dock or accessory life within the app or set up the robot to interact with your pets. There is little this app can’t do.

4.5/5

Buy it if

You like a hands-free cleaning system that knows when the floor is dirty.

The AI or smart cleaning capabilities of this robot vacuum almost feel like a person in the way it pays attention to detail. It’s ability to increase the suction when it recognizes dirt or dust on the floor, or to go over a wet spill multiple times to prevent the floor from being sticky, is notable.

You want a super high-tech robot vacuum.
Not only does the Narwal Flow 2 have an app that lets you control every feature of this robot vacuum, but it’s outfitted with voice control and an integrated video camera that offers a live stream. Through the video, you can even control where the robot moves or see what your pet is up to when you’re away. Best yet, the dock does all the daily maintenance for you. The AI system offers adaptive cleaning for pet or baby households, adaptive obstacle avoidance, 3D mapping capabilities, and a battery management system that enables fast charging.

You dislike product maintenance.

The dock self-empties the waste bin into a dust bag, adds water and removes dirty water from the robot vacuum, plus cleans and dries the roller with AI Adaptive hot water and hot air.

Don't buy it if

You’re a stickler for edge or corner cleaning.

Unfortunately, the Narwal Flow 2 had mixed results when it came to cleaning along the edges or in corners. Sometimes it cleaned a corner thoroughly, and other times it didn’t. The same could be said for cleaning along edges, though it seemed to do better cleaning edges when the mop and vacuum features were being employed at the same time. View Deal

You love to use voice commands for everything.

The Narwal Flow 2 has 34 voice commands, but they don’t cover very specific cleaning commands. For instance, you could say “first vacuum, then mop,” or just “Start vacuuming,” but you can’t command the Narwal Flow to “vacuum my bathroom” (though you can say “clean up my bathroom) or “clean my bathroom and then the kitchen.” View Deal

You want a super high-powered vacuum.

The Narwal Flow 2 is a powerhouse when it combines the vacuum and mop features, however, its suction capability is still limited as most robot vacuums are. In our testing, it did a decent job in most areas, though it struggled with items like large leaves from plants or suctioning super fine materials from carpet or hard floors. Thanks to its AI capabilities, the robot vacuum will go over a section of flooring that it recognizes as being “dirty” multiple times and it can suction up quite a lot. I’m not sure if there is a robot vacuum with a better suction capability (there are others with a 30,000 Pa and some that have 35,000 Pa), but if you have a lot of carpets, you’d probably do better with an actual vacuum. View Deal

Narwal Flow 2: also consider

If you're not sure whether the Narwal Flow 2 is the right robot vacuum for you, here are two other options to think about.

Roborock Qrevo Curv

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

See our full Roborock Qrevo Curv review

Eufy X10 Pro Omni

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

Read our full Eufy X10 Pro Omni review

How I tested the Narwal Flow 2

I tested the Narwal Flow 2 for two weeks on my laminate and historic wood floors and medium-to-large pile rugs. To review all the vacuuming and mopping capabilities, I conducted several tests with various materials (water, chocolate syrup, soy sauce, coffee grounds, and flour) on different types of flooring to see how well the robot suctioned and cleaned the floor. This included testing different features like spot cleaning, video capabilities, mapping, voice commands, and so much more.

Read more about how we test

First reviewed March 2026

DJI Osmo Pocket 4: One-minute review

I've been around the content creator's block enough times to say that the DJI Osmo Pocket 3 is easily the most popular vlogging camera for creators on the go. I've seen the tiny, gimbal-stabilized 4K camera in the hands of so many people, and with good reason — it's a fabulously discreet and powerful pocket video camera.

Ahead of what could be a stampede of new rivals, not least of which could be the rumored Insta360 Luna, DJI now looks to build on the success of its two-and-a-bit-year-old vlogging camera with a new and improved successor, the Osmo Pocket 4.

Considering the time between the two cameras, and how swift DJI has been in bringing genuine improvements to its camera gear in recent years, especially its drones such as the Mini 5 Pro, I expected a little more from the Pocket 4. That being said, there are a few notable upgrades worth knowing about — I've unpacked those in more detail in this Pocket 4 vs Pocket 3 article.

DJI has added two buttons under the screen for direct control to features such as the 2x lossless zoom, plus refined the joystick response. The gimbal arm accepts new magnetic accessories, such as a fill light, too. (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

All the bits I appreciate about the Pocket 3 remain — the compact design, stellar video stabilization performance, crisp 4K video, the easy switch between vertical and horizontal video, and direct connection with wireless mics.

What DJI has done in the Pocket 4 is add some welcome polish. The new features might not leap out on a spec sheet, but in real use they combine for a slicker user experience.

Top upgrades include better slow-motion recording, now up to 240fps in 4K, better-quality 4K video with 10-bit color depth and wider dynamic range now up to 14 stops, slicker subject tracking which is available in more modes, better battery life, 107GB of internal memory, and refined controls, such as a new magnetic gimbal arm which accepts accessories such as a fill light (see the hero image).

It's not a big upgrade per se, but it's enough of an improvement that I would recommend Pocket 3 owners take a look, and it's an easy recommendation for first-time buyers looking for a powerful and small vlogging camera besides their smartphone.

DJI has tightened its stranglehold on this pocket video camera market, but for how long? When Insta360 enters the stage, it might just wrestle the spotlight away from this playing-it-safe Pocket 4 upgrade.

DJI Osmo Pocket 4: price and release date

• Announced on April 16 2026
• Available in Essential, Standard and Creator Combo kits
• Prices start at £429 / AU$749, with US availability and pricing TBC

Some of the Creator Combo accessories in play; the magnetic fill light, tripod grip and mini tripod. The kit also includes a battery grip and Mic 3 wireless mic. (Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)

The DJI Osmo Pocket 4 was unveiled on April 16 2026 in Essential, Standard and Creator Combo packages. The Essential Combo costs £429 / AU$749, the Standard Combo is £445 / AU$769 and comes with the gimbal clamp and tripod handle, while the Creator Combo, which adds Mic 3 transmitter, wide-angle lens, magnetic fill light, mini tripod, and carry bag accessories, costs £549 / AU$959, and is better value for DJI newcomers.

There's no US pricing or availability at launch through official DJI channels, given DJI's ongoing issues in the US. Like most DJI products, the Osmo Pocket 4 is excellent value considering what it's capable of, and it'll be a tough ask for future rivals to beat it.

• Price score: 4.5/5

DJI Osmo Pocket 4: specsDJI Osmo Pocket 4 specs

Video:

4K and 1080p up to 60fps, plus slow motion up to 240fps

Photo:

Up to 9.4MP in RAW & JPEG, up to 37MP in SuperPhoto mode

Storage:

107GB internal, microSD card slot

Battery:

1,545mAh, up to 4 hours Full HD record time

Charger type:

USB-C / optional fast PD charger

Weight:

6.72oz / 190.5 g

Dimensions:

144.2 x 44.4 x 33.5mm (L x W x H)

DJI Osmo Pocket 4: Design

• Similar pocket-size dimensions to the Pocket 3, with rotating screen and gimbal-mounted camera
• USB-C fast charging and a handy 107GB of internal storage in addition to micro SD
• New controls added, and smarter joystick response

(Image credit: Future)

The Pocket 4 has a familiar look about it, because it keeps a similar Pocket 3 form factor that has won many admirers, even if it is a tiny bit taller.

I can't stress enough how important its compact dimensions are for vlogging on the go. The Pocket 4 is even more discreet for video than a phone, and in my experience I've never had anyone take issue with me filming in public with an Osmo Pocket. Put simply, you can film freely with one of these.

At first glance you might think there's nothing new in this latest model, but there are in fact some helpful design tweaks. For instance, the speed of the gimbal's movement responds to how firmly you push the joystick, making quick or more precise adjustments possible — whereas before the movement was a single speed.

DJI has also added two new buttons under the screen, which are only visible when the display is flipped horizontal, but which provide shortcuts to useful regularly used controls, including the 2x lossless zoom.

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

The gimbal arm has been fitted with a magnetic surface and electronic contacts, which can be used to pair accessories, such as the new magnetic fill light included in the Creator Combo kit (see below).

On connection, the light automatically fires up because it's powered by the camera. Its output is minimal, and of no real help in bright daylight, but it's certainly useful in dimly lit spaces or at night.

Otherwise, the design is mostly as you were. The gimbal is supremely effective for smooth video on the move, the rear screen still rotates 90 degrees to switch between horizontal and vertical recording, and there's still a micro SD card slot (now with a protective cover) and USB-C charging.

There are other additions regarding memory and power, which I'll get onto next.

• Design score: 4.5/5

DJI Osmo Pocket 4: Performance

• Improved subject tracking
• 107GB of built-in memory added
• Higher-capacity battery extends record times

Despite it effectively being the same size as the Pocket 3 (just a fraction taller), there's a higher-capacity 1,545mAh battery squeezed into the Pocket 4 — that’s 20% more power compared to the older 1,300mAh unit.

This new battery provides up to four hours shooting time, but the small print stipulates that this for recording 1080p video at 24fps, and with wireless connections and the screen turned off. If you're recording 4K video, expect shooting times to be significantly less.

Still, that's quite the feat for such a tiny camera, plus charge times have been reduced, so you can be ready to shoot again quicker. From flat, the Pocket 4's battery can get to 100% charge in 32 minutes, or an 80% charge in just 18 minutes. Again, the small print says those numbers are for using DJI's 65W PD charger (sold separately, or included in the Creator Combo kit). I don't have the numbers for regular USB-C charging.

Future / Tim ColemanFuture / Tim Coleman

In addition to microSD card memory (compatible with cards up to 1TB), DJI has fitted the Pocket 4 with 107GB of built-in storage. which is sufficient for many hours of 4K video files, while the Pocket 3 has none. Both can record onto microSD.

There’s next-gen Wi-Fi 6 and USB 3.1 support in the Pocket 4 too, plus faster wired transfer speeds, making for a speedier workflow on the move.

Subject tracking has seen a boost in performance, with an upgrade to DJI's latest Active Track 7.0 (the Pocket 3 uses Active Track 6.0). A double tap on your subject in the frame initiates tracking, with the ability to track people, animals, vehicles and more.

DJI has let subject tracking loose in that it's available in more shooting modes. It's one of many instances where the Pocket 4 feels like a more polished all-rounder than the Pocket 3, which has many similar features but is hampered by what feel like unnecessary restrictions on which shooting modes you can use them in.

One drawback that does remain, however, is that the Pocket 4 can get a little warm when using its more power-hungry features. I've not had any overheating issues, but you're aware of the camera warming up when you're holding it.

• Performance score: 5/5

DJI Osmo Pocket 4: Image and video quality

• 1-inch sensor and single camera with 4K video up to 240fps
• New color profiles added, including D-Log and filmic looks
• Low-light further boosts the improved 14 stops dynamic range

For most people, the outright image quality of the Pocket 4, while impressive for pro vloggers, won't be enough reason to upgrade from the Pocket 3, which was already impressive in this regard. Both cameras are fitted with a 1-inch sensor, but DJI says the Pocket 4's 4K video output is optimized with 14 stops of dynamic range and 10-bit color depth.

One factor contributing to improved tones is the addition of a D Log color profile, which is available in the Pro setting. It's DJI's best flat color profile (also found in the pricey Mavic 4 Pro drone) which gives greater editing scope for color graders. The Pocket 3 offers D Log-M, which is a bit like a light version of D Log.

DJI says that the Low Light mode further boosts dynamic range and overall image quality from its previous Pocket. I haven't directly compared the two, but from the recordings I've made with the Pocket 4, detail in dark scenes looks a little cleaner than I remember.

There are also six new film tones to choose from for stylized baked-in looks, handy for users who would rather not mess around with Log and color grading. I've happily used a couple of these profiles regularly – 'Movie' is nice and punchy.

Slow-motion recording receives a boost, in that the Pocket 4 can shoot up to 240fps — that’s 8x slow-mo — in 4K and 1080p. The Pocket 3 is limited to 120fps for 4K, but can also shoot at 240fps in 1080p.

For stills photography, a SuperPhoto mode ups resolution from 9.4 megapixels to 37 megapixels, for more detailed snaps. That's for 1:1 aspect ratio pics, the resolution drops to 33 megapixels when switching to 16:9.

Even in stills mode, the Pocket 4 is clearly a video-focused camera, in that it doesn't offer 3:2 and 4:3 aspect ratio stills common among photographers.

The 2x lossless zoom is easily selected by pressing the left of the two new buttons under the Pocket 4's display, and again DJI has loosened previous restrictions for this feature — it can now be used in photo mode and when subject tracking is active.

Yes, image quality upgrades are minor in the Pocket 4, but for professional users there's just about enough to merit swapping out their Pocket 3.

• Image and video quality score: 4.5/5

DJI Osmo Pocket 4: testing scorecardDJI Osmo Pocket 4

Attributes

Notes

Rating

Price

Bang for buck, the Pocket 4 is excellent value, and has no real rival

4.5/5

Design

Welcome design tweaks improve the overall user experience, but it is a fraction bigger than the Pocket 3

4.5/5

Performance

Stellar stabilization, subject tracking and improved battery life

5/5

Image and video quality

Still a single-lens 4K camera, but the quality has been upped through better low-light performance and color profiles

4.5/5

Should I buy the DJI Osmo Pocket 4?Buy it if...

You want a discreet and powerful video camera
No other vlogging camera this small produces such crisp, stabilized 4K video, complete with reliable subject tracking.

You need the polish it brings over the Pocket 3
Sure, the headline features such as 4K up to 240fps, D-Log color, built-in memory and exclusive accessories are welcome, but it's just how much more polished the Pocket 4 feels that stands out day to day. There are less restrictions on how you can use many of its features.

Don't buy it if...

You're happy vlogging with your phone
The latest smartphones, especially flagship models from China, can for the most part match the Pocket 4’s quality, if not its discreetness

You're happy with your Pocket 3
The Pocket 4 is a reasonable upgrade when all it's improvements are considered, but the core features are largely the same as the Pocket 3's.

DJI Osmo Pocket 4: also consider

DJI Osmo Pocket 3

In the immediate future, I expect the Pocket 3 to remain on sale, and it can be had for less than the Pocket 4. It's slightly smaller and features all of the same core features, but you'll miss out on 4K 240fps, built-in memory and new accessories, including the fill light. Check out my Pocket 4 vs Pocket 3 deep dive.

Read our in-depth Pocket 3 review

(Image credit: Future / Tim Coleman)How I tested the DJI Osmo Pocket 4

• DJI loaned me the Creator Combo kit a few weeks before the product's launch
• I regularly used the Pocket 4 and all of its accessories
• I've tested its new features, including 240fps slow-mo recording

DJI loaned me an Osmo Pocket 4 Creator Combo kit, which comprises the camera, gimbal guard, magnetic fill light, grip handle, battery handle, mini tripod and DJI Mic 3 transmitter. I used all of these accessories throughout my review period ahead of the product launch, which spanned the best part of a month.

I briefly compared how the Pocket 4 differs to the Pocket 3 by holding both products side by side, though I haven't shot like-for-like videos with the two cameras to compare quality.

I've shot video in all resolutions and frame rates — that's 4K and 1080p up to 240fps — utilized subject tracking, and shot comparison clips using the various color profiles, including D-Log and the six presets, and used the SuperPhoto and regular photo modes in RAW and JPEG format.

I've recorded onto the camera's internal memory, and run the camera battery down and checked recharge times using a standard USB-C cable.

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